International Journal of Agriculture and Biosciences

Carotenoids are essential pigments for human and plant life, but only plants can produce them. Seven hundred fifty carotenoids improve the lives of different organisms. The tomato is used as a model to get complete information on the biosynthesis of carotenoids. Different horticultural crops are used to learn about biochemical and genetic pathways. Some genes and enzymes play a significant role in regulating carotenoids, like SIPSY1 and DXS. Similarly, some pathways, like the MEP pathway, contribute a lot to the biosynthesis of carotenoids in tomatoes. This study presents a thorough overview of carotenoid biosynthesis and emphasizes new developments in genetic pathways that improve tomato carotenoid production, accumulation, and regulation.

Keywords: Carotenoid Metabolism, Biosynthetic Pathways, Lycopene, Plastids.

The COVID-19 pandemic has significantly affected the normal functioning of different institutions of any given society globally. The continuous smooth functioning of educational and research institutions is indispensable for every nation owing to their role in the provision of skilled human resources and technological innovations. Understanding students’ knowledge about symptoms of the COVID-19 infection and their awareness regarding preventive measures for curtailing its spread plays an important role in the design and implementation of effective educational interventions for pandemic management at educational institutions. Therefore, a study was undertaken to assess university student’s knowledge about COVID-19 infection symptoms and its preventive measures. Data were collected from the students enrolled at King Saud University using a convenience sampling approach with the help of a pre-tested paper-based questionnaire. The findings revealed that majority of the respondents were below 25 years of age, enrolled in undergraduate programs, males, citizens, and residing in their homes. Most of them had moderate to low level of knowledge about COVID-19 infection symptoms. However, they possessed a higher level of awareness regarding preventive measures. Education level was a significant predictor of the students’ knowledge about COVID-19 infection symptoms. Based on the findings, we conclude that the measures implemented by the university administration as well as by the Ministry of Health has proved effective and should continue with the same force when the situation gets worse due to a rise in COVID-19 cases. Moreover, we suggest regular update of the mobile applications and online platforms that have been specifically designed for preventing the spread of the COVID-19 in the Kingdom.

Keywords: Awareness, COVID-19, Knowledge, King Saud University, Students, Saudi Arabia

One of the most prevalent diseases affecting the dairy sector is mastitis in cows. Bovine mastitis is an infection or trauma-induced mammary gland inflammation that causes abnormally low milk output. Contagious and environmental mastitis are more prevalent compared to other gland inflammations. Today, the bacteriological aetiology of mastitis has changed from contagious to environmental pathogens. The dairy cattle environment serves as the main reservoir for environmental infections, while infected mammary glands serve as the main source for contagious infections. The process of milking is connected to the exposure of healthy mammary quarters to infectious microorganisms. On the other hand, uninfected quarters can be exposed to environmental mastitis at any point during the cow’s lifespan. Because they do not directly affect the reservoir of environmental infections, the methods for limiting contagious mastitis are ineffective in managing environmental mastitis. Environmental mastitis, as opposed to contagious mastitis, is more frequently linked to clinical mastitis cases than subclinical infection. Environmental mastitis episodes are thought to cost an average of $107 per lactating cow. It is crucial to understand and manage environmental mastitis. This manuscript reviews recent study findings and makes suggestions related to environmental mastitis prevention strategies.

Keywords: Environmental Mastitis, Contagious Mastitis, Mastitis prevention, Staphylococcus aureus, Escherichia coli.

Background and Aim: The search for a heat-tolerant and less expensive vaccine should be the central point for controlling Newcastle disease in village poultry farming in endemic countries. The objective of the present study was to quantify and monitor the level of antibodies present in the sera of village chickens after vaccination with the thermostable NDI-2 vaccine produced by the Central veterinary laboratory of Niamey. Materials and Methods: The trial involved 88 local chickens, less than one-year-old, raised in two localities in the Maradi region of Niger. Sera samples were first collected from the selected chicken population and – subjected to a competitive enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay to determine their serological status and to eliminate Newcastle disease virus seropositive individuals. The seronegative chickens were then vaccinated with eye drops and monitored for 16 weeks. During this period, serum samples were collected and tested with the indirect enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay to determine antibody titers. A comparative analysis of the antibody titers means was performed using the t-Student test at the 0.05 cut-off. Results: The test results showed that herd immunity (88%) was achieved at the fourth week after vaccination. Mean antibody titers were statistically significant at – 0.05 level of significance between weeks 2 and 4 and between weeks 12 and 16. Conclusion: The NDI-2 vaccine produced by the Central veterinary laboratory of Niamey can be used to protect village chickens against Newcastle disease.

Keywords: Newcastle disease, Seroconversion, Thermostable NDI-2 vaccine, Vaccination, Village chickens.

Nowadays, thermoelectric modules represent important components of energy-saving systems. Controlling and stabilizing the spatiotemporal distribution of climatic parameters at agricultural facilities using thermoelectric systems is based on models and algorithms for optimal control. In this context, technical indicators and energy-saving criteria act as minimization factors. The foundation for addressing the challenge of developing and analytical support for an energy-saving thermoelectric microclimate control system in agricultural facilities is based on the principles of building an adaptive microclimate control system, taking into account both the current climatic state of the control object, as well as the ability to adapt automatically in automatic mode to changes in the technological operating conditions of the object and climatic environmental conditions. All these tasks are complicated by the nonlinear dependencies of the control branches of thermoelectric equipment and the parameters of climatic conditions in the controlled object. To address climate control challenges using thermoelectric systems, we propose spatiotemporal algorithms for processing and controlling thermoelectric cooling and regenerative systems. We also introduce a criterion for optimizing transient control in thermoelectric systems. In conclusion, we have conducted modeling and analysis of a transient mode TEM-based climate management system with the aid of new algorithms and computer-assisted systems. The simulation results demonstrate potential improvements in the system’s transient characteristics.

Keywords: Agricultural climate systems, Biometeorology, Modeling, TEM-based climate management system, Thermoelectrics.

Modern aquaculture faces significant obstacles including a deficiency in sources of protein in the feed, vulnerability to infections, and quality degradation during growing and storage, despite being the sector with the highest growth rate. Beneficial bacterial species shield aquatic animals from infection or stop product deterioration, and bacterial biomass is thought to be a potential source of protein for animal feed. This review focuses on the nutritional, anti-pathogenic, and immunoregulatory functions of these bacteria in relation to aquatic products. Additionally, we examine the connection between host immunity, beneficial bacteria, and gut microbiota, along with recent advances in our understanding of host immunity and microbial mutualism. This analysis emphasizes specific microbial metabolites, bacterial components, and the immune system. The actions of probiotics in aquatic animals have garnered significant research attention in recent years. Various findings, with the potential to be both academically innovative and practically helpful, have emerged. The positive effects of beneficial bacteria on aquatic organisms have sparked extensive research, wide-ranging use in aquaculture, and innovative applications. Future improvements to current practices will require the development of novel applications and related mechanistic research.

Keywords: Probiotics, Growth-promotion, Fish, Vaccine, Immunoregulation.

Transportation and communication are the top factors that ensure the sustainability and development of a civilization. The more the world is growing the more scientists are in the way of discovering the most convenient way of communication and transportation system to make life easier. Due to geography, environment and climate food production is limited to specific areas. Thus, it is a challenging and gigantic task to maintain the supply chain worldwide. Consequently, this review depicts some key strategies to increase the efficiency of transportation system particularly the application of Internet of Things (IoT) in transportation systems. A thorough search of secondary data/ materials from PubMed, Google Scholar, and Scopus were used to locate articles on smart agro-food transportation systems. The context analysis method was used to evaluate the selected articles. To continue a sustainable market linkage efficient vehicle utilization, backhauling, vehicle selection, on time and frequent delivery, third party logistics and transportation collaboration were noted with much importance. Successful integration of smart or intelligent transportation in agro-food item transportation will lead to less loss of perishable items and ensure the maximum utilization of time, money and visits. Overall, future of the food transportation system was found to be more technologically advanced in terms of the strengthening of ICT-based tools and applications of IoT. In the coming days agricultural food goods carriers should be completely automated, coordinated and equipped with emerging ICT tools including hardware and software.

Keywords: Agro-food product, Smart transportation system, Perishable, Information & communication technology, Freight intelligent transport systems.

Background: In endodontic therapy, root canal irrigants are utilized to enhance mechanical debridement. However, conventional irrigants have certain drawbacks, such as being incapable of removing the smear layer, causing tissue irritation, toxicity, and unpleasant taste, especially in children. Therefore, there is a growing necessity to explore natural alternatives, such as herbal irrigants. This study sought to evaluate the antimicrobial effectiveness of German chamomile, tea tree oil (TTO), and chlorhexidine (CHX) as root canal irrigants against E. faecalis and Streptococcus mutans. Method: Fifteen test samples of German chamomile extract, tea tree oil, and chlorhexidine were taken. Indicator strains were grown in Brain Heart Infusion (BHI) agar at 37ºC for 24 hr. In preparation for the experiment, a 15 ml base layer of BHI agar was mixed with 300µl of each inoculum and placed in individual sterilized petri plates. Once the culture medium had solidified, four wells were created on each plate and subsequently filled with the designated testing materials. This methodology was employed to ensure methodological rigor and accuracy in the experimental process. In preparation for the experiment, a 15 ml base layer of BHI agar was mixed with 300µl of each inoculum and placed in individual sterilized petri plates. Once the culture medium had solidified, four wells were created on each plate and subsequently filled with the designated testing materials. This methodology was employed to ensure methodological rigor and accuracy in the experimental process. The plates were kept for 2 hours at room temperature for the diffusion of the material and then incubated at 37ºC for 48 hours. Antibacterial tests were repeated 5 times for homogeneity of the results. Results: The comparison of antimicrobial efficacy of chlorhexidine 2%, tea tree oil, and German chamomile showed a significant difference whereas the comparison between chlorhexidine 2% and tea tree oil was statistically insignificant. Conclusion: The effective reduction in the microbial count by all three test irrigants was observed to be significant. The antimicrobial efficacy of tea tree oil was found to be better than 2% chlorhexidine and German chamomile extract.

Keywords: Chlorhexidine, E-faecalis, German chamomile, Irrigants, Streptococcus mutans.

Horses are companion animals that are reared for multipurpose such as riding, racing, plowing, pulling carts, etc. Therefore, the population of horses is increasing in Punjab. Horses are very sensitive to internal parasites and may frequently be prone to infection caused by small strongyles. Nematodes are responsible for poor health, reduced growth, weight loss, anorexia, diarrhea, gestational lesions, liver damage, and a high mortality rate. The management strategies practiced by the farm owners have an impact on the prevalence of parasitic infections in animals. Farmers adopt different management practices for the well-being of horses. Anthelmintic drugs are the primary control method for their prevention. The drugs used for parasite control give varying efficacy. Therefore, a study was planned to conduct a questionnaire-based survey in Punjab to estimate the stud farmer’s practices for parasite control and to check the efficacy of 6 brands of drugs commercially available in Punjab. The data of the questionnaire was recorded on Google Forms and fecal samples were also collected from various stud farms for egg hatch assay. Based on the survey, Systamax® was the most widely accepted brand of anthelmintic by farmers for the treatment of helminth infections in horses (82.98%). In the egg hatch assay, it is estimated that Parazole® had the lowest dose (0.2 mg/mL) at which 50% inhibition of cyathostomins egg hatching occurred. While Oxafax® showed the highest dose (2.4 mg/mL) at which 50% inhibition of egg hatching occurred. In vitro, the efficacy of Oxafax® was less as compared to other brands. However, the dose-response of all six brands had a non-significant difference. It is concluded that the different strategies adopted by horse owners had a role in the prevalence of parasitic infections in horses and all six brands had varying efficacy against small nematodes.

Keywords: Efficacy, Cyathostomins, Questionnaire, Egg hatch assay, Equine.

The current study aims to identify the factors influencing households’ attitudes towards food safety in the governorates of the Riyadh region (Diriyah, Al-Muzahmiyah, and Thadig). A simple random sampling technique was used to collect data. Results of analysis revealed that nationality and income level had a significant relationship with respondents’ attitudes towards food safety. The majority of respondents hold moderate attitudes towards food purchasing, food preparation and food preservation. On the basis of findings, it is suggested that policy makers should understand the barriers to awareness about food safety. Food authorities should create awareness among people through social media campaigns. Food safety programs should be implemented to ensure food safety and educate people about the advantages of the adoption of food safety measures.

Keywords: Attitudes, knowledge, food Safety, Saudi Arabia.

Nanotechnology is gaining popularity in the realm of animal management, husbandry, and production. Zinc oxide nanoparticles (ZnO NPs) have been under scrutiny for a considerable duration. These NPs have contributed to advancements in animal agriculture, aquaculture, and veterinary medicine. Consequently, ZnO NPs have emerged as promising antimicrobial agents, especially in the context of rising multi-drug-resistant bacteria. Their heightened effectiveness in addressing a broad spectrum of infections has garnered significant attention. Moreover, Zn, recognized as an essential trace element for numerous biological functions in animals, plays a pivotal role in their overall well-being. These NPs have found utility in sunscreens, and there are assertions that they could serve as supplementary treatments to mitigate the adverse effects of chemotherapy. While ZnO NPs hold promise as anti-inflammatory, anti-diabetic, and anti-cancer agents, it is crucial to be cautious regarding alterations in their dosage, as they can entail significant hazards to multiple organs in animals, including the liver, lungs, and kidneys. In the field of biomedicine, ZnO NPs are widely utilized for disease diagnosis and monitoring owing to their substantial potential. However, their widespread adoption in biomedical applications encounters obstacles because of sporadic toxicity concerns. Indeed, they have been identified as carrying toxicological risks, affecting various bodily organs and systems, such as the liver, spleen, kidney, stomach, pancreas, heart, and lungs. Moreover, adverse effects on the nervous system, lymphatic system, hematological indices, sex hormone levels, and fetal development have been linked to these NPs. In this review, we aim to evaluate the utilization of ZnO NPs in various animal-related applications, considering both their promising benefits and potential risks.

Keywords: Ruminants, Pulmonary Infection, Neurotoxicity, Anti-inflammatory, Antibacterial.

Genomic selection has revolutionized plant breeding by enabling the efficient and accurate selection of elite genotypes. Traditional approaches require resource-intensive phenotyping at all stages of artificial selection. However, genomic selection reduces this burden by leveraging genotyping data and machine learning techniques to predict agronomically relevant phenotypic traits. In this paper, we present a two-level prediction system that incorporates both phylogenetic analysis and machine learning models to predict the height of Oryza Sativa L. (Rice) plants based on their gene sequences. The only input for our model is a genomic sequence, whose length does not have to be equal to 24 (number of SNPs considered for our model). At the first level, we employ phylogenetic analysis to classify the plants into subpopulations, capturing the inherent genetic diversity within the dataset. This approach addresses the limitations of existing research, as it incorporates population structure information from gene sequences that is often overlooked in machine learning-based approaches. Subsequently, at the second level, we leverage the population structure information and genomic data to train a machine learning model for accurately predicting plant height. We compare and evaluate various methods employed at both levels to identify the most effective approach. Hence our approach of predicting Phenotype with reference to genotype is accurate compared with other existing systems. Two level classification has done well in identifying phenotype and performed well in predicting subpopulation.

Keywords: Genomic prediction, Phylogeny, Machine Learning, GWAS, Breeding value.

The current research has been performed to check the assessment of the fitness of different diets on rearing and oviposition of pink bollworms. Nine different diets (natural and artificial) were used in this research. There were three replications in each treatment. The longevity of larvae of P. gossypiella was maximum (19.46 days) on diet 4 (cotton seed, okra seed, and permanent ingredients). The longevity of pupae of P. gossypiella was maximum (8.71 days) on cotton seed, okra seed, and permanent ingredients). The longevity of female P. gossypiella was maximum (16.39 days) on diet 5 (cotton seeds, grams seed, and permanent ingredients). The mortality of larvae of P. gossypiella was maximum (46.89%) on diet 7 (cotton seed, okra seed, grams seed, and permanent ingredients). The mortality of pupae of P. gossypiella was maximum (15.33 5) on diet 1 (cotton seed and permanent ingredients). The mortality of females of P. gossypiella adults was maximum (19.16 %) on a natural diet (cotton seed and flowers). The weight of larvae and P. gossypiella was maximum (30.47 mg) on a natural diet (cotton seed and flowers). The weight of pupae of P. gossypiella was maximum (21.01 mg) on a natural diet (cotton seeds and flowers). The ovipositional period of females of P. gossypiella was a maximum (10.39 days) on diet 5 (cotton seeds, grams seed, and permanent ingredients). Female adults of P. gossypiella with normal wings were maximum (5.52) insects on diet 7 (cotton seeds, okra seeds, grams seed, and permanent ingredients). Female adults of P. gossypiella with abnormal wings were the maximum (4.76) insects on diet 4 (cotton seeds, okra seeds, and permanent ingredients). The fecundity of females of P. gossypiella adults was maximum (24.24 eggs) on diet 1 (cotton seeds and permanent ingredients). The minimum mortality (maximum survival) of larvae and pupae was recorded on diet 8, whereas the minimum mortality (maximum survival) of adults was recorded on diet 5. Since different diets were used for the rearing of pink bollworms to check their effectiveness in rearing and oviposition. So, it is concluded that diet 8 and diet 5 are more effective in terms of rearing and oviposition, respectively.

Keywords: Pink bollworm, Diet assessment, Rearing efficiency, Oviposition performance, Larvae mortality.

The exploitation of Arbutus unedo L., a wild fruit, remains relatively limited due to its sensitivity and the dearth of information regarding its conservation methods. This study undertook a comprehensive examination of two preservation techniques: acid packaging utilizing a concentration of 3/4 acetic acid and freezing at -2°C over a span of 180 days. The research revealed that the 3/4 acetic acid concentration in packaging notably contributed to a significant reduction in pH and an elevation in titratable acidity when compared to packaging with a concentration of 1/2 acetic acid. However, it was observed that the increase in total aerobic mesophilic flora remained relatively insignificant in contrast to the control group. Simultaneously, an enhancement in fruit acidity was noted following the packaging process. Moreover, the preservation utilizing 1/2 acetic acid in packaging demonstrated favorable outcomes in terms of physico-chemical and organoleptic parameters of the Arbutus unedo L. fruit. Consequently, the amalgamation of packaging containing 1/2 acetic acid along with freezing at -2°C emerges as a pragmatic and cost-effective approach for preserving Arbutus unedo L. fruits.

Keywords: Arbutus unedo L. Storage, Packaging, Freezing, Acetic acid, Physicochemical.

In the face of challenges such as nonsufficient rural incomes and gender factors influences, numerous rural women are enhancing their contributions to the farming system by actively participating in the agricultural value chain. This involvement is leading to improvements in agricultural output, the income of household, and sustainable living. In this research, we explore the factors influencing involvement in cassava production in the Central Highlands in the Vietnam and decision-making within the cassava value chain, all from a gender aspect. We collected data by conducting a survey based on questionnaires with 330 smallholder farmers, conducting in-depth interviews with informative experts, and facilitating focus group-discussions. In this regard, the Ordinary least squares regression and Probit models were employed within Heckman model with two-stage to identify the factors influencing women’s choices regarding involvement in cultivation of cassava plant, the extent of their participation, and their engagement in other phases of this case. According to the survey findings, men play a dominant role in all aspects of cassava farming. However, there is a more balanced gender representation when it comes to decision-making regarding participation in cassava production and determining the cassava volume to be provided for trade objectives. This article highlights the ongoing challenges faced by female smallholder farmers and underscores that women’s empowerment depends on the equitable dynamics within households, as well as social norms within the community.

Keywords: Gender perspective; Decision-making; Household farmers; Gender equality; Cassava value chain