UTTAR PRADESH JOURNAL OF ZOOLOGY

Integration of Selective Insecticides with Metarhizium anisopliae for Sustainable Management of Fall Armyworm, Spodoptera frugiperda (J.E. Smith) in Maize

2026-08-12T07:09:32+00:00

Spodoptera frugiperda (J.E. Smith) is a destructive invasive pest that poses a serious threat to maize production, necessitating the development of sustainable management strategies. The present study evaluated the efficacy of integrating selective insecticides with Metarhizium anisopliae for the management of fall armyworm under field conditions. Field experiments were conducted at two locations in South Gujarat, India, during the Rabi 2025–26 season using novaluron 5.25 + emamectin benzoate 0.9 SC and thiamethoxam 12.60 + lambda-cyhalothrin 9.50 SC applied alone and in combination with M. anisopliae, along with M. anisopliae alone and an untreated control. Repeated-measures mixed-effects analysis revealed significant treatment effects on plant infestation, leaf damage, cob infestation and cob yield. Among the evaluated treatments, novaluron 5.25 + emamectin benzoate 0.9 SC integrated with M. anisopliae recorded the lowest plant infestation (32.92%), leaf damage score (2.70) and cob infestation (11.01%), and produced the highest cob yield (13.21 t ha⁻¹), representing a 40.53% increase over the untreated control. Although statistically comparable with novaluron 5.25 + emamectin benzoate 0.9 SC applied alone for most parameters, the integrated treatment consistently showed numerically superior performance. In contrast, M. anisopliae applied alone provided only moderate suppression of fall armyworm and lower yield protection than insecticide-based treatments. These findings demonstrate that integrating M. anisopliae with selective insecticides improves fall armyworm management and maize productivity, highlighting its potential as an effective component of integrated pest management (IPM) for sustainable maize production.

Acute and Sub-acute Oral Toxicity Study of Allium sativum Powder in Wister Rats

2026-08-12T12:57:59+00:00

This study evaluated the acute and sub-acute oral toxicity of A. sativum powder in male Sprague Dawley rats. Thirty-five rats weighing 180–220 g were used. In the acute toxicity study, rats were assigned to three groups of five animals each and received sterile water or a single oral dose of the garlic powder preparation. In the sub-acute study, rats were assigned to four groups of five animals each and received sterile water or the garlic powder preparation at 2000, 3000, or 5000 mg/kg body weight daily for four weeks. Body weight, selected organ weights, and serum biochemical markers of liver and kidney function were assessed. Acute administration did not produce significant changes in body weight, organ weight, liver function markers, or kidney function markers compared with the control group. In the sub-acute study, the 2000 mg/kg group showed a significant increase in body weight during weeks 2 and 3, a significant decrease in liver weight, and significant increases in aspartate aminotransferase and direct bilirubin. These changes were not dose-dependent and were not accompanied by significant increases in alanine aminotransferase, creatinine, urea, or uric acid. The findings suggest that the tested garlic powder preparation did not produce a consistent pattern of acute or sub-acute systemic toxicity under the conditions of this study. Further evaluation, including histopathology, haematology, food intake monitoring, and the inclusion of both sexes, is recommended.

Response of Rice Genotypes to Yellow Stem Borer, Scirpophaga incertulas (Walker), Infestation

2026-08-13T10:54:55+00:00

Aims: To evaluate advanced rice breeding lines for their response to yellow stem borer, Scirpophaga incertulas (Walker), under augmented infestation and to identify tolerant and susceptible genotypes based on white ear damage during the reproductive phase.

Study Design: A field evaluation of rice genotypes under augmented yellow stem borer infestation across two locations.

Place and Duration of Study: The study was conducted at the ICAR-Indian Institute of Rice Research (ICAR-IIRR), Rajendranagar, Hyderabad, and Ramachandrapuram, Patancheru, Telangana, India, during kharif 2025.

Methodology: Twenty-three advanced rice breeding lines from varying backgrounds, along with three susceptible checks (Pusa Basmati 1, TN1 and RNR 15048) and three tolerant checks (Sasyasree, W1263 and SM92), were evaluated for white ear damage under augmented infestation conditions. Augmented infestation was carried out by pinning egg masses at the black-head stage. White ear incidence was recorded during the reproductive phase, and the response of the genotypes was compared across the two locations.

Results: Augmented infestation produced significantly higher white ear damage and effectively differentiated tolerant and susceptible rice genotypes. Mean white ear incidence varied widely among genotypes. W1263 (10.99% WE) and SM92 (8.31% WE) exhibited low and stable incidence across the two locations, while NLR 3989 (3.37% WE) and five other lines recorded negligible incidence (<9% WE), identifying them as tolerant sources. Pusa Basmati 1 (31.57% WE), TN1 (18.58% WE) and RNR 15048 (21.02% WE) remained consistently susceptible, whereas Sasyasree showed partial tolerance under higher pest pressure.

Conclusion: The identified tolerant genotypes can be utilised as valuable sources in breeding programmes for the development of rice varieties with reduced damage from yellow stem borer.

Effects of Cow Dung and Immobilized Lactobacillus sporogens on the Hemato-immunological Responses of Indian Major Carp (Cirrhinus mrigala, Labeo rohita) and Exotic Carp (Cyprinus carpio)

2026-08-14T11:44:48+00:00

The present study investigates the effects of free and immobilised probiotic supplementation containing Lactobacillus sporogenes with cow dung on the haematological and immunological responses of economically important Indian major carps, Cirrhinus mrigala (11.5 ± 0.4 g), Labeo rohita (8.5 ± 0.5 g), and exotic carp, Cyprinus carpio (10.5 ± 0.6 g), reared in Aliyar Dam water. A total of 125 fingerlings of each fish species were randomly allocated to five treatment groups with triplicates over a 70-day experimental period. The experimental diets consisted of T1 (free probiotics), T2 (cow dung), T3 (cow dung + free probiotics), T4 (cow dung + immobilised probiotics), and a control group fed the basal diet without probiotic supplementation. At the end of the feeding experiment, haematological indices (haemoglobin (Hb), red blood cell (RBC) count, white blood cell (WBC) count, packed cell volume (PCV) or Haematocrit, mean corpuscular volume (MCV), mean corpuscular haemoglobin (MCH), and mean corpuscular haemoglobin concentration (MCHC)) and immunological parameters (Nitroblue tetrazolium (NBT) respiratory burst activity, lysozyme activity, and phagocytic activity) were evaluated. The results revealed a significant (P < 0.05) enhancement in both haematological and immunological parameters in the probiotic-treated groups compared with the control. Among the treatments, fish receiving cow dung supplemented with immobilised probiotics (T4) exhibited the maximum response, followed by cow dung with free probiotics (T3). The improved haematological and immune responses indicate improved physiological status, oxygen-carrying capacity, and disease resistance in the fish (P≤0.05) compared with the control. These findings suggest that immobilised Lactobacillus sporogenes is an effective probiotic supplement for enhancing the survival rate of commercial IMC and exotic carp by enhancing immunity, reducing disease, improving the haematological profile, and supporting sustainable aquaculture through better water quality and reduced mortality.

Optimization of Extender–cryoprotectant Combinations for Sperm Cryopreservation of Rohu Labeo rohita (Hamilton, 1822)

2026-08-14T11:57:42+00:00

Sperm cryopreservation is an essential reproductive biotechnology for the long-term conservation of genetic resources and the year-round production of quality seed in aquaculture. The present study aimed to optimise suitable combinations of extenders (7, 9B, and 9C) and cryoprotectants [dimethyl sulfoxide (DMSO), dimethylacetamide (DMA), and methanol] for the cryopreservation of rohu (Labeo rohita) sperm. Fresh milt exhibited excellent quality, with sperm concentrations ranging from 9.58 × 10¹⁰ to 1.68 × 10¹¹ cells mL⁻¹ in Lot 1 and from 1.03 × 10¹¹ to 2.25 × 10¹¹ cells mL⁻¹ in Lot 2, and motility ranging from 90–95%. Milt samples were diluted at a ratio of 1:6 (milt:diluent) using different extender–cryoprotectant combinations and cryopreserved in liquid nitrogen (−196°C). Post-thaw fertilisation and hatching trials were conducted to evaluate sperm functionality. Extender 9C produced the highest hatching percentage among the extenders (51.08%), while DMSO produced the highest hatching percentage among the cryoprotectants (51.26%); both values remained lower than the fresh-milt control (79.00%). The results indicate that extender 9C and DMSO were the best-performing extender and cryoprotectant, respectively, under the evaluated conditions. This optimised protocol has considerable potential for large-scale hatchery operations, selective breeding programmes, and long-term germplasm conservation of L. rohita.

Optimization of Pangasius Cage Culture in Irrigation Canal: Structural Integration and Fish Productivity

2026-08-17T12:33:01+00:00

Irrigation canals represent an underexploited resource for inland aquaculture expansion, yet the choice of cage construction material can substantially influence culture outcomes in such systems. This study evaluated the feasibility of cage culture in an irrigation canal linked to the Ukai reservoir system, comparing three cage construction materials: bamboo, unplasticised polyvinyl chloride (UPVC), and galvanised iron (GI) for the culture of Thai pangas (Pangasius spp.). Three cages of identical dimensions (3 × 2 × 1.5 m) were stocked with tilapia fingerlings at a density of 30 fish/m³ (270 fish/cage) and reared for 60 days under a twice-daily commercial pelleted feeding regime. Water-quality parameters remained within optimal ranges throughout the trial, confirming the suitability of the canal environment for cage aquaculture. Growth and production performance were assessed using mean body weight, weight gain, specific growth rate, survival rate, feed conversion ratio, protein efficiency ratio, feed conversion efficiency, growth percentage, and final biomass, with statistical analysis performed using SPSS. UPVC cages consistently outperformed the other treatments, yielding the highest final body weight (45.3 ± 0.69 g), mean weight gain (19.8 ± 0.69 g), specific growth rate (0.97 ± 0.02% day⁻¹), survival rate (95.18 ± 1.81%), and final biomass (11,642.1 ± 388 g/cage), alongside the lowest feed conversion ratio (2.83) and the best feed-utilisation indices. Bamboo cages showed moderately lower but biologically sound performance, positioning them as a cost-effective alternative, whereas GI cages recorded the lowest overall productivity. These findings indicate that UPVC was the most suitable material under the conditions of this trial, with bamboo serving as a viable low-cost option where synthetic materials are economically constrained.

Morphological Characterization and Productive and Reproductive Performance of Sojat Goats under Farmers’ Management Conditions in Rajasthan, India

2026-08-19T10:18:23+00:00

Aim: This study was conducted to assess the morphological characteristics, growth, productive performance and reproductive performance, management practices and production constraints of Sojat goats under field conditions in Rajasthan.

Study Design: A field-based survey was conducted using a structured and pre-tested interview schedule.

Place and Duration of Study: The study was conducted in selected areas of Pali and Jodhpur districts of Rajasthan, India.

Methodology: Two tehsils from each district, four villages from each tehsil and 15 Sojat goat farmers from each selected village were selected, resulting in a total sample of 240 respondents. Data were collected through personal interviews and direct observations. Information on socio-economic characteristics, morphological traits, growth, production and reproduction, breeding, feeding, housing, milking, marketing and health-care practices was recorded. Constraints perceived by farmers were assessed using a three-point severity scale. Data were analysed using frequency, percentage, mean, standard deviation, standard error, mean percent score and chi-square test, wherever appropriate.

Results: The study revealed considerable variation in the morphological and productive characteristics of Sojat goats under field conditions. The mean age at first mating was 375.04 ± 0.40 days in males and 389.41 ± 0.24 days in females, while the ages at first oestrus and first kidding were 280.23 ± 0.47 and 496.15 ± 0.50 days, respectively. The mean oestrous cycle, kidding interval and gestation period were 18.50 ± 0.14, 346.25 ± 2.81 and 146.88 ± 0.03 days, respectively. The mean litter size was 1.55 ± 0.10, with a lifetime kidding frequency of 11.10 ± 0.06. The findings indicated good reproductive potential and productive longevity of Sojat goats. Farmers followed diverse traditional and improved management practices, while constraints related to breeding, feeding, housing, health care and marketing were also observed.

Conclusion: Sojat goats demonstrated favourable growth, productive and reproductive potential under farmer-managed conditions. Improvements in scientific management practices, breeding services, health care, feeding and marketing facilities could further enhance the productivity and economic viability of Sojat goat production.

A Preliminary Assessment of Butterfly Diversity in and around Bongaigaon Tea Estate, Bongaigaon, Assam, India

2026-08-19T11:07:27+00:00

Butterflies are ecologically important organisms and are widely recognised as useful bio-indicators of environmental changes. The present study aimed to document butterfly diversity in and around Bongaigaon Tea Estate, Bongaigaon, Assam, India, where locality-specific information on butterfly assemblages was previously unavailable. A 12-month survey was conducted from August 2025 to July 2026 across the approximately 1.55 km² study area. Line transects and visual encounter surveys were employed for field documentation, while photographic evidence was obtained using an iPhone 16 and a Canon 3000D equipped with a 300 mm zoom lens. A total of 42 butterfly species belonging to six families were recorded. Nymphalidae was the most species-rich family, comprising 18 species, followed by Lycaenidae (7), Papilionidae (6), Pieridae (6), Hesperiidae (4), and Riodinidae (1). Lemon Pansy (Junonia lemonias), Common Mormon (Papilio polytes), Common Evening Brown (Melanitis leda), and Great Eggfly (Hypolimnas bolina) were among the commonly observed species. Conservation-status assessment indicated that several recorded species are categorised as Least Concern under the IUCN Red List, while others currently lack a global assessment. Five recorded species were identified as legally protected: Papilio clytia, Troides aeacus, Troides helena, Euploea mulciber, and Baoris farri. Despite the relatively small size and human-modified nature of the study area, the occurrence of 42 species highlights the potential of the tea-estate landscape and surrounding vegetation to support local butterfly diversity. However, noticeable habitat fragmentation and habitat loss associated with ongoing development may threaten the persistence of this diversity. As a preliminary faunal assessment, the study provides baseline information for Bongaigaon Tea Estate and can serve as a reference for future monitoring, comparative studies, and landscape-level conservation planning.

Seasonal Pest Intensity of Spodoptera litura (Fabricius) and Its Effect on Fruit Yield in Six Tomato (Solanum lycopersicum L.) Varieties under Unprotected Field Conditions

2026-08-20T12:10:34+00:00

Tomato (Solanum lycopersicum L.) is one of the most widely grown and economically important vegetable crops in India, but its yield is consistently constrained by lepidopteran fruit borers, particularly Spodoptera litura (Fabricius). A field investigation was carried out during 2016–17 to record the pest intensity of S. litura on six tomato varieties — Pusa Gaurav, Ratna, Arka Saurabh, Pant Bahar, Arka Abha and an untreated Control — left unprotected from pest attack, and to relate this intensity to fruit yield. A field plot measuring 35x22 m was arranged with three replications in a randomised block design (R.B.D.) and a 1.0 m block border. The plots measured 6.0*3.0 m and were separated by a 0.5 m border. The distance between rows and plants was 75x75 cm. A completely randomised design (C.R.D.) for laboratory experiments and a randomised block design (R.B.D.) was employed for field experiments. Larval counts per plant were recorded at weekly intervals from the third week of January to the first week of April and subjected to square-root transformation before analysis. Pest intensity varied appreciably among varieties and across the observation period, with population build-up generally peaking between mid-February and early March. Arka Saurabh recorded the lowest mean pest intensity (0.37–0.39 larvae/plant) but also a comparatively low yield (15.40 kg), whereas Pant Bahar combined a low pest load (0.28–0.54 larvae/plant) with the highest yield (18.95 kg), suggesting a favourable tolerance response. Ratna and Pusa Gaurav carried the heaviest pest burden and showed correspondingly greater within-season yield variability. The untreated Control recorded the lowest overall yield (13.40 kg), underscoring the yield penalty associated with unmanaged S. litura infestation. These findings indicate that varietal choice can meaningfully influence S. litura pressure and support the inclusion of Pant Bahar and Arka Saurabh in integrated pest management and future breeding programmes targeting fruit-borer tolerance.

Screening of Doubled Haploid Lines of Maize for Resistance against Fall Armyworm and Pink Stem Borer under Artificial Infestation

2026-08-21T11:21:45+00:00

The present study evaluated 30 maize doubled haploid (DH) lines against fall armyworm (FAW), Spodoptera frugiperda and pink stem borer (PSB), Sesamia inferens, under artificial infestation during Rabi, 2025–26. The experiment was conducted in a net house under randomized block design with two replications and resistant and susceptible checks. FAW leaf injury was scored at 14 and 21 days after infestation (DAI), ear damage was scored at harvest and PSB leaf injury was scored at 35 DAI. Among the DH lines, the mean FAW leaf injury rating ranged from 3.00 to 5.60. DH 14 recorded the lowest mean score (3.00) and was found to be resistant. Whereas DH 12, DH 15, DH 13, DH 18 and DH 17 had comparatively low injury and were found to be moderately resistant. Mean leaf injury and ear damage were positively associated across the 30 DH lines screened (r = .836, P < .001). Among the evaluated DH lines against pink stem borer, leaf injury rating ranged from 4.96 to 8.36. None of the DH lines were found to be resistant; DH 9, DH 21, DH 19, DH 7, DH 27 and DH 1 were moderately resistant and showed the lowest leaf injury by PSB. The identified resistant and moderately resistant lines can be further evaluated across locations and seasons to include in breeding crossing programmes.

Acute Cadmium Toxicity and Behavioural Responses in Channa gachua (Hamilton): A 96-h Probit Bioassay

2026-08-21T11:36:19+00:00

Background: Cadmium (Cd) is a persistent, non-essential heavy metal that enters aquatic ecosystems through industrial, agricultural, and urban effluents, posing a severe threat to freshwater fish. Channa gachua (Hamilton), a facultative air-breathing snakehead widely distributed across South and Southeast Asian wetlands, is repeatedly exposed to surface-water contaminants owing to its aerial respiration behaviour, yet no published study has determined the acute toxicity of cadmium chloride (CdCl₂) in this species. Methods: A static-renewal 96-h acute toxicity bioassay was conducted using five nominal CdCl₂ concentrations (28, 30, 32, 34 and 36 mg/L) in triplicate, with 10 fish per replicate aquarium (30 fish per concentration). Mortality was recorded at 24, 48, 72 and 96 h, and median lethal concentrations (LC50) were estimated by Finney’s probit method (Finney, 1971). Behavioural and morphological alterations were monitored qualitatively throughout the exposure period, and representative photographs were recorded. Results: Mortality increased in a clear concentration- and time-dependent manner. The 96-h LC50 was estimated at 28.8 mg/L (regression: y = −18.82 + 16.32x; log-probit basis), with LC50 declining progressively from 38.7 mg/L (24 h, extrapolated) to 34.1 mg/L (48 h) and 31.5 mg/L (72 h). Exposed fish showed concentration-dependent behavioural disturbances consistent with those reported for the congener Channa punctatus. Conclusion: Channa gachua displays a clear dose- and time-dependent acute toxicity response to CdCl₂, with a 96-h LC50 of 28.8 mg/L, which is positioned within the wide 6.19–80.62 mg/L range reported across independent congeneric determinations for Channa punctata, reflecting both genuine interspecific variation and substantial methodological heterogeneity in the existing literature that merits further controlled, side-by-side investigation.

Range Extension and New Record of Labeo rajasthanicus (Datta & Majumdar, 1970) (Cypriniformes: Cyprinidae) in the Bhima River Basin, Maharashtra, India

2026-08-21T11:42:16+00:00

Labeo rajasthanicus (Datta & Majumdar, 1970) was originally described from Jaisamand Lake, Rajasthan, and was later considered taxonomically uncertain due to the absence of subsequent records and the loss of the original type material. The species was subsequently confirmed to be valid following a reassessment of the Labeo gonius subgroup and the designation of a neotype. The present study reports the occurrence of L. rajasthanicus from the Bhima River basin, Maharashtra, India, based on two specimens collected from the confluence region of the Mula Mutha and Bhima rivers at 18°34'01.7"N and 74°20'34.1"E. Morphometric and meristic characters were examined using standard taxonomic procedures. The specimens measured 172.88–179.61 mm in standard length and showed diagnostic characters consistent with L. rajasthanicus, including 57–58 lateral-line scales, 19–20 predorsal scales, 24–26 circumpeduncular scale rows, 41–47 circumferential scale rows, and a dorsal-fin formula of iii-12. These features distinguish the specimens from closely related congeners such as L. shivamogaensis, L. dussumieri, L. boggut, and L. gonius. The present record extends the known distribution of L. rajasthanicus from its previously documented range in Rajasthan to the Bhima River basin in Maharashtra. This finding adds to current knowledge of the species’ distribution and highlights the need for further ichthyofaunal surveys in Indian river systems.

Effective Management of Poultry Red Mite (Dermanyssusgallinae) in Backyard Poultry Using an Integrated Control Program: A Case Report

2026-08-22T12:14:42+00:00

Poultry red mite Dermanyssus gallinae is one of the most economically important ectoparasites affecting laying hens worldwide, causing anaemia, reduced egg production, poor welfare, and economic losses. Increased resistance to synthetic acaricides has highlighted the need for a sustainable integrated control programme. This case report aimed to evaluate the long-term control of poultry red mite infestation in backyard poultry using a combination of chemical acaricides, herbal extracts, and improved sanitation practices. A flock of 49 hens and 3 cocks showed severe anaemia, weight loss, feather pecking, cannibalism, reduced egg production, and mortality. Mites collected from the birds and poultry house were processed and identified morphologically as D. gallinae based on characteristic microscopic features. The poultry premises were dry-cleaned and disinfected before treatment. Birds were initially treated with 0.25% cypermethrin dust, followed by repeated applications of herbal extracts containing Annona squamosa and Sphaeranthus indicus. Poultry sheds were treated with cypermethrin and a herbal formulation containing Acorus calamus, Annona squamosa, and Allium sativum, with monthly applications for four months. A marked reduction in the mite population was observed, and effective control was maintained for more than one year. The findings demonstrate that an integrated pest management programme combining chemical treatment, botanical extracts, and regular cleaning and disinfection provides an effective and sustainable strategy for long-term control of poultry red mite infestations in backyard poultry.

Evolutionary Toxicology of Insecticide Resistance in Indian Cereal Ecosystems: A Critical Appraisal of Selection Regimes, Mechanistic Evidence and Management Inference

2026-08-12T07:16:27+00:00

Insecticide resistance in the pest complexes of rice, wheat, maize and stored cereals represents one of the most consequential evolutionary responses to human chemical intervention in South Asian agriculture, yet the evidence supporting resistance management decisions in India remains uneven in both quality and coverage. This review evaluates critically the state of knowledge on the evolutionary toxicology of insecticide resistance in Indian cereal ecosystems, treating resistance as the outcome of quantifiable evolutionary parameters rather than as a descriptive property of pest populations. Literature was identified through open scholarly indexes and metadata registries, supplemented by citation searching, and appraised for design adequacy, mechanistic depth, geographical relevance and evidential alignment with the claims made. Four analytical themes are developed. First, the selection landscape of Indian cereal systems is characterised by near-continuous host availability, short generation times, extensive dispersal and a narrowing set of effective modes of action, a combination that theory predicts should accelerate adaptation. Second, mechanistic understanding of field-evolved resistance in rice planthoppers, stem borers and stored-grain beetles derives predominantly from East Asian, Brazilian and Australian laboratories, so that mechanisms are frequently assumed rather than demonstrated for Indian populations. Third, phosphine resistance in stored cereals constitutes the clearest exception, since an India-specific dihydrolipoamide dehydrogenase variant has been characterised genetically and surveyed at high frequency in southern India. Fourth, the Indian field literature is dominated by short-term efficacy trials and single-season bioassays that cannot estimate allele frequencies, dominance, fitness costs or rates of change, which are precisely the parameters that resistance management strategies require. The principal unresolved questions concern the frequency and geographical structure of resistance alleles in Indian populations, the magnitude and modifiability of fitness costs, and whether recommended rotations achieve genuine heterogeneity of selection at the scale at which pests actually disperse. Resistance management in Indian cereals will remain provisional until longitudinal, genotype-based surveillance replaces episodic phenotypic screening.

Human-Wildlife Conflict and Crop Depredation by Nilgai in India: A Critical Narrative Review of Ecological Drivers, Rural Costs and Management

2026-08-14T11:51:24+00:00

Human-wildlife conflict involving crop-foraging herbivores is a persistent challenge in agrarian landscapes, but the evidentiary basis for managing nilgai (Boselaphus tragocamelus) in India remains uneven. This critical narrative review evaluates research on nilgai crop depredation through an integrated ecological, agricultural and human-dimensions lens. Literature published from 1989 to 9 June 2026 was identified through live searches of accessible scholarly indexes, repositories and authoritative institutional sources, supplemented by citation searching and DOI-level bibliographic verification. Evidence was appraised according to study design, measurement validity, spatial and temporal coverage, species attribution, treatment of confounding and relevance to management. Field studies consistently show that nilgai exploit agricultural mosaics and can impose substantial losses at particular sites, yet national-scale estimates of damage are not defensible from current evidence. The strongest causal evidence comes from protected-versus-unprotected plot comparisons and repeated field measurements; perception surveys, compensation records and media reports are useful for understanding social salience and geographic signals but cannot substitute for direct loss estimation. Crop vulnerability varies with phenology, proximity to refuges, landscape structure and local species assemblages, while nocturnal crop use and behavioural plasticity complicate deterrence. The social burden extends beyond harvested yield to night guarding, safety risk, time loss, transaction costs and unequal exposure among households. Existing mitigation is dominated by guarding, barriers and reactive population-control proposals, but robust nilgai-specific effectiveness trials are scarce. Evidence from broader crop-raiding research indicates that interventions are context-dependent and require maintenance, collective action and explicit evaluation against controls. A shift from episodic removal towards adaptive landscape management is therefore warranted, combining standardised damage monitoring, targeted barriers, habitat and crop-risk planning, transparent compensation, and experimentally evaluated fertility or population-management options where justified. The principal research priority is a coordinated, multi-state evidence system that links nilgai abundance and movement to measured crop loss, household costs and intervention outcomes.

Genomics-assisted Improvement of Resistance to Insect Pests, Diseases and Nematodes in Tomato: A Critical Appraisal of Discovery, Durability and Deployment

2026-08-19T10:59:24+00:00

Tomato (Solanum lycopersicum L.) is the most produced vegetable crop worldwide and sustains losses from an unusually broad spectrum of viruses, fungi, oomycetes, bacteria, root-knot nematodes, and phloem-feeding and leaf-mining insects. Two decades of genomic investment have transformed the discovery phase of resistance breeding, yet the traits deployed in commercial cultivars remain dominated by a small number of major loci introgressed from wild relatives, several of which have been compromised by pathogen adaptation. This critical narrative review examines whether, and where, genomic technologies have altered breeding outcomes rather than merely accelerating gene discovery. Literature was identified through publicly accessible scholarly indexes and appraised for design adequacy, replication, ecological realism, and the strength of the link between genotype and field performance. The evidence is organised around four themes: the shift from a single reference assembly to graph-based and telomere-to-telomere pangenomes; the mechanistic heterogeneity of characterised resistance loci and its consequences for durability; the persistent gap between quantitative trait locus detection and cultivar release; and the distinct evidentiary status of insect and nematode resistance, where causal genetic architecture is less resolved than for viral resistance. The available evidence indicates that genomic resources have substantially improved the resolution of resistance discovery and the precision of marker-assisted introgression, but have not yet demonstrably improved durability. Resistance erosion is documented for begomovirus, tobamovirus and orthotospovirus resistance, and for the single nematode resistance locus in general use. Editing of susceptibility genes offers a mechanistically distinct route, although fitness costs and regulatory heterogeneity constrain translation. Insect resistance depends largely on trichome-borne specialised metabolites whose genetic control is polygenic and environmentally labile, and validated field evidence remains sparse. Priorities include multi-environment durability trials with explicit pathogen population monitoring, systematic quantification of fitness penalties associated with edited susceptibility alleles, and integration of vector and virus resistance within single genetic backgrounds. Confidence in present conclusions is limited by the geographical concentration of studies and by short evaluation horizons.