Asian Journal of Agricultural and Horticultural Research

Nanotechnology-enabled Biopesticides: Advanced Formulation Strategies, Target-Specific Delivery Mechanisms, and Translational Challenges in Sustainable Crop Protection

Manabendra Debnath — 2026-06-09

Global food security faces mounting pressure from crop-destroying pests and the deeply entrenched reliance on synthetic chemical pesticides that, despite decades of use, are generating accelerating resistance across major pest taxa, widespread ecotoxicological harm to non-target organisms including pollinators and soil biota, and tightening regulatory restrictions in key agricultural markets. Biopesticides — encompassing microbial agents, botanically derived compounds, and semiochemicals — offer a fundamentally more targeted and biodegradable alternative; yet their widespread field adoption has been constrained by rapid photodegradation under UV exposure, thermal instability, shortened residual activity, inconsistent performance under variable seasonal and edaphic conditions, and persistent challenges in formulation shelf life and manufacturing consistency. The integration of engineered nanoscale delivery platforms with biologically active ingredients offers a transformative strategy to overcome these barriers simultaneously. By encapsulating or functionalising biopesticide compounds within purpose-built nanocarriers, it becomes possible to shield active ingredients from premature environmental degradation, programme controlled and stimulus-responsive release profiles, enhance foliar retention and cuticular penetration, and achieve target-specific delivery while minimising off-target exposure to beneficial organisms. This review provides a systematic and critical assessment of nanotechnology-enabled biopesticide development, with three explicit objectives: (i) to evaluate the principal nanoformulation platforms — including biodegradable polymeric nanoparticles, nanoemulsions, solid lipid carriers, inorganic layered double hydroxides, and RNAi-based nanoformulations — in terms of their physicochemical mechanisms, efficacy evidence, and comparative limitations; (ii) to critically analyse the environmental fate, ecotoxicological risks, and resistance management implications of these delivery systems under realistic field conditions; and (iii) to identify the translational barriers — regulatory, economic, and socio-technical — that currently impede the scaling and deployment of nano-biopesticides in diverse agricultural contexts. Environmental fate of nanocarriers in soil and aquatic compartments, effects on non-target microbial communities, and regulatory approval pathways across major jurisdictions are critically assessed. Current limitations of the field — including inadequate long-term ecotoxicological data, the absence of harmonised nano-specific risk frameworks, high production costs, and limited farmer-level evidence — are explicitly identified. Realising the transformative promise of nano-biopesticides will require coordinated advances in regulatory science, cost-competitive manufacturing, multi-season field validation, and inclusive science-policy dialogue with farming communities and development organisations.

Digital Transformation of Livestock Production in Africa: A Critical Appraisal of AI Application with Special Emphasis on Nigeria

A. Ayandiji — 2026-07-13

Livestock production underpins food security, income generation and cultural identity across Africa, yet the sector remains constrained by disease burden, low productivity, weak infrastructure and limited access to modern management tools. Artificial intelligence (AI), encompassing machine learning, computer vision, and Internet of Things (IoT)-enabled sensing, has begun to reshape livestock husbandry in high-income countries and is increasingly being tested and adapted for African production systems, including Nigeria's mixed crop-livestock and pastoral economies. This review synthesises the peer-reviewed literature on AI applications across animal health diagnostics, disease surveillance, poultry monitoring, dairy and cattle management, genomic selection, feed optimisation and climate-resilience planning, with particular attention to Nigerian case studies and the wider sub-Saharan African context. The review finds that AI tools have demonstrated technical feasibility for disease detection, individual animal identification, oestrus monitoring, and methane emission prediction, and that mobile-phone-based advisory platforms have delivered measurable productivity gains in East African dairy systems. However, adoption in Nigeria and across much of the continent remains constrained by fragmented connectivity, high hardware costs, scarce training data representative of indigenous breeds and agro-ecologies, low digital literacy among smallholders, and underdeveloped data governance frameworks. The review argues that the translation of AI from proof-of-concept studies to routine farm practice depends on locally trained models, affordable low-bandwidth solutions, gender-responsive design, and coordinated policy support, rather than the direct transplantation of technologies developed for intensive, capital-rich systems elsewhere. The paper concludes with directions for future research and practice that could narrow the gap between the technical promise of AI and its realised benefit for African livestock keepers.

Efficacy of Insecticides against Red Pumpkin Beetle (Aulacophora foveicollis) in Summer Squash at Gauradaha, Jhapa, Nepal

Bhimlal Bhandari — 2026-06-01

Red Pumpkin Beetle (RPB), (Aulacophora foveicollis), is a major destructive insect pest of summer squash, leading to severe vigor and yield loss. A field experiment was conducted in Gauradaha Agriculture Campus in 2024 to assess the comparative efficacy of various chemical insecticides for the management of RPB in Summer Squash The experiment was conducted on a Randomized Complete Block design (RCBD) with 3 replications and 7 treatments. The treatments subjected to the crop were Azadirachtin 300 ppm (3ml/L), Spinosad 45% SC (0.4 ml/L), Cypermethrin 10% EC (1.5 ml/L), Beauveria bassiana 1.15% WP (3 g/L), Malathion 50% EC (2 ml/L), Chlorantraniliprole 18.5% w/w (0.4 ml/L), and water (1.2 L/plot) as a control. The results showed significant differences among treatments in reducing RPB population after each spray (P<0.05). The cypermethrin led to lower RPB population with an average of 1.59, 1.59, and 1.44 after the first, second, and third spray, respectively. The highest Population Reduction Over Control (PROC) was also observed with cypermethrin in both the second and third spray applications, at 23.07% and 14.54%, respectively. Beauveria bassiana was the second most effective treatment in controlling the population of PROC of 12.55, 16.32, and 8.72 after the first, second, and third spray, respectively, along with the lowest average RPB count at first (1.51) and second spray (1.57). Spinosad followed them with PROC value 22.98%, 8.72%, 10.22% and average RPB count of 1.64, 1.66, and 1.62, respectively. Findings suggested a significant impact of insecticidal treatments on crop yield, where the highest yield was observed in Cypermethrin-treated plots (28.21 Mt/ha), followed by Spinosad (26.06 Mt/ha) and Beauveria bassiana (20.36 Mt/ha). The lowest yield was recorded in the untreated control (11.66 Mt/ha). Overall, the study suggests the use of cypermethrin, Spinosad, and Beauveria bassiana for managing RPB in Summer squash in the local context of Gauradaha.

The Determinants of Food Security of Smallholder Vegetable Farmers in Eswatini

S. Sibandze Sikelela — 2026-06-20

Background: Agriculture supports rural livelihoods, employment creation and household food provision in Eswatini, yet food insecurity persists among rural farming households. Smallholder vegetable production is an important enterprise because it can contribute to household income, food availability and dietary diversity. However, empirical evidence on the determinants of food security among vegetable farmers in Eswatini remains limited.

Aim: This study analysed the determinants of food security among smallholder vegetable farmers in Eswatini.
Methods: The study targeted smallholder vegetable farmers contracted with the National Agricultural Marketing Board (NAMBoard). A random sample of 365 vegetable farmers was drawn from a population of 946 contracted farmers across the four administrative regions of Eswatini. Cross-sectional data were collected through face-to-face interviews using a structured questionnaire. Household food security status was measured using the Food Security Index, while the determinants of food security were estimated using a logit regression model.

Results: The results show that 86 farmers (21.77%) were severely food insecure, 129 farmers (32.66%) were moderately food insecure and 180 farmers (45.57%) were food secure. The logit regression results indicate that age, household size, farming experience, education level, off-farm income and annual household income significantly influenced the probability of being food secure. Age and household size had negative effects, whereas farming experience, education level, off-farm income and annual household income had positive effects.

Conclusion and Recommendation: The study concludes that food security among smallholder vegetable farmers is associated with demographic, human-capital and income-related factors. It recommends strengthening farmer education, youth-focused agricultural programmes, income diversification opportunities and market-oriented support to improve household food security among vegetable farmers in Eswatini.

Effect of Pineapple Accession and Shallot Extract Concentration on Vegetative Growth and Root Anatomy of Pineapple (Ananas comosus (L.) Merr.) Stem Cuttings

Muhammad Gilang Alfasha — 2026-06-25

Pineapple (Ananas comosus (L.) Merr.) is an economically important horticultural crop, but the limited availability of uniform and high-quality planting material remains a constraint to its wider cultivation. Stem cuttings from spineless pineapple accessions may provide suitable propagation material; however, their sprouting capacity is often low. Shallot extract (SE) has potential as a natural plant growth regulator because it contains bioactive compounds and endogenous phytohormones that may support shoot and root development. This study evaluated the effects of pineapple accession, SE concentration, and their interaction on the vegetative growth and root anatomy of pineapple stem cuttings. The experiment was conducted in a greenhouse from September 2025 to January 2026 using a two-factor factorial completely randomised design. The first factor consisted of four SE concentrations, namely 0%, 15%, 30%, and 45%, and the second factor consisted of three pineapple accessions, namely accessions 23, 24, and 25. Observed variables included shoot height, number of shoots, number of leaves, leaf length, root length, and root anatomical characteristics. Data were analysed using analysis of variance followed by Duncan’s Multiple Range Test at the 5% significance level. The results showed a significant interaction between pineapple accession and SE concentration only for shoot height. Accession 23 showed a favourable response at 15% SE, whereas accession 25 recorded the greatest shoot height without SE application. Most other vegetative variables were not significantly affected. These findings indicate that the response of pineapple stem cuttings to SE application is accession-specific.

Willingness to Pay Analysis of Generation Z and Millennials for Organic Vegetables in Mataram City, Indonesia

Irma — 2026-06-26

This study examined the willingness to pay (WTP) of Generation Z and Millennial consumers for organic vegetables in Mataram City, Indonesia, and identified factors associated with their willingness to pay a premium price. A quantitative survey approach was used with 188 respondents, comprising 98 Generation Z consumers and 90 Millennial consumers. Respondents were selected based on residence in Mataram City and experience with, or knowledge of, organic vegetables. WTP was estimated using the contingent valuation method with a payment card elicitation technique. Differences in WTP between generations were analysed using an independent samples t-test, while factors influencing WTP were examined using binary logistic regression. The results showed that 77.7% of respondents were willing to pay a higher price for organic vegetables. The average WTP was Rp21,628 per 250 g for organic brazilian spinach and Rp17,968 per 250 g for organic lettuce, both exceeding observed market prices. Millennials showed higher WTP than Generation Z for both commodities, and the difference between generations was statistically significant. Logistic regression indicated that gender, income, and knowledge of organic products had positive and significant effects on WTP. Knowledge of organic products was the strongest factor, with an odds ratio of 6.115. These findings suggest that consumer knowledge may be associated with WTP and that targeted educational initiatives for young consumers may support organic product adoption in emerging markets.

Spatial and Temporal Analysis of Land Use and Land Cover Change in Western Nepal (1994 and 2025)

Nirajan Parajuli — 2026-06-29

Understanding Land-Use and Land-Cover (LULC) change is essential for interpreting environmental transformation and supporting sustainable land management. This study assessed spatial and temporal changes in LULC across eight districts of western Nepal between 1994 and 2025 using Landsat imagery and GIS-based classification. Five major land-cover classes were examined: forest, agricultural land, developed area, water bodies and barren land. The findings show marked differences between hill and Terai districts. Forest cover increased in most hill districts, particularly in Baitadi, Achham and Dailekh, where agricultural land abandonment and community forestry initiatives appear to have contributed to vegetation recovery. In contrast, Kailali and Kanchanpur showed pressure from urban expansion and infrastructure development, reflected in changes in developed areas and forest extent. Agricultural land declined across all districts, indicating a regional shift away from cultivation. Developed areas increased in every district, suggesting continued settlement growth and land conversion. Water bodies decreased across the study area, indicating potential ecological stress and increasing pressure on surface-water resources. Barren land showed comparatively minor fluctuations. Overall, the study demonstrates that western Nepal is undergoing complex LULC transitions shaped by migration, land abandonment, urbanisation and forest management. The findings provide useful evidence for district-level land-use planning, environmental monitoring and conservation-oriented policy decisions.

Growth and Varietal Response of Cacao Seedlings to Poultry Manure Application in the Nursery

Y. O. Alawode — 2026-07-01

Low soil fertility is one of the major problems of cacao seedlings in the nursery. However, cacao (Theobroma cacao L) is characterized by high nutrient demand, particularly N, P. K, Ca and Mg for healthy growth. In this study, growth response of different cocoa seedling varieties to poultry manure application in the nursery was investigated in Uhonmora, Owan-West Local Government, Edo State. The nursery experiment was laid in Completely Randomized Design (CRD) with 3 replications. The treatments were: hybrid CRIN TCs 1, 2, 3, 4, 6, 8 and F3 Amazon cultivars which served as a control, while poultry manure (PM) was tested at 25g (20 tons/ha) per 2.5 kg soil. Data collected on plant height, number of leaves, stem girth, number of branches and leaf area were subjected to analysis of variance to test the treatment effect on different parameters and significant means were separated using Tukey’s Honest Significant Difference (HSD) (P < 0.05). The soil of the experimental site was acidic, low in organic matter, total N, available P and exchangeable K; while Poultry manure applied increased soil pH above 5 (acidity level). CRIN Tc3 and Tc4 had significant higher number of leaves relative to F3 Amason and other Tc series treatments. Poultry manure could serve as a good fertilizer and liming material for cacao seedlings growth especially in depleted and acidic soils as shown in the experiment. CRIN Tc3 and Tc6 gave the highest growth parameters relative to other treatments. Tc3 and Tc6 performed better than the other five cultivars under organic production condition in the nursery and are therefore recommended for good seedlings establishment or rootstock production.

The Allelopathic Effects of Tobacco (Nicotiana tabacum) on Germination and Growth of Wheat (Triticum aestivum) and Pearl Millet (Pennisetum glaucum)

Abhishek Mukherjee — 2026-07-03

Introduction: Wheat and pearl millet are essential crops in global agriculture and contribute significantly to food security and nutrition. However, their productivity is often constrained by environmental challenges and allelopathic interactions. Nicotine and other tobacco leaf derived compounds can affect seed germination and early plant growth.

Aims: This study examined the allelopathic influence of tobacco leaf leachates and residues on wheat and pearl millet under laboratory and pot conditions, with relevance to sustainable residue management.

Materials and Methods: During the rabi seasons of 2022-2024, wheat (Triticum aestivum cv. PBW-343) and pearl millet (Pennisetum glaucum cv. HHB 67) seeds were collected, sterilized and used for the experiments. Mature dry leaves of tobacco (Nicotiana tabacum cv. K326) were collected and used to prepare tobacco leaf leachates at concentrations of 0.25%, 0.5%, 1%, 2% and 3%. Bioassays for seed germination, root length and shoot length were conducted in petri dishes, and pot assessments were conducted using sieved clay loam soil. Chlorophyll content and dry biomass were also measured. Inhibition percentages were used to compare the effects on both crops. The study also included qualitative phytochemical screening and Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR) of the leaf leachates.

Result and Discussion: The results demonstrated that tobacco leachates, particularly at 1%, reduced germination by approximately 72% in wheat and 76% in pearl millet relative to the control. Root growth was the most sensitive parameter, showing reductions of approximately 82% and 73% in wheat and pearl millet, respectively. Significant reductions were also observed in shoot length, chlorophyll content and dry biomass (ANOVA, P < 0.0001). The inhibitory effects were stronger under laboratory conditions than in pot experiments, suggesting the partial degradation, immobilisation or reduced availability of allelochemicals in soil. Pearl millet showed greater sensitivity than wheat in germination and seedling growth inhibition. The findings indicate that tobacco-derived phytochemicals have marked allelopathic activity and highlight the need for careful management of tobacco residues in agricultural systems.

Influence of Different Types of Organic Manure on Growth and Yield of Slender Leaf (Crotalaria brevidens)

Lucy Gacheri Thiauru — 2026-07-06

Slender leaf (Crotalaria brevidens) is an underutilised leguminous leafy vegetable with potential contributions to food security, dietary diversity and soil fertility. This study evaluated the influence of different organic manure sources on root nodulation, vegetative growth and yield of slender leaf under field conditions at the Meru University of Science and Technology Demonstration Farm, Kenya. The experiment was conducted during September–December 2023 and February–May 2024 using a randomised complete block design with five treatments replicated four times: 4 t ha⁻¹ cattle manure, 4 t ha⁻¹ goat manure, 3 t ha⁻¹ poultry manure, 130 kg ha⁻¹ NPK (17:17:17) fertiliser and an untreated control. Seeds were sown at 30 cm × 30 cm spacing, and data were collected on soil moisture, plant height, chlorophyll index, root nodulation, leaf fresh and dry weight, and seed weight. Manure source significantly affected several growth and yield parameters (p < 0.05). Poultry manure consistently produced the strongest response, including the highest plant height at 63 DAS in both seasons, improved chlorophyll index, greater root nodulation and higher seed weight. It also produced the highest leaf fresh weight, reaching 116.7 g per plant in season one and 135.7 g per plant in season two. Goat and cattle manure improved crop performance compared with the control, although their effects were generally lower than poultry manure. The findings indicate that poultry manure is a promising locally available nutrient source for improving slender leaf productivity under the conditions of this experiment.

Enhancing Grain Corn (Zea mays L.) Yield through Boron Application under High Temperature Stress during Reproductive Stage

Mohd Aziz Rashid — 2026-07-08

Climate change is projected to increase the frequency and intensity of extreme temperature events, including heatwaves, which can reduce grain corn productivity by impairing reproductive development. This study evaluated the effect of foliar boron (B) application on grain yield and kernel set of grain corn (Zea mays L.) cv. GWG5005 under high-temperature field conditions in Agroclimatic Zone 1 of Peninsular Malaysia, a region characterised by a clear and regular annual dry season. Field experiments were conducted at Sintok and Seberang Perai using a randomised complete block design with four foliar B application rates: 0.0 kg B ha⁻¹ (control), 0.5 kg B ha⁻¹, 1.0 kg B ha⁻¹ and 1.5 kg B ha⁻¹, applied at the flowering stage. During the growing season, maximum temperatures occasionally reached 35–39 °C, with seasonal average maximum temperatures of 35.8 °C in Sintok and 32.8 °C in Seberang Perai. Foliar application of 1.0 kg B ha⁻¹ significantly improved reproductive performance at both locations. In Sintok, the proportion of cobs with complete kernel set increased from 17.2% in the control to 59.5%, while in Seberang Perai it increased from 55.9% to 69.1%. Grain yield also increased significantly by 17.6% and 19.0% in Sintok and Seberang Perai, respectively, compared with the control. These findings indicate that foliar application of 1.0 kg B ha⁻¹ (equivalent to 3.29 kg boron trioxide (B₂O₃) ha⁻¹) at the tasselling stage improved kernel set and grain yield and may be considered as an adaptation strategy for grain corn under high-temperature stress. Foliar boron application therefore represents a potential agronomic strategy to enhance grain corn productivity under increasing temperature stress associated with climate change.