The use of plastic mulch in agricultural practices has gained significant attention due to its potential to improve crop productivity and conserve soil moisture. This study investigates the impact of black plastic mulch on soil temperature and tomato yield in the mid hills of Garhwal Himalayas. Experimental plots were established with and without black plastic mulch, and soil temperature was measured at different depths throughout the growing season. Tomato plants were monitored for growth parameters, yield, and fruit quality. The results indicate that black plastic mulch significantly increased soil temperature compared to the control, especially at shallow depths. This accelerated soil warming promotes early plant growth and development, resulting in improved tomato yield and fruit quality. The increased soil temperature under black plastic mulch also aids in weed suppression and moisture conservation. Thus, the application of black plastic mulch shows great potential for enhancing tomato production in the mid hills of Garhwal Himalayas, contributing to sustainable agriculture in the region.

This article analyzes the damage of pear varieties by powdery mildew. In the research, it was found that 11.7% of pear varieties were affected by powdery mildew in 2020, 12.3% in 2021 and 12.7% in 2022. Passkrasana and Hosui varieties of pear are resistant to powdery mildew, Nijisseyki variety is moderately resistant, and Carmen variety is resistant variety.

The effective management of agricultural residues is crucial for sustainable agriculture and waste reduction. Composting is a promising approach to convert agricultural residues into valuable potting soils. This study aims to explore the utilization of specific agricultural residues in the composting process for the production of high-quality potting soils. Selected agricultural residues, such as crop residues, straw, husks, or spent mushroom substrates, are incorporated into composting systems along with organic amendments and bulking agents. The composting process is monitored for key parameters including temperature, moisture content, pH, carbon-to-nitrogen ratio, and microbial activity. The resulting composts are evaluated for their physical, chemical, and biological properties, including nutrient content, organic matter content, water holding capacity, and microbial diversity. The utilization of agricultural residues in composting systems offers an opportunity to recycle organic waste, improve soil fertility, and reduce reliance on synthetic fertilizers. The production of high-quality potting soils from agricultural residues promotes sustainable agricultural practices and contributes to waste management strategies.

Understanding the functional distances of woody species in forest ecosystems is crucial for assessing their ecological elasticity and providing valuable insights for forest management practices. Functional distances reflect the ecological dissimilarity between species based on their functional traits, such as growth rates, seed dispersal mechanisms, and tolerance to environmental conditions. This study aims to evaluate the functional distances of woody species and their potential as indicators of ecological elasticity and provision for forest management. By analyzing functional trait data and species composition in different forest stands, functional distances are calculated using appropriate metrics, such as functional trait dissimilarity indices. The results provide a quantitative measure of the ecological dissimilarity between species, allowing for the identification of species that play key roles in ecosystem functioning and resilience. Additionally, the functional distances can inform forest management decisions, including species selection for reforestation, ecosystem restoration, and the promotion of biodiversity. This research contributes to the development of sustainable forest management strategies by integrating functional ecology and species trait-based approaches.

In this article, studies were conducted to determine the effectiveness of microbiological and chemical preparations against harmful organisms found in cherry orchards. When using B.thuringiensis-26 strain against cherry orchard pests, it was found in the research that the efficiency was 40.6% to 43.3% compared to the control option in 3 days, and 86.0% to 86.6% in 14 days.