Insect pest control in crop production incurs substantial economic costs annually on a global scale. Although broad-spectrum chemical pesticides were once considered the most effective solution, their overreliance has led to adverse effects on beneficial insects, human health, and the environment, as well as the development of pesticide-resistant insect populations. Consequently, there is an urgent need for alternative pest ma...

Agriculture plays a crucial role in the development of countries whose economies rely heavily on food production. In the face of climate change and growing global population, plant breeders are challenged to adopt more efficient crop improvement strategies. The advances in artificial intelligence (AI), particularly in large-scale data integration, analysis, and pattern recognition, have revolutionized several scientific discip...

Lentil ( Lens culinaris Medik.), a nutrient-rich legume cultivated worldwide, plays a vital role in combating malnutrition and hidden hunger. Understanding the genetic architecture underlying key phenological and agronomic traits in lentil is crucial for accelerating molecular breeding. In this study, genome-wide association mapping was conducted using 142 genetically diverse lentil accessions, evaluated across two field envir...

Custard apples ( Annona spp.) are among the most important horticultural crops in the world, including Australia. The genus Annona comprises several economically and nutritionally significant species, including atemoya, cherimoya, sugar apple, ilama, soursop, bullock’s heart, and bibra. These fruits are valued for their exotic taste and are popular backyard fruit crops in many countries. While some species are commercially cul...

The escalating challenges posed by metal(loid) toxicity in agricultural ecosystems, exacerbated by rapid climate change and anthropogenic pressures, demand urgent attention. Soil contamination is a critical issue because it significantly impacts crop productivity. The widespread threat of metal(loid) toxicity can jeopardize global food security due to contaminated food supplies and pose environmental risks, contributing to soi...