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Entrepreneurship is vital for driving innovation, economic development, and sustainability in the agricultural sector, empowering farmers, and ensuring food security. Successful promotion of agri-entrepreneurship demands a nuanced approach that considers both the personal traits of entrepreneurs and the institutional factors. This study employed linear regression analysis and principal component analysis to examine the determinants of entrepreneurial success and identify factors contributing to effective interventions across three distinct entrepreneurial categories i.e., farm-based, off-farm based, and service/tech entrepreneurs. Data was gathered through structured interviews involving two hundred agri-entrepreneurs in Rajasthan and Telangana states. The regression analysis revealed that diverse psycho-personal and socioeconomic variables like marital status, income levels, and achievement motivation were of significant influence. The principal component analysis provided valuable insights into the institutional factors underpinning effective entrepreneurship promotion interventions. Technical factors like tailored project support, financial enablers including government funding and tax incentives, and robust implementation mechanisms involving stakeholder collaboration were highlighted. Operational elements such as; training institute-industry-market-entrepreneur linkages, administrative commitments, and policy consistency, collectively shaped intervention effectiveness across the entrepreneurial ecosystems. This comprehensive examination of individual and institutional determinants offered a holistic perspective on fostering successful agri-enterprises, emphasizing the need for contextualized approaches that align personal attributes with tailored institutional interventions.

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This study evaluated the efficacy of entomopathogenic fungi (EPF) as biocontrol agents against aphids, whiteflies and western flower thrips. The research employed a leaf disc bioassay with various conidia concentrations to determine lethal concentration (LC) and time (LT) for pest eradication. Additionally, the study assessed the activity of cuticle-degrading enzymes produced by EPF (Chitinase, Protease, and Lipase) to understand their pathogenic mechanisms. Molecular identification using ITS region of 18S rDNA identified virulent isolates. Results indicated that four isolates, ENPF-16, 24, 41, and 60, achieved significant mortality rates (95% to 100%) at a concentration of 1x10⁸ conidia/mL after nine days. Akanthomyces sp. (ENPF-41) exhibited the highest enzyme activity, followed by Beauveria sp. (ENPF-60). The virulent fungal isolates were identified as Beauveria bassiana and Akanthomyces lecanii. Among EPFs, Akanthomyces lecanii (MT997935) displayed greater virulence against all three test insects with lower LC₅₀ and LT₅₀ values compared to other EPFs. In summary, all fungal isolates induced mortality in the tested pests, but their effectiveness varied. Akanthomyces lecanii (MT997935) emerged as a promising biocontrol candidate due to its broad host range and strong virulence.
 

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Based on a comprehensive review of existing literature and examining the specimens, including 11 types that were housed in the Coleoptera Section of the Zoological Survey of India, Kolkata, 154 species of tortoise beetles (Coleoptera: Chrysomelidae: Cassidinae) from India are identified. This represents approximately 5.4% of the species diversity of the known tortoise beetles. Photographs of the examined specimens (including type specimens) are also provided. The details of the distribution of all the species across Indian states (including districts and micro-locations) and biogeographic zones are presented. Studying the distribution data of the species reveals that the Western Ghats harbours the highest number of tortoise beetle species (84), followed by the Northeast (58), Deccan Peninsula (51), Himalayas (49), Gangetic plains (34), Islands (12), and Semi-Arid regions (12).

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Spilomena bobyjosei Girish Kumar & Amal sp. nov., a new species of aphid wasp in the genus Spilomena Shuckard, 1838, is described from the Southern Western Ghats of Kerala, India. This genus is rarely collected from the Indian subcontinent, and most species are described from a single specimen. The genus can be distinguished from closely related genera in having occipital carina absent, hind wing media not diverging before Cu-a, fore wing with marginal cell elongate (longer than stigma), one recurrent vein and two discoidal cells present, stigma large and pronotal collar with complete transverse carina. To date, ten species have been described from India. This paper adds an eleventh species. The differential diagnosis with its nearest species is provided. Additionally, a key to the Indian species of Spilomena is provided.

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This study was performed on the collections of the National Zoological Collection of the Zoological Survey of India and described a new species in the “multidentati” Cyphoderus group from Bihar, India. This new species, Cyphoderus bihariensis sp. nov., is described with a distinguishing comparison among other species within this group. The new species is notably large compared to its counterparts in this group. This study also redescribed Cyphoderus javanus Börner, 1906 collected from various localities and habitats across India and provides additional morphological identification characters and chaetotaxy for taxonomic sufficiency. Earlier, India was home to nine Cyphoderus species from various localities across the country. Additionally, an identification key to the Indian Cyphoderus is included.

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A survey was conducted in fields of cucumber and watermelon in Bengaluru, India during April 2014 for dertermination of the common parasitoids (Hym.,Braconidae, Aphidiinae) attacking melon aphid, Aphis gossypii Glover (Hemi., Aphididae). Three species of Aphidiinae, including Aphidius platensis Brethes, 1913; Binodoxy sacalephae (Marshall, 1896) and Lipolexis oregmae(Gahan, 1931) were collected and identified, from which Aphidius platensis is newly recorded from India. The early evidence of Aphidius colemani in India can also be contributed to A. platensis. Diagnostic characters of three species with closely related species are briefly discussed.

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The genus Spilomena Shuckard, 1838, is reviewed from the Indian subcontinent. One new species, Spilomena keralaensis Rajan, Sureshan & Girish Kumar sp. nov. is described from the Southern Western Ghats of Kerala and differences from similar species are given.

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The significant reduction of bollworm infestation by the implementation of Integrated Pest Management (IPM) in Bt Cotton as a component of IPM led to reduction in bollworm infestation and increase in yield. However, these alterations have brought in many new biotic problems hitherto unknown or of little economic importance. Field survey of rainfed Bt cotton fields in Perambalur district of Tamil Nadu, India during 2008-2014 revealed that the incidence of various insect pests and plant diseases is on the rise in different Bt cotton hybrids. In 2008-2009, it was observed that the Bt cotton was damaged by cotton mealybug (Phenacoccus solenopsis Tinsley), green mirid bug (Creontiades biseratance Distant) and root rot (Rhizoctonia solani Kuhn) which caused severe yield losses. In addition to that, other pests like papaya mealybug (Paracoccus marginatus Williams & Granara de Willink) and Alternaria leaf spot caused more damage in Bt cotton during 2009-10. Besides these pests, the mirid bug (Campyloma livida Reuter), stripped mealybug (Ferrissia virgata Ckll), tobacco streak virus, grey mildew Ramularia areola and boll rot incidence in Bt cotton were noticed in 2010-12. Apart from this pest and disease problems, the Alterrnaria leaf blight, root rot (Macrophomina phaseolina Maubl) and Myrothecium leaf spot caused severe yield losses in Bt cotton during 2012-2014. The survey revealed that, the pests and disease problems are increasing year by year in Bt cotton which caused yield reduction and also increased the cost of cultivation. If left unchecked these pests and disease problems are capable of undoing all benefits gained due to Bt cotton in terms of increased yield and reduction in use of chemical pesticides.

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In the years 2012-14 a series of extensive surveys for natural enemies of parthenium were conducted in Haryana. During survey, a leaf spot disease has been regularly reported on congress grass at different parts of the Kurukshetra and its adjoining areas.The fungal pathogen was isolated from the affected parts of parthenium leaves and on the basis of cultural, morphological and molecular characteristics, was identified as Alternaria macrospora MKP1. Koch’s postulate was performed and found satisfactory for the isolate and proved to be pathogenic to this weed. The growth of A. macrospora MKP1 was studied on eight different media and it exhibited varying degrees of growth on different media. The literature survey indicates that A. macrospora has never been reported on the parthenium weed and it is the first report of occurrence of this pathogen causing leaf spot disease on parthenium weed from the world.

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A new species of tiphiid wasp, namely, Tiphia kashmirensis Hanima & Girish Kumar sp. nov. is described from Kashmir, India. Male of Tiphia khasiana is described for the first time. Key to species of Tiphia from the Indian subcontinent of Allen (1975) is modified here to accommodate the new species and male of T. khasiana.

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Aim: Group A Streptococcus (GAS) is the causative agent of several invasive and non-invasive diseases. Several virulence factors contribute to the pathogenesis of GAS, such as M protein, hemolysins, and extracellular enzymes. Due to the improper use of antibiotics, the resistance of these microorganisms to antibiotics is increasing. Bacteriocins as an alternative to antibiotics are of great importance. In this study, the effect of antimicrobial Bacteriocin nisin was investigated on the expression of smeZ gene.
Materials & Methods: Samples were taken from the site of infection on the skin surface of the patients at the dermatology clinics of Tehran public hospitals. The specimen was immediately transferred to the primary culture medium or basal medium. Chromosomal DNA extraction was performed using the standard method for the extraction of Streptococcus pyogenes genomes. Multiplex PCR was performed to identify the presence of smeZ, speI, and speH genes in the isolates. The expression of smeZ gene was evaluated using the real-time PCR technique.
Findings: The frequencies of smeZ, speI, and speH genes in 12 S. pyogenes isolates were 25, 8.3, and 8.3%, respectively. The fold change rate for smeZ gene was -1.209, indicating that this gene was decreased 1.209 folds in the treated group compared to the untreated group.
Conclusion: Bacteriocin not only reduces the number of pathogens but may also affect the metabolism of the bacteria by producing toxins. The use of new antimicrobial agents in place of previous drugs for psoriasis patients could be considered as a way to treat the disease more effectively in the future.
 

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Essential oils (EOs) extracted from aerial parts of Aster indamellus Grierson, Calamintha umbrosa Benth. and Erigeron annuus (L.) Pres.were analyzed by GC, GC/MS. The major acetylenic constituent (cis-lachnophyllum ester) of E. annuus was isolated and characterized by ¹H and ¹³C-NMR spectra. Their toxicity and repellent effect against Lipaphiserysimi was tested. Oils of E. annuus and C. umbrosa exhibited higher toxicity on direct spray and by fumigation. LC₅₀ value of E. annuus oil was 0.43 mg/ml as direct spray. By fumigation, LC₅₀ value for E. annuus was 1.29 ml/l air, while for C. umbrosa;it was 1.00 ml/l air. With acetylenic ester, about half of L. erysimi were killed at 10 mg/ml approximately within 13.25 h, while with E. annuus oil the LT₅₀ value was approximately 8.89 h. In conclusion, the EO of E. annuus and its acetylenic constituent have potential as biopesticide for economically important crop pests.

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The genus Sphex Linnaeus (Hymenoptera: Sphecidae) is studied from India and key to Indian species is provided. The state-wise distributions of four species of Sphex are augmented here. A new synonymy is proposed: Sphex zubaidiyacus Augul, 2013 = S. obscurus (Fabricius, 1804).

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Backgrounds: Streptomyces is an aerobic filamentous Gram-positive bacterium frequently found in various environments worldwide. Cellulases are a group of glycosyl hydrolase enzymes that are frequently produced by bacteria. Thus, the aim of this study was to detect cellulase-encoding gene (celA) in soil-living Streptomyces strains and evaluate its cloning in Escherichia coli Origami strain.
Materials & Methods: Soil samples were collected from a depth of 5-10 cm in Tehran, Iran. After identification of Streptomyces isolates by morphological and biochemical tests, genomic DNA was extracted. Polymerase chain reaction (PCR) test was employed to identify Streptomyces strains harboring the cellulase gene. The celA gene was positively transmitted to the host bacterium E. coli via a vector and cloned through the TA technique. Real-time PCR was used to measure the overexpression of this gene. ClustalX and Mega5 software were used to draw the phylogenetic tree.
Findings: Out of 12 Streptomyces isolates, 25% were found to carry the celA gene. After cloning the celA gene, the cloned strains were chosen by colony selection (blue/white). The real-time PCR test showed the expression of the celA gene in the transformed strains. Phylogenetic analysis results using the neighbor-joining assay showed that Streptomyces spp. with 81% bootstrap were located in the same clade, indicating their close relatedness.
Conclusion: Soil is one of the high-potential sources of the production of secondary metabolites, which could be used as a valuable source of various biological products such as cellulase.

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The crabronid wasp, Solierella turneri Dutt, 1917 (Hymenoptera: Crabronidae) is newly recorded from various regions of India and female is described. Hitherto, the S. turneri Dutt has been only reported from northern India (Pusa of Bihar), the current record extends its range to southern India (Kerala, Tamil Nadu and Karnataka).

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The Sri Lankan species, Methocha ubiquita Krombein, 1982 is newly reported for the fauna of India. Differential characters, figures, distribution map and comparisons of the newly recorded species with original description of type material are provided.

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During 2018–2020, several field surveys have been conducted to collect thrips in different parts of India. Five thrips species: Dolichothrips reuteri (Karny), Hydatothrips haschemi Girault, Litotetothrips pasaniae Kurosawa, Mesothrips annamensis Priesner, and Stenchaetothrips bambusicola Mound have been identified as new to Indian subcontinent.

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The chitinase producing ability of Pseudomonas fluorescens strains viz., PF1, PB2 and FP7 was evaluated in a culture medium with and without a chitin source. The addition of 1% (v/v) chitin in culture medium significantly increased the bacterial population and chitinase activity. Among three strains tested, FP7 responded well to the addition of chitin by producing 31.2% increased chitinase in culture. Western blot analysis with chitinase antibody detected six and five chitinase isoforms in culture inoculated with FP7 and PF1, respectively.