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Feb 2019 DOI 10.14302/issn.2641-9467.jgrc-19-2619
Sørensen MartenCorresponding author
Department of Plant & Environmental Sciences, University of Copenhagen, Thorvaldsensvej 40, 3., 1870 Frederiksberg C.
The Andean region is the centre of origin and domestication of at least 9 species of native root and tuber crops in addition to several species of native potatoes. Within this group, Mauka – also known as Miso or Taso ‒ (Mirabilis expansa Ruíz & Pav.) Standl. ‒ Nyctaginaceae) is one of the least well known, despite having much potential. It is cultivated at high altitudes (2300 to 3500 m a.s.l.) in Ecuador, Peru and Bolivia and is thought to be of pre-Inca origin. Mauka is characterized by its high nutritional value due to substantial levels of protein, calcium and phosphorus, as well as secondary metabolites with nutraceutical properties of varied application. It also has good potential as a forage plant. Based on ethnobotanical knowledge and scientific investigations, this review presents advances in the agronomic understanding of Mauka since its discovery five decades ago in several isolated rural Bolivian communities. The information presented covers both Andean and non-Andean countries. It includes results from journals on natural resources, botany, agronomy, and the congress minutes from botanical, agronomic and phytogenetic resources conferences. Theses on Mauka specifically and on phytogenetic resources in general were also reviewed. Books and manuals were reviewed in the libraries of the International Potato Center, INIAP-Ecuador, INIA-Peru and universities. The plant is described with emphasis on its agronomic traits and according to its propagation forms (seed or vegetative); in terms of its agroecology, phenology, growth dynamics and their indices, crop management, harvest and post-harvest processes. It is concluded that important advances in the understanding of the agronomy of Mauka have been accomplished. Furthermore, the review highlights aspects requiring further research, in order to develop improved production technologies to ensure its future use and conservation.
Aug 2026 DOI 10.14302/issn.2998-1506.jpa-26-6394
Jana SnehasisCorresponding author
Background Enhancing crop productivity while minimizing chemical inputs remains a core objective of sustainable agriculture. This study investigated the efficacy of spiritual blessing energy treatments as a non-invasive biostimulant to optimize the growth dynamics and crop yield of radish (Raphanus sativus L.). Methods Seeds and land were exposed to Spiritual Blessing Energy Treatment (SBET) in her physical presence for about 4 minutes once, alongside untreated controls under identical environmental conditions. Morphological parameters and final biomass production were systematically evaluated. Results Photosynthesis traits such as number of leaves per plant, leaf width, and fresh weight of leaves per plant were significantly increased by 28.41% (p = 0.003), 45.81% (p ≤ 0.001), and 28.86% (p ≤ 0.001), respectively, in the blessing/biofield energy-treated radish group (BTRSG) compared to the control radish group (CONRSG). Moreover, root length, root width/girth, and root weight per plant were significantly increased by 39.68% (p ≤ 0.001), 32.13% (p ≤ 0.001), and 30.73% (p ≤ 0.001), respectively, in the BTRSG compared to the CONRSG. Besides, root yield (tons per hectare) was increased by 46.29% in BTRSG compared to the CONRSG. Conclusion These findings suggest that the spiritual blessing energy treatments (Trivedi Effect®) act as a powerful biostimulatory agent capable of optimizing plant ontogeny and radish yield and offering a sustainable paradigm for precision agronomy.
Jun 2019 DOI 10.14302/issn.2639-3166.jar-19-2590
Gupta RajCorresponding author
Centre for Advancement of Sustainable Agriculture, National Agriculture Science Centre Complex, Todapur Road, New Delhi, 110012, India
Over last few decades, acreage of total fallow lands (Kharif and Rabi seasons) in India has remained almost unchanged around 25Mha. The acreage of Kharif (summer) and Rabi (winter) Fallows in Madhya Pradesh (MP) are 1.98Mha and 5.51Mha, respectively. In the semi-arid agroclimatic zones of the states, Fallow-Wheat/Gram/Indian-Mustard cropping systems are practiced. After harvest of Kharif rice, kodo-kutki, maize or sorghum, farmers generally practice post-rainy season Rabi fallows in the sub-humid regions, south of Narmada River. Kharif fallowing is largely the result of the inability of the farmers to make planting dates independent of monsoon forecasts, and make efficient use of rain water. It appears that factors responsible for Kharif and Rabi fallows are distinctly different and a general consequence of distinctly different soil moisture regimes prevailing in the two crop seasons. Kharif and Rabi fallows have two distinct resource management domains. Whereas, Kharif fallows can be tackled with “PMP-dry seeding” agronomy, production constraints of Rabi fallows can be substantively tackled by shifting from tilled to zero-till agriculture with residue management to make efficient use of the conserved rain water. Some irrigation support will prove useful to tackle mid-season droughts in both situations. Conservation agricultural practices can significantly improve and stabilize crop yields in black soils and other associated soils of in the semi-arid tropics region of the Central India.