In contrast to the conventional RGB cameras, Near-infrared (NIR) spectroscopy provides images with rich information concerning the biological process of plants. However, NIR spectroscopy is a costly affair and produces low-resolution (LR) images. In this context, recently deep learning-based methods have been proposed in computer vision. In addition, the development of phenomics facilities has facilitated the generation of large plant data necessary for the utilization of these deep learning-based methods. Motivated by these developments, we propose a novel attention-based pix-to-pix generative adversarial network (GAN) followed by a superresolution (SR) module to generate high-resolution (HR) NIR images from corresponding RGB images. An experiment including extraction of phenotypic data based on HR NIR images has also been conducted to evaluate its efficacy from an agricultural perspective. Our proposed architecture achieved state-of-the-art performance in terms of MRAE and RMSE on the Wheat plant multi-modality dataset.

Genetic improvement in root system architecture (RSA) is an important trait to achieve stability of grain yield in water-deficit stress environments. Deep rooting is a major component trait that contributes to dehydration avoidance under drought in most crops. Due to the difficulty in the phenotyping for deep rooting, genetic variability in deep rooting is less exploited in genetic improvement programme. Root angle is a surrogate for deep rooting. Here, we report a novel method to measure root angle which is easy, robust and cheaper. By using this method, 56 wheat and 29 rice genotypes were phenotyped for root angle under field conditions. Wide variability in root angle was observed among rice and wheat genotypes. In rice, about 58% of crown roots were having shallow angle (<40°), while in wheat, about 67% of the crown roots were in deep rooting angle (>60°). This method could categorize the previously known shallow rooted rice cv. IR6 4 in to shallow root category with >90% of its crown root with an angle of <40°. Among the rice genotypes, BAM 2574, produced >60% of crown roots with >60° and identified as deep-rooted genotype. In wheat CL 3791, CL 3817 and CL 3823 were identified as deep-rooted genotypes. This method issuitable for high throughput phenotyping of root angle in natural field conditions.

An experiment was conducted during 2020–21 and 2021–22 under FACE (Free air concentration enrichment) by growing PDZM 31 (Pusa Double Zero Mustard 31) genotype under different treatments (elevated ozone, carbon dioxide, their interaction, and ambient). The aim of the study was to assess the impact of elevated ozone and carbon dioxide interaction on the growth and yield of Indian mustard [Brassica juncea (L.) Czern.]. Growth characteristics (Crop growth rate, Absolute growth rate, Specific leaf area, Specific leaf weight, Dry weight of Biomass, Plant height, and no. of leaves) and yield attributes were negatively impacted under elevated ozone during different growth stages of Indian mustard followed by an increased growth under elevated CO2. In seed yield under interaction treatment, the elevated CO2 ameliorates the negative effects of elevated ozone by about 3.85% and 4.27% in both years.

Weight-based fertigation scheduling strategies optimized for cucumber production in coco-peat grow bag under greenhouse conditions. The experiment was conducted using treatments comprised of four different levels of nutrient solution replenishment based on weight loss of growing bags along with plants, viz. full replenishment, 10% and 20% less replenishment and 20% more replenishment. Significantly, maximum cucumber yield (96.88–104.89 t/ha), number of fruits per plant (25–25.33) and yield per plant (2.42–2.62 kg/plant) were observed under full replenishment of nutrient solution against weight loss. It was also at par with treatment, which received 20% more nutrient solution as compared to full replenishment. The physiological attributes, viz. plant height (184 cm), number of nodes per plant (29.33), dry biomass and root parameters were observed higher in the full replenishment strategy which received 100% fertigation against the weight loss. Water use efficiency was found higher in the full replenishment followed by 20% less replenishment and lowest (811.38 kg/ha-mm) in 20% more replenishment of nutrient solution. Fertigation strategy which received the 100% nutrient solution against the weight loss, allowed the plant to grow fully with maximum yield and water use efficiency (WUE). Hence, 100% and more replenishment of nutrient solution against weight loss were found to be highly suitable strategies for controlling the fertigation scheduling through the weightbased sensing system.

A pot culture study was conducted at Horticultural Research Station, Ooty, to assess the effect of ground-level ozone on physiology in garlic plants and find out suitable remedial measures against ground-level ozone. The potting soil was acidic with very low salt concentration, very high in organic carbon, medium in nitrogen, phosphorus and high in potassium. Elevated ozone levels (150ppb and 200ppb) had significantly reduced the garlic plant chlorophyll content, stomatal conductance, photosynthetic rate, pungency and total soluble solids. The highest chlorophyll content (33.97µmolm-2) was observed under ambient ozone level(T1), and lowest chlorophyll content (12.68µmolm-2) was observed in elevated ozone exposure at 200 ppb(T3), highest stomatal conductance (0.45mmol m-2s-1) was recorded in Ambient Ozone level+foliar spray 3%Panchagavya(T4), and lowest stomatal conductance (0.11mmolm-2s-1) was observed in elevated ozone exposure at 200 ppb(T3).Since the elevated ozone had a significant reduction in photosynthetic rate in garlic, lowest was observed (0.82µmolCO2 s-1m-2) in T3-Elevated ozone exposure at 200 ppb and the highest photosynthetic rate (3.02µmolCO2 s-1m-2) was observed in treatment T4-Ambient Ozone level+foliar spray 3%Panchagavya after a week. When coming to quality of garlic bulbs, highest pungency content was found in Ambient Ozone level+foliar spray 0.1%Ascorbic acid and lowest was observed in Elevated ozone exposure at 200 ppb(T3) furthermore, in observing garlic quality where total soluble solids (TSS) showed that the treatment Ambient Ozone level+foliar spray 3%Panchagavya (40.00°Brix) as highest and treatment Elevated ozone exposure at 200 ppb(T3) recorded the lowest. Thus, tropospheric ozone has detrimental impact on physiological responses, which will reduce crop growth and yield. The ozone protectants helped in scavenging the O3 from apoplast of the crops. Among the ozone protectants, neem oil acted as a good ozone scavenger followed by ascorbic acid and panchagavya to improve the physiological response of garlic plants under elevated tropospheric ozone levels.