Plant Pathology, Biological Control of Plant Diseases, Bio-fertilizer Research Papers (original) (raw)

The total proteins of four strawberry cultivars with differing resistance and/or susceptibility
to grey mould were extracted by two different methods, phenol and
sodium dodecyl sulphate (SDS). Compared to phenol extraction, SDS extraction produced
higher protein yields but poor quality protein bands with a high degree of
streaking indicating possible contamination. In contrast, the total proteins obtained
by phenol extraction could be used in two-dimensional polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis
(2-DE) because of their higher quality, and the protein spots were well separated
for all tested genotypes. From all the cultivars studied in this research, we
obtained 89 differential (unmatched) protein spots that may be related to fruit disease
resistance or susceptibility. Using the SPSS 11.0 software, we obtained a cluster of
the four strawberry cultivars. The cultivars “APF029-4” and “SJ8976-1” were in the
same subcluster with the highest Pearson correlation coefficient (0.705). Afterwards,
they were amalgamated into the second group with “Joliette”, a disease-resistant
cultivar, which means that they might have a similar resistance to grey mould.

To identify resistance sources against Mungbean Yellow Mosaic Virus (MYMV) screening was done under natural condition at Pulses Research Unit, Dr. PDKV Akola, during summer 2017. Among seventy four genotypes tested, all genotypes were procured from Pulses Research Unit, Dr. PDKV Akola, The data on incidence of yellow mosaic virus was recorded at different interval. The average incidence of YMD was recorded from 0 to 68.42 per cent in various genotypes. Further, tested genotypes were grouped into different categories based on 0-9 disease scale. Among the 74 genotypes of mungbean eight were found resistant, nineteen genotypes were moderately resistant, thirty seven were susceptible, five genotypes were moderately susceptible and five were highly susceptible to yellow mosaic virus of mungbean. The spraying of Dimethoate 30% EC @ 2 ml/lit was found best over treatments for managing the YMD whereas least population of vector was observed in sprays with Allium sativum (10%) @ 10 ml/lit.

Effect of nutrient media, temperature, hydrogen ion concentration, and photoperiod were studied under in vitro conditions to record the maximum colony growth and spore count. Maximum growth was recorded on 28 o C on PDA media having pH 6.5 with 16/8 light and dark period. The maximum growth on PDA was 87 mm and the spore count was 4.36 × 10 6 spores/mL while the lowest growth was observed in MEA media which was 47mm and spore was counted as 1.48 × 10 6 spores/mL. The present studies were found useful to prepare mass inoculum and also by maintain physiological factors attack of Alternaria porri can be decreased in the controlled environment.

- by Market Research
- •
- Apiculture, Agricultural Entomology, Integrated Pest Management, Biopesticides

Potato (Solanum tuberosum L.) belongs to family Solanaceae of order Solanales. Potato is one of the unique crop grown in the country having high productivity and supplementing food needs. Potato is rich in carbohydrates, proteins, phosphorus, calcium, vitamin C and vitamin A. The vegetable basket is incomplete without this king of vegetables, a sustaining force and a culinary delight. The power of potato is known for
sustaining million of lives by providing nutritious food in the time of war and hunger and also used as staple food in several countries of the world. The world annual production of potato during 2013 was 453.44 million tonnes covering an area of 19.92 million hectare with the productivity of 22.8 tonnes per hectare. Indian contribution to the world’s
production was 45.34 million tonnes from 1.99 million hectare area with average productivity of 22.8 tonnes per hectare (Anonymous, 2013).The high production potential per unit area, high nutritional value and great taste make potato one of the most important food crops in the world.

- by Dr Jai P Rai
- •
- Botany, Mycology, Agronomy, Ecology

The Central Andean Highlands are the center of origin of the potato plant (Solanum tuberosum). Ages of mutualism between potato plants and soil bacteria in this region support the hypothesis that Andean soils
harbor interesting plant growth-promoting (PGP) bacteria. Therefore, the aim of this study was to isolate rhizobacteria from Andean ecosystems, and to identify those with PGP properties. A total of 585 bacterial
isolates were obtained from eight potato fields in the Andes and they were screened for suppression of Phytophthora infestans and Rhizoctonia solani. Antagonistic mechanisms were determined and antagonistic isolates were further tested for phosphate solubilization, 1-aminocyclopropane-1-carboxylate (ACC) deaminase activity, and production of NH3- and indole-3-acetic acid (IAA). PGP was studied in
healthy and R. solani diseased plantlets under growth room conditions. Performance was compared to the commercial strain B. subtilis FZB24® WG. Isolates were dereplicated with matrix-assisted laser desorption/ionization time of flight mass spectrometry (MALDI-TOF MS), and identified with 16S rRNA gene sequencing and multi locus sequence analysis (MLSA). A total of 10% of the isolates were effective
antagonists, of which many were able to solubilize phosphate, and produce IAA, ACC deaminase, NH3 and hydrogen cyanide (HCN). During growth room experiments, 23 antagonistic isolates were associated
with plant growth-promotion and/or disease suppression. Ten isolates had a statistically significant impact on test parameters compared to the uninoculated control. Three isolates significantly promoted plant growth in healthy plantlets compared to the commercial strain, and seven isolates outperformed the commercial strain in in vitro R. solani diseased plantlets.

In hot arid lands, soil salinity, irrigation with brackish waters and the massive use of mineral fertilizers are major constraints for the development of potato cropping. The current field experiment was conducted in the Sahara Desert of Algeria in order to highlight the effect of organic fertilization on the improvement of potato production and the increase of plant salt-stress tolerance. The variation of yield production parameters and nutritional status of plants were evaluated through a split-plot design including six increasing rates of poultry manure (PM) (0, 20, 30, 40, 50, 60 mt/ha) tested in three experimental sites with increasing salinity levels: low saline soil (electrical conductivity ‘EC’ = 0.9 dS/m), saline soil (EC = 2.2 dS/m) and high saline soil (EC = 5.9 dS/m). The results revealed a significant and proportional increasing of all studied yield parameters (number, seize and yields of tubers) with the increase of PM rates compared to the control. The effect of the interaction (PM × salinity level) showed that the highest yield (44.55 mt/ha) was recorded in plots treated with 60 mt/ha of PM in high saline soils. The assessment of nutritional status at flowering stage of potato plants demonstrated that concentrations of K+ and N increased while Na+ concentrations decreased, in both leaves and roots, as PM rates increasing, principally beneath high salinity level. Our findings suggest the dose of 60 mt/ha of PM is an optimal amount producing the best tuber yields under saline conditions in arid soils.

- by Mabrouka Oustani and +1
- •
- Organic agriculture, Responses of plant to abiotic stresses, Arid environments, Agriculture

This experiment was carried out to evaluate neem fresh and dry leaves at 1 and 2% of soil weight against root-knot nematode, Meloidogyne javanica on tomato plants under greenhouse condition. Results found that all nematode parameters i.e. number of galls, egg masses, females, developmental stages/root system, eggs/egg mass, juveniles/250 g soil, nematode final population (Pf) and reproduction factor (Rf) significantly reduced by neem leaf applications either as a fresh or dry at both doses compared to plants treated with nematode alone. Results indicated that neem powder was most effective treatment in reducing all nematode parameters compared to the fresh application. Neem powder at 2% recorded the highest reduction percentage of all nematode parameters compared to fresh leaf treatments at both levels. The reduction percentages of number of galls, egg masses, females/root system, eggs/egg mass, juveniles/250 g soil, final population (Pf) and reproduction factor (Rf) were 80, 80, 78, 47, 78, 86 and 86 reduction %, respectively.Plant growth parameters i.e. shoot and root lengths, shoot and root fresh weights and shoot dry weight were also affected by neem leaf applications. The highest increase percentage was recorded with neem powder treatment at 2% compared to fresh leaves treatment except shoot dry weight of 2% fresh leaves treatment, which recorded the highest percentage of efficacy. Antioxidant enzymes activity i.e. peroxidase phenoloxidase, catalase as well as carbohydrates and phenols were also significantly enhanced with both neem applications at 2%.
Key words: Organic amendments, Lycopersicon esculentum, Antioxidant enzymes, Azadirachta indica.

The common bean (Phaselous vulgaris) and the cowpea (Vigna unguiculata) are important crops in Brazil. Soil-borne diseases, such as the southern blight (Sclerotium rolfsii), is among
the causes of yield reduction. The high costs of fungicide applications and the environmental problems, the chemicals might cause, led to an increase in research of alternative methods for disease control. Therefore, in the first part of this work, cattle manure (0, 10, 20, 40, 80 and 160 g/kg of soil) was added to soil. Vigna seeds were treated with Trichoderma harzianum or procimidone and sowed in soil with or without cattle manure. The following variables were evaluated for each combination of treatment: seed germination, total grain weight, fresh plant weight, fresh root weight, and plant height of cowpea. The second part of the study was conducted to measure the effects of T. harzianum and procimidone applied on soil amended with cattle manure (0, 40, 80, and 160 g/kg of soil) on southern-blight of common bean. The same biometric variables were evaluated as in the first part of the study. The increasing manure doses resulted in greater fresh weight of grains, plants, and roots. The application of T. harzianum into soil had a positive impact on the cowpea yield and in the decrease of disease (S. rolfsii UB 193) on P. vulgaris.

One of the major issues facing humankind is global food security. A changing climate, coupled with a heightened consumer awareness of how food is produced and legislative changes governing the usage of agrichemicals for improving plant health and yield, means that alternative, more integrated and sustainable approaches are needed for crop management practices. To this end, there is increasing recognition of the value of the role of microbial inoculants in agriculture. The focus of this review is to understand how plant-growth-promoting bacteria and arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi can play a part in improving crop yield by promoting the health status of the plant through the sequestration of various nutrients and in the control of plant diseases.

Cucumber (Cucumis sativus L.) is one of the most important economical crops, which belongs to family cucurbitaceae. The economic importance of this crop appears in both local consumption and exportation purposes. Cucumber is grown either in the open field or under protected agriculture houses. The purpose of growing crops under protected house conditions is to extend their cropping season and to protect them from adverse conditions as well as diseases and pests. Cucumber plants are affected by several fungal pathogens, and Fusarium oxysporum Schlechtend.:Fr. is among the most important pathogens. The causal agent of wilt disease in cucumber Fusarium oxysporum f.sp. cucumerinum is economically important wilting pathogen and causing significant yield losses in greenhouse of cucumber. The new trends now in the entire world in the field plant pathology aimed at developing alternative approaches for managing crop diseases to reducing use of fungicides in the control of diseases.

Salinity is the major abiotic factor that reduced the plant germination percentage, growth and productivity. However, micronutrients have an important role to reduce the salt stress effectively. This study was conducted to investigate the role of Fe via seed priming of Vigna radiata L. with two concentrations (100ppm & 200ppm) of FeSO4 and grown under various levels (0-50-75-100mM) of NaCl. The results showed that NaCl stress reduced the germination percentage of Vigna radiata but seed priming with FeSO4 improves the germination percentage. The seed priming with 100ppm showed maximum values of germination percentage (96.66±0.23), shoot length (37.84±0.08 cm), shoot fresh weight (26.87±0.067) and dry weight (9.05±0.08), root length (23.27±0.020), fresh weight of root (5.17±0.031), root dry weight (2.48±0.06), Proline (65.30±0.24) were observed. While 200ppm showed significantly maximum values of chlorophyll a& b contents, total soluble protein (0.372±0.18), Phenolic contents (95.57±0.12) and flavonoids (84.26±0.17). Seed priming with FeSO4 has significant effects on the Vigna radiata L. under NaCl stress and improves the germination, growth and biochemical parameters.

Bacterial and fungal biocontrol agents were isolated
from different agro ecosystems of Tamil Nadu, and
were investigated for their efficacy against the
vascular wilt pathogen Fusarium oxysporum f. sp.
lycopersici of tomato under in vitro, glasshouse and
field conditions. Pseudomonas fluorescens strains
applied to seed, soil and foliage or as a seedling dip
significantly reduced Fusarium wilt with a
concomitant increase in growth promotion in both
the glasshouse and field. Compatibility of biocontrol
strains were tested, all the strains of P. fluorescens
were compatible with all the strains of Trichoderma
and Bacillus. Among the various compost tested, coir
pith compost proved best in enhancing the plant growth
promotion of tomato seedlings. Further, the
combination of P. fluorescens strains Pf1 and T. viride
1 was more effective in reducing fusarium wilt disease
in tomato compared to individual strains under
glasshouse and field conditions. The present study
revealed the probable influence of antagonism and
plant growth promotion by the mixture of
Pseudomonas bioformulations in enhancing the
disease resistance in tomato against fusarium wilt
disease.

Global food security is vulnerable due to massive growth of the human population, changes in global climate, the emergence of novel/more virulent pathogens, and demands from increasingly discerning consumers for chemical-free, sustainably produced food products. Bacterium- based biological control agents (BCAs), if used as part of an integrated management system, may satisfy the above demands. We focus on the advantages, limitations, problems, and challenges involved in such strategies.

- by Siva Velivelli
- •
- Agricultural Engineering, Botany, Plant Ecology, Agribusiness

A field and laboratory experiment were conducted from June 2008 to December 2009 in Panumangan, Tulang Bawang - Lampung. The field experiment was intended to evaluate the effect of botanical plants (Alpinia galanga, Sansiviera auranthii, and Marantha arundinacea), biological agents (organic matter and Trichoderma spp.), and chemical agents (lime and natural sulphur) on the incidence of white root rot disease and population of some soil microbes. The laboratory experiment was conducted to observe the mechanism of botanical agents in controlling white root rot disease. In the field experiment, the treatments were applied in the experimental plot with cassava plant infection as the indicator. The variables examined were the incidence of white root rot and population of soil microbes. In the laboratory experiment, culture of R. microporus was grown in PDA containing root exudate of the antagonistic plant (botanical agent). The variable examined was colony diameter of R. microporus growing in the PDA plates. The results of the field experiment showed that planting of the botanical agents, and application of Trichoderma spp., as well as natural sulphur, decreased the incidence of white root rot disease. The effectiveness of M. arundinacea and Trichoderma spp. was comparable to natural sulphur. The laboratory experiment showed only root exudate of A. galanga and S. auranthii that were significantly inhibit the growth of R. microporus.

The oomycete, Phytophthora infestans is considered one of the most important pathogens of potatoes and tomatoes worldwide. A total of 38 Phytophthora infestans isolates were obtained from leaves, tubers and stems of infected crops of potato and tomato in different regions of the North West of Algeria in 2010, 2011 and 2012. Based on morphological and physiological characteristics, they were tested for the virulence test on potatoes tubers and tomatoes leave then, for a biological control by using Trichoderma spp. as antagonistic agent. Trichoderma species are among important antagonists of plant pathogenic fungi. The main purpose of this study
was to evaluate the biocontrol potential of native Trichoderma harzianum. Their antagonistic activities including competition and colonization against Phytophthora infestans with an inhibition rate of 86%.

- by INNSPUB Journals
- •
- Genetics, Agronomy, Agriculture, Biological Control

In a 2-year field experiment, the efficacy of five composts prepared
from on-farm wastes lresidues of Calotropis procera (Willd) Dryland,
Prosopis juliflora (Swartz) DC, Azadirachta indica A. Juss, Acacia
nilotica (Linn) Willd ex. Del. and on-farm weeds on severity of dry
root rot caused by Macrophomina phaseolina in relation to
microbial population dynamics, microbial activity and on seed yield
of guar was ascertained. In general, during crop growth compost
amended plots retained 16 % higher soil moisture than
non-amended plots. Populations of total fungi, bacteria and
actinomycetes increased in the amended plots during the crop
season. The maximum population of total fungi, actinomycetes and
bacteria were recorded in A. nilotica, P. juliflora and weeds
compost-amended treatments, respectively. Microbial activity was
also 26.1 % higher in amended compared to non-amended plots.
Amendment of soil with composts resulted in increases in the
concentration of micronutrients and significant reduction in plant
mortality due to dry root rot. Beneficial effects of composts were
also discernible in yield promotion where 40 % increase in the seed
yield was recorded in P. juliflora compost-amended plots. These
results suggests that in arid regions of India, certain on-farm wastes
can be effectively utilized for managing Macrophomina induced
diseases besides enhancing crop productivity.

In view to check the infectivity of soybean mosaic virus on soybean plants under natural and glass house conditions 36 genotypes were screened. Field screening of soybean genotypes revealed that out of thirty six genotypes two were resistance (PS-1589 and PS-1587), while seven were moderately resistant (RVS- 2009-09, AMS-MB-5-19, SL-1104, MASC-1520, RSC-10-70, SL-1113 and JS-9305) to SMV under
field conditions. Glasshouse screening showed that out of nine promising genotypes which showed resistance/escape under field conditions, three showed resistant reaction (PS-1589, PS1587 and SL- 1104), one genotype (SL-1113) showed moderately resistant reaction, three genotypes (RVS-2009- 09, RSC-10-70 and JS-9305) were categorized as susceptible while two genotypes (AMS-MB-5-19 and MASC-1520) showed moderately susceptible reaction.

Bio-rational compounds were evaluated against the field population of whitefly on blackgram in randomized complete block design replicated thrice during rainy season of
2012/13 and 2013/14 at GLRP, Rampur, Chitwan, Nepal. Altogether eight treatments, i.e. Rapid (Acetamiprid 20% SP) @ 0.5 gm/lt of water; Spinosad, (Tracer 45% SP) @ 0.25 ml/lt of
water; Fighter (Cypermethrin 10% EC + Chloropyrifos 50% EC) @ 1.5 ml /lt of water Admire (Imidacloprid 25% WP) @ 0.25 g/lt of water, Nepal pepper (Xanthoxylum armatum DC.) fruit
extract @ 1:5 part; Neem (Azadirachta indica A. Juss.) leaves extract @1:5 part; Jadu (Triazophos 25% EC + Deltamethrin 1% EC) @ 0.5 ml/lt of water; and one control (water spray) were
selected for the experiment. Cumulative mean efficacy on population reduction over control, after third sprays indicated that spinosad (72.96%) and admire (60.97%) was very effective
followed by jadu (59.54%), fighter (58.49%), and rapid (51.42%) with moderate efficacy. Neem (35.56%) and Nepal pepper (36.31%) extracts were the least effective in controlling whitefly population. The highest cost benefit ratio was found in plot treated with spinosad i.e. 1:2.7 followed by admire treated plots 1:2.6.

The bracket fungus, Ganoderma boninense Pat., causes basal stem rot (BSR) disease in oil palm plants. Previously the disease was reported only in older age palms and currently found on young stages palms as well. Therefore, Ganoderma can infect all stages of oil palm plants. Disease symptoms only appear at the late stage of the disease and usually called a silent killer of oil palm. Progression of the disease is slow; however, it can destroy thousands of hectares of oil palm plantations. Basal stem rot shortens the productive life of oil palms and causes serious economic losses to the oil palm industry. Hence, BSR is considered a serious threat to the oil palm industry in South East Asian countries. To date, there is high demand for sustainable detection and control of this disease. This review paper is elaborated on the detection and ecological impact of Ganoderma and BSR disease in oil palms plantation.
Keywords: Basal stem rot disease, diagnostic, Ecological impact, Ganoderma, oil palm.

ABSTRACT: Root-knot nematode, Meloidogyne incognita is a potential pathogen threatening the cultivation of tomato.It causes significant yield losses per annum all over the world. For successful disease management of pathogen andsustainable tomato production, environmentally safe management practices are one of the most important approaches.Using a combination of eco-friendly practices seems an interesting idea. Keeping this in mind, a combination ofTrichoderma harzianum and liquid Vermicompost was screened against M. incognita in tomato cv. Pusa Ruby. Inpresent studies, the germination percentage of tomato cv Pusa Ruby was studied in soil infested with M. incognita andT. harzianum. Dosages were 3g/Kg and 5g/Kg soil for T. harzianum and 1000 J-2 larvae per kg soil for M. incognita. Thesoil was further amended with vermicompost at the rate of 100g/kg soil before the seeds were sown. All the threecomponents were infested in soil separately and in different combinations. Germination percentage was calculatedafter 5, 10, 15 and 20 days. Results indicated that combined inoculations of T. harzianum and vermicompost provedeffective in reducing infection of M. incognita and increasing germination percentage. The hatching and mortality ofroot knot nematode larvae were also observed in culture filtrate of T. harzianum and aqueous vermicompost separately.The percent reduction of larval emergence showed a significant positive correlation with increased concentration ofculture filtrate and vermicompost. Although culture filtrate of T harzianum was more effective in reducing the hatchingof larvae, there was a significant decrease shown by vermicompost as well in separate treatment. Most effectivetreatment was combination of both the inoculants.

greenhouse experiment was carried out on cucumber cultivar DP-164 during the seasons 2012-2013 to evaluate the efficacy of three concentrations of fulvic acid (FA) to control downy and powdery mildew diseases compared with the recommended fungicides and their effects on plant growth, chlorophyll content and yield of cucumber plants. Results revealed that all FA concentrations significantly reduced disease severity of both diseases. The highest reduction in disease severity of downy mildew was recorded using 75 ppm of FA, which was more effective than the recommended fungicide. The significant effect of inhibition of powdery mildew diseases increased gradually with increased FA concentration. At the same time, the reduction of diseases severity was greater than or equal to the recommended fungicides. Foliar application of FA concentrations and Ridomil fungicide increased significantly all morphological characters. Sumi-8 fungicide increased the morphological characters except plant height, dry weight/ plant and leaves number/ plant. The yield components (weight of fruits and mean of fruit weight /plant) recorded the same values with all FA concentrations. Fulvic acid had direct effect on soil microbiology by increasing plant exudates, which enhanced the activity of microorganism. Fulvic acid at 150ppm showed the highest increase in dehydrogenase and nitrogenase activity. This study revealed that the foliar application of FA improved plant growth and yield quantity and quality as well as controlling powdery and downy mildews of cucumber plants. Additionally, FA has the advantage as effective and environmental friendly agent.

The experiment was planned to minimize the losses in mungbean against Cercospora leaf spot disease caused by Cercospora canescens Ellis & Martin. For this purpose a mungbean susceptible line was sown in three sets with three
replications and four treatments i.e. Propineb (Antracol), Metalaxl+Mancozeb (Ridomil Gold), Mancozeb and Water as
control. After fungicides spray artificial inoculation of C. canescens was given to three sets with 5 days interval to
create disease epidemic. Results showed that all the protective fungicides reduced the incidence and severity percentages of Cercospora leaf spot. In particular Ridomil Gold and Antracol shown better results but Ridomil Gold was the best among all which substantially reduces the number of infected leaves and lesions on foliage and pods. It was also found that Ridomil Gold gave best results where it was sprayed within 10 days of infection (on Set I). It managed disease at 18.51% disease index which was much less than the untreated block where disease index was 40.74%.

The objective of this study was to determine the extent of adoption of Salt
tolerant variety BRRI dhan 47 in Noakhali district. Data were collected
from randomly selected 100 farmers via pre-tested interview schedule
during September 20 to October 10, 2012. After data collection, were
coded for processing and analysis. SPSS was used to perform the data
analysis. Percentage, mean, standard deviation were calculated.
Coefficients of correlation (r) were computed to find out the relationship
between adoption of BRRI dhan 47 and the selected socio-economic
characteristics of farmers. Majority of the respondents were middle aged
(48%), having primary level education (46%), medium family size (60%),
small farm size (51%), medium annual income (66%), very low
organizational participation (65%), low innovativeness (72%), medium
extension contact (64%), and medium knowledge on rice cultivation
(70%). Majority (53%) of the respondents had low adoption of BRRI dhan
47 whereas 42 % medium and only 5% under high adoption category.
Farmers’ education, farm size, annual income, innovativeness, extension
contact, and knowledge on rice cultivation showed significant and positive
relationship with adoption of BRRI dhan 47. Shattering problem, cost on
irrigation, natural calamities were the major problems faced by the farmers
in cultivating BRRI dhan 47. Proper extensions activities are needed to
disseminate BRRI dhan 47 to bring the uncultivated areas under rigorous
cultivation for ensure a better livelihood on the coastal farmers.

In the era of rapid industrialization, there is increasing global concerns pertaining to anthropogenic activities mediated massive enhancement in atmospheric greenhouse gases like carbon dioxide, etc., thereby triggering global warming phenomenon. The global warming mediated climate change has been found to impose long-lasting detrimental impact on the environment. In contrast, adverse environment poses new unsightly challenges to agriculture sector like changes in precipitation pattern, temperature variations, pest infestation patterns and so on. Plant health management essentially contributes to socio-cultural sustainability, economic and environment sustainability as well as food security. The development of next-generation Integrated Pest Management programmes equipped with Artificial Intelligence, Bioinformatics and Biotechnology based tools would be a milestone for the protection of water, soil/land, wild species, environmental safety, improved plant productivity and profitability. This chapter provides an overview on the scientific approaches/strategies towards the prevention of climate change mediated impacts on agricultural plant/crop health and productivity with some notable eco-friendly pest management solutions. Overall, the better global treaties of coordination, cooperation and collaboration would lead to improved management of adverse environment and pests and plant/crop production can sustain the life on earth.

- by Rahul Gupta
- •
- Pest Management, Biotechnology, Fungi, Environmental Sustainability

Five different culture media namely, Potato dextrose agar, Potato carrot agar, Carrot agar, Czapex dox agar and Vegetable juice, were evaluated for enhanced growth performance of Trichoderma harzianum as well as Trichoderma viride. For both species, the highest radial growth were found in Potato dextrose agar (PDA) as 90.0 mm and lowest in Vegetable juice (V8) as 50.0 mm and 65.5 mm for T. harzianum and T. viride respectively. Then Trichoderma spp. was grown on PDA at various temperature i.e. at 15 °C, 25 °C, 30 °C, 35 °C and also at various pH levels viz; 5, 6, 7, 8 and 9. For both Trichoderma spp. the highest radial growth was obtained at 25 °C and lowest at 15 °C and 45 °C while mycelial weight was highest at pH 6 as 1.13g and at pH 5 as 0.63g for T. harzianum and T. viride respectively.

The disease, papaya root rot, was found as an emerging serious threat causing 60-95 per cent yield loss. Fusarium solani was established as a causal organism for this root rot of papaya, first time reported from Bihar. Use of bio-control agents is an eco-friendly approach and a good option to manage the soil borne phyto-pathogens. These biological control agents either use the mechanism of antibiosis or mycoparasitism against the fungal pathogen. Evaluation of six species of Trichoderma and Pseudomonas fluorescens against Fusarium solani showed that all the test bio-agents significantly reduced the mycelial
growth of Fusarium solani in vitro. The highest inhibition of radial growth was recorded in T.V.-1 (Pusa isolate) and in case of Pseudomonas fluorescens, the highest inhibition of growth of Fusarium solani was exerted by Pusa isolate of Pseudomonas fluorescens (local isolate). Among the native, Trichoderma harzianum isolate was found less effective as compared to native Trichoderma viride in suppression of radial growth of Fusarium solani throughout the period of observations. The similar trend was observed in case of commercial isolate of Trichoderma viride and Trichoderma harzianum.

The present study was conducted to isolate efficient Trichoderma species which not only are being used for the management of plant diseases but also for increasing the production of vegetables. Twenty isolates of Trichoderma viz., BT13 were isolated from various commercial and kitchen gardens of chilli from district Anantnag and Baramulla of Kashmir valley. Among Trichoderma isolates, AT3 was found best in almost all the biochemical tests and characterized as Trichoderma harzianum. Among various substrates viz., charcoal, ash, sawdust, cowdung, vermicompost, maize seeds, wheat seeds, paddy seeds, dal weed and talc used for mass multiplication of Trichoderma harzianum, maximum growth was retained on maize seeds and wheat seeds with 38×10 7 cfu/g, followed by cowdung (37.5×10 7) and talc (37×10 7) cfu/gram of formulation. Maximum growth was retained at 10°C in comparison with 20 and 30°C. Among supplements molasses was found to be the best compared to yeast extract and glycerol. It is concluded from the present study that Trichoderma isolate (AT3) isolated from commercial field of Bangidhar Anantnag retains maximum cfu on maize seeds at 10°C and by using molasses as a supplement.

- by Fayaz Ahmad and +1
- •
- Plant Pathology, Biological Control of Plant Diseases, Bio-fertilizer

This study was conducted to evaluate the efficiency of the bacteria Azospirillum brasilense and bokashi against Macrophomina phaseolina, the causal agent of charcoal rot on broadbean, on cultural medium and under greenhouse conditions. The results showed that the addition of A. brasilense into potato dextrose agar (PDA) at 3x106 CFU/ml caused an inhibition of 63.3% in fungal radial growth compared with zero inhibition in control (without bacteria). The biological activity of A. brasilense was 69.2% against the fungus on PDA after 7 days of incubation at 25 + 2 oC. The bacterial filtrate of A. brasilense induced a significant reduction in fungal dry biomass which attained 61.8 mg compared with 125.8 mg in control. The addition of A.brasilense suspension containing 6x106 CFU/ml at 100 ml / pot found to be the more efficient than the other treatment in reducing the infection percentage (33.3%) compared with 100% in control under greenhouse conditions, while the addition of bokashi into the soil gave the lower disease severity (18.3%) compared with 68.3% in control. The amendment of potting soil with bokashi was found to be more efficient in increasing the fresh and dry weights, chlorophyll a, b, total chlorophyll and carotenoids in broadbean plants which were 140, 41.33 gm, 25.66, 27.61, 53.27 and 21.39 mg/ml compared with 110, 16.67 gm, 21.71, 25.02, 46.73 and 17.62 mg/ml in control respectively.

Chickpea (Cicer arietinum L.) ranks first among Rabi pulses occupying an area of 4.0 thousand
hectare with productivity of 6.27 q/ha. Wilt complex, which manifests itself by wilting or root rots, is one of
the devastating and challenging diseases which can damage the crop at any stage. An extensive survey was
under taken during Rabi 2004-05 and 2005-06 in major chickpea growing districts of Jammu division viz.,
Jammu, Kathua and Udhampur to ascertain the status of chickpea wilt complex. It was revealed that the
disease was prevalent at all the locations, and the incidence varied from 7.92 to 78.50 per cent thereby
indicating seriousness of the problem. The mean disease incidence recorded during March, 2006 in Jammu,
Kathua and Udhampur districts was 24.31, 16.74 and 13.34 per cent, respectively. The samples of wilted
plants collected from different locations of three districts of Jammu division revealed the association of
Fusarium oxysporum f.sp. ciceri, Fusarium solani and Rhizoctonia solani with the wilted plants.

Fusarium oxysporum the soil borne pathogen causes Fusarium wilt disease in more than hundred of species. The fungus causes severe yield loss in ground nut. Biological control is ecologically and economically viable in practice in comparison with other methods. Biocontrol agents such as Trichoderma viride, Trichoderma harzianum and Pseudomonas fluorescens are applied to control the Fusarium wilt of Arachis hypogaea. Trichoderma viride, Trichoderma harzianum and Pseudomonas fluorescens inhibited the growth of the Fusarium oxysporum infecting Arachis hypogaea in parameters such as Chlorophyll, Carotenoid, Total Sugars, Reducing sugars, Non-reducing sugars, Proteins, Amino acids, Nucleic acids (DNA and RNA) in laboratory experiment. In the present study among the
three biocontrol agents, Pseudomonas fluorescens (2%) is the most efficient one in controlling the growth of Fusarium oxysporum in the Chlorophyll and Carotenoid parameters by increasing the levels of chlorophyll and carotenoid content. In other biochemical parameters, Total Sugars, Reducing sugars, Non-reducing sugars, Proteins, Amino acids, Nucleic acids (DNA and RNA) Trichoderma viride (1%) inhibited the growth of Fusarium oxysporum causing Fusarium wilt on Arachis hypogaea. The study strongly suggests that Pseudomonas fluorescens (2%) and Trichoderma viride (1%) can be exploited for the biological control of Fusarium wilt disease at field level.

An investigation was conducted in a six year old lemon (Citrus limon) garden during March to September 2007 to find out the effect of foliar spray with seven fungicides and a botanical on the severity of citrus scab (Elsinoe fawcettii) and dieback (Colletotrichum gloeosporioides) of the crop. The tested fungicides were Dinthane M 45 (0.30%), Rovral 50 WP (0.10%), Bavistin 50 WP (0.10%), Champion 77 WP (0.20%), Cupravit 50 WP (0.20%), Tilt 250 EC (0.25%), Proud 250 EC (0.25%) and the botanical allamanda (Allamanda cathartica) leaf extract (1:4). The results showed that the fungicides and allamanda leaf extract are effective to achieve significant reduction in severity of scab and dieback diseases, and to increase fruit yield of lemon. The reduction of Percent Disease Index (PDI) of scab on leaf and fruit, and that of dieback ranged 26.45-83.87, 49.01-60.20 and 35.22-58.01%, respectively after six months of first spray. The relationship of increase in fruit yield was directly and linearly correlated with percentage of reduction in severity of dieback diseases. Based on reduction of disease severity and increase of fruit yield, Allamanda leaf extract was noted as most effective material followed by Bavistin 50 WP, Tilt 250 EC, Cupravit 50 WP and Dithane M-45.

The aim of the study was to evaluate the biocontrol potential of Trichoderma harzianum against Meloidogyne incognita and decipher mechanisms of induced systemic resistance and disease suppression in tomato grown in net house conditions. The fungal biocontrol agent T. harzianum UBSTH-501 was evaluated against M. incognita on dual plate under in vitro conditions and in planta under nethouse conditions. The results of in vitro parasitism on dual plates showed that T. harzianum causing infection on the eggs and juveniles of root-knot nematode, whereas, in planta assay showed that plants treated with talc based bioformulation T. harzianum UBSTH-501 exhibited manifold increase in the accumulation of total chlorophyll and enzymes, viz. chitinase, phenylalanine ammonia lyase (PAL) and peroxidase which is known to confer systemic resistance in tomato against M. incognita resulting into decreased nematode population and disease severity. Results revealed that T. harzianum UBSTH-501modulated phenylpropanoid pathways led to enhanced accumulation of defence related mediator molecules and enzymes in tomato resulted in disease suppression to a significant extents.

- by Dr Jai P Rai
- •
- Botany, Phytopathology, Organic agriculture, Agriculture

Antagonistic potential of Pseudomonas fluorescens isolate RRb-11 has been evaluated against bacterial leaf blight (BLB) pathogen of rice in vitro, in vivo, microplot and field tests. RRb-11 isolate mass multiplied in substrates like talc and kaolinite powder and bran of barley, soybean and wheat to prepare suitable
bioformulation. The maximum shelf life of P. fluorescens was recorded in talc based bioformulation up to
150 days after storage. In rhizosphere competence study, the root rhizosphere of talc, kaolinite and barley
based bioformulation treated plants showed good survivability and competence even up to 90 days after
treatment. In field study, the talc based bioformulation was applied and the best results were obtained when
talc based bioformulation of P. fluorescens RRb-11 was applied as seed treatment, seedling root dip and
soil application in combination which reduced the disease by 92.3 and 88.5% over control in the year 2009 -1 and 2010, respectively. This treatment also produced maximum yield of 3.88 t ha i.e., 61% greater than
control.

The study was carried out at College of Agriculture / Baghdad University ,Iraq/ 2010 to
evaluate the activity of EM-Bokashi as fermented natural products fertilizer and Trichoderma
viride as biocontrol agent against Pythium aphanidermatum and Rhizoctonia solani, the causal
agents of root rot and seedling damping off on cucumber . Both products were mixed with
autoclaved soil at different concentration followed by contamination the soil with the two
pathogens separately. The treated potting soils in pots was sowing with cucumber seeds and
the plant growth parameters and percentage of healthy plants were followed . Results showed
that introduction of Bokashi into the soil at 8%, the more effective concentration, has
improved significantly plant growth and increased healthy plants, 92.5% and 82.5% compared
with 67.5% and 62.5% in non-treated soil contaminated with P. aphanidermatum and R.
solani after 7 days of cultivation, became 89.7% and 75.2%, compared with 59.1% and
60.1% in control after 21 days of cultivation. Significant reduction in disease incidence,
caused by the two pathogens was observed in the soil treated with T. viride at different
concentration. The higher reduction was found when T. viride was used at 8 g / kg soil with
diseases incidence of 10% and 16.67% compared with 76.6% and 80% in non-treated soil in
the presence of P. aphanidermatum and R. solani respectively.
Keywords: Biological control, Bokashi, Damping off, Trichoderma..

Sewage sludge-based fertilization could be the most effective way to mitigate the negative effects of water stress on wheat yield in arid and semi-arid regions. The study examines morpho-physiological and yield performances of the waha variety of durum wheat (an introduced variety in North Africa) at different levels of sewage sludge-based fertilizer combined with drought stress gradient. The experiment was conducted under greenhouse in plastic pots divided into four water stress levels (100%, 80%, 50%, 30% of field capacity). Each level contained five fertilization treatments of the soil (each one replicated four times): (i) control soil (without fertilization), (ii) urea, (iii) 56.67 g DM of sewage sludge (SS)/pot, (iv) 141.67 g DM of SS/pot, (v) 283.33 g DM of SS/pot. Two-way ANOVA and Tukey tests were applied to estimate variations of morphophysiological and grain yield parameters (number of tillers, height, membrane integrity, nitrogen content, soluble sugars, grain weight, number of grain per spike). Drought stress adversely affected plant growth in height and number of tillers and therefore yield components. The application of SS mitigated the effect of water stress by improving all study growth and yield parameters. This improvement mainly resulted from the effect of SS that allowed a good root growth of plants to explore deep the soil and absorb more water, thus avoiding the effects of water deficit. Sewage sludge-based amendment is revealed as a promising solution that increases crop yields under severe environmental conditions. This biosolid alleviates stress effect, allowing the plant to survive and cope with drought conditions.

A survey was conducted in different tea estates of greater Sylhet region and Bangladesh Tea Research Institute during April to July 2013 to assess the relationship of red rust disease of tea with topography (Tillah, hillock and flat) of the estates, plant age and shading conditions. A wide variation in disease incidence and severity was found among various tea estates. Disease incidence and severity were significantly higher in flat areas compared to hillock and tillah areas. Tea plants of tillah, hillock and flat areas were found 49, 59 and 70% disease affected, respectively. Mature plants had more disease incidence compared to younger plants. Shading conditions showed significant impact on disease reaction. Less amount of disease was observed in shaded areas as compared unshaded ones.

Wheat (Triticum aestivum L.) seeds (100 accessions) were selected on the basis of different geographical areas of Pakistan. Isolation and identification of seed born fungi were conducted according to standard blotter test. A total of five major seed borne fungi including Alternaria alternata, Aspergillus niger, Fusarium sp., Drechslera sp. and Phytophthora sp. were isolated from the wheat seeds. The frequency of occurrence of these five seed born fungi Alternaria alternata, Aspergillus niger, Fusarium sp. Drechslera sp. and Phytophthora sp. was 49%, 46%, 42%, 35% and 16%, respectively. Infection percentage varied from 0-90% in all 100 wheat accessions. Among the accessions, highest infection (100%) of seed born fungi was recorded in 011185 and 011757 while lowest infection (10%) was recorded in 011415 accessions. Moreover,in accessions collected from Gilgit Baltistan and AJK, Alternaria niger and Alternaria fusarium were dominant, while in Kpk province, Aspergillous niger was prevalent followed by Alternaria alternata. In case of Baluchistan province, the dominant seed born fungi was Alternaria alternata followed by Drechslera spp. Similarly in case of Punjab, the occurrence of Alternaria alternata, Drechslera sp , Fusarium sp, and Aspergillous niger associated with seeds were similar. For accession collected from Sindh province, the dominant seed born fungi was

Lepidopteran stem borers are among the most damaging insect pests of cultivated Poaceae in Africa. The objective of this study was to assess the diversity and the relative abundance of Lepidopteran stem borers and evaluate the larva-pupalparasitization in farmer’s fields. Surveys were conducted during two transplanted sorghum’ cropping seasons (2012/2013 and 2013/2014) in 3 agro-ecological sub-units in the Sudano-sahelian zone of Cameroon: Mandaras’ piedmonts (MP), Diamare plain (DP), Logon valley (LV). Destructive method was used to collect caterpillars and pupae from plants according to developmental stages of the sorghum this was
followed by their identification. Pupae were reared under laboratory conditions and emerging insects were recorded. They were the expected moths or their parasitoids. During the two years, 180 fields were sampled. Three stem borers’ species (Lepidoptera: Noctuidae) were identified and the most abundant being SesamiacreticaLederer (68.27%), followed by S. poephaga (27.54%) and then S. calamistis (0.19%). It was also
appeared that S. cretica and S. poephaga were present in sampled areas whereas, S. calamistisoccurred only at LV. Parasitoids species obtained belong to 3 Orders: Hymenoptera, Diptera and Coleoptera. The most important pupalparasitoid of the zone was Tetrastichussp (Hymenoptera: Eulophidae). Highest parasitization (17.15±14.59%) was recorded at MD followed by LV (14.15±7.42%) and the DP (11.19±0.69%). Tetrastichussp is a potential biological control agent of stem borers and could be used in integrated pest management process to prevent economic damage ofthe sorghum by the borers. Get the full articles at: http://www.innspub.net/volume-7-number-5-november-2015-ijaar/

- by Ngatanko Iliassa and +1
- •
- Genetics, Agronomy, Research Methodology, Educational Research

Turmeric (Curcuma longa) belonging to the family Zingiberaceae is one of the most ancient and importance spice crop grown in India. Rhizome rot of turmeric, caused by Pythium aphanidermatum (Edson) Fitz., is a major constraint for the production of healthy rhizome, some times causing total failure crop. Soil samples was collected and analyzed for physico chemical parameters, then the effect of pH, N, P and K also studied. Maximum growth the pathogen was noticed in pH 6 (55mm), 2% of nitrogen (21mm), 1% of phosphorus (16mm) and 2% of potash (14mm). Pythium aphanidermatum against chemical fungicide thiophanate methyl 70% WP produced inhibition zone (23mm) of fungal growth in disc diffusion assay. Because of the inherent risks associated with the chemical control, an attempt has been made in present study to control the rhizome rot by biological means under laboratory method. In vitro studies on biocontrol agents against turmeric rhizome rot pathogen Pythium aphanidermatum revealed that fungal bioagent was inhibiting the growth of pathogen. Trichoderma viride (79mm) was best inhibiting the colony growth of Pythium aphanidermatum (11mm) in 288 hours P = <0.001 statistically significant difference. Experts recommend that rhizome treatment with biofungicide like Trichoderma spp., can effectively control of this disease.
Keywords : Pythium aphanidermatum, Turmeric,
Trichoderma viride, Biofungicide, Rhizome rot.