Disease-suppressive and growth-promoting effects of microbial vetch fertiliser (MVF) from Bacillus–Trichoderma co-fermentation on maize and watermelon

The widely accepted notion of BF as the most important meal of the day has been called into question. Statistics recently showed that 25% of Americans now regularly skip breakfast (BF) in order to lose weight, despite aggressive campaigns labeling skipping BF as one of the most harmful eating behaviors. On the contrary, current recommendation regarding BF are now seen as perhaps the most peremptory yet metabolically groundless health guidelines. It is routinely stated that skipping BF is overcompensated with increased energy consumption later during the day, which is not been confirmed in direct controlled trials: skipping BF caused no overcompensation of calorie intake later in the day. On the contrary, daily energy and fat intakes were reduced with BF omission. Moreover, skipping BF resulted in a net energy deficit of about 400 kcal a day. Calorie restriction has been shown to have profound anti-aging benefits. Furthermore, intermittent fasting had more metabolic benefits than permanent calorie restriction, thus skipping BF may be more beneficial than traditional restrictive dieting infamous for its low compliance due to increased appetite and hunger. Intermittent fasting including skipping BF is shown to have good adherence due to effortless creation of calorie deficit for long period of time. A recent Japanese long-term study of a very large cohort extracted from 4-year long insurance records showed that BF skippers had a lower incidence of metabolic diseases, which constitute risk factors for diseases of aging. Reducing these risk factors can provide protection against early onset of aging and prolong healthy, active and happy aging. Prolonging the overnight fast habitually happens on a daily basis during the time-restricted feeding regimen (TRF). In animal studies, TRF protocols restrict food availability to 4–8 hour every circadian cycle (e.g. during dark phase in rodents). Animal studies have shown that metabolic consequences of TRF are metabolically favorable independently of caloric intakes. Even a short-term TRF intervention in adult rats slowed down age-associated cognitive decline and improved cognitive functions (Singh et al., 2012). The effects on glucose tolerance and insulin sensitivity were more pronounced compared to caloric restriction. In humans, TRF is achieved by consistently reducing daily meal count. Similarly, TRF has been shown to be as metabolically favorable in humans showing long-term neuroprotective effects, e.g., in the prevention of neurodegenerative diseases (Jadiya et al., 2011; Srivastava & Haigis, 2011), supposedly via improving synaptic plasticity and cognitive function (Fontán-Lozano et al., 2008; Liu et al., 2013). TRF is a one of the forms of Intermittent fasting , the one with superior adherence. A recent Japanese long-term study of a very large cohort extracted from 4-year long insurance records showed that BF skippers had a lower incidence of metabolic diseases, which constitute risk factors for diseases of aging. A recent Japanese long-term study of a very large cohort extracted from 4-year long insurance records showed that BF skippers had a lower incidence of metabolic diseases, which constitute risk factors for diseases of aging. Reducing these risk factors can provide protection against early onset of aging and prolong healthy, active and happy aging (Okamoto et al., 2013) In a 4-year long study based on Japanese insurance statistics, the accumulation of newly diagnosed diseases was plotted against various lifestyle-related behaviors (Okamoto et al., 2013). Self-reported BF-skippers had a lower incidence of all diseases (including metabolic diseases) as compared to BF-eaters (Fig. A and B). In the same study, a link between late eating and poorer health was demonstrated (Fig. C). Skipping BF may provide the neuroprotective and cognitively beneficial effects similar to that of TRF (Zilberter & Zilberter, 2014) and thus promote the healthy cognitive aging. Our detailed analysis of BF eating versus BF skipping effects revealed that only the only group benefiting from any BF is malnourished children and children with low IQs. Children having high IQ showed better cognitive test results after skipped BF. The most important finding are: 1) habitual BF-skipping adult perform better without BF and 2) habitual BF eater perform better after BF of pure fat, which means that their overnight ketosis state is not interrupted. Sleeping energy expenditure was higher when BF was habitually skipped indicating a prolongation of overnight ketosis (Kobayashi et al., 2014). Indeed, the best cognitive performance was observed after a BF of pure fat (Fischer et al., 2001), which may metabolically mimic the effects of skipping BF altogether by the same token as the ketogenic diet mimics the effects of starvation. Long-term effects of ketosis are known to be strongly neuroprotective and cognitively beneficial, for instance in children and in studies of Alzheimer's disease (Zilberter & Zilberter, 2013).

A detailed survey was conducted for disease incidence of pea wilt at seven pea growing districts of Manipur viz., Imphal East, Imphal West, Thoubal, Senapati, Ukhrul, Tamenglong and Bishnupur during 2014–2015. The highest disease incidence was found in Litan of Ukhrul district (39.50%) and lowest was found at Toubul of Bishnupur district (10.70%). Under pot experiment, efficacy of four native Trichoderma isolates i.e., TIE-1 TBI-2, TIW-1, TSE-1 and two commercial Trichodema spp. viz T. viride and T. hamatum of seed, soil and seed plus soil treatment against wilt of pea showed reduction in disease incidence. Among the different treatments seed+soil treatment was found better than the soil and seed treatment alone. The highest germination percentage was observed in isolate TIE-1 of seed (60%), soil (66.60%) and seed+soil treatment (80.20%) and lowest germination percentage was observed in commercial T. hamatum of seed (53.60%), soil (60.00%) and seed+soil treatment (65.00%). Disease incidence of four native Trichoderma isolates and two commercial Trichoderma were found nil in 30 DAS. In 60 DAS the highest disease incidence was found in commercial T. hamatum in seed treatment (20.00%) and lowest disease incidence was found in native Trichoderma TSE-1 of seed+soil treatment (2.50%) whereas in 90 DAS highest disease incidence was also found in T. hamatum in soil treatment (40.00%) and lowest disease incidence was found in native Trichoderma isolate TIE-1 of seed+soil treatment (10.66%). The highest plant height was recorded in seed+soil treatment of isolate TBI-2 (70.28 cm at 90 DAS). However in seed+soil treatment of Trichoderma isolate TIE-1 recorded the highest plant canopy (2085.03 cm2 at 90 DAS) no. of pods plant−1 (5.34) and yield (6.91 g pot−1).

Uncertain climate change and population growth, which increase every year, constitute a varied lifestyle that can escalate the incidence of some infectious diseases. In West Java, the incident of dengue hemorrhagic fever (DHF), malaria, and pneumonia, along with the number of claims under National Health Insurance (BPJS) for these diseases, increased in 2022. This research aims to explore the relationship between ecological factors and the incidence of infectious diseases using multivariate canonical correlation analysis. The response variables are the incidence of DHF, malaria, and pneumonia based on disease-related visits to healthcare facilities captured in the BPJS data sample. The ecological factors used as explanatory variables include population size, average humidity, average rainfall, average temperature, the amount of waste transported to landfills per ton, and the percentage of households with access to adequate sanitation. The results showed a high correlation between ecology and disease incidence. Based on canonical loading and cross loading, the ecological factors that significantly contribute to disease incidence are population, average rainfall, average temperature, and the amount of waste transported to landfills per ton. Statistically, reduction in waste sent to landfills can decrease the incidence of DHF, malaria, and pneumonia. Reduction in population can reduce disease incidence, and decrease in temperature can lower disease incidence. Meanwhile, increase in rainfall can also reduce disease incidence. Therefore, efforts to control population growth, improve access to proper sanitation, and implement effective waste management can have a positive impact on reducing the incidence of infectious diseases in West Java. Therefore, efforts to control the population, improve access to proper sanitation, and effective waste management can have a positive impact on reducing infectious disease incidence in West Java.

Cardiovascular disease is one of the leading causes of death worldwide and is responsible for 45% of deaths in the western world and 24.5% of deaths in the developing countries. In the 21st century these diseases will continue to dominate the disease spectrum and death statistics in both the industrialised and developing worlds. Since 1975 mortality from cardiovascular disease has decreased by about 24 to 28% in most countries. About 45% of this reduction can be attributed to an improvement in treatment of coronary heart disease and around 55% are attributable to a reduction in risk factors, in particular, stopping smoking and control of hypertension. However, especially in the case of ischaemic heart disease, it is not clear whether the reduction in mortality reflects a reduction in incidence of this disease. Due to the aging population and the reduction in age-related mortality, it is expected that the absolute number of people with heart disease will increase. Furthermore, the increase in prevalence of obesity, metabolic syndrome, type II diabetes as well as the higher prevalence of female smokers compared with thirty years ago could result in an increase in mortality over the next years and decades. It has been shown that prevention strategies, such as education campaigns aimed at the general public, can potentially greatly contribute to a reduction in incidence of cardiovascular disease at every stage. In order for such campaigns to be effective, it is necessary to understand and reduce the risk factors for cardiovascular disease. A large proportion of these risk factors are associated with lifestyle and are therefore modifiable. These modifiable risk factors include smoking, hypertension, poor diet, dyslipidemia, lack of exercise, overweight, adiposity and diabetes mellitus and optimisation of these should be a key aim for all adults. Gender differences also play a role in the incidence and prevention of cardiovascular disease. Incidence of myocardial infarction in women increases significantly after the menopause, and mortality through coronary heart disease is higher amongst women than men. Hormonal status, use of oral contraceptives and pregnancy all influence risk for cardiovascular disease in women. Due to the enormity of the problem that cardiovascular disease presents to society and the great potential for management of risk factors for cardiovascular disease through preventive medicine, a number of health promotion and prevention programmes have been initiated by various national and global organisations. This paper presents an analysis of modifiable risk factors for cardiovascular disease together with a review of targeted prevention programmes aiming at reducing these risks.

Evaluation of Pic-clor 60 [choloropicrin pre-mixed with 1,3 dicholoropropene] and soil-applied fungicides for the Fusarium wilt management in watermelon

Fusarium graminearum is the most important causal agent of head blight in wheat, and stalk and ear rot in maize. A field experiment was conducted to investigate the effect of incorporation of Brassicaceae cover crops on Fusarium graminearum in a wheat-maize rotation. Five species belonging to Brassicaceae (Brassica juncea, Eruca sativa, Raphanus sativus, B. carinata, B. oleracea var. caulorapa L.) were used in the field experiment to investigate their potential to suppress F. graminearum inoculum in soil, disease incidence in maize and to reduce subsequent mycotoxin contamination in maize. Brassica juncea was found to contain the highest glucosinolate concentration in shoots (31 µmol g-1). Severity of ear rot and stalk rot in maize was not significantly reduced in the amended plots. Incorporation of R. sativus 'Terranova' significantly decreased the amount of F. graminearum DNA by 58% compared with the cultivated fallow treatment, however the DNA concentration was not significantly different to fallow uncultivated. Fusarium graminearum DNA and deoxynivalenol in maize was 50% lower after incorporation of B. oleracea var. caulorapa L. compared to after fallow treatment but the difference was not significant. The brassica crops used in the present field experiment were not effective in suppressing F. graminearum, therefore further studies to optimise the current approach are recommended.

Applications of the synthetic auxin 2,4‐dichlorophenoxyacetic acid (2,4‐D) to the foliage of potato plants can reduce common scab, a tuber disease. However, in prior research effective applications at 200 mg L−12,4‐D resulted in phytotoxic side effects with reduced tuber yield and quality. This study showed that minimal significant threshold rates from 8.3 to 23.6 mg L−12,4‐D reduced disease incidence in pot trials, and from 10.8 to 41.0 mg L−1minimised disease severity in both pot and field trials. In only one pot trial, significant phytotoxicity was found with rates of 100 mg L−1or greater, reducing mean total tuber mass per plot and 38 mg L−1or greater, reducing mean mass per tuber. Notably, within the field trial, a more reliable plant growth system for estimation of yield, no significant impacts were observed. Disease control was associated with decreased sensitivity of tubers to thaxtomin A, the phytotoxin produced by the common scab pathogen essential for disease induction. The amount of residual 2,4‐D in tubers at harvest varied with cultivar, Russet Burbank accumulating more 2,4‐D than Desiree. Application rates less than 100 mg L−1resulted in levels of 2,4‐D below the Australian standard maximum residue limit. These data suggest that applications of 2,4‐D at low rates could provide a commercially suitable control strategy for common scab.

The stalk, ear and root rot (SERR) of maize caused by Fusarium verticillioides (Fv) severely impacts crop production in tropical and subtropical regions. The aim of the present work was to screen bacterial isolates in order to find novel native biocontrol agents against Fv. A culturable bacterial collection consisting of 11,520 isolates enriched in Firmicutes and Proteobacteria was created from rhizosphere samples taken from SERR symptomatic or asymptomatic maize plants. The complete collection was screened for potential activity against Fv using a liquid antagonism assay followed by dual cultures in solid medium, selecting for 42 bacteria (Bacillus, Pseudomonas and Paenibacillus) that inhibit Fv growth (>45 %). In planta assays demonstrated that three Bacillus isolates: B. megaterium (B5), B. cereus sensu lato (B25) and Bacillus sp. (B35) displayed the highest antagonistic activity against Fv. Pot experiments performed in a greenhouse with Bacillus cereus sensu lato B25 confirmed these findings and showed a reduction of Fv disease severity and incidence on plants. Antagonistic activity analysis revealed that these strains produce glucanases, proteases or chitinases, as well as siderophores and auxins and suggests these as possible control mechanisms against Fv.Electronic supplementary materialThe online version of this article (doi:10.1186/s40064-016-1780-x) contains supplementary material, which is available to authorized users.

An experiment was laid to study the effect of four fungicides, four botanical extracts and three biocontrol agents in vitro against F. verticillioides and then under experimental field conditions to develop a suitable and effective management practice for this disease.Under in vitro conditions, Caviet (tebuconazole) completely inhibited the growth of the pathogen at all the concentrations.Similarly, neem oil at 0.2% (34.83%) and Trichoderma harzianum (52.92%) recorded highest inhibition among botanicals and bio-control agents.Under field experiment, treatment T 4 , which is a combination of tebuconazole and T. harzianum recorded highest germination (91%), lowest mortality (7.33%), least disease incidence (19.33%), highest percent efficacy of disease control (80.66) and lowest average disease rating (1.6).Apart from reduced disease incidence, T 4 resulted into improved crop growth and yield.This combination of treatment can be used to reduce the incidence of post-flowering stalk rot of maize and improve the yield.

Stalk rot is one of the most serious and widespread diseases in maize, and effective control measures are currently lacking. Therefore, this study aimed to develop a new biological agent to manage this disease. An antagonistic bacterial strain, TA-1, was isolated from rhizosphere soil and identified as Bacillus methylotrophicus based on morphological and biochemical characterization and 16S ribosomal RNA and gyrB gene sequence analyses. TA-1 exhibited a strong antifungal effect on the growth of Fusarium graminearum mycelium, with 86.3% inhibition at a concentration of 108 CFU per ml. Transmission electron microscopy showed that TA-1 could disrupt the cellular structure of the fungus, induce necrosis, and degrade the cell wall. Greenhouse and field trials were performed to evaluate the biocontrol efficacy of TA-1 on maize stalk rot, and the results of greenhouse experiment revealed that the bacterium significantly reduced disease incidence and disease index. Seeds treated with a 108 CFU ml-1 cell suspension had the highest disease suppression at 86.8%. Results of field trials show that seed bacterization with TA-1 could not only reduce maize stalk rot incidence but also increase maize height, stem diameter, and grain yield. The lipopeptide antibiotics were isolated from the culture supernatants of TA-1 and identified as surfactins and iturins. Consequently, B. methylotrophicus TA-1 is a potential biocontrol agent against maize stalk rot.

This research was to study the effect of chemical and granular organic fertilizer with hormone mixed formula (HO) and chemical fertilizer to improve the vegetative growth of cannabis in outdoor conditions. The experiment was conducted in pots under natural conditions, using a Completely Randomized Design (CRD) with 13 treatments of fertilizer applied with 6 replications, totally 78 pot plants. The pot size is No.17 with 12 Kilograms of growing media per pot, The treatments included: T1 - No fertilizer (Control), T2 - Chemical fertilizer 25-7-7 (50 kg/rai, 1 rai = 0.16 ha), T3 - Chemical fertilizer 25-7-7 (100 kg/rai), T4 - Chemical fertilizer 16-8-8 (50 kg/rai), T5 - Chemical fertilizer 16-8-8 (100 kg/rai), T6 - Chemical fertilizer 15-15-15 (50 kg/rai), T7 - Chemical fertilizer 15-15-15 (100 kg/rai), T8 - HO-1 (50 kg/rai), T9 - HO-1 (100 kg/rai), T10 - HO-2 (50 kg/rai), T11 - HO-2 (100 kg/rai), T12 - HO-3 (50 kg/rai), and T13 - HO-3 (100 kg/rai). The test plant was 25-day-old Hang Kra Rok Phu Phan ST1 cannabis seedlings. The study was conducted from November 2022 to June 2023 in Moo 7, Wang Nok Aen Sub-district, Wang Thong District, Phitsanulok Province. Data were analyzed using ANOVA and means were compared using DMRT at 95% confidence level.The experimental results revealed that 1) Nutrient analysis: HO fertilizers (HO-1, HO-2, HO-3) contained moderate levels of N-P-K, high levels of secondary (Ca-Mg-S) and micronutrients (Fe-Cu-Zn-Mn), whereas chemical fertilizers lacked these secondary and micronutrients. HO fertilizers had slightly acidic pH (6.5-6.7), favorable for nutrient uptake. 2) Growing media analysis: before the experiment analysis showed high N-P-K and Ca-Mg levels, very low S, and low micronutrient levels. After the experiment, N decreased while other nutrients increased. HO treatments improved pH more than chemical fertilizers. 3) Water retention: HO fertilizers, especially T13 (HO-3, 100kg), significantly improved water retention capacity (from 26.1% to 29.9%). 4) Chlorophyll content: Increased with plant age, with T13 showing significantly higher levels at 30, 45, and 60 days after planting. 5) Growth parameters: Plant height, stem diameter, leaf number, canopy size, and branch number were highest in T13, T12, and T11, respectively, showing statistically significant differences. 6) Growth pattern: Chemical fertilizers promoted faster initial growth (first 30 days), while HO fertilizers demonstrated superior growth from 45-60 days. T13 (HO-3, 100kg) was identified as the most effective fertilizer for cannabis cultivation under outdoor conditions, demonstrating significantly greater growth than other treatments. The diverse nutrient composition and soil-enhancing properties of HO fertilizers contributed to more sustained cannabis growth compared to conventional chemical fertilizers.

The integration of management methods for both diseases and weeds depends on the compatibility between the tools. Biological control represents an important strategy to cope with the integrated management of white mold (Sclerotinia sclerotiorum) through parasitism of sclerotia. However, its application in the field is more cost-effective if combined with the herbicide in a tank mix, as long as the products are compatible. Therefore, we aimed at (i) evaluating two compatibility test methodologies (constant exposure and different times) and (ii) two soybean crop seasons to infer the compatibility of Trichoderma-based products. In vitro bioassays were performed to assess the compatibility between herbicides (Haloxifope-p- methyl, Glyphosate N-ammonium salt, Fluasifope-p-butyl, Fomesafem, Chlorimuron ethyl and Imazapyc + Imazapyr) and two biocontrol agents (Trichoderma asperellum and Trichoderma harzianum). Thus, the recommended spray volume for each herbicide was added to the PDA culture medium (Potato-Dextrose-Agar) and then deposited in the center of the plate a disc of mycelium from each antagonist isolate (constant exposure). The tests with time of exposure were marked at times 0, 2, 4, 8 and 16 h (simulating tank mixing) and at the spp of each time were plated on PDA medium. For both tests, the mycelial growth and conidiogenesis of Trichoderma spp. were observed. The combination of herbicide and biocontrol was also tested in the field and sclerotia parasitism, white mold incidence and plant yield were assessed in two field trials. The constant exposure of the antagonists to herbicides revealed that no herbicide was compatible with the T. asperellum or T. harzianum. While in test, exposure time exhibited compatibility with either T. asperellum or T. harzianum, within a period of 2 to 8 h. Conclusively, the integration of biocontrol agents with the herbicide imazapique + imazapyr exhibited significant reductions in white mold disease incidence and conidia germination, along with effective parasitism of S. sclerotiorum and even the least compatible herbicide (glyphosate) resulted in significant reduction in the disease incidence and sustained yield when compared to the untreated control. Therefore, the integration of the biocontrol agent for white mold should always be considered, and the tank mixing of it with the herbicide represents a cost-effective alternative for the grower.

Maize stalk rot (MSR), caused by Fusarium graminearum, is the most serious soil borne disease in maize production, seriously affecting maize yield and quality worldwide. Microbial biocontrol agents are the best means of controlling MSR and reducing the use of chemical fungicides, such as Bacillus spp. In the study, a soil-isolated strain B105-8 was identified as B. velezensis (accession No. PP325775.1 and No. PP869695.1), demonstrated a broad spectrum against various pathogens causing maize diseases, which effectively controlled MSR, exhibited a high control efficacy of more than 60% and growth-promoting effect in the pot plant. B105-8 could effectively improve soil urease (S-UE), invertase (S-SC), and catalase (S-CAT) activities. S-NP activity showed an initial increase with a peak of 20,337 nmol/h/g, followed by a decrease, but activity remained significantly better than control treatment with chemical fungicides. The application of B105-8 repaired the damage caused by F. graminearum on soil activity. The antifungal compound B-1, extracted from B105-8, was purified using a protein purifier, revealing inhibitory effects against F. graminearum. Mass spectrometry analysis indicated the potential presence of C14 Bacillomycin, C15 Iturin, C15 Mycosubtilin, C17, and C15 fengycin in B-1. In pot experiments, a 5 μL/mL concentration of B-1 exhibited 69% control on MSR, enhancing maize root elongation, elevation, and fresh weight. At 10 μL/mL, B-1 showed 89.0 and 82.1% inhibition on spore production and mycelial growth, causing hyphal deformities. This study presents the innovative use of B. velezensis, isolated from maize rhizosphere in cold conditions to effectively control MSR caused by F. graminearum. The findings highlight the remarkable regional and adaptive characteristics of this strain, making it an excellent candidate to fight MSR in diverse environments. In conclusion, B. velezensis B105-8 demonstrated potential as a biocontrol agent for MSR.

Screening of antagonistic Trichoderma strains and their application for controlling stalk rot in maize

Among 1,000 consecutive patients referred for coronary arteriography because of chest pain, 89 patients were found to have a non-dominant right coronary artery (NDRCA). These patients were compared to 89 consecutive patients with dominant right coronary artery (DRCA) matched for age, sex, smoking and serum cholesterol. There was a lower incidence of obstructive disease in NDRCA (23 of 89 patients, 26%) than in DRCA (55 of 89 patients, 62%), X2 = 23.368, p less than 0.001. The incidence of coronary disease was also lower in the NDRCA group, 50 of 89 patients (56%), than in the DRCA group, 68 of 89 patients (76%), X2 = 8.146, p less than 0.01. When only patients with coronary artery disease (CAD) were included in the analysis: 23 of 50 (46%) patients with CAD and NDRCA had obstructive disease in the right coronary artery (RCA) while 55 of 68 (80%) patients with DRCA and CAD had obstructive disease in the RCA, X2 = 15.646, p less than 0.001. The lower incidence of disease in NDRCA persisted even when only the proximal one-third of the DRCA was considered: 41 of 89 (46%) patients with DRCA had proximal lesions compared to the total length of NDRCA, 23 of 89 patients (26%), X2 = 7.940, p less than 0.01.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)