Rhizome rot of ginger caused by a fungal complex (Pythium, Fusarium and Rhizoctonia) is an economically important disease. To manage rhizome rot disease of ginger (Zingiber officinale), physical, chemical and biological treatments were evaluated under field conditions for three successive years from 2021-2023 at Research farm of Regional Research Station (Punjab Agricultural University), Ballowal Saunkhri, Punjab. Seed rhizomes were treated with hot water (51 C for 10 min), solution of fungicides namely Indofil M-45 (mancozeb 75% WP), Ridomil Gold (64% w/w mancozeb + 4% w/w metalaxyl-M), Bavistin (carbendazim 50% WP), Captan 50 (captan 50% WP), Seedex 2DS (tebuconazole 2% DS), a biocontrol agent Trichoderma harzianum, and untreated control. Among the eight treatments evaluated, rhizome treatment with Ridomil Gold @ 0.2% showed greatest efficacy (50.0%, 47.2% & 46.8%) with maximum per cent disease control (PDC) and highest rhizome yield (26.0, 25.3 and 25.1 t ha ) however, -1 Mancozeb @ 0.3% was at par with Ridomil. Rhizome treatment with T. harzianum exhibited minimum disease control (27.9%, 19.4% and 9.3%) and lowest rhizome yield (11.5, 12.3 and 11.6 t ha ) proved to be -1 least effective. A strong negative correlations (-0.84 to -0.94, -0.86 to -0.97 and -0.84 to -0.98) of rhizome rot incidence with other plant growth parameters was found during 2021, 2022 and 2023, respectively. . KEYWORDS :Fungicide, Pythium aphanidermatum, Trichoderma , Zingiber officinale

Understanding the structure and dynamics of fungi inhabiting the rhizosphere is paramount for advancing sustainable agriculture and preserving ecosystem health. Rhizospheric fungi possess considerable potential to enhance crop yield, diminish dependence on chemical inputs, and promote ecologically sound agricultural methodologies over an extended period. A study was conducted to isolate and delineate rhizospheric soil fungi associated with Lagenaria siceraria Standl. Through a comprehensive analysis of morphological, cultural, and microscopic attributes, a total of twenty distinct species of soil fungi were successfully isolated and identified from the rhizosphere of L. siceraria.These fungi were Acremonium falciforme (Carrioon) W. Gams; Alternaria alternata Fr., Keissier; Aspergillus clavatus Desmazieres; A flavus Link; A. fumigatus Fresenius; A. nidulans (Eidam) G. Winter; A. niger Tieghem; A. oryzae (Ahlburg) Cohn; A. terreus Thom; Curvularia brachyspora Boedijn; Fusarium culmorum (Wm.G. Sm.) Sacc.; F. oxysporum Schlecht., Emend, Synder & Hansen; F. solani (Mart.) Sacc.; Verticillium nigrescens Pethybr.; Mucor mucedo Linnaeus; Paecilomyces variotii Bainer; Penicillium oxalicum Currie and Thom; P. solitum Westling; Talaromyces purpureogenus (Stoll) Samson and Trichoderma harzianum Rifai. This study will be instrumental in the precise identification of soil fungi intricately associated with various crop plants and some fungal species can be harnessed through in vivo methodologies to safeguard and enhance the sustainable cultivation of Lagenaria siceraria. Furthermore, certain strains exhibit antimicrobial properties, particularly in combating pathogenic fungal organisms.. KEYWORDS :Lagenaria siceraria, rhizospheric fungi

A study conducted across 33 blocks in seven districts in Jharkhand highlighted the predominance of oyster mushroom cultivation, underscoring the untapped potential of white button (Agaricus bisporus) mushroom. Among various A. bisporus cultures, culture S 79, grown on malt extract agar, exhibited vigorous growth, a fluffy texture and rapid colony initiation - within just 2.26 days. Substrate enrichment experiments revealed that a mixture of 25 per cent compost and 75 per cent poultry manure yielded mushrooms with longer stipes (13.96 cm), larger pilei (12.90 cm), and heavier sporophores (109.54 g). This combination achieved a yield of 1,746.63 g per bed and a biological efficiency of 105.49 per cent. Additionally, integrating vermicompost at a ratio of 8.0 kg compost to 2.0 kg vermicompost further enhanced yields to 1,796.48 g per bed, with a biological efficiency of 115.09 per cent. Casing materials also played a crucial role; a 3:2 ratio of cocopeat to vermicompost at a 1.0 cm thickness produced a yield of 1,540.71 g and a biological efficiency of 105.46 per cent. Overall, the study concluded that the optimal combinations of compost, vermicompost, and casing parameters significantly enhanced the yield and quality of A. bisporus. These findings highlight the substantial potential for white button mushroom cultivation in Jharkhand, offering farmers a lucrative opportunity to diversify their agricultural practices and improve their livelihoods.. KEYWORDS :Agaricus bisporus, cocopeat, compost, mushroom, poultry manure, vermicompost

Stem and root rot of sesame (Macrophomina phaseolina) favoured by high temperature and low relative humidity. Experiments conducted during Kharif 2018 and 2019, in which disease initiated during second week of August and maximum during second to third week of September. The maximum and minimum temperature, as well as the morning and evening relative humidity, were recorded as 34.2 C, 20.2 C; 79 and 48 per cent and 36.3 C, 24.9 C; 88 and 52 per cent during both 2018 and 2019, respectively. Disease incidence was maximum (11.3 and 14.3%) as the weekly percentage of disease incidence, during the 2018 and 2019 seasons, respectively. Disease was declined during last week of September and showed significantly positive correlation with maximum temperature and sunshine hrs. Minimum temperature, relative humidity and rainfall showed negative correlation during kharif 2017 and 2018 crop seasons. A correlation of multiple determinations (R ) was 89.30 and 73.50 per cent during 2018 and 2019, 2 respectively. It means 73.50-89.30 per cent disease incidence was based on weather variables. Assessment of the yield losses in both the protected and unprotected block revealed that the protected block gave higherseed yield with lower disease incidence. Yield losses were recorded at 59.3 and 61.4 per cent during kharif 2018 and 2019 seasons, respectively.. KEYWORDS :Macrophomina phasolina, sesame, weather parameter, yield losses

Alternaria blight disease has become a major constraint in cultivation of sunflower inflicting significant yield losses. Defense inducers were tested to evaluate their effectiveness against Alternaria blight pathogen, Alternaria helianthi under in vitro conditions. In vitro evaluation of defense inducers revealed that maximum inhibition of A. helianthi was achieved in salicylic acid (43.79%) at 200 ppm followed by monopotassium phosphate (40.34%) at 200 ppm. The defense inducers that demonstrated high inhibition against A. helianthi under in vitro were tested for their effectiveness against Alternaria blight disease in field. Seed treatment followed by foliar spray of salicylic acid at 100 ppm showed least disease severity (23.33%) at 50 per cent flowering with higher yield (2421 kg ha ) which was on par with seed treatment -1 followed by foliar spray of salicylic acid at 50 ppm with disease severity of 23.33 per cent at 50 per cent flowering and seed yield of 2397 Kg ha . The current study indicated the potential of defense inducers for -1 the managing Alternaria blight in sunflower.. KEYWORDS :Alternaria blight fense inducers, salicylic acid , de

Soybean stand out as the most cultivated crop in India. Farming encounters obstacles caused by plant diseases in agriculture operations. Soybean plants frequently develop infections caused by bacteria, fungi, and viruses during the cultivation period which can harm yield and productivity. Early disease detection is crucial for maintaining production levels and losses. Efficient identification of symptoms associated with soybean plant diseases plays a role in the early detection of diseases during the growing season to avoid significant crop losses. Detecting diseases accurately and automatically can facilitate the implementation of strategies to minimize yield losses. A helpful approach, for farmers is to utilize an automated system that processes images of leaves that seem to be infected. The article explores the advantages of utilizing machine learning (ML) strategies. This review covers steps in the identification and detection of soybean plant disease with the help of an image dataset using different algorithms. It highlights the importance of feature extraction, selection, and classification methods. The study systematically examines different machine-learning algorithms that are used in the diagnosis of diseases in soybeans. Among the techniques are k-means clustering, multilayer perceptrons (MLP), decision trees, random forests, artificial neural networks (ANN), convolutional neural networks (CNN), support vector machines (SVM), and random forests. It examines each algorithms benefits, shortcomings, and appropriateness for soybean disease detection.. KEYWORDS :Algorithms, disease detection, machine learning, soybean

Crop production stands as a key determinant of global food security, with climate change posing a threat through both direct and indirect routes, including shifts in the spread and effects of plant pathogens that lead to losses in production. Globally 137 species of plant pathogens and insect pests have been documented that are associated with the major crops of wheat, rice, maize, potato, and soybean. In plant disease management, biotechnologies a cornerstone of a modern and revolutionizing approach through various innovative avenues. It facilitates the development of genetically modified crops with enhanced disease resistance, curtailing reliance on chemical pesticides and sustaining crop resilience. Cutting-edge biotechnological innovations encompass techniques like introducing small RNA via exosomes to deactivate pathogen genes and employing cross-kingdom RNAi, inducing gene silencing within the host to cultivate resistance. CRISPR-Cas and other genome editing tools facilitate precise modifications of plant genomes, enhancing traits like disease or biotic and abiotic stress resistance. Furthermore, these advancements play a crucial role in developing rapid and precise diagnostic tools, enabling early detection and containment of diseases. In this review, recent progress in biotechnology tools and techniques, the challenges, limitations, and prospectus in plant disease management are discussed. . KEYWORDS :CRISPR, gene-silencing, MiRNA, plant immune system, phyto-pathogens, stress-resistant varieties, synthetic biology

Inheritance of field resistance to rust (Uromyces vicia fabae) was studied in eight lentil genotypes viz., Markanday (EC 1), Vipasha (HPL5), Precoz, DPL 61, L 7107, IPL 131, IPL 138, and L 101. The F s from 1 the crosses of the test genotypes with highly susceptible cultivar L 830 were resistant, indicating that resistance was controlled by dominant genes. The F plants in crosses L 830 x L 101, Markandey x L 830, L 2 830 x Vipasha and Precoz x L 830 segregated into 15:1 resistant (R): susceptible (S) ratio inferring that resistance in genotypes L 101, Markandey, Vipasha, and Precoz was governed by two independent dominant genes. The F plant progenies from these crosses except L 830 x Vipasha segregated into 7 2-3 Homozygous Resistant (HR): 8 segregating (Seg): 1 Homozygous Susceptible (HS) ratio thereby, confirming the presence of two independently inherited dominant genes for resistance in genotypes L 101, Markandey and Precoz. In crosses, DPL 61 x L 830 and IPL 138 x L 830 the F plants segregated for rust 2 reaction into 3 R: 1 S and F plants segregated into 1 HR: 2 Seg.: 1 HS ratio, confirming the presence of a 2-3 single dominant gene for rust resistance in genotype DPL 61 and IPL 138. The F plants in cross L 830 x L 2 7107 segregated into 9 R: 7 S ratio and F plants segregated into 1 HR: 8 Seg. : 7 HS ratio showing that 2-3 resistance in L7107 was governed by two dominant complementary genes. Among the resistant x resistant crosses, no segregation was recorded in most of the crosses involving parents, Precoz, DPL 61, L 7107, IPL 131, IPL 138, and L 101 indicating that one or more resistance genes in these genotypes were common However, crosses Markandey x Precoz, Markandey x IPL 131, Markandeyx L 7107 segregated for resistance and susceptibility, indicating that resistance in genotype Markanday (EC 1), was governed by different genes.. KEYWORDS :Genetics of field resistance, inheritance, lentil, rust, Uromyces viciae fabae

The present study was aimed to evaluate different strains of oyster mushrooms during rainy and winter seasons for higher yield and comparative nutritive value. The strain PL-19-05 took minimum time (8.75 days) for spawn run in rainy season which was significantly faster than other strains in both the seasons. While the strain Pl-19-04 took maximum time of 17.75 days in winter season. The strain PL-19-06 took minimum days (18 days) for pin head initiation followed by the strain PL-19-04 and PL-19-01 in rainy season. Higher fruiting body yield and biological efficiency (932.32 g kg of substrate dry weight and -1 93.23%) were achieved by the strain PL-19-06 in the winter season, followed by the strain PL-19-01 (910.66 g kg of substrate dry weight and 91.07%) in winter and PL-19-06 (901.00 g kg of substrate dry -1 -1 weight and 90.10%) in rainy season. The lowest yield and biological efficiency were observed in PL-19-02 (708.25 g kg of substrate dry weight and 70.83%) in rainy season. Nutritional analysis revealed the highest -1 moisture content (90.51%) and carbohydrate (45.75%) in the strain PL-19-07, whereas the strain PL-19-03 had the highest protein content (8.43 mg 100 mg ). The results of this study revealed that winter season was -1 found suitable for most of the strains but the strain PL-19-06 could be recommended for commercial cultivation in both seasons.. KEYWORDS :Biological efficiency, oyster mushroom

Neck blast, caused by Pyricularia oryzae, poses a significant threat to basmati rice production in Indian Punjab. Understanding the genetic diversity of P. oryzae populations is crucial for developing effective resistance strategies. In this study, twenty nine P. oryzae isolates collected from diverse agroecological zones were analyzed using simple sequence repeat (SSR) markers. Genetic analysis revealed a high degree of polymorphism, with polymorphic information content (PIC) values ranging from 0.27 to 0.96. The 10 polymorphic SSR markers detected a total of 44 alleles, with the number of alleles per locus ranging from 2 to 7. Cluster analysis grouped the isolates into two major genetic clusters, indicating significant genetic differentiation. These findings provide valuable insights into the genetic variability of P. oryzae populations and can aid in designing durable resistance strategies against neck blast in basmati rice. . KEYWORDS :Genetic diversity, Magnaporthe grisea, molecular characterization, pathotypic variability, simple sequence repeats (SSR)