Integrated Disease Management Strategies Research Articles

Agronomic Practices for Management of Ginger Bacterial wilt Disease: A Review

Ginger is one of the most important spices, particularly for small-scale farmers in Ethiopia. However, bacterial wilt is a major constraint to ginger production, and it was reported for the first time in 2012. The disease is caused by the bacteria <i>Ralstonia</i> <i>solanacearum</i>. Common symptoms in infected plants include wilting, stunting, yellowing of foliage, and rhizome rot. The disease is now widespread across all ginger-growing regions worldwide, spreading through soil, water, infected rhizomes, and plant debris. A major challenge in managing bacterial wilt has been the lack of effective control methods. This review primarily focuses on recent advances in control measures, including agronomic and cultural practices such as soil amendment, rhizome treatment, and other cultural practices. Soil and rhizome solarization has proven to be a cost-effective method that is compatible with other pest management tactics. Furthermore, the use of organic matter such as crop residue and animal manure has been investigated as a means of inducing <i>R. solanacearum</i> suppression since it enhances the physical, chemical, and biological characteristics of soil. The application of certain plants and their essential oils as bio-fumigants has also been examined as an alternative approach to managing bacterial wilt as part of an integrated disease management system. Crop rotation, tillage, and field sanitation play vital roles in disease management. Furthermore, other farm practices, such as the use of healthy seeds, cultivation in disease-free areas, cover crops, bio-mulch, and regular field inspection, also contribute to the suppression of this pathogen. Overall, employing agronomic and cultural practices in combination with an integrated disease management strategy offers a promising approach for controlling bacterial wilt and ensuring sustainable ginger production.

Economic impact, pathogen identification and management of blossom and peduncle blight in tuberose: A review

In the global floriculture industry, tuberose [Agave amica (Medik.) Thiede & Govaerts syn. Polianthes tuberosa L.] holds significant economic and cultural value, particularly in regions like Tamil Nadu, India. However, the cultivation of this valuable flower is increasingly threatened by diseases such as blossom blight and peduncle blight. This review examines the economic importance of tuberose and the severe impact of these blights, caused by Fusarium equiseti and Lasiodiplodia theobromae respectively, which canresult in crop losses of up to 43 %. The identification and morphological characteristics of these pathogens are discussed, emphasizing the need for accurate detection and diagnosis to manage these diseases effectively. This article also reviews current management strategies, including chemical fungicides, biocontrol agents and cultural practices, highlighting the efficacy of carbendazim and tebuconazole against L. theobromae and the potential of Aimcozim and organic amendments against F. equiseti . Climate change exacerbates the impact of these diseases, necessitating adaptive management practices. Despite progress, research gaps remain in developing integrated disease management strategies and understanding the long-term effects of climate change on disease epidemiology. This review aims to provide a comprehensive overview of the current knowledge and to encourage further research, with the goal of enhancing the sustainability of tuberose cultivation in the face of these increasing challenges.

A novel approach for detecting Pomegranate leaf pathologies using deep learning

Pomegranate cultivation is essential for ensuring global food security, yet it faces significant threats from diseases. This has resulted in significant losses of yield. Integrated disease management strategies are therefore crucial for addressing this problem and include cultural practices, disease resistant varieties and timely application of fungicides. Artificial intelligence (AI), primarily deep learning, has recently made great strides that can help change the landscape on how agricultural diseases are diagnosed. In this study, therefore, we will develop a highly accurate and efficient system for early detection of diseases in pomegranate crops using deep learning algorithms. Using convolutional neural networks (CNNs) along with transfer learning coupled with data augmentation techniques such as rotation, flipping and scaling automate the identification and classification of disorders related to leaves growing on pomegranate plants. Rigorous experimentation and evaluation using performance metrics like accuracy, precision, recall, and F1 score demonstrate the efficacy of the CNN models. The underlying theory behind this is that AI technologies would be able to successfully detect all BLB diseases associated with pomegranates at an accuracy rate of 96.33 percent using Inception v3 CNN model. These results point out that AI technology changes everything about dealing with crop diseases in agriculture while also emphasizing its importance towards global food security efforts. This study not only presents a novel approach to disease detection but also provides practical solutions for farmers to mitigate crop losses and improve yield quality, promoting more sustainable and resilient farming.

Integrated disease management strategy for stem rot of rice caused by Sclerotium oryzae Catt

Stem rot of Rice caused by Sclerotium oryzae Catt was once thought to be a minor disease, is becoming one of the major constraints of rice production currently. An experiment was conducted in split plot design with manures, bio agents, fungicide in different treatments alone or integration at Agricultural Research station, Nellore, Andhra Pradesh for three rabi seasons of consecutive years (2019-2021). Pooled analysis of two years data revealed that among all the treatments application of farm yard manure @ 4t/ac+dhaincha @10kg/ac+ 2kg Trichoderma asperellum multiplied in 90 kg farm yard manure+10kg neem cake/ac applied to one acre through soil + two sprays of propiconazole 25EC @ 1ml/l with 15 days interval from booting to panicle emergence effectively managed the diseases with significantly least stem rot incidence (11.40%) and highest grain yield (8359 kg/ha).

Biocidal function of Trichoderma-derived secondary metabolites against Fusarium wilt of pea

The current research investigates the potential of secondary metabolites extracted from Trichoderma species for managing Fusarium wilt in pea plants. Crude extracts of secondary metabolites from T. viride and T. harzianum were obtained using ethyl acetate and methanol through solvent extraction methods and evaluated for their antifungal activity against Fusarium oxysporum f.sp. pisi under various experimental conditions. In vitro assays were performed using the poisoned food technique on potato dextrose agar (PDA) medium, employing Completely Randomized Design (CRD) with three concentrations of secondary metabolites (250 ppm, 350 ppm, and 500 ppm). Greenhouse experiments were also conducted in a CRD setup, where pea plants were inoculated with a spore suspension (1×10⁶ spores/ml) of the pathogen and treated with different concentrations of metabolites through soil drenching. For field trials, a Randomized Complete Block Design was utilized to evaluate the most effective concentration (500 ppm) of metabolites, applied via hand sprayer and soil drenching. Results showed that the combination of T. viride and T. harzianum metabolites significantly reduced mycelial growth (10.11 mm) under laboratory conditions and decreased disease incidence to 27.08% in greenhouse trials and 28.15% in field trials. These findings highlight the potential of Trichoderma-derived secondary metabolites as a sustainable approach for managing Fusarium wilt in pea plants, offering promising prospects for integrated disease management strategies.

First Report of Chili Anthracnose Caused by Colletotrichum sojae in South Korea.

Chili (Capsicum annuum L.) is an economically important crop worldwide, valued for its culinary uses. In South Korea, anthracnose caused by Colletotrichum spp. including C. truncatum, C. gloeosporioides, C. coccodes, C. acutatum, and C. scovillei incurs on substantial economic loss (Kim et al. 2008; Oo and Oh 2020). In August 2022, somewhat different types of symptoms that was not typical on chilli fruits were observed in a field in Yereonggwang (GPS: 35.2579° N, 126.4742° E), South Korea. The disease symptoms appeared as sunken, necrotic lesions with dense black spore masses forming in concentric rings. The estimated disease incidence the 0.2 ha field showing up to 1% of fruits affected. To isolate the pathogen, six symptomatic chilli fruits were collected. Small pieces (5 mm²) were cut from the margins of the lesions, surface-sterilized in 70% ethanol for 30 sec, followed by 1% sodium hypochlorite for 1 minute, and then rinsed three times in sterile distilled water. The tissue pieces were placed on potato dextrose agar (PDA) plates and incubated at 25°C in the dark. After 3 to 5 days, emerging fungal colonies were sub-cultured to obtain pure isolates. A total of five isolates were obtained and initially identified as Colletotrichum spp. based on morphological characteristics. Seven-day old colonies were initially white, turning light orange with age on PDA. Setae (observed on lesion) were dark brown, verruculose and septate. Conidia were cylindrical, hyaline, and measured 14.8 to 19.9 × 4.2 to 6.5 µm (mean 16.7 × 5.6 μm, n = 70) in size; appressoria were brown to dark brown and irregularly shaped. These morphological characteristics of the isolates agree with those reported for the morphology of C. sojae by Damm et al. (2019). To confirm the identity of the isolates, DNA was extracted and specific gene regions were amplified and sequenced using the following primer sets: ITS (ITS1 and ITS4), GAPDH (GDF1 and GDR1), ACT (ACT-512F and ACT-783R), TUB (T1 and Bt2b), HIS3 (CYLH3F and CYLH3R), and CHS-1 (CHS-79F and CHS-345R). The resulting sequences were deposited in the NCBI GenBank with accession numbers (LC830742 to LC830766). Maximum likelihood phylogenetic analysis using combine sequences of ITS, GAPDH, ACT, TUB, HIS3 and CHS-1 in MEGA X confirmed the isolates as C. sojae, marking the first report of this pathogen on chilli in South Korea, previously known to infect soybean. Pathogenicity tests were conducted on wound and nonwounded healthy and mature-green chili fruits (cv. Bicksita) to confirm the pathogenicity of the isolated C. sojae. The fruits were surface-sterilized using 70% ethanol and then rinsed with sterile distilled water. The fruits were wounded using a sterile needle to facilitate infection. A conidial suspension (1x106 conidia/mL) was prepared from 7-day-old PDA cultures. Each fruit was inoculated by placing a 10 µL drop of the conidial suspension onto the wounded and nonwounded sites (4 to 5) of the wound and unwound fruits, respectively. Control fruits were inoculated with sterile water. A total of 40 fruits per treatment were used and the experiment repeated twice. The fruits were placed in plastic box lined with moist paper towels to maintain high humidity and incubated at 25°C. Anthracnose symptoms developed on the inoculated fruits within 7 days, while control and unwounded fruits remained symptom-free. Colletotrichum sojae was successfully reisolated from the symptomatic fruits, fulfilling Koch's postulates and confirming its role as the causal agent of the disease. Colletotrichum sojae is known to infect Fabaceae species worldwide such as Glycine max, Medicago sativa, Phaseolus vulgaris, Atractylodes ovata and Vigna unguiculata (Damm et al. 2019; Talhinhas and Baroncelli 2021), Atractylodes ovata in South Korea (Hassan et al. 2021) and chili pepper in China (Zhanget al. 2023). The first report of C. sojae causing chili anthracnose in South Korea represents a new challenge for chili growers. Integrated disease management strategies need to be developed and implemented to mitigate its impact.

Spinach flavonoid-rich extract: Unleashing plant defense mechanisms against cucumber powdery mildew

In response to the escalating demand for organic commodities, the exploration of non-chemical alternatives such as phytochemicals for plant disease management has gained momentum. This investigation focused on assessing the efficacy of a sustainable compound, Spinach Flavonoid-Rich Extract (SFRE), in mitigating cucumber powdery mildew (Podosphaera fusca) under controlled greenhouse conditions, and its potential in eliciting plant defense mechanisms at both biochemical and genetic levels. The application of SFRE resulted in a significant reduction in P. fusca disease severity, with a decrease of approximately 99%. High-Performance Liquid Chromatography (HPLC) analysis identified spinacetin as the dominant flavonoid in SFRE, with a concentration of 81.97 μg per 100 mg of the extract's dry weight. Furthermore, SFRE was found to induce systemic resistance in the infected seedlings, as evidenced by the upregulation of defense-related enzymes, including β-1,3-glucanase, chitinase, peroxidase, phenylalanine ammonia-lyase, and polyphenol oxidase, and the enhanced expression of β-1,3-glucanase, chitinase, and phenylalanine ammonia-lyase genes. In addition, SFRE application led to an accumulation of flavonoid/phenolic compounds and an enhancement in chlorophyll synthesis. A robust correlation was observed between phenolic compounds and the activities of defense enzymes, as well as the expression of the tested genes. This study substantiates that SFRE, as a reservoir of natural compounds, presents an effective and environmentally friendly alternative to chemical fungicides for P. fusca control, and could be incorporated into a comprehensive approach to managing cucumber powdery mildew through integrated disease management strategies.

Strategies for falcata (Falcataria falcata (L.) Greuter and R.Rankin) farmers to mitigate gall rust severity across elevations

The extent of gall rust severity in Falcata plantations across various elevations and locations in the country is insufficiently documented, posing challenges for developing an integrated disease management strategy. This study aimed to assess the conditions favorable for gall rust severity in Falcata plantations at different elevations in Mindanao. Our survey revealed that gall rust severity is significantly higher at elevations exceeding 400 m above sea level (asl), with potential yield losses estimated between 23% and 52% of the total log volume per hectare. Factors contributing to increased severity, regardless of elevation, include low stand density (<1000 trees/ha), extended distances from natural vegetation (>1000 m), low understorey species diversity, and low average temperatures (<24°C). These factors interact significantly with elevation, as higher severity was observed in plantations with greater understorey vegetation diversity and elevated temperatures (>24°C), particularly at elevations over 600 m (asl). Based on our findings, it is recommended to avoid planting Falcata in areas with elevations exceeding 400 m (asl). However, if planting at higher elevations is unavoidable, adequate tree spacing (3 m x 3 m or 3 m x 4 m) should be maintained to achieve a moderate stand density (1000-1500 trees/ha). This practice can help regulate air circulation within the plantation, mitigate pathogen spread, and control understory vegetation growth and temperature impacts. Additionally, establishing and maintaining native vegetation or forest within 1000 m around Falcata plantations is advisable to create a protective buffer zone, thereby reducing gall rust severity.

Prevalence of Schistosomiasis and Associated Risks Factors among Patients with Urinary Tract Infection Attending Specialist Hospital Bauchi

Background: Schistosomiasis, a parasitic disease caused by Schistosoma species, remains a significant public health concern in many developing regions, including Bauchi, Nigeria. This study aims to assess the prevalence of schistosomiasis and identify associated risk factors among patients with urinary tract infections (UTIs) attending the Specialist Hospital Bauchi. Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted involving patients presenting with UTI symptoms at the Specialist Hospital Bauchi. Urine samples were collected and analyzed for Schistosoma haematobium eggs using microscopy. Demographic and clinical data were obtained through structured questionnaires to identify potential risk factors for schistosomiasis, including water contact activities, sanitation practices, and socio-economic status. Results: Out of the total patients screened, a significant proportion tested positive for Schistosoma haematobium, indicating a notable prevalence of schistosomiasis among UTI patients. Statistical analysis revealed several risk factors strongly associated with schistosomiasis, including frequent contact with contaminated water sources, poor sanitation facilities, and lower socio-economic status. Conclusion: The study highlights a high prevalence of schistosomiasis among UTI patients in Bauchi, underscoring the need for integrated disease management and prevention strategies. Public health interventions focusing on improving water sanitation, health education, and targeted treatment programs are essential to reduce the burden of schistosomiasis in this region. These findings can stimulate further research and policy development aimed at controlling this neglected tropical disease.

Fungal Disease Tolerance with a Focus on Wheat: A Review.

In this paper, an extensive review of the literature is provided examining the significance of tolerance to fungal diseases in wheat amidst the escalating global demand for wheat and threats from environmental shifts and pathogen movements. The current comprehensive reliance on agrochemicals for disease management poses risks to food safety and the environment, exacerbated by the emergence of fungicide resistance. While resistance traits in wheat can offer some protection, these traits do not guarantee the complete absence of losses during periods of vigorous or moderate disease development. Furthermore, the introduction of individual resistance genes into wheat monoculture exerts selection pressure on pathogen populations. These disadvantages can be addressed or at least mitigated with the cultivation of tolerant varieties of wheat. Research in this area has shown that certain wheat varieties, susceptible to severe infectious diseases, are still capable of achieving high yields. Through the analysis of the existing literature, this paper explores the manifestations and quantification of tolerance in wheat, discussing its implications for integrated disease management and breeding strategies. Additionally, this paper addresses the ecological and evolutionary aspects of tolerance in the pathogen-plant host system, emphasizing its potential to enhance wheat productivity and sustainability.

An Overview of Tsetse Fly Repellents: Identification and Applications.

Tsetse flies are vectors of the parasite trypanosoma that cause the neglected tropical diseases human and animal African trypanosomosis. Semiochemicals play important roles in the biology and ecology of tsetse flies. Previous reviews have focused on olfactory-based attractants of tsetse flies. Here, we present an overview of the identification of repellents and their development into control tools for tsetse flies. Both natural and synthetic repellents have been successfully tested in laboratory and field assays against specific tsetse fly species. Thus, these repellents presented as innovative mobile tools offer opportunities for their use in integrated disease management strategies.

A smooth vetch (Vicia villosa var.) strain endogenous to the broad-spectrum antagonist Bacillus siamensis JSZ06 alleviates banana wilt disease.

Fusarium wilt, caused by Fusarium oxysporum f. sp. cubense Tropical Race 4 (Foc TR4), poses a significant threat to banana production globally, thereby necessitating effective biocontrol methods to manage this devastating disease. This study investigates the potential of Bacillus siamensis strain JSZ06, isolated from smooth vetch, as a biocontrol agent against Foc TR4. To this end, we conducted a series of in vitro and in vivo experiments to evaluate the antifungal activity of strain JSZ06 and its crude extracts. Additionally, genomic analyses were performed to identify antibiotic synthesis genes, while metabolomic profiling was conducted to characterize bioactive compounds. The results demonstrated that strain JSZ06 exhibited strong inhibitory activity against Foc TR4, significantly reducing mycelial growth and spore germination. Moreover, scanning and transmission electron microscopy revealed substantial ultrastructural damage to Foc TR4 mycelia treated with JSZ06 extracts. Genomic analysis identified several antibiotic synthesis genes, and metabolomic profiling revealed numerous antifungal metabolites. Furthermore, in pot trials, the application of JSZ06 fermentation broth significantly enhanced banana plant growth and reduced disease severity, achieving biocontrol efficiencies of 76.71% and 79.25% for leaves and pseudostems, respectively. In conclusion, Bacillus siamensis JSZ06 is a promising biocontrol agent against Fusarium wilt in bananas, with its dual action of direct antifungal activity and plant growth promotion underscoring its potential for integrated disease management strategies.

Functional role of geminivirus encoded proteins in the host: Past and present.

During plant-pathogen interaction, plant exhibits a strong defense system utilizing diverse groups of proteins to suppress the infection and subsequent establishment of the pathogen. However, in response, pathogens trigger an anti-silencing mechanism to overcome the host defense machinery. Among plant viruses, geminiviruses are the second largest virus family with a worldwide distribution and continue to be production constraints to food, feed, and fiber crops. These viruses are spread by a diverse group of insects, predominantly by whiteflies, and are characterized by a single-stranded DNA (ssDNA) genome coding for four to eight proteins that facilitate viral infection. The most effective means to managing these viruses is through an integrated disease management strategy that includes virus-resistant cultivars, vector management, and cultural practices. Dynamic changes in this virus family enable the species to manipulate their genome organization to respond to external changes in the environment. Therefore, the evolutionary nature of geminiviruses leads to new and novel approaches for developing virus-resistant cultivars and it is essential to study molecular ecology and evolution of geminiviruses. This review summarizes the multifunctionality of each geminivirus-encoded protein. These protein-based interactions trigger the abrupt changes in the host methyl cycle and signaling pathways that turn over protein normal production and impair the plant antiviral defense system. Studying these geminivirus interactions localized at cytoplasm-nucleus could reveal a more clear picture of host-pathogen relation. Data collected from this antagonistic relationship among geminivirus, vector, and its host, will provide extensive knowledge on their virulence mode and diversity with climate change.

A comprehensive review of Pseudocercospora fruit and leaf spot (angular leaf spot): Current status, advances and future directions for sustainable citrus production

AbstractPseudocercospora fruit and leaf spot (PFLS), also known as angular leaf spot of citrus, is a devastating fungal disease that poses a significant threat to citrus production, profitability and food security in sub‐Saharan Africa and the Arabian Peninsula. In the present review, we explore current knowledge regarding PFLS management initiatives, including cultural practices, chemical control strategies and biological interventions. Furthermore, this review highlights the challenges faced in controlling PFLS and emphasizes the urgent need for sustainable and cost‐effective solutions to combat the disease. We discuss recent advancements and emerging prospects in understanding PFLS, including novel approaches for disease management and the potential for developing resistant citrus cultivars through breeding programmes or genetic modification. By synthesizing existing research findings and identifying gaps in knowledge, this review aims to provide a comprehensive understanding of PFLS and its impact on food security. We emphasize the importance of collaborative efforts, knowledge exchange and developing integrated disease management strategies to control PFLS and mitigate its detrimental effects on citrus production and farmers' livelihoods in affected regions.

Role of Chitosan in Post Harvest Disease Management

Post harvest losses due to microbial spoilage remain a significant challenge in agriculture, affecting both food security and economic sustainability. Chitosan, a biopolymer derived from chitin, showed potential in recent years as a means of reducing post harvest diseases in fruits and vegetables. This review investigates into the complex role that chitosan plays in managing post harvest diseases. It emphasises the antimicrobial qualities, capacity to trigger defence mechanisms in plants, development of physical barriers, regulation of enzymatic activity, compatibility with biological control agents, and ecological sustainability of chitosan. Chitosan based treatments offer an environmentally sustainable approach to prolonging the period of the shelf life of produce by effectively preventing the growth of microbes, enhancing the plant's natural resistance to pathogens, and maintaining post harvest quality. Understanding the mechanisms underlying the efficacy of chitosan in disease management is essential for optimizing its application and integrating it into integrated disease management strategies in agricultural practices.

Reaction of Selected Citrus Cultivars to Pseudocercospora Leaf and Fruit Spot Disease Under Natural Infection in Northern Uganda

Citrus is an important crop among many resource constrained subsistence farmers living in rural areas of Uganda. Citrus production is affected mainly by drought, declining soil fertility, pests and diseases. Among diseases, citrus leaf and fruit spot disease caused by fungus Pseudocercospora angolensis is currently one of the major constraints to the production of citrus in Uganda where millions of people rely on the crop for nutritional security and household income. The disease can lead to 50-100% fruit yield loss depending on environmental conditions, disease management and weather conditions. In order to identify resistance to P. angolensis, a study was conducted to identify variability for citrus leaf and fruit spot resistance from adapted commercial cultivars as an initial step in developing integrated disease management strategy. Six cultivars were assessed. The screening was under natural infection conditions in disease hot spots in northern Uganda in 2014a and 2014b seasons. The results showed significance difference (p < 0.01) for Area Under Disease Progressive Curve (AUDPC) for number of leaves with P. angolesnis symptoms and number of lesions. Subsequently, the study identified Kuno as resistant and Tangelo as less susceptible to Pseudocercospora leaf and fruit spot infection, and they could be recommended for citrus leaf and fruit spot disease control.

Management of Fusarium Wilt of Tomato (Fusarium oxysporum f. sp. lycopersici) and Related Soil-borne Diseases using Eco-friendly Methods: A Review

Tomato is rich in vitamins, minerals and contains anti-oxidant compounds, like vitamin C and lycopene that has significant role in human health as it has anti-cancer properties. Tomato production is significantly affected by several factors amongst which Fusarium Wilt is one of the major and widespread fungal soil borne diseases in Nigeria. Difficulty in controlling this disease is attributable to long survivability of the pathogen and its existence in diverse pathogenic races. Conventional strategies, such as the use of resistant cultivars and synthetic fungicides, are not completely effective in managing tomato wilt caused by Fusarium oxysporum f. sp. lycopersici and because of unintended effects of chemicals on the environments its application is highly cautioned. This paper has examined many non-pesticide approaches such as application of bio-control agents, use of suppressive soils, composts/vermicomposts and their extracts, animal manure and urine, soil solarization, botanical extracts, good agricultural practices and integrated disease management strategy to control Fusarium wilt and other related soil borne diseases. It is worth noting that no single method can effectively control such diseases. In order to achieve a sustainable and eco-friendly disease management strategy the use of integrated approach is highly recommended. This review will provide farmers with diverse methods to be integrated as management package for Fusarium wilt and related diseases.

Prevalence of Rice Sheath Blight Disease in Cauvery Command Area of Karnataka, India

Among the various disease of rice, sheath blight caused by Rhizoctonia solani Kuhn has become one of the major fungal diseases covering different rice growing ecosystem of Cauvery command area of Karnataka. Roving disease survey was conducted during Kharif-2022 to know the occurrence and spread of sheath blight disease in Cauvery command area of Karnataka i.e. Mandya, Hassan, Mysuru and Chamarajnagara. Among the four districts surveyed, disease severity (%) was found highest in Hassan district with a mean disease severity of 22.86% which is followed by Mandya (19.90%), Mysuru (19.39%) and least disease severity was recorded in Chamarajnagara (12.54%). The high severity of sheath blight might be due to the highly favourable factors like high relative humidity, less temperature and water stagnation in these locations during the period of survey. Large scale cultivation of susceptible varieties as mono crop continuously on the same field might have increased the possibility of perpetuating the pathogen in the crop debris. This study can serve as basic to evaluate location specific integrated disease management strategy against sheath blight disease of rice.

Integration of Rhizobacterial Isolates and Airone Chemical for Effective Management of Bacterial Wilt in Cucumber (Cucumis sativus)

The present study aimed to evaluate the efficacy of integrated disease management strategies against bacterial wilt, caused by Erwinia tracheiphila in cucumber (Cucumis sativus) within a controlled greenhouse environment. A total of 56 E. tracheiphila were recovered from the symptomatic cucumber plants among which 13 were tested highly virulent. Among six rhizobacterial isolates; Pseudomonas flurescens-3 (Pf-3), Pseudomonas putida-5 (Pu-5), Pseudomonas stutzeri-2 (Ps-2), Bacillus subtilis-1 (Bs-1), Bacillus safensis-2 (Bs-2), and Pseudomonas stutzeri-1 (Ps-1), tested in vitro using dual culture technique against extremely virulent strain of E. tracheiphila revealed Pf-3, Pu-5 and Bs-1 significantly reduced its growth. Two separate experiments were performed to investigate the synergistic effects of these PGPRs in combination with Airone chemical (active ingredients; Copper Oxychloride + Copper Hydroxide 20%SC by Swat Agro Chemicals, Pakistan) on disease severity and overall plant growth. In the first experiment, eight treatments were tested in a complete randomized design (CRD) with eight replications, focusing on the combination of Pf-3, Pu-5 and Bs-1. Results revealed that the combined application of Pf-3 and Pu-5 significantly outperformed other treatments, exhibiting substantial improvements in key growth parameters; vine length, number of leaves and branches per plant, and a remarkable reduction in disease severity compared to positive and negative controls. In the second experiment, Pf-3, Pu-5 and Bs-1 and Airone chemical were employed in seed and soil treatments to confer resistance to E. tracheiphila and suppress bacterial wilt. The treatment involving P.u-5 and Bs-1, along with a foliar spray of Airone, recorded the lowest disease severity and an increase in plant growth compared to the positive control. These findings suggest that the synergistic application of PGPR and Airone chemical holds promise for integrated disease management in cucumber, providing effective control of bacterial wilt while promoting plant growth. Moreover, the environmentally friendly nature of rhizobacterial-based formulations underscores their potential as safe alternatives for controlling soil-borne plant pathogens without adverse effects on human health or the environment

Genetic and molecular landscapes of the generalist phytopathogen Botrytis cinerea.

Kingdom: Fungi, phylum: Ascomycota, subphylum: Pezizomycotina, class: Leotiomycetes, order: Helotiales, family: Sclerotiniaceae, genus: Botrytis, species: cinerea. B. cinerea infects almost all of the plant groups (angiosperms, gymnosperms, pteridophytes, and bryophytes). To date, 1606 plant species have been identified as hosts of B. cinerea. This polyphagous necrotroph has extensive genetic diversity at all population levels shaped by climate, geography, and plant host variation. Genetic architecture of virulence and host specificity is polygenic using multiple weapons to target hosts, including secretory proteins, complex signal transduction pathways, metabolites, and mobile small RNA. Efforts to control B. cinerea, being a high-diversity generalist pathogen, are complicated. However, integrated disease management strategies that combine cultural practices, chemical and biological controls, and the use of appropriate crop varieties will lessen yield losses. Recently, studies conducted worldwide have explored the potential of small RNA as an efficient and environmentally friendly approach for combating grey mould. However, additional research is necessary, especially on risk assessment and regulatory frameworks, to fully harness the potential of this technology.