Plant Health Research Articles

Networking the desert plant microbiome, bacterial and fungal symbionts structure and assortativity in co-occurrence networks

In nature, microbes do not thrive in seclusion but are involved in complex interactions within- and between-microbial kingdoms. Among these, symbiotic associations with mycorrhizal fungi and nitrogen-fixing bacteria are namely known to improve plant health, while providing resources to benefit other microbial members. Yet, it is not clear how these microbial symbionts interact with each other or how they impact the microbiota network architecture. We used an extensive co-occurrence network analysis, including rhizosphere and roots samples from six plant species in a natural desert in AlUla region (Kingdom of Saudi Arabia) and described how these symbionts were structured within the plant microbiota network. We found that the plant species was a significant driver of its microbiota composition and also of the specificity of its interactions in networks at the microbial taxa level. Despite this specificity, a motif was conserved across all networks, i.e., mycorrhizal fungi highly covaried with other mycorrhizal fungi, especially in plant roots—this pattern is known as assortativity. This structural property might reflect their ecological niche preference or their ability to opportunistically colonize roots of plant species considered non symbiotic e.g., H. salicornicum, an Amaranthaceae. Furthermore, these results are consistent with previous findings regarding the architecture of the gut microbiome network, where a high level of assortativity at the level of bacterial and fungal orders was also identified, suggesting the existence of general rules of microbiome assembly. Otherwise, the bacterial symbionts Rhizobiales and Frankiales covaried with other bacterial and fungal members, and were highly structural to the intra- and inter-kingdom networks. Our extensive co-occurrence network analysis of plant microbiota and study of symbiont assortativity, provided further evidence on the importance of bacterial and fungal symbionts in structuring the global plant microbiota network.

Plant Microbe Interactions an Implications for Sustainable Agriculture

Plant-microbe interactions are vital to the health and productivity of agricultural systems, influencing plant growth, nutrient uptake, and stress resistance. These interactions involve a diverse range of microorganisms, including bacteria, fungi, and viruses. Symbiotic relationships, such as those between legumes and rhizobia or mycorrhizal fungi and plant roots, enhance nutrient availability and plant growth—commensal interactions with endophytic microbes further support plant health by producing growth-promoting substances and offering protection against pathogens. However, pathogenic interactions pose significant challenges, necessitating a deep understanding of plant immune responses and microbial pathogenicity. This review explores the intricate mechanisms underlying plant-microbe interactions, focusing on the complex signaling pathways and molecular dialogues facilitating these relationships. It highlights the benefits of these interactions, such as improved nutrient cycling, enhanced plant growth, and increased resilience to biotic and abiotic stresses. It underscores their potential to revolutionize sustainable agriculture. Practical applications are examined through case studies, demonstrating the successful integration of beneficial microbes into farming practices and the development of commercial microbial inoculants. Despite their promise, implementing plant-microbe interactions in agriculture faces challenges, including field variability, crop compatibility issues, and environmental concerns related to introducing non-native microbes. Addressing these challenges requires a multidisciplinary approach, combining genomics, biotechnology, and sustainable management practices. Continued research is essential to harness these interactions effectively, aiming to enhance crop productivity, reduce chemical inputs, and promote environmental health, thereby contributing to a more resilient and sustainable food production system.

An approach for modern gardening through monitoring and maintenance of plant health

The study explores the use of internet of things (IoT) devices in agriculture to improve sustainable practices and environmental concerns. It uses the ESP8266 microcontroller and the Blynk platform to create a revolutionary plant health monitoring and automated care system. The system is designed to handle continuous monitoring and plant maintenance in various environmental conditions. Sensors measuring light, temperature, humidity, and soil moisture are strategically placed to receive real-time data. The ESP8266 microcontroller analyzes this information and links it to the Blynk cloud for accessibility via mobile or web applications. The system is effective in monitoring ideal growing conditions, such as soil moisture and weather conditions. Automated care elements like irrigation and supplemental lighting have been shown to improve plant growth and health. The study contributes to smart farming by offering an affordable and easy way to automate and monitor plant health, demonstrating how IoT technologies can enhance agricultural practices, conserve resources, and enable remote management of plant ecosystems.

Encoder-decoder approach for describing health of cauliflower plant in multiple languages

Physically examining each plant to determine its state of health and determining the disease if plant is affected due to it, is challenging. The encoder - decoder approach is proposed for describing health of cauliflower plant in English, Hindi and Marathi languages from aerial images. Experiments are performed with different CNN models and LSTM combinations. The Multilanguage Cauliflower Captions Dataset (MCCD) is developed to evaluate the performance of the model. The dataset contains 1213 images where each image is described in 3 different languages. The dataset contains images of cauliflower plant affected due to bacterial spot rot, black rot and downy mildew diseases. It also contains images of healthy plant.<strong> </strong>The objective metrics such as BLEU scores and subjective criteria are used to decide the quality of the generated description.<br /><strong></strong>

Effects of Carbon Dioxide and Nitrogen Oxides on Climate Change in Afghanistan

Climate change is a global threat to the environment and human health. Two of the main greenhouse gases that cause the greenhouse effect and raise global temperatures are carbon dioxide and nitrogen oxides. In this review paper, we investigated the effects of carbon dioxide and nitrogen oxides on climate change and the effects of climate change on Afghanistan. We found that high concentrations of carbon dioxide, which is now CO2 levels, have increased by 50% than before the Industrial Revolution, contributing to a rise in global temperature and precipitation. At the same time, Nitrous oxide is an important greenhouse gas, with 310-fold higher potential for global warming than CO2 and leads to the depletion of stratospheric Ozone and other Nitrogen oxides, has a significant impact on plant health, including effects on chlorophyll levels, oxidative stress, and antioxidant responses. Afghanistan’s climate change is predicted to increase the country’s prevalence of illnesses linked to dust storms and poor air quality, especially in Kabul, the nation’s capital. In addition, air pollution in Kabul is also likely to increase as a result of climate change. The alarming impacts of air pollution, with more than 3,000 deaths attributed to air pollution annually. Additionally, at least 700,000 individuals in Kabul have experienced various respiratory diseases. Due to climate change, Afghanistan’s total glacier area has shrunk by 13.8%. In 2023, Afghanistan experienced early snow melt and below-average precipitation, causing second-season and irrigated crops to have less access to water. Reducing emissions and coping with the changing climate are essential steps towards tackling the complex issues these gases present and their wider effects on the environment and human health.

Pest categorisation of non-EU Scolytinae on non-coniferous hosts.

The EFSA Panel on Plant Health performed a group pest categorisation for the EU territory of non-EU Scolytinae (Coleoptera: Curculionidae) on non-coniferous hosts, which total 6495 known species. Most species attack apparently healthy, weakened or dead trees, either feeding on the phloem ('bark beetles' subgroup) or on fungi inoculated into the sapwood ('ambrosia beetles' subgroup). Smaller subgroups feed and reproduce in seeds and fruits, or in herbaceous plants. Some species are polygynous, the males initiate a gallery or a chamber on or in a new host and attract females. Others are monogamous, and the females initiate the new galleries. Many species respond to primary volatile attractants emitted by the hosts, and some produce aggregation pheromones that attract conspecifics of both sexes. The species attacking living hosts are often associated with fungi that contribute to weakening the host defences and provide nutrients to the insects. Some are inbreeding; the males in the offspring mate with their sisters and rarely leave their natal tree. The larvae of all species develop and pupate within their hosts. Based on catalogues and other published data, a database was constructed providing information on hosts, feeding and reproductive habits, geographic distribution and the Köppen-Geiger climate types in countries where species occur. The Scolytinae were screened to exclude species in the following categories: (i) 708 species attacking conifers; (ii) 127 species present in at least four EU Member States and (iii) 440 species occurring in areas with climatic conditions not occurring in the EU. Among the remaining 5220 species, 88 species known for their mobility, occupying at least two landmasses separated by geographical barriers and some of which had impact levels documented in literature, were extracted. They were grouped into four subcategories: (i) 12 species with high impact on plant health; (ii) 16 species with low or doubtful impact; (iii) 48 species with no impact; (iv) 12 species with no impact and which had never been recorded as 'introduced' in the consulted catalogues but occurring on at least two landmasses. All 88 species could enter the EU with wood or wood products, or with plants for planting, and could establish because host plants are available, and climate is suitable in parts of the EU. Control measures to inhibit introduction are available. There is considerable uncertainty regarding the potential impact of many species. Methods for the reliable identification of many species are lacking. For some species of non-EU Scolytinae on non-coniferous hosts, all criteria assessed by EFSA for consideration as potential quarantine pest are met. Nevertheless, the Panel was not able to develop a method to discriminate confidently between species that clearly meet the criteria for potential quarantine pest status and those that do not.

Impact of Basal Phosphorus Application and Foliar Molybdenum Spray on the Agronomic Performance of DVN11 Soybean

This study investigates the impact of basal phosphorus (P2O5) application combined with foliar molybdenum (Mo) spraying on the growth, development, and yield of the DVN11 soybean variety. A field experiment was conducted using a randomized complete block design with different treatment combinations of P2O5 and Mo. The parameters measured included plant height, number of leaves, pod formation, biomass accumulation, and final yield. The results demonstrated that the combined application of P2O5 and foliar Mo significantly enhanced plant height and leaf number compared to the control. Pod formation and biomass accumulation were also positively influenced by the treatments, indicating improved overall plant health and productivity. The highest yield was observed in the treatment with the optimal combination of basal P2O5 and foliar Mo, highlighting the synergistic effect of these nutrients. Our findings suggest that the integration of basal phosphorus application with foliar molybdenum spraying can be an effective agronomic practice to boost the growth and yield of DVN11 soybean. This study provides valuable insights for soybean cultivation and nutrient management, promoting sustainable agricultural practices.

EFSA's activities on emerging risks in 2022

Abstract The main objectives of EFSA's activities on emerging risks encompass: (i) conducting activities to identify emerging risks; (ii) developing and improving emerging risk identification (ERI) methodologies and approaches; and (iii) communicating identified issues and risks. The outcome of these activities equips EFSA to anticipate forthcoming challenges in the continuously evolving landscape of risk assessment. EFSA networks of knowledge contributing to the emerging risks identification activity include the Emerging Risks Exchange Network (EREN), the Stakeholder Discussion Group on Emerging Risks (StaDG‐ER), EFSA's scientific units, the scientific panels, the Scientific Committee and their working groups. The current technical report summarises the activities of all groups involved in the emerging risk identification procedure, the issues identified in the course of 2022, the emerging risk identification methodologies being developed, and the collaborative activities. In total, 13 potential emerging issues were discussed in 2022 and two were concluded to be emerging risks. The potential issues were classified according to the hazard. The year 2022 marks a turn in EFSA's activities on emerging risk identification. To achieve strategic objective no. 2 ‘Ensure preparedness for future risks analysis needs’ of the EFSA Strategy 2027, a new process ‘Environmental scanning and strategic options definition’ has been developed. The process adds to the already existing emerging risks analysis workflow a second workflow that is more forward‐looking, to deal with horizon scanning in the areas of food and feed safety, plant health and animal health. Similarly to the emerging risks analysis workflow, the new workflow for horizon scanning strongly relies on partnership to be prepared for future challenges, build resilience, and proactively shape the future in a one‐health approach.

Plasmonic Nanostructures Grown from Reacting Droplet-In-Microwell Array on Flexible Films for Quantitative Surface-Enhanced Raman Spectroscopy in Plant Wearable In Situ Detection.

Plant wearable detection has garnered significant interest in advancing agricultural intelligence and promoting sustainable food production amidst the challenges of climate change. Accurately monitoring plant health and agrochemical residue levels necessitates qualities such as precision, affordability, simplicity, and noninvasiveness. Here, a novel attachable plasmonic film is introduced and designed for on-site detection of agrochemical residues utilizing surface-enhanced Raman spectroscopy (SERS). By functionalizing a thin polydimethylsiloxane film with silver nanoparticles via controlled droplet reactions in micro-well arrays, a plasmonic film is achieved that not only maintains optical transparency for precise analyte localization but also conforms closely to the plant surface, facilitating highly sensitive SERS measurements. The reliability of this film enables accurate identification and quantification of individual compounds and their mixtures, boasting an ultra-low detection limit ranging from 10-16 to 10-13 m, with mini mal relative standard deviation. To showcase its potential, on-field detection of pesticide residues on fruit surfaces is conducted using a handheld Raman spectrometer. This advancement in fabricating plasmonic nanostructures on flexible films holds promise for expanding SERS applications beyond plant monitoring, including personalized health monitoring, point-of-care diagnosis, wearable devices for human-machine interface, and on-site monitoring of environmentalpollutants.

Modeling the transmission dynamics of banana bunch top disease in banana plants

Banana Bunch Top Disease (BBTD) is a severe viral infection that poses a significant threat to banana production in tropical regions. Caused by the Banana Bunchy Top Virus (BBTV) and transmitted primarily by the banana aphid (Pentalonia nigronervosa), BBTD results in stunted growth and poor fruit production, leading to substantial economic losses. This paper presents a mathematical model to analyze the transmission dynamics of BBTD in banana plants and evaluate various control strategies using the Next Generation Matrix approach to compute the basic reproduction number R0. The study reveals that effective control of aphid populations, timely removal of infected plants, and the use of virus-free planting material significantly reduce the spread of BBTV and improve plant health. Increasing the removal rate γ and managing the transmission rate β are crucial strategies for controlling the disease, while elevated aphid infection rates λ and progression rates σ exacerbate its spread. Numerical simulations highlight the effectiveness of targeted interventions, including the application of pesticides and the introduction of resistant banana varieties. The study recommends that, in addition to current control measures, more focus should be placed on comprehensive monitoring programs, early detection of symptoms, and community education on BBTD management strategies. Enhanced efforts in these areas are crucial to reducing the incidence of BBTD and improving the resilience of banana crops.

Combining Masculinizing Resistance, Rotation, and Biocontrol to Achieve Durable Suppression of the Potato Pale Cyst Nematode: A Model.

The pale cyst nematode, Globodera pallida, is a pest that poses a significant threat to potato crops worldwide. The most effective chemical nematicides are toxic to nontarget organisms and are now banned. Alternative control methods are therefore required. Crop rotation and biological control methods have limitations for effectively managing nematodes. The use of genetically resistant cultivars is a promising alternative, but nematode populations evolve, and virulent mutants can break resistance after just a few years. Masculinizing resistances, preventing avirulent nematodes from producing females, might be more durable than blocking resistances, preventing infection. Our demo-genetic model, tracking both nematode population densities and virulence allele frequencies, shows that virulence against masculinizing resistance may not be fixed in the pest population under realistic agricultural conditions. Avirulence may persist despite the uniform use of resistance. This is because avirulent male nematodes may transmit avirulent alleles to their progeny by mating with virulent females. Additionally, because avirulent nematodes do not produce females themselves, they weaken the reproductive rate of the nematode population, leading to a reduction in its density by at least 20%. This avirulence load can even lead to the collapse of the nematode population in theory. Overall, our model showed that combining masculinizing resistance, rotation, and biocontrol may achieve durable suppression of G. pallida in a reasonable time frame. Our work is supported by an online interactive interface allowing users (i.e., growers, plant health authorities, researchers) to test their own control combinations.

Microbial interactions modify saffron traits selectively and modulate immunity through adaptive antioxidative strategy: Organic cultivation modules should be trait and crop-specific

Saffron (Crocus sativus L.) is a high-value, low-volume niche cash crop that has the unique ability to synthesize apocarotenoids. Since different biofertilizers are advocated for promoting plant health, we aimed to evaluate the interactions of commercially available microbial inoculants with this unique hysteranthous plant species. We studied the interactive effect of microbial inoculants on agronomical, physiological and biochemical aspects of Crocus growth, corm multiplication and apo-carotenoid biosynthesis. Significant differences in nutrient mobilization potential, induced systemic resistance, plant growth, corm, and stigma yield/quality were detected between the different biofertilizer combinations. The arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi (AMF) + phosphate-solubilizing bacteria (PSB) + potassium-solubilizing bacteria (KSB) combination was the most suitable for enhancing shoot biomass, root depth, and root biomass. Additionally, the average number of flowers per corm, stigma yield, and corm yield were greatest for the same combination. The highest multiplication rate of mother corms and a small corm index were recorded for plants inoculated with Azospirillum + PSB + KSB. Although Azospirillum caused maximum multiplication, the percentage of smaller daughter corms was greater, while the replacement of Azospirillum with AMF resulted in maximum percentage of larger corms. Plant health improved through AMF-mediated microbial interactions, which induced systemic resistance via enzymatic and nonenzymatic mechanisms and increased the uptake of P, K, Cu, Fe, Mn, and Zn. The interrelationship between plant and microbial consortium was complex, causing trait-specific qualitative and quantitative impacts on saffron attributes. Microbial inoculants increased nutrient uptake by saffron plants and triggered biochemical defence response by causing mild stress, making the plant more growth-responsive and better equipped for defence. Microbial interaction increased saffron yield and quality by favourably modulating plant metabolism, majorly overlapping with plant protection mechanisms. However, plant-microbial combinations in an organic production module are trait-specific and should be chosen carefully.

A Comprehensive Review on : Aquaponic Farming Water Quality Prediction

Aquaponic farming, which combines aquaculture and hydroponics, depends strongly on maintaining optimal water quality to guarantee the health and productivity of both fish and plants. This review paper explores the latest developments in IoT-based automated water monitoring systems, focusing on their role in predicting and managing water quality in aquaponic systems. Regardless of significant progress there are several research gaps. Recent studies highlight challenges such as inconsistent sensor selection, calibration issues, insufficient publicly available data, and inadequate data cleaning and preprocessing. Also, the issues of imbalanced datasets, limited long-term data, and underdeveloped IoT and AI integration prevent the development of accurate predictive models. The scalability and maintenance of systems, understanding microbial dynamics, and nutrient management are also critical areas needing further exploration. This review also identifies the need for deeper case studies and advanced feature extraction methods to enhance prediction accuracy. By addressing these gaps, including system scalability and nutrient management, future research can improve data availability and quality, enabling more robust predictions and contributing to more efficient and sustainable aquaponic systems.

Quality Management Systems and Service Delivery in Parastatals in Kenya: A Case Study of Kenya Plant Health Inspectorate Service (Kephis)

Total quality management is becoming more widely recognized due to businesses' efforts to provide high-quality goods and services. Government parastatals are confronted with various challenges due to shifting dynamics, such as inadequate legal and regulatory frameworks, subpar corporate governance, and unfavourable public perception. The main objective was to examine quality management systems and service delivery in Kenya. The investigation was guided and anchored by the following theoretical pillars: The study's fundamental anchor theory is Deming's Theory of Quality Management, which was backed by institutional theory The study employed a descriptive research design with a population of 300 as its target. Stratified random sampling was used to select a sample size of 171 people. Data was gathered through surveys. The quantitative data was analyzed using SPSS. The data was displayed using tables. The relationship between the variables was demonstrated using inferential statistics. Some ethical guidelines were considered to direct the research investigation throughout the study period. The relationship between quality services and service delivery had an R2 = 0.499, which indicates that a shift in quality services may be responsible for 49.9% of the variation in service delivery, and an R2 = 0.642, which indicates a strong positive association between quality services and service delivery. basic relationship between quality control and service delivery (R = 0.595) with an R2 value of 0.431. This means that to improve performance, businesses should be aware of their clients' requirements, meet their needs now and in the future, and aim to surpass their expectations. KEPHIS's management should think about incorporating quality service principles within the organization's divisions and departments. To ensure successful quality services and business success, KEPHIS should set up their quality management systems by ISO standards. More research can be done to broaden the study's focus to include other industries or look at how public, private, and SMEs are implementing the findings. Furthermore, knowledge generation processes can be integrated with a company's internal and external operations through quality management.

Eco-friendly Management of Plant Pathogens through Secondary Metabolites Released by Fluorescent Pseudomonads

Concerning sustainable agriculture, plant growth promoting rhizobacteria (PGPR), which are a subgroup of “fluorescent pseudomonads,” are crucial. They are widely known for supporting plant health through a variety of methods. The use of fluorescent pseudomonads in agri-biotechnology has gained traction due to their potential for safeguarding plants from a variety of phytopathogens. Fluorescent pseudomonads being commercialized as bioinoculants for the treatment of various plant diseases is currently regarded as highly successful on a global scale. Fluorescent pseudomonads are being employed as efficient bio-control agents (BCAs) against an array of phytopathogens. Due to their capacity to generate a wide range of secondary metabolites, they offer enormous promise as BCA. Thus, this review’s goal is to outline and evaluate the functions of fluorescent pseudomonads’ secondary metabolites in reducing phytopathogens and improving plant health. Prominent secondary metabolites linked to biocontrol through fluorescent pseudomonads include phenazines (PHZ), 2, 4-diacetylphloroglucinol (DAPG), pyoluteorin (PLT), pyrrolnitrin (PRN), cyclic lipopeptides (CLPs), and volatile organic compounds (VOCs), including hydrogen cyanide (HCN). The antifungal, antibacterial, antiviral, antitumor, and antinematicidal effects of these metabolites are well-established.

Plant health effects of fungicides alone and in combination with plant growth regulator on improving summer turf performance in annual bluegrass

Plant health effects of fungicides alone and in combination with plant growth regulator on improving summer turf performance in annual bluegrass

Effects of different particle size microplastics and di-n-butyl phthalate on photosynthesis and quality of spinach

As agricultural technology advances, microplastics (MP), which result from the degradation of widely used plastic products, have gradually accumulated in the soil, raising serious environmental concerns. This study explores the toxic effects of di-n-butyl phthalate (DnBP) on spinach, focusing on various particle sizes and MP concentrations through hydroponic experiments. Experimental results demonstrated that MP/DnBP combined pollution significantly reduced key photosynthetic parameters, including net photosynthetic rate, stomatal conductance, and transpiration rate, compared to treatments with DnBP or MP alone. Additionally, there was an increase in intercellular carbon dioxide concentration, suggesting that the inhibition of photosynthesis was due to non-stomatal factors. Moreover, spinach exposed to combined pollution conditions exhibited a notable decrease in maximum light energy conversion efficiency, electron transfer efficiency, and chlorophyll content. This disruption affected the synthesis of ribulose-1,5-bisphosphate carboxylase. On the other hand, the contents of ascorbic acid and glutathione in spinach roots and leaves increased, indicating the plant’s defense mechanisms were activated in response the toxic effects of MP and DnBP. Despite this, there was a significant reduction in soluble protein and soluble sugar content and a marked increase in nitrite content, reflecting a decline in spinach quality. This decline was attributed to the exacerbation of DnBP’s toxic effects by MP. Overall, MP/DnBP combined pollution reduced the quality of spinach by impairing photosynthesis and sugar metabolism, potentially amplifying ecological risks to crop plants. This study provides insight into the synergistic effects of MP and DnBP on plant health.

At Which Overpass Time Do ECOSTRESS Observations Best Align with Crop Health and Water Rights?

Agroecosystems are facing the adverse effects of climate change. This study explored how the ECOsystem Spaceborne Thermal Radiometer Experiment on Space Station (ECOSTRESS) can give new insight into irrigation allocation and plant health. Leveraging the global coverage and 70-m spatial resolution of the Evaporative Stress Index (ESI) from ECOSTRESS, we processed over 200 overpasses and examined patterns over 3 growing seasons across the Maipo River Basin of Central Chile, which faces exacerbated water stress. We found that ECOSTRESS ESI varies substantially based on the overpass time, with ESI values being systematically higher in the morning and lower in the afternoon. We also compared variations in ESI against spatial patterns in the environment. To that end, we analyzed the vegetation greenness sensed from Landsat 8 and compiled the referential irrigation allocation from Chilean water regulators. Consistently, we found stronger correlations between these variables and ESI in the morning time (than in the afternoon). Based on our findings, we discussed new insights and potential applications of ECOSTRESS ESI in support of improved agricultural monitoring and sustainable water management.

Bioprospecting a mountain-derived phosphorus-solubilizing bacterium: Bacillus thuringiensis B3 as a plant-growth promoter in lettuce and tomato horticultural crops

The biogeographic and climatic conditions of islands like Cuba generate distinctive ecosystems as reservoirs of microbial biodiversity. This study explores the potential of the B3 strain, isolated from the Guamuhaya Mountain in Cuba, in Cuban urban horticulture, where the soil phosphorus availability poses a significant challenge to crop productivity. The B3 strain demonstrates remarkable phosphorus solubilization capabilities, along with nitrogen fixation and nutrient mobilization, production of growth regulators, siderophores, lipases, and both volatile and diffusible antimicrobial compounds. The strain's multifaceted functionalities indicate its potential to limit phytopathogen proliferation, contributing to plant health. The strain showed Bacilli morphological characteristics, confirmed through MALDI-ToF MS and MLSA, classify it as Bacillus thuringiensis. The strain's safety profile, demonstrated by negative results in hemolysis and DNA degradation tests, underscores its suitability for agricultural applications. The Bacillus thuringiensis B3 significantly enhanced germination of lettuce and tomato seeds, root structure and early plant growth, confirming its value in horticultural production. The integration of this strain into Cuban urban horticulture represents a step forward in sustainable agriculture with low environmental impact.

Reduction of Phytophthora palmivora plant root infection in weak electric fields

The global food security crisis is partly caused by significant crop losses due to pests and pathogens, leading to economic burdens. Phytophthora palmivora, an oomycete pathogen, affects many plantation crops and costs over USD 1 billion each year. Unfortunately, there is currently no prevention plan in place, highlighting the urgent need for an effective solution. P. palmivora produces motile zoospores that respond to weak electric fields. Here, we show that external electric fields can be used to reduce root infection in two plant species. We developed two original essays to study the effects of weak electric fields on the interaction between P. palmivora’s zoospores and roots of Arabidopsis thaliana and Medicago truncatula. In the first configuration, a global artificial electric field is set up to induce ionic currents engulfing the plant roots while, in the second configuration, ionic currents are induced only locally and at a distance from the roots. In both cases, we found that weak ionic currents (250–550 μA) are sufficient to reduce zoospore attachment to Arabidopsis and Medicago roots, without affecting plant health. Moreover, we show that the same configurations decrease P. palmivora mycelial growth in Medicago roots after 24 h. We conclude that ionic currents can reduce more than one stage of P. palmivora root infection in hydroponics. Overall, our findings suggest that weak external electric fields can be used as a sustainable strategy for preventing P. palmivora infection, providing innovative prospects for agricultural crop protection.