This study explored early transcriptomic response in resistant (Nogal) and susceptible (Tajan) wheat cultivars two days post-inoculation (latent phase) with Zymoseptoria tritici. A total of 581 differentially expressed genes were identified, with 206 in Nogal and 374 in Tajan. These involved key antioxidant and detoxification enzymes, structural and signalling components of disease resistance, hydrolytic and proteolytic defense proteins, stress-related and metabolic regulators, and proteins involved in cellular communication and pathogen response. Gene Ontology analysis showed stress responses and cell-death-pathways uniquely enriched in Nogal, while Tajan exhibited enrichments in enzymatic regulation and transcriptional activity. Kyoto encyclopaedia of genes and genomes analysis highlighted arginine and phenylpropanoid biosynthesis in Nogal, contrasting with fatty acid metabolism in Tajan. Quantitative reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction validated findings, confirming cultivar-specific responses. These findings shed light on early molecular differences between resistant and susceptible wheat responses, supporting improved breeding and management strategies for Septoria tritici blotch.
Fusarium Wilt caused by Fusarium oxysporum f.sp. cubense (Foc) is one of the main diseases in banana plants. One alternative technique that has proven effective in controlling the disease is rotating bananas using annual crops. This study aimed to determine the role of several annual crops in suppressing Fusarium wilt banana plants by crop rotation technique. The treatments in this study were banana crop rotation using shallots, tomatoes, corn, and chillies with three varieties for each annual crop. The results showed that crop rotation of bananas with shallots, tomatoes, corn, and chillies could delay the incubation period of Fusarium wilt, reduce Fusarium population in the soil, and reduce infection with external symptoms and internal symptoms on bananas due to Foc TR4 infection. In addition, the four crops are also not an alternative host for Foc TR4.
Intensive off-season tomato production in West Africa is constrained by the synergistic Ralstonia solanacearum-Meloidogyne spp. complex. This study evaluated the resilience of seven hybrids, including the candidate Chistera F1, in an epidemic hotspot in C & ocirc;te d'Ivoire. Performance was quantified using a weighted Global Pathological Pressure Index (GPPI) and a Varietal Stability Index (VSI). Results confirmed a severe pathosystem where susceptible varieties collapsed. Chistera F1 demonstrated exceptional tolerance to complex biotic pressure (GPPI = 6.96%) and high phenotypic stability (VSI = 0.908), significantly outperforming the regional control Cobra 26 (GPPI = 10.24%). Multivariate analysis (74.2% of variance explained) validates strong correlations between bacterial wilt and nematodes (r > 0.93), confirming the ecological facilitation model. Chistera F1 is thus identified as a highly promising genetic candidate to mitigate the cycle of sanitary decline in tropical high-pressure zones.
An investigation over three consecutive years (2016-2018) evaluated eco-friendly management strategies for Maydis leaf blight (MLB) of maize caused by Bipolaris Maydis under field conditions. Ten treatments-nine herbal extracts and one animal refuse (cow urine)-were tested at varying concentrations. Azadirachta indica (neem) leaf extract was most effective, providing 20.75% disease control and a 52.75% yield increase, followed by Allium sativum extract with similar disease control and a 42.64% yield gain. Polyalthia longifolia and Parthenium hysterophorus extracts at 10% concentration showed moderate efficacy, achieving 15.09% disease control. Genotype (G) effects and genotype-by-environment (G & times; E) interaction assessed via GGE biplot revealed two distinct environmental groups for disease severity (Environment 2-Environment 3 versus Environment 1), while all environments clustered together for grain yield (E1-E3). The study highlights natural bioextracts as sustainable MLB management alternatives that avoid environmental pollution.
Chickpea is one of the most important grain legume crops of India. Chickpea production is constantly under threat from various biotic and abiotic stresses. Dry root rot (DRR) caused by the necrotic fungus Macrophomina phaseolina is an important threat to chickpea productivity. Identifying resistant sources is the first step in breeding resilient varieties. In the present study, 56 genotypes from different chickpea regions of India were evaluated for their response to DRR using different screening methods, including paper towel, pot inoculation, and mycelium suspension drenching, followed by screening promising lines in the sick plot. This multi-method approach is crucial as genotypes' responses to disease can vary depending on the screening technique used. Among the tested genotypes, RVSSG 64, demonstrated consistent resistance across all screening methods. Additionally, genotypes RVSSG 58, JSC 37, H14-04, and H14-21 with varying degrees of resistance were also identified.
Plant-derived products can play an important role in sustainable pest management programs. Essential oils from Lavender Lavandula angustifolia (Lamiales:Lamiaceae), rosemary Rosmarinus officinalis (Lamiales:Lamiaceae), and eucalyptus, Eucalyptus globulus (Myrtales:Myrtaceaa) were evaluated for their insecticidal activity and synergistic potential in combination with synthetic insecticides against the diamondback moth, Plutella xylostella (L.). When applied alone at 1%, 2%, and 3% concentrations using the leaf-dip method, the essential oils exhibited negligible insecticidal activity against larval stages. However, in synergism assays, the toxicity of fipronil, imidacloprid, and flubendiamide was markedly enhanced by L. angustifolia and E. globulus. In contrast, while R. officinalis produced the strongest synergistic effect with flubendiamide, it antagonised the insecticidal activity of fipronil. Notably, E. globulus reduced the efficacy of imidacloprid at lower concentration but exhibited synergistic effects at higher concentrations, indicating a non-linear concentration-dependent interaction. Overall, these results demonstrate that some plant essential oils can function as effective insecticide synergists,
Genetic diversity and population structure of Candidatus Phytoplasma aurantifolia, a bacterium associated with citrus plants, were investigated using sap 11 gene sequences from diverse global sources available on GenBank (TM). The analysis of 36 sequences unveiled three distinct haplotypes. Notably, Haplotype 1 was exclusive to Oman, while haplotypes 2 and 3 were restricted to India. India demonstrated noteworthy nucleotide and haplotype diversity. Various neutrality indices, including Tajima's D, Fu and Li's F, Fu's Fs, and R2, coupled with unimodal mismatch distributions, indicated a recent population expansion of C. Phytoplasma aurantifolia. This study provides unprecedented insights into the population genetics and haplotype network of Candidatus Phytoplasma aurantifolia, shedding light on its genetic diversity and global distribution. Phylogenetic analysis targeting the sap 11 gene of Candidatus Phytoplasma aurantifolia strains revealed intriguing patterns of genetic variation, resulting in distinct clades and sub-groups.
Root-knot nematode, Meloidogyne incognita, is a serious pest in polyhouses. A management trial on tomato cv. Heemsohna was conducted in two seasons. Two applications (pre-plant and 45 DAT) of nematode-antagonistic PGPMs, Trichoderma asperellum MT702882 and Bacillus subtilis MZ675430, significantly reduced nematode parameters in the soil and roots. An enhancement in chlorophyll a (20.1 and 17.9%), chlorophyll b (28.96 and 9.54%), carotenoid (14.98 and 13.79%), total chlorophyll (20.81 and 18.27%), photosynthetic rate (9.08 and 13.49%), transpiration rate (14.86 and 31.95%) and stomatal conductance (15.7 and 24.5%) was observed after T. asperellum application. The plant growth and fruit quality parameters, viz., ascorbic acid (35.7-57.2%), TSS (7.9-10.8%), titratable acidity (8.3-33.3%), lycopene (22.8-45.0%) and carotenoids (13.8-36.2%), were enhanced with the PGPMs. Velum Prime (Fluopyram, 34.48% SC) reduced the nematode infection parameters significantly, but no enhancement in plant growth, physiological and fruit quality parameters was observed.
Rhizoctonia root rot is a threat due to wide host range and lack of resistant soybean cultivars. Field experiments were conducted across 15 environment-years (five sites, 2019-2021). The study evaluated the efficacy and stability of three distinct combination fungicides, carboxin + thiram, trifloxystrobin + penflufen and thiophanate-methyl + pyraclostrobin, along with a biocontrol agent, Trichoderma harzianum under inoculated conditions. All treatments significantly reduced Rhizoctonia root rot, enhanced plant growth, stabilised yield and improved benefit-cost ratios compared with the control. Across environments showed that thiophanate-methyl + pyraclostrobin and trifloxystrobin + penflufen provided superior disease suppression and yield improvement. Multi-trait analysis integrating disease severity and plant growth parameters per plant identified stable performance across environments. Location-specific analysis identified as highly discriminating environments. These results supply environment-specific recommendations and endorse seed-dressing fungicides and biocontrols as economical tools for sustainable management of Rhizoctonia root rot in soybean.
