Leaf rust caused by Puccinia triticina remains a major constraint to wheat production in Egypt, and durable resistance requires evidence across growth stages and environments. This study aimed to quantify resistance diversity among Egyptian wheat cultivars and identify effective leaf rust resistance genes for breeding and management. Field evaluations of 28 cultivars were conducted over two growing seasons (2023/2024–2024/2025) in two agroecological zones (Kafr El-Sheik and Qalyubia), complemented by seedling assays and screening of 42 universal leaf rust resistance genes. Disease development was characterized using incubation period, latent period, average coefficient of infection, and area under the disease progress curve, and was related to site weather variables; the simple sequence repeat marker Xgwm630 was used to validate the high-temperature adult plant resistance gene Lr13. Cultivars Sakha-95, Sakha-96, Sids-14, Sids-15, Misr‑5, and Misr‑6 showed all-stage resistance, whereas several widely grown cultivars expressed slow-rusting responses. Seedling traits, particularly incubation and latent periods, were strongly associated with adult-plant disease metrics. Among resistance genes, Lr9, Lr19, Lr23, Lr28, Lr29, and the Lr13 and Lr46 line (Pavon-F76) were consistently effective, while high temperature and relative humidity were key drivers of epidemics. Integrating resistant cultivars, validated markers, and site-specific climate information can strengthen leaf rust management and durable resistance breeding.
Rice blast, caused by Pyricularia oryzae, is one of the most destructive fungal diseases of rice worldwide and remains a major constraint in temperate production systems such as Northern Italy. Current management relies largely on synthetic fungicides, particularly strobilurins such as azoxystrobin and pyraclostrobin, whose long-term sustainability is increasingly challenged by regulatory restrictions, environmental concerns, and the risk of resistance development. In this context, integrating biological control agents into disease management programs represents a promising strategy. In this study, four field trials conducted over the 2023 and 2024 growing seasons evaluated the performance of the biofungicide YSY®, based on the yeast Papiliotrema terrestris strain PT22AV, against rice blast. Treatments were compared with biological and chemical standards. Disease incidence and severity on flag leaves and panicles, as well as grain yield, were assessed. Across trials, YSY® consistently reduced disease incidence and severity under moderate pressure, with efficacy ranging from 50–80
The present research investigates the effects of biopolymer-based hydrogel beads for controlled release of urea and evaluate their impact under drought stress conditions using Vigna mungo (L.) Hepper as a model plant. Hydrogel beads were formulated using sodium alginate blended with gum arabic and encapsulated with urea to retain water, supply nitrogen and enhance drought stress tolerance. Four treatment groups were established: bead with urea (SGU), control (CO), negative control (NC) and direct urea supplementation (DU). The results indicate that the polymer-blended, urea encapsulated beads significantly improved shoot and root length, chlorophyll content and both fresh and dry biomass. Furthermore, LC–MS-based metabolomic profiling identified 24 key metabolites involved in drought stress responses and nitrogen metabolism. Differential accumulation of upregulated and downregulated metabolites was observed among the treatments. The metabolic alterations were visualized through Venn diagrams, hierarchical heatmap clustering and principal component analysis, highlighting the biochemical changes in treated plants and their roles in drought stress adaptation.
Plant viruses represent a persistent and economically significant threat to global agriculture, causing substantial yield losses and undermining food security across diverse cropping systems. Because no curative treatments are available after infection establishment, current management strategies rely mainly on vector control, resistant cultivars, and preventive practices, all of which are constrained by limited durability, environmental concerns, and rapid viral evolution. These limitations highlight the urgent need for complementary and environmentally sustainable approaches for plant virus management. Consequently, beneficial bacteria have emerged as promising biological tools for controlling plant viral diseases, primarily through indirect, host-mediated mechanisms rather than direct viricidal activity. Plant growth–promoting rhizobacteria (PGPR) and endophytic bacteria suppress viral infections through the activation of induced systemic resistance (ISR), modulation of salicylic acid (SA), jasmonic acid (JA), and ethylene (ET)-dependent signaling pathways, and enhancement of antiviral RNA interference responses. Although both SA- and JA/ET-dependent signaling pathways contribute to bacterially induced antiviral resistance, their relative importance varies among different plant–virus interactions. Available evidence indicates that SA-mediated responses frequently play a central role in restricting viral replication and systemic movement, whereas JA/ET signaling may act synergistically with SA pathways and contribute to broader defense regulation, particularly in interactions involving insect vectors. However, the relative contribution of these pathways remains incompletely understood and appears to depend on the host plant, bacterial strain, and virus species involved. In addition, certain bacterial taxa produce extracellular enzymes, secondary metabolites, siderophores, and volatile organic compounds (VOCs) that may interfere with viral replication, destabilize viral particles, or reduce virus transmission by insect vectors. This review synthesizes recent advances in bacterial-mediated antiviral defense across major crop–virus systems, with emphasis on underlying molecular and physiological mechanisms. Recent progress in the rational design of synthetic microbial communities (SynComs) further highlights the potential of combining complementary bacterial strains, guided by microbiome profiling and functional screening, to achieve more stable, robust, and potentially scalable antiviral protection under field conditions. Major challenges associated with field performance, formulation, and regulatory approval are also discussed, together with emerging strategies, including microbial consortia and synthetic biology–based approaches, aimed at improving the reliability and scalability of bacterial-based antiviral protection.
Brinjal (Solanum melongena L.), an economically important solanaceous crop, is severely affected by Brinjal Little Leaf (BLL) disease associated with phytoplasma infection, leading to substantial yield losses across diverse agroecosystems. The present study provides a comprehensive and integrative assessment of BLL disease by combining structural, molecular, and biochemical analyses to better understand host-pathogen interactions and their implications for plant health management. Scanning Electron Microscopy (SEM) revealed pronounced vascular alterations together with pleomorphic putative phytoplasma-like bodies in symptomatic phloem tissues. Molecular characterization and phylogenetic analysis identified the pathogen as ‘Candidatus Phytoplasma trifolii’ (16SrVI‑D group). Comparative biochemical and enzymatic profiling demonstrated significant metabolic reprogramming in infected plants, with marked increases in total phenolics (+34.03
Mungbean (Vigna radiata L.) is herbaceous legume pulse crop that grows annually and is valued for its high economic and nutritional significance. It is widely cultivated globally, with a strong presence in Asian regions. In this study, notable foliar disease symptoms were detected during surveys conducted over three years, disease incidence ranged from 55–65
The escalating environmental and health concerns associated with synthetic pesticides have intensified the search for sustainable alternatives in crop protection. Among botanical resources, spice essential oils (SEOs), derived from key spice crops such as small cardamom, black pepper, clove, cinnamon, nutmeg, turmeric, cumin, and allspice, have emerged as potent natural biopesticides. These essential oils contain diverse bioactive constituents (e.g. 1,8-cineole, piperine, eugenol, cinnamaldehyde, myristicin, α‑tumerone, and cuminaldehyde) that exhibit broad-spectrum pesticidal properties, including insecticidal, antifungal, antibacterial, and nematicidal activities. Their mechanisms of action involve neurotoxicity, disruption of cellular membranes, enzyme inhibition, and repellence, making them effective against a wide range of agricultural pests and pathogens. This review provides a critical synthesis of current research emphasizing methodology for study selection, comparative analysis of efficacy, and identification of knowledge gaps. It also explores formulation advancements such as nanoencapsulation and emulsification that enhance stability, bioavailability, and field performance. Beyond ecological safety, biodegradability, practical limitations, including chemical variability, production cost, inconsistent field efficiency, and regulatory constraints, are explicitly discussed. Addressing these challenges through interdisciplinary research, standardized protocols, and supportive policy frameworks is essential for mainstreaming spice essential oils in sustainable agriculture. Addressing these challenges through interdisciplinary research, standardized protocols, and supportive policy frameworks is essential for mainstreaming spice essential oils in sustainable agriculture. By highlighting advances, limitations, and future prospects, this review contributes an original analytical perspective on reducing chemical pesticide dependency and strengthening agroecological resilience.
Native non-rhizosphere Trichoderma isolates, adapted to local agro-ecological conditions, are promising candidates for integrated disease management due to their agrochemical compatibility, plant growth-promoting ability, and biocontrol potential. The present investigation evaluated five native non-rhizosphere isolates—SMV (T. viride), SDKD (T. longibrachiatum), GMV (T. harzianum), PSV (T. harzianum), and CPV (T. asperellum)—along with a commercial T. viride isolate through laboratory and greenhouse studies focusing on agrochemical compatibility, nutrient uptake and growth promotion, and management of Fusarium wilt of tomato caused by Fusarium oxysporum f. sp. lycopersici. Laboratory compatibility assays revealed that native isolates, particularly PSV and GMV, were compatible with a greater number of agrochemicals compared with the commercial isolate. Greenhouse evaluation of growth and nutrient uptake using three application methods—seed treatment (T1), combined seed and soil application (T2), and soil application (T3)—showed that T2 significantly enhanced plant growth, micronutrient uptake (Zn, Cu, Mn, and Fe), and fruit yield, with PSV and SMV being most effective; plant Zn concentration showed strong positive correlations with fruit yield (r = 0.919), dry weight (r = 0.938), and fresh weight (r = 0.878). In a separate greenhouse wilt management study, integrated Trichoderma applications significantly reduced disease incidence at 30 and 60 DAT, with native isolates outperforming the commercial isolate; SDKD and PSV were most effective at 30 DAT (15.64
Phoenix dactylifera L., one of the foundational pillars of agriculture in many arid and semi-arid regions, is facing increase challenges due to climate variation and multiple disease pressures diseases pressures. Increased abiotic stress, in conjunction with biotic stress, collectively, presents a determining factor in crop productivity. Therefore, understanding P. dactylifera L. responses to environmental stresses at the molecular level is primordial for its effective management and improvement. The elucidation of the mechanism of stress tolerance is intricate, and involves information at the omics level. In this context, enormous advances in omics field, encompassing genomics, transcriptomics, metabolomics, and proteomics have been achieved. Across the 44 published omics studies on date palm, transcriptomics clearly dominates with 21 studies (47.7
Accurate identification of plant-parasitic nematodes (PPNs) and determination of their population densities are of great importance for reducing yield losses in agricultural production. However, traditional morphological and molecular diagnostic methods of PPNs are both time-consuming and require expertise. Recent advances in deep learning (DL) have created new opportunities to automate PPN detection more rapidly and reliably. This review evaluates DL approaches applied to the classification, detection, and counting of PPNs, with emphasis on convolutional neural network (CNN) architectures, transfer-learning frameworks, and modern object-detection models such as YOLO, which are notable for their real-time detection capacity. Studies in the literature reveal that DL models are highly successful in distinguishing PPN species from microscopic images and can rapidly identify their life stages. These methods contribute to making the diagnostic process more stable, repeatable, and accessible by reducing nematologist-dependent errors. Nevertheless, limitations in dataset size, variation in imaging conditions across laboratories, and morphological differences associated with developmental stages of PPNs make it difficult for models to adapt to all conditions. Therefore, the establishment of larger and better-annotated datasets, as well as the integration of different imaging techniques with DL models, emerges as an important necessity for the future. In conclusion, DL-based approaches offer significant advantages in terms of speed, accuracy, and scalability for PPN detection; when supported by an appropriate data infrastructure, they become a powerful tool for sustainable plant health management.
This study investigated the diversity of Alternaria and Fusarium species in atmospheric aerosols and plant tissue in a common wheat crop in NW Spain. The relationship between atmospheric fungal spore concentrations and weather conditions was analysed. To this end, non-viable and viable aerobiological monitoring methodologies were combined with isolates from plants showing symptoms of fungal infection. The isolates were identified by morphological characterisation and phylogenetic analysis of the 1‑alpha elongation factor (TEF-1α). Redundancy analysis was used to quantify the weight of delayed energy and water factors on spore dynamics. The global RDA model was significant, explaining 15.8
Direct-seeded rice (DSR) is more efficient than transplanted rice since it produces less methane and uses less energy, labour and water. However, weed infestations diminish productivity. To address this issue, fieldwork was conducted at SOA, Bhubaneswar (Kharif-2022) to assess the best possible integrated weed management (IWM) methods for controlling weed infestation and enhancing productivity. The investigation was led in a randomized block design with 11 treatments and three replications. Digitaria sanguinalis (78.73) had the highest important value index (IVI) followed by (fb) Melochia corchorifolia (58.18), while pendimethalin fb mulch at 8 t ha−1 and 6 t ha−1 showed the maximum species diversity (0.85). Among the weed management practices, pendimethalin fb bispyribac-Na significantly reduced the weed biomass and density. The weed-free check noted the highest grain yield (3.98 t ha−1), followed by pendimethalin fb mulch at 8 t ha−1 (3.86 t ha−1) and pendimethalin fb bispyribac-Na (3.77 t ha−1). The weed control efficiency (WCE) of pendimethalin fb bispyribac-Na for Ludwigia parviflora and M. corchorifolia was highest next to the weed-free check. The weedy and weed-free plots had the highest and lowest weed indices, respectively, measuring 57.66 and 0
Combined abiotic stresses are becoming increasingly common under climate change, but the effects of simultaneous salinity and flooding on rice remain uncertain. In this study, the phenotypic variation and genetic basis of tolerance to salinity flooding (SF) at the tillering stage were evaluated via a panel of 148 rice genotypes. The plants were subjected to flooding with 0.4
Soil salinity is one of the main abiotic stress factors limiting plant growth and poses a significant threat to food security. Purple basil (Ocimum basilicum L.), which belongs to the Lamiaceae family, is widely cultivated worldwide for its aromatic properties, essential oil content, and economic value. However, due to its glycophytic nature, purple basil is particularly sensitive to salt stress. This study aimed to evaluate the effects of Trichoderma asperellum and biochar on the growth and physiological responses of basil plants under salt stress (100 and 200 mM NaCl) and to compare the two treatments. Biochar was applied at concentrations of 1
Early blight, caused by the fungal pathogen Alternaria solani, is a major disease of tomato that leads to considerable yield losses worldwide. In this study, we investigated the effects of CC2020, a plant-derived formulation enriched with savory essential oil, on molecular and physiological responses of A. solani under in vitro conditions. Treatment with CC2020 at 300 ppm significantly reduced the expression of the effector gene AsCEP50, with up to 94
Dehydration-responsive element-binding (DREB) transcription factors (TFs), belonging to the APETALA2/ethylene responsive factor (AP2/ERF) superfamily, are central regulators of plant responses to diverse environmental stimuli. This mini-review critically examines the evolutionary and functional divergence within this family, highlighting the distinct structural motifs and activation pathways of the DREB1 (CBF-like) and DREB2 subfamilies in mediating cold and osmotic/thermal stress responses, respectively. We synthesize recent mechanistic insights into how DREB proteins orchestrate tolerance to complex abiotic threats, particularly high salinity and alkaline stresses, through the stringent regulation of ion homeostasis (e.g., Na+/K+ ratio) and the activation of robust antioxidant defense systems for reactive oxygen species (ROS) scavenging. Furthermore, we address a critical agronomic challenge in transgenic crop development: the physiological trade-off between enhanced stress tolerance and severe vegetative growth penalties (e.g., dwarfism) caused by the constitutive overexpression of DREB genes. The strategic application of stress-inducible promoters, such as the rd29A promoter, is discussed as a vital molecular strategy to uncouple stress resilience from growth retardation. Ultimately, this review provides a comprehensive molecular framework for leveraging DREB TFs to engineer climate-resilient crops for sustainable agriculture.
Bioherbicides are gaining importance as environmentally sustainable alternatives to synthetic herbicides because of their biodegradability, ecological compatibility, and potential role in integrated weed management. However, a comprehensive understanding of global research trends in this field remains limited. Therefore, the present study evaluated the scientific development and thematic evolution of bioherbicide research through bibliometric analysis. Bibliographic records were retrieved from the Scopus database using a structured search strategy, yielding 1278 publications published between 1972 and 2026. The dataset was analysed using Bibliometrix and VOSviewer to assess publication trends, leading journals, prolific authors, institutional productivity, country collaborations, citation patterns, and thematic structure. The results showed a steady increase in research output, with a compound annual growth rate of 7.02
L. (Solanaceae) is a wild plant native to Mexico. However, it has spread worldwide, including the Americas, Europe, Asia, Africa, and Oceania, due to its remarkable adaptability and invasive nature. The plant has been used for centuries in traditional medicine, especially for respiratory disorders, such as asthma. Despite its medicinal relevance, it is considered neurotoxic due to the presence of tropane alkaloids such as atropine, hyoscine, and scopolamine in different parts (especially in leaves and seeds) of the plant. All these alkaloids are associated with strong anticholinergic and psychoactive effects. Recent studies have shown the industrial and environmental relevance of this species, including applications in natural dye production, heavy-metal phytoremediation, corrosion inhibition, and nanomaterial synthesis. Therefore, this review article presents a holistic overview of the phytochemistry, pharmacological properties of D. stramonium, and highlights the industrial and environmental relevance of this species, which remains underexplored. Moreover, we also address the negative consequences associated with D. stramonium, focusing on human toxicity and poisoning incidents, misuse related to its hallucinogenic properties, and its invasive behaviour in non-native regions. Overall, this review provides a balanced assessment of both the beneficial and adverse aspects of D. stramonium, offering a comprehensive reference for future research and management strategies.
Bemisia tabaci MED (Mediterranean) is a highly polyphagous whitefly that damages several crops of economic importance worldwide by causing physiological and morphological anomalies. For its management, chemical control is the main method used, which has decreased efficiency from chemical control due to insect resistance to certain active ingredients. Given this complex issue, alternative methods to chemical control must be employed to support integrated pest management (IPM). The use of insect resistant genotypes is one such method examined in this study. This research aimed to identify melon genotypes resistant to B. tabaci MED from 49 evaluated accessions. Initially, a screening was carried out on 49 genotypes in a no-choice test, to evaluate the whitefly oviposition. Subsequently, 19 genotypes with high resistance potential and two susceptible standards were selected. These genotypes, free-choice tests were performed in a greenhouse to evaluate these plants for oviposition antixenosis. In addition, the plants were evaluated for trichome density, and colorimetric parameters to identify physical and morphological factors involved in the host selection process. Following all analyses, 10 genotypes were selected to assess the insect’s biological performance confined to these genotypes, as well as their cucurbitacin B (quantified by UHPLC-DAD/UV-MS) content. Based on the collected data, PI 161375, PI 414735, PI 313970, Yoko, Rio Grande and Hy-Mark genotypes presented oviposition antixenosis to B. tabaci MED. Additionally, PI 414735 genotype exhibited antibiosis to this whitefly.
Liriomyza trifolii infestation represents a major biotic constraint associated with substantial alterations in photosynthetic performance and physiological status in Solanum lycopersicum. Chlorophyll a fluorescence analysis revealed progressive disruptions in primary photochemistry (ΦPo = Fv/Fm), electron transport efficiency (Ψ₀), active reaction-centre density (RC/CSm), absorption flux per cross-section (ABS/CSm), and overall photosynthetic performance (PIabs and PIcsm) with increasing infestation severity. Notably, measurable fluorescence responses were observed not only in symptomatic plants (S1–S3) but also in apparently healthy plants sampled from the infested population (So), suggesting the sensitivity of chlorophyll a fluorescence to infestation-associated physiological changes. These photochemical responses were accompanied by changes in chlorophyll status and antioxidant activity, suggesting the onset of physiological stress prior to the development of extensive visible damage. Recovery assessments showed that post-treatment recovery frequencies decreased with increasing infestation severity. Following insecticide treatment, plant survival decreased progressively with increasing L. trifolii infestation severity, from 30/30 (100.0
