Microorganisms offer a sustainable way to increase crop production and promote eco-friendly farming. The endophytic fungus Metarhizium anisopliae is known for its multiple roles in plant ecosystems, including plant protection, symbiosis, and abiotic stress mitigation. In this study, we evaluated the potential of seed priming with M. anisopliae isolate MetA1 (MA) to enhance germination, photosynthetic efficiency, growth, and yield of two wheat varieties, BARI Gom 26 (BG26) and BARI Gom 33 (BG33) under field conditions. The study demonstrated that MA seed priming significantly improved wheat germination (by 13% and 26.04%) of BG26 and BG33 respectively. Overall, photosynthetic performance, indicated by increased leaf angle, leaf thickness, relative chlorophyll content, and linear electron flow (LEF), quantum yield of Photo System II (Phi2) was increased in MA primed wheat plants, while reducing non-photochemical quenching like NPQt, PhiNO, PhiNPQ of both varieties. These enhancements were attributed to increased shoot biomass (by 215.64% for BG26 and 280.38% for BG33), root biomass (by 141.79% for BG26 and 207.4% for BG33), effective tiller percentage (by 9.17% for BG26 and 5.7% for BG33), spike length (by 25.05% for BG26 and 25.42% for BG33), grain yield parameters such as filled grain percentage (by 23.8% for BG26 and 12.5% for BG33), and grain weight per plant (by 168.62% for BG26 and 119.62% for BG33). The findings of the research demonstrated the potential of M. anisopliae for field use in an agricultural setting, providing a sustainable means of increasing food production.

Soybean (Glycine max L.) is an important crop in Asia, accounting for 17% of global soybean cultivation. However, this crop faces formidable challenges from the devastating foliar disease, Asian Soybean Rust (ASR), caused by Phakopsora pachyrhizi, a biotrophic fungus with a broad host range, causing substantial yield losses (10–100%) in Asia. This comprehensive review consolidates knowledge on ASR, encompassing its impact, historical perspectives, genetic diversity, epidemic drivers, early detection, risk assessment, and sustainable management strategies of ASR in the region. ASR has expanded globally from Asia, reaching Africa and Americas, driven by wind-dispersed urediniospores. Genetic diversity studies reveal the complexity of P. pachyrhizi, with distinct populations exhibiting varying virulence patterns. Factors affecting ASR epidemics in Asia include host susceptibility, landscape connectivity, climate, and environmental conditions. Understanding the interplay of these factors is essential for early intervention and control of ASR in soybean fields. Effectively managing ASR can exploit the utilization of diverse intervention strategies, encompassing disease forecasting, automated early detection, disease resistance, fungicide application, and biological control. A pivotal aspect of successful, sustainable disease management lies in reducing the ASR pathogen virulence and preventing it from developing fungicide resistance, while the highpoint of effectiveness in disease control is attained through a synergistic approach, integrating various strategies. In summary, this comprehensive review provides insights into multifaceted approaches that contribute to the development of sustainable and economically impactful soybean production in the face of the persistent threat of ASR in Asia.

Previous studies demonstrated that a reduction in germination of Colletotrichum alienum conidia could be achieved following treatment with cold plasma (CP) or incubation with plasma-activated water (PAW). In this study, the mode of action of CP and PAW on C. alienum conidia was explored using transmission electron microscopy. Following treatment of the conidia, noticeable ultrastructural changes were observed, including cell wall maceration, disorganization of the cytoplasm and vacuole, and changes to the nuclei and mitochondria. Disorganization of the cytoplasm was exhibited by 85% of conidia after CP or PAW treatment. Also, 85% of conidia were observed with disorganized vacuoles after 6 min of CP treatment and 65% after 3 hr incubation in PAW. Further, 45% or more conidia had modified cell walls after PAW incubation or CP treatment. Deformation of conidia was observed in 23% of conidia after PAW incubation. These ultrastructural changes are a likely reason for the reduced germination of C. alienum conidia following CP or PAW treatment.

Cold plasma, an ionized gas produced by applying an electrical current to air, can be used to produce plasma-activated water (PAW), which has excellent antimicrobial properties. In this study PAW was applied to conidia of Colletotrichum alienum to investigate its impact on conidial germination in vitro. PAW was produced by treating tap, deionized, or distilled water with cold plasma for 30 or 60 min to produce PAW30 or PAW60, each of which was then incubated for up to 24 hr with a conidial suspension of C. alienum in a ratio of 1:1, 1:2, or 1:3 (conidial suspension:PAW), and the percentage germination measured. The greatest reduction in germination occurred when conidia were incubated with PAW60 produced from deionized water or distilled water, for all ratios. For PAW30, deionized water was the most effective for all three ratios, and on this basis, deionized water was selected for all further experiments. PAW produced from smaller volumes of water and at shorter distances from the cold plasma source was more effective at reducing germination. Treatment of conidia with acidified water was not as effective as PAW at inhibiting germination. Nitrates and nitrites were present in the PAW in varying concentrations and may have contributed to the inhibition of germination. PAW retained activity and reduced germination even after storage for 15 days. These findings demonstrate the potential of PAW as a novel treatment for postharvest fungal pathogens.