Volume 2 (2023), Issue 1

Pathogens reduce crop yield and quality, making their control necessary. In vitro studies examined the effects of botanicals (marigold, kikar, and ginger) and fungicides (Antracol, Captan, and Dithane M 45) against Alternaria solani. Botanicals (marigold, kikkar and ginger), fungicides (Antracol, Captan, and Dithane M 45), concentrations of botanicals (50%, 75% and 100%) and concentrations of fungicides (250 ppm, 500 ppm, and 1000 ppm) were the factors studied to effect the inhibition of A. solani. Mycelial growth diameter, inhibition, and spore germination were measured. Botanicals displayed considerable anti-fungal activity against A. solani, which increased with concentration. All tested botanicals and fungicides inhibited A. solani, reduced mycelial growth, and reduced spore germination. Ginger and Antracol have shown the strongest effects against A. solani at each concentration. Kikkar showed the minimum inhibition of A. solani. These botanicals can suppress pathogenic fungi as natural fungicides. Further research on botanicals should pinpoint the active compounds that cause this anti-fungal activity and test their anti-fungal activity on other fungi at different concentrations. These plant extracts may also control early blight disease in field experiments.

Seven vegetable genotypes, including tomato (Lycopersicon esculentum L), eggplant (Solanum melongena linn), cucumber (Cucumis sativus L), and okra (Hibiscus esculentus L), planted at significant vegetable production areas, were the subject of a systemic survey to determine the association of plant parasitic nematodes and to evaluate the losses. Twenty locations around the vegetable growing region were used to gather 130 samples. The findings indicated that plant parasitic nematodes were present in 85% of the vegetable fields. In decreasing frequency, the plant parasitic nematodes discovered infecting vegetables were Helicotylenchus spp. (Steiner) (3.2%), Xiphinema spp. (Cobb) (5.1%), Meloidogyne javanica (Treub) (6.0%), Pratylenchus spp. (Thorne) (15.2%), and M. incognita (Kofoid & White) Chit. (85.0%) The average prevalence of plant parasitic nematodes was 47.19%, ranging from 0 to 85.0%. In the majority of the examined vegetable crops, Pratylenchus spp. and M. incognita population concentrations were possibly hazardous. We found yield losses of 32.5% for four commercially cultivated vegetables, greater than those in industrialized nations. Increased losses might result from growers' ignorance of these plant parasitic nematodes. Experiments were conducted in the greenhouse at a temperature of 25°C to test seven summer vegetables for Meloidogyne incognita infection. Cucumber roots had much more galls and egg masses at harvest than the other genotypes' roots. M. incognita's invasion and growth were tested on cucumbers. The way each therapy responded to the M. incognita infection varied. Maximum nematode invasion and growth were seen across all treatments. Relationship between root weight and the quantity of M. incognita growing.

The current ethnobotanical survey described the medicinal plant use in Layyah city. Layyah has a diverse flora of medicinally significant plants that can be used in various medicines. Traditional plant-based medicine is the best option due to its low cost, effectiveness, and lack of side effects. For this survey, 87 people were chosen, including locals and Hakeems. Techniques such as questionnaires and interviews were used. In addition, information was gathered through fieldwork and group discussions. The use value, the relative frequency of citation, and the information consensus factor were used for data analysis. Fabaceae was declared the dominant family, with 33 species calculated from this survey. All plant parts, medicinal uses, and medicine dosages were observed. The leaves were the most commonly used plant part, and paste and juice were the most common preparation methods. Trees were more common in all plants than herbs and shrubs.

This study aimed to analyze the genetic diversity of Skimmia laureola population in Pakistan and determine the population pattern of this endangered species. Skimmia laureola is a medicinal plant that has been utilized successfully for treatments. The essential oil present in their leaves is used in scenting soap. In Pakistan, it is widespread in Swat, Kashmir hills and Hazara region. Many plants are designated as endangered in IUCN red list. This plant is considered endangered because its population size has shrunk. Population size has shrunk up to 81 percent. The preservation and protection of biodiversity is a current study and conversation hot-button worldwide. Germplasm of Skimmia is taken from different regions of Pakistan. Different DNA markers have been used in agriculture, crop genetics and breeding. ISSR is a dominant marker used in genetic study and analysis. Ten ISSR primers were used and different bioinformatics tools were applied to check the diversity and analyze the phylogenetic analysis. The results showed that the total bands or alleles were identified as 1507 and that the number of bands per locus was 91.69. PIC ranges from 0.29435 (ISSR-8) to 0.34830 (ISSR-5). The PCoA showed the clustering of the genotypes with overlapping, indicating possible sisters. UPGMA-based dendrogram studied 15 genotypes into four clusters. The findings of this study contributed to the protection of this threatened plant and helped stop its future extinction.

Diaporthe species are important pathogens of many hosts, including economically important crops. They cause severe melanose disease, stem-end rot of fruits, and gummosis of perennial plants worldwide. Among the Diaporthe species, Diaporthe citri is responsible for causing melanose disease. Melanose disease harms fruit, leaves, twigs, branches, and in certain cases, the main stem of trees of any age. The melanose infection can affect practically all citrus cultivars. Citrus melanose disease is a persistent and incurable disease leading to a massive loss of output in the citrus industry. Due to the lack of resistant cultivars, the failure of chemical treatments, and the dangers to environmental health, large-scale research is being conducted to develop a long-term remedy. Recently, biological control agents (BCAs) have been used as an alternative to fungicides to manage citrus melanose disease. In this review, we highlighted some significant aspects of melanose disease (Diaporthe citri) in citrus, such as its history, morphology, disease cycle, pathogenicity symptoms, and impact on the economy of the citrus industry. The current literature assists the researchers in averting melanose disease in citrus, developing genetically resistant cultivars, and ecofriendly management against Diaporthe citri.

The climate plays a significant role either directly or indirectly in crop production. Changing climate poses serious challenges to food safety and food security worldwide. Plant physiology is affected by this factor in vegetable production, and quality of the produce is changed by the various a biotic factors. Biotechnological interventions are the need of the day to produce enough quality food to feed the world's ever-increasing population. Conventional breeding is no doubt a significant sphere of agriculture for improving vegetable production; however, advanced approaches, like genetic engineering and molecular techniques for genetic improvement, can play a considerable role in mitigating the food shortage. Breeders may make great efforts to create varieties that can withstand great stress. The challenge is to produce varieties that can withstand high temperatures and low inputs, high rusticity, and biotic and abiotic stresses of climate change.

Cicer arietinum an important legume crop is among the drought tolerant plants and cultivated for its rich nutritive value almost all over the world. The current research was led to assess the role of pre-sowing seed treatment with 0.05% ZnSO4 solution on the anatomical and biochemical characteristics of four varieties of Chickpea (i.e. CM 2008, FG 0902, DO 75-09 and Pb 2008) under three different maintained drought conditions. A pot experiment was performed in GCWUF. Seed priming with distilled water and 0.05% ZnSO4 solution was done. Overall, all cultivars exhibited high production of all biochemical nutrients and effective change in anatomical characters but CM 2008 and FG 0902 cultivars grown from ZnSO4 rimed seeds display tolerance under drought condition and gave higher values of various biochemical and anatomical parameters compared to plants grown from seeds primed with distilled water. However, Pb 2008 cultivar gave the minimum increase in values of biochemical and anatomical parameters among all cultivars under all field capacities.