This study was conducted at National Institute for Genomics and Advanced Biotechnology (NIGAB), National Agricultural Research Centre (NARC), Islamabad, Pakistan, during 2015–2016 cropping season. The objectives were to evaluate physiological, biochemical, and growth responses of wheat genotypes under salt stress, and to assess their genetic diversity using SSR and RAPD markers. In germination experiments, cultivars were tested against 50, 75, 100, 125 and 150 mM salt levels. The research novelty lies in the integrative approach combining morphological, physiological, biochemical, and molecular characterization to identify salt-tolerant wheat genotypes suitable for breeding programs, which has not been extensively reported for these locally important cultivars. A completely randomized design (CRD) with three replications was used for both germination and hydroponics experiments. Salt stress significantly affected seed germination and seedling growth of the four wheat genotypes. At 150 mM NaCl, germination reduction was lowest in Local White (20–30%) and Pasban-90 (30–40%) and highest in Frontana (50–60%) and Chakwal-97 (40%). Similarly, total chlorophyll content was decreased by 23% and 26% in Local White and Pasban-90, respectively, while Chakwal-97 and Frontana showed higher reductions of 36% and 37%. These results showed that Local White and Pasban-90 exhibited comparatively higher tolerance to salt stress. Under 150 mM salt stress, wheat genotypes Local White and Pasban-90 exhibited higher tolerance compared to Chakwal-97 and Frontana. Seedling shoot length was reduced by 20% and 35% in Local White and Pasban-90, respectively, while Chakwal-97 and Frontana showed reductions of 41% and 46%. Root length was declined by 30–31% in tolerant genotypes versus 38–46% in sensitive ones. Fresh weight was decreased by 26% in Local White and Pasban-90 but by 46–49% in Chakwal-97 and Frontana, whereas dry weight reductions were 30% in sensitive genotypes. Physiologically, total chlorophyll content was decreased by 23–26% in tolerant genotypes and 36–37% in sensitive ones; chlorophyll a and b showed similar trends. Relative water content, membrane stability index, water potential, and osmotic potential were minimally affected in Local White and Pasban-90 (reductions 23–30%) but markedly decreased in Chakwal-97 and Frontana (reductions 40–52%). SSR based genetic diversity study showed that these genotypes were genetically divergent. These results demonstrate a strong association between physiological resilience and molecular divergence, supporting the selection of Local White and Pasban-90 as promising parents for salt-tolerance breeding programs.

Biochar is a sustainable material that can boost agricultural yields and has enormous potential for application worldwide to improve stress tolerance. Crop yield, ecosystem sustainability, and soil health are all significantly impacted by biochar. It affects the diversity, composition, and functional soil microbial communities. The physicochemical characteristics of soil, including pH, organic matter, and nutrient availability, are also affected. It may increase a crop's resistance to abiotic stresses such salt, drought, and extremely high or low temperatures. It enables crops to tolerate stress by triggering hormonal regulation, osmotic adjustment, and antioxidant defence. Crop stress tolerance and its function in regulating the soil microbiota have significant ramifications for sustainable agriculture. It is a useful instrument for enhancing agricultural sustainability because of its advantages for crop productivity and stress tolerance. Biochar can increase crop yields, lessen soil degradation, and support ecosystem services when used in agriculture. As a result, this analysis advances our knowledge of the connections among biochar, soil microbiota, and crop resilience while highlighting biochar's potential as a useful supplement for enhancing crop stress tolerance

The present study investigated the effect of saline stress and salicylic acid (SA) treatment on growth, flowering, biochemical attributes, antioxidant properties, and antibacterial activity of Calendula officinalis. Plants were treated under two salinity levels (0 and 60 mM NaCl) and four SA concentrations (0, 0.01, 0.05, and 0.10 mM). Salinity caused a significant reduction in vegetative growth, flowering performance, carbohydrate accumulation, mineral content, and chlorophyll concentration. Salt-stressed plants showed reduced plant height, biomass production, flower yield, potassium, calcium, and total carbohydrate contents as compared to non-stressed plants. Conversely, salinity increased proline accumulation, total phenolic content, antioxidant activity, and antibacterial properties of leaf extracts. Foliar application of SA decreased the adverse effects of salinity and improved the plant performance under saline and non-saline conditions. Among the concentrations used, 0.05 mM SA produced the highest increases in growth, flower production, antioxidant activity, and biochemical constituents. SA application enhanced total phenolic content, DPPH scavenging activity, and the inhibition of β-carotene-linoleic acid and maintained higher chlorophyll and mineral contents under salinity. The strongest antibacterial activity of leaf extracts against the tested bacterial strains was observed under salinity and 0.05 mM SA treatments. Gram-positive bacteria were more sensitive to the extracts than Gram-negative bacteria. The results demonstrated that exogenous SA could alleviate the salt stress and improve the medicinal quality and biological activity of C. officinalis under saline conditions

Salinity is one of the major environmental restrictions to development and esthetic value of landscape plants in arid and semi-arid climates. Nerium oleander L., commonly known as oleander, is a frequently utilized woody plant in urban landscaping due to its drought and mild salt tolerance; however, long-term exposure to saline environments adversely impacts plant development, photosynthetic efficiency and metabolic activities. Recently, chitosan oligosaccharides (COS) have emerged as potential biostimulants able to improve plant tolerance to abiotic stressors via control of antioxidant defencedefence mechanisms and ion homeostasis. Their application has been investigated predominantly in agricultural and horticultural crops, while information regarding ornamental woody species remains scarce. The current research was undertaken to investigate the efficacy of foliar application of COS to alleviate salt stress in Oleander. Plants were treated with 0 or 100 mM NaCl and sprayed with COS at 0, 50, 100 or 200 mg L-1. Salinity considerably decreased plant height, biomass accumulation, concentration of chlorophyll and K+/Na+ ratio and dramatically increased malondialdehyde (MDA) and hydrogen peroxide (H2O2) levels. Application of COS, particularly at 100 mg L⁻¹ significantly enhanced the growth performance, elevated the chlorophyll content, stimulated the activities of superoxide dismutase, catalase and ascorbate peroxidase, raised the proline accumulation and reduced the oxidative damage. COS-treated plants showed less Na+ buildup and greater K+ concentrations than the untreated salt stressed plants. Results showed that COS successfully mitigated the adverse effect of salinity stress through enhancement of antioxidant defencedefence and ionic homeostasis. Results support the potential use of COS as a bio-friendly biostimulant for sustainable cultivation of Oleander in salt-affected soils and urban environments

Foliar application of ascorbic acid (AsA) was investigated to evaluate its potential for alleviating the salinity stress on strawberry plants. Plants grown in the plastic pots were irrigated with various concentrations of NaCl (0, 50, 100 and 200 mM) to induce salinity stress. Simultaneously, foliar spray of ascorbic acid (0, 0.5 and 1 mM) was applied on plants at regular intervals of 7 days over a period of 30 days. The results revealed that most vegetative and reproductive growth attributes were significantly reduced under salt stress, particularly at 200 mM NaCl. Foliar application of ascorbic acid partially mitigated the adverse effects of salt. All the vegetative growth parameters such as stem diameter, leaf length, leaf width and number of leaves were increased significantly by applying 1 mM ascorbic acid treatment. However, reproductive growth attributes except the number of flowers did not show significant improvement following AsA application under salt stress condition. The plants' protein contents were decreased under NaCl treatment and were not significantly increased with the ascorbic acid application. Similarly, antioxidant enzyme activities including superoxide dismutase (SOD) and peroxidases (POD) were increased under salt stress but did not show much enhancement in response to AsA application. This suggests that their activity primarily reflected stress responsive rather than yield protective role. The outcomes of this investigation indicated that applied AsA provided only partial stress mitigation. Therefore, high AsA concentrations (˃1 mM) should be investigated in future studies to determine optimal dose for improving both vegetative and reproductive growth under saline conditions.

 

 

Depletion due to intensive cropping necessitates improved nutrient management for sustainable agricultural development. Silicic acid treatment has emerged as a promising strategy in modulating the growth attributes of maize crop under water stress conditions. This study investigates how silicic acid administration affects maize plants, to cope with water stress. At 60% field capacity, a marked decrease in fresh (2.03g) and dry (0.84g) biomass was observed as compared to 100% field capacity (2.10), (0.88) in maize plants. Silicic acid foliar application led to higher chlorophyll contents and improved enzymatic activity of key antioxidants such as superoxide dismutase, ascorbate peroxidase, catalase and peroxidase. Drought stress is reflected in increased production of hydrogen peroxide and malondialdehyde contents. However, the application of silicic acid resulted in increased accumulation of various biochemical compounds, including total soluble proteins, total soluble sugars, total flavonoids, total free amino acids, and total phenolic contents. Overall, silicic acid application mitigated the adverse effects of water stress, however, 0.7 mM was the most beneficial treatment in ameliorating the negative consequences of drought stress.

It is deduced that Si fertilizer application in the form of silicic acid enhanced the development and biochemical attributes of maize plants to withstand drought effects. The heat map and principal component analysis revealed a distinct separation of attributes related to the silicic acid treatments.

 

Maize (Zea mays L.) is an important forage, food, and technical crop. Regarding climate change, the efforts of breeders are aimed at developing hybrids with high adaptive and productive potential. Appropriate agrotechnological practices are also important for successful maize cultivation. In intensive cultivation, a lot of mineral fertilizers are used, which are one of the most effective means to increase productivity. Mineral nitrogen fertilization is a prerequisite for higher maize yields. Poorly balanced fertilization is often the cause of severe yield reductions. The present work aimed to study the effect of two types of mineral nitrogen fertilizer (ammonium nitrate and urea) on the chemical composition of the grain of maize, Kneja 561 hybrid grown as a monoculture and after intercropping. The standard growing technology was applied under dry farming conditions (no irrigation). Doses of 60 and 120 kg/ha of nitrogen (active substance) applied as ammonium nitrate and urea at the 6-8 leaf stage of maize were tested, including an unfertilized control. Protein, starch, ash, and dry matter were determined using Near Infrared spectroscopy for analysis. The results showed the chemical composition was improved viz. oil and starch content under mineral nitrogen fertilization, with no statistically proven difference for the two mineral nitrogen fertilizers tested.

 

Achieving sustainable rice cultivation requires an understanding of the intricate interactions between fertilizer application and water stress. This study looks at how different irrigation schedules, nitrogen fertilization rates, and potassium silicate supplements affect the Sakha 108 rice cultivar's growth characteristics, grain yield, and water usage efficiency. The experiment used a strip plot design with three duplicates. Four different irrigation regimes were used in the vertical plots: continuous flooding (W1), irrigation at soil depths of 10 cm (W2), 15 cm (W3), and 20 cm (W4) below the surface, and irrigation at a depth of 15 cm (W3). The horizontal representing fertilization nine treatments were established: control (T1), 55 kg N/ha (T2), 55 kg N/ha +Si (T3), 110 kg N/ha (T4), 110 kg N/ha +Si (T5), 165 kg N/ha (T6), 165 kg N/ha + Si (T7), 220 kg N/ha (T8), and 220 kg N/ha +Si (T9). In contrast to the water-stressed treatment (W4), the study found a substantial positive association between growth, grain production, and its constituent parts under well-watered circumstances (W1 and W2). Furthermore, when compared to the other fertilization treatments, T7 and T9 produced better growth and grain yield. Unsurprisingly, W4 utilized the least amount of irrigation water, whilst W1 required the most. These results suggest that T7 fertilization and W1 irrigation work best together. However, when water was scarce, the best way to achieve the Sakha 108 rice cultivar's ideal growth, yield, grain quality, and water productivity was to apply W3 irrigation and T9 fertilization together

Sorghum halepense (L.) Pers. is a noxious weed of crop lands in Pakistan due to its persistent, competitive and allelopathic behavior. To find out allelopathic means of controlling this weed, repeated Petri -plate based germination bioassay and soil-filled pot-based seedling bioassay studies were conducted under laboratory and wire house conditions, respectively. The outcomes of studies showed that plant extracts caused significant reduction in S. halepense growth and germination. Among the extracts used, 10% (w/v) water extracts of C. album and C. procera in combination with D. stramonium had the strongest pre-emergence herbicidal potential by producing maximum reductions in germination percentage (up to 96%), shoot length (up to 85%), root length (up to 74%) and seedling vigor index (up to 99%) of S. halepense. However, in seedling bioassay, foliar spray of 10% water extracts of A. aspera and C. procera along with D. stramonium were proved to have the highest post-emergence phytotoxic ability by causing the highest decrease in shoot length (67%), root length (61%), and shoot fresh weight (90%) of S. halepense. According to HPLC analysis of plant water extracts, the greater phytotoxicity of D. stramonium, C. procera, A. aspera and C. album extracts might be attributed to their higher allelochemicals’ composition including quercertin (0.66, 0.64, 0.32 and 0), gallic acid (0, 3.20, 0 and 16.85), chlorogenic acid (9.44, 8.12, 4.52 and 0), p-coumaric acid (0, 1.78, 0 and 0), sinapinic acid (2.03, 5.54, 0 and 0), m-coumaric acid (0, 0, 0.93 and 3.13), caffeic acid (6.67, 0,  0 and 7.41), benzoic acid (10.16, 0, 0 and 24.7) and syringic acid (0, 0, 1.92 and 9.21 mg L-1), respectively

This study determined the effects of different harvesting intervals (45, 60, 75, and 90 days) on the dry matter (DM) yield and nutritive value of forage products from 7 tropical grasses during a field trial under subtropical conditions in Peshawar, Pakistan: Pennisetum glaucum, Setaria anceps, Panicum coloratum, Pennisetum purpureum, Sorghum almum, Panicum maximum, and Pennisetum orientale. The trial used a randomized complete block design (three blocks) arranged as a factorial (species × harvest interval). Factorial analysis revealed a significant main effect of harvesting interval on dry matter yield (p

Elucidating the influence of environmental factors on the spatial distribution of plant communities is crucial for understanding the intricate relationships between plant communities and their environment. Currently, the relationship between the spatial distribution of plant communities and environmental factors in the alpine wetland of Bayinbuluk Swan Lake remains incompletely understood. This study aims to elucidate the classification and diversity characteristics of plant communities and compare the effects of environmental factors on their spatial distribution. The results revealed four distinct clusters: cluster I (Ass. Papaver nudicaule + Oxytropis ochrocephala + Leontopodium leontopodioides), cluster II (Ass. Juncus nigra +  Ass. Juncus atratus + Primula malacoides + Cirsium esculentum), cluster III (Ass. Primula malacoides + Carex myosuroides + Carex melanantha), and cluster IV (Ass. Eleocharis palustris + Carex rhynchophysa + Potamogeton distinctus). All clusters comprised herbaceous plants, with Cyperaceae species being the most prevalent. Cluster III exhibited the highest diversity, richness, and stability, while cluster IV demonstrated the lowest. The interspecific competition in clusters II and III was relatively moderate, indicating high stability. Conversely, cluster IV showed strong interspecific competition and no similarity with the other clusters due to significant differences in topography and soil conditions. The primary environmental factors influencing the spatial distribution of plant clusters in the alpine wetland of Bayinbuluk Swan Lake included soil electrical conductivity, soil organic carbon (SOC) content, soil total phosphorus, soil pH, slope, aspect, readily available nitrogen, and soil total nitrogen. Soil electrical conductivity emerged as the most significant factor, followed by SOC content. Understanding the types of alpine wetland communities, their distribution, and the relationship with environmental factors is essential for the scientific management of alpine wetlands and biodiversity conservation. The study findings can inform ecological construction and sustainable utilization strategies for the alpine wetland of Bayinbuluk Swan Lake

Integrated weed management systems are crucial to effectively address the growing challenges of herbicide resistance and environmental degradation, and to maintain the sustainability and productivity of our food systems. As the global agricultural community grapples with these pressing issues, this innovative research explores eco-friendly strategies for controlling weeds in peanut farming. This study evaluated a traditional synthetic herbicide (Bentazon + Imazamox) in comparison with the potent essential oils of thyme and eucalyptus.Trial was conducted  in the peanut-rich Aegean region of Türkiye during the 2022-2023 growing season, by using  a randomized complete block design to ensure accurate and reliable results. Ten treatments were administered, including eight plant-based foliar sprays crafted from essential oils and hydrosols, one treatment with the commercial herbicide Bioxam, and a control was left untreated. The researchers carefully assessed the effectiveness of pinus, thyme, and eucalyptus essential oils in suppressing weeds when applied after emergence at the critical 2-4 leaf stage. While the synthetic herbicide Bioxam achieved a remarkable 90% weed control, its success came at a cost: mild phytotoxicity, which impacted the peanut plants. This trade-off raises important questions about the long-term sustainability of chemical-based approaches. In contrast, the plant-based treatments offered a more solution, with the Pinus EO and Thyme EO treatments statistically rivaling Bioxam's effectiveness while preserving the health of the peanut plants. While, the highest yields are achieved with Bioxam herbicide applications, averaging 4,596.33 kg ha-1.  The natural compounds yielded a higher yield—ranging from 3.4% to 34%—compared to the control plots.

These findings suggest that integrating natural plant compounds with traditional herbicide approaches can be introduce new sustainable techniques for weed management in peanut farming, paving the way for a more sustainable and environmentally conscious agricultural.

 

Pitaya encompasses a group of exotic cactus species, with the genus Hylocereus being valued for both its nutritional benefits and the distinctive characteristics of its fruit. Since this species can be propagated by seeds, it is essential to evaluate storage conditions to determine those that best preserve the physiological quality of seed batches. This study aims to assess the physiological quality of pitaya seeds stored under different packaging and environmental conditions over a 12-month period. The experiment was conducted with Hylocereus undatus seeds using a completely randomized design with 4 replications of 50 seeds each, arranged in a 3 × 3 × 12 factorial scheme [packaging (white Kraft paper bag, polythene bag, and polypropylene bag), storage environment (ambient, refrigerator, and cold chamber), and storage duration (from 1st to 12th month, monthly)]. To evaluate seed physiological quality, a germination test was performed, and the variables analyzed included germination percentage, germination speed index (GSI), and mean germination time (MGT). The data were subjected to analysis of variance, and significant results were further analyzed using regression models with quadratic terms. Pitaya seeds (H. undatus) stored in a cold chamber retained their physiological quality in paper, polythene, or polypropylene packaging over 12 months. In contrast, under other storage conditions, the storage period should be reduced due to its negative impact on the physiological quality of pitaya seeds.

 

Diabetes mellitus is a major global health concern, particularly in developing countries. In this study, six multigrain formulations (F1-F6) comprising barley (Hordeum vulgare L.), buckwheat (Fagopyrum esculentum Moench), faba bean (Vicia faba L.) and mulberry (Morus alba  L.) were developed and evaluated for antidiabetic potential using diabetic induced albino rats. Prior to biological evaluation, proximate composition analysis was conducted for all formulations, revealing significant variations among nutritional parameters. Ash content ranged from 2.44 to 2.84%, with the highest value in F4. Moisture content varied between 6.72% and 9.16%. Protein levels increased across formulations, reaching a maximum of 11.15% in F6. Fiber content ranged from 9.66 to 11.15%, while fat remained low in all samples (1.16–2.24%). Mineral analysis revealed the highest iron content in F6 (120.67 mg/100 g) and maximum zinc in F1 (28.38 mg/100 g). Carbohydrates ranged from 66.83 to 72.72%. In vivo evaluation of six-multigrain formulations against diabetic induced albino rats demonstrated promising antidiabetic effects across all treatments. Initial diabetic levels (IDL) were comparable among groups, indicating uniform induction of diabetes. A progressive reduction in blood glucose levels was observed over 14 days for all formulations. Among them, F4 exhibited the most pronounced hypoglycemic effect, showing the lowest glucose level at day one to day 14 (402 to 107 mg/dL), followed by F2 (400 to 112.67 mg/dL) and F6 (415 to 124.67 mg/dL). Based on the low glycemic levels, F4 emerged as the most effective formulation, suggesting its superior antidiabetic potential among the tested multigrain diets. Based on these findings, it is strongly suggested that diabetic-affected communities adopt the regular consumption of multigrain-based foods, as they offer a natural, effective and sustainable dietary approach to improve glycemic control and combat diabetes

Malaria remains a major global health challenge due to increasing resistance. The present study evaluates the antiplasmodial potential of Morus alba methanolic extract (MAME) in a murine model. Plasmodium berghei NK65-infected BALB/c mice were treated with chloroquine (5 mg/kg) and Morus alba methanolic leaf extract (250, 500 and 750 mg/kg). The experimental grouping included Group A (Control), B (Negative control), C (Positive control), D1, D2, and D3 (All treated with 250, 500 & 750 mg/kg of Morus alba methanolic extract). Acute toxicity testing showed no mortality at 2000 mg/kg. Significant parasite inhibition in group D3 proved antiplasmodial potential of extract at a higher dose of 750mg/kg. Phytochemical screening revealed phenols, flavonoids, alkaloids, and terpenoids. The concentration of extract for 50% inhibition of biological activity was calculated as (IC50 was 14.01 ug/ml) which showed its potency as biological agent. In silico analysis of bioactive phytocompounds identified via GC-MS showed strong affinity for newly discovered antimalarial target, Plasmodium falciparum glutathione S transferase PfGST. These findings suggest dose-dependent antimalarial and antioxidant effects of Morus alba.

Brassinosteroid signaling kinases (BSKs) are a class of plant-specific receptor-like cytoplasmic kinases that are integral to brassinosteroid (BR) signal transduction. In Brassica napus, a total of 37 BnaBSK genes were identified and phylogenetically grouped into eight distinct groups. These genes were located on 17 chromosomes and 2 scaffolds, with 5 members clustered on the C09 chromosome. These proteins contain kinase domains and tetrapeptide repeats and predominantly exhibit acidic properties. The promoters of BnaBSK genes are enriched with stress-responsive cis-elements, particularly those induced by the hormone auxin and anoxia, suggesting a potential role in modulating plant development and metabolism. The expression patterns of BnaBSK genes vary under multiple stress conditions, and several members demonstrate high expression levels across all tissues of oilseed rape throughout its development phase, pointing to the BnaBSK genes contributing to the growth and adaptation. This study investigates the potential roles of BnaBSKs in the growth, development, and stress response of B. napus.

The present study was carried out to assess the differences in the concentration of two metals in various guava varieties affected by the fungal disease, Anthracnose. The study was carried out in five districts of Punjab, namely Sargodha (S1), Jhang (S2), Sheikhupura (S3), Sahiwal (S4), and Faisalabad (S5). Fruit samples were collected from both healthy and diseased plants of each variety, with five replicates, amounting to a total of 150 samples. The metal concentrations were quantified using Atomic Absorption Spectrophotometry. The concentration of zinc in healthy fruits varied from 0.212 to 0.256 mg/100g, but in diseased fruits varied from 0.136 to 0.218 mg/100g. Similarly, the value of iron in healthy fruits wavered between 0.212 To 0.28 mg/100g of fruit and that of affected fruits between 0.15 and 0.25 mg/100g of fruit. The range of manganese in healthy fruits is from 0.118 to 0.214 mg/100g of fruit and in anthracnose affected fruits this range was from 0.078 to 0.144 mg/100 g of fruit. These findings clearly suggest the reduction of the metal content in the diseased guava fruits

Phytophthora infestans, the source of potato late blight, poses a danger to the world's potato crop, resulting in significant financial losses in contemporary agriculture and impairing farming in developing countries. In this work, isolates of P. infestans obtained from different fields at the National Agriculture Research Center (NARC) in Islamabad during the 2023 growing season were identified and characterized. Phytophthora infestans was isolated using pea agar and rye-A agar medium. For this research, seventy-two isolates of late blight were collected and separated from Potato (Solanum tuberosum) leaves. The pathogenicity of isolates was determined by their capacity to induce disease and symptoms including yellowing, wilting, or plant death. Both morphological and molecular techniques were used in the identification procedure, including PCR directed at the ITS and PINF regions. Morphological analysis revealed characteristics such as terminal, semi-papillate sporangia that were caducous with short pedicels and non-proliferating sporangiophores, indicating a heterothallic nature. Molecular identification was confirmed using the IDphy online resource and the NCBI database, where the ITS sequences of the isolates showed a 99-100% match with known sequences of P. infestans in clade b. This research confirmed the presence of P. infestans in Pakistan for the first time using these methods and highlighted the pathogen's high genetic similarity to global strains. The research suggests the need for further studies to explore the variety of P. infestans populations within Pakistan further

Bacterial blight (BB) of rice is caused by bacterium Xanthomonas oryzae pv oryzae (Xoo), giving significant yield loss to the crop. The pathogen injects its Transcription Activation-Like Effectors (TALEs) into host cells, where the TALEs bind to the effector binding elements (EBEs) in host gene promoters, inducing susceptibility (S) or resistance (R) genes, thus causing disease or resistance. A major class of Xoo-induced S genes in rice encodes cellular sucrose transporters, referred to as the OsSWEET genes family. Three OsSWEET genes—OsSWEET11, OsSWEET13, and OsSWEET14—are distinctly induced by different Xoo strains from diverse geographical regions of the world, via their cognate TALEs, to cause BB in the field. Begami (JP-5) is a farmer-maintained BB-susceptible Japonica-type rice landrace from northern Pakistan, locally known as Begami and Garhla in different regions. However, the OsSWEET gene induced by Pakistani Xoo strains in Begami rice is not known. In the current study, OsSWEET11 was identified as specifically induced by KP-3, a representative Xoo strain from the Himalayan foothills, in Begami. Further, promoter analysis of OsSWEET11 in the variety identified intact EBE sequence specific to TALE PthXo1 of Xoo. The study suggests that Begami offers OsSWEET11 as a major S gene target for BB disease. The study further suggests that KP-3 harbors PthXo1, a cognate TALE of OsSWEET11, as its major virulence effector for the disease. Characterizing Xoo strains, and rice cultivars resistant or susceptible to these strains, is a fundamental step to understanding the Xoo-rice coevolution and developing race-specific resistance strategies in a specific region. The present study provides a baseline to develop a resistant Begami cultivar either by breeding or targeted editing of OsSWEET11 promoter. 

Eggplant Root rot, caused by Fusarium solani, is a prevalent and devastating disease. To expand the resources of high-quality antagonistic bacteria against F. solani, the bacteria strains were isolated from soil and screened via a dual-culture plate assay. Among the isolates, strain X-104 exhibited superior antagonistic activity, achieving an inhibition rate of 66.70%. The inhibitory effect was determined as the mycelial growth inhibition rate (%). Based on morphological characteristics and molecular analysis, the strain was identified as Bacillus stercoris. To maximize the antagonistic efficacy of strain X-104, the fermentation medium and culture conditions were systematically optimized. Through a sequential approach involving single-factor experiments, orthogonal tests, the composition of glucose 20.88 g/L and ammonium fluoride 13.66 g/L, ZnSO4·7H2O 10.74 g/L was finally determined. Modeling via Design Expert software predicted inhibition rate of 82.53%. The actual inhibition rate after validation was 85.42%, closely matching the predicted value. The optimal fermentation conditions were 100 mL (in a 250 mL conical flask), 32°C temperature and 12 h of fermentation. A low concentration of the fermentation broth (diluted 1:50 with water) promoted both seed germination and plant growth. Specifically, it significantly enhanced key agronomic traits in eggplants, including plant height, root length, stem diameter, and both fresh and dry weight. Furthermore, significant increase in germination potential and germination rate was observed.

Invasive alien plant species cause biodiversity loss globally and in South Africa. Populus alba is one of the introduced alien tree species that has become invasive in South Africa. It is native to Europe, Asia, and North Africa and was introduced to South Africa as an ornamental plant. Information on the ecology of P. alba was collated using peer-reviewed published literature using Web of Science, Google Scholar, and Science Direct. The study revealed 2767 records with 168 relevant publications included for retrieval. The review discussed nine parameters ranging from different taxonomic levels, distributions, environmental conditions, and threats. Most publications focus significantly on habitat conditions (45.09%), followed by its distribution (12.95%). Most of these publications originated from Europe (65%) and Asia (11%). Africa constitutes 9% of the datasets, with South Africa leading in relevant publications. In South Africa, most studies were conducted at national level (38%), followed by Limpopo Province (31%). The study revealed minimal research efforts with gaps in many provinces, which might be attributed to the potential underestimation of the P. alba presence or impact. This review is a critical appraisal to understand the ecological traits and drivers of the distribution of P. alba for future management strategies. In conclusion, this review highlights the level of research efforts on P. alba over the years and identifies the knowledge gaps for future studies.