damping-off – mycolab.ai

Roles of arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi in plant growth and disease management for sustainable agriculture

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Arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi are beneficial fungi that live in plant roots and form a mutually beneficial relationship with plants. These fungi help plants absorb more nutrients and water from the soil, strengthen their natural defenses against diseases and pests, and work together with other helpful soil bacteria to create disease-suppressive soil. This makes AMF a promising natural alternative to chemical pesticides and fertilizers for sustainable agriculture.

An implementation framework for evaluating the biocidal potential of essential oils in controlling Fusarium wilt in spinach: from in vitro to in planta

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Researchers tested four common essential oils (thyme, oregano, marjoram, and tea tree) to see if they could stop a dangerous fungal disease in spinach plants. They found that thyme and oregano oils worked best at killing the fungus in laboratory tests and when applied to spinach seeds in the greenhouse, with thyme oil reducing disease by over half without harming the plants.

SsMet1 is a critical gene in methionine biosynthesis in Sclerotinia sclerotiorum

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Sclerotinia sclerotiorum is a destructive plant pathogen causing white mold and other crop diseases. This study identified and deleted the SsMet1 gene, which is essential for methionine production in this fungus. Fungi lacking this gene could not grow properly, form survival structures called sclerotia, or infect plants. These findings suggest that blocking methionine biosynthesis could be a new way to develop fungicides against this important crop pathogen.

In vitro antifungal activity of plant extracts against fungal pathogens of onion (Allium cepa L.) and red pepper (Capsicum annum L.) in selected districts of Western Hararghe, Ethiopia

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Onion and pepper farmers in Ethiopia lose significant crops to fungal diseases, and chemical fungicides are expensive and harmful. This study tested plant extracts from garlic, neem, and African wintersweet against disease-causing fungi. Acokanthera schimperi (African wintersweet) was most effective at stopping fungal growth, offering farmers an affordable, natural, and environmentally safe alternative to chemical fungicides.

Biology and Application of Chaetomium globosum as a Biocontrol Agent: Current Status and Future Prospects

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Chaetomium globosum is a fungus that can protect crops from various plant diseases by producing toxic compounds and parasitizing harmful pathogens. It also helps plants defend themselves naturally and improves soil health by promoting beneficial microorganisms. This makes it a promising alternative to chemical pesticides for sustainable farming, though more research is needed to optimize its effectiveness in real field conditions.

Volatile Metabolome and Transcriptomic Analysis of Kosakonia cowanii Ch1 During Competitive Interaction with Sclerotium rolfsii Reveals New Biocontrol Insights

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Researchers found that a bacterium called K. cowanii produces special gases (volatile organic compounds) that kill fungal plant diseases like those caused by Sclerotium rolfsii. When grown together with this fungus, the bacterium produces these toxic gases which inhibit fungal growth by up to 80%. The study identified specific genes the bacteria activate to produce these antifungal compounds, offering a natural alternative to chemical fungicides for protecting crops.

Integrated use of biochar, Cassia fistula, and Trichoderma for sustainable management of Sclerotium rolfsii in chickpea

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This study demonstrates that combining rice husk biochar with Cassia fistula plant extract and beneficial Trichoderma fungus effectively controls a destructive soil disease in chickpea crops. The combined treatment reduced disease occurrence by nearly 50% while improving plant growth and soil health. This eco-friendly approach offers farmers a sustainable alternative to chemical fungicides for protecting their chickpea crops.

Integrated use of biochar, Cassia fistula, and Trichoderma for sustainable management of Sclerotium rolfsii in chickpea

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Researchers tested a natural approach to protect chickpea crops from a harmful soil fungus called Sclerotium rolfsii. They combined three natural substances: charred rice husks (biochar), an extract from the Cassia fistula plant, and a beneficial fungus called Trichoderma harzianum. The results showed this combination significantly reduced disease by 45% while also making plants grow stronger and healthier, offering farmers an eco-friendly alternative to chemical fungicides.

Biology and Application of Chaetomium globosum as a Biocontrol Agent: Current Status and Future Prospects

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Chaetomium globosum is a common soil fungus that shows great potential for protecting crops from diseases and pests naturally. This review explains how it works—by producing toxic compounds against harmful fungi, directly attacking pathogens, and boosting plants’ own defense systems. When applied to seeds or soil, it has reduced crop diseases by up to 73% in field tests while also improving soil health and crop yields, making it a promising alternative to chemical fungicides.

Integrated use of biochar, Cassia fistula, and Trichoderma for sustainable management of Sclerotium rolfsii in chickpea

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This study shows how combining three natural substances—rice husk biochar (a carbon-rich soil additive), Cassia fistula plant extract, and a beneficial fungus called Trichoderma harzianum—can effectively protect chickpea crops from a harmful soil disease called collar rot. The combination not only reduced disease occurrence from 64% to 35% but also improved plant growth and strengthened plants’ natural defense mechanisms. This eco-friendly approach offers farmers a sustainable alternative to chemical fungicides while improving soil health and crop productivity.

Disease: damping-off