sustainable agriculture – Page 7

Isolation and characterization of a new Leptobacillium species promoting tomato plant growth

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Researchers discovered a new beneficial fungus called Leptobacillium that lives inside tomato plant roots without causing harm. When tomato seeds were treated with this fungus, the plants grew better, had more chlorophyll in their leaves, and produced tastier fruits with higher levels of lycopene, a beneficial compound in tomatoes. This discovery suggests the fungus could be used to improve tomato crop production naturally, reducing the need for chemical inputs and helping plants cope with heat stress.

Study of the Herbicidal Potential and Infestation Mechanism of Fusarium oxysporum JZ-5 on Six Broadleaved Weeds

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Scientists discovered a fungal strain that effectively kills common broadleaved weeds found in farms on China’s Qinghai Plateau. The fungus, Fusarium oxysporum JZ-5, was particularly effective against henbit deadnettle and other problematic weeds while being safe for important crops like wheat, barley, and potatoes. This natural solution could replace harmful chemical herbicides and provide farmers with an environmentally friendly way to control weeds.

The green shield: Trichoderma’s role in sustainable agriculture against soil-borne fungal threats

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This study examined how a beneficial fungus called Trichoderma can protect crops from harmful soil fungi without using chemical pesticides. Researchers isolated Trichoderma from soil in Kashmir and tested it against 12 different disease-causing fungi. The results showed that Trichoderma effectively stopped the growth of harmful fungi both through direct contact and through compounds it produces. This natural approach could help farmers grow healthier crops while protecting the environment.

Endophytic Diversity in Sicilian Olive Trees: Identifying Optimal Conditions for a Functional Microbial Collection

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Researchers studied beneficial microorganisms living inside olive trees in Sicily to understand how to boost plant health and disease resistance. They found that wild olive trees and woody twigs harbor more diverse and beneficial microbes than cultivated varieties. Bacillus bacteria were particularly valuable, producing compounds that protect plants and promote growth. These findings could help farmers reduce chemical inputs while improving olive production.

Novel secondary metabolite from a new species of Hypoxylon saxatilis sp. nov. for suppressing bacterial wilt in tomato

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Researchers discovered a new fungus species (Hypoxylon saxatilis) living inside medicinal plants that produces a novel compound called tetrahydrofuran. This compound kills the bacterium that causes tomato wilt disease by damaging bacterial cell walls. In greenhouse tests, extract from this fungus reduced wilt disease severity by over 83%, suggesting it could be developed as an eco-friendly alternative to chemical pesticides for protecting tomato crops.

Essential Oils as an Antifungal Alternative to Control Several Species of Fungi Isolated from Musa paradisiaca: Part II

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Bananas often develop fungal infections during storage that reduce their quality. Researchers tested whether essential oils from common herbs and spices like cinnamon, clove, and oregano could prevent these fungal infections. The study found that cinnamon, clove, and oregano oils effectively stopped fungal growth at higher concentrations, offering a natural alternative to chemical fungicides that could help keep bananas fresh longer without synthetic chemicals.

Optimizing brinjal (Solanum melongena L.) health and yield through bio-organic amendments against Fusarium wilt

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Farmers can protect their brinjal (eggplant) crops from a serious fungal disease called Fusarium wilt by adding organic materials like spent mushroom substrate mixed with biochar to their soil. These natural amendments not only reduce disease but also help plants grow better and produce higher yields, offering an eco-friendly alternative to chemical fungicides that can harm the environment and human health.

Effects of a biotechnologically produced Pleurotus sapidus mycelium on gut microbiome, liver transcriptome and plasma metabolome of broilers

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Researchers tested whether mushroom mycelium grown using agricultural waste could be safely added to chicken feed. The mycelium, rich in beneficial compounds like β-glucans, was added to broiler diets at varying levels for 35 days. Results showed that chickens fed diets containing up to 5% mushroom mycelium performed just as well as control chickens, with no negative effects on health, digestion, or metabolism, suggesting this sustainable feed ingredient could help reduce competition between animal feed and human food.

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.

Biocontrol efficacy of Pochonia chlamydosporia against root-knot nematode Meloidogyne javanica in eggplant and its impact on plant growth

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This study shows that a beneficial fungus called Pochonia chlamydosporia can effectively control harmful root-knot nematodes that damage eggplant crops. When applied to soil, this fungus directly attacks nematode eggs and parasitizes the parasitic juveniles, while also boosting the plant’s natural defense systems. Not only does the fungus reduce nematode populations by over 55%, but it also helps eggplant plants grow better with increased height, weight, and chlorophyll content, providing a promising eco-friendly alternative to chemical pesticides.

Research Keyword: sustainable agriculture