sustainable agriculture – Page 12

Leucocalocybe mongolica inoculation enhances rice growth by reallocating resources from flavonoid defense to development via MYB/bHLH/WRKY networks

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A fungal strain called Leucocalocybe mongolica (LY9) can help rice plants grow bigger and healthier by improving how they use nutrients and sunlight. Interestingly, when plants grow better with this fungus, they produce fewer defensive compounds called flavonoids, but they still maintain some protective molecules. This research shows that the fungus helps plants decide to invest more energy in growth rather than defense, making it a promising natural fertilizer for farming.

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.

Saponins, the Unexplored Secondary Metabolites in Plant Defense: Opportunities in Integrated Pest Management

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Plants naturally produce compounds called saponins that protect them from insects, fungi, bacteria, parasitic worms, and viruses. This review explains how saponins work as natural pest managers and discusses how plants rich in saponins, such as licorice and soapbark trees, could be used to develop environmentally friendly crop protection products instead of synthetic pesticides.

Halotolerant Endophytic Fungi: Diversity, Host Plants, and Mechanisms in Plant Salt–Alkali Stress Alleviation

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Over 1.3 billion hectares of farmland worldwide suffer from excess salt and alkalinity, drastically reducing crop yields. Special fungi that live inside plant tissues can help crops survive in these harsh conditions without harming them. These fungi work by helping plants manage salt accumulation, boost their natural defenses, and produce protective compounds. While laboratory tests show promising results with yield increases up to 40%, practical field application remains challenging due to environmental variables.

In Vitro Mycorrhization for Plant Propagation and Enhanced Resilience to Environmental Stress: A Review

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This review explains how scientists are using special laboratory techniques to grow fungal partnerships with plants that boost plant health and stress tolerance. By combining plant propagation with beneficial fungi in controlled conditions, researchers can produce stronger plants that survive droughts, diseases, and other environmental challenges. These techniques offer promise for sustainable farming and addressing food security concerns as climate change impacts agriculture.

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

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Scientists discovered a new type of beneficial fungus living inside tomato plant roots that helps the plants grow better and produce more nutritious fruit. This fungus, called Leptobacillium sp., makes plant hormones and special compounds that help tomato plants absorb nutrients more effectively. When tomato seeds were treated with this fungus, the plants grew taller and produced fruits with higher levels of lycopene, a beneficial compound. This discovery could help farmers grow better tomatoes using nature’s own microorganisms instead of relying on chemical treatments.

Identification of Trichoderma spp., Their Biomanagement Against Fusarium proliferatum, and Growth Promotion of Zea mays

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Researchers isolated and tested special fungi called Trichoderma that can fight crop disease-causing fungi and promote plant growth. When applied to maize plants infected with disease-causing Fusarium, the Trichoderma fungi completely eliminated the disease and made the plants grow healthier and larger. This natural approach offers farmers a chemical-free alternative to protect crops while improving plant health.

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.

Antifungal activity of zinc oxide nanoparticles (ZnO NPs) on Fusarium equiseti phytopathogen isolated from tomato plant in Nepal

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Researchers in Nepal isolated a fungus called Fusarium equiseti that damages tomato plants and created tiny zinc oxide particles from tea leaves to fight it. These nanoparticles successfully stopped the fungus from growing, reducing its growth by up to 85%. This discovery offers farmers an environmentally friendly alternative to chemical fungicides that harm the environment and create resistant fungi.

Biocontrol of Seedborne Fungi on Small-Grained Cereals Using Bacillus halotolerans Strain B33

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Researchers tested a naturally occurring soil bacterium called Bacillus halotolerans strain B33 to protect cereal seeds from harmful fungi. When seeds infected with fungal pathogens were treated with this bacterium, it successfully eliminated 83-100% of the fungi, depending on the pathogen and crop type. The treatment was as effective as commercial chemical disinfectants but offers a more environmentally friendly alternative for sustainable farming.

Research Topic: sustainable agriculture