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Fusarium oxysporum f. sp. lycopersici (FOL) is a highly destructive pathogen of tomato causing wilt disease. In search of an alternative strategy to synthetic fungicides for the control of this pathogen, methanolic stem extract of a winter weed Chenopodium murale L. was investigated against this pathogen. The methanolic stem extract (1 to 5 %) significantly (P ≤ 0.05) suppressed the fungal growth by 39-74 %. This extract was partitioned using 3-organic solvents of different polarities. Bioassays with different concentrations (1.562 to 200 mg mL-1) showed the best antifungal activity was of chloroform > n-hexane > ethyl acetate sub-fraction causing 51-100 %, 52-98 % and 29-98 % reduction in biomass of FOL, respectively. GC-MS analysis of chloroform and ethyl acetate fractions showed 20 and 8 compounds, respectively. Acetic acid, butyl ester (22.72 %), cyclopentanol (20.15 %), 2-hexanol (21.36 %), oleic acid (13.92 %), morphine (12.97 %) and β-sitosterol (11.79 %) were abundant compounds in these two sub-fractions. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Quinoa (Chenopodium quinoa Willd.) is a newly introduced crop in Pakistan. We evaluated the antifungal efficacy of root extracts of 4-quinoa varieties (PI 596293, Ames 13730, Ames 13737 and PI 634919) against the most harmful soil inhabiting fungal pathogen Macrophomina phaseolina (Tassi) Goid. Methanolic root extracts (1 to 5 %) of these varieties reduced the fungal biomass by 33-70 %. Due to its higher antifungal activity, Ames 13737 variety was selected for further studies and fractionated with 4-organic solvents (n-hexane, chloroform, ethyl acetate and n-butanol) based on their increased polarities. All concentrations of chloroform and the lowest concentration of n-butanol (1.562 mg mL-1 ) completely inhibited the pathogen growth. These fractions were further subjected to GC-MS analysis that revealed the presence of 7-antifungal phytoconstituents (decane; undecane; oleic acid; benzene, 1,2,3-trimethyl; cycloheptasiloxane, tetradecamethyl-; cyclohexasiloxane, dodecamethyl- and 9-octadecanoic acid (Z)-, methyl ester). This study concluded that chloroform and n-butanol fractions of root extract of quinoa possess strong antifungal potential against M. phaseolina. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Antimicrobial peptide LL-37 is produced in response to active vitamin D and produces immunomodulatory effects and inhibits Mycobacterium tuberculosis replication in vitro. To date, no such clinical studies have been conducted to show relationship between 25hydroxyvitamin D and drug resistant tuberculosis patients in Pakistan. Objective: This study was conducted to find the association between insufficiencies of vitamin D with Cathelicidin LL-37 in drug-resistant tuberculosis patients and compare them with the control group. Methodology: Newly diagnosed drug-resistant TB patients and healthy controls ages 15-50 years old (mean 27.17, SD ± 10.37 years) were enrolled. Plasma LL-37 and serum 25 (OH) D levels were measured by ELISA technique in 46 patients and 94 controls. Results: There was a significant difference (p-value <.001) in the level of Vitamin D in both case and control group. Vitamin D insufficiency prevalence was 57.8% and 42.2% with the mean baseline concentrations of 34.39ng/mL (SD ± 15.28) and 39.41ng/mL (SD ± 18.28) in cases and control respectively. In the mean serum concentrations 52.95ng/mL (SD ± 19.67) and 39.00ng/mL (SD ± 18.02) of LL-37 in cases and control respectively, there was a significant difference of P-value <.001 was found. However, concentrations of vitamin D did not associate with serum LL-37 concentrations (p-value>0.05). Conclusion: Cathelicidine LL-37 is a potential biomarker of TB disease. However, the relationship between vitamin D & LL-37 requires further studies in TB patients. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Five flavonoids, viz. (-)-epicatechin-3-O-β-glucopyranoside (1), 5-hydroxy- 3-(4-hydroxylphenyl)pyrano[3,2-g]chromene-4(8H)-one (2), 6-(p-hydroxybenzyl) taxifolin-7-O-β-D-glucoside (tricuspid) (3), quercetin-3-O-α-glucopyranosyl-(1->2)-β-glucopyranoside (4) and (-)-epicatechin(2-(3,4-dihydroxyphenyl)- 3,4-dihydro-2H-chromene-3,5,7-triol) (5), were isolated from the leaves of mango (Mangifera indica L.). The antibacterial activity of different concentrations of these flavonoids (100, 300, 500, 700, 900 and 1000 ppm) was evaluated against four bacterial species, namely Lactobacillus sp., Escherichia coli, Azospirillium lipoferum and Bacillus sp. All the tested concentrations of the five flavonoids significantly reduced the growth of all the five tested bacterial species. However, differences in the antibacterial activity of the flavonoids were evident. Compound 1 exhibited the lowest antibacterial activity, resulting in a 7-75 % reduction in the growth of the different bacterial species. Compound 5 showed the greatest antibacterial activity and the different concentrations reduced the bacterial growth by 45-99.9%. A. lipoferum and Bacillus sp. showed the highest susceptibility to this compound. Compounds 2-4 also depicted pronounced antibacterial activity. Different concentrations of these compounds decreased bacterial growth by 52-96 %. From the present study, it can be concluded that compound 5 is the most effective of the tested flavonoids against A. lipoferum and Bacillus sp.

Aims: The main aim of the study was to evaluate some methods of application of Aspergillus niger AD1 and Trichoderma hamatum T-113 for enhancing the growth and yield of wheat var. Ibaa99 in pots and field conditions. Methodology and results: Plant growth-promoting fungi (PGPF) loaded with peat moss were used at a rate of 100, 150 and 200 mL pot-1 or m-2 in filed soil; seed treatment (coating) with fungi suspension 19 x 107, soil treatment and combination of all the three methods was employed in the study. Wheat seeds were sown in pots and field plots during 2018-2019, and data regarding various growth and yield attributes were recorded. In both pot and field trials, the results revealed that the best treatments for the desired plant growth and yield attributes were peat moss 150 mL alone or in combination with soil and seed treatments. The soil physicochemical parameters were also improved after inoculation with selected fungal isolates in different application methods compared with un-inoculated control treatment in both pot and field conditions. Conclusion, significance and impact of study: The PGPF play a vital role represented phytoremediation, phytostimulation and bio-fertilization. The isolates of PGPF, which were applied with peat moss at 150 mL to the pot and in the field alone or combined with seed treatment and soil application, were significantly the best effective method for improving wheat attributes. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The leaf extract of Melia azedarach L. was obtained by soaking plant material in ethanol for one week and its toxic effect was assessed on the third instar larvae of khapra beetle (Trogoderma granarium Everts). Four concentrations of the extract (2, 4, 6 & 8 µL mL-1 acetone) were applied through contact method in Petri plates. Mortality was recorded after 12, 24 and 36 h. All the concentrations showed toxic effects against the larvae to variable extents. The highest mortality i.e. 72% was recorded at 8 µL mL-1 acetone concentration after 36 h incubation period. At the same concentration, the mortality was 61.67% and 48.34% after 24 and 12 h, respectively. Minimum mortality (23.33%) was observed at 2 µL mL -1 acetone concentration after 12 h. GC-MS analysis of ethanolic leaf extract of parthenium revealed the phytol as the predominant compound with 72.25% peak area. Other compounds were 2(4H)-benzofuranone, 5,6,7,7a-tetrahydro-4,4,7a-trimethyl-(6.30%), 1-(3,6,6-trimethyl-1,6,7,7a-tetrahydrocyclopenta[c]pyran-1-yl)ethanone (6.11%), methyl stearate (4.60%), (+/-)-phytone (4.38%), hexadecanoic acid, methyl ester (3.24%), and hexadecanoic acid, ethyl ester (3.12%). It is concluded that an 8 µL mL-1 acetone concentration of leaf extract of M. azedarach can kill up to 72% larvae of T. granarium in 36 hours. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Parthenium (Parthenium hysterophorus L.) is an exotic weed that has spread in different parts of Punjab, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, and Kashmir to an alarming extent and is now threatening natural vegetation and ecosystems. In the present study, laboratory bioassays were carried out to evaluate the effect of heavy metal ion Cr(VI) on germination and root/shoot growth of parthenium. Five concentrations of the metal ion viz. 10, 20, 40, 80, and 160 ppm were used in the experiment. A gradual decline in germination and growth of seedlings was recorded with the increase in metallic ion concentration. Lower concentrations viz. 10, 20, and 40 ppm reduced seed germination by 11, 15, and 37% over control, respectively. Likewise, 10, 20, and 40 ppm metal solution reduced shoot length by 35, 67, and 93%, root length by 69, 93, and 95%, and plant dry biomass by 47, 69, and 97% over control, respectively. An 80 ppm solution of Cr(VI) completely arrested the germination. This study concludes that parthenium is highly susceptible to Cr(VI) stress, where an 80 ppm solution of these metallic ions can completely stop the germination of parthenium seeds. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Guava is one of the most popular fruits in the world by its taste and nutritional value. In Pakistan, it is the third most rapidly growing fruit. The peach fruit fly, Bactrocera zonata is one of the major hindrances in the yield and productivity enhancement of fruits. The entomopathogenic fungi are considered an effective managemental practice against fruit flies. In order to estimate the efficiency of two species of fungi, Beauveria bassiana and Metarhizium anisopliae were tested at concentrations of conidia, 1x108, 1x107 and 1x'06 against adults of B. zonata in the laboratory conditions. The mortality was recorded after 7 and 15 days of treatment. Both fungal species were found significant at the concentration of 1x108. For B. bassiana mortality observed were 40% and 43.33% at the interval of 7 and 15 days respectively, on the concentration of 1x108 conidia/ml. While M. anisopliea showed 35% and 40% mortality against adults of B. zonata. The use of EPF in IPM plans can lead to effective management against fruit fly since there is a need for sustainable and environmentally safe practices in fruit farming. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]