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Lychee (Litchi chinensis Sonn.) is a famous fruit species of tropical and subtropical regions of the world and many biotic and abiotic stresses affect its yield. In this study, lychee fruit rot has been observed and its incidence has been controlled by using zinc oxide nanoparticles (ZnO NPs). Diseased lychee fruits were collected and diagnosed to identify disease-causing pathogens. Morphological appearance, microscopic observation, and sequence analysis of the amplified ITS region identified this isolated pathogen as Aspergillus niger. To control this problem, ZnO NPs were prepared in the leaf extract of Azadirachta indica. Before their antifungal activity, ZnO NPs were characterized using sophisticated approaches. FTIR revealed the presence of reducing and stabilizing molecules on ZnO NPs including alcohol, carboxylic acid, alkyl halide, amine, and alkyl halide. Crystalline nature and average size (29.024 nm) of synthesized ZnO NPs were described by X-ray diffraction. EDX analysis depicted the mass percentage of zinc (30.15%) and oxygen (14.90%). SEM analysis displayed the irregular shape of nanoparticles and confirmed the nano-size of ZnO NPs. Maximum mycelial growth inhibition (70.5%) was observed at 1.0 mg/mL concentration of ZnO NPs in vitro. In in-vivo disease-control analysis, maximum control of lychee fruit rot disease was observed at the same concentration. These results reveal the potential use of these ZnO NPs on a larger scale to replace hazardous chemical fungicides. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Cherry is a fleshy drupe, and it is grown in temperate regions of the world. It is perishable, and several biotic and abiotic factors affect its yield. During April–May 2021, a severe fruit rot of cherry was observed in Swat and adjacent areas. Diseased fruit samples were collected, and the disease-causing pathogen was isolated on PDA. Subsequent morphological, microscopic, and molecular analyses identified the isolated pathogen as Aspergillus flavus. For the control of the fruit rot disease of cherry, iron oxide nanoparticles (Fe2O3 NPs) were synthesized in the leaf extract of Calotropis procera and characterized. Fourier transform infrared (FTIR) spectroscopy of synthesized Fe2O3 NPs showed the presence of capping and stabilizing agents such as alcohols, aldehydes, and halo compounds. X-ray diffraction (XRD) analysis verified the form and size (32 nm) of Fe2O3 NPs. Scanning electron microscopy (SEM) revealed the spinal-shaped morphology of synthesized Fe2O3 NPs while X-ray diffraction (EDX) analysis displayed the occurrence of main elements in the samples. After successful preparation and characterization of NPs, their antifungal activity against A. flavus was determined by poison technique. Based on in vitro and in vivo antifungal activity analyses, it was observed that 1.0 mg/mL concentration of Fe2O3 can effectively inhibit the growth of fungal mycelia and decrease the incidence of fruit rot of cherry. The results confirmed ecofriendly fungicidal role of Fe2O3 and suggested that their large-scale application in the field to replace toxic chemical fungicides. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Aims: Iron oxide nanoparticles (Fe2O3 NPs) were mycosynthesized using Trichoderma harzianum and applied to control brown rot of apple. The influence of Fe2O3 NPs on the quality of fruit was also studied. Methods and Results: Diseased apple fruits with brown rot symptoms were collected, and the disease‐causing pathogen was isolated and identified as Fusarium oxysporum. To control this disease, mycosynthesis of Fe2O3 NPs was executed using T. harzianum. FTIR spectroscopy revealed the occurrence of stabilizing and reducing agents on NPs. X‐ray diffraction (XRD) analysis determined their average size (17.78 nm) and crystalline nature. Energy‐dispersive X‐ray (EDX) showed strong signals of iron, and scanning electron microscopy (SEM) displayed a high degree of polydispersity of synthesized NPs. Foliar application of NPs significantly reduced brown rot and helped fruits to maintain biochemical and organoleptic properties. Firmness and higher percentage of soluble solids, sugars and ascorbic acid depicted its good quality. Conclusion: Environment‐friendly mycosynthesized Fe2O3 NPs can be effectively used to control brown rot of apple. Significance and Impact of the Study: Trichoderma harzianum is a famous biocontrol agent, and the synthesis of NPs in its extract is an exciting avenue to control fungal diseases. Due to its nontoxic nature to human gut, it can be applied on all edible fruits. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Citrus is the leading fruit crop of Pakistan and exported to different parts of the world. Due to suitable weather condition, this crop is affected by different biotic factors which seriously deteriorate its quality and quantity. During the months of November 2018 to January 2019, citrus brown rot symptoms were recurrently observed on sweet oranges in National Agricultural Research Centre (NARC), Islamabad. Causal agent of citrus brown rot was isolated, characterized, and identified as Fusarium oxysporum. For environment‐friendly control of this disease, leaf extract of Azadirachta indica was used for the green synthesis of iron oxide (Fe2O3) nanoparticles. These nanoparticles were characterized before their application for disease control. Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR) of these synthesized nanoparticles described the presence of stabilizing and reducing compounds like alcohol, phenol, carboxylic acid, and alkaline and aromatic compounds. X‐Ray diffraction (XRD) analysis revealed the crystalline nature and size (24 nm) of these nanoparticles. Energy dispersive X‐Ray (EDX) analysis elaborated the presence of major elements in the samples. Scanning electron microscopy (SEM) confirmed the spinal shaped morphology of prepared nanoparticles. Successfully synthesized nanoparticles were evaluated for their antifungal potential. Different concentrations of Fe2O3 nanoparticles were used and maximum mycelial inhibition was observed at 1.0 mg/ml concentration. On the basis of these findings, it could be concluded that Fe2O3 nanoparticles, synthesized in the leaf extract of A. indica, can be successfully used for the control of brown rot of sweet oranges. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Highlights • Potential of G. max against multi metal contaminated soils was investigated. • K. rhizophila enhance the tolerance and accumulation heavy metal by G. max. • Amendment of CA and K. rhizophila inoculation have positive effects on growth and phytoremediation potential of G. max. Abstract Plant-microbe-chelator synergy has been considered as an important phytoremediation strategy to enhance heavy metal extraction from contaminated soil. Plant growth promoting bacteria (PGPB) and organic acids such as citric acid (CA) are important regarding the plant growth and induction of antioxidative defense under abiotic stress conditions. The current study was conducted to investigate the possibility of phytoextraction potential and stress tolerance of Glycine max L. in multi-metal contaminated soil by the manipulation of plant growth promoting endophyte Kocuria rhizophila and citric acid. CA. It was observed that the application of K. rhizophila or CA showed significant influence on growth promotion and metal accumulation capability of G. max L. in industrial contaminated and cadmium spiked (100 and 200 mg kg−1) soils. The individual application of K. rhizophila and CA led to a significant increase in biomass (both fresh and dry) and metal uptake, but the effects of K. rhizophila and CA synergy were more noticeable. The co-application of K. rhizophila and CA enhanced plant biomass by about 38.73% and the accumulation of Cd, Cr, Cu and Ni about 40.63%, 56.39%, 59.1% and 39.76%, respectively as compared to non-inoculated and non-treated plants. The analysis of bioconcentration (BCF) and translocation factor (TF) revealed that G. max L. had a phytoextraction capability. It is concluded that microbe-chelator co-application is an efficient strategy to further improve the efficiency of phytoremediation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Aims: Iron oxide nanoparticles (Fe 2 O 3 NPs) were mycosynthesized using Trichoderma harzianum and applied to control brown rot of apple. The influence of Fe 2 O 3 NPs on the quality of fruit was also studied., Methods and Results: Diseased apple fruits with brown rot symptoms were collected, and the disease-causing pathogen was isolated and identified as Fusarium oxysporum. To control this disease, mycosynthesis of Fe 2 O 3 NPs was executed using T. harzianum. FTIR spectroscopy revealed the occurrence of stabilizing and reducing agents on NPs. X-ray diffraction (XRD) analysis determined their average size (17.78 nm) and crystalline nature. Energy-dispersive X-ray (EDX) showed strong signals of iron, and scanning electron microscopy (SEM) displayed a high degree of polydispersity of synthesized NPs. Foliar application of NPs significantly reduced brown rot and helped fruits to maintain biochemical and organoleptic properties. Firmness and higher percentage of soluble solids, sugars and ascorbic acid depicted its good quality., Conclusion: Environment-friendly mycosynthesized Fe 2 O 3 NPs can be effectively used to control brown rot of apple., Significance and Impact of the Study: Trichoderma harzianum is a famous biocontrol agent, and the synthesis of NPs in its extract is an exciting avenue to control fungal diseases. Due to its nontoxic nature to human gut, it can be applied on all edible fruits., (© 2022 Society for Applied Microbiology.)

Citrus is the leading fruit crop of Pakistan and exported to different parts of the world. Due to suitable weather condition, this crop is affected by different biotic factors which seriously deteriorate its quality and quantity. During the months of November 2018 to January 2019, citrus brown rot symptoms were recurrently observed on sweet oranges in National Agricultural Research Centre (NARC), Islamabad. Causal agent of citrus brown rot was isolated, characterized, and identified as Fusarium oxysporum. For environment-friendly control of this disease, leaf extract of Azadirachta indica was used for the green synthesis of iron oxide (Fe 2 O 3 ) nanoparticles. These nanoparticles were characterized before their application for disease control. Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR) of these synthesized nanoparticles described the presence of stabilizing and reducing compounds like alcohol, phenol, carboxylic acid, and alkaline and aromatic compounds. X-Ray diffraction (XRD) analysis revealed the crystalline nature and size (24 nm) of these nanoparticles. Energy dispersive X-Ray (EDX) analysis elaborated the presence of major elements in the samples. Scanning electron microscopy (SEM) confirmed the spinal shaped morphology of prepared nanoparticles. Successfully synthesized nanoparticles were evaluated for their antifungal potential. Different concentrations of Fe 2 O 3 nanoparticles were used and maximum mycelial inhibition was observed at 1.0 mg/ml concentration. On the basis of these findings, it could be concluded that Fe 2 O 3 nanoparticles, synthesized in the leaf extract of A. indica, can be successfully used for the control of brown rot of sweet oranges., (© 2020 Wiley Periodicals LLC.)