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DNA binding with one-finger (Dof) protein belongs to the plant-specific transcription factors (PSTFs) gene family. These transcription factors have a variety of roles in many biological processes in plants. However, there is limited research on their role in Cashew. A total of 67 Dof genes were found in the cashew genome and were classified into 11 subgroups (A, B1, B2, C1, C2, D, E1, E2, F1, F2, and F3) by comparing them with Dof genes from Arabidopsis and lettuce. Cashew Dof genes were present in 9 of these subgroups, except for A and F1. This article provides a detailed discussion of the gene structures, chromosome positions, phylogeny, subcellular localization, cis-regulatory analysis, protein motifs, and evolutionary patterns of Dof genes in cashew. The only type of duplication found in cashew was segmental duplication, which mainly contributes to the large Dof gene family. The analysis of cis-regulatory elements (CREs) revealed the presence of light, ethylene, seed, circadian, meristem, and auxin-sensitive elements, which are particularly sensitive to these factors. The article also includes a comparative analysis of the evolutionary or phylogenetic relationships between Dof genes from lettuce, cashew, and Arabidopsis. This study provides a comprehensive understanding of the Dof gene family in cashew and can serve as a guide for functional analysis and cloning of its gene family members.

Rose is an important plant around the world. The largest trader of rose cut-flower and hybrid varieties is Netherland. Countless varieties are introduced in agriculture business for commercial production. While countless soil and soilless substrates are also utilized for commercial production of rose around the globe. Due to that it is important to standardize and see the best soil or soilless substrate for better production of commercial cut-flowers in Rose. Various soil substrates and growing environment (Under partial shade, 70% sunlight and open sun light) was observed for better commercial yield in Rose. The balance fertilizer was applied in both A: Foliar spray (300:300:300 ppm of NPK) along with the various soil substrates of GS: PR: CCD (1:1:1), GS: LC (1:1), GS: PR (100%) and FYM: SL: CL (1:1:1). The liquid substrate was distilled water for foliar application. The foliar application was done after each day. The other nutrient application process was B: soil application of macro nutrient (2g/L of 17:17:17-NPK) along with GS: PR: CCD (1:1:1), GS: LC (1:1), GS: PR (100%) and FYM: SL: CL (1:1:1). Each plant was saturated with 2 days interval. The fertigation was carried by mixing above mentioned fertilizer with the canal water having EC: 0.4 dSm-1 and pH: 6.9 pH. The performance of plants was observed by observing the attributes such as Plant survival (%), Number of flowers per plant, Plowers stem length (cm), Plant health (Number of leaves, leaf size (cm), Flower diameter (mm), Flower stem size (mm) and Flower stem diameter (mm). Completely randomized experimental design (CRD) was used for calculating means of various treatments. The best treatment was FYM: SL: CL for both under partial shade (70%) and open sun light for the significant growth and development of plant morphological and commercial attributes. The same treatment with soil application of 2g/L of NPK (17:17:17) after each day is recommended to the commercial growers of Rose throughout the flowering season.

Cotton is grown all over the world including Asian countries. Severe foliar disease symptoms were observed on cotton in fields from different districts of cotton zone of the province of Punjab, Pakistan. Infected plant leaves were sampled from various areas and processed for the isolation of the causal organism. Fungal isolates were identified morphologically. The conidia of the fungus were observed oblong to ellipsoid, hyaline, and aseptate, but occasionally 1-septate with dimensions ranging from 2.7 to 7.8 × 1.6 to 3.5 μm. A total of two isolates were characterized further for genetic diversity. Both the isolates showed moderate reactions to the NaOH test for E metabolite. The pathogen was morphologically identified as Boeremia exigua. Further, the internal transcribed spacer region (ITS) and TUB gene of the fungal isolates were amplified and analyzed. The sequence of partial ITS and TUB showed 99% homology with the isolates of B. exigua. The pathogenicity test was performed on three months old cotton plants by using two isolates of B. exigua. After 15 days of inoculation, necrotic spots started developing on the leaves that were very similar to those observed in the field. The fungal pathogen was re-isolated from the leaves of all the inoculated plants, identified morphologically following Koch's postulates. This disease might be a potential threat to cotton production in Pakistan in the future. However, further studies are required to know the virulence, behavior, alternate hosts, and spreading nature of the pathogen.

Plant-specific transcription factor (PSTFs) YABBY is one of the vital transcription factors that play a crucial role in abaxial organ development, carpel formation and abiotic stress. Although the Cucumber genome (Cucumis sativus) has been published, functional studies are still needed to understand cucumber. The cucumber genome was used in this study to identify YABBY gene family member by using a set of various bioinformatic tools. Eight YABBY gene family members were identified that were unevenly distributed on different chromosomes. Eight members of the YABBY gene family in cucumber were divided into five subgroups (FIL/YAB3), CRC, INO, YAB2, and YAB5 based on the published Arabidopsis YABBY gene classification. The structure of PSTF YABBY was seen to be conserved throughout the process of evolution through Motif analysis, Conserved Domain Analysis and Gene structure Intron Exon Display. PSTF YABBY has roles in wound healing, abiotic stress like cold, heat and drought stress, phytohormone responses and transcription initiation. CsYABBY4 was seen to be over-expressed under long day and heat stress conditions, implying its significant role in heat stress.

Date palms (P. dactylifera L.) are prominent in Kingdom of Saudi Arabia (KSA), Iran, UAE, Iraq as well as Algeria, Egypt and Pakistan. However, in Pakistan, the commercially grown cultivarsare Aseel, Dhaki, Falsi, Karbalai, Mozawati, Jan Swore, Kohra, Hillawi, Kohra and Begum Jhangi. R. ferrugineus considered as the chief and hazardous insect pest responsible for damage in palm orchards. this work probe the predilection of RPW in 11 divergent palm cultivars (Hillawi, Mozawati, Kechanr, Aseel, Shamrani, Khudravi, Dhaki, Zeri, Kobra, Zaidi, Denda) which frequently grown in different regions of Pakistan associated by way of impulsive expulsion from tissues of palm leaf using Y-shaped olfactometer for research. In addition, level of both antixenosis and antibiosis was spotted by examining the various parameters such as %age lure of weevils of mature female, general count of laid eggs in addition to their activeness. Furthermore, obtained results depicted that a positive contact was establish with minimum antixenotic consequence revealed by a cultivar, “Hillawi” among most hold of RPW adults (22.32%), number of eggs laid (16.66%) and egg hatching (84.66%). While other cultivars including Mozawati, Aseel, Kechanr, Shamrani, Khudravi, Dhaki, Zeri and Zaidi exhibited level of antixenosis with percent weevils attracted (18.13, 17.25, 14.67, 6.17, 5.88, 5.59, 3.5 and1.5%), no. of eggs laid (15, 14, 12.66, 10, 5.66, 4.33, 2.33 and 1.33) along with egg hatching percentages (82, 72.66, 68.33, 53.66, 37.66, 31, 13.33 and 5.66%) respectively. Moreover, “Hillawi” documented the maximum number of eggs similar with strains like Kechanr, Mozawati as well as Aseel while Kobra and Denda showed minimum attraction by RPW. Maximum RPW (6) were attracted in an olfactometer assay of sugarcane varieties.

Nitrogen (N) deficiency is a primary limiting factor for crop production worldwide. Previously, we reported root system architectural modifications of hydroponically cultured foxtail millet [Setaria italica (L.) Beauv.] to facilitate N translocation under N limitation. Here, we investigated foxtail millet for its shoot adaptation to low N in terms of internal N regulation under hydroponic culture. The results of this study revealed that the shoot N and nitrate (NO

The Begomovirus genus of the family Geminiviridae comprises the largest group of geminiviruses. Begomoviruses are transmitted by the whitefly complex (Bemisia tabaci) and infect dicotyledonous plants in tropical and subtropical regions. The list of begomoviruses is continuously increasing as a result of improvements in the methods for identification, especially from weed plants, which are considered a source of new viruses and reservoirs of economically important viruses but are often neglected during diversity studies. Lathyrus aphaca L. weed plants (yellow-flowered pea) with varicose veins and discoloration of the leaves were found. Amplified genomic DNA through rolling circular amplification was subjected to PCR analysis for the detection of the viral genome and associated DNA-satellites (alphasatellites and betasatellites). A full-length sequence (2.8 kb) of a monopartite begomovirus clone was determined; however, we could not find any associated DNA satellites. The amplified full-length clone of Rose leaf curl virus (RoLCuV) reserved all the characteristics and features of an Old World (OW) monopartite begomovirus. Furthermore, it is the first time it has been reported from a new weed host, yellow-flowered pea. Rolling circle amplification and polymerase chain reaction analysis of associated DNA satellites, alphasatellite, and betasatellite, were frequently accomplished but unable to amplify from the begomovirus-infected samples, indicating the presence of only monopartite Old World begomovirus. It is observed that RoLCuV has the capability to infect different hosts individually without the assistance of any DNA satellite component. Recombination in viruses is also a source of begomovirus infection in different hosts.

The purpose of this qualitative research work was to investigate the impact of institutional support in cultivating civic awareness among university students. Twenty students from the University of Okara were selected and interviewed through semi-structured interviews. The obtained data were analyzed through thematic analysis to reach the findings of the research. Results showed that university students are somehow lacking civic education or training by the institution. It is all due to the minimal provision of awareness to students about the civic sense and makes them understand their role as productive members of a society, which is provided by the family, instructors, and institutes. In light of the findings of this study, this study suggested that there is a dire need for awareness about civic sense and social morals among university students, along with setting up incentives to make students law-abiding citizens.

To counter the insect infestation, plants respond with wide-ranging and highly dynamic biochemical reactions. Of these, the anti-oxidative activity is poorly understood. The red palm weevil (RPW) Rhynchophorus ferrugineus (Oliver), one of the most widespread pests in Pakistan, prefers to infest date palm Phoenix dactylifera. Our present study investigated the feeding preference of RPW to 11 different date palm cultivars and the results suggested that the Hillawi cultivar was most preferred. Greater infestation rate, fecundity and hatching rate were also recorded from Hillawi and Mozawati than other cultivars. No significant decreases were observed in chlorophyll a, chlorophyll b, total chlorophylls and carotenoids of RPW-infested Hillawi cultivar over un-infested control. In contrast, the contents of enzymatic antioxidants including phenols, proline, hydrogen peroxide, anthocyanin, malondialdehyde, ascorbic acid and glycine betaine showed a drastic increase after RPW infestation, and there was enhanced superoxide dismutase, peroxidase and catalase activities. Furthermore, we recorded the increase of total protein and sugar contents in RPW-infested date palms. These findings offer valuable insight into the antioxidative molecular mechanism of date palms under RPW attack and may contribute to the breeding of insect-resistant crops.

The worldwide spread of Geminiviruses and its vector has been attributed to the high rate of recombination, mutation, presence of alternate hosts, transport of plant material, global human activity along with global trade, new agricultural practices and climate change; therefore, the most severe viral diseases among crops have grown in almost all regions of the world, including cassava viral diseases in Africa, cotton leaf curl disease in Pakistan, and multiple diseases related to tomatoes, legumes and cucurbits in India and all over the world. Begomovirus is the major and largest genus of Geminiviridae which has shown a worldwide increase in its variations and distribution by affecting previously unaffected plants. The increasing population has augmented the demand for a sustainable agriculture boost, but begomoviruses have become a continual threat to the world’s agriculture. Numerous control strategies have been used for the viral invasion of the world as pathogens but begomoviruses continually overcome the control methods, and this has generated a need to end this competition between researchers and begomoviruses. The present review summarizes all strategies used against begomoviruses and provides a comprehensive comparison among all control methods, their drawbacks, and future insights. RESUMO A disseminação mundial de geminivírus e seu vetor tem sido atribuída à alta taxa de recombinação, mutação, presença de hospedeiros alternativos, transporte de material vegetal, atividade humana e o comércio globalizado, novas práticas agrícolas e mudanças climáticas. Portanto, as doenças virais mais graves cresceram em quase todas as culturas e regiões do mundo, por exemplo as doenças virais da mandioca na África, doença do enrolamento da folha do algodão no Paquistão e várias doenças em tomateiros, legumes e cucurbitáceas na Índia e em outras partes do mundo. O begomovírus é o principal gênero de Geminiviridae que tem apresentado aumento mundial em suas variações e distribuição afetando plantas anteriormente não afetadas. A população mundial crescente aumentou a demanda por uma agricultura sustentável, mas os begomovírus tornaram-se uma constante ameaça à agricultura mundial. Numerosas estratégias de controle têm sido usadas para este vírus em várias partes do mundo, mas os begomovírus superam continuamente os métodos de controle. A presente revisão resume todas as estratégias utilisadas contra begomovírus e fornece uma comparação abrangente entre os métodos de controle, suas desvantagens e futuras percepções.

Zinc finger-homeodomain proteins are amongst the most prominent transcription factors (TFs) involved in biological processes, such as growth, development, and morphogenesis, and assist plants in alleviating the adverse effects of abiotic and biotic stresses. In the present study, genome-wide identification and expression analyses of the maize

Continuous increase in the population of the world along with multiple nutrient deficiencies and poor water use efficiency offers a challenging scenario for agriculture sector to meet the increasing demand of food. Use of organic amendments like biochar and compost has been suggested as a novel approach for restoration of degraded soil further improving crop productivity and water productivity. Thus here, we have reviewed the publications on individual and combined application of biochar and compost to find out the potential role of these amendments in agriculture sector. We have concluded that (1) data on well-designed field studies and long-term effect of biochar and compost is limited; (2) traditional methods have been adopted for production of biochar and compost; and (3) biochar and compost have the potential to enhance soil fertility, crop production and water productivity with reduced environmental impacts. Furthermore, combined application of biochar and compost found to be more effective as compared to sole application of these amendments. This review article will play a dynamic role for scientists to conduct research to evaluate these ecological fertilizers best suited for soils, which will be helpful to reduce the chances of soil degradation caused by application of unsuitable amendments. Application of amendments not suitable for a soil may increase the demand of synthetic fertilizers thus making it uneconomical for farmers. Thus, it is suggested for the scientists and policy makers to make a great collaboration to implement this promising technology worldwide.

Indiscriminate use of insecticides in food storage facilities for controlling insect pests has deleterious effects on the environment and non-targeted organisms in the premises. Continuous use of insecticides may result in resistance development in insect pests, which compel the stakeholders to increase the dosage of insecticides to manage resistant insect pests. The increased dosage of insecticides ultimately may result in contamination of stored food stuff that affects human health. The present study was planned to generate data that will be helpful to delay resistance development and to reduce environmental pollution. A field strain of Sitophilus oryzae, one of the most common insect pests of stored foodstuff, was selected separately with pirimiphos-methyl, permethrin, or spinosad for five consecutive generations. The selected strains were studied for resistance risk assessment, time taken to develop resistance to insecticides after continuous exposure in the selection process, preliminary mechanism of resistance, and whether the development of resistance due to the selection with a particular insecticide could develop cross-resistance to other insecticide or not. In comparison to a laboratory susceptible reference strain, the insecticide-selected strains revealed rapid development of resistance against insecticides as a result of selection process: 31.05-fold resistance to pirimiphos-methyl, 156.49-fold resistance to permethrin, and 65.6-fold resistance to spinosad. The selected strains did not show cross-resistance to insecticides to with these strains were not exposed during selection experiments, i.e., strain selected with pirimiphos-methyl did not show cross-resistance to spinosad and permethrin. In the synergism bioassays, the synergists (S,S,S-tributyl phosphorotrithioate and piperonyl butoxide) significantly reduced resistance of the selected strain against insecticides to with these were selected, revealing the probability of metabolic mechanism of resistance. The present study revealed high risks of resistance development to pirimiphos-methyl, spinosad, and permethrin under consistent selection pressure. Lack of cross-resistance among insecticides provides an opportunity to use insecticides in rotation instead of increasing dosages to manage resistant insects that will ultimately pollute the environment.

DNA binding with one finger (Dof) proteins are encoded by a ubiquitous plant-specific transcription factor gene family that plays a critical role in various biological processes including fruit ripening and organogenesis. The wild olive (Olea europaea var. sylvestris v1.0) genome was used to identify Dof gene family members using a set of bioinformatics tools. Gene structure, chromosome locations, phylogeny, protein motifs, miRNA targets and tissue-specific expression patterns were analyzed. Here, we identified 51 potential Dof genes unevenly distributed on all chromosomes and a few scaffolds. Dof proteins in olive clustered into eight subgroups (D1, B2, C3, C2.2, C1, C2.1, B1, and A) based on the established Arabidopsis classification. The prevalence of segmental duplication was observed as compared to tandem duplication, and this was the main factor underlying the expansion of the Dof gene family in olive. Tissue-specific expression profiling of OeuDof genes revealed that the majority of OeuDof genes were highly expressed in flowers, stem and meristem tissues. In seed and meristem tissues, cis-regulatory element (CRE) analysis revealed the presence of elements that are specifically responsive to light, circadian, auxin, and ABA. In addition, a comparative analysis between Dof genes in olive and Arabidopsis revealed eight groups or sub-families, although the C3 group of Arabidopsis was not represented in olive. This extensive genome evaluation of the Dof gene family in olive presents a reference for cloning and functional analysis of the members of this gene family.

Organic amendments of soil have the ability to enhance crop production and influence soil health by altering its physical and chemical properties. However, studies are limited regarding field evalu...

Protease Inhibitors belong to class of drug which are used to cure or prevent infection by viruses like HIV and HCV. Protease Inhibitors from Bacillus subtilis-M15 prevent viral multiplication by inhibiting the activity of Trypsin and Pepsin. Pharmaceutically designed ion-exchange resins are proved as promising candidates to enhance the Inhibitory activities of Protease. The novel Biological anti-viral drugs are characterized by Hydrogen Peroxide, Dimethyl Sulfur, HCl, and Acidic-Alkaline Proteinase. When Protease Inhibitory activity of chemically formulated drug already available in market i.e. Lopinavir/Ritonavir are compared with novel anti-viral drug from Bacillus subtilis-M15 then Lopinavir/Ritonavir are proved as less effective than Biological drug due to their lower Inhibitory activity in terms of units per milliliter. Lopinavir/Ritonavir has 2446U/ml and 241U/ml Protease Inhibitory activities against trypsin and pepsin respectively whereas Biological drug from Bacillus subtilis-M15 has 2581U/ml and 3360U/ml Protease Inhibitory activities against Trypsin and Pepsin respectively. In this context Biological drug developing treatment has attracted much attention than chemically designed drug due to their high efficacy, least side effect, cost efficient and environment friendly nature. Hence we conclude the current application of novel anti-viral drug as a Protease Inhibitors from Bacillus subtilis-M15 and its future clinical prospects against targeted Protease based HIV and HCV therapy.

To counter the insect infestation, plants respond with wide-ranging and highly dynamic biochemical reactions. Of these, the anti-oxidative activity is poorly understood. The red palm weevil (RPW)

Endophytes have a symbiotic relationship with plants and play an important role in supporting the plant growth. The objective of this study was to examine the effect of endophytic bacteria isolated from citrus leaves on promoting seedling growth and influencing some biochemical attributes in brinjal (Solanum melongena L.). Isolated bacteria were characterized based on molecular tool 16S rRNA. The bacterial isolates were identified as Enterococcus faecalis, Brevibacillus borstelensis, Staphylococcus haemolyticus, Bacillus safensis, B. megaterium, B. cereus, Pseudomonas sp., P. aeruginosa, Enterobacter hermachei and Proteus mirabilis based on 16S rRNA sequence homology and phylogenetic analysis. The leaves of brinjal seedlings were inoculated with these bacterial endophytes by injection method under greenhouse conditions. About one month after inoculation, the plants were analysed for their physical (shoot length, root length, shoot fresh weight, root fresh weight, shoot dry weight and root dry weight,), bio-physical (chlorophyll a and b contents, and relative leaf water content), and biochemical (total phenolic, flavonoids and carotenoids contents) parameters. In the present study, Bacillus safensis and Pseudomonas sp. significantly increased the shoot length, shoot fresh and dry weights, relative leaf water content, leaf chlorophyll b content, phenolics and flavonoids in brinjal plants after the application of the bacterial inoculum. However, carotenoids content remained unaffected by the bacterial inoculum. Thus, some bacterial endophytes possess prospective potential in improving plant growth and could be used as inoculants to establish a sustainable crop production system.

Investigations were made to evaluate the effect of different edible and chemical coatings on quality and shelf life of guava (Psidium guajava L.) cv. Sufaid Gola fruits stored under ambient (20 ± 3 °C) and zero energy cool chamber (ZECC) conditions (15 ± 3 °C). The fruits were subjected to different coating treatments, i.e., control (uncoated fruits, T0), fruits coated with 1% CaCl2 (T1), 2% CaCl2 (T2), 10% Aloe vera gel (T3) and 15% Aloe vera gel + 1.5% Ascorbic acid (T4). The studied quality attributes included weight loss, total soluble solids (TSS), pH of fruit juice and fruit skin colour. As the storage period increased, weight loss, juice TSS and pH values significantly increased. Fruit skin colour also changed depending on the coating treatment, storage conditions and duration. Fruits stored at ZECC conditions had lower weight loss with lesser juice TSS and pH values and resulted in prolonged shelf life than ambient storage conditions. The fruits coated with 15% Aloe vera gel + 1.5% Ascorbic acid and 10% Aloe vera gel resulted in lower weight loss as compared to other treatments. Fruit coated with 15% Aloe vera gel + 1.5% Ascorbic acid and 2% CaCl2 had better shelf life with lower juice TSS and pH values as compared to other treatment combinations.

In this study, 22 different fungal isolates associated with naturally dead insects of order Hemiptera including Bemisia tabaci, Aphis gossypii and Phenacoccus solenopsis were isolated from three different agroecological zones namely hot arid, cotton and central mixed zone. Fungal species were characterized morphologically on the basis of colony color, shape and spore structures through using different dichotomous keys. As a result fungi belonging to different species of Aspergillus, Acremonium, Beauveria, Cladosporium, Alternaria, Clonostachys, Penicillium, Trichoderma, Fusarium, Metarhizium and Verticillium were identified. All isolates of individual species were identical with respect to morphological differentiation. Principal component analysis (PCA) indicates strong correlation between Verticillium lecanii and Aspergillus fumigatus with respect to their isolation source (insect host). However, based on PCA, an uneven distribution of entomopathogenic fungi in different insect hosts is evident. Phylogenetic analysis revealed that Aspergillus fumigatus and A. nidulans are more closely related to different species of Penicillium, while Aspergillus oryzae and A. flavus formed separate clades, whereas different species of Alternaria, Cladosporium and Fusarium formed separate clades. Thus, the information generated will add to our understanding of the insect associated fungal communities for future development of potential biocontrol agents and their application as a vital component of sustainable agriculture.

Summary The invasive red palm weevil (RPW) (Rhynchophorus ferrugineus) (Coleoptera: Curculionidae) is one of the most destructive palm pests in the world. More options are needed for its management, including optimised use of microbial entomopathogens (EP). The sub-lethal effects of an entomopathogenic fungus (EPF) Beauveria bassiana (isolate WG-11) (Ascomycota: Hypocreales) (at 1 × 104 spores ml−1) and two entomopathogenic nematode (EPN) species, Heterorhabditis bacteriophora (at 100 infective juveniles (IJ) ml−1) and Steinernema carpocapsae (at 50 IJ ml−1) were evaluated in various combinations against laboratory-reared 3rd, 5th and 8th instar larvae of RPW in bioassays. Individual and combined effects of both EP were observed after the pre-application of B. bassiana fungus at 0-, 1- and 2-week intervals. Combined treatments were tested for antagonistic, additive and synergistic effects. Additive and synergistic effects were observed in B. bassiana/S. carpocapsae and in B. bassiana/H. bacteriophora combined treatments. Early instar larvae of RPW were more susceptible than older instars. Sole and combined EP treatments decreased pupation, subsequent emergence of RPW adults and hatching. Sub-lethal effects of EP were observed in R. ferrugineus following application at the above-mentioned rates to 3rd, 5th and 8th instar larvae, including reduced larval weights, increased larval, pre-pupal and pupal durations, reduced adult weights and life spans. Simultaneous combined applications of B. bassiana/S. carpocapsae and B. bassiana/H. bacteriophora at the above-mentioned rates against last instar (9th) larvae of R. ferrugineus reduced food consumption, frass production and affected weight gains.

Endosymbionts associated with the whitefly Bemisia tabaci cryptic species are known to contribute to host fitness and environmental adaptation. The genetic diversity and population complexity were investigated for endosymbiont communities of B. tabaci occupying different micro‐environments in Pakistan. Mitotypes of B. tabaci were identified by comparative sequence analysis of the mitochondria cytochrome oxidase I (mtCOI) gene sequence. Whitefly mitotypes belonged to the Asia II‐1, ‐5, and ‐7 mitotypes of the Asia II major clade. The whitefly–endosymbiont communities were characterized based on 16S ribosomal RNA operational taxonomic unit (OTU) assignments, resulting in 43 OTUs. Most of the OTUs occurred in the Asia II‐1 and II‐7 mitotypes (r 2 = .9, p, This manuscript describes the diversity of endosymbionts associated with Bemisia tabaci in Pakistan. It was shown for the first time that B. tabaci mitotypes and their associated secondary endosymbiont are geographically codistributed and that the distributions are consistent with climatic gradient niches, suggestive of ecologically associated whitefly–endosymbiont co‐adaptation.

Nanotechnology now a days recognized and widely accepted technology in industrial sector including therapeutic industry, tissue engineering, micro-electronics, automation, and drugs industry. Spinach contains phytochemicals such as saponins, tannins, flavonoids, terpenoids, phlobatannins, phenols and glycosides. Spinach extract is beneficial for anti-aging and protection of central nervous systems along with cure from iron deficiency, oxidative stress, diabetes, hepato-toxicity, and many diseases of eyes. Due to biodiversity of plants, green synthesis of iron nanoparticles has great potential. In this experiment phytochemical analysis of Spinach extracts were done. Initial phytochemical analysis indicated the presence of tannins, flavonoids, phlobatannins, terpenoids and saponins at different concentration of spinach extracts. Terpenoids, flavonoids, and phlobatannins were present in aqueous extract while presence of saponins and tannins were observed in ethyl acetate extract. Iron nanoparticles were synthesized from spinach leaves extract in the presence of FeCl3. Characterization of iron nanoparticles was done by Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy analysis (FT-IR), UV-visible spectrophotometry and scanning electron microscopic analysis (SEM) and X-ray diffraction analysis (XRD). Green synthesis of iron nanoparticles was performed to investigate the antibacterial activity against human pathogen Escherichia coli. Thus, it is concluded in this study that biosynthesized iron nanoparticles have potential of biomedical activities that would be a robust benchmark for scientists towards sustainability.

Citrus is an economically important fruit crop grown in all provinces of Pakistan, while Punjab accounting for 95 percent of total production due to its favorable climate for citrus production. Commercially grown varieties in Pakistan include sweet oranges, grapefruits, Mandarine, Lime, and lemon. The goal of this research was to see how diverse the cultivable bacterial populations are found in citrus cultivars. Out of 90 isolated cultures, 37 endophytic bacterial species and 15 different genera of bacteria were characterized based on morphological, biochemical, and molecular methods from citrus leaves. All the isolated bacteria were subjected to PCR amplification through 16S rDNA followed by sequencing. RDP base classification revealed that class Bacilli has the largest percentage of isolates, whereas class Alpha, Beta, and Gamma Proteobacteria have the lowest percentage among all genotypes used. According to the findings, the phylum Firmicutes contains a common genus (Brevibacterium, 1%; Enterococcus, 6%; Staphylococcus, 7% and Bacillus, 60%). Alpha (Rhizobium) beta (Burkholderia cepacia; Comamonas terigena) gamma Proteobacteria (Enterobacter hermachei (1%), Klebsiella pneumoniae (1%), Proteus mirabilis (8%), Pseudomonas aeruginosa (5%), Psychrobacter pulmonis and Yersinia molalretti (1%) respectively. These results revealed that cultivars of the plants might contribute to the structure and endophytic bacterial communities associated with citrus. Endophytes extracted from leaf samples of different citrus cultivars in Pakistan are reported for the first time. The idea of employing endophytes bacteria to produce enzymes stimulate plant growth, and its purpose as a biological control agent will be investigated in the future.

Entophytic bacteria (EBs) are very diverse and found in virtually all plant species studied. These natural EBs live insides the host plant and can be used to maximize crop and fruit yield by exploiting their potential. In this paper, EBs characterization from various citrus genotypes and their influence on the morphological and physiological functioning of sour orange (

Potential role of triacontanol applied as a foliar treatment to ameliorate the adverse effects of salinity on hot pepper plants was evaluated. In this pot experiment, hot pepper plants under 75 mM NaCl stress environment were subjected to foliar application of 25, 50, and 75 µM triacontanol treatments; whereas, untreated plants were taken as control. Salt stress had a significant impact on morphological characteristics, photosynthetic pigments, gas exchange attributes, MDA content, antioxidants activities, electrolytes leakage, vitamin C, soluble protein, and proline contents. All triacontanol treatments significantly mitigated the adversative effects of salinity on hot pepper plants; however, foliar application triacontanol at 75 µM had considerably improved the growth of hot pepper plants in terms of plant height, shoot length, leaf area, plant fresh/dry biomasses by modulating above mentioned physio-biochemical traits. While, improvement in gas exchange properties, chlorophyll, carotenoid contents, increased proline contents coupled with higher SOD and CAT activities were observed in response to 75 µM triacontanol followed by 50 µM triacontanol treatment. MDA and H2O2 contents were decreased significantly in hot pepper plants sprayed with 75 µM triacontanol followed by 50 µM triacontanol foliar treatment. Meanwhile, root and shoot lengths were maximum in 50 µM triacontanol sprayed hot pepper plants along with enhanced APX activity on exposure to salt stress. In crux, exogenous application triacontanol treatments improved hot pepper performance under salinity, however,75 µM triacontanol treatment evidently was more effective in mitigating the lethal impact of saline stress via controlling the ROS generation and increment in antioxidant enzyme activities.