Ginger is a significant ethnobotanical and pharmacological crop consisting of potential bioactive constituents responsible for their nutraceutical value, they can have anti-inflammatory, antiobesity, antidiabetic, antinausea, antimicrobial, pain alleviation, antitumor, antioxidant and protective effects on respiratory disease, and agerelated disease. Ginger possesses a substantial value, but its production and general quality are greatly harmed by various biotic and abiotic stressors, to which it is highly susceptible. Fungi are the most damaging disease-causing agents, one of the devastating fungal pathogens in ginger is Fusarium spp., a soil and seed-borne pathogen resulting in poor production, poor quality, and decreased economic returns to the farmers. It infects ginger in every stage of development and each plant part even during post-harvest storage. This review emphasizes a comprehensive understanding of the nutraceutical value of ginger compounds, and Fusarium disease in ginger with its pathogenicity. Moreover, this review elaborates on an improvement of ginger yield by the management of the Fusarium pathogen through the biological and biotechnological approach.

Background Fungal infection predominantly damages agricultural practices, and conventional chemical fungicides and insecticides are applied to control it, which extensively harms human health and the environment. Some bacterial species can control fungus by lysing its outer chitin layer.Objectives The present research aimed to isolate microorganisms capable of producing chitinase, thus acting as a highly effective biocontrol agent in combating fungal phytopathogens.Methods Two chitinase-producing bacterial strains were successfully isolated and screened from soil samples from a fish market environment. The process involved the aseptic collection of soil samples, followed by serial dilution to facilitate microorganism isolation. The bacterium exhibited optimal extracellular chitinase enzyme production following a 72-h incubation period at a temperature of 30 degrees C in a chitinase detection medium containing 0.5% chitin. Validation of chitinase production was confirmed through a clear zone assay, thus verifying its chitinase-producing capacity.Results Among the various isolated strains, isolates S3C1 and S3C3 demonstrated the highest chitinase activity, leading to their selection for further investigation. Comprehensive morphological and biochemical tests were conducted on these two isolates to assess their characteristics and capabilities. These tests established that both isolates were gram-negative, rod-shaped bacteria. Through genetic sequencing of the 16S rRNA gene, both organisms were identified as Klebsiella variicola exhibiting a remarkable similarity of 99% with S3C1 and S3C3 respectively. The bacteria exhibited maximum chitinase synthesis at optimal circumstances, which were determined to be a temperature of 30 degrees C and a pH of 7, after a 48-h incubation period. The bacteria exhibited robust antifungal activity during bioassays, demonstrating their capability to suppress the growth of fungal pathogens (specifically, Fusarium oxysporum) in vitro.Conclusion This research suggests a promising alternative to synthetic fungicides in agricultural practices, fostering a sustainable approach to disease management.

The Meloidogyne spp., commonly known as root-knot nematodes (RKN), are obligate sedentary endoparasites considered among the most damaging plant-parasitic nematodes globally. They harm crops by using parasitic proteins to alter host cell physiology, which promotes parasitism and reduces crop yield. Traditional RKN management, primarily through chemical control, negatively impacts the nutritional value, soil texture, and vegetable production, and poses risks to human health and the environment. An emerging eco-friendly and costeffective alternative is the use of plant growth-promoting microbes (PGPM)-mediated biological approaches. The PGPM enhances plant growth directly by solubilizing phosphorus and iron, fixing nitrogen, producing phytohormones, siderophores, and ammonia, or indirectly through competition, antibiosis, hydrogen cyanide, 1-aminocyclopropane-1-carboxylate (ACC) deaminase enzyme, and exopolysaccharides (EPS) production. This review explores various RKN management strategies, emphasizing green biological approaches, their benefits and drawbacks, current commercial status and usage, and the underlying genes, challenges, and limitations associated with these methods.

Root-knot nematodes (Meloidogyne spp.) are significant pests that cause considerable damage to crops, prompting a need for sustainable control methods. This study evaluated the nematicidal potential of fungal culture filtrates and botanicals as eco-friendly alternatives. In vitro tests demonstrated that Lemongrass oil (LG) (0.2%) achieved the highest mortality of nematode juveniles (J2s) at 99.44% within 48 h, while Pochonia chlamydosporia (Pc) (2%) and Purpuricillium lilacinum (Pl) (2%) reduced egg hatching rates to 9.57% and 11.43%, respectively. Neem oil (NM) (0.2%) was the most effective in preventing J2 root penetration (4.42%). In vivo, a combination treatment (T7) of NM (0.2%), Trichoderma harzianum (Tz) (2%), Pl (2%), and LG (0.2%) applied at 10 day intervals significantly reduced the nematode reproduction factor to 0.035, comparable to the chemical control Bayer Velum Prime (R) (Fluopyram 34.48% W/W SC) (0.031). T5 (NM and Tz) resulted in the highest shoot biomass (236.73 +/- 1.38 g), while Bayer Velum Prime (R) (Fluopyram 34.48% W/W SC) increased root biomass (31.75 +/- 1.24 g). Additionally, T7 produced the longest shoots (63.37 +/- 0.74 cm) and roots (36.80 +/- 0.3 cm), with fewer root galls (55.67 +/- 1.53) and egg masses (4 +/- 0.01). T7 also minimized the final soil nematode population to 106.33 +/- 1.01 per 100 g, closely followed by T8 (94.67 +/- 0.89). These results indicate that combining NM, Tz, Pl and LG provide effective nematode control without phytotoxic effects, enhancing plant growth and offering a promising sustainable alternative to chemical nematicides.

The root-knot nematode (RKN) causes significant yield loss in tomatoes. Understanding the interaction of biocontrol agents (BCAs)-nematicides-soil microbiomes and RKNs is essential for enhancing the efficacy of biocontrol agents and nematicides to curb RKN damage to crops. The present study aimed to evaluate the in vitro effectiveness of BACa and nematicide against RKN and to apply the amplicon sequencing to assess the interaction of Bacillus velezensis (VB7) and Trichoderma koningiopsis (TK) against RKNs. Metagenomic analysis revealed the relative abundance of three phyla such as Proteobacteria (42.16%), Firmicutes (19.57%), and Actinobacteria (17.69%) in tomato rhizospheres. Those tomato rhizospheres treated with the combined application of B. velezensis VB7 + T. koningiopsis TK and RKN had a greater frequency of diversity and richness than the control. RKN-infested tomato rhizosphere drenched with bacterial and fungal antagonists had the maximum diversity index of bacterial communities. A strong correlation with a maximum number of interconnection edges in the phyla Proteobacteria, Firmicutes, and Actinobacteria was evident in soils treated with both B. velezensis VB7 and T. koningiopsis TK challenged against RKN in infected soil. The present study determined a much greater diversity of bacterial taxa observed in tomato rhizosphere soils treated with B. velezensis VB7 and T. koningiopsis TK than in untreated soil. It is suggested that the increased diversity and abundance of bacterial communities might be responsible for increased nematicidal properties in tomato plants. Hence, the combined applications of B. velezensis VB7 and T. koningiopsis TK can enhance the nematicidal action to curb RKN infecting tomatoes.

Since the late nineteenth century, the agricultural sector has experienced a tremendous increase in chemical use in response to the growing population. Consequently, the intensive and indiscriminate use of these substances caused serious damage on several levels, including threatening human health, disrupting soil microbiota, affecting wildlife ecosystems, and causing groundwater pollution. As a solution, the application of microbial-based products presents an interesting and ecological restoration tool. The use of Plant Growth-Promoting Microbes (PGPM) affected positive production, by increasing its efficiency, reducing production costs, environmental pollution, and chemical use. Among these microbial communities, lactic acid bacteria (LAB) are considered an interesting candidate to be formulated and applied as effective microbes. Indeed, these bacteria are approved by the European Food Safety Authority (EFSA) and Food and Drug Administration (FDA) as Qualified Presumption of Safety statute and Generally Recognized as Safe for various applications. To do so, this review comes as a road map for future research, which addresses the different steps included in LAB formulation as biocontrol, bioremediation, or plant growth promoting agents from the isolation process to their field application passing by the different identification methods and their various uses. The plant application methods as well as challenges limiting their use in agriculture are also discussed.Graphical AbstractThe different processes involved in LAB use as biofertilizers or biocontrol agents.

Huanglongbing (HLB) is a devastating citrus disease that causes significant financial losses in the citrus industry. However, there is no cure by current control strategies. Damaged soils were observed in citrus orchards; root lesions and nematodes were observed in HLB-affected citrus tree roots. Bacillus subtilis (B. subtilis) makes a great contribution to pathogen control and has the potential to control HLB. Purpureocillium lilacinum (P. lilacinum) and Trichoderma harzianum (T. harzianum) can kill pathogenic organisms such as nematodes and Phytophthora spp. to protect roots. Restoration of the damaged soils and improvement of citrus root growth through the introduction of soil amendments and biocontrol agents (containing B. subtilis, P. lilacinum, and T. harzianum) may provide an efficient approach to controlling HLB. Results revealed that soil properties such as soil pH and organic matter content were improved. After three months of combination treatment of soil amendment and biocontrol agent through root drenches, the citrus grew new roots and its leaves changed from yellow to green. The percentage of HLB-positive citrus trees-Orah, Tangerine, and Navel Orange-decreased from 90 to 0%, 87.5% to 21.88%, and 81.25% to 0% over three years, respectively. Furthermore, the productivity of HLB-affected orchards was restored, and both production and quality saw significant improvement. These results suggested that combining soil remediation and biocontrol improved soil quality and protected citrus root growth, thus effectively controlling HLB.

Allium species are known for their culinary, medicinal, and ornamental purposes. Fusarium basal rot is one of the most damaging soilborne fungal diseases of Allium species and poses a significant threat to yield, quality, and storage life worldwide. Various species of Fusarium have been identified as causal agents for Fusarium basal rot, depending on the Allium species involved. Diverse disease management practices have been implemented to mitigate the impact of Fusarium basal rot. This review article provides a comprehensive overview of the recent progress in detecting different species of Fusarium involved in Fusarium basal rot and strategies to control them in affected Allium species involving chemical, biological, and cultural methods. It covers the latest advancements in host plant resistance research from traditional breeding to modern molecular techniques and studying secondary metabolites involved in defense mechanisms against Fusarium basal rot.

Plant parasitic nematodes cause severe damage, reducing plant production. The ability of four various biocontrol agents was surveyed for effectiveness in inhibiting J 2 of Meloidogyne incognita in vitro . The study aims to explore the impact of different bio-agents ( Bacillus cereus 54-1, Streptomyces erythrogriesus sub sp. 2, Pleurotus ostreatus , and Spirulina platensis ) on the root-knot-nematode, M. incognita reproduction, and their influence on plant growth as well as physiological and biochemical parameters in Phaseolus vulgaris L. plants under greenhouse conditions. Effective inoculation of four bio-control agents on growth and physiobiochemical parameters of bean plants infected with root-knot-nematode was also investigated. After 48 hours of exposure to bioagents, mortality was caused by M. incognita J 2 s. Mortality ranged between 67.3 and 89%. Under experimental conditions, further validating the relative efficacy of different bioagents in control M. incognita on common bean in two successive seasons. All pageants were efficient in preventing nematode reproduction, but with varying efficacy. Oxamyl (Nematicide) was an extremely effective treatment for suppressing total nematode populations. Nevertheless, the second most effective treatment for reducing M. incognita in roots and soil was B. cereus . All treatments significantly enhanced growth as compared to the control. Treatments with four bioagents significantly reduced H 2 O 2 and malondialdehyde levels. While it significantly raised the activity of peroxidase, polyphenol-oxidase, and superoxide dismutase, in addition to raising the content of phenolics and flavonoids in the infected common bean. The tested bioagents were efficient in preventing nematode reproduction, but at various levels of efficacy. In addition, all treatments significantly enhanced common bean growth parameters and reduced the levels of both H 2 O 2 and MDA. While it raised the activity of POD, PPO, SOD, and contents of phenolics and flavonoids in the infected common bean. These results highlight the value of bioagents as a promising biocontrol technique to manage root-knot-nematodes in common beans.