The efficient use of different fungal bioagents for eco-friendly management of fusarium wilt disease of tomato

Tomato (Lycopersicon esculentum L.) is one of the most important vegetables, used as condiments, salad and cooked with various recipes. It is a good source of vitamin C, A, calcium, iron etc. However, per acre yield in Pakistan is quite lower as compared to other countries of the world due to various factors, including diseases. Tomato crop suffers by approximately 200 diseases worldwide, among them, Fusarium wilt of tomato is highly destructive fungal disease and has caused losses up to 49.5% in Pakistan. Early strategies to manage this devastating disease include the use of cultural, physical, and chemical control are suggested, but none of these provided positive impact except cultural methods. Keeping in view the importance and losses caused by Fusarium wilt of tomato the studies on its management with fungal bioagents was conducted. For this. different bioagents were tested in lab and fields against Fusarium oxysporum f.sp. lycopersici. The highest inhibition 89.63% was noted by Trichoderma harzianum followed by Neurospora sp. 87.40% in the poisoned food method. In pot experiments, the T. harzianum was found as highly successful then Neurospora sp., Chaetomium subaffine and Arthrinium sp. providing minimum disease incidence and lowest mortality percent at higher and medium concentrations. The highest plant biomass and lowest root infection percent were noted in T. harzianum followed by Neurospora sp., C. subaffine and Arthrinium sp. at medium and lower doses. The lowest response was recorded by Nigrospora sphaerica and Dermateaceae sp. In in-vivo trials, the highest response was observed in the treatment of T. harzianum followed by Neurospora sp., Arthrinium sp., N. sphaerica, respectively. The highest fruit yield was recorded by T. harzianum 6.66 (kg) and Neurospora sp. 5.66 (kg). Interestingly, Neurospora sp., Arthrinium sp., N. sphaerica, and Dermateaceae sp. have been first time recognized in the current study as potential bioagents against fusarium wilt of tomato. Based on the findings, it is suggested that T. harzianum and Neurospora sp., may be used as potential bioagents for ecofriendly management of tomato wilt disease.Campus Ic

Evaluation of seedling resistance and marker assisted selection for leaf rust (Puccinia triticina) resistance in Pakistani wheat landraces, cultivars and advanced lines

Leaf rust is amongst major biotic constraints of wheat (Triticum aestivum L.) having ability to cause substantial yield reductions worldwide. A continuous exploration for novel sources of resistance is pre-requisite for its management. Objectives of study were to conduct resistance evaluation of 112 Pakistani landraces and 48 advanced lines/ cultivars at seedling stage with total 10 virulent pathotypes of leaf rust, 3 from Pakistan and 7 from U.S.A and to detect closely linked markers for Lr10, 16, 34 and 67 genes through marker-assisted selection (MAS). Findings revealed most of Pakistani landraces showed lack of resistance at seedling stage. Only 7 accessions of landraces and 11 advanced lines were found highly resistant against all pathotypes of Pakistan. Similarly, 10 advanced lines exhibited high resistance while variability in resistance was recorded for landraces against all pathotypes tested from USA. Marker-assisted selection revealed Lr genes i.e. Lr10, Lr16, Lr34 and Lr67 were present at various frequencies. Highest frequency was observed for Lr34 followed by Lr16 & Lr67 while lowest was recorded for Lr10. These genetic resources and lines identified effective against Pakistan and USA pathotypes are potential sources for improvement of leaf rust (LR) resistance and can be utilized as valuable material for breeding resistant wheat cultivars.Campus Ic

Interactive impact of potassium and sulphur to enhance the growth and yield characteristics of lentil (Lens culinaris) genotypes

Potassium and sulphur are macronutrient and important for improving the growth, yield as well as quality of legume species but unfortunately are being fully ignored in the farmer’s field for lentil cultivation. Due to their deficiency, yield of lentil crop has decreased up to marked levels. The performance of five lentil genotypes namely GS-6, GS-10, P-14216, P-14223 and NVUT-E3 was evaluated against different potassium and sulphur levels i.e. K-S = 00-00, K-S = 30-15, K-S = 60-30 kg ha-1 at the experimental fields of Pulse Research Sub-Station, Tandojam. The results indicated a significant (P≤0.05) impact of potassium and sulphur on lentil genotypes for all measured traits. The growth and yield traits of all genotypes were enhanced as the potassium and sulphur levels were increased. Highest growth and yield traits were recorded when the plants were treated with K-S = 60-30 kg ha-1. The control plots showed lower performance. Among the genotypes, GS-10 responded well as compared to other genotypes. While the performance of genotype NVUT-E3 was observed lower. It was concluded that potassium and sulphur at the rate of 60-30 kg ha-1 proved best for producing higher yields, while genotype GS-10 exhibited maximum results in all growth and yield traits