Organizational Performance: The Role of TQM Practices in Banking Sector of Pakistan

The main purpose of this study was to investigate the m relationship between Total Quality Management (TQM) and Organizational Performance (OP). The motivation for this study was driven by the inconsistent findings in the literature concerning the relationships between TQM and OP. Due to the inconsistent results, a new research has emerged and this has prompted further investigation on the effects of other variables that may better explain the nature of these links. Questionnaires were distributed to 400 Sections of the Pakistani banks. 230 questionnaires were returned and used in the analysis using the PLS-SEM. The results of this study revealed that TQM is significant predictors of O

Phage combination alleviates bacterial leaf blight of rice (Oryza sativa L.)

Rice bacterial leaf blight (BLB) is the most destructive bacterial diseases caused by Xanthomonas oryzae pv. oryzae (Xoo). Phages have been proposed as a green and efficient strategy to kill bacterial pathogens in crops, however, the mechanism of action of phages in the control of phyllosphere bacterial diseases remain unclear. Here, the glasshouse pot experiment results showed that phage combination could reduce the disease index by up to 64.3%. High-throughput sequencing technology was used to analyze the characteristics of phyllosphere microbiome changes and the results showed that phage combinations restored the impact of pathogen invasion on phyllosphere communities to a certain extent, and increased the diversity of bacterial communities. In addition, the phage combination reduced the relative abundance of epiphytic and endophytic Xoo by 58.9% and 33.9%, respectively. In particular, Sphingomonas and Stenotrophomonas were more abundant. According to structural equation modeling, phage combination directly and indirectly affected the disease index by affecting pathogen Xoo biomass and phage resistance. In summary, phage combination could better decrease the disease index. These findings provide new insights into phage biological control of phyllosphere bacterial diseases, theoretical data support, and new ideas for agricultural green prevention and control of phyllosphere diseases

Bio-functionalized nickel-silica nanoparticles suppress bacterial leaf blight disease in rice (Oryza sativa L.)

IntroductionBacterial leaf blight (BLB) caused by Xanthomonas oryzae pv. oryzae (Xoo) is one of the most devastative diseases that threatens rice plants worldwide. Biosynthesized nanoparticle (NP) composite compounds have attracted attention as environmentally safe materials that possess antibacterial activity that could be used in managing plant diseases.MethodsDuring this study, a nanocomposite of two important elements, nickel and silicon, was biosynthesized using extraction of saffron stigmas (Crocus sativus L.). Characterization of obtained nickel-silicon dioxide (Ni-SiO2) nanocomposite was investigated using Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR), X-ray diffraction (XRD), Transmission/Scanning electron microscopy (TEM/SEM), and energy-dispersive spectrum (EDS). Antibacterial activities of the biosynthesized Ni-SiO2 nanocomposite against Xoo were tested by measuring bacterial growth, biofilm formation, and dead Xoo cells.Results and discussionsThe bacterial growth (OD600) and biofilm formation (OD570) of Xoo treated with distilled water (control) was found to be 1.21 and 1.11, respectively. Treatment with Ni-SiO2 NPs composite, respectively, reduced the growth and biofilm formation by 89.07% and 80.40% at 200 μg/ml. The impact of obtained Ni-SiO2 nanocomposite at a concentration of 200 μg/ml was assayed on infected rice plants. Treatment of rice seedlings with Ni-SiO2 NPs composite only had a plant height of 64.8 cm while seedlings treated with distilled water reached a height of 45.20 cm. Notably, Xoo-infected seedlings treated with Ni-SiO2 NPs composite had a plant height of 57.10 cm. Furthermore, Ni-SiO2 NPs composite sprayed on inoculated seedlings had a decrease in disease leaf area from 43.83% in non-treated infected seedlings to 13.06% in treated seedlings. The FTIR spectra of biosynthesized Ni-SiO2 nanocomposite using saffron stigma extract showed different bands at 3,406, 1,643, 1,103, 600, and 470 cm−1. No impurities were found in the synthesized composite. Spherically shaped NPs were observed by using TEM and SEM. EDS revealed that Ni-SiO2 nanoparticles (NPs) have 13.26% Ni, 29.62% Si, and 57.11% O. Xoo treated with 200 µg/ml of Ni-SiO2 NPs composite drastically increased the apoptosis of bacterial cells to 99.61% in comparison with 2.23% recorded for the control.ConclusionsThe application of Ni-SiO2 NPs significantly improved the vitality of rice plants and reduced the severity of BLB

Bioinspired Green Synthesis of Zinc Oxide Nanoparticles from a Native Bacillus cereus Strain RNT6: Characterization and Antibacterial Activity against Rice Panicle Blight Pathogens Burkholderia glumae and B. gladioli

Burkholderia glumae and B. gladioli are seed-borne rice pathogens that cause bacterial panicle blight (BPB) disease, resulting in huge rice yield losses worldwide. However, the excessive use of chemical pesticides in agriculture has led to an increase in environmental toxicity. Microbe-mediated nanoparticles (NPs) have recently gained significant attention owing to their promising application in plant disease control. In the current study, we biologically synthesize zinc oxide nanoparticles (ZnONPs) from a native Bacillus cereus RNT6 strain, which was taxonomically identified using 16S rRNA gene analysis. The biosynthesis of ZnONPs in the reaction mixture was confirmed by using UV–Vis spectroscopy. Moreover, XRD, FTIR, SEM-EDS, and TEM analysis revealed the functional groups, crystalline nature, and spherical shape of ZnONPs with sizes ranging from 21 to 35 nm, respectively. Biogenic ZnONPs showed significant antibacterial activity at 50 µg mL−1 against B. glumae and B. gladioli with a 2.83 cm and 2.18 cm zone of inhibition, respectively, while cell numbers (measured by OD600) of the two pathogens in broth culture were reduced by 71.2% and 68.1%, respectively. The ultrastructure studies revealed the morphological damage in ZnONPs-treated B. glumae and B. gladioli cells as compared to the corresponding control. The results of this study revealed that ZnONPs could be considered as promising nanopesticides to control BPB disease in rice

Phage–Plant Interactions: A Way Forward toward Sustainable Agriculture

Agriculture is the most important sector as it provides food to the growing global population [...

Pathogenesis and Disease Control in Crops: The Key to Global Food Security

Plant diseases are a major threat to global food security [...

Biosynthesis of Silver Nanoparticles Using Onion Endophytic Bacterium and Its Antifungal Activity against Rice Pathogen Magnaporthe oryzae

Biosynthesis of silver nanoparticles (AgNPs) using endophytic bacteria is a safe alternative to the traditional chemical method. The purpose of this research is to biosynthesize AgNPs using endophytic bacterium Bacillus endophyticus strain H3 isolated from onion. The biosynthesized AgNPs with sizes from 4.17 to 26.9 nm were confirmed and characterized by various physicochemical techniques such as Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FT-IR), X-ray diffraction (XRD), UV-visible spectroscopy, transmission electron microscopy (TEM) and scanning electron microscopy (SEM) in addition to an energy dispersive spectrum (EDS) profile. The biosynthesized AgNPs at a concentration of 40 μg/mL had a strong antifungal activity against rice blast pathogen Magnaporthe oryzae with an inhibition rate of 88% in mycelial diameter. Moreover, the biosynthesized AgNPs significantly inhibited spore germination and appressorium formation of M. oryzae. Additionally, microscopic observation showed that mycelia morphology was swollen and abnormal when dealing with AgNPs. Overall, the current study revealed that AgNPs could protect rice plants against fungal infections

Antagonistic features displayed by Plant Growth Promoting Rhizobacteria (PGPR): A Review

Soil dwelling bacteria able to colonize plant roots and closely associated soil are referred to as rhizobacteria. A wide range of rhizobacteria has the ability to promote plant growth directly by producing phytohormone and nutrients; and indirectly by controlling plant pathogen. These beneficial bacteria are known as plant growth promoting rhizobacteria (PGPR). PGPR control phytopathogens by producing chemicals that could damage pathogen cells, removing pathogen specific nutrients from the environment, or inducing resistance against pathogen in plant body. Antagonistic bacteria specifically damage pathogens by producing lytic enzymes, antibiotics and bacteriocins; and excluding pathogen from plant environment by siderophores oriented iron chelation. This review highlights the antagonistic feature of PGPR. Application of antagonistic bacteria as biopesticides is an attractive alternate of chemical pesticides. Chemical pesticides are non-targeted and cause pollution during its synthesis as well as at the site of application. Antagonistic bacteria could be used as biopesticides and biofertilizers for better plant health and growth improvement

Biosynthesis of Silver Chloride Nanoparticles by Rhizospheric Bacteria and Their Antibacterial Activity against Phytopathogenic Bacterium <i>Ralstonia solanacearum</i>

Ralstonia solanacearum is the most destructive pathogen, causing bacterial wilt disease of eggplant. The present study aimed to develop green synthesis and characterization of silver chloride nanoparticles (AgCl-NPs) by using a native bacterial strain and subsequent evaluation of their antibacterial activity against R. solanacearum. Here, a total of 10 bacterial strains were selected for the biosynthesis of AgCl-NPs. Among them, the highest yield occurred in the synthesis of AgCl-NPs using a cell-free aqueous filtrate of strain IMA13. Ultrastructural observation revealed that the AgCl-NPs were spherical and oval with smooth surfaces and 5–35 nm sizes. XRD analysis studies revealed that these particles contained face-centered cubic crystallites of metallic Ag and AgCl. Moreover, FTIR analysis showed the presence of capping proteins, carbohydrates, lipids, and lipopeptide compounds and crystalline structure of AgCl-NPs. On the basis of phylogenetic analysis using a combination of six gene sequences (16S, gyrA, rpoB, purH, polC, and groEL), we identified strain IMA13 as Bacillus mojavensis. Three kinds of lipopeptide compounds, namely, bacillomycin D, iturin, and fengycin, forming cell-free supernatant produced by strain IAM13, were identified by MALDI-TOF mass spectrometry. Biogenic AgCl-NPs showed substantial antibacterial activity against R. solanacearum at a concentration of 20 µg/mL−1. Motility assays showed that the AgCl-NPs significantly inhibited the swarming and swimming motility (61.4 and 55.8%) against R. solanacearum. Moreover, SEM and TEM analysis showed that direct interaction of AgCl-NPs with bacterial cells caused rupture of cell wall and cytoplasmic membranes, as well as leakage of nucleic acid materials, which ultimately resulted in the death of R. solanacearum. Overall, these findings will help in developing a promising nanopesticide against phytopathogen plant disease management

Plant–Microbiome Crosstalk: Dawning from Composition and Assembly of Microbial Community to Improvement of Disease Resilience in Plants

Plants host diverse but taxonomically structured communities of microorganisms, called microbiome, which colonize various parts of host plants. Plant-associated microbial communities have been shown to confer multiple beneficial advantages to their host plants, such as nutrient acquisition, growth promotion, pathogen resistance, and environmental stress tolerance. Systematic studies have provided new insights into the economically and ecologically important microbial communities as hubs of core microbiota and revealed their beneficial impacts on the host plants. Microbiome engineering, which can improve the functional capabilities of native microbial species under challenging agricultural ambiance, is an emerging biotechnological strategy to improve crop yield and resilience against variety of environmental constraints of both biotic and abiotic nature. This review highlights the importance of indigenous microbial communities in improving plant health under pathogen-induced stress. Moreover, the potential solutions leading towards commercialization of proficient bioformulations for sustainable and improved crop production are also described