Rhizoctonia solani is a pathogen that causes considerable harm to plants worldwide. In the absence of hosts, R. solani survives in the soil by forming sclerotia, and management methods, such as cultivar breeding, crop rotations, and fungicide sprays, are insufficient and/or inefficient in controlling R. solani. One of the most challenging problems facing agriculture in the twenty-first century besides with the impact of global warming. Environmentally friendly techniques of crop production and improved agricultural practices are essential for long-term food security. Trichoderma spp. could serve as an excellent example of a model fungus to enhance crop productivity in a sustainable way. Among biocontrol mechanisms, mycoparasitism, competition, and antibiosis are the fundamental mechanisms by which Trichoderma spp. defend against R. solani, thereby preventing or obstructing its proliferation. Additionally, Trichoderma spp. induce a mixed induced systemic resistance (ISR) or systemic acquired resistance (SAR) in plants against R. solani, known as Trichoderma-ISR. Stimulation of every biocontrol mechanism involves Trichoderma spp. genes responsible for encoding secondary metabolites, siderophores, signaling molecules, enzymes for cell wall degradation, and plant growth regulators. Rhizoctonia solani biological control through genes of Trichoderma spp. is summarized in this paper. It also gives information on the Trichoderma-ISR in plants against R. solani. Nonetheless, fast-paced current research on Trichoderma spp. is required to properly utilize their true potential against diseases caused by R. solani.

Plant growth and resilience to abiotic stresses, such as soil salinity and drought, depend intricately on nitrogen metabolism. This review explores nitrogen’s regulatory role in plant responses to these challenges, unveiling a dynamic interplay between nitrogen availability and abiotic stress. In the context of soil salinity, a nuanced relationship emerges, featuring both antagonistic and synergistic interactions between salinity and nitrogen levels. Salinity-induced chlorophyll depletion in plants can be alleviated by optimal nitrogen supplementation; however, excessive nitrogen can exacerbate salinity stress. We delve into the complexities of this interaction and its agricultural implications. Nitrogen, a vital element within essential plant structures like chloroplasts, elicits diverse responses based on its availability. This review comprehensively examines manifestations of nitrogen deficiency and toxicity across various crop types, including cereals, vegetables, legumes, and fruits. Furthermore, we explore the broader consequences of nitrogen products, such as N₂O, NO₂, and ammonia, on human health. Understanding the intricate relationship between nitrogen and salinity, especially chloride accumulation in nitrate-fed plants and sodium buildup in ammonium-fed plants, is pivotal for optimizing crop nitrogen management. However, prudent nitrogen use is essential, as overapplication can exacerbate nitrogen-related issues. Nitrogen Use Efficiency (NUE) is of paramount importance in addressing salinity challenges and enhancing sustainable crop productivity. Achieving this goal requires advancements in crop varieties with efficient nitrogen utilization, precise timing and placement of nitrogen fertilizer application, and thoughtful nitrogen source selection to mitigate losses, particularly urea-based fertilizer volatilization. This review article delves into the multifaceted world of plant nitrogen metabolism and its pivotal role in enabling plant resilience to nutritional stress and abiotic challenges. It offers insights into future directions for sustainable agriculture.

Lentil (Lens culinaris Medik) is an important component of the human diet due to its high mineral and protein contents. Abiotic stresses, i.e., drought, decreases plant growth and yield. Drought causes the synthesis of reactive oxygen species, which decrease a plant’s starch contents and growth. However, ACC-deaminase (1-aminocyclopropane-1-carboxylate deaminase) producing rhizobacteria can alleviate drought stress by decreasing ethylene levels. On the other hand, caffeic acid (CA) can also positively affect cell expansion and turgor pressure maintenance under drought stress. Therefore, the current study was planned with an aim to assess the effect of CA (0, 20, 50 and 100 ppm) and ACC-deaminase rhizobacteria (Lysinibacillus fusiform, Bacillus amyloliquefaciens) on lentils under drought stress. The combined application of CA and ACC-deaminase containing rhizobacteria significantly improved plant height (55%), number of pods per plant (51%), 1000-grain weight (45%), nitrogen concentration (56%), phosphorus concentration (19%), potassium concentration (21%), chlorophyll (54%), relative water contents RWC (60%) and protein contents (55%). A significant decrease in electrolyte leakage (30%), proline contents (44%), and hydrogen peroxide contents (54%), along with an improvement in cell membrane stability (34% over control) validated the combined use of CA and rhizobacteria. In conclusion, co-application of CA (20 ppm) and ACC-deaminase producing rhizobacteria can significantly improve plant growth and yield for farmers under drought stress. More investigations are suggested at the field level to select the best rhizobacteria and CA level for lentils under drought.

Integrating fungi into fuel cell systems presents a promising opportunity to address environmental pollution while simultaneously generating energy. This review explores the innovative concept of constructing wetlands as fuel cells for pollutant degradation, offering a practical and eco-friendly solution to pollution challenges. Fungi possess unique capabilities in producing power, fuel, and electricity through metabolic processes, drawing significant interest for applications in remediation and degradation. Limited data exist on fungi’s ability to generate electricity during catalytic reactions involving various enzymes, especially while remediating pollutants. Certain species, such as Trametes versicolor, Ganoderma lucidum, Galactomyces reessii, Aspergillus spp., Kluyveromyce smarxianus, and Hansenula anomala, have been reported to generate electricity at 1200 mW/m³, 207 mW/m², 1,163 mW/m³, 438 mW/m³, 850,000 mW/m³, and 2,900 mW/m³, respectively. Despite the eco-friendly potential compared to conventional methods, fungi’s role remains largely unexplored. This review delves into fungi’s exceptional potential as fuel cell catalysts, serving as anodic or cathodic agents to mitigate land, air, and water pollutants while simultaneously producing fuel and power. Applications cover a wide range of tasks, and the innovative concept of wetlands designed as fuel cells for pollutant degradation is discussed. Cost-effectiveness may vary depending on specific contexts and applications. Fungal fuel cells (FFCs) offer a versatile and innovative solution to global challenges, addressing the increasing demand for alternative bioenergy production amid population growth and expanding industrial activities. The mechanistic approach of fungal enzymes via microbial combinations and electrochemical fungal systems facilitates the oxidation of organic substrates, oxygen reduction, and ion exchange membrane orchestration of essential reactions. Fungal laccase plays a crucial role in pollutant removal and monitoring environmental contaminants. Fungal consortiums show remarkable potential in fine-tuning FFC performance, impacting both power generation and pollutant degradation. Beyond energy generation, fungal cells effectively remove pollutants. Overall, FFCs present a promising avenue to address energy needs and mitigate pollutants simultaneously.

The intensive use of pesticides in modern agriculture has significantly improved crop yield and food security but introduced serious health concerns due to the accumulation of pesticide residues in fruits and vegetables and the environment, posing serious health risks. This review comprehensively explores the various residue detection techniques and plant metabolomics as an emerging tool to unravel the biochemical and physiological consequences of pesticide exposure. The article critically evaluates current methodologies for pesticide residue analysis, encompassing sampling strategies, storage considerations, and a wide range of extraction techniques, including QuEChERS, solid-phase extraction (SPE), and emerging green alternatives such as supercritical fluid extraction and ultrasound-assisted extraction. A detailed comparison of analytical techniques particularly gas chromatography (GC), liquid chromatography (LC), mass spectrometry (MS), and novel non-separative methods such as biosensors and spectroscopy is presented, emphasizing sensitivity, specificity, and adaptability to complex matrices. Furthermore, the integration of metabolomics with advanced platforms such as machine learning, green chemistry principles, and microfluidic innovations is discussed as a transformative direction for future pesticide residue monitoring. The review is a novel compilation of conventional residue detection methods and emerging omics-driven, artificial intelligence (AI)-assisted approaches and identifies current limitations, including matrix interferences and regulatory disparities, and advocates for the harmonization of residue standards, alongside the development of cost-effective, high-throughput analytical platforms to ensure food safety, improve risk assessment, and enhance understanding of plant metabolic responses under pesticide stress. Moreover, multi-omics approaches can be more reliable in evaluating the quality of claimed organic farming products.