In most crop breeding programs, the rate of yield increment is insufficient to cope with the increased food demand caused by a rapidly expanding global population. In plant breeding, the development of improved crop varieties is limited by the very long crop duration. Given the many phases of crossing, selection, and testing involved in the production of new plant varieties, it can take one or two decades to create a new cultivar. One possible way of alleviating food scarcity problems and increasing food security is to develop improved plant varieties rapidly. Traditional farming methods practiced since quite some time have decreased the genetic variability of crops. To improve agronomic traits associated with yield, quality, and resistance to biotic and abiotic stresses in crop plants, several conventional and molecular approaches have been used, including genetic selection, mutagenic breeding, somaclonal variations, whole-genome sequence-based approaches, physical maps, and functional genomic tools. However, recent advances in genome editing technology using programmable nucleases, clustered regularly interspaced short palindromic repeats (CRISPR), and CRISPR-associated (Cas) proteins have opened the door to a new plant breeding era. Therefore, to increase the efficiency of crop breeding, plant breeders and researchers around the world are using novel strategies such as speed breeding, genome editing tools, and high-throughput phenotyping. In this review, we summarize recent findings on several aspects of crop breeding to describe the evolution of plant breeding practices, from traditional to modern speed breeding combined with genome editing tools, which aim to produce crop generations with desired traits annually.

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.

Mycoviruses, or fungal viruses, are prevalent in all significant fungal kingdoms and genera. These low-virulence viruses can be used as biocontrol agents to manage fungal diseases. These viruses are divided into 19 officially recognized families and 1 unclassified genus. Mycoviruses alter sexual reproduction, pigmentation, and development. Spores and fungal hypha spread mycoviruses. Isometric particles mostly encapsulate dsRNA mycoviruses. The widespread plant-pathogenic fungus Rhizoctonia solani, which has caused a rice sheath blight, has hosted many viruses with different morphologies. It causes significant crop diseases that adversely affect agriculture and the economy. Rice sheath blight threatens the 40% of the global population that relies on rice for food and nutrition. This article reviews mycovirology research on Rhizoctonia solani to demonstrate scientific advances. Mycoviruses control rice sheath blight. Hypovirulence-associated mycoviruses are needed to control R. solani since no cultivars are resistant. Mycoviruses are usually cryptic, but they can benefit the host fungus. Phytopathologists may use hypovirulent viruses as biological control agents. New tools are being developed based on host genome studies to overcome the intellectual challenge of comprehending the interactions between viruses and fungi and the practical challenge of influencing these interactions to develop biocontrol agents against significant plant pathogens.

| Okra yellow vein mosaic disease ( OYVMD) has been a menace to okra cultivation wherever grown in the world. This trial was carried out to monitor the disease severity, incidence and its management through different nutrients and plant extract. Plant extract and multi-nutrients were used to manage the disease to avoid the hazardous effect of chemicals on human health and being the eco-friendly. Four varieties of okra viz., Indian Rachna, Sabz Pari, Desi Bhindi, and Rama Krishna were grown under RCBD. Five treatments viz., 2% garlic extract, 2% multi-nutrients, silicon (1 and 1.5%) s and water as control were applied. Sabz pari showed the maximum disease incidence of 50% whereas, Indian Rachna with disease incidence of 25% exhibited the minimum DI. None of varieties showed immunity against the OYVMD. Among the treatments, multi-nutrients and garlic extract were effectively reduced the disease progression with the mean value of 7.42±0.91 and 9.05±1.06 respectively, as compared to control. These two treatments also reduced the disease severity with the mean value of 1.23 ± 0.12 and 2.00 ± 0.21 respectively. In conclusion, the cultivars Indian Rachna were resistant to OYVMV and its vector. The growers are advised to apply micronutrients along with the plant extracts to control these diseases to enhance the okra production.

Tomato leaf curl virus (TLCV) is one of the most devastating and widely distributed viruses in the tomato crop, transmitted through whitefly in nature. Disease incidence and severity of TLCV were monitored on four tomato varieties/lines. Tomato leaf curl disease was managed through three non-chemical treatments viz., compost, nutrient enrich compost and multi-nutrients. The incidence of TLCV was found in the range of 57% to 70%. Among all the tomato varieties/lines, VRI-49 was moderately resistant, Nagina and Money Maker were susceptible, and VRI-20 was found to be highly susceptible against TLCV. Compost (44.02±3.26c) was the most effective way to suppress the progression of disease severity. Environmental factors (Max. and Min. temperatures, Relative humidity and Rainfall) showed significant correlation with disease development. Treatments were able to suppress the disease development even in the presence of favorable environmental conditions. The increase in relative humidity increased the disease progression significantly.