The present investigation was conducted to assess the chemical composition and anti-oxidant properties of six local edible macrofungi i.e., Agaricus bisporus, Coprinus atramentarius, Ganoderma lucidum, Morchella esculanta, Pleu-rotus ostreatus and Verpa bohemica. The proxi-mate composition of these macrofungi with re-spect to protein, carbohydrate, fat, moisture and ash contents {limit values (%); average} revealed to be 25.56–36.18, 39.96–50.01, 1.40–2.70, 4.12–11.07 and 8.02–13.87, respectively. The element content (mg/100 g d.w.) in macrofungal samples ranged from 1950–2260 for K, 120–460 for P, 8–10 for Ca, 20–60 for Mg, 28–76 for Na 5.2–84.2 for Fe, 1.07–8.66 for Cu, 4.25–9.46 for Zn, 1.29–3.49 for Mn, 0.35–0.55 for Ni, 0.112–0.218 for Pb and 0.008–0.089 for Cd. The edible wild mushrooms were assessed for their anti-oxidant activity in three different solvents and antioxident proper-ties of methanol-, ethanol-and distilled water-extracts studied by 1, 1-diphenyl 2-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH) free radical scavenging method. Maxi-mum antioxidant activity was shown by Agaricus bisporus (87.0%) in methanol solvent and mini-mum activity in Ganoderma lucidum (83.5%). Hence, these nutrient contents revealed that mushrooms were low energy, healthy food and may also be used as a protein supplementary diet. This paper sums up diverse beneficial health effects of mushrooms to humans, in the form of proteins, carbohydrates, fats, minerals, food and drugs and medicines.

Fusarium wilt (FW) caused by Fusarium oxysporum f. sp. ciceri is a devastating disease of chickpea ( Cicer arietinum). To identify promising resistant genotypes and genomic loci for FW resistance, a core set of 179 genotypes of chickpea was tested for FW reactions at the seedling and reproductive stages under field conditions and controlled conditions in the greenhouse. Our results revealed that at the seedling stage, most of the genotypes were resistant, whereas at the reproductive stage, most of the genotypes were susceptible. Genotyping using a 50K Axiom^®CicerSNP Array and trait data of FW together led to the identification of 26 significant ( P ≤ E-05) marker-trait associations (MTAs) for FW resistance. Among the 26 MTAs, 12 were identified using trait data recorded in the field (three at the seedling and nine at the reproductive stage), and 14 were identified using trait data recorded under controlled conditions in the greenhouse (six at the seedling and eight at the reproductive stage). The phenotypic variation explained by these MTAs varied from 11.75 to 15.86%, with an average of 13.77%. Five MTAs were classified as major, explaining more than 15% of the phenotypic variation for FW, and two were declared stable, being identified in two environments. One of the promising stable and major MTAs (Affx_123280060) detected in field conditions at the reproductive stage was also detected in greenhouse conditions at the seedling and reproductive stages. The stable and major (>15% PVE) MTAs can be used in chickpea breeding programs.

To determine the risk assessment, half‑life and waiting period of flusilazole on apple fruit (Malus Domestica Borkh.) under temperate conditions of Kashmir, India, Flusilazole 40 EC was applied on Red Velox apple trees two months prior to harvest at 80 g a.i. ha^-1 (recommended) and 160 g a.i. ha^-1. The analytical samples of flusilazole were analysed by high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) through a reverse phase. Recovery percentage of flusilazole at three fortification levels (0.5, 1.0 & 1.5 ppm) were found to be 110.70, 97.33 and 103.16%, respectively. Flusilazole at the recommended dose (80 g a.i. ha^-1) left an initial deposit of 0.733 ppm which dissipated by 93.45% in 60 days and was non-detectable beyond this period. While flusilazole at double the recommended dose (160 g a.i. ha^-1) left an initial deposit of 0.913 ppm which dissipated by 93.43% in 70 days and was non-detectable beyond this period. Based on the maximum residue limit of 0.3 ppm as prescribed by the Codex Alimentarius Commission, a waiting period of 28.74 days and 46.03 days were recorded for single and double doses, respectively. Moreover, in order to assess the consumer risk, theoretical maximum residue contributions (TMRC) were derived using flusilazole residues (average and maximum) recorded at various time intervals and compared to the maximum permissible intake (MPI) and consequently an acceptable daily intake (ADI) of 0.001 mg kg^-1 body weight/day can be recommended. The MPI was determined by multiplying the recommended ADI with the average person's weight (60 kg) and was found to be 0.006 mg person^-1 day^-1. Based on the average per capita daily consumption of 6.76 g apple in India, the TMRC values were found to be (0.0049 and 0.00534 mg day^-1 person^-1) and (0.0061 and 0.0062 mg day^-1 person^-1) for average and maximum flusilazole residues at single and double dose, respectively. The TMRC values were far less than MPI at both doses of application at 0 day; therefore, the consumer health risks are minimal even at double the recommended dosage.

Apple scab, caused by Venturia inaequalis (Cooke) G. Winter, is the most destructive disease of apple worldwide. Although fungicides remain the primary means of disease management, rainfall shortly after application can reduce their efficacy through fungicide wash-off. Information on the rainfastness of commonly recommended fungicides under varying rainfall conditions remains limited. Therefore, this study evaluated the persistence and efficacy of selected fungicides against apple scab under simulated rainfall conditions. Three-year-old potted plants of apple cv. ‘Red Delicious’ were treated with representative protectant and systemic fungicides and exposed to simulated rainfall (5–30 mm) at rain-free intervals of 6–36 h after application. Fungicide residues were quantified using the QuEChERS method, and disease incidence, disease severity and control efficiency were assessed following inoculation with V. inaequalis. Residue retention declined significantly with increasing rainfall but improved with longer rain-free intervals. At a 36-h rain-free interval, the trifloxystrobin and tebuconazole components showed the highest rainfastness, retaining 94.05% and 94.87% of their initial residues after 5 mm of rainfall and 74.05% and 74.87%, respectively, after 30 mm of rainfall. It also provided the highest disease control efficiency (89.6–100.0%) and the lowest disease incidence and severity across all rainfall regimes. Difenoconazole 25 EC ranked second in efficacy, whereas Dodine, Mancozeb and Captan showed progressively greater rainfall-induced loss of persistence and disease control. These findings demonstrate that Trifloxystrobin + Tebuconazole and Difenoconazole provide superior protection under rainfall-prone conditions and offer a scientific basis for optimising fungicide selection, spray scheduling and re-application decisions, thereby improving apple scab management while minimising unnecessary fungicide applications.