Increased soil salinity poses serious limitations in crop yield and quality; thus, an attempt was made to explore microbial agents to mitigate the ill effects of salinity in rice. The hypothesis was mapping of microbial induction of stress tolerance in rice. Since the rhizosphere and endosphere are two different functional niches directly affected by salinity, it could be very crucial to evaluate them for salinity alleviation. In this experiment, endophytic and rhizospheric microbes were tested for differences in salinity stress alleviation traits in two rice cultivars, CO51 and PB1. Two endophytic bacteria, Bacillus haynesii 2P2 and Bacillus safensis BTL5, were tested with two rhizospheric bacteria, Brevibacterium frigoritolerans W19 and Pseudomonas fluorescens 1001, under elevated salinity (200 mM NaCl) along with Trichoderma viride as an inoculated check. The pot study indicated towards the presence of variable salinity mitigation mechanisms among these strains. Improvement in the photosynthetic machinery was also recorded. These inoculants were evaluated for the induction of antioxidant enzymes viz. CAT, SOD, PO, PPO, APX, and PAL activity along with the effect on proline levels. Modulation of the expression of salt stress responsive genes OsPIP1, MnSOD1, cAPXa, CATa, SERF, and DHN was assessed. Root architecture parameters viz. cumulative length of total root, projection area, average diameter, surface area, root volume, fractal dimension, number of tips, and forks were studied. Confocal scanning laser microscopy indicated accumulation of Na⁺ in leaves using cell impermeant Sodium Green™, Tetra (Tetramethylammonium) Salt. It was found that each of these parameters were induced differentially by endophytic bacteria, rhizospheric bacteria, and fungus, indicating different paths to complement one ultimate plant function. The biomass accumulation and number of effective tillers were highest in T4 (Bacillus haynesii 2P2) plants in both cultivars and showed the possibility of cultivar specific consortium. These strains and their mechanisms could form the basis for further evaluating microbial strains for climate-resilient agriculture.

Okra (Abelmoschus esculentus L.), known as lady’s finger and part of the Malvaceae family, is cultivated in tropical and subtropical regions. To assess pest control measures, field studies were conducted during the Summer of 2024 and Kharif 2024 at the ICAR-Indian Institute of Vegetable Research, Varanasi, using okra var (Kashi Pragati). The randomized complete block design (RBD) included eight treatments, seven involving various insecticides, such as azadirachtin 300 ppm, quinalphos 25 EC, novaluron 10 EC, lambda-cyhalothrin 5 EC, and fipronil 5 SC, with recommended dose (RD) @ 2 mL/L, double dose (DD) @ 4 mL/L and half dose (HD) @ 1-mL/L, and a control with no insecticide. Infestation levels of E. vitella were recorded before and after treatment applications. Results indicated that all treatments effectively reduced infestation compared to the untreated control. The lowest fruit infestation and highest yields were achieved with (fipronil @ 4 mL/L), yielding 125.04 q/ha in Summer season and 147.04 q/ha in Kharif season, with significant yield increases over the control. The highest ICBR, 1:23.33 in Summer and 1:20.49 in Kharif was observed with (fipronil @ 1 mL/L). Therefore, the novel molecule fipronil can be effectively used to control okra shoots and fruit borer to achieve the higher production of okra.

Plant viral diseases remain an important constraint to agricultural production in many parts of the world. In recent decades, emerging and re-emerging viral pathogens have gained prominence, with increasing reports across a wide range of cropping systems. The rapid spread of these viruses is driven by factors such as globalization, expansion of international trade, intensive monocropping, and changing climatic conditions. In many pathosystems, insect vectors such as whiteflies, aphids, thrips, and leafhoppers play a central role in dispersal by facilitating virus transmission between hosts and across geographical boundaries. The epidemiology of viral diseases is influenced by complex interactions among the virus, vector, host plant and environmental factors. Climate-driven shifts primarily in temperature can affect vector dynamics, host susceptibility, and virus accumulation, thereby intensifying the frequency and severity of viral outbreaks. The genetic diversity and evolutionary flexibility of plant viruses further contribute to their capacity to adapt to new hosts and overcome previously effective resistance sources deployed in cultivated varieties. Members of the genera Polerovirus, Crinivirus, Fabavirus, Trichovirus, Tobamovirus, Begomovirus, and Orthotospovirus are prominent emerging and re-emerging pathogens reported worldwide and continue to attract attention because of their economic significance. This review provides a global overview of emerging plant viruses, their epidemiology, and advances in detection, transmission, and management strategies aimed at mitigating future virus-induced crop losses.

Chemical control has traditionally served as the principal method for managing pests in cucurbit crops; however, the urgent need to mitigate environmental risks and ensure food safety has driven the exploration of sustainable alternatives. The present study was carried out during Kharif 2024 at the Entomology Laboratory, ICAR–Indian Institute of Vegetable Research, Varanasi, to evaluate the influence of insecticides from diverse chemical groups on the biology and morphometrics of the melon fruit fly, Zeugodacus cucurbitae. The test insecticides included chlorantraniliprole, cyantraniliprole, thiamethoxam, imidacloprid, indoxacarb and azadirachtin. Their effects were examined on developmental duration, adult longevity, oviposition period, fecundity and body dimensions. The results revealed that anthranilic diamides exerted the most pronounced impact. Chlorantraniliprole and cyantraniliprole markedly prolonged developmental time (female longevity of 37.23 and 33.76 days, respectively, versus 30.82 days in control) and azadirachtin, as well as cyantraniliprole, significantly suppressed fecundity (52.40 and 54.26 eggs compared with 81.40 in control). Among concentrations, imidacloprid at 16 ppm (45.33 eggs) and azadirachtin at 16 ppm (50.48 eggs) per female adult caused the greatest reduction in fecundity, whereas indoxacarb at 4 ppm showed minimal effect (79.78 eggs). Morphometric traits were similarly affected, with chlorantraniliprole reducing larval length (1st instar 1.49 mm and 3rd instar 9.15 mm against 1.85 mm and 10.05 mm in control) and adult female width (13.55-14.41 mm vs 15.79 mm in control). Indoxacarb responses closely resembled control, while azadirachtin produced intermediate suppression. Overall, the findings indicate that anthranilic diamides, particularly chlorantraniliprole and cyantraniliprole, along with the botanically derived azadirachtin, are promising candidates for disrupting the growth and reproduction of Z. cucurbitae. When used in rotation or integrated with botanicals and ecological strategies, these insecticides can form a sustainable foundation for melon fruit fly management.