Abiotic stresses extremely affect crop productivity and agro-morphological and biochemical properties of all Brassica species. Due to these stresses, yield of many important Brassica species decreases by disturbing their normal growth rate. In this review, we have highlighted the latest reports about the impact of different abiotic stresses on different growth stages and other morpho-physiological processes of important Brassica species such as canola/rapeseed (Brassica napus), Indian mustard (Brassica juncea), Brassica oleracea and Brassica rapa. Many researchers reported that abiotic stresses influence the important morpho-biochemical characteristics such as root and shoot length, shoot fresh and dry weight, proline and relative water contents, chlorophyll amount, antioxidant enzymes activity of important Brassica species. Cell injury also occurs by disturbance in normal oxidative processes due to these stresses. Against these stresses genetic modification have been described for the development of transgenic plant. The present study will be useful to identify the best abiotic stress tolerant Brassica genotypes for further genetic engineering program and crop improvement programs.

An assay was designed to evaluate the efficacy of each entomopathogenic fungus, Beauveria bassiana, and diatomaceous (DE) and their combinations at concentrations of 1 × 106 and 1 × 108 conidia kg−1 of wheat and 200 and 400 ppm, respectively, on the red flour beetle, Tribolium castaneum (Herbst) (Tenebrionidae: Coleoptera), infesting wheat. Percent mortality of T. castaneum was recorded after 7, 14, and 21 days. Percent mycosis on dead cadavers was assessed after 21 days. Alive adults were removed from plastic jars after 21 days and kept for the next 60 days to assess the progeny production. The results indicated that the highest concentrations of B. bassiana and DE in their combinations were more effective for the virulence and progeny suppression of T. castaneum. Maximum mean percent mortality (88.13%) was recorded by B. bassiana (1 × 108 conidia kg−1 of wheat) and DE (400 ppm) in their combination after a 21-day exposure interval, while a minimum percent mean mortality (10.00%) was recorded by B. bassiana (1 × 106 conidia kg−1 of wheat) alone. The maximum percent mycosis (78.89%) on dead cadavers was recorded at a low concentration rate (1 × 106 conidia/kg) of B. bassiana. Mean progeny adult emergence was the highest (62.67 adults) at the low concentration of B. bassiana alone. Present studies showed that B. bassiana and DE are more effective in combination against T. castaneum on wheat as both substances are advantageous.

The toxicity of seven biorational insecticides [five insect growth regulators (Buprofezin, Fenoxycarb, Pyriproxyfen, Methoxyfenozide, and Tebufenozide) and two oil-extracts of neem and bitter gourd seeds] againstBemisia tabaciand their selectivity for its parasitoid,Encarsia formosawere evaluated in laboratory and field conditions for 2 years (2018–2019) in Pakistan. Toxicity results demonstrate that Pyriproxyfen, Buprofezin, and Fenoxycarb proved to be effective (80–91% mortality and 66.3–84.2% population-reduction) againstB. tabacifollowed by Methoxyfenozide, Tebufenozide (50–75% mortality and 47.8–52.4% population-reduction), and then oil-extracts of neem and bitter gourd (25–50% mortality and 36.5–39.8% population-reduction) in the laboratory [72 h post-application exposure interval (PAEI)] and field trails (168 h PAEI), respectively. All tested biorationals, except Methoxyfenozide [(slightly-harmful/Class-II), i.e., causing mortality of parasitoids between a range of 25–50%] and Tebufenozide [(moderately-harmful/Class-III), i.e., causing mortality of parasitoids between the ranges of 51–75%], proved harmless/Class-I biorationals at PAEI of 7-days in the field (parasitism-reduction < 25%) and 3-days in the lab (effect < 30%). In laboratory bioassays, exposure of parasitized-pseudopupae and adult-parasitoids to neem and bitter gourd oils demonstrated that these compounds proved harmless/Class-I biorationals (< 30% mortality). Alternatively, Pyriproxyfen, Buprofezin, Fenoxycarb, Methoxyfenozide, and Tebufenozide were slightly-harmful biorationals (30–79% mortality) against the respective stages ofE. formosa. We conclude that most of the tested biorationals proved harmless or slightly harmful toE. formosa, except tebufenozide after PAEI of 7-days (168 h) in the field and, therefore, may be used strategically in Integrated Pest Management (IPM) ofB. tabaci.