In this study, we investigated the antifungal properties of an acetone extract derived from the leaves of Swietenia mahagoni (SMAL) against two isolated fungi, Fusarium equiseti (OQ820153) and Rhizoctonia solani (OQ820152), from rice sheath. The extract was effective in inhibiting the growth of both fungi at the highest concentration tested, 3000 μg·mL⁻¹. Laboratory tests on the LC₂₀ of SMAL extract (49.86 mg·L⁻¹) versus pyriproxyfen 10% EC (1.96 mg·L⁻¹) were accomplished on Aphis gossypii Glover. The extract potently reduced the survival of the nymphs (49.58%) more than the other treatments. The longevity of nymphs treated with the extract had the highest prolongation at 9.67 days. The olfactory choice test exhibited the lowest aphid attraction percentage (23.33%). The HPLC of SMAL extract contained various phenolic compounds, and the most abundant found were catechin (752.64 µg·g⁻¹), gallic acid, and chlorogenic acid, as well as flavonoids such as rutin (585.24 µg·g⁻¹) and naringenin. A GC–MS analysis revealed n-hexadecanoic acid (37.1%) as the major compound, followed by oleic acid. These results suggest that SMAL extract has the potential to help plants fight against fungal and insect infections, making it a promising natural and renewable solution for long-term plant pest regulation.

Numerous strategies have been suggested to reduce dependence on synthetic products, such as physical, microbial, and natural methods. Among the natural remedies, plant extracts have emerged as a popular option owing to their eco-friendly character, ease of degradation, and harmless nature to humans. In our study, we used the acetone and hexane extracts of Rhaphiolepis indica fruit to combat two fungal pathogens that were isolated from infected bean plants and showed root rot symptoms. The two pathogens were confirmed to be pathogenic by pathogenicity assays conducted in vivo. The morphological and molecular identification by ITS-region sequencing revealed that the two isolates were Rhizoctonia solani and Fusarium solani, and they were assigned accession numbers OQ880457 and OQ820158, respectively. Our data showed that both hexane and acetone extracts caused a significant decrease in the linear growth of F. solani at all concentrations used (1%, 2%, and 3%), compared to the control. However, at a concentration of 3%, the hexane extract caused much greater inhibition than the acetone extract. For R. solani, the hexane extract, shows a significant inhibition percentage at all concentrations, which further increases to 85.24% at 3% concentration. The HPLC of both extracts indicated the presence and absence of phenolic and flavonoid compounds. The obtained results revealed that five acetonic phenolic extract compounds were ferulic, p-coumaric, gallic, p-OH benzoic, and cinnamic, with concentrations of 5.31, 10.36, 7.24, 6.08, and 0.89 mg/mL, respectively. On the other hand, the five hexanoic phenolic compounds were catechol, caffeic, chlorogenic, p-OH benzoic, and cinnamic acids, with concentrations of 3.66, 5.14, 0.69, 6.31, and 13.47 mg/mL, respectively. The identified acetonic flavonoid extract compounds, namely rutin, chrysin, quercetin, kaempferol, chrysoeriol, 7-OH flavone, and naringin, had respective concentrations of 5.36, 10.23, 4.32, 15.33, 1.06, 0.087, and 0.069 mg/mL, respectively. In contrast, it was observed that the seven hexanoic flavonoid extracts comprised of rutin, quercetin, kampferol, luteolin, chrysoeriol, 7-OH flavone, and catechin exhibited concentrations of 5.36, 7.15, 18.20, 6.04, 2.04, 10.24, and 13.43 mg/mL, respectively. The results of the study suggest that plant extracts may be a useful natural remedy for combating fungal pathogens and reducing dependence on synthetic products.

The reduction in mineral fertilizer usage is crucial to the production of medicinal and aromatic products for safety and health purposes. Presently, nanotechnology and the utilization of natural extracts have been extensively studied due to their significant contribution. Ocimum basilicum is commonly employed for various medicinal and aromatic applications. Therefore, randomized complete block design field experiments containing 10 treatments were conducted during the 2021 and 2022 seasons to investigate the effect of nanoparticles (NPs) of ZnO (1.5 and 2.0 g/L) and SiO₂ (100 and 150 mg/L) and date palm pollen extract (DPPE) at 10 and 20 g/L either alone or in combination with the ¾ or ½ NPK recommended dose (RD). The NPK RD was served as a control treatment on basil plant production in each season. The effectiveness of ZnO NPs, SiO₂ NPs, and DPPE for the decrease in NPK utilization was evaluated. Meanwhile, the most effective treatment for vegetative traits (except for plant height), essential oil %, and yield was ½ NPK RD + 20 g/L DPPE + 2.0 g/L ZnO NPs. Such a treatment increased the branch number/plant, main stem diameter, relevant chlorophyll content, fresh weight/plant, dry weight/plant, essential oil %, and essential oil yield/plant by 21.00 and 9.94%, 58.70 and 40.00%, 20.69 and 15.83%, 68.83 and 58.28%, 48.70 and 56.16%, 45.71 and 35.53%, and 113.22 and 110.32% over the control in the two seasons, respectively. For total phenol and antioxidant activity, the most effective treatments were the ¾ NPK +1.5 g/L ZnO NPs and ½ NPK +2.0 g/L ZnO NPs, respectively. Simultaneously, essential oil composition (with their compound numbers identified (11–29 for control and ¾ NPK RD + 1.5 g/L ZnO NPs)) and the percentage of total compounds, monoterpene hydrocarbons, sesquiterpene hydrocarbons, and oxygenated hydrocarbons were varied among the used applications. The major observed compounds (>8%) estragole, methyl eugenol, linalool, cineole, and caryophyllene were found in different treatments. Thus, the findings of this study indicate the favorable utilization of ZnO NPs, SiO₂ NPs, and DPPE in reducing the application of NPK, which may present a novel strategy and beneficial approach.

Gardenia jasminoides Ellis is an evergreen plant with fragrant creamy white flowers and glossy, darkgreen leaves, belongs to family Rubiaceae and member of the genus Gardenia. The current study aimed to afford a new technique for in vitro propagation and callus induction of G. jasminoides by using single nodes excised from soft cuttings using full strength MS salts supplemented with 30g/l sucrose, 4g/l gelrite and different concentrations of plant growth regulators. Generally, the current study showed that NAA and BA at 0.0 and 1.0 mg/l, respectively gave rise to the best results for initiation stage. Meanwhile, fortified the basal MS medium with BA and NAA at 2.0 and 0.250 mg/l, consecutively; resulted in the best results with respect to multiplication stage. Regarding rhizogenesis, the neoformed shoots produced from vegetative multiplication stage were rooted successfully upon cultured on MS medium supplemented with 1.0 mg/l IBA and NAA at either 0.250 or 0.500 mg/l, whereas the highest number of roots was recorded besides callus induction. Regarding embryonic callus induction, adding 2,4-D at 1.0 mg/l; enhanced embryonic callogenesis. Neoformed plantlets were acclimatized ex vitro and in vivo vigorously in mixture of perlite and peatmoss at (1:1, v/v), which resulted in the highest percentage value of survival / percent (100%) and successfully flowered and showed true-to-type plants ex vitro.

In a 16-month study addressing global agricultural soil heavy metal contamination, researchers explored plant-centered solutions using Jacaranda plants. The impact of different combinations of cadmium nitrate (40, 80, and 120 mg) and lead nitrate (400, 800, and 1200 mg/kg soil) were evaluated relative to Jacaranda’s remediation capabilities. Employing a randomized complete block design with 8 applications across 3 repetitions, the study assessed growth traits and chemical characteristics. Untreated plants showed higher growth values, contrasting with reduced values in plants exposed to elevated cadmium (Cd) and lead (Pb) levels. For instance, the treatment with 120 mg Cd/kg soil + 1200 mg Pb/kg soil led to a 28% reduction in plant height, 13% in main stem diameter, 41% in branch number, and 35% in leaf area compared to the control. Despite these challenges, Jacaranda plants demonstrated resilience with a 100% survival rate. Plant organs showed increased Cd and Pb contents, with fallen leaves having lower metal content, mitigating pollution hazards. Post-planting, soil characteristics shifted, indicating Jacaranda‘s potential for Cd phytoextraction (BCF < 1 and, TF > 1) and Pb phytostabilization (BCF and TF < 1). The study establishes Jacaranda as a promising candidate for phytoremediation due to its resilience to elevated metal levels.