Citrus canker is a ravaging bacterial disease threatening citrus crops. Its major types are Asiatic Canker, Cancrosis B, and Cancrosis C, caused by Xanthomonas citri pv. citri (Xcc), Xanthomonas citri pv. aurantifolii pathotype-B (XauB), and pathotype-C (XauC), respectively. The bacterium enters its host through stomata and wounds, from which it invades the intercellular spaces in the apoplast. It produces erumpent corky necrotic lesions often surrounded by a chlorotic halo on the leaves, young stems, and fruits, which causes dark spots, defoliation, reduced photosynthetic rate, rupture of leaf epidermis, dieback, and premature fruit drop in severe cases. Its main pathogenicity determinant gene is pthA, whose variants are present in all citrus canker-causing pathogens. Countries where citrus canker is not endemic adopt different methods to prevent the introduction of the pathogen into the region, eradicate the pathogen, and minimize its dissemination, whereas endemic regions require an integrated management program to control the disease. The main aim of the present manuscript is to shed light on the pathogen profile, its mechanism of infection, and fruitful strategies for disease management. Although an adequate method to completely eradicate citrus canker has not been introduced so far, many new methods are under research to abate the disease.

Recent studies demonstrate an increasing number of virulent fungal diseases in plants resulting in economic losses. Several techniques are being used for the rapid recognition and control of fungal pathogens. Applications of different chemical fungicides are not an eco-friendly approach towards fungal diseases as it causes environmental pollution and have health hazard effects on human beings. “Bionanotechnology” offers an efficient, eco-friendly alternative source for the proper management of fungal pathogens in the agriculture. Plant-based nanotechnology is an advanced method, which certainly open new era in the field of agriculture to overcome such problems. Interestingly, in comparison to traditional fungicides, recent studies using the nanoparticles based on phyto-extracts because of their reducing ability and anti-microbial activities presented successful outcomes. Nanoparticles, despite, improving the plant health, also meet the increasing demand for high yield in agriculture. This review is mainly focused on the limitations of chemicals and potential of different strategies for the management of fungal diseases through nanoparticles.

Entomopathogenic fungi (EPFs) can infect and kill a diverse range of arthropods, including ticks (Acari: Ixodidae) that can transmit various diseases to animals and humans. Consequently, the use of EPFs as a biocontrol method for managing tick populations has been explored as an alternative to chemical acaricides, which may have harmful effects on the environment and non-target species. This review summarizes studies conducted on EPFs for tick control between 1998 and 2024, identifying 9 different EPF species that have been used against 15 different species of ticks. One of the most well-known and widely researched EPFs used against ticks is Metarhizium anisopliae, a fungus known for its ability to infect and kill various arthropods. When applied to tick-infested areas, M. anisopliae spores attach to the tick’s cuticle, germinate, and penetrate through the cuticle, leading to the eventual death of the tick due to the fungal infection. Whilst a number of studies support the potential of this and other EPF species against ticks, this review suggests that limitations to their effective use may include factors such as heat, humidity, and ultraviolet light (UV-A and UV-B). This comprehensive review aims to provide an overview of the literature on the potential of EPFs in tick control, focusing on their mode of action, previous field successes/failures, advantages, potential applications, and prospects for future practical developments.

Nutritional status being the first line of defense for host plants, determines their susceptibility or resistance against invading pathogens. In recent years, the applications of plant nutrient related products have been documented as one of the best performers and considered as alternatives or/and supplements in plant disease management compared to traditional chemicals. However, knowledge about application of plant nutrient related products for the management of destructive fungal pathogen Fusarium oxysporum f.sp. capsici and their impact on the components of the antioxidant defense system, especially in chilli plants, still needs to be discovered. Therefore, in this current study, we aimed to evaluate two nutrient fertilizers viz. Krystafeed and Micro Plus at three different concentrations by soil drenching method for their effects against the Fusarium wilt of chilli and investigate the components of the antioxidant defense system of chilli plants. Correlation and computational analysis on the components of antioxidant defense system in various pathways were performed to predict the suitable binding sites of mineral ions. Results indicated that the combination of Krystafeed and Micro Plus was found the most effective with (27.01, 26.59%) disease incidence, followed by Micro Plus (29.56, 32.35%) and Krystafeed (38.21, 41.15%), both in greenhouse and field conditions, respectively. Moreover, the combination of Krystafeed and Micro Plus significantly increased the concentration of SOD (27.53, 108.96)%, POD (37.29, 45.65)%, CAT (19.33, 95.33)%, H₂O₂ (22.13, 118.98)%, TPC (27.39, 17.37)%, chlorophyll a (21.80, 35.74)%, chlorophyll b (57.57, 18.25)%, total chlorophyll (30.21, 19.83)%, Tocopherol (13.08, 33.66)%, TrxR (5.03, 36.56)%, MDA (13.84, 54.79)%, ascorbate (4.72, 17.28)%, Proline (5.94, 59.31)%, and phytoalexin (Capsidiol) (11.33, 55.08)% in the treated plants of resistant and susceptible chilli varieties, respectively, as compared to the untreated plants. Pearson’s correlation heat-map analysis showed that all the enzymes of antioxidant defense system were found positively correlated with each other. It is concluded that the improvement of crop resistance by the application of plant nutrient related products may be viable alternatives to synthetic chemicals for managing Fusarium wilt disease of chilli and potentially other pathogens.

Sugarcane (Saccharum officinarum) is a crucial agro-industrial crop that faces numerous biotic and abiotic challenges. One of the most severe biotic stresses affecting sugarcane is eyespot disease, caused by Bipolaris sacchari. This study focused on managing eyespot disease using resistant varieties, chemicals, and plant defense activators. Disease samples were collected from Lalian, Chiniot, and Faisalabad, and the pathogen was isolated and identified from the infected leaves. In the screening experiment, 10 sugarcane varieties were evaluated. CPF-246 exhibited high resistance, while CPF-247 and CPF-77400 showed resistance to eyespot disease. The poisoned food technique was used to assess fungicides at different concentrations (50, 100, and 150 ppm) under in vitro conditions. Tilt (Propiconazole) exhibited the maximum growth inhibition (4.645 mm) under these conditions. Plant activators were tested at different concentrations (0.25%, 0.5%, and 0.75%) in greenhouse conditions. Salicylic acid resulted in the minimum disease incidence (13.236%, 7.483%, and 6.473%) after 15, 30, and 45 days, respectively. Under field conditions, the combination of Salicylic acid and Tilt (12.395%) showed the lowest disease incidence. By employing these newly investigated management strategies, the farming community can effectively combat the significant threat posed by eyespot disease to the sugarcane industry.