The developmental, survival, predation rates, and reproduction of Amblyseius swirskii (Phytoseiidae), as affected by feeding on the motile stages of Phyllocoptruta oleivora (Eriophyidae) and nymphs of Eutetranychus orientalis (Tetranychidae), were studied in the laboratory at six constant temperatures and relative humidities: 9°C and 70% RH; 16°C and 65% RH; 23°C and 60% RH; 30°C and 55% RH, 37°C and 50% RH and 40°C and 45% RH. The maximum daily consumption rate was recorded at 30°C and occurred during the oviposition period, when the females consumed an average of 169.40 specimens of P. oleivora and 24.58 of E. orientalis. The maximum reproduction rate (4.20, and 3.84 eggs/♀/day, on P. oleivora and E. orientalis, respectively) was recorded at 30°C and 50% RH, while the minimum one (1.20 and 0.86 eggs/♀/day, on P. oleivora and E. orientalis, respectively) was observed at 16°C and 65% RH. It is demonstrated in the life-table parameters that when the predatory mite A. swirskii is fed on P. oleivora, the highest reproduction rates (r_m = 0.144, 0.195, 0.280, and 0.181 females/female/day) are obtained, while feeding on E. orientalis gave the lowest reproduction rates (r_m = 0.121, 0.172, 0.204, and 0.141) at 16°C and 65% RH, 23°C and 60% RH, 30°C and 55% RH, and 37°C and 50% RH, respectively. The results suggest that A. swirskii is a promising control agent for P. oleivora and E. orientalis on orange trees.

Soil salinity is a significant abiotic stress that restricts plant growth and agricultural productivity. Plant growth-promoting rhizobacteria (PGPR) offer an eco-friendly and sustainable strategy to mitigate the detrimental effects of salinity by enhancing nutrient availability and promoting plant development. In this study, twelve halophilic bacterial isolates were obtained from saline soils of coastal regions in India and screened for PGPR traits, including siderophore production, indole-3-acetic acid (IAA), hydrogen cyanide (HCN), ammonia production, exopolysaccharide (EPS), cellulase activity, and phosphate solubilization. Based on 16 S rRNA gene sequencing, three salt-tolerant PGPR strains were identified (Pseudomonas toyotomiensis, Bacillus subtilis, and Bacillus cereus). Sesame (Sesamum indicum L.) plants were cultivated in saline soil and inoculated with these isolates. After 45 days, PGPR-treated plants exhibited significantly improved morphological traits and metabolic activity compared to the control plants. Moreover, antioxidant activity was enhanced considerably, along with notable improvements in sesame oil quality and the soil's physicochemical properties. These findings demonstrate the potential of halotolerant PGPR as effective bioinoculants for enhancing sesame growth and salinity stress tolerance in salt-affected soils.

Tetranychus urticae is an important pest of tomato crops globally, affecting plant yield and growth. Beauveria bassiana and Metarhizium robertsii have the potential to control T. urticae. We investigated the influence of two B. bassiana (i.e., WG-12 and WG-19) isolates and one M. robertsii (WG-02) isolate when colonizing different plant organs (leaves, stems, and roots) and their influence on the growth of tomato plants, through foliar, root-dipping, and seed-soaking application techniques. We also examined the acaricidal activity of the three isolates against T. urticae (female adults), spraying tomato leaf discs with each isolate separately. After 28 days, WG-12 and WG-19 colonized 97 and 91% of the leaves after foliar inoculation, whereas WG-02 exhibited the lowest leaf colonization (76%). The height of the tomato plants, the root length, the number of leaves, and the weight of the biomass above and below the ground were enhanced significantly after inoculation with WG-02 vs. B. bassiana isolates and control. The complete mortality of T. urticae was caused by WG-12 and WG-02 after 10 days, whereas WG-19 killed 94% of the adults. For the effective management of T. urticae, we propose the application of the WG-02 isolate since it provides complete protection and promotes the growth of tomato plants.

Introduction: Salinity is a significant abiotic stress that affects the growth, physiology, and yield of crop plants across the globe. Sustainable measures to mitigate saline soil and prevent yield losses require immediate attention. The present study aimed to determine the impacts of hydrogel, biochar, and biofertilizer on alfalfa growth and physiological properties under salt stress.Methods: The experiment was performed in a randomized block design with three replications on the dried bottom of the Aral Sea, consisting of control (T1), hydrogel alone (T2), biochar alone (T3), and biofertilizer alone (T4). Plant growth parameters, root morphological traits, and physiological properties were analyzed after 60 days of sowing.Results: The results showed significant improvement in shoot length, shoot dry weight, and root dry weight in biochar alone (T3) and biofertilizer alone (T4) treated plants compared to control (T1) and hydrogel (T2). However, the application of biochar alone (T3) exhibited more pronounced effects compared to other treatments.Discussion: Biochar treatment resulted in the highest chlorophyll a and total chlorophyll contents under salt stress. Soil amendments with biochar, hydrogel, and biofertilizer promote alfalfa growth and yield and help mitigate the adverse impact of salt stress.

Diabetes is a life-threatening disease, and chronic diabetes affects parts of the body including the liver, kidney, and pancreas. The root cause of diabetes is mainly associated with oxidative stress produced by reactive oxygen species. Minocycline is a drug with a multi-substituted phenol ring and has shown excellent antioxidant activities. The objective of the present study was to investigate the antidiabetic potential of minocycline-modified silver nanoparticles (mino/AgNPs) against alloxan-induced diabetic mice. The mino/AgNPs were synthesized using minocycline as reducing and stabilizing agents. UV-visible, FT-IR, X-ray diffraction (XRD), and transmission electron microscopy (TEM) were applied for the characterization of mino/AgNPs. A 2,2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl free radical scavenging assay was conducted to determine the antioxidant potential of newly synthesized mino/AgNPs. The results revealed that the mino/AgNPs showed higher radical scavenging activity (IC₅₀ = 19.7 µg/mL) compared to the minocycline (IC₅₀ = 26.0 µg/mL) and ascorbic acid (IC₅₀ = 25.2 µg/mL). Further, mino/AgNPs were successfully employed to examine their antidiabetic potential against alloxan-induced diabetic mice. Hematological results showed that the mice treated with mino/AgNPs demonstrated a significant decrease in fasting blood glucose level and lipid profile compared to the untreated diabetic group. A histopathological examination confirmed that the diabetic mice treated with mino/AgNPs showed significant recovery and revival of the histo-morphology of the kidney, central vein of the liver, and islet cells of the pancreas compared to the untreated diabetic mice. Hence, mino/AgNPs have good antidiabetic potential and could be an appropriate nanomedicine to prevent the development of diabetes.

Use of acaricides has become a common practice to control pests all over the world including Saudi Arabia. In spite of killing the targeted pests, such insecticides also effect growth of predatory mites. Present study has been conducted to evaluate the impact of two acaricides, abamectin and hexythiazox, on seven species of predatory mites. Standard solutions of abamectin (8.4% w/v) and hexythiazox (10% w/w) were purchased and prepared for direct spray. Acaricides were tested at three serial concentrations of recommended dose (RD), half of the recommended dose (HRD) and double the recommended dose (DRD). Trials were made on eggs, nymphs and adults of the seven species of predatory mites under laboratory conditions. Effect of the applied acaricides was determined one week after the application. The results of the study revealed that all doses of hexythiazox and abamectin are toxic to the nymphs and adults of all seven species of predatory mites but to the variable extent. Furthermore, it was observed that hexythiazox and abamectin reduced the percentage of egg hatching for all seven species of predatory mites. Hexythiazox was found to be more toxic than abamectin to all seven predatory mites. Higher mortality was recorded at DRD and RD, while minimum mortality was recorded at HRD. Acaricidal effect is less severe on hatching eggs than on immatures and adults of the predatory mites. Species vary in susceptibility to acaricides and in some populations resistance has been observed. Based upon this study, it is recommended that the frequent use of acaricides against phytophagous mites should be avoided and feasibility of biological control programs should be promoted to protect the environment, health of living individuals and the non-target organisms.