In South Asian countries, the lucrative production of peaches has been seriously threatened by an assortment of biotic stresses especially nematodes. This situation compromises the achievement of sustainable development goals (SDGs) related to food security and zero hunger. Recently under changing climate, root-knot nematodes of the genus Meloidogyne have emerged as the most damaging phytopathogenic nematodes, while the efficacy of chemical control has remained limited. Therefore, a study was executed to assess the efficacy of four biocontrol agents including Pochonia chlamydosporia, Purpureocillum lilacinum, Trichoderma harzianum, and T. viride (at concentrations of 2.5 × 10³, 5 × 10³, 7.5 × 10³, and 1 × 10⁴) along with nematicide Rugby and a control treatment against Meloidogyne javanica on peach. The response variables included nematode infestations in terms of number of galls, egg masses, and reproductive factors. P. lilacinus and T. harzianum (1 × 10⁴ concentration) reduced the number of galls by 18% and 16%, respectively, than the control. All biocontrol agents exhibited their effectiveness by significantly reducing number of egg masses, eggs per egg mass, and reproductive factors, while these remained statistically at par to each other. The study proved that application of these biocontrol agents holds potential for controlling root-knot nematodes and might be developed as a potent strategy to replace or at least reduce the use of traditional chemicals for avoiding environmental pollution and contamination.

Milk and sodium alginate beads (SA) as encapsulation materials can improve the viability of Lacticaseibacillus acidophilus LAC5. The present study focused on interactive structural optimization of milk and SA-based beads for improved survival of L. acidophilus LAC5 in cheddar cheese. L. acidophilus was microencapsulated using varying concentrations of milk and SA, e.g., T₀ (Milk/SA 0:0), T₁ (Milk/SA 1/1:1), T₂ (Milk/SA 1/2:1), T₃ (Milk/SA 1/1:1.5), T₄ (Milk/SA1/2:1.5), T₅ (Milk/SA 1/1:2.0) and T₆ (Milk/SA 1/2:2.0). Free and encapsulated L. acidophilus were compared for their survival in gastroenteric conditions. Structural and spectral analysis was performed using scanning electron microscope (SEM) and Fourier transform infrared spectrometry (FTIR). The free and encapsulated probiotics were incorporated into cheddar cheese. Organic acids were quantified using HPLC. The combination of SA and milk significantly (p < 0.05) improved the survival of L. acidophilus as compared to free cells. The increase in polymer concentration improved the structure of beads and the survival of probiotics. However, the release profile of beads decreased with the increase in polymer concentration. FTIR showed the presence of milk and SA in the beads. Better storage stability (10⁸ CFU/mL) was observed for T₆ in all the treatments as compared to free cells. The addition of encapsulated cells improved the sensory characteristics of cheese. This may help the local food industry to utilize native probiotic strains to be incorporated into probiotic foods with improved bio-accessibility.

Globally, African marigold (MG) derived essential oils (EOs) have attained an immense economic pertinence in the flavor, fragrance, food, medicinal, and floricultural industries, which necessitate boosting its production on a commercial scale. Therefore, we aimed to assess varying levels (0, 50,...

Rosa Gruss-an-teplitz, belongs to Rosaceae family, commonly known as ‘Desi Rose’, is one of the beautiful red roses of the old garden rose section and produces flowers almost throughout the year. Roses are pruned regularly every year for regulating growth and flowering. This enhances the number, size, and quality of the flowers. Therefore, response of Gruss-an-teplitz to pruning heights at (Control, 01, 1.5, 02, 2.5, 03, 3.5 ft.), was evaluated in an experimental field. Pruning at 2.5 ft. had significant effects on studied parameters, including vegetative and reproductive plant growth, flower yield and gaseous exchange. This experiment was laid out under Randomized Complete Block Design (RCBD) using three replications per treatment. Pruning at (2.5 ft.) significantly improved growth, in terms of higher leaf area (129.55 cm2), plant height (77.01 cm), number of flowers (658.02), flower weight (4.51 g) and flower diameter (7.86 cm) with respect to other treatments. Chlorophyll a (1.57 mg/g), Chlorophyll b (2.73 mg/g), stomatal conductance (gs) (68.62) and photosynthetic rate (3.06) were also increased by pruning at (2.5 ft.). Pruning application at 2.5 ft. improved biomass, water preservation, pigments, enzymatic activity, leaf gaseous exchange, and flower yield of Gruss-an-teplitz.