<div>Plant bio-regulators (PBRs) are hormone-like natural or synthetic compounds that are able to increase the yields, alter growth patterns, nutritional qualities and provide resistance to various kinds of stresses (cold, heat, drought, insect, diseases, salinity) when applied at very low concentration to the plants. PBRs are known to enhance source-sink relationship and help in stimulating the photosyntheates thereby reduce flower drop, helps in fruit and seed development in better way ultimately improving the yield of the crops. Nowadays, abiotic stresses are major factors limiting crop productivity and sustainability throughout the globe. Bio-regulators application on crops induces long-term thermo tolerance (heat and cold) in plants as these can modulate plant responses to stresses at the cellular, tissue or organ level and hence are able to enhance the yield, quality and nutritional aspects of the food and forage legumes in the changing climatic scenario. Application of bio-regulators on crops is farmer friendly, convenient and effective approach for improving the productivity and quality of legume crops. The influence of some of the important plant bioregulators on growth, yield, quality and stress management in important food and forage legume crops are reviewed in this article.</div>


<div>Plant Bio-regulators for Enhancing Grain Yield and Quality of Legumes: A Review</div>


<div>Sustainable agriculture relies on conservation of agricultural resources for future generation through paradigm shift of modern day chemical based farming to organic farming. This conversion is not only required for generating quality agricultural produce but also protecting the environment from chemical hazards. Organic farming is done through adopting various organic inputs as well as sustainable practices. Beside the manures, various traditional organic formulations commonly known as bio-enhancers like <em>Amritpani</em> play a key role in organic farming through boosting agricultural productivity as well as quality in an eco-friendly way. Application of <em>Amritpani</em> in agriculture is an age old practice to achieve high as well as sustainable agricultural production. It has diversity of nutrients, beneficial micro-organisms, growth promoting hormones, enzymes, vitamins, bio-pesticidal compounds <em>etc</em>. which can improve soil health as well as crop productivity and protect the crop from pests by boosting the plant&rsquo;s immunity power. Encouragement of soil microbial activity through <em>Amritpani</em> is a vital factor of success of organic farming in many areas. However, <em>Amritpani</em> still lacks scientific testing and therefore, requires adequate researches on its efficacy before recommendation.&nbsp;This can be achieved through multi-locational, multi-crop research trials as well as bio-chemical analysis of the formulation. Further, use of raw materials and their quantities, time, method and dose of application of end product should also be properly standardised before its effective transfusion in new areas through strong extension service.&nbsp;</div>


<p>&nbsp;​Use of Amritpani: An Excellent Bio-Enhancer for Sustainable Agriculture: An Overview</p>


<div><strong>Background:</strong> Humic acid is a natural bio-stimulant, which has a major influence on growth and crop quality. Also, Magnetic water treatment enhances both crop productivity and quality, which leads to the efficient use of cultivated land by using water resources available for crop production. This study aims to determine the effects of magnetized water irrigation and application of humic acid with different concentrations as a bio-stimulation on tomato plants,<em> Solanum Lycopersicon</em> cv. Hybrid &ldquo;86&rdquo;.<br />
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<strong>Methods:</strong> The experiment was conducted during the tow growing seasons of 2018 and 2019 at the Agricultural Experimental Station Farm at Abies region, Faculty of Agriculture, Alexandria University, Egypt. The experiment design was split-plot with three replications. Two irrigation water treatments (magnetized and non-magnetic water) were arranged in the main plots and four concentrations of humic acid (0, 1, 2 and 3 g L<sup>-1</sup>) were distributed over sub-plots.<br />
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<strong>Result:</strong> The results showed that irrigation with magnetized water had a positive effect on the vegetative growth traits, yield and its components and the quality of tomato fruits parameters. There was also a clear desirable effect of humic acid addition with different concentrations, as the results indicated that the use of the highest concentration of humic acid (3 g L<sup>-1</sup>) reflected the highest values for all the studied traits. The results of the interaction between irrigation with magnetized water and application of humic acid showed that the best results and the highest values for all studied characters were recorded when using magnetic water (MW) combined with 3 g L<sup>-1</sup> of humic acid (HA), without significant differences from the interaction treatment MW combined with 2 g L<sup>-1 </sup>HA for most traits. However, the two treatments combinations MW with 2 g L<sup>-1</sup> HA and Non-MW with 3 g L<sup>-1</sup> HA didn&rsquo;t significant differ from each other for all studied characters at the two growing seasons. These results indicated that using the magnetic water with humic acid led to the possibility of reducing the amount of humic acid by one-third and enhances both crop productivity and quality of tomato plants. Generally, we can recommend using magnetized water irrigation with humic acid addition at concentration of 3.g L<sup>-1 </sup>or 2.g L<sup>-1</sup> to enhance the productivity and quality of the tomato plant.&nbsp;</div>


<div>Enhancing the Productivity and Quality of Tomato using Magnetized Water and Humic Acid as Bio-stimulant Agents</div>


<div><strong>Background:</strong> Recognizing the adverse impact of excessive use of chemicals on soil health, human health and environment, Government is promoting production of organic crops, fruits and vegetables <em>etc</em>. through various schemes. Demand for organic food items is also on the rise during the last few years. Number of cow-based bio-enhancers and botanicals have been developed by innovative organic growers/ associations and NGOs. But very meagre scientific information is available regarding such formulations. Hence, to incorporate these products in organic farming module, the present experiment was conducted.<br />
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<strong>Methods:</strong> A field experiment was conducted in summer season of 2017 to 2019 at Junagadh, Gujarat, India with cow-based bio-enhancers (<em>Panchagavya, Bijamrut, Jivamrut, Amrutpani, Sanjivak</em> and cow urine) and botanicals (Seaweed extract and Banana pseudo stem sap) in randomized block design with three replications. The cow-based formulations were prepared on farm as per the procedure given by National Centre for Organic Farming, Ghaziabad and botanicals<em> viz</em>., banana pseudo stem extract and seaweed extract (<em>Kappaphycus alvarezii</em>) were obtained from Navsari Agricultural University, Navsari and Junagadh Agricultural University, Okha.<br />
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<strong>Result: </strong>The results revealed that application of FYM @ 5 t/ha significantly enhanced growth and yield attributes <em>viz</em>., plant height, number of branches/plant, number and dry weight of nodules/plant, number of mature pods/plant, pod weight/plant and shelling percentage and ultimately produced significantly higher pod (1823 kg/ha) and haulm (3270 kg/ha) yields, followed by <em>Panchagavya </em>as foliar spray @ 3% at 30, 45 and 60 DAS (1582 and 2846 kg/ha) and seaweed extract as foliar spray @ 3.5% at 30, 45 and 60 DAS (1423 and 2570 kg/ha). Application of FYM, Panchagavya and seaweed extract also increased uptake of NPK by pod and haulm over the control, while different treatments failed to affect the post-harvest soil fertility except available P which is higher under FYM, <em>Jivamrut, Amrutpani </em>and<em> Sanjivak </em>over the control. Overall, application of FYM and Panchagavya accrued higher net return of ₹ 55285 and ₹ 46229/ha with B:C of 2.21 and 2.12, respectively.</div>


<div style="text-align:justify">Organic Cultivation of Summer Groundnut using Cow-based Bio-enhancers and Botanicals</div>


<div><strong>Background: </strong>Biofloc technology is a minimal or zero water exchange technology which exerts beneficial effects on water quality, improves feed conversion ratio by recycling microbial protein in the culture of commercially important finfishes and shellfishes. This culture technique also improves the pigmentation in the ornamental fish culture. The presence of pigment producing bacteria and the absorption of the pigments by the ornamental fishes under biofloc technology would pave a long way to boost the production and export market of the high value fishes. Therefore, the present study evaluated the use of bacterial pigments isolated from the biofloc culture in the diets of Swordtail ornamental fish for its colouration and pigment absorption ability.<br />
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<strong>Methods:</strong> A 30 days trial was conducted to evaluate the colour enhancement in swordtail through the supplementation of pigment produced from the bacteria in their diets. Swordtail fishes (1.2 &plusmn; 0.01 g) were stocked in 100 litres tanks (20 nos / tank) in triplicates. Fish fed with normal diet served as control and diet supplemented with pigment (50 mg/kg) isolated from the bacteria <em>Exiguobacterium profundum</em> (T1), <em>Chryseobacterium joostei </em>(T2), <em>Staphylococcus pasteuri</em> (T3), <em>Staphylococcus arlettae </em>(T4) served as treatments. The characteristic features of the pigments isolated from the four different bacteria were checked and showed enhanced antibacterial, total antioxidant activity and the reductive ability.<br />
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<strong>Result:</strong> Significant difference was observed in water quality parameters except temperature between the experimental groups. Growth parameters showed significant difference between control and treatment. Highest carotenoid concentration was found in fishes fed with pigments extracted from <em>Staphylococcus pasteuri</em> compared to other experimental groups. The present study proved the incorporation of bacterial pigments in the diets of Swordtail enhanced the total carotenoid concentration.</div>


<div>Characterisation of Pigment Producing Bacteria Isolated from Bio Floc Ponds and Its Colour Enhancement Effect in <em>Xiphophorus helleri</em></div>


<div style="text-align: justify;">Dairy cattle and buffaloes (n=101) suffering from chronic diarrhea (&gt;3 weeks) with complete history of duration of diarrhea, systemic effects, body condition and faecal abnormalities were included in this study. Faecal samples, whole blood and rectal biopsies from selected animals were collected for the detection of Mycobacterium avium-subspecies paratuberculosis (MAP). Faecal smears were prepared and examined for the load of acid fast bacilli (AFB). Acid fast clumps were recorded in 40.6 per cent (41/101) of diarrheic animals and PCR confirmation was made byIS900 primers. MAP was detected in blood samples of four animals (4/41), while faecal samples were positive only in two of these 4 animals. All the four animals had persistent watery diarrhea and progressive loss in body weights and productivity. Rectal biopsies of two animals were positive by PCR. Remission of clinical signs was observed in these animals within 2-months. Biotyping of MAP-DNA from blood samples by IS1311 PCR-REA revealed restriction pattern of 67, 218 and 325 bp suggesting that MAP DNA belonged to &lsquo;Bison type&rsquo;, which is a major biotype infecting domestic livestock in India.</div>

<div style="text-align: justify;">Bio-incidence and Bio-type of <em>Mycobacterium avium </em>subspecies<em> paratuberculosis</em> in diarrheic dairy cattle and buffaloes of Punjab area in India</div>

<div>The term &lsquo;bio-regulator&rsquo; has been used to encompass the natural and synthetic compounds that regulate various plant growth and developmental processes. Plant bio-regulators (PBRs) previously called plant growth regulators. Use of PBRs with a unique fact finding support assistance from biotechnology made a new approach of manipulating plant biological activities for enhancing growth, yield, quality, nutritive value and an important tool to reduce biotic and abiotic stress in plants. PBRs like jasmonic acid (JA) and its derivatives act as an omnipresent signaling molecules which mediate plant responses to biotic and abiotic stress. Salicylic acid (SA) and methyl salicylate are endogenous signal molecules, also playing pivotal roles in regulating stress responses. A polyamine is low-molecular weight organic compound having two or more primary amino groups, act as ethylene repressor. Prohexodione calcium is a new generation anti-gibberellin. Along with listed names several other bio-regulators are in vogue to improve plant growth, development, stress resistance, pathogenic defense and productivity. In this review, it&rsquo;s an attempt to portray existing advanced knowledge about under utilized bio-regulators role and utility in cultivation of fruit crops.</div>


<p>Advances in Application of Unexploited Plant Bio-regulators for Fruit Production: A Review</p>


<div><strong>Background:</strong> Chickpea (<em>Cicer arietinum</em> L.) is the most important leguminous crop around the world. Fusarium wilt incited by <em>Fusarium oxysporum</em> f. sp. ciceris is a major biotic constraint in chickpea production. The present investigation was undertaken to evaluate the efficacy of plant extracts, fungicides and bio-agents against <em>Fusarium oxysporum</em> f. sp. ciceris under<em> in vitro</em> and field conditions.&nbsp;<br />
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<strong>Methods: </strong>Plant extracts and fungicides were evaluated using poison food technique while antagonistic activity of bio-agents was studied using dual culture technique under <em>in vitro </em>conditions. Field trials were conducted to evaluate the efficacy of different plant extracts, fungicides and bio-agents against Fusarium wilt at Experimental Area of Plant Pathology, CCS HAU, Hisar.<br />
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<strong>Result:</strong> Among thirteen plant extracts evaluated <em>in vitro</em>, neem leaves extract was found to be the most effective in inhibiting mycelial growth of <em>F. oxysporum</em> f. sp.<em> ciceris</em> followed by datura leaves&rsquo; and garlic cloves&rsquo; extract which were statistically at par. Out of six plant extracts tested against Fusarium wilt under field conditions, seed treatment with extracts of neem and datura leaves at 10% concentration were most effective and curtailed the wilt incidence by 39.02 and 34.14% along with 7.55 and 6.83% enhanced seed yield. Among fungicides, carbendazim 50 WP was the most toxic fungicide in restricting colony diameter of the pathogen with the least EC<sub>50</sub> and EC<sub>90</sub> values of 1.28 and 15.24 ppm a.i. followed by azoxystrobin 23 SC with corresponding values of 1.57 and 49.16 ppm a.i., respectively. Seed treatment with carbendazim 50 WP and azoxystrobin 23 SC were superior over other treatments and provided 88.41 and 85.98% reduction in disease incidence along with 12.85 and 10.99% higher seed yield over control. Among the bio-agents tested, <em>T. viride</em> and <em>T. harzianum </em>gave the best results in suppressing the pathogen growth <em>in vitro </em>and in minimizing the disease incidence coupled with improvement in seed yield under field conditions. The present study has provided chemical and non-chemical measures for integrated management of chickpea wilt.</div>


<div>Construing the Role of Plant Extracts, Fungicides and Bio-agents in Ameliorating Fusarium Wilt Management in Chickpea</div>


<div style="text-align:justify">Organic farming is an internationally regulated, legally enforced and standardized alternative agricultural paradigm that relies on ecological processes, biodiversity and cycles adapted to local conditions with the aim of sustaining the health of soils, ecosystems and people. Organic farming utilizes various naturally obtaining substances such as manures, bio-fertilizers. Widely recognized among them are manures and bio-fertilizers. Conventionally they are applied as a solid and carrier based, but modern approach of applying in liquid form is gaining reputation. Application in liquid form facilitates better release of nutrients, enhancement of soil microbial activity, improvement of soil aggregation, soil properties and soil health. Some of the famous liquid manures are <em>jeevamruth, panchagavya, beejamruth</em>, vermiwash, humic acid and sea weed extract. Based on these evidences this paper explores the effectiveness, importance and limitations of most commonly used organic liquid manures. This paper also explains about the usage of liquid bio-fertilizers and their advantages.</div>

<div style="text-align:justify">Organic Liquid Manures and Bio-Fertilizers: A Tool for Soil and Crop Productivity</div>

<p><strong>Background </strong>Chickpea (<em>Cicer arietinum L.</em>), a staple pulse crop with significant nutritional, economic and agricultural importance, is known for its diverse uses and contributions to both human diet and livestock feed. To enhance its productivity and resilience, particularly in the face of abiotic and biotic stresses, innovative seed enhancement techniques such as bio-priming with plant endophytes have emerged as a promising approach to improve seed quality and overall crop performance.<br />
<br />
<strong>Methods:</strong> In this laboratory investigation during 2022, chickpea seeds were surface sterilized with sodium hypochlorite (1%) for five minutes and then washed thrice with sterile water. Later the seeds were bio-primed with different bioagents with the seed to solution ratio of 1:3 for different duration hours. Blotter method was used to observe seed germination. Primed seeds were dried back to original moisture content (24 hrs) and then used to assess the seed quality parameters.<br />
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<strong>Result:</strong> The results showed that, priming chickpea seeds with <em>Paenibacillus polymyxa</em> for 6 hours resulted in significantly enhanced seedling growth and quality compared to all other treatments and control indicating its effectiveness in improving seed quality and growth.<br />
&nbsp;</p>


Plant Bio-regulators for Enhancing Grain Yield and Quality of Legumes: A Review

Use of Amritpani: An Excellent Bio-Enhancer for Sustainable Agriculture: An Overview

Enhancing the Productivity and Quality of Tomato using Magnetized Water and Humic Acid as Bio-stimulant Agents

Organic Cultivation of Summer Groundnut using Cow-based Bio-enhancers and Botanicals

Characterisation of Pigment Producing Bacteria Isolated from Bio Floc Ponds and Its Colour Enhancement Effect in Xiphophorus helleri

Bio-incidence and Bio-type of Mycobacterium avium subspecies paratuberculosis in diarrheic dairy cattle and buffaloes of Punjab area in India

Advances in Application of Unexploited Plant Bio-regulators for Fruit Production: A Review

Construing the Role of Plant Extracts, Fungicides and Bio-agents in Ameliorating Fusarium Wilt Management in Chickpea

Organic Liquid Manures and Bio-Fertilizers: A Tool for Soil and Crop Productivity

Influence of Seed Bio-priming with Microbial Inoculants on Germination, Seedling Growth, Vigour and Enzyme Activity in Chickpea