<div>Background: Datura contains a mixture of anticholinergic agents (alkaloids such as atropine, scopolamine and hyoscyamine) that are responsible for its pharmacological actions. The objective was to evaluate the effect of Datura stramonium in the testes of wistar rats.&nbsp; 
 
Methods: Twenty (20) adult male rats weight ranging from 106g-180g were distributed into five groups (A-E) of four (4) animals&nbsp; each. Animals were administered with Datura extract once daily for 21 days as Group A- 50mg/kg, Group B -100 mg/kg, Group C -200 mg/kg ,Group D -400 mg/kg. While, Group E were given distilled water daily. Testes and blood samples were collected from all the groups, for the histological and biochemical activities.&nbsp;&nbsp; 
 
Result: Results showed overall, increase in body weight with siginificant differences in sperm count in all the treatment groups. Administration of high dose of Datura extract was found to have adverse effect on the histological findings in the testes. Extract of Datura stramonium plant is toxic since single extraction shows presence of scopolamine. Abuse of the flower of the plant pose cholinergic poisoning due to scopolamine, significantly reduces male fertility evidenced by increase in the number of abnormal sperm motility and altered testicular morphology.</div>

Testicular Histomorphology Following Datura Stramonium Administration in Adult Male Wistar Rats

<div style="text-align: justify;">Microscopic plant parasitic nematodes are round worms that feed on plants and damage them. The most common and serious amongst the nematodes is the root-knot nematode found throughout the country with a very wide host range of cultivated crops. Brinjal (Solanum melongena) crop yield is considerably reduced by root-knot nematodes particularly Meloidogyne incognita. Root-galls of brinjal caused by Meloidogyne incognita can be controlled effectively by using the bio-agents and botanicals which in turn &nbsp; &nbsp;increases the yield and plant growth. Present study explored the effect of leaf extracts of certain plants on the root-knot development, plant growth and nematode multiplication in pot experiments. Extract treated and nematode inoculated plants showed improvement on growth over untreated inoculated plants and reduced the disease development. Five (viz., margosa, marigold, datura, hemp and tobacco) leaf extracts, irrespective of concentration, apparently induced tolerance in inoculated plants as evidenced by better plant growth in comparison to control and suppressed the multiplication of nematode which resulted in low root-knot index. Margosa (Azadirachta indica) leaf extract suppressed the nematode multiplication, reduced root galling and improved the plant growth of inoculated plants. Margosa and marigold (Tagetes erecta) leaf extracts were found more effective in controlling the root-knot development than the leaf extracts of hemp (Cannabis sativa), datura (Datura metel) and tobacco (Nicotiana tabacum). Higher concentrations (20 ml/plant) of leaf extracts were found to be more effective in controlling the root knot development. Based on our observations, it may be concluded that margosa or marigold extract treatment of brinjal seedlings prior to transplantation can avoid severe damage by suppressing the nematode multiplication and inducing the tolerance in treated inoculated plants.</div>

Control of root-knot disease of brinjal (Solanum melongena L.) by the application of leaf extracts of certain medicinal plants &nbsp;

<div>Groundnut (Arachis hypogaea L.) is grown globally and it is affected by many widespread diseases and infestations in all the groundnut growing areas. &nbsp;In Eritrea, leaf spot diseases are prevalent that is caused by fungi (Passalora arachidicola and P. personata) and results great losses. Botanical pesticides play an important role to control fungal infections due to their non-phytotoxic and eco-friendly nature. This study intended to evaluate the efficacy of selected botanicals viz., Neem (Azadirachta indica), Melia (Melia azadirach), Lantana (Lantana camara), Datura (Datura metel) and Marigold (Tagetes patula) on plant height, intensity of leaf spots disease and yield of groundnut in Hamelmalo zoba, Eritrea, during 2017-2018. Extract of neem leaves (5.66, 14.10 and 25.38%) showed high significance in plant height after 20, 40 and 60 days, respectively, as compared to untreated control (21.07%) and mancozeb (treated control). The lowest disease intensity was recorded in the application of neem extract (15%w/v) at different days after sowing. However, mancozeb (2 g/liter) was the most effective and followed by Neem &gt; Melia &gt; Lantana showed improvement in plant growth and maximum reduction in disease intensity. The highest reduction rate in &lsquo;disease incidence&rsquo; and &lsquo;disease severity&rsquo; was found in Neem extract application (63.11 and 40.29) after mancozeb (56.52 and 36.18) at 95 DAS at 5% significant level. &nbsp;Among the botanicals, plants treated with Neem extract was observed with highest number of pods (89.45) and yield (98.10 q/ha) followed by Melia (5% w/v) i.e. 87.59 and 95.02 respectively.</div>

Evaluation of Botanicals to Manage Leaf Spots (Passalora arachidicola and Passalora personatum) of Groundnut (Arachis hypogaea L.) in Zoba Hamelmalo Region of Eritrea

<div>Background: Root rot of fenugreek (Trigonella foenum-graecum L.) caused by Rhizoctonia solani is an important constraint to the crop and causes significant economic losses in Rajasthan as well as India and fungicides are the major tool to overcome the disease incidence. As per environment and health issues and demand of organically produced fenugreek green leaves and seeds, it is a major concerned to control it by eco-friendly approaches. The current study aimed to find the most effective control measure of this dreaded disease through eco-friendly approaches. 
 
Methods: The present field-laboratory investigations were conducted during 2016-17 and 2017-18, to evaluate six plant extracts in vitro and in vivo, namely neem (Azadirachta indica), Alstonia (Alstonia scholaris), garlic (Allium sativum), datura (Datura stramonium), tulsi (Ocimum tenuiflorum), aak (Calotropis gigantea) and four bio-agents (Trichoderma harzianum, T. viride, Bacillus subtilis and Pseudomonas fluorescens) in vivo through seed treatment alone and/or in combination for two consecutive years.&nbsp; 
 
Result: Our investigations in vitro with botanicals cleared that garlic clove extract was highly antimycotic to the pathogen (79.52%) followed by aak (62.48%) and neem extract (53.37%). Under field conditions, seed soaking with garlic clove extract (@10%) for 30 minutes was observed the most effective in reducing disease incidence (62.02%) and in increasing seed yield (65.35%) followed by aak (56.56% and 59.82%, respectively). In bio-agents, Trichoderma harzianum + Pseudomonas fluorescens (@ 3+3 g/kg seeds) was found superior in reducing disease incidence (66.81%) and in increasing seed yield (73.06%) and the next best was T. viride + P. fluorescens. The findings of this study can be utilized to manage the disease effectively and eco-friendly and also to obtain organic produce of the fenugreek.</div>

Management of Root Rot of Fenugreek Caused by Rhizoctonia solani using Plant Extracts and Bio-agents

<div>Background: Chickpea (Cicer arietinum L.) is the most important leguminous crop around the world. Fusarium wilt incited by Fusarium oxysporum 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 Fusarium oxysporum f. sp. ciceris under in vitro and field conditions.&nbsp; 
 
Methods: Plant extracts and fungicides were evaluated using poison food technique while antagonistic activity of bio-agents was studied using dual culture technique under in vitro 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. 
 
Result: Among thirteen plant extracts evaluated in vitro, neem leaves extract was found to be the most effective in inhibiting mycelial growth of F. oxysporum f. sp. ciceris 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 EC50 and EC90 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, T. viride and T. harzianum gave the best results in suppressing the pathogen growth in vitro 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>

Field surveys were carried out in three Bhut Jolokia growing districts viz., Sivasagar, Jorhat, Golaghat &nbsp;of Upper Assam &nbsp;to assess the incidence of viral diseases during &nbsp;2009-11. The &nbsp;incidence &nbsp;of virus diseases &nbsp;varied in farmer&rsquo;s &nbsp;field with an average ranged from 8-72% .Four different viruses were identified based on symptomatology, transmission, host range and serological assays. The mosaic disease was detected to be &nbsp;cucumovirus, potyvirus &nbsp;leaf and stem necrosis disease to be caused by tospovirus &nbsp;and leaf curl disease caused by begomovirus. Cucumovirus , Potyvirus and Tospovirus were easily transmitted by grafting and &nbsp;sap inoculation to Bhut Jolokia and other hosts tested. However, begomovirus was found to be graft transmissible whereas sap inoculation failed to produce any symptom on host plants. Mixed infection of Cucumovirus &nbsp;and Potyvirus was separated by sap inoculation on Datura stramonium. Cucumovirus produced local lesion while Potyvirus produced chlorotic lesion on D. stramonium. DAS-ELISA revealed highest incidence of Potyvirus (87.50%) followed by Cucumovirus (75.00%) and Tospovirus &nbsp;(62.50%) in &nbsp;Golaghat while lowest incidence (31.25-33.33%) of virus diseases was recorded in Sivasagar for all the four viruses. However, overall incidence of Begomovirus was low in all the surveyed fields.

Occurrence of virus diseases of Bhut Jolokia (Capsicum chinense)&nbsp;

<div>Background: Kangayam is a popular and well known cattle breed from Tamil Nadu, known for its heat tolerance and work capacities. Postoperative wound gaping is a very traumatic and painful event for any patient including voiceless animal patient. The rejuvenating effect of herbal preparation from Oomathai (Datura metal); Mathan Thailam in a wound dehiscence following hysterotomy in a Kangayam cow affected with uterine torsion is reported. 
 
Methods: A full term pregnant Kangayam cow on its second parity was presented to the Large Animal Obstetrics Unit, Veterinary Clinical Complex (VCC), Veterinary College and Research Institute (VCRI), Namakkal with colic signs for two days. On general clinical examination, the animal was dull and depressed with recurrent kicking in the abdomen with tucked up udder. Vaginal examination revealed closed cervix and rectal examination revealed left side broad ligament crossing over the cervix towards right side. The case was diagnosed as pre-cervical right side uterine torsion and Schaffer&rsquo;s method of detorsion of cervix failed to dilate. Thus, hysterotomy was performed to deliver the fetus. Postoperative wound dehiscence occurred as a complication which was treated with mathan thailam. 
 
Result: The owner was directed to apply the mathan thailam externally thrice daily after regular cleaning of wound. The result is significant that the mathan thailam showed excellent rejuvenation in the wound gaping.&nbsp;</div>

​Rejuvenating Effect of Mathan Thailam for a Wound Dehiscence following Caesarean Operation in a Kangayam Cow Affected with Uterine Torsion

Background: Biological control agents are increasingly used as alternatives to chemical methods against plant diseases. This study aimed to identify native bacterial isolates from plant and soil samples capable of suppressing Rhizoctonia solani induced root rot in bean (Phaseolus vulgaris L.). Given the importance of dry bean production in Turkey, especially in Konya, a key center in Central Anatolia, isolates from this region were prioritized. 
&nbsp; 
Methods: A total of 175 bacterial isolates were collected from rhizosphere and various tissues of beans and Datura spp. Their antagonistic activity against R. solani AG-4 was assessed via in vitro dual culture assays and in vivo experiments under controlled conditions using a Randomized Complete Block Design (RCBD). Identification of effective isolates was performed using 16S rRNA gene sequencing. 
&nbsp; 
Result: Ten isolates strongly inhibited fungal growth in vitro, with endophytes Bacillus pumilus DP25 and B. velezensis DP98 showing complete (100%) suppression. In vivo, B. pumilus DP25 (87%), B. halotolerans DP48 (82%) and B. amyloliquefaciens DP76 (80%) significantly reduced disease severity; other isolates showed 53-78% efficacy. The study highlights the potential of native Bacillus spp. as biocontrol agents, offering practical insights for sustainable bean cultivation in Turkey. 
&nbsp;

Biological Control of Diseases Caused by Rhizoctonia solani AG-4 in Bean (Phaseolus vulgaris L.) using Rhizobacteria and Endophytic Bacteria

<div>Background: Chickpea (Cicer arietinum L.) is the world&rsquo;s third most important pulse crop. Collar rot caused by Sclerotium rolfsii Sacc. is an important devasting disease of chickpea in areas where seedling is exposed to high temperature and high moisture in the soil, affected seedlings turn yellow, which can be easily pulled out, which causes considerable damage to the plant stand. Botanical&rsquo;s control is very important aspects to minimize cost of cultivation and also to avoid environment pollution and health hazards. Thus, botanicals extracts were tested for their efficacy against S. rolfsii for manage the disease. 
 
Methods: Present investigation was undertaken for bio-efficacy of aqueous botanical extracts of different non-host plants viz., neem seeds kernel extract (NSKE), neem leaves extract (NLE), tulsi leaves extract (TLE), datura leaves extract (DLE), aak leaves extract (ALE), lantana leaves extract (LLE), kaner leaves extract (KLE) and gajargass leaves extract (GLE) were evaluated in vitro at three concentrations viz., 5, 10 and 15% against S. rolfsii causing collar rot of chickpea, by using poisoned food technique. Most effective in vitro evaluate botanical extracts further tested for their efficacy against management of the disease under pot experiment in net house.&nbsp; 
 
Result: The result revealed that all the botanical extracts are significantly inhibited the growth of test organism at all the concentrations tested after 96 h of inoculation. The NSKE recorded significantly superior in inhibiting mycelial growth up to 47.22 and 59.44% at 10 and 15% concentration, respectively with a mean of 46.85%, followed by tulsi leaves extract with 43.61 and 56.11% at 10 and 15% concentration respectively with a mean of 43.61%. While, at 5% concentration both extracts at par statistically to each other. Lantana leaves extract is found statistically at par with tulsi leaf extract at all concentrations least inhibition was observed in kaner leaves extract under in vitro condition. Under pot experiments all the treatments proved significantly superior when compared with inoculated control. NSKE @ 15% concentration was found significantly superior to control the disease, when applied through seed treatment and integration of seed treatment and post emergence seedling drenching at 7 DAG.</div>

Preliminary Studies on Bio-efficacy of Different Botanical Extracts against Sclerotium rolfsii (Sacc.) Causing Collar Rot of Chickpea (Cicer arietinum L.)

<div>Background: Paspalum scorbiculatum is an annual crop and has superior nutritional properties including high micronutrients, dietary fiber content and gluten free. It has low glycemic index (GI) carbohydrate diets help in prevention of Obesity, Diabeties and Cardiovascular diseases, etc. The current study was aimed to find out the suitable pre- sowing seed treatments for Kodo millet. 
 
Methods: During the Kharif season 2019- 2020 total of 12 pre- sowing seed treatments were subjected with Botanicals, Magnetic and Electric fields, Thermal (Hot water) treatments and to fix the best treatment based on Seed Quality and Morphological traits of treated seeds. Morphological traits play an major role in crop growth and development where as, the present investigation was carried out with farmer&rsquo;s variety in field (RBD) design in 3 replications and laboratory (CRD) design in 4 replications in order to &ldquo;Standardization of different pre- sowing seed treatments on growth, yield and yield attributing traits of Kodo millet (Paspalum scorbiculatum). Seeds were subjected to various pre- sowing seed treatments viz.&nbsp;(T0) control, exposure to Magnetic field at 100 mT, 200 mT, 400 mT for 15,30 and 45 min; exposure to Electric field at 50 mA, 100 mA, 150 mA for 5,10, 15 min. Treatment with botanicals cow dung (5 gm) and Datura leaf extract (2.5 ml) for 12 hrs; Thermal hot water treatment at 46&deg;C and 50&deg;C for 10 min. 
 
Result: Among all the treatments, T4-Magnetic field (200 mT) gave the best results in field and lab conditions of field emergence (98.610) and germination% (98.5), Magnetic field (400 mT) shown the good results and significantly higher values of all other yield (45.867, 78.833, 660.480, 165.120) and morphological traits as well as seed quality parameters like shoot length (86.925), root length (44.55), seedling length (13.131), vigour index- I and II (1267.138 and 5.058), fresh (0.343) and dry (0.0524) weight of seedlings and comparatively control (T0) was observed lowest to other treatments. As such, Magnetic treatment is quite effective for seedling establishment to overcome low germination and yield which helps in Qualitative and Quantiative seed production of Millets in sustainable agriculture.</div>

Standardization of Different Pre-sowing Seed Treatments on Growth, Yield and Yield Attributing Traits of Kodo Millet (Paspalum scorbiculatum)