Seeds of mungbean &nbsp;(Cv. Vaibhav) was treated with bioagents and botanicals &nbsp;viz; talc powder formulations of Pseudomonas fluorescens (0.6%), Trichoderma viride &nbsp;(0.6%), Pseudomonas fluorescens + Trichoderma viride (0.6%) each, garlic extract (1%), ginger extract (1%) and Thiram + Carbendazim (0.2% each) as a recommended fungicidal check. The results indicated that, among the bioagents the treatment of &nbsp;Pseudomonas fluorescens + Trichoderma viride (0.6% each) to the seeds of mungbean &nbsp;was effective in reducing seed mycoflora &nbsp;viz; Fusarium oxysporum, Alternaria alternata, Macrophomina phaseolena, Aspergillus flavus, Aspergillus niger and Fusarium moniliforme &nbsp;by 88.5, 85.1, 64.9, 81.1, 75.0 and 100 &nbsp;per cent, respectively over untreated control. The seed germination, seedling vigour index and field emergence of mungbean &nbsp;was increased by 21.81, 34.03 and 15.98 per cent, respectively with this treatment over untreated control. The seed germination, seedling vigour index and field emergence in untreated control was 71.83 per cent, 2261.52 and 67.83 per cent, respectively. &nbsp;&nbsp;

Efficacy of bioagents and botanicals on seed mycoflora and seed quality&nbsp;in mungbean [Vigna radiata (L.) Wiczek]

Background: Post-harvest management of copra quality poses significant challenges due to improper handling by farmers and traders, a lack of awareness about mycotoxin contamination, and the associated health risks from metabolites produced by molds. Most traders noted that copra extraction happens at the farmers&rsquo; level, which heightens the risk of mold infestation, as many farmers do not realize that improper drying can result in fungal contamination. Copra quality is found to be reduced by many fungi. 
 
Methods: In the present study mycoflora isolated from storage copra. Potential biocontrol agents and chemical preservatives were screened against isolated mycoflora by using dual culture technique to enhance copra quality and to ensure better preservation methods in the industry. 
 
Result: Isolation studies revealed that Aspergillus flavus, A. niger, Rhizopus spp, Drechslera spp, Botryodiplodia spp and Penicillium spp are the commonly associated mycoflora on copra during storage.&nbsp; Aspergillus flavus was predominant among the mycoflora with percent colonies ranging from 68 to 92 per each sample. Dual culture studies carried out with the three species of Trichoderma isolated from soils of coconut gardens revealed that T.viride, T.harzianum and T.hamatum were found very effective in inhibiting the mycelial growth of A.flavus under in vitro conditions.&nbsp; of them, T.hamatum was found very effective in controlling A.flavus. Among various chemical preservatives tested, Menadione showed the highest inhibition of A. flavus strains at 100 percent, followed by Potassium metabisulfite at 77.23 percent and Benzoic acid at 63.33 percent. Compatibility studies between A.flavus and the widely used chemical preservatives in food industry gives an idea of the nature of chemical preservatives to be used. 
&nbsp;

In-vitro Studies on Aflatoxin Contamination and Management of Copra Quality

<div>Background: Pulses are very crucial to meet the requirements of dietary proteins in the human diet especially for the predominantly vegetarian population in India. Pigeonpea [Cajanus cajan (L.) Millsp.] and chickpea (Cicer arietinum L.) are important pulses grown in India. The seeds of these crops are highly vulnerable to various microorganisms, both in the field and during storage, which play an important role in reducing the seed viability, germination and vigour causing considerable loss in yield and quality. There is no suitable recommendation available to maintain seed quality during storage of pulses, hence present study was undertaken.&nbsp; 
 
Methods: Seeds of pigeonpea and chickpea were treated with Captan and Carbendazim 50% WP fungicides @ 2.0 g/Kg of seed and stored under ambient condition. The samples were drawn at three months interval to assess the effect of storage on seed quality parameters. The vigour index I, seed germination and speed of germination of these seed samples were determined using ISTA rules. The detection of seed mycoflora in pigeonpea and chickpea seed samples was carried out by the blotter test as recommended by the International Seed Testing Association.&nbsp; 
 
Result: Total sixteen fungal species were recorded on stored seeds. Maximum incidence of Aspergillus fumigatus (19.83%), A. flavus (14.88%), A. niger (12.40%), Alternaria alternata (11.57%), Fusarium oxysporum (8.26%), Rhizopus stolonifer (7.44%) and Penicillium notatum (5.79%) were recorded on untreated seed of pigeonpea cv. P. 2001 after 18 months of storage. The per cent germination, speed of germination and vigour index of the stored seeds decreased with the increase in the storage period whereas the total number of fungi increased with the storage period, irrespective of treatments. Among the tested cultivars, germination in pigeonpea (cv. P. 991) remained above IMSCS (&gt;75%) upto 18 months of storage under ambient storage condition. However, the germination of pigeonpea cv. P. 2001 seed could be maintained above IMSCS (&gt;75%) up to 12 months only. In chickpea (local cultivar) seed, the germination remained above IMSCS (&gt;85%) up to 9 months only under ambient storage, however seed treatment with either Captan or Carbendazim could prolong the longevity upto 12 months of storage.</div>

Studies on Seed Longevity of Pigeonpea (Cajanus cajan L.) and Chickpea (Cicer arietinum L.) under Ambient Storage Condition

<div>Background: Ajwain is used as an antioxidant, as preservative and also valued for its medicinal properties. Ajwain seeds undergo deterioration during storage due to various microorganisms and leads to degradation of quality in terms of discolorations and altering the biochemical constituents. Hence, the effect of different types of storage conditions on quality of ajwain seeds was investigated. 
 
Methods: To assess the effect of storage in four different types of containers viz. Plastic jars (PJ) of make Pearl Pet, tin containers (TC), gunny bags (GB) and plastic lined gunny bags (PLBG) were used. The duration of storage was one year. External environmental conditions, i.e. temperature and relative humidity were recorded quarterly. To study the effect of different storage conditions on quality: (i) Seed quality assessment according to Agmark grade specifications (ii) incidence of mycoflora and (iii) effect on biochemical constituents viz. moisture, crude protein, crude fat, crude fiber, ash, carbohydrates, total soluble sugars, iron, total phenols and volatile oil contents were studied. Initial readings served as control for the experiment.</div>

<div>&nbsp;</div>

<div style="text-align:justify">Result: &nbsp;Irrespective of storage conditions, a sharp increase in deterioration was noted in stored samples of ajwain with respect to presence of shrivelled, damaged, discolored and weevilled seeds after 3 months of storage. This shifted the samples from good to substandard grade. Maximum deterioration was noted after 12 months. The incidence of mycoflora was found maximum in samples stored in tin containers and gunny bags followed by plastic lined gunny bags and plastic Jars. A decline in moisture, crude fiber, carbohydrates, total soluble sugars, iron and volatile oil contents and an increase in crude fat and ash contents were observed after 12 months of storage, irrespective of storage containers. Plastic jars were found to be the best of all containers studied for storage purpose.</div>

<div>Impact on Seed Quality of Ajwain [Trachyspermum ammi (L.) Sprague] Stored under Different Storage Conditions</div>

Background: Pigeonpea [Cajanus cajan (L.) Millsp.] is a vital legume crop in the semiarid tropics of Asia, Eastern Africa and the Caribbean Islands. The availability of healthy, pathogen free seeds plays a pivotal role in achieving an optimal plant population and subsequently influencing yield parameters in pigeonpea. 
 
Methods: The laboratory and field experiments were arranged using a completely randomized design and a randomized block design with a factorial concept, involving eight genotypes and three bioagents. 
 
Result: Seed mycoflora was 8.2% higher with the standard blotter method (32.65%) than with the water agar method (30.17%). Aspergillus niger (9.77%) and A. flavus (9.97%) were the predominant seed mycoflora species identified across various pigeonpea genotypes. Among the pigeonpea genotypes, BSMR-736 showed the highest performance, with plant height (12.4%), number of primary branches (14.7%), secondary branches (21.6%), number of pods per plant (40.6%), seeds per pod (15.9%), seed yield per plant (22.7%) and seed yield per hectare (30.9%) compared to the mean of the tested genotypes. TS-3R took the minimum days to reach 50% flowering (99.70) and maturity (149.63). The combination of polymer @ 3 ml kg-1&nbsp;+ Trichoderma harzianum and Pseudomonas fluorescens each @ 5 g kg-1&nbsp;demonstrated positive effects on various growth and yield traits, pods per plant (47.0%), seed yield per plant (14.3%) and seed yield per hectare (6.7%) over the treated mean. The application of bioagents, especially the combination of polymer with seed treatment using T. harzianum and P. fluorescens, exhibited the potential to enhance overall plant performance. 
&nbsp;

Influence of Polymer Coated Bioagents on Seed Yield and Quality Attributes in Pigeonpea Genotypes

<div>Background: Pea (Pisum sativum L.) is an important leguminous crop utilized as vegetable and pulse, being an important source of proteins. Pea seeds harbour various mycoflora both in field and during storage, which plays important role in reducing seed viability, germination and vigour inflicting considerable losses in yield and quality. There is scarcely any recommendation available to maintain seed quality during storage of pea seeds, hence present study was carried out. 
 
Methods: Seeds of pea (cvs. Azad P. 1 and Arkel) were treated with Captan and Carbendazim 50%WP fungicides @ 2.0 g/Kg seed and stored under ambient conditions. The samples were drawn at three months interval to assess the effect of storage on seed quality parameters. The vigour index I, per cent germination and speed of germination of these seed samples were determined using ISTA rules. The detection of associated mycoflora in pea (Pisum sativum L.) seed samples was carried out by standard blotter method as recommended by International Seed Testing Association. 
 
Result: Total fourteen fungal species were found associated with different pea seed samples. Out of these, maximum incidence of Alternaria alternata (21.36%) followed by Aspergillus flavus (15.53%), A. fumigatus (14.56%), A. niger (11.60%) and Rhizopus stolonifer (9.71%), were recorded on untreated seed of pea cv. Azad P. 1, after 18 months of storage. The germination, speed of germination and vigour index of stored seed reduced with increase in storage period, whereas fungal incidence increased with the increasing storage period. Among the tested cultivars, germination in pea (cv. Arkel) remained above IMSCS even after 18 months of storage under ambient storage conditions. The maximum percent germination (99.0) was found in pea cv. Azad P. 1 seeds treated with Captan at 3 months of storage, whereas minimum percent germination (49.5) was found in untreated seed of pea cv. Azad P. 1 after 18 months of storage. The maximum speed of germination (23.88) was found in Captan treated seed of pea cv. Arkel at 0 month of storage and minimum speed of germination (3.52) was found in untreated seed of pea cv. Azad P. 1 at 18 months of storage. The maximum vigour index I (2339) was found in pea cv. Azad P. 1 (Captan treated seed) at 3 months of storage and minimum vigour index I (431) was found in untreated seed of pea cv. Azad P. 1 after 18 months of storage.</div>

​Effect of Seed Treatments and Storage Period on Seed Health Parameters of Pea (Pisum sativum L.) under Ambient Storage Conditions

<div>Background: Bottle gourd is a cucurbitaceous vegetable of culinary and medicinal importance cultivated in various tropical and sub-tropical regions of world. This crop is exposed to a wide variety of seed and soil mycoflora, out of which Fusarium proliferatum is utmost important as far as seed germination, viability and seedling vigour are concerned. 
 
Methods: Study was taken up to evaluate different fungicides and bioagents for their efficacy against the fungus Fusarium proliferatum under in vitro through spore germination inhibition technique. 
 
Result: Spore germination inhibition of 86.00%, 85.00% and 81.33% was recorded with hexaconazole (5% SC) @ 0.2% (C3), mancozeb (75% WP) @ 0.3% (C3) and Pseudomonas fluorescens (1% WP) @ 2% (C3), respectively. The inhibition in spore germination by mancozeb (75% WP) and Pseudomonas fluorescens (1% WP) was upto 77.33% and it was 61.78% and 67.33% in treatments involving carbendazim (50% WP) and Trichoderma harzianum (1% WP) that could be exploited to devise integrated approach for disease management.</div>

Evaluation of Fungicides and Bioagents against Fusarium proliferatum under In vitro by Spore Germination Inhibition Technique

<div>Background: Potato (Solanum tuberosum) is main crop in subtropical and temperate regions as vegetable crop. It is affected by Phytophthora infestans causing a devasting disease late blight. The chemical pesticides used against this disease in this present scenario cause pollution (soil as well as water) and adversely affect beneficial soil micro-flora, grazing animals and human beings.&nbsp; 
 
Methods: An experiment was designed at the Department of Botany, K.V. Subharti College of Science, Swami Vivekanand Subharti University, Meerut (UP), India during 2017-2018. Three bacterial bioagents, Pseudomonas isolate 1 and 2 and Bacillus species was isolated from infected phylloplane and used against late blight pathogen, P. infestans. The efficacy of antagonistic bio-agents tested against mycelial growth, zoospore and zoosporangial germination of P. infestans by dual culture method and detached leaf method. 
 
Result: The present study focused on use of bio-agents or antagonistic bacteria to control late blight pathogen showed concentration biased potential inhibitory activity against mycelial growth, zoospore and zoosporangial germination.&nbsp;It means higher the concentration of bacterial isolate, greater the inhibitory effect on various tested parameters. Among the three tested antagonistic bioagents, Bacillus showed maximum zone of inhibition to late blight pathogen. The proved that the Pseudomaonas and Bacillus as potential antagonistic agent for ecofriendly sustainable management of pathogenic mycoflora, P. infestans.</div>

<div>Efficacy of Bacterial Isolates against Causal Agent of Late Blight of Potato, Phytophthora infestans</div>

<div>Background: Soil Fungi play a vital role in maintaining the soil health. Such Microbial communities offer stability and greater yield in agro-ecosystems. The current study was aimed to evaluate the diversity of rhizospheric fungi present in the Banana plantation site and estimate the values of the selected physico-chemical parameters of the soil. 
 
Methods: Soil samples were collected from the two selected sites i.e. Site MK and Site ZB, from Nagaland State, India During the month of October 2019. Soil temperatures, pH, Moisture, organic carbon and Available Nitrogen were measured by standard protocols. Fungi were isolated in Potato dextrose agar and Rose agar plates following serial dilution method. Plates were incubated at 25&plusmn;1&deg;C for 5-7 days. Fungal colonies were observed and transferred to appropriate identification media and identified with the help of literature. 
 
Result: A total of 19 different fungal isolates were recorded from the two sites. It was observed that the Genus Aspergillus was dominant in both the sites.</div>

Efficacy of bioagents and botanicals on seed mycoflora and seed quality in mungbean [Vigna radiata (L.) Wiczek]

In-vitro Studies on Aflatoxin Contamination and Management of Copra Quality

Studies on Seed Longevity of Pigeonpea (Cajanus cajan L.) and Chickpea (Cicer arietinum L.) under Ambient Storage Condition

Impact on Seed Quality of Ajwain [Trachyspermum ammi (L.) Sprague] Stored under Different Storage Conditions

Influence of Polymer Coated Bioagents on Seed Yield and Quality Attributes in Pigeonpea Genotypes

Effect of Seed Treatments and Storage Period on Seed Health Parameters of Pea (Pisum sativum L.) under Ambient Storage Conditions

Evaluation of Fungicides and Bioagents against Fusarium proliferatum under In vitro by Spore Germination Inhibition Technique

Efficacy of Bacterial Isolates against Causal Agent of Late Blight of Potato, Phytophthora infestans

Fungal Diversity and Physico-chemical Parameters of Rhizospheric Soil from Banana Plantation Sites at Nagaland, India