June 2025

Antifungal activity of Trichoderma species and vermiwash against rice blast fungus (Magnaporthe oryzae)

Rice blast, caused by Magnaporthe oryzae, is a global fungal disease affecting rice. Fungicides are used to manage the disease, although they can harm the environment and human health. This study evaluates the antifungal efficacy of Trichoderma isolates (BG-1, SYA-E, BRO-2, SYA-C, EM-B) and vermiwash against M. oryzae using in vitro dual culture assays. Seven vermi-bacterial isolates from Eisenia fetida were analyzed...

Author(s): Adoyo George Otieno, Paul Kiprotich Kimurto, Miriam Karwitha Charimbu and David Mwongera Thuranira    

June 2025

Pearl millet (Pennisetum glaucum) cultivation in the peanut center basin of Senegal: Human capital, agricultural equipment and means of storage

The production of pearl millet (Pennisetum glaucum) is strongly present in the cultivation systems of the peanut basin in Senegal. It occupies an important place in the agricultural production of the area. Unfortunately, the benefits of this crop are increasingly deteriorating due to a lack of seeds in terms of availability, a lack of agricultural materials in terms of availability and practical uses, inadequate storage...

Author(s): Mohamed Sall, Ismaïla Coly, Ousmane Ndiaye, Arfang Ousmane Kemo Goudiaby, Cheick Atab Mané and Abdou Khadre Fall

June 2025

Enhancing lutein content in yellow-fleshed watermelon through potassium-driven regulation of lycopene ?-cyclase (LCYB) expression

Watermelon (Citrullus lanatus) is notably rich in carotenoids, with yellow-fleshed varieties containing high levels of lutein. Lutein accumulation is influenced by genetic, environmental, and cultivation factors. Potassium, a critical macronutrient for photosynthesis and metabolism, plays an unclear role in regulating lutein accumulation in watermelon. To investigate this, foliar sprays of varying potassium chloride...

Author(s): Leichen Zhang and Ziwei Hu