Nancy Abril Martínez-López¹, Betsy Anaid Peña-Ocaña², Rodolfo García-Contreras³, Toshinari Maeda⁴, Reiner Rincón-Rosales¹, Federico Antonio Gutiérrez-Miceli¹, Víctor Manuel Ruíz-Valdiviezo^1,*

Phyton-International Journal of Experimental Botany, Vol.94, No.9, pp. 2729-2743, 2025, DOI:10.32604/phyton.2025.068176 - 30 September 2025

Abstract Species of the genus Paenibacillus, especially those from extreme environments that have been reported, are known for producing bioactive compounds with agricultural and biotechnological applications. In this study, we investigated the genomic and biochemical potential of Paenibacillus sp. VCA1 strain isolated from a thermophilic environment. Taxonomic identification was performed using whole genome similarity analysis, TETRA four-nucleotide frequency of occurrence analysis, ANI average nucleotide identity analysis, and gene distance analysis using digital DNA-DNA hybridization (dDDH). Functional analysis of the strain VCA1 was performed by detecting genes, enzymes, and genome subsystems involved in biocontrol and plant growth promotion,… More >

Sajid Ali^*, Yong-Sun Moon^*

Phyton-International Journal of Experimental Botany, Vol.94, No.5, pp. 1419-1451, 2025, DOI:10.32604/phyton.2025.064284 - 29 May 2025

Abstract This review focused on the role of plant growth-promoting rhizobacteria (PGPR) in enhancing plant growth and protecting against pathogens, highlighting their mechanisms of action, ecological benefits, and challenges. PGPR mediate plant growth through several mechanisms, including nutrient acquisition, production of antimicrobial compounds and induction of systemic resistance. These mechanisms are critical in improving crop yields, especially under stressful conditions. This review examines the molecular mechanisms of PGPR-mediated plant pathogen control, cellular mechanisms of PGPR in plant pathogen control, ecological and environmental benefits of PGPR application. Despite their potential, PGPR application is limited by environmental variability,… More >

Pamela Lippi¹, Aleš Eichmeier², Sergio Puccioni³, Giovan Battista Mattii¹, Eleonora Cataldo^1,*

Phyton-International Journal of Experimental Botany, Vol.94, No.4, pp. 1047-1072, 2025, DOI:10.32604/phyton.2025.064272 - 30 April 2025

Abstract The search for environmentally friendly approaches in viticulture is increasing, driven by the need to minimize the ecological footprint of conventional methods while ensuring high grape quality and stable yields. Among the various alternatives explored, essential oils (EOs) have drawn attention due to their natural origin and bioactive properties, including antimicrobial, antifungal, and insect-repellent effects. They are characterized by numerous utilisations, from managing diseases and pests in vineyards to post-harvest applications to preserve and prolong storage duration. This innovative review examines, for the first time, the topic of EOs on viticulture, embracing their multiple uses… More >

Abdelhak Rhouma¹, Lobna Hajji-Hedfi^1,*, Nahla Alsayd Bouqellah^2,*, Pravin Babasaheb Khaire³, Samar Dali¹, Omaima Bargougui¹, Amira Khlif¹, Laith Khalil Tawfeeq Al-Ani⁴

Phyton-International Journal of Experimental Botany, Vol.93, No.11, pp. 2857-2881, 2024, DOI:10.32604/phyton.2024.057591 - 30 November 2024

Abstract Beauveria bassiana and Metarhizium spp. are entomopathogenic fungi with potential applications beyond insect pest control, including plant disease suppression, plant growth promotion, and rhizosphere colonization. This study investigated the plant growth-promoting characteristics and extracellular enzyme activities of Metarhizium spp. and B. bassiana in relation to phytopathogen interactions and plant growth. Additionally, the efficacy of these fungi in mitigating damping-off and root rot caused by Rhizoctonia solani on cucumber plants was evaluated in vitro and in vivo. Results indicate that B. bassiana and M. anisopliae produce indole-3-acetic acid, hydrocyanic acid, and hydrolytic enzymes. Seed treatment with these fungi significantly reduced disease severity (3.85%–1.86%, respectively)… More >

Shugufta Parveen¹, Fayaz A. Mohiddin^2,*, M. Ashraf Bhat³, Zahoor Ahmed Baba⁴, Fehim Jeelani⁵, M. Anwar Bhat⁶, Sajad Un Nabi⁷, Burhan Hamid², Saba Bandey⁸, Farhanaz Rasool⁹, Zakir Amin¹, Ibrahim Al-Ashkar^10,*, Muhammad Adnan¹¹, Ayman El Sabagh¹²

Phyton-International Journal of Experimental Botany, Vol.92, No.11, pp. 3021-3041, 2023, DOI:10.32604/phyton.2023.030921 - 24 October 2023

Abstract One hundred twenty-five endophytic microorganisms were isolated from the roots, stems, and leaves of four prominent rice cultivars growing in temperate regions. Their potential to combat rice blast disease and promote plant growth was investigated. The dual culture tests highlighted the strong antagonistic activity of five fungal (ranging from 89%–70%) and five bacterial (72%–61%) endophytes. Subsequent examination focused on volatile compounds produced by selected isolates to counter the blast pathogen. Among these, the highest chitinase (13.76 µg mL⁻¹) and siderophore (56.64%), was exhibited by Aspergillus flavus, and the highest HCN production was shown by Stenotrophomonas maltophilia (36.15 µM… More >

Touseef Hussain^1,*, Abrar A. Khan¹, Heba I. Mohamed^2,*

Phyton-International Journal of Experimental Botany, Vol.92, No.3, pp. 783-799, 2023, DOI:10.32604/phyton.2022.026045 - 29 November 2022

Abstract Fusarium dry rot is considered to be the most critical soilborne and postharvest disease that damages potato tubers worldwide when they are stored for a long time. This study was performed to demonstrate the effect of crude extract, culture filtrate, and cell suspension obtained from the bacterium Bacillus subtilis HussainT-AMU, on the net house and field. From oil-contaminated soil, through the serial dilution method, biosurfactant bacteria were isolated on nutrient agar medium. To isolate and screen the prospective biosurfactant strain, various biosurfactant screening methods were used. Standard protocols were carried out for morphological, molecular, and chemical… More >

Vianey Mendez-Trujillo¹, Benjamín Valdez-Salas², Mario Curiel-Alvarez², Ernesto Beltran-Partida², Arnoldo Alfaro-Corres³, Esaú Ruiz-Sanchez³, Gerardo Bautista-Trujillo⁴, Olivia Tzintzun Camacho⁵, Onecimo Grimaldo-Juarez⁵, Carlos Ceceña-Duran⁵, Carlos Ail-Catzin⁵, Daniel González-Mendoza^5,*

Journal of Renewable Materials, Vol.10, No.10, pp. 2543-2552, 2022, DOI:10.32604/jrm.2022.020965 - 08 June 2022

Abstract The present study was conducted to evaluate the impact of bimetallic nanoparticles (NPs) of copper (Cu) and zinc (Zn) from Crotalaria longirostrata on the insect mortality and cell viability of Phenacoccus solenopsis. The biosynthesis of bimetallic nanoparticles (Cu/Zn-NPs) from C. longirostrata was confirmed by the presence of a single peak around 378 nm. The hydrodynamic diameter of the Cu/Zn nanoparticles varied from 59 to 119 nm and their zeta potential was found to be −30.90 mV. The EDX analysis showed a strong signal for Cu and Zn (8 and 8.6 keV, respectively). The Cu/Zn-NPs showed an effective insecticide activity against P. solenopsis with More >

PRANAB DUTTA^1,*, GOMATHY MUTHUKRISHNAN^2,*, SABARINATHAN KUTALINGAM GOPALASUBRAMAIAM², RAJAKUMAR DHARMARAJ², ANANTHI KARUPPAIAH³, KARTHIBA LOGANATHAN⁴, KALAISELVI PERIYASAMY⁵, M. ARUMUGAM PILLAI², GK UPAMANYA⁶, SARODEE BORUAH⁷, LIPA DEB¹, ARTI KUMARI¹, MADHUSMITA MAHANTA¹, PUNABATI HEISNAM⁸, AK MISHRA⁹

BIOCELL, Vol.46, No.8, pp. 1843-1859, 2022, DOI:10.32604/biocell.2022.019291 - 22 April 2022

Abstract

Plant growth-promoting rhizobacteria (PGPR) are specialized bacterial communities inhabiting the root rhizosphere and the secretion of root exudates helps to, regulate the microbial dynamics and their interactions with the plants. These bacteria viz., Agrobacterium, Arthobacter, Azospirillum, Bacillus, Burkholderia, Flavobacterium, Pseudomonas, Rhizobium, etc., play important role in plant growth promotion. In addition, such symbiotic associations of PGPRs in the rhizospheric region also confer protection against several diseases caused by bacterial, fungal and viral pathogens. The biocontrol mechanism utilized by PGPR includes direct and indirect mechanisms direct PGPR mechanisms include the production of antibiotic, siderophore, and hydrolytic enzymes,

… More >

Yasar Nishat¹, Mohammad Danish^1,*, Heba I. Mohamed^2,*, Hisamuddin Shaikh¹, Abeer Elhakem³

Phyton-International Journal of Experimental Botany, Vol.91, No.8, pp. 1757-1777, 2022, DOI:10.32604/phyton.2022.021267 - 14 April 2022

Abstract Meloidogyne incognita is a plant pathogen causing root-knot disease and loss of crop yield. The present study aimed to use Trichoderma harzianum as a biocontrol agent against plant-parasitic nematodes and used press mud, which is a solid waste by-product of sugarcane, as a biocontrol agent and biofertilizer. Therefore, the combined application of T. harzianum and press mud may enhance nematode control and plant growth. Elemental analysis of press mud using scanning electron microscopy (SEM) integrated with an Energy Dispersive X-ray (EDX) analyzer revealed the presence of different elements such as C, O, Mg, Si, P, K, Ca, Cu… More >

Chengyang Li^1,2,#, Lianjun Wang^1,#, Shasha Chai^1,#, Yinghua Xu^1,2, Chong Wang^1,2, Yi Liu^1,2, Jian Lei¹, Xiaojie Jin¹, Xianliang Cheng¹, Yuanyuan Yang¹, Xinsun Yang^1,*, Wenying Zhang^2,*

Phyton-International Journal of Experimental Botany, Vol.91, No.8, pp. 1779-1793, 2022, DOI:10.32604/phyton.2022.020192 - 14 April 2022

Abstract Fusarium wilt, a disease caused by Fusarium oxysporum f.sp batatas (Fob) is an important disease in sweet potato production. Using endophytic bacteria for biological control of sweet potato diseases is one of the important ways. A Bacillus subtilis with antagonistic effect on Fusarium wilt of sweet potato was isolated from soil by confrontation culture. According to the biological characteristics, 16S rDNA sequence analysis, and physiological and biochemical analysis, the Bacillus subtilis HAAS01 was named. A pot experiment was conducted for the biological control experiment of strain HAAS01, and the endogenous hormone content, antioxidant enzyme activity, soluble protein content, and related More >