<div style="text-align: justify;">Burfi is one of the most popular milk product of Indian origin, which is conventionally prepared by using sugar as sweetening agent with Khoa as base. In present study, khoa burfi was prepared using honey as sweetening agent in three different levels @ 10, 15 and 20% on the basis of khoa. The sensory evaluation of freshly prepared khoa burfi &nbsp;using honey as sweetening agent was carried out by the panel of 7 judges. Samples were evaluated for flavour (10), body and texture (10) and colour and appearance (5) using 25 point score. The panel was also asked to judge the overall acceptability of the product by sum of all the scores (25). The highest sensory score was obtained for control khoa burfi prepared from sugar as sweetening agent followed by khoa burfi using honey as sweetening agent @ 15%.&nbsp;</div>

Preparation of khoa burfi using honey as a sweetening agent

<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>

<div style="text-align: justify;">The five different bio-agents viz., Trichoderma viride, T. harzianum, T. virens, Pseudomonas fluorescens and Bacillus subtilis were evaluated against Pyricularia oryzae at four and eight days after incubation through dual culture technique. Among the five different bio-agents, highest per cent inhibition of mycelial growth of fungus was recorded in T. virens i.e. 67 per cent and 70 percent after four and eight days after incubation respectively with mean of 68.5 per cent followed by Trichoderma viride with the inhibition of 61 and 63 per cent respectively with mean of 62 per cent. The Pseudomonas fluorescens did not show any inhibition of mycelial growth of P. oryzae as the pathogen over grew the bio-agents.&nbsp;</div>

In vitro evaluation of bio-agents against Pyricularia oryzae (Cav.) causing rice blast disease

<div>Background: Rice root knot nematode (M. graminicola) is considered as a major threat in basmati rice. The main characteristic symptoms produced by M. graminicola are terminal hook shaped or spiral galls on the roots and other symptoms of damage include patches of stunted and yellowish plants. 
 
Methods: A field experiment was conducted in Kharif season of 2018 and 2019 at Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel University of Agriculture and Technology, Meerut (UP) to test the efficacy of bio-agents against the root knot nematode. In this experiment, three bio-agents (Bacillus pumilus, Bacillus subtilis and Pseudomonas florescence) and one chemical (carbofuran) were tested in randomized block design with three replications. 
 
Result: It was observed that tested bio-agents and chemical significantly reduced the galls per plant in comparison to the control. At 30 and 60 day after transplanting, minimum (12.7 and 10.0 galls/plant) and (20.9 and 18.8 galls/plant) were recorded with Bacillus subtilis @ 20g/ M2 (2 x 108 cfu/g) during 2018 and 2019, respectively. In case of control, 52.7 and 62.5 galls/plant were recorded at 60 days after transplanting during both years. All the tested bio-agents were found effective in reducing the nematode population, increase the growth parameters and yield of basmati rice.</div>

Efficacy of Bio-agents in the Management of Root Knot Nematode (Meloidogyne graminicola) in Basmati Rice

<div style="text-align: justify;">Background: Low nutrient content in ultisol soils and the result of Maydis leaf rot are a major problem in efforts to increase corn productivity in Southeast Sulawesi Province, Indonesia. The use of organic materials and biological agents is one of the solutions in increasing disease resistance and corn productivity in the environmentally friendly ultisol lands. This study aims to assess the effectiveness of the biological agent Biofresh combined with various types of organic material to increase resistance to Maydis leaf rot and maize productivity in ultisol lands.</div><div style="text-align: justify;">Methods: Research in April-August 2017 in Southeast Sulawesi, Indonesia. With 21 units of experiments using a random block design with 7 treatments in combination of Biofresh with organic material &lsquo;Bokashi&rsquo;. consists of: B0 = Inorganic fertilizer; B1 = Organic material of cow dung; B2 = Biofresh Biological Agent; B3 = Biofresh biological agent combined with cow dung organic matter; B4 = Biofresh biological agent combination with bokashi cow dung and straws; B5 = Biofresh combination of biological agents with bokashi cow dung and soybean Sitter; B6 = Biofresh Biological agent combination with all Cow, straw and soybean bokashi.</div><div style="text-align: justify;">Result: The results showed that the combination of Biofresh with organic material in the form of bokashi at a dose of 5 tons ha-1 was very effective in increasing the durability and productivity of corn plants in ultisol land. The combination of Biofresh biological agents with bokashi containing cow&rsquo;s feses, straw, and soy litter can reduce Maydis leaf blight leaf blight disease by 47.36% and increase production by 53.54%. Disease suppression index is positively correlated with maize crop productivity in Ultisol land.</div>

<div style="text-align: justify;">Increase Resistance to Maydis Leaf Blight and Productivity of Maize in Ultisol Soils with A Combination of Organic Material and Biological Agents Biofresh</div>

<div style="text-align:justify">Background: Root rot of clusterbean [Cyamopsis tetragonoloba (L.) Taub.] caused by Rhizoctonia solani is an important menace and causes significant economic losses in India and chemical pesticides are mostly used to overcome this problem. As per environment and health issues and demand of organic produce, 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 2018, to evaluate four bio-agents in vitro and in vivo (Trichoderma harzianum, T. viride, Bacillus subtilis and Pseudomonas fluorescens) and five organic amendments in vivo namely wool waste (@ 50 q/ ha), human hair (@ 50 q/ ha), mustard cake (@ 5 q/ ha), castor cake (@ 6 q/ ha) and neem cake (@ 5 q/ ha) were evaluated.&nbsp; 
 
Result: Our investigations in vitro with bio-agents depicted that T. harzianum was highly inhibitory (62.65 %) followed by T. viride (48.52%). Seed-cum-soil application (6g/kg seed + 6kg/ha) of T. harzianum was found most superior in reducing disease incidence (74.03%) followed by Trichoderma viride (69.83%) while in organic amendments, neem cake (5 q/ha) was found highly effective (70.07%) followed by castor cake (64.40%), mustard cake, wool waste and least effective was human hair. Though, wool waste and human hair least effective in disease management but preliminarily results indicated encouraging response with dual action, one in reducing disease and another in increasing plant biomass that open the future scope of further more sustainable experimentations. The findings of this study can be utilized to manage the disease effectively and eco-friendly.</div>

​Evaluation of Bio-control Agents and Organic Amendments for Managing Root Rot (Rhizoctonia solani) of Clusterbean (Cyamopsis tetragonoloba)

<div>Background: The importance of standardized organic fertilizers with relatively balanced levels of NPK elements, in order to increase the role of organic fertilizers as a source of nutrition for plants which at the same time can improve soil physical, chemical and&nbsp; biological properties and can increase the role of organic fertilizers as a medium for growth and development of biological agents so that they can increase its role as a biopesticide and biofertilizer, thereby simultaneously increasing crop productivity on marginal land. 
 
Methods: This research was conducted in the period June-November 2019 at South Konawe Regency Southeast Sulawesi Indonesia and in the Integrated Laboratory of Plant Protection Department, Faculty of Agriculture, Kendari Halu Oleo University. Assessing and formulating organic fertilizers by taking into account the composition of the ingredients which include; C/N ratio of the total material, elemental content of NPK, C-Organic content, moisture content and pH, to produce standardized organic fertilizers, with relatively balanced levels of NPK elements. The field research was arranged in a randomized block design consisting of 3 treatments including B0 = Inorganic fertilizer (control); B1 = Organic fertilizer formula A + agens hayati Biofresh; B2 = Organic fertilizer formula B + agens hayati biofresh. Each treatment was repeated 3 times, which in total there were 9 experimental units. 
 
Result: The formulation of organic fertilizers by taking into account the composition of the ingredients can produce organic fertilizers of a standard quality, with relatively balanced levels of NPK elements, effectively increasing the ability of biofresh biological agents, so as to increase the disease suppression index by 30.12%, with an increase in productivity of 14.31% of non-standard organic fertilizer treatments. And with the efficiency of using biofresh biological agents of 70.6%.</div>

Standardized Organic Fertilizer Formulations and their Effectiveness in Enhancing the Role of Biological Agents to Increase Disease Resistance and Maize Productivity in Marginal Lands

<div>Background: In India, out of the total loss incurred by different insect pests of paddy, 25 to 30 per cent damage is done by stem borer alone. Many conventional insecticides though have been evaluated against stem borers, yet, most of the chemicals have failed to provide adequate control. Hence, the present study aimed to evaluate the efficacy of some newer molecules of insecticides and bio-control agents. 
 
Methods: Field trials were conducted to record the seasonal incidence and to evaluate the efficacy of insecticides and bio-control agents against the stem borer species in rice during Kharif and Rabi.&nbsp; 
 
Result: Field experiments revealed that during Kharif 2018, chlorantraniliprole 18.5 SC was highly effective with 92.98 and 91.24 per cent reduction of stem borer infestation over control at vegetative and reproductive stages, respectively and recorded a high yield of 5720 kg/ha followed by spinetoram 11.7 SC with 83.16 and 80.82 per cent reduction of stem borer over control at vegetative and reproductive stages, respectively. During Rabi 2019, spinetoram 11.7 SC was highly effective with 92.36 and 93.73 per cent reduction of stem borer infestation over control at vegetative and reproductive stages respectively and recorded a high yield of 4570 kg/ ha, followed by chlorantraniliprole 18.5 SC with 84.60 and 91.48 per cent reduction of stem borer at vegetative and reproductive stages, respectively. The difference in the efficacy of insecticides during Khaif, 2018 and Rabi, 2019, might be due to shift in the species occurrence of stem borer, with a dominant occurrence of yellow stem borer (80.61%) in Kharif 2018 and pink stem borer (70.00%) in Rabi, 2019. The bio-control agent Trichogramma japonicum exerted minimum reduction of stem borer with a low grain yield of 3946.6 kg/ha.</div>

<div>Relative Abundance and Field Efficacy of Insecticides and Bio-control Agents Against Stem Borer Species in Rice (Oryza sativa L.)</div>

<div style="text-align: justify;">Stem rot (Sclerotium rolfsii Sacc.) resistance in groundnut genotypes was due to activities of defense enzymes such as, catalase, peroxidase and polyphenol oxidase. Bio-agent, Bacillus amyloliquefaciens isolated from groundnut rhizosphere enhances the activities of defense enzymes through salicylic acid induced systemic resistance. In resistant genotypes (NRCGCS-19 and NRCGCS-319) higher activities of defense enzymes were recorded constitutively while in susceptible genotypes it was increased after bio-agent treatment. The activities of pathogenesis related-proteins viz., polygalacturonase and chitinase were registered in plants inoculated with S. rolfsii. Enzymes, catalase, peroxidase, polyphenol oxidase and chitinase showed strong negative correlation with disease severity index. However, the activity of polygalacturonase was directly related to disease severity index and inversely related to activity of chitinase. Hence, to obtain required levels of crop protection against S. rolfsii one has to grow either resistant genotypes or bio-agent treated susceptible genotypes.</div>

Biochemical basis of genotypic and bio-agent induced stem rot resistance&nbsp;in groundnut

<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>

Preparation of khoa burfi using honey as a sweetening agent

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

In vitro evaluation of bio-agents against Pyricularia oryzae (Cav.) causing rice blast disease

Efficacy of Bio-agents in the Management of Root Knot Nematode (Meloidogyne graminicola) in Basmati Rice

Increase Resistance to Maydis Leaf Blight and Productivity of Maize in Ultisol Soils with A Combination of Organic Material and Biological Agents Biofresh

Evaluation of Bio-control Agents and Organic Amendments for Managing Root Rot (Rhizoctonia solani) of Clusterbean (Cyamopsis tetragonoloba)

Standardized Organic Fertilizer Formulations and their Effectiveness in Enhancing the Role of Biological Agents to Increase Disease Resistance and Maize Productivity in Marginal Lands

Relative Abundance and Field Efficacy of Insecticides and Bio-control Agents Against Stem Borer Species in Rice (Oryza sativa L.)

Biochemical basis of genotypic and bio-agent induced stem rot resistance in groundnut

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