Background: Sclerotium rolfsii is a polyphagous pathogen which is uneconomical and difficult to control due to its broad host range and persistence due to its tough resting structures, i.e., sclerotia. Chemical control has been supplanted by biological phytopathogen control. Antibiotic microorganisms are regarded as one of the viable management techniques in an integrated approach for ecofriendly management. 
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Methods: Twenty three Trichoderma spp. and twenty one Bacillus species were isolated at Groundnut Pathology Laboratory, ICRISAT, Patancheru from rhizospheric soils of Telangana during rabi 2022-23 and 2023-24 and examined for antagonistic activity against Sclerotium rolfsii in an effort to design an effective biocontrol system for the management of Sclerotium rolfsii&nbsp;in groundnut. 
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Result: The highest antagonistic activity against Sclerotium rolfsii has been observed in Trichoderma viride and Bacillus cereus. In the dual culture assay, Trichoderma viride and Bacillus cereus inhibited Sclerotium rolfsii by up to 65.33 per cent and 58.22 per cent, respectively. In the metabolites assay, Trichoderma viride and Bacillus cereus inhibited Sclerotium rolfsii by 63.33 per cent and 55.40 per cent, respectively. Thus, Trichoderma viride and Bacillus cereus displayed promising biofungicidal capabilities against the stem rot pathogen.

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Biocontrol Efficacy of Trichoderma and Bacillus Isolates against Sclerotium rolfsii under in vitro Conditions

<div>Background: Dahi and Misti dahi are traditional Indian fermented milk products. The present study was aimed to evaluate the technological attributes of selected six Lactococcus lactis cultures namely NCDC 193, 125, 128, 94, 97 and 314 for preparation of Dahi and Misti dahi.&nbsp; 
 
Methods: Six Lactococcus lactis were collected and tested for acidification profile as well as growth rate was also determined in milk with (15%) and without sucrose. Their flavor producing ability, proteolytic ability by OPA method and antimicrobial activity against four spoilage causing microorganisms (Escherichia coli NCDC 134, Staphylococcus aureus NCDC 109, Micrococcus luteus NCDC 131 and Pseudomonas fluorescenes NCDC 316) were evaluated. 
 
Result: All the six cultures were able to grow and produce acidity in milk containing 15% sucrose and similar acidification profile as well as growth rate (K) were found in milk without sucrose. Cultures NCDC 193, 128 and 125 were found to produce flavoring compound (diacetyl). Proteolytic activity of the selected cultures ranged between 0.17 to 0.41 mg/mL of Leucine. Among six cultures three Lactococcus lactis cultures NCDC 314, 94 and 97 have shown zone of inhibition against all four test organisms.</div>

Evaluation of Technological Attributes of Lactococcus lactis Cultures for Preparation of Dahi and Misti Dahi (Sweetened Dahi)

Background: A total of 24 dogs confirmed with acute kidney disease were randomly divided into four treatment groups each comprising 6 dogs. Additionally, six healthy dogs were selected as the healthy control group. 
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Method: A total of 24 dogs confirmed for acute kidney disease were divided randomly into four treatment groups i.e., G2, G3, G4, and&nbsp;G5&nbsp;each comprising of 6 dogs. Six healthy dogs were selected as the healthy control group (G1). Dogs of group G2 were treated with Enalapril, G3&nbsp;were treated with Pulv. Boerhaavia diffusa, G4 were treated with Pulv. Tribulus terrestris and G5&nbsp;with the combination of Pulv. Boerhaavia diffusa and Pulv. Tribulus terrestris. Supportive treatment was given as per the requirement in all the treatment groups. 
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Result: Haematological parameters showed a significant decrease in Hb, TEC and PCV on day 0 (pre-treatment) in all dogs. Biochemical parameters revealed a&nbsp;significant increase in the values of serum creatinine, BUN, ALP, and AST levels while serum sodium concentration decreased. Proteinuria was observed on urinalysis. However, on day 30 (post-treatment) significant improvement was observed in the values of haemato-biochemical and urinary parameters.

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Therapeutic Efficacy of Boerhaavia diffusa and Tribulus terrestris on Acute Kidney Disease in Dogs

<div>Backgraund: The presence or absence of fungi on the seed surface is an important aspect that determines the quality of seeds. Since the data on the presence of Fusarium spp. and other seed-borne pathogens on vegetable pea in Serbia are scarce, the aim of this study was to isolate seed-borne pathogens and identify the disease-causing Fusarium spp. from the infected pea seed. 
 
Methods: Colony morphology and microscopic characters of isolated Fusarium species were recorded from the cultures grown on PDA and CLA, respectively. In order to confirm the morphological identification at the species level, a single-spore culture of the representative isolates was subjected to genomic DNA extraction and gene amplification using the translational elongation factor 1&alpha; (TEF-1&alpha;) region. The PCR products were sequenced and the sequences were compared against the GenBank nucleotide database by using the BLAST alignment. 
 
Result: Based on morphological and microscopic characteristics, as well as molecular identification by sequencing the TEF gene, the presence of Fusarium equiseti and F. proliferatum was confirmed on the representative isolates Ps18, Ps19 and Ps1, Ps36 obtained from vegetable pea seeds, respectively. According to our knowledge and research, this is the first report of F. equiseti and F. proliferatum on vegetable pea seeds in Serbia.</div>

Molecular Characterization of Fusarium proliferatum and F. equiseti of Pisum sativum Seed

<div>Background: Ticks are destructive ectoparasites that feed on the blood of domestic animals and the spread of ticks causes significant losses in meat, milk and leather production. About 800 species of ticks are known around the world, Hyalomma dromedarii is one of the ticks that attack camels as their main host. The objective of this study was to identify the acaricidal activity of Laurus nobilis and Croton tiglium seeds extract against H. dromedarii ticks and comparison with some drugs used against external parasites. 
 
Methods: A study was performed to evaluate the acaricidal activities of methanolic extracts of two medicinal plants, namely the seeds of C. tiglium and L. nobilis, against H. dromedarii using an adult immersion test and larval bundle test. Five graduated concentrations of extracts, 6.25, 12.5, 25, 50 and 100 mg/ml, were tested at different periods and changes over time in the viability of ticks were registered for 24 hr. Distilled water and cypermethrin (0.1%) were used as a negative and positive control, respectively. 
 
Result: From 30 min after exposure, a concentration of 100 mg/ml of C. tiglium seed extract resulted in higher mortality (p&lt;0.05) compared with cypermethrin. A significant rise in tick mortality began 2 hr after exposure to a concentration of 100 mg/ml of C. tiglium seed extract and cypermethrin. At 24 hr after exposure, cypermethrin and concentrations of 50 and 100 mg/ml of C. tiglium extract induced significantly higher tick mortality compared to the rest of the concentrations. A significant increase in tick mortality began 3 hr after exposure to cypermethrin and concentrations of 50 and 100 mg/ml of Laurus nobilis extract and 12 hr after exposure to concentrations of 6.25, 12.5 and 25 mg/ml L. nobilis extract. At 24 hr after the exposure time, concentrations of 50 and 100 mg/ml of the extract and cypermethrin had a comparable higher tick mortality effect compared to the remaining concentrations below 25 mg/ml (p&lt;0.05). The lower concentration (6.25 mg/ml) resulted in notably higher mortality of adult ticks and larvae compared to the negative control (distilled water) at 24 hr exposure to both extracts. At 24 hr after the exposure period, the tick mortality of all estimated plant extracts also increased with raised exposure time and concentration. Therefore, studied plants can be used against H. dromedarii as a potential alternative to commercially available medicines. Further studies should include more research on separating each component and validating the materials.</div>

In vitro Assessment of the Acaricidal Activity of Laurus nobilis and Croton tiglium Seeds Extract against Hyalomma dromedarii Ticks

<div>Background:&nbsp;Escherichia coli and Klebsiella pneumoniae are two important commensals with pathogenic potentiality in animals and birds, causing intestinal and extra-intestinal infections. These are somewhat zoonotic too via different routes. So, the present study was undertaken to investigate the prevalence of these two bacteria from cloaca and environment of ducks from different districts of West Bengal, followed by detailed characterization and antibiogram. 
 
Methods: Around 197 duck and environmental samples were collected from different districts of West Bengal. E. coli and K. pneumoniae were isolated from collected samples as per standard methods followed by serotyping of the E. coli isolates. The detection of ESBL/ACBL producing isolates was done both phenotypically and genotypically by detecting the presence of antibiotic-resistant genes. Virulence property and biofilm-producing ability of these isolates were also studied. Antibiogram of the ESBL and biofilm positive isolates were done using common 12 antibiotics by disc diffusion method.&nbsp; &nbsp; 
 
Result: A total of 134(68.02%) Escherichia coli and 33(16.75%) Klebsiella pneumoniae isolates were recovered and confirmed by PCR. The prevalence of E. coli and K. pneumoniae in cloacal swabs were less in comparison to the environmental samples (72.09% and 20.93%). Approx. 79.85% E. coli and 72.73% K. pneumoniae isolates were found to be the ESBL/ACBL producers in vitro. E. coli and K. pneumoniae isolates possessed all major antibiotic-resistant genes with the blaAmpC (64.18% &amp; 48.48%) being the most prevalent one. Twenty three (17.16%) E. coli isolates were found positive for the virulence genes, of which stx1 (39.13%) was the most common one as detected by multiplex PCR. No virulence gene was found in K. pneumoniae isolates. Ninety one (67.91%) E. coli and 26(78.79%) K. pneumoniae isolates possessed the biofilm-producing genes. All the ESBL and biofilms producing E. coli and K. pneumoniae isolates showed 100% - 95.24% resistance to ampicillin. A high percentage of resistances were also seen against cefotaxime, ticarcillin/ clavulanic acid, ertapenem, ceftazidime, norfloxacin and ciprofloxacin, which may be due to several reasons. Maximum overall sensitivity was detected against chloramphenicol, co-trimoxazole and gentamicin.</div>

Detection and Characterization of &beta;​-lactamases and Biofilm-producing Escherichia coli and Klebsiella pneumoniae from Ducks and Duck Environments in West Bengal

Background: Cryptosporidium spp. and Enterocytozoon bieneusi are important enteric diarrheal pathogens commonly found in various animals and humans and have significant implications for public health. The purpose of present study was to investigate the prevalence, species and genotypes and zoonotic evaluation of the two parasitic pathogens in dogs and cats in Wenzhou, southern of China. 
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Methods: 89 fecal samples collected from 51 dogs and 38 cats were used to investigate the positive rates of Cryptosporidium spp. and Enterocytozoon bieneusi using the nested polymerase chain reaction amplification on methods, species and genotypes of them were conformed by sequencing and alignment. 
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Result: The positive rates of Cryptosporidium spp. and Enterocytozoon bieneusi were 7.8%(4/51), 17.6%(9/51) in dogs and 7.9%(3/38) ,10.5%(4/38) in cats, respectively. Sequence analysis revealed that Cryptosporidium canis, genotypes PtEb IX, CD9 and NED3 of E. bieneusi were confirmed in dogs, Cryptosporidium felis, Type IV in cats, respectively. C canis, C. felis and Type IV of E. bieneusi genotype belong to the zoonotic pathogens.The zoonotic species/genotype of these two pathogens identified in pets in this study indicated the potential zoonotic risk in pets-to- humans transmission. The effective interventions should be taken to prevent the spread of these enteric zoonotic pathogens. 
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Occurrence and Zoonotic Evaluation of Cryptosporidium spp. and Enterocytozoon bieneusi in Dogs and Cats in Wenzhou, Southern China

<div>Background: This study investigated the in vitro activities of naphthoquinones and artemisinin contained in the extracts obtained from Arnebia densiflora and Artemisia annua plants against peripheral blood mononuclear cells infected with Theileria annulata schizonts. For this purpose, the n-hexane extract of A. densiflora and the petroleum ether and methanol extracts of A. annua were obtained. 
 
Methods: Non-infected and infected cells were cultivated and 2&times;106 cells were seeded in each well in 0.5 ml of RPMI 1640 medium. The n-hexane extract of A. densiflora was tested six times at concentrations of 125, 62.5, 15.625, 7.8125 and 3.9062 mg/ml. A. annua petroleum ether and methanol extracts were also tested six times at 125, 62.5, 31.25, 15.625, 7.8125, 3.9062, and 1.9531 mg/ml concentrations on PBMCs. A Mann-Whitney U test was used to determine differences between control and experimental groups. 
 
Result: The A. densiflora extract killed both non-infected and infected cells at significant levels (P&lt;0.05) compared to the control group at all tested concentrations. A. annua methanol extract had no adverse effect on non-infected cells and the effect on infected cells was insufficient, with the only observed significant effect at a concentration of 125 &micro;g/ml. The A. annua petroleum ether extract had no adverse effect on non-infected cells and killed infected cells at significant levels (P&lt;0.05) at concentrations of 15.625 &micro;g/ml and above at 24 hours. At 48 hours, all infected cells were killed at a concentration of 62.5 &micro;g/ml. In conclusion, A. annua petroleum ether extract can be used in future in vivo studies for Theileriosis at these effective concentrations.</div>

In vitro Effect of Arnebia densiflora and Artemisia annua Plant Extracts against&nbsp;Theileria annulata Schizonts

Background: Quick death and slow death are common diseases affecting black pepper cultivation. Quick death is caused by the pathogenic Phytophthora capsici whereas slow death is caused by the pathogenic nematode Meloidogyne incognita. Piper hancei and Piper divaricatum are two species in the Piper genus that are&nbsp; resistant to these pathogenic agents. In this work, grafts between these disease-resistant rootstocks and high-yielding scions were created and the disease resistance of these grafts was characterized. 
 
Methods: Twelve graft combinations were created, using rootstocks of the disease-resistant HUIB_PD36 HUIB_PH30 and HUIB_PH46. The high-yielding P. nigrum cultivars (HUIB_PN27, HUIB_PN45, HUIB_PN69 and HUIB_PN97) were used as scions. The graft survival rates were evaluated and graft compatibility was examined using microscopy. Furthermore, pathogenic inoculation was employed to study graft susceptibility towards Phytophthora capsici and Meloidogyne incognita. 
 
Result: High survival rates, with high degrees of graft compatibility were observed in grafts derived from HUIB_PN27 scions. Furthermore, grafts derived from HUIB_PH30 and HUIB_PD36 rootstocks demonstrated robust resistance towards both Phytophthora capsici and Meloidogyne incognita.

Piper Grafts Resistant to Both Pathogenic Phytophthora capsici and Meloidogyne incognita

<div>Background: The Meloidogyne incognita is the most destructive pathogen and causes loss of yield of various economically important plants of various families. It is polyphagous in behaviour and has a high reproductive rate, these parameters are a hurdle in management of it. Various chemicals are used to control nematode worldwide that are very expensive and highly toxic to the environment and human beings. For ecologically safe method, three plants i.e. Verbesina encelioides, Moringa oleifera, Cassia fistula and their various parts such as leaf, stem and flower&rsquo;s cold aqueous extracts were tried in vitro to test their nematicidal activity.&nbsp; 
 
Methods: Cold aqueous extracts (10% w/v) of each plant material were prepared by mixing 10 g of each plant material in 100 ml of distilled water and kept aside for 48 hours. To estimate inhibition of egg hatching and mortality rate of second stage juveniles of Meloidogyne incognita, eggs and juveniles were exposed for 24, 48 and 72 hours in different concentrations (20 ppm to 200 ppm) of plant extracts. 
 
Result: All three tested plant extracts showed promising nematicidal activity against Meloidogyne incognita and the leaf extract of Moringa oleifera prevents the hatching of eggs. Inhibition of larval hatching from egg and nematode mortality rate were strongly influenced by concentration of extract, plant species and duration of exposure.</div>

Bio-potential of Aqueous Extract of Verbesina encelioides, Moringa oleifera, Cassia fistula against Meloidogyne incognita