The research included in-vitro experiments on the effect of the fungal antagonist (Trichoderma spp.) and fungicide (carbendazim) against BLSB pathogen (Rhizoctonia solani); and greenhouse experiment for the management of BLSB using antagonists (Trichoderma and Pseudomonas) and a fungicide (carbendazim) in different combinations. The in-vitro and greenhouse experiments were done at the plant pathology laboratory and greenhouse of Agriculture and Forestry University, Rampur, Chitwan. Of the isolates of Trichoderma evaluated against the BLSB pathogen in dual culture, the Trichoderma isolated from between healthy and diseased maize plants gave the maximum growth inhibition percent of the pathogen at 24 (19.86±0.52), 48 (51.63±0.40) and 72hours (72.78±1.11). Carbendazim at 10 ppm completely inhibited the growth of both the pathogen and Trichoderma on PDA medium, while at 1 ppm, the growth inhibition of the pathogen was (54.22±0.89) percent and of Trichoderma was (50.22±3.11) percent. The management experiment in a glasshouse with seven treatments was done in a randomized complete block design with three replications. Carbendazim alone gave the highest disease control (59.73%) with the lowest disease severity (28.67±0.67) and AUDPC per day (803.33±33.33). A combination of treatments alternately with Trichoderma and carbendazim also had a significant effect on reducing disease severity. In a separate experiment, Trichoderma with and without pathogen gave significantly higher shoot length, root length, shoot weight and root weight when compared with untreated control.

Background: Alopecia areata (AA) is one of the most common forms of alopecia presenting to the dermatology out patient department (OPD) worldwide as well as in Nepal. It is mostly diagnosed clinically. Treatment depends on the extent, location, and severity of the condition. Various treatment options available are topical, intralesional, and oral medications. Bimatoprost is a relatively newer treatment modality in AA. Aim and Objective: To compare the efficacy and safety of topical bimatoprost 0.01% solution versus clobetasol propionate 0.05% cream in scalp AA. Materials and Methods: A total of 50 patients attending the dermatology OPD of a tertiary hospital between March 2018 and February 2019 were included in this prospective non-randomized open-label clinical trial. Patients were divided into two groups i.e., Group A- topical bimatoprost solution 0.01% and Group B- topical clobetasol propionate cream 0.05%, and followed up at weeks 4, 8, and 12. The improvement was analyzed subjectively by hair regrowth and objectively by Severity of Alopecia Tool (SALT) score. Side effects, nature of terminal hair and onset of initial response were also recorded. Results: Out of 50 patients, 27 were males and 23 were females with a mean age of 28.5 ± 9.34 years and mean duration of disease of 18.67 ± 46.1 weeks. Hair regrowth rate and reduction in SALT score from baseline were seen more in clobetasol group compared to bimatoprost ( p = 0.282 and P = 0.246, respectively). Side effects were seen more in the clobetasol group compared to bimatoprost group ( p = 0.002). Onset of cosmetically acceptable hair regrowth was seen earlier in the bimatoprost group ( p = 0.017) and also the nature of regrown hairs was more pigmented in bimatoprost group ( p = 0.024). Conclusions: There is no significant difference in hair regrowth between clobetasol and bimatoprost in the treatment of AA on scalp at the end of 12 weeks, although bimatoprost has an advantage of lesser side effects, more rapid response and growth of more pigmented hairs.