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Berberine and (+/-)-bicuculline were isolated from roots and leaves, respectively, of Corydalis chaerophylla. Both were effective in vitro against spore germination of some plant pathogenic fungi (Alternaria brassicicola, A. brassicae, A. cheiranthi, A. melongenae, A. solani, Colletotrichum musae, C. falcatum, Curvularia penniseti, C. lunata, C. maculans, C. pallescens, Curvularia sp., Erysiphe pisi, E. cichoracearum, Erysiphe sp., Fusarium udum, Helminthosporium spiciferum, H. penniseti, H. frumentacei, Heterosporium sp., Oidium erysiphoides and Ustilago cynodontis). Berberine and (+/-)-bicuculline significantly inhibited spore germination of all the fungi at concentrations of 100-1000 ppm. Berberine was effective against all the fungi at all concentrations; most of the fungi did not germinate at 1000 ppm. H. penniseti conidia did not germinate at any concentration of (+/-)-bicuculline. U. cynodontis was the least sensitive fungus at lower concentrations but 800 ppm dose was highly effective.

Foliar spray and micro-injection of plant growth-promoting rhizobacterial species, viz. Pseudomonas fluorescens and P. aeruginosa on chickpea induced synthesis of phenylalanine ammonia-lyase (PAL) when tested against Sclerotinia sclerotiorum. Induction of PAL was also associated with increased synthesis of phenolic compounds such as tannic, gallic, caffeic, chlorogenic and cinnamic acids. Treatment with P. fluorescens was found to be more effective in inducing phenolic compounds as compared to P. aeruginosa. However, persistence of PAL activity was observed more with P. aeruginosa. Although both the inoculation methods were effective, foliar application was found to be superior to micro-injection in terms of rapid PAL activity leading to the synthesis of phenolic compounds.

Purpose The aim of this study was to recycle and reuse the enormously available unutilized lignocellulosic solid organic waste resource, cashew leaf litter (CLL) admixed with various animal dungs, cowdung, sheepdung and horsedung by employing predominantly available indigenous epigeic earthworm-Perionyx excavatus (Perrier, 1872) and produce quality vermifertilizer. Methods Four different combinations of each [(100 % dung alone, 3:1 (75 % dung ? 25 % CLL), 2:2 (50 % dung ? 50 % CLL) and 1:3 (25 % dung ? 75 % CLL)] vermibeds were allowed for vermicomposting process under laboratory conditions. After 60 days, the worm worked vermicompost and worm unworked normal compost were harvested and characterized. The earthworm activity-growth, reproductive performance (cocoon production and hatchling number) and recovery of vermicompost was also studied. Results The obtained results clearly showed that vermicompost from CLL admixed with cowdung at 2:2 ratio had lower pH, organic carbon, C-N ratio, C-P ratio, lignin, cellulose, hemicellulose and phenol content, and higher nitrogen, phosphorus, potassium dehydrogenase and humic acid content than the raw substrates and worm unworked normal compost. In addition, pronounced and better earthworm activity was found in the above combination.Conclusion Through vermitechnology way of producing agronomic valid vermicompost using natural waste resources like CLL and animal dungs can be used as bioorganic fertilizer. These vermiresources have vast and diversified potential for maintaining sustainable soil health, fertility, productivity, waste degradation, soil reclamation, land restoration practices and environment health.