Cherry is a fleshy drupe, and it is grown in temperate regions of the world. It is perishable, and several biotic and abiotic factors affect its yield. During April–May 2021, a severe fruit rot of cherry was observed in Swat and adjacent areas. Diseased fruit samples were collected, and the disease-causing pathogen was isolated on PDA. Subsequent morphological, microscopic, and molecular analyses identified the isolated pathogen as Aspergillus flavus. For the control of the fruit rot disease of cherry, iron oxide nanoparticles (Fe2O3 NPs) were synthesized in the leaf extract of Calotropis procera and characterized. Fourier transform infrared (FTIR) spectroscopy of synthesized Fe2O3 NPs showed the presence of capping and stabilizing agents such as alcohols, aldehydes, and halo compounds. X-ray diffraction (XRD) analysis verified the form and size (32 nm) of Fe2O3 NPs. Scanning electron microscopy (SEM) revealed the spinal-shaped morphology of synthesized Fe2O3 NPs while X-ray diffraction (EDX) analysis displayed the occurrence of main elements in the samples. After successful preparation and characterization of NPs, their antifungal activity against A. flavus was determined by poison technique. Based on in vitro and in vivo antifungal activity analyses, it was observed that 1.0 mg/mL concentration of Fe2O3 can effectively inhibit the growth of fungal mycelia and decrease the incidence of fruit rot of cherry. The results confirmed ecofriendly fungicidal role of Fe2O3 and suggested that their large-scale application in the field to replace toxic chemical fungicides.

Sugarcane (Saccharum officinarum L.) is a key cash crop, and its production is influenced by a variety of phytopathogens in different parts of the world. During consecutive field surveys, sugarcane stalks with red rot symptoms were observed in three provinces of Pakistan (Punjab, Sindh, and Khyber Pakhtunkhwa). Cane samples with visible symptoms were plated on potato dextrose agar (PDA) media. Morphological and microscopic observations identified this pathogen as Colletotrichum falcatum. Comparative molecular study of amplified sequences of β-tubulin (Bt) and actin (ACT) genes showed 100% similarity and ITS sequence showed 99% similarity with C. falcatum. For in vitro control of red rot, eight bacterial strains from the rhizosphere of sugarcane were isolated. These strains showed variable growth inhibition of C. falcatum in dual culture method. Among all tested strains, Bacillus amyloliquefaciens and B. altitudinis exhibited best antifungal activities. Based on these results, tested bacterial strains (B. amyloliquefaciens and B. altitudinis) can be recommended as effective biocontrol agents to manage red rot disease of sugarcane.

Sugarcane (Saccharum officinarum L.) is a perennial grass, and it is cultivated worldwide for sugar and bioethanol production. During 2020–2021, countrywide field surveys were conducted and indicated the incidence of numerous phytopathogens in sugarcane crop. Infected sugarcane plants showed stunted growth, wilting, leaf yellowing and mosaic pattern in major sugarcane growing provinces of Pakistan (Sindh, Punjab and Khyber Pakhtunkhwa). Diseased plants were collected for the isolation of diseases‐causing pathogen. Wilted canes were cut and placed on potato dextrose agar (PDA) media, and after few days, pathogen was successfully grown on media. Based on fungal morphology and DNA sequence analysis, it was characterized and identified as Fusarium sacchari. Diseased sugarcane samples, showing mosaic symptoms, were collected from 57 locations and were subjected to ELISA test. Out of 570 symptomatic samples, 40 samples were tested positive for Sugarcane mosaic virus (SCMV). These results revealed a higher disease incidence rate (7.01%) of SCMV. This is the first report of countrywide incidence of SCMV in Pakistan.