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Saffron (Crocus Sativus L.) is a highly prized spice crop renowned for its significant culinary and therapeutic applications, largely attributed to its bioactive constituents such as crocin, picrocrocin, and safranal. Despite its production is severely threatened by corm rot, particularly caused by the pathogenic fungus Fusarium oxysporum, which leads to substantial yield losses in major saffron-producing regions. This review highlights the promising role of microbial consortia as an eco-friendly and sustainable strategy for effectively managing corm rot disease. The presence of diverse microbial communities can improve defense mechanisms of a plant against pathogens and support its overall growth and productivity. The mechanisms by which these microbial interactions occur, including nutrient competition, biofilm formation, and the activation of systemic resistance, contribute to their combined efficacy in inhibiting fungal pathogens. The necessity for innovative microbial strategies that harness the combined benefits of diverse microorganisms to mitigate corm rot and improve saffron cultivation sustainably. As sustainable agricultural practices increasingly gain prominence, the development and application of tailored microbial consortia gave a promising alternative to chemical fungicides, ensuring both economic viability and ecological balance in saffron production., (© 2025 Wiley‐VCH GmbH.)

This study evaluated the impact of differential sowing windows and improved weed management strategies on weed dynamics, productivity, and economic viability of direct drum seeded rice (Oryza sativa L.) in the temperate agro-ecosystem of Kashmir. A two-year field experiment was conducted utilizing a split-plot design with two sowing dates (May 10 and June 3) as main plots and six weed management practices as sub-plots. The earlier sowing date (May 10) resulted in significantly enhanced leaf area index, crop growth rate, relative growth rate, net assimilation rate, and grain and straw yields compared to the later sowing (June 3). Among weed management treatments, four mechanized conoweedings (equivalent to weed-free conditions) and sequential application of bensulfuron methyl + pretilachlor (60 and 600 g a.i. ha -1 ) as pre-emergence followed by 2,4-D (0.75 kg a.i. ha -1 ) as post-emergence demonstrated superior efficacy in weed suppression and augmentation of crop growth parameters and yield attributes. These treatments also exhibited the lowest weed index and highest benefit-cost ratio. The May 10 sowing, coupled with efficacious weed control measures, significantly reduced weed density and biomass while concomitantly improving nutrient uptake and economic returns. The results indicate that adopting a May 10 sowing date for direct seeded rice, in conjunction with either four conoweedings or the aforementioned sequential herbicide application, can optimize agronomic productivity and economic profitability under the temperate conditions of Kashmir. The study aided in choosing the best sowing window and efficient weed management strategy for attaining higher productivity and profitability of direct seeded rice in temperate conditions., (© 2024. The Author(s).)

This study aimed to investigate the dissipation pattern, risk assessment, and waiting period of myclobutanil on apple fruit (Malus domestica Borkh.) under temperate conditions in Kashmir, India. The study involved the application of myclobutanil 10 WP at a single recommended dosage (125 g a.i. ha -1 ) and double dosage (250 g a.i. ha -1 ) on Red Velox apple trees, 2 months before harvest. GC equipped with an electron capture detector was used to analyze myclobutanil residues in fruit samples. The study revealed that myclobutanil, at both recommended and double recommended doses, dissipated rapidly and became nondetectable after 55 and 60 days, respectively. The waiting period for myclobutanil application was determined to be 12.41 days for the single dose and 25.58 days for the double dose, respectively. These waiting periods were based on the maximum residue limit of 0.6 ppm as prescribed by the Codex Alimentarius Commission, Food Safety and Standards Authority of India, and European Commission. The study concludes that myclobutanil 10 WP is safe for consumers at both recommended and double recommended doses when applied 2 months before harvest. Risk assessment, considering the average daily apple consumption in India and theoretical maximum residue contributions (TMRCs), indicates negligible health hazards even at double the recommended dosage. The calculated TMRC values at Day 0 were significantly below the maximum permissible intake. For average and maximum myclobutanil residues at single and double doses, the TMRC values were found to be 0.0069 and 0.0070 mg day -1 person -1 and 0.0105 and 0.0106 mg day -1 person -1 , respectively. These results indicate that myclobutanil, when used according to recommended dosages and waiting periods, poses minimal health risks to consumers. The study emphasizes the importance of prudent fungicide use to minimize fungicide residues on fruits, thereby ensuring their safety for consumption., (© 2024 John Wiley & Sons Ltd.)

Apple, a major fruit of temperate Himalayas, is sprayed with chemical pesticides around 12 times during the cropping season. Various systemic and contact fungicides are applied for the management of major diseases. In order to manage disease, flusilazole 40 EC is frequently used. However, excessive chemical application has been found to be detrimental for consumer safety. Keeping in view consumer safety, risk assessment, the half-life and waiting period for flusilazole 40 EC were evaluated on the Red Velox variety of apple. The QuEChERS (quick, easy, cheap, effective, rugged and safe) method and high-performance liquid chromatography were adapted for sample processing and analysis, respectively. The recovery percentages of flusilazole at three fortification levels (0.04, 0.09 and 0.50 mg kg -1 ) were 98.85, 99.83 and 98.98%, respectively. Flusilazole at the recommended dose (80 g a.i. ha -1 ) left an initial deposit of 0.733 mg kg -1 , which dissipated by 93.45% in 60 days and was non-detectable beyond this period. Meanwhile flusilazole at double the recommended dose (160 g a.i. ha -1 ) left an initial deposit of 0.913 mg kg -1 , which dissipated by 93.43% in 70 days and was non-detectable beyond this period. Based on the maximum residue limit of 0.3 mg kg -1 as prescribed by the Codex Alimentarius Commission, a waiting period of 28.74 and 46.03 days was recorded for single and double doses, respectively. Moreover, in order to assess the consumer risk, theoretical maximum residue contributions (TMRCs) were derived using flusilazole residues (average and maximum) recorded at various time intervals and compared with the maximum permissible intake, which was found to be 0.42 mg per person per day. Based on the average per capita daily consumption of 6.76 g apple in India, the TMRC values were computed. Although the values of TMRC decreased below maximum permissible intake at the first day after application, indicating minimal consumer health risks, fruits sprayed with a double dose of flusilazole carried the risk even up to the tenth day after flusilazole application. The results of the present study will be valuable for safe and timely use of flusilazole on apple., (© 2024 John Wiley & Sons Ltd.)