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Cotton is a major cash crop that is widely cultivated in tropical and subtropical regions around the globe. Cotton leaf curl virus disease is a major threat to lower the cotton yield in Pakistan. The present study aimed to predict the disease severity at different potassium (K) dosses based on abiotic environmental factors with respect to two sowing times. Three potassium (K) doses (90, 60, and 30 kg acre−1) were applied to observe the impact on disease severity. In control, no extra K was applied. Two sowings were done at 15 days intervals. Data was recorded using at seven days intervals after the appearance of the disease. A significant difference in disease severity was observed in K applied cotton plants and between the two sowing times. Maximum disease severity was noticed in control plants and was found maximum where 90 kg acre−1 K was applied. Maximum air temperature, minimum air temperature, rainfall, and windspeed exhibited a negative relationship with disease severity. A positive relationship was seen between disease severity and relative humidity irrespective to sowing times. In 1st sowing, maximum air temperature (35–38 °C), minimum air temperature (23–24 °C), relative humidity (65–75%), rainfall (1–2 mm), and windspeed (1.5–2.5 km/h) significantly contributed in disease progression. In second sowing, maximum air temperature (34–36 °C), minimum air temperature (19–21 °C), relative humidity (75–78%), rainfall (0.5–1.5 mm), and windspeed (1.5–2.5 km/h) favoured the disease development. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Present investigation was planned to check the impact of bio (Cure, Azadirachtin) and synthetic (Cartap, Virtako) chemicals individually and concomitantly with fertilizers on the development of root knot nematode, Meloidogyne incognita and the growth of tomato (Solanum lycopersicum) plants. Tomato seedlings were transplanted in sterilized soil amended with Cartap, Virtako, Cure and Azadirachtin at their recommended doses and inoculated with 500 freshly hatched juveniles (J2s) of M. incognita. Data were recorded after 7, 14, 21 and 28 days to check the invasion and development stages. All the treatments significantly reduced invasion and subsequent development of M. incognita in roots. Different application methods regarding protective and curative were used to test the efficacy of Cartap, Virtako, Cure and Azadirachtin. Results revealed that Protective application of bio and synthetic chemicals was more effective at nematode suppression rather than being curative. Then the impact of bio and synthetic chemicals were tested in combination with NPK on nematode reproduction. Following treatments i.e. Virtako + NPK, Cartap + NPK, Cure + NPK, Azadirachtin + NPK, control (N) and control (H) with ten replications were applied in pots containing tomato seedlings. Inoculation of 2000 freshly hatched J2s of M. incognita was done. Results revealed that combined effect was more pronounced in reducing nematode reproduction and improving plant growth. Maximum number of J2s was recorded in nematode control (1241.0) while a dynamic decline was observed in Cartap+NPK, Virtako+NPK, Cure+NPK and Azadirachtin+NPK (144.4, 162.2, 198.1, 216.6) respectively. Combined application of selected chemicals with fertilizers not only reduced nematode reproduction but also improved plant growth. So, the integrated use of chemicals with fertilizers could be a successful tool in management strategies of root knot nematode. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Long term optimum oral health of children widely depends upon their parent's knowledge and attitude towards oral hygiene .Good treatment seeking behavior for their children might prevent them from a great deal of suffering and pain throughout their lives. The objective of this descriptive cross-sectional survey was to assess and determine the knowledge and health seeking behavior of parents from urban areas of Islamabad capital territory towards oral health and professional dental care for their children and identify the barriers to seeking dental healthcare. A sample of 250 parents, both males and females was approached using convenient sampling. A questionnaire having both open and closed ended questions regarding knowledge and behavior of parents towards their children's oral health including dental healhseeking was used. From the results it was evident that most of the parents were not aware of cause of dental caries and methods of preventive dental care that in turn made their dental health seeking behavior for children poor. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Present investigation was carried out to assess the biocontrol potential of Rhizobium leguminosarum against root-knot nematode, Meloidogyne incognita on soybean. Effect of Rhizobium strains LSI-21 and CRI-29 was assessed individually and concomitantly on reproduction of M. incognita. In vitro studies were conducted to check the effect of Rhizobium strains on egg hatching and juvenile mortality of M. incognita. Concomitant application of Rhizobium strains was more effective in reducing egg hatching and causing juvenile mortality as compared to individual treatment. In green house, Rhizobium strains were used as soil drench and seed dressing for the management of root knot nematode on soybean. It caused considerable reduction in reproduction of root knot nematode as well as improved plant growth parameters of soybean. Seed dressing showed most significant results than soil drenching. It is interesting to note that Rhizobia not only controlled reproduction of M. incognita but also an increase in plant height, fresh and dry root shoot weight was observed. It would seem that Rhizobium being a good rhizosphere organism for field and vegetable crops presumably prevent the contact of pathogenic organisms on roots. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Entomopathogenic nematodes; Steinernema asiaticum (Anis), Steinernema glaseri (Steiner), Heterorhabditis indica (Poinar) and Heterorhabditis bacteriophora (Poinar) were investigated for their effect on Meloidogyne incognita (Kofoid and White) in tomato. They were applied at different levels before and at the same time with the application of root-knot nematodes. Suppression of M. incognita varied with application rates of S. asiaticum, S. glaseri, H. indica and H. bacteriophora in tomato. The high application rates of S. asiaticum, S. glaseri, H. indica and H. bacteriophora applied both at the same time and before reduced M. incognita egg production. The low rates of S. asiaticum, S. glaseri, H. indica and H. bacteriophora were not as effective as high application rates. The findings of this study suggested that entomopathogenic nematodes could be used for the management of root-knot nematodes. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Root knot nematodes cause severe losses in vegetables throughout the world because its management is difficult due to its wide host range. The nematicidal potential ofPaecilomyces lilacinus(Thom.) Samson was evaluated against root knot nematode,Meloidogyne incognita(Kofoid & White) Chitwood, on eggplant (Solanum melongenaL.) under greenhouse conditions. Inoculation withM. incognitaandP. lilacinuswas carried out individually, in combination, and sequentially. Inoculation of 1000 juveniles (J2) ofM. incognitareduced plant growth. The sequential application ofP. lilacinus7 days prior toM. incognitawas more effectual than sequential application ofM. incognita7 days prior toP. lilacinus. Our findings concluded thatP. lilacinushas the aptitude to adjust the nematode population and may serve as an alternative to nematicide. [ABSTRACT FROM PUBLISHER]

Present investigation was conducted to exploit the nematicidal potential of bio and synthetic chemicals against Meloidogyne incognita (Kofoid and White) on tomato. Effect of twenty chemicals currently available in market was evaluated against M. incognita. Hatching inhibition and juvenile's mortality of M. incognita was assessed under in vitro conditions. Four concentrations of each chemical were prepared viz., 2S, S, S/2, S/4 according to recommended dose of each chemical. Data on hatching inhibition was recorded after 2, 4 and 6 days and on mortality after 12, 24, 48 and 72 h. Maximum hatching inhibition and mortality percentage was recorded in synthetic [Cartap (Thiocarbamate), Virtako (Thiamethoxam + chlorantraniliprole)] and bio [Cure (Abamectin), Azadirachtin (Aza)] chemicals. These four chemicals were selected and evaluated further against mobility of juveniles and for their phytotoxic effect on tomato. Minimum number of J2's were recovered in Cartap (95.67) followed by other chemicals while maximum were recovered in control (238.10). Tomato plants were examined for following symptoms yellowing or browing, wilting, necrosis and plant mortality after two months, none of the chemical was found to be phytotoxic. Efficiency of selected chemicals was evaluated at different time intervals (7, 14 and 28 days) against M. incognita on nematode reproduction parameters. A gradual decline was noted in the effectiveness of chemicals with the increase in time interval. Galling index was increased in all the chemicals after 28 days interval as compared to 7 and 14 days. The results of present investigation suggest suitable chemicals for grower having nematode problem in field to incorporate it in management strategies. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The efficacy of Trichoderma harzianum and Moringa oleifera at various concentrations (S, S/2, S/4) and in combinations was tested on the reproduction, egg hatching and juvenile mortality of Meloidogyne javanica on eggplant. The evaluation was done in vitro as well as in vivo in green house. Both alone and combined application of T. harzianum and M. oleifera caused significant (P = 0.05) reduction in egg hatching and juvenile mortality at all time intervals (24, 48 and 72 h). Reproduction of M. javanica was evaluated on eggplant in green house. Most effective concentration from in vitro experiment was used in further protective and curative experiment. There were three treatments and five replications. The plant growth parameters including shoot length, shoot weight, root length, root weight and number of leaves and nematode parameters including number of galls, egg masses, number of females, number of juveniles per root system and no. of juveniles/100ml³ soil were recorded after 60 days of growth. Nematode population was significantly reduced when biocontrol agent was applied before the inoculation of nematodes as protective application. So, T. harzianum and M. oleifera might be successfully used in field conditions against M. javanica. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Current research was conducted in the Department of Plant Pathology, University of Agriculture, Faisalabad, during the year 2013-14 to evaluate the damage potential of root knot nematode, Meloidogyne incognita in vegetables and its management through Cadusafos. M. incognita, a most damaging plant parasitic nematode, is frequently observed in vegetable production. Four vegetables i.e. tomato, okra, chillies and eggplant were grown to measure the damage potential of M. incognita. Three treatments i.e. nematode alone, in combination with chemical and control were applied for each vegetable host in five replications. Data at harvest were collected on plant growth and nematode reproductive parameters. The results revealed that Cadusafos was very effective in reducing nematode population. Minimum galling index (1.40) was observed in tomato plants treated with chemical while maximum galling index was recorded in root knot nematode alone treatment (5.00). Tomato was found as the most susceptible and showed maximum damage potential. Minimum damage potential was noted in chillies. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Meloidogyne graminicola threatens global rice production, yet is understudied for many areas where it is cultivated. To better understand the prevalence and incidence of M. graminicola in central Punjab, Pakistan, we carried out field surveys of rice fields in the districts of Faisalabad and Chiniot. M. graminicola isolates were recovered from soil and root samples and identified on the basis of perineal patterns and rDNA ITS-based sequencing. The severity of nematode attack on rice roots and infested fields at various locations was based on galling index, root-knot nematode juveniles per root system, juveniles per 100 ml of soil, and prevalence of stylet-bearing nematodes and non-stylet-bearing nematodes. Maximum prevalence (22.5 and 27.5%) and minimum prevalence (17.5 and 20%) of M. graminicola was observed in Chiniot and Faisalabad, respectively. Eleven alternate host-plant species were examined in this study revealing varying degrees of M. graminicola infestation. ITS sequencing and phylogenetic analysis indicated that isolates from this study form a well-resolved clade with others from Asia, while another isolate falls outside of this clade in an unresolved polytomy with those from Europe and South America. Though monophyletic with the other M. graminicola , the isolates from Pakistan are distinguished by their high genetic variability and long branch lengths relative to the other isolates of M. graminicola , suggesting Pakistan as a possible ancestral area. Our results indicate that rice is severely attacked by a genetically diverse and aggressive M. graminicola , necessitating the development of appropriate control measures for its management in rice and other graminaceous crops., (© 2020 Authors.)