Browsing by Author "Seweta Srivastava"

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Ancient, mid-time, and recent history of seed pathology
(Springer Singapore, 2020) Seweta Srivastava; Ravindra Kumar; Sumant Bindal; Vinit Pratap Singh; Meenakshi Rana; Jay Prakash Singh; Asha Sinha
Seed is the basic unit of crop production. An optimum plant count depends on seed for their next progeny. Issues related to seed should be handled very carefully, since sowing of a poor-quality seed leads to undesirable loss in plant stand and hence crop yield. Focus on seed quality and seed health has been a point of serious consideration since time immemorial. Seed-related aspects are puzzling the researchers since long back. Well-developed science of seed pathology has been in existence for more than 100 years. Seed pathology includes studies on the mechanism of seed transmission, pathogenesis, epidemiology of seed-borne diseases, and control measures adopted against these diseases, ranging from crop management through chemical control to legislative precautions, as well as the technology of microbiological seed testing by covering the total range of seed-borne pathogens, viz., fungi, bacteria, viruses, nematodes, and physiological defects which may affect any member of the plant kingdom. The various aspects, viz., seed health, management of seed-borne diseases, seed treatments, and their detection and diagnosis techniques, were developed with the time. The systematic application of these techniques leads to the significant availability of healthy and disease-free quality seed. The institutional and technological developments in the science of seed pathology are being discussed in the present chapter. © Springer Nature Singapore Pte Ltd. 2020.
Biotechnological role of fungal microbes in sustainable agriculture
(Plant Archives, 2019) Seweta Srivastava; Sumant Bindal; Meenakshi Rana; Ravindra Kumar; Sangeeta Yadav; Jay Prakash Singh; Asha Sinha
Over the past several decades, advances in biotechnology have been used as a tool to increase food production. Specifically, advances in genetic engineering have made possible the manipulation of crops to increase yield, guaranteeing food supplies for the increasing world population. The broad application of microbes in sustainable agriculture is due to the genetic dependency of plants on the beneficial functions provided by symbiotic cohabitants. Therefore, microbial biotechnology and its applications in sustainable development of agriculture and environmental health are getting better attention. Finally, a brief highlight has been given on the biotechnological role of mycobionts to sustain the agriculture sector. © 2019 Plant Archives. All rights reserved.
Diagnosis and Detection of Major Airborne Fungal Phytopathogens
(Springer Science+Business Media, 2025) Ravindra Kumar; Seweta Srivastava; Aishwarya Singh Rathore; R. C. Tiwari; Shyam Saran Vaish; Shiv Shankar Patel; S. Dasaratha Kumar; Sunil Kashyap; Udai B. Singh; Gyanendra Pratap Singh
Food safety and security are at risk because agricultural crops are infected by a number of pathogens, including bacteria, fungus, viruses, viroids, and plant viruses. The diminutions in foods caused by these phytopathogenic agents have been persistent concerns related to agriculture for generations all throughout the world. Airborne fungal phytopathogens create significant threats to agricultural ecosystems, causing sizeable economic losses and jeopardizing food security worldwide. When developing management methods, the most crucial factors are thought to be the prompt detection and precise identification of the causative agents linked to crop diseases. The methods and technologies now used in the identification and detection of the main airborne fungal phytopathogens are thoroughly reviewed in this chapter. Firstly, traditional diagnostic techniques such as microscopy, culture-based methods, and air samplers are discussed, highlighting their advantages and limitations. Additionally, molecular techniques, including polymerase chain reaction (PCR)-based assays, loop-mediated isothermal amplification (LAMP), etc., are examined for their sensitivity, specificity, and applicability in detecting airborne fungal pathogens. Overall, this chapter aims to provide valuable insights for researchers, practitioners, and policymakers involved in the management and surveillance of airborne fungal phytopathogens, fostering advancements in disease control strategies and safeguarding global crop production. © 2025 The Editor(s) (if applicable) and The Author(s), under exclusive license to Springer Nature Singapore Pte Ltd.
Effect of fungal biotic stress on physic nut (Jatropha Curcas L.)
(Apple Academic Press, 2015) Seweta Srivastava; Asha Sinha
Jatropha curcas L. is a small tree that grows originally in areas near the equator. The oil plant Jatropha curcas L., a multipurpose drought resistant, perennial plant belonging to Euphorbiaceae family is gaining a lot of importance for the production of bio-diesel. Growth in the automotive industry, along with increases in population and gains in worldwide standards of living, has resulted in greater demand for energy sources such as biodiesel fuel. Seeds are regarded as highly effective means for transporting plant pathogens over long distances. Seed deterioration is defined as summation of all physical, physiological, biochemical changes occurring in a seed, which ultimately lead to its death. Jatropha seeds are constantly subjected to deterioration, which implies an irreversible degenerative change in the quality of seeds after it has reached its maximum quality of seeds after it has reached its maximum quality level. The fungi associated with seeds at the harvest stage and under storage bring about several undesirable changes and degradation of seed constituents, thus making the seed unfit for oil extraction, export purpose, consumption or sowing. These storage mycoflora affect the quality of seeds and as well as the diesel extracted by affecting their biochemical and physicochemical properties which is very essential. Biodiesel, an environmental friendly diesel fuel similar to petro-diesel in combustion properties, has received considerable attention in the recent past worldwide. There is therefore, need to explore alternative nonedible oil for use in production of biodiesel. © 2016 by Apple Academic Press, Inc.
Effect of organic amendments on soil mycoflora
(2010) Ravindra Kumar; Seweta Srivastava; Manisha Srivastava; Asha Sinha
In present study, the influences of different organic soil amendments on soil fungi was studied. Soil organisms carry a wide range of processor that are important for soil health and partially in both natural and managed agricultural scales. The total number of organisms, the diversity of species and activity of soil biota will fluctuate as soil environment changes. Three types of soil amendments and fertilizers viz., urea, FYM and vermicompost were used to amend the cultivated agricultural soil. The fungi were isolated from soil by using dilution plate technique and soil plate method. The dynamics of soil fungi were observed qualitatively as well as quantitatively. The maximum number of fungi was recorded when soil amended with FYM (40.6xl04 g-1), urea (38.8xl04 g-1) of dry soil at different concentration 2.0, 1.5 and 2.0%, respectively. In control where soil was not amended with any organic amendment, the number of fungi was 13.0xl04 to 16.8x104 g-1 14.4xl04 to 16.8x104 g-1 13.8xl04 to 16.8xl04 g-1 in urea, FYM and Vermicompost, respectively. A total 25 fungi were observed during the experimental period. Eighteen were observed when soil amended with urea, twenty-two observed when soil amended with FYM and 20 when soil amended with vermicompost. In control soil only fifteen fungi were recorded. The result showed that the number of fungi was increased in amended soil. Qualitatively, the fungi Rhizopus stolomfer, Aspergillus niger, Aspergillus flavus, Trichoderma harzianum, Penicillium citrinum, Alternaria alternata and Curvularia lunata, White Sterile Mycelium and Black Sterile Mycelium were observed. © 2010 Academic Journals Inc.
Effect of seed-borne mycoflora on protein and amino acid content of Jatropha curcas L. Seeds during storage
(2013) Seweta Srivastava; Manisha Srivastava; Ravindra Kumar; Asha Sinha
Jatropha curcas is a non-edible oil crop predominately used to produce bio-diesel. J. curcas seed meal (with 1 -2 % residual oil) has 58 -64 % crude protein (90 % of which is present in the form of true protein) and levels of essential amino acids except lysine are higher which were constantly effected by the seed-borne mycoflora during storage. The objective of this study was to estimate the change in protein and amino acid content of Jatropha seeds after deterioration. For protein and amino acid estimations fresh, stored as well as infested Jatropha seeds were used. Whole seed and kernels were infested with six fungi isolated from Jatropha curcas seeds during storage viz. Alternaria alternata, Aspergillus flavus, Aspergillus fumigatus, Aspergillus niger, Fusarium chlamydosporum and Penicillium glabrum separately. Four different concentrations of seed samples viz. 50μl, 100μl, 150μl and 200μl were taken for the protein and amino acid estimation of stored as well as infested Jatropha seeds. Protein content of two years stored Jatropha seeds at 200μl concentration is much less as compared to fresh seeds. Minimum protein content was found in Fusarium chlamydosporum infested Jatropha seeds i.e., 10μg/ml which is very less as compared to fresh seeds i.e., 110.67μg/ ml at 50μl concentration respectively. Protein profiling by SDS-PAGE revealed that the maximum number of bands was shown by fresh Jatropha seeds and kernels. The presence or absence of bands in protein profiling might be responsible for presence or absence of protein of that size. Surprisingly, amino acids of infested seeds were increased due fungal infection and maximum amino acids content was found in Aspergillus flavus infested kernels at 200μl concentration followed by Fusarium chlamydosporum and Aspergillus flavus infested Jatropha kernels.
Endophyte-mediated modulation of secondary metabolism in crops for biotic stress management
(Elsevier, 2023) Seweta Srivastava; Meenakshi Rana; Birinchi Kumar Sarma; Shweta Meshram
Endophytes are non-disease-causing an endosymbiotic group of microbes (bacteria and fungi) surviving in living tissues of plants. Their deep connections to and potential sympatric speciation with their plant partners have allowed them to boost a variety of plant growth processes, including increased growth and biomass accumulation, stress tolerance, and nutrient uptake. It has been discovered that endophytes play a significant role in the health of plants. Their impact on disease prevention and management, however, is still unclear. The goal of this chapter is to evaluate how endophytes, both individually and collectively, can affect several physiological indicators and systemic defense mechanisms against plant diseases. Endophytes are crucial biological resources that must be further researched to meet environmental sustainability goals, serve as limitless supplies of biomolecules for many industrial sectors, and to those directly affecting human health. To benefit from this extraordinary link, it is necessary to look into genetics and the integrated metabolism of the plant-endophyte relationship. Endophytes create secondary metabolites to protect the host plant from plant pathogens and severe the environmental factors. The commercialized biotechnological development of endophytes in crop improvement will be made easier with an understanding of the principles behind plant resistance. There is still more opportunity to investigate variables and clarify mechanisms that result in endophytes’ undeniably positive impacts. This chapter fills in the previously noted gap by concentrating on the role endophytes play in plant development and their stimulation of various mechanisms of tolerating various abiotic and biotic challenges. © 2024 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.
Evaluation of biocontrol potential of some fungal decomposers of Sesbania aculeata L. Green manure against some soil-borne plant pathogens
(Triveni Enterprises, 2017) Ravindra Kumar; Asha Sinha; Seweta Srivastava; Gaurav Mahajan
Aim: Soil borne phytopathogens are one of the major concern of today's agricultural system. In the present study, dominant fungal decomposers were selected and their potential as biological control agents was evaluated against some soil borne plantpathogens. Methodology: Effect of green manure amendment on the sclerotia viability of three soil-borne plant pathogens viz., Sclerotium rolfsii, Rhizoctonia solani and Sclerotinia sclerotiorum, effect of fungal decomposers on soil-borne phytopathogens in dual culture, effect of volatile and non-volatile metabolites of dominant fungal decomposers on the radial growth and sclerotia production of test pathogens were evaluated. Results: Green manure amendment resulted in reduced in sclerotia of S. rolfsii, R. solani and S. sclerotiorum by 40, 36 and 36.50%, respectively. In dual culture, the maximum growth inhibition of S. rolfsii, R. solani and S. sclerotiorum with Trichoderma harzianum were 49.95, 47.62 and 57.83%, respectively The maximum inhibition of S. rolfsii and S. sclerotiorum caused by the volatile metabolites produced by Trichoderma harzianum were 56.64 and 43.95%, whereas the maximum inhibition of R. solani was caused by volatile metabolites of Penicillium citrinum (44.96%). The maximum inhibition of S. rolfsii, R. solani and S. sclerotiorum through non-volatile metabolites of Trichoderma harzianum were 51.04,57.30 and 49.10%, respectively. The maximum reduction in sclerotia of S. rolfsii, R. solani and S. sclerotiorum with Trichoderma harzianum were 86.44, 88.54 and 88.20% respectively, under dual culture after 21 days of incubation. The maximum reduction in sclerotia of S. rolfsii, R. solani and S. sclerotiorum with Trichoderma harzianum were 95.42, 93.60 and 91.32%, respectively, under the effect of volatile metabolites after 21 days of incubation. The maximum reduction in sclerotia of S. rolfsii, R. solani and S. sclerotiorum with Trichoderma harzianum were 87.46, 79.74 and 85.10% respectively, under the effect of non-volatile metabolites after 21 days of incubation. Interpretation: All eight fungal decomposers effectively contribute in controlling the soil borne phytopathogens. Overall T harzianum, Aspergillus niger and Penicillium citrinum proved as potential bio-control agents against all soil borne plant pathogens viz., S. rolfsii, R. solani and S. sclerotiorum. © Triveni Enterprises, Lucknow (India).
In vitro Evaluation of Carbendazim 50% WP, Antagonists and Botanicals Against Fusarium oxysporum f. sp. psidii Associated with Rhizosphere Soil of Guava
(2011) Seweta Srivastava; V.P. Singh; R. Kumar; M. Srivastava; A. Sinha; S. Simon
The aim of the present study was to check the efficacy of carbendazim 50% WP, antagonists and botanicals against Fusarium oxysporum f. sp. psidii associated with rhizosphere soil of guava. Guava (Psidium guajava L.) the apple of tropics is one of the most important fruit in India. The fruit of guava is a good source of vitamin C and pectin. Guava wilt is a serious disease and it recognized as a main causal organism. Isolation and identification of pathogen (Fusarium oxysporum f. sp. psidii) was carried out in the Department of Plant Protection, Allahabad Agricultural institute Deemed University, Allahabad. The radial growth of Fusarium cxysporum f. sp. psidii was fully inhibited at high concentrations like 100, 1000 and 10,000 ppm of cardendazim 50% WP whereas antagonists like Trichoderma spp. Produced maximum inhibition zone (61.91%) followed by Aspergillus niger (61.12%). The radial growth of Fusarium cxysporum f. sp. psidii was also significantly less in neem leaf extract treatment followed by Lantana leaf extract. Management of guava wilt by chemical (systemic fungicide) can be spectacular but this is relatively short-term measure. Eco-friendly management practices, i.e., use of bio-control agents and botanicals was studied in vitro which gave better results and these practices can be economical, long lasting and free from residual side effects. © 2011 Academic Journals Inc.
Influence of fungi on carbohydrate and phenol content of Jatropha curcas seeds during storage
(Journal of Pure and Applied Microbiology, 2014) Seweta Srivastava; Manisha Srivastava; Ravindra Kumar; Swapnil Kumar Shrivastava; Gorakh Nath Gupta; Asha Sinha
Jatropha curcas L. has been considered a potential source of seed oil for the production of biofuel. The aim of this study was to estimate the change in carbohydrate and phenolic content of Jatropha seeds after deterioration under storage condition. For estimation of carbohydrate and phenol fresh, stored as well as infested Jatropha seeds were used. Whole seed and kernels were infested with six dominant fungi viz. Alternaria alternata, Aspergillus flavus, Aspergillus fumigatus, Aspergillus niger, Fusarium chlamydosporum and Penicillium glabrum separately. Four different concentrations of seed samples viz. 50μl, 100μl, 150μl and 200μl were taken for the carbohydrate and phenol estimation of stored as well as infested Jatropha seeds. Carbohydrate content got reduced during storage while the phenolic content increases to show their antimicrobial effect. Maximum carbohydrate found was 50mg/ml at 200μl concentration in Fusarium chlamydosporum infested Jatropha seeds followed by Penicillium glabrum i.e., 30mg/ml and minimum carbohydrate content found was 1mg/ml at 50μl concentration in Aspergillus flavus infested Jatropha seeds and 4mg/ml in Aspergillus fumigatus at 50μl concentration in infested Jatropha kernels. Maximum Phenol content found was 190mg/100mg dry wt. in Fusarium chlamydosporum infested Jatropha kernels followed by Penicillium glabrum infested Jatropha seeds and kernels i.e., 180mg/100mg dry wt. at 200μl concentration while minimum phenol content was found nearly same i.e., 5.33mg/100mg dry wt. and 5.67mg/100mg dry wt. at 50μl and 100μl concentrations in fresh seeds, respectively.
Physico-chemical properties of Jatropha curcas oil during storage
(Indian Society of Agricultural Biochemists, 2015) Seweta Srivastava; G.N. Gupta; Asha Sinha; Vandana Srivastava; Anchal Srivastava
Biodiesel is a renewable alternative fuel for the diesel engine derived from natural sources like Jatropha curcas oil. The present study was to estimate the changes that occur in physico-chemical properties of oils extracted from stored Jatropha seeds in comparison to fresh Jatropha seeds. Physico-chemical properties of Jatropha oil viz. acid value, iodine value, saponification value, UV spectroscopy, cetane value, refractive index, viscosity were estimated. All the values were higher in stored seed oil except iodine value which was lower than fresh seeds. The acid value, saponification value, refractive index and viscosity shows negative effect on the quality of Jatropha oil while decrease in iodine value and increase in cetane value is preferable for better quality bio-diesel. © 2015, Indian Society of Agricultural Biochemists. All rights reserved.
Role of phosphate solubilizing bacteria in crop growth and disease management
(Journal of Pure and Applied Microbiology, 2014) Gorakh Nath Gupta; Seweta Srivastava; Sunil Kumar Khare; Veeru Prakash
Plant growth promoting rhizobacteria (PGPR) are the living micro-organisms which colonize the rhizosphere or the interior of the plant or promotes growth by increasing the supply or availability of primary nutrients to the host plant when applied to the seed, plant surface, or soil. Bacteria having growth promoting property in plants through the control of deleterious organisms have been categorized as biopesticides and are different from biofertlizers. However, some PGPR promote growth of plants by acting both as biofertilizer and biopesticides. PGPR can be Rhizospheric or Endophytic in nature depending upon their relationship with their hosts. The solubilization of 'P' in the rhizosphere is the most common mode of action that increases nutrient availability to host plants. Insoluble inorganic 'P' associated with the solid phase can be adsorbed to the surface of soil constituents which occur as Ca, Fe or Al minerals. Mineral 'P' is further released and made available to plant mostly by the action of phosphate solubilizing micro-organisms.
Screening of seed-borne mycoflora of Jatropha curcas L.
(2011) Seweta Srivastava; Asha Sinha; C.P. Srivastava
The aim of the present study was to check the deterioration of Jatropha curcas L. seeds during storage. Agar plate and standard blotter methods were used to study the seed-borne mycoflora of Jatropha curcas L. Both surface sterilized and unsterilized seeds were taken for isolation of fungi. Surface sterilization was done by 0.1% mercuric chloride (HgCl 2) solution. A significant contamination with fungal genera was detected in analyzed stored seeds. Sixteen fungal species with two strains of Aspergillus flavus i.e., brown and green were isolated from physic nut seeds during one year of storage. Fungi isolated and identified were Alternaria alternata, Aspergillus flavus, Aspergillus fumigatus, Aspergillus niger, Aspergillus terreus, Cephaliophora irregularis, Chaetomium globosum, Cladosporium cladosporioides, Curvularia lunata, Fusarium moniliforme, Fusarium roseum, Penicillium citrinum, Penicillium rubrum, Rhizopus stolonifer, Dark sterile mycelium and White sterile mycelium. This is the first report of Cephaliophora irregularis on Jatropha curcas L. seeds. Agar plate method showed better results for isolation of Chaetomium globosum, Cladosporium cladosporioides, Curvularia lunata and Fusarium moniliforme. © 2011 Academic Journals Inc.
Studies on seed mycoflora of wheat (Triticum aestivum L.) treated with potassium nitrate and its effect on germination during storage
(2011) Janmajay Singh; Seweta Srivastava; Shikha; Asha Sinha; Bandana Bose
The main aim of the present study was to enumerate the fungal species and their effect on germination associated with wheat seeds. Seeds of two cultivars viz., Kundan and HUW-234 of wheat (Triticum aestivum L.) were collected after harvesting from agriculture farm, Banaras Hindu University, Varanasi. These seeds were treated with potassium nitrate and examine for seed mycoflora by agar plate method and blotter method. Total sixteen fungal species were isolated from test cultivars by the standard techniques. Fungi isolated and identified were Alternaria alternata, Alternaria solani, Aspergillus candidus, Aspergillus flavus, Aspergillus fumigatus, Aspergillus niger, Aspergillus terreus, Curvularia lunata, Fusarium roseum, Fusarium semitectum, Penicillium citrinum, Penicillium rubrum, Rhizopus stolonifer, Trichoderma harzianum, Dark sterile mycelium and White sterile mycelium. During isolation, the blotter method yielded the higher number of fungi as compared to agar plate method. Germination of infested wheat seeds was determined by three methods viz., blotter method, multi-pot tray method and plastic pot method. Germination was decreased during storage period because fresh seeds showed better germination percent i.e., from 95 to 100% than stored seeds. Nitrate treated seeds show better germination percent than untreated seeds of both cultivars. © 2011 Academic Journals Inc.
Substrate induced respiration and soluble crude protein production by soil mycobiota involved in the decomposition of Sesbania aculeatal L.
(Academic Journals Inc., 2011) Ravindra Kumar; Asha Sinha; Seweta Srivastava; Manisha Srivastava
The aim of the present study was to determine the decomposition rate of Sesbania aculeata L. by CO2 evolution and to estimate Soluble Crude Protein (SCP) production by dominant decomposing mycoflora of Sesbania aculeata L. Eight dominant decomposing mycobiota were selected for the study. In the substrate induced respiration the significant difference was observed in both sterilized and unsterilized substrate with the test fungi. The maximum CO2 evolution was observed with Aspergillus niger in sterilized (16.04 μg day -1) and unsterilized green manure (18.92 μg day -1). In other experiment conducted for the estimation of soluble crude protein production Penicillium citrinum has produced maximum SCP (26.54%) at 25°C followed by Trichoderma harzianum, Aspergillus niger and Curvularia lunata whereas minimum soluble crude protein production was observed in Penicillium rubrum (8.46%) at 35°C. The maximum per cent biomass reduction observed by Aspergillus niger (28.60%) at 25°C and minimum was found in Penicillium rubrum (3.80%) at 35°C. Among seven different nitrogen sources tested against Penicillium citrinum, the highest producer of SCP, potassium nitrate was found to be the best for maximum SCP production (26.54%) whereas the least suitable nitrogen source for SCP production by Penicillium citrinum was recorded to be sodium nitrate (14.85%). © 2011 Academic Journals Inc.