Annual Research & Review in Biology

Integrated Management of Fusarium Wilt in Onion through Phytosanitary Treatments and Fertilization Modes in Burkina Faso

Abdou Rasmané OUEDRAOGO — 2026-01-13

Onion is the dominant vegetable crop cultivated in Burkina Faso and plays a key role in food security and rural incomes. However, its productivity is limited by fungal diseases, such as Fusarium wilt. This study aims to assess the effect of pesticide use and fertilization mode on the Fusarium wilt incidence and onion productivity during the wet season. To this end, phytosanitary treatments (Idefix, Mancozeb, and SuperFaso N), and fertilization modes (NPK, Compost, and Bactericidal compost) were tested. The incidence and severity of Fusarium wilt symptoms were collected. We also evaluated the height, neck diameter, and yield. The results showed that the incidence and severity of Fusarium wilt varied significantly depending on the phytosanitary treatments and fertilization mode. At 45 days after planting, the incidence differed significantly among treatments (P < 0.001), fertilization mode (P < 0.001), and their interaction (P < 0.001). However, at 60 Days After Transplanting (DAT), only fertilization mode had a significant effect (P < 0.001). Plant height varied significantly depending on the treatments and fertilization at 30, 45 and 60 DAT (P < 0.001). Neck diameter and yield were strongly influenced by treatments and fertilization (P < 0.001), and their interaction affected yield (P = 0.033). PCA showed that yield correlated positively with neck and negatively with incidence and severity, confirming the effectiveness of neem biopesticide and compost + NPK fertilization in limiting Fusarium wilt and optimizing production. The results obtained should contribute to validating an integrated approach to managing onion plant pathogens and increasing their productivity.

Profile of Temperature and Relative Humidity and Measure of Evapotranspiration in Summer Green Gram (Vigna radiata L. Wilczek.) Crop under Semi-Arid Region of Haryana, India

Manjeet — 2026-01-06

A field experiment was conducted at Research Farm, Dept of Agril Meteorology, CCS HAU, Hisar Haryana, India during the summer season in the 2020 and 2021. Experimental designed laid out with factorial randomized design, as main plot treatment: date of sowing i.e. D₁-1^st second fortnight of March with sub plot treatment viz., V₁: MH 421, V₂: MH 318, V₃; MH 1-25. Temperature and Humidity in the atmosphere is of great biological importance. Measurements relative humidity and temperature were made at 9:00, 12:0 & 16:00 hourly intervals throughout the observation day with the help of Psychrometric. The humidity profiles indicated that the relative humidity was higher inside the crop canopy than above the canopy in all the treatments i.e. the relative humidity profiles were lapse inside the crop canopy throughout the day while iso-humic at morning hours at different growth stage during crop season 2020 and 2021. Humidity profiles were observed lapse in NW-SE direction within crop canopy during the both crop season. The temperature profiles indicated that the temperature inside the canopy was lower than recorded at top of the canopy in all the treatments i.e. temperature profiles were inverse throughout the day within the canopy. Over the top of the crop canopy the temperature profile was lapse. Temperature profiles were observed inverse in NW-SE direction within crop canopyduring the both crop season. The evapotranspiration observed high in MH 318, East-West and the lowest was observed MH 421, NW-SE during both the crop seasons. As per study, it was observed that suitable sowing direction is NW-SE with MH 421 varieties.

Assay of Urease Activity and Effect of Application of Neem, Shal Cakes on Urease Activity in Soils of Sundarbans Ecosystem

Subhabrata Nandi — 2026-01-13

Urease play a key role in conversion of Urea – N to ammonium –N in soil treated with Urea. Rapid urease activity causes gaseous loss as NH₃, NO₂, N₂O is a concerns for environment, whereas low urease activity renders most of the applied urea nitrogen unavailable to plants. In the present study the level of urease activity in six costal soils of Sundarban namely Bidya, Sudhanyakhali, Herobhanga, Kultali, Patharpratima & Netidhopani were examined Soil urease activity was correlated with soil organic carbon (O.C. %), pH, C.E.C, Clay and Silt percentage to understand whether they have any effect on urease activity of soil. Urease activity was found to be negatively correlated with O.C. %, but no significant correlation with pH, C.E.C, Clay and Silt % was found. It was further observed that addition of neem cake and Shal cakes slightly increased urease activity, and as such, no urease inhibition activity of these two cakes were found on costal soils of Sundarbans.