Datura, a genus of medicinal herb from the Solanaceae family, is credited with toxic as well as medicinal properties. The different plant parts of Datura sp., mainly D. stramonium L., commonly known as Datura or Jimson Weed, exhibit potent analgesic, antiviral, anti-diarrheal, and anti-inflammatory activities, owing to the wide range of bioactive constituents. With these pharmacological activities, D. stramonium is potentially used to treat numerous human diseases, including ulcers, inflammation, wounds, rheumatism, gout, bruises and swellings, sciatica, fever, toothache, asthma, and bronchitis. The primary phytochemicals investigation on plant extract of Datura showed alkaloids, carbohydrates, cardiac glycosides, tannins, flavonoids, amino acids, and phenolic compounds. It also contains toxic tropane alkaloids, including atropine, scopolamine, and hyoscamine. Although some studies on D. stramonium have reported potential pharmacological effects, information about the toxicity remains almost uncertain. Moreover, the frequent abuse of D. stramonium for recreational purposes has led to toxic syndromes. Therefore, it becomes necessary to be aware of the toxic aspects and the potential risks accompanying its use. The present review aims to summarize the phytochemical composition and pharmacological and toxicological aspects of the plant Datura.

The inoculation of sunflower (Helianthus annuus L.) plants with arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi (AMF) and plant growth-promoting rhizobacteria (PGPR) can significantly enhance its growth and yield in a sustainable manner. Drought tolerance is mediated by a combination of direct AMF and PGPR benefits that boost the plant’s natural ability to cope with stress, whereas drought mitigation is mediated by indirect AMF and PGPR benefits and increased water uptake. An experiment was carried out to demonstrate the interactive effects of AMF (Glomus mosseae) alone or in association with PGPR (Pseudomonas fluorescens) under water-stressed conditions in order to assess their biofertilizer efficiency. Accordingly, various morphological and biochemical parameters were studied, and the results suggested that all the co-inoculation treatments displayed beneficial effects. Still, the combination of G. mosseae + P. fluorescens showed the maximum increment in all the parameters considered, i.e., plant height and weight, leaves length and width, number of leaves per plant, specific leaf weight, relative leaf water content (RLWC), photosynthetic efficiency, seed length, width, and area, seed yield per plant, number of seeds per flower, days to 50% flowering, days to maturity, flower and head diameter, harvest index, oil content, fatty acid composition (palmitic acid, oleic acid, stearic acid, and linoleic acid), and total yield. The improvement in different parameters may be attributed to the increased availability of nutrients due to the symbiotic association of AMF and PGPR with plant roots along with enhanced root structures for more water absorption under stressed conditions. Therefore, the results suggested that they offer a promising bio-control strategy for crop protection as biofertilizers combined in one formulation.

Taro is an important root vegetable and has several medicinal and therapeutic properties. The two major therapeutic ingredients are flavonoids and triterpenoids, which are of prime importance. Additionally, the plant has antibacterial, antiparasitic, antiallergic, and anti-inflammatory properties. People often use it to treat a number of diseases by prescribing them as medications. Researchers from the pharmaceutical industry can thrive on C. esculenta by using whole-plant extracts. The identification of valuable terpenoids and therapeutics and their preparations are profusely dealt with in this article. Also, the new structural details of connective tissue are also studied as it helps researchers to investigate further uses of taro for humans, it is well known that xanthan can be obtained commercially as stabilizers, thickeners, binders, and more. It is essential to explore this plant for both medicinal and pharmaceutical properties.

This study was conducted to investigate the beneficial role of phosphate solubilizing bacteria (PSB) and arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi (AMF) in improving eggplant fruits' biochemical composition and mineral content.The plants were treated with AMF Acaulospora laevis, and bacteria Pseudomonas fluorescens, and the corresponding variations were measured for mineral content (Ca, Fe, Mg, K, and P), biochemical parameters (dry matter, total soluble solid [TSS], phenolics, chlorogenic acid, vitamin C) along with arbuscular mycorrhiza spore number, and percentage of root colonization. The AMF and PSB-mediated soil and root-associated nutrients become available for uptake via mineralization, solubilization, and mobilization, primarily through the generation of organic acids and P-hydrolysing enzymes by the microbes. All the treatments showed a significant increase in the concentrations of different biochemical components. However, the combination of both A. laevis and P. fluorescens was found to be the most efficient.These results indicated the possibility of A. laevis and P. fluorescens being used as biofertilizers.

Microorganisms are essential parts of soil and play an important role in mediating many processes and influencing plant health. Arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi (AMF) and nitrogen-fixing bacteria (NFB), the most common of such microorganisms, can benefit plants by enhancing the nutrient-absorbing ability of roots through bio-inoculation, also called biofertilization. Different methods have been tested and proven to be effective in the enhancement of soil nutrient availability. However, the effects of increased application of biological methods with minimal chemical fertilizers are still inconsistent. In this 2-year of fixed-point greenhouse test, we aimed to evaluate the impact of AMF (Rhizophagus irregularis) and/or NFB (Azotobacter) on growth, quality, and yield of eggplants under different N levels. Data showed that biofertilizer application with reduced chemical fertilizer had the highest impact on eggplant performance and yield. Indeed, low chemical fertilizers combined with adequate amounts of biofertilizers produced a higher plant height, length and width of leaves, dry matter, number of fruits per plant with better morphology, total yield per plant, and total soluble solids (TSS), suggesting that the use of Azotobacter and R. irregularis as biofertilizers could substantially reduce the use of chemical fertilizers without impairing the quality and yield of eggplant.

Yam (Dioscorea alata) is a tropical plant that is considered critical for food security. The use of high fertilizer, low soil fertility, and insect pest infestation reduce yam tuber yield and quality. The present study was performed to determine the effect of potassium silicate and arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi (AMF) on yam cultivated under salinity stress. This study revealed that the combination of Rhizophagus irregularis (AMF) and Potassium silicate was more effective than their individual application on yam and were beneficial for overall analyzed characters. We observed the days to emergence and the average days to first leaf emergence decreased by 33.46% and 26.78%, respectively, the number of leaves increased by 45.23%, number of sprouts per seed tuber by 50%, vine length by 60.8%, vine length at harvest by 40.53%, the average leaf width by 53.79%, petiole length by 31.74%, tuber length by 43.84%, average diameter of tuber by 56.58%, and average number of tuber per vine by 46.15% in T5 treated plants. We also recorded that starch content increased by 21.89%, ascorbic acid by 61.51%, average moisture by 8.36%, TSS by 50%, and total sugar by 69.53% in T5 treated plants. The total phenol was found to be 1.53% higher in T3 applied plants, while the dry matter was 36.37% higher in T5 treatment. Furthermore, the enzymatic evaluation of MDA in leaves was found to be enhanced by 142% in T2. The enzyme 8-OHdG from the leaves sample was reported to be increased after T5 by 621.15%. Moreover, the amount of CAT was higher by 53.46% in T2 treated plants. Likewise, the amount of enzyme SOD and POX in leaves of D. alata enhanced by 30.91% and 51.15% T2 treatments respectively.

Bell pepper is an important vegetable crop containing lots of bioactive compounds. The present study was designed to improve the productivity and quality of bell pepper with the application of arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi (Rhizophagus irregularis) and plant growth-promoting bacteria (Azotobacter chroococcum) in a combination of chemical fertilizer. Five treatments consisted of 75% chemical fertilizer (T1), 100% chemical fertilizer (T2), 75% chemical fertilizer + R. irregularis (T3), 75% chemical fertilizer + A. chroococcum (T4) and 75% chemical fertilizer + R. irregularis + A. chroococcum (T5). Out of 18 morphological parameters, 11 morphometric fruit parameters were recorded in detail by a tomato analyzer. The morphological and biochemical (TSS, ascorbic acid and capsaicin content) attributes of bell pepper were recorded higher in the case of a mixed consortium of chemical fertilizers having R. irregularis and A. chroococcum. Similarly, the amount of mineral content recorded was highest after 75% chemical fertilizer + R. irregularis + A. chroococcum, followed by the treatment with only 100% chemical fertilizer. The root mycorrhization (%) and the number of spores were observed highest in 75% chemical fertilizer + R. irregularis + A. chroococcum, and there was no mycorrhization and spore formation in 75% CF, 100% CF and 75% CF+AC. The treatment involving 75% chemical fertilizer + R. irregularis + A. chroococcum proved better for pepper’s growth, yield and yield-related traits.

Faba bean (Vicia faba L.) is an economically important crop cultivated globally for fulfilling human requirements. However, the productivity of the faba bean has declined due to poor management of soil, particularly under salt stress. Salt stress is a major constraint to crop productivity worldwide. Therefore, the objective of the present investigation is to check the behavior of faba bean genotypes on the basis of morphological and biochemical traits in response to salinity. In this study, we studied seven different treatments (including control) applied to faba bean under salt stress. Bioinoculants such as Trichoderma viride, Pseudomonas flourescens, Glomus mosseae, and Gigaspora gigantean, each separately and in combination, were tested for their efficacy under salinity stress. Data recorded on days to flowering (48.92 ± 1.15), days to maturity (144.56 ± 1.95), plant height (141.93 ± 4.81 cm), number of branches per plant (4.87 ± 0.09), number of clusters per plant (18.88 ± 0.24), number of pods per plant (48.33 ± 1.06), pod length (5.31 ± 0.02 cm), catalase (222.10 ± 2.76 mg), hydrogen peroxide (24 ± 4.58 mol/g), malondialdehyde (45 ± 1.00 mol/g), electrolyte leakage (54.67 ± 5.03), chlorophyll (51.67 ± 3.06 mg/g), proline content (2.96 ± 0.12 mg/g), and on other parameters indicated the combined inoculation of all the species (consortium) was taken to be highly effective even under salt stress. Overall, the consortium treatment comprising all of the bioinoculants was observed to be the most efficient treatment in improving all the morphological and biochemical traits of faba bean under salt stress. Although, other treatments also demonstrated considerable effects on faba bean as compared to one without bioinoculants under salt stress.