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The present studies were conducted to find out the compatibility of neem oil with the predator, Chrysoperla carnea for the management of aphids in canola. Among the different treatments tested, module consisting of neem oil 2% + C. carnea proved very effective in reducing the aphid population with an average of 18.6/plant. Neem oil 1% and C. carnea alone also produced significant results compared to untreated check where mean per plant population of aphid was 39.3 and 41.3, respectively. Maximum seed yield (3295.1 kg/ha) was recorded from neem oil 2% + C. carnea followed by neem oil 1% + C. carnea (3219.1 kg/ha) and neem oil 2% (2809.4 kg/ha), respectively. Over all mean population of C. carnea was highest (0.48/plant) in plots treated with predators alone. The same was second most abundant (0.40/plant) in plots treated with neem oil 1% + C. carnea followed by plots treated with neem oil 2% + C. carnea (0.36/plant). The study manifested neem oil concentrations relatively safe to beneficial insects and suitable for use in integrated pest management of aphids in canola.

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High temperature is one of the compelling ecological stresses faced by the plants owing to anthropogenic activities of mankind. Recently, endophytic fungi are considered to be a novel tool to counteract the consequences of thermal stress in crops. Owing to the problem, we isolated fungal endophytes from Dryopteris blanfordii and their growth favoring potential in rice seedlings. Endophytic fungi have the proficiency to secrete plant growth stimulating secondary metabolites that help the host plants to restore growth under harsh environments. The isolated Penicillium glabrum (DryR-30) helped the host plant species, i.e. Glycine max L. and Helianthus annuus L. under thermal stress. P. glabrum associated with G. max and H. annuus exposed to 40ºC not only boosted their host growth attributes (total biomass, plant height and chlorophyll contents), but also significantly curtailed the synthesis of reactive oxygen species and lipids peroxidation. Moreover, the abscisic acid (ABA) and proline concentrations were significantly reduced, while the accumulation of ROS-degrading enzymes, such as catalase (CAT), peroxidase (POD), ascorbic acid oxidase (AAO), glutathione reductase (GR) and superoxide dismutase (SOD) were increased in P. glabrum-associated crops.