Pepper is vulnerable to soil-borne fungal pathogens such as Rhizoctonia solani and Fusarium oxysporum. The potential of beneficial rhizosphere microorganisms to control R. solani and F. oxysporum f.sp. capsici was evaluated in pepper plants. Paenibacillus polymyxa and Trichoderma longibrachiatum were isolated from rhizospheric soil samples of healthy pepper plants. In vitro, both isolates caused clear reductions in the radial growth of root rot and wilt pathogens. Scanning electron microscopy displayed lysis and abnormal shape of the pathogens in dual cultures with P. polymyxa and T. longibrachiatum. The incidence and severity of root rot and wilt diseases were significantly reduced in pepper plants treated with the growth-promoting fungi (PGPF isolates; Fusarium equiseti GF19-1, Fusarium equiseti GF18-3, and Phoma sp. GS8-3), P. polymyxa, or T. longibrachiatum in comparison to the control. Moreover, the induction treatments led to increased pepper growth compared with their control. The defense related gene (CaPR4) expression was shown to be significantly higher in the treated plants than in the control plants. In conclusion, the antagonistic isolates (P. polymyxa and T. longibrachiatum) and PGPF isolates have a clear impact on the prevention of root rot and wilt diseases in pepper plants incited by R. solani and F. oxysporum f.sp. capsici. The expression of the CaPR4 gene added to the evidence that PGPF isolates generate systemic resistance to pathogen infections.

At the global level, sustainable horticulture faces many challenges due to climate changes in addition to limitations in water and land resources. Nanotechnology is an innovate strategy for sustainable agricultural development. This eco-friendly technology is becoming vital in modern agricultural practices, due to its role in improving plants production, protection with environmental security, biological supportability and financial steadiness. Production of nano-fertilizers is considered as the most important alternative to the conventional fertilizers and pesticides, due to their potential roles in crop production, reducing the use of chemical fertilizers and mitigating the adverse impacts in soil. The aims of the current study were to highlight nanotechnology in terms of several important definitions including; nano-fertilization, biosynthesis of nano-fertilizers and the use of nanomaterial as an alternative to the traditional mineral fertilizers. This is in addition to the control of nutrient release in the soil, nanoparticles (NPs) role in enhancing the bio-agent activity, and the fate of nanomaterials in plants with respect to the toxicological data of any nano-product.

Ascochyta blight is one of the most common diseases that threaten pea and cause severe crop losses. The research is concerned with the integrated control of this disease by studying the effect of biological control agents with inorganic salts, planting dates and planting distances, especially in light of climate change and the impact of these factors on the spread of the disease. In this study, two bacterial strains Bacillus megaterium and Pseudomonas fluorescens as biocontrol agents; potassium carbonate and sodium carbonate were evaluated with the effect of planting dates, where the first date was at the beginning of October, and the second date was at the beginning of November. Also the distance between the irrigation lines (0.75 and 1.5 meter) in two successive seasons 2020/2021 and 2021/2022 under the conditions of the Dakhla Oasis, the New Valley Governorate. The best results were with the first date of planting and a planting distance of 1.5 meters, which led to a significant reduction of disease severity, with a significant increase in traits associated with vegetative growth. Also, treatment with Pseudomonas fluorescens led to an increase in vegetative growth and plant height compared to treatment with Bacillus megaterium. By studying the interaction between planting dates with biocontrol agents, it led to a significant decrease in disease incidence and severity, with a significant increase in vegetative growth. Also, there was no significant effect with interaction between planting dates and planting distances, while it had a significant effect on the incidence and severity of infection. Bacterial isolates used in this study with mineral salts contributed to increasing plant growth rates and reducing ascochyta blight infection rates. Further studies can be conducted to include these treatments within the integrated control programs for Ascochyta blight on pea.

The objective of this paper was to study the effect of silicon dioxide (SiO2) and titanium dioxide (TiO2) nanoparticles NPs sprayed separate or in combination compare with traditional practices on plant ability to resist fungal diseases and improving growth and productivity of zucchini squash (Cucurbita pepo L.) crop in Al-Kantara Sharq experimental station located 30 o 49' 41.4" N and 32 o 24' 11.4" S, Eastern part of Al-Ismailia governorate within Sinai, Egypt during summer seasons of 2015 and 2016. The treatments were: 1.Control spraying with distilled water (T1), 2.Copper oxychloride Cu2(OH)3Cl at concentration of 5000 ppm (