Plant growth-promoting endophytic microbiota from garlic bulbs.

Mexican Garlic Varieties Reveal Powerful Endophytic Microbiota with Plant Growth Promotion and Biocontrol Potential

A new study on ten Mexican garlic varieties uncovers 119 beneficial bacterial and 38 fungal endophytes from clove meristems, identifying strains that promote plant growth, enhance maize and garlic germination, and inhibit pathogenic fungi. The findings highlight garlic bulbs as a promising source for microbial bioinoculant development.
Integrating greener, sustainable management tactics to minimise fall armyworm Spodoptera frugiperda (J. E. Smith) damage in maize

India’s Greener Battle Against the Fall Armyworm: Integrated Sustainable Tactics Boost Maize Yields

A new ICAR-CIMMYT study published in International Journal of Tropical Insect Science demonstrates how integrating eco-friendly practices—pheromone traps, bird perches, neem-based biopesticides, and entomopathogenic fungi—reduced Spodoptera frugiperda damage and increased maize yields by over 10% in India.