Nia Rossiana

Fungal diseases caused by Alternaria species are major constraints to the productivity and quality of horticultural crops worldwide, resulting in significant yield losses, quality degradation, and postharvest challenges. Conventional management primarily relies on chemical fungicides; however, their extensive use raises concerns related to environmental contamination, pathogen resistance, and risks to human health. Consequently, increasing attention has shifted toward environmentally sustainable approaches such as microbial biological control agents. Among these, Trichoderma spp. have emerged as promising eco-friendly biocontrol agents due to their multifunctional interactions with plants and soil microbiomes. This review synthesizes current knowledge on the role of Trichoderma spp. in managing Alternaria -caused diseases in horticultural crops. Specific emphasis is placed on key mechanisms, including mycoparasitism, antibiosis through secondary metabolites, competition for nutrients and space, and the induction of systemic resistance in host plants. Evidence from in vitro , greenhouse, and field studies demonstrates that Trichoderma spp. can effectively suppress Alternaria pathogens while simultaneously enhancing plant growth and stress tolerance. However, the effectiveness of Trichoderma -based biocontrol strategies is influenced by environmental conditions, strain specificity, formulation stability, and interactions with indigenous microbial communities. Future research should focus on optimizing strain selection, developing robust formulations and delivery methods, and applying advanced genomic and metabolomic approaches to enhance the consistency and effectiveness of Trichoderma -based biocontrol in sustainable horticultural disease management.

Rice (Oryza sativa L.) is central to global food security, yet its production systems remain highly vulnerable to environmental pressures. Climate change is increasing the frequency and severity of abiotic stresses, including drought, salinity, extreme temperatures, flooding, and heavy metal toxicity, which significantly reduce global rice productivity. Conventional strategies, including breeding and genetic engineering, have improved stress tolerance; however, their effectiveness is often constrained by long development timelines, complex genetic regulation, and limited performance under multiple concurrent stresses. In this context, plant-associated microorganisms have emerged as a sustainable and promising approach to enhancing rice plant resilience. This review synthesizes current knowledge on beneficial microbes such as plant growth promoting rhizobacteria (PGPR), arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi (AMF), endophytes, and cyanobacteria and their roles in mediating abiotic stress tolerance in rice. These microorganisms enhance plant performance through diverse mechanisms, including modulation of phytohormone balance, improved nutrient acquisition, maintenance of ion homeostasis, activation of antioxidant defense systems, and induction of systemic tolerance. Furthermore, microbial interactions influence gene expression, signaling pathways, and epigenetic regulation, thereby strengthening plant adaptive responses to environmental stress. This review also highlights microbe-mediated mitigation of specific stresses and discusses key challenges, particularly inconsistent field performance and the complexity of plant microbiome interactions. Emerging approaches such as omics technologies, synthetic microbiome engineering, and artificial intelligence assisted microbial design offer new opportunities to improve the reliability and scalability of microbe-based strategies for climate resilient rice production.

This study evaluates bio-briquettes and bio-pellets made from ramie (Boehmeria nivea), sacha inchi (Plukenetia volubilis), and palm kernel shell (Elaeis guineensis) as renewable fuel sources. Proximate analysis was conducted to measure moisture, ash, volatile matter, fixed carbon, and calorific values, while combustion tests assessed boiling efficiency and burn time. Results reveal that bio-briquettes generally outperform bio-pellets in calorific value, with sample B-S8R2 achieving the highest at 6455 kcal/kg and the fastest boiling time of 14 min at 88 °C. This enhanced performance is attributed to its high fixed carbon (71.81%) and low volatile matter, optimizing combustion and energy yield. In contrast, bio-pellets like sample P-PO7R3, with a calorific value of 4212 kcal/kg, offer moderate heat and durability, making them suitable for household use. The high density and low moisture content across all samples support efficient combustion, while the bio-briquettes’ low ash production indicates a more environmentally friendly fuel. The findings suggest that bio-briquettes are optimal for high-energy applications due to their superior combustion efficiency and environmental benefits, whereas bio-pellets provide a viable option for moderate-energy needs. This research supports the development of sustainable biofuel from biomass waste, providing a promising alternative to traditional fossil fuels.