Hybrid de novo whole genome assembly of lipopeptide producing novel Bacillus thuringiensis strain NBAIR BtAr exhibiting antagonistic activity against Sclerotium rolfsii.

Bacillus thuringiensis Berliner is recognized as a predominant bioinsecticide but its antifungal potential has been relatively underexplored. A novel B. thuringiensis strain NBAIR BtAr was isolated and morphologically characterized using light and scanning electron microscopy, revealing presence of bipyramidal, cuboidal, and spherical parasporal crystals.

Thymol-a plant-based monoterpenoid phenol compound of an essential oil for the management of sheath blight disease of rice.

Sheath blight of rice is a global disease that significantly reduces rice yield. This study reports the antifungal activity of an active compound of essential oil, thymol, at different concentrations against Rhizoctonia solani (strain RS-Gvt). In vitro assay results indicated that thymol concentrations (0.