Corynespora leaf fall disease (CLFD) is a significant fungal disease affecting rubber trees (Hevea brasiliensis), caused by the pathogen Corynespora cassiicola. This disease leads to premature leaf fall, impacting rubber production and causing considerable economic losses in rubber plantations. C. cassiicola exhibits high genetic diversity, possessing various pathogenic isoforms that vary in virulence and host specificity. Management of CLFD involves integrated approaches, use of resistant clones, prophylactic chemical fungicide approaches and cultural practices. Understanding the genetic and pathogenic diversity of C. cassiicola isoforms is crucial for developing effective control strategies and breeding programs to mitigate the effect of CLFD on H. brasiliensis. The current investigation was conducted to assess the in vitro impact of two virulent isolates of C. cassiicola (HV and M9) belonging to different isoform categories towards the popular RRII 400 series rubber clones and a few other selected hosts. The fungicide sensitivity of the two virulent isolates was also tested with recommended fungicides. The results revealed that both isolates, HV and M9, equally infected all RRII 400 series rubber clones and other hosts, exhibiting the same sensitivity to the tested fungicides.  Among the RRII 400 series rubber clones, RRII 422 was identified as susceptible, RRII 417 and RRII 429 as less tolerant, and RRII 414 and RRII 430 as moderately tolerant. No instances of wilting were observed in other host plants treated with the Crude Culture Filtrate (CCF) of M9 and HV.  Among the fungicides tested, carbendazim, thiophanate methyl, and SAAF demonstrated 100 per cent growth inhibition of HV and M9 even after 10 days of inoculation. 

Abnormal leaf fall (ALF) disease caused by Phytophthora spp. is the most destructive, annually recurring disease of Hevea in India causing a reduction in latex yield by 38 to 56 per cent. Induced resistance by hormones is considered to be an eco-friendly strategy to stimulate plant defense against pathogen attack. The exact mechanism played by them inside the host machinery is very important while considering elicitors for field application. In this effort, exogenous application of Salicylic Acid (SA) was carried out to investigate its role as a priming stimulus. It was observed that exogenous application of SA activated defense mechanism in Hevea and it also had a role in inhibiting growth of Phytophthora spp. A significant reduction in disease severity was observed in both Phytophthora-tolerant and susceptible clones of Hevea at varying concentrations of SA treatment which also revealed that the strength of SA signaling was different in both the clones. Microscopic studies demonstrated a protective effect in both tolerant and susceptible clones in SA-treated plants against P. meadii which could be attributed to transcription of defense genes thereby delaying disease progression. This suggested effectiveness of SA as a priming agent over time for ALF disease management in Hevea brasiliensis.

Identifying Hevea brasiliensis clones for abiotic stress tolerance in non-traditional rubber growing tracts need a pragmatic approach comprising a combination of adaptation and agronomic performance. In this context, the present study was undertaken in two clonal nurseries laid out in a cold prone region and a traditional region (for comparison) with the objective of screening for cold tolerance based on growth, yield and major yield components including anatomical and biochemical traits. Each trial comprised a total of 45 new clones in the pipeline along with popular check genotypes evaluated at Agartala (Tripura), representing a cold-prone environment and Chethackal (Central Kerala), the traditional rubber-growing region. Observations on girth and latex yield were recorded in all the clones during the 10th and 11th year after planting. In terms of growth and yield, twelve and eleven promising genotypes were identified from Agartala and Chethackal, respectively, which were subsequently evaluated for latex biochemical parameters and bark anatomical traits. Results revealed considerable genotypic variability at both sites. Under cold stress conditions at Agartala, genotypes P 21, P 78, P 102 and P 107 attained girth over 40 cm, while P 78, P 44, P 17 and P 61 along with standard checks, RRII 414, RRII 430 and PB 260, had superior girth (>45 cm) at Chethackal. In terms of yield, genotype P 99 followed by RRII 429, P 21, P 73, P 53, P 26 and P 78 were superior at Agartala while P 17, P 44, RRII 105, RRII 430 and RRII 414 were superior at Chethackal. The anatomical traits such as bark thickness ranged between 6.2 and 9.5 mm and latex vessel rows between 8.6 and 17 at Agartala while at Chethackal, these traits ranged between 6.5 and 9.9 mm & 7.6 and 26.5, respectively. Latex ATP and sucrose levels were also lower under cold stress at Agartala than at Chethackal.  Rank sum analysis based on overall performance identified P 99, P 21, P 60, P 26 and P 17 as promising for cold-prone regions, while P 17, P 26 and P 44 were found to be suited to traditional climates.  Notably, clone P 17 demonstrated consistent performance across both environments. A comprehensive screening of experimental genotypes could identify genotype/s that combine growth, yield and other desirable component traits suitable for further large-scale evaluation in cold stress prone NE India. The study also underscores the importance of extended evaluation in clonal nurseries established in non-traditional regions to enhance selection efficiency under prevailing agro climatic conditions. 

Perennial tree crops are foundational to global agriculture, forestry and natural ecosystems, yet they pose considerable challenges for genetic improvement due to long generation cycles, high levels of heterozygosity and recalcitrant tissue culture systems. The advent of CRISPR/Cas based genome editing technologies has revolutionized functional genomics and crop improvement by enabling precise, efficient and heritable genetic modifications. This review provides a comprehensive overview of Clustered Regularly Interspaced Short Palindromic Repeats (CRISPR) systems’ evolution, classification and molecular mechanisms, illustrates modified versions of Cas9 and next-generation tools such as base editing and prime editing. The application of these tools in tree species including Populus (poplar), Malus domestica (apple), Citrus spp., Gossypium (cotton), Actinidia (kiwifruit), Hevea brasiliensis (rubber), Elaeis guineensis (oil palm) and Theobroma cacao (cocoa) is discussed, with a particular emphasis on trait improvement related to biotic and abiotic stress resistance, flowering time modulation, fruit quality and yield enhancement. Among these, Populus has emerged as the most extensively edited tree genus due to its well-annotated genome, fast growth, amenability to transformation and status as a model woody plant. Notable advances include gene function characterization, lignin biosynthesis modification and stress-resilience enhancement. The review also explores novel genome editing strategies like DNA-free editing that mitigate transgenic concerns and facilitate regulatory approval. Despite significant progress, challenges remain regarding efficient regeneration systems, delivery methods, off-target risk and varying international regulatory frameworks. Overall, CRISPR/Cas technologies hold transformative potential for accelerating genetic improvement and advancing functional genomics in perennial tree crops, supporting more resilient, productive and sustainable forestry and horticulture practices worldwide. 

Natural and synthetic rubber gloves are used in various fields such as healthcare, laboratories and industries. The disposal of these types of single-use gloves after use in landfills causes serious environmental impact as these materials do not decompose easily.  In this study, the environmental implications in disposal of natural rubber (NR) gloves and synthetic rubber gloves such as neoprene (CR), isoprene (IR), nitrile (NBR), vinyl (PVC) and ethylene-vinyl acetate (EVA) gloves were studied using mechanical properties.  Dumbbell shaped test samples were cut from each type of gloves and buried in soil for a period of 360 days. After 180 days in soil, NR gloves showed a significant loss of tensile properties and thickness compared with synthetic gloves. These findings were supplemented by measurements of Fourier Transform Infrared - Attenuated Total Reflectance (FTIR-ATR), crosslink density, swelling behavior and thermogravimetric analysis (TGA).  Functional group alterations detected in NR gloves using FTIR indicated chain scission. TGA studies also supported substantial degradation of NR gloves. Higher population density of bacteria was recorded in NR gloves when compared with synthetic gloves.