Nitrogen-Fixing Bacteria Modern agriculture faces pressure to reduce reliance on synthetic fertilizers while maintaining crop productivity and soil health. Synthetic nitrogen fertilizers, while effective, contribute significantly to environmental degradation through greenhouse gas emissions, water pollution, and soil acidification. The agricultural sector accounts for approximately 78% of global ammonia emissions and contributes substantially to nitrous oxide production, a potent greenhouse gas. Simultaneously, synthetic fertilizer production requires enormous energy inputs and depletes finite fossil fuel resources. Nitrogen-fixing bacteria have emerged as

Pests and diseases cause between 20-40% of all crop production to be lost each year, this equates to losing around $300 billion annually (FAO, 2023). Such losses contribute massively to food insecurity, which is particularly prevalent in African countries. Pesticides are typically used to control pests, but their excessive use has led to biodiversity loss and widespread pollution, which in turn harms humans and the environment. To combat this growing challenge, Integrated Pest Management (IPM) strategies have been increasingly adopted. These strategies focus on a combination of cultural, mechanical, biological and chemical approaches to control pests in an environmen

The complex mixture of minerals, organic matter, water, air, and living organisms is defined as soil. It forms the foundation of terrestrial ecosystems and plays a crucial role in supporting life on Earth. Soil serves as a medium for plant growth, regulates water flow, filters pollutants, and stores carbon (Robert E. White, 2005). Good soil management is key for a good production and a sustainable agro-ecosystem. Understanding the different types of soil is essential for effective land management, agriculture, and environmental conservation. The ideal soil composition consists of 50% solids (45% minerals and 5% organic matter) and 50% pores (25% air and 25% water).

The fall armyworm belongs to the order Coleoptera, which is native to the tropical and subtropical regions of North and South America and moved to Africa in 2016 and then spread to Asia, Australia, and the Arab region (FAO 2021).

In the quest for sustainable agriculture, biofertilizers have emerged as a game-changer. These natural fertilizers harness the power of microorganisms to enhance soil fertility and plant growth, offering an eco-friendly alternative to chemical fertilizers. When applied biofertilizers to seeds, plant surfaces, or soil, colonize the rhizosphere or the interior of the plant and promote growth by increasing the supply or availability of primary nutrients to the host plant.

Egyptian clover (Trifolium alexandrinum L.), also known as berseem, represents one of the most important forage crops in Egypt and several temperate and subtropical regions. As a winter annual leguminous crop, it provides essential fresh fodder, silage, and hay for livestock while simultaneously enhancing soil fertility through biological nitrogen fixation. However, the productivity and quality of Egyptian clover face a significant threat from dodder (Cuscuta planiflora), a parasitic weed that can cause yield losses of up to 80%. This parasitic plant lacks photosynthetic capability and depends entirely on its host for survival, extracting nutrients and water through