Abstract:
This research explores the biopotency of the turmeric plant (Curcuma longa) against Cotton
Leaf Curl Disease (CLCuD) and its implications for sustainability in agribusiness. Cotton, a
crucial cash crop, contributes significantly to the industrial workforce, with over 50% of the
total labor and more than 60% of total exports linked to the cotton production chain. However,
the cotton crop is vulnerable to infection by Cotton Leaf Curl Disease, a condition caused by
the Begomovirus and spread by the Whitefly vector. CLCuD poses a significant threat to its
cultivation, resulting in yield losses and economic challenges for farmers. The research
explores the potential of turmeric as a natural remedy to combat CLCuD, aligning with the
principles of sustainable agriculture and environmentally friendly practices. In this research,
curcumin was extracted from Pakistani local turmeric using a Soxhlet apparatus with four
different solvents (methanol, ethanol, acetone, and glycerol), and its chemical characterization
was performed through phytochemical analysis and GC-MS analysis. GC-MS analysis of the
ethanol extract unveiled the presence of potential bioactive compounds with intriguing
pharmacology demonstrating the complexity of the extract's chemical composition. Moreover,
the in-silico analysis of three bioactive compounds includes curcumin, Fluoro-phenol and L cysteine sulphonic acid, docked against the viral protein of Begomovirus (betasatellite,
alphasatellite and 7VG8), the causative agent of CLCuD, is conducted to elucidate the
molecular interactions and potential inhibitory effects. Out of three compounds curcumin
revealed the best interaction with all three viral proteins. The findings of this study hold
promise for the agricultural sector by offering a sustainable, cost-effective, and
environmentally friendly solution to mitigate CLCuD impact on cotton farming, thereby
enhancing the economic sustainability of agribusiness and contributing to global food security.
