Biopotency of Turmeric Plant against Cotton Leaf Curl Disease: Sustainability in Agribusiness

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.