Eruca sativa oil yields potential, fatty acids profiling, and physiological adaptations at the seed-filling stage with low-quality saline water irrigation

Combined stressors (high soil salinity and saline water irrigation) severely reduce plant growth and sugar beet yield. Seed inoculation with plant growth-promoting rhizobacteria (PGPR) and/or foliar spraying with silica nanoparticles (Si-NP) is deemed one of the most promising new strategies that have the potential to inhibit abiotic stress. Herein, sugar beet (Beta vulgaris) plants were treated with two PGPR (Pseudomonas koreensis MG209738 and Bacillus coagulans NCAIM B.01123) and/or Si-NP, during two successive seasons 2019/2020 and 2020/2021 to examine the vital role of PGPR, Si-NP, and their combination in improving growth characteristics, and production in sugar beet plants exposed to two watering treatments (fresh water and saline water) in salt-affected soil. The results revealed that combined stressors (high soil salinity and saline water irrigation) increased ion imbalance (K+/Na+ ratio; from 1.54 ± 0.11 to 1.00 ± 0.15) and declined the relative water content (RWC; from 86.76 ± 4.70 to 74.30 ± 3.20%), relative membrane stability index (RMSI), stomatal conductance (gs), and chlorophyll content, which negatively affected on the crop productivity. Nevertheless, the application of combined PGPR and Si-NP decreased oxidative stress indicators (hydrogen peroxide and lipid peroxidation) and sodium ions while increasing activities of superoxide dismutase (SOD; up to 1.9-folds), catalase (CAT; up to 1.4-folds), and peroxidase (POX; up to 2.5-folds) enzymes, and potassium ions resulting in physiological processes, root yield, and sugar yield compared to non-treated controls under combined stressors (high soil salinity and saline water irrigation). It is worth mentioning that the singular application of PGPR improved root length, diameter, and yield greater than Si-NP alone and it was comparable to the combined treatment (PGPR+Si-NP). It was concluded that the combined application of PGPR and Si-NP has valuable impacts on the growth and yield of sugar beet growing under combined stressors of high soil salinity and saline water irrigation.

Glutathione to ameliorate growth criterions and chemical constituents of geranium irrigated with salt water

Halophytes are a diverse group of plants with tolerance to high salinity. While most of our crops are glycophytes lacking the genetic makeup for salt tolerance, halophytes are endowed with ability to seize NaCl into their cell vacuoles as an osmoticum. The sensitivity of crops to environmental extremities has become a major limitation to worldwide food production. Study of halophytes can be rewarding as the mechanisms by which halophytes survive and maintain productivity on saline water can be understood to define and manage adaptations in glycophytes. The adaptation mechanisms include ion compartmentalization, osmotic adjustment, succulence, ion transport and uptake, antioxidant systems, maintenance of redox and energetic status, and salt inclusion/excretion. Real benefits can be accrued if sustained efforts are in place to investigate the species-­specific regulation during abiotic stresses and extend genetic resource and manipulate stress tolerance mechanisms. Halophytes are also an important plant species with potential for the purposes of desalination and restoration of saline soils, withstand high soil salinity and saline water irrigation, phytoremediation and wetland restoration. It will be invaluable to develop these strategies to ensure sustainability, and future efforts to improve crop performance on marginal and irrigated land.

Brackish water used for irrigation can restrict crop growth and lead to environmental problems. The alternate irrigation with saline water at different growth stages is still not well understood. Therefore, field trials were conducted during 2015–2018 in the NCP to investigate whether alternate irrigation is practicable for winter wheat production. The treatments comprised rain-fed cultivation (NI), fresh and saline water irrigation (FS), saline and fresh water irrigation (SF), saline water irrigation (SS) and fresh water irrigation (FF). The results showed that the grain yield was increased by 20% under SF and FS treatments compared to NI, while a minor decrease of 2% in grain yield was observed compared with FF treatment. The increased soil salinity and risk of long-term salt accumulation in the soil due to alternate irrigation during peak dry periods was insignificant due to leaching of salts from crop root zone during monsoon season. Although Na+ concentration in the leaves increased with saline irrigation, resulting in significantly lower K+:Na+ ratio in the leaves, the Na+ and K+ concentrations in the roots and grains were not affected. In conclusion, the alternate irrigation for winter wheat is a most promising option to harvest more yield and save fresh water resources.

برای بررسی اثر سطوح شوری آب آبیاری و زمان شروع آبیاری با آب شور و لب‌شور بر خصوصیات کمی خربزه دیررس، آزمایشی با 7 تیمار و 3 تکرار در قالب بلوک‌های کامل تصادفی با استفاده از روش آبیاری قطره‌ای نواری، در مرکز تحقیقات کشاورزی و منابع طبیعی خراسان رضوی انجام شد. تیمارهای آبیاری عبارت بودند از: 1- آبیاری با آب شیرین (6/0 دسی‌زیمنس بر متر) از ابتدای کاشت تا انتهای فصل برداشت، 2- آبیاری با آب با شوری 3 دسی‌زیمنس برمتر از ابتدا تا انتهای فصل داشت، 3-آبیاری با آب با شوری 6 دسی‌زیمنس بر متر از ابتدا تا انتهای فصل، 4- آبیاری با آب با شوری 6 دسی‌زیمنس بر متر از 20 روز بعد از جوانه‌زنی تا انتها، 5- آبیاری با آب با شوری 3 دسی‌زیمنس بر متر از 20 روز بعد از جوانه‌زنی تا انتها، 6- آبیاری با آب با شوری 6 دسی‌زیمنس بر متر از 40 روز بعد از جوانه‌زنی تا انتها و 7- آبیاری با آب با شوری 3 دسی زیمنس بر متر از 40 روز بعد از جوانه‌زنی تا انتهای فصل داشت. نتایج نشان داد که، شوری آب بر عملکرد کل، عملکرد اقتصادی و کارآیی مصرف آب آبیاری تاثیر معنی‌داری داشت. بالاترین عملکرد کل و عملکرد اقتصادی و کارآیی مصرف آب آبیاری از تیمار شاهد بدست آمد که تفاوت آن‌ها با تیمارهای آب شور و لب‌شور معنی‌دار بود. در ضمن تفاوت بین عملکردهای تیمارهای شور و لب‌شور معنی‌دار نبودند. آبیاری با آب شیرین در اوایل دوره رشد باعث افزایش محصول نشده بلکه، باعث وارد شدن تنش بیشتر به گیاه می‌شود.

The concept of irrigating crops with saline irrigation water is not new, but impacts of this practice on soil properties remain debatable, particularly the use of highly saline water. In this work, key soil chemical properties were assessed to a depth of 300 cm following 2.5 years of application of highly saline irrigation to a sodic texture-contrast soil (Brown Sodosol) in south-eastern Tasmania, Australia. Control plots (rainfall only) were compared to irrigation treatments of low (0.8 dS/m) and high salinity (16 dS/m) waters at application rates of both 200 and 800 mm/year. Whilst significant increases in both electrical conductivity and chloride concentration occurred throughout the soil profile in the high salinity treatment, these values were well below those of the irrigation water, indicating effective deep leaching. In the upper soil profile, 0–50 cm, of the high salinity treatments both the exchangeable Na+ and its ratio to total base cations (ESP) were significantly increased whilst the lower soil profile between 50 and 200 cm, was improved via both reduced alkalinity and sodicity. Leaching of the exchangeable base cations Ca2+, Mg2+ and K+ was significant in the upper soil profile (0–50 cm). As expected, the low salinity treatment (0.8 dS/m) had minimal impacts on soil chemical properties. The upper topsoil (0–10 cm) total organic carbon was significantly reduced in the high salinity plots and was negatively correlated with Cl− concentration. The data confirms the general concerns about application of saline irrigation, namely increased whole profile salinisation and upper soil profile (0–50 cm) sodicity, but they also show unexpected and desirable reductions in the lower soil profile (> 50 cm) alkalinity and sodicity. It appears the Na+ ions present in the saline waters led to differential leaching of base cations from the rooting zone, especially Ca2+ which then ameliorate the alkalinity and sodicity deeper in the soil profile (> 50 cm). Thus, surface application of gypsum may help sustain the application of highly saline waters; alternatively, subsurface irrigation above the sodic clayey subsoils could be trailed.

Background: Epidemiological studies have shown the prevention of cardiovascular diseases through the regular consumption of vegetables. Eruca sativa Mill., commonly known as rocket, is a leafy vegetable that has anti-inflammatory activity. However, its antiplatelet and antithrombotic activities have not been described. Methods: Eruca sativa Mill. aqueous extract (0.1 to 1 mg/mL), was evaluated on human platelets: (i) P-selectin expression by flow cytometry; (ii) platelet aggregation induced by ADP, collagen and arachidonic acid; (iii) IL-1β, TGF-β1, CCL5 and thromboxane B2 release; and (iv) activation of NF-κB and PKA by western blot. Furthermore, (v) antithrombotic activity (200 mg/kg) and (vi) bleeding time in murine models were evaluated. Results: Eruca sativa Mill. aqueous extract (0.1 to 1 mg/mL) inhibited P-selectin expression and platelet aggregation induced by ADP. The release of platelet inflammatory mediators (IL-1β, TGF-β1, CCL5 and thromboxane B2) induced by ADP was inhibited by Eruca sativa Mill. aqueous extract. Furthermore, Eruca sativa Mill. aqueous extract inhibited NF-κB activation. Finally, in murine models, Eruca sativa Mill. aqueous extract showed significant antithrombotic activity and a slight effect on bleeding time. Conclusion: Eruca sativa Mill. presents antiplatelet and antithrombotic activity.

Irrigation with high salinity water influences plant growth, production of photosynthetic pigments and total phenols, leading to reduction in crop yield and quality. The objective of this study was to investigate the effects of potassium (K) foliar application in mitigating the negative effects of salt stress on pepper plants. A greenhouse experiment was conducted to investigate the effects of foliar application of potassium (K) on pepper plants grown with different salinity water irrigation (3000 and 6000 ppm as compared to tap water with salinity level of 300 ppm). Irrigation using high salinity water decreased plant height, biomass production, and fruit yield as compared to those of the plants irrigated by tap water. Photosynthetic pigments and total phenols increased in the former as compared to those of the latter plants. The most serious affect was for the plants under highest salinity irrigation (6000 ppm) as compared to that of the plants under moderate salinity irrigation (3000 ppm). Foliar application of potassium mono phosphate (KMP) at 200ppm concentration increased the plant growth, biomass production, and fruit yield. Chlorophyll_a content and total phenols increased significantly with foliar application of 100 ppm KMP. Further increase in foliar KMP concentration to 200 ppm had no significant benefits on photosynthetic pigments and total phenols content. This study demonstrated that foliar application of KMP, to some extent, mitigated the negative effects of high salinity water irrigation on pepper plant growth and fruit yield.

Salt stress is abiotic stress that limits plant growth, crop productivityas well as the main factor contributing to land degradation. This study was conducted to evaluate the ameliorative effect of chicken manure and biochar applications used as soil amendments inalleviating the adverse effects of saline water irrigation on plant attributes and macro nutrients uptake by coriander (Coriandrum sativum) plant grown on a sandy textured soil. The ameliorative effect of soil amendments was also evaluated on the properties of the soil and nutrients availability for the plant. For this purpose, a pot experiment was conducted on coriander plant at The Experimental Farm of the Faculty of Agriculture, Mansoura University, Dakahlia Governorate, Egypt. A split plot design with three replications was used during the spring season of 2016. Treatments were the combination of two types of organic amendments (chicken manure and biochar) and three saline irrigation water treatments, .i.e. non-saline water (control) (S0 = 0.45 dS m-1) and saline water (S1= 3.12 dS m-1, 5% and S2 = 6.25 dS m-1, 10%) irrigation. Obtained results showed that soil productivity, as indicated by the vegetative growth and physiological aspects (plant height, leaves fresh and dry weight, no. of leaves/plant and total chlorophyll) for coriander plant were adversely and significantly affected by saline water irrigation. Addition of chicken manure and biochar significant increased the vegetative growth and physiological parameters due to their ameliorative effect. It had been observed a significantly increased in plant N, P and K contents and uptake by plant due to the addition of chicken manure and biochar amendments under saline and non-saline water irrigation compared to unamended one. The contents and uptake of N, P and K in coriander leaves decreased significantly as salinity of irrigation water increased from (S0) to (S2). Soil pH and EC values increased significantly in saline water irrigation treatments (S1 and S2) compared to non-saline water (S0). Soil pH and EC values decreased in soil amended with chicken manure and biochar application under three water types. The reduction in EC values in soil amended with biochar was higher than those in soil amended with chicken manure under all salinity levels. While, the reduction in soil pH values in soil amended with chicken manure was higher than those in soil amended with biochar. Soil available Na+, K+, Ca2+ and Mg2+ concentrations increased with increases in irrigation water salinity, while available P and Zn concentrations were decreased. Soluble Na+ significantly decreased but K+, Ca2+ and Mg2+ increased as a result of amendments application under three water types used. Soil P and Zn availability increased after applying different soil amendments, the concentration of available P in chicken manure amended soil was higher than those in biochar amended soil. While, available Zn concentration in biochar amended soil was higher than unamended one. In conclusion, chicken manure and biochar added to soil as amendments have the potential to mitigate the negative effects of salt stress mainly related to their ability to improve soil physio-chemical properties, promote vegetative growth of coriander plant, increases soil content of organic matter and available nutrient uptake.

Hydroponics and sand culture studies evaluated the effects of isoxaben rate (0.84, 1.69, and 3.39 kg/ha) and application type (root only, shoot only, and root plus shoot) on the growth of ajuga, wintercreeper, and dwarf burning bush. Similar responses were exhibited by the three species tested in both hydroponics and sand culture studies. Based on shoot weight reductions, dwarf burning bush was one to three times more sensitive than wintercreeper, which was the most tolerant of the three species, and ajuga was five to 20 times more sensitive than wintercreeper. Isoxaben applied to the root system at all three rates injured ajuga root tips and foliage and reduced root weight by approximately 40% and shoot weight by 20 to 30%. Isoxaben applications to ajuga foliage damaged the roots and leaves and caused over 30% reductions in shoot and root weights at the highest rate tested. Isoxaben applied to dwarf burning bush roots caused less than 20% shoot injury, reduced root weight by 8 to 18%, and reduced shoot weight by less than 10%. Application to dwarf burning bush foliage caused 20 to 30% injury, but only slight reductions in root and shoot weights were observed. No visible injury was observed in wintercreeper from any isoxaben application. However, root treatment reduced wintercreeper root weight by approximately 15%, and shoot treatment reduced shoot weight by 6 to 10% at the highest isoxaben rate tested. Application of isoxaben to both roots and foliage of wintercreeper resulted in similar reductions in shoot and root weights compared to root or shoot exposure alone. Shoot application to wintercreeper affected root growth, and root treatment reduced shoot growth.

To investigate better saline water irrigation scheme for tomatoes that scheduling with the compromise among yield (Yt), quality, irrigation water use efficiency (IWUE) and soil salt residual, an experiment with three irrigation quotas and three salinities of irrigation water was conducted under straw mulching in northern China. The irrigation quota levels were 280 mm (W1), 320 mm (W2) and 360 mm (W3), and the salinity levels were 1.0 dS/m (F), 3.0 dS/m (S1) and 5.0 dS/m (S2). Compared to freshwater, saline water irrigations decreased the maximum leaf area index (LAIm) of tomatoes, and the LAIm presented a decline tendency with higher salinity and lower irrigation quota. The best overall quality of tomato was obtained by S2W1, with the comprehensive quality index of 3.61. A higher salinity and lower irrigation quota resulted in a decrease of individual fruit weight and an increase of the blossom-end rot incidence, finally led to a reduction in the tomato Yt and marketable yield (Ym). After one growth season of tomato, the mass fraction of soil salt in plough layer under S2W1 treatment was the highest, and which presented a decline trend with an increasing irrigation quota. Moreover, compared to W1, soil salts had a tendency to move to the deeper soil layer when using W2 and W3 irrigation quota. According to the calculation results of projection pursuit model, S1W3 was the optimal treatment that possessed the best comprehensive benefit (tomato overall quality, Yt, Ym, IWUE and soil salt residual), and was recommended as the saline water irrigation scheme for tomatoes in northern China.

To determine the effects of irrigation water quality, plants were irrigated with normal potable water [0.25 dS m−1 electrical conductivity (EC), 25 mg L−1 sodium (Na), 55 mg L−1 chloride (Cl)], treated effluent (0.94 dS m−1 EC, 122 mg L−1 Na, 143 mg L−1 Cl) and saline water with low salinity (1.24 dS m−1 EC, 144 mg L−1 Na and 358 mg L−1 Cl) and high salinity (2.19 dS m−1 EC, 264 mg L −1Na and 662 mg L−1 Cl) for snow peas, and high salinity (3.07 dS m−1 EC, 383 mg L−1 Na and 965 mg L−1 Cl) and very high salinity (5.83 dS m−1 EC, 741 mg L−1 Na and 1876 mg L−1 Cl) for celery. The greater salts build up in the soil and ion toxicity (Cl and Na) with saline water irrigation contributed to significantly greater reduction in root and shoot biomass, water use, yield and water productivity (yield kg kL−1 of water used) of snow peas and celery compared with treated effluent and potable water irrigation. There was 8%, 56% and 74% reduction in celery yield respectively with treated effluent, high salinity and very high salinity saline water irrigation compared with potable water irrigation. The Na concentration in snow peas shoots increased by 54%, 234% and 501% with treated effluent, low and high salinity saline water irrigation. Similarly, the increases in Na concentration in celery shoots were 19%, 35% and 82%. The treated effluent irrigation also resulted in a significant increase in soil EC, nitrogen (N) and phosphorus (P) content compared with potable water irrigation. The heavy metals besides salts build up appears to have contributed to yield reductions with treated effluent irrigation. The study reveals strong implications for the use of saline water and treated effluent for irrigation of snow peas and celery. The salt build up within the root zone and soil environment would be critical in the long-run with the use of saline water and treated effluent for irrigation of crops. To minimize the salinity level in rhizosphere, an alternate irrigation of potable water with treated effluent or low salinity level water may be better option.

Pisum sativum L. (field pea) is a crop of a high nutritional value and seed oil content. The characterization of pea germplasm is important to improve yield and quality. This study aimed at using fatty acid profiling and amplified fragment length polymorphism (AFLP) markers to evaluate the variation and relationships of 25 accessions of French pea. It also aimed to conduct a marker-trait associations analysis using the crude oil content as the target trait for this analysis, and to investigate whether 5-aminolevulinic acid (ALA) could enhance salt tolerance in the pea germplasm. The percentage of crude oil of the 25 pea genotypes varied from 2.6 to 3.5%, with a mean of 3.04%. Major fatty acids in all of the accessions were linoleic acid. Moreover, the 12 AFLP markers used were polymorphic. The cluster analysis based on fatty acids data or AFLP data divided the 25 pea germplasm into two main clusters. The gene diversity of the AFLP markers varied from 0.21 to 0.58, with a mean of 0.41. Polymorphic information content (PIC) of pea germplasm varied from 0.184 to 0.416 with a mean of 0.321, and their expected heterozygosity (He) varied from 0.212 to 0.477 with a mean of 0.362. The AFLP results revealed that the Nain Ordinaire cultivar has the highest level of genetic variability, whereas Elatius 3 has the lowest level. Three AFLP markers (E-AAC/M-CAA, E-AAC/M-CAC, and E-ACA/M-CAG) were significantly associated with the crude oil content trait. The response of the Nain Ordinaire and Elatius 3 cultivars to high salinity stress was studied. High salinity (150 mM NaCl) slightly reduced the photosynthetic pigments contents in Nain Ordinaire leaves at a non-significant level, however, the pigments contents in the Elatius 3 leaves were significantly reduced by high salinity. Antioxidant enzymes (APX—ascorbate peroxidase; CAT—catalase; and POD—peroxidase) activities were significantly induced in the Nain Ordinaire cultivar, but non-significantly induced in Elatius 3 by high salinity. Priming the salt-stressed Nain Ordinaire and Elatius 3 plants with ALA significantly enhanced the pigments biosynthesis, antioxidant enzymes activities, and stress-related genes expression, as compared to the plants stressed with salt alone. In conclusion, this study is amongst the first investigations that conducted marker-trait associations in pea, and revealed a sort of correlation between the diversity level and salt tolerance.

Meloidogyne enterolobii, is an emerging root-knot nematode species in the southern United States. To date, no studies have evaluated the host status of onions to M. enterolobii. This study aimed to assess the reproduction and pathogenicity of M. enterolobii on onion cultivars commonly grown in Georgia. Six Vidalia onion cultivars ('Rio del Sol', 'Sapelo', 'Sweet Magnolia,' 'Tania,' 'Vidora,' and 'NUN 1011'), three red onion cultivars ('Red Duke,' 'Red Halen,' and 'Red Maiden'), and a white onion cultivar ('Monjablanca') were evaluated. Each cultivar was inoculated with 8,000 eggs of M. enterolobii in a repeated greenhouse trial with six replications each. Twelve weeks post-inoculation, plants were harvested to determine reproduction and pathogenicity based on the reproduction factor (Rf = final nematode population/initial nematode inoculum) and reductions in bulb and shoot weights, respectively. All tested cultivars were susceptible to M. enterolobii, with Rf values greater than 1, though significant differences were observed. 'Vidora' and 'Tania' exhibited the highest galling index and Rf values, while 'Sweet Magnolia' and 'Sapelo' had the lowest. All red onion cultivars showed significant reductions in weight for both bulbs and shoots, whereas among the Vidalia cultivars, only 'NUN 1011' exhibited notable reductions in bulb and shoot weights. These findings suggest that onions are suitable hosts for M. enterolobii, and that the nematode's reproduction and pathogenicity vary with onion type and cultivar.

The effect of the ammonium-nitrogen (NH+ 4-N) to nitrate-nitrogen (NO− 3-N) ratio on NO− 3 and glucosinolate (GSL) contents in rocket salad (Eruca sativa Mill.) was investigated. Rocket salad plants were provided with five nutrient solutions with the same total nitrogen (N) level (10 mmol L−1), but with different (0, 25, 50, 75 and 100) percent mole ratios of NH+ 4 to NO− 3-nitrogen (PMR-N). Rocket growth (height and dry weight [DW] of the leaves and roots) was severely inhibited at a PMR-N of 100. The leaves were withered and showed chlorotic and necrotic phenomena from NH+ 4 toxicity. Leaf NO− 3 and sulfate (SO2− 4) contents sharply decreased with increasing PMR-N. Six GSLs including glucoraphanin, 4-(β-D-glucopyranosyldisulfanyl) butyl GSL, glucoerucin, glucobrassicin, dimeric 4-mercaptobutyl GSL and 4-methoxyglucobrassicin were identified from rocket salad by their retention times using high-pressure liquid chromatography and confirmed using electrospray ionization mass spectrometry (ESI-MS). An unknown compound (m/z 414 as desulfo-GSL) only appeared at a PMR-N of 100. This compound together with the other GSLs appears to be involved in detoxification of NH+ 4 toxicity. Total GSL content in the leaves ranged from 9 to 13 µmol kg−1 DW, with the highest content occurring at a PMR-N of 50 and the lowest value at a PMR-N of 100. In contrast, total GSL content in the roots ranged from 31 to 48 µmol kg−1 DW, with the lowest value occurring at PMR-Ns of 50 and 100. The four GSLs glucoraphanin, 4-(β-D-glucopyranosyldisulfanyl)butyl GSL, glucoerucin and dimeric 4-mercaptobutyl GSL were the major compounds in the leaves, whereas glucoerucin was found in great quantities in the roots.