Accelerated Plant Growth Research Articles

RETINOBLASTOMA-RELATED Has Both Canonical and Noncanonical Regulatory Functions During Thermo-Morphogenic Responses in Arabidopsis Seedlings.

Warm temperatures accelerate plant growth, but the underlying molecular mechanism is not fully understood. Here, we show that increasing the temperature from 22°C to 28°C rapidly activates proliferation in the apical shoot and root meristems of wild-type Arabidopsis seedlings. We found that one of the central regulators of cell proliferation, the cell cycle inhibitor RETINOBLASTOMA-RELATED (RBR), is suppressed by warm temperatures. RBR became hyper-phosphorylated at a conserved CYCLIN-DEPENDENT KINASE (CDK) site in young seedlings growing at 28°C, in parallel with the stimulation of the expressions of the regulatory CYCLIN D/A subunits of CDK(s). Interestingly, while under warm temperatures ectopic RBR slowed down the acceleration of cell proliferation, it triggered elongation growth of post-mitotic cells in the hypocotyl. In agreement, the central regulatory genes of thermomorphogenic response, including PIF4 and PIF7, as well as their downstream auxin biosynthetic YUCCA genes (YUC1-2 and YUC8-9) were all up-regulated in the ectopic RBR expressing line but down-regulated in a mutant line with reduced RBR level. We suggest that RBR has both canonical and non-canonical functions under warm temperatures to control proliferative and elongation growth, respectively.

Characterization of the gibberellic oxidase gene SdGA20ox1 in Sophora davidii (Franch.) skeels and interaction protein screening.

Gibberellin 20-oxidases (GA20oxs) are multifunctional enzymes involved in regulating gibberellin (GA) biosynthesis and controlling plant growth. We identified and characterized the GA20ox1 gene in a plant height mutant of Sophora davidii, referred to as SdGA20ox1. This gene was expressed in root, stem, and leaf tissues of the adult S. davidii plant height mutant, with the highest expression observed in the stem. The expression of SdGA20ox1 was regulated by various exogenous hormones. Overexpression of SdGA20ox1 in Arabidopsis resulted in significant elongation of hypocotyl and root length in seedlings, earlier flowering, smaller leaves, reduced leaf chlorophyll content, lighter leaf color, a significant increase in adult plant height, and other phenotypes. Additionally, transgenic plants exhibited a substantial increase in biologically active endogenous GAs (GA1, GA3, and GA4) content, indicating that overexpression of SdGA20ox1 accelerates plant growth and development. Using a yeast two-hybrid (Y2H) screen, we identified two SdGA20ox1-interacting proteins: the ethylene receptor EIN4 (11430582) and the rbcS (11416005) protein. These interactions suggest a potential regulatory mechanism for S. davidii growth. Our findings provide new insights into the role of SdGA20ox1 and its interacting proteins in regulating the growth and development of S. davidii.

Improvement of morphophysiological parameters of pepper after the seed pre-sowing treatment with zinc nanoparticles

Advanced nanotechnologies allow synthesizing nanoparticles (NPs) with given physical and chemical properties providing an opportunity to study the effects and mechanisms of NPs influence on plants in order to improve their productivity. In this study, Zn NPs introduced in the polymer coating were used as a preparation for pepper seeds pre-sowing treatment. It was found that Zn NPs in concentrations of 10–5% and 10–6% in polymers accelerated plant growth and led to a significant increase in the number of leaves and buds, root mass volume being increased by an average of 10–30% compared to the control. After seed treatment with 10–6% Zn NPs the increase of proline content in plant leaves grew by 58% (p ≤ 0.05), protein content by 20% (p ≤ 0.05); treatment of seeds with Zn HPs at 10–5% concentration led to sugar content enlargement by 36% (p ≤ 0.05), chlorophyll by 52% (p ≤ 0.05) as compared with control.

Improvement of Growth Rate in In Vitro Culture of Paphiopedilum primulinum M. W. Wood & P. Taylor and Paphiopedilum glaucophyllum J. J. Smith using Banana Enrichment Media.

Paphiopedilum primulinum and Paphiopedilum glaucophyllum have unique labellum colour and shaped like lady's slippers. These orchids are from the Cochlopetalum section, which is exclusively found in Sumatra and Java. There are so many people that desire to collect these plants illegally. Due to extensive commercial exploitation, Paphiopedilum is in danger of going extinct. Tissue culture techniques are utilised to conserve threatened orchid germplasm in a short time. The success of the in vitro culture depends on the accuracy of the basic media composition used. The Ambon Lumut banana (ALB) can accelerate plant growth and cell division. Banana added to the culture medium was prepared by mashing the ripe flesh (3.5 months old) using a mortar. This research aims to investigate the effect of banana homogenate supplemented media for the orchids P. primulinum and P. glaucophyllum based on the parameters of difference of plant height (calculated from the base of the stem to the tip of the plant stem), number of leaves, and number of roots. The measurement method was carried out using a ruler with a centimetre scale. Observations and documentation were carried out once a week for 7 weeks after planting (WAP) for P. primulinum and P. glaucophyllum. The results showed that ½ Murashige and Skoog (MS) + ALB homogenate is a better medium for P. primulinum and P. glaucophyllum growth than media without banana homogenate. The highest values of plant height, leaf growth and root growth of P. primulinum with banana homogenate were 0.44 cm, 0.63 leaves, and 0.50 roots, respectively. The highest values of plant height and leaf growth of P. glaucophyllum were 0.75 cm and 1.90 leaves, respectively. Culture medium added banana homogenate was able to support the propagation of plants, some of which are returned to nature and others used for industrial purposes (conventionally cultivated by the community).

Genome-wide analysis of the NYN domain gene family in Brassica napus and its function role in plant growth and development

The NYN domain gene family consists of genes that encode ribonucleases that are characterized by a newly identified NYN domain. Members of the family were widely distributed in all life kingdoms and play a crucial role in various RNA regulation processes, although the wide genome overview of the NYN domain gene family is not yet available in any species. Rapeseed (Brassica napus L.), a polyploid model species, is an important oilseed crop. Here, the phylogenetic analysis of these BnaNYNs revealed five distinct groups strongly supported by gene structure, conserved domains, and conserved motifs. The survey of the expansion of the gene family showed that the birth of BnaNYNs is explained by various duplication events. Furthermore, tissue-specific expression analysis, protein–protein interaction prediction, and cis-element prediction suggested a role for BnaNYNs in plant growth and development. Interestingly, the data showed that three tandem duplicated BnaNYNs (TDBs) exhibited distinct expression patterns from those other BnaNYNs and had a high similarity in protein sequence level. Furthermore, the analysis of one of these TDBs, BnaNYN57, showed that overexpression of BnaNYN57 in Arabidopsis thaliana and B. napus accelerated plant growth and significantly increased silique length, while RNA interference resulted in the opposite growth pattern. It suggesting a key role for the TDBs in processes related to plant growth and development.

The trade-off regulation of arbuscular mycorrhiza on alfalfa growth dose-dependent on gradient Mo exposure

Molybdenum (Mo) is an essential nutrient for leguminous plants, but the effects of Mo exposure on plant growth, especially in relation to soil microorganisms, are not fully understood. This study employed alfalfa (Medicago sativa L.) to evaluate the physiochemical responses to gradient soil Mo variations and explore the potential regulatory role of rhizosphere microorganism - arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi (AMF) in modulating Mo's impact on plant physiology, with a focus on metabolic pathways. The results showed that Mo exerted hormetic effect (facilitation at low doses; inhibition at high doses) on alfalfa growth, promoting biomass (below 90.94 mg/kg, with a 63.98 % maximum increase), root length (below 657.11 mg/kg, with a 39.29 % maximum increase), and plant height (below 304.03 mg/kg, with an 18.4 % maximum increase). Excess Mo (1000 mg/kg) resulted in a reduction in photosynthesis and biomass growth due to increased oxidative stress (p < 0.05). Within the stimulatory zones, AMF enhanced Mo accumulation in alfalfa, augmenting its phytological effects. Exceed the stimulatory zones, AMF enhanced alfalfa Fe uptake and reduced the generation of reactive oxygen species (ROS) induced by excess Mo by shifting the redox homeostasis-controlled enzyme from peroxidase (POD) to superoxide dismutase (SOD), thereby improving alfalfa's tolerance to Mo. Metabolomic analysis further revealed that AMF promoted the biosynthesis of indole acetic acid (IAA) and various amino acids in Mo-stressed alfalfa (p < 0.05), which accelerated alfalfa growth and mitigated Mo-induced phytotoxicity. These insights provide a foundation for developing sustainable management strategies for Mo-exposed soils using AMF inoculants, such as minimizing Mo fertilizer application in Mo-deficient soils and facilitating the reclamation of Mo-contaminated soils.

CO2 enrichment accelerates alpine plant growth via increasing water-use efficiency

Phenological changes in global vegetation are often attributed to climate warming. However, climate warming and elevated atmospheric CO2 concentration (eCO2) are two co-occurring global change factors, and how eCO2 would affect vegetation phenology has received less attention. The partial pressure of atmospheric CO2 on the Tibetan Plateau (TP) is lower than that in regions of lower altitudes. Consequently, the growth and phenology of alpine plants in this region could be more sensitive to eCO2, but this hypothesis is not yet supported by empirical evidence. Here we explored the effect of eCO2 on plant phenology (including phenophases of green-up, budding, and flowering) through a 5-year field manipulation experiment in a high-altitude (4600 m above sea level) alpine grassland on the TP. Our results showed that eCO2 significantly advanced the spring phenology of an early-flowering species (Kobresia pygmaea), while it had no impact on the phenology of two mid-flowering species (Potentilla saundersiana and Potentilla cuneata). Compared to other low-altitude regions, plant phenology on the TP underwent greater alterations under eCO2, which supports our hypothesis that the growth of high-altitude plants is more sensitive to eCO2. Furthermore, we found that eCO2 significantly reduced the overlapping of flowering between contrasting plant species, mainly due to the phenological advancement of the K. pygmaea induced by eCO2. The observed advancement of the spring phenology in K. pygmaea under eCO2 was associated with increasing ecosystem water-use efficiency (WUE), thereby advancing its subsequent phenological development, such as budding and flowering. Our findings provide experimental evidence that atmospheric CO2 enrichment can accelerate plant growth processes in high-altitude regions, and suggest that large-scale model simulations should consider the effects of elevated atmospheric CO2 concentration on plant growth and phenology.

Polymer biodegradable films based on polylactide with additives to accelerate plant growth

Polylactic acid (polylactide) is by far the most widely researched and used biodegradable aliphatic polyester. Due to its properties, polylactide is one of the leading biomaterials in medicine, as well as in industry and agriculture. The work presents a variety of additives to the polylactide matrix to improve its properties. It has been established that polylactide is a highly crystalline polymer with water being the first factor of influence when incubated in soil for 28 days.

Potential of siam weed extract in combination with Trichoderma harzianum to stimulate seed germination of Coffea arabica

The Arabica coffee (Coffea arabica) beans feature a solid and thick seed shape that obstructs the germination process. Seed germination is an important feature of coffee plant cultivation and significantly impacts on the growth and development of the coffee plant. Siam weed (Chromolaena odorata L.) has the potential to be used as an organic fertilizer due to its nutrients and secondary metabolite compounds which can help accelerate plant growth. The optimal use of organic fertilizer can be achieved by using Trichoderma harzianum. This research aims to determine the effect and optimal concentration of Siam weed extract (Chromolaena odorata L.) and Trichoderma harzianum on the germination of Arabica coffee seeds. The research used a factorial Completely Randomized Design (CRD) in the form of siam weed extract concentrations of 8 ppm and 16 ppm and concentrations of Trichoderma harzianum of 5 ppm, 10 ppm, 15 ppm, and 20 ppm. The research finding indicated that the C2T1 treatment had the best results in terms of germination, growth speed, growth synchrony, hypocotyl length, and number of leaves on coffee plants. Meanwhile, the C2T4 treatment had the highest chlorophyll content.

Field performance assessment of formulated Pseudomonas fluorescens for enhancing plant growth and inducing resistance against rice blast disease

To control blast disease in the rice field under natural conditions, three antagonistic isolates of rhizospheric P. fluorescens were formulated in talc, kaolinite, PVP, and vegetable oil using an RCBD with three replications. At various phases of the rice plants' growth, all of the products markedly accelerated plant growth and yield-contributing characteristics. Pf-8, compounded in talc (5 %) and vegetable oil (2 %) among the three isolates of P. fluorescens, significantly elevated vegetative and yield parameters with higher (2.11 and 2.08) benefit-cost ratios, respectively. At 90 days after transplanting (DAT), T11 (5 % Pf-8 Talc) and T13 (2 % Pf-8 Vegetable oil) showed a significant reduction in blast incidence (76.81 %, 75.45 %) and severity (71.57 %, 69.82 %), with the largest populations of P. fluorescens (9.60 × 1010 and 9.51 × 1010) in the rhizosphere. Moreover, a significantly increased level of phenol and hydrogen peroxide (H2O2) was found in Pseudomonas-treated leaves (Pf-8) at 30, 60, and 90 DAT indicating a strong relationship with rice blast disease reduction. Further, blast incidence and severity showed a negative correlation with vegetative parameters, yield parameters, phenol, and H2O2. Thus, it may be claimed that using formulated P. fluorescens (Pf-8) to manage rice blast in the field could be an alternate strategy to using chemicals.

Dalbergia nigra (Vell.) grown using hydrogel planting methods in the establishment of a silvopastoral system in a degraded soil

This work tested the use of a superabsorbent polymer (hydrogel) in a silvopastoral system with Brazilian-rosewood (Dalbergia nigra (Vell.) Allemão ex Benth.) in a degraded pasture area. The experimental site is part of the Bananal do Norte experimental farm, Cachoeiro de Itapemirim, Espírito Santo, Brazil. Over 480 seedlings were planted and submitted to the treatments: Dry hydrogel (DRY); Hydrated hydrogel around the root ball (HAR); Hydrated hydrogel mixed with soil (HMS); and water only (WAT). The design was in randomized blocks, with three repetitions. The tested variables were plant survival, height and root collar diameter until 672 days after planting, soil moisture at 93 days after planting and total biomass and leaf chemical analysis at 184 days after planting. Survival was positively influenced by the application of the hydrogel, but there was little or no effect regarding the application method. The hydrogel and its application techniques did not alter growth in height and root collar diameter. The polymer did not influence the development in biomass and nutritional content of the leaves, but did influence the biomass distribution. The use of the superabsorbent polymer was therefore not effective in accelerating plant growth and anticipating the stages in the implantation of the silvopastoral system. Keywords: agroforestry, brazilian-rosewood, degraded pasture.

Effect of Organic Sources on Vegetative Growth, Fruit Quality and Yield of Phalsa (Grewia subinaequalis D.C.)

Phalsa (Grewia subinaequalis D.C.) is a native plant with nutritionally rich fruits, yet it faces challenges like uneven ripening and small fruit size. This study assessed the efficacy of organic nutrient sources, including Farm Yard Manure (F.Y.M.), Poultry Manure, and Jeevamrit, in improving Phalsa growth and fruit quality. Results revealed that the combination of F.Y.M. and Poultry Manure with Jeevamrit significantly enhanced vegetative growth, increasing shoot length, number of shoots per plant, and inter-nodal length. These benefits are attributed to the nutrient-rich organic sources, which stimulate cell elongation and division, leading to accelerated plant growth. Furthermore, organic sources positively impacted fruit yield, with the highest yield observed under F.Y.M. and Poultry Manure with Jeevamrit treatment. Additionally, there were increased fruiting nodes and extended harvesting periods, contributing to enhanced fruit production. Phalsa fruit size and quality improved substantially due to organic source applications, resulting in larger fruit dimensions and elevated total soluble solids content. Jeevamrit and F.Y.M. facilitated better nutrient transport to developing fruits, enhancing metabolic processes and fruit size. Regarding sugar content, organic sources significantly influenced non-reducing and reducing sugars. F.Y.M. with Jeevamrit yielded higher non-reducing sugar content, while reducing sugar content increased with F.Y.M. and Jeeva Ghanamrit. Phalsa fruit acidity was not significantly affected by organic sources, but there was a non-significant increase in ascorbic acid content under various combination treatments. Economically, the benefit-cost ratio was most favourable with F.Y.M. and Poultry Manure combined with Jeevamrit, showcasing the economic viability of these organic nutrient sources in Phalsa cultivation. In conclusion, this study demonstrates the positive impact of organic nutrient sources, particularly F.Y.M., Poultry Manure, and Jeevamrit, on Phalsa plant growth, fruit yield, and fruit quality. These findings provide valuable insights into sustainable and organic methods for enhancing Phalsa cultivation, potentially leading to increased production and improved fruit quality in this indigenous crop. Further research should explore the applicability of these organic sources in different crops and regions.

Arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi and rhizobia accelerate plant growth and N accumulation and contribution to soil total N in white clover by difficultly extractable glomalin-related soil protein

Arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi and rhizobia are soil symbiotic microorganisms involved in plant nitrogen (N) acquisition, whereas it is unclear how single or combined inoculation of both contributes to soil total N in legume crops. This study analyzed the effects of single or combined inoculation with arbuscular mycorrhizal fungus (Paraglomus occultum) and rhizobium (Rhizobium leguminosarum bv. trifolii) on growth performance, root soluble protein, leghemoglobin, NH4+-N, NO3−-N, and N concentrations, nitrogenase activities, soil total N contents, N contents in glomalin-related soil protein (GRSP), as well as the contribution of N in GRSP to soil total N in white clover. Twelve weeks after inoculation, P. occultum promoted nodule formation, and R. leguminosarum bv. trifolii accelerated root mycorrhizal colonization. Single or combined inoculation with P. occultum and R. leguminosarum bv. trifolii improved biomass, root total length, surface area and volume, root soluble protein concentrations, nodule leghemoglobin concentrations, and nitrogenase activities to varying degrees, with the trend of improvement being more pronounced with combined inoculation. R. leguminosarum bv. trifolii and/or P. occultum significantly increased NO3−-N, NH4+-N, and total N concentrations in nodules and roots, as well as soil total N concentrations. The N in easily extractable GRSP (EE-GRSP) and difficultly extractable GRSP (DE-GRSP) was 4.37–5.64 mg/g and 6.69–7.83 mg/g, respectively, contributing 2.68–3.26 % and 2.28–3.10 % of soil total N. P. occultum and combined inoculation accelerated the production of EE-GRSP and DE-GRSP and N in EE-GRSP. R. leguminosarum bv. trifolii not only significantly increased DE-GRSP production but also reduced N in DE-GRSP. R. leguminosarum bv. trifolii or P. occultum significantly increased the contribution of N in DE-GRSP, not EE-GRSP, to soil total N. It was concluded that arbuscular mycorrhizal fungus and rhizobium accelerated N accumulation and contribution to soil total N in white clover by DE-GRSP.

Hydrothermal synthesis of LDO/vinasse biochar composites with ultra-high specific surface areas for phosphate remediation and fertilizer utilization

In this work, CaMgAl-layered double oxide/biochar (LDO@BC) composites were elaborated by hydrothermal coprecipitation and calcination for the efficient recovery of phosphate as well as the further application of the reclaimed composites as fertilizers. On the one hand, the appropriate selection of biochar derived from vinasses as the substrates could solve the limitations of LDO like low specific surface areas as well as poor dispersion. The obtained composites possess the ultrahigh specific surface area as high as 508.97 m2/g. Therefore, a maximum adsorption capacity of 153.64 mg/g is achieved. In addition, our composites are with fast adsorption rates that nearly 100 % phosphate could be removed within 60 s at a trace concentration owing to the large specific surface areas. On the other hand, the recovered adsorbents could be used as fertilizers because of the high contents of P, Ca and Mg elements. The phosphate-adsorbed LDO@BC (P-LDO@BC) demonstrated a positive fertilization effect, significantly accelerating plant growth with length increment by 0.75 times and mass increment by 2.09 times compared with the control groups. Thus, this work not only provides a new approach for waste vinasse utilization, but also presents a promising adsorbing material for phosphate recovery and reuse.

Enhanced vegetable production in hydroponic systems using decontamination of closed circulating fluid

While plant microorganisms can promote plants by producing natural antibiotics, they can also be vectors for disease transmission. Contamination from plant management practices and the surrounding environment can adversely affect plants, leading to infections and hindered growth due to microbial competition for nutrients. The recirculation of nutrient-rich fluids can facilitate the transport of microorganisms between vegetables in the hydroponic production system. This issue can be addressed through the application of the decontamination method in the hydroponic liquid. Ultraviolet light (UV-C) has been employed for microbiology, and its effects on lettuce were evaluated in this study. This study aims to assess the effectiveness of a decontamination system using UV-C in hydroponic solutions during nutrient recirculation in hydroponics. We evaluated the time required for lettuce plants to reach their maximum height, as well as their pigment content, phenolic compounds, antioxidant capacity, and micro and macronutrient levels. The evaluation was conducted under two photoperiods (18 and 20 hours) in lettuce samples exposed to UV-C in the hydroponic fluid, with control groups not exposed to UV-C. The application of the UV-C decontamination system in hydroponic circulation water containing nutrients accelerated plant growth while maintaining nutritional values equal to or higher than those in the control groups without such a system. The results of microorganism control highlight the potential application of this technique for enhancing and expediting vegetable production. This approach reduces production time and enhances nutrient absorption and the content of certain compounds and minerals.

Unveiling terahertz wave stress effects and mechanisms in Pinellia ternata: Challenges, insights, and future directions.

This review aims to elucidate the intricate effects and mechanisms of terahertz (THz) wave stress on Pinellia ternata, providing valuable insights into plant responses. The primary objective is to highlight the imperative for future research dedicated to comprehending THz wave impacts across plant structures, with a specific focus on the molecular intricacies governing root system structure and function, from shoots to roots. Notably, this review highlights the accelerated plant growth induced by THz waves, especially in conjunction with other environmental stressors, and the subsequent alterations in cellular homeostasis, resulting in the generation of reactive oxygen species (ROS) and an increase in brassinosteroids. Brassinosteroids are explored for their dual role as toxic by-products of stress metabolism and vital signal transduction molecules in plant responses to abiotic stresses. The paper further investigates the spatio-temporal regulation and long-distance transport of phytohormones, including growth hormone, cytokinin, and abscisic acid (ABA), which significantly influence the growth and development of P. ternata under THz wave stress. With a comprehensive review of Reactive oxygen species (ROS) and Brassinosteroid Insensitive (BRI) homeostasis and signalling under THz wave stress, the article elucidates the current understanding of BRI involvement in stress perception, stress signalling, and domestication response regulation. Additionally, it underscores the importance of spatio-temporal regulation and long-distance transport of key plant hormones, such as growth hormone, cytokinin, and ABA, in determining root growth and development under THz wave stress. The study of how plants perceive and respond to environmental stresses holds fundamental biological significance, and enhancing plant stress tolerance is crucial for promoting sustainable agricultural practices and mitigating the environmental burdens associated with low-tolerance crop cultivation.

Microbial biostimulant counteracts negative effects of herbicides on oilseed rape growth

Use of herbicides in agriculture aids enormously the weed control. However, these products may also negatively affect both ecosystem and human health. As such the aim of this study was to analyze the effects of a herbicide containing the active substances clopyralid and picloram on the growth of oilseed rape cv. ‘Visby’ and to investigate the possibilities of using biologically active, environmentally friendly microbial biostimulants to accelerate plant growth and eliminate the adverse effects of herbicides. Biometrical parameters (aboveground plant height, dry plant weight) as well as biochemical markers (hydrogen peroxide production, total polyphenols concentration, antioxidant activity, lipid peroxidation level, photosynthetic pigments chlorophyll a, chlorophyll b and their ratio, carotenoids) were measured. The study showed that the herbicide containing clopyralid + picloram at doses recommended by the manufacturer showed a negative effect on oilseed rape growth. Microbial biostimulant “NaturGel” used prior to herbicide alleviated the damage of herbicide, moreover increased growth and development processes of tested plants, through serving as an activator of the non-enzymatic defence system. Thus, microbial biostimulant “NaturGel” is used to solve the problems of reducing herbicide use and increasing oilseed rape yields. Partially replacing herbicides with the microbial biostimulant “NaturGel”, strengthens crop vitality, increases competitiveness with weeds, improves yield quality, and the sustainability of agricultural land use. This knowledge can be used to provide practical guidance for farmers to reduce the use of herbicides in agro-ecosystems and make a step-by-step transition towards organic farming, while it may also serve as information on side-effects of commonly used herbicides at recommended doses.

Complex Restoration of Oil-Contaminated Soils with New Organomineral Reagents

Among pollutants, petroleum hydrocarbons are recognized as the priority pollutants of the environment. Petroleum hydrocarbons can cause changes in the physical and chemical properties of soils, leading to a decrease in the functional activity of the microbiota of soil biocenoses. The aim of the study was to develop ways and methods of oil-contaminated soil remediation with the new generation sorbents based on organomineral biofertilizer “Kazuglegumus” and aluminum alloys activated by indium, gallium, and tin. The structure and composition of the organomineral reagents, as well as soils with different degrees of contamination were proved by Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy, scanning electron microscopy, energy dispersive X-ray spectroscopy, differential scanning calorimetry, and thermogravimetry. As a working hypothesis, it was accepted that the aluminum alloy activated by gallium, indium, and tin forms complex compounds with humic or fulvic acids, which are low-toxic or non-toxic for plants. The efficiency of cleaning oil-contaminated soils with organomineral sorbents was evaluated. The reduction of oil concentration in soil samples by 12–22% depending on the concentration of reagents and oil content in soil was revealed. The character of oil pollution impact on plants of legume families alfalfa, melilot, and sainfoin, which are characterized by the ability to accumulate and then give nitrogen to the soil, was studied. The phytotoxicity of uncontaminated and non-oil-contaminated soils was studied in laboratory and field conditions. Significantly accelerated plant growth was observed in samples of oil-contaminated soil after treatment with sorbent based on activated aluminum alloy Rau-85 and fertilizer “Kazuglegumus”. The plants had stronger root systems. These experiments are explained by the effect of Rau-85 alloys in favor of reducing the oil concentration to the normalized limits, as well as the transformation of natural humic substances and additionally applied fertilizer “Kazuglegumus” (potassium humates), which increased their biological activity.

Long noncoding RNA from Betula platyphylla, BplncSIR1, confers salt tolerance by regulating BpNAC2 to mediate reactive oxygen species scavenging and stomatal movement.

Long noncoding RNAs (lncRNAs) play an important role in abiotic stress tolerance. However, their function in conferring abiotic stress tolerance is still unclear. Herein, we characterized the function of a salt-responsive nuclear lncRNA (BplncSIR1) from Betula platyphylla (birch). Birch plants overexpressing and knocking out for BplncSIR1 were generated. BplncSIR1 was found to improve salt tolerance by inducing antioxidant activity and stomatal closure, and also accelerateplant growth. Chromatin isolation by RNA purification (ChIRP) combined with RNA sequencing indicated that BplncSIR1 binds to the promoter of BpNAC2 (encoding NAC domain-containing protein 2) to activate its expression. Plants overexpressing and knocking out for BpNAC2 were generated. Consistent with that of BplncSIR1, overexpression of BpNAC2 also accelerated plant growth and conferred salt tolerance. In addition, BpNAC2 binds to different cis-acting elements, such as G-box and 'CCAAT' sequences, to regulate the genes involved in salt tolerance, resulting in reduced ROS accumulation and decreased water loss rate by stomatal closure. Taken together, BplncSIR1 serves as the regulator of BpNAC2 to induce its expression in response to salt stress, and activated BpNAC2 accelerates plant growth and improves salt tolerance. Therefore, BplncSIR1 might be a candidate gene for molecular breeding to cultivate plants with both a high growth rate and improved salt tolerance.

Effectiveness of Phosphate and Zinc Solubilizing Paenarthrobacter nitroguajacolicus P1 as Halotolerant Rhizobacterium with Growth-Promoting Activity on Pistacia vera L.

Plant growth-promoting rhizobacteria (PGPR) are beneficial microorganisms to develop microbial fertilizers. Biofertilizers can accelerate plant growth and enhance crop yields. The current research aimed to isolate and identify rhizobacterium with plant growth-promoting activity in the rhizospheric region of pistachio trees in arid and salty region of Iran. In the present study, 26 bacterial isolates were isolated from the rhizospheric region of the pistachio trees. Plant growth-promoting characteristics of isolated bacteria, including the ability to solubilize phosphate and zinc, produce hydrolyzing enzymes, and hydrogen cyanide (HCN), as well as synthesize indole-3-acetic acid (IAA) were evaluated through in vitro assays. Based on these activities, five multifunctional bacterial strains designated P1, P10, P11, P17, and P19 were then applied and their effect was studied on the growth and physiological properties of Pistacia vera L. seedlings by pot experiments under normal conditions. Finally, the most efficient strain has been identified by analysis of the 16S rRNA gene sequence. According to the results, all the isolated bacteria exhibited considerable plant growth-promoting properties. They could produce amylase (n = 26, 2 ± 0.00-13 ± 0.42mm), lipase (n = 24, 2 ± 0.00-9 ± 0.23 mm), protease (n = 20, 1 ± 0.00-17 ± 0.0 mm), indole-3-acetic acid (n = 26, ranging from 5.05 ± 0.08 to 11.5 ± 0.11 μg/mL) and HCN (n = 24). Six isolates showed significant growth at 20% w/v NaCl. Inoculation of P1, P17, and P19 increased chlorophyll, carotenoid, and phenolic content in treated Pistacia vera L. seedlings. P1 and P11 inoculated plants showed an enhanced level of anthocyanin and proline. These most effective strains were catalase and Gram-positive bacterium and showed antibiotic sensitivity. They can consider as halotolerant PGPR, due to the growth in the presence of NaCl (20% w/v). Finally, P1 inoculated plants exhibited higher levels of sugar content. This strain showed the most similarity (99.92%-1322 bp) to Paenarthrobacter nitroguajacolicus based on 16S rRNA gene sequence. Based on the results, Paenarthrobacter nitroguajacolicus P1 with multiple PGPR can be applied as a promising candidate in the soil-Pistacia vera L. system to improve their productivity and health by increasing available nutrient content, improving photosynthetic parameters, and producing phytohormones and HCN.