Total Amount Of Chlorophyll Research Articles

Effect of Zinc and Manganese Chlorides on Schoenoplectus litoralis and Elodea Canadensis Physiological Status

This study was determine effect different concentrations of heavy element salts on physiological status of aquatic plants Schoenoplectus litoralis and Elodea Canadensis. It was used three different concentrations of zink chloride and manganese chloride (10, 20, 30 ppm) for a month in order to measure the amount of total chlorophyll and its protein content. The results of the investigation showed that, in contrast to the control sample, the concentrations of the components in the water plants used in the analysis rose near the end of the investigation. The effects of heavy metal exposure on the protein and chlorophyll levels of water plants were studied.

Effects of the Salt Stress Duration and Intensity on Developmental and Physiological Features of the Moss Polytrichum formosum.

The two accessions of the polytrichaceous moss species Polytrichum formosum, namely German and Serbian genotypes, were subjected to salt stress, aiming to study the species' developmental and physiological features. Various concentrations of sodium chloride were applied to an axenic in vitro culture of the two moss genotypes, and the growth parameters as well as physiological feature changes were followed. As inferred by the morpho-developmental parameters and survival index, the Serbian genotype showed higher resistance to salt stress as compared to the German one. However, both moss genotypes survived the highest applied concentration (500 mM). As expected, short exposures to salt were rather easily overcome. No clear patterns in sugar content and changes were observed during the stress, but they are surely included in salt stress response and tolerance in P. formosum. Longer stress increased total chlorophyll content in both genotypes. In short-term applied salt stress, the Serbian genotype had a higher total chlorophyll concentration to control unstressed plants, while the German genotype decreased the total amount of chlorophyll. Similarly, carotenoids were shown to be significantly higher in the Serbian genotype, both in unstressed and treated plants, compared to the German one. The contents of tocopherols were higher in the Serbian genotype in controlled unstressed and subsequently short- and long-stressed plantlets compared to the German accession. In general, we can assume that P. formosum is unexpectedly tolerant to salt stress and that there are differences within various accessions of overall European populations, as referred by two randomly selected genotypes, which is most probably a consequence of different genetic structure.

Characterization of olive (Olea europaea L.) cultivars; colour properties, biochemical contents, antioxidant activity and nutrient contents

AbstractThe olive tree, scientifically known as Olea europaea L., is an evergreen xerophytic tree that defines the natural flora, historical background, and cultural essence of the Mediterranean Basin. This study aimed to establish relationships using multivariate analysis methods between the nutrient content of soil conditions in which olive cultivars grown in Türkiye are cultivated and the nutrient element content, phytochemical contents, antioxidant activity, total chlorophyll amount, and leaf colors of these cultivars. All data sets used in the study were analyzed in 2022 and 2023, and average values were used in the research. According to Tukey's comparison result, it was determined that the soil structure of the garden was homogeneous in terms of nutrients it contained. In nutrient analysis conducted on leaves, in the ‘Çelebi’ cultivar, Al (59.25 mg kg−1), B (6.53 mg kg−1), Cu (48.36 mg kg−1), Fe (69.34 mg kg−1), K (1438.11 mg kg−1), Na (197.12 mg kg−1) nutrients are the highest; in the ‘Gemlik-21’ cultivar, Ca (5485.03 mg kg−1) nutrient is the highest; in the ‘Sarı Haşebi’ cultivar, Mg (928.11 mg kg−1), Mn (19.71 mg kg−1), S (632.77 mg kg−1) nutrients are the highest; and in the ‘Tavşan Yüreği’ cultivar, Ni (1.71 mg kg−1), Zn (9.76 mg kg−1) nutrients are the highest. The L* (49.19), b* (29.43) color values are highest in the ‘Sarı Yaprak’ cultivar, while the a* (28.84) value is highest in the ‘Girit Zeytini’ cultivar. The highest leaf chlorophyll content was determined in the ‘Girit Zeytini’ cultivar (95.57). Total phenolics, total flavonoids, antioxidant capacity were determined to be highest in the ‘Manzanilla’ (151.49 mg GAE/100 g), ‘Edincik Su’ (39.01 mg QE/100 g), ‘Nizip Yağlık’ (91.18%) cultivars, respectively. According to the principal component analysis, the first three principal components accounted for 82% of the total variation. The correlation matrix analysis revealed that high levels of certain minerals in the soil led to an increase in the leaves, resulting in positive correlation, while the opposite was true for negative correlation. According to heat map analysis, mineral elements in the leaf were in the same group, while other data sets were in different groups. The data obtained will shed light on future research on similar topics.

Evaluation of Growth, Yield and Bioactive Compounds of Ethiopian Kale (Brassica carinata A. Braun) Microgreens under Different LED Light Spectra and Substrates

Microgreens are innovative vegetable products whose production and consumption are gaining popularity globally thanks to their recognized nutraceutical properties. To date, the effects of lighting conditions and growing substrate on the performances of Brassica carinata microgreens (indigenous to Africa) remain underexplored. The present study aimed at providing insights into the influence of different lighting treatments provided by LEDs, namely monochromatic blue (B), red (R), cool white (W) and a combination of three color diodes (B + R + W), and substrates (cocopeat, sand and cocopeat–sand mix (v/v) (1:1)) on the growth, yield and bioactive compounds of B. carinata microgreens. Seeds were germinated in dark chambers and cultivated in growth chambers equipped with LED lighting systems for 14 days under a fixed light intensity of 160 ± 2.5 µmol m−2 s−1 and photoperiod of 12 h d−1. The best performances were associated with the spectrum that combined B + R + W LEDs and with substrate resulting from the cocopeat–sand mix, including the highest yield (19.19 g plant−1), plant height (9.94 cm), leaf area (68.11 mm2) and canopy cover (55.9%). Enhanced carotenoid and flavonoid contents were obtained with B + R + W LEDs, while the B LED increased the total amount of chlorophyll (11,880 mg kg−1). For plants grown under B + R + W LEDs in cocopeat, high nitrate levels were observed. Our results demonstrate that substrate and light environment interact to influence the growth, yield and concentration of bioactive compounds of B. carinata microgreens.

In vitro salt stress tolerance of ‘Sahand’ cultivar grafted on two wild almond rootstocks: An evaluation of physiological and biochemical traits between rootstocks

The low salinity tolerance of almond cultivars can cause a significant setback in almond production. Therefore, selecting suitable cultivars and rootstocks in salinity-affected areas can facilitate sustainable crop production. In this research, the effects of two wild almond species, Badamkohiand Arjan as rootstocks on the salinity tolerance of ‘Sahand’ as a scion were investigated through in vitro culture. A factorial experiment of 2 (species) × 4 (levels of salinity) was conducted in a completely randomized design (CRD) with 4 replications. The results showed that ‘Sahand’ grafted on Badamkohi had the higher fresh and dry weight than grafted on Arjan in all level of salinity. The Na+ and Cl- ions contents inthe shoots and root of both micrografting combinations increased with increasing salinity. However, their amount in the shoot and the root of ‘Sahand’/Arjan plants were significantly higher than those ions in ‘Sahand’/Badamkohi plants at 80 and 120 mM NaCl. The amount of total chlorophyll in ‘Sahand’ grafted on Badamkohi was 0.68 mg g-1 FW which was significantly higher than the total chlorophyll of the same scion grafted on Arjan rootstock (0.51 mg g-1 FW) at 120 mM NaCl. The highest leaf cell electrical leakage occurred in ‘Sahand’ grafted on Arjan which was significantly higher than leaf electrical leakage of the same scion grafted on Badamkohi at 120 mM NaCl. The grafting combination of ‘Sahand’/Badamkohi showed a higher proline and glycine betaine content, compared to the grafting combination of ‘Sahand’/Arjan. The shoot and root antioxidant enzyme activities (SOD, POX and CAT) in micrografting combination of ‘Sahand’/ Badamkohi were also significantly higher than those in ‘Sahand’/Arjan. It can be concluded that ‘Sahand/Badamkohi combination is a suitable choice for the regions with late spring frost and saline conditions.

Physiological and Biochemical Effects of Thermo-Priming on Wheat (Triticum aestivum L.) under Drought and Heat Stresses

Seed priming is a physical method for increasing the stress tolerance of crops against stressful environmental conditions. Drought and high temperatures are important environmental factors that limit the growth and grain yield of wheat. The aim of our study is to determine the physiological (germination rate, root and shoot length, specific leaf area (SLA), relative water content (RWC), biomass, total chlorophyll amount (SPAD)), and biochemical (protein amount, hydrogen peroxide (H2O2) amount, catalase activity (CAT), ascorbate peroxidase activity (APX), glutathione reductase activity (GR)) changes that occur with thermo-priming in wheat seeds under drought stress (D) and heat stress (H). Our results showed that shoot lengths were drastically reduced with D, H, and HD compared to root lengths. Besides, combined stress protected RWC by 6.8% with 60 min thermo-priming compared to other stress treatments. Chlorophyll content decreased dramatically with D and H, while thermo-priming wasn’t limited to that decrease. In addition, SLA was decreased with all stress treatments, while it healed only with 60 min thermo-priming (HDT60) by 12%. H2O2 was increased with drought stress, while reduced with all heat stress treatments. Among them, HDT60 was found to be more effective than the others. GR activities were increased with thermo-priming by 14-18%, with D and H by 5%. Additionally, GR activity was increased with 30 min thermo-priming (HDT30) in HD treatment by 5.8%, while only with HD by 3.2%. Consequently, HDT60 seemed to effectively on biochemical parameters in wheat seedlings against drought and heat stresses.

ИЗУЧЕНИЕ ВЛИЯНИЯ ЭНДОФИТНЫХ БАКТЕРИЙ РОДА BACILLUS НА РОСТ И СТРЕССОУСТОЙЧОВОСТЬ ПРОРОСТКОВ ЯРОВОЙ ПШЕНИЦЫ И СОИ

The studies were carried out to assess the indicators of seed germination, root length, level of lipid peroxidation, content of photosynthetic pigments and free proline in monocotyledonous and dicotyledonous crops when seeds were treated with strains of endophytic bacteria of the genus Bacillus. The scheme of vegetation experiments included modeling of 30% drought on sand and pre-sowing treatment of seeds of spring wheat variety Yoldyz and soybean variety Sultana with endophytic bacteria: Bacillus subtilis KS-55 AU, Bacillus cereus KS-56 AU, Bacillus pumilus KS-57 AU, Bacillus megaterium KS- 58 AU, Bacillus cereus KS-59 AU, Bacillus megaterium KS-60 AU and Bacillus pumilus KS-61 AU. Bacteria better stimulated root growth when using a titer of 1×106 cells in 1 ml of the drug (the increase was 0.6 cm on soybean with Bacillus subtilis KS-55 AU and Bacillus megaterium KS-60 AU and 0.4 cm on wheat with Bacillus cereus KS -56 AU, Bacillus cereus KS-59 AU and Bacillus pumilus KS-61 AU). In wheat, the Bacillus subtilis KS-55 AU strain stood out, treatment with which contributed to an increase in germination by 30%, a decrease in the level of lipid peroxidation by 46%, an increase in the amount of free proline by 148% and photosynthetic pigments by 6%, relative to the control variant. On soybean plants, the strain Bacillus subtilis KS-55 AU contributed to an increase in germination by 40%, Bacillus cereus KS-59 AU contributed to a decrease in the level of lipid peroxidation by 47% and the accumulation of proline by 73%, and Bacillus pumilus KS-61 AU increased the amount of total chlorophyll by 141%, relative to the control variant. Thus, we can conclude that the above strains of endophytic bacteria improve the growth and development of spring wheat and soybean seedlings, and also serve as inducers of crop resistance to soil drought.

Pinched sunflowers (Helianthus annuus ‘Teddy Bear’) produce high-quality flowers under high nitrogen fertilizer

This study was investigated the effect of removing the central bud (pinching) and different levels of nitrogen fertilizer urea on some morphological and physiological traits of ornamental sunflower. This study was conducted as a factorial experiment in a randomized complete block design with four replications on ornamental sunflower (Helianthus annuus ‘Teddy Bear’) at Horticulture Farm, Department of Horticulture, Ferdowsi University of Mashhad, Iran, in 2020-2021. The first factor was pinching in two levels (pinching and non-pinching) and the second factor was using urea at four levels (0, 200, 300, and 400 kg ha-1) in the form of water-soluble fertilizer. Results showed that the highest flower dry mass (59.25 g) was observed in pinched plants fertilized by 400 kg ha-1 of urea. Besides, the application of a high level of urea fertilizer and pinching treatment increased the amount of total chlorophyll and chlorophyll b. By removing the central bud, the amount of N, P, K, Ca, Zn, and Fe elements in the leaf increased by 1.5, 1.6, 1.3, 1.9, 1.4, and 1.5 times, respectively. Therefore, pinching and the adding of urea fertilizer at 400 kg ha-1is recommended for the production of high-quality sunflower plant ‘Teddy Bear’.

Growth, Metal Accumulation Potential and Antioxidant Enzyme Responses of Ricinus communis L. Genotypes Exposed to Cement Industry Effluent

The current study was carried out to delineate the effect of cement industry effluent on the two screened varieties of R. communis(Castor) viz. MSC-55 and Western-6. A number of analyses such as growth parameters, photosynthetic pigment, metal accumulationand antioxidant enzyme were performed on both the varieties. With respect to T0 (100% tap water), an increase of 86.84, 90.97 and80.15% was noticed in the fresh weight (FW) of roots of MSC-55 variety at 30, 60 and 90 DAS, respectively, when irrigated with T2 (50%effluent+50% tap water). The results obtained significantly differed between T0 and T2 and T0 and T4 (at p ≤ 0.05). MSC-55 variety wasobserved to contain an increased amount of total chlorophyll and carotenoids up to T2 concentration which declined at higher effluentconcentration i.e., T4 (100% effluent). Increased concentration of Cement Industry Effluent (CIE) enhanced the generation of someantioxidant compounds like Guaiacol peroxidase (GPX) and Ascorbate peroxidase (APX) in both the varieties up to certain treatmentconcentrations viz. MSC-55 and Western-6. As the effluent concentration increased in both the varieties, the amount of malondialdehyde(MDA) in the leaves and roots also rose. With increasing effluent concentrations, Catalase (CAT) and Superoxide dismutase (SOD)also increased. MSC-55 variety of R. communis was observed to have a strong antioxidant defence system against CIE and could berecommended for cultivation during metal-contaminated industrial effluent condition.

The effect of free proline accumulation on the content of photosynthetic pigments in transgenic wheat plants

Aim. To analyze the effect of L-proline accumulation on chlorophyll content in transgenic wheat plants with a double-stranded RNA suppressor of the proline dehydrogenase gene under physiological and stress conditions. Methods. Agrobacterium-mediated transformation in planta; biochemical determination of free proline content; spectrophotometric determination of photosynthetic pigments content; of mathematical statistics. Results. It was shown that the content of free proline in the leaves of transgenic plants under physiological conditions was 1.7-1.9 times higher compared to the original genotype. Under conditions of drought, the content of this aminoacid increased in non-transformed plants of the original genotypes by 2.9-3.1 times, and in transgenic plants – by 4.5-4.9 times. The amount of chlorophyll in the flag leaves of plants of the original genotypes and their transgenic lines under physiological conditions did not differ significantly, while under drought conditions in the first of them it was 1.1-1.2 times less than in the second. Drought reduced the total chlorophyll content in plants of the original genotype to 85-90 %, compared to physiological conditions, while no significant changes were found in transgenic plants. Conclusions. It was established that under conditions of soil drought, the increase in proline content in genetically modified wheat plants compared to non-transgenic ones is accompanied by an increase in the amount of total chlorophyll (by 10-15 %), which indicates a better efficiency of their pigment apparatus under stressful conditions.

The importance of plant growth-promoting rhizobacteria to increase air pollution tolerance index (APTI) in the plants of green belt to control dust hazards.

Dust causes adverse effects on the physiological and biochemical characteristics of plants and limits their use in the development of the green belt. Air Pollution Tolerance Index (APTI) is an important tool to screen out plants, based on their tolerance or sensitivity level to different air pollutants. The aim of this study was to investigate the effect of two plant growth-promoting bacterial strains (Zhihengliuella halotolerans SB and Bacillus pumilus HR) and their combination as a biological solution on APTI of three desert plant species of Seidlitzia rosmarinus, Haloxylon aphyllum and Nitraria schoberi under dust stress (0 and 1.5 g m-2 30 days-1). Dust caused a significant decrease of 21% and 19%, respectively, in the total chlorophyll of N. schoberi and S. rosmarinus, an 8% decrease in leaf relative water content, a 7% decrease in the APTI of N. schoberi, and a decrease of 26 and 17% in protein content of H. aphyllum and N. schoberi, respectively. However, Z. halotolerans SB increased the amount of total chlorophyll in H. aphyllum and S. rosmarinus by 236% and 21%, respectively, and the amount of ascorbic acid by 75% and 67% in H. aphyllum and N. schoberi, respectively. B. pumilus HR also increased the leaf relative water content in H. aphyllum and N. schoberi by 10% and 15%, respectively. The inoculation with B. pumilus HR, Z. halotolerans SB and the combination of these two isolates decreased the activity of peroxidase by 70%, 51%, and 36%, respectively, in N. schoberi, and 62%, 89%, and 25% in S. rosmarinus, respectively. These bacterial strains also increased the concentration of protein in all three desert plants. Under dust stress, H. aphyllum had a higher APTI than the other two species. Z. halotolerans SB, which had been isolated from S. rosmarinus, was more effective than B. pumilus HR in alleviating the effects of dust stress on this plant. Therefore, it was concluded that plant growth-promoting rhizobacteria can be effective at improving the mechanisms of plant tolerance to air pollution in the green belt.

Comparison of Drought Tolerance of Some Wheat Varieties Grown in Turkey

The effect of drought stress on 21 wheat (Triticum aestivum L.) varieties were screened at the germination stage for drought tolerance. Four levels of osmotic stress was assessed by applying different polyethylene glycol (PEG-6000; 0%, 10%, 15% and 20% (w/v)) concentrations. Germination rate, root-shoot length, total chlorophyll amount (SPAD), specific leaf area (SLA), relative water content (RWC), superoxide anion (O2.ˉ) and hydrogen peroxide (H2O2) accumulation were determined on the 8th day after sowing. The increased osmotic stress, significantly reduced germination rate, root-shoot length, SLA, chlorophyll amount and RWC in KateA-1, Gelibolu and Sultan-95 varieties. Pehlivan, Karahan-99 and Tekirdağ varieties were less affected by osmotic stress and these varieties were determined as drought tolerant varieties than other varieties.

BRONZE OR PINK LEAF, WHICH IS BEST FOR ANTIGFUNGAL USE OF ACALYPHA WILKESIANA ‘BRONZE PINK’?

Leaves of Acalypha wilkesiana ‘bronze pink’ once produced, change colour over time from green to bronze and then to pink. Leaves of all shades except green are often collected for treatment of skin fungal infections. The relationship between the phytochemical content and antifungal activity of different shades of leaves are studied. Bronze (approx. 100%), 50% pink/bronze and Pink (approx. 100%) coloured leaves were used for the analyses. Results showed that pink leaves have the highest amount of anthocyanins and the least total amount of chlorophyll while bronze leaves showed the highest total amount of chlorophyll and least amount of anthocyanins. Phytochemical analyses of leaf sample of Acalypha wilkesiana showed that bronze leaves recorded the least amount of saponins, flavonoids, tannins, alkaloids, phenolics while pink leaves showed the highest content of all. Aqueous and methanolic extracts of leaf samples were tested against Aspergilus flavus and Aspergilus terreus. Extracts of pink leaves recorded the highest zones of inhibition against the test organisms in both aqueous and methanolic while bronze leaves showed the least zones of inhibition against the same test organisms and solvents. Results of the study showed that the efficiency of the leaves of A. wilkesiana in treating skin diseases increases as the leaves turn from bronze to pink. Collectors for treatment of dermatophytes are therefore advised to harvest the pink leaves while giving the bronze leaves the opportunity to turn to pink before being used.

Lower Light Intensities Increase Shoot Germination with Improved Leaf Biosynthesis in Ma Bamboo (Dendrocalamus latiflorus Munro)

Ma bamboo (Dendrocalamus latiflorus Munro) is a major bamboo species cultivated in southern China with high economic, ecological, and social value. However, highly dense forests and reasonable structures in bamboo forests have unclear and adverse effects on light transmittance and forest productivity that are not adequately understood. Here, we investigated varied light-intensity treatments during different phases of shoot emergence and development on Ma bamboo shoots. The amount of total chlorophyll, carotenoids, gas exchange indicators, and biosynthetic products were also compared to explore the response mechanism of shoot germination on downstream biochemical pathways. We found that compared to the L0 treatment (full sunlight), the number of germinated bamboo shoots under the L1 treatment (40% light) increased significantly by 44.07% and 101.32% in the shooting initial-phase and metaphase, respectively (p < 0.05). Additionally, the net photosynthetic rate (Pn) during the shooting initial-phase and metaphase was the highest in the L1 treatment, while the L4 (10% light) and L0 treatments inhibited chlorophyll synthesis. Further, the accumulation of leaf carbon (C) and nitrogen (N) was higher in the L1 treatment than in other treatments. Ma bamboo showed rich carbohydrate contents under L0 and L1 treatments in the shooting initial-phase and metaphase. Principal component analysis (PCA) also revealed that the L1 treatment positively correlated with bamboo shoot germination and biochemical activity during the shooting periods. Ultimately, our data suggest that the L1 treatment is the most optimal for promoting bamboo shoot germination, providing a scientific basis for cultivating shoot-used bamboo forests in southern China.

First Report of Seaweeds from Kuakata Coastline of Bangladesh with Morphology, Chlorophyll Contents and Biochemical Analysis

Seaweeds are very common marine food sources in many Asian countries for consuming and trading due to their nutritional values. Bangladesh has almost 710 km long coastline, although seaweeds exploration from this area is not completed yet. Kuakata coastline is located in southeastern part of this country with great economic importance; however, there have not been found any previous report on seaweeds. This study identified two intertidal seaweeds from this area and performed analysis in their morphological and chemical aspects. The seaweed <i>Enteromorpha compressa</i> has morphologically larger, and multicellular unbranched thallus of 4 cm long. It has comparatively lower amounts of total chlorophyll (1.80 mg/g), and higher level of carbohydrates (25.56 %) and moisture contents (9.46 %). Another one, <i>Ulothrix flacca</i> is unbranched filamentous algae with highest amounts of total chlorophyll (2.189mg/g), proteins (11.76 %) and lipids (5.52 %). This is the first report on seaweeds of Kuakata coastline, and first repot on <i>Ulothrix flacca</i> from Bangladesh. The results will be helpful in food science, ecology and evolutionary biology of seaweeds.

Cadmium-Tolerant Plant Growth-Promoting Bacteria Curtobacterium oceanosedimentum Improves Growth Attributes and Strengthens Antioxidant System in Chili (Capsicum frutescens)

The remediation of potentially toxic element-polluted soils can be accomplished through the use of microbial and plant-assisted bioremediation. A total of 32 bacteria were isolated from soil samples contaminated with potentially toxic elements. The isolated bacterial strain DG-20 showed high tolerance to cadmium (up to 18 mM) and also showed bioaccumulative Cd removal properties, as demonstrated by atomic absorption spectroscopy studies. By sequencing the 16S rRNA gene, this strain was identified as Curtobacterium oceanosedimentum. Under stress and normal conditions, isolate DG-20 also produced a wide range of plant growth promoting traits, including ammonia production (51–73 µg/mL) and IAA production (116–183 µg/mL), alongside siderophore production and phosphate solubilization. Additionally, pot experiments were conducted to determine whether the strain could promote Chili growth when Cd salts are present. Over the control, bacterial colonization increased root and shoot lengths significantly up to 58% and 60%, respectively. Following inoculation with the Cd-tolerant strain, the plants also increased in both fresh and dry weight. In both the control and inoculated plants, Cd was accumulated more in roots than in shoots, indicating that Chili was phytostabilizing Cd levels. Besides improving the plant attributes, Cd-tolerant bacteria were also found to increase the amount of total chlorophyll, proline, total phenol, and ascorbic acid in the soil when added to the soil. These results suggest that the inoculant provides protection to plants from negative effects. The results of the present study predict that the combined properties of the tested strain in terms of Cd tolerance and plant growth promotion can be exploited for the purpose of the bioremediation of Cd, and for the improvement of Chili cultivation in soils contaminated with Cd.

Salicylic Acid as a Tolerance Inducer of Drought Stress on Sunflower Grown in Sandy Soil

Agricultural water rationalization expressed in irrigating the plants below their requirements became a significant strategy in crop water management. However, reduction in crop productivity under low water supply is realized. Therefore, the current study aimed to diminish sunflower yield losses associated with deficit irrigation using salicylic acid (SA). During two seasons of 2019 and 2020 at El Nubaria region, El Behaira Governorate, Egypt, combinations of three irrigation regimes (100, 85 and 70% of crop evapotranspiration, denoted WR100%, WR85%, and WR70%, respectively), and three levels of SA (0.0, 0.5, and 1 mM. abbreviated as SA0.0, SA0.5, and SA1.0, respectively) on sunflower plants performance were evaluated. Treatments were arranged in a strip–plot design with three replicates. Findings revealed that treated sunflower plants with WR100% × SA1.0 contained the highest amounts of total chlorophyll and carotenoids as well as the lowest proline content. Seed yield of WR100% × SA1.0 treatment was higher than that of WR70% × SA0.0 by 109.7% in the first season and 125.9% in the second one. As averages of the two seasons, SA0.5 and SA1.0 lowered the reductions in seed yield from 21.0% to 15.8 and 14.4% as well as 46.2% to 40.8 and 40.1% under WR85% and WR70%, respectively, compared to the farmer common practice (WR100% × SA0.0). WR100% × SA1.0 for iodine value as well as WR100% × SA1.0 and WR100% × SA0.5 for seed oil % were recorded the highest. Application of WR100% × SA1.0 and WR100% × SA0.5 were the effective combinations for ameliorating water use efficiency. In conclusion, involving salicylic acid in irrigation programs of sunflower became a decisive action to save water and alleviate the yield losses resulting from drought stress.

An Application of Cold Atmospheric Plasma to Enhance Physiological and Biochemical Traits of Basil.

This study aimed to investigate the effects of dielectric barrier discharge cold atmospheric plasma on the performance of basil (Ocimum basilicum L. cv. Genovese Gigante). Evaluations were carried out on several physiological and biochemical traits, including ion leakage, water relative content, proline and protein accumulation, chlorophyll and carotenoid contents, and antioxidant activity. Before planting, basil seeds were treated by cold atmospheric plasma under voltages of 10, 15, and 20 kV for 10, 20, and 30 min. The ion leakage rate in plants was significantly affected by the interaction between plasma and radiation time. In most treatments, the application of plasma significantly reduced the ion leakage rate. The application of plasma (10 and 20 kV) for 10 min significantly increased the relative water content of basil leaves. The maximum amount of total chlorophyll and carotenoid content occurred after applying plasma for 20 min with 15 kV. Furthermore, 10 and 15 kV treatments of atmospheric cold plasma for 10 min caused a significant increase in antioxidant activity. The highest total flavonoids were obtained after applying 15 kV treatments for 20 min and 20 kV for 30 min, respectively. Cold atmospheric plasma significantly increased the activity of peroxidase as an antioxidant enzyme. Moreover, the minimum and maximum values of microbial load based on logarithm ten were reached after applying 10 kV for 30 min and in the control group, respectively. In general, the results showed that dielectric barrier discharge cold atmospheric plasma could significantly improve basil plants’ physiological and biochemical traits.

Analysis of some physiological indicators in tomato plants to characterize the effects of additional lighting with blue, red and white LEDs

The use of light-emitting diodes (LEDs) in vegetable species is one of the technological procedures applied to improve the spectral composition of light in protected areas, as well as to stimulate plant growth, obtaining high values of production and increasing resistance to conditions of culture. The biological material represented by tomato seedlings, from varieties with nutritional value and with high ecological plasticity, was studied in terms of characterizing the effects of applying the treatment using light fields emitted by blue, red and white LEDs, by analysis physiological parameters, such as: photosynthesis intensity (μmols CO2m-2s -1), transpiration intensity (mmoles H2O m-2s -1), stomatal conductance (mols H2O m-2s -1) and intercellular carbon dioxide (mmol CO2 mol-1 air). In this study, the estimation of the amount of total chlorophyll (mg m-2), was also investigated. The determinations of the physiological parameters were performed in 3 series, and the recorded results were statistically analysed, by expressing the significance of the differences between the control and the studied tomato varieties being studied. Thus, after the treatment period, applied in 23 days (Series II), with monochrome LEDs, at the level of the stomatal conductance parameter, statistically assured values were registered for the plants in the ‘L-75’ line exposed to White LED and for those in the ‘L-76’ line exposed to the Blue LED. The analysis of the results from the investigation of the physiological parameters at the level of the leaves from the experimental samples indicated that after 35 days (Series III), from the application of the treatments of 30 minutes/day, with White LED light, they ensured the plants tomatoes from the ‘L-76’ line, distinctly significantly positive values, compared to those of the control plants, at the intensity of photosynthesis and the internal concentration of CO2.

Variation in radical antioxidant capacity and the total amount of carotenoids in razor clams, Ensis marginatus (Pennant, 1777), from the Çanakkale Strait (Abidealtı), Turkey

Abstract Metabolic activities such as breathing and digestion, resulting from natural functions of the body through oxidation, lead to the formation of free radicals that cause cancer, premature cardiac aging and some chronic diseases. Antioxidants are substances that remove free radicals and prevent cell damage. Seafood significantly contributes to the elimination of free radicals, especially owing to its high quality nutrient content. In this context, the objective of the study was to determine the radical antioxidant capacity and the total amount of carotenes in razor clams. The IC50 (mg g−1) value of the DPPH radical sweeping effect varied over the months (p &lt; 0.05), showing the highest value in June, gradually decreasing from September and reaching the lowest level in February. The total amount of carotenoids also varied, with the highest value in September (p &lt; 0.05). The total amount of chlorophyll ranged from 6.15 μg g−1 in August to 66.71 μg g−1 in December.