Chlorophyll Formation Research Articles

Conjunctive BSA-Seq and BSR-Seq to Map the Genes of Yellow Leaf Mutations in Hot Peppers (Capsicum annuum L.).

Yellow leaf mutations have been widely used to study the chloroplast structures, the pigment synthesis, the photosynthesis mechanisms and the chlorophyll biosynthesis pathways across various species. For this study, a spontaneous mutant with the yellow leaf color named 96-140YBM was employed to explore the primary genetic elements that lead to the variations in the leaf color of hot peppers. To identify the pathways and genes associated with yellow leaf phenotypes, we applied sequencing-based Bulked Segregant Analysis (BSA-Seq) combined with BSR-Seq. We identified 4167 differentially expressed genes (DEGs) in the mutant pool compared with the wild-type pool. The results indicated that DEGs were involved in zeatin biosynthesis, plant hormone signal transduction, signal transduction mechanisms, post-translational modification and protein turnover. A total of 437 candidates were identified by the BSA-Seq, while the BSR-Seq pinpointed four candidate regions in chromosomes 8 and 9, containing 222 candidate genes. Additionally, the combination of BSA-Seq and BSR-Seq showed that there were 113 overlapping candidate genes between the two methods, among which 8 common candidates have been previously reported to be related to the development of chloroplasts, the photomorphogenesis and chlorophyll formation of plant chloroplasts and chlorophyll biogenesis. qRT-PCR analysis of the 8 common candidates showed higher expression levels in the mutant pool compared with the wild-type pool. Among the overlapping candidates, the DEG analysis showed that the CaKAS2 and CaMPH2 genes were down-regulated in the mutant pool compared to the wild type, suggesting that these genes may be key contributors to the yellow leaf phenotype of 96-140YBM. This research will deepen our understanding of the genetic basis of leaf color formation and provide valuable information for the breeding of hot peppers with diverse leaf colors.

Formation of chlorophyll–anionic polysaccharide complex coacervates to improve chlorophyll color stability: Thermodynamic and kinetic stability studies

Chlorophyll (Chl) is the predominant pigment in green plants that can act as a food color and possesses various functional activities. However, its instability and rapid degradation on heating compromise the sensory qualities of its products. This study aimed to enhance the heat resistance of Chl by forming complex coacervates with two negatively charged polysaccharides, sodium alginate (SA) and K-carrageenan (KC). Dynamic light scattering and scanning electron microscopy analyses confirmed the formation of coacervates between Chl and the polysaccharides, whereas Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy revealed that hydrogen bonding and electrostatic attraction were the primary forces behind complex formation. Electron spin resonance and thermodynamic studies further revealed that these complexes bolstered the thermal stability of Chl, with a maximum improvement of 70.38 % in t1/2 and a reduction of 50.72 % in the degradation rate constant. In addition, the antioxidant capacity of Chl was enhanced up to 35 %. Therefore, this study offers a novel approach to Chl preservation and suggests a viable alternative to artificial pigments in food products.

How far can the interactive effects of continuous deficit irrigation and foliar iron fertilization improve the physiological and agronomic status of soybeans grown in calcareous soils under arid climate conditions?

Water and iron are crucial elements for soybean growth and development, particularly in calcareous soils and arid climatic conditions. The aim of this study was to improve iron and water use efficiency and enhance soybean resilience to water scarcity and iron deficiency. So, the effect of 16 treatments; 4 deficit irrigation water regimes (25, 50, 75 and 100 % crop water requirements (CWR)) combined to 4 foliar iron gradual concentrations (F0=0, F1=1, F2=3 and F3=5 g/L of FeSO4) applied at 3–4 leaves, at the beginning of flowering and at the end of flowering; was investigated in this split plot experiment with 4 replicates. Our results showed that supplying iron and water to plants can improve chlorophyll florescence a, chlorophyll content, stomatal conductance, yield, iron uptake, and protein content. Determining the optimal combination of deficit irrigation treatment and gradual iron sulfate concentrations for soybean is an alternative to save water and improve growth parameters. In our manuscript, we can conclude that 75 % CWR × F2 is the best combination of the two factors that led to the same biological yield as 100 % CWR. Consequently, we can say that applying F2 as a foliar iron concentration led to an economy of 25 % of the soybean crop water requirement by ensuring an adequate supply of soluble iron, facilitating root uptake, promoting protein synthesis, enhancing chlorophyll formation, and supporting overall nutrient uptake and metabolism.

Rice seeds biofortification using biogenic ıron oxide nanoparticles synthesized by using Glycyrrhiza glabra: a study on growth and yield ımprovement

Iron, a crucial micronutrient, is an integral element of biotic vitality. The scarcity of iron in the soil creates agronomic challenges and has a detrimental impact on crop vigour and chlorophyll formation. Utilizing iron oxide nanoparticles (IONPs) via nanopriming emerges as an innovative method to enhance agricultural efficiency and crop health. The objective of this study was to synthesize biogenic IONPs from Glycyrrhiza glabra (G. glabra) plant extract using green chemistry and to evaluate their nanopriming effects on rice seed iron levels and growth. The synthesized IONPs were analyzed using UV–Vis spectroscopy, Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR), Scanning electron microscope (SEM), Transmission electron microscopy (TEM), and Energy-dispersive X-ray (EDX) techniques. The UV–Vis peak at 280 nm revealed the formation of IONPs. SEM and TEM showed that the nanoparticles were spherical and had an average diameter of 23.8 nm. Nanopriming resulted in a substantial enhancement in growth, as seen by a 9.25% and 22.8% increase in shoot lengths for the 50 ppm and 100 ppm treatments, respectively. The yield metrics showed a positive correlation with the concentrations of IONPs. The 1000-grain weight and spike length observed a maximum increase of 193.75% and 97.73%, respectively, at the highest concentration of IONPs. The study indicates that G. glabra synthesized IONPs as a nanopriming agent significantly increased rice seeds' growth and iron content. This suggests that there is a relationship between the dosage of IONPs and their potential for improving agricultural biofortification.

Role of Sulphur Nutrition in Oilseed Crops: A Review

India is a significant importer of edible oils and an important producer of oilseed. India stands as fourth leading oilseeds producing countries after USA, China and Brazil. Oilseed has become one of the most valuable agricultural commodities. Sulphur (S) plays an important role in determining the quality of oil seed from these crops. It is referred to as the fourth major nutrient after N, P and K because crops need sulphur slightly less than they require P. It is required for the formation of proteins, vitamins and chlorophyll. It is an integral part of amino acid such as cystine, cysteine and methionine which are essential components of protein. Plant can absorb sulphur in the form of sulphate (SO4 2-) which is decomposes into sulphur. It is a factor for the determination of higher yield seed and quality of seed that content oil in oilseed crops. Since, sulphur is immobile in plants, it must be continuously supplied from crop emergence till maturity. So, reduced yield can come sulphur shortage at any stage of growth. It can be overcome by supplying sulphur containing fertilizers to plant by soil application and foliar application. Among the source of sulphur, elemental sulphur and gypsum are widely utilized in sulphur deficiency.

Применение цианобактерий в качестве удобрений для сельскохозяйственных культур растений

Every day, as the world population grows, the need for nutrients also increases, and the scale and intensity of agriculture increases. At the same time, there is a need for renewable, more environmentally friendly fertilizers compared to synthetic ones. One of these fertilizers is phytostimulants based on cyanobacteria. Cyanobacteria are photosynthetic prokaryotes widespread in nature. They are resistant to environmental factors and some cyanobacteria are able to exist in extreme conditions (for example, the genus Nostoc, which demonstrates resistance to soil salinity). During their life processes, cyanobacteria provide plants with useful exometabolites. Through phytohormones, these microalgae participate in the signaling pathway of gene expression that regulates plant metabolism. They improve the rhizosphere community of microorganisms, which leads to a strengthened root system and mineral nutrition. Due to these mineral nutrients, cyanobacteria extracts can be used to improve seed germination, plant growth, flowering and fruiting, and to increase the shelf life of fruits after harvest. Exometabolites of cyanobacteria can stimulate various plant reactions, such as stomatal respiration, photosynthesis, nucleic acid synthesis, chlorophyll formation, ion uptake, also inhibit the development of molds. This article presents an analysis of literature data and scientific articles by domestic and foreign researchers, which gives an idea of the potential of cyanobacteria as biofertilizers both in optimal conditions for growth and development of crop plants, and in saline and dry soils. A brief description of the experiments carried out is given and an assessment of their effectiveness is put forward, based on the conclusion of the researchers.

Far-red light photoacclimation in a desert Chroococcidiopsis strain with a reduced FaRLiP gene cluster and expression of its chlorophyll f synthase in space-resistant isolates.

Some cyanobacteria can use far-red light (FRL) to drive oxygenic photosynthesis, a phenomenon known as Far-Red Light Photoacclimation (FaRLiP). It can expand photosynthetically active radiation beyond the visible light (VL) range. Therefore, it holds promise for biotechnological applications and may prove useful for the future human exploration of outer space. Typically, FaRLiP relies on a cluster of ~20 genes, encoding paralogs of the standard photosynthetic machinery. One of them, a highly divergent D1 gene known as chlF (or psbA4), is the synthase responsible for the formation of the FRL-absorbing chlorophyll f (Chl f) that is essential for FaRLiP. The minimum gene set required for this phenotype is unclear. The desert cyanobacterium Chroococcidiopsis sp. CCMEE 010 is unusual in being capable of FaRLiP with a reduced gene cluster (15 genes), and it lacks most of the genes encoding FR-Photosystem I. Here we investigated whether the reduced gene cluster of Chroococcidiopsis sp. CCMEE 010 is transcriptionally regulated by FRL and characterized the spectral changes that occur during the FaRLiP response of Chroococcidiopsis sp. CCMEE 010. In addition, the heterologous expression of the Chl f synthase from CCMEE 010 was attempted in three closely related desert strains of Chroococcidiopsis. All 15 genes of the FaRLiP cluster were preferentially expressed under FRL, accompanied by a progressive red-shift of the photosynthetic absorption spectrum. The Chl f synthase from CCMEE 010 was successfully expressed in two desert strains of Chroococcidiopsis and transformants could be selected in both VL and FRL. In Chroococcidiopsis sp. CCME 010, all the far-red genes of the unusually reduced FaRLiP cluster, are transcriptionally regulated by FRL and two closely related desert strains heterologously expressing the chlF010 gene could grow in FRL. Since the transformation hosts had been reported to survive outer space conditions, such an achievement lays the foundation toward novel cyanobacteria-based technologies to support human space exploration.

Использование 3D-спектров флуоресценции для идентификации подлинности масла виноградной косточки

Falsification of grape seed oil causes serious damage to consumers and shows unfair competition in the market. 3D fluorescence spectroscopy was used to characterize oil flurophores and differentiate samples by identification criteria: method of preparation, raw material used, and manufacturer. During the study, 3D excitation-emission spectra of several samples of grape seed oil from various manufacturers available on the Russian market were obtained. One of the samples with confirmed production histories was used for comparison. The results of analysis of the obtained spectra by zones of maxima on the hypersurface of the absorption-emission matrix were correlated with individual fluorophores and their groups of functional ingredients of the oil, providing its physiological activity. The possibility of using the obtained data for identification of grapeseed oil samples and prompt detection of falsifications is shown. All samples were tested in hexane. It has been shown that genuine oil samples have distinctly differentiated regions of very high intensity on the hypersurface of the excitation-radiation matrix intensity with peaks characteristic of all isomers of tocopherols and tocotrienols with a predominance of the gamma isomer with an EEM maximum of 292/324 nm. There are also intense regions of absorption of carotenoids 325/453 nm and isomeric forms of chlorophyll 405–436/650–670 nm, the  form being the prevailing one. The absorption regions of procyanidins are intense 280 /316–324 nm; gallic acid 260/390 and coumaric acid 270/420. The uniqueness of the 3D fluorescence spectra for each oil and the formation of the resulting data pool in the form of a three-dimensional matrix allows them to be used for machine learning and the isolation of significant parameters by standard chemometrics.

Characterization of a Southern Ocean deep chlorophyll maximum: Response of phytoplankton to light, iron, and manganese enrichment

AbstractSouthern Ocean phytoplankton growth is limited by low iron (Fe) supply and irradiance, impacting the strength of the biological carbon pump. Unfavorable upper ocean conditions, such as low nutrient concentrations, can lead to the formation of deep chlorophyll or biomass maxima (DCM/DBM). While common in the Southern Ocean, these features remain understudied due to their subsurface location. To increase our understanding of their occurrence, we studied the responses of phytoplankton communities from a Southern Ocean DCM to increasing light, Fe, and manganese (Mn) levels. The DCM communities were light‐ and Fe‐limited, but light limitation did not increase phytoplankton Fe requirements. The greatest physiological responses were observed under combined Fe/light additions, which stimulated macronutrient drawdown, biomass production and the growth of large diatoms. Combined Mn/light additions induced subtle changes in Fe uptake rates and community composition, suggesting species‐specific Mn requirements. These results provide valuable information on Southern Ocean DCM phytoplankton physiology.

Improvement of N and P ratio for enhanced biomass productivity and sustainable cultivation of Chlorella vulgaris microalgae

Microalgae cultivation could contribute to the achievement of several sustainable development goals (SDGs). However, cultivating Chlorella vulgaris, like any other microalgae, is challenging due to various biotic, abiotic and process related factors that can affect its growth and biomass productivity. Nutrient availability, particularly N and P, and their ratio play a crucial role in building cellular structures and maintaining metabolic processes, determining basically the maximum achievable biomass productivity under given circumstances. The present article aims to improve the N and P ratio to enhance the biomass productivity of Chlorella vulgaris microalgae as well as to characterize the biomass growth kinetics that can be used for prediction purposes. The results showed that the nutrient solutions prepared with increased nitrate concentration (T1 – N:P = 55:1 and T3 – N:P = 28:1) promoted chlorophyll formation and significantly outperformed the control sample (BG-11 – N:P = 35:1) with 192% and 183%, leading to higher biomass productivity with 1160 μg L−1 and 1103 μg L−1, respectively. Moreover, a strong positive correlation was revealed (0.81) between phosphate concentration and microalgae activity rate, indicating the role of phosphorous in energy transfer, resulted in stimulated microalgae activity rates with 71.2% and 70.66% in the phosphate-increased nutrient solutions (T2 – N:P = 14:1 and T3 – N:P = 28:1). In addition, an exponential equation was introduced to characterize the biomass growth kinetics, of which the theoretically achievable maximum chlorophyll concentration (CTAM) and the theoretical cultivation time (tcultivation) were determined for the tested nutrient solutions with variable N:P ratio. It was concluded, that the higher the N:P ratio, the higher the CTAM is, nevertheless the absolute concentration of these nutrients need to be considered as well. The introduced two key parameters could provide valuable information for decision makers regarding the optimization of growth conditions, nutrient supplementation, and harvesting, additionally decreasing the production costs and making the cultivation cycles more effective and sustainable.

A Critical Review on Sulphur Application in Rapeseed-mustard to Enhancing Productivity and Oil Quality

Sulfur (S) plays a vital role in determining the seed yield, oil content, quality, and resistance to various stresses in rapeseed-mustard. It is essential for chlorophyll formation, oil synthesis, seed protein, amino acids, enzymes, and glucosinolate in these plants. Sulphur also boosts mustard seed production. However, due to modern agricultural practices, including multiple cropping, the use of sulfur-free fertilizers, and limited organic manure application, soil sulfur levels are depleting rapidly in India. Indian soils typically contain between 10 to 6319 mg kg-1 of sulfur, with most agricultural soils averaging 30 to 300 mg kg-1. Adding sulfur increases mustard oil content by enhancing the activity of an enzyme called acetyl-CoA carboxylase, which is essential for oil synthesis. Sulfur also mitigates the harmful effects of heavy metal toxicity, especially from cadmium. Sulfur interacts with other nutrients in both positive and negative ways. Recommendations for sulfur fertilization in different mustard growing regions have been made based on various research programs. To maximize sulfur use efficiency, it's crucial to apply the correct amount based on soil tests and in balance with other limiting nutrients. Timing of sulfur application is also important; it's best applied at the beginning but can also be top-dressed 20-40 days after planting for optimal yield. Research suggests that mustard responds well to foliar spraying of thiourea during flowering and basal placement before sowing. This paper reviews the strategies to improve sulfur utilization through advancements in application rates, methods, and sulfur sources on rapeseed-mustard.

Integrating Sentinel 2A data for selecting the best methods in observation of biological pigments in coastal water

Coastal waters serve as critical ecosystems, supporting diverse marine life and offering invaluable resources to human communities. Understanding the distribution and dynamics of biological pigments, such as chlorophyll and phytoplankton, is essential for assessing the health and productivity of these ecosystems. Remote sensing technology has revolutionized our ability to monitor these pigments, providing a synoptic view of coastal waters. Sentinel-2A, a European Space Agency satellite, offers high-resolution multispectral data, making it a valuable resource for coastal studies. This paper presents a comprehensive analysis of Sentinel-2A data integration techniques for the observation of biological pigments in coastal waters along the coasts of Mediterranean Sea (Abu-Qir Area) from seven different sampling sites for the presence of different chlorophyll forms. Water samples were collected and physico-chemical characteristics like dissolved oxygen, pH, conductivity and chlorophyll were measured. In chlorophyll estimation, different forms of were calculated viz. chl a, b, c and carotenoids using different methodologies. Images from the Sentinel Multispectral Imager (MSI) sensor were taken on the same sample date. The phyto-planktonic forms, carotenoids, and their ratios in the sampling sites were also determined analytically. With the integration of satellite images (Sentinel 2A), results indicated types of chlorophyll, carotenoids, and ratios' distributions in the Abu-Qir Area of the Mediterranean Sea, Egypt. Our results demonstrate that the kind of species, illumination levels, and nutrient concentrations may all affect how much chlorophyll is absorbed by phytoplankton. Additionally, the band ratios of the different pigment types were found to be connected, such as b3/b8, or the same band might interact with other bands like b5, b4, b6, and b7, or b8a. Additionally, it was noticed that the green band and near infrared bands were useful for detecting pigments integrated with sampling datasets.

Effect of cationic antiseptics on fluorescent characteristics and electron transfer in cyanobacterial photosystem I complexes.

In this study, the effects of cationic antiseptics such as chlorhexidine, picloxidine, miramistin, and octenidine at concentrations up to 150µM on fluorescence spectra and its lifetimes, as well as on light-induced electron transfer in protein-pigment complexes of photosystem I (PSI) isolated from cyanobacterium Synechocystis sp. PCC 6803 have been studied. In doing so, octenidine turned out to be the most "effective" in terms of its influence on the spectral and functional characteristics of PSI complexes. It has been shown that the rate of energy migration from short-wavelength forms of light-harvesting chlorophyll to long-wavelength ones slows down upon addition of octenidine to the PSI suspension. After photo-separation of charges between the primary electron donor P700 and the terminal iron-sulfur center(s) FA/FB, the rate of forward electron transfer from (FA/FB)- to the external medium slows down while the rate of charge recombination between reduced FA/FB- and photooxidized P700+ increases. The paper considers the possible causes of the observed action of the antiseptic.

Alleviative effects of Faradarmani Consciousness Field on Triticum aestivum L. under salinity stress.

Background: The Faradarmani Consciousness Field was founded by Mohammad Ali Taheri. It is a novel field and is described similarly to the field of gravity, or the electromagnetic field. This field is neither matter nor energy, and therefore does not possess a quantity. Even though there is no direct scientific evidence for the Consciousness Field, it is possible to investigate its effects on objects through controlled experiments. The aim of the present work was to study the alleviative effects of the Faradarmani Consciousness Field on common wheat Triticum aestivum L. var Star under salt stress. Methods: Plants were grown under 0 mM NaCl (control) and 150 mM NaCl with or without the influence of Faradarmani Consciousness Field for 3 weeks. Chlorophyll, hydrogen peroxide (H 2O 2), malondialdehyde (MDA) content and activity of antioxidant enzymes such as superoxide dismutase (SOD),polyphenol oxidase (PPO), and peroxidase (POX) were measured in all groups of plants. Results: In the salt-treated plants under the influence of the Faradarmani Consciousness Field, the contents of total chlorophyll, as well as a and b chlorophyll forms, were elevated compared with the salt-treated plants without Faradarmani CF (34.8%, 17.8%, and 169% respectively). Additionally, Faradarmani increased H 2O 2 (57%) and the activity of SOD and PPO by 220% and 168%, respectively, under salinity compared with the salt-treated plants without Faradarmani CF. MDA content and activity of peroxidase were decreased by 12.5% and 34%, respectively. Conclusion: These results suggest the Faradarmani Consciousness Field as a qualitative intervention strategy to withstand salt stress in plants, by increasing the contents of chlorophyll, antioxidant enzyme activities, and decreasing MDA content under salinity.

Фотосинтетические пигменты в листьях березы повислой при техногенном воздействии

The content of photosynthetic pigments in silver birch leaves (Betula pendula Roth.) is studied in areas with technogenic load and in baseline conditions. The research is performed in a forb type of birch forest in the suburbs of Krasnoyarsk. The wood stands exposed to a high level of technogenic pressure are located to the east of the city in the prevailing direction of air mass movement. The reference stands are under the least technogenic pollution and grow in western and northern areas of the city. The photosynthetic pigments are determined in ethanol extracts, calculated per 1 g of absolute dry mass (a.d.m.) of the leaves. A level of dust deposition on leaf surfaces is evaluated according to the method of J. Detrie (1973). The amounts of zinc, lead, aluminum, and fluorine ions are estimated in the washed leaves. It is found that the content of chlorophyll a inside the birch leaves from a relatively clean environment is slightly lower compared to the concentration in the leaves with the technogenic load. The chlorophyll b concentration is 2.5–3 times less than chlorophyll a and is close to the amount of carotenoids. The total chlorophyll content in birch leaves from different locations ranges from 5.4 to 7.3 mg/g a.d.m., the ratio of chlorophyll forms varies from 2.5 to 3, the proportion of net chlorophyll to carotenoids is between 3.4 and 3.8. As the level of dust increases, the content of the total photosynthetic pigments also rises. The accumulation of zinc ions in the birch leaf cells has a negative effect on pigment content, especially chlorophyll a, but doesn’t correlate with the ratio of the pigments. There has not been any correlation found between the lead and the photosynthetic pigments. It is noted that the rise in the concentration of aluminum significantly affects the contents of the chlorophylls and the carotenoids, while no relationship has been discovered between the concentration of aluminum and the proportion of the pigments. The relationship between fluorine and different forms of chlorophyll is absent as well. The results indicate the adaptive response of the photosynthetic system to the presence of pollutants in concentrations below the threshold values that are indicated in the literature. For citation: Stasova V.V., Skripal’shchikova L.N., Astrakhantseva N.V., Barchenkov A.P. Photosynthetic Pigments in Silver Birch Leaves (Betula pendula Roth.) with Technogenic Load. Lesnoy Zhurnal = Russian Forestry Journal, 2023, no. 3, pp. 35–47. (In Russ.). https:// doi.org/10.37482/0536-1036-2023-3-35-47

Photosynthetic apparatus variability of the rigid hornwort (Ceratophyllum demersum L.) from the Saksagan River influenced by the mine activity

Aquatic ecosystems are the final absorbers of various pollutants, so require complex monitoring to control their condition. Macrophytes and other aquatic plants serve as reliable indicators of the hydro ecosystems ecological state, as they provide an integral assessment of the aquatic environment in time and space. Changes in chlorophyll a and chlorophyll b content and ratio in the rigid hornwort (Ceratophyllum demersum L.) leaves depending on the water hydro chemical parameters of Saksagan River in the zones of influence of "Ternivska" and "Oktyabrska" mines (Kryvyi Rih city) were studied. The purpose of the work was to find out the features of C. demersum photosynthetic apparatus reorganization as plants adaptive reaction to the technogenic transformation of river ecosystem. The water mineralization changes in the range of 1.2–2.9 g/L and fluctuations in the nitrates and nitrites content in the Saksagan River different sections were established. Both an increase and a decrease in the content of chlorophyll both forms in C. demersum leaves were detected, but more significant changes were related to chlorophyll b content. The photosynthetic pigments total content in plant leaves was the highest in the most mineralized areas (points of return water discharge and 500 m below of "Ternivska" mine), and it was the lowest due to sharp water mineralization increasing (500 m below the return water discharge of "Oktyabrska" mine). Significant variability in the photosynthetic pigments content and ratio indicates flexible regulation of their synthesis in C. demersum leaves to maintain the efficiency of the photosynthetic apparatus under conditions of water pollution. The revealed regularities indicate the active protection of the photosynthetic process in the C. demersum leaves, which is an important prerequisite for the plant’s survival in adverse conditions and the preservation of the structure and productivity of the water ecosystem of the Saksagan River.

The toxicity and uptake of bulk and nano-sized ZnO particles in wheat (Triticum aestivum) seedlings

The effect of synthesized nano-sized ZnO particles (ZnO NPs) on wheat germination and growth parameters (Triticum aestivum L.) was studied compared to bulk Zn. Results showed that adding bulk Zn resulted in no significant differences in germination parameters compared to the control samples. On the other hand, the addition of ZnO NPs showed significant differences (p < 0.05) in all germination parameters in comparison to the blank (control) samples. Moreover, the general average Zn concentrations in the plant were 141 and 253 mg kg−1 (dry weight) for bulk Zn and ZnO NPs treated plants, respectively, indicating preferential uptake of ZnO NPs. The addition of c. 10 mg L−1 of ZnO NPs to the wheat shoot system promoted chlorophyll formation equal to 100 mg L−1 addition of bulk Zn. Adding bulk Zn and ZnO NPs reduced root growth substantially compared to the control samples. The effective toxic dose (so-called EC50) for ZnO NPs and bulk Zn was 20.7 and 522 mg Zn L−1, respectively, indicating much higher toxicity of ZnO NPs and highlighting the nano-specific toxicity of nano-sized Zn. The wheat uptake of ZnO NPs was well fitted to a nonlinear Freundlich-like expression, suggesting that our model could effectively predict mass production fertilization procedures. The present study may thus help to increase Zn biofortification in cereals by using ZnO NPs, which may in turn be very helpful for populations suffer from Zn malnutrition.

Application of Oil Palm Empty Bunch Ash Nanoparticle on Epidermal Cell Thickness and Chlorophyll Content of the Soybean Leaf

The utilization of oil palm empty bunch (OPEB) could be a powerful solution to manage such large volume of wastes produced from the oil palm plantation. Ash created from this waste could be used as soil ameliorant as well as additional agent for liquid fertilizer. Its form in nano size might increase the leaf absorption. Therefore, this study was aimed to investigate the effect of OPEB ash nanoparticle on epidermal cell thickness and chlorophyll content of soybean leaves. This study was carried out using completely randomized design to examine five levels of OPEB ash nanoparticle concentration, ranging from 0, 1.25, 2.5, 3.75, and 5%. Each concentration was repeated nine times. OPEB ash nanoparticle was applied firstly at 2 weeks-old plants and repeated weekly up to 5 times. Application OPEB ash nanoparticle was performed through foliar spray. The results showed that OPEB ash nanoparticle affect the soybean leaf physiology, particularly the structure and anatomy of its stomata. In addition, application of 0.125% OPEB ash nanoparticle increased the epidermal cell thickness. However, higher concentration of OPEB ash nanoparticle was found to inhibit the chlorophyll formation.

Fine mapping and identifying candidate gene of Y underlying yellow peel in Cucurbita pepo.

As a conspicuous trait, peel color is one of the most important characteristics that affects commodity quality and consumer preferences. The locus Y underlying yellow peel in Cucurbita pepo (zucchini) was first reported in 1922; however, its molecular mechanism is still unknown. In this study, a genetic analysis revealed that yellow peel is controlled by a single dominant genetic factor. Furthermore, Y was mapped in a ~170 kb region on chromosome 10 by bulked segregated analysis (BSA) and fine mapping in F2 and BC1 segregating populations. The candidate region harbors fifteen annotated genes, among which Cp4.1LG10g11560 (CpCHLH) is regarded as a promising candidate gene. CpCHLH encodes a magnesium chelatase H subunit involved in chlorophyll biosynthesis, and its mutation can result in a reduction in chlorophyll content and yellow phenotype. Interestingly, a large fragment (~15 kb) duplication containing incomplete CpCHLH was inserted in the candidate interval, resulting in two reformed CpCHLH proteins in the yellow parental line. It is most likely that the reformed CpCHLH proteins act as a malfunctional competitor of the normal CpCHLH protein to interrupt the formation of chlorophyll. Overall, the isolation of Y will shed light on the molecular mechanism of the peel color regulation of zucchini and lay a foundation for breeding.

Morpho-physiological responses of wheat (Triticum aestivum L.) to foliar applied potassium under different planting geometry

Potassium deficiency is well known worldwide. Potassium deficiency causes many types of abnormalities in both humans and plants. Potassium is an important nutrient for plants. Its deficiency reduces chlorophyll formation, growth, yield and tillering capacity in plants. To evaluate the growth and yield of wheat to various potassium levels under different planting geometry. A field study was managed at Postgraduate Agriculture Research Station Faisalabad during the year 2018-2019. Experiment was comprised of four levels of potassium control, water foliar application, potassium foliar application @ 0.25 g and potassium foliar application @ 0.5 g with three panting geometries (bed sowing, line sowing at 22.50 cm and broadcast). Muriate of potash (25 % K2O) was applied as a potassium source. In all treatments, nitrogen and phosphorus were used @ 150 and 100 kg ha-1 respectively. The experiment was replicated 3 times and was carried out in split plot arrangement, randomizing the potassium levels were in sub plots and planting geometry in main plots. Net plot size was maintained as 6 ft x 6 ft. Potassium was applied at different levels in the different treatments at the time of sowing. All of the potassium (K) phosphorous (P) with half of nitrogen (N) was applied at the time of sowing while remaining amount of N was given with first irrigation. First irrigation was done after 23 days of sowing. Growth and yield data were recorded and analyzed statistically using Fisher analysis of variance techniques and differences among the treatment means were compared using Tuckey’s test at 5% probability level. Results showed that yield-related characteristics such as productive tillers, spikelets per spike, number of grains per spike, significant and maximum grain weight more emergence count (m-2), 1000-grain weight (g), biological yield and grain yield (t ha-l ) was recorded where potassium levels were applied at the rate 0.25% and 0.5% as compare to control and water foliar application, that means foliar application of potassium significantly increase the per acre yield of wheat crop. Planting geometry has also shown a substantial response to growth, yield characteristics and the concentration of grain potassium