Drought-resistant Varieties Research Articles

Phenotypic, physiological and molecular changes of some wheat varieties under drought stress

Water stress poses a significant challenge to wheat production, adversely affecting both field productivity and grain quality in the face of climate change and diminishing water resources. It reduces vegetative growth and disrupts physiological processes, which negatively impact yield components like grain size and protein content. Consequently, selecting drought-tolerant varieties is critical for enhancing resilience in arid regions. This study examined ten wheat varieties belonging to the genus Triticum aestivum L. (Abba 99, Adna 99, Baraka, Bohooth 10, Bohooth 22, Jihan 99, Bora, Dijla, Sham 6 and Wafia) under three water stress levels: 0 MPa (S0), -1.48 MPa (S1), and -2.95 MPa (S2) using polyethylene glycol (PEG6000). Phenotypic traits measured included plant height, leaf area, stem diameter, wet and dry weight, along with chlorophyll content. Real-time quantitative Polymerase Chain Reaction (RT-qPCR) was used to assess the expression of SOD and BADH-1 genes. Results indicated that Adana 99 exhibited significant drought resistance, recording the highest measurements in plant height (35 cm), leaf area (15.50 cm²), stem diameter (1.80 mm), wet weight (0.80 g), dry weight (0.55 g) and total chlorophyll content (45.85 and 48.14) at 15 and 30 days, respectively, under S2. The SOD gene expression peaked at 8.57 in S2, an eightfold increase from S0. Similarly, BADH-1 gene expression was recorded at 8 in S2, also an eightfold increase. In contrast, Baraka and Wafia showed the lowest expressions for the SOD (0.001) and BADH-1 (0.002) genes under S2, negatively affecting their phenotypic and physiological traits. These findings underscore the importance of selecting drought-resistant varieties for sustainable productivity under harsh environmental conditions.

The effect of drought induced by D-mannitol on the seed germination of winter wheat varieties

Aim. To investigate the impact of drought stress induced by D-mannitol on the seed germination of different genotypes of winter wheat, evaluate the drought resistance of varieties at early development stages, and determine the influence of their regional adaptation zones on drought tolerance. Methods. The study was conducted on 80 varieties of winter wheat developed by four research institutions and adapted to different soil and climatic zones. Drought resistance was evaluated using the method developed by T.V. Yurchenko with the application of an artificial high-osmotic medium based on D-mannitol. Statistical analysis was performed using Microsoft Excel and the ANOVA online calculator. The calculations included summation, mean values, standard deviations, and coefficients of variation. The significance level was set at p < 0.05. Results. A variety has been identified that significantly surpasses the standard variety, MIP Vyshyvanka, in drought resistance, while 24 varieties are at the level of the standard. Conclusions. The identified drought-resistant varieties are recommended for use in breeding programs to enhance drought tolerance in winter wheat. Further research should focus on the inheritance of drought resistance at early development stages and the analysis of heterosis effects among the varieties for the studied trait.

Exploring the Feasibility of Sorghum Farming in South Africa Using Garrett’s Ranking Technique

The potential for sorghum to be the driver of economic development in Sub-Saharan economies, including South Africa, is enormous. However, there has been a notable decline in the production, use, and consumption of sorghum due to the changes in preferences and lifestyle of its consumers in Southern Africa. While existing and extant studies have studied the benefits and impacts of sorghum on the African economy, there is an inadequate understanding of the feasibility of sorghum farming in South Africa using Garrett’s ranking technique. As a result, this study explores the feasibility of sorghum farming in the Nyoni area of KwaZulu Natal, South Africa. Hence, a survey was conducted with a sample size of 150 respondents that were purposively selected. An interview schedule was also used to collect primary data, and the data were analyzed using Garrett’s ranking technique. The results of this study indicated that edaphic factors, climatic factors, volatile markets, information transfers, education, drought resistance variety, access to credit, and technological advancement were critical in making sorghum farming feasible in the Nyoni area of KwaZulu Natal. Therefore, this study recommends that there is an overarching need to explore the feasibility of sorghum farming, starting at a smaller scale until a more stable state of marketability and potential profitability has been established.

Deciphering Drought Resilience in Solanaceae Crops: Unraveling Molecular and Genetic Mechanisms.

The Solanaceae family, which includes vital crops such as tomatoes, peppers, eggplants, and potatoes, is increasingly impacted by drought due to climate change. Recent research has concentrated on unraveling the molecular mechanisms behind drought resistance in these crops, with a focus on abscisic acid (ABA) signaling pathways, transcription factors (TFs) like MYB (Myeloblastosis), WRKY (WRKY DNA-binding protein), and NAC (NAM, ATAF1/2, and CUC2- NAM: No Apical Meristem, ATAF1/2, and CUC2: Cup-shaped Cotyledon), and the omics approaches. Moreover, transcriptome sequencing (RNA-seq) has been instrumental in identifying differentially expressed genes (DEGs) crucial for drought adaptation. Proteomics studies further reveal changes in protein expression under drought conditions, elucidating stress response mechanisms. Additionally, microRNAs (miRNAs) have been identified as key regulators in drought response. Advances in proteomics and transcriptomics have highlighted key proteins and genes that respond to drought stress, offering new insights into drought tolerance. To address the challenge of drought, future research should emphasize the development of drought-resistant varieties through precision breeding techniques such as gene editing, marker-assisted selection (MAS), and the integration of artificial intelligence. Additionally, the adoption of environmentally sustainable cultivation practices, including precision irrigation and the use of anti-drought agents, is crucial for improving water-use efficiency and crop resilience. International collaboration and data sharing will be essential to accelerate progress and ensure global food security in increasingly arid conditions. These efforts will enable Solanaceae crops to adapt the challenges posed by climate change, ensuring their productivity and sustainability.

Function and Expression Analysis on StFLA4 in Response to Drought Stress and Tuber Germination in Potato

Drought stress is one of the main factors limiting the high yield and quality of potatoes. Arabinogalactan proteins (AGPs) are an important class of glycoproteins widely present in the cell walls, plasma membranes, and extracellular matrices of higher plants. Among them, fasciclin-like arabinogalactan proteins (FLAs) are involved in plant development, stress responses, and hormone signal regulation. However, little is known about the FLAs gene in potatoes. Based on transcriptome sequencing data, this study screened a drought stress-related candidate FLA gene (StFLA4) through bioinformatics and expression analysis in potatoes. qRT-PCR analysis showed that StFLA4 was induced by drought stress, and its expression decreased with the extension of stress time. Moreover, the relative expression level of StFLA4 in the drought-resistant variety “Kexin 1” was lower than in the drought-sensitive variety “Atlantic”. The StFLA4 protein was located in the cell membrane and interacted with nineteen proteins, mainly related to response to environmental stimulus, cellular response to abiotic stimulus, and cell maturation. After heterologous overexpression of StFLA4 in tobacco, the transgenic plants showed more withered leaves than the wild-type tobacco under drought stress. During the drought stress period, the expression level of StFLA4 in the transgenic plants significantly decreased, and the activity of SOD and POD was significantly lower than that of WT. However, the MDA content was higher than that of WT. These results indicated that StFLA4 negatively regulates the response to drought stress. In addition, in the germination test of potato “Variety V7” tubers, it was found that the variation tendency of StFLA4 expression was along with the concentration of arabinogalactan proteins, and it may participate in the regulation of potato tuber germination. This study lays the foundation for elucidating the function and expression pattern of StFLA4 response to drought stress and tuber germination in potatoes.

Evaluation of Physiological Changes in Important Dried Apricot Varieties Under Drought Stress

Nearly all of the apricot varieties grown in Malatya are dried apricots and the plantation areas in this region are expanding daily. Due to the impact of climate change, producers are growing apricots mostly under limited irrigation or even dry conditions. Therefore, it is essential to determine the drought resistance characteristics of the varieties commonly cultivated in this region. In this study, different irrigation levels of 100%, 75%, 50% and 25% of available water were applied to Hacıhalioğlu, Kabaaşı, Çataloğlu, Hasanbey and Soğancı apricot varieties. To evaluate the resistance of the varieties to drought stress and its relationship with physiological changes, chlorophyll a and b, carotenoids, total sugar, total starch and abscisic acid contents in the leaves were analyzed. A decrease in chlorophyll a and b, carotenoids, total starch values and an increase in total sugar and ABA values were determined due to the decrease in irrigation rates. In Kabaasi and Hasanbey varieties, which were observed as the most resistant to water shortage, chlorophyll a and b, carotenoids, total starch values were higher and total sugar content was lower at decreased irrigation levels. No difference was detected between varieties in ABA values. As a result of the observations in the drought resistance tests and physiological analyses, it was concluded that the most resistant varieties were Kabaasi and Hasanbey. Unfortunately, the most sensitive variety was the most widespread Hacihaliloglu. In addition, analyzing and evaluating the physiological changes occurring in apricot under drought stress will be useful in developing the most appropriate irrigation strategies for each variety and increasing water use efficiency. It may also be useful in cross-breeding studies to develop new drought-resistant varieties.

Evaluation of relative drought tolerance of grapevines by leaf fluorescence parameters

Abstract In this article, the relationship between the fluorescence characteristics of the leaves of different grape varieties (electron transport intensity between photosystems – ETR – and variable fluorescence – Fv) and the relative water content (RWC) in the leaves was studied. It was found that the more drought-resistant the grape variety is, the slower the decrease of ETR value with RWC reduction. According to the value of Fv, we can estimate the degree of damage to the photosynthetic apparatus as a result of water deficiency, i.e., how irreversible is the damage caused by drought? According to the obtained results, when the RWC in the leaves decreases from 65% to 50–53%, the value of Fv practically does not change and ranges from 0.7 to 0.8, which indicates a stable reaction center of PS2 on work. But with a further reduction of the water content, damage to the reaction center PS2 is observed, which is indicated by the decrease of the Fv to 0.5–0.6. The value of Fv is especially reduced under red light (FVʹ). If the water stress is not removed in time, the reaction center PS2 will be irreversibly damaged. In relation to the reduction of RWC in vine leaves, the dynamics of ETR was studied. It was found that when the water content reduced by 15–20%, in drought-resistant grape varieties the ETR value decreased by 6–12%, while in less drought-resistant varieties it decreased by 30–50%. The obtained results can be used to determine the relative drought resistance of different grape varieties.

Climate Smart Agriculture Opportunities and Challenges in Afghanistan

Agriculture in dryland regions is directly affected by climate change. In Afghanistan, climate-smart agriculture (CSA) improves productivity resilience and reduces greenhouse gas emissions (GHG). However, climate change, water shortage, population growth, and food insecurity are major challenges in developing countries such as Afghanistan. In the face of climate change, traditional agriculture methods need to be transformed into CSA that are capable of improving food production within the constraints of climate change. A review study was conducted to identify opportunities and challenges for CSA in Afghanistan. Among the many CSA technologies in Afghanistan, the review found, the use of drought resistance varieties, implementation of conservation agriculture, the use of Zai and Half-moon techniques for planting pits, moisture conservation, rainwater harvesting, watershed management, drip irrigation system, soil carbon sequestration, control erosion techniques, and climate forecast services are the best opportunities and as promising options for risk management and adaptation to climate change. Still, unfortunately, most of these options have not yet been implemented by Afghan farmers, just followed by researchers. In addition, CSA in Afghanistan faces several solvable challenges. Limited understanding of the CSA concept and framework, limited investment to develop and implement CSA technologies, inadequate communication between government, policymakers, farmers, climate change impacts, GHG, and traditional agriculture. The review recommended that CSA practices be suitable options for all stakeholders to increase income and ensure food security and sustainable agriculture by adaptation practices against climate change. This review provides new strategies and ideas for strengthening sustainable agriculture, food security, environmental protection, and mitigating the impact of climate change.

Effects of Deficit Irrigation on Spring Wheat Lignification Process, Yield Productivity and Stalk Strength

Moderate deficit irrigation can improve lignin metabolism, thereby increasing wheat yield and lodging resistance. The moisture-sensitive variety Xinchun 22 (XC22) and drought-resistant variety Xinchun 6 (XC6) were used as experimental materials. We set mild drought (T1, J1 and 60–65% FC, where FC is the field capacity) and moderate drought (T2, J2 and 45–50% FC) during the tillering stage (T) and the jointing stage (J). We used conventional drip irrigation as a control (CK and 75–80% FC). The results show that the activity of lignin synthesis-related enzymes decreased with the growth process, while the accumulation and monomer content of lignin increased under different water treatments. The lignin metabolism and morphological characteristics of XC6 were higher than those of XC22. Under the same processing conditions, the indicators of XC22 showed more significant changes and were more sensitive to changes in the moisture content. Compared with other treatments, the stem thickness and wall thickness of the J1 treatment increased by 0.86–23.49% and 1.72–23.58%. The yield of the T1 treatment was the highest, increasing by 3.05–44.06% compared to other treatments. In addition, by improving PAL, H-type lignin monomers, S-type lignin monomers, stem thickness and lignin metabolism, grain yield can be increased. After mild drought during the jointing stage, J1 significantly improved the lignin metabolism capacity of the stem, increased stem thickness and wall thickness, and was beneficial for improving lodging resistance. The T1 treatment favored the improvement of the production capacity of assimilates, thus promoting a high yield of spring wheat.

Combining GWAS and RNA-Seq approaches identifies the FtADH1 gene for drought resistance in Tartary buckwheat

Drought is one of the major environmental constraints that significantly affects seedling emergence, yield, and quality of Tartary buckwheat, thereby hindering the development of its industry. However, the molecular mechanisms underlying drought tolerance genes in Tartary buckwheat remain largely unexplored. Alcohol dehydrogenase (ADH), one of the essential plant proteins, plays a crucial role in growth, development, and stress responses, but its specific role in drought resistance is still unclear. In this study, we identified an ADH gene FtADH1, using a membership function value of drought tolerance (MFVD) combined with a genome-wide association study (GWAS) and transcriptomic profiles that confers drought tolerance in Tartary buckwheat. Our findings demonstrated that the overexpression of FtADH1 in Arabidopsis and Tartary buckwheat hairy roots enhances drought tolerance by promoting root elongation and mitigating elevated levels of reactive oxygen species (ROS). Our findings demonstrated that FtADH1 can enhanced tolerance to drought stresses in both Tartary buckwheat and Arabidopsis. This study identifies the FtADH1 as a new player in affecting ROS level and the stress response of Tartary buckwheat by regulating protective enzyme activities at a high level to scavenge ROS and modulating root growth under drought stress. Further, we identified proteins interacting with FtADH1 through a prokaryotic expression pull-down assay combined with mass spectrometry, revealing that FtADH1 specifically interacts with the S-adenosyl-L-methionine (SAM) synthetase protein, FtSAMS1. Overexpression of FtSAMS1 was found to enhance ADH enzymatic activity, leading to increased SAM content in overexpressing Tartary buckwheat hairy roots under water-deficit conditions. Additionally, FtSAMS1 overexpression induced a drought-resistant phenotype in Arabidopsis and Tartary buckwheat hairy roots under drought stress, revealing the biological function of FtADH1. Evolutionary analysis indicates that ADH1 in Fagopyrum species has undergone significant evolutionary events, including duplication and purifying selection, which may contribute to functional diversification and adaptive advantages such as drought resistance in cultivated buckwheat. In summary, this study proposes that FtADH1 is a key contributor to drought tolerance, and its interaction with FtSAMS1 holds potential for the development of drought-resistant varieties in Tartary buckwheat and its relative species.

VviMYB24 positively regulates flavonol biosynthesis in response to moderate drought stress in ‘Cabernet Sauvignon’ grape seedlings

Drought is a kind of adversity that has always severely restricted the growth of grapes. Flavonols, as flavonoid compounds, are abundant in grapes and have an indispensable function in resisting drought. Hereafter, the objectives of this investigation were to identify key drought-induced transcription factors in grape and explore their roles and regulatory networks in the flavonol-mediated drought response mechanism. In this study, one-year-old cutting seedlings of ‘Cabernet Sauvignon’ grape were used as experimental materials, cultivated in a solar greenhouse, and subjected to moderate drought treatment. The physiological and biochemical parameters related to stress and flavonol content in plant tissues were determined, and gene expression, functional validation, and transcriptional regulation relationships were explored. The results showed that the growth of grape plants was affected under drought conditions, the flavonol accumulation and the expression level of VviMYB24 were significantly induced by drought stress. Overexpression of VviMYB24 reduced the degree of cytoplasmic membrane damage and induced flavonol biosynthesis to confer drought tolerance in Arabidopsis plants and grape callus. Further study revealed that VviMYB24 can interact with the bHLH transcription factor VviMYC2b, which was positively responsive to drought, and they could activate VviFLS5 expression individually and/or in combination in the form of a complex. Interestingly, VviMYB24 could positively regulate VviMYC2b expression to form a transcriptional cascade, enhancing the function of the complex. Transient overexpression of VviMYB24, VviMYC2b, and VviFLS5 in grape leaves promoted the drought-responsive flavonol accumulation. Overall, the above data elucidated that the VviMYB24-VviMYC2b-VviFLS5 module positively regulates drought-induced flavonol biosynthesis in response to drought stress in grape, which contributes to further grape drought resistant breeding and variety improvement through biotechnology.

Optimizing Peanut (Arachis hypogaea L.) Production: Genetic Insights, Climate Adaptation, and Efficient Management Practices: Systematic Review.

Peanut production plays a crucial role in global food security, particularly in developing countries, where it provides essential nutrition and income. This paper examines the optimization of peanut production through genetic advancements, climate adaptation strategies, and sustainable practices. The primary objective is to increase yields by addressing challenges related to climate change, pests, and resource constraints. Globally, peanut production is hindered by rising temperatures, irregular rainfall, and declining soil quality, impacting both yield and quality. Developing countries, especially in Africa and Asia, face additional challenges, such as limited access to advanced agricultural technologies, inadequate infrastructure, and insufficient support for smallholder farmers. The vital issues include genetic vulnerabilities to pests, climate stress, and inefficient water use. Recent genetic research has provided insights into breeding more resilient, drought-resistant varieties, offering hope for improving yields, despite environmental challenges. The adoption of climate adaptation strategies, precision farming, and integrated pest management is essential for boosting productivity. These, along with optimized irrigation and nutrient management, have significantly impacted peanut production in resource-limited settings. Additionally, drought-resistant varieties have proven crucial, enabling farmers to increase resilience and yields in areas facing climate stress. In conclusion, optimizing peanut production requires continued investment in genetic advancements, infrastructure, and sustainable practices. Future efforts should focus on improving climate adaptation and sustainable farming techniques for long-term success.

Cocoa Farmers’ Perceptions of Drought and Adaptive Strategies in the Ghana–Togo Transboundary Cocoa Belt

This study investigated the perception of drought by cocoa farmers and explored the effectiveness of adaptive strategies (ASs) used in smallholding farms in the transboundary region between Ghana and Togo. Drought significantly threatens cocoa production in this region, affecting farmers’ livelihoods and cocoa supply chains. This study used a multistage sampling approach, which involved surveys with questionnaires administered to 330 cocoa farmers throughout the study area, along with on-site observations. Statistical analysis included binary logistic and Poisson regression models to explore the relationship between farmer socioeconomic characteristics and adaptation practices. The findings revealed that cocoa farmers in the region have a nuanced understanding of drought, attributed to changing climatic patterns and unsustainable land management practices such as deforestation. To mitigate its impacts, farmers employ a variety of ASs, including investment in farm management, soil management, and intercropping with crop diversification. Furthermore, socioeconomic factors, including age, formal education, household size, land tenure right, adaptation cost assessment, and an underestimation of self-efficacy, were shown to affect the choice in the AS. Among the ASs adopted, only farm management practices (weeding, pruning, fertilizer application, etc.) significantly improved yield. This study contributes to understanding drought as a critical issue for cocoa farmers and the adaptation practices used by smallholder cocoa farmers. Given that among the strategies adopted, only farm management practices, also known as good agricultural practices (GAPs), significantly improves yield, this study recommends well-designed and innovative packages of sustainable farm management based on farm and owner characteristics. These include irrigation schemes, timely soil fertilizer monitoring and supply, and the provision of drought-resistant varieties along with technical itineraries. Additional interventions require drought emergency responses, with other factors such as education and financial support mechanisms expected to improve farmers’ timely decision-making to adapt and improve cocoa production resilience to drought episodes in international transboundary regions with complex governance structures.

Synergistic Interaction Between PbbZIP88 and PbSRK2E Enhances Drought Resistance in Pear Through Regulation of PbATL18 Expression and Stomatal Closure.

Drought poses significant challenges to agricultural production, ecological stability and global food security. While wild pear trees exhibit strong drought resistance, cultivated varieties show weaker drought tolerance. This study aims to elucidate the molecular mechanisms underlying pear trees' response to drought stress. We identified a drought resistance-related transcription factor, PbbZIP88, which binds to and activates the expression of the drought-responsive gene PbATL18. Overexpression of PbbZIP88 in Arabidopsis and pear seedlings resulted in enhanced drought resistance and significantly improved physiological parameters under drought stress. We discovered that PbbZIP88 interacts with the key protein PbSRK2E in the ABA signalling pathway. This interaction enhances PbbZIP88's ability to activate PbATL18 expression, leading to higher levels of PbATL18. Furthermore, the PbbZIP88 and PbSRK2E interaction accelerates the regulation of stomatal closure under ABA treatment conditions, reducing water loss more effectively. Experimental evidence showed that silencing PbbZIP88 and PbSRK2E genes significantly decreased drought resistance in pear seedlings. In conclusion, this study reveals the synergistic role of PbbZIP88 and PbSRK2E in enhancing drought resistance in pear trees, particularly in the upregulation of PbATL18 expression, and the accelerated promotion of stomatal closure. These findings provide new candidate genes for breeding drought-resistant varieties and offer a theoretical foundation and technical support for achieving sustainable agriculture.

The OsNAC41-RoLe1-OsAGAP module promotes root development and drought resistance in upland rice

Drought is a major environmental stress limiting crop yields worldwide. Upland rice (Oryza sativa) has evolved complex genetic mechanisms for adaptative growth under drought stress. However, few genetic variants that mediate drought resistance in upland rice have been identified, and little is known about the evolution of this trait during rice domestication. In this study, using a genome-wide association study we identified ROOT LENGTH 1 (RoLe1) that controls rice root length and drought resistance. We found that a G-to-T polymorphism in the RoLe1 promoter causes increased binding of the transcription factor OsNAC41 and thereby enhanced expression of RoLe1. We further showed that RoLe1 interacts with OsAGAP, an ARF-GTPase activating protein involved in auxin-dependent root development, and interferes with its function to modulate root development. Interestingly, RoLe1 could enhance crop yield by increasing the seed-setting rate under moderate drought conditions. Genomic evolutionary analysis revealed that a newly arisen favorable allelic variant, proRoLe1−526T, originated from the midwest Asia and was retained in upland rice during domestication. Collectively, our study identifies an OsNAC41-RoLe1-OsAGAP module that promotes upland rice root development and drought resistance, providing promising genetic targets for molecular breeding of drought-resistant rice varieties.

Assessing Soybean Yield Potential and Yield Gap in Different Agroecological Regions of India Using the DSSAT Model

The study used the DSSAT model to assess potential soybean yields in different regions of India and validated it under diverse agroecological conditions. The average simulated yield under irrigated conditions was 3794 kg ha−1 relative to the simulated average rainfed yield of 2446 kg ha−1, showing a 35.52% reduction in grain yield due to adverse moisture conditions under rainfed conditions. Relative to simulated yield, the average observed (actual) rainfed yield across 43 districts of India was 1025 kg ha−1, which was 2769 and 1421 kg ha−1 lower than irrigated and rainfed potential yield, respectively. A significant positive correlation was observed between simulated water non-limited yield and solar radiation (R2 = 0.55, p ≤ 0.05). The simulated rainfed grain yield (R2 = 0.66, p ≤ 0.05) had a significant, positive, and curvilinear relationship with growing season rainfall. On the other hand, the actual yield (R2 = 0.008) showed a non-significant relationship with mean crop seasonal rainfall across locations. The gap between simulated yield under irrigated and rainfed conditions is huge at locations with low seasonal rainfall and narrows with increasing rainfall. In addition, the gap between actual yield and simulated yield under rainfed conditions was larger, even in high seasonal rainfall areas. The yield gap under rainfed conditions is due to the non-adoption of improved crop management practices and could be reduced with proper interventions. This includes adapting drought-resistant varieties, conserving rainwater, changing land configuration, and adopting waterlogging-tolerant varieties using improved technology to reduce the soybean yield gap.

An Integrated Framework for Drought Stress in Plants.

With global warming, drought stress is becoming increasingly severe, causing serious impacts on crop yield and quality. In order to survive under adverse conditions such as drought stress, plants have evolved a certain mechanism to cope. The tolerance to drought stress is mainly improved through the synergistic effect of regulatory pathways, such as transcription factors, phytohormone, stomatal movement, osmotic substances, sRNA, and antioxidant systems. This study summarizes the research progress on plant drought resistance, in order to provide a reference for improving plant drought resistance and cultivating drought-resistant varieties through genetic engineering technology.

Identification of Drought Stress-Responsive Genes in Rice by Random Walk with Multi-Restart Probability on MultiPlex Biological Networks.

Exploring drought stress-responsive genes in rice is essential for breeding drought-resistant varieties. Rice drought resistance is controlled by multiple genes, and mining drought stress-responsive genes solely based on single omics data lacks stability and accuracy. Multi-omics correlation analysis and biological molecular network analysis provide robust solutions. This study proposed a random walk with a multi-restart probability (RWMRP) algorithm, based on the Restarted Random Walk (RWR) algorithm, to operate on rice MultiPlex biological networks. It explores the interactions between biological molecules across various levels and ranks potential genes. RWMRP uses eigenvector centrality to evaluate node importance in the network and adjusts the restart probabilities accordingly, diverging from the uniform restart probability employed in RWR. In the random walk process, it can be better to consider the global relationships in the network. Firstly, we constructed a MultiPlex biological network by integrating the rice protein-protein interaction, gene pathway, and gene co-expression network. Then, we employed RWMRP to predict the potential genes associated with rice tolerance to drought stress. Enrichment and correlation analyses resulted in the identification of 12 drought-related genes. We further conducted quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction (qRT-PCR) analysis on these 12 genes, ultimately identifying 10 genes responsive to drought stress.

STUDYING DROUGHT RESISTANCE AND SOME TECHNOLOGICAL INDICATORS OF FIBER OF COLLECTION VARIETIES COTTON

The purpose of the study was to study the adaptive ability to drought of collection varieties of cotton of the species G.hirsutum L. and G.barbadense L. with subsequent assessment of the technological properties of the fiber. An analysis of stress-depression of seed germination in a sucrose solution was used as an indicator of plant resistance to drought. The technological properties of the fiber were analyzed using the HVI (High Volume Instrument) electronic system in accordance with the unified international classification. It was established that, with the same intensity of the extreme factor, varieties of the same type of cotton differed significantly in the amplitude of changes in the physiological indicator, which made it possible to identify drought-resistant samples. Varieties Agdash-3, Ganja-2, AF-16, Karabakh-11, Zafar, Akala 1517 of the species G.hirsutum L. and varieties S-6002, 5230-V, Aspero, S-6022, AP-154, Agdash-21, Termez-74 of the species G. barbadense L. were characterized by drought resistance. All drought-resistant varieties of the species G. barbadense L. are characterized by a complex of positive fiber quality indicators. The variety Zafar within the species G.hirsutum L. was superior to other genotypes in this indicator. These cotton varieties are recommended to breeders for use in various breeding programs.

Effects of Drought Stress on Key Enzymes in Soybean Carbon and Nitrogen Metabolism

Background: The synthesis and catalysis of enzymes are inherently linked to the presence of water and drought-induced water deficit in plants can adversely impact enzyme activity. Drought severely impairs the growth and development of crops, with the extent of its impact varying according to the severity of the water scarcity. Drought also regulates the activity of carbon and nitrogen metabolizing enzymes in plants. Methods: To investigate the effects of varying degrees of drought on soybeans, this study selected HN44 (drought-resistant variety) and HN65 (drought-sensitive variety) as subjects through sand culture and assessed the changes in key enzymes involved in carbon and nitrogen metabolism within the soybean leaves in 2022. Result: The results indicated that short-term drought stress increased the activities of sucrose synthase (SUS), Sucrose Phosphate Synthase (SPS) and Glutamine Synthetase (GS), while decreasing the activity of nitrate reductase (NR). In contrast, prolonged drought reduced the activities of SUS and GS. This study provides a theoretical foundation for enhancing the drought stress resistance of soybeans.