Saline Environments Research Articles

Unraveling the complexities: morpho-physiological and proteomic responses of pearl millet (Pennisetum glaucum) to dual drought and salt stress

Agriculture is crucial for sustaining the world’s growing population, however various abiotic and biotic stressors, such as drought and salt, significantly impact crop yields. Pearl millet, a nutrient-rich and drought-tolerant crop, is essential as a food source in arid regions. Understanding its response mechanisms to drought and salt stress is important for devising strategies for improved crop performance under water deficit and saline environments. This study investigated the pearl millet’s morphological, physiological, and molecular responses subjected to individual and combined drought and salt stresses for 25 days. Significant reductions in morphological traits, such as plant height, shoot and root fresh weights and lengths, and leaf numbers were observed. Furthermore, key physiological parameters, including chlorophyll content, stomatal conductance, photosynthesis, and transpiration rates notably declined, indicating a complex interaction between stress factors and water regulation mechanisms. Protein expression analysis showed differential upregulation and downregulation patterns between the control and stressed pearl millet plants. Gene ontology mapping identified key biological processes, molecular functions, and cellular components of differentially expressed proteins associated with individual and combined stresses. Notably, a high number of unclassified proteins were identified, indicating the presence of potentially novel proteins involved in stress adaptation. Catalytic and binding activities were the predominant molecular functions detected across treatments suggesting their central role in stress response. These highlighted potential mechanisms of tolerance and adaptation in pearl millet. Overall, this study provides a comprehensive understanding of the detrimental effects of drought and salinity on pearl millet at the morphological, physiological, and proteomic levels, uncovering previously unexplored proteomic responses. These insights offer valuable molecular marker targets for breeding programs aimed at enhancing stress tolerance in pearl millet and related crops.

Seed priming with salicylic acid enhances salt stress tolerance by boosting antioxidant defense in Phaseolus vulgaris genotypes

Salinity stress significantly threatens seed germination, plant growth, and agricultural productivity, necessitating effective mitigation strategies. This study evaluates the potential of salicylic acid (SA) pretreatment to alleviate the detrimental effects of salinity on common bean (Phaseolus vulgaris) genotypes. SA, a phenolic plant hormone, is crucial for regulating growth, stress responses, and essential physiological processes, including seed germination and ion transport. Previous research has established the general benefits of SA in enhancing stress tolerance, but the specific mechanisms and effects on common bean genotypes remain underexplored. This research focuses on the impact of salinity on the germination and seedling growth of various common bean genotypes, the efficacy of SA pretreatment in enhancing these genotypes' tolerance to salinity stress, and the underlying physiological and biochemical mechanisms, particularly involving the antioxidant defense system. The research was conducted in two phases: germination and seedling growth. Ten genotypes and two commercial varieties were exposed to varying salinity levels alongside SA concentrations to assess germination performance. Subsequently, six genotypes and one variety were evaluated for seedling growth under controlled and salt stress conditions (100 mM and 200 mM NaCl), with SA treatments at 0, 0.5, and 1 mM. Results revealed that salinity severely impaired germination traits, which were significantly enhanced by SA pretreatment. During the seedling growth phase, salinity stress resulted in reduced protein, chlorophyll, and carotenoid content, decreased potassium (K⁺) levels, and diminished water content, while increasing electrolyte leakage, malondialdehyde (MDA) levels, sodium (Na⁺) concentrations, enzyme activities, and proline levels. Importantly, SA pretreatment elevated chlorophyll and protein concentrations, improved water retention, and moderated K⁺ and Na⁺ levels, including their ratios under stress conditions. SA pretreatment also significantly enhanced the antioxidant defense system, reducing oxidative damage induced by salinity stress. Principal component analysis (PCA) successfully categorized the genotypes into semi-tolerant, tolerant, semi-sensitive, and sensitive classes based on their stress responses. Notably, the Jules variety exhibited exceptional resilience during both germination and seedling growth stages, indicating its potential as a superior candidate for cultivation in salt-affected regions. This study highlights SA pretreatment as an effective strategy to enhance salinity stress resilience in common bean genotypes. The novelty of this work lies in the detailed elucidation of SA's role in modulating antioxidant defenses and ion homeostasis in different genotypes, providing new insights into breeding programs and agricultural practices aimed at improving crop resilience and productivity in increasingly saline environments.

Mechanical Performance of Asphalt Materials Under Salt Erosion Environments: A Literature Review

Asphalt pavements are subjected to both repeated vehicle loads and erosive deterioration from complicated environments in service. Salt erosion exerts a serious negative impact on the service performance of asphalt pavements in salt-rich areas such as seasonal frozen areas with snow melting and deicing, coastal areas, and saline soils areas. In recent years, the performance evolution of asphalt materials under salt erosion environments has been widely investigated. However, there is a lack of a systematic summary of salt erosion damage for asphalt materials from a multi-scale perspective. The objective in this paper is to review the performance evolution and the damage mechanism of asphalt mixtures and binders under salt erosion environments from a multi-scale perspective. The salt erosion damage and damage mechanism of asphalt mixtures is discussed. The influence of salt categories and erosion modes on the asphalt binder is classified. The salt erosion resistance of different asphalt binders is determined. In addition, the application of microscopic test methods to investigate the salt damage mechanism of asphalt binders is generalized. This review finds that the pavement performance of asphalt mixtures decreased significantly after salt erosion. A good explanation for the salt erosion mechanism of asphalt mixtures can be provided from the perspective of pores, interface adhesion, and asphalt mortar. Salt categories and erosion modes exerted great influences on the rheological performance of asphalt binders. The performance of different asphalt binders showed a remarkable diversity under salt erosion environments. In addition, the evolution of the chemical composition and microscopic morphology of asphalt binders under salt erosion environments can be well characterized by Fourier Infrared Spectroscopy (FTIR), Gel Permeation Chromatography (GPC), and microscopic tests. Finally, the major focus of future research and the challenges that may be encountered are discussed. From this literature review, pore expansion mechanisms differ fundamentally between conventional and salt storage asphalt mixtures. Sulfate ions exhibit stronger erosive effects than chlorides due to their chemical reactivity with asphalt components. Molecular-scale analyses confirm that salt solutions accelerate asphalt aging through light-component depletion and heavy-component accumulation. These collective findings from prior studies establish critical theoretical foundations for designing durable pavements in saline environments.

Harnessing Sheep Wool Fertilizer to Enhance Lavandula officinalis Mill. Resilience to Salt Stress

Abstract This study investigates the potential of sheep wool as an organic amendment to alleviate salinity stress and enhance the productivity of Lavandula officinalis in arid and semi-arid regions. A two-factor factorial design was employed under greenhouse conditions with five replications. The experiment tested varying levels of sheep wool fertilizer (SW) at concentrations of 0% (control), 0.5%, 1%, 2%, and 4%, alongside four salt concentrations: distilled water (control), 30 mM, 60 mM, and 90 mM NaCl. The study indicated that the application of sheep wool fertilizer significantly mitigated the adverse effects of NaCl on the growth, photosynthetic, and biochemical characteristics of L. officinalis. Increasing levels of sheep wool correlated with improved plant performance, while higher NaCl concentrations led to declines across all measured characteristics. Optimal performance was observed at the 2% SW treatment. Sheep wool fertilizer represents a promising strategy to enhance plant resilience in saline conditions. This study highlights the importance of optimizing sheep wool concentrations to maximize plant growth and stress tolerance. Future research should focus on investigating the long-term effects of different sheep wool doses and explore synergistic interactions with other organic amendments or bio-stimulants to improve agricultural sustainability in saline environments.

Assessing the synergistic effects of biochar, hydrogel and biofertilizer on growth and physiological traits of wheat in saline environments.

Soil salinity affects plant growth and crop yield. This warrants the urgent need for sustainable management. Our research aims to assess the impact of hydrogel, biochar and biofertilizer on wheat physiology, yield, soil nutrients and enzymes. The study was carried out at the dry bed of the Aral Sea. The experimental design included hydrogel, biochar, biofertilizer (Yer malxami includes Azotobacter chroococcum, Pseudomonas putida and Bacillus subtilis ) and control treatments. After 60days of sowing, plant growth metrics, physiological qualities, root morphological features, soil nutrients and enzyme activities were measured. The findings revealed significant improvement in growth of wheat following biofertilizer, hydrogel and biochar treatments. Applying biofertilizer resulted in a notable increase in the total root length by 69.9%, root volume by 123.7% and root diameter by 84.6%, and the highest chlorophyll a (Chl a ) by 13.3%, chlorophyll b by 13.7% (Chl b ) and total chlorophyll content by 13.1% compared to other treatments. Biofertilizer treatment significantly enhanced plant nitrogen (N) content by 16.0%, phosphorus (P) content by 94.7% and potassium (K) content by 51.8%, and increased the activities of soil enzymes such as catalase and invertase. The implementation of these soil amendments can be posited to mitigate the deleterious effects of saline conditions on wheat and can improve wheat growth under salinity stress.

Differential Responses of Indigenous Microorganisms to Salinity Changes in Lake Sediments： A Case Study of the Baiyangdian Lake and Qinghai Lake

The impact of salinity stress on methane-oxidizing microorganisms in lake sediments has been recognized as influential in altering both the community structure and function, thereby affecting methane emissions in lake water. Denitrifying anaerobic methane oxidation （DAMO） is a crucial process within the lake sediment, involving a consortium of known DAMO characteristic microorganisms and associated carbon and nitrogen-transforming functional bacteria. However, the variations in DAMO flora in lake sediments under diverse salinity conditions and their implications on greenhouse gas production remain inadequately explored. To address this gap, a comparative study was conducted on the indigenous flora in sediments from two lakes with contrasting salinities, namely the saline Qinghai Lake and the freshwater Baiyangdian Lake. The α-diversity analysis revealed higher Shannon and Observed-Richness indices in the Baiyangdian Lake sediment compared to the Qinghai Lake sediment, while the Inv-Simpson index showed the opposite trend. While the dominant microbial populations were similar at the phylum level, significant differences were observed in the abundance and proportion of common microbial populations. Notably, the salinity of lake water exhibited a negative correlation with microbial diversity and methane-oxidizing microbial diversity in sediments. Further investigation on the indigenous DAMO microflora in the lake sediments under different salinity conditions revealed distinct patterns. Specifically, anaerobic microcultures were carried out at different salinity gradients （0, 11, and 110 g·L-1）, with CH4 and KNO3 as substrates. The rates of nitrite formation and nitrate consumption were lower in the Qinghai Lake sediment compared to those in the Baiyangdian sediment with respect to individual salinity. CO2 production in the Baiyangdian sediment decreased with increasing salinity. Additionally, for the Baiyangdian sediment, methane oxidation and nitrous oxide production were lower in the high salinity group than those in the low salinity group. In the Qinghai Lake sediment, the most active methane oxidation was observed at the original sample's salinity （11 g·L-1）, with the highest methane oxidation reaching 481.67 μmol·L-1 and the lowest nitrous oxide production around 1.69 μmol·L-1. The methane oxidation capacity of the Qinghai Lake sediment cultured at its original salinity was better than that of other salinity groups, and the yield of nitrous oxide was also lower. These results indicated that DAMO flora in high salinity lakes could adapt to the salinity of their habitats after long-term screening and domestication. Therefore, the significant difference in indigenous microorganisms in the sediments of saltwater and freshwater lakes lead to the differences in their response to changes in the salinity environment and further affect the DAMO process in lakes. Quantitative analysis of DAMO characteristic bacterial genes revealed varying abundances of ANME-2d Methanoperedens nitroreducens and NC10 Methylomirabilis oxyfera in the sediments of the Qinghai Lake and Baiyangdian Lake, influenced by salinity treatments. The DAMO bacteria activity and process were inhibited with increasing salinity in the Baiyangdian Lake sediment, whereas in the Qinghai Lake sediment, the highest DAMO microbe abundance and rate were observed at the salinity of the original sample （11 g·L-1）. Manipulating the salinity of the original sample resulted in the inhibition of the DAMO process in the lake sediment, leading to lower DAMO microbe abundance, reduced methane oxidation, and increased nitrous oxide production. These findings underscore the marked impact of lake salinity on indigenous microorganisms in lake sediments, with implications for their responses to changes in the salinity environment and subsequent effects on the DAMO process in lakes. This provides insights for predicting lake greenhouse gas emissions in the context of climate warming.

The Combination of Salicylic Acid, Nicotinamide, and Proline Mitigates the Damage Caused by Salt Stress in Nasturtium (Tropaeolum majus)

Salinity represents a significant challenge for agriculture, especially in semi-arid regions, affecting the growth and productivity of plants such as nasturtium (Tropaeolum majus), which is valued for its ornamental, medicinal, and food uses. Salt stress disrupts biochemical, physiological, and anatomical processes, limiting plant development. This study investigated the application of attenuators, including salicylic acid, nicotinamide, and proline, to mitigate the effects of salt stress on nasturtium cultivated in a hydroponic system. The treatments involved different combinations of these compounds under saline conditions (40 mM NaCl). The attenuators reduced the negative impacts of salt stress, promoting improvements in gas exchange, such as increased net photosynthesis, water-use efficiency, and stomatal conductance. Additionally, the treatments enhanced vegetative and reproductive growth, increasing the dry biomass of leaves, stems, and flowers, as well as the number of flowers and flower buds. The combination of salicylic acid, nicotinamide, and proline stood out by providing greater efficiency in carbon assimilation, stability of photosynthetic pigments, and higher tolerance to salt stress. These findings reinforce the potential of using attenuators to optimize the cultivation of nasturtium in saline environments, promoting higher productivity and plant quality.

Effects of exogenous chitosan concentrations on photosynthesis and functional physiological traits of hibiscus under salt stress

BackgroundSoil salinity is a major barrier to plant growth and yield improvement. Chitosan, a versatile biomaterial, has shown potential in enhancing plant stress tolerance. This study evaluated the effectiveness of chitosan pretreatment in mitigating salt stress hibiscus (Hibiscus syriacus L.). Two-year-old hibiscus cuttings were treated with varying concentrations of chitosan (10 mg/L, 25 mg/L, 50 mg/L, 100 mg/L) via root irrigation and foliar spray in a 6‰ saline environment. Growth parameters, gas exchange rates, antioxidant enzyme activities, and osmotic regulatory compounds were analyzed.ResultsThe results showed that chitosan at 25 mg/L and 50 mg/L significantly improved physiological and ecological traits. These concentrations enhanced photosynthetic performance, protected photosynthetic electron transport chain, and reduced malondialdehyde (MDA) content and relative conductivity, thereby limiting cell membrane damage. Additionally, the accumulation of soluble proteins, soluble sugars, and proline increased, improving the plants’ ability to cope with salt stress. Antioxidant enzyme activities, including superoxide dismutase (SOD), peroxidase (POD), catalase (CAT), and ascorbate peroxidase (APX), were notably elevated, while levels of hydrogen peroxide (H₂O₂) and superoxide anion (O₂−) decreased.ConclusionsThe 25 mg/L and 50 mg/L treatments had the most pronounced effects, confirming that moderate chitosan concentrations effectively alleviate salt stress in hibiscus. This study underscores the role of chitosan in enhancing salt stress adaptability, offering insights for plant protection and greening efforts.

Comparative Phytochemical Evaluation and Dyeing Potential of Ixora Coccinea Flowers under Saline and Non-Saline Environment

Abiotic environmental stresses trigger complex and adaptable reactions in plants. The salinity stress induced modifications were studied in the flowers of Ixora coccinea sourced from Bhavnagar with elevated soil salinity and for non-saline sample Ahmedabad area was chosen for flower collection. Comparative qualitative phytochemical analysis, total phenolic content and total flavonoid content was performed which indicated higher phenolic and flavonoid contents in Bhavnagar (saline) sample. Furthermore, the detection of brassinosteroids (BRs) in the saline-exposed sample suggests an adaptive response to salinity stress. Evaluation of the dyeing potential and durability of floral dyes, extracted with four solvents from both saline and non-saline samples, showed warmer colour development in non-saline extracts and cooler colour development in saline extracts. The study provides insights which may aid in the production of improved herbal dyes from I. coccinea.

Participation of membrane-initiated cortisol effects on the rapid acclimation of rainbow trout (Oncorhynchus mykiss) to increased salinity.

Participation of membrane-initiated cortisol effects on the rapid acclimation of rainbow trout (Oncorhynchus mykiss) to increased salinity.

Surfactant-rescued gelation: Stabilizing P123-chitosan hydrogels in blood-isotonic aqueous solutions for controlled drug delivery.

Surfactant-rescued gelation: Stabilizing P123-chitosan hydrogels in blood-isotonic aqueous solutions for controlled drug delivery.

First Insights Into the Biological and Physical-Chemical Diversity of Various Salt Ponds of Trapani, Sicily.

The salt ponds of Trapani, Sicily, represent an extreme and under-explored ecosystem characterised by varying salinity gradients and environmental conditions. These ponds, integral to traditional salt extraction, include cold, driving, hot and crystallizer ponds, each hosting diverse microbial communities. This study aimed to explore the biological and physical-chemical diversity of 11 ponds during the salt production season in Trapani. We conducted comprehensive physical-chemical characterizations, including measurements of pH, conductivity, viscosity, density, organic carbon and ion concentration. Microbial DNA was extracted from salt pond waters and subjected to metabarcoding of 16S rRNA genes to determine the diversity of archaea and bacteria. High-throughput sequencing revealed significant variations in microbial communities across different pond types and seasons. Cold ponds showed a higher diversity of moderately halophilic organisms, while crystallizer and feeding ponds were dominated by extreme halophiles, particularly archaeal genus Halorubrum and Haloquadratum and bacterial genus Salinibacter. Statistical analyses indicated that environmental parameters, especially salinity and temperature, significantly influenced microbial community composition. Our findings enhance the understanding of microbial ecology in saline environments and highlight the potential of halophilic microorganisms. This study provides a foundation for future research into the functional roles of these microorganisms and their industrial applications.

The Influence of Aquaculture and a Natural Environmental Gradient on Shell Landmark Variation of the Mediterranean Mussel (Mytilus galloprovincialis Lamarck, 1819) From the Eastern Adriatic Sea.

Geometric morphometry is effective in distinguishing bivalve species and populations, including the economically and environmentally important Mediterranean mussel, Mytilus galloprovincialis. Although widely distributed, shell shape variation in M. galloprovincialis along the eastern Adriatic Sea has been infrequently studied. Farming practices and environmental conditions may affect the development of shell shape, as has been reported in the Mytilus genus from numerous locations globally. Building on earlier genetic analyses of mussels collected along a natural environmental gradient, this study aimed to identify shell landmark differentiation between wild and cultured populations and among northern, middle, and southern populations of the eastern Adriatic Sea using a geometric morphometric approach. Samples from 12 sites in Croatia, Montenegro, and Albania, including 4 aquaculture farms, were examined for variation in 9 internal shell landmarks. Wild populations exhibited a more extended posterior adductor muscle scar and a more elongated shape compared to farmed populations. Mussels from low salinity environments in the north and south exhibited an elongated shell shape compared to high salinity environments. Southern populations exhibited an extended posterior adductor muscle scar, along with an elongation of the lateral ligament and ventral umbo orientation that caused a concave shape of the ventral shell border compared to northern populations. The differences in environmental conditions in the Adriatic Sea, such as reduced salinity in Boka Kotorska Bay (Montenegro) in the south and Limski Bay (Croatia) in the north, likely play a role in influencing the variability of shell landmarks. These results may be applied to farming practices so that high-quality spat are collected from source sites with environmental conditions that match the farm site to which the spat are transferred. Overall, these results provide valuable insight into how M. galloprovincialis shell landmarks respond to environmental variation at large (hundreds of kilometres) spatial scale.

Amino Acid Substitutions in the Na + /K + -ATPase May Contribute to Salinity Tolerance in Insects.

Environmental salinity levels vary naturally across terrestrial ecosystems but can be heightened locally by rising sea levels and desertification as well as human activities such as road salt application and agriculture. Since salt is essential for many physiological processes in insects, rising environmental sodium concentrations may drive behavioral changes, where insects select environments and food sources with suitable sodium levels, or evolutionary changes in constitutive or plastic physiological mechanisms to process salt, potentially altering ecological dynamics and species interactions. Numerous hematophagous (blood feeding) insects are known to breed in relatively saline environments, while others such as the yellow-fever mosquito Aedes aeqypti are expanding their range to coastal regions. Among phytophagous (plant feeding) insects, grasshoppers can be important herbivores in arid and coastal salt-affected regions, whereas the monarch butterfly ( Danaus plexippus ) appears to perform relatively well on milkweed host plants growing in roadsides influenced by salt runoff. Several of these insects share a common trait: amino acid substitutions in the first extracellular loop of the Na + /K + -ATPase (NKA), a highly conserved sodium pump crucial for maintaining ion balance. For the monarch these substitutions confer resistance to toxic cardenolides from milkweeds, but it is unclear whether NKA substitutions may influence salt tolerance. Here, we investigate whether the NKA substitutions found in these insects may contribute to salt tolerance using gene-edited Drosophila melanogaster mutant strains as models. We show that flies with the Q111L and A119S substitutions alone or in combination (found in grasshoppers and several hematophagous insects) exhibited greater salt tolerance, whereas flies carrying the combination of substitutions found in the monarch (Q111V, A119S, and N122H) did not. Our results suggest that the monarch may rely on alternate mechanisms for salt tolerance and that its NKA substitutions are important primarily for cardenolide resistance. However, substitutions Q111L and A119S may be important for salt tolerance in a variety of insects. Uncovering mechanisms of salt tolerance enhances our understanding of species distributions, ecological interactions, and evolutionary physiology in response to changing environmental salinity levels.

New species of Neocamarosporium from two halophyte plants in Iran

Members of the genus Neocamarosporium are known from diverse ecological niches, mainly as endophytes, saprobes, or pathogens on halophytes in saline environments. During our survey on the biodiversity of fungal species inhabiting halophyte plants growing in Shadegan International Wetland (southwest of Iran), we obtained three isolates of Neocamarosporium from Suaeda vermiculata and Halocnemum strobilaceum. Two new Neocamarosporium species, viz. N. halocnemi and N. suaedae, are described and illustrated based on molecular and morphological data. In the phylogenetic tree, both new species formed distinct lineages from previously known species of Neocamarosporium. Neocamarosporium halocnemi differs from N. suaedae by having longer ellipsoid and oblong conidia and some pycnidia with 1–2 short necks. The presence of these fungi within halophytes may contribute to their adaptation to harsh ecosystems.

Proteomic Analysis Reveals the Phenotypic Heterogeneity and Tolerance Mechanisms of Halophilic Vibrio parahaemolyticus Under Dual Stress of Low Salinity and Bile Salts in the Human Intestine

Vibrio parahaemolyticus, a halophilic Gram-negative bacterium commonly found in aquatic products, can colonize the human small intestine, causing gastroenteritis and potentially leukemia. As a major intestinal pathogen, it poses a significant threat to public health. This study aims to investigate the phenotypic heterogeneity of V. parahaemolyticus in the low-salinity and bile salt environments of the human intestinal tract and to elucidate its mechanisms of tolerance and pathogenicity using proteomics. The experimental results indicated that under the low salinity and bile salts conditions of the human intestinal environment, the growth, motility, and biofilm formation of the strains were significantly inhibited. Proteomics analysis revealed that, under these conditions, the energy metabolism, chemotaxis system, flagellar motor, and ribosome-related proteins of V. parahaemolyticus were significantly affected, thereby influencing its growth, motility, and biofilm formation. Furthermore, the activation of the secretion system, particularly the T2SS, enhanced the virulence of secreted factors on host cells. Additionally, the activation of the β-lactam resistance pathway increased resistance to the intestinal environment, thereby enhancing the pathogenicity of V. parahaemolyticus.

INFLUENCE OF SALT STRESS ON THE GROWTH OF BRASSICA SEEDLINGS

Background: Soil salinity is one of the leading abiotic stressors limiting agricultural productivity worldwide, particularly affecting the early growth stages of sensitive crops like Brassica napus L. (canola). Salinity induces osmotic and ionic stress, disrupting physiological and morphological processes vital to plant establishment and yield. In Pakistan, where over 6.22 million acres of land are salt-affected, improving salt tolerance in oilseed crops remains a critical priority for food security and import reduction. Objective: The present study aimed to evaluate the response of ten Brassica genotypes under varying levels of salt stress and identify salt-tolerant candidates suitable for further breeding programs. Methods: A glasshouse experiment was conducted using a factorial arrangement in a randomized complete block design with four treatments (0, 50, 100, and 150 mM NaCl) and three replications. Ten Brassica genotypes were evaluated for germination percentage, root length, shoot length, root-to-shoot ratio, seedling length, and seedling vigor index. Data were collected on the 15th day after sowing and subjected to analysis of variance to assess significance across genotypes, treatments, and interactions. Results: Significant variation (p < 0.001) was observed among genotypes, treatments, and their interactions for most traits. Maximum germination (91.3%), shoot length (4.18 cm), and root length (2.04 cm) were recorded at 50 mM NaCl. Seedling vigor index peaked at 558.57 in UAF-11 and dropped to 182.51 at 150 mM NaCl. Genotypes UAF-11, AARI-Canola, and NIFA Gold showed consistently higher tolerance and growth performance across treatments. Conclusion: Moderate salinity (50 mM NaCl) promoted early seedling growth in selected Brassica genotypes. UAF-11 emerged as the most salt-tolerant genotype, followed by AARI-Canola and NIFA Gold, indicating their suitability for use in future breeding programs targeting saline environments.

Influence of boriding on hardness and corrosion behavior in saline environment of Monel 400 nickel alloy

Influence of boriding on hardness and corrosion behavior in saline environment of Monel 400 nickel alloy

Inspection of PC Pre-Tensioned Girders Deteriorated by Actual Salt Damage via the Triaxial Magnetic Method

PC steel material inside pre-stressed concrete bridges is prone to corrosion due to the effect of salt, which leads to cross-sectional losses and fractures if proper maintenance is not carried out, affecting the girders’ structural performance. In Japan, pre-tensioned girders incorporating small-diameter PC steel material with a span length of 13 m or less were used until the early 1980s. Thus, it is essential to understand the fracture conditions of PC steel material and the factors affecting section loss due to corrosion, in order to properly assess the residual strength of salt-affected pre-tensioned girders. Hence, the current research clarifies the accuracy of techniques used for detecting deterioration in a pre-tensioned PC girder that had been out of service for about 40 years, caused by exposure to the severely saline environment of the Okinawa coast. Visual and hammer-tapping investigation of the actual bridge in addition to fracture investigation of the PC steel material using the triaxial magnetic method and destructive investigation of the concrete cover on the bottom of the girder were carried out and correlated. The final results confirmed that the triaxial magnetic method could detect PC steel material fractures accurately, and valuable information was obtained regarding fracture-detection technology for application in PC girders via non-destructive testing.

Genomic insights into Marinobacterium sediminicola CGMCC 1.7287T: A polyhydroxyalkanoate-producing bacterium isolated from marine sediment.

Genomic insights into Marinobacterium sediminicola CGMCC 1.7287T: A polyhydroxyalkanoate-producing bacterium isolated from marine sediment.