Plant Growth Research Articles

Monitoring the Net Primary Productivity of Togo’s Ecosystems in Relation to Changes in Precipitation and Temperature

Climate variability significantly impacts plant growth, making it crucial to monitor ecosystem performance for optimal carbon sequestration, especially in the context of rising atmospheric CO2 levels. Net Primary Productivity (NPP), which measures the net carbon flux between the atmosphere and plants, serves as a key indicator. This study uses the CASA (Carnegie–Ames–Stanford Approach) model, a radiation use efficiency method, to assess the spatio-temporal dynamics of NPP in Togo from 1987 to 2022 and its climatic drivers. The average annual NPP over 36 years is 4565.31 Kg C ha−1, with notable extremes in 2017 (6312.26 Kg C ha−1) and 1996 (3394.29 Kg C ha−1). Productivity in natural formations increased between 2000 and 2022. While climate change and land use negatively affect Total Production (PT) from 2000 to 2022, they individually enhance NPP variation (58.28% and 188.63%, respectively). NPP shows a strong positive correlation with light use efficiency (r2 = 0.75) and a moderate one with actual evapotranspiration (r2 = 0.43). Precipitation and potential evapotranspiration have weaker correlations (r2 = 0.20; 0.10), and temperature shows almost none (r2 = 0.05). These findings contribute to understanding ecosystem performance, supporting Togo’s climate commitments.

Does Perceived Nuisance Abundance of Water Plants Match with Willingness-to-Pay for Removal? Contrasts Among Different User Categories.

Dense beds of water plants can be perceived as nuisance, but this perception, however, may not be similar for different user categories, and this may affect their willingness-to-pay (WTP) for plant removal. A questionnaire survey was used to test this for residents and visitors and find underlying socio-cultural or economic drivers. We studied five cases where nuisance water plant growth is managed: the rivers Otra (Norway) and Spree (Germany), and the lakes Kemnade (Germany), Grand-Lieu (France), and Hartbeespoort Dam (South Africa). We used a different payment vehicle for residents (annual household tax) and visitors (tourist tax). The survey included questions on days spent on specific types of activity per year, the importance attached to different functions and activities, overall environmental attitude, perception of the plants, socio-demographic respondent characteristics and WTP for increased plant removal. We observed no increase in WTP for increased removal in most sites. The two most important drivers of variation in current WTP were income, and whether respondents were engaged in boating and angling and thus perceived the plants negatively. Variation in WTP among sites was considerable, and mainly related to the mixture of activities among respondents. Differences between residents and visitors were less important than those among sites. Our observations bear importance for water management: information on differences in experienced nuisance among user categories and the frequency of use by these categories is useful as guidance for the design and implementation of any plant removal plan.

The Effects of Bacillus subtilis Expressing a Plant Elicitor Peptide on Nematode Infection on Soybean.

There is a pressing need to develop alternative management strategies for the soybean cyst nematode (Heterodera glycines), the most costly pathogen to soybeans. Plant elicitor peptides (PEPs), which are produced by plants in response to stress and stimulate broad-spectrum disease resistance, were previously shown to reduce soybean cyst nematode infection on soybeans when applied as a seed treatment. Here, we introduce an alternative method to deliver PEPs to soybean using a common plant growth-promoting rhizobacterium, Bacillus subtilis, as a bacterial expression system. Similar to the empty vector control, B. subtilis engineered to express a PEP from soybean (GmPEP3) was able to colonize soybean roots and persisted on roots more than a month after treatment. Compared with water or the empty vector control, plants that received a seed treatment with B. subtilis expressing GmPEP3 (B.+GmPEP3) were significantly taller early in vegetative growth (V1 stage) and had lower chlorophyll content in the reproductive stage (R3/R4); these results suggest that GmPEP3 may hasten growth and subsequent senescence. When plants were inoculated with soybean cyst nematode at the V1 stage, those pretreated with B.+GmPEP3 supported significantly fewer nematode eggs at the reproductive stage (R3/R4) than plants treated with water or the empty vector. The effects of B.+GmPEP3 on nematode infection and plant growth appeared to be due primarily to the peptide itself because no significant differences were observed between plants treated with water or with B. subtilis expressing the empty vector. These results indicate the ability of B. subtilis to deliver defense activators for nematode management on soybean.

Overexpression of the Liriodendron tulipifera TPS32 gene in tobacco enhances terpenoid compounds synthesis

Liriodendron, a relic genus from the Magnoliaceae family, comprises two species, L. tulipifera and L. chinense. L. tulipifera is distinguished by its extensive natural distribution in Eastern North America. Conversely, L. chinense is nearing endangerment due to its low regeneration rate. A pivotal aspect in the difference of these species involves terpenoids, which play crucial roles in plant growth and attracting pollinators. However, the complex molecular mechanisms underlying terpenoid roles in Liriodendron are not well understood. Terpene Synthases (TPS) genes are widely reported to play a role in terpenoid biosynthesis, hence, this study centers on TPS genes in Liriodendron spp. Employing multiple bioinformatics methods, a differential expression gene in L. tulipifera, LtuTPS32, was discerned for further functional analysis. Subcellular localization results reveal the involvement of LtuTPS32 in chloroplast-associated processes, hence participate in terpenoid biosynthesis within chloroplasts. Heterologous transformation of the LtuTPS32 gene into tobacco significantly elevates the levels of common terpenoid compounds, including chlorophyll, gibberellin, and carotenoids. Collectively, these findings not only underscore the role of the LtuTPS32 gene in the biosynthesis of terpenoids but also lay a foundation for future research on interspecific differences in Liriodendron.

Gene Editing for Disease Resistance in Crops: Success Stories and Challenges

Gene editing has emerged as a transformative tool in modern agriculture, offering new avenues for enhancing disease resistance in crops. By precisely modifying the DNA of plants, scientists can develop varieties that are better equipped to withstand the onslaught of pathogens, which pose significant threats to global food security. This article delves into the success stories and challenges associated with gene editing for disease resistance in crops, with a focus on technologies like CRISPR-Cas9, TALENs, and ZFNs. One of the major success stories in this field is the development of disease-resistant varieties of wheat, rice, and tomatoes. For instance, researchers have used CRISPR-Cas9 to create wheat varieties resistant to powdery mildew, a devastating fungal disease. Similarly, gene editing has enabled the development of rice strains with enhanced resistance to bacterial blight, a disease that can lead to significant yield losses. In tomatoes, gene editing has been employed to confer resistance against the Tomato Yellow Leaf Curl Virus, which severely affects tomato production worldwide. These achievements underscore the potential of gene editing to create crops that are not only more resilient but also capable of maintaining high yields under disease pressure. However, the application of gene editing in crop disease resistance is not without challenges. One of the primary concerns is the regulatory landscape, which varies significantly across different countries. While some nations have embraced gene-edited crops, others have imposed strict regulations, treating them similarly to genetically modified organisms (GMOs). This inconsistency can hinder the global deployment of disease-resistant crops and create trade barriers. Additionally, there are concerns related to off-target effects, where unintended changes in the genome may occur, potentially leading to unintended consequences in the plant's growth or ecological interactions.

Histone deacetylase HDAC3 regulates ergosterol production for oxidative stress tolerance in the entomopathogenic and endophytic fungus Metarhizium robertsii.

Oxidative stress is encountered by fungi in almost all niches, resulting in fungal degeneration or even death. Fungal tolerance to oxidative stress has been extensively studied, but the current understanding of the mechanisms regulating oxidative stress tolerance in fungi remains limited. The entomopathogenic and endophytic fungus Metarhizium robertsii encounters oxidative stress when it infects insects and develops a symbiotic relationship with plants, and we found that host reactive oxygen species (ROSs) greatly limited fungal growth in both insects and plants. We identified a histone H3 deacetylase (HDAC3) that catalyzed the deacetylation of lysine 56 of histone H3. Deleting Hdac3 significantly reduced the tolerance of M. robertsii to oxidative stress from insects and plants, thereby decreasing fungal ability to colonize the insect hemocoel and plant roots. HDAC3 achieved this by regulating the expression of three genes in the ergosterol biosynthesis pathway, which includes the lanosterol synthase gene Las1. The deletion of Hdac3 or Las1 reduced the ergosterol content and impaired cell membrane integrity. This resulted in an increase in ROS accumulation in fungal cells that were thus more sensitive to oxidative stress. We further showed that HDAC3 regulated the expression of the three ergosterol biosynthesis genes in an indirect manner. Our work significantly advances insights into the epigenetic regulation of oxidative stress tolerance and the interactions between M. robertsii and its plant and insect hosts.IMPORTANCEOxidative stress is a common challenge encountered by fungi that have evolved sophisticated mechanisms underlying tolerance to this stress. Although fungal tolerance to oxidative stress has been extensively investigated, the current understanding of the mechanisms for fungi to regulate oxidative stress tolerance remains limited. In the model entomopathogenic and plant symbiotic fungus Metarhizium robertsii, we found that the histone H3 deacetylase HDAC3 regulates the production of ergosterol, an essential cell membrane component. This maintains the cell membrane integrity to resist the oxidative stress derived from the insect and plant hosts for successful infection of insects and development of symbiotic associates with plants. Our work provides significant insights into the regulation of oxidative stress tolerance in M. robertsii and its interactions with insects and plants.

Endophytic Bacteria From Banana Plants Improves The Growth of Rice (Oryza sativa) and Maize Plants (Zea mays)

AbstractFive isolates of endophytic bacteria from the roots of klutuk and ambon banana plants produce indole acetic acid (IAA) hormone. However, the evidence of its potential as Plant Growth Promoting Bacteria (PGPB) has not been observed. Therefore, this study aims to determine the effect of bacterial isolate to increase the growth of rice and maize plants. The growth rates of bacterial isolates were measured before the inoculation into the plant root. The root inoculation was performed following a complete randomized design. Root inoculation was carried out using 5 isolates of endophytic bacteria in rice and maize plant seedlings, and the process was repeated 15 times (n=15). The growth of rice and maize plants was monitored from 1st day after planting (dap) to the 14th dap. The collected data were analyzed by student t-test with a significant level of 5% (a= 0.05). The results showed that the logarithmic phase of all isolates was reached at 4 to 16 hours and K10, K25, K35, K111, and A41 isolates increased the height of plants while the K111 isolate can significantly increase the plant height compared to the control. This experiment revealed that the endophytic bacteria from banana plants increase the rice and maize plant’s growth.AbstrakLima isolat bakteri menghasilkan hormon indole acetic acid (IAA) yang berpotensi memacu pertumbuhan tanaman. Namun, bukti empiris potensinya sebagai Plant Growth Promoter Bacteria (PGPB) belum didapatkan. Penelitian ini bertujuan untuk mengetahui pengaruh isolat bakteri terhadap peningkatan pertumbuhan padi dan jagung. Penelitian ini menggunakan metode eksperimen dengan desain rancangan acak lengkap dan setiap perlakuan diulang 15 kali (n= 15). Hasil pertumbuhan tanaman yang diinokulasi dengan isolat bakteri masing-masing dibandingkan dengan perlakuan kontrol. Sebelum perlakuan, tingkat pertumbuhan bakteri endofit diukur sehingga didapatkan fase logaritmik yang cocok untuk dilakukan inokulasi ke akar tanaman. Setelah perlakuan, pertumbuhan tanaman padi dan jagung dipantau dari hari ke-1 setelah tanam (hat) sampai dengan ke-14 hat. Data dianalisis dengan uji t dengan taraf signifikan 5% (α= 0,05). Hasil penelitian menunjukkan bahwa 5 isolat yang berasal dari tanaman pisang mengalami fase logaritmik pada masa inkubasi 4 hingga 16 jam dan semua isolat bakteri meningkatkan tinggi tanaman serta isolat K111 dapat meningkatkan tinggi tanaman secara signifikan dibandingkan dengan kontrol. Penelitian ini mengungkapkan kemampuan bakteri endofit dari tanaman pisang untuk meningkatkan pertumbuhan tanaman.

Highly efficient direct air capture using solid–liquid phase separation in aqueous diamine solution as sorbent

Abstract To reduce climate change, absorbing CO2 directly from the air (DAC) with high-efficient CO2 absorption, low-cost, and environmentally friendly system has been attracted much attention for several decades. In this work, a series of aqueous diamine solutions was examined for 400ppm CO2 absorption at ambient temperature. The absorbents exhibited CO2 absorption with molar ratio of 1 molCO2/molamine, and aqueous isophorone diamine (IPDA) in particular showed >99% CO2 removal even under a 500 mL min−1 flow of 400ppm CO2-N2 with the contact rate of 13,761.5 h−1 between CO2 and IPDA aqueous solution and the CO2 absorption rate of 4.46 mmol/L·min. A precipitate of carbamic acid of IPDA was formed by reaction with CO2, and the CO2 removal efficiency was enhanced by increasing the solution viscosity by the formation of this precipitate. The CO2 was absorbed in aqueous IPDA solution as carbamic acid of IPDA and bicarbonate/carbonate species, and the absorbed CO2 could desorb by heating under O2-containing gas flow, which indicates our system is applicable to the CO2 condensation for a plant growth. This work provides a fundamental information to establishing a solid–liquid phase change system with a high-efficient and environmentally friendly DAC system using aqueous solvent.

Use and impact of endophytic entomopathogenic fungi: Their potential in the context of agricultural sustainability

The use of entomopathogenic fungi (EF) as endophytes is an environmentally friendly alternative for sustainable food production, given that the current paradigm in crop protection is based on the use of organosynthetic pesticides, with more than two million tons per year worldwide. For these reasons, EF have the ability to live within plant tissues as endophytes acting as biopesticides. Under this scenario, this review analyzes and discusses the global status of the endophytic entomopathogenic fungi (EEF), their potential in plant protection against plant diseases and insect pests and as plant growth promoters. Successes and failures, and prospects for field application are examined. More than 7000 studies on EEF have been published, with important success cases. However, it is necessary to understand that the agricultural production is based on the use of external inputs, mainly pesticides. While progressive changes occur, it is fundamental to investigate the effect of these substances on the efficacy and persistence of EEF, without neglecting that the lack of knowledge of the effect of biotic and abiotic factors on EEF is an important cause of failures. Future studies should be focused on clarifying aspects such as: application strategies, endophytic persistence and transmission routes to improve the sustainability of agricultural production.

Developmental responses of roots to limited phosphate availability: research progress and application in cereals.

Phosphorus (P), an essential macronutrient, is crucial for plant growth and development. However, available inorganic phosphate (Pi) is often scarce in soil, and its limited mobility exacerbates P deficiency in plants. Plants have developed complex mechanisms to adapt to Pi-limited soils. The root, the primary interface of the plant with soil, plays an essential role in plant adaptation to Pi-limited soil environments. Root system architecture significantly influences Pi acquisition via the dynamic modulation of primary root and/or crown root length, lateral root proliferation and length, root hair development, and root growth angle in response to Pi availability. This review focuses on the physiological, anatomical, and molecular mechanisms underpinning changes in root development in response to Pi starvation in cereals, mainly focusing on the model monocot plant rice (Oryza sativa). We also review recent efforts to modify root architecture to enhance P uptake efficiency in crops and propose future research directions aimed at the genetic improvement of Pi uptake and use efficiency in crops based on root system architecture.

Phosphorylation of the transcription factor SlBIML1 by SlBIN2 kinases delays flowering in tomato.

Brassinosteroids (BRs) are well known for their important role in the regulation of plant growth and development. Plants with deficiency in BR signaling show delayed plant development and exhibit late flowering phenotypes. However, the precise mechanisms involved in this process require investigation. In this study, we cloned homologs of BRASSINOSTEROID INSENSITIVE 2 (SlBIN2), the GSK3-like protein kinase in tomato (Solanum lycopersicum). We characterized growth-related processes and phenotypic changes in the transgenic lines and found that SlBIN2s transgenic lines have delayed development and slow growing phenotypes. SlBIN2s work redundantly to negatively regulate BR signaling in tomato. Furthermore, the transcription factor SlBIN2.1-INTERACTING MYB-LIKE 1 (SlBIML1) was identified as a downstream substrate of SlBIN2s that SlBIN2s interact with and phosphorylate to synergistically regulate tomato developmental processes. Specifically, SlBIN2s modulated protein stability of SlBIML1 by phosphorylating multiple amino acid residues, including the sites Thr266 and Thr280. This study reveals a branch of the BR signaling pathway that regulates the vegetative growth phase and delays floral transition in tomato without the feedback affecting BR signaling. This information enriches our understanding of the downstream transduction pathway of BR signaling and provides potential targets for adjusting tomato flowering time.

Potential of kaempferol and caffeic acid to mitigate salinity stress and improving potato growth

Salinity stress adversely affects plant growth by disrupting water uptake, inducing ion toxicity, initiating osmotic stress, impairing growth, leaf scorching, and reducing crop yield. To mitigate this issue, the application of kaempferol (KP), caffeic acid (CA), and plant growth-promoting rhizobacteria (PGPR) emerges as a promising technology. Kaempferol, a flavonoid, protects plants from oxidative stress, while caffeic acid, a plant-derived compound, promotes growth by regulating physiological processes. PGPR enhances plant health and productivity through growth promotion, nutrient uptake, and stress mitigation, providing a sustainable solution. However, combining these compounds against drought requires further scientific justification. That’s why the current study was conducted using 4 treatments, i.e., 0, 20 µM KP, 30 μM CA, and 20 µM KP + 30 μM CA without and with PGPR (Bacillus altitudinis). There were 4 replications following a completely randomized design. Results showed that 20 µM KP + 30 μM CA with PGPR caused significant enhancement in potato stem length (14.32%), shoot root, and leaf dry weight (16.52%, 11.04%, 67.23%), than the control. The enrichment in potato chlorophyll a, b, and total (31.86%, 46.05%, and 35.52%) was observed over the control, validating the potential of 20 µM KP + 30 μM CA + PGPR. Enhancement in shoot N, P, K, and Ca concentration validated the effective functioning of 20 µM KP + 30 μM CA with PGPR evaluated to control. In conclusion, 20 µM KP + 30 μM CA with PGPR is the recommended amendment to alleviate salinity stress in potatoes.

Efficient Plantlet Regeneration from Branches in Mangifera indica L.

Mango (Mangifera indica L.) is one of the most significant tropical and subtropical fruit species, with high ecological and economic value. However, research on the in vitro culture of mangoes is relatively weak, so establishing an efficient and stable mango plant regeneration system is of great significance. In this study, a preliminary mango regeneration system was established with Mangifera indica L. cv. Keitt from young branches as the starting explants. The results showed that the optimal plant growth regulator (PGR) formula for direct adventitious shoot induction on the branches was 1 mg/L 6-benzylaminopurine (6-BA) + 0.1 mg/L a-naphthaleneacetic acid (NAA), with an adventitious shoot induction rate of 73.63% and an average of 6.76 adventitious shoots. The optimal basal medium for adventitious shoot induction was wood plant medium (WPM), with an adventitious shoot induction rate of 63.87% and an average of 5.21 adventitious shoots. The optimal culture medium for adventitious shoot elongation was WPM + 1 mg/L 6-BA + 0.5 mg/L NAA, with an adventitious shoot elongation rate of 89.33% and an average length of 5.17 cm. The optimal formula for the induction of mango rooting was Douglas fir cotyledon revised medium (DCR) + 3 mg/L indole-3-butyric acid (IBA), with a maximum rooting rate of 66.13% and an average rooting quantity of 6.43. The genetic fidelity of the in vitro-regenerated plants was evaluated using inter-simple sequence repeat (ISSR) molecular markers. There was no difference between the in vitro-regenerated plants and the parent plant. This study provides an efficient and stable propagation system for Mangifera indica L., laying the foundation for its rapid propagation and genetic improvement.

Synthesis and characterization of Lanthanum Oxide nanoparticles using Citrus aurantium and their effects on Citrus limon Germination and Callogenesis

The plant extract-mediated method is eco-friendly, simple, safe, and low-cost, using biomolecules as a reducing agent to separate nanoparticles. Lanthanum (La) is a rare earth metal that positively affects plant growth and agriculture. Citrus limon is a leading citrus fruit with many varieties. Conventional vegetative propagation methods depend on season, availability of plant material and are time-consuming. It is the main reason for limiting the acceptance of new varieties. So, In-vitro propagation of the lemon method is practiced overcoming all these problems. Lanthanum oxide nanoparticles (La2O3-NPs) were synthesized using plant extract of C. aurantium. Ultraviolet (UV)-Visible Spectroscopy, Scanning Electron Microscopy (SEM), Transmission Electron Microscopy (TEM), Fourier Transform Infrared (FTIR) spectroscopy, and Thermal Gravimetric Analysis (TGA) were used to characterize the synthesized La2O3-NPs. Fabricated La2O3-NPs were oval and spherical, with an average size of 51.1 nm. UV-visible absorption spectra of La2O3-NPs were shown at a sharp single peak at 342 nm and FTIR showed stretching frequency at 455 cm−1-516 cm−1. In the TGA outcome, mass loss was 9.1%. In vitro experiments demonstrated that La2O3-NPs significantly enhanced the germination and growth of C. limon seeds, achieving an 83% germination rate at 5 mg/L concentration, with uncoated seeds showing root initiation at 10 days and shoot formation at 15 days. Furthermore, La2O3-NPs effectively stimulated callus induction and maturation, with optimal responses observed in media containing MS and 2 mg/L 2,4-D, resulting in a maximum callus frequency of 100% from leaves and 87.5% from shoots at 5 mg/L concentration. These findings underscore the potential of La2O3-NPs to improve seed germination rates, seedling vigor, and callogenesis efficiency, suggesting their promising integration into agricultural practices for sustainable crop production, especially in suboptimal growing conditions. Future research is recommended to explore the mechanisms and broader applications of La2O3-NPs across various plant species and environments.

N-Acetylcysteine Mitigates Oxidative Stress Induced by Transplanting Lettuce Seedlings into a DFT Hydroponic System

Oxidative stress results from an imbalance between the production and accumulation of reactive oxygen species (ROS), which can impede plant growth under various environmental stresses. While waterlogging is a well-known inducer of oxidative stress, the effects of oxidative stress on plant roots grown using the deep flow technique (DFT) hydroponic system remain poorly understood. In this study, we demonstrate that N-acetylcysteine (NAC) enhances the growth of lettuce seedlings transplanted into a DFT system. NAC application significantly improved both shoot and root growth, with the most pronounced effects observed at a concentration of 0.3 mM. Moreover, NAC mitigated the accumulation of hydrogen peroxide in roots following transplantation. It also reduced a temporary increase in lipid peroxidation and total phenolic content in both roots and shoots. These results suggest that NAC functions as an antioxidant, alleviating oxidative stress by scavenging hydrogen peroxide in the roots. Importantly, NAC’s protective effects may extend to other hydroponically grown crops, offering broader potential for reducing oxidative stress across various cultivation systems.

Effect of plant growth regulators in inducing Vitisvinifera Callus and increased production of flavonoids in vitro

This study was aimed to use of plant tissue culture technology to induce callus from grapevine Vitisvinifera and stimulate it to increase the production of flavonoids. The study was carried out in two stages after the sterilization process was carried out: The first included establishing callus farms by cultivating cuttings containing a single node after completing their sterilization and cultivating them on MS medium containing 2,4-D and BA at different concentrations (0, 1, 2, 3,4) mg L -1and BA in concentrations (0, 0.1, 0.2, 0.4) in independent experiments. The second phase included studying the effect of growth regulators on the concentrations of carbohydrates and flavonoids in the callus induced from the first experiment. The results of the study showed the superiority of auxien 2,4-D at a concentration of 2mg L -1as it achieved the highest average fresh and dry weight of callus, reaching (3.32 and 1.03) mg respectively, while BA at a concentration of 0.2 mg L -1 achieved the highest average fresh and dry weight of callus was (1.91 and 0.51) mg respectively. The results also showed that the MS medium prepared with a concentration of 4 mg L -1of 2,4-D was significantly superior in the average concentration of the compounds Hesperdine, Nargnine, Proanthocyanin, and Rutin, reaching (64.94, 62.56, 55.63, and 71.22)% respectively.While the medium prepared with a concentration of 3 mg L -1outperformed 2,4-D achieved the highest concentration of Quercetin compounds reaching 75.36% compared to the neutral treatment, which achieved the lowest concentrations.

Responses of Water and Fertilizer Utilization Efficiency and Yield of Cotton to Foliar Biostimulant under Irrigation with Magnetic–Electric-Activated Water

The foliar application of biostimulants at specific concentrations under magnetic–electric water irrigation has a positive effect on water and fertilizer use efficiency and yield of cotton, which is crucial for green and sustainable agricultural development. As a new type of fertilizer, biostimulants have demonstrated remarkable effects in improving crop yield and quality by enhancing nutrient uptake, promoting plant growth, and increasing resilience to environmental stress. In this study, the effects of magnetic–electric-activated water irrigation and foliar biostimulant application on cotton growth and yield were investigated, with the aim of understanding the underlying mechanisms. The field experiment included various irrigation treatments (brackish water, fresh water, magnetic–electric brackish water, and magnetic–electric fresh water) and biostimulant concentrations (1600, 1200, 800, 400 times dilution, and no spraying). SEM analysis indicated that under magnetoelectric water irrigation, the foliar application of biostimulants enhances physiological growth of cotton, improving the water and nutrient uptake efficiency, and thereby increasing yield. Specifically, the effective boll number and single boll weight under magnetic–electric fresh water irrigation with an 800 times biostimulant concentration increased by 21.84–48.78% and 5.50–18.91%, respectively, compared to the no-spraying treatment. The seed cotton yield rose by 16.61–38.63%, water-use efficiency improved by 24.35%, the harvest index reached 0.33, and nitrogen absorption increased by 76.21%. Thus, integrating magnetic–electric water irrigation with foliar biostimulants offers a theoretical and technical foundation for advancing green, high-quality agriculture and sustainable production.

Chemical Solutions for Seed Dormancy: A Comprehensive Review on Strategy to Combat Pre-harvest Sprouting in Mung Bean

The mung bean, or Vigna radiata (L.) Wilczek, is a significant grain legume with enormous global economic value. Kharif is the most significant of the three seasons and during this time pre-harvest sprouting (PHS) is a major issue that results in significant production losses. Due to PHS, yield losses in green gram have been estimated to be between 60 and 70 per cent. Chemical treatments that induce seed dormancy may prevent premature germination and enable a timely harvest. This study covers the effectiveness of inducing dormancy in mung bean plants with various chemicals at critical developmental stages before harvest. Treatment with various chemicals like maleic hydrazide, sodium azide and plant growth regulators (abscisic acid, ethylene, gibberellins) following chemical administration at pre-arranged intervals, physiological parameters such as seed moisture content, germination rates and antioxidant enzyme activities can be considered to prevent PHS. Mitigating pre-harvest sprouting losses and increasing mung bean output can be achieved by optimising dormancy induction by prudent chemical use. To increase mung bean output, PHS-tolerant cultivars must be developed due to the significant losses incurred by PHS. This review discusses various aspects, including how different traits affect pre-harvest sprouting.

Productivity and quality parameters of Allium fistulosum L.

ABSTRACT The growing demand for non-traditional plant products encourages research into new plant species and cultivars. Allium fistulosum is the earliest leafy plant cultivated in the open field in Lithuania. Therefore, it is important to study plant cultivars and determine the harvesting time to obtain quality products. The study was conducted in the experimental vegetable field of the Institute of Horticulture of the Lithuanian Research Centre for Agriculture and Forestry in 2022–2023. The phenological stages of two different cultivars, morphological characteristics, productivity, and the plant's winter hardiness were observed. Measurements were performed and harvest was done three times: in spring, summer, and autumn. The results showed that genetic origin and harvesting time influenced differences in the morphometric parameters, productivity, and ascorbic acid accumulation of A. fistulosum cultivars. Cultivar ‘Bajkal’ is distinguished with longer and wider foliage, the highest productivity rate, and better adaptivity. This cultivar's most intensive plant growth was determined in autumn, but the highest weight of the plant reaching 0.5 kg was determined in spring. Cultivar ‘Marozka’ is distinguished by the higher ability of ascorbic acid accumulation compared with the cultivar ‘Bajkal’. The content of ascorbic acids reached 34.9 mg g−1 of cultivar ‘Marozka’ during the spring harvesting and up to 8,8 mg g−1 of ‘Bajkal’, respectively. The total sugar amount and weight of dry matter were more intensive in spring for both cultivars. In the cultivars ‘Marozka’ and ‘Bajkal’ leaves were found a higher amount of nitrates at 45.7 and 50.9 mg kg −1 in autumn.

Fe toxicity tolerance is advantageous in rice growth recovery after Fe stress alleviation

AbstractBackgroundFe toxicity often inhibits rice growth on acid sulfate soils in tropical coastal lowlands. Previous studies in plant physiology and breeding have focused on high‐Fe stress, but not on growth recovery after stress alleviation.AimsThe objective of this study was to elucidate the morphophysiological characteristics in rice growth recovery from high‐Fe stress.MethodsWe evaluated the seedling growths of Taichung65 (T65) (Fe toxicity‐tolerant) and Ciherang (susceptible) in hydroponic culture, during the period of high‐Fe stress (250 mg Fe2+ L−1 for 12 or 18 days) and after stress alleviation.ResultsThe plant growth rate during recovery was negatively correlated with the leaf bronzing score (damage symptoms due to Fe toxicity) at the end of high‐Fe stress, which in turn was negatively correlated with the shoot Fe concentration. After 18‐day stress, T65 showed greater growth recovery than Ciherang, attributable to its higher net assimilation rate, higher transpiration rate (water uptake/green leaf area), and greater increase in total root length during recovery. In particular, T65 showed vigorous lateral root development in nodal roots that emerged during the stress period and vigorous growth of nodal roots that emerged during recovery.ConclusionsOur results suggest that tolerance to high‐Fe stress confers an advantage in growth recovery. It is likely that tolerance to Fe toxicity contributes not only to the maintenance of green leaf area at the end of stress but also to quick root growth recovery, leading to vigorous water uptake and high photoassimilation capacity after stress alleviation.