Increase In Growth Parameters Research Articles

English

Rhizoctonia solani and Fusarium solani were found to have an association with damping-off and complex wilt and root rot symptoms of tomato seedling plants gathered from various greenhouses in Qassim region, Saudi Arabia. The acquired isolates were found virulent enough to attack tomato plants (cv. Tres Cantos) causing complex wilt/rot diseases as well as pre and post emergence of damping-off diseases. These isolates present more virulence in the pathogenicity tests. Huwa-San TR50, a hydrogen peroxide solution that has been stabilized by adding a small amount of silver and has been used extensively as a germicide. Biocide agent Huwa-San TR50 (hydrogen peroxide with 3% silver), was examined for biological control of root wilt/rot and damping-off as well as growth augmentation of tomato plants in vitro and in vivo. The hostile biocide agent hampered growth of the tested morbific fungi and recorded highest inhibited growth in vitro. Under growth chamber condition, all treatments notably decreased root rot/wilt and damping-off intensity and resulted into an increase in the number of surviving plants. Moreover, under growth chamber conditions, these remedies caused an increase in growth parameters (height of plants, and weights when fresh and dry) of the surviving plants which were kept in pots rather than in control conditions. Tomato soil drenching with Huwa-San TR50 in concentration 12000, 14000 and 16000 ppm achieved the ideal results for combating root wilt/rot and damping-off diseases, as well as the highest growth parameters were recorded in growth chamber conditions with the addition of enhanced plant growth and higher yield constituents

Impact of Beauveria Bassiana on the Growth of Brassica Rapa under Cobalt Stress

Several endophytic fungi are involved in mitigating the heavy metal stress imposed on plants. The experiment was performed to find the impact of B. bassiana (AL) on the seedlings of B. rapa which were stressed by cobalt Result showed that Cobalt treated plant showed reductions in parameters of growth such as Fresh weight (FW) Dry Weight (DW), Shoot length (SL), germination percentage (GP) and Root length (RL). However, when AL was applied, the seedlings showed a sharp increase in growth parameters. Additionally, the seedlings also produced high relative water content (RWC). It has been concluded that AL improved the Co stressed seedlings through increasing the RWC in it.

Kaolin application to increase lettuce (Lactuca sativa) growth under suboptimal watering condition

Lettuce is a crop sensitive to water availability as it needs more water in cultivation. Kaolin has been reported to reduce the impact of drought stress in plants. However, the use of kaolin to increase lettuce growth under drought condition has not been reported yet. In this study, the effect of kaolin to increase the growth of lettuce under suboptimal watering condition was investigated. Kaolin foliar application (3%, 5%, and 6%) was tested on a group consisting of 5 lettuce plants grown under reduced watering condition in a greenhouse. Lettuce height, number of leaves, root length, leaf length and width, fresh and dry weight of lettuce, and leaf chlorophyll content were observed. Kaolin applications significantly increased the growth of lettuce in most parameters compared to the negative control (reduced watering condition, without kaolin). Kaolin 3% application presented the best treatment to increase growth parameters. All kaolin applications did not affect chlorophyll content significantly under lower watering condition. In conclusion, kaolin was able to reduce the impact of reduced watering condition and increase lettuce growth but showed no effect on the leaf chlorophyll content. Thus, further evaluation of kaolin application in lettuce under drought condition is needed.

P030 Impact of methotrexate on growth in children with Juvenile Idiopathic Arthritis

Abstract Background Juvenile idiopathic arthritis (JIA) is a heterogeneous group of chronic inflammatory disease which could be responsible for functional impairment and severe growth disturbance. Conventional disease-modifying antirheumatic drugs, such as methotrexate (MTX), may improve growth velocity especially by regulating systemic inflammation. The objective of this study was to evaluate the effect of MTX on growth parameters in pre-pubertal children with JIA and to determine the factors affecting the growth velocity. Methods We assessed height and changes in the height standard deviation score (SDS) at disease onset, at the onset of MTX and at the last follow-up visit in a cross-sectional study of JIA children. All patients were pre-pubertal when MTX began and were followed for at least 6 months afterward. We compared growth parameters (height, growth rate, weight and body mass index (BMI)) in responders and non-responders to MTX. The growth rate was defined as the number of millimeters of height acquired during 1 year. Associations between changes in the height SDS and discrete variables were evaluated using χ2 or Fisher’s exact tests. The significance level was set at 0.05. Results We enrolled 36 pre-pubertal children with JIA (34 boys and 12 girls) who had been treated with MTX orally. Median patient age was 6.2 years [4–13] at the onset of MTX and 8.4 years [6.1–14.9] at the latest follow-up. The median disease duration was 2.7 years [2.5–5.3]. Twenty-one patients (58.3%) had oligoarticular JIA, 2 patients (5.5%) had systemic JIA, 10 (27.7%) had polyarticular JIA and 3 (8.3%) had enthesitis-related arthritis. Nineteen children (52.7%) had received corticosteroids during an average period of 1.7 years [0.6–3] with a mean of 10 mg/day of prednisone or equivalent. The median duration of MTX at the latest follow-up was 3.1 years [0.62–5.5] with a mean MTX dose of 10 mg/m2/week [10–15]. Twenty-eight patients responded to MTX treatment and 8 did not. There were no significant differences between the responders and non-responders for age at treatment initiation, disease duration and mean MTX dose. At MTX onset, no significant differences between the two groups in terms of height (P = 0.52), growth rate (P = 0.08), weight (P = 0.74) and BMI (P = 0.9) were found. One year after MTX therapy, mean height (0.2 vs -1.1; P = 0.03), mean growth rate (0.5 vs –2.9 SDS; P = 0.01), mean weight (0.4 vs -2.3 SDS; P = 0.01) and mean BMI (0.6 vs -1.9; P = 0.04) were significantly higher in the responder group than in non responders, respectively. At the latest follow-up, this increase was significantly maintained for growth rate (P = 0.001) and height (P = 0.002) in the responder group. In the multivariate analysis, patients who required >10 mg/m2/week of MTX, systemic JIA and patients with reliance on steroids had a significantly lower growth velocity after the onset of MTX (P < 001, P = 0.02, P = 0.02 respectively). Conclusion In our study, the increase in growth parameters in pre-pubertal children with JIA was associated with a better control of the disease activity under MTX therapy.

Screening and Biocontrol Potential of Rhizobacteria Native to Gangetic Plains and Hilly Regions to Induce Systemic Resistance and Promote Plant Growth in Chilli against Bacterial Wilt Disease.

Plant growth-promoting rhizobacteria (PGPR) is a microbial population found in the rhizosphere of plants that can stimulate plant development and restrict the growth of plant diseases directly or indirectly. In this study, 90 rhizospheric soil samples from five agro climatic zones of chilli (Capsicum annuum L.) were collected and rhizobacteria were isolated, screened and characterized at morphological, biochemical and molecular levels. In total, 38% of rhizobacteria exhibited the antagonistic capacity to suppress Ralstonia solanacearum growth and showed PGPR activities such as indole acetic acid production by 67.64% from total screened rhizobacteria isolates, phosphorus solubilization by 79.41%, ammonia by 67.75%, HCN by 58.82% and siderophore by 55.88%. We performed a principal component analysis depicting correlation and significance among plant growth-promoting activities, growth parameters of chilli and rhizobacterial strains. Plant inoculation studies indicated a significant increase in growth parameters and PDS1 strain showed maximum 71.11% biocontrol efficiency against wilt disease. The best five rhizobacterial isolates demonstrating both plant growth-promotion traits and biocontrol potential were characterized and identified as PDS1—Pseudomonas fluorescens (MN368159), BDS1—Bacillus subtilis (MN395039), UK4—Bacillus cereus (MT491099), UK2—Bacillus amyloliquefaciens (MT491100) and KA9—Bacillus subtilis (MT491101). These rhizobacteria have the potential natural elicitors to be used as biopesticides and biofertilizers to improve crop health while warding off soil-borne pathogens. The chilli cv. Pusa Jwala treated with Bacillus subtilis KA9 and Pseudomonas fluorescens PDS1 showed enhancement in the defensive enzymes PO, PPO, SOD and PAL activities in chilli leaf and root tissues, which collectively contributed to induced resistance in chilli plants against Ralstonia solanacearum. The induction of these defense enzymes was found higher in leave tissues (PO—4.87-fold, PP0—9.30-fold, SOD—9.49-fold and PAL—1.04-fold, respectively) in comparison to roots tissue at 48 h after pathogen inoculation. The findings support the view that plant growth-promoting rhizobacteria boost defense-related enzymes and limit pathogen growth in chilli plants, respectively, hence managing the chilli bacterial wilt.

Nitric oxide improves gas exchange and growth in Physalis angulata plants under water deficit

Plant sensitization with nitric oxide (NO) donors may improve the tolerance to abiotic stresses such as water deficit. Physalis angulata is a genetic resource growing in semiarid areas of Brazil, with the potential for fruit growing and medicinal uses. In this experiment sodium nitroprusside, a NO donor was sprayed at three concentrations (0, 50 and 100 µM) at 25 and 49 days after transplantation in well-watered plants and underwater deficit to evaluate the NO mitigating role. The gas exchange, photosynthetic pigments, water relations, growth and productivity parameters were evaluated. The water deficit negatively influenced most of the variables analyzed. However, the SNP spray was able to attenuate, reverse or act in the recovery of stress effects. There was an improvement in gas exchange, especially carbon assimilation, stomatal conductance and transpiration; as well as an increase in total chlorophyll content. The donated NO was able to influence the plant water status. Besides, it promoted an increase in growth parameters, especially in photoassimilates incorporation and yield. However, the NO supply to plants under well-watered conditions does not seem to affect the physiology parameters. The NO supply in micromolar concentrations can attenuate or even reverse the water deficit effects on this species, being an important tool for promoting tolerance to this abiotic stress

The Effect of Fermentation Length and Dosage of Liquid of Organic Fertilizer Banana Peel on the Growth of Red Spinach (Amaranthus Tricolor L.)

Fertilizer substitutes elements that have been used by plants. There are two available fertilizers, inorganic and organic fertilizers. Long-term use of inorganic fertilizers on a land negatively affects the crop and the soil fertility, hence, the organic one is a better choice. This study aims to determine the effect of liquid organic fertilizer of banana peels on the growth of red spinach and determine the best treatment for red spinach growth. This study used a Completely Randomized Design consisted of 2 factors (dosage of POC banana peel and length of fermentation time). Each has 4 levels, 3 replicates. The results of data analysis using ANOVA test show that the treatment of fermentation length and dosage of POC banana peel increase growth parameters of red spinach include plant height, leaf number, leaf area, fresh weight, and dry weight, while the interaction treatment of fermentation length and dosage of POC banana peel affects almost all growth parameters, except for the leaf area parameter that shows no interaction. DMRT (α 5%) test shows that the best combination treatment for plant height and fresh weight is a dosage of 8 ml POC of banana peel that have been fermented for 15 days, and the best treatment for leaf number and dry weight is a dosage of 8 ml POC of banana peel that have been fermented for 10 days.

Intermediate and Long-Term Outcome of Percutaneous Trans-catheter Device Closure of Ventricular Septal Defects

Abstract Background Ventricular septal defect (VSD) is the most common congenital heart defect in children and adults. Until recently, open-heart surgical closure has traditionally been considered the mainstay of intervention for the majority of VSDs. The development of a trans-catheter occlusion technique with the advancement of the newer percutaneous occluding VSD closure devices that can safely and effectively close these defects was welcomed by cardiologists, patients, and their families making trans-catheter device closure an attractive and feasible alternative. Objective We aim to evaluate the intermediate and long-term follow-up outcome of patients who underwent percutaneous trans-catheter closure of isolated ventricular septal defects. Patients and Methods This study is an exploratory pilot single-tertiary center study. The study included 25 patients who have successfully undergone percutaneous ventricular septal closure in the cardiac catheterization unit of the cardiology department at Ain Shams university Hospitals in the period from June 2015 till June 2018. The follow up protocol includes detailed history taking, clinical examination, and full 2D echocardiography with additional circumferential and radial strain imaging by speckle tracking technique (STE), resting and Holter electrocardiograms. Results A significant increase in growth parameters were noticed during 6.3 month mean follow up time, with an overall mean weight increase by 10% and an overall mean height increase by 6.2%. Sequential echocardiographic follow-up showed highly significant decrease in LV dimensions and volumes, circumferential LV strain values, pulmonary to systemic circulation (Qp:Qs) ratio, RVSP and mPAP. Significant complications occurred in (12%) of patients: symptomatic/significant Brady-arrhythmia (Complete heart block) that required permanent pacemaker implantation (4%), significant residual shunt causing hemolytic anemia requiring re-intervention (4%) and significant valvular regurgitation (Severe Tricuspid Regurgitation) (4%) Conclusion The development of a VSD trans-catheter occlusion technique with the advancement of the newer percutaneous occluding VSD closure devices is an attractive and feasible procedure with high success rates

Exploration of Rhizobacteria as Bioagents against Phytophthora Blight and Yield Attributes of Pigeonpea (Cajanus cajan L.): In vitro and In vivo Study

The latest soil management scenario is occupied by destructive chemical fertilizers, which is a serious risk to both human health as well as to the environment. Advantageous microbes present in soil are used as a biofertilizers for a promising role in sustainable agriculture. Pigeon pea (Cajanus cajan L.) is a primitive protein rich leguminous pulse in India. Thirty-five isolates from rhizospheric soil samples were collected from twelve different locations of Punjab (India). Morphological and biochemical characterization for selection of potential plant growth promoting traits with antifungal properties was undertaken. Most of the inoculated seeds with rhizoisolates evolved a significant increase in growth parameters of pigeon pea as compared to uninoculated seeds, both in vitro and in vivo conditions. Plant growth promoting rhizobacterias (PGPRs) are environmentally safe as they lead to increased production and resistance against diseases of crops.

Arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi alleviate salinity stress and alter phenolic compounds of Moldavian balm

Mycorrhizal fungi are known to modulate the destructive effects of environmental stresses on plants. Arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi (AMF) symbiosis increases growth and stimulates the biosynthesis of bioactive compounds, thereby influencing polyphenolics content in medicinal plants under salt stress. The present study investigated the effects of AMF on growth traits, cell death, non-enzymatic antioxidants, and changes in the profile of phenolic compounds of Dracocephalum moldavica L. by HPLC analysis under different salinity concentrations. The experiment was performed as a factorial experiment based on a randomized complete block design including salinity treatment at four levels (0, 50, 100, and 150 mM NaCl) and mycorrhizal fungus treatment at three levels including non-inoculation and inoculated with Funneliformis mosseae and Claroideoglomus etunicatum with three replications. The experiment was performed in sterile controlled conditions in laboratory. The results showed that salinity reduced root colonization compared to the control conditions. Inoculation with AMF increased growth parameters and salinity tolerance of Deracocephalum Moldavica under all salinity levels. Through high-performance liquid chromatography, nine phenolic acids and flavonoids were analyzed in all treatments. Salinity and AMF inoculation altered the polyphenol profiles of Moldavian balm. F. mosseae inoculation increased most of the polyphenols at 50 and 150 mM NaCl, and C. etunicatum inoculation increased polyphenols at 100 mM NaCl more than F. mosseae. suggesting that F. mosseae and C. etunicatum mitigated the adverse effects of salinity, triggering non-enzymatic antioxidant activity by the accumulation of the flavonoid in roots and shoots and phenol in roots, enhancing growth parameters and reducing root cell death compared to non-mycorrhizal plants. As a positive point, salinity and mycorrhizal inoculation influenced the polyphenol content of D. moldavica and improved the production of phenolic compounds.

English

Soil nutrient management is an important factor in plant growth for increased crop production and productivity in Sub-Saharan Africa whose food demand is over the threshold. Rice production in Uganda is still very low with current yield less than 2.5 ton ha-1. The impressive production increase is mainly on to farmer area expansion. A fertilizer trial was established to determine a New Rice for Africa (NERICA) 4 variety response to the nitrogen and phosphorus application. At Tsukuba International Center, Japan, 2014 an experiment with objective to obtain the minimum fertilizer recommendation amount of nitrogen and phosphorus application dose was established during rice growing season May to September. The nitrogen (N) fertilizer rates were 0, 40 and 80 kg ha-1 while phosphorus (P) 0 and 70 kg ha-1 fertilizer quantities applied. Several data were obtained and indicated tiller number, panicle number m-2, plant dry matter were significantly (P 0.05) different on application of different nitrogen doses. However, in P conditions, both nitrogen doses (40 and 80 kg ha-1) did not vary in ripened grains and number of spikelets/ m2. A significant amount of N was utilized when 40 kg N ha-1 was applied compared to 80 kg N ha-1 in similar P condition through growth stages. Applying N and P fertilizers at 80 and 70 kg ha-1 respectively, as well as applying N fertilizer 80 kg ha-1 alone increased growth parameters and yield compared to other rates of N and P fertilizers applied. Key words: Fertilizer rate, upland rice, New Rice for Africa (NERICA), N use efficiency

Lokal olarak izole edilen fosfat çözücü Pseudomonas aeruginosa IBP26’ nın nohut fidelerinin büyüme parametreleri üzerine etkisi

This work was conducted to examine the effect of locally isolated phosphate-solubilizing bacteria on the growth parameters of chickpea seedling cultivated in pots containing Ca3(PO4)2 (tricalcium phosphate). Among the isolated strains, the highest phosphate-solubilizing activity in the broth medium was observed for the isolate IBP26. Similarly, in the greenhouse study, the same isolate was determined to cause maximum increases in growth parameters (shoot and root length, total biomass, phosphorus, total sugar, and protein contents) of chickpea plants in the presence of Ca3(PO4)2. The isolate IBP26 was identified as Pseudomonas aeruginosa (GenBank accession number: MW092004). Experiments demonstrated that the application of the bacterium alone in the absence of Ca3(PO4)2 or the application of Ca3(PO4)2 alone in the absence of bacterium did not cause significant change in growth parameters of the chickpea plants, and that the desired increases in the growth parameters of these plants could be achieved by the co-application of bacterium and Ca3(PO4)2.

Influence of Substrates and Hydrogels on Spearmint (Mentha spicata) Growth and Flowering in a Rooftop Garden

Agricultural hydrogels improve water retention in a variety of substrates. However, little is known about their impact on herb cultivation in rooftop farming. To identify the optimal substrate and hydrogel concentration for the growth and flowering of spearmint (Mentha spicata) in rooftop gardens, coir and perlite were mixed in three different ratios of 80% to 20% (v/v; referred to as C4P1), 50% to 50% (C1P1), or 20% to 80% (C1P4). Hydrogels were added into different substrates at different concentrations including 0 (control), 0.25, 0.5, 1.0, or 2.0 kg⋅m–3. Substrate composition significantly affected the growth (P < 0.001) and flowering (P < 0.05) properties of spearmint. The addition of hydrogels into substrates resulted in a significant (P < 0.05) increase in growth parameters for spearmint during the dry season. However, plants grown in C4P1, which has the highest ratio of coir, displayed inferior growth and flowering compared with those of the other two substrates during the rainy season. Therefore, a perlite-based substrate, such as C1P4 with added hydrogel, provides a suitable environment for the cultivation of spearmint in rooftop gardens regardless of seasonal rainfall patterns.

Impact of Melatonin on Growth and Antioxidant Activity of Cicer arietinum L. Grown under Arsenic Stress

The ability of melatonin to regulate number of physiological and biochemical processes under different environmental stresses has been widely studied in plants. So, this investigation was done to study the protective roles of melatonin on Cicer arietinum L. grown under arsenic stress. Subjecting Cicer arietinum L. seeds to arsenic stress caused significant decreases in germination percentage, radicle growth, biomass accumulation, protein content and activities of antioxidant enzymes. On the other hand, melatonin treatment significantly increased growth parameters and protein quantity via improving antioxidant enzyme systems as compared with their corresponding untreated controls.

Diversity and functional characterization of endophytic Methylobacterium isolated from banana cultivars of South India and its impact on early growth of tissue culture banana plantlets.

This study aimed at determining the distribution, colonization and growth promoting nature of Methylobacterium spp. in tissue culture banana plantlets. Leaf samples from different field grown banana cultivars were used for Methylobacterium spp., isolation. Metabolic profile and functional characterization for plant growth-promoting traits of the isolates were assessed. The isolates were confirmed using 16S rRNA gene sequencing analysis, which resulted in six distinct species of Methylobacterium namely M. radiotolerans, M. salsuginis, M. thiocyanatum, M. rhodesianum, M. rhodinum and M. populi. Methylobacterium spp. inoculation experiment was conducted under hydroponic system in tissue culture banana plantlets (germ free) with eight selected isolates. A significant increase in growth parameters of Methylobacterium treated plantlets compared to uninoculated control was observed. Methylobacterium salsuginis TNMB03-gfp29 was developed and colonization micrograph was obtained using confocal laser scanning microscopy (CLSM) and scanning electron microscopy in different parts of banana plantlets (root, stem and leaves). Field grown banana plants found to harbour diverse endophytic Methylobacterium population. Our finding suggests that endophytic Methylobacterium species may provide significant plant growth promoting compounds/nutrients to the banana plants. The experimental results demonstrated the efficacy of Methylobacterium spp. as a potential bioinoculant and can be exploited as a phyllosphere and rhizosphere based bioinoculant for the initial establishment and growth of tissue culture banana plantlets. This study extended our knowledge on the distribution of Methylobacterium spp. in banana plants and endophytic colonization nature of this particular genus in plants. In addition, efficient isolate (M. salsuginis TNMB03) identified in this study may be promoted as bio-inoculants for banana plants after field evaluation.

Long-term safety of lumacaftor–ivacaftor in children aged 2–5 years with cystic fibrosis homozygous for the F508del-CFTR mutation: a multicentre, phase 3, open-label, extension study

A previous phase 3 study showed that lumacaftor-ivacaftor was generally safe and well tolerated over 24 weeks of treatment in children aged 2-5 years with cystic fibrosis homozygous for the F508del-CFTR mutation. In this study, we aimed to assess the long-term safety of lumacaftor-ivacaftor in a rollover study of children who participated in this previous phase 3 study. In this multicentre, phase 3, open-label, extension study (study 116; VX16-809-116), we assessed safety of lumacaftor-ivacaftor in children included in a previous multicentre, phase 3, open-label study (study 115; VX15-809-115). The study was done at 20 cystic fibrosis care centres in the USA and Canada. Children aged 2-5 years with cystic fibrosis homozygous for the F508del-CFTR mutation who completed 24 weeks of lumacaftor-ivacaftor treatment in study 115 received weight-based and age-based doses of oral lumacaftor-ivacaftor: children weighing less than 14 kg and aged younger than 6 years at study 116 screening received lumacaftor 100 mg-ivacaftor 125 mg every 12 h; children weighing 14 kg or more and aged younger than 6 years at screening received lumacaftor 150 mg-ivacaftor 188 mg every 12 h; and children aged 6 years or older received lumacaftor 200 mg-ivacaftor 250 mg every 12 h. Children received treatment for up to 96 weeks, equivalent to up to 120 weeks of treatment in total from the start of study 115 to completion of study 116. The primary endpoint was the safety and tolerability of the study drug in all participants who had received lumacaftor-ivacaftor for 24 weeks in study 115 and had received at least one dose in study 116. Secondary endpoints included change from baseline in study 115 at week 96 of study 116 in sweat chloride concentration, growth parameters, markers of pancreatic function, and lung clearance index (LCI) parameters in all children who received at least one dose of lumacaftor-ivacaftor in study 116. This study is registered with ClinicalTrials.gov, NCT03125395. This extension study ran from May 12, 2017, to July 17, 2019. Of 60 participants enrolled and who received lumacaftor-ivacaftor in study 115, 57 (95%) were included in study 116 and continued to receive the study drug. A total of 47 (82%) of 57 participants completed 96 weeks of treatment. Most participants (56 [98%] of 57) had at least one adverse event during study 116, most of which were mild (19 [33%] participants) or moderate (29 [51%] participants) in severity. The most common adverse events were cough (47 [82%] participants), nasal congestion (25 [44%] participants), pyrexia (23 [40%] participants), rhinorrhoea (18 [32%] participants), and vomiting (17 [30%] participants). A total of 15 (26%) participants had at least one serious adverse event; most were consistent with underlying cystic fibrosis or common childhood illnesses. Respiratory adverse events occurred in five (9%) participants, none of which were serious or led to treatment discontinuation. Elevated aminotransferase concentrations, most of which were mild or moderate in severity, occurred in ten (18%) participants. Three (5%) participants discontinued treatment due to adverse events (two due to increased aminotransferase concentrations [one of whom had concurrent pancreatitis], considered as possibly related to study drug; and one due to gastritis and metabolic acidosis, considered unlikely to be related to study drug). No clinically significant abnormalities or changes were seen in electrocardiograms, vital signs, pulse oximetry, ophthalmological examinations, or spirometry assessments. Improvements in secondary endpoints observed in study 115 were generally maintained up to week 96 of study 116, including improvements in sweat chloride concentration (mean absolute change from study 115 baseline at week 96 of study 116 -29·6 mmol/L [95% CI -33·7 to -25·5]), an increase in growth parameters and pancreatic function, and stable lung function relative to baseline, as measured by the LCI. Lumacaftor-ivacaftor was generally safe and well tolerated, and treatment effects were generally maintained for the duration of the extension study. These findings support the use of lumacaftor-ivacaftor for up to 120 weeks in young children with cystic fibrosis aged 2 years and older homozygous for the F508del-CFTR mutation. Vertex Pharmaceuticals Incorporated.

Application of Optimised Nanocarbon Materials and Biofertilisers as a Potent Superfertiliser: Towards Sustainable Agriculture Production

In this work, carbon-based nanomaterials including; carbon nanotubes (CNT) and graphene were combined with biofertilisers and tested their impact on germination of Hordeum vulgare. The interaction between nanomaterials and biofertilisers was analysed. Scanning electron microscopy (SEM) images revealed that the surface of algal cells was covered with carbon nanomaterials including graphene and CNTs. Raman studies showed the characteristic band of graphene, CNTs and Algal cells. The combination of carbon nanomaterials with biofertilizers resulted in significantly better growth than with nanomaterials individually. To prepare a more effective superfertiliser, zinc ferrites (ZnFe2O4) nanoparticles were added to the nanomaterials-biofertilisers combination. These zinc ferrites nanofertilisers had a size ranging from 8–12 nm and were prepared by co-precipitation method and used at two different doses. The results showed that the growth parameters were increased most significantly with addition of 0.25 ml of ZnFe2O4 nanoparticles. Increasing the dose caused a less increase in growth parameters. These results indicated that increase in growth parameters was dose-dependent. These results demonstrated a great promise for novel formulation of superfertiliser that significantly enhanced plant growth without pollution or excessive use of harmful chemicals for better food security and environmental sustainability.

Role of nanoparticles in improving callus initiation and growth of Lupinus termis under cadmium stress.

This study included two parts on Lupinus termis. The first comprised experiments that were conducted at the cell level using tissue culture technique. The second was concerned with the seedling stage and comprised experiments conducted in greenhouse. Tissue culture experiments were conducted in order to assess the possible effects of nano Ca either Ca(OH)2 or CaO on the growth and some metabolic activities under CdCl2 at 30 days. Application of nano Ca mixed with Cd significantly increased all callus growth parameters. POD, CAT, SOD and PPO activities was reduced by mixing nano Ca with Cd. On contrary, the activity of both GR and PAL was pronouncely enhanced at nano Ca with 60 mg/l Cd. The content of proline MDA and H2O2 was significantly decreased by mixing nano Ca with Cd and significant increase in DPPH. Total soluble carbohydrates and free amino acids content was markedly increased at 40 mg/l Cd+CaO, while total soluble protein content was increased at 20 mg/l Cd+CaO. Total phenolics and flavonoids content revealed a significant increase and a decrease in total alkaloids content at 60 mg/l Cd+nano Ca. Isozyme profile of POD and amylase varied in their intensity and thickening in response to different treatments. GC.MS profile demonstrated the presence of Bis (2-ethylhexyl) phthalate in high percentage known as antimicrobial activity. Lupanine was identified in varied percentages in response to different treatments. A greenhouse experiment showed that addition of nano Ca increased growth parameters, photosynthetic pigments and shoot phenolics contents of lupine relative to bulk CaCO3.

Compost Tea Induces Growth and Resistance against Rhizoctonia solani and Phytophthora capsici in Pepper

Compost teas (CTs) are organic solutions that constitute an interesting option for sustainable agriculture. Those that come from garden waste have been applied in vitro and in vivo on pepper plants to determine its suppressive effect against both Phytophthora capsici and Rhizoctonia solani. The studied CT showed relevant content in NO3−, K2O, humic acids, and microorganisms such as aerobic bacteria, N-fixing bacteria, and actinobacteria, which play a role in plant growth and resistance. This rich abundance of microbiota in the CT induced a reduction in the relative growth rate of both P. capsici and R. solani (31.7% and 38.0%, respectively) in in vitro assays compared to control. In addition, CT-irrigated plants displayed increased growth parameters and showed the first open flower one week before those treatments without CTs, which suggests that its application advanced the crop cycle. Concerning pathogen infection, damage caused by both pathogens became more apparent with a one-week inoculation compared to a four-week inoculation, which may indicate that a microbiological and chemical balance had been reached to cope with biotic stresses. Based on these results, we conclude that CT application induces plant growth and defense in pepper plants against P. capsici and R. solani because of its relevant soluble nutrient content and microbiota richness, which provides a novel point for plant nutrition and protection in horticultural crops.

Salicylic acid-mediated alleviation of soil boron toxicity in Mentha arvensis and Cymbopogon flexuosus: Growth, antioxidant responses, essential oil contents and components

Boron (B) toxicity is a notable abiotic hindrance that restricts crop productivity by disturbing several physiological and biochemical processes in plants. This study was aimed to elucidate the role of salicylic acid (SA) in conferring tolerance to B stress in Mentha arvensis and Cymbopogon flexuosus. Boron toxicity led to a considerable decrease in shoot height and root length, fresh and dry mass of shoot and root, and physiological and biochemical parameters. However, exogenously applied SA relieved the adverse effects caused by B toxicity and led to an increase in growth parameters under B stress and non-stress conditions. The treatment of B resulted in its increased accumulation in roots and shoots of both the plants which, in turn, caused oxidative damage as evident by increased content of malondialdehyde and catalase, peroxidase, superoxide dismutase and glutathione reductase enzyme activities. However, exogenous SA supply significantly affected antioxidant enzyme activities and protected the plants from excess B. Moreover, the essential oil content of two selected plants declined under B toxicity and significantly enhanced in SA-treated stressed plants. The contents of menthol and menthyl acetate in M. arvensis were lowered in B stressed plants which significantly improved in SA treated B-stressed and in their respective SA alone treatment. Similarly, citral-A and citral-B content of C. flexuosus declined under B toxicity, however, SA reversed the negative effects of B toxicity on essential oil components. This assessment stipulated the promising role of exogenously applied SA in alleviating B toxicity in M. arvensis and C. flexuosus by improving antioxidant machinery and limiting B uptake which protects the structural integrity of leaves and also helps in increasing essential oil content.