Increase In Fresh Weight Research Articles

Fertiliser effect on Swiss chard of black soldier fly larvae-frass compost made from food waste and faeces

Inadequate organic waste management can have adverse health effects and pollute the environment. If the energy and nutrients in organic waste were to be used efficiently, they could increase food security. Composting using black soldier fly (BSF) larvae can convert organic waste into two valuable products: organic fertiliser, in the form of treatment residues, and animal feed protein, in the form of larvae. To demonstrate the feasibility of using BSF treatment residues as organic fertiliser, more knowledge is needed about the effect of BSF larvae-frass compost on plant growth and performance. This study examined the effect on growth of Swiss chard of five fertiliser treatments: (1) BSF larvae-frass compost of human faeces (BSF-F); (2) BSF larvae-frass compost of food waste (BSF-FW); (3) cow manure (CM), the most commonly used organic fertiliser globally; (4) an inorganic fertiliser containing nitrogen, phosphorus and potassium (NPK); and (5) a negative control with no fertiliser. The results revealed that BSF larvae-frass compost of human faeces and food waste gave comparable yields to inorganic fertilisers, and significantly higher yields than the unfertilised control. The percentage increase in fresh weight of leaves in the treatments compared to the unfertilised control were 132% for BSF-FW, 115% for BSF-F, 118% for NPK and 86% for CM. Principal component analysis (PCA) showed that all treatments involving fertiliser gave differences in soil nutrient concentrations. PCA also revealed a positive correlation between soil nitrate concentration and yield. Thus, using BSF larvae-frass compost as fertiliser could be a way of efficiently returning plant nutrients in faeces and organic waste to the food chain.

Effects of a Gibberellin Inhibitor on Flowering, Vegetative Propagation, and Production of Rapid Generation Cycling Gladiolus for Potted Plant Production

Gladiolus (Gladiolus ×hybridus) is an asexually propagated, herbaceous perennial and an economically important cut flower crop. In commercial production, gladioli have tall flower stalks, which limit their use to cut flowers and annual garden plants. The gladiolus breeding program at the University of Minnesota has bred and selected rapid generation cycling (RGC) cycle 1 gladiolus, which can flower in <1 year from seed instead of the norm of 3 to 5 years (which are vegetatively propagated as corms). Gibberellin inhibitors, such as ancymidol, are used as plant growth retardants to control height in potted plants. Higher concentrations can inhibit flowering along with other negative side effects. The aim of this study was to investigate the growth, flowering, and corm/cormel production response of cycle 1 gladiolus to the gibberellin inhibitor, ancymidol (0, 100, and 400 mg·L−1 soak) in comparison with noncycle 1 genotypes and commercial cultivars for potted gladiolus production. Cycle 1 genotypes flowered with all ancymidol concentrations while noncycle 1 genotypes had significantly fewer flowers or were completely nonflowering under higher concentrations. All tested genotypes had increased leaf width as ancymidol concentration increased. Conversely, flower stalk heights were shorter as the ancymidol concentration increased while the number of stalks was nonsignificant. Corms, cormel number, and fresh weights decreased in all genotypes except for one cycle 1 genotype, which had an increase in both corm number and fresh weight when treated with 100 mg·L−1 ancymidol. Cycle 1 gladiolus are more resilient to this gibberellin inhibitor even at high concentrations and can potentially be used for gladiolus potted plant production.

Effect of Different Control Agents on Meloidogyne Incognita Kofoid Infesting Cucumber Plants

The stock solution 10% and half stock solution 5% of three oils namely; mineral oil (Diver oil 97 % EC), plant oils marjoram oil (Origanum majorana L.) and orange oil (Citrus aurantium L.), as well as two species of bacteria Bacillus megaterium and BTS1 (Bacillus poylmyxa)at two concentrations showed that nematicidal activity against egg-mass and second stage juveniles of Meloidogyne incognitaKofoid in vitro experiments. Egg hatching and juvenile mortality were significantly (P ≤ 0.05) influenced by tested materials, concentration and exposure time. B. megaterium, diver oil and marjoram oil gave a higher effect, while B. poylmyxa was the lowest effective one. In case of juvenile mortality, B. poylmyxa, diver oil and marjoram oil gave the highest percentage of juvenile mortality (75.14, 73.00 and 61.85 %) after exposure at stock solutions (10%) and (53.00 , 67.42 and 52.57 %) with exposure to half stock solution (5%) after seven days of treatment, respectively. Under greenhouse conditions, results indicated that, oxamyl, dry leaf powder of moringa and B. megaterium were the most effective in suppressing root galling of M. incognita infectingcucumber plants. The maximum percentage of increase in shoot fresh weight was recorded on cucumber 43.26 and 25.36% in pots treated with oxamyl and B. megaterium, respectively. A moderate effect on treated eggs with the tested eco-friendly materials was observed on invasion and reproduction of M.incognita under greenhouse conditions. All tested materials significantly (P ≤ 0.05) reduced nematode parameters and increased cucumber plant growth parameters as compared with control treatment. Strongly decrease in number of egg masses and galls diameter was recorded in pots treated with oxamyl, moringa and B. megaterium followed by oils. Minimum number and gall diameter particularly ≥ 4mm was recorded in cucumber plants treated by oxamyl, moringa and B. megaterium. Data showed that moringa and B. megaterium could be used to increase crop yield of cucumber plants and for controlling root – knot nematode, M. incognita.

Green remediation of toxic metals contaminated mining soil using bacterial consortium and Brassica juncea.

Microorganism-assisted phytoremediation is being developed as an efficient green approach for management of toxic metals contaminated soils and mitigating the potential human health risk. The capability of plant growth promoting Actinobacteria (Streptomyces pactum Act12 - ACT) and Firmicutes (Bacillus subtilis and Bacillus licheniformis - BC) in mono- and co-applications (consortium) to improve soil properties and enhance phytoextraction of Cd, Cu, Pb, and Zn by Brassica juncea (L.) Czern. was studied here for the first time in both incubation and pot experiments. The predominant microbial taxa were Proteobacteria, Actinobacteria and Bacteroidetes, which are important lineages for maintaining soil ecological activities. The consortium improved the levels of alkaline phosphatase, β-D glucosidase, dehydrogenase, sucrase and urease (up to 33%) as compared to the control. The bacterial inoculum also triggered increases in plant fresh weight, pigments and antioxidants. The consortium application enhanced significantly the metals bioavailability (DTPA extractable) and mobilization (acid soluble fraction), relative to those in the unamended soil; therefore, significantly improved the metals uptake by roots and shoots. The phytoextraction indices indicated that B.juncea is an efficient accumulator of Cd and Zn. Overall, co-application of ACT and BC can be an effective solution for enhancing phytoremediation potential and thus reducing the potential human health risk from smelter-contaminated soil. Field studies may further credit the understanding of consortium interactions with soil and different plant systems in remediating multi-metal contaminated environments.

English

This work aims to identify the impacts of vermicompost leachate (VCL) toward its salt resistance stress in plants. Young Capsicum annuum L seedlings were subjected to salinity (160 mM NaCl added to a nutrient solution) over a course of seven days during or following the adding of 7 mL L−1 VCL. The exposure to salt stress resulted in a notable decrease of dry and fresh leaf weights, K+ concentrations, and leaf water content; whereas leaf and root Na+ concentrations were remarkably increased. Furthermore, the salt stress yielded reduced instantaneous transpiration, net photosynthesis, maximum PSII photochemistry efficiency, stomatal conductance (gs) in the state of photochemical quenching, dark adaptation, and photochemical efficiency of PSII (ΦPSII). Moreover, VCL application in the state of salt stress led to an increase of leaf fresh weight and gs, while the leaf osmotic potential remained consistent regardless of the proline content increase seen in the salt-treated plants. Meanwhile, it minimized the Na+ concentration in the leaves by 21.4%, and increased in the roots by 16.9%. Accordingly, a pre-treatment regiment with VCL and the ensuing salt stress yielded higher efficiency compared to its concomitant application with salt stress due to the pre-treatment recording the highest osmotic adjustment. VCL pre-treatment resulted in sugar concentration in the roots (9.3 µmol g−1 FW) and the maximum level of proline in the leaves (51 µmol g−1 FW). Additionally, the fluorescence-linked parameter reaffirmed superior outcomes for the PSII stability and efficiency in the case of VCL pre-treatment on salt-stressed plants in contrast to those subjected to concurrent VCL salt stress exposure. Hence, VCL is proven to be an effective defense medium towards enhancing the property of salt-stress resistance in bell peppers. Key words: Vermicompost leachate (VCL), priming, bell pepper, Sodium, NaCl.

Deciphering the Potential of Rhizobium pusense MB-17a, a Plant Growth-Promoting Root Endophyte, and Functional Annotation of the Genes Involved in the Metabolic Pathway.

Plant growth-promoting rhizobacteria (PGPR) are root endophytic bacteria used for growth promotion, and they have broader applications in enhancing specific crop yield as a whole. In the present study, we have explored the potential of Rhizobium pusense MB-17a as an endophytic bacterium isolated from the roots of the mung bean (Vigna radiata) plant. Furthermore, this bacterium was sequenced and assembled to reveal its genomic potential associated with plant growth-promoting traits. Interestingly, the root endophyte R. pusense MB-17a showed all essential PGPR traits which were determined by biochemical and PGPR tests. It was noted that this root endophytic bacterium significantly produced siderophores, indole acetic acid (IAA), ammonia, and ACC deaminase and efficiently solubilized phosphate. The maximum IAA and ammonia produced were observed to be 110.5 and 81 μg/ml, respectively. Moreover, the PGPR potential of this endophytic bacterium was also confirmed by a pot experiment for mung bean (V. radiata), whose results show a substantial increase in the plant's fresh weight by 76.1% and dry weight by 76.5% on the 60th day after inoculation of R. pusense MB-17a. Also, there is a significant enhancement in the nodule number by 66.1% and nodule fresh weight by 162% at 45th day after inoculation with 100% field capacity after the inoculation of R. pusense MB-17a. Besides this, the functional genomic annotation of R. pusense MB-17a determined the presence of different proteins and transporters that are responsible for its stress tolerance and its plant growth-promoting properties. It was concluded that the unique presence of genes like rpoH, otsAB, and clpB enhances the symbiosis process during adverse conditions in this endophyte. Through Rapid Annotation using Subsystem Technology (RAST) analysis, the key genes involved in the production of siderophores, volatile compounds, indoles, nitrogenases, and amino acids were also predicted. In conclusion, the strain described in this study gives a novel idea of using such type of endophytes for improving plant growth-promoting traits under different stress conditions for sustainable agriculture.

Direct somatic embryogenesis using leaf explants and short term storage of synseeds in Spathoglottis plicata Blume

Spathoglottis plicata Blume is a vulnerable orchid species in various parts of the world, and the conventional propagation provides limited success to its cultivation and conservation. Therefore, present study deals with the direct induction of somatic embryos (SEs) from the leaf explants of S. plicata. Murashige and Skoog’s (MS) medium fortified with various types and concentrations of plant growth regulators were used to induce somatic embryogenesis and plantlet production. The highest percentage of somatic embryo formation (93.7 ± 0.56%) was achieved on MS medium supplemented with 1.0 mg L−1 2,4-dichlorophenoxyacetic acid (2,4-D), whereas, maximum proliferation and increase in fresh weight (FW) of SEs (149.5 ± 0.24 mg/ 50 mg initial FW) was achieved on MS medium fortified with 2.0 mg L−1 6-benzylaminopurine (BAP) within 5 weeks of incubation. The light microscopic observation revealed that SEs emerged directly from the leaf surface. The viable synthetic seeds (SS) from SEs were prepared by encapsulating with gel matrix of 3% (w/v) sodium alginate and 100 mM calcium chloride. The SS were successfully stored for 60 days at − 4 °C with 97.4% germination frequency and shoot proliferation using MS medium with 2.0 mg L−1 BAP and 0.25 mg L−1 indole-3-acetic acid. The synergistic rooting frequency was observed on half-strength MS medium with 1.0 mg L−1 indole-3-butyric acid. The rooted shoots were acclimatized in a greenhouse with a 90% survival rate using soilrite® and vermicompost. This is an efficient short-term storage and regeneration protocol for S. plicata, which could help in reducing pressure on its wild population and could also be extended to the cryopreservation of this orchid species. The somatic embryos were induced directly from the leaf explants of Spathoglottis plicata and an efficient short-term storage protocol was developed by encapsulating these somatic embryos. The light microscopic analysis confirmed the formation of somatic embryos. The protocol could be convenient for the commercial cultivation and conservation of S. plicata.

<p class="Body"><strong>The response of common bean (<em>Phaseolus vulgaris</em> L.) to salinity and drought stresses and life table parameters of <em>Tetranychus urticae</em> Koch reared on it</strong></p>

Plants in nature are constantly exposed to various stresses resulting from fluctuating environmental conditions which adversely affect their growth and development and may affect the performance of herbivores feeding on them. Drought and salinity are the most serious problems of agriculture due to climatic changes. According to global warming and drying of Urmia salty lake in Northwestern Iran which could result in salinization of agricultural lands nearby, the focus of this study was to examine the effect of two above mentioned stresses on a host plant and its pest population. Three levels of salinity (50 (low), 100 (intermediate) and 150 (high) mM NaCl) and water deficit (40–50% the amount of water given to control plants) were induced to common bean (Phaseolus vulgaris) as stress factors and the following characteristics were measured: fresh and dry weight, leaf area, chlorophyll, carotenoid, proline and protein contents and CAT, APX and GPX enzyme activities. The life table parameters of two-spotted spider mite, Tetranychus urticae Koch, reared on stress-induced plants were measured and compared with control. The high saline condition caused plant defoliation and was deleted from results. The low saline condition caused an increase in fresh weight and decrease in chlorophyll and protein contents of plant. Intermediate saline condition caused an increase in APX and CAT enzyme activities and decrease of dry weight, chlorophyll, protein and proline contents. Drought condition caused an increase of APX and GPX enzyme activities and proline content and decrease of dry weight and chlorophyll content. Analysis of life table data of T. urticae showed a significant decrease of net reproductive rate (R0), mean generation time (T) and gross reproductive rate (GRR) of mites reared on plants under both of stresses. The intrinsic rate of increase (r) and finite rate of increase (λ) decreased significantly only for mites reared on plants under intermediate saline condition.

Phosphatidic acid and hydrogen peroxide coordinately enhance heat tolerance in tall fescue.

Phosphatidic acid (PA) and hydrogen peroxide (H2 O2 ) play roles in regulating plant responses to abiotic stress. The objective of this study was to determine effects of H2 O2 or PA, individually and interactively, with a H2 O2 scavenging molecule, N,N'-dimethylthoiurea (DMTU), on plant tolerance to heat stress in tall fescue (Festuca arundinacea). Plants were treated with PA (25µm), H2 O2 (5mm) and PA (25µm)+DMTU (5mm) by foliar application and then exposed to heat stress (38/33°C) or optimal temperature (23/18°C, day/night) for 28days. Foliar application of PA and H2 O2 alone resulted in increases in leaf fresh weight, chlorophyll content, photochemical efficiency and cellular membrane stability in plants exposed to heat stress, whereas addition of DMTU suppressed the positive effects of PA. Expression levels of genes encoding the PA synthesizing enzyme, FaPLDδ, were significantly up-regulated by H2 O2 . Phosphatidic acid- or H2 O2 -enhanced heat tolerance was associated with the activation of stress signalling components (FaCDPK3, FaMPK6, FaMPK3), transcription factors (FaMBF1 and FaHsfA2c) and heat shock proteins (FaHSP18, FaHSP70 and FaHSP90). Phosphatidic acid and H2 O2 may work in coordination to further improve heat tolerance, involving up-regulation of transcription factors in stress signalling cascades and heat protection systems.

Growth promoting properties of Mycobacterium and Bacillus on rice plants under induced drought

Management of drought stress through application of plant growth promoting rhizobacteria (PGPR) is now considered as an effective strategy in the present scenario of altered environmental conditions of the world. The aims and objectives of the present investigation was isolation, characterization and identification of some potential microbial resources (PGPR) from drought-affected upland rice fields of South Bengal followed by experimentation on the effect of isolated PGPR on drought induced rice seedlings. Selected isolates were isolated from rice field rhizospheric soils and tested for their PGPR activity, through phosphate solubilization, nitrogen fixation, IAA production and ACC deaminase activity. Then, the selected isolates were identified through 16S rDNA sequencing and phylogenetic analysis. Among the screened isolates two (isolate 1 and isolate 6) showing plant growth promoting traits, was applied on studied germplasm (IR64) to find out the influence of the applied organisms on rice growth and development under induced drought. Both organisms showed a positive influence (through increase in germination percentage, root growth, shoot growth, fresh weight and dry weight) on the studied rice growth and development under induced drought. Isolate 1 and 6 identified as species of Mycobacterium sp and Bacillus sp respectively through molecular taxonomy. Hence, these two isolates are expected to alleviate drought stress in the rice field for their nature of plant growth promotion under drought stress.

Effect of Cryopreservation on Olive (Olea europaea L.) Plant Regeneration via Somatic Embryogenesis.

Olive somatic embryos have been successfully cryopreserved using the droplet-vitrification method on aluminum foil strips. Although acceptable recovery rates have been obtained after rewarming, the influence of this cryopreservation protocol on the somatic embryogenesis process is unknown. To evaluate the effect of cryopreservation on olive somatic embryogenesis, the behavior of cultures established from cryopreserved somatic embryos was compared with that of control, non-cryopreserved cultures in the different phases of the somatic embryogenesis process. In order to analyze the influence of the genotype, this investigation was carried out in two independent lines. During the proliferation step, only the line T1 was affected by cryopreservation, with higher fresh weight increases. Although similar total embryos were produced per culture, freezing in liquid nitrogen significantly improved the maturation pattern in the line P5. Better germination results were also found in this embryogenic line. The genotype plays a key role, largely determining the effect of cryopreservation on olive somatic embryogenesis. A specific genotype-dependent response was found depending on the culture step. Variations observed could not be associated to differences in the embryogenic lines’ instability to maintain their morphogenic competence after cryopreservation. Embryogenic cultures established after rewarming retained their regeneration capacity, with no evident negative effects affecting their regeneration capacity.

Water Relationships, Vase Life and Quality of Solidago Cut Spikes as affected by some Natural Extracts in Holding Solutions

Solidago (Solidago canadensis L.) is an excellent cut spikes commonly used for indoor decoration in vases and bowls and as a dried flower. Microorganisms activities in vases solutions is the main cause of limiting the vase life of all cut flowers and preservative solutions is recommended to maintain quality and reduce losses after harvesting. To achieve this purpose, this research was conducted in vegetable and floriculture Department, Faculty of Agriculture, Mansoura Univ., Egypt during two successive seasons of 2019 and 2020. Three ethanolic leaf extracts (neem, oleander and guava) at concentrations of 0.5, 1.0 and 2.0% individually from each of them, besides AgNo3 (10 ppm) and the control (distilled water) treatments were examined. All holding solutions were fortified by sucrose in a concentration of 2.0%. Data were recorded for vase life (days), change in fresh weight (g/100g F.W./2days), the maximum increase in fresh weight (%), relative fresh weight (%), total water uptake(g/ spike), change in water uptake (g/100g F.W./2days), change in water loss (g/100g F.W./2days) and change in water balance (g/100g F.W./2days) were evaluation. Also, chlorophyll a, b, total chl., carotenoids, total sugar (%), N, P and K (%) and total bacterial counts (cfu/ml) were determined. Results showed that the more effective holding solutions in most of the studied postharvest characteristics especially vase life and water relationships besides minimizing the bacterial counts were 0.5% oleander extract, 2.0% neem extract and 2.0% guava extract plus 2.0% sucrose for all.

Breaking the Dormancy of Snake's Head Fritillary (Fritillaria meleagris L.) In Vitro Bulbs-Part 1: Effect of GA3, GA Inhibitors and Temperature on Fresh Weight, Sprouting and Sugar Content.

Bulbs are the main vegetative reproductive organs of Fritillaria meleagris L. In nature, as well as in vitro, they become dormant and require low temperatures for further growth during the next vegetative period. In the present study, using 10 μM of gibberellic acid (GA3), or gibberellin biosynthesis (GA) inhibitors—ancymidol (A) and paclobutrazol (P)—the dynamic changes in soluble sugars, fructose and glucose content, fresh weight and sprouting capacity were investigated. F. meleagris bulbs were cultured on medium with GA3 and GA inhibitors for 1, 2 and 5 weeks at two different temperatures (24 and 7 °C). GA3 improved bulb fresh weight, as well as sprouting percentage at both tested temperatures, compared to the control. The highest fresh weight increase (57.7%) and sprouting rate (29.02%) were achieved when bulbs were grown at 24 °C for 5 weeks. In addition, soluble sugar content was the highest in bulbs grown for 5 weeks on medium supplemented with GA3. The main sugar in fritillary bulbs was glucose, while fructose content was lower. The sensitivity of bulbs to GA inhibitors differed and significantly affected sugar content in bulbs. To our knowledge, this is the first study of the sugar composition in F. meleagris bulbs during breaking of the bulb’s dormancy and its sprouting.

Significance of Some Soil Amendments to Improve Plant Growth and Nutrients Uptake in Some Soils

Many problems facing sandy, calcareous and heavy clay soils and restricts plant growth, nutrients availability and sustainable agriculture. Soil amendments are considered to be the most realistic soil management methods to improve soil chemical and physical properties. Improving some soil physical and chemical properties, study the correlation between soil properties and their effect on plant growth and nutrients uptake by faba bean plant (Vicia faba L. var.716) were the main purpose of this study. To achieve this purpose three factorial pot experiments were conducted by addition rates (0, 5 and10 ton. fed-1 ) of farmyard manure (FYM), phosphate rock (PhR) and rice straw (RS) either alone or mixed to sandy, calcareous sandy loam and clay soils. Soils were incubated with the studied treatments for 15 days before planting. The main results showed that the addition rates of soil amendments led to slightly increase in soil salinity, total porosity and significant increase in organic matter content in the experimental soils. Bulk density and pH decreased with increased the rates of FYM and PhR either alone or mixed with RS. Decreasing in hydraulic conductivity in sandy and sandy loam soils, while it increases in clay soil. Generally, there are negative correlations between soil organic matter and both of hydraulic conductivity and bulk density in sandy and sandy loam soils, while, organic matter and hydraulic conductivity gave a positive effect in clay soil. Changes in soil properties had a positive effect of faba bean growth and macro nutrients uptake. The highest rates of the studied materials showed a significant increase in fresh and dry weight, NPK content and uptake of faba bean plant. Integrated use of the highest rates of FYM and PhR with RS were the best option for sustaining physical and chemical properties, enhancing faba bean growth and nutrients uptake of the studied soils.

Management of plant vigor and soil health using two agriusable nanocompounds and plant growth promotory rhizobacteria in Fenugreek.

Application of nanocompounds and plant growth promoting rhizobacteria (PGPR) plays an important role in improving plant growth and soil health. In the present study, response of two PGPR (PS2-KX650178 and PS10-KX650179) along with nanozeolite and nanochitosan was studied on Fenugreek (Trigonella foenum-graecum), on the basis of physiological and biochemical parameters of soil and plant in pot experiment for 45days. A significant increase (1.5-2 folds) in plant height, leaf number, leaf area and fresh weight over control was observed in Fenugreek plants when treated with nanocompounds and PGPR. Combined treatment also showed the highest level of total chlorophyll (3.27mgg-1), sugar (6.14μgmg-1 dry wt), soluble leaf protein (295.37mgg-1 fresh weight) and catalase activity (23.84Ug-1 tissue) in Fenugreek plants. GC-MS analysis of plant metabolites revealed the abundance of phenols which are known to improve biotic/abiotic stresses in plants. Activity of Fluorescein Diacetate hydrolase enzyme was 2.5 times higher in the combined treatment of nanozeolite with PS10 than in control. An increase of 11% in alkaline phosphatase activity was observed in the same treatment with respect to control. The results obtained from the pot experiment clearly indicate that nanocompounds along with PGPR improved the growth of plants and soil health which suggest their benefits in agriculture practices to increase crop production.

Production of a biofertilizer from exhausted grape marc waste: agronomic and environmental impact on plant growth

Biochars produced from exhausted grape marc waste were considered a potential source for agriculture biofertilization. Results indicated that the biochar application did not show a significant effect on ryegrass fresh weight increase. The pyrolysis temperature influenced the fresh and dry matter yield since it interferes with phosphorus bioavailability for plant growth. Potassium intakes were positively affected but not statistically significant. The % of soil stable aggregates decreased after 60 days. In the short term, there is no significant effect on soil structural stability. Biochar incorporation led to domination of large macro-aggregates, which are instables compared with small macro-aggregates. A dose of 15 t ha−1 considerably reduced the leached soil and thus improved water retention by changing soil porosity. Soil pH and electric conductivity markedly increased for all treatments after 60 days of incubation. Biochar extract had a significant inhibitory effect on Fusarium oxysporum and Phytophthora sp. The use of exhausted grape marc waste to produce a biochar has shown a good potential for carbon and water sequestration in soil.

Interaction of ZnO nanoparticle and AM fungi mitigates Pb toxicity in wheat by upregulating antioxidants and restricted uptake of Pb

The study aims at investigating the efficacy of individual as well as combined application of AM fungi (Glomus macrocarpum) and ZnO nanoparticles on the uptake of lead and its toxicity in wheat (Triticum aestivum L.). The plants were grown in pots with different treatments of AM Fungi, ZnO NP, and Pb. The individual applications of AM fungi (Glomus macrocarpum) and ZnO NPs increased the growth and biochemical attributes of wheat and decreased the Pb uptake under Pb stress. The combined application of AM fungi (Glomus macrocarpum) and ZnO nanoparticles synergistically enhanced the overall growth performance of the plant and significantly reduced the uptake of Pb in wheat grown in Pb spiked soils. The combined application was effective, with 30.66 % increase in plant height, 30.62 % increase in plant fresh weight, 54.26 % increase in plant dry weight, 45.45 % increase in total chlorophyll content, 19.59 % increase in proline content, 26.65 % higher activity of SOD, 15.12 % higher activity of catalase (CAT), 17.69 % increase in H2O2 content, 17.69 % increase in lipid peroxidation content, 52.09 % and 58.19 % decrease in Pb concentration in root and shoot of wheat, respectively, grown in Pb spiked soil (100 mg kg−1 soil). The results indicate that combined application of AM fungi and ZnO nanoparticles can be a promising technique for the utilization of Pb-contaminated soils.

Differing precision irrigation thresholds for kale (Brassica oleracea L. var. acephala) induces changes in physiological performance, metabolites, and yield

Kale originates from the eastern Mediterranean and Asia Minor, being cultivated worldwide and is considered as global cash crop to high nutrients as well as cold tolerance in the fall, winter, and spring. Although kale production is gradually increasing, there is limited research on physiological and metabolism changes by different levels of irrigation. Here, we comprehensively investigated yield, metabolism, and physiological changes by different levels of precision irrigation based on soil moisture sensor. Kales were grown at three different levels of volumetric water content (VWC) which included 0.15, 0.25, or 0.35 m3 m3, corresponding to well-watered, intermediate drought, and drought stressed conditions. There was a 22.5% increase in fresh weight when comparing the 0.15 to 0.35 m3 m3 VWC treatments. Leaf transpiration (E), net CO2 assimilation rate (A), intercellular CO2 concentration (Ci), tand stomatal conductance (gs) to water vapor were significantly different between 0.15 and 0.35 m3 m3 VWC treatments. The carotenoids neoxanthin and antheraxanthin were significantly decreased when comparing the 0.15 to 0.35 m3 m3 VWC treatments. Additionally, aspartic acid and glutamate were highest concentration at 0.35 VWC, implying well-watered condition has a high assimilation capacity from nitrate and ammonium in the kale plant leaf tissue. Glycine, histidine, proline, fructose, and glucose were increased as VWC decreased, indicating that these metabolites are indicators of drought stress. Linoleic acid, and the glucosinolates glucoiberin, progoitrin, sinigrin, and total phenolic content were the highest concentration in the 0.25 m3 m3 VWC, indicating moderate drought stress may increase these specific metabolites. From the pathway analysis, drought stress significantly increased alanine, aspartate, and glutamate metabolism and glycine, serine, and threonine metabolism. Deficit irrigation that induce drought stress impacted kale plants by decreasing physiological (A, E, and gs) parameters and metabolite (carotenoids, chlorophylls) concentrations, while increase stress induced metabolites such as proline and glutamate. Thus, this study utilized a comprehensive research methodology that connects morphophysiological and biochemical metabolite information and demonstrates how kale plants may integrate growth in drought conditions.

Diffusions of sound frequencies designed to target dehydrins induce hydric stress tolerance in Pisum sativum seedings

Among plant responses to environmentally induced stress modulating protein expression appears to be a key stage in inducible signaling. Our study was focused on an innovative strategy to stimulate plant stress resistance, namely, the use of targeted sequences of specific sound frequencies.The influence of acoustic stimulation on plant protein synthesis was investigated. In our study green peas, Pisum sativum, were cultured under hydric stress conditions with targeted acoustic stimulation. Acoustic sequences targeting dehydrins (DHN) which accumulate in plants in response to dehydration were studied. We experimented on pea seeding with two different sequences of sounds: the first one corresponded to DHN cognate protein and the second one was aimed at the DHN consensus sequence. Shoot elongation after pea seed germination was estimated by fresh weight gain studied in the presence of various conditions of exposure to both sequences of sounds. DHN expression in peas was quantified via ELISA tests and Western-blotting by using specific antibodies.A significant increase in fresh weight in peas grown under exposure to the DHN cognate sound sequence was observed, whereas the consensus sound sequence had no effect on growth. Moreover, the 37kDa DHN amount was increased in peas treated with the consensus acoustic sequence. These results suggest that the expression of DHN could be specifically modulated by a designed acoustic stimulus.

Impact of seed-transmitted endophytic bacteria on intra- and inter-cultivar plant growth promotion modulated by certain sets of metabolites in rice crop

Exploring the beneficial interactions between plant and endophytes could be an effective strategy in the implementation of sustainable agricultural practices to enhance crop productivity. In this study, we aimed to evaluate holistically the plant growth promoting (PGP) abilities rendered by seed-transmitted endophytic bacteria isolated from in vitro grown calli of two rice cultivars. Nine bacterial endophytes, designated as PB001-PB009, were isolated and identified at the genus level through 16S rRNA gene sequence analysis. Biochemical investigations disclosed that they possess several PGP traits, such as phosphate solubilization, indole acetic acid biosynthesis, ammonia production, nitrogen fixation, amylase production and siderophore production. Results in gnotobiotic conditions revealed an increase in fresh weight, dry weight, root length and shoot length of seedlings germinated from endophyte-primed seeds than the control (uninoculated) set in a non-host and two host rice cultivars. In net house experiments, plants germinated from Micrococcus sp. PB001, Pseudomonas sp. PB002, Methylobacterium sp. PB005 and Methylorubrum sp. PB009 primed seeds showed an increase of upto 34.06 %, 38.77 %, 182.87 %, 16.59 % and 33.52 % in chlorophyll content, number of tillers/plant, number of grains/plant, grain size and grain weight, respectively than control plant sets in the non-host rice cultivar, further validating inter-cultivar PGP abilities of these endophytes. Metabolite profiling unfolded the abundance of few metabolites that are involved in pathways associated with PGP traits, in seedlings germinated from the endophyte-primed seeds. Together, the study documents the effect of seed-transmitted endophytic bacteria on intra- and inter-cultivar PGP by modulating certain sets of metabolites in rice plant, and is promising in developing bioinoculant formulations employing these selected endophytes for enhancement of rice productivity.