Leaf Fresh Weight Research Articles

Ascophyllum nodosum and Silicon-Based Biostimulants Differentially Affect the Physiology and Growth of Watermelon Transplants under Abiotic Stress Factors: The Case of Drought

Climate change is an inevitable process characterized by an abrupt increase in global temperature and a decrease in precipitations leading to drought incidents. Biostimulants could be a valuable tool for mitigating these harsh conditions. The objective of our study was to test the efficiency of two biostimulants, a silicon-based seaweed and the seaweed Ascophyllum nodosum, to mitigate the drought stress endured by watermelon transplants during the first few weeks after transplanting. In order to achieve this, three water treatments (100%, 75%, and 50% of field capacity) were applied in pots. Important growth parameters (leaf number, fresh weight, and plant area) deteriorated depending on water availability. This was also the case for the root system development displayed by root dry weight, total length, and surface area. It is the first time the OJIP transient has been evaluated after the application of A. nodosum for drought-stressed plants. Chlorophyll fluorescence parameters showed that the photosynthetic apparatus was more stressed when A. nodosum was applied, especially in the harshest conditions (i.e., 50% field capacity). Overall, the silicon-based biostimulant failed to demonstrate drought-mitigating potential compared to the non-treated counterparts. On the other hand, A. nodosum alleviated the negative effects of water deficit, especially in the harshest conditions.

Evaluation of different growing media based on agro-industrial waste materials for the morphological, biochemical and physiological characteristics of stevia

Stevia is an excellent source of natural antioxidants that prevent carcinogenic effects and cardiovascular disease especially helpful in curing diabetes. It is the most emerging medicinal plant important for the food industry. The increased production of stevia is an important aspect of using different growing media, i.e., control (garden soil), garden soil: spent mushroom substrate, garden soil: farm yard manure, garden soil: organic compost, garden soil: sugarcane bagasse, garden soil: perlite, garden soil: leaf mold, garden soil: press mud, garden soil: peat moss, garden soil: vermicompost as in the present study. The treatment of garden soil and vermicompost significantly increased plant height (54.70 cm), leaf fresh weight (18.79 g), number of branches per plant (12.26), leaves number per plant (297.46), leaf and shoot dry weight (8.98, 17.23), root length (17.38 cm), and root fresh weight (17.38 g) as compared to control. Garden soil and vermicompost significantly improved chlorophyll a (3.1 mg/g) and b (1.5 mg/g), total chlorophyll (3.45 mg/g), carotenoids (0.42 mg/g), and flavonoids (56 mg/g) as compared to other treatments. The increased level of minerals, i.e., potassium, nitrogen, sodium, zinc, calcium, and phosphorus were also observed in the mixture of garden soil and vermicompost as compared to control and other treatments. Plant height revealed a significant association with all the studied traits of growth, photosynthetic pigments, minerals, and alike association trend was revealed from the biplot. • Vermicompost, spent mushroom substrate and press mud are valuable growing media for stevia growth • Spent mushroom substrate and Press Mud increased the stevia growth than in soil • Vermicompost can be used for peat replacement in stevia production • Effective growing media are vital to the soilless plant cultivation industry • Spent mushroom wastes showed a greater reuse potential in improving yield and quality

Effect of Integration Vermicompost and Nano-Fertilizer on Fig Seedlings Growth and Soil Health

This study was conducted with the aim of making a new approach to plant fertilization based on nano-fertilizers and vermicompost and its positive effect on soil health. This work was carried out in the experimental research shade house of National Research Centre, Dokki, Giza, Egypt during (2020- 2021). For this purpose, healthy 5 years old fig seedlings sultani cultivar. The seedlings were planted in black polyethylene pots with 30 cm diameter fooled. with use 10 kg washed sand mixed very good with use three concentrations of Vermicompost 500 -1000 and 1500g/seedling ,with adding varied doses of Nano-NPK(20:20:20) fertilizers (200, and 400ppm) as foliar application. Nano-NPK fertilizers treatments were applied two times monthly during active season, also fig seedlings were irrigated twice weekly .At the end of each growth season, leaves were collected to record some vegetative parameters (leaf fresh and dry weight and leaf area) then these samples of leaves were dried and digested to determine nutrient statues under tested treatments. Moreover, Estimation of microbial and enzymatic activities of vermicompost. Obtained results indicated that, substituting half recommended dose of spraying with Nano-fertilizers at (400 ppm) positively promote most of recorded vegetative growth parameters and without any deficiency symptoms on seedlings. Also, The microbial and enzyme activities of the soil are closely related to the organic matter content and influenced by all practices applied for soil including adding fertilizers, emphasize these impacts of organic matter as vermicompost and nano-fertilizers. Besides, all treatments (vermicompost + nano-fertilizers) resulted in increasing enzyme activity comparing with control treatment. Also, indicated that at the same level of nano-fertilizers, increasing vermicompost dosses lead to increase enzyme activity particularly in level 200ppm of fertilizers.

UV-B Radiation Effects on the Alpine Plant Kobresia humilis in a Qinghai-Tibet Alpine Meadow.

Enhanced UV-B radiation resulting from stratospheric ozone depletion has been documented both globally and on the Qinghai-Tibet Plateau in China. The response of Kobresia humilis, an important alpine meadow plant species, to enhanced UV-B radiation was experimentally investigated at the Haibei Alpine Meadow Ecosystem Research Station (37°29'-37°45' N, 101°12'-101°23' E; alt. 3200 m). K. humilis was exposed to UV-B radiation including ambient UV-B and enhanced UV-B (simulating a 14% reduction in the ozone layer) in a randomized design with three replications of each treatment. Enhanced UV-B radiation resulted in a significant increase of both leaf area and fresh weight chlorophyll and carotenoid but had no effect on UV-B absorbing pigments. Similarly, enhanced UV-B radiation did not significantly change the photosynthetic O2 elevation rate while leaf thickness, width, and length significantly increased (p < 0.01). The enhanced UV-B radiation was associated with 2-3 days earlier flowering and a larger number of flowers per spikelet. The enhanced UV-B generally resulted in larger leaves and more flowers but earlier phenology. In summary, these findings suggest that alpine species of K. humilis have adapted to the strong solar UV-B radiation intensity presented on the Qinghai-Tibet Plateau, but the interspecies differences and their influence on trophic level should be more concerning.

Expression of plant-produced anti-PD-L1 antibody with anoikis sensitizing activity in human lung cancer cells via., suppression on epithelial-mesenchymal transition.

Immune checkpoint antibodies in cancer treatment are receptor-ligand pairs that modulate cancer immunity. PD-1/PD-L1 pathway has emerged as one of the major targets in cancer immunotherapy. Atezolizumab, the first anti-PD-L1 antibody approved for the treatment of metastatic urothelial, non-small cell lung, small cell lung and triple-negative breast cancers, is produced in Chinese Hamster Ovary (CHO) cells with several limitations i.e., high-production costs, low-capacity yields, and contamination risks. Due to the rapid scalability and low production costs, the transient expression in Nicotiana benthamiana leaves was investigated by co-infiltration of Agrobacterium tumefaciens GV3101 cultures harboring the nucleic acid sequences encoding for Atezolizumab heavy chain and light chain in this study. The transient expression of Atezolizumab in transformed N. benthamiana accumulated up to 86.76 μg/g fresh leaf weight after 6 days of agroinfiltration (OD 600 nm: 0.4) with 1:1 ratio of heavy chain to light chain. The structural and functional characteristics of plant-produced Atezolizumab was compared with commercially available Tecentriq® from CHO cells with similar binding efficacies to PD-L1 receptor. The direct anti-cancer effect of plant-produced anti-PD-L1 was further performed in human lung metastatic cancer cells H460 cultured under detachment condition, demonstrating the activity of anti-PD-L1-antibody on sensitizing anoikis as well as the suppression on anti-apoptosis proteins (Bcl-2 and Mcl-1) and modulation of epithelial to mesenchymal regulating proteins (E-cadherin, N-cadherin, Snail and Slug). In conclusion, this study manifests plants as an alternative cost-effective platform for the production of functional monoclonal antibodies for use in cancer therapy.

Comparative investigation of the genetic components of Withania somnifera L. yield and quality traits using multivariate and associations analysis in the Deccan plateau region

The vital herb ashwagandha was farmed for commercial purposes in India. This study aimed to estimate the nature and amount of genetic variation in the 20 attributes in the 29 genotypes of ashwagandha in order to understand the correlations and character contributions to dry root weight/plant and alkaloid content with the selection of potential parents for ashwagandha crop improvement. Twenty-nine ashwagandha genotypes were assessed using a range of genetic metrics, including analysis of variance (ANOVA), genetic variability components, correlation, principal component analysis (PCA), and Mahalanobis D2. The ANOVA confirms a large amount of variability in the genotypes/varieties under study. Out of twenty the four traits, namely fresh leaf weight per plant (X8), dry leaf weight per plant (X9), seed yield per plant (X13), and dry root weight per plant (X16)—indicates the presence of additive gene action in the current study were highly heritable and had a high genetic advance mean value. Starch estimation, main root length, and root diameter were found to be positively and significantly correlated with dry root production per plant and total alkaloid content. The principle component analysis (PCA) results showed that the first four PCA accounted for the bulk (79.56%) of the differences. All genotypes are divided into four clusters based on the distances between and within clusters. Based on the findings mentioned above, it is recommended that genotypes from clusters IV (Poshita, CIMAP-Chetak), cluster II (AKAS-10, AKAS-11, NMITLI-101, and NMITLI-118), and cluster I (AKAS-02, IC-286632, and CIMAP Pratap) be chosen for a different hybridization program. Based on the multidisciplinary investigation, some of the genotypes with desired qualities have been found. They can be employed in upcoming breeding programs to increase alkaloid content and dry root yield.

Dactyloctenium aegyptium (L.) Willd. (Poaceae) Differentially Responds to Pre- and Post-Emergence Herbicides through Micro-Structural Alterations

Herbicides are widely used to kill weeds and increase crop production all over the world. Nevertheless, some weeds show certain structural modifications in response to herbicide application that impart mostly partial or sometimes complete tolerance to these noxious plants. The present study was focused on morpho-anatomical modifications in the root, stem, and leaves of Dactyloctenium aegyptium (L.) Willd. treated with different herbicides and to examine whether it possesses tolerance against herbicides. Two pre- and four post-emergence herbicides were applied to D. aegyptium at the recommended dose in a randomized complete block design (RCBD). Pre-emergence herbicide Bromoxynil enhanced root growth (30%), leaves per plant (3%), and leaf fresh weight (17.2%). Increased stem epidermal thickness (100%) was the most notable feature among anatomical attributes. Post-emergence herbicides generally increased stem epidermal thickness 33–56%), leaf sheath thickness (5%), and root area in roots. Other modifications included increased sclerenchymatous thickness in the stem (133–255%), and epidermal thickness (100–200%) in the leaf blade. These characters assisted D. aegyptium to cope with herbicide toxicity. Collectively, pre-emergence herbicides more effectively controlled D. aegyptium compared with post-emergence herbicides.

Morpho-physiological and productivity characteristics of two leader cultivars of Karonda trees (Carissa carandas L.)

The present investigation was carried out to study the morpho-physiological and productivity characteristics of two genotypes of Karonda (Carissa carandasL) trees grown under rainfed condition of Jammu.The two leading cultivars of karonda viz. green and pink were used in study at Rainfed Research Sub-station for Sub-tropical fruits, Rayaduring 2020-21. The leaf morphological characteristics were maximum in green cultivar of karonda i.e. leaf length,leaf breadth, leaf fresh weight and leaf dry weight. The green cultivar of karonda had maximum leaf total water content (34.11 %), relative water content (39.25 %) and total chlorophyll (43.68) as compared to pink. The leaf scherophylly was higher in green cultivars of karonda viz. leaf area (30.30 cm2), specific leaf area (197.6 cm2/g) and density of foliar tissue (37.0 g kg-1) than pink. The fruit yield (8.11 kg/plant), fruit weight (4.42 g) and fruit acidity (2.25 %) was maximum in green cultivar of karonda where as TSS (13.650Brix) was maximum in pink cultivar.Thus, green cultivar of Karonda performed better in morpho-physiological and fruit productivitycharacterizations than pink.

Morpho-physiological and productivity characteristics of two leader cultivars of Karonda trees (Carissa carandas L.)

The present investigation was carried out to study the morpho-physiological and productivity characteristics of two genotypes of Karonda (Carissa carandasL) trees grown under rainfed condition of Jammu.The two leading cultivars of karonda viz. green and pink were used in study at Rainfed Research Substation for Sub-tropical fruits, Rayaduring 2020-21. The leaf morphological characteristics were maximum in green cultivar of karonda i.e. leaf length,leaf breadth, leaf fresh weight and leaf dry weight. The green cultivar of karonda had maximum leaf total water content (34.11 %), relative water content (39.25 %) and total chlorophyll (43.68) as compared to pink. The leaf scherophylly was higher in green cultivars of karonda viz. leaf area (30.30 cm2 ), specific leaf area (197.6 cm2 /g) and density of foliar tissue (37.0 g kg-1 ) than pink. The fruit yield (8.11 kg/plant), fruit weight (4.42 g) and fruit acidity (2.25 %) was maximum in green cultivar of karonda where as TSS (13.650 Brix) was maximum in pink cultivar.Thus, green cultivar of Karonda performed better in morphophysiological and fruit productivitycharacterizations than pink.

English

To study pre-sowing seed treatment (seed priming) of hormone Mepiquat chloride (MC) (PIX) on physiological properties and increase drought tolerance in cotton (Shayan cultivar), a factorial experiment was performed in a completely randomized design with 3 replications. In this research, the seeds were initially exposed to two doses of the growth-regulatory hormone mepiquat chloride, including 5 and 10 g/l and control before being planted in pots.After the emergence of the plant from the soil, dry treatments based on the soil field capacity (FC) at three levels of irrigation at 25, 50, and 100% of field capacity for six weeks are applied to them, and growth indices, the activity of antioxidant enzymes, amount of hydrogen peroxide and malondialdehyde as well as changes in the two hormones of abscisic acid and endogenous gibberellin was investigated. According to the results of this research, the effect of seed priming with PIX and the interaction of drought × pre-sowing seed treatment on all physiological traits were significant at the level of 1%. The results of experimental data showed that drought stress (especially severe drought) reduced most growth indicator and physiological traits (fresh and dry weight of root and shoot, shoot length, fresh and dry weight of leaf, leaf area, root peroxidation activity, leaf phenol content, amount of gibberellin ) and only increased abscisic acid content (74%), root diameter (38%), root length(14%), leaf thickness, (15%) compared to the control. pre-sowing seed treatment with PIX, while increasing the dry weight (28% roots and 34% leaves) and thickness roots (58%) and 96% leaves (96%), increased catalase (88%) and peroxidase (6%) activity and abscisic acid content (73%) of leaves, reduced hydrogen peroxide (17%), malondialdehyde (20%) of leaves, and gibberellin (40%) of roots. Under extreme drought stress, the application of PIX decreased the amount of phenolic compounds in leaves by 44% as compared to the control. The interplay of drought stress × PIX decreased root gibberellin by 25% and raised leaf abscisic acid by 183%. According to the study results, seed priming with PIX improved the physiological and biochemical responses of cotton under drought conditions

EFIKASI PUPUK N DAN PUPUK KANDANG KAMBING PADA HASIL PELEPAH DAUN LIDAH BUAYA (Aloe vera)

Aloe vera plant comes from the Canary Islands in west Africa. Aloe vera is a tropical plant that is used as a medicinal plant and industrial raw material. Aloe vera is currently widely used as a raw material for facial and body cosmetics. The economically valuable part is the leaves which contain the gel. Increasing the quality and quantity of leaves required care such as fertilization. Fertilization can use organic or inorganic fertilizers. This study used N fertilizer and goat manure for fertilizing aloe vera. This study used a factorial Randomized Block Design (RAK), which was arranged with 2 factors, namely factor I in the form of a dose of fertilizer N: N0 (without fertilizer); N1 (25 kg/ha); N2 (50 kg/ha); N3 (100 kg/ha). Factor II is the dose of goat manure: K0 (without Fertilizer); K1 (20 tons/ha); K2 (30 tons/ha); K3 (60 tons/ha). Parameters observed included lots of leaves (pieces), leaf length (cm), leaf width (cm), stem diameter (mm), leaf thickness (mm), and leaf fresh weight (g). Data analysis using ANOVA followed by the Smallest Significant Difference Advanced Test (BNT) at the 5% level. Based on the analysis of variance, it showed that there was no interaction between treatments. Treatment of N fertilizer up to a dose of 100 kg/ha and treatment of goat manure up to 60 tons/ha did not show a significant effect on the yield of aloe vera leaf midrib

Influence of kitchen waste compost and chemical fertilizer on the growth and yield of tomato (Solanum lycopersicum)

A pot experiment was conducted to evaluate the effect of kitchen waste compost (KWC) and NPK fertilizers on the growth and yield of tomato. It was laid out in a completely randomized block design (CRBD) using 25 treatments having 3 replications each. Agronomic parameters of the growth and yield of tomato were recorded at 15, 30, 45, and 60 days interval. The highest growth and yield parameter found with 60 days. The tallest plant height (57 cm) was recorded in T13(N120P60K80 kg ha-1 + 2.5ton KWC ha-1). Highest number of leaf found (17 per plant) in T18 (N30P15K20 kg ha-1 + 7.5 ton KWC ha-1) and T23 (N60P30K40 kg ha-1 + 10 ton KWC ha1. The length of midrib (22 cm) inT3 (5ton KWC ha-1) and dry weight of midrib (1.46 g plant-1) obtained topmost in T6(N30P15K20 kg ha-1). The girth of plants (1.4 cm) in T14: (N30P15K20 kg ha-1 + 5 ton KWC ha-1, and leaf area (5.61 cm2) in T2 (2.5 ton KWC ha-1). Total fresh weight of leaf, root and stem (60.3 g plant1) and dry weight of leaf, root and stem (21.91 g plant-1) were superior inT24(N90P45K60 kg ha-1 + 10 ton KWC ha-1), number of fruit per plant (10) inT5(10 ton KWC ha-1) and longest fruit (7.5 cm) inT5(10 ton KWC ha-1). Maximum fresh weight of tomato fruit (13.48 g plant-1) produces in T24 (N90P45K60 kg ha-1 + 10 ton KWC ha-1) and dry weight (5.32 g plant-1) in T20 (N90P45K60 kg ha-1 + 7.5 ton KWC ha-1). The findings revealed that KWC with NPK T24 (N90P45K60 kg ha-1 + 10 ton KWC ha-1) could be suggested to use for the maximum growth and yield of tomato. This trial has also been created the evidence that kitchen waste may be an alternative source of organic materials to produce tomato. J. Biodivers. Conserv. Bioresour. Manag. 2022, 8(1): 81-90

Alleviating the adverse effects of salinity on Roselle plants by green synthesized nanoparticles

In the present study, an eco-friendly process was made for the rapid synthesis of silver nanoparticles using aqueous leaf extract of Hibiscus sabdariffa. The process was characterized by Fourier Transform Infrared (FT-IR), scanning electron microscopy (SEM), transmission electron microscopy (TEM), UV–visible and X-ray diffraction (XRD). These green silver nanoparticles (NPs) were used for mitigating the adverse effects of salinity on seed germination and growth parameters in plants. Accordingly, two experiments were conducted. In the first experiment, seven concentrations of green silver NPs and nine levels of NaCl:CaCl were apptoed on seeds for germination, and their effects were evaluated. In the second experiment, three concentrations of green silver NPs and NaCl were hypothesized to affect plant growth parameters. Seed germination, plant height, leaf, and root fresh and dry weights, as well as relative water content (RWC), decreased significantly under salt stress. However, green silver NPs intervened by alleviating the adverse effects of stress. Accordingly, green silver NPs were beneficial due to (1) activation of the antioxidant system by enhancing antioxidant enzymes such as catalase (CAT), ascorbate peroxidase (APX), peroxidase (POD), and superoxide dismutase (SOD); (2) increase in the amounts of proline, soluble sugars and carbohydrates for osmoprotection; (3) improvements in flavonoid and anthocyanin contents. Real-time PCR showed that flavonoid and anthocyanin contents increased because of higher expressions in chalcone synthase (CHS), flavanone 3‐hydroxylase (F3H), and anthocyanidin synthase (ANS) genes. In conclusion, green silver NPs offered an eco-friendly application for further research on agricultural development.

The locoweed endophyte Alternaria oxytropis affects root development in Arabidopsis in vitro through auxin signaling and polar transport.

Locoweeds are leguminous forbs known for their toxicity to livestock caused by the endophytic fungi Alternaria sect. Undifilum. Unlike the defensive mutualisms reported in many toxin-producing endophytes and their plant hosts, the benefits that A. sect. Undifilum can confer to it host plants remains unclear. Here, we conducted physiological and genetic analyses to show that A. (sect. Undifilum) oxytropis influences growth, especially root development, in its locoweed host Oxytropis ochrocephala and Arabidopsis. The presence of A. oxytropis significantly decreased primary root length while increasing the numbers of lateral roots and root hairs, and increasing plant leaf area and fresh weight. The fungus also increased the concentrations of plant endogenous auxin, and the expression of key genes for auxin biosynthesis, signaling, and transport. These effects on root development were abolished in mutants deficient in auxin signaling and polar transport. Alternaria oxytropis down-regulated expression of PIN1 but increased expression of PIN2, PIN7, and AUX1, which might reflect alterations in the spatial accumulation of auxin responsible for the changes in root architecture. Plant growth was insensitive to A. oxytropis when naphthylphthalamic acid was applied. Our findings indicate a function of A. oxytropis in promoting the growth and development of Arabidopsis via the regulation of auxin, which in turn suggests a possible role in benefiting its locoweed hosts via a process independent of its toxin production.

Short-term severe drought influences root volatile biosynthesis in eastern white pine (Pinus strobus L).

Climate change-related drought stress is expected to shift carbon partitioning toward volatile organic compound (VOC) biosynthesis. The effect of drought stress on VOC synthesis remains unknown in several tree species. Therefore, we exposed eastern white pine (Pinus strobus) plants to severe drought for 32 days and performed physiological analysis (chlorophyll content, leaf water content, and root/shoot index), biochemical analysis (non-structural carbohydrates, proline, lipid peroxidation, and antioxidant assay), and total root VOC analysis. Drought stress decreased the relative water and soil moisture contents. Root proline accumulation and antioxidant activity increased significantly, whereas leaf chlorophyll synthesis and fresh weight decreased significantly in drought-treated plants. A non-significant increase in sugar accumulation (leaves and roots), proline accumulation (leaves), antioxidant activity (leaves), and lipid peroxidation (leaves and roots) was observed in drought-treated plants. Drought stress caused a non-significant decline in root/shoot ratio and starch accumulation (leaves and roots) and caused a significant increase in root abscisic acid content. Drought-treated plants showed an increase in overall monoterpene synthesis (16%) and decline in total sesquiterpene synthesis (3%). Our findings provide an overall assessment of the different responses of VOC synthesis to severe water deficit that may help unravel the molecular mechanisms underlying drought tolerance in P. strobus.

Pengaruh Pemotongan Bibit dan Konsentrasi Urin Kelinci Terfermentasi Terhadap Pertumbuhan dan Hasil Bawang Daun (Allium fistulosum L.)

The spring onion plant (Allium fistulosum L.) has the potential to be developed considering the many benefits obtained from this plant, especially for various kinds of cuisine. Therefore, efforts to improve product quality and quantity need to be continued. The use of rabbit urine can help minimize the use of inorganic fertilizers. While cutting techniques will increase heat efficiency. This study aims to determine the effect of the seed length of spring onion seeds and rabbit urine fermentation on the growth of spring onion. This study used a factorial randomized block design consisting of two factors and three replications. The first factor includes cutting the seeds, namely (P1) 10 cm, (P2) 15 cm, and (P3) 20 cm. The second factor was the concentration of rabbit urine fermentation (U1) at 50 ml/l, (U2) at 100 ml/l, and (U3) at 150 ml/l. The results showed that there was an interaction between the dose of rabbit urine fermentation and cutting seeds on the growth of leek plants. The longer the seedling size, the more the response to rabbit urine concentration for leaf vegetative parameters and fresh plant weight. The highest yield was achieved with a seed size of 20 cm with a concentration of fermented rabbit urine of 150 ml/l with an average yield of 39.8 leaves per plant and a fresh weight of 442.52 grams per plant. There is a tendency for seed size to grow which can be stimulated by high urine concentrations, thus allowing the use of urine with higher concentrations and doses

Mitigation of salinity impact in spearmint plants through the application of engineered chitosan-melatonin nanoparticles

High soil salinity represents a critical environmental constraint to crop production. In order to ameliorate the effects of salinity, a plethora of molecules have been applied and promising outcomes have been noted. The beneficial effects of chitosan (CTS) and melatonin (Mel) application, separately, have been previously recorded with respect to plant growth and productivity, leading to the hypothesis that their conjugation in the form of chitosan-melatonin nanoparticles (CTS-HPMC-Mel NPs) could lead to further enhanced performance of plants under control and stress conditions. In this regard, novel CTS-HPMC-Mel NPs were synthesized, characterized and then employed as a chemical priming agent in spearmint (Mentha spicata L.) plants 24 h prior to salinity stress imposition. As expected, salt stress negatively affected morphophysiological attributes such as plant height, leaf number, leaf fresh weight, leaf dry weight, photosynthetic pigments, Fv/Fo, and Fv/Fm. On the other hand, stress-related attributes, such as content of proline, MDA and H2O2, as well as activity of APX and GP enzymes were increased in response to salt stress. However, adverse effects of salt stress were ameliorated with Mel and CTS-HPMC-Mel NP treatments by enhancing morphological traits, proline, antioxidant enzymatic activities, as well as content of dominant constituents of essential oil profile. It is worth noting that conjugated form of Mel with chitosan, in comparison with solo treatment of Mel, was more effective in combating stress effects. To our knowledge, this is the first report to demonstrate that engineered CTS-HPMC-Mel NPs could be applied as an innovative protective agent to mitigate the effects of salinity in crop plants.

Effect of sodium chloride on physiological, biochemical traits, and mineral nutrition inhibition of peanut varieties in large temperature fluctuations

Peanut has a high nutritional value which would be influenced by soil salinization that arises because of climate change. In this paper, the effects of salinity on morphological, physiological biochemical parameters and mineral absorption inhibition of the three varieties cultivated in Cameroon, namely ICGV86003 (V1), Metchicha (V2), and JL 24 (V3) were evaluated under large temperature fluctuations. Plants of each variety were grown at four concentrations of Wacquant's nutrient solution 0, 40, 80, and 120 mM of NaCl 20 days after germination under an unstable environment. The experiment pots were arranged in a completely randomized design with five replicates. The results showed that the three studied peanut varieties present distinct indicators for salt tolerance. Total Leaf Area (TLA), Fresh Weight (FW), and Relative Water Content (RWC) decreased from 80 mM, 40mM, and 80 mM of NaCl respectively. Bound water (BW) increased from 40 mM of NaCl in all varieties. Total sugars, total protein, and peroxidase content increased from 40 mM of NaCl, while polyphenol content increased from 40 mM NaCl in the V1 variety and 80 mM of NaCl in the V2 and V3 varieties. In addition, nutrient elements left in the soil were elevated from 40 mM of NaCl while N was reduced under the same salt conditions for V2, V3, and V1 respectively. These results suggest that the adaptive mechanism of the studied varieties of peanut to salt stress under temperature fluctuations reduces the uptake of mineral elements by the plant and is at the origin of the poor organoleptic quality of fruits.

Influence of phosphorus management on yield, nutrient uptake, post-harvest soil properties and economics of rice (Oryza sativa L.) in acid Alfisols

A field experiment was carried out to study the effect of phosphorus (P) on kharif rice(Oryza sativa L.) in rice-greengram cropping system in Mid-Central Table Land Zone of Odisha. The experiment was conducted in split-plot design with three replications. Four main plots viz., P1-100% soil test dose (STD) for P as basal to rice, P2- 100% STD for P to both the crops, P3-50 % STD for P to rice and 100% STD for P to greengram, P4 - No P to rice and 100% STD for P to both the crops was applied to greengram, were allotted to the main plots and three rice varieties viz., V1-Mandakini, V2-Lalat and V3- Pratikhya were considered in the sub plots. Application of 100% STD for P to both the crops (P2) resulted in the highest grain and straw yield of 3980 and 4715 kg/ha, respectively. Rice variety ‘Pratikshya’ produced the highest grain and straw yields of 3808 and 4399 kg/ha, respectively. Similarly, the same P management practice and rice cv. ‘Pratikshya’ recorded the highest chlorophyll content (3.54 mg/g of fresh leaf weight), nutrient uptake (N 68.9 kg/ha , P 27.2 kg/ha , K 88.2 kg/ha ) gross and net returns and B: C ratio (1.94). However, the post harvest soil nutrients status were maximum with P2 where rice cv. ‘Mandakini’ was taken.

The contribution of understory and Compositae species to canopy storage capacity of semiarid grassland communities on the Loess Plateau

AbstractCanopy rainfall interception reduces the effectiveness of limited rainfall resources in arid and semiarid regions. To clarify the effects of species composition and community vertical structure on canopy storage capacity, the artificial wetting and simulated rainfall methods were used to determine the species (C) and community (Cmax) water storage, respectively, in three typical grassland communities on the semiarid Loess Plateau. Results indicated that water storage capacity of 31 grassland species ranged from 0.47 to 3.73 g g−1, with an average of 1.60 g g−1, and leaf storage capacity was significantly higher than the stem. Plant storage capacity was correlated with leaf traits (including leaf fresh weight, length and area). Canopy storage capacity of three grassland communities (Bothriochloa ischaemum, Artemisia gmelinii and Lespedeza davurica) ranged from 0.77 to 1.09 mm and were positively correlated with community leaf area index (LAI), coverage and leaf dry biomass. Leaf and stem water storage accounted for 57.6% and 42.4% of the total community, respectively. The water storage of Compositae, Gramineae, Leguminosae and other species accounted for 35.5%, 27.0%, 23.4% and 14.1%, respectively. The plants in the community with heights of >40, 20–40 and 0–20 cm contributed 5.8%, 30.3% and 63.9% of the water storage, respectively. The field observed canopy storage capacity was significantly higher than the estimated value through scaling up the individual storage data to the community, revealing complex community structure and species composition may increase actual rainfall interception. These results highlighted the species at 0–20 cm height was the key component affecting canopy water storage, and Compositae species may intercept more rainfall within the community, which imply that reducing the understory or Compositae species composition of grassland community would be helpful for increasing limited rainfall partitioning to soil in the drought area.