Morpho-physiological Parameters Research Articles

MORPHO-PHYSIOLOGICAL DISSECTION OF HEAT TOLERANCE IN CERTAIN POOL OF SOYBEAN GENOTYPES

Under the scenario of climate change, crop diversification through the incorporation of non-conventional oilseed crops like soybean in the cropping pattern is a need of the time. However, being native to regions having mild temperatures, soybean faces difficulty in adaptation in areas of lower latitude with high temperatures and short day lengths during growing periods. This situation directs the researchers to determine the tolerance of soybean genotypes against high temperatures and to establish a selection criterion for the identification of adaptable traits. For this purpose, a study was conducted at Oilseeds Research Institute, Faisalabad. Forty soybean genotypes including approved varieties were screened for tolerance against high temperatures in the growth chamber and glass house. At the seedling stage, genotypes were categorized into tolerant, moderately tolerant, and susceptible categories based on their STI values in the growth chamber and values of certain morpho-physiological parameters in a glass house. Considering the seed yield an ultimate goal in the adaptation process, its study is crucial in field conditions. Tolerant and moderately tolerant genotypes from previous experiments were sown in the field. Data of yield and contributing traits were recorded at maturity and subjected to analysis. Results showed great variability among genotypes for all the traits. AARI Soybean gave the best yield followed by Faisal Soybean, ORI-SOY-91, and ORI-SOY-102. All of these genotypes/varieties also performed well in terms of electrolyte leakage and leaf-relative water content. To conclude, these varieties would show better adaptation in high-temperature areas. Moreover, both the varieties along with 2 best-performing genotypes may prove to be better parents in future hybridization programs.

Genotypic Variations of Morpho-physiological Parameters of Rapeseed (Brassica rapa var. Toria) under Rainfed Condition of Assam

Background: Among the North-Eastern states, Assam is the highest in terms of area of cultivation of rapeseed and has the potential to increase productivity to a great extent. To fulfil the increasing demand for edible oils, appropriate interventions must be paid for introduction of new oilseed varieties.The suitable genotype for a particular region has to be identified based on physiological efficiency and yield. Methods: The field experiment was carried out at the Instructional-cum-Research (ICR) Farm, Assam Agricultural University, Jorhat-13, Assam during rabi seasons of 2021-22 and 2022-23. The experiment was laid out in randomized block design with three replications comprising of 22 different genotypes of rapeseed (Brassica rapa, var. Toria), viz., TS-38 (Check), TS-46, TS-67, TS-36, TS-29, TS-75-1, TS-75-1TL, TS-75-2ME, TS-75-2-MM, TS-76-1, TS-76-2, JT-90-1, Panchali, Bhawani, CG Toria-4, TKM-20-1, TKM-20-2, JT-14-5, PT-2018-09, CG Toria-3, Tapeshwari and PT-303. The crops were grown following the recommended package of practice. All the parameters were taken following the standard methodologies. The parameters under study were plant height, number of primary branches, number of green leaves, stem diameters, root lengths and root volumes, proline content, nitrate reductase activity, protein content, oil content, specific leave weight, leaf area index, net assimilation rate and seed yield. Result: The results of the study indicated a significant variation of all the morpho-physiological parameters among the genotypes. The genotype TS-75-2ME and TS-38 exhibited morpho-physiological superiority in terms of number of primary branches, green leaves and SLW. The same genotypes also recorded significantly higher seed yield.

Biosynthesis of copper nanoparticles using Solenostemma argel and their effect on enhancing salt tolerance in barley plants

The distinctive characteristics of nanoparticles and their potential applications have been given considerable attention by scientists across different fields, particularly agriculture. However, there has been limited effort to assess the impact of copper nanoparticles (CuNPs) in modulating physiological and biochemical processes in response to salt-induced stress. This study aimed to synthesize CuNPs biologically using Solenostemma argel extract and determine their effects on morphophysiological parameters and antioxidant defense system of barley (Hordeum vulgare) under salt stress. The biosynthesized CuNPs were characterized by (UV–vis spectroscopy with Surface Plasmon Resonance at 320 nm, the crystalline nature of the formed NPs was verified via XRD, the FTIR recorded the presence of the functional groups, while TEM was confirmed the shape (spherical) and the sizes (9 to 18 nm) of biosynthesized CuNPs. Seeds of barley plants were grown in plastic pots and exposed to different levels of salt (0, 100 and 200 mM NaCl). Our findings revealed that the supplementation of CuNPs (0, 25 and 50 mg/L) to salinized barley significantly mitigate the negative impacts of salt stress and enhanced the plant growth-related parameters. High salinity level enhanced the oxidative damage by raising the concentrations of osmolytes (soluble protein, soluble sugar, and proline), malondialdehyde (MDA) and hydrogen peroxide (H2O2). In addition, increasing the activities of enzymatic antioxidants, total phenol, and flavonoids. Interestingly, exposing CuNPs on salt-stressed plants enhanced the plant-growth characteristics, photosynthetic pigments, and gas exchange parameters. Furthermore, CuNPs counteracted oxidative damage by lowering the accumulation of osmolytes, H2O2, MDA, total phenol, and flavonoids, while simultaneously enhancing the activities of antioxidant enzymes. In conclusion, the application of biosynthesized CuNPs presents a promising approach and sustainable strategy to enhance plant resistance to salinity stress, surpassing conventional methods in terms of environmental balance.

ACCUMULATION OF POLYPHENOLS AT THE BEGINNING OF PHOTOMORPHOGENESIS IN VITRO TEA PLANT CULTURES UNDER THE INFLUENCE OF DIFFERENT LIGHT INTENSITY

Introduction. An important direction in the biotechnology of plant cell cultures is the search for factors and influences that contribute to increasing the accumulation of pharmacologically valuable metabolites in them, including polyphenols. These factors include light, the effect of which activates the processes of photomorphogenesis in in vitro cultures, regulates their differentiation and metabolic processes. All this depends on the intensity of the light flux, the origin of the cells and tissues cultivated in vitro, as well as the economic value of the synthesized plant metabolites. One of the promising pharmacologically valuable crops are tea plants (Camellia sinensis L.), as well as callus cultures initiated from them, which are characterized by the accumulation of various polyphenols, including flavans – substances with P-vitamin capillary-strengthening activity. The aim of the study was to compare the effect of different light intensity on the morpho-physiological characteristics of tea callus cultures, as well as the accumulation and localization of polyphenols in them. Material and methods. The object of the study was tea callus cultures of stem origin grown for 40 days at light intensity: 50 µmol·m2·s1, 75 µmol·m2·s1 and 100 µmol·m2·s1 (low, medium and high intensity, respectively). Morphophysiological parameters of calluses (color, density, water content), the total phenolics and flavans content in them, as well as their localization were analyzed. Results. The cultivation of tea calluses in the light was accompanied by their changing-over to photomorphogenesis, which manifested itself in the greening of the cultures and the chloroplasts formation in cells. The greatest efficiency of this process was noted at the high light intensity, which cor-related with the maximum accumulation of polyphenols and flavans, exceeding that in cultures grown at lower light flux values. Consequently, the cul-tivation of tea callus cultures at different light intensities makes it possible to regulate the polyphenols accumulation in them – biologically active plant metabolites with antioxidant activity.

Drought-tolerant rhizobacteria with predicted functional traits enhanced wheat growth and P uptake under moderate drought and low P-availability

This study aims to investigate the effect of isolated drought-tolerant rhizobacteria, spanning various groups, such as nitrogen-fixing bacteria (NFB), phosphate solubilizing bacteria (PSB), and other plant growth promoting rhizobacteria (PGPR), on the growth of wheat (Triticum durum) plants, focusing on various morphological and physiological responses under moderate drought and low-P availability. Among 343 rhizobacterial morphotypes, 16 exhibited tolerance to NaCl and PEG-6000. These included 8 PSB, 4 NFB, and 4 osmotolerant-PGPR groups, distributed across 14 different genera. Biochemical characterization showcased diverse PGP capabilities, particularly in P solubilization. The dynamic responses of drought-tolerant PSB to salt and PEG-6000-induced drought stress involved variations in organic acid (OA) secretion, with specific acids, including palmitic, lactic, and stearic, playing crucial roles in enhancing available P fractions. Inoculation with rhizobacteria significantly increased both shoot (SDW) and root (RDW) dry weights of wheat plants, as well as rhizosphere available P. PSB11 (Arthrobacter oryzae) emerged as the most effective strain, plausibly due to its positive impact on root morphological traits (length, surface, and volume). Other isolates, PSB10 (Priestia flexa), PSB13 (Bacillus haynesii), and particularly PGPR2 (Arthrobacter pascens) significantly increased shoot P content (up to 68.91 %), with a 2-fold increase in chlorophyll content. The correlation analysis highlighted positive associations between SDW, shoot P content, chlorophyll content index (CCI), and leaf area. Additionally, a negative correlation emerged between microbial biomass P and root morphophysiological parameters. This pattern could be explained by reduced competition between plants and rhizobacteria for accessible P, as indicated by low microbial biomass P and strong plant growth. Our investigation reveals the potential of drought-tolerant rhizobacteria in enhancing wheat resilience to moderate drought and low-P conditions. This is demonstrated through exceptional performance in influencing root architecture, P utilization efficiency, and overall plant physiological parameters. Beyond these outcomes, the innovative isolation procedure employed, targeting rhizobacteria from diverse groups, opens new avenues for targeted isolation techniques. This unique approach contributes to the novelty of our study, offering promising prospects for targeted bioinoculants in mitigating the challenges of drought and P deficiency in wheat cultivation.

Morphological, Biochemical and Proline-Related Genes Analyses in Resistant and Susceptible Wheat Cultivars in Iraq

A high salinity level negatively affects the morpho-physiological parameters of plants. As a result of salinity, these effects are considered crucial signs of plant damage. In this study, ten Iraqi wheat cultivars were examined against two salinity levels (3 and 15 ds m-1) and some morphological, biochemical properties were measured. Also proline-related genes were analyzed using Ilumina RNA sequences and bioinformatics analyses. All cultivars demonstrated a decrease in the studied parameters with an increase saliness. 'Dijlah' cultivar showed best performance salinity stress, while 'Ibaa 99' was sensitive based on morphological and biochemical parameters. The competition was in favor of the sodium ion at the expense of the potassium ion in high salinity conditions. Proline accumulation in wheat blade leaves was about 2.5 times higher at the peak salt level. The transcriptomic analysis was done and the transcripts per million (TPM) values were estimated for some proline genes. The genes of probable proline transporter 2, proline dehydrogenase 2, and GSK-like kinase 1A obtained the higher TPM values in cultivar 'Dijlah' cultivar than in 'Ibaa 99' cultivar. It can be concluded that 'Dijlah' cultivar is a salt tolerant cultivar as compare with the susceptible 'Ibaa 99' cultivar, and their proline accumulation was increased with salinity stress and was related with TPM values. Morphological, biochemical and TPM values would offer a good combined- criteria for recognition the tolerant genotype.

The study of the influence of <i>Thlaspi arvense</i> L. on the characteristics of the reproductive system of male rats

Introduction. The development of new effective and safe herbal medicines capable of having a positive effect on reproductive status is an urgent task of domestic pharmacy. Medicinal plants are considered as alternative therapies aimed at increasing testosterone levels and fertility in men. The arsenal of medicinal plants used in traditional medicine for the treatment of diseases in men is mainly represented by phytoadaptogens, most of which have a small resource potential in Russia, therefore, it is relevant to search for plants with a sufficient raw material base and with the potential for cultivation. Thlaspi arvense L. is a promising medicinal plant, as it is widely used in folk medicine as a diuretic, anti-inflammatory, diaphoretic, antihistamine, hemostatic, astringent, has a positive effect on the processes of spermatogenesis and is widely distributed in our country. However, information on the chemical composition and biological activity of Thlaspi arvense L. they are insufficient, which shows the relevance of its further more detailed study in order to substantiate the possibility of application in practical medicine and solutions to the issues of standardization of medicinal plant raw materials.Aim. The study of the influence of Thlaspi arvense L. on the characteristics of the reproductive system of male rats.Materials and methods. The object of the study was an infusion of herbа Thlaspi arvense L. The features of the reproductive behavior of male rats after 21-day administration of the infusion of grass yarutka field were studied using tests that allow quantifying the severity of sexual motivation and sexual activity of males. The viability of spermatozoa in the ejaculate of rats was assessed, the total number of spermatozoa (ACS, million), degenerative and immobile forms (%) was calculated. Morphophysiological parameters of spermatogenesis of rats of control and experimental groups of animals were studied using classical histological methods. The concentration of testosterone in the blood serum of experimental groups of animals was determined by the enzyme immunoassay.Results and discussion. The results obtained allow us to conclude that the fertility of rats has increased against the background of the course administration of the infusion of herbа Thlaspi arvense L., as evidenced by an increase in the testosterone content in the blood, improvement of spermogram indicators and morphophysiological characteristics of spermatogenesis in the testicles of rats. The use of the infusion of herbа Thlaspi arvense L. has a protective effect on spermatogenesis. An increase in the thickness of the spermatogenic epithelium, the diameter of the cross-section of the convoluted seminal tubules and the index of spermatogenesis compared with the control group of animals was revealed. The positive effect of Thlaspi arvense L. on indicators of sexual motivation and sexual activity of male rats is shown.Conclusion. Thlaspi arvense L. is a promising medicinal plant, as it is able to have a positive effect on libido, the number and mobility of spermatozoa, the production of sex hormones, spermatogenesis, as well as on the pituitary-gonadal axis, which is associated with the content of a complex of biologically active substances in it.

Response of laying hens fed diet supplemented with a mixture of olive, laurel, and rosemary leaf powders: Metabolic profile, oxidative status, intestinal histomorphology, and egg quality

This study aimed to evaluate the effects of a mixture of olive, laurel, and rosemary leaf powders, on the oxidative state, biochemical, immune, intestinal morphophysiological parameters, and egg quality of laying hens. One hundred Lohmann Brown hens (28 weeks old) were equally assigned to two groups (n. 50) corresponding to a basal control diet (CON) or the diet supplemented with 6 g/kg feed of leaf powder mixture (LPM) containing olive, laurel, and rosemary leaves (1:1:1), for 60 days. Oxidative status, biochemical indices, immune response, cecal short chain fatty acids (SCFAs), intestinal morphological characteristics, and some egg traits were evaluated at the end of the experiment. The results indicated that LPM improved (P < 0.05) the oxidative status (TOS, ROMs), the immune system (IL-6, IL-1β, and TNF-α), the total protein and HDL cholesterol content, whereas it decreased (P < 0.05) total cholesterol and LDL cholesterol. Aspartate aminotransferase (AST), alkaline phosphatase (ALP), and alanine aminotransferase were significantly (P < 0.05) lower in the LPM than in the CON group. A significant increase (P < 0.05) in SCFA content in the caecum, as well as in villi height and crypt depth in both duodenum and ileum of LPM-treated hens, was observed. Egg quality parameters were not influenced (P > 0.05) by LPM. These findings indicate that LPM can be considered a candidate as an antioxidant ingredient for functional food in laying hens.

Bio-Priming of Seed with Trichoderma sp. and Bacillus sp. Leads to Improved Morpho-Physiological Parameters Related to Drought Tolerance in Maize

Maize (Zea mays L.) holds an important position as a major grain crop in Pakistan flourishing across a diverse range of environmental conditions. The maize crop encounters various severe abiotic challenges with drought being the most concerning factor leading to diminished plant growth and yield. Seed priming a well-established and widely adopted technique serves as an effective mechanism to alleviate drought stress ultimately boosting both growth and grain yield. The primary objective of this study was to evaluate the impact of diverse seed priming methods on the growth and development of maize plants. Additionally, the study sought to assess the potential of various seed priming techniques in mitigating drought stress in maize. A pot experiment was conducted using a completely randomized design under natural conditions. The aim was to scrutinize the influence of different priming agents on morpho-physiological traits associated with water deficit conditions in maize. The gathered data underwent ANOVA analysis revealing variations in all parameters for both maize varieties at a 5% probability level. Specifically, the Pak-Afgoi variety displayed notable responsiveness to the seed priming approach in alleviating drought stress in maize. Furthermore, the findings underscored the evident and substantial impact of seed priming on both maize varieties across a range of studied characteristics under drought stress conditions. In conclusion, the present study suggests that seed priming holds the potential to enhance drought tolerance in maize.

Evaluation of the effect of organic fertilizers on the morphophysiological parameters and antioxidant compounds of Swiss chard (Beta vulgaris L.).

Objective: To evaluate the effect of organic fertilizers on the morphophysiological parameters and antioxidant compounds of Swiss chard (B. vulgaris L.) var. ‘Rainbow’ grown under greenhouse conditions. Design/Methodology/Approach: A completely randomized design was used with three treatments and 33 repetitions: T1 (poultry manure-based organic fertilizer (T1 AAC)), T2 (coffe pulp-based vermicompost (T2 LC)), and T3 (chemical fertilization (T3 FQ)). Plant height, stem diameter, number of leaves, leaf area, fresh biomass, dry biomass, chlorophyll A, chlorophyll B, total chlorophyll, carotenoids, total polyphenols, DPPH, and yield were evaluated. An analysis of variance and Tukey’s test (α=0.05) were used. Results: For most of the variables evaluated, the best results were obtained with the poultry manure-based organic fertilizer (T1 AAC) treatment. The antioxidant compounds and the quality of Swiss chard were influenced by organic fertilizers, with 0.21 mg Eq. gallic acid g-1 fresh tissue (ft), total chlorophyll of 19.5 µg g-1 (ft), and a yield of 6,150 kg·m2. Study Limitations/Implications: The mineral content of this vegetable was not evaluated. Findings/Conclusions: The use of poultry manure-based organic fertilizers can be an alternative nutritional management for Swiss chard cultivation.

Exogenous application of salicylic acid ameliorates salinity stress in barley (Hordeum vulgare L.)

Barley (Hordeum vulgare L.) is a significant cereal crop belonging to Poaceae that is essential for human food and animal feeding. The production of barley grains was around 142.37 million tons in 2017/2018. However, the growth of barley was influenced by salinity which was enhanced by applying a foliar spray of salicylic acid. The current study investigated to evaluated the potential effect of SA on the barley (Hordeum vulgare L.) plants under salinity stress and its possible effects on physiological, biochemical, and growth responses. The experiment was conducted at Postgraduate Research Station (PARS), University of Agriculture; Faisalabad to assess the influence of salicylic acid on barley (Hordeum vulgare L.) under highly saline conditions. The experiment was conducted in a Completely Randomized Design (CRD) with 3 replicates. In plastic pots containing 8 kg of properly cleaned sand, two different types of barley (Sultan and Jau-17) were planted. The plants were then watered with a half-strength solution of Hoagland’s nutritional solution. After the establishment of seedlings, two salt treatments (0 mM and 120 mM NaCl) were applied in combining three levels of exogenously applied salicylic acid (SA) (0, 0.5, and 1 mg L-1). Data about morphological, physiological, and biochemical attributes was recorded using standard procedure after three weeks of treatment. The morpho-physiological fresh weight of the shoot and root (48%), the dry mass of the shoot and root (66%), the plant height (18%), the chlorophyll a (30%), the chlorophyll b (22%), and the carotenoids (22%), all showed significant decreases. Salinity also decreased yield parameters and the chl. ratio (both at 29% and 26% of the total chl. leaf area index). Compared to the control parameters, the following data was recorded under salt stress: spike length, number of spikes, number of spikelets, number of tillers, biological yield, and harvest index. Salicylic acid was used as a foliar spray to lessen the effects of salinity stress, and 1 mg L-1 of salicylic acid proved more effective than 0.5 mg L-1. Both varieties show better growth by applying salicylic acid (0 mg L-1) as a control, showing normal growth. By increasing its level to (0.5 mg L-1), it shows better growth but maximized growth occurred at a higher level (1 mg L-1). Barley sultan (Hordeum vulgare L.) is the best variety as compared to Jau-17 performs more growth to mitigate salt stress (0mM and 120mM NaCl) by improving morpho-physiological parameters by enhancing plan height, Root and shoot fresh and dry weights, as well as root and shoot lengths, photosynthetic pigments, area of the leaves and their index, and yield attributes and reduce sodium ions.

Adventitious root formation confers waterlogging tolerance in cowpea (Vigna unguiculata (L.) Walp.)

Crop adaptation to waterlogging stress necessitates alterations in their morpho-physiological and biochemical characteristics. Cowpeas, which serve as a dual-purpose legume crop (food and fodder), are sensitive to waterlogging stress, especially when exposed to extended periods of water stagnation during the early growth stage. In this study, we subjected five distinct and superior cowpea varieties to 10 days of waterlogging stress at the early seedling stage (V2, 15 days post emergence for 10 days) under controlled conditions. The aim was to comprehend the response of these varieties and identify the ideal trait for screening a large collection of cowpea genetic resources for waterlogging tolerance. We measured and analyzed changes in morpho-physiological and root parameters to gain a deeper understanding of the mechanism underlying waterlogging tolerance. The treatment (waterlogging and control), genotype, and their interactions had a significant impact on the most studied traits (p &amp;lt; 0.05). The results indicated a significant reduction in morpho-physiological parameters such as plant height, leaf area, leaf number, Normalized Difference Vegetation Index (NDVI), chlorophyll content, and chlorophyll fluorescence parameters under stress treatment than control conditions. However, root parameters like the number of adventitious roots (AR) and their length (ARL) significantly increased under waterlogging stress in tolerant cowpea varieties like DC15 and PL4. Correlation and PCA analyses further revealed a positive and significant association between cowpeas’ waterlogging tolerance and AR formation and its AR length. Therefore, the current study reveals that swift development of AR and ARL may serve as potential traits conferring waterlogging tolerance in cowpeas. Using suitable mapping populations, these traits could reveal genomic regions associated with waterlogging tolerance in cowpeas. The tolerant varieties and key traits identified in this study could be beneficial in breeding programs aimed at enhancing waterlogging tolerance in cowpeas.

Improvement of the Morphophysiological Parameters of Pepper after the Presowing Treatment of Seeds with Zinc Nanoparticles

Improvement of the Morphophysiological Parameters of Pepper after the Presowing Treatment of Seeds with Zinc Nanoparticles

Utilization of phosphogypsum and red mud in alfalfa cultivation

In this work, the utilization of phosphogypsum (PG), a waste coming from the manufacture of phosphate fertilizers, as fertilizer for alfalfa (Medicago sativa L.) crops was investigated using pot experiments. The objective of this study was to evaluate the effects of both phosphogypsum and red mud (RM) in two soils representative of the pasture production area in Southern Spain. The morpho-physiological parameters of biomass, plant height, number of stems and number of leaves, as well as the chemical parameters of soil content, were measured. High doses of PG inhibited seed germination in some treatments. In addition, the treatment substrate (2550 g soil + 50 g kg−1 PG + 100 g kg−1 RM) also affected seed germination, possibly due to the large amount of RM. The application of PG and RM to the soil increased the availability of important nutrients for alfalfa, such as phosphorus (P), calcium (Ca2+) and magnesium (Mg2+). The results demonstrate that the treatment with PG significantly improved the uptake of P in alfalfa.

Impact of airborne iron oxide nanoparticles on Tillandsia usneoides as a model plant to assess pollution in heavy traffic areas

Due to the increasing evidence of widespread sub-micron pollutants in the atmosphere, the impact of airborne nanoparticles is a subject of great relevance. In particular, the smallest particles are considered the most active and dangerous, having a higher surface/volume ratio. Here we tested the effect of iron oxide (Fe3O4) nanoparticles (IONPs) with different mean diameter and size distribution on the model plant Tillandsia usneoides.Strands were placed in home-built closed boxes and exposed to levels of airborne IONPs reported for the roadside air, i.e. in the order of 107 - 108 items m−2. Plant growth and other morpho-physiological parameters were monitored for two weeks, showing that exposure to IONPs significantly reduced the length increment of the treated strands with respect to controls. A dose-dependence of this impairing effect was found only for particles with mean size of a few tens of nanometers. These were also proved to be the most toxic at the highest concentration tested. The IONP-induced hamper in growth was correlated with altered concentration of macro- and micronutrients in the plant, while no significant variation in photosynthetic activity was detected in treated samples. Microscopy investigation showed that IONPs could adhere to the plant surface and were preferentially located on the trichome wings.Our results report, for the first time, evidence of the negative effects of airborne IONP pollution on plant health, thus raising concerns about related environmental risks.Future research should be devoted to other plant species and pollutants to assess the impact of airborne pollution on plants and devise suitable attenuation practices.

Best Morpho-Physiological Parameters to Characterize Seed-Potato Plant Growth under Aeroponics: A Pilot Study

Best Morpho-Physiological Parameters to Characterize Seed-Potato Plant Growth under Aeroponics: A Pilot Study

The dosage- and size-dependent effects of micro- and nanoplastics in lettuce roots and leaves at the growth, photosynthetic, and metabolomics levels

The occurrence of microplastics (MPs) and nanoplastics (NPs) in soils potentially induce morphological, physiological, and biochemical alterations in plants. The present study investigated the effects of MPs/NPs on lettuce (Lactuca sativa L. var. capitata) plants by focusing on (i) four different particle sizes of polyethylene micro- and nanoplastics, at (ii) four concentrations. Photosynthetic activity, morphological changes in plants, and metabolomic shifts in roots and leaves were investigated.Our findings revealed that particle size plays a pivotal role in influencing various growth traits of lettuce (biomass, color segmentation, greening index, leaf area, and photosynthetic activity), physiological parameters (including maximum quantum yield - Fv/Fmmax, or quantum yield in the steady-state Fv/FmLss, NPQLss, RfdLss, FtLss, FqLss), and metabolomic signatures. Smaller plastic sizes demonstrated a dose-dependent impact on aboveground plant structures, resulting in an overall elicitation of biosynthetic processes. Conversely, larger plastic size had a major impact on root metabolomics, leading to a negative modulation of biosynthetic processes. Specifically, the biosynthesis of secondary metabolites, phytohormone crosstalk, and the metabolism of lipids and fatty acids were among the most affected processes. In addition, nitrogen-containing compounds accumulated following plastic treatments.Our results highlighted a tight correlation between the qPCR analysis of genes associated with the soil nitrogen cycle (such as NifH, NirK, and NosZ), available nitrogen pools in soil (including NO3− and NH4), N-containing metabolites and morpho-physiological parameters of lettuce plants subjected to MPs/NPs. These findings underscore the intricate relationship between specific plastic contaminations, nitrogen dynamics, and plant performance.

MORPHO-PHYSIOLOGICAL AND AGRONOMICAL RESPONSE TO INTERMITTENT DROUGHT IN GROUNDNUT GENOTYPES UNDER SAHELIAN ENVIRONMENT

Selection of groundnut genotypes with high and stable grains yield in the semi-arid tropics would enable farmers to increase yields and improve their incomes. The objectives of this work were to assessgroundnut genotypes response toan intermittent water deficit at the seed filling phase and select drought-tolerant and high-yielding genotypes. Two experiments were conducted in two yearsduring off-seasons at the ICRISAT Sahelian Centre.Fourteen genotypes were assessed in adjacent terminal water-stressed (WS) and well-watered (WW) conditions in a randomized complete block design with four replications. Morpho-physiological parameters such asthe leaf area (LA)and the Specific Leaf Area (SLA), the yield and its components were investigatedunder WW and WS conditions.Our findings showed a genotypic variationand a significant negative effect of WS on investigated parameters. LA, SLA, HY, SY, HSW and HI were decreased up to 48.59%, 25.29%, 30.14%, 51.70%, 21.17% and 23.80% respectively.The genotypic variation observed indicated that ICG 311,ICG 4598,ICG 5663, ICG 6813 and ICG 12235produced the highest and stable yields underintermittent water deficit.These genotypes could be useful for groundnut breeding programs for selecting improved genotypes tolerant tolate season intermittent drought and high grain yield under Sahelian conditions.

Study of the Toxicity and Translocation of Chromium (VI) in Vicia faba Plant.

In soil, chromium can be found in two main valence forms: hexavalent Cr (VI) and trivalent Cr (III). In terms of toxicity, the most toxic form to plants is Cr (VI). In the present study, we investigated the impact of Cr (VI) (0, 25, 50, 75 and 100ppm) on growth, physiological parameters and the translocation kinetics of Cr (VI) in the faba bean plant (Vicia faba L.). The results showed that Cr (VI) negatively affects growth parameters (-15% to -72%), tolerance index (-34.05% to -64.7%), and reduce the total chlorophyll content (until 40%) compared to control plants without Cr (VI). However, the increase of Cr (VI) concentration in the soil, stimulated the synthesis of sugars (max 6,97mg/g FM), proteins (max 62.89µg/mg FM) and proline (max 98.57µg/mg FM) and increased the electrolyte leakage (+ 2.5% to + 9%) compared to control plants. Cr (VI) concentrations in shoots and roots increased significantly for all Cr (VI) doses applied. The translocation factor results showed that the majority of the Cr (VI) absorbed by the plant is stored in the roots, with a very low bioaccumulation factor, which does not exceed 0.4. The findings show that Cr (VI) negatively affects the morpho-physiological parameters of Vicia faba, the bioaccumulation of organic solutes and the low bioaccumulation factor of Cr (VI) can be considered as a strategy of tolerance to Cr(V).

Forms of degeneration of blood cells, their physiological and clinical significance, mechanisms of formation, shadows of cells in blood smears of birds

Relevance. An overview is presented of the patterns of appearance, physiological and clinical significance of shadows of cells, a comparative experimental cytomorphological analysis using the example of polychromatophilic erythroblasts (PolyErythro), shadows of erythroblast (ShadErythro) and undifferentiated shadows cells of in peripheral blood smears of chickens Gallus gallus L.Methods. The studied individuals were divided into four groups (n = 40) depending on the age of the chickens (Postembryonalis — P1, P7, P23, and P42): 1, 7, 23, and 42 days of postembryonic ontogenesis) of a factory herd. ShadErythro apoptotic changes, undifferentiated cell shadows were characterized. Were calculated and characterized the morphophysiological parameters of PolyErythro, ShadErythro and unidentified shadows of cells by high-resolution color microphotographs in blood smears of birds (Pappenheim stained); a total of 158 (n = 158) microphotographs were analyzed.Results. The structured ShadErythro were able in chromatinolized. Unidentified shadows of cells were in a state of cytolysis, fragmentation of the cytoplasm, karyopycnosis and karyorrhexis, chromatin fragmentation, and karyolysis were noted. Structured of ShadErythro and undifferentiated shadows of cells were light purple with a reddish tint. Significant difference in the area of ShadErythro (Sshadow, μm2) was recorded in the ascending area of PolyErythro (Scell, μm2), within 25% (p ≤ 0.001), an increase in the percentage of difference between the minimum and maximum values of the ShadErythro area (Pshad.-cell-differ.-min-max,%) of Pcell-differ.-min-max,% PolyErythro was 36% (p ≤ 0.001). The difference in the percentage difference between the minimum and maximum values of the area of the nucleus of erythroblasts (Pnucleus-differ.-min-max) and the shadows of the nucleus of erythroblasts (Pshad.-nucle.-differ.-min-max) is significantly less than the analogous values (noted above) for cells and shadows erythroblasts, for example, Pnucleus-differ.-min-max exceeded Pshad.-nucle.-differ.-min-max by only 21% (p ≤ 0.001). The percentage of difference between the minimum and maximum values of the nuclear-cytoplasmic ratio ShadErythro (PN/C Ratio-shad.-cell) significantly exceeded the analogous value of PolyErythro (PN/C Ratio) within 64% (p ≤ 0.001). At the same time, the nuclear-cytoplasmic ratio of PolyErythro (N/C Ratio) and ShadErythro (N/C Ratio-shad.-cell) had a relatively minimal difference. The ShadErythro nuclear-cytoplasmic ratio (N/C Ratio-shad.-cell) exceeded the PolyErythro nuclear-cytoplasmic ratio (N/C Ratio) by only 12% (p ≤ 0.001). ShadErythro is maximally represented in chickens aged P1 — 40% and up to 30% (p ≤ 0.05) in P23. In P7, the amount of ShadErythro decreased by 30% (p ≤ 0.05), in P42, a decrease in ShadErythro to 20% (p ≤ 0.05) was recorded. The described dynamics of ShadErythro is due to physiological adaptive processes in the body of broiler chickens in the early period of postembryonic ontogenesis. The data obtained by us from a comprehensive comparative morphophysiological analysis of forms of degeneration of blood cells will be useful in the clinical diagnosis of animal pathologies, experimental and theoretical studies of cellular adaptations of the functional blood system and the whole organism.