Plant Growth Traits Research Articles

Evaluation Study of the Passivation Effect of Arsenic-Contaminated Farmland Soil

In situ passivation technology, by reducing the bioavailability of arsenic in soil, thereby reducing its uptake by crops, is currently the main remediation method for arsenic-contaminated farmland soil. However, applying stabilizing materials may also affect the other properties of soil, ultimately influencing the growth of crops. The long growth cycles of crops and their susceptibility to factors such as agronomic measures make plant-based indicators less practical as evaluation indicators. In this study, five kinds of passivation materials, including iron-based biochar (T1), coffee residue (T2), red mud (T3), chitosan-modified iron filings (T4), and modified minerals (T5) were applied in pot experiments. The study analyzed the effects of the passivation materials on soil properties and the growth and safety traits of plants. Key soil indicators influencing biomass were identified, the passivation remediation effects were evaluated, and a method using soil property indicators instead of plant indicators for passivation remediation evaluation was developed. The results showed that key indicators influencing the biomass change of water spinach due to passivation treatment included total nitrogen, total phosphorus, and catalase activity. The improved comprehensive evaluation indicators for passivation effects include available arsenic in soil, total nitrogen, total phosphorus, and catalase activity. I-SI can be expressed as I-SI=0.6∆Assoil+0.4−2.152∆TN+0.422∆TP+0.334∆CAT−0.261. I-SI is highly feasible, where a higher value indicates better remediation efficacy. After evaluation, iron-based biochar was the best passivation effect. An evaluation method for the passivation effect was constructed based on these findings, aiming to simplify the process of comprehensive evaluation of the passivation effect and shorten the evaluation time, providing a new idea for assessing the passivation effect.

Biogenic synthesis of copper oxide nanoparticles using Eucalyptus globulus Leaf Extract and its impact on germination and Phytochemical composition of Lactuca sativa

Green nanomaterials are increasingly used to improve plant growth and phytochemical traits. This study employed Eucalyptus globulus leaf extract, a medicinal plant, as a bio-reductant and capping agent to synthesize copper oxide nanoparticles (CuO-NPs), which were applied as seed primers for Lactuca sativa (lettuce), an annual species prized for its short germination time and rich bioactive compounds. Characterization of CuO-NPs using FTIR, XRD, SEM, and EDX confirmed their purity, crystalline structure, and an average particle size of 74.66 nm. The CuO-NPs were applied at concentrations of 0.01 mg/ml, 0.02 mg/ml, 0.03 mg/ml, and 0.04 mg/ml. At the highest concentration (0.04 mg/ml), significant reductions in physical growth parameters were observed, with plant length, height, and width measuring 7.85 cm, 5.50 cm, and 3.48 cm, respectively, compared to 13.70 cm, 11.52 cm, and 11.18 cm in control plants. Phytochemical analysis identified tannins, alkaloids, phytosterols, saponins, flavonoids, and glycosides in all methanolic extracts, while carotenoids were absent at higher concentrations (0.03 mg/ml and 0.04 mg/ml) due to phytotoxicity. FTIR analysis revealed a prominent peak at 858 cm⁻¹ at 0.01 mg/ml, indicating the presence of antioxidant-rich aromatic phenyl compounds. In conclusion, the study demonstrates that CuO-NPs synthesized using Eucalyptus globulus extract enhance phytochemical constituents at optimal concentrations but inhibit growth and reduce key phytochemicals at higher doses. Future research should optimize nanoparticle concentrations to minimize phytotoxicity while maximizing beneficial effects on plant growth and bioactive compounds.

Growth, yield, and biochemical traits of tomato plants under mycorrhizal inoculation and licorice root extract applications

ABSTRACT Enhancing the nutritional values and quality of fruit crops is of utmost significance, necessitating the exploration and implementation of novel agricultural approaches. Therefore, the application of natural sources, such as biostimulants and the reduction of conventional fertilizers, are integral to sustainable agriculture, which aims to reduce environmental harm and maintain the long-term health of agricultural systems, meanwhile, maximizing productivity and profitability. The study’s objective was to assess the impact of applying arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi (AMF) and licorice root extract (LRE) on the growth and some biochemical traits of tomato fruit. For the AMF inoculation, 15 g/plant was applied to the soil, while the LRE was sprayed onto the canopy at varying doses of 0, 5, 10, and 15 g/L. A combination of AMF and LRE was also applied simultaneously. All treatment combinations had noticeable effects on plant growth and quality. The combination of AMF with LRE at a concentration of 15 g/L significantly influenced most of the growth, fruit, and physicochemical characteristics. AMF resulted in the lowest nitrate accumulation in the fruits. Furthermore, doses of 10 g/L LRE exhibited the highest levels of heavy metals, including zinc, manganese, and copper. This study suggests that the integrated use of AMF and LRE is a promising approach for the sustainable and economically viable production of tomato fruit under controlled or semi-controlled conditions.

The Application of Conventional and Organic Fertilizers During Wild Edible Species Cultivation: A Case Study of Purslane and Common Sowthistle

The introduction of alternative crops, including wild edible and medicinal plants, in organic cultivation systems presents an attractive approach to producing healthy and high-quality products due to their content in beneficial compounds and increased nutritional value. The current study evaluated the impact of organic and conventional fertilization on the growth, quality, nutrient status and stress response of the two wild edible species, e.g., purslane (Portulaca oleracea L.) and common sowthistle (Sonchus oleraceus L.), under field conditions. The fertilization treatments included the following: a control (NoFert) treatment with no fertilizers added, base dressing with conventional fertilization (CoFert), base dressing with organic fertilization (OrFert), base dressing and side dressing with conventional fertilization (OrFert + SCoFert) and base dressing and side dressing with organic fertilization (CoFert + SCoFert). Organic fertilization was carried out using a commercial vinasse-based organic fertilizer. In both purslane and common sowthistle, the application of organic fertilizers provided comparable or even enhanced plant growth traits, macronutrient content (i.e., P and K for purslane, and N for sowthistle) and quality (i.e., total soluble solids) compared to the application of conventional fertilizers. On the other hand, conventional fertilization with supplementary fertilization positively influenced the plant growth of purslane (i.e., plant height and stems biomass), as well as its physiological parameters (i.e., chlorophylls content), total phenolics content and antioxidant capacity (i.e., DPPH and FRAP). Similarly, conventional fertilization led to increased total phenolics and antioxidants in common sowthistle, while variable effects were observed regarding plant physiology, stress response and antioxidant capacity indices. In conclusion, the use of organic fertilization in both purslane and common sowthistle exhibited a performance similar to that of conventional fertilization, although further optimization of fertilization regimes is needed to improve the quality of the edible products.

The Optimum Mixed Cropping Ratio of Oat and Alfalfa Enhanced Plant Growth, Forage Yield, and Forage Quality in Saline Soil.

The forage shortage is more aggravating than ever before, with husbandry development accelerating and meat and dairy product demand increasing. Salinized soils are important reserve land encouraged to be used for forage production in China. However, the salt-tolerant cultivation techniques for forage crops are still inadequate. Therefore, a field experiment was conducted to study the effects of the mixed cropping ratio of oat and alfalfa on plant growth and physiological traits, forage yield, and forage quality in saline soils. Oat (Avena sativa L.) variety of Canadian Monopoly and alfalfa variety of WL525HQ were used, and five mixed cropping ratios (T1 = 100% oat + 0% alfalfa, CK, T2 = 75% oat + 25% alfalfa, T3 = 50% oat + 50% alfalfa, T4 = 25% oat + 75% alfalfa, and T5 = 0% oat + 100% alfalfa) were evaluated. The results showed that plant height, chlorophyll, soluble sugar, starch, antioxidant enzymes, and crude fat were increased firstly and then decreased prominently with decreased oats and increased alfalfa sowing rate; the maximum values showed under T2 but the minimum value under T5 at evaluated growth periods. On the contrary, malondialdehyde and acid detergent fiber were significantly decreased and then increased; the lowest contents were recorded under T2 and highest under T5. Furthermore, the relative growth rate, forage yield, neutral detergent fiber, and crude ash were decreased prominently with decreased oats and increased alfalfa sowing rate, and the highest and lowest values showed under T1 and T5, respectively. Oppositely, the contents of sucrose, proline, N, P, K, relative feeding value, and crude protein were all increased, with the highest contents generated under T2 and the lowest under T1. On the whole, the mixed cropping treatment of T2 showed the best performance in improving both biomass yield and forage quality by enhanced antioxidant enzyme activity, osmotic regulatory substances, and nutrient uptake and utilization. Therefore, this study indicates that 75% oat mixed cropping with 25% alfalfa can be recommended as a salt-tolerant cultivation technique for forage high-yield and high-quality production in moderately saline soil.

Variance investigation on the microstructural characteristics of vessels among three lignocellulosic biomasses

Especially, the processing and utilization of biomass-based material is closely related to the vessel, e.g. the flow of vapour and additive. It is conventional that vessels in most plants can influence on water and nutrients transport between adjacent cells, which could just infer to be important in the wood-based panel industries. In this work, a complete characterization of vessels and pits is presented for three conventional biomasses in wood-based panel: poplar (Populus deltoides) (P), moso bamboo (Phyllostachys edulis) (B), and the fruit shell of oil camellia (Camellia Oleifera) (FS_OC). Every material is analyzed by combining several techniques including: light microscopy, scanning electron microscopy and surveying calculations from resin casting. The results show that among the three biomass materials, B has a significantly larger vessel width (164.8 ± 6.0 μm for B, 2.2 ± 6.2 μm for P, 10.0 ± 0.8 μm for FS_OC) and smaller inclination angle of the perforation plates (6.8° for B, 44.7° for P), which is more conductive to improving moisture transfer between the vessels. The vessel length of P varies widely from 676.8 μm to 1025.2 μm, which is related to its seasonal growth. By resin casting analysis, more differences in the morphology and distribution of pits in the vessel walls were observed between the three species. Such as, For B, there are numerous pits between vessel cells, while very few to none between vessel and parenchyma cells or fiber. In addition to pits, B and FS_OC also have spiral thickening structures on their vessel walls. The pit membrane is an elliptical shape in P, while slit-like shape in FS_OC and a combination of both elliptical and slit-like shape in bamboo. The unique microstructural characteristics of vessels is related to the individual plant growth traits, which is the basis for biomass-based material processing and utilization.

Plant growth regulators improve the yield of white lupin (Lupinus albus) by enhancing the plant morpho-physiological functions and photosynthesis under salt stress

BackgroundWhite lupin (Lupinus albus L.) is a multi-purpose, climate resilient, pulse crop with exceptionally high protein content that makes it a suitable alternative of soybean in livestock feed. Although white lupin grows well on marginal sandy soils, previous studies have reported its sensitivity towards salinity stress. This experiment aims to assess the influence of salinity stress and mitigating role of plant growth regulators (PGRs) on performance of white lupin.MethodologyThe white lupin plants were sown in pots maintained at three salinity levels (1, 3 and 4.5 dS m− 1) throughout the growing season and foliar sprayed with different PGRs, including ascorbic acid, potassium chloride, boric acid, ammonium molybdate and methionine at sowing, four weeks after emergence and at the initiation of flowering. Foliar spray of distilled water and salinity level of 1 dS m− 1 were maintained as control treatments. Data were recorded for seed germination indices, plant growth, antioxidant enzymes and photosynthetic efficiency variables.ResultsThe severe salinity stress (4.5 dS m− 1) reduced the germination indices by 9–50%, plant growth traits by 26–54%, root nodulation by 12–26%, grain development by 44–53%, antioxidant enzymes activity by 13–153% and photosynthetic attributes by 1–8% compared to control (1 dS m− 1). Different PGRs improved several morpho-physiological attributes in a varied manner. The application of potassium chloride improved seed vigour index by 53%, while ascorbic acid improved root nodulation by 12% and number of pods per cluster by 75% at the severe salinity level. The foliar application of PGRs also displayed a recovery of 140% in the activity of superoxide dismutase and 70% in catalase. The application of multi zinc displayed an improvement of 37% in plant relative chlorophyll, while ascorbic acid brought an increase of 25% in non-photochemical quenching and 21% in photochemical quenching coefficient at the severe salinity level. On contrary, the application of PGRs brought a relatively modest improvement (8–13%) in quantum yield of photosystem II at slight to moderate (3 dS m− 1) salinity stress. The correlation analysis confirmed a partial contribution of leaf area and seed vigour index to overall photosynthetic efficiency of white lupin.ConclusionsClearly, salinity exerted a negative impact on white lupin through a decline in chlorophyll content, activity of antioxidant enzymes and efficiency of photosynthetic apparatus. However, PGRs, especially ascorbic acid and potassium chloride considerably improved white lupin growth and development by mitigating the negative effects of salinity stress.

Preliminary Insights into Sustainable Control of Solanum lycopersicum Early Blight: Harnessing Arbuscular Mycorrhizal Fungi and Reducing Fungicide Dose

Tomato (Solanum lycopersicum L.) production is constantly threatened by several fungal pathogens, such as Alternaria solani, the causal agent of early blight disease. In this study, a greenhouse experiment was set up to evaluate the biocontrol ability of arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi (AMF) against A. solani in the presence of reduced doses of fungicides (i.e., captan and copper oxychloride). Disease severity, plant growth traits, chlorophyll and phosphorus content, phenolic compounds, and antioxidant activity were assessed. The effects of fungicide dose on AMF were investigated by root colonization, spore density, and mycorrhizal dependence evaluation. AMF-inoculated and fungicide-treated plants reduced disease severity compared to fungicide-treated and non-mycorrhizal plants, in most cases, regardless of the fungicide dose. AMF improved plant growth, especially when combined with copper oxychloride. However, plant fresh weight decreased in plants treated with the lowest dose of captan (25 g 100 L−1). Overall, AMF colonization decreased in plants with high fungicide doses, while the leaf color parameters did not show differences between treatments. The results suggest reducing the fungicide dose using AMF is possible, particularly for copper oxychloride. Further studies will be required to confirm these data. This integrated approach could offer a sustainable alternative to decrease the use of chemical control.

Isolation and Identification of Multi-Traits PGPR for Sustainable Crop Productivity Under Salinity Stress

High salinity poses a significant threat to arable land globally and contributes to desertification. Growth-promoting rhizobacteria assist plants in mitigating abiotic stresses and enhancing crop productivity through the production of siderophores, exopolysaccharides (EPS), solubilisation of phosphate, indole-3-acetic acid (IAA), and other secondary metabolites. This study aimed to isolate, identify, and characterise bacteria that exhibit robust growth-promoting properties. A total of 64 bacterial isolates from the rhizosphere of Miscanthus sinensis were evaluated for plant growth-promoting (PGP) traits, including IAA, EPS, siderophores, and solubilisation of phosphate. Among them, five isolates were selected as plant growth-promoting rhizobacteria (PGPR) based on their PGP features and identified via 16S rRNA sequencing: Enterococcus mundtii strain INJ1 (OR122486), Lysinibacillus fusiformis strain INJ2 (OR122488), Lysinibacillus sphaericus strain MIIA20 (OR122490), Pseudomonas qingdaonensis strain BD1 (OR122487), and Pseudomonas qingdaonensis strain MIA20 (OR122489), all documented in NCBI GenBank. BD1 demonstrated a higher production of superoxide dismutase (SOD) (17.93 U/mg mL), catalase (CAT) (91.17 U/mg mL), and glutathione (GSH) (0.18 U/mg mL), along with higher concentrations of IAA (31.69 µg/mL) and salicylic acid (SA) (14.08 ng/mL). These isolates also produced significant quantities of amino and organic acids. BD1 exhibited superior PGP traits compared to other isolates. Furthermore, the NaCl tolerance of these bacterial isolates was assessed by measuring their growth at concentrations ranging from 0 to 200 mM at 8-h intervals. Optical density (OD) measurements indicated that BD1 and INJ2 displayed significant tolerance to salt stress. The utilisation of these isolates, which enhances plant growth and PGP traits under salt stress, may improve plant development under saline conditions.

Synergy between bio-control agents to trigger the defensive responses against Rhizoctonia root rot and enhance the growth, yield, and physiological and anatomical traits of pea plants

AbstractRhizoctonia solani (Rs) is the fungus that causes the primary and deadly disease that attacks pea plants throughout the cool growing season. It causes seed rot, damping off, and pea root rot diseases. The current study used arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi; Rhizoglomus clarum, Gigaspora margarita, Rhizophagus irregularis and Funneliformis mosseae (AMF), Pseudomonas fluorescens HE21 (Pf), and Trichoderma harzianum HL9 (TH) singly or in combination to suppress Rhizoctonia root rot of pea in a greenhouse. Using the in vitro dual culture assay, TH and Pf inhibited the radial growth of the Rs by 73.3 and 60.0%, respectively. The results of greenhouse experiments showed that all treatments significantly decreased the percentages of pre- and post-emergence damping while significantly increasing the number of surviving plants, particularly in the dual and triple combination treatments. Furthermore, all treatments improved yield and seed quality in addition to plant growth, total phenol content and antioxidant enzyme activity. There were also noted modifications to the treated plants’ anatomical, physiological, and distinctive features. The synergistic triple treatment consisting of M, TH, and Pf achieved the maximum reduction of disease severity (78.5%) compared to the untreated control treatment. As a result of the synergistic triple treatment due to their effectiveness and eco-safety, we recommend using the synergistic triple by M + Pf + TH to manage the root rot disease in peas caused by Rs and to enhance the crop’s growth, yield, and seed quality.

Effects of saline-alkali stress on cotton growth and physiochemical expression with cascading effects on aphid abundance.

Environmental stresses, such as soil salinity or alkalinity, usually affect crop growth and secondary plant metabolism, with follow on effects on foliar-feeding insects. Nevertheless, the underlying mechanism of how saline-alkali stress affects the key cotton pest Aphis gossypii Glover is poorly understood. In this study, we first considered effects of three types of saline-alkali stress (i.e., salinity alone, alkalinity alone - both at different concentration - and their mixed effects) on cotton plants. We then measured impacts of stress on (1) above and below plant growth traits (e.g., plant height, leaf area, root volume), (2) levels of nutrients and secondary metabolites in cotton leaves, and (3) feeding behavior, life-table parameters, and population growth of A. gossypii. We then used a path analysis to evaluate cascading effects of changes in plant growth (due to stress) and changes in levels of nutrients or secondary metabolites on growth of individual cotton aphids and aphid populations. We found either salinity or alkalinity stresses significantly reduced cotton growth, increased the content of tannin, soluble sugars, and proline in the leaves, and suppressed aphid growth and development, (including longevity, fecundity, and intrinsic rate of increase) and aphid population growth. Alkalinity had stronger effects on these traits than did salinity. This work provides insights into the bottom-up interaction mechanism by which these environmental stresses mediate aphid infestation levels in the cotton agricultural ecosystem.

Unveiling the mycobiome of ecological importance from termitarium soils

BackgroundTermitarium is an intricate biological home with exceptional physicochemical soil properties and numerous beneficial microbiomes. The termitarium microbiome plays a role in several bionetwork processes. It contributes significantly to sustainable agriculture, forestry, and horticulture. In contrast to the immense number of research works focusing on termitarium bacteria and archaea, the amount of study about termitarium fungal communities is limited. This is despite the fact that fungi significantly contribute to the cycling of energy and matter on Earth. Thus, this study investigates the metagenomic datasets from termitarium soil collected from agricultural soils, to obtain a depiction of their mycobiome of ecological importance.ResultsOur dataset showed that Ascomycota was the most rank phylum, while Basidiomycota was the next in rank. Specifically, we identified numerous fungi of commercially importance, for example, producers of cellulases and cellulosomes. This was strengthened with the presence of functional genes/enzymes capable of promoting plant growth traits and defence system. Analysis further shown that soil properties influenced the distribution of fungal communities. Magnesium, nitrogen, and potassium, for example, were observed to be among the best predictor of fungal distribution and explained 87.40% of the total variation.ConclusionThis study epitomize further insights into the mycobiome of termitarium soils that are of ecological interest. Again, with some of our sequences assembled as uncategorized fungi, further studies are recommended for the evaluation of the metabolic potentials of these fungi as there is a possibility of the discovery of new fungi or genes of industrial or environmental applications.

Effects of LED polarized and vortex light on growth and photosynthetic characteristics of pepper (Capsicum annuum L.)

Most studies currently focus on traditional illuminant regulating plant growth, while less attention has been given to the LED internal luminescence. This study examined how polarized and vortex light affect the growth and photosynthetic traits of pepper plants, with LED light used as the control. The findings indicated that circular polarized light significantly increased the aboveground biomass of pepper. Additionally, both polarized and vortex light treatment significantly influenced the root development of pepper. In comparison to the control group, the chlorophyll content was highest under circular polarized light, while the Pn, Sc, Tr, and Ci values were highest under linear polarized light, and the enzyme activity of Rubisco was increased. Circular polarized light notably increased the activities of POD, CAT, and SOD, the activity of SOD reached its peak under the left vortex light. Moreover, the content of MDA was observed to be the lowest under linear and right vortex light treatments. The expressions of key genes for chlorophyll synthesis (CaHEMA1 and CaCAO) and antioxidant enzyme synthesis (CaPOD, CaSOD, and CaMDHAR) were significantly altered under varying polarized light conditions, The latter genes, which play crucial roles in antioxidant enzyme activity, also showed significant variations in response to different polarized light treatments. In conclusion, polarized light significantly impacts the growth of pepper and is anticipated to be utilized for plant growth, setting the stage for future research in this area.

Potentiating Chlorella vulgaris bioinput as a growth biostimulant in the production of basil seedlings with the addition of vitamin B3

Microalgae have been studied due to their biotechnological potential in agriculture and could be an important source of biostimulants. Similarly, other compounds, such as B3 vitamins (niacin and nicotinamide), have been found to enhance the biostimulant effect on plant growth. This study aimed to evaluate the potentiating effect of Chlorella vulgaris bioinput as a growth biostimulant in the production of basil seedlings (Ocimum basilicum L.) with the addition of vitamin B3. The experiment was conducted in a protected environment on the Mato Grosso do Sul State University - Cassilândia University Unit and the Sustainable Development Center of the Bolsão Sul Mato Grossense. The experiment was conducted in a completely randomized design, with four treatments: control, microalgae bioinput (Bio), vitamin B3 (niacin + nicotinamide), and joint application of Bio + vitamin B3, with four replications. The agronomic traits of growth and photosynthetic pigments of the seedlings were evaluated. For the growth of basil seedlings, applying bio input combined with vitamin B3 had a significant impact (p < 0.05) on several variables. This combination increased seedling height, stem diameter, root dry matter, shoot dry matter, total dry matter, and Dickson quality index (DQI) by 19 %, 11 %, 11 %, 41 %, 37 %, and 17 %, respectively, as well as regulating the production of photosynthetic pigments in basil. The results indicate that bioinput combined with niacin and nicotinamide stimulates various plant growth traits, favoring the production of seedlings.

Introduction and Evaluation of &amp;lt;i&amp;gt;Moringa oleifera&amp;lt;/i&amp;gt; (Lam) Growth in Two Districts of Bale Zone, Oromia Region, Southeast Ethiopia

Moringa oleifera is one of the most important plants which has to be introduced, conserved and promoted for its social, economic and environmental benefits. Study was conducted aimed to introduce M. oleifera through evaluating its growth performance under the field condition of mid-altitude areas of Bale, Ethiopia. The experiment was laid-out using randomized complete block design with three replications on two locations. In the study the necessary plant growth traits namely survival rate, plant height and diameters (at breast height and root collar) were collected and analyzed by Genstat software. As to results except survival rate other growth performance traits of the studied species were statistically influenced by location in the subsequent years of monitoring period. With this, the mean value of survival rate recorded at Dello-menna was &amp;gt; 80% whereas at Goro it was &amp;lt; 80% throughout the years of study period. For plant height the recorded mean values were found between 65 cm to 370.30 cm and 58.30 to 296.70 cm range in the respective Dello-menna and Goro sites. Breast height diameter ranged from 0.747 cm to 6.533cm at Goro site and from 1.00 cm to 8.983cm at Dello-menna. In terms of root collar diameter, the values ranged from 1.933 cm to 9.867 cm and from 1.410 cm to 4.592 cm at Dello-menna and Goro sites, respectively. The values pointed that M. oleifera had showed a promising growth and development over both locations with relatively the higher performance at Dello-menna site than Goro. Therefore, the species could be demonstrated, promoted and scaled-up to the farming community of Dello-menna, Goro and other areas with similar agro-ecology. However, the nutritive value of the species in response to the studied locations has remained the focus of future research area.

Synthesis of agro-industrial wastes/sodium alginate/bovine gelatin-based polysaccharide hydrogel beads: Characterization and application as controlled-release microencapsulated fertilizers

Synthesis of novel agro-industrial wastes/sodium alginate/bovine gelatin-based polysaccharide hydrogel beads, micromeritic/morphometric characteristics of the prepared formulations, greenhouse trials using controlled-release microencapsulated fertilizers, and acute fish toxicity testing were conducted simultaneously for the first time within the scope of an integrated research. In the present analysis, for the first time, 16 different morphometric features, and 32 disinct plant growth traits of the prepared composite beads were explored in detail within the framework of a comprehensive digital image analysis. The hydrogel beads composed of 19 different agro-industrial wastes/materials were successfully synthesized using the ionotropic external gelation technique and CaCl2 as cross-linker. According to micromeritic characteristics, the ionotropically cross-linked beads exhibited 77.86 ± 3.55 % yield percentage and 2.679 ± 0.397 mm average particle size. The dried microbeads showed a good swelling ratio (270.02 ± 80.53 %) and had acceptable flow properties according to Hausner's ratio (1.136 ± 0.028), Carr's index (11.94 ± 2.17 %), and angle of repose (25.03° ± 5.33°) values. The settling process of the prepared microbeads was observed in the intermediate flow regime, as indicated by the average particle Reynolds numbers (169.17 ± 82.81). Experimental findings and non-parametric statistical tests reveal that dried fertilizer matrices demonstrated noteworthy performance on the cultivation of red hot chili pepper plant (Capsicum annuum var. fasciculatum) according to the results of greenhouse trials. Surface morphologies of the best-performing fertilizer matrices were also characterized by Scanning Electron Microscopy. Moreover, the static fish bioassay experiment confirmed that no abnormalities and acute toxic reactions occurred in shortfin molly fish (Poecilia sphenops) fed with dried leaves of red hot chili pepper plants grown with formulated fertilizers. This study showcased a pioneering investigation into the synthesis of microcapsules using synthesized hydrogel beads along with digital image processing for bio-waste management and sustainable agro-application.

Metarhizium-Inoculated Coffee Seeds Promote Plant Growth and Biocontrol of Coffee Leaf Miner.

Metarhizium (Hypocreales: Clavicipitaceae) has a multifunctional life cycle, establishing as a plant endophyte and acting as entomopathogenic fungi. Metarhizium robertsii and Metarhizium brunneum can be associated with coffee plants and provide enhanced protection against a major pest of coffee, the coffee leaf miner (CLM) (Leucoptera coffeella). This association would be an easily deployable biological control option. Here we tested the potential of inoculating coffee seeds with M. robertsii and M. brunneum collected from the soil of coffee crops in the Cerrado (Brazil) for control of the CLM and the enhancement of plant growth with a commonly used fungicide. We conducted the experiment in a greenhouse and after the seedlings grew, we placed them in a cage with two couples of CLMs. We evaluated the CLM development time, reproduction, and plant growth traits. We observed a longer development time of CLMs when fed on plants inoculated with both isolates. In addition, the CLMs laid fewer eggs compared to those fed on plants without fungal inoculation. Plant growth was promoted when seeds were inoculated with fungi, and the fungicide did not affect any evaluated parameter. Coffee seed inoculation with M. robertsii and M. brunneum appears to provide protection against CLMs and promote growth improvement.

Genetic diversity matters for restoration of a threatened saltmarsh plant in harsh environments

Abstract While genetic diversity is theorised to increase the restoration success of degraded plant populations, previous studies examining its impacts on restoration outcomes have yielded mixed results. We hypothesise that the importance of genetic diversity for the performance of plants targeted for restoration increases with environmental stress and varies with specific plant traits related to different plant successive life stages. To test this, we conducted a fully factorial common garden experiment, crossing salinity and genetic diversity under low‐ and high‐nitrogen conditions on the growth and reproduction of Scirpus mariqueter, a threatened endemic saltmarsh plant in the Yangtze Estuary. The impacts of genetic diversity varied across stress gradients and metrics. Under high stress (high salinity, low nutrients), greater diversity enhanced reproductive traits such as clonal growth and seed production, but not under low stress. Plant growth traits showed no diversity effects regardless of stress. Synthesis: Our results highlight the importance of considering intraspecific genetic diversity in ecological restoration and help explain the context‐dependent effects of diversity.

Phenotypic diversity and population structure of Pecan (Carya illinoinensis) collections reveals geographic patterns

Pecan (Carya illinoinensis) is an economically important nut crop known for its genetic diversity and adaptability to various climates. Understanding the growth variability, phenological traits, and population structure of pecan populations is crucial for breeding programs and conservation. In this study, plant growth and phenological traits were evaluated over three consecutive seasons (2015–2017) for 550 genotypes from 26 provenances. Significant variations in plant height, stem diameter, and budbreak were observed among provenances, with Southern provenances exhibiting faster growth and earlier budbreak compared to Northern provenances. Population structure analysis using SNP markers revealed eight distinct subpopulations, reflecting genetic differentiation among provenances. Notably, Southern Mexico collections formed two separate clusters, while Western collections, such as 'Allen 3', 'Allen 4', and 'Riverside', were distinguished from others. 'Burkett' and 'Apache' were grouped together due to their shared maternal parentage. Principal component analysis and phylogenetic tree analysis further supported subpopulation differentiation. Genetic differentiation among the 26 populations was evident, with six clusters highly in agreement with the subpopulations identified by STRUCTURE and fastSTRUCTURE. Principal components analysis (PCA) revealed distinct groups, corresponding to subpopulations identified by genetic analysis. Discriminant analysis of PCA (DAPC) based on provenance origin further supported the genetic structure, with clear separation of provenances into distinct clusters. These findings provide valuable insights into the genetic diversity and growth patterns of pecan populations. Understanding the genetic basis of phenological traits and population structure is essential for selecting superior cultivars adapted to diverse environments. The identified subpopulations can guide breeding efforts to develop resilient rootstocks and contribute to the sustainable management of pecan genetic resources. Overall, this study enhances our understanding of pecan genetic diversity and informs conservation and breeding strategies for the long-term viability of pecan cultivation.

Citric Acid Alleviated Salt Stress by Modulating Photosynthetic Pigments, Plant Water Status, Yield and Nutritional Quality of Black gram [Vigna mungo (L.) Hepper

Background: Salt stress (SS) has seriously threatened the productivity of pulses including black gram in modern input-intensive farming systems which necessitates finding biologically viable, pro-farmer and environmentally friendly SS ameliorating strategies. Methods: An experiment was conducted to assess three levels of both SS (0, 50 and 100 mM NaCl) and citric acid (CA, 0, 50 and 100 µM) applied as a foliar spray to ameliorate the deleterious effects of SS on black gram (cv. BARI Mash-3). The response variables included plant growth traits like plant height (PH), leaf number (BLPP) and root dry weight (RDW) along with chlorophyll contents (chl a, chl b and tchl), plant water status (relative water content RWC and water retention capacity WRC), grain yield (GY), stover yield (SY), biological yield (BY)) and harvest index (HI) along with nitrogen (N) and protein (P) content of black gram. Result: The results revealed that CA (100 µM) remained unmatched by increasing PH (76.25%), NLPP (37.52%), RDW (83.67%), Chl a (17.80%), Chl b (11.59%), tChl (15.51%), RWC (9.81%) and WRC (26.64%) under highest level of induced SS. The same treatment also surpassed the rest of the doses in terms of grains number per pod (23.89%), 100 grains weight (59.74%), GY (82.86%), SY (59.66%), BY (64.94%) and HI. Moreover, CA accumulated N and P content (29.9%) in the grain under SS conditions. These results indicated that application CA alleviated the adverse effects of SS by triggering the growth, yield and nutritional quality which might be developed as a potent strategy to cope with the declining productivity of black gram in saline environment.