Plant Length Research Articles

Quality assessment of soybean seeds submitted to industrial seed treatment and stored in a natural and controlled environment

Seed quality is a limiting factor in the search for high soybean yields. However, fungi and insect pests can negatively interfere with their performance, and industrial seed treatment (IST) is a tool used to minimize the attack of pathogens and pests. The treated seeds are often stored until sowing, which can lead to a reduction in their quality. This work aimed to evaluate the physical and physiological quality of soybean seeds submitted to IST, with subsequent storage in a natural and controlled environment. The experiment was conducted in a split-split-plot design in a completely randomized scheme (time x storage systems x IST) with four replications. Soybean cultivar 55I57RSF IPRO was subjected to IST with fungicide (metalaxyl-M, thiabendazole, and fludioxonil) and insecticide (thiamethoxam and cyantraniliprole), combined or not with polymer and dry powder, with subsequent storage in a controlled and natural environment. The moisture content, thousand-seed weights, germination, first germination count, germination speed index, accelerated aging, seedling length, dry matter transfer, and emergence sand test were evaluated. IST did not affect the moisture content and weight of a thousand seeds. However, storage in a controlled environment provided a greater reduction in moisture content and a smaller reduction in the weight of a thousand seeds. IST negatively affected germination, first germination count, germination speed index, and accelerated aging test. IST negatively affected plant length, except in the treatment where only insecticide was applied. The dry mass transfer was negatively affected but with less intensity in seeds subjected only to the application of insecticide or fungicide and the combination of insecticide, fungicide, and polymer. Seed emergence in the sand was negatively affected by all treatments. Regardless of the treatments, all responses evaluated showed a reduction throughout storage, with greater intensity in seeds stored in the natural environment.

Variability of agromorphological traits in Portulaca grandiflora through induced mutation using colchicine

Abstract. Aisyah SI, Meiningrum NI, Yudha YS, Nurcholis W. 2024. Variability of agromorphological traits in Portulaca grandiflora through induced mutation using colchicine. Biodiversitas 25: 2484-2493. Portulaca grandiflora Hook is an ornamental plant originating from the Portulacaceae family, and it has been extensively cultivated on various continents. P. grandiflora displays appealing flower shapes and vibrant colors suitable for growth in a tropical landscape. Increased morphological diversity carries significant importance in the aesthetic function of ornamental plants. The higher the variation in the morphological characteristics of ornamental plants, the greater the market value of these plants due to their enhanced aesthetic appeal. Additionally, colchicine, a polyploidy-inducing agent, can enhance the plant genetic diversity. This study aims to investigate the impact of colchicine application on the morphological characters of P. grandiflora. The experiment was conducted for four months at the Leuwikopo Experimental Field, IPB, with two factors of Completely Randomized Block Design: The colchicine treatment comprises five concentration levels (0, 0.05, 0.1, 0.15, and 0.2), with four test genotypes: Orange, Peach, Bicolor, and Banana. A significant reduction in growth was observed in the Bicolor genotype, followed by the Banana genotype, indicating varying tissue sensitivities to colchicine treatment. The study reveals variations in morphological responses for each concentration treatment and genotype used. Statistical results confirm aspects: (i) each genotype displays different performance, (ii) the combined treatment of colchicine significantly influences the growth and development of quantitative traits, and (iii) The interaction (colchicine x genotype) was statistically significant for all quantitative characters of P. grandiflora except stem diameter. Qualitative traits, such as morphological changes in stem color, leaf color, and shape, were observed. Three correlation values are positive and statistically significant: plant length and leaf width, number of branches on shoots and leaves, and number of branches on shoots and flowers. Putative mutants of P. grandiflora exhibiting new traits require in-depth exploration in subsequent generations.

A Physiological and Molecular Docking Insight on Quercetin Mediated Salinity Stress Tolerance in Chinese Flowering Cabbage and Increase in Glucosinolate Contents.

The present study was performed to investigate the negative impact of salinity on the growth of Chinese flowering cabbage (Brassica rapa ssp. chinensis var. parachinensis) and the ameliorative effects of quercetin dihydrate on the plant along with the elucidation of underlying mechanisms. The tolerable NaCl stress level was initially screened for the Chinese flowering cabbage plants during a preliminary pot trial by exposing the plants to salinity levels (0, 50, 100, 150, 200, 250, 300, 350, and 400 mM) and 250 mM was adopted for further experimentation based on the findings. The greenhouse experiment was performed by adopting a completely randomized design using three different doses of quercetin dihydrate (50, 100, 150 µM) applied as a foliar treatment. The findings showed that the exposure salinity significantly reduced shoot length (46.5%), root length (21.2%), and dry biomass (32.1%) of Chinese flowering cabbage plants. Whereas, quercetin dihydrate applied at concentrations of 100, and 150 µM significantly diminished the effect of salinity stress by increasing shoot length (36.8- and 71.3%), root length (36.57- and 56.19%), dry biomass production (51.4- and 78.6%), Chl a (69.8- and 95.7%), Chl b (35.2- and 87.2%), and carotenoid contents (21.4- and 40.3%), respectively, compared to the plants cultivated in salinized conditions. The data of physiological parameters showed a significant effect of quercetin dihydrate on the activities of peroxidase, superoxide dismutase, and catalase enzymes. Interestingly, quercetin dihydrate increased the production of medicinally important glucosinolate compounds in Chinese flowering cabbage plants. Molecular docking analysis showed a strong affinity of quercetin dihydrate with three different stress-related proteins of B. rapa plants. Based on the findings, it could be concluded that quercetin dihydrate can increase the growth of Chinese flowering cabbage under both salinity and normal conditions, along with an increase in the medicinal quality of the plants. Further investigations are recommended as future perspectives using other abiotic stresses to declare quercetin dihydrate as an effective remedy to rescue plant growth under prevailing stress conditions.

Biochemical properties of phytase immobilized and its effect on growth parameters of tomato

AbstractBackgroundPhosphorus (P) is one of the nonrenewable resources of critical importance in agricultural production. P is present in soil in organic and inorganic forms. Phytate constitutes the majority of organic P in soil. Phytate binds strongly to the solid phase of the soil and becomes unavailable for use by plants. Therefore, the soluble phytate‐P ratio in soil is mostly at very low levels. Plants and associated microorganisms secrete organic acids and hydrolyzing enzymes such as phytase to dissolve phytate in the soil. Both the solubility of phytate and phytase activity are limiting properties for the uptake of phytate‐P by plants.AimsOur aim was to evaluate the effects of phytase immobilized on zinc oxide nanoparticles (ZnO Np) on tomato plant (Solanum lycopersicum) growth parameters. In this study, seedling period was analyzed.MethodsIn the study, phytase activity of 13 different bacteria was investigated, and phytase was purified from Lactobacillus kefiri, showing the highest activity, and its biochemical properties were determined. Phytase was immobilized on zinc oxide (ZnO) nanoparticles and characterized by X‐ray diffraction, Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy, and scanning electron microscopes analysis. The effects of ZnONps, immobilized phytase, and free phytase on the growth parameters of tomato plant were investigated. Tomato seeds were soaked with ZnONps, immobilized and free phytase for 30 min at room temperature and sown in pots containing suitable growing medium. Vegetative development of tomato plant, plant height, number of lateral branches, main stem diameter, distance between nodes, number of nodes, main root, and shoot length were determined.ResultsPhytase was partially purified with 7.60% recovery and specific activity of 1758.5 (EU mg−1 protein). Molecular mass of partially purified phytase was approx.72 kD, optimum pH and temperature values were determined as pH 5.0 and 70–80°C, respectively. Immobilized phytase caused a significant increase of 41.1% in plant height, 64.1% in main root, and 36.1% in shoot length in tomato plants compared to the control. In addition, a significant increase was observed in the number of side branches, main stem diameter, distance between nodes, number of nodes, and vegetative growth of the plant.ConclusionsThe results showed that the immobilized phytase enzyme has a positive effect on seedling growth in tomato and can be used in tomato cultivation in the future.

Physiological and molecular analysis of pitaya (Hylocereus polyrhizus) reveal up-regulation of secondary metabolites, nitric oxide, antioxidant defense system, and expression of responsive genes under low-temperature stress by the pre-treatment of hydrogen peroxide

Low-temperature events are one of the leading environmental cues that considerably reduce plant growth and shift species biodiversity. Hydrogen peroxide (H2O2) is a signaling molecule that has a distinguished role during unfavorable conditions and shows outstanding perspectives in low-temperature stress. Herein, we elucidated the protective role and regulatory mechanism of H2O2 in alleviating the deleterious effects of low-temperature stress in pitaya plants. Micropropagated pitaya plants were cultured in Murashige and Skoog media supplemented with different levels of H2O2 (0, 5, 10, and 20 mM) and then exposed to low-temperature stress (5 °C for 24 h). H2O2 at 10 mM, improved low-temperature stress tolerance by relieving oxidative injuries and ameliorating growth parameters in terms of fresh weight (66.7%), plant length (16.7%), and pigments content viz., chlorophyll a (157.4%), chlorophyll b (209.1%), and carotenoids (225.9%). H2O2 counteracted the low-temperature stress by increasing amino acids (224.7%), soluble proteins (190.5%), and sugars (126.6%). Simultaneously, secondary metabolites like ascorbic acid (ASA), anthocyanins, phenolics, flavonoids, total antioxidant (TOA), and proline were also up-regulated by H2O2 (104.9%, 128.8%, 166.3%, 141.4%, and 436.4%, respectively). These results corresponded to the stimulative role triggered by H2O2 in boosting the activities of catalase (22.4%), ascorbate peroxidase (20.7%), superoxide dismutase (88.4%), polyphenol oxidase (60.7%), soluble peroxidase (23.8%), and phenylalanine ammonia-lyase (57.1%) as well as the expression level of HpCAT, HpAPX, HpSOD, HpPPO, and HpPAL genes, which may help to moderate low-temperature stress. In conclusion, our findings stipulate new insights into the mechanisms by which H2O2 regulates low-temperature stress tolerance in pitaya plants.

Effects of Different Sources of Fertilizers on Growth and Yield of Radish (Raphanus sativus L.)

Radish is a widely cultivated root crop susceptible to chemicals for its growth and development. The experiment was conducted to study the effect of different sources of organic fertilizers on growth and yield parameters in the Tokinashi variety of radish. The experiment was laid out using one factorial completely randomized block design with six treatments replicated four times. Vermicompost, goat manure, chemical fertilizers (NPK), poultry manure, farmyard manure and control were the applied treatments. Various growth and yield parameters of radish were measured and assessed at 15-day intervals. Various growth and yield parameters of radish were measured and assessed at 15-day intervals. Growth parameters were observed at 15, 30, 45, and 60 days after sowing. For yield parameters, destructive samples were taken and observed at 30 DAS and 45 DAS and harvested at 60 DAS. The assessments of plant growth and yield parameters showed that poultry manure (PM) treatments were superior. At the time of harvesting, the treatment comprising poultry manure had considerably greater plant height (30.55 cm), leaf length (29.44cm), leaf breadth (10.78cm), leaf number per plant (9.23), root diameter (10.33cm) and root length (20.16cm) with superior yield per ha (33.59 mt ha-1). Poultry manure significantly enhanced root yield and was positively correlated with all growth parameters. The highest benefit-cost (B: C) ratio was recorded in chemical fertilizer (3.99), which was statistically at par with poultry manure (3.81), suggesting that poultry manure might potentially replace chemical fertilizers for the Tokinashi variety of radish cultivation.

Phytochemical Profiling and Bioactive Potential of Grape Seed Extract in Enhancing Salinity Tolerance of Vicia faba.

Salinity stress poses a significant threat to crop productivity worldwide, necessitating effective mitigation strategies. This study investigated the phytochemical composition and potential of grape seed extract (GSE) to mitigate salinity stress effects on faba bean plants. GC-MS analysis revealed several bioactive components in GSE, predominantly fatty acids. GSE was rich in essential nutrients and possessed a high antioxidant capacity. After 14 days of germination, GSE was applied as a foliar spray at different concentrations (0, 2, 4, 6, and 8 g/L) to mitigate the negative effects of salt stress (150 mM NaCl) on faba bean plants. Foliar application of 2-8 g/L GSE significantly enhanced growth parameters such as shoot length, root length, fresh weight, and dry weight of salt-stressed bean plants compared to the control. The Fv/Fm ratio, indicating photosynthetic activity, also improved with GSE treatment under salinity stress compared to the control. GSE effectively alleviated the oxidative stress induced by salinity, reducing malondialdehyde, hydrogen peroxide, praline, and glycine betaine levels. Total soluble proteins, amino acids, and sugars were enhanced in GSE-treated, salt-stressed plants. GSE treatment under salinity stress modulated the total antioxidant capacity, antioxidant responses, and enzyme activities such as peroxidase, ascorbate peroxidase, and polyphenol oxidase compared to salt-stressed plants. Gene expression analysis revealed GSE (6 g/L) upregulated photosynthesis (chlorophyll a/b-binding protein of LHCII type 1-like (Lhcb1) and ribulose bisphosphate carboxylase large chain-like (RbcL)) and carbohydrate metabolism (cell wall invertase I (CWINV1) genes) while downregulating stress response genes (ornithine aminotransferase (OAT) and ethylene-responsive transcription factor 1 (ERF1)) in salt-stressed bean plants. The study demonstrates GSE's usefulness in mitigating salinity stress effects on bean plants by modulating growth, physiology, and gene expression patterns, highlighting its potential as a natural approach to enhance salt tolerance.

Effects of Nopal and Goat Manure on Soil Fertility and the Growth, Yield and Physical Characteristics of Tomato and Carrot Plants

Nopal (Opuntia) is a resource that is discarded after pruning complete cladodes. For this reason, the aim of this study was to investigate the effects of the combined use of organic matter (nopal) and goat manure on changes in soil characteristics and on the growth and yield performance of carrot and tomato plants. Physicochemical analysis of the soil and goat manure was carried out, and germination tests and physical characterization of the plants and the products obtained were performed on tomato and carrot plants after adding the components of the cladodes alone and the cladodes with goat manure. The results showed that the application of the nopal cladode components increased the cation exchange capacity of the soil. The highest germination rate was obtained by the application of liquid nopal, with a 1.7-fold increase in the germination rate of carrot seeds, while that for tomato seeds was only 14%. Similar results were obtained for the germination percentage. An increase in resistance to water stress of approximately 15 days was observed in both tomato and carrot plants. Plant development and production were achieved in tomato, with a 100% increase in carrot plant length and a threefold increase in production. The addition of nopal to the soil improved the soil characteristics and the production yield of carrots and tomatoes.

Growth Response of Cucumber in Different Solid Organic Waste Materials

The study aims to investigate the effect of various organic waste materials on the growth of cucumber plants. The study is motivated by the increasing need for sustainable agricultural practices and the potential use of organic waste as a source of nutrients for plant growth. The experiment will be conducted using a randomized complete block design with three treatments: food scraps, animal manure, yard waste. Cucumber seeds will be sown in pots filled with soil mixed with the respective organic waste material. The growth parameters such as plant height and length of leaves will be measured at regular intervals. It is hypothesized that cucumber plants grown in soil amended with organic waste materials will exhibit better growth compared to those with no fertilizer. This hypothesis is based on previous studies that have shown the positive impact of organic waste on plant growth due to its nutrient content. The results obtained from this research will contribute to our understanding of the potential use of different organic waste materials as a sustainable alternative to synthetic fertilizers in agriculture. It may also provide insights into effective methods for recycling and managing organic waste for agricultural purposes.

Bioinoculation with Pseudomonas aeruginosa P4 enhances the peanut root nodulation and nutrient status while enriching the plant-beneficial bacteria in rhizosphere

Fluorescent Pseudomonas species are well-known as effective plant growth promoting rhizobacteria (PGPR), yet are relatively less explored for their multitrophic benefits. This study demonstrates the impact of P. aeruginosa P4 (P4) on peanut growth, nutrient status of plant and soil as well as the rhizobacterial community. Enhanced root length (53%), root weight (74%) and shoot weight (48%) in P4-treated plants, with increased potash and phosphorus levels of rhizospheric soil, correlated with indole-3-acetic acid and organic acid producing abilities of P4. Remarkably, increased nodule (87%) and pod (47%) numbers in P4-treated plants could be attributed to ∼16.3 % higher accumulation of iron, which in turn could be due to siderophore producing ability of P4. Amplified Ribosomal DNA Restriction Analysis (ARDRA)-based analysis at the approximate onset of nodulation and subsequent 16S rDNA-based metagenomic analysis estimated a significant distinction in the rhizomicrobial community diversity and abundance across control and P4-treated rhizospheres, plausibly due to P4-induced alterations in root exudate composition. Enrichment of plant-beneficial genera like Planctomyces, Mesorhizobium, Ensifer, Azospirillum, Bacillus, Nitrospira and Candidatus Nitrososphaera in P4-treated rhizosphere, could be driven by both altered root exudation and enhanced mineral nutrient availability in soil. In contrast, reduced abundance of Pseudomonas genus in P4-treated peanut rhizosphere could be attributed to direct or indirect competition between the inoculant and the resident Pseudomonas species. Collectively, a non-nitrogen-fixer P4 benefited nitrogen fixation in peanut, apparently indirectly by improving the iron nutrition and mobilization of plant-beneficial rhizobacterial species; an aspect that could be useful in determining PGPR efficacy and strategizing PGPR-mediated rhizosphere engineering.

Phenotypic characterization of point mutations spanning FHA domain and C-terminal region of Dawdle gene in Arabidopsis

The screening analysis of loss-of-function alleles in Arabidopsis thaliana revealed a mutation in the At3G20550 gene, called DAWDLE (DDL). The mutation in the DDL gene causes pleiotropic phenotypes and reduced the levels of several microRNAs. The DAWDLE gene encodes a protein with a Fork Head-Associated (FHA) domain, found in large range of proteins with significant cellular processes in prokaryotes and eukaryotes. However, it is not completely known whether the FHA domain and C-terminal region of the DDL are necessary for its function. The aim of this study was to determine the function of both regions by conducting a phenotypic analysis of point mutations spanning the FHA domain and C-terminal region in DDL Targeted Induced Local Lesions IN Genome (Tilling) screen was performed in the Columbia erecta-105 background of Arabidopsis resulting in point mutations spanning both regions of DDL. The mutants were phenotypically characterized. Height of the plant, hypocotyl and root length, and fertility were measured. Phenotypic analyses of the mutants revealed ddl phenotypes of varying degrees in different organs. Reduction in fertility and shortening in root, hypocotyl and stem lengths of the Tiller mutant lines suggest that the FHA domain and C-terminal region may require for DDL function in Arabidopsis. Key words: Dawdle, Fork Head-Associated Domain, Targeted Induced Local Lesions in Genome, Ethyl Methane Sulfonate, Arabidopsis

Urea-rich sodium alginate-based hydrogel fertilizer as a water reservoir and slow-release N carrier for tomato cultivation under different water-deficit levels

In this study, a new eco-friendly urea-rich sodium alginate-based hydrogel with a slow-release nitrogen property was prepared, and its effectiveness was evaluated in the cultivation of tomato plants under different water stress levels. The structure and performance of the hydrogel were investigated by FTIR, XRD, TGA, DTG, and SEM. The swelling and release experiments showed that prepared urea-rich hydrogel exhibited a high-water holding capacity (412 ± 4 g/g) and showed a sustained and slow nitrogen release property. A greenhouse pot experiment was conducted using two hydrogel levels (0.1 and 0.5 wt%) under two water deficit levels (30 and 70 % based on required water irrigation). Germination tests indicated that the developed hydrogel fertilizer has no phytotoxicity and has a positive impact on the germination rate even under water deficit conditions. The application of hydrogel fertilizer at 0.5 wt% significantly (p > 0.05) enhanced plant growth parameters such as leaf number, chlorophyll content, stem diameter, and plant length compared to the control treatment. The magnitude of the responses to the hydrogel fertilizer application depended on the concentration of applied hydrogel fertilizer and stress severity with the most positive effects on the growth and yield of tomato observed at a level of 0.5 %. Tomato yield was significantly enhanced by 19.58 %–12.81 %, 18.58 %–22.02 %, and 39.38 %–43.18 % for the plant amended with hydrogel at 0.1–0.5 wt% and grown under water deficit levels of 0, 30, and 70 %, respectively, compared to the control treatment.

GhFAD3-4 Promotes Fiber Cell Elongation and Cell Wall Thickness by Increasing PI and IP3 Accumulation in Cotton.

The omega-3 fatty acid desaturase enzyme gene FAD3 is responsible for converting linoleic acid to linolenic acid in plant fatty acid synthesis. Despite limited knowledge of its role in cotton growth, our study focused on GhFAD3-4, a gene within the FAD3 family, which was found to promote fiber elongation and cell wall thickness in cotton. GhFAD3-4 was predominantly expressed in elongating fibers, and its suppression led to shorter fibers with reduced cell wall thickness and phosphoinositide (PI) and inositol triphosphate (IP3) levels. Transcriptome analysis of GhFAD3-4 knock-out mutants revealed significant impacts on genes involved in the phosphoinositol signaling pathway. Experimental evidence demonstrated that GhFAD3-4 positively regulated the expression of the GhBoGH3B and GhPIS genes, influencing cotton fiber development through the inositol signaling pathway. The application of PI and IP6 externally increased fiber length in GhFAD3-4 knock-out plants, while inhibiting PI led to a reduced fiber length in GhFAD3-4 overexpressing plants. These findings suggest that GhFAD3-4 plays a crucial role in enhancing fiber development by promoting PI and IP3 biosynthesis, offering the potential for breeding cotton varieties with superior fiber quality.

Modelling velocity distribution for vegetated flows using Entropy theory considering stiffness variation along plant length

Modelling velocity distribution for vegetated flows using Entropy theory considering stiffness variation along plant length

Screening of plant growth-promoting rhizobacteria helps alleviate the joint toxicity of PVC+Cd pollution in sorghum plants

Combined microplastic and heavy metal pollution (CM-HP) has become a popular research topic due to the ability of these pollutants to have complex interactions. Plant growth-promoting rhizobacteria (PGPR) are widely used to alleviate stress from heavy metal pollution in plants. However, the effects and mechanisms by which these bacteria interact under CM-HP have not been extensively studied. In this study, we isolated and screened PGPR from CM-HP soils and analyzed the effects of these PGPR on sorghum growth and Cd accumulation under combined PVC+Cd pollution through pot experiments. The results showed that the length and biomass of sorghum plants grown in PVC+Cd contaminated soil were significantly lower than those grown in soils contaminated with Cd alone, revealing an enhancement in toxicity when the two contaminants were mixed. Seven isolated and screened PGPR strains effectively alleviated stress due to PVC+Cd contamination, which resulted in a significant enhancement in sorghum biomass. PGPR mitigated the decrease in soil available potassium, available phosphorus and alkali-hydrolyzable nitrogen content caused by combined PVC+Cd pollution and increased the contents of these soil nutrients. Soil treatment with combined PVC+Cd pollution and PGPR inoculation can affect rhizosphere bacterial communities and change the composition of dominant populations, such as Proteobacteria, Firmicutes, and Actinobacteria. PICRUSt2 functional profile prediction revealed that combined PVC+Cd pollution and PGPR inoculation affected nitrogen fixation, nitrification, denitrification, organic phosphorus mineralization, inorganic phosphorus solubilization and the composition and abundance of genes related the N and P cycles. The Mantel test showed that functional strain abundance, the diversity index and N and P cycling-related genes were affected by test strain inoculation and were significant factors affecting sorghum growth, Cd content and accumulation. This study revealed that soil inoculation with isolated and screened PGPR can affect the soil inorganic nutrient content and bacterial community composition, thereby alleviating the stress caused by CM-HP and providing a theoretical basis and data support for the remediation of CM-HP.

Impacts of MnO2 on tomato (Lycopersicon esculentum Mill.) growth: A study with MnO2-amended organic fertilizer

Manganese dioxide (MnO2), as a catalyst in composting processes, can accumulate in soil over multiple fertilizations. However, its impact on crop growth remains to be explored. In this study, a pot experiment was conducted to investigate the impacts of MnO2 on the tomato plant performance across various growth stages. Results showed that MnO2 reduced the plant height, leaf number and length by 35.53 %, 27.61 %, and 37.00 %, respectively, and decreased the fruit weight (23.16 %) and sugar-acid ratio (29.7 %) of fruits compared to the MnO2-free control. The adverse impacts of MnO2 on plant growth might be attributed to the inhibition of microbial activity in soil reflected by the reduction of soil urease (9.30 %) and acid phosphatase (12.52 %) activities, which decreased the efficiency of nutrients conversion and uptake. The decrease of nutrient elements in roots resulted in oxidative stress in the plant, inhibiting the plasma membrane H+-ATPase activity thereby reducing the translocation of nutrients (e.g., calcium, magnesium, and phosphorus) translocation from roots to leaves. Furthermore, the phytohormones indolebutyric acid, gibberellin, and jasmonic acid of leaves were disturbed. This study reveals the risks associated with the application of MnO2-containing organic fertilizers.

Effect of Seed Storage Duration and Methods on Growth and Yield of Basil Variety

The experiment was conducted at Wondogenet Agricultural Research Center to determine the effect of seed storage period and methods on the growth and yield of basil. Basil seeds stored in three storage methods (Plastic jar, Polypropylene, and Cotton bags) for six storage periods (initial period, one, three, six, nine, and twelve months) were used to evaluate the impact of the treatments on the yield and performance in the field. The field experiment was arranged by using RCBD design with three replications. The data were taken at the 90% physiological maturity stage. The results showed a significant difference between the treatments. The results indicated that the interaction effects of basil seed storage time and methods had a significant (P<0.05) effect on Primary Branch Number, Plant Height, Umbrella length, Dry, and Fresh biomass. The umbrella number of the storage methods had an accelerating trend with raising storage duration to 3 months storage, after that it shows a declining trend with raising storage time. The two storage methods plastic jar and bag maintained the seed in good condition for 3 months further, storage of the seed leads to the shortest plant and umbrella length. The highest dry biomass was recorded at 3 months stored seed in a plastic bag which was not significantly different from 3 months stored seed in a plastic jar. Basil dry biomass for the jar stored seed ranged from 0.85 to 3.33, 0.91 to 3.42 ton/ha for plastic bag whereas for the cotton bag, it ranged from 0.6 to 2.26 ton/ha. In general, seeds stored for three months had shown better growth and yield.

CORRELATION AND REGRESSION ANALYSIS FOR YIELD & RELATED ATTRIBUTES IN F2 POPULATION OF BREAD WHEAT (Triticum aestivum L.) GENOTYPES

This research was carried out to study correlation & regression analysis in bread wheat at Southern Wheat and Barley Research Institute, Tandojam in RCBD with three replications. The results showed that most of the traits were significantly different at (P≤0.01) among the genotypes. Correlation analysis showed that spikelets per spike had a positive and highly significant association with biological yield per plan (r = 0.82**). Among the F2 crosses, days to 75% heading was significantly and positively associated with the grain yield (r = 0.80**). The trait tillers per plant had a positive association of significance with grain yield per plant (r = 0.86**) and biological yield per plant (g) (r = 0.84**). Regression analysis showed that the contribution rate of plant height to the change of grain yield was 0.47%; although the contribution to the variation of grain yield per plant was 08.21%. Spike length and spikelets per spike contributed 51.99% and 57.02% to the variation of grain yield per spike. The same character, grain yield was also contributed by grains per spike and seed index with the change of 58.99% and 78.36%. Above mentioned studies have shown that seed index, tillers per plant and spike length can be used to increase the grain yield of wheat genotypes to develop wheat varieties.

Insights into Key Biometric, Physiological and Biochemical Markers of Magnesium (Mg) Deficiency Stress in the Halophyte Cakile maritima

Magnesium is a key element for plant growth and development. Plant responses to Mg deficiency were well investigated, especially in glycophytes. Such responses include a reduction in plant growth and biomass allocation between shoots and roots, photosynthates partitioning from source to sink organs, the accumulation of carbohydrates, and an induction of several Mg transporters. Some physiological and biochemical parameters are good markers of Mg deficiency stress even though they are not well investigated. In the present study, the halophyte Cakile maritima was subjected to Mg shortage, and several Mg stress indices were analyzed. Our data showed that Mg starvation affected shoot and plant length, leaf number, and plant organ growth. A significant decrease in chlorophyll synthesis and photosynthetic activity was also recorded. Mg deficiency triggered oxidative damage as electrolyte leakage and lipid peroxidation were increased by Mg deficiency while the membrane stability index decreased. For a deeper understanding of the effect of Mg starvation on C. maritima, several tolerance stress indices were evaluated, demonstrating a negative impact of Mg stress on almost all those parameters. This study provided important insights on several markers of Mg deficiency stress, which were informative by themselves as unique and early signals of Mg deficiency stress in this halophyte.

Unveiling the efficacy of a bacterial antagonist in the management of tomato wilt disease caused by Ralstonia solanacearum

The long-term application of agrochemicals, including pesticides, in intensive agricultural practices to protect crops from biotic stresses results in the emergence of resistance among phytopathogens and the ineffectiveness of chemical applications. The microbiological strategies, in contrast, minimize the reliance on chemicals and, hence, reduce environmental and human health risks. Bacterial wilt of tomato induced by Ralstonia solanacearum is one of the most destructive diseases worldwide that requires urgent attention to develop a safer and more efficient method to control the phytopathogen. The present work was conducted in the year 2022-2023. In this study, the bacterial wilt was managed by an antagonist bacterium, Pseudomonas fluorescens, exhibiting variable morphological, biochemical, and plant growth-promoting activities. The P. fluorescens inhibited the growth of R. solanacearum in plate assay at different time intervals (0-48 h). The SEM image of R. solanacearum cells cultured with P. fluorescens revealed pores, distortion, and fragmented cell envelope, while the untreated bacterial cells were uniform and smooth. Tomato plants infected with R. solanacearum showed 89% disease incidence compared to uninfected but PGPR-inoculated tomato plants. Application of P. fluorescens reduced disease incidence by 63% compared to R. solanacearum infested plants. Furthermore, plant length enhanced by 21 and 26% significantly following bacterial inoculation after three and four weeks of growth. Conclusively, this study emphasizes the effectiveness of using PGPR as a potent strategy for managing wilt disease in vegetable crops, especially tomato.