Nutritional Value Of Plants Research Articles

Effects of foliar and root application of Zn and Fe bio-nanofertilizers on the glucosinolate, Zn and Fe contents of Pak choi (Brassica rapa Subsp. Chinensis) grown under hydroponic and pot cultivation

Pak choi is a rich source of minerals and health beneficial compounds such as glucosinolates (GSLs). This study is focused on implementing sustainable agronomic approaches to optimize pre-harvest cultivation and improve plant growth and nutritional value. Therefore, the aim of this work was to evaluate the effect of foliar and root fertilization of algae capped ZnO and γ-Fe2O3 nanoparticles on the growth and content of GSLs, Zn and Fe of Pak choi grown under hydroponic floating system and pot conditions. The foliar application of ZnO (77 nm) and γ-Fe2O3 (68 nm) nanoparticles functionalized with an Arthrospira platensis extract increased fresh weight (39.71 %), plant height (42.77 %), leaves number (26.47 %), root length (33.33 %), and Zn (10-fold) and Fe (2-fold) contents in hydroponic plants. The same treatment also improved plant fresh weight (31.73 %), and Zn (6-fold) and Fe (2-fold) in pot cultivated Pak choi. Six GSLs were detected, which were also enhanced by the joint application of nanoparticles and microalgae extract. The results revealed a high synergy between the ZnO- and γ-Fe2O3 nanoparticles and the A. platensis extract to increase plant growth and Zn and Fe micronutrients and glucosinolates in Pak choi grown under hydroponic and pot systems.

A review on the phytochemistry and biological activities of Curculigo latifolia Dryand ex. W.Aiton

Curculigo latifolia Dryand. ex W. T. Aiton, from the genus Curculigo, is a medicinal plant traditionally used to treat numerous illnesses such as fever, stomach aches, jaundice, wounds, and inflammation. C. latifolia is a perennial herb that is widely found in tropical and subtropical regions, such as Southeast Asia, Southern China, Bangladesh, Australia, and the Andaman Islands. This review collates the reported studies on the different aspects of C. latifolia from its plant description, nutritional value, phytochemistry, chemical composition, and pharmacological properties. This review aims to identify gaps in the literature and provide useful references for future work on this plant. Previous studies have shown that C. latifolia contains high mineral contents of calcium, iron, and magnesium, which are essential components of human health. Moreover, the plant is rich in phytochemicals, which play a prominent role in various pharmacological activities. The most common compounds identified included curculigoside, crassifoside I, nyasicoside, and curculigine. C. latifolia demonstrated high antioxidant activity through its ability to scavenge superoxide anions, 1,1–diphenyl–2–picrylhydrazyl (DPPH) and 2,2’-azino–bis(3–ethylbenzthiazoline–6–sulfonic acid) (ABTS) radicals, reducing ferric ions to ferrous complexes, iron chelation, and β –carotene bleaching. It was also shown that the roots, stems, and leaves of C. latifolia were effective in exerting antimicrobial activity against several microbial strains, including Bacillus cereus, Bacillus subtillis, Enterobacter aerogenes, Erwinia sp., Klebsiella sp., Pseudomonas sp., Candida albicans, Salmonella choleraesuis and Staphylococcus aureus. Moreover, the root, fruit, leaf, petiole, and rhizome extracts were found to improve glucose uptake and insulin secretion in diabetic rats, suggesting their antidiabetic potential. C. latifolia presents a wide range of medicinal properties that could make it a promising functional food or source of food supplements to prevent nutrition–related or chronic diseases.

Agroecological Transformation: Implementation of an Agroforestry System in a Construction Debris Area Focusing on Vegetables Development through Microbial Treatments

Soil microorganisms play an important role on plant development and the homogenization of soil microbiomes is harmful to agri-environments. It is essential that agricultural practices are carried out by taking soil microbiome preservation in consideration. Agroforestry systems are one of the most environmentally friendly agrosystems and its plant diversity directly influences the soil microbiome diversity. In this study, we tested the efficacy of the microbial consortium (MC) obtained from compost and the cyanobacteria Arthrospira platensis (Ap) compared with the application of the vermicompost tea (VT) and bokashi (Bk) in arugula, lettuce, beetroot, and carrot in two seasons in a recently implemented agroforestry system. We aimed to verify if MC and Ap could be new promising sustainable alternatives in vegetables production. The strategy can be broken down into three stages: (1) Green manure management: planting, cutting, griding, and incorporation in the soil, (2) agroforestry system implementation, and (3) treatment application in a completely randomized blocks design. The vegetables yield was measured. Nutritional traits and the plant root system were evaluated for arugula and lettuce. Greater plant yield, nutritional values, and plant root development were observed in the MC-treated plants; Ap and Bk had, in general, similar results. Our data show that both MC and Ap have potential to become a sustainable product for agricultural production.

A review on the phytochemistry and biological activities of Curculigo latifolia Dryand ex. W.Aiton

Curculigo latifolia Dryand. ex W. T. Aiton, from the genus Curculigo, is a medicinal plant traditionally used to treat numerous illnesses such as fever, stomach aches, jaundice, wounds, and inflammation. C. latifolia is a perennial herb that is widely found in tropical and subtropical regions, such as Southeast Asia, Southern China, Bangladesh, Australia, and the Andaman Islands. This review collates the reported studies on the different aspects of C. latifolia from its plant description, nutritional value, phytochemistry, chemical composition, and pharmacological properties. This review aims to identify gaps in the literature and provide useful references for future work on this plant. Previous studies have shown that C. latifolia contains high mineral contents of calcium, iron, and magnesium, which are essential components of human health. Moreover, the plant is rich in phytochemicals, which play a prominent role in various pharmacological activities. The most common compounds identified included curculigoside, crassifoside I, nyasicoside, and curculigine. C. latifolia demonstrated high antioxidant activity through its ability to scavenge superoxide anions, 1,1–diphenyl–2–picrylhydrazyl (DPPH) and 2,2’-azino–bis(3–ethylbenzthiazoline–6–sulfonic acid) (ABTS) radicals, reducing ferric ions to ferrous complexes, iron chelation, and B-carotene bleaching. It was also shown that the roots, stems, and leaves of C. latifolia were effective in exerting antimicrobial activity against several microbial strains, including Bacillus cereus, Bacillus subtillis, Enterobacter aerogenes, Erwinia sp., Klebsiella sp., Pseudomonas sp., Candida albicans, Salmonella choleraesuis and Staphylococcus aureus. Moreover, the root, fruit, leaf, petiole, and rhizome extracts were found to improve glucose uptake and insulin secretion in diabetic rats, suggesting their antidiabetic potential. C. latifolia presents a wide range of medicinal properties that could make it a promising functional food or source of food supplements to prevent nutrition–related or chronic diseases.

Does spatial variation in insect herbivory match variations in plant quality? A meta-analysis.

Variation in herbivore pressure has often been predicted from patterns in plant traits considered as antiherbivore defences. Here, we tested whether spatial variation in field insect herbivory is associated with the variation in plant quality by conducting a meta-analysis of 223 correlation coefficients between herbivory levels and the expression of selected plant traits. We found no overall correlation between herbivory and either concentrations of plant secondary metabolites or values of physical leaf traits. This result was due to both the large number of low correlations and the opposing directions of high correlations in individual studies. Field herbivory demonstrated a significant association only with nitrogen: herbivore pressure increased with an increase in nitrogen concentration in plant tissues. Thus, our meta-analysis does not support either theoretical prediction, i.e., that plants possess high antiherbivore defences in localities with high herbivore pressure or that herbivory is low in localities where plant defences are high. We conclude that information about putative plant defences is insufficient to predict plant losses to insects in field conditions and that the only bottom-up factor shaping spatial variation in insect herbivory is plant nutritive value. Our findings stress the need to improve a theory linking plant putative defences and herbivory.

Cowpea (Vigna unguiculata L. Walp) morpho-physiological and yield responses to chemical, organic, and biofertilizers at various watering levels utilizing drip irrigation system

ABSTRACT The infertility of sandy soil hampers the growth of many crops. Typically, chemical fertilizers are used to handle this issue, but they are expensive and have deleterious implications on the ecosystem. A two-year field investigation was carried out on cowpea cultivated in sandy soil to assess the effects of different watering levels (70, 80, 90, and 100% of the actual irrigation requirements), chemical fertilizers, organic fertilizers, and biofertilizer (Bradyrhizobium sp.), and their combinations on the morpho-physiological traits and yield of cowpea (Vigna unguiculata L. Walp, cv. Giza 18). Overall, the findings showed that cowpea osmoregulatory molecules (sugars, proteins, and proline) demonstrated greater accumulation, with the content depending on the watering level. The applied fertilizers demonstrated improved cowpea performance at the regular watering level, with chopped potato tops outperforming other fertilizer formulations. Furthermore, the combination of water stress treatments and fertilizer formulations was impactful in relieving the detrimental consequences of water stress as it enhanced plant growth performance, production efficiency, metabolic homeostasis, nutritional value, and mineral ions composition. Subsequently, our results demonstrated agro-wastes, particularly chopped potato tops, could be an effective substitute for chemical fertilizers in sandy soils to sustainably increase soil fertility as well as cowpea yield performance.

Evaluation of the phytochemical and nutritional value of the halophyte (Suaeda maritima)

Background: Suaeda maritima, a halophyte recognized for its adaptability to saline environments, holds promise as a valuable resource in nutrition and health. This study aimed to comprehensively assess the nutritional composition and phytochemical content of Suaeda maritima, exploring its potential as a dietary resource and source of bioactive compounds. Objectives: To analyze and compare the nutritional composition, phytochemical content, and antioxidant properties of fresh and dried Suaeda maritima samples. The investigation sought to determine the impact of the drying process on the plant's nutritive value and bioactive compounds. Methods: Fresh and dried Suaeda maritima samples were recruited for nutritional analysis which includes carbohydrates, proteins, fats, dietary fiber, minerals, and sodium content per 100 grams. Phytochemical content and antioxidant properties were assessed through total phenolics, total flavonoids, and antioxidant assays (DPPH and TBARS). Results: The results indicated that Suaeda maritima possesses significant nutritional value which contains carbohydrates, proteins, dietary fiber, essential minerals, and low-fat content in fresh and dried forms. Importantly, no statistically significant differences (p > 0.05) were observed between fresh and dried samples regarding macronutrients and minerals, suggesting effective preservation of nutritional value during drying. However, notable distinctions were found in the phytochemical content and antioxidant properties. Fresh Suaeda maritima exhibited significantly higher levels of total phenolics and flavonoids than dried samples. Additionally, DPPH and TBARS assays identified that the antioxidant activities were more noticeable in fresh samples and allow to understand their health-promoting potential. Conclusion: Suaeda maritima demonstrated substantial nutritional value with significant levels of carbohydrates, proteins, dietary fiber, essential minerals, and minimal fat content. The drying process effectively preserved its nutritional composition but it reduced phytochemical content and antioxidant activities. Careful consideration of processing techniques is essential to maximize the retention of health-promoting compounds, especially for applications in the nutraceutical and pharmaceutical industries.

A protocol for a turbidimetric assay using a Saccharomyces cerevisiae thiamin biosynthesis mutant to estimate total vitamin B1 content in plant tissue samples

BackgroundUnderstanding thiamin (thiamine; vitamin B1) metabolism in plants is crucial, as it impacts plant nutritional value as well as stress tolerance. Studies aimed at elucidating novel aspects of thiamin in plants rely on adequate assessment of thiamin content. Mass spectrometry-based methods provide reliable quantification of thiamin as well as closely related biomolecules. However, these techniques require expensive equipment and expertise. Microbiological turbidimetric assays can evaluate the presence of thiamin in a given sample, only requiring low-cost, standard lab equipment. Although these microbiological assays do not reach the accuracy provided by mass spectrometry-based methods, the ease with which they can be deployed in an inexpensive and high-throughput manner, makes them a favorable method in many circumstances. However, the thiamin research field could benefit from a detailed step-by-step protocol to perform such assays as well as a further assessment of its potential and limitations.ResultsHere, we show that the Saccharomyces cerevisiae thiamin biosynthesis mutant thi6 is an ideal candidate to be implemented in a turbidimetric assay aimed at assessing the content of thiamin and its phosphorylated equivalents (total vitamer B1). An optimized protocol was generated, adapted from a previously established microbiological assay using the thi4 mutant. A step-by-step guidance for this protocol is presented. Furthermore, the applicability of the assay is illustrated by assessment of different samples, including plant as well as non-plant materials. In doing so, our work provides an extension of the applicability of the microbiological assay on top of providing important considerations upon implementing the protocol.ConclusionsAn inexpensive, user-friendly protocol, including step-by-step guidance, which allows adequate estimation of vitamer B1 content of samples, is provided. The method is well-suited to screen materials to identify altered vitamer B1 content, such as in metabolic engineering or screening of germplasm.

Assessment of heavy metal accumulation and health risk in three essential edible weeds grown on wastewater irrigated soil

The main problem facing Egypt recently is the shortage of available water resources. Therefore, farmers resort to use wastewater for irrigation. So, the present work aims to assess the impacts of wastewater irrigation on the productivity of three edible weeds (Cichorium endivia, Sonchus oleraceous and Beta vulgaris) and its effect on the nutritional value of plants and its risk on human health. This study will focus on Shibin Al Kanater region, and the physicochemical characteristics of drainage water, canal water, drainage water-irrigated soils and canal-irrigated soils were estimated. The vegetative and traits of edible weeds were determined including their photosynthetic pigments, organic and inorganic nutrients content, and heavy metals content. The health risk index (HRI) associated with consumption of polluted plants was created using the estimated exposure factor of a crop to the oral reference dosage of the toxic metal. The main results showed that biomass productivity of S. oleraceous, B. vulgaris and C. endivia increased due to drainage water irrigation with increasing percentage as 27.9, 19.6, and 19.1%, respectively. Irrigation with drainage water significantly increased the photosynthetic pigments of edible weeds. Irrigation with drainage water increased carbohydrate content, crude protein, total soluble sugar, and gross energy in all studied weeds. C. endivia, S. oleraceus and B. vulgaris plants irrigated with canal and drainage water could accumulate Fe, Zn, Cu, and Co in their roots. C. endivia, S. oleraceus and B. vulgaris plants irrigated with canal water indicated HRI more than the unit for Mn, Cu, Pb, and Cd. This research advises that regulation be put in place to prohibit irrigation using untreated drainage and to restrict the discharge of industrial, domestic, and agricultural wastewater into irrigation canals.

Seed treatment with clothianidin induces changes in plant metabolism and alters pollinator foraging preferences

Neonicotinoids, systemic insecticides that are distributed into all plant tissues and protect against pests, have become a common part of crop production, but can unintentionally also affect non-target organisms, including pollinators. Such effects can be direct effects from insecticide exposure, but neonicotinoids can affect plant physiology, and effects could therefore also be indirectly mediated by changes in plant phenology, attractiveness and nutritional value. Under controlled greenhouse conditions, we tested if seed treatment with the neonicotinoid clothianidin affected oilseed rape’s production of flower resources for bees and the content of the secondary plant products glucosinolates that provide defense against herbivores. Additionally, we tested if seed treatment affected the attractiveness of oilseed rape to flower visiting bumblebees, using outdoor mesocosms. Flowers and leaves of clothianidin-treated plants had different profiles of glucosinolates compared with untreated plants. Bumblebees in mesocosms foraged slightly more on untreated plants. Neither flower timing, flower size nor the production of pollen and nectar differed between treatments, and therefore cannot explain any preference for untreated oilseed rape. We instead propose that this small but significant preference for untreated plants was related to the altered glucosinolate profile caused by clothianidin. Thereby, this study contributes to the understanding of the complex relationships between neonicotinoid-treated crops and pollinator foraging choices, by suggesting a potential mechanistic link by which insecticide treatment can affect insect behavior.

Plant nutritional value of aquaculture water produced by feeding Nile tilapia (Oreochromis niloticus) alternative protein diets: A lettuce and basil case study

Societal Impact StatementRefining circular multitrophic food production methods, which integrate plant, fish, and insect outputs, is imperative for environmental sustainability. Our findings suggest that the right protein choices in fish feed, like black soldier fly meal and poultry meal, can notably enhance the nutrient profile of fish waste water. This, in turn, is conducive for hydroponic cultivation, enhancing the nutritional attributes of plants like basil and lettuce. As we reduce environmental impact and optimize resource use, it is evident that our food ecosystems are deeply intertwined. Harnessing these synergies could redefine our approach to food production, paving the way for a more sustainable global future.Summary Optimization of nutrient use efficiencies in circular multitrophic food production systems (i.e., plant, fish, and insect production) is crucial for sustainability. This study tested how protein ingredient choice in fish feed influences the plant nutritional value of the fish waste water when used for hydroponic crop production. Waste water samples were obtained from recirculating aquaculture systems (RAS) in which Nile tilapia (Oreochromis niloticus) were fed different single protein source diets—black soldier fly meal (BSFM), poultry by‐product meal (PM), poultry blood meal (PBM), and fish meal. Water was analyzed for plant nutrients and used for lettuce and basil cultivation to evaluate their suitability for hydroponic crop production—viz. yield, mineral nutrient, and selected secondary metabolite levels. BSFM RAS water had the highest concentrations of K, Mg, and micronutrients (Cu, Mn, Mo, Zn) of the RAS waters, whereas PM RAS water contained the highest P concentration and had a mean pH of 6.5 closer to the optimum pH for hydroponic plants. These RAS waters consequently lead to the highest yields in basil and lettuce indicating the importance of the aforementioned factors. From a plant production perspective, BSFM appears promising as a protein source in fish feeds for aquaponics. Usage of RAS waters for plant production helps reduce (i) environmental impact of RAS water and (ii) resource input in plant production. Longer term RAS trials should be conducted to determine the maximum nutrient concentrations achievable during fish production with diets including BSFM as the main protein source.

Growth and Yield of Strawberry Cultivars under Low Nitrogen Supply in Italy

Nitrogen plays a vital role in plants’ biochemical and physiological functions, and it contributes significantly to increasing plant yield and fruit quality. Plants that efficiently absorb and utilize nitrogen enhance the efficiency of fertilizers, reducing their input costs and preventing ecosystem damage. Thus, an adequate nitrogen supply can significantly improve plant growth, fruit quality, and nutritional value. This research focused on evaluating the plant vegetative and productive performance and fruit quality of three short-day strawberry genotypes (“Cristina”, “Romina”, and “Sibilla”) that were fertilized with different amounts of nitrogen, in a crop that was protected under a plastic tunnel. The trial was conducted during two cultivation cycles. The nitrogen rates were 113, 90, and 68 kg/ha for the first year, and 118, 97, and 76 kg/ha for the second. Reduced nitrogen inputs did not significantly affect plant height, indicating that decreased nutritional intake does not harm plant development. The fruit sugar content value remained stable across all nitrogen supplies, as did the fruit titratable acidity. The cultivars maintained a medium fruit firmness at a 60% nitrogen supply, and the Chroma index was not affected. This study found that reducing nitrogen inputs did not have a significant negative impact on the three tested cultivars, making them suitable for cultivation with reduced nitrogen inputs to reduce the environmental impact and save growers’ inputs.

CHEMICAL COMPOSITION OF PLANTS AS A FACTOR IN ASSESSING THE NUTRITIONAL VALUE OF FOREST PASTURES OF THE NORTH-WESTERN CASPIAN SEA

The article presents the results of an assessment of the chemical composition and nutritional value of the most common vegetation of various life forms (trees, semi-shrubs, perennial grasses) in the forest pastures of the semi-desert zone of the Northwestern Caspian Sea. The research was carried out on forested pasture areas of the Neftekumsky district of the Stavropol Territory. The basis of the research was the laboratory-field method. The twig-leaf and herbaceous phytomass of forest pastures, in accordance with its chemical indicators of organic matter content, meets zootechnical requirements. The maximum protein content is observed in spring in the woody greenery of Ulmus pumila (at the level of 18.19%) and decreases in autumn (17.4%). In addition, it was found that the twig-leaf mass of Ulmus pumila has a relatively high feed value (0.68 f.u., 8.5 Mj, digestible protein 62.67 g/kg) than herbaceous species and is a large reserve in forest pastures during drought or absence of herbaceous vegetation before the establishment of snow cover. As a result of the research, it was also found that during the dry period (summer) in the grass-grass and grass-grass phytocenoses, there is a low protein content (less than 10%) and a high fiber content (34.0–35.13%). The nutritional value of plants in general on man–made forest pastures is 0.25–0.68 fodder units, while 1 kg of feed contains 31.0–78.48 g of digestible protein. The fat content in the analyzed plants in the territory under consideration is small (1.10–4.23%), and the content of nitrogen-free extractives is quite high (30.44–65.2%) regardless of the season of the year. According to the content of macronutrients, a deficiency of phosphorus (P) was detected according to the norms. Accordingly, with constant grazing of animals in these areas, it is necessary to additionally include feed additives containing this element in the diet for the prevention of deficiency and diseases.

Grazing subirrigated meadow regrowth influences subsequent‐year plant production and nutritive value

AbstractSubirrigated and mesic meadow ecosystems are an important forage resource for livestock operations, being used for hay production, grazing, or a combination of both. Our study evaluated how timing and intensity of grazing meadow regrowth following a summer hay harvest influenced subsequent‐year plant production and forage nutritive value. Cattle grazed within established meadow paddocks during prefreeze (fall) or postfreeze (late‐fall/early‐winter) time periods at two utilization rates, moderate (53.0% ± 4.9%) or heavy (66.1% ± 4.9%), from 2018 to 2020 in four randomized compete blocks. Meadow regrowth available for grazing was 24% less between the prefreeze and postfreeze grazing periods, and forage crude protein (CP) decreased from 136 to 84 g kg−1 over the same period (p < 0.01). Prefreeze grazing reduced (p = 0.03) subsequent‐year graminoid production by 11.2% compared to grazing occurring during the postfreeze period and 10.5% (p = 0.08) compared to a non‐graze control; however, subsequent‐year total live plant production (graminoids and forb/legumes) did not differ among the grazing time and intensity treatments. Subsequent‐year forage nutritive value was variable by year and grazing treatment, but tended to follow the amount of forb/legumes present in total plant biomass (CP, R2 = 0.72; p < 0.01). Grazing meadow regrowth during the prefreeze period provides opportunities to better utilize greater forage quantity at a higher nutritive value, but periodically rotating grazing timing from prefreeze to postfreeze could limit negative effects of grazing during the prefreeze period on subsequent‐year graminoid biomass.

Potassium Nitrate and Ascorbic Acid Priming Improved Tissue Chemical Composition and Antioxidant and Antimicrobial Activities of Linseed (Linum usitatissimum L.) Sprouts.

Potassium nitrate (KNO3) and ascorbic acid (AsA) priming can effectively boost biomass accumulation and nutritional value of plants; nevertheless, few studies investigated their effects on seed sprouting. Thus, we aimed to explore the effects of KNO3 and AsA priming on linseed (Linum usitatissimum L.) sprout growth and assess the changes in bioactive compound levels, which provide valuable insights into the potential benefits of these priming treatments on sprout quality and nutritional value. To this end, germination, biomass accumulation, photosynthetic pigments, primary and secondary metabolites, and mineral profiles in the primed sprouts were evaluated. Moreover, to assess the impact on biological value, we determined the antioxidant and antimicrobial activities of the treated sprout extract. A marked enhancement was observed in germination and pigment levels of KNO3- and AsA-primed sprouts. These increases were in line with induced primary metabolites (e.g., carbohydrate and amino acid contents), particularly under KNO3 treatment. There was also an increase in amino acid metabolism (e.g., increased GS, GDH, and GOGAT enzyme activities), nitrogen level, and nitrate reductase (NR) activity. The linseed sprouts primed with AsA exhibited strong antioxidant and antibacterial activities. Consistently, high levels of polyphenols, flavonoids, total AsA, and tocopherols, as well as improved activity of antioxidant enzymes [peroxidase (POX), catalase (CAT), and superoxide dismutase (SOD)], were recorded. This study proposes KNO3 and AsA priming as an innovative approach to improving the nutritional and health-promoting properties of linseed sprouts. This knowledge will contribute to a better understanding of the biochemical processes involved in improving the nutritional quality and functional benefits of linseed sprouts.

Synergistic effect of β-sitosterol and biochar application for improving plant growth of Thymus vulgaris under heat stress

Climate change has become the global concern due to its drastic effects on the environment. Agriculture sector is the backbone of food security which remains at the disposal of climate change. Heat stress is the is the most concerning effect of climate change which negatively affect the plant growth and potential yields. The present experiment was conducted to assess the effects of exogenously applied β-sitosterol (Bs at 100 mg/L) and eucalyptus biochar (Eb at 5%) on the antioxidants and nutritional status in Thymus vulgaris under heat stressed conditions. The pot experiment was conducted in completely randomize design in which thymus plants were exposed to heat stress (33 °C) and as a result, plants showed a substantial decline in morpho-physiological and biochemical parameters e.g., a reduction of 59.46, 75.51, 100.00, 34.61, 22.65, and 38.65% was found in plant height, shoot fresh weight, root fresh weight, dry shoot weight, dry root weight and leaf area while in Bs + Eb + heat stress showed 21.16, 56.81, 67.63, 23.09, 12.84, and 35.89% respectively as compared to control. In the same way photosynthetic pigments, transpiration rate, plant nutritional values and water potential increased in plants when treated with Bs and Eb in synergy. Application of Bs and Eb significantly decreased the electrolytic leakage of cells in heat stressed thymus plants. The production of reactive oxygen species was significantly decreased while the synthesis of antioxidants increased with the application of Bs and Eb. Moreover, the application Bs and Eb increased the concentration of minerals nutrients in the plant body under heat stress. Our results suggested that application of Bs along with Eb decreased the effect of heat stress by maintaining nutrient supply and enhanced tolerance by increasing the production of photosynthetic pigments and antioxidant activity.

Modulation of growth and biochemical responses in spinach (Spinacia oleracea L.) through foliar application of some amino acids under drought conditions

As part of human nutrition, organic fertilizer decreases chemical fertilizers exposure and increases plant nutritional value, which is a major concern nowadays. This study highlights the current state of knowledge on the effect of drought stress and amino acid application to avert drought damage to two spinach (Spinacia oleracea L.) varieties at the developmental and maturation stages. Two varieties of spinach, namely Desi and VRI-2019, were exposed to different amino acid treatments such as methionine (Meth), tyrosine (Tyr), phenylalanine (Phe), proline (Pro) and mixture at 250 mg/L at 50% (drought) and 100% (control). The results showed that drought stress deteriorated spinach's growth and yield attributes and hindered the nutrient uptake of essential nutrients. However, the amino acid application improved the quantity and quality composition of secondary metabolites (flavonoids and phenolics) and enhanced the growth (root length, fresh and dry weight, shoot length, fresh and dry weight), yield attributes (number of leaves, the weight of leaf, yield per plant and leaf area), nutrient uptake (calcium and potassium) and antioxidant machinery (catalase and peroxidase), which differed depending on the spinach varieties; therefore, the use of Desi variety should be recommended under drought-prone areas with the addition of mixed emulsion of amino acids or/and separate doses according to the amino acid availability.

Newly engineered nanoparticles as potential therapeutic agents for plants to ameliorate abiotic and biotic stress

Food scarcity is a global concern that is growing every year. Biotic stress factors like pathogenic fungi, bacteria, viruses, and nematode pests aggravate the situation by imparting detrimental effects on crops by unfavourably affecting their growth and yield. Abiotic stress factors include extreme heat and cold, drought, high salinity, floods, and heavy metal toxicity. Annually, millions of hectares of agricultural land worldwide are lost to these stress elicitors. To combat these stress factors, plants have developed strong defense mechanisms, including protective physical barriers, the overexpression of certain genes, and the production of secondary metabolites. Nanotechnology offers numerous novel and sustainable substitutes for conventional agriculture due to its potential uses in this field. Newly engineered nanoparticles (NENPs) are synthesized nanoparticles that are 1-100 nm in size and possess unique properties that help plants combat abiotic and biotic stress factors efficiently. NENPs are designed to ameliorate stress, alleviate nutrient inadequacy in soil, improve plant nutritional value, and overall boost crop productivity. This review illustrates the applications of various NENPs, which help plants cope with biotic and abiotic stresses. It highlights the effective induced changes that develop in the morphology, physiology, and biochemistry of different plants under stress and the role of NENPs. This review also highlights the toxic and deleterious effects of NENPs on the soil when used in higher doses and concludes with the prospects of NENPs in agriculture.

New seed coating containing Trichoderma viride with anti-pathogenic properties.

To ensure food security in the face of climate change and the growing world population, multi-pronged measures should be taken. One promising approach uses plant growth-promoting fungi (PGPF), such as Trichoderma, to reduce the usage of agrochemicals and increase plant yield, stress tolerance, and nutritional value. However, large-scale applications of PGPF have been hampered by several constraints, and, consequently, usage on a large scale is still limited. Seed coating, a process that consists of covering seeds with low quantities of exogenous materials, is gaining attention as an efficient and feasible delivery system for PGPF. We have designed a new seed coating composed of chitin, methylcellulose, and Trichoderma viride spores and assessed its effect on canola (Brassica napus L.) growth and development. For this purpose, we analyzed the antifungal activity of T. viride against common canola pathogenic fungi (Botrytis cinerea, Fusarium culmorum, and Colletotrichum sp.). Moreover, the effect of seed coating on germination ratio and seedling growth was evaluated. To verify the effect of seed coating on plant metabolism, we determined superoxide dismutase (SOD) activity and expression of the stress-related RSH (RelA/SpoT homologs). Our results showed that the T. viride strains used for seed coating significantly restricted the growth of all three pathogens, especially F. culmorum, for which the growth was inhibited by over 40%. Additionally, the new seed coating did not negatively affect the ability of the seeds to complete germination, increased seedling growth, and did not induce the plant stress response. To summarize, we have successfully developed a cost-effective and environmentally responsible seed coating, which will also be easy to exploit on an industrial scale.

A review of alternative plant protein sources, their extraction, functional characterisation, application, nutritional value and pinch points to being the solution to sustainable food production

SummaryProteins from animal sources have for many centuries been used as the conventional food proteins in the food industry to produce a variety of food products. This is mainly attributed to their functional properties that range from foaming ability and stability to emulsification and gelation. However, animal husbandry has a greater impact on the environment compared to crop production. Thus, research on the potential use of plant‐based proteins, which could be more sustainable, cheaper and environmentally friendly has continued to be the focus of many academics and the food industry. Even though studies have been carried out to investigate the functional properties of plant‐based protein sources, there is still a need to understand the challenges that exist in the extraction and the functional characteristics of proteins from plant sources, which could be used as a more feasible exchange for animal‐based proteins. Therefore, this review aims to contribute to the existing knowledge on the extraction, characterisation and functional properties of plant‐based proteins. To this end, relevant literature was searched on several databases such as EBSCO HOST and Science Direct. Google Scholar was also used as a complementary search engine. Research that has addressed the extraction and functional characterisation of proteins from plant sources was critically evaluated and the findings are discussed herein. Additionally, the pinch points that exist in the use of plant‐based proteins as alternatives to animal proteins in food processing are highlighted in this review.