The lncDR1 enhances drought tolerance in barley via the ceRNA mechanism of sponging miR4339 to induce stomatal closure.

An R2R3-MYB transcription factor NtMYB78 modulates growth and development in tobacco via the phenylpropanoid biosynthesis pathway.

Oxalic acid enhances wheat (Triticum aestivum L.) resilience to combined abiotic stresses through integrated physiological and rhizospheric microbial modulation.

Genome-wide association study and transcriptome analysis identify candidate genes associated with low nitrogen-induced root plasticity in Zea mays L.

Diagnostic system for tebuthiuron soil ecotoxicity using morphophysiological indicators of Mucuna pruriens validated by Lactuca sativa.

To investigate the effects of locally applied liquid/gel mixed-phase concentrated growth factor (lgpCGF) on periodontal and pulpal healing following delayed replantation of avulsed immature permanent teeth and explore the potential of lgpCGF in mitigating root resorption. A delayed replantation model in immature permanent teeth was established using eight healthy beagle dogs, with two additional dogs serving as normal controls. From each experimental animal, two mandibular canine teeth (33 and 43) were extracted and left dry for 60 min to simulate delayed replantation. Tooth 43 received freshly prepared lgpCGF in the alveolar socket before replantation (lgpCGF group), while tooth 33 underwent conventional replantation (CR group). Each group initially contained 8 teeth (n = 8); one tooth in the CR group was excluded due to extraction-related damage. Periapical radiographs were obtained immediately after replantation and again at 4 weeks postoperatively, and analysed utilising ImageJ software. Micro-computed tomography (micro-CT) combined with CT-Analyser, ImageJ, and Geomagic Wrap was performed for quantitative assessment of root resorption. Surface resorption (SRR) and/or inflammatory root resorption (IRR) were grouped together and quantified collectively as the proportion of total root surface area affected. Replacement resorption (RRR) was evaluated by measuring the arc length of resorbed areas relative to the total root perimeter on transverse sections. Histological evaluation of periodontal and pulpal tissues was conducted on haematoxylin and eosin-stained sections. Compared with the CR group, the lgpCGF group exhibited improved clinical signs with fewer high-pitched percussion responses and greater tooth stability. Radiographic and micro-CT analyses revealed that the lgpCGF group had a significantly longer root length and smaller apical foramen diameter compared to the CR group (p < 0.05). Additionally, the lgpCGF group showed greater root area and reduced root resorption compared to the CR group (p < 0.05). Histological observations further showed enhanced periodontal regeneration and pulpal tissue organisation in lgpCGF-treated teeth. Local application of lgpCGF to the alveolar socket during delayed replantation of immature permanent teeth effectively reduced root resorption and enhanced periodontal and pulpal healing. These findings support lgpCGF's potential as a regenerative therapeutic strategy to improve the prognosis of delayed tooth replantation.

Ferroportin transporters contribute to nickel hyperaccumulation in Odontarrhena chalcidica.

This study aims to biosynthesize PGPR (Plant Growth Promoting Rhizobacteria) mediated Silver Nanoparticles for further preparation of aqueous formulations and ultimately to check the impact of prepared formulations on Rice (Oryza sativa L.) through morphological, physiological and biochemical parameters. Antifungal activity of extract of PGPR strains was performed against phytopathogenic fungi: Magnoporthe grisea, Trychophyton ajelloi, Aspergillus niger, Alternaria solani, Rhizoctonia solani and Sclerotium rolfsii. We have procured five PGPR strains Bacillus subtilis, Bacillus siamensis, Bacillus amyloliquefaciens, Bacillus velezensis and Bacillus atrophaeus and the two most potent PGPR strains were selected based on the antifungal activity. B. amyloliquefaciens showed very strong inhibition activity against four pathogens (11.5 ± 0.95mm against S. rolfsii, 9.5 ± 0.86mm against A. niger, 9 ± 0.91mm against M. grisea and 8.75 ± 1.31mm against A. solani) whereas, B. velezensis showed very strong inhibition activity against three pathogens (12.25 ± 094mm against S. rolfsii, 11.5 ± 0.28mm against A. solani and 10 ± 0.28mm against A. niger). Characterization of the nanoparticles by different techniques like UV-Vis (Ultraviolet-visible) Spectrometry, Fluorescence spectrometry, DLS (Dynamic Light Scattering), FESEM (Field Emission Scanning Electron Microscopy), FTIR (Fourier-transform infrared), XRD (X-Ray Diffraction), Raman spectrometry, EDX (Energy-dispersive X-ray Spectroscopy), XPS (X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy), TGA (Thermogravimetric analysis) and DSC (Differential Scanning Calorimetry) were performed to confirm the synthesis of spherical dispersed nanoparticles. Size of the Nanoparticles were 14.69nm and 16.54nm for B. amyloliquefaciens and B. velezensis respectively. Rice seeds were primed with different sets of prepared formulation and their effect was studied on morphological, physiological and biochemical traits of thirty days old plants. Consortium of Nano formulations took the lowest time to initiate seed germination (2.66days), enhanced root length (4.8cm), leaf length (12.16cm), tiller no. (3), protein (603.52µg/mL), and chlorophyll content (44.67mg/g) in the plants, which were higher than all the other formulations. Highest antioxidant activity was shown in B. velezensis Nano treated plants (160.97 ± 18.21µg/mL). At the applied concentration, the silver nanoparticles exerted no detectable toxicological effect on the bacterial strains and on the rice plants.

Phosphorus application changes the competitive status between legume and grass species in a desert steppe.

Multi-omics insights into antioxidant defense, phenylpropanoid, and flavonoid pathways governing cold stress tolerance in cotton (Gossypium hirsutum).

Differential ecological risks from the interaction between reductive soil disinfestation and biodegradable microplastics: mechanisms of metabolic disruption and plant growth regulation.

ZmPHR1 coordinates root-rhizosphere processes and phosphorus allocation to enhance phosphorus efficiency and yield in maize.

Genetic uniformity in elite Basmati rice cultivars limits yield improvement and adaptation to changing agro-climatic conditions. Induced mutagenesis using physical and chemical agents provides an effective strategy to generate novel heritable variation. This study the efficiency of gamma irradiation (137Cs) and ethyl methanesulfonate (EMS) in inducing genetic variability and improving yield-related traits in rice. Seeds of Super Basmati and Noor Basmati were treated with gamma rays (150-300Gy) and EMS (0.25-1.25%) and evaluated across M₁-M₄ generations. Both mutagens caused dose-dependent reductions in germination, seedling growth, and panicle fertility, with Noor Basmati exhibiting higher sensitivity. Root length was reduced by 45.17% at 200Gy and 52.96% at 0.50% EMS in Noor Basmati. Estimated LD₅₀ values for panicle fertility were 267Gy (Noor) and 274Gy (Super) under gamma irradiation, and 0.68% and 0.70% under EMS, respectively. Large-scale selection from M₂ resulted in 4,157 promising mutants, which were progressively narrowed to 753 stable M₄ progenies. Mean grain yield per plant increased by 23.63% in M₄ compared with M₃, with the highest gain (32.5g plant⁻¹) observed in Noor Basmati treated with 0.25% EMS. 1000-grain weight and tillers per plant increased by 27.19% and 10.38%, respectively. High heritability (>90%) with substantial genetic advance was recorded for tillers per plant and 1000-grain weight. Multivariate analyses identified these traits as the primary contributors to yield enhancement, and Cluster analysis grouped M₄ mutants into three clusters, with 406 progenies as high-yielding. Gamma irradiation and EMS effectively broadened the genetic base of Basmati rice and enabled significant, stable yield improvement through targeted selection. The identified high-yielding mutant lines represent valuable genetic resources for rice improvement and future functional and genomic studies.

Grasses, including major cereal crops, associate with arbuscular mycorrhizal (AM) fungi to varying degrees depending on environmental conditions. Understanding mechanisms driving this environment-induced variation in mycorrhization, i.e. plant AM plasticity, is necessary to predict grass-mycorrhizal responses to global change factors, such as nutrient enrichment, and to resolve the role of AM symbiosis in cereal crop production. We compared AM plasticity in four cereal crops by testing the effect of nitrogen (N) fertilization on AM colonization and root PLFA 16:1ω5 concentration. To assess whether mycorrhization patterns reflect root functional traits, we compared specific root length among species. To determine whether plants regulate AM colonization qualitatively (by selectively associating with certain AM taxa) or quantitatively (by collectively suppressing colonization across taxa), we investigated directional shifts and variability in AM community structure in response to N fertilization. AM colonization varied between cereal species and was reduced by N fertilization, but we found limited evidence for interspecific differences in AM plasticity. Winter wheat appeared less AM responsive and associated more with uncultured AM fungi compared to the three spring-sown cereal species, oat, spring wheat and spring barley. Fertilization did not affect AM community composition, and within-species variation in AM community β-dispersion did not covary with variation in AM colonization or PLFA 16:1ω5 concentration. These results support the view that host plants regulate arbuscular mycorrhization quantitatively rather than through taxonomic selectivity. We propose AM plasticity as a plant-mycorrhizal trait to be used for more accurate predictions of plant environmental responses in eco-physiological and agroecological research.

Soil salinization and fungal diseases severely constrain cotton production in Xinjiang, necessitating the development of sustainable and regionally adapted biocontrol strategies. This study aimed to evaluate the plant growth-promoting and biocontrol potential of Bacillus amyloliquefaciens XSZ-1, a bacterial strain isolated from continuous cotton field soil in Xinjiang. The strain XSZ-1 demonstrated pronounced tolerance to saline-alkaline stress, sustaining growth at NaCl concentrations up to 60.00g/L and pH values ranging from 7.0 to 9.0. XSZ-1 exhibited multiple plant growth-promoting traits, including solubilization of both organic and inorganic phosphorus and IAA production (12.38µg/mL). Antagonistic assays revealed broad-spectrum antimicrobial activity against all tested phytopathogens. Inoculation with XSZ-1 significantly enhanced cotton plant height (12.67%), root length (11.44%), and dry matter accumulation (up to 122.05% increase in root dry weight) compared to the uninoculated control. Bacillus amyloliquefaciens XSZ-1 is a promising multi-functional bacterium with both plant growth-promoting and biocontrol capabilities, well-suited for integration into cotton production systems in saline-alkaline regions. These findings provide a foundation for further field validation and mechanistic studies to support sustainable agriculture in Xinjiang.

Plant communities in reservoir drawdown zones experience highly altered hydrological regimes, and responses of locally dominant species shape the biodiversity and restoration trajectories of these artificial wetlands. The water-level fluctuation zone (WLFZ) of the Three Gorges Reservoir (TGR) is exposed to alternating flooding and drought, which strongly constrains both its vegetation and the biodiversity that depends on it. Cynodon dactylon dominates the herbaceous cover of the TGR WLFZ, but evidence on its stress responses remains fragmented across single-site studies. Following a PRISMA 2020 literature search and screening procedure, we synthesized 169 effect sizes from 12 qualifying experimental studies, covering biomass and morphological traits, photosynthetic gas-exchange parameters, chlorophyll content, and oxidative-stress indicators. Effect sizes were calculated as natural log response ratios (lnRR) and pooled with random-effects models; shallow and deep flooding were compared using subgroup analyses with bootstrap 95% confidence intervals. Flooding effects varied with water depth. Shallow flooding increased total biomass (+47.2%), whereas deep flooding reduced plant height (−46.5%) and root length (−22.3%). Plant height showed significant between-group heterogeneity (Qbetween = 5.60, p = 0.045), indicating sensitivity to submergence depth. Flooding also increased malondialdehyde content (MDA) by 31.7%, whereas peroxidase activity (POD), superoxide dismutase activity (SOD), and photosynthetic gas-exchange parameters showed no consistent responses. Drought effects on total biomass, plant height, and total chlorophyll were non-significant, although inference was limited by a few drought-related entries. Deep flooding, therefore, appears to be a stronger constraint than drought for Cynodon dactylon in the TGR WLFZ, mainly through morphological suppression and increased oxidative damage. Given the dominant role of this species in the herbaceous layer, its depth-dependent decline is relevant both for biodiversity conservation in this artificial wetland and for elevation-based restoration planning.

CYSTEINE-RICH RECEPTOR-LIKE PROTEIN KINASEs (CRKs) play an important role in plant development and stress responses. One of the best described members of the Arabidopsis CRK family is CRK2, which was proposed as a crucial regulator of intercellular transport facilitated by plasmodesmata (PD). As intercellular channels allowing symplastic communication, PD-mediated transport is predominantly regulated by callose synthase (CALS)-mediated callose deposition. This process can impact not just the distribution of molecules between adjacent cells, but also the symplastic loading of vascular tissue, thereby influencing plant stress responses and developmental processes. Here we described the overlapping expression pattern of genes encoding phylogenetically closely related CALS1 and CALS3. Both CALSs were phosphorylated in vitro by CRK2, and the genetic interaction between genes encoding CRK2 and CALS1 or CALS3 revealed their impact on callose deposition, rosette growth, primary root length, and development, represented as a decreased number of true leaves. Importantly, we observed significant accumulation of starch in crk2 mutant plants, especially in developmentally older leaves, which was reverted by the independent introduction of cals1.5 and cals3.1 into the crk2 mutant background. The observed starch accumulation was accompanied by photosynthesis inhibition. We propose that the growth and developmental alterations of crk2 are caused by decreased phloem loading, which resulted in starch accumulation in source organs, and subsequent sink tissue starvation. Our results propose CRK2 as negative regulator of CALS1 and CALS3 regulating source to sink transport, which impacts plant growth and development.

The eco-physiological and structural flexibility of Capparis decidua at specific locations along an environmental gradient in the Sargodha region of Pakistan is examined in this work. C. decidua is a xerophyte that thrives in extremely dry and semi-arid environments. Shahpur exhibited the highest electrical conductivity and ionic concentrations (Na⁺ = 29.5mg kg⁻¹; Cl⁻ = 23.07mg kg⁻¹) indicating strong salinity stress. The most organic matter (0.83%) was found in Chak 48 NB, which indicates a less harsh environment. There were notable phenotypic differences (p < 0.001) with Shahpur exhibiting greater plant height (139.13cm), canopy area (3.04m²), and root length (46.17cm) associated with saline and drought-prone conditions. Anatomical traits included thicker epidermis (29.5μm), increased sclerenchyma that are connected to structural elements relating to water conservation. Strong photoprotective mechanisms were suggested by the Shahpur population's stable chlorophyll levels and elevated carotenoid content. PCA biplots showed clear separation of Shahpur from Chak 48 NB and Chak 89 NB along PC1, delineating the Shahpur population and directly correlating it with stress-adaptive anatomical suites. These results suggested that a number of morphological, anatomical, and physiological adaptation features provide a specialized approach to improve drought and salinity tolerance. Further research should focus on molecular pathways and metabolite adaptations for ecological restoration.

This study investigated the effects of gibberellic acid (GA3) and plant growth-promoting rhizobacteria (PGPR) strains (B. megaterium, B. subtilis, and B. amyloliquefaciens), applied alone and in combination, on germination and early seedling development of Echinacea purpurea L. seeds of different ages. Aging seeds often exhibit reduced germination and seedling vigor, limiting uniform plant establishment. The findings demonstrated that GA3 increased germination percentage, plant height, leaf number, and root weight, reducing the detrimental impacts of seed senescence. Additionally, PGPR inoculation enhanced seedling performance in a strain-specific manner: B. megaterium improved germination, leaf number, and root length, whereas plant height and root weight were increased by B. amyloliquefaciens. The greatest gains were obtained from combined treatments, indicating synergistic effects. Despite these positive effects, seed age remained critical, as older seeds, even after treatment, did not fully match fresh seeds. Overall, these findings indicate that GA3 and PGPR inoculation offer a practical and sustainable approach to enhance seedling establishment and early growth, particularly in aged seeds, as such biostimulants can improve nutrient uptake and stimulate root development. Future research should explore long-term field performance, economic feasibility, and physiological and molecular mechanisms underlying seed aging and its mitigation.

Tomatoes are a type of fruit vegetable that has excellent prospects in agribusiness development due to its high economic value and high nutritional value. The successful growth and yield of tomato plants are greatly influenced by the condition of the planting medium and the availability of nutrients in the soil. The planting medium serves as a place for root attachment and as a provider of nutrients for plants. Therefore, selecting the right dose of organic fertilizer is very important to improve soil quality and support the growth of tomato plants. The purpose of this study was to obtain the best dose of cow manure and various planting media for the growth and yield of tomato plants. This study used a completely randomized design (CRD) with 2 factors. The first factor is the planting medium (M) which is PMK soil (M1) and sandy black soil (M2). The second factor is the dose of cow manure (D) which consists of 500 g/plant (D1), 1000 g/plant (D2), 1500 g/plant (D3) and 2000 g/plant (D4). The observation data were analyzed statistically by analysis of variance (F test). If the calculated F &gt; F table 5%, then the difference between treatments was tested with Duncan's New Multiple Range Test (DNMRT) at a significance level of 5%. The results showed that the application of cow manure with a dose of 2000 g/plant had a significant effect on observations of plant height, number of fruits and fruit weight. The sandy black soil medium had a significant effect on observations of root length, root volume, number of fruits and fruit weight.