SiO2 nanoparticle–based seed priming enhances lettuce seed germination and seedling growth under heat stress

Relevance . Biology of seeds of plants of the genus Pennisetum Rich. little studied. High seed productivity and favorable temperature storage conditions do not always provide a high percentage of seed germination when grown in open ground. Soaking seeds in growth stimulants is a promising way to improve their sowing qualities. Materials and methods. Five varieties of P. glaucum (L.) R.Br. and two species of P. setaceum (Forrsk.) Chiov. and P. villosum Br. ex Fresen. were chosen as the material for the study. The prepared seed material was soaked in 5 solutions of growth stimulants: Epin-Extra, HB-101, Bona Forte Elixir, Chlorella, Biohumate + 9. Germination energy and germination were determined in accordance with GOST 12038−84. Results. As a result of the experiment, a positive effect of growth stimulants on the germination dynamics of seed material was determined for all species and varieties of Pennisetum. For all varieties of P. glaucum, the preparations HB-101 and Epin-Extra were less effective on seeds of 2023 with the shortest storage period. The average and high laboratory germination rates were found in seeds harvested in 2022–2023 and in individual varieties of P. glaucum harvested in 2023 with a shelf life of 6 months. To achieve high germination rates of over 80% in P. glaucum varieties, we recommend using seed treatments with a shelf life of at least 24 months. Of all the studied preparations, Biohumate+9, Chlorella, and Epin-Extra had a significant effect on the germination rate of P. setaceum seeds, while Biohumate+9 and Bona Forte Elixir had a significant effect on the germination rate of P. villosum seeds.

The article presents the results of research on the effect of agrochemical agents used in the crop hemp agrocenosis to protect against weeds on the contamination and economically useful signs of cultivated plants. The experiments were conducted in the Penza region on technical hemp of the Central Russian ecotype of the Nadezhda variety in 2021–2024. The biological effectiveness of protective measures when sprayed with Lontrel Grand and Miura herbicides was 59–77 and 54–86%. With the combined effect of all the factors studied, this indicator was within the range of 64–89 and 77–98%, respectively. Treating seeds with the substances that have growth-stimulating properties allowed for an increase in field germination by 5–7%. Agrochemicals used in various weed control methods have increased the survival rate of hemp plants by 10–16% by harvest time. The weakening of competition between cultivated and weed plant shad a significant positive effect on morphometric parameters. Seed treatment contributed to an increase in the length of the inflorescence by 6–10%, leaf top dressing – by 3.7%. Moreover, spraying the leaves with Izagri Vita caused an increase in stem diameter by 2.4%. The formation of a high increase in the yield of stems (1.47 and 1.50 t/ha) occurred due to herbicide weeding with the studied preparations against the background of treatments of seed material (Artafit, AgroVerm Ekran) and vegetative plants (Izagri Vita). The presented protection scheme, which includes seed treatment and fertilization with a liquid complex fertilizer per leaf, depending on the type of herbicide (against dicotyledonous or monocotyledonous weeds), provided an increase in seed yield of 0.33–0.40 and 0.29–0.41 t/ha.

The determination of optimum growing environments and the development of seed propagation strategies are becoming increasingly important in plant breeding, particularly for drought-tolerant species. The bottle tree (B. populneus Schott & Endl. R. Br.), belonging to the subfamily Sterculioideae of the Malvaceae family, is an evergreen ornamental plant characterized by high adaptability and pronounced drought resistance. This study investigated the germination characteristics of bottle tree seeds and the effects of different growing media on seedling development. The research was conducted between 2017 and 2021. The average of thousand-seed weight was 94 g with germination rates ranging from 87% to 99.5% and germination times of 7.6 - 11.2 days. Seed priming with poplar (P. usbekistanica) sawdust extract significantly shortened the germination period in biennial seeds. Growing media significantly affected plant height, stem diameter, and leaf number (p < 0.05). Based on between years differences, the highest increases in plant height, stem diameter, and leaf number were observed in T5-GS+CBC(1:2), T6-GS+CBC(2:1), and T4-GS+CBC(1:1) media, respectively, while the lowest change values were determined in the T2-PS(C) medium. Garden soil and chestnut burr compost promoted seedling growth, whereas poplar sawdust suppressed it. These findings indicate that fresh poplar sawdust can serve as an ecological alternative to chemical growth regulators for plant height control in nurseries. In addition, chestnut compost has been shown to be a sustainable alternative to chemical fertilizers, as it improves soil structure and nutrient availability. The ease of seed propagation and high drought tolerance of the bottle tree highlight its potential as a valuable species for landscaping and climate change adaptation in arid ecosystems.

The genus Sarocladium (Hypocreales, Sarocladiaceae) includes acremonium-like hyphomycetes that produce elongated, phialidic conidiophores and aseptate, hyaline conidia. The genus contains species that inhabit soil and plants and cause animal and human infections. Some species produce bioactive metabolites with significant applications across pharmacy, medicine, and biotechnology. Recently, two strains of Sarocladium species were isolated from symptomatic seeds of alien Acer negundo trees growing in Krotoszyn town in western Poland and subjected to morphological and multi-gene (ITS, LSU, rpb2, tef1, act) phylogenetic analyses. The results showed that they represent species distinct from previously known Sarcocladium species, including the most closely related Sarocladium hyalosporum and S. mali. Therefore, a new species Sarocladium krotoszynense is described for the isolated fungus. Pathogenicity tests showed that S. krotoszynense has the ability to induce disease on leaves and seeds of Acer negundo.

ABSTRACTWe explored the short‐term impacts of three neonicotinoids (imidacloprid, thiamethoxam, and clothianidin) on soil bacterial community composition and diversity in wheat‐planted microcosms. Neonicotinoids were applied as seed treatments, and soil samples were collected over 10 days. Overall alpha diversity metrics showed no significant treatment‐ or time‐dependent shifts; however, post hoc analyses revealed transient, treatment‐specific responses at individual sampling time points. Thiamethoxam and clothianidin significantly increased diversity and evenness at early time points, while imidacloprid reduced diversity by Day 10. Clothianidin was also associated with a short‐term increase in estimated species richness. Actinobacteriota and Proteobacteria dominated across treatments, with Firmicutes increasing and Bacteroidota declining with time. The minor phylum Methylomirabilota exhibited a significant treatment effect. Sampling day and day‐treatment interaction significantly influenced community structure. Mesorhizobium enriched under all neonicotinoids. Imidacloprid enhanced Massilia and suppressed Solirubrobacterales and Chloroflexia. Thiamethoxam enriched Gaiella, Solirubrobacter, and Massilia but suppressed Nitrospira. Clothianidin enriched Solirubrobacter and Lysobacter but suppressed Methyloceanibacter and Nitrospira. Haliangiaceae were positively correlated with sampling days, while Flavobacteriaceae and Microscillaceae were negatively correlated. Yersiniaceae and Solirubrobacteraceae were negatively correlated with imidacloprid and Mycobacteriaceae with thiamethoxam. These findings highlight the need for longer‐term and functional investigations into neonicotinoid impacts on soil microbial communities and ecosystem health.

This research aims to extract oil from the seeds of the neem tree (Azadirachta indica) and study its application as a pesticide for stored-product pests. The oil was extracted from the neem tree seed at a rate of 55.41% using continuous extraction technology and ordinary hexane as a solvent. Neem oil extract was applied as a pesticide against the Khapra beetle, which is one of the most common pests attacking white corn. The study was conducted at the Environment and Natural Resources Research Center in Khartoum-Sudan by treating 18 plates of stored white corn. 6 plates were used as a control, 3 of which contained seeds not treated with oil and soap, and 3 other plates containing white corn seeds treated with soap and water. The remaining plates contained seeds treated with different concentrations of extracted oil (25.0%, 5.0%, 1%, and 2%) after treatment with a small amount of soap. Ten larvae of the Khapra beetle were placed in each plate to monitor the lethal effect and feeding. This was achieved by placing 10 khapra beetle larvae in each dish to monitor the insecticidal effect and feeding, and 30 khapra beetle larvae to monitor the repellent effect. The study was conducted for seven days, during which the effect of the extracted oil on the repellent, insecticidal, and feeding rates of the khapra beetle larvae was observed. The results showed that it was effective in repelling insects, increasing insecticidal activity, and promoting feeding at concentrations of 25.0%, 5.0%, 1%, and 2%, with the 2% concentration yielding the best results. When comparing the 2% concentration with the untreated seeds with the extracted oil and liquid soap, it also became clear that it was more effective in repelling insects, as 17 healthy corn seeds were observed out of 20 seeds after three months from the beginning of the experiment, while the untreated seeds showed no seeds after one month from the beginning of the experiment. Hence the importance of this research lies in finding natural alternatives to manufactured pesticides in the field of agricultural pest control, "stored pests," as they can be more effective and feasible, and have no harm to humans or living organisms, and are also economically inexpensive.

Seed treatment technologies: Effects on physical, functional, and physiological seed quality.

Great mass of tea tree seeds (TTS) are naturally rotted away as agricultural waste because there is no suitable technology used for extracting oil from TTS. The fermentation method is a new process and that can simultaneously recover oil, starch and saponins from TTS. In this study, a key bacterial strain named JJZ21 was isolated from fermented TTS milk (ground TTS and water) by the serial dilution method and identified as Lactiplantibacillus plantarum strain through molecular analyses. The production of cellulase, pectinase, amylase and protease of JJZ21 were visualized on agar plates containing specific enzyme substrates. Compared with the control, addition treatment with JJZ21 dramatically improved the activities of cellulase, pectinase, amylase and protease, reduced content of soluble sugar, protein and dry matter and pH in the TTS milk, shortened the fermentation time and increased the yield of TTS oil. Meanwhile, the addition of JJZ21 had no significant effect on quality of TTS oil. However, the yield of TTS oil decreased with excessive fermentation. Response surface methodology was used to evaluate the optimum conditions for fermentation process to obtain the maximum oil yield.

Two field experiments were conducted in New Brunswick, Canada, in 2020 and 2021 to test the efficacy of various fungicides, soil amendments, and plant byproducts in managing powdery scab ( Spongospora subterranea f. sp. subterranea) of potato ( Solanum tuberosum) in previously infested potato fields. Disease-free ‘Calwhite’ potato seed was used. In 2020, 14 treatments were used, including fungicides, biostimulants, and fertilizers. Treatments did not affect emergence or vigor. Fluazinam single dose (1×) and double dose (2×), mancozeb single dose (1×), or cyazofamid in-furrow significantly reduced the percentage of diseased tuber weight (%DTW) by 70.3, 62.6, 54.9, or 75.1% and increased marketable yield (MY) by 22.1, 26.5, 41.6, and 30.5%, respectively. Boron significantly reduced %DTW by 66.9% and increased MY by 23.9%. The trial was repeated in 2021 using nine treatments. In-furrow fluazinam, mancozeb, or cyazofamid reduced %DTW by 43.7, 39.7, or 54.4% and increased MY by 75.5, 57.0, and 65.9%, respectively. Boron also significantly increased MY. The second-year trial confirmed that in-furrow application of fluazinam, mancozeb, or cyazofamid is more suitable in managing powdery scab and increasing MY in disease-infested fields, and boron soil treatment is a promising alternative for chemical treatments. The difference in MY is solely due to the powdery scab disease severity.

Abstract In recent years algae extracts have gained recognition in global agriculture for their capacity to enhance the growth and yield of leguminous plants like the common bean ( Phaseolus vulgaris ), which is vital in many countries and plays a key role in ensuring global food security. This study evaluated the biostimulant and biopesticide potential of ethanolic extracts from Limnospira platensis and Porphyridium cruentum on common bean, using seed priming and soil application methods. Extracts were tested at 0.1, 0.5, and 1.0 mg mL –1 . Seed treatment with L. platensis at 0.1 mg mL –1 increased shoot length by 59% and total seedling length by 32%. At 1.0 mg mL –1 , shoot dry weight rose by 21%, and total dry weight by 20%. In soil application, L. platensis extract at 1.0 mg mL –1 increased root fresh weight by 28.8% and shoot dry weight by 25.9%. Porphyridium cruentum extract promoted seedling elongation (up to 42%) and fresh biomass accumulation (17.6%) at 1.0 mg mL –1 . Photosynthetic pigment levels were enhanced in L. platensis treatment, with chlorophyll a and carotenoids increasing by 17% and 31%, respectively. The chemical characterization revealed the presence of key bioactive compounds, such as peptides, sphingolipids, fatty acids, and phospholipids, commonly associated with plant growth promotion and physiological responses. The extracts enhanced growth, biomass accumulation, and pigment levels, suggesting their potential as eco-friendly agricultural inputs. Further research is needed to explore their application in other crops.

Nanoparticles have been extensively studied due to their rapid development and increasing application in agriculture; however, the potential of magnetic fields to mitigate the toxic effects of ZnO nanoparticles (ZnO-NPs) remains unexplored. Magneto-priming can enhance seed performance without chemical inputs, contributing to green engineering, resource efficiency, and environmental sustainability. This study assesses the effectiveness of magneto-priming in enhancing triticale tolerance to ZnO-NP stress under both direct seed exposure and soil leachate treatments. Germination performance, seedling growth, root system development, and seedling vigor were assessed to characterize both phytotoxic effects and the mitigating role of magneto-priming. Direct seed exposure to ZnO-NPs reduced germination and slightly promoted root elongation at low doses, reflecting localized phytotoxicity. Magneto-priming increased shoot length by 28%, root length by 13–15%, roots per seed by 13%, and the Seedling Vigor Index (SVI) by 29% under direct exposure, promoting more balanced early seedling development. However, in soil-leachate assays, where nanoparticle mobility and bioavailability were limited, magneto-priming reduced germination, SVI, and shoot length while enhancing root traits, indicating a system-dependent trade-off. Overall, these results highlight that the benefits of magneto-priming in mitigating ZnO-NP stress are context-specific, with clear positive effects under direct exposure but mixed responses under leachate conditions, emphasizing the importance of the exposure pathway in early seedling establishment strategies.

Black gram (Vigna mungo (L.) Hepper) is an important pulse crop valued for its nutritional benefits, soil-enriching nitrogen fixation, and use as animal feed. However, new diseases threaten its productivity, notably pod rot caused by Fusarium humuli, recently reported from Pantnagar, India. This study evaluated the efficacy of vinegars and pongamia oil under in-vitro and field conditions, and screened genotypes for resistance. In-vitro assays showed that Tebuconazole 25.9% EC achieved 100% mycelial inhibition at all concentrations. Among organic treatments, apple vinegar provided complete inhibition (100%) at 1.0% concentration and above, while sugarcane vinegar also maintained high efficacy across doses. Field trials revealed disease control ranging from 2.25% (Jamun vinegar 2.5% + hot water at 55°C for 10 min) to 52.83% (Seed treatment with Tebuconazole 1 g/kg + foliar spray of Tebuconazole 25.9% EC at 0.2%). Apple vinegar and sugarcane vinegar, used as seed and foliar treatments, recorded 42.70% and 41.56% disease control, respectively, along with enhanced plant growth, indicating their dual role in management and crop health. Screening of 50 genotypes during 2022–2023 identified 32 moderately resistant and 15 moderately susceptible lines, but none showed complete resistance. Apple and sugarcane vinegar thus emerged as the most effective organic options, with apple vinegar showing strong potential as a cost-effective, eco-friendly alternative. Overall, integrated approaches combining moderately resistant genotypes and organic treatments are essential for sustainable pod rot management in black gram.

Foot rot caused by Sclerotium rolfsii severely reduces finger millet productivity. Endophytic bacteria offer a sustainable alternative for disease management. This study assessed selected bacterial endophytes for antagonism and their ability to induce host defense responses. Endophytes (Bacillus subtilis FLEB-5H, Alcaligenes faecalis FREB-1T, Providencia rettgeri FSEB-4G) were screened as seed-treatment consortium. Greenhouse trials were conducted by inoculating S. rolfsii. Defense enzyme activities (PAL, PPO, PO, chitinase) were measured at defined intervals after inoculation. Seed treatment with bacterial consortium significantly reduced foot rot incidence by 90.7% compared to pathogen-inoculated control (88% incidence) and enhanced host defense responses. Biochemical assays revealed strong induction of PAL, PPO, PO, and chitinase activities peaking between 3 and 7 days after pathogen inoculation. Endophytic bacteria effectively suppressed S. rolfsii and activated systemic resistance in finger millet. Their combined application shows promise as an eco-friendly biocontrol strategy for sustainable foot rot management.

Spodoptera frugiperda is a polyphagous pest that can cause significant damage to soybean seedlings, particularly to crops established under grass straw mulch in no-tillage systems. Seed treatment with insecticides is widely used to protect crops during early establishment. This study evaluated the agronomic and physiological responses of soybean to seed-applied insecticides under field conditions and the effectiveness of these treatments in protecting seedlings against artificial infestation by Spodoptera frugiperda under greenhouse conditions. Field experiments were conducted over two growing seasons in southern Minas Gerais, Brazil. Due to the absence of natural caterpillar infestation, field evaluations were limited to plant development and grain yield. A complementary greenhouse experiment was conducted using artificial infestation with third- and fourth-instar caterpillars. Seed treatments containing anthranilic diamides (chlorantraniliprole and cyantraniliprole) significantly reduced seedling injury compared with non-diamide treatments, particularly at early stages after emergence. Furthermore, seed treatments did not affect grain yield under field conditions. These results indicate that diamide-based seed treatments effectively reduce early seedling injury caused by S. frugiperda under greenhouse conditions without affecting soybean yield under field conditions.

Effect of Seed Treatment or Leaf Spraying with Salicylic Acid on the Cytogenetic Parameters in the Root Meristem of Wheat under Zinc or Copper Deficiency

This study aimed to evaluate the effects of incorporating a polynutrient biological–mineral fertilizer containing bioactive compounds on the physiological potential of soybean seeds subjected to industrial seed treatment and storage. The experiment was conducted in a completely randomized design with a split-plot arrangement and four replications. Industrial seed treatment technologies were assigned to the main plots, while storage periods (0 and 50 days) were allocated to the subplots. Seed physiological quality was assessed using the standard germination test, first germination count, accelerated aging test, seedling emergence in a sand substrate, seedling length, and seedling dry biomass. The results indicated that the inclusion of the biostimulant fertilizer improved physiological performance compared with treatments without fertilizer, with the formulation composed of thiophanate-methyl + fluazinam associated with bifenthrin + imidacloprid combined with fertilizer (Composition III + Fertilizer) showing the most consistent performance across the evaluated variables. Storage for 50 days reduced seed vigor and germination, particularly in untreated seeds. Among the evaluated technologies, only Composition II + Fertilizer, Composition III, and Composition IV + Fertilizer maintained commercial seed quality after storage. These findings demonstrate that integrating a biostimulant fertilizer into industrial seed treatment protocols enhances seed physiological performance and mitigates storage-related deterioration, representing a technically viable strategy to preserve soybean seed quality during commercialization and short-term storage.

Green gram (Vigna radiata L.) is a crucial crop globally, serving as a staple food for a vast population. Its productivity faces various challenges such as nutrient imbalance in India. To address this issue, a study was conducted during the Kharif season of 2024-2025 at the Instructional Farm, Post Graduate Institute, Mahatma Phule Krishi Vidyapeeth, Rahuri, with a view to study the “Response of green gram to phosphorus management through PROM and PSB”. The experiment was conducted in Split Plot Design with 3 replications. The study evaluated various levels of PROM application (50%, 75%, and 100% of recommended PROM) and different methods of liquid PSB inoculation. The results demonstrated a significant positive effect of integrated phosphorus management on nutrient assimilation by the green gram crop. Application of 100% P₂O₅ through PROM (M3) produced significantly higher green gram seed yield (1228 kg ha⁻¹) which was at par with M2 (75% P₂O₅ through PROM) (1194 kg ha-1). Among PSB treatments, the green gram seed treatment with liquid PSB @ 20-25 ml kg-1 seed + drenching with liquid PSB @ 5 lit ha at 30 DAS (S4) produced significantly higher seed yield (1136 kg ha-1) which was at par with S3 (1127 kg ha-1). The interaction between phosphorus levels and PSB was significant. The highest seed yield (1246 kg ha⁻¹) was recorded in M3S4 (100% P₂O₅ through PROM + seed treatment with liquid PSB @ 20-25 ml kg -1seed + drenching with liquid PSB @ 5 lit. ha-1 at 30 DAS). The M3 treatment (100% P₂O₅ through PROM) recorded highest protein content (22.19%) and protein yield (272.34 kg ha⁻¹) were recorded under the M3 treatment (100% P₂O₅ through PROM) which was at par with M2 (259.69 kg ha-1) Among PSB treatments, the S4 treatment (Seed treatment with liquid PSB + Drenching with liquid PSB @ 5 lit ha⁻¹ at 30 DAS) recorded the highest protein yield (247.71 kg ha⁻¹). The study concludes that applying 100% P2O5 through PROM is the most effective strategy for maximizing the uptake of major nutrients (N, P, K) in green gram, with PSB inoculation further enhancing P assimilation, thereby supporting increased overall crop productivity.

Promotion of growth and biochemical changes in the maize seedlings after pre-sowing treatment of seeds with oxygen plasma

<p>The effect of seed treatment and foliar application with two endophytic entomopathogenic fungi, namely <em>Beauveria bassiana</em> and <em>Purpureocillium lilacinum</em> (<em>Paecilomyces lilacinus),</em> was evaluated against early blight disease under field conditions. Two different conidial concentrations (1×10<sup>8</sup> and 1×10<sup>9 </sup>conidia mL<sup>-1</sup>) were used for seed treatment and foliar application, and their effect was evaluated by disease severity, disease incidence. Their effects were also investigated on plant growth parameters (plant height, number of leaves, fresh and dry plant weight, root-shoot fresh and dry weight). Experiments were conducted in two consecutive years with a factorial design setup. Both entomopathogenic fungi significantly decreased disease severity and percent disease incidence under field conditions. Seed treatment significantly decreased disease severity and percent disease incidence as compared to foliar application. Among treatments, <em>B. bassiana</em> showed the lowest disease severity and percent disease incidence as compared to <em>P. lilacinum</em>. A significant increase in plant height, leaves number, fresh and dry plant weight, and root-shoot weight was also observed at higher concentrations of <em>B. bassiana</em> when applied as a seed treatment. Our results also provide the first report on the antifungal effect of <em>P. lilacinum</em> against <em>A. solani </em>under field conditions for the sustainable management of early blight of tomatoes.</p>