Shoot Research Articles

Field Application of Mycorrhizal Inoculant Influences Growth, Nutrition, and Physiological Parameters of Corn Plants and Affects Soil Microbiological Attributes

Mycorrhizal inoculants can contribute to the development of corn crops by improving crop productivity. In this sense, the objective of this study was to evaluate the effects of a mycorrhizal inoculant on the dynamics of root system growth, gas exchange, corn crop productivity, and microbial activity in the rhizospheric soil in a no-till area with different levels of available soil phosphorus. The experiment was conducted during the 2019/2020 and 2020/2021 growing seasons. At 75 days after plant emergence, root morphological parameters (total root length (cm), average root diameter (mm), root surface area (cm2), and root volume), shoot biomass production, P content in the plant shoots, gas exchange, and microbiological attributes of the rhizospheric soil of corn were evaluated. At the end of the cycle, corn grain yield was determined. A beneficial effect of AMF inoculation was observed on the root and shoot parameters regardless of soil P level. Under conditions of evenly distributed rainfall during the experiment (2019/2020 season), AMF inoculation contributed to a 90% increase in acid phosphatase activity and a 76% increase in microbial biomass carbon (C-BIO), independent of soil P level. In contrast, under water deficit conditions (2020/2021 season), AMF inoculation provided a 29% increase in grain yield. We concluded that introducing a commercial mycorrhizal inoculant in corn benefits root system morphological parameters and physiological traits, and favors the activity of enzymes related to increased P availability, contributing to increased crop productivity in a no-till system.

Heavy metal phytoremediation potential of Cosmos bipinnatus for use in chromium-contaminated regions of Dravyavati River, Jaipur, Rajasthan, India.

Due to their toxicity and permanence, heavy metals pose a significant threat as pollutants. Metals leach into soil from human activities including mining, manufacturing, and farming. Phytoremediation involves removing contaminants from soils using herbaceous plants and trees; it is a cost-effective, non-invasive, and aesthetically pleasing technique. The current research investigated the phytoremediation capacity of Cosmos bipinnatus in soil that had been polluted with chromium (Cr) along the Dravyavati River in Jaipur. The plant uptake of heavy metals was studied for 20, 40, 60, and 80 days of growth in pot and field experiments using atomic absorption spectrophotometry (AAS) to analyze residual heavy metal concentrations in the plant's shoots and roots. Chromium exhibited variation in total absorption by plants depending on the type of treatment. Using the translocation factor, it was observed that after 80 days in Nala soil 80% + wheat husk 20% (H2), the plant's capacity to absorb Cr was equivalent and considerably higher. Nola soil 80% + wheat husk 20%; H2, and Nala soil 70% + wheat husk 30%; H3 were among the treatments with TFs more than 1; however, the BCF values were all lower than 1. Additionally, root uptake was greater than shoot uptake. Thus, at H3 and H2 treatments, C. bipinnatus was determined to be an efficient phytoextractor for Cr, but at other concentrations, it acted as an excluder.

TRACE ELEMENT COMPOSITION OF RAW MATERIALS TAKEN FROM GENUS PULMONARIA PLANTS TO SUBSTANTIATE ITS ANTIANEMIC ACTION

Introduction. Total extracts taken from generative shoots of genus Pulmonaria plants have antianemic activity. At the same time, extracts obtained from vegetative leaves of these plants do not have similar action. Nowadays, there is no algorithm for determining authenticity and quality of herb raw material with using biogenic elements. Creating such algorithm for diagnosing raw materials by microelement composition is an urgent task. Materials and methods. The research objects were generative shoots and vegetative leaves of such plants as: P. officinalis L., P. obscura Dum. and P. mollis Wulf. ex Horn. and mixtures of both types of raw materials. Quantitative determination of elements was carried out by mass spectrometry with inductively coupled plasma. Analyzing obtained results was made using the method of hierarchical clustering. Results. It was established the division into clusters considering all trace elements confirm the species-specificity of the trace element status plants. At the same time raw materials with impurities form clusters different from the cluster formed by hematopoietic complex trace elements contained in the generative shoots of the studied plants. The discovered regularity allows us to consider the cluster, which included the generative shoots as a ref-erence cluster. This reference cluster makes it possible to form an algorithm for checking the raw materials, and its quality Conclusions. As a result of the work, the possibility of using the trace element composition of plants for the standardizing herb raw materials was es-tablished. In addition, the algorithm has been proposed that allows using the content of hematopoietic complex trace elements to determine the au-thenticity and quality of the herb raw material "Pulmonaria herba"

Changes in plant-soil C-N-P stoichiometry during the vegetation recovery of bare patches caused by plateau pika (Ochotona curzoniae) on the Qinghai-Tibet plateau

Bioturbation caused by herbivorous fossorial mammals creates extensive bare patches through their burrowing activities. Understanding changes in plant-soil carbon (C), nitrogen (N), and phosphorus (P) stoichiometry during the vegetation recovery of these bare patches is crucial for elucidating the restoration mechanisms of disturbed grassland ecosystems. This study considered plateau pika (Ochotona curzoniae) as the focal species and categorized the bare patches into short-term and long-term bare patches using a spatial substitution strategy, with surrounding vegetated surfaces in disturbed alpine meadows as controls. Results showed that P concentration in plant roots was 32.58% higher in long-term bare patches compared to short-term bare patches. However, no significant changes were observed in C and N concentrations in either plant shoots or roots during vegetation recovery process. Soil N concentrations were 38.78% lower in short-term bare patches and 36.65% lower in long-term bare patches compared to vegetated surfaces. The C:N ratio in plant shoots was 18.26% lower in short-term bare patches than in vegetated surfaces, whereas the soil C:N ratio was 39.42% higher in long-term bare patches compared to vegetated surfaces. However, no changes were observed in the C:P and N:P ratio of both plant and soil during vegetation recovery process of bare patches. These findings indicate that P concentration in plant roots can serve as a reliable indicator of the vegetation recovery process of bare patches caused by plateau pikas. Furthermore, plants in short-term bare patches prioritize rapid growth through resource allocation, while in long-term bare patches, they enhance nutrient use efficiency to achieve greater stability and resilience. These insights into plant-soil nutrient dynamics provide a deeper understanding of ecosystem resilience and recovery processes in disturbed alpine meadows, offering a valuable foundation for more targeted grassland management strategies.

Comparison of Automated Controller Settings for Irrigation and Fertilizer Needs of Potted Geranium

The future of agricultural water availability is threatened by climate change, population growth, and environmental regulations. Most of the global water is being used for crop irrigation. The objective of this research was to determine optimum timer-based controller settings and controlled-released fertilizer rates for ‘American Red’ (Pelargoium ×hortorum) potted geranium plants. Fertilizer was top-dressed at 3, 6, or 9 g. Plants were irrigated by a timer-based controller set to water at 11:00 AM every other day for 2 minutes, 9:00 AM and 2:00 PM for 1 minute per day, 11:00 AM for 1 minute per day, 11:00 AM for 2 minutes per day, and a control of manual hand watering. Data regarding plant growth, soil and leaf nutrients, and water use were collected. For geranium growth factors, the total flowers per plant was greatest for irrigation at 11:00 AM for 1 minute with 6 g fertilizer. Plant height and shoot dry weight were greatest for 6 and 9 g fertilizer. The number of umbels and soil plant analysis development (SPAD) chlorophyll meter readings were greatest for 9 g fertilizer. For geranium soil nutrient content, the pH was greatest for 3 g fertilizer, whereas the electrical conductivity, potassium, nitrate, sulfate, and boron were greatest for 6 and 9 g fertilizer. Regarding the nutrient content of the leaves, total nitrogen, boron, iron, and copper were greatest for 9 g fertilizer. Water use efficiency was greatest with 6 and 9 g fertilizer and irrigation 1 minute per day at 11:00 AM. The findings indicated that using timer-based controlled irrigation systems programmed to water for 1 minute during the morning with 6 g fertilizer resulted in plants that not only reduced water consumption but also enhanced water use efficiency and overall plant quality.

Unveiling the ecological dominance of button mangrove (Conocarpus erectus L.) through microstructural and functional traits modifications across heterogenic environmental conditions

BackgroundThe button mangrove (Conocarpus erectus L.) is regarded as a peripheral species within mangrove communities. This particular species has the ability to thrive in regions that are arid or semiarid, where there is limited availability of nutrients. This study provides evidence of the ecological dominance of Conocarpus erectus across various habitats, highlighting its adaptability and success throughout the country of Pakistan. We collected twelve populations from four distinct ecological regions, including artificial forest plantations, agricultural fields, roadsides, and wastelands, offering a comprehensive assessment of C. erectus adaptability across diverse environmental contexts.ResultsForest plantation populations exhibited impressive shoot growth and moderate root lengths, with plants generally tall and well-weighted. Physiologically, they had moderate chlorophyll content and low carotenoid levels, with a balanced chlorophyll a/b ratio, indicating stable photosynthetic activity. Anatomically, these populations had thicker epidermal and cortical root layers but smaller vascular bundles and phloem regions. Stem and leaf structures were generally moderate in size, with thicker midribs and cortical layers in the leaves. Agricultural field populations showed robust shoot and root systems with balanced fresh and dry biomass. They exhibited high chlorophyll and carotenoid levels, indicating strong photosynthetic capacity. Root and stem anatomy revealed larger root areas, thicker cortex, and wide vascular bundles, reflecting enhanced structural development. Leaves from these populations had moderate midrib and cortical thickness, with larger stomatal areas, promoting efficient gas exchange. Roadside populations displayed deeper roots and reduced biomass production. These populations adapted to environmental stress through leaf expansion, with high leaf numbers and areas. Physiologically, populations had high chlorophyll content, with a high chlorophyll a/b ratio. Root and stem anatomy showed compact structures with smaller vascular bundles, indicating adaptation to harsher conditions. Leaf anatomy was moderate, with smaller vascular bundles and reduced water transport capacity. Wasteland populations exhibited poor growth and high shoot biomass despite small leaves. Physiologically, these populations had the highest total soluble protein and proline contents, reflecting stress adaptation. Anatomically, root and stem structures were variable, with some populations showing reduced cortical cell areas and smaller vascular bundles, indicating limited resource transport. Leaf structures had thicker lamina, thinner epidermal layers, and lower stomatal densities, reflecting adaptation to nutrient-poor soils.ConclusionThis study reveals the adaptability and thriving potential of Conocarpus erectus across varied habitats, providing key insights into its resilience and survival strategies. Understanding these adaptive traits can support habitat restoration, conservation planning, and improve species management in diverse environmental conditions, especially in response to climate change and habitat degradation.

Optimizing Tomato (Lycopersicon esculentum) Yield Under Salt Stress: The Physiological and Biochemical Effects of Foliar Thiourea Application.

A pot experiment was conducted to investigate the role of thiourea exogenous application (0 mg/L and 100 mg/L) on the morphological, physiological, and yield traits of two varieties of tomato (Naqeeb and Nadir) under different salt stress treatments (0, 60, and 120 mM) in completely randomized design (CRD). The imposition of salinity by rooting medium showed that salt stress reduced plant height by 20%, fresh shoot weight by 50%, dry shoot weight by 78%, fresh root weight by 43%, dry root weight by 84%, root length by 34%, shoot length by 32%, shoot K+ by 47%, Ca2+ by 70%, chlorophyll a by 30%, chlorophyll b by 67%, and the number of seeds per berry by 53%, while shoot Na+ ions were increased by 90% in comparison to those grown with control treatment. However, the exogenous application of thiourea significantly enhanced dry root weight by 25% and the number of seeds per berry by 20% in comparison to untreated plants with thiourea when grown under salt stress. Salt stress resulted in a reduction in the number of berries, weight per berry, number of seeds per berry, and seed weight in both varieties, while thiourea foliar application increased these yield parameters. On the other hand, the Nadir variety surpassed Naqeeb in plant height (+13%), root length (+31%) and shoot length (+11%), fresh shoot weight (+42%) and dry shoot weight (+11%), fresh root weight (+29%), dry root weight (+25%), area of leaf (+26%), chlorophyll a (+32%), and chlorophyll b (+24%). In conclusion, the exogenous application of thiourea can be used to mitigate salt stress in tomato plants since it can improve the growth, physiological, and yield traits of this strategic crop.

Effect of Pre-Sowing Seed Stimulation on Maize Seedling Vigour.

The aim of this study was to investigate the effects of treating maize (Zea mays L.) seeds with fish collagen hydrolysate (FC) and keratin (KE) derived from animal waste by-products of leather and meat production, as well as poly(hexamethylene biguanide) hydrochloride (P) and bentonite (B). This research is in line with the search for new, environmentally friendly methods to increase yields of industrial crops in a way that is compatible with sustainable development. The effect of the binders used was investigated by analysing the grown maize seedlings by determining changes in parameters of chlorophyll fluorescence, photosynthetic pigments, elemental composition and FTIR analysis on maize shoots. The results indicated a slightly higher fresh weight (FW) of shoots in plants treated with fish collagen, PHMB and bentonite (FC+P+B) and FW of roots in plants treated with keratin, PHMB and bentonite (KE+P+B). Unexpectedly, the FW and dry weight (DW) of both roots and shoots of all bentonite-treated plants were significantly higher than the corresponding non-bentonite-treated groups. In addition, changes in chlorophyll-a fluorescence were observed for the keratin, PHMB and bentonite variants. This study showed that the proposed materials could be promising seed pelleting agents to improve seed growth and yield.

Abundance of Human Pathogenic Microorganisms in the Halophyte Salicornia europaea L.: Influence of the Chemical Composition of Shoots and Soils

Salicornia europaea L. is a halophilic plant species belonging to Chenopodiaceae, whose shoots are used as a vegetable. Since the shoots can be eaten raw, the objective of the present study was to investigate possible controls on the abundance of human pathogenic microorganisms (HPMOs) in the shoots as a health risk. For this reason, the molecular-chemical composition of shoots, site-specific soil organic matter (bulk and rhizosphere), and soil pH and salinity were analyzed. Plant and soil samples were taken from two test sites with differing salinity levels in France (a young and an old marsh). We hypothesized that the chemical traits of plants and soils could suppress or promote HPMOs and, thus, serve as risk indicators for food quality. The chemical traits of shoots and bulk and rhizosphere soil were measured through thermochemolysis using gas chromatography/mass spectrometry (GC/MS). The densities of cultivable HPMOs (Salmonella enterica, Escherichia coli, and Listeria monocytogenes) were determined in plant shoots, rhizosphere soil, and bulk soil using selective media. Negative correlations between lignin content in the shoots and the abundance of S. enterica, as well as between lignin content in bulk soil and the abundance of E. coli, are explained by the lignin-based rigidity and its protective effect on the cell wall. In the shoot samples, the content of lipids was positively correlated with the abundance of E. coli. The abundance of E. coli, S. enterica, and L. monocytogenes in bulk soil decreased with increasing soil pH, which is linked to increased salinity. Therefore, soil salinity is proposed as a tool to decrease HPMO contamination in S. europaea and ensure its food safety.

Addressing cadmium stress in rice with potassium-enriched biochar and Bacillus altitudinis rhizobacteria

Cadmium (Cd) is a potentially harmful metal with significant biological toxicity that adversely affects plant growth and physiological metabolism. Excessive Cd exposure in plants leads to stunted plant growth owing to its negative impact on physiological functions such as photosynthesis, nutrient uptake, and water balance. Potassium-enriched biochar (KBC) and Bacillus altitudinis rhizobacteria (RB) can effectively overcome this problem. Potassium-enriched biochar (KBC) significantly enhances plant growth by improving the soil structure, encouraging water retention, and enhancing microbial activity as a slow-release nutrient. Rhizobacteria promote plant growth by improving root ion transport and nutrient availability while promoting soil health and water conservation through RB production. This study examined the effects of combining RB + KBC as an amendment to rice, both with and without Cd stress. Four treatments (control, KBC, RB, and RB + KBC) were applied using a completely randomized design (CRD) in four replications. The results showed that the combination of RB + KBC increased rice plant height (38.40%), shoot length (53.90%), and root length (12.49%) above the control under Cd stress. Additionally, there were notable improvements in chlorophyll a (15.31%), chlorophyll b (25.01%), and total chlorophyll (19.37%) compared to the control under Cd stress, which also showed the potential of RB + KBC treatment. Moreover, increased N, P, and K concentrations in the roots and shoots confirmed that RB + KBC could improve rice plant growth under Cd stress. Consequently, these findings suggest that RB + KBC is an effective amendment to alleviate Cd stress in rice. Farmers should use RB + KBC to achieve better rice growth under cadmium stress.

The Synergistic Impact of a Novel Plant Growth-Promoting Rhizobacterial Consortium and Ascophyllum nodosum Seaweed Extract on Rhizosphere Microbiome Dynamics and Growth Enhancement in Oryza sativa L. RD79

This study investigated the combined effects of novel plant growth-promoting rhizobacteria (PGPR)—Agrobacterium pusense NC2, Kosakonia oryzae WN104, and Phytobacter sp. WL65—and Ascophyllum nodosum seaweed extract (ANE) as biostimulants (PGPR-ANE) on rice growth, yield, and rhizosphere bacterial communities using the RD79 cultivar. The biostimulants significantly enhanced plant growth, shoot and root length, and seedling vigour; however, seed germination was not affected. In pot experiments, biostimulant application significantly increased the richness and evenness of bacterial communities in the rhizosphere, resulting in improvements in rice growth and yield, with increases in plant height (9.6–17.7%), panicle length (14.3–17.9%), and seeds per panicle (48.0–53.0%). Notably, biostimulant treatments also increased post-harvest soil nutrient levels, with nitrogen increasing by 7.7–19.2%, phosphorus by 43.4–161.4%, and potassium by 16.9–70.4% compared to the control. Principal coordinate analysis revealed distinct differences in bacterial composition between the tillering and harvesting stages, as well as between biostimulant treatments and the control. Beneficial bacterial families, including Xanthobacteraceae, Beijerinckiaceae, Acetobacteraceae, Acidobacteriaceae, and Hyphomicrobiaceae, increased in number from the tillering to harvesting stages, likely contributing to soil health improvements. Conversely, methanogenic bacterial families, such as Methanobacteriaceae and Methanosarcinaceae, decreased in number compared to the control. These findings highlight the dynamic responses of the rhizosphere microbiome to biostimulant treatments and underscore their potential benefits for promoting sustainable and productive agriculture.

Amelioration of Garden Thyme Growth in Saline Soils by the Combined Application of Vermicompost, Silicon Nanoparticles and Zeolite

The aim of this study was to evaluate whether and to what extent the synergistic use of Si-NPs, zeolites and vermicompost ameliorated salinity stress by evaluating their effects on soil chemical attributes and on the growth of T. vulgaris plants. A greenhouse experiment was carried out from May to September 2019. Both the plant shoot height and the root length reached taller (for shoot) or longer (for root) values when all of the three amendments were applied together into the saline-treated soil. Their joint application also led to the greatest nutrient contents and proline levels in the plant tissue of T. vulgaris. This is in line with an amelioration of the soil physicochemical properties as shown by the increased levels of water holding capacity and cation exchange capacity. However, both catalase (CAT) and peroxidase (POD) had higher activities after having amended the saline-treated soil with only Si-NPs. The application of Si-NPs with either vermicompost or zeolite, or by combining the three amendments together increased, albeit to a lesser extent, both enzyme activities in comparison with the control soil. All in all, these findings provided further evidence of the enhancing and interactive effects of vermicompost, silicon and zeolite on T. vulgaris plants when applied into saline soils.

Eelgrass (Zostera marina) Trait Variation Across Varying Temperature-Light Regimes

Seagrass trait variation, which results from both local genetic adaptation and phenotypic plasticity, has important effects on ecosystems. Physical drivers underlie these processes and are important determinants of trait variation. Despite this, few studies examine multivariate predictive relationships between sets of physical drivers and sets of seagrass traits. Here, we use redundancy analysis to define this relationship for eelgrass Zostera marina, using traits that represent bed structure, morphology, and physiology and physical drivers that emphasize light conditions and temperature variability on different time scales. We found a relationship between plant size (i.e., leaf length and width, rhizome width, number of leaves) and shoot density that dominated the trait variation. Specifically, as temperatures became warmer, more variable, and light was less limiting, plants became smaller (shorter, narrower, and fewer leaves, thinner rhizomes) but beds became denser. Plant biomass (leaf area index), which increased with decreasing temperature variability and bottom light, further refined this relationship. Overall, temperature variability (i.e., daily temperature range, heat accumulation, time in the optimal temperature range, and tidal and meteorological variability), as well as bottom light, were important predictors of eelgrass traits. We further identified three distinct temperature-light regimes across which traits differed; these included the cool low variability temperature regime with low light, the warm high variability temperature regime with high light, and the intermediate case between these endpoints. Our study identifies specific temperature and light drivers that define certain eelgrass traits and provides a multivariate statistical model that can be used to predict eelgrass trait values from known physical conditions.

Flower arrangement and plant architecture in Atraphaxis, Bactria, and Persepolium (Polygonaceae, Polygonoideae, Polygoneae) and their systematic implications

Plant architecture includes patterns of arrangement of vegetative organs and flowers that may be difficult to describe because of the modular nature of plant growth. We disentangle the terminological issues and provide a case study of a clade of Polygonaceae family. The study focuses on the characteristics of thyrses, reproductive shoots, and shoot systems in 37 species of Atraphaxis, 5 species of Persepolium, and Bactria ovczinnikovii from arid regions of Eurasia using a phylogenetic approach. Based on the plastid phylogeny, parsimonious reconstructions of the evolution of 16 traits were obtained. Three types of perennial shoot systems were identified: perennial systems formed by reproductive (Type I) or vegetative (Type II) shoots, or by both (Type III). Type I was found in Persepolium, Bactria, and a basal subclade of the clade Atraphaxis, and was considered the plesiomorphic state. Type II was found in several distal subclades of the Atraphaxis clade, and was derived from Type I, while Type III was found in a distal subclade, corresponding to the section Atraphaxis. The characteristics of inflorescences and shoots differentiate Persepolium from Bactria and Atraphaxis and provide new data for the classification of the latter genus. Our findings confirm the heterogeneity of the section Tragopyrum, which includes species with Types I and II shoot systems, as well as the isolation of sections Atraphaxis and Physopyrum, which differ in the structure of their thyrses.

Effects of Arbuscular Mycorrhizal Fungi on the Growth of Wheat Plant

Mycorrhiza is a symbiotic association between a green plant and a fungus. The current study was conducted to assess the effect of inoculation with Arbuscular Mycorrhizal Fungi (AMF) on the growth of seeds of the wheat plant. Triticum aestivum, which is one of the plants that host the fungus, was studied by calculating the wet weight and dry weight of both the root system and the shoot system. In this experiment, roots colonized with AMF were used as a source of injection. Wheat seeds were injected with these roots and compared with other seeds without control injection. The injected plants and uninfected plants were allowed to grow for a period of 75 days. During this period, the plants were harvested over three periods 25, 50, and 75 days. Through this experiment, it was found that AMF have a high efficacy on the growth of the wheat crop, through a positive effect on the growth of the seeds of this host plant. Such studies on AMF are still rare in Libya, so we tried to follow up the previous studies, so we studied this kind of coexistence with this economically important agricultural crop in Libya and the world.

The Effects of Seed Inoculation with Bacterial Biofilm on the Growth and Elemental Composition of Tomato (Solanum lycopersicum L.) Cultivated on a Zinc-Contaminated Substrate.

Biofilm obtained from Bacillus subtilis subsp. spizizenii inoculated on vegetable seeds has been shown to have plant growth-promoting capacity. Seed inoculation with biofilm produced by this strain could also reduce the adverse effects on plant growth caused by soil or substrate heavy metal overabundance. Therefore, the objective of this work was to evaluate the impact of biofilm inoculated on tomato (Solanum lycopersicum L.) seeds, which were planted on a substrate with artificially added zinc. First, seeds of the Río Grande tomato variety were exposed to increasing zinc concentrations, namely: 50, 100, 200, and 400 ppm, with and without bacterial biofilm inoculation. Zinc addition and seed inoculation affected germination parameters. For example, an extra 200 and 400 ppm of zinc led to high toxicity. Biofilm inoculation, however, reduced the noxious effects of excess zinc, bringing acute toxicity down to moderate. Then, tomato plants growing from inoculated and non-inoculated seeds were cropped for 4 months in both substrates with 400 ppm zinc and without added zinc. Extra zinc addition significantly (p < 0.05) reduced tomato root and shoot biomass, plant height, and fruit number at harvest time. However, seed biofilm inoculation avoided the harmful effect of zinc on plant growth parameters, fruit yield, and fruit quality. The roots and shoots of plants growing on contaminated substrates showed very noticeable increases in zinc levels compared to the control, while fruits only showed a much weaker zinc gain, even if this was significant (p < 0.05). Moreover, root shoot and fruit concentrations of elements other than zinc, (nitrogen, phosphorus, potassium, calcium, magnesium, sulfur, iron, manganese, copper, lead, and cadmium) were not or only weakly affected by the addition of this metal to the substrate. In summary, the biofilm of B. subtilis proved to be effective as a bioinoculant to alleviate negative effects on tomatoes cropped in a substrate with excess zinc.

Phytotoxicity of Prussian blue nanoparticles to rice and the related defence mechanisms: In vivo observations and physiological and biochemical analysis

While the nanotoxic effects on plants have been extensively studied, the underlying mechanisms of plant defense responses and resistance to nanostress remain insufficiently understood. Particularly, Prussian blue nanoparticles (PB NPs) have been extensively used in pigments, pharmaceuticals, electrocatalysis, biosensors and energy storage. However, the impact of PB NPs on plants’ health and growth are largely unknown. Herein, the phytotoxicity of PB NPs to rice and trace the uptake, accumulation and biotransformation of PB NPs was explored, along with the underlying defence mechanisms. The results showed that PB NPs (≥ 50 mg L–1) significantly inhibited the growth of rice seedling up to 16.16%, 27.80%, and 29.37% in plant height, shoot biomass and root biomass, respectively. The X-ray spectroscopic studies and in vivo elemental and particle-imaging demonstrated that PB NPs were transported through the cortex via xylem from root to shoot. However, most of the PB NPs and their transformation products were retained in the root, where they were blocked owing to root cell wall (RCW) remodelling, and 81.4%-83.4% of Fe accumulated in the RCW compared to 66.6% in the control. Specifically, PB NPs stimulated pectin methylesterase activity by promoting hydrogen peroxide production to participate in RCW remodeling. More interestingly, Si was specifically regulated to covalently bind to hemicellulose to form the Si-hemicellulose complex that strongly bound with PB NPs during RCW remodeling, resulting in the strong defense against PB NPs. These findings provide new insights into the phytotoxicity of artificial NPs and the defense mechanisms of plants.

The impact of supplemental UV-B radiation on growth and biochemical constituents in Vigna unguiculata L. Walp and Pisum sativum L.

This study investigates the impact of UV-B radiation on plant growth and biochemical constituents in Vigna unguiculata and Pisum sativum plants grown from non-irradiated and UV-B-irradiated seeds. The results show that plants grown from UV-B-irradiated seeds for 30, 60, and 90 minutes experienced significant reductions in plant height, root length, and shoot length compared to non-irradiated seeds. Additionally, plants with UV-B-irradiated seeds had less fresh and dry weight. The decline was particularly pronounced in plants exposed to UV-B radiation for 90 minutes. Chlorophyll a, b, and total chlorophyll (a+b) dropped significantly in plants grown from seeds exposed to UV-B radiation for 30, 60, and 90 minutes. The reduction was particularly significant in plants exposed to UV-B radiation for 90 minutes. Moreover, plants with higher levels of total free phenolics and tannins had higher contents compared to non-irradiated seeds. The level of total free phenols is higher in irradiated seeds of P. sativum than V. unguiculata. The plants exposed to UV-B radiation for 90 minutes showed a noticeable increase.

The role liquid biofertilizer dosage and time of fertilization to increase kailan growth and production in supporting organic farming

Abstract Application of chemical fertilizer are one of the causes of soil damage. Reduction of chemical fertilizer application can cause soil compaction. One of the efforts to increase the production of kailan is applying liquid biofertilizer. The aim of this research is to determine the effects of biofertilizer dosage and time of fertilization on plant growth and production of kailan. This research was carried out in Bunga Turi V Street, Block III, Sidomulyo Village, Medan Tuntungan Sud-district, North Sumatera from September 2023 to November 2023. This research used non-factorial Completely Randomized Block Design (CRBD) with 7 treatments and 4 replications. The treatment consisted: control, 10 l/ha applicated at 7 DAP, 10 l/ha applicated at 14 DAP, 20 l/ha applicated at 7 DAP, 20 l/ha applicated at 14 DAP, 30 l/ha applicated at 7 DAP, 30 l/ha applicated at 14DAP. The result of the analysis showed that application of liquid biological fertilizer has a significant effect on number of leaves chlorophyll, fresh plant shoot and root weight. The treatment of liquid biofertilizer with dose 30 l/ha applicated at 7DAP produced the highest plant growth dan production compare to other treatments.

Pre-and post-emergence herbicide selectivity in peanuts at an early stage

Studies on herbicide selectivity to peanuts detected differences according to the evaluated active ingredient and genotypes. This study analyzed the herbicide selectivity of two genotypes at an early stage. Pre-emergence (trifluralin, pendimethalin, diclosulam, s-metolachlor, imazethapyr + flumioxazin, clomazone, sulfentrazone, and imazapic) and post-emergence (imazapic, bentazon, bentazon + imazamox, clethodim, quizalofop-p-ethyl, cloransulam-methyl, s-metolachlor, lactofen, 2,4-D, and carfentrazone) applications were assessed in 1253 OL and 2133 OL breeding lines. The effects of pre- (PRE) and post-emergence (POST) herbicides were the same for both genotypes, with PRE not affecting seedling emergence and shoot and root dry mass. Diclosulam was among the most selective PRE herbicides, while the clomazone treatment caused only mild damage. All tested POST herbicides caused damage for up to 14 days after application (DAA). At 28 DAA, most herbicides exhibited the same damage as the untreated control. Lactofen caused mild damage (11.8%) without reducing plant height and shoot and root dry mass. Diclosulam, clomazone, and lactofen are unregistered for peanut crops in Brazil, and further studies should test their selectivity for peanut cultivars. Screening studies on selectivity to imazapic, 2,4-D, and carfentrazone are also relevant to identifying sources of tolerance in peanut germplasm.