Significant Increase In Growth Parameters Research Articles

Characterization of Bacillus velezensis DCJ 2 isolated from the rhizosphere soil of aglaonema ‘Maria’ and investigation of its plant growth-promoting effects

Aglaonema ‘Maria’ is one of the key foliage plants that has gained high demand in foreign destinations in the last few years. This study was conducted to characterize Bacillus velezensis DCJ 2, assess its plant growth promotion effect and investigate the effectiveness of different delivery methods of the bacterial inoculum for the growth promotion of Aglaonema ‘Maria’. In this context, DCJ 2, isolated from the rhizosphere soil of A. Maria was screened to investigate its potential as a plant growth-promoting bacterium. The pure culture of DCJ 2 maintained on nutrient agar was utilized for morphological, biochemical and physiological examinations. The molecular characterization of the strain was performed with different primer pairs targeting 16SrRNA, gyrA, pgsB and sugar kinase genes of DCJ 2. A pot experiment was carried out to investigate the plant growth promotion effect. It was conducted in the greenhouse as per the complete randomized block design with eight treatments and five replicates. . Healthy plants of A. ‘Maria’ established in field soil and solarized soil were treated with 100 ml of the suspension of the DCJ 2 at the rate of 10 8 CFU/ml either as a soil drench or foliar spray. The partial 16SrRNA, gyrA, pgsB and sugar kinase gene sequences of DCJ 2, BLAST searched in the NCBI database revealed that it has a high similarity to Bacillus velezensis. The pot experiment showed that the application of strain DCJ 2 as a soil drench to solarized soil (Treatment 6) yielded a significant increase in growth parameters at p=0.05. Based on molecular analysis, morphological, biochemical, and physiological reactions, DCJ 2 was identified as Bacillus velezensis. This study revealed that B. velezensis DCJ 2 has the potential to boost the growth of A. Maria and hence serve as a base for developing a biofertilizer.

Secular trends in the anthropometric characteristics of children in a rural community in Yucatan, Mexico.

To analyze changes in height, weight, and body mass index (BMI = kg/m2 ) from 1986 to 2022 in 3-11 year old children from Dzeal, a rural Maya community in Yucatan, Mexico. From October-2022 to February-2023 (third-wave survey), we obtained anthropometric measurements of children (n = 80) and family socioeconomic data and compared them with data obtained in 1986 (n = 38) and 2000 (n = 76). Comparisons of anthropometric parameters by sex between years of measurement were performed graphically and through one-way ANOVA, splitting children into two age groups: 3-7 and 8-11. Bonferroni adjustments for multiple comparisons were used when ANOVAs were statistically significant (p < .05). In girls, significant increases in height and weight between surveys were found in 3-7 and 8-11 age groups; in boys, significant increases were only found in the 8-11 age group. Regarding BMI, there were increases in 2022 compared with 1986/2000 in both sexes from 8 years onwards. Differences indicate increases of 3.9 and 4.4 cm per decade in girls aged 3-7 and 8-11, respectively, and increases in weight of 1.1 and 3.3 kg per decade, respectively. Increases in boys 8-11 years were 2.3 cm and 2.4 kg per decade. Significant increases in growth parameters were observed in specific-age children in the community studied in the context of changes in livelihoods and improvements in household material conditions.

N and P fertilization management and their effects on growth, productivity, and quality of cotton cv. Super Giza 86

Two field experiments were carried out at Gharbia Governorate, El-Gemmeiza Agricultural Research Station, Egypt, during 2019 and 2020 seasons using the cotton cultivar Super Giza 86 (Gossypium barbadense L.) to study the effects of N [number of splits; (2, 3 and 4 splits) and time of application], P [sources; mineral, natural, bio-fertilizer, phosphoric acid, and mixture of these sources, time, and method of application] as well as their interactions. The experimental design was a strip plot with three and four replicates in 2019 and 2020 seasons, respectively. The important results indicated that two equal N splits resulted in a significant increase in growth parameters, earliness attributes (except boll shedding% which was decreased), seed cotton yield and its components in both seasons and significantly increased fiber length and fiber uniformity ratio in one season. However, fiber length increased in the second season in favour of four equal N splits. Fiber strength and fineness did not affect.

Exogenous application of biostimulators alleviates water deficient stress on Azadirachta indica plants

Pot experiment was conducted to evaluate the effect of chitosan or brassinolide applications on morphology and physiology parameters of Azadirachta indica grown under water deficient stress. The plants received different irrigation intervals, and were sprayed monthly with either chitosan or barrasenolide each at concentrations of 50, 100 and 200 ppm, while the control plants were sprayed only with tap water. The results showed that water stress reduced all growth parameters, chemical constituents of pigments content, total carbohydrates, N, P and K %, total indoles, while proline and total phenols content were increased. Instead, the plants sprayed with the higher concentrations of chitosan or brassinolide resulted in significant increase in growth parameters, pigments content, total carbohydrates, proline content, N, P and K %, total indoles while reduced total phenols content. Based on the obtained results it can be concluded that, foliar application of chitosan or brassinolide at 200 ppm can alleviate the adverse effects of water deficient stress on the growth and physiology parameters of Azadirachta indica.

A Comparative Evaluation of Aquaponic and Soil Systems on Yield and Antioxidant Levels in Basil, an Important Food Plant in Lamiaceae

Greenhouse and aquaponic productions of basil (Ocimum basilicum L.) are well established, but the comparison between these two methods is not studied in detail. A study was conducted to evaluate the performance of basil in both aquaponic and soil systems under greenhouse conditions. The plants were raised in aquaponic beds with ornamental fish and a set of plants was raised in soil pots under a greenhouse setup. The studied parameters were morphological, biochemical and antioxidant levels. In order to analyze the stress effects of an aquaponic system on plant defense mechanism, two different antioxidant enzymes (catalase and peroxidase) were analyzed. Water quality parameters were monitored during the entire study period. Based on the results, there was a significant increase in growth parameters in the aquaponic system when compared to the conventional greenhouse cultivation of basil plants. The photosynthetic parameters showed a decline in the aquaponic system, but the biochemical parameters showed an enhancement in the aquaponic system of growing basil plants. The antioxidants exhibited a significant increase in the aquaponic system, which suggests a water stress effect on the plants induced by the aquaponic growing system. From the results of this study, it can be concluded that the aquaponic system is the best suitable method for basil production in the UAE condition.

Growth promotion of Chlorella by symbiotic bacteria under adverse environments

This study is aimed at searching for microalgae growth-promoting bacteria (MGPB) that can promote Chlorella growth in adverse environments. Fifty strains of symbiotic bacteria were isolated from four Chlorella species and identified by 16S rRNA gene sequences. Function screening and binary culture experiments classified forty-three of these strains as MGPB. In adversities (iron deficiency, high salinity, or unsuitable seawater environment), a significant increase in growth parameters was observed for MGPB-treated microalgae compared to the uninoculated control, and Dinoroseobacter shibae was the most effective strain. Using inorganic nutrient-rich and microalgae-free seawater (S-seawater and Q-seawater) as media, aseptic Chlorella thrived in Q-seawater but could not grow in S-seawater, which was relatively rich in Alteromonas and Vibrio. However, Chlorella could thrive when 250 μL /L D. shibae (OD600 = 0.1) was added into S-seawater. Chlorella growth rates in S- and Q-seawater inoculated with D. shibae were not significantly different (P > 0.05), but were all significantly (P < 0.05) lower than in Q-seawater without D. shibae addition. 16S rRNA gene profiling revealed that similar phycosphere bacterial communities emerged in microalgae grown in Q- and S-seawater supplemented with D. shibae, manifested by recruiting more Rhodobacteriaceae (such as Ruggieella sp.) and fewer Pseudomonadaceae (such as Pseudomonas sp.). These results indicate that phycosphere bacterial communities could be modified by symbiotic MGPB addition. MGPB inoculation showed a positive effect on the growth of Chlorella under stress conditions but might be invalid under favorable environments. These also suggest that these isolated MGPBs, specifically D. shibae, can be exploited as a bioinoculant for the initial establishment of microalgal communities in adverse environments.

Effect of Plant Growth Regulators at Different Levels of Zinc on Growth and Yield of Groundnut (Arachis hypogea L.)

The field experiment entitled “Effect of Plant Growth Regulator at different levels of Zinc on growth and yield of Groundnut (Arachis hypogea L.)” was conducted during kharif season of 2021 at Crop Research Farm, Department of Agronomy, Sam Higginbottom University of Agriculture, Technology and Sciences, Prayagraj (U.P). The experiment plot was sandy loam in texture, nearly acidic in soil reaction (PH 6.9), low in organic carbon (0.112%), available N (278.93Kg/ha), available P(10.8Kg/ha) and available K (206.4Kg/ha).The experiment was laid out in Randomized Block Design, treatments of different plant growth regulator levels (75, 100 and 125 ppm) and zinc levels viz.(20,25 and 30 kg/ha) were imparted in the experiment and were replicated thrice.&#x0D; The experiment was laid out in Randomized Block Design comprised of 3 replications and total 9 treatments viz. T1: (GA3)75PPM + 20 kg/ha ZnSO4, T2: (GA3) 75PPM + 25 kg/ha ZnSO4, T3: (GA3) 75PPM+ 30 kg/ha ZnSO4, T4:(GA3) 100PPM + 20 kg/ha ZnSO4, T5: (GA3) 100PPM +25 kg/ha ZnSO4, T6: (GA3) 100PPM + 30 kg/haZnSO4, T7: (GA3) 125PPM + 20 kg/ha ZnSO4, T8: (GA3) 125PPM + 25 kg/ha ZnSO4, T9: (GA3) 125PPM +30 kg/ha ZnSO4. Results obtained indicated that there was significant increase in growth parameters at harvest viz., plant height (58.40cm), number of nodules/plant (59.77), dry weight accumulation(38.1g),and yield attributes viz., No.pods/plant(19.3), No.kernals/pod (4.3), seed index(44.50), seed yield (3169 kg/ha), Haulm yield (4747.3kg/ha) were recorded with the application of (GA3125ppm+ ZnSO4 30kg/ha). However, Maximum Gross return (142636.5 INR/ha), Net return (102971.1INR/ha) and B:C ratio (2.59) was recorded with the application of (GA3125ppm+ ZnSO4 30kg/ha). Therefore, it is concluded that the application of (GA3125ppm+ZnSO430kg/ha) was more productive and economically feasible.

Biochemical characterization and synergistic effects of plant growth promoting rhizobacteria against Fusarium oxysporum in pigeonpea, (Cajanus cajan)

Soil management today is dominated by toxic chemical fertilizers that pose a serious health and environmental risk. Beneficial soil microbes play a promising role in sustainable agriculture when used as biofertilizers. Pigeonpea (Cajanus cajan) is an ancient protein-rich leguminous pulse in India. Twelve different locations in Punjab (India) provided rhizospheric soil samples and the growth rates of 35 isolates were assessed at various temperatures. To identify potential plant growthpromoting traits with antifungal properties, morphological and biochemical characterization were carried out. Compared to uninoculated pigeonpea seeds, inoculated seeds with rhizoisolates showed a significant increase in growth parameters in greenhouse pot conditions. Plant growth-promoting rhizobacteria (PGPRs) are a good way to increase crop yields while also controlling disease outbreaks.

Screening and Biocontrol Potential of Rhizobacteria Native to Gangetic Plains and Hilly Regions to Induce Systemic Resistance and Promote Plant Growth in Chilli against Bacterial Wilt Disease.

Plant growth-promoting rhizobacteria (PGPR) is a microbial population found in the rhizosphere of plants that can stimulate plant development and restrict the growth of plant diseases directly or indirectly. In this study, 90 rhizospheric soil samples from five agro climatic zones of chilli (Capsicum annuum L.) were collected and rhizobacteria were isolated, screened and characterized at morphological, biochemical and molecular levels. In total, 38% of rhizobacteria exhibited the antagonistic capacity to suppress Ralstonia solanacearum growth and showed PGPR activities such as indole acetic acid production by 67.64% from total screened rhizobacteria isolates, phosphorus solubilization by 79.41%, ammonia by 67.75%, HCN by 58.82% and siderophore by 55.88%. We performed a principal component analysis depicting correlation and significance among plant growth-promoting activities, growth parameters of chilli and rhizobacterial strains. Plant inoculation studies indicated a significant increase in growth parameters and PDS1 strain showed maximum 71.11% biocontrol efficiency against wilt disease. The best five rhizobacterial isolates demonstrating both plant growth-promotion traits and biocontrol potential were characterized and identified as PDS1—Pseudomonas fluorescens (MN368159), BDS1—Bacillus subtilis (MN395039), UK4—Bacillus cereus (MT491099), UK2—Bacillus amyloliquefaciens (MT491100) and KA9—Bacillus subtilis (MT491101). These rhizobacteria have the potential natural elicitors to be used as biopesticides and biofertilizers to improve crop health while warding off soil-borne pathogens. The chilli cv. Pusa Jwala treated with Bacillus subtilis KA9 and Pseudomonas fluorescens PDS1 showed enhancement in the defensive enzymes PO, PPO, SOD and PAL activities in chilli leaf and root tissues, which collectively contributed to induced resistance in chilli plants against Ralstonia solanacearum. The induction of these defense enzymes was found higher in leave tissues (PO—4.87-fold, PP0—9.30-fold, SOD—9.49-fold and PAL—1.04-fold, respectively) in comparison to roots tissue at 48 h after pathogen inoculation. The findings support the view that plant growth-promoting rhizobacteria boost defense-related enzymes and limit pathogen growth in chilli plants, respectively, hence managing the chilli bacterial wilt.

Intermediate and Long-Term Outcome of Percutaneous Trans-catheter Device Closure of Ventricular Septal Defects

Abstract Background Ventricular septal defect (VSD) is the most common congenital heart defect in children and adults. Until recently, open-heart surgical closure has traditionally been considered the mainstay of intervention for the majority of VSDs. The development of a trans-catheter occlusion technique with the advancement of the newer percutaneous occluding VSD closure devices that can safely and effectively close these defects was welcomed by cardiologists, patients, and their families making trans-catheter device closure an attractive and feasible alternative. Objective We aim to evaluate the intermediate and long-term follow-up outcome of patients who underwent percutaneous trans-catheter closure of isolated ventricular septal defects. Patients and Methods This study is an exploratory pilot single-tertiary center study. The study included 25 patients who have successfully undergone percutaneous ventricular septal closure in the cardiac catheterization unit of the cardiology department at Ain Shams university Hospitals in the period from June 2015 till June 2018. The follow up protocol includes detailed history taking, clinical examination, and full 2D echocardiography with additional circumferential and radial strain imaging by speckle tracking technique (STE), resting and Holter electrocardiograms. Results A significant increase in growth parameters were noticed during 6.3 month mean follow up time, with an overall mean weight increase by 10% and an overall mean height increase by 6.2%. Sequential echocardiographic follow-up showed highly significant decrease in LV dimensions and volumes, circumferential LV strain values, pulmonary to systemic circulation (Qp:Qs) ratio, RVSP and mPAP. Significant complications occurred in (12%) of patients: symptomatic/significant Brady-arrhythmia (Complete heart block) that required permanent pacemaker implantation (4%), significant residual shunt causing hemolytic anemia requiring re-intervention (4%) and significant valvular regurgitation (Severe Tricuspid Regurgitation) (4%) Conclusion The development of a VSD trans-catheter occlusion technique with the advancement of the newer percutaneous occluding VSD closure devices is an attractive and feasible procedure with high success rates

Exploration of Rhizobacteria as Bioagents against Phytophthora Blight and Yield Attributes of Pigeonpea (Cajanus cajan L.): In vitro and In vivo Study

The latest soil management scenario is occupied by destructive chemical fertilizers, which is a serious risk to both human health as well as to the environment. Advantageous microbes present in soil are used as a biofertilizers for a promising role in sustainable agriculture. Pigeon pea (Cajanus cajan L.) is a primitive protein rich leguminous pulse in India. Thirty-five isolates from rhizospheric soil samples were collected from twelve different locations of Punjab (India). Morphological and biochemical characterization for selection of potential plant growth promoting traits with antifungal properties was undertaken. Most of the inoculated seeds with rhizoisolates evolved a significant increase in growth parameters of pigeon pea as compared to uninoculated seeds, both in vitro and in vivo conditions. Plant growth promoting rhizobacterias (PGPRs) are environmentally safe as they lead to increased production and resistance against diseases of crops.

Diversity and functional characterization of endophytic Methylobacterium isolated from banana cultivars of South India and its impact on early growth of tissue culture banana plantlets.

This study aimed at determining the distribution, colonization and growth promoting nature of Methylobacterium spp. in tissue culture banana plantlets. Leaf samples from different field grown banana cultivars were used for Methylobacterium spp., isolation. Metabolic profile and functional characterization for plant growth-promoting traits of the isolates were assessed. The isolates were confirmed using 16S rRNA gene sequencing analysis, which resulted in six distinct species of Methylobacterium namely M. radiotolerans, M. salsuginis, M. thiocyanatum, M. rhodesianum, M. rhodinum and M. populi. Methylobacterium spp. inoculation experiment was conducted under hydroponic system in tissue culture banana plantlets (germ free) with eight selected isolates. A significant increase in growth parameters of Methylobacterium treated plantlets compared to uninoculated control was observed. Methylobacterium salsuginis TNMB03-gfp29 was developed and colonization micrograph was obtained using confocal laser scanning microscopy (CLSM) and scanning electron microscopy in different parts of banana plantlets (root, stem and leaves). Field grown banana plants found to harbour diverse endophytic Methylobacterium population. Our finding suggests that endophytic Methylobacterium species may provide significant plant growth promoting compounds/nutrients to the banana plants. The experimental results demonstrated the efficacy of Methylobacterium spp. as a potential bioinoculant and can be exploited as a phyllosphere and rhizosphere based bioinoculant for the initial establishment and growth of tissue culture banana plantlets. This study extended our knowledge on the distribution of Methylobacterium spp. in banana plants and endophytic colonization nature of this particular genus in plants. In addition, efficient isolate (M. salsuginis TNMB03) identified in this study may be promoted as bio-inoculants for banana plants after field evaluation.

Biosynthesis of ZnO Nanoparticles Using Bacillus Subtilis: Characterization and Nutritive Significance for Promoting Plant Growth in Zea mays L.

Nano-fertilizer(s), an emerging field of agriculture, is alternate option for enhancement of plant growth replacing the synthetic fertilizers. Zinc oxide nanoparticles (ZnO NPs) can be used as the zinc source for plants. The present investigation was carried out to assess the role of ZnO NPs in growth promotion of maize plants. Biosynthesized ZnO NPs (using Bacillus sp) were characterized using Scanning Electron Microscope (SEM), Transmission Electron Microscope (TEM), X-ray diffraction (XRD) and Zeta potential. Different concentrations of ZnO NPs (2, 4, 8, 16 mg/L) were explored in pot culture experiment. Size of ZnO NPs ranged between 16 and 20 nm. A significant increase in growth parameters like shoot length (61.7%), root length (56.9%) and significantly higher level of protein was observed in the treated plants. The overall pattern for growth biomarkers including the protein contents was maximum at 8 mg/L of ZnO NPs. It was observed that application of biosynthesized ZnO NPs has improved majority of growth biomarkers including plant growth parameters, protein contents and leaf area. Therefore, biosynthesized ZnO NPs could be considered as an alternate source of nutrient in Zn deficient soils for promoting the modern agriculture.

Beyond the growth delay in children with sleep-related breathing disorders: a systematic review.

The availability of high-quality studies on the association between sleep-disordered breathing in children and delayed growth associated with the hormonal profile recorded before surgery and at follow-up is limited. Medline PubMed, Scopus and WebOfScience databases were searched for relevant publications published between January 2008 to January 2020 and a total of 261 potentially eligible studies were identified. Following review 19 papers were eligible for inclusion: seven reported a significant postsurgical increase in growth regardless of initial weight status, type of surgery, type of study design, and length of follow-up period. The only high-quality study was a randomized controlled trial that found an increased risk of obstructive sleep apnea syndrome relapse in overweight children. Twelve studies reported the significant increase in growth parameters showing that IGF-1, IGFBP-3, and ghrelin may boost growth after surgery. The current systematic review demonstrates a scarcity of high-quality studies on growth delay in children with sleep-disordered breathing. Significant catch-up growth after surgery in the short term and changes in IGF-1, IGFBP-3, ghrelin, and leptin levels has been reported in most published studies.

Microwave-Assisted Green Synthesis and Characterization of Silver Nanoparticles Using Melia azedarach for the Management of Fusarium Wilt in Tomato.

These days, research in agriculture is focusing on the theme of sustainability along with protection of agriculture produce. Nanotechnology in the agriculture sector aims for the enhancement of agricultural produce and the reduction of pesticides through providing innovative agrochemical agents and their novel delivery mechanisms. The current investigation involved the green synthesis of silver nanoparticles (AgNPs) from the aqueous leaf extract of Melia azedarach by following a microwave-assisted method to control Fusarium oxysporum, the causal agent of tomato wilt. Biosynthesized Melia leaf extract (MLE)-AgNPs were characterized by UV-visible spectroscopy, Fourier-transform infrared (FTIR) spectroscopy, X-ray diffraction (XRD), energy dispersive X-ray (EDX) spectrometry, dynamic light scattering (DLS), scanning electron microscopy (SEM), transmission electron microscopy (TEM), and zeta potential analysis. The intensity of the peak at 434 nm in UV-vis spectra, attributed to the surface plasmon resonance of MLE-AgNPs, changes with reaction parameters. TEM exhibits spherical shaped nanoparticles with an average particle size range from 12 to 46 nm. Efficient inhibition of F. oxysporum, the causal agent of tomato wilt, was achieved after exposure to MLE-AgNPs both in vivo and in vitro. In vitro studies exhibited repressed fungal mycelial growth with 79–98% inhibition as compared to the control. Significant increases in growth parameters of tomato seedlings were observed after treatment with biosynthesized nanoparticles as compared to F. oxysporum-infected plants grown without them under greenhouse conditions. Furthermore, SEM imaging was done to reveal the prominent damage on the cell wall of hyphae and spores after MLE-AgNP treatment. Propidium iodide (PI) staining of mycelium indicated the extent of cell death, causing irretrievable damage and disintegration of cellular membranes by altering the membrane permeability. Also, 2′,7′-dichlorofluorescin diacetate (DCFH-DA) fluorescence specifies intracellular reactive oxygen species (ROS) production in F. oxysporum after treatment with MLE-AgNPs. The current investigation suggested that biosynthesized nanoparticles can revolutionize the field of plant pathology by introducing an environment-friendly approach for disease management and playing a potential part in agriculture industry. However, to date, little work has been done to integrate nanotechnology into phytopathology so, this area of research is in need of adoption and exploration for the management of plant diseases.

The induction of salt stress tolerance by jasmonic acid treatment in roselle (Hibiscus sabdariffa L.) seedlings through enhancing antioxidant enzymes activity and metabolic changes

The objective of the present study was to assess the effects of exogenous application of 1 mM Jasmonic acid (JA), an endogenous plant growth regulator, on mitigation of oxidative and osmotic stresses caused by various levels of NaCl: none (0 mM), light (50 mM), moderate (150 mM), and severe (300 mM) in roselle (Hibiscus sabdariffa L.) seedlings. Salt stress without any change in leaf water content negatively affected seedlings growth from the aspect of plant height, root length, leaf morphological properties, plant biomass and levels of pigments, reducing sugars, starch, proteins and free amino acids, but accumulated higher levels of non-reducing sugars, total phenols, anthocyanins, flavonoids, proline and increased activities of both enzymatic and non-enzymatic antioxidants, such as ascorbate peroxidase (APX), pyrogallol peroxidase (PPX) and polyphenol oxidase (PPO). JA-treated seedlings exhibited a significant increase in growth parameters and activities of APX and PPX under salt stress, with hyper-accumulation of metabolite levels, but accumulated lower amounts of dry matter in roots and decreased the activity of PPO. These results clearly showed that exogenous JA treatment protected roselle seedlings against salt-induced damage through up-regulating the activity of H2O2-decomposing enzymes, osmoprotectants biosynthesis, and the accumulation of metabolites.

Plant-PGPR interaction study of plant growth-promoting diazotrophs Kosakonia radicincitans BA1 and Stenotrophomonas maltophilia COA2 to enhance growth and stress-related gene expression in Saccharum spp.

ABSTRACT Sugarcane is a leading biofuel crop besides being a source of crystal sugar and biomaterials worldwide. This study chiefly focuses on the role of diazotrophic bacteria isolated from sugarcane rhizosphere exhibiting different plant growth-promoting traits and biocontrol activities. Several bacterial isolates were obtained from the rhizosphere soil samples of four sugarcane cultivars. Out of these, 23 strains were selected and identified by 16S rRNA gene sequencing which confirmed different PGP-traits, biocontrol, and nitrogenase activities with nifH gene amplification. Two prominent strains, Kosakonia radicincitans-BA1 and Stenotrophomonas maltophilia-COA2 were selected for further analysis. Biolog plate assay was used to establish the utilization of various carbon and nitrogen sources and pH and osmotic stress tolerance for both strains. Colonization of selected strains in the sugarcane plant was observed by scanning electron microscopy and confocal laser scanning microscopy exhibited bacterial cells were frequently located in sugarcane tissues. Inoculation of the strains in GT11 and GXB9 cultivars led to a significant increase in growth parameters, nitrogen content, expression of nifH, and stress-related genes under greenhouse conditions. This is the first study to explore K. radicincitans and S. maltophilia as nitrogen-fixing plant growth-promoting rhizobacteria in sugarcane for disease management and reduce the practice of chemical fertilizers.

THE PERFORMANCE OF DELPHINIUM (Delphinium ajacis (L.) Schur.) PLANTS UNDER DROUGHT STRESS, HYDROGEN PEROXIDE AND SALICYLIC ACID TREATMENTS

Greenhouse experiments were conducted during the two successive winter seasons of (2016 – 2017) and (2017- 2018) in order to enhance the performance of Delphinium plants under drought stress conditions and the possibility of enhancing vegetative growth, flowering growth, and chemical composition. Experiments were designed as a split-plot based on randomized complete block with three replications in a private commercial nursery in Damanhour City, El-Beheira Governorate, Egypt. The experiments were conducted by applying foliar applications of hydrogen peroxide (H2O2) at 0, 1250 and 2500 ppm and salicylic acid (SA) at 0, 100 and 200 ppm. The vegetative, root and flowering growth and chemical composition of Delphinium plants grown under drought stress were examined. The obtained results of the two seasons revealed that either SA or H2O2 treatments caused significant increase in growth parameters and chemical composition of Delphinium plants compare to control plants. Salicylic acid at a concentration of 100 ppm was more effective in increasing vegetative, root and flowering growth, and photosynthesis parameters, followed by H2O2 at a concentration of 1250 ppm compared to the other treatments. On the other hand, H2O2 at a concentration of 2500 ppm was more effective in increasing total phenols and H2O2 content in leaves.

Impacts of Mannan oligosaccharides (MOS) on growth performance and gastrointestinal health of Nile tilapia (Oreochromis niloticus)

Objective: This study was undertaken to evaluate the potential role of Mannan oligosaccharides (MOS) on growth performance, liver and intestine tissue morphology, and gut microbiota of Nile tilapia (Oreochromis niloticus). Design: Controlled study. Animals: Three groups of Nile tilapia. Procedures: Three diets were formulated to contain 0 % of MOS 500 (MOS) as control (control), 0.05% of MOS plus adding MOS into water as well at level of 12.5 mg/l (MOS (feed +water), and the third group MOS was added only to water (MOS water) at the same level, and fed to Nile tilapia for 6 weeks. Results: Simultaneous water and feed additives with (MOS feed+water) at (0.05% of feed + 12.5 mg/l water) caused a significant increase in growth parameters (initial and final weight, weight gain (WG), specific growth rate (SGR), feed conversion ratio (FCR) and condition factor (k), when compared to both MOS added only in tank water (MOS water) and control groups. In addition, MOS in both treatment types increased survival rates significantly compared to the control. Polymerase chain reaction and denaturing gradient gel electrophoresis (PCR-DGGE) analysis showed that a single species or species that contained chemically equivalent DNA dominated the intestinal tract of all Nile tilapia regardless of dietary treatment. While MOS had no adverse effect of intestinal histology, an increase in the villi length was recorded. Conclusion and clinical relevance: Collectively, our results indicate that MOS added to feed and water could be used to enhance the growth performances, increase the survivability and exert beneficial effects on the gut microbiota of Nile tilapia.

Growth improvement of Lolium multiflorum Lam. induced by seed inoculation with fungus suspension of Xerocomus badius and Serendipita indica

In this study, a pot experiment was carried out in greenhouse to investigate the potentials of Xerocomus badius and Serendipita indica to penetrate and colonize roots of ryegrass (Lolium multiflorum Lam.) and to induce beneficial effects on seed germination and seedling growth. The results showed that X. badius and S. indica successfully colonized in the root system of L. multiflorum seedlings and the root colonization rate was 72.65% and 88.42%, respectively. By microscopy, the hyphae, chlamydospores and spores produced by S. indica were observed in roots cortex of L. multiflorum seedlings. In comparison with the non-inoculated seedlings, seedlings inoculated with X. badius and S. indica showed significant increase in growth parameters with plant height, basal diameter, biomass accumulation, relative growth rate, leaf relative water content and chlorophyll content. Also, we found that seedlings inoculated with S. indica exhibited a greater growth-promotion as compared with X. badius-inoculated seedlings. No significant influence of the two fungus application has been observed with respect to seed germination. It suggested that well establishments of mutualistic symbiosis between L. multiflorum and X. badius or S. indica were not so essential to seed germination but contributed highly to the survival and growth of the seedlings.