Untreated Plants Research Articles

Bioactive Compounds, Antioxidant Activity, and Mineral Content of Wild Rocket (Diplotaxis tenuifolia L.) Leaves as Affected by Saline Stress and Biostimulant Application

The availability of irrigation water of good quality is decreasing due to soil salinization and the deterioration of aquifers. Moreover, ongoing climate change severely affects crop production and necessitates the intensification of cropping systems in order to ensure food security at a global scale. For this purpose, the aim of the present study was to evaluate the mitigating effects of two natural biostimulants on Diplotaxis tenuifolia L. plants cultivated at different salinity levels (EC of 0 dS m−1, 2 dS m−1, 4 dS m−1, and 6 dS m−1) and harvested at six consecutive cropping cycles. The tested factors showed a varied combinatorial effect on the tested parameters. These findings indicate the importance of considering growing conditions and cropping periods when applying biostimulants in D. tenuifolia plants under salinity stress. Antioxidant activity and bioactive compounds, such as total phenols, carotenoids, and total ascorbic acid, were variably affected by salinity, biostimulant application, and harvesting time, while mineral profile was also affected by the tested factors depending on the combination of factors. Finally, nitrate content showed decreasing trends with increasing salinity, while biostimulant application resulted in the higher accumulation of nitrates compared to the untreated plants. Although biostimulant application seems to alleviate the negative effects of salinity stress, the effect of growing conditions, as indicated by successive crop cycles, is also important for the response of D. tenuifolia plants to saline conditions and biostimulant application.

Isolation and identification of fungi associated with root rot disease in broad bean caused by Rhizoctonia solani (Kuhn)and select the disease suppresser species as biological control agents 2.Induced resistance markers by Trichoderma harzianiumand their

The antagonism ability of the15 species of fungi associated with rot roots disease against the pathogen R.solani showed the growth of fungus T. harzianumwas faster than the pathogen R.s which cover all area of the perti plate with the antagomism degree 1.33. A field experiment was carried out in 2011/2012 in Agriculture College /Tikrit University for the test of the induction of a systemic resistance by T. harzianumagainst root rot disease caused by R.s in three cultivars of broad bean. Shabila cultivar infected with R.s and treated with T. harzianumgave maximum seeds germination (98.67%) compared with 67.67% in the infected and untreated plants. Maximum specific activity of Peroxidase was 10.9 unit/mg protein recorded in the infected and treated (with T. harzianum) local cultivar,while maximum specific activity of β-1,3glucanase was 0.289 unit/mg protein recorded in the uninfected and treated local cultivar, in the infected and treated Barshlona cultivar, maximum specific activities of Chitinase and Phenyl alanine ammonialyase were 0.074 and 2.089 unit/mg protein, while maximum specific activity of Poly phenol oxidasewas 2.163 unit/mg protein recorded in the infected and treated Shabila cultivar.Maximum total phenols was 19.22 mg/g tissue recorded in the infected and treated local cultivar. T. harzianum reduce the percentage of dead cells from 75.3, 70.0 and 58.3% in the infected local,Shabila and Barshlona cultivars to 20.07,30.0 and 44.4% in the infected and treated these cultivars,respectively.in addition, T.h reduced the percentage of disease severity from, 44.67, 50.67 and 44.67% in the infected local,Shabila and Barshlona cultivars to 14.3, 23.67 and21.93% in the infected and treated these cultivars, respectively, while the productivity of these infected cultivars increased from 53.7,34.8 and 74.3 g of fresh seeds to 104,68 and 158.8 g of fresh seeds when treated with T. harzianum.

Consortium of multifunctional microorganisms in soybean culture

The use of multifunctional microorganisms (MM) directly benefits the growth and development of plants due to the production of phytohormones and siderophores, supply of nutrients, and assimilation of atmospheric nitrogen (N2), as well as, indirectly, by protecting plants against pathogens. In this way, the search for sustainable agricultural systems is of great importance in searching for cultivation technologies that provide productive increments and minimize production costs and negative environmental impacts. The study aimed to determine the effect of multifunctional microorganisms on gas exchange, grain yield, and production components in soybean plants. In the field experiment, 2019/2020 harvest, a randomized block design was used, with 32 replications. Soybean plants were treated with a consortium of microorganisms Serratia marcensens (BRM 32114) + Bacillus sp. (BRM63573), and, as a control, soybean plants were treated without intercropping. Soybean plants treated with microorganisms showed an increase in photosynthetic rate (16.65%), stomatal conductance (37.50%), the internal concentration of CO2 (10.36%), a mass of 100 grains (4.04%), and yield of grains (14.83%) about untreated plants. Therefore, using a consortium of multifunctional microorganisms, combining multiple functionalities from different microorganisms, shows the potential to increase the agronomic performance of soybean plants. Co-inoculation technology appears as a strategic component of achieving sustainable agriculture.

The differential modulation of secondary metabolism induced by a protein hydrolysate and a seaweed extract in tomato plants under salinity.

Climate change and abiotic stress challenges in crops are threatening world food production. Among others, salinity affects the agricultural sector by significantly impacting yield losses. Plant biostimulants have received increasing attention in the agricultural industry due to their ability to improve health and resilience in crops. The main driving force of these products lies in their ability to modulate plant metabolic processes involved in the stress response. This study's purpose was to investigate the effect of two biostimulant products, including a protein hydrolysate (Clever HX®) and a seaweed extract with high amino acids content (Ascovip®), and their combination, on the metabolomics profile of tomato crops grown under salt stress (150 mM NaCl). Several stress indicators (leaf relative water content, membrane stability index, and photosynthesis activity) and leaf mineral composition after salinity stress exposure were assessed to evaluate stress mitigation, together with growth parameters (shoot and root biomasses). After that, an untargeted metabolomics approach was used to investigate the mechanism of action of the biostimulants and their link with the increased resilience to stress. The application of the biostimulants used reduced the detrimental effect of salinity. In saline conditions, protein hydrolysate improved shoot dry weight while seaweed extracts improved root dry weight. Regarding stress indicators, the application of the protein hydrolysate was found to alleviate the membrane damage caused by salinity stress compared to untreated plants. Surprisingly, photosynthetic activity significantly improved after treatment with seaweed extracts, suggesting a close correlation between root development, root water assimilation capacity and photosynthetic activity. Considering the metabolic reprogramming after plant biostimulants application, protein hydrolysates and their combination with seaweed extracts reported a distinctive metabolic profile modulation, mainly in secondary metabolite, lipids and fatty acids, and phytohormones biosynthetic pathways. However, treatment with seaweed extract reported a similar metabolic reprogramming trend compared to salinity stress. Our findings indicate a different mechanism of action modulated by protein hydrolysate and seaweed extract, suggesting stronger activity as a stress mitigator of protein hydrolysate in tomato crops under salinity stress.

Domestication of Wild Edible Species: The Response of Scolymus hispanicus Plants to Different Fertigation Regimes

Scolymus hispanicus L. is a wild edible species with wide distribution in the Mediterranean area. Recent research has focused on the domestication of wild edible greens, which is essential for the preservation of agroecosystems and the increase in biodiversity, especially under the adversely changing climate conditions. In the present work, the aim was to evaluate the response of S. hispanicus plants to different fertilization regimes that varied in the amounts of nitrogen, phosphorus and potassium in regard to plant growth and chemical composition of leaves. For this purpose, plants were grown in pots within an unheated greenhouse. Seven experimental treatments were used, including six fertigation regimes (SH1-SH6) and the control treatment (SHC), where no fertilizers were added. Fresh yield was beneficially affected by the treatments that included a high content of P and K (e.g., SH3 and SH5), while lesser amounts of these macronutrients (e.g., SH1 and SH4) resulted in higher chlorophyll content (SPAD index) and leaf area. In terms of mineral profile, high amounts of P and K improved dietary fiber and carbohydrates content, whereas the untreated plants had the highest content of ash, fat and crude protein. Oxalic and quinic acid were the major organic acids detected, with fertigation regimes significantly reducing their content compared to the control treatment. α-tocopherol was the only isoform of vitamin E detected in all the samples, while glucose and fructose were the most abundant sugars, with their highest content detected in control and SH4 treatments, respectively. Scolymus hispanicus leaves were rich in macro and micro minerals, while their contents varied depending on the fertigation regime. Finally, α-linolenic, palmitic, and linoleic acid were the major fatty acids detected, while their contents were beneficially affected by low nutrient inputs (e.g., untreated plants and SH1 and SH2 treatments). In conclusion, the regulation of nutrient solution seems to be an effective practice to increase fresh yield in S. hispanicus without compromising the nutritional profile of the edible product, while low inputs of macronutrients such as P and K may improve the chemical composition of the species, especially in terms of n-fatty acids.

Characterizing stomatal attributes and photosynthetic induction in relation to biochemical changes in Coriandrum sativum L. by foliar-applied zinc oxide nanoparticles under drought conditions.

Abiotic stress, particularly drought, will remain an alarming challenge for sustainable agriculture. New approaches have been opted, such as nanoparticles (NPs), to reduce the negative impact of drought stress and lessen the use of synthetic fertilizers and pesticides that are an inevitable problem these days. The application of zinc oxide nanoparticles (ZnO NPs) has been recognized as an effective strategy to enhance plant growth and crop production during abiotic stress. The aim of the current study was to investigate the role of ZnO NPs in drought stress management of drought-susceptible Coriandrum sativum L. (C. sativum) in two consecutive seasons. Drought regimes (moderate drought regime-MDR and intensive drought regime-IDR) were developed based on replenishment method with respect to 50% field capacity of fully irrigated (control) plants. The results showed that foliar application of 100 ppm ZnO NPs improved the net photosynthesis (Pn), stomatal conductance (C), and transpiration rate (E) and boosted up the photosynthetic capacity associated with photosynthetic active radiation in MDR. Similarly, 48% to 30% improvement of chlorophyll b content was observed in MDR and onefold to 41% in IDR during both seasons in ZnO NP-supplemented plants. The amount of abscisic acid in leaves showed a decreasing trend in MDR and IDR in the first season (40% and 30%) and the second season (49% and 33%) compared with untreated ZnO NP plants. The ZnO NP-treated plants showed an increment in total soluble sugars, total phenolic content, and total flavonoid content in both drought regimes, whereas the abaxial surface showed high stomatal density and stomatal index than the adaxial surface in foliar-supplied NP plants. Furthermore, ZnO NPs improve the magnitude of stomata ultrastructures like stomatal length, stomatal width, and pore length for better adaptation against drought. Principal component analysis revealed the efficacy of ZnO NPs in inducing drought tolerance in moderate and intensive stress regimes. These results suggest that 100 ppm ZnO NPs can be used to ameliorate drought tolerance in C. sativum plants.

Synthesis of phytostabilized zinc oxide nanoparticles and their effects on physiological and anti-oxidative responses of Zea mays (L.) under chromium stress

Chromium (Cr) is a hazardous metal that has a significant risk of transfer from soil to edible parts of food crops, including shoot tissues. Reduction of Cr accumulation is required to lower the risk of Cr-exposed in humans and animals feeding on metal-contaminated parts of such plant. Zea mays is a global staple crop irrigated intensively with Cr-contaminated water. Consequently, the objective of this study was to investigate that FI-stabilized ZnO NPs could be used as an eco-friendly and efficient amendment to reduced Cr uptake and toxicity in Zea mays. To investigate the growth parameters, physiological, oxidative stress and biochemical parameters under different Cr-VI concentrations (10.0, 15.0, and 20.0 ppm). Cr exposed Z. mays plants exhibited substantially reduced plant biomass, chlorophyll contents, and altered antioxidant enzyme activity compared to untreated control. The results revealed that foliar application of Fagonia-ZnO-NPs helps eliminate the harmful effects of Cr (VI), which can enter plants through soil pollution. Increased levels of proline, soluble sugars and various antioxidant enzymes reflected this. Mean comparisons showed that Cr stress led to a 33–50% reduction in fresh shoot weight, 73–170% in fresh root weight, 16–34% shoot length, 9.5–129% root length, Chlorophyll contents 20–33% (Chl a), 18–27% (Chl b) and 17–27% (car), 14–33% total soluble sugars, 54–170% proline content, 7–7.5% POD, 0.66–75% CAT and 32–77% APX enzyme activities compared to untreated plants. Application of FI-stabilized ZnO NPs led to an increase 21–77% in fresh shoot weight, 22–45%, fresh root weight, 3–35% shoot length, 24–154% root length, Chlorophyll contents 39–60% (Chl a), 15–79% (Chl b) and 28–82% (car), 19–52% total soluble sugars, 21–55% proline content, 14–43% POD, 34–95% CAT and 130–186% APX enzyme activities under 10, 15 and 20 ppm Cr stress respectively, compared to Cr-treated plants. However, the principal component analysis revealed that chlorophyll contents, carotenoid, CAT, APX and length were in the same group and showed a positive correlation. These data collectively suggest that phytostabilized zinc oxide NPs may be an eco-friendly solution to mitigate Cr toxicity in agricultural soils and crop plants.

Evaluation of characteristic features of untreated and alkali-treated cellulosic plant fibers from Mucuna atropurpurea for polymer composite reinforcement

Evaluation of characteristic features of untreated and alkali-treated cellulosic plant fibers from Mucuna atropurpurea for polymer composite reinforcement

Fosthiazate inhibits root-knot disease and alters rhizosphere microbiome of Cucumis melo var. saccharinus.

Root-knot nematodes especially Meloidogyne spp. are considered as most destructive obligate parasites that substantially reduce crop yield and quality. Fosthiazate is an efficient organothiophosphate chemical with nematicidal activity against Meloidogyne spp. The present study aimed to analyze the efficacy of fosthiazate against root-knot disease in Cucumis melo var. saccharinus and its potential effects on rhizosphere microbiome and metabolites. The fosthiazate (40%) was applied two times by spraying on the day of transplanting and during the pollination period (after 31 days). Samples from treatment (fosthiazate 40%: MF) and control groups (untreated plants; MCK) were analysed through metagenomic and metabolomic profiling of rhizospheres. Results revealed that root-knot index of the MF group (9.26 ± 1.28) was significantly (p < 0.05) lower than the MCK group (22.06 ± 0.71) with a control effect of 57.85% after 31 days of the first spray, whereas fosthiazate efficacy reduced to 31.87% after 38 days of second application with significantly (p < 0.05) different root-knot index values (MF: 56 ± 1.43 and; MCK: 82.26 ± 3.87). However, Cucumis melo var. saccharinus fruit yield in both groups (MCK: 21.1 ± 0.9 and MF: 21.53 ± 0.85) showed no differences (p > 0.05). Metagenomic profiling revealed Proteobacteria, Acidobacteriota, and Firmicutes as predominant phyla and Bacillus, Sphingomonas, and Acidibacter as predominant genera in rhizosphere soil samples of both MF and MCK groups. Further, a t-test revealed higher differential enrichment of Firmicutes at phylum level and Bacillus at genus level in MF than MCK. Metabolomic profiling of rhizospheric soil revealed a total of six differential metabolites (p < 0.05), four of them (Sucrose, Hexaonic acid 1, (Z)-9-Octadecenamide 1, and Hexadecanamide) were up-regulated in MF group, whereas two of them (2,3,4-Trihydroxy-3-(Hydroxymethyl) Butanol and Sulfurous acid, 2, ethylhexylundecyl ester) were down-regulated in CK group. Our study concluded that fosthiazate exhibits a better control over the rook-knot disease in the short term and resulted in trackable changes in rhizosphere microbiome and metabolome.

New Insight into Short Time Exogenous Formaldehyde Application Mediated Changes in Chlorophytum comosum L. (Spider Plant) Cellular Metabolism.

Chlorophytum comosum L. plants are known to effectively absorb air pollutants, including formaldehyde (HCHO). Since the metabolic and defense responses of C. comosum to HCHO are poorly understood, in the present study, biochemical changes in C. comosum leaves induced by 48 h exposure to exogenous HCHO, applied as 20 mg m-3, were analyzed. The observed changes showed that HCHO treatment caused no visible harmful effects on C. comosum leaves and seemed to be effectively metabolized by this plant. HCHO application caused no changes in total chlorophyll (Chl) and Chl a content, increased Chl a/b ratio, and decreased Chl b and carotenoid content. HCHO treatment affected sugar metabolism, towards the utilization of sucrose and synthesis or accumulation of glucose, and decreased activities of aspartate and alanine aminotransferases, suggesting that these enzymes do not play any pivotal role in amino acid transformations during HCHO assimilation. The total phenolic content in leaf tissues did not change in comparison to the untreated plants. The obtained results suggest that HCHO affects nitrogen and carbohydrate metabolism, effectively influencing photosynthesis, shortly after plant exposure to this volatile compound. It may be suggested that the observed changes are related to early HCHO stress symptoms or an early step of the adaptation of cells to HCHO treatment. The presented results confirm for the first time the direct influence of short time HCHO exposure on the studied parameters in the C. comosum plant leaf tissues.

Municipal sewage sludge, aquatic weed compost on soil enzymatic activity and heavy metal accumulation in Kale (Brassica oleracea L.)

Enormous quantities of organic wastes such as sewage sludge (SS) and aquatic weed compost (AWC) are produced in large quantities on the banks of Dal Lake Kashmir. It is a challenging task for authorities to manage them properly. Therefore, the study’s purpose was to evaluate these organic wastes agricultural use potential. The experiment was laid out in a randomized complete block design with three replications comprised of nine treatment combinations of SS, AWC and inorganic fertilizers. In the present study, the conjoint use of SS with chemical fertilizer recorded maximum build-up of soil microbial biomass carbon (MCB), urease and dehydrogenase activity with treatment T1. There were significant correlations between soil MCB and from urease and dehydrogenase activity (r2 = 0.95 and 0.97; P < 0.05), respectively. The micronutrient and heavy metal concentrations in kale exposed to SS and AWC were significantly higher than those in the untreated plants, with the highest concentration found in sole application of SS (T7). However, heavy metal concentrations were within the acceptable limits and did not overcome the maximum phytotoxic levels. The study’s finding leads to conclusion that SS along with chemical fertilizers (T1) can improve the enzymatic activity in soil, quality parameters and nutrient content in plants thereby enhancing the yield.

Biocontrol of Meloidogyne spp. in Solanum lycopersicum using a dual combination of Bacillus strains.

Root-knot nematodes (RKNs, Meloidogyne spp.) are obligate plant parasites that constitute a significant pest for agriculture worldwide. They penetrate the plant roots, reducing the uptake of water and nutrients, causing a significant impact on crop yield. One alternative on focus now for nematode management is biological control. Rhizobacteria within the Bacillus genus show multiple modes of action against plant-parasitic nematodes (PPNs) that can act alone or in combination. In this context, we evaluated a dual-strain bacteria combination (B. paralicheniformi FMCH001 and B. subtilis FMCH002) to reduce nematode infection in tomato plants. We evaluated mortality of larvae from Meloidogyne javanica in vitro, as well as eggs hatching after the treatment. Atraction, penetration, establishment, and reproduction assays in vitro or in pots in tomato plants infected with M. javanica and treated/ untreated with the dual-strain bacteria combination were also performed. Additionally, morphometric parameters comparing giant cells size from galls of treated and untreated plants by using confocal microscopy were also measured. The results showed that this combination of strains has nematicidal properties in the pre-infection phase by decreasing the egg-hatching, juvenile survival, and attractiveness to the roots. Furthermore, nematode establishment, gall formation, and, remarkably, giant cell development was severely impaired after the bacterial treatment, suggesting interference with morphogenetic mechanisms induced by the nematode during GCs development within the plant. Nematode reproduction in tomato plants was reduced independently of the application mode in soil, before or after bacterial treatment. The dual-strain combination was also effective against other PPNs (i.e. Pratylenchus spp.) and in different crops (soybean). Therefore, combining B. paralicheniformis FMCH001 and B. subtilis FMCH002 is an efficient agent for the biological control of Meloidogyne spp. by interfering with different stages of the nematode cycle as a result of multiple modes of action.

EFFECT OF ECOLOGICAL PRODUCT CARBECOL AND BIOFERTILIZER ECOLIT ON MANAGEMENT OF LATE BLIGHT (PHYTOPTHORA INFESTANS) AND PRODUCTIVITY OF TOMATO (SOLANUM ESCULENTUM) PLANTS

Organic agriculture is gaining importance and the market for organic products has been significantly increasing nowadays. Different diseases affect tomato especially the pathogen Phytophtora infestans, which is a major threat in organic and durable agriculture. A greenhouse experiment was carried out to evaluate the effect of new biorational protection product Carbecol and humic substances Ecolit in late blight management in tomato and their impact on the productivity. Tomato plants during vegetation period were treated four times with Carbecol in dose 6 kg/ha alone as well as in combination with application of biofertilizer Ecolit in doze 3L/ha. Control were untreated plants. Experimental results revealed that foliar diseases like late blight of tomato were significantly reduced by treatments applied either alone or in combinations compared to untreated plants. However, the best results were obtained in variant with integrated application of Carbecol, Ecolit plus ecological protection product Funecol in concentration 0,4%. The treatments had beneficial impact on fruits productivity of tomato. Experimental results demonstrated that application of Carbecol alone did not significantly increase the yield. However, the integrated use of Carbecol, humic substances Ecolit and Funecol gave better effect and the yield increased by 15,7% compared to untreated plants. Hence, experimental data suggests that the combined application of Carbecol, Ecolit and ecological fungicide Funecol could reduce the incidence of Phytophtora disease and increase tomato productivity. The integrated application of these ecological products of plant protection and biofertilizer could be an option for development of durable agriculture.

The Beneficial Effect of The Yeast Enriched with Nano Zinc Particles on Mineral Status of Grape Seedlings

This investigation included two integrated experiments, the first one is the microbiological experiment that carried out in Microbial Biotechnology Department, NRC, Cairo, Egypt, where multiple incorporation strategies were used for production zinc oxide Nanoparticles by enrichment of yeast with zinc including; (1): In the first procedure, zinc was added to the liquid medium just after the yeast was inoculated (growth phase), (2): For integration, it was added after 24 h of incubation (non-growth phase) in the second procedure. The obtained results showed that the first method (growth phase) was adopted in order to reduce the chance of medium contamination. Zinc sulphate has no passive effect on yeast cell biomass. The second experiment is horticultural one which was done in National Research Centre greenhouse on Flame seedless grape seedlings which included five treatments as follows: control (spraying with water only), frozen yeast enriched with zinc (as foliar spray), active yeast enriched with zinc (as foliar spray), frozen yeast enriched with zinc (as soil application) and active yeast enriched with zinc (as soil application). When zinc content in the grape leaves as ppm was examine after 15 days, the results showed that active fresh yeast enriched with zinc that treated as foliar spray recorded the highest rate of zinc in grape leaves (180 ppm), followed by active fresh yeast enriched with zinc as soil application which recorded 170.8 ppm. On the other hand, the untreated plants (control) showed the lowest value of zinc in the leaves (91.6 ppm) when compared with the other treatments.

IMPACT OF AZOLLA WITH DIFFERENT FERTILIZER RATES ON VEGETATIVE GROWTH, YIELD, QUALITY AND ECONOMIC EVALUATION IN ZUCCHINI

The challenge of reducing the greenhouse gas emissions (GHGs) for preserving the environment and increase the food production is one of the main challenges in the agricultural sector to face climate change impact. This challenge encourages the world for maximaizing the mineral fertilizers’ efficiency with the less utilized amount. This paper aims to evalualte the efficacy of Azolla on vegetative growth, fruit quality, yield and storability in zucchini with utilizing different rates of mineral fertilizers. The experiment was carried out in the experimental farm of Dokki site for Protected Agriculture, Ministry of Agriculture and Land Reclamation, Giza, Egypt, during two successive seasons of 2022 and 2023. Three different treatments of mineral fertilizers were applied on zucchini (Cucurbita pepo), which represented 100, 75 and 50% of the recommended dose of NPK. The applied fertilizer treatments were represented once with Azolla (soil addition at rate 5g/plant) and once without. The best vegetative and fruit properties, nutritional status of plants and yield of Zucchini were revealed by the recommended dose of mineral fertilizers (100%). The treated soil with Azolla indicated significant higher measurements such as growth, NPK content of plants, yield and properties of zucchini fruits compared with the untreated soil plants. The highest yield was recorded with the recommended mineral fertilizer dose and the treated soil with Azolla. The less mineral fertilizer treatment (75% of the recommended dose) with the treated soil of Azolla had achieved higher nutrient content, physical and chemical properties than using the recommended dose of mineral fertilizer without Azolla, however the recommended dose of mineral fertilizer without Azolla showed higher yield and fruit quality higher the 75% mineral fertilizers with adding Azolla. The highest nutrient use efficiency was performed with Azolla treatment and 50% of mineral fertilizer. The highest revenue and net profit appeared by 100% mineral fertilizers with adding Azolla, but with low to insignificant difference between the same fertilization dose with non-Azolla addition. While 75% mineral fertilizers with adding Azolla showed a high revenue and net profit with a significant difference (close to double) between the same fertilization dose with non-Azolla addition.

Plant defense activation and down-regulation root rot and wilt in chickpea diseases by some abiotic substances

Rhizoctonia solani in addition to Fusarium oxysporum f. sp. ciceris have been recorded the most closely related fungi to root rotted as well as wilted chickpea plants assembled from various locations in Ismailia Governorate, Egypt. In the pathogenicity tests, all isolates were capable of infecting chickpea plants cv. Giza 2 and caused signs of root rot in addition to wilt diseases to variable degrees. The isolate of Rhizoctonia solani number 4 with accession No. (OR074128) and F. oxysporum isolate number 3 with accession No. (OR074126 ) were the more virulent ones. In the present study, abiotic substances viz hydroquinone, salicylic acid, benzoic acid, and chitosan were evaluated compared with Topsin M-70® fungicide for controlling these diseases under in vitro in addition to in vivo conditions. The application of abiotic substances demonstrated fungicidal action was inhibited the mycelia outgrowth of the two examined fungi by varying degrees. Chitosan was the greatest efficacy accompanied by hydroquinone and salicylic acid. In the pots and field experiments, all treatments significantly decreased root rot in addition to wilt diseases incidence consequently raised the number of survival plants. The highest protection from the infection of both the tested pathogenic fungi occurred under chitosan treatment followed by hydroquinone and salicylic acid. showed the best increase over the control, hydroquinone came next followed by salicylic acid. In physiological aspects, the activities of defense-related enzymes, exactly (peroxidase “PO”, polyphenol oxidase “PPO”, total phenol content “TPC”) and photosynthetic pigments enhanced in all abiotic substances applications as contrasted with untreated inoculated plants in addition to untreated uninoculated plants.

Effect of endophytic fungi on the ability of Aphis craccivora Koch. in transmitting Bean common mosaic virus

Bean common mosaic virus (BCMV) and its aphid vector, Aphis craccivora, are essential limiting factors in yardlong bean production. The previous study showed that endophytic fungi (EF), Lecanicillium lecanii (LL), and H5 could suppress virus titer in BCMV-infected plants by its vector Aphis craccivora. Therefore, elucidation of its mechanisms is a necessary study. This research aimed to study the ability of aphids reared on EF-treated and untreated control plants to transmit BCMV. The adult aphids had been raised on EF-treated yard-long beans for three generations. The 3rd generation of adult aphids was used as vectors to transmit BCMV after acquisition feeding on infected plants and inoculating feeding on healthy plants. The disease assessment parameters were observed at four weeks post-transmission. Generally, the population number of aphids on EF-treated plants was significantly lower compared to the control. The transmission of BCMV using the 3rd generation of aphids reared on EF-treated plants affected by the prolonged incubation period, lower disease incidence and severity score, and significantly lower virus titer compared to control. Moreover, the detection of BCMV by ELISA in aphids after virus transmission showed an adverse reaction, indicating that the virus from acquisition feeding was transmitted to plants during inoculation feeding. These results revealed that rearing aphids on EF-treated plants interfere with the aphids’ ability to transmit BCMV by decreasing virus acquired during acquisition and inoculation feeding.

The interaction impact of compost and biostimulants on growth, yield and oil content of black cumin (Nigella sativa L.) plants.

This study was conducted during the seasons 2020/2021 and 2021/2022 to investigate the effect of the interaction between compost and biostimulants on growth measurements, seed yield, and oil production of black cumin (Nigella sativa L.). Four levels of fertilizer (0.6, 12, 18 tons/ha) were used. While the biostimulants were ascorbic acid (AS) at 100 ppm, yeast extract (YE) at 8 g/L, and AS at 100 ppm + 8 g/L YE. The plants were treated with these stimuli as follows: control (without addition), 100 ppm, YE at 8 g/L, and the results showed that fertilization at all levels, as well as foliar spraying with the used stimuli, led to a significant increase. Growth parameters, number of capsules, seed production, as well as fixed and volatile oil production, and plant treatment with organic fertilizers at a high level (18 tons). /ha) recorded the highest values for the trait under study. It was also shown that the foliar treatment at a concentration of 8 g/l YE was more effective in increasing the previously studied variables. All interactions were great. Most of the composite coefficients increased significantly for all the traits studied. Moreover, the application of manure at a high rate (18 t/ha) at a rate of 8 g/l YE was the best treatment. GC-MS analysis of the volatile and persistent oil showed that the main constituents of both species were also affected by the use of organic fertilizers and biotreatments. The combination of high-rate fertilizer (18 t/ha) plus AS at 100 ppm + 8 g/L YE improved main oil components compared to untreated plants.

Biochemical and Physiological Responses of Arabidopsis thaliana Leaves to Moderate Mechanical Stimulation

Mechanical stimulation of plants can be caused by various abiotic and biotic environmental factors. Apart from the negative consequences, it can also cause positive changes, such as acclimatization of plants to stress conditions. Therefore, it is necessary to study the physiological and biochemical mechanisms underlying the response of plants to mechanical stimulation. Our aim was to evaluate the response of model plant Arabidopsis thaliana to a moderate force of 5 N (newton) for 20 s, which could be compared with the pressure caused by animal movement and weather conditions such as heavy rain. Mechanically stimulated leaves were sampled 1 h after exposure and after a recovery period of 20 h. To study a possible systemic response, unstimulated leaves of treated plants were collected 20 h after exposure alongside the stimulated leaves from the same plants. The effect of stimulation was assessed by measuring oxidative stress parameters, antioxidant enzymes activity, total phenolics, and photosynthetic performance. Stimulated leaves showed increased lipid peroxidation 1 h after treatment and increased superoxide dismutase activity and phenolic oxidation rate after a 20-h recovery period. Considering photosynthetic performance after the 20-h recovery period, the effective quantum yield of the photosystem II was lower in the stimulated leaves, whereas photochemical quenching was lower in the unstimulated leaves of the treated plants. Nonphotochemical quenching was lower in the stimulated leaves 1 h after treatment. Our study suggested that plants sensed moderate force, but it did not induce pronounced change in metabolism or photosynthetic performance. Principal component analysis distinguished three groups–leaves of untreated plants, leaves analysed 1 h after stimulation, while stimulated and unstimulated leaves of treated plants analysed 20 h after treatment formed together the third group. Observed grouping of stimulated and unstimulated leaves of treated plants could indicate signal transduction from the stimulated to distant leaves, that is, a systemic response to a local application of mechanical stimuli.

Impact of plant growth promoting rhizobacteria Serratia nematodiphila RGK and Pseudomonas plecoglossicida RGK on secondary metabolites of turmeric rhizome

Plant growth promoting rhizobacteria (PGPR) are diverse group of soil bacteria that live in the rhizosphere of plants. The current research focuses on the plant growth promoting potential of two strains, Serratia nematodiphila RGK and Pseudomonas plecoglossicida RGK isolated from the rhizospheric soil of the turmeric plant. Both of these bacterial strains found to have the capacity to solubilize phosphate, zinc and potassium as well as potential to produce indole acetic acid, siderophores, nitrogen fixation, ammonia, hydrogen cyanide (HCN) and exopolysaccharide synthesis. Further, they showed the salinity tolerance up to the 6–7% NaCl and antibiotic sensitivity to Gentamycin, Kanamycin, Streptomycin, Tobramycin, and Amikacin. The isolate Pseudomonas plecoglossicida RGK also has shown antifungal activity against fungal pathogen of turmeric Pythium aphanidermatum. Treatment of turmeric rhizomes with separate and by combination of both strains demonstrated remarkable increase growth parameters of turmeric as compared to control. They improved the growth metrics of the plant such as the number of leaves, shoot height, rhizome biomass as well as phenolic, flavonoid content, and free-radical (DPPH) scavenging ability. As compared to the untreated plants, PGPR treated rhizomes showed higher amounts of secondary metabolites, primarily curcumin and additional compounds such 4-Hydroxy-2-methylacetophenone, 2,4-Di-tertbutyl phenol, aR-Turmerone, and (Z) -gamma-Atlantone. The detection of a phenolic compound, 4-Hydroxy-2-methylacetophenone, in a consortium-treated turmeric plant, which has significant biological activity is reported for first time. The use of different microbial strains in a single formulation is a new and developing trend for sustainable agriculture.