Wheat Seeds Research Articles

Using halotolerant Azotobacter chroococcum W4ii from technosoils to mitigate wheat salt stress.

Technosoils in Inowrocław, central Poland, are impacted by human activities and exhibit high salinity (ECe up to 70 dS/m) due to a soda lime repository. These saline environments pose challenges to plant growth and soil health. However, they also offer an opportunity for the evolution of microorganisms adapted to such conditions, including plant growth-promoting rhizospheric (PGPR) bacteria. The hypothesis tested here was that introducing PGPR bacteria from these environments could boost degraded soil performance, leading to better plant biomass and improved pathogen defense. Azotobacter chroococcum W4ii was isolated from the rhizosphere of wheat ( Triticum aestivum L.) for its plant growth properties on wheat plants under salt stress. Wheat seeds co-inoculated with A. chroococcum W4ii under 200 mM salt stress showed significant improvement in various growth parameters such as seeds germination (by 130%), shoot biomass (15%), chlorophyll b content (40%) compared to un-inoculated ones. Bacterial inoculation decreased the level of malondialdehyde (MDA) by 55.5% (P<0.001), whereas it elevated the antioxidative enzymatic activities of peroxidase (POD) by 33.69% (P<0.001). The test isolate also significantly (P<0.05) enhanced the level of defense enzymes like β-1,3-glucanase, which can protect plants from infection by pathogens. The bacterium could also successfully colonize the wheat plants. These results indicate that A. chroococcum isolated from the technosoil has the potential to promote wheat growth under salt stress and can be further used as a bioinoculant in the salt affected agricultural fields.

Biodegradation of Malachite Green Dye by Novel Isolated Bacillus Species AAV from Garden Soil

Malachite green (MG) dye commonly use in textile and paper printing industry to a great extent. Textile effluent released from industries including dyes must be treated before release into the environment due to its toxic nature. In present study, newly isolated bacterial species was able to decolorize MG dye (100%) in 1 h at shaking condition and 94% at static condition. 16S rRNA analysis revealed an isolate as Bacillus sp. AAV. Lignin peroxidase, laccase and tyrosinase enzymes from Bacillus sp. AAV showed significant increased activity during decolourisation. There was 138, 369 and 164% trek in activity of LiP, laccase and tyrosinase after MG decolourization, respectively. Bacillus sp. AAV could decolourise MG efficiently at alkaline pH (8-10) and at 40°C temperature. Biodegradation was monitored by UV-VIS spectrophotometer. Gas chromatography-Mass spectroscopy data was used to propose the degradation pathway of MG dye. The newly isolated Bacillus sp. AAV was able to decolourise ten various types of dyes and textile dye effluent. Phytotoxicity test by using seeds of wheat and sorghum was also carried out to check toxicity of MG dye metabolites. The study reveals that there was no toxicity with respect to tested seeds. This study suggests that Bacillus sp. AAV could be a useful microorganism or its enzyme system for textile dyes and effluent treatment.

ПРОРОСТАННЯ НАСІННЯ ПШЕНИЦІ ОЗИМОЇ ЗАЛЕЖНО ВІД ПЕРЕДПОСІВНОЇ ОБРОБКИ РЕГУЛЯТОРАМИ РОСТУ

Modern technologies for growing grain crops require the use of environmentally safe measures and methods. The pre-sowing treatment of wheat seeds necessitates the correct choice of drugs with a wide spectrum of influence on the morphological and physiological indicators of seedlings. From 2019 to 2022, the effectiveness of pre-sowing treatment of winter wheat seeds was studied using the growth regulators 1-naphthyl-acetic acid (25 ml/l), succinic acid (0.025 % solution), and the organo-mineral preparation Fulvohumin (1 % solution) both separately and in combination: 1-naphthyl-acetic acid + Fulvohumin, 1-naphthyl-acetic acid + succinic acid, succinic acid + Fulvohumin, and 1-naphthyl-acetic acid + succinic acid + Fulvohumin. The working solution consumption was 10 liters per ton of seeds. Treated winter wheat seeds were germinated for eight days at a temperature of +20°C. Laboratory seed germination, biometric parameters, and dry and wet weight of seedlings were determined and statistically analyzed. It was established that succinic acid significantly increases seed germination by 11 %, but seedlings treated with succinic acid showed slightly smaller seedling length and raw weight than the control. Pre-sowing treatment of winter wheat seeds with Fulvohumin significantly increases laboratory seed germination (up to 95 %), root length, and total seedling length. This treatment resulted in a 34.5 % increase in the dry weight of seedlings compared to the control. The highest content of dry matter was observed after seed treatment with a mixture of 1-naphthyl-acetic acid + Fulvohumin + succinic acid, reaching 17.4 %. The combination treatment with Fulvohumin + succinic acid produced the tallest seedlings (14.12 cm) and the greatest raw weight (131.39 mg). A significant increase in raw and dry mass of 8-day-old seedlings was noted after seed treatment with the mixture of 1-naphthyl-acetic acid + succinic acid. However, pre-sowing treatment of winter wheat seeds with only 1-naphthyl-acetic acid (0.025 % solution) was not effective, as it did not significantly increase germination (only by 1.3 %). Additionally, seedlings treated with 1-naphthyl-acetic acid had the shortest root length (4.99–5.78 cm). Therefore, the use of Fulvohumin enhances the effectiveness of growth regulators such as succinic acid and 1-naphthyl-acetic acid.

ВПЛИВ ОБРОБКИ НАСІННЯ МЕТАБОЛІЧНО АКТИВНИМИ РЕЧОВИНАМИ НА АКТИВНІСТЬ АСКОРБАТПЕРОКСИДАЗИ ТА ВМІСТ АСКОРБАТУ В ПРОРОСТКАХ ПШЕНИЦІ М’ЯКОЇ (TRITICUM AESTIVUM L.) ЗА УМОВ ВОДНОГО ДЕФІЦИТУ

The article presents a comparative analysis of the effects of metabolically active substances and their combinations on ascorbate peroxidase activity and ascorbate content in common wheat (Triticum aestivum L.) seedlings under water deficit conditions simulated using PEG 6000. Ten seed treatment options were studied: control (unprocessed seeds + distilled water); PEG 6000 solution (12 %); vitamin E solution (10-8M) – E; ubiquinone-10 solution (10-8M) – Q; methionine solution (0.001 %) – M; paraoxybenzoic acid (POBA) solution (0.001%) – P; MgSO4 solution (0.001%) – Mg; combinations: vitamin E (10-8M) + ubiquinone-10 (10-8M) – EQ; vitamin E (10-8M) + methionine (0.001 %) + POBA (0.001 %) – EMP; vitamin E (10-8M) + methionine (0.001 %) + POBA (0.001 %) + MgSO4 (0.001 %) – EMPMg. The experimental water deficit was simulated using a 12 % PEG 6000 solution. It was found that simulated drought conditions induced a 63.1% increase in ascorbate peroxidase activity compared to the control. Pretreatment of wheat seeds with compound E resulted in a 65.5 % increase in ascorbate peroxidase activity compared to the control and a 2.4 % increase compared to seedlings under simulated water deficit conditions using PEG 6000. The activity of ascorbate peroxidase in wheat seedlings after treatment with magnesium sulfate, ubiquinone-10, and the combination of vitamin E + ubiquinone-10 exceeded control values by 47.6 %, 35.7 %, and 31 %, respectively, but did not surpass the levels induced by PEG. This suggests a protective effect of these substances under water deficit conditions but does not completely mitigate the inhibitory effect of PEG 6000. Under simulated water deficit conditions, the accumulation of ascorbate in seedling tissues exceeded control values by 29.1 %. Treatment with ubiquinone-10 increased ascorbate content by 46.3 %, while treatment with a combination of vitamin E + methionine + POBA + MgSO4 increased it by 24.2 %. Other treatments also showed increases: vitamin E + methionine + POBA (18.8 %), methionine (13 %), and vitamin E + ubiquinone-10 (7.4 %). Pre-treatment of wheat seeds with metabolically active substances increased the activity of antioxidant enzymes in wheat seedlings, enhancing drought resistance in the Provintsialka variety. Therefore, seed treatment with these substances could serve as a component of grain crop cultivation technology under water deficit conditions.

ВПЛИВ ПЕРЕДПОСІВНОЇ ОБРОБКИ НАСІННЯ ЕКСТРАКТОМ ВІВСА ПОСІВНОГО НА ПРОДУКТИВНІСТЬ ПШЕНИЦІ ОЗИМОЇ

The article provides a comparative analysis of the effects of different concentrations of oat extract on the yield structure of the winter wheat variety "Dunyasha". The variability of crop structure is determined by several plant characteristics, such as tillering (both total and productive), spike length, number of spikes, number of grains per spike, and their weight. These indicators can fluctuate depending on growing conditions, leading to variations in yield. Antioxidants, phytohormones, and other substances in oat extract play a crucial role in protecting cells from oxidative stress and the harmful effects of free radicals, which directly impact crop structure. Pre-sowing treatment of "Dunyasha" winter wheat seeds with oat extract solutions of 30 % and 15 % concentration effectively stimulated the formation of quantitative plant structures, including spikes and stems per unit area. The highest number of plants with spikes in "Dunyasha" wheat was observed with pre-sowing treatment using a 6 % concentration of oat extract. Significant indicators of productive tillering in winter wheat were recorded with pre-sowing seed treatments of 15 % and 30 % oat extract. The weight of 1000 grains was highest with pre-sowing treatments using 30 % and 6 % oat extract solutions, while the number of seeds per spike was highest with a 6 % oat extract solution. Pre-sowing seed treatment of winter wheat with oat extract solutions of 6 %, 15 %, and 30 % concentration can be utilized as a component of agricultural technology in cereal crop cultivation. The highest biological yield values of the winter wheat variety "Dunyasha" were achieved after pre-sowing seed treatment with oat seed extract solutions at concentrations of 30 % and 15 %, reaching 65 and 51 centners per hectare respectively, compared to control values of 31 centners per hectare. Even lower concentrations of oat seed extract led to statistically significant increases in biological yield indicators. Thus, our research confirms that pre-sowing seed treatment with oat seed extract at concentrations of 15 % and 30 % maximizes the productivity of the winter wheat variety "Dunyasha". Therefore, pre-sowing seed treatment of winter wheat with oat seed extract can be effectively used as a technological element in grain crop cultivation.

Salicylic acid and Tocopherol improve wheat (Triticum aestivum L.) Physio-biochemical and agronomic features grown in deep sowing stress: a way forward towards sustainable production

BackgroundThe rate of germination and other physiological characteristics of seeds that are germinating are impacted by deep sowing. Based on the results of earlier studies, conclusions were drawn that deep sowing altered the physio-biochemical and agronomic characteristics of wheat (Triticum aestivum L.).ResultsIn this study, seeds of wheat were sown at 2 (control) and 6 cm depth and the impact of exogenously applied salicylic acid and tocopherol (Vitamin-E) on its physio-biochemical and agronomic features was assessed. As a result, seeds grown at 2 cm depth witnessed an increase in mean germination time, germination percentage, germination rate index, germination energy, and seed vigor index. In contrast, 6 cm deep sowing resulted in negatively affecting all the aforementioned agronomic characteristics. In addition, deep planting led to a rise in MDA, glutathione reductase, and antioxidants enzymes including APX, POD, and SOD concentration. Moreover, the concentration of chlorophyll a, b, carotenoids, proline, protein, sugar, hydrogen peroxide, and agronomic attributes was boosted significantly with exogenously applied salicylic acid and tocopherol under deep sowing stress.ConclusionsThe results of the study showed that the depth of seed sowing has an impact on agronomic and physio-biochemical characteristics and that the negative effects of deep sowing stress can be reduced by applying salicylic acid and tocopherol to the leaves.

First Report of Globisporangium ultimum Causing Pythium Damping-off and Root Rot on Pepper in Guizhou, China.

Pepper (Capsicum annuum L.) is a popular vegetable and condiment consumed around the world. In the Guizhou Province of China, peppers are the most commonly grown crop on 300,000 planted hectares. A variety of diseases routinely occur on peppers in this province, resulting in yield losses (Liu et al., 2022). Root rot is one of the most common symptoms and produces poor root growth and wilting of pepper. In April 2023, symptomatic pepper plants displaying stunting, dwarfism, wilting, and root browning were collected from five fields in Guizhou, with disease incidence ranging from 10% to 20%. The collected rotten roots were cleaned with sterilize distilled water and placed in selective V8 juice agar (V8A) medium (15% clarified V8 juice with 2.5 g/L CaCO3 and 2% agar) containing nystatin, ampicillin, rifampicin, and miconazole, and incubated at 25℃ for 1 to 2 days (Morita and Tojo, 2007). Eight isolates with similar colony morphology were transferred to V8A medium via hyphal tipping, and incubated at 25℃ in the dark. Colony and sexual structures were observed using a microscope. Mycelium was aseptate and formed white cottony colonies. Globose, intercalary, or terminal hyphal swellings were observed with a diameter of 20.5 to 25 µm (average: 22 µm), and aplerotic oospores had a diameter of 15 to 20 µm (average: 17.5 µm) with a wall thickness of approximately 2 µm. Three representative isolates HSLJ-3, LJG-1, and LJY-2 were chosen for further molecular identification. Sequences of the internal transcribed spacer (ITS) and mitochondrial cytochrome c oxidase subunit 1 (cox1) genes were identified using primer sets ITS4/ITS5 (White et al., 1990) and OomCoxI-Levup/OomCoxI-Levlo (Robideau et al., 2011), respectively. All sequences were deposited in GenBank (accession nos. OR554005, PP083310, and PP083420 for ITS, and OR529247, PP093821 and PP093822 for cox1). BLAST analysis revealed all ITS and cox1 sequences exhibited 100% identity with Globisporangium ultimum (Pythium ultimum) isolate BR850 (GenBank accession nos. HQ643892.1 and HQ708933.1 for ITS and cox1, respectively). Phylogenetic analysis was performed by the maximum-likelihood method on the CIPRES web portal (https://www.phylo.org/portal2/login!input.action, accessed on 9 January 2024). For pathogenicity tests, each isolate was cultured in V8A medium containing 50 autoclaved wheat seeds at 25℃ for 7 days. Budding pepper seedling (cv. Huaxi) was transplanted into a 0.4 L pot containing sterilized commercial potting mix (Seedling Cultivation Substrate, Hunan Xianghui Agricultural E-commerce Co., Ltd.) which was saturated with deionized water. Eight infected and non-infected wheat seeds were placed near the roots of five pepper seedlings, respectively. Plants were placed in an artificial climate chamber, with a 14 h photoperiod and approximately 75% relative humidity at 25℃. After 14 days, inoculated seedlings showed symptoms of stunting, wilting, and rotting roots similar to those observed in the field. No disease was observed on the non-inoculated control plants. The pathogen was isolated from infected pepper roots and confirmed as G. ultimum by morphological and molecular analyses as previously described. This is the first report of G. ultimum causing root rot on pepper in Guizhou, China. This finding is critical to the discover of treatment options for this pathogen, thereby improving management practices to reduce yield losses in pepper.

ZIF-8@Hydroxyapatite Composite as a High Potential Material for Prolonged Delivery of Agrochemicals.

Although agrochemical practices can enhance agricultural productivity, their intensive application has resulted in the deterioration of ecosystems. Therefore, it is necessary to develop more efficient and less toxic methods against pests and infections while improving crop productivity. Moving toward sustainable development, in this work, we originally described the preparation of a composite (ZIF-8@HA) consisting of the coating of zeolitic-like metal-organic framework (MOF) ZIF-8 (based on Zn, an essential micronutrient in plants with antibacterial, antifungal, and antifouling properties) with hydroxyapatite (HA) nanoparticles (i.e., nanofertilizer). The interaction between the HA and ZIF-8 has been characterized through a combination of techniques, such as microscopic techniques, where the presence of a HA coating is demonstrated; or by analysis of the surface charge with a dramatic change in the Z-potential (from +18.7 ± 0.8 to -27.6 ± 0.7 mV for ZIF-8 and ZIF-8@HA, respectively). Interestingly, the interaction of HA with ZIF-8 delays the MOF degradation (from 4 h for pristine ZIF-8 to 168 h for HA-coated material), providing a slower and gradual release of zinc. After a comprehensive characterization, the potential combined fertilizer and bactericidal effect of ZIF-8@HA was investigated in wheat (Triticum aestivum) seeds and Pseudomonas syringae (Ps). ZIF-8@HA (7.3 ppm) demonstrated a great fertilizer effect, increasing shoot (9.4 %) and root length (27.1 %) of wheat seeds after 11 days at 25 °C under dark conditions, improving the results obtained with HA, ZIF-8, or ZnSO4 or even physically mixed constituents (HA + ZIF-8). It was also effective in the growth inhibition (>80 % of growth inhibition) of Ps, a vegetal pathogen causing considerable crop decline. Therefore, this work demonstrates the potential of MOF@HA composites and paves the way as a promising agrochemical with improved fertilizer and antibacterial properties.

Development, characterization, and evaluation of Zn-SA-chitosan bionanoconjugates on wheat seed, experiencing chilling stress during germination

This study aimed to develop and characterize the chitosan bionanoconjugates (BNCs) loaded with zinc (Zn) and salicylic acid (SA) and test their efficacy on wheat seed exposed to chilling stress. BNCs developed were spherical (480 ± 6.0 nm), porous, and positively charged (+25.2 ± 2.4 mV) with regulated nutrient release properties. They possessed complexation efficiency of 78.4 and 58.9 % for Zn, and SA respectively. BET analysis further confirmed a surface area of 12.04 m2/g. Release kinetics substantiated the release rates of Zn and SA, as 0.579 and 0.559 % per hour, along with a half-life of 119.7 and 124.0 h, respectively. BNCs positively affected the germination potential of wheat seeds under chilling stress as observed by significantly (p < 0.05) reduced mean emergence time (18 %), and increased germination rate (22 %), compared to the control. Higher activities of reserve mobilizing enzymes (α-amylase- 6.5 folds, protease −10.2 folds) as well as faster reserve mobilization of starch (64.4 %) and protein (63.5 %) molecules were also observed. The application further led to increased levels of the antioxidant enzymes (SOD and CAT) and reduced oxidative damage (MDA and H2O2). Thus, it is inferred that the developed BNCs could help substantially improve the germination and reserve mobilization potential, thereby increasing the crop yield.

The Preparation and Contact Drying Performance of Encapsulated Microspherical Composite Sorbents Based on Fly Ash Cenospheres.

Sorption technologies are essential for various industries because they provide product quality and process efficiency. New encapsulated microspherical composite sorbents have been developed for resource-saving contact drying of thermolabile materials, particularly grain and seeds of crops. Magnesium sulfate, known for its high water capacity, fast sorption kinetics, and easy regeneration, was used as an active moisture sorption component. To localize the active component, porous carriers with an accessible internal volume and a perforated glass-crystalline shell were used. These carriers were created by acid etching of cenospheres with different structures isolated from fly ash. The amount of magnesium sulfate included in the internal volume of the microspherical carrier was 38 wt % for cenospheres with ring structures and 26 wt % for cenospheres with network structures. Studies of the moisture sorption properties of composite sorbents on wheat seeds have shown that after 4 h of contact drying the moisture content of wheat decreases from 22.5 to 14.9-15.5 wt %. Wheat seed germination after sorption drying was 95 ± 2%. The advantage of composite sorbents is the encapsulation of the desiccant in the inner volume of perforated cenospheres, which prevents its entrainment and contamination and provides easy separation and stable sorption capacity in several cycles.

Enhanced wheat productivity in saline soil through the combined application of poultry manure and beneficial microbes

BackgroundSoil salinity is one of the major menaces to food security, particularly in dealing with the food demand of the ever-increasing global population. Production of cereal crops such as wheat is severely affected by soil salinity and improper fertilization. The present study aimed to examine the effect of selected microbes and poultry manure (PM) on seedling emergence, physiology, nutrient uptake, and growth of wheat in saline soil. A pot experiment was carried out in research area of Institute of Soil and Environmental Sciences, University of Agriculture, Faisalabad, Pakistan. Saline soil (12 dS m− 1 w/w) was developed by spiking using sodium chloride, and used in experiment along with two microbial strains (i.e., Alcaligenes faecalis MH-2 and Achromobacter denitrificans MH-6) and PM. Finally, wheat seeds (variety Akbar-2019) were sown in amended and unamended soil, and pots were placed following a completely randomized design. The wheat crop was harvested after 140 days of sowing.ResultsThe results showed a 10–39% increase (compared to non-saline control) in agronomic, physiological, and nutritive attributes of wheat plants when augmented with PM and microbes. Microbes together with PM significantly enhanced seedling emergence (up to 38%), agronomic (up to 36%), and physiological (up to 33%) in saline soil as compared to their respective unamended control. Moreover, the co-use of microbes and PM also improved soil’s physicochemical attributes and enhanced N (i.e., 21.7%-17.1%), P (i.e., 24.1-29.3%), and K (i.e., 28.7%-25.3%) availability to the plant (roots and shoots, respectively). Similarly, the co-use of amendments also lowered the Na+ contents in soil (i.e., up to 62%) as compared to unamended saline control. This is the first study reporting the effects of the co-addition of newly identified salt-tolerant bacterial strains and PM on seedling emergence, physiology, nutrient uptake, and growth of wheat in highly saline soil.ConclusionOur findings suggest that co-using a multi-trait bacterial culture and PM could be an appropriate option for sustainable crop production in salt-affected soil.

Combined contamination of microplastic and antibiotic alters the composition of microbial community and metabolism in wheat and maize rhizosphere soil

The widespread application of antibiotics and plastic films in agriculture has led to new characteristics of soil pollution. The impacts of combined contamination of microplastics and antibiotics on plant growth and rhizosphere soil bacterial community and metabolisms are still unclear. We conducted a pot experiment to investigate the effects of polyethylene (0.2%) and norfloxacin/doxycycline (5 mg kg–1), as well as the combination of polyethylene and antibiotics, on the growth, rhizosphere soil bacterial community and metabolisms of wheat and maize seedlings. The results showed that combined contamination caused more serious damage to plant growth than individual contamination, and aggravated root oxidative stress responses. The diversity and structure of soil bacterial community were not markedly altered, but the composition of the bacterial community, soil metabolisms and metabolic pathways were altered. The co-occurrence network analysis indicated that combined contamination may inhibit the growth of wheat and maize seedings by simplifying the interrelationships between soil bacteria and metabolites, and altering the relative abundance of specific bacteria genera (e.g. Kosakonia and Sphingomonas) and soil metabolites (including sugars, organic acids and amino acids). The results help to elucidate the potential mechanisms of phytotoxicity of the combination of microplastic and antibiotics.

Chlorophyll Content Evolution of Wheat Triticum aestivum L. var. Alex under Different Salinity Doses

Salinity stress has effects on plants as harmful as those caused by drought. This research aim was to evaluate the changes in wheat total chlorophyll content estimation under salinity stress. The experiment was set up on October 15, 2022, by sowing wheat seeds var. Alex in field conditions, in mezo-phyto-cosmos, under six treatments, 0, 15, 30, 45, 60, and 75 mM NaCl. The total chlorophyll content estimation of leaves, flag leaves, and spikes was measured with a chlorophyll meter. The assessments were taken periodically for leaf greenness during in (Biologische Bundesanstalt, Bundessortenamt und CHemische Industrie) BBCH 11, 14, 51 and at the end of the experiment for flag leaves and spikes greenness. The highest values for leaves total chlorophyll were registered at all treatments except 75 mM NaCl at the fourth evaluation. For flag leaves chlorophyll content, measured at the end of the experiment, the highest value was registered in the control treatment, significantly higher compared to the 15, 45, 60, and 75 mM NaCl by 38%, 86%, 88%, and 91%. The spike chlorophyll content showed no significant differences between all the treatments. Higher doses of saline treatment significantly affect the leaves chlorophyll content, decrease the flag leaf, and spike greenness.

Screening of Endophytic Antagonistic Bacteria in Wheat and Evaluation of Biocontrol Potential against Wheat Stripe Rust.

Wheat stripe rust is globally one of the most important diseases affecting wheat. There is an urgent need to develop environmentally safe and durable biological control options to supplement the control that is achieved with breeding and fungicides. In this study, endophytic bacteria were isolated from healthy wheat through the tissue separation method. Antagonistic endophytic bacteria were screened based on the control effect of urediniospore germination and wheat stripe rust (WSR). The taxonomic status of antagonistic strains was determined based on morphological, physiological, and biochemical characteristics and molecular biological identification (16S rDNA and gyrB gene sequence analysis). Finally, the potential growth-promoting effect of different concentrations of antagonists on wheat seedlings and the biological control effect of WSR were studied. A total of 136 strains of endophytic bacteria belonging to 38 genera were isolated. Pseudomonas was the most common bacterial genus, with 29 isolates (21%). The biological control effect of different isolates was assessed using an urediniospore germination assay. The isolate XD29-G1 of Paenibacillus polymyxa had the best performance, with 85% inhibition of spore germination during primary screening. In the deep screening, the control effect of XD29-G1 on wheat stripe rust was 60%. The antagonist XD29-G1 promoted the germination of wheat seeds and the growth of wheat seedlings at a solution dilution of 10-7 cfu/mL. The pot experiment results showed that different dilution concentrations of the strain had different levels of antibacterial activity against WSR, with the concentration of 10-1 cfu/mL having the best control effect and a control efficiency of 61.19%. XD29-G1 has better biological control potential against wheat stripe rust.

Air-engaged synthesis of yeast biomass-derived porous O, P-codoped biochar as metal free catalyst towards water decontamination

Facile and sustainable preparation of effective metal-free catalysts using natural biomass as a feedstock is essential but challenging for peroxymonosulfate activation in degrading organic pollutants in wastewater. In this study, we develop an air-engaged pyrolysis method to successfully prepare O, P dual-doped porous carbon material (Yeast-T) using biomass yeast as a feedstock. Among the samples, Yeast-650 exhibits the highest performance in activating peroxymonosulfate towards the destruction of methyl orange, achieving a removal efficiency of 98 % in 30 min and a rate constant of 0.226 min-1. The non-radical pathway, with singlet oxygen as the active substance, dominates the destruction of methyl orange over the Yeast-650/peroxymonosulfate system. Based on the detected intermediates, four possible pathways for methyl orange degradation by the Yeast-650/peroxymonosulfate system are unveiled. The toxicity analysis of the degradation products was evaluated by calculating and comparing the radicle length of mung bean in different solutions and the germination of wheat seeds in different solutions. This study presents a simple and feasible air-mediated synthetic method for high-performance metal-free peroxymonosulfate activators in the removal of organic pollutants.

The Coupling Effects of PGPR Inoculation and Foliar Spraying of Strigolactone in Mitigating the Negative Effect of Salt Stress in Wheat Plants: Insights from Phytochemical, Growth, and Yield Attributes

Salt stress has detrimental effects on wheat plants at several physiological, biochemical, and molecular levels. This stress leads to suppressed growth, reduced grain yield, and poor quality of harvested grains. However, two approaches have shown promise for improving wheat salt tolerance: using a synthetic strigolactone analog called GR24 and applying plant growth-promoting rhizobacteria (PGPR). GR24 plays a vital role in regulating plant growth and development and in defense against various stresses. Conversely, PGPR are beneficial bacteria that colonize the rhizosphere of plants and promote their growth through multiple mechanisms. In our study, we investigated the effects of salinity on the growth and yield traits of two different wheat cultivars and explored the combined role of PGPR and GR24 in mitigating the impact of salt stress. We created three different salinity levels using NaCl in pots (original, 5 dS m−1, and 10 dS m−1) and inoculated wheat seeds with a salt-tolerant Bacillus velezensis UTB96 strain. In addition, we applied 10 μM GR24 via foliar application during the pollination stage. Our observations showed that salt stress negatively affected wheat’s growth, yield, and phytochemical properties compared to the control. However, both single and combined applications of PGPR and GR24 mitigated the adverse effects of salinity. The combined treatment had a more substantial impact than either alone in inducing and improving biochemical and ionic characteristics. These included decreasing Na+ content in both leaves and roots, and EL, H2O2, and MDA content in leaves while increasing K+ content in both leaves and roots, growth and yield-related traits, RWC, chlorophyll pigments, total protein, soluble sugar, starch, proline, GB, and antioxidant enzyme activity (APX, POX, and CAT) of leaves. In conclusion, integrating PGPR and GR24 can efficiently induce salt tolerance and improve plant growth under stressed conditions. This combined approach has the potential for broad applicability in supporting plant growth in the presence of salt stress.

Macroanalysis of Winter Wheat Seeds and Features of their Germination

Macroanalysis of Winter Wheat Seeds and Features of their Germination

Effects of temperature fluctuations on the germination and vigor of durum wheat seeds in Algeria

Understanding the influence of temperature variations on durum wheat seed germination is of practical importance to farmers, researchers and agricultural decision-makers. The ability of seeds to germinate optimally is crucial to ensuring satisfactory crop yields. The main objective of this work is to analyze the impact of temperature variations on the viability and vigor of durum wheat seeds in Algeria. To achieve this goal, we adopted a comprehensive approach that primarily focused on studying the morphological, physiological, biochemical, and technological parameters (such as germination, seedling growth kinetics, soluble protein, proline, and soluble sugar content) of the seeds. Indeed, over a span of two years, four wheat varieties (Bousselam, Setifis, Megress, Saoura) were subjected to two distinct temperature and humidity conditions for the duration of the study. The first condition involved ambient temperatures fluctuating between 11°C and 37°C, with relative humidity ranging from 30% to 85%. However, the second condition involved storing the seeds in a cold room at a temperature of -04°C and a humidity of 12%. The results show significant variations in the germination rate of all varieties under both temperature conditions F=40, 54 P=0,000, with variety Bousselam (B) roving to be the most resistant to thermal changes. According to the results obtained, temperature affects the growth of the roots of the S variety, while the Bousselam (B), Megress(M), Saoura (SW) are not affected; in addition, storage under both temperature conditions has an impact on the average number of roots and the length of coleoptiles. Protein analyses revealed significant effects of storage under ambient conditions (F=4,70 P=0,000), while in the cold room, these effects were attenuated. In addition, storage showed variations in soluble sugar and proline content, with different responses under the two temperature conditions. These results underline the importance of understanding the responses of durum wheat varieties to variable thermal conditions, offering useful prospects for improving agricultural practices and preserving seed quality in changing environments.

Characterization of Rhizobia Isolated from Tigray Soil and Assessment of Their Effect on Germination and Seedling Vigor of Wheat and Field Pea

Nowadays, the inoculation of plant growth-promoting rhizobia in leguminous and nonleguminous crops is given great emphasis as it improves germination and seedling vigor, resulting in increased yields. In this study, 32 rhizobia isolates were obtained from five different sampling sites in Tigray, Ethiopia. Based on morphological, biochemical, and confirmatory tests, including sugar fermentation, the isolates were identified as belonging to the rhizobia genera. In vitro assessment of plant growth-promoting properties revealed that all isolates produced indole-acetic-acid, ammonia, and solubilized phosphate, except TA8, which did not solubilize phosphate. Only 3 isolates (TA1, TA2, and TA8) produced hydrogen cyanide, so they can be used as biocontrol agents. Nineteen isolates showed a growth reduction activity against Fusarium oxysporum, with a percent inhibition range of 34.2%–65.8%. All isolates tolerated a pH range of 4.0–9.0. The isolates showed growth variations in various temperatures and salt concentrations. A few isolates were tolerant up to 45°C temperature and 6% (w/v) CaCl2 and NaCl concentrations. Inoculation of the isolates to wheat seeds increased seed germination, seedling shoot/root length, and seedling vigor index compared to the positive and negative controls. Isolates KO3, KO4, ME3, and TA5 increased seed germination by 4%. KO1 (11.60 cm) and TA7 (11.70 cm) showed a significantly enhanced shoot length, and ME3 showed a maximum root length (13.90 cm). SH1, KO2, and the positive control showed a significant (P≤0.05) increase in pea seed germination (by 20%) compared to the negative control. The positive control had the longest field pea shoot (5.70 cm), and isolate TA9 had the longest field pea root (5.32 cm) compared to the negative control. Generally, the wheat and field pea seedlings responded differently to the inoculation of different isolates. This study shows that Tigray soils harbor a variety of rhizobia species, which can be used as plant growth-promoting and biocontrol agents.

IMPACT OF SOIL STERILIZATION FROM DIFFERENT LOCATIONS, WHEAT SEEDS CLEANING AND THEIR INTERACTIONS ON WEED CONTROL, AND YIELD AND YIELD COMPONENTS

IMPACT OF SOIL STERILIZATION FROM DIFFERENT LOCATIONS, WHEAT SEEDS CLEANING AND THEIR INTERACTIONS ON WEED CONTROL, AND YIELD AND YIELD COMPONENTS