Exotic forage grasses in the Brazilian semi-arid region: Forage mass, competitiveness, and botanical similarities of non-native pastures

The study of plant growth-promoting bacteria (PGPB) can identify outstanding bacteria for crops. For forage grasses adapted to drylands, the selection of PGPB can increase the field performance of pastures. The aim of this study was to isolate, and characterise at molecular, biochemical and symbiotic levels, diazotrophic bacteria obtained from buffel grass (Cenchrus ciliaris), sorghum (Sorghum bicolor) and Tifton 85 (Cynodon spp.) from Brazilian semi-arid region fields. Field-grown plants were collected, and the roots were surface-disinfected, crushed and inoculated in a semi-solid medium. After the formation and confirmation of microaerophilic pellicles, the bacteria were isolated and purified. All bacterial isolates were subjected to nifH gene amplification and identified by their partial 16S rRNA gene sequences. The bacteria were evaluated for the production of auxins and siderophores, calcium phosphate solubilisation, and diazotrophic ability as ‘in vitro’ plant growth-promotion traits. A plant inoculation assay was conducted to assess the plant growth-promotion abilities of the bacterial isolates. Twenty-one bacterial isolates harboured the nifH gene (nifH+), among which nine were obtained from sorghum, eight from buffel grass, and four from Tifton 85. The bacterial isolates were classified as Bacillus (8), Stenotrophomonas (7), Agrobacterium (4), Cellulomonas (1) and Paenibacillus (1). All were shown to be auxin producers, with 14 isolates showing diazotrophic capacity ‘in vitro’. Fourteen isolates increased plant N content, but the bacterial strains ESA 392 and ESA 398 (Bacillus), ESA 397 and ESA 407 (Stenotrophomonas), and ESA 401 (Agrobacterium) were shown to promote both plant growth and N nutrition. These strains are candidates for further assays to evaluate their agronomic performance under field conditions, aiming inoculant production for forage grasses in drylands.

Download Full-text

Aerosol iron solubility in a semi-arid region: temporal trend and impact of anthropogenic sources

Tellus B ◽

10.3402/tellusb.v62i2.16519 ◽

2010 ◽

Vol 62 (2) ◽

Author(s):

Ashwini Kumar ◽

M. M. Sarin

Keyword(s):

Arid Region ◽

Temporal Trend ◽

Anthropogenic Sources ◽

Iron Solubility ◽

Semi Arid Region ◽

Semi Arid

Download Full-text

The Molecular Characterization and Biological Assessment of the Leaves Extracts of Loofah Reveal their Nutraceutical Potential

Recent Patents on Food Nutrition & Agriculturee ◽

10.2174/2212798411999201110211931 ◽

2020 ◽

Vol 11 ◽

Author(s):

Takoua Ben Hlel ◽

Feten Belhadj ◽

Fatih Gül ◽

Muhammed Altun ◽

Ayşe Şahin Yağlıoğlu ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Fatty Acids ◽

Phenolic Compounds ◽

Hela Cell ◽

Arid Region ◽

Biological Properties ◽

Biological Assessment ◽

Omega 3 ◽

Hela Cell Lines ◽

Semi Arid Region ◽

Semi Arid

Background:: Luffa cylindrica is a plant that is widely distributed in Africa and Asia and it can be grown in regions with tropical or subtropical climates. Few patents dealt with Loofah biological properties, including some functional foods formulated from its leaves. Objective:: This study aimed to structurally and functionally characterize the bioactive compounds of L. cylindrica leaves grown in two different environments. Methods:: The extracts of L. cylindrica leaves collected from two Tunisian locations: Essouasi (LE), a semi-arid region and Medenine (LM) an arid region, were investigated for their phenolic compounds and fatty acids using HPLC/TOF-MS and GCMS techniques respectively. Furthermore, the antioxidant capacity was evaluated with DPPH, Chelating effect, Hydroxyl radical and Superoxide anion scavenging activities while the anticancer activity against HeLa cell lines was assessed using xCELLigence real time cell analyzer and lactate dehydrogenase cytotoxicity assay. Results:: The antiproliferative capacity of both extracts was time and dose-dependent with LE presenting the lowest HeLa cell index (CI = 0.035 ± 0.018, 250 μg/ml). LE also showed the best cytotoxic capacity (56.49 ± 0.8%) and antioxidant potential (IC50 = 54.41 ± 1.12 μg/ml for DPPH and 12.12 ± 0.07 μg/ml for chelating effet). 14 phenolic compounds were detected in LE with ferulic acid being the major compound (5128.5 ± 4.09 μg Phenols/g) while LM had only 6 phenolics. GCMS analysis showed the presence of omega-3 fatty acids in LE. Conclusions:: Our findings suggest that L. cylindrica leaves, especially when collected from semi-arid regions, are promising for formulating nutraceuticals of interest.

Download Full-text

Space-time monitoring of soil organic carbon content across a semi-arid region of Australia

Geoderma Regional ◽

10.1016/j.geodrs.2021.e00367 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 24 ◽

pp. e00367

Author(s):

Patrick Filippi ◽

Stephen R. Cattle ◽

Matthew J. Pringle ◽

Thomas F.A. Bishop

Keyword(s):

Organic Carbon ◽

Soil Organic Carbon ◽

Carbon Content ◽

Arid Region ◽

Space Time ◽

Organic Carbon Content ◽

Soil Organic Carbon Content ◽

Semi Arid Region ◽

Semi Arid

Download Full-text

An investigation of the relationship between surface albedo and urban cover types in a semi-arid region

IOP Conference Series Materials Science and Engineering ◽

10.1088/1757-899x/1067/1/012021 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 1067 (1) ◽

pp. 012021

Author(s):

Mustafa N Hamoodi ◽

Zainab R Mahdi

Keyword(s):

Arid Region ◽

Surface Albedo ◽

Semi Arid Region ◽

The Relationship ◽

Semi Arid

Download Full-text

Effect of Temperature on Sowing Dates of Wheat under Arid and Semi-Arid Climatic Regions and Impact Quantification of Climate Change through Mechanistic Modeling with Evidence from Field

Atmosphere ◽

10.3390/atmos12070927 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 12 (7) ◽

pp. 927

Author(s):

Jamshad Hussain ◽

Tasneem Khaliq ◽

Muhammad Habib ur Rahman ◽

Asmat Ullah ◽

Ishfaq Ahmed ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Climate Change ◽

Grain Yield ◽

Arid Region ◽

Field Experiments ◽

Climatic Conditions ◽

Seasonal Temperature ◽

Sowing Dates ◽

Rcp 8.5 ◽

Semi Arid Region ◽

Semi Arid

Rising temperature from climate change is the most threatening factor worldwide for crop production. Sustainable wheat production is a challenge due to climate change and variability, which is ultimately a serious threat to food security in Pakistan. A series of field experiments were conducted during seasons 2013–2014 and 2014–2015 in the semi-arid (Faisalabad) and arid (Layyah) regions of Punjab-Pakistan. Three spring wheat genotypes were evaluated under eleven sowing dates from 16 October to 16 March, with an interval of 14–16 days in the two regions. Data for the model calibration and evaluation were collected from field experiments following the standard procedures and protocols. The grain yield under future climate scenarios was simulated by using a well-calibrated CERES-wheat model included in DSSAT v4.7. Future (2051–2100) and baseline (1980–2015) climatic data were simulated using 29 global circulation models (GCMs) under representative concentration pathway (RCP) 8.5. These GCMs were distributed among five quadrants of climatic conditions (Hot/Wet, Hot/Dry, Cool/Dry, Cool/Wet, and Middle) by a stretched distribution approach based on temperature and rainfall change. A maximum of ten GCMs predicted the chances of Middle climatic conditions during the second half of the century (2051–2100). The average temperature during the wheat season in a semi-arid region and arid region would increase by 3.52 °C and 3.84 °C, respectively, under Middle climatic conditions using the RCP 8.5 scenario during the second half-century. The simulated grain yield was reduced by 23.5% in the semi-arid region and 35.45% in the arid region under Middle climatic conditions (scenario). Mean seasonal temperature (MST) of sowing dates ranged from 16 to 27.3 °C, while the mean temperature from the heading to maturity (MTHM) stage was varying between 12.9 to 30.4 °C. Coefficients of determination (R2) between wheat morphology parameters and temperature were highly significant, with a range of 0.84–0.96. Impacts of temperature on wheat sown on 15 March were found to be as severe as to exterminate the crop before heading. The spikes and spikelets were not formed under a mean seasonal temperature higher than 25.5 °C. In a nutshell, elevated temperature (3–4 °C) till the end-century can reduce grain yield by about 30% in semi-arid and arid regions of Pakistan. These findings are crucial for growers and especially for policymakers to decide on sustainable wheat production for food security in the region.

Download Full-text