Metabolomics and Physiological Approach to Understand Allelopathic Effect of Horseradish Extract on Onion Root and Lettuce Seed as Model Organism

In the present study, we assessed the allelopathic effects of various concentrations (0%, 0.1%, 0.2%, and 0.3%) of horseradish root extract (HRE) on onion root. The average growth of onion root tips during the 0% HRE treatment (deionized water treatment) was 0.9 cm/day, which was the highest among the growth rates obtained with all HRE treatments. Moreover, the average growth during 0.3% HRE treatment was 0.1 cm/day. During cell cycle analysis, the mitotic phase fraction of the control (deionized water treatment) cells was 6.5% of all dividing cells, with this percentage being the highest among the values obtained for all treatment groups. In the control group, all cell cycle phases were identified; however, in the 0.1%, 0.2%, and 0.3% treatment groups, telophase was not identified. The ROS accumulation area of the onion root decreased, as the HRE treatment concentration increased. In the control root, the area of dead tissue was 0%; however, in the 0.1% and 0.2% HRE treatment roots, the ratio was 5% and 50%, respectively. These findings indicate that the allelopathic effect of HRE depends on the concentration of HRE applied to the onion root.

The effects of three plasma-activated water generation systems on lettuce seed germination

Irrigation water treatment using plasma technology is a new approach to improve productivity. In this study the generation of plasma-activated water (PAW) as a novel subject in agriculture is investigated. Three water treatment systems were designed and evaluated: 1^st PAW generation from vapor and injection into the water, 2^nd PAW generation using electrical discharge on the water surface and 3^rd PAW generation in the aeration path into the water. The lettuce seeds were irrigated with PAW. The germination rate and mean germination time were measured after 6 days. The seedlings weight and the number of seedlings with a length of more than 3 cm were also recorded after 8 days. The results showed that PAW had a significant effect on the germination rate and length of seedlings. Electrical discharge on the water surface had the best results. Germination rate and the number of seedlings with a length of more than 3 cm increased by 11 and 36% respectively. While injection of plasma-treated air into the water significantly reduced the number of seedlings longer than 3 cm, compared to the control. In conclusion, the PAW application can improve some attributes of lettuce germination depending on the PAW system.

Efficacy of lettuce seed syrup on insomnia in patients with breast cancer: a pilot double blind randomized placebo controlled clinical trial

Objectives Insomnia and sleep disorders are common and can be severe amongst patients with cancer, especially during chemotherapy. The aim of this study was to evaluate the efficacy of lettuce seed syrup in breast cancer patients who suffer from insomnia or disordered sleep. Methods This pilot study was a double-blinded randomized controlled clinical trial conducted in Shoha-e-Tajrish Hospital (Tehran, Iran) from September 2018 to June 2019. 50 adult patients with breast cancer with insomnia or sleep disorders were enrolled. Participants were randomly allocated to lettuce seed syrup (5 mL twice daily), or placebo syrup at the same dose for four weeks. The Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index (PSQI) was used to evaluate sleep quality before and after the intervention. Results Compared to placebo, the mean of the total PSQI score decreased significantly in participants who received lettuce seed syrup (p=0.014). In addition, there were statistically significant reductions in the mean scores of subject quality sleep (p=0.002), sleep duration (p=0.038), habitual sleep efficacy (p=0.029) and sleep disturbance (p=0.032) in patients who received lettuce seed syrup. Conclusions Lettuce seed syrup may improve self-reported sleep quality in participants with breast cancer. Larger trials are indicated in diverse samples of participants with caner to learn if these finds are generalizable.

The effects of ultra-high diluted gibberellic acid on in vitro lettuce seed germination.

Lettuce seeds bioassays have been used in many different tests such as: alellopathyc models; developing of new drugs; ecotoxicity tests. In most cases, lettuce (Lactuca sativa L., Asteraceae) has been used because of its sensitivity, simultaneous and rapid germination, reliability of germination percentage and homogeneity of seeds. The main goal was to evaluate the effects of ultra-high diluted gibberellic acid (GA3) on lettuce seeds germination and seedling growth. Experiment was performed using Petri dishes containing one disk of Whatman nº01 paper watered with 1ml of water. In each Petri dish 10 lettuce seeds(Lactuca sativa L.) cv Regina 500 were placed and 2ml of the different treatment solutions were add: GA33µmol, GA3 3CH (10-6), GA3 12CH (10-24), water 12CH and water (no dilution and succussion). One milliliter solutions were added every 2 days of experiment. The experiment was repeated twice and each one consisted in 5 Petri dishes per treatment (n=100). All seeds were maintained in germination incubator under controlled temperature (25°C) and photoperiod (16L/8D). The tested substances were prepared according to Brazilian Homeopathic Pharmacopoeia (Brazil, 2011). The experiment was blinded all the time. All seeds germinated at same time (2 days) and after 7 days the germination rate was the same in all treatments. Root was affected just by Water 12 CH, in which shown the longest length (4.59 cm) when compared with others treatments. Shoot length was higher where gibberellin was added in concentration upper then Avogrado’s number.

Lignocellulosic wastes of Carya illinoinensis (Juglandaceae) inhibit germination and seedling develop-ment of Lactuca sativa (Asteraceae)

The study evaluated the effect of Carya illinoinensis plant extracts on lettuce seed germination and development. Experiment was carried out in a completely randomized experimental design with five treatments and replications. Plant extracts were prepared from the dry ground vegetable waste. The concentration was adjusted to 10% m.v-1. The treatments were classified into: heterogeneous pruning residues (HPR), leaves residues (LR), epicarp residues (ER), mesocarp residues (MR), and control treatment (CT, 100% water). The variables evaluated were: first germination count (GP4%), final germination count (GP7%), germination speed index (GSI), germination inhibition (PGI), frequency of abnormal seedlings (FAS), root length (RL), shoot length (SL), and total length of seedling (TLS). Extracts obtained from residues of C. illinoinensis decreased the lettuce seed germination, but their effect depends on the plant tissue (e.g. leaf, epicarp or mesocarp) used at production of plant extracts. Plant extracts from HPR and MR do not result in drastic allelochemical effects. Aqueous extracts from LR and ER reduced significantly the seed germination and the normal development of lettuce seedlings, with an absolute reduction in germination of 90.2% and 79.2%, respectively. Only plant extracts from leaf residues and epicarp residues from C. illinoinensis inhibit the germination and seedling development of L. sativa.

Evaluation of compost quality from municipal solid waste integrated with organic additive in Mizan–Aman town, Southwest Ethiopia

Background The present study evaluated the compost quality from municipal solid waste (MSW) and organic additives of coffee by-products and leaf of Millettia ferruginea. Compost sample (n = 30) was taken from fresh compost materials and MSW and different organic additive treatments (T1, T2, T3, T4, and T5). Compost treatments phytotoxicity test was conducted using lettuce seed (Lactuca Sativa L. var. crispa). Analysis of variance (ANOVA) was performed using SPSS (version 22) on major compost quality characteristics. Results The compost Physico-chemical characteristics like temperature (26.4 °C), moisture content (45.5%), electrical conductivity (4.6 mS/cm), pH (7.9), total nitrogen (1.2%) and phosphorous content (2918 ppm) in T4 and T5 were analogous but both are significantly different from T3, T2 and T1 compost treatments. Phytotoxicity test using 100% compost treatment media showed that T4 (101%) and T5 (102%) are phytonutrient for lettuce plant. While, T3 and T2; and T1 compost treatments are non-phytotoxic and moderately phytotoxic respectively to lettuce plant. Conclusion Therefore, compost from MSW + M. ferruginea (T4) and MSW + coffee pulp + M. ferruginea (T5) are important for improving the physico-chemical characteristics of compost and are phytonutrient for lettuce plant. Thus, for effectively management of the 75% of organic fraction of waste generated from households in the study area, recycling methods like composting with organic additives must be used at large.

Allelopathic screening of Malaysian noxious weeds and several medicinal plants as potential alleloherbicides

Aim: This research was conducted to assess the allelopathic potential of 100 plants species, including noxious weeds and medicinal plants of Malaysia as donor plant on the growth of Lactuca sativa (lettuce) as the recipient plant. This study was also carried out to justify common weeds found in Malaysia to act as a natural herbicide for weed management through allelopathy phenomenon. Methodology: Weed and medicinal plant species commonly found in Malaysia were identified according to their morphological characteristics. Sandwich method was carried out to determine the allelopathic potential of weed species through leaf litter leachate mechanism. On the other hand, dish pack method was conducted to discover the allelopathic potential of weed species through volatilization pathway. Results: 100 weed species and medicinal plants commonly found in Malaysia inhibited the radicle and hypocotyl growth of L. sativa by both sandwich method and dish pack method. Among 100 weed species, Passiflora foetida showed the maximum inhibitory effects on L. sativa growth in both sandwich and dish pack method. The highest amount of P. foetida leaf litter (50 mg), completely inhibited the growth of radicle and hypocotyl of L. sativa. Volatilization of weed and medicinal plants leaf litter inhibited the growth of L. sativa with increasing distances of lettuce seed with the weed and medicinal plants leaf litter. Interpretation: The findings of this study provides a base line for identifying plants with allelopathic properties for controlling weed propagation.

Allelopathy of aqueous extracts of Paubrasilia echinata (Lam.) Gagnon and H.C. Lima and G.P Lewis in lettuce seed germination

O pau-brasil é uma espécie nativa ameaçada de extinção com potencial para uso em programas de reflorestamento, porém, há pouca informação sobre seu efeito alelopático na germinação de sementes de outras espécies. Sendo assim, objetivou-se com esse trabalho avaliar o efeito alelopático de extratos aquosos de Paubrasilia echinata L. na germinação de sementes de alface, visando a sua utilização em programas de reflorestamento. Amostras de folhas frescas e secas foram trituradas em liquidificador, acrescentando-se, posteriormente, 400 mL de água destilada e, após 10 minutos, as soluções foram filtradas. A partir desses extratos brutos, foram feitas diluições em água destilada e obteve-se os seguintes tratamentos: 0%, 25%, 50% , 75% e 100% dos extratos de folhas frescas e secas. Foi feito o teste de germinação das sementes de alface embebidas nos extratos, seguindo as recomendações das Regras para Análise de Sementes (RAS) (BRASIL, 2009). Foi feita a contagem diária, avaliando-se o índice de velocidade de germinação (MAGUIRE, 1962), a velocidade de germinação (EDMOND; DRAPALLA, 1958 apud FERREIRA; BORGUETTI, 2004) e a porcentagem de germinação, sendo consideradas germinadas as sementes com 2 mm de comprimento de radícula. As análises estatísticas foram realizadas usando o programa GRAPHPAD PRISM. Concluiu-se que P. echinata exerce efeito alelopático na germinação de sementes de alface. O uso de P. echinata em programas de reflorestamento deve ser criterioso, com a adoção de medidas que minimizem a alelopatia em plantas circunvizinhas.

Estimation of the Allowable Concentration of Chlorides in Soaking Effluents from the Tanning Process Using Ecotoxicological Tools

The use of sodium chloride for the preservation of pelts and skins destined for tanning is a very widespread technique in Peru, therefore the quantities used of this salt represent high concentrations of chlorides in the liquid effluents that are generated, which can affect the environmental quality of ecosystems and human health. The present study aimed to estimate an allowable concentration of chlorides in tanning effluents using ecotoxicological tools so that it would serve as a guide for the tanning industry and the authorities in their efforts to establish better conservation practices and effluent control parameters, which are currently absent from national environmental legislation. The permissible concentration of chlorides was determined using bioassays with seeds of Lactuca sativa species (lettuce), which was exposed to soaking effluents obtained from local tanneries. The studied species was determined based on sensitivity tests to zinc sulfate (ZnSO4) applied to three commercial lettuce species. The selected lettuce seed presented a germination rate higher than 90%, a CV lower than 30% and an IC50 of 38.97 mg/L of Zn+2 with a confidence interval between 19.30 mg/L and 58.65 mg/L of Zn+2. The admissible guide concentration determined for chlorides in soaking effluents from IC50 was 582.30 mg/L with a minimum value of 258.45 mg/L and a maximum of 906.15 mg/L. Additionally, because of the presence of other pollutants in the soaking effluents, such as bactericides, organic matter, enzymes and salts added in soaking process, tests with synthetic solutions of sodium chloride at the same concentrations of the soaking effluents were conducted, to evaluate the effect produced by those substances.

Water-Soluble Carbon Nanoparticles Improve Seed Germination and Post-Germination Growth of Lettuce under Salinity Stress

Seed germination is a critical developmental phase for seedling establishment and crop production. Increasing salinity stress associated with climatic change can pose a challenge for seed germination and stand establishment of many crops including lettuce. Here, we show that water soluble carbon nanoparticles (CNPs) can significantly promote seed germination without affecting seedling growth. Twenty-seven varieties of lettuce (Lactuca sativa) were screened for sensitivity to germination in 150 and 200 mM NaCl, and six salt-sensitive varieties (Little Gem, Parris Island, Breen, Butter Crunch, Muir, and Jericho) were selected and primed with 0.3% soluble carbon nanoparticles. Pretreatment with CNPs significantly improved seed germination under 150 mM NaCl and high temperature. CNP treatment slightly inhibited the elongation of primary roots but promoted lateral root growth and accumulation of chlorophyll content of seedlings grown under salt stress. Despite different lettuce varieties exhibiting a distinct response to nanoparticle treatments, results from this study indicate that soluble nanoparticles can significantly improve lettuce seed germination under salinity stress, which provide fundamental evidence on the potential of nanoparticles in agricultural application to improve crop yield and quality under stressful conditions.