Effects of silver nanoparticles on wheat seedlings growth evaluated using ultra-weak photon emissions measurements / Efeitos das nanopartículas de prata no crescimento das plântulas de trigo avaliadas através de medições de emissões de fótons ultra fracos

Ultra-weak photon emission (UWPE) is used to evaluate the effects of silver nanoparticles (AgNP) on wheat seeds germination. Three test series, using wheat seed samples in triplicate, irrigated by three different solutions: AgNP colloid, deionized water and sodium citrate dihydrate solution, had their UWPE data acquired for 24 hours at the fifth day of germination, inside an especially designed dark chamber. The photon-counts summation of each test was calculated, and correlated to its respective germination parameters – total biomass gain and total elongation of seedling aerial part. AgNP tests presented inferior total photon-counts summation and germination parameters levels, as compared to the tests using the other two solutions. Besides, the UWPE temporal profiles decreased over time for the AgNP tests, while for the other two test solutions the emission increased over time. Those results points changes in physiologic functions as deleterious effects of the AgNP contaminant. Principal Component Analysis (PCA) was applied, and the AgNP tests could be separated of the other tests due to germination parameters and UWPE data. The proposed method using UWPE measurements seems to be feasible to evaluate germination parameters of wheat seed in the presence of AgNP, and potentially in the presence of other contaminants.

Droplet evaporation patterns of wheat seed leakages differ following treatments with arsenic at ultra-high dilution level

Introduction “Agro-homeopathy” plays an important role in sustainable agriculture providing cost-saving and residue-free plant treatments for the improvement of yield and the management of diseases and pests [1]. However, one of the main difficulties in “agro-homeopathy” is the exact choice of the right remedy and dilution, which requires the performance of many time-consuming trials. The droplet evaporation method could constitute a screening method for evaluating the efficacy of extremely low doses and high dilutions on plants. Droplet patterns prepared out of wheat seed leakages show differences in their complexity in relation to the seed vigour [2]. Here we show that this structure-forming capacity of seed leakages prepared in water or in ultra-high diluted (UHD) solutions may give a reliable picture of the treatment’s stimulating or inhibiting influence on plant vitality. Materials and Methods Part of the seeds was stressed with 0.1% As2O3 (As) aqueous solution [3]. The droplet patterns were prepared out of four samples: non-stressed (ns) seeds in water, ns-seeds in As 45x, stressed (s) seeds in water, s-seeds in As 45x. The experiment was performed in a 3 day repetition, 3 replicates per day, and 5 droplets per each replicate. The resulting patterns were evaluated by means of the ImageJ software [4] for their local connected fractal dimension (LCFD) values. The plant vigour of the four samples was evaluated by means of in vitro wheat growth [5, 6]. Results The mean LCFD of patterns deriving from s-seeds was significantly lower (1.4) vs. ns-seeds (1.7). Moreover, for both ns- and s-seeds, the LCFD was significantly higher with treatment As 45x vs. water (1.8 vs. 1.7 for ns-seeds, and 1.5 vs. 1.2 for s-seeds). The results of the growth test showed a significant vigour decrease caused by As stress (shoot length 19.7mm) vs. ns-seeds (22.4mm); a significant stimulating effect following As 45x treatment was observed for both s-seeds (25.1mm) and ns-seeds (31.4). Discussion The droplet patterns seem to be a sensitive tool for visualizing the effectiveness of UHD on seeds. The experiment showed that the pattern complexity increased with the application of the treatment for both ns- and s-seeds. The growth test provided a further verification of these results. Conclusions Further confirmations are required, but even as it is now the droplet evaporation method may be considered a promising tool for “agro-homeopathic” screening tests. Authors declare that there is no conflict of interest and that this study received no funding. References Betti L, Trebbi G, Majewsky V, Scherr C, Shah-Rossi D, Jaeger T, Baumgartner S. Use of homeopathic preparations in phytopathological models and in field trials: a critical review. Homeopathy 2009; 98: 244-266. Kokornaczyk MO, Dinelli G, Marotti I, Benedettelli S, Nani D, Betti L. Self-organized crystallization patterns from evaporating droplets of Common wheat grain leakages as a potential tool for quality analysis. TheScientificWorldJ. 2011; 11: 1712-1725. Brizzi M, Elia V, Trebbi G, Nani D, Peruzzi M, Betti L. The efficacy of ultra molecular aqueous dilutions on a wheat germination model as a function of heat and aging-time. e-CAM 2011; Article ID 696298: 11p. doi: 10.1093/ecam/nep217. Collins TJ. ImmageJ for microscopy. BioTechniques. 2007; 43: 25-30. Betti L, Brizzi M, Nani D, Peruzzi M. Effect of high dilutions of Arsenicum album on wheat seedlings from seed poisoned with the same substance. Br. Homeopath. J. 1997; 86: 86-89. Brizzi M, Lazzarato L, Nani D, Borghini F, Peruzzi M, Betti L. A biostatistical insight into the As2O3 high dilution effects on the rate and variability of wheat seedling growth. Forsch. Komplementmed. 2005; 12: 277-283.

Optimization of ‘On Farm’ Hydropriming Conditions In Wheat: Soaking Time And Water Volume Have Interactive Effects On Seed Performance

Seed priming is a simple and cost effective method to obtain a better plant stand under diverse environmental conditions. The current study was designed to determine the optimal priming duration and water volume for wheat seed. For this experiment, three wheat genotypes with distinct genetic and adaptive backgrounds were chosen. Seeds of each genotype were hydroprimed for 7 durations, i.e. 1, 2, 4, 8, 12, 16, and 20 hours, in three different water volumes, i.e. half, equal, and double volume with respect to seed weight. The control was unprimed (dry) seed. The germination characteristics and seedling vigour potential of hydroprimed seeds were evaluated in the lab by recording several parameters such as germination percentage and speed, seedling growth, and vigour indices at two different temperature levels. The results showed that optimal duration for hydropriming of wheat seed is 12 hours with an equal volume with respect to original seed weight, closely followed by 8 hours with double volume. Reduction in seed performance was observed at 16 and 20 hours priming particularly at double volume treatment. Effect of temperature on seed germination showed improvement in seedling vigour at 25°C when compared to 20°C, although germination percentage decreased slightly. Volume of water and priming duration showed significant interactive effects demonstrating that a higher volume can give equivalent results at a shorter duration and vice versa.

Optimizing wheat seed treatment with entomopathogenic fungi for improving plant growth at early development stages

Aim of study: Entomopathogenic fungi (EPF) are biocontrol agents, plant growth promoters, and increase tolerance to biotic-abiotic stresses. In this study we investigated the factors associated to the application method, which are crucial for the interaction between the fungus and the host plant at initial crop growth stages. Area of study: The study was performed in Cordoba (Spain) Material and methods: Three experiments were performed to investigate: (i) the effect of different concentrations of the surfactant Tween® 80 (0, 0.5, 1, 5, and 10%) on wheat seed coating with conidia of Metarhizium brunneum and seed and conidia viability; (ii) the performance of wheat seedlings at first growth stages after their inoculation with Beauveria bassiana or M. brunneum via seed coating or soil drenching; and (iii) the role of soil sterilization and seed disinfection on leaf concentration of chlorophyll (SPAD) and B. bassiana or M. brunneum colonization. Main results: Tween® 80 concentration linearly improved seed coating (up to 127%) without altering wheat seeds and fungal conidia germination. Seedling length of inoculated plants was significantly increased with B. bassiana and M. brunneum (67% and 46%, respectively) via seed coating. Seed disinfection was key to achieve an enhancement in wheat SPAD (10-18%) with B. bassiana or M. brunneum concerning Control, that combined with sterilization of soil showed the highest endophyte colonization rates (up to 83.3% with both fungi) Research highlights: The surfactant concentration, application method, seed disinfection, and soil sterilization are key parameters to improve the potential benefits on the EPF-plant relationship.

WHEAT SEED (TRITICUM AESTIVUM L.) RADIOCARBON CONCENTRATION OVER THE LAST 75 YEARS

ABSTRACT Here we report radiocarbon measurements made on wheat seed tissue (Triticum aestivum L.; winter or spring type growth habit), from the seed archive of the IPK Gatersleben, Sachsen-Anhalt, Germany, which was harvested between 1946 and 2020. The results give an overview of 75 years of radiocarbon concentration evolution in agricultural plant products. The wheat tissue radiocarbon concentrations follow known pre- and post-bomb radiocarbon records, such as the atmospheric Jungfraujoch, Schauinsland, and NH1 datasets. Based on a Northern Hemisphere growing period from April to July, the Gatersleben seed tissue radiocarbon concentration indicates incorporation of fossil carbon of about 1% with respect to the high alpine, clean-air CO2 of the Jungfraujoch station between 1987 and 2019. We propose to use the pre- and post-bomb radiocarbon record of Gatersleben wheat as a reference in forensic investigations, such as the age estimation of paper by analyzing starch used in paper manufacture. Additionally, an advantage of the record reported here lies in its extensibility by adding new analyses from future harvests.

​Seed Replacement Rate and Management of Wheat Seed in Amritsar District of Punjab

Background: Seed is the starting point of agriculture and dictates ultimate productivity of other inputs. Quality seed of improved varieties is an important basic unit for enhancing productivity of any crop species. As the quality deteriorates during subsequent generations, the old must be replaced with fresh lots of quality seeds. The present study was an attempt to analyze the source, SRR and management of wheat seed in Amritsar district of Punjab. Methods: The current study was conducted on primary data collected from 120 farmers during the agricultural year 2019-20. The data was analyzed using simple tabular analysis and other suitable statistical techniques. Result: The study found that the most preferred source of seed was institutional sources from which 45.83 per cent of the seed was procured from these agencies. The second most preferred source was self-retained by the farmers as 43.70 per cent farmer’s preferred self-retained seeds. Only small farmers and medium farmers procured wheat seed from fellow farmers, relatives and friends. This source was preferred by small and medium farmers as seed is available free of cost and no immediate cash payment was charged by fellow farmers or relatives. Seed replacement rate was found to be 49.94 per cent for wheat crop in Amritsar district of Punjab. The study found that minimum attention was paid at post storage of wheat seed (2.50 per cent) whereas maximum attention was paid in the field (48.83 per cent) during wheat seed production. The main determinants of purity and quality of wheat seed were past experience of the farmer, repute of the institution, tag of certification agency and advice of known person. Seed replacement rate (SSR) for wheat was less for small farmers in the study area which can be increased by giving incentives to farmers for using certified seeds. These incentives can be in the form of higher price of produce to the small farmers. Maximum farmers used self-retained seed foe the next season and they paid minimum attention to the storage of seed which lead to deterioration in the quality of seed. Farmers should be educated to use scientific methods in the storage of seeds.

Preliminary study on force-like effects between As45x, water, and wheat seeds performed by means of the droplet evaporation method

Background: The droplet evaporation method (DEM) is based on pattern formation in evaporating droplets. It has been shown that the local connected fractal dimension (LCFD; a complexity measure) of crystalline structures grown in evaporating droplets of wheat seed leakages depended upon whether the seeds were treated with an ultra-high dilution (UHD) or water control.1, 2 In homeopathy it is usually assumed, that UHD’s need to come in direct (physical) contact with the organism to be treated to exhibit their action; however, recently, it has been demonstrated on a wheat seed germination model that UHD’s may influence organisms also at a distance, i.e. without any physical contact. 3 In this case the UHD's effectiveness decreases with increasing distance. Here we test whether DEM might serve also as a tool to study such force-like influences. In a series of three DEM experiments (E1-3) we studied (i) force-like effects occurring between As2O3 45x treatment (As45x) and undiluted, unsuccussed, ultrapure water (W), (ii) As45x and wheat seeds, as also (iii) whether force-like effects may be shielded by means of aluminum foil, commonly applied for such purposes in homeopathic research.

THE INFLUENCE OF THE PERIOD OF FREE WEED TOWARD GROWTH AND YIELD OF WHEAT CROP (Triticum aestivum L.) Genotype 10

Wheat in Indonesia is the second staple food. Wheat seed are processed to become wheat flour.From wheat flour can be made noodle, bread and other foods. One factor that is affected wheatproductivity is competition between wheat and weeds. The aim of the research were to know theaffect of weeding times toward growth and yield of wheat of Genotype 10, and to know weedingperiods that were critical periods of free weed of Genotype 10 wheat. This research usedRandomized Completely Block Design (RCBD) with eight treatments and five replications. Thetreatments tested were four periods of wheat crop without weeds and four periods of wheat cropwith weed. Research result data were analyzed by using analysis of variance (ANNOVA) andhonestly significant different (HSD) at 95% significant level. Research results showed that: (1)both periods with and without weeds affected number of tillers per clump, seed weight perpanicle, and (2) Seed weight per clump in period of weed controlled was highest significantlycompared with seed weight per clump in period with weed. It could be concluded that criticalweed- free periods of Genotype 10 of wheat were between 14 days until 42 days after sowing.

Biological Control of Take-All and Growth Promotion in Wheat by Pseudomonaschlororaphis YB-10

Wheat is a worldwide staple food crop, and take-all caused by Gaeumannomyces graminis var. tritici can lead to a tremendous decrease in wheat yield and quality. In this study, strain YB-10 was isolated from wheat rhizospheric soil and identified as Pseudomonas chlororaphis by morphology and 16S rRNA gene sequencing. Pseudomonas chlororaphis YB-10 had extracellular protease and cellulase activities and strongly inhibited the mycelium growth of Gaeumannomyces graminis var. tritici in dual cultures. Up to 87% efficacy of Pseudomonas chlororaphis YB-10 in controlling the take-all of seedlings was observed in pot experiments when wheat seed was coated with the bacterium. Pseudomonas chlororaphis YB-10 was also positive for indole acetic acid (IAA) and siderophore production, and coating wheat seed with the bacterium significantly promoted the growth of seedlings at 107 and 108 CFU/mL. Furthermore, treatment with Pseudomonas chlororaphis YB-10 increased activities of the wheat defense-related enzymes POD, SOD, CAT, PAL and PPO in seedlings, indicating induced resistance against pathogens. Overall, Pseudomonas chlororaphis YB-10 is a promising new seed-coating agent to both promote wheat growth and suppress take-all.