Vermicompost humates as a salinity mitigator in the germination of basil

ABSTRACT: This study determined the effect of vermicompost humates as salinity mitigator in germination and morphometric characteristics of basil varieties seedlings, tolerant and sensitive to salinity, subjected to vermicompost humates diluted 1/60 (v/v) and 0, 50 and 100 mM NaCl in a completely randomized design with four replications. The rate and percentage of germination, root length, shoot height, root and shoot fresh and dry-weight were measured. The varieties showed differential response, highlighting Napoletano as the most tolerant. Vermicompost humates showed biostimulant effects on variables evaluated, allowing that tolerant variety to improve germination and growth, and increasing the salinity tolerance of the sensitive variety.

Changes in Morphology, Metabolism and Composition of Cuticular Wax in Zucchini Fruit During Postharvest Cold Storage

Cuticle composition is an important economic trait in agriculture, as it is the first protective barrier of the plant against environmental conditions. The main goal of this work was to study the role of the cuticular wax in maintaining the postharvest quality of zucchini fruit, by comparing two commercial varieties with contrasting behavior against low temperatures; the cold-tolerant variety ‘Natura’, and the cold-sensitive ‘Sinatra’, as well as ‘Sinatra’ fruit with induced-chilling tolerance through a preconditioning treatment (15°C for 48 h). The freshly-harvested ‘Natura’ fruit had a well-detectable cuticle with a significant lower permeability and a subset of 15 up-regulated cuticle-related genes. SEM showed that zucchini epicuticular waxes mainly consisted of round-shaped crystals and clusters of them, and areas with more dense crystal deposition were found in fruit of ‘Natura’ and of preconditioned ‘Sinatra’. The cuticular wax load per surface was higher in ‘Natura’ than in ‘Sinatra’ fruit at harvest and after 14 days at 4°C. In addition, total cuticular wax load only increased in ‘Natura’ and preconditioned ‘Sinatra’ fruit with cold storage. With respect to the chemical composition of the waxes, the most abundant components were alkanes, in both ‘Natura’ and ‘Sinatra’, with similar values at harvest. The total alkane content only increased in ‘Natura’ fruit and in the preconditioned ‘Sinatra’ fruit after cold storage, whereas the amount of total acids decreased, with the lowest values observed in the fruit that showed less chilling injury (CI) and weight loss. Two esters were detected, and their content also decreased with the storage in both varieties, with a greater reduction observed in the cold-tolerant variety in response to low temperature. Gene expression analysis showed significant differences between varieties, especially in CpCER1-like and CpCER3-like genes, involved in alkane production, as well as in the transcription factors CpWIN1-like and CpFUL1-like, associated with cuticle development and epidermal wax accumulation in other species. These results suggest an important role of the alkane biosynthetic pathway and cuticle morphology in maintaining the postharvest quality of zucchini fruit during the storage at low temperatures.

Root Metabolite Differences in Two Maize Varieties Under Lead (Pb) Stress

To assess root metabolic differences of maize varieties in their response to lead (Pb) stress, the lead-tolerant variety Huidan No. 4 and the lead-sensitive variety Ludan No. 8 were tested under Pb-free and Pb-stressed conditions. Changes in metabolites were measured using ultra-performance liquid chromatography–mass spectrometry. Pb stress changed the levels of the amino acids proline, glutamine, lysine, and arginine in both varieties, whereas glutamate and phenylalanine levels changed only in Huidan No. 4. Pb stress altered cystine, valine, methionine, and tryptophan levels only in Ludan No. 8. Therefore, the synthesis and decomposition of amino acids may affect the response of maize to Pb stress. The degree of change in differential metabolites for Huidan No. 4 was greater than that for Ludan No. 8. In cell wall subcellular components, increases in superoxide dismutase (SOD), peroxidases (PODs), and Pb concentrations were greater in Huidan No. 4 than in Ludan No. 8. Therefore, the greater Pb tolerance of Huidan No. 4 could be due to better sequestration of Pb in cell walls and more effective removal of reactive oxygen species (ROS) from the plant. The levels of certain metabolites only increased in Ludan No. 8, indicating that Pb-sensitive varieties may use different metabolic pathways to cope with Pb stress. Both varieties showed increased levels of some metabolites related to antioxidant protection and osmotic regulation. This study provides an understanding of maize Pb tolerance mechanisms and a basis for further development of tools for use in maize breeding.

Morphological, Chemical and Molecular Evaluations For Several Rice (Oryza Sativa L.) Races Grown Under Salt Stress Levels

A field experiment was carried out at the Agricultural Research and Experiments Station of the College of Agriculture, Al-Muthanna University during the summer season 2020. Pots of 15 cm diameter were used for planting the genotypes, with (SS, F-RCBD) and three replications. Ten different genotypes rice were used (FRI, FR2, FR15, FR16, FR17, FR18, FR21, FR25, FR27), as well as the rice varieties, which are Pokkali, Anber-33 and Jasmine, were irrigated by three levels of salty water (4.5, 7.5 and 15 ds/m). The results of the experiment showed that the tolerance of the genotypes FR21 and FR12 to salinity was associated with containing low concentrations of sodium (0.38 and 0.42%) respectively in the shoot, and a high concentration of potassium in the shoot (1.22 and 1.23%) respectively, and this result was reflected in the ratio of potassium to sodium in the shoot total was (3.30 and 2.95%) compared to the salt-tolerant variety Pokkali. Salinity caused a significant decrease in all the studied traits of the genotypes, especially at levels 7.5 and 15 ds/m, in growth traits (plant height, flag leaf area and panicle length), yield and its components (number of productive tillers, weight of 1000 grains and yield per plant). The most potent varieties in salt tolerance were FR12 and FR21, as they gave the highest yield of grains (11.72 and 16.67 g/plant, respectively), flag leave area (30.47 and 27.76 cm2 respectively). Detection for OsHKT4 and OsHKT6 by PCR proved the presence of primary locus that utilized by each gene with successfully fused genes as well as their stability under Iraqi cultivation circumstances, particularly in the case of FR12 and FR21 where OsHKT4 lanes were very obvious (2840 Kb) and the bands of OsHKT6 at (2324 Kb), which resemble to that in Pokkali Japanese salt tolerance rice. These results suggested the variation among investigated rice varieties in their tolerance to salts, where FR12 and FR21 were best in their performance under applied the salt levels conditions.

Polymorphism parental survey in three Indonesia improved varieties to support development of new submergence tolerant varieties

Submergence by flooding caused damage in rice growing areas and huge economic loss, and developing tolerant varieties is considered as the best approach to overcome the problem. Markers Assisted Backcrossing (MABC) approach is widely to develop Sub-1 tolerant varieties. The availability of polymorphic markers is among the most crucial requirement to implement the MABC method. This research was subjected to assess DNA polymorphism between IR64Sub1 and tree Indonesian popular varieties. A total of 136 microsatellites/simple sequence repeat markers were used to genotype tree Indonesian popular varieties; Cisantana, Angke and Mekongga and IR64-Sub1. A total of 39 markers covering 11 chromosomes were found polymorphic between IR64 Sub-1 and the three varieties, however no polymorphic markers found in chromosome 12. The lack polymorphic markers were also found in chromosome 10 and 11 between IR64 Sub 1 and Angke. With the completion of the missing markers, these 39 polymorphic SSR markers can be utilized to support the MABC program for the development of new Sub-1 tolerant variety with multiple tolerances.

Soybean varieties tolerance to intercropping with maize

There is no available information in determining soybean varieties that shows tolerant when intercropped with maize. The objective of this study was to determine soybean varieties suitable for intercropping, based on changes in plant growth and yield when intercropped. The field experiment was conducted from October 2019 to February 2020 based on RCBD with 2 factors. The first factor was soybean with 16 national varieties. The second was cropping systems i.e., monoculture and intercropping. Morphology and yield data were observed and subsequently analysed based on performance difference (D) of each parameter between intercropping and monoculture. Tolerance level to cropping systems with maize was grouped based on the yield-based and selection index calculations. The results showed that different cropping systems affected morphological and yield parameters on 16 tested soybean varieties. Seven varieties i.e., Derap 1, Devon 1, Devon 2, Demas 1, Dena 1, Dena 2, and Wilis were grouped as tolerant to intercropping with maize. Among these, Derap 1 was the most tolerant variety.

Changes In Antioxidant Systems And Sucrose Metabolism In Maize Varieties Exposed To Cd

While it is generally accepted that different maize varieties respond in various ways to cadmium (Cd) stress, the physiological mechanisms that determine how they respond are not well-defined. We do know, however, that antioxidant systems and sucrose metabolism help plants to cope with abiotic stresses, including stress from Cd. Seed is sensitive to Cd stress during germination stage. In this study, we investigated how the antioxidant systems, sucrose metabolism, abscisic acid (ABA) and gibberellin (GA3) concentration in two maize varieties with low (FY9) or high (SY33) sensitivities to Cd changed when Cd was added at 20 mg L−1 over different germination stages (3, 6, and 9 days). As Cd accumulated, the germination rate decreased, and growth was inhibited. The O2•-, malondialdehyde (MDA), and proline (Pro) concentrations, and the superoxide dismutase (SOD), peroxidase (POD), catalase (CAT), and lipoxygenase (LOX) activities increased compared to the CK (without Cd). The expression levels of three genes (ZmOPR2, ZmOPR5 and ZmPP2C6) that respond to oxidative stress increased differently in two varieties under Cd stress. The activity of the antioxidant system including the transcript levels of oxidative stress response genes were higher in Cd-tolerant variety, FY9, than in sensitive variety, SY33. And then, we also examined sucrose metabolism levels that were increased compared to the CK. However, it was more active in the Cd-sensitive variety, SY33. Therefore, these results also suggest that antioxidant systems are first respond to Cd stress in maize plants, and sucrose metabolism is cooperation and complement that are exposed to Cd.

Seleksi 16 Galur Harapan Cabai Rawit (Capsicum annuum L.) untuk Toleransi terhadap Salinitas

The utilization of saline soil for chili pepper production might be established by selecting tolerant varieties so that the growth and production remain stable even though they are planted on marginal lands. The purpose of this study was to determine the selection criteria for tolerant chili pepper to salinity and select a chili pepper genotype that are tolerant to salinity based on morphological characters and yield components. This study was carried out in Kolaka Regency, Southeast Sulawesi, from November 2020 to May 2021. The study was carried out on saline land nearby the coast with an average of electrical conductivity (EC) of 6.66 dS m-1. The study used a randomized complete block design with 22 lines of elite chili pepper and three replications. The results showed that characters as selection criteria for salinity tolerant were plant height, days to flowering, days to harvest, and fruit length because they had a significant effect on fruit weight per plant and high broad-sense heritability of 81.53%, 94.75%, 95.05%, and 87.45%, respectively. Based on these characters, the genotype selected as a candidate for the tolerant variety was G17. This genotype can be recommended for the development of chili pepper in saline soil. Keywords: heritability, saline land, tolerance, yield

Ion homeostasis and Na+ transport-related gene expression in two cotton (Gossypium hirsutum L.) varieties under saline, alkaline and saline-alkaline stresses

The sensitivity of cotton to salt stress depends on the genotypes and salt types. Understanding the mechanism of ion homeostasis under different salt stresses is necessary to improve cotton performance under saline conditions. A pot experiment using three salt stresses saline stress (NaCl+Na2SO4), alkaline stress (Na2CO3+NaHCO3), and saline-alkaline stress (NaCl+Na2SO4+Na2CO3+NaHCO3) and two cotton varieties (salt-tolerant variety L24 and salt-sensitive variety G1) was conducted. The growth, ion concentrations, and Na+ transport-related gene expression in the cotton varieties were determined. The inhibitory effects of saline-alkaline stress on cotton growth were greater than that of either saline stress or alkaline stress alone. The root/shoot ratio under alkaline stress was significantly lower than that under saline stress. The salt-tolerant cotton variety had lower Na and higher K concentrations in the leaves, stems and roots than the salt-sensitive variety under different salt stresses. For the salt-sensitive cotton variety, saline stress significantly inhibited the absorption of P and the transport of P, K, and Mg, while alkaline stress and saline-alkaline stress significantly inhibited the uptake and transport of P, K, Ca, Mg, and Zn. Most of the elements in the salt-tolerant variety accumulated in the leaves and stems under different salt stresses. This indicated that the salt-tolerant variety had a stronger ion transport capacity than the salt-sensitive variety under saline conditions. Under alkaline stress and salt-alkaline stress, the relative expression levels of the genes GhSOS1, GhNHX1 and GhAKT1 in the salt-tolerant variety were significantly higher than that in the salt-sensitive variety. These results suggest that this salt-tolerant variety of cotton has an internal mechanism to maintain ionic homeostasis.

Screening of Salinity Tolerance of Twenty Rice Genotypes at the Seedling Stage Through Hydroponic and Ssr Marker

Salinity is one of the major abiotic stresses which severely affect the production of crops across the world. In this experiment, we examined 20 rice genotypes of diverse origins and sources including few salt tolerant varieties (Binadhan-8, Binadhan-10, Pokkali and FL478) as check. The main objective of this study was to determine salt tolerance at seedling stage and to evaluate genetic variation using SSR markers. IRRI standard protocol was applied to screen out salinity among those varieties, at the glasshouse of Bangladesh Institute of Nuclear Agriculture, BAU campus, Mymensingh-2202. Shoot length, root length and total dry matter were recorded at 6dS/m, 8dS/m, 10dS/m and 12 dS/m salt stress levels. According to the morphological and molecular survey of 20 rice genotypes at the seedling stage it was evident that, Binadhan-8, Binadhan-10, Pokkali, FL478, IR64, IR4630, FR13A and Sadamota identified as salt tolerant whereas THDB, Moulata, MV-20, CPD-23, CPD-29, Pot-18, Pot-27 and Dudkalam those were found as susceptible, BRRI dhan67, Binadhan-17 and Binadhan-21 those were traced as highly susceptible. The highest Nei’s genetic distance value 1.0 was found in Moulata vs Sadamota and the lowest value 0.08 was observed in Binadhan-21 vs IR64. It will be used in future breeding program to develop a saline tolerant variety of rice. Res. Agric., Livest. Fish.8(1): 75-88, April 2021