Exploring Potential of Seed Endophytic Bacteria for Enhancing Drought Stress Resilience in Maize (Zea mays L.)

Water scarcity is abiotic stress that is becoming more prevalent as a result of human activities, posing a threat to agriculture and food security. Recently, endophytic bacteria have been proven to reduce drought stress and increase crop productivity. Here, we explored the efficacy of seed endophytic bacteria in maize crops under water deficit conditions. For this purpose, twenty-seven endophytic bacteria have been isolated from three distinct maize cultivars seeds (Malka 2016, Sahiwal Gold and Gohar-19) and evaluated for desiccation tolerance of −0.18, −0.491, and −1.025 MPa induced by polyethylene glycol (PEG) 6000. The nine isolates were chosen on the basis of desiccation tolerance and evaluated for maize growth promotion and antioxidant activity under normal and drought conditions. Results showed that drought stress significantly decreased the growth of maize seedlings. However, isolates SM1, SM4, SM19, and SM23 significantly improved the root and shoot length, plant biomass, leaf area, proline content, sugar, and protein content under normal and drought conditions. Antioxidant enzymes were significantly decreased at p-value < 0.05 with inoculation of seed endophytic bacteria under drought conditions. However, further experiments of seed endophytic bacteria (SM1, SM4, SM19, and SM23) should be conducted to validate results.

Nutritional comparison between hydroponically grown leguminous and non-leguminous fodder to identify the adaptability and best harvesting time for sustainable hydroponic grass production

Two types of fodder crops were evaluated in this study, maize (Zia maize) and black gram (BG) (Vigna mungo) and in maize, non-descriptive local maize (LM) and hybrid maize (HM) verity were used. LM was considered as control and changes of the nutritional composition according to the type of fodder (leguminous and non-leguminous) and the day was evaluated. For comparative nutritional analysis, dry matter (DM), crude protein (CP), ether extract (EE), crude fibre (CF), acid detergent fibre (ADF), neutral detergent fibre (NDF), and total ash were analyzed and the biomass yield was measured using weight balance and root and shoot length of experimental fodders. Results revealed that among three types of forages total DM was significantly (P<0.01) higher in HM and significantly (P<0.01) lower in BG. Considering total CP and NDF, it was significantly (P<0.01) higher in BG and HM than LM. The highest biomass yield and shoot length were observed in BG and the lowest biomass yield was observed in HM. Moreover, with the increment of days, all fodder sprouts DM% was constantly decreasing, however, CP% maintained the same level from day 1 to 5. Although from day 6 to 9, CP% increased moderately for HM and BG, CP% decreased slightly for LM. Therefore, farmer can use BG and HM for maximum utilization of nutrients and considering DM and CP% for LM day 6 was the best time for harvesting; however, for HM and BG, day 9 or more than 9 was the best time for harvesting. Res. Agric., Livest. Fish.8(3): 321-328, December 2021

Effects of Aluminium Toxicity on Root and Shoot Growth Of Rice and Chickpea Seedlings

Increasing concentrations of aluminium progressively declined primary root length and number of lateral roots in rice and chickpea seedlings grown in rhizobox. It also inhibited the root and shoot length, dry weight of root and shoot of rice and chickpea seedlings grown in solution culture. On the other hand, it enhanced shoot/root length ratio and dry weight ratio for both the genera. Bangladesh J. Bot. 50(4): 1195-1201, 2021 (December)

Statistical Modelling of a Comparative Phytotoxicity Study of Treated Yellow 10Gw Dye Solution With Copper and Aluminum in Electrocoagulation Process

This work was carried to compare the efficiency of Cu and Al electrodes in the elimination of Yellow 10 gw dye solution with the optimization of operative factors such as pH, NaCl, contact time, and current density in the electrocoagulation method. Analysis of variance (ANOVA) was used to assess the impact of these variables, with significance set at P<0.05. The data was statistically examined with Origin2021 and SPSS software, and significant differences between mean values were determined using analysis of variance (ANOVA). For each experiment, duplicates were kept, and the efficiency of Yellow 10 gw dye solution for those parameters was derived using analysis at a 5% level of significance. The utility of treated dye solutions using both the electrodes was tested on V.radiata in terms of germination percentage, root, and shoot length with distilled water as control. For all of the qualities examined, significant disparities were found among entries. The dye solution used with Al resulted in much higher germination (100%), root length (9.72 cm), and shoot length (24.5 cm).

Phytotoxic effects of essential oils from Nepeta glocephalata Rech.f. and N. ispahanica Boiss. on se-lected weed species

<p class="042abstractstekst">In the present study the bioherbicidal activity of essential oils hydrodistilled from <em>Nepeta glocephalata </em>Rech.f and <em>N</em>. <em>ispahanica</em> Boiss were investigated on four weed species (barnyard grass (<em>Echinochloa crus-galli</em> (L.) Beauv), redroot pigweed (<em>Amaranthus retroflexus </em>L.), lambsquarters (<em>Chenopodium album </em>L.) and canary grass (<em>Phalaris canariensis </em>L.)). A total of 37 components were identified from the essential oils of <em>N. glocephalata and N. ispahanica</em> constituting approximately 98.61 % and 96.1 % of the oils, respectively. In laboratory bioassay different concentrations (0, 1, 2, 4 and 8 μl ml^-1) of two <em>Nepeta </em>essential oils on germination, root and shoot length were studied. Results showed by increasing the concentration of oils, all studied traits of the weeds were decreased compared with control. In a glass house bioassay post-emergence application of <em>Nepeta</em> essential oils (1.25 %, 2.5 %, 5 % and 10 %, v/v) on 3-week-old weed plants caused visible injury (7-days after spray) ranging from chlorosis to necrosis of plant weeds. In foliar application under glasshouse conditions, both<em> Nepeta</em> essential oils reduced the seedling dry mass and concentrations of chlorophyll a chlorophyll b. The study concludes that <em>Nepeta</em> essential oils have phytotoxic effects and could be used as bioherbicides but the selectivity of these compounds should be considered also.</p>

Enhanced growth and antioxidant efficiency of Vigna radiata seedlings in the presence of titanium dioxide nanoparticles synthesized via the sonochemical method

Nanosized titanium dioxide (nTiO2) is one of the most diverse nanomaterials available today but inconclusive studies on the effects of nTiO2 on plants are withholding its successful application in agriculture. In the present work, an attempt has been made to evaluate the interaction of nTiO2 with Vigna radiata (L.) Wilczek from the seed germination stage until the plants were 14 days old. TEM analysis revealed that nTiO2 was synthesized in the size range of 1–10 nm and X-ray diffraction (XRD) analysis confirmed the crystal structure. The plants were raised hydroponically in nutrient solution spiked with two different concentrations of nTiO2 (10 and 100 mg L−1). Inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry (ICP-MS) results established the accumulation of nTiO2 in leaves. In response to the presence of nTiO2, V. radiata plants performed better as indicated by their increased seed germination, root and shoot length, higher fresh and dry weight and elevated chlorophyll and flavonoid contents. Germination percentage of V. radiata seeds increased by about 22% at 10 mg L−1 and 14% at 100 mg L−1 nTiO2 concentration. Maximum stimulation of total chlorophyll, flavonoids and phenolic contents was observed at 100 mg L−1 nTiO2 concentration in 7-day old plants, where an astonishing 8 fold increase in chlorophyll, 3 fold increase in flavonoids and 2 fold increase in phenolics was observed. However, a decrease in carbohydrate and protein contents and an increase in lipid peroxidation also marked the presence of mild oxidative stress that was neutralized by increased activity of antioxdant enzymes namely catalase, glutathione reductase and glutathione-s-transferase. The activity of superoxide dismutase was more or less stable while glutathione peroxidase activity reduced compared to the control plants. The higher ABTS and DPPH free radical scavenging activities of the nTiO2 treated plants also supported effective neutralization of free radicals.

Aluminum resistance of malting barley

Background. Barley is the second cereal crop in Russia in terms of its importance and production volume. It is used for food, feed, and industrial purposes. The production of malting barley in Russia exceeds 1.5 million tons; each year the area under this crop increases by 10–15%, reaching 600,000– 800,000 hectares. Barleys suitable for brewing must have certain physicochemical and technological properties. The main requirements for raw materials are presented in GOST 5060-86 (state standard for malting barley). An important condition for obtaining sustainable harvests is the development and utilization of cultivars resistant to a set of edaphic stressors. The purpose of this work was searching for resistant cultivars for use in targeted breeding.Materials and methods. The material for the study included 161 spring barley cultivars for brewing from the collection of plant genetic resources held by VIR. The laboratory assessment of aluminum tolerance in barley accessions was carried out at the initial phases of plant growth and development, using the method of calculating root and shoot length indices. The tested malting barley was classified into five resistance groups.Results and conclusions. Cultivars resistant to Al3+ ions were identified among different ecogeographic groups of malting barleys. The trait had a wide range of variability in terms of both the root length index (0.17–0.95) and shoot length index (0.47–0.99). Accessions with high resistance to ionic (Al3+) stress can be used in barley breeding targeted at the development of high-yielding malting cultivars most adapted to harmful environmental factors.

Amalgamation of Nanotechnology with Plant Sciences

This review paper deals with the basic aspects and advancement of Nanotechnology and its varied applications in every possible field starting from biotechnology, pharmaceuticals, drug science energy related sectors and so on. They show some explicit properties like strength, electrical, optical and chemical properties. Nanoparticles show increment in plant productivity by showing direct interactions with plants or indirectly with soil. Nanoparticles can easily be synthesized utilizing microbes and plants so they are organically protected, savvy, and climate amicable. Nanoparticles are termed as “magic bullets” because of their extraordinary properties, and for this reason they are employed in production of nano herbicides, nano pesticides. Nanotechnology does the job of addressing distinctive natural and medical problems which occurs to happen with the unreasonable utilization of pesticides and fertilizers in horticultural practices. When used in an appropriate amount and concentration they cause positive effects on the respective plants. Some of these include increment in crop production, better quality, increased photosynthetic activity, biomass, chlorophyll content and the list go on. With every positive effect comes the detrimental ones also. Inhibition of root and shoot length, reduced seed germination, inefficiency in photosynthetic activity.

Efficacy of Cicer arietinum L. & Vigna mungo L. in remediation of Hexavalent Chromium

Hexavalent Chromium is a major soil pollutant; thus, its remediation from soil deserves due attention. Phytoremediation is an area of active current research which is eco-friendly and economic. Use of leguminous plants for phytoremediation will improve soil quality, fertility and nutrient balance and would help in restoration of natural soil ecosystem. The present study focuses on the use of two commonly growing legumes; Cicer arietinum (RP1) and Vigna mungo (RP2) to explore their remediation potential towards Cr(VI) with concentration ranging from 100-900 mg kg−1 with the growth up to three weeks and were assessed for remediation potential and toxicity parameters. Higher percentage of decrease in root and shoot length was observed in RP2 as compared to RP1. Chlorophyll content was also found to be decreasing with increasing Cr stress in both the species. RP2 recorded higher BCF than RP1. Highest bioaccumulation factor 4.32 was observed in RP2 at 400 mg kg−1 concentration. Translocation factor >1 was observed in both the plants with highest as 1.67 at 600 mg kg−1 in RP2 and 1.93 at 400 mg kg−1 in RP1. Remediation percentage of 72.25% in RP2 at 600 mg kg−1 and 73.13% at 400 mg kg−1 in RP1 was observed. Both the plants showed high tolerance and remediation potential towards Cr(VI) therefore has a great phytoremediation prospect, however, RP2 can be preferred over RP1.

Effect of plant growth-promoting rhizobacterial treatment on growth and physiological characteristics of Triticum aestivum L. under salt stress

Salinity stress is a serious abiotic stress that affects crop quality and production. Rhizospheric microbes have immense potential in synthesizing and releasing various compounds that regulate plant growth and soil physicochemical properties. The aim of the present study was to evaluate the efficacy of indole-3-acetic acid (IAA)-producing rhizobacteria as biofertilizers under salt stress. Among the isolated strains from various soil samples, Bacillus megaterium strain PN89 with multifarious plant growth-promoting traits was selected and used as a monoculture and co-culture with two other standard strains. The plant promoting activity was evaluated using the paper towel method and pot test to observe the effects on the early stage and vegetative growth of wheat (Triticum aestivum L.). The treatment using PGPR strain presented noticeable but varying effects on plant growth under salt stress, that is, PGPR treatment often displayed a significant increase in germination percentage, root and shoot length, and other growth parameters of wheat compared to those in the non-inoculated control. Thus, these results suggest that B. megaterium PN89 can be applied as a bio-fertilizer to alleviate salt stress in T. aestivum.