The BIOHERBICIDAL ACTIVITY OF Pseudomonas SPP (PF-097) To SUPRESS THE ALLELOPATHIC STRESS OF Trianthema portulacastrum LEAF EXTRACT ON Vigna mungo

Vigna mungo L. (black gram) is a summer pulse crop endemic to Central Asia. It is one of Pakistan's top five premium food beans and a highly cost-effective crop. Allelochemicals in Trianthema portulacastrum leaf extract effect and inhibit black gram germination rate, seedling length, fresh and dry biomass of seedling from low to high concentrations. The research revealed that in vitro leaf extract of black pigweed decrease the mash bean leaf germination percentage (34% to 6%), seedling length (10cm to 3cm), fresh biomass of seedling (2.4g to 0.94g), dry biomass (1.2g to 0.47g). Biological tool Pseudomonas (PF- 097) act as bioherbicide and as plant growth promoter agent (PGPR) to decrease the Trianthema portulacastrum allelopathic stress and to enhance the growth of black gram. The Pseudomonas (PF-097) PGPR addition in vitro experiment increased mash bean leaf germination (8-42%), seedling length (12-54%), and fresh biomass of seedling (8-17%) and dry biomass of seedling (0.47g-1.2g). In vivo experimental study revealed that whole plant material of black pigweed significantly suppress the shoot length (46cm to 18cm), shoot fresh biomass (2.6g to 0.66g) and shoot dry biomass (1.31g to 0.33g) and Pseudomonas (PF-097) PGPR incorporation in vivo experminet significantly increased the shoot length (4% to 12%), shoot fresh biomass (18% to 35%), shoot dry biomass (17% to 35%). Physiological activity of Catalase and peroxidase considerably increased in negative treatments amended with only T. portulacastrum and decreased in positive treatments by using biological agent Pseudomonas spp (PF- 097). By the amendment of Pseudomonas (PF- 097) protein content of mash bean seedling was significantly increased in positive treatments as compared to negative treatments.

Investigating the Phenotypic Plasticity of the Invasive Weed Trianthema portulacastrum L.

Phenotypic plasticity is frequently highlighted as a key factor in plant invasiveness, as it enables invasive species to adapt to diverse, complicated habitats. Trianthema portulacastrum is one of the most common aggressive species that threaten different crops around the world. Phenotypic plasticity in T. portulacastrum was investigated by comparing variation in germination, vegetative macromorphology, photosynthetic pigments, stomatal complexes, and seed micromorphological traits of 35 samples collected from 35 different localities. One-way cluster analysis and principal component analysis (PCA) were used to classify samples into homogeneous groups based on the measured traits. Pairwise statistical comparisons were conducted between the three resulting groups. The phenotypic plasticity index (PI) was calculated and compared among different groups of characters. Results showed that photosynthetic pigments and macromorphological characteristics had the highest PI, followed by seed micromorphology, and then stomatal complex traits, while germination parameters showed the lowest PI. We propose that soil moisture, salinity, and temperature are the most determinative and explanative variables of the variation between the three classified groups. We strongly believe that the phenotypic plasticity of T. portulacastrum will support species abundance and spread even under expected changes in climatic conditions, in contrast to the vulnerable traditional crops.

Response of Occurrence of Winter Weeds to Physico-Chemical Characteristics of Soil of Gandhinagar District, Gujarat, India

Gandhinagar is the capital city of Gujarat State. The paper deals with the estimation of nutrients (pH, EC, N, P, K, Zn) in soil of different talukas of Gandhinagar district. This district has four talukas with 290 villages and 10 urban habitations in the district. For the study purpose, the entire district was divided into 20 sites. Five sites of each talukas were selected. Total 20 sampling sites were selected to collect samples. The study was carried for a period of 2 year (2011 to 2013). Soil samples were colleted and analysed for their parameters like pH, EC, Nitrate, Phosphorus, Potassium and Zinc (Zn) at monthly. Zn was recorded critical in Mansa and Dehgam taluka and quite low in Kalol taluka. The occurrence types and distribution of Amaranthus viridis L., Achyranthus aspera L., Trianthema portulacastrum L, Boerhavia diffusa L., Cyperus rotundus L., Cynodon dactylon (L.) Pers., Tridex procumbens L., Parthenium hysterophorus L., Euphorbia hirta L., Vernonia cinera (L.) Less., Digera muriata (L.) Mart., Cassia tora L., Chenopodium album L., Portulaca oleracea L. in the study area of Gandhinagar showed relations with the soil in which they occur.

The impact of horse purslane (Trianthema portulacastrum L.) infestation on soybean [Glycine max (L.) Merrill] productivity in northern irrigated plains of Pakistan

Horse purslane (Trianthema portulacstrum L.) is an important weed of soybean crop capable of causing significant yield reduction. Therefore, this study assessed the impact of horse purslane and other weeds’ infestation on the productivity of soybean. Ten treatments, i.e., weed-free throughout the growing season, horse purslane-free till 20, 40 and 60 days after emergence (DAE), all weeds-free till 20, 40 and 60 DAE, weedy-check (excluding horse purslane), weedy-check (horse purslane alone) and weedy-check (all weeds) were included in the study. Data relating to density and dry weight of recorded weed species, and yield and related traits of soybean were recorded. Overall, infestation percentage of horse purslane was 33.10 and 51%, whereas dry weight was 12 and 44 g m-2 during 1st and 2nd year, respectively. The highest dry weight of all weed species was recorded at 45 DAE in weedy-check all weeds treatment during both years. The lowest relative density and frequency of horse purslane were recorded in the treatment where it was controlled until 20 DAE during 2018 at 30 DAE, whereas the same treatment recoded the lowest density of horse purslane at 45 DAE during 2019. The relative frequency of horse purslane was non-significant for weedy-check horse purslane and weedy-check all weeds treatments during 2018, whereas former treatment had higher relative frequency of horse purslane in weedy-check all weeds than the later during 2019. Yield and related traits significantly differed among different treatments used in the study. The treatment all weeds controlled until 40 DAE recorded higher number of pods per plant, 1000-seed weight and seed yield during both years. The yield reduction in weedy-check treatments was; weedy-check all weeds > weedy-check all weeds except horse purslane > weedy-check horse purslane only. It is concluded that horse purslane was not the sole weed interfering soybean fields and weed flora consisted of false amaranth [Digera muricata (L.) Mart.] and purple nut sedge (Cyperus rotundus L.). Hence, if the soybean fields in northern irrigated plains of Pakistan are infested with horse purslane or heavily infested with horse purslane or other weeds, these should be controlled in initial 40 DAE to improve soybean productivity.

Antioxidant and Anti-inflammatory Activities Mediate the Radioprotective Effect of Trianthema Portulacastrum L. Extracts

Ionizing radiation (IR) generates reactive oxygen species (ROS) which leads to oxidative stress and often leads to inflammatory responses in organisms. Trianthema portulacastrum L., a plant commonly growing in India, is rich in antioxidant phytochemicals which is responsible for scavenging free radicals, and may provide radio-protective and anti-inflammatory effects in response to ionizing radiation. The effect of T. portulacastrum extracts was studied in hepatic cells, which are susceptible to radiation-induced damage, and in macrophages which are the primary inflammatory cells of the body. T. portulacastrum stem extracts showed efficient free radical scavenging activity in hepatocytes and reduction of radiation-induced lipid peroxidation in cell and mitochondrial membranes. Treatment of irradiated cells with T. portulacastrum stem extracts enhanced cell viability, although at higher concentrations there was reduction in cell viability. Treatment with low concentration of T. portulacastrum stem extract also reduced cellular ROS generation and increased cellular concentration of the anti-oxidant glutathione. T. portulacastrum extracts also showed a marked anti-inflammatory effect in macrophages activated by the inflammatory agonist bacterial lipopolysaccharide (LPS) by reducing inflammatory gene expression and nitric oxide (NO) production, and increasing glutathione content. LPS treatment lowered expression of Nrf2, a transcription factor involved in regulation of multiple anti-oxidant genes, while treatment with low concentration of T. portulacastrum stem extract significantly restored it. Together, these observations demonstrated a potential radioprotective role of T. portulacastrum extract mediated by both its antioxidant activity on hepatic epithelial cells and its anti-inflammatory activity on immune cells

CHLOROFORM EXTRICATE OF TRIANTHEMA PORTULACASTRUM, WHOLE PLANT: AN ANTI-HYPERLIPIDEMIC IN ATHEROGENIC DIET INDUCED HYPERLIPIDEMIC RATS

Hyperlipidemia is contemplated to be among the considerable risk factor that contributes to the severity as well as incidence of cardiovascular diseases. The Anti hyperlipidemic effect of Chloroform extricate of entire plant Trianthema portulacastrum has been studied in atherogenic diet induced hyperlipidemic rats. Group-I acted as controls (untreated), Group-II acted as atherogenic diet induced controls, standard Hypolipidemic drug (Simvastatin 4mg/kg) used for treating Group-III. The Chloroform Extricate of Trianthema portulacastrum were administered orally at 100mg/kg and 200mg/kg doses for Group IV and V respectively. Serum lipid levels were evaluated after oral administration of standard drug and Chloroform extricate of Trianthema portulacastrum (100mg/kg as well as 200mg/kg) respectively at experimental study’s end. With 200mg/kg of Trianthema portulacastrum Chloroform Extricate treatment, significant reduction in serum lipid parameters like VLDL, LDL, triglycerides, total cholesterol levels and increased HDL level were seen hyperlipidemic rats as compared to control statistically. From these results, it is evident that, Chloroform Extricate of Trianthema portulacastrum entire plant treats hyperlipidemia and improves the liver lipid profile.

In silico Study of Trianthema portulacastrum Embedded Iron Oxide Nanoparticles on Glycogen Synthase Kinase-3β: A Possible Contributor to its Enhanced in vivo Wound Healing Potential

Rich amount of phenolic compounds are available in Trianthema portulacastrum L. (TP) leaves and are traditionally utilized as a wound dressing material. Oxidative stress and inflammation affect the Wnt/β-catenin pathway by modulating the glycogen synthase kinase-3β (GSK) activity subjected to delay in wound healing. The objective of the current study was to explore the wound healing effect of ferric oxide nanoparticles biosynthesized with fractionated TP extract (FeTP). The ability of TP active components (polyphenols) to inhibit the GSK was explored by using molecular docking studies. FeTP were synthesized, characterized, utilized to prepare an ointment and its efficacy was investigated against full-thickness dermal wounds. Different wound healing parameters, level of enzymatic antioxidants, hydroxyproline content and tissue cytokines level were analyzed. Histopathology was performed to confirm the healing by newly formed tissue architecture. Rats treated with FeTP showed significantly swift healing with faster wound contraction rate, high tensile strength and hydroxyproline content along with the utilization of less time for epithelialization. Histopathological study also validated the potential wound healing effect of FeTP with complete re-epithelialization. The results of the present study cumulatively revealed that the green synthesized FeTP ointment approach may serve as a potential tool for dermal wound healing.

WEED COMMUNITY ANALYSIS IN MAIZE CROP IN NATURAL CLIMATE OF KHAIRPUR DISTRICT, PAKISTAN

Weeds are the noxious plants that stunt growth and yield of many crops. This study recorded the community composition of weeds in maize crops grown at District Khairpur, Sindh Pakistan. The weeds were collected from the maize crops at three different localities using the quadrat method (60 quadrats/site). The species were identified and herbarium samples were preserved in Herbarium, Shah Abdul Latif University, Khairpur, Sindh Pakistan, for future reference. The species community composition, habit, and life span were determined. The study confirmed 35 weed species belonging to 14 plant families. The weed community was dominated by the plant families Poaceae (8 spp.), Amaranthaceae (7 spp.), and Aizoaceae (3 spp.). The most frequent species with relatively higher densities include Digera muricata (Amaranthaceae), Trianthema portulacastrum (Aizoaceae), and Corchorus olitorius (Malvaceae). The weed community was dominated with annual herbs. The community composition among the study sites was highly comparable. The study found a lack of weed management practices across the sites.