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Globally, Food security main threaten by abiotic stress like salinity and levels amongst the majority serious environmental stressors which reduce crop yield mass production. Biochar application has received much attention in agricultural practices as it enhances crop quality and production. The present study was carried out to analyze the role of lysine zinc and biochar on growth enhancement of wheat (Triticum aestivum L. cv. PU-2011) under saline stress (EC 7.17 dSm-1). Seeds were sown in pots containing saline soil with and without 2% biochar, and foliar application of Zn-lysine (0, 1.0, and 2.0 mM) was made at different time intervals during plant growth. A combined application of biochar and Zn-lysine 2.0 mM highly improved the physiological attributes such as chlorophyll a (37%), chlorophyll b (60%), total chlorophyll (37%), carotenoids (16%), photosynthesis rate (Pn) 45%, stomatal conductance (gs) 53%, transpiration rate (Tr) 56%, and water use efficiency (WUE) 55%. The levels of malondialdehyde (MDA) 38%, hydrogen peroxide (H2O2) 62%, and electrolyte leakage (EL) 48% were decreased with the combined application of biochar and Zn-lysine 2.0 mM as compared with other treatments. The activities of catalase (CAT) 67%, superoxide dismutase (SOD) 70%, and ascorbate peroxidase (APX) 61% as well as catalase (CAT) 67% were regulated with the combined biochar and Zn-lysine 2.0 mM treatment. Similarly, the combined application of biochar and zinc-lysine (2.0 mM) enhanced the growth and yield attributes such as shoot length (79%), root fresh weight (62%), shoot fresh weight (36%), root dry weight (86%), shoot dry weight (39%), grain weight (57%), and spike length (43%) as compared with untreated control. The concentrations of sodium (Na) decreased whereas potassium (K), iron (Fe), and zinc (Zn) concentrations were enhanced in plants with the combined application of Zn-lysine and biochar. Overall, results showed that the combined application of Zn-lysine (2.0 mM) and biochar significantly inhibited the negative effect of salinity and improved the growth and physiological performance of wheat plants. The combined use of Zn-lysine and biochar might be a practical solution to tackle salt stress in plants, but field studies by growing various crops under varied environmental conditions are needed before any recommendation to farmers.

Table grape berries are classified as a perishable crop that deteriorates quickly after harvest. The application of melatonin after harvest was found to be effective for retarding senescence and slowing ripening. In the current study, we tested the influence of two melatonin concentrations (50 and 100 µmol) as a postharvest application on quality, bioactive compounds, and enzyme activities of grape berries cv “Crimson” stored at 0 ± 1 °C and 90% relative humidity (RH) for 35 days. Our results indicated that melatonin application extends the shelf-life of berries by reducing weight loss and maintaining total soluble solids (TSS), titratable acidity (TA), berry adherence strength, and firmness. Melatonin treatment also reduced pectin methyl esterase (PME) and polygalactouranase (PG) enzyme activities compared to the control. Moreover, O2•− and H2O2 rates in berries were reduced by high melatonin concentration. Moreover, peroxidase (POD) and catalase (CAT) enzyme activities were increased by melatonin application. Our findings suggested using melatonin postharvest to increase shelf life and maintain quality attributes during refrigerated storage, which could be advantageous on a large scale.

Background Since the root nodules formation is regulated by specific and complex interactions of legume and rhizobial genes, there are still too many questions to be answered about the role of the genes involved in the regulation of the nodulation signaling pathway. Results The genetic and biological roles of the isoflavone-7-O-beta-glucoside 6″-O-malonyltransferase gene GsIMaT2 from wild soybean (Glycine soja) in the regulation of nodule and root growth in soybean (Glycine max) were examined in this work. The effect of overexpressing GsIMaT2 from G. soja on the soybean nodulation signaling system and strigolactone production was investigated. We discovered that the GsIMaT2 increased nodule numbers, fresh nodule weight, root weight, and root length by boosting strigolactone formation. Furthermore, we examined the isoflavone concentration of transgenic G. max hairy roots 10 and 20 days after rhizobial inoculation. Malonyldaidzin, malonylgenistin, daidzein, and glycitein levels were considerably higher in GsMaT2-OE hairy roots after 10- and 20-days of Bradyrhizobium japonicum infection compared to the control. These findings suggest that isoflavones and their biosynthetic genes play unique functions in the nodulation signaling system in G. max. Conclusions Finally, our results indicate the potential effects of the GsIMaT2 gene on soybean root growth and nodulation. This study provides novel insights for understanding the epistatic relationship between isoflavones, root development, and nodulation in soybean. Highlights * Cloning and Characterization of 7-O-beta-glucoside 6″-O-malonyltransferase (GsIMaT2) gene from wild soybean (G. soja). * The role of GsIMaT2 gene in the regulation of root nodule development. *Overexpression of GsMaT2 gene increases the accumulation of isoflavonoid in transgenic soybean hairy roots. * This gene could be used for metabolic engineering of useful isoflavonoid production.

Calla lily (Zantedeschia albomaculata (Hook.) Baill.) is an herbaceous or semi-evergreen perennial grown from rhizomes. It is commonly named “Spotted Arum”. Ribosomal RNAs (rRNAs) are found in all known organisms and are known for being functionally equivalent in all of them. A completely new in vitro culture protocol was applied to Z. albomaculata with two hormones, 6-Benzylaminopurine (BAP) and kinetin, to obtain full growth and multiplication. Due to their highly conserved sequences, the analysis of small-subunit rRNAs (16S–18S rRNAs) can provide precise statistical evaluation of a wide variety of phylogenetic connections. As a result, the plant’s 18S rRNA gene allowed for identification and partial sequencing. Also, the traditional floral method and the novel application technique for identification were applied to Z. albomaculata. In this paper we systemically describe the structural strategies of the plant’s adaptation to the surroundings at the morphological, physiological, and anatomical scale. Most the essential oils and fatty acids found in Z. albomaculata are omega fatty acids, octadecenoic acid, linoleic acid, and palmitic acid. All these fatty acids have industrial, medicinal, and pharmaceutical applications. The significant findings are the spadix sheathing leaves, and the precipitation of raphides calcium oxalate. The mitotic index showing the division activity was recorded, and it was 17.4%. The antimicrobial activity of Z. albomaculata ethanol extract was performed via the well diffusion method. This extract has shown high activity against Escherichia coli and Pseudomonas aeruginosa, compared to its lower activity against Bacillus cereus. By defining these characteristics and in vitro culture conditions, we will be able to acclimatize the plant in greenhouses, and then transfer it to the open field. The findings of this work identified the general characteristics of Zantedeschia albomaculata as an ornamental and medicinal plant in order to acclimatize this plant for cultivation in the Mediterranean climate.

Global climate change is a significant challenge that will significantly lower crop yield and staple grain quality. The present investigation was conducted to assess the effects of the foliar application of either Si (1.5 mM) or Si nanoparticles (1.66 mM) on the yield and grain quality attributes of two wheat genotypes (Triticum aestivum L.), cv. Shandweel 1 and cv. Gemmeiza 9, planted at normal sowing date and late sowing date (heat stress). Si and Si nanoparticles markedly mitigated the observed decline in yield and reduced the heat stress intensity index value at late sowing dates, and improved yield quality via the decreased level of protein, particularly glutenin, as well as the lowered activity of α-amylase in wheat grains, which is considered a step in improving grain quality. Moreover, Si and nanoSi significantly increased the oil absorption capacity (OAC) of the flour of stressed wheat grains. In addition, both silicon and nanosilicon provoked an increase in cellulose, pectin, total phenols, flavonoid, oxalic acid, total antioxidant power, starch and soluble protein contents, as well as Ca and K levels, in heat-stressed wheat straw, concomitant with a decrease in lignin and phytic acid contents. In conclusion, the pronounced positive effects associated with improving yield quantity and quality were observed in stressed Si-treated wheat compared with Si nanoparticle-treated ones, particularly in cv. Gemmeiza 9.

Plant growth regulators can affect the primary and secondary metabolites of various plant species. However, the effect of paclobutrazol (PBZ) on the composition of lavender oil, especially related to the terpenoid pathway, is still unclear in literatures. In this study, the effect of PBZ as a foliar spray (0.200, 400 and 600 ppm) on the vegetative growth, phytochemical content, and both antioxidant and antimicrobial properties of lavender oil were investigated. The results indicated that all examined PBZ treatments led to a significant (p ≤ 0.05) decrease in growth parameters compared to the untreated plants. Meanwhile, the yield of essential oil was significantly decreased by the treatment of PBZ at 200 ppm compared to the control. In contrast, applied-PBZ significantly enhanced the chlorophyll content and displayed a marked change in the composition of the essential oil. This change included an obvious and significant increase in 3-carene, eucalyptol, γ–terpinene, α-pinocarvone, caryophyllene, β-vetivenene, β-santalol, ledol, geranyl isovalerate, farnesol, caryophyllene oxide, and phytol percentage. Generally, the highest significant values were achieved by the treatment of 400 ppm compared to the other treatments. Furthermore, this treatment showed the highest free radical scavenging activity against DPPH (1,1-diphenyl-2-picrylhydrazyl) by 13% over the control. Additionally, to determine the antimicrobial activities of the extracted oil, each treatment was examined against two strains of Gram positive bacteria (S. aureus and B. cereus), two strains of Gram negative bacteria (S. enteritidis and E. coli), and two fungal species (C. albicans and A. niger) represent the yeast modal and filamentous fungus, respectively. The findings demonstrated that all examined species were more sensitive to the oil that was extracted from lavender plants, treated with 400 ppm PBZ, compared to the other concentrations.

Monoterpenes are one of the most common groups belonging to the terpenoid family, with a C10 structure comprising of two isoprene units. Most of monoterpenes are volatile plant compounds, and they act as signaling molecules between plants and the environment, particularly as defensive compounds against herbivores and pathogens. In this study, 1,8-cineole synthase (SgCINS) gene was identified and cloned from the leaves of Salvia guaranitica plant. To examine the role of SgCINS in insect resistance, we transformed and expressed this gene into tobacco leaves. The metabolic analysis revealed that the production of various types and amount of terpenoid was increased and decreased in SgCINS overexpression and control lines, respectively, suggesting that overexpressing SgCINS in transgenic tobacco plants lead to an increase in the production of various types of terpenoids and other phytochemical compounds. These results indicated why transgenic tobacco was highly resistant against cotton worm than the highly susceptible control plants. Our results demonstrate that the SgCINS gene can play an important role in plants against cotton worm insect attack, and pave the way for using terpenoids genes for improving resistance to insect attack in higher plants.

Weeds are one of the most damaging biotic stresses in crop production, and drought and salinity are considered the most serious abiotic stresses. These factors harmfully affect growth and development in several vegetable and field crops by causing harmful effects on physiological and biochemical characteristics such as water uptake, photosynthesis, relative water content, electrolyte leakage, and antioxidant compounds linked with oxidative stress and the accumulation of reactive oxygen species (ROS). These oxidative stress-related components affect most physiological and biochemical characteristics in plants under natural conditions and environmental stresses, especially weed infestation, salinity, and drought stress. ROS such as superoxide (O2•−), hydrogen peroxide (H2O2), peroxyl radical (ROO•), and singlet oxygen (1O2) are very important molecules produced naturally as by-products of metabolic processes in chloroplasts, mitochondria, peroxisomes, and the apoplast. Under stress conditions such as weed infestation, drought and salinity, the morphological and yield characteristics of stressed plants are negatively affected; however, superoxide (O2•−) and hydrogen peroxide (H2O2) are significantly increased. The negative impact of weeds can be mitigated with integrated controls which include herbicides, allelopathy, and crop rotation as well as the different methods for weed control. The defense system in various crops mainly depends on both enzymatic and nonenzymatic antioxidants. The enzymatic antioxidants include superoxide dismutase, glutathione reductase, and catalase; nonenzymatic antioxidants include ascorbic acid, carotenoids, α-Tocopherols, proline, glutathione, phenolics, and flavonoids. These antioxidant components can scavenge various ROS under several stresses, particularly weeds, drought and salinity. In this review, our objective is to shed light on integrated weeds management and plant tolerance to salinity and drought stresses associated with the ROS and the induction of antioxidant components to increase plant growth and yield in the vegetable and field crops.

The impact of proline, methionine, and melatonin on cauliflower plants under drought stress is still unclear in the available publications. So, this research aims to study these biochemical compounds’ effects on cauliflower plants grown under well-irrigated and drought-stressed conditions. The obtained results showed that under drought-stressed conditions, foliar application of proline, methionine, and melatonin significantly (p ≤ 0.05) enhanced leaf area, leaf chlorophyll content, leaf relative water content (RWC), vitamin C, proline, total soluble sugar, reducing sugar, and non-reducing sugar compared to the untreated plants. These treatments also significantly increased curd height, curd diameter, curd freshness, and dry matter compared to untreated plants. Conversely, the phenolic-related enzymes including polyphenol oxidase (PPO), peroxidase (POD), and phenylalanine ammonia-lyase (PAL) were significantly reduced compared to the untreated plants. A similar trend was observed in glucosinolates, abscisic acid (ABA), malondialdehyde (MDA), and total phenols. Eventually, it can be concluded that the foliar application of proline, methionine, and melatonin can be considered a proper strategy for enhancing the growth performance and productivity of cauliflower grown under drought-stressed conditions.

The present work studied the effect of foliar spray of different concentrations of titanium (Ti, applied as titanium dioxide) and vanadium (V, applied as vanadium pentoxide) on growth, chemical composition, antioxidant contents, antioxidant enzymes, antioxidant capacity, yield and quality criteria of red cabbage plants. For this purpose, 2.0, 4.0 and 6.0 mg L−1 of Ti and V were used to treat red cabbage plants. The control plants were treated with tap water. Our results showed that plants treated with 4.0 mg L−1 of Ti recorded the highest values of plant growth and bioactive compounds, while antioxidant capacity was decreased compared to the other treatments. In addition, plants treated with Ti and V at 2.0 and 4.0 mg L−1, respectively, showed higher values of all of the growth, yield, non-enzymatic antioxidants and antioxidants enzymes’ parameters compared to the untreated plants. Based on the obtained results, it could be concluded that the low concentrations of both Ti and V (2.0 and 4.0 mg L−1) were able to enhance red cabbage growth and yield, as well as the antioxidant contents, enzymes and capacity.

Recently, exogenous α-Lipoic acid (ALA) has been suggested to improve the tolerance of plants to a wide array of abiotic stresses. However, there is currently no definitive data on the role of ALA in wheat plants exposed to sodic alkaline stress. Therefore, this study was designed to evaluate the effects of foliar application by ALA at 0 (distilled water as control) and 20 µM on wheat seedlings grown under sodic alkaline stress (50 mM 1:1 NaHCO3 & Na2CO3; pH 9.7. Under sodic alkaline stress, exogenous ALA significantly (p ≤ 0.05) improved growth (shoot fresh and dry weight), chlorophyll (Chl) a, b and Chl a + b, while Chl a/b ratio was not affected. Moreover, leaf relative water content (RWC), total soluble sugars, carotenoids, total soluble phenols, ascorbic acid, K and Ca were significantly increased in the ALA-treated plants compared to the ALA-untreated plants. This improvement was concomitant with reducing the rate of lipid peroxidation (malondialdehyde, MDA) and H2O2. Superoxide dismutase (SOD) and ascorbate peroxidase (APX) demonstrated greater activity in the ALA-treated plants compared to the non-treated ones. Conversely, proline, catalase (CAT), guaiacol peroxidase (G-POX), Na and Na/K ratio were significantly decreased in the ALA-treated plants. Under sodic alkaline stress, the relative expression of photosystem II (D2 protein; PsbD) was significantly up-regulated in the ALA treatment (67% increase over the ALA-untreated plants); while Δ pyrroline-5-carboxylate synthase (P5CS), plasma membrane Na+/H+ antiporter protein of salt overly sensitive gene (SOS1) and tonoplast-localized Na+/H+ antiporter protein (NHX1) were down-regulated by 21, 37 and 53%, respectively, lower than the ALA-untreated plants. These results reveal that ALA may be involved in several possible mechanisms of alkalinity tolerance in wheat plants.