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To assess the influence of 1-(3-phenyl-propyl) cyclopropene (1-PPCP) and salicylic acid (SA) on the storability of peach (cv. 'Early Swelling'), we applied the following treatments; 5 μL L−1 1-PPCP for 24 h, 2 mmol L−1 SA for 5 min, and a combination of both treatments, concurrently, a control group. The fruit samples were stored at 6 ± 1°C with 90–95% RH for 28 d, followed by 3 d at 20°C to simulate market shelf life. The objective was to maintain fruit quality and enhance fruit storability. 1-PPCP+SA significantly reduced decay, weight loss, and respiration rate, while also contributing to the maintenance of fruit colouration and SSC. The treatments also led to a decrease in browning incidence, malondialdehyde levels, and electrolyte leakage. Additionally, they effectively slowed down the activity of polyphenol oxidase (PPO). Furthermore, all treatments led to a reduction in ethylene production and the activity of key enzymes involved in ethylene biosynthesis, such as ACC-synthase and ACC-oxidase, when compared to the control group. Additionally, these treatments regulated related pectin-degrading enzymes such as pectin methylesterase (PME), β-galactosidase (β-Gal), and polygalacturonase (PG). Therefore, the utilisation of 1-PPCP and SA is suggested as post-harvest treatments to enhance the storability of peach while preserving overall quality. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Plants that synthesize bioactive compounds that have high antioxidant value and elicitation offer a reliable in vitro technique to produce important nutraceutical compounds. The objective of this study is to promote the biosynthesis of these phenolic compounds on a large scale using elicitors in date palm cell suspension culture. Elicitors such as pectin, yeast extract (YE), salicylic acid (SA), cadmium chloride (CdCl2), and silver nitrate (AgNO3) at 50, 100, and 200 mg/L concentrations are used. The effects of elicitors on cell culture were determined in terms of biomass [packed cell volume (PCV), fresh and dry weight], antioxidant activity, and phenolic compounds (catechin, caffeic acid, kaempferol, apigenin) were determined using high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC). Results revealed that enhanced PCV (12.3%), total phenolic content [317.9 ± 28.7 mg gallic acid equivalents (GAE)/100 g of dry weight (DW)], and radical scavenging activity (86.0 ± 4.5%) were obtained in the 50 mg/L SA treated cell culture of Murashige and Skoog (MS) medium. The accumulation of optimum catechin (26.6 ± 1.3 µg/g DW), caffeic acid (31.4 ± 3.8 µg/g DW), and kaempferol (13.6 ± 1.6 µg/g DW) was found in the 50 mg/L SA-treated culture when compared to the control. These outcomes could be of great importance in the nutraceutical and agronomic industries. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Maize (Zea mays L.) is a significant global staple crop, which is important for its nutritional and economic value. However, the negative effects of drought and chilling stress, induced by climate change, are rapidly increasing threats to compromise its healthy yield. The processes that are affected by chilling stress are reduced growth, impaired photosynthesis, increased susceptibility to disease and pests, late flowering and reduced leaf size. Growth components of plants such as gibberellic acid, calcium, abscisic acid and salicylic acid can control the maize response to chilling stress. Conversely, drought stress, which is brought on by insufficient water availability, interferes with essential functions like the roots' ability to absorb water and nutrients, increases transpiration losses, causes the leaves to roll, and delays senescence. To improve drought tolerance ability in maize, glycine betaine, potassium and foliar calcium spray are worthwhile. Events that combine freezing and drought present a difficult challenge and reduce maize productivity. Reduced yields of maize not only place food security at risk, but also have severe economic implications on farmers and countries that depend mainly on maize production. Implementing proactive approaches, including as breeding initiatives, precision agriculture, water management, farming systems can present workable ways to minimize the impacts these stresses and defend maize production under prevailing fluctuating environment. This review highlights the most recent findings on the impact of drought and cold weather on corn plants. Potential management strategies for regulating plant tolerance mechanisms to drought and cold stress are also outlined. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]