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Rising CO2 concentration in the atmosphere is a matter of global concern and poses apprehension about how plants will adapt to the changing environment. Various studies have proved that under high CO2 levels, plant physiology alters and affects plant functioning. However, under elevated CO2, the stomatal characters and their relation with physiological responses are still not yet clear. To find out these changes in the stomatal parameters at ambient and two elevated CO2 (550 ppm and 700 ppm) levels, four genotypes of maize (Zea mays L.) viz. DHM-117, Harsha, Varun and M-24 were grown in open-top chambers. In the study, it was observed that the stomatal density increased, stomatal size altered, stomatal conductance (gs) and transpiration rate (Tr) decreased under elevated CO2 (eCO2) while photosynthetic rate (Pn), water use efficiency (WUE), yield and biomass, of which especially the reproductive biomass increased. Under eCO2, stomatal and physiological changes were genotypic and CO2 concentration specific. Increased stomatal density at eCO2 was mainly due to increased abaxial stomatal density. The improved Pn and reduced Tr at 550 ppm improved the WUE in the plants, while this response was not observed at 700 ppm. These results elucidate that this C4 crop responded positively to up to 550 ppm of CO2 concentrations, and beyond this, the impact was minimal.

Abstract Prunus necrotic ringspot virus (PNRSV) is a pathogen that infects Prunus species worldwide, causing major economic losses. Using one and two-step RT-PCR and multiplex RT-PCR, the whole genome of the PNRSV-infecting apricot was obtained and described in this study. Computational approaches were used to investigate the participation of several regulatory motifs and domains of the Replicase1, Replicase2, MP, and CP. A single degenerated reverse and three forward oligo primers were used to amplify PNRSV’s tripartite genome. The size of RNA1 was 3.332 kb, RNA2 was 2.591 kb, and RNA3 was 1.952 kb, according to the sequencing analysis. The Sequence Demarcation Tool analysis determined a percentage pair-wise identity ranging between 91 and 99% for RNA1 and 2, and 87–98% for RNA3. Interestingly, the phylogenetic analysis revealed that closely related RNA1, RNA2, and RNA3 sequences of PNRSV strains from various geographical regions of the world are classified into distinct clades or groups. This is the first report on the characterization of the whole genome of PNRSV from India, which provides the cornerstone for further studies on the molecular evolution of this virus. This study will assist in molecular diagnostics and management of the diseases caused by PNRSV.

Rising CO2 concentration in the atmosphere is a matter of global concern and poses apprehension about how plants will adapt to the changing environment. Various studies have proved that under high CO2 levels, plant physiology alters and affects plant functioning. However, under elevated CO2, the stomatal characters and their relation with physiological responses are still not yet clear. To find out these changes in the stomatal parameters at ambient and two elevated CO2 (550 ppm and 700 ppm) levels, four genotypes of maize (Zea mays L.) viz. DHM-117, Harsha, Varun and M-24 were grown in open-top chambers. In the study, it was observed that the stomatal density increased, stomatal size altered, stomatal conductance (gs) and transpiration rate (Tr) decreased under elevated CO2 (eCO2) while photosynthetic rate (Pn), water use efficiency (WUE), yield and biomass, of which especially the reproductive biomass increased. Under eCO2, stomatal and physiological changes were genotypic and CO2 concentration specific. Increased stomatal density at eCO2 was mainly due to increased abaxial stomatal density. The improved Pn and reduced Tr at 550 ppm improved the WUE in the plants, while this response was not observed at 700 ppm. These results elucidate that this C4 crop responded positively to up to 550 ppm of CO2 concentrations, and beyond this, the impact was minimal. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The coffee industry holds importance, providing livelihoods for millions of farmers globally and playing a vital role in the economies of coffee-producing countries. Environmental conditions such as drought and temperature fluctuations can adversely affect the quality and yield of coffee crops.Carotenoid cleavage oxygenases (CCO) enzymes are essential for coffee plants as they help break down carotenoids contributing to growth and stress resistance. However, knowledge about the CCO gene family in Coffee arabica was limited. In this study identified 21 CCO genes in Coffee arabica (C. arabica) revealing two subfamilies carotenoid cleavage dioxygenases (CCDs) and 9-cis-epoxy carotenoid dioxygenases (NCED) through phylogenic analysis. These subfamilies exhibited distribution patterns in terms of gene structure, domains, and motifs. The 21 CaCCO genes, comprising 5 NCED and 16 CCD genes were found across chromosomes. Promoter sequencing analysis revealed cis-elements that likely interact with plant stress-responsive, growth-related, and phytohormones, like auxin and abscisic acid. A comprehensive genome-wide comparison, between C. arabica and A. thaliana was conducted to understand the characteristics of CCO genes. RTqPCR data indicated that CaNCED5, CaNCED6, CaNCED12, and CaNCED20 are target genes involved in the growth of drought coffee plants leading to increased crop yield, in a conditions, with limited water availability. This reveals the role of coffee CCOs in responding to abiotic stress and identifies potential genes useful for breeding stress-resistant coffee varieties. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Cadmium (Cd), a heavy metal that naturally exists in soil, is dangerous for plants, animals, and humans to be in contact with. The primary causes of Cd contamination in soil include manure, sewage sludge, aerial deposition, and excessive use of phosphate fertilizers. Cd toxicity significantly reduced the crop productivity and physio-biochemical attributes. Present research aim was to investigate the effect of glucose in Solanum lycopersicum under Cd stress. Seeds of S. lycopersicum soaked in 50 mM of glucose for 5hrs followed by sown in the maintain pots. Cd stress (0.8 mM) was applied directly through the soil at the stage of 15 days. Results of this study demonstrated that Cd stress reduced the length (shoot and root by 41 and 70%), weight (fresh [32 & 66%] and dry [28 & 29%]), SPAD value, photosynthesis and related characteristics, carbonic anhydrase (CA) and nitrate reductase (NR). Beside this, malondialdehyde (MDA) and hydrogen peroxide (H2O2) content increased in the presence of Cd in S. lycopersicum plants. However, pre-treatment of glucose partially or fully counteracted the toxicity triggered by Cd in the aforesaid parameters. Moreover, antioxidant enzymes activity and proline content are further increased in the plants which previously received glucose through seeds. Our study reveals the beneficial effects of glucose for improved growth and will support new avenue on overcoming Cd toxicity and improving agricultural productivity. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]