Search

Drought stress poses a significant obstacle to agricultural productivity, particularly in the case of oilseed crops such as sunflower ( Helianthus annuus L.). Selenium (Se) is a fundamental micronutrient that has been recognized for its ability to enhance plant resilience in the face of various environmental stresses. The FH-770 sunflower variety was cultivated in pots subjected to three stress levels (100% FC, 75% FC, and 50% FC) and four Se application rates (0 ppm, 30 ppm, 60 ppm, and 90 ppm). This research aimed to investigate the effect of exogenously applied Se on morpho-physiological and biochemical attributes of sunflower to improve the drought tolerance. Foliar Se application significantly lowered H 2 O 2 (hydrogen peroxide; ROS) (20.89%) accumulation that markedly improved glycine betaine (GB) (74.46%) and total soluble protein (Pro) (68.63%), improved the accumulation of ascorbic acid (AA) (25.51%), total phenolics (TP) (39.34%), flavonoids (Flv) (73.16%), and anthocyanin (Ant) (83.73%), and improved the activity of antioxidant system superoxide dismutase (SOD) (157.63%), peroxidase (POD) (100.20%), and catalase (CAT) (49.87%), which ultimately improved sunflower growth by 36.65% during drought stress. Supplemental Se significantly increased shoot Se content (93.86%) and improved calcium (Ca 2+ ), potassium (K + ), and sodium (Na + ) ions in roots by 36.16%, 42.68%, and 63.40%, respectively. Selenium supplements at lower concentrations (60 and 90 ppm) promoted the growth, development, and biochemical attributes of sunflowers in controlled and water-deficient circumstances. However, selenium treatment improved photosynthetic efficiency, plant growth, enzymatic activities, osmoregulation, biochemical characteristics, and nutrient balance. The mechanisms and molecular processes through which Se induces these modifications need further investigation to be properly identified., Competing Interests: The authors declare that the research was conducted in the absence of any commercial or financial relationships that could be construed as a potential conflict of interest., (Copyright © 2024 Ameen, Zia, Najeeb Alawadi, Naqve, Mahmood, Shahzad, Khan, Alhammad, Aljabri and Seleiman.)

Information regarding the germination and seedling growth behavior of a potential weed species is an important tool to manage weeds without the use of agricultural chemicals that cause harmful effects on human health and the environment. A series of experiments were directed to investigate the influence of different environmental factors (temperature, pH, NaCl, moisture stress, and seed burial depth) on germination and seedling emergence of perennial ryegrass (Lolium perenne L.) under controlled conditions. Results suggested that 25 °C is the optimum temperature for maximum germination (95%) and seedling growth of perennial ryegrass, however, a quick decline was observed at 35 °C. Seed germination was unaffected by pH levels ranging from 5 to 10. The 92% seed germination was recorded where no salt stress was applied and germination was reduced by 87% at 250 mMNaCl concentration. Seed germination was unaffected by osmotic potential ranges from 0 to - 0.4 MPa thereafter declined and completely inhibited at - 0.8 or - 1.0 MPa. No seed emerged at the soil surface or a soil depth of 6 or 7 cm and 90% emergence occurred at 1 cmsoil depth. The germination and seedlings parameters like time to initial germination, mean germination time, time taken to 50% germination and germination index, root and shoot length, and fresh and dry weight of root and shoot are significantly affected with the environmental factors. The information obtained in this study will be helpful to develop better management strategies for germination and the emergence of perennial ryegrass in areas where it has the ability to rapidly colonize., (© 2022. The Author(s).)

Exogenous application of antioxidants can be helpful for plants to resist salinity, which can be a potentially simple, economical, and culturally feasible approach, compared with introgression and genetic engineering. Foliar spraying of alpha-tocopherol (α-tocopherol) is an approach to improve plant growth under salinity stress. Alpha-tocopherol acts as an antioxidant preventing salinity-induced cellular oxidation. This study was designed to investigate the negative effects of salinity (0 and 120mM NaCl) on linseed ( Linum usitatissimum L.) and their alleviation by foliar spraying of α-tocopherol (0, 100, and 200mg L -1 ). Seeds of varieties "Chandni and Roshni" were grown in sand-filled plastic pots, laid in a completely randomized design in a factorial arrangement, and each treatment was replicated three times. Salinity significantly affected linseed morphology and yield by reducing shoot and root dry weights, photosynthetic pigment (Chl. a , Chl. b , total Chl., and carotenoids) contents, mineral ion (Ca 2+ , K + ) uptake, and 100-seed weight. Concomitantly, salinity increased Na + , proline, soluble protein, peroxidase, catalase, and superoxide dismutase activities in both varieties. Conversely, the growth and yield of linseed varieties were significantly restored by foliar spraying of α-tocopherol under saline conditions, improving shoot and root dry matter accumulation, photosynthetic pigment, mineral ion, proline, soluble protein contents, peroxidase, catalase, superoxide dismutase activities, and 100-seed weight. Moreover, foliar spray of α-tocopherol alleviated the effects of salinity stress by reducing the Na + concentration and enhancing K + and Ca 2+ uptake. The Chandni variety performed better than the Roshni, for all growth and physiological parameters studied. Foliar spray of α-tocopherol (200mg L -1 ) alleviated salinity effects by improving the antioxidant potential of linseed varieties, which ultimately restored growth and yield. Therefore, the use of α-tocopherol may enhance the productivity of linseed and other crops under saline soils., Competing Interests: The authors declare that the research was conducted in the absence of any commercial or financial relationships that could be construed as a potential conflict of interest. The reviewer SF declared a shared affiliation with the author SF to the handling editor at the time of review., (Copyright © 2022 Abdullah, Mahmood, Bibi, Naqve, Javaid, Zia, Jabbar, Ud-Din, Attia, Khan, Al-Doss and Fiaz.)

Foliar spray of antioxidants is a pragmatic approach to combat various effects of salinity stress in agricultural crops. A pot trial was conducted to examine the effect of exogenously applied α-tocopherol (α-Toc) as foliar spray to induce morpho-physiological modulations in two varieties (Noori and Sabzpari) of okra grown under salt stress conditions (0 mM and 100 mM NaCl). After 36 days of salinity treatments, four levels (0, 100, 200 and 300 mg L -1 ) of α-tocopherol were sprayed. Salt stress significantly reduced root and shoot fresh and dry biomass, photosynthesis rate ( A ), transpiration rate ( E ), water use efficiency ( A / E ), stomatal conductance, internal CO 2 concentration ( C i )and C i / C a ) , and photosynthetic pigments. Foliar spray of α-tocopherol proved effective in improving the growth of okra by significantly enhancing root dry weight, root length, shoot fresh weight, shoot length, Chl. a , Chl. b , Total chl., β-Car., Total Car., A, E, A / E, C i , and C i / C a , leaf and root Ca 2+ and K + ion content, total soluble sugars, non-reducing sugars and total soluble protein content by significantly reducing root Na + ion content. The Okra variety Noori performed better than Sabzpari in the examined attributes, and 300 mg L -1 application of α-tocopherol was more pronounced in improving the growth of okra by alleviating salinity effects. Therefore, the use of α-tocopherol (300 mg L -1 ) as a foliar spray is recommended to improve okra production in saline soils., Competing Interests: The authors declare that the research was conducted in the absence of any commercial or financial relationships that could be construed as a potential conflict of interest., (Copyright © 2021 Naqve, Wang, Shahbaz, Mahmood, Bibi and Fiaz.)

As an antioxidant, alpha-tocopherol (α-Toc) protects plants from salinity-induced oxidative bursts. This study was conducted twice to determine the effect of α-Toc as a foliar spray (at 0 (no spray), 100, 200, and 300 mg L -1 ) to improve the yield and biochemical constituents of fresh green capsules of okra ( Abelmoschus esculentus L. Moench) under salt stress (0 and 100 mM). Salt stress significantly reduced K + and Ca 2+ ion concentration and yield, whereas it increased H 2 O 2 , malondialdehyde (MDA), Na + , glycine betaine (GB), total free proline, total phenolics, and the activities of catalase (CAT), guaiacol peroxidase (GPX), and protease in both okra varieties (Noori and Sabzpari). Foliar application of α-Toc significantly improved the yield in tested okra varieties by increasing the activity of antioxidants (CAT, GPX, SOD, and ascorbic acid), accumulation of GB, and total free proline in fruit tissues under saline and non-saline conditions. Moreover, α-Toc application as a foliar spray alleviated the adverse effects of salt stress by reducing Na + concentration, MDA, and H 2 O 2 levels and improving the uptake of K + and Ca 2+ . Among the tested okra varieties, Noori performed better than Sabzpari across all physio-biochemical attributes. Of all the foliar-applied α-Toc levels, 200 mg L -1 and 300 mg L -1 were more effective in the amelioration of salinity-induced adverse effects in okra. Thus, we concluded that higher levels of α-Toc (200 mg L -1 and 300 mg L -1 ) combat salinity stress more effectively by boosting the antioxidant potential of okra plants.