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Aluminum (Al) contamination in acidic soil is a major problem in paddy field, causing grain yield loss, especially in central plains of Thailand. The objective of this study was to assess Al content in the root tissues, its translocation to the leaves, and Al toxicity in three genotypes of rice, RD35 (local acidic-tolerant), Azucena (positive-check Al-tolerant), and IR64 (high yielding) under 0 (control) or 1 mM AlCl

A factorial experiment consisting of three factors, namely six fertilizer doses including different combinations of potassium (K) and silicon (Si) along with nitrogen (N) and phosphorus (P) and the control (NP100 [control], NP100 + K100, NP100 + Si100, NP100 + K75 + Si25, NP100 + K50 + Si50, NP100 + K25 + Si75), three soil water potential levels (0, –15, –30 kPa), and two cultivation methods (wet direct seeding, transplanting), was conducted to evaluate the response of rice in terms of growth, physiological traits, yield, and water productivity. The experiment was laid out in a completely randomized design with three replications and the data were collected on selective growth parameters, physiological traits, yield components, and grain yield of rice. Supplementing N and P with only K (NP100 + K100) helped in alleviating the harmful effect of water-deficit stress, and resulted in 11%, 8%, 47%, 40%, 40%, and 42% higher leaf greenness, leaf relative water content, net photosynthetic rate, free proline content (wet direct-seeded plants), grain yield (wet direct-seeded plants), and water productivity, respectively, than NP100 at – 30 kPa, while transpiration rate was reduced by 22% for the same treatment combinations. Silicon supplementation either with NP100 alone or in combination with different proportions of K also promoted rice growth, physiological traits, and grain yield; however, the response of rice was largely similar among different K and Si combinations, except for NP100 + K25 + Si75. Inclusion of K and Si with N and P in a fertilizer management program where the share of K is at least 50% could be a promising approach to minimize the harmful impact of water-deficit stress in rice cultivated through either wet direct seeding or transplanting method.

Silicon (Si) deficiency is one of the most important issues, especially in rice crop. Foliar Si application in rice production is an alternative way to quickly improve not only grain yield but also aroma quality (2-acetyl-1-pyrroline; 2-AP), especially in Thai jasmine rice. The objective of this study was to assess the potential of exogenous application Si as foliar spray in regulating 2-acetyl-1-pyrroline (2-AP) content in KDML105 and RD6 rice grain and in improving yield traits. Overall, growth characters were retained in KDML105, whereas shoot height (14.9 % over the control) and leaf length (23.4 % over the control) of RD6 treated with 2 % Si were significantly reduced. Leaf greenness (SPAD), normalized difference vegetation index (NDVI) and net photosynthetic rate (Pn) of KDML105 were greater than those in RD6, in relation to EVI (enhanced vegetation index), GNDVI (green normalized difference vegetation index), NDVI and OSAVI (optimized soil adjusted vegetation index) detection by UAV sensors. Vegetation indices, GNDVI, OSAVI and EVI exhibited close relation with SPAD (R2 = 0.896), shoot height (R2 = 0.4406) and aboveground biomass (R2 = 0.7791), respectively. Si concentration in flag leaf tissues of KDML105 peaked (1.14 mg g−1 DW) when treated with 2 % Si, whereas it exhibited 1.6 folds increase in rice husk (0.75 mg g−1 DW; R2 = 0.5266) over the control. The content of 2-AP in KDML105 was higher compared with RD6 and was enhanced by 2 % Si treatment (1.39 folds over the control). Yield traits in KDML105 including panicle weight, grain fertility percentage, number of panicles per m2, total grain weight and harvest index (HI) were significantly increased by 2 % Si foliar application over the control. Based on the results, Si foliar application is effective in improving grain yield and in regulating 2-AP aromatic content, which further needs to be tested for temporal variations across locations.

Salt elicitation in therapeutic plants is one of the most popular techniques to enrich targeted secondary metabolites at cellular levels. Therefore, the appropriate concentration of NaCl salt that may regulate secondary metabolites without growth retardation needs to be established for maximum productivity. The aim of this study was to investigate the optimum NaCl elicitation for improving centellosides’ yield and associated physio-morphological adaptations in Indian pennywort (Centella asiatica (L.) Urban). Sodium ions in the salt-treated leaf tissues were significantly increased, while potassium ions were declined, leading to an increase in Na:K ratio. Centellosides yield of Indian pennywort was maximized at 656.11 mg plant−1 (1.52 folds over control) when treated with 12.5 mM NaCl for 14 days. Similarly, madecassoside, asiaticoside and total centellosides were enriched under 12.5 and 25.0 mM NaCl, whereas those compounds were significantly declined upon 50 mM NaCl treatment. Under 50 mM NaCl, reduction in both non-stomatal functions [leaf greenness (SPAD), maximum quantum yield of PSII (Fv/Fm) and photon yield of PSII (ΦPSII)] and stomatal functions [net photosynthetic rate (Pn), stomatal conductance (gs) and transpiration rate (E)] were found, leading to increased leaf temperature (TLeaf) and crop stress index (CSI) as well as overall growth inhibition. Total soluble sugars, glucose, and fructose under 50 mM NaCl were enriched by 1.21, 1.28 and 1.21 folds over control, respectively to play a major role in osmotic adjustment. In summary, the production of centelloside in Indian pennywort can be practiced using 12.5–25.0 mM NaCl elicitation without any negative effects on physio-morphological performance.

In vitro acclimatization has been validated as the successful key to harden the plantlets before transplanting to ex vitro conditions. In the present study, we investigated the potential of different sugar types (glucose, fructose, galactose, sucrose) in regulating morphological, physiological and biochemical strategies, survival percentage and growth performance, and rhizome traits of turmeric under iso-osmotic potential. Leaf greenness (SPAD value) in acclimatized plantlets (4% glucose; -1.355 MPa osmotic potential) of 'ST018' was retained and greater than in 'PB009' by 1.69-fold, leading to maintain high Fv/Fm (maximum quantum yield of PSII), ΦPSII (photon yield of PSII) and Pn (net photosynthetic rate) levels, and retained shoot height, leaf length, leaf width, shoot fresh weight and shoot dry weight after one month upon transplanting to ex vitro conditions. In addition, Pn, Ci (intracellular CO2), gs (stomatal conductance) and E (transpiration rate) in acclimatized plantlets (6% sucrose; -1.355 MPa osmotic potential) of 'PB009' were stabilized as physiological adapted strategies, regulating the shoot and root growth and fresh and dry weights of mini-rhizome. Interestingly, the accumulation of total curcuminoids in mini-rhizome derived from 6% sucrose acclimatized plantlets of 'ST018' was greater than in 'PB009' by 3.76-fold. The study concludes that in vitro acclimation of turmeric 'PB009' and 'ST018' using 6% sucrose and 4% glucose, respectively, promoted percent survival, physiological adaptations, and overall growth performances under greenhouse conditions.

Sodium salt contamination in the fresh water due to industrial effluents, underground rock salts and inland aquaculture is a major concern needs to be remediated, and subsequently recycled as susta...

Plant micropropagation via somatic embryogenesis is a powerful technique for rapid mass propagation, especially in para rubber (Hevea brasiliensis Müll. Arg.). However, somaclonal variations are the major limitation of this process. To date, DNA fingerprinting, i.e., RAPD (Randomly Amplified Polymorphic DNA), Star Codon Targeted (SCoT), and SSRs (Simple Sequence Repeats), is one of the most successful technologies to detect the genetic fidelity in the somatic embryos. The aim of present study was to induce somatic embryos from inner integument explants of para rubber cv. ‘RRIM 600’ at different developmental stages and subsequent acclimatization and transplantation (under greenhouse and field conditions) of the propagated seedlings. The genetic stability of the plants derived from somatic embryos was also analysed in comparison to the mother plant using RAPD, SCoT and SSRs markers. Somatic embryos derived from inner integuments of 5-week-old immature seeds after pollination were more efficient than older and younger seeds. In addition, para rubber mother plants cv. ‘RRIM600’ and plants derived from somatic embryogenesis demonstrated the same pattern of DNA fragments, as confirmed by three PCR-based techniques, RAPD, SCoT and SSRs, whereas these in the pattern were different from ‘RRIT 226’, ‘PB 235’, ‘PB 251’, ‘PB 255’ and ‘BMP 24’. Interestingly, T2 plant was found to possess somaclonal variations when compared with mother plant. Based on the results, we confirm that the plants derived from somatic embryogenesis of para rubber cv. ‘RRIM 600’ were true-to-type to that of ‘RRIM 600’ master stock.

Rice is an important economic and staple crop in several developing countries. Indica rice cultivars, ‘KDML105’ and ‘RD6’ are clear favourites, popular throughout world for their cooking quality, aroma, flavour, long grain, and soft texture, thus consequently dominate major plantation area in Northeastern region of Thailand. The objective of present study was to validate UAV (unmanned aerial vehicle)-derived information of rice crop traits with ground truthing non-destructive measurements in these rice varieties throughout whole life span under field environment. Plant height of cv. ‘KDML105’ was more than cv. ‘RD6’ for each respective stage. Whereas, number of tillers per clump in ‘KDML105’ exhibited stability at each developmental stage, which was in contrast to ‘RD6’ (increased continuously). Moreover, 1,000 grain weight, total grain weight and aboveground biomass were higher in ‘KDML105’ than in ‘RD6’ by 1.20, 1.82 and 3.82 folds. Four vegetative indices, ExG, EVI2, NDVI and NDRE derived from UAV platform proved out to be excellent parameters to compare KDML105 and RD6, especially in the late vegetative and reproductive developmental stages. Positive relationships between NDVI and NDRE, NDRE and total yield traits, as well as NDVI and aboveground biomass were demonstrated. In contrast, total chlorophyll pigment in cv. ‘RD6’ was higher than in cv. ‘KDML105’ leading to negative correlation with NDVI. ‘KDML105’ reflected rapid adaptation to Northeastern environments, leading to maintenance of plant height and yield components. Vegetation indices derived from UAV platform and ground truth non-destructive data exhibited high correlation. ‘KDML105’ was rapidly adapted to NE environments when compared with ‘RD6’, leading to maintenance of physiological parameters (detecting by UAV), the overall growth performances and yield traits (measuring by ground truth method). This study advocates harnessing and adopting the approach of UAV platform along with ground truthing non-destructive measurements of assessing a species/cultivars performance at broad land-use scale.

Nitrogen (N) is an essential nutrient available to the plants in form of nitrate and ammonium. It is a macronutrient important for the plant growth and development, especially in cereal crops, which consume it for the production of amino acids, proteins/enzymes, nucleic acids, cell wall complexes, plant hormones, and vitamins. In rice production, 17 kg N uptake is required to produce 1 ton of rice. Considering this, many techniques have been developed to evaluate leaf greenness or SPAD value for assessing the amount of N application in the rice cultivar to maximize the grain yield. The aim of the present study was to investigate the morpho-physiological characteristics and relative expression level of N assimilation in three different rice genotypes (MT2, RD31, KDML105) under 1.00 × (full N), 0.50 × , 0.25 × (N depletion), and 0.00 × (N deficiency) at seedling stage and the morpho-physiological traits and the grain yield attributes under 1.00 × (full N) and 0.25 × (N depletion) were compared. Leaf chlorosis and growth inhibition in rice seedlings under N deficiency were evidently observed. Shoot height, number of leaves, shoot fresh weight, shoot dry weight, and root fresh weight in KDML105 under N deficiency were decreased by 27.65%, 42.11%, 65.44%, 47.90%, and 54.09% over the control (full N). Likewise, leaf greenness was lowest in KDML105 under N deficiency (78.57% reduction over the full N), leading to low photosynthetic abilities. In addition, expression of nitrogen assimilation-related genes, OsNR1, OsGln1;1, and OsGln2, in KDML105 under N depletion were increased within 3 h and then declined after the long incubation period, whereas those were unchanged in cvs. MT2 and RD31. Similarly, relative expression level of OsNADH-GOGAT, OsFd-GOGAT, and OsAspAt1 in KDML105 was peaked when subjected to 0.50 × N for 6 h and then declined after the long incubation period. Moreover, overall growth characters and physiological changes in cv. RD31 at vegetative stage under 0.25 × N were retained better than those in cvs. KDML105 and MT2, resulting in high yield at the harvesting process. In summary, N assimilated-related genes in rice seedlings under N depletion were rapidly regulated within 3-6 h, especially cv. KDML105 and MT2, then downregulated, resulting in physiological changes, growth inhibition, and yield reduction.

Salt stress in the rice field is one of the most common abiotic stresses, reducing crop productivity, especially at reproductive stage, which is very sensitive to salt stress. The aim of this investigation was to study mRNA-related Na+ uptake/translocation and Na+ enrichment in the cellular level, leading to physiological changes, growth characteristics, and yield attributes in FL530 [salt-tolerant genotype; carrying SKC1 (in relation to high-affinity potassium transporters controlling Na+ and K+ translocation) and qSt1b (linking to salt injury score) QTLs] and KDML105 (salt-sensitive cultivar; lacking both QTLs) parental lines and 221–48 (carrying SKC1 and qSt1b QTLs) derived from BILs (backcross introgression lines) at 50% flowering of rice, under 150-mM NaCl until harvesting process. The upregulation of OsHKT1;5 (mediating Na+ exclusion into xylem parenchyma cells) and OsNHX1 (Na+/H+ exchanger to secrete Na+ into vacuole) and downregulation of OsHKT2;1 and OsHKT2;2 (mediating Na+ restriction in the roots, leaf sheath and older leaves) in cvs. FL530 and 221–48 (+ SKC1; + qSt1b) under salt stress were observed. It restricted Na+ level in flag leaf, thereby preventing salt toxicity, as indicated by maintenance of photon yield of PSII (ΦPSII), net photosynthetic rate (Pn), transpiration rate (E) and overall growth performances. In contrast, Na+ enrichment in flag leaf of cv. KDML105 (−SKC1;−qSt1b) caused the reduction in ΦPSII by 30.5% over the control, leading to the reduction in Pn by 62.3%, in seed sterility by 88.2%, and yield loss by 85.1%. Moreover, the negative relationships between Na+ enrichment in flag leaf, physiological changes, and yield traits in rice crop grown under salt stress were demonstrated. Based on this investigation, rice genotype 221–48 was found to possess salt-tolerant traits at reproductive stage and thus could prove to be a potential candidate for future breeding programs.

Being a salt-sensitive crop, the growth, development and productivity of rice is severely affected by saline soil. In the present study, Na+ homeostasis, physiological and morphological responses in both the root and leaf tissues of rice (Oryza sativa) seedlings of backcross introgression lines of KDML105 (KD; −/−) × FL530 (+/+) with or without SKC1 and qSt1b QTLs grown under 200 mM NaCl were investigated. Expression levels of OsHKT1;5 in FL530 (+/+) were very low, causing to low Na+ in both the root and leaf tissues, whereas it was up-regulated in KD (−/−), relating to Na+ enrichment. Expression levels of OsHKT2;1 in rice lines, 221-44 (+/+) and 221-48 (+/+) were down-regulated, thus limiting Na+ xylem upload, and store Na+ in the root tissues. OsSOS1 expression level in the leaves of 221-44 (+/+) and 221-58 (+/−) was up-regulated in relation to Na+ efflux. Na+ secretion into vacuoles via OsNHX1 in the leaf tissues was evidently demonstrated in 221-48 (+/+) as a major defense mechanism adopted by the plants to maintain photosynthetic abilities and growth performances, when plants were subjected to salt stress. In addition, the high Fv/Fm ratio in the leaves of 221-58 (+/−) was associated with increased expression level of OsNHX3, in comparison to KD (−/−) seedlings grown under salt stress (diminution by 22.8% over control). Moreover, reduction on growth characters and physiological parameters, viz., shoot fresh weight, shoot height, number of leaves, leaf area, Pn, and accumulation of Na+ in the roots under salt stress were applied as effective indices; thereby classifying FL530 (+/+) and 221-48 (+/+) as salt-tolerant, and 221-44 (+/+), 221-58 (+/−), KD (−/−), 221-3 (+/−), and 221-54 (−/−) as salt-susceptible.

Salt affected soil inhibits plant growth, development and productivity, especially in case of rice crop. Ion homeostasis is a candidate defense mechanism in the salt tolerant plants or halophyte species, where the salt toxic ions are stored in the vacuoles. The aim of this investigation was to determine the OsNHX1 (a vacuolar Na+/H+ exchanger) and OsHKT2;1 (Na+/K+ transporter) regulation by salt stress (200 mM NaCl) in two rice cultivars, i.e. Pokkali (salt tolerant) and IR29 (salt susceptible), the accumulation of Na+ in the root and leaf tissues using CoroNa Green® staining dye and the associated physiological changes in test plants. Na+ content was largely increased in the root tissues of rice seedlings cv. Pokkali (15 min after salt stress) due to the higher expression of OsHKT2;1 gene (by 2.5 folds) in the root tissues. The expression of OsNHX1 gene in the leaf tissues was evidently increased in salt stressed seedlings of Pokkali, whereas it was unchanged in salt stressed seedlings of IR29. Na+ in the root tissues of both Pokkali and IR29 was enriched, when subjected to 200 mM NaCl for 12 h and easily detected in the leaf tissues of salt stressed plants exposed for 24 h, especially in cv. Pokkali. Moreover, the overexpression of OsNHX1 gene regulated the translocation of Na+ from root to leaf tissues, and compartmentation of Na+ into vacuoles, thereby maintaining the photosynthetic abilities in cv. Pokkali. Overall growth performance, maximum quantum yield (Fv/Fm), photon yield of PSII (ΦPSII) and net photosynthetic rate (Pn) was improved in salt stressed leaves of Pokkali than those in salt stressed IR29.

Sugarcane is a sugar-producing crop widely grown in tropical regions in over 120 countries of the world. Salt-affected soil is one of the most significant abiotic constraints that inhibit growth and crop productivity, and, consequently, reduce sucrose concentration in the stalk. The present study investigated vacuolar ion homeostasis, Na+ accumulation, and physiological and morphological adaptations under salt stress in two different sugarcane genotypes (salt-tolerant K88-92 and salt-sensitive K92-80) under greenhouse conditions. Na+ was rapidly absorbed by the root tissues of both sugarcane genotypes within 3-7 days of 150 mM NaCl treatment, as confirmed by the results of CoroNa Green fluorescence staining. In addition, the rate of Na+ translocation from roots to shoots was evidently reduced, leading to lower amount of Na+ in the leaf tissues. At the cellular level, expression of ShNHX1 (vacuolar Na+/H+ antiporter), ShV-PPase (vacuolar H+-pyrophosphatase), and ShV-ATPase (vacuolar H+-ATPase) was upregulated in salt-stressed plants for the compartmentation of Na+ into the vacuoles of root cells. Interestingly, sucrose, glucose, and fructose in root tissues of salt-stressed sugarcane cv. K88-92 were increased by 10.61, 5.58, and 1.81 folds, respectively, over the control. Total soluble sugars in the roots and free proline in the leaves of sugarcane cv. K88-92 (salt-tolerant) were enriched by 3.08 and 1.99 folds, respectively, when plants were exposed to 150 mM NaCl, leading to maintain better photosynthetic abilities, net photosynthetic rate (Pn), stomatal conductance (gs), transpiration rate (E), and water use efficiency (WUE) in sugarcane cv. K88-92 than those in cv. K92-80. The study concludes that Na+ compartmentation in the root tissue acts as a major defense mechanism in sugarcane, especially in salt-tolerant genotype.

In the present study

Paclobutrazol (PBZ) is a member of plant growth retardants, commonly applied for growth regulation, yield improvement, and biotic and abiotic stress alleviation. However, the effects of PBZ on turmeric (Curcuma longa L.; Zingiberaceae), a rhizomatous herb, have not been well established. The objective of this investigation was to gain a better understanding of the effect of PBZ on two different varieties of turmeric plants, ‘Surat Thani’ (‘URT’; high curcuminoids >5% w/w) and ‘Pichit’ (‘PJT’; low curcuminoids

Unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) equipped with multi-sensors are one of the most innovative technologies for measuring plant health and predicting final yield in field conditions, especially in the water deficit situation in rain-deprived regions. The objective of this investigation was to evaluate the individual plant and canopy-level measurements using UAV imageries in three different genotypes, Suwan4452 (drought-tolerant), Pac339, and S7328 (drought-sensitive) of maize (Zea mays L.) at vegetative and reproductive stages under WW (well-watered) and WD (water deficit) conditions. At the vegetative stage, only CWSI (crop water stress index) of Pac339 and S7328 under WD increased significantly by 1.86- and 1.69-fold over WW, whereas the vegetation indices (EVI2 (Enhanced Vegetation Index 2), OSAVI (Optimized Soil-Adjusted Vegetation Index), GNDVI (Green Normalized Difference Vegetation Index), NDRE (Normalized Difference Red Edge Index), and NDVI (Normalized Difference Vegetation Index)) derived from UAV multi-sensors did not vary. At the reproductive stage, CWSI in drought-sensitive genotype (S7328) under WD increased by 1.92-fold over WW. All the vegetation indices (EVI2, OSAVI, GNDVI, NDRE, and NDVI) of Pac339 and S7328 under WD decreased when compared with those of Suwan4452. NDVI derived from GreenSeeker

Acid sulphate soil contains high amounts of iron (Fe) and aluminum (Al), and their contamination has been reported as major problems, especially in rainfed and irrigated lowland paddy fields. Rice is sensitive to Fe and Al grown in acid soil (pH5.5), leading to growth inhibition and grain yield loss. The objective of this study was to evaluate Fe and/or Al uptake, translocation, physiological adaptation, metal toxicity, and growth inhibition in rice genotypes grown in acid soil. Fe and Al in the root tissues of all rice genotypes were enriched depending on the exogenous application of either Fe or Al in the soil solution, leading to root growth inhibition, especially in the KDML105 genotype. Expression level of OsYSL1 in KDML105 was increased in relation to metal uptake into root tissues, whereas OsVIT2 was downregulated, leading to Fe (50.3 mg g

Anthocyanins, a member of flavonoids are abundantly found in fruits, flowers, stem, leaves and seeds of many plant species. They play a vital role as an antioxidant by preventing the oxidative stress in human. Abiotic elicitors i.e. low temperature, salinity, drought, UV and nutrient deficiency have been reported as alternative channels for anthocyanin enrichment. The aim of this investigation was to elevate the content of anthocyanin, α-tocopherol and calcium ions in the leaves and stems of two varieties, “Chia Tai” (CT; green stem) and “wild type” (WT; red stem) of water spinach (Ipomoea aquatica) using NaCl elicitors without having any retardatory effect on growth parameters. Six-week-old seedlings of water spinach were treated with 0, 25, and 50 mM NaCl for 3 weeks under greenhouse conditions. Growth performances in terms of fresh weight of upper part and number of leaves in the treated plants of both the varieties were unchanged when compared to the control. Interestingly, the internode length and shoot height of cv. WT under 50 mM NaCl salt elicitor were promoted. Total leaf area in CT under 50 mM NaCl was significantly declined by 23.57% over control, whereas it was maintained in cv. WT. Na+ in the leaf and root tissues of both CT and WT was increased depending on the degree of NaCl treatment. Calcium content in the leaves of water spinach under 25 and/or 50 mM NaCl was increased in both the cultivars. Total anthocyanin content in leaves of “WT” variety grown under 25 mM NaCl was significantly increased by 35.87 folds over control condition (0 mM NaCl), whereas it was undetected in “CT” variety. α-Tocopherol in the leaf and stem tissues of “WT” under 25 mM NaCl was significantly increased by 11.28 and 2.62 folds over the “CT” cultivar. Net photosynthetic rate of “WT” variety was significantly decreased, depending on the strength of NaCl treatment. In summary, the total anthocyanin and calcium content in “WT” variety of water spinach were increased by the treatment of 50 mM NaCl elicitor without any sign of growth retardation in the treated plants.

In vitro acclimatization has been validated as the successful key to harden the plantlets before transplanting to ex vitro conditions. In the present study, we investigated the potential of different sugar types (glucose, fructose, galactose, sucrose) in regulating morphological, physiological and biochemical strategies, survival percentage and growth performance, and rhizome traits of turmeric under iso-osmotic potential. Leaf greenness (SPAD value) in acclimatized plantlets (4% glucose; −1.355 MPa osmotic potential) of ‘ST018’ was retained and greater than in ‘PB009’ by 1.69-fold, leading to maintain high F(v)/F(m) (maximum quantum yield of PSII), Φ(PSII) (photon yield of PSII) and P(n) (net photosynthetic rate) levels, and retained shoot height, leaf length, leaf width, shoot fresh weight and shoot dry weight after one month upon transplanting to ex vitro conditions. In addition, P(n), C(i) (intracellular CO(2)), g(s) (stomatal conductance) and E (transpiration rate) in acclimatized plantlets (6% sucrose; −1.355 MPa osmotic potential) of ‘PB009’ were stabilized as physiological adapted strategies, regulating the shoot and root growth and fresh and dry weights of mini-rhizome. Interestingly, the accumulation of total curcuminoids in mini-rhizome derived from 6% sucrose acclimatized plantlets of ‘ST018’ was greater than in ‘PB009’ by 3.76-fold. The study concludes that in vitro acclimation of turmeric ‘PB009’ and ‘ST018’ using 6% sucrose and 4% glucose, respectively, promoted percent survival, physiological adaptations, and overall growth performances under greenhouse conditions.

Low survival rate, poor adaptation to ex-vitro environments, and time required for hardening the plants to cope with fluctuated environments of field trial are identified as major barriers in this technology. In present study, iso-osmotic adjustment in the culture medium using sucrose and/or mannitol was applied to the in-vitro cloning of Curcuma zedoaria (white turmeric) plants, which were transferred to ex-vitro conditions and subsequently cultivated in the greenhouse conditions prior to harvest after 9 months. During both in-vitro and ex-vitro development of plant, growth and physiological traits under 3% sucrose (Suc) + 2.5% mannitol (Man) were lower than those in control (3% Suc; conventional tissue culture). Interestingly, pseudostem height and root length in acclimatized plantlets under 3% Suc + 2.5% Man were sharply dropped by 60.13% and 92.37% over control, respectively, resulting in a decrease in the ex-vitro adaptation by 56.27% and 33.33% over the control. A positive relationship between reduction of net photosynthetic rate (Pn) and sucrose concentration in the leaf tissues was evidently observed. Remarkably, the morphological and physiological traits of aboveground and underground parameters of acclimatized plantlets under 3% Suc + 2.5% Man were maximized over control, leading to high yield of curcuminoids (229.4 mg plant− 1) in the dry rhizome (31 g plant− 1) when cultivated under greenhouse microenvironments for 9 months. Based on this investigation, we propose that plantlets of C. zedoaria micropropagated using 3% Suc + 2.5% Man can readily acclimatize under ex-vitro conditions and subsequently develop as healthy plants with compact and uniform size.

Sodium salt contamination in the fresh water due to industrial effluents, underground rock salts and inland aquaculture is a major concern needs to be remediated, and subsequently recycled as sustainable bioeconomic strategy. Treatment of saline wastewater requires efficient, cost-effective, rapid, and green technologies, so as to mitigate the negative impacts of salinity on agricultural land. Green technology of phytodesalination is proposed to reduce salinity in the wastewater using salt tolerant plant species. present study was designed with an aim to investigate the sodium (Na

Turmeric (Curcuma longa L.; Zingiberaceae), an economically important crop and a major spice in Indian cuisine, produces natural yellow color (curcumin) as well as curcuminoids which are widely utilized in traditional and modern medicinal practices. During the turmeric culture, the fluctuations of precipitation and seasonal changes in the whole life cycle play a major role, especially water shortage and decreasing temperature (in winter season), leading to rhizome dormancy under extreme weather conditions. The objective of this investigation was to understand how the water deficit and reduced temperature affect turmeric growth, physiological adaptation, quantity, and quality of turmeric rhizomes. Four-month-old turmeric plants were subjected to four treatments, namely normal temperature and well-watered (RT-WW), or water-deficit (RT-WD) conditions in the greenhouse, 25 °C controlled temperature and well-watered (CT-WW), or water-deficit (CT-WD) conditions in glasshouse. Leaf osmotic potential considerably declined in 30 days CT-WD treatment, leading to chlorophyll degradation by 26.04%, diminution of maximum quantum yield of PSII (Fv/Fm) by 23.50%, photon yield of PSII (ΦPSII) by 29.01%, and reduction of net photosynthetic rate (Pn) by 89.39% over CT-WW (control). After 30 days water withholding, fresh- and dry-weights of rhizomes of turmeric plants grown under CT-WD declined by 30–50% when compared with RT-WW conditions. Subsequently, curcuminoid content was reduced by 40% over RT-WW plants (control), whereas transcriptional expression levels of curcuminoids-related genes (CURS1, CURS2, CURS3, and DCS) were upregulated in CT-WD conditions. In summary, the water withholding and controlled temperature (constant at 25 °C day/night) negatively affected turmeric plants as abiotic stresses tend to limit overall plant growth performances and curcuminoid yield.

Aluminum (Al) toxicity in acidic soils is a major problem in rice crop production, especially in the acid sulfate soil (pH 0.6) and decrease in stomata conductance. Net photosynthetic rate (Pn) and transpiration rate (E) in rice seedlings of cv. RD35 subjected to 50 mM Al were significantly dropped by 74.76% and 47.71% over the control, respectively, resulting in reduced growth performances in terms of root length (26.57% reduction) and shoot fresh weight (46.15% reduction). An enrichment of Al in the root tissues without toxicity in rice cv. AZU may further help in discovering the Al homeostasis. In summary, Al enrichment in rice genotypes grown under Al-treatments was evidently observed in the root, leading to the limited root growth, root length, and root dry weight, especially in cv. RD35. Al restriction in the root tissues of cv. AZU (Al-tolerant) may play a key role as defense mechanisms to avoid translocation to other organs and the stomata closure was an alternative key factor to limit H2O transpiration.

Salt stress in the rice field is one of the most common abiotic stresses, reducing crop productivity, especially at reproductive stage, which is very sensitive to salt stress. The aim of this investigation was to study mRNA-related Na

Arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi (AMF) symbionts not only promote the growth of host plant but also alleviate abiotic stresses. This study aimed to investigate the putative role of AMF in salt stress regulation of upland pigmented rice cv. Leum Pua (LP) comparing with Pokkali salt tolerant (positive check). In general, LP is a variety of glutinous rice that contains anthocyanin pigment in the black pericarp, due to which it possesses high antioxidant activities compared to non-pigmented rice. Pot experiment was conducted to evaluate the impact of inoculated AMF, Glomus etunicatum (GE), Glomus geosporum (GG), and Glomus mosseae (GM) strains, in the LP plantlets subjected to 0 (control) or 150 mM NaCl (salt stress) for 2 weeks in comparison with Pokkali (a salt tolerant rice cultivar), which was maintained as a positive check. Root colonization percentage under NaCl conditions ranged from 23 to 30%. Na+ content in the flag leaf tissues was increased to 18–35 mg g–1 DW after exposure to 150 mM NaCl for 14 days in both inoculated and un-inoculated LP plants, whereas Na:K ratio was very low in cv. Pokkali. Interestingly, sucrose content in the flag leaf tissues of un-inoculated LP plants under salt stress was increased significantly by 50 folds over the control as an indicator of salt stress response, whereas it was unchanged in all AMF treatments. Fructose and free proline in GE inoculated plants under salt stress were accumulated over control by 5.75 and 13.59 folds, respectively, for osmotic adjustment of the cell, thereby maintaining the structure and functions of chlorophyll pigments, Fv/Fm, ΦPSII, and stomatal function. Shoot height, flag leaf length, number of panicles, panicle length, panicle weight, and 100-grain weight in GE inoculated plants of cv. LP under salt stress were maintained similar to cv. Pokkali. Interestingly, cyanidin-3-glucoside (C3G) and peonidin-3-glucoside (P3G) in the pericarp of cv. LP were regulated by GE inoculation under salt stress conditions. In summary, AMF-inoculation in rice crop is a successful alternative approach to reduce salt toxicity, maintain the yield attributes, and regulate anthocyanins enrichment in the pericarp of grains.

Under drought environment, arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi (AMF) can serve as a long-term biofertilizer to sustain the water and nutrient availability for the host plants. A study was conducted to check the effect of AMF and the encapsulations of the AMF and an organic fertilizer (Fer) with alginate (Al-FA) and agar-agar (Ag-FA) on maize (Zea mays L.) in response to water deficit conditions. The maximum quantum efficiency of PS II (Fv/Fm) of the maize inoculated with Al-FA and Ag-FA under the water deficit was recorded to be 0.70 and 0.50, respectively. Shoot and root water content of the Al-FA plants were found to be maintained under the water deficit and were better than Ag-FA. Besides, phosphorus content in the root tissues of the Al-FA plants grown under the water deficit stress was 1.56-folds greater than in the Ag-FA plants, thereby promoting the photosynthetic abilities and plant height in the former case. The study indicated that the Al-FA type of encapsulation may perform better than the Ag-FA in case of maize plants, leading to its better development under water limited conditions.