Sesame (Sesamum indicum L.) response to drought stress: susceptible and tolerant genotypes exhibit different physiological, biochemical, and molecular response patterns.

Drought is one of the main environmental stresses affecting the quality and quantity of sesame production worldwide. The present study was conducted to investigate the effect of drought stress and subsequent re-watering on physiological, biochemical, and molecular responses of two contrasted sesame genotypes (susceptible vs. tolerant). Results showed that plant growth, photosynthetic rate, stomatal conductance, transpiration rate, and relative water content were negatively affected in both genotypes during water deficit. Both genotypes accumulated more soluble sugars, free amino acids, and proline and exhibited an increased enzyme activity for peroxidase, catalase, superoxide dismutase, and pyruvate dehydrogenase in response to drought damages including increased lipid peroxidation and membrane disruption. However, the tolerant genotype revealed a more extended root system and a more efficient photosynthetic apparatus. It also accumulated more soluble sugars (152%), free amino acids (48%), proline (75%), and antioxidant enzymes while showing lower electrolyte leakage (26%), lipid peroxidation (31%), and starch (35%) content, compared to the susceptible genotype at severe drought. Moreover, drought-related genes such as MnSOD1, MnSOD2, and PDHA-M were more expressed in the tolerant genotype, which encode manganese-dependent superoxide dismutase and the alpha subunit of pyruvate dehydrogenase, respectively. Upon re-watering, tolerant genotype recovered to almost normal levels of photosynthesis, carboxylation efficiency, lipid peroxidation, and electrolyte leakage, while susceptible genotype still suffered critical issues. Overall, these results suggest that a developed root system and an efficient photosynthetic apparatus along with the timely and effective accumulation of protective compounds enabled the tolerant sesame to withstand stress and successfully return to a normal growth state after drought relief. The findings of this study can be used as promising criteria for evaluating genotypes under drought stress in future sesame breeding programs. Supplementary Information: The online version contains supplementary material available at 10.1007/s12298-023-01372-y.

Comparison between the effects of potassium phosphite and chitosan on changes in the concentration of Cucurbitacin E and on antibacterial property of Cucumis sativus.

BACKGROUND: Cucurbitacins are mostly found in the members of the family Cucurbitaceae and are responsible for the bitter taste of cucumber. Pharmacological activities such as anti-bacterial and anti-tumor effects have been attributed to these structurally divers triterpens. The aim of this study was to investigate the effect of potassium phosphite (KPhi) and chitosan on Cucurbitacin E (CuE) concentration in different tissues of Cucumis sativus. The antibacterial effect of plant ethanolic extracts was also examined against E.coli PTCC 1399 and Pseudomonas aeruginosa PTCC 1430 bacterial strains. METHODS: After emergence of secondary leaves, cucumber plants were divided into 4 groups (each group consisted of 6 pots and each pot contained one plant) and different treatments performed as follows: group1. Leaves were sprayed with distilled water (Control), group 2. The leaves were solely treated with potassium phosphite (KPhi), group 3. Leaves were solely sprayed with chitosan (Chitosan), group 4. Leaves were treated with KPhi and chitosan (KPhi + chitosan). The KPhi (2 g L-1) and chitosan (0.2 g L-1) were applied twice every 12 h for one day. Fruits, roots and leaves were harvested 24 h later. The ethanolic extract of plant organs was used for determination of CuE concentration using HPLC approach. The antimicrobial activity was evaluated by the agar well diffusion method. The experiments were arranged in a completely randomized design (CRD) and performed in six biological replications for each treatment. Analysis of variance was performed by one-way ANOVA and Dunnette multiple comparison using SPSS. RESULTS: The highest level of CuE was recorded in fruit (2.2 g L-1) of plants under concomitant applications of KPhi and chitosan. Result of antibacterial activity evaluation showed that under concomitant treatments of KPhi and chitosan, fruit extract exhibited the highest potential for activity against E. coli PTCC 1399 (with mean zone of inhibition equal to 36 mm) and Pseudomonas aeruginosa PTCC 1430 (with mean zone of inhibition equal to 33 mm). CONCLUSIONS: KPhi and chitosan can induce production of CuE compound and increase antibacterial potential of cucumber plant extract. The application of KPhi and chitosan may be considered as promising prospect in the biotechnological production of CuE.

Essential oil composition of sweet basil (Ocimum basilicum L.) in symbiotic relationship with Piriformospora indica and paclobutrazol application under salt stress.

Essential oil content and oil composition of paclobutrazol treated sweet basil (Ocimum basilicum L.) plant inoculated with Piriformospora indica under salt stress were investigated by GC-MS. The results show a slight increase in essential oil content when basil plants subjected to moderate salinity stress (3 dS m-1 of NaCl). It decreased signifiicantly with increasing salinity level to 9 dS m-1. The findings revealed that leaf area, above ground and leaf dry weights, essential oil content and yield were significantly affected by P. indica inoculation, however paclobutrazol application significantly influenced essential oil yield but not content. Fungal symbiosis as well as paclobutrazol application ameliorated the negative effects of salinity on dry matter and essential oil yield. The main constituents found in the volatile oil of O. basilicum in control treatment were Geranial (26.03%), Neral (24.88%) and Estragole (24.78%). The compounds concentrations showed some differences in P. indica and paclobutrazol treatments. The results demonstrate that micorrhiza-like fungi concomitantly increase essential oil production and biomass in sweet basil, a medicinal herb rich in commercially valuable essential oils.