Isolation and Screening of Zn (Zn) Solubilizing Rhizosphere Bacteria from Different Vegetations for Their Ability to Improve Growth, Zn Uptake, and Expression of Zn Transporter Genes in Tomato.

Zinc-solubilizing bacteria (ZSB) can convert insoluble zinc to an accessible form and increase Zn bioavailability in soil, which helps mitigate Zn deficiency in crops. In this study, different bacterial strains were screened for different Zn solubilization and plant growth promotion traits. Two bacterial strains, Acinetobacter pittii DJ55 and Stenotrophomonas maltophilia DJ24, were tested for their Zn-solubilizing potential on plate media, and both showed variable levels of Zn solubilization. The results showed that the bacterial strains applied to the plants in the pot experiment caused improvements in growth parameters compared to control conditions. DJ55, when applied with an insoluble source, enhanced plant height, leaf number, and leaf area compared to DJ24 and control conditions, while the maximum fruit weight was noticed in plants treated with ZnSO4. An increase in chlorophyll contents was noted in plants treated with ZnSO4, while maximum carotenoid contents were observed in plants treated with DJ55 + ZnO when compared with their controls. Plants supplemented with ZnO and DJ55 showed higher zinc content and iron content as compared to their respective controls. The expression patterns of the SLZIP5 and SLZIP4 genes were changed in the root and shoot. Application of ZnO stimulates both gene expression and protein synthesis in tomato roots and shoots. Inoculation of tomato plants with ZSB and insoluble ZnO reduced the expression of the SLZIP5 and SLZIP4 genes in the root and shoot. In conclusion, both strains can be considered as potential zinc-solubilizing bioinoculants to promote the growth and production yield of tomato.

Molecular charactarization of wheat advanced lines for leaf rust resistant genes using SSR markers.

A total of fifty seven wheat advanced lines were screened to detect the existence of leaf rust resistant genes (Lr9, Lr13, Lr19, Lr24, Lr26, Lr28, Lr32, Lr34, Lr35, Lr36, Lr37, Lr39 and Lr46) using thirteen SSR markers. Only four markers for Lr13, Lr32, Lr34 and Lr35 produced separate, reproducible bands which indicated the positive linkage of leaf rust resistance with these SSR markers. The highest frequency was observed for Lr32 (100%), as it was detected in all fifty seven lines, followed by Lr34 (89.4%) in 51 lines, Lr35 (87.7%) in 50 lines and Lr13 (31.5%) in 18 lines respectively. All the four resistant genes were identified in fifteen lines which is only 26% of the studied population. These results indicate that there are limited number of variant genes for leaf rust resistance in the studied wheat advanced lines. Therefore, strategies for arraying these genes to lengthen infection resistance are advised to eliminate wheat rust diseases. In addition, more reliable and capable markers are essential to be settled for marker assisted selection of these and other genes.

Rice seeds biofortification using biogenic iron oxide nanoparticles synthesized by using Glycyrrhiza glabra: a study on growth and yield improvement.

Iron, a crucial micronutrient, is an integral element of biotic vitality. The scarcity of iron in the soil creates agronomic challenges and has a detrimental impact on crop vigour and chlorophyll formation. Utilizing iron oxide nanoparticles (IONPs) via nanopriming emerges as an innovative method to enhance agricultural efficiency and crop health. The objective of this study was to synthesize biogenic IONPs from Glycyrrhiza glabra (G. glabra) plant extract using green chemistry and to evaluate their nanopriming effects on rice seed iron levels and growth. The synthesized IONPs were analyzed using UV-Vis spectroscopy, Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR), Scanning electron microscope (SEM), Transmission electron microscopy (TEM), and Energy-dispersive X-ray (EDX) techniques. The UV-Vis peak at 280 nm revealed the formation of IONPs. SEM and TEM showed that the nanoparticles were spherical and had an average diameter of 23.8 nm. Nanopriming resulted in a substantial enhancement in growth, as seen by a 9.25% and 22.8% increase in shoot lengths for the 50 ppm and 100 ppm treatments, respectively. The yield metrics showed a positive correlation with the concentrations of IONPs. The 1000-grain weight and spike length observed a maximum increase of 193.75% and 97.73%, respectively, at the highest concentration of IONPs. The study indicates that G. glabra synthesized IONPs as a nanopriming agent significantly increased rice seeds' growth and iron content. This suggests that there is a relationship between the dosage of IONPs and their potential for improving agricultural biofortification.

Heavy metal ATPase genes (HMAs) expression induced by endophytic bacteria, "AI001, and AI002" mediate cadmium translocation and phytoremediation.

Contamination of heavy metals is a serious threat, which causes threats to the environment. Our study aimed to determine the role of endophytic bacteria in Cd phytoremediation and heavy metal ATPase gene expression. Cadmium (Cd) resistant endophytic bacteria were isolated from Solanum nigrum on LB agar plates, contaminated with 0-30 mg/L Cd. The phosphate solubilization and indole-3-acetic acid (IAA) production of endophytes were estimated by growing them on Pikovskaya agar medium and GC-MS analysis, respectively. An experiment in a pot was performed to evaluate the effects of bacteria on rice plants contaminated with 5-25 mg/L of Cd. Expression of Cd response genes was quantified through qRT-PCR and Cd translocation from one part to another part of the plant was measured through the ICP. BLAST alignment of 16 S-rDNA gene sequences confirmed the bacterial isolates as Serratia sp. AI001 and Klebsiella sp. Strain AI002. Both strains tolerated Cd up to 25 mg/L and produced 27-30 µg/mL of IAA. Inoculation of AI001 and AI002 improved plant growth dynamics (i.e., plant length, biomass, chlorophyll contents), relieved electrolyte leakage, and improved reduced glutathione significantly (P < 0.05). The inoculation of AI001 and AI002 significantly (P < 0.05) induced the expression of heavy metal ATPase genes ie., "HMA2, HMA3, and HMA4" and Cd translocation compared to uninoculated plants. Both AI001 and AI002 exhibited very prominent plant-growth-promoting and Cd phytoremediation properties. The results revealed that isolates also contributed a lot to the expression of rice plant heavy metal ATPase genes and in the Cd translocation in the plant.

Identification and characterization of a novel multi-stress responsive gene in Arabidopsis.

Abiotic stresses especially salinity, drought and high temperature result in considerable reduction of crop productivity. In this study, we identified AT4G18280 annotated as a glycine-rich cell wall protein-like (hereafter refer to as GRPL1) protein as a potential multistress-responsive gene. Analysis of public transcriptome data and GUS assay of pGRPL1::GUS showed a strong induction of GRPL1 under drought, salinity and heat stresses. Transgenic plants overexpressing GRPL1-3HA showed significantly higher germination, root elongation and survival rate under salt stress. Moreover, the 35S::GRPL1-3HA transgenic lines also showed higher survival rates under drought and heat stresses. GRPL1 showed similar expression patterns with Abscisic acid (ABA)-pathway genes under different growth and stress conditions, suggesting a possibility that GRPL1 might act in the ABA pathway that is further supported by the inability of ABA-deficient mutant (aba2-1) to induce GRPL1 under drought stress. Taken together, our data presents GRPL1 as a potential multi-stress responsive gene working downstream of ABA.

Feasible regeneration and agro bacterium-mediated transformation of Brassica juncea with Euonymus alatus diacylglycerol acetyltransferase (EaDAcT) gene.

In the present study an effort has been made to optimize the in vitro regeneration protocol for Agrobacterium-mediated transformation of Brassica juncea, because of its importance as oilseed crops. The highest callus induction frequency of 87% was observed on MS (Murashige and Skoog, 1962) medium supplemented with 4 µM 6-benzyladenine (BA) after four weeks of culture period. Subculturing of organogenic calli in MS media with a similar hormonal composition resulted in shoot organogenesis after six weeks of culture cultivation. The highest shoot induction frequency (92%) was recorded on MS medium containing 4 µM BA in combination with 1 µM of α-naphthalene acetic acid (NAA). Further, well-developed roots were formed in MS media augmented with 6 µM of Indole acetic acid (IAA) in combination with 1 µM Kinetin (Kn). Cotyledon explants were exploited in vitro for the successful transformation of B. juncea. A binary vector comprised of the Euonymus alatus diacylglycerol acetyltransferase (EaDAcT) gene under the transcriptional control of a glycinin promoter and with a basta selection marker was introduced into A. tumefaciens strain GV3101 via electroporation. EaDAcT gene is responsible for unusual triacylglycerol's production where the sn-3 position is esterified with acetate instead of the long-chain fatty acid found in the triacylglycerol's. The highest regeneration frequency (100%) of transgenic shoots was observed on MS medium supplemented with 4 µM BA plus 1 µM NAA in the presence of 25 mg l-1 basta and 160 mg l-1 timintin. The efficiency of stable transformation was found to be approximately 7% in the transgenic plants. Moreover, the transformed regenerated shoots were confirmed by PCR analysis using EaDAcT gene-specific primers.

Updates on Therapeutics in Clinical Trials for Spinal Cord Injuries: Key Translational Applications of Human Embryonic Stem Cells-Derived Neural Progenitors.

Injuries to the spinal cord often have devastating physiological impacts due to the organ's vital role in neuro-impulse communications between muscles and the brain. Spinal Cord Injuries (SCIs) have recently been estimated to affect up to 80,000 individuals per year worldwide, with most occurring following a traumatic event. Unfortunately, effective treatments standardised globally for patients with SCIs have not yet been established. For many years, inadequate understanding of the complexities of the Central and Peripheral Nervous Systems and Neurogenesis has limited progression towards effective cures. However, in the last century, scientific advancements have generated new paradigms for medical treatments of SCIs. Basic as well as translational studies have progressed to such an extent that many kinds of protective and regenerative therapeutics are available in clinical trials. In particular, uncovering the mechanisms responsible for controlling the pluripotent state of Human Embryonic Stem Cells (hESCs) was proved vital for recognizing the prospective role in regenerative medicine for SCIs. Elucidating knowledge of neurogenesis alongside hESCs in relation to SCIs has been crucial for critical assessments of the existing translational therapeutic strategies for SCIs.

Assessment of genetic diversity of local and exotic Brassica napus germplasm.

Estimation of genetic diversity of Brassica germplasm provides the basis for rapeseed/mustard genetic improvement. Studies were undertaken to estimate the genetic diversity of 30 lines of Brassica napus using Randomly Amplified Polymorphic DNA (RAPD) primers. A total of 30 B. napus genotypes of local and exotic origin were characterized using molecular markers. Four RAPD primers were used to estimate the genetic distances among the genotypes in all the possible combinations. The genetic diversity study revealed different levels of genetic polymorphism for RAPD primers GLA05, GLA07, GLA09 and GLA 10, resulting in amplification of 5.7, 3.5, 3.1 and 5.4 scorable bands (loci) per genotype, respectively. Individual genetic distances observed among B. napus genotypes ranged from 6.5 to 51%. Bivariate data matrix was generated and genetic distances were calculated using Unweighted Pair Group of Arithmetic Mean (UPGMA) procedure. The UPGMA cluster analyses revealed maximum genetic dissimilarity for 8966-1 and 8969-1 genotypes, closely followed by Ganyou-5, 89127-1, 89111-2 and Mlep-048. It is recommended that among the thirty B. napus genotypes, genetically distinct lines pointed out in the present study, should be used in future breeding programs for improvement of Brassica napus.