Improvement of phenolic profile and biological activities of wild mustard sprouts.

The current study aimed to assess the effect of the germination process of wild mustard seeds on the phenolic profile, antioxidant, antibacterial, and antidiabetic properties, and some relevant enzyme activities. The total phenolic and flavonoid contents increased 5- and 10-fold, respectively, and were maximized on 5-days sprouts. One new phenolic compound was identified on 5-days sprout extract using HPLC. The concentrations of the identified phenolic compounds increased 1.5-4.3 folds on 5-days sprouts compared with dry seeds. The total antioxidant activity multiplied 17- and 21-fold on 5-days sprouts using 2,2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH) and 2,2'-azino-bis(3-ethylbenzothiazoline-6-sulfonic acid) assays, respectively. The activity of carbohydrate-cleaving, phenolic-synthesizing and antioxidant enzymes also increased during germination. On 5-days sprouts, there was a substantial correlation between the highest ß-glucosidase and peroxidase activities with highest phenolic and flavonoid levels and maximum antioxidant activity. The phenolic extract of 5-days sprouts exhibited antimicrobial activities against Escherichia coli and Staphylococcus aureus and showed potent antidiabetic activity established by its inhibitory effect against α-amylase and α-glucosidase compared to dry seeds.

Seed osmopriming with polyethylene glycol (PEG) enhances seed germination and seedling physiological traits of Coronilla varia L. under water stress.

Water stress can adversely affect seed germination and plant growth. Seed osmopriming is a pre-sowing treatment in which seeds are soaked in osmotic solutions to undergo the first stage of germination prior to radicle protrusion. Seed osmopriming enhances germination performance under stressful environmental conditions, making it an effective method to improve plant resistance and yield. This study analyzed the effect of seed osmopriming with polyethylene glycol (PEG) on seed germination and physiological parameters of Coronilla varia L. Priming treatments using 10% to 30% PEG enhanced germination percentage, germination vigor, germination index, vitality index, and seedling mass and reduced the time to reach 50% germination (T50). The PEG concentration that led to better results was 10%. The content of soluble proteins (SP), proline (Pro), soluble sugars (SS), and malondialdehyde (MDA) in Coronilla varia L. seedlings increased with the severity of water stress. In addition, under water stress, electrolyte leakage rose, and peroxidase (POD) and superoxide dismutase (SOD) activities intensified, while catalase (CAT) activity increased at mild-to-moderate water stress but declined with more severe deficiency. The 10% PEG priming significantly improved germination percentage, germination vigor, germination index, vitality index, and time to 50% germination (T50) under water stress. Across the water stress gradient here tested (8 to 12% PEG), seed priming enhanced SP content, Pro content, and SOD activity in Coronilla varia L. seedlings compared to the unprimed treatments. Under 10% PEG-induced water stress, primed seedlings displayed a significantly lower MDA content and electrolyte leakage than their unprimed counterparts and exhibited significantly higher CAT and POD activities. However, under 12% PEG-induced water stress, differences in electrolyte leakage, CAT activity, and POD activity between primed and unprimed treatments were not significant. These findings suggest that PEG priming enhances the osmotic regulation and antioxidant capacity of Coronilla varia seedlings, facilitating seed germination and seedling growth and alleviating drought stress damage, albeit with reduced efficacy under severe water deficiency.

Bioactivity of hydroalcoholic extracts from tropaeolum majus L. (tropaeolaceae) on the germination, initial plant development and cell cycle of Lactuca sativa L.

Natural products are usually considered harmless; however, these substances need to be consumed with caution. Biological assays with plant models are a suitable alternative for prospective studies to assess natural product-initiated toxicity. The aim of this study was to examine the toxic potential of leaf and flower extracts derived from Tropaeolum majus L. a widely used plant in traditional medicine. Seeds of Lactuca sativa L. were exposed to T. majus extracts and based upon the seedling growth curve values, the 50% Inhibition Concentration (IC50) was calculated and applied for cell cycle analysis exposure. Both extracts contained organic acids, proteins, amino acids, and terpene steroids. Sesquiterpene lactones and depside were detected in leaf extracts. The higher concentration tested exhibited a marked phytotoxic effect. The extracts induced clastogenic, aneugenic cytotoxic, and potential mutagenic effects. The possible relationships between the classes of compounds found in the extracts and effects on cells and DNA were determined.

A new method based on melatonin-mediated seed germination to quickly remove pesticide residues and improve the nutritional quality of contaminated grains.

In the present study, we attempted to use melatonin combined with germination treatment to remove pesticide residues from contaminated grains. High levels of pesticide residues were detected in soybean seeds after soaking with chlorothalonil (10 mM) and malathion (1 mM) for 2 hours. Treatment with 50 µM melatonin for 5 days completely removed the pesticide residues, while in the control group, only 61-71% of pesticide residues were removed from soybean sprouts. Compared with the control, melatonin treatment for 7 days further increased the content of ascorbic acid (by 48-66%), total phenolics (by 52-68%), isoflavones (by 22-34%), the total antioxidant capacity (by 37-40%), and the accumulated levels of unsaturated fatty acids (C18:1, C18:2, and C18:3) (by 17-30%) in soybean sprouts. Moreover, melatonin treatment further increased the accumulation of ten components of phenols and isoflavones in soybean sprouts relative to those in the control. The ability of melatonin to accelerate the degradation of pesticide residues and promote the accumulation of antioxidant metabolites might be related to its ability to trigger the glutathione detoxification system in soybean sprouts. Melatonin promoted glutathione synthesis (by 49-139%) and elevated the activities of glutathione-S-transferase (by 24-78%) and glutathione reductase (by 38-61%). In summary, we report a new method in which combined treatment by melatonin and germination rapidly degrades pesticide residues in contaminated grains and improves the nutritional quality of food.

Superabsorbent quaternary ammonium guar gum hydrogel with controlled release of humic acid for soil improvement and plant growth.

Growing plants in karst areas tends to be difficult due to the easy loss of water and soil. To enhance soil agglomeration, water retention, and soil fertility, this study developed a physically and chemically crosslinked hydrogel prepared from quaternary ammonium guar gum and humic acid. The results showed that non-covalent dynamic bonds between the two components delayed humic acid release into the soil, with a release rate of only 35 % after 240 h. The presence of four hydrophilic groups (quaternary ammonium, hydroxyl, carboxyl, and carbonyl) in the hydrogel more than doubled the soil's water retention capacity. The interaction between hydrogel and soil minerals (especially carbonate and silica) promoted hydrogel-soil and soil­carbonate adhesion, and the adhesion strength between soil particles was enhanced by 650 %. Moreover, compared with direct fertilization, this degradable hydrogel not only increased the germination rate (100 %) and growth status of mung beans but also reduced the negative effects of excessive fertilization on plant roots. The study provides an eco-friendly, low-cost, and intelligent system for soil improvement in karst areas. It further proves the considerable application potential of hydrogels in agriculture.

Mitochondrial alternative oxidase pathway helps in nitrooxidative stress tolerance in germinating chickpea.

Mitochondrial alternative oxidase (AOX) is an important protein that can help in regulating reactive oxygen species and nitric oxide in plants. The role of AOX in regulation of nitro-oxidative stress in chickpea is not known. Using germinating chickpea as a model system, we investigated the role of AOX in nitro-oxidative stress tolerance. NaCl treatment was used as an inducer of nitro-oxidative stress. Treatment of germinating seeds with 150 mM NaCl led to reduced germination and radicle growth. The AOX inhibitor SHAM caused further inhibition of germination, and the AOX inducer pyruvate improved growth of the radicle under NaCl stress. Isolated mitochondria from germinated seeds under salt stress not only increased AOX capacity but also enhanced AOX protein expression. Measurement of superoxide levels revealed that AOX inhibition by SHAM can enhance superoxide levels, whereas the AOX inducer pyruvate reduced superoxide levels. Measurement of NO by gas phase chemiluminescence revealed enhanced NO generation in response to NaCl treatment. Upon NaCl treatment there was enhanced tyrosine nitration, which is an indicator of nitrosative stress response. Taken together, our results revealed that AOX induced under salinity stress in germinating chickpea can help in mitigating nitro-oxidative stress, thereby improving germination.

Combined effects of micron-sized polyvinyl chloride particles and copper on seed germination of perilla.

Microplastics (MPs) and copper (Cu) pollution coexist widely in cultivation environment. In this paper, polyvinyl chloride (PVC) were used to simulate the MPs exposure environment, and the combined effects of MPs + Cu on the germination of perilla seeds were analyzed. The results showed that low concentrations of Cu promoted seed germination, while medium to high concentrations exhibited inhibition and deteriorated the morphology of germinated seeds. The germination potential, germination index and vitality index of 8 mg • L-1 Cu treatment group with were 23.08%, 76.32% and 65.65%, respectively, of the control group. The addition of low concentration PVC increased the above indicators by 1.27, 1.15, and 1.35 times, respectively, while high concentration addition led to a decrease of 65.38%, 82.5%, and 66.44%, respectively. The addition of low concentration PVC reduced the amount of PVC attached to radicle. There was no significant change in germination rate. PVC treatment alone had no significant effect on germination. MPs + Cu inhibited seed germination, which was mainly reflected in the deterioration of seed morphology. Cu significantly enhanced antioxidant enzyme activity, increased reactive oxygen species (ROS) and MDA content. The addition of low concentration PVC enhanced SOD activity, reduced MDA and H2O2 content. The SOD activity of the Cu2+8 + PVC10 group was 4.05 and 1.35 times higher than that of the control group and Cu treatment group at their peak, respectively. At this time, the CAT activity of the Cu2+8 + PVC5000 group increased by 2.66 and 1.42 times, and the H2O2 content was 2.02 times higher than the control. Most of the above indicators reached their peak at 24 h. The activity of α-amylase was inhibited by different treatments, but ß-amylase activity, starch and soluble sugar content did not change regularly. The research results can provide new ideas for evaluating the impact of MPs + Cu combined pollution on perilla and its potential ecological risk.

A New Quinazolinone Alkaloid along with Known Compounds with Seed-Germination-Promoting Activity from Rhodiola tibetica Endophytic Fungus Penicillium sp. HJT-A-6.

A new quinazolinone alkaloid named peniquinazolinone A (1), as well as eleven known compounds, 2-(2-hydroxy-3-phenylpropionamido)-N-methylbenzamide (2), viridicatin (3), viridicatol (4), (±)-cyclopeptin (5a/5b), dehydrocyclopeptin (6), cyclopenin (7), cyclopenol (8), methyl-indole-3-carboxylate (9), 2,5-dihydroxyphenyl acetate (10), methyl m-hydroxyphenylacetate (11), and conidiogenone B (12), were isolated from the endophytic Penicillium sp. HJT-A-6. The chemical structures of all the compounds were elucidated by comprehensive spectroscopic analysis, including 1D and 2D NMR and HRESIMS. The absolute configuration at C-13 of peniquinazolinone A (1) was established by applying the modified Mosher's method. Compounds 2, 3, and 7 exhibited an optimal promoting effect on the seed germination of Rhodiola tibetica at a concentration of 0.01 mg/mL, while the optimal concentration for compounds 4 and 9 to promote Rhodiola tibetica seed germination was 0.001 mg/mL. Compound 12 showed optimal seed-germination-promoting activity at a concentration of 0.1 mg/mL. Compared with the positive drug 6-benzyladenine (6-BA), compounds 2, 3, 4, 7, 9, and 12 could extend the seed germination period of Rhodiola tibetica up to the 11th day.

Impact of Fe3O4-porphyrin hybrid nanoparticles on wheat: Physiological and metabolic advance.

Iron-magnetic nanoparticles (Fe-NMPs) are widely used in environmental remediation, while porphyrin-based hybrid materials anchored to silica-coated Fe3O4-nanoparticles (Fe3O4-NPs) have been used for water disinfection purposes. To assess their safety on plants, especially concerning potential environmental release, it was investigated for the first time, the impact on plants of a silica-coated Fe3O4-NPs bearing a porphyrinic formulation (FORM) - FORM@NMP. Additionally, FORM alone and the magnetic nanoparticles without FORM anchored (NH2@NMP) were used for comparison. Wheat (Triticum aestivum L.) was chosen as a model species and was subjected to three environmentally relevant doses during germination and tiller development through root application. Morphological, physiological, and metabolic parameters were assessed. Despite a modest biomass decrease and alterations in membrane properties, no major impairments in germination or seedling development were observed. During tiller phase, both Fe3O4-NPs increased leaf length, and photosynthesis exhibited varied impacts: both Fe3O4-NPs and FORM alone increased pigments; only Fe3O4-NPs promoted gas exchange; all treatments improved the photochemical phase. Regarding oxidative stress, lipid peroxidation decreased in FORM and FORM@NMP, yet with increased O2-• in FORM@NMP; total flavonoids decreased in NH2@NMP and antioxidant enzymes declined across all materials. Phenolic profiling revealed a generalized trend towards a decrease in flavones. In conclusion, these nanoparticles can modulate wheat physiology/metabolism without apparently inducing phytotoxicity at low doses and during short-time exposure. ENVIRONMENTAL IMPLICATION: Iron-magnetic nanoparticles are widely used in environmental remediation and fertilization, besides of new applications continuously being developed, making them emerging contaminants. Soil is a major sink for these nanoparticles and their fate and potential environmental risks in ecosystems must be addressed to achieve more sustainable environmental applications. Furthermore, as the reuse of treated wastewater for agricultural irrigation is being claimed, it is of major importance to disclose the impact on crops of the nanoparticles used for wastewater decontamination, such as those proposed in this work.

Nanobiostimulant action of trigolic formulated zinc sulfide nanoparticles (ZnS-T NPs) on rice seeds by triggering antioxidant defense network and plant growth specific transcription factors.

Under a changing climate, nanotechnological interventions for climate resilience in crops are critical to maintaining food security. Prior research has documented the affirmative response of nano zinc sulfide (nZnS) on physiological traits of fungal-infested rice seeds. Here, we propose an application of trigolic formulated zinc sulfide nanoparticles (ZnS-T NPs) on rice seeds as nanobiostimulant to improve physiological parameters by triggering antioxidative defense system, whose mechanism was investigated at transcriptional level by differential expression of genes in germinated seedlings. Nanopriming of healthy rice seeds with ZnS-T NPs (50 µg/ml), considerably intensified the seed vitality factors, including germination percentage, seedling length, dry weight and overall vigor index. Differential activation of antioxidant enzymes, viz. SOD (35.47%), APX (33.80%) and CAT (45.94%), in ZnS-T NPs treated seedlings reduced the probability of redox imbalance and promoted the vitality of rice seedlings. In gene expression profiling by reverse transcription quantitative real time PCR (qRT-PCR), the notable up-regulation of target antioxidant genes (CuZn SOD, APX and CAT) and plant growth specific genes (CKX and GRF) in ZnS-T NPs treated rice seedlings substantiates their molecular role in stimulating both antioxidant defenses and plant growth mechanisms. The improved physiological quality parameters of ZnS-T NPs treated rice seeds under pot house conditions corresponded well with in vitro findings, which validated the beneficial boosted impact of ZnS-T NPs on rice seed development. Inclusively, the study on ZnS-T NPs offers fresh perspectives into biochemical and molecular reactions of rice, potentially positioning them as nanobiostimulant capable of eliciting broad-spectrum immune and growth-enhancing responses.

Cu-II-directed self-assembly of fullerenols to ameliorate copper stress in maize seedlings.

Widespread use of copper-based agrochemical may cause copper excessive accumulation in agricultural soil to seriously threaten crop production. Recently, fullerenols are playing important roles in helping crops build resistance to abiotic stresses by giving ingenious and successful resolutions. However, there is a lack of knowledge on their beneficial effects in crops under stresses induced by heavy metals. Herein, the visual observation of Cu2+-mediated assembly of fullerenols via electrostatic and coordination actions was carried out in vitro, showing that water-soluble nanocomplexes and water-insoluble cross-linking nanohybrids were selectively fabricated by precisely adjusting feeding ratios of fullerenols and CuSO4. Furthermore, maize simultaneous exposure of fullerenols and CuSO4 solutions was tested to investigate the comparative effects of seed germination and seedling growth relative to exposure of CuSO4 alone. Under moderate Cu2+ stresses (40 and 80 µM), fullerenols significantly mitigated the detrimental effects of seedlings, including phenotype, root and shoot elongation, biomass accumulation, antioxidant capacity, and Cu2+ uptake and copper transporter-related gene expressions in roots. Under 160 µM of Cu2+ as a stressor, fullerenols also accelerated germination of Cu2+-stressed seeds eventually up to the level of the control. Summarily, fullerenols can enhance tolerance of Cu2+-stressed maize mainly due to direct detoxification through fullerenol-Cu2+ interactions restraining the Cu2+ intake into roots and reducing free Cu2+ content in vivo, as well as fullerenol-maize interactions to enhance resistance by maintaining balance of reactive oxygen species and optimizing the excretion and transport of Cu2+. This will unveil valuable insights into the beneficial roles of fullerenols and its mechanism mode in alleviating heavy metal stress on crop plants.

A novel approach for the green synthesis of iron nanoparticles using marigold extract, black liquor, and nanocellulose: Effect on marigold growth parameters.

This study aimed to investigate a novel method for the green synthesis of iron nanoparticles (FeNPs) using marigold extract (Calendula officinalis L), kraft pulping black liquor, and nanocellulose. Then, the efficacy of FeNPs as a direct nanofertilizer on the growth parameters of marigold was investigated. Characterization techniques including FESEM, EDX, VSM, and FTIR were used to confirm the successful synthesis of FeNPs. The characterization results confirmed the formation and presence of FeNPs in the 20-100 nm range. FeNPs synthesized with nanocellulose notably enhanced marigold growth parameters compared to other materials. However, all nanoparticle variants, including those from marigold extract and black liquor, improved germination, plant height, root length, and plant dry weight compared to the control. Moreover, treatments exhibited higher available iron and total plant iron levels than the control. Thus, employing 10 mg FeNPs (prepared with 5.0 % nanocellulose) appears optimal for enhancing marigold growth and yield.

Allelopathy and potential allelochemicals of Ligularia sagitta as an invasive plant.

Allelopathy is the main chemical means in the invasion process of exotic plants and one of the key factors in grassland degradation. In this experiment, we investigated the effects of ethyl acetate phase extract (EAE), n-butanol phase extract (BE) and aqueous phase extract (AE) from the aboveground (stems and leaves) and roots of Ligularia sagitta on seed germination and seedling growth of four Gramineae forages (Poa pratensis L. Festuca ovina L. Elymus nutans Griseb. Agropyron cristatum (L.) Gaertn.) in their sympatric domains and one Legosuminae forage (Medicago sativa L.). The chemical components in each phase extract of L. sagitta were determined with UHPLC-MS/MS non-targeted metabolomics, and the differential compounds were screened using Orthogonal Partial Least Squares-Discriminant Analysis (OPLS-DA). Within a set concentration range, EAE significantly inhibited seed germination and seedling growth of four Gramineae forages. BE and AE acted mainly in the seedling growth stage and did not significantly inhibit forage seed germination. P. pratensis was most sensitive to L. sagitta extracts; at 2.0 mg/mL of EAE from roots, germination energy and germination rate of P. pratensis seeds were 0. L. sagitta extracts inhibited the growth of M. sativa seedlings and did not inhibit its seed germination. A total of 904 compounds were identified with UHPLC-MS/MS, among which 31, 64, 81 and 66 metabolites displayed different accumulation patterns in the four comparison groups (R.EAE vs. R.BE, R.EAE vs. R.AE, SL.EAE vs. SL.BE, SL.EAE vs. SL.AE), respectively. In particular, 9 compounds were found to be common up-regulated differential metabolites in the four comparison groups and were enriched in EAE. Additionally, N,N-dimethylaniline, Caffeic acid, 4-Hydroxybenzoic acid, 4-Hydroxybenzaldehyde and cis-9-Octadecenoic acid as potential allelochemicals in L. sagitta. The results of this study support efforts at finding alternative control plants for the restoration of poisonous grass-type degraded grasslands.

Hollow Mesoporous Silica Nanoparticles as a New Nanoscale Resistance Inducer for Fusarium Wilt Control: Size Effects and Mechanism of Action.

In agriculture, soil-borne fungal pathogens, especially Fusarium oxysporum strains, are posing a serious threat to efforts to achieve global food security. In the search for safer agrochemicals, silica nanoparticles (SiO2NPs) have recently been proposed as a new tool to alleviate pathogen damage including Fusarium wilt. Hollow mesoporous silica nanoparticles (HMSNs), a unique class of SiO2NPs, have been widely accepted as desirable carriers for pesticides. However, their roles in enhancing disease resistance in plants and the specific mechanism remain unknown. In this study, three sizes of HMSNs (19, 96, and 406 nm as HMSNs-19, HMSNs-96, and HMSNs-406, respectively) were synthesized and characterized to determine their effects on seed germination, seedling growth, and Fusarium oxysporum f. sp. phaseoli (FOP) suppression. The three HMSNs exhibited no side effects on cowpea seed germination and seedling growth at concentrations ranging from 100 to 1500 mg/L. The inhibitory effects of the three HMSNs on FOP mycelial growth were very weak, showing inhibition ratios of less than 20% even at 2000 mg/L. Foliar application of HMSNs, however, was demonstrated to reduce the FOP severity in cowpea roots in a size- and concentration-dependent manner. The three HMSNs at a low concentration of 100 mg/L, as well as HMSNs-19 at a high concentration of 1000 mg/L, were observed to have little effect on alleviating the disease incidence. HMSNs-406 were most effective at a concentration of 1000 mg/L, showing an up to 40.00% decline in the disease severity with significant growth-promoting effects on cowpea plants. Moreover, foliar application of HMSNs-406 (1000 mg/L) increased the salicylic acid (SA) content in cowpea roots by 4.3-fold, as well as the expression levels of SA marker genes of PR-1 (by 1.97-fold) and PR-5 (by 9.38-fold), and its receptor gene of NPR-1 (by 1.62-fold), as compared with the FOP infected control plants. Meanwhile, another resistance-related gene of PAL was also upregulated by 8.54-fold. Three defense-responsive enzymes of POD, PAL, and PPO were also involved in the HMSNs-enhanced disease resistance in cowpea roots, with varying degrees of reduction in activity. These results provide substantial evidence that HMSNs exert their Fusarium wilt suppression in cowpea plants by activating SA-dependent SAR (systemic acquired resistance) responses rather than directly suppressing FOP growth. Overall, for the first time, our results indicate a new role of HMSNs as a potent resistance inducer to serve as a low-cost, highly efficient, safe and sustainable alternative for plant disease protection.

Physio-biochemical responses and crop performance analysis in chickpea upon botanical priming.

Chickpea is a highly nutritious protein-rich source and one of the major crops to alleviate global malnutrition, but poor seed quality affects its productivity. Seed quality is essential for better crop establishment and higher yields, particularly in the uncertain climate change. The present study investigated the impact of botanical priming versus hydropriming and bavistin seed treatment on chickpea seeds. A detailed physiological (germination percentage, root and shoot length, vigour index) and biochemical (amylase, protease, dehydrogenase, phytase, and lipid peroxidation) analysis was carried out in order to assess the effect of priming treatments. Turmeric-primed seeds showed better germination rate (94.5%), seedling length, enzyme activity, and lower malondialdehyde (MDA) content. Sodium dodecyl-sulfate polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis (SDS-PAGE) analysis revealed the expression of minor polypeptides of albumin and globulin in the primed seeds. Moreover, field experiments indicated increased crop growth, vigour, days to 50% flowering, yield and its attributing traits in turmeric-primed seeds. Botanical priming can increase chickpea yield by up to 16% over the control group. This low-cost and eco-friendly technique enhances seed and crop performance, making it a powerful tool for augmenting chickpea growth. Therefore, chickpea growers must adopt botanical priming techniques to enhance the quality of seed and crop performance. Moreover, this approach is environmentally sustainable and can help conserve natural resources in the long term. Therefore, this new approach must be widely adopted across the agricultural industry to ensure sustainable and profitable farming practices.

Biocompatible silver nanoparticles as nanopriming mediators for improved rice germination and root growth: A transcriptomic perspective.

Silver nanoparticles (AgNPs) have an important role in agriculture since they have several applications that are essential for the enhanced yield of crops. Furthermore, they act as nano-pesticides, delivering a proper dose to the target plants without releasing unwanted pesticides into the environment. Upholding the sustainable nano agriculture, biocompatible silver nanoparticles were synthesised utilising Piper colubrinum Link. leaf extract. Different characterization methods (TEM, EDX and XRD) revealed that AgNPs were successfully formed and coated with phytochemicals that constituted the plant extract. Enhanced root development during the early post-germination phase is crucial for the success of direct seeding in rice cultivation. The effects of AgNPs on the growth of plant roots are poorly understood. In this work, Piper colubrinum mediated AgNPs-primed Oryza sativa L. seeds, at various concentrations (0, 50, 80, 100, and 150 mg/L), exceeded typical hydro-primed controls in terms of germination and seedling growth. Oryza sativa L. treated with AgNPs at a concentration of 80 mg/L enhanced root elongation. Additionally, exposure to AgNPs significantly enhanced the content of chlorophyll. The Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes (KEGG) study revealed that the identified pathways like Aromatic amino acid biosynthesis genes, Fatty acid biosynthesis genes, and Carotenoid biosynthesis genes were the most enriched. Some of the genes associated with root growth and development like glucosyltransferases, Glutathione pathway genes, Calcium-ion binding pathway genes, Peroxidase precursor and Nitrilase-associated protein were up regulated. Overall, AgNPs treatments promoted seed germination, growth, chlorophyll content and gene expression patterns, which might be attributable to the beneficial effects of AgNPs on rice.

Oenothera biennis with strong copper toxicity resistance enriches trace copper in seeds under copper pollution soil.

Excess copper (Cu) imparts negative effects on plant growth and productivity in soil. To develop the ability of O. biennis to govern pollution soil containing excessive Cu, we investigated seed germination, seedling growth, and seed yield. Furthermore, Cu content and the expression levels of Cu transport related genes in different tissues were measured under exogenous high concentration Cu. O. biennis seeds were sensitive to excess Cu, with an observed reduction in the germination rate, primary root length, fresh weight, and number of seeds germinated daily. Consecutive Cu stress did not cause fatal damage to evening primrose, yet it slowed down plant growth slightly by reducing the leaf water, chlorophyll, plant yield, and seed oil contents while increasing the soluble sugar, proline, malondialdehyde, and H2O2 contents. The Cu content in different organs of O. biennis was disrupted by excess Cu. In particular, the Cu content in O. biennis seeds and seed oil increased and subsequently decreased with the increase of exogenous Cu, reaching a peak under 600 mg·kg-1 consecutive Cu. Furthermore, the 4-month 900 mg·kg-1 Cu treatment did not induce the excessive accumulation of Cu in peels, seeds, and seed oil, maintaining the Cu content within the range required by the Chinese National Food Safety Standards. The treatment also resulted in an upregulation of Cu-uptake (ObCOPT5, ObZIP4, and ObYSL2) and vigorous efflux (ObHMA1) of transport genes, of which expression levels were significant positive correlation (p < 0.05) with the Cu content. Among all organs, the stem replaced the root as the organ exhibited the greatest ability to absorb and store Cu, and even the Cu transport genes could still function continuously in stem under excess Cu. This work identified a species that can tolerate high Cu content in soil while maintaining a high yield. Furthermore, the results revealed the enrichment of Cu to occur primarily in the O. biennis stem rather than the seeds and peel under excess Cu.

Modification of physicochemical properties of chitosan to improve its pharmaceutical and agrochemical potential applications.

Chitosan has received much more attention as a functional biopolymer with applications in pharmaceuticals, agricultural, drug delivery systems and cosmetics. The objectives of present investigation were to carry out modification of chitosan for enhancement of aqueous solubility, which will impart increased solubility and dissolution rate of poorly soluble drug itraconazole (ITZ) and also evaluate the modified chitosan for soyabean seed germination studies. The modification of chitosan was accomplished through the antisolvent precipitation method; employing five carboxylic acids. The resulting products were assessed for changes in molecular weight, degree of deacetylation, solubility and solid state characterization. Subsequently, the modified chitosan was complexed with itraconazole using the co-grinding technique. The prepared formulations were evaluated for solubility, FTIR (Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy), PXRD (Powder X-ray diffraction), in-vitro dissolution studies. Furthermore the effect of modified chitosan has been evaluated on soybean seed germination. Results demonstrated that, modified chitosan improves self and solubility of itraconazole by six folds. As there was increased degree of deacetylation of chitosan leads to improvement in solubility. The results of FTIR showed the slight shifting of peaks in co-grind formulations of itraconazole. Formulations showed reduction in crystallinity of drug which leads to enhancement in dissolution rate as compared to pure itraconazole. Retention of property of seed germination was observed with modified chitosan at optimum concentration of 3 % w/v, with benefit of enhanced aqueous solubility of chitosan. This positive result paves the way for the advancement of pharmaceutical and agrochemical products employing derivatives of chitosan.

Mitigating salt stress by conditioning seeds with ultraviolet light (UV-C) in white oats (Avena sativa L.).

Seed conditioning with ultraviolet light (UV-C) might (1) improve crop yield and quality, (2) reduce the use of agrochemicals during cultivation, and (3) increase plant survival in high salinity environments. The aim of this study was to examine the effects of UV-C conditioning of white oat seeds at two doses (0.85 and 3.42 kJ m-2) under salinity stress (100 mM NaCl). Seeds were sown on germination paper and kept in a germination chamber at 20°C. Germination and seedling growth parameters were evaluated after 5 and 10 days. Data demonstrated that excess salt reduced germination and initial growth of white oat seedlings. In all the variables analyzed, exposure of seeds to UV-C under salt stress exerted a positive effect compared to non-irradiated control. The attenuating influence of UV-C in germination was greater at 0.85 than at 3.42 kJ m-2. Thus, data indicate that conditioning white oat seeds in UV-C light produced greater tolerance to salt stress. These findings suggest that UV-C conditioning of white oat seeds may be considered as a simple and economical strategy to alleviate salt-induced stress.

Pollution control performance of solidified nickel-cobalt tailings on site: Bioavailability of heavy metals and microbial response.

There has been increasing attention given to nickel-cobalt tailings (NCT), which pose a risk of heavy metal pollution in the field. In this study, on site tests and sampling analysis were conducted to assess the physical and chemical characteristics, heavy metal toxicity, and microbial diversity of the original NCT, solidified NCT, and the surrounding soil. The research results show that the potential heavy metal pollution species in NCT are mainly Ni, Co, Mn, and Cu. Simultaneous solidification and passivation of heavy metals in NCT were achieved, resulting in a reduction in biological toxicity and a fivefold increase in seed germination rate. The compressive strength of the original tailings was increased by 20 times after solidification. The microbial diversity test showed that the abundance of microbial community in the original NCT was low and the population was monotonous. This study demonstrates, for the first time, that the use of NCT for solidification in ponds can effectively solidification of heavy metals, reduce biological toxicity, and promote microorganism diversity in mining areas (tended to the microbial ecosystem in the surrounding soil). Indeed, this study provides a new perspective for the environmental remediation of metal tailings.