Soil-applied Nickel Generates Differential Responses in Growth, Physiology and Oxidative Metabolism of Fenugreek (Trigonella foenum-graecum L.) Varieties.

This work aims to evaluate the potential of nickel (Ni), an essential micronutrient, as an oxidative stress inducer along with associated morphological and biochemical responses in different varieties of fenugreek (Trigonella foenum-graecum L.), a chief economically cultivated crop of India. Varietal differences in crop performance upon exposure to 0, 20, 40, 60 and 80 mg Ni kg- 1 soil reflects that Ni applied at 20 mg Ni kg- 1 soil offers growth-promoting effects, improved photosynthesis attributes, carbonic and nitrate reductase activities more profound in PEB followed by AFg2, AFg1 and UM185 variety. This study observed a dose-dependent reduction in all the above parameters. Maximum toxic effects were noticed at 80 mg kg- 1 Ni, manifested in the form of enhanced H2O2 and MDA contents, which were efficiently counteracted by augmentation in proline content, SOD, POX, CAT and APX activities in PEB over other varieties, suggesting that the Ni tolerance in fenugreek varieties can be organized as PEB > AFg2 > AFg1 > UM185.

Antimicrobial and antioxidant activities of fennel oil.

It is of interest to estimate the effects of foliar spray (ISA) on essential oil yield, chemical constituents, antioxidant, and antimicrobial activities of fennel (Foeniculum vulgare Mill).Fennel was treated with ISA solutions at 40 and 80 mg L-1 doses. Application of ISA significantly augmented antioxidant and antimicrobial activities in addition to essential oil yield and its principal elements in fennel. 80 mg L-1 dose of ISA was found to be pre-eminent. Antioxidant properties of EOs were determined through DPPH assays, metal chelators and lipid peroxidation. While antimicrobial activities were evaluated using agar well diffusion and microdilution techniques of broth. Gram positive and Gram negative bacteria were used to gauge the oil's antibacterial effectiveness. Data shows that antioxidant and antimicrobial activities of fennel oil were found to be the highest. According to GC analysis, trans-anethole (78.38-86.08%), methyl chavicol (2.32-2.54%), and fenchone (6.65-8.95%) were the three main constituents of fennel essential oil.