Meloidogyne incognita is an important plant-parasitic nematode that causes significant crop losses all over the world. The primary control strategy for this pathogen is still based on nematicides, which are hazardous to human health and the environment. Considering these problems, this study aimed to determine the efficacy of different concentrations (25, 50, and 100 ppm) of silver nanoparticles against M. incognita on Trachyspermum ammi . Silver nanoparticles synthesized from Senna siamea were thoroughly characterized using various physicochemical techniques, viz., UV–visible spectrophotometer, scanning electron microscopy (SEM), transmission electron microscopy (TEM), and energy-dispersive X-ray analyzer (EDX). Results revealed that plants treated with 50 ppm silver nanoparticles one week before M. incognita inoculation (T 2 ) exhibited maximum and significant ( p ≤ 0.05) increases in plant growth, biochemical characteristics, and activities of defense enzymes such as peroxidase, catalase, superoxide dismutase, and ascorbate peroxidase over the inoculated control (IC) plants. Furthermore, the maximum reduction in the number of galls, egg masses, and root-knot indices was recorded in plants treated with 100 ppm silver nanoparticles (T 3 ) followed by plants treated with 50 ppm silver nanoparticles before nematode inoculation (T 2 ), over inoculated plants (IC). Anatomical studies showed accumulation of lignin in the transverse section (TS) of roots treated with 50 ppm silver nanoparticles. As a result, the present finding strongly suggests that silver nanoparticles synthesized from S. siamea had nematicidal activity, and it could be an efficient, safe, cost-effective, and affordable alternative to chemical nematicide.

An efficient one‐pot four‐component domino reaction for the convenient access of fully diversified 1,4‐dihydropyridines (1,4‐DHPs) from simple starting materials using basic organocatalyst is demonstrated. These derivatives were synthesized in good to excellent yields via the reaction between dialkyl acetylenedicarboxylates, arylamines, malononitrile, and aromatic aldehydes catalyzed by 1,8‐Diazabicyclo[5.4.0]undec‐7‐ene (DBU) in ethanol at room temperature. The molecular structure of 1,4‐DHP derivative 5 h was confirmed by the single crystal X‐ray analysis. Mild reaction conditions, short reaction time, applicable to a broad range of substrates and simple experimental procedure are some of the salient features of the present protocol. In addition, the synthesized compounds were screened against Aspergillus niger (MTCC‐281), Aspergillus fumigates (MTCC‐343) and Claviceps purpure for in vitro antifungal activity and noted that most of the compounds were exhibit good to excellent antifungal activities compared to the standard reference.

Discharge of nanoparticles (NPs) into aquatic and terrestrial ecosystems during manufacturing processes and from various commercial goods has become a significant ecotoxicological concern. After reaching soil systems, NPs cause deleterious effects on soil fertility, microbial activity, and crop productivity. Taking into consideration the medicinal importance of Withania somnifera (L.) (ashwagandha), the present study assessed the potential hazards of silver nanoparticles (Ag-NPs) and the toxicity amelioration by a metal-tolerant plant growth-promoting rhizobacterium (PGPR). Bacillus mojavensis BZ-13 (NCBI accession number MZ950923) recovered from metal-polluted rhizosphere soil, tolerated an exceptionally high level of Ag-NPs. The growth-regulating substances synthesized by B. mojavensis were increased with increasing concentrations (0–1000 μg mL –1 ) of Ag-NPs. Also, strain BZ-13 had the ability to form biofilm, produce alginate and exopolysaccharides (EPSs), as well maintain swimming and swarming motilities in the presence of Ag-NPs. Soil application of varying concentrations of Ag-NPs resulted in a dose-related reduction in growth and biochemical features of ashwagandha. In contrast, following soil inoculation, B. mojavensis relieved the Ag-NPs-induced phytotoxicity and improved plant productivity. Root, shoot length, dry biomass, and leaf area increased by 13, 17, 37, 25%, respectively, when B. mojavensis was applied with 25 mg/kg Ag-NPs when compared to noninoculated controls. Furthermore, the soil plant analysis development (SPAD) index, photosystem efficiency (Fv/Fm), PS II quantum yield (FPS II), photochemical quenching (qP), non-photochemical quenching (NpQ), and total chlorophyll and carotenoid content of BZ-13-inoculated plants in the presence of 25 mg Ag-NPs/kg increased by 33, 29, 41, 47, 35, 26, and 25%, respectively, when compared to noninoculated controls that were exposed to the same amounts of NPs. In addition, a significant ( p ≤ 0.05) increase in 48, 18, 21, and 19% in withaferin-A (alkaloids), flavonoids, phenols, and tannin content, respectively, was recorded when plants were detached from bacterized and Ag-NP-treated plants. Leaf gas exchange parameters were also modulated in the case of inoculated plants. Furthermore, bacterial inoculation significantly decreased proline, lipid peroxidation, antioxidant enzymes, and Ag-NP’s absorption and build-up in phyto-organs. In conclusion, soil inoculation with B. mojavensis may possibly be used as an alternative to protect W. somnifera plants in soil contaminated with nanoparticles. Therefore, phytohormone and other biomolecule-synthesizing and NP-tolerant PGPR strains like B. mojavensis might serve as an agronomically significant and cost-effective remediation agent for augmenting the yield and productivity of med...

Among abiotic stresses, salinity is a significant limiting factor affecting agricultural productivity, survival, and production, resulting in significant economic losses. Considering the salinity problem, the goal of this study was to identify a halotolerant beneficial soil bacterium to circumvent salinity-induced phytotoxicity. Here, strain KR-17 (having an irregular margin; a mucoid colony; Gm-ve short rod; optimum temperature, 30°C; pH 7.0; no any pigmentation; showed a positive response to citrate utilization, catalase, starch, sucrose, lactose, and dextrose, etc.) recovered from rhizosphere soils of the potato-cultivating field, tolerated surprisingly a high (18% NaCl; 3.-M concentration) level of salt and identified as Kosakonia radicincitans (Accession No. OM348535). This strain was discovered to be metabolically active, synthesized essential PGP bioactive molecules like indole-3-acetic acid (IAA), siderophore (iron-chelating compounds), ACC deaminase, and ammonia, the quantity of which, however, increased with increasing NaCl concentrations. Here, Raphanus sativus L. (radish) was taken as a model crop to evaluate the adverse impact of NaCl, as well as salinity alleviation by halotolerant K. radicincitans. Salinity-induced toxicity to R. sativus was increased in a dose-dependent way, as observed both in vitro and in vivo conditions. Maximum NaCl levels (15%) demonstrated more extreme harm and considerably reduced the plant's biological features. However, membrane damage, relative leaf water content (RLWC), stressor metabolites, and antioxidant enzymes were increased as NaCl concentration increased. In contrast, halotolerant K. radicincitans KR-17 relieved salinity stress and enhanced the overall performance of R. sativus (L.) by increasing germination efficiency, dry biomass, and leaf pigments even in salt-challenged conditions. Additionally, KR-17 inoculation significantly (p ≤ 0.05) improved plant mineral nutrients (Na, K, Ca, Mg, Zn, Fe, Cu, P, and N). Following inoculation, strain KR-17 enhanced the protein, carbohydrates, root pigments, amino acids (AsA and Lys), lipids, and root alkaloids in R. sativus (L.). Besides these, due to PGPR seed priming in NaCl-stressed/non-stressed conditions, membrane damage, RLWC, stressor metabolites, and antioxidant defense enzymes were dramatically reduced. The strong biofilm-forming capacity of K. radicincitans could result in both in vitro and in vivo colonization under NaCl stress. Conclusively, halotolerant K. radicincitans KR-17 may probably be investigated affordably as the greatest way to increase the production of radish under salinity-stressed soils.

Pesticide overuse can have a negative effect on the development processes of non-target plants.