In vitro selection of drought-tolerant cassava varieties is essential for rapid breeding for drought tolerance. The objectives of this study were to determine the response of three contrasting cassava varieties to mannitol-induced drought stress to establish its suitability for in vitro screening and examine relationships among growth parameters. Plantlets were raised from nodal segments on Murashige and Skoog (MS) medium containing 0 (control), 5, 10, 15, 20, 25 and 30 g/l mannitol. Variety CH 140 had the highest survival of explants and frequency of root formation, while MV 99/0395 recorded the highest number of chlorotic leaves and the lowest survival of explants. The lowest numbers of leaves were produced at 25 and 30 g/l mannitol by the three varieties. In CH 140, the highest number of leaves was produced in medium free of mannitol, while the highest number of leaves was produced at 5 and 10 g/l mannitol in MV 99/0395 and TMS 01/1206, respectively. In TMS 01/1206, number of roots produced decreased as the concentration of mannitol in culture media increased, whereas in CH140, number of roots increased as the concentration of mannitol increased before decreasing; while in MV 99/0395, number of roots was not affected by an increase in mannitol concentration. As the concentration of mannitol in the culture media increased shoot height of plantlets decreased with a sharp decline at 20 mg/l mannitol. Concentration of mannitol and survival of explants had significant negative correlation with all parameters. However, frequency of root formation only had significant positive correlation with shoot length. The study concluded that differential responses were expressed by the three varieties to mannitol-induced drought stress and mannitol at 20 g/l concentration was a suitable in vitro drought inducing-agent for screening cassava varieties for drought tolerance.
Wheat (Triticum aestivum) is an important grains plant that can sustain food security and holds high nutritional values to the benefit of mankind. Activities of salinity in arid and semi-arid region have drastically reduced the production of wheat grains. Selenium (Se) is a micronutrient required by plants in small concentration to aid their growth. This study was aimed at identifying impact of Se on salinity-stressed wheat plants. Wheat seeds were soaked for eight hours in 0, 50, 100 and 150 mg/L Selenite concentrations and five sterilize-treated seeds were sown in 5 kg quantity of soil. This was subjected to 0, 100 and 200 mM of Sodium chloride (NaCl) concentration, respectively. The study revealed that Se increased production/expression of superoxide dismutase and catalase enzymes under salinity stress, thus growth of wheat plants was improved. Although the effects of Se on the wheat plants were concentration-based, nevertheless low lipid peroxidation and plant growth at 150 mg/L of Se were observed. Toxicity of Se to wheat plant could occur when there is no salinity stress. Therefore, farmers are encouraged to prime wheat seeds with 150 mg/L Se when cultivating saline soils.
Water stress is an enormous problem facing food production, especially in arid and semi-arid regions. Production of free radicals during water stress has led to oxidative stress, which eventually causes death of cells in plants. Therefore, it is important to tackle this issue knowing that rice is one of the most important cereal crops largely cultivated and consumed by humans and animals. The studies aimed at the effect of selenite on physiological and biochemical activities of water-stressed upland rice. Three Upland rice cultivars namely Nerica U4, Nerica U7 and Vandana were collected in Africa Rice Centre, Ibadan. The seeds were sterilized and soaked for 10 hours in different concentrations of Selenite (Se) (0 mg/l, 50 mg/l and 100 mg/l). Primed seed were planted into sterilized-sieved top soils. Plants were subjected to 0 (irrigated) and 8 days (non-irrigated) water stress. Selenite 50 mg/l improved plant height, number of leaves, total carotene, chlorophyll contents, biomass, grain number of upland rice during water stress. Selenite increased activities of APX as water stress progressively increased consequently, low MDA content was observed in cultivar Vandana. Furthermore, selenite significantly improved total carotene, chlorophyll contents, anthocyanin, and dry shoot weight in cultivar Nerica U7 during water stress. Selenite significantly stabilized activities of anthocyanin and CAT in cultivar Nerica U4 during water stress. Hence high grain yield was recorded in Nerica U4 and U7 in selenite primed upland rice during water stress. Selenite reduced lipid peroxidation in upland rice at 100mg/l. Therefore, it can be concluded that response of rice to selenite during water stress is based on tolerance capacity of the cultivars and also, selenite 50mg/l can help to improve growth and yield of upland rice in drought-prone area.
Protein-based biostimulants (PBBs) are derived from the hydrolysis of protein-rich raw materials of plant and/or animal origins, usually by-products or wastes from agro-industries. The active ingredients (AIs) produced by hydrolysis have the capacity to influence physiological and metabolic processes in plants, leading to enhanced growth, nutrient and water-use efficiency, tolerance to abiotic and biotic stresses, and improved crop yield and quality. This paper reviews the state-of-the-art and future opportunities for use of PBBs, based on potential effects on the soil, crops, and sustainability (social, economic, environmental). In this case, two examples of PBBs (hydrolyzed wheat gluten and potato protein) and their effects on the early growth of three sugar beet varieties are described and discussed. Both PBBs have a significant stimulating effect on early sugar beet growth and development. The opportunity to develop PBBs into superabsorbent polymers (SAPs) is discussed. To conclude, PBBs/SAPs developed from agro-industrial wastes have the potential for sustainably supplying water and nutrients in agricultural systems and for enhancing plant growth and development over a substantial period.
Protein-based biostimulants (PBBs) have a positive effect on plant development, although the biological background for this effect is not well understood. Here, hydrolyzed wheat gluten (HWG) and potato protein film (PF) in two levels (1 and 2 g/kg soil) and in two different soils (low and high nutrient; LNC and HNC) were used as PBBs. The effect of these PBBs on agronomic traits, sugars, protein, and peptides, as well as metabolic processes, were evaluated on sugar beet in comparison with no treatment (control) and treatment with nutrient solution (NS). The results showed a significant growth enhancement of the plants using HWG and PF across the two soils. Sucrose and total sugar content in the roots were high in NS-treated plants and correlated to root growth in HNC soil. Traits related to protein composition, including nitrogen, peptide, and RuBisCO contents, were enhanced in PBB-treated plants (mostly for HWG and PF at 2 g/kg soil) by 100% and >250% in HNC and LNC, respectively, compared to control. The transcriptomic analysis revealed that genes associated with ribosomes and photosynthesis were upregulated in the leaf samples of plants treated with either HWG or PP compared to the control. Furthermore, genes associated with the biosynthesis of secondary metabolites were largely down-regulated in root samples of HWG or PF-treated plants. Thus, the PBBs enhanced protein-related traits in the plants through a higher transcription rate of genes related to protein- and photosynthesis, which resulted in increased plant growth, especially when added in certain amounts (2 g/kg soil). However, sucrose accumulation in the roots of sugar beet seemed to be related to the easy availability of nitrogen.
Among the different contaminants in the environment, heavy metals are unique due to the fact that they cannot be broken down to non-toxic forms. The research was conducted to determine the remediation potential of Digitaria exilis and to identify the varieties that can tolerate heavy metals contamination. Soil was collected in an Automobile mechanic workshop, Government Reserved Area (GRA) Ado-Ekiti. Five kilograms (5 kg) of soils collected was air dried, sieved and filled into plastic buckets. The experiment was a completely randomized designed with three replicates. Three different accessions of Digitaria exilis namely; Jakah D Iburua (JAK), Dinat D Iburua (DID) and Jiw D Iburau (JIW) were planted. Soils were watered till field moisture capacity. Plant height was determined every two weeks after planting. Soil analysis was carried out to determine the physical and chemical properties before and after the experiment. Heavy metals including Cd, Fe, Zn, Pb, As and Cu were determined in the plant roots and shoots using Atomic Absorption Spectrophotometer (AAS). Accession JAK Bio-accumulated heavy-metals in their root than shoot, consequently, significant high plant height was recorded. However, shoot of accession JAK accumulated 22 % Pb, 46.78% Cu and 37.5% Cd and 20.3% Zn than others whereas accession DID accumulated As than accession JAK. Therefore, accession JAK demonstrated highest phyto-extraction of heavy-metals potentials at the root. Variety JIW has the lowest plant height, root and shoots heavy metals accumulation. Although heavy metals contaminated soil affected the growth of D. exilis, nevertheless accession JAK has the highest productivity under this condition and can be further recommended in phyto-extraction of heavy-metals in polluted sites.
scite is a Brooklyn-based organization that helps researchers better discover and understand research articles through Smart Citations–citations that display the context of the citation and describe whether the article provides supporting or contrasting evidence. scite is used by students and researchers from around the world and is funded in part by the National Science Foundation and the National Institute on Drug Abuse of the National Institutes of Health.
hi@scite.ai
10624 S. Eastern Ave., Ste. A-614
Henderson, NV 89052, USA
Copyright © 2024 scite LLC. All rights reserved.
Made with 💙 for researchers
Part of the Research Solutions Family.