Salt tolerant bacteria can be helpful in improving a plant's tolerance to salinity. Although plant-bacteria interactions in response to salt stress have been characterized, the precise molecular mechanisms by which bacterial inoculation alleviates salt stress in plants are still poorly explored. In the present study, we aimed to determine the role of a salt-tolerant plant growth-promoting rhizobacteria (PGPR) Sphingobacterium BHU-AV3 for improving salt tolerance in tomato through investigating the physiological responses of tomato roots and leaves under salinity stress. Tomato plants inoculated with BHU-AV3 and challenged with 200 mM NaCl exhibited less senescence, positively correlated with the maintenance of ion balance, lowered reactive oxygen species (ROS), and increased proline content compared to the non-inoculated plants. BHU-AV3-inoculated plant leaves were less affected by oxidative stress, as evident from a reduction in superoxide contents, cell death, and lipid peroxidation. The reduction in ROS level was associated with the increased antioxidant enzyme activities along with multiple-isoform expression [peroxidase (POD), polyphenol oxidase (PPO), and superoxide dismutase (SOD)] in plant roots. Additionally, BHU-AV3 inoculation induced the expression of proteins involved in (i) energy production [ATP synthase], (ii) carbohydrate metabolism (enolase), (iii) thiamine biosynthesis protein, (iv) translation protein (elongation factor 1 alpha), and the antioxidant defense system (catalase) in tomato roots. These findings have provided insight into the molecular mechanisms of bacteria-mediated alleviation of salt stress in plants. From the study, we can conclude that BHU-AV3 inoculation effectively induces antioxidant systems and energy metabolism in tomato roots, which leads to whole plant protection during salt stress through induced systemic tolerance.

Terminalia paniculata possesses hepatoprotective activity. It could be an effective and promising preventive agent against PCT induced hepatotoxicity.

No abstract

No abstract

No abstract

The experiment was conducted with 2 replications and 54 genotypes of wheat consisting 10 lines, 4 testers and their 40 crosses made in line X tester mating fashion in randomized block design during growing seasons 2014-2015. Spike length recorded the highest value of broad sense heritability while Canopy temperature index reported the highest value of genetic advance as a percent of mean and also reported highest phenotypic and genotypic coefficient of variation. Genotypic path analysis revealed that test weight and weight of grain/spike exhibited positive and strong association with grain yield and highest positive direct effects on grain yield. The selection for yield contributing test weight and weight of grain/spike must be given preference along with grain yield for speedy improvement grain yield.

No abstract

No abstract