To assess the toxic effect of nickel (Ni) on the growth and some key metabolic processes in sunflower, varying levels of Ni as Ni(NO(3))(2) up to 60 mg L(-1) were applied once to sunflower cultivars SF-187 and Hysun-33 at sowing time in sand culture. An increase in Ni in the growth medium adversely affected growth parameters, sugar concentration (both reducing and non-reducing), as well as the activities of α-amylase and protease. It also slowed down mobilization of stored proteins and amino acids in the germinating seeds. However, an increase in the activities of α-amylase and protease was observed over time from 24 to 120 h after sowing. Cultivar Hysun-33 showed better performance than SF-187 in the presence of excess Ni. Overall, Ni-induced reduction in germination of sunflower seed appeared to be due to disturbance in biochemical metabolism as the availability of sugars for the synthesis of metabolic energy as well as necessary amino acids for the synthesis of proteins and enzymes essential for the growing embryo are generally reduced due to suppression in α-amylase and protease activities.
Sorgaab, an aqueous extract of sorghum leaves was applied to probe the modulation in growth and physiological attributes of maize under drought in lab and greenhouse studies. Sorgaab soaked seeds (10 dilutions) were germinated to assess drought tolerance at germination and seedling growth stages. More concentrated Sorgaab solutions (2 mL•L −1 ) were damaging, while lower concentration in the range of 0.75 to 1.5 mL•L −1 improved the root and shoot growth of maize under drought. Applied drought stress decreased chlorophyll b greater than chlorophyll a that improved the chl a/b ratio. Application of Sorgaab also improved the internal CO 2 assimilation, which increased the net photosynthesis and A/E ratio of drought affected plants. Soluble phenolics and anthocyanins were also more increased in plant receiving Sorgaab under drought than control. Although greater concentrations of phenolic acids inhibit the uptake of ions, but its lower concentrations stimulate the uptake of K + , Ca 2+ , NO 3 , PO 4 . In conclusion, although high concentrations of Sorgaab reduced the growth of plants, it might alleviate the adverse effects of drought, if applied at the low concentration. Dilute concentrations of Sorgaab can be utilized as a natural source for improving drought resistance in maize both at germination and later growth stages.
The development of antibiotic resistant bacteria causes many harmful effects on human and animal lives. In developing countries many expensive synthetic drugs are being used to cure diseases but they have many side effects. Therefore, there is need to develop new strategies to control microbial infections. Therefore, we decided to work on extracts of different parts of Ficus carica which have good activity against gram positive bacteria, gram negative bacteria and fungal species. Methanol and chloroform extracts of root, stem, leaves and fruits were prepared and zone of inhibition was measured by using well diffusion method against gram negative bacteria (Escherichia coli, Pseudomonas aeruginosa) two gram positive bacteria (Staphylococcus aureus, Bacillus cereus) and two fungal species Aspergillus niger and Aspergillus oryzae. methanol extract of leaves has high % yield (5.86%) and high zone of inhibition (23mm) against bacteria Escherichia coli and fungus Aspergillus niger (34mm). Bacteria Staphylococcus aureus was highly sensitive to chloroform extract with zone of inhibition 74mm while Escherichia coli was highly sensitive to metabolic extract with zone of inhibition 82mm. Chloroform extract has average zone of inhibition (56mm) and methanolic extract has average zone of inhibition (63mm).
Excessive input of heavy metals in water reservoir and cultivated land primarily affects the growth and yield of crops. The aim of this work was to study the mechanism of Cd toxicity and damage to photosynthetic pigments and their efficiency and the potential of natural (OA) and synthetic chelators (EDTA) in assisting the phytoextractor sunflower plant. The pot experiment was laid out in a complete randomized way for Cd, chelators and hybrids at seedling, vegetative and reproductive stages with three replications. Cd affects the gas exchange parameters directly or indirectly by affecting the light and dark reactions, while indirect effect includes inhibition of chlorophyll and carotenoids biosynthesis and degradation and alteration in Chl a/b ratio. Among two chelators, natural chelator OA found to be very supportive in ameliorating the Cd tocixity by phytoextractor in assistance to sunflower hybrid Hysun-33.
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