Acta Physiologiae Plantarum最新文献

In recent years, advances in computational technologies and new methods have been made available for plant growth and physiology studies. Due to its practicality and precision, studies with modeling for leaf area prediction have been carried out with several agricultural species, being considered a non-destructive method. Thus, the study aimed to develop non-destructive methods based on regression models, support vector machine (SVM) and random forest for predicting the leaf area of Sesamum indicum cultivars using linear leaf dimensions. A total of 9600 leaves were collected from four S. indicum cultivars, and 2400 leaves of each cultivar were collected. The cultivars used for sampling were BRS Seda, CNPA G2, CNPA G3, and CNPA G4. The measurements of each leaf’s length, width, and leaf area were obtained through scanned images using the ImageJ software. Then, the product between length and width was calculated. Allometric equations were constructed using linear, power, and exponential models. The criteria for choosing the best models were the coefficient of determination (R²), mean absolute error (MAE) and root of the mean square of error (RMSE). The SVM learning algorithm can be used with greater accuracy to predict the leaf area of S. indicum cultivars using leaf dimensions, such as length and width. Despite new technological advances in equipment, the methods proposed in this study, such as SVM and regression models, provided accurate predictions for the leaf area of all sesame cultivars.

The present study investigates the impact of the application of silicon (Si) on seed germination and early seedling growth of chia (Salvia hispanica L.), an important medicinal plant, under salinity constraint. For this reason, chia seed were germinated at 25 ± 1 °C for one week under salt stress (200 mM NaCl) with or without the treatment with 1 mM Si. Results indicated that salinity constraint decreased seed germination and impaired significantly (p < 0.001) seedling growth. Conversely, the treatment with exogenous Si neutralized the harmful effects of salt stress by improving the germination percentage (32%), velocity index (34%) and seedling vigor index (138%). In addition, Si alleviated the inimical impacts of salinity and enhanced the ability of the embryo to use seed reserves, in terms of soluble sugars and proteins. Besides, the exposition of chia seed to 200 mM NaCl stress significantly induced oxidative stress, reflected by significant (p < 0.001) accumulations of malonyldialdehyde and hydrogen peroxide, and the percentage of electrolyte leakage. Nevertheless, Si supply alleviated the induced oxidative stress under salinity through a significant raise in the activity of polyphenol oxidase and superoxide dismutase. Additionally, Si treatment considerably (p ≤ 0.01) augmented also the accumulation of proline as an osmoprotectant compound. Furthermore, relative to salt-stressed seed without Si treatment, Si significantly reduced the sodium accumulation in seed tissue. These findings suggest that Si had a biostimulatory effect on seedlings emergence of S. hespanica L. under salinity constraint, by modulating the use of seed reserve by the embryo and inducing an antioxidant defense system.

The prospective strategies to promote the growth and attaining of better grain yield by avoiding cadmium (Cd) phyto-toxic effects in plants are of greater importance for the glimpse into the future. The strategic measures to regulate the growth with the application of plant growth regulators have been adapted in past and also under consideration for future perspectives. This study aimed at the application of thiourea (TU) under Cd-stress to investigate the role of it as growth bio-regulator in maintaining the growth and final grain yield of wheat. Two genetically different wheat cultivars i.e., AARI-2011 and Faisalabad-2008 were grown in a sand filled pot experiment. The levels of Cd-stress (0, 1.0 mM) and TU (0, 0.2 mM) were applied. Applied Cd-stress regime (1.0mM) increased the root Cd (81-fold), shoot Cd (56-fold) and grain Cd (150-fold) of Faisalabad-2008, while 124-, 65-, 175-fold, respectively, of AARI-2011. The applied Cd-stress caused a significant reduction in growth, chlorophyll, nutrient ions acquisition (K, Ca, P) and grain yield characters, while increasing MDA, H₂O₂, of both wheat cultivars. Contradictory, TU-treated plants showed a remarkable increase in plant growth, chlorophyll traits grain yield, and decreased Cd, MDA and H₂O₂ contents, up-regulation of antioxidant system (CAT, POD, SOD) including osmolytes under Cd-stress. Application of TU significantly decreased the root Cd (1.9-fold), shoot Cd (2-fold) and grain Cd (2.1-fold) in Faisalabad-2008, while 1.7-, 1.7-, 1.8-fold, respectively, of AARI-2011 under Cd-stress level (1.0mM). Wheat cultivars including Cd-sensitive cultivar, exhibited better Cd-tolerance with TU treatments in improving growth and yield by increasing Cd-detoxification ability, nutrient ion acquisition and antioxidant defense. The outcomes of this study recommend the use of TU as efficient growth and yield promotor of wheat under Cd-stress for the future perspective.

Nitrate (NO₃⁻) and ammonium (NH₄⁺) are two major nitrogen (N) sources for plants, and the preference for N forms was tested in oilseed rape genotypes with contrasting N utilization efficiency (NUtE). In this experiment, one high NUtE (Nt-efficient) and one low NUtE (Nt-inefficient) oilseed rape genotypes were fed with NO₃⁻ or NH₄⁺ in hydroponic culture, and the biomass, N accumulation, photosynthetic characteristics, activities of N metabolism enzymes (nitrate reductase (NR), glutamine synthetase (GS), glutamate synthase (GOGAT) and glutamate dehydrogenase (GDH)), root characteristics and expression of BnNRT1.1 and BnNRT2.1 were measured. The results showed that both Nt-efficient and Nt-inefficient genotypes fed with NO₃⁻-N had significantly greater shoot biomass, net photosynthetic rate, GS and GOGAT activities in leaf and root, and BnNRT1.1 and BnNRT2.1 transcript levels in leaf. Regardless of N source, the Nt-inefficient genotype had significantly higher shoot and root biomass, N accumulation, net photosynthetic rate, transpiration rate, NR, GS, GOGAT activity, primary root length and root activity, and BnNRT1.1 expression levels in leaf and root than the Nt-efficient genotype. These results suggested that NO₃⁻-N is the preferred N source for both Nt-efficient and Nt-inefficient oilseed rape genotypes and that the Nt-inefficient genotype has stronger growth attributes than the Nt-efficient genotype at the vegetative growth stage.

The present study dynamically monitored the fruit quality characteristics and sugar metabolism as indexes of the ripeness of low-chill pear varieties during on-tree storage for 15 days. The fruit firmness, acidity, pectin content and phenolic compounds had the highest values on stage S-I (0 day of on-tree storage) in all tested low-chill pear varieties, and declined with the progress of on-tree storage. While the fruit weight and total soluble solids exhibited the highest values on stage S-IV (15 days of on-tree storage). At the last stage of harvest, ‘Patharnakh’ pear exhibited a slower decline in firmness and titratable acidity (TA) as compared to ‘Ya Li’, ‘Nijisseiki’ and ‘Keiffer’ varieties. Similarly, ‘Patharnakh’ variety showed highest antioxidant activity (DPPH activity) (29.8%), total phenolic content (TPC) (350.2 mg GAE kg^− 1 FW), total flavonoid content (TFC) (459.2 mg RE kg^− 1 FW), pectin (2.12 mg g^− 1), soluble solid content (TSS) (12.9%), acid invertase (AI) (0.15 µmol/min mg protein) sorbitol oxidase (SOX) (0.24 nmol/min mg protein), and sorbitol dehydrogenase (SDH) (0.63 nmol/min mg protein). Among all tested pear varieties, ‘Patharnakh’ can retain superior quality characteristics during on-tree storage better than other tested varieties.

Selenium is an essential trace element for human health, and its deficiency may lead to various diseases. Consuming selenium-rich vegetables represents an effective approach to enhance selenium intake. This study investigated the effects of different selenium fertilizer doses (0, 4, 8, 12, and 16 mg/kg) on agronomic traits, nutritional quality, yield, and selenium accumulation in the sweet potato variety Guishu 10. The objective was to identify the most suitable selenium application level for this variety and provide scientific support for selenium-rich sweet potato production. Results demonstrated that exogenous selenium application increased branch number per plant, maximum vine length, and tuber number per plant, while promoting nutrient uptake and consequently enhancing yield (by 26%). The contents of soluble sugars and starch increased, whereas reducing sugars and protein decreased. Furthermore, selenium fertilization significantly elevated selenium concentrations in different plant parts, showing a consistent distribution pattern across all selenium doses: tuber > stem > leaf > fibrous root, indicating tubers’ strong capacity for selenium accumulation. These findings confirm that selenium fertilizer dosage significantly influences selenium accumulation in sweet potatoes. Within the experimental dose range examined in this study (0–16 mg/kg), the 16 mg/kg selenium application demonstrated optimal performance in improving soil fertility, promoting plant growth, enhancing quality parameters, and increasing yield.

Established methods of agricultural farming and crop fertilization are unsustainable. Ecologically reliable means are essential to meet growing demand and crop yield improvement. Rhizosphere microbiome and root- associated bacteria of cereal crops (culture able and non-culture able) can aid to improve nutrient availability, fertility status of soil and crop production. Culture-dependent and culture-independent techniques were utilized to examine the diversity of bacteria associated with the rhizosphere and rhizoplane of the two wheat (Triticum aestivum. L) Varieties, Chakwal-50 and Freed-06. From two wheat varieties cultivated in the National Agriculture Research Council (NARC), 29 bacterial isolates were isolated through culture-dependent techniques. Browsing of rhizosphere soil of wheat varieties was also done for identification of microbial taxa, richness of 16 S-rRNA and nifH genes through non-culture-based practices, including cloning and Restriction Fragment length polymorphism (RFLP) analysis. Through RFLP and quantitative polymerase chain reaction (qPCR), 450 PCR amplicon were identified. From 29 isolates, five bacteria species Pseudomonas moraviensis, Stenotrophomonas maltophilia, Exiguobacterium undae, Sphingobacterium sp., and Microbacterium paraoxydan were selected on the basis of better survival efficiency, P-solublization potential and indole-acetic acid and gibberellic acid production for inoculation in field conditions. The obtained sequences resembled 11 phyla of bacteria. Bacterial sequences (16 S-rRNA) were identified by pyrosequencing in both varieties of wheat. Chakwal-50 had 1897 sequences and in the Freed-06 variety, 2614 sequences were identified that shared similarities with a total of 10 phyla of Archaea and Bacteria. Proteobacteria and its associated families appeared as major taxa having 44–47% sequences in both varieties. Other major phyla were Actinobacteria, Acidobacteria and Firmicutes. PGPR inoculation improved NO₃-N (20–40%), P (17–40%) and K (20–25%) in the soil as compared to control. Improvement in physiological indices chlorophyll (15–25%), soluble protein (20–25%), soluble sugar (14–55%), IAA and ABA in leaves (20–50%) and different yield indices (13–30%) were recorded by the inoculation of PGPR. It is concluded that microbial taxa are recruited on the basis of root exudates and there is no major difference in microbiome of two wheat varieties.

Zinc excess can interfere with the uptake and distribution of essential nutrients, altering their homeostasis and resulting in stunted plant growth, nutrient deficiency, and chlorosis. However, plants utilize various adjustments to help improve their metabolome, enhance defense mechanisms, and thrive under challenging environmental conditions. Despite advances in understanding mechanisms towards metal tolerance, specific questions remain open, especially regarding environmental cues signaling in woody plants. The study explores the early signaling of zinc uptake and sequestration within tissues, with emphasis on cellular redox-balance and plant functional traits. Nutrient analysis revealed that Zn retention in roots was coupled with adjustments in iron and calcium homeostasis, preventing Zn overaccumulation in leaves. Excess Zn induced a decrease in growth without affecting the carbon allocation, while photosynthesis was primarily affected on the stomatal level, without apparent effects on photosystem efficiency. The study highlights poplar nutrients acquisition strategy under zinc excess conditions, where small molecules sequestration in the roots prevents zinc hyperaccumulation in above-ground parts. With such adjustments, poplar plants were able to keep above-ground biomass allocation patterns stabile, maintaining steady growth increase under adverse conditions. Zinc excess triggered proline accumulation and enhanced antioxidant enzyme activities, mitigating oxidative stress. Further on, we observed transcript-level changes indicating possible zone-specific responses to zinc in roots. This observation opens new frontiers in how environmental sensing in woody species is regulated.

Supplementation with λ-carrageenan has been demonstrated to enhance plant growth, including in banana plants. However, the underlying mechanisms behind this observation remain poorly understood. This study aimed to investigate the mechanism by which λ-carrageenan promotes banana plant growth using Nuclear Magnetic Resonance (NMR) spectroscopy-based metabolomic profiling. The metabolite profile of λ-carrageenan-treated banana plants revealed elevated concentrations of phosphatidylcholine, glucose 6-phosphate, glycine, fructose, isoleucine, glycerol, glucosamine 6-phosphate, choline, β-glucose, and α-glucose. Conversely, levels of α-linolenic acid, ethanol, and 3-hydroxy-3-methylglutaryl-CoA were reduced in the treatment group. Biochemical analysis further confirmed that λ-carrageenan treatment increased total carbohydrate content and glutamate synthase activity in banana plants, consistent with the observed changes in metabolite levels. Overall, these findings suggest that λ-carrageenan enhances banana plant growth by modulating carbohydrate metabolism, lipid metabolism, amino acid biosynthesis, glycolysis, and terpenoid biosynthesis. This new insight into the plant growth-stimulating effects of λ-carrageenan may be valuable for the development of next generation fertilisers.

Soybean is a major global source of vegetable oil and protein, with over 77% of its production used in livestock feed, while the remainder is processed into various soy products for human consumption and biofuel production. However, climate change, characterized by prolonged drought periods and rising temperatures, has increasingly threatened soybean productivity, leading to substantial yield losses. For developing soybean germplasm with improved resilience to abiotic stress, researchers have explored various strategies to combat these challenges. Although these approaches have shown success, they still have inherent limitations and necessitate further advancements. In recent years, the field of crop improvement has been revolutionized with the new Plant Breeding Technologies (NPBTs), offering a powerful tool to improve stress resilience in soybean. This review highlights key abiotic stresses affecting soybean and explores the promising stress-resilient soybean germplasm developed through NPBTs. Special emphasis is given to specific NPBTs, which have demonstrated strong potential for improving abiotic stress-resilience in soybean. The insights presented aim to assist the agricultural sector in cultivating high-yield, stress-resilient soybean cultivars.