Search Results (58)

Green pesticides provide sustainable, biorational alternatives to synthetic pesticides. Sabadilla, Schoenocaulon, store alkaloids in their seeds; veratridine and cevadine are extracted with insecticidal activity. Wild, extant populations of native, N. American, S. texanum, are the focus of this research. The goal of this research was to determine soil constituents; alkaloid levels; quantify reproductive capacity for bulbs/plant, inflorescences/plant, seed capsules/plant, seeds/plant; seed dimensions, 100 seed wt.; standard and saturated salt accelerated aging (SSAA) percent seed germination of open-pollinated, untreated seed. We tested 10 genotypes and derived open-pollinated seed lots from five non-sympatric populations collected in Texas. Soil samples showed variation for all soil characteristics. Organic matter levels and micro-nutrients were low; pH = 7.8–8.2; heavy metals (Al, Cd, Cr, Ni, Pb) were detected. Seeds of S. texanum are smaller than S. officinale, but share appearance, hardness, color and shape. Alkaloid content was ~20% lower than S. officinale. Mean number of bulbs/clump was 2–12 with 1–8 flower stems/plant. Mean 100 seed weight = 0.45 g. No seeds germinated in weeks 1–2 (G1, G2) in standard or SSAA tests. Highest % germination in both tests was in G3–G4, declining precipitously in G5–G6. We establish initial seed germination standards of ≥70% for both standard and SSAA germination tests, based on total or adjusted final % germination of seed lots. Full article

The irrigation of crops with As-enriched water, along with the use of agrochemicals and mining, are considered the main source of accumulation of this element in arable land and thus, in plants. The aim of this study is to analyze the responses of As at five different concentrations, in the germination of seeds of tomato (Solanum lycoperisum), through measuring the morphological variables (root, shoot and total length), phenolic compounds, antioxidant activity, arsenic content and phytochemical profile of the sprouts. After 12 days, 89.16% germinated. According to the germination variables of Germination percentage, Germination rate, Mean germination time, Seed vigor index and percent of phytotoxicity, treatment 0.8 ppm shows a better performance in comparison with the rest. The stem, root and total length showed differences with control at 0.8 and 5 ppm. Phenolic compounds and antioxidant activity in the sprouts among treatments showed a potential range of hormesis between 0.8 and 2 ppm. Treatment 5 ppm showed the worse performance. The sprouts showed that the accumulation of As increased with the concentration of the treatment. The behavior of the variables measured suggest the activation of a stress response in the sprout causing positive effects such as growth enhancing, faster and better germination process and more production of molecules of biochemical interest. The opposite of the latter were also found. These findings provide an insight into the development of seeds under As contamination in irrigation water. Full article

Ginger is an important spice crop in the north-eastern region of India. Rhizome rot, also called soft rot, is one of the most devastating diseases found in ginger that causes yield losses of up to 100% under favourable conditions. Initially, the disease symptoms appear as a light yellowing of the leaf tips that gradually spreads down to the leaf blade of lower leaves and the leaf sheath along the margin. Under favourable environmental conditions, the disease spreads rapidly, potentially causing significant crop damage. The pathogen can infect at any stage of crop growth, and under favourable environmental conditions, the disease spreads rapidly, failing the crop. Current research emphasises mitigating the losses caused by the devastating disease by using management strategies and biocontrol agents (BCAs). Results revealed that the average highest percent rhizome germination, lowest mean disease incidence, lowest mean disease severity index, lowest coefficient of disease index value, highest rhizome yield and benefit–cost ratio were recorded with Trichoderma harzianum (10 g/kg of rhizomes) + soil application of T. harzianum-enriched well-decomposed farm yard manure (3 kg of T. harzianum mixed with 100 kg FYM at 10–15 days before sowing) + soil drenching with T. harzianum at the rate 10 kg/ha, compared to the untreated control. Furthermore, soil chemical properties such as pH, electrical conductivity, soil organic carbon, total available nitrogen, total available phosphorus, and total available potassium play critical roles in rhizome rot disease severity. BCAs can suppress the phytopathogenic fungi and modulate different functions in plants. Full article

Citric acid (CA), a naturally occurring compound in fruits, mainly citrus, has gained attention for its eco-friendly potential in wood modification. Through esterification, citric acid reacts with wood polymers to form bonds that improve adhesion, dimensional stability, and durability while reducing moisture absorption and susceptibility to decay. This study evaluated the efficacy of CA as an eco-friendly wood treatment. Wood samples were treated with solutions at varying concentrations (5%, 10%, and 15%) and assessed for dimensional stability, mechanical properties, biological resistance, and ecotoxicity. CA treatments significantly improved dimensional stability, with higher concentrations yielding greater weight percent gain (WPG) and anti-swelling efficiency (ASE). Biological tests demonstrated exceptional termite resistance, with no survival and minimal mass loss in treated samples at higher concentrations. Similarly, fungal resistance improved, as citric acid inhibited fungal growth. Ecotoxicity tests showed relatively low phytotoxicity, with some decrease in germination indices (GI) at higher CA concentrations. These findings highlight CA as a sustainable wood treatment for enhanced durability and biodegradation resistance in construction and outdoor applications. Full article

Corn, Zea mays, is an ancestral food, culturally included in different forms in the Guatemalan diet. The most common form is in tortillas and tamales, which makes them suitable for incorporating other ingredients that increase their nutrient content. A sensory study was conducted with the aim of determining whether the appearance and texture of the tortilla and tamale remain acceptable when adding germinated chia seed flour (Salvia hispanica L). Germination was carried out for one day at 20 °C; it was prepared as flour and mixed with nixtamalized corn flour in a ratio of 10:90 and enough water to mold the tortillas; for the tamale, the same proportion of corn flour and germinated chia flour was used, and water and 8.6 percent oil were added. The tortillas and tamales were prepared and cooked in a traditional way by experts. For the acceptability test, 52 consumers were recruited, who signed the informed consent and subsequently evaluated the appearance and texture using a five-point hedonic scale (1 = I like it very much, 5 = I dislike it very much). The results indicate that the average acceptability of the appearance of the tortilla is 1.2 and the texture is 1.8. The average acceptability of the appearance of the tamale is 1.9 and the texture is 1.19. When comparing the acceptability of the appearance and texture of both preparations, a significant difference was found (p < 0.05), with the appearance and texture of the tamale being more acceptable. Full article

Moisture is the most important environmental factor limiting seed regeneration of shrubs in desert areas. Therefore, understanding the effects of moisture changes on seed germination, morphological and physiological traits of shrubs is essential for vegetation restoration in desert areas. In March to June 2023, in a greenhouse using the potting method, we tested the effects of soil moisture changes (5%, 10%, 15%, 20% and 25%) on seed germination and seedling growth of six desert shrubs (Zygophyllum xanthoxylum, Nitraria sibirica, Calligonum mongolicum, Corethrodendron scoparium, Caragana korshinskii, and Corethrodendron fruticosu). Results showed that (1) seed germination percent and vigor index were significantly higher at 15 and 20% soil moisture content than at 5 and 10%; (2) shoot length, primary root length, specific leaf area and biomass of seedlings were significantly higher in the 15% and 20% soil moisture content treatments than in the 5% and 10% treatments; (3) superoxide dismutase activity (SOD) and soluble protein content (SP) decreased with decreasing soil water content, while peroxidase activity (POD) and catalase activity (CAT) showed a decreasing and then increasing trend with increasing soil water content; (4) the six seeds and seedling of shrubs were ranked in order of their survivability in response to changes in soil moisture: Caragana korshinskii > Zygophyllum xanthoxylum > Calligonum mongolicum > Corethrodendron scoparium > Corethrodendron fruticosu > Nitraria sibirica. Our study shows that shrub seedlings respond to water changes by regulating morphological and physiological traits together. More importantly, we found that C. korshinskii, Z. xanthoxylum and C. mongolicum were more survivable when coping with water deficit or extreme precipitation. The results of the study may provide a reference for the selection and cultivation of similar shrubs in desert areas under frequent extreme droughts in the future. Full article

Nanoscale geranium waste (GW) and magnesium nanoparticle/GW nanocomposites (Mg NP/GW) were prepared using green synthesis. The Mg NP/GW samples were subjected to characterization using X-ray diffraction (XRD) and Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR-FT). The surface morphology of the materials was examined using a scanning electron microscope (SEM), and their thermal stability was assessed through thermal gravimetric analysis (TG). The BET-specific surface area, pore volume, and pore size distribution of the prepared materials were determined using the N2 adsorption–desorption method. Additionally, the particle size and zeta potentials of the materials were also measured. The influence of the prepared nanomaterials on seed germination was intensively investigated. The results revealed an increase in seed germination percent at low concentrations of Mg NP/GWs. Upon treatment with Mg NP/GW nanoparticles, a reduction in the mitotic index (MI) was observed, indicating a decrease in cell division. Additionally, an increase in chromosomal abnormalities was detected. The efficacy of GW and Mg NP/GW nanoparticles as new elicitors was evaluated by studying their impact on the expression levels of the farnesyl diphosphate synthase (FPPS1) and geranylgeranyl pyrophosphate (GPPS1) genes. These genes play a crucial role in the terpenoid biosynthesis pathway in Sinapis alba (S. alba) and Pelargonium graveolens (P. graveolens) plants. The expression levels were analyzed using reverse transcription–quantitative polymerase chain reaction (RT-qPCR) analysis. The qRT-PCR analysis of FPPS and GPPS gene expression was performed. The outputs of FPPS1 gene expression demonstrated high levels of mRNA in both S. alba and P. graveolens with fold changes of 25.24 and 21.68, respectively. In contrast, the minimum expression levels were observed for the GPPS1 gene, with fold changes of 11.28 and 6.48 in S. alba and P. graveolens, respectively. Thus, this study offers the employment of medicinal plants as an alternative to fertilizer usage resulting in promoting environmental preservation, optimal waste utilization, reducing water consumption, and cost reduction. Full article

Tree–crop interaction studies help to determine the effects of trees on the production and yield of agricultural crops and could help indecisions on suitable crops and tree combinations to increase the overall production from agroforestry systems. Different varieties of agricultural crops might show different responses against the phytotoxic effects of Bauhinia species. This study was conducted to observe the phytotoxicity of two Bauhinia spp., i.e., Bauhinia retusa and Bauhinia variegata, on some Triticum aestivum varieties, i.e., VL-892, VI-829, VL-616, UP-2572, and UP-1109.The leaves and bark of these two species were harvested from the natural population for these experiments. On average, germination and radicle and plumule length of wheat varieties were significantly (p > 0.05) reduced by the leaf and bark extracts of both Bauhinia species. The effect of leaf and bark extracts of both Bauhinia species on seed germination percent of different wheat varieties revealed that the bark and leaf extracts showed maximum toxicity for germination percentage, and minimum influence was observed in radicle and plumule length. However, bark extracts were more toxic as compared to leaf extracts. Under leaf and bark extract concentrations, the VL 829 wheat variety showed stimulatory effects in germination and radicle and plumule growth under both Bauhinia species. On average, radicle and plumule growth of the test crop was increased with an increasing concentration of leaf and bark extract of B. variegata up to 50%, and thereafter, a decrease in radicle and plumule length was recorded. The VL 829 and UP 1109 varieties showed the lowest allelopathic effects and could be grown under both Bauhinia species with minimum yield loss. Full article

Coronilla viminalis Salisb. is a fodder leguminous plant from the Canary Islands and Northwestern Africa with adaptation to drought. Its conservation status is critical. Its low germination capacity and intense loss of viability of the seeds over time complicate its conservation, limiting its long-term maintenance in germplasm banks and hampering its potential use as a resilient fodder crop. Therefore, in this work, two alternative propagation methods have been addressed. The first was based on facilitating seed germination under aseptic conditions, supplementing the media with gibberellic acid (GA₃). The latter consisted of creating a micropropagation method from nodal segments and testing different media and pretreatments with indole-3-acetic acid (IAA). The quantity and quality of the roots were assessed, and the plant acclimation rate was measured. The results showed that the optimum concentration of GA₃ for germination, up to 98%, was 250 PPM. The experiments showed that using IAA in the micropropagation media is critical for in vitro rooting in this species. A hormonal pretreatment with IAA significantly improved the rooting efficiency compared to supplementing it into the culture media. One hundred percent of acclimated plants survived the process. These new protocols will help conserve the species and explore its possibilities as fodder crops. Full article

Little mallow (Malva parviflora L.) is a notorious weed that causes substantial yield losses in winter crops. For effective weed management and seed testing, a deeper understanding of seed dormancy, germination behavior, and dormancy-breaking methods is necessary. Experiments were conducted to determine the effect of seed treatments, i.e., mechanical scarification, acid scarification, hot water treatment, and different germinating temperatures, i.e., 15 °C, 20 °C, or alternating 15–20 °C (16/8 h), on the seed dormancy in M.parviflora. A large proportion of M. parviflora seeds were physically dormant, with just 10.90% germination. Seed treatments had a significant influence on seed germination, seedling dry weight, vigor index, and water absorption (p ≤ 0.01). Among the various treatments, mechanical scarification enhanced germination by 32%, the vigor index by 487% and water uptake by 34%, and decreased percent hard seeds by 34%. Among the various germination temperatures, alternating 15–20 °C temperatures (16/8 h) gave the most significant result for germination and the lowest percent hard seeds. The findings of this study will serve as a valuable reference for seed testing and the development of suitable weed control strategies for M. parviflora. Full article

Determining the amount of heat units required to kill weed seeds is a crucial aspect for the success of weed control through soil solarization. Lab experiments were designed to determine the duration of exposure for weed seeds that is required to suppress germination at temperatures (40, 45, 50, 55, and 60 °C) in the range of those typically achieved during soil solarization in California. The species tested were annual sowthistle (Sonchus oleraceus L.), bristly oxtongue (Picris echioides L.), nettleleaf goosefoot (Chenopodium murale L.), redroot pigweed (Amaranthus retroflexus L.), common purslane (Portulaca oleracea L.), little mallow (Malva parviflora L.), and redstem filaree (Erodium cicutarium L.). Germination tests were performed to assess the germinability of the weed seeds. The germination suppression by the lab-simulated solarization temperatures differed among the species based on their seasonality. The cool-season annuals S. oleraceus and P. echioides were more susceptible to the heat treatments than the warm-season annuals P. oleracea, A. retroflexus, and C. murale. The hard-seeded weed species M. parviflora and E. cicutarium were the least susceptible to the heat treatments. The germination rates of S. oleraceus, P. echioides, and C. murale were reduced at all of the temperatures that were tested. The germination rates for A. retroflexus and M. parviflora were not affected by temperatures below 40 °C. The germination rates for P. oleracea were not affected by temperature below 45 °C and the germination of E. cicutarium was not affected by any of the temperatures that were tested. The duration (hours) of exposure and percent of germination suppression of the weed seeds were used to create thermal-time hazard models for weed seeds using logistic regression. Full article

The priming of seeds is shown as a viable technique to improve germination, the growth of the radicle and plumule, and the seedling vigor index, which gives rise to seedlings with higher quality and tolerance to environmental growing conditions. Sodium selenite (Na₂SeO₃) and selenium nanoparticles (nSe) were used as priming media and postgermination biostimulation in seeds of jalapeño pepper, in concentrations of 1, 5, 10, 15, 20, 25, 30, 35, 40, and 45 mg L⁻¹ for the two Se species, and control treatment. This research aimed to determine the priming response of jalapeño pepper regarding the germination percent, germination speed index, radicle length, plumule length, fresh weight, and seedling vigor index. The stimulation and phytotoxicity thresholds were also computed. The results showed a percentage of germination greater than 80% in all concentrations evaluated. Most variables of jalapeño pepper presented stimulation responses at Na₂SeO₃ doses lower than 5 mg L⁻¹ and nSe doses lower than 15 mg L⁻¹. The higher daily germination was favored by nSe on the fifth day compared to the sixth day of Na₂SeO₃; in addition, the higher cumulative germination occurred on the sixth day with nSe and on the eighth day with Na₂SeO₃. The use of low Na₂SeO₃ concentrations positively favors germination and the morphological traits of the shoots. Likewise, the use of Se in nanometric form was friendlier, that is, the degree of tolerance to Se was higher. Full article

Rhododendron sobayakiense is an endemic and near-threatened species (Korean Red List, NT) found in the alpine regions of South Korea that requires conservation. This study investigated the species’ genetic variations and seed germination characteristics and predicted its potential habitat change according to climate change scenarios. The genetic diversity of R. sobayakiense at the species level (P = 88.6%; S.I. = 0.435; h = 0.282) was somewhat similar to that observed for the same genus. The inter-population genetic differentiation was 19% and revealed a relatively stable level of gene exchange at 1.22 in each population. The main cause of gene flow and genetic differentiation was presumed to be the Apis mellifera pollinator. Seed germination characteristics indicated non-deep physiological dormancy, with germination at ≥10 °C and the highest percent germination (PG) of ≥60% at 15–25 °C, while the PG was ≥50% at 30 °C. The PG increased at constant temperature than at variable temperatures; the mean germination time decreased as temperature increased. The climate scenarios SSP3 and SSP5 were analyzed to predict future R. sobayakiense habitat changes. The variables of the main effects were Identified as follows: elevation > temperature seasonality > mean diurnal range. Full article

Salinity hinders plant growth, posing a substantial challenge to sustainable agricultural yield maintenance. The application of plant growth-promoting rhizobacteria (PGPR) offers an emerging strategy to mitigate the detrimental effects of high salinity levels. This study aimed to isolate and identify gibberellin-producing bacteria and their impact on the seed germination of Malva verticillata (mallow) and Brassica oleracea var. italica (broccoli) under salt stress. In this study, seven bacterial isolates (KW01, KW02, KW03, KW04, KW05, KW06, and KW07) were used to assess their capacity for producing various growth-promoting traits and their tolerance to varying amounts of salinity (100 mM and 150 Mm NaCl). The findings revealed that KW05 and KW07 isolates outperformed other isolates in synthesizing indole-3-acetic acid, siderophores, and exopolysaccharides and in solubilizing phosphates. These isolates also enhanced phosphatase activity and antioxidant levels, including superoxide dismutase and catalase. Both KW05 and KW07 isolate highlight the growth-promoting effects of gibberellin by enhancing of growth parameters of Waito-C rice. Further, gas chromatography–mass spectrometry validation confirmed the ability of KW05 and KW07 to produce gibberellins (GAs), including GA₁, GA₃, GA₄, and GA₇. Seed germination metrics were enhanced due to the inoculation of KW05 and KW07. Moreover, inoculation with KW05 increased the fresh weight (FW) (7.82%) and total length (38.61%) of mallow under salt stress. Inoculation with KW07 increased the FW (32.04%) and shoot length of mallow under salt stress. A single inoculation of these two isolates increased broccoli plants’ FW and shoot length under salt stress. Gibberellin-producing bacteria helps in plant growth promotion by improving salt tolerance by stimulating root elongation and facilitating enhanced absorption of water and nutrient uptake in salty environments. Based on these findings, they can play a role in boosting agricultural yield in salt-affected areas, which would help to ensure the long-term viability of agriculture in coastal regions. Full article

Rice (Oryza sativa L.) is a primary energy food for the Asian population. One of the greatest constraints in rice production is soil salinity because rice is very susceptible to salt. Meanwhile, many agricultural lands in Asia are in saline areas. It is important to identify and develop salt-tolerant rice varieties that highly adapt to Asian climates. By combining morphological, physiological, and biochemical assessments for screening the salt tolerance of 116 Asian rice cultivars, we were able to classify them into tolerant, moderate, and sensitive rice cultivars under salinity stress conditions and also understand salt tolerance mechanisms. The rice cultivars that are salt-tolerant include Pokkali from India, TCCP 266 and IR 45427 from the Philippines, and Namyang 7 from Republic of Korea. However, salt-sensitive rice varieties like IR29 and IR58 are from the Philippines, and Daegudo and Guweoldo are from Korea. The salt-tolerant varieties showed signs of tolerance, including a lower percent reduction in germination percentage, root length, root fresh weight, shoot length, plant biomass, and chlorophyll content. In order to maintain the cellular osmotic balance under saline conditions, the salt-tolerant varieties exhibited less membrane damage, a lower Na/K ratio, high proline and sugar accumulation, and lower levels of malondialdehyde (MDA) and hydrogen peroxide (H₂O₂). Pokkali from India, TCCP 266 and IR 45427 from the Philippines, and Namyang 7 from Republic of Korea are recommended as valuable germplasm resources for Asian rice breeding programs in saline agricultural areas. Full article