Search Results (1,187)

Climate change, with its altered precipitation and extreme temperatures, significantly threatens global viticulture by affecting grapevine growth, yield, and fruit quality. Understanding the molecular underpinnings of grapevine resilience is crucial for developing adaptive strategies. Our aim is to explore the application of multi-omics approaches (integrating genomics, transcriptomics, proteomics, metabolomics, and epigenetics) to investigate grapevine stress responses. Advances in these omics technologies have been pivotal in identifying key stress-response genes, metabolic pathways, and regulatory networks, particularly those contributing to grapevine tolerance to water deficiency, (such as drought and decreased precipitation), extreme temperatures, UV radiation, and salinity. Furthermore, the rich genetic reservoir within grapevines serves as a vital resource for enhancing stress tolerance. While adaptive strategies such as rootstock selection and precision irrigation are important, future research must prioritize integrated multi-omics studies, including those on regional climate adaptation and long-term breeding programs. Such efforts are essential to exploit genetic diversity and ensure the sustainability of viticulture in the evolving climate. In summary, this review demonstrates how utilizing the inherent genetic variability of grapevines and employing multi-omics approaches are critical for understanding and enhancing their resilience to the challenges posed by climate change. Full article

Cool-season creeping bentgrass (Agrostis stolonifera L., As) is extensively used on golf courses worldwide and is negatively affected by several fungal diseases and abiotic stresses including drought and salinity. CRISPR/Cas9 (clustered regularly interspaced short palindromic repeats/CRISPR-associated) gene editing technology was employed in this project to knock out the AsDREBL (dehydration responsive element binding-like factor) gene, a potential negative regulator in stress tolerance. With our established single guide RNA (sgRNA)-based CRISPR-editing vector and optimized creeping bentgrass tissue culture system using mature seed-derived embryogenic calli of cv. Crenshaw as explant, more than 20 transgenic plants were produced by gene gun bombardment. Fifteen confirmed AsDREBL mutant plants were tested for drought and salinity tolerance by withholding water and applying salt spray in greenhouse settings. Some of the mutants were shown to be more tolerant of drought and salinity stress compared to the non-edited, wild type Crenshaw plants. Our results demonstrate that CRISPR-gene editing technology can be successfully applied to improve the agronomical traits of turfgrass. Full article

Sunflower (Helianthus annuus L.) is an essential oilseed crop known for its adaptability to harsh environments including drought. However, salinity stress, affecting over 20% of global agricultural land, poses a serious threat to its productivity. This study evaluated the response of 17 sunflower genotypes under salinity stress (200 mM NaCl) and optimum (0 mM NaCl) conditions in the laboratory. The experiment was arranged in a completely randomized design with three replications and was validated through a second experimental run. Measured parameters included germination percentage and speed, root and shoot length, biomass, and water content. Stress tolerance indices (STIs) for germination, seedling length, and biomass were calculated. Combined ANOVA showed that genotype and environment interactions significantly (p < 0.001) affected all measured traits. Salinity stress significantly reduced germination, seedling growth, and biomass across genotypes, with some experiencing complete germination inhibition. Genotypes 9, 14, 16, and 17 consistently maintained higher germination, seedling length, and biomass under stress, with high STIs, indicating tolerance to salinity stress during the early growth stages. These results identified genotypes 9, 14, 16, and 17 as promising candidates for breeding programs aimed at enhancing salinity tolerance, offering sustainable solutions for the utilization of saline soils and for enhancing food security. Future research should focus on the field-based validation of these genotypic responses. Full article

The olive industry is transitioning from traditional to super-high-density (SHD) systems to optimize production costs and address labor shortages. This shift coincides with increasing challenges from soil salinization and deteriorating irrigation water quality. This study evaluated salinity tolerance in three novel olive cultivars (Lecciana, Coriana, and Sikitita) against the established SHD references Arbequina and Arbosana under controlled greenhouse conditions over five months with increasing NaCl concentrations (25, 50, and 75 mM). The analysis revealed distinct adaptation mechanisms among cultivars. Arbosana exhibited balanced tolerance across parameters, with minimal biomass reduction and remarkable photosynthetic resilience. Lecciana demonstrated superior ion regulation, maintaining the highest K⁺/Na⁺ ratios across all salinity levels despite pronounced shoot growth sensitivity at high salinity. Sikitita showed moderate tolerance through biomass maintenance but with significant photosynthetic sensitivity under stress. Arbequina displayed effective chloride exclusion and consistent shoot growth despite biomass sensitivity, whereas Coriana presented notable biomass increases at moderate salinity but poor ion discrimination. Tissue-specific analysis revealed common compartmentalization patterns across cultivars, with roots accumulating the highest Na⁺ and Cl⁻ concentrations. These data identify Arbosana and Lecciana as promising candidates for salinized SHD orchards. Full article

Climate change due to global warming increases the susceptibility of plants to multiple combined stresses. Soil salinization and high temperature stresses that co-occur in arid/semiarid regions severely restrict the growth and development of plants. Although alfalfa (Medicago sativa L.) is an important forage grass, the physiological mechanisms driving its responses to combined salt and heat stress are not yet clear. This study aimed to reveal the physiological and biochemical response mechanisms of six alfalfa cultivars to different stresses by comparing plant morphology, agronomic traits, photosynthetic characteristics, and physiological and biochemical responses under control conditions, salt stress (200 mM NaCl), heat stress (38 °C), and combined salt and heat stress. Compared with single stresses, combined stress significantly inhibited the growth and biomass accumulation of alfalfa. Under combined stress, the cultivars presented decreases in plant height and total fresh biomass of 11.87–26.49% and 28.22–39.97%, respectively, compared with those of the control plants. Heat stress promoted alfalfa photosynthesis by increasing stomatal conductance, net photosynthetic rate, and transpiration rate, while salt stress and combined stress significantly suppressed these effects. Combined stress significantly increased the concentration of Na⁺ but decreased that of K⁺ and the relative water content in alfalfa leaves. Compared with the control and single stress treatments, combined stress significantly increased the level of membrane lipid peroxidation and accumulation of reactive oxygen species. The proline contents in the leaves of the different alfalfa cultivars were 2.79–11.26 times greater under combined stress than in the control. Combined stress causes alfalfa to redistribute energy from growth and development to stress defense pathways, ultimately leading to a reduction in biomass. Our study provides theoretical guidance for analyzing the mechanisms of grass resistance to combined salt and heat stress. Full article

Soil salinization limits the growth of agricultural crops in the world, requiring the use of methods to increase the tolerance of agricultural crops to salinity–alkali stress. Arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi (AMF) enhance plant stress adaptation through symbiosis and offer a promising strategy for remediation. However, in non-model crops such as oat (Avena sativa L.), research has mainly focused on physiological assessments, while the key genes and metabolic pathways involved in AMF-mediated growth and saline–alkali tolerance remain unclear. In this study, we employed integrated multi-omics and physiological analyses to explore the regulatory mechanisms of AMF in oats under normal and saline–alkali stress. The results indicated that AMF symbiosis significantly promoted oat growth and physiological performance under both normal and saline–alkali stress conditions. Compared to the non-inoculated group under normal conditions, AMF increased plant height and biomass by 8.5% and 15.3%, respectively. Under saline–alkali stress, AMF enhanced SPAD value and relative water content by 16.7% and 7.3%, reduced MDA content by 35.8%, increased soluble protein by 21.8%, and decreased proline by 13.3%. In addition, antioxidant enzyme activities (SOD, POD, and CAT) were elevated by 18.4%, 18.2%, and 14.8%, respectively. Transcriptomic analysis revealed that AMF colonization under saline–alkali stress induced about twice as many differentially expressed genes (DEGs) as under non-saline–alkali stressed conditions. These DEGs were primarily associated with Environmental Information Processing, Genetic Information Processing, and Metabolic Processes. According to metabolomic analysis, a total of 573 metabolites were identified across treatments, mainly comprising lipids (29.3%), organic compounds (36.8%), and secondary metabolites (21.5%). Integrated multi-omics analysis indicated that AMF optimized energy utilization and antioxidant defense by enhancing phenylpropanoid biosynthesis and amino acid metabolism pathways. This study provides new insights into how AMF may enhance oat growth and tolerance to saline–alkali stress. Full article

Calcium ameliorates salt-related growth defects in plants. The objective of this study was to determine whether supplying calcium through a seed enrichment technique enhances the germinability and early growth of timothy (Phleum pratense L.) under saline conditions. For seed enrichment, timothy seeds were soaked in CaCl₂ solutions at concentrations of 50 mM or 100 mM for 24 h at room temperature. Seeds treated with distilled water served as the control. Under distilled water conditions, germination rates among the seeds showed minimal variation, approximately 95% on average. However, in a 200 mM NaCl environment, the germination rate of the control seeds significantly decreased to 25%, while the germination rates of the Ca-enriched seeds remained high, exceeding 86%. Additionally, the Ca-enriched seeds germinated more quickly than the control seeds. When plants were grown with distilled water, the total dry matter weights did not differ significantly among the treatment types. However, under salt stress with 100 mM NaCl, the plants derived from Ca-enriched seeds thrived and exhibited higher dry matter weights compared to the control plants. The Ca-enriched seeds contained more soluble sugars and demonstrated higher catalase activity than the control seeds, and their corresponding plants accumulated less sodium under salt stress compared to the control plants. Seed enrichment is an effective technique for supplying calcium to timothy, and a concentration of 50 mM of CaCl₂ in the treatment solution is sufficient to achieve salt tolerance. Full article

Macrobrachium nipponense represents a commercial decapod species that predominantly inhabits freshwater ecosystems or environments with low salinity. However, the species exhibits normal survival and reproductive capacity in natural aquatic habitats with salinity levels up to 10 parts per thousand (ppt). The present study aimed to elucidate the molecular mechanisms underlying salinity acclimation in M. nipponense by investigating alterations in oxidative stress, morphological adaptations, and hepatopancreatic gene expression profiles following exposure to a salinity level of 10 ppt. The present study demonstrates that glutathione peroxidase and Na⁺/K⁺-ATPase play critical roles in mitigating oxidative stress induced by elevated salinity in M. nipponense. Furthermore, histological analysis revealed distinct pathological alterations in the hepatopancreas of M. nipponense following 7-day salinity exposure, including basement-membrane disruption, luminal expansion, vacuolization, and a marked reduction in storage cells. Transcriptomic profiling of M. nipponense hepatopancreas suggested coordinated activation of both immune (lysosome and protein processing in endoplasmic reticulum pathways) and energy (pyruvate metabolism, glycolysis/gluconeogenesis, and citrate cycle) metabolic processes during salinity acclimation in M. nipponense. Quantitative real-time PCR validation confirmed the reliability of RNA-seq data. This study provides molecular insights into the salinity adaptation mechanisms in M. nipponense, offering potential applications for improving cultivation practices in brackish water environments. Full article

The National Adaptation Plan of Bangladesh identifies eleven climate-stressed zones, placing nearly 100 million people at high risk of climate-related hazards. Vulnerable groups such as the poor, floating populations, daily laborers, and slum dwellers are particularly affected. However, there is a lack of data on climate-sensitive diseases and related hospital visits in these areas. This study explored the prevalence of such diseases using the Delphi method through focus group discussions with 493 healthcare professionals from 153 hospitals in 156 upazilas across 21 districts and ten zones. Participants were selected by district Civil Surgeons. Key climate-sensitive diseases identified included malnutrition, diarrhea, pneumonia, respiratory infections, typhoid, skin diseases, hypertension, cholera, mental health disorders, hepatitis, heat stroke, and dengue. Seasonal surges in hospital visits were noted, influenced by factors like extreme heat, air pollution, floods, water contamination, poor sanitation, salinity, and disease vectors. Some diseases were zone-specific, while others were widespread. Regions with fewer hospital visits often had higher disease burdens, indicating under-reporting or lack of access. The findings highlight the need for area-specific adaptation strategies and updates to the Health National Adaptation Plan. Strengthening resilience through targeted investment and preventive measures is crucial to reducing health risks from climate change. Full article

Climate change is disrupting marine ecosystems, necessitating a deeper understanding of environmental and fishing-related impacts on exploited species. This study examines the effects of physical factors (temperature, thermal anomalies, salinity, seabed conditions), biogeochemical elements (pH, oxygen levels, nutrients, primary production), and fishing pressure on the biomass of commercially important species in the Alboran Sea from 1999 to 2022. Data were sourced from the Copernicus observational program, focusing on the geographical sub-area 1 (GSA-1) zone across three depth ranges. Generalized Additive Models were applied for analysis. Rising temperatures and seasonal anomalies have largely negative effects, disrupting species’ physiological balance. Changes in water quality, including improved nutrient and oxygen concentrations, have yielded complex ecological responses. Fishing indices highlight the vulnerability of small pelagic fish to climate change and overfishing, underscoring their economic and ecological significance. These findings stress the urgent need for ecosystem-based management strategies that integrate climate change impacts to ensure sustainable marine resource management. Full article

Salinization of olive orchards constitutes a front-line agronomic challenge for farmers, consumers, and the scientific community as food security, olive logistics, and land use become more unsustainable and problematic. Plantlets of two olive varieties (var. Kalamon and var. Koroneiki) were tested for their performance under soil saline conditions, in which L-methionine, choline-Cl, and L-proline betaine were applied foliarly to alleviate adverse effects. The ‘Kalamon’ variety ameliorated its photosynthetic rates when L-proline betaine and L-methionine were administered at low saline exposure. The stressed varieties achieved higher leaf transpiration rates in the following treatment order: choline-Cl > L-methionine > L-proline betaine. Choline chloride supported stomatal conductance in stressed var. Kalamon olives without this pattern, which was also followed by var. Koroneiki. Supplementation regimes created a mosaic of responses on varietal water use efficiency under stress. The total phenolic content in leaves increased in both varieties after exogenous application only at the highest levels of saline stress. None of the substances applied to olive trees could stand alone as a tool to mitigate salinity stress in order to be recommended as a solid agronomic practice. The residual exploitation of amino acids by the olive orchard microbiome must also be considered as part of an environmentally friendly, integrated strategy to mitigate salinity stress. Full article

Climate change negatively affects agriculture, causing desertification, salinisation, and drought. The biochar hydroinfiltrator (ES Patent No.: ES2793448 B2) is a device that increases the capture of rainwater or irrigation water for crops by increasing infiltration rates. Biochar, produced via biomass pyrolysis, has emerged as a promising agricultural amendment, as it helps to optimise moisture retention and improve soil structure, key aspects for boosting crop yields. There is growing interest in microorganisms’ plant-growth-promoting activity (PGP) by carrying out different activities considered growth promoters. The aim of the present study is to evaluate the use of a biochar hydroinfiltrator as a promoter of microbial activity when it is used in soil. Metagenomic analysis of soils with and without the device reveals that genera Bacillus and Sphingomonas became particularly enriched in soils with hydroinfiltrators. Also, in order to understand the interaction between the uses of biochar together with bacteria PGP, an in vitro test was carried out. Two microorganisms, previously selected for their characteristics as plant growth promoters, were inoculated in soils with and without biochar and they grew better after 15 to 30 days of inoculation, showing major CFU counts. This combined strategy—biochar hydroinfiltrator and PGP bacteria—offers an innovative, eco-friendly approach to sustainable agriculture, particularly under drought stress. Full article

Effective transport strategies are critical for the survival and welfare of juvenile Ictalurus punctatus, but the effects of pre-transport salt bath treatments remain uncertain. In this study, we systematically evaluated the effects of pre-transport salt bath acclimation at 0‰ (S1), 1‰ (S2), 5‰ (S3), and 9‰ (S4) salinity for 30 min on stress resilience and recovery in fingerlings during 12 h of simulated transport and 24 h of recovery. All fish survived, but total ammonia nitrogen (TAN) increased, and pH decreased in all groups, except S3, which showed significantly lower TAN and higher pH (p < 0.05). The S3 and S4 groups showed attenuated increases in serum cortisol and glucose, with S3 exhibiting the fastest return to baseline levels and stable serum sodium and potassium levels. Liver antioxidant enzyme activities in group S3 remained stable, with the lowest malondialdehyde (MDA) accumulation. Integrated biomarker response (IBR) and histological analyses demonstrated that S3 had the lowest systemic stress and tissue damage, whereas S1 and S4 displayed marked cellular disruption. These results indicate that a 5‰ salt bath applied prior to transport may improve water quality, mitigate stress responses, and preserve tissue integrity in juvenile channel catfish. Further studies are needed to confirm these findings in other species and under commercial transport conditions. Full article

Water scarcity challenges floriculture, which depends on quality irrigation for ornamental value. This study assessed short-term salinity tolerance in eight Asteraceae species by measuring physiological (proline levels, antioxidant enzyme activity) and morphological (plant height, flower number, and size) responses. Plants were irrigated with 0, 50, 100, or 300 mM NaCl for 10 days. Salinity significantly enhanced proline content and the activity of key antioxidant enzymes (catalase, peroxidase, and ascorbate peroxidase), reflecting the activation of stress defense mechanisms. However, these defenses failed to fully protect reproductive organs. Flower number and size were consistently more sensitive to salinity than vegetative traits, with significant reductions observed even at 50 mM NaCl. Responses varied between species, with Zinnia elegans and Calendula officinalis exhibiting pronounced sensitivity to salinity, whereas Tagetes patula showed relative tolerance, particularly under moderate stress conditions. The results show that flower structures are more vulnerable to ionic and osmotic disturbances than vegetative tissues, likely due to their higher metabolic demands and developmental sensitivity. Their heightened vulnerability underscores the need to prioritize reproductive performance when evaluating stress tolerance. Incorporating these traits into breeding programs is essential for developing salt-tolerant floriculture species that maintain aesthetic quality under limited water availability. Full article

The objective of this study was to evaluate the physiological, biochemical, and productive effects of the foliar application of bioregulators, based on auxin, cytokinin, and gibberellic acid, on yellow melon, cultivar DALI^®, plants subjected to different salinity levels in a protected environment to simulate Brazil’s semi-arid conditions. The experiment was conducted using a completely randomized block design, in a 4 × 3 factorial scheme, with four salinity levels (0, 2, 4, and 6 dS m⁻¹) and three doses of the bioregulator, Stimulate^® (0%, 100%, and 150% of the recommended dose), with six weekly applications. The physiological variables (chlorophyll a fluorescence and gas exchange) and biochemical parameters (antioxidant enzyme activity and lipid peroxidation) were evaluated at 28 and 42 days after transplanting, and the agronomic traits (fresh fruit mass, physical attributes, and post-harvest quality) were evaluated at the end of the experiment. The results indicated that salinity impaired the physiological and productive performance of the plants, especially at higher levels (4 and 6 dS m⁻¹), causing oxidative stress, reduced photosynthesis, and decreased yield. However, the application of the bioregulator at the 100% dose mitigated the effects of salt stress under moderate salinity (2 dS m⁻¹), promoting higher CO₂ assimilation rates of up to 31.5%, better water-use efficiency, and reduced lipid peroxidation. In addition, the fruits showed a greater mass of up to 66%, thicker pulp, and higher soluble solids (> 10 °Brix) content, making them suitable for sale in the market. The 150% dose did not provide additional benefits and, in some cases, resulted in inhibitory effects. It is concluded that the application of Stimulate^® at the recommended dose is effective in mitigating the effects of moderate salinity, up to ~3 dS m⁻¹, in yellow melon crops; however, its effectiveness is limited under high salinity conditions, requiring the use of complementary strategies. Full article