The role of nitrate reductase in brassinosteroid-induced endogenous nitric oxide generation to improve cadmium stress tolerance of pepper plants by upregulating the ascorbate-glutathione cycle

The Effects of Exogenous 2,4-Epibrassinolide on the Germination of Cucumber Seeds under NaHCO3 Stress

This investigation focused on the suppressive impact of varying NaHCO3 concentrations on cucumber seed germination and the ameliorative effects of 2,4-Epibrassinolide (EBR). The findings revealed a negative correlation between NaHCO3 concentration and cucumber seed germination, with increased NaHCO3 concentrations leading to a notable decline in germination. Crucially, the application of exogenous EBR significantly counteracted this inhibition, effectively enhancing germination rates and seed vigor. Exogenous EBR was observed to substantially elevate the activities of superoxide dismutase (SOD), catalase (CAT), and peroxidase (POD), thereby mitigating oxidative damage triggered under NaHCO3 stress conditions. Additionally, EBR improved enzyme activity under alkaline stress conditions and reduced starch content in the seeds. Pertinently, EBR upregulated genes that were associated with gibberellin (GA) synthesis (GA20ox and GA3ox), and downregulated genes that were linked to abscisic acid (ABA) synthesis (NCED1 and NCED2). This led to an elevation in GA3 concentration and a reduction in ABA concentration within the cucumber seeds. Therefore, this study elucidates that alleviating oxidative stress, promoting starch catabolism, and regulating the GA and ABA balance are key mechanisms through which exogenous EBR mitigates the suppression of cucumber seed germination resulting from alkaline stress.

Can nutrients act as signals under abiotic stress?

Plant cells are in constant communication to coordinate development processes and environmental reactions. Under stressful conditions, such communication allows the plant cells to adjust their activities and development. This is due to intercellular signaling events which involve several components. In plant development, cell-to-cell signaling is ensured by mobile signals hormones, hydrogen peroxide (H2O2), nitric oxide (NO), or hydrogen sulfide (H2S), as well as several transcription factors and small RNAs. Mineral nutrients, including macro and microelements, are determinant factors for plant growth and development and are, currently, recognized as potential signal molecules. This review aims to highlight the role of nutrients, particularly calcium, potassium, magnesium, nitrogen, phosphorus, and iron as signaling components with special attention to the mechanism of response against stress conditions.

Brassinosteroid Signaling Pathways: Insights into Plant Responses under Abiotic Stress

With the growing global population, abiotic factors have emerged as a formidable threat to agricultural food production. If left unaddressed, these stress factors might reduce food yields by up to 25% by 2050. Plants utilize natural mechanisms, such as reactive oxygen species scavenging, to mitigate the adverse impacts of abiotic stressors. Diverse plants exhibit unique adaptations to abiotic stresses, which are regulated by phytohormones at various levels. Brassinosteroids (BRs) play a crucial role in controlling essential physiological processes in plants, including seed germination, xylem differentiation, and reproduction. The BR cascade serves as the mechanism through which plants respond to environmental stimuli, including drought and extreme temperatures. Despite two decades of research, the complex signaling of BRs under different stress conditions is still being elucidated. Manipulating BR signaling, biosynthesis, or perception holds promise for enhancing crop resilience. This review explores the role of BRs in signaling cascades and summarizes their substantial contribution to plants' ability to withstand abiotic stresses.

Glutathione-dependent redox homeostasis is critical for chlorothalonil detoxification in tomato leaves

Glutathione plays a critical role in plant growth, development and response to stress. It is a major cellular antioxidant and is involved in the detoxification of xenobiotics in many organisms, including plants. However, the role of glutathione-dependent redox homeostasis and associated molecular mechanisms regulating the antioxidant system and pesticide metabolism remains unclear. In this study, endogenous glutathione levels were manipulated by pharmacological treatments with glutathione synthesis inhibitors and oxidized glutathione. The application of oxidized glutathione enriched the cellular oxidation state, reduced the activity and transcript levels of antioxidant enzymes, upregulated the expression level of nitric oxide and Ca2+ related genes and the content, and increased the residue of chlorothalonil in tomato leaves. Further experiments confirmed that glutathione-induced redox homeostasis is critical for the reduction of pesticide residues. RNA sequencing analysis revealed that miRNA156 and miRNA169 that target transcription factor SQUAMOSA-Promoter Binding Proteins (SBP) and NUCLEAR FACTOR Y (NFY) potentially participate in glutathione-mediated pesticide degradation in tomato plants. Our study provides important clues for further dissection of pesticide degradation mechanisms via miRNAs in plants.

Brassinosteroid modulates ethylene synthesis and antioxidant metabolism to protect rice (Oryza sativa) against heat stress-induced inhibition of source‒sink capacity and photosynthetic and growth attributes

This study presents an exploration of the efficacy of brassinosteroids (BRs) and ethylene in mediating heat stress tolerance in rice (Oryza sativa). Heat is one of the major abiotic factors that prominently deteriorates rice production by influencing photosynthetic efficiency, source‒sink capacity, and growth traits. The application of BR (0.5 mM) and ethylene (200 μl l-1) either individually and/or in combination was found to alleviate heat stress-induced toxicity by significantly improving photosynthesis, source‒sink capacity and defense systems; additionally, it reduced the levels of oxidative stress markers and ethylene formation. The study revealed the positive influence of BR in promoting plant growth responses under heat stress through its interplay with ethylene biosynthesis and enhanced plant defense systems. Interestingly, treatment with the ethylene biosynthesis inhibitor aminoethoxyvinylglycine (AVG) substantiated that BR application to heat-stressed rice plants enhanced ethylene-dependent pathways to counteract the underlying adversities. Thus, BR action was found to be mediated by ethylene to promote heat tolerance in rice. The present study sheds light on the potential tolerance mechanisms which can ensure rice sustainability under heat stress conditions.

From plant survival to thriving: exploring the miracle of brassinosteroids for boosting abiotic stress resilience in horticultural crops

Abiotic stresses pose significant threat to horticultural crop production worldwide. These stresses adversely affect plant growth, development, and ultimately declined crop growth, yield and quality. In recent years, plant scientists have been actively investigating innovative strategies to enhance abiotic stress resilience in crops, and one promising avenue of research focuses on the use of brassinosteroids (BRs). BRs are a class of plant hormones that play crucial roles in various physiological processes, including cell elongation, differentiation, and stress responses. They have emerged as potent regulators of plant growth and development, and their role in improving abiotic stress tolerance is gaining considerable attention. BRs have been shown to mitigate the negative effects of abiotic stresses by modulating key physiological and biochemical processes, including stomatal regulation, antioxidant defense, osmotic adjustment, and nutrient uptake. Abiotic stresses disrupt numerous physiological functions and lead to undesirable phenotypic traits in plants. The use of BRs as a tool to improve crop resilience offers significant promise for sustainable agriculture in the face of increasing abiotic stresses caused by climate change. By unraveling the phenomenon of BRs, this review emphasizes the potential of BRs as an innovative approach for boosting abiotic stress tolerance and improving the overall productivity and quality of horticultural crops. Further research and field trials are necessary to fully harness the benefits of BRs and translate these findings into practical applications for crop production systems.

Melatonin enhanced the heavy metal-stress tolerance of pepper by mitigating the oxidative damage and reducing the heavy metal accumulation

Heavy metals (HMs), like vanadium (V), chromium (Cr), cadmium (Cd), and nickel (Ni) toxicity due to anthropogenic, impair plant growth and yield, which is a challenging issue for agricultural production. Melatonin (ME) is a stress mitigating molecule, which alleviates HM-induced phytotoxicity, but the possible underlying mechanism of ME functions under HMs' phytotoxicity is still unclear. Current study uncovered key mechanisms for ME-mediated HMs-stress tolerance in pepper. HMs toxicity greatly reduced growth by impeding leaf photosynthesis, root architecture system, and nutrient uptake. Conversely, ME supplementation markedly enhanced growth attributes, mineral nutrient uptake, photosynthetic efficiency, as measured by chlorophyll content, gas exchange elements, chlorophyll photosynthesis genes' upregulation, and reduced HMs accumulation. ME treatment showed a significant decline in the leaf/root V, Cr, Ni, and Cd concentration which was about 38.1/33.2%, 38.5/25.9%, 34.8/24.9%, and 26.6/25.1%, respectively, when compared with respective HM treatment. Furthermore, ME remarkably reduced the ROS (reactive oxygen species) accumulation, and reinstated the integrity of cellular membrane via activating antioxidant enzymes (SOD, superoxide dismutase; CAT, catalase; APX, ascorbate peroxidase; GR, glutathione reductase; POD, peroxidase; GST, glutathione S-transferase; DHAR, dehydroascorbate reductase; MDHAR, monodehydroascorbate reductase) and as well as regulating ascorbate-glutathione (AsA-GSH) cycle. Importantly, oxidative damage showed efficient alleviations through upregulating the genes related to key defense such as SOD, CAT, POD, GR, GST, APX, GPX, DHAR, and MDHAR; along with the genes related to ME biosynthesis. ME supplementation also enhanced the level of proline and secondary metabolites, and their encoding genes expression, which may control excessive H₂O₂ (hydrogen peroxide) production. Finally, ME supplementation enhanced the HM stress tolerance of pepper seedlings.

Nitric oxide and brassinosteroids enhance chromium stress tolerance in Glycine max L. (Merr.) by modulating antioxidative defense and glyoxalase systems

Chromium (Cr) contamination of agricultural soils is a major threat to human and plant health worldwide and causes reductions in plant growth and crop yields. 24-epibrassinolide (EBL) and nitric oxide (NO) have been shown to ameliorate the reductions in growth caused by the stresses induced by heavy metals; however, the interactions between EBL and NO on the alleviation of Cr-induced phytotoxicity have been poorly studied. Hence, this study was undertaken to examine any beneficial effects of EBL (0.01 µM) and NO (100 µM), applied alone or in combination, on the mitigation of stress induced by Cr (100 µM) in soybean seedlings. Although EBL and NO applied alone reduced the toxic effects of Cr, the combined treatment had the greatest effect. Mitigation of Cr intoxication occurred via reduced Cr uptake and translocation and by ameliorating reductions in water contents, light-harvesting pigments, and other photosynthetic parameters. In addition, the two hormones increased the activity of enzymatic and non-enzymatic defense mechanisms increasing the scavenging of reactive oxygen species, thereby reducing membrane damage and electrolyte leakage. Furthermore, the hormones reduced the accumulation of the toxic compound, methylglyoxal, by amplifying activities of glyoxalase I and glyoxalase II. Thus, applications of NO and EBL can significantly mitigate Cr-phytotoxicity when cultivating soybean plants in Cr-contaminated soils. However, further more-in depth studies including field investigations parallel with calculations of cost to profit ratios and yield losses are requested to validate the effectiveness of NO and/or EBL for remediation agents in Cr-contaminated soils with using key biomarkers (i.e., oxidative stress, antioxidant defense, and osmoprotectants) involved in the uptake, accumulation, and attenuation of Cr toxicity tested in our study.

Insight into the physiological and biochemical mechanisms of biostimulating effect of Ascophyllum nodosum and Moringa oleifera extracts to minimize cadmium-induced oxidative stress in rice

Cadmium (Cd) is a serious threat for environmental sustainability as it can be taken up quickly by plants and transported to the food chain of living organisms. It alters plants' metabolic and physiological activities and causes yield loss, thereby, enhancing plant tolerance to Cd stress is of utmost essential. Therefore, an experiment was executed to investigate the potential role of Ascophyllum nodosum extract (ANE) and moringa (Moringa oleifera) leaf extract (MLE) to confer Cd tolerance in rice (Oryza sativa cv. BRRI dhan89). Thirty-five-day-old seedling was subjected to Cd stress (50 mg kg-1 CdCl2) alone and in a combination of ANE (0.25%) or MLE (0.5%) in a semi-controlled net house. Exposure to Cd resulted in accelerated production of reactive oxygen species, enhanced lipid peroxidation, and disrupted antioxidant defense and glyoxalase system, thus retarded plant growth, biomass production, and yield attributes of rice. On the contrary, the supplementation of ANE or MLE enhanced the contents of ascorbate and glutathione, and the activities of antioxidant enzymes such as ascorbate peroxidase, dehydroascorbate reductase, monodehydroascorbate reductase, glutathione reductase, glutathione peroxidase, and catalase. Moreover, supplementation of ANE and MLE enhanced the activities of glyoxalase I and glyoxalase II which prevented the overgeneration of methylglyoxal in Cd stressed rice plants. Thus, because of ANE and MLE addition Cd-induced rice plants showed a noticeable declination in membrane lipid peroxidation, hydrogen peroxide generation, and electrolyte leakage, whereas improved water balance. Furthermore, the growth and yield attributes of Cd-affected rice plants were improved with the supplementation of ANE and MLE. All the studied parameters indicates the potential role of ANE and MLE in mitigating Cd stress in rice plants through improving the physiological attributes, modulating antioxidant defense and glyoxalase system.

Integrating physiological and transcriptome analyses clarified the molecular regulation mechanism of PyWRKY48 in poplar under cadmium stress

WRKY transcription factors (TFs) play an important role in regulating plant growth and responses to environmental stress. However, the molecular mechanism of WRKY to cadmium (Cd) stress is unclear, which prevents phytoremediation of Cd-contaminated soil from widely application. To determine the underlying mechanism, PyWRKY48-overexpressing poplars were obtained (OE-32 and OE-67) to study the Cd tolerance and accumulation in poplars. Results showed that the Cd content in the aboveground part of the two transgenic poplar lines were 1.57 and 1.99 times higher than that of wild type (WT), and lateral roots, GSH, PCs content and GST activity increased significantly. RNA-seq. data about transgenic and WT poplars revealed that 2074 differentially expressed genes (DEGs) in roots, 4325 in leaves, and 499 in both tissues. And these DEGs were mainly concentrated in ABC transport protein (PaABC), heavy-metal binding protein (PaHIPP), and transportation and loading of xylem (PaNPF, PaBSP) proteins, and they enhanced Cd accumulation. Meanwhile, PyWRKY48 increased the Cd tolerance of transgenic poplars by up-regulating the expression of PaGRP, PaPER and PaPHOS, which encode cell wall proteins, antioxidant enzyme, and heavy metal-associated proteins, respectively. In addition, overexpression PyWRKY48 promoted poplar growth by increasing the chlorophyll and carotenoid content. ENVIRONMENTAL IMPLICATION: This study generated PyWRKY48-overexpressing poplars and functionally verified them in Cd-contaminated soil, to analyze the effects of the gene on poplar growth, Cd tolerance and Cd accumulation. RNA seq. data revealed that several genes are involved in Cd exposure. This may provide a strong molecular basis and new ideas for improving the phytoremediation efficiency of Cd-contaminated soils. Importantly, the transgenic poplars grew better and accumulated more Cd than the wild-type. Therefore, PyWRKY48-overexpressing poplars could be considered useful for mitigating environmental pollution.

Morphophysiological, proteomic and metabolomic analyses reveal cadmium tolerance mechanism in common wheat (Triticum aestivum L.)

Soil cadmium (Cd) contamination can reduce wheat yield and quality, thus threatening food security and human health. Herein, morphological physiology, Cd accumulation and distribution, proteomic and metabolomic analyses were performed (using wheat cultivars 'Luomai23' (LM, Cd-sensitive) and 'Zhongyu10' (ZY, Cd-tolerant) at the seedling stage with sand culture) to reveal Cd tolerance mechanism. Cd inhibited wheat growth, caused oxidative stress, hindered carbon and nitrogen metabolism, and altered the quantity and composition of root exudates. The root Cd concentration was lower in ZY than in LM by about 35% under 15 μM Cd treatments. ZY reduced Cd uptake through root exudation of amino acids and alkaloids. ZY also reduced Cd accumulation through specific up-regulation (twice) of major facilitator superfamily (MFS) proteins. Furthermore, ZY enhanced Cd cell wall fixation and vacuolar compartmentalization by increasing pectin contents, hemicellulose1 contents, and adenosine triphosphate binding cassette subfamily C member 1 (ABCC1) transporter expression, thus reducing the Cd organelle fraction of ZY by about 12% and 44% in root and shoot, respectively, compared with LM. Additionally, ZY had enhanced resilience to Cd due to increased antioxidant capacity, plasma membrane stability, nitrogen metabolism, and endoplasmic reticulum homeostasis, indicating that the increased Cd tolerance could be because of multi-level coordination. These findings provide a reference for exploring the molecular mechanism of Cd tolerance and accumulation, providing a basis for safe utilization of Cd-contaminated soil by breeding Cd-tolerant and low Cd-accumulating wheat varieties.

Exogenous 5-aminolevulinic acid alleviates low-temperature injury by regulating glutathione metabolism and β-alanine metabolism in tomato seedling roots

Food availability represents a major worldwide concern due to climate change and population growth. Low-temperature stress (LTS) severely restricts the growth of tomato seedlings. Exogenous 5-aminolevulinic acid (ALA) can alleviate the harm of abiotic stress including LTS; however, data on its protective mechanism on tomato seedling roots, the effects of organelle structure, and the regulation of metabolic pathways under LTS are lacking. In this study, we hope to fill the above gaps by exploring the effects of exogenous ALA on morphology, mitochondrial ultrastructure, reactive oxygen species (ROS) enrichment, physiological indicators, related gene expression, and metabolic pathway in tomato seedlings root under LTS. Results showed that ALA pretreatment could increase the activity of antioxidant enzymes and the content of antioxidant substances in tomato seedlings roots under LTS to scavenge the massively accumulated ROS, thereby protecting the mitochondrial structure of roots and promoting root development under LTS. Combined transcriptomic and metabolomic analysis showed that exogenous ALA pretreatment activated the glutathione metabolism and β-alanine metabolism of tomato seedling roots under LTS, further enhanced the scavenging ability of tomato seedling roots to ROS, and improved the low-temperature tolerance of tomato seedlings. The findings provide a new insight into the regulation of the low-temperature tolerance of tomato by exogenous ALA.

Rhizobium inoculation and exogenous melatonin synergistically increased thermotolerance by improving antioxidant defense, photosynthetic efficiency, and nitro-oxidative homeostasis in Medicago truncatula

Global warming negatively affects plant growth due to the detrimental effects of high temperature-induced heat stress. Rhizobium inoculation (RI) and exogenous melatonin (MT) have shown a positive role in resisting abiotic stress. However, their synergistic effect on avoiding heat-induced damages in Medicago truncatula has not been studied yet. Hence, the objective of the present study was to evaluate the impact of these amendments (RI and MT) to ameliorate the heat damages in Medicago truncatula. The study was comprised of two factors: (1) heat-induced stress: (i) optimum temperature (26 ± 1°C): (23 ± 1°C) (day: night), (ii) moderate heat (35 ± 1°C): (28 ± 1°C), and (iii) severe heat (41 ± 1°C): (35 ± 1°C) for 72 h, and (2) amendments: (i) no RI + no MT (NRI + NMT), (ii) Rhizobium inoculation (RI), (iii) 60 μM melatonin (MT), and (iii) RI + MT. Results showed that the combined application of RI and MT was better than their individual applications, as it prevented heat-induced membrane damages by declining the hydrogen peroxide (34.22% and 29.78%), superoxide anion radical (29.49% and 26.71%), malondialdehyde contents (26.43% and 21.96%), and lipoxygenase activity (44.75% and 25.51%) at both heat stress levels as compared to NRI + NMT. Moreover, RI + MT treated plants showed higher antioxidative and methylglyoxal detoxification enzymes (Gly I and Gly II) activities under heat stress. While, NRI + NMT treated plants showed a higher level of methylglyoxal contents (47.99% and 46.71%) under both levels of heat stress. Relative to NRI + NMT plants, RI + MT pretreated plants exhibited improved heat tolerance as indicated by higher chlorophyll (37.42% and 43.52%), carotenoid contents (32.41% and 47.08%), and photosynthetic rate (42.62% and 64.63%), under moderate and severe heat stress, respectively. Furthermore, RI + MT pretreated plants had considerably higher indole-3 acetic acid and abscisic acid concentrations under moderate (54.02% and 53.92%) and severe (68.36% and 64.61%) heat stress conditions. Similarly, plant dry biomass, NPK uptake, nitric oxide, and nitrate reductase activity were high in RI + MT treated plants, under both levels of stress. Therefore, this study advocates the positive synergistic effect of RI and MT pretreatment against moderate and severe heat-induced stress and for possible maintenance of plant growth under changing scenarios of global warming.

Biochar rebuilds the network complexity of rare and abundant microbial taxa in reclaimed soil of mining areas to cooperatively avert cadmium stress

Understanding the interactions between the soil microbial communities and species is critical in the remediation of heavy metal-contaminated soil. Biochar has been widely applied as a stabilizer in the in situ remediation of cadmium (Cd)-contaminated soils in mining areas. However, the rebuilding of the microbial taxa of rare and abundant species by biochar and their cooperative resistance to Cd stress remains elusive. In this pursuit, the present study envisaged the effects of two types of biochars viz., poplar bark biochar (PB) and thiourea-modified poplar bark biochar (TP) on the rare and abundant bacterial and fungal taxa by using pot experiments. The results demonstrated that the PB and TP treatments significantly reduced the leached Cd content, by 35.13 and 68.05%, respectively, compared with the control group (CK), in the reclaimed soil of the mining area. The application of biochar significantly improved the physicochemical properties like pH and Soil Organic Matter (SOM) of the soil. It was observed that TP treatment was superior to the PB and CK groups in increasing the diversity of the soil abundant and rare species of microbial taxa. Compared with the CK group, the application of PB and TP enhanced and elevated the complexity of the microbial networks of rare and abundant taxa, increased the number and types of network core microorganisms, reshaped the network core microorganisms and hubs, and boosted the microbial resistance to Cd stress. Our results indicate the response of rare and abundant microbial taxa to biochar application and the mechanism of their synergistic remediation of Cd-contaminated soil, thereby providing technical feasibility for in situ remediation of Cd-contaminated soil in mining areas.

Exogenous brassinolide improves the antioxidant capacity of Pinellia ternata by enhancing the enzymatic and nonenzymatic defense systems under non-stress conditions

Brassinolide (BR) improves the antioxidant capacity of plants under various abiotic stresses. However, it is not clear about the effect of BR on the antioxidant capacity in plants under non-stress conditions. In the present study, the antioxidant defense response of Pinellia ternata was to be assessed by applying BR and propiconazole (Pcz) under non-stress conditions. BR treatment enhanced the flavonoid content, peroxidase, and ascorbate peroxidase (APX) activity by 12.31, 30.62, and 25.08% and led to an increase in 2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH) radical scavenging activity by 4.31% and a decrease in malondialdehyde content by 1.04%. Exogenous application of BR improved the expression levels of PAL, CHS, CHI, and DFR genes by 3. 18-, 3. 39-, 2. 21-, and 0.87-fold in flavonoid biosynthesis, PGI, PMI, and GME genes by 6. 60-, 1437. 79-, and 3.11-fold in ascorbic acid (ASA), biosynthesis, and γECs and GSHS genes by 6.08- and 2.61-fold in glutathione (GSH) biosynthesis pathway, and the expression of these genes were inhibited by Pcz treatment. In addition, BR treatment promoted the ASA-GSH cycle by enhancing the expression of APX, DHAR, and MDHAR genes, which were enhanced by 3. 33-, 157. 85-, and 154.91-fold, respectively. These results provided novel insights into the effect of BR on the antioxidant capacity in bulbil of P. ternata under non-stress conditions and useful knowledge of applying BR to enhance the antioxidant capacity of plants.

The Role of Nitric Oxide Signaling in Plant Responses to Cadmium Stress

Nitric oxide (NO) is a widely distributed gaseous signaling molecule in plants that can be synthesized through enzymatic and non-enzymatic pathways and plays an important role in plant growth and development, signal transduction, and response to biotic and abiotic stresses. Cadmium (Cd) is a heavy metal pollutant widely found in the environment, which not only inhibits plant growth but also enters humans through the food chain and endangers human health. To reduce or avoid the adverse effects of Cd stress, plants have evolved a range of coping mechanisms. Many studies have shown that NO is also involved in the plant response to Cd stress and plays an important role in regulating the resistance of plants to Cd stress. However, until now, the mechanisms by which Cd stress regulates the level of endogenous NO accumulation in plant cells remained unclear, and the role of exogenous NO in plant responses to Cd stress is controversial. This review describes the pathways of NO production in plants, the changes in endogenous NO levels in plants under Cd stress, and the effects of exogenous NO on regulating plant resistance to Cd stress.

Exogenous melatonin mitigates cadmium toxicity through ascorbic acid and glutathione pathway in wheat

Cadmium (Cd) is a dispensable element that can be absorbed by crops, posing a threat to human health through the food chains. Melatonin (MT), as a plant growth regulator, has been used to alleviate Cd toxicity in many plant species; however, the underlying molecular mechanisms responsible for Cd toxicity in wheat are still poorly understood. In this study, the suitable exogenous MT concentration (50 μM) was screened to mitigate Cd toxicity of wheat plants by increasing the plant height, root length, fresh or dry weight and chlorophyll content, or decreasing the malondialdehyde (MDA) content. In addition, MT application significantly increased ascorbic acid (ASA) and glutathione (GSH) content by reducing ROS production, especially in roots, further decreasing Cd content in fraction of organelles. Moreover, the expression levels of ASA-GSH synthesis genes, APX, GR, and GST were significantly increased by 171.5%, 465.2%, and 256.8% in roots, respectively, whereas GSH, DHAR, or MDHAR were significantly decreased by 48.5%, 54.3%, or 60.0% in roots under MT + Cd stress. However, the expression levels of Cd-induced metal transporter genes TaNramp1, TaNramp5, TaHMA2, TaHMA3, and TaLCT1 were significantly decreased by 53.7%, 50.1%, 86.5%, 87.2%, and 94.5% in roots under MT + Cd stress compared with alone Cd treatment, respectively. In conclusion, our results suggesting that MT alleviate Cd toxicity in wheat by enhancing ASA-GSH metabolism, suppressing Cd transporter gene expression, and regulating Cd uptake and translocation in wheat plants.

Melatonin alleviates cadmium toxicity and abiotic stress by promoting glandular trichome development and antioxidant capacity in Nicotiana tabacum

Melatonin is a well-known signaling molecule that mediates a range of physiological activities and various stress reactions in plants. We comprehensively tested the effect of melatonin on the development of root hairs and glandular trichomes and found that melatonin pretreatment of tobacco seeds significantly increased the length of root hairs. Furthermore, melatonin-treated tobacco exhibited significantly higher density of trichomes and larger glandular heads on long-stalk glandular trichomes than untreated plants, which resulted in enhanced secretion in glandular trichomes. Exogenous melatonin enhanced the aphid resistance of plants by facilitating the accumulation of cembranoids in the glandular trichomes and alleviated cadmium toxicity by increasing the Cd-exudation capacity of long glandular trichomes. Metabolic analysis indicated that the contents of 108 metabolites significantly changed upon melatonin treatment, with the contents of those that are directly/indirectly involved in melatonin metabolism changing the most. Further, KEGG pathway analysis suggested that the metabolic pathways of amino acids, reducing sugar, secondary metabolites, indole alkaloid biosynthesis, purine, pyrimidine, and ABC transporters were greatly influenced by exogenous melatonin application. Moreover, metabolisms of melatonin-related antioxidants and pyrimidine nucleoside antibiotics were enhanced after melatonin treatment. Melatonin improved tobacco resistance to high salinity, drought, and extreme temperature stresses, as indicated by improved photosynthetic and antioxidant capacities in treated vs. untreated plants. This study lays a foundation for the comprehensive application of melatonin to increase the stress tolerance of plants.

Iron Oxide and Silicon Nanoparticles Modulate Mineral Nutrient Homeostasis and Metabolism in Cadmium-Stressed Phaseolus vulgaris

The application of nanoparticles (NPs) has been proved as an efficient and promising technique for mitigating a wide range of stressors in plants. The present study elucidates the synergistic effect of iron oxide nanoparticles (IONPs) and silicon nanoparticles (SiNPs) in the attenuation of Cd toxicity in Phaseolus vulgaris. Seeds of P. vulgaris were treated with IONPs (10 mg/L) and SiNPs (20 mg/L). Seedlings of uniform size were transplanted to pots for 40 days. The results demonstrated that nanoparticles (NPs) enhanced growth, net photosynthetic rate, and gas exchange attributes in P. vulgaris plants grown in Cd-contaminated soil. Synergistic application of IONPs and SiNPs raised not only K+ content, but also biosynthesis of polyamines (PAs), which alleviated Cd stress in P. vulgaris seedlings. Additionally, NPs decreased malondialdehyde (MDA) content and electrolyte leakage (EL) in P. vulgaris plants exposed to Cd stress. These findings suggest that stress alleviation was mainly attributed to the enhanced accumulation of K+ content, improved antioxidant defense system, and higher spermidine (Spd) and putrescine (Put) levels. It is suggested that various forms of NPs can be applied synergistically to minimize heavy metal stress, thus increasing crop production under stressed conditions.

Melatonin Induced Cold Tolerance in Plants: Physiological and Molecular Responses

Cold stress is one of the most limiting factors for plant growth and development. Cold stress adversely affects plant physiology, molecular and biochemical processes by determining oxidative stress, poor nutrient and water uptake, disorganization of cellular membranes and reduced photosynthetic efficiency. Therefore, to recover impaired plant functions under cold stress, the application of bio-stimulants can be considered a suitable approach. Melatonin (MT) is a critical bio-stimulant that has often shown to enhance plant performance under cold stress. Melatonin application improved plant growth and tolerance to cold stress by maintaining membrane integrity, plant water content, stomatal opening, photosynthetic efficiency, nutrient and water uptake, redox homeostasis, accumulation of osmolytes, hormones and secondary metabolites, and the scavenging of reactive oxygen species (ROS) through improved antioxidant activities and increase in expression of stress-responsive genes. Thus, it is essential to understand the mechanisms of MT induced cold tolerance and identify the diverse research gaps necessitating to be addressed in future research programs. This review discusses MT involvement in the control of various physiological and molecular responses for inducing cold tolerance. We also shed light on engineering MT biosynthesis for improving the cold tolerance in plants. Moreover, we highlighted areas where future research is needed to make MT a vital antioxidant conferring cold tolerance to plants.

Seed bulb size influences the effects of exogenous brassinolide on yield and quality of Pinellia ternata

In recent years, natural Pinellia ternata populations of have gradually been exhausted, while the cultivated yield has been limited due to lack of research and uncertain climate condition. Therefore, it is necessary to explore methods of improving yield and quality in P. ternata using brassinolide (BR) treatments and choice of a suitable seed bulb size. This article reports the effects of BR and two seed bulb sizes (diameter: 0.5-1.0 cm and 1.0-1.5 cm) on active and nutrient components and antioxidant activity in P. ternata. The experiment included six levels of BR (0, 0.05, 0.10, 0.50, 1.00 and 2.00 mg l^-1 ). The tuber yield of the two seed bulb sizes and bulbil yield of small seed bulbs increased 5.67%, 22.66% and 69.23% by day 105 after 0.50 mg l^-1 BR treatment, compared with the control. On day 105, only 0.05 mg l^-1 BR increased scores in principal components analysis (PCA) in tubers of small seed bulbs by 167.29%, and 0.05 and 0.50 mg l^-1 BR increased PCA score in bulbils of large seed bulbs by 145.66% and 252.97%, respectively, compared with the control. Significant BR × seed bulb size interactions were found on yield and quality of P. ternata. The results indicate that BR effects on yield and quality of tubers and bulbils of P. ternata are not only related to BR concentration but also to seed bulb size.

Ethylene Suppresses Abscisic Acid, Modulates Antioxidant System to Counteract Arsenic-Inhibited Photosynthetic Performance in the Presence of Selenium in Mustard

Arsenic (As) stress provokes various toxic effects in plants that disturbs its photosynthetic potential and hampers growth. Ethylene and selenium (Se) have shown regulatory interaction in plants for metal tolerance; however, their synergism in As tolerance through modification of the antioxidant enzymes and hormone biosynthesis needs further elaboration. With this in view, we investigated the impact of ethylene and Se in the protection of photosynthetic performance against As stress in mustard (Brassica juncea L.). Supplementation with ethephon (2-chloroethylphosphonic acid; ethylene source) and/or Se allayed the negative impact of As-induced toxicity by limiting As content in leaves, enhancing the antioxidant defense system, and decreasing the accumulation of abscisic acid (ABA). Ethylene plus Se more prominently regulated stomatal behavior, improved photosynthetic capacity, and mitigated As-induced effects. Ethephon in the presence of Se decreased stress ethylene formation and ABA accumulation under As stress, resulting in improved photosynthesis and growth through enhanced reduced glutathione (GSH) synthesis, which in turn reduced the oxidative stress. In both As-stressed and non-stressed plants treated with ethylene action inhibitor, norbornadiene, resulted in increased ABA and oxidative stress with reduced photosynthetic activity by downregulating expression of ascorbate peroxidase and glutathione reductase, suggesting the involvement of ethylene in the reversal of As-induced toxicity. These findings suggest that ethephon and Se induce regulatory interaction between ethylene, ABA accumulation, and GSH metabolism through regulating the activity and expression of antioxidant enzymes. Thus, in an economically important crop (mustard), the severity of As stress could be reduced through the supplementation of both ethylene and Se that coordinate for maximum stress alleviation.

Potassium reduces oxidative stress in tanzania guinea grass under cadmium toxicity

Plants used for phytoextraction of metals need to tolerate toxicity conditions. Potassium (K) participates in physiological and biochemical processes that can alleviate toxicity by heavy metals, including cadmium (Cd). This study aimed to evaluate the effect of K on photosynthesis and on the changes in the antioxidant system of tanzania guinea grass [Panicum maximum Jacq. cv. Tanzania (syn. Megathyrsus maximus (Jacq,) B.K. Simon & S.W.L. Jacobs)] under Cd toxicity. Plants were grown in a greenhouse, in nutrient solution, in a randomized complete block design, arranged in a 3 × 4 factorial, with three replications. Plants were supplied with three K levels (0.4 [K deficiency], 6.0, and 11.6 mmol L^-1) and exposed to four Cd levels (0.0, 0.5, 1.0, and 1.5 mmol L^-1). Two plant growth periods were evaluated. High Cd level (1.5 mmol L^-1) led to a reduction in net photosynthesis (76%) by causing low stomatal conductance and losses in quantum efficiency of photosystem II. However, high K supply (11.6 mmol L^-1) increased the net photosynthesis by 15% in plants exposed to 1.0 mmol L^-1 Cd, due to upregulation of proline synthesis. Cd toxicity resulted in increases in lipid peroxidation and hydrogen peroxide concentration (35 and 50%; 25 and 30%, at first and second harvest, respectively) and reduction by 80-100% in activity of the antioxidant enzymes: superoxide dismutase, catalase, ascorbate peroxidase, guaiacol peroxidase, and glutathione reductase in the shoots of the grass. However, the high K supply (11.6 mmol L^-1) increased the activity of these enzymes (about 50-75%) and reduced lipid peroxidation (36%), restoring cellular homeostasis. Moreover, high K supply promoted a 25% increase in spermidine and spermine concentrations in the shoots. Therefore, K reduced the Cd-induced oxidative stress and increased the net photosynthesis in tanzania guinea grass by increasing the activity of antioxidant enzymes and proline and polyamines synthesis, which enhances the tolerance of this grass to Cd.

Addressing the challenge of cold stress resilience with the synergistic effect of Rhizobium inoculation and exogenous melatonin application in Medicago truncatula

Cold stress is an adverse environmental condition that limits the growth and yield of leguminous plants. Thus, discovering an effective way of ameliorating cold-mediated damage is important for sustainable legume production. In this study, the combined use of Rhizobium inoculation (RI) and melatonin (MT) pretreatment was investigated in Medicago truncatula plants under cold stress. Eight-week-old seedlings were divided into eight groups: (i) CK (no stress, noninoculated, no MT), (ii) RI (Rhizobium inoculated), (iii) MT (75 μM melatonin), (iv) RI+MT, (v) CS (cold stress at 4 °C without Rhizobium inoculation and melatonin), (vi) CS+RI, (vii) CS+MT, and (viii) CS+RI+MT. Plants were exposed to cold stress for 24 hrs. Cold stress decreased photosynthetic pigments and increased oxidative stress. Pretreatment with RI and MT alone or combined significantly improved root activity and plant biomass production under cold stress. Interestingly, chlorophyll contents increased by 242.81% and MDA levels dramatically decreased by 34.22% in the CS+RI+MT treatment compared to the CS treatment. Moreover, RI+MT pretreatment improved the antioxidative ability by increasing the activities of peroxidase (POD; 8.45%), superoxide dismutase (SOD; 50.36%), catalase (CAT; 140.26%), and ascorbate peroxidase (APX; 42.63%) over CS treated plants. Additionally, increased osmolyte accumulation, nutrient uptake, and nitrate reductase activity due to the combined use of RI and MT helped the plants counteract cold-mediated damage by strengthening the nonenzymatic antioxidant system. These data indicate that pretreatment with a combined application of RI and MT can attenuate cold damage by enhancing the antioxidation ability of legumes.

Static magnetic field treatment enhanced photosynthetic performance in soybean under supplemental ultraviolet-B radiation

The study was performed to analyze the impact of seed pretreatment by static magnetic field (SMF) of 200 mT for 1 h on photosynthetic performance of soybean (Glycine max) seedlings under ambient (aUV-B) and supplemental ultraviolet-B (a+sUV-B) stress. Ambient and supplemental UV-B were found to decrease the plant growth, chlorophyll concentration, PSII efficiency, selected JIP-test parameters such as Fv/Fm, φEo, ΔV(I-P), PIABS, PItotal, and rate of photosynthesis in the leaves of soybean seedlings emerged from untreated (UT) seeds. aUV-B and a+sUV-B were observed to increase the synthesis of UV-B-absorbing substances (UAS), reactive oxygen species (ROS) like superoxide radical (O2·-) and hydrogen peroxide (H2O2), antioxidants like ascorbic acid and α-tocopherol and decrease the nitrate reductase (NR) activity; subsequently, it results in a decreased rate of photosynthesis, biomass accumulation, and yield. However, our results provided evidence that SMF pretreatment increased the tolerance of soybean seedlings to UV-B radiation by increased NO content and NR activity; higher efficiency of PSII, higher values of φEo, ΔV(I-P), PIABS, and PItotal, decreased intercellular CO2 concentration, lower  amount of UAS, ROS, and antioxidants that consequently improve the yield of soybean plants under aUV-B as well as a+sUV-B stress. Thus, our results suggested that SMF pretreatment mitigates the adverse effects of UV-B stress by the enhancement in photosynthetic performance along with higher NO content which may be able to protect the plants from the deleterious effects of oxidative stress caused by UV-B irradiation.

Brassinosteroids in Plants: Crosstalk with Small-Molecule Compounds

Brassinosteroids (BRs) are known as the sixth type of plant hormone participating in various physiological and biochemical activities and play an irreplaceable role in plants. Small-molecule compounds (SMCs) such as nitric oxide (NO), ethylene, hydrogen peroxide (H₂O₂), and hydrogen sulfide (H₂S) are involved in plant growth and development as signaling messengers. Recently, the involvement of SMCs in BR-mediated growth and stress responses is gradually being discovered in plants, including seed germination, adventitious rooting, stem elongation, fruit ripening, and stress responses. The crosstalk between BRs and SMCs promotes plant development and alleviates stress damage by modulating the antioxidant system, photosynthetic capacity, and carbohydrate metabolism, as well as osmotic adjustment. In the present review, we try to explain the function of BRs and SMCs and their crosstalk in the growth, development, and stress resistance of plants.

Boron application mitigates Cd toxicity in leaves of rice by subcellular distribution, cell wall adsorption and antioxidant system

Cadmium (Cd) is a hazardous heavy metal and some of its negative effects include inhibition of rice growth, while also accumulates in the rice grains. Boron (B) has been implicated in mitigating Cd toxicity. Nevertheless, a few studies have been performed up to now to evaluate whether B could encourage Cd tolerance in rice by regulating Cd adsorption on cell walls (CW) in leaves of rice. The current experiment used different concentrations of B (0, 20, and 30 µM) along with 50 µM Cd to rice seedlings. The results indicate that single treatment of Cd significantly inhibited root and shoot growth and caused leaf chlorosis. However, B application at 20, and 30 µM reduced Cd concentrations in the roots by 66% and 77%, and in shoots by 72% and 83%, respectively, and increased plant development. Boron supply at 30 µM increased Cd in leaf CW fraction by 79% and decreased Cd by 64% in the organelle fraction. Moreover, B addition regulated the antioxidant system and decreased malonaldehyde contents (45%) in rice leaves. The present study demonstrates that B reduces Cd translocation and facilitates Cd adsorption on CW and regulates an efficient antioxidant system in rice leaves.

Endogenous nitric oxide and its potential sources regulate glutathione-induced cadmium stress tolerance in maize plants

It was aimed to assess that up to what extent endogenous nitric oxide (NO) and its sources are involved in glutathione (GSH)-mediated tolerance of maize plants to cadmium (Cd) stress. The Cd-stressed maize plants were sprayed with or without GSH (1.0 mM) once every week for two weeks. Before initiating the stress treatment, the Cd-stressed plants sprayed with GSH were supplied with or without 0.1 mM, 2-(4-carboxyphenyl)-4,4,5,5-tetramethylimidazoline-1-oxyl-3-oxide (cPTIO; a NO scavenger) for two weeks or with 0.1 mM sodium tungstate (ST; a nitrate reductase inhibitor), or 0.1 mM NG-nitro-L-arginine methyl ester hydrochloride (L-NAME). Cadmium stress suppressed the activities of dehydroascorbate reductase, monodehydroascorbate reductase, and glyoxalase II, while increased leaf NO, Cadmium content, proline, oxidative stress, the activities of glutathione reductase, ascorbate peroxidase, the key enzymes of oxidative defense system, glyoxalase I, NR and NOS. GSH reduced oxidative stress and tissue Cd²⁺ content, but it improved growth, altered water relations, and additionally increased proline levels, activities of the AsA-GSH cycle, key enzymatic antioxidants, glyoxalase I and II, NR and NOS as well as NO content. The cPTIO and ST supplementation abolished the beneficial effects of GSH by reducing the activities of NO and NR. However, L-NAME did not retreat the favorable effects of GSH, although it reduced the NOS activity without eliminating NO content, suggesting that NR might be a prospective source of NO generated by GSH in Cd-stressed plants, which in turn accelerated the activities of antioxidant enzymes.

Effects of seed priming treatments on the germination and development of two rapeseed (Brassica napus L.) varieties under the co-influence of low temperature and drought

The present study was performed to evaluate the effects of seed priming. This was done by soaking the seeds of two rapeseed cultivars, namely, ZY15 (tolerant to low temperature and drought) and HY49 (sensitive to low temperature and drought), for 12 h in varying solutions: distilled water, 138 mg/L salicylic acid (SA), 300 mg/L gibberellic acid (GA), 89.4 mg/L sodium nitroprusside (SNP), 3000 mg/L calcium chloride (CaCl₂), and 30 mg/L abscisic acid (ABA). Primed and non-primed seeds were left to germinate at 15°C and -0.15 MPa (T₁₅W₁₅) and at 25°C and 0 MPa (T₂₅W₀), respectively. The results showed that SA, GA, SNP, CaCl₂, and ABA significantly improved the germination potential (GP), germination rate (GR), germination index (GI), stem fresh weight (SFW), stem dry weight (SDW), root length (RL), stem length (SL), and seed vigor index (SVI) under T₁₅W₁₅. For ZY15 seeds under T₂₅W₀, GA, SNP, CaCl₂, and ABA priming reduced the average germination time (96% after 5 days) compared to that of the control (88% after 5 days). For ZY15 seeds under T₁₅W₁₅, SA, SNP, CaCl₂, and ABA priming, with respect to the control and water-treated groups, shortened the average germination time (92% after 5 days) compared to that of the control (80% after 5 days). For HY49 seeds under T₂₅W₀, GA, SNP, CaCl₂, and ABA priming reduced the average germination time (92% after 5 days) compared to that of the control (85% after 5 days). Similarly, for HY49 seeds under T₁₅W₁₅, GA priming shortened the average germination time (89% after 5 days) compared to that of the control (83% after 5 days). These priming agents increased the net photosynthesis, stomatal conductivity, and transpiration rate of rape seedlings under conditions of low temperature and drought stress, while also decreasing intercellular carbon dioxide (CO₂) concentrations. Additionally, SA, GA, SNP, CaCl₂, and ABA increased superoxide dismutase concentrations (SOD) and ascorbic peroxidase (APX) activities of rape seedlings under stress conditions, while decreasing catalase (CAT) and peroxidase (POD) activities in ZY15 seedlings. In HY49, which is sensitive to low temperature and drought, all priming solutions, except for SNP, led to an increase in SOD activity levels and a decrease in CAT activity levels. Overall, SA, GA, SNP, and CaCl₂ increased the concentrations of indoleacetic acid (IAA), GA, ABA, and cytokinin (CTK) in seedlings under stress conditions. Moreover, compared to SA, CaCl₂, and ABA, GA (300 mg/L) and SNP (300 mol/L) showed improved priming effects for ZY15 and HY49 under stress conditions.

Leaf application of 24-epibrassinolide mitigates cadmium toxicity in young Eucalyptus urophylla plants by modulating leaf anatomy and gas exchange

Cadmium (Cd2+) soil pollution is a global environmental problem caused by the high toxicity of Cd. 24-Epibrassinolide (EBR) is a biodegradable plant steroid involved in response modulation to biotic and abiotic stresses. The aim of this study was to evaluate if the leaf-application of EBR improves the gas exchange and possible repercussions on leaf anatomy in young Eucalyptus urophylla plants exposed to Cd toxicity. The experiment involved six treatments, which included three Cd concentrations (0, 450, and 900 μM) and two EBR concentrations (0 and 100 nM, described as - EBR and + EBR, respectively). Plants exposed to Cd toxicity suffered decreases in leaf anatomical and gas exchange parameters. However, the plants treated with EBR + 900 μM Cd showed an increase of 46%, 40%, and 54% in the net photosynthetic rate, water-use efficiency, and instantaneous carboxylation efficiency, respectively. The EBR application-induced improvements in gas exchange parameters, causing beneficial effects on the photosynthetic apparatus, mainly the effective quantum yield of photosystem II (PSII) photochemistry and electron transport rate. Furthermore, this steroid mitigated the effect of Cd toxicity on leaf anatomical variables, more specifically palisade and spongy parenchyma, which are intrinsically related to stomatal density, and stimulated the net photosynthetic rate of plants.

Brassinosteroids as a multidimensional regulator of plant physiological and molecular responses under various environmental stresses

Biotic and abiotic stresses, especially heavy metal toxicity, are becoming a big problem in agriculture, which pose serious threats to crop production. Plant hormones have recently been used to develop stress tolerance in a variety of plants. Brassinosteroids (BRs) are the sixth class of plant steroid hormones, with pleiotropic effects on plants. Exogenous application of BRs to boost plant tolerance mechanisms to various stresses has been a major research focus. Numerous studies have revealed the role of these steroidal hormones in the up-regulation of stress-related resistance genes, as well as their interactions with other metabolic pathways. BRs interact with other phytohormones such as auxin, cytokinin, ethylene, gibberellin, jasmonic acid, abscisic acid, salicylic acid, and polyamines to regulate a variety of physiological and developmental processes in plants. BRs regulate expressions of many BR-inducible genes by activating the brassinazole-resistant 1 (BZR1)/BRI1-EMS suppressor 1 (BES1) complex. Moreover, to improve plant development under a variety of stresses, BRs regulate antioxidant enzyme activity, chlorophyll concentration, photosynthetic capability, and glucose metabolism. This review will provide insights into the mechanistic role and actions of brassinosteroids in plants in response to various stresses.

Kinetin mitigates Cd-induced damagesto growth, photosynthesis and PS II photochemistry of Trigonella seedlings by up-regulating ascorbate-glutathione cycle

Cytokinins (CKs) plays a key role in plant adaptation over a range of different stress conditions. Here, we analyze the effects of a cytokinin (i.e., kinetin, KN) on the growth, photosynthesis (rate of O2 evolution), PS II photochemistry and AsA-GSH cycle in Trigonella seedlings grown under cadmium (Cd) stress. Trigonella seeds were sown in soil amended with 0, 3 and 9 mg Cd kg-1 soil, and after 15 days resultant seedlings were sprayed with three doses of KN, i.e.,10 μM (low, KNL), 50 μM (medium, KNM) and 100 μM (high, KNH); subsequent experiments were performed after 15 days of KN application, i.e., 30 days after sowing. Cadmium toxicity induced oxidative damage as shown by decreased seedling growth and photosynthetic pigment production (Chl a, Chl b and Car), rates of O2-evolution, and photochemistry of PS II of Trigonella seedlings, all accompanied by an increase in H2O2 accumulation. Supplementation with doses of KN at KNL and KNM significantly improved the growth and photosynthetic activity by reducing H2O2 accumulation through the up-regulation AsA-GSH cycle. Notably, KNL and KNM doses stimulated the rate of enzyme activities of APX, GR and DHAR, involved in the AsA-GSH cycle thereby efficiently regulates the level of AsA and GSH in Trigonella grown under Cd stress. The study concludes that KN can mitigate the damaging effects of Cd stress on plant growth by maintaining the redox status (>ratios: AsA/DHA and GSH/GSSG) of cells through the regulation of AsA-GSH cycle at 10 and 50 μM KN under Cd stress conditions. At 100 μM KN, the down-regulation of AsA-GSH cycle did not support the growth and PS II activity of the test seedlings.

Amelioration of Chlorpyrifos-Induced Toxicity in Brassica juncea L. by Combination of 24-Epibrassinolide and Plant-Growth-Promoting Rhizobacteria

Pervasive use of chlorpyrifos (CP), an organophosphorus pesticide, has been proven to be fatal for plant growth, especially at higher concentrations. CP poisoning leads to growth inhibition, chlorosis, browning of roots and lipid and protein degradation, along with membrane dysfunction and nuclear damage. Plants form a linking bridge between the underground and above-ground communities to escape from the unfavourable conditions. Association with beneficial rhizobacteria promotes the growth and development of the plants. Plant hormones are crucial regulators of basically every aspect of plant development. The growing significance of plant hormones in mediating plant-microbe interactions in stress recovery in plants has been extensively highlighted. Hence, the goal of the current study was to investigate the effect of 24-epibrassinolide (EBL) and PGPRs (Pseudomonas aeruginosa (Ma), Burkholderia gladioli (Mb)) on growth and the antioxidative defence system of CP-stressed Brassica juncea L. seedlings. CP toxicity reduced the germination potential, hypocotyl and radicle development and vigour index, which was maximally recuperated after priming with EBL and Mb. CP-exposed seedlings showed higher levels of superoxide anion (O₂^-), hydrogen peroxide (H₂O₂), lipid peroxidation and electrolyte leakage (EL) and a lower level of nitric oxide (NO). In-vivo visualisation of CP-stressed seedlings using a light and fluorescent microscope also revealed the increase in O₂^-, H₂O₂ and lipid peroxidation, and decreased NO levels. The combination of EBL and PGPRs reduced the reactive oxygen species (ROS) and malondialdehyde (MDA) contents and improved the NO level. In CP-stressed seedlings, increased gene expression of defence enzymes such as superoxide dismutase (SOD), ascorbate peroxidase (APOX), glutathione peroxidase (GPOX), dehydroascorbate reductase (DHAR) and glutathione reductase (GPOX) was seen, with the exception of catalase (CAT) on supplementation with EBL and PGPRs. The activity of nitrate reductase (NR) was likewise shown to increase after treatment with EBL and PGPRs. The results obtained from the present study substantiate sufficient evidence regarding the positive association of EBL and PGPRs in amelioration of CP-induced oxidative stress in Brassica juncea seedlings by strengthening the antioxidative defence machinery.

Nitrate reductase is required for salicylic acid-induced water stress tolerance of pepper by upraising the AsA-GSH pathway and glyoxalase system

A trial was conducted to evaluate whether nitrate reductase (NR) participates in salicylic acid (SA)-improved water stress (WS) tolerance in pepper (Capsicum annuum L.) plants. Before starting WS treatment, 0.5 mM SA was applied to half of the well-watered (WW) plants as well as to WS-plants as a foliar spray once a day for a week. The soil water holding capacity was maintained at 40 and 80% of the full water storing capacity for WS and and well-watered (WW) plants, respectively. Water stress caused substantial decreases in total plant dry weight, F_v /F_m , chlorophyll a and b, relative water content, leaf water potential (ΨI) by 53, 37, 49, 21, 36 and 33%, respectively relative to control, but significant increases in malondialdehyde (MDA), hydrogen peroxide (H₂ O₂ ), electrolyte leakage (EL), methylglyoxal (MG), proline, key antioxidant enzymes' activities, NO and NR activity. The SA reduced oxidative stress, but improved antioxidant defence system, ascorbate-glutathione (AsA-GSH) cycle enzymes, glyoxalase system-related enzymes, glyoxalase I (Gly I) and glyoxalase II (Gly II), plant growth, photosynthetic traits, NO, NR and proline. SA-induced WS tolerance was further improved by supplementation of sodium nitroprusside (SNP), a donor of NO. NR inhibitor, sodium tungstate (ST) was applied in conjunction with SA and SA + SNP to the WW and WS-plants to assess whether NR contributes to SA-improved WS tolerance. ST abolished the beneficial effects of SA by reducing NO and NR activity in WS-pepper, but the application of SNP along with SA + ST reversed negative effects of ST, showing that NO and NR are jointly needed for SA-induced WS tolerance of pepper plants.

Effects of 24-epibrassinolide on plant growth, antioxidants defense system, and endogenous hormones in two wheat varieties under drought stress

Drought stress is a major limitation in enhancing agricultural productivity to fulfill the food demand for the world's population. Fertigation of plants with a variety of biochemicals is being used to create drought resistance in wheat; however, the previous work has been limited in addressing these issues in plants at different growth stages. Therefore, a greenhouse study was conducted to ameliorate the drought stress in two wheat varieties (Chakwal-50 and Faisalabad-2008) by foliar application of 24-epibrassinolide (EBL). It was evident that drought stress had a negative effect on the growth, photosynthesis, and yield of wheat plants. EBL significantly enhanced the plant growth both under optimal and drought conditions. EBL improved the plant height, spike length, and the dry weights of roots, shoots, and grains as compared to control. Furthermore, the foliar application of EBL positively enhanced the osmolyte accumulation, increased the amounts of photosynthetic pigments, and improved the gas exchange parameters. The EBL minimized the oxidative stress by reducing electrolyte leakage, malondialdehyde, and hydrogen peroxide contents whereas it enhanced the activities of antioxidant enzymes, such as catalase, superoxide dismutase, and peroxidase under drought stress. The EBL significantly improved the level of stress hormones, such as abscisic acid, indol acetic acid, and cytokinin under drought stress. The growth response of Chakwal-50 was higher than that of Faisalabad-2008 when exposed to EBL under drought stress. Overall, the EBL plays a major role in the enhancement of growth, biomass, yield, and decrease in oxidative damage in wheat under drought conditions, however; field investigations with different doses of EBL are needed before any further recommendation.

Phosphorus supplementation modulates nitric oxide biosynthesis and stabilizes the defence system to improve arsenic stress tolerance in mustard

The interaction of mineral nutrients with metals/metalloids and signalling molecules is well known. In the present study, we investigated the effect of phosphorus (P) in mitigation of arsenic (As) stress in mustard (Brassica juncea L.). The study was conducted to investigate potential of 30 mg P·kg^-1 soil P supplement (diammonium phosphate) to cope up with the adverse effects of As stress (24 mg As·kg^-1 soil) in mustard plants Supplementation of P influenced nitric oxide (NO) generation, which up-regulated proline metabolism, ascorbate-glutathione system and glyoxalase system and alleviated the effects of on photosynthesis and growth. Arsenic stress generated ROS and methylglyoxal content was scavenged through P-mediated NO, and reduced As translocation from roots to leaves. The involvement of NO under P-mediated alleviation of As stress was substantiated with the use of cPTIO (NO biosynthesis inhibitor) and SNP (NO inducer). The reversal of P effects on photosynthesis under As stress with the use of cPTIO emphasized the role of P-mediated NO in mitigation of As stress and protection of photosynthesis The results suggested that P reversed As-induced oxidative stress by modulation of NO formation, which regulated antioxidant machinery. Thus, P-induced regulatory interaction between NO and reversal of As-induced oxidative stress for the protection of photosynthesis may be suggested for sustainable crops.

Exogenous application of brassinosteroids regulates tobacco leaf size and expansion via modulation of endogenous hormones content and gene expression

Brassinosteroids (BR) play diverse roles in the regulation of plant growth and development. BR promotes plant growth by triggering cell division and expansion. However, the effect of exogenous BR application on the leaf size and expansion of tobacco is unknown. Tobacco seedlings are treated with different concentrations of exogenous 2,4-epibrassinolide (EBL) [control (CK, 0 mol L^-1), T1 (0.5 × 10^-7 mol L^-1), and T2 (0.5 × 10^-4 mol L^-1)]. The results show that T1 has 17.29% and T2 has 25.99% more leaf area than control. The epidermal cell area is increased by 24.40% and 17.13% while the number of epidermal cells is 7.06% and 21.06% higher in T1 and T2, respectively, relative to control. So the exogenous EBL application improves the leaf area by increasing cell numbers and cell area. The endogenous BR (7.5 times and 68.4 times), auxin (IAA) (4.03% and 25.29%), and gibberellin (GA₃) contents (84.42% and 91.76%) are higher in T1 and T2, respectively, in comparison with control. Additionally, NtBRI1, NtBIN2, and NtBES1 are upregulated showing that the brassinosteroid signaling pathway is activated. Furthermore, the expression of the key biosynthesis-related genes of BR (NtDWF4), IAA (NtYUCCA6), and GA₃ (NtGA3ox-2) are all upregulated under EBL application. Finally, the exogenous EBL application also upregulated the expression of cell growth-related genes (NtCYCD3;1, NtARGOS, NtGRF5, NtGRF8, and NtXTH). The results reveal that the EBL application increases the leaf size and expansion by promoting the cell expansion and division through higher BR, IAA, and GA₃ contents along with the upregulation of cell growth-related genes. The results of the study provide a scientific basis for the effect of EBL on tobacco leaf growth at morphological, anatomical, biochemical, and molecular levels.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION

The online version contains supplementary material available at 10.1007/s12298-021-00971-x.

Interactive effect of potassium and cadmium on growth, root morphology and chlorophyll a fluorescence in tomato plant

A hydroponic experiment was conducted to evaluate the role of potassium (K) in tomato plant growth exposed to cadmium (Cd) stress. In this work, the effects of three potassium nutrition regimes (155, 232 and 310 ppm of K) combined with Cd at different levels (0, 12 and 25 µM of CdCl₂) on chlorophyll content index, root and shoot dry weights, root morphology, chlorophyll a fluorescence and translocation factor were analyzed. The results showed a negative effect of cadmium, at different concentrations, on all these parameters. However, optimization of K nutrition has shown promising results by limiting the negative effect of Cd. A positive effect of the high concentration of K (310 ppm) was observed on leaf chlorophyll content and chlorophyll a fluorescence compared to 232 and 155 ppm under Cd stress. K supply improved the electron transport at PSI side indicated by the increase in the amplitude of the I-P phase of OJIP transient. Also, K at a concentration of 310 ppm significantly reduced Cd translocation from root to shoot and improved root and shoot growth parameters in the presence of Cd. K supplementation can reduce the negative effect of Cd by improving photosynthesis and promoting chlorophyll synthesis. The optimization of nutrients composition and concentration might be a good strategy to reduce the impact of Cd on plant growth and physiology.

Effect of the diverse combinations of useful microbes and chemical fertilizers on important traits of potato

The belowground soil environment is an active space for microbes, particularly Arbuscular Mycorrhizal Fungi (AMF) and P hosphate Solubilizing Bacteria (PSB) that can colonize with roots of higher plants. In the present experiment, we evaluated the combination of microbial inoculants with the different doses of urea and superphosphate in a complete randomized block design (CRBD). Three different doses of urea and superphosphate were tested, i.e., recommended dose, 75% of the recommended dose and 125% of the recommended dose, independently and in combination with three microbial groups viz. Glomus mosseae (AMF), Bacillus subtilis (PSB) and Nitrifying microorganisms (Nitrosomonas + Nitrobacter, NN). Overall, there were 16 treatment combinations used, and studied the number of tubers per plant, the weight of tubers, moisture content, and the number of nodes per tubers which were best in treatment comprising of AMF + PSB + NN + 75% of urea + superphosphate. From our results, it is suggested for the growers to use a lesser quantity of fertilizers from the recommended dose along with some bioinoculants to maintain the soil fertility and also to achieve the yield targets by decreasing the cost of chemical fertilizers.

Nitric Oxide Functions as a Downstream Signal for Melatonin-Induced Cold Tolerance in Cucumber Seedlings

Melatonin (MT) and nitric oxide (NO) are two multifunctional signaling molecules that are involved in the response of plants to abiotic stresses. However, how MT and NO synergize in response to cold stress affecting plants is still not clear. In this study, we found that endogenous MT accumulation under cold stress was positively correlated with cold tolerance in different varieties of cucumber seedlings. The data presented here also provide evidence that endogenous NO is involved in the response to cold stress. About 100 μM MT significantly increased the nitrate reductase (NR) activity, NR-relative messenger RNA (mRNA) expression, and endogenous NO accumulation in cucumber seedlings. However, 75 μM sodium nitroprusside (SNP, a NO donor) showed no significant effect on the relative mRNA expression of tryptophan decarboxylase (TDC), tryptamine-5-hydroxylase (T5H), serotonin-N-acetyltransferase (SNAT), or acetylserotonin O-methyltransferase (ASMT), the key genes for MT synthesis and endogenous MT levels. Compared with H₂O treatment, both MT and SNP decreased electrolyte leakage (EL), malondialdehyde (MDA), and reactive oxygen species (ROS) accumulation by activating the antioxidant system and consequently mitigated cold damage in cucumber seedlings. MT and SNP also enhanced photosynthetic carbon assimilation, which was mainly attributed to an increase in the activity and mRNA expression of the key enzymes in the Calvin-Benson cycle. Simultaneously, MT- and SNP-induced photoprotection for both photosystem II (PSII) and photosystem I (PSI) in cucumber seedlings, by stimulating the PsbA (D1) protein repair pathway and ferredoxin-mediated NADP⁺ photoreduction, respectively. Moreover, exogenous MT and SNP markedly upregulated the expression of chilling response genes, such as inducer of CBF expression (ICE1), C-repeat-binding factor (CBF1), and cold-responsive (COR47). MT-induced cold tolerance was suppressed by 2-(4-carboxyphenyl)-4,4,5,5-tetramethylimidazoline-1-oxyl-3-oxide (cPTIO, a specific scavenger of NO). However, p-chlorophenylalanine (p-CPA, a MT synthesis inhibitor) did not affect NO-induced cold tolerance. Thus, novel results suggest that NO acts as a downstream signal in the MT-induced plant tolerance to cold stress.

Crosstalk of hydrogen sulfide and nitric oxide requires calcium to mitigate impaired photosynthesis under cadmium stress by activating defense mechanisms in Vigna radiata

Hydrogen sulfide (H₂S) and nitric oxide (NO) have been known to affect vast number of processes in plants under abiotic stresses. Also, calcium (Ca) works as a second messenger in plants, which underpins the abiotic stress-induced damage. However, the sequence of action of these signaling molecules against cadmium (Cd)-induced cellular oxidative damage remains unidentified. Therefore, we studied the synergistic actions and/or relationship of signaling molecules and Ca-dependent activation of tolerance mechanisms in Vigna radiata seedlings under Cd stress. The present study shows that exogenous Ca supplemented to Cd-stressed V. radiata seedlings reduced Cd accumulation and improved the activity of nitrate reductase, and L/D-cysteine desulfhydrase (LCD/DCD) that resulted in improved synthesis of NO and H₂S content. Application of Ca also elevated the level of cysteine (Cys) by upregulating the activity of Cys-synthesizing enzymes serine acetyltransferase and O-acetylserine(thiol)lyase in Cd-stressed seedlings. Maintenance of Cys pool under Cd stress contributed to improved H₂S content which together with Ca and NO improved antioxidant enzymes and components of ascorbate-glutathione (AsA-GSH) cycle. All these collectively regulated the activity of NADPH oxidase and glycolate oxidase, resulting in the inhibition of Cd-induced generation of reactive oxygen species. The elevated level of Cys also assisted the Cd-stressed seedlings in maintaining GSH pool which retained normal functioning of AsA-GSH cycle and led to enhanced content of phytochelatins coupled with reduced Cd content. The positive effect of these events manifested in an enhanced rate of photosynthesis, carbohydrate accumulation, and growth attributes of the plants. On the contrary, addition of NO scavenger cPTIO [2-(4-carboxyphenyl)-4,4,5,5-tetramethylimidazoline-1-oxyl-3-oxide], H₂S scavenger HT (Hypotaurine) and Ca-chelator EGTA (Ethylene glycol-bis(b-aminoethylether)-N,N,N',N'-tetraacetic acid) again developed a condition similar to stress and positive effect of the signaling molecules was abolished. The findings of the study postulate that Ca in association with NO and H₂S mitigates Cd-induced impairment and enhances the tolerance of the V. radiata plants against Cd stress. The results of the study also substantiate that Ca acts both upstream as well as downstream of NO signals whereas, H₂S acts downstream of Ca and NO during Cd-stress responses of the plants.

Nitric oxide induced Cd tolerance and phytoremediation potential of B. juncea by the modulation of antioxidant defense system and ROS detoxification

The present study designed to illustrate correlation between cadmium induced stress and plant growth, photosynthetic pigments, morphological and physiological attributes. To study these parameters 2 weeks old seedling of B. juncea were subjected to 50 µM Cd, 100 µM Cd and 100 µM SNP separately and in combination with SNP. After 96 h, the treated plant were harvested to analyze the cellular homeostasis and metal tolerance mechanism via examining growth, stress parameters, enzymatic and non enzymatic antioxidants and expression level of NR. Higher level of Cd (100 µM) significantly increased accumulation of reactive oxygen species and malonaldehyde content in comparison to 50 µM Cd. Exogenous supplementation of SNP (100 µM) to 50 µM Cd treated plant had an additive effect on plant growth by improving the level of proline, photosynthetic pigments and activities of enzymatic antioxidants which was confirmed by histochemical staining for NADPH-d and NO fluorescence from DAF-DA staining in roots of B. juncea. Applying SNP to 50 µM Cd exposed B. juncea roots enhanced NR activity by 1.36 folds and increased NO production by 1.12 folds than individual Cd treated roots. In addition, semi quantitative RT-PCR study revealed the induction of BjNR was more pronounced in 50 µM Cd treated roots in comparison to 100 µM Cd treated roots. The present finding revealed NO confers increased B. juncea tolerance to Cd stress by stimulation of antioxidants and reestablishment of cellular redox status. Different biochemical analysis showed that plant growth, photosynthetic pigment and antioxidants were positively correlated with NO and it's negatively correlated with oxidative stress biomarkers. Therefore, NO is gaseous signalling molecule with potential role in Cd detoxification mechanism in B. juncea.