The combined supplementation of melatonin and salicylic acid effectively detoxifies arsenic toxicity by modulating phytochelatins and nitrogen metabolism in pepper plants

Arsenic transport, detoxification, and recent technologies for mitigation: A systemic review

Arsenic (As) is an acute toxic metalloid that affects plant growth and development. As is found in the environment in organic and inorganic forms, but arsenite As(III) and arsenate As(V) are the most prevalent forms that negatively impact the plants. Roots exposed to As can easily absorb it mainly through transporters that carry vital mineral nutrients. As reach the food chain via crops irrigated with As-polluted water and exerts a negative impact. Even at low levels, As exposure disrupts the regular functioning of plants by generating a high level of reactive oxygen species (ROS) results into oxidative damage, and disruption of redox system. Plants have built-in defence mechanisms to combat this oxidative damage. The development of a food crop with lower As levels is dependent upon understanding the molecular process of As detoxification in plants, which will help reduce the consumption of As-contaminated food. Numerous genes in plants that may provide tolerance under hazardous conditions have been examined using genetic engineering techniques. The suppression of genes by RNA interference (RNAi) and CRISPR-Cas 9 (CRISPR associated protein 9) technology revealed an intriguing approach for developing a crop that has minimal As levels in consumable portions. This study aims to present current information on the biochemical and molecular networks associated with As uptake, as well as recent advances in the field of As mitigation using exogenous salicylic acid (SA), Serendipita indica and biotechnological tools in terms of generating As-tolerant plants with low As accumulation.

Salicylic Acid Is Involved in the Growth Inhibition Caused by Excessive Ammonium in Oilseed Rape (Brassica napus L.)

Rapeseed (Brassica napus L.) is extremely sensitive to excessive NH4+ toxicity. There remains incomplete knowledge of the causal factors behind the growth suppression in NH4+-nourished plants, with limited studies conducted specifically on field crop plants. In this study, we found that NH4+ toxicity significantly increased salicylic acid (SA) accumulation by accelerating the conversion of SA precursors. Moreover, exogenous SA application significantly aggravated NH4+ toxicity symptoms in the rapeseed shoots. Genome-wide differential transcriptomic analysis showed that NH4+ toxicity increased the expression of genes involved in the biosynthesis, transport, signaling transduction, and conversion of SA. SA treatment significantly increased shoot NH4+ concentrations by reducing the activities of glutamine synthase and glutamate synthase in NH4+-treated rapeseed plants. The application of an SA biosynthesis inhibitor, ABT, alleviated NH4+ toxicity symptoms. Furthermore, SA induced putrescine (Put) accumulation, resulting in an elevated ratio of Put to [spermidine (Spd) + spermine (Spm)] in the NH4+-treated plants, while the opposite was true for ABT. The application of exogenous Put and its biosynthesis inhibitor DFMA induced opposite effects on NH4+ toxicity in rapeseed shoots. These results indicated that the increased endogenous SA contributed noticeably to the toxicity caused by the sole NH4+-N supply in rapeseed shoots. This study provided fresh perspectives on the mechanism underlying excessive NH4+-induced toxicity and the corresponding alleviating strategies in plants.

Salicylic Acid and Gemma-Aminobutyric Acid Mediated Regulation of Growth, Metabolites, Antioxidant Defense System and Nutrient Uptake in Sunflower (Helianthus annuus L.) Under Arsenic Stress

Background

Arsenic (As) is a highly toxic and carcinogenic pollutant commonly found in soil and water, posing significant risks to human health and plant growth.

Objective

The objectives of this study to evaluate morphological, biochemical, and physiological markers, as well as ion homeostasis, to alleviate the toxic effects of As in sunflowers through the exogenous application of salicylic acid (SA), γ-aminobutyric acid (GABA), and their combination.

Methods

A pot experiment was conducted using two sunflower genotypes, FH-779 and FH-773, subjected to As stress (60 mg kg-1) to evaluate the effects of SA at 100 mg L-1, GABA at 200 mg L-1, and their combination on growth and related physiological and biochemical attributes under As stress.

Results

The study revealed that As toxicity had a detrimental effect on various growth parameters, chlorophyll pigments, relative water content, total proteins, and nutrient uptake in sunflower plants. It also led to increased oxidative stress, as indicated by higher levels of malondialdehyde (MDA) and hydrogen peroxide (H2O2), along with As accumulation in the roots and leaves. However, the application of SA and GABA protected against As-induced damage by enhancing the enzymatic antioxidant defense system. This was achieved through the activation of superoxide dismutase (SOD), catalase (CAT), and peroxidase (POD) activities, as well as an increase in osmolytes. They also improved nutrient acquisition and plant growth under As toxicity.

Conclusions

We investigated the regulatory roles of SA and GABA in mitigating arsenic-induced phytotoxic effects on sunflower. Our results revealed a significant interaction between SA and GABA in regulating growth, photosynthesis, metabolites, antioxidant defense systems, and nutrient uptake in sunflower under As stress. These findings provide valuable insights into plant defense mechanisms and strategies to enhance stress tolerance in contaminated environments. In the future, SA and GABA could be valuable tools for managing stress in other important crops facing abiotic stress conditions.

Enhancement of soybean tolerance to water stress through regulation of nitrogen and antioxidant defence mechanisms mediated by the synergistic role of salicylic acid and thiourea

Water stress (WS) poses a significant threat to global food and energy security by adversely affecting soybean growth and nitrogen metabolism. This study explores the synergistic effects of exogenous salicylic acid (SA, 0.5 mM) and thiourea (TU, 400 mg L-1), potent plant growth regulators, on soybean responses under WS conditions. The treatments involved foliar spraying for 3 days before inducing WS by reducing soil moisture to 50% of field capacity, followed by 2 weeks of cultivation under normal or WS conditions. WS significantly reduced plant biomass, chlorophyll content, photosynthetic efficiency, water status, protein content, and total nitrogen content in roots and leaves. Concurrently, it elevated levels of leaf malondialdehyde, H2O2, proline, nitrate, and ammonium. WS also triggered an increase in antioxidant enzyme activity and osmolyte accumulation in soybean plants. Application of SA and TU enhanced the activities of key enzymes crucial for nitrogen assimilation and amino acid synthesis. Moreover, SA and TU improved plant growth, water status, chlorophyll content, photosynthetic efficiency, protein content, and total nitrogen content, while reducing oxidative stress and leaf proline levels. Indeed, the simultaneous application of SA and TU demonstrated a heightened impact compared to their separate use, suggesting a synergistic interaction. This study underscores the potential of SA and TU to enhance WS tolerance in soybean plants by modulating nitrogen metabolism and mitigating oxidative damage. These findings hold significant promise for improving crop productivity and quality in the face of escalating water limitations due to climate change.

Leptolyngbya sp. XZMQ and Bacillus XZM co-inoculation reduced sunflower arsenic toxicity by regulating rhizosphere microbial structure and enzyme activity

Microorganisms are of great significance for arsenic (As) toxicity amelioration in plants as soil fertility is directly affected by microbes. In this study, we innovatively explored the effects of indigenous cyanobacteria (Leptolyngbya sp. XZMQ) and plant growth-promoting bacteria (PGPB) (Bacillus XZM) on the growth and As absorption of sunflower plants from As-contaminated soil. Results showed that single inoculation and co-inoculation stimulated the growth of sunflower plants (Helianthus annuus L.), enhanced enzyme activities, and reduced As contents. In comparison to the control group, single innoculation of microalgae and bacteria in the rhizosphere increased extracellular polymeric substances (EPS) by 21.99% and 14.36%, respectively, whereas co-inoculation increased them by 35%. Compared with the non-inoculated group, As concentration in the roots, stems and leaves of sunflower plants decreased by 38%, 70% and 41%, respectively, under co-inoculation conditions. Inoculation of Leptolyngbya sp. XZMQ significantly increased the abundance of nifH in soil, while co-inoculation of cyanobacteria and Bacillus XZM significantly increased the abundance of cbbL, indicating that the coupling of Leptolyngbya sp. XZMQ and Bacillus XZM could stimulate the activity of nitrogen-fixing and carbon-fixing microorganisms and increased soil fertility. Moreover, this co-inoculation increased the enzyme activities (catalase, sucrase, urease) in the rhizosphere soil of sunflower and reduced the toxic effect of As on plant. Among these, the activities of catalase, peroxidase, and superoxide dismutase decreased. Meanwhile, co-inoculation enables cyanobacteria and bacteria to attach and entangle in the root area of the plant and develop as symbiotic association, which reduced As toxicity. Co-inoculation increased the abundance of aioA, arrA, arsC, and arsM genes in soil, especially the abundance of microorganisms with aioA and arsM, which reduced the mobility and bioavailability of As in soil, hence, reduced the absorption of As by plants. This study provides a theoretical basis for soil microbial remediation in mining areas.

Melatonin alleviates Hg toxicity by modulating redox homeostasis and the urea cycle in moss

Mercury (Hg) is a highly toxic metal and can cause severe damage to many organisms under natural conditions. As an effective free radical scavenger and antioxidant, Melatonin (MT) has played important protective roles in alleviating oxidative damage caused by environmental cues including heavy metal stress in plants. However, the detailed mechanisms of melatonin in alleviating Hg toxicity still remain unclear in plants. Our results showed that the application of melatonin greatly reduced the concentrations of total and intracellular Hg in Taxiphyllum taxirameum. Meanwhile, melatonin significantly improved the antioxidant capacity and thus alleviated oxidative damage to the chloroplasts of T. taxirameum under Hg stress. Metabolic pathway analysis further revealed that melatonin-treated plants exhibited higher levels of 48 metabolites, including sugars, amino acids, and lipids, than non-melatonin-treated plants under Hg stress. Additionally, we further found that melatonin addition greatly improved the concentrations of four organic acids and three amino acids (Orn, Cit and Arg) related to the urea cycle, and thereby changed the levels of putrescine (Put) and spermidine (Spd) in T. taxirameum exposed to Hg stress. Further experiments showed that the high concentration of Put dramatically caused oxidative damage under Hg stress, while Spd effectively alleviated Hg toxicity in T. taxirameum. Taken together, this study provides new insight into the underlying mechanisms of melatonin in alleviating heavy metal toxicity in plants.

Synergistic mitigation of nickel toxicity in pepper (Capsicum annuum) by nitric oxide and thiourea via regulation of nitrogen metabolism and subcellular nickel distribution

Nickel (Ni) contamination hinders plant growth and yield. Nitric oxide (NO) and thiourea (Thi) aid plant recovery from heavy metal damage, but their combined effects on pepper (Capsicum annuum ) plant tolerance to Ni stress need more study. Sodium nitroprusside (0.1mM, SNP) and 400mgL-1 Thi, alone and combined, were studied for their impact on pepper growth under Ni toxicity. Ni stress reduces chlorophyll, PSII efficiency and leaf water and sugar content. However, SNP and Thi alleviate these effects by increasing leaf water, proline and sugar content. It also increased the activities of superoxide dismutase, catalase, ascorbate peroxidase and peroxidase. Nickel stress lowered nitrogen assimilation enzymes (nitrate reductase, nitrite reductase, glutamine synthetase, glutamate synthase and glutamate dehydrogenase) and protein content, but increased nitrate, ammonium and amino acid content. SNP and Thi enhanced nitrogen assimilation, increased protein content and improved pepper plant growth and physiological functions during Ni stress. The combined treatment reduced Ni accumulation, increased Ni in leaf cell walls and potentially in root vacuoles, and decreased Ni concentration in cell organelles. It effectively mitigated Ni toxicity to vital organelles, surpassing the effects of SNP or Thi use alone. This study provides valuable insights for addressing heavy metal contamination in agricultural soils and offers potential strategies for sustainable and eco-friendly farming practices.

Biogas slurry topdressing as replacement of chemical fertilizers reduces leaf senescence of maize by up-regulating tolerance mechanisms

Worldwide physiological research has aimed to decelerate the aging of crop leaves by optimizing fertilization measures to improve crop or biomass yield. Solid organic fertilizers can be combined with chemical fertilizers to delay the aging of crop leaves. Biogas slurry is a liquid organic fertilizer produced by the anaerobic fermentation of livestock and poultry manure and other resources, and it can partially replace chemical fertilizers in field application via drip irrigation systems. However, the impact of biogas slurry topdressing on leaf aging remains unclear. This study investigated treatments with no topdressing (control, CK) and five topdressing patterns of biogas slurry replacing chemical fertilizer (nitrogen) at 100%, 75%, 50%, 25%, and 0% (100%BS, 75%BS, 50%BS, 25%BS, CF). The effects of different proportions of biogas slurry on leaf senescence rate, photosynthetic pigments, osmotic adjustment substances, antioxidant defense enzymes, and nitrogen metabolism related enzyme activities of maize were analyzed. Subsequently, the mechanisms of biogas slurry topdressing on the leaf senescence rate of maize were explored. The results showed that the mean decreasing rate of relative green leaf area (Vm) treated with biogas slurry decreased by 3.7%-17.1% and the duration of leaf area duration (LAD) increased by 3.7%-17.1% compared with the results for CK. The maximum senescence rate of 100%BS was delayed by 4.4 and 5.6 d compared to the results for CF and CK, respectively. During the senescence of maize leaves, the use of biogas slurry topdressing increased the content of chlorophyll, decreased the water loss and the accumulation rate of malondialdehyde and proline in leaves, and increased the activities of catalase, peroxidase, and superoxide dismutase in the later growth and development periods of maize. In addition, biogas slurry topdressing improved the nitrogen transport efficiency of the leaves and ensured continuous and efficient ammonium assimilation. Furthermore, there was a strong correlation between leaf senescence and the investigated physiological indices. Cluster analysis showed that the 100%BS treatment exhibited the most prominent effect on leaf senescence. Biogas slurry topdressing as a substitute for chemical fertilizer can be potentially used as an anti-aging regulation measure for crops to decrease the damage induced by senescence.

Melatonin targets MoIcl1 and works synergistically with fungicide isoprothiolane in rice blast control

Melatonina natural harmless molecule-displays versatile roles in human health and crop disease control such as for rice blast. Rice blast, caused by the filamentous fungus Magnaporthe oryzae, is one devastating disease of rice. Application of fungicides is one of the major measures in the control of various crop diseases. However, fungicide resistance in the pathogen and relevant environmental pollution are becoming serious problems. By screening for possible synergistic combinations, here, we discovered an eco-friendly combination for rice blast control, melatonin, and the fungicide isoprothiolane. These compounds together exhibited significant synergistic inhibitory effects on vegetative growth, conidial germination, appressorium formation, penetration, and plant infection by M. oryzae. The combination of melatonin and isoprothiolane reduced the effective concentration of isoprothiolane by over 10-fold as well as residual levels of isoprothiolane. Transcriptomics and lipidomics revealed that melatonin and isoprothiolane synergistically interfered with lipid metabolism by regulating many common targets, including the predicted isocitrate lyase-encoding gene MoICL1. Furthermore, using different techniques, we show that melatonin and isoprothiolane interact with MoIcl1. This study demonstrates that melatonin and isoprothiolane function synergistically and can be used to reduce the dosage and residual level of isoprothiolane, potentially contributing to the environment-friendly and sustainable control of crop diseases.

Uncovering the mechanisms of salicylic acid-mediated abiotic stress tolerance in horticultural crops

Salicylic acid (SA) has been recognized as a promising molecule for improving abiotic stress tolerance in plants due to its ability to enhance antioxidant defense system, and promote root architecture system. Recent research has focused on uncovering the mechanisms by which SA confers abiotic stress tolerance in horticultural crops. SA has been shown to act as a signaling molecule that triggers various physiological and morphological responses in plants. SA regulates the production of reactive oxygen species (ROS). Moreover, it can also act as signaling molecule that regulate the expression of stress-responsive genes. SA can directly interact with various hormones, proteins and enzymes involved in abiotic stress tolerance. SA regulates the antioxidant enzymes activities that scavenge toxic ROS, thereby reducing oxidative damage in plants. SA can also activate protein kinases that phosphorylate and activate transcription factors involved in stress responses. Understanding these mechanisms is essential for developing effective strategies to improve crop resilience in the face of changing environmental conditions. Current information provides valuable insights for farmers and plant researchers, offering new strategies to enhance crop resilience and productivity in the face of environmental challenges. By harnessing the power of SA and its signaling pathways, farmers can develop more effective stress management techniques and optimize crop performance. Plant researchers can also explore innovative approaches to breed or engineer crops with enhanced stress tolerance, thereby contributing to sustainable agriculture and food security.

Titanium dioxide nanoparticles potentially regulate the mechanism(s) for photosynthetic attributes, genotoxicity, antioxidants defense machinery, and phytochelatins synthesis in relation to hexavalent chromium toxicity in Helianthus annuus L

Chromium (VI) is one of the hazardous heavy metal, heavily discharged into the soil and severely hampers the plants yield. The TiO₂ NPs was selected due to its potential to alleviate the heavy metals toxicity. This manuscript unravels the mechanisms for Cr(VI) induced toxicity and how foliar application of TiO₂ NP_S potentially ameliorate the toxicity by regulating the photosynthetic attributes, DNA damage, antioxidants defense machinery, and phytochelatins synthesis in Helianthus annuus L. Plants were exposed to Cr(VI) concentrations [0, 15, 30, and 60 mg Cr(VI) kg^-1 of soil], and TiO₂ NP_S (15 mg L^-1, 25 nm size₎ were foliar sprayed thrice to the plants at three days interval. The maximum accumulation of total chromium was recorded in root (12.53 µg g^-1 DW) followed by shoot (5.67 µg g^-1 DW) at 60 mg Cr(VI) treatment. The presence and localization of TiO₂ NPs inside the plant leaf cells were confirmed by TEM-EDS analysis. The results revealed that Cr(VI) exposure had a dose-dependent inhibitory effects on photosynthetic attributes, structure of guard and epidermal cells, photosynthetic pigments; inducing impacts on H₂O₂ and MDA productions, DNA damage, AsA-GSH cycle, and most importantly on PC₂, and PC₃ synthesis which is rarely reported. However, TiO₂ NPs exposure minimized Cr(VI) induced toxicity through reduction of total chromium accumulation, H₂O₂ and MDA productions, thereby reducing DNA damage reported first time under combined treatment of Cr(VI)+ TiO₂ NPs as evidenced through comet assay. It also positively regulate the photosynthetic pigments, AsA-GSH cycle, and modulates PC₂ and PC₃ synthesis which have crucial impacts on ROS quenching and Cr(VI) detoxification, respectively, and in turn, minimizes Cr(VI) toxicity in H. annuus L. Besides, this study strengthens the less acknowledged report that Cr(VI) is an inducer of PCs synthesis and also confirms that TiO₂ NPs potentially counteract Cr(VI) toxicity.

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.

Arbuscular mycorrhiza fungus alleviates arsenic mediated disturbances in tricarboxylic acid cycle and nitrogen metabolism in Triticum aestivum L

Utilization of arbuscular mycorrhizal (AM) fungi (AMF) as a sustainable strategy in redeeming arsenic (As) toxicity in plants is a promising approach. Low As accumulation, restoration of physiological processes, and As tolerance by AMF have been documented in crop plants. However, to comprehend AM-mediated As tolerance in plants, understanding the biochemical responses of host to the symbiont is crucial. The study evaluated the effect of an AM fungus, Rhizophagus intraradices on tricarboxylic acid cycle (TCA) and nitrogen metabolism of Triticum aestivum under three As concentrations (0, 25, and 50 mg As kg^-1 soil). Results showed that TCA cycle and nitrogen metabolism were severely impaired by As that resulted into a higher C/N ratio. However, colonization by R. intraradices attenuated As mediated alterations in TCA cycle by augmenting the activity of pyruvate dehydrogenase that provided sufficient substrate for the TCA cycle. Furthermore, mycorrhizal (M) plants reinstated the activities of isocitrate dehydrogenase, succinate dehydrogenase, fumarase, and malate dehydrogenase even under high As level. Although citrate synthase and oxoglutarate dehydrogenase activities declined upon As exposure in M-plants, these were nevertheless higher than their non-mycorrhizal (NM) counterparts, ensuring higher levels of citric acid and succinic acid in M-plants. AM colonization also moderated the As-mediated disturbances in nitrogen assimilation by augmenting the activity of nitrate reductase, nitrite reductase, glutamine synthase, and glutamine-2-oxoglutarate amino transferase. Overall findings of the study point out that colonization by R. intraradices favourably regulated the TCA cycle and nitrogen metabolism and confronted As-mediated alterations in C/N ratio.

Melatonin: Current status and future perspectives in horticultural plants

Global warming in this century increases incidences of various abiotic stresses, restricting plant growth and productivity and posing a severe threat to global food production and security. Different phytohormones are produced by plants to mitigate the adverse effects of these stresses. One such phytohormone is melatonin (MEL), which, being a potential bio-stimulator, helps to govern a wide array of functions in horticultural crops. Recent advancements have determined the role of MEL in plants' responses to abiotic stresses. MEL enhances physiological functions such as seed germination, growth and development, seedling growth, root system architecture, and photosynthetic efficiency. The potential function of MEL in stressful environments is to regulate the enzymatic and non-enzymatic antioxidant activity, thus playing a role in the substantial scavenging of reactive oxygen species (ROS). Additionally, MEL, as a plant growth regulator and bio-stimulator, aids in promoting plant tolerance to abiotic stress, mainly through improvements in nutrient uptake, osmolyte production, and cellular membrane stability. This review, therefore, focuses on the possible functions of MEL in the induction of different abiotic stresses in horticultural crops. Therefore, this review would help readers learn more about MEL in altered environments and provide new suggestions on how this knowledge could be used to develop stress tolerance.

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.

Noval bio-organic fertilizer containing Arthrobacter sp. DNS10 alleviates atrazine-induced growth inhibition on soybean by improving atrazine removal and nitrogen accumulation

Herbicide atrazine restricts nutrient accumulation and thus inhibits the growth of sensitive crops. The application of organic fertilizer is a common measure that contributes to modulating abiotic tolerance of crops and providing nutrients, but its advantages in combination with atrazine degrading microorganisms as bio-organic fertilizer to alleviate atrazine stress on sensitive crops and the associated mechanisms are unknown. We investigated the beneficial effects of organic and bio-organic fertilizer (named DNBF10) containing Arthrobacter sp. DNS10 applications on growth, leaf nitrogen accumulation, root surface structure and root physiological properties of soybean seedlings exposed to 20 mg kg^-1 atrazine in soil. Compared with organic fertilizer, bio-organic fertilizer DNBF10 exhibited more reduction in soil atrazine residue and plant atrazine accumulation, as well as alleviation in atrazine-induced root oxidative stress and damaged cells of soybean roots. Transcriptome analysis revealed that DNBF10 application enhanced nitrogen utilization by improving the expression of genes involved in nitrogen metabolism in soybean leaves. Besides, genes expression of cytochrome P450 and ABC transporters involved in atrazine detoxification and transport in soybean leaves were also down-regulated by DNBF10 to diminish phytotoxicity of atrazine to soybean seedlings. These results illustrate the molecular mechanism by which the application of DNBF10 alleviates soybean seedlings growth under atrazine stress, providing a step forward for mitigate the atrazine induced inhibition on soybean seedlings growth through decreasing atrazine residues as well as enhancing damaged root repair and nitrogen accumulation.

The involvement of hydrogen sulphide in melatonin-induced tolerance to arsenic toxicity in pepper (Capsicum annuum L.) plants by regulating sequestration and subcellular distribution of arsenic, and antioxidant defense system

Melatonin (MT) and hydrogen sulphide (H₂S) are recognised as vital biomolecules actively taking part in plant defence systems as free radical scavengers and antioxidants against a myriad of biotic and abiotic stressors. However, it has been yet unknown in plants subjected to arsenic (As) toxicity whether or not H₂S interacts with MT to regulate endogenous antioxidant defence system. Prior to beginning As stress (As-S) treatments, MT (0.10 mM) was applied externally to plants daily for three days. AsS was then started for two weeks with As(V) (0.1 mM as Na₂HAsO₄·7H₂O). The treatment of As reduced plant biomass (24.4%) and chlorophyll a (51.7%), chlorophyll b (25.9%), while it increased subcellular As in roots and leaves, levels of glutathione (GSH), hydrogen peroxide (H₂O₂), malondialdehyde (MDA), methylglyoxal (MG), H₂S and phytochelatins (PCs) in pepper plants. In As-stressed pepper plants, the application of MT increased plant biomass (16.3%), chlorophyll a (52.7%), chlorophyll b (28.2%), antioxidant enzymes' activities, and H₂S accumulation, while it lowered the concentrations of MDA and H₂O₂. In As-treated plants, GSH and phytochelatins (PCs) were increased by MT by regulating As sequestration to make it harmless. The addition of MT increased As accumulation in the vacuoles of roots and caused the soluble fraction of As in vacuoles to become less toxic to vital organelles. MT-induced tolerance to As stress was further enhanced using NaHS, a source of H₂S. Hypotaurine (0.1 mM HT), a H₂S scavenger, was applied to the control and As-stressed plants together with MT and MT + NaHS to determine whether H₂S was implicated in MT-induced increased As-S tolerance. By reducing H₂S generation in pepper plants, HT counteracted the beneficial effects of MT, whereas the addition of NaHS to MT + HT restored the negative effects of HT, proving that H₂S is necessary for the pepper plants As-stress tolerance caused by MT.

Selenium alleviates physiological traits, nutrient uptake and nitrogen metabolism in rice under arsenate stress

A green house experiment was conducted to evaluate the efficacy of soil application of selenium (Se) in modulating metabolic changes in rice under arsenic (As) stress. Rice plants were grown over soil amended with sodium arsenate (25, 50 and 100 μM kg^-1 soil) with or without sodium selenate @ 0.5 and 1 mg kg^-1 soil in a complete randomized experimental design, and photosynthetic efficiency, nutrient uptake and nitrogen metabolism in rice leaves were estimated at tillering and grain filling stages. Se treatments significantly improved the toxic effects of As on plant height, leaf dry weight and grain yield. Arsenate treatment reduced uptake of Na, Mg, P, K, Ca, Mn, Fe and Zn and lowered chlorophyll, carotenoids and activities of enzymes of nitrogen metabolism (nitrate reductase, nitrite reductase, glutamine synthase and glutamate synthase) in rice leaves at both the stages in a dose-dependent fashion. Se application along with As improved photosynthesis, nutrient uptake and arsenate-induced effects on activities of enzymes of nitrogen metabolism with maximum impact shown by As50 + Se1 combination. Application of Se can modulate photosynthetic efficiency, nutrient uptake and alterations in nitrogen metabolism in rice Cv PR126 due to As stress that helped plants to adapt to excess As and resulted in improved plant growth.

Phytomelatonin and plant mineral nutrition

Plant mineral nutrition is critical for agricultural productivity and for human nutrition; however, the availability of mineral elements is spatially and temporally heterogeneous in many ecosystems and agricultural landscapes. Nutrient imbalances trigger intricate signalling networks that modulate plant acclimation responses. One signalling agent of particular importance in such networks is phytomelatonin, a pleiotropic molecule with multiple functions. Evidence indicates that deficiencies or excesses of nutrients generally increase phytomelatonin levels in certain tissues, and it is increasingly thought to participate in the regulation of plant mineral nutrition. Alterations in endogenous phytomelatonin levels can protect plants from oxidative stress, influence root architecture, and influence nutrient uptake and efficiency of use through transcriptional and post-transcriptional regulation; such changes optimize mineral nutrient acquisition and ion homeostasis inside plant cells and thereby help to promote growth. This review summarizes current knowledge on the regulation of plant mineral nutrition by melatonin and highlights how endogenous phytomelatonin alters plant responses to specific mineral elements. In addition, we comprehensively discuss how melatonin influences uptake and transport under conditions of nutrient shortage.

Exogenous melatonin strongly affects dynamic photosynthesis and enhances water-water cycle in tobacco

Melatonin (MT), an important phytohormone synthesized naturally, was recently used to improve plant resistance against abiotic and biotic stresses. However, the effects of exogenous melatonin on photosynthetic performances have not yet been well clarified. We found that spraying of exogenous melatonin (100 μM) to leaves slightly affected the steady state values of CO₂ assimilation rate (A _N ), stomatal conductance (g _s ) and mesophyll conductance (g _m ) under high light in tobacco leaves. However, this exogenous melatonin strongly delayed the induction kinetics of g _s and g _m , leading to the slower induction speed of A _N . During photosynthetic induction, A _N is mainly limited by biochemistry in the absence of exogenous melatonin, but by CO₂ diffusion conductance in the presence of exogenous melatonin. Therefore, exogenous melatonin can aggravate photosynthetic carbon loss during photosynthetic induction and should be used with care for crop plants grown under natural fluctuating light. Within the first 10 min after transition from low to high light, photosynthetic electron transport rates (ETR) for A _N and photorespiration were suppressed in the presence of exogenous melatonin. Meanwhile, an important alternative electron sink, namely water-water cycle, was enhanced to dissipate excess light energy. These results indicate that exogenous melatonin upregulates water-water cycle to facilitate photoprotection. Taking together, this study is the first to demonstrate that exogenous melatonin inhibits dynamic photosynthesis and improves photoprotection in higher plants.

Salicylic Acid, a Multifaceted Hormone, Combats Abiotic Stresses in Plants

In recent decades, many new and exciting findings have paved the way to the better understanding of plant responses in various environmental changes. Some major areas are focused on role of phytohormone during abiotic stresses. Salicylic acid (SA) is one such plant hormone that has been implicated in processes not limited to plant growth, development, and responses to environmental stress. This review summarizes the various roles and functions of SA in mitigating abiotic stresses to plants, including heating, chilling, salinity, metal toxicity, drought, ultraviolet radiation, etc. Consistent with its critical roles in plant abiotic tolerance, this review identifies the gaps in the literature with regard to the complex signalling network between SA and reactive oxygen species, ABA, Ca²⁺, and nitric oxide. Furthermore, the molecular mechanisms underlying signalling networks that control development and stress responses in plants and underscore prospects for future research on SA concerning abiotic-stressed plants are also discussed.