1
|
Haider FU, Zulfiqar U, Ul Ain N, Hussain S, Maqsood MF, Ejaz M, Yong JWH, Li Y. Harnessing plant extracts for eco-friendly synthesis of iron nanoparticle (Fe-NPs): Characterization and their potential applications for ameliorating environmental pollutants. ECOTOXICOLOGY AND ENVIRONMENTAL SAFETY 2024; 281:116620. [PMID: 38905935 DOI: 10.1016/j.ecoenv.2024.116620] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/15/2023] [Revised: 05/11/2024] [Accepted: 06/17/2024] [Indexed: 06/23/2024]
Abstract
Iron-nanoparticles (Fe-NPs) are increasingly been utilized in environmental applications due to their efficacy and strong catalytic activities. The novelty of nanoparticle science had attracted many researchers and especially for their green synthesis, which can effectively reuse biological resources during the polymerization reactions. Thus, the synthesis of Fe-NPs utilizing plant extracts could be considered as the eco-friendly, simple, rapid, energy-efficient, sustainable, and cost-effective. The green synthesis route can be recognized as a practical, valuable, and economically effective alternative for large-scale production. During the production process, some biomolecules present in the extracts undergo metal salts reduction, which can serve as both a capping and reducing mechanism, enhancing the reactivity and stability of green-synthesized Fe-NPs. The diversity of species provided a wide range of potential sources for green synthesis of Fe-NPs. With improved understanding of the specific biomolecules involved in the bioreduction and stabilization processes, it will become easier to identify and utilize new, potential plant materials for Fe-NPs synthesis. Newly synthesized Fe-NPs require different characterization techniques such as transmission electron microscope, ultraviolet-visible spectrophotometry, and X-ray absorption fine structure, etc, for the determination of size, composition, and structure. This review described and assessed the recent advancements in understanding green-synthesized Fe-NPs derived from plant-based material. Detailed information on various plant materials suitable of yielding valuable biomolecules with potential diverse applications in environmental safety. Additionally, this review examined the characterization techniques employed to analyze Fe-NPs, their stability, accumulation, mobility, and fate in the environment. Holistically, the review assessed the applications of Fe-NPs in remediating wastewaters, organic residues, and inorganic contaminants. The toxicity of Fe-NPs was also addressed; emphasizing the need to refine the synthesis of green Fe-NPs to ensure safety and environmental friendliness. Moving forward, the future challenges and opportunities associated with the green synthesis of Fe-NPs would motivate novel research about nanoparticles in new directions.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Fasih Ullah Haider
- Key Laboratory of Vegetation Restoration and Management of Degraded Ecosystems, South China Botanical Garden, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Guangzhou, 510650, China; Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Applied Botany, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Guangzhou 510650, China; University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100039, China
| | - Usman Zulfiqar
- Department of Agronomy, Faculty of Agriculture and Environment, The Islamia University of Bahawalpur, Bahawalpur, Pakistan
| | - Noor Ul Ain
- Shenzhen Branch, Guangdong Laboratory for Lingnan Modern Agriculture, Genome Analysis Laboratory of the Ministry of Agriculture, Agricultural Genomics Institute at Shenzhen, Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Shenzhen 518120, China
| | - Saddam Hussain
- Department of Agronomy, University of Agriculture, Faisalabad 38000, Pakistan
| | | | - Mukkaram Ejaz
- Silesian University of Technology, Institute of Physics-Centre for Science and Education, Division of Geochronology and Environmental Isotopes, Konarskiego 22B, Gliwice 44-100, Poland.
| | - Jean Wan Hong Yong
- Department of Biosystems and Technology, Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences, Alnarp, Sweden.
| | - Yuelin Li
- Key Laboratory of Vegetation Restoration and Management of Degraded Ecosystems, South China Botanical Garden, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Guangzhou, 510650, China; Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Applied Botany, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Guangzhou 510650, China; University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100039, China.
| |
Collapse
|
2
|
Bashir Z, Raj D, Selvasembian R. A combined bibliometric and sustainable approach of phytostabilization towards eco-restoration of coal mine overburden dumps. CHEMOSPHERE 2024; 363:142774. [PMID: 38969231 DOI: 10.1016/j.chemosphere.2024.142774] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/29/2024] [Revised: 06/22/2024] [Accepted: 07/03/2024] [Indexed: 07/07/2024]
Abstract
Extraction of coal through opencast mining leads to the buildup of heaps of overburden (OB) material, which poses a significant risk to production safety and environmental stability. A systematic bibliometric analysis to identify research trends and gaps, and evaluate the impact of studies and authors in the field related to coal OB phytostabilization was conducted. Key issues associated with coal extraction include land degradation, surface and groundwater contamination, slope instability, erosion and biodiversity loss. Handling coal OB material intensifies such issues, initiating additional environmental and physical challenges. The conventional approach such as topsoiling for OB restoration fails to restore essential soil properties crucial for sustainable vegetation cover. Phytostabilization approach involves establishing a self-sustaining plant cover over OB dump surfaces emerges as a viable strategy for OB restoration. This method enhanced by the supplement of organic amendments boosts the restoration of OB dumps by improving rhizosphere properties conducive to plant growth and contaminant uptake. Criteria essential for plant selection in phytostabilization are critically evaluated. Native plant species adapted to local climatic and ecological conditions are identified as key agents in stabilizing contaminants, reducing soil erosion, and enhancing ecosystem functions. Applicable case studies of successful phytostabilization of coal mines using native plants, offering practical recommendations for species selection in coal mine reclamation projects are provided. This review contributes to sustainable approaches for mitigating the environmental consequences of coal mining and facilitates the ecological recovery of degraded landscapes.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Zahid Bashir
- Department of Environmental Science and Engineering, School of Engineering and Sciences, SRM University-AP, Amaravati, Andhra Pradesh, 522240, India
| | - Deep Raj
- Department of Environmental Science and Engineering, School of Engineering and Sciences, SRM University-AP, Amaravati, Andhra Pradesh, 522240, India.
| | - Rangabhashiyam Selvasembian
- Department of Environmental Science and Engineering, School of Engineering and Sciences, SRM University-AP, Amaravati, Andhra Pradesh, 522240, India.
| |
Collapse
|
3
|
Shanmugavel A, Rene ER, Balakrishnan SP, Krishnakumar N, Jose SP. Heavy metal ion sensing strategies using fluorophores for environmental remediation. ENVIRONMENTAL RESEARCH 2024:119544. [PMID: 38969312 DOI: 10.1016/j.envres.2024.119544] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/08/2024] [Revised: 05/27/2024] [Accepted: 07/01/2024] [Indexed: 07/07/2024]
Abstract
The main aim of this review is to provide an extensive summary of the latest advances within the emerging research area focused on detecting heavy metal ion pollution, particularly sensing strategies. The review explores various heavy metal ion detection approaches, encompassing spectrometry, electrochemical methods, and optical techniques. Numerous initiatives have been undertaken in recent times in response to the increasing demand for fast, sensitive, and selective sensors. Notably, fluorescent sensors have acquired prominence owing to the numerous advantages such as outstanding specificity, reversibility, and sensitivity. Further, it also explores the discussion of various nanomaterials employed in sensing heavy metal ions. In this regard, the exclusive emphasis is placed on fluorescent nanomaterials based on organic dyes, quantum dots, and fluorescent aptasensors for metal ion removal from aqueous systems to identify the destiny of dangerous heavy metal ions in clean circumstances.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Abinaya Shanmugavel
- School of Physics, Madurai Kamaraj University, Madurai, 625021, Tamil Nadu, India
| | - Eldon R Rene
- Department of Water Supply, Sanitation and Environmental Engineering, IHE Delft Institute for Water Education, Westvest 7, 2601DA, Delft, The Netherlands
| | | | | | - Sujin P Jose
- School of Physics, Madurai Kamaraj University, Madurai, 625021, Tamil Nadu, India.
| |
Collapse
|
4
|
Huang H, Gao YJ, Cao ZX, Tian ZQ, Bai YF, Tang ZX, Ali A, Zhao FJ, Wang P. Ecotoxicity of hexavalent chromium [Cr (VI)] in soil presents predominate threats to agricultural production with the increase of soil Cr contamination. JOURNAL OF HAZARDOUS MATERIALS 2024; 476:135091. [PMID: 38959828 DOI: 10.1016/j.jhazmat.2024.135091] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/08/2024] [Revised: 06/26/2024] [Accepted: 07/01/2024] [Indexed: 07/05/2024]
Abstract
The relative severity between chromium (Cr)-mediated ecotoxicity and its bioaccumulation has rarely been compared and evaluated. This study employed pot incubation experiments to simulate the soil environment with increased Cr pollution and study their effects on the growth of crops, including pepper, lettuce, wheat, and rice. Results showed that increasing total Cr presented ascendant ecotoxicity in upland soils when pH > 7.5, and significantly reduced the yield of pepper, lettuce and wheat grain by 0.3-100 %, whereas, this effect was weakened even reversed as the pH decreased. Surprisingly, a series of soils with Cr concentration of 22.7-623.5 mg kg-1 did not cause Cr accumulation in four crops over the Chinese permissible limit. The toxicity of Cr was highly associated with extractable Cr, where Cr (VI) made the greater contributions than Cr (III). Conclusively, the ecotoxicity of Cr poses a greater environmental issue as compared to the bioaccumulation of Cr in crops in upland soils, while extractable Cr (VI) makes the predominant contributions to the ecotoxicity of Cr as the total Cr increased. Our study proposes a synchronous consideration involving total Cr and Cr (VI) as the theoretical basis to establish a more reliable soil quality standard for safe production in China.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Hui Huang
- College of Ecology and Environment and Co-Innovation Center for the Sustainable Forestry in Southern China, Nanjing Forestry University, Nanjing, Jiangsu 210037, China.
| | - Yu-Jie Gao
- College of Resources and Environmental Sciences, Nanjing Agricultural University, Nanjing, Jiangsu 210095, China; Jiangsu Provincial Key Laboratory of Environmental Engineering, Jiangsu Provincial Academy of Environmental Science, Nanjing, Jiangsu 210036, China.
| | - Zheng-Xian Cao
- College of Ecology and Environment and Co-Innovation Center for the Sustainable Forestry in Southern China, Nanjing Forestry University, Nanjing, Jiangsu 210037, China.
| | - Zhuo-Qi Tian
- College of Ecology and Environment and Co-Innovation Center for the Sustainable Forestry in Southern China, Nanjing Forestry University, Nanjing, Jiangsu 210037, China.
| | - Yun-Fei Bai
- College of Resources and Environmental Sciences, Nanjing Agricultural University, Nanjing, Jiangsu 210095, China.
| | - Zhi-Xian Tang
- College of Resources and Environmental Sciences, Nanjing Agricultural University, Nanjing, Jiangsu 210095, China.
| | - Amjad Ali
- School of Environmental and Municipal Engineering, Xi'an University of Architecture and Technology, Xi'an, Shaanxi 710055, China.
| | - Fang-Jie Zhao
- College of Resources and Environmental Sciences, Nanjing Agricultural University, Nanjing, Jiangsu 210095, China.
| | - Peng Wang
- College of Resources and Environmental Sciences, Nanjing Agricultural University, Nanjing, Jiangsu 210095, China.
| |
Collapse
|
5
|
Khan R, Sarwar MJ, Shabaan M, Asghar HN, Zulfiqar U, Iftikhar I, Aijaz N, Haider FU, Chaudhary T, Soufan W. Exploring the synergistic effects of indole acetic acid (IAA) and compost in the phytostabilization of nickel (Ni) in cauliflower rhizosphere. BMC PLANT BIOLOGY 2024; 24:275. [PMID: 38605329 PMCID: PMC11007947 DOI: 10.1186/s12870-024-04920-0] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/22/2024] [Accepted: 03/18/2024] [Indexed: 04/13/2024]
Abstract
Heavy metals (HMs) contamination, owing to their potential links to various chronic diseases, poses a global threat to agriculture, environment, and human health. Nickel (Ni) is an essential element however, at higher concentration, it is highly phytotoxic, and affects major plant functions. Beneficial roles of plant growth regulators (PGRs) and organic amendments in mitigating the adverse impacts of HM on plant growth has gained the attention of scientific community worldwide. Here, we performed a greenhouse study to investigate the effect of indole-3-acetic acid (IAA @ 10- 5 M) and compost (1% w/w) individually and in combination in sustaining cauliflower growth and yield under Ni stress. In our results, combined application proved significantly better than individual applications in alleviating the adverse effects of Ni on cauliflower as it increased various plant attributes such as plant height (49%), root length (76%), curd height and diameter (68 and 134%), leaf area (75%), transpiration rate (36%), stomatal conductance (104%), water use efficiency (143%), flavonoid and phenolic contents (212 and 133%), soluble sugars and protein contents (202 and 199%), SPAD value (78%), chlorophyll 'a and b' (219 and 208%), carotenoid (335%), and NPK uptake (191, 79 and 92%) as compared to the control. Co-application of IAA and compost reduced Ni-induced electrolyte leakage (64%) and improved the antioxidant activities, including APX (55%), CAT (30%), SOD (43%), POD (55%), while reducing MDA and H2O2 contents (77 and 52%) compared to the control. The combined application also reduced Ni uptake in roots, shoots, and curd by 51, 78 and 72% respectively along with an increased relative production index (78%) as compared to the control. Hence, synergistic application of IAA and compost can mitigate Ni induced adverse impacts on cauliflower growth by immobilizing it in the soil.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Raheel Khan
- Institute of Soil and Environmental Sciences, University of Agriculture, Faisalabad, Pakistan
| | - Muhammad Junaid Sarwar
- Institute of Soil and Environmental Sciences, University of Agriculture, Faisalabad, Pakistan
| | - Muhammad Shabaan
- Land Resources Research Institute (LRRI), National Agricultural Research Centre (NARC), Islamabad, Pakistan.
| | - Hafiz Naeem Asghar
- Institute of Soil and Environmental Sciences, University of Agriculture, Faisalabad, Pakistan
| | - Usman Zulfiqar
- Department of Agronomy, Faculty of Agriculture and Environment, The Islamia University of Bahawalpur, Bahawalpur, 63100, Pakistan.
| | - Irfan Iftikhar
- Institute of Soil and Environmental Sciences, University of Agriculture, Faisalabad, Pakistan
| | - Nazish Aijaz
- School of Biomedical Science, Hunan University, Changsha, Hunan, China
- MOA Key Laboratory of Soil Microbiology, Rhizobium Research Center, China Agricultural University, Beijing, China
| | - Fasih Ullah Haider
- Key Laboratory of Vegetation Restoration and Management of Degraded Ecosystems, South China Botanical Garden, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Guangzhou, 510650, China
- University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, 100039, China
| | - Talha Chaudhary
- Faculty of Agricultural and Environmental Sciences, Hungarian University of Agriculture and Life Sciences 2100, Godollo, Hungary.
| | - Walid Soufan
- Plant Production Department, College of Food and Agriculture Sciences, King Saud University, Riyadh, 11451, Saudi Arabia
| |
Collapse
|
6
|
Pang Z, Luo Z, Guan DX, Zhang T, Qiu L, Zhao E, Ma Q, Li T, Peng H, Liang Y. The adsorption-diffusion model and biomimetic simulation reveal the switchable roles of silicon in regulating toxic metal uptake in rice roots. CHEMOSPHERE 2024; 353:141669. [PMID: 38460848 DOI: 10.1016/j.chemosphere.2024.141669] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/08/2023] [Revised: 02/22/2024] [Accepted: 03/06/2024] [Indexed: 03/11/2024]
Abstract
Soil contamination by heavy metals has become a serious threat to global food security. The application of silicon (Si)-based materials is a simple and economical method for producing safe crops in contaminated soil. However, the impact of silicon on the heavy-metal concentration in plant roots, which are the first line in the chain of heavy-metal entering plants and causing stress and the main site of heavy-metal deposition in plants, remains puzzling. We proposed a process-based model (adsorption-diffusion model) to explain the results of a collection of 28 experiments on alleviating toxic metal stress in plants by Si. Then we evaluated the applicability of the model in Si-mitigated trivalent chromium (Cr[III]) stress in rice, taking into account variations in experimental conditions such as Cr(III) concentration, stress duration, and Si concentration. It was found that the adsorption-diffusion model fitted the experimental data well (R2 > 0.9). We also verified the binding interaction between Si and Cr in the cell wall using SEM-EDS and XPS. In addition, we designed a simplified biomimetic device that simulated the Si in cell wall to analyze the dual-action switch of Si from increasing Cr(III) adsorption to blocking Cr(III) diffusion. We found that the adsorption of Cr(III) by Si decreased from 58% to 7% as the total amount of Cr(III) increased, and finally the diffusion blocking effect of Si dominated. This study deepens our understanding of the role of Si in mitigating toxic metal stress in plants and is instructive for the research and use of Si-based materials to improve food security.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Zhihao Pang
- Ministry of Education Key Laboratory of Environment Remediation and Ecological Health, College of Environmental & Resource Sciences, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, 310058, China
| | - Zhongkui Luo
- Ministry of Education Key Laboratory of Environment Remediation and Ecological Health, College of Environmental & Resource Sciences, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, 310058, China
| | - Dong-Xing Guan
- Ministry of Education Key Laboratory of Environment Remediation and Ecological Health, College of Environmental & Resource Sciences, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, 310058, China
| | - Tong Zhang
- College of Environmental Science and Engineering, Ministry of Education Key Laboratory of Pollution Processes and Environmental Criteria, Tianjin Key Laboratory of Environmental Remediation and Pollution Control, Nankai University, Tianjin, 300350, China
| | - Lixue Qiu
- Ministry of Education Key Laboratory of Environment Remediation and Ecological Health, College of Environmental & Resource Sciences, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, 310058, China
| | - Enqiang Zhao
- Ministry of Education Key Laboratory of Environment Remediation and Ecological Health, College of Environmental & Resource Sciences, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, 310058, China
| | - Qingxu Ma
- Ministry of Education Key Laboratory of Environment Remediation and Ecological Health, College of Environmental & Resource Sciences, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, 310058, China
| | - Tingqiang Li
- Ministry of Education Key Laboratory of Environment Remediation and Ecological Health, College of Environmental & Resource Sciences, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, 310058, China
| | - Hongyun Peng
- Ministry of Education Key Laboratory of Environment Remediation and Ecological Health, College of Environmental & Resource Sciences, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, 310058, China
| | - Yongchao Liang
- Ministry of Education Key Laboratory of Environment Remediation and Ecological Health, College of Environmental & Resource Sciences, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, 310058, China.
| |
Collapse
|
7
|
Shah T, Khan Z, Alahmadi TA, Imran A, Asad M, Khan SR, Ansari MJ. Mycorrhizosphere bacteria inhibit chromium uptake and phytotoxicity by regulating proline metabolism, antioxidant defense system, and aquaporin gene expression in tomato. ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCE AND POLLUTION RESEARCH INTERNATIONAL 2024; 31:24836-24850. [PMID: 38456983 DOI: 10.1007/s11356-024-32755-7] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/05/2024] [Accepted: 02/29/2024] [Indexed: 03/09/2024]
Abstract
Chromium (Cr) contamination in soil-plant systems poses a pressing environmental challenge due to its detrimental impacts on plant growth and human health. Results exhibited that Cr stress decreased shoot biomass, root biomass, leaf relative water content, and plant height. However, single and co-application of Bacillus subtilis (BS) and arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi (AMF) considerably enhanced shoot biomass (+ 21%), root biomass (+ 2%), leaf relative water content (+ 26%), and plant height (+ 13) under Cr stress. The frequency of mycorrhizal (F) association (+ 5%), mycorrhizal colonization (+ 13%), and abundance of arbuscules (+ 5%) in the non-stressed soil was enhanced when inoculated with combined BS and AMF as compared to Cr-stressed soil. The co-inoculation with BS and AMF considerably enhanced total chlorophyll, carotenoids, and proline content in Cr-stressed plants. Cr-stressed plants resulted in attenuated response in SOD, POD, CAT, and GR activities when inoculated with BS and AMF consortia by altering oxidative stress biomarkers (H2O2 and MDA). In Cr-stressed plants, the combined application of BS and AMF considerably enhanced proline metabolism, for instance, P5CR (+ 17%), P5CS (+ 28%), OAT (- 22%), and ProDH (- 113%) as compared to control. Sole inoculation with AMF downregulated the expression of SIPIP2;1, SIPIP2;5, and SIPIP2;7 in Cr-stressed plants. However, the expression of NCED1 was downregulated with the application of sole AMF. In contrast, the relative expression of Le4 was upregulated in the presence of AMF and BS combination in Cr-stressed plants. Therefore, it is concluded that co-application of BS and AMF enhanced Cr tolerance by enhancing proline metabolism, antioxidant enzymes, and aquaporin gene expression. Future study might concentrate on elucidating the molecular processes behind the synergistic benefits of BS and AMF, as well as affirming their effectiveness in field experiments under a variety of environmental situations. Long-term research on the effect of microbial inoculation on soil health and plant production might also help to design sustainable chromium remediation solutions.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Tariq Shah
- Department of Agronomy, Faculty of Crop Production Sciences, The University of Agriculture, Peshawar, Peshawar, 25130, Pakistan.
| | - Zeeshan Khan
- Department of Plant Biotechnology, Atta-ur-Rahman School of Applied Biosciences, National University of Sciences and Technology, Islamabad, 44000, Pakistan
| | - Tahani Awad Alahmadi
- Department of Pediatrics, College of Medicine and King, Medical City, Khalid University Hospital, King Saud University, PO Box-2925, 11461, Riyadh, Saudi Arabia
| | - Ayesha Imran
- Department of Plant Biotechnology, Atta-ur-Rahman School of Applied Biosciences, National University of Sciences and Technology, Islamabad, 44000, Pakistan
| | - Muhammad Asad
- Department of Plant Biotechnology, Atta-ur-Rahman School of Applied Biosciences, National University of Sciences and Technology, Islamabad, 44000, Pakistan
| | - Shah Rukh Khan
- Department of Plant Biotechnology, Atta-ur-Rahman School of Applied Biosciences, National University of Sciences and Technology, Islamabad, 44000, Pakistan
| | - Mohammad Javed Ansari
- Department of Botany, Hindu College, Moradabad, Mahatma Jyotiba Phule Rohilkhand University Bareilly, Moradabad, India
- College of Food and Agriculture Sciences, King Saud University, Riyadh, Saudi Arabia
| |
Collapse
|
8
|
Komal, Shabaan M, Ali Q, Asghar HN, Zahir ZA, Yousaf K, Aslam N, Zulfiqar U, Ejaz M, Alwahibi MS, Ali MA. Exploring the synergistic effect of chromium (Cr) tolerant Pseudomonas aeruginosa and nano zero valent iron (nZVI) for suppressing Cr uptake in Aloe Vera. INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF PHYTOREMEDIATION 2024; 26:1474-1485. [PMID: 38488053 DOI: 10.1080/15226514.2024.2327838] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 07/01/2024]
Abstract
Chromium (Cr) contamination of soil has substantially deteriorated soil health and has interfered with sustainable agricultural production worldwide and therefore, its remediation is inevitable. Inoculation of plant growth promoting rhizobacteria (PGPR) in association with nanotechnology has exerted broad based impacts in agriculture, and there is an urgent need to exploit their synergism in contaminated soils. Here, we investigated the effect of co-application of Cr-tolerant "Pseudomonas aeruginosa CKQ9" strain and nano zerovalent iron (nZVI) in improving the phytoremediation potential of aloe vera (Aloe barbadensis L.) under Cr contamination. Soil was contaminated by using potassium dichromate (K2Cr2O7) salt and 15 mg kg-1 contamination level in soil was maintained via spiking and exposure to Cr lasted throughout the duration of the experiment (120 days). We observed that the co-application alleviated the adverse impacts of Cr on aloe vera, and improved various plant attributes such as plant height, root area, number of leaves and gel contents by 51, 137, 67 and 49% respectively as compared to control treatment under Cr contamination. Similarly, significant boost in the activities of various antioxidants including catalase (124%), superoxide dismutase (87%), ascorbate peroxidase (36%), peroxidase (89%) and proline (34%) was pragmatic under contaminated soil conditions. In terms of soil Cr concentration and its plant uptake, co-application of P. aeruginosa and nZVI also reduced available Cr concentration in soil (50%), roots (77%) and leaves (84%), while simultaneously increasing the relative production index by 225% than un-inoculated control. Hence, integrating PGPR with nZVI can be an effective strategy for enhancing the phytoremediation potential of aloe vera.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Komal
- Institute of Soil and Environmental Sciences, University of Agriculture Faisalabad, Faisalabad, Pakistan
| | - Muhammad Shabaan
- Land Resources Research Institute, National Agricultural Research Centre, Islamabad, Pakistan
| | - Qasim Ali
- Department of Soil Sciences, The Islamia University of Bahawalpur, Bahawalpur, Pakistan
| | - Hafiz Naeem Asghar
- Institute of Soil and Environmental Sciences, University of Agriculture Faisalabad, Faisalabad, Pakistan
| | - Zahir Ahmad Zahir
- Institute of Soil and Environmental Sciences, University of Agriculture Faisalabad, Faisalabad, Pakistan
| | - Kashmala Yousaf
- Institute of Soil and Environmental Sciences, University of Agriculture Faisalabad, Faisalabad, Pakistan
| | - Noreen Aslam
- Institute of Physiology and Pharmacology, University of Agriculture Faisalabad, Faisalabad, Pakistan
| | - Usman Zulfiqar
- Department of Agronomy, Faculty of Agriculture and Environment, The Islamia University of Bahawalpur, Bahawalpur, Pakistan
| | - Mukkaram Ejaz
- Institute of Physics-Centre for Science and Education, Division of Geochronology and Environmental Isotopes, Silesian University of Technology, Gliwice, Poland
| | - Mona S Alwahibi
- Department of Botany and Microbiology, College of Science, King Saud University, Riyadh, Saudi Arabia
| | - M Ajmal Ali
- Department of Botany and Microbiology, College of Science, King Saud University, Riyadh, Saudi Arabia
| |
Collapse
|
9
|
Khoshyomn S, Heidari A, Farzam M, Shariatmadari Z, Karimian Z. Integrated approaches for heavy metal-contaminated soil remediation: harnessing the potential of Paulownia elongata S. Y. Hu, Oscillatoria sp., arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi (Glomus mosseae and Glomus intraradices), and iron nanoparticles. ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCE AND POLLUTION RESEARCH INTERNATIONAL 2024; 31:19595-19614. [PMID: 38366318 DOI: 10.1007/s11356-024-32380-4] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/30/2023] [Accepted: 02/04/2024] [Indexed: 02/18/2024]
Abstract
In recent years, researchers have extensively investigated the remediation of heavy metal-contaminated soil using plants, microorganisms, and iron nanoparticles. The objective of this study was to investigate and compare the individual and simultaneous effects of Paulownia elongata S. Y. Hu, cyanobacteria (Oscillatoria sp.), arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi (AMF) including Glomus mosseae and Glomus intraradices, and zero-valent iron nanoparticles (nZVI) on the remediation of heavy metal-contaminated soil containing chromium (Cr VI and Cr III) and nickel (Ni). The study found significant variations in parameters such as pH (acidity), electrical conductivity (EC), nitrogen (N), phosphorus (P), potassium (K), and organic carbon (OC) among different treatments. The addition of cyanobacteria, AMF, and nZVI influenced these properties, resulting in both increases and decreases compared to the control treatment. The treatment involving a combination of cyanobacteria, AMF, and nZVI (CCAN25) exhibited the highest increase in growth parameters, such as total dry mass, root length, stem diameter, and leaf area, while other treatments showed varied effects on plant growth. Moreover, the CCAN25 treatment demonstrated the highest increase in chlorophyll a, chlorophyll b, and carotenoid levels, whereas other treatments displayed reductions in these pigments compared to the control. Moderate phytoaccumulation of Cr and Ni in P. elongata samples across all treatments was observed, as indicated by the bioconcentration factor and bioaccumulation coefficient values being less than 1.0 for both metals. The findings provide insights into the potential application of these treatments for soil remediation and plant growth enhancement in contaminated environments.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Sara Khoshyomn
- Department of Environmental Science, Faculty of Natural Resources and Environment, Ferdowsi University of Mashhad, Mashhad, Iran
| | - Ava Heidari
- Department of Environmental Science, Faculty of Natural Resources and Environment, Ferdowsi University of Mashhad, Mashhad, Iran.
| | - Mohammad Farzam
- Department of Range and Watershed Management, Faculty of Natural Resources and Environment, Ferdowsi University of Mashhad, Mashhad, Iran
| | | | - Zahra Karimian
- Department of Ornamental Plants, Research Center for Plant Sciences, Ferdowsi University of Mashhad, Mashhad, Iran
| |
Collapse
|
10
|
Fiaz K, Maqsood MF, Shahbaz M, Zulfiqar U, Naz N, Gaafar ARZ, Tariq A, Farhat F, Haider FU, Shahzad B. Application of thiourea ameliorates drought induced oxidative injury in Linum usitatissimum L. by regulating antioxidant defense machinery and nutrients absorption. Heliyon 2024; 10:e25510. [PMID: 38390139 PMCID: PMC10881316 DOI: 10.1016/j.heliyon.2024.e25510] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/25/2023] [Revised: 01/17/2024] [Accepted: 01/29/2024] [Indexed: 02/24/2024] Open
Abstract
Thiourea (TU) is considered an essential and emerging biostimulant against the negative impacts of severe environmental stresses, including drought stress in plants. However, the knowledge about the foliar application of TU to mitigate drought stress in Linum usitatissimum L., has yet to be discovered. The present study was designed to assess the impact of foliar application of TU for its effects against drought stress in two flax cultivars. The study comprised two irrigation regimes [60% field capacity (FC) and the control (100% FC)], along with TU (0, 500, 1000 mg L-1) application at the vegetative stage. The findings indicated that drought stress reduced the shoot fresh weight (44.2%), shoot dry weight (67.5%), shoot length (41.5%), total chlorophyll (51.6%), and carotenoids (58.8%). Drought stress increased both cultivars' hydrogen peroxide (H2O2) and malondialdehyde (MDA). Foliar application of TU (1000 mg L-1) enhanced the growth and chlorophyll contents with or without drought stress. Under drought stress (60% FC), TU decreased MDA and H2O2 contents up to twofold. Moreover, TU application increased catalase (40%), peroxidase (13%), superoxide dismutase (30%), and total soluble protein contents (32.4%) differentially in both cultivars. Nevertheless, TU increased calcium (Ca2+) (42.8%), potassium (K+) (33.4%), and phosphorus (P) (72%) in shoots and decreased the elevated sodium (Na+) (28.2%) ions under drought stress. It is suggested that TU application (1000 mg L-1) enhances the growth potential of flax by enhancing photosynthetic pigment, nutrient uptake, and antioxidant enzymes under drought stress. Research outcomes, therefore, recommend that TU application can ameliorate drought-induced negative effects in L. usitatissimum L. seedlings, resulting in improved plant growth and mineral composition, as depicted by balanced primary and secondary metabolite accumulation.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Khazra Fiaz
- Department of Botany, University of Agriculture, Faisalabad, Pakistan
- Institute of Grassland Science, Northeast Normal University, Key Laboratory of Vegetation Ecology, Ministry of Education, Jilin Songnen Grassland Ecosystem National Observation and Research Station, Changchun, 130024, China
| | | | - Muhammad Shahbaz
- Department of Botany, University of Agriculture, Faisalabad, Pakistan
| | - Usman Zulfiqar
- Department of Agronomy, The Islamia University of Bahawalpur, Bahawalpur, Pakistan
| | - Nargis Naz
- Department of Botany, The Islamia University of Bahawalpur, Bahawalpur, Pakistan
| | - Abdel-Rhman Z Gaafar
- Department of Botany and Microbiology, College of Science, King Saud University, Riyadh 11451, Saudi Arabia
| | - Arneeb Tariq
- Department of Botany, Government College Women University, Faisalabad, Pakistan
| | - Fozia Farhat
- Department of Botany, Government College Women University, Faisalabad, Pakistan
| | - Fasih Ullah Haider
- Key Laboratory of Vegetation Restoration and Management of Degraded Ecosystems, South China Botanical Garden, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Guangzhou 510650, China
- University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100039, China
| | - Babar Shahzad
- Tasmanian Institute of Agriculture, University of Tasmania, Hobart, TAS 7001, Australia
| |
Collapse
|
11
|
Alterary SS, Al-Alshaikh MA, Elhadi AM, Cao W. Design, Synthesis, and Evaluation of Novel Magnetic Nanoparticles Combined with Thiophene Derivatives for the Removal of Cr(VI) from an Aqueous Solution. ACS OMEGA 2024; 9:7835-7849. [PMID: 38405514 PMCID: PMC10883020 DOI: 10.1021/acsomega.3c07517] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/28/2023] [Revised: 01/12/2024] [Accepted: 01/18/2024] [Indexed: 02/27/2024]
Abstract
Most heavy metals are harmful to human health and the environment, even at extremely low concentrations. In natural waters, they are usually found only in trace amounts. Researchers are paying great attention to nanotechnology and nanomaterials as viable solutions to the problem of water pollution. This research focuses on the synthesis of organic thiophene derivatives that can be used as grafted ligands on the surface of silica-coated iron oxide nanoparticles to remove Cr(VI) chromium ions from water. The Vilsmeier-Haack reaction allows the formation of aldehyde groups in thiophene derivatives, and the resulting products were characterized by the FT-IR, NMR, and GC-MS. Schiff base is used as a binder between organic compounds and nanoparticles by the reaction of aldehyde groups in thiophene derivatives and amine groups on the surface of coated iron oxide nanoparticles. Schiff base functionalized Fe3O4 composites (MNPs@SiO2-SB-THCA) and (MNPs@SiO2-SB-THCTA) were successfully synthesized by homogeneous and heterogeneous methods and characterized by a combination of FT-IR, transmission electron microscopy, X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy, and thermogravimetric analysis. The adsorption studies, kinetic modeling, adsorption isotherms, and thermodynamics of the two materials, MNPs@SiO2-SB-THCA and MNPs@SiO2-SB-THCTA, were investigated for the removal of Cr(VI) from water at room temperature and at 50 mg/L. The high adsorption capacity at pH 6 for MNPs@SiO2-SB-THCTA was 15.53 mg/g, and for MNPs@SiO2-SB-THCA, it was 14.31 mg/g.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Seham S. Alterary
- Department
of Chemistry, College of Science, King Saud
University, P.O. Box 11495 Riyadh, Saudi
Arabia
| | - Monirah A. Al-Alshaikh
- Department
of Chemistry, College of Science, King Saud
University, P.O. Box 11495 Riyadh, Saudi
Arabia
| | - Athar M. Elhadi
- Department
of Chemistry, College of Science, King Saud
University, P.O. Box 11495 Riyadh, Saudi
Arabia
| | - Wenjie Cao
- Scientific
Design Company Incorporated, 49 Industrial Avenue, Little Ferry, 07643 New Jersey, United States
| |
Collapse
|
12
|
Zhang X, Wang Y, Li T, Wang H. Tannic acid modified microscale zero valent iron (TA-mZVI) with enhanced anti-passivation capability for Cr(VI) removal. CHEMOSPHERE 2024; 350:141034. [PMID: 38147926 DOI: 10.1016/j.chemosphere.2023.141034] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/01/2023] [Revised: 11/27/2023] [Accepted: 12/23/2023] [Indexed: 12/28/2023]
Abstract
The removal of Cr(VI) from aqueous solutions using microscale zerovalent iron (mZVI) shows promising potential. However, the surface passivation of mZVI particles hinders its widespread application. In this study, we prepared tannic acid (TA) modified mZVI composite (TA-mZVI) by a simple sonication method. The introduction of TA allowing TA-mZVI composite to adsorb Cr(VI) rapidly under electrostatic forces attraction, guarantying TA-mZVI exhibited remarkable Cr(VI) removal capacity with a maximum adsorption capacity of 106.1 mg⋅g-1. At an initial pH of 3, it achieved a rapid removal efficiency of 96.2% within just 5 min, which was 7.7 times higher than that of mZVI. Various characterizations, including XPS and CV analysis, indicated that the formation of TA-Fe complexes accelerates electron transfer. In addition, TA endows functional groups to TA-mZVI, raising the dispersion and stability and serves as a protective layer hindering passivation. Further mechanistic analysis revealed that Cr(VI) removal by TA-mZVI followed an adsorption-reduction-precipitation mechanism, with TA mitigating the surface passivation of mZVI and facilitating the reduction of most Cr(VI) to Cr(III). Batch cyclic experiments revealed that TA-mZVI exhibited satisfactory performance, maintaining over 85% Cr(VI) removal even after five cycles and minimally affected by various coexisting ions. With notable advantages in cost-effectiveness, ease-synthesis and recovery, this work provides a great promise for developing efficient reactive adsorbent for addressing Cr(VI) contamination in aqueous solutions.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Xueyi Zhang
- MOE Key Laboratory of Pollution Processes and Environmental Criteria, Tianjin Key Laboratory of Environmental Technology for Complex Trans-Media Pollution, Tianjin Key Laboratory of Environmental Remediation and Pollution Control, College of Environmental Science and Engineering, Nankai University, Tianjin 300350, China
| | - Yue Wang
- MOE Key Laboratory of Pollution Processes and Environmental Criteria, Tianjin Key Laboratory of Environmental Technology for Complex Trans-Media Pollution, Tianjin Key Laboratory of Environmental Remediation and Pollution Control, College of Environmental Science and Engineering, Nankai University, Tianjin 300350, China
| | - Tielong Li
- MOE Key Laboratory of Pollution Processes and Environmental Criteria, Tianjin Key Laboratory of Environmental Technology for Complex Trans-Media Pollution, Tianjin Key Laboratory of Environmental Remediation and Pollution Control, College of Environmental Science and Engineering, Nankai University, Tianjin 300350, China.
| | - Haitao Wang
- MOE Key Laboratory of Pollution Processes and Environmental Criteria, Tianjin Key Laboratory of Environmental Technology for Complex Trans-Media Pollution, Tianjin Key Laboratory of Environmental Remediation and Pollution Control, College of Environmental Science and Engineering, Nankai University, Tianjin 300350, China.
| |
Collapse
|
13
|
Ahmad A, Aslam Z, Abbas RN, Bellitürk K, Hussain S, Hussain S, Ahmad M, Zulfiqar U, Moussa IM, Elshikh MS. Enhancing Wheat Crop Resilience to Drought Stress through Cellulolytic Microbe-Enriched Cow Dung Vermicompost. ACS OMEGA 2024; 9:2123-2133. [PMID: 38250403 PMCID: PMC10795136 DOI: 10.1021/acsomega.3c04402] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/23/2023] [Revised: 12/07/2023] [Accepted: 12/20/2023] [Indexed: 01/23/2024]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Wheat, an important cereal crop, is commonly cultivated in arid and semiarid areas, and therefore, it often experiences water deficit conditions. The consequences of induced stress on wheat can be mitigated through vermicompost amendments. To address drought stress on wheat seedlings, a pot experiment was conducted in the wire-house in which two contrasting wheat cultivars, Faisalabad-08 (drought-tolerant) and Galaxy-13 (drought-sensitive), were exposed to three water level conditions: well-watered [D0, 70% of field capacity (FC)], moderate drought (D1, 45% FC), and severe drought (D2, 30% FC). Four rates of vermicompost, derived from cow dung enriched with cellulolytic microbes, were applied (VT0, control; VT1, 4 t ha-1; VT2, 6 t ha-1; and VT3, 8 t ha-1) to the experiment. Data on various physiological, biochemical, and enzymatic antioxidants were recorded. RESULTS Our results demonstrated that the drought treatments significantly reduced nutrient accumulation, chlorophyll and SPAD values, and carotenoid content in both cultivars where the maximum reduction was recorded for severe drought stress. Nonetheless, the application of vermicompost significantly improved these traits, and statistically maximum chlorophyll contents, SPAD value, and total carotenoid contents were observed for VT1 in both cultivars under drought treatments. While the lowest chlorophyll and carotenoid contents were recorded for untreated replicated pots. Among the cultivars, Faisalabad-08 exhibited greater resistance to drought, as evidenced by higher values of the aforementioned traits compared to Galaxy-13. Soil-applied vermicompost also showed a positive influence on antioxidant enzyme activities in both wheat cultivars grown under well-watered as well as water-scarce conditions. CONCLUSIONS The findings of this study revealed that drought conditions substantially decreased the enzymatic antioxidants and physiological and biochemical attributes of the wheat crop. However, soil-applied vermicompost, particularly at an optimum rate, had a positive impact on the wheat seedlings under drought conditions. Moving forward, exploring the potential of utilizing cellulolytic microbe-enriched cow dung vermicompost stands as a promising avenue to mitigate the detrimental effects of water stress on wheat. Further research in this direction could offer substantial insights into enhancing wheat resilience and productivity under water stress conditions.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Ali Ahmad
- Department
of Agronomy, University of Agriculture, Faisalabad 38000, Pakistan
| | - Zubair Aslam
- Department
of Agronomy, University of Agriculture, Faisalabad 38000, Pakistan
| | - Rana Nadeem Abbas
- Department
of Agronomy, University of Agriculture, Faisalabad 38000, Pakistan
| | - Korkmaz Bellitürk
- Department
of Soil Science and Plant Nutrition, Faculty of Agriculture, Tekirdağ Namık Kemal University, Süleymanpaşa, Tekirdağ 59030, Turkey
| | - Saddam Hussain
- Department
of Agronomy, University of Agriculture, Faisalabad 38000, Pakistan
| | - Sadam Hussain
- College
of Agronomy, Northwest A&F University, Yangling, Shaanxi 712100, China
| | - Muhammad Ahmad
- Department
of Agronomy, University of Agriculture, Faisalabad 38000, Pakistan
| | - Usman Zulfiqar
- Department
of Agronomy, Faculty of Agriculture and Environment, The Islamia University of Bahawalpur, Bahawalpur 63100, Pakistan
| | - Ihab Mohamed Moussa
- Department
of Botany and Microbiology, College of Science, King Saud University, Riyadh 11451, Saudi Arabia
| | - Mohamed S. Elshikh
- Department
of Botany and Microbiology, College of Science, King Saud University, Riyadh 11451, Saudi Arabia
| |
Collapse
|
14
|
Abdullah, Wani KI, Naeem M, Jha PK, Jha UC, Aftab T, Prasad PVV. Systems biology of chromium-plant interaction: insights from omics approaches. FRONTIERS IN PLANT SCIENCE 2024; 14:1305179. [PMID: 38259926 PMCID: PMC10800501 DOI: 10.3389/fpls.2023.1305179] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/30/2023] [Accepted: 12/15/2023] [Indexed: 01/24/2024]
Abstract
Plants are frequently subjected to heavy metal (HM) stress that impedes their growth and productivity. One of the most common harmful trace metals and HM discovered is chromium (Cr). Its contamination continues to increase in the environment due to industrial or anthropogenic activities. Chromium is severely toxic to plant growth and development and acts as a human carcinogen that enters the body by inhaling or taking Cr-contaminated food items. Plants uptake Cr via various transporters, such as sulfate and phosphate transporters. In nature, Cr is found in various valence states, commonly Cr (III) and Cr (VI). Cr (VI) is soil's most hazardous and pervasive form. Cr elevates reactive oxygen species (ROS) activity, impeding various physiological and metabolic pathways. Plants have evolved various complex defense mechanisms to prevent or tolerate the toxic effects of Cr. These defense mechanisms include absorbing and accumulating Cr in cell organelles such as vacuoles, immobilizing them by forming complexes with organic chelates, and extracting them by using a variety of transporters and ion channels regulated by various signaling cascades and transcription factors. Several defense-related proteins including, metallothioneins, phytochelatins, and glutathione-S-transferases aid in the sequestration of Cr. Moreover, several genes and transcriptional factors, such as WRKY and AP2/ERF TF genes, play a crucial role in defense against Cr stress. To counter HM-mediated stress stimuli, OMICS approaches, including genomics, proteomics, transcriptomics, and metallomics, have facilitated our understanding to improve Cr stress tolerance in plants. This review discusses the Cr uptake, translocation, and accumulation in plants. Furthermore, it provides a model to unravel the complexities of the Cr-plant interaction utilizing system biology and integrated OMICS approach.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Abdullah
- Department of Botany, Aligarh Muslim University, Aligarh, India
| | | | - M. Naeem
- Department of Botany, Aligarh Muslim University, Aligarh, India
| | - Prakash Kumar Jha
- Department of Plant and Soil Sciences, Mississippi State University, Starkville, MS, United States
| | - Uday Chand Jha
- Indian Institute of Pulses Research (IIPR), Indian Council of Agricultural Research (ICAR), Kanpur, India
- Department of Agronomy, Kansas State University, Manhattan, KS, United States
| | - Tariq Aftab
- Department of Botany, Aligarh Muslim University, Aligarh, India
| | - P. V. Vara Prasad
- Department of Agronomy, Kansas State University, Manhattan, KS, United States
- Department of Agronomy; and Feed the Future Innovation Lab for Collaborative Research on Sustainable Intensification, Kansas State University, Manhattan, KS, United States
| |
Collapse
|
15
|
Atta N, Shahbaz M, Farhat F, Maqsood MF, Zulfiqar U, Naz N, Ahmed MM, Hassan NU, Mujahid N, Mustafa AEZMA, Elshikh MS, Chaudhary T. Proline-mediated redox regulation in wheat for mitigating nickel-induced stress and soil decontamination. Sci Rep 2024; 14:456. [PMID: 38172153 PMCID: PMC10764790 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-023-50576-5] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/16/2023] [Accepted: 12/21/2023] [Indexed: 01/05/2024] Open
Abstract
Nickel (Ni) is known as a plant micronutrient and serves as a component of many significant enzymes, however, it can be extremely toxic to plants when present in excess concentration. Scientists are looking for natural compounds that can influence the development processes of plants. Therefore, it was decided to use proline as a protective agent against Ni toxicity. Proline (Pro) is a popularly known osmoprotectant to regulate the biomass and developmental processes of plants under a variety of environmental stresses, but its role in the modulation of Ni-induced toxicity in wheat is very little explored. This investigation indicated the role of exogenously applied proline (10 mM) on two wheat varieties (V1 = Punjab-11, V2 = Ghazi-11) exposed to Ni (100 mg/kg) stress. Proline mediated a positive rejoinder on morphological, photosynthetic indices, antioxidant enzymes, oxidative stress markers, ion uptake were analyzed with and without Ni stress. Proline alone and in combination with Ni improved the growth, photosynthetic performance, and antioxidant capacity of wheat plants. However, Ni application alone exhibited strong oxidative damage through increased H2O2 (V1 = 28.96, V2 = 55.20) accumulation, lipid peroxidation (V1 = 26.09, V2 = 38.26%), and reduced translocation of macronutrients from root to shoot. Application of Pro to Ni-stressed wheat plants enhanced actions of catalase (CAT), peroxidase (POD), superoxide dismutase (SOD), and total soluble protein (TSP) contents by 45.70, 44.06, 43.40, and 25.11% in V1, and 39.32, 46.46, 42.22, 55.29% in V2, compared to control plants. The upregulation of antioxidant enzymes, proline accumulation, and uptake of essential mineral ions has maintained the equilibrium of Ni in both wheat cultivars, indicating Ni detoxification. This trial insight into an awareness that foliar application of proline can be utilized as a potent biochemical method in mitigating Ni-induced stress and might serve as a strong remedial technique for the decontamination of polluted soil particularly with metals.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Nimra Atta
- Department of Botany, University of Agriculture, Faisalabad, Pakistan
| | - Muhammad Shahbaz
- Department of Botany, University of Agriculture, Faisalabad, Pakistan
| | - Fozia Farhat
- Department of Botany, Government College Women University, Faisalabad, Pakistan
| | | | - Usman Zulfiqar
- Department of Agronomy, Faculty of Agriculture and Environment, The Islamia University of Bahawalpur, Bahawalpur, 63100, Pakistan.
| | - Nargis Naz
- Department of Botany, The Islamia University of Bahawalpur, Bahawalpur, 63100, Pakistan
| | - Muhammad Mahmood Ahmed
- Department of Bioinformatics, The Islamia University of Bahawalpur, Bahawalpur, 63100, Pakistan
| | - Naveed Ul Hassan
- Department of Botany, University of Agriculture, Faisalabad, Pakistan
| | - Nazoora Mujahid
- Department of Botany, University of Agriculture, Faisalabad, Pakistan
| | - Abd El-Zaher M A Mustafa
- Department of Botany and Microbiology, College of Science, King Saud University, P.O. 2455, Riyadh, 11451, Saudi Arabia
| | - Mohamed S Elshikh
- Department of Botany and Microbiology, College of Science, King Saud University, P.O. 2455, Riyadh, 11451, Saudi Arabia
| | - Talha Chaudhary
- Faculty of Agricultural and Environmental Sciences, Hungarian University of Agriculture and Life Sciences, Godollo, 2100, Hungary.
| |
Collapse
|
16
|
Singh D, Sharma NL, Singh D, Siddiqui MH, Sarkar SK, Rathore A, Prasad SK, Gaafar ARZ, Hussain S. Zinc oxide nanoparticles alleviate chromium-induced oxidative stress by modulating physio-biochemical aspects and organic acids in chickpea (Cicer arietinum L.). PLANT PHYSIOLOGY AND BIOCHEMISTRY : PPB 2024; 206:108166. [PMID: 38039586 DOI: 10.1016/j.plaphy.2023.108166] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/10/2023] [Revised: 10/16/2023] [Accepted: 11/03/2023] [Indexed: 12/03/2023]
Abstract
Extensive chromium (Cr) release into water and soil severely impairs crop productivity worldwide. Nanoparticle (NP) technology has shown potential for reducing heavy metal toxicity and improving plant physicochemical profiles. Herein, we investigated the effects of exogenous zinc oxide NPs (ZnO-NPs) on alleviating Cr stress in Cr-sensitive and tolerant chickpea genotypes. Hydroponically grown chickpea plants were exposed to Cr stress (0 and 120 μM) and ZnO-NPs (25 μM, 20 nm size) twice at a 7-day interval. Cr exposure reduced physiochemical profiles, ion content, cell viability, and gas exchange parameters, and it increased organic acid exudate accumulation in roots and the Cr content in the roots and leaves of the plants. However, ZnO-NP application significantly increased plant growth, enzymatic activities, proline, total soluble sugar, and protein and gas exchange parameters and reduced malondialdehyde and hydrogen peroxide levels, Cr content in roots, and organic acid presence to improve root cell viability. This study provides new insights into the role of ZnO-NPs in reducing oxidative stress along with Cr accumulation and mobility due to low levels of organic acids in chickpea roots. Notably, the Cr-tolerant genotype exhibited more pronounced alleviation of Cr stress by ZnO-NPs. These findings highlight the potential of ZnO-NP in regulating plant growth, reducing Cr accumulation, and promoting sustainable agricultural development.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Deepti Singh
- Department of Botany, Meerut College, Meerut, India.
| | | | - Dharmendra Singh
- Division of Genetics, ICAR-Indian Agricultural Research Institute, New Delhi, India
| | - Manzer H Siddiqui
- Department of Botany and Microbiology, College of Science, King Saud University, Riyadh, Saudi Arabia.
| | - Susheel Kumar Sarkar
- Division of Design of Experiments, ICAR-Indian Agricultural Statistics Research Institute, New Delhi, India
| | - Abhishek Rathore
- Regional Breeding Informatics Lead, Excellence in Breeding Platform, The International Maize and Wheat Improvement Center (CIMMYT) Building ICRISAT Campus, Patancheru, Hyderabad, India
| | - Saroj Kumar Prasad
- Department of Agronomy, Institute of Agricultural Sciences, Banaras Hindu University, Varanasi, India
| | - Abdel-Rhman Z Gaafar
- Department of Botany and Microbiology, College of Science, King Saud University, Riyadh, Saudi Arabia
| | - Sadam Hussain
- College of Agronomy, Northwest A&F University, Yangling, 712100, China
| |
Collapse
|
17
|
Thanigaivel S, Vinayagam S, Gnanasekaran L, Suresh R, Soto-Moscoso M, Chen WH. Environmental fate of aquatic pollutants and their mitigation by phycoremediation for the clean and sustainable environment: A review. ENVIRONMENTAL RESEARCH 2024; 240:117460. [PMID: 37866533 DOI: 10.1016/j.envres.2023.117460] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/11/2023] [Revised: 09/30/2023] [Accepted: 10/19/2023] [Indexed: 10/24/2023]
Abstract
Emerging pollutants such as natural and manufactured chemicals, insecticides, pesticides, surfactants, and other biological agents such as personal care products, cosmetics, pharmaceuticals, and many industrial discharges hamper the aquatic environment. Nanomaterials and microplastics, among the categories of pollutants, can directly interfere with the marine ecosystem and translate into deleterious effects for humans and animals. They are either uncontrolled or poorly governed. Due to their known or suspected effects on human and environmental health, some chemicals are currently causing concern. The aquatic ecology is at risk from these toxins, which have spread worldwide. This review assesses the prevalence of emerging and hazardous pollutants that have effects on aquatic ecosystems and contaminated water bodies and their toxicity to non-target organisms. Microalgae are found to be a suitable source to remediate the above-mentioned risks. Microalgae based mitigation techniques are currently emerging approaches for all such contaminants, including the other categories that are discussed above. These studies describe the mechanism of phycoremediation, provide outrage factors that may significantly affect the efficiency of contaminants removal, and discuss the future directions and challenges of microalgal mediated remediations.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- S Thanigaivel
- Department of Biotechnology, Faculty of Science & Humanities, SRM Institute of Science and Technology, Kattankulathur, Chengalpattu District, Tamil Nadu, 603203, India
| | - Saranya Vinayagam
- Department of Biosciences, Saveetha School of Engineering, Saveetha Institute of Medical and Technical Sciences, Chennai, Tamil Nadu, 602105, India
| | - Lalitha Gnanasekaran
- Departamento de Ingeniería Mecánica, Facultad de Ingeniería, Universidad de Tarapacá, Avda. General Velásquez 1775, Arica, Chile.
| | - R Suresh
- Department of Chemistry, Karpagam Academy of Higher Education, Coimbatore, 641021, Tamil Nadu, India; Centre for Material Chemistry, Karpagam Academy of Higher Education, Coimbatore, 641021, Tamil Nadu, India
| | | | - Wei-Hsin Chen
- Department of Aeronautics and Astronautics, National Cheng Kung University, Tainan, 701, Taiwan; Research Center for Smart Sustainable Circular Economy, Tunghai University, Taichung, 407, Taiwan; Department of Mechanical Engineering, National Chin-Yi University of Technology, Taichung, 411, Taiwan
| |
Collapse
|
18
|
Ullah A, Lin YJ, Zhang H, Yu XZ. Identification of the Key Genes Involved in Proline-Mediated Modification of Cell Wall Components in Rice Seedlings under Trivalent Chromium Exposure. TOXICS 2023; 12:4. [PMID: 38276717 PMCID: PMC10818556 DOI: 10.3390/toxics12010004] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/29/2023] [Revised: 12/15/2023] [Accepted: 12/18/2023] [Indexed: 01/27/2024]
Abstract
Chromium (Cr) toxicity exerts a detrimental effect on various physiological, biochemical, and molecular attributes of plants including the structure and functions of cell walls. On the other hand, the exogenous application of proline (Pro) is a beneficial strategy to overcome Cr toxicity. Therefore, it is a novel strategy to find the key genes associated with cell wall composition in rice under trivalent Cr with/without Pro application. A total of 203 genes were activated in the four cell wall biosynthesis pathways under chromium stress, namely cellulose (60), hemicellulose (57), lignin (35), and pectin (51). Based on the expression abundance of microarrays, the number of differentially expressed genes, and the expression level of genes, the lignin pathway was a crucial pathway in response to Cr treatments, followed by the cellulose pathway. Through the estimation of gene expression variation factors between 'Cr' and 'Cr+Pro' treatments, OsUGP1, OsBGLU24, OsBGLU29, OsBGLU33, OsBMY1, and OsBMY2 in the cellulose pathway; OsXTH9, OsXTH10, OsXTH16, OsGAUT3, OsGAUT19, OsGAUT28, OsXTH1, OsGAUT12, and OsGAUT21 in the hemicellulose pathway; OsPAL3, OsPAL3, OsPOX1, and OsPRX77 in the lignin pathway; and OsPME25, OsPGL27, OsPME26, OsPGL9, and OsPLL12 in the pectin pathway are the key genes involved in cell wall modification during Cr exposure with exogenous Pro application. The Pro-mediated activation of these genes could be crucial players in modifying the cell wall structure and composition of rice plants under Cr stress, which needs to be further clarified.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
| | | | | | - Xiao-Zhang Yu
- College of Environmental Science & Engineering, Guilin University of Technology, Guilin 541004, China; (A.U.); (Y.-J.L.); (H.Z.)
| |
Collapse
|
19
|
Ali A, Alghanem SMS, Al-Haithloul HAS, Muzammil S, Adrees M, Irfan E, Waseem M, Anayat A, Saqalein M, Rizwan M, Ali S, Abeed AHA. Co-application of copper nanoparticles and metal tolerant Bacillus sp. for improving growth of spinach plants in chromium contaminated soil. CHEMOSPHERE 2023; 345:140495. [PMID: 37865204 DOI: 10.1016/j.chemosphere.2023.140495] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/21/2023] [Revised: 10/16/2023] [Accepted: 10/18/2023] [Indexed: 10/23/2023]
Abstract
Chromium (Cr) is classified as a toxic metal as it exerts harmful effects on plants and human life. Bacterial-assisted nano-phytoremediation is an emerging and environment friendly technique that can be used for the detoxification of such pollutants. In current study, pot experiment was conducted in which spinach plants were grown in soil containing chromium (0, 5, 10, 20 mgkg-1) and treated with selected strain of Bacillus sp. and Cu-O nanoparticle (CuONPs). Data related to plant's growth, physiological parameters, and biochemical tests was collected and analyzed using an appropriate statistical test. It was observed that under chromium stress, all plant's growth parameters were significantly enhanced in response to co-application of CuONPs and Bacillus sp. Similarly, higher levels of catalase, superoxide dismutase, malondialdehyde, and hydrogen peroxide were also observed. However, contents of anthocyanin, carotenoid, total chlorophyll, chlorophyll a & b, were lowered under chromium stress, which were raised in response to the combined application of CuONPs and Bacillus sp. Moreover, this co-application has significant positive effect on total soluble protein, free amino acid, and total phenolics. From this study, it was evident that combined application of Bacillus sp. and CuONP alleviated metal-induced toxicity in spinach plants. The findings from current study may provide new insights for agronomic research for the utilization of bacterial-assisted nano-phytoremediation of contaminated sites.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Arslan Ali
- Institute of Microbiology, Government College University Faisalabad, Faisalabad, 38000, Pakistan
| | | | | | - Saima Muzammil
- Institute of Microbiology, Government College University Faisalabad, Faisalabad, 38000, Pakistan
| | - Muhammad Adrees
- Department of Environmental Sciences, Government College University Faisalabad, Faisalabad, 38000, Pakistan
| | - Effa Irfan
- Department of Biochemistry, University of Agriculture Faisalabad, Pakistan
| | - Muhammad Waseem
- Department of Environmental Sciences, Government College University Faisalabad, Faisalabad, 38000, Pakistan.
| | - Alia Anayat
- Soil & Water Testing Laboratory, Ayub Agricultural Research Institute, Jhang Road, Faisalabad, Pakistan
| | - Muhammad Saqalein
- Institute of Microbiology, Government College University Faisalabad, Faisalabad, 38000, Pakistan
| | - Muhammad Rizwan
- Department of Environmental Sciences, Government College University Faisalabad, Faisalabad, 38000, Pakistan.
| | - Shafaqat Ali
- Department of Environmental Sciences, Government College University Faisalabad, Faisalabad, 38000, Pakistan; Department of Biological Sciences and Technology, China Medical University, Taichung, 40402, Taiwan.
| | - Amany H A Abeed
- Department of Botany and Microbiology, Faculty of Science, Assiut University, Assiut, 71516, Egypt
| |
Collapse
|
20
|
Karnwal A, Dohroo A, Malik T. Unveiling the Potential of Bioinoculants and Nanoparticles in Sustainable Agriculture for Enhanced Plant Growth and Food Security. BIOMED RESEARCH INTERNATIONAL 2023; 2023:6911851. [PMID: 38075309 PMCID: PMC10699995 DOI: 10.1155/2023/6911851] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/22/2023] [Revised: 09/20/2023] [Accepted: 11/21/2023] [Indexed: 12/18/2023]
Abstract
The increasing public concern over the negative impacts of chemical fertilizers and pesticides on food security and sustainability has led to exploring innovative methods that offer both environmental and agricultural benefits. One such innovative approach is using plant-growth-promoting bioinoculants that involve bacteria, fungi, and algae. These living microorganisms are applied to soil, seeds, or plant surfaces and can enhance plant development by increasing nutrient availability and defense against plant pathogens. However, the application of biofertilizers in the field faced many challenges and required conjunction with innovative delivering approaches. Nanotechnology has gained significant attention in recent years due to its numerous applications in various fields, such as medicine, drug development, catalysis, energy, and materials. Nanoparticles with small sizes and large surface areas (1-100 nm) have numerous potential functions. In sustainable agriculture, the development of nanochemicals has shown promise as agents for plant growth, fertilizers, and pesticides. The use of nanomaterials is being considered as a solution to control plant pests, including insects, fungi, and weeds. In the food industry, nanoparticles are used as antimicrobial agents in food packaging, with silver nanomaterials being particularly interesting. However, many nanoparticles (Ag, Fe, Cu, Si, Al, Zn, ZnO, TiO2, CeO2, Al2O3, and carbon nanotubes) have been reported to negatively affect plant growth. This review focuses on the effects of nanoparticles on beneficial plant bacteria and their ability to promote plant growth. Implementing novel sustainable strategies in agriculture, biofertilizers, and nanoparticles could be a promising solution to achieve sustainable food production while reducing the negative environmental impacts.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Arun Karnwal
- Department of Microbiology, School of Bioengineering & Biosciences, Lovely Professional University, Phagwara, Punjab 144411, India
| | - Aradhana Dohroo
- Baddi University of Emerging Sciences and Technologies, Baddi, Himachal Pradesh 173405, India
| | - Tabarak Malik
- Department of Biomedical Sciences, Institute of Health, Jimma University, Ethiopia
| |
Collapse
|
21
|
Ullah S, Liu Q, Wang S, Jan AU, Sharif HMA, Ditta A, Wang G, Cheng H. Sources, impacts, factors affecting Cr uptake in plants, and mechanisms behind phytoremediation of Cr-contaminated soils. THE SCIENCE OF THE TOTAL ENVIRONMENT 2023; 899:165726. [PMID: 37495153 DOI: 10.1016/j.scitotenv.2023.165726] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/10/2023] [Revised: 07/20/2023] [Accepted: 07/20/2023] [Indexed: 07/28/2023]
Abstract
Chromium (Cr) is released into the environment through anthropogenic activities and has gained significant attention in the recent decade as environmental pollution. Its contamination has adverse effects on human health and the environment e.g. decreases soil fertility, alters microbial activity, and reduces plant growth. It can occur in different oxidation states, with Cr(VI) being the most toxic form. Cr contamination is a significant environmental and health issue, and phytoremediation offers a promising technology for remediating Cr-contaminated soils. Globally, over 400 hyperaccumulator plant species from 45 families have been identified which have the potential to remediate Cr-contaminated soils through phytoremediation. Phytoremediation can be achieved through various mechanisms, such as phytoextraction, phytovolatilization, phytodegradation, phytostabilization, phytostimulation, and rhizofiltration. Understanding the sources and impacts of Cr contamination, as well as the factors affecting Cr uptake in plants and remediation techniques such as phytoremediation and mechanisms behind it, is crucial for the development of effective phytoremediation strategies. Overall, phytoremediation offers a cost-effective and sustainable solution to the problem of Cr pollution. Further research is needed to identify plant species that are more efficient at accumulating Cr and to optimize phytoremediation methods for specific environmental conditions. With continued research and development, phytoremediation has the potential to become a widely adopted technique for the remediation of heavy metal-contaminated soils.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Sadeeq Ullah
- School of Environment and Civil Engineering, Research Center for Eco-Environment Engineering, Dongguan University of Technology, Dongguan 523106, Guangdong, China
| | - Qingling Liu
- Tianjin Key Lab of Indoor Air Environmental Quality Control, School of Environmental Science and Technology, Tianjin University, Tianjin 300350, China
| | - Shiyong Wang
- School of Environment and Civil Engineering, Research Center for Eco-Environment Engineering, Dongguan University of Technology, Dongguan 523106, Guangdong, China
| | - Amin Ullah Jan
- Department of Biotechnology, Faculty of Science, Shaheed Benazir Bhutto University Sheringal, Dir Upper, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa 18000, Pakistan
| | - Hafiz M Adeel Sharif
- Research Center for Eco-Environmental Engineering, Dongguan University of Technology, Dongguan 523808, China
| | - Allah Ditta
- Department of Environmental Sciences, Shaheed Benazir Bhutto University Sheringal, Dir Upper, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa 18000, Pakistan; School of Biological Sciences, The University of Western Australia, 35 Stirling Highway, Perth, WA 6009, Australia
| | - Gang Wang
- School of Environment and Civil Engineering, Research Center for Eco-Environment Engineering, Dongguan University of Technology, Dongguan 523106, Guangdong, China.
| | - Hefa Cheng
- MOE Laboratory for Earth Surface Processes, College of Urban and Environmental Sciences, Peking University, Beijing 100871, China.
| |
Collapse
|
22
|
Zulfiqar U, Haider FU, Maqsood MF, Mohy-Ud-Din W, Shabaan M, Ahmad M, Kaleem M, Ishfaq M, Aslam Z, Shahzad B. Recent Advances in Microbial-Assisted Remediation of Cadmium-Contaminated Soil. PLANTS (BASEL, SWITZERLAND) 2023; 12:3147. [PMID: 37687393 PMCID: PMC10490184 DOI: 10.3390/plants12173147] [Citation(s) in RCA: 18] [Impact Index Per Article: 18.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/16/2023] [Revised: 08/29/2023] [Accepted: 08/29/2023] [Indexed: 09/10/2023]
Abstract
Soil contamination with cadmium (Cd) is a severe concern for the developing world due to its non-biodegradability and significant potential to damage the ecosystem and associated services. Industries such as mining, manufacturing, building, etc., rapidly produce a substantial amount of Cd, posing environmental risks. Cd toxicity in crop plants decreases nutrient and water uptake and translocation, increases oxidative damage, interferes with plant metabolism and inhibits plant morphology and physiology. However, various conventional physicochemical approaches are available to remove Cd from the soil, including chemical reduction, immobilization, stabilization and electro-remediation. Nevertheless, these processes are costly and unfriendly to the environment because they require much energy, skilled labor and hazardous chemicals. In contrasting, contaminated soils can be restored by using bioremediation techniques, which use plants alone and in association with different beneficial microbes as cutting-edge approaches. This review covers the bioremediation of soils contaminated with Cd in various new ways. The bioremediation capability of bacteria and fungi alone and in combination with plants are studied and analyzed. Microbes, including bacteria, fungi and algae, are reported to have a high tolerance for metals, having a 98% bioremediation capability. The internal structure of microorganisms, their cell surface characteristics and the surrounding environmental circumstances are all discussed concerning how microbes detoxify metals. Moreover, issues affecting the effectiveness of bioremediation are explored, along with potential difficulties, solutions and prospects.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Usman Zulfiqar
- Department of Agronomy, Faculty of Agriculture and Environment, The Islamia University of Bahawalpur, Bahawalpur 63100, Pakistan;
| | - Fasih Ullah Haider
- Key Laboratory of Vegetation Restoration and Management of Degraded Ecosystems, South China Botanical Garden, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Guangzhou 510650, China;
- University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100039, China
| | | | - Waqas Mohy-Ud-Din
- Institute of Soil and Environmental Sciences, University of Agriculture, Faisalabad 38040, Pakistan;
- Department of Soil and Environmental Sciences, Ghazi University, D. G. Khan 32200, Pakistan
- Institute of Marine and Environmental Technology, University of Maryland Center for Environmental Science, Baltimore, MD 21202, USA
| | - Muhammad Shabaan
- Land Resources Research Institute (LRRI), National Agricultural Research Centre (NARC), Islamabad, Pakistan;
| | - Muhammad Ahmad
- Department of Agronomy, University of Agriculture, Faisalabad 38040, Pakistan; (M.A.); (M.I.)
| | - Muhammad Kaleem
- Department of Botany, University of Agriculture, Faisalabad 38040, Pakistan;
| | - Muhammad Ishfaq
- Department of Agronomy, University of Agriculture, Faisalabad 38040, Pakistan; (M.A.); (M.I.)
- Department of Agriculture, Extension, Azad Jammu & Kashmir, Pakistan
| | - Zoya Aslam
- Soil and Environmental Biotechnology Division, National Institute for Biotechnology and Genetic Engineering, Constituent College of Pakistan Institute of Engineering and Applied Sciences, Faisalabad, Pakistan
| | - Babar Shahzad
- Tasmanian Institute of Agriculture, University of Tasmania, Hobart, TAS 7001, Australia
| |
Collapse
|