The field experiment was conducted to investigate the effects of applying urea with nitrification inhibitor (NI) (Nitrapyrine) alone or in combination with gibberellic acid (GA-K salt), on improving wheat yield and N-use efficiency at The University of Agriculture (34.1°ʹ21″ N, 71°28′5′E), Peshawar-Pakistan. There were five treatments with four replications: control (no urea), urea (150 kg N ha−1)

This work investigated the effects of the hormonal priming of saffron corms before planting with 6-benzylaminopurine (BAP) as cytokinin, and gibberellic acid (GA3) on saffron quantity and quality by examining the number of flower, fresh and dry weight of flower, fresh and dry weight of stigma, length of stigma, crocin, picrocrocin and safranal compounds in stigma, anthocyanin content of petals as well

Salinity stress is one of the most significant global issues that negatively affect plant growth and development. Modern agricultural practices have expanded the destructive effects of salinity stress, affecting plants through immediate osmotic stress, followed by a slow onset of ionic or hyper-osmotic stress. Plants alteration and resistance to salinity stress involve complex physiological, biochemical

Late (summer) planting of sugarcane is very much common in subtropical India. Due to the adoption of sugarcane–ratoon–wheat cropping system in the region, sugarcane planting is delayed. Delay in planting of sugarcane reduces the period of tillering. Thus to improve tillering, growth, and yield of late-planted sugarcane, a field experiment was conducted to assess the four levels of seed cane material

This work aims to study the influence of atmospheric non-thermal plasma on the enhancement of early growth jasmine rice seeds. Air plasma has been generated by a multi-pin plasma generator at the supplied source voltage of 18, 22, 26, and 30 kV and has been exposed on target seeds for 60, 300, and 600 s. After the treatment process, the jasmine rice seeds have been cultivated in the soil for 10 days

A field experiment was conducted study the effect of biochar and a nitrification inhibitor (nitrapyrin) on NH3 and N2O emissions from a silt clay loam soil near Peshawar, Pakistan. The experimental design was a randomized complete block with eight treatments in three replicates: (no urea), urea (150 kg N ha−1), B (6 t ha−1), B (12 t ha−1), urea + B6, urea + B12, urea + B6 + NI (700 g ha−1), and urea + B12 + NI

It is a well-established fact that nitric oxide (NO) is a multifaceted signaling molecule, which plays diverse role in organisms. In the past two decades, various pieces of evidence have been documented to address its involvement under various abiotic and biotic stress responses in plant systems. One of the prime consequences of abiotic stress is an increase in the cellular concentration of reactive

Nutrient management is one of the most important agricultural practices to ensure yield and fruit quality. The aim of this study was to examine the effect of N and P availability in the yield and quality of tomato fruits (Solanum lycopersicum var. Meyity), and the hormonal mechanisms underlying these effects. Fruit yield and quality (in terms of sugar accumulation and titratable acidity) at harvest

Melatonin is a signaling molecule that is involved in inducing plantsʼ abiotic stress tolerance. To determine the possible effects of the melatonin pre-treatment on thermotolerance in strawberry (Fragaria × ananassa Duch.), the heat-sensitive cultivar Ventana was subjected to high temperatures (35 °C and 40 °C) for 10 h after pre-treatment with 0, 50, and 100 μM melatonin. High temperature increased

Pumpkin seeds are used globally for snacks, bakery, and oil due to their nutritional and medicinal properties. The seeds of pumpkin have 35–45% oil, rich in health-enhancing fatty acids especially linoleic (52.7%), oleic (28.3%), and palmitic (12.7%). However, the presence of thick leathery seed coat (hull) limits the use due to decortication process required for further use. A mutant carrying thin

Drought stress is a primary abiotic stress that causes the crop losses worldwide. Under drought conditions, root growth is determined by the action of environmental drought stress through specific genes that adapt root development to water-limited conditions. We observed that root length, root-to-shoot ratio, and ABA content increased under water stress. To precisely identify drought-responsive genes

Ambient temperatures are major factors regulating the growth rates, yields, and geographical distribution of crop species. The cultivation of sesame (Sesamum indicum L.) is expanding with the rising demand in regions where it is not traditionally grown, and sub-optimal yields due to extremely low or high temperatures could occur. Currently literature lacks information on the temperature responses of

Girdling can promote anthocyanin accumulation in grape berries. However, the underlying mechanism is unclear. In this study, we explored the effects of girdling on the accumulation of anthocyanins and the transcript levels of key genes in anthocyanin synthesis in spine grape skins. We also determined the effect of girdling on the contents of vitamin C, titratable acids, soluble sugars, and aroma compounds

The flowers of pagoda tree (Sophora japonica L.) are white, which limited its ornamental value and caused few researches on its flower color and anthocyanin accumulation. A pink flower mutant (PM) was discovered, which provided an opportunity to investigate anthocyanin biosynthesis in pagoda tree flowers. In this study, the anthocyanin and flavone/flavonol contents in petals of PM and wild type (WT;

Vateria indica L. is a critically endangered tree species in South-Western Ghats of India, commercially exploited for its valuable resins. Seed recalcitrance is a major problem hindering the natural regeneration of this species and it poses a great challenge in seed storage and conservation. There was a continuous import of water from the maternal tissues to seed tissues till maturity and the seeds

To investigate the effects of red and blue light on potato growth and yield, potato plantlets were transplanted under white (W), red (R), blue (B), and red + blue (RB; 50%R + 50%B) light in growth chambers. Plants under W had a significantly lower tuber yield per plant than the other treatments, although their shoot dry weights were the highest among all treatments. Potato plants under R had the highest

The global warming-driven climate change is becoming a major challenge for rice cultivation in Asia and Africa. High-temperature stress impairs the physiology and growth of rice plant, and ultimately results in reduced grain yield. This study was aimed to decipher the physiological and molecular changes occurring during different growth stages of heat-tolerant (N22) and -susceptible (Vandana) rice

Plants being sessile organisms are often exposed to various abiotic stress conditions, which greatly hamper the growth, yields as well as the quality of produce. Plants respond to abiotic stresses in an exceptionally complex and coordinated manner, involving the interactions and crosstalk with many metabolic-molecular pathways. One of the most common responses is generation of reactive chemical species

The manuscript aimed to explore the differential responses of Vigna radiata and Vigna mungo to fluoride (25 mg L−1 NaF) stress and validate the protective roles of sodium nitroprusside (SNP) (50 µM). V. radiata showed 53.5% higher bioaccumulation of fluoride compared to V. mungo. The overall growth in V. radiata was more affected (32.0%) compared with V. mungo (6.3%), which on the contrary displayed

Fragrant rice is popular among the public because of its distinctive fragrant smell. To explore the effects of different harvest time on yield, quality, and aroma-related substances of fragrant rice in the after full heading stage. Under field conditions, we used a completely randomized block design. Using fragrant rice: Xiangyaxiangzhan (XY), Meixiangzhan-2 (MXZ), 19Xiang (19X) as materials, sampling

Hydrogen sulfide (H2S) has emerged as a novel gaseous signal molecule with multifarious effects on seed germination, plant growth, development, and physiological processes. Due to its dominant role in plant stress tolerance and cross-adaptation, it is getting more attention nowadays, although it has been largely referred as toxic and environmental hazardous gas. In this review work, we are highlighting

At present plants continuously exposed to salinity stress due to the challenging environment that has reduced the crop growth and productivity worldwide. Application of phytohormones by using seed priming method emerges as one of the most reliable and cost effective to alleviate the toxic effect of salinity stress. In this study, we evaluate the effect of seed-primed salicylic acid (SA) to reduce the

Melatonin is a crucial biological hormone associated with many physiological and biochemical processes in plants and also enhances resistance against various abiotic stresses. However, the mechanisms underlying the melatonin-assisted mitigation of salt stress in tomato (Solanum lycopersicum L.) plant are still poorly understood. A hydroponic experiment was conducted to investigate the protective role

Although the presence of silicon (Si) as a phyto-beneficial element is not essential in the nutrition of ornamental plants, its application may have many advantageous effects. Therefore, the present research was conducted to investigate the effects of Si and synthesized silicon nanoparticles (SiNPs) on the morphological and biochemical properties, leaf nutrient content, and vase life of tuberose (Polianthes

Triacontanol is a long-chain alcohol that is considered to be a plant growth promoter. Exogenous application of triacontanol increases dry and fresh weight, plant height, branching, stem and root length, yield, and other biochemical parameters; it also reduces the effect of different stressors. In this work, the effects of triacontanol on stomatal regulation and photochemical parameters in tomato plants

Photosynthesis and stomata dynamically respond to transient changes in light intensity; however, information regarding their long-term responses to the light intensity is limited. In the current study, biophysical properties of photosynthetic apparatus and stomatal characteristics of lettuce plants were investigated in response to long-term exposure to different photosynthetic photon flux densities

This study was aimed to assess the effect of nitric oxide (NO; 1 and 2 mM) on shelf life and quality of pointed gourd. Fruits were stored at 12 °C for 14 days with simulated ambient storage for 3 days (7 + 3 and 14 + 3) to mimic the marketing period. NO treatment significantly improved the postharvest shelf life as compared to control samples. The fruits underwent to the application of NO (2 mM) effectively

Prunus persica is considered one of the most hypoxia-intolerant stone fruits. However, waterlogging, which causes hypoxia, occurs frequently in southern China where peaches are commercially important. As useful waterlogging-tolerant rootstock for peaches is limited, effective emergency strategies are urgent to identify solutions for this problem. In this study, we assessed the effect of exogenous melatonin

Till now the impacts of sub- and supra-optimal temperatures on the induction of secondary dormancy (SD) in rapeseed seeds have not yet been investigated. Therefore, the possibility of SD induction at sub- and supra-optimal temperatures (thermo-dormancy) was investigated in six rapeseed cultivars with high (Trapper and Agamax), medium (Hayola-50 and Hayola-420) and low (Rohan and Zarfam) SD potential

Rhizobium is a plant growth-promoting bacteria, generally involved in nitrogen fixation and promotes growth in plants under abiotic-stressed conditions such as salinity. The present study investigates the significance of Rhizobium application in alleviation of salt stress in chickpea by increasing cell viability, stomatal movement, photosynthetic pigment and protein content, nitrate reductase, carbonic

In apple (Malus) cultivation, the adaptability of rootstocks has a fundamental influence on multiple abiotic-stress resistance properties of their scions. Here, we investigated the high-salt resistance of apple rootstocks, by treating 2-year-old apple trees consisting of the ‘Fuji’ cultivar grafted onto three different dwarfing rootstocks (SH6, M9-T337 and G935) with a high-salt solution for 30 days

It is known that auxin and nitric oxide have the ability to ameliorate various abiotic stresses in plants individually. However, their interactive effects on the stress generated by salt in plants are not reported yet. Therefore, the present study was conducted to explore the effectiveness of sodium nitroprusside (SNP), a donor of nitric oxide and IAA (Indole acetic acid) individually and in combination

Orchardgrass (Dactylis glomerata L.) is an economically important perennial forage grass with a high biomass, abundant carbohydrates, shade tolerance, and broad adaptability. The time of flowering is a crucial agronomic trait that is strongly relevant to the quality and yield of orchardgrass. However, there has been little information provided about the genes expressed during the critical flower development

Arsenic (As) being a toxic metalloid adversely affects plant growth and yield, as well as poses severe risks to human health. Hydrogen sulfide (H2S) has emerged a vital signaling molecule regulating key plant growth processes under stress conditions. However, till date little information is available regarding the role of H2S in mitigating As toxicity in pea plants. In the present study, the effect

Although melatonin has been reported to function as a stress signaling molecule, not much information is available on the biochemical and molecular events associated with probable melatonin-hydrogen sulfide crosstalk in plants. Present work provides evidence on the role of melatonin in the modulation of H2S homoeostasis during NaCl stress in dark-grown tomato (Solanum lycopersicum L. var. cherry) seedlings

To understand the mechanisms of cadmium (Cd) tolerance during seed germination in rice, quantitative trait loci (QTLs) and epistasis were analyzed using 124 rice backcross recombinant inbred lines (BRILs) derived from a cross between indica CH891 and japonica 02428, and six additive QTLs along with 16 pairs of epistatic QTLs involving 17 loci were identified for germination rate (GR) under Cd and control

Phenological stages and allelic variation of vernalization and photoperiod response genes play an important role in wheat environmental adaptation and grain yield. In the present study, phenological stages of 260 Iranian wheat landraces and cultivars were studied during two cropping years. In addition, allelic variation of vernalization and photoperiod markers were also investigated to identify the

The salinization of agriculture soils over the globe has become one of the most devastating stresses and is significantly limiting cultivated land area, and crop productivity and quality. It is very imperative to explore both salinity tolerance in plants and insights into approaches (and underlying mechanisms) for effectively controlling salinity impacts. To this end, the role of phytohormone salicylic

The basic helix loop helix (bHLH) transcription factor comprises one of the largest plant-specific transcriptional regulators in plant growth and development that response to biotic and abiotic stresses. Many members of bHLH play essential roles in the growth of root hair and response to drought, salt, and cold stresses. The family of bHLH genes has been found in many species; nevertheless, the barrel

The effects of changes in auxin transport in response to different osmotic potentials (Ψo) were analyzed in the roots and leaves of two leguminous species with different degrees of salt tolerance: the halophyte Prosopis strombulifera (Lam.) Benth. and the glycophyte Glycine max L. The potentials were generated with sodium chloride (NaCl), sodium sulfate (Na2SO4), and the iso-osmotic mixture of both

Strigolactone (GR24) is a phytohormone, involved in reconfiguration of plant development pattern in response to salinity stress. Current experiment was carried out in vitro conditions to study the role of GR24 on sunflower (Helianthus annuus L. cv. OLIVER-P) under saline and non-saline growth mediums. Two salinity levels [0 mM (control) and 150 mM NaCl] were maintained in growth mediums for callus

BnSIP1-1 is a trihelix transcription factor family gene which functions in abiotic stress response and abscisic acid (ABA) signaling during seed germination and seedling growth of Brassica napus. In the present study, further sequence analysis and phenotype identification indicated that this gene had roles in light regulation and flowering of reproductive growth stage. Many phytohormones responsive

Roots of weeds that are left behind in the soil after removal of their aerial parts can reduce the growth of crops. Here we conducted an assessment to evaluate the allelopathic interference of Nicotiana plumbaginifolia roots and its rhizosphere soil on the growth of Pisum sativum L., identification of chemicals involved, the role of charcoal, the role of N and other macronutrients. Growth responses

Fruit hardening is a new condition in ‘Suli’ pear fruits that affects their commercial value. This study analyzed the cell wall composition, fruit quality and tissue structure of normal and hardened fruit. The results showed that the protopectin, cellulose and hemicellulose content of hardened fruit were not significantly different from normal fruit. However, in hardened fruit, the soluble pectin content

Tetrastigma hemsleyanum Diels et Gilg is a valuable medicinal herb. Chilling sensitivity is the major limiting factor of the artificial cultivation of the plant. Some key genes, such as ZEP and NCED genes of ABA biosynthesis, GA2ox, GA3ox, and GA20ox genes of GA biosynthesis, ACO genes of ET biosynthesis pathway were screened to be crucial in cold response. The response of ABA and ABA/GA1+3 to cold

The branching trait is influenced by various environmental signals, including the Red light:Far Red light (R:FR), an indicator of competition and an inhibitor of axillary bud growth. Branch development is influenced by an array of hormones, including auxin which indirectly suppresses bud growth as a consequence of auxin transport and signaling in the main stem. The suppressive effect of auxin sourced

Chlorogenic acid (CGA) and rutin in various concentrations and application times were examined over a period of three years to determine their effectiveness in adventitious rooting on the leafy cuttings of an easy to root olive cultivar, ‘Arbequina’ and a recalcitrant one ‘Kalamata’. Exogenous application of phenolics and the season the cuttings were collected affected significantly the rooting potential

In many tree species especially the rooting-recalcitrant woody perennials, the adventitious root (AR) in the juvenile phase can be easily induced by exogenous auxin, but AR formation becomes recalcitrant in the adult phase. Also, it is reported that the γ-aminobutyric acid (GABA) inhibits primary root growth in Arabidopsis and the AR formation in poplar (Populus ssp). So far, how GABA affects or is

Cowpea is a highly nutritious grain legume crop, cultivated mostly in a semi-arid environment and frequently confronts sporadic dry periods during different stages of plant growth, which drastically reduce its productivity. The current study was enacted to evaluate the biochar application and seed priming induced drought tolerance in cowpea. The seeds of cowpea were primed with CaCl2 (1% solution)

The present study was carried out to investigate the effects of hydrogen peroxide (H2O2) on the growth, photosynthesis, leaf histology, mineral uptake, phytochemical accumulation, and Rubisco gene expression in Ficus deltoidea var. deltoidea, a slow growing medicinal plant. The F. deltoidea plants were spray-treated with 0 (control), 8, 16, 30 and 60 mM H2O2 under field conditions. The results showed

Burkholderia sp. AU4i is a strain previously isolated from pea, which can act as plant growth-promoting rhizobacteria (PGPR). Here, we demonstrate that AU4i is able to promote Arabidopsis growth and increase the number of lateral roots as well as shoot and root dry weight. The inoculation of Arabidopsis leaves with AU4i significantly reduced the lesion’s areas provoked by the necrotrophic pathogens

Minimizing nitrification of fertilizer ammonium (NH4+) can reduce nitrate (NO3−) contamination of groundwater and increase nitrogen (N) use efficiency (NUE). Olive mill wastewater (OMW), hydroalcoholic extracts of Mentha piperita L. (Mp) and Artemisia annua L. (Aa), and synthetic nitrification inhibitor (NI) dicyandiamide (DCD) were investigated. All NIs reduced activity of nitrifying bacteria and

To clarify the effects of shading by bagging on the carotenoid accumulation in peach fruit flesh, the fruits of two yellow-fleshed peach cultivars (3D-8 and C18) were analyzed after a bagging treatment (yellow-black double-layered bag) at 50 days after full bloom. The bagging treatment significantly decreased the carotenoid content. The reason for this decrease may be that dark conditions due to bagging

The present study was aimed to assess the effect of nitric oxide (NO) and the interaction of NO with hydrogen peroxide (H2O2) on plant tolerance to low temperatures in cucumber seedlings. Exogenous NO significantly increased the endogenous NO content, initial and total activities of ribulose-1,5-bisphosphate carboxylase/oxygenase (RuBisCO), RuBisCO carboxylation rate (Vc,max), RuBP regeneration rate

The effects of lipopolysaccharides (LPS) from Azospirillum brasilense Sp245, a plant growth-promoting rhizobacteria, and Pseudomonas aeruginosa PAO1, a pathogenic bacterium, on plant growth and peroxidase (POD) activity were assessed on wheat seedlings. A. brasilense LPS (100 µg/mL) increased total length, and total fresh weight in wheat seedlings 4 days after treatment. P. aeruginosa LPS did not show

Increased urbanization detrimentally affects crop plants. Heavy metals pollution sharply threatens food security. However, greenly synthesized nanoparticles were recently proposed as growth bioregulators. To investigate the evolved mechanisms by which sulfur nanoparticles (SNPs) could improve cellular defense against manganese toxicity, the present experiment was applied on Helianthus annuus (L.) seedlings

The shading caused by maize inhibited the growth of soybean, reduced the yield of soybean under maize–soybean relay strip intercropping system. To investigate whether foliar spraying different types of plant growth regulators could improve the growth and yield of intercropped soybean. We conducted a sequential field experiment in 2018 and 2019, with foliar spraying of uniconazole (S3307), 6-benzyladenine

Genetic diversity is a useful resource for crop improvement. In this study, a total of 28 rice genotypes were screened to isolate potential salt-tolerant genotypes at the seedling stage using hydroponic system. Different morpho-physiological indicators were used to classify tolerant and susceptible genotypes and biochemical determinants were dissected to clarify the underlying tolerance mechanism.