A combined transcriptional,biochemical and histopathological study unravels the complexity of Alternaria resistance and susceptibility in Brassica coenospecies

Alternaria blight is one of the most devastating diseases of rapeseed-mustard caused by a necrotrophic fungus Alternaria brassicae. Lack of satisfactory resistance resource in Brassica is still a main obstruction for developing resistance against Alternaria. In this study, we have selected Brassica juncea, Sinapis alba and Camelina sativa to understand and unravel the mechanism of disease resistance against Alternaria. Histopathological studies showed early onset of necrosis in B. juncea (1 dpi) and delayed in S. alba (2 dpi) and C. sativa (3 dpi) respectively. Early and enhanced production of hydrogen peroxide (H₂O₂) was observed in C. sativa and S. alba (6 hpi) when compared to B. juncea (12 hpi). An increase in catalase activity was observed in both C. sativa (36 % at 6 hpi) and S. alba (15 % at 12 hpi), whereas it significantly decreased in B. juncea at 6 hpi (23 %), 12 hpi (30 %) and 24 hpi (8 %). Gene expression analysis showed induction of PR-3 and PR-12 genes only in C. sativa and S. alba when compared to B. juncea suggesting their vital role for Alternaria resistance. In contrast, SA marker genes were significantly expressed in B. juncea only which provides evidence of hormonal cross talk in B. juncea during Alternaria infection thereby increasing its susceptibility.     

Evaluation of chromium phytoremediation potential of some plant species of Dir Lower,Khyber Pakhtunkhwa,Pakistan

Chromium is the second most common metal pollutant in the soil, sediments and groundwater, due to its extensive industrial application, hence posing a serious environmental concern. Various remediation approaches including phytoremediation have been proposed to remediate chromium polluted waters and soils. In the present research, a total of sixty-one plant species belongs to thirty families were analyzed for the concentration of Chromium. Chromium was analyzed in the soil of the root zone, root and shoot of each plant. The concentration of chromium in the soil of different sites and plant parts (roots and shoots) was found in mg/kg in the range of 0.33–48.73, 8–1233.3 and 10.23–568.33 respectively. The highest concentration of chromium was found in the soil of site Site 41 (48.73 mg/kg) followed by Site 18 (47.83 mg/kg) and Site 6 (45.33 mg/kg). Among the analyzed plants, the highest concentration of chromium in mg/kg was found in the root of Cannabis sativa (1233.3) while its highest concentration was found in the shoot of Allium griffithianum (568.33). Phytoremediation potential of the analyzed plants was evaluated by the calculation of Bioconcentration Factor (BCF), Translocation Factor (TF) and Biological Accumulation Coefficient (BAC). Thirty-eight plant species showed feasibility for the phytostabilization of chromium (Cr_Excluders) based on BCF value and the concentration of chromium in the root. Plants i.e. Argyrolobium stenophyllum, Silybum marianum, Bryophyllum daigremontianum, Limonium macrorhabdon, Calendula arvensis and Delphinium suave were found the most efficient plant for the phytostabilization of chromium. Fifteen plant species showed feasibility for the phytoextraction of chromium (Cr_Indicators) based on TF value. The most efficient plant's species among them for the phytoextraction of chromium are Rosularia adenotricha, Catharanthus roseus, Allium griffithianum, Himalaiella heteromalla, Stellaria media, Salvia moorcroftiana and Marrubium vulgare. Based on BCFs, TFs and BACs value and the concentration of chromium in plant shoot six plant species Allium griffithianum, Catharanthus roseus, Himalaiella heteromalla, Geranium rotundifolium, Marrubium vulgare and Solanum nigrum were found chromium hyperaccumulators.     

The response of Solanum melongena L. to different phosphorus levels and sowing dates

In order to harvest potential yield of eggplant and to find a suitable sowing time and phosphorus level for eggplant, an experiment was conducted at Ornamental Nursery, Department of Horticulture, The University of Agriculture Peshawar in February 2013. The experiment was laid out in randomized complete block (RCB) design with split plot arrangements. There were two factors i.e. Phosphorus levels and dates of Sowing. Phosphorus levels were assigned to the main plot while sowing dates were kept in the subplot. The data on Number of branches plant⁻¹, Days to flowering^, Days to fruiting, Number of fruits plant⁻¹ and Yield Plot⁻¹were significantly affected by phosphorus level and date of sowing. While the data on plant height was not significant, and overall results showed that early sowing date (February 25) produced significantly good results as compared to the rest of the sowing dates. Moreover, phosphorus level was also significantly affected the experimental parameters. Phosphorus level (70 kg ha⁻¹) produced significantly best results in all the parameters followed by Phosphorus level (100 kg ha⁻¹) in almost all the parameters. Thus it is concluded that early sowing of bringel (eggplants) is recommended with phosphorus level (70 & 100 kg ha⁻¹).     

Characterization of Fusarium secorum,a new species causing Fusarium yellowing decline of sugar beet in north central USA

This study characterized a novel sugar beet (Beta vulgaris L.) pathogen from the Red River Valley in north central USA, which was formally named Fusarium secorum. Molecular phylogenetic analyses of three loci (translation elongation factor1α, calmodulin, mitochondrial small subunit) and phenotypic data strongly supported the inclusion of F. secorum in the Fusarium fujikuroi species complex (FFSC). Phylogenetic analyses identified F. secorum as a sister taxon of F. acutatum and a member of the African subclade of the FFSC. Fusarium secorum produced circinate hyphae sometimes bearing microconidia and abundant corkscrew-shaped hyphae in culture. To assess mycotoxin production potential, 45 typical secondary metabolites were tested in F. secorum rice cultures, but only beauvericin was produced in detectable amounts by each isolate. Results of pathogenicity experiments revealed that F. secorum isolates are able to induce half- and full-leaf yellowing foliar symptoms and vascular necrosis in roots and petioles of sugar beet. Inoculation with F. acutatum did not result in any disease symptoms. The sugar beet disease caused by F. secorum is named Fusarium yellowing decline. Since Fusarium yellowing decline incidence has been increasing in the Red River Valley, disease management options are discussed.     

Construction of Adipogenic ceRNA Network Based on lncRNA Expression Profile of Adipogenic Differentiation of Human MSC Cells

Biochemical Genetics - The Long non-coding RNA (lncRNA) expression profile data of ten samples including human Mesenchymal Stem Cell (MSC) adipogenic differentiation 0, 3, and 6 days from...     

Combined effect of salicylic acid and potassium mitigates drought stress through the modulation of physio-biochemical attributes and key antioxidants in wheat

Improving physio-biochemical traits in wheat under drought stress conditions has received more research attention in recent years for better adaptability and higher yield. In this study, we explored the potential bio-physiological mechanisms underlying improved plant growth and water use efficiency in wheat following soil application of potassium (0 and 100 kg ha^?1) and seed primed salicylic acid (SA) (150 mg per L) and SA foliar application (100 mg per L) under drought stresses (100%, 60% and 30% FC). Two years' average data revealed that inducing drought stress resulted in a decrease in plant pigments content, growth traits, and plant water status however, the influence was substantially reduced with the combined application of K and SA under drought stress conditions. The SA foliar spray in combination with K had increased chlorophyll a (174% and 83%), chl b (130% and 192%), chl a + b (156% and 120), carotenoid (22% and 11%), proline contents (24% and 29%) leaf relative water content (24% and 29%) while reduced leaf WSD (17% and 20%), WRC (6% and 7%), and WUC (23% and 28%) under mild and severe drought stresses, respectively. The increase in grain yield by 41% and 37% with enhanced water use efficiency was obtained with combined foliar SA and K under mild and severe drought stress, respectively indicating its vital role in overcoming the deleterious effects of drought via regulation of osmotic and metabolic processes and stabilizes cell components. RDA analysis revealed that the studied traits were completely discriminated under severe stress than mild or no drought stress. A positive and significant association was found between plant pigments with seed yield whereas a negative and significant correlation existed between water leaf traits and plant pigments. It was concluded that both foliar SA and seed primed SA with K fertilization combat the adverse effects of drought and improved plant water status as well as growth and bio-physiological traits of wheat under drought stress conditions.     

Nitrification Inhibitor and Plant Growth Regulators Improve Wheat Yield and Nitrogen Use Efficiency

Journal of Plant Growth Regulation - The field experiment was conducted to investigate the effects of applying urea with nitrification inhibitor (NI) (Nitrapyrine) alone or in combination with...     

Symbiotic fungi as biotechnological tools: Methodological challenges and relative benefits in agriculture and forestry

Environmental conditions are becoming increasingly challenging in managed ecosystems, especially in agricultural fields, where environmentally friendly solutions are urgently needed. Fungal symbionts offer great opportunities to enhance crop production and ecosystem sustainability under environmental stress. Some fungi are relatively well investigated (e.g., arbuscular mycorrhiza) and regularly used in commercial products, while others, such as fungal endophytes, are not well-known in this market, yet. Here, we review I) the characteristics and benefits, II) the advantages and challenges of principal isolation, preservation, inoculation, and field applications methods, and III) the environmental stress resistance mechanisms for different beneficial fungi. Utilization of mycorrhizae is still facing many challenges, particularly in terms of acquiring pure cultures and successfully establishing their symbiosis in the field. Effects of mycorrhizal associations on the above-ground organs through molecular mechanisms are not fully understood. Although biochemical values of some endophytes are well recognized, molecular mechanisms involved in endophytic-induced stress tolerance are poorly known. Fungal endophytes present several important advantages over mycorrhizal fungi including broader host range as well as straightforward isolation and application protocols. Further studies are necessary for selecting the best strains and communities, producing inoculum on a large-scale, and understanding the potential environmental hazards.