Notulae Botanicae Horti Agrobotanici Cluj-Napoca
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Ameliorative role of salicylic acid on morpho-anatomy and physiology of rapeseed (Brassica napus L.) under lead stress
Full text linkHeavy metals, due to their pervasiveness is serious threat to crop productivity. Lead (Pb) is an incredibly toxic and unnecessary heavy metal that makes its entry into the plants via contaminated soil. Salicylic acid (SA), a plant-derived hormone has the ability to assist pants to strengthen their immune system against toxic metals like lead (Pb). This research intends to investigate the alleviating impact of salicylic acid on the morphology, anatomy and physiology of B. napus (rapeseed) plants during the toxicity of lead (Pb). The plants were treated with 3 levels of lead (lead nitrate) i.e. 1 mM, 2 mM, and 4 mM along with salicylic acid and without salicylic acid. Two levels of salicylic acid i.e. 0.5 mM and 1 mM were used in the form of foliar spray. The results indicated that Pb induced damage is alleviated by SA and the morphological traits were improved i.e root length (58%), shoot length (16%), root fresh weight (73%), shoot fresh weight (79%) and dry weight of root (66%) and shoot (74%), number of leaves (87%), leaf area (61%), and yield (78%) as compared to Pb stress. Similarly, the anatomical features i.e. epidermal thickness (46-63%), vascular tissue area (42-54%), cellular thickness (27-59%) of the plant also improved with SA treatment in comparison to Pb stress. The physiological parameter i.e chlorophyll pigments (chlorophyll a, b and total chlorophyll) were also increased by 2-4% with SA as compared to Pb toxicity. However, the higher level of SA (1 mM) proved less beneficial as compared to the lower level (0.5 mM) in mitigating the effects caused by stress. According to these outcomes, SA could serve as a helpful approach for enhancing the tolerance of B. napus to withstand stressed conditions, hence improving crop resilience in Pb-containing soils
Impact of altitude on the performance and anthocyanin concentration in five varieties of purple corn in the Peruvian Amazon
Full text linkPurple corn (Zea mays L.) is known for its high anthocyanin content and its agricultural relevance in the Andean-Amazonian region. This study analyzed the impact of the altitudinal gradient (672; 2,437 and 2,892 meters above sea level) on agronomic performance and anthocyanin content in five varieties of purple corn grown in the Amazonas region, Peru. A completely randomized block design with three replications was applied, evaluating morphological, agronomic characteristics, and anthocyanin content in different plant tissues. The results revealed significant differences in vegetative development, with taller plants at low altitude (144.7 ± 21.6 cm) compared to mid-altitude (86.4 ± 35.4 cm). Anthocyanin accumulation showed clear tissue-specific fragmentation, with significantly higher concentrations in the husk (6.3 ± 3.4 mg g-1) and bracts (7.8 ± 3.5 mg g-1) at high altitude (p < 0.001). Although grain yield showed no significant differences between altitudes (p=0.612), a trend towards higher yields was observed at lower altitudes (633.3 kg ha-1). The varieties showed specific adaptations: ‘INIA 615’ excelled in yield at low altitude (1,201.5 kg ha-1), while ‘Sintético MM’ performed better at high altitude (1,381.3 kg ha-1). These findings suggest an adaptive trade-off between yield and anthocyanin synthesis, providing valuable information to optimize production according to specific goals and environmental conditions
Muskmelon morpho-physiology and yield: The combined effect of biostimulants and phosphorus
Full text linkMuskmelon (Cucumis melo L.), a hydrating fruit rich in antioxidants, vitamins, and minerals, is widely grown in tropical and subtropical regions where phosphorus (P) deficiency is common. P availability influences sugar and acid contents in melons because of its role in sugar acid phosphatase enzymes. Increasing phosphorus use efficiency through the use of biostimulants, particularly phosphorus-solubilizing bacteria, represents a promising approach for sustainable muskmelon production. These biostimulants solubilize inorganic P by releasing phosphatase enzymes and organic acids. This study examined the effects of three P levels (100%, 50%, and 0% P₂O₅) and biostimulants (control, GEA 1499- a formulation containing plant base biostimulant and the microbial species Bacillus pumilus and Bacillus megaterium at 2.5 kg ha-1, and GEA 1499 at 5 kg ha-1) on muskmelon morphology, physiology, biochemistry, and yield. The combination of 100% P₂O₅ with GEA 1499 at 2.5 kg ha-1 significantly improved the leaf count, vine length, photosynthesis, stomatal conductance, transpiration, chlorophyll index, marketable yield, and total soluble solids while reducing the undesirable traits rind thickness and seed cavity dimensions, indicating improvement in fruit quality. Phosphorus enhances gas exchange via ATP and the Calvin cycle, whereas biostimulants containing microbes and plant extracts improve nutrient availability, promoting better muskmelon growth, yield, and fruit quality. A combination of plant extracts provides phytohormones that complement the microbial action and improve the overall efficiency of the biostimulant
Selenium nanoparticles mitigate lead-induced genotoxicity and phytotoxicity in Pisum sativum by modulating LOX1 and JAR1 gene expression
Full text linkThis study investigated the effects of lead nitrate (Pb(NO3)2) at 90, 180, and 270 mg L-1 on pea (Pisum sativum L.) and evaluated the potential of selenium nanoparticles (SeNPs) at 10, 30, and 60 mg L-1 to alleviate lead-induced genotoxicity. We analyzed seedling and vegetative growth, DNA damage using the comet assay, and the expression profiles of the stress-related genes LOX1 and JAR1. Pb(NO3)2 significantly inhibited pea growth, leading to severe reductions in shoot and root lengths, biomass, and number of leaves. Conversely, SeNPs alone enhanced these growth parameters and effectively mitigated lead-induced phytotoxicity. The 60 mg L-1 SeNP treatment, especially when combined with lead, demonstrated the most pronounced improvement in shoot and root development. Comet assay analysis in leaf cells revealed a concentration-dependent increase in DNA damage following Pb(NO3)2 exposure. The highest genotoxicity, characterized by increased percentages of tailed DNA, tail lengths, and tail moments, was consistently observed with the 270 mg L-1 Pb(NO3)2 treatment, alone or combined with 10 mg L-1 SeNP. In contrast, the 60 mg L-1 SeNPs+90 mg L-1 Pb(NO3)2 treatment resulted in the lowest DNA damage among lead-exposed groups. Furthermore, 270 mg L-1 Pb(NO3)2 significantly upregulated LOX1 and JAR1 expression. The sole application of 60 mg L-1 SeNPs substantially reduced LOX1 expression below control levels. Notably, the 60 mg L-1 SeNP+270 mg L-1 Pb(NO3)2 combined treatment significantly downregulated the expression of both genes compared to the 270 mg L-1 Pb(NO3)2 treatment alone. These findings suggest that SeNPs can modulate lead-induced stress and mitigate genotoxicity in P. sativum by potentially influencing the LOX1 and JAR1 signaling pathways
Assessment of genetic diversity in bread and durum wheat landraces based on biochemical and in silico analysis of glutenin and gliadin proteins
Full text linkThis study assessed the genetic diversity between durum wheat landraces (L1-L12) and bread wheat landraces (L1-L12) using a comparative biochemical (SDS-PAGE) and bioinformatics analysis of their major gluten proteins: LMW-GSs, HMW-GSs, and gliadin fractions. Biochemical analysis revealed significant polymorphism in both species, with approximately 24-26% of the assessed loci showing variability. Cluster analysis based on the overall protein profiles successfully grouped all genotypes into three distinct clusters. Specific focus on the HMW-GSs and omega-gliadins revealed molecular markers related to end-use quality. Significant allelic polymorphism was detected at the Glu-1 loci: the Glu-A1 subunit 1 was fixed in durum wheat but rare in bread wheat, while Glu-A1 subunit 2 showed the inverse distribution. Diverse alleles (7, 8, 17, 18) were found at Glu-B1. Furthermore, bread wheat generally had five omega-gliadin subunits, compared to only four in durum wheat. Crucially, hierarchical clustering using the combined HMW-GS and omega-gliadin data provided a robust molecular signature, cleanly separating all genotypes into two clusters (Durum and Bread). This demonstrates the effectiveness of these two protein groups in distinguishing the wheat types, reflecting quality-related genetic differences. The subsequent bioinformatics analysis of 3D structures showed that most fractions (LMW-GSs, gamma-gliadin, and alpha/beta-gliadin) are highly conserved, with only minor variations in the N-terminal regions. In contrast, HMW-GSs and omega-gliadin exhibited significant structural divergence in their central repetitive domains. HMW-GS variations in beta-turn and beta-spiral distribution directly correlated with dough viscoelastic properties. Notably, durum omega-gliadin was found to be longer and contained more rigid polyproline type II helices, highlighting key structural differences influencing wheat quality
Eco-efficient synergy of vermicompost and biochar in coir-based substrate enhances cherry tomato performance under urban rooftop garden conditions
Full text linkIn cities with limited area, urban agriculture as rooftop gardening provides a significant contribution to supply safe food and nutrition. Plant growing media are the major concern and coir-based substrate is becoming popular due to light weight, better water retention and thermos-buffering capacity, rich in macro- and micronutrients as well as other beneficial properties. In view of this, this study was conducted to evaluate how the growth, physiology, and yield of cherry tomato under urban rooftop garden were influenced by the synergistic and residual effects of vermicompost and biochar in coir-based substrate. The experiments were conducted using a Completely Randomized Design (CRD) with four replications and six treatments combinations of vermicompost and biochar composed with different ratios of cocopeat at two subsequent years. Results demonstrated that combined vermicompost and biochar application significantly improved growth, physiological traits, and yield relative to vermicompost-only treatments. The treatment consisted with 67% cocopeat + 30% vermicompost + 3% biochar increased plant growth, physiological and root traits, and contributing yield traits resulting in substantial increases in fruit number (15.42%) and total yield (26.28%) plant-1 in contrast to control. These changes have been linked to increased nutrient supply, water retention and microbial activity in the growing media. This study provides evidence in support of the combined use of vermicompost and biochar to maximize urban rooftop cherry tomato performance, enhancing urban farming strategies that boast both resilience and resource efficiency
Zoning of sunflower agricultural fields in the Republic of Moldova based on climate variables
No full textClimate change has a significant impact on the entire agricultural sector, including sunflower cultivation. In the Republic of Moldova, alongside the applied agricultural techniques and the cultivated areas, the variations of climatic variables have a substantial importance in determining yield. In this study, the evolution of climate conditions during 2003-2021 period, the relationships between these variables and sunflower yield trends in Moldova, as well as the territorial favorability of the Republic of Moldova for sunflower cultivation were evaluated. The analysis was based on the correlation coefficients between the average annual yield and the temperature values during the April-August period, the precipitation from the cold and the growing period. The results showed that the climatic conditions in the northern part of the country are more favorable for sunflower cultivation compared to the southern part.This difference can be explained by the uneven distribution of precipitation and temperatures across various regions of the country, highlighting the importance of adapting agricultural technologies to regional contexts in order to optimize agricultural production under the conditions of climate change
Enhancing drought tolerance in okra through melatonin application: A comprehensive study of physiological, biochemical and metabolic responses
Full text linkAs climate change intensifies, drought stress presents a critical challenge for horticultural crops like okra (Abelmoschus esculentus). The effectiveness of melatonin in reducing drought stress is investigated in this study. The treatments include: Absolute control (fully irrigated), control (drought), drought and seed treatment with 100 µM melatonin, drought and foliar spray of 100 µM melatonin, and drought stress with combined effect of seed treatment and foliar spray of 100 µM melatonin. Physiological parameters such as photosynthetic rate, stomatal conductance, transpiration rate, Fv/Fm ratio, and chlorophyll index were evaluated, alongside biochemical parameters including malondialdehyde, proline content, membrane stability index and antioxidant enzyme activities such as catalase and ascorbate peroxidase were quantified. Melatonin supplemented as seed treatment and foliar spray enhanced both physiological and biochemical parameters including antioxidant activity compared to drought control. Metabolite profiling identified bioactive compounds (mainly carbohydrates and amino acids) contributing to drought tolerance in okra. The results highlight that application of 100 µM melatonin via seed treatment and foliar spray enhances drought tolerance in okra, suggesting its potential to enhance crop resilience under water-deficit conditions
Fatty acids composition of Tambourissa comorensis fruits from the Comoros: Insights into nutritional and therapeutic potentials
Full text linkTambourissa comorensis (TC) is a member of the Monimiaceae family endemic to the Comoros Islands where it is regarded as a medicinal plant. In this study, the fatty acids (FA) composition and profile of air-dried powdered fruits of TC were examined by GC-MS. Based on the results, four major common fatty acids were tentatively identified as well as five other minor fatty acids. The analysis revealed the presence of both saturated and unsaturated fatty acids. The dried fruits exhibited oleic acid (30.64%) and linoleic acid (29.13%) as the dominant fatty acids, while palmitic acid (17.95%) and stearic acid (4.25%) were the main saturated FA identified. These fatty acids were isolated as pure compounds, with the exception of stearic acid, which was obtained as a mixture from crude lipid n-hexane extract fractionation on a silica gel column chromatography and identified in their free form by 2D-1H-NMR (300 MHz), 13C-NMR (75 MHz) and infrared (IR) spectroscopies. The average oil content in dried powdered fruits of T. comorensis species was estimated to be approximately 8%, with saturated fatty acids, monounsaturated, and polyunsaturated ones constituting about 22.67%, 32.07%, and 29.13%, respectively. T. comorensis fruits were found to be rich in health-promoting compounds, suggesting potential applications in the food, cosmetic, or pharmaceutical industries. This study is the first to profile the fatty acids in T. comorensis fruits, laying foundations for further exploration into their nutritional and therapeutic properties, as well as their potential roles in regional biodiversity and chemodiversity
Antioxidant properties and chemical composition of white truffle Tirmania nivea and its host plant Helianthemum lippii
Full text linkThis study aims to determine the phytochemical contents and the antioxidant activity of the white truffle Tirmania nivea (Desf.) Trappe, and its host plant Helianthemum lippii (L.) Dum. Cours. Standard procedures were applied for phytochemical analysis, including the determination of proximate compositions, mineral elements, and various secondary metabolites. The antioxidant activities were assessed using the 1,1-diphenyl-2-picrylhydrazyl, azinobis benzo thiazoline sulphonic, and ferric reducing antioxidant power assays. Chemical analysis revealed the presence of carbohydrate content, which has the highest value in the truffle and its host plant. The carbohydrate content is the highest in T. nivea compared with H. lippii. Crude lipids showed the lowest value in T. nivea and H. lippii. Potassium is the highest concentration of a macro-element in the truffle and the host plant. Iron is the highest concentration of micro-element in the truffle and host plant. Phenolics had the highest concentration of secondary metabolisms, but tannins had the lowest value in the truffle and its host plant. Concerning the antioxidant activity, we found that hexane extract of T. nivea and H. lippii has high inhibitory percentages equivalent to IC50 134.8 and 119.9 μg/mL, respectively for DPPH, 128.84, 111.21 μmol Fe2+/mg, respectively for FRAP, and 121.39 and 107.22 μg/mL, respectively for ABTS. The study proved that the aqueous extract of the truffle is much richer than the host plant in proximate constituents, minerals elements, and secondary metabolites; in addition, the truffle has a tremendous antioxidant capacity than the host plant, which leads us forward to introduce it for medical use