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Drought Stress Tolerance in Rice: Physiological and Biochemical Insights
No full textRice (Oryza sativa L.), an important food crop, necessitates more water to complete its life cycle than other crops. Therefore, there is a serious risk to rice output due to water-related stress. Drought stress results in morphological changes, including the inhibition of seed germination, reduced seeding growth, leaf area index, flag leaf area, increased leaf rolling, as well as the decrement of yield traits, such as plant height, plant biomass, number of tillers, and 1000-grain yield. Stress also causes the formation of reactive oxygen species (ROS) such as O2−, H2O2, and OH−, which promote oxidative stress in plants and cause oxidative damage. The process of oxidative degradation owing to water stress produces cell damage and a reduction in nutrient intake, photosynthetic rate, leaf area, RWC, WUE, and stomatal closure, which may be responsible for the decrement of the transpiration rate and plant dry matter under decreasing soil moisture. Plants have the ability to produce antioxidant species that can either be enzymatic (SOD, POD, CAT, GPX, APX) or non-enzymatic (AsA, GSH) in nature to overcome oxidative stress. During drought, several biochemical osmoprotectants, like proline, polyamines, and sugars, can be accumulated, which can enhance drought tolerance in rice. To meet the demands of an ever-growing population with diminishing water resources, it is necessary to have crop varieties that are highly adapted to dry environments, and it may also involve adopting some mitigation strategies. This study aims to assess the varying morphological, physiological, and biochemical responses of the rice plant to drought, and the various methods for alleviating drought stress.
Keywords: water scarcity; relative water content (RWC); reactive oxygen species (ROS); anti-oxidative enzymes; osmoprotectants; yield attribute; amelioration strateg
Response of mungbean to different level of macro and micronutrient
No full textAn experiment was carried out at the Agronomy Farm of Sher-e-Bangla Agricultural University, Dhaka during Kharif I season 2024, in order to investigate the effects of zinc and calcium on growth and yield of BARI mug 6. Three levels of zinc (0, 1.5 and 3.0 kg ha-1) and four levels of calcium (0,50,75,100 ppm) were applied for the study. BARI mug 6 was used as plant material. The experiment was set up in randomized complete block design with three replications. Almost all the parameters were significantly influenced by different levels of Zn, Ca and their combinations. Considering interaction of Zn and Ca, the highest plant height (66.29 cm), number of flowers plant-1 (29.00) and number of nodules plant-1 (29.32) were obtained from the treatment combination of Zn3Ca4 where the highest chlorophyll content (Chl-a = 1.03 μg g-1, Chl-b = 1.32 μg g-1 and total = 2.48 μg g-1) were obtained from the treatment combination of Zn3Ca3.The highest dry weight plant-1 (24.70 g), number of pods plant-1 (23.24), number of seeds pod-1 (11.86), number of fertile seeds pod-1 (10.00), pod length (cm) (7.80), weight of 1000 seed (46.49), weight of seeds plant-1 (12.69), seed yield (1257 kg ha-1), stover yield (1566 kg ha-1), biological yield (2923 kg ha-1) and harvest index (43.87%) were achieved from the treatment combination of Zn2Ca3. Res. Agric. Livest. Fish. Vol. 11, No. 2, August 2024: 159-17
Morphological Characterization And Genetic Diversity Analysis Of Yield And Yield Contributing Parameters In Brinjal (Solanum Melongena L.) Genotypes
No full textA field experiment was carried out at Sher-e-Bangla Agricultural University in Dhaka from November 2021 to June 2022 using a Randomized Complete Block Design (RCBD) with three replications to assess the significance of variance, heritability, genetic advance, correlation, path coefficient and genetic diversity for different yield contributing parameters in twenty brinjal genotypes. High heritability associated with high genetic advance and high genetic advance in percentage of mean was found in plant height, individual fruit weight and percent of brinjal shoot and fruit borer infestation, which indicated selection based on phenotype would be effective. Assessments of character association indicated that fruit yield plant-1 had highest significant positive correlation with days of last harvesting (rg= 0.495, rp= 0.454), number of secondary branches plant-1 (rg=0.356, rp=0.315), leaf blade length (rg = 0.714, rp = 0.462), leaf blade width (rg = 0.674, rp = 0.498) and number of fruits plant-1 (rg= 0.798, rp= 0.787) in both genotypic and phenotypic level. Path analysis revealed that the number of flowers plant-1 (1.421) had the maximum positive and direct effect on yield plant-1. According to PCA, D2 and Cluster analysis, twenty brinjal genotypes were grouped into five different clusters- I, II, III, IV and V with three, three, four, six and four genotypes respectively. Considering magnitude of cluster mean performance and genetic parameters genotypes G10 (Choto Katali), G20 (BARI Bt Begun 2), G11 (BARI Hybrid Begun 2), G8 (BARI Begun 6), G5 (BARI Hybrid Begun 4), G18 (Local Black Long) might be used in future breeding program
Impact of microplastics on terrestrial ecosystems: A plant-centric perspective
No full textMicroplastics (MPs), defined as plastic particles smaller than five millimeters, are pervasive environmental pollutants affecting ecosystems from aquatic habitats to terrestrial soils. While extensive research has been conducted on MPs contamination in marine environments, the impacts of MPs in agricultural soils, particularly on plant health, remain underexplored. This review presents a comprehensive analysis of MPs contamination sources, pathways, and effects on soil properties and plant systems, focusing on MPs unique mechanisms of translocation within plants. By examining the role of MPs in disrupting soil structure, microbial communities, and plant growth, this paper identifies critical knowledge gaps and highlights the ecological risks of MPs presence in agricultural settings. Unlike prior reviews, this work provides a plant-centric perspective, addressing MPs uptake, translocation, and accumulation within plant tissues, and proposes novel mitigation strategies such as biodegradable alternatives and advancements in waste management. Furthermore, we discuss the implications of MPs interactions with heavy metals and other pollutants in soil, which may amplify toxicity in plant systems and impact overall soil fertility. This review aims to inform future research directions and policy-making efforts to mitigate the adverse effects of MPs in terrestrial ecosystems, with significant implications for agricultural productivity, soil health, and long-term food security
Improving blueberry cold storage quality:the effect of preharvest hexanal applicationon chilling injuries and antioxidant defensemechanisms
No full textBlueberries are vulnerable to chilling injury (CI). This can lead to limited longevity when they are subjected to cold storage con-ditions. This study investigated the effectiveness of a preharvest spray containing 0.02% hexanal in reducing CI and improvingthe postharvest storage quality of ‘Star’ and ‘Biloxi’ blueberries. The blueberries were stored for a period of 5 weeks at 2 °C andin 90% relative humidity (RH). The findings revealed that the preharvest hexanal spraying of both cultivars delayed senescenceby mitigating CI, as evidenced by the bolstering of the antioxidant defense system through increased superoxide dismutase(SOD), ascorbate peroxidase (APX), peroxidase (POD), catalase (CAT), and phenylalanine ammonia lyase (PAL) enzyme activity.The treated fruit also maintained elevated levels of total phenol content (TPC), total flavonoids (TFC), and vitamin C, demon-strating enhanced free radical scavenging capacity (FRSC), while exhibiting reduced polyphenoloxidase (PPO) activity, andreduced malondialdehyde (MDA), and H2 O 2 content in comparison with the control group. The preharvest hexanal treatmentalso suppressed fruit softening by maintaining greater firmness and higher membrane stability index (MSI) scores, inhibitingthe activity of polygalacturonase (PG), pectinmethylesterase (PME), xylanase, and ⊍-amylase, and reducing microbial counts(MC) and incidence of decay (DI) in comparison with the control. Preharvest hexanal treatment also improved the overall stor-age quality by reducing weight loss, total soluble solids (TSS), pH, and the TSS/acid ratio, while increasing titratable acidity(TA) in comparison with the control during cold storage. The findings suggest that hexanal, as a preharvest application, delayssenescence effectively and preserves overall quality by enhancing cold tolerance through antioxidant defense mechanisms inblueberry storage under cold conditions
Nanocellulose: A novel pathway to sustainable agriculture, environmental protection, and circular bioeconomy
No full textAbstract: Nanocellulose, obtained from natural cellulose, has attracted considerable interest for its distinctive properties and wide-ranging potential applications. Studies suggest that nanocellulose improves the thermal, mechanical, and barrier properties of conventional cellulose. This review investigates the production, properties, approach, and application of nanocellulose from various sources in agriculture. The main role play of cellulose-nanocomposite is discussed as a seed coating agent to improve seed dispersal, germination, protection against fungi and insects, plant growth promoter, adsorption of targeted pollutants, providing water and nutrient retention, and other advantages. As a nobility, we included all mechanical, chemical, and static culture approaches to the production procedure of nanocellulose and its application as a nanocarrier in soil, including the unique properties of nanocellulose, such as its high surface area, inherent hydrophilicity, and ease of surface modification. Here, methods such as melt compounding, solution casting, and in situ polymerization were evaluated to incorporate nanoparticles into cellulose materials and produce nanocellulose and cellulose-nanocomposites with improved strength, stability, water resistance, and reduced gas permeability. The commercialization faces challenges such as high production costs, scalability issues, and the need for more research on environmental impacts and plant interactions. Despite these hurdles, this field is promising, with ongoing advancements likely to yield new and improved agricultural materials. This review thoroughly examines the innovative application of nanocellulose in slow and controlled-release fertilizers and pesticides, to transform nutrient management, boost crop productivity, and minimize the environmental impact
Sustainable Grain Protection: Combatting Rice Weevils (Sitophilus oryzae) with Natural Plant Powders
No full textGrain storage plays a pivotal role in ensuring food security and sustaining agriculture for future generations. However, a wide array of insect pests, including the rice weevil (Sitophilus oryzae), pose a significant threat to stored grains. This study was conducted at the Laboratory of the Department of Seed Science and Technology, Bangladesh Agricultural University, Mymensingh, from October 2019 to March 2020, to evaluate the efficacy of plant-based powders for managing rice weevils. The experiment was designed using a Completely Randomized Design (CRD) with three replications and seven treatments. These treatments included five botanical powders—Ocimum tenuiflorum (Tulsi), Azadirachta indica (Neem), Polygonum hydropiper (Biskatali), Nicotiana tabacum (Tobacco), and Lantana camara (Lantana)—applied at three dosage levels: 1 g, 3 g, and 5 g per 100 g of grain. Additionally, a chemical insecticide (Sevin 85 SP @ 0.25%) and an untreated control were included for comparison. Results revealed that neem leaf powder was the most effective, achieving the highest adult insect mortality and the lowest adult emergence. In contrast, Lantana powder exhibited the least efficacy, allowing 94.38% more adult insects to emerge compared to neem powder. Untreated grains experienced a 20% weight loss due to rice weevil infestation after one month of storage, whereas treatment with 5% neem leaf powder reduced weight loss to a mere 0.14%. This reduction was statistically significant compared to all other treatments. These findings suggest that neem leaf powder at 5% is a highly effective, eco-friendly, and safe alternative to chemical insecticides for controlling rice weevils in stored grains
EXPLICATING THE SALINITY TOLERANCE OF COWPEA (Vigna unguiculata L. Walp.) GENOTYPES AT SEED
No full textCowpea is an important food and fodder legume in the arid and semi-arid tropics of the world. Soil salinity adversely affects seed germination, which ultimately reduces crop production. The present study was carried out to screen the cowpea germplasm and identify the salinity tolerant genotypes at the germination stage. Initially, an experiment with five salinity levels (0, 50, 100, 200, and 250 mM of NaCl) was conducted, and the results showed that 200 mM of NaCl concentration could be a sensible salinity stress to assess the salinity tolerance of cowpea genotypes. A total of 29 cowpea genotypes were evaluated under a 200 mM NaCl concentration. Four salinity tolerance indices such as absolute decrease (AD), inhibition index (II), relative salt tolerance (RST), and salt tolerance index (STI) were calculated from germination percentage without stress (GC) and germination with 200 mM NaCl (GS). All the indices showed significant variation in responses to salinity stress among the cowpea genotypes. The results revealed that salinity stress significantly reduced the germinating percentage in cowpea. Total seven cowpea genotypes (G4, G9, G12, G15, G26, G27, and G32) were found to be salinity tolerant lines at the germination stage. The seven genotypes were clustered in the same group which had the higher RST (G4: 0.58, G9: 0.80, G12: 0.50, G15: 0.60, G26: 0.50, G27: 0.60, and G32: 0.80) and STI (G4: 0.58, G9: 0.80, G12: 0.50, G15: 0.60, G26: 0.50, G27: 0.60, and G32: 0.79) under salinity stress. However, this is a preliminary screening against salinity at the germination stage, and further research is required at the seedling vegetative and reproductive stages for validation
Is beudantite a stable host phase of arsenic and lead? New insights from molecular-scale kinetic analyses
No full textBeudantite, an As-Pb containing Fe(III) sulfate secondary mineral, is formed via the oxidation of sulfide-rich tailings in mining-impacted regions. The geochemical stability of beudantite plays a key role in controlling the cycling and transport of As and Pb in mine sites. However, the fate of beudantite under dynamic pH conditions and its effect on As and Pb mobility remain elusive. We investigated the mobility dynamics of As and Pb during the dissolution of beudantite under variable pH conditions (2-8) relevant to mine sites by using a complementary suite of analytical methods. Results demonstrate that under acidic pH conditions, aqueous As and Pb content increased slightly, with just 0.7 % and 6.7 % of As and Pb partitioned from the beudantite crystal structure over 56 days. Notably, the rate at which the dissolution of beudantite led to solubilization of elements followed the order Fe > As > Pb within the first 2 h of dissolution. In contrast, the order shifted to Pb > Fe > As after 2 h. Arsenic K-edge X-ray absorption spectroscopy analyses revealed no shifts in As speciation or secondary mineralogical transformation. Here, we show for the first time that beudantite could be considered a relatively stable mineral host for As and Pb over a broad spectrum of environmental conditions. Beudantite can be expected to immobilise metals liberated by the primary weathering of sulfide-rich mine wastes, thereby lowering the risk to the environment and human health resulting from their discharge into the surrounding environment and aquifer.Declaration of Competing Interest The authors declare that they have no known competing financial interests or personal relationships that could have appeared to influence the work reported in this paper. Acknowledgements The Australian Research Council (IN190100044) provided funding for this research work. ASM Fazle Bari acknowledges the University of Newcastle for financing PhD scholarship. E.D.B was supported by a Future Fellowship from the Australian Research Council (FT200100449). Arsenic XAS analysis was conducted at the Australian Synchrotron, part of Australian Nuclear Science and Technology Organisation (ANSTO), Melbourne. The TEM-EDX analysis was performed at ANSTO, Sydney (AP12640)
Field Screening for Low Levels of Toxic Inorganic Arsenic in Dry-Season Rice Varieties from Bangladesh
No full textRice varieties with low arsenic content (As) could address some aspects of human health risks linked to As-tainted rice consumption. This study evaluated 46 rice cultivars from Bangladesh for their total and speciated As (inorganic and organic) in grains. The rice varieties were cultivated under a continuously flooded irrigation system with As-tainted groundwater. The study revealed notable varietal effects on total and speciated As concentrations. The levels of total As in unpolished rice ranged from 219 to 562 μg kg–1 among different rice cultivars, with BRRI dhan47 exhibiting the lowest and BR7 showing the highest concentrations. In brown rice, inorganic As was the dominant form, contributing 54–91% of total As. Nevertheless, a 10% polishing process can significantly diminish the levels of total As (14–39%), inorganic As (12–46%), and DMA (12–36%) found in brown rice. Grain As revealed a negative relationship between the rice grain yield and some beneficial micronutrients. Based on grain As levels, a couple of low As accumulating rice varieties have been identified, which could be promoted to grow in As-prone areas as a low-cost mitigation strategy. Consequently, screening low-accumulation rice cultivars could minimize the As load in humans, which occurs through rice consumption in As-endemic areas