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Showing papers on "Seedling published in 2020"


Journal ArticleDOI
TL;DR: Systematic research revealed the impact of polystyrene nanoplastics (PSNPs) on seed germination and seedling growth of wheat and metabolomics analysis revealed that all PSNPs treatments altered the leaf metabolic profiles mainly by regulating energy metabolisms and amino acid metabolisms.

283 citations


Journal ArticleDOI
TL;DR: The results of the present study demonstracted that seed priming with AgNPs can enhance seed germination, growth, and yield while maintaining fruit quality through an eco-friendly and sustainable nanotechnological approach.
Abstract: Seed priming uses treatments to improve seed germination and thus potentially increase growth and yield. Low-cost, environmentally friendly, effective seed treatment remain to be optimized and tested for high-value specialty crop like watermelon (Citrullus lanatus) in multi-locations. This remains a particularly acute problem for triploids, which produce desirable seedless watermelons, but show low germination rates. In the present study, turmeric oil nanoemulsions (TNE) and silver nanoparticles (AgNPs) synthesized from agro-industrial byproducts were used as nanopriming agents for diploid (Riverside) and triploid (Maxima) watermelon seeds. Internalization of nanomaterials was confirmed by neutron activation analysis, transmission electron microscopy, and gas chromatography-mass spectrometry. The seedling emergence rate at 14 days after sowing was significantly higher in AgNP-treated triploid seeds compared to other treatments. Soluble sugar (glucose and fructose) contents were enhanced during germination in the AgNP-treated seeds at 96 h. Seedlings grown in the greenhouse were transplanted at four locations in Texas: Edinburg, Pecos, Grapeland, and Snook in 2017. At Snook, higher yield 31.6% and 35.6% compared to control were observed in AgNP-treated Riverside and Maxima watermelons, respectively. To validate the first-year results, treated and untreated seeds of both cultivars were sown in Weslaco, Texas in 2018. While seed emegence and stand establishments were enhanced by seed priming, total phenolics radical-scavenging activities, and macro- and microelements in the watermelon fruits were not significantly different from the control. The results of the present study demonstracted that seed priming with AgNPs can enhance seed germination, growth, and yield while maintaining fruit quality through an eco-friendly and sustainable nanotechnological approach.

144 citations


Journal ArticleDOI
17 Jun 2020-Agronomy
TL;DR: Investigating the responses of ten sorghum genotypes to different levels of salinity demonstrated that seedling traits can be used as a valid criterion for the selection of genotypes with a better tolerance to salinity stress.
Abstract: Salinity is one of the most important abiotic stresses that negatively affects plant growth and development around the world It has been reported that approximately 195% of all irrigated land and 21% of dry land is affected by salt stress, and these percentages continue to increase Sorghum, a C4 plant, is the fifth most important cereal in the world Numerous studies reported that there are high genetic variations in sorghum These genetic variations can be monitored to search for the most salt-tolerant genotypes Therefore, the aim of our study was to investigate the responses of ten sorghum genotypes to different levels of salinity We focused on germination and seedling growth as the most critical stages of plant development In our research we included germination percentage, germination index, mean germination time, seedling vigor index, seedlings’ shoot and root lengths, fresh and dry seedling weight, and salinity tolerance indices For data assessment we applied two-way ANOVA, non-metric multidimensional scaling, and hierarchical agglomerative classification Our results demonstrate that salinity was responsible for 98% of the variation in assessed parameters, whereas genotype effect accounted for only 2% of the documented variation It can be concluded that seedling traits can be used as a valid criterion for the selection of genotypes with a better tolerance to salinity stress

100 citations


Journal ArticleDOI
Yan-fang Ren1, Wei Wang, Junyu He1, Luyun Zhang, Yuanjuan Wei1, Min Yang1 
TL;DR: It is demonstrated that SNP application on pakchoi seeds may be a good option to improve seed germination and seedling growth under NaCl stress by modulating the physiological responses resulting in better seed Germination and Seedling growth.

96 citations


Journal ArticleDOI
TL;DR: In this paper, the authors investigated how priming seeds with antioxidant poly(acrylic acid)-coated cerium oxide nanoparticles (PNC) impacts cotton seedling morphological, physiological, biochemical, and transcriptomic traits under salinity stress.
Abstract: Engineered nanomaterials interfaced with plant seeds can improve stress tolerance during the vulnerable seedling stage Herein, we investigated how priming seeds with antioxidant poly(acrylic acid)-coated cerium oxide nanoparticles (PNC) impacts cotton (Gossypium hirsutum L) seedling morphological, physiological, biochemical, and transcriptomic traits under salinity stress Seeds primed with 500 mg L−1 PNC in water (24 h) and germinated under salinity stress (200 mM NaCl) retained nanoparticles in the seed coat inner tegmen, cotyledon, and root apical meristem Seed priming with PNC significantly (P < 005) increased seedling root length (56%), fresh weight (41%), and dry weight (38%), modified root anatomical structure, and increased root vitality (114%) under salt stress compared with controls (water) PNC seed priming led to a decrease in reactive oxygen species (ROS) accumulation in seedling roots (46%) and alleviated root morphological and physiological changes induced by salinity stress Roots from exposed seeds exhibited similar Na content, significantly decreased K (6%), greater Ca (22%) and Mg content (60%) compared to controls A total of 4779 root transcripts were differentially expressed by PNC seed priming alone relative to controls with no nanoparticles under non-saline conditions Under salinity stress, differentially expressed genes (DEGs) in PNC seed priming treatments relative to non-nanoparticle controls were associated with ROS pathways (13) and ion homeostasis (10), indicating that ROS and conserved Ca2+ plant signaling pathways likely play pivotal roles in PNC-induced improvement of salinity tolerance These results provide potential unifying molecular mechanisms of nanoparticle-seed priming enhancement of plant salinity tolerance

84 citations


Journal ArticleDOI
TL;DR: An approach for green synthesis of magnesium hydroxide nanoparticles [Mg(OH)2NPs] has been developed and its efficacy in seed germination, in vitro and in vivo plant growth promotion was studied on Zea mays at different concentrations as discussed by the authors.

76 citations


Journal ArticleDOI
TL;DR: Overall, ZnO NPs provide effective resistance to arsenic toxicity by increasing germination, biomass, and nutrients of Zn and decreasing As uptake in rice.
Abstract: This study describes the role of zinc oxide nanoparticles (ZnO NPs) in alleviating arsenic (As) stress in rice (Oryza sativa) germination and early seedling growth. Seeds of rice were primed with different concentrations (10, 20, 50, 100, and 200 mg L−1) of ZnO NPs and As (0, and 2 mg L−1) for 12 days in petri dishes. Two milligrams per liter of As treatment represented a stress condition, which was evidenced by germination rate, seedling length, seedling dry weight, chlorophyll, superoxide dismutase (SOD), catalase (CAT), and malondialdehyde (MDA) content of rice shoot. ZnO NPs amendment (10–100 mg L−1) increased the germination rate (2.3–8.9%), shoot weight (18.2–42.4%), root weight (5.2–23.9%), and chlorophyll content (3.5–40.1%), while elevated the SOD (2.2–22.8%) and CAT (7.2–60.7%) activities and reduced the MDA content (17.5–30.8%). As concentrations were significantly decreased by 8.4–72.3% and 10.2–56.6%, respectively, in rice roots and shoots with ZnO NPs amendment (10–200 mg L−1) by the As adsorption of ZnO NPs and promoted biomass of rice. All the amendments improved the Zn concentrations in rice shoots and roots. Overall, ZnO NPs provide effective resistance to arsenic toxicity by increasing germination, biomass, and nutrients of Zn and decreasing As uptake in rice.

69 citations


Journal ArticleDOI
TL;DR: Cold plasma seed priming modulates tomato seed coat and improves the germination efficiency and induces growth, antioxidants, phytohormone, defense gene expression, and drought stress tolerance potential of tomato seedling.

62 citations


Journal ArticleDOI
TL;DR: The results indicate that leaf osmoregulation, K + retention, Na + exclusion, and ion homeostasis are the main physiological mechanisms conferring salinity tolerance of these cultivars, rather than the regulations of leaf antioxidative ability.
Abstract: Chenopodium quinoa Willd., a halophytic crop, shows great variability among different genotypes in response to salt. To investigate the salinity tolerance mechanisms, five contrasting quinoa cultivars belonging to highland ecotype were compared for their seed germination (under 0, 100 and 400 mM NaCl) and seedling’s responses under five salinity levels (0, 100, 200, 300 and 400 mM NaCl). Substantial variations were found in plant size (biomass) and overall salinity tolerance (plant biomass in salt treatment as % of control) among the different quinoa cultivars. Plant salinity tolerance was negatively associated with plant size, especially at lower salinity levels (< 300 mM NaCl), but salt tolerance between seed germination and seedling growth was not closely correlated. Except for shoot/root ratio, all measured plant traits responded to salt in a genotype-specific way. Salt stress resulted in decreased plant height, leaf area, root length, and root/shoot ratio in each cultivar. With increasing salinity levels, leaf superoxide dismutase (SOD) activity and lipid peroxidation generally increased, but catalase (CAT) and peroxidase (POD) activities showed non-linear patterns. Organic solutes (soluble sugar, proline and protein) accumulated in leaves, whereas inorganic ion (Na+ and K+) increased but K+/Na+ decreased in both leaves and roots. Across different salinity levels and cultivars, without close relationships with antioxidant enzyme activities (SOD, POD, or CAT), salinity tolerance was significantly negatively correlated with organic solute and malondialdehyde contents in leaves and inorganic ion contents in leaves or roots (except for root K+ content), but positively correlated with K+/Na+ ratio in leaves or roots. Our results indicate that leaf osmoregulation, K+ retention, Na+ exclusion, and ion homeostasis are the main physiological mechanisms conferring salinity tolerance of these cultivars, rather than the regulations of leaf antioxidative ability. As an index of salinity tolerance, K+/Na+ ratio in leaves or roots can be used for the selective breeding of highland quinoa cultivars.

59 citations


Journal ArticleDOI
TL;DR: It is reported that ABA Signaling Terminator (ABT), a WD40 protein, efficiently switches off ABA signaling and is critical for seed germination and seedling establishment.

58 citations


Journal ArticleDOI
TL;DR: It is shown that tree seedlings that interact via root-associated fungal hyphae with soils beneath neighbouring adult trees grow faster and have greater survival than seedling that are isolated from external fungal mycelia, and neighbourhood interactions mediated by beneficial and pathogenic soil fungi regulate plant demography and community structure in hyperdiverse forests.
Abstract: The mechanisms regulating community composition and local dominance of trees in species-rich forests are poorly resolved, but the importance of interactions with soil microbes is increasingly acknowledged. Here, we show that tree seedlings that interact via root-associated fungal hyphae with soils beneath neighbouring adult trees grow faster and have greater survival than seedlings that are isolated from external fungal mycelia, but these effects are observed for species possessing ectomycorrhizas (ECM) and not arbuscular mycorrhizal (AM) fungi. Moreover, survival of naturally-regenerating AM seedlings over ten years is negatively related to the density of surrounding conspecific plants, while survival of ECM tree seedlings displays positive density dependence over this interval, and AM seedling roots contain greater abundance of pathogenic fungi than roots of ECM seedlings. Our findings show that neighbourhood interactions mediated by beneficial and pathogenic soil fungi regulate plant demography and community structure in hyperdiverse forests.

Journal ArticleDOI
TL;DR: In order to achieve the sustainable agriculture, application of these PGPM can be recommended due to either their positive effects on germination characteristics and/or improvement of soybean seedling growth under optimum and stressful conditions.
Abstract: Soybean (Glycine max (L.) Merr; Leguminosae) is an important source of protein and oil for human and animal consumption. Understanding the interactions between plant growth promoting microorganisms (PGPM) and their host plants is necessary especially under stressful conditions. In this study, therefore, a set of twenty-one PGPM as well as a control (non-inoculation) treatment, were evaluated on seed germination, seedling growth and potassium uptake of soybean. Seed germination and soybean growth significantly enhanced when PGPM were applied. However, eight PGPM were selected in experiment I (optimum condition) based on the results of cluster analysis. These PGPM were then tested at three conditions including optimum (non-stress), drought (− 0.17 MPa, prepared using PEG8000) and salt (100 mM, prepared using NaCl) stress. Our findings indicated that four PGPM [Bacillus cereus (B1), Bacillus megaterium (B2), Trichoderma longibrachiatum (F1) and Trichoderma simmonsii (F2)] out of eight PGPM were better than the others in terms of promoting soybean seed germination and seedling growth at all conditions. Furthermore, the laboratory and pot experiments were carried out under the mentioned conditions to find the best combination of these PGPM (e.g., single, double, triple and quadruple forms). Therefore, single inoculation of B2, F1, F2 and triple inoculation of B1B2F2 were considered to be the best treatments due to improving seed germination, seedling growth and potassium uptake of soybean plants in both experiments. Consequently, in order to achieve the sustainable agriculture, application of these PGPM can be recommended due to either their positive effects on germination characteristics and/or improvement of soybean seedling growth under optimum and stressful conditions.

Journal ArticleDOI
10 Dec 2020
TL;DR: Under high stress levels, S. kali achieved a higher germination rate and seedling vigor index compared to Z. fabago and A. canescens and could be considered as a promising plant for the rehabilitation of degraded soils at risk of desertification.
Abstract: In arid and semi-arid regions, planting drought-tolerant species is the most useful strategy in the reclamation of degraded soils. In the present study, we evaluated the effect of simulated drought by polyethylene glycol (PEG-6000) on seed germination and seedling growth of three desert plants such as Atriplex canescens, Salsola kali and Zygophyllum fabago. Seeds were subjected to water stress to drought stress by PEG at five stress levels (0, −1, −4, −8, −12, −14 bars). Germination of Z. fabago was completely inhibited at an osmotic potential of −8, −10 and −12 bars and the germination of A. canescens was inhibited only at −14 bar. In contrast, S. kali responded positively to high levels of stress and our results showed the highest final germination percent (71.75, 54 and 18.25%) under three-drought stress −8, −12 and −14 bars, respectively. In addition, increasing PEG concentration adversely affected the germination rate and seedling vigor index as well as the root and shoot length of species. Under high stress levels, S. kali achieved a higher germination rate and seedling vigor index compared to Z. fabago and A. canescens. Among species, S. kali was the only one able to develop roots and shoots at −14 bar. Therefore, S. kali could be considered as a promising plant for the rehabilitation of degraded soils at risk of desertification.

Journal ArticleDOI
10 Dec 2020
TL;DR: This review aims to systematize and discuss research data regarding the effect of nanomaterials on germination and seedling growth in order to provide state-of-the-art knowledge about this fast developing research area.
Abstract: Due to recent active research, a large amount of data has been accumulated regarding the effects of different nanomaterials (mainly metal oxide nanoparticles, carbon nanotubes, chitosan nanoparticles) on different plant species. Most studies have focused on seed germination and early seedling development, presumably due to the simplicity of these experimental systems. Depending mostly on size and concentration, nanomaterials can exert both positive and negative effects on germination and seedling development during normal and stress conditions, thus some research has evaluated the phytotoxic effects of nanomaterials and the physiological and molecular processes behind them, while other works have highlighted the favorable seed priming effects. This review aims to systematize and discuss research data regarding the effect of nanomaterials on germination and seedling growth in order to provide state-of-the-art knowledge about this fast developing research area.

Journal ArticleDOI
TL;DR: Conifer seedling densities in 15 recent wildfires were surveyed and characterized temporal variation in seed cone production and seedling establishment, showing limitations to post-fire forest recovery will refine models of vegetation dynamics and will help to improve strategies of adaptation to a warming climate and shifting fire activity.
Abstract: Climate warming is contributing to increases in wildfire activity throughout the western United States, leading to potentially long-lasting shifts in vegetation. The response of forest ecosystems to wildfire is thus a crucial indicator of future vegetation trajectories, and these responses are contingent upon factors such as seed availability, interannual climate variability, average climate, and other components of the physical environment. To better understand variation in resilience to wildfire across vulnerable dry forests, we surveyed conifer seedling densities in 15 recent (1988-2010) wildfires and characterized temporal variation in seed cone production and seedling establishment. We then predicted postfire seedling densities at a 30-m resolution within each fire perimeter using downscaled climate data, monthly water balance models, and maps of surviving forest cover. Widespread ponderosa pine (Pinus ponderosa) seed cone production occurred at least twice following each fire surveyed, and pulses of conifer seedling establishment coincided with years of above-average moisture availability. Ponderosa pine and Douglas-fir (Pseudotsuga menziesii) seedling densities were higher on more mesic sites and adjacent to surviving trees, though there were also important interspecific differences, likely attributable to drought and shade tolerance. We estimated that postfire seedling densities in 42% (for ponderosa pine) and 69% (for Douglas-fir) of the total burned area were below the lowest reported historical tree densities in these forests. Spatial models demonstrated that an absence of mature conifers (particularly in the interior of large, high-severity patches) limited seedling densities in many areas, but 30-yr average actual evapotranspiration and climatic water deficit limited densities on marginal sites. A better understanding of the limitations to postfire forest recovery will refine models of vegetation dynamics and will help to improve strategies of adaptation to a warming climate and shifting fire activity.

Journal ArticleDOI
TL;DR: In this paper, the authors investigated the effect of monochromatic light during plant photomorphogenesis from seed imbibition up to seedling development and found that blue wavelengths are more critical than red ones for the functionality of the photosynthetic apparatus.

Journal ArticleDOI
13 Aug 2020-Agronomy
TL;DR: Water soluble carbon nanoparticles (CNPs) can significantly promote seed germination without affecting seedling growth as discussed by the authors, which is a critical developmental phase for seedling establishment and crop production.
Abstract: Seed germination is a critical developmental phase for seedling establishment and crop production. Increasing salinity stress associated with climatic change can pose a challenge for seed germination and stand establishment of many crops including lettuce. Here, we show that water soluble carbon nanoparticles (CNPs) can significantly promote seed germination without affecting seedling growth. Twenty-seven varieties of lettuce (Lactuca sativa) were screened for sensitivity to germination in 150 and 200 mM NaCl, and six salt-sensitive varieties (Little Gem, Parris Island, Breen, Butter Crunch, Muir, and Jericho) were selected and primed with 0.3% soluble carbon nanoparticles. Pretreatment with CNPs significantly improved seed germination under 150 mM NaCl and high temperature. CNP treatment slightly inhibited the elongation of primary roots but promoted lateral root growth and accumulation of chlorophyll content of seedlings grown under salt stress. Despite different lettuce varieties exhibiting a distinct response to nanoparticle treatments, results from this study indicate that soluble nanoparticles can significantly improve lettuce seed germination under salinity stress, which provide fundamental evidence on the potential of nanoparticles in agricultural application to improve crop yield and quality under stressful conditions.

Journal ArticleDOI
TL;DR: Findings elucidate that the reduced level of MDA, EL and H2O2, as well as improvement in antioxidative machinery increased growth and alleviated Cd toxicity in KAR1 treated seedlings under Cd stress.

Journal ArticleDOI
TL;DR: In this article, a micro-plot experiment has been conducted with foliar application of biogenic ZnO nanoparticles and the results revealed that at 10mg/L recorded improvement in grain weight (653g/m2), seed length (8.0mm), seed thickness (1.71mm), and seed width (3.23mm) compared to hydroprimed seeds under.
Abstract: To develop sustainable nano-agriculture, biogenic ZnO nanoparticles have been prepared using brown seaweed Turbinaria ornata (T. ornata) extract as a priming agent to promote rice seed quality and crop yield attributing to rice seeds. The results of various physico-chemical characterization analysis indicate the formation of ZnO nanoparticles. Rice seeds primed with seaweed-based biogenic ZnO nanoparticles at 10 mg/L showed that there has been enhancement in the seed germination (100%), shoot length (100 mm), shoot width (1.0 mm), root length (185.0 mm) root width (0.5 mm), seedling length (216 mm), leaf length 33.0 mm), leaf width (2.0 mm), seedling vigor (28,500 vigor index) and dry matter production (DMP) compared to the conventional hydropriming. Consequently, a micro-plot experiment has been conducted with foliar application of biogenic ZnO nanoparticles and the results revealed that at 10 mg/L recorded improvement in grain weight (653 g/m2), seed length (8.0 mm), seed thickness (1.71 mm) and seed width (3.23 mm) compared to hydroprimed seeds under. HR-SEM micrograph confirms the presence and assimilation of biogenic ZnO nanoparticles in treated seed/foliar applied leaf of rice plant. Further, ICP-MS analysis also confirmed the increase in Zn content in the nanoprimed rice seedlings and foliar applied rice crop in a dose-dependent manner. The experimental results thus demonstrate that the application of seaweed biogenic ZnO nanoparticles improving agronomical characteristics of rice.

Journal ArticleDOI
29 Apr 2020
TL;DR: PCA analysis indicates that the DTI indicates the stress tolerance level of maize germplasm, but the resemblance in DTI values does not clearly reflect the origin or taxonomic assignments to subspecies and varieties of the examined accessions.
Abstract: Maize is known to be susceptible to drought stress, which negatively affects vegetative growth and biomass production, as well as the formation of reproductive organs and yield parameters. In this study, 27 responsive traits of germination (G) and seedlings growth were evaluated for 40 accessions of the Leibniz Institute of Plant Genetics and Crop Plant Research (IPK) germplasm collection, under no stress and simulated drought stress treatments by 10%, 15%, and 20% of polyethylene glycol (PEG). The three treatments significantly reduced G% and retarded seedlings growth, particularly the 15% and 20% PEG treatments; these two treatments also resulted in a significant increase of abnormal seedlings (AS). The heritability (H2) and correlations of the traits were estimated, and drought tolerance indices (DTIs) were calculated for traits and accessions. The H2 of G% values were reduced, and H2 for AS% increased as the PEG stress increased. Positive correlations were found between most trait pairs, particularly shoot and root traits, with 48 highly significant correlations under no stress and 25 highly significant correlations under the 10% PEG treatments, particularly for shoot and root traits. The medium to high heritability of shoot and root seedling traits provides a sound basis for further genetic analyses. PCA analysis clearly grouped accessions with high DTIs together and the accessions with low DTIs together, indicating that the DTI indicates the stress tolerance level of maize germplasm. However, the resemblance in DTI values does not clearly reflect the origin or taxonomic assignments to subspecies and varieties of the examined accessions.

Journal ArticleDOI
TL;DR: Characterisation of a collection of 69 yeast strains isolated from Spanish vineyards confirmed that several yeast strains can promote plant growth and could be considered for the development of biological fertiliser treatments.

Journal ArticleDOI
TL;DR: 10-8 M EBL increased the activity of antioxidant enzymes such as catalase and peroxidase to overcome the toxic effects caused by Pb, and increased Pb content in seedlings without affecting seedling growth.

Journal ArticleDOI
TL;DR: A better knowledge of soybean establishment is provided that is encouraging to introduce soybean with early sowings to diversify current cropping systems and to evaluate the SIMPLE crop emergence model's prediction quality.

Journal ArticleDOI
TL;DR: Results show that potassium deficiency significantly affected cotton seedling growth and development, evidenced by reduced plant height, and total areas of the leaves and roots as well as further reduced both fresh and dry biomass of the entire plants.

Journal ArticleDOI
TL;DR: Increases in activity of non-enzymatic antioxidants (proline, anthocyanins as well as total phenolic content) in roots of maize seedling were observed which may indicate a significant role of plasma seed treatment in improving the plant resistance to biotic and abiotic stress during the vegetation.
Abstract: The effect of pre-sowing plasma seed treatment of maize (Zea mays L.), narrow-leaved lupine (Lupinus angustifolius L.) and winter wheat (Triticum aestivum L.) on seed germination, plant resistance to common diseases during vegetation and crop yield is studied in laboratory and field experiments. It is shown the efficiency of seed treatment by low-pressure radio frequency plasma in suppression of a number of fungal crop diseases such as boil smut of maize, root rot of lupine and winter wheat at different growth stages. At the stage of V9 (9th leaf visible) the infection level in maize plants from treated seeds was 3 times less than that in control. Root rot disease development of lupine at the first stages (3rd–4th leaves emerged) of growth did not exceed 6.9% in plants from the treated seeds while reached to 47.8% in control. Pre-sowing seed treatment led to suppress the anthracnose spreading on narrow-leaved lupine up to the flowering stage. It was revealed that, due to a decrease in the level of seed infection, stimulation of field germination, early seedling growth and plant resistance to pathogens during the vegetation period, the winter wheat grain yield increased by 2.3%, maize—by 1.7%, narrow–leaved lupine—by 26.8% compared to control plants. Increases in activity of non-enzymatic antioxidants (proline, anthocyanins as well as total phenolic content) in roots of maize seedling were observed which may indicate a significant role of plasma seed treatment in improving the plant resistance to biotic and abiotic stress during the vegetation.

Journal ArticleDOI
TL;DR: In this article, biogenic synthesized zinc oxide (ZnO) nanoparticles using as a nano-priming agent for enhancing seed germination and seedling growth parameters of maize (Zea mays) were determined.
Abstract: In the present study, biogenic synthesized zinc oxide (ZnO) nanoparticles using as a nano-priming agent for enhancing seed germination and seedling growth parameters of maize (Zea mays) were determined. The results of the present study carried out in paper roll towel method shown that ZnO nano-primed seeds @ 100 mg/L showed highest improved seed germination rate and seedling parameters viz., shoot length (13.0 cm), shoot width (3.4 mm); root length (20.7 cm), root width (1.0 mm); leaf length (60 mm), width (16.0 mm); vigor index (2931.9) and dry matter production (5.33 gm) than ionic control (zinc acetate) and normal control (hydro-priming). In addition, HR-SEM analysis reveals the absorption of ZnO nanoparticles on the endosperm regions of seed. Taken together, the aforementioned results also showed that the use of ZnO nanoparticles could alleviate zinc deficiency and improved the agronomical characters of maize seedling.

Journal ArticleDOI
TL;DR: In insights on the potential mechanism of action of the biostimulant, it is suggested that there are broader applications as a product able to increase seed tolerance to different abiotic stress typical of adverse environmental conditions.
Abstract: Seed enhancement technologies have the potential to improve germination and seedling growth under environmental stress. The effects of KIEM®, an innovative biostimulant based on lignin derivatives and containing plant-derived amino acids and molybdenum, were investigated on cucumber (Cucumis sativus L.) seed germination. To determine the metabolic targets of this product, biometric, transcriptional and biochemical analyses were carried out on both nontreated and KIEM®-treated seeds incubated for 24 and 48 h under standard (28°C) and heat stress (35°C) conditions. The application of the biostimulant as a seed treatments increased the percent germination (+6.54%) and fresh biomass (+13%) at 48 hours, and decreased the content of H2O2 in treated seeds at 28°C (-70%) and at 35°C (-80%). These changes in biometric and biochemical properties were accompanied by changes in expression levels of the genes coding for ROS-producing (RBOH) and scavenging (SOD, CAT, GST) enzymes and their specific activity. In general, the treatment with KIEM® in heat-stress condition appeared to stimulate a higher accumulation of three scavenger gene transcripts: CuZnSOD (+1.78), MnSOD (+1.75), and CAT (+3.39), while the FeSOD isoform was dramatically downregulated (0.24). Moreover, the amount of non-protein thiols, important antioxidant molecules, was increased by the biostimulant after 48 hours (+20%). Taken together these results suggest that KIEM® acts through mitigation of the effects of the oxidative stress. Moreover, after 48 hours, the pre-sowing treatment with KIEM® increased the transcription levels (+1.5) and the activity of isocitrate lyase (+37%), a key enzyme of the glyoxylate cycle, suggesting a potential effect of this product in speeding up the germination process. Finally, the chemical characterization of KIEM® identified five essential and three non-essential amino acids, and others bioactive compounds, including five organic and inorganic acids that might be potentially involved in its activity. Based on these data, insights on the potential mechanism of action of the biostimulant, suggested that there are broader applications as a product able to increase seed tolerance to different abiotic stress typical of adverse environmental conditions.

Journal ArticleDOI
TL;DR: Evaluating how germination will be affected under future climate change scenarios of limited water and increased temperature found that rainfall rather than temperature will be extremely limiting for seed germination.
Abstract: Drylands are predicted to become more arid and saline due to increasing global temperature and drought. Although species from the Caatinga, a Brazilian tropical dry forest, are tolerant to these conditions, the capacity for germination to withstand extreme soil temperature and water deficit associated with climate change remains to be quantified. We aimed to evaluate how germination will be affected under future climate change scenarios of limited water and increased temperature. Seeds of three species were germinated at different temperatures and osmotic potentials. Thermal time and hydrotime model parameters were established and thresholds for germination calculated. Germination performance in 2055 was predicted, by combining temperature and osmotic/salt stress thresholds, considering soil temperature and moisture following rainfall events. The most pessimistic climate scenario predicts an increase of 3.9 °C in soil temperature and 30% decrease in rainfall. Under this scenario, soil temperature is never lower than the minimum and seldomly higher than maximum temperature thresholds for germination. As long as the soil moisture (0.139 cm3 cm3) requirements are met, germination can be achieved in 1 day. According to the base water potential and soil characteristics, the minimum weekly rainfall for germination is estimated to be 17.5 mm. Currently, the required minimum rainfall occurs in 14 weeks of the year but will be reduced to 4 weeks by 2055. This may not be sufficient for seedling recruitment of some species in the natural environment. Thus, in future climate scenarios, rainfall rather than temperature will be extremely limiting for seed germination.

Journal ArticleDOI
TL;DR: The results reveal that MWCNTs in low doses (250 μg ml-1) can encourage the production of biomass, elicit more SM from seedlings and enhance the biosynthesis of antioxidants.

Journal ArticleDOI
TL;DR: In this article, the results of a bottom-up proteomics study analyzing the total protein fractions and LD-enriched fractions in eight different developmental phases during silique (seed) development, seed germination, and seedling establishment in Arabidopsis (Arabidopsis thaliana) were presented.
Abstract: The developmental program of seed formation, germination, and early seedling growth requires not only tight regulation of cell division and metabolism, but also concerted control of the structure and function of organelles, which relies on specific changes in their protein composition. Of particular interest is the switch from heterotrophic to photoautotrophic seedling growth, for which cytoplasmic lipid droplets (LDs) play a critical role as depots for energy-rich storage lipids. Here, we present the results of a bottom-up proteomics study analyzing the total protein fractions and LD-enriched fractions in eight different developmental phases during silique (seed) development, seed germination, and seedling establishment in Arabidopsis (Arabidopsis thaliana). The quantitative analysis of the LD proteome using LD-enrichment factors led to the identification of six previously unidentified and comparably low-abundance LD proteins, each of which was confirmed by intracellular localization studies with fluorescent protein fusions. In addition to these advances in LD protein discovery and the potential insights provided to as yet unexplored aspects in plant LD functions, our data set allowed for a comparative analysis of the LD protein composition throughout the various developmental phases examined. Among the most notable of the alterations in the LD proteome were those during seedling establishment, indicating a switch in the physiological function(s) of LDs after greening of the cotyledons. This work highlights LDs as dynamic organelles with functions beyond lipid storage.