scholarly journals Aqueous Garlic Extract as a Plant Biostimulant Enhances Physiology, Improves Crop Quality and Metabolite Abundance, and Primes the Defense Responses of Receiver Plants

2018 ◽  
Vol 8 (9) ◽  
pp. 1505 ◽  
Author(s):  
Sikandar Hayat ◽  
Husain Ahmad ◽  
Muhammad Ali ◽  
Kashif Hayat ◽  
Muhammad Khan ◽  
...  

Biostimulants are the next-generation choice for sustainable agricultural production and are gradually becoming an alternative to synthetic chemicals. Various botanicals are proposed to exert stimulatory effects, and garlic allelochemicals are among such botanicals; however, a peer-reviewed scientific evaluation is required to understand garlic-derived substances such as biostimulants. Current studies were therefore performed to identify the bioactivity of garlic extract as a biostimulant to improve crop quality, alter its physiological potential, and prime its defense responses against pathogenic fungal infections. 100 µg mL−1 aqueous garlic extracts (AGE) in consort with 1 mM of acetyl salicylic acid (ASA) and distilled water as a control treatment were applied to eggplant and pepper seedlings as foliar application and fertigation methods. The results revealed stimulatory responses in the growth of the vegetables with improved plant height, number of leaves, root growth, fresh and dry weight, etc., due to AGE and ASA applications. Moreover, significant alterations were indicated in plant metabolites such as chlorophyll, carotenoids, and soluble sugars. Additionally, stimulation of the antioxidant enzymes such as superoxide dismutase (SOD) and peroxidase (POD), as well as the root activity of these plants, was observed after treatment. Application of AGE and ASA also exerted priming effects on pepper plants, inducing defense responses prior to Phytopthora capsici inoculation, and the treated plants therefore successfully resisted infection through activated antioxidant systems, and probably carotenoid and other protectory metabolites. Stress-induced H2O2 content was extremely low in the treated plants, indicating successful resistance against pathogenic infection.

Plants ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 10 (6) ◽  
pp. 1040
Author(s):  
Ragab S. Taha ◽  
Mahmoud F. Seleiman ◽  
Ashwag Shami ◽  
Bushra Ahmed Alhammad ◽  
Ayman H. A. Mahdi

Selenium (Se) and silicon (Si) are considered advantageous elements to induce plants’ tolerance to various environmental stresses. Wheat yield is negatively affected by salinity stress, especially in dry and semi-dry areas. Therefore, the objective of the current study was to investigate the effects of Se, Si and their combinations (0 as control, Se15, Se30, Si15, Si30, Se15 + Si15, and Se30 + Si30 mM) in alleviating the deleterious effects of salinity stress (7.61 dS m−1, real field conditions) on anatomical characteristics as well as the physio-biochemical and productivity parameters of wheat plants. The selenium and silicon treatments and their combinations caused significant amelioration in growth, anatomical and physiological attributes, and grain yields of salinity-stressed wheat in comparison with the untreated plants (control treatment). The integrated application of Se30 + Si30 significantly increased plant growth (i.e., plant height 28.24%, number of tillers m−2 76.81%, fresh weight plant−1 80.66%, and dry weight plant−1 79.65%), Fv/Fm (44.78%), performance index (PI; 60.45%), membrane stability index (MSI; 36.39%), relative water content (RWC; 29.39%), total soluble sugars (TSS; 53.38%), proline (33.74%), enzymatic antioxidants (i.e., CAT activity by 14.45%, GR activity by 67.5%, SOD activity by 35.37% and APX activity by 39.25%) and non-enzymatic antioxidants (i.e., GSH content by 117.5%, AsA content by 52.32%), yield and its components (i.e., number of spikelets spike−1 29.55%, 1000-grain weight 48.73% and grain yield ha−1 26.44%). The anatomical traits of stem and leaves were improved in wheat plants treated with Se30 + Si30. These changes resulting from the exogenous applications of Se, Si or their combinations, in turn, make these elements prospective in helping wheat plants to acclimate successfully to saline soil.


Plants ◽  
2019 ◽  
Vol 8 (12) ◽  
pp. 588
Author(s):  
Hira Yaqoob ◽  
Nudrat A. Akram ◽  
Samrah Iftikhar ◽  
Muhammad Ashraf ◽  
Noman Khalid ◽  
...  

In the current study, the effects of exogenously applied proline (25 and 50 mM) and low-temperature treatment were examined on the physiochemical parameters in the plants of two cultivars (V1 and V2) of quinoa (Chenopodium quinoa Willd.). The seeds were also exposed to chilling stress at 4 °C before sowing. Plants raised from the seeds treated with low temperature showed reduced plant growth and contents of chlorophyll and carotenoids, but they had significantly increased contents of malondialdehyde, proline, ascorbic acid, total free amino acids, total soluble sugars, and total phenolics, as well as the activity of the peroxidase (POD) enzyme. Cold stress applied to seeds remained almost ineffective in terms of bringing about changes in plant root, hydrogen peroxide, glycine betaine and activities of superoxide dismutase (SOD), and catalase (CAT) enzymes. The exogenous application of proline significantly increased plant growth, the contents of chlorophyll, carotenoids, proline, ascorbic acid, total free amino acids, phenolics, and total soluble sugars, as well as the activities of SOD, POD, and CAT, but it decreased malondialdehyde content. Overall, foliar application of proline was better than the seed treatment in improving root dry weight, root length, chlorophyll a, carotenoids, glycine betaine, ascorbic acid and superoxide dismutase activity, whereas seed pre-treatment with proline was effective in improving shoot dry weight, shoot length, hydrogen peroxide, malondialdehyde, and peroxidase activity in both quinoa cultivars.


2019 ◽  
Vol 27 (2) ◽  
pp. 269-276
Author(s):  
Hassan Hadi Alkarawi ◽  
Sabaa Jawad Abd Alkadim

       An experiment for the  agricultural season 2017  was carried out in pots in the Autumn season to study the effect of application three levels of Sea Top  foliar  fertilizer (0, 50,and 100 gm.L-1) and Three levels of zinc (zinc sulfate) was ( 0, 30, and60 mg. L-1) with three times spraying  intervals every20 days  for  some of  the growth and yield parameters  of the Dahlia cv. Albion. The spray concentration of zinc sulfate at level of 60 mg / L-1 and Seaweed at a level of 100 mg / L -1 had significant differences in plant height,  number of branches ,number of flowers per plant, flower diameter, fresh weight of flower,fresh weight of the tuber , number of tubers per plant, fresh weight  of the stalk,and dry weight of the vegetative parts ,compared with the control treatment. The increase was 115.16, 6.33, 12.0, 15.53, 25.66, 371.36, 6.66, 46.56, and 60.16  for the above qualities respectively. We conclude, that the application of Seaweed Extract and Zinc improved the yield contributing factors that resulted in a significant increase in Productivity of Dahlia hybridayield.


PLoS ONE ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 16 (11) ◽  
pp. e0259749
Author(s):  
Inzamam Ul Haq ◽  
Aroosa Khurshid ◽  
Rehan Inayat ◽  
Zhang Kexin ◽  
Liu Changzhong ◽  
...  

The fall armyworm (Spodoptera frugiperda) is a major economic pest in the United States and has recently become a significant concern in African and Asian countries. Due to its increased resistance to current management strategies, including pesticides and transgenic corn, alternative management techniques have become more necessary. Currently, silicon (Si) is being used in many pest control systems due to its ability to increase plant resistance to biotic and abiotic factors and promote plant growth. The current experiments were carried out at the College of Plant Protection, Gansu Agricultural University, Lanzhou, China, to test the effect of Si on lifetable parameters and lipase activity of fall armyworm and vegetative and physiological parameters of maize plants. Two sources of Si (silicon dioxide: SiO2 and potassium silicate: K2SiO3) were applied on maize plants with two application methods (foliar application and soil drenching). The experiment results revealed that foliar applications of SiO2 and K2SiO3 significantly (P≤0.05) increased mortality percentage and developmental period and decreased larval and pupal biomass of fall armyworm. Similarly, both Si sources significantly (P≤0.05) reduced lipase activity of larvae, and fecundity of adults, whereas prolonged longevity of adults. Among plant parameters, a significant increase in fresh and dry weight of shoot, stem length, chlorophyll content, and antioxidant activity was observed with foliar applications of Si. Root fresh and dry weight was significantly (P ≤ 0.05) higher in plants treated with soil drenching of SiO2 and K2SiO3. Moreover, SiO2 performed better for all parameters as compared to K2SiO3 and control treatment. The study conclusively demonstrated a significant negative effect on various biological parameters of fall armyworm when plants were treated with Si, so it can be a promising strategy to control this pest.


Author(s):  
N. J. Al- Amiry ◽  
Amir S. Al- Musawy

This study has been conducted at the city of Diwaniah located 180 km south of Baghdad to examine the effect of potassium and copper floral application on the growth and yield of potato plants (var.Burren) during the 2015 spring season. Factorial experiment has been carried out in Random Complete Block Design (RCBD) with three replications and Nine treatments have been used  which have three potassium concentrations at 0, 3000, and 6000 mg KL-1 designated  respectively and three copper concentrations at 0, 2.5, and 5 mg CuL-1 designated  respectively in addition to their interactions. The treatments are applied at three different timeframes which are 45 days after sowing, 15 days after the first spraying, and 15 days after the second spraying. Vegetative growth have been collected at the maturation stage then dried to obtain dry weight and N, P, K, and Cu have been estimated in plant leaves. Tubers are harvested to measure number and yield/plant, tubers average weight, total marketing yield and yield. The obtained data are statistically analyzed and averages are compared according to the least significant differences (LSD) at 5% level of significance and the results were as follows: The yield components which include tubers number as compared with the control treatment. Copper foliar application significantly increase vegetative traits of the yield. The K2 treatment has given the highest significant increase of main stem vegetative growthof the components which include tubers number as compared with the control treatment. The interaction treatments have given a significant result in terms of the both the vegetative and yield traits where K2* Cu2 give the most significant increase in term of vegetative growth while K2* Cu1 significantly increase the plant height and K1* Cu2 significantly affect the number of leaves. As for the yield component, K2*Cu2 show to have the most significant result in all traits under investigation. Finally.


HortScience ◽  
2007 ◽  
Vol 42 (1) ◽  
pp. 179-182 ◽  
Author(s):  
Manoj G. Kulkarni ◽  
Glendon D. Ascough ◽  
Johannes Van Staden

The ecologic significance of smoke-related seed germination is now well recognized. Consequently, smoke solutions and a pure butenolide, the active compound from smoke that stimulates germination of a number of plant species, show great potential for enhancing the growth of vegetable crops. Achieving maximum production and better and faster growth of the seedlings has always been a priority for vegetable growers. This study therefore highlights the effects of foliar application of smoke-water and a butenolide on seedling growth of okra [Abelmoschus esculentus (L.) Moench] and tomato (Lycopersicon esculentum Mill.). Treating okra seedlings with smoke-water (1:500 v/v) showed a significant (P < 0.05) increase in shoot/root length, shoot fresh/dry weight, number of leaves, total leaf area, and stem thickness compared with the control treatment. Treatment of okra seedlings with smoke-water significantly (P < 0.05) increased the absolute growth rate (AGR) per week. However, the seedling vigor index (SVI) did not improve as a result of no change in root fresh weight. On the other hand, foliar application of smoke-water and butenolide showed a pronounced effect on the seedling growth of tomato. Most of the growth parameters examined for both the treatments were significantly (P < 0.05) increased, resulting in a significantly (P < 0.05) higher SVI and AGR than the control. This study indicates that the foliar application of smoke-water or butenolide may be a useful and inexpensive technique for enhancing seedling growth of vegetable crops.


2019 ◽  
Vol 76 ◽  
pp. 136-146
Author(s):  
Abdel Nasser A.A. Abdel-Hafeez ◽  
Taia A. Abd El-Mageed ◽  
Mostafa M. Rady

A field experiments were conducted during the two summer seasons of 2015 and 2016 in saline soil (ECe = 9.0 dSm-1), at Fayoum province, Egypt to study the effect of ascorbic (AsA), as foliar application alone or combined with cyanobacteria (CB) on growth, yield, its components and nutritional status of sunflower plants variety Sakha 54. Treatments comprised 2 ascorbic acid (AsA) levels with or without seed inoculation with cyanobacteria (CB). They were 1 mM AsA, 2 mM AsA, 1 mM AsA + CB and 2 mM AsA + CB in addition to the control treatment in which seeds were not received CB and their plants were sprayed with distilled water. Results could be summarized as follows: increasing the addition of ascorbic acid concentration up to 1Mm with combination of CB increased significantly values of growth attributes (e.i., plant height, of leaves no. /plant, shoot dry weight and leaf area), photosynthetic pigments (chlorophyll a, b and carotenoids), physiological responses (total soluble sugars, proline and soluble phenols) as well as the head diameter, seed yield/ plant, 100 seed weight and seed yield (t ha-1). Also, N, P, K, Fe, Mn, Zn and oil percentage of sunflower seeds with compared to control treatment in both years. Generally, the results in most cases, demonstrate that the all parameters increased significantly by using the concentration of ascorbic acid 1Mm combined with CB in both seasons


2018 ◽  
Vol 26 (2) ◽  
pp. 37-45
Author(s):  
Jelili T. Opabode ◽  
Simbiat Owojori

AbstractThe influence of foliar application of benzylaminopurine (BAP) and gibberellic acid (GA3) alone and in combination on quantitative and qualitative yields of Solanum macrocarpon L. ‘Igbagba’ was investigated to increase the production of the vegetable. Treatments were arranged in randomized complete block design with three replicates. Analysis of variance showed that treatments had significant (p < 0.05) influence on all parameters measured. Foliar application of 20–40 mg·dm−3 of GA3 alone doubled the shoot heights compared with other treatments. The highest leaf area, fresh shoot weight, dry weight and number of regrowth was observed on plants to which foliar application of 40 mg·dm−3 of BAP and 30 mg·dm−3 of GA3 was applied. Combinations of 40 mg·dm−3 of BAP and 30–40 mg·dm−3 of GA3 produced the highest quantities of chlorophyll a and chlorophyll b, carotenoids, total phenolics, soluble sugars and soluble protein. Highest moisture, crude protein, crude fat and ash contents were detected when 40 mg·dm−3 of BAP and 10–40 mg·dm−3 of GA3 were applied. However, the application of GA3 alone promoted crude fiber and carbohydrate synthesis. Leaf Na, P, Ca, Mg, Zn and Fe had highest quantities when 40 mg·dm−3 of BAP was combined with 30–40 mg·dm−3 of GA3. Leaf K was promoted by the application of BAP alone and combination of 40 mg·dm−3 of BAP and 10–20 mg·dm−3 of GA3. The highest number of re-growth was observed when 40 mg·dm−3 of BAP was combined with 30 mg·dm−3 of GA3. Foliar application of 40 mg·dm−3 of BAP and 30 mg·dm−3 of GA3 in combination was suggested for the enhancement of quantitative and qualitative yields of the vegetable.


2020 ◽  
Vol 47 (12) ◽  
pp. 1083
Author(s):  
Nasibeh Tavakoli Hasanaklou ◽  
Mohammad Sedghi ◽  
Foad Moradi ◽  
Ali Ebadi Khazineh Ghadim ◽  
Sodabeh Jahanbakhsh Ghodehkahriz

Stevia is a herbaceous plant containing non-sugar sweeteners that could be regarded as a successor to sugar for diabetics. However, there are some problems with the cultivation of stevia, especially in the greenhouse, including unbranching and low sweetening agents. To overcome this issue, an experiment was designed to increase not only the branching and leaf production but also the sweetness. Therefore, a novel strategy using abscisic acid (0, 50, 100, 150 μM), its inhibitor, i.e. fluridone (0, 50, 100, 150 μM) and decapitation of plant apical meristems was applied. Results showed that when stevia was decapitated, dormant buds responded to the application of abscisic acid and fluridone. Under these conditions, axillary buds were developed to branches. As well leaf, total dry weight, soluble sugars and steviol glycosides (SGs) were significantly increased. In addition, the interaction of abscisic acid (50 and 100 μM) and fluridone (50 μM) had the highest positive effects on plant growth and steviol glycosides production rather than their sole applications. Results also indicated that decapitation removed a terminal dominance over a limited period of time and the terminal dominance was re-established with the growth of the terminal branches, whereas the influence of 50 µM fluridone on stevia was long term and the number of shoots was greater. Since stevia is a costly sweetener, the results of this study could be used in greenhouses, where the cultivation of stevia seems to be reasonable in terms of economic aspects.


Author(s):  
Babak Motesharezadeh ◽  
Samira Ghorbani ◽  
Hossein Ali Alikhani ◽  
Reza Fatemi ◽  
Qifu Ma

Background: Selenium (Se) is a crucial component of selenoaminoacids and selenoproteins. Therefore, Se-enriched agricultural products can reduce health complications induced by Se deficiency. Objective: This research was carried out to investigate the effects of Se bio-enrichment on Basil grown in calcareous and non-calcareous soil systems and also to evaluate the changes in Se concentration in the soil after harvesting. Methods: The experiments executed in two calcareous and one non-calcareous soil systems, and different Se application methods (control, soil application, seed inoculation, foliar application, and soil + foliar application) were administered. Selenobacteria, a plant growth-promoting rhizobacteria (PGPR), derived from the soil was used as a biofertilizer, compared to the other Se sources. Results: The results showed that both soil types and the methods of Se application had significant effects (P ˂ 0.01) on root and shoot dry weights and concentrations of P, K, Zn, Fe, and Se in both of the root and shoot. Shoot dry weight of plants treated with foliar Se was maximum in the calcareous soil. Compared to the control treatment, foliar application of Se increased shoot Se content in both calcareous and non-calcareous soils by 242% and 204%, respectively. Furthermore, the increase in shoot Se concentration in calcareous soil induced by Se application increased the concentration of other nutrients in the shoot and root. Plant growth parameters and concentrations of nutrients were significantly increased by using selenobacter inoculum. Conclusion: The application of Se-containing compounds can improve vegetable quality. Considering the daily requirement of the human body for minerals and nutrients, enriching basil with Se can play an important role in community health.


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