Improving drought tolerance of quinoa plant by foliar treatment of trehalose

Two field experiments were conducted during two successive seasons (2014/2015 and 2015/2016) at the Experimental Station of National Research Centre, Nubaria district, Beheira Governorate, Egypt, to study the effect of foliar treatment of quinoa plants with trehalose (Tre) (100µM and 500µM) on growth, photosynthetic pigments, seed yield quantity & quality, in fever of nutritional and antioxidant compounds in the yielded quinoa seeds which subjected to water deficiency (skipping two irrigation times at 50 & 60 days after sowing). Water deficiency caused marked decreases in quinoa plant growth parameters (shoot height, fresh and dry weights of shoot/plant) and photosynthetic pigments with marked increases in root growth parameters (root length, fresh and dry weight of root/plant). Drought stress decreased yield and yield attributes, carbohydrates, protein, nitrogen, phosphorous and potassium contents.  Meanwhile oil percentage, phenolic and flavonoids contents increased by drought stress. Antioxidant activity at 50 and 100µg/l showed significant increases in response to drought stress. On the other hand, Tre treatments proved to be effective in enhancing growth parameters and photosynthetic pigments of drought stressed plants. Trehalose treatments at different levels caused marked increases in yield and yield attributes, carbohydrate, protein, oil, nitrogen, phosphorous, potassium, total phenolic, flavonoids contents, and antioxidant activity of the yielded seeds either in non stressed or drought stressed plants relative to corresponding controls. Generally, 500 µM Tre was the most pronounced and effective treatment in alleviating the deleterious effect of drought stress on quinoa plants

Weed Management, Folic Acid and Seaweed Extract Effects on Faba Bean Plants and Associated Weeds under Sandy Soil Conditions

Two field experiments were conducted during the winter seasons of 2014/2015 and 2015/2016 at the agricultural experimental station of the National Research Centre, Nubaria, Egypt. Field evaluation of the efficiency of weed-control treatments (unweeded, oxadiargyl, metribuzin and two hand hoeing) and  bio-stimulants levels (folic acid at the rate of 10, 20 and 30 mg/L, and seaweed extract 100, 200 and 300 mg/L) and their interactive effects on faba bean growth, yield, yield attributes and chemical composition of seeds. Two hand hoeing achieved the highest weed depression expressed in the lowest dry matter of broadleaved, narrow-leaved and total weeds. Also, two hand hoeing was the most superior treatment in increasing plant height, shoot dry weight, leaf area index and SPAD value at 60 and 90 days from sowing as well as yield, yield attributes and chemical composition of faba bean seeds followed by that of oxadiargyl and metribuzin treatments. Folic acid at the rate of 30 mg L-1 or seaweed extract at the rate of 300 mg L -1 enhanced growth, yield and chemical composition of faba bean seeds. Two hand hoeing or oxadiargyl herbicide integrated with folic acid at the rate of 30 mg L -1 or seaweed extract at the rate of 300 mg L -1 application produced the maximum values of leaf area index, seed yield and total carbohydrate percentage. It could be concluded that two hand hoeing or herbicide oxadiargyl combined with folic acid application up to 30 mg L-1 or seaweed extract at the rate of 300 mg L -1 could effectively improve growth and productivity of faba bean under sandy soil conditions

Physiological effect of melatonin, IAA and their precursor on quality and quantity of chickpea plants grown under sandy soil conditions

The physiological effect of melatonin, IAA and their precursor (tryptophan) as seed priming on quantity and quality of chickpea plants was investigated during two growing seasons of 2013/2014 and 2014/2015 under sandy soil conditions at the Research and Production Station, National Research Centre, Nubaria Province, Behaira Governorate, Egypt. Data show that melatonin treatments showed the most pronounced effect on vegetative growth parameters followed by IAA and tryptophan treatments. The highest significant increase in dry weight of shoot/plant was achieved by melatonin treatments at 0.5 and 1.0mM. Moreover, melatonin treatments at 0.25 and 0.5 mM were the most pronounced treatments caused the highest significant increase in total photosynthetic pigments by 52.18% over control. All applied treatments caused significant increases in seed yield/feddan and its attributes (number of pods and seeds/plant as well as 100seeds weight). IAA treatment at 20mg/l and all melatonin treatments had the most positive effect on increasing seed yield and yield attributes. It was obvious that seed yield/feddan was increased by 113%, 50.6%, 117.6% and 49.6% under the use of 20mg/l IAA, 0.25, 0.50 and 1.0mM melatonin respectively over control. All applied treatments caused significant increase in the nutritional values of the yielded seed (carbohydrate, oil, phenolic compound and antioxidant activity). Melatonin treatment at 0.5mM was the most pronounced treatment, since it caused significant increase in oil content by 44.94%, carbohydrate content by 8.12%, phenolic content by 57.14% and antioxidant activity by 9.41% over control. The results indicate that oil biosynthesis in chickpea seed responded to melatonin treatment more effectively than carbohydrate biosynthesis. Data show that application of tryptophan led to significant increases in the antioxidant activity (as DPPH- radical scavenging capacity) of the yielded seeds as compared with control plant. It is worthy to mention that melatonin treatments were the most pronounced treatments on the quality and quantity of chickpea plant grown under sandy soil conditions

Response of soybean cultivars to weed control treatments

Two field experiments were conducted in two successive seasons, 2015 and 2016, at the experimental farm of the National Research Centre at Nubaria, Egypt, during summer seasons to determine weed management can improve soybean competitiveness with weeds, thus helping to achieve its yield potential. The experiment included three soybean cultivars ( Giza 111, Giza 21 and Crawford) and six weed control treatments, including oxadiargyl, butralin, metribuzin, bentazone + clethodium, two hand and a nonweeded treatment (control). Great reduction in dry weight of broadleaved, grassy and total weeds after 60 and 90 days from sowing was noticed in the plots cultivated with Giza 111 cultivars. Also, Giza 111 cultivars markedly produced greater plant height, SPAD, NAR, SLA, LWR and RGR at 60 and 90 days from sowing as well as yield, yield attributes and chemical composition of soybean seeds. Two hand hoeing achieved the highest weed depression expressed in the lowest dry matter of broadleaved, narrow-leaved and total weeds. Also, two hand hoeing was the most superior treatment in increasing plant height, SPAD, NAR, SLA, LWR and RGR at 60 and 90 days from sowing as well as yield, yield attributes and chemical composition of soybean seeds. Two hand hoeing or herbicide bentazone + clethodium integrated with Giza111 cultivar produced the maximum values of plant height, NAR, seed yield and oil percentage. It could be concluded that two hand hoeing or herbicide bentazone + clethodium combined with Giza 111 cultivars recorded effectively improve growth and productivity of soybean under sandy soil condition

Physiological Role of Ascobin on Quality and Productivity of Sunflower Plants Irrigated with Sodium Chloride Solution

Ascobin had a promotion effect on growth and active constituents’ compounds of various plants under normal and stressed conditions. The physiological response of sunflower plant to foliar application of ascobin treatments (200,400,600 ppm) was investigated either under normal or salinity stressed conditions (5000 ppm NaCl solution) in pot experiments at the wire-house of the National Research Centre, Dokki, Cairo, Egypt. Data revealed that salinity stress caused significant decreases in shoot height, leaf area chlrorophyll b, carotenoids, total photosynthetic pigments, seed yield, yield components, oil and protein content of the yielded seeds relative to control. The decrease in oil percentage was more obvious by salinity than protein percentage. Since salinity caused decreases in oil % by10.42% and decreases in protein % by 3.44% relative to control. Meanwhile, salinity stress caused significant increases in H2O2, MDA and activity of antioxidant enzymes (CAT, SOD, APX and GR) as well as total soluble carbohydrate, phenolic content, proline, free amino acids. Salinity stress caused significant increases in sum of stearic acid and palmitic acid accompanied by significant decreases in sum of oleic and linoleic acids as well as ratio of oleic/linoleic and total unsaturated fatty acids/total saturated fatty acids. On the other hand, ascobin treatments caused significant increases in most of growth parameters and activity of all antioxidant enzymes under investigation accompanied by significant decreases in H2O2 and MDA under normal and stressed conditions relative to corresponding controls. Ascobin treatment at 400 ppm showed significant increases in all components of photosynthetic pigments under normal condition relative to control. Meanwhile ascobin treatments significantly decreased total soluble carbohydrate, phenolic content and increased proline and free amino acids. It was noted that all treatments alleviate the harmful effect of salinity stress on sunflower yield and yield components. Since all treatments caused significant increases in yield and yield components as well as oil and protein percentages. Ascobin treatment at 400 ppm was the most optimum treatments in increasing seed yield/plant by 44.78% under normal condition and by 45.43% under stressed conditions relative to corresponding controls. Oleic acid and linoleic acid significantly increased by ascobin treatment at 400 ppm leading to non-significant decrease in total saturated fatty acid and significant increase in total unsaturated fatty acids

Effect of priming with proline on the performance of two wheat cultivars

Amino acids (bio-stimulants) are considered as cheap and biodegradable chemicals that increased yield and agronomic performance of several crops. A field experiment was conducted at the experimental station of National Research Centre, Nubaria district El-Behera Governorate-Egypt, during two winter seasons. Grains of two wheat cultivars (Misr 3 and Sids 12) were soaked with proline at 5 or 10 mM for 12 hours and dried at room temperature before sowing to study the effect of proline treatments on the performance and quality of wheat plants grown under sandy soil conditions. Data show that performance of Misr 3 cv grown under the conditions of sandy soil was more better than Sids 12 cv. Moreover, proline treatments at both concentrations caused significant increases in most parameters measured in this study. It was noted that Misr 3 cv responded effectively to 5 Mm proline, while response of Sids 12 cv was more effective to 10 mM proline. It could be concluded that proline treatments showed promotive effect on quality and quantity of both wheat cultivars grown under sandy soil conditions.

Alleviation of salinity stress on Vicia faba L. plants via seed priming with melatonin

Melatonin is an environmentally friendly-molecule with a potent free radical scavenger and antioxidant capacity. Two pot experiments were conducted during two successive winter seasons (2011/2012 and 2012/2013) at the wire-house of the National Research Centre, Dokki, Cairo, Egypt to study the potentiality of melatonin (100 mM and 500 mM) in alleviating the harmful effect of diluted sea water at a relatively low and high concentrations (3.85 dS/m and 7.69 dS/m, respectively) on the performance of faba bean plant. The results revealed that irrigation of faba bean plants with diluted sea water reduced growth parameters (plant height, leaves number/plant, fresh and dry weights /plant), relative water content (RWC), photosynthetic pigments (chlorophylls a, b and carotenoids), indole acetic acid, total carbohydrate, K+,Ca+2, as well as the ratios of K+/Na+ and Ca+2/Na+ .Thiswasaccompanied by significant increases in phenolic content, compatible solutes (total soluble carbohydrate, free amino acids, proline), Na+ and Cl- , relative to the control plants (untreated plants). On the other hand, melatonin treatments improved growth parameters, RWC, photosynthetic pigments, total carbohydrate, total phenolic content, indole acetic acid, K+,Ca+2 as well as K+/Na+ and Ca+2/Na+ ratios, either in the plants irrigated with tap water or with diluted sea water, as compared with corresponding controls. Meanwhile, melatonin treatments reduced the levels of compatible solutes, as well as Na+ and Cl-  contents, relative to those of corresponding controls. Salinity stress and/ or melatonin treatments induced the production of new protein bands that did not occur in the control plants. Melatonin at 500 mM had a more pronounced effect in alleviating the adverse effects of the two salinity levels under study on the performance of faba bean plants than 100 mM melatonin.La melatonina es una molécula ambientalmente amigable con una potente capacidad antioxidante y de trampa de radicales libres. Dos experimentos en materas fueron realizados en dos inviernos consecutivos (2011/2012 y 2012/2013) en instalaciones del Centro Nacional de Investigaciones, Dokki, Cairo, Egipto, para estudiar el potencial de la melatonina (100 mM and 500 mM) para disminuir los efectos nocivos del agua de mar diluida a concentraciones relativamente bajas y altas (3,85 dS/m and 7,69 dS/m, respectivamente). Los resultados mostraron que la irrigación de plantas de haba con agua de mar diluida reduce los parámetros de crecimiento (altura de la planta, número de hojas/planta, peso fresco y seco de la planta), el contenido relativo de agua (RWC), los pigmentos fotosintéticos (clorofilas a, b y carotenoides), el ácido indo lacético, los carbohidratos totales, K+ , Ca+2, al igual que las relaciones K+ /Na+ y Ca2+/Na+ . Esto fue acompañado por un incremento significativo en el contenido de fenoles, solutos compatibles (carbohidratos solubles totales, aminoácidos libres, prolina), Na+ y Cl- en comparación con las plantas control (plantas no tratadas). De otro lado, los tratamientos con melatonina mejoraron los parámetros de crecimiento, RWC, los pigmentos fotosintéticos, carbohidratos totales, contenido fenólico total, ácido indo acético, K+ ,Ca+2 al igual que las relaciones K+ /Na+ y Ca+2/ Na+ , tanto en las plantas irrigadas con agua dulce de la llave como en las irrigadas con agua de mar diluida en comparación con los controles correspondientes. De otro lado, los tratamientos con melatonina redujeron los niveles de solutos compatibles, al igual que los contenidos de Na+ y Cl- , en comparación con los controles. El estrés por salinidad y/o los tratamientos con melatonina indujeron la producción de nuevas bandas de proteínas que no estuvieron presentes en las plantas control. El tratamiento de melatonina 500 mM tuvo un efecto más pronunciado que el tratamiento de 100 mM en disminuir los efectos adversos de los dos niveles de salinidad estudiados sobre el comportamiento de las plantas de hab

Alleviation of salinity stress on Vicia faba L. plants via seed priming with melatonin

<p>Melatonin is an environmentally friendly-molecule with a potent free radical scavenger and antioxidant capacity. Two pot experiments were conducted during two successive winter seasons (2011/2012 and 2012/2013) at the wire-house of the National Research Centre, Dokki, Cairo, Egypt to study the potentiality of melatonin (100 mM and 500 mM) in alleviating the harmful effect of diluted sea water at a relatively low and high concentrations (3.85 dS/m and 7.69 dS/m, respectively) on the performance of faba bean plant. The results revealed that irrigation of faba bean plants with diluted sea water reduced growth parameters (plant height, leaves number/plant, fresh and dry weights /plant), relative water content (RWC), photosynthetic pigments (chlorophylls a, b and carotenoids), indole acetic acid, total carbohydrate, K⁺,Ca⁺², as well as the ratios of K⁺/Na⁺ and Ca⁺²/Na⁺.Thiswasaccompanied by significant increases in phenolic content, compatible solutes (total soluble carbohydrate, free amino acids, proline), Na⁺ and Cl^-, relative to the control plants (untreated plants). On the other hand, melatonin treatments improved growth parameters, RWC, photosynthetic pigments, total carbohydrate, total phenolic content, indole acetic acid, K⁺,Ca⁺²as well as K⁺/Na⁺ and Ca⁺²/Na⁺ratios, either in the plants irrigated with tap water or with diluted sea water, as compared with corresponding controls. Meanwhile, melatonin treatments reduced the levels of compatible solutes, as well as Na⁺ and Cl^-contents, relative to those of corresponding controls. Salinity stress and/ or melatonin treatments induced the production of new protein bands that did not occur in the control plants. Melatonin at 500 mM had a more pronounced effect in alleviating the adverse effects of the two salinity levels under study on the performance of faba bean plants than 100 mM melatonin.</p

Role of trehalose on antioxidant defense system and some osmolytes of quinoa plants under water deficit

Abstract Background For scavenging reactive oxygen species, plant possess effective system that protect them from destructive oxidative reaction. Parts of this system as osmoprotectants and antioxidative enzymes are key elements in the defense mechanisms. A field experiment was conducted to evaluate the potential of foliar treatment of trehalose (Tre) with different concentrations (0, 0.1 mM, or 0.5 mM) in improving antioxidant defense system of quinoa plant under normal irrigation and drought stress conditions. Results Drought stress caused significant increases in some osmoprotectants as glucose, trehalose, TSS, free amino acids, and proline. Meanwhile, trehalose foliar treatment with different concentrations significantly decreases in free amino acids and proline contents. More accumulation of the tested organic solutes of leaves (glucose, sucrose, trehalose, TSS) of the trehalose-treated plant in both normal irrigated and drought-stressed quinoa plants as compared with the corresponding controls. Treating quinoa plants with trehalose resulted in significant decrease in lipid peroxidation, hydrogen peroxide contents, and LOX activity in normal irrigated and drought-stressed plants. These decreases correlated with significant increases in total phenolic contents as compared with untreated control. Different concentrations of trehalose resulted in significant increases in antioxidant enzymes. Maximum increase antioxidant enzymes were observed by treating plants Tre at 0.5 mM either under normal irrigation or drought conditions. Conclusion It could be concluded that foliar spray of trehalose was effective in improving quinoa performance by reducing hydrogen peroxide free radical and by enhancing antioxidant compounds (phenolics), compatible osmolytes, membrane stability, and antioxidant enzymes

Use of Beta vulgaris allelopathic properties to control some weeds associated with Lupinus albus plant comparing with two recommended herbicides.

Two pot experiments were carried out during two successive winter seasons of (2016 / 2017) and (2017 / 2018) at the green house of National Research Centre (NRC), Giza, Egypt.  The experiments were conducted to compare the allelopathic effect of Beta vulgaris (shoot and root aqueous extracts at 3, 6, 9%) to chemical herbicides (clodinafop-Propargyl and Basagran at recommended dose (140 g/fed and 1.5 l/fed, respectively) in controlling weeds (Phalaris minor and Malva parviflora) associated with Lupinus albus plants. Results showed that all applied aqueous extracts caused reduction in two weeds biomass under investigation. Meanwhile, root aqueous extract was more effective than shoot aqueous extract in controlling weeds. It is worthy to mention that phenolic compounds and flavonoids in B. vulgaris root aqueous extract were higher than that in B. vulgaris shoot aqueous extract. In addition, all applied aqueous extracts increased growth, yield and yield components of L. albus plant. The inhibitory effect of B. vulgaris aqueous extract on weeds or its stimulatory effect on L. albus plants increased by increasing the extracts concentration. The two applied herbicides gave complete eradication of  both weeds depending on selectivity of each herbicide followed by root aqueous extract of B. vulgaris at 9%; this in turn reflected on L. albus plants by scoring highest results as compared to unweeded treatment