Role of salicylic acid pretreatment in alleviating cadmium-induced toxicity in Salvia officinalis L.

Cadmium (Cd) is an environmentally polluting metal that has a negative effect on plant growth and yield. In this study, to understand the role of salicylic acid (SA) in alleviating cadmium toxicity in Sage (Salvia officinalis L.), the changes of biochemical and physiological indexes in Sage seedlings exposed to 0, 100, 200 or 300 ppm Cd with or without 0.1, 0.5 and 1 mM SA for 30 days was investigated. The results showed that Cd treatment reduced the growth, photosynthetic pigments, soluble sugars and activity of catalase and peroxidase enzymes, while increased proline content, phenolic compounds, MDA and H2O2. However, SA pre-treatment improved the growth and increased content of photosynthetic pigments, proline, soluble sugars and phenolic compounds at all levels of cadmium. Furthermore, SA pretreatment increased the activity of antioxidant enzymes catalase and peroxidase, and reduced MDA and H2O2, which reduced the cadmium-induced oxidative stress and, consequently, increased Sage tolerance to cadmium. According to our results, it seems SA might regulate the antioxidant defense activities, increase osmolyte and secondary metabolite compound in Cd-treated Sage, thereby improving growth and tolerance of Sage to Cd stress

Bamboo biochar helps minimize Brassica phytotoxicity driven by toxic metals in naturally polluted soils of four mine zones

Researchers have recently become interested in utilizing biochar amendment as an organic approach to enhance soil quality and minimize the mobility of toxic metals (TMs), which can help grow TM-tolerant plant species in polluted areas. A pot experiment was conducted to examine the efficacy of bamboo biochar (BB) in reducing the phytotoxicity of four unique mine-contaminated soil types. According to a completely randomized design (CRD), in four replications on Brassica juncea, a five-level bamboo biochar treatment (0 % Control, 2.5 % BB, 5 % BB, 7.5 % BB, and 10 % BB) was administered in naturally contaminated areas of Sarcheshmeh, Gol-Gohar, Chadormalu, and Anguran mines. The data show that Bamboo Biochar (BB) increased soil enzymatic activities (58 %), reformed soil structure, including pH (7 %) and electrical conductivity (EC) (51 %), and decreased the availability of TMs (Zn (37 %), Pb(34 %), Cd(51 %), Cu(34 %)), preventing accumulation in roots (42 %) and translocation to shoots (38 %). The phytochelatin (79 %), ascorbic acid (56 %), glutathione contents (57 %), and antioxidant (51 %) and glyoxalase activities (71 %) in B. juncea ultimately enhanced root-shoot dry biomass (44 %) and overall tolerance to TMs in mine-polluted soil (43 %). BB at 10 % might be used as a reliable soil amendment and natural metal immobilization adsorbent in the soil, as well as a suitable option for reducing oxidative stress caused by TMs in B. juncea plants, which are strong phytoremediation candidates in polluted soils. Future research endeavors might aim to discover cost-effective, efficient, and natural substances that can enhance and diminish environmental toxicity, eliminate soil contamination caused by heavy metals, and ultimately enhance human well-being. Keywords: Biochar Application; Soil amendment; Plant stress tolerance; Toxic metal; Phytoremediatio

Varying the vegetative and morphological traits of Thymus kotschyanus L. affected potassium silicate nanoparticles, superabsorbent hydrogel, effective microorganisms, and animal manure

To study the effects of some new facilitators on the vegetative and morphological traits of Thymus kotschyanus, nine treatments were tested in the experimental rangeland field at the University of Mohaghegh Ardabili, Ardabil, Iran. Treatments included control, potassium silicate nanoparticles (PSN) with two levels of 500 and 1000 mg/lit, superabsorbent hydrogel (SH) with two levels of 10 and 30 g/kg, animal manure (AM) with two levels of 100, 200 g/kg, and effective microorganisms (EM) with two levels of 1 and 2%. Data were subjected to one-way analysis of variance (ANOVA). Results of mean comparisons of treatments for Thymus kotschyanus characteristics showed that the highest amount of studied traits were observed in the treated SH 30 g/kg. These traits include plant height (19.44 cm), basal area (4.66 cm), canopy cover (99.11%), number of secondary branches (9.44) and depth of rooting (16.49 cm), aerial parts volume (26.77 cm3), root volume (17.66 cm3), aerial parts fresh weight (14.40 g), aerial parts dry weight (7.18 g), root fresh weight (3.98 g), and root dry weight (2.07 g). In general, the impact of treatments on Thymus growth traits were ranked as follows: SH 30 g/kg, PSN 1000 mg/lit, AM 200 g/kg, SH 10 g/kg, PSN 500 mg/lit, AM 100 g/kg, EM 2%, and EM 1%. In addition, the lowest plant traits were found in control. Overall, it is recommended extending the cultivation of this native medicinal plant by considering ecological conditions in each region. In addition, to promote the establishment and facilitate the growth of planted species, it is recommended using the facilitators utilized in the present work

Protective effect of selenium on cisplatin induced nephrotoxicity: A double-blind controlled randomized clinical trial

Background: Renal injury is common following cisplatin infusion. Some agents have been used to attenuate cisplatin nephrotoxicity. However, except hydration, none of them has been proved to be effective. Objective: In this study selenium as an antioxidant supplement was tested on cisplatin induced renal injury. Patients and Methods: 122 cancerous patients (85 male and 37 female; age range of 14 to 82 years old) were enrolled to receive chemotherapy regimens consisting cisplatin. They were allocated into two groups using a random number list . Investigators, patients and analyzers all, were blinded in allocation by using sealed opaque envelopes. Intervention group received a single 400 mcg selenium tablet and patients in control group took a placebo tablet which was similar with selenium preparation in color, weight, shape and taste. Primary end points were an increase in plasma creatinine above 1.5 mg/dl in men and 1.4mg/dl in women, or increase of plasma creatinine more than 50% from baseline or urine flow rate less than 0.5 ml/kg/h. Creatinine level was measured initially and on the 5th day after cisplatin therapy. Results: There was no difference in cumulative dose of cisplatin between the groups (p=0.54). There were not evidences of acute renal failure (ARF) in cases. While, among placebo group, 7 patients had criteria of acute kidney injury. Conclusions: selenium could probably prevent cisplatin-induced acute kidney injury, when it is added to hydration therapy in cancerous patients

Effects of azorhizobium caulinodans and piriformospora indica co-inoculation on growth and fruit quality of Tomato (Solanum lycopersicum L.) under salt stress

Salt stress is a worldwide environmental signal, reducing the growth and yield of crops. To improve crop tolerance to salt, several beneficial microbes are utilized. Here, nitrogen-fixing bacterium Azorhizobium caulinodans and root endophytic fungus Piriformospora indica were used to inoculate tomato (Solanum lycopersicum) under salt stress, and the effects of the co-inoculation were investigated. Results showed that A. caulinodans colonized in the intercellular space in stems and roots of tomato plants, while P. indica colonized in the root cortex. Two weeks following salt treatment, co-inoculated tomato plants grew substantially taller and had larger stem base diameters. Activities of superoxide dismutase (SOD), catalase (CAT), peroxidase (POD), and reduced and oxidized ascorbate and glutathione (i.e., AsA, DHA, GSH, and GSSG, respectively) concentrations along with the ratios of AsA/(AsA + DHA) and GSH/(GSH + GSSG) increased in the leaves of co-inoculated plants under salt stress. The co-inoculation significantly increased soluble proteins and AsA in fruits; however, concentrations of soluble sugars and proanthocyanins did not show significant changes, compared with NaCl only treatment. Data suggest that A. caulinodans and P. indica co-inoculation boosted tomato growth and improved the quality of tomato fruits under salt stress. O-inoculation of A. caulinodans and P. indica might be employed to enhance tomato plant salt tolerance.National Natural Science Foundation of China (NSFC) 3187037

Nitric oxide could allay arsenic phytotoxicity in tomato (Solanum lycopersicum L.) by modulating photosynthetic pigments, phytochelatin metabolism, molecular redox status and arsenic sequestration

Plants do not always have the genetic capacity to tolerate high levels of arsenic (As), which may not only arrest their growth but pose potential health risks through dietary bioaccumulation. Meanwhile, the interplay between the tomato plants and As-NO-driven molecular cell dynamics is obscure. Accordingly, seedlings were treated with As (10 mg/L) alone or in combination with 100 mu M sodium nitroprusside (SNP, NO donor) and 200 mu M 2-(4-carboxyphenyl)-4,4,5,5-tetramethylimidazoline-1-oxyl-3-oxide (cPTIO, NO scavenger). Sodium nitroprusside immobilized As in the roots and reduced the shoot translocation by up-regulating the transcriptional expression of the PCS, GSH1, MT2, and ABC1. SNP further restored the growth retardation through modulating the chlorophyll and proline metabolism, increasing NO accumulation and stomatal conductance along with clear crosstalk between the antioxidant activity as well as glyoxalase I and II leading to endogenous H2O2 and MG reduction. Higher PCs and glutathione accumulation helped protect photosynthetic apparatus; however, cPTIO reversed the protective effects of SNP, confirming the role of NO in the As toxicity alleviation

Flow modelling and determination of sub-watersheds contribution in flood Hydrograph in Amoughin watershed, Ardabil province

The focus of watershed management practices should be in the runoff control, flood prediction and determination of sub-watersheds contribution in producing flood with the aim of reduction its destructive losses. Proposing of practical management solutions of flood control needs the examining of rainfall-runoff models to simulate flow hydrograph, especially in ungauged watersheds. The aim of this study was to evaluate the effectiveness of HEC-HMS model in the rainfall-runoff simulation of Amoughin watershed and determination of sub-watersheds contribution in outlet flow hydrograph. Toward this attempt, the HEC-HMS model was run with SCS-CN method (loss module), SCS-Unit hydrograph method (rainfall-runoff transformation) and Muskingum method (flood routing) through 9 rainfall-runoff events. The input parameters of the model were optimized through applying 6 storm events considering Nash-Sutcliffe objective function and the mean values of the input parameters were used as input for three excluded storm events during the validation stage. In order to prioritize the potential flooding of sub-watersheds, the calibrated HEC-HMS model was employed by removing the sub-watersheds in each run with the 25-year design rainfall, then the flooding potential indices calculated. According to the results, the average value of Nash-Sutcliffe statistical criterion 0.63 in the validation stage demonstrates that the accuracy of HEC-HMS model in flood simulations of Amoughin watershed. The result of flooding potential indices showed that B1, B2, and B3 sub-watersheds have more effect on the flooding potential of Amoughin watershed. In conclusion, it can be said that flooding potential sub-watersheds are not affected only by sub-watersheds area. While, the physiographic characteristics, land use related factors, spatial location and flow routing through sub-watershed to outlet should be considered in determining the flooding potential of sub-watersheds in future studies

Nano-enabled agrochemicals: mitigating heavy metal toxicity and enhancing crop adaptability for sustainable crop production

Abstract The primary factors that restrict agricultural productivity and jeopardize human and food safety are heavy metals (HMs), including arsenic, cadmium, lead, and aluminum, which adversely impact crop yields and quality. Plants, in their adaptability, proactively engage in a multitude of intricate processes to counteract the impacts of HM toxicity. These processes orchestrate profound transformations at biomolecular levels, showing the plant’s ability to adapt and thrive in adversity. In the past few decades, HM stress tolerance in crops has been successfully addressed through a combination of traditional breeding techniques, cutting-edge genetic engineering methods, and the strategic implementation of marker-dependent breeding approaches. Given the remarkable progress achieved in this domain, it has become imperative to adopt integrated methods that mitigate potential risks and impacts arising from environmental contamination on yields, which is crucial as we endeavor to forge ahead with the establishment of enduring agricultural systems. In this manner, nanotechnology has emerged as a viable field in agricultural sciences. The potential applications are extensive, encompassing the regulation of environmental stressors like toxic metals, improving the efficiency of nutrient consumption and alleviating climate change effects. Integrating nanotechnology and nanomaterials in agrochemicals has successfully mitigated the drawbacks associated with traditional agrochemicals, including challenges like organic solvent pollution, susceptibility to photolysis, and restricted bioavailability. Numerous studies clearly show the immense potential of nanomaterials and nanofertilizers in tackling the acute crisis of HM toxicity in crop production. This review seeks to delve into using NPs as agrochemicals to effectively mitigate HM toxicity and enhance crop resilience, thereby fostering an environmentally friendly and economically viable approach toward sustainable agricultural advancement in the foreseeable future