Excessive application of copper (Cu)-based agrochemicals is a major source of Cu contamination in the soil, leading to Cu toxicity in crop species. Biochar is an effective soil amendment for remediation of metal contaminants. The aim of this study was to assess the impacts of rice husk biochar on Cu uptake, physio-biochemical responses, growth characteristics, and yield attributes of Riceberry rice (Oryza sativa L.) under Cu treatments. Two-week-old rice seedlings were directly transplanted into plastic bags containing soil substrate mixed with 0

Durian (Durio zibethinus L.), often referred to as the king of fruits, is widely distributed across southeast Asia. The objective of this study was to assess durian genotypes using plant phenotyping traits and to evaluate their physiological responses to high VPD. Plant morphometric traits were measured using a high-throughput phenotyping platform. Genotypes, such as Chani, Puang Manee, Long Lab Lae, Dang Indo, and Mon Thong, were identified as giant-canopy types (based on plant perimeter, canopy leaf area, and plant volume) when compared with the compact-canopy types (Nok Yib, Black Thorn, and Kradum). Light response curves of net photosynthetic rate in genotypes Long Lab Lae and Puang Manee decreased under 55

Iron (Fe) toxicity is one of the most important abiotic stresses limiting growth, development, and grain yield attributes of rice, especially in acid sulphate soils. Silicon (Si), a beneficial element, has been reported to regulate Fe-defense responses and adaptive strategies in several plant species. The objective of this study was to assess the effects of foliar application of Si on the performance of rice, including yield traits, grown under Fe stress. Seeds of two rice genotypes, Azucena (Fe-tolerant) and IR29 (Fe-sensitive), were germinated, 4-week-old seedlings were transferred to the soil substrate, and were grown up to booting stage. Individual rice plant was treated with 0 and 1

Forty-day-old healthy seedlings of five cotton genotypes (Takfa 3, Takfa 6, Takfa 7, Takfa 84–4, and Takfa 86–5) were treated with 0 or 150 mmol L−1 NaCl for 14 days, and data on mRNA expression and morpho-physio-biochemical parameters were collected. At early salt treatment (48 h), upregulation of GhNHX1, GhVATPase, and GhVPPase in the vacuolar membrane of root tissues of Takfa 6 (> 3.6-fold over the control) was recorded in relation to the high amount of Na in the root. Takfa 6 exhibited a low Na concentration (72.5 mg g−1) and Na/K ratio (0.42) in its leaf tissues when subjected to salt stress, which played a crucial role in maintaining its photosynthetic capabilities and promoting overall growth. Takfa 3, on the other hand, exhibited a contrasting response to salt stress, where Na concentration in its root tissues was remarkably low (55.5 mg g−1), but its translocation level to the leaf tissues was relatively higher (142.3 mg g−1). This high translocation rate of Na from root to shoot exerted detrimental effects on the plant, resulting in the inhibition of net photosynthetic rate (26.53

Purpose: The application of nanoparticles is increasingly recognized as a promising approach for mitigating the adverse impacts of drought stress on vegetable crops. Silicon (Si) nanoparticles (nano-Si) can be used as fertilizers to enhance growth and yield of okra (Abelmoschus esculentus (L.) Moench) under water-deficit conditions. The present study aimed at assessing the effects of foliar-applied nano-Si on growth, yield, physio-biochemical traits, and irrigation water productivity of okra grown under water-deficit stress. Methodology: In a factorial pot experiment, two okra varieties, namely Jusco (drought-tolerant) and Chia Tai (drought-sensitive), were tested in combination with four doses of nano-Si (0, 0.5, 1.0, and 2 mM) and three soil moisture regimes (50

Water scarcity, driven by climate change, is increasingly affecting global crop production. While individual application of silicon (Si) and plant growth regulators (PGRs) can alleviate drought stress, their combined use may further enhance drought tolerance. This study investigates the effects of exogenous Si (soil application) and PGRs (foliar spray) on okra growth, yield, and physio-biochemical traits under water-deficit conditions. A factorial pot experiment was conducted in a completely randomized design with three factors: two soil-applied soluble Si doses (0 and 60 kg ha–1 as monosilicic acid), four types of PGRs (control, 6-benzyladenine at 100 mg L–1, naphthalene acetic acid at 40 mg L–1, and salicylic acid [SA] at 2 mM), applied to the leaf surface during the vegetative, flowering, and pod development stages, and three soil water levels (50

Black ginger (Kaempferia parviflora Wall. ex Baker) is an important medicinal herb from the Zingiberaceae family. However, studies on water management for this crop are limited. The objective of this investigation was to evaluate growth characteristics, rhizome yield, water productivity, and physio-biochemical traits of black ginger under different irrigation regimes using a Red-Green-Blue (RGB) plant morphometrics of high-throughput phenotyping platform. Five irrigation treatments based on different levels of field capacity (FC) were applied: 125

Andrographis paniculata, a medicinal plant species, is known for its pharmaceutical properties enriched with diterpene lactones, including andrographolides. Applying optimum irrigation regime for cultivating medicinal plants has been observed to improve water use efficiency and promote sustainable freshwater consumption. The objective of this study was to determine an optimum irrigation regime for A. paniculata crop using high-throughput plant phenotyping technique, which balances herbage yield and andrographolide content. A. paniculata plants were grown under five irrigation levels (100, 75, 50, 25, and 10

Indian pennywort [Centella asiatica (L.) Urb.] is an herbaceous plant used in traditional medicines as it is enriched with triterpenes. Drought stress negatively affects the productivity (biomass) and quality (centellosides) of this important medicinal plant. Methyl jasmonate (MeJA), a natural plant signal-transducer molecule, is a potential elicitor in regulating secondary metabolites and alleviating drought stress. The aim of this study was to assess the impacts of exogenous foliar MeJA application on morphological, physiological, and biochemical traits as well as total centelloside contents of C. asiatica under water-deficit stress. The experiment consisted of three foliar MeJA application doses [0 (distilled water or control), 125, and 250 μM] and two soil water regimes [well-watered (WW; 100

Sweet basil (Ocimum basilicum L.) is a popular herb known for its medicinal, aromatic, and culinary qualities. However, it is highly susceptible to drought stress, which can significantly reduce its growth and herbage yield, and alter the profile of its secondary metabolites. While silicon (Si) applied to the soil and methyl jasmonate (MeJA) applied as a foliar spray have individually exhibited potential to boost growth, herbage yield, and biochemical metabolism in drought-stressed sweet basil, their combined or synergistic effects remain largely uninvestigated. This study aimed at evaluating the potential of soil-applied Si and foliar-applied MeJA, used separately and together, to mitigate the negative impacts of drought on sweet basil. A polyhouse experiment was conducted in a completely randomized design including three factors, such as three Si doses (0, 30, and 60 kg ha–1), three MeJA doses (0, 0.25, and 0.50 mM), and three soil water content levels (50, 75, and 100

The objective of this study was to assess the effects of phosphate solubilizing rhizo-microbes inoculants on nutrient balance, physiological adaptation, growth characteristics, and rhizome yield traits as well as curcuminoids yield at the secondary-rhizome initiation stage of turmeric plants, subsequently subjected to water-deficit (WD) stress. Phosphorus contents in the leaf tissues of Talaromyces aff. macrosporus and Burkholderia sp. (Bruk) inoculated plants peaked at 0.33 and 0.29 mg g−1 DW, respectively, under well-watered (WW) conditions; however, phosphorus contents declined when subjected to WD conditions (p ≤ 0.05). Similarly, potassium and calcium contents reached their maximum values at 5.33 and 3.47 mg g−1 DW, respectively, in Burk inoculated plants under WW conditions, which contributed to sustained rhizome fresh weight even when exposed to WD conditions (p ≤ 0.05). There was an increase in free proline content in T. aff. macrosporus and Burk inoculated plants under WD conditions, which played a crucial role in controlling leaf osmotic potential, thereby stabilizing leaf greenness and maximum quantum yield of PSII. As indicators of drought stress, there were noticeable restrictions in stomatal gas exchange parameters, including net photosynthetic rate, stomatal conductance, and transpiration rate, accompanied by an increase in leaf temperature. These changes resulted in reduced total soluble sugar levels. Interestingly, total curcuminoids and curcuminoids yield in Burk inoculated plants under WD conditions were retained, especially in relation to rhizome biomass. Burk inoculation in turmeric plants is recommended as a promising technique as it alleviates water-deficit stress, sustains rhizome biomass, and stabilizes curcuminoids yield.

Drought stress can markedly reduce plant growth and development, leading to considerable yield losses in sweet basil (Ocimum basilicum L.). Individual application of silicon (Si) and salicylic acid (SA) has the potential to mitigate the detrimental effects of drought stress; however, their combined effect is largely unknown. The aim of this study was to evaluate the efficacy of Si and SA, both independently and in concert, in mitigating the deleterious impacts of drought stress on sweet basil plants. A factorial experiment was implemented using a completely randomized design, incorporating soil application of three Si levels (0, 30, and 60 kg ha–1), foliar application of three SA levels (0, 100, and 200 mg L–1), and three soil moisture levels (50, 75, and 100

The aim of this study was to assess the removal capability of Fe/Al contamination of Indian camphorweed (Pluchea indica; hereafter, P. indica) using different growth substrates (100% sand, gardening soil, vermiculite, and zeolite). In addition, the study aimed at observing the physio-morphological adaptation strategies of P. indica under excess Fe/Al levels in a controlled greenhouse environment. After a 4-week treatment, P. indica plants under excess Fe in the 100% sand substrate exhibited signs of decay and eventually death. In contrast, the growth performances of P. indica under gardening soil substrate remained sustained even when exposed to Fe/Al stress. Under zeolite substrate, Fe in the root tissues was 23.1 and 34.7 mg g-1 DW after 1 and 4 weeks of incubation, respectively. In addition, Al in the root tissues also increased to 1.54 mg g-1 DW after 1 week and 1.59 mg g-1 DW after 4 weeks, when subjected to 20 mM Al treatment. Zeolite was observed to be a promising substrate to regulate the uptake of Fe (3.31 mg plant-1) and Al (0.51 mg plant-1) by the root tissues. The restriction of Fe and Al in the root and a low translocation to the leaf organ was indicated by a low translocation factor (< 1.0). High Fe concentrations in the root and leaf tissues negatively affected root elongation, and the net photosynthetic rate decreased by > 40% compared to positive control. Gas exchange parameters and leaf temperature were found the most sensitive to Fe/Al stress. Moreover, the limited transpiration rate under Fe/Al stress caused an increase of the leaf temperature and crop stress index. The findings suggest that P. indica grown using zeolite substrate may serve as a good model system for constructed wetlands, storing excess Al in the root tissues without any significant growth inhibition.

Drought stress has become a highly detrimental environmental factor that poses significant threats to sustainable cotton (Gossypium hirsutum L.) production necessitating the implementation of appropriate measures to mitigate the adverse impacts of drought stress in the cotton production system. Silicon (Si) and salicylic acid (SA) applications can benefit cotton yield under environmental stress conditions, including drought. The objective of this study was to evaluate how the individual and combined applications of Si and SA influence growth, yield, and physiological responses of cotton plants subjected to drought stress. A polyhouse experiment, arranged in a completely randomized design with four replications, comprising six Si and SA treatments (control, 60 kg ha–1 Si applied as a soil drench, 1 mM Si applied as a seed priming material, 1 mM SA applied as a foliar spray, 60 kg ha–1 Si applied as a soil drench + 1 mM SA applied as a foliar spray, and seed priming with 1 mM Si + foliar spray of 1 mM SA) along with three soil moisture levels (100

The lower Chao Phraya River Basin (CPRB) in Thailand, a major rice-producing area, is grappling with increased water scarcity alongside more frequent floods and droughts, necessitating effective adaptation strategies to sustain agricultural productivity. This study assesses the impacts of climate change on rice yield and irrigation water use, using the DSSAT-CERES-Rice model. Based on these findings, potential genotype- and management-based adaptation strategies were recommended. The model was calibrated and evaluated using the data from field experiments conducted at the Asian Institute of Technology, Thailand during 2017–2018 and 2021–2022. The grain yield and irrigation water use between baseline (2010–2022) and future climate periods (early-century: 2023–2040, mid-century: 2041–2070, and late-century: 2071–2100) were compared. Future climate projections were based on five Global Climate Models (GCMs) from the NEX-GDDP-CMIP6 project under three scenarios (SSP126, SSP245, and SSP585). The model calibration and evaluation demonstrated very good performance statistics, with a d-index of 0.85 during both calibration and evaluation. The model simulations indicated that the maximum and minimum temperatures in the lower CPRB are projected to increase by 2 °C and 4 °C in the late century under SSP245 and SSP585, respectively. Consequently, rice yields are projected to decline by up to 33

Drought, one of the most frequent natural disasters, is a devastating abiotic stress that arises unpredictably, develops gradually, and carries long-lasting repercussions even after it ceases. The duration and severity of drought markedly impact plant growth, development, and yield by disrupting normal morpho-physio-biochemical processes. Silicon (Si) is regarded as a crucial element for mitigating the detrimental effects of abiotic stress, including drought. The objective of this study was to evaluate the effect of Si application method on morpho-physio-biochemical traits of cucumber plants under drought stress. Two independent polyhouse experiments were conducted where cucumber (Cucumis sativus L.) plants were grown under four levels of soil moisture that included 40

Drought stress adversely affects growth, development, productivity, and fiber quality of cotton (Gossypium hirsutum L). Breeding strategies to enhance drought tolerance require an improved knowledge of plant drought responses necessitating proper identification of drought-tolerant genotypes of crops, including cotton. The objective of this study was to classify the selected cotton genotypes for their drought tolerance ability based on morpho-physio-biochemical traits using Hierarchical Ward’s cluster analysis. Five genotypes of cotton (Takfa 3, Takfa 6, Takfa 7, Takfa 84–4, and Takfa 86–5) were selected as plant materials, and were grown under well-watered (WW; 98 ± 2

Drought poses a major challenge to global agricultural crop production, as it is considered one of the most severe abiotic stresses. Understanding the effects of exogenous microbial biofertilizer on okra [Abelmoschus esculentus (L.) Moench] under drought stress can lead to new strategies for coping with drought conditions. The objective of the study was to examine the effects of microbial biofertilizer on growth, physio-biochemical traits, fruit yield, and water productivity of okra under drought stress. A factorial pot experiment, consisting of eight biofertilizer treatments applied as a soil drench (autoclaved inoculum [control], and inoculation with arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi [AMF], phosphate-solubilizing fungi [PSF], plant growth-promoting rhizobacteria [PGPR], AMF + PSF, AMF + PGPR, PGPR + PSF, and AMF + PSF + PGPR) and three soil moisture regimes (50%, 75%, and 100% field capacity [FC]), was carried out. The results indicated that decreasing soil moisture level severely affected growth and fruit yield of okra. The application of microbial biofertilizer effectively enhanced growth, fruit yield, and physio-biochemical traits of okra under different soil moisture levels. Among the biofertilizer treatments considered, the combined application of AMF and PGPR showed remarkable efficacy in enhancing growth and productivity of okra plants under both 75% and 100% FC conditions. This co-inoculation significantly boosted shoot dry matter by 51%, root dry matter by 73%, fruit yield by 113%, and irrigation water productivity by 122% compared with plants grown without inoculation, irrespective of soil moisture levels. Furthermore, the plants treated with AMF and PGPR exhibited a noteworthy decrease in free proline accumulation by 31% compared with their non-inoculated counterparts. The results suggest that application of both AMF and PGPR biofertilizer to soil is an effective strategy to alleviate moderate drought stress. It is recommended to apply AMF and PGPR in combination to improve okra yield and water productivity under drought stress.

Arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi (AMF) are a consortium of symbiont fungi present in the root zone of plants, which provide phosphorus and enhance the soil water holding capacity, resulting in low-cost input for plant growth and development. The objective of this study was to promote growth and development of Indian pennywort (Centella asiatica (L.) Urb.) via arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi (AMF)-regulated water deficit tolerance. One-month-old stolon propagated stocks were cultivated under greenhouse conditions by following a regular irrigation schedule for a month. Two treatments of soil samples were prepared: i) sterilized soil—AMF and ii) sterilized soil + AMF. Three water regimes, (i) well-watering (control; 95

Growth, productivity, and fiber quality of cotton (Gossypium hirsutum L.), a vital fiber-producing cash crop, are severely affected under drought conditions. Seed priming has a proven role in enhancing crop tolerance to abiotic stress, including drought. The objective of this study was to evaluate the effects of seed priming with KNO3 on cotton productivity and fiber quality under drought stress. A germination experiment was established under laboratory conditions with five treatments of seed priming (non-primed or control treatment, hydropriming, and priming with 2.5, 5.0, and 7.5 g KNO3 L-1). Another experiment under polyhouse conditions based on the same seed priming treatments was conducted under three levels of soil water contents (field capacity [FC] 100%: FC100, 75%: FC75, and 50%: FC50). The results obtained showed that there was a clear reduction in the different parameters tested at FC50 in comparison to FC100 (39-54%, 32-44%, 6-12%, and 7-12% reduction for boll number per plant, seed cotton yield, fiber strength, and leaf relative water content, respectively, across all priming treatments). Seed priming with KNO3 at 5 g L-1 effectively alleviated the detrimental effects originated from drought stress and caused 61-73%, 13-16%, and 16-23% increase in seed cotton yield, fiber length, and fiber strength, respectively, across soil moisture levels when compared with the control treatment. The same KNO3 dose caused an increase of 78% in water productivity in comparison to the control plants at FC50. Priming cotton seeds with 5 g KNO3 L-1 holds promise to obtain synchronized germination, enhance fiber quality, and increase yield, especially under water-limited conditions, thereby promoting economic viability and environmental sustainability. Additionally, this practice enhances water productivity, leading to significant water savings and reduced irrigation costs for cotton farmers. This method could be used as potential technology in advancing sustainable agriculture in water-constraint conditions.