In this study, callus cultures of Artemisia maritima L. were established through optimization of culture conditions and subsequently elicited with methyl jasmonate (MeJA) to test for enhanced artemisinin production. The callus was cultured on Murashige and Skoog (MS) medium supplemented with 1.0 mg L-1 kinetin (KN) and 1.0 mg L-1 naphthaleneacetic acid (NAA). MeJA at concentrations of 0, 50, 75, and 100mM was employed as an abiotic elicitor to enhance artemisinin content in in vitro-derived callus cultures. The elicitor-mediated changes in callus growth, biochemical parameters, antioxidant enzymes, and artemisinin content were evaluated. Maximum callus proliferation was obtained on stem explant fortified with KN and NAA (each 1.0 mg L-1) yielding 4.095 g of callus biomass after 4 weeks of inoculation. Antioxidant enzymes (catalase, superoxide dismutase, and ascorbate peroxidase) activity increased with increasing MeJA concentration and duration of elicitation and was found to maximum at 100 m M after 21 days of elicitation.. The artemisinin content was quantified in callus cultures by HPTLC and later validated by LCMS analysis. Artemisinin content depicted a significant enhancement in all tested cultures elicited with MeJA, as compared to non-elicited (control) and wild-grown plant. The artemisinin content increased with increasing MeJA treatments and was maximum (780.36 ng g-1 d.w.) in MeJA (100 m M) treated cultures as revealed by HPTLC. The study suggests MeJA elicitation as an effective strategy to expedite the production of artemisinin in in vitro cultures of A. maritima, an under-utilized species. (c) 2025 SAAB. Published by Elsevier B.V. All rights are reserved, including those for text and data mining, AI training, and similar technologies.

Jasmonic acid (JA) is a prominent class of stress hormones involved in the survival of plants in stressful conditions. JA is directly linked to plants’ ability to withstand heavy metal stress. The present study was conducted to evaluate the role of JA in mitigating chromium-induced stress by assessing various morpho-physiological, biochemical parameters and antioxidant machinery in Brassica juncea (L.) Czern (variety PM-25). A completely randomized experiment was conducted in earthen pots containing mustard grown under different levels of chromium stress (T0-control; 50, 100, and 200 µM) supplemented with graded levels of JA (25 and 50 µM, alone and in different combinations). Plants were evaluated to examine phenological features and biochemical parameters like total chlorophyll content, total soluble protein (TSP), total soluble sugar (TSS), proline content, and nitrate reductase (NR) activity at three different growth stages. The activity of antioxidant enzymes like SOD, CAT, and APX, along with histochemical staining and confocal microscopy, to locate reactive oxygen species, were also performed. The results suggest that Cr stress (100 and 200 µM) hampered the growth and yield of mustard seedlings, showing a decrease of − 42 and − 77

Plants are susceptible to a wide range of biotic stressors to which they exhibit diverse yet distinct responses. Central to their responses is the modulation of redox status, where the equilibrium between the generation of reactive oxygen species (ROS) and antioxidant defense plays a critical role. Reduced glutathione (GSH), a key redox-active molecule, performs pivotal functions in maintaining cellular redox homeostasis and modulating defense mechanisms during biotic stress. Emerging evidence suggests that GSH, along with its enzymatic counterparts including glutathione peroxidases, glutathione reductase, and glutathione S-transferases, activates plant defense responses by multiple ways such as by (1) triggering the activation of defense-related genes and the production of defense compounds including phytoalexins, (2) preventing excessive cell damage and facilitating controlled cell death during hypersensitive response, (3) influencing salicylic acid and jasmonic acid pathways to shape the systemic acquired resistance and induced systemic resistance, respectively, and (4), conjugating with and detoxifying pathogen-secreted toxins and other harmful compounds produced during pathogen attack, thereby protecting plant cells from potential damage. Additionally, recent studies have also highlighted the key role of GSH in the modulation of ferroptosis, an iron-dependent controlled cell death. Therefore, GSH can be used to manipulate the plant responses to invading pathogens. However, a comprehensive understanding of the intricate interplay among redox dynamics, ROS signaling, and the pivotal role of GSH during biotic stress is essential for devising effective strategies to bolster plant resilience and optimize agricultural productivity under biotic stress. This review synthesizes current research insights into redox biology and highlights the importance of GSH in plant biotic stress responses.

Zinc sulfate (ZnSO4), a conventional Zn fertilizer, is widely used due to its high solubility and ease of application. In contrast, nano Zn represents an innovative approach, utilizing nanoscale particles to enhance Zn bioavailability and uptake efficiency. This study compares these two Zn fertilizers regarding their impact on plant growth, yield, Zn uptake, and overall crop quality. In our study, we explored the potential of nano Zn and ZnSO4 by applying two different doses of each (100, 1000 ppm ZnO NP and 30, 50 kg ha(-1) ZnSO4) both individually and in combination, to linseed accession. The results obtained showed the potential of nano Zn over conventional Zn fertilizer in terms of enhanced linseed growth and yield together with greater antioxidants enzyme, oil content, protein content, Zn accumulation, secoisolariciresinol diglucoside (SDG) content, and the accumulation of bioactive metabolites. Nanoscale ZnO (with particle size less than 100 nm) at a 1000 ppm concentration sped up growth, yield, increased SDG content, and antioxidant activity. However, when nano Zn (1000 ppm) was applied in combination with ZnSO4 (30 kg ha(-1)), it maximally enhanced plant fresh and dry weight, photosynthesis, and yield compared to their individual treatment. The combined application increased seed yield by 4.55 folds compared to the control. The treated plants were assessed for SDG content using liquid chromatography-mass spectrometry analysis (LC-MS), which showed maximum increase with 1000 ppm ZnO NP. SDG is a type of lignan known for their antioxidant properties and potential health benefits paving way for its pharmaceutical importance.

Evaluation of genetic variability in germplasm accessions facilitates the optimal application of genetic resources to produce new cultivars. In the present study, the genetic diversity among ten linseeds (Linum usitatissimum L.) accessions was studied using different agro-morphological and biochemical parameters. The tested plants were grown in basal doses of zinc fertilization and were maintained in the herbal garden of Jamia Hamdard, New Delhi, India. The plants were screened for morpho-physiological traits like plant height, seed weight, capsule number, yield characteristics, and biochemical traits like chlorophyll, protein, sugar, oil content, and antioxidant potential at three different plant growth stages. The quantity of lignans like secoisolariciresinol diglucoside (SDG) and gallic acid content was also assessed in the tested accessions using liquid chromatography–mass spectrometry (LC–MS) analysis. The results indicate that at the post-flowering stage, the economically significant characteristics such as seed weight, capsule number, and 1000 seed weight showed remarkable variability among the accessions. Also, yield characteristics, oil content, protein content, antioxidants, SDG, and gallic acid content exhibited a significant amount of genotypic variations among the accessions. Consequently, accession EC1537 (V7) was found to be high-efficient and accession IC0345421 (V1) was found to be low-efficient in terms of morpho-physiological, biochemical, yield characteristics, and metabolite accumulation potential. The genetic variations among the accession were further confirmed using hierarchical cluster analysis. The tested ten accessions were divided into three clusters, with Cluster I representing a degree of similarity of 79.48

Heavy metal stress is one of the exorbitant problems faced by plants. Lead (Pb) stress is one of the prevalent stressors in agricultural fields. Nanofertilizers are being currently employed for mitigating heavy metal stress in plants. This study assessed the suitability of zinc oxide nanoparticles (ZnONPs) in ameliorating Pb stress in Brassica juncea (L.) Czern. var. Pusa Jagannath. The tested plants were grown in pots using a randomized block design, placed in herbal garden of Jamia Hamdard and treated with different amounts of Pb and nanozinc viz. control (T0), 250 ppm ZnONPs (T1), 500 ppm ZnONPs (T2), 1000 ppm ZnONPs (T3), 250 μM Pb (T4), 500 μM Pb (T5), and their combinations i.e. 250 μM Pb and 500 ppm ZnONPs (T6), 500 μM Pb and 500 ppm ZnONPs (T7), 250 μM Pb and 1000 ppm ZnONPs (T8) and 500 μM Pb and 1000 ppm ZnONPs (T9). The plants were tested for variations in morpho-physiological parameters, yield traits, biochemical attributes, antioxidant enzyme activity, and cell viability using confocal microscopy. Maximum dose of Pb (500 μM) decreased morphological and yield traits such as leaf area (−51%), shoot length (−17%), root length (−34%), number of seeds per plant (−73%), weight of the seeds (−35%), pod number (−47%), shoot and root fresh weight by −63% and −56%, along with reduction in total chlorophyll (−12%), carotenoid (−38%) content, nitrate reductase (−64%) activity, total soluble protein (−40%), total soluble sugar (−31%) and antioxidant enzymes (SOD, CAT and APX by −14%, −4%, −15% respectively) in comparison to control. Stress markers like proline (195%) and MDA (266%) were elevated in Pb-treated plants.The increased level of total phenol content (89%) and total flavonoid content (478%) was also noted in Pb treated plants which acted as non-enzymatic antioxidant defense. The foliar application of ZnONPs (1000 ppm) was found to be effective in ameliorating Pb induced stress, as depicted by the increases in root length (43%), shoot length (38%), pod number (46%), seed weight (70%), number of seeds per plant (105%), chlorophyll content (41%), carotenoid content (28%), total soluble protein content (20%), and nitrate reductase activity (59%) in comparison to control. When ZnONPs (1000 ppm) was supplemented in Pb (250 μM) treated plants, antioxidant enzymes (SOD and CAT increased by 83%, and APX by 75%) and stress markers such as proline amplified by 387%, and total soluble sugar (61%), with respect to control. ZnONPs also improved the cell viability under Pb stress as revealed by confocal microscopy. In summary, foliar spray of ZnONPs proved effective in mitigating the Pb-induced stress in mustard which could be an effective strategy to alleviate the deleterious effects of Pb stress (500 μM) in mustard plants so as to realize its sustainable production under abiotic stress.

With the confluence of various disciplines, advanced technologies have cropped up. Nanotechnology has developed various emerging devices such as nano-biosensors. A nano-biosensor is a small analytical system possessing multifaceted applications in the field of agriculture, health, environment and quality control. In agriculture, it has shown tremendous potential for simple and fast methods of plant disease detection and identification. In this review we discuss the applications of biosensors in modern agriculture and their role in diagnosing and managing biotic and abiotic stresses in plants. It has been a topic of keen interest among researchers to investigate the potentiality of biosensors in plant stress management. Nano-based biosensors in agricultural stress management encompass various biomasses like metals, electrodes, etc. The review also focuses on the extensive use of nano-based biosensors in plant disease detection and elucidation of metabolic factors involved at the cellular level. There seems to be a significant untapped potential in using biosensors of nano origin for use in plant sciences. The literature suggests that nano-based biosensors will be the future forerunners in plant stress diagnosis. Comprehensively, this review elucidates various high throughput methodologies to mitigate various plant stresses and the various achievements in developing nano-inspired biosensors in plant stress biology.

Plant-based drugs have been used for centuries for treating different ailments. Malaria, one of the prevalent threats in many parts of the world, is treated mainly by artemisinin-based drugs derived from plants of genus Artemisia. However, the distribution of artemisinin is restricted to a few species of the genus; besides, its yield depends on ontogeny and the plant's geographical location. Here, we review the studies focusing on biosynthesis and distributional pattern of artemisinin production in species of the genus Artemisia. We also discussed various agronomic and in vitro methods and molecular approaches to increase the yield of artemisinin. We have summarized different mechanisms of artemisinin involved in its anti-malarial, anti-cancer, anti-inflammatory and anti-viral activities (like against Covid-19). Overall the current review provides a synopsis of a global view of the distribution of artemisinin, its biosynthesis, and pharmacological potential in treating various diseases like malaria, cancer, and coronavirus, which may provoke future research efforts in drug development. Nevertheless, long-term trials and molecular approaches, like CRISPR-Cas, are required for in-depth research.

Salt accumulation in soil is a major abiotic stress that reduces plant growth and yield potential. Both ionic and osmotic stresses are consequences that induce oxidative stress in plants. Ethylene and nitric oxide (NO) are excellent signaling molecules that sense stress and signal tolerance and adaptation. Both these gasotransmitters are active under salt stress and have been studied to play a role in salt tolerance. Exploring their regulatory interaction under salt stress may be more demanding as plant hormones generally do not act alone but in coordination to bring a response. Understanding the mechanistic approach adapted by ethylene and NO under salt stress would provide a better picture in order to increase yield and crop stress tolerance. This chapter will explore their interaction in regulating ion homeostasis, antioxidant metabolism, osmolytes, glucose, and nutrients. Ethylene and NO synthesis are also discussed to derive a relationship at the base level of formation.

In this study, an efficient, reproducible, and genetically stable regeneration protocol has been developed in Artemisia maritima L. The experiments were conducted for callus induction, plant regeneration, and somatic embryogenesis using stem and leaf of A. maritima as explants. The optimal callus induction (81.3

The rapidly rising population is calling for the production of more food, yet biotic and abiotic stresses caused by pests and climate change substantially diminish crop yields. This issue may be partly solved by applying silica nanoparticles. Nanoparticles are small-sized particles ranging from 1 to 100 nm that possess enhanced physicochemical properties compared to the bulk material. For instance, the high surface-to-volume ratio of nanoparticles changes solubility, reactivity, and transportation speed in plants. Silica nanoparticles are now widely used in agriculture for the better growth of crops, with or without any stress. Silica nanoparticles can also be used as nano-fertilizers and nano-pesticides. Silica nanoparticles reduce biotic and abiotic stresses by enhancing the expression of anti-oxidant enzymes, osmoprotectants, proteins and secondary metabolites such as phenolic compounds. Silica nanoparticles also induce non-enzymatic defense responses by increasing the synthesis of ascorbic acid, proline, glutathione, and phytohormones. Here we review the use of silica nanoparticles in agriculture, with focus on synthesis, toxicity, mechanisms, uptake in plants, use as fertilizers and pesticides, and alleviation of biotic and abiotic stresses, such as pests, drought and toxic metals.

Brassinosteroids (BRs) are group of phytohormones essential for plant growth and development. BRs play an important role in the regulation of broad range of biological activities throughout the entire life cycle of the plant. These hormones are widely known to regulate cell division, cell elongation, and cellular differentiation in plants. A significant feature of BRs is their ability to increase plants' resistance to a variety of abiotic and biotic stresses, such as drought, high salt, low and high temperatures, and pathogen attack. The genomic studies in Arabidopsis have elucidated BR1, a cell surface receptor, and BES1/BZR1, a transcription factors family, as major signaling components in BR signaling pathway. BR stimulates the expression of BES1/BZR1 transcription factors that in turn activate thousands of BR-targeted genes. Further studies on BR gene-regulating properties have elucidated the crosstalk between BRs and other endogenous plant hormones. Exogenous application of BRs regulates the signal transduction pathways and increases the biosynthesis of hormones like auxins, gibberellins, jasmonic acid, BR, and isopentenyl adenosine in order to confer negative stress tolerance. We will be discussing the advancements in understanding the BR signaling and their role in response to the stress tolerance mechanism in plants.

This study was formulated to evaluate the impact of bacterization with Azotobacter of two cabbage genotypes (Pusa Early golden acre and Pusa drum head) under field conditions. The study was performed in herbal garden of Jamia Hamdard, New Delhi. The plants were treated with graded treatments (60,120,180 kg N ha-1) of N alone and in combination with seedling inoculation withAzotobacter. The plants were sampled and tested for various morpho-physiological and biochemical parameters. Chlorophyll content, NR activity, protein content, sugar content and phenol content was found to be significantly higher in plants treated with N in combination in Azotobacter. Thus, the use of Azotobacteras a supplement or biofertilizer in integrated nutrient management systems was highly recommended to minimize the application rates of synthetic fertilizers and attain the goal of sustainable agriculture.

Vegetables, an essential constituent of the human diet, are regarded as reservoirs of nitrate. The nitrate worries are attributed to the irrational and unscientific use of nitrogen fertilizers. An experiment was performed to examine the genetic, spatial, temporal and developmental variations in nitrate accumulation patterns in cauliflower (sixteen genotypes) and white cabbage (eleven genotypes). Test plants were supplied with varying levels of nitrogen (0, 60, 120, 180 kg N ha−1) or 60 + 40 kg N ha−1 (split application). Nitrate content, nitrate reductase (NR) activity and SPAD value for chlorophyll level were examined in different organs of all genotypes of test plants at various growth stages and time periods. The nitrate content showed a significant variation among the genotypes and was highest in VRCF-427 and the lowest in Pusa Deepali genotype of cauliflower; whereas in cabbage genotype Early Golden Acre and Pusa Drumhead were identified as the high and low nitrate accumulating genotypes respectively. In all the genotypes of both the test plants, a negative correlation was found between NR activity and nitrate content, which showed an age-dependent increase, being the highest at marketable yield stage, thus posing a serious concern.

Plants are regarded as resources to obtain various industrially important compounds such as pharmaceutical, agrochemical and aromatic products which are produced in their roots, stem, leaves and other aerial parts and mostly extracted from field-grown plants. However, the over-exploitation of plants for secondary metabolites often leads to becoming endangered and in threat of extinction. Owing to these constraints, in vitro culture techniques provide an alternative to overcome problems associated with field production and promotes their conservation. The use of elicitation for the enhancement of secondary metabolite production is gaining importance. Elicitation is defined as an increased production of biomass and secondary metabolites in both in vitro and ex vivo grown plants, subjected to the exposure of different elicitors. The process of elicitation is influenced by culture conditions like elicitor concentration, duration, age and composition of culture. So, this review emphasises the role of these in vitro culture conditions on secondary metabolite production and to pave way for their enhanced in vitro production. Also discussed are various elicitor responses on different biochemical and molecular pathways to elucidate the mechanism of action of jasmonic acid and methyl jasmonate in secondary metabolite production.

This study was carried out to elucidate the impact of Prosopis wood biochar on growth, nitrogen use efficiency, and mineral profile of two genotypes of cabbage (Brassica oleracea L. capitata). The genotypes were grown under four different treatments of biochar: BT0 (control), BT1 (2.5% biochar), BT2 (5% biochar), and BT3 (7.5% biochar). Prior to its application, biochar was characterized to know about its morphological and physicochemical properties by performing scanning electron microscopy–energy dispersive X-ray (SEM-EDX), transmission electron microscopy (TEM), scanning electron microscopy (SEM), Fourier-transform infrared (FTIR), and X-ray diffraction (XRD) analysis. Pre-treated Prosopis-derived wood biochar was found to contain mesoporous structures and diverse functional groups. It was also found to contain considerable amounts of nutrients like carbon, nitrogen, sulfur, and calcium. The results revealed that growth, chlorophyll content, soluble sugar content, soluble protein levels, and nitrogen use efficiency increased following the biochar amendment compared to control. In the leaves of tested cabbage genotypes, the activity of nitrogen-metabolizing enzymes like nitrate reductase, nitrite reductase, and glutamine synthetase was significantly increased by biochar amendment; however, glutamate synthase activity was not significantly increased. Moreover, application of biochar significantly decreased the amount of nitrate in the tissue. Furthermore, biochar significantly increased concentrations of minerals like phosphorus, potassium, calcium, magnesium, iron, and zinc in the leaves of tested genotypes. Together, our study proposes that biochar amendments (2.5–7.5%) can be employed as an effective strategy to improve growth and nitrogen use efficiency by regulating nitrogen-metabolizing enzymes, lowering tissue nitrate levels, and maintaining or improving nutritional quality of cabbage.

Evaluation of the effects of 24-epibrassinoide (24-EBL) was done on two genotypes of barley ( Hordeum vulgare L.) plants (salt tolerant-RD-2508 and salt sensitive-RD-2660) grown under combined stress of salinity and potassium deficiency. Salt-stressed (200 mM NaCl) and K-deficient plants were subjected to different concentrations of 24-EBL (1 ppm, 100 ppm, 1000 ppm) to analyse its effect on combinatorial abiotic stress. Individually both salinity stress and potassium deficit resulted in decrease of plant growth, chlorophyll content and relative water content (RWC). However, the combination of salinity stress and potassium deficient was found to be more harmful for plants. Supplementation of 24-EBL ameliorated the negative effects of combined stress and promoted the growth of stressed plants. This ameliorative effect of 24-EBL could be accounted by the improved activity of antioxidant enzymes, osmolytes such as proline and sugar that affected the oxidative stress by reducing Na + accumulation and improved K + concentration and K + /Na + ratio in stressed plants. Enhancement of K + accumulation and increase in K + /Na + ratio through restriction of Na + accumulation could be considered as a key feature for 24-EBL-induced tolerance along with improved RWC and chlorophyll content. 24- EBL at 100 ppm was more promising in alleviating the stress conditions. Thus, BR-induced manipulation in ion haemostasis can be a prominent trait and can be used as a criterion for developing salt stress and K-limited tolerant barely genotypes.