Salinization is associated with a high content of sodium chloride (NaCl) in the soil, which affects adverse plant growth and agricultural yield. In this study, the role of endophytic fungus Aspergillus terreus Nf1 in the alleviation of NaCl stress in maize seedlings was investigated. The fungus was grown in Czapek medium with 100 mM and 200 mM NaCl. It resulted in growth promotion and an increase in flavonoids, salicylic acid (SA), and phenols; however, there was a decrease in the concentration of IAA and soluble sugars. Exposure to 70 mM and 140 mM NaCl in maize seedlings led to decreased growth in terms of length of roots and shoots as well as fresh and dry weights. Growth parameters were significantly improved in the case of treatment with A. terreus Nf1. In treated plants, there were increases in flavonoids, SA, phenolics, proline, and chlorophyll content as well as in MDA content reduction. The endophyte enhances maize's salt resilience, demonstrating that NF1 promotes growth by mitigating salt stress effects.
Nida Fawad, Wasim Khan, M. Hamayun et al.· Romanian Agricultural Resear...· 0 citations
: Drought stress stands out as a main abiotic factor that adversely influences the development, yield, and quality of plants. With the increasing prevalence of water scarcity driven by climate change, urban expansion, and industrial activities, understanding plant responses to limited water availability has become critically important. Among stress-related molecules, melatonin has gained recognition as a multipurpose regulator with a central role in strengthening plant tolerance to drought. The synthesis and accumulation of melatonin are influenced by environmental stressors and vary across plant species and tissue types. Whether synthesized internally or applied externally, melatonin contributes to drought mitigation by neutralizing reactive oxygen species (ROS), boosting the activity of enzymatic antioxidants, and modulating levels of non-enzymatic defense compounds. Additionally, it regulates stress-responsive genes and activates defense pathways intermediated by key phytohormones such as abscisic acid (ABA), salicylic, and gibberellins. Melatonin’s interaction with other hormonal signals including auxins, cytokinins, jasmonates, and ethylene creates a dynamic network of hormonal crosstalk that further strengthens plant tolerance mechanisms. Its beneficial effects are evident in improved photosynthetic efficiency, optimized stomatal behavior, enhanced seed germination, and stimulated root development. This review focus on the effects of melatonin in plants under drought conditions, highlighting its interplay with other signaling molecules and hormonal pathways. It further highlights recent progress and strategic approaches for utilizing melatonin in developing drought-resilient cultivars and enhancing agricultural sustainability.
H. El-Beltagi, T. A. Shalaby, Nagwa Khedr et al.· Phyton· 0 citations
Chickpea proteins, especially the basic subunit (BS) fraction, demonstrated significant antibacterial activity against MDR pathogens, offering a promising natural alternative to conventional antibiotics.
Reham Sobhy, H. El-Beltagi, Othman M. Al-Dossary et al.· Journal of King Saud Univers...· 0 citations
The present review discusses the use of CRISPR-Cas genome editing technologies as an accurate and effective approach to increasing chilling tolerance in rice, and establishes a conceptual framework to overcome translational challenges in CRISPR-mediated improvement of complex traits in oilseed crops.
Muhammad Sikandar Zaman, Asad Azeem, Ayesha Nouman et al.· Biologia Futura· 0 citations