Mohammed A. Salem

Plant growth regulator interactions results enhancement of antioxidant enzymes in Catharanthus roseus.

Abstract The present investigation was carried out with the objectives to understand the effect of paclobutrazol, gibberellic acid and Pseudomonas fluorescens on the enzymatic antioxidants like Ascorbate peroxidase (APX, EC: 1.11.1.11), Superoxide dismutase (SOD, EC: 1.15.1.1), Catalase (CAT, EC: 1.11.1.6), Peroxidase (POX, EC 1.11.1.7) and polyphenol oxidase (PPO, Ec 1.10.3.1) activities of Catharanthus roseus plants under field conditions. 10 mg l−1 paclobutrazol, 5 µM gibberellic acid and 1 mg P. fluorescens concentrations were used for the treatments, and control plants were irrigated with well water. The treatments were given 38, 53, 68 and 83 days after planting (DAP) by soil drenching. The plants were taken randomly 45, 60, 75 and 90 DAP and separated into root, stem, leaves and flowers and used for estimating the antioxidant enzymes. The results showed that these plant growth regulators have significant effects on antioxidant enzymes of C. roseus.

Effect of nano-hydrophobic sand layer on Bermudagrass (Cynodon spp.) in urban landscaping

Urban landscaping is an unavoidable part of urban architecture. And, without turf, it is hard to plan urban landscaping. In urban areas, like the United Arab Emirates, it is very difficult to achieve this due to the scarcity of irrigation water. In this regard, we analyzed a novel technology to reduce the urban water requirement in the landscape architecture. Hydrophobic sand can be used to improve plant and soil characteristics without any adverse effect and can save water also. We studied the effect of this sand layer on the morphological and physiological responses of Bermudagrass together with its effects on the soil characteristics. The application of hydrophobic sand improved the shoot fresh weight, dry weight and plant height of Bermudagrass. The results of heavy metal testing of the leaves, roots and soil of Bermudagrass showed that the concentration (of Cd, Mo, Pb and Se) is within the recommended level.

Evaluation of bermuda and paspalum grass types for urban landscapes under saline water irrigation

ABSTRACT In the arid regions, turfgrass cover is an integral part of landscape to protect the soil from erosion, enhance the aesthetic value, and improve the microclimate. The salinity and the scarcity of fresh water of the arid region are the major challenging factors in turfgrass production. Therefore, the need for salt tolerant turfgrass with functional quality is necessary to improve the turf performance. The detrimental effects of salinity include growth suppression, and lowered osmotic potential ultimately leading to firing of the leaf blades. In this context, the study was undertaken to determine the relative salt tolerance and growth response of turfgrass genotypes in order to recommend turfgrass cultivars that can tolerate high salinity irrigation and maintain excellent visual and functional qualities under United Arab Emirates (UAE) condition. The paspalum cultivars maintained the highest succulence percentage compared to the bermudagrass cultivars under enhanced salinity levels. The shoots count, fresh weight (FW), and dry weight (DW) were found highest in paspalum types. The chlorophyll a, chlorophyll b and the total chlorophyll content was found higher in bermuda grass types under high salinity levels. The bermudagrass cultivars showed significantly higher carotenoids, anthocyanins and proline compared to the paspalum types under salt stress condition. In the case of princess 77 and Yukon, an inherently high amount of proline was recorded which confirmed an increase up to 10,000 ppm and drastically declined beyond this concentration. Sea Dwarf paspalum and Sea Isle 2000 maintained uniformity in the proline level at all levels of salinity without significant variation. These findings point to the fact that both paspalum and bermuda types exhibited varied responses to different physiological and biochemical parameters under the saline conditions. Paspalum types have an edge over the bermudagrass in terms of shoot density, which is a potential factor in determining the high-quality turfs. Bermudagrass types can be applied in lower salinity conditions based on the responses as evidenced from the present results.

Changes In Antioxidant Enzyme Activity In Turfgrass Cultivars Under Various Saline Water Irrigation Levels To Suit Landscapes Under Arid Regions

ABSTRACT Turfgrass cover is an inevitable component in the urban landscapes of the United Arab Emirates. Tolerance to abiotic stress like salt, drought, and high temperature is a potential factor to be considered in the selection of turfgrass for the landscapes in the arid regions. Three Seashore paspalum genotypes, four Bermudagrass cultivars along with tall fescue as a control were screened for enzymatic changes under four different saline irrigation levels of 5,000, 10,000, 15,000, and 20,000 mg L−1 of salinity. Irrigation with potable water served as the control. Turfgrasses were maintained in a field experiment under factorial randomized block design for a period of two years under sustained saline conditions by working out the leaching fraction to maintain the precise level of salinity in each treatment throughout the experimental period. The activities of antioxidant enzymes such as superoxide dismutase (SOD), ascorbate peroxidase (APX), peroxidase (POD), polyphenol oxidase (PPO), and catalase (CAT) were assayed in each of the saline water treated turfgrass types. The SOD activity was found to be high in Yukon (bermudagrass) and Sea Dwarf paspalum. In the paspalum group, Salam and Sea Dwarf showed the highest SOD activity under saline condition. In Bermuda types, Yukon and SR 9554 showed the highest SOD activity compared to other bermuda types. Compared to other cultivars, Sea Isle 2000 (Paspalum type), SR 9554, and Yukon (Bermuda types) exhibited more APX activity without any significant differences among themselves. There was an elevated activity of POD initially, followed by gradual reduction upon increasing the salinity level. Salam cultivar maintained stable POD activity even at the elevated salinity levels. The paspalum types showed relatively high level of PPO activity compared to other types under salinity. Yukon cultivar showed a significantly higher activity of PPO when the salinity level was raised from 15,000 to 20,000 mg L−1. A significant increase with respect to CAT activity was exhibited in Sea Dwarf under elevated level of salinity. Saline water irrigation brought about a significant effect on the antioxidant enzyme systems to impart oxidative stress tolerance in turfgrass species.