Salih Gucel

Nitric Oxide Mitigates Salt Stress by Regulating Levels of Osmolytes and Antioxidant Enzymes in Chickpea

This work was designed to evaluate whether external application of nitric oxide (NO) in the form of its donor S-nitroso-N-acetylpenicillamine (SNAP) could mitigate the deleterious effects of NaCl stress on chickpea (Cicer arietinum L.) plants. SNAP (50 μM) was applied to chickpea plants grown under non-saline and saline conditions (50 and 100 mM NaCl). Salt stress inhibited growth and biomass yield, leaf relative water content (LRWC) and chlorophyll content of chickpea plants. High salinity increased electrolyte leakage, carotenoid content and the levels of osmolytes (proline, glycine betaine, soluble proteins and soluble sugars), hydrogen peroxide (H2O2) and malondialdehyde (MDA), as well as the activities of antioxidant enzymes, such as superoxide dismutase (SOD), catalase (CAT), ascorbate peroxidase (APX), and glutathione reductase in chickpea plants. Expression of the representative SOD, CAT and APX genes examined was also up-regulated in chickpea plants by salt stress. On the other hand, exogenous application of NO to salinized plants enhanced the growth parameters, LRWC, photosynthetic pigment production and levels of osmolytes, as well as the activities of examined antioxidant enzymes which is correlated with up-regulation of the examined SOD, CAT and APX genes, in comparison with plants treated with NaCl only. Furthermore, electrolyte leakage, H2O2 and MDA contents showed decline in salt-stressed plants supplemented with NO as compared with those in NaCl-treated plants alone. Thus, the exogenous application of NO protected chickpea plants against salt stress-induced oxidative damage by enhancing the biosyntheses of antioxidant enzymes, thereby improving plant growth under saline stress. Taken together, our results demonstrate that NO has capability to mitigate the adverse effects of high salinity on chickpea plants by improving LRWC, photosynthetic pigment biosyntheses, osmolyte accumulation and antioxidative defense system.

Jasmonates: Multifunctional Roles in Stress Tolerance

Jasmonates (JAs) [Jasmonic acid (JA) and methyl jasmonates (MeJAs)] are known to take part in various physiological processes. Exogenous application of JAs so far tested on different plants under abiotic stresses particularly salinity, drought, and temperature (low/high) conditions have proved effective in improving plant stress tolerance. However, its extent of effectiveness entirely depends on the type of plant species tested or its concentration. The effects of introgression or silencing of different JA- and Me-JA-related genes have been summarized in this review, which have shown a substantial role in improving crop yield and quality in different plants under stress or non-stress conditions. Regulation of JAs synthesis is impaired in stressed as well as unstressed plant cells/tissues, which is believed to be associated with a variety of metabolic events including signal transduction. Although, mitogen activated protein kinases (MAPKs) are important components of JA signaling and biosynthesis pathways, nitric oxide, ROS, calcium, ABA, ethylene, and salicylic acid are also important mediators of plant growth and development during JA signal transduction and synthesis. The exploration of other signaling molecules can be beneficial to examine the details of underlying molecular mechanisms of JA signal transduction. Much work is to be done in near future to find the proper answers of the questions like action of JA related metabolites, and identification of universal JA receptors etc. Complete signaling pathways involving MAPKs, CDPK, TGA, SIPK, WIPK, and WRKY transcription factors are yet to be investigated to understand the complete mechanism of action of JAs.

Role of Trichoderma harzianum in mitigating NaCl stress in Indian mustard (Brassica juncea L) through antioxidative defense system

Salinity stress affected crop production of more than 20% of irrigated land globally. In the present study the effect of different concentrations of NaCl (0, 100, and 200 mM) on growth, physio-biochemical attributes, antioxidant enzymes, oil content, etc. in Brassica juncea and the protective role of Trichoderma harzianum (TH) was investigated. Salinity stress deteriorates growth, physio-biochemical attributes, that ultimately leads to decreased biomass yield in mustard seedlings. Higher concentration of NaCl (200 mM) decreased the plant height by 33.7%, root length by 29.7% and plant dry weight (DW) by 34.5%. On the other hand, supplementation of TH to NaCl treated mustard seedlings showed elevation by 13.8, 11.8, and 16.7% in shoot, root length and plant DW respectively as compared to plants treated with NaCl (200 mM) alone. Oil content was drastically affected by NaCl treatment; however, TH added plants showed enhanced oil percentage from 19.4 to 23.4% in the present study. NaCl also degenerate the pigment content and the maximum drop of 52.0% was recorded in Chl. ‘a’. Enhanced pigment content was observed by the application of TH to NaCl treated plants. Proline content showed increase by NaCl stress and maximum accumulation of 59.12% was recorded at 200 mM NaCl. Further enhancement to 70.37% in proline content was recorded by supplementation of TH. NaCl stress (200 mM) affirms the increase in H2O2 by 69.5% and MDA by 36.5%, but reduction in the accumulation is recorded by addition of TH to mustard seedlings. 200 mM NaCl elevated SOD, POD, APX, GR, GST, GPX, GSH, and GSSG in the present study. Further enhancement was observed by the application of TH to the NaCl fed seedlings. NaCl stress suppresses the uptake of important elements in both roots and shoots, however, addition of TH restored the elemental uptake in the present study. Mustard seedlings treated with NaCl and TH showed restricted Na uptake as compared to seedlings treated with NaCl alone. In conclusion, TH proved to be very beneficial in imparting resistance to the mustard plants against NaCl stress through improved uptake of essential elements, modulation of osmolytes and antioxidants.

Nitrogen-efficient rice cultivars can reduce nitrate pollution

IntroductionEnvironmental pollution by un-utilized nitrogenous fertilizer at the agricultural field is one of the key issues of the day. Rice-based cropping system, the mainstay of Indian agriculture, is one of the main sources of unused N-fertilizer since rice utilizes only 30–40% of total applied N, and the rest goes to waste and creates environmental as well as economic loss.MethodsIdentification of rice genotypes that can grow and yield well at low nitrogen levels is highly desirable for enhancement of nitrogen use efficiency (NUE). In the present study, we have identified large variability in the NUE of rice cultivars on the basis of plant with low, medium, and high levels of N in nutrient solution. To establish the basis of this wide variability in NUE, nitrate uptake kinetics and enzymes of nitrate assimilation were studied.Results and discussionThe data of nitrate uptake kinetics revealed that the nitrate uptake is mediated by low-affinity transporter system (LATS) in N-inefficient rice cultivars and by both LATS and high-affinity transporter systems (HATS) in N-efficient genotypes. Activities of nitrate reductase, nitrite reductase, glutamine synthetase, glutamate synthase, and the soluble protein content were found to be increased in moderately N-efficient and low N-efficient cultivars with increase in external supply of nitrogen. However, a non-significant decrease in these enzymes was recorded in high N-efficient cultivars with the increase in N supply.ConclusionsThis study suggests that the HATS, high NR, and glutamine synthetase activity and the soluble protein content distribution have a key role in N efficiency of rice genotypes. These parameters may be considered in breeding and genetic engineering programs for improving the NUE of rice, which might be helpful in reducing the fertilizer loss, hence decreasing environmental degradation and improving crop productivity through improvement of nitrogen utilization efficiency in rice.

Effect of sodium carbonate-induced salinity–alkalinity on some key osmoprotectants, protein profile, antioxidant enzymes, and lipid peroxidation in two mulberry (Morus alba L.) cultivars

The changes in accumulation of two potential osmoprotectants (proline and glycine betaine), lipid peroxidation appraised as malondialdehyde (MDA) level, activities of key antioxidant enzymes such as superoxide dismutase (SOD: EC 1.15.1.1), catalase (CAT: EC 1.11.1.6), peroxidase (POD: EC 1.11.1.7), and glutathione reductase (GR: EC 1.6.4.2), and soluble protein profile in two cultivars of mulberry (S146 and Sujanpuri) differing in alkalinity (NaHCO3) tolerance were investigated at 2-month intervals up to 6-month growth under stress conditions. Varying levels of salinity–alkalinity developed in soil were 0, 30, 40, and 50 g of NaHCO3 kg−1 soil with pH 7.8, 9.1, 9.8, and 10.3, respectively. Alkali stress led to a consistent accumulation of proline and glycine betaine in mulberry leaves with time. The activities of leaf SOD, CAT, POD, and GR increased with increase in external salt concentration and pH. The increase in antioxidant enzyme activities was higher in cv. S146 than cv. Sujanpuri, whereas rate of lipid peroxidation measured in terms of MDA was higher in cv. Sujanpuri as compared to cv. S146. Protein profile revealed that some unknown proteins of low molecular mass (10–32.5 kDa) were induced by NaHCO3 stress, but differently in two cultivars.

Jasmonic Acid Modulates the Physio-Biochemical Attributes, Antioxidant Enzyme Activity, and Gene Expression in Glycine max under Nickel Toxicity

In present study, we evaluated the effects of Jasmonic acid (JA) on physio-biochemical attributes, antioxidant enzyme activity, and gene expression in soybean (Glycine max L.) plants subjected to nickel (Ni) stress. Ni stress decreases the shoot and root length and chlorophyll content by 37.23, 38.31, and 39.21%, respectively, over the control. However, application of JA was found to improve the chlorophyll content and length of shoot and root of Ni-fed seedlings. Plants supplemented with JA restores the chlorophyll fluorescence, which was disturbed by Ni stress. The present study demonstrated increase in proline, glycinebetaine, total protein, and total soluble sugar (TSS) by 33.09, 51.26, 22.58, and 49.15%, respectively, under Ni toxicity over the control. Addition of JA to Ni stressed plants further enhanced the above parameters. Ni stress increases hydrogen peroxide (H2O2) by 68.49%, lipid peroxidation (MDA) by 50.57% and NADPH oxidase by 50.92% over the control. Supplementation of JA minimizes the accumulation of H2O2, MDA, and NADPH oxidase, which helps in stabilization of biomolecules. The activities of superoxide dismutase (SOD), peroxidase (POD), catalase (CAT), and ascorbate peroxidase (APX) increases by 40.04, 28.22, 48.53, and 56.79%, respectively, over the control in Ni treated seedlings and further enhancement in the antioxidant activity was observed by the application of JA. Ni treated soybean seedlings showed increase in expression of Fe-SOD by 77.62, CAT by 15.25, POD by 58.33, and APX by 80.58% over the control. Nevertheless, application of JA further enhanced the expression of the above genes in the present study. Our results signified that Ni stress caused negative impacts on soybean seedlings, but, co-application of JA facilitate the seedlings to combat the detrimental effects of Ni through enhanced osmolytes, activity of antioxidant enzymes and gene expression.

Calcium and Potassium Supplementation Enhanced Growth, Osmolyte Secondary Metabolite Production, and Enzymatic Antioxidant Machinery in Cadmium-Exposed Chickpea (Cicer arietinum L.)

This work examined the role of exogenously applied calcium (Ca; 50 mM) and potassium (K; 10 mM) (alone and in combination) in alleviating the negative effects of cadmium (Cd; 200 μM) on growth, biochemical attributes, secondary metabolites and yield of chickpea (Cicer arietinum L.). Cd stress significantly decreased the length and weight (fresh and dry) of shoot and root and yield attributes in terms of number of pods and seed yield (vs. control). Exhibition of decreases in chlorophyll (Chl) a, Chl b, and total Chl was also observed with Cd-exposure when compared to control. However, Cd-exposure led to an increase in the content of carotenoids. In contrast, the exogenous application of Ca and K individually as well as in combination minimized the extent of Cd-impact on previous traits. C. arietinum seedlings subjected to Cd treatment exhibited increased contents of organic solute (proline, Pro) and total protein; whereas, Ca and K-supplementation further enhanced the Pro and total protein content. Additionally, compared to control, Cd-exposure also caused elevation in the contents of oxidative stress markers (hydrogen peroxidase, H2O2; malondialdehyde, MDA) and in the activity of antioxidant defense enzymes (superoxide dismutase, SOD; catalase, CAT; ascorbate peroxidase, APX; glutathione reductase, GR). Ca, K, and Ca + K supplementation caused further enhancements in the activity of these enzymes but significantly decreased contents of H2O2 and MDA, also that of Cd accumulation in shoot and root. The contents of total phenol, flavonoid and mineral elements (S, Mn, Mg, Ca and K) that were also suppressed in Cd stressed plants in both shoot and root were restored to appreciable levels with Ca- and K-supplementation. However, the combination of Ca + K supplementation was more effective in bringing the positive response as compared to individual effect of Ca and K on Cd-exposed C. arietinum. Overall, this investigation suggests that application of Ca and/or K can efficiently minimize Cd-toxicity and eventually improve health and yield in C. arietinum by the cumulative outcome of the enhanced contents of organic solute, secondary metabolites, mineral elements, and activity of antioxidant defense enzymes.

Exogenous Application of Selenium Mitigates Cadmium Toxicity in Brassica juncea L. (Czern & Cross) by Up-Regulating Antioxidative System and Secondary Metabolites

The main aim of the present study was to examine the role of selenium (Se) in ameliorating the toxic effect of cadmium (Cd) in mustard (Brassica juncea) plants. The plants exposed to elevated levels of Cd exhibited reduced biomass, pigment content, and relative water content (RWC). However, supplementation of Se restores the negative effect of Cd and increases biomass, pigment content, and RWC. Osmolyte (proline and glycine betaine) and sugar content were increased under Cd stress and further increase was observed with addition of Se. Cd decreased protein content and supplementation of Se increases it to appreciable levels. Cd also increased production of H2O2 and lipid peroxidation, electrolyte leakage, and the activities of antioxidant enzymes such as superoxide dismutase, ascorbate peroxidase, and glutathione reductase. Supplementation of Se decreased accumulation of H2O2 and lipid peroxidation, increased the activities of antioxidant enzymes to greater levels, and regulates Cd accumulation in roots and shoots. Ascorbic acid (AsA) and flavonoids decreased with elevated concentrations of Cd; however, tocopherol and total phenols were increased with the same concentrations of Cd. Se application maintains AsA and flavonoid content, and further increase in tocopherol and total phenols were observed with Se in the present study. Overall the results confirm that exogenous application of Se mitigates the negative effects of Cd stress in mustard plants through the regulation of osmoprotectants, antioxidant enzymes, and secondary metabolites.

Boron and Plants

Boron is found naturally in the earth’s crust in the oxidized form as borax and colemanite, particularly in the oceans, sedimentary rocks, coal, shale, and some soils. It is never found in the elemental form in nature possessing a complex chemistry similar to that of silicon, with properties switching between metals and non-metals. Boron has become an important and strategic element in terms of developing technologies. It is released into the environment mainly through the weathering of rocks, volatilization from oceans, geothermal steam, burning of agricultural refuse and fuel wood, power generators (coal/oil combustion), glass industry, household use of boron-containing products (including soaps and detergents), borax mining and processing, leaching from treated wood and paper, chemical plants, and sewage/sludge disposal, but a major proportion originates from the weathering of rocks. Boron is regarded as an essential element for human beings, animals and plants. Boron occurs in soils at concentrations ranging from 10 to 300 mg kg−1 depending on the type of soil, amount of organic matter, and amount of rainfall. The treatments lead to significant increases in the productivity of some plants but in certain cases a decrease is seen as the boron level increases with the boron content of irrigation water, in particular on the soils with a heavy texture, high CaCO3 and clay content. Lack of boron in plants results in necrosis but excess amounts are said to produce poisonous effects. Turkey produces more than 60% of the world’s borax, with important boron reserves located in Susurluk, Bigadic and Sindirgi regions of Balikesir, Kestelek-Bursa, Emet-Kutahya, the largest reserves occur in Kirka-Eskisehir. Therefore, there is a naturally occurring high level of boron in the ground waters in some of these areas due to the excess amounts of boron given out to the environment during washing and purification processes which result in the pollution of cultivated areas. An attempt will be made here to present an overview of the plant diversity on the boron contaminated soils in Turkey, effects of different concentrations of boron on the germination ability of some plants and possible candidates for phytomining of the soils showing boron toxicity symptoms.

Mitigation of NaCl Stress by Arbuscular Mycorrhizal Fungi through the Modulation of Osmolytes, Antioxidants and Secondary Metabolites in Mustard (Brassica juncea L.) Plants

Present work was carried out to investigate the possible role of arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi (AMF) in mitigating salinity-induced alterations in Brassica juncea L. Exposure to NaCl stress altered the morphological, physio-biochemical attributes, antioxidant activity, secondary metabolites and phytohormones in the mustard seedlings. The growth and biomass yield, leaf water content, and total chlorophyll content were decreased with NaCl stress. However, AMF-inoculated plants exhibited enhanced shoot and root length, elevated relative water content, enhanced chlorophyll content, and ultimately biomass yield. Lipid peroxidation and proline content were increased by 54.53 and 63.47%, respectively with 200 mM NaCl concentration. Further increase in proline content and decrease in lipid peroxidation was observed in NaCl-treated plants inoculated with AMF. The antioxidants, superoxide dismutase, ascorbate peroxidase, glutathione reductase, and reduced glutathione were increased by 48.35, 54.86, 43.85, and 44.44%, respectively, with 200 mM NaCl concentration. Further increase in these antioxidants has been observed in AMF-colonized plants indicating the alleviating role of AMF to salinity stress through antioxidant modulation. The total phenol, flavonoids, and phytohormones increase with NaCl treatment. However, NaCl-treated plants colonized with AMF showed further increase in the above parameters except ABA, which was reduced with NaCl+AMF treatment over the plants treated with NaCl alone. Our results demonstrated that NaCl caused negative effect on B. juncea seedlings; however, colonization with AMF enhances the NaCl tolerance by reforming the physio-biochemical attributes, activities of antioxidant enzymes, and production of secondary metabolites and phytohormones.