Autochthonous halotolerant plant growth-promoting rhizobacteria promote bacoside A yield of Bacopa monnieri (L.) Nash and phytoextraction of salt-affected soil

Phytoremediation is a promising approach for reclamation of salt-affected soil. Phytoextraction is the most commonly used process, which exploits plants to absorb, immobilize, and accumulate salt in their shoots. In this study, halotolerant plant growth-promoting rhizobacteria (PGPR) were isolated from the rhizosphere of wild grasses growing naturally in salt-affected areas of Lucknow, Uttar Pradesh (India) and were tested for their efficacies of salt-tolerance and plant growth-promoting (PGP) abilities. Based on 16S rRNA sequences, the most efficient halotolerant isolates possessing PGP traits were identified as Pseudomonas plecoglossicida (KM233646), Acinetobacter calcoaceticus (KM233647), Bacillus flexus (KM233648), and Bacillus safensis (KM233652). Application of these isolates as bio-inoculants significantly (P < 0.05) increased the growth and bacoside A yield of a medicinal plant, Bacopa monnieri (L.) Nash, grown on natural salt-affected soil. The phytoremediation of salt-affected soil was evident by the substantial increase in shoot Na⁺:K⁺ ratio of bio-inoculant-treated plants. When compared to un-inoculated control plants, the soil physico-chemical properties of bio-inoculant-treated plants were improved. The shoot and root biomass (fresh and dry weights), soil enzymes, and soil nutrient parameters showed significant positive correlations with the shoot Na⁺:K⁺ ratio. Consequently, the halotolerant PGPR screened in this study could be useful for the reclamation of saline soils concomitant with improved plant growth and bacoside A yield.     

Effects of silver nanoparticle size, concentration and coating on soil quality as indicated by arylsulfatase and sulfite oxidase activities

Recently, the nanotechnology industry has seen a growing interest in integrating silver nanoparticles(AgNPs) into agricultural products, which increases soil exposure to these particles. This demands an investigation into the effect of AgNPs on soil health. Changes in soil enzyme activities upon exposure to AgNPs can serve as early indicators of any adverse effects that these particles may have on soil quality. This study aimed to determine the effects of AgNP size, concentration, coating, and e...     

Population dynamics of Eupatorium adenophorum Spreng. during secondary succession after slash and burn agriculture (jhum) in north eastern India

Eupatorium adenophorum Spreng. is an important weedy colonizer in early successional communities developing after slash and burn agriculture (jhum) at higher elevations of the north-eastern hill regions of India. The relative performance of this species in terms of fecundity and survivorship in successional plant communities has been worked out. A net population increase occurred through both vegetative and sexual reproduction in early successional fallows up to 6 years old, the increase being greatest in a 6-year fallow. Mortality of seedlings was high in 1- and 3-year fallows, low in a 6-year fallow but reached 100% in older fallows. Seedling mortality was maximal during the monsoon although some seedlings also died during winter as a result of drought and frost. Mortality of vegetative sprouts followed a similar pattern to that of seedlings. The reproductive potential was reduced with increasing age of the successional communities and in a 15-year fallow all individuals were non-reproductive. Since E. adenophorum is able to succeed only in fallows of less than 6 years, repeated short jhum cycles of 4–5 years have had the effect of arresting succession al the weedy stage.     

Soil Carbon Dynamics Under Changing Climate——A Research Transition from Absolute to Relative Roles of Inorganic Nitrogen Pools and Associated Microbial Processes: A Review

It is globally accepted that soil carbon (C) dynamics are at the core of interlinked environmental problems,deteriorating soil quality and changing climate.Its management remains a complex enigma for the scientific community due to its intricate relationship with soil nitrogen (N) availability and moisture-temperature interactions.This article reviews the management aspects of soil C dynamics in light of recent advances,particularly in relation to the availability of inorganic N pools and associated microbial processes under changing climate.Globally,drastic alterations in soil C dynamics under changing land use and management practices have been primarily attributed to the variation in soil N availability,resulting in a higher decomposition rate and a considerable decline in soil organic C (SOC) levels due to increased soil CO2 emissions,degraded soil quality,and increased atmospheric CO2 concentrations,leading to climate warming.Predicted climate warming is proposed to enhance SOC decomposition,which may further increase soil N availability,leading to higher soil CO2 efflux.However,a literature survey revealed that soil may also act as a potential C sink,if we could manage soil inorganic N pools and link microbial processes properly.Studies also indicated that the relative,rather than the absolute,availability of inorganic N pools might be of key importance under changing climate,as these N pools are variably affected by moisture-temperature interactions,and they have variable impacts on SOC turnover.Therefore,multi-factorial studies are required to understand how the relative availability of inorganic N pools and associated microbial processes may determine SOC dynamics for improved soil C management.     

Cellular coupling of potassium channels with β2 adrenoceptors in mediating myometrial relaxation in buffaloes (Bubalus bubalis)

Choudhury, S., Garg, S. K., Singh, T. U., Mishra, S. K. Cellular coupling of potassium channels with β₂ adrenoceptors in mediating myometrial relaxation in buffaloes (Bubalus bubalis). J. vet. Pharmacol. Therap. 33 , 22–27. Present study unravels the functional presence of potassium channels and their involvement in mediating β₂ adrenoceptors‐induced myometrial relaxation in buffalo myometrium. Isolated myometrial preparations exhibited rhythmic spontaneity with regular pattern of amplitude and frequency. Levcromakalim produced concentration‐dependent inhibitory effect on myometrial spontaneity and relaxant effect and the dose–response curve (DRC) was shifted towards right in the presence of glybenclamaide. In the tissues pretreated with glybenclamide, relaxant effect of albuterol was significantly (P < 0.05–0.001) lower (pD₂ = 6.94, R_max = 96.8 ± 3.3%; n = 5) compared with albuterol alone (pD₂ = 8.55, R_max = 101.1 ± 6.3%; n = 6) and the DRC was shifted to right. In the presence of tetraethyl ammonium (TEA) also, significant (P < 0.001) rightward shift of DRC of albuterol with decrease in maximal effect (pD₂ = 8.05, R_max = 71.2 ± 7.4%; n = 7 vs. control pD₂ = 8.55, R_max = 101.1 ± 6.3%; n = 6) was observed. On the other hand, 4‐aminopyridine (1 mm ) sensitized the myometrial strips and increased the amplitude and frequency/min of myometrial spontaneity but failed to significantly alter the DRC of albuterol. Results of present study suggest the functional presence of K_ATP, BK_Ca and K_V channels in buffalo myometrium, but β₂‐adrenoreceptor agonist‐induced myometrial relaxation seems to be K_ATP and BK_Ca channel‐dependent only. Further, our studies also suggest promising therapeutic potential of potassium channel modulators as tocolytics in buffaloes.     

Wild onion (Asphodelus tenuifolius Cav.) interference in lentil and chickpea crops and its management through competitive cropping

The interference of wild onion with various densities of lentil and chickpea and its management through competitive cropping were studied under field conditions from 2001–2002 and 2002–2003 at Jabalpur, India. The observed yield loss and predicted yield loss related to wild onion indicated that wild onion was less competitive with chickpea than with lentil. As a result of intraspecies competition, the dry weight and number of seeds per plant for wild onion were reduced with increasing density. The suppressing effect of different crops on the seed rain of wild onion was in the order of pea > mustard > wheat > chickpea > linseed > lentil > French bean. Wheat, pea, and mustard were the most competitive crops against wild onion. The high shading ability of these crops was thought to contribute to the suppression of wild onion. French bean offered the least suppression while chickpea, linseed, and lentil showed moderate weed suppression.     

Effect of powdery mildew (Erysiphe pisi) on nodulation and nitrogenase activity in pea (Pisum sativum)

The effects of powdery mildew ( Erysiphe pisi) disease of pea (Pisum sativum) on the number and size of root nodules and on nitrogenase activity were investigated in pea plants grown in pots and in the field. There were significant reductions in nodulation and in the size of root nodules as well as in nitrogenase activity in infected plants.     

Effects of Soil Salinity and Alkalinity on Grain Quality of Tolerant,Semi-Tolerant and Sensitive Rice Genotypes

Soil salinity and alkalinity adversely affects the productivity and grain quality of rice.The grain quality of 19 rice genotypes characterized as salt tolerant (T),semi-tolerant (ST) and sensitive (S) was assessed in lysimeters containing saline and highly alkaline soils.Head rice recovery was reduced by salinity stress whereas it was not affected by alkalinity stress.The ratio of length to width (grain dimensions) was significantly reduced in the T genotype even at low electrical conductivity (EC,4 mS/cm) and alkalinity (pH 9.5),whereas in the ST genotype,it was significantly reduced at high salinity (EC 8 mS/cm).There was no significant effect of any levels of salinity or alkalinity on grain dimensions in the S genotype.Amylose content was significantly reduced in T and ST groups even at low EC (4 mS/cm) and alkalinity (pH 9.5) and the effect in the S genotype was only at high salinity.Starch content showed significant reduction at high salinity and alkalinity (EC 8 mS/cm and pH 9.8) in the T and ST genotypes and no significant effect was observed in the S genotype.The effect of both levels of salinity (EC 4 and 8 mS/cm) and high alkalinity (pH 9.8) on gel consistency was observed only in the S genotype.The tolerant genotypes IR36 under high salinity,and CSR10 and CSR11 under alkali stress showed less reduction in amylose content.The T genotype BR4-10,and ST genotypes CSR30,CSR29 and CSR13 showed better gel consistency under saline and alkali stress.Amylose content was affected even at low salinity stress and thus important to be considered in breeding rice for salt tolerance.Overall,the grain quality of T and ST genotypes was less affected by saline and alkali stress compared to S ones.