Moving forward to understand the alteration of physiological mechanism by seed priming with different halo-agents under salt stress.

Soil salinity hampers the survival and productivity of crops. To minimize salt-associated damages in plant, better salt management practices in agriculture have become a prerequisite. Seed priming with different halo-agents is a technique, which improves the primed plant's endurance to tackle sodium. Salt tolerance is achieved in tolerant plants through fundamental physiological mechanisms- ion-exclusion and tissue tolerance, and salt-tolerant plants may (Na+ accumulators) or may not (Na+ excluders) allow sodium movement to leaves. While Na+ excluders depend on ion exclusion in roots, Na+ accumulators are proficient Na+ managers that can compartmentalize Na+ in leaves and use them beneficially as inexpensive osmoticum. Salt-sensitive plants are Na+ accumulators, but their inherent tissue tolerance ability and ion-exclusion process are insufficient for tolerance. Seed priming with different halo-agents aids in 'rewiring' of the salt tolerance mechanisms of plants. The resetting of the salt tolerance mechanism is not universal for every halo-agent and might vary with halo-agents. Here, we review the physiological mechanisms that different halo-agents target to confer enhanced salt tolerance in primed plants. Calcium and potassium-specific halo-agents trigger Na+ exclusion in roots, thus ensuring a low amount of Na+ in leaves. In contrast, Na+-specific priming agents favour processes for Na+ inclusion in leaves, improve plant tissue tolerance or vacuolar sequestration, and provide the greatest benefit to salt-sensitive and sodium accumulating plants. Overall, this review will help to understand the underlying mechanism behind plant's inherent nature towards salt management and its amelioration with different halo-agents, which helps to optimize crop stress performance.

Seed priming with NaCl helps to improve tissue tolerance, potassium retention ability of plants, and protects the photosynthetic ability in two different legumes, chickpea and lentil, under salt stress.

MAIN CONCLUSION: Seed priming with NaCl mimicked the conditions of natural priming to improve the tissue tolerance nature of sensitive legumes, which helps to maintain survivability and yield in mildly saline areas. Seed priming with NaCl is a seed invigoration technique that helps to improve plant growth by altering Na+ and K+ content under salt stress. Legumes are overall sensitive to salt and salinity hampers their growth and yield. Therefore, a priming (50 mM NaCl) experiment was performed with two different legume members [Cicer arietinum cv. Anuradha and Lens culinaris cv. Ranjan] and different morpho-physiological, biochemical responses at 50 mM, 100 mM, and 150 mM NaCl and molecular responses at 150 mM NaCl were studied in hydroponically grown nonprimed and primed members. Similarly, a pot experiment was performed at 80 mM Na+, to check the yield. Tissue Na+ and K+ content suggested NaCl-priming did not significantly alter the accumulation of Na+ among nonprimed and primed members but retained more K+ in cells, thus maintaining a lower cellular Na+/K+ ratio. Low osmolyte content (e.g., proline) in primed members suggested priming could minimize their overall osmolytic requirement. Altogether, these implied tissue tolerance (TT) nature might have improved in case of NaCl-priming as was also reflected by a better TT score (LC50 value). An improved TT nature enabled the primed plants to maintain a significantly higher photosynthetic rate through better stomatal conductance. Along with this, a higher level of chlorophyll content and competent functioning of the photosynthetic subunits improved photosynthetic performance that ensured yield under stress. Overall, this study explores the potential of NaCl-priming and creates possibilities for considerably sensitive members; those in their nonprimed forms have no prospect in mildly saline agriculture.

Influence of arsenate imposition on modulation of antioxidative defense network and its implication on thiol metabolism in some contrasting rice (Oryza sativa L.) cultivars.

Globally, many people have been suffering from arsenic poisoning. Arsenate (AsV) exposure to twelve rice cultivars caused growth retardation, triggered production of As-chelatin biopeptides and altered activities of antioxidants along with increase in ascorbate (AsA)-glutathione (GSH) contents as a protective measure. The effects were more conspicuous in cvs. Swarnadhan, Tulaipanji, Pusa basmati, Badshabhog, Tulsibhog and IR-20 to attenuate oxidative-overload mediated adversities. Contrastingly, in cvs. Bhutmuri, Kumargore, Binni, Vijaya, TN-1 and IR-64, effects were less conspicuous in terms of alterations in the said variables due to reduced generation of oxidative stress. Under As(V) imposition, the protective role of phytochelatins (PCs) were recorded where peaks height and levels of PCs (PC2, PC3 and PC4) were elevated significantly in the test seedlings with an endeavour to detoxify cells by sequestering arsenic-phytochelatin (As-PC) complex into vacuole that resulted in reprogramming of antioxidants network. Additionally, scatter plot correlation matrices, color-coded heat map analysis and regression slopes demonstrated varied adaptive responses of test cultivars, where cvs. Bhutmuri, Kumargore, Binni, Vijaya, TN-1 and IR-64 found tolerant against As(V) toxicity. Results were further justified by hierarchical clustering. These findings could help to grow identified tolerant rice cultivars in As-prone soil with sustainable growth and productivity after proper agricultural execution.

Comparative study on the influence of silicon and selenium to mitigate arsenic induced stress by modulating TCA cycle, GABA, and polyamine synthesis in rice seedlings.

Arsenic contamination of groundwater is a major concern for its usage in crop irrigation in many regions of the world. Arsenic is absorbed by rice plants mainly from arsenic contaminated water during irrigation. It hampers growth and agricultural productivity. The aim of the study was to mitigate the toxic effects of arsenate (As-V) [25 µM, 50 µM, and 75 µM] by silicon (Si) [2 mM] and selenium (Se) [5 µM] amendments on the activity of the TCA cycle, synthesis of γ-aminobutyric acid (GABA) and polyamines (PAs) in rice (Oryza sativa L. cv. MTU-1010) seedlings and to identify which chemical was more potential to combat this threat. As(V) application decreased the activities of tested respiratory enzymes and increased the levels of organic acids (OAs) in the test seedlings. Application of Si with As(V) and Se with As(V) increased the activities of respiratory enzymes and the levels of OAs. The effects were more pronounced during Si amendments. The activities of GABA synthesizing enzymes along with accumulation of GABA were increased under As(V) stress. During joint application of Si with As(V) and Se with As(V) the activity and the level of said parameters were decreased that indicating defensive role of these chemicals to resist As(V) toxicity in rice and Si amendments showed greater potential to reduce As(V) induced damages in the test seedlings. PAs trigger tolerance mechanism against As(V) in plants. PAs such as putrescine, spermidine and spermine were synthesized more during Si and Se amendments in As(V) contaminated rice seedlings to combat the toxic effects of As(V). Si amendments substantially modulated the toxic effects caused by As(V) over Se amendments in the As(V) challenged test seedlings. Thus, in future application of Si enriched fertilizer will be beneficial to grow rice plants with normal vigor in arsenic contaminated soil.

Selenium alleviates arsenic induced stress by modulating growth, oxidative stress, antioxidant defense and thiol metabolism in rice seedlings.

This study aims to investigate the potentiality of selenium in modulating arsenic stress in rice seedlings. Arsenate accumulation along with its transformation to arsenite was enhanced in arsenate exposed seedlings. Arsenite induced oxidative stress and severely affected the growth of the seedlings. Arsenate exposure caused an elevation in ascorbate and glutathione levels along with the activities of their metabolizing enzymes viz., ascorbate peroxidase, glutathione reductase, glutathione-S-transferase, and glutathione peroxidase. Phytochelatins content was increased under arsenic stress to subdue the toxic effects in the test seedlings. Co-application of arsenate and selenate in rice seedlings manifested pronounced alteration of oxidative stress, antioxidant defense, and thiol metabolism as compared to arsenate treatment only. ANOVA analysis (Tukey's HSD test) demonstrated the relevance of using selenate along with arsenate to maintain the normal growth and development of rice seedlings. Thus, exogenous supplementation of selenium will be a beneficial approach to cultivate rice seedlings in arsenic polluted soil.

Arsenic toxicity in the environment is a global concern, causes chronic signs of poisoning to plants and humans, leads to ecological imbalance. Selenium is known for its antagonistic characteristics and has been found to be effective in combating the adversities of arsenic at low concentrations (5 µM). The present study was performed to explore the comparative responses of rice seedlings during the joint application of selenium and arsenic in terms of growth, generation of oxidative stress, antioxidant defense, and thiol metabolism. Although the molecular basis of arsenic­selenium interaction is widely known a small number of reports were listed about the physio-chemical role of selenium against arsenic stress. Thus, we investigated the influence of selenium to alleviate arsenic-induced toxic effects by modulating the activities of antioxidant enzymes and reducing the levels of oxidative stress markers. It has been noted that selenium regulates thiol metabolism which is known to play a key role in growth preservation by restriction of arsenic translocation. The outcome from the study would be useful in field trials for sustainable agriculture in arsenic-contaminated soil.

Comparative study of silicon and selenium to modulate chloroplast pigments levels, Hill activity, photosynthetic parameters and carbohydrate metabolism under arsenic stress in rice seedlings.

Arsenic (As) in groundwater severely harms global economic development by affecting growth and productivity of agricultural crops that causes human health risk. The comparative influence of silicon (Si) and selenium (Se) to modulate pigments levels, photosynthetic parameters using LI-6400XT Portable Photosynthesis System and carbohydrate metabolism under arsenate (As-V) stress in rice cv. MTU-1010 were evaluated. As(V) stress significantly decreased chlorophyll-a (32% on an average), chlorophyll-b (58% on an average), total chlorophyll (46% on an average), fluorescence intensity (31% on an average), carotene (39% on an average), xanthophyll (33% on an average), Hill activity (47% on an average) and the photosynthetic parameters, viz. intercellular CO2 concentration (52% on an average), net photosynthesis (54% on an average), transpiration rate (36% on an average) and stomatal conductance (38% on an average) in the test seedlings. As(V) + Si treatments enhanced the stated occurrences more than As(V) + Se treatments in rice seedlings. Sugar contents, viz. reducing (85% on an average) and non-reducing sugar (61% on an average), were increased, but starch content (57% on an average) was decreased in only As(V)-treated rice seedlings. The activities of carbohydrate metabolizing enzymes were increased, while sucrose synthase activity was decreased due to As(V) toxicity in the test seedlings. Co-application of Si and As(V) as well as Se and As(V) showed ameliorative effects on sugar and starch contents along with the activities of carbohydrate metabolizing enzymes, but more potential effect was observed under combined application of Si and As(V) in rice seedlings. Thus, it is an important purpose of this paper to compare the ability of Se and Si to alleviate As(V) toxicity in rice seedlings which will be an effective approach to develop possible strategies in As-contaminated agricultural soil to improve normal growth and productivity of rice plants.

Silicon augments salt tolerance through modulation of polyamine and GABA metabolism in two indica rice (Oryza sativa L.) cultivars.

Polyamines (PA) have multifarious roles in plant-environment interaction and stress responses. In conjunction with GABA shunt, they regulate induction of tolerance under salinity stress in plants. Here, we tested the hypothesis that silicon improves salt tolerance through mediating vital metabolic pathways rather than acting as a mere mechanical barrier. Seedlings of two rice (Oryza sativa L.) cultivars MTU 1010 (salt-sensitive) & Nonabokra (salt-tolerant) growing in hydroponic culture were treated with NaCl (0, 25, 50 & 100 mM) combined with or without Si (2 mM). NaCl stress enhanced PA synthesizing enzymes activity and PA production in salt tolerant cultivar Nonabokra, whereas in the sensitive cultivar, MTU 1010 both declined. Enhanced activities of GABA synthesizing enzymes along with a decline in the activities of GABA degrading enzymes under NaCl exposure led to GABA accumulation in both the cultivars. The interactive effects of silicon and NaCl also induced the activities of the enzymes related to polyamine biosynthesis and inhibited polyamine degrading enzymes that enhanced PA contents in the cultivars. Supplemental Si decreased endogenous GABA levels by modulating GABA metabolising enzymes under NaCl stress. On the basis of all tested parameters cv. MTU 1010 was proven to be more responsive towards silicon application than cv. Nonabokra. Such study of silicon-induced polyamine accretion and reduced GABA accumulation may lower oxidative damage in rice cultivars under NaCl stress and thereby form a successful strategy to boost tolerance.

Silicon nutrition modulates arsenic-inflicted oxidative overload and thiol metabolism in wheat (Triticum aestivum L.) seedlings.

A hydroponic experiment was conducted to establish the response of exogenous silicon [Si] in alleviating arsenate [As (V)] prompted alterations on antioxidant enzyme activities and thiol metabolism in wheat (Triticum aestivum L. cv PBW 343) seedlings. Objective of the work was to validate the hypothesis whether silicate may alleviate arsenate-provoked oxidative stress in wheat through diverse metabolic pathways with an endeavor to improve food safety and health. Arsenate treatment significantly enhanced oxidative stress and was associated with modifications in non-enzymatic and enzymatic antioxidants. The activities of arsenate reductase [AR] and the enzymes related to thiol metabolism revealed dose-dependent enhancements with increase in arsenate along with enhanced production of phytochelatins [PCs] in the cultivar. Simultaneous supplementations of silicate with arsenate in the nutrient formulation reduced arsenate uptake along with arsenate reductase activity and consequently lowered arsenite [As (III)] accumulation. The antioxidative defense was upregulated and phytochelatin production was lowered causing an appreciable revival from the arsenate-imposed consequences that eventually augmented growth.

Influence of sodium chloride on growth and metabolic reprogramming in nonprimed and haloprimed seedlings of blackgram (Vigna mungo L.).

Salinity hinders agricultural productivity worldwide by distressing plant metabolism. Growth of blackgram (Vigna mungo L. var. Sulata), an adverse climate-resistant pulse, is arrested under salinity. Present research integrates study of physio-biochemical parameters and non-targeted metabolomics approach to explore the alterations in metabolic pathway during adaptive responses of nonprimed and haloprimed blackgram seedlings grown hydroponically under NaCl stress. Salinity provoked accumulation of peroxides, compatible solutes and phenolics which increased free radical scavenging activities of nonprimed seedlings under salinity. Pre-germination seed halopriming abrogated NaCl-mediated adversities in haloprimed plantlets favouring better growth. Thus, farmers may adopt seed halopriming technique to improve blackgram productivity in saline-prone fields. Additionally, metabolomics study uncovered numerous metabolites amongst which 35 compounds altered significantly under salinity. The candidate metabolites were aspartic acid, L-glutamic acid, L-proline, L-asparagine, DL-isoleucine, L-homoserine, citrulline, L-ornithine, D-altrose, D-allose, N-acetyl-D-mannosamine, fructose, tagatose, sucrose, D-glucose, maltose, glycerol-1-phosphate, D-sorbitol, benzoic acid, shikimic acid, 4-hydroxycinnamic acid, arbutin, succinic acid, pipecolic acid, fumaric acid, nicotinic acid, L-pyroglutamic acid, oxalic acid, glyceric acid, maleamic acid, adenine, guanosine, lauric acid, stearic acid and porphine. Comparing metabolic responses of nonprimed and haloprimed seedlings, it was clear that efficient alteration in carbohydrate metabolism, phenolics accumulation, amino acid, organic acid and nucleic acid metabolism were the key places of metabolic reprogramming for tolerating salinity. Overall, we report, for the first time, 35 contributory candidate compounds that constituted core fundamental metabolome invoking salinity tolerance in nonprimed and haloprimed blackgram. These metabolites may be targeted by biotechnologists to produce high vigour salt-tolerant transgenic blackgram via genetic engineering.

Differential responses of photosynthetic parameters and its influence on carbohydrate metabolism in some contrasting rice (Oryza sativa L.) genotypes under arsenate stress.

Influence of arsenic (As) in As tolerant and sensitive rice genotypes based chloroplastic pigments, leaf gas exchange attributes and their influence on carbohydrate metabolism were investigated in the present study. As retards growth of crop plants and increase several health ailments by contaminating food chain. Photosynthetic inhibition is known to be the prime target of As toxicity due to over-production of ROS. Hydroponically grown rice seedlings of twelve cultivars were exposed to 25, 50, and 75 µM arsenate (AsV) that exerted negative impact on plastidial pigments content and resulted into inhibition of Hill activity. Internal CO2 concentration lowered gradually due to interference of As with stomatal conductance and transpiration rate that subsequently led to drop in net photosynthesis. Twelve contrasting rice genotypes responded differentially to As(V) stress. Present study evaluated As tolerant and sensitive rice cultivars with respect to As(V) imposed alterations in pigments content, photosynthetic attributes along with sugar metabolism. Starch contents, the principle carbohydrate storage declined differentially among As(V) stressed test cultivars, being more pronounced in cvs. Swarnadhan, Tulaipanji, Pusa basmati, Badshabhog, Tulsibhog and IR-20 compared to cvs. Bhutmuri, Kumargore, Binni, Vijaya, TN-1 and IR-64. Therefore, the six former cultivars tried to adapt defensive mechanisms by accumulating higher levels of reducing and non-reducing sugars to carry out basal metabolism to withstand As(V) induced alterations in photosynthesis. This study could help to screen As tolerant and sensitive rice genotypes based on their photosynthetic efficiency in As polluted agricultural fields to reduce As contamination assisted ecotoxicological risk.

Evaluation of arsenic induced toxicity based on arsenic accumulation, translocation and its implications on physio-chemical changes and genomic instability in indica rice (Oryza sativa L.) cultivars.

Arsenic (As) accumulation in rice is a principal route of As exposure for rice based population. We have tested physiochemical and molecular parameters together to identify low As accumulating rice cultivars with normal growth and vigor. The present study examined potential toxicity caused by arsenate (AsV) among four rice cultivars tested that varied with respect to accumulation of total arsenic, arsenite (AsIII) and their differential translocation rate which had deleterious impact on growth and metabolism. Intracellular homeostasis of rice cultivars viz., TN-1, IR-64, IR-20 and Tulaipanji was hampered by 21 days long As(V) treatment due to generation of reactive oxygen species (ROS) and inadequate activity of catalase (CAT; EC 1.11.1.6). Upregulation of oxidative stress markers viz., H2O2, proline and MDA along with alteration in enzymatic antioxidants profile were conspicuously pronounced in cv. Tulaipanji while cv. TN-1 was least affected under As(V) challenged environment. In addition to that genomic template stability and band sharing indices were qualitatively measured by DNA profiling of all tested cultivars treated with 25 µM, 50 µM, and 75 µM As(V). In rice cv. Tulaipanji genetic polymorphism was significantly detected with the application of random amplified polymorphic DNA (RAPD) tool and characterized as susceptible cultivar of As compared to cvs. TN-1, IR-64 and IR-20 that is in correlation with data obtained from cluster analysis. Hence, identified As tolerant cultivars viz., TN-1, IR64 and IR-20 especially TN-1 could be used in As contaminated agricultural field after appropriate field trial. This study could help to gather information regarding cultivar-specific tolerance strategy to avoid pollutant induced toxicity.

Modulation of photosynthetic parameters, sugar metabolism, polyamine and ion contents by silicon amendments in wheat (Triticum aestivum L.) seedlings exposed to arsenic.

The objective of the present investigation was to consider the effectiveness of exogenous silicate supplementation in reviving the arsenate imposed alterations on pigment content, Hill activity, photosynthetic parameters, sugar metabolism, polyamine, and ion contents in wheat (Triticum aestivum L. cv. PBW-343) seedlings. Experiments were conducted under different levels of arsenate (0, 25 µM, 50 µM, and 100 µM) in combination with silicate (0, 5 mM) in a hydroponic environment with modified Hoagland's solution for 21 days to determine the ameliorative role of silicon (Si). Arsenate exposure led to a decline in chlorophyll content by 28% and Hill activity by 30% on an average along with photosynthetic parameters. Activity of starch phosphorylase increased causing a subsequent decrease in starch contents by 26%. Degradation of starch enhanced sugar contents by 61% in the test cultivar. Dose-dependant increments in the activities of carbohydrate metabolizing enzymes viz., sucrose synthase, sucrose phosphate synthase, and acid invertase were also noted. Putrescine content was significantly enhanced along with a consequent decline in spermidine and spermine contents. The macro- and micronutrient contents declined proportionally with arsenate imposition. Conversely, silicate amendments irrespective of all arsenate concentrations brought about considerable alterations in all parameters tested with respect to arsenate treatment alone. Marked improvement in pigment content and Hill activity also improved the gas exchange parameters. Soluble sugar contents decreased and starch contents were enhanced. Increase in polyamine contents improved the ionic balance in the test cultivar as well. This study highlights the potentiality of silicon in ameliorating the ecotoxicological risks associated with arsenic pollution and the probable ability of silicon to offer an approach in mitigating arsenate-induced stress leading to restoration of growth and metabolism in wheat seedlings.

Exogenous silicon alters organic acid production and enzymatic activity of TCA cycle in two NaCl stressed indica rice cultivars.

The activities of TCA cycle enzymes viz., pyruvate dehydrogenase, citrate synthase, isocitrate dehydrogenase, succinate dehydrogenase and malate dehydrogenase as well as levels of different organic acids viz., pyruvic acid, citric acid, succinic acid and malic acid were studied in two rice cultivars viz. cv. Nonabokra and cv. MTU 1010 differing in salt tolerance grown under 25, 50 and 100 mM NaCl salinity levels. A contrasting response to salt stress on enzyme activities of TCA cycle and accumulation of organic acid was observed between two cultivars during twenty-one days period of study. Salinity caused enhanced organic acid production and increase in all five enzyme activities in cv. Nonabokra whereas in cv. MTU 1010 decrease in both organic acid production and enzymes activities were noted. Joint application of exogenous silicon along with NaCl, altered the organic acids levels and activities of enzymes in both cultivars of rice seedlings conferring tolerance against salt induced stress. Rice cv. MTU 1010 showed better response to exogenous silicon on parameters tested compared to cv. Nonabokra.

Identification of arsenic-tolerant and arsenic-sensitive rice (Oryza sativa L.) cultivars on the basis of arsenic accumulation assisted stress perception, morpho-biochemical responses, and alteration in genomic template stability.

Arsenic toxicity is the most commonly experienced challenge of rice plants due to irrigation with arsenic-polluted groundwater and their cultivation in water logging environment which poses threat to human health, particularly in Bangladesh and West Bengal (India). In the present study, hydroponically grown eight rice cultivars, viz., Bhutmuri, Kumargore, Binni, Vijaya, Tulsibhog, Badshabhog, Pusa basmati, and Swarnadhan, were screened for arsenic tolerance by using physiological and molecular parameters. Treatment with 25 µM, 50 µM, and 75 µM arsenate resulted in dosage-based retardation in growth and water content in all the tested cultivars due to accumulation of total arsenic along with the enhanced activity of arsenate reductase with more severe effects exhibited in cvs. Swarnadhan, Pusa basmati, Badshabhog, and Tulsibhog. Arsenic sensitivity of rice cultivars was evaluated in terms of oxidative stress markers generation, antioxidant enzyme activities, and level of genotoxicity. Under arsenate-challenged conditions, the levels of oxidative stress markers, viz., H2O2, MDA, and proline, and activities of antioxidant enzymes, viz., SOD and CAT, along with the level of genotoxicity analyzed by RAPD profiling were altered in variable levels in all tested rice cultivars and showed a significant alteration in band patterns in arsenate-treated seedlings of cvs. Swarnadhan, Pusa basmati, Badshabhog, and Tulsibhog in terms of appearance of new bands and disappearance of normal bands that were presented in untreated seedlings led to reduction in genomic template stability due to their high susceptibility to arsenic toxicity. Cultivar- and dose-dependent alteration of parameters tested including the rate of As accumulation showed that cvs. Kumargore, Binni, and Vijaya, specially Bhutmuri, were characterized as arsenate tolerant and could be cultivated in arsenic-prone areas to minimize level of toxicity and potential health hazards.

Modulation of growth, ascorbate-glutathione cycle and thiol metabolism in rice (Oryza sativa L. cv. MTU-1010) seedlings by arsenic and silicon.

Arsenic is a carcinogenic metalloid, exists in two important oxidation states-arsenate (As-V) and arsenite (As-III). The influence of arsenate with or without silicate on the growth and thiol metabolism in rice (Oryza sativa L. cv. MTU-1010) seedlings were investigated. Arsenate was more toxic for root growth than shoot growth where the root lengths were short, characteristically fragile and root tips turned brown. The multiple comparison analysis using Tukey's HSD (honest significant difference) tests indicated that the rate of arsenate accumulation and its conversion to arsenite by arsenate reductase were significantly increased in all arsenate treated seedlings while in seedlings treated jointly with arsenate and silicate, arsenate accumulation and its conversion to arsenite decreased. Silicate content was detected in the seedlings treated with silicate alone and under co-application of arsenate with silicate. In the test seedlings arsenic toxicity increased ascorbate and glutathione contents along with the activities of their regulatory enzymes, viz., ascorbate peroxidase, glutathione reductase, glutathione peroxidase and glutathione-s-transferase to reduce the toxicity level induced by arsenic whereas ascorbate oxidase activity was decreased to maintain sufficient ascorbate pool under arsenate treatment. Phytochelatins production were increased in both root and shoot of the test seedlings under arsenate exposure to alter the detrimental effects of arsenic by chelation with arsenite and their subsequent sequestration into vacuole. Thus, joint application of silicate along with arsenate showed significant alterations on all the parameters tested compared to arsenate treatment alone due to less availability of arsenic in the tissue leading to better growth and metabolism in rice seedlings. Thus use of silicon in arsenic contaminated medium may help to grow rice with improved vigour.

Exogenous silicon alters ascorbate-glutathione cycle in two salt-stressed indica rice cultivars (MTU 1010 and Nonabokra).

Silicon is widely available in soil and is known to mitigate both biotic and abiotic stress in plants. Very low doses of silicon are becoming increasingly essential in rice for biofortification and preventing water loss. Soil salinity is a matter of grave concern in various parts of the world, and silicon is a suitable candidate to mitigate salinity-induced stress of important plants in affected areas. The present study investigates the protective capability of exogenously applied silicon in ameliorating NaCl-induced toxicity in two rice (Oryza sativa L.) cultivars, the salt-sensitive MTU 1010, and salt-tolerant Nonabokra. Rice seedlings were treated with three doses of NaCl (25, 50, and 100 mM), initially alone and subsequently in combination with 2 mM sodium silicate (Na2SiO3, 9H2O). After 21 days, these plants were examined to determine levels of reduced glutathione, ascorbic acid, cysteine, and activities of different enzymes involved in the ascorbate-glutathione cycle, viz., glutathione reductase (GR), ascorbate peroxidase (APX), glutathione peroxidase (GPx), and glutathione S-transferase (GST). Though ROS levels increased in both the cultivars with increasing NaCl concentrations, cv. MTU 1010 accumulated comparatively higher amounts. A differential response of NaCl-induced toxicity on the two cultivars was observed with respect to the various enzymatic and non-enzymatic antioxidants. APX and GST activities, as well as, cysteine contents, increased concomitantly with salt concentrations, whereas GR activity declined at increasing salt concentrations, in both cultivars. Activity of GPx increased in cv. Nonabokra but declined in cv. MTU 1010, under similar NaCl concentrations. Reduced glutathione (GSH) contents decreased in both cultivars, whereas ascorbate contents declined in only the sensitive cultivar. Application of silicon, along with NaCl, in the test seedlings of both the cultivars, reduced ROS accumulation and boosted antioxidant defense mechanism, through enhancing ascorbate and GSH levels, and activities of ascorbate-glutathione cycle enzymes as well. However, amelioration of salt-induced damages in the sensitive cv. MTU 1010 was more pronounced upon silicon administration, than the tolerant cv. Nonabokra. Thus, cv. MTU 1010 was found to be more responsive to applied silicon. Hence, this study was instrumental in realizing a successful strategy in silicon-mediated amelioration of salinity stress in plants.

Metabolomics analysis of Cajanus cajan L. seedlings unravelled amelioration of stress induced responses to salinity after halopriming of seeds.

Soil salinity has become a major concern for agriculture. Such constraints not only reinforce the urgent need to understand the underlying mechanisms by which plants cope during salt stress but also to develop cost-effective and farmer friendly halopriming technique to alleviate the adverse effects of salinity to some extent. Metabolomics approach was used to explore different responses to physiological metabolites and pathway variations that occur during salt stress responses in Cajanus cajan L. var. Rabi and to understand the role of halopriming in ameliorating stress at the level of metabolite. Seedlings raised from non-primed and haloprimed seeds, grown in hydroponic solution, were subjected to different concentrations of NaCl. After 21 days, metabolites were extracted, derivatized and analyzed by GC-MS. The data were analysed by different multivariate analyses. Chemometric study of the identified metabolites indicated that the leaves responded most to NaCl induced stress than the stem and root with production of beta-cyano-L-alanine and also increased level of different compatible solutes. O-Acetylsalicylic was also found to increase in all the parts upon facing stress but, such upregulated metabolite production was downregulated in the leaves when the seeds were haloprimed before germination, although many of the metabolites, including beta-cyanoalanine, showed a trend of increase with increase in salt concentrations. Important metabolites produced by C. cajan seedlings in response to salinity were unravelled. Pre-germination haloprimimg of seeds resulted in amelioration of NaCl induced stress, as the levels of stress induced metabolites were lowered.

Influence of sodium chloride on the regulation of Krebs cycle intermediates and enzymes of respiratory chain in mungbean (Vigna radiata L. Wilczek) seedlings.

The effect of common salt (NaCl) on ion contents, Krebs cycle intermediates and its regulatory enzymes was investigated in growing mungbean (Vigna radiata L. Wilczek, B 105) seedlings. Sodium and chloride ion contents increased in both root and shoot whereas potassium ion content decreased in shoot of test seedlings with increasing concentrations of NaCl. Organic acids like pyruvate and citrate levels increased whereas malate level decreased under stress in both roots and shoots. Salt stress also variedly affected the activities of different enzymes of respiratory chain. The activity of pyruvate dehydrogenase (E.C. 1.2.4.1) decreased in 50 mM NaCl but increased in 100 mM and 150 mM concentrations, in both root and shoot samples. Succinate dehydrogenase (E.C. 1.3.5.1) activity was reduced in root whereas stimulated in shoot under increasing concentrations of salt. The activity of isocitrate dehydrogenase (E.C. 1.1.1.41) and malate dehydrogenase (E.C. 1.1.1.37) decreased in both root and shoot samples under salt stress. On the contrary, pretreatment of mungbean seeds with sublethal dose of NaCl was able to overcome the adverse effects of stress imposed by NaCl to variable extents with significant alterations of all the tested parameters, resulting in better growth and efficient respiration in mungbean seedlings. Thus, plants can acclimate to lethal level of salinity by pretreatment of seeds with sublethal level of NaCl, which serves to improve their health and production under saline condition, but the sublethal concentration of NaCl should be carefully chosen.

NaCl pretreatment alleviates salt stress by enhancement of antioxidant defense system and osmolyte accumulation in mungbean (Vigna radiata L. Wilczek).

Enhancement of salt (NaCl) tolerance by pretreatment with sublethal dose (50 mM) of NaCl was investigated in V. radiata seedlings. NaCl stress caused drastic effects on roots compared to shoots. Accompanying reductions in length, number of root hairs and branches, roots became stout, brittle and brown in color. Salt stress caused gradual reduction in chlorophyll, carotenoid pigment contents and chlorophyll fluorescence intensity also. Superoxide dismutase and catechol peroxidase activities increased under stress in both roots and leaves. But catalase activity showed an increase in roots and decrease in leaves. In these seedlings, the oxidative stress has been observed under salinity stress and the level of proline, H2O2 and malondialdehyde content were increased. But pretreatment with sublethal dose of NaCl was able to overcome the adverse effects of stress imposed by NaCl to variable extents by increasing growth and photosynthetic pigments of the seedlings, modifying the activities of antioxidant enzymes, reducing malondialdehyde and H2O2 content and increasing accumulation of osmolytes like proline. Thus, mungbean plants can acclimate to lethal level of salinity by pretreatment with sublethal level of NaCl, improving their health and production under saline condition.

Regulation of sugar metabolism in rice (Oryza sativa L.) seedlings under arsenate toxicity and its improvement by phosphate.

The effect of arsenate with or without phosphate on the growth and sugar metabolism in rice seedlings cv. MTU 1010 was studied. Arsenate was found to be more toxic for root growth than shoot growth and water content of the seedlings gradually decreased with increasing concentrations. Arsenate exposure at 20 µM and 100 µM resulted in an increase in reducing sugar content and decrease in non-reducing sugar content. There was a small increase in starch content, the activity of starch phosphorylase was increased but α-amylase activity was found to be decreased. Arsenate toxicity also affected the activities of different carbohydrate metabolizing enzymes. The activities of sucrose degrading enzymes viz., acid invertase and sucrose synthase were increased whereas, the activity of sucrose synthesizing enzyme, viz. sucrose phosphate synthase declined. The combined application of arsenate with phosphate exhibited significant alterations of all the parameters tested under the purview of arsenate treatment alone which was congenial to better growth and efficient sugar metabolism in rice seedlings. Thus, the use of phosphorus enriched fertilizers may serve to ensure the production of healthy rice plants in arsenic contaminated soils.