Rising soil salinity hinders global crop yields by damaging plants, threatening food security. This study assessed glycine betaine (GB) application methods (foliar, seed priming) and salinity levels (0, 60, 120, 180 mM NaCl) on quinoa over two seasons. For ionic homeostasis, seed priming improved K+/Na+ ratio by 10-15 % at low salinity, while foliar was 12-18 % more effective at high salinity. Seed priming remained 10-15 % superior for roots. Foliar enhanced osmolytes by 12-16 % at low salinity, but seed priming had 16-20 % stronger effects at high salinity. Under low salinity, seed priming provided 8-12 % better protection for chlorophyll and photosynthetic efficiency. At high salinity, foliar GB was 10-15 % best for chlorophyll, seed priming 12-16 % more effective for photosynthetic rate, and foliar GB had an 8-10 % edge for Fv/Fm. GB reduced MDA by 8-12 % at low salinity, 12-16 % with seed priming at medium salinity in 2023, and 16-20 % with foliar in 2024. At high salinity, seed priming decreased MDA by 20-25 % in 2023, while foliar showed a 24-28 % reduction. GB moderately enhanced antioxidants by 8-12 % under mild stress, but seed priming and foliar differed 16-20 % in effectiveness under severe stress. For nutrients, seed priming had a 12-16 % advantage for nitrogen at medium salinity in 2023, while foliar excelled with a 16-20 % increase under high stress in 2024. Seed priming was 16-20 % better for phosphorus at high salinity in 2023, but foliar had 20-25 % superior results in 2024. These findings highlight complex plant responses to GB-salinity interactions, with optimal methods varying by trait, stress level, and environmental conditions. (c) 2024 SAAB. Published by Elsevier B.V. All rights are reserved, including those for text and data mining, AI training, and similar technologies.

Cadmium is a toxic heavy metal that causes environmental pollution. High concentrations of cadmium in the soil have undesirable influences on plants' biochemical and physiological characteristics. Iron has potential to minimize the harmful effects of cadmium, improve growth characteristics and increase the antioxidant potential of plants. In the present study, lettuce plants were treated with the different concentrations of cadmium chloride (0, 200, 400, and 600 mu M), nano-chelated iron (0.5 and 1 g/L), and their combinations. Although growth indices have decreased in the presence of cadmium, the application of nano-chelated iron to cadmium-treated plants improved growth parameters. In the combined treatments of cadmium chloride and nano-chelate iron, the activity of some antioxidant enzymes such as catalase, peroxidase, ascorbate peroxidase, and superoxide dismutase have increased by amounts of 0.138, 0.249, 1.557, 9.943 U/mg protein, respectively compared to plants treated with cadmium chloride alone. Similarly, exposure of plants to cadmium chloride and nano-chelated iron increased proline content, relative water content, and 2,2-diphenyl-2-picrylhydrazyl radical scavenging activity in comparison to the control group. The application of nano-chelated iron in plants treated with cadmium chloride resulted in a decrease in hydrogen peroxide and malondialdehyde content. Altogether, the data revealed that simultaneous supply of nano-chelated iron may reduce the toxicity and destructive impacts of cadmium chloride in lettuce plants. Additionally, the application of nano-chelated iron on plants under cadmium chloride stress can introduce new strategies to manage/mitigate oxidative stress caused by heavy metal exposure.

Objectives: This study addresses the critical issue of Cd contamination in agricultural soils, posing substantial risks to crop productivity and food safety. While prior pot experiment has undertook this issue on a small scale, this study aims to evaluate the efficacy of selected best soil amendments, at a large-scale field experiment. Methodology: Press mud and humic acid were applied at 0.5%, while gypsum and Fe2O3 were applied at 5 mg/kg alone and with foliar application of Fe nanoparticles at 5 mg/L. Analysis: Comparative analysis with control revealed the immobilization efficiency of all amendments in descending order of effectiveness as follows: 100, 102, 104, 104, 105, 102, 105, and 105% for PM, HA, GYP, Fe, PM + Fe Nps, HA + Fe Nps, GYP + Fe Nps, and Fe + Fe Nps. Additionally, reduced growth, photosynthetic activities, and elevated levels of malondialdehyde and hydrogen peroxide, indicative of oxidative damage in control plant. Findings: Application of these amendments with foliar spraying of Fe Nps effectively mitigates Cd toxicity in maize crops, leading to improved growth, biomass, photosynthetic pigments, and antioxidant enzyme activities. Novelty/Improvement: These findings highlight the significance of exploring innovative approach of combining different amendments with foliar application of nanoparticles to mitigate Cd contamination and enhance soil health, thereby contributing to global efforts in ensuring food safety and security.

Maize is highly susceptible to drought, which affects growth and yield. This study investigated how bacterial volatile organic compounds (BVOCs) affect maize drought tolerance. Drought reduced shoot size but increased root length, an adaptation for accessing deeper soil moisture. BVOCs from strain D12 significantly increased root length and shoot growth under drought conditions. Drought also altered root biochemistry, decreasing enzyme activity, and increased osmolyte levels. BVOCs from strains F11 and FS4-14 further increased osmolyte levels but did not protect membranes from oxidative damage, while BVOCs from strains D12 and D7 strains reduced osmolyte levels and cell damage. In shoots, drought increased the levels of osmolytes and oxidative stress markers. BVOCs from FS4-14 had minimal effects on shoot biochemistry. BVOCs from D12 and F11 partially restored metabolic activity but did not reduce cell damage. BVOCs from D7 reduced metabolic activity and cell damage. These results suggest that BVOCs can modulate the biochemical response of maize to drought, with some strains evidencing the potential to enhance drought tolerance.

Both microplastics (MPs) and cadmium (Cd) are common contaminants in farmland systems, is crucial for assessing their risks for human health and environment, and little research has focused on stress responses mechanisms of crops exposed to the combined pollution. The present study investigated the impact of poly-ethylene (PE) and polypropylene (PP) microplastics (MPs), in combination with Cd, on the physiological and metabolomic changes as well as rhizosphere soil of potherb mustard. Elevated levels of PEMPs and PPMPs were found to impede nutrient uptake in plants while promoting premature flowering, and the concomitant effect is lower crop yields. The substantial improvement in Cd bioavailability facilitated by MPs in rhizosphere soil, especially in high concentrations of MPs, then elevated bioavailability of Cd contributed to promoted Cd accumulation in plants, with distinct effects depending on the type and concentration of MPs. The presence of MPs Combined exposure to high concentrations of MPs and Cd resulted in alterations in plant physiology and metabolomics, including decreased biomass and photosynthetic parameters, elevated levels of reactive oxygen species primarily H2O2, increased antioxidant enzyme activities, and modifications in metabolite profiles. Overall, our study assessed the potential impact on food security (the availability of cadmium to plant) and crops stress responses regarding the contamination of MPs and Cd, providing new insights for future risk assessment in agriculture.