Response Surface Methodology-Based Optimization of the Chitinolytic Activity of Strain 614 Exerting Biological Control against Phytopathogenic Fungi.

As part of the development of alternative and environmentally friendly control against phytopathogenic fungi, could be a useful species notably via the generation of hydrolytic enzymes like chitinases, which can act as a biological control agent. Here, a S614 strain exhibiting chitinase activity was isolated from a soil in southern Tunisia. Then, response surface methodology (RSM) with a central composite design (CCD) was used to assess the impact of five factors (colloidal chitin, magnesium sulfate, dipotassium phosphate, yeast extract, and ammonium sulfate) on chitinase activity.

Effect of seed priming with auxin on ROS detoxification and carbohydrate metabolism and their relationship with germination and early seedling establishment in salt stressed maize.

As crucial stages in the plant ontogeny, germination and seedling establishment under adverse conditions greatly determine staple crop growth and productivity. In the context of green technologies aiming to improve crop yield, seed priming is emerging as an effective approach to enhance seed vigor and germination performance under salt stress. In this study, we assess the efficiency of seed priming with indole-3-acetic acid (IAA) in mitigating the adverse effects of salt stress on maize (Zea mays L.

The halotolerant rizhobacterium sp. alleviates salt impact on by producing exopolysaccharides and limiting plant sodium uptake.

Salinity is a widespread abiotic stress, which has strong adverse effects on plant growth and crop productivity. Exopolysaccharides (EPS) play a crucial role in plant growth-promoting rhizobacteria (PGPR)-mediated improvement of plant stress tolerance. This study aimed to assess whether sp.

Seed priming mitigates high salinity impact on germination of bread wheat ( L.) by improving carbohydrate and protein mobilization.

Salinity is increasingly considered as a major environmental issue, which threatens agricultural production by decreasing yield traits of crops. Seed priming is a useful and cost-effective technique to alleviate the negative effects of salinity and to enable a fast and uniform germination. In this context, we quantified the effects of priming with gibberellic acid (GP), calcium chloride (CP), and mannitol (MP) on seed germination of three bread wheat cultivars and investigated their response when grown at high salinity conditions (200 mM NaCl).

Plant Growth-Promoting Rhizobacteria Alleviate High Salinity Impact on the Halophyte by Modulating Antioxidant Defense and Soil Biological Activity.

Plant growth-promoting rhizobacteria (PGPR) are considered as bio-ameliorators that confer better salt resistance to host plants while improving soil biological activity. Despite their importance, data about the likely synergisms between PGPR and halophytes in their native environments are scarce. The objective of this study was to assess the effect of PGPR ( sp.

Improving environmental stress resilience in crops by genome editing: insights from extremophile plants.

In basic and applied sciences, genome editing has become an indispensable tool, especially the versatile and adaptable CRISPR/Cas9 system. Using CRISPR/Cas9 in plants has enabled modifications of many valuable traits, including environmental stress tolerance, an essential aspect when it comes to ensuring food security under climate change pressure. The CRISPR toolbox enables faster and more precise plant breeding by facilitating: multiplex gene editing, gene pyramiding, and domestication.

Potassium (K) Starvation-Induced Oxidative Stress Triggers a General Boost of Antioxidant and NADPH-Generating Systems in the Halophyte .

Potassium (K) is an essential macro-element for plant growth and development given its implication in major processes such as photosynthesis, osmoregulation, protein synthesis, and enzyme function. Using 30-day-old plants as halophyte model grown under K deprivation for 15 days, it was analyzed at the biochemical level to determine the metabolism of reactive oxygen species (ROS), key photorespiratory enzymes, and the main NADPH-generating systems. K starvation-induced oxidative stress was noticed by high malondialdehyde (MDA) content associated with an increase of superoxide radical (O) in leaves from K-deficient plants.

Changes in leaf ecophysiological traits and proteome profile provide new insights into variability of salt response in the succulent halophyte .

Natural variability of stress tolerance in halophytic plants is of significance both ecologically and in view of identifying molecular traits for salt tolerance in plants. Using ecophysiological and proteomic analyses, we address these phenomena in two Tunisian accessions of the oilseed halophyte, Cakile maritima Scop., thriving on arid and semi-arid Mediterranean bioclimatic stages (Djerba and Raoued, respectively), with a special emphasis on the leaves.

Nitric oxide donor, sodium nitroprusside modulates hydrogen sulfide metabolism and cysteine homeostasis to aid the alleviation of chromium toxicity in maize seedlings (Zea mays L.).

The current research aimed to assess the protective role of nitric oxide (NO) against chromium (Cr) toxicity in maize seedlings. Chromium (200 µM) lowered osmotic potential in epicotyls and mostly in radicles (by 38% and 63%, respectively) as compared to the control. Sodium nitroprusside (SNP, NO donor) restored seedling biomass (+90% for both organs) and water potential, whereas application of Nω-nitro-L-arginine methylester (-NAME, a NOS inhibitor) increased sensitivity to Cr.

Stability of thylakoid protein complexes and preserving photosynthetic efficiency are crucial for the successful recovery of the halophyte Cakile maritima from high salinity.

Plants native to extreme habitats often face changes in environmental conditions such as salinity level and water availability. In response, plants have evolved efficient mechanisms allowing them to survive or recover. In the present work, effects of high salinity and salt-stress release were studied on the halophyte Cakile maritima.

Composition and Stability of the Oxidative Phosphorylation System in the Halophile Plant .

Mitochondria play a central role in the energy metabolism of plants. At the same time, they provide energy for plant stress responses. We here report a first view on the mitochondrial Oxidative Phosphorylation (OXPHOS) system of the halophile (salt tolerant) plant .

Recovery aptitude of the halophyte Cakile maritima upon water deficit stress release is sustained by extensive modulation of the leaf proteome.

Among the most intriguing features characterizing extremophile plants is their ability to rapidly recover growth activity upon stress release. Here, we investigated the responses of the halophyte C. maritima to drought and recovery at both physiological and leaf proteome levels.

Comparative analysis of salt-induced changes in the root proteome of two accessions of the halophyte Cakile maritima.

NaCl stress is a major abiotic stress factor limiting the productivity and the geographical distribution of many plant species. Although halophytes are able to withstand and even to require salt in the rhizosphere, roots are the most sensitive organs to salinity. Here, we investigate the variability of salt tolerance in two Tunisian accessions of the halophyte Cakile maritima (Raoued and Djerba, harvested from the semi-arid and arid Mediterranean bioclimatic stages, respectively) with a special emphasis on the proteomic changes in roots.

High salinity impacts germination of the halophyte Cakile maritima but primes seeds for rapid germination upon stress release.

Seed germination recovery aptitude is an adaptive trait of overriding significance for the successful establishment and dispersal of extremophile plants in their native ecosystems. Cakile maritima is an annual halophyte frequent on Mediterranean coasts, which produces transiently dormant seeds under high salinity, that germinate fast when soil salinity is lowered by rainfall. Here, we report ecophysiological and proteomic data about (1) the effect of high salt (200 mM NaCl) on the early developmental stages (germination and seedling) and (2) the seed germination recovery capacity of this species.

Facing the challenge of sustainable bioenergy production: Could halophytes be part of the solution?

Due to steadily growing population and economic transitions in the more populous countries, renewable sources of energy are needed more than ever. Plant biomass as a raw source of bioenergy and biofuel products may meet the demand for sustainable energy; however, such plants typically compete with food crops, which should not be wasted for producing energy and chemicals. Second-generation or advanced biofuels that are based on renewable and non-edible biomass resources are processed to produce cellulosic ethanol, which could be further used for producing energy, but also bio-based chemicals including higher alcohols, organic acids, and bulk chemicals.

NADPH oxidase-dependent H2O2 production is required for salt-induced antioxidant defense in Arabidopsis thaliana.

The involvement of hydrogen peroxide (H2O2) generated by nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide phosphate-oxidase (NADPH oxidase) in the antioxidant defense system was assessed in salt-challenged Arabidopsis thaliana seedlings. In the wild-type, short-term salt exposure led to a transient and significant increase of H2O2 concentration, followed by a marked increase in catalase (CAT, EC 1.11.

Comparative Ni tolerance and accumulation potentials between Mesembryanthemum crystallinum (halophyte) and Brassica juncea: Metal accumulation, nutrient status and photosynthetic activity.

Saline soils often constitute sites of accumulation of industrial and urban wastes contaminated by heavy metals. Halophytes, i.e.

The effect of hyper-osmotic salinity on protein pattern and enzyme activities of halophytes.

Studies of the convergence of the expression of enzymes and the physiology of salt resistance are rare, and give the general impression of a jigsaw puzzle with many missing pieces. To date, only minor responses of plasma membrane and tonoplast proteins of halophytes have been reported. Mostly, subunits of the catalytic portions of ATPases were found to change.

Proteomic and physiological responses of the halophyte Cakile maritima to moderate salinity at the germinative and vegetative stages.

Responses of the halophyte Cakile maritima to moderate salinity were addressed at germination and vegetative stages by bringing together proteomics and eco-physiological approaches. 75 mM NaCl-salinity delayed significantly the germination process and decreased slightly the seed germination percentage compared to salt-free conditions. Monitoring the proteome profile between 0 h and 120 h after seed sowing revealed a delay in the degradation of seed storage proteins when germination took place under salinity, which may explain the slower germination rate observed.

Medicinal halophytes: potent source of health promoting biomolecules with medical, nutraceutical and food applications.

Salt-tolerant plants grow in a wide variety of saline habitats, from coastal regions, salt marshes and mudflats to inland deserts, salt flats and steppes. Halophytes living in these extreme environments have to deal with frequent changes in salinity level. This can be done by developing adaptive responses including the synthesis of several bioactive molecules.

Municipal solid waste compost application improves productivity, polyphenol content, and antioxidant capacity of Mesembryanthemum edule.

Organic wastes were successfully used as soil amendment to improve agrosystems productivity. Yet, the effectiveness of this practice to enhance plant antioxidant capacities has received little attention. Here, we assess the effect of municipal solid waste (MSW) compost (at 40 t ha(-1)) on growth, polyphenol contents and antioxidant activities of Mesembryanthemum edule.

Effect of municipal solid waste compost and sewage sludge use on wheat (Triticum durum): growth, heavy metal accumulation, and antioxidant activity.

Background: Inappropriate utilisation of biosolids may adversely impact agrosystem productivity. Here, we address the response of wheat (Triticum durum) to different doses (0, 40, 100, 200 and 300 t ha(-1)) of either municipal solid waste (MSW) compost or sewage sludge in a greenhouse pot experiment. Plant growth, heavy metal uptake, and antioxidant activity were considered.

ABA, GA(3), and nitrate may control seed germination of Crithmum maritimum (Apiaceae) under saline conditions.

Impaired germination is common among halophyte seeds exposed to salt stress, partly resulting from the salt-induced reduction of the growth regulator contents in seeds. Thus, the understanding of hormonal regulation during the germination process is a main key: (i) to overcome the mechanisms by which NaCl-salinity inhibit germination; and (ii) to improve the germination of these species when challenged with NaCl. In the present investigation, the effects of ABA, GA(3), NO(-)(3), and NH(+)(4) on the germination of the oilseed halophyte Crithmum maritimum (Apiaceae) were assessed under NaCl-salinity (up to 200 mM NaCl).

Relationship between the photosynthetic activity and the performance of Cakile maritima after long-term salt treatment.

Cakile maritima is a halophyte with potential for ecological, economical and medicinal uses. We address here the impact of salinity on its growth, photosynthesis and seed quality. Whole plant growth rate and shoot development were stimulated at moderate salinity (100-200 mM NaCl) and inhibited at higher salt concentrations.

Application of municipal solid waste compost reduces the negative effects of saline water in Hordeum maritimum L.

The efficiency of composted municipal solid wastes (MSW) to reduce the adverse effects of salinity was investigated in Hordeum maritimum under greenhouse conditions. Plants were cultivated in pots filled with soil added with 0 and 40tha(-1) of MSW compost, and irrigated twice a week with tap water at two salinities (0 and 4gl(-1) NaCl). Harvests were achieved at 70 (shoots) and 130 (shoots and roots) days after sowing.