Role of plant functional traits in the invasion success: analysis of nine species of Asteraceae.

Various attributes are hypothesized to facilitate the dominance of an invasive species in non-native geographical and ecological regimes. To explore the characteristic invasive attributes of the family Asteraceae, a comparative study was conducted among nine species of this family, co-occurring in the western Himalayan region. Based on their nativity and invasion status, the species were categorized as "Invasive", "Naturalized", and "Native".

Inroads into saline-alkaline stress response in plants: unravelling morphological, physiological, biochemical, and molecular mechanisms.

This article discusses the complex network of ion transporters, genes, microRNAs, and transcription factors that regulate crop tolerance to saline-alkaline stress. The framework aids scientists produce stress-tolerant crops for smart agriculture. Salinity and alkalinity are frequently coexisting abiotic limitations that have emerged as archetypal mediators of low yield in many semi-arid and arid regions throughout the world.

Leaf functional traits and resource use strategies facilitate the spread of invasive plant Parthenium hysterophorus across an elevational gradient in western Himalayas.

Parthenium hysterophorus L. (Asteraceae) is a highly prevalent invasive species in subtropical regions across the world. It has recently been seen to shift from low (subtropical) to high (sub-temperate) elevations.

Projected Impacts of Climate Change on the Range Expansion of the Invasive Straggler Daisy () in the Northwestern Indian Himalayan Region.

Human-induced climate change modifies plant species distribution, reorganizing ecologically suitable habitats for invasive species. In this study, we identified the environmental factors that are important for the spread of , an emerging invasive weed in the northwestern Indian Himalayan Region (IHR), along with possible habitats of the weed under current climatic scenarios and potential range expansion under several representative concentration pathways (RCPs) using MaxEnt niche modeling. The prediction had a high AUC (area under the curve) value of 0.

Effect of 2850 MHz electromagnetic field radiation on the early growth, antioxidant activity, and secondary metabolite profile of red and green cabbage (Brassica oleracea L.).

The proliferation of wireless and other telecommunications equipment brought about by technological advances in the communication industry has substantially increased the radiofrequency radiation levels in the environment. The emphasis is, therefore, placed on investigating the potential impacts of radiofrequency radiation on biota. In this work, the impact of 2850 MHz electromagnetic field radiation (EMF-r) on early development, photosynthetic pigments, and the metabolic profile of two Brassica oleracea L.

Comparative assessment of two biodegradable chelants, S,S-ethylenediamine disuccinic acid and nitrilotriacetic acid, in facilitating Cd remediation by lesser swine cress (Coronopus didymus, Brassicaceae).

Chemically assisted phytoremediation is suggested as an effective approach to amplify the metal-remediating potential of hyperaccumulators. The current study assessed the efficiency of two biodegradable chelants (S,S-ethylenediamine disuccinic acid, EDDS; nitrilotriacetic acid, NTA) in enhancing the remediation of Cd by Coronopus didymus (Brassicaceae). C.

Ecology, Biology, Environmental Impacts, and Management of an Agro-Environmental Weed .

L. (Billy goat weed; Asteraceae) is an annual herbaceous plant of American origin with a pantropical distribution. The plant has unique biological attributes and a raft of miscellaneous chemical compounds that render it a pharmacologically important herb.

Biodegradable chelant-metal complexes enhance cadmium phytoextraction efficiency of Solanum americanum.

Toxic contaminants (metals and metal-containing compounds) are accumulating in the environment at an astonishing rate and jeopardize human health. Remarkable industrial revolution and the spectacular economic growth are the prime causes for the release of such toxic contaminants in the environment. Cadmium (Cd) is ranked the 7th most toxic compound by the Agency for Toxic Substances and Disease Registry (USA), owing to its high carcinogenicity and non-biodegradability even at miniscule concentration.

Essential oils as anticancer agents: Potential role in malignancies, drug delivery mechanisms, and immune system enhancement.

Cancer retains a central place in fatality rates among the wide variety of diseases known world over, and the conventional synthetic medicaments, albeit used until now, produce numerous side effects. As a result, newer, better, and safer alternatives such as natural plant products, are gravely required. Essential oils (EOs) offer a plethora of bioactivities including antibacterial, antiviral, antioxidant, and anticancer properties, therefore, the use of EOs in combination with synthetic drugs or aromatherapy continues to be popular in many settings.

Bridging the gap: linking morpho-functional traits' plasticity with hyperaccumulation.

Plant species exhibiting heavy metal tolerance are instrumental in phytoremediation of metalliferous sites. Most of the time, variations in plant functional traits (PFTs) are overlooked while identifying hyperaccumulators. However, investigating morphological, physiological, and phenological variations can contribute to our knowledge about stress tolerance, and aid in identifying potential hyperaccumulators.

Parthenin-A Sesquiterpene Lactone with Multifaceted Biological Activities: Insights and Prospects.

Parthenin, a sesquiterpene lactone of pseudoguaianolide type, is the representative secondary metabolite of the tropical weed (Asteraceae). It accounts for a multitude of biological activities, including toxicity, allergenicity, allelopathy, and pharmacological aspects of the plant. Thus far, parthenin and its derivatives have been tested for chemotherapeutic abilities, medicinal properties, and herbicidal/pesticidal activities.

Cytotoxic and genotoxic assessment of agricultural soils from an industrial region.

Industrial effluents contain hazardous substances that can be a serious threat to the agriculture and human health. In the present study, the cytotoxic and genotoxic impacts of agricultural soil from the industrial area of Dera Bassi (Punjab, India) have been evaluated. Assays such as defects in DNA repair in K-12 mutants of Escherichia coli and chromosomal aberrations in Allium cepa were used to estimate the acute toxicity and chromosomal mutagenesis, respectively.

Amelioration potential of β-pinene on Cr(VI)-induced toxicity on morphology, physiology and ultrastructure of maize.

Heavy metals' amassment in the soil environment is a threat to crop and agricultural sustainability and consequentially the global food security. For achieving enhancement of crop productivity in parallel to reducing chromium (Cr) load onto food chain demands continuous investigation and efforts to develop cost-effective strategies for maximizing crop yield and quality. In this context, we investigated the amelioration of Cr(VI) toxicity through β-pinene in experimental dome simulating natural field conditions.

Salicylic acid pre-treatment modulates Pb-induced DNA damage vis-à-vis oxidative stress in Allium cepa roots.

The current study investigated the putative role of salicylic acid (SA) in modulating Pb-induced DNA and oxidative damage in Allium cepa roots. Pb exposure enhanced free radical generation and reduced DNA integrity and antioxidant machinery after 24 h; however, SA pre-treatment (for 24 h) ameliorated Pb toxicity. Pb exposure led to an increase in malondialdehyde (MDA) and hydrogen peroxide (HO) accumulation and enhanced superoxide radical and hydroxyl radical levels.

Nature of phytotoxic interference of alien weed 'Calyptocarpus vialis' against some crop plants.

Calyptocarpus vialis (syn. Synedrella vialis; Asteraceae), a native of the tropical Americas, has acquired an invasive status in the eastern Asia and Africa and, of late, in India. It is an annual herbaceous weed that forms a dominant ground cover due to its prostrate expansion and interferes with the growth of other plant species.

Isolation and characterization of a novel hydrocarbonoclastic and biosurfactant producing bacterial strain: RP3.

In this study, an indigenous novel hydrocarbonoclastic (kerosene and diesel degrading) and biosurfactant producing strain  RP3 was identified. The characteristics of bacterial strain were ascertained through its unique morphological and biochemical attributes, 16S RNA sequencing, and phylogenetic analysis. The degradation of hydrocarbons by  RP3 was observed at Day 7, Day 10 and Day 14 of the experimental duration.

Chemical characterization, phytotoxic, and cytotoxic activities of essential oil of Mentha longifolia.

The present study assessed the phytotoxic and cytotoxic potential of the essential oil (EO) extracted from aboveground parts of Mentha longifolia (L.) Huds. Gas chromatography-mass spectrometry revealed 39 compounds constituting 99.

Patterns of plant communities along vertical gradient in Dhauladhar Mountains in Lesser Himalayas in North-Western India.

Mountains are definitely the most rugged, yet frail resources and biodiversity-rich regions of the world. Environmental variables directly affect species composition, growth patterns, and the ecosystem resulting in a drastic change in the vegetation composition along ascending elevations. The present study investigated vegetation composition, nestedness, and turnover in plant communities along a vertical gradient (2000 to 4000 m) in Dhauladhar Mountains, Lesser Himalayas, India.

Insights into the tolerance and phytoremediation potential of Coronopus didymus L. (Sm) grown under zinc stress.

Zinc (Zn) is a vital micronutrient for plants, but its abundance can be calamitous. In this study, a screenhouse experiment was conducted over a 6-week period to assess the effect of soil enrichment with Zn regimes (100, 250 and 500 mg kg) on growth, Zn accumulation, photosynthetic pigment concentration, oxidative stress markers and activities of antioxidant enzymes in Coronopus didymus. Results revealed that Zn concentration in C.

Comparative cyto- and genotoxicity of 900 MHz and 1800 MHz electromagnetic field radiations in root meristems of Allium cepa.

In the last few decades, tremendous increase in the use of wireless electronic gadgets, particularly the cell phones, has significantly enhanced the levels of electromagnetic field radiations (EMF-r) in the environment. Therefore, it is pertinent to study the effect of these radiations on biological systems including plants. We investigated comparative cytotoxic and DNA damaging effects of 900 and 1800 MHz EMF-r in Allium cepa (onion) root meristematic cells in terms of mitotic index (MI), chromosomal aberrations (CAs) and single cell gel electrophoresis (comet assay).

Exposure to mobile phone radiations at 2350 MHz incites cyto- and genotoxic effects in root meristems of .

Background: The exponential increase of electromagnetic field radiations (EMF-r) in the natural environment has raked up the controversies regarding their biological effects. Concern regarding the putative capacity of EMF-r to affect living beings has been growing due to the ongoing elevation in the use of high frequency EMF-r in communication systems, e.g.

24-Epibrassinolide pre-treatment reduces alkaline-induced oxidative stress in red rice seedlings.

Soil alkalinity caused by salts, such as sodium bicarbonate (NaHCO), and the frequently associated waterlogging problems are pervasive in agriculture and have a deleterious impact on crop production. However, various plant growth regulators, including brassinosteroids, are considered to be important against different abiotic stresses experienced by plants due to drought, salinity, and heavy metal stress. We investigated the putative role of 24-epibrassinolide (EBL), an active brassinosteroid, on red rice plants experiencing alkaline stress.

Nitric oxide induced modulations in adventitious root growth, lignin content and lignin synthesizing enzymes in the hypocotyls of Vigna radiata.

The present study evaluated the role of nitric oxide (NO) in mediating adventitious root (AR) growth, lignification and related enzymatic changes in the hypocotyls of Vigna radiata. To meet the objectives, the changes in AR growth, lignin content, and the activities of enzymes-peroxidases, polyphenol oxidases, and phenylalanine ammonia lyases- with NO donor and its scavenger were monitored. Hypocotyls were cultivated in aqueous solution supplemented with different concentrations of SNP (sodium nitroprusside, NO donor compound) and its scavenging compound (2,4-carboxyphenyl-4,4,5,5-tetramethylimidazoline-1-oxyl-3-oxide; cPTIO).

Appraisal of immediate and late effects of mobile phone radiations at 2100 MHz on mitotic activity and DNA integrity in root meristems of Allium cepa.

The present study evaluated the potential of 2100 MHz radiofrequency radiations to act as cytotoxic and genotoxic agent. Fresh onion (Allium cepa L.) roots were exposed to electromagnetic field radiations (EMF-r) for different durations (1 h and 4 h) and evaluated for mitotic index (MI), phase index, chromosomal aberrations, and DNA damage.