Physiological and biochemical changes induced by Qiangdi nano-863 biological assistant growth apparatus during rice seed priming under temperature stress

A huge amount of rice cultivation and consumption occur in Asia particularly in Pakistan and China. However, multiple abiotic stresses especially high and low-temperature proved to be a substantial threat for rice production ultimately risks for food security. To overcome various types of abiotic stress; seed priming is among the effective approaches to improve the rice seed germination and growth vigor. Therefore, the present study was planned to evaluate physiological and biochemical modifications in Chinese and Pakistani rice varieties by Qiangdi 863 biological assistant growth apparatus nano treated water (NTW), Osmopriming Calcium chloride (CaCl2), redox priming hydrogen peroxide (H2O2) and hormonal priming by Salicylic acid (SA) under temperature stress conditions. The experiment was performed with completely randomize design conditions. Five rice varieties, nomenclature as Zhongzoa 39, (Chinese rice variety) KSK 133, KS 282, Super basmati and PK 1121 aromatic (Pakistani rice variety) were sown under low temperature (LT) (17ºC), optimal temperature (OT) 27ºC and high temperature (HT) 37ºC conditions. The present study indicated that nanopriming were the most effective treatments increased Germination Energy Percentage (GEP) (96.1, 100, 100%), Speed of Germination (SG) (27.2, 35.45, 37.1), Final Germination Percentage (FGP) (98.2, 99.1, 99.4%), Seedling Dry Weight Biomass (DWB) (0.1, 0.137, 0.14g), Total Chlorophyll Content (0.502, 13.74, 15.21), antioxidant enzymes Superoxide Dismutase (SOD)(3145, 2559, 3345 µg-1FWh-1), Catalase (CAT) (300, 366, 3243 µg-1FWh-1) and decreased Malondialdehyde (MDA) (6.5, 12.2, 6.5 µmol g-1 FW) for Zhongzao 39 and KSK 133 rice varieties under low (LT+NTW), optimal temperature (OP+NTW) and high temperature (HT+NTW) stress., Therefore, nano-priming is recommended to cope with the high and low-temperature stress conditions along with improved productivity of rice.

Impedance Flow Cytometry for Selection of Pollen Traits Under High Temperature Stress in Pepper

High temperature stress is a major limiting factor for pepper productivity, which will continue to be a problem under climate change scenarios. Developing heat tolerant cultivars is critical for sustained pepper production, especially in tropical and subtropical regions. In fruiting crops, like pepper, reproductive tissues, especially pollen, are the most sensitive to high temperature stress. Typically, pollen viability and germination are assessed through staining and microscopy, which is tedious and potentially inaccurate. To increase efficiency in assessing pollen traits of pepper, the use of impedance flow cytometry (IFC) has been proposed. We conducted three independent experiments to determine the most effective methodology to use IFC for evaluating pollen traits for heat tolerance in pepper. Seven floral developmental stages were evaluated, and stages 3, 4, and 5 were found to best combine high pollen concentration and activity. Flowers in development stages 3, 4, or 5 were then heat treated at 41, 44, 47, 50, and 55 °C or not heat treated (control). The critical temperature to assess heat tolerance using IFC was found to be 50 °C, with a reduction in pollen activity and concentration occurring at temperatures greater than 47 °C. Twenty-one entries of pepper were then accessed for pollen traits using the staining and IFC methods over 2 months, April (cooler) and June (hotter). Growing environment was found to be the greatest contributor to variability for nearly all pollen traits assessed, with performance during June nearly always being lower. PBC 507 and PBC 831 were identified as being new sources of heat tolerance, based on using IFC for assessing pollen. Pollen viability determined by staining and pollen activity determined using IFC were significantly positively correlated, indicating that IFC is an efficient and accurate method to assess pollen traits in pepper. This work provides a basis for further research in this area and supports more efficient breeding of heat-tolerant cultivars.

Unraveling Heat Tolerance in Upland Cotton (Gossypium hirsutum L.) Using Univariate and Multivariate Analysis

The ever-changing global environment currently includes an increasing ambient temperature that can be a devastating stress for organisms. Plants, being sessile, are adversely affected by heat stress in their physiology, development, growth, and ultimately yield. Since little is known about the response of biochemical traits to high-temperature ambiance, we evaluated eight parental lines (five lines and three testers) and their 15 F1 hybrids under normal and high-temperature stress to assess the impact of these conditions over 2 consecutive years. The research was performed under a triplicate randomized complete block design including a split-plot arrangement. Data were recorded for agronomic, biochemical, and fiber quality traits. Mean values of agronomic traits were significantly reduced under heat stress conditions, while hydrogen peroxide, peroxidase, total soluble protein, superoxide dismutase, catalase (CAT), carotenoids, and fiber strength displayed higher mean values under heat stress conditions. Under both conditions, high genetic advance and high heritability were observed for seed cotton yield (SCY), CAT, micronaire value, plant height, and chlorophyll-a and b content, indicating that an additive type of gene action controls these traits under both the conditions. For more insights into variation, Pearson correlation analysis and principal component analysis (PCA) were performed. Significant positive associations were observed among agronomic, biochemical, and fiber quality-related traits. The multivariate analyses involving hierarchical clustering and PCA classified the 23 experimental genotypes into four groups under normal and high-temperature stress conditions. Under both conditions, the F1 hybrid genotype FB-SHAHEEN × JSQ WHITE GOLD followed by Ghuari-1, CCRI-24, Eagle-2 × FB-Falcon, Ghuari-1 × JSQ White Gold, and Eagle-2 exhibited better performance in response to high-temperature stress regarding the agronomic and fiber quality-related traits. The mentioned genotypes could be utilized in future cotton breeding programs to enhance heat tolerance and improve cotton yield and productivity through resistance to environmental stressors.

Effects of the Chloroplast Fructose-1,6-Bisphosphate Aldolase Gene on Growth and Low-Temperature Tolerance of Tomato

Tomato (Solanum lycopersicum) is one of the most important greenhouse vegetables, with a large cultivated area across the world. However, in northern China, tomato plants often suffer from low-temperature stress in solar greenhouse cultivation, which affects plant growth and development and results in economic losses. We previously found that a chloroplast aldolase gene in tomato, SlFBA4, plays an important role in the Calvin-Benson cycle (CBC), and its expression level and activity can be significantly altered when subjected to low-temperature stress. To further study the function of SlFBA4 in the photosynthesis and chilling tolerance of tomato, we obtained transgenic tomato plants by the over-expression and RNA interference (RNAi) of SlFBA4. The over-expression of SlFBA4 led to higher fructose-1,6-bisphosphate aldolase activity, net photosynthetic rate (Pn) and activity of other enzymes in the CBC than wild type. Opposite results were observed in the RNAi lines. Moreover, an increase in thousand-seed weight, plant height, stem diameter and germination rate in optimal and sub-optimal temperatures was observed in the over-expression lines, while opposite effects were observed in the RNAi lines. Furthermore, over-expression of SlFBA4 increased Pn and enzyme activity and decreased malonaldehyde (MDA) content under chilling conditions. On the other hand, Pn and MDA content were more severely influenced by chilling stress in the RNAi lines. These results indicate that SlFBA4 plays an important role in tomato growth and tolerance to chilling stress.

Impacts of Non-Lethal High-Temperature Stress on the Development and Reproductive Organs of Bradysia odoriphaga

Bradysia odoriphaga is an agricultural pest in China’s vegetable industry. In this study, pupae and adults were exposed to various non-lethal high-temperatures. The results demonstrated a decreased rate of eclosion once the pupae were exposed to temperatures exceeding 37 °C for 1 h. No effect on the lifespan of unmated female adults was observed after exposure to temperature stress, while unmated male adult lifespan decreased (>37 °C for 2 h). The size of the testis and ovaries for unmated male and female adults decreased, as did the fecundity and egg hatching rate for mated females. Compared with the control group (25 °C), the testis size of unmated male adults decreased after high-temperature stress followed by recovery at 25 °C for 1 h, though the size of the ovaries of female adults did not change. Additionally, the size of the testis and ovaries for unmated male and female adults decreased following high-temperature stress and 24 h of recovery at 25 °C. High temperatures affected males more than females; 37 °C is the critical temperature to control the population of B. odoriphaga. These results lay the foundation for the future development of environmentally friendly high-temperature prevention and pest-control strategies.