Effect of apple fermentation liquid on rice growth and stress responses in saline-alkali soil under pot conditions

Dynamic Responses of Cherry Tomatoes to Salinity Stress: Growth, SPAD, Sap Ion Regulation and Leachate Chemical Composition Across Developmental Stages

Tomato production is highly affected by salt stress conditions, especially under protected cultivation systems using low-quality irrigation water. This study assessed the effects of increasing electrical conductivity (EC) levels of the nutrient solution (2, 4, 6, and 8 dS m−1) on growth, biomass distribution, RGB-based spectral indices, physiological traits, petiole sap composition, and leachate chemistry in tomato plants (Solanum lycopersicum cv. Tiny Tim) cultivated in containers within a bamboo nethouse under tropical conditions. The results obtained reported that increasing salinity significantly reduced fresh and dry biomass (61.72 and 61.55% respectively) across all plant organs, with fruits showing the highest sensitivity. Leaf area index (LAI), SPAD values, leaf nitrogen (N) concentration, leaf relative humidity (LRH), and water uptake also declined progressively under saline conditions. In contrast, root and leaf biomass allocation increased under the highest salinity level. Spectral analyses reported reductions in red and blue RGB components and normalized red and blue index values, while normalized green index increased under higher salinity levels. Petiole sap analysis showed a progressive accumulation of sodium (Na+) and chloride (Cl−) together with reductions in nitrate (NO3−-N) and potassium (K+) concentrations, particularly during the reproductive stage. In contrast, °Brix, calcium (Ca2+), and phosphorus (P) concentrations increased under salinity, particularly during the reproductive stage. Leachate analyses confirmed salt accumulation in the substrate and reduced plant water uptake. Overall, petiole sap analysis and RGB-based spectral indices provide a rapid, non-destructive, and cost-effective tool for the early detection of salinity stress in tomato, enabling timely irrigation and fertigation adjustments to improve crop performance and resource-use efficiency under saline conditions.

Halotolerant plant growth-promoting rhizobacteria from rice and wheat in sodic soils: Characterization for their potential to alleviate salt stress

It is suggested that selected halotolerant isolates possess multifunctional traits including salt tolerance and potential nutrient-solubilizing capacity, making them promising candidates for biofertilizer development and sustainable agriculture in salt-affected regions.

Effect of Compound Biofertilizer on Rice Growth and Its Impact on Insect Community in Salin Lands

Bacillus from the Brazilian Caatinga biome enhances maize productivity and agronomic performance under rainfed conditions across multi-location field trials

Drought stress is among the most critical limitations to maize productivity, particularly under rainfed conditions. In this study, we explored the Brazilian Caatinga biome as a source of drought adapted plant growth-promoting bacteria and evaluated their potential to mitigate drought effects in maize (Zea mays L.). A total of 414 thermo-tolerant bacterial strains were isolated from soil, of which 28 Bacillus strains were able to grow under low water activity. These strains exhibited multiple plant growth-promoting traits in vitro, including exopolysaccharide production, biofilm formation, siderophore production, indole-3-acetic acid synthesis, putative nitrogen fixation, and phosphate solubilization. Twelve selected strains significantly improved root morphology, relative chlorophyll content (SPAD units), and biomass accumulation in maize seedlings under osmotic stress induced by polyethylene glycol. Notably, strain 1A11 showed the most consistent effects, promoting root growth and biomass accumulation under both stressed and non-stressed conditions, indicating constitutive growth promotion across environments, whereas other strains showed stronger responses under stress. This stability across environments strengthens its agronomic value, particularly in regions characterized by high rainfall variability. Genome sequencing of five elite strains (1A11, 5D5, 6E9, 1H10, and 2E7) identified conserved gene clusters associated with exopolysaccharide production, indole-3-acetic acid synthesis, phosphate metabolism, iron acquisition (siderophore synthesis), synthesis of volatile compounds, motility, chemotaxis, and general responses to osmotic and oxidative stress. Multi-location field trials conducted across five locations in Brazil, under rainfed conditions, indicate that strains 1A11 (Bacillus subtilis), 5D5, and 6E9 (Bacillus velezensis) consistently increased grain yield compared to the non-inoculated control and performed similarly to or better than a commercial inoculant. Mean productivity gains with the strain 1A11 reached up to 39% relative to the non-inoculated treatment across environments. These results indicate that Bacillus strains isolated from semi-arid soils were able to convert multifunctional potential into measurable agronomic gains under field conditions, demonstrating their potential as bioinoculants to enhance maize resilience under water-limited agricultural systems.

Screening of Tomato Cultivars for Cadmium Tolerance Based on Growth and Biomass attributes in Pot Experiment

Tomatoes are an important vegetable crops and consumed all over the world as in either fresh or process food. Despite its nutritional significance, its production has been challenged by Cd contamination, increasing Cd concentration in agriculture soils threaten both crop productivity and public health, which become a threaten for tomato production and consumption. A controlled shade pot experiment was conducted on effect of different Cd concentrations on two screened two cultivars Red Pearl and Qinzu Shanghai 903. The physiological and morphological properties and seed germination of both cultivars were examined under low irrigation with 0, 10, 20, 40 and 60 (Cd) mg/kg. The results revealed that increasing Cd concentration decreasing the seed germination number, survival rate, shoot height, root length, dry and fresh plant of both tomato cultivars. However, Red Pearl exhibited greater tolerance than Qinzu Shanghai 903 by maintaining better growth and biomass under Cd stress. It was also observed that 10 mg/kg Cd received the better results compared with the other treatment followed by control. It is concluded that the both tomato cultivars morphological characteristics decline by the increasing Cd concentration. These findings indicate that Red Pearl is a promising Cd-tolerant cultivar and may be useful for cultivation and breeding programs in Cd contaminated soils. 

Biochar and hydrochar for saline soil amelioration and rice seedling growth promotion