Population and food demand increased rapidly so to face this increment; we must dramatically increase food crop production to ensure global food security. Hence, saline agriculture is a possible solution for producing food in salt-affected soils using saline water for irrigation. The objectives of this study were to investigate the effects of applying different types and doses of biochar to saline soil under irrigation by saline water on soil quality indicators and growth parameters and yield of arugula plant. Four types of biochar: banana leaves biochar (BLB), rice straw biochar (RSB), sorghum stalks biochar (SSB), and wood chips biochar (WCB) were applied to the soil in the pots at levels of 1%, 3%, and 5% (w/w). This pot experiment was cultivated by arugula under irrigation with saline water (6.2 dS m- 1). Total available nitrogen increased significantly relative to the control treatment (unamended soil) by 41%, 34%, 43%, 34%, 33%, 24%, 41%, and 44% under adding 3%WCB, 5%WCB, 1%BLB, 3%BLB, 5%BLB, 5%SSB, 1%RSB, and 5%RSB treatments, respectively. Results showed significant increases in available potassium (K) over the control treatment by 48%, 125%, 410%, 738%, 137%, 352%, 632%, 158%, 576%, and 849% for 5%WCB, 1%BLB, 3%BLB, 5%BLB, 1%SSB, 3%SSB, 5%SSB, 1%RSB, 3%RSB, and 5%RSB treatments, respectively. Cation exchange capacity increased significantly relative to the control treatment by 26%, 22%, 30%, 58%, 31%, 54%, 28%, and 48% for 3%WCB, 5%WCB, 3%BLB, 5%BLB, 3%SSB, 5%SSB, 3%RSB, and 5%RSB, respectively. Relative to the control treatment, the fresh biomass of the arugula plant significantly improved by 97%, 143%, 76%, 129%, 103%, 146%, 81%, 57%, 121%, and 97% for 3%WCB, 5%WCB, 1%BLB, 3%BLB, 1%SSB, 3%SSB, 5%SSB, 1%RSB, 3%RSB, and 5%RSB, respectively. The highest value of fresh biomass, nitrogen uptake, and phosphorus uptake of arugula plant were observed at 3%SSB applications. According to the results obtained from our study, we recommend adding sorghum stalks biochar at 3% which is a promising approach to rehabilitate saline soil and use saline water for sustainable crop production, this is attributed to the effective improvement of the nutrient uptake, productivity, and growth of arugula plant under saline conditions as it enhances the tolerance of plants under salt stress as well as improved nutrient supply and soil quality. Also, adding 3% sorghum stalks biochar saves the costs of addition and production compared to adding 5% dose. This study also provided useful information about the optimal quantities and types of biochar used to improve the productivity of saline soils.
 

Abstract :

Biochar, produced through pyrolysis of organic materials, has shown potential in improving soil properties and reducing population density of plant parasitic nematodes. Biochar prepared from rice straw, moringa wood and mango bushes were applied in vitro at various concentrations (1, 3 and 5%) against Pratylenchus penetrans. Results indicated that biochar types had significant effect on nematode mortality, the mortality rate increased with increasing the concentration and exposure period. Rice straw biochar had the highest effect on suppressing P. penetrans at concentration 5% for 72h (%90), followed by moringa wood (%86.33) then mango bush (%65.67). In vivo, the highest concentration of biochar was used. Rice straw biochar had the highest effect. It reduced the root lesion and population density of P. penetrans infecting peanut seedlings (%39.50) and (418.88), followed by moringa wood (%59.25) and (497.77) mango bushes came last with (%77.77) and (543.33). The use of biochar also led to an increase in plant height and root weight compared to the control infected (only nematode) and control healthy (without nematode). These findings suggest that biochar from these plant sources could serve as an eco-friendly alternative for nematode management in peanut cultivation. Future research should focus on optimizing biochar and application techniques to enhance its efficiency in sustainable peanut production.

Background

Azo dyes represent a common textile dye preferred for its high stability on fabrics in various harsh conditions. Although these dyes pose high-risk levels for all biological forms, fungal laccase is known as a green catalyst for its ability to oxidize numerous dyes.

Methods

Trichoderma isolates were identified and tested for laccase production. Laccase production was optimized using Plackett–Burman Design. Laccase molecular weight and the kinetic properties of the enzyme, including K_m and V_max, pH, temperature, and ionic strength, were detected. Azo dye removal efficiency by laccase enzyme was detected for Congo red, methylene blue, and methyl orange.

Results

Eight out of nine Trichoderma isolates were laccase producers. Laccase production efficiency was optimized by the superior strain T. harzianum PP389612, increasing production from 1.6 to 2.89 U/ml. In SDS-PAGE, purified laccases appear …

Programmed cell death (PCD) plays critical roles in plant immunity but must be regulated to prevent excessive damage. In this study, a novel spotted leaf (spl11-1) mutant was identified from an ethyl methane sulfonate (EMS) population. The SPL11-1 gene was genetically mapped to chromosome 12 between the Indel12-37 and Indel12-39 molecular markers, which harbor a genomic region of 27 kb. Annotation of the SPL11-1 genomic region revealed the presence of two candidate genes. Through gene prediction and cDNA sequencing, it was confirmed that the target gene in the spl11-1 mutant is allelic to the rice SPOTTED LEAF (SPL11), hereafter referred to as spl11-1. Sequence analysis of SPL11 revealed a single bp deletion (T) between the spl11-1 mutant and the ‘Shuangkang77009’ wild type. Moreover, protein structure analysis showed that the structural differences between the SPL11-1 and SPL11 proteins might lead to a change in the function of the SPL11 protein. Compared to the ‘Shuangkang77009’ wild type, the spl11-1 mutant showed more disease resistance. The agronomical evaluation showed that the spl11-1 mutant showed more adverse traits. Through further mutagenesis treatment, we obtained the spl11-2 mutant allelic to spl11-1, which has excellent agronomic traits and more improvement and may have certain breeding prospects in future breeding for disease resistance.