Globally,microplastics(MPs)are widely generated and released into terrestrial ecosystems,raising significant environmental concerns.In agricultural soils,MPs are commonly found,but little is known about their interact...Globally,microplastics(MPs)are widely generated and released into terrestrial ecosystems,raising significant environmental concerns.In agricultural soils,MPs are commonly found,but little is known about their interactions with lead(Pb)and their impact on plant growth.Current study examined the effects of Pb and MPs co-contamination on maize growth using polyethylene microplastics(PE-MPs)and polylactic acid microplastics(PLA-MPs).Both types of MPs influenced plant growth attributes,but PE-MPs had a more detrimental impact.Results showed that soil co-contamination with PE-MPs and Pb increased Pb uptake,reduced photosynthetic activity,heightened oxidative stress,and diminished maize growth.Plants treated with the highest level of PEMPs(PE-MPs 2%and Pb,T6)experienced a decrease in root length,shoot length,root dry weight,shoot dry weight,root diameter,and root surface area by 6.6%,22.8%,40.2%,37.5%,35%,and 23%,respectively,compared to control.T6 treatment also significantly decreased photosynthesis,intercellular CO2,stomatal conductance,transpiration rate,chlorophyll a,and chlorophyll b contents by 13.6%,18.6%,20.9%,10.6%,10.6%,and 11.6%,respectively.Similarly,the T6 treatment induced greater oxidative stress in maize compared to all treatments.T6 treatment increased malondialdehyde(MDA),electrolyte leakage(EL),and hydrogen peroxide(H2O2)production by 50.4%,64.5%,and 48.6%respectively;and catalase(CAT),superoxide dismutase(SOD),and peroxidase(POD)activity by 26.3%,40.5%,and 45.2%,respectively.Moreover,T6 treatment augmented Pb uptake in plants,with Pb uptake in maize roots,leaves,and stems increasing by 17.6%,10.5%,and15.4%,respectively.MPs and Pb co-contamination affected soil enzyme activities in opposing ways.PLA-MPs boosted soil enzyme activities,whereas PE-MPs suppressed them.In T3 treatment,soil urease,CAT,dehydrogenase(DHA),and fluorescein diacetate(FDAse)activity increased by 11%,7.7%,6.1%,and 9.9%,respectively.This research provides valuable insights into MPs and Pb co-contamination and their impacts on plant growth,and the environment's quality.Additionally,it provides directions for future MPs and Pb interactions research.展开更多
Water salinity is a growing environmental concern that significantly impacts soil health,agricultural productivity,and freshwater sustainability,especially in arid regions.This study evaluated the comparative effects ...Water salinity is a growing environmental concern that significantly impacts soil health,agricultural productivity,and freshwater sustainability,especially in arid regions.This study evaluated the comparative effects of foliar-applied glutathione(GSH)and hydrogen peroxide(H2O2)on growth,flower yield,essential oil composition,and physiological responses of Matricaria chamomilla L.under water salinity levels.The experiment was conducted during the 2022/2023 and 2023/2024 seasons at the Experimental Farm of El-Quassassin,Ismailia,Egypt,using a factorial randomized complete block design with three replicates.Foliar applications of GSH(1,2,and 3 mM)and H2O2(5,10,and 20 mM)were tested under varying salinity levels(340 ppm as control,1500,3000,and 4500 ppm).Salinity severely impaired vegetative growth,flower yield,and key nutrients like nitrogen,protein,potassium,and carbohydrates,while increasing proline,sodium and essential oil percentages,especially at 3000 and 4500 ppm.Foliar application of GSH and H2O2alleviated these adverse effects in a concentration-dependent manner.Among the tested concentrations,GSH at 2 mM showed superior performance under moderate salinity(1500 and 3000 ppm),enhancing plant growth,flower biomass,essential oil yield,and oil quality.Improvements were associated with increased oxygenated sesquiterpenes,particularlyα-bisabolol oxide A and chamazulene.Such results revealed the possibility of applying the osmotic regulation agents to enhance the production of medicinal plants under saline irrigation conditions.Mechanistically,glutathione(GSH)enhances antioxidant capacity and regulates cellular redox balance.In contrast,hydrogen peroxide(H2O2)improves plant performance in a concentration-dependent manner by activating antioxidant defense pathways.To the best of our knowledge,this is the first study to provide novel insights into the comparative and concentration-dependent effectiveness of GSH and H2O2in mitigating salinity stress,suggesting a practical approach to improving Matricaria chamomilla L.productivity and essential oil quality under saline conditions.So,this study recommends foliar spraying with 2 mM GSH during moderate saline irrigation(1500 ppm)as the most effective strategy for enhancing chamomile growth,flower yield,and essential oil quality.展开更多
Seed to soil contact is critical for successful germination and establishment.The seed coat micromorphology is a stable trait that has contributed significant information to the phylogenetic classification of angiospe...Seed to soil contact is critical for successful germination and establishment.The seed coat micromorphology is a stable trait that has contributed significant information to the phylogenetic classification of angiosperms.Seed morphology refers to the physical characteristics of seeds,such as their size,shape,color,texture,and structure.The characteristics can vary greatly among different plant species and can provide important information about the plants'life cycle,ecological requirements,and evolutionary history.The aim of this work was to describe the 34 species representing 23 botanical families that were collected to study the micromorphological features of seeds from Khaplu and Skardu mountainous area.Seed shape,color,and texture were observed under a light and scanning microscope and stereo microscope.Micromorphological and ultrastructural data have proved useful in determining seed plant evolution,classification,ecology,and phylogeny.Seed shapes varied from elliptic,oblong,ovate,pyramidal,and spherical.Surface sculpturing varied from rugulate,negative reticulate,reticulate,foveolate,granular and striated.The seed size varied enormously from very minute Matricaria chamomilla 0.33 mm×0.06 mm to very large seed Elaeagnus angustifolia 13.76 mm×4.70 mm.Epicuticular projections,anticlinal wall,periclinal wall,wall ornamentation,and seed texture were also studied under scanning electron microscopy.Most of the seed colors were brown and black except Carthamus tinctorius which exhibits creamy white color.A principal component analysis was used to identify the most outliers in seed micromorphology and provide a significant explanation.A taxonomic key based on micromorphological features has been constructed to assist botanists in identifying species and genera,and to support the conservation of seed bank resources.展开更多
基金supported by the Regional Innovation System&Education(RISE)through the Gangwon RISE Center,funded by the Ministry of Education(MOE)and the Gangwon State(G.S.),Republic of Korea(2025-RISE-10-005)the Yonsei Fellow Program,funded by Lee Youn Jae+2 种基金the Deanship of Research and Graduate Studies at King Khalid University for funding this work through large group Research Project(No.RGP2/342/45)supported by the Princess Nourah bint Abdulrahman University Researchers Supporting Project(No.PNURSP2025R101)Princess Nourah bint Abdulrahman University,Riyadh,Saudi Arabia。
摘要Globally,microplastics(MPs)are widely generated and released into terrestrial ecosystems,raising significant environmental concerns.In agricultural soils,MPs are commonly found,but little is known about their interactions with lead(Pb)and their impact on plant growth.Current study examined the effects of Pb and MPs co-contamination on maize growth using polyethylene microplastics(PE-MPs)and polylactic acid microplastics(PLA-MPs).Both types of MPs influenced plant growth attributes,but PE-MPs had a more detrimental impact.Results showed that soil co-contamination with PE-MPs and Pb increased Pb uptake,reduced photosynthetic activity,heightened oxidative stress,and diminished maize growth.Plants treated with the highest level of PEMPs(PE-MPs 2%and Pb,T6)experienced a decrease in root length,shoot length,root dry weight,shoot dry weight,root diameter,and root surface area by 6.6%,22.8%,40.2%,37.5%,35%,and 23%,respectively,compared to control.T6 treatment also significantly decreased photosynthesis,intercellular CO2,stomatal conductance,transpiration rate,chlorophyll a,and chlorophyll b contents by 13.6%,18.6%,20.9%,10.6%,10.6%,and 11.6%,respectively.Similarly,the T6 treatment induced greater oxidative stress in maize compared to all treatments.T6 treatment increased malondialdehyde(MDA),electrolyte leakage(EL),and hydrogen peroxide(H2O2)production by 50.4%,64.5%,and 48.6%respectively;and catalase(CAT),superoxide dismutase(SOD),and peroxidase(POD)activity by 26.3%,40.5%,and 45.2%,respectively.Moreover,T6 treatment augmented Pb uptake in plants,with Pb uptake in maize roots,leaves,and stems increasing by 17.6%,10.5%,and15.4%,respectively.MPs and Pb co-contamination affected soil enzyme activities in opposing ways.PLA-MPs boosted soil enzyme activities,whereas PE-MPs suppressed them.In T3 treatment,soil urease,CAT,dehydrogenase(DHA),and fluorescein diacetate(FDAse)activity increased by 11%,7.7%,6.1%,and 9.9%,respectively.This research provides valuable insights into MPs and Pb co-contamination and their impacts on plant growth,and the environment's quality.Additionally,it provides directions for future MPs and Pb interactions research.
基金funded by Princess Nourah bint Abdulrahman University Researchers Supporting Project under grant number PNURSP2026R101.
摘要Water salinity is a growing environmental concern that significantly impacts soil health,agricultural productivity,and freshwater sustainability,especially in arid regions.This study evaluated the comparative effects of foliar-applied glutathione(GSH)and hydrogen peroxide(H2O2)on growth,flower yield,essential oil composition,and physiological responses of Matricaria chamomilla L.under water salinity levels.The experiment was conducted during the 2022/2023 and 2023/2024 seasons at the Experimental Farm of El-Quassassin,Ismailia,Egypt,using a factorial randomized complete block design with three replicates.Foliar applications of GSH(1,2,and 3 mM)and H2O2(5,10,and 20 mM)were tested under varying salinity levels(340 ppm as control,1500,3000,and 4500 ppm).Salinity severely impaired vegetative growth,flower yield,and key nutrients like nitrogen,protein,potassium,and carbohydrates,while increasing proline,sodium and essential oil percentages,especially at 3000 and 4500 ppm.Foliar application of GSH and H2O2alleviated these adverse effects in a concentration-dependent manner.Among the tested concentrations,GSH at 2 mM showed superior performance under moderate salinity(1500 and 3000 ppm),enhancing plant growth,flower biomass,essential oil yield,and oil quality.Improvements were associated with increased oxygenated sesquiterpenes,particularlyα-bisabolol oxide A and chamazulene.Such results revealed the possibility of applying the osmotic regulation agents to enhance the production of medicinal plants under saline irrigation conditions.Mechanistically,glutathione(GSH)enhances antioxidant capacity and regulates cellular redox balance.In contrast,hydrogen peroxide(H2O2)improves plant performance in a concentration-dependent manner by activating antioxidant defense pathways.To the best of our knowledge,this is the first study to provide novel insights into the comparative and concentration-dependent effectiveness of GSH and H2O2in mitigating salinity stress,suggesting a practical approach to improving Matricaria chamomilla L.productivity and essential oil quality under saline conditions.So,this study recommends foliar spraying with 2 mM GSH during moderate saline irrigation(1500 ppm)as the most effective strategy for enhancing chamomile growth,flower yield,and essential oil quality.
基金supported by Princess Nourah bint Abdulrahman University Researchers Supporting Project number(PNURSP2025R101),Princess Nourah bint Abdulrahman University,Riyadh,Saudi Arabia.
摘要Seed to soil contact is critical for successful germination and establishment.The seed coat micromorphology is a stable trait that has contributed significant information to the phylogenetic classification of angiosperms.Seed morphology refers to the physical characteristics of seeds,such as their size,shape,color,texture,and structure.The characteristics can vary greatly among different plant species and can provide important information about the plants'life cycle,ecological requirements,and evolutionary history.The aim of this work was to describe the 34 species representing 23 botanical families that were collected to study the micromorphological features of seeds from Khaplu and Skardu mountainous area.Seed shape,color,and texture were observed under a light and scanning microscope and stereo microscope.Micromorphological and ultrastructural data have proved useful in determining seed plant evolution,classification,ecology,and phylogeny.Seed shapes varied from elliptic,oblong,ovate,pyramidal,and spherical.Surface sculpturing varied from rugulate,negative reticulate,reticulate,foveolate,granular and striated.The seed size varied enormously from very minute Matricaria chamomilla 0.33 mm×0.06 mm to very large seed Elaeagnus angustifolia 13.76 mm×4.70 mm.Epicuticular projections,anticlinal wall,periclinal wall,wall ornamentation,and seed texture were also studied under scanning electron microscopy.Most of the seed colors were brown and black except Carthamus tinctorius which exhibits creamy white color.A principal component analysis was used to identify the most outliers in seed micromorphology and provide a significant explanation.A taxonomic key based on micromorphological features has been constructed to assist botanists in identifying species and genera,and to support the conservation of seed bank resources.