Wasimah B. Al-Shammari

Nano-silica (Si) and nano-zinc (Zn) are increasingly used to mitigate drought stress, yet their combined effects on both plant physiology and essential oil

As global temperatures continue to rise, heat stress poses a serious threat to crop productivity and food security. Developing effective strategies to enhance thermotolerance is therefore critical. This study investigates the physiological, biochemical, and molecular mechanisms underlying the protective role of Myoinositol (MyIs) in enhancing heat tolerance in Chenopodium quinoa exposed to varying thermal stress conditions (30 °C, 35 °C, and 40 °C), with or without MyIs application. Heat stress markedly reduced biomass accumulation, relative water content (RWC), photosynthetic efficiency, and membrane stability, while increasing oxidative damage, as evidenced by elevated malondialdehyde (MDA), hydrogen peroxide (H₂O₂), superoxide radicals (O₂•⁻), and electrolyte leakage (EL). MyIs significantly mitigated these adverse effects by enhancing shoot and root growth, maintaining higher RWC and photosynthetic performance, and reducing oxidative stress markers. Biochemical profiling revealed restoration of total soluble sugars, protein, and free amino acids, alongside elevated glycine betaine (GB) and abscisic acid (ABA), contributing to improved osmotic adjustment and stress signaling. Gene expression analysis showed upregulation of key heat-responsive genes (sHSP18.1, HSP20, HSP70, HSP83, and NSY), indicating a transcriptional basis for MyIs-induced heat tolerance. Collectively, these findings demonstrate that MyIs functions as a potent bio-regulator, conferring thermoprotection through integrated physiological and molecular responses, and offers promising potential for improving heat resilience in crops.

The genus Anisosciadium, belonging to the Apiaceae family, has been traditionally recognized for its anti-inflammatory, antioxidant, and antimicrobial properties. However, scientific research on this genus is still limited, highlighting the need for a comprehensive review of its chemical composition and pharmacological characteristics. A comprehensive compilation of data was conducted using major databases such as Google Scholar, Research Gate, Web of Science, Scopus, and ScienceDirect. In this review, we collected and organized the available information of identified compounds from different species of the genus Anisosciadium, covering the literature from 2003 to 2024. In total, 64 phytoconstituents were detected. The findings suggest that the traditional therapeutic properties of Anisosciadium are well supported by the reported pharmacological activities from previous studies. Notably, these studies highlight its antioxidant, antibacterial, and cytotoxic effects, emphasizing the potential of this genus in the development of new therapeutic agents. Nonetheless, the lack of comparative studies among Anisosciadium species and the scarcity of in vivo studies and clinical trials limit the full realization of its therapeutic potential. Specifically, comparative studies could be crucial in identifying species with unique chemical profiles and understanding how variations in secondary metabolite compositions may influence their pharmacological activities.

Background Wheat ( Triticum aestivum L.) is a vital cereal crop, providing a substantial share of dietary calories and protein. However, climate variability, including heat stress, drought, and irregular rainfall, poses serious challenges to wheat production, particularly in regions already experiencing food insecurity. Enhancing genetic diversity and stress tolerance is crucial for sustaining wheat yields under changing environmental conditions. However, intensive breeding for high-yielding cultivars has led to a reduced genetic base, limiting adaptability and resilience. Objectives This study aims to assess the genetic diversity of 40 wheat genotypes collected from diverse agro-climatic zones using a combination of molecular marker systems: simple sequence repeats (SSR), inter-simple sequence repeats (ISSR), and amplified fragment length polymorphism coupled with capillary electrophoresis (AFLP-CE). The goal is to characterize genetic relationships, detect polymorphisms, and provide insights to support conservation and sustainable breeding strategies. Methods Genotypic differentiation was analyzed using a combination of SSR, ISSR markers, and high-resolution fragment analysis of AFLP-CE to ensure comprehensive genome-wide polymorphism detection. The genetic relationships among wheat genotypes were inferred through similarity matrix analysis and hierarchical clustering, facilitating a robust framework for classification and selection. Results The integrated marker approach revealed substantial genetic variability among the studied wheat genotypes, reflecting diverse ecological adaptations. AFLP-CE enhanced the resolution of rare and informative polymorphisms, improving genotype discrimination. These results highlight the richness of genetic resources that can be harnessed to improve stress tolerance and yield stability. Conclusion This study underscores the effectiveness of combining SSR, ISSR, and AFLP-CE for the complete evaluation of wheat biodiversity. The findings support conservation and targeted breeding strategies for improved resilience and sustainable yield under climate variability.

This study aimed to evaluate the role of Bacillus megaterium and Arbuscular Mycorrhizal Fungi (AMF) in increasing salt tolerance in wheat associated with physio-biochemical and anatomical characteristics. Results displayed that salinity stress (6 dS m−1 NaCl) significantly decreased (p ≤ 0.05) nitrogen, phosphorus, potassium, chlorophyll a and b content, maximum quantum yield of PSII and relative water content (RWC) in both seasons. Additionally, the anatomical characteristics of flag leaf were harmfully affected. However, malondialdehyde (MDA), superoxide (O2•−), hydrogen peroxide (H2O2) and electrolyte leakage (EL) were increased significantly (p ≤ 0.05) in both seasons. Also, proline and total phenolic compounds were increased significantly in the stressed seedlings. On the other hand, inoculation of grains with B. megaterium and AMF significantly augmented nitrogen, phosphorus, potassium, chlorophyll a and b content, maximum quantum yield of PSII and relative water content as well as modified the antioxidant defense system such as catalase, peroxidase, proline and total phenolic compounds in both seasons. Also, the anatomical structures of flag leaves were significantly improved in the stressed wheat seedlings under treatment with B. megaterium and AMF in comparison to stressed uninoculated seedlings. Generally, application of B. megaterium and AMF can improve the physio-biochemical and anatomical characteristics of wheat seedlings under salinity conditions.

A field experiment was carried out during the two successive winter seasons of 2020/2021 and 2021/2022 to study the effect of mineral nitrogen levels and plant density on dry weight, yield and its components, as well as bulb quality of onions (cv. ‘Ahmar Tanawy’). This experiment included 12 treatments, which were combinations between four levels of mineral nitrogen (0, 192, 240 and 288 kg N/ha) and three plant densities (4, 5 and 6 rows/ridge equal 33.33, 41.67 and 50 plants/m², respectively). These treatments were arranged in a split-plot design with three replications. Nitrogen levels were randomly arranged in the main plots, and plant densities were randomly distributed in the subplots. Nitrogen application at 192,244 and 288 kg N/ha led to increase dry weight/plant compared to control (zero N) and 288 kg N/ha gave the highest values of dry weight of leaves, dry weight of bulbs, and total dry weight per plant at 100 days in both seasons. The increases in total dry weight per plant were about 4.84 and 4.80 g per plant for 192 kg N/ha, 4.76 and 3.87 g per plant for 244 kg N/ha, and 6.86 and 5.74 g per plant for 288 kg N/ha over the control at 100 days in the 1^st and 2^nd seasons, respectively. The interaction between N at 288 kg/ha and low plant density (4 rows/ridge) gave the highest values of dry weight of leaves, bulb, and total dry weight/plant and increased yield of grade 1, exportable yield, average bulb weight, as well as nitrate and sulphur contents in bulbs, whereas the interaction between N at 244 kg/ha and high plant density (6 rows/ridge) increased grades 2, 3, and 4, marketable yield, and total yield/ha.

Eight wheat cultivars, Sakha-94, Giza-171, Sids-1, Sids-12, Sids-13, Shandweel-1, Misr-1, and Misr-2, were evaluated for leaf rust at the seedling and adult stages in the 2021 and 2022 seasons. Biochemical, histological, and genetic analyses were performed to determine the link between cultivars that were either sensitive or resistant to the disease. Misr-2 and Giza-171 cultivars had the highest levels of resistance to leaf rust races in 2021 (LTCGT, STSJT, and TTTST) and 2022 (MBGJT, TTTKS, and TTTTT) at the seedling stage. However, at the adult stage, Sakha-94, Giza-171, Misr-1, and Misr-2 cultivars had the highest levels of resistance; consequently, they had the lowest final disease severity and the lowest values of AUDPC. The correlation between the seedling reaction and adult reaction was non-significant, with values of 0.4401 and 0.4793 in the 2021 and 2022 seasons, respectively. Throughout the biochemical, histological, and genetic analyses, it was observed that catalase, peroxidase, and polyphenol oxidase activities significantly increased in the resistant cultivars. The discoloration of superoxide (O₂-) and hydrogen peroxide (H₂O₂) significantly decreased in resistant and moderately resistant wheat cultivars (Sakha-94, Giza-171, Misr-1, and Misr-2); higher hydrogen peroxide (H₂O₂) and superoxide (O₂-) levels were recorded for the susceptible cultivars compared to the resistant cultivars. Molecular markers proved that the Lr50 gene was detected in the resistant cultivars. Puccinia triticina infections negatively affected most histological characteristics of flag leaves, especially in susceptible cultivars. The thickness of the blade (µ), the thickness of the upper and lower epidermis (UE and LE), the thickness of mesophyll tissue (MT), and bundle length and width in the midrib were decreased in susceptible cultivars such as Sids-1, Sids-13, and Shandwel-1 compared with resistant cultivars.

The information presented in this study suggests that Trichoderma could be used as a secure, environmentally acceptable, and efficient biocontrol agent for many crop species. The family Hypocreaceae includes a variety of free-living fungi under the genus Trichoderma (class Ascomycetes), which live in different ecosystems in a wide range of climatic zones and can be found all over the world. This paper provides a summary of the biological control activity of Trichoderma spp. and highlights recent developments in delineating Trichoderma’s role in biochemical and molecular processes in the rhizosphere, as well as its ecological significance and advantages of symbiosis with the plant host in terms of physiological and biochemical mechanisms. We examined the interactions between Trichoderma harzianum (T. harzianum) strains and some soilborne plant pathogens (Phylaspora rhodia, Diaporthe citri, and Nattrassia mangiferae) in vitro and in vivo. All T. harzianum strains tested antagonistic and inhibited plant pathogenic and wood decay fungi growth on the PDA medium. When it was tested, the strain TII was more muscular, so it was a better competitor against the wood decay pathogens under the study.