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Agriculture is directly linked to human life, providing food for survival and health. It is threatened by a number of challenges, such as climate change, resource depletion, and abiotic stresses, including heavy metals (HMs), salinity, drought, etc. Various strategies have been employed to palliate the phytotoxic effects of these stressors from the soil–plant system. Nanotechnological approaches have emerged as a promising tool for increasing crop productivity and promoting sustainable agriculture. Interestingly, the seed nano-priming approach has shown potential against all of the above-mentioned abiotic stress factors and has improved crop productivity. The application of nanoparticles (NPs) via seed priming is an innovative and cost-effective approach that improves seed germination and subsequent plant growth by activating plant physiological processes and providing tolerance against various stresses. The seed priming with NPs induces electron exchange and increases surface reaction capabilities related to plant cell and tissue components. This review aims to provide an overview of recent advances and research findings on seed nano-priming and the possible mechanism of plant stress-tolerance augmentation against various stresses. Furthermore, we also shed light on gaps in studies conducted in previous years, which will open new avenues for future research.

Plant microbiome (or phytomicrobiome) engineering (PME) is an anticipated untapped alternative strategy that could be exploited for plant growth, health and productivity under different environmental conditions. It has been proven that the phytomicrobiome has crucial contributions to plant health, pathogen control and tolerance under drastic environmental (a)biotic constraints. Consistent with plant health and safety, in this article we address the fundamental role of plant microbiome and its insights in plant health and productivity. We also explore the potential of plant microbiome under environmental restrictions and the proposition of improving microbial functions that can be supportive for better plant growth and production. Understanding the crucial role of plant associated microbial communities, we propose how the associated microbial actions could be enhanced to improve plant growth-promoting mechanisms, with a particular emphasis on plant beneficial fungi. Additionally, we suggest the possible plant strategies to adapt to a harsh environment by manipulating plant microbiomes. However, our current understanding of the microbiome is still in its infancy, and the major perturbations, such as anthropocentric actions, are not fully understood. Therefore, this work highlights the importance of manipulating the beneficial plant microbiome to create more sustainable agriculture, particularly under different environmental stressors.

Soil salinity is the major abiotic stress that disrupts nutrient uptake, hinders plant growth, and threatens agricultural production. Plant growth-promoting rhizobacteria (PGPR) are the most promising eco-friendly beneficial microorganisms that can be used to improve plant responses against biotic and abiotic stresses. In this study, a previously identified B. thuringiensis PM25 showed tolerance to salinity stress up to 3 M NaCl. The Halo-tolerant Bacillus thuringiensis PM25 demonstrated distinct salinity tolerance and enhance plant growth-promoting activities under salinity stress. Antibiotic-resistant Iturin C ( ItuC ) and bio-surfactant-producing ( sfp and srfAA ) genes that confer biotic and abiotic stresses were also amplified in B. thuringiensis PM25. Under salinity stress, the physiological and molecular processes were followed by the over-expression of stress-related genes (APX and SOD) in B. thuringiensis PM25. The results detected that B. thuringiensis PM25 inoculation substantially improved phenotypic traits, chlorophyll content, radical scavenging capability, and relative water content under salinity stress. Under salinity stress, the inoculation of B. thuringiensis PM25 significantly increased antioxidant enzyme levels in inoculated maize as compared to uninoculated plants. In addition, B. thuringiensis PM25-inoculation dramatically increased soluble sugars, proteins, total phenols, and flavonoids in maize as compared to uninoculated plants. The inoculation of B. thuringiensis PM25 significantly reduced oxidative burst in inoculated maize under salinity stress, compared to uninoculated plants. Furthermore, B. thuringiensis PM25-inoculated plants had higher levels of compatible solutes than uninoculated controls. The current results demonstrated that B. thuringiensis PM25 plays an important role in reducing salinity stress by influencing antioxidant defense systems and abiotic stress-related genes. These findings also suggest that multi-stress tolerant B. thuringiensis PM25 could enhance plant growth by mitigating salt stress, which might be used as an innovative tool for enhancing plant yield and productivity.

Undoubtedly, it is important to remain vigilant and manage invasive grasses to prevent their spread and mitigate their negative impact on the environment. However, these aggressive plants can also play a beneficial role in certain contexts. For example, several invasive grasses provide valuable forage for livestock and have disease control potential. Therefore, a research experiment was conducted to explore the pros and cons of this approach, not only for surrounding vegetation but also for human and animal disease control. The study is primarily focused on developing livestock feed, plant-derived herbicides, and an understanding of the phytotoxic effects of invasive species. All plant parts of Cenchrus ciliaris L., Polypogon monspeliansis L., and Dicanthium annulatum (Forssk.) Stapf, were tested for their phyto-chemical screening, proximate, and toxicity analysis which was caused by the methanolic extract of these grass species. Qualitative phytochemical screening tests were performed for proximate composition analysis and toxicity assessment essays. The phytochemical analysis revealed the positive results for alkaloids, flavonoids, coumarins, phenols, saponins, and glycosides, while negative for tannins. Comparison of proximate analysis intimated maximum moisture (10.8%) and crude fat (4.1%) in P. monspeliensis , whereas maximum dry matter (84.1%), crude protein (13.95%), crude fiber (11%), and ash (7.2%) in D. annulatum . Five (10, 100, 500, 100, 10,000 ppm) and three (10, 1000, 10,000 ppm) different concentrations of methanolic extract prepared from C. ciliaris , P. monspeliansis , and D. annulatum were used respectively for root inhibition and seed germination essay. Furthermore, three different concentrations (10, 30, 50 mg) of plant fine powder were used for sandwich method test. There was a significant decline in the growth rate of experimental model radish seeds (P > 0.005), and results from sandwich method tests showed suppressed growth of root hairs, inhibiting the anchoring of the radish seed. In comparison, results manifest that; P. monspeliansis indicated an upsurge of inhibition (66.58% at 10,000 ppm), D. annulatum revealed soar germination (75.86% in controlled conditions), and C. ciliaris exhibited dramatic shoot up of inhibition because of sandwich method test (14.02% at 50 mg). In conclusion, although grasses are toxic, it is important to consider the beneficiary account.

Most vegetable crops are severely affected by the uptake of heavy metals from the soil. Heavy metals in vegetable bodies generate reactive oxygen species (ROS) that unbalance the antioxidant defense system. This study was initiated to determine the physiological and biochemical characteristics of spinach plants grown on soil contaminated with heavy metals and responding to Bacillus cereus and Bacillus aerius were isolated from soil contaminated with heavy metals. Heavy metal contamination led to a significant reduction in seed germination, seedling biomass, protein, and total nitrogen content of spinach plants grown in contaminated soils compared to control soils. In contrast, a significant increase in the content of metallothioneins and antioxidant enzymes was observed. Plants inoculated with B. cereus and B. aerius significantly reduced the oxidative stress induced by heavy metals by improving seed germination (%), seedling growth, nitrogen, and protein content. The content of metallothioneins and the activities of antioxidant enzymes were reduced in spinach plants grown from seeds inoculated with bacterial strains. In addition, plants inoculated with, B. cereus and B. aerius showed greater stomata opening than plants grown on soil contaminated with heavy metals, whose stomata were almost closed. These results suggested that both bacterial strains enhanced plant growth by reducing oxidative stress caused by metals.

This present study deals with the cross-linking of fungal β-glucosidase on Al 2 O 3 nanocrystals (NCs) synthesized in C. cajan for in-suit genistein production. The Cajanus cajan leaves were dried and used to prepare their extract at 65 °C by agitation for 30 min. For enzyme production under submerged culture, 50 mL of medium at pH 8.6 with an inoculum volume of 2 mL; was incubated for 72 h with optimized parameters at 30 °C. The Al 2 O 3 NCs were synthesized by adding 30 mM Al 2 NO 3 to 25 mL of leaf extract with NaOH at 65 °C for 50 min which enhanced the β-glucosidase specific activity when immobilized. Genistein by biotransformation was obtained using both free (0.67 ± 0.42 mg/mL) and Al 2 O 3 immobilized β-glucosidase (1.3 ± 0.66 mg/mL) for 48 h. The substrate level and enzyme concentration were 2.5 and 1 mL respectively. The UV visible spectra for leaf extract; free and cross-linked β-glucosidase and Al 2 O 3 NCs were at 225, 235, 300, and 210 nm. The bands for Al 2 O 3 NCs were achieved at 500–750 cm − 1 which showed the FTIR analysis to check the change in functional groups of free and Al 2 O 3 cross-linked β-glucosidase. In XRD analysis, peaks depicted the crystalline structure of Al 2 O 3 NCs ranging from 10–50°. The size of NCs was confirmed by using different magnifications (1.01, 2.00, 3.00, 5.00, 7.02, and 10 K X) of SEM images obtained. For zeta potential measurements, the peak was obtained at ˗21.0 mV.

Purple blotch disease is a major fungal disease of Allium cepa L. plants which is caused by the fungus Alternaria porri . The best conditions for the growth of Alternaria porri are temperatures between 22 °C and 25 °C and relatively high humidity. The Hydrotime, Thermal Time, and Hydrothermal Time models were used to measure different parameters of seed germination; therefore, we used them to measure the interactive effects of temperature and water potential on the germination conidia of Alternaria porri . The laboratory experiments were carried out at five constant temperatures, between 5 and 30 °C, and five different water potentials between 0 MPa and − 6 MPa. The germination of Alternaria porri conidia was highest at 25 °C and 0 MPa and lowest at 5 °C and − 6 MPa. The percentage of conidia germination decreased rapidly after 25 o C. Conidia germination was also affected by different water potentials, decreasing at lower water potential. Models based on HTT showed a reasonable fit to the germination and growth rate datasets. The best fitting model for conidia germination (R 2  = 0.98491) was based on variable base and maximum temperature as a function of water potential. Based on the TT, HT, and models, the highest and lowest values for θT1 were observed at -6.0 MPa at 30 °C, and 0 MPa at 5 °C and the highest and lowest θT2 values were recorded at -6.0 MPa at 5 °C and 0 MPa at 30 °C while the lowest and highest θH values were recorded at -6.0 MPa at 5 °C and 0 MPa at 25 °C, respectively, for the HTT model, the predicted θHTT average value is 16.32 (MPa°Ch-1). Based on the statistical analysis, the cardinal hydrothermal time constant (θHTT) accurately explains the interactive effect of T and Ψ on the germination of Alternaria porri conidia under different environmental conditions.

The present study was conducted to investigate the possible mutagenic effects of picric acid on the chloroplast genome and certain biological properties of Brassica napus L. under field conditions. The experimental design for this study was a randomized complete block trial, based on 3 factors (dose, duration of priming, and three oilseed rape (cultivars). The seeds of oilseed rape cultivars ( Abasin- 95 , Dur e Nifa , and Nifa Gold ) were exposed to five doses (0 mM, 5 mM, 10 mM, 15 mM, and 20 mM) of picric acid for different soaking times (3 h, 6 h, and 9 h) and the data on agromorphological characteristics were recorded. Control and test samples were collected and compared for genomic chloroplast studies. The results confirmed the inhibitory effect of picric acid on days to emergence, completion of germination, and percent emergence. Seeds treated with a dose of 20 mM delayed seedling emergence (6.15) compared to other treatments. In addition, the differences between seeds primed for 3 h (6.07), and 6 h (5.89) were also highly significant. Similarly, the effects of 0 mM (7.52), 5 mM (8.26) and 10 mM (8.11) doses on germination time were not significant. Comparison of the mean values with respect to germination showed that picric acid led to a reduction in the percentage emergence of the oilseed rape seedlings. A significant increase in leaf size was observed in the Nifa Gold cultivar (10.27). On the other hand, the differences in leaf size between the cultivars Dur e Nifa (9.51) and Abasin- 95 (9.20) were not significant. The inhibitory effect of picric acid on the number of leaves could be due to the fact that the meristematic cells are damaged by the mutagen, leading to a reduction in the number of leaves. The Nifa Gold cultivar showed the highest value for plant height (17.53), and the highest number of siliqua (14.69) compared to other genotypes. The number of siliqua confirms that Nifa Gold is best adapted to picric acid in contrast to the other genotypes. However, the differences between the Abasin- 95 cultivar (0.068) and the Nifa Gold cultivar (0.062) in terms of seed weight were not significant. The dose of 15 mM (37.72) showed the highest moisture content, followed by 10 mM (37.08), 0 mM (33.87), 5 mM (33.11) and 20 mM (32.73). The chloroplast genome of plants grown from picric acid-treated seeds was mutated. Therefore, annotation of the genome was not possible. Numerous single nucleotide substitutions (187) were detected between the control and test samples. In addition, 43 additions/deletions were observed. The present study suggests that picric acid has a mutagenic effect, which is confirmed by numerous mutations in chloroplast samples. Subsequently, the doses have stimulating effects on plant height and seed weight. Furthermore, priming can improve the emergence and certain biological characteristics of B. napus . In the present study, all parameters were investigated and the significant response of the selected genotypes was confirmed.

In this study, a polar extract of Aconitum lycoctonum L. was used for the synthesis of silver nanoparticles (AgNPs), followed by their characterization using different techniques and evaluation of their potential as antioxidants, amylase inhibitors, anti-inflammatory and antibacterial agents. The formation of AgNPs was detected by a color change, from transparent to dark brown, within 15 min and a surface resonance peak at 460 nm in the UV–visible spectrum. The FTIR spectra confirmed the involvement of various biomolecules in the synthesis of AgNPs. The average diameter of these spherical AgNPs was 67 nm, as shown by the scanning electron micrograph. The inhibition zones showed that the synthesized nanoparticles inhibited the growth of Gram-positive and negative bacteria. FRAP and DPPH assays were used to demonstrate the antioxidant potential of AgNPs. The highest value of FRAP (50.47% AAE/mL) was detected at a concentration of 90 ppm and a DPPH scavenging activity of 69.63% GAE was detected at a concentration of 20 µg/mL of the synthesized AgNPs. 500 µg/mL of the synthesized AgNPs were quite efficient in causing 91.78% denaturation of ovalbumin. The AgNPs mediated by A. lycoctonum also showed an inhibitory effect on α-amylase. Therefore, AgNPs synthesized from A. lycoctonum may serve as potential candidates for antibacterial, antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, and antidiabetic agents.