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A range of man-made activities promote the enrichment of world-wide agricultural soils with a myriad of chemical pollutants including cadmium (Cd). Owing to its significant toxic consequences in plants, Cd has been one of extensively studied metals. However, sustainable strategies for minimising Cd impacts in plants have been little explored. Plant growth regulators (PGRs) are known for their role in the regulation of numerous developmental processes. Among major PGRs, plant hormones (such as auxins, gibberellins, cytokinins, abscisic acid, jasmonic acid, ethylene and salicylic acid), nitric oxide (a gaseous signalling molecule), brassinosteroids (steroidal phytohormones) and polyamines (group of phytohormone-like aliphatic amine natural compounds with aliphatic nitrogen structure) have gained attention by agronomist and physiologist as a sustainable media to induce tolerance in abiotic-stressed plants. Considering recent literature, this paper: (a) overviews Cd status in soil and its toxicity in plants, (b) introduces major PGRs and overviews their signalling in Cd-exposed plants, (c) appraises mechanisms potentially involved in PGR-mediated enhanced plant tolerance to Cd and (d) highlights key aspects so far unexplored in the subject area.

Abiotic stresses (such as metals/metalloids, salinity, ozone, UV-B radiation, extreme temperatures, and drought) are among the most challenging threats to agricultural system and economic yield of crop plants. These stresses (in isolation and/or combination) induce numerous adverse effects in plants, impair biochemical/physiological and molecular processes, and eventually cause severe reductions in plant growth, development and overall productivity. Phytohormones have been recognized as a strong tool for sustainably alleviating adverse effects of abiotic stresses in crop plants. In particular, the significance of salicylic acid (SA) has been increasingly recognized in improved plant abiotic stress-tolerance via SA-mediated control of major plant-metabolic processes. However, the basic biochemical/physiological and molecular mechanisms that potentially underpin SA-induced plant-tolerance to major abiotic stresses remain least discussed. Based on recent reports, this paper: (a) overviews historical background and biosynthesis of SA under both optimal and stressful environments in plants; (b) critically appraises the role of SA in plants exposed to major abiotic stresses;

Heavy metal ions such as cobalt (Co), copper (Cu), iron (Fe), manganese (Mn), molybdenum (Mo), nickel (Ni), and zinc (Zn) are considered essential/beneficial for optimal plant growth, development, and productivity. However, these ions readily impact functions of many enzymes and proteins, halt metabolism, and exhibit phytotoxicity at supra-optimum supply. Nevertheless, the concentrations of these heavy metal ions are increasing in agricultural soils worldwide via both natural and anthropogenic sources that need immediate attention. Considering recent breakthroughs on Co, Cu, Fe, Mn, Mo, Ni, and Zn in soil–plant system, the present paper: (a) overviews the status in soils and their uptake, transport, and significance in plants; (b) critically discusses their elevated level-mediated toxicity to both plant growth/development and cell/genome; (c) briefly cross talks on the significance of potential interactions between previous plant-beneficial heavy metal ions in plants; and (d) highlights so far unexplored aspects in the current context.

Abstract The Astragalus grahamianus (AG) Royle ex. Benth is traditionally used for the treatment of various human disorders. The current research work is aimed to explore the neuroprotective anti-Parkinson effects of various fractions of Astragalus grahamianus (A. grahamianus). Fine powder of Astragalus grahamianus was extracted with 70% methanol and then fractionated with various solvents on the basis of polarity. Standard protocols were used to investigate the bioactive constituents present in the various plant fractions. In-vitro antioxidant potential of various fractions was checked using diverse free radicals. In-vivo rats model was used to determined the neuroprotective effects of methanol fraction of A. grahamianus. The results revealed that various fractions of A. grahamianus contain flavonoids, cardiac glycosides, steroids, gums, terpenes, proteins, and carbohydrates except chloroform fraction lake the presence of steroids, cardiac glycosides, gums and saponins, aqueous fraction of steroids, terpenoids, gums and saponins, n-Hexane fraction steroids, carbohydrates, alkaloids, gums and flavonoids. The highest amount of total phenolic contents was found in AGME (32.67 ± 2.3 mg GAE / g). The AGME also showed enhanced free radicals cations potential against DPPH, ABTS and H2O2, respectively. The correlation between AOA (antioxidant activity) and TPC (total phenolic contents) revealed to be substantial. Relative R2 values for ABTS, H2O2, and DPPH activity are 0.9974, 0.9845, and 0.9678, respectively. The in-vivo neuroprotective activities showed significant results. Our findings highlight significant antioxidant, and neuroprotective possessions of AGME attributed to powerful bioactive compounds. Resumo O Astragalus grahamianus (AG) Royle ex. Benth pertence à família Fabaceae e o gênero Astragalus é tradicionalmente utilizado para o tratamento de diversas doenças humanas. O presente trabalho de pesquisa tem como objetivo explorar os aspectos benéficos das plantas que estão sendo investigados tanto in vitro, ou seja, antioxidantes, quanto in vivo (seu impacto no comprometimento da memória induzido pela neuroinflamação em ratos). Para tanto, extrato metanólico de A. grahamianus (AGME) e frações com diversos solventes foram sintetizados com base na polaridade. Os resultados revelaram que várias frações de A. grahamianus contêm flavonoides, glicosídeos cardíacos, esteroides, gomas, terpenos, proteínas e carboidratos, exceto a fração de clorofórmio, e a presença de esteroides, glicosídeos cardíacos, gomas e saponinas, fração aquosa de esteroides, terpenoides, gomas e saponinas, esteroides da fração n-hexano, carboidratos, alcaloides, gomas e flavonoides. A maior quantidade de conteúdo fenólico total foi encontrada no AGME (32,67 ± 2,3 mg GAE/g). O AGME também mostrou maior potencial de cátions de radicais livres contra DPPH, ABTS e H2O2. A correlação entre AOA (atividade antioxidante) e TPC (conteúdo fenólico total) revelou-se substancial. Os valores relativos de R2 para atividade ABTS, H2O2 e DPPH são 0,9974, 0,9845 e 0,9678, respectivamente. As atividades neuroprotetoras in vivo mostraram resultados significativos. Nossas descobertas destacam propriedades antioxidantes e neuroprotetoras significativas do AGME atribuídas a poderosos compostos bioativos.

The mediation of volatile secondary metabolites in signalling between plants and other organisms has long been seen as presenting opportunities for sustainable crop protection. Initially, exploitation of interactions between plants and other organisms, particularly insect pests, foundered because of difficulties in delivering, sustainably, the signal systems for crop protection. We now have mounting and, in some cases, clear practical evidence for successful delivery by companion cropping or next-generation genetic modification (GM). At the same time, the type of plant signalling being exploited has expanded to signalling from plants to organisms antagonistic to pests, and to plant stress-induced, or primed, plant-to-plant signaling for defence and growth stimulation.

Core Ideas Recommending complex maize pest management options for small‐scale African farmers. Determining effective and environmentally friendly fall armyworm management for smallholder farmers. Evaluating effects of edible legume and maize intercropping on fall armyworm. Maize (Zea mays L.) production in Africa is constrained by several biotic and abiotic factors. The recent occurrence of fall armyworm (FAW), Spodoptera frugiperda (JE Smith) a new invasive pest in Africa, has escalated the problem. Push–pull technology (PPT), proven to be effective for stemborers (Chilo partellus Swinhoe and Busseola fusca Fuller) and the parasitic weed striga (Striga hermontica Delile) management in Africa has been shown to provide good control of FAW. This study investigated if intercropping maize with edible legumes can also reduce the abundance of FAW. Six treatments including (i) climate‐smart PPT, (ii) conventional PPT, (iii) maize intercropped with bean (Phaseolus vulgaris L.), (iv) maize intercropped with soybean [Glycine max (L.) Merr.], (v) maize intercropped with groundnut [Vigna unguiculata (L.) Walp.] and, (vi) mono‐cropped maize were evaluated on farm in six districts of Uganda in the 2017 short rains season. Data collected included FAW, stemborer, and striga infestation symptoms, and severity of infestation. Climate‐smart PPT performed best in reducing stemborer, FAW, and striga infestation followed by conventional PPT over all the phenological stages of maize. Intercropping of maize with leguminous crops also provided significant reduction of stemborer and FAW compared to mono‐cropped maize, especially in the early growth phases of the maize up to tasseling. However, intercropping of maize with edible legumes was not very effective for striga management as compared to PPT. Hence in addition to PPT, intercropping of maize with edible legumes could also be an alternative FAW management option when integrated with other sustainable management measures.

PurposeThe purpose of this study is to assess the key determinants of green human resource management (GHRM) and investigate its impact on environmental performance (EP) and business performance (BP).Design/methodology/approachThe research employed SmartPLS 3 and follows a cross-sectional research design. Data from 179 employees were collected using a convenience sampling technique from the firms that adopted GHRM practices.FindingsThe research found a significant relationship of GHRM with EP and also reported the significant relationship between EP and BP. Moreover, EP significantly mediates the relationship of GHRM with BP.Research limitations/implicationsA relatively small sample size of employees was used that may suggest the need for a diverse and more representative sample. The paper is based on data collected from the Malaysian manufacturing industry – other economic sectors and Asian countries may offer different results.Practical implicationsThe paper identifies the need for incorporating GHRM practices and culture at the workplace to encourage positive green behavior in employees which will increase the EP and BP of the firm.Originality/valueThis paper reported the initial empirical findings after the March 7th incident on EP of businesses in Malaysia, where businesses have initiated the adoption of GHRM practices.

A ruthenium–disulfide catalyst is presented that is effective in generating compounds of medical and industrial utility (alcohols that contain a phenol, an aldehyde, or a carboxylic acid) by room-temperature, inexpensive, high-yielding cross-metathesis. A promising olefin metathesis catalyst Catalytic olefin metathesis is one of the most widely used reactions in synthetic organic chemistry, but its utility has been limited by the dearth of chemical transformations that directly generate acyclic Z allylic alcohols. In this manuscript, the authors present an electronically modified ruthenium-disulphide catalyst that is uniquely effective in generating compounds of medical and industrial utility (alcohols containing a phenol, an aldehyde or a carboxylic acid) by room-temperature, inexpensive, high-yielding cross-metathesis. The efficiency of the catalyst is demonstrated in the synthesis of naturally occurring antitumour agent neopeltolide and a single-step stereoselective gram-scale conversion of a renewable feedstock to an antifungal agent. Olefin metathesis catalysts provide access to molecules that are indispensable to physicians and researchers in the life sciences 1 , 2 . A persisting problem, however, is the dearth of chemical transformations that directly generate acyclic Z allylic alcohols, including products that contain a hindered neighbouring substituent or reactive functional units such as a phenol, an aldehyde, or a carboxylic acid. Here we present an electronically modified ruthenium–disulfide catalyst that is effective in generating such high-value compounds by cross-metathesis. The ruthenium complex is prepared from a commercially available precursor and an easily generated air-stable zinc catechothiolate. Transformations typically proceed with 5.0 mole per cent of the complex and an inexpensive reaction partner in 4–8 hours under ambient conditions; products are obtained in up to 80 per cent yield and 98:2 Z : E diastereoselectivity. The use of this catalyst is demonstrated in the synthesis of the naturally occurring anti-tumour agent neopeltolide and in a single-step stereoselective gram-scale conversion of a renewable feedstock (oleic acid) to an anti-fungal agent. In this conversion, the new catalyst promotes cross-metathesis more efficiently than the commonly used dichloro–ruthenium complexes, indicating that its utility may extend beyond Z -selective processes.