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Salinity stress is considered the most devastating abiotic stress for crop productivity. Accumulating different types of soluble proteins has evolved as a vital strategy that plays a central regulatory role in the growth and development of plants subjected to salt stress. In the last two decades, efforts have been undertaken to critically examine the genome structure and functions of the transcriptome in plants subjected to salinity stress. Although genomics and transcriptomics studies indicate physiological and biochemical alterations in plants, it do not reflect changes in the amount and type of proteins corresponding to gene expression at the transcriptome level. In addition, proteins are a more reliable determinant of salt tolerance than simple gene expression as they play major roles in shaping physiological traits in salt-tolerant phenotypes. However, little information is available on salt stress-responsive proteins and their possible modes of action in conferring salinity stress tolerance. In addition, a complete proteome profile under normal or stress conditions has not been established yet for any model plant species. Similarly, a complete set of low abundant and key stress regulatory proteins in plants has not been identified. Furthermore, insufficient information on post-translational modifications in salt stress regulatory proteins is available. Therefore, in recent past, studies focused on exploring changes in protein expression under salt stress, which will complement genomic, transcriptomic, and physiological studies in understanding mechanism of salt tolerance in plants. This review focused on recent studies on proteome profiling in plants subjected to salinity stress, and provide synthesis of updated literature about how salinity regulates various salt stress proteins involved in the plant salt tolerance mechanism. This review also highlights the recent reports on regulation of salt stress proteins using transgenic approaches with enhanced salt stress tolerance in crops.

Strigolactone (GR24) is a phytohormone, involved in reconfiguration of plant development pattern in response to salinity stress. Current experiment was carried out in vitro conditions to study the role of GR24 on sunflower (Helianthus annuus L. cv. OLIVER-P) under saline and non-saline growth mediums. Two salinity levels [0 mM (control) and 150 mM NaCl] were maintained in growth mediums for callus induction along with four GR24 levels (0, 0.001, 0.01, 0.1 mg L−1) in Somatic Cell Genetic Lab, Centre of Agricultural Biochemistry and Biotechnology (CABB), University of Agriculture Faisalabad, Pakistan. Results of this study showed that among GR24 levels, 0.01 mg L−1 proved to be ideal dose as it improved callus fresh weight (30.59%), dry weight (45.26%), free protein (55.87%), Ca2+ (13.04%) and K+ (11.76%) contents under non-saline, while superoxide dismutase (SOD), catalase (CAT), peroxidase (POD), free proline and glycine betaine (GB) contents by 38.1%, 67.87%, 124.01%, 63.38% and 76.12%, respectively, under salinity stress mediums. However, water potential (Ψw), osmotic potential (Ψs), turgor potential (Ψp), hydrogen peroxide (H2O2) and malondialdehyde (MDA) were reduced up to 32.65%, 39.80%, 40.74%, 65.78% and 30.76%, respectively, due to different levels of GR24. Overall, high saline conditions caused a significant reduction in concentration of callus biomass, Ψw, Ψs, soluble protein, Ca2+ and K+ ions than non-saline mediums. These results reflected that GR24 application could be an effective approach to mitigate hazardous impacts of salinity in sunflower production. Further, the molecular techniques of processes in which GR24 may play a key role in different commercially vital crops is extreme important and may carry new leads for future experimentation in this exciting area of plant hormones.

Salt stress severely limits the productivity of crop plants worldwide and its detrimental effects are aggravated by climate change. Due to a significant world population growth, agriculture has expanded to marginal and salinized regions, which usually render low crop yield. In this context, finding methods and strategies to improve plant tolerance against salt stress is of utmost importance to fulfill food security challenges under the scenario of the ever-increasing human population. Plant priming, at different stages of plant development, such as seed or seedling, has gained significant attention for its marked implication in crop salt-stress management. It is a promising field relying on the applications of specific chemical agents which could effectively improve plant salt-stress tolerance. Currently, a variety of chemicals, both inorganic and organic, which can efficiently promote plant growth and crop yield are available in the market. This review summarizes our current knowledge of the promising roles of diverse molecules/compounds, such as hydrogen sulfide (H 2 S), molecular hydrogen, nitric oxide (NO), hydrogen peroxide (H 2 O 2 ), melatonin, chitosan, silicon, ascorbic acid (AsA), tocopherols, and trehalose (Tre) as potential primers that enhance the salinity tolerance of crop plants.

Cadmium toxicity in the soil is an alarming issue, and among innumerable approaches, microbe-facilitated nanoparticle application for alleviation of Cd stress is a well-accepted technique. The present study explored the efficiency of combined TiO 2 -NPs and Staphylococcus aureus M1 strains for Cd mitigation in wheat plants. Results depicted that Cd stress attenuates the growth attributes while the collective application of NPs and microbes significantly upsurges the growth attributes as contrasted to Cd treatment. Combined TiO 2 -NPs and microbes application increased the total chlorophyll (12), a (10), b (11), and carotenoids (13%) under Cd (50 mg kg − 1 ) compared to microbial treatment. MDA (4), H 2 O 2 (3), and EL (5%) were significantly down-regulated with combined TiO 2 -NPs and microbes application under Cd (50 mg kg − 1 ) compared to microbial treatment. CAT (17), SOD (7), POD (8), and APX (29%) were increased with combined TiO 2 -NPs and microbes application under Cd (50 mg kg − 1 ) comparison to microbial treatment. Cd accumulation in roots (34), shoots (23), and grains (27%) were significantly reduced under Cd (50 mg kg − 1 ) with combined TiO 2 -NPs and microbes application, contrary to microbial treatment. Subsequently, combined TiO 2 -NPs and microbial strains Staphylococcus aureus M1 application is a sustainable solution to boost crop production under Cd stress.

The Internet of Things (IoT) is an advanced technology that comprises numerous devices with carrying sensors to collect, send, and receive data. Due to its vast popularity and efficiency, it is employed in collecting crucial data for the health sector. As the sensors generate huge amounts of data, it is better for the data to be aggregated before being transmitting the data further. These sensors generate redundant data frequently and transmit the same values again and again unless there is no variation in the data. The base scheme has no mechanism to comprehend duplicate data. This problem has a negative effect on the performance of heterogeneous networks.It increases energy consumption; and requires high control overhead, and additional transmission slots are required to send data. To address the above-mentioned challenges posed by duplicate data in the IoT-based health sector, this paper presents a fuzzy data aggregation system (FDAS) that aggregates data proficiently and reduces the same range of normal data sizes to increase network performance and decrease energy consumption. The appropriate parent node is selected by implementing fuzzy logic, considering important input parameters that are crucial from the parent node selection perspective and share Boolean digit 0 for the redundant values to store in a repository for future use. This increases the network lifespan by reducing the energy consumption of sensors in heterogeneous environments. Therefore, when the complexity of the environment surges, the efficiency of FDAS remains stable. The performance of the proposed scheme has been validated using the network simulator and compared with base schemes. According to the findings, the proposed technique (FDAS) dominates in terms of reducing energy consumption in both phases, achieves better aggregation, reduces control overhead, and requires the fewest transmission slots.

The upflow anaerobic sludge blanket (UASB) reactor has been recognized as an important wastewater treatment technology among anaerobic treatment methods. The objective of this study was to perform literature review on the treatment of domestic sewage using the UASB reactor as the core component and identifying future areas of research. The merits of anaerobic and aerobic bioreactors are highlighted and other sewage treatment technologies are compared with UASB on the basis of performance, resource recovery potential, and cost. The comparison supports UASB as a suitable option on the basis of performance, green energy generation, minimal space requirement, and low capital, operation, and maintenance costs. The main process parameters such as temperature, hydraulic retention time (HRT), organic loading rate (OLR), pH, granulation, and mixing and their effects on the performance of UASB reactor and hydrogen production are presented for achieving optimal results. Feasible posttreatment steps are also identified for effective discharge and/or reuse of treated water.

PurposeThis study aims to investigate risks associated with climate change vulnerability and in response the adaptation methods used by farming communities to reduce its negative impacts on agriculture in Pakistan.Design/methodology/approachThe study used household survey method of data collection in Charsadda district of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa province, involving 116 randomly selected respondents.FindingsPrevalent crops diseases, water scarcity, soil fertility loss and poor socio-economic conditions were main contributing factors of climate change vulnerability. The results further showed that changing crops type and cultivation pattern, improved seed varieties, planting shaded trees and the provision of excessive fertilizers are the measures adapted to improve agricultural productivity, which may reduce the climate change vulnerability at a household level.Research limitations/implicationsThe major limitation of this study was the exclusion of women from the survey due to religious and cultural barriers of in Pashtun society, wherein women and men do not mingle.Practical implicationsReducing climate change vulnerability and developing more effective adaptation techniques require assistance from the government. This help can be in the form of providing basic resources, such as access to good quality agricultural inputs, access to information and extension services on climate change adaptation and modern technologies. Consultation with other key stakeholder is also required to create awareness and to build the capacity of the locals toward reducing climate change vulnerability and facilitating timely and effective adaptation.Originality/valueThis original research work provides evidence about farm-level vulnerability, adaptation strategies and risk perceptions on dealing with climate-change-induced natural disasters in Pakistan. This paper enriches existing knowledge of climate change vulnerability and adaptation in this resource-limited country so that effective measures can be taken to reduce vulnerability of farming communities, and enhance their adaptive capability.

The development of an efficient, safe, and environment-friendly technique to terminate tuber dormancy in potatoes ( Solanum tuberosum L.) is of great concern due to the immense scope of multiple cropping all over the globe. The breakage of tuber dormancy has been associated with numerous physiological changes, including a decline in the level of starch and an increase in the levels of sugars during storage of freshly harvested seed potatoes, although their consistency across genotypes and various dormancy-breaking techniques have not yet been fully elucidated. The purpose of the present research is to assess the efficacy of four different dormancy-breaking techniques, such as soaking in 90, 60, or 30 mg L −1 solutions of benzyl amino purine (BAP) and 30, 20, or 10 mg L −1 gibberellic acid (GA3) alone and in the combination of optimized concentrations; cold pre-treatment at 6, 4, or 2 °C; electric shock at 80, 60, 40, or 20 Vs; and irradiation at 3.5, 3, 2.5, 2, 1.5, or 1 kGy on the tuber dormancy period and sprout length of six genotypes. Furthermore, the changes that occurred in tuber weight and endogenous starch, sucrose, fructose, and glucose contents in experimental genotypes following the application of these techniques were also examined. Overall, the most effective technique to terminate tuber dormancy and hasten spout growth was the combined application of BAP and GA 3 , which reduced the length of dormancy by 9.6 days compared to the untreated control, following 6.7 days of electric current, 4.4 days of cold pre-treatment, and finally irradiation (3.3 days). The 60 mg L −1 solution of BAP greatly reduced the dormancy period in all genotypes but did not affect the sprout length at all. The genotypes showed a weak negative correlation (r =  − 0.4) ( P  < 0.05) of endogenous starch contents with dormancy breakage and weight loss or a moderate (r =  − 0.5) correlation with sprout length, but a strong positive correlation (r = 0.8) of tuber glucose, fructose, and sucrose contents with dormancy breakage and weight loss. During 3 weeks of storage, sprouting commencement and significant weight loss occurred as tuber dormancy advanced towards breakage due to a reduction in starch and an increase in the sucrose, fructose, and glucose contents of the tubers. These findings could be advantageous for postponing or accelerating seed potato storage as well as investigating related physiological research in the future.

Development of an efficient and eco-friendly technique to break tuber dormancy in potato ( Solanum tuberosum L.) is highly demanded due to the production of two or more crops annually. Several physiological and hormonal changes have been found to be related to the breaking of tuber dormancy; however, their consistency with genotypes and different protocols have not been well clarified. This study aims to evaluate the effectiveness of four dormancy-breaking methods, that is, plant growth regulator (PGR) dipping in 30, 60, or 90 mgL−1 benzyl amino purine (BAP) and 10, 20, or 30 mgL−1 gibberellic acids (GA3) alone and in the combination of optimized concentrations; electric current application at 20, 40, 60, or 80 Vs; cold pre-treatment at 2, 4, or 6 °C; irradiation at 1, 1.5, 2, 2.5, 3, or 3.5 kGy. In addition, changes in endogenous levels of abscisic acid (ABA), zeatin (ZT), and gibberellin A1 (GA1) in six potato genotypes after subjecting to these methods were investigated. Overall, the highest effective method for dormancy duration was the PGR application which shortened the duration by 18 days, followed by electric current (13 days), cold pre-treatment (9 days), and then irradiation (7 days). The solution of 60 mgL−1 BAP significantly reduced the dormancy duration in all genotypes but did not have a significant effect on the sprout length. While 20 mgL−1 GA3 produced maximum sprout length with a non-significant effect on dormancy duration. The genotype × PGR interaction for dormancy duration was more pronounced in short- and medium-term dormancy genotypes than in long-term dormancy genotypes. The genotypes displayed a significant positive correlation between dormancy duration and ABA levels but exhibited a negative correlation between dormancy duration and ZT as well as GA1 levels. From the first to the third week of storage, ABA was decreased in tubers while, however, ZT and GA1 were increased. The obtained results could be useful for the postharvest storage of potato tuber and the related field of physiological investigation in future.

Cadmium (Cd) is an unessential and pervasive contaminant in agricultural soil, eventually affecting the food and instigating health issues. The implication of nanocomposites in agriculture attained significant attention to drive food security. Nanocomposites possess exceptional characteristics to stun the challenges of chemical fertilizers that can enhance plant yield and better nutrient bioavailability. Similarly, biochar has the ability to immobilize Cd in soil by reducing mobility and bioavailability. Rice husk biochar is produced at high temperature pyrolysis under anoxic conditions and a stable carbon-rich material is formed. To strive against this issue, rice plants were subjected to Cd (15, 20 mg kg − 1 ) stress and treated with alone/combined Ca + Mg (25 mg L − 1 ) nanocomposite and rice husk biochar. In our study, growth and yield traits showed the nurturing influence of Ca + Mg nanocomposite and biochar to improve rice defence mechanism by reducing Cd stress. Growth parameters root length 28%, shoot length 34%, root fresh weight 19%, shoot fresh weight 16%, root dry weight 9%, shoot dry weight 8%, number of tillers 32%, number of grains 20%, and spike length 17% were improved with combined application of Ca + Mg and biochar, with Cd (20 mg kg − 1 ), rivalled to alone biochar. Combined Ca + Mg and biochar application increased the SPAD 23%, total chlorophyll 26%, a 19%, b 18%, and carotenoids 15%, with Cd (20 mg kg − 1 ), rivalled to alone biochar. MDA 15%, H 2 O 2 13%, and EL 10% were significantly regulated in shoots with combined Ca + Mg and biochar application with Cd (20 mg kg − 1 ) compared to alone biochar. POD 22%, SOD 17%, APX 18%, and CAT 9% were increased in shoots with combined Ca + Mg and biochar application with Cd (20 mg kg − 1 ) compared to alone biochar. Cd uptake in roots 13%, shoots 14%, and grains 21% were minimized under Cd (20 mg kg − 1 ) with combined Ca + Mg and B. pumilus application, compared to alone biochar. Subsequently, combined Ca + Mg and biochar application is a sustainable solution to boost crop production under Cd stress.