Explore the vast range of titles available.

Selecting highly nutritive fodder plants in arid regions can be a key to improving the livestock productivity. This work explores the variation in nutritive value of the leaves, stem, and shoots of five potential fodder plants of the Emirates of Fujairah, Erucaria hispanica , Haplophyllum tuberculatum , Convolvulus virgatus , Teucrium stocksianum , and Cleome Ibrachycarpa . influenced by two weather conditions, winter and spring. The plant samples underwent mineral composition, proximate, phytochemical, and heavy metals and two-way ANOVA. Weather data were accessed from National Center of Meteorology (NCM). Our findings reveal significant influences of collection time and species on nutritive content. Shoots collected in March exhibited higher ash (6.167%), crude protein (11.9%), crude fiber (14.89%), dry matter (45.86%), and total digestive nutrients (TDS) (48.35%), with lower tannin (5.11%) compared to January. Conversely, January-collected shoots had greater total sugar content (1.28 g/100 g). Plant organs played a crucial role, with leaves surpassing stems in Mg, P, Ca, K, Na, Mn, Zn, and Ni. Leaves also showed higher crude protein (23.33%), dry matter (92.26%), total ash (4.8%), and TDS (87.58%) compared to stems, while stems exhibited elevated crude fiber (17.45%) and tannin (4.53%). There is a need to assess the bioactive compounds found in these fodder species for the enhancement its effective use and maximize browsing of these species.

Please add the ORCID for Dr. Khaled A. El-Tarabily (https://orcid.org/0000-0002-8189-7088) Heavy metal contamination with lead poses a critical threat to agricultural productivity and environmental sustainability due to its toxicity, persistence, and bioaccumulative nature. Conventional remediation methods are often expensive and can generate secondary pollution, prompting increased interest in phytoremediation as an eco-friendly alternative. This study investigates the potential of Pantoea agglomerans , an endophytic bacterium isolated from Prosopis juliflora seeds, to enhance the phytoremediation capabilities of Calotropis procera - a plant known for its tolerance and accumulation of heavy metals- grown hydroponically under varying lead concentrations (0–80 mg/L). X-ray fluorescence analysis indicated altered lead distribution and nutrient profiles in C. procera , suggesting possible lead immobilization or detoxification. Hydroponic experiments demonstrated that inoculated plants exhibited improved growth parameters (shoot and root dry weight, leaf dimensions) and higher chlorophyll and carotenoid contents compared to non-inoculated controls. Lead-induced oxidative damage was mitigated in Pantoea -treated plants, as evidenced by lower hydrogen peroxide and malondialdehyde levels, along with elevated activities of antioxidant enzymes (catalase and guaiacol peroxidase). Enhanced proline and protein contents further indicated improved stress tolerance and metabolic stability. This study highlights endophyte-assisted phytoremediation as a cost-effective, sustainable solution for lead-contaminated environments, with potential applications in large-scale remediation efforts.

Exotic invasive plant species alter ecosystems and locally extirpate native plant species, and by doing so alter community structure. Changes in community structure may be particularly important if invaders promote species with certain traits. For example, the positive effects of most invaders on soil fertility may promote species with weedy traits, whether native or not. We examined the effects of two co-occurring Prosopis congeners, the native P. cineraria and the exotic invader P. juliflora, on species identified as “agricultural weeds” and species that were not agricultural weeds in the United Arab Emirates. When compared to plots in the open, P. cineraria canopies were associated with lower richness and density of non-weeds while having no impact on agricultural weed species. In contrast, there was lower richness and densities of non-weeds under canopies of P. juliflora, but higher densities of agricultural weeds than in the open surrounding the canopies. These patterns associated with Prosopis congeners and understory plant community composition might be due to the much higher litter deposition, if litter is inhibitory, and shallow root biomass under P. juliflora, or the different soil properties that corresponded with the two Prosopis canopies. In general, soils contained more nitrogen under P. juliflora than P. cineraria, and both understories were more fertile than soil in the open. Our results suggest that evolutionary history may play a role in how exotic invasive species may select for some traits over others in plant communities, with an exotic invader potentially creating reservoirs of agricultural weeds.

Extreme milieus are environments characterized by harsh weather conditions which strongly affect plant physiology. Previous works have attempted to examine the impacts of environmental conditions on the plants metabolism. However, there is lack of scientific data addressing these biological phenomena in the arid regions. The present work was designed to understand how arid conditions affect the phytochemical and antimicrobial analyses of Senna italica plant considering plant organ, organ-age, and elevational effects. In the first study, young and mature organs of Senna italica were subjected to pigments analyses to see how pigments contents vary according to the elevation, while the second study evaluated the effects of plant organs on the phytochemical and antimicrobial analyses of S. italica . Based on our results, plant growing from highest elevations exhibited greater values of pigments contents than the other. Higher pigments contents were recorded in the leaves than the branches. Greater values of pigment were observed in the mature than the young leaves, and young branches had more pigments levels than the matures. Calcium, manganese, ash, total flavonoids, vitamin E and B1 contents were greater in the leaves while; phosphorous, zinc, magnesium, copper, crude protein, total digestible nutrients were higher in the seeds. Branches exhibited elevated levels of sodium, dry matter, tannins and potassium, while fibers contents were greater in the fruits. Fruits extract showed higher antimicrobial effects than the other organs with the inhibition zones ranging from 14.33 to 16.33 mm. The findings of this work indicates that pigments adjustments could be one of the mechanisms of adaptations of S. italica and this adaptation could help identifying novel metabolites that could be used against drug-resistant microbes in the arid regions.

Arid environments are characterized by extreme weather conditions which strongly affect plant physiology. Overstory plants layer can increase stress resilience of the understory plants than those exposed to direct sunlight. To verify this assumption, Tephrosia apollinea plant samples were collected under different canopies positions of Acacia tortilis (open area, east, and west) and subjected to phytochemical and antimicrobial analyses considering plant organ-age, and sunlight parameters. Based on the current findings, PPFD (1351.3 µmol.m − 2 .s − 1 ), PFD-UV (24.87 µmol.m − 2 .s − 1 ) and PFD-FR (404.78 µmol.m − 2 .s − 1 ) values were greater in the open area. Calcium (2820.6 mg/100 g), phosphorous (1677.76 mg/100 g), magnesium (492.26 mg/100 g), and zinc (9.13 mg/100 g) levels were higher in the young leaves. Dry matter (62.80%), crude fibre (10.73%), ash (4.83%), TDN (66.34%), tannins (2.42%), and total flavonoids (3162.66 mg/kg) amounts were much higher in the mature leaves, and the opposite trends were noticeable in the branches. The amounts of crude protein (8.53%) were greater in the young than mature organs. Strongest antimicrobial activities effects were recorded in the young than mature organs with east and west locations showing more effects. The inhibition zones ranging from 10 to 14 mm. The findings of this study indicate that microenvironments of understory plants can greatly enhance their survival capacity, which could help in improving medicines and food production in the arid regions.

Sweet potato is considered one of the crops enriched with valuable nutritional components, and this plant might possess strongest inhibitory allelochemicals. The present work evaluated the nutritional value and the allelopathic effects of sweet potatoes on seed germination and seedlings performance of Prosopis juliflora. The findings revealed that leaves of sweet potatoes contain more calcium, magnesium, manganese, zinc, copper, protein and flavonoids than the other organs. Food exposure to direct solar positively affected the amounts of phosphorous, magnesium, zinc dry matter, Total Digestible Nutrients (TDN), while greater levels of sodium, potassium, protein, fibres, ash, and flavonoids were recorded indoor. Exposing the samples for 15 and 25 min showed higher values of phosphorous, sodium, fibres, TDN, flavonoids, and fat compared with the non-treated samples. While the values of Total Dissolved Solids (TDS), Electrical conductivity (EC) and salinity were higher in the sweet potatoes shoot water extracts, those of pH were lower. Shoot water extracts exhibited strongest inhibitory effects on the seeds and seedlings responses than the tubers. Electrolyte leakage values were greater in the seedlings treated with shoot water extracts than the tubers. The results of this study demonstrate that growing sweet potatoes in the arid regions significantly improve its nutritional values which could be beneficial for human health. Furthermore, based on the results, proper attention should be given when drying the sweet potatoes to avoid nutrients damage. The tested shoots could be used to control the proliferation and the nuisances of P. juliflora plants in the introduced range.

Background Lower soil quality is one of the biggest challenges that limit farming systems under arid regions. However, little is known about the use of organic components and their synergistic effects to restore arid soil quality. Here, we evaluated the impacts of peat moss, biochar, and gypsum on the seed germination, seedlings growth and nodulation of Acacia tortilis considering their separated and combined effects under natural conditions. Method Acacia tortilis seed germination, seedlings growth and nodulation were exposed to the following treatments: (a) gypsum alone, (b) gypsum + peat moss, (c) gypsum + biochar, (d) gypsum + peat moss + biochar with three levels of gypsum applications including 0, 5 and 10%, and one rate of date palm biochar (2%). Results Based on the findings, photosynthetic photon flux density (PPFD) values (1255.69 µmol m − 2 s − 1 ) and temperatures (40.04 °C) were greater in the noontime, while relative humidity values (29.68%) were lower. Soil treated with peat moss alone had a higher pH (7.43), while electrical conductivity (EC; 2.36 mS cm − 1 ), and water holding capacity (WHC; 64.33%) were greater in soils treated with all three agricultural components. The amounts of potassium, magnesium, manganese, iron, lead, chromium, cobalt, and copper were less in the soil treated with the three agricultural materials. Germination percentage (95.55%), seed vigor index (9.67), shoot length (12.33 cm), leaves number/plant (10.66), shoot dry weight (0.1 g), root dry weight (0.03 g), chlorophyll a (0.76 mg g − 1 ), chlorophyll b (0.24 mg g − 1 ), total carotenoids (0.16 mg g − 1 ), ash (5.71%), nodules number/plant (7), and nodule length (6.66 mm) were higher in the soil treated with the three mixtures whereas, root length was highest (16.66 cm) in the mixture of gypsum and biochar. Conclusion The results of this study suggest that emphasizing these agricultural materials while farming could potentially and positively optimize arid soil quality and then help in water and nutrients retention.

Arid regions are mainly characterized by extreme environmental conditions, which strongly affect crop production and therefore, could not allow to satisfy the high food demand. During the past decades, chemicals fertilizers have been intensively used to increase crop yield. However, significant applications of chemical fertilizers have showed adverse effects on the environment in many previous works. Therefore, this study attempts to convert plant parts of dates palm (leaflet, petiole, and fruits) into biochar. Furthermore, this work also aims to determine the physiochemical composition of the biomaterial and its potentialities in improving plant growth of Ocimum basilicum at different levels including 0, 1.5, and 3% hydroponically. Based on our results, physiochemical parameters of the tested biochar revealed that 3% fruit biochar had the highest water drainage (42 ml), while petiole biochar at the same concentration without Hoagland had the highest pH (8.38) and EC (3452.66 µS/cm). Electrical properties, such as voltage (2.93 V) and current (0.14 mA), and plant metrics, including shoot and root growth, showed significant improvement, particularly with 3% of leaflet biochar and Hoagland application. Strong correlations between electrochemical properties (voltage, current) and plant growth were observed, with values ranging from 0.62 to 0.98. These findings suggest that biochar derived from date palm can be a valuable amendment for improving hydroponic crop production, particularly in arid regions.

Extreme environments significantly impact the metabolic profiles of plants, leading to variations in chemical composition and bioactivity. This study investigates the effects of altitude, plant part age, and light exposure on the chemical composition and antimicrobial properties of Moringa peregrina . Based on our results, mineral contents were plant location dependent; while dry matter, ash, total digestible nutrients (TDN), fibre, protein, and tannins, were greater in the samples from the mountain. Vitamin E was more concentrated in the wadi. Vitamin A, selenium, phenols, and heavy metals were undetectable in both environments. Antimicrobial assays revealed stronger activity in mountain samples than the other locations. Age-dependent analyses showed that nitrogen, protein, ash, and electrolyte leakage were higher in young plant parts, whereas chlorophyll a and b levels were elevated in mature leaves and younger branches, particularly in lower elevations. Interestingly, young leaves from mountain regions had higher chlorophyll concentrations compared to mature leaves, contrasting with trends at other elevations. Photosynthetic photon flux density (PPFD) measurements were also highest in the mountain region. These findings suggest that M. peregrina employs diverse metabolic adaptations for survival in challenging environments, potentially offering socioeconomic value to indigenous communities through its bioactive properties.

Plants have evolved photoprotective mechanisms in order to counteract the damaging effects of excess light in hyper-arid desert environments. We evaluated the impact of surface canopy positions on the photosynthetic adjustments and chlorophyll fluorescence attributes (photosystem II photochemistry, quantum yield, fluorescence quenching, and photon energy dissipation), leaf biomass and nutrient content of sun-exposed leaves at the south east (SE canopy position) and shaded-leaves at the north west (NW canopy position) in the invasive Prosopis juliflora and native Prosopis cineraria in the extreme environment (hyper-arid desert area, United Arab Emirates (UAE)). The main aim of this research was to study the photoprotection mechanism in invasive and native Prosopis congeners via the safe removal—as thermal energy—of excess solar energy absorbed by the light collecting system, which counteracts the formation of reactive oxygen species. Maximum photosynthetic efficiency (Fv/Fm) from dark-adapted leaves in P. juliflora and P. cineraria was higher on NW than SE canopy position while insignificant difference was observed within the two Prosopis congeners. Greater quantum yield was observed in P. juliflora than P. cineraria on the NW canopy position than SE. With the change of canopy positions from NW to SE, the reduction of the PSII reaction center activity in the leaves of both Prosopis congeners was accelerated. On the SE canopy position, a significant decline in the electron transport rate (ETR) of in the leaves of both Prosopis congeners occurred, which might be due to the blockage of electron transfer from QA to QB on the PSII acceptor side. On the SE canopy position; Prosopis leaves dissipated excess light energy by increasing non-photochemical quenching (NPQ). However, in P. cineraria, the protective ability of NPQ decreased, which led to the accumulation of excess excitation energy (1 − qP)/NPQ and the aggravation of photoinhibition. The results also explain the role of different physiological attributes contributing to invasiveness of P. juliflora and to evaluate its liaison between plasticity of these characters and invasiveness.