The green synthesis of zinc oxide nanoparticles (ZnO-NPs) mediated fruit peel extract is gaining importance due to its cost-effectiveness and ecofriendly nature. Herein, ZnO-NPs were synthesized using pomegranate peel extract as a reducing and stabilizing agent. The synthesized ZnO-NPs were characterized using SEM, TEM-SAID, FT-IR, XRD, and particle size analysis. According to the findings, the ZnO-NPs were agglomerated into spherical and hexagonal shapes with an average diameter of 20 to 40 nm and crystallinity formed. The antimicrobial activity of ZnO-NPs against pathogenic microbes was significant in multiple applications, with 62.5 and 31.25 μg/ml of MIC for both Gram-positive and Gram-negative bacteria, respectively, and 125 and 250 μg/ml of MIC for Aspergillus niger and Aspergillus flavus, respectively. In addition, ZnO-NPs showed antioxidant activity with IC₅₀ = 240 and 250 μg/ml by DPPH and ABTS, respectively. All concentrations of ZnO-NPs significantly improved the germination of barley seed and shoot height, with the optimum concentration reaching 2 and 12 ppm of ZnO-NPs for both seed germination (90%) and shoot height (6.5), respectively, while the greatest root extension (6 cm) was observed at 2 ppm of ZnO-NPs. The mitotic index increased at lower nanoparticle concentrations and exposure times but declined considerably as the nanoparticle dose and exposure duration increased, until most concentrations reached 100% suppression after 12 h with various chromosomal abnormalities. The researchers were able to create efficient, eco-friendly, and simple multifunctional ZnO-NPs using a green synthetic strategy and, in the process, obtain a better understanding of the cytotoxicity and genotoxicity of ZnO-NPs in plant cells.

Using agronomic parameters, ISSR (inter simple sequence repeat), and SCoT (start codon targeted) markers, ten potential wheat genotypes were examined for genetic diversity under normal and drought conditions. Significant agronomic features have been identified, as well as a low drought susceptibility index. Using seven SCoT and seven ISSR primers, a total of 112 amplified DNA fragments were synthesized, resulting in 61 and 51 bands, respectively. For SCoT and ISSRs, the percentage of polymorphism was 93.4% and 78.4%, respectively. Two markers, ISSR and SCoT, were found to be effective in detecting polymorphism among the examined genotypes, with mean PIC values of 0.61 and 0.62, respectively. In terms of marker index (MI), resolving power (Rp), and polymorphism percentage, SCoT markers exhibited the most significant values. The examination of seed storage proteins revealed 21 subunits with a mass ranging from 22 to 110 kDa. A cluster analysis of the data and morphological features contributed to identifying different molecular and biochemical bands that could be linked to genotype 4’s drought-resistance capabilities.

Rice is a major food crop that has a critical role in ensuring food security for the global population. However, major abiotic stresses such as salinity and alkalinity pose a major threat to rice farming worldwide. Compared with salinity stress, there is limited progress in elucidating the molecular mechanisms associated with alkalinity tolerance in rice. Since both stresses coexist in coastal and arid regions, unraveling of the underlying molecular mechanisms will help the breeding of high-yielding stress-tolerant rice varieties for these areas. This study examined the morpho-physiological and molecular response of four rice genotypes to both salinity and alkalinity stresses. Geumgangbyeo was highly tolerant and Mermentau was the least tolerant to both stresses, while Pokkali and Bengal were tolerant to only salinity and alkalinity stress, respectively. A set of salinity and alkalinity stress-responsive genes showed differential expression in the above rice genotypes under both stress conditions. The expression patterns were consistent with the observed morphological responses in these rice genotypes, suggesting the potential role of these genes in regulating tolerance to these abiotic stresses. Overall, this study suggested that divergence in response to alkalinity and salinity stresses among rice genotypes could be due to different molecular mechanisms conferring tolerance to each stress. In addition to providing a basis for further investigations into differentiating the molecular bases underlying tolerance, this study also emphasizes the possibilities of developing climate-resilient rice varieties using donors that are tolerant to both abiotic stresses.

Salinity stress poses a significant threat to crop productivity worldwide, necessitating effective mitigation strategies. This study investigated the phytochemical composition and potential of grape seed extract (GSE) to mitigate salinity stress effects on faba bean plants. GC–MS analysis revealed several bioactive components in GSE, predominantly fatty acids. GSE was rich in essential nutrients and possessed a high antioxidant capacity. After 14 days of germination, GSE was applied as a foliar spray at different concentrations (0, 2, 4, 6, and 8 g/L) to mitigate the negative effects of salt stress (150 mM NaCl) on faba bean plants. Foliar application of 2–8 g/L GSE significantly enhanced growth parameters such as shoot length, root length, fresh weight, and dry weight of salt-stressed bean plants compared to the control. The Fv/Fm ratio, indicating photosynthetic activity, also improved with GSE treatment under salinity stress compared to the control. GSE effectively alleviated the oxidative stress induced by salinity, reducing malondialdehyde, hydrogen peroxide, praline, and glycine betaine levels. Total soluble proteins, amino acids, and sugars were enhanced in GSE-treated, salt-stressed plants. GSE treatment under salinity stress modulated the total antioxidant capacity, antioxidant responses, and enzyme activities such as peroxidase, ascorbate peroxidase, and polyphenol oxidase compared to salt-stressed plants. Gene expression analysis revealed GSE (6 g/L) upregulated photosynthesis (chlorophyll a/b-binding protein of LHCII type 1-like (Lhcb1) and ribulose bisphosphate carboxylase large chain-like (RbcL)) and carbohydrate metabolism (cell wall invertase I (CWINV1) genes) while downregulating stress response genes (ornithine aminotransferase (OAT) and ethylene-responsive transcription factor 1 (ERF1)) in salt-stressed bean plants. The study demonstrates GSE’s usefulness in mitigating salinity stress effects on bean plants by modulating growth, physiology, and gene expression patterns, highlighting its potential as a natural approach to enhance salt tolerance.

Plant callus cultures are a sustainable alternative for producing bioactive secondary metabolites, but their low yields limit industrial applications. Carob (Ceratonia siliqua L.) is rich in medicinally valuable compounds, yet conventional cultivation faces challenges. To address this, we use biofortified calcium phosphate nanoparticles, which refer to CaP-NPs that have been enriched with bioactive compounds via green synthesis using Jania rubens extract, thereby enhancing their functional properties as elicitors in carob callus. CaP-NPs were green-synthesized using Jania rubens extract and applied to 7-week-old callus cultures at 0, 25, 50, and 75 mg/L concentrations. At the optimal concentration (50 mg/L), CaP-NPs increased callus fresh weight by 23.9% and dry weight by 35.1%. At 50 mg/L CaP-NPs, phenolic content increased by 95.7%, flavonoids by 34.4%, tannins by 131.8%, and terpenoids by 211.9% compared to controls. Total antioxidant capacity rose by 76.2%, while oxidative stress markers malondialdehyde (MDA) and hydrogen peroxide (H₂O₂) decreased by 34.8% and 14.1%, respectively. Gene expression analysis revealed upregulation of PAL (4-fold), CHI (3.15-fold), FLS (1.16-fold), MVK (8.3-fold), and TA (3.24-fold) at 50 mg/L CaP-NPs. Higher doses (75 mg/L) induced oxidative damage, demonstrating a hormetic threshold. These findings indicate that CaP-NPs effectively enhance secondary metabolite production in carob callus by modulating biosynthetic pathways and redox balance, offering a scalable, eco-friendly approach for pharmaceutical and nutraceutical applications.

One of the leading global causes of environmental contamination, heavy metals hurt agriculture and human health through the food chain. Through the use of mitotic index (MI), chromosomal aberrations (CAs), and DNA damage, the cytotoxic and genotoxic effects of Cr (VI) on the root tips of Allium cepa and Nigella sativa were assessed. Six Cr(VI) concentrations of 50,100,400,700,1000,and 2000 ppm were administered for 6,12,18,and 24 hours. The germination percentages of A. cepa and N. sativa seeds decreased at 400 ppm for both plants, with no germination detected in N. sativa L after 700 ppm application. The percentage of mitotic index in the treated group was significantly lower than that of the control cells after exposure to varying concentrations of Cr (VI) for varying amounts of time. It was determined that these decreases were statistically significant. The reduction of MI in N. sativa root tips was more pronounced than that of A. cepa. The largest abnormal percentages were identified in N. sativa after 24 hours of exposure to 100 ppm, while A. cepa showed abnormal percentages after 24 hours of exposure to 400 ppm. In all mitotic phases, distinct anomalies in the division of root tip cells were found in both plant species. A few examples of these deviations are stickiness, c-mitosis, anaphase-telophase bridges, disturbed laggards, and micronucleus. The comet test, which looks for single-strand breaks in DNA, was used to figure out how dangerous Cr (VI) is to the DNA in A. cepa root cells.