In this study, we aimed to evaluate the effects of Arbuscular mycorrhiza fungus (AMF) inoculation, foliar application of zinc oxide and selenium nanoparticles (ZnO-NPs and Se-NPs), and their combined interactions on the growth and productivity of chili pepper under cold-stress conditions. Two field experiments were successfully conducted during the winter seasons of 2021 and 2022 in an experimental field at the Faculty of Agriculture, Cairo University, Giza, Egypt. The results showed that, under cold stress, the combination of AMF inoculation and ZnO-NPs + Se-NPs as a foliar spray increased the average fruit weight by 92.4% and 98.7%, and the number of fruits by 34.6% and 54.8 compared to control treatment in the 2021 and 2022 seasons, respectively. Additionally, the combination of AMF and a mixture of nanoparticles (ZnO-NPs + Se-NPs) significantly increased the total marketable yield by 95.8% and 94.7% compared to the control, which recorded values of 2.4 and 1.9 kg m⁻² in the 2021 and 2022 seasons, respectively. Furthermore, the combination of AMF and a mixture of nanoparticles (ZnO-NPs + Se-NPs) showed the highest total content of ascorbic acid and capsaicin in chili fruits compared to the other treatments. The combination of AMF and a mixture of nanoparticles (ZnO-NPs + Se-NPs) stimulated the accumulation of peroxidase (POD) and nitrogen glutamate dehydrogenase (GDH) while decreasing hydrogen peroxide (H₂O₂) and lipid peroxidation (MDA) contents. SDS analysis revealed that the application of ZnO-NPs, Se-NPs, AMF + ZnO-NPs, and AMF + ZnO-NPs + Se-NPs induced the emergence of new protein bands and reconstitution of those damaged by cold stress. Regarding histological structure, the combination of AMF inoculation and ZnO-NPs + Se-NPs as a foliar spray showed an enhancement in the thickness of grana thylakoids and increased the number of chloroplasts. Intriguingly, the findings showed that AMF and a mixture of nanoparticles (ZnO-NPs + Se-NPs) could offer guidance for increasing plant development and productivity under cold-stress conditions.

Salvia guaranitica is considered one of the most significant medicinal and aromatic herbs in terms of nutritional and medical benefits due to its wealth of important active components. Among these compounds, terpenoids are the most prominent and abundant, particularly monoterpenes (C10), sesquiterpenes (C15), and diterpenes (C20). They are biologically advantageous to plants and perform a multitude of functions. The current study aimed to clone the S. guaranitica gene that encodes for geranyllinalool synthases (SgGES, EC: 4.2.3.144), with consideration for these features. The open reading frame of the 867-amino-acid protein encoded by SgGES consists of 2.721 base pairs. In addition, the SgGES protein has five domains that belong to the terpene synthase family, which are related to the terpene and terpenoid synthase domains. We manipulated and overexpressed the SgGES gene in Nicotiana tabacum to explore its function. When compared to the GUS control, the transgenic N. tabacum plants displayed an increase in leaf production and diameter when compared with the wild-type plants. Finally, analysis of transgenic plants using gas chromatography/mass spectrometry (GC-MS) showed that SgGES is responsible for producing various terpene species, especially diterpenes.

The phytotoxicity of heavy metals liberal through human activities reduces crop growth and yield. The current investigation was conducted to evaluate the effect of some heavy metals; Effect of cadmium [Cd], zinc [Zn], copper [Cu] and lead [Pb] on the growth of five different wheat genotypes at different stages of growth under field conditions. The results exhibited that heavy metals have a significant effect on some growth and yield traits. Cadmium had the least significant effect on plant traits, followed by zinc, copper and lead. Wheat genotypes differed in their response to heavy metal stress. Furthermore, it can be accomplished that the wheat genotype Beni Suef 5 had the highest tolerance to metals followed by Gemmayzeh 12 and Beni Suef 6, while Sakha 94 and Misr 1 showed the least tolerance to metals. Tolerant genotypes at different growth stages can be used commercially under heavy metal stress and can also be used as donor varieties to develop promising varieties intended for agricultural production under heavy metal stress.

A significant legume crop known for its high levels of protein and edible oil is the soybean. High levels of nitrogen are needed by soybean plants, and this nitrogen is primarily supplied by biological nitrogen fixation. A field test was performed by using soybean (Glycine max) Giza 82 cultivar.Growing soybean with or without Rhizobium spp. and Colchicine compared to non-inoculated plants, led to raise in some morphological features similar to this, infected plants displayed increased enzyme activity. Such as catalase, polyphenol, peroxidase and ascorbate oxidase,as compared to soybean plants that weren't inoculated . Colchicine concentration was the most crucial source of diversity across all traits. Significant responses were detected for various morphological parameters, anatomical features of root and leaf, and DNA content in the genotype used.High polymorphic bands were found in ISSR tested primers, and fingerprinting revealed 126 distinct DNA fragments in all has 105 fragments on average each primer. There were between one and three polymorphic bands per primer, with an average of 0.75.