Garlic (Allium sativum L.) is an economically important, monocotyledonous plant with a strong taste and odor. Drought stress adversely affects its growth, development, and yield, particularly during the bolting/bulbing stage. Herein we performed RNA-seq to assess transcriptomic changes induced by drought stress in bolting/bulbing hardneck garlic plants (Purple Glazer). We observed that drought stress significantly reduced photosynthesis rate, fresh weight, and leaf water content. Transcriptomic analysis of garlic leaves under normal conditions and drought stress led to the identification of 5215 differentially expressed genes (2748 up- and 2467 downregulated). The upregulated DEGs were primarily involved in “biological process”, “metabolic process”, “oxidation-reduction process”, carbohydrate and lipid metabolism, and “proteolysis”, whereas the downregulated DEGs were mainly involved in “biological process” and metabolism of various molecules. In addition, genes encoding abscisic acid biosynthetic and catabolic enzymes, heat shock proteins, and E3 ubiquitin ligases were significantly altered by drought stress, indicating involvement in drought tolerance. A further comparison with the DEGs related to salinity stress-treated garlic revealed 867 and 305 DEGs with a similar and reverse expression alteration tendency, respectively.

Background: Phaeoacremonium parasiticum is a frequently species associated with "Petri's disease" in young plants of grapevine in Peru. One of the main limitations is the use of fungicides and the limited molecules for its control. In this scenario, biological control is an important alternative to integrate in the management of grapevine diseases. Objective: The objective of the research was to evaluate the in vivo efficacy of native antagonists to P. parasiticum and their growth promoting effect on grapevine. Methodology: Plant material from mother plants (R-110) underwent thermotherapy (52.5°C for 30 min). Subsequently, the antagonists (bacteria and fungi) were inoculated by partial immersion at a concentration of 1x106 cfu ml-1 (Colony forming units) for 3 h; 30 days later, P. parasiticum was inoculated, measuring shoot length before inoculation (SLBI). Seventy days after inoculation (DAI), shoot length (SL), length of necrotic stria (LNS), root dry weight (RDW) and root fresh weight (RFW) were measured. Results: Isolate Tr-5 (Trichoderma spp.) increased SLBI by 68%. Bacillus spp. (Bac-1, Bac-2), Trichoderma spp. (Tr-5) and T. harzianum (T-22) increase >40% SL 70 DDI. Tr-6 (Trichoderma spp.), T-22 and Act-2 (Actinomycete) reduce >50% LNS. Bacillus spp. (Bac-2: Bac-3) significantly increase RFW (59.29%: 49.39%) and RDW (60.41%: 55.08%). Implications: Biological control with native antagonists reduces the development of Petri disease and promotes grapevine growth. Conclusions: The native antagonists show growth-promoting effect and control of LEN caused by P. parasiticum at the nursery stage.

To examine physiological responses of garlic to salinity, 17-day-old seedlings of eight soft-neck accessions were treated with 200 mM NaCl for seven days in a hydroponic system. Several morphological and physiological traits were measured at the end of the treatment, including shoot height, shoot fresh weight, shoot dry weight, root length, root fresh weight, root dry weight, photosynthesis rate, and concentrations of Na⁺ and K⁺ in leaves. The principal component analysis showed that shoot dry weight and K⁺/Na⁺ ratio contribute the most to salt tolerance among the garlic accessions. As a result, salt-tolerant and sensitive accessions were grouped based on these two parameters. Furthermore, to investigate the molecular mechanisms in garlic in response to salinity, the transcriptomes of leaves and roots between salt-tolerant and salt-sensitive garlic accessions were compared. Approximately 1.5 billion read pairs were obtained from 24 libraries generated from the leaves and roots of the salt-tolerant and salt-sensitive garlic accessions. A total of 47,509 genes were identified by mapping the cleaned reads to the garlic reference genome. Statistical analysis indicated that 1282 and 1068 genes were upregulated solely in the tolerant leaves and roots, whereas 1505 and 1203 genes were downregulated exclusively in the tolerant leaves and roots after NaCl treatment, respectively. Functional categorization of these genes revealed their involvement in a variety of biological processes. Several genes important for carotenoid biosynthesis, auxin signaling, and K⁺ transport were strongly altered in roots by NaCl treatment and could be candidate genes for garlic salt tolerance improvement.

Quinoa (Chenopodium quinoa Willd.) is a highly nutritious crop known for its tolerance to salt stress; however, the molecular mechanisms underlying this trait remain poorly understood. This study aims to perform the in silico characterisation of calcium-dependent protein kinase (CPK) gene family sequences and to evaluate their expression profiles under salt stress conditions. Using bioinformatics tools, CPK family gene sequences were identified and in silico-characterised, including conserved domains, cis-regulatory motifs, and physicochemical properties. Experimentally, two contrasting accessions were compared: a salt-tolerant one (UNSA_VP033) and a salt-sensitive one (UNSA_VP021). Salt tolerance indices were determined during germination, gene expression levels were quantified by RT-qPCR, and antioxidant enzyme activities, along with malondialdehyde (MDA) content, were evaluated under different NaCl concentrations. Sixteen sequences with characteristic CPK family domains were identified. Promoter analysis revealed cis-elements associated with hormonal and stress responses. Physicochemical parameters predicted proteins of 50–60 kDa with variable isoelectric points. Experimentally, UNSA_VP033 showed the significant overexpression of CqCPK12, CqCPK17, CqCPK20, and CqCPK32, correlated with the higher antioxidant activity of superoxide dismutase (SOD) and peroxidase (POD), and lower MDA levels at 200 mM NaCl. In contrast, the sensitive accession exhibited significant reductions in gene expression and antioxidant activity. In conclusion CPK genes play a key role in the salt stress response in quinoa, particularly CqCPK12, CqCPK17, CqCPK20, and CqCPK32 in the tolerant accession. These findings may contribute to the development of more salt-tolerant varieties, thereby enhancing agricultural sustainability in saline soils.

Los Streptomyces son un grupo de actinobacterias considerados como habitantes del suelo escasamente estudiados en el campo de la biofertilización vegetal, y dentro de la economía peruana Allium sativum L., (ajo) es uno de los principales cultivos hortícolas de región de Arequipa. Por ello nos hemos propuesto en caracterizar a nivel morfológico, bioquímico y genético aislados de actino bacterias rizosféricas de una zona silvestres y examinar sus propiedades como promotores del crecimiento vegetal (PGPR) in vitro e in vivo sobre plántulas de Allium sativum L. El análisis in vitro detectó a Streptomyces cirratus (ST3E) que fijo 0.63 ± 0.01 mg/L nitrógeno atmosférico bajo la forma de amonio, también se detectó a Streptomyces sp (ST2A) como la mejor cepa que sintetizo 19.1±0.82 ng/ml de ácido indol acético y todas cepas presentaron un índice de solubilización de fosforo inorgánico entre 2.18 y 3.31. El ensayo in vivo permitió detectar a Streptomyces cirratus (ST3E), este ha inducido al aumento del tamaño del vástago y aumento del peso seco, Streptomyces sp (ST2A), este aumento el tamaño de la raíz y las cepas Streptomyces sp (ST8A) y Streptomyces sp (ST8B), estos han inducido al aumento del diámetro del bulbo del ajo. Se propone a la cepa Streptomyces cirratus (ST3E) como candidato para profundizar estudios a nivel molecular como posible Streptomyces capaz de fijar el nitrógeno atmosférico, así mismo este estudio propone a Streptomyces cirratus (ST3E), Streptomyces sp (ST2A), Streptomyces sp (ST8A) y Streptomyces sp (ST8B) como buenos candidatos para ser incorporados en los bioformulados como agentes de biofertilización en el cultivo del ajo.

Quinoa (Chenopodium quinoa) is recognized for its tolerance to abiotic stress, including salinity, and its recent genome sequencing has facilitated the study of the mechanisms underlying this adaptation. This study focused on characterizing the ZAT genes of the C2H2 subfamily in quinoa, evaluating their expression under saline stress. Eight ZAT genes were identified and analyzed in silico using genomic databases and bioinformatics tools, assessing their conserved domains, cis-regulatory motifs, and physicochemical characteristics. Additionally, germination assays, hydroponic cultivation, and gene expression analyses via qPCR were performed on halotolerant (UNSA_VP033) and halosensitive (UNSA_VP021) accessions exposed to different NaCl concentrations. The genes CqZAT4 and CqZAT6 showed high expression in the halotolerant accession under saline stress, correlating with increased dry matter, root length, and water retention. In contrast, the halosensitive accession exhibited lower tolerance, with significant reductions in these metrics. Promoter analysis revealed cis-elements associated with hormonal and stress responses. ZAT genes play a key role in quinoa’s response to saline stress, with CqZAT4 and CqZAT6 standing out in the halotolerant accession. These findings could drive the development of more resilient varieties, contributing to agricultural sustainability in saline soils.