The exploitation of drought is a critical worldwide challenge that influences wheat growth and productivity. This study aimed to investigate a synergistic amendment strategy for drought using the single and combined application of plant growth-promoting microorganisms (PGPM) (Trichoderma harzianum) and biogenic silica nanoparticles (SiO₂NPs) from rice husk ash (RHA) on Saudi Arabia’s Spring wheat Summit cultivar (Triticum aestivum L.) for 102 DAS (days after sowing). The significant improvement was due to the application of 600 ppm SiO₂NPs and T. harzianum + 600 ppm SiO₂NPs, which enhanced the physiological properties of chlorophyll a, carotenoids, total pigments, osmolytes, and antioxidant contents of drought-stressed wheat plants as adaptive strategies. The results suggest that the expression of the studied genes (TaP5CS1, TaZFP34, TaWRKY1, TaMPK3, TaLEA, and the wheat housekeeping gene TaActin) in wheat remarkably enhanced wheat tolerance to drought stress. We discovered that the genes and metabolites involved significantly contributed to defense responses, making them potential targets for assessing drought tolerance levels. The drought tolerance indices of wheat were revealed by the mean productivity (MP), stress sensitivity index (SSI), yield stability index (YSI), and stress tolerance index (STI). We employed four databases, such as BAR, InterPro, phytozome, and the KEGG pathway, to predict and decipher the putative domains in prior gene sequencing. As a result, we discovered that these genes may be involved in a range of important biological functions in specific tissues at different developmental stages, including response to drought stress, proline accumulation, plant growth and development, and defense response. In conclusion, the sole and/or dual T. harzianum application to the wheat cultivar improved drought tolerance strength. These findings could be insightful data for wheat production in Saudi Arabia under various water regimes.

A huge amount of textile dyes are released as industrial waste into the environment each year, which alters the water’s natural appearance and causes toxicity and carcinogenicity in the human body. Peanut husk is considered an agro-waste and contains many valuable compounds, such as cellulose. Different concentrations of cellulose were extracted from peanut husk and then loaded with bio-silver nanoparticles, which were fabricated using neem leaves (Azadirachta indica) as a reducing agent to form Ag-cellulose nanocomposites (Ag-Cell-NCMs). Different devices were used to characterize Ag-Cell-NCMs. The TEM images displayed that the size of Ag-Cell-NCMs ranged between 13.4 and 17.4 nm after dye adsorption. The Ag-Cell-NCMs were used to adsorb toxic dyes such as crystal violet (CV). Different parameters were applied, such as the ratio of cellulose to Ag-NPs, pH, contact time, adsorbent dose, dye concentration, and the temperature required to reach the optimization conditions to remove CV dye from the aqueous solution. Different kinetics and isotherm models were applied to the experimental data to explain the mechanism of the adsorption process. The adsorption of CV on Ag-Cell-NCMs follows the pseudo-second order, and the best-fit isotherm was the Langmuir isotherm. The new composite was tested for the possibility of dye desorption and ability to be reused several times, and we found that the new nanocomposite can be reused for multiple adsorptions and there is a possibility of dye desorption.

This work reports a one-step, green synthesis of silver-micro cellulose nanocomposite (Ag@Ce NCs) using Azadirachta indica A. Juss leaf extract to load micro-cellulose isolated from peanut shells with silver nanoparticles, followed by comprehensive physicochemical characterization (FTIR, TEM, EDX-SEM, zeta potential, and XRD). The composite has pH_PZC ≈ 5.0 and was tested for simultaneous removal of methylene blue (MB) and safranin O (SO) under batch conditions across various pH levels, doses, contact times, initial concentrations, ionic strengths, and temperatures. The high removal efficiencies observed at pH 10 for MB and 6.0 for SO. The adsorption reached the maximum at 45 min before partially declining, indicating reversible binding on saturated surfaces. Isotherm study favored the Langmuir model, with similar affinities (K_L ≈ 0.106, and 0.110 L/mg) and monolayer capacities of 17.99 mg/g for MB and 14.90 mg/g for SO, suggesting non-selective competition on uniform sites. Kinetic data fitted the pseudo-second-order model, while thermodynamic analysis indicated mainly exothermic and physisorption interactions. Higher ionic strength reduced removal efficiency (at 1.0 M NaCl, %RE ≈ 33–48%), highlighting salt sensitivity typical of electrostatic attraction. The adsorbent maintained about 90% of its initial performance after five adsorption–desorption cycles in 0.1 M H₂SO₄, indicating excellent reusability. Overall, Ag@Ce NCs provide an inexpensive, eco-friendly, and reuseable platform for treating binary mixtures of cationic dyes.

The recognition of medicinal plants for their ability to enhance human resilience in confronting pathogenic diseases and extending the lifetime of food preservation has been explored throughout history. This study aims to assess the in vitro phenolic content, antioxidant properties, and antimicrobial potential of pomegranate peel extract (PPE) in ethanol. The antimicrobial activity of PPE was evaluated using the agar well-diffusion method, while the total phenolic content was determined using the Folin–Ciocalteu method. The antioxidant capacity was assessed utilizing the 2,2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl technique. The polyphenolic compounds present in PPE were identified using liquid chromatography–electrospray ionization–tandem mass spectrometry. Furthermore, the ability of PPE to counteract oil deterioration was assessed using four different plant-based oils: corn, olive, sunflower, and soybean. The study results revealed that PPE exhibits significant antioxidant activity, inhibits the growth of bacterial and fungal cells, and provides superior protection against oil oxidation and peroxidation at a concentration of 200 ppm, surpassing the synthetic antioxidant butylated hydroxytoluene. These findings underscore the role of PPE as a valuable natural resource for various applications in the food and pharmaceutical industries. By harnessing the beneficial properties of PPE, it is possible to develop natural and sustainable alternatives to synthetic antioxidants and antimicrobials. This not only contributes to the preservation of food quality and safety but also aligns with the growing demand for clean-label and eco-friendly products. Overall, this study provides valuable insights into the multifaceted benefits of PPE and paves the way for further exploration and utilization of this natural resource in various applications.

Commiphora gileadensis (L.), a pantropical and endangered medicinal plant of the Burseraceae family, thrives in arid and semi-arid regions. This study investigates its ecological distribution and phytochemical composition across five locations in Khulais Governorate, Saudi Arabia. Ecological parameters, including topography, climate, chorology, life forms, and soil physicochemical properties, were assessed. Heavy metal concentrations and bioavailability in both soil and root samples were analyzed. Phytochemical profiling was conducted using Gas Chromatography-Mass Spectrometry (GC/MS). A total of 94 species from 28 families were associated with C. gileadensis , with Poaceae being the most dominant. Therophytes represented the highest life form (43.62 %), and Sudano-Zambezian and Saharo-Arabian elements were the most prevalent chorotypes. Soil pH ranged from 7.1 to 7.73, and electrical conductivity from 0.89 to 1.60 mS/cm. Roots showed root coefficient factors (RCF) > 1 for Cu, Ca, Zn, Sr, Ba, and B, indicating phytostabilization potential. Harra 2 site recorded the highest proline and carbohydrate levels. GC/MS revealed 9,12,15-octadecatrienoic acid, methyl ester (Z,Z,Z) as the most abundant compound across all sites. This integrative study provides ecological and phytoremediation insights into C. gileadensis , supporting its conservation and sustainable utilization.

This study explores the influence of salinity on some physiological and biochemical pathways of four facultative halophytes (Abutilon pannosum, Indigofera oblongifolia, Senna italica, and Tetraena coccinea) along the southwest coast of Jeddah Governorate. Through a comparative analysis of these plants in both saline and non-saline environments, the study investigates chlorophyll levels, ion concentrations within the plants, the correlation with the SOS1 gene, and the impact of salinity on metabolic compounds. The overarching goal is to gain insights into the adaptive mechanisms of these specific plants to salt stress, providing valuable information for addressing global agricultural challenges associated with salinity. Throughout the study, metabolic, ionic, and molecular responses of these plants were scrutinized in both environments. The findings revealed elevated levels of Na⁺, K⁺, Ca²⁺, and Mg²⁺ in saline habitats, except for Na⁺ in I. oblongifolia. Despite increased concentrations of Chl b, variations were noted in Chl a and carotenoids in plants exposed to salt. Osmoregulatory patterns in A. pannosum and I. oblongifolia exhibited reversible changes, including heightened protein and proline levels in A. pannosum and decreased levels in I. oblongifolia, accompanied by alterations in amino acids and soluble carbohydrates. Senna italica displayed higher levels of osmolytes, excluding proline, compared to salinized environments, while T. coccinea exhibited lower levels of amino acids. The accumulation of Na⁺ emerged as the primary mechanism for ionic homeostasis in these plants, with non-significant decreases observed in K⁺, Mg²⁺, and Ca²⁺. Notably, an overexpression of the SOS1 gene (plasma membrane Na⁺/H⁺ antiporter) was observed as a response to maintaining ionic balance. Understanding these halophytes will be critical in addressing salinity challenges and enhancing crop tolerance to salinity.