Salt stress is a major issue in agriculture and crop production that influences global food security. Mitigation options to address salt stress through agronomic practices can help manage this issue. Experiments were performed in two summer seasons in an experimental farm to test the impact of three salinity levels (S): 300 (control), 1000, 2000, and 3000 ppm, and two salicylic acid (SA) levels, including 1.0 and 1.50 mM, and their interaction on growth and yield of eggplant (Solanum melongena L.) hybrid Suma. The results showed that increasing S levels up to 3000 ppm reduced plant and fruit physical characteristics, as well as leaf and fruit chemical characteristics, especially leaf total chlorophyll, carotenoids, relative water, fruit nitrogen, phosphorus, and potassium contents, which led to a reduction in total yield per plant. However, an insignificant effect was observed in the control level and 1000 ppm saline water in leaf area, fruit length, leaf total chlorophyll content, fruit phosphorus content, and total yield per plant. In contrast, leaf sugars, proline contents, electrolyte leakage, fruit TSS (total soluble solids), and ascorbic acid contents were improved with S levels up to the concentration of 3000 ppm compared to the control. However, tested parameters were significantly higher due to the SA foliar spray of 1.0 mM besides photosynthetic pigments of leaves enhanced by using 1.0 and 1.50 mM. Using 1.0 mM SA concentration alleviated the adverse impact of S on eggplant plants until 1000 ppm saline water, reflecting an increase in eggplant yield. The anatomical structure of eggplant leaves revealed positive variations in mature leaf blades in both the stressed and SA-treated plants. Based on these results, the use of SA at a concentration of 1.0 mM may lessen the negative impacts of salt on the growth of eggplant, which increases the overall yield.

Moringa is the sole genus in the family Moringaceae used for medicinal and nutrient purposes. Morphological features, phytochemical attributes, and molecular characterization were used for the genetic association and classification among Moringa oleifera, M. peregrina, and M. stenopetala. Moringa peregrina recorded a similarity of 84% lonely and placed M. stenopetala with M. oleifera into a cluster score with a similarity of 95.3%. M. peregrina is characterized by phenolic content (243 mg/100 g), flavonoids (7 mg/100 g), and antioxidant activity (1226.85 mg/100 g). GC-MS analysis revealed that M. oleifera contained twenty compounds with 2-decenal (E) (39.14%), 2-undecenal (15.51%), nonanal (3.60%), and 2-octenal, (E) (2.48%), while M. peregrina identified eighteen compounds with 2-decenal (Z) (25.42%), 2-docecen-1-al (9.35%), and 13-Docosenoic acid, methyl ester, (Z) (4.16%). M. stenopetala identified fifteen compounds containing 2-decenal (E) (26.67%), 2-undecenal (24.10%), and nonanal (4.40%). A broad sense of similarity has been scored between M. oleifera and M. stenopetala by the phytochemical compositions, especially the similarity in the main compounds such as 2-decenal (E), 2-undecenal, and nonanal. It can be concluded that efforts need to be expanded to pay attention to study Moringa taxa, due to the rarity of Moringa peregrina, and the focus should be on sustainable utilization and conservation. The potential of these taxa would greatly benefit indigenous species in terms of their maintenance, and there is a need for more comprehensive bio-prospecting studies. Therefore, this study evaluates the variability among Moringa and highlights the significance of leaf and seed ultrastructure to provide more information and evaluate potential approaches.

Balanites aegyptiaca or Desert Date (Zygophyllaceae) is widely distributed in arid and semi-arid regions in Africa and South Asia. The current study aims to identify the infraspecific variation between B. aegyptiaca native to Egypt and Saudi Arabia. Detailed macro- and micromorphological analyses of leaflets, petioles, stems, spines, and fruits were performed using a light and Scanning Electron Microscope (SEM). Statistical analysis was performed by using the relevant R- software packages. Leaflet shape and apex, leaflet length/width ratio, leaflet indumentum density, and the petiole length were recorded. Based on these traits, the present study suggests the existence of one variety, “B. aegyptiaca var. aegyptiaca” in Makkah, Saudi Arabia. At the same time, two varieties were recorded in Egypt “B. aegyptiaca var. aegyptiaca and B. aegyptiaca var. tomentosa”.

Morphological, anatomical, and molecular information facilitates the identification and inference of the relatedness of plant species. In this study, the macromorphological, micromorphological, and anatomical characteristics of nine species from the Brachychiton and Sterculia genera belonging to the Malvaceae family were examined by light and a scanning electron microscope. The study recorded 66 macromorphological, micromorphological, and anatomical characteristics, thus revealing important variations between the studied species in leaf morphology and anatomy. This included variations in leaf complexity, leaf arrangement (phyllotaxy), epidermal cell walls, and their sculpture, as well as in the types of glandular and non-glandular trichomes. The studied species were mostly conserved in shedding patterns, being evergreen only in one out of nine studied species. Similarly, eight species were petiolate. Conversely, leaf arrangement and leaf complexity characteristics were highly divergent among the studied species, though only one species, Sterculia foetida, had compound leaves. The differences in the studied features and the chloroplast genes MaturaseK (MatK) and ribulose-1,5-bisphosphate carboxylase/oxygenase large subunit (rbcl) were exploited to deduce the relationship between the studied species. While the morphological and anatomical features demonstrated a close relationship between the studied intrageneric species, the DNA barcoding analysis proved very efficient in distinguishing the two neighboring genera. Collectively, the different clustering analyses suggest a close relatedness between Brachychiton acerifolius and B. australis, while only DNA-based clustering demonstrates cladistic monophyly of the Sterculia species. This study, therefore, provides a detailed description of various morphological and anatomical features important for the systematic studies within the Malvaceae family and highlights the value of incorporating morphological, anatomical, and molecular approaches for inferring the evolutionary relationship between closely related plant species.

Ha'il community is an important community in the northern Saudi Arabia; has its own culture. The current study is recording the ethno-botanical uses of some plants in Ha'il region, reflecting how surrounding environment and the geographical position affecting this knowledge, and showing even similarities with other Bedouin cultures within other places in nearby countries that has similar or related Bedouin ancestors.