Journal of Crop Science and Biotechnology 

About: Journal of Crop Science and Biotechnology is an academic journal published by Springer International Publishing. The journal publishes majorly in the area(s): Biology & Genetic diversity. It has an ISSN identifier of 1975-9479. Over the lifetime, 683 publications have been published receiving 6902 citations. The journal is also known as: JCSB.

Methyl jasmonate alleviated salinity stress in soybean

Abstract: We studied the role of methyl jasmonate (MeJA) in alleviating NaCl-induced salt stress on soybean growth and development in hydroponics medium. Soybean seedlings were exposed to 60 mM NaCl stress for 2 weeks, 24 h after the application of 20 and 30 µM MeJA. NaCl stress induced a significant reduction in plant growth, endogenous bioactive gibberellin (GA4), photosynthesis and transpiration rate, while a marked increase in the endogenous abscisic acid (ABA) and proline contents were recorded. MeJA application greatly mitigated the adverse effects of NaCl on soybean growth and endogenous hormones. MeJA significantly increased ABA levels, while the endogenous amount of GA4 was reduced by the application of NaCl. Our study revealed that MeJA counteracted the negative effects of NaCl stress on plant growth, chlorophyll content, leaf photosynthetic rate, leaf transpiration rate, and proline content.

Exogenous calcium alleviates the impact of cadmium-induced oxidative stress in Lens culinaris medic. Seedlings through modulation of antioxidant enzyme activities

Abstract: The effect of calcium (Ca) on lentil (Lens culinaris Medic.) seedlings exposed to cadmium (Cd) stress was studied by investigating plant growth and antioxidant enzyme activities. Plants were grown for 14 days in full-strength Hoagland nutrient media supplemented with Cd concentrations of 0, 10, 20, and 40 μM, and on corresponding medium supplied with 5 mM Ca(NO3)2 prior to Cd addition. Increasing Cd led to accumulation of metal and reduced the fresh weight of the shoots more strongly than that of the roots. Cd concentrations of 20 and 40 μM were selected to study its toxic effect on seedlings. Activities of superoxide dismutase, ascorbate peroxidase, catalase, dehydroascorbate reductase, and glutathione reductase decreased at much higher magnitude in the shoots than those observed in the roots under Cd exposure. Failure of antioxidant defense in scavenging of reactive oxygen species was evidenced by abnormal rise in H2O2, resulting in enhancement of lipid peroxidation and membrane electrolyte leakage as the marks of Cd-induced oxidative stress in lentil seedlings. Ca priming in the media significantly reduced the Cd accumulation and considerably alleviated the adverse impact of Cd treatment by modulating the antioxidant enzyme activity. Mitigation of Cd-induced stress by Ca application was strongly suggested by declining levels of H2O2 and consequent lowering of oxidative damage of membrane. Consequently, this enhanced fresh mass of plant parts as the sign of Ca-mediated normal growth in Cd-treated lentil seedlings.

Salicylic acid acts as potent enhancer of growth, photosynthesis and artemisinin production in Artemisia annua L.

Abstract: Plant secondary metabolites constitute the most important class of natural products with diverse and valuable chemical properties and biological activities Artemisinin, isolated from Artemisia annua L, is potentially a drug that could be effective against multidrug-resistant strains of the malarial parasite, Plasmodium Salicylic acid (SA) acts as a potential plant growth regulator and plays an important role in regulating a number of plant physiological and biochemical processes The present study was conducted to assess the alterations in plant growth, photosynthetic capacity, enzyme activities, and content and yield of artemisinin in Artemisia annua L in response to foliar application of SA Four levels of SA (000, 025, 050, and 100 mM SA) were applied on the aboveground plant parts Plant height and dry weight were altered significantly as the level of SA increased Besides, application of SA positively improved chlorophyll and carotenoid contents Furthermore, significant enhancement in net photosynthetic rate (317%) and the activity of nitrate reductase (172%) and carbonic anhydrase (109%) was noticed as the level of SA was increased from 000 to 100 mM SA Most importantly, the content and yield of artemisinin was positively regulated by the SA In comparison to no SA application (control), SA at 100 mM increased the content and yield of artemisinin by 258 and 500%, respectively

Molecular Markers: It's Application in Crop Improvement

Abstract: Over the past few decades, plant genomics research has been studied extensively bringing about a revolution in the field of plant biotechnology. Molecular markers, useful for plant genome analysis, have now become an important tool in crop improvement. The development and use of molecular markers for the detection and exploitation of DNA polymorphism is one of the most significant developments in the field of molecular genetics. The presence of various types of molecular markers, and differences in their principles, methodologies and applications require careful consideration in choosing one or more of such methods. No molecular markers are available yet that fulfill all requirements needed by researchers. In this article we attempt to review most of the available DNA markers that can be routinely employed in various aspects of plant genome analysis such as characterization of genetic variability, genome fingerprinting, genome mapping, gene localization, analysis of genome evolution, population genetics, taxonomy, plant breeding, and diagnostics. The emerging patterns make up a unique feature of the analyzed individual and are currently considered to be the ultimate tool for biological individualization.

Chemical priming with urea and KNO3 enhances maize hybrids (Zea mays L.) seed viability under abiotic stress

Abstract: Seed priming is a method to improve germination and seedling establishment under stress conditions. The effect of seed priming in chemical solutions such as urea and KNO3, on protein and proline content, germination, and seedling growth responses of four maize (Zea mays L.) hybrids under drought and salt stress conditions was studied in a controlled environment in 2010. Treatments included stress type and intensity at five levels: moderate drought (MD), severe drought (SD), moderate salt (MS), severe salt (SS), and control (C1, without stress), three seed priming types including water (C2, as control), KNO3, and urea (as chemical priming), and four maize hybrids including Maxima, SC704, Zola, and 307. The results showed that the highest germination percentage (Ger %), germination rate (GR), seedling length (SL), radical length (RL), and seedling to radical length ratio (S/R) were achieved in no stress treatments and most proline content in SD treatment. Urea priming led to more Ger%, GR, and SL compared to other primers and treatment under KNO3 priming resulted in higher RL compared to other primers. Chemical priming had no effect on S/R and proline content. Also, in terms of most traits, no difference was found among the four hybrids. Results showed that salt stress could affect GR and RL more than the drought stress. Drought stress affected germination percentage and S/R more than the salt stress. Both stresses decreased all measured parameters, except protein and proline content which were increased remarkably, and more under drought compared to salt stress. Based on proline content, hybrid 304 appeared to be more resistant to stress than other hybrids. Generally, KNO3 and urea alleviated effects of both stresses and led to increased germination and seedling growth as well as the root length. Therefore, priming could be recommended for enhancing maize growth responses under stressful conditions.