Journal of Plant Process and Function

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Nitrogen has an important role for supplying carbon skeletons which needs for producing compatible solutes and stress tolerance enzymes. Water deficit affects nitrogen fixation in legums. So we studied the effect of various nitrogen sources on physiological, and biochemical features of bean under water stress. This experiment was conducted as factorial based on completely randomized design with three replications in the greenhouse of university of Mohaghegh Ardabili in 2012. The treatments irrigation included three levels (30, 55, and 80% of field capacity) and nitrogen sources (control, N source as ammonium, nitrate, and nitrate + ammonium). In this experiment lysine and methionine amino acids, catalase and polyphenol oxidase enzymes activity, soluble sugars, proline and proteins content measured in 3, 5 and 7 days after the stress induction. Water stress increased leaf proline and soluble sugars content. Using of nitrate and nitrate + ammonium caused the highest proline and total soluble sugars content, while enhancing stress intensity decreased protein content. Nitrate showed remarkable impact on protein content under water stress conditions. The highest lysine produced by severe stress, whereas methionine decreased by enhancing stress. Supplying mineral nitrogen significantly affected lysine content, compared to the control and increased and nitrate was the most effective nitrogen source for increasing methionine. Catalase and polyphenol oxidase activities were elevated under stress conditions, compared to the non-stress ones. Combined application of ammonium and nitrate showed the highest activities of these enzymes.

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One way of controlling plant response to various biotic stresses occurs through programmed cell death, this system is known as the hypersensitive reaction. Plant resistance system against stress is stimulated through different chemicals such as salicylic acid. Therfore, experiment was conducted in a completely randomized design with three replications, in order to identifying the expressed proteins treated with salicylic acid in the Chamran and Falat cultivars. At first, the concentration of proline, lysine and methionine amino acids were assessed, then one-dimensional and two-dimensional electrophoresis was implimented to identify the proteins involved in the programmed cell death. The results indicated that the concentration of lysine and methionine amino acids reduced and the concentrations of the proline that played an essential role in plant defense mechanisms, increased during the treatment and the results of 2D electrophoresis studies showed, changes in the expression of proteins in effect of salicylic acid is in direct relation with defense system against stress and also involvement of protein expression systems in the metabolism of carbohydrates, protein, energy production and signal transduction.

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Drought is one of the most important environmental stresses that adversely affect plant growth and crop production will In order to study a factorial randomized complete block design with three replications in greenhouse Ardabil University mohaghegh was conducted in 2013. Treatments were water stress at three levels: 35%, 55% and 75% field capacity and seed inoculated with mycorrhiza growth promoters (Glomus Mosseae), Rhizobium (Sinorhizobium meliloti), a mixture of both experienced and non-inoculated as results showed main effects and interaction between water stress and seed inoculation rates at 1% level of proline, soluble sugar, membrane stability, osmotic potential, plant height and leaf area was significantly influence of alfalfa, however lysine and methionine levels were changed only main effects. Increase the stiffness of proline, soluble sugar and decrease osmotic potential, membrane stability, lysine, stem height and leaf area were. Growth stimuli by increasing the production of metabolites and increased osmotic potential and membrane stability reduces the damaging effects of stress and increase plant height and leaf area were of alfalfa. Mycorrhiza and Rhizobium have performed better in most traits, but simultaneously they always showed the highest value. Also according to the regression equations in tension 85% proline and methionine had the highest share in the determination of cell water and the portion of the methionine reduces stress and enhances the contribution of soluble sugars and proline in determining the relative water content increases this increases the osmotic potential contribution in determining the relative water content in cells. Rhizobium and mycorrhiza mixture of proline and methionine, the highest share in determining the relative water content of the cells showed. Changes in leaf water content of a quadratic equation, but stem cells compared with less leaf area affected by the water content of cells Generally use a mixture of mycorrhiza and Rhizobium is always the best treatment for reducing stress have to show that there is a relationship between them Synvzhysty

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Seed aging increases activity of reactive oxygen molecules and antioxidant enzymes have a key role against increased oxidative stress which is caused by free radicals. Effect of seed priming on increasing of these enzymes activity and its impacts on seed germination characteristics of deteriorated milk thistle seeds was studied in University of Mohaghegh Ardabili in 2013. Factoral experiment based on Complete Randomized Design (CRD) with three replications. The accelerated seed aging was to increase free radicals activates and seed priming with potassium nitrate was to decrease. Priming treatment was done in five levels (0, 15, 30, 45 and 60 mg per liter potassium nitrate) and seed aging at four levels (non-aging, 48, 96 and 144 hours aging). The results showed that enhancing seed aging reduced the activity of antioxidant enzymes superoxide dismutase (62%), catalase (34%), peroxidase (43%), ascorbate peroxidase (57%), glutathione peroxidase (61%) and glutathione reductase (58%), which eventually led to a decrease in germination percentage (25%) and germination rate (15%). Effect of seed priming reduced aging effect and increased the activity of antioxidant enzymes, which eventually led to an increase in germination. The concentration of 30- 40 mgL-1 nitrate showed the greatest impact. Regression results showed that the enzyme activity follows a linear relationship with the percentage and rate of seed germination. According to path analysis results, the antioxidant enzymes had direct and indirect effects on the germination rate and percent respectively, during changes in free radicals activity, so that the peroxidase activity had the greatest impact on the germination percent (0.56) and rate (0.73), respectively.

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Heavy metals are a major environmental problem and have caused serious concerns because of characteristics of carcinogenesis, non-degradability and biological accumulation. Major part of this material is absorbed by plants and leads to inactivation of some enzyme, decreased protein production and disrupting variety of reactions and many cellular functions and growth and development cessation. The aim of this study was to evaluate the treatment effects of mercuric chloride and cadmium chloride on total soluble protein, soluble sugars content, concentration of proline, lysine and methionine amino acids with catalase, peroxidase and polyphenol oxidase activity in Tajan and the Gonbad wheat cultivars. The Seedlings were treated in three leaflets stage with mercuric chloride at concentrations of 5, 10, 15 and 20 µM and cadmium chloride at concentrations of 0.5 and 0.25 mM as well as control. The experiment were conducted as factorial in a completely randomized design with three replications. The results showed that in both Gonbad and Tajan cultivars, mercuric chloride treatment significantly decreased the total soluble sugars content and polyphenol oxidase and increased the amount of protein, proline, lysine and methionine compared to control. In Gonabd, with increasing concentrations of cadmium chloride, total protein, soluble sugar and lysine contents increased but proline and methionine contents reduced. But inTajan cultivar opposite result was obtained. Tajan is therefore more tolerant than Gonbad. Also in Gonabd cultivar, with concentration increasing of mercury, catalase and peroxidase activity were reduced but in Tajan increased activity of these enzymes. With increasing concentration of cadmium activity were reduced compared to control enzymes. Thus, this study showed that treatment with cadmium chloride and mercury chloride at micromolar and millimolar levels is able to stimulate plant defense mechanisms and makes plants more tolerant against stress.

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Drought is the cause of adverse environmental impacts on plant growth and crop yield. In this study, the effects of water deficit on plant molecular and physiological responses were investigated using two cultivars (namely, Sardari and Zarin) of bread wheat selected based on the results of a three-year research. For the purposes of this study, they were grown in plastic pots containing field soil and maintained in growth chambers (30/20 °C, 14/10 h day/night, 60% R.H). The cultivars had been The experiment was conducted in a completely randomized design with three replications. Plant response to water stress was evaluated at the physiological level by determining the relative water content (RWC) as well as chlorophyll, free proline, and total protein contents following the drought treatment with subsequent re-irrigation. All the physiological parameters were found to be affected by drought stress. The Zarin cultivar exhibited a significant decrease in its RWC. Chlorophyll a and total chlorophyll in both the cultivars showed significant decreases but chlorophyll b did not exhibit any significant variation in either cultivar. The free proline content increased significantly in both cultivars such that they were both restored their normal proline contents life when irrigation was resumed after a short-term experimental drought stress. SDS-PAGE electrophoresis of leaf proteins in both control and experimental samples revealed regulating adjustments in protein contents. Modification in the expression level of the dehydrin (DHN) gene (that is, Rab17) was also analyzed by reverse transcription–polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR). This gene was expressed slightly in the well watered plants of the two cultivars, but the gene expression in the Sardari cultivar increased significantly after the long-term experimental drought.

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Effects of accelerated aging and seed priming treatments were studied on milk thistle seeds during germination process. Experiment was performed in a factorial based on Complete Randomized Design (CRD). Treatments were Salicylic acid concentrations (0, 500, 1000, 1500 and 2000 ppm) and accelerated aging for (0, 48, 96 and 144 hours under 45 °C and 95% humidity) with three replications. Our results showed thatsalicylic acid dramatically enhanced seed germination, seed vigor and primary seedling growth. Catalase, polyphenol oxidase and peroxidase activity was increased by seed priming. Reduction in germination parameters were observed by increase in accelerated aging durations The highest antioxidant activity, germination percentage and daily germination rate and seed vigour were observed at primed seeds with 1000 ppm Salycilic acid on non-aged seeds. Treatment salicylic acid at a concentration of 1000 ppm has the greatest impact and cause harmful effects healing was aging.

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Abstract:

 In order to evaluate the effect of drought stress and salicylic acid on mineral content and some  physiological traits of soybean genotypes (Glycine max L.) a greenhouse experiment was conducted as factorial based on completely randomized design with three replications in Mohaghegh Ardabil University in 2014. The first factor consisted of three levels of water deficit (85%, 65% and 45% field capacity), the second factor consisted of three concentration of salicylic acid (0 or distilled water, 0.4 and 0.8 mM) and the third included soybean genotypes (Williams, L17 and D42X19). The results showed that water deficit increased the amount of sodium, sodium to potassium ratio, electrolyte leakage, malondialdehyde and glycine betaine and decreased leaf relative water content and leaf area per plant. Soybean genotypes responded differently to water deficit. Williams and L17 had the highest and lowest concentrations of calcium, potassium, relative water content and leaf area per plant, respectively. Salicylic acid decreases the amount of lipid peroxidation, electrolyte leakage and increased concentrations of glycine betaine and leaf area per plant. Interaction of salicylic acid and genotype on traits was significant. Application of 0.4 mM salicylic acid exhibited afavorable effects on the accumulation of calcium, potassium, phosphorus and increasing the relative water content and maintaining the integrity of cell membranes and ameliorated the inhibitory effects of water deficit in soybean genotypes especially in Williams. Foliar application with 0.4 mM salicylic acid reduced adverse impact of water deficit stress in Williams cultivar.

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In order to investigate the response different of maize hybrids under drought stress in different levels growth stages, a field experiment was done as split plot layout based on randomized complete block design with three replications, in crop school of Meghan of Agriculture and natural Resources in year 2014. The treatments were included three irrigation regimes (Full irrigation, deficit irrigation at flowering and grain filling stage irrigation) in the main plots and seven commercial hybrids (single cross such as 260, 301, 302, 400, 500, 704 and 370 double-cross) the subplots assigned. Analysis of variance showed that the effect of drought stress levels, hybrids and interaction of drought stress level and hybrids were significant on protein content, carbohydrates, lysine, methionine, proline and activity of catalase, peroxidase and polyphenol oxidase. Grain yield was significantly influenced only by the main effect of stress and hybrids. The stress enhanced in most hybrids in protein, proline, carbohydrate and activity of catalase, peroxidase and polyphenol oxidase contents and reduction in the amount lysine and methionine contents. The highest enzyme activity and grain yield were observed in drought stress conditions of single cross 704 and the highest compatibility of metabolites were in stress of single cross hybrid 400 and 500. The highest grain yield of hybrid single cross 704 with an average 11.49 t/ha was obtained. The regression results also showed that in non-stress condition carbohydrates, highest contribution in predicting the yield and in stress conditions amount lysine and proline highest share of in determining yield to own devoted.

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In order to study the effect of steroidal progesterone hormone on seedling growth, antioxidant enzyme activity, and also on callus induction from leaf explants of German Chamomile (Matricaria chamomilla L.), an experiment was conducted out based on completely randomized design with three replications using MS medium containing different concentrations of progesterone hormone (0, 0.01, 0.1, 1, and 10 mg/l) alone or with in combination of  steady concenteration of 1-naphthalene acetic acid (NAA) and Benzylaminopurine (BAP). The results showed that this hormone at low concentrations (0.01 mg/l) increased seedling length, seedling and root weight and also increased peroxidase and polyphenol oxidase activity in concentrations of 0.1, 1 and 10 mg/l and at concentrations of 0.1 and 1 mg/l increased catalase activity. Although, leaf explants responded to induction of callus after one to two weeks in all media, but its growth were different depending on the presence of phytohormones and concentration of progesterone hormone. The highest callus fresh weight from leaf explants was achieved at 0.01 mg/l concentration of this hormone when used in combination with NAA and BAP phytohormones. This hormone was capable of callus induction from leaf explants when used in the absence of BAP and NAA phytohormones, but growth rate of callus was far lower than that was used in combination with BAP and NAA in the culture medium. The results of this study show that this hormone can be used in optimizing the in vitro growth conditions of plants.

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The soil contamination by heavy metals is one of the environmental problems of the world, with deleterious effects on the fauna and flora of soil and groundwater contamination, in addition to reducing plant growth and yield by entering the food chain,  it puts human health and other organisms in denger.Cadmium is one of the hazardous and carcinogenic pollutions that in natural ecosystems ratio increased by human activities and incresment lead to impaired growth and reactions of cells stop.Also foliar micronutrients (iron and zinc) as a solution by many researchers for increasing yield under stress has been proposed.For this purpose, a factorial experiment in a completely randomized design with three replications was conducted in 95 Ardebil Mohagheg University .Treatments included wheat genotypes resistant (Karim) sensitive (Gonbad), cadmium levels (zero, 75, 150 micro-molar) and spraying the stem elongation stage in four levels (iron, zinc, iron + zinc and control) for each concentration was 3 per thousand .The results showed that 150 mM cadmium in both cultivares reduced the photosynthetic pigments and proline incresment, but the reduction was lower in the Karim.Also foliar spray of iron + zinc leads to an increase in proline content and photosynthetic pigments increased resistance is Karim. So it seems to increase proline content in the Gonbad can help to increase resistance to stress this cultivar.

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Since about 20% of the world's arable land and 50% of productions in the world are subject to salinity stress, it affects all stages of plant life from germination to seed production. The aim of this study was to investigate the effect of salinity stress on physiological and biochemical characteristics of some wheat cultivars. For this purpose, a factorial experiment was conducted in a completely randomized design with three replications. The first factor was salinity stress at three levels (control, 100 and 150 mM sodium chloride) and the second factor was wheat cultivars (Mihan, Heydari, Saisons and Gascogen). Plants were exposed to stress from two to four leaf stage and normal water was used for control treatment. Sampling was performed 14 days after stress application from treatet and the control samples. The results showed that among the studied cultivars, salinity stress decreased the concentration of chlorophyll a, chlorophyll b, carotenoids, total protein, and increased prolin, eantioxidant enzyme (peroxidase and polyphenol oxidase) activities and fresh weight of stems and leaves in Saison cultivar. Also, salinity stress did not have significant effect on the amino acids lysine and methionine. The activity of antioxidant enzymes is a very important defense mechanism and increasing the activity of peroxidase and polyphenol oxidase enzymes during salinity stress can reduce or prevent oxidative stress. In general, salinity affected wheat cultivars differently, because cultivars deal with salinity stress toxicity using different mechanisms.
 

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Environmental pollution caused by heavy metals due to their non-degradability is a major concern in agricultural soils that threatens food security. Cadmium and mercury are among the two dangerous and carcinogenic pollutants that, in natural ecosystems are increased by human activities and lead to a decrease in protein production, the deactivation of some enzymes, disruption of various reactions and cellular actions, and the stoppage of growth and development. Since the contamination of agricultural land with heavy metals, on the one hand, leads to a decrease in the quality of agricultural products and, on the other hand, is a serious threat to human health, it needs more attention. Therefore, the purpose of this research is to investigate the effect of replanting wheat seeds resulting from the treatment of heavy metals such as cadmium and mercury on some morphophysiological parameters of two wheat cultivars. For this purpose, a factorial experiment was conducted in the form of a completely randomized design with three replications in the greenhouse of the University of Mohaghegh Ardabili. The first factor of wheat cultivars (Morvared and Falat) and the second factor of the experimental treatments include mercury chloride (with a concentration of 10 and 20 μM), cadmium chloride (0.5 mM), and the interaction effects of cadmium with mercury at two levels (10 μM of mercury with 0.5 mM cadmium, 20 μM mercury with 0.5 mM cadmium) were with the control seedlings. The findings showed that, except for the treatment with cadmium under the stress of the toxic metal mercury and the interaction effect of cadmium with mercury, the amount of soluble sugar and total protein, the activity of the catalase enzyme increased, but the activity of the antioxidant enzymes peroxidase and polyphenol oxidase decreased in the Morvared cultivar. The results indicate that the seeds obtained from the foliar treatment of cadmium, mercury and the interaction of these heavy metals and the re-cultivation of these seeds can affect their performance by changing the physiological characteristics. In general, under the stress of mercury chloride and cadmium chloride and their interaction, the Morvared cultivar showed a better reaction than the Falat cultivar. Therefore, based on the results of this greenhouse experiment, it seems necessary to continue research in field conditions.

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Heavy metals are one of the most important environmental problems and have caused many concerns due to their carcinogenic properties, non-renewability and biological accumulation. Considering the expansion of lands contaminated with heavy metals and the inevitable cultivation of strategic grains such as wheat in these lands and the fact that according to research wheat accumulates more cadmium than other grains, therefore the purpose of this research is to investigate the effect of plasma Atmospheric cold and cadmium were on the activity levels of antioxidant enzymes, proline and the amount of protein and soluble sugars on two cultivars Karim and Gonbad. This experiment was carried out in a factorial form in a completely randomized design with four replications in the greenhouse of Mohaghegh Ardabili University. Factors included wheat cultivars (susceptible cultivar Gombad and resistant cultivar Karim), atmospheric cold plasma at three levels (control, 60 and 120 seconds) and treatment with cadmium metal at four levels (control, 50, 100 and 150 µM). The results showed that the amount of soluble sugar, protein, methionine amino acid concentration, catalase and superoxide dismutase enzymes, and root length were affected by the cultivar × plasma × cadmium interaction. The results of the comparison of three-way effects showed that Gombad wheat cultivar had the highest amount of methionine amino acid in plasma 60 and cadmium 150 with an average of 0.22 (nanmol/g). In general, it can be concluded from the results that the stress caused by the increase of cadmium and plasma concentration on the physiological processes of wheat is different and both cultivars use different mechanisms to deal with cadmium stress. Kareem and Gonbad wheat cultivars spend all their energy in the synthesis of factors involved in the defense mechanism in order to adapt and bear more in order to deal with the development and accumulation of toxic concentrations of this heavy metal in stress conditions. The results of the evaluation of cultivars showed that with the increase in the concentration of cadmium chloride, the amount of catalase, polyphenol oxidase, superoxide dismutase and ascorbate peroxidase decreased and the amount of soluble sugar, total protein, lysine and methionine increased. Also, in Gonbad variety, with the increase in the concentration of cadmium chloride, the amount of total protein, polyphenol oxidase enzyme, superoxide dismutase enzyme and ascorbate-peroxidase decreased, which shows the effects of cadmium toxicity and the production of oxygen free radicals. As a result, it follows oxidative damage and growth reduction, and the amount of soluble sugar of catalase enzyme, the amount of lysine and methionine increased. Also, Karim cultivar is more tolerant to cadmium stress than Gonbad cultivar. Therefore, this research showed that cadmium treatment at 150 micromolar in the presence of cold plasma was able to stimulate the defense mechanisms of the plant and make the plant bear the stress.

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Evaluation of the tolerance of different wheat cultivars to environmental stresses, especially salinity stress, and its effect on wheat in different stages of growth is an important factor in choosing them for cultivation under these stress conditions. Therefore, knowing the mechanisms of tolerance to salt stress in wheat will help to choose suitable cultivars for cultivation in areas that are exposed to this stress. The present study was evaluated with the aim of investigating the effect of salinity stress on different varieties of wheat in order to identify the mechanisms involved in the transmission of the defense message of this plant from the biochemical and molecular aspects. The experiment was conducted in a factorial manner based on a completely randomized design, with three replications in the greenhouse of the Faculty of Agriculture of the University of Mohaghegh Ardabili. The investigated factors include salinity stress at three levels (zero, 100 and 150 mM sodium chloride (NaCl)), six wheat cultivars (Quds, Azadi, Arg, Tajen, Flat and Bam) and sampling time (before applying stress was 7, 14 and 21 days after application of salt stress). From the two-leaf stage onwards, the samples of the salinity stress level for the first three days were stressed with salt solution, every day with a concentration of 50 mM, so that the plants would not be shocked by sudden salinity stress. After 3 days, the plants were exposed to stress with concentrations of 100 and 150 mM sodium salt, and normal water was used for the control treatment. The results showed that the amount of proline, total protein, lysine and methionine increased with the increase in salinity stress. Also, under salinity stress, protein accumulation was higher in Bam, Arg and Plat cultivars than Tajen, Quds and Azadi cultivars. As a result, the numbers deal with the toxicity caused by salinity by using different defense mechanisms. In general, according to the results of this research, it can be concluded that salinity changed the studied biochemical traits, and among the cultivars studied, the Arg cultivar showed more tolerance to salinity stress. Also, in general, the accumulation of proteins in Bam, Arg and Plat varieties was higher than Tajn, Quds and Azadi varieties.