No abstract

The present study was conducted to investigate the potential of Vossia cuspidata as a phytoremediator to accumulate heavy metals from polluted water bodies. Thirty-two quadrats, distributed equally in eight sites (six polluted sites along the Ismailia canal and two unpolluted sites along the Nile River) were selected seasonally for plant, water, and sediment investigations. Winter plants recorded the highest values of shoot height, diameter, and leaf width, but the lowest shoot density. Plants collected in autumn had the lowest values of leaf length, width, and area, while those collected in spring had the highest shoot density, with the lowest shoot height. Summer populations had the highest fresh and dry plant biomass, while winter plants had the lowest. Fresh production and dry biomass of V. cuspidata in the unpolluted Nile were significantly higher than those in polluted canals. Chlorophyll a and carotenoid concentrations were reduced under pollution stress. Spring plants accumulated the highest concentrations of Cr, Cu, and Pb in their root, and the lowest concentrations of Al, Cd, Cr, and Zn in their shoot. The bioaccumulation factor for most investigated metals, except Al, Cr, and Fe was greater than 1, while the translocation factor of all metals was less than 1, therefore this plant is considered to be a potential for these metals phytostabilization.

The results indicate the successful use of GA-AgNPs and AgNO 3 in enhancing the growth and yield of the Bronco and Nebraska varieties under pot experiment conditions, and present a viable alternative to genetically modified (GM) crops for ensuring food security.

No abstract

The response of chickpea (Cicer arientinum L. cv. Giza 3) to treatment with two plant growth regulators putrescine (Put) and Indole-3-butyric acid (IBA) at 25, 50 and 100 mg L(-1) applied either alone or in combinations was studied. Spraying of Put and IBA either individually or in combination significantly increased the plant height, number and dry weight of branches, leaves and pods/plant and leaf area/plant at the two growth stages. Total photosynthetic pigments in fresh leaves were significantly promoted as a result of application of Put or IBA. Generally, application of Put and/or IBA at 100 mg L(-1) produced the highest numbers of pods which resulted in substantially the highest seed yield. Put and IBA increased the seed yield by 21.3 and 19.2%, respectively, while the combination of Put at 100 mgL(-1) and IBA at 50 mgL(-1) increased it by 27.4%. Greatest increases in straw and biological yield/fed (38.3 and 30.4%, respectively) were noted with the combination treatment of IBA 100 mg L(-1) plus Put at 100 mg L(-1). Put and IBA significantly increased the nitrogen, phosphorus, potassium, total soluble sugars and total free amino acids in chickpea seeds over control, but the effects were less marked than those of their combination. This response was greater following treatment with IBA than with Put. It could be conclude that spraying Put or/and IBA on chickpea plants have promotion effects on the seeds yield criteria which have promising potential as sources of low-cost protein and minerals for possible use as food/feed supplements.