Despite the widespread presence of heavy metals (HMs) in contaminated soils, there is a limiting understanding of physiological and cellular adaptive mechanisms of castor bean (Ricinus communis L.) under lead (Pb) contaminated soils of Chakera having enduring history of wastewater irrigation. This gap in knowledge hinders the development of effective strategies for managing soil pollution and protecting agricultural productivity in areas exposed to wastewater irrigation. Therefore, current pot study was conducted on two castor bean genotypes (NIAB-2020 and DS-30) on Pb contaminated soils of Chakera in glasshouse for a period of 120 days. Results showed that physiological indicators decreased under stressed conditions in NIAB-2020 and DS-30, suggesting impaired plant development. Electrolyte leakage (EL) increased in stressed plants indicating damage to cell membrane due to oxidative damage. Biochemically, the levels of superoxide dismutase (SOD) and peroxidase (POD) decreased whereas catalase (CAT) and ascorbate peroxidase (APX) showed an increase in both castor bean genotypes to mitigate oxidative stress. In similar pattern, both genotypes exhibited a reduction in total soluble proteins (TSP) and total free amino acids (TFA), while conversely total soluble sugars (TSS) and total phenolic contents (TPC) increased under stress conditions. Significant correlation was observed between various physiological, biochemical, and antioxidant enzyme responses, indicating their role as stressed biomarkers on Pb contaminated soils. Overall, NIAB-2020 outperformed DS-30 in terms of physiological and biochemical adaptations, evidencing superior adaptive approach. However, future field trials are compulsory to validate the findings of the study.

Mutation breeding is a promising technique used for improving crop plants' performance, including tolerance to aluminum in rice (Oryza sativa L.) cultivars. The presented research pursued developing aluminum-tolerant rice lines through mutation in two local rice cultivars, 'Mayas' and 'Adan'. Mutation induction using six doses of gamma irradiation included 50, 100, 150, 200, 250, and 300 Gy. The evaluation of root tolerance index proceeded for early selection of aluminum tolerant lines. In addition, root swelling, aluminum absorption, cross-sectional histology, and root lipid peroxidation incurred scrutiny. The results showed gamma irradiation (100 Gy) could produce aluminum stress tolerant lines from the cultivar Mayas. Aluminum-tolerant lines obtained totaled 91 through gamma irradiation in the local rice genotypes. The morphological traits of these aluminum-tolerant mutant lines underwent accumulation only at the root tip, cross-sectional histology with sclerenchyma thickening due to organic acids, and minimal cell wall damage. These lines need further evaluation to confirm their tolerance to aluminum stress, for rice cultivation on acid soils.

Fall armyworm resistance into maize breeding programs is a vital approach to combatting the widespread and destructive impact of this pest. Nine maize genotypes i.e. FH-1046, YH-201, FH-1036, YH-1898, FH-949, YH-202, Sahiwal-2002, Golden and Neelam were assessed for relative resistance to fall armyworm ( Spodoptera frugiperda) on leaf and kernel damage basis at 14, 21, 28 and 42 days after infestation (DAI). Leaf and kernel damage ratios were correlated with morphological plant characters i.e. leaf area (cm(2)), leaf trichome (cm(2)), cob length (cm) and cob height (cm). Results revealed that FH-1046, YH201 and Neelam were relatively more resistant with leaf damage of 3.41, 3.81 and 3.89, respectively. FH-1046 and Golden showed more resistance with least kernel damage of 3.27 and 3.80, respectively while FH-949 and YH-202 were highly susceptible. Leaf damage had a strong and positive correlation with leaf area (r=0.920) and was negatively correlated with leaf trichome density (r=-0.842) with 84.64 and 0.95 % impact, respectively. Kernel damage had a significant and positive correlation with cob length (r=0.969), whereas cob height had a minimal effect (r=-0.896) with 93.88 and 0.95 % impact, respectively. Overall, leaf area and cob length are stronger predictors of damage than trichome density and cob height from soil level. Larval attraction time (min), duration (day) and growth rates were ranged from 0.5-1.7, 11.5-14.6 and 0.16-0.21, respectively. Genotypes FH-1046, YH-201 and Neelam with shorter larval attraction times tended to have shorter larval durations and lower growth rates, indicating that longer larval attraction times are associated with longer larval development and higher growth rates.

Salt stress tolerance is an important quality in breeding cultivated plants to reduce crop loss. In this work, the tolerance to sodium chloride (NaCl) salinity of two Capsicum genotypes was evaluated: C. annuum (Blanco and Simojovel chili) and C. frutescens (Siete Caldos chili) from the state of Chiapas, Mexico. Seedlings were hydroponically maintained with Hoagland nutrient solution supplemented with 0, 60, and 120 mM NaCl for 8 days. Physiological response variables (SPAD units, dry and fresh weight of root and aerial part), percentage survival, proline concentration, and relative Na + , K + , and Cl - concentration in the aerial part and roots were measured. The results showed that the Siete Caldos genotype was the most sensitive to NaCl stress, with a survival rate of 66.66 % at 120 mM. Stress affected chlorophyll by decreasing SPAD units and increasing proline concentrations at 60 mM and above. Furthermore, there was a high concentration of Na( + )in leaves and a low concentration in roots, indicating its translocation. On the other hand, the Simojovel genotype was the most tolerant, with 100 % survival and 86.66 % survival at 60 and 120 mM, low Na (+) accumulation in the aerial part, and a significant increase in proline concentration. Moderately salinity -tolerant genotypes could be an alternative for plant breeding. The results obtained here lay the basis for the selection of salt stress -tolerant chili genotypes in order to transfer this tolerance to other commercially important cultivars and to minimize the damage caused by excess salts in the soil through genetic improvement and the use of tolerant rootstocks.

Salt Affected Soils (SAS) refers to a category of soils that contain either an excess of soluble salts or exchangeable sodium. Soils are divided into four categories: normal, saline, sodic and saline-sodic, based on the electrical conductivity (EC), pH and exchangeable sodium percentage (ESP) measurements. At the Horticultural College and Research Institute for Women in Tiruchirappalli, fifteen genotypes of bananas were assessed for growth, yield and physiological parameters in a saline-sodic environment. Four replications of the field experiment were set up in RBD and evaluated for three years. The growth physiological and biochemical characters were recorded in the seventh month after planting (MAP) and the bunch characters were recorded at harvest time. FHIA-1 (83.4%), Saba (81.0%) and Karpooravalli (78.0%) had the highest relative water content. The highest yield was recorded in FHIA-1 (23.5 kg), Saba (22.2 kg), Udhayam (22.5 kg) and Karpooravalli (22.0 kg). The sodicity injury symptoms in the leaves were evaluated using a scoring technique and the genotypes FHIA-1(1.0) and Saba recorded the lowest score for sodicity damage. A significant negative correlation was observed between salt injury degree and leaf K+/Na+ + /Na + ratio. So, the varieties that maintain higher K+/Na+ + /Na + ratio in leaf and root are salt tolerant. The general ranking of the banana varieties for salt tolerance was FHIA-1 > Saba > Karpooravalli > Bangrier > Ash Monthan > Veneetu Mannan > Udhayam. A comparative field trial for the 15 banana varieties showed that Saba, FHIA-1 and Karpooravalli could withstand sodic conditions in the field in terms of bunch characteristics, biochemical parameters and plant growth. Grand Naine, Rasthali and CO 1 were vulnerable to sodicity stress. Regardless of cultivar, sodicity stress increased the days needed for shooting and harvest.