Browsing by Author "Meenakshi Raina"

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Calmodulin and calmodulin-like Ca2+ binding proteins as molecular players of abiotic stress response in plants
(Elsevier, 2021) Meenakshi Raina; Arun Vincent Kisku; Shikha Joon; Sanjeev Kumar; Deepak Kumar
Plants exhibit diverse mechanisms to combat an array of environmental stress factors. These comprise intricate but well-regulated signaling pathways. Cytosolic free calcium (Ca+2) is an important secondary messenger of abiotic stress in plants. In general, it senses the stress stimuli and activates downstream protein targets. Calmodulin (CaMs) and calmodulin-like proteins (CMLs) are the key players in the Ca+2-mediated abiotic stress signaling cascade in the plants. They sense the altered Ca+2 concentrations in the cell cytosol and are actively involved in signal perception and transmission. These, in turn, interact with a spectrum of effector regulatory proteins forming a relay network of a signal transduction pathway. Consequently, the expression of stress-related genes is either upregulated or downregulated depending on the stressor and the plant organelles affected. Examples include cold and heat stress genes and those involved in reactive oxygen species homeostasis pathway. Finally, an appropriate response is generated ensuring reestablishment of cellular homeostasis in different plant organelles. This chapter discusses the indispensability of Ca+2 and Ca+2-binding proteins, that is, CaMs and CMLs, in abiotic stress signaling in plants and the pathways involved. © 2021 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.
Correction: Salicylic Acid and Methyl Jasmonate Synergistically Ameliorate Salinity Induced Damage by Maintaining Redox Balance and Stomatal Movement in Potato (Journal of Plant Growth Regulation, (2023), 42, 8, (4652-4672), 10.1007/s00344-023-10956-7)
(Springer, 2023) Shashi Shekhar; Ayushi Mahajan; Prashasti Pandey; Meenakshi Raina; Anjana Rustagi; Ram Prasad; Deepak Kumar
In this article the wrong figure appeared as Fig. 4; the corrected Fig. 4 is given below. (Figure presented.) Effect of foliar application of salicylic acid (SA) and methyl jasmonate (MeJA) on the generation of hydrogen peroxide and free radical superoxide anion in the leaves of two potato varieties under salt stress (100 mM NaCl) and unstressed conditions. T1, 0 mM NaCl; T2, 100 mM NaCl; T3, 100 mM NaCl and 0.25 mM SA; T4, 100 mM NaCl and 50 μM MeJA; T5, 100 mM NaCl and 0.25 mM SA and 50 μM MeJA. A Histochemical detection of H2O2 and B histochemical detection of superoxide anion in the leaves of KS and KB, C Free radical superoxide anion accumulation and D H2O2 accumulation in the leaves of KS and KB shows significant reduction as compared to T2. Values represent means (± SE) (n = 3). Significant differences between T1 and T2 were determined using unpaired t-test with Welch’s correction. Significant differences between T2, T3, T4 and T5 were determined using one-way ANOVA with Dunnett's multiple comparisons test; T2 was used as control. Level of significance at p < 0.05: ***p < 0.001, **p < 0.002 and *p < 0.033 © 2023, The Author(s), under exclusive licence to Springer Science+Business Media, LLC, part of Springer Nature.
Endophytic microorganisms: utilization as a tool in present and future challenges in agriculture
(Elsevier, 2022) Alisha Gupta; Meenakshi Raina; Deepak Kumar
Intensive farming depends upon chaotic use of harmful agrochemicals such as fertilizers and pesticides that have numerous repercussions leads to contamination of surface and groundwater due to leaching which is detrimental for human and animal health. There is rising global demand to utilize eco-friendly practices in agriculture to increase crop production. Therefore the exploitation of endophytic bacteria in crop growing proves to be a potential way for farming practices and soil health in sustainable manner. The interaction among vital components of ecosystem, the plants and microbes, helps in the regulation of biogeochemical cycles in the environment. Plant-based microorganisms can be endophytic or epiphytic depending upon their position on the host plants. These microbes utilize host plants for their production, development, and colonization in return they give a variety of benefits to the host plants. Endophytic microbes are present within the internal part where as epiphytes are found on the surface of host plant. These microbes secrete some useful substances that facilitate plant growth, elimination of dangerous contaminants, resistance to pathogenic microbes, and manufacturing of secondary metabolites. This chapter deals with the contribution of endophytic microorganisms in crop improvement for sustainable agriculture and food safety. © 2022 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.
Exogenous Melatonin Counteracts Salinity and Cadmium Stress via Photosynthetic Machinery and Antioxidant Modulation in Solanum lycopersicum L
(Springer, 2023) Kritika Bhardwaj; Meenakshi Raina; Giovanni Marco Sanfratello; Prashasti Pandey; Ankita Singh; Ravi Rajwanshi; Neelam Prabha Negi; Anjana Rustagi; Khushboo; Deepak Kumar
Being sessile, plants’ exposure to various environmental stresses during their life cycle is inevitable which can affect their yield and productivity. This study investigates the protective effect of exogenous application of melatonin on 30-day-old tomato plants under NaCl and cadmium stress treatments. Plant growth, photosynthetic pigment, and antioxidant enzymes of plants exposed to NaCl, cadmium (Cd), and NaCl + Cd stress and melatonin treatment on them were analysed. The plants under NaCl- and Cd-induced stress produced an increased amount of ROS and lipid peroxidation, which were significantly reduced upon melatonin application. The maximum quantum energy (FV/FM) and performance index (PIABS) significantly improved in melatonin-treated plants under stress conditions. Redox homeostasis was maintained with a significant increase in superoxide dismutase, catalase, ascorbate peroxidase, and glutathione reductase. This study suggests that exogenous melatonin improves plants’ ability to overcome the combination stress caused by NaCl and Cd by increasing overall photosynthetic capacity and modulating redox balance. © 2022, The Author(s), under exclusive licence to Springer Science+Business Media, LLC, part of Springer Nature.
Exploring the new dimensions of selenium research to understand the underlying mechanism of its uptake, translocation, and accumulation
(Blackwell Publishing Ltd, 2021) Meenakshi Raina; Akanksha Sharma; Muslima Nazir; Punam Kumari; Anjana Rustagi; Ammarah Hami; Brijmohan Singh Bhau; Sajad Majeed Zargar; Deepak Kumar
Selenium (Se) is a vital mineral for both plants and animals. It is widely distributed on the earth's crust and is taken up by the plants as selenite or selenate. Plants substantially vary in their physiological response to Se. The amount of Se in edible plants is genetically controlled. Its availability can be determined by measuring its phytoavailability in soil. The low concentration of Se in plants can help them in combating stress, whereas higher concentrations can be detrimental to plant health and in most cases it is toxic. Thus, solving the double-edged sword problem of nutritional Se deficiency and its elevated concentrations in environment requires a better understanding of Se uptake and metabolism in plants. The studies on Se uptake and metabolism can help in genetic biofortification of Se in plants and also assist in phytoremediation. Moreover, Se uptake and transport, especially biochemical pathways of assimilation and incorporation into proteins, offers striking mechanisms of toxicity and tolerance. These developments have led to a revival of Se research in higher plants with significant break throughs being made in the previous years. This review explores the new dimensions of Se research with major emphasis on key research events related to Se undertaken in last few years. Further, we also discussed future possibilities in Se research for crop improvement. © 2020 Scandinavian Plant Physiology Society
Harnessing phytomicrobiome signals for phytopathogenic stress management
(Springer, 2022) Akanksha Sharma; Meenakshi Raina; Deepak Kumar; Archana Singh; Samira Chugh; Shalu Jain; Manoj Kumar; Anjana Rustagi
Harnessing the phytomicrobiome offers a great opportunity to improve plant productivity and quality of food. In the recent past, several phytomicrobiome microbes have been explored for their potential involvement in increasing crop yield. This review strategically targets to harness the various dimensions of phytomicrobiome for biotic stress management of crop plants. The tripartite interaction involving plant-microbiome-pathogen has been discussed. Positive interventions in this system so as to achieve disease tolerant plants has been forayed upon. The different signalling molecules sent out by interacting partners of phytomicrobiome have also been analysed. The novel concept of artificial microbial consortium in mitigation of pathogenic stress has also been touched upon. The aim of this review is to explore the hidden potential of phytomicrobiome diversity as a potent tool against phytopathogens, thereby improving crop health and productivity in a sustainable way. © 2022, Indian Academy of Sciences.
Myo-inositol Reduces Drought-Induced Oxidative Damage and Improves Mungbean Photosynthetic Efficiency and Antioxidant Machinery
(Springer, 2025) Tirth Bhargav Bhai Patel; n. Khushboo; Pramod Kumar Saroj; Neelam Prabha Negi; Meenakshi Raina; Prashasti Pandey; Ravi Rajwanshi; Deepak Kumar
Myo-inositol is a ubiquitous constituent with an imperative function in regulating plant acclimatization to stress conditions. However, myo-inositol’s role in resistance against drought stress in mungbean has not yet been reported. This study aims to examine the effects of the exogenous application of myo-inositol on growth, photosynthetic efficiency, and antioxidant machinery in mungbean (Vigna radiata L.) under drought stress. The results highlighted that drought stress, induced by polyethylene glycol (PEG), significantly reduced shoot and root length, chlorophyll and carotenoid contents, as well as relative water content (RWC), with more pronounced effects observed at 5% and 10% PEG concentrations compared to the control plants. It also led to a considerable increase in the formation of reactive oxygen species (ROS) along with elevated production of malondialdehyde (MDA) compared to control plants. However, exogenous myo-inositol not only significantly ameliorated plant growth, photosynthetic pigment levels, and RWC in drought-stressed plants but also significantly reduced MDA content and H2O2 levels, thereby enhancing membrane stability under drought stress. Myo-inositol supplementation upregulated the activity of superoxide dismutase (SOD), catalase (CAT), glutathione reductase (GR), and ascorbate peroxidase (APX), which protected the cellular membranes from oxidative damage under drought conditions. The current study's findings point towards the positive behavior of exogenous myo-inositol in maintaining osmotic balance, antioxidant, and photosynthetic machinery against PEG-induced drought stress in mungbean. © The Author(s), under exclusive licence to Springer Science+Business Media, LLC, part of Springer Nature 2025.
Pathways of important metabolites and enzymes involved
(Bentham Science Publishers, 2024) Jahanvi Ganotra; Damini Supolia; Akanksha Sharma; Meenakshi Raina; Neelam Prabha Negi; Vibhav Gautam; Deepak Kumar
Plants produce diverse chemical compounds that play a crucial role not only in plant growth and development but also hold great economic and ecological importance for mankind. Plants synthesize these compounds to cope with various abiotic and biotic stresses and also in response to the incessantly changing surrounding environment. Broadly, these compounds are categorized as primary and secondary metabolites. While the former play direct roles in plant growth, development, functioning, defense, and stress tolerance, the latter do not hold any direct importance in the growth and development of plants. Primary metabolites include carbohydrates, organic acids, flavonoids, vitamins, amino acids, glucosinolates, hormones, and phenolics. These are also widely used by humans as dietary compounds. Secondary metabolites, on the other hand, can be broadly sub-divided into four major groups, i.e., terpenoids, phenols, alkaloids, and sulphur-containing compounds. These compounds perform various other physiological roles like protecting plants against microbes and herbivory, insect repellents, allelopathic agents, attractants for pollinators and seed dispersal agents, regulating symbiosis, providing structural support to plants, and alleviating biotic stresses. Additionally, they are also extensively used in cosmetics and pharmaceutical industries, as well as the production of fragrances, drugs, dietary supplements, dyes, and flavours. Although, a myriad of these metabolites are synthesized by plants, and are basically derived by modifying the basic chemical structure of compounds already present in plants. This chapter, therefore, elucidates the biosynthetic pathways of some of the major plant metabolites, giving special attention to the key enzymes involved. © 2024 Bentham Science Publishers. All rights reserved.
Phytohormones: A Promising Alternative in Boosting Salinity Stress Tolerance in Plants
(Springer Singapore, 2021) Ayushi Mahajan; Meenakshi Raina; Sameena Ejaz Tanwir; Neha Katru; Akanksha Sharma; Deepak Kumar
In order to meet the food requirements of our growing population, the agricultural land has been expanded worldwide but still certain constraints (stress factors-abiotic and biotic) exist that limit the yield of many crops. These constraints/stress factors cause severe damage to the crop. These abiotic stresses including drought, salinity, cold and extreme temperature, etc. led to a drastic reduction in the yield of the number of crops and among all of these, salinity is becoming more severe problem day by day. Salinity hampers the growth and development of plants by inducing several changes like osmotic stress, ion toxicity, oxidative stress (ROS), membrane disorganisation, etc. and thus poses a major threat to agricultural yield. Several approaches have been applied to develop salt-tolerant plants to reduce the destruction of crops caused by salinity. In this regard, conventional breeding proved very tedious while in vitro techniques proved useful as they provide keen insight into plant’s physiology growing under stress conditions and thereby helps to develop stress-tolerant plants. In recent years, several salt-tolerant plants have also been developed using a transgenic approach involving genes involved in the biosynthesis of individual phytohormones. This chapter reviews in brief about the approaches used in the development of salt-stress-tolerant plants. © The Author(s), under exclusive license to Springer Nature Singapore Pte Ltd. 2020.
Phytomelatonin: Molecular messenger for stress perception and response in plants
(Elsevier B.V., 2022) Akanksha Sharma; Neelam Prabha Negi; Meenakshi Raina; Damini Supolia; Ayushi Mahajan; Ravi Rajwanshi; Vibhav Gautam; Bhawana Bhagat; Harshita Kakoria; Deepak Kumar
Plants are subjected to various environmental stresses that influence their growth, metabolism, productivity and survival. Nevertheless, plants respond to these stresses by inducing certain morpho-physiological, biochemical, molecular and genetic changes. Some of these changes conferring stress tolerance include the formation of cork/abscission layers and tyloses, gum deposition, synthesis of pathogenesis-related proteins, increased cell lignification and synthesis of signaling molecules. Phytomelatonin is a signaling molecule uniformly distributed in diverse plant parts and regulates physio-biochemical responses under abiotic and biotic stresses. It confers stress tolerance to plants by delaying leaf senescence, reducing photosynthetic inhibition, acting as a biostimulator and improving the antioxidant status. Studies have shown the positive effects of exogenously applied phytomelatonin for stress mitigation that leads to improved seed germination, plant growth, yield and chlorophyll content. Recent research has shown the hidden potential of phytomelatonin in plant tissue culture, wherein it can be used for the production of various stress enzymes and other organic compounds like silymarin. Herein, the review highlights the potential of phytomelatonin in plants along with its underlying mechanism of action to alleviate stress in plants. Also numerous crosstalks of phytomelatonin with other signaling molecules have been highlighted, including nitric oxide, reactive nitrogen species, calcium calmodulin and phytohormones to alleviate stress. It also provides detailed insight into the genetic regulation of stress tolerance in plants, along with brushing the-omics approach of phytomelatonin synthesis and functioning. The present review paves the path for detailed research on the development of transgenic and in-vitro aspect of phytomelatonin in the plant tissue culture. © 2022 Elsevier B.V.
Salicylic Acid and Methyl Jasmonate Synergistically Ameliorate Salinity Induced Damage by Maintaining Redox Balance and Stomatal Movement in Potato
(Springer, 2023) Shashi Shekhar; Ayushi Mahajan; Prashasti Pandey; Meenakshi Raina; Anjana Rustagi; Ram Prasad; Deepak Kumar
Susceptibility of plants to salinity stress is a looming threat to crop productivity worldwide, thereby warranting the strategies to counter stress. We investigated the effects of combined foliar treatment with salicylic acid (SA) and methyl jasmonate (MeJA) on the growth and development of two elite varieties of potato under salinity stress. The salinity stress manifested membrane damage, electrolyte leakage, and production of H2O2 and free radical superoxide anion. Application of SA or MeJA individually could not significantly improve the performance of potato plants exposed to salinity stress. However, treatment with combinations of SA and MeJA synergistically mitigated the adverse effects of salinity, as reflected by reduced membrane damage and electrolyte leakage and lower accumulation of H2O2 and free radical superoxide anion. Moreover, plants treated with the combination treatment had higher relative water content and redox pools of ascorbate and glutathione under salinity stress. The treatment promoted the accumulation of K+ and lowered the Na+ content. SA and MeJA synergistically enhanced the activities of the antioxidant enzymes in the Halliwell-Asada pathway and modulated the photosynthetic and transpiration rates. Overall, our results indicate that the combined foliar treatments with SA and MeJA have positive effects on the growth, development, and yield of potato through maintenance of ion homeostasis and photosynthetic traits. © 2023, The Author(s), under exclusive licence to Springer Science+Business Media, LLC, part of Springer Nature.
Selenium transporters and their role in plant development and stress
(Elsevier, 2021) Akanksha Sharma; Sanchi Gupta; Meenakshi Raina; Deepak Kumar
Selenium (Se) is an important mineral element for both plants and animals. It is also referred to as a useful poison because although it plays numerous beneficial roles in the plant development and growth but high Se concentrations can also lead to toxicity in plants. Plants absorb Se in the form of selenite and selenate from the soil and eventually assimilate it in their plastids. This chapter discusses in detail the uptake, transportation, assimilation, metabolism and toxicity of Se in plants. The various biochemical pathways of Se accumulation and assimilation have been thoroughly discussed. It also highlights the various positive and negative effects of Se in plants giving special attention to the role of Se in combating various abiotic stresses like drought, salinity, heavy metals, extreme temperatures, and ultraviolet radiation. © 2022 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.
StCaM2, a calcium binding protein, alleviates negative effects of salinity and drought stress in tobacco
(Springer Science and Business Media B.V., 2021) Meenakshi Raina; Ashish Kumar; Nikita Yadav; Sumita Kumari; Mohd Aslam Yusuf; Ananda Mustafiz; Deepak Kumar
Key Message: Overexpression of StCaM2 in tobacco promotes plant growth and confers increased salinity and drought tolerance by enhancing the photosynthetic efficiency, ROS scavenging, and recovery from membrane injury. Abstract: Calmodulins (CaMs) are important Ca2+ sensors that interact with effector proteins and drive a network of signal transduction pathways involved in regulating the growth and developmental pattern of plants under stress. Herein, using in silico analysis, we identified 17 CaM isoforms (StCaM) in potato. Expression profiling revealed different temporal and spatial expression patterns of these genes, which were modulated under abiotic stress. Among the identified StCaM genes, StCaM2 was found to have the largest number of abiotic stress responsive promoter elements. In addition, StCaM2 was upregulated in response to some of the selected abiotic stress in potato tissues. Overexpression of StCaM2 in transgenic tobacco plants enhanced their tolerance to salinity and drought stress. Accumulation of reactive oxygen species was remarkably decreased in transgenic lines compared to that in wild type plants. Chlorophyll a fluorescence analysis suggested better performance of photosystem II in transgenic plants under stress compared to that in wild type plants. The increase in salinity stress tolerance in StCaM2-overexpressing plants was also associated with a favorable K+/Na+ ratio. The enhanced tolerance to abiotic stresses correlated with the increase in the activities of anti-oxidative enzymes in transgenic tobacco plants. Overall, our results suggest that StCaM2 can be a novel candidate for conferring salt and drought tolerance in plants. © 2021, The Author(s), under exclusive licence to Springer Nature B.V. part of Springer Nature.
Unlocking the Secrets of Rhizosphere Microbes: A New Dimension for Agriculture
(Springer Science and Business Media B.V., 2024) Mony Thakur; Khushboo; Sujit Shah; Priyanka Kumari; Mohit Kumar; Raj Kamal Vibhuti; Avijit Pramanik; Vinod Yadav; Meenakshi Raina; Neelam Prabha Negi; Vibhav Gautam; Anjana Rustagi; Satish Kumar Verma; Deepak Kumar
Rhizospheric microbes help plants to acquire and assimilate nutrients, improve soil texture and modulate extracellular molecules. Rhizosphere bacteria regularly encounter a copious number of variables, such as temperature, pH, nutrients, pest resistance mechanisms, etc. The extracellular concentration of chemical messengers fabricated by plant growth promoting bacteria (PGPB) in a system is directly proportional to the bacterial population. To dwindle the use of chemically synthesised pesticides, plant growth-promoting rhizobacteria (PGPR) are new arsenals of imperishable agricultural practises for managing plant pathogens and resistance. This review aims to harness the rhizosphere milieu to raise climate smart crops. The PGPB mediated hormonal control of plant stress management pathway could be potentially modified for the benefit of plants. Nutrient solubilisation strengthens the rhizomicrobiome for phytoremediation and pathogen control. Quorum sensing as well as the role of enzymes and siderophores in rhizo-microbiome has been discussed. With advent of metagenomics, the understanding of soil microbiome ecology has acquired new dimensions and has enabled us to modify the microbiome for sustainable agriculture and enhanced productivity. © The Author(s), under exclusive licence to Springer Nature B.V. 2024.