Browsing by Author "Pravin Prakash"

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Adverse effect of heavy metal toxicity in plants' metabolic systems and biotechnological approaches for its tolerance mechanism
(Springer Singapore, 2020) Rakesh Sil Sarma; Pravin Prakash
Contamination of soil through heavy metals like As, Hg, Cd, Cr, Pb, etc. cause different environmental hazards, soil pollutions, and destruction of ecosystems integrity. Heavy metal exposure to plants causes severe oxidative stress due to production of free radical which leads to changes in morpho-physiological, biochemical, cellular, and tissue level gene integrity in entire plants. In these adverse conditions, crop plants develop several complex physiological, biochemical, and molecular adaptive mechanisms for better stability, tolerance, and survival. Plant scientists have used conventional breeding techniques for development of agriculturally important heavy metal stress tolerant cultivars which are time consuming and labor intensive. Recent advances in various branches of biological sciences such as hormonal interactions, microbiological engineering, transcriptomics, proteomics, metabolomics, and ionomics have dominantly supported the identification and characterization of genes, transcription factors, and stress tolerance proteins involved in heavy metal detoxifications, which apparently helps in developing metal stress tolerant crop cultivars. This book chapter summarizes several tolerance mechanisms of plants under heavy metal toxicity, the knowledge of recent advances on the role of hormones, microbes, genetic engineering, metabolomics, ionomics (trace elements), proteomics (stress related proteins), and various signal transduction pathways in relation to various heavy metals. © Springer Nature Singapore Pte Ltd. 2020. All rights reserved.
Comparative Evaluation of Storage Temperatures on Physiological and Microbiological Parameters of Chemically Treated Button Mushroom (Agaricus bisporus) Stored under Modified Atmospheric Packaging (MAP)
(Agricultural Research Communication Centre, 2025) Pallavi Srivastava; Nitish Kumar; Ruqaiya Bano; Pravin Prakash; Durga Shankar Bunkar; Garima Singh; Abhinay Shashank
Background: Button mushrooms have long been esteemed for their significant contribution to addressing various human ailments. Their delectable taste, rich flavor and enticing aroma render them a coveted centerpiece on every dining table. However, their inherent susceptibility to decay, owing to a rapid transpiration rate and thin epidermis, typically results in spoilage within a mere two days post-harvest. Methods: The current experiments was done at Banaras Hindu University to investigate the effect of different temperature, chemical and MAP treatments on physico-chemical and microbiological parameters. Chemically treated button mushrooms with CaCl2, citric acid and 0.1% sorbitol were packed in two MAP air compositions followed by storage at 8◦C and 12◦C for 16 days and observations were recorded at an interval of 4 days for 16 days. Result: Chemically treated button mushrooms with the gas composition of 12% CO2; 6% O2 exhibit better quality retention parameters at 8◦C, resulting in a shelf life of around 16 days. Blanched samples exhibit more tissue exudation and browning, responsible for fast tissue degradation and quality loss. Blanched samples without modified atmosphere packaging underwent spoilage and decay after eight days at 8◦C. © 2025 Agricultural Research Communication Centre. All rights reserved.
Evaluation of cellular thermotolerance and associated heat tolerance in wheat (Triticum aestivum L.) under late sown condition
(Agricultural Research Communication Centre, 2015) Chubasenla Aochen; Pravin Prakash
Fifty wheat genotypes were evaluated at the seedling stage of growth, for genetic variation in cellular thermotolerance by cell membrane thermostability (CMS) and Triphenyl tetrazolium choride (TTC) assays. A subset of eight genotypes was also evaluated at the anthesis stage using the same assays. Large and significant differences existed among wheat genotypes for TTC and CMS at the seedling and anthesis stages. Average thermotolerance declined from seedling to anthesis stage. Thermotolerance was well-correlated between growth stages among the eight genotypes for both CMS (r=0.95; p= 0.01) and TTC (r=0.92; p= 0.01). The correlation between TTC and CMS among the eight genotypes at seedling and anthesis stages was significant (r=0.95; p=0.01 and r=0.93; p= 0.01, respectively). The effect of heat stress on wheat genotypes selected on the basis of TTC and CMS thermotolerance ratings were evaluated. 1000-grain weight, grain filling duration (GFD) and grain filling rate (GFR) reduced under heat stress. The heat susceptibility index (S) revealed K-65 and Yangmai- 6 to be susceptible and NW-1014 and DBW-14 to be moderately tolerant to heat stress. GFR and 1000-grain weight were found to have highly significant positive correlation with CMS and TTC ratings at both seedling and anthesis stages.
Evaluation of Modified Atmospheric Packaging (MAP), Chemical Treatments and Low Temperature on Biochemical and Textural Attributes of Button Mushroom (Agaricus bisporus)
(Agricultural Research Communication Centre, 2020) Pallavi Srivastava; Pravin Prakash; Durga Shankar Bunkar
Background: The increasing awareness on the nutritional and medicinal value of button mushroom is the guiding light for the increased production and consumption of mushroom across the world. Due to its perishable nature it cannot be stored for long period. Different methods are used for increasing mushroom post-harvest shelf life which includes chemical treatments, low temperature storage conditions, modified atmosphere packaging (MAP) and use of thick packaging material. Methods: Button mushroom were chemically treated with CaCl2 (2.5% w/v), citric acid (3% w/v) and sorbitol (0.1% w/v) which was followed by packaging in polyethylene film under three different MAP compositions and stored at 8⃘C temperature for further studies. Physico-chemical and texture profile analysis were done for 16 days at interval of four days. Result: Significant changes were obtained in three different MAP treatments. MAP composition with 6% O2 and 12% CO2 were found best for post-harvest storage of button mushroom. Blanched samples without chemical treatments and packed under ambient conditions were spoiled after 16 days as compared to chemically treated samples stored in MAP packaging. © Agricultural Research Communication Centre. All Rights Reserved.
Exogenous Melatonin Treatment Delays Senescence of Guava Fruit by Modulating Antioxidant Activities
(Springer Science and Business Media Deutschland GmbH, 2025) Sreyashi Kashyap; Pravin Prakash; Kalyan Barman
Guava (Psidium guajava L.) is an important subtropical fruit, demanded for its unique flavour and rich nutritional value. The fruit is highly perishable and has a limited postharvest life of 2–3 days at ambient conditions. The present study aimed to investigate the effect of postharvest melatonin treatments (200, 400, 600 and 800 µM) on ripening and senescence of guava during storage under ambient conditions (25 ± 1 °C). It was observed that melatonin treatment delayed the increase in soluble solids content and minimized loss of chlorophyll, total phenols and ascorbic acid. Lower malondialdehyde content was recorded in melatonin treated fruits, while showing increased antioxidant capacity and reduced oxidative damage to fruit. Melatonin treatment significantly enhanced the activities of catalase, superoxide dismutase, and delayed increase in polyphenol oxidase and peroxidase enzyme activities. These results showed that exogenous melatonin treatment can maintain desirable quality attributes of guava fruit by preserving various physico-chemical and antioxidant parameters of fruit. © The author(s), exclusively licensed to Springer-Verlag GmbH Germany, a part of Springer Nature 2025.
Has insecticidal pressure influenced Spodoptera litura (Fabricius, 1775) population genetic structure and genetic diversity in India?
(Springer Science and Business Media Deutschland GmbH, 2023) Sabuj Ganguly; Chandra Prakash Srivastava; Saswati Premkumari; Radhe Shyam Meena; Rajendra Nath Singh; Kartikeya Srivastava; Pravin Prakash
Spodoptera litura is a prominent polyphagous pest in India and many other countries, and it’s growing tolerance to abiotic and biotic stresses has posed a greater threat to Indian and world agriculture. A study to acquire knowledge of its genetic features would provide useful information for articulating efficient management strategies. To understand the impact of decades of insecticidal pressure on the genetic diversity of the Indian population of S. litura, we analyzed and compared the S. litura cytochrome c oxidase subunit I (cox1) gene sequences belonging to 21 locations of 10 agro-climatic zones of India and the cox1 sequences of foreign populations of S. litura (retrieved from NCBI). Overall, a low genetic variability among the Indian and foreign populations was exhibited along with a low level of genetic fixation (FST = 0.0088). The population genetic structure studies revealed monophyly along with the presence of five rare haplotypes in the Indian subcontinent. The absence of significant genetic divergence revealed profound interrelations of S. litura populations leading to higher gene flow among the studied countries, which was consistent with the fact that S. litura has sufficient flight capacity for dispersal. Neutrality tests and mismatch distribution analyses indicated that S. litura has had a recent rapid expansion in the absence of any genetic bottleneck. The presence of rare haplotypes in distinct interior regions of India showed the absence of bottlenecks or founder effects in those locations. The findings of this population genetic analysis can aid in the formulation of effective control measures for this migratory pest. © 2022, The Author(s), under exclusive licence to Plant Science and Biodiversity Centre, Slovak Academy of Sciences (SAS), Institute of Zoology, Slovak Academy of Sciences (SAS), Institute of Molecular Biology, Slovak Academy of Sciences (SAS).
Impact of Elevated CO2 and Temperature on Plant Redox Metabolism
(CRC Press, 2025) Ipsita Maiti; Basant Kumar Dadrwal; Data Ram Saini; Shashi Kumar Gupta; Nitin Yadav; Pravin Prakash
Redox chemistry exhibits a dramatic influence on both physiological processes and regulatory pathways within the plant metabolic system. The oscillation phenomenon of oxido-reduction of different reactive species, such as ROS, RNS, and RSS, is in charge of preserving cellular homeostasis and determining cellular redox harmony. Therefore, redox metabolism can be defined as a subset of total cellular metabolism integrating the fine network of PTM of redox-active species and their cellular outcome. In plants, the principle thio-based regulation system is associated with the glutaredoxin (Grx) or thioredoxin (Trx) or Peroxiredoxin (Prx). Despite having different sequences, Trx, Grx, and Prx are tiny proteins with disulfide reductase activity, analogous folding, and certain shared activities. The widespread function of reactive molecules and redox regulatory systems integrated in phyto-metabolism, plant development, stress responses, and environmental acclimatization is explained by further investigations to date. ROS are produced as a byproduct of regular oxygen metabolism in plants in a variety of cell organelles, such as the apoplast, endoplasmic reticulum, cytosol, plastid, peroxisome, and mitochondria. In addition to causing damage through lipid peroxidation, protein carbonylation, DNA methylation, and histone acetylation during environmental stress, elevated ROS levels also alter the localization and function of proteins in a highly controlled and reversible manner. The actual effects of Trxs, Prxs, and Grxs activity are on carbon primary metabolism and photosynthetic efficiency, including in different CO2 mole fraction and high temperature scenarios, because Trxs, Prxs, and Grxs regulate a wide range of target proteins. There is growing interest in the role these proteins play in plants’ response to abiotic stress. © 2026 selection and editorial matter, Rajeev Kumar, Dasari Sreekanth, and P S Basavaraj; individual chapters, the contributors
Physiological and Biochemical Basis of Variation in Yield of Rice (Oryza sativa L.) under CA-based Crop Establishment Methods and Nutrient Management in R-W Cropping System
(Agricultural Research Communication Centre, 2025) R. V. Bhangare; Uday Pratap Singh; Savita Jangde; Pravin Prakash
Background: Crop establishment methods and nutrient management practices treatments were continuously practiced in the same plots since 2011-12 as a part of long-term experiment. A field study was conducted during 2019-2020 and 2020-2021 i.e. during 9th and 10th year of study to investigate the effects of CE methods and nutrient management on growth, physiological, biochemical, yield attributes and yield of rice crop. Methods: Field experiments were carried out at the Agricultural Research Farm, Banaras Hindu University, Varanasi, laid out in split plot design replicated thrice with four crop establishment (CE) methods viz., CT (puddled transplanted) rice-CT wheat (CE1), CTDSR rice-CT wheat (CE2), CTDSR- ZT wheat (rice residue retention) (CE3), ZT rice-ZT wheat (residue retention in rice and wheat) (CE4) in main plots and three nutrient management (NM) practices viz., FP (164 kg N, 50 kg P2O5, 32 kg K2O and 4 kg Zn ha-1) (N1), RFD (150 kg N, 60 kg P2O5, 60 kg K2O and 5 kg Zn ha-1) (N2) and SSNM- RWCM recommendation (N3). The rice variety used was ‘Sarju-52’ in the present study. Result: The recorded data revealed that ZT rice-ZT wheat (CE4) recorded significantly higher plant height, tillers hill-1, leaf area, RWC, total chlorophyll content and protein content as compared to other CE methods. Among NM practices, SSNM-RWCM (N3) recorded significantly higher plant height, tillers hill-1, leaf area and protein content, whereas, RWC and total chlorophyll content did not differ significantly over farmer’s practice and recommended fertilizer dose. Improved growth and physio-chemical attributes in ZT rice-ZT wheat (CE4) and SSNM-RWCM (N3) resulted in significantly higher panicles hill-1, fertility percentage and number of filled grains panicle-1 over other CE methods and NM practices. Panicle length, spikelets panicle-1 and test weight showed non-significant differences. Grain yield, straw yield and biological yield were significantly higher in ZT rice-ZT wheat (CE4) among CE methods and SSNM-RWCM (N3) among NM practices. The harvest index showed non-significant differences for CE methods and NM practices both. © (2025), (Agricultural Research Communication Centre). All Rights Reserved.
Physiological and biochemical effect of elevated night temperature stress on bread wheat (Triticum aestivum L.)
(United Arab Emirates University, 2023) Md. Afjal Ahmad; Pravin Prakash; K. Dujeshwer; J.P. Srivastava; Anil K. Singh; H.S. Jatav
A laboratory experimentation was done in the Department of Plant Physiology, Institute of Agricultural Sciences, Banaras Hindu University to evaluate elevated night temperature effect in wheat (Triticum aestivum L.) to see the response in some antioxidant and biochemical parameters in two wheat cultivars viz. HUW-234 (comparatively tolerant to heat stress) and sonalika (comparatively susceptible to heat stress). A significance difference was recorded in the parameters pertaining to antioxidant system includes catalase, SOD and APX activity were found to increase substantially when the plants kept under stress conditions (250C/240C day and night temperature) than the plants kept under controlled condition (250C/150C day and night temperature). The percent increase in the antioxidant enzyme activity was found to be more in the tolerant genotype (HUW-234) than in the susceptible genotype (Sonalika). There was 23.52 % increase was reported in the catalase activity by tolerant genotype when kept under stress conditions than those kept under control. Significant reductions were reported in most of the photosynthetic and membrane parameters viz., chlorophyll ‘a’, chlorophyll ‘b’ and membrane thermostability index. Similar percent reduction was reported with respect to biochemical parameters (total protein content, starch content and soluble sugar content) in the susceptible variety kept under high night temperature regime. Based on the pooled data of two-year experimentation it can be concluded that variety HUW-234 was found to be more tolerant than variety sonalika to HNT stress. © (2023), (United Arab Emirates University). All Rights Reserved.
Physiological aspects of cyanobacterial nitrogen fixation and its applications in modern sciences
(Elsevier, 2020) Rakesh Sil Sarma; Pravin Prakash
The biological nitrogen fixation is mediated by microorganisms, including cyanobacteria involving the enzymatic conversion of atmospheric N (N2) to ammonia (NH3). Cyanobacteria are dominant flora in the paddy field of tropical countries as well as in water bodies, where they fix atmospheric nitrogen as well as carbon by using an oxygen labile enzyme nitrogenase and photosynthesis, respectively. However, to maintain an anaerobic environment for nitrogen fixation, cyanobacteria are subjected to the formation of specialized cells known as heterocysts to overcome the paradoxical situation. Besides this, diazotrophic cyanobacteria evolved the morphological, biochemical, and ecological variations to overcome the oxygenic environment. It is worthwhile to mention that the genetic regulation of biological nitrogen fixation by cyanobacteria differs from other N2-fixers. Therefore, in the present chapter, we acknowledge that the biodiversity of symbiotic cyanobacteria concerning host species, habitat, and geographical location will contribute to an understanding of the specificity of cyanobacterial symbioses and will form a valuable basis for the future elaboration of sustainable and organic agricultural prospect for crop production. Besides, this also discusses the various physiological and biochemical aspects of the nitrogen fixation and simultaneous oxygen evolving mechanisms in cyanobacteria. © 2020 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.
Role of Osmoprotectants on Alleviation of Elevated CO2 and Temperature Stress
(CRC Press, 2025) Pravin Prakash; Data Ram Saini; Savita Jangde; Shubham S. Kamlapuri; Krishna Kumar
Climate change increases the detrimental effect of various abiotic stresses, mainly increasing temperature and elevation of CO2 concentration, resulting in reduction of food production worldwide. It alters plants’ metabolism through increased production of reactive species, disturbing membrane integrity and electron chain in cell compartments. To cope with such unfavorable conditions, plants have developed various antioxidants and osmotic adjustment mechanisms etc. Plants have an important strategy of osmolyte accumulation to reduce the effect of toxic compound synthesis under stress conditions. Osmolytes differ from inorganic ions as nontoxic compounds even at higher concentrations. There are certain specific osmolytes found in stress tolerance plants including proline, polyamines, trehalose, mannitol, glycine betaine etc. Plant responses to elevated CO2 and temperature stress are often associated with stress perception which subsequently regulates signal transduction modulating the accumulation of osmolytes. The accumulation of these molecules also plays various roles such as maintaining turgor pressure of the cell, detoxifying reactive species, and stabilizing membrane integrity. Accumulation of these compounds consists of the most important strategies in agriculture to produce stress tolerance lines with high concentration of osmolyte production. In this chapter, we explain the role and accumulation of osmoprotectants in plants, mainly in elevation of CO2 and temperature stress conditions. © 2026 selection and editorial matter, Rajeev Kumar, Dasari Sreekanth, and P S Basavaraj; individual chapters, the contributors
Role of secondary metabolites and biostimulants in conferring biotic and abiotic stress tolerance in crop plants: An emerging application in sustainable agriculture
(Elsevier, 2022) Md. Afjal Ahmad; Pravin Prakash; H.B. Singh
Plants produce a large diverse group of organic compounds that seems to have no direct function in plant growth and development.These substances are referred to as secondary metabolites. Secondary metabolites are utilized as food, flavors, color dyes, poisons, perfumes, essential oils in aroma industries, industrial products such as rubber and oils apart from being involved in countering various biotic and abiotic stresses in crop plants.Plant Biostimulants are those compounds that promote crop growth, fruit setting, agricultural productivity, nutrient and water use efficiency and are also capable of improving the tolerance against a wide range of abiotic stresses. Both secondary metabolites and plant biostimulants have been implicated in biotic and abiotic stress tolerance in crop plants which is eventually opening up our horizon in its application in sustainable agriculture practices in various agro - ecological regions of the world. © 2022 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.
Role of SNP-mediated nitric oxide priming in conferring low temperature tolerance in wheat genotype (triticum aestivum L.): A case study in Indian northern plains
(Springer Singapore, 2018) M. Afjal Ahmad; Pravin Prakash; H.B. Singh
Wheat is an economically important cereal crop grown in the vast stretch along the northern, western and part of Central Indian plains serving as livelihood tool for more than half of agrarian population of the country. The crop being grown in rabi (mid-November-mid-April) faces multifaceted abiotic stress threats among which low temperature stress being one of them. Nitric oxide has been well documented to counter many of these threats as also low temperature stress. In this context, a study was conducted to evaluate the effect of nitric oxide priming on certain morphophysiological and biochemical parameters in wheat genotype HD-2329 facing low temperature regime in the laboratory of the Department of Plant Physiology, Institute of Agricultural Sciences, Banaras Hindu University. The several parameters under observations were per cent germination, germination rate, shoot length, root length, a-amylase activity and soluble sugar content both under normal (25 °C) and low temperature (5 °C) conditions. Seed priming with sodium nitroprusside (SNP, a nitric oxide donor) at 100 concentration resulted in enhanced performance of these parameters as compared to non-primed seeds both under normal and low temperature, but the effect was more pronounced at low temperature regime. Hence, it was concluded that NO priming of wheat seeds had a statistical significance in conferring low temperature tolerance in the crop, thus making it a fit priming model in a climate resilient era. © Springer Nature Singapore Pte Ltd. 2018. All rights reserved.
Salicylic Acid and Hydrogen Peroxide Improve Antioxidant Response and Compatible Osmolytes in Wheat (Triticum aestivum L.) Under Water Deficit
(Springer, 2021) Sushmita Singh; Pravin Prakash; Anuj Kumar Singh
A pot experiment was undertaken to evaluate the effect of priming with salicylic acid (SA) and hydrogen peroxide (H2O2) on induction of drought tolerance in two contrasting wheat genotypes C-306 (relatively drought resistant) and HD-2329 (relatively drought susceptible). The seeds were pretreated with SA (0.5 mM) and H2O2 (10 mM) separately as well as in combination and were subjected to water deficit condition at early seedling stage (23 days after sowing) by withholding irrigation. The decrease in moisture content (dry weight basis) as compared to control was 13.48% (0–15 cm), 11.05% (15–30 cm) and 10.19% (30–45 cm). Proline content was found to elevate along with increase in total soluble sugars and K content in leaves of treated plants during water deficit. Combined application of SA and H2O2 also increased total chlorophyll and carotenoid content with reduced TBARS reflecting enhanced membrane stability during water deficit. SOD and APX activities were considerably increased along with rise in the levels of GR and CAT indicating elevated ROS scavenging mechanism. Thus, pretreatments of seeds with a combination of SA (0.5 mM) and H2O2 (10 mM) increased accumulation of compatible osmolytes, elevated antioxidant response and improved photosynthetic pigments during water deficit stress. © 2020, NAAS (National Academy of Agricultural Sciences).
Screening of tomato genotypes for reproductive characters under high temperature stress conditions
(2012) Kartikeya Srivastava; Sunil Kumar; Surender Kumar; Pravin Prakash; A. Vaishampayan
A drastic decrease in tomato (Lycopersicon esculentum MIL L.) yield is recorded during the summer season in India, due to high temperature. Fruit-set at high temperature is strictly dependent on proper gametogenesis (pollen and ovule development) and fertilization of this plant. In this investigation, thirty four tomato genotypes were screened for tolerance to high temperature stress under spring-summer season (February to May) at the day and night temperature range of 32-44 °C and 19.6-26.7 °C, respectively. At an average day/night temperatures of 38 0C/22.2 0C, a significant increase in flower drop (22.55-42.56%), stigma exertion (7.82-50.35%) and significantly decrease in pollen viability (18.8-86.49%), pollen germination (15.29-67.59%) and fruit set truss-1 (21.7-56.15%); along with the relative cell injury ranging between 18 and 52%, were noted among the genotypes, as compared to that recorded in autumn-winter season under optimal temperature condition. On the basis of initial screening with respect to fruit set at high temperature stress, three lines i.e. FLA-7171, Pusa Sadabahar and NDTVR-60 emerged as heat tolerant genotypes. These lines, along with two highly heat susceptible varieties i.e. Floradade and H-86, were critically observed for the stress tolerance traits. The results demonstrated that: (1) the high temperature condition adversely affects the vegetative and reproductive parts of the plant; (2) membrane thermo-stability, pollen viability, pollen germination, stigma exertion, percentage of flower drop, and percentage of fruit set ability could be used as a selection criterion for heat tolerant genotypes with better fruit set, and (3) the three tomato genotypes Pusa Sadabahar, FLA-7171 and NDTVR-60 could affirmatively be useful as a source of heat tolerance genes for further breeding programs.
Toxic effects of various arsenic concentrations on germination and seedlings growth of wheat triticum aestivum l
(Editorial board of Journal of Experimental Biology and Agricultural Sciences, 2020) Rakesh Sil Sarma; Pravin Prakash; Savita Jangde
The present study was conducted to assess the effect of different arsenic concentrations on various germination and growth parameters of wheat. For this, wheat seeds of variety HUW-234 were expose with five arsenic (AsV) concentrations viz., 50 μM, 100 μM, 150 μM, 200 μM and 250 μM, while treatment without AsV considered as control (AsV 0). Various growth parameters such as germination percentage, germination index, shoot length, root length, seedling vigour index, dry matter has been recorded at 3 days of germination. Results of study revealed that the germination percentage, germination index, Shoot length, root length, dry matter and SVI significantly reduced at the increasing the arsenic (AsV) concentrations. Results of study suggested that arsenic have harmful effects on seed germination and establishment in wheat crops which restricts plant growth and development. © 2020, Editorial board of Journal of Experimental Biology and Agricultural Sciences. All rights reserved.
Unravelling the photosynthetic dynamics and fluorescence parameters under ameliorative effects of 24-epibrassinolide in wheat (Triticum aestivum L.) grown under heat stress regime
(Nature Research, 2024) Manju Jat; Madhurya Ray; Md Afjal Ahmad; Pravin Prakash
An experiment was performed at the Banaras Hindu University, India to study the effect of terminal heat stress on photosynthetic dynamics and fluorescence parameters of wheat genotypes and ameliorative effects of epibrassinolide by taking two genotypes with four concentrations as foliar spray at two growth stages of wheat. The highest values were observed in plots foliar sprayed with 1.0 µM 24-epibrassinolide (T1) under normal conditions (D1) where the genotype Sonalika (V1) performed significantly well w.r.t. the parameters viz. steady-state fluorescence (Fs) 116.22, quantum efficiency of PSII 0.59, maximum fluorescence (Fm) 776.5, normalized stress detection ratio (Fv/Fo) 4.47, maximum potential quantum efficiency of PSII (Fv/Fm) 0.82.Whereas under heat stress condition (late sown D2), there was significant reduction in these parameters in both the genotypes which was improved by the application of epibrassinolide suggesting its potential role in improving the photoinhibition process by raising the efficiency of PSII. Overall, the calibrated application of 24-epibrassinolide was found to be a potent growth regulator involved in the positive modulation of heat stress tolerance in wheat, coupled with improved photosynthetic efficiency in treated plots as compared to control. © The Author(s) 2024.