Splicing factor proline and glutamine-rich is a prognostic biomarker and correlated with clinical pathologic features and immune infiltrates in hepatocellular carcinoma

Background:Hepatocellular carcinoma(HCC)is the fourth leading cause of cancer-related deaths globally.Splicing factor proline and glutamine-rich(SFPQ)is a multifunctional protein that controls various biological functions.As a potential therapeutic target and a promising prognostic indicator,the potential effects and processes of SFPQ in HCC require further investigation.Methods:The RNA sequencing data were obtained from the Gene Expression Omnibus,International Cancer Genome Consortium,and The Cancer Genome Atlas databases to analyze SFPQ expression and differentially expressed genes(DEGs).We utilized the LinkedOmics database to identify co-expressed genes.A Venn diagram was constructed to determine the overlapping genes between the DEGs and the co-expressed genes.Functional enrichment analysis was performed on the overlapping genes and DEGs.Furthermore,our study involved functional enrichment analysis,a protein-protein interaction network analysis,and an analysis of immune cell infiltration.The cBioPortal and Tumor Immune Single-cell Hub were utilized to investigate the genetic alterations of SFPQ and the single-cell transcriptome visualization of the tumor microenvironment.A ceRNA network was established with the assistance of the ENCORI website.Finally,we elucidated the clinical significance of SFPQ in HCC by employing Kaplan-Meier survival analysis,univariate and multivariate Cox regression,and prognostic nomogram models.Results:The expression of SFPQ in HCC tissues was significantly elevated compared to normal tissues.GSEA results indicated that increased expression of SFPQ was associated with pathways related to HCC.The ceRNA network,including SFPQ,hsa-miR-101-3p,AC023043.4,AC124798.1,AC145207.5,and GSEC,was constructed with the assistance of ENCORI.High SFPQ expression was related to a poor prognosis in HCC and its subtypes.Univariate and multivariate Cox regression analysis showed that elevated SFPQ expression is an independent predictive factor.Conclusions:The overexpression of SFPQ may serve as a potential prognostic biomarker,indicating a poor prognosis in HCC.

Overexpression of Proline Transporter Gene Isolated from Halophyte Confers Salt Tolerance in Arabidopsis

Proline is one of the most important and widespread osmolyte which functions in adaptation to adverse environmental stresses in many organisms. Also it is an important carbon and nitrogen resource in higher plants. Metabolism of proline has been elucidated in many plant species. However, transport of proline was poorly characterized although transport system plays an important role in proline distribution in different tissues. We isolated one full_length cDNA encoding proline transporter from the typical halophyte: Atriplex hortensis L. through cDNA library screening and 5′_RACE. The deduced amino acid sequence had eleven transmembrane domains, showed 60%-69% similarities to other ProTs and the gene was designated AhProT1. In the phylogenetic tree, higher plants' ProTs, e.g. AhProT1, showed more similar to ProP from microorganisms than ProT from mammalians. AhProT1 gene was transformed into Arabidopsis thaliana under 35S promoter. In MS medium containing [U_ 14 C] proline, AhProT1 + plants were able to accumulate much more radiolabeled proline in the roots than control plants. In MS medium containing different concentrations of NaCl, AhProT1 + plants could endure 200 mmol/L NaCl and keep development and biomass increase with proline supply, whereas control plants died back at 150 mmol/L NaCl.

Ornithine Pathway in Proline Biosynthesis Activated by Salt Stress in Barley Seedlings

C-14-glutamate and C-14-arginine were spreaded on leaves of six-day old barley (Hordeum vulgare L.) seedlings that were treated with NaCl 200 mmol/L. The result showed that the pathway of arginine-->ornithine-->proline existed in the six-day old barley seedlings and was provoked remarkably by NaCl treatment. After seven days, proline accumulation contributed via the arginine-->ornithine-->proline pathway was 1.0 - 1.5 folds of that via the glutamate-->proline pathway. The activation of arginine-->ornithine-->proline pathway by salt stress in the salt-tolerant cultivar 'Jian 4' was 1.7 - 2.0 folds of that in the salt-sensitive cultivar 'KP 7', which suggested that the activation of arginine-->ornithine-->proline pathway in barley seedlings played an important role in improving salt tolerance of plants.

The Comparison of Contents of Malondialdehyde and Proline in the Area of Karst Area in Northweastern Guangxi Province

[Objective] To select excellent pioneer species of better ecological and economical comprehensive benefits from the common rock hill plants in Karst area in northwestern Guangxi Province.[Method] Determine the contents of malondialdehyde and proline in leaves of 65 strains of plants by thiobarbituric acid method and sultosalicylic acid method,analyze the relevance of the contents of malondialdehyde and proline by mathematics statistics and analyze the 65 kinds of rock hill plants by clustering [Result] The contents of malondialdehyde and proline are 0.005 2-0.038 1 μmol/g.There are comparably significant differences in the contents of malondialdehyde in different plants;The determination of proline contents in plant＇s leaves are 4.347-374.956 μg/ml.There are also significant differences in proline of different leaves of rock hill plants.The contents of malondialdehyde and proline can be used as a reference point in selecting pioneer plants in Karst area.But when we select the pioneer plants,not only the biological characters of the species themselves should be taken into consideration,but also the differences of Karst area environment,ecological and biological benefits and the reasonable distribution of species.[Conclusion] Pistacia chinensis,Zenia insignis,Acacia confusa,Itoa orientalis and Sophora japonica can be used as the first choices of excellent pioneer plants in Karst area in northwestern area which comparably consists with the real situation of afforestation of rock hills and recovery of plants in Guangxi.

Proline with or without Hydroxyproline Influences Collagen Concentration and Regulates Prolyl 4-Hydroxylase α(I) Gene Expression in Juvenile Turbot(Scophthalmus maximus L.)

This study was conducted to investigate the effect of dietary proline(Pro), and Pro and hydroxyproline(Hyp) in combination on the growth performance, total Hyp and collagen concentrations of tissues, and prolyl 4-hydroxylase α(I)(P4H α(I)) gene expression in juvenile turbot feeding high plant protein diets. A diet containing 50% crude protein and 12% crude lipid was formulated as the basal and control, on which other two protein and lipid contents identical experimental diets were formulated by supplementing the basal with either 0.75% Pro(Pro-0.75) or 0.75% Pro and 0.75% Hyp(Pro+Hyp). Four groups of fish in indoor seawater recirculating systems, 35 individuals each, were fed twice a day to apparent satiation for 10 weeks. The results showed that dietary Pro and Hyp supplementation had no significant effect on growth performance and feed utilization of juvenile turbot(P > 0.05). Total Hyp and collagen concentrations in muscle were significantly increased when dietary Pro and Hyp increased(P < 0.05), and fish fed diet Pro+Hyp showed significantly higher free Hyp content in plasma than those fed other diets(P < 0.05). The expression of P4 H α(I) gene in liver and muscle was significantly up regulated in fish fed diet Pro-0.75 in comparison with control(P < 0.05); however the gene was significantly down regulated in fish fed diet Pro+Hyp in muscle in comparison with fish fed diet Pro-0.75(P < 0.05). It can be concluded that supplement of crystal L-Pro and L-Hyp to high plant protein diets did not show positive effects on growth performance of juvenile turbot, but enhanced total collagen concentrations in muscle.

Molecular cloning and characterization of a gene encoding the proline transporter protein in common bean(Phaseolus vulgaris L.)

As a typical compatible solute, proline is accumulated in plants under environmental stresses. Proline transporter(Pro T) plays an important role in proline distribution between plant organs. Using a candidate gene approach, we cloned a c DNA sequence for Pro T from common bean(Phaseolus vulgaris L.) and designated the gene Pv Pro T. The deduced amino acid sequence of Pv Pro T showed high similarity to Bet/Pro T proteins from other leguminous plants, and the highest similarity was observed with mothbean(Vigna aconitifolia L.) Vu Pro T.Relative quantification of the m RNA level of Pv Pro T using real-time PCR analysis showed that the Pv Pro T transcript level was higher in leaves than in stems and roots of common bean plants subjected to drought and salt stress. Under 20%(w/w) PEG-6000 treatment,drought-resistant plants expressed a higher level of Pv Pro T transcripts than droughtsensitive plants. Although heterologous expression of Pv Pro T in the Escherichia coli mutant mkh13 showed that Pv Pro T exhibited uptake activities for proline and betaine, no betaine content was detected in the common bean. These findings suggest that Pv Pro T plays an important role in the transportation of proline in common bean plants exposed to drought and salt stress.

PM2002CC PROLINE故障检修一例

对我院PM2002CC PROLINE全景/头部测量X光机一失控故障进行检查分析,发现原因是准备键"常开"状态不良,对该键加垫处理使机器运转正常。

Proline rich结构域介导Nogo-A激活NF-κB信号

髓鞘来源的中枢神经再生抑制因子——Nogo-A被发现除表达于成熟的少突胶质细胞,还广泛高表达于多种类型的神经元中.目前,神经元中Nogo-A的功能还不明确.为探讨神经元内Nogo-A的功能,以HEK293FT细胞为模型,利用信号途径报告基因系统筛选过表达Nogo-A对多种信号途径的调控作用,发现过表达Nogo-A能特异激活NF-κB信号,利用不同的Nogo-A剪接体和截断体形式研究,证明Nogo-A激活NF-κB信号依赖于其氨基端的prolinerich结构域,进一步使用NF-κB信号途径相关分子显性突变体揭示IκBα、TRAF6、Rac/Cdc42参与Nogo-A激活NF-κB信号.结果提示,Nogo-A可以显著激活NF-κB信号,且依赖于Nogo-A氨基段的prolinerich结构域.

Phytotoxicity of cadmium on protein, proline and antioxidant enzyme activities in growing Arachis hypogaea L. seedlings

Phytotoxicity of cadmium on growing Arachis hypogaea L. seedlings was studied. Seeds were exposed to 25, 50, and 100 μmol/L CdCl2 concentrations, for a period of 10, 15, 20 and 25 d. The extent of damage to chlorophyll, protein, proline, nitrate and nitrite reductase, antioxidant enzyme activity in leaves and roots were evaluated after 10 d of cadmium stress. The higher concentration of cadmium （100 μmol/L） resulted （leaves and roots） total chlorophyll 91.01%, protein 79.51%, 83.61%, nitrate reductase 79.39%, 80.72% and nitrite reductase 77.07%, 75.88% activity decreased with increase in cadmium concentrations and exposure periods. Cadmium caused significant changes in the activity of antioxidative enzymes. Contrastingly Cd treated plant tissues showed an increase in proline 159.87%, 239.6%, gluthion reductase （GR） 337.72%, 306.14%, superoxide disumutase （SOD） 688.56%, 381.72%, ascorbate peroxidase （APX） 226.47%, 252.14%, peroxidase （POD） 72.19%, 60.29% and catalase （CAT） 228.96%, 214.74% as compared to control. Cadmium stress caused a significant increase in the rate of SOD activity in leaves and roots of plant species. Results show the crop A. hypogaea is highly sensitive even at very low cadmium concentrations.

Changes of Proline Content,Activity,and Active Isoforms of Antioxidative Enzymes in Two Alfalfa Cultivars Under Salt Stress

The plants of two elfalfa （Medicago sativa L.） cultivars differing in salt tolerance were subjected to three salt treatments, 70, 140, and 210 mM NaCl for 7 days. Root, shoot, and leaf growths were inhibited by increased salt treatments in both cultivars, and at 140 and 210 mM salt treatments, Zhongmu 1 had significantly higher root, shoot, and leaf dry weights per plant than Deft. The malondialdehyde （MDA） accumulation in Deft was considerably greater than in Zhongmu 1, indicating a higher degree of lipid peroxidation at 140 and 210 mM salt treatments. The changes in the activity and active isoforms of antioxidant enzymes such as superoxide dismutase （SOD, EC 1.15.1.1）, catalase （CAT, EC 1.11.1.6）, peroxidase （POD, EC 1.11.1.7）, and ascorbate peroxidase （APOX, EC 1.11,1.11）, accumulation of free proline, and rate of lipid peroxidation in leaves of two alfalfa cultivars were also investigated. After stress, the activity and active isoforms of antioxidative enzymes were altered and the extent of alteration varied between the cultivar Deft and Zhongmu 1. The proline accumulation in Deft was considerably greater than in Zhongmu 1 at 210 mM salt treatment. This indicated that proline accumulation may be the result, instead of the cause, of salt tolerance.

Increased resistance of drought by Trichoderma harzianum fungal treatment correlates with increased secondary metabolites and proline content

Plant secondary metabolites play vital role in plant stress response. In this study we investigated whether root colonization of tomato （Solanum lycopersicum） infected by Trichoderma harzianum leads to alterations in the biosynthesis of secondary plant metabolites including phytohormones and osmolyte proline under drought stress. Exposure of tomato to drought caused a drastic decline in plant growth and physiological parameters. Tomato inoculated with T. harzianum showed increased root and shoot growth and chlorophyll pigments as compared to uninoculated controls as well as drought stressed plants. Proline and total soluble protein content was increased in plants inoculated with T. harzianum under both normal as well as drought conditions. An obvious increase in phenol and flavonoid content was observed due to T. haczianum. In addition, T. hat-zianum inoculated plants maintained higher levels of growth regulators indole acetic acid, indole butyric acid, and gibberellic acid under drought stress. Improved secondary metabolites which play an important role in plant stress tolerance by T. hat-zianum may have coordinately worked for bringing the growth regulation by protecting membranes from reactive oxygen species （ROS） and enhance plant growth through accessing more nutrients by root system.

CO_2 absorption into a phase change absorbent: Water-lean potassium prolinate/ethanol solution

Phase change solvents are attractive energy-efficient absorbents for carbon dioxide(CO_2) capture due to CO_2-rich phase formation. Potassium prolinate + water + ethanol(ProK/W/Eth) solution has shown good capture characteristics as a promising one in our previous work. In this work, absorption rate of CO_2, solubility of N2 O,and heat of absorption for ProK/W/Eth solution were investigated using a stirred cell reactor and a CPA201 reaction calorimeter and these results were also compared with the aqueous ProK and 30 mass% MEA solutions.Using ethanol as a solvent can substantially increase the CO_2 physical solubility and the absorption rate of CO_2 in ProK/W/Eth solutions is far higher than that in aqueous 30 mass% MEA solutions especially at a low CO_2 loading range. Solid precipitation, obtained from the liquid-to-solid phase change absorption, was analyzed by13 C NMR and DSC-TGA. The enthalpy change for ProK/W/Eth solutions at various CO_2 loading was also discussed.

Effects of Formulated Fertilizer Synergist on Abscisic Acid Accumulation, Proline Content and Photosynthetic Characteristics of Rice under Drought

To investigate the effects of formulated fertilizer synergist on the drought tolerance in rice, pot experiment was conducted to analyze the photosynthetic characteristics and the accumulation of abscisic acid （ABA） and proline in middle-season rice variety Peiliangyou 93. The synergist could improve the net photosynthetic rate, and coordination between the water loss and the CO2 absorption as well as reduce the harmful effect on photosynthetic process under drought conditions. Under drought, the ABA accumulated massively both in roots and leaves, while the ABA content in roots was far higher than that in leaves. The results indicate that synergist could increase the ABA accumulation, but reduce the proline accumulation in rice plant under drought.

Melatonin treatment induces chilling tolerance by regulating the contents of polyamine,γ-aminobutyric acid,and proline in cucumber fruit

The mechanism of melatonin(MT)induced chilling tolerance in harvested cucumber fruit was investigated at commercial maturity.In this study,cucumber fruits were treated with 100μmol L^(-1) MT at 4℃ and 90% relative humidity for 15 d of storage.In comparison with the control,cucumber treatment with MT resulted in reduced chilling injury(CI),decreased electrolyte leakage and enhanced firmness.The fruits treated with MT showed higher chlorophyll contents in storage conditions with suppressed chlorophyllase enzyme activity.MT treatment increased arginine decarboxylase(ADC)and ornithine decarboxylase(ODC)enzyme activities.Moreover,enhanced expression of the Cucumis sativus ADC(CsADC)and C.sativus ODC(CsODC)genes resulted in the accumulation of polyamine contents.Similarly,proline levels exhibited higher levels among treated fruits.Meanwhile,the proline synthesizing enzymes △1-pyrroline-5-carboxylate syntheses(P5CS)and ornithine aminotransferase(OAT)were significantly increased,while a catabolic enzyme of proline dehydrogenase(PDH)activity was inhibited by treatment.In addition,MT induced expression of C.sativus OAT(CsOAT)and C.sativus P5CS(CsP5CS)genes.Cucumber fruits treated with MT also exhibited higher γ-aminobutyric acid(GABA)content by enhanced GABA transaminase(GABA-T)and glutamate decarboxylase(GAD)enzyme activities and a higher C.sativus GAD(CsGAD)gene expression.To sum up,the results show that MT treatment enhanced chilling tolerance,which was associated with the regulation of polyamines,as well as proline and γ-aminobutyric acid.

Proline Accumulation,Photosynthetic Abilities and Growth Characters of Sugarcane(Saccharum officinarum L.) Plantlets in Response to Iso-Osmotic Salt and Water-Deficit Stress

The aim of this study was to investigate the biochemical, physiological and morphological responses of sugarcane to iso- osmotic salt and water-deficit stress. Disease-free sugarcane plantlets derived from meristem cuttings were photo- autotrophically grown in MS media and subsequently exposed to -0.23 （control）, -0.67 or -1.20 MPa iso-osmotic NaCl （salt stress） or mannitol （water-deficit stress）. Chlorophyll a （Chl a）, chlorophyll b （Chl b）, total carotenoids （Cx＋c）, maximum quantum yield of PSII （Fv/Fm）, photon yield of PSII （ΦPSII）, stomatal conductance （Gs） and transpiration rate （E） in the stressed plantlets were significantly reduced when compared to those of plantlets of the control group （without mannitol or NaCl）, leading to net-photosynthetic rate （Pn） and growth reduction with positive correlation. In addition, physiological changes and growth parameters of plantlets in the salt stress conditions were more sharply reduced than those in waterdeficit stress conditions. On the other hand, the proline content and non-photochemical quenching （NPQ） in the leaves of stressed plantlets increased significantly, especially in response to iso-osmotic salt stress. The chlorophyll pigments in iso-osmotic stressed leaves were significantly degraded （r^2 = 0.93）, related to low water oxidation （r^2 = 0.87）, low net- photosynthetic rate （r^2 = 0.81）, and growth reduction （r^2 = 0.97）. The multivariate biochemical, physiological and growth parameters in the present study should be further used to develop salt, or drought, tolerance indices in sugarcane breeding programs.

Cadmium and lead effects on chlorophyll fluorescence,chlorophyll pigments and proline of Robinia pseudoacacia

Heavy metal contamination is one of the most important abiotic stresses affecting physiological activities of plants.We investigated the effects of cadmium（Cd） and lead（Pb） on chlorophyll fluorescence（Fv/Fm,Fo,and Fm）,photosynthetic pigments（chlorophyll a and b）,and proline in one-year-old seedlings of Robinia pseudoacacia.The seedlings were treated twice over a period of 10 days with Cd and Pb at concentrations of 0,250,500,1000 and2000 mg L-1.Saline solution containing Cd and Pb was sprayed on the leaves.Chlorophyll and proline contents were measured after 10 days.Chlorophyll fluorescence of R.pseudoacacia was affected slightly by high concentrations（1000,2000 mg L-1） of Cd and Pb.Chlorophyll a and a/b increased at 1000 and 2000 mg L-1of Cd and proline content of leaves was similar in all treatments of Cd and Pb.Our results indicated that photosynthetic sensitivity of R.pseudoacacia to Cd and Pb contamination was weak.Photosystem II chlorophyll pigments were not damaged by Pb and Cd stress.We conclude that chlorophyll fluorescence along with chlorophyll and proline contents are useful indicators of Cd and Pb stresses in R.pseudoacacia which widely planted in urban polluted regions in Iran.

Effects of 1-MCP on proline,polyamine,and nitric oxide metabolism in postharvest peach fruit under chilling stress

Peach(Prunus persica Batsch‘Yuhualu’)fruit are sensitive to chilling injury(CI).Proline,polyamine(PA),and nitric oxide(NO)are important small regulators of various metabolic pathways under chilling stress that mitigate CI.Ethylene is known to promote senescence and CI,while 1-methylcyclopropene(1-MCP)is an antagonist that inhibits the effects of ethylene.However,how1-MCP and ethylene affect proline,PA,and NO levels under chilling stress remains unclear.To address these questions,1-MCP(1μL·L^(−1))and ethylene(1μL·L^(−1))treatments were applied to peach fruit.Fruit were stored at 4°C for 28 d,then moved to 25°C for 3 d immediately after cold storage.Peach fruit exhibited CI symptoms after 7 d of cold storage with enhanced electrolyte leakage and malondialdehyde contents.The 1-MCP treatment significantly(P<0.05)restrained peach CI,and fruit did not exhibit CI symptoms until 14 d of cold storage.Proline and PAs in peach under chilling stress weremostly synthesized from glutamate and arginine,which were catalyzed by1-pyrroline-5-carboxylate synthetase and arginine decarboxylase,respectively.1-MCPtreated fruit exhibited higher proline and PA contents and enhanced chilling tolerance compared to the control,while ethylene-treated fruit had lower proline and PA contents and reduced chilling tolerance.Ethylene-treated fruit,which exhibited more severe CI symptoms compared to the control,had significantly(P<0.05)lower NO contents and NO synthase activities.However,NOmay not be a direct acting factor in 1-MCPinduced chilling tolerance,as 1-MCP-treated fruit had lower NO contents and NO synthase activities compared to the control.In conclusion,proline and PA clearly played direct and important roles in 1-MCP-induced peach chilling tolerance,while NO may not be actively involved.

Drought-induced responses of organic osmolytes and proline metabolism during pre-flowering stage in leaves of peanut (Arachis hypogaea L.)

Peanut （Arachis hypogaea L.）, an improtant oil crop, usually encounters drought stress in the process of growth and development, especially at pre-flowering stage. In order to gain insight into the drought tolerance potentials based on osmolyte accumulation and metabolism of proline aspects of peanut, pot experiments were conducted with a split-plot design in Tai＇an, Shangdong Province, China in 2013 and 2014. Pre-flowering drought （PFD） stress and optinum irrigation （control, CK） were served as the main plots and the two peanut cultivars Shanhua 11 and Hua 17 served as sub-plots. Shanhua 11 was drought-tolerant cultivar and Hua 17 was drought-sensitive. The content of soluble sugars, soluble protein, free proline and other free amino acids, the activities of enzymes involved in proline metabolism, and malondialdehyde （MDA） content and ion leakage were all investigated in the two cultivars at pre-flowering stage. Results showed that PFD stress significantly increased the levels of soluble protein, free proline and free amino acid, and increased Al-pyrroline-5-car- boxylate synthetase （P-5-CS, EC 2.7.2.11） activity in the leaves of drought-tolerant and drought-sensitive cultivars. The activity of proline dehydrogenase （proDH） （EC 1.5.99.8） decreased under PFD stress in both cultivars. The leaves of the tolerant cultivar maintained higher increments of osmolyte levels, lower increments of MDA content and ion leakage, as well as a higher increased proportion of P-5-CS activity and higher inhibited proportion of proDH activity under water stress compared with the drought-sensitive cultivar. The study suggests that proline accumulation in peanut leaves under PFD can be explained by the higher enhanced activities of P-5-CS and higher inhibition of proDH. The results will provide useful information for genetic improvement of peanut under drought tolerance.

The Role of Humic Acid and Proline on Growth, Chemical Constituents and Yield Quantity and Quality of Three Flax Cultivars Grown under Saline Soil Conditions

In order to mitigate the salinity effects on flax grown on moderate saline sandy soil (3275 - 3430 ppm) and irrigated with moderate saline water (2300 - 2460 ppm) field experiments were carried out at the experimental Station of the Faculty of Agriculture, Wadi El-Natrun district El-Behera Governorate—Egypt, during two successive winter seasons of 2012/2013 and 2013/2014. Three flax varieties (Opal, Giza-8 and Mayic) were grown and treated with some chemical additives humic acid (50 kg/fed) and/or foliar applied proline (Control, 50 and 100 mg/L). The results showed the positive responses of Giza-8 variety to the combined application of humic acid and proline and mitigated the salinity effects of soil and irrigation water and reflected on most of the studied characters. Such results indicate the potentiality of mitigation the hazardous effect of salinity with these chemical additives. The data indicated that the highest seed yield, straw yield and oil yield were obtained at humic acid (50 kg/fed) with foliar treatment of proline at rate of (100 mg/L). The interaction of proline at (100 mg/L) with humic acid at rate of (50 kg/fed) improved plant fresh and dry weight in all flax cultivars under salinity conditions. Fresh weight increased by 66.6%, 48.7% and 65.5% over controls for Opal, Giza-8 and Mayic varieties, respectively. The interaction of proline at (100 mg/L) with humic acid at rate of (50 kg/fed) with Giza-8 variety gave the highest values of seed yield, straw yield and oil yield.

Trichoderma-Induced Improvement in Growth, Photosynthetic Pigments, Proline, and Glutathione Levels in Cucurbita pepo Seedlings under Salt Stress

Salt stress is one of the major abiotic stress in plants.However,traditional approaches are not always efficient in conferring salt tolerance.Experiments were conducted to understand the role of Trichoderma spp.(T.harzianum and T.viride)in growth,chlorophyll(Chl)synthesis,and proline accumulation of C.pepo exposed to salinity stress.There were three salt stress(50,100,and 150 mM NaCl)lavels and three different Trichoderma inoculation viz.T.harzianum,T.viride,and T.harzianum+T.viride.Salt stress significantly declined the growth in terms of the shoot and root lengths;however,it was improved by the inoculation of Trichoderma spp.C.pepo inoculated with Trichoderma exhibited increased synthesis of pigments like chl a,chl b,carotenoids,and anthocyanins under normal conditions.It was interesting to observe that such positive effects were maintained under salt-stressed conditions,as reflected by the amelioration of the salinity-mediated decline in growth,physiology and antioxidant defense.The inoculation of Trichoderma spp.enhanced the synthesis of proline,glutathione,proteins and increased the relative water content.In addition,Trichoderma inoculation increased membrane stability and reduced the generation of hydrogen peroxide.Therefore,Trichoderma spp.can be exploited either individually or in combination to enhance the growth and physiology of C.pepo under saline conditions.