@article{pal_saxena_kumar_verma_kumar_shukla_pandey_white_verma_2024, title={Seed endophytic bacterium<i> Lysinibacillus</i> sp. (ZM1) from maize (Zea mays L.) shapes its root architecture through modulation of auxin biosynthesis and nitrogen metabolism}, volume={212}, ISSN={["1873-2690"]}, DOI={10.1016/j.plaphy.2024.108731}, abstractNote={Seed endophytic bacteria have been shown to promote the growth and development of numerous plants. However, the underlying mechanism still needs to be better understood. The present study aims to investigate the role of a seed endophytic bacterium Lysinibacillus sp. (ZM1) in promoting plant growth and shaping the root architecture of maize seedlings. The study explores how bacteria-mediated auxin biosynthesis and nitrogen metabolism affect plant growth promotion and shape the root architecture of maize seedlings. The results demonstrate that ZM1 inoculation significantly enhances root length, root biomass, and the number of seminal roots in maize seedlings. Additionally, the treated seedlings exhibit increased shoot biomass and higher levels of photosynthetic pigments. Confocal laser scanning microscopy (CLSM) analysis revealed extensive colonization of ZM1 on root hairs, as well as in the cortical and stellar regions of the root. Furthermore, LC-MS analysis demonstrated elevated auxin content in the roots of the ZM1 treated maize seedlings compared to the uninoculated control. Inoculation with ZM1 significantly increased the levels of endogenous ammonium content, GS, and GOGAT enzyme activities in the roots of treated maize seedlings compared to the control, indicating enhanced nitrogen metabolism. Furthermore, inoculation of bacteria under nitrogen-deficient conditions enhanced plant growth, as evidenced by increased root shoot length, fresh and dry weights, average number of seminal roots, and content of photosynthetic pigments. Transcript analysis indicated upregulation of auxin biosynthetic genes, along with genes involved in nitrogen metabolism at different time points in roots of ZM1-treated maize seedlings. Collectively, our findings highlight the positive impact of Lysinibacillus sp. ZM1 inoculation on maize seeds by improving root architecture through modulation of auxin biosynthesis and affecting various nitrogen metabolism related parameters. These findings provide valuable insights into the potential utilization of seed endophytic bacteria as biofertilizers to enhance plant growth and yield in nutrient deficient soils.}, journal={PLANT PHYSIOLOGY AND BIOCHEMISTRY}, author={Pal, Gaurav and Saxena, Samiksha and Kumar, Kanchan and Verma, Anand and Kumar, Deepak and Shukla, Pooja and Pandey, Ashutosh and White, James and Verma, Satish K.}, year={2024}, month={Jul} }
 @article{saxena_pal_pandey_2023, title={Functional characterization of 2-oxoglutarate-dependent dioxygenase gene family in chickpea}, volume={336}, ISSN={["1873-2259"]}, DOI={10.1016/j.plantsci.2023.111836}, abstractNote={Chickpea is an important leguminous crop plant with two cultivated types, desi and kabuli. It is nutritionally enriched in flavonoid content in addition to minerals and vitamins imparting huge health benefits to human beings. Our study elucidates the functionality of 2-oxoglutarate dependent dioxygenase (2-ODD) gene family members i.e., flavanone-3-hydroxylase (F3H), flavonol synthase (FLS) and anthocyanidin synthase (ANS) in chickpea using heterologous bacterial system and in-planta studies in Arabidopsis. This provides information about the biosynthesis of two very significant sub-classes of flavonoids- flavonols and anthocyanins. Here, we show that all the three homologs of F3H in chickpea can utilize not just naringenin but also eriodictyol as their substrate. Moreover, we show that FLS in chickpea exhibits bifunctionality having both FLS and F3H activity. Also, our study indicates the richness of desi chickpea over kabuli type through gene expression and metabolite content analyses. Overall, our study establishes the functionality of 2-ODD gene family involved in the early and late steps of flavonoid biosynthesis pathway in chickpea. It paves way for better genetic manipulation of the pathway for direct or indirect synthesis of three major subclasses of flavonoids (flavonol, anthocyanin and proanthocyanin) to develop nutritious, environmentally stable and healthy chickpea (Cicer arietinum) crop.}, journal={PLANT SCIENCE}, author={Saxena, Samiksha and Pal, Gaurav and Pandey, Ashutosh}, year={2023}, month={Nov} }
 @article{pal_saxena_kumar_verma_kumar_shukla_pandey_verma_2023, title={Seed endophytic bacterium Bacillus velezensis and its lipopeptides acts as elicitors of defense responses against Fusarium verticillioides in maize seedlings}, ISSN={["1573-5036"]}, DOI={10.1007/s11104-023-06152-x}, journal={PLANT AND SOIL}, author={Pal, Gaurav and Saxena, Samiksha and Kumar, Kanchan and Verma, Anand and Kumar, Deepak and Shukla, Pooja and Pandey, Ashutosh and Verma, Satish K.}, year={2023}, month={Jul} }