Mohammad Golam Mostofa

Abstract Soil alkalinity and drought collectively cause severe growth retardation in crops. However, the adaptive responses and transcriptional changes under such conditions remain unclear in soybean. In this growth incubator study, soil alkalinity and drought stress led to significant reductions in plant biomass, chlorophyll, and nutrient uptake in soybean.

1. Introduction White mold caused by Sclerotinia sclerotiorum (Lib.) de Bary is among the deadliest sources of plant biotic stress. The disease is widespread and a common problem in temperate, tropical, and dry climates []. White mold is also known by various other names, including watery soft rot, cottony rot, cottony soft rot, drop, stem rot, bloom blight, crown rot, and Sclerotinia rot [].

Abstract Isoprene, emitted by some plants, enhances plant abiotic resilience but its role in biotic stress resilience remains elusive. We used tobacco plants engineered to emit isoprene (IE) and the corresponding azygous non-emitting control (NE) to investigate isoprene emission and biotic stress resilience. IE plants were more resistant to insect herbivory than NE plants. Worms preferred to feed on NE rather than IE leaves. IE plants showed less decline in photosynthesis during worm feeding.