Inadvertent accumulation of arsenic (As) in rice (Oryza sativa L.) is a concern for people depending on it for their subsistence, as it verily causes epigenetic alterations across the genome as well as in specific cells. To ensure food safety, certain attempts have been made to nullify this highest health hazard encompassing physiological, chemical and biological methods. Albeit, the use of mycorrhizal association along with nutrient reinforcement strategy has not been explored yet. Molecular mechanisms of response and resistance of rice genotypes to As with or without phosphorus (P) nutrition and Serendipita indica (S. indica; S.i) colonization were explored by root transcriptome profiling in the present study. Results revealed that the resistant genotype had higher auxin content and root plasticity, which helped in keeping the As accumulation and P starvation response to a minimum under alone As stress. However, sufficient P supply and symbiotic relationship switched the energy resources towards plant’s developmental aspects rather than excessive root proliferation. Of note, this study showed that the As + S.i + P interactive treatment mellowed down the chaotic increase in heat shock proteins, and potentially induced early flowering genes by lengthening the telomere. Moreover, genes stimulating endogenous BR (CycD3) and their cross-talk with CK (Os11g0143300, Os12g0139400, Os01g0952500 and Os01g0197700), as well as SA
(Os11g0663100, Os03g0778000 and Os11g0669100), metal effluxer (P-type ATPase, K/Mg/Cd/Cu/Zn/Na/Ca/Na/H-transporter family protein) and detoxification related genes (glutathione-S-transferases), elevation of K+ transporter AKT1, Fe+ transporters (OsYSL2 and OsYSL15), and phosphate transporter PHT14, greatly contributed to As tolerance acquisition. Taken together, S. indica symbiosis fortified with adequate P-fertilizer can prove to be effective in minimizing As acquisition and accumulation in rice plants.

Termites are responsible for the significant loss of date palm production. Limitations and
hazardous side effects of chemical pesticides pushed toward finding eco-friendly alternatives to
control pests. Using semiochemicals with natural enemies has grown in recent years, making
biological control agents and semiochemicals crucial for integrated pest management of insect
pests. The current study has revealed a chemical interaction between three organisms, date palm
termites-ants. This study simplifies this complex relationship among date palms, termites and ants,
essential for effective pest management. This study investigated the impact of termite attacks and
the presence of ants on the volatile compounds profile released into the chemosphere of the
community consisting of the date palm Phoenix dactylifera, the harvester termite Anacanthotermes
ochraceus, and the ant Messor cf. wasmanni. This study aims to analyze the volatile compounds
emitted by the date palm and surrounding insects in response to these intricate interactions. The
extraction of volatile organic compounds (VOCs) was carried out using closed-loop stripping (CLS)
and then analyzed via gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (GC-MS) and Canonical analysis of
principle coordinates (CAP) was performed. Termites and ants were collected from Taif City and
molecularly identified based on the mitochondrial cytochrome oxidase I. The date palm was
exposed to different types and order of treatments, including non-infested palm, termite-infested
palm and termite-infested palm + ants. Infested date palms displayed distinct emissions of
camphene, (+)-4-careneand, 3-carene, guaiene, and (-)-aristolene compared to non-infested plants.
The characteristic VOC profile was the share of infested date palms in the presence of ants, with γterpinene, ketone, aromadendrene, isobornyl acetate and bornyl acetate. These semiochemicals play
multiple functions, such as repellent or killing activities. Termite-killing or repelling
semiochemicals can be integrated alone or with biological control agents for better and more
effective control of termites affecting palm trees. Moreover, alarming or defensive semiochemicals
of termites can be counteracted to suppress their defense mechanisms.
Biography
Noura Jahaz Alotaibi is an assistance professor of Entomology, Molecular Entomology and
Economic Entomology at Taif University, Science Faculty, Biology Department, Taif, Kingdom of
Saudi Arabia. She received her PHD from King Saud University, Zoology Department, Saudi

Taghreed Abdulrahim Alsufyani is an associated professor of Chemical ecology, bioorganic, and
natural products at Taif University, Science Faculty, Chemistry Department, Kingdom of Saudi
Arabia. She received her PhD from Friedrich Schiller University-Jena, Germany under the
supervision of Thomas Wishard, and Georg Pohnert (2014). Master’s degree in natural products and
medicinal chemistry under supervision of Hassan Albar at KAU, Saudi Arabia (2008). She is
interested in understanding the infochemicals mediate the interactions between living organisms.

Combined drought and heat (DH) stress cause significant yield loss on crops such as edamame (Glycine max L. Merril) by disrupting the biochemical and physiological processes. The study aimed to investigate the effects of DH stress on the morphology and yield in three edamame cultivars (AGS429, UVE14, and UVE17) and to determine their associations with the biochemical and physiological responses. Yield indices were measured manually at full maturity. A laboratory scale was used to measure total seed mass per plant (TSMP) and 100 seed mass (100 SM). A leaf area meter was used to measure the leaf (LA). Correlations and principal component analysis (PCA) were determined using Genstat. The poor rate of photosynthesis, membrane damage and reduced cellulose synthesis (resulting in high numbers of flat and shattered pods) led to the highest yield reduction and poor seed quality in UVE17, contributing to its susceptibility to DH stress. The PCAs showed that LA and yield indices [total pods per plant (TPP), total seeds per plant (TSP), TSMP, and 100 SM] were strongly positively associated with AGS429. In contrast, UVE14 was associated with high carbohydrate accumulation (sucrose, trehalose, cellulose, and hemicellulose) at both growth stages. The higher rate of photosynthesis, antioxidant response systems, stable plasma membranes and cell wall re-enforcements in AGS429 and UVE14 contributed to yield enhancement and tolerance to DH stress. Therefore, AGS429 and UVE14 can be suggested for breeding programs due to moderate yield reduction (AGS429) and low yield reduction (UVE14) under DH stress.