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Abstract Brucellosis is a zoonotic disease with significant economic and healthcare costs. Despite the eradication efforts, the disease persists. Vaccines prevent disease in animals while antibiotics cure humans with limitations. This study aims to design vaccines and drugs for brucellosis in animals and humans, using protein modeling, epitope prediction, and molecular docking of the target proteins (BvrR, OMP25, and OMP31). Tertiary structure models of three target proteins were constructed and assessed using RMSD, TM-score, C-score, Z-score, and ERRAT. The best models selected from AlphaFold and I-TASSER due to their superior performance according to CASP 12 – CASP 15 were chosen for further analysis. The motif analysis of best models using MotifFinder revealed two, five, and five protein binding motifs, however, the Motif Scan identified seven, six, and eight Post-Translational Modification sites (PTMs) in the BvrR, OMP25, and OMP31 proteins, respectively. Dominant B cell epitopes were predicted at (44–63, 85–93, 126–137, 193–205, and 208–237), (26–46, 52–71, 98–114, 142–155, and 183–200), and (29–45, 58–82, 119–142, 177–198, and 222–251) for the three target proteins. Additionally, cytotoxic T lymphocyte epitopes were detected at (173–181, 189–197, and 202–210), (61–69, 91–99, 159–167, and 181–189), and (3–11, 24–32, 167–175, and 216–224), while T helper lymphocyte epitopes were displayed at (39–53, 57–65, 150–158, 163–171), (79–87, 95–108, 115–123, 128–142, and 189–197), and (39–47, 109–123, 216–224, and 245–253), for the respective target protein. Furthermore, structure-based virtual screening of the ZINC and DrugBank databases using the docking MOE program was followed by ADMET analysis. The best five compounds of the ZINC database revealed docking scores ranged from (− 16.8744 to − 15.1922), (− 16.0424 to − 14.1645), and (− 14.7566 to − 13.3222) for the BvrR, OMP25, and OMP31, respectively. These compounds had good ADMET parameters and no cytotoxicity, while DrugBank compounds didn't meet Lipinski's rule criteria. Therefore, the five selected compounds from the ZINC20 databases may fulfill the pharmacokinetics and could be considered lead molecules for potentially inhibiting Brucella’s proteins.

Background: The Nonstructural Protein (NSP) 4B of Zika virus of 251 amino acids from (ZIKV/Human/POLG_ZIKVF) with accession number (A0A024B7W1), Induces the production of Endoplasmic Reticulum ER-derived membrane vesicles, which are the sites of viral replication. To understand the physical basis of how proteins fold in nature and to solve the challenge of protein structure prediction, Ab-initio and comparative modeling are crucial tools. Results: The systematic in silico technique, ThreaDom, had only predicted one domain (4 – 190) of NSP4B. I-TASSER, and Alphafold were ranked as the best servers for full-length 3-D protein structure predictions of NSP4B, where the predicted models were evaluated quantitatively using benchmarked metrics including C-score (-3.43), TM-score (0.77949), RMSD (2.73), and Z-score (1.561). The functional and protein binding motifs were realized using motif databases, secondary and surface accessibility predictions combined with Post-Translational Modification Sites (PTMs) prediction. Two highly conserved protein-binding motifs (Flavi NS4B and Bacillus papRprotein), together with three (PTMs) (Casein Kinase II, Myristyl site, and ASN-Glycosylation site) were predicted utilizing the Motif scan and Scanprosite servers. These patterns and PTMs were associated with NSP4B's role in triggering the development of the viral replication complex and its participation in the localization of NS3 and NS5 on the membrane. Only one hit from Structural Classification of Protein (SCOP) matched the protein sequence at positions 10 to 397 and was categorized six-hairpin glycosidases superfamily according to CATH (Class, Architecture, Topology, and Homology). Integrating this NSP4B information with the templates' SCOP and CATH annotations achieves it easier to attribute structure–function/evolution links to both previously known and recently discovered protein structures.

Abstract To generate high-yielding cultivars with favorable fiber quality traits, cotton breeders can use information about combining ability and gene activity within a population to locate elite parents and potential F1 crosses. To this end, in the current study, twelve cotton parents (eight genotypes as female parents and four testers) and their F1 crosses obtained utilizing the linex tester mating design were evaluated for their general and specialized combining abilities (GCA and SCA, respectively) of yield traits. The findings showed that for all the investigated variables, variances owing to genotypes, parents, crosses, and parent vs cross showed extremely significant (P ≤ 0.01) differences. Additionally, throughout the course of two growing seasons, the mean squares for genotypes (parents and crosses) showed strong significance for all the variables under study. The greatest and most desired means for all the examined qualities were in the parent G.94, Pima S6, and tester G.86. The best crossings for the qualities examined were G.86 (G.89 × G.86), G.93 × Suvin, and G.86 × Suvin. The parents' Suvin, G89x G86 and TNB were shown to have the most desired general combining ability effects for seed cotton yield/plant, lint yield/plant, boll weight, number of bolls/plants, and lint index, while Suvin, G.96 and pima S6 were preferred for favored lint percentage. For seed cotton yield, lint percentage, boll weight, and number of bolls per plant per year, the cross-G.86 x (G.89 × G.86) displayed highly significant specific combining ability impacts. The crosses G.86 × Suvin, Kar x TNB, G.93 × Suvin, and G.93 × TNB for all the studied traits for each year and their combined were found to have highly significant positive heterotic effects relative to better parent, and they could be used in future cotton breeding programs for improving the studied traits.

Sugar beet productivity is highly constrained by the root-knot nematode (RKN) Meloidogyne incognita. Eight sugar beet genotypes were screened under greenhouse conditions for their susceptibility to M. incognita according to an adapted quantitative scheme for assignment Canto-Saenz’s host suitability (resistance) designations (AQSCS). Besides, the degree of susceptibility or tolerance of the examined genotypes was recorded by the modified host-parasite index (MHPI) scale based on yield performance. In addition, single nucleotide polymorphism (SNP) was also determined. Sugar beet genotypes have been classified into four categories for their susceptibility or tolerance according to the AQSCS scale. The first category, the moderately resistant (MR) group implies only one variety named SVH 2015, which did not support nematode reproduction (RF≤1), and had less root damage (GI≈2). Second, the tolerant group (T) involving Lilly and Halawa KWS supported fairly high nematode reproduction (RF>1) with relatively plant damage (GI≤2). Whereas the susceptible (S) category involved four varieties, FARIDA, Lammia KWS, Polat, and Capella, which supported nematode reproduction factor (RF>1) with high plant damage (GI>2). The fourth category refers to the highly susceptible (HYS) varieties such as Natura KWS that showed (RF≤1) and very high plant damage (GI>2). However, the MHPI scale showed that Lammia KWS variety was shifted from the (S) category to the (T) category. Results revealed significant differences among genotypes regarding disease severity, yield production, and quality traits. The SVH 2015 variety exhibited the lowest disease index values concerning population density with 800/250 cm3 soils, RF=2, root damage/gall index (GI=1.8), gall size (GS=2.3), gall area (GA=3.7), damage index (DI=3.4), susceptibility rate (SR=2.4), and MHP index (MHPI=2.5). However, Lammia KWS showed the highest disease index values regarding population density with 8890/250 cm3 soils, RF= 22.2, GI= 4.8, and SR= 14.1. Meanwhile, Natura KWS the highest GS, GA and MHPI with 7.1, 8 and 20.9, respectively. The lowest DI was achieved by Capella (DI= 6) followed by Lammia KWS (DI= 5.9). For yield production, and quality traits, SVH 2015 exhibited the lowest reductions of sugar yields/beet's root with 11.1%. While Natura KWS had the highest reduction with 79.3%, as well as it showed the highest reduction in quality traits; including sucrose, T.S.S, and purity with 65, 27.3, and 51.9%, respectively. The amino acid alignment and prediction of the DNA sequences revealed the presence of five SNPs among all sugar beet verities.

Salinity is one of the major plant abiotic stresses increasing over time worldwide. The most important biological role of nitric oxide (NO) in plants is related to their development and growth under abiotic conditions. The present experiment was conducted to study the effect of salt stress (0 and 100 mM) and NO (0 and 80 μM) on two different ecotypes of Brassica rapa (L.): PTWG-HL and PTWG-PK. The different growth attributes, biochemical and physiological parameters, and the mineral contents were examined. The results indicated increased hydrogen peroxide (H2O2), relative membrane permeability, malondialdehyde (MDA), and Na+ content and decreased plant biomass in both ecotypes (PTWG-PK and PTWG-HL) under salt stress. In contrast, NO treatment resulted in increased plant biomass, chlorophyll content, and total soluble proteins and decreased H2O2, relative membrane permeability, MDA, total phenolic content, catalase (CAT), peroxidase (POD), ascorbate peroxidase (APX), and Na+. The combined effect of salt stress and NO application increased the chlorophyll a content, total phenolic content, and total soluble proteins, but decreased H2O2, relative membrane permeability, MDA, and Na+. The response of carotenoids, anthocyanins, and K+, Ca2+, and Cl− ions varied in both ecotypes under all treatment conditions. The PTWG-PK ecotype showed maximum overall growth response with the application of NO. Henceforth, it is proposed that the molecular mechanisms associated with NO-induced stress tolerance in plants may be exploited to attain sustainability in agriculture under changing climate scenarios.

Improper optimization of the rates and ratios of nitrogen application reduces grain yields and increases the nitrogen loss, thereby affecting environmental quality. In addition, scarcer evidence exists on the integrative approach of nitrogen, which could have effects on the biochemical and physiological characteristics of wheat. Treatments were arranged as nitrogen (N) rates of 00, 75, 150, 225, and 300 kg ha−1 in the main plots, and different nitrogen ratios were organized in subplots at 5:5:0:0 and 6:4:0:0, which were applied at the sowing, jointing, flowering, and grain filling stages. The results revealed that 225 kg N ha−1 significantly enhanced the stomatal conductance (Gs), photosynthetic rate (Pn), intercellular CO2 (Ci), transpiration rate (Tr), and total chlorophyll by 28.5%, 42.3%, 10.0%, 15.2%, and 50%, receptively, at the jointing stage in comparison to the control (0 kg N ha−1). Nitrogen application of 225 kg ha−1 increased the soil–plant analysis development (SPAD) value and the chlorophyll a, chlorophyll b, and carotenoid contents of winter wheat under the 6:4:0:0 ratio. The trend of the photosynthetic characteristics was observed to be greater at the 6:4:0:0 fertilization ratio compared to that at 5:5:0:0. The photosynthetic rate was significantly associated with the biochemical and physiological characteristics of winter wheat. In conclusion, the nitrogen dose of 225 kg ha−1 and the ratio of 6:4:0:0 (quantity applied at the sowing, jointing, flowering, and grain filling stages) effectively promoted the photosynthetic and other physiological characteristics of winter wheat.

Arsenic (As) contamination in the soil adversely affects crop productivity, grain quality, and human health. A pot experiment was performed to assess the sole and combined effects of Si and biochar on growth, physiological and antioxidant defense mechanisms, yield, and grain quality of maize. Soil treatments comprised of control (no treatment), As, Si, biochar, Si + biochar, As + Si, As + biochar, and As + Si + biochar placed in a completely randomized design with three replications. As toxicity significantly reduced chlorophyll a (5.18%), chlorophyll b (33.87%), chlorophyll a + b (11.67%), and primary metabolites [soluble protein (54.93%), amino acids (24.85%), total soluble sugars (39.77%), and phenolic contents (25.88%)], while increasing the activities of enzymatic antioxidants such as superoxide dismutase (SOD) by 43.51%, peroxidase (POD) by 47.93%, catalase (CAT) by 47.98%, and ascorbate peroxidase (APX) by 59.02%, as well as that of lipid peroxidation in the leaves of maize. In addition, As contamination reduced the grain yield and yield-related attributes relative to the respective controls. Among the soil applications, the interactive effect of Si and biochar improved maize grain yield (12.12%) by triggering activities of enzymatic antioxidants and proline contents and reducing the H2O2 and MDA contents. The combined application of Si and biochar enhanced the Si contents in shoots of the control and As-contaminated plants, while significantly reducing As concentration in shoots (69%) and grains (142%). In conclusion, the combined application of Si and biochar was found to be a fruitful soil amendment strategy to improve the yield of maize and reduce the toxic limit of As under As-contaminated soil. The results of this study may be useful for the cultivation of food crops under AS-contaminated soils, but before commercial recommendation, more trails are required under field conditions.

Plant tissue culture technique employed for the identification and isolation of bioactive phytocompounds has numerous industrial applications. It provides potential benefits for different industries which include food, pharmaceutical and cosmetics. Various agronomic crops i.e., cereals, fruits, vegetables, ornamental plants and forest trees are currently being used for in vitro propagation. Plant tissue culture coupled with biotechnological approaches leads towards sustainable agricultural development providing solutions to major food security issues. Plants are the rich source of phytochemicals with medicinal properties rendering them useful for the industrial production of pharmaceuticals and nutraceuticals. Furthermore, there are numerous plant compounds with application in the cosmetics industry. In addition to having moisturizing, anti‐ageing, anti‐wrinkle effects; plant-derived compounds also possess pharmacological properties such as antiviral, antimicrobial, antifungal, anticancer, antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, and anti-allergy characteristics. The in vitro propagation of industrially significant flora is gaining attention because of its several advantages over conventional plant propagation methods. One of the major advantages of this technique is the quick availability of food throughout the year, irrespective of the growing season, thus opening new opportunities to the producers and farmers. The sterile or endangered flora can also be conserved by plant micro propagation methods. Hence, plant tissue culture is an extremely efficient and cost-effective technique for biosynthetic studies and bio-production, biotransformation, or bioconversion of plant-derived compounds. However, there are certain limitations of in-vitro plant regeneration system including difficulties with continuous operation, product removal, and aseptic conditions. For sustainable industrial applications of in-vitro regenerated plants on a large scale, these constraints need to be addressed in future studies.

Infection with fowl adenoviruses (FAdVs) can result in a number of syndromes in the production of chicken, including inclusion body hepatitis (IBH), hepatitis-hydropericardium syndrome (HHS), and others, causing enormous economic losses around the globe. FAdVs are divided into 12 serotypes and five species (A–E; 1–8a and 8b−11). Most avian species are prone to infection due to the widespread distribution of FAdV strains. The genus aviadenovirus, which is a member of the adenoviridae family, is responsible for both IBH and HHS. The most popular types of transmission are mechanical, vertical, and horizontal. Hepatitis with basophilic intranuclear inclusion bodies distinguishes IBH, but the buildup of translucent or straw-colored fluid in the pericardial sac distinguishes HHS. IBH and HHS require a confirmatory diagnosis because their clinical symptoms and postmortem abnormalities are not unique to those conditions. Under a microscope, the presence of particular lesions and inclusion bodies may provide clues. Traditional virus isolation in avian tissue culture is more delicate than in avian embryonated eggs. Additionally, aviadenovirus may now be quickly and precisely detected using molecular diagnostic tools. Preventive techniques should rely on efficient biosecurity controls and immunize breeders prior to production in order to protect progeny. This current review gives a general overview of the current local and global scenario of IBH, and HHS brought on by FAdVs and covers both their issues and preventative vaccination methods.

Heavy metal (HM) contamination is a serious concern across the globe, and in recent times, HMs’ intensity has significantly increased, posing a serious threat to crop growth and productivity. Heavy metals pose serious health issues in humans by entering the human food chains. Therefore, it is direly needed to reduce the effects of HMs on plants and humans by adapting appropriate practices. In this context, application of micronutrients can be an essential practice to mitigate the toxic effects of HMs. Zinc (Zn) is a crucial nutrient needed for plant growth, and Zn application reduced the HM-induced toxicity in plants. This review highlights Zn’s role in mitigating the HMs toxicity in plants. We have systematically described the potential mechanisms mediated by Zn to mitigate HMs in plants. Zinc application reduced the HMs uptake and translocation plants, which is considered an essential mechanism of HM stress tolerance. Zn application also improves membrane stability, plant water relationship, nutrient uptake, photosynthetic performance, osmolytes accumulation, anti-oxidant activities, and gene expression. In addition to this, the Zn application substantially improves photosynthesis by enhancing the synthesis of photosynthetic pigments, photosystem activities, enzymatic activities, and maintaining photosynthetic apparatus structure, ensuring better growth under HM stress. Therefore, Zn nutrition could improve the plant performance under HM stress by modulating the plant’s physiological and biochemical functioning, anti-oxidant activities, osmolytes accumulation, and gene expression.

Cotton is considered as the main crop in the agricultural sector of Pakistan. Water deficiency in this region in recent years has reduced the chances of high yields of cotton. Selection and creation of high-yielding varieties of cotton, even in water deficit conditions, is one of urgent tasks of today. For this purpose, 40 diverse genotypes of upland cotton were screened in normal and water deficit conditions in triplicate arrangement under split plot in a randomized complete block design. All the genotypes showed significant difference under both water regimes. Ten upland cotton accessions were screened out as water deficit tolerant (VH-144, IUB-212, MNH-886, VH-295, IR-3701, AA-802, NIAB-111, NS-121, FH-113, and FH-142) and five as water deficit sensitive (IR-3, CIM-443, FH-1000, MNH-147, and S-12) based on seed cotton yield and stress susceptibility index. These tolerant and sensitive genotypes were crossed in line × tester mating design. For further evaluation of genetic material, the seed of 50 F1 crosses and their 15 parents were field planted under normal and water deficit conditions during next cotton growing season. Traits related to yield under the study showed significant variations among the accessions and their half sibs. The results of the principal component analysis (PCA) exhibited that total variation exhibited by factors 1 and factor 2 were 55.55 and 41.95%, respectively. PCA transformed the variables into three factors, and only two factors (F1 and F2) had eigenvalue > 1. The degree of dominance revealed that all parameters were highly influenced by non-additive gene action under both water regimes. Furthermore, the line VH-295 and tester CIM-443 had better yield performance under water deficit stress. The cross-combinations, viz., VH-144 × S-12, NIAB-111 × IR-3, and VH-295 × MNH-147, were the best for yield contributing traits. These combinations may be helpful for germplasm enhancement on large scale under water scarcity. All the studied traits have non-additive types of gene action suggesting the usage of these genotypes in cotton hybrid development program against water deficit tolerance.

Maize-soybean intercropping is practiced worldwide because of some of the anticipated advantages such as high crop yield and better utilization of resources (i.e., water, light, nutrients and land). However, the shade of the maize crop has a detrimental effect on the growth and yield of soybean under the maize-soybean intercropping system. Hence, this experiment was conducted to improve the shade tolerance of such soybean crops with optimal nitrogen (N) fertilization combined with foliar application of iron (Fe) and molybdenum (Mo). The treatments comprised five (5) maize-soybean intercropping practices: without fertilizer application (F0), with N fertilizer application (F1), with N fertilizer combined with foliar application of Fe (F2), with N fertilizer coupled with foliar application of Mo (F3) and with N fertilizer combined with foliar application of Fe and Mo (F4). The findings of this study showed that maize-soybean intercropping under F4 treatment had significantly (p< 0.05) increased growth indices such as leaf area (cm2), plant height (cm), stem diameter (mm), stem strength (g pot-1), and internode length (cm) and yield indices (i.e., No of pods plant-1, grain yield (g plant-1), 100-grain weight (g), and biomass dry matter (g plant-1)) of the soybean crop. Moreover, intercropping under F4 treatment enhanced the chlorophyll SPAD values by 26% and photosynthetic activities such as Pn by 30%, gs by 28%, and Tr by 28% of the soybean crops, but reduced its CO2 by 11%. Furthermore, maize-soybean intercropping under F4 treatment showed improved efficiency of leaf chlorophyll florescence parameters of soybean crops such as Fv/Fm (26%), qp (17%), ϕPSII (20%), and ETR (17%), but reduced NPQ (12%). In addition, the rubisco activity and soluble protein content of the soybean crop increased by 18% in maize-soybean intercropping under F4 treatment. Thus, this suggested that intercropping under optimal N fertilization combined with foliar application of Fe and Mo can improve the shade tolerance of soybean crops by regulating their chlorophyll content, photosynthetic activities, and the associated enzymes, thereby enhancing their yield and yield traits.

Global climate change stress has greatly influenced agricultural crop production which leads to the global problems such as food security. To cope with global climate change, nature based solutions (NBS) are desirable because these lead to improve our environment. Environmental stresses such as drought and salinity are big soil problems and can be eradicated by increasing soil organic matter which is directly related to soil organic carbon (SOC). SOC is one of the key components of the worldwide carbon (C) cycle. Different types of land use patterns have shown significant impacts on SOC stocks. However, their effects on the various SOC fractions are not well-understood at the global level which make it difficult to predict how SOC changes over time. We aim to investigate changes in various SOC fractions, including mineral associated organic carbon (MAOC), mineral associated organic matter (MAOM), soil organic carbon (SOC), easily oxidized organic carbon (EOC), microbial biomass carbon (MBC) and particulate organic carbon (POC) under various types of land use patterns (NBS), including cropping pattern, residue management, conservation tillages such as no tillage (NT) and reduced tillage (RT) using data from 97 studies on a global scale. The results showed that NT overall increased MAOC, MAOM, SOC, MBC, EOC and POC by 16.2%, 26.8%, 24.1%, 16.2%, 27.9% and 33.2% (P < 0.05) compared to CT. No tillage with residue retention (NTR) increased MAOC, MAOM, SOC, MBC, EOC and POC by 38.0%, 29.9%, 47.5%, 33.1%, 35.7% and 49.0%, respectively, compared to CT (P < 0.05). RT overall increased MAOC, MAOM, SOC, MBC, EOC and POC by 36.8%, 14.1%, 25.8%, 25.9, 18.7% and 16.6% (P < 0.05) compared to CT. Reduced tillage with residue retention (RTR) increased MAOM, SOC and POC by 14.2%, 36.2% and 30.7%, respectively, compared to CT (P < 0.05). Multiple cropping increased MAOC, MBC and EOC by 14.1%, 39.8% and 21.5%, respectively, compared to mono cropping (P < 0.05). The response ratios of SOC fractions (MAOC, MAOM, SOC, MBC, EOC and POC) under NT and RT were mostly influenced by NBS such as residue management, cropping pattern along with soil depth, mean annual precipitation, mean annual temperature and soil texture. Our findings imply that when assessing the effects of conservation tillage methods on SOC sequestration, SOC fractions especially those taking part in driving soil biological activities, should be taken into account rather than total SOC. We conclude that conservation tillages under multiple cropping systems and with retention of crop residues enhance soil carbon sequestration as compared to CT in varying edaphic and climatic conditions of the world.

The world is facing rapid climate change and a fast-growing global population. It is believed that the world population will be 9.7 billion in 2050. However, recent agriculture production is not enough to feed the current population of 7.9 billion people, which is causing a huge hunger problem. Therefore, feeding the 9.7 billion population in 2050 will be a huge target. Climate change is becoming a huge threat to global agricultural production, and it is expected to become the worst threat to it in the upcoming years. Keeping this in view, it is very important to breed climate-resilient plants. Legumes are considered an important pillar of the agriculture production system and a great source of high-quality protein, minerals, and vitamins. During the last two decades, advancements in OMICs technology revolutionized plant breeding and emerged as a crop-saving tool in wake of the climate change. Various OMICs approaches like Next-Generation sequencing (NGS), Transcriptomics, Proteomics, and Metabolomics have been used in legumes under abiotic stresses. The scientific community successfully utilized these platforms and investigated the Quantitative Trait Loci (QTL), linked markers through genome-wide association studies, and developed KASP markers that can be helpful for the marker-assisted breeding of legumes. Gene-editing techniques have been successfully proven for soybean, cowpea, chickpea, and model legumes such as Medicago truncatula and Lotus japonicus. A number of efforts have been made to perform gene editing in legumes. Moreover, the scientific community did a great job of identifying various genes involved in the metabolic pathways and utilizing the resulted information in the development of climate-resilient legume cultivars at a rapid pace. Keeping in view, this review highlights the contribution of OMICs approaches to abiotic stresses in legumes. We envisage that the presented information will be helpful for the scientific community to develop climate-resilient legume cultivars.

Photosynthetic rate (Pn) and photosynthetic nitrogen use efficiency (PNUE) are the two important factors affecting the photosynthesis and nutrient utilization of plant leaves. However, the effect of N fertilization combined with foliar application of Fe on the Pn and PNUE of the maize crops under different planting patterns (i.e., monocropping and intercropping) is elusive. Therefore, this experiment was conducted to determine the effect of N fertilization combined with foliar application of Fe on the photosynthetic characteristics, PNUE, and the associated enzymes of the maize crops under different planting patterns. The results of this study showed that under intercropping, maize treated with N fertilizer combined with foliar application of Fe had not only significantly (p < 0.05) improved physio-agronomic indices but also higher chlorophyll content, better photosynthetic characteristics, and related leaf traits. In addition, the same crops under such treatments had increased photosynthetic enzyme activity (i.e., rubisco activity) and nitrogen metabolism enzymes activities, such as nitrate reductase (NR activity), nitrite reductase (NiR activity), and glutamate synthase (GOGAT activity). Consequently, intercropping enhanced the PNUE and soluble sugar content of the maize crops, thus increasing its yield compared with monocropping. Thus, these findings suggest that intercropping under optimal N fertilizer application combined with Fe foliation can improve the chlorophyll content and photosynthetic characteristics of maize crops by regulating the associated enzymatic activities. Consequently, this results in enhanced PNUE, which eventually leads to better growth and higher yield in the intercropping system. Thus, practicing intercropping under optimal nutrient management (i.e., N and Fe) could be crucial for better growth and yield, and efficient nitrogen use efficiency of maize crops.

Over the past few years, COVID-19 has caused widespread suffering worldwide. There is great research potential in this domain and it is also necessary. The main objective of this study was to identify potential inhibitors against acid sphingomyelinase (ASM) in order to prevent coronavirus infection. Experimental studies revealed that SARS-CoV-2 causes activation of the acid sphingomyelinase/ceramide pathway, which in turn facilitates the viral entry into the cells. The objective was to inhibit acid sphingomyelinase activity in order to prevent the cells from SARS-CoV-2 infection. Previous studies have reported functional inhibitors against ASM (FIASMAs). These inhibitors can be exploited to block the entry of SARS-CoV-2 into the cells. To achieve our objective, a drug library containing 257 functional inhibitors of ASM was constructed. Computational molecular docking was applied to dock the library against the target protein (PDB: 5I81). The potential binding site of the target protein was identified through structural alignment with the known binding pocket of a protein with a similar function. AutoDock Vina was used to carry out the docking steps. The docking results were analyzed and the inhibitors were screened based on their binding affinity scores and ADME properties. Among the 257 functional inhibitors, Dutasteride, Cepharanthine, and Zafirlukast presented the lowest binding affinity scores of −9.7, −9.6, and −9.5 kcal/mol, respectively. Furthermore, computational ADME analysis of these results revealed Cepharanthine and Zafirlukast to have non-toxic properties. To further validate these findings, the top two inhibitors in complex with the target protein were subjected to molecular dynamic simulations at 100 ns. The molecular interactions and stability of these compounds revealed that these inhibitors could be a promising tool for inhibiting SARS-CoV-2 infection.

Silver nanoparticles have gained considerable interest in recent decades due to their antimicrobial activity and are used in water disinfection, wound healing, food packaging, and plant protection. This study tested the potential of silver nanoparticles synthesized using the neem (Azadirachta indica) leaf extract against Alternaria solani causes early blight disease in tomato plants. The pathogen was isolated from infected tomato plants and identified using morphological and molecular features. The results showed significant variation among isolates. Isolates, Shk-1 and Ksr-1 were highly pathogenic, causing up to 80% disease incidence. The potential of silver nanoparticles against each isolate was determined using different concentrations of silver nanoparticles. During in vitro and in vivo experiments, the growth inhibition rate of the pathogen was 70–100% at 50 ppm. Lower concentrations of silver nanoparticles (5 and 10 ppm) increased phenolics, PO, PPO, and PAL production by more than 50% as compared to the untreated control. These defensive mechanisms clearly demonstrate the fungicidal potential of AgNPs and recommend their utilization in different crop protection programs.