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Understanding ionic interactions is essential to promote adequate crop nutrition. This study aimed to evaluate the interaction between nitrogen (N) and sulfur (S) and their effects on strawberries' production and postharvest quality. The experiment was conducted under greenhouse conditions adopting a completely randomized design in a 3 × 5 factorial scheme with four replicates. The treatments consisted of the combination of three rates of S (0, 30, and 60 mg dm−3) in the form of calcium sulfate (CaSO4·2 H2O) and five rates of N (0, 30, 60, 90, and 120 mg dm−3) in the form of urea (pro analysis grade) enriched to 10 atom% 15N. The fruits were harvested weekly when showing ¾ maturation. At the end of the harvest, evaluations of the mineral composition of the plants' shoots, determination of N utilization, and physicochemical analyses of the fruit pulp were performed. The results showed that the interaction between N and S affected the fertilizer use efficiency (FUE), strawberry production, and the physicochemical attributes of the fruit pulp. Applying 120 mg dm−3 N and 30 mg dm−3 S improved both strawberry production and postharvest quality. Therefore, balancing N and S levels can improve both the yield and quality of strawberries. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The ATP-driven bicarbonate transporter 1 (BCT1) from Synechococcus is a four-component complex in the cyanobacterial CO2-concentrating mechanism. BCT1 could enhance photosynthetic CO2 assimilation in plant chloroplasts. However, directing its subunits (CmpA, CmpB, CmpC, and CmpD) to three chloroplast sub-compartments is highly complex. Investigating BCT1 integration into Nicotiana benthamiana chloroplasts revealed promising targeting strategies using transit peptides from the intermembrane space protein Tic22 for correct CmpA targeting, while the transit peptide of the chloroplastic ABCD2 transporter effectively targeted CmpB to the inner envelope membrane. CmpC and CmpD were targeted to the stroma by RecA and recruited to the inner envelope membrane by CmpB. Despite successful targeting, expression of this complex in CO2-dependent Escherichia coli failed to demonstrate bicarbonate uptake. We then used rational design and directed evolution to generate new BCT1 forms that were constitutively active. Several mutants were recovered, including a CmpCD fusion. Selected mutants were further characterized and stably expressed in Arabidopsis thaliana , but the transformed plants did not have higher carbon assimilation rates or decreased CO2 compensation points in mature leaves. While further analysis is required, this directed evolution and heterologous testing approach presents potential for iterative modification and assessment of CO2-concentrating mechanism components to improve plant photosynthesis. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Summary Plant response to water stress involves multiple timescales. In the short term, stomatal adjustments optimize some fitness function commonly related to carbon uptake, while in the long term, traits including xylem resilience are adjusted. These optimizations are usually considered independently, the former involving stomatal aperture and the latter carbon allocation. However, short‐ and long‐term adjustments are interdependent, as ‘optimal’ in the short term depends on traits set in the longer term. An economics framework is used to optimize long‐term traits that impact short‐term stomatal behavior. Two traits analyzed here are the resilience of xylem and the resilience of nonstomatal limitations (NSLs) to photosynthesis at low‐water potentials. Results show that optimality requires xylem resilience to increase with climatic aridity. Results also suggest that the point at which xylem reach 50% conductance and the point at which NSLs reach 50% capacity are constrained to approximately a 2 : 1 linear ratio; however, this awaits further experimental verification. The model demonstrates how trait coordination arises mathematically, and it can be extended to many other traits that cross timescales. With further verification, these results could be used in plant modelling when information on plant traits is limited. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The Chinese yam (Dioscorea polystachya, DP) is promising for the food and pharmaceutical industries due to its nutritional value and pharmaceutical potential. Its proper cultivation is therefore of interest. An insufficient supply of minerals necessary for plant growth can be manifested by discoloration of the leaves. In our earlier study, magnesium deficiency was excluded as a cause. As a follow-up, this work focused on manganese and molybdenum. To quantify both minerals in leaf extracts of DP, analytical methods based on atomic absorption spectrometry (AAS) using the graphite furnace sub-technique were devised. The development revealed that the quantification of manganese works best without using any of the investigated modifiers. The optimized pyrolysis and atomization temperatures were 1300 °C and 1800 °C, respectively. For the analysis of molybdenum, calcium proved to be advantageous as a modifier. The optimum temperatures were 1900 °C and 2800 °C, respectively. Both methods showed satisfactory linearity for analysis. Thus, they were applied to quantify extracts from normal and discolored leaves of DP concerning the two minerals. It was found that discolored leaves had higher manganese levels and a lower molybdenum content. With these results, a potential explanation for the discoloration could be found. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Ore hauling operations are crucial within the mining industry as they supply essential minerals to production plants. Conducted with sophisticated and high-cost operational equipment, these operations demand meticulous planning to ensure that production targets are met while optimizing equipment utilization. In this study, we present an algorithm to determine the minimum amount of hauling equipment required to meet the ore transport target. To achieve this, a mathematical model has been developed, considering it as a parallel machine scheduling problem with different speeds and release times, focusing on minimizing both the completion time and the costs associated with equipment use. Additionally, another algorithm was developed to allow the tactical evaluation of these two variables. These procedures and the model contribute significantly to decision-makers by providing a systematic approach to resource allocation, ensuring that loading and hauling equipment are utilized to their fullest potentials while adhering to budgetary constraints and operational schedules. This approach optimizes resource usage and improves operational efficiency, facilitating continuous improvement in mining operations. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Rubisco activity is highly regulated and frequently limits carbon assimilation in crop plants. In the chloroplast, various metabolites can inhibit or modulate Rubisco activity by binding to its catalytic or allosteric sites, but this regulation is complex and still poorly understood. Using rice Rubisco, we characterised the impact of various chloroplast metabolites which could interact with Rubisco and modulate its activity, including photo-respiratory intermediates, carbohydrates, amino acids; as well as specific sugar-phosphates known to inhibit Rubisco activity - CABP (2-carboxy-D-arabinitol 1,5-bisphosphate) and CA1P (2-carboxy-D-arabinitol 1-phosphate) through in vitro enzymatic assays and molecular docking analysis. Most metabolites did not directly affect Rubisco in vitro activity under both saturating and limiting concentrations of Rubisco substrates, CO2 and RuBP (ribulose-1,5-bisphosphate). As expected, Rubisco activity was strongly inhibited in the presence of CABP and CA1P. High physiologically relevant concentrations of the carboxylation product 3-PGA (3-phosphoglyceric acid) decreased Rubisco activity by up to 30%. High concentrations of the photosynthetically derived hexose phosphates fructose 6-phosphate (F6P) and glucose 6-phosphate (G6P) slightly reduced Rubisco activity under limiting CO2 and RuBP concentrations. Biochemical measurements of the apparent Vmax and Km for CO2 and RuBP (at atmospheric O2 concentration) and docking interactions analysis suggest that CABP/CA1P and 3-PGA inhibit Rubisco activity by binding tightly and loosely, respectively, to its catalytic sites (i.e. competing with the substrate RuBP). These findings will aid the design and biochemical modelling of new strategies to improve the regulation of Rubisco activity and enhance the efficiency and sustainability of carbon assimilation in rice. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The issue of agricultural non-point source pollution has attracted global attention. A buffer zone is an effective, eco-friendly, and economically feasible remediation ecosystem to reduce the impact of agricultural non-point source pollution on water bodies. They can effectively remove pollutants in agricultural drainage through physical processes (infiltration, filtration, deposition, etc.), plant absorption and assimilation, and microbial processes, improving the water quality of water bodies. This article provides a comprehensive review of the current studies on using buffer zones to remediate agricultural non-point source pollution, with a focus on the key affecting factors for pollutant removal efficiencies. The main factors included buffer zone width, vegetation type, slope, seasonal variation, soil variation, and vegetation density. The influencing mechanisms of these factors on the pollutant removal efficiencies of buffer zones were also discussed. This review can serve as a reference for a deep understanding of buffer zones and help optimize their design and management in real ecological remediation projects. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This paper explores ICT investment and different types of absorptive capacity (realized and potential) as determinants of micro-level TFP in Colombia from 2008 to 2018. Our empirical output suggests that productivity is positively affected by ICT expenditures as well as by the presence of those IT-related potential absorptive capacities that strengthen knowledge acquisition and assimilation inside the plant: online transactions (e-commerce) and the use of network communication platforms(e-communication). Realized absorptive capacities such as R&D cooperation and marketing expenditures (signaling firms' ability to exploit and transform available information) are found to only induce TFP growth if combined with appropriate IT capabilities: R&D collaboration paired with e-communication and, marketing strategies connected with e-commerce. These results remain robust to various productivity indicators, issues of reverse causality (TFP-ICT link) and even to different IT-related proxies. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

AbstractIonic interactions affect the mineral composition of plants, which can cause nutritional disorders with reflections on yield, post-harvest quality, and food safety. Thus, this study evaluated the interaction between nitrogen (N) and sulfur (S) and its effects on onion production and post-harvest quality. The study was conducted in a completely randomized design, with a 3 × 5 factorial scheme and four replications. The treatments consisted of a combination of three S rates (0, 20, and 40 mg dm−3) and five N rates (0, 40, 60, 80, and 100 mg dm−3), applied in the form of calcium sulfate (CaSO4·2H2O) and urea, respectively. It was observed that the interaction between N and S negatively affected onion production, reducing the gain of both fresh and dry mass of the bulb. The N/S ratio ranged from 16.5 to 26.2 and was not influenced by the interaction between N and S. Onion pungency was classified as intermediate. The higher pungency value was obtained with the application of 100 mg dm−3 of N, and 40 mg dm−3 of S. The application of N when combined with 20 mg dm−3 of S contributed to increasing titratable acidity and soluble solids content of onion cv. Diamantina. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Genomic DNA methylation patterns play a crucial role in the developmental processes of plants and mammals. In this study, we aimed to investigate the significant effects of epigenetic mechanisms on the development of soybean seedlings and metabolic pathways. Our analyses show that 5‐azaC‐treatment affects radicle development from two Days After Imbibition (DAI), as well as both shoot and root development. We examined the expression levels of key genes related to DNA methylation and demethylation pathways, such as DRM2, which encodes RNA‐directed DNA Methylation (RdDM) pathway, SAM synthase, responsible for methyl group donation, and ROS1, a DNA demethylase. In treated seedling roots, we observed an increase in DRM2 expression and a decrease in ROS1 expression. Additionally, 5‐azaC treatment altered protein accumulation, indicating epigenetic control over stress response while inhibiting nitrogen assimilation, urea cycle, and glycolysis‐related proteins. Furthermore, it influenced the levels of various phytohormones and metabolites crucial for seedling growth, such as ABA, IAA, ethylene, polyamines (PUT and Cad), and free amino acids, suggesting that epigenetic changes may shape soybean responses to pathogens, abiotic stress, and nutrient absorption. Our results assist in understanding how hypomethylation shapes soybean responses to pathogens, abiotic stress, and nutrient absorption crucial for seedling growth, suggesting that the plant's assimilation of carbon and nitrogen, along with hormone pathways, may be influenced by epigenetic changes. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

AbstractThis work was conducted to evaluate the effect of N source (NH4+/NO3-) and the implication of NH4+-induced acidification on plant development in Arabidopsis thaliana. seedlings were hydroponically cultivated during 21 days under three ratios of NO3−/NH4+ (mM); 2.5/0.0; 1.25/1.25, and 0.0/2.5. For each ratio, plants were cultivated under not controlled pH and adjusted pH at 6.2. Ammonium-fed plants (0.0/2.5) showed chlorosis if cultivated under uncontrolled pH. This symptom was associated with suppressions in plant growth, chlorophyll and iron contents as well as shoots hydration and nutrient concentration. Growth was limited with increasing NH4+ medium-concentration. At pH 6.2, plants receiving only NH4+ produced the same biomass as NO3-fed ones. The mineral disturbances in plants grown on strictly NH4+-medium (0.0/2.5) were alleviated under controlled pH. The activities of nitrate reductase (NR) and nitrite reductase (NIR) were lower in plants amended only with NH4+ under uncontrolled pH. At adjusted pH, the NR activity was ameliorated but that of NIR was not ameliorated, suggesting hence that NR activity depended on medium pH but that of NIR was related only to the pool of NO2-. In conclusion, this work demonstrated that the adjustment of pH at 6.2 mitigated significantly the toxic effects of ammonium to A. thaliana. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In this study, wild barley (Hordeum brevisubulatum) infected (E+) and uninfected (E-) by Epichloë bromicola were used for hydroponic experiments during the seedling stage. Various attributes, such as the effect of fungal endophyte on the growth and development of wild barley, the absorption of cadmium (Cd) and mineral elements (Ca, Mg, Fe, Mn, Cu, Zn), subcellular distribution, and chemical forms were investigated under CdCl2 stress. The results showed that the fungal endophy significantly reduced the Ca content and percentage of plant roots under Cd stress. The Fe and Mn content of roots, the mineral element content of soluble fractions, and the stems in the pectin acid or protein-chelated state increased significantly in response to fungal endophy. Epichloë endophyte helped Cd2+ to enter into plants; and reduced the positive correlation of Ca-Fe and Ca-Mn in roots. In addition, it also decreased the correlation of soluble components Cd-Cu, Cd-Ca, Cd-Mg in roots, and the negative correlation between pectin acid or protein-chelated Cd in stems and mineral elements, to increase the absorbance of host for mineral elements. In conclusion, fungal endophy regulated the concentration and distribution of mineral elements, while storing more Cd2+ to resist the damage caused by Cd stress. The study could provide a ground for revealing the Cd tolerance mechanism of endophytic fungal symbionts. The present study is the first to study the effect of fungal endophy on essential mineral elements of plants under heavy metal stress, filling a gap in the existing research. The study could be helpful to reveal the mechanism of endophytic fungi to improve the host's tolerance to heavy metals and provide a foundation for the grass-endophyte symbionts to improve heavy metal-contaminated soils as ecological grasses. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Conveyor belts serve as the primary mode of ore transportation in mineral processing plants. Feeders, comprised of shorter conveyors, regulate the material flow from silos to longer conveyor belts by adjusting their velocity. This velocity manipulation is facilitated by automatic controllers that gauge the material weight on the conveyor using scales. However, due to positioning constraints of these scales, a notable delay ensues between measurement and the adjustment of the feeder speed. This dead time poses a significant challenge in control design, aiming to prevent oscillations in material levels on the conveyor belt. This paper contributes in two key areas: firstly, through a simulation-based comparison of various control techniques addressing this issue across diverse scenarios; secondly, by implementing the Smith predictor solution in an operational plant and contrasting its performance with that of a single PID controller. Evaluation spans both the transient flow rate during step change setpoints and a month-long assessment. The experimental results reveal a notable increase in production by 355 t/h and a substantial reduction in flow rate oscillations on the conveyor belt, evidenced by a 55% decrease in the standard deviation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

• Increase of nitrogen use efficiency (NUE) through management and genetic manipulation is an urgent need. • The review highlights the current trend of using genetic insights from plant systems biology to promote cereal crop breeding strategies that reduce reliance on fertilizer without sacrificing yield. • This review explores the role of nitrogen in plants, its assimilation and transport, and new approaches to genetically improving cereal crops. Nowadays, researchers are focused on sustainable crop growth as the world population is rising at an alarming rate. Therefore, global food safety and security are major concerns. Cereals play a significant role in mitigating hunger at a global level. The main factor responsible for the rise in cereal production has been the increased use of inorganic nitrogen. Due to rising nitrogen application, inefficient use, and the negative effects of excess nitrogen on the environment, soil and human health, therefore there is an immediate need to increase nitrogen use efficiency (NUE) through management and genetic manipulation. The limitation of nitrogen management due to nitrogen runoff, denitrification, and other nitrogen losses that cause ecological hazards has shifted attention to increasing NUE. This review explores the role of nitrogen in plants, its assimilation and transport, and new approaches to genetically improving of cereal crops with high nitrogen use efficiency. The article focused on the need for genetic manipulation and management strategies to fully realise NUE's potential in cereal crops i.e., rice, wheat etc. It also highlights the current trend of using genetic insights from plant systems biology to promote cereal crop breeding strategies that reduce reliance on fertiliser without sacrificing yield. The urgent challenge of optimising NUE while ensuring food security and environmental well-being can be met through the synergistic application of management practices, genetic breakthroughs, and breeding innovations that have the potential to reshape the future of agricultural sustainability. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Legumes house nitrogen-fixing endosymbiotic rhizobia in specialised polyploid cells within root nodules. This results in a mutualistic relationship whereby the plant host receives fixed nitrogen from the bacteria in exchange for dicarboxylic acids. This plantmicrobe interaction requires the regulation of multiple metabolic and physiological processes in both the host and symbiont in order to achieve highly efficient symbiosis. Recent studies have showed that the success of symbiosis is influenced by the circadian clock of the plant host. Medicago and soybean plants with altered clock mechanisms showed compromised nodulation and reduced plant growth. Furthermore, transcriptomic analyses revealed that multiple genes with key roles in recruitment of rhizobia to plant roots, infection and nodule development were under circadian control, suggesting that appropriate timing of expression of these genes may be important for nodulation. There is also evidence for rhythmic gene expression of key nitrogen fixation genes in the rhizobium symbiont, and temporal coordination between nitrogen fixation in the bacterial symbiont and nitrogen assimilation in the plant host may be important for successful symbiosis. Understanding of how circadian regulation impacts on nodule establishment and function will identify key plant-rhizobial connections and regulators that could be targeted to increase the efficiency of this relationship. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The study delves into the vital role of essential metal nutrient uptake in graminaceous plants, focusing on internal movement for optimal plant development. The experiment specifically explores the impact of iron application in soil with a pH of 7.5. Findings reveal a notable increase in iron (Fe) content in Oryza sativa post iron application. Specifically, Bas-198 displayed a noteworthy 109.09% increase, while Bas-515 exhibited a remarkable 119.05% increase in total iron accumulation per plant at the highest concentration. In contrast to Bas-515, Bas-198 demonstrated notable enhancements across various parameters, including a 91% increase in root dry weight, a 71.43% increase in net photosynthesis, a 115% increase in CAT activity, a 75% increase in APX activity, a substantial 180% increase in POD activity, and an impressive 150% increase in SOD. At 500 mM, Basmati-198 experienced significant decreases of 55.71%, 64.29%, and 70.73% in MDA, H2O2, and EL content, respectively. Conversely, Basmati-515 demonstrated a substantial decrease of 53.85%, 50%, and 50% in MDA, H2O2, and EL, respectively. YSL genes, particularly OsYSL8 and OsYSL9, highly responsive to iron deficiency in rice, were extensively characterized. In Bas-515, gene expression surged significantly, reaching 5.5 times its initial level, while in Bas-198, it exhibited a remarkable increase to 6.7 times. For YSL-9, substantial upregulation was evident at 500 mM, with gene expression increasing to 4.2 times and 5.1 times in Bas-515 and Bas-198, respectively. Insights derived from this study provide valuable guidance for the identification of genes involved in iron uptake and the refinement of both iron application and RNA extraction strategies. These findings contribute to ongoing efforts aimed at enhancing plant nutrient uptake efficiency, ultimately advancing our understanding of key mechanisms governing iron assimilation in plants. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Sulfur (S) is necessary for amino acid production, disease resistance, protein synthesis, and nitrogen assimilation in plants. We tested the performance of three S sources (magnesium sulfate [EPTOP], gypsum, and ammonium sulfate [AS]) at two different rates (45 and 90 kg S ha−1) on soil S availability, vegetative indices (VIs), above‐ and belowground biomass (BGB), and potato (Solanum tuberosum L.) S uptake. For VIs such as normalized difference vegetative index, normalized difference red‐edge index, and chlorophyll content, the maximum values were reported when gypsum and EPTOP were applied compared to AS. These differences were decreased later in the season. Significant interaction effects were reported among sites, sampling events, and sites and S sources for aboveground biomass (AGB). Similar trends were reported for the BGB, where the significant interaction effect was reported among the S sources and sampling event and S sources and sites. The AGB S uptake was affected due to the sites and sampling event. However, BGB S uptake was influenced by the interactive effect of S sources, sites, and sampling events. The VIs did not have a significant association between soil S concentration and AGB S uptake. It was found that the field history had a notable effect on the crop responses to variable S sources. In conclusion, applying S rates and sources has distinct responses, which depend on soil history and chemical properties, and that should be considered when making choices for S application in potatoes. Core Ideas: Sulfur (S) sources had a varied effect on the vegetative indices, which was influenced by the sampling stages.The research sites significantly impacted crop performance along with the treatments of variable S sources.High concentrations of the sulfate in the irrigation water influenced the treatment effect. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The elevation of atmospheric CO2 leads to a decline in plant mineral content, which might pose a significant threat to food security in coming decades. Although few genes have been identified for the negative effect of elevated CO2 on plant mineral composition, several studies suggest the existence of genetic factors. Here, we performed a large-scale study to explore genetic diversity of plant ionome responses to elevated CO2, using six hundred Arabidopsis thaliana accessions, representing geographical distributions ranging from worldwide to regional and local environments. We show that growth under elevated CO2 leads to a global decrease of ionome content, whatever the geographic distribution of the population. We observed a high range of genetic diversity, ranging from the most negative effect to resilience or even to a benefit in response to elevated CO2. Using genome-wide association mapping, we identified a large set of genes associated with this response, and we demonstrated that the function of one of these genes is involved in the negative effect of elevated CO2 on plant mineral composition. This resource will contribute to understand the mechanisms underlying the effect of elevated CO2 on plant mineral nutrition, and could help towards the development of crops adapted to a high-CO2 world. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This paper investigates the implementation of a model-based predictive control (MPC) strategy to improve the performance of a semi-autogenous grinding (SAG) mill in a uranium mineral processing plant. The SAG mill, crucial in crushing and grinding uranium ore to the desired size, is currently managed using conventional proportionalintegral-derivative (PID) controllers. However, to enhance production efficiency and control over the SAG mill's variables, this paper suggests the adoption of MPC. The proposed MPC controller is developed using a neural network (NN) model of the SAG mill, created in MATLAB with data collected over 21 days. The effectiveness of the MPC controller is assessed by contrasting its response with that of the real-time operator control. This comparison utilizes tools like MATLAB and the RSlinx remote server for accessing OPC real-time data. Findings reveal that the MPC controller exhibits a quicker reaction to alterations in the SAG mill's process outputs and proficiently regulates crucial outputs such as Mill mass, ensuring that the manipulated variables stay within their designated limits. Unlike operator control, which is slower and adjusts one variable at a time, the MPC approach can maximize the mill's throughput rate without impacting the ore feed rate. This demonstrates the MPC controller's superior ability to optimize SAG mill operations efficiently. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The study of Hetian Aidelaisi crafts in Xinjiang Uygur is mostly operated with the Wig interpretation of viewing, and copying and imitation are often confused, leading to the modernization of the operational crafts and the absence of scientific representations of the traditional crafts, and inevitably the crisis of inheritance. Through literature review, video collection and drawing points, field investigation and other research methods, this paper systematically summarizes the production process, principles and techniques of Aidelaisi, in order to make some contributions to the inheritance and protection of this intangible cultural heritage. Analysis indicate that Aidelaisi silk woven with mulberry silk as raw material, uses the traditional reeling method to clarify the thread of the cocoon silk, and makes the single cocoon silk has enough strength to do Aidelaisi silk meridian and latitude. The dyes of Aidelaisi silk are taken from the roots, stems, leaves, flowers and fruit shells of plants and minerals. According to the requirements of the pattern, tie the warp thread with corn skin on the silk thread for tie-dye. Aidelaisi silk is woven using a traditional wood plain loom, The structure of the loom has some similarities with the ordinary folk loom in Xinjiang, just a more pedal brown. The loom fuselage frame is mainly built as a buckle, six brown and a scroll, a shuttle and six pedals. Reed and brown are made of bamboo and steel sheet respectively. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Floating treatment wetlands (FTWs) have the potential to improve the quality of wastewater discharges, yet design basics are unavailable to size these systems. This study investigates the effect of FTWs' coverage ratio and hydraulic retention time on agri-food wastewater treatment. This was studied in a pilot-scale experiment comprising four lagoons (6.5 m3 each) fed with real effluent from an existing tertiary treatment lagoon. An evaluation of FTW of different sizes (L24, L48, and L72 representing 24, 48, and 72% of pilot lagoons surface areas) and a control, L0 (without FTW), was performed over 16 months. Overall, L72 and L48 moderately improved total nitrogen (TN) mass removal compared to L0 (p < 0.05), while L24 exhibited similar TN mass removal (p = 0.196). The highest improvement was observed for L72, exhibiting up to 55% (mean of 13%) greater N mass removal than the control. The net increase in TN removal by FTWs was mainly related to denitrification, promoted by decreasing dissolved oxygen for increasing FTW coverage ratio. Residence time, temperature, and dissolved oxygen were the main parameters driving TN removal by FTWs. Retrofitting existing lagoons with FTW can facilitate N retrieval through plant harvesting, thereby reducing N remobilization from sediment (common in conventional lagoons). HIGHLIGHTS Nitrogen removal of floating treatment wetland (FTW) of different sizes was investigated under 16 months at the pilot scale.; Increasing the FTW coverage ratio to 72% improved total nitrogen (TN) removal by a mean of 12% compared to a conventional lagoon.; FTW promotes TN removal through denitrification and plant accumulation.; Plants could accumulate up to 36% of TN removed by FTW.; Residence time, temperature, and dissolved oxygen were the main parameters driving TN removal by FTW.;

Rubisco is the primary entry point for carbon into the biosphere. However, rubisco is widely regarded as inefficient leading many to question whether the enzyme can adapt to become a better catalyst. Through a phylogenetic investigation of the molecular and kinetic evolution of Form I rubisco we uncover the evolutionary trajectory of rubisco kinetic evolution in angiosperms. We show that rbcL is among the 1% of slowest-evolving genes and enzymes on Earth, accumulating one nucleotide substitution every 0.9 My and one amino acid mutation every 7.2 My. Despite this, rubisco catalysis has been continually evolving toward improved CO2/O2 specificity, carboxylase turnover, and carboxylation efficiency. Consistent with this kinetic adaptation, increased rubisco evolution has led to a concomitant improvement in leaf-level CO2 assimilation. Thus, rubisco has been slowly but continually evolving toward improved catalytic efficiency and CO2 assimilation in plants. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The Supreme Court's ruling on November 21, 2023 confirms the decision of the High Court of Justice of Asturias to grant access to the information requested by a neighborhood platform in relation to a mineral transformation plant installation project. The Supreme Court determines that the information request is not abusive and that the neighborhood platform has a legitimate interest in knowing the information to protect the environment. Additionally, the Court considers it legitimate to request information about extractive industries that affect the environment and that access to commercial and economic information should not be limited unless it affects trade secrets. [Extracted from the article]

This article presents exploration of plant mineral concentration ratios using the laser-induced breakdown spectroscopy (LIBS) technique. It begins by elucidating the principles of LIBS and highlighting its potential for uncovering plant mineral ratios. The review delves into how LIBS accurately quantifies mineral ratios and reveals elemental compositions within plant tissues. It used as a fundamental tool for the interpretation of plant biology. It emphasizes mineral concentration ratios for plant vitality and nutrition, distinguishing between macronutrients and micronutrients such as calcium, potassium, iron, and zinc. Also, it elucidates their contributions to plant development. The LIBS technique relies on several components, including a laser source, lenses, optical fibres, and detectors. The setup and alignment of the laser beam play a crucial role in the output data. The physics of LIBS revolves around analysing the plasma cloud generated from the interaction between the laser beam and the sample surface. This interaction allows for the precise exploration of minerals and their concentrations. To demonstrate the quality and performance of the output data, this method is compared with others. There are practical applications of LIBS in mineral ratio analysis with an examination of factors influencing these ratios in plants. The article concludes by reiterating the central role of LIBS in investigating plant mineral ratios, underscoring its potential to provide profound insights. Therefore, this article emphasizes the profound significance of the LIBS technique in plant science, elucidating its implications for agriculture, nutrition, and global food security. Moreover, it solidifies its status as an essential tool for comprehending and optimizing mineral concentrations in plants. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Nanotechnologies can improve plant growth, protect it from pathogens, and enrich it with bioactive and mineral substances. In order to fill the lack of knowledge about the combined environmental effects of lighting and nanoparticles (NPs) on plants, this study is designed to investigate how different HPS and LED lighting combined with CuO and ZnO NPs influence the elemental composition of ice plants (Mesembryanthemum crystallinum L.). Plants were grown in hydroponic systems with LED and HPS lighting at 250 ± 5 μmol m−2 s−1 intensity, sprayed with aqueous suspensions of CuO (40 nm, 30 ppm) and ZnO (35–45 nm, 800 ppm) NPs; their elemental composition was measured using an ICP–OES spectrometer and hazard quotients were calculated. LED lighting combined with the application of ZnO NPs significantly affected Zn accumulation in plant leaves. Cu accumulation was higher when plants were treated with CuO NPs and HPS illumination combined. The calculated hazard quotients showed that the limits are not exceeded when applying our selected concentrations and growth conditions on ice plants. In conclusion, ice plants had a more significant positive effect on the accumulation of macro- and microelements under LED lighting than HPS. NPs had the strongest effect on the increase in their respective microelements. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The relationship between zinc mineral nutrition and plant growth-promoting bacteria (PGPB) is pivotal in enhancing agricultural productivity, especially in tropical regions characterized by diverse climatic conditions and soil variability. This review synthesizes and critically evaluates current knowledge regarding the synergistic interaction between zinc mineral nutrition and PGPB in tropical agricultural systems. Zinc is an essential and fundamental micronutrient for various physiological and biochemical processes in plants. Its deficiency affects plant growth and development, decreasing yields and nutritional quality. In tropical regions, where soil zinc availability is often limited or imbalanced, the PGPB, through different mechanisms such as Zn solubilization; siderophore production; and phytohormone synthesis, supports Zn uptake and assimilation, thereby facilitating the adverse effects of zinc deficiency in plants. This review outlines the impacts of Zn–PGPB interactions on plant growth, root architecture, and productivity in tropical agricultural systems. The positive relationship between PGPB and plants facilitates Zn uptake and improves nutrient use efficiency, overall crop performance, and agronomic biofortification. In addition, this review highlights the importance of considering indigenous PGPB strains for specific tropical agroecosystems, acknowledging their adaptability to local conditions and their potential in sustainable agricultural practices. It is concluded that Zn fertilizer and PGPBs have synergistic interactions and can offer promising avenues for sustainable agriculture, addressing nutritional deficiencies, improving crop resilience, and ensuring food security. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Nitrogen (N) is abundant in the atmosphere as N2, which is converted into reactive forms (Nr) for plant assimilation. In pre-industrial times, atmospheric N2 conversion to Nr balanced Nr reconversion to N2, but 20th-century human activity intensified this conversion via synthetic fertilizers, biological N2 fixation, and fossil fuel burning. The surplus of Nr detrimentally impacts ecosystems and human well-being. This study aimed to assess the N use efficiency in the soil–plant system of the soybean-corn succession ( S P S S , C ) in Mato Grosso and Mato Grosso do Sul, Brazil's midwest. We estimated N macrofluxes in S P S S , C and identified key agro-environmental indicators. Between 2008 and 2020, the yearly sowed area for the S P S S , C increased by 3.3-fold (currently 7.3 million ha). The average annual input of net anthropogenic Nr, average annual N balance, and N loss in S P S S , C was estimated to be ~204 kg [N] ha−1, 57 kg [N] ha−1, and 30 kg [N] ha−1, respectively, indicating persistent N accumulation and loss. The average results of the agronomic efficiency and N retention indicator in the S P S S , C was 0.71 and 0.90, respectively. Modest N use efficiency results reflect N loss effects. Despite these limitations, there are opportunities in S P S S , C for management strategies to reduce N loss and enhance efficiency. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The Supreme Court's ruling on November 21, 2023 confirms the decision of the High Court of Justice of Asturias to grant access to the information requested by a neighborhood platform in relation to a mineral transformation plant installation project. The Supreme Court determines that the information request is not abusive and that the neighborhood platform has a legitimate interest in knowing the information to protect the environment. Additionally, the Court considers it legitimate to request information about extractive industries that affect the environment and that access to commercial and economic information can only be limited if it is demonstrated that its disclosure would cause specific and relevant harm to the company. [Extracted from the article]

Most of the phosphorus incorporated into agricultural soils through the use of fertilizers precipitates in the form of insoluble salts that are incapable of being used by plants. This insoluble phosphorus present in large quantities in soil forms the well-known "phosphorus legacy". The solubilization of this "phosphorus legacy" has become a goal of great agronomic importance, and the use of phosphate-solubilizing bacteria would be a useful tool for this purpose. In this work, we have isolated and characterized phosphate-solubilizing bacteria from the rhizosphere of hop plants. Two particular strains, Pseudomonas taetrolens ULE-PH5 and Pseudomonas sp. ULE-PH6, were selected as plant growth-promoting rhizobacteria due to their high phosphate solubilization capability in both plate and liquid culture assays and other interesting traits, including auxin and siderophore production, phytate degradation, and acidic and alkaline phosphatase production. These strains were able to significantly increase phosphate uptake and accumulation of phosphorus in the aerial part (stems, petioles, and leaves) of hop plants, as determined by greenhouse trials. These strains are promising candidates to produce biofertilizers specifically to increase phosphate adsorption by hop plants. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Simple Summary: In this study, we assayed a yeast-based phytase feed supplement for weight gain, slaughter yield, and assimilation of the feed using a domestic breed of quails. We have shown that the supplement containing heterologous bacterial phytase in the yeast cell impacted live weight more effectively than the addition of a commercial fungi phytase. The bacterial phytase in the yeast cells is supposed to be of higher activity in the gastrointestinal tract of the poultry and facilitates a more complete assimilation of plant products in the feed. The results obtained give a reason to consider that the application of intracellular phytase based on the yeast cells to the poultry feed improves quail growth performance and health status. In this study, we used the Manchurian golden breed of quails. We assessed the efficacy of the food additives of the phytase from Obesumbacterium proteus encapsulated in the recombinant Yarrowia lipolytica yeast, which was supplied at a concentration of 500 phytase activity units per kg of the feed. One hundred fifty one-day-old quails were distributed into six treatment groups. The results showed that adding the O. proteus encapsulated phytase to the quails' diets improved live weight, body weight gain, and feed conversion compared to those in the control groups and the groups using a commercial phytase from Aspergillus ficuum. The results obtained during the experiments indicate a high degree of assimilation of phytate-containing feeds if the encapsulated phytase was fed by the quails compared to that in the other groups. We can conclude that the class D encapsulated phytase is an expedient additive to the diets possessing better kinetic features compared to the PhyA and PhyC classes phytases when it acts inside the quail's chyme. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

BACKGROUND: Pre‐treatment of plant materials is essential in producing plant‐based products and can affect their various organoleptic and physicochemical characteristics. This work aimed to study the effect of pre‐treatment of vegetable raw materials, namely ultrasonic processing and freezing of raw materials under various low‐temperature conditions, to obtain multiple types of vegetable milk and determine their characteristics. RESULTS: It is shown that by applying a certain kind of pre‐treatment of vegetable raw materials it is possible to adjust organoleptic parameters and the content of solids, protein, fat, carbohydrates, fiber and mineral composition of various types of vegetable milk from soy, rice, oats, wheat, peas, buckwheat, pumpkin seeds and lentils. Ultrasound pre‐treatment allows increasing of polyphenol content by an average of 15–20% for all types of plant milk, except for lentil milk. The results showed that ultrasound treatment for 3 min had the most significant effect on the overall acceptability for lentils, pumpkin, rice and pea milk. Pre‐freezing at a temperature regime of −17 and –85 °C contributed to an increase in Fe, K, Zn, Ca, Mg, Si and P by an average of 30–100%, depending on the plant material. CONCLUSION: Pre‐treatment of vegetable raw materials, including freezing and ultrasonic treatment, can positively affect the macro‐ and micronutrient composition of plant milk. However, the effect may vary depending on the type of raw material and processing conditions. © 2023 Society of Chemical Industry. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective. Determine and compare the biochemical and mineral composition of the plant species consumed by grazing goats in three seasons of the year (drought, rain, and transition). Materials and methods. The plant species consumed by goats were sampled in each season during the time that they fed on the rangeland, following them by the feeding paths and recording the species and plant organs they consumed. The data were used to calculate a preference index, recording consumption frequency, and selecting the three most consumed species per season. Results. The most consumed species in the drought season were Cyrtocarpa edulis, Pithecollobium confine, and Cercidium floridum; Forchhammeria watsonii, Tecoma stans, and Cercidium floridum during transition; Cyrtocarpa edulis, Indigofera suffruticosa, and Mimosa distachya in the rainy season. The protein and ethereal extract contents were higher (p≤0.05) in drought season, and those of Ca, Mg, Mn, K, P, and total-N were higher (p≤0.05) in the rainy season. Conclusions. The plant species associated with the rangeland in the study area showed variation per season in mineral and biochemical contents. The result is attributed to species variation and climatological conditions, but both are a source of minerals and nutrients for goats. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Copyright of Revista Foco (Interdisciplinary Studies Journal) is the property of Revista Foco and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)

Calcium oxalate is a naturally occurring compound found in various plants and minerals, and its accumulation in the kidney leads to the formation of kidney stones in humans. One of the main causes of kidney stone formation is a decrease in the number of intestinal microbiota which are capable of degrading calcium oxalate. This study focuses on bacterial degradation of calcium oxalate accumulated in humans. Searching for Calcium oxalate degrading strain with high degrading activity has become one of the priorities from the context of research. The study aimed to isolate and characterize microorganisms which are capable of degrading calcium oxalate. Calcium oxalate degrading microorganisms were isolated from faecal samples by using MRS-calcium oxalate medium. Calcium oxalate degrading bacteria were identified on the basis of colour reduction on calcium oxalate medium plate after the incubation period. The morphological and biochemical characterization of isolates were studied. Quantitative determination of degradation was performed by using an indole assay. The activity of isolates was observed by the degradation of kidney stones. Isolates showed better results for degradation of kidney stones after 2 weeks of the incubation period. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Recent studies have demonstrated dose-responses of the cannabis plant to supply of macronutrients. However, further development of precision nutrition requires a high-resolution understanding of temporal trends of plant requirements for nutrients throughout the developmental progression, which is currently not available. As plant function changes during development, temporal information on nutrient uptake should be considered in relation to gradients in developmental-related physiological activity. Therefore, the present study investigated tempo-developmental trends of nutritional demands in cannabis plants, and in relation to physiological performance. Three cultivars differing in phenotype and chemotype were analyzed to evaluate genotypic variability. The results demonstrate that nutrient acquisition and deposition rates change dramatically during plant development. Uptake of individual minerals generally increased with the progression of both vegetative and reproductive development and the increase in plant biomass, while the deposition rates into the plant demonstrated nutrient specificity. The average concentrations of N, P, and K in the shoots of the different cultivars were 2.33, 4.90, and 3.32 times higher, respectively, at the termination of the reproductive growth phase, compared to the termination of the vegetative growth phase. Surprisingly, the uptake of Ca was very limited during the second part of the reproductive growth phase for two cultivars, revealing a decrease in Ca demand at this late developmental stage. Root-to-shoot translocation of most nutrients, including P, K, Mg, Mn, and Zn, as well as Na, is higher during the reproductive than the vegetative growth phase, and Fe, Mn, Zn, Cu, and Na displayed very little root-to-shoot translocation. The physiological characteristics of the plants, including gas exchange parameters, membrane leakage, osmotic potential, and water use efficiency, changed over time between the vegetative and the reproductive phases and with plant maturation, demonstrating a plant-age effect. The revealed tempo-developmental changes in nutritional requirements of the cannabis plant are a powerful tool required for development of a nutritional protocol for an optimal ionome. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Magnesium (Mg) is an essential macronutrient that can be obtained through mineralization of mine spoils. The leftover mine spoils of magnesite mines still contain a reliable amount of Mg in it. The Mg present in raw magnesite spoils is in its carbonate form and hence it has to be mineralized to convert it into plant available soluble forms of Mg. The effect of B. cereus and B. stercoris in the mineralization of Mg has been studied in synthetic mineral salts medium (MSM). To obtain maximum mineralization results it is important to know the optimal conditions of the organisms under which they can grow and produce more Mg. The mineralizing capability of the individual organisms and their combined effect as a consortium under various concentrations of carbon source, pH, temperature and soil organic matter has been studied. It has been seen that the organisms grow and mineralize better when 1% of glucose has been supplemented as carbon source. The optimal pH and temperature were found to be pH 7 and 35°C, respectively. The addition of anthraquinone-2-sulphonic acid (ADQS) as soil organic matter enhances the mineralization Mg in synthetic medium. Rendering to SEM and EDX analysis, the mineralization of Mg in the synthetic medium was established. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Glutamine (Gln) is the first amino acid synthesized in nitrogen (N) assimilation in plants. Gln synthetase (GS), converting glutamate (Glu) and NH4+ into Gln at the expense of ATP, is one of the oldest enzymes in all life domains. Plants have multiple GS isoenzymes that work individually or cooperatively to ensure that the Gln supply is sufficient for plant growth and development under various conditions. Gln is a building block for protein synthesis and an N-donor for the biosynthesis of amino acids, nucleic acids, amino sugars and vitamin B coenzymes. Most reactions using Gln as an N-donor are catalyzed by Gln amidotransferase (GAT) that hydrolyzes Gln to Glu and transfers the amido group of Gln to an acceptor substrate. Several GAT domain–containing proteins of unknown function in the reference plant Arabidopsis thaliana suggest that some metabolic fates of Gln have yet to be identified in plants. In addition to metabolism, Gln signaling has emerged in recent years. The N regulatory protein PII senses Gln to regulate arginine biosynthesis in plants. Gln promotes somatic embryogenesis and shoot organogenesis with unknown mechanisms. Exogenous Gln has been implicated in activating stress and defense responses in plants. Likely, Gln signaling is responsible for some of the new Gln functions in plants. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Modeling the assimilation of biodegradable contaminants by plants is a smart option to simulate the efficiency of phytoremediation in a field trial. The involvement of β-cyanoalanine synthase (β-CAS) and sulfurtransferase (ST) in cyanide (CN−) assimilation in plants was evident. However, the contribution of both enzymes to CN− assimilation by plants is not defined. In this study, a rice completely mixed reactor model (RCMRM) combined with boundary conditions is developed to mathematically examine the fraction of β-CAS and ST involved in CN− conversion in rice plants. The modeling steps include: 1) estimation of CN− assimilation rates was based on the CN− in plant biomass and the solution; 2) inputs of the mass balance equations of CN− through either the β-CAS pathway or the ST pathway were calculated individually; 3) the boundary conditions refer to the condition, in which the expression levels of β-CAS and ST in the KCN treatments with application of exogenous 1-amino-cyclopropane-1-carboxylic acid (ACC) were higher than the KCN treatments without ACC addition. Results from the RCMRM suggested that CN− assimilation rates by rice seedlings followed an exponential kinetic (first order), which was linearly increased in the first 2 h before more gradual until equilibrium was reached at about 12 h. The catalytic efficiency of β-CAS activated in CN− conversion was higher than that of ST, and the fraction of both enzymes to CN− conversion is time-dependent rather than dose-dependent. Overall, this is the first attempt to mathematically describe the role of β-CAS and ST to exogenous CN− conversion in rice plants. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Salinity-induced nutritional imbalances due to irrigation with brackish water could adversely affect crop production. This study evaluated the concentrations and distributions of 14 ions in roots, stems, leaves, and fruits of tomato irrigated with brackish water. The five saline treatments were tap-water of EC 0.6, brackish water of EC 2 and 3, and reverse osmosis (RO) concentrate of EC 4 and 6 dS/m. The higher concentrations of Na, Mg, Ca, K, and Cl in soil and irrigation water increased Na and Mg but decreased K and Ca concentrations in plant organs. The accumulations of micronutrients (Fe, Mn, Cu, B, and Al) except Zn in the whole plant decreased with increasing salinity levels. However, the amounts of Mn, Fe, B, and Al were positively correlated to yield at a significant level. The Principal Component Analysis (PCA) identified two PCs that explained more than 70% of variability for the whole plant, PC 1 included most ions of Na, K, Ca, P, N, Mn, Cu, Fe, B, and Al, while PC 2 included ions of Mg, Cl, S, and Zn. These results were in accord with the results of Pearson correlation analysis that tomato yield was significantly correlated to accumulations of Na, Ca, P, N, Mn, Fe, B, and Al in whole plants except K and Cu. To achieve an optimal comprehensive fruit nutrition, tomato can be irrigated up to an irrigation water salinity level of ≤2 dS/m. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Nitrate reductase (NR) is an important enzyme for nitrate assimilation in plants, and its activity is regulated by post-translational phosphorylation. The change of nitrogen uptake affects the response of rice to low temperature and its growth. To investigate the effect of NIA1 protein dephosphorylation on the growth of rice and its adaptability to low temperature, we analyzed phenotype, chlorophyll content, nitrogen utilization, and antioxidant capacity at low temperature in lines with a mutated NIA1 phosphorylation site (S532D and S532A), an OsNia1 over-expression line (OE), and wild-type Kitaake rice (WT). Plant height, dry matter weight, and chlorophyll content of S532D and S532A were lower than those of WT and OE under normal growth conditions but were higher than those of WT and OE at low temperature. Compared with WT and OE, the nitrite, H2O2, and MDA contents of S532D and S532A leaves were higher under normal growth conditions. The difference in leaf nitrite content between transgenic lines and WT was narrower at low temperature, especially in S532D and S532A, while H2O2 and MDA contents of S532D and S532A leaves were lower than those in WT and OE leaves. The NH4+-N and amino acid contents of S532D and S532A leaves were higher than those of WT and OE leaves under normal or low temperature. qRT-PCR results revealed that transcription levels of OsNrt2.4, OsNia2, and OsNADH-GOGAT were positively correlated with those of OsNia1, and the transcription levels of OsNrt2.4, OsNia2, and OsNADH-GOGAT were significantly higher in transgenic lines than in WT under both normal and low temperature. Phosphorylation of NR is a steady-state regulatory mechanism of nitrogen metabolism, and dephosphorylation of NIA1 protein improved NR activity and nitrogen utilization efficiency in rice. Excessive accumulation of nitrite under normal growth conditions inhibits the growth of rice; however, accumulation of nitrite is reduced at low temperature, enhancing the cold tolerance of rice. These results provide a new insight for improving cold tolerance of rice. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Copyright of Revista Foco (Interdisciplinary Studies Journal) is the property of Revista Foco and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)

Nitrogen is one of the most important nutrients for tea plants, as it contributes significantly to tea yield and serves as the component of amino acids, which in turn affects the quality of tea produced. To achieve higher yields, excessive amounts of N fertilizers mainly in the form of urea have been applied in tea plantations where N fertilizer is prone to convert to nitrate and be lost by leaching in the acid soils. This usually results in elevated costs and environmental pollution. A comprehensive understanding of N metabolism in tea plants and the underlying mechanisms is necessary to identify the key regulators, characterize the functional phenotypes, and finally improve nitrogen use efficiency (NUE). Tea plants absorb and utilize ammonium as the preferred N source, thus a large amount of nitrate remains activated in soils. The improvement of nitrate utilization by tea plants is going to be an alternative aspect for NUE with great potentiality. In the process of N assimilation, nitrate is reduced to ammonium and subsequently derived to the GS-GOGAT pathway, involving the participation of nitrate reductase (NR), nitrite reductase (NiR), glutamine synthetase (GS), glutamate synthase (GOGAT), and glutamate dehydrogenase (GDH). Additionally, theanine, a unique amino acid responsible for umami taste, is biosynthesized by the catalysis of theanine synthetase (TS). In this review, we summarize what is known about the regulation and functioning of the enzymes and transporters implicated in N acquisition and metabolism in tea plants and the current methods for assessing NUE in this species. The challenges and prospects to expand our knowledge on N metabolism and related molecular mechanisms in tea plants which could be a model for woody perennial plant used for vegetative harvest are also discussed to provide the theoretical basis for future research to assess NUE traits more precisely among the vast germplasm resources, thus achieving NUE improvement. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

• Shoot dry matter yield of C. longifolia plants was significantly increased by Mn, Cu, Zn and Mo supplementation under field conditions. • The highest increase in shoot biomass was at the 1.5 mM level of each applied micronutrient. • Supplying Mn, Zn, Cu and Mo to C. longifolia markedly increased the concentrations and amounts of P, K, Ca, Mg, Cu, Zn, Mn and B in shoots relative to the zero controls. • Shoot concentrations of N and Fe were significantly reduced with increasing supply of Mn, Cu, Zn and Mo to C. longifolia plants. • There was evidence of mineral-to-mineral antagonism, as well as mineral-to-mineral synergy in the rhizosphere. Cyclopia longifoli a Vogel L. is endemic to the Cape fynbos, and cultivated for the production of Honeybush tea, a herbal beverage with health benefits and economic potential in the cosmetic and nutraceutical industries. In this study, field plants were supplemented with different levels of Cu, Mo, Mn and Zn using 0, 0.5, 1.0 and 1.5 mM solutions of Na 2 MoO 4 ·2H 2 O and MnSO 4 ·2H 2 O and 0, 1.0 and 1.5 mM solutions of ZnSO 4 ·7H 2 O and CuSO 4 ·5H 2 O in a split-application. Plant shoots were harvested at 300 days after fertilization for biomass determination and analysis of mineral nutrients. The results showed significantly increased shoot dry matter yield of C. longifolia in response to Mn, Cu, Zn and Mo supplementation under field conditions, and was highest at the 1.5 mM level of each applied micronutrient. These results suggest that field fertilization of Cyclopia plants can lead to increased plant growth and greater tea yield, in addition to overcoming nutrient mining from the annual harvests of plant shoots for making tea. Furthermore, supplying Mn, Zn, Cu and Mo to C. longifolia also significantly increased the concentrations and amounts of P, K, Ca, Mg, Cu, Zn, Mn and B in shoots relative to the zero controls, suggesting an increase in tea quality with trace element supplementation. However, the shoot concentrations of N and Fe were markedly reduced with increasing supply of Mn, Cu, Zn and Mo to C. longifolia plants, an indication of mineral-to-mineral antagonism in the plant rhizosphere. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

C-terminally encoded peptides (CEPs) are plant developmental signals that regulate growth and adaptive responses to nitrogen stress conditions. These small signal peptides are common to all vascular plants, and intriguingly have been characterized in some plant parasitic nematodes. Here, we sought to discover the breadth of root-knot nematode (RKN)-encoded CEP-like peptides and define the potential roles of these signals in the plant–nematode interaction, focusing on peptide activity altering plant root phenotypes and nitrogen uptake and assimilation. A comprehensive bioinformatic screen identified 61 CEP-like sequences encoded within the genomes of six root-knot nematode (RKN; Meloidogyne spp.) species. Exogenous application of an RKN CEP-like peptide altered A. thaliana and M. truncatula root phenotypes including reduced lateral root number in M. truncatula and inhibited primary root length in A. thaliana. To define the role of RKN CEP-like peptides, we applied exogenous RKN CEP and demonstrated increases in plant nitrogen uptake through the upregulation of nitrate transporter gene expression in roots and increased 15N/14N in nematode-formed root galls. Further, we also identified enhanced nematode metabolic processes following CEP application. These results support a model of parasite-induced changes in host metabolism and inform endogenous pathways to regulate plant nitrogen assimilation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

We provide a 1‐year dataset of atmospheric surface CO2, CH4 and H2O concentrations and δ13C‐CO2 values from an Australian savanna site. These semi‐arid ecosystems act as carbon sinks in wet years but the persistence of the sink in dry years is uncertain. The dataset can be used to constrain uncertainties in modelling of greenhouse gas budgets, improve algorithms for satellite measurements and characterize the role of vegetation and soil in modulating atmospheric CO2 concentrations. We found pronounced seasonal variations in daily mean CO2 concentrations with an increase (by 5–7 ppmv) after the first rainfall of the wet season in early December with peak concentrations maintained until late January. The CO2 increase reflected the initiation of rapid microbial respiration from soil and vegetation sources upon initial wetting. As the wet season progressed, daily CO2 concentrations were variable, but generally decreased back to dry season levels as CO2 assimilation by photosynthesis increased. Mean daily concentrations of CH4 increased in the wet season by up to 0.2 ppmv relative to dry season levels as the soil profile became waterlogged after heavy rainfall events. During the dry season there was regular cycling between maximum CO2/minimum δ13C‐CO2 at night and minimum CO2/maximum δ13C‐CO2 during the day. In the wet season diel patterns were less regular in response to variable cloud cover and rainfall. CO2 isotope data showed that in the wet season, surface CO2 was predominantly a two‐component mixture influenced by C3 plant assimilation (day) and soil/plant respiration (night), while regional background air from higher altitudes represented an additional CO2 source in the dry season. Higher wind speeds during the dry season increased vertical mixing compared to the wet season. In addition, night‐time advection of high‐altitude air during low temperature conditions also promoted mixing in the dry season. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The effects of exogenously supplied osmoprotectants in crops have not yet been extensively studied. In this study, an osmoprotectant containing a high concentration of proline (2.5 g mol-1 FW) was obtained from a Casuarina equisetifolia leaf extract. The effect of the extract was evaluated in local Indonesian rice cultivars Boawae Seratus Malam (BSM), Gogo Jak (GJ), Situ Bagendit (SB) (drought-tolerant), Kisol Manggarai (KM) and Ciherang (droughtsusceptible) cultivars under drought at the morphological, physiological, and genetic levels. Under drought, the KM showed an increased level of OsWRKY, OsNAC, OsDREB1A, and OsDREB2A expression after application of the osmoprotectant, leading to the activation of proline synthesis genes including OsP5CS1, OsP5CR, and OsProDH, while the tolerant cultivars (BSM, GJ, and SB) showed no difference. The content of chlorophyll, carotenoids, anthocyanins, ascorbate peroxidase, catalase, and superoxide dismutase activities also increased in GJ and KM, during drought stress and applied osmoprotectants, but remained low in the BSM. We conclude that the foliar application of osmoprotectants derived from C.equisetifolia caused an accumulation of proline in susceptible plants. The existence of these extracts stabilizes leaf cells and supports photosynthetic compartments and carbon assimilation in plants, leading to growth. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The mineralization processes of plant residues in the soil vary depending not only on many factors such as climate and soil properties but also significantly on the C/N ratios. Increasing the surface area of these materials can also affect the mineralization process. This study increased the surface area of sunflower and maize harvest residues by fine grinding and applied 0.5%, 1%, 2%, and 4% doses by weight to soil with high clay content. After the application, the ammonium and nitrate nitrogen contents of the soils brought to the field capacity water content were measured on the 30th, 60th, 90th, and 180th days during the 180-day incubation period. The NH4 and NO3 nitrogen amounts of the starting soil were 12.76 and 13.99 mg kg−1, respectively. The highest NH4 and NO3 nitrogen were observed as 28.29 mg kg−1 and 96.53 mg kg−1 in the M4 application on days 90, respectively. The lowest nitrogen contents were determined as 3.74 mg kg−1 in the M2 application on the 180th day and 8.65 mg kg−1 in the control application on the 90th day. Applications have remarkably increased the mineral nitrogen content of the soil and hence soil MNSR. As a result, it has been determined that establishing more controlled processes in stubble management, converting the nitrogen from stubble materials into a useful form for the plant, and reducing chemical fertilizer costs can contribute to the improvement of agricultural sustainability. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Accurate and in‐time working condition identification plays a great role in industrial processes. However, most of the current flotation process identification models only use the characteristics of flotation froth as an identification basis, which often causes identification errors due to the instability of the froth, and a large amount of process data is not fully utilized. In this paper, an abnormal condition identification method based on multivariate information fusion and double‐channel convolutional neural network (double‐channel CNN) is proposed to achieve higher accuracy. First, a double‐channel CNN is used to extract depth features from different distributions of froth images and process data in parallel. Then, double normalized attention mechanism (double normalized AM) and multivariate information fusion methods are used to attach weights to the features and fuse them so as to ensure a higher response of key features and increase the reliability of the identification model. The method shows better performance than existing methods in offline simulations and has been validated online at a mineral processing plant in Shandong. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Heavy metal (HM) pollution of soil has become a gigantic issue across the globe. Metals enter the food chain and cause problems in plants, animals, and humans. We performed this work to evaluate the impacts of different cadmium (Cd) levels on growth, physiology, mineral nutrition, and yield attributes of Vigna radiata. Changes in growth fund are statistically significant and directly linked with an increase in Cd doses. Various concentrations of cadmium exhibited significant (p = 0.05) vicissitudes in biochemical parameters such as in the contents of chlorophyll, amino acids, soluble proteins, and total soluble sugars in experimental plants. The shoot and root calcium contents were highly reduced by higher concentrations of Cd in the following trend Cd40 > Cd30 > Cd20 > Cd10 than the control. Likewise, shoot and root potassium (K+) contents were less influenced by Cd10 as compared to other levels of Cd. The elevation in these enzymatic contents was maximum under the higher concentration of Cd (Cd40), and with the decreasing Cd level, a decline in concentrations of these estimated antioxidants was recorded (Cd30 > Cd20 > Cd10 > Cd0). A significant (p = 0.05) reduction in seed yield per plant and thousand seed weight was estimated with the increase in the concentration of Cd as compared to the control. The seed yield and their weights were less influenced in Cd10 treated plants followed by Cd20 and then Cd30. On the basis of the reported findings, our recommendation is to conduct research with an explicit focus on the mechanistic elucidation of damages caused by Cd. Additionally, target enzymes or metabolites in plants should be explored for use in the development of HM-tolerant crop varieties. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]