Efficient solar-blind ultraviolet detection based on a Sn2+ ion-activated fluosilicate glass.

As an effective method to improve the sensitivity of detection, spectral conversion technology has been widely used in solar-blind ultraviolet communication (UVC). However, producing a spectral converter with high efficiency, short decay lifetime, and excellent stability in the field of UVC detection remains an outstanding challenge. In this Letter, a kind of ${{\rm Sn}^{2 + }}$Sn2+ activated fluosilicate (SFS) glass as a spectral converter for UVC detection has been prepared, which has a short lifetime (5.65 µs) and a high quantum efficiency (85%). The SFS decorated Si-based PIN photodiode enables strong absorption and subtly UVC shifts to an emission band optimized for the detector. Moreover, the outstanding performance of detection with responsivity of 27 µA/mW@278 nm, frequency limit up to 50 KHz, and rise/fall time scale of 15.14/18.71 µs@10 KHz is achieved. The comprehensive performance shows that SFS glass has the potential for efficient UVC detection in a scalable and low-cost strategy.

Physiological and TMT-based quantitative proteomic responses of barley to aluminium stress under phosphorus-Piriformospora indica interaction.

Barley (Hordeum vulgare L.) is one of the most important cereal crop in the world, and is also the one being seriously affected by heavy metals, particularly aluminium (Al). Keeping in view the utility of barley as food, fodder and raw material for traditional beer brewing, the top-notch quality and higher production of this crop must be sustained. Phosphorus (P) has a quintessential role in plant growth with a potential to relieve symptoms caused by Al poisoning. Displaying a phytopromotive and stress alleviatory potential, Piriformospora indica (P. indica) can improve the stress tolerance in crops. Several studies have been conducted to evaluate the mechanism of Al translocation in a variety of crops including barley, however, the bio-remediative studies related to detoxification and/or sequestration of metals are scarce. Therefore, the current study was carried out to elucidate the tolerance mechanism of an Al-sensitive barley cultivar ZU9 following the colonization with P. indica and exogenous P supply by physio-biochemical, elemental, leaf ultrastructural and root proteome analyses. When compared to the Al alone treated counterparts, the Al + P + P.i treated plants exhibited 4.1-, 1.38-, 2.7 and 1.35-fold improved root and shoot fresh and dry weights, respectively. With the provision of additional phosphorus, the content of P in the root and shoot for Al + P + P.i group was reportedly higher (71.6% and 49.5%, respectively) as compared to the control group. Moreover, inoculation of P. indica combined with P improved barley leaves' cell arrangement and also maintained normal cell wall shape. The root protemics experiment was divided into three groups: Al, Al + P.i and Al + P + P.i. In total, 28, 598, and 823 differentially expressed proteins were found in Al + P.i vs. Al and Al + P + P.i vs. Al, and phenylpropanoid biosynthesis was the most prominently enriched pathway, which contributed significantly to the recuperating effects of P-P. indica interaction. Conslusively, it was found that the percentage of protein related to peroxidase was 70/359 (Al + P + P.i vs. Al) and 92/447 (Al + P + P.i vs. Al + P.i), respectively, which indicated that P. indica in combination with P might be involved in the regulation of peroxidases, increasing the adaptability of barley plants by enhanced reactive oxygen species (ROS) scavenging mechansism.

Pan-transcriptomic Profiling Demarcates Serendipita Indica-Phosphorus Mediated Tolerance Mechanisms in Rice Exposed to Arsenic Toxicity.

Inadvertent accumulation of arsenic (As) in rice (Oryza sativa L.) is a concern for people depending on it for their subsistence, as it verily causes epigenetic alterations across the genome as well as in specific cells. To ensure food safety, certain attempts have been made to nullify this highest health hazard encompassing physiological, chemical and biological methods. Albeit, the use of mycorrhizal association along with nutrient reinforcement strategy has not been explored yet. Mechanisms of response and resistance of two rice genotypes to As with or without phosphorus (P) nutrition and Serendipita indica (S. indica; S.i) colonization were explored by root transcriptome profiling in the present study. Results revealed that the resistant genotype had higher auxin content and root plasticity, which helped in keeping the As accumulation and P starvation response to a minimum under alone As stress. However, sufficient P supply and symbiotic relationship switched the energy resources towards plant's developmental aspects rather than excessive root proliferation. Higher As accumulating genotype (GD-6) displayed upregulation of ethylene signaling/biosynthesis, root stunting and senescence related genes under As toxicity. Antioxidant defense system and cytokinin biosynthesis/signaling of both genotypes were strengthened under As + S.i + P, while the upregulation of potassium (K) and zinc (Zn) transporters depicted underlying cross-talk with iron (Fe) and P. Differential expression of phosphate transporters, peroxidases and GSTs, metal detoxification/transport proteins, as well as phytohormonal metabolism were responsible for As detoxification. Taken together, S. indica symbiosis fortified with adequate P-fertilizer can prove to be effective in minimizing As acquisition and accumulation in rice plants.

Tandem application of endophytic fungus Serendipita indica and phosphorus synergistically recuperate arsenic induced stress in rice.

In the context of eco-sustainable acquisition of food security, arsenic (As) acts as a deterring factor, which easily infiltrates our food chain via plant uptake. Therefore, devising climate-smart strategies becomes exigent for minimizing the imposed risks. Pertinently, Serendipita indica (S. indica) is well reputed for its post-symbiotic stress alleviatory and phyto-promotive potential. Management of phosphorus (P) is acclaimed for mitigating arsenic toxicity in plants by inhibiting the uptake of As molecules due to the competitive cationic exchange in the rhizosphere. The current study was designed to investigate the tandem effects of S. indica and P in combating As toxicity employing two rice genotypes, i.e., Guodao-6 (GD-6; As-sensitive genotype) and Zhongzhe You-1 (ZZY-1; As-tolerant genotype). After successful fungal colonization, alone and combined arsenic (10 µ M L-1) and phosphorus (50 µ M L-1) treatments were applied. Results displayed that the recuperating effects of combined S. indica and P treatment were indeed much profound than their alone treatments; however, most of the beneficial influences were harnessed by ZZY-1 in comparison with GD-6. Distinct genotypic differences were observed for antioxidant enzyme activities, which were induced slightly higher in S. indica-colonized ZZY-1 plants, with or without additional P, as compared to GD-6. Ultrastructure images of root and shoot exhibited ravages of As in the form of chloroplasts-, nuclei-and cell wall-damage with enlarged vacuole area, mellowed mostly by the combined treatment of S. indica and P in both genotypes. Gene expression of PHTs family transporters was regulated at different levels in almost all treatments across genotypes. Conclusively, the results of this study validated the promising role of S. indica and additional P in mitigating As stress, albeit corroborated that the extent of relevant benefit exploitation is highly genotype-dependent. Verily, unlocking the potential of nature-friendly solutions will mend the anthropogenic damage already been done to our environment.

Differences in Grain Microstructure and Proteomics of a Broad Bean (Vicia faba L.) Landrace Cixidabaican in China Compared with Lingxiyicun Introduced from Japan.

In response to the germplasm resources' conservation in China, the characters of a superior landrace of broad bean (Vicia faba L.) Cixidabaican (CX) were identified, compared with Lixiyicun (LX) introduced from Japan. The plant morphology and root structure of CX were larger, pods/seeds number and yield per plant were higher, but the size of pods/seeds and single-seed weight were lower than the similar characteristics in LX. The protein content of dry seeds of CX was 4.1% lower than LX, while the amino acids contents showed no difference between the two cultivars. The seed scan electron micrograph showed that the structure of starch granules was similar, while the granules number was lower in CX than LX. iTRAQ-based proteomics showed that 80 differentially abundant proteins (DAPs) were higher, and 45 DAPs were less abundant in the seeds of CX compared to LX, and DAPs were enriched in proteins of carbohydrate and amino acid metabolism. These results verified the importance of the further study of landraces by showing superior traits of CX, which could contribute to the breeding of better-quality varieties.