Genomic blueprints of soybean (Glycine max) pathogen resistance: revealing the key genes for sustainable agriculture.

Soybean (Glycine max ) is an important oilseed, protein and biodiesel crop. It faces significant threats from bacterial, fungal and viral pathogens, which cause economic losses and jeopardises global food security. In this article, we explore the relationship between soybeans and these pathogens, focusing on the molecular responses that are crucial for soybeans defence mechanisms. Molecular responses involve small RNAs and specific genes, including resistance (R) genes that are pivotal in triggering immune responses. Functional genomics, which makes use of cutting-edge technologies, such as CRISPR Cas9 gene editing, allows us to identify genes that provide insights into the defence mechanisms of soybeans with the focus on using genomics to understand the mechanisms involved in host pathogen interactions and ultimately improve the resilience of soybeans. Genes like GmKR3 and GmVQ58 have demonstrated resistance against soybean mosaic virus and common cutworm, respectively. Genetic studies have identified quantitative trait loci (QTLs) including those linked with soybean cyst nematode, root-knot nematode and Phytophthora root and stem rot resistance. Additionally, resistance against Asian soybean rust and soybean cyst nematode involves specific genes and their variations in terms of different copy numbers. To address the challenges posed by evolving pathogens and meet the demands of a growing population, accelerated soybean breeding efforts leveraging functional genomics are imperative. Targeted breeding strategies based on a deeper understanding of soybean gene function and regulation will enhance disease resistance, ensuring sustainable agriculture and global food security. Collaborative research and continued technological advancements are crucial for securing a resilient and productive agricultural future.

Plant mediated fabrication of silver nanoparticles, process optimization, and impact on tomato plant.

Nanotechnology is one of the fastest-growing markets, but developing eco-friendly products, their maximum production, stability, and higher yield is a challenge. In this study, silver nanoparticles were synthesized using an easily available resource, leaves extract of the Neem (Azadirachta indica) plant, as a reducing and capping agent, determined their effect on germination and growth of tomato plants. The maximum production of silver nanoparticles was noted at 70 °C after 3 h of reaction time while treating the 10 ml leaf extract of Neem plant with 10 ml of 1 mM silver nitrate. The impact of the extract preparation method and solvent type on the plant mediated fabrication of silver nanoparticles was also investigated. The UV-spectrophotometric analysis confirmed the synthesis of silver nanoparticles and showed an absorption spectrum within Δ420-440 nm range. The size of the fabricated silver nanoparticles was 22-30 nm. The functional groups such as ethylene, amide, carbonyl, methoxy, alcohol, and phenol attached to stabilize the nanoparticles were observed using the FTIR technique. SEM, EDX, and XRD analyses were performed to study the physiochemical characteristics of synthesized nanoparticles. Silver nanoparticles increased the germination rate of tomato seeds up to 70% while decreasing the mean germination time compared to the control. Silver nanoparticles applied at varying concentrations significantly increased the shoot length (25 to 80%), root length (10 to 60%), and fresh biomass (10 to 80%) biomass of the tomato plant. The production of total chlorophyll, carotenoid, flavonoids, soluble sugar, and protein was significantly increased in tomato plants treated with 5 and 10 ppm silver nanoparticles compared to the control. Green synthesized silver nanoparticles are cost-effective and nontoxic and can be applied in agriculture, biomedical, and other fields.

Silver-Silica nanoparticles induced dose-dependent modulation of histopathological, immunohistochemical, ultrastructural, proinflammatory, and immune status of broiler chickens.

Silver nanoparticles (AgNPs) are a powerful disinfectant, but little information is available on their potential use as a growth promoter and the safety margin of this. In this study, 480 1-day-old Cobb chicks were assigned to one control and three treated groups. The treated groups were supplemented with silver-doped silica nanoparticles (SiO2@AgNPs) at three dietary levels (8, 16, and 20 mg/kg diet) for 35 days. The results revealed no significant changes in the growth performance and oxidative parameters, and in most of the hematological and biochemical parameters among the control and treated groups. In contrast, dose-dependent adverse effects were exerted on the histopathological structure and immunohistochemical expression of CD45 in liver, kidneys, and lymphoid organs (spleen, bursa, and thymus). In addition, the relative weight of lymphoid organs and the serum levels of immunoglobulins M and G were significantly diminished. Moreover, the gene expression of proinflammatory cytokines (IL-ß1 and TNF-α) and the ultrastructural morphology in breast muscle showed significant dose-dependent alterations. It could be concluded that the dietary supplementation of SiO2@AgNPs at a level of 8 mg/kg diet or more has dose-dependent proinflammatory and immunosuppressive effects on broiler chickens.

The Antioxidant and Antitumor Efficiency of Litophyton sp. Extract in DMH-Induced Colon Cancer in Male Rats.

One of the most common tumors to cause death worldwide is colon cancer. This study aims to investigate the antitumor potency of Litophyton sp. methanolic extract (LME) against DMH-induced colon cancer in adult male rats. Group (1) normal rats served as the control, group (2) normal rats were ip-injected with LME at a dose of 100 µg/kg/day, group (3) DMH-induced colon cancer animals, and group (4) colon cancer-modeled animals were treated with LME (100 µg/kg/day) for six weeks. The results revealed that injection of LME markedly regenerated the colon cancer pathophysiological disorders; this was monitored from the significant reduction in the values of serum biomarkers (CEA, CA19.9, AFP), cytokines (TNF-α and IL1ß), and biochemical measurements (ALAT, ASAT, urea, creatinine, cholesterol, and triglycerides) matched significant increase of apoptotic biomarkers (CD4+); similarly, colon DNA fragmentation, MDA, and NO levels were down-regulated. In contrast, a remarkable upregulation in colon SOD, GPx, GSH, and CAT levels was noted. Moreover, the colon histopathological architecture showed obvious regenerations. Chromatography of LME resulted in the purification of two polyhydroxylated steroids (1 and 2) with potential cytotoxic activities. LME performed therapeutic potential colon tumorigenesis; therefore, LME may have a promising chemo-preventive feature against colon cancer, probably via enhancement of the apoptosis pathway, improvement of the immune response, reduction of inflammation, or/and restoration of the impaired oxidative stress.

Nitrogen fertilization coupled with iron foliar application improves the photosynthetic characteristics, photosynthetic nitrogen use efficiency, and the related enzymes of maize crops under different planting patterns.

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.

Quantitative detection of induced systemic resistance genes of potato roots upon ethylene treatment and cyst nematode, Globodera rostochiensis, infection during plant-nematode interactions.

Potato cyst nematodes caused by Globodera rostochiensis, are quarantine-restricted pests causing significant yield losses to potato growers. The phytohormone ethylene play significant roles in various plant-pathogen interactions, however, the molecular knowledge of how ethylene influences potato-nematode interaction is still lacking. Precise detection of potato-induced genes is essential for recognizing plant-induced systemic resistance (ISR). Candidate genes or PR- proteins with putative functions in modulating the response to potato cyst nematode stress were selected and functionally characterized. Using real-time polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR), we measured the quantified expression of four pathogenesis-related (PR) genes, PR2, PR3, peroxidase, and polyphenol oxidase. The activation of these genes is intermediate during the ISR signaling in the root tissues. Using different ethylene concentrations could detect and induce defense genes in infected potato roots compared to the control treatment. The observed differences in the gene expression of treated infected plants are because of different concentrations of ethylene treatment and pathogenicity. Besides, the overexpressed or suppressed of defense- related genes during developmental stages and pathogen infection. We concluded that ethylene treatments positively affected potato defensive genes expression levels against cyst nematode infection. The results emphasize the necessity of studying molecular signaling pathways controlling biotic stress responses. Understanding such mechanisms will be critical for the development of broad-spectrum and stress-tolerant crops in the future.

Zinc oxide nanoparticles induce dose-dependent toxicosis in broiler chickens reared in summer season.

This research evaluates the effect of dietary zinc oxide nanoparticles' (ZnO NPs) supplementation on growth performance, immunity, oxidative antioxidative properties, and histopathological picture of broiler chicken reared in the summer season. A total of 224 1-day-old male Cobb chicks were randomly allocated to seven groups of dietary treatments (n = 32). Seven isocaloric and isonitrogenous diets were formulated. ZnO NPs were added to the basal diet at seven different levels, 0, 5, 10, 20, 40, 60, and 80 ppm/kg diet, respectively, for 35 days. Results indicated that live body weight (g) did not differ significantly (P > 0.05) between treatment groups, whereas compared to control, the 5 ppm ZnO NPs/kg diet recorded the highest live body weight at 21 and 35 days. No significant effects for the feed consumption (g/bird/period) and feed conversion ratio (g feed/g gain) among treated and control birds were observed. Hematological and immunological variables showed significant (P ≤ 0.05) dose-dependent modulations by ZnO NP supplementation. Significant (P ≤ 0.05) differences were observed in the phagocytic activity, phagocytic index, and IgM and IgG between the treatment groups, with the 5 and 10 ppm ZnO NPs/kg diet recording the best values, followed by the 20 ppm ZnO NPs/kg diet. Different supplementations had nonsignificant effects on the digestibility of nutrients (P ≤ 0.05). Histopathological pictures of the kidney, liver, and lymphoid organs, ultrastructural examination of muscle tissues, and expression of inflammatory cytokines showed dose-dependent morphological and structural changes. In conclusion, the ZnO NP supplementation in broiler diet to eliminate the heat stress hazards in summer season is recommended in dose level of not more than 10 ppm/kg diet.

The influences of Tylosine and licorice dietary supplementation in terms of the productive performance, serum parameters, egg yolk lipid profile, antioxidant and immunity status of laying Japanese quail under heat stress condition.

By reducing feed consumption, animals suffering from heat stress prefer to reduce their heat output. Heat exposure has also contributed to major adverse effects on the productive and reproductive performance of quails. Therefore, this research was intended to estimate the preventive function of licorice as a safe feed additive against the negative effects caused by heat stress conditions on laying quail productivity. A total number of 180 Japanese quail birds (120 females and 60 males), nine-weeks old were divided into five groups. Each group contained 36 birds in four replicates (nine birds) with completely randomized design. The dietary treatments were a basal diet without supplementation as control (T1), basal diet + 100 mg Tylosine kg-1 diet (T2), (T3), (T4) and (T5) fed basal diet + 250, 500 and 1000 mg licorice kg-1 diet, in respect. The results indicated that dietary supplementation with different feed additives had no significant effects on egg-laying rate, egg number, average egg weight, egg mass and feed conversion ratio compared with control. Also, different treatments showed no significant variations on serum IgG, total protein, globulin, albumin, creatinine, ALT and TAC and caused significant (P ≤ 0.05) improvement in IgM, AST, ALP, uric acid and MDA concentrations as compared to the control. Results indicated that total serum lipids, triglycerides, total cholesterol and LDL concentrations were significantly decreased due to different feed additives. However, HDL concentrations and HDL/LDL ratios were markedly increased by the other treatments than the control group. In addition, yolk total lipids were significantly (P ≤ 0.001) decreased with increasing licorice root powder's dietary levels compared with the control group. Also, a significant (P ≤ 0.01) reduction in egg yolk cholesterol level was observed in the group fed with 500 mg licorice compared to other treatments. In conclusion, fortified laying quail diets with licorice powder could be a useful strategy to alleviate adverse effects induced by heat stress as alternative to antibiotics on laying Japanese quail.

Evaluation of the performance and gas emissions of a tractor diesel engine using blended fuel diesel and biodiesel to determine the best loading stages.

Fossil fuels are the main energy sources responsible for harmful emissions and global warming. Using biodiesel made from waste deep-frying oil as an alternative fuel source in diesel engines has drawn great attention. This biodiesel is produced using the transesterification process and blends with mineral diesel at Faculty of Agriculture Saba Basha, Alexandria University, Egypt. The turbocharged diesel engine of a Kubota M-90 tractor was tested. The objectives of this work are to test tractor as a source of power in the farm using waste deep-frying oil biodiesel to utilize waste frying oils (WFO) in clean energy production on the farm and determine the best engine loading stages to maximize engine efficiencies for different fuel blends and reduce the environmental impact of gas emissions from tractor diesel engines in the farms. The experiment design was factorial, with two factors, where the first was the engine load (0%, 25%, 50%, 75%, and 100%) and the second was fuel blend (0%, 5%, 20%, and 100% biodiesel), and the effects of loading stages and biodiesel percentage on engine performance indicators of engine speed, power take off torque, power take off power, brake power, brake mean effective pressure, brake thermal efficiency, brake specific fuel consumption, and gas emissions were studied. The experimental results indicated that engine load percentage and fuel blend percentage significantly affected all studied characters, and the best engine loading stages were between 25 and 75% to maximize engine efficiency and minimize the specific fuel consumption and gas emissions. Increasing the biodiesel percentage at all loading stages resulted decreasing in Engine brake power (BP), brake thermal efficiency, Power take-off (PTO) torque, and brake mean effective pressure and increases in brake specific fuel consumption. Increasing the engine load resulted in decreases in O2 emissions and increases in CO2, CO, NO, and SO2 emissions. Increasing the biodiesel percentage in the blended fuel samples resulted in increases in O2 and NO emissions and decreases in CO2, CO, and SO2 emissions. The use of biodiesel with diesel fuel reduces the environmental impact of gas emissions and decreases engine efficiency.

Productivity performance of peach trees, insecticidal and antibacterial bioactivities of leaf extracts as affected by nanofertilizers foliar application.

The current study was performed on eight years old peach (Prunus persica L. Batsch) trees cv. Florida prince to study the influence of spraying of commercial nano fertilizer on vegetative growth, pollen grain viability, yield, and fruit quality of the "Florida prince" peach cultivar. Furthermore, extracts from the nanofertilizer treated leaves were studied for their bioactivity as insecticidal or bactericidal activities against some stored grain insects and plant bacterial pathogens. Seventy uniform peach trees were sprayed three time as follow: before flowering; during full bloom, and one month later in addition using the water as a control. Commercial silver particales (Ag NPs) at 10, 12.5, and 15 mL/L and zinc particales (Zn NPs) at 2.5, 5 and 7.5 mL/L as recommended level in a randomized complete block design in ten replicates/trees. Spraying Ag NP at 15 mL/L increased shoot diameter, leaf area, total chlorophyll, flower percentage, fruit yield and fruit physical and chemical characteristics, followed by Ag NPs at 12.5 mL/L and Zn NPs at 7.5 mL/L. Moreover, Zn and Ag NPs caused a highly significant effect on pollen viability. Different type of pollen aberrations were detected by Zn NPs treatment. The commercial Ag NPs showed a high increase in pollen viability without any aberrations. The Ag NPs significantly increased the pollen size, and the spores also increased and separated in different localities, searching about the egg for pollination and fertilization. Peach leaves extract was examined for their insecticidal activity against rice weevil (Sitophilus oryzea L.) and the lesser grain borer (Rhyzopertha dominica, Fabricius) by fumigation method. The antibacterial activity of all treatments was also performed against molecularly identified bacteria. Ag NPs treated leaves extract at concentration 3000 µg/mL were moderate sufficient to inhibit all the bacterial isolates with inhibition zone (IZ) ranged 6-8.67 mm with high efficiency of acetone extracts from leaves treated with Ag NPs compared with Zn NPs. Also, S. oryzae was more susceptible to acetone extracts from leaves treated with both nanomaterials than R. dominica.

Utilization of Cladophora glomerata extract nanoparticles as eco-nematicide and enhancing the defense responses of tomato plants infected by Meloidogyne javanica.

Tomato (Solanum Lycopersicum L.) is an important vegetable crop that belongs to the family Solanaceae. Root-knot nematodes reflect the highly critical economically damaging genera of phytoparasitic nematodes on tomato plants. In this study, the eco-nematicide activity of freshwater green macroalga Cladophora glomerata aqueous extract and their synthesized silver nanoparticles (Ag-NPs) against root-knot nematodes Meloidogyne javanica was investigated on tomato plants. The formation and chemical structure of Ag-NPs was examined. The aqueous extract from C. glomerata was applied against the root-knot nematodes besides the biosynthesized green silver nanoparticles with 100, 75, 50, and 25% (S, S/2, S/3, S/4) concentrations. To investigate the plant response toward the Green Synthesized Silver Nanoparticles (GSNPs) treatment, expression profiling of Phenylalanine Ammonia-Lyase (PAL), Poly Phenol Oxidase (PPO), and Peroxidase (POX) in tomato were examined using Quantitative Real-Time PCR (Q-PCR). The results indicated that GSNPs from C. glomerata exhibited the highest eco-nematicide activity in the laboratory bioassay on egg hatchability and juveniles (J2S) mortality of M. javanica compared with the chemical commercial nematicide Rugby 60%. Also, results showed a significant reduction in galls number, egg masses, females per root system/plant, and mortality of juveniles. The results of PAL and PPO enzyme expression for the control plants remained relatively stable, while the plant inoculated with nematode M. javanica as well as the activity of genes in scope was increased from 14 to 28 Days after Nematode Inoculation (DANI). These activities were improved in inoculated plants and treated with C. glomerata extract and their green syntheses of Ag-NPs and the other plants treated with Rugby 60% (4 mL/L). The greatest activities of the three enzymes were evident after 14 days after the nematode inoculation. It can be concluded that the green synthesized nanoparticles using C. glomerata could be used as potent nematicides against M. javanica which induces the immune system to defend against nematode infection.