Molecular Mechanism of Cynodon dactylon Phytosterols Targeting MAPK3 and PARP1 to Combat Epithelial Ovarian Cancer: A Multifaceted Computational Approach.

Epithelial Ovarian Cancer (EOC) presents a global health concern, necessitating the development of innovative therapeutic strategies to combat its impact. This study was employed to investigate the unexplored therapeutic efficacy of Cynodon dactylon phytochemicals against EOC using a multifaceted computational approach. A total of 19 out of 89 rigorously curated phytochemicals were assessed as potential drug targets via ADMET profiling, while protein-protein interaction analysis scrutinized the top 20 hub genes among 264 disease targets, revealing their involvement in cancer-related pathways and underscoring their significance in EOC pathogenesis. In molecular docking, Stigmasterol acetate showed the highest binding affinity (-10.9 kcal/mol) with Poly [ADP-ribose] polymerase-1 (PDB: 1UK1), while Arundoin and Beta-Sitosterol exhibited strong affinities (-10.4 kcal/mol and -10.1 kcal/mol, respectively); additionally, Beta-Sitosterol interacting with Mitogen-activated protein kinase 3 (PDB: 4QTB) showed a binding affinity of -10.1 kcal/mol, forming 2 hydrogen bonds and a total of 10 bonds with 10 residues. Molecular dynamics simulations exhibited the significant structural stability of the Beta-Sitosterol-4QTB complex with superior binding free energy (-36.61 kcal/mol) among the three complexes. This study identified C. dactylon phytosterols, particularly Beta-Sitosterol, as effective in targeting MAPK3 and PARP1 to combat EOC, laying the groundwork for further experimental validation and drug development efforts.

Whole-genome sequencing of allotetraploid bermudagrass reveals the origin of Cynodon and candidate genes for salt tolerance.

Bermudagrass (Cynodon dactylon) is a globally distributed, extensively used warm-season turf and forage grass with high tolerance to salinity and drought stress in alkaline environments. However, the origin of the species and genetic mechanisms for salinity tolerance in the species are basically unknown. Accordingly, we set out to study evolution divergence events in the Cynodon genome and to identify genes for salinity tolerance. We developed a 604.0 Mb chromosome-level polyploid genome sequence for bermudagrass 'A12359' (n = 18). The C. dactylon genome comprises 2 complete sets of homoeologous chromosomes, each with approximately 30 000 genes, and most genes are conserved as syntenic pairs. Phylogenetic study showed that the initial Cynodon species diverged from Oropetium thomaeum approximately 19.7-25.4 million years ago (Mya), the A and B subgenomes of C. dactylon diverged approximately 6.3-9.1 Mya, and the bermudagrass polyploidization event occurred 1.5 Mya on the African continent. Moreover, we identified 82 candidate genes associated with seven agronomic traits using a genome-wide association study, and three single-nucleotide polymorphisms were strongly associated with three salt resistance genes: RAP2-2, CNG channels, and F14D7.1. These genes may be associated with enhanced bermudagrass salt tolerance. These bermudagrass genomic resources, when integrated, may provide fundamental insights into evolution of diploid and tetraploid genomes and enhance the efficacy of comparative genomics in studying salt tolerance in Cynodon.

Optimizing irrigation and nitrogen addition to balance grassland biomass production with greenhouse gas emissions: A mesocosm study.

Achieving a balance between greenhouse gas mitigation and biomass production in grasslands necessitates optimizing irrigation frequency and nitrogen addition, which significantly influence grassland productivity and soil nitrous oxide emissions, and consequently impact the ecosystem carbon dioxide exchange. This study aimed to elucidate these influences using a controlled mesocosm experiment where bermudagrass (Cynodon dactylon L.) was cultivated under varied irrigation frequencies (daily and every 6 days) with (100 kg ha-1) or without nitrogen addition; measurements of net ecosystem carbon dioxide exchange, ecosystem respiration, soil respiration, and nitrous oxide emissions across two cutting events were performed as well. The findings revealed a critical interaction between water-filled pore space, regulated by irrigation, and nitrogen availability, with the latter exerting a more substantial influence on aboveground biomass growth and ecosystem carbon dioxide exchange than water availability. Moreover, the total dry matter was significantly higher with nitrogen addition compared to without nitrogen addition, irrespective of the irrigation frequency. In contrast, soil nitrous oxide emissions were observed to be significantly higher with increased irrigation frequency and nitrogen addition. The effects of nitrogen addition on soil respiration components appeared to depend on water availability, with autotrophic respiration seeing a significant rise with nitrogen addition under limited irrigation (5.4 ± 0.6 µmol m-2 s-1). Interestingly, the lower irrigation frequency did not result in water stress, suggesting resilience in bermudagrass. These findings highlight the importance of considering interactions between irrigation and nitrogen addition to optimize water and nitrogen input in grasslands for a synergistic balance between grassland biomass production and greenhouse gas emission mitigation.

Cytotoxic Potential of Bioactive Compounds from Aspergillus flavus, an Endophytic Fungus Isolated from Cynodon dactylon, against Breast Cancer: Experimental and Computational Approach.

Endophytic fungi are a diverse group of microorganisms that colonize the inter- or intracellular spaces of plants and exhibit mutual benefits. Their interactions with the host plant and other microbiomes are multidimensional and play a crucial role in the production of secondary metabolites. We screened bioactive compounds present in the extracts of Aspergillus flavus, an endophytic fungus isolated from the roots of the medicinal grass Cynodon dactylon, for its anticancer potential. An in vitro analysis of the Ethyl acetate extract from A. flavus showed significant cytostatic effects (IC50: 16.25 µg/mL) against breast cancer cells (MCF-7). A morphological analysis of the cells and a flow cytometry of the cells with annexin V/Propidium Iodide suggested that the extract induced apoptosis in the MCF-7 cells. The extract of A. flavus increased reactive oxygen species (ROS) generation and caused a loss of mitochondrial membrane potential in MCF-7 cells. To identify the metabolites that might be responsible for the anticancer effect, the extract was subjected to a gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (GC-MS) analysis. Interestingly, nine phytochemicals that induced cytotoxicity in the breast cancer cell line were found in the extract. The in silico molecular docking and molecular dynamics simulation studies revealed that two compounds, 2,4,7-trinitrofluorenone and 3α, 5 α-cyclo-ergosta-7,9(11), 22t-triene-6beta-ol exhibited significant binding affinities (-9.20, and -9.50 Kcal/mol, respectively) against Bcl-2, along with binding stability and intermolecular interactions of its ligand-Bcl-2 complexes. Overall, the study found that the endophytic A. flavus from C. dactylon contains plant-like bioactive compounds that have a promising effect in breast cancer.

Uniformity of water distribution by a sprinkler irrigation system on a soccer field

Soccer field grass can be compared to highly sensitive crops regarding water deficit and must be irrigated throughout the year to provide decent conditions for use. For this, efficient irrigation systems are necessary to save water and energy, and this is possible, provided that they are evaluated. Therefore, this paper evaluated the water distribution uniformity, by different methodologies, for an irrigation system installed in a grass soccer field. Also, the influences of multiple spacings between sprinklers and meteorological factors on the final results were assessed. The irrigation system had Falcon 6504 sprinklers, operating at the pressure of 320 kPa. Six field essays were conducted considering overlaying water depths originated from the same irrigation system considering spacings between sprinklers varying from 6 m x 6 m, 6 m x 9 m, 9 m x 9 m, 9 m x 12 m, 12 m x 12 m, 12 m x 15 m, 15 m x 15 m, 15 m x 18 m, 18 m x 18 m, 18 m x 21 m, 21 m x 21 m, 21 m x 24 m, 24 m x 24 m, 24 m x 27 m, 27 m x 27 m, 27 m x 30 m and 30 m x 30 m. The uniformity coefficients used were: Christiansen uniformity coefficient (CU), distribution uniformity coefficient (DU), absolute uniformity coefficient (UA), statistical uniformity coefficient (US), Hart uniformity coefficient (UH) and HSPA standard efficiency (UHSPA). Meteorological data were obtained during the essays. Wind speed caused reduction in the length of the water jet applied by the sprinkler and also caused a bigger effect on the water distribution uniformity. Both CU and UH showed higher values compared to the other coefficients. The increase in the spacing between the sprinklers resulted in reduced water distribution coefficients. To comply with technical and economic criteria, an arrangement of 12 m x 15 m between the Falcon 6504 sprinklers, operating at a 320 kPa pressure, is recommended.

How does the condition of the pasture in late winter influence the plant and animal responses in the subsequent seasons?

This study aimed to test the hypotheses: (i) the deferred pasture with lower height in late winter has greater herbage accumulation rate (HAR) and better structure, which facilitates the animal selective grazing during the subsequent spring and summer; (ii) the mowed of high pasture in late winter improves the sward structure but decreases its HAR from the spring. Four pasture condition in late winter of Urochloa brizantha cv. Marandu were evaluated: low (24.1 cm and 2,420 kg.ha-1 of DM); low/mowed (25.2 cm and 2,198 kg.ha-1 of DM, mowed at 8.0 cm); high (49.0 cm and 3,837 kg.ha-1 of DM); and high/mowed (50.0 cm and 4,211 kg.ha-1 DM, mowed at 8.0 cm). The highest live leaf blade percentage (LLBP) and the lowest dead stem percentage (DSP) occurred in the mowed pastures. The live stem (LSP) and dead leaf blade percentages of the grazing simulation sample were higher in the high pasture. This same pattern of response occurred for apparent selectivity indices (ASI) of the live leaf blade and live stem. The ASI of the dead leaf blade was greater in the high pasture, intermediate in the mowed pastures, and lower in the low pasture. The ASI of the dead stem was lower in the low pasture. The HAR was higher in low pasture. Our results support the first hypothesis. The mowing of high pasture in late winter improves the sward structure and the animal selective grazing but does not decrease the HAR during spring and summer.

In situ microbial and phytoremediation of crude oil contaminated soil by Cynodon sp.

Crude oil contamination of land and water leads to their abandonment after heavy oil recovery processes. Analogous to bioremediation, phytoremediation has provided an efficient solution towards land reclamation through enhancement of flora. The present work manifests significance of phytoremediation via reclamation of crude oil contaminated soil collected from Kalol, India. The collected soil was analyzed for pH, oxidation-reduction potential, electrical conductivity (EC), bulk density, particle size, moisture. The experimental work consists three batch units; pot A, pot B and pot C with crude oil contaminated soil, fresh soil and control respectively. While observing plant growth for 120 days, Total Petroleum Hydrocarbon (TPH) was measured at determined intervals for estimation of percentage degradation. After 90 days of pot observation, contaminated soil was inoculated with rhizospheric bacterial inoculum developed from pot A which forms new batch for microbial-remediation as an additional scope to this work. Gas chromatography mass spectroscopy (GC-MS-MS) was carried out for determination of naphthalene contamination. Crude oil degradation in pot A was estimated as 82.16% followed with the affirmation given by degradation kinetics whereas, 60.68% and 36.75% degradation was observed in pot C-control and new batch respectively. Cynodon sp. grown in pot A was confirmed by identification as reported.

Genomic constitution, allopolyploidy, and evolutionary proposal for Cynodon Rich. based on GISH.

Polyploidy is the main mechanism for chromosome number variation in Cynodon. Taxonomic boundaries are difficult to define and, although phylogenetic studies indicate that some species are closely related, the degree of genomic similarity remains unknown. Furthermore, the Cynodon species classification as auto or allopolyploids is still controversial. Thus, this study aimed to investigate the genomic constitution in diploid and polyploid species using different approaches of genomic in situ hybridization (GISH). To better understand the hybridization events, we also investigated the occurrence of unreduced gametes in C. dactylon diploid pollen grains. We suggest a genomic nomenclature of diploid species as DD, D1D1, and D2D2 for C. dactylon, C. incompletus, and C. nlemfuensis, and DDD2D2 and DD2D1D1 for the segmental allotetraploids of Cynodon dactylon and C. transvaalensis, respectively. Furthermore, an evolutionary proposal was built based on our results and previous data from other studies, showing possible crosses that may have occurred between Cynodon species.

Synthesis of tri-metallic surface engineered nanobiochar from cynodon dactylon residues in a single step - Batch and column studies for the removal of copper and lead ions.

Superparamagnetic nanocomposites integrated with multiple metals, and surface engineered nanoparticles play a vital role in the removal of heavy metals. In the present study, amino-functional silica-coated magnetic nanocomposites with biochar synthesised from Cynodon dactylon plant residues are prepared in a single step reaction process. The synthesised nanocomposites are characterized using various analytical techniques such as FTIR to determine their functional entities, SEM, TEM, EDX and VSM to analyse the size (~50 nm), elements and magnetic nature of the nanocomposites. Characterization reveals that the prepared nanobiochar was coated with silica and a specific amine group. The magnetic saturation value of 50 emu/g confirms the prepared sorbent was superparamagnetic. Kinetics, isotherm and thermodynamics parameters are evaluated to study the metal interaction mechanism with the nanocomposites where the system follows pseudo-second-order kinetics and the four-parameter Fritz Schlunder model for both metal ions. The nanocomposites showed the enhanced adsorption capacity of copper (Cu(II)) ions with 220.4 mg/g and 185.4 mg/g for lead (Pb(II)) ions. The nanocomposites also showed the excessive reusing ability of 15 times with the maximum removal efficiency for Cu(II) and Pb(II) metal ions. Column studies are evaluated to demonstrate the vital performance in the removal of Cu(II) ions and the breakthrough point was inferred for the parameters such as concentration (100-300 mg/L), bed height (1-3 cm) and flow rate (2-4 mL/min). The breakthrough point was attained at 1400 min and the removal efficiency of about 64.58% was obtained.

Pharmacological properties of durva swaras (Cynodon dactylon L. Pers.) in an ovariectomised rat model mimicking chronic menopausal syndrome.

Hormonal replacement therapy (HRT), as the first-line management of chronic menopausal syndrome (CMS) in women, has limited application due to adverse effects. We aimed to evaluate the therapeutic potential of a herbal alternative (HALT), durva swaras (DS) of Cynodon dactylon L. Pers., in a CMS rat model. Female Sprague-Dawley rats were subjected to Sham and ovariectomy (OVX) surgery. OVX rats received either 0.11 mg/kg oestrogen as a positive treatment control or 1 (DS1), 2 (DS2), and 4 (DS3) g/kg DS for 160 days. Vaginal smear tests indicated the menopausal status. Routine clinical examinations, weekly body weights (BW), serum calcium, proinflammatory cytokines, and reproductive hormones levels were monitored. Clinical chemistry, body composition, bone mineral density (BMD), uterotrophic response, bone morphometry, and histopathology of major organs were evaluated. BW of OVX rats increased by 18-25% compared to Sham. Total fat and fat percentage were significantly elevated in the oestrogen group compared to DS2, DS3, and OVX group. DS treatment groups showed the levels of TNF- α was slightly reduced, while IL-1ß and IL-6 levels were significantly reduced (P < 0.05) compared to the oestrogen treated group. DS treatment restored serum calcium levels, while BMD, bone quality, osteoblast/osteoclast ratio, and collagen levels improved in both DS and oestrogen treatment groups. The uterotrophic assay demonstrated non-oestrogenic activity of DS. Endometrial hyperplastic change was observed in oestrogen-treated rats. The preclinical non-oestrogenic activity of DS has therapeutic potential in CMS through anti-inflammatory and osteo-protective effects. Further clinical research into DS, as a viable HALT to HRT, is required.

Grass pollen sensitization in dogs in Paraná, Brazil: comparison between percutaneous and intradermal testing / [Sensibilização a polens em cães no Paraná, Brasil: comparação entre o teste percutâneo e o teste intradérmico]

Canine atopic dermatitis is an inflammatory, genetic, pruritic and chronic dermatosis that affects between 10 and 30% of dogs and one of the most important allergens is grass pollen. The objective of this study was to evaluate the sensitization to grass pollen allergens in dogs with canine atopic dermatitis and to compare intradermal skin test (IDT) with percutaneous test (PT). For this study, ten healthy dogs and 39 dogs with atopic dermatitis were tested. Dogs were submitted to IDT and PT for Lolium multiflorum, Cynodon dactylon and Paspalum notatum. The IDT and PT tests were compared using the Proportion Test. All healthy dogs were negative to both tests. Ten atopic dogs (25.6%) responded positively to the PT and none were positive in IDT. C. dactylon, L. multiflorum and P. notatum were responsible for positive reactions in 70%, 70% and 30% of positive dogs, respectively. The number of positive reactions in PT were statistically higher than IDT (P<0.05). In conclusion, grass pollen can be important source of allergens for dogs in Paraná state (Brazil) and the PT showed higher sensitization to grass pollen in dogs with atopic dermatitis than IDT.(AU)

A dermatite atópica canina é uma dermatose inflamatória, genética, prurítica e crônica que afeta entre 10% e 30% dos cães, e um dos alérgenos mais importantes são os polens de gramíneas. O objetivo deste estudo é avaliar a sensibilização a alérgenos de polens de gramíneas em cães com dermatite atópica e comparar o teste intradérmico (TID) com o teste percutâneo (TP). Para o estudo, 10 cães hígidos e 39 cães com dermatite atópica foram testados. Estes foram submetidos ao TID e ao TP para Lolium multiflorum, Cynodon dactylon e Paspalum notatum. TID e TP foram comparados usando-se o teste de proporção. Todos os cães hígidos foram negativos em ambos os testes. Dez cães atópicos (25,6%) responderam positivamente ao TP e nenhum ao TID. C. dactylon, L. multiflorum e P. notatum foram responsáveis por reações positivas de 70%, 70% e 30% dos cães positivos, respectivamente. O número de reações positivas no TP foi estatisticamente maior que no TID (P<0,05). Foi concluído que os polens de gramíneas podem ser importantes fontes de alérgenos para cães no estado do Paraná (Brasil) e que o TP mostrou maior sensibilização a polens em cães com dermatite atópica que o TID.(AU)

Effects of a xylanase-rich enzyme on intake, milk production, and digestibility of dairy cows fed a diet containing a high proportion of bermudagrass silage.

We previously reported that milk production in dairy cows was increased by adding a specific xylanase-rich exogenous fibrolytic enzyme (XYL) to a total mixed ration (TMR) containing 10% bermudagrass silage (BMD). Two follow-up experiments were conducted to examine whether adding XYL would increase the performance of dairy cows consuming a TMR containing a higher (20%) proportion of BMD (Experiment 1) and to evaluate the effects of XYL on in vitro fermentation and degradability of the corn silage, BMD, and TMR (Experiment 2). In Experiment 1, 40 lactating Holstein cows in early lactation (16 multiparous and 24 primiparous; 21 ± 3 d in milk; 589 ± 73 kg of body weight) were blocked by milk yield and parity and randomly assigned to the Control and XYL treatments. The TMR contained 20% BMD, 25% corn silage, 8% wet brewer's grain, and 47% concentrate mixture in the dry matter (DM). Cows were fed the XYL-treated or untreated experimental TMR twice per day for 10 wk after a 9-d covariate period. In Experiment 2, ruminal fluid was collected from 3 cannulated lactating Holstein cows fed a diet containing 20% bermudagrass haylage, 25% corn silage and 55% concentrate. In Experiment 1, compared with Control, application of XYL did not affect DM intake (24.0 vs. 23.7 kg/d), milk yield (35.1 vs. 36.2 kg/d), fat-corrected milk yield (36.1 vs. 36.9 kg/d), or yields of milk fat (1.29 vs. 1.31 kg/d) or protein (1.07 vs. 1.08 kg/d). However, intake of neutral detergent fiber (4.67 vs. 4.41 kg/d) tended to increase with XYL; consequently, milk protein concentration was increased by XYL (3.02 vs. 2.95%). Feed efficiency tended to be lower in cows fed XYL (1.57 vs. 1.52 kg of fat-corrected milk/kg of DM intake) compared with Control. In Experiment 2, XYL tended to increase the rate of gas production in the TMR, the molar proportion of propionate for corn silage, and that of valerate for the TMR. In addition, XYL increased in vitro DM, neutral detergent fiber, and acid detergent fiber degradability of BMD and corn silage. Application of XYL to a diet with a relatively high proportion of BMD tended to increase digestible neutral detergent fiber intake, increased milk protein concentration, and in vitro degradability of DM, neutral detergent fiber, and acid detergent fiber. However, XYL did not affect milk production and tended to decrease feed efficiency in early lactation cows.

Bioengineered gold nanoparticles using Cynodon dactylon extract and its cytotoxicity and antibacterial activities.

In this study, simple and green route approach was applied for the synthesis gold nanoparticles (AuNPs) containing an aqueous extract of Cynodon dactylon L. Pers., (C. dactylon). The synthesized AuNPs were characterized using spectral and microscopic analysis. The changes in the color pattern were observed upon synthesis by UV-vis spectrophotometer with a peak of 530 nm. The FT-IR, XRD, SEM, and TEM were used to analyze the crystal nature and morphology of the green synthesized AuNPs. The C. dactylon-loaded AuNPs in different concentrations (0.625-100 µg/ml) were used to assess cytotoxicity activity against MCF-7 cell line and where the IC50 was found to be 31.34 µg/ml by MTT assay. The C. dactylon-AuNPs were significantly increased reactive oxygen species (ROS) generation, DNA fragmentation, and mitochondrial membrane changes observed by dichlorodihydroflurescenin diacetate (DCFH-DA), 4',6-diamidino-2-phenylindole (DAPI), Rhodamine-123, and acridine orange (AO)/ethidium bromide (EtBr) staining assay. Besides the microbial study revealed that C. dactylon-AuNPs exhibited significant antibacterial activity against clinically isolated pathogenic bacteria such as Enterobacter cloacae, Staphylococus Haemolytics, Staphylococcus petrasii subsp. Pragensis and Bacillus cereus with a zone of inhibition 13, 12, 13 and 12 mm, respectively. It could be concluded that C. dactylon has the ability to be involved in the biosynthesis of AuNPs, and the pharmacological studies proved the promising cytotoxic effect on MCF-7 cell line and pathogenic bacterial species.

Optimization Tifton-85 grass cutting for productivity and nutrient value

The objective of this work was to determine the impact of cutting Tifton-85 grass at 14, 28, 42, 46, 70, and 80 days of regrowth on its production and nutritional characteristics during the rainy season. The study area of 238 m2 was divided into four sub-area, with 6 plots of 2 × 2 m spaced 1 m between plots and 2 m between sub-area. Random block design was used. The statistical analyses were performed following a randomized block design. Results were obtained as means from evaluations conducted in two consecutive years. The neutral detergent fiber (NDF) and acid detergent fiber (ADF) increased as the cutting age increased. However, crude protein, NDF nitrogen, ADF nitrogen and leaves/stem relationship decreased as the cutting age increased. The production of digestible dry matter increased linearly as the cutting age increased. Similarly, grass height, green matter and dry matter production (DMP) increased as the cutting age increased. The different cutting age did not influence the nitrogen A, B1 + B2, and B3 fractions of the grass. However, the C fraction increased as the cutting age increased. Longer intervals between cuts increased the grass productivity per cut, but compromised its nutritional composition and leaves/stem relationship. For Tifton -85, the regrowth age of 28 days allows greater production of dry matter and greater accumulated production of crude protein and digestive dry matter in the rainy season or over time.

Aerobic stability of tifton 85 silage with and without pre-drying in the sun

The objective of this study was to evaluate pH, ammoniacal nitrogen, and aerobic stability of silage of Tifton 85 grass silage with two dry matter contents at different silos opening times. The experimental design was completely randomized, in a subdivided plots scheme, in which the silages constituted the plots and aerobic exposure times the subplots, with four replications. To verify the aerobic stability of the silages, the temperature and pH were analyzed at seven hours after the silos were opened (1, 24, 48, 72, 96, 120, and 144 hours). The pH reached adequate levels for conservation only after 90 days of fermentation for the silages with and without pre-drying in the sun. Ammoniacal nitrogen remained below the recommended limits in both silages. As for the silage temperature, no loss of aerobic stability was observed. However, the observed pH revealed a break instability after 72 hours when the silos were opened at 28 days, with no changes for the remaining silage periods. It is possible to obtain suitable silages from Tifton 85 with or without pre-warming in the sun, however, a minimum fermentation period of 90 days should be adopted. The studied silages presented high aerobic stability, but when kept silage for only 28 days, they should be consumed by the animals within 48 hours after the supply.

Cysestermerol A, a rare stilbene sestermer with significant hypoglycemic activities from Cynodon dactylon.

Cysestermerol A (1), a rare and new stilbene sestermer, was isolated from the whole herb of Cynodon dactylon. The planar and relative structures of 1 were elucidated based on HRESIMS, one- and two-dimensional NMR analyses, and its absolute configuration was further established by electronic circular dichroism calculations. Compound 1 obviously increased the glucose consumption in HepG2 cells equivalent to the positive control rosiglitazone and markedly inhibited the activity of α-glucosidase in vitro.

Iron-activated bermudagrass-derived biochar for adsorption of aqueous sulfamethoxazole: Effects of iron impregnation ratio on biochar properties, adsorption, and regeneration.

This work focused on the impacts of FeCl3 impregnation ratio on the properties of FeCl3-activated bermudagrass (BG)-derived biochars (IA-BCs), adsorption of sulfamethoxazole (SMX) onto IA-BCs and regeneration of SMX-spent IA-BC. Compared with the control BC (85.82 m2/g), IA-BCs made via pyrolysis with FeCl3 to BG mass ratio between 1 and 3 (1-3 g FeCl3/g BG) resulted in significantly enhancing surface area (1014-1035 m2/g), hydrophobicity, Fe content in IA-BCs (3.87-7.27%), and graphitized carbon. The properties of IA-BCs supported magnetic separation and higher adsorption (32-265 mg SMX/g BC) than the control BC (6-14 mg SMX/g BC) at various pH. Adsorption experiments indicated various adsorption mechanisms between SMX and IA-BCs via π-π EDA, hydrophobic interactions, and hydrogen bond with intraparticle diffusion limitation. The adsorption was also found to be spontaneous and exothermic. The IA-BC made at FeCl3 to BG mass ratio of 2 (IA-BC2.0) showed the maximum adsorption capacity for SMX (253 mg SMX/g BC) calculated from Langmuir isotherm model. Additionally, both NaOH desorption and thermal oxidation showed effective regeneration of SMX-saturated IA-BC2.0 over multiple cycles. After three cycles of adsorption-regeneration, 64% and 62% of regeneration efficiencies were still achieved under thermal treatment at 300 °C and desorption with 0.1 M NaOH solution, respectively, indicating a cost-efficient adsorbent for the elimination of SMX in water.

The ethylene responsive factor CdERF1 from bermudagrass (Cynodon dactylon) positively regulates cold tolerance.

Cold stress is one of the major environmental factors that limit growth and utilization of bermudagrass [Cynodon dactylon (L.) Pers], a prominent warm-season turfgrass. However, the molecular mechanism of cold response in bermudagrass remains largely unknown. In this study, we characterized a cold-responsive ERF (ethylene responsive factor) transcription factor, CdERF1, from bermudagrass. CdERF1 expression was induced by cold, drought and salinity stresses. The CdERF1 protein was nucleus-localized and encompassed transcriptional activation activity. Transgenic Arabidopsis plants overexpressing CdERF1 showed enhanced cold tolerance, whereas CdERF1-underexpressing bermudagrass plants via virus induced gene silencing (VIGS) method exhibited reduced cold resistance compared with control, respectively. Under cold stress, electrolyte leakage (EL), malondialdehyde (MDA), H2O2 and O2- contents were reduced, while the activities of SOD and POD were elevated in transgenic Arabidopsis. By contrast, these above physiological indicators in CdERF1-underexpressing bermudagrass exhibited the opposite trend. To further explore the possible molecular mechanism of bermudagrass cold stress response, the RNA-Seq analyses were performed. The result indicated that overexpression of CdERF1 activated a subset of stress-related genes in transgenic Arabidopsis, such as CBF2, pEARLI1 (lipid transfer protein), PER71 (peroxidase) and LTP (lipid transfer protein). Interestingly, under-expression of CdERF1 suppressed the transcription of many genes in CdERF1-underexpressing bermudagrass, also including pEARLI1 (lipid transfer protein) and PER70 (peroxidase). All these results revealed that CdERF1 positively regulates plant cold response probably by activating stress-related genes, PODs, CBF2 and LTPs. This study also suggests that CdERF1 may be an ideal candidate in the effort to improve cold tolerance of bermudagrass in the further molecular breeding.

Nutrient allocation might affect the cadmium accumulation of Bermuda grass (Cynodon dactylon).

Hydroponic experiments with different cadmium (Cd) concentrations were conducted to explore the impacts of nutrient allocation on the Cd enrichment of Bermuda grass. The results demonstrated with the Cd concentration increase, the accumulation of nitrogen (N), phosphorus (P) and potassium (K) in roots, stems and leaves increased first and then decreased, while the accumulation of Cd had no significant difference. The biomass and N, P and K accumulation of CD1 and CD2 were significantly different from those of CD3 and CD4, but there was no significant difference in Cd accumulation. The root N, P and K distribution ratio of CD4 increased by 47.9%, 114.3% and 64.3% compared with those of CD2 treatment, the values of stem decreased by 29.4%, 22.4% and 17.2%, and the values of leaves increased by 15.8%, 19.8% and 23.6% respectively. The K ratio of root and leaf increased and that of stem decreased. Cd reduced N and K distribution ratio of stem and increased N and K distribution ratio of root and leaf. Pearson correlation analysis showed that the accumulation of N, P and K in stems was positively correlated with the accumulation of Cd in stems, and the accumulation of N, P and K in roots, stems and leaves were positively correlated with the Cd accumulation in leaves. Bermuda grass can schedule the nutrient allocation to adapt to the Cd absorption and enrichment in different organs under different Cd concentrations. In conclusion, nutrient allocation might affect the Cd accumulation of Bermuda grass.

Morphogenesis of Cynodon cultivars fertilized with nitrogen / Morfogênese de cultivares Cynodon fertilizadas com nitrogênio

Toevaluate the biomass flow of two cultivars of Cynodon (Tifton 85 grass and vaquero grass) fertilized with increasing levels of nitrogen (N) (control ­ without nitrogen; 200; 400 and 600 mg dm-3) under greenhouse conditions, this study was carried out, in a completely randomized design, with factorial arrangement. Forages were examined during three regrowth cycles, with results presented as mean values of the cycles. In the analysis of the effect of nitrogen fertilization, the Tifton 85 grass showed an increasing response to nitrogen levels for the leaf elongation rate (LER). The vaquero grass had a quadractic response for the LER with increasing levels of N. As for the stem elongation rate, there was an increasing linear response in both grasses according to increasing levels of N. The leaf senescence rate (LSR) of the Tifton 85 grass has been enhanced by nitrogen fertilization. The vaquero grass revealed a quadractic response for this variable LSR with nitrogen fertilization, with a minimum value of 0.96 cm tiller-1 day-1 with nitrogen level of 42.5 mg dm-3. The phyllochron and the total number of leaves of both grasses have been influenced by nitrogen fertilization, with downward and upward linear responses, respectively, with increasing levels of nitrogen. For the final mean leaf length (MLL) of both forages, we verified an increasing response with increasing levels of nitrogen. Tifton 85 grass and vaquero grass presented similar LER in the absence of nitrogen, but higher values were observed for the fertilized Tifton 85 grass. The fertilization using nitrogen leads to positive responses of the biomass flow of Tifton 85 grass and vaquero grass under the conditions of the present study.

Objetivou-se avaliar o fluxo de biomassa de dois cultivares do gênero Cynodon (capim-Tifton 85 e capim-vaquero) adubados com doses crescentes de nitrogênio (N) (controle - sem nitrogênio; 200; 400 e 600 mg dm-3) em condições de casa de vegetação, em um delineamento inteiramente casualizado, em arranjo fatorial. As forrageiras foram estudas durante três ciclos de rebrotação, com os resultados apresentados na média dos ciclos. No estudo do efeito da adubação nitrogenada, o capim-Tifton 85 apresentou para a taxa de alongamento foliar (TAlF) resposta crescente às doses de N. O capim-vaquero apresentou resposta quadrática para TAlF com o incremento das doses de N. Analisando-se a taxa de alongamento dos colmos, verificou-se resposta linear crescente para ambas as gramíneas com o aumento das doses de nitrogênio. A taxa de senescência foliar (TSF) do capim-Tifton 85 foi incrementada pela adubação nitrogenada. O capim-vaquero revelou para TSF resposta quadrática com a adubação nitrogenada, com valor mínimo de 0,96 cm perf-1 dia-1 na dose de nitrogênio de 42,5 mg dm-3. O filocrono e o número total de folhas do capim-Tifton 85 e do capim-vaquero foram influenciados pela adubação nitrogenada, revelando resposta linear decrescente e crescente, respectivamente, com o incremento nas doses de nitrogênio. Para o comprimento médio final das folhas (CMF) das duas forrageiras, constatou-se resposta crescente com a elevação nas doses de nitrogênio. Os capins-Tifton 85 e vaquero apresentaram TAlF semelhante na ausência de nitrogênio, porém para as plantas adubadas verificou-se valores superiores para o capim-Tifton 85. A adubação nitrogenada proporciona respostas positivas sobre o fluxo de biomassa dos capins-Tifton 85 e vaquero nas condições do presente estudo.