Sensor based precise nitrogen application augmented productivity and profitability of mustard (Brassica juncea L.).

Unremitting decline in crop productivity and nutrient recovery are resulted due to dearth of need based fertilizer recommendation over blanket application apart from nitrogen pollution in several means. An advance nutrient management tactic, GreenSeeker (GS) has developed and used in many field crops following the principle of four "R" (right source, right amount at right time, and place) nutrients stewardship technologies. But no studies have been conducted for evaluation of GS in mustard for improving productivity, profitability and nutrient use efficiency (NUE) while minimizing environmental risks. With this objective, a study was planned to conduct an experiment in rabi season of 2021-22 and 2022-23 to assess optical sensor based nitrogen management in mustard over blanket recommendation. The experiment was comprised of ten N treatments including control in randomized block design in triplicates. Research findings indicated that application of GreenSeeker based N significantly improved all growth traits and yield parameters in Brassica juncea L. Per cent enhancement in seed yield, net monetary returns and benefit-cost ratio was higher as 19.3 and 64.5%, 125.1 & 36.2% and 58.8 & 24.4%, respectively under GS based multi split N application over RDF and control. Further, real time N management with GS acquired higher crop production efficiency (CPE) (19.9 kg/day) with lesser cost/kg production (Rs 15.7/kg). Split application of N using GS increased oil yield by 79.9 and 26% over control and recommended dose of fertilizer (RDF) with maximum oil content (42.3%), and increases soil organic carbon (SOC) content by 16.1% from its initial value. Moreover, GS crop sensor could be the probable solution to minimize the crop nitrogen requirement by 15-20% with a yield enhancement of about 18.7% over RDF.

A chromosome-scale assembly of Brassica carinata (BBCC) accession HC20 containing resistance to multiple pathogens and an early generation assessment of introgressions into B. juncea (AABB).

Brassica carinata (BBCC) commonly referred to as Ethiopian mustard is a natural allotetraploid containing the genomes of Brassica nigra (BB) and Brassica oleracea (CC). It is an oilseed crop endemic to the northeastern regions of Africa. Although it is under limited cultivation, B. carinata is valuable as it is resistant/highly tolerant to most of the pathogens affecting widely cultivated Brassica species of the U's triangle. We report a chromosome-scale genome assembly of B. carinata accession HC20 using long-read Oxford Nanopore sequencing and Bionano optical maps. The assembly has a scaffold N50 of ~39.8 Mb and covers ~1.11 Gb of the genome. We compared the long-read genome assemblies of the U's triangle species and found extensive gene collinearity between the diploids and allopolyploids with no evidence of major gene losses. Therefore, B. juncea (AABB), B. napus (AACC), and B. carinata can be regarded as strict allopolyploids. We cataloged the nucleotide-binding and leucine-rich repeat immune receptor (NLR) repertoire of B. carinata and, identified 465 NLRs, and compared these with the NLRs in the other Brassica species. We investigated the extent and nature of early-generation genomic interactions between the constituent genomes of B. carinata and B. juncea in interspecific crosses between the two species. Besides the expected recombination between the constituent B genomes, extensive homoeologous exchanges were observed between the A and C genomes. Interspecific crosses, therefore, can be used for transferring disease resistance from B. carinata to B. juncea and broadening the genetic base of the two allotetraploid species.

Discovery of Transfer Factors in Plant-Derived Proteins and an In Vitro Assessment of Their Immunological Activities.

Repeated exposure to pathogens leads to evolutionary selection of adaptive traits. Many species transfer immunological memory to their offspring to counteract future immune challenges. Transfer factors such as those found in the colostrum are among the many mechanisms where transfer of immunologic memory from one generation to the next can be achieved for an enhanced immune response. Here, a library of 100 plants with high protein contents was screened to find plant-based proteins that behave like a transfer factor moiety to boost human immunity. Aqueous extracts from candidate plants were tested in a human peripheral blood mononuclear cell (PBMC) cytotoxicity assay using human cancerous lymphoblast cells-with K562 cells as a target and natural killer cells as an effector. Plant extracts that caused PBMCs to exhibit enhanced killing beyond the capability of the colostrum-based transfer factor were considered hits. Primary screening yielded an 11% hit rate. The protein contents of these hits were tested via a Bradford assay and Coomassie-stained SDS-PAGE, where three extracts were confirmed to have high protein contents. Plants with high protein contents underwent C18 column fractionation using methanol gradients followed by membrane ultrafiltration to isolate protein fractions with molecular weights of <3 kDa, 3-30 kDa, and >30 kDa. It was found that the 3-30 kDa and >30 kDa fractions had high activity in the PBMC cytotoxicity assay. The 3-30 kDa ultrafiltrates from the top two hits, seeds from Raphanus sativus and Brassica juncea, were then selected for protein identification by mass spectrometry. The majority of the proteins in the fractions were found to be seed storage proteins, with a low abundance of proteins involved in plant defense and stress response. These findings suggest that Raphanus sativus or Brassica juncea extracts could be considered for further characterization and immune functional exploration with a possibility of supplemental use to bolster recipients' immune response.

Assessment of Aphidicidal Effect of Entomopathogenic Fungi against Parthenogenetic Insect, Mustard Aphid, Lipaphis erysimi (Kalt.).

The mustard aphid (L. erysimi) is a pest that infests various cruciferous crops and transmits plant viruses. To achieve eco-friendly pest management, entomopathogenic fungi (EPF) are potential microbial control agents for controlling this pest. Therefore, virulence screening of EPF isolates under Petri dish conditions is necessary before field application. However, the mustard aphid is a parthenogenetic insect, making it difficult to record data during Petri dish experiments. A modified system for detached-leaf bioassays was developed to address this issue, using a micro-sprayer to inoculate conidia onto aphids and prevent drowning by facilitating air-drying after spore suspension. The system maintained high relative humidity throughout the observation period, and the leaf disc remained fresh for over ten days, allowing parthenogenetic reproduction of the aphids. To prevent offspring buildup, a process of daily removal using a painting brush was implemented. This protocol demonstrates a stable system for evaluating the virulence of EPF isolates against mustard aphids or other aphids, enabling the selection of potential isolates for aphid control.

Residues and dietary risk assessment of fluazinam in root mustard after field experiments.

The residue levels of fluazinam in root mustard were investigated by using a quick, easy, cheap, effective, rugged, and safe (QuEChERS) technique with ultra-performance liquid chromatography tandem mass spectrometry. Samples of leaf and root mustard were analyzed. The recoveries of fluazinam were 85.2-110.8% for leaf mustard with the coefficient of variation of 1.0-7.2%, and 88.8-93.3% for root mustard with the coefficient of variation of 1.9-12.4%. The suspension concentrate formulation of fluazinam was applied on root mustard at 262.5 g a.i. ha-1 in accordance with good agricultural practice (GAP), respectively. After the final application, the root mustard samples were collected at 3, 7, and 14 days. Fluazinam residues in root mustard were less than 0.01-0.493 mg kg-1. The dietary risk of fluazinam was predicted by comparing intake amounts with the toxicological data, namely acceptable daily intake (ADI) and acute reference dose (ARfD). The risk quotient (RQ) was 72.2-74.3%, for ordinary consumers, which showed negligible risk. According to the maximum residue limit (MRL) and dietary risk assessment, it is suggested that the pre-harvest interval (PHI) of 3 days; meanwhile, the MRL of 2 mg kg-1 was suggested for fluazinam in root mustard, which indicates that the dietary risk of fluazinam 500 g L-1 suspension concentrate (SC) with the recommended usage on root mustard is negligible. This study provided basic data on the use and safety of fluazinam in root mustard to help the Chinese government formulate a maximum residue level for fluazinam in root mustard.

Effect of sunflower seed oil emollient therapy on newborn infant survival in Uttar Pradesh, India: A community-based, cluster randomized, open-label controlled trial.

BACKGROUND: Hospitalized preterm infants with compromised skin barrier function treated topically with sunflower seed oil (SSO) have shown reductions in sepsis and neonatal mortality rate (NMR). Mustard oil and products commonly used in high-mortality settings may possibly harm skin barrier integrity and enhance risk of infection and mortality in newborn infants. We hypothesized that SSO therapy may reduce NMR in such settings. METHODS AND FINDINGS: This was a population-based, cluster randomized, controlled trial in 276 clusters in rural Uttar Pradesh, India. All newborn infants identified through population-based surveillance in the study clusters within 7 days of delivery were enrolled from November 2014 to October 2016. Exclusive, 3 times daily, gentle applications of 10 ml of SSO to newborn infants by families throughout the neonatal period were recommended in intervention clusters (n = 138 clusters); infants in comparison clusters (n = 138 clusters) received usual care, such as massage practice typically with mustard oil. Primary analysis was by intention-to-treat with NMR and post-24-hour NMR as the primary outcomes. Secondary analysis included per-protocol analysis and subgroup analyses for NMR. Regression analysis was adjusted for caste, first-visit weight, delivery attendant, gravidity, maternal age, maternal education, sex of the infant, and multiple births. We enrolled 13,478 (52.2% male, mean weight: 2,575.0 grams ± standard deviation [SD] 521.0) and 13,109 (52.0% male, mean weight: 2,607.0 grams ± SD 509.0) newborn infants in the intervention and comparison clusters, respectively. We found no overall difference in NMR in the intervention versus the comparison clusters [adjusted odds ratio (aOR) 0.96, 95% confidence interval (CI) 0.84 to 1.11, p = 0.61]. Acceptance of SSO in the intervention arm was high at 89.3%, but adherence to exclusive applications of SSO was 30.4%. Per-protocol analysis showed a significant 58% (95% CI 42% to 69%, p < 0.01) reduction in mortality among infants in the intervention group who were treated exclusively with SSO as intended versus infants in the comparison group who received exclusive applications of mustard oil. A significant 52% (95% CI 12% to 74%, p = 0.02) reduction in NMR was observed in the subgroup of infants weighing ≤1,500 g (n = 589); there were no statistically significant differences in other prespecified subgroup comparisons by low birth weight (LBW), birthplace, and wealth. No severe adverse events (SAEs) were attributable to the intervention. The study was limited by inability to mask allocation to study workers or participants and by measurement of emollient use based on caregiver responses and not actual observation. CONCLUSIONS: In this trial, we observed that promotion of SSO therapy universally for all newborn infants was not effective in reducing NMR. However, this result may not necessarily establish equivalence between SSO and mustard oil massage in light of our secondary findings. Mortality reduction in the subgroup of infants ≤1,500 g was consistent with previous hospital-based efficacy studies, potentially extending the applicability of emollient therapy in very low-birth-weight (VLBW) infants along the facility-community continuum. Further research is recommended to develop and evaluate therapeutic regimens and continuum of care delivery strategies for emollient therapy for newborn infants at highest risk of compromised skin barrier function. TRIAL REGISTRATION: ISRCTN Registry ISRCTN38965585 and Clinical Trials Registry-India (CTRI/2014/12/005282) with WHO UTN # U1111-1158-4665.

Evaluation of the QuEChERS method for the determination of phenolic compounds in yellow (Brassica alba), brown (Brassica juncea), and black (Brassica nigra) mustard seeds.

Studies about the phenolic composition of yellow (Brassica alba), brown (Brassica juncea), and black (Brassica nigra) mustard seeds are still scarce in the literature. Hence, this study describes, for the first time, the use of the QuEChERS extraction method followed by UHPLC-MS/MS analysis for phenolic compound determination in the seeds of these mustard species. Under the optimized extraction and analysis conditions, twenty-one phenolic compounds were evaluated. Six, eleven, and seven were found in B. alba, B. juncea, and B. nigra seeds, respectively. The most abundant phenolic compound was sinapic acid, which was found in amounts ranging from 44 to 82 times higher than the other major compounds found in the mustard seeds, ferulic, 4-hydroxybenzoic and protocatechuic acids. Overall, these results are an important contribution to the characterization of the phenolic composition of the three in natura mustard seeds species, and support future reliable phenolic compounds determination with the QuEChERS method.

Influence of selected plant seeds on the performance, carcass characteristics, sensory evaluation, and economics of broiler chicken.

The immergence of antibiotic resistance, in livestock especially poultry, led to the ban of antibiotics as a growth promoter in some part of the world. This brought about the investigations into the development of various alternatives to antibiotics that will not compromise the integrity of poultry products for safe consumption. Therefore, this study examined the possible impacts of selected plants seeds (pawpaw, mustard, and black cumin) as feed additives on the performance, carcass characteristics, and sensory evaluation of broilers. A total of 180 day-old Arbor Acre Plus chicks were randomly assigned to five treatments of four replicates in a completely randomized design. The five treatments were three plant seed additives: pawpaw (PPS), mustard (MUS), and black cumin (BCS), treatment without additives (CON, i.e., no plants seeds/medications), and treatment with medications and antibiotics (ANT). During the feeding trials that lasted for 8 weeks, body weight gain, feed intake, and feed conversion ratio (FCR) were considered performance data. At the end of the feeding trials, two birds per replicate were slaughtered for carcass parameters and sensory evaluation. Data collected were subjected to analysis of variance. Mustard seed (Brassica juncea) significantly (P = 0.018) supported carcass growth. Further, the highest feed intake was obtained in MUS while the lowest was obtained in CON birds. The PPS had higher (P = 0.013) BWG than in other treatments while the lowest was obtained in CON. Values of FCR were lowest (P = 0.15) in PPS while the highest in CON birds. Furthermore, MUS and PPS had significantly (P = 0.018) and (P = 0.03) higher live weight than CON and ANT, while MUS had higher dressed weight percentage than CON and ANT birds. Broiler meat under diet supplemented with black cumin was relatively found to be most acceptable while meat under mustard seed was the least acceptable. In contrast, the average cost realized per bird was obtained in PPS while the lowest was in CON and ANT. However, broiler diet supplemented with BCS brings about a corresponding decrease in percentage feeding cost reduction among plant supplements.

Crop suitability assessment in remediation of Zn contaminated soil.

Zinc (Zn) is naturally present in soils and constitutes an essential micronutrient for plants. Mining, industrial, as well as various agricultural activities all contribute to increasing the Zn concentrations in soils to levels that are toxic for plants. The aim of this study was to evaluate the capacity of field crops to remove Zn from contaminated soils. The experimental design included 28 treatments, comprising seven field crops (Hordeum vulgare L., Ricinus communis L., Phaseolus vulgaris L., Brassica juncea Czem., Sorgum vulgare L., Spinacea oleracea L., Solanum lycopersicum L.) and four Zn levels (0, 500, 1000, 1500 mg kg-1) applied to soils. The dry weight (DW) of the aboveground biomass of R. communis and S. lycopersicum increased significantly as the Zn concentration in the soil increased, whereas the DW significantly decreased in P. vulgaris, B. juncea and S. vulgare. Results indicated that S. oleracea was the most efficient in concentrating Zn in the aboveground tissues, followed in decreasing order by H. vulgare, S. lycopersicum, R. communis, S. vulgare, P. vulgaris, and B. juncea. H. vulgare resulted the most efficient in accumulating Zn both in fruit and in leaves and stems, whereas S. lycopersicum resulted the most efficient in accumulating Zn in roots. The BAF and TF values indicated that H. vulgare and S. oleracea resulted being suitable for Zn phytoextraction, whereas the remaining crops being suitable for Zn phytostabilization. These results highlight the phytoremediation potential of the seven analysed crops.

Comparative assessment of Indian mustard (Brassica juncea L.) genotypes for phytoremediation of Cd and Pb contaminated soils.

Heavy metal removal by phytoremediation bears a great potential to decontaminate soils and Brassica juncea L. (Indian mustard) seems to be a possible candidate species for this purpose. A field experiment was conducted to compare the efficiency of eighty Indian mustard cultivars for phytoextraction of cadmium (Cd) and lead (Pb) from bimetal contaminated soil. Our results indicated that total Cd and Pb concentrations in the shoots and roots were in the range of 2.43 ±â€¯0.00 to 0.31 ±â€¯0.02 mg/kg and 2.94 ±â€¯0.05 to 0.44 ±â€¯0.03 mg/kg and 5.33 ±â€¯0.76 to 0.47 ±â€¯0.20 mg/kg and 3.78 ±â€¯0.06 to 0.16 ±â€¯0.08 mg/kg. Significant differences based on the translocation factors indicated that root-to-shoot transfer is higher for Pb (3.87 ±â€¯0.12 to 0.48 ±â€¯0.03) than Cd (3.38 ±â€¯0.05 to 0.22 ±â€¯0.01). Furthermore, significant correlations between dry weights, Cd and Pb concentrations and uptake in both shoots and roots were observed, but translocation factor showed a negative correlation with roots, but not in shoots. Among 80 genotypes of Indian mustard IM-25, IM-13 and IM-65 for Cd and IM-79, IM-24 and IM-32 for Pb seems to perform well for phytoextraction. The results of the field experiment suggest that certain Brassica juncea L. cultivars are suitable for removal of Cd and Pb in low to moderately contaminated soils.

Sequential treatment of paper and pulp industrial wastewater: Prediction of water quality parameters by Mamdani Fuzzy Logic model and phytotoxicity assessment.

Recycling of industrial wastewater meeting quality standards for agricultural and industrial demands is a viable option. In this study, paper and pulp industrial wastewater were treated with three biological treatments viz. aerobic, anaerobic and sequential (i.e. 20 days of anaerobic followed by 20 days of aerobic cycle), associated with simulation modeling by Mamdani Fuzzy Logic (MFL) model of some selected parameters. Electric air diffuser and minimal salt medium in sealed plastic bottles at control temperature were used for aerobic and anaerobic treatments, respectively. The significant reduction in chemical (COD: 81%) and biological oxygen demand (BOD: 71%), total suspended (TSS: 65%), dissolved solids (TDS: 60%) and turbidity (68%) was recorded during sequential treatment. The treated water was irrigated to determine its phytotoxic effects on seed germination, vigor and seedling growth of mustard (Brassica campestris). Sequential treatment greatly reduced phytotoxicity of wastewater and showed the highest germination percentage (90%) compared to aerobic (60%), anaerobic (70%) treatments and untreated wastewater (30%). Regression analysis also endorsed these findings (R2 = 0.76-0.95 between seed germination, seedling growth and vigor). MFL technique was adopted to simulate sequential treatment process. The results support higher performance of MFL model to predict TDS, TSS, COD, and BOD based on the physico-chemical water quality parameters of raw wastewater, time of treatment and treatment type variation. Based on these findings, we conclude that the sequential treatment could be a more effective strategy for treatment of pulp and paper industrial wastewater with efficiency to be used for agricultural industry without toxic effects.

No apparent fitness costs associated with phytoene desaturase mutations conferred resistance to diflufenican and picolinafen in oriental mustard (Sisymbrium orientale L.).

Two mutations Leu498 and Glu425 in the PDS gene were identified as the main cause conferring resistance to diflufenican and picolinafen in two oriental mustard populations P3 and P40. As mutations are suspected to affect fitness, this study was designed to test this hypothesis using the F2 of two crosses P3.2 (P3♂ × S♀) and P40.5 (P40♂ × S♀) of oriental mustard. The F2 plants, which segregated for target-site point mutations of PDS gene (Leu498 and Glu425) grown in monoculture and under competition with wheat in pot-trials and evaluated for growth and fecundity. All F2 individuals were genotyped by using Cleaved Amplified Polymorphic Sequence (CAPS) technique. Regression analysis showed no fitness cost in the resistant plants because no significant difference was identified in seed and biomass production within RR, RS and SS individuals. The absence of measurable negative effects on fitness associated mutations suggests that the frequency of the PDS resistance alleles will not decline in the absence of selection pressure of PDS-inhibitors.

Near-infrared reflectance spectroscopy calibrations for assessment of oil, phenols, glucosinolates and fatty acid content in the intact seeds of oilseed Brassica species.

BACKGROUND: Very few near-infrared reflectance spectroscopy (NIRS) calibration models are available for non-destructive estimation of seed quality traits in Brassica juncea. Those that are available also fail to adequately discern variation for oleic acid (C18:1 ), linolenic (C18:3 ) fatty acids, meal glucosinolates and phenols. We report the development of a new NIRS calibration equation that is expected to fill the gaps in the existing NIRS equations. RESULTS: Calibrations were based on the reference values of important quality traits estimated from a purposely selected germplasm set comprising 240 genotypes of B. juncea and 193 of B. napus. We were able to develop optimal NIRS-based calibration models for oil, phenols, glucosinolates, oleic acid, linoleic acid and erucic acid for B. juncea and B. napus. Correlation coefficients (RSQ) of the external validations appeared greater than 0.7 for the majority of traits, such as oil (0.766, 0.865), phenols (0.821, 0.915), glucosinolates (0.951, 0.986), oleic acid (0.814. 0.810), linoleic acid (0.974, 0.781) and erucic acid (0.963, 0.943) for B. juncea and B. napus, respectively. CONCLUSION: The results demonstrate the robust predictive power of the developed calibration models for rapid estimation of many quality traits in intact rapeseed-mustard seeds which will assist plant breeders in effective screening and selection of lines in quality improvement breeding programmes. © 2018 Society of Chemical Industry.

Assessment of Two Solid Anaerobic Digestate Soil Amendments for Effects on Soil Quality and Biosolarization Efficacy.

Anaerobic digestion is an organic waste bioconversion process that produces biofuel and digestates. Digestates have potential to be applied as soil amendment to improve properties for crop production including phytonutrient content and pest load. Our objective was to assess the impact of solid anaerobic digestates on weed seed inactivation and soil quality upon soil biosolarization (a pest control technique that combines solar heating and amendment-induced microbial activity). Two solid digestates from thermophilic (TD) and mesophilic (MD) digesters were tested. The solarized TD-amended samples presented significantly higher mortality of Brassica nigra (71%, P = 0.032) than its equivalent incubated at room temperature. However, biosolarization with digestate amendment led to decreased weed seed mortality in certain treatments. The plant-available water, total C, and extractable P and K were significantly increased (P < 0.05) in the incubated amended soils. The results confirm the potential of digestates as beneficial soil amendments. Further studies are needed to elucidate the impacts of digestate stability on biosolarization efficacy and soil properties.

Assessment of bioavailability of selenium in different plant-soil systems by diffusive gradients in thin-films (DGT).

Uptake of selenium (Se) by plants largely depend on the availability of Se in soil. Soils and plants were sampled four times within 8 weeks of plant growth in pot experiments using four plant species. Sequential extraction and diffusive gradients in thin-films (DGT) method were employed to measure Se concentrations in potted soils in selenite- or selenate-amended soils. Results showed that DGT-measured Se concentrations (CDGT-Se) were generally several folds higher for selenate than selenite amended soils, which were obviously affected by the plant species and the duration of their growth. For example, the folds in soil planted with mustard were 1.49-3.47 and those in soils planted with purple cabbage and broccoli, which grew for 3 and 4 weeks after sowing, were 1.06-2.14 and only 0.15-0.62 after 6 weeks of growth. The selenate-amended soil planted with wheat showed an extremely high CDGT-Se compared with selenite-amended soil, except the last harvest. Furthermore, minimal changes in CDGT-Se and soluble Se(IV) were found in selenite-amended soils during plant growth, whereas significant changes were observed in selenate-amended soils (p < 0.05). Additionally, Se distribution in various fractions of soil remarkably changed; the soils planted with purple cabbage and broccoli showed the most obvious change followed by wheat and mustard. Soluble Se(VI) and exchangeable Se(VI) were likely the major sources of CDGT-Se in selenate-amended soils, and soluble Se(IV) was the possible source of CDGT-Se in selenite-amended soils. In selenate-amended soils, soluble Se(VI) and exchangeable Se(VI) were significantly correlated with Se concentrations in purple cabbage, broccoli, and mustard; in wheat, Se concentration was significantly correlated only with soluble Se(VI) but not with exchangeable Se. CDGT-Se eventually became positively correlated with Se concentrations accumulated by different plants, indicating that DGT is a feasible method in predicting plant uptake of selenate but not of selenite.

Assessment of biotransfer and bioaccumulation of cadmium, lead and zinc from fly ash amended soil in mustard-aphid-beetle food chain.

The present study investigates the extent of biotransfer and bioaccumulation of cadmium (Cd), lead (Pb) and zinc (Zn) from fly ash amended soil in mustard (Brassica juncea)-aphid (Lipaphis erysimi)-beetle (Coccinella septempunctata) food chain and its subsequent implications for the beetle. The soil was amended with fly ash at the rates of 0, 5, 10, 20 and 40% (w/w). Our results showed that the uptake of Cd, Pb and Zn from soil to mustard root increased with the increase in fly ash application rates, but their root to shoot translocation was relatively restricted. Increase in chlorophyll content and dry mass of mustard plant on treatments ≥20% even at elevated accumulation of Cd (1.67mgkg-1), Pb (18.25mgkg-1) and Zn (74.45mgkg-1 dry weight) in its shoot showed relatively higher tolerance of selected mustard cultivar to heavy metal stress. The transfer coefficient (TC1) of Cd from mustard shoot to aphid was always >1, indicating that Cd biomagnified in aphids at second trophic level. But, there was no biomagnification of Cd in adult beetles at third trophic level. Zinc accumulation was 2.06 to 2.40 times more in aphids than their corresponding host shoots and 1.26-1.35 times more in adult beetles than their prey (aphids) on which they fed. Lead was only metal whose TC was <1 at both second and third trophic levels. The elimination of Cd via honeydew of aphids was most efficient as the ratio of metal in honeydew to aphid (ranging from 0.21 to 0.26) was higher than the Pb (0.16 to 0.20) and Zn (0.07 to 0.09). The statistically consistent (p>0.05) biomass and predation rate of predatory beetles indicated that all levels of soil amendments with fly ash did not have any lethal or sub-lethal effects on beetles.

Toward Financially Viable Phytoextraction and Production of Plant-Based Palladium Catalysts.

Although a promising technique, phytoextraction has yet to see significant commercialization. Major limitations include metal uptake rates and subsequent processing costs. However, it has been shown that liquid-culture-grown Arabidopsis can take up and store palladium as nanoparticles. The processed plant biomass has catalytic activity comparable to that of commercially available catalysts, creating a product of higher value than extracted bulk metal. We demonstrate that the minimum level of palladium in Arabidopsis dried tissues for catalytic activity comparable to commercially available 3% palladium-on-carbon catalysts was achieved from dried plant biomass containing between 12 and 18 g·kg-1 Pd. To advance this technology, species suitable for in-the-field application: mustard, miscanthus, and 16 willow species and cultivars, were tested. These species were able to grow, and take up, palladium from both synthetic and mine-sourced tailings. Although levels of palladium accumulation in field-suitable species are below that required for commercially available 3% palladium-on-carbon catalysts, this study both sets the target, and is a step toward, the development of field-suitable species that concentrate catalytically active levels of palladium. Life cycle assessment on the phytomining approaches described here indicates that the use of plants to accumulate palladium for industrial applications has the potential to decrease the overall environmental impacts associated with extracting palladium using present-day mining processes.

In situ remediation and phytotoxicity assessment of lead-contaminated soil by biochar-supported nHAP.

In this study, a kind of biochar-supported nano-hydroxyapatite (nHAP@BC) material was used in in-situ remediation of lead-contaminated soil. Column experiments were performed to compare the mobility of nHAP@BC and Bare-nHAP. The immobilization, accumulation and toxic effects of Pb in the after-amended soil were assessed by the in vitro toxicity tests and pot experiments. The column experiments showed a significant improvement in the mobility of nHAP@BC. The immobilization rate of Pb in the soil was 74.8% after nHAP@BC remediation. Sequential extraction procedures revealed that the residual fraction of Pb increased by 66.6% after nHAP@BC remediation, which greatly reduced the bioavailability of Pb in the soil. In addition, pot experiments indicated that nHAP@BC could effectively reduce the upward translocation capacity of Pb in a soil-plant system. The concentration of Pb in the aerial part of the cabbage mustard was 0.1 mg/kg, which is lower than the tolerance limit (0.3 mg/kg). nHAP@BC can remediate Pb-contaminated soil effectively, which can restore soil quality for planting.

Assessment of Arabidopsis thaliana CENH3 promoter in Brassica juncea for development of haploid inducer lines.

Centromeres are epigenetically specified by the centromeric histone H3 protein (CENH3). The timing and level of expression of CENH3 is tightly regulated to match the demands of the host cell. So far in plants, only CENH3 promoter of Arabidopsis thaliana (L.) Heynh. has been characterized. However, whether CENH3 promoters retain their characteristic mode of regulation in other species remains to be established. In the present study, activity of AtCENH3 promoter was investigated using reporter gene assay in Brassica juncea (L.) Czem. A 1156 bp promoter fragment of AtCENH3 gene (At1g01370) including the first 111 nucleotides of the coding sequence was amplified and cloned into the pORE-R2 binary vector to ensure translation fusion with the uidA coding sequences. The Agrobacteriun tiunefaciens strain GV3101 harbouring the recombinant construct was used to transform B. juncea cv. RLM198 hypocotyl explants. Histochemical assay of To and T, transgenics showed GUS expression in shoot apical meristem, leaf, sepal, flower pedicel and root tip. Intense GUS expression was observed in meristematic tissues, particularly at shoot and root apices. However, mature leaves, flowers, pollen and ovules exhibited very low or no GUS expression. Our results showed that AtCENH3 promoter regulates cognate gene expression in Brassica juncea as it does in A. thaliana, and hence a suitable candidate for developing haploid inducer line in B. juncea.