Seed selection and storage with nano-silver and copper as potential antibacterial agents for the seagrass Zostera marina: implications for habitat restoration

Unleashing the potential of nanoparticles on seed treatment and enhancement for sustainable farming

The foremost challenge in farming is the storage of seeds after harvest and maintaining seed quality during storage. In agriculture, studies showed positive impacts of nanotechnology on plant development, seed storage, endurance under various types of stress, detection of seed damages, and seed quality. Seed's response varies with different types of nanoparticles depending on its physical and biochemical properties and plant species. Herein, we aim to cover the impact of nanoparticles on seed coating, dormancy, germination, seedling, nutrition, plant growth, stress conditions protection, and storage. Although the seed treatment by nanopriming has been shown to improve seed germination, seedling development, stress tolerance, and seedling growth, their full potential was not realized at the field level. Sustainable nano-agrochemicals and technology could provide good seed quality with less environmental toxicity. The present review critically discusses eco-friendly strategies that can be employed for the nanomaterial seed treatment and seed enhancement process to increase seedling vigor under different conditions. Also, an integrated approach involving four innovative concepts, namely green co-priming, nano-recycling of agricultural wastes, nano-pairing, and customized nanocontainer storage, has been proposed to acclimatize nanotechnology in farming.

Nanomaterized zinc sulfide-meerschaum biomatrix efficiently suppressed Fusarium verticilloides with augmented rice seed quality benefits during storage

BACKGROUND

The seed-borne mycopathogen Fusarium verticilliodes is a serious and deleterious pathogen causing substantial losses of rice seeds and grains. Rice seeds are prone to infestation at all points of the production chain and the fungal pathogen continues dormant devastation even during storage, adversely affecting the seed parameters. Its control is compromised due to the nonavailability of recommended fungicides during storage. Nanotechnological interventions can provide effective and ecofriendly alternative against mycopathogens during resting periods. Herein, the zinc sulfide-meerschaum nano bio-matrix (nZnS-MR) is presented to show this strategy, which worked well against F. verticilliodes when applied on freshly harvested rice seeds during 6 months of storage.

RESULTS

The healthy, smooth and rounded girths of F. verticilloides mycelium were reduced with loss of turgidity, disrupting the hyphal exterior architecture, during in vitro treatment with nZnS-MR, endorsed by staining methodology, crystal violet and intracellular soluble protein leakage assays. In vivo application on rice seeds optimized 750 μg g^-1 of nano zinc sulfide (nZnS) for 6 months of application during storage with maximum reduction of disease parameters [seedling blight (1.19%) and seed rot (5.43%)] and most augmented quality parameters [maximum germination (94.14%), seedling length (22.50 cm), dry weight (0.121 g) and vigor index (11.37)]. nZnS-MR acted as a slow release nanoformulation of nZnS for long-term antifungal activity.

CONCLUSION

nZnS-MR is presented as an ecofriendly, biocompatible, bio-efficient, profertilization, cost-effective green material for the control of F. verticilliodes with rice seed invigorating effect, describing it as new a nano-generation material for efficient storage application.

Silencing of an odorant binding protein (SaveOBP10) involved in the behavioural shift of the wheat aphid Sitobion avenae (Fabricius)

Insects are highly reliant on their active olfactory system in which odorant binding proteins play a role to selectivity and sensitivity during odour perception and processing. This study sets out to determine whether and to which extent the antennal loaded SaveOBP10 in English grain aphid Sitobion avenae, contributes in olfactory processing during host selection. To understand this possible relationship, we purified the SaveOBP10 recombinant protein and performed fluorescence ligand binding tests, molecular docking, RNA interference (RNAi) and behavioural trials. The results showed that SaveOBP10 had strong binding affinities (Ki ≤5 μM) with most of wheat plant volatiles at pH 5.0 as compared to pH 7.4. In Y-tube olfactometer bioassays, the S. avenae was attracted behaviourally towards pentadecane, butylated hydroxytoluene, tetradecane and β-caryophyllene however repelled by naphthalene. After RNAi of SaveOBP10, the aphid showed nonattraction towards β-caryophyllene and nonsignificant behavioural response to pentadecane, butylated hydroxytoluene and tetradecane. Furthermore, the three-dimensional structure modelling and molecular docking of SaveOBP10 were performed to the volatiles with high binding abilities. Together these findings indicate that SaveOBP10 can bind more strongly to the volatiles that involved in S. avenae behaviour regulation and possibly will contribute effectively in S. avenae integrated pest management.

Do adult eelgrass shoots rule seedling fate in a large seagrass meadow in a eutrophic bay in northern China?

We conducted field sampling over 19 months to investigate eelgrass population reproduction status and ecological interactions in a large seagrass meadow in a eutrophic bay in northern China. The results showed asexual growth played an important role in the maintenance of existing meadows, and sexual reproduction played a critical role in the colonization of new areas. We conclude that adult eelgrass shoots do rule the fate of seedlings in the large seagrass meadow. Additionally, nutrient resources (N and P) at this location were found to meet eelgrass growth demand. The N/P ratios of seawater and seagrass indicated N limitation relative to P in the eutrophic bay based on the seagrass Redfield ratio (25-30). Nutrient uptake by seagrass might be an important factor in reducing the probability of a red tide in the study area. The results of this study provide fundamental information for eelgrass restoration and conservation.