Ag/ZnO core-shell NPs boost photosynthesis and growth rate in wheat seedlings under simulated full sun spectrum

Efficacy and mechanism of cyprosulfamide in alleviating the phytotoxicity of clomazone residue on maize seedling

Introduction

The residues of clomazone (Clo) can lead to phytotoxic symptoms such as foliar bleaching, reduced plant height, and decreased maize yields. Herbicide safener represent one of the most economically efficient strategies for mitigating herbicide-induced damage.

Methods

In this study, various seed treatments were implemented, including the immersion of maize seeds in water (CK), immersion in Cyprosulfamide (CSA), soil supplemented with clomazone (ClO) and CSA+ClO, evaluated physiological indicators, chlorophyll content, and qRT-PCR analyses of the maize plants were evaluated under the different treatments.

Results and discussion

The objective of this study was to investigate the impact of CSA on mitigating residual damage caused by Clo on maize and elucidate its mechanism. Compared to the CK, treatment with Clo resulted in significant inhibition of maize plant height, fresh weight, chlorophyll content, and carotenoid levels by 19.0%, 29.9%, 92.5%, and 86.3% respectively. On the other hand, under CSA+Clo treatment, milder inhibition was observed with reductions of only 9.4% in plant height and 7.2% in fresh weight, as well as decreases of 35.7% and 21.8% respectively in chlorophyll and carotenoid contents. The findings revealed that the application of CSA effectively mitigated the inhibitory effects of Clo residues on maize plant height, fresh weight, carotenoids and chlorophyll content. Additionally, the combination of CSA and Clo reduced MDA levels by 13.4%, increased SOD activity by 9.7% and GST activity by 26.7%, while elevating GSSG content by 31.3% compared to Clo alone, ultimately mitigating oxidative damage in maize plants. qRT-PCR analysis showed that the expression of five P450 genes (CYP72A5, CYP81A4, CYP81Q32, CYP81A9, CYP81A36), nine GST genes (GST30, GST31, GSTIV, GSTVI, GST21, GST7, GST37, GST25, IN2-1), and two UGT genes (UGT76C2, UGT83A1) significantly high increased by 6.74-, 10.27-, 4.98-, 10.56-, 25.67-, 16.70-, 46.92-,7.53-, 5.10-, 238.82-, 143.50-, 4.58-, 31.51-, 39.3-, 4.20-, 10.47-fold after CSA+Clo treatment compared to that in the Clo treatment. The pre-treatment of CSA led to the upregulation of five P450 genes, nine GST genes, and two UGT genes, which may be associated with the metabolism of Clo in maize. Overall, this study suggests that CSA could be effectively mitigates Clo residual damage by up-regulating detoxification-related genes, enhancing chlorophyll content and activities of antioxidant enzymes.

Cavity-Mediated Enhancement of the Energy Transfer in the Reduced Fenna-Matthews-Olson Complex

Strong light-matter interaction leads to the formation of hybrid polariton states and can alter the light-harvesting properties of natural photosynthetic systems without modifying their chemical structure. In the present study, we computationally investigate the effect of the resonant cavity on the efficiency and the rate of the population transfer in a quantum system coupled to the cavity and the dissipative environment. The parameters of the model system were chosen to represent the Fenna-Matthews-Olson natural light-harvesting complex reduced to the three essential sites. The dynamics of the total system was propagated using the hierarchical equations of motion. Our results show that the strong light-matter interaction can accelerate the population transfer process compared to the cavity-free case but at the cost of lowering the transfer efficiency. The transition to the strong coupling regime was found to coincide with the degeneracy of polariton eigenvalues. Our findings indicate the potential and the limit of tuning the energy transfer in already efficient natural light-harvesting systems.

Photosynthesis: Genetic Strategies Adopted to Gain Higher Efficiency

The global challenge of feeding an ever-increasing population to maintain food security requires novel approaches to increase crop yields. Photosynthesis, the fundamental energy and material basis for plant life on Earth, is highly responsive to environmental conditions. Evaluating the operational status of the photosynthetic mechanism provides insights into plants' capacity to adapt to their surroundings. Despite immense effort, photosynthesis still falls short of its theoretical maximum efficiency, indicating significant potential for improvement. In this review, we provide background information on the various genetic aspects of photosynthesis, explain its complexity, and survey relevant genetic engineering approaches employed to improve the efficiency of photosynthesis. We discuss the latest success stories of gene-editing tools like CRISPR-Cas9 and synthetic biology in achieving precise refinements in targeted photosynthesis pathways, such as the Calvin-Benson cycle, electron transport chain, and photorespiration. We also discuss the genetic markers crucial for mitigating the impact of rapidly changing environmental conditions, such as extreme temperatures or drought, on photosynthesis and growth. This review aims to pinpoint optimization opportunities for photosynthesis, discuss recent advancements, and address the challenges in improving this critical process, fostering a globally food-secure future through sustainable food crop production.

Unraveling the impact of nanopollution on plant metabolism and ecosystem dynamics

Nanopollution (NPOs), a burgeoning consequence of the widespread use of nanoparticles (NPs) across diverse industrial and consumer domains, has emerged as a critical environmental issue. While extensive research has scrutinized the repercussions of NPs pollution on ecosystems and human health, scant attention has been directed towards unraveling its implications for plant life. This comprehensive review aims to bridge this gap by delving into the nuanced interplay between NPOs and plant metabolism, encompassing both primary and secondary processes. Our exploration encompasses an in-depth analysis of the intricate mechanisms governing the interaction between plants and NPs. This involves a thorough examination of how physicochemical properties such as size, shape, and surface characteristics influence the uptake and translocation of NPs within plant tissues. The impact of NPOs on primary metabolic processes, including photosynthesis, respiration, nutrient uptake, and water transport. Additionally, this study explored the multifaceted alterations in secondary metabolism, shedding light on the synthesis and modulation of secondary metabolites in response to NPs exposure. In assessing the consequences of NPOs for plant life, we scrutinize the potential implications for plant growth, development, and environmental interactions. The intricate relationships revealed in this review underscore the need for a holistic understanding of the plant-NPs dynamics. As NPs become increasingly prevalent in ecosystems, this investigation establishes a fundamental guide that underscores the importance of additional research to shape sustainable environmental management strategies and address the extensive effects of NPs on the development of plant life and environmental interactions.

Impact of nanopollution on plant growth, photosynthesis, toxicity, and metabolism in the agricultural sector: An updated review

Nanotechnology provides distinct benefits to numerous industrial and commercial fields, and has developed into a discipline of intense interest to researchers. Nanoparticles (NPs) have risen to prominence in modern agriculture due to their use in agrochemicals, nanofertilizers, and nanoremediation. However, their potential negative impacts on soil and water ecosystems, as well as plant growth and physiology, have caused concern for researchers and policymakers. Concerns have been expressed regarding the ecological consequences and toxicity effects associated with nanoparticles as a result of their increased production and usage. Moreover, the accumulation of nanoparticles in the environment poses a risk, not only because of the possibility of plant damage but also because nanoparticles may infiltrate the food chain. In this review, we have documented the beneficial and detrimental effects of NPs on seed germination, shoot and root growth, plant biomass, and nutrient assimilation. Nanoparticles exert toxic effects by inducing ROS generation and stimulating cytotoxic and genotoxic effects, thereby leading to cell death in several plant species. We have provided possible mechanisms by which nanoparticles induce toxicity in plants. In addition to the toxic effects of NPs, we highlighted the importance of nanomaterials in the agricultural sector. Thus, understanding the structure, size, and concentration of nanoparticles that will improve plant growth or induce plant cell death is essential. This updated review reveals the multifaceted connection between nanoparticles, soil and water pollution, and plant biology in the context of agriculture.