Root-lesion nematodes, particularly Pratylenchus neglectus and P. crenatus (PNC), are widely distributed in New Zealand and cause significant damage to maize roots, reducing crop productivity. Despite their economic importance, no comprehensive assessment of commercial maize hybrids' resistance to PNC has been conducted in the country. Significant variation was observed in the nematode reproduction factor (Rf) and final population (Pf) among hybrids. In Experiment 1 (initial population (Pi) = 1250 PNC kg(-)(1) soil), Rf ranged from 3.1 in hybrid P8500 to 7.1 in hybrid P9127, with Pf values ranging from 3863 to 8903 PNC kg(-)(1) soil + roots in 45 days. In Experiment 2 (Pi = 750 PNC kg(-)(1) soil), Rf ranged from 18.4 in hybrid P1613 to 37.5 in hybrid P8805, with Pf values from 13,784 to 28,426 PNC kg(-)(1) soil + roots in 60 days. These results indicate active nematode reproduction and substantial hybrid-dependent variation in host response. Experiment 3 examined the impact of varying initial inoculum densities (500, 1000 and 1500 PNC kg(-)(1) soil), showing a dose-dependent increase in Pf and corresponding root damage. Susceptible hybrid (P9127) exhibited up to 42% root dry weight and 22% shoot dry weight reductions. This study is the first systematic evaluation of PNC resistance in New Zealand maize hybrids. It identifies P9127 and P8805 as highly susceptible, and P0891, P8500, and P1613 as moderately resistant. These findings offer valuable benchmarks for future breeding and support nematode management in New Zealand.

This research targets straw return in Farm 852's albic soil, China. The soil is nutrient-poor with few microbes and slow straw decomposition. Through fixed-point sampling and bacterial screening, an actinomycete consortium consisting of four strains was assembled, and two of them were identified as new actinomycetes. After 7 days of fermentation, the lignocellulose degradation rates of this consortium outstripped those of single strains, with cellulose degraded at 69.07%, hemicellulose at 64.98%, and lignin at 68.95%. FTIR, XRD, and SEM verified the damage inflicted on the straw structure. Lab simulations found group D (with the consortium) had a higher straw weight loss rate than group C (with commercialized microbial agents) and controls. The compound actinomycetes stepped up the bacterial abundance with the passage of time. In contrast, their effect on fungal abundance was hardly noticeable, but they had markedly ameliorated the soil fertility. These findings prove that the microbial consortium effectively accelerates straw decomposition and boosts soil microbe abundance and fertility in albic soil. It shows great potential for straw return and provides a microbial solution for this field.

The present study proposes a rapid visual screening methodology for multi-hazard vulnerability assessment (termed as MH-RVS) of reinforced concrete (RC) buildings in the Indian Himalayan region considering earthquakes, debris flow, debris flood, and soil subsidence. An extensive field survey of 1200 buildings was conducted in three hill towns situated in the Northwestern Indian Himalayan region to identify prevalent multi-hazard vulnerability attributes. The presented MH-RVS methodology is statistically developed based on the information obtained from the current field survey and existing post-hazard reconnaissance studies. The proposed methodology effectively addresses the concern of underpredicting the expected damage states of RC buildings situated in hilly regions subjected to multi-hazard scenarios when they are assessed using RVS methodologies of seismic vulnerability assessment. Further, a simplified MH-RVS form is developed to collect field data and conveniently segregate the RC buildings based on their expected damage state under multi-hazard scenarios involving earthquakes, debris flow, debris flood, and soil subsidence. Stakeholders and decision-makers can use the proposed MH-RVS methodology to assess the perceived vulnerability of RC buildings in the Indian Himalayan region and devise timely strategies for structural strengthening and risk mitigation.

Using chemical fertilizers in agriculture increases production and improves the quality of the product; however, their higher usage globally has brought forth damage to ecosystems. Using biofertilizers is a better strategy to reduce the use of chemical fertilizers and ultimately increase soil fertility. This study aimed to isolate, identify, and characterize bacteria from the soil rhizosphere of medicinal plants ( Rumex tuberosus L. and Verbascum sp.) for in vivo screening. Nitrogen fixation, phosphate solubilization, HCN, ammonia levels, Lipase, protease, catalase and siderophore production biochemical tests were also conducted. The two isolates that gave positive results from the biochemical tests were chosen out of 25 for further experiments. Based on 16S rRNA sequencing analysis the isolated organisms were identified as Alcaligenes faecalis Go1 (Accession No. OP001725) and Bacillus subtilis T11 (Accession No. OP218376). The compound fertilizer NPK was used as the positive control for field experiments, while selected stains were individually and in-combination were tested on potato crops as inoculum, over two successive cropping seasons. Plant height, number of tubers per plant, chlorophyll content, and tuber weight all increased for both isolated bacterial strains. The quality of the potato tubers was checked through visual observation for the presence or absence of disease symptoms. The treated tubers exhibited excellent quality, remaining free from any signs of disease, however, the control tubers showed infections with ( Streptomyces scabiei, Fusarium sp ., F. solani and Erwinia amylovora). The soil analyzed after harvesting both bacteria increased percentages of P, Ca2+, Mg2+, Na+, K+, SO4, total nitrogen content and total organic matter. The findings showed that the tested bacterial isolates could replace the use of chemical fertilizers in the production of potatoes.

The general view of trees is that they threaten heritage structures, their roots disrupt archaeological features, or that they create microclimates conducive to biodeterioration. The conservator's experience in assessing the impact of trees on various cultural assets highlights the positive role they can play in modifying the outdoor environment to reduce stress mechanisms. Trees intercept sunlight and rain, absorb ground water and stabilise soils. This is particularly beneficial at rock art sites where infrastructure must be kept to a minimum to maintain the spiritual and aesthetic ambience. While focussing on studies demonstrating the protective role of trees, it is critical to make balanced assessments that recognise both positive and negative implications; a tree can both shade an object and increase the risk of mechanical damage from roots and falling branches. Objective assessments consider all implications rather than through intellectual and operational bias. Laboratory studies demonstrate hydrothermal stress to be greater than heating or wetting alone, and freeze-thaw that has been traditionally considered one of the most destructive mechanisms disrupting outdoor stone. Interventive approaches for reducing hydrothermal stresses in stone rely upon chemical treatments to repel water, and consolidation to better resist such stresses. A well-designed tree canopy can substantially reduce thermal expansion and almost completely remove rain from the object through interception, funnelling to the trunk and uptake of groundwater. La opini & oacute;n general sobre los & aacute;rboles es que amenazan las estructuras patrimoniales, sus ra & iacute;ces alteran las caracter & iacute;sticas arqueol & oacute;gicas o crean microclimas propicios al biodeterioro. La experiencia del restaurador en la evaluaci & oacute;n del impacto de los & aacute;rboles en diversos bienes culturales pone de relieve el papel positivo que pueden desempe & ntilde;ar en la modificaci & oacute;n del entorno exterior para reducir los mecanismos de estr & eacute;s. Los & aacute;rboles interceptan la luz del sol y la lluvia, absorben el agua subterr & aacute;nea y estabilizan los suelos. Esto es particularmente beneficioso en sitios de arte rupestre donde la infraestructura debe mantenerse al m & iacute;nimo para mantener el ambiente espiritual y est & eacute;tico. Si bien nos centramos en estudios que demuestran el papel protector de los & aacute;rboles, es fundamental realizar evaluaciones equilibradas que reconozcan las implicaciones tanto positivas como negativas; un & aacute;rbol puede dar sombra a un objeto y aumentar el riesgo de da & ntilde;os mec & aacute;nicos por ra & iacute;ces y ramas que caen. Las evaluaciones objetivas consideran todas las implicaciones y no a trav & eacute;s de sesgos intelectuales y operativos. Los estudios de laboratorio demuestran que el estr & eacute;s hidrotermal es mayor que el calentamiento o la humectaci & oacute;n por s & iacute; solos, y que el hielo y el deshielo se han considerado tradicionalmente uno de los mecanismos m & aacute;s destructivos que alteran la piedra al aire libre. Los enfoques interventivos para reducir las tensiones hidrotermales en la piedra se basan en tratamientos qu & iacute;micos para repeler el agua y la consolidaci & oacute;n para resistir mejor dichas tensiones. Una copa de & aacute;rbol bien dise & ntilde;ada puede reducir sustancialmente la expansi & oacute;n t & eacute;rmica y eliminar casi por completo la lluvia del objeto mediante la interceptaci & oacute;n, canalizaci & oacute;n hacia el tronco y absorci & oacute;n de agua subterr & aacute;nea.

Allium species are known for their culinary, medicinal, and ornamental purposes. Fusarium basal rot is one of the most damaging soilborne fungal diseases of Allium species and poses a significant threat to yield, quality, and storage life worldwide. Various species of Fusarium have been identified as causal agents for Fusarium basal rot, depending on the Allium species involved. Diverse disease management practices have been implemented to mitigate the impact of Fusarium basal rot. This review article provides a comprehensive overview of the recent progress in detecting different species of Fusarium involved in Fusarium basal rot and strategies to control them in affected Allium species involving chemical, biological, and cultural methods. It covers the latest advancements in host plant resistance research from traditional breeding to modern molecular techniques and studying secondary metabolites involved in defense mechanisms against Fusarium basal rot.

One of the critical steps in the root crop harvesting process is screening tubers from soil. However, low screening efficiency seriously hinders the rapid development of the root crop industry. Clarifying the tuber-soil mixture separation behaviour and establishing the connection between vibration, airflow parameters, and separation index (SI) is critical to increasing screening efficiency. Corydalis Yanhusuo is employed as the research object, and the three-dimensional scale distribution and mechanical properties of tubers and soil particles are first counted. Then, a vibration and airflow coupling separation model of the tuber-soil mixture was constructed using the computational fluid dynamics and discrete element method (CFD-DEM) coupling method, and the physical parameters in the model were calibrated. A new method for calculating the SI is proposed. The relationship between vibration amplitude, frequency, airflow velocity, SI, and separation velocity was analysed. Simultaneously, the porosity change in the particle group during the separation process was investigated, and the relationship between vibration, frequency, and airflow velocity on the separation dynamics of binary mixtures was revealed by utilising data visualisation and frequency domain analysis. The platform for the vibration and airflow separation physical test was built. The separation behaviour of mixed particles in various parameters was discussed, as was the feasibility and accuracy of the numerical simulation results. The results of this study can provide theoretical support for the efficient screening of tuber-soil mixtures and further promote the rapid development of the root industry.

The mat-forming fruticose lichens Cladonia stellaris and Cetraria islandica frequently co-occur on soils in sun-exposed boreal, subarctic, and alpine ecosystems. While the dominant reindeer lichen Cladonia lacks a cortex but produces the light-reflecting pale pigment usnic acid on its surface, the common but patchier Cetraria has a firm cortex sealed by the light-absorbing pigment melanin. By measuring reflectance spectra, high-light tolerance, photosynthetic responses, and chlorophyll fluorescence in sympatric populations of these lichens differing in fungal pigments, we aimed to study how they cope with high light while hydrated. Specimens of the two species tolerated high light equally well but with different protective mechanisms. The mycobiont of the melanic species efficiently absorbed excess light, consistent with a lower need for its photobiont to protect itself by non-photochemical quenching (NPQ). By contrast, usnic acid screened light at 450-700 nm by reflectance and absorbed shorter wavelengths. The ecorticate usnic species with less efficient fungal light screening exhibited a consistently lower light compensation point and higher CO2 uptake rates than the melanic lichen. In both species, steady state NPQ rapidly increased at increasing light with no signs of light saturation. To compensate for less internal shading causing light fluctuations with a larger amplitude, the usnic lichen photobiont adjusted to changing light by faster induction and faster relaxation of NPQ rapidly transforming excess excitation energy to less damaging heat. The high and flexible NPQ tracking fluctuations in solar radiation probably contributes to the strong dominance of the usnic mat-forming Cladonia in open lichen-dominated heaths.

Yam is a vegetatively propagated crop generally multiplied using a portion (sett) of the tuber, which represents 30% of the cost of production. This study evaluated four propagation materials of yam, (i) vine seedlings from aeroponic system (VS), (ii) seedlings from semi autotrophic hydroponics (SAH), (iii) mini- tubers, and (iv) minisetts for their suitability for evaluating resistance of yams to nematodes. Two recently released yam genotypes, TDr 95/19177 and TDr 89/02665, were challenged with Meloidogyne incognita and Scutellonema bradys. Plastic pots were arranged in a screenhouse following a completely randomized design with twelve replicates. Plants were inoculated six weeks after planting with 5,000 eggs of M. incognita or 5,000 mixed individuals of S. bradys. Data were collected during vegetative growth, at harvest, and during storage. Vine length, number of leaves, and number of vines were not significantly different at the vegetative growth stage (P > 0.05). At harvest, the nematodes had significant effects on vine length, fresh and dry shoot weight, and tuber diameter (P < 0.05). After storage, there were significant losses in tubers weight of 61.8% and 43.3%, respectively, for S. bradys and M. incognita inoculated plants (P < 0.05). Damage indexes for all the planting materials were not significantly different, however, nematode recovery was less in VS and SAH plants compared to minisetts and mini-tuber plants. Mini-tubers and minisetts are apparently more reliable as planting materials to be used when screening yam genotypes.

Per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) possess distinct properties, such as hydrophobicity, oleophobicity, and thermal and chemical stability, resulting in their wide application in various industrial processes, including electroplating, fire protection, and textile, paper, and leather production. However, due to their propensity for high bioaccumulation, long-distance transport, resistance to degradation, and potential adverse effects on animal and human health, certain PFAS, including legacy perfluorooctanoic acid (PFOA), were listed in Annex A of the Stockholm Convention in 2019, leading to a global ban on their production and usage. Consequently, per- and poly-fluoropolyether carboxylic acids (PFECA), containing ether oxygen bonds in their structure, have emerged as processing-additive substitutes for PFOA in different industries. Recently, with the increasing concern, more and more PFECA have been identified and detected in various environmental matrix and human samples. Epidemiological research and toxicity experiments have also found that some PFECA have health hazards comparable to or even stronger than PFOA. In the present study, we focus on the classification, environmental impacts, and toxic hazards associated with PFECA and summarize recent research regarding non-targeted identification, environmental behavior and fate, biological/human exposure levels, toxic effects, and related molecular mechanisms. The overall aim of this review is to provide a valuable reference for environmental pollution research and biological risk assessment of PFAS alternatives, thereby supporting the regulation and reduction of PFAS alternatives in China. In terms of PFECA recognition, with the rapid development of non-targeted and targeted screening techniques, researchers have identified a series of PFECA with feature structure in various environmental matrix, such as unsaturated PFECA, chlorinated PFECA and homologues of hexafluoropropylene oxide trimer acid (HFPO-TA). However, non-targeted and targeted screening research is still in its infancy, with only 11 reports identifying dozens of PFECA, more and more novel PFECA will definitely be recognized in the future. In terms of quantitative detection, PFECA has been detected in various environmental matrix (including surface water, soil, atmosphere), organisms (including plants, fish and frogs) and even human samples (serum, urine and milk). Among them, there are many reports on water bodies and population samples. Among the existing reports, the PFECA levels in water and human samples accounts for a relatively large proportion. It is worth noting that the detection rate of HFPO-TA homologues in the serum of residents living around fluoride factories exceeds 90%, and the concentration of HFPO-TA ranking the fourth among all the detected PFAS. In terms of the toxic effects, it has been confirmed through several animal exposure experiments that PFECA, such as HFPO-TA, hexafluoropropylene oxide tetramer acids (HFPO-TeA) and perfluoro (3,5,7,9-tetraoxadecanoic) acid (PFO4DA), can cause liver damage, decreased sex hormone levels, metabolic disorders, and developmental abnormalities by interfering with PPAR pathways and metabolic pathways. In addition to in vivo experiments, we also noticed that researchers have carried out in-depth in vitro and in sillico studies on the interaction between PFECA and nuclear receptors or transporters in order to provide a possible explanation for the bioaccumulation and toxic effects of PFECA. Our paper also discusses the challenges, potential risks, and future research directions concerning the application of PFECA. For example, in the development and application of green alternatives, several problems, including unclear information on their structure, physical and chemical properties, and immature quantitative analysis methods, should be addressed to reduce the potential environmental and health hazards caused by the new PFECA at the source. At the same time, developing efficient degradation methods in contaminant treatment is also one of the future research directions. It is also worth paying more attention to combine regulatory, scientific research, and market aspects to provide guarantees for the rational use of novel PFECA.