A Prospective Implementation of Plant-Associated Microbes for a Sustainable Agriculture in Qatar

In arid areas, date palm (Phoenix dactylifera L.) is considered crucial to the ecosystem establishment and maintenance as it protects the surrounding vegetation against desert influences and provides adequate microclimate to the understory crops. Palm grove, the keystone of the oasian ecosystem balance, is often subjected to severe environmental constraints such as nutrient-poor soil, long-term drought, high temperature, salin soil, and desertification. These constraints cause not only reduction in the production of dates, the principal food of humans and animals in the desert, but also accentuate the fragility of this ecosystem that is no longer able to buffer the effects of climate fluctuations. One of the main challenges for agricultural success in arid land is the efficient exploitation of soil, not only as an agricultural resource base but also as a living and fragile system, to guarantee its long-term stability and productivity. Among the soil fertility factors, the biological component is the most important since the agronomic potentialities of a soil depend on it. The management of soil microorganisms as providers of key ecological services is at the forefront of governing sustainable soil fertility by controlling cycles of major plant nutrients. These organisms, often referred to as “ecosystem engineers,” “biocontrol agents,” “biofertilizers,” or “bioenhancers,” can participate in improving plant growth and nutrition, strengthening plant performance, restoring ecosystems, and combating pests and pollution. The most important providers of these ecological services are arbuscular mycorrhizal (AM) fungi (AMF) which can form symbiotic association (mycorrhiza) with roots of most land plants. Mycorrhiza refers to a mutual association or symbiosis between plants and soilborne fungi that colonize the cortical tissue of roots during periods of active plant growth. The ability of the root systems to establish beneficial symbiotic relationships with soil microorganisms represents one of the most successful strategies that land plants have developed to cope with abiotic and biotic stresses imposed during the colonization of terrestrial ecosystems. Mycorrhizas are multifunctional: the multiple benefits gained from complementary characteristics that AM symbiosis provide can be characterized agronomically by increased growth and yield, physiologically by improved nutrients statut and water relations, and ecologically by improved ecosystem stability and preservation. The fungal mycelium that extends from the mycorrhizal roots forms a three-dimensional network linking the root and the soil environment beyond the nutrient depletion zone. It constitutes an efficient system for water and nutrient uptake, scavenging nutrient-poor conditions. The mycelium also contributes to the formation of water-stable aggregates necessary for good soil quality. Mycorrhizal performances are more pronounced under harsh conditions including poor soil, water scarcity and soil salinity. As a result, mycorrhizal plants are often more competitive and better able to tolerate environmental constraints than are non-mycorrhizal plants. In this chapter, we will compile and discuss the current knowledge concerning mycorrhizas occurrence and effectiveness in increasing plant performance in terms of growth, nutrition and protection against detrimental effect of abiotic stresses. An overview of most persuasive and effective uses of AMF to improve date palm growth and productivity in the context of the harsh conditions of arid land is highlighted.

Implanted biomedical devices can induce adverse responses in the human body, which can cause failure of the implant—referred to as implant failure. Early implant failure is induced numerous factors, most importantly, infection and inflammation. Natural products are, today, one of the main sources of new drug molecules due to the development of pathogenic bacterial strains that possess resistance to more antibiotics used currently in various diseases. The aim of this work is the sol–gel synthesis of antibacterial biomedical implants. In the silica matrix, different percentages (6, 12, 24, 50 wt %) of polyethylene glycol (PEG) or poly(ε-caprolactone) (PCL) were embedded. Subsequently, the ethanol solutions with high amounts of chlorogenic acid (CGA 20 wt %) were slowly added to SiO2/PEG and SiO2/PCL sol. The interactions among different organic and inorganic phases in the hybrid materials was studied by Fourier transform infrared (FTIR) spectroscopy. Furthermore, the materials were soaked in simulated body fluid (SBF) for 21 days and the formation of a hydroxyapatite layer on their surface was evaluated by FTIR and XRD analysis. Finally, Escherichia coli and Pseudomonas aeruginosa were incubated with several hybrids, and the diameter of zone of inhibition was observed to assessment the potential antibacterial properties of the hybrids.

The aim of this work is the synthesis of antibacterial biomedical implants using sol–gel method. Different percentages (6, 12, 24, 50 wt%) of polyethylene glycol (PEG) or poly(ε‐caprolactone) (PCL) are embedded in the silica matrix; subsequently, high amounts of chlorogenic acid (CGA 20 wt%) are added to SiO2/PEG and SiO2/PCL sol. Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy is used to evaluate the interactions among different organic and inorganic phases in the hybrid materials. Furthermore, in order to study the potential antibacterial properties of the materials, two different bacterial strains are used and the diameter of zone of inhibition is observed. CGA is a natural product that is present in coffee beans, as well as tea leaves, grapes, and apples. This natural molecule is added to sol–gel materials due to its many health‐promoting properties.

Introduction: Pathogen attacks impose natural selection on plants to evolve complex arrays of defensive strategies. Among the diverse defensive mechanisms evolved by plants to withstand pathogen attack, the ability to synthesize an arsenal of low-molecular weight volatile and non-volatile chemicals including phenolics helps them to prepare a robust defense response against pathogen entry. Systemic induction and accumulation of low molecular weight phenolics is observed in response to various diseases and thus are studied as markers for resistance to pathogens. Phenolics that exhibit anti-oxidant activity exert their inhibitory effects on pathogen colonization via protein precipitation and iron depletion.Phytochemical analysis have been proved that date palm is rich source of phenol. Very little information is available on the inherent Date palm phenolic content that has been involved as resistance factors. All the studies are focused on phenolic content from date palm fruit and its property. Here we focusing on comparative analysis of phenolics from different cultivars leaf and how it affect the different pathogenic fungi. Material and Methods: We conducted a genome mining analysis of date palm whole genome available in the NCBI site, to detect the presents of enzyme involved in the secondary metabolite pathway. Analyzed the presents of receptor protein specific for the recognition of fungal pathogen.Five date palm pathogens were isolated from the diseased date palm and surrounding soil from the date palm field located in northern region of Qatar. Leaf, shoot and root samples collected from the diseased date palm and rhizosphere soil collected from near the diseased date palm. Samples were stored at 40?C in aseptic condition until further use. Sterilized plant samples were plated in the potato dextrose agar (PDA) for the fungal isolation and the soil were plated on molten agar for fungal isolation. The plates were incubated at 250?C until single colony appeared. The isolated fungi were examined under microscope. Based on the microscopic and physical characteristics fungi were identified.The pathogenicity were determined with detached leaf inoculation analysis and in vivo pathogenicity analysis with three date palm cultivar varieties. Detached leaf inoculation analysis performed in laboratory condition and the in vivo pathogenicity conducted in green house with controlled growth condition. The date palm varieties used in this current study are Khalas, Khneezi and Barhi. All the four pathogens, Fusarium solani, Fusarium oxysporum, Rhizectonia solani Fusarium sp and Ceratocystis radicicola were used for pathogenicity analysis.Total phenolic were extracted from three date palm culvars through water extraction procedure. Extraction performed with different temperature range. Comparative analysis of antifungal property of total phenolics from different date palm cultivars such as Khalas, Khneezi and Barhi was carried out after optimizing extraction temperature. Antifungal activity is determined with disc diffusion analysis. 100 μl of extract impregnated filter disc (10 mm in diameter) placed on the PDA plate followed by fungal disc placed on the disc. Plates were incubated at 250?C and the fungal growth monitored. Experiment repeated in triplicate along with control. Results and conclusion: The genome mining analysis of date palm result revealed 45 enzyme sequences from shikimate pathway, which is a support for the active synthesis of phenolic content in date palm. Plant phenolics synthesize via shikimate-phenylpropanoid-flavonoid pathways and include phenolic acids, flavanoids, tannins and less common stilbenes and lignins. Presents of chitin elicitor receptor kinase in date palm indicate the phytopathogenic fungal detection ability of date palm.From the isolated fungi, the date palm pathogenic fungi were screened and subcultured. Five pathogenic fungi were isolated, Fusarium solani, Fusarium oxysporum, Rhizectonia solani, Fusarium sp and Ceratocystis radicicola. Pathogenicity of all the five isolated fungi were confirmed by analyzing necrosis caused on the date palm leaf (Fig. 1). The frequency of necrotic lesion and disease susceptibility found more in Khneezi than Khalas and Barhi.Water extraction procedure conducted at 400?C for 24 hrs were accepted as standardized phenolic extract for antifungal activity. Growths of the fungi were measured after 3 day and 5 days of incubation to determine the antifungal activity of phenolic extract (table 1). Phenolic extract from the Khalas showed more antagonistic activity against Rhizectonia solani whereas phenolic extract from Barhi showed more inhibitory activity against Fusarium solani, Fusarium oxysporum and Ceratocystis radicicola. In all the experiment Khneezi showed week inhibitory activity this supports our previous susceptibility study (not published) in that Khneezi showed more susceptible to C.radicicola. This result is an evident for the disease resistant activity of date palm phenolics.

Sixteen advance genotypes of mungbeans under 5 different concentrations of Polyethylene Glycol (PEG) were studied to find out the better cultivar against drought stress condition. The experiment results revealed that germination, seedling production and water-related behavior of mungbean genotypes differed significantly under different PEG (drought inducer) concentrations. The mungbean genotype BINA Mung-6 (V8) is proved as highly tolerant against drought stress condition among all other tested genotypes. The results of the investigation revealed that BINA Mung-6 (V8) genotype consistently scored the highest value for all parameters except for the root shoot ratio and water retention capacity that was statistically comparable to genotypes BARI Mung-4 (V2) and BINA Mung-5 (V7). Consistently poor performance were recorded from IPM-02-03 (V16) genotype which is statistically similar as genotypes BMXK1-09015-2 (V13) and BMXK1-09015-6 (V10). The maximum percentage of germination (98.12%), shoot length (139.40 mm), root length (99.07 mm), shoot dry weight (22.32 mg), root dry weight (6.88 mg), relative water content (94.78), water retention capacity (24.98), germination co-efficient (22.27) and vigor index (233.90) were reported from BINA Mung-6 (V8) at a concentration of 0 percent PEG. The minimum percentage of germination (28.22 percent), shoot length (31.17 mm), root length (16.50 mm), shoot dry weight (2.21 mg), root dry weight (0.97 mg), relative water content (25.55), water retention capacity (3.08), germination co-efficient (6.06) and vigor index (13.45) were reported from IPM-02-03 (V16) mungbean advance lines at 0 percent PEG. Maximum (0.92) root shoot ratio was recorded from both BARI Mung-8 (V6) and BMX-08011-2 (V11) mungbean genotypes at 20 percent PEG concentration and minimum (0.22) at 0 percent PEG concentration from BARI Mung-5 (V3) genotype. Maximum water retention capacity (74.45) was recorded at 20 per cent PEG concentration from IPM-02-03 (V16) genotype and minimum (5.22) was at 0 per cent PEG concentration from BINA Mung-6 (V8) genotype.

Previously, we reported that 5% polyethylene glycol (PEG) (6000) augmented thyroid-stimulating antibody (TSAb)-stimulated cyclic adenosine monophosphate (cAMP) production in porcine thyroid cell (PTC) assay. This augmentation by PEG was specific to TSAb-stimulation. In this study we examined the effects of nonionic hydrophilic polymers such as PEG, polyvinyl alcohol (PVA), and dextran (DEX) on TSAb-stimulated cAMP production. We demonstrated that graded doses of PEG, PVA, and DEX augmented TSAb-stimulated cAMP productions; the prominent augmentations were observed with 5% PEG (20,000), 5% PEG (6000), 6% PEG (4000), 10% PVA, 14% DEX T-250, and 14% DEX T-70. PVA did not augment thyrotropin (TSH)-stimulated cAMP synthesis. Five percent PEG (20,000), 14% DEX T-250, and 14% DEX T-70 augmented TSH-stimulated cAMP synthesis very slightly. PEG, PVA, and DEX had no effects on the cAMP synthesis stimulated by GTPgammaS, forskolin, or pituitary adenylate cyclase activating polypeptide (PACAP), which stimulated adenylate cyclase. We also demonstrated that PEG, PVA, and DEX augmented the cAMP responses stimulated by small amounts (50 microL) of sera from Graves' patients; small amounts (50 microL) of sera could be used instead of purified immunoglobulin G (IgG). This may simplify the TSAb assay. We developed a highly sensitive simplified TSAb assay. PEG weakly augmented TSAb binding to isolated TSH receptor (thyrotropin-binding inhibitor immunoglobulin [TBII] increased slightly). The mechanisms of the augmentations of TSAb-stimulated cAMP productions by PEG, PVA, and DEX is not simply explained by increased binding of TSAb to the receptors. Some factors that enhance TSAb action at the receptor site are suggested.

Polyethylene glycol (PEG) is a polymeric compound used as a vehicle for depot steroid preparations such as methylprednisolone acetate and triamcinolone diacetate injected into the epidural or intrathecal space to relieve low back pain. There have been reports of neurodysfunction associated with these injections, and it has been postulated that the PEG vehicle is the offending agent. Studies supporting such a possibility have, however, relied upon concentrations of PEG higher than those used clinically (3%) or have used PEG in combination with other drugs. Using an in vitro rabbit sheathed-nerve preparation, we investigated the effects of a 1-hr exposure to different concentrations (3-40%) of PEG in Liley solution on the transmission of impulses of the A, B, and C nerve fibers. The 3% and 10% PEG had no effect on mean amplitudes of the compound action potentials (CAPs) nor did they significantly decrease conduction velocity. Twenty percent PEG slightly depressed and 30% markedly decreased CAPs. Both 20% and 30% PEG significantly slowed the conduction velocities of A, B, and C nerve fibers. Forty percent PEG abolished CAPs. With washout CAPs recovered to at least 80% of their baseline levels, and conduction velocities returned toward baseline levels. The pH of the Liley solution decreased with an increasing concentration of PEG, from 7.4 in the control Liley solution to 6.45 in the solution of 40% PEG.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Composite films based on polypyrrole (PPy) and polyethylene glycol (PEG) were synthesized on titanium electrode, using various percentages of PEG, as the insulating material in order to enhance surface properties of the polymer composite films. The Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FT-IR) was performed to demonstrate the formation of a PPy-PEG composite film. The corrosion behaviour of coatings has been studied by Tafel tests and cyclic voltammetry. The PPy-PEG films/electrolyte interface was analyzed by electrochemical impedance spectroscopy (EIS) and the specific parameters of corresponding equivalent circuits were calculated. The polymeric layer morphology on titanium substrate has been evaluated using atomic force microscopy (AFM) and enhanced properties of the PPy-PEG films are discussed as the effect of PEG incorporation in the polypyrrole structure.

Antibacterial polymeric coating based on polypyrrole and polyethylene glycol on a new alloy TiAlZr

Assessing reforestation failure at the project scale: The margin for technical improvement under harsh conditions. A case study in a Mediterranean Dryland

Modification of polysulfone membranes with polyethylene glycol and lignosulfate: electrical characterization by impedance spectroscopy measurements

n experiment was conducted to evaluate the nutritive value of six dominant range plants in Wadi Hashim, North West Coast, Egypt, through the estimation of chemical composition and in situ dry matter (DM) and crude protein (CP) degradation kinetics.In addition, plants were treated by different processes, such as ensiling or addition of Poly Ethylene Glycol (PEG) in comparison with those without treatment (as fed).The plants belong to 6 families: Thymelaea hirsuta (family: Thymelaeaceae); Lycium shawii (f: Solanaceae); Asphodelus fistulosus (f: Liliaceae); Silybium marianum (f: Compositae); Pituranthos tortuosus (f: Umbelliferae) and Suaeda vermiculata (f: Chenopodiaceae).The DM and CP degradation kinetics were evaluated by the artificial fiber bag technique through in situ procedure, using three ruminally cannulated camels.Chemical composition of the studied plants showed that Suaeda vermiculata followed by Lycium shawii contained higher CP (12.8 and 11.9%, respectively).Treatments as ensiling process or treatment with PEG improved chemical composition of the experimental plants.Degradation profile of DM indicated that the higher values of the rapidly degradable fraction "a" were recorded in S. marianum followed by A. fistulosus in all of their forms (as fed, silage or treated with PEG) while S. vermiculata recorded high value in silage form only (42.4%).The fraction "a" was generally low across the studied plants as fed and those treated with PEG.However, the slowly degradable fraction "b" differed among plant species, being high in A. fistulosus and S. marianum with 60.4, and 59.3% DM (as fed), 57.3 and 56.8% DM (treated with PEG) and 57.7 and 62.1% DM (when ensiled), respectively.Concerning the CP degradability, it was found that the soluble fraction "a" was low as in T. hirsute, P. tortuosus and S. vermiculata (as fed, 10.5, 21.7 and 23.5% CP, respectively) and it was irregularly affected with PEG addition to become 31.5,23.5 and 19.6% CP, respectively, and slightly increased when ensiled to become 24.5, 23.4 and 31.2%CP, respectively.Meanwhile, the slowly fraction "b" was not affected in a uniform pattern when treated with PEG or ensiled.The slowly fraction was reduced in T. hirsute and A. fistulosus when treated with PEG or ensiled when compared with their values as fed.Results indicated that the contents of antinutritional factors, total and condensed tannins and saponin, in the studied plants were reduced with treatment, particularly ensiled ones.Based on these findings, it can be concluded that the nutritive value of the forage plant species are improved with treatment and can be used as supplement when ensiled.

Effect of different molecular weights of polyethylene glycol as a plasticizer on the formulation of dry powder inhaler capsules: Investigation of puncturing size, morphologies, and surface properties

The present work aims to elaborate many juice formulas (F1 to F8) from two dried fruits (jujubes: Ziziphus lotus L. and dates: Phoenix dactylifera L.). Physicochemical and biochemical characterization of the formula juices shows that juices rich in dates fruits (F1, F3, F5, and F7) are loaded, on average, in total sugars (129.5 g/l), proteins (3.02 g/l), lipids (1.08 g/l), and carotenoid (0.02 mg/l), while juices rich in jujube fruits (F2, F4, F6, and F8) are overloaded, on average, in phenolic compounds (697 mg/l), flavonoids (6.32 mg/l), condensed tannins (2.1 mg/l), hydrolysable tannins (359.5 mg/l), and viscosity (1.062 mm 10–3 s). All formulations developed have a pH that rotates between 5.12 and 5.20. Total antioxidant capacity (CAT) reveals that formulations F1, F3, F5, and F7 show a strong activity compared to the other formulas. The DPPH test shows that all formulated juices have the same antioxidant profile with IC50 values lower than the template (BHT and Vit C). The FRAP test reveals that F2, F4, F6, and F8 formulas have a strong reducing power. Organoleptic evaluation by a jury shows that F4 formula is the best in terms of odor, aroma, and aftertaste agreeability.

Basal stem rot disease is a lethal disease of coconut caused by Ganoderma lucidum (Leys) Karst. and it is prevalent throughout India. The pathogen is a soil borne fungus causing significant damage to the crop. Disease management practices have been developed for the management of basal stem rot disease. However, these management practices are effective only if applied in the early stages of the disease. Biological method of crop disease management is gaining momentum in recent years due to their advantages over chemical methods and it is less expensive and environmentally safe. Hence, a study was conducted on the biological control of basal stem rot disease of coconut at different locations of Thanjavur district of Tamil Nadu in India. The results revealed that soil application of talc based formulations of Trichoderma viride and Pseudomonas fluorescens at the rate of 200 g each/palm recorded a significantly lower disease index of 4.34, which was followed by T.harzianum and P. fluorescens at the rate of 200 g each/palm (7.42). Soil application of T. viride and P. fluorescens also recorded a significantly higher mean nut yield of 76.68 nuts/ palm, when compared to control (69.28 nuts/palm). Keywords: Coconut, basal stem rot, biological control.