Lateral Growth Research Articles

Overexpression of wheat C2H2 zinc finger protein transcription factor TaZAT8-5B enhances drought tolerance and root growth in Arabidopsis thaliana.

TaZAT8-5B, a C2H2 zinc finger protein transcription factor, positively regulates drought tolerance in transgenic Arabidopsis. It promotes root growth under drought stress via the Aux/IAA-ARF module in the auxin signaling pathway. C2H2 zinc finger proteins (C2H2-ZFPs) represent the largest but relatively unexplored family of transcription factors in plants. This is particularly evident in wheat, where the functions of only a few C2H2-ZFP genes have been confirmed. In this study, we identified a novel C2H2-ZFP gene, TaZAT8-5B. This gene shows high expression in roots and flowers and is significantly induced by heat, drought, and salt stress. Under drought stress, overexpressing TaZAT8-5B in Arabidopsis resulted in increased proline content and superoxide dismutase (SOD) activity in leaves. It also led to reduced stomatal aperture and water loss, while inducing the expression of P5CS1, RD29A, and DREB1A. Consequently, it alleviated drought stress-induced malondialdehyde (MDA) accumulation and improved drought tolerance. Additionally, TaZAT8-5B promoted lateral root initiation under mannitol stress and enhanced both lateral and primary root growth under long-term drought stress. Moreover, TaZAT8-5B was induced by indole-3-acetic acid (IAA). Overexpressing TaZAT8-5B under drought stress significantly inhibited the expression of auxin signaling negative regulatory genes IAA12 and IAA14. Conversely, downstream genes (ARF7, LBD16, LBD18, and CDKA1) of IAA14 and IAA12 were upregulated in TaZAT8-5B overexpressing plants compared to wild-type (WT) plants. These findings suggest that TaZAT8-5B regulates root growth and development under drought stress via the Aux/IAA-ARF module in the auxin signaling pathway. In summary, this study elucidates the role of TaZAT8-5B in enhancing drought tolerance and its involvement in root growth and development through the auxin signaling pathway. These findings offer new insights into the functional analysis of homologous genes of TaZAT8-5B, particularly in Gramineae species.

Mechanism of Thermodynamically Rationalized Selective Growth of a Two-Dimensional Ternary Ferromagnet on Insulating Substrates.

Two-dimensional (2D) semiconducting ferromagnet Fe3GeTe2 holds great promise for advanced spintronic applications because of its gate-tunable ferromagnetic ordering at room temperature, whereas the controllable growth of large-area single crystals remains very challenging due to its ternary nature and variable stoichiometry inducing many competitive phases. Here, we theoretically probe the mechanism of selective growth of monolayer Fe3GeTe2 on various epitaxial substrates. Thermodynamic analysis shows that the corresponding phase-pure chemical potential windows for the selective growth of Fe3GeTe2 can be reasonably attained in ternary phase space on insulating and chemically inert c-plane sapphire and Ga2O3(0001) substrates by properly modulating the interfacial interaction and employing suitable feedstocks to avoid competitive growth of possible impurity phases with different stoichiometry ratios. It is also revealed that both the weak edge-substrate interaction and interlayer coupling of Fe3GeTe2 together lead to a surface-dominated nucleation behavior and, thereby, energetically favor lateral growth of the monolayer rather than vertical growth of the multilayer. Importantly, straight protocols for the experimentally selective growth of phase-pure ternary Fe3GeTe2 are also provided by establishing the relationship between the feedstock chemical potential and growth parameters on a thermochemical basis. Our insightful study can also be reasonably extended to guide future experimental design for the selective growth of other multicomponent 2D materials.

Genome-Wide Association study for root system architecture traits in field soybean [Glycine max (L.) Merr.]

Roots play a crucial role in plant development, serving to absorb water and nutrients from the soil while also providing structural stability. However, the impacts of global warming can impede root growth by altering soil conditions that hinder overall plant growth. To address this challenge, there is a need to screen and identify plant genotypes with superior Root System Architecture traits (RSA), that can be used for future breeding efforts in enhancing their resilience to these environmental changes. In this project, 500 mid to late-maturity soybean accessions were grown on blue blotting papers hydroponically with six replicates and assessed seven RSA traits. Genome-Wide Association Studies (GWAS) were carried out with root phenotypic data and SNP data from the SoySNP50K iSelect SNP BeadChip, using both the TASSEL 5.0 and FarmCPU techniques. A total of 26 significant SNP-trait correlations were discovered, with 11 SNPs on chromosome 13. After SNP selection, we identified 14 candidate genes within 100-kb regions flanking the SNPs, which are related to root architecture. Notably, Glyma.17G258700, which exhibited substantial differential expression in root tips and its Arabidopsis homolog, AT4G24190 (GRP94) is involved in the regulation of meristem size and organization. Other candidate genes includes Glyma.03G023000 and Glyma.13G273500 that are also play a key role in lateral root initiation and root meristem growth, respectively. These findings significantly contribute to the discovery of key genes associated with root system architecture, facilitating the breeding of resilient cultivars adaptable to changing climates.

Impact of Sulfur Deficiency and Excess on the Growth and Development of Soybean Seedlings.

Sulfur is a critical element for plant growth and development, serving as a component of amino acids (cysteine and methionine), iron-sulfur clusters, proteins, glutathione, coenzymes, and auxin precursors. Deficiency or low concentrations of sulfur in the soil can lead to significant growth retardation in plants. The objective of our study was to examine the effects of sulfur (S) deficiency and excess on morphological symptoms, sulfur and nitrogen (N) metabolism, as well as antioxidant activity in soybean. We found that S starvation decreased the fine root length, biomass, and activity, and the chlorophyll content was reduced, while excess sulfur promotes lateral root growth. In contrast to sulfur excess, sulfur deficiency inhibits N and S metabolism levels in both subsurface and above-ground parts, and induced the expression of some sulfur transporters (SULTRs). In this study, we created soybean hairy root lines overexpressing the SULTR gene (GmSULTR2;1a) to observe metabolic changes following sulfur deficiency treatment. The results showed that GmSULTR2;1a saved the sulfur-deficient phenotype, and the antioxidant enzyme activity was much higher than that of the wildtype in the absence of sulfur. Our study revealed the important role of sulfur element in soybean growth and development and the regulation of sulfur deficiency by GmSULTR2;1a.

Impact of water vapor on the 2D MoS2 growth in metal-organic chemical vapor deposition

In the presented work, the method of metal–organic chemical vapor deposition (MOCVD) using Mo(CO)6 and H2S assisted by oxidative etching with water vapor, was employed for the synthesis of MoS2. This study was aimed at detailed investigation of the films' properties obtained via this method and identifying methods for elimination of such disadvantages as the carbon impurities and the small size of crystalline domains in the films. It was found that in the temperature range from 850 °C to 950 °C, the effect of water vapor on the morphology of MoS2 is significantly different. The study of the chemical states of molybdenum and sulfur made it possible to associate the size of the crystal domains formed with the efficiency of removing the oxidized states of Mo6+ and S6+. It is assumed that the increase in the domains’ size is due to rapid lateral growth, resulting from the complete removal of the oxidized states at the edges, as well as a decrease in the density of nucleation centers due to the etching of less stable seeds on the substrate surface.

Heteroepitaxial Growth of NiO Thin Films on (‐201) β‐Ga2O3 by Mist Chemical Vapor Deposition

The growth of NiO epitaxial thin films on (‐201) β‐Ga2O3 by mist chemical vapor deposition (CVD) and the effects of carrier gas selection (N2 and O2) and substrate preannealing treatment on the structural and morphological properties on the grown thin films are explored. X‐ray diffraction analysis reveals successful epitaxial growth with the orientation relationship (111) NiO [0‐11] || (‐201) β‐Ga2O3 [010]. As a carrier gas, O2 results in single‐domain NiO films while N2 leads to the formation of rotational domains. Atomic force microscopy and field‐emission scanning electron microscopy confirm the lateral growth of NiO films, thus highlighting the importance of substrate preannealing at 1200 °C in oxygen atmosphere to obtain flat, high‐quality films. The results demonstrate that the method of mist CVD combined with appropriate substrate preparation and carrier gas selection is effective for the growth of high‐quality NiO/β‐Ga2O3 heterostructures. This achievement opens new possibilities for the development of wide‐bandgap p–n heterojunctions, potentially advancing the field of high‐power oxide‐based electronic devices.

Plug method allows measurement of apical and lateral growth of fen brown mosses

ABSTRACT Introduction: A reliable method for measuring brown moss production helps us to understand the functioning of fen peatlands and to quantify their peat formation rate. However, traditional methods based on height increment are not suitable for measuring the growth rate of brown mosses with numerous lateral branches. Methods: The growth rate of common brown moss species in temperate and boreal fens was measured using two methods: (i) the marking method – a moss shoot was marked with oil paint and its growth increment measured from the mark (in the laboratory and in the field); and (ii) the plug method – a fragment of a moss colony was ‘plugged' (i.e. cored), weighed and replanted in a small basket for a year, then weighed again; a similar and bottomless basket was fixed in the moss colony as a control. Key results and discussion: Despite promising laboratory results, the marking method gave low shoot survival in the field, probably due to the restriction of external water transport along the shoots. No differences in shoot elongation were found between the plug method and the control. The plug method comprises the measurement of both apical and lateral growth, and the authors of the present study therefore recommend it for measuring the growth of brown mosses with numerous lateral branches. Considering only the elongation of the top shoots leads to an underestimation of growth by 50% and consequently to an underestimation of the peat-forming potential of brown mosses.

Carex parva and Carex scabrirostris adopt diverse response strategies to adapt to low-light conditions.

In recent years, the visible light intensity of lawns has significantly decreased due to obstructions caused by urban shading objects. Carex has a competitive advantage over other turfgrass in low-light conditions and extensive management. Therefore, exploring their survival strategy in low-light environments is of great significance. This study focuses on two species of Carex, Carex parva and Carex scabrirostris, and investigates their response to low-light conditions (150 μmol/m2/s) by simulating urban lawn conditions. Biomass allocation characteristics, leaf anatomical features, biochemical parameters, root morphology and photosynthetic parameters were measured. (a) Peroxidase activity, specific leaf area, and relative water content are key factors influencing the photosynthetic capacity of the two Carex species. (b) Under low-light conditions, photosynthetic parameters, leaf physiological indicators, and biomass allocation of the two Carex species were significantly affected (p<0.05). Both Carex species increased their investment in leaf biomass, maintained lateral root growth, and cleared reactive oxygen species to maintain their physiological balance. (c) In the simulated urban low-light environment, neither C. parva nor C. scabrirostris produced dauciform roots. In terms of response strategies, C. scabrirostris is a high-photosynthesis investing species with high productivity under low-light conditions, whereas C. parva exhibits minimal response, indicating a slow investment. C. scabrirostris has greater potential for application in low-light environments compared to C. parva. These results provide a theoretical basis for the cultivation and application of these two Carex species, as well as the expansion of turfgrass germplasm resources.

Constructing 2D Porous ZnO Gas Sensors Based on Polyvinylpyrrolidone-Assisted Zn-MOF Nanosheets for NO2 Detection.

Two-dimensional (2D) ZnO nanomaterials are promising for gas sensing, because of their large surface area, abundant active sites, and rapid charge transfer. However, it is challenging to prepare 2D ZnO nanosheet gas sensors with high sensing performance, due to the tight interlayer stack and low adsorptive property of ZnO for NO2 molecules. Herein, we synthesized Zn-MOF nanosheets employing polyvinylpyrrolidone (PVP) as the structure-directing agent, further through pyrolysis of the Zn-MOF to obtain 2D ZnO nanosheet gas sensors. As anticipated, the 2D ZnO gas sensors exhibited high sensitivity and selectivity for NO2, and the optimal sample could achieve a response value of 162 at the working temperature of 160 °C, which is 10 times higher than that of pristine ZnO. Meanwhile, experimental and DFT results showed that PVP plays critical roles in the lateral lattice growth of 2D Zn-MOF nanosheets, while the existence of PVP makes the ZnO gas sensors with rich porous property and more oxygen vacancy after the pyrolysis process, which promoted the adsorption, activity, and surface reaction for NO2 molecules. It provides a new approach for the application of 2D ZnO nanosheets in the NO2 detection field.

Insight into the Impact of Electrolyte on Passivation of Lithium–Sulfur Cathodes

AbstractOne of the remaining challenges for lithium–sulfur batteries toward practical application is early cathode passivation by the insulating discharge product: Li2S. To understand how to best mitigate passivation and minimize related performance loss, a kinetic Monte–Carlo model for Li2S crystal growth from solution is developed. The key mechanisms behind the strongly different natures of Li2S layer growth, structure, and morphology for salts with different (DN) are revealed. LiTFSI electrolyte in dimethyl ether leads to lateral Li2S growth on carbon and fast passivation because it increases the Li2S precipitation‐to‐dissolution probability on carbon relative to Li2S. In contrast, LiBr electrolyte has a higher DN and yields a particle‐like structure due to a significantly higher precipitation‐to‐dissolution probability on Li2S compared to carbon. The resulting large number of Li2S sites further favors particle growth, leading to low passivation. This study is able to identify the key parameters of the electrolyte and substrate material to tune Li2S morphology and growth to pave the way for optimized performance.

Genome-wide identification and gene expression networks of LBD transcription factors in Populus trichocarpa

The Lateral Organ Boundaries Domain (LBD) proteins, an exclusive family of transcription factors (TFs) found solely in plants, play pivotal roles in lateral organogenesis, stress adaptation, secondary growth, and hormonal signaling responses. In this study, a total of 55 PtLBD TFs from Populus trichocarpa were identified and systematically classified into two subfamilies, designated as subfamily-I and subfamily-II with seven distinct groups based on phylogenetic analysis. Gene structure detection indicated that the difference of phase numbers linking adjacent exons contribute to the variations in splicing patterns among different PtLBD groups. Numerous transcription factor binding sites and cis-elements pertinent to hormone signaling pathways and stress response mechanisms were identified within the upstream promoter regions of the PtLBD genes. Thirty-five PtLBDs were found to be engaged in either tandem or segmental duplications, and genomic collinearity analysis revealed a stronger alignment between PtLBD genes and eudicots plants compared to their relationship with monocots. GO enrichment and temporal-spatio expression patterns showed that PtLBD7 from subfamily-I and PtLBD20 from subfamily-II, along with other 13 PtLBDs, were involved in plant growth and development biological processes. The multilayered hierarchical gene networks (ML-hGRN) mediated by PtLBD7 and PtLBD20 indicated that PtLBDs were mainly function in poplar growth and stress tolerance through a multifaceted and intricate regulatory machinery. This study lays a solid groundwork for delving deeper into the roles and underlying mechanisms of LBD transcription factors in poplar, specifically those related to plant hormones and stress tolerance.

Buckling of thin films: Lateral growth and kinetic evolution of telephone cords

We conduct a thorough investigation of the lateral growth and kinetic evolution of telephone cord buckles within thin films, employing both experimental and numerical techniques. Our exploration begins with in-situ experiments conducted on annealed silicon nitride films, aimed at capturing empirical data on the formation and evolution of these distinctive patterns. These experiments yield valuable insights into the morphological changes of telephone cords, such as wave flipping and merging, which lead to the enlargement of buckles at double wavelengths and widths. Subsequently, we employ a combined approach of geometrically nonlinear plate modeling and surface-based cohesive interface framework within a finite element numerical model to analyze the interplay between buckling-induced delamination and growth triggered by mode mixity-dependent interfacial toughness. Through this integrated approach, we effectively capture the mutual evolution of buckling and delamination occurrences, thus highlighting their inherently dynamic nature. Our numerical simulations show that the width and wavelength of telephone cords are doubled, consistent with experimental findings.

Analyzing the Influence of Source/Drain Growth Height and Lateral Growth Depth in FinFETs Through XGBoost and SHAP

Analyzing the Influence of Source/Drain Growth Height and Lateral Growth Depth in FinFETs Through XGBoost and SHAP

Grazing and precipitation addition interactions alleviate dominant species overgrowth and promote community productivity and biodiversity in a typical steppe

Grazing and precipitation are pivotal factors influencing the productivity and biodiversity of grassland ecosystems, largely through their effects on the growth and reproduction of dominant species. Approximately 50 % of terrestrial ecosystems are concurrently affected by grazing and precipitation addition (PA), yet the interactive effects of these factors remain underexplored. To elucidate the combined impacts of grazing and PA on the growth of dominant species and their influence on community structure and function, we initiated a four-year combined grazing and PA experiment based on a long term of grazing experiment in a typical steppe. The synergistic interaction between PA and grazing enhanced canopy diameter (CD), tiller density (TD), and seedling density (SD) in dominant species, while decreasing reproductive branch density (RB). Conversely, an antagonistic interaction increased plant height (PH) and TD but reduced SD. These responses suggest that dominant species adapt to combined grazing and PA pressures by shifting growth strategies towards lateral growth and asexual reproduction. The growth characteristics of dominant species exhibited four response patterns to grazing and PA interactions: full saturation, sufficient saturation, equal saturation, and deficit saturation, each with three corresponding thresholds: adaptation, optimum, and saturation points. Grazing decreased the precipitation response thresholds for PH, CD, RB, and population density, while increasing the optimal points for TD and SD. These changes in the growth of the dominant species resulted in a 33 % reduction in the aboveground biomass (AGB) of the community and triggered a 18 % increase in the coupling index between AGB and species richness within the community. Our findings highlight the role of dominant species in facilitating community adaptation to increased precipitation and rotational grazing, offering critical insights for developing sustainable grazing strategies under climate change.

Growth Rate in Cultured Crustose Coralline Algae of the Genus Phymatolithon and Sporolithon From Taiwan

ABSTRACTCoastal algal reef ecosystems, which are formed by the skeletal carbonate of crustose coralline algae (CCA), provide vital habitats for a diverse range of marine organisms and serve as valuable archives of long‐term environmental data. Despite the importance of these reef ecosystems, there is currently a lack of available information regarding the accretion rates of CCA in subtropical intertidal zones in the Taoyuan algal reef. We measured the vertical accretion and horizontal growth of CCA cultured in two aquaculture tanks over a 9‐month period. The vertical accretion and horizontal growth rate of CCA was approximately 0.29–0.43 and 5.5 μm·day−1 (the extrapolated annual value is equivalent to 0.11–0.16 and 2.0 mm·year−1, respectively). Newly colonized CCA had faster horizontal growth of approximately 110 μm·day−1 (equivalent to 40.2 mm·year−1). These results highlight the slow and gradual process of algal reef ecosystem formation in the subtropical intertidal zones. The CCA had a faster lateral growth rate as seen in the newly settled CCA. These findings contribute to our understanding of the overall growth dynamics of CCA.

PeFUS3 Drives Lateral Root Growth Via Auxin and ABA Signalling Under Drought Stress in Populus.

Changes in root system architecture are vital for plant adaptation to drought stress, yet the underlying molecular mechanisms of this process remain largely elusive. Here, FUSCA3 (FUS3), a B3 domain transcription factor isolated from Populus euphratica, was found to be an important gene of regulating lateral root (LR) development under drought stress. The expression of PeFUS3 was strongly induced by ABA and dehydration treatments. Overexpressing PeFUS3 in poplar 84 K (P. alba × P. glandulosa) positively regulated LR growth and enhanced drought tolerance, while the knockout lines, generated by the CRISPR/Cas9 system, displayed repressed LR growth and weakened drought tolerance. Further investigation demonstrated that PeFUS3 activated the expression of PIN2, PIN6a and AUX1, which were key genes involved in auxin transport, suggesting PeFUS3 modulated LR development under drought stress through auxin signalling. Moreover, PeFUS3 directly upregulated PePYL3 expression, and overexpressing PePYL3 poplar lines exhibited significantly increased drought resistance. In addition, PeABF2, an ABA responsive transcription factor, interacted with PeFUS3 and activated its transcription, indicating PeFUS3 was involved in ABA signalling pathway. Taken together, PeFUS3 is a key regulator, maintaining root growth of poplar by modulating the crosstalk of auxin and ABA signalling under drought stress.

Auxin-Mediated Lateral Root Development in Root Galls of Cucumber under Meloidogyne incognita Stress.

Root-knot nematodes induce the formation of feeding sites within the host roots and the relocation of auxin into galls results in abnormal lateral root growth. Here, we analyzed the changes in cucumber root architecture under Meloidogyne incognita stress and the distribution of auxin in these morphological and molecular root changes. The number of root tips significantly decreased, and regression analysis showed a positive relationship between the size of root galls and the numbers of nematodes in galls compared with the lateral roots on galls, emphasizing the effect of nematode parasitism on root development. Data generated via a promoter-reporter system using the transgenic hairy root system first characterized the auxin distribution during nematode parasitism in cucumber. Using DR5:GUS staining of root galls, we further detected the expression of CsPIN1 and CsAUX1, which regulate polar auxin transport. The results showed that both CsPIN1 and CsAUX1 were induced in galls, and the relative expression of the two genes significantly increased at 21 DAI. The TIBA treatment, which can disrupt polar auxin transport inhibited the numbers of cucumber root tips and total length following increasing concentration gradients. Moreover, the numbers of galls were significantly affected by TIBA treatment, which showed the vital role of auxin during nematode parasitism. Our findings suggest that the transportation of auxin plays an important role during gall formation and induces cucumber lateral root development within nematode feeding sites.

Temperature-dependent evolution of synthetic coal-derived graphite fillers and their reinforcement in styrene butadiene rubber composites

This study investigated the structural evolution of synthetic coal-derived graphite (SCG), produced from anthracite through high-temperature treatments ranging from 1000 to 2900 °C, and its reinforcement potential in styrene butadiene rubber (SBR) composites. Upon heating the anthracite to 2000 °C, We observed a gradual structural transformation from an amorphous carbon structure with mixed sp2-sp3 bonding to an ordered sp2-bonded nano-sized graphitic structure. This transformation was accompanied by the evaporation of heteroatom functional groups, an increase in high surface energy site as well as micropore and void structures, and enhanced hydrophobic surface property. Beyond 2000 °C, a flake-like graphite with a larger particle size (average lateral size >10 μm) was gradually formed through lateral and vertical crystalline growth mechanisms. The reinforcing potential of SCG fillers was revealed by incorporating them into SBR and evaluating the properties of the resulting composites. It was found that the tensile strength and 300 % tensile modulus initially enhanced with SCG fillers treated up to 2000 °C, but decreased for fillers treated at 2300 and 2900 °C. On the other hand, storage modulus, tear resistance, and gas permeability consistently improved with fillers treated at higher temperatures. These findings highlight the relationship between the temperature-induced structural evolution of SCG fillers and their reinforcement performance in SBR composites, offering valuable insights for industrial rubber applications, particularly enhancing the performance and sustainability of automotive tire.

The role of electrode potential in CaCO3 scaling on steel surfaces under cathodic and corrosion conditions

The role of electrode potential in CaCO3 scaling behavior and kinetics on carbon steel and stainless steel surfaces is investigated through electrochemical tests, surface characterization, and numerical modeling. Under cathodic conditions, calcite is the dominant CaCO3 polymorph, its lateral growth on steel surfaces follows exponential kinetics. However, under gradually promoted corrosion conditions of carbon steel, the presence of corrosion products induces more aragonite deposition and inhibits the lateral growth of CaCO3 scale, gradually evolving from exponential to linear kinetics. This work provides further insight into how the cathodic and anodic reactions of steel corrosion respectively promote and inhibit CaCO3 scaling.

Controllable growth of large 1T-NbTe2 nanosheets on mica by chemical vapor deposition and its magnetic properties

Two-dimensional (2D) magnetic materials have recently attracted broad attention for their potential technological applications. Here, we report controllable growth of NbTe2 nanosheets on mica substrate by atmospheric chemical vapor deposition. Different from the SiO2/Si substrates, dangling bonds on the surface of the mica are absent, which induces low nucleation density and higher lateral growth rate. As a result, the lateral size of NbTe2 nanosheets on mica substrates can be significantly larger than those on SiO2/Si substrates. Large single crystal NbTe2 nanosheets with a lateral size of up to 151 µm were fabricated on a mica. High-resolution transmission electron microscope image, XRD patterns and Raman spectra reveal the NbTe2 nanosheets adopt the single crystal with 1T phase. Furthermore, the NbTe2 nanosheets on mica demonstrate ferromagnetic properties with a Curie temperature of up to 162 K. Our work paves the way for the atmospheric chemical vapor deposition growth and applications of many more 2D magnets.