Low Yield Research Articles

Evaluating the Soil Quality Indicators in Various Yield Zones of Pulses in Tamil Nadu, India

Background: In recent years, there is growing demand for pulses in Tamil Nadu and the government has implemented various schemes and programmes to promote cultivation. However, the evaluation and categorization of soils for pulse production is crucial in determining the suitability of land for pulse cultivation and offer improvement through the adoption of improved crop management practices. Methods: A systematic soil quality assessment survey was taken up during 2020-2022 in the major pulse growing blocks of Virudhunagar district viz., Sattur, Aruppukottai and Thiruchuli based on past ten years yield data and it was classified into three categories viz., low yielding ( less than 400 kg ha-1), medium (400 to 700 kg ha-1) and high yielding ( greater than 700 kg ha-1) categories. Three hundred samples were collected from these zones. Results: The positive effects of soil physical, chemical, and biological qualities on the yield of pulse crops were justified through the yield data of the high yielding zone which ranged from 769 to 989 kg ha-1 with an average pulse yield of 880 kg ha-1. This may be attributed to more favourable soil physical environment in terms of soil texture (sandy clay loam), higher mean percentage of water stable aggregates (51%) and a favourable pH of 7.52. These parameters coupled with lower bulk density (1.23 Mgm-3), optimum infiltration rate (1.76 cm hr-1) and maximum mean organic carbon status (1.38 mg kg-1) contributed to higher range of soil cation exchange capacity (28.7 to 47.2 cmol p+ kg-1). In addition, the presence of avilable nitrogen and phosphorus, potassium, sulphur and availability of mean micronutrient contents viz., DTPA iron and DTPA zinc resulted in better quality of these soils contributing to maximum pulse productivity in this zone. Soil respiration rate with mean respiration rate of 4.48 mg CO2 kg-1 d-1 in high yield category compared to that of 2.34 mg CO2 kg-1 d-1 in low yield category, which is well correlated with better soil organic matter content in the former than the latter group of soil. Therefore, this study formulates a clear understanding of the variations in soil quality parameters for adopting efficient nutrient management practices towards obtaining maximum productivity of pulse crops.

Efficient preparation of icariin from epimedin C by recyclable biphasic enzymatic hydrolysis

Icariin is the most bioactive ingredient of Epimedium L. and a quality marker of Herba Epimedii. Conventional methods for production of Icariin are known to be inefficient, resulting in low yields and significant environmental pollution. This study aimed to develop a sustainable and effective biphasic enzymatic hydrolysis system for the efficient conversion of epimedin C to icariin. The biphasic system was created using butyl acetate and phosphate buffer (pH 4.5) at a ratio of 3:1 (V/V) along with α-L-rhamnosidase/epimedin C (2 U/1 mg) at 50 °C for 12 h. Consequently, 98.21% of epimedin C was hydrolysed to icariin, with 95.62% of the product being transferred to the organic phase. Even after four cycles of use, the conversion ratio remained high at 75.28%. Furthermore, this novel strategy was also used for the conversion of Epimedium brevicornu Maxim. extracts. The biphasic system represents a sustainable and effective method for icariin production, offering potential benefits for industrial applications.

Development of a fluorescent scaffold by utilizing quercetin template for selective detection of Hg2+: Experimental and theoretical studies along with live cell imaging

Quercetin is an important antioxidant with high bioactivity and it has been used as SARS-CoV-2 inhibitor significantly. Quercetin, one of the most abundant flavonoids in nature, has been in the spot of numerous experimental and theoretical studies in the past decade due to its great biological and medicinal importance. But there have been limited instances of employing quercetin and its derivatives as a fluorescent framework for specific detection of various cations and anions in the chemosensing field. Therefore, we have developed a novel chemosensor based on quercetin coupled benzyl ethers (QBE) for selective detection of Hg2+ with “naked-eye” colorimetric and “turn-on” fluorometric response. Initially QBE itself exhibited very weak fluorescence with low quantum yield (Φ = 0.009) due to operating photoinduced electron transfer (PET) and inhibition of excited state intramolecular proton transfer (ESIPT) as well as intramolecular charge transfer (ICT) within the molecule. But in presence of Hg2+, QBE showed a sharp increase in fluorescence intensity by 18-fold at wavelength 444 nm with high quantum yield (Φ = 0.159) for the chelation-enhanced fluorescence (CHEF) with coordination of Hg2+, which hampers PET within the molecule. The strong binding affinity of QBE towards Hg2+ has been proved by lower detection limit at 8.47 µM and high binding constant value as 2 × 104 M−1. The binding mechanism has been verified by DFT study, Cyclic voltammograms and Jobs plot analysis. For the practical application, the binding selectivity of QBE with Hg2+ has been capitalized in physiological medium to detect intracellular Hg2+ levels in living plant tissue by using green gram seeds. Thus, employing QBE as a fluorescent chemosensor for the specific identification of Hg2+ will pave the way for a novel approach to simplifying the creation of various chemosensors based on quercetin backbone for the precise detection of various biologically significant analytes.

Impact of organic and inorganic fertilizers on the growth and yield of Beetroot (Beta vulgaris L.) in the hilly region of Nepal

The use of both organic and inorganic fertilizers plays a crucial role in farming practices in Nepal, depending on their availability. Applying fertilizers like compost, vermicompost, goat manure, and NPK has shown significant effects on various aspects of plant growth and yield. This study was conducted in Diktel, Khotang district of Nepal, from March 14th to June 7th, 2023, aiming to evaluate how different organic and inorganic sources affect the growth and yield of beetroot (Beta vulgaris L.). The experiment followed a one-factor randomized complete block design (RCBD) with four replications, involving five treatments: T1: 100% Compost manure, T2: 100% Vermicompost, T3: 100% Goat manure, T4: 100% NPK, and T5: Control. The results clearly showed that both vegetative and reproductive traits were significantly varies among several treatments utilized in the experiments at 0.1% level of significance. Compost application consistently showed better results across most growth and yield parameters assessed. Growth parameters included plant height, leaf count per plant, leaf length, and leaf width, while yield parameters included beetroot diameter, beetroot length, root yield, and leaf yield. Organic compost manure particularly stood out, displaying significantly larger beetroot diameter (4.85 cm) and greater beetroot length (9.3 cm). Additionally, compost manure led to notably increased root yield (13.95 t/ha) compared to the control treatment, which recorded a lower root yield (6.28 t/ha). Overall, all treatments outperformed the control in terms of growth and yield parameters. These findings suggest that organic compost manure is the most favorable choice for achieving high-quality beetroot production in the hilly regions of Nepal.

Synthesis of carbon quantum dots via electrochemically-induced carbon dioxide nanobubbles exfoliation of graphite for heavy metal detection in wastewater

Carbon quantum dots (CQDs) offer significant promise across industries due to their distinctive optical properties and strong biocompatibility. However, conventional synthesis methods frequently need more precision in controlling nanoparticle size, shape, and uniformity, limiting their versatility in diverse applications. Therefore, this study introduced an innovative approach to synthesising CQDs by combining electrochemical techniques with carbon dioxide (CO2) nanobubbles, circumventing the need for conventional surfactant-based exfoliation. According to the findings, the synthesised CQDs exhibited remarkable properties, including a high quantum yield of 26.17% and an average particle size of 2.24 ± 1.07 nm. Such characteristics render them exceptionally suitable for portable sensors for heavy metal detection in wastewater. Moreover, the investigation revealed the outstanding selectivity of the synthesised CQDs, particularly towards iron (Fe3+) ions, but demonstrated limited reactivity towards lead (Pb2+) and copper (Cu2+) ions. The novel approach also generated non-toxic CQD under the supply of CO2 nanobubbles, which offers a scalable avenue for developing advanced materials for various applications, including sensors for heavy metal ion detection in wastewater. The conventional synthesis method that relied on sodium dodecyl sulphate (SDS) surfactants without CO2 nanobubbles yielded CQDs with a significantly lower quantum yield of 11.2%. In short, incorporating CO2 nanobubbles with electrochemical techniques enhanced quantum yield and superior control over the size and shape of the synthesized CQDs. This novel method successfully produced CQDs with scalable distinct morphologies and provided a new understanding of the CQD synthesis mechanism, with potential applications in portable sensing for environmental monitoring and water quality management.

Testcross performance of Striga-resistant maize inbred lines and testers with varying levels of Striga reaction

BackgroundUsing a desirable tester is considered one method used to maximise genetic differences among test crosses derived from new inbred lines and improves the overall performance of maize. Thus, this study aimed to evaluate the potency of the tester with varying levels of resistance to Striga hermonthica in determining the testcross performance of the hybrids for Striga resistance and yield-related traits.MethodThe experiment was conducted with these test crosses and two standard checks (susceptible and tolerant) for different Striga resistance and agronomic traits during the 2018 cropping season in Abuja and Mokwa, Nigeria. The experiment was laid out in a 23 × 4 alpha-lattice design with two replications in each location. Field evaluation data was collected from Striga resistance and yield-related traits to estimate the performance of test crosses. Analysis of variance was conducted to determine the variance of the testcross performance.ResultsThere were significant differences among test crosses for days to silking, days to pollen shedding, ear at harvest, ear aspect, ear per plant, grain yield, Striga damage rating at 8 and 10 weeks after planting (WAP), and Striga count at 8 and 10 WAP. Variations among test crosses were always higher than the corresponding variations due to the interaction between test crosses and the environment for all traits.ConclusionThe inbred lines with low yield reduction crossed with different testers under Striga infested were recorded. These inbreds should be used to develop high-yielding hybrids and synthetics with elevated levels of Striga resistance to improve the maize breeding program.

JAKCalc: A machine-learning approach to rationalized JAK2 testing in patients with elevated hemoglobin levels.

The demand for Janus Kinase-2 (JAK2) testing has been disproportionate to the low yield of positive results, which highlights the need for more discerning test strategies. The aim of this study is to introduce an artificial intelligence application as a more rational approach for testing JAK2 mutations in cases of erythrocytosis. Test results were sourced from samples sent to a tertiary hospital's genetic laboratory between 2017 and 2023, meeting 2016 World Health Organization criteria for JAK2V617F mutation testing. The JAK2 Somatic Mutation Screening Kit was used for genetic testing. Machine learning models were trained and tested using Python programming language. Out of 458 cases, JAK2V617F mutation was identified in 13.3%. There were significant differences in complete blood count parameters between mutation carriers and non-carriers. Various models were trained with data, with the random forest (RF) model demonstrating superior precision, recall, F1-score, accuracy, and area under the receiver operating characteristic, all reaching 100%. Gradient boosting (GB) model also showed high scores. When compared with existing algorithms, the RF and GB models displayed superior performance. The RF and GB models outperformed other methods in accurately identifying and classifying erythrocytosis cases, offering potential reductions in unnecessary testing and costs.

A tale of two eras: assessing the impact of breeding programs on historical and modern German wheat cultivars under distinct management

Breeding advancements have significantly improved grain yield over recent decades, yet further progress is needed to meet global food demands amid a growing population. In this study, we systematically examine the responses of both historical and modern winter wheat cultivars, released between 1895 and 2007 in Germany, to varying management intensities. We quantified the independent contributions of nitrogen (N) levels, growth regulators, and plant protection measures to crop productivity and growth variables over two growing seasons. Historical cultivars (pre-1960) exhibited a lower yield (4.6 t ha−1) and harvest index (0.30) compared to modern cultivars (post-1960), which demonstrated a higher yield (6.8 t ha−1) and harvest index (0.40) across all treatments, even those excluding both nitrogen and agrochemicals. We found positive trends in the yield and yield components for both historical (1895–1960) and modern (1961–2007) cultivars; however, significance was only noted for modern cultivars. Crop growth in historical cultivars was aided more by growth regulators, while modern cultivars gained more benefits from plant protection. However, both categories of cultivars produced a synergistic response when combining agronomic practices. Based on a comparison of N application rates and agronomic practices, N had a distinctly greater impact on yield and yield components than other treatments. In both historical and modern cultivars, grain number per ear was the most influential contributing factor to yield. Nevertheless, the effect of the thousand grain weight on yield was notably less for modern cultivars compared to their historical ones. Grain nitrogen yield increased up to mid-supply nitrogen application but remained constant at high rates. Results underscored that cultivar-specific responses for yield and yield components need to consider the interactions between fertilization and other agronomic practices.

Influence of ground cover and tunnels on production of Red Russian kale in urban gardes

Kale, Brassica oleracea L. var. acephala, is an important urban crop for human health and may potentially be grown year-round even in a temperate climate. We investigated black plastic and straw mulch compared to bare soil cover in low tunnels at 10 urban garden sites and in low tunnels within a high tunnel in the USA to ascertain the influence on yield and nutrients of Red Russian kale, soil temperature, air temperature, weed pressure, and aphid abundance. Kale had low yield in garden sites, likely because the outside environment was too cold for low tunnels to gain and retain heat. Cultivating kale in a high tunnel resulted in good yields, especially when paired with a low tunnel and plastic or straw mulch, which resulted in the highest air and soil temperatures. The amount of minerals in plants within the high tunnel largely did not vary across combinations of low tunnels and ground covers, except for copper and sulfur, which were lowest in plots with no low tunnel or ground cover. Also, dietary fiber was higher when no low tunnel or ground cover was used compared to plots with a low tunnel and no ground cover. Weeds were suppressed by straw and black plastic mulch, but none of the ground covers influenced aphid abundance. Overall, our work demonstrates that Red Russian kale can be grown in a temperate climate during winter with some combinations of tunnels and ground covers.

High‐Performance White Emission from Cu‐Based Perovskite Compound

AbstractThe white emissions based on lead‐free perovskites with broadband emission due to self‐trapped excitons (STEs) are considered as an ideal candidate for next‐generation white light‐emitting diodes (WLEDs). Recently, copper‐based halide perovskites Cs3Cu2I5@CsCu2I3 composites films with a high color‐rendering index (CRI) have been developed for WLEDs. However, the Cs3Cu2I5@CsCu2I3 composites generally exhibit a relatively low photoluminescence quantum yield (PLQY). Herein, a high PLQY up to 86.75% copper‐based perovskite Gua3Cu2I5 (Gua = guanidine) films with a broadband strong yellow STEs emission centered at 544 nm is synthesized. By combining with efficient blue STEs emission Cs3Cu2I5 component via composition engineering of Cs3Cu2I5@Gua3Cu2I5, a high PLQY of up to 96.1% is achieved on the white emission composites films. Moreover, a high CRI of 93 WLEDs is achieved by integrating Cs3Cu2I5@Gua3Cu2I5 composites film onto a UV LED chip. These findings provide a simple and effective strategy for designing highly efficient white light‐emitting diodes.

DNA-templated synthesis of surface vacancy-rich bifunctional copper sulfide promotes phototherapy via gene regulation

The current photodynamic performance of CuS nanoparticles (CuS NPs) alone is still greatly challenged by the low quantum yield of reactive oxygen species (ROS). At the same time, the efficiency of photothermal therapy (PTT) and photodynamic therapy (PDT) is reduced due to the self-protective ability of tumor cells when attacked by hyperthermia and ROS. To address this issue, we synthesized DCuxS NPs using customized DNA templates through a surface vacancy-rich engineering strategy. In addition to their inherent photothermal properties, the surface vacancy-rich of DCuxS NPs effectively hinders electron-hole pair complexation, thereby enhancing their photodynamic properties. Furthermore, the tumor-targeting NC3S aptamer and the i-motif DNA/Nrf2 siRNA chimera were attached to both ends of the DNA template. The final NDCuxS@siRNA NPs were highly enriched in tumor cells, while the i-motif undergoes a conformational change to release Nrf2 siRNA upon acidic stimulation for Nrf2 pathway blocking to decrease tumor cell protection effect against ROS and high temperature, creating a favorable tumor microenvironment for enhanced PTT and PDT effects. In this study, we explored the potential of DNA templates for engineering nanomaterials, enhanced the photodynamic properties of DCuxS NPs through a surface vacancy-rich strategy, and exploited the versatility of DNA templates to combine phototherapy with gene regulation, providing a promising approach for clinical tumor treatment.

Identification of potential candidate genes associated with milk protein differences in Holstein cows: a meta-analysis integrating GWAS and RNA-Seq transcriptome

Despite the identification of candidate genes influencing milk protein, the connections between genes and regulatory pathways remains elusive. This study aimed integrate findings from genome-wide association studies (GWAS) and RNA sequencing (RNA-Seq) through meta-analysis to pinpoint single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) and genes responsible for high and low protein yield in cows. Previous GWAS and RNA-Seq analyses had identified 663 SNPs and 1106 genes ( P < 0.05). Twenty SNPs from GWAS, 10 genes from RNA-Seq, and 49 SNP/gene associations from both datasets, were identified using meta-analysis. Meta-analysis validated several SNPs previously identified through GWAS, such as rs135549651 ( P = 2.6 × 10−256), rs109146371 ( P = 3.1 × 10−208), rs109350371 ( P = 4.0 × 10−207), and rs109774038 ( P = 8.6 × 10−587). Genes identified in RNA-Seq experiments, including NR4A1 ( P = 3.2 × 10−7), ATF3 ( P = 9.6 × 10−7), CDH16 ( P = 9.9 × 10−7), VEGFA ( P = 1.0 × 10−6), and SAA3 ( P = 7.3 × 10−11), were confirmed. The combined GWAS and RNA-Seq datasets highlighted CCND2 ( P = 8.9 × 10−111), MAPK15 ( P = 1.3 × 10−151), and CPSF1 ( P = 1.2 × 10−306) as the most significant genes. Additionally, significant gene ontology (GO) terms, including ionizing radiation ( P = 1.5 × 10−4), nuclear pore cytoplasmic filaments ( P = 9.4 × 10−5), and phenylalanine 4-monooxygenase activity ( P = 1.4 × 10−5), were identified. In conclusion, the integration of GWAS and RNA-Seq, coupled with GO enrichment, allowed identification of candidate SNPs and genes with higher accuracy. These findings improve our knowledge about genomic architecture of milk protein and enhance evaluation of Holstein cows.

Direct Synthesis and Characterization of Hydrophilic Cu-Deficient Copper Indium Sulfide Quantum Dots.

Copper indium sulfide (CIS) nanocrystals constitute a promising alternative to cadmium- and lead-containing nanoparticles. We report a synthetic method that yields hydrophilic, core-only CIS quantum dots, exhibiting size-dependent, copper-deficient composition and optical properties that are suitable for direct coupling to biomolecules and nonradiative energy transfer applications. To assist such applications, we complemented previous studies covering the femtosecond-picosecond time scale with the investigation of slower radiative and nonradiative processes on the nanosecond time scale, using both time-resolved emission and transient absorption. As expected for core particles, relaxation occurs mainly nonradiatively, resulting in low, size-dependent photoluminescence quantum yield. The nonradiative relaxation from the first excited band is wavelength-dependent with lifetimes between 25 and 150 ns, reflecting the size distribution of the particles. Approximately constant lifetimes of around 65 ns were observed for nonradiative relaxation from the defect states at lower energies. The photoluminescence exhibited a large Stokes shift. The band gap emission decays on the order of 10 ns, while the defect emission is further red-shifted, and the lifetimes are on the order of 100 ns. Both sets of radiative lifetimes are wavelength-dependent, increasing toward longer wavelengths. Despite the low radiative quantum yield, the aqueous solubility and long lifetimes of the defect states are compatible with the proposed role of CIS quantum dots as excitation energy donors to biological molecules.

Microstructure and mechanical properties of Haynes 188 alloy manufactured by laser powder bed fusion

Haynes 188 alloy with a combination of strength and ductility is of significance in aircraft engines and recent development in additive manufacturing significantly increases potential applications of this material. However, understanding the microstructure and tensile properties of Laser Powder Bed Fusion (LPBF) Haynes 188 alloy is limited. Here, a crack-free Haynes 188 alloy is successfully fabricated. The LPBF specimens are observed in two different directions: perpendicular and parallel to the building direction, referred to as “LPBF-H" and “LPBF-V" sections, respectively. To investigate the anisotropy of LPBF specimens, tensile tests were conducted on LPBF Haynes 188 alloy with different observed sections. The vertical sections show lower yield strength than the horizontal sections due largely to an elongated columnar structure. The effects of solute, grain size and dislocation on the strengthening mechanism are discussed thoroughly. The synergy effects of the grain size and the dislocation increase the strength of the LPBF alloys compared to wrought and casting equivalents. For LPBF specimens, the dislocation cellular structure is particularly investigated. To better understand the plasticity, the fracture morphology is also analyzed. The developed understanding on the microstructure and mechanical properties of Haynes 188 alloys in this work could also be applicable to other Co-based superalloys.

Novel Insights into Alkyl Polyglucoside Biosurfactant Promoting Anaerobic Dark Fermentation for Hydrogen Production in Sludge.

Anaerobic fermentation of excess sludge (ES) for hydrogen production is a crucial strategy for resource utilization and environmentally friendly treatment. However, the low hydrolysis efficiency of ES and the depletion of produced hydrogen have become the limiting factors for low hydrogen yield. This study innovatively applied the bio-based surfactant alkyl polyglucoside (APG) to enhance the efficiency of dark fermentation for hydrogen production from ES. When the APG content was 100mg/g (calculated based on total suspended solids), the maximum hydrogen production reached 17.8 mL/g VSS, approximately 3.7 times that in the control group. Mechanistic analysis revealed that APG promoted the release of organic matter from ES. APG also facilitated the release of soluble protein and soluble polysaccharide, increasing the organic matter reduction rate to 34.8%, significantly higher than other groups. APG enhanced the accumulation of volatile fatty acids and promoted the proportion of small molecular carboxylic acids. Enzyme activity analysis revealed that APG promoted the activity of hydrolytic enzymes but inhibited the activity of hydrogen-consuming enzymes. The research results provide a green and environmentally friendly strategy for the efficient resource utilization of ES.

Efficient preparation strategy of high quantum yield multicolor CDs for warm white LED

Multicolor carbon dots (CDs) possess tremendous potential applications, especially in optoelectronic devices. However, further applications in warm white LED have been constrained due to the extremely low quantum yield (QY) of multicolor CDs. In this work, fluorescence enhancement multicolor CDs (o-CDs(cat.) (emitted yellow, Em = 550 nm, QY = 85.4 %), m-CDs(cat.) (emitted blue, Em = 440 nm, QY = 35.7 %), p-CDs(cat.) (emitted red, Em = 610 nm, QY = 73.8 %)) with almost 15 % QY improvement, without changing the fluorescence emission wavelength, was successfully achieved by introducing MnSO4 into the reaction system. The relevant mechanism may be the catalytic effect of MnSO4, which leads to the increased content of C = N and pyridine N, further suppressing non radiative transitions, leading to the increasement of QY. Finally, the obtained high QY multicolor CDs were applied to warm white LED with the color coordinates (CIE) of (0.33,0.36), color rendering index (CRI) of 90, correlated color temperature (CCT) of 3473 K. Laying the foundation for the research methods and mechanisms of metal ion caused high QY of CDs.

Strengthening and toughening of the Co34Cr32Ni27Al3.5Ti3.5 alloy through coherent L12 nanoprecipitates

In this work, the L12‐strengthened Co34Cr32Ni27Al3.5Ti3.5 medium‐entropy alloy (MEA) with outstanding strength and ductility was developed through cold rolling and annealing (CRA). The CRA promotes the formation of coherent L12 nanoprecipitates in the matrix and precipitates inside the grains (Ti‐rich phases), resulting in dislocation sliding and multiplication during deformation. The as‐cast sample exhibits low yield strength (YS) of ∽498.5 MPa, ultimate tensile strength (UTS) of ∽820.5 MPa, and uniform elongation (UE) of ∽29.8%. After cold rolling and annealing, the YS, UTS, and UE are significantly increased to ∽678.4 MPa, ∽1109.3 MPa, and ∽44.5%, respectively. The excellent mechanical performance results from dislocation strengthening and precipitation strengthening of the L12 phase. The trade‐off of strength‐ductility is resolved by achieving an appropriate balance between the hard phase rich in L12/Ti and the soft FCC phase. Our finding demonstrates that the CRA method can be used to create coherent L12 nanoprecipitates that are beneficial for strong and ductile MEA. This work provides a broader perspective for CoCrNi‐based MEAs with high performance in the future.This article is protected by copyright. All rights reserved.

Establishing Salvia miltiorrhiza-Derived Exosome-like Nanoparticles and Elucidating Their Role in Angiogenesis.

Exosomes are multifunctional, cell-derived nanoscale membrane vesicles. Exosomes derived from certain mammalian cells have been developed as angiogenesis promoters for the treatment of myocardial ischemia-reperfusion injury, as they possess the capability to enhance endothelial cell proliferation, migration, and angiogenesis. However, the low yield of exosomes derived from mammalian cells limits their clinical applications. Therefore, we chose to extract exosome-like nanoparticles from the traditional Chinese medicine Salvia miltiorrhiza, which has been shown to promote angiogenesis. Salvia miltiorrhiza-derived exosome-like nanoparticles offer advantages, such as being economical, easily obtainable, and high-yielding, and have an ideal particle size, Zeta potential, exosome-like morphology, and stability. Salvia miltiorrhiza-derived exosome-like nanoparticles can enhance the cell viability of Human Umbilical Vein Endothelial Cells and can promote cell migration and improve the neovascularization of the cardiac tissues of myocardial ischemia-reperfusion injury, indicating their potential as angiogenesis promoters for the treatment of myocardial ischemia-reperfusion injury.

Performance Evaluation and Adaptability of Improved Faba Bean (Vicia Faba L.) Varieties in the Highlands of North Shewa Zone, Oromia

Field experiment was conducted at Degam, H/Abote, D/Libanos, Jida and Wachale districts of North Shewa Zone, Oromia region, Central Ethiopia with the objectives of evaluating adaptable and best yield performing improved Faba bean varieties for further demonstration and scaling up during the main cropping season of 2020, 2021 and 2022. The experiment was conducted using randomized complete block design (RCBD) with three replications. In the experiment, thirteen improved faba bean varieties and one local control were used to evaluate their performance. Parameters like seed yield (qt/ha), 1000 seed weight in gram, number of pod per plant, number of seed per pod, plant height (cm) were measured to assess the actual field performances of different faba bean varieties. The data were analyzed by R software. Grain yield and most of yield components were significantly affected by main effect of variety, environment and interaction of variety and environment. The results revealed that there were significant (P < 0.01) variations between the varieties for yield. Higher yield was recorded on Welki and Ashebeka varieties while low yield was recorded from Tosha and Shalo. In addition the stability analysis indicated that as the mean of grain yield is more stable across locations as compared to other variety. Also, in this study it was found that there is 24.5 % and 19.1% increment of yield using of Welki and Ashebeka variety respectively as compared to local variety at the study area. Therefore, farmers located at the study area are recommended to use those varieties to increase faba bean production yield.

Advancement in extraction and characterization techniques of natural dyes from dye yielding plants sources: a review

Purpose Everyone is extremely concerned about environmental protection and health safety due to the rise in living standards. Plant-derived natural dyes have garnered much industrial attention in food, pharmaceutical, textile, cosmetics, etc. owing to their health and environmental benefits. The present study aims to focus on the elimination of the use of synthetic dyes and provides brief information about natural dyes, their sources, extraction procedures with characterization and various advantages and disadvantages. Design/methodology/approach In producing natural colors, extraction and purification are essential steps. Various conventional methods used till date have a low yield, as these consume a lot of solvent volume, time, labor and energy or may destroy the coloring behavior of the actual molecules. The establishment of proper characterization and certification protocols for natural dyes would improve the yielding of natural dyes and benefit both producers and users. Findings However, scientists have found modern extraction methods to obtain maximum color yield. They are also modifying the fabric surface to appraise its uptake behavior of color. Various extraction techniques such as solvent, aqueous, enzymatic and fermentation and extraction with microwave or ultrasonic energy, supercritical fluid extraction and alkaline or acid extraction are currently available for these natural dyes and are summarized in the present review article. Originality/value If natural dye availability can be increased by the different extraction measures and the cost of purified dyes can be brought down with a proper certification mechanism, there is a wide scope for the adoption of these dyes by small-scale dyeing units.