Optimal Growth Conditions Research Articles

Morphological and molecular identification of Schizophyllum commune causing storage bulb rot disease of Lanzhou edible lily in China and its biological characteristics

Lily bulb rot disease has harmed edible lily in recent years, resulting in yield losses in China. As a results, both morphological and molecular techniques must be used to confirm the etiology of storage bulb rot disease on lily bulbs. Lily bulbs with indications of rot symptoms during storage were gathered in Lanzhou, Gansu Province, China. A strain was isolated and its morphologically characterized as a Schizophyllum commune specie. Pathogenicity tests further confirmed that the strain caused apparent S. commune symptoms on lily bulbs which were consistent with those seen in the field. The pathogenicity of S. commune to lily bulb was 100%, and morphological identification showed that the mycelia of the pathogen were white and villous, with septate, branched, and acicular bodies and obvious lock-shaped joints. The mycelia had uneven thickness, ranging from 1.03 to 3.06 μm, and turned gray-white at the later growth stage. Moreover, the pathogen formed a mycelial column on potato dextrose agar (PDA) medium, which formed a coral-like fruiting body primordium, which split, forming pileus for spore production. The spores were colorless and cylindrical, with an oblique tip and a size of 4.6–7.2 μm × 2.2–2.7 μm. The isolate was deduced as based on phylogenetic analysis with 2 genes (ribosomal DNA-ITS and LSU) as well as morphological characteristics and cultural features, the isolate was identified S. commune. Soluble starch, yeast extract, temperature of 30°C, pH 7, relative humidity of 100%, and complete dark were shown to be the optimum culture conditions for surface mycelium growth. In conclusion, this is the first report of S. commune causing bulb rot of edible lilies in China. The study provides a basis for more effective control strategies for lily bulb rot disease.

Aqua-stream: an IoT based smart water management system for sustainable living

<p class="03IJISAEAbstract">Aqua-stream, an innovative internet of things (IoT) enabled water management system, utilizes the power of long short-term memory (LSTM) networks, a sophisticated time-series forecasting machine learning technique with Kafka. Aqua-stream seamlessly integrates LSTM within the Kafka streaming architecture for efficient real-time data processing, ensuring quick responses to emerging water management needs. LSTM is employed for real-time anomaly detection, dynamically analyzing streaming data to prevent leaks through automated shut-off valves. The system’s comprehensive dashboard utilizes LSTM insights for live water quality analysis; adaptive scheduling based on individual preferences and personalized recommendations, enhancing cost-effective water management. This streamlined approach extends to the smart gardening system, where LSTM guides automation for optimal plant care incorporating sensors to monitor soil moisture, temperature, and sunlight levels. This system automatically adjusts watering and lighting to ensure optimal conditions for plant growth. Users can control and monitor their garden remotely via a smartphone, facilitating plant care while saving water and energy. Aqua-stream redefines home water management, offering a holistic solution that combines intelligent water conservation with smart gardening for a sustainable and connected living experience. Aqua-stream represents a seamless integration of LSTM-based machine learning and IoT technologies, offering an intelligent, yet simplified, solution for sustainable and connected living.</p>

Isoalcanivorax beigongshangi sp. nov., isolated from the fermented grains of Chinese baijiu.

A bacterial strain, REN37T, was isolated from fermented grains of Baijiu samples collected from Sichuan, PR China. The cells of strain REN37T was Gram-negative and aerobic. The cellular morphology exhibited rod-shaped cells without flagellum, displaying non-motility. The optimal growth condition was at 32-37°C, pH 6.0-7.0, and with a NaCl concentration of 1-2% (w/v). Based on the analysis of 16S rRNA gene sequence, strain REN37T was identified to belong to the genus of Isoalcanivorax. Its closest species was Isoalcanivorax pacificus W11-5T (96.1%). The polar lipids were identified to be diphosphatidylglycerol, phosphatidylglycerol, phosphatidylcholine, unidentified glycolipid, two unidentified phospholipids. The predominant menaquinone was MK-12. The predominant fatty acids were C15:0 anteiso (49.4%), C16:0 iso (18.1%), C17:0 anteiso (16.5%) and C15:0 iso (9.5%). The digital DNA-DNA hybridization (dDDH), average nucleotide identity (OrthoANI) and average amino acid identify (AAI) values between strain REN37T and its most similar species were 19.2%, 74.0% and 78.0%, respectively. The DNA G + C content of the strain REN37T was 63.0mol%. Three alkane 1-monooxygenase (alkB1) genes (1152bp, 1149bp, 1179bp) were identified in the genome, indicating that strain REN37T may be associated with efficient oil-degradation capabilities. Based on the results, REN37T represents a novel specie, and the name Isoalcanivorax beigongshangi sp. nov. was proposed. The type strain is REN37T (= GDMCC 1.3120T = JCM 35319T).

Optimization of inoculum cell concentration for enhanced lipid production in laboratory-scale cultivation of the marine microalga Chlorella sp. for biofuel applications

Microalgae are considered valuable bioresources due to their ability to produce high lipid content and grow under a variety of environmental conditions, making them strong candidates for sustainable biofuel production. However, the economic feasibility of microalgae-based biofuels depends on optimizing growth conditions in large-scale cultivation systems. This study investigates the effects of varying inoculum cell concentrations on the growth, lipid yield, and fatty acid composition of the locally isolated microalga Chlorella sp. SW5 in 2 L and 5 L cultivation systems. The results indicate that higher inoculum concentrations generally enhance biomass accumulation, with the 2 L system achieving the highest growth rate of 0.42 ± 0.01 day⁻1 at an inoculum concentration of 10⁶ cells/mL. Interestingly, while higher inoculum concentrations reduced lipid production in the 2 L system, the 5 L system showed the highest lipid yield (51.23% ± 4.71% dry weight) at the highest inoculum concentration (10⁷ cells/mL). Despite its moderate growth rate, the 5 L culture with a starting inoculum concentration of 10⁷ cells/mL was selected for fatty acid profiling due to its superior lipid yield and productivity. Gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (GC-MS) analysis revealed that the culture produced a total of 93.18% C14-C18 fatty acids, with a profile dominated by saturated (56.33%) and monounsaturated (16.85%) fatty acids, which are essential for biodiesel quality. These findings provide valuable insights into the potential for scaling up microalgal systems for commercial biofuel production, highlighting strategies to optimize productivity.

The effect of ecological characteristics on the domestication of sand rice (Agriophyllum squarrosum).

Sand rice (Agriophyllum squarrosum) is a pioneer species of annual plant found on mobile dunes in arid and semi-arid areas of China. Its establishment within the community could play a crucial role in the restoration of vegetation in desert environments because the ecological characteristics of sand rice make it well-suited to cope with desertification. Sand rice germinates rapidly when there is sufficient precipitation, and sand burial is beneficial for its germination. After germination, the root system rapidly extends downwards. It has short life cycles, completing the life span in 90 days at drought years. Additionally, sand rice has aerial and soil seed banks, which are suitable for arid ecosystems. Its seeds have high nutrient value of high protein quality and low carbohydrates. These ecological characteristics make sand rice a potentially environmentally friendly crop for addressing future climate change and maintaining food security, especially in desert areas. However it is unknown how ecological advantages affect the de novo domestication of sand rice. In this article, we summarize its ecological characteristics and determine optimal growth conditions for domestication and more applications in future.

Assessing water use efficiency, nutrient use efficiency and yield of Bhendi with 19:19:19 water-soluble fertilizer under drip irrigation

This study examines the effects of different fertilization treatments on the yield, water use efficiency (WUE) and nutrient use efficiency (NUE) of Bhendi. Field experiments were conducted at the Agricultural College and Research Institute, Tamil Nadu Agricultural University, Madurai, during the Rabi season of December 2023 to March 2024 because Bhendi thrives in warm temperatures and requires precise water management. Drip irrigation provides optimal growth conditions even in the cooler Rabi weather while minimizing water waste, especially in areas with limited water availability. The treatments included soil-based fertilizers and water-soluble fertilizers (WSF), applied alone or in combination with recommended doses of fertilizer (RDF). Among the treatments, T8, which applied 120 kg/ha of TNAU water-soluble fertilizer 19:19:19 with an additional 25 % RDF proved to be the most effective. It achieved the highest yield, WUE and NUE, demonstrating superior crop productivity and resource efficiency. In contrast, the absolute control treatment (T1), which received no fertilizer, resulted in the lowest yield, highlighting the importance of fertilization in enhancing crop performance. Treatment T5, which used 120 kg/ha of WSF, also showed high yield and good WUE but did not match the efficiency levels of T8. The study concludes that integrating high doses of water-soluble fertilizers with additional RDF through drip fertigation is the most effective strategy for optimizing yield and resource efficiency in Bhendi cultivation.

Morphological variability and vitality of Rindera tetraspis (Boraginaceae) in the South Urals and Western Kazakhstan

Population studies of Rindera tetraspis Pall., a rare endemic species of the steppe zone of the European part of Russia and Kazakhstan, were carried out. The study of the habitats of 11 populations in the Orenburg Region and the Republic of Kazakhstan has shown that the species is confined to various variants of calciphyte steppes on chalk substrates or sandstones. In terms of most morphometric indicators, the northern coenopopulation “Rodnichny” is the leader; the minimum values are noted in the coenopopulation “Verkhnechebendinskie Chalk Mountains, northern extremity”. The discriminant analysis has revealed morphostructural differences between individuals from the majority of coenopopulations. In terms of vitality, four coenopopulations are prosperous, seven ones are depressed. The optimal conditions for the species growth are in the northern part of its range, in more favorable climatic conditions in terms of temperature and humidity, mainly on soils of sand origin. When moving southward, a decrease in size parameters of individuals is observed, associated with insufficient moisture, while their morphological diversity increases. The state of R. tetraspis coenopopulations is stable, but the species is not provided with proper protection measures, so further monitoring of its habitats and improvement of conservation measures are necessary.

Microstructural Underpinnings of Giant Intrinsic Exchange Bias in Epitaxial NiCo2O4 Thin Films

AbstractUnderstanding intrinsic exchange bias in nominally single‐component ferromagnetic or ferrimagnetic materials is crucial for simplifying related device architectures. However, the mechanisms behind this phenomenon and its tunability remain elusive, which hinders the efforts to achieve unidirectional magnetization for widespread applications. Inspired by the high tunability of ferrimagnetic inverse spinel NiCo2O4, the origin of intrinsic exchange bias in NiCo2O4 (111) films deposited on Al2O3 (0001) substrates are investigated. The comprehensive characterizations, including electron diffraction, X‐ray reflectometry and spectroscopy, and polarized neutron reflectometry, reveal that intrinsic exchange bias in NiCo2O4 (111)/Al2O3 (0001) arises from a reconstructed antiferromagnetic rock‐salt NixCo1‐xO layer at the interface between the film and the substrate due to a significant structural mismatch. Remarkably, by engineering the interfacial structure under optimal growth conditions, it can achieve exchange bias larger than coercivity, leading to unidirectional magnetization. Such giant intrinsic exchange bias can be utilized for realistic device applications. This work establishes a new material platform based on NiCo2O4, an emergent spintronics material, to study tunable interfacial magnetic and spintronic properties.

Isolation, Identification, and Analyzing the Biological Characteristics of Pathogens Causing Stem Rot of Lanzhou Onion During Postharvest Storage and Studying the Influence of Pathogen Infection on the Active Components of Lanzhou Onion.

This study was conducted in order to explore the pathogens that cause stem rot of fresh onions during postharvest storage, identify the incidence of stem rot, investigate the influence of pathogen infection on the active components of onion, and provide a theoretical basis for disease control during the postharvest storage of fresh onions. The pathogens were isolated and purified from the junction between the rotten and healthy tissues of onion stem rot that occurred naturally during storage at room temperature by tissue separation; then, the pathogens were identified by morphological and molecular biological techniques, the biological characteristics of the pathogens were analyzed, and finally, the influence of pathogen infection on the active ingredients of onion was studied. The results suggested that the main pathogens causing stem rot of fresh onions during postharvest storage were Talaromyces pinophilus, Trichoderma simmonsii, and Talaromyces minioluteus. The optimum colony growth conditions for T. pinophilus were as follows: a temperature of 30 °C, a pH of 7, light for 24 h, maltose as a carbon source, and peptone as a nitrogen source; the lethal temperature was 65 °C for 15 min. For T. simmonsii, the lethal temperature was 60 °C for 15 min, and the optimum sporulation conditions were a temperature of 25 °C, a pH of 5-7, light for 24 h, a carbon source of sucrose, and a nitrogen source of yeast powder. For T. minioluteus, the lethal condition was 65 °C for 15 min; the optimum colony growth conditions were a temperature of 25 °C, a pH of 8-9, 24 h of darkness, a carbon source of maltose, and a nitrogen source of peptone. The relative content of sulfur compounds, as the active components of onions, was much lower in the infected onions than in the healthy onions due to infection by the pathogens T. pinophilus, T.simmonsii, and T.minioluteus. This study will provide a theoretical basis for further effective control of the occurrence of postharvest stem rot diseases of onions.

Artificial Intelligence and/or Machine Learning Algorithms in Microalgae Bioprocesses.

This review examines the increasing application of artificial intelligence (AI) and/or machine learning (ML) in microalgae processes, focusing on their ability to improve production efficiency, yield, and process control. AI/ML technologies are used in various aspects of microalgae processes, such as real-time monitoring, species identification, the optimization of growth conditions, harvesting, and the purification of bioproducts. Commonly employed ML algorithms, including the support vector machine (SVM), genetic algorithm (GA), decision tree (DT), random forest (RF), artificial neural network (ANN), and deep learning (DL), each have unique strengths but also present challenges, such as computational demands, overfitting, and transparency. Despite these hurdles, AI/ML technologies have shown significant improvements in system performance, scalability, and resource efficiency, as well as in cutting costs, minimizing downtime, and reducing environmental impact. However, broader implementations face obstacles, including data availability, model complexity, scalability issues, cybersecurity threats, and regulatory challenges. To address these issues, solutions, such as the use of simulation-based data, modular system designs, and adaptive learning models, have been proposed. This review contributes to the literature by offering a thorough analysis of the practical applications, obstacles, and benefits of AI/ML in microalgae processes, offering critical insights into this fast-evolving field.

Optimizing processes and products: The role of DOE

The Design of Experiment (DOE) methodology is a fundamental tool for systematic inquiry and optimization in both scientific and industrial applications. The DOE’s statistical framework is designed to enhance the efficiency and reliability of experimental investigations by systematically planning, conducting, and evaluating controlled experiments. To support well-informed decision-making, process optimization, and quality improvement, the main goal of DOE is to discover and quantify the effects of various variables on a response variable. Various methods such as full factorial, fractional factorial, Taguchi, and response surface methodologies provide powerful tools for optimising processes and enhancing quality. The study covers the application of DOE in several industries, including engineering, manufacturing, agriculture, and medicine. Defect minimization, process optimization, and quality improvement are all aided by DOE in manufacturing. By determining the best dosages and formulations, it helps in drug development in the pharmaceutical industry. In the field of agriculture, DOE facilitates the identification of optimal growing conditions and techniques. It helps in the engineering and assessing new systems and products. To achieve consistency and accuracy in data collection, the experiment must be carried out with strict adherence to the experimental strategy. Analysing data involves using statistical tools to evaluate the findings and make conclusions, such as ANOVA, regression analysis, and graphical approaches. By pointing out important variables and their interactions, these studies aid in process optimization and product quality enhancement.

Description of Streptococcus dentalis sp. nov., Streptococcus gingivalis sp. nov., and Streptococcus lingualis sp. nov., Isolated from Human Oral Cavities.

We isolated three novel strains, S1T, S2T, and S5T, from human oral cavities and identified them as distinct novel species. All these strains are facultatively anaerobic, Gram-stain-positive, and non-flagellated bacteria. Their optimal growth conditions for these strains were observed in Columbia broth (CB) at 37°C, pH 7.0, and in the absence of NaCl. Phylogenetic analyses, employing the 16S rRNA gene and whole-genome sequencing, confirmed that all three strains belong to the genus Streptococcus. The 16S rRNA gene sequences of strains S1T, S2T, and S5T showed the highest similarities to Streptococcus parasanguinis, 98.57%, 99.05%, and 99.05%, respectively, and the orthologous average nucleotide identity (OrthoANI) values between the three strains and S. parasanguinis were 93.82%, 93.67%, and 94.04%, respectively. The pairwise OrthoANI values between the novel strains were 94.37% (S1T-S2T), 95.03% (S2T-S5T), and 94.71% (S1T-S5T). All strains had C20:1 ω9c and summed feature 8 (C18:1 ω7c and/or C18:1 ω6c) as major cellular fatty acids. Additionally, diphosphatidylglycerol (DPG) and hydroxyphosphatidylethanolamine (OH-PE) were identified as major polar lipids. Menaquinone was undetected in all strains. The results from the phylogenetic, phenotypic, chemotaxonomic, and genotypic analyses collectively indicated that strains S1T, S2T, and S5T represent three distinct novel species within the genus Streptococcus, and we propose the names Streptococcus dentalis sp. nov. for strain S1T (= KCTC 21234T = JCM 36526T), Streptococcus gingivalis sp. nov. for strain S2T (= KCTC 21235T = JCM 36527T), and Streptococcus lingualis sp. nov. for strain S5T (= KCTC 21236T = JCM 36528T).

Comparison of rDNA-ITS Sequences, Vegetative Compatibility, Biological Characteristics, and Thifluzamide Sensitivity of Rhizoctonia solani AG-3 PT, TM, and TB Subgroup Isolates Collected from Potato and Tobacco in China.

Potato black scurf and tobacco target spot are significant agricultural diseases primarily caused by Rhizoctonia solani AG-3, which is further classified into PT (potato type), TM (tomato type), and TB (tobacco type) subgroups, with the naming of these subgroups originally indicating their respective infection hosts potato, tomato, and tobacco. This study determined the subgroup classification of 129 R. solani AG-3 isolates recovered from tobacco leaves exhibiting target spot disease in major tobacco-cultivating regions of China, as well as 80 R. solani AG-3 isolates obtained from potato stem cankers and tuber sclerotia in Liaoning, Jilin, and Heilongjiang provinces, and Inner Mongolia autonomous region of China. Sequence analysis of the internal transcribed spacer (ITS) regions revealed that all potato isolates belonged to the R. solani AG-3 PT subgroup, whereas the tobacco isolates were classified into TM and TB subgroups. Specifically, 51 strains from the northeast (Liaoning, Jilin, and Heilongjiang provinces) belonged to the TM subgroup, while the others belonged to the TB subgroup. Phylogenetic analysis indicated a closer relationship between AG-3 TM and AG-3 PT compared to AG-3 TB. Population genetic analysis highlighted distinct genetic variations among the subgroups, with the AG-3 TB subgroup isolates exhibiting fewer ITS1 variable sites and the AG-3 PT subgroup displaying a higher number of ITS2 variable sites. Furthermore, comparisons were made regarding macroscopic vegetative interactions, biological characteristics, pathogenicity to potato and tobacco, and susceptibility to thifluzamide among the three subgroups. The results indicated no macroscopic somatic interactions among the subgroups, with the highest frequency of somatic incompatibility observed within AG-3 PT, followed by AG-3 TM, and AG-3 TB. Additionally, the three subgroups differed in colony color, sclerotium morphology, production time, and distribution location on potato-dextrose-agar (PDA) medium, with AG-3 TM being the least likely to produce sclerotia. Regarding temperature, optimal growth conditions varied among the subgroups. Regarding pathogenicity, the AG-3 PT subgroup strains were more pathogenic on tobacco and potato stem bases compared to the AG-3 TB subgroup, whereas the AG-3 TB and TM subgroup strains were more pathogenic on leaves. Notably, AG-3 TM exhibited remarkable virulence towards both the stem base and leaves. The AG-3 PT subgroup strains exhibited the highest susceptibility to thifluzamide, with a susceptibility baseline of 0.037±0.013 mg·L-1, followed by the AG-3 TM subgroup strains with a baseline of 0.111±0.034 mg·L-1, and the AG-3 TB subgroup strains with a baseline of 0.137±0.035 mg·L-1. This study contributes to a deeper understanding of the biology and etiology of the three subgroups of R. solani AG-3, providing a valuable theoretical basis for the scientific control and management of tobacco target spot and potato black scurf diseases in China.

Corn cobs as growing media for production of cucumber plants in agriculture sector: a new trend

Peat and perlite are considered traditional growing substrates in soilless culture. The high cost of both and the urgent need for agricultural waste recycling prompted scientists and soilless culture growers to find alternative growing substrates provide optimal growth conditions and help dispose waste safely. In this study, corn cobs (CB) were tested as growing media and compared with peat moss (PM) and perlite (P). The organic wastes tested: CB, PM, and P were examined with washed sand (WS) at five treatments (WS, CB, CB + peat, CB + P and CB + sand). Cucumber (Cucumis sativus L.) plants were cultivated using 5 kg pots that contained the investigated substrates. Vegetative growth parameters, early fruiting stage, photosynthetic pigments, and cucumber yield had the highest values with CB and CB + P substrates, while the lowest ones were found in WS and CB + WS. CB resulted in greater flowering with the number of fruits per plant and yield being 39.70%, 37.33%, and 33.67%, 29.88 in both seasons, higher than the lowest substrate (WS). Although adding P to CB showed the highest values of measured growth characteristics, its high cost decreased net profit. Furthermore, CB characteristics as a growing media qualify it for use in cucumber soilless culture production. The use of this replacement media, which contains crushed CB, could reduce (but not eliminate) the need for PM and P in soilless culture. Also, using pyrolyzed biomass in growing media provides another way to convert biomass residues into valuable products.

Computer-aiding evaluation of north wall effects of a solar greenhouse: Multiphysics modelling of the indoor environment

The north wall (NW) of a solar greenhouse (SG), oriented away from direct sunlight, plays a crucial role in thermal insulation; however, impacts of the NW internal surface structure (ISS) on the SG indoor environment remains underexplored. Driven by in situ measurements, the temperature (Ti) and relative humidity (RHi) of a SG are evaluated for three typical NW designs: flat wall (FW), striped wall (SW) and alveolate/honeycombed wall (AW). In both sunny and cloudy scenarios, the AW setup ensures a more favourable thermal environment, well aligned with the power spectral analysis indicating enhanced thermal energy capture. The time-lagged cross correlation highlights solar radiation as the primary driver of SG internal thermal variability, with outdoor temperature being of secondary relevance. Additionally, the AW setup consistently maintains the lowest RHi on sunny days, promoting optimal conditions for plant growth, and ensures more stable humidity levels during cloudy nights. The revealed response of SG internal environments to modified NW ISS should offer some insights into SG design, particularly in optimising conditions for plant growth through modifications to the NW structure.

Genomic Characterization and Comparative Analysis of Streptococcus zhangguiae sp. nov. Isolated from the Respiratory Tract of Marmota Himalayana.

Two Gram-stain-positive, oxidase-negative, non-motile, facultative anaerobic, α-hemolytic, coccus-shaped bacteria (zg-86T and zg-70) were isolated from the respiratory tracts of marmots (Marmota Himalayana) on the Qinghai-Tibet Plateau of China. Phylogenetic analysis of the 16S rRNA gene and 545 core genes revealed that these two strains belong to the Streptococcus genus. These strains were most closely related to Streptococcus respiraculi HTS25T, Streptococcus cuniculi CCUG 65085T, and Streptococcus marmotae HTS5T. The average nucleotide identity (ANI) and digital DNA‒DNA hybridization (dDDH) were below the threshold for species delineation. The predominant cellular fatty acids (CFAs) in this novel species were C16:0, C18:0, and C18:1ω9c, whereas the primary polar lipids were phosphatidylglycerol (PG), phosphatidylethanolamine (PE) and an unknown phosphoglycolipid (PGL). The optimal growth conditions for the strains were 37°C, pH 7.0, and 0.5% (w/v) NaCl on brain-heart infusion (BHI) agar supplemented with 5% defibrinated sheep blood. Comparative genomics analyses revealed the potential pathogenicity of strain zg-86T through comparisons with suis subclade strains in terms of virulence factors, pathogen-host interactions (PHIs) and mobile genetic factors (MGEs). Based on the phenotypic characteristics and phylogenetic analyses, we propose that these two isolates represent novel species in the genus Streptococcus, for which the names Streptococcus zhangguiae sp. nov. (the type strain zg-86T=GDMCC 1.1758T=JCM 34273T) is proposed.

Identification, characterization, and sensitivity to phytochemicals of a novel Curvularia species associated with leaf spot disease on Curcuma kwangsiensis

A leaf spot disease affecting Curcuma kwangsiensis (Zingiberaceae) has been observed in Qinzhou City, Guangxi Province. Infected leaves exhibit yellow-brown spots that progressively expand and eventually lead to leaf death. Curvularia isolates were obtained from the diseased leaves with tissue isolation and single spore purification methods. To accurately identify these isolates, we analyzed their morphological characteristics and phylogenetic relationships using combinations of ITS, GAPDH, and EF-1α gene sequences. Phylogenetic analysis showed that the investigated strains formed a distinct clade separate from other recognized Curvularia species. Furthermore, the strains exhibited differences in conidiophore size and conidia shape/size. Based on phylogenetic studies, morphology, and pathogenicity tests, the pathogen was identified as a new species named Curvularia qinzhouensis. Optimal conditions for mycelial growth were observed at 30 °C and pH 8. The sensitivity of the pathogen to various phytochemicals was also examined. Honokiol, thymol, and citral demonstrated effective antifungal effects, with EC50 values of 6.72 ± 1.75, 25.74 ± 4.30, and 54.24 ± 4.69 µg/ml, respectively. The present investigation provides the first report of leaf spot disease on C. kwangsiensis caused by C. qinzhouensis, and valuable insights for the prevention and control of this disease.

Peribacillus aracenensis sp.nov., a plant growth promoting bacteria for agriculture in water-scarce conditions isolated from Pinus pinaster rhizosphere

A gram-positive, nonpathogenic, central endospore-forming, flagellated strain, was successfully isolated from the rhizosphere of Pinus pinaster in Aracena (Spain). Its optimal growth conditions are 28 °C, pH 6, and 0 % salinity. It is able to assimilate glucose, L-fucose, L-arabinose, b-metil-D-xylose and shows high catabolic capacity. The major fatty acids (>79.20 % of the total fatty acids) are anteiso C15:0 > iso C15:0 > C14:0.A phylogenetic analysis based on the 16S rRNA gene sequence revealed similarity to P. frigoritolerans DSM8801T (99.9 %), P. castrilensis CECT30509T (99.8 %), and P. simplex DSM1321T (99.6 %). Comparison of whole genomes revealed that strain BBB004T is more similar to P. simplex DSM1321T. According to ANI (93.54 %), AAI (94 %), dDDH (60.6), %G + C (0.12), TETRA (0.99822) and intergenomic distance (0.2835) values, therefore this species is different to the closest. A total of 133 genes unique to Peribacillus BBB004T were identified.Supported by these analyses, strain BBB004T (=LMG32742T = CCUG76477T) was proposed as the type strain for a new species, named “Peribacillus aracenensis sp. nov.”

Selective area molecular beam epitaxial growth of n-GaN nanowires on SiO2 hole-mask patterned sapphire and graphene substrates

The growth conditions of silicon-doped GaN (n-GaN) nanowire (NW) selective area growth (SAG) are explored using plasma-assisted molecular beam epitaxy on SiO2 hole-mask patterned substrates: sapphire (SAP) and graphene on SAP (GoS). To achieve high selectivity, the growth temperature and Ga flux windows in which the nucleation on the SiO2 mask is highly suppressed are investigated and found to be quite narrow. By tuning the mask etching process, n-GaN NW morphologies ranging from vertical and widely separated NWs grown through SiO2 pinholes to densely positioned NWs with coalesced upper surface in wider mask holes are demonstrated on SAP.Using optimized growth conditions for SAG on SAP substrates, successful growth of vertical n-GaN NWs was achieved on similarly hole-mask patterned GoS substrates. Micro-Raman spectra indicate that the graphene is well protected from the nitrogen plasma by the SiO2 mask, whereas the graphene is damaged in the holes of the mask. X-ray diffraction spectra reveal an epitaxial relationship with the SAP and resistance measurements show conductivity between NWs of different mask holes. From this, we conclude that n-GaN NWs after nucleating on SAP through nanoholes in the graphene overgrow it and that this part of the graphene, at least close to the edge of the hole areas, can conduct well to the SiO2 mask covered graphene, indicating that graphene in such configuration can be used as a bottom electrode in a device structure. The impact of Ga diffusion and desorption on SAG is demonstrated for growth temperatures of 810 and 815 °C for SiO2 hole-mask patterns with nominal hole diameter of 2.5 µm and hole pitches of 3.0-10.0 µm. For hole pitches above 5 µm, Ga diffusion from the mask is the major contribution to the NW growth.

ADVANCES IN THE DESIGN AND OPTIMIZATION OF SMART IRRIGATION SYSTEMS FOR SUSTAINABLE URBAN VERTICAL FARMING

Urban vertical farming has emerged as a sustainable and innovative approach to addressing the increasing global demand for food in rapidly growing and densely populated cities, where traditional agriculture faces significant challenges due to space and resource constraints. A primary issue in these systems is the efficient management of critical resources, particularly water and energy, which are essential for maintaining high crop productivity and environmental sustainability. This study introduces, develops, and evaluates a mathematical model that integrates Internet of Things (IoT) technology to optimize water and energy usage in a hydroponic vertical farming setup. The model utilizes real-time environmental data collected from IoT sensors to dynamically adjust irrigation and energy consumption, ensuring minimal waste while sustaining optimal conditions for plant growth. Extensive simulations conducted using Python demonstrate substantial improvements in Water Use Efficiency (WUE) and significant energy savings, validating the model’s effectiveness. The study also presents practical case studies from regions like Singapore, Qatar, and Malaysia, showcasing how the integration of renewable energy sources, such as solar photovoltaic panels, with advanced smart irrigation technologies can lead to up to 50% growth rate improvements. Despite existing challenges, such as high initial capital investments, technical complexities, and the need for continuous maintenance, the findings indicate that modular and scalable system designs offer a promising path forward. Future research should aim to reduce overall costs and enhance system adaptability for various urban environments. Ultimately, this research provides a scalable and efficient framework for advancing urban agriculture, with the potential to contribute significantly to global food security and promote the sustainability of urban ecosystems.