Growth Promotion Research Articles

Growth Promotion and Secondary Metabolites of Vegetables by Spraying Soil with Psidium guajava, Aloe vera, Allium sativum and Medicago sativa Extracts at Various Stages of Growth

There is a growing need for sustainable, efficient methods to promote plant growth and protect crops, with plant extracts offering natural, multi-component solutions. Based on previous observations, Psidium guajava, Aloe vera, Allium sativum and Medicago sativa were selected from 17 water extracts to investigate how the application times of soil sprays affect the antioxidant enzymes and secondary metabolites in fruity and leafy vegetables at different growth stages. From 1 week after sowing (WAS) to 4 WAS, all applications increased the shoot fresh weight by 42–69% in cucumbers, 40–64% in tomatoes, 46–65% in kale and 42–63% in lettuce. These applications also increased the photosynthesis, flavonoids and antioxidative enzymes (ascorbate peroxide (APOD) and guaiacol peroxidase (GPOD)), which provided the plants with a balanced supply of nutrients essential for growth. In the real world, these results show that the use of natural extracts (P. guajava and A. sativum) can be a sustainable, eco-friendly alternative to synthetic fertilizers and pesticides, helping to improve crop yields and metabolism without harming the environment. This approach could reduce the reliance on chemical inputs and promote more sustainable agricultural practices, especially in controlled environments, like greenhouses, where crops like cucumbers and kale are grown.

Impact of Trichoderma Strains Isolated from Pulses Rhizosphere on Plant Growth Promotion of Chickpea

Twenty one isolates of Trichoderma spp. were isolated from the rhizosphere of chickpea were evaluated for salt and thermo tolerance, plant growth promoter and antagonists to Rhizoctonia bataticola causing dry root rot in chickpea. Eleven isolates (Tr5, Tr6, Tr8, Tr9, Tr10, Tr11, Tr13, Tr16, Tr17, Tr20 and Tr21) exhibited high antagonistic activity against R. bataticola (more that 70% inhibition of fungal growth). Our findings indicated significant correlation between plant growth promotion of chickpea and antagonism against dry root rot. Four isolates namely Tr11, Tr10, Tr20 & Tr13 showed more tolerance to salt having less than 60% reduction in growth at 10% NaCl. Eight isolates namely Tr20, Tr19, Tr17, Tr10, Tr11, Tr12, Tr13 and Tr9 were most thermotolerant with mycelium growth of more than 4cm at 35⸰C compared to remaining isolates. Three isolates Tr11(Trichoderma afroharzianum), Tr13 (Trichoderma asperellum) and Tr20 (Trichoderma asperellum) were most promising having fungal antagonistic activity along with growth promoting parameters, salinity and thermo tolerance.

Forms of Innovation and the Core‐Periphery Divide: (Non‐) Technological Innovation and Geo‐Remoteness in Israel

ABSTRACTScholarly interest in innovation in the periphery has recently grown, along with the prevalence of studies investigating different forms of innovation. Given the relative paucity of research in these fields, this study aims to examine the probability of technological and non‐technological innovation in peripheral areas, compared to core regions. Drawing on a sample of over 3800 Israeli firms, we analyzed how their peripheral geographic location impacts their chances to innovate, in comparison to firms in Israel's core regions. The results showed that the probabilities to technologically innovate in most of the defined peripheries significantly exceed the probabilities in the core. Those probabilities decrease with the region's increasing peripherality. Peripheral firms that do tend to technologically innovate were found to be deeply embedded in their region's economy. Unlike technological innovation, peripheries' non‐technological innovation activity was found to benefit from urban agglomerations that endow local economies with an (technological) innovative buzz. The results have policy implications for the promotion of regional economic growth.

Identification of Peanut Cultivars with Low Cadmium Contents and Their Rhizosphere Microbial Characteristics in Alkaline and Acidic Cadmium-Contaminated Fields

Employing crop cultivars with low cadmium (Cd) accumulation and high yield is an effective strategy for the sustainable and safe utilization of Cd-contaminated farmland. However, the current understanding of peanut cultivars, particularly under field conditions, is limited. This study identified low-Cd cultivars and their rhizosphere microbial characteristics in acidic and alkaline fields with moderate Cd contamination. The results indicated that cultivars LH11, FH1, LH14, and YH9414 exhibited low Cd accumulation and high yield, with kernel Cd content reduced by 27.27% to 47.28% and yield increased by 9.27% to 14.17% compared with cultivar SLH. Among them, FH1 was validated to achieve safe production in two fields. A unique microbial community was formed by the recruitment of diverse microbes, such as Alphaproteobacteria, Acidobacteria, Gemmatimonadetes, and Chloroflexi, to the rhizosphere soil of FH1, which might be associated with Cd immobilization and the promotion of plant growth. Functional predictions further validated these findings, revealing enhanced functional pathways in the FH1 rhizosphere related to microbial proliferation, Cd stabilization, and detoxification. This study provides valuable germplasm resources for safe agriculture of Cd-polluted soils and elucidates the rhizosphere microbial characteristics of different peanut cultivars under field conditions. These findings are important for the targeted management of contaminated farmland and ensuring safe food production.

Nanomaterials–plants–microbes interaction: plant growth promotion and stress mitigation

Soil salinization, extreme climate conditions, and phytopathogens are abiotic and biotic stressors that remarkably reduce agricultural productivity. Recently, nanomaterials have gained attention as effective agents for agricultural applications to mitigate such stresses. This review aims to critically appraise the available literature on interactions involving nanomaterials, plants, and microorganisms. This review explores the role of nanomaterials in enhancing plant growth and mitigating biotic and abiotic stresses. These materials can be synthesized by microbes, plants, and algae, and they can be applied as fertilizers and stress amelioration agents. Nanomaterials facilitate nutrient uptake, improve water retention, and enhance the efficiency of active ingredient delivery. Nanomaterials strengthen plant antioxidant systems, regulate photosynthesis, and stabilize hormonal pathways. Concurrently, their antimicrobial and protective properties provide resilience against biotic stressors, including pathogens and pests, by promoting plant immune responses and optimizing microbial-plant symbiosis. The synergistic interactions of nanomaterials with beneficial microorganisms optimize plant growth under stress conditions. These materials also serve as carriers of nutrients, growth regulators, and pesticides, thus acting like “smart fertilizers. While nanotechnology offers great promise, addressing potential environmental and ecotoxicological risks associated with their use is necessary. This review outlines pathways for leveraging nanotechnology to achieve resilient, sustainable, and climate-smart agricultural systems by integrating molecular insights and practical applications.

Fungal Antagonism and Plant Growth Promoting Efficacy of Aspergillus oryzaeAVNF4 isolated from the Rhizome of Curcuma longa on Lycopersicum esculantum L. (tomato)

The present study aimed to develop liquid bioformulation of Aspergillus oryzae AVNF4, a Curcuma longa rhizome endophytic fungus with antagonistic activity against Fusarium oxysporum causing tomato wilt and plant growth promotion of Lycopersicum esculantum. Fungal antagonism, Indole 3- acetic acid production, ammonia and inorganic phosphate solubilisation and GC-MS analysis of antifungal metabolites of A. oryzae AVNF4 were analysed. Liquid bio formulation of A. oryzae AVNF4 (LBF) with enhanced production of IAA, ammonia and inorganic phosphate solubilisation has developed by optimising the culture medium. Seed bacterisation of tomato seeds with LBF for 48h followed by foliar application from the second week onwards showed a significant increase in germination percentage (Gp) and germination index (GI) along with biomass, plant height, shoot length, root length, root/shoot ratio, number of leaves, and soluble protein and reduced sugars in LBF treated plants compared to untreated control. Presence of 1,3-Dioxolane, 2-(1-propenyl)-, L-Prolinamide, 5-oxo-L-prolyl-L-phenylalanyl-4-hydroxy-, Pyrrolo[1,2-a]pyrazine-1,4-dione, hexahydro-, dl-Mevalonic acid lactone, Hydro cinnamic acid, Oleic acid, 9-Octadecenoic acid (Z)-, Pyrrolo[1,2-a]pyrazine-1,4-dione, hexahydro-3-(phenylmethyl)-, 1-Allylazetidine, 4H-Pyran-4-one, 2,3-dihydro-3,5-dihydroxy-6-methyl-, 5-Pyrrolidino-2-pyrrolidone, Pyrrolo[1,2-a]pyrazine-1,4-dione, hexahydro-3-(2-methyl propyl)-, 9-Octadecenoic acid (Z)-, hexyl ester, Dehydromevalonic lactone, Acetaldehyde, (3,3-dimethyl cyclohexylidene)-, (Z)- in ethyl acetate extract of AVNF4 reported to be the pivotal compounds responsible for fungal antibiosis and to promote growth in tomato seedlings. The field performance of LBF of AVNF4 indicated that A. oryzae AVNF4 is a promising plant growth-promoting endophyte with fungal antagonism against Fusarium wilt.

Bacillus subtilis HGCC-1 improves growth performance and liver health via regulating gut microbiota in golden pompano

Probiotics as green inputs have been reported to regulate metabolism and immunity of fish. However, the mechanisms by which probiotics improve growth and health of fish are unclear. Therefore, the aim of this study was to investigate the effect of Bacillus subtilis HGCC-1, an indigenous probiotic isolated from fish, on growth performance, host lipid metabolism, liver inflammation and gut microbiota of golden pompano. 160,000 golden pompanos with the initial body weight of 93.6 ± 5.0 g was randomly assigned to two dietary groups: Control and HGCC-1 (control diet supplemented with 0.3 g/kg Bacillus subtilis HGCC-1 fermentation product), and after three weeks of feeding, 26 golden pompanos were randomly collected from each group for gut microbiome and host phenotype analysis. Dietary supplementation with Bacillus subtilis HGCC-1 significantly promoted growth performance (P < 0.05) and enhanced feed utilization. Besides, HGCC-1 improved liver health and alleviated hepatic steatosis and inflammation. Furthermore, Bacillus subtilis HGCC-1 enhanced intestinal lipid absorption, promoted hepatic utilization of dietary fat by improving hepatic lipid uptake/transport and fatty acid β-oxidation to provide energy, and reduced hepatic TG level (P < 0.05), which may be the potential mechanism of Bacillus subtilis HGCC-1-mediated growth promotion. Finally, Bacillus subtilis HGCC-1 significantly altered the structure and function of gut microbiota (P < 0.05), leading to enrichment of beneficial taxa such as Bacillus (P < 0.0001) and increased of the ratio of “Functional Group 2/Functional Group 1” (P = 0.00092). Interestingly, the ratio of “Functional Group 2/Functional Group 1” was linked to the growth traits (Spearman, P < 0.05), while the intestinal abundance of Bacillus was correlated with serum TG in fish (Spearman, R = 0.47, P = 0.00091), suggesting a role of the intestinal microbiota in HGCC-1 mediated effect on growth and lipid metabolism. In summary, Bacillus subtilis HGCC-1 promotes growth performance, alleviate hepatic steatosis and enhances liver health via regulating gut microbiota in golden pompano, which ultimately showed as beneficial effect of fish growth and health.

Potential of plant growth promoting rhizobacteria for enhancement of tomato growth

AbstractPlant growth‐promoting rhizobacteria (PGPR) associated with roots produce several biomolecules that stimulate plant growth. The study aimed to assess the potential of PGPR for tomato (Solanum lycopersicum L.) growth enhancement. Three PGPR isolates (Pseudomonas isolates PIA2 and PIA3, and Bacillus isolate BIA1) were evaluated for growth promotion under greenhouse conditions. The experiment was conducted in three replications using Maya and Melkesalsa tomato varieties in a completely randomized design. Treatment with BIA1 resulted in the highest fresh weights of shoots (29.05 g) and roots (3.72 g) for the Maya variety (TC1) and 28.69 and 2.76 g for the Melkesalsa variety (TC2), respectively. Treatment with PIA2 showed maximum fresh weights of the shoots (25.05 g) and roots (3.26 g) for the TC2. Tomato plants treated with BIA1 and PIA2 exhibited significant increases in height, by 40.1% and 22.6% in the TC1 and 45.2% and 27.6% in the TC2, respectively. Besides, treatments with BIA1 and PIA2 in the TC1 increased the dry weight of shoots by 46.6% and 30.2% and that of roots by 73.3% and 68.7%, respectively. For the TC2, BIA1 and PIA2 isolates increased the dry weight of roots by 54.9% and 34.4% and that of roots by 68.1% and 48.9%, respectively. The results generally showed that BIA1 and PIA2 could be used to foster plant growth. Further study under field the conditions of BIA1 and PIA2 are highly recommended.

Analysis of the Synergistic Effect of Endophytic Bacteria and Metabolites on Yield in Soybean Roots Under Biochar with Nitrogen Fertilization

The appropriate application of nitrogen fertilizers and biochar to the soil is beneficial for soybean growth, and a combination of biochar and nitrogen can improve low-nitrogen fertilizer utilization efficiency. However, the effect of the combination of biochar and nitrogen fertilizer on soybean roots is still unclear. Therefore, in this study, we investigate the changes in endophytic bacterial communities and metabolites in soybean roots under different combinations of biochar and nitrogen fertilizer treatments by setting different fertilization levels and using high-throughput sequencing and non-targeted metabolomics techniques. The results showed that applying 20 t/ha of biochar and 180 kg/ha of nitrogen fertilizer (C2N1) resulted in the highest soybean yield. By studying the endophytic bacterial community in soybean roots, it was observed that the dominant phyla were Proteobacteria, Bacteroidota, and Actinobacteriota, and the dominant genera were Bradyrhizobium, Streptomyces, and Rhizobacter. Moreover, a metabolic pathway analysis revealed that glycosylphosphatidylinositol (GPI)-anchor biosynthesis was the most significant metabolic pathway in the C0N1 vs. C0N0 comparison group, and glycerophospholipid metabolism was the most significant metabolic pathway in the C2N1 vs. C1N1 comparison group; they were both associated with regulatory mechanisms such as plant growth promotion and nutrient cycling. Structural equation modeling indicates that both endophytic bacteria and metabolites have a significant positive impact on yield. Bradyrhizobium and Rhizobium are observable variables with significant positive effects on endophytic bacteria, while Phe-Thr and 7-allyloxycoumarin are observable variables with significant positive effects on metabolites. Endophytic bacteria not only have a direct impact on crop yield, but also indirectly affect crop yield through their effects on metabolites. This study has important scientific value and guiding significance for improving soybean yields.

Perspective: Can growth monitoring and promotion accurately diagnose or screen for inadequate growth of individual children? A critical review of the epidemiological foundations.

Growth monitoring and promotion (GMP), the process of periodic anthropometric measurements to assess the adequacy of individual child growth, is implemented across low- and middle-income countries (LMICs). The epidemiological foundations of GMP (i.e., that GMP can accurately diagnose or screen for inadequate growth) have never been critically reviewed. We first assessed growth patterns of individual healthy children. Using longitudinal data from low-, middle-, and high-income countries, we evaluated whether commonly used GMP criteria can be used for diagnosis and screening; i.e., if they accurately identify current, or predict subsequent, inadequate growth in individual children. The growth of individual healthy children does not track along a specific growth curve which challenges the notion that growth measurements alone can be used to distinguish between healthy and inadequate growth. We demonstrate that GMP criteria do not provide meaningful diagnostic information and that GMP is not a meaningful screening activity: commonly used GMP criteria are inaccurate predictors of (inadequate) growth later in childhood; and collecting individual children's weight and height does not help to identify who needs support or who will benefit. Our results do not undermine the importance of dedicated programs to diagnose wasting in individual children nor do they challenge the need for well-child care to support parents and to ensure children's optimal nutrition, health, and development. Our findings, however, highlight the need to carefully reconsider the current design of GMP in LMICs.

Optimization of Gibberellic Acid Production from Fusarium incarnatum and Its Effect on Zea mays Growth Promotion and Antioxidant Activity

Optimization of Gibberellic Acid Production from Fusarium incarnatum and Its Effect on Zea mays Growth Promotion and Antioxidant Activity

Microbial Inoculants in Sustainable Agriculture: Advancements, Challenges, and Future Directions

The rapid growth of the human population has significantly increased the demand for food, leading to the intensification of agricultural practices that negatively impact the environment. Climate change poses a significant threat to global food production, as it can disrupt crop yields and modify the lifecycle stages of phytopathogens and pests. To address these challenges, the use of microbial inoculants, which are bioproducts containing beneficial microorganisms known as plant growth promotion microorganisms (PGPMs), has emerged as an innovative approach in sustainable agriculture. This review covers the isolation and identification of beneficial strains, the screening and selection process, the optimization of production techniques, and the importance of quality control and field testing. It also discusses the key points for the development and formulation of high-quality microbial inoculants, as well as highlights their advancements, current challenges, and future directions for research and application.

Comparative Effects of Antibiotic and Antimicrobial Peptide on Growth Performance, Gut Morphology, Intestinal Lesion Score, Ileal Microbial Counts, and Immune Status in Broilers Challenged with Necrotic Enteritis.

This experiment aimed to compare the efficacy of an antimicrobial peptide (AMP) with a conventional antibiotic growth promoter (AGP) during necrotic enteritis (NE) challenge in broilers. In total, 720 1-day-old exclusively male broiler chicks (Ross-308) were allocated to five treatments, each with six replicates of 24 birds (n = 144/treatment), for 35 days. The treatments were as follows: (1) uninfected control (UC) with basal diet, (2) infected control (IC) with C. perfringens challenge and basal diet, (3) CP-AGP with C. perfringens challenge and 200 g/ton enramycin throughout trial, (4) CP-AMP1 with C. perfringens challenge and 200 g/ton AMP in all phases, and (5) CP-AMP2 with C. perfringens challenge and 300 g/ton AMP throughout experiment. To induce NE, the birds were predisposed with 10 × coccidia vaccine (day 15) followed by oral gavage of C. perfringens type G (1 ml; 1 × 108 CFU/ml/bird) at days 19 and 20. The results showed that AMP supplemented at 300 g/ton of diet improved body weight gain and FCR in both non-challenge (days 1-14) and challenge phases (days 15-35) as compared to the infected control (P < 0.05). Moreover, it also enhanced the livability and production efficiency factor (P < 0.0001). AMP at 300 g/ton also reduced NE lesion scores, and coccidia oocyst shedding, and positively affected intestinal morphology, gut microbial balance, immune organ weights, and HI titers against Newcastle disease (P < 0.0001). These findings suggest that AMP at 300 g/ton of diet could effectively mitigate NE and may be used as a viable substitute for AGPs in broiler diets during the NE challenge.

Improvement of plant growth and fruit quality by introducing a phosphoribosylpyrophosphate synthetase mutation into Methylorubrum populi.

The aim of this study was to evaluate the impact of the introduction of a phosphoribosylpyrophosphate synthetase (PRS) mutation into a plant growth-promoting strain of Methylorubrum on the enhancement of phyllosphere colonization, with the ultimate goal of improving plant growth and quality. A strain of Methylorubrum populi (named HS04) was isolated from the groundnut leave and found to process the plant-promoting traits, including the ability to produce indole acetic acid, siderophore, 1-aminocyclopropane-1- carboxylate deaminase, and to fix nitrogen. The application via foliar spray significantly increased the fresh weight of cucumber seedlings cultivated in a standard growth chamber, with 43.0% higher than the control group. Genomic analysis revealed that the presence of an array of genes involved in plant growth promotion, including accD, aldB, ltaE as well as potential nitrogen-fixation-related genes, including nifA, bchlLNB and bchXYZ, in the HS04 strain. The introduction of the PRS mutation (an aspartic acid to an asparagine residue, D38N) in the HS04 strain (named HS04PTR) enhanced the utilization capacity of low concentrations of methanol and multi-carbon sources (C2 to C5 carbon sources). The HS04PTR strain indicated a notable enhancement in the phyllosphere colonization, with the subsequent application further promoting the growth of cucumber seedlings. An agricultural solar greenhouse experiment was thus performed to assess the efficiency of the HS04PTR strain, sprayed at low abundance, in improving the growth and quality of cucumber plants, including vitamin C, reducing sugars, and total sugars. Our findings provide insights into the potential of Methylorubrum/ Methylobacterium strains with the PRS mutations as an efficient inoculant for advantageous agricultural applications.

Sustainable management of sheath blight in &lt;i&gt;Oryza sativa &lt;/i&gt;L. by integrated biological approach

Rice sheath blight brought on by Rhizoctonia solani is one of the most significant diseases in the world, which results in significant yield losses. Application of chemical fungicides is the most preferred approach for the management of disease but extensive use of them results in environment pollution and resistance development to pathogen. Thus, there is a need to explore alternative strategies to overcome the problem of fungicide usage. The present study was done to develop sustainable strategy which is an environment friendly and alternative to chemical fungicides. Among various treatments, soil application of neem cake at 200 kg acre-1 + foliar spray of micronutrient mixture 5 g l-1 at 40 days after transplanting (DAT) + foliar spray of microbial consortia 5 g l-1 at 50 DAT was found very effective in reducing the disease severity (19.16%) and increasing growth promotion activity compared to control. Therefore, the findings of this investigation could be exploited under bio-intensive disease management programme for sustainable cultivation of rice.

Stenotrophomonas sp. SI-NJAU-1 and Its Mutant Strain with Excretion-Ammonium Capability Promote Plant Growth through Biological Nitrogen Fixation.

Legumes are well-known for symbiotic nitrogen fixation, whereas associative nitrogen fixation for nonlegume plants needs more attention. Most associative nitrogen-fixing bacteria are applied in their original plant species and need further study for broad adaptation. Additionally, if isolated nitrogen-fixing bacteria could function under fertilizer conditions, it is often ignored. Here, among 21 nitrogen-fixing bacteria isolated from barrenness-tolerance Jerusalem artichoke (JA), Stenotrophomonas sp. SI-NJAU-1 excelled in nitrogen fixation and boosted the growth of JA, wheat, barley, and rice. Additionally, SI-NJAU-1 was proven to decrease the application of compound fertilizers by 30%. To further promote plant growth, Gln K and gln B of SI-NJAU-1, which are crucial for bacterial ammonium assimilation, were mutated. Deletion of gln K but not gln B in SI-NJAU-1 reduced the activity of glutamine synthetase (GS) and the unadenylylated GS and the content of glutamine, which led to ammonium secretion outside and significantly increased the biomass of barley. This work expands the scope of associative nitrogen-fixing endophytes, affirming their potential for plant growth promotion.

CBCT-Based Analysis of Factors Influencing the Quality of New Bone Formation Following Mandibular Distraction Osteogenesis in Children With Pierre Robin Sequence.

The aim of this study was to explore the factors influencing the quality of new bone formation after distraction osteogenesis in children with Pierre Robin sequence (PRS). Using cone-beam computed tomography (CBCT), bone density relative grayscale values of the region of new bone formation before and 3 to 4 months after mandibular distraction osteogenesis (MDO) were measured in 80 children with PRS, and correlation analysis was conducted with the potential clinical influencing factors of the children. CBCT reconstruction of the panoramic film showed that the new bone formation was good at 3 to 4 months after MDO. There was a statistically significant difference in the gray value of cancellous bone before and after the operation (P<0.01). The gray values of bilateral mandibular new bone after MDO were related to cleft palate, preoperative weight, preoperative body mass index (BMI), and distraction length. Finally, the variables included in the multiple linear regression model were cleft palate and preoperative BMI. At 3 to 4 months after MDO, the mineralization degree of cancellous bone in the central region of the bilateral mandibular new bone formation area was lower. The presence of cleft palate and preoperative BMI were identified as the main factors influencing the new bone formation in bilateral mandibles after MDO. This may be attributed to the catch-up nutritional acquisition and growth promotion in children, which facilitates new bone formation, along with greater chewing muscle strength to prevent mineral loss from bones.

Key Problems and Strategies for Greenhouse Gas Reduction in China's Wastewater Treatment Industry

The wastewater treatment industry is an energy-intensive industry and one of the main sources of high warming potential greenhouse gases （GHG） such as CH4 and N2O. The GHG reduction in this industry is an important part of achieving global climate goals. In 2019, there were 4 359 urban wastewater treatment plants in China, with a total wastewater treatment volume of 63.26 billion m3, ranking first in scale worldwide. From 2009 to 2019, the energy consumption, GHG emissions, and GHG emissions intensity of wastewater treatment in China increased by 161.78%, 193.55%, and 41.54%, respectively. Faced with the new situation, new tasks, and new requirements of the collaborative promotion of carbon reduction, pollution reduction, green expansion, and growth, water pollutant reduction needs to be coordinated with GHG reduction. To this end, the sources and trends of energy consumption and GHG emissions in the wastewater treatment industry were identified, and the situation and challenges to GHG reduction in this industry were analyzed. The results indicated that the wastewater treatment industry in China has been facing problems such as a lack of carbon emission-related standards, insufficient energy self-sufficient technology reserves, lack of coordination between wastewater treatment levels and carbon emissions control, and inadequate infrastructure and operation and maintenance management. Based on this, it is necessary to accelerate the top-level design of GHG reduction in the wastewater treatment industry； strengthen the research and development, verification, demonstration, and integrated application of disruptive technologies； expand the natural-based solution as a technological supplement； innovate refined management in the wastewater treatment industry； and ultimately promote the reconstruction of the wastewater treatment industry.

Molecular characterization of an endophytic strain of Bacillus subtilis with plant growth promoting properties from a wild relative of Papaya.

Bacillus subtilis is usually found in soil, and their biocontrol and plant growth promoting capabilities are being explored more recently than ever. However, knowledge about metabolite production and genome composition of endophytic Bacillus subtilis from seeds is limited. In the present study, Bacillus subtilis EVCu15 strain isolated from the seeds of Vasconcellea cundinamarcensis (mountain papaya) was subjected to whole genome sequencing, and detailed molecular and functional characterization. Whole genome sequencing and sequence analysis of the endophytic bacterium from mountain papaya seed revealed that the bacterium was Bacillus subtilis, strain EVCu15. The genomic sequence had more than 98% nucleotide similarity with two published whole genome sequences of Bacillus subtilis strains. Some of the important secondary metabolite gene clusters involved in production of bioactive compounds such as surfactin, fengycin, plipastatin, bacillibactin, bacillaene, subtilomycin, subtilosin A and bacilysin were identified from the whole genome sequence analysis. Genes encoding several plant growth-promoting metabolites, mostly involved in the nutrient metabolism, were identified in the bacterial genome. These included factors coding for nitrogen, phosphorus, iron, sulfur, potassium, and trehalose metabolism. Genes involved in auxin, riboflavin, acetoin biosynthesis, ACC deaminase activity and xylan degradation were also identified. Proteomic analysis confirmed the biosynthesis and release of several bioactive secondary metabolites in the endophytic B. subtilis strain EVCu15. LCMS-based profiling for hormones and vitamins identified extracellular secretion of several important plant growth-promoting compounds such as IAA, salicylic acid, zeatin, vitamin D1, D2, E, K1 and pyridoxine. The in vitro and in vivo studies with the endophytic B. subtilis against various plant pathogenic fungi showed moderate to high levels of resistance. The B. subtilis EVCu15 compared to B. amyloliquefaciens showed better control over the root knot nematode Meloidogyne incognita, in terms of egg hatching inhibition and the mortality of J2 juveniles. Overall, this study underscores the biocontrol and plant growth-promoting potential of Bacillus subtilis EVCu15, an endophyte isolated from mountain papaya seeds. Genomic analysis revealed a significant proportion of genes linked to biocontrol and plant growth promotion, corroborating its efficacy against Meloidogyne incognita and various plant pathogens in vitro and in greenhouse studies. Furthermore, the bacterium's ability to produce diverse bioactive compounds, including proteins, hormones, and vitamins, was confirmed, highlighting its complex interactions within the plant system.

Evaluation and Standardisation of the Approach to Using Environmental Isolates in the AstraZeneca Microbiology Laboratories

A thorough evaluation and standardisation of the use of environmental isolates (EIs) in AstraZeneca's microbiology laboratories was performed. The study was prompted by the increasing use of EIs in pharmaceutical microbiology laboratories over the past two decades and aimed to ensure robust methods for recovering all types of microorganisms that may pose a risk to the quality of medicines. The cost, time and robustness of the testing performed with environmental isolates was identified as an area for continuous improvement by internal audit of site procedures. The review identified a wide variety of interpretations of where and what to include for EIs in growth promotion tests, methods, and disinfection efficacy studies across AstraZeneca's microbiology laboratories, leading to potential overuse. The study involved a global cross-site review that utilized a risk assessment process, involving 10 expert pharmaceutical microbiologists with significant industry experience and a risk management subject matter expert. The review assessed various uses of environmental isolates, such as growth promotion testing, disinfectant qualification studies, and method suitability testing, with a focus on regulatory requirements, external audit commitments, and scientific rationale. Regulatory guidance for the use of environmental isolates was reviewed, and a requirement for their use was noted in specific documents, such as the EU Guidelines for Good Manufacturing Practice for Medicinal Products² and various USP chapters. The literature review provided external viewpoints and aligned with the approach within AstraZeneca, confirming the need for a risk assessment in the use of isolates. The paper concludes by outlining the scientific rationale for the use of environmental isolates and provides guidance on when and how to select the most appropriate EIs for different test types. The study resulted in the production of a global guidance guideline, allowing sites to implement a standard approach to the use of EIs, leading to a significant reduction in their overuse and a standardisation across the business. The conclusion emphasises the importance of utilising environmental isolates where they add the most value or where they are required by regulations. This paper provides valuable insights into the evaluation and standardisation of the approach to using environmental isolates in AstraZeneca's microbiology laboratories, offering a foundation for a global standard and a reduction in their overuse.