Plant Surfaces Research Articles

Growth and Yield of Sweet Corn (Zea mays var. rugosa) in Response to Bio-fertilizer Application

Bio-N® fertilizer is a substance which contains living microorganisms which, when applied to seed, plant surfaces, or soil, colonizes the rhizosphere or the interior of the plant and promotes growth by increasing the supply or availability of primary nutrients to the host plant. This study was conducted to determine the effects of Bio-N® and different levels of inorganic fertilizers on the growth, yield and postharvest quality of sweet corn (Zea mays var. rugosa). The experiment was conducted using a 5m x 4m plot size and arranged as a 2x3 factorial experiment within a Randomized Complete Block Design. Bio-N application (with and without) was designated as Factor A, while the varying levels of inorganic NPK fertilizer (100%, 75%, 50%) were assigned as Factor B. This resulted in six treatment combinations, with each plot containing 108 sweetcorn plants, replicated three times. Sweetcorn plants applied with Bio-N® fertilizer gave a significant growth and yield compared to those plants without fertilizer (Bio-N®) applied. The highest net income and return of investment were obtained from plants applied with Bio-N® with 100% RR of inorganic fertilizer at 284,866.00 and 316.05% respectively.

Temperature Compensation of Low-cost Sensors for Accurate Temperature Measurement

Evapotranspiration (ET) is a critical process in agricultural system. ET states the combined water loss from the soil and plant surfaces. Predicting ET is vital for effective water resource management. Accurate temperature and humidity measurements is instrumental in calculating Et. Temperature measurement plays a key role in various industrial, scientific, and agricultural applications. The study investigates the performance of three temperature humidity sensors. DHT11, DHT22 and LM35. The sensors are analyzed under different conditions, including compensation, and with a temperature compensation algorithm, and with proportional P and proportional-integral-derivative PID controllers. Sensors are interfaced with a Raspberry Pi 4B model. The sensors were tested in controlled environments with temperatures ranging from 10 degrees to 100 degrees C, and their accuracy was evaluated by comparing their outputs with the reference values. Results revealed that the error percentages for all sensors exceeded permissible limits when used outside their specified ranges. Incorporating temperature compensation algorithm and P and PID controllers significantly improved measurement accuracy, reducing error percentages and root mean square errors (RMSE) across all sensors. Out of the three sensors, LM35 demonstrated a 5-fold reduction in error percentage at higher temperatures compared to other methods. The improved sensor accuracy has significant implications for agricultural applications such as ET calculation, where precise temperature data is necessary. Reducing error enhances better agricultural water management strategies and overall productivity.

Functional genomic insights into Floricoccus penangensis ML061-4 isolated from leaf surface of Assam tea

Floricoccus penangensis ML061-4 was originally isolated from the leaf surface of an Assam tea plant (Camellia sinensis var. assamica) from Northern Thailand. To assess the functions encoded by the F. penangensis ML061-4 genome, gene identification and annotation were undertaken by in silico analysis. The complete genome of F. penangensis ML061-4 consists of single chromosome of 2,159,127 base pairs, containing a GC content of 33.2% and encompassing 2049 predicted protein-encoding genes. A total of 1195 genes (58.0%) in the F. penangensis ML061-4 genome have assignable functions based on BlastKOALA analysis. Furthermore, 1235 genes (59.9%) were classified into six KEGG functional categories with 187 associated pathways, while 1419 genes (68.8%) were assigned a putative function by the Clusters of Orthologous Groups (COGs) database. The ML061-4 genome was evaluated for genes associated with complex carbohydrate metabolism, bacterial adhesion, virulence factors, pathogenicity, bacteriophages, antiviral defence systems as well as toxin- and antibiotic-resistance associated genes, and genes involved in toxin production, secondary metabolite biosynthesis and xenobiotics biodegradation. The obtained results support the notion of F. penangensis ML061-4 being safe for biotechnological and food industry purposes. This is the first report outlining functional genomic insights regarding a member of the genus Floricoccus.

Enhancing Droplet Spreading on a Hydrophobic Plant Surface by Surfactant/Cellulose Nanocrystal Complexes.

A surfactant is an efficient and common additive used to enhance the spreading of droplets on hydrophobic surfaces. However, a high surfactant concentration is required to achieve the desired performance, resulting in environmental pollution and increased costs. Additionally, the pesticide loading capacity of surfactants at low concentrations (below their critical micelle concentrations) is a concern. Thus, in this study, we developed a strategy to enhance pesticide loading and droplet deposition by mixing small amounts of sodium dodecyl sulfate (SDS) (0.1 wt %) and cationically modified cellulose nanocrystals (PCNC). The reduced surface tension, increased viscosity and adhesion, and electrostatic and hydrogen interactions resulted in a low retraction velocity, excellent spreading, and resistance to air turbulence. The improved loading content was facilitated by the hydrophobic domains of PCNC and SDS micelles.

Chitosan-Based Bioactivator Mitigates Water Deficit Stress and Enhances Soybean Productivity

The chitosan-based bioactivator FF-BR (Patent Nº: US 9,868,677 B2) represents a cutting-edge solution within green chemistry, designed to enhance plant stresses tolerance. Upon application, FF-BR forms a protective film on the plant surface, triggering defense mechanisms. This study evaluated FF-BR’s capacity to mitigate the effects of water deficit in soybean plants under both greenhouse and field conditions, focusing on its impact on grain yield and physiological performance. Our results demonstrate that FF-BR significantly improved intrinsic water use efficiency (iWUE) in both greenhouse (66.70%) and field environments (35%). The net photosynthetic rate increased (8.12%-greenhouse; 12%-field), while stomatal conductance (20.21%-greenhouse; 15%-field) and leaf transpiration (14.30%-greenhouse; 10%-field) were reduced, reflecting enhanced water use efficiency. Additionally, under greenhouse conditions, FF-BR optimized energy dissipation via non-photochemical quenching (NPQ), potentially improving carbon assimilation during sun-shade transitions in crop canopies. Field experiments indicated cultivar-specific responses to FF-BR application. Early-cycle cultivar BMX 51X51 I2X-Trovão exhibited yield increases of 651 kg ha-1, 515 kg ha-1, and 667 kg ha-1 at concentrations of 0.75%, 1.0%, and 1.25% (v.v), respectively. By contrast, mid-cycle Soytech ST 641-I2X showed lower yield improvements of 278 kg ha-1, 216 kg ha-1, and 187 kg ha-1 at the same concentrations, compared to untreated controls. FF-BR also modulated root architecture by reducing growth rates in total root length (16.09%), root volume (41.11%), and surface area (26.04%) under well-watered conditions, while stabilizing root volume growth under drought, suggesting optimized water acquisition and minimized metabolic costs. This suggests that FF-BR enhances root water acquisition efficiency, while minimizing the metabolic costs of root plasticity—an essential adaptation in fluctuating environments. FF-BR offers a sustainable, innovative tool for improving soybean performance under water deficit conditions, enhancing water use efficiency and photosynthetic optimization while reducing ecological impacts. This bioactivator has promising applications for climate-resilient agriculture and long-term crop productivity.

Vishniacozyma siamensis sp. nov., a new anamorphic tremellomycetous yeast species isolated from a mangrove forest in Thailand.

Six strains (DMKU-SG26, DMKU-SG42, DMKU-SYM22, DMKU-RG41, DMKU-RX317 and DMKU-RGM25) representing a novel basidiomycetous yeast species were isolated from leaf surfaces of mangrove plants collected in Thailand. Pairwise sequence analysis indicated that the six strains either had identical nucleotide substitution in the D1/D2 domains of the large subunit (LSU) rRNA gene sequences or differed by one to three nucleotide(s). They also had identical or differed by one to five nucleotide substitution(s) in the internal transcribed spacer (ITS) regions. blastn searches of the GenBank database revealed that the six strains were closely related to the holotype of type strains of Vishniacozyma peneaus, V. terrae, V. phoenicis, V. taiwanica and V. europaea, but with 6-15 (1.14-2.48%) and 16-26 (5.4-8.8%) nucleotide substitutions in the D1/D2 domains of the LSU rRNA gene and the ITS regions, respectively. Phylogenetic analysis based on the concatenated sequences of the ITS regions and D1/D2 domains of the LSU rRNA gene showed that these strains are placed in the Vishniacozyma clade but were at a distinctly different position from the other recognized species of the genus. Based on the phylogenetic analysis and phenotypic characteristics, these six strains are a novel species of the genus Vishniacozyma, for which the name Vishniacozyma siamensis sp. nov. is proposed to accommodate them. The holotype is TBRC 18499T and the ex-type culture is PYCC 10042 (=DMKU-SG26). The MycoBank number of the novel species is MB 855838.

Impacts of aquatic thrusters on submerged aquatic plants in Kawartha Lakes, Ontario, Canada

Tregunno B, Liang T. 2025. Impacts of aquatic thrusters on submerged aquatic plants in Kawartha Lakes, Ontario, Canada. Lake Reserv. Manage. XX–XX. Aquatic thrusters are an emerging tool for waterfront landowners to control at a small scale of aquatic plants, algae, and ice cover. Their potential effects to shallow lake aquatic ecosystems remain understudied. During the summer of 2021, 3 aquatic thrusters were installed on docks within the Kawartha Lakes, Ontario, Canada, in a before-after control-impact approach. The aquatic thrusters were operational for 40 d in July to August, 12 h each night, in the shallow nearshore areas, at a fixed horizontal position. Aquatic thrusters significantly reduced plant surface area by 64.9%, floating cover by 70.1%, and plant biomass by 52.0–94.6% in front of the aquatic thrusters, extending approximately 10 m2 into dense aquatic plant beds. Aquatic thrusters caused no significant changes to field water quality, which might have been a result of horizontal positioning of the aquatic thrusters that minimized turbulent water from impacting lake substrates. Further research is required given the potential for aquatic thrusters to affect the biological, physical, and chemical aspects of aquatic ecosystems.

Mining genomic regions associated with stomatal traits and their candidate genes in bread wheat through genome-wide association study (GWAS).

112 candidate quantitative trait loci (QTLs) and 53 key candidate genes have been identified as associated with stomatal traits in wheat. These include bHLH, MADS-box transcription factors, and mitogen-activated protein kinases (MAPKs). Stomata is a common feature of the leaf surface of plants and serve as vital conduits for the exchange of gases (primarily CO₂ and water vapor) between plants and the external environment. In this study, a comprehensive genome analysis was conducted by integrating genome-wide association study (GWAS) and genome prediction to identify the genomic regions and candidate genes of stomatal traits associated with drought resistance and water-saving properties in a panel of 184 diverse bread wheat genotypes. There were significant variations on stomatal traits in the wheat panel across different environmental conditions. GWAS was conducted with the genotypic data from the wheat 660K single-nucleotide polymorphism (SNP) chip, and the stomatal traits conducted across three environments during two growing seasons. The final GWAS identified 112 candidate QTLs that exhibited at least two significant marker-trait associations. Subsequent analysis identified 53 key candidate genes, including 13 bHLH transcription factor, 2 MADS-box transcription factors, and 4 mitogen-activated protein kinase genes, which may be strongly associated with stomatal traits. The application of Bayesian ridge regression for genomic prediction yielded an accuracy rate exceeding 60% for all four stomatal traits in both SNP matrices, with stomatal width achieving a rate in excess of 70%. Additionally, three Kompetitive allele-specific PCR markers were developed and validated, representing a significant advancement in marker-assisted prediction. Overall, these results will contribute to a more comprehensive understanding of wheat stomatal traits and provide a valuable reference for germplasm screening and innovation in wheat germplasm with novel stomatal traits.

The Impact of Systemic Insecticides: Cyantraniliprole and Flupyradifurone on the Mortality of Athalia rosae (Hymenoptera: Tenthredinidae) Based on the Biophoton-Emission of Oilseed Rape.

The selection of an appropriate and targeted crop protection technology for winter oilseed rape is crucial for the economic production of this crop. Insecticides belonging to the group of diamides and butenolides are available as seed treatments for winter oilseed rape and serve as effective tools for chemical crop protection. The objective of this study was to determine the multi-directional applicability of the active ingredients cyantraniliprole and flupyradifurone. Furthermore, the phenotypic detection of stress was conducted for these systemic insecticides. The results of our study show that these active ingredients acropetal and basipetal translocation are both effective against Athalia rosae (L. 1758) (Hymenoptera: Tenthredinidae). The findings from our laboratory studies indicated that the insecticidal active ingredients are effective against Athalia rosae (Hymenoptera: Tenthredinidae) via both acropetal and basipetal translocation. However, differences in the time of exertion of lethal effect were recorded. In both experimental groups, mortality was observed to reach 100% at the 96-h mark, regardless of the specific experimental conditions or the insecticide employed. An examination of the bio-photon emission of the experimental plants revealed a statistically verifiable correlation between the applied active ingredients and the photon emission intensity per unit plant surface area. The findings of our study indicate that due to their insecticidal activity, systemic insecticides also affect plant life processes by increasing photosynthetic activity per unit leaf area.

Heavy metal contamination in urban roadside vegetables: origins, exposure pathways, and health implications

Abstract Urban agriculture along major highways often exposes food crops to heavy metal contamination, primarily from vehicular emissions. This review examines the origins, exposure pathways, and health risks associated with heavy metals in roadside vegetables. Sources include both tailpipe emissions, such as lead (Pb) and cadmium (Cd), and non-tailpipe emissions from tyre and brake wear, which release zinc (Zn) and copper (Cu). Contamination occurs through atmospheric deposition on plant surfaces and root uptake from polluted soils. A systematic synthesis of global case studies reveals alarming levels of heavy metals, often exceeding WHO/FAO thresholds. For instance, vegetables cultivated along the Accra-Tema motorway in Ghana contained cadmium levels up to 279 mg/kg, posing significant health risks. Similarly, roadside vegetables in India, Nigeria, and China demonstrated bioaccumulation of toxic elements, with health implications including carcinogenic and non-carcinogenic effects. The review highlights the direct and indirect exposure pathways for humans, such as dietary intake of contaminated vegetables, inhalation of particulates, and dermal contact. Health consequences include gastrointestinal distress, neurotoxicity, reproductive issues, and elevated cancer risks. To mitigate these risks, the review advocates for the prohibition of vegetable farming near high-traffic highways, along with the implementation of stringent monitoring programs to assess and control heavy metal levels. Future research should address ecological impacts and integrate diverse contamination sources to develop effective risk management strategies. This work is a critical resource for policymakers, researchers, and urban planners aiming to enhance food safety and public health in urban settings.

Hydration conditions as a critical factor in antibiotic-mediated bacterial competition outcomes.

Antibiotic secretion plays a pivotal role in bacterial interference competition; yet, the impact of environmental hydration conditions on such competition is not well understood. Here, we investigate how hydration conditions affect interference competition among bacteria, studying the interactions between the antibiotic-producing Bacillus velezensis FZB42 and two bacterial strains susceptible to its antibiotics: Xanthomonas euvesicatoria 85-10 and Pseudomonas syringae DC3000. Our results show that wet-dry cycles significantly modify the response of the susceptible bacteria to both the supernatant and cells of the antibiotic-producing bacteria, compared to constantly wet conditions. Notably, X. euvesicatoria shows increased protection against both the cells and supernatants of B. velezensis under wet-dry cycles, while P. syringae cells become more susceptible under wet-dry cycles. In addition, we observed a reciprocal interaction between P. syringae and B. velezensis, where P. syringae inhibits B. velezensis under wet conditions. Our findings highlight the important role of hydration conditions in shaping bacterial interference competition, providing valuable insights into the microbial ecology of water-unsaturated surfaces, with implications for applications such as biological control of plant pathogens and mitigating antibiotic resistance.IMPORTANCEOur study reveals that hydration conditions, particularly wet-dry cycles, significantly influence antibiotic-mediated competition between bacterial species. We revealed that the effectiveness of antibiotics produced by Bacillus velezensis against two susceptible bacterial species: Xanthomonas and Pseudomonas varies based on these hydration conditions. Unlike traditional laboratory environments, many real-world habitats, such as soil, plant surfaces, and even animal skin, undergo frequent wet-dry cycles. These conditions affect bacterial competition dynamics and outcomes, with wet-dry cycles providing increased protection for some bacteria while making others more susceptible. Our findings highlight the importance of considering environmental hydration when studying microbial interactions and developing biological control strategies. This research has important implications for improving agricultural practices and understanding natural microbial ecosystems.

ПРЕИМУЩЕСТВО ПРИМЕНЕНИЯ БЕСПИЛОТНЫХ АВИАЦИОННЫХ СИСТЕМ ПРИ ОБРАБОТКЕ ПОЛЕЙ ПЕСТИЦИДАМИ

The article analyzes the advantages of using unmanned aerial systems (UAS) for treating agricultural land with chemical plant protection products. The modern market of special equipment offers various solutions, among which ultra-low-volume spraying stands out. It contributes to a more effective action of preparations due to the swirls created by the propellers of the copters and the small size of the drops, ensuring complete coverage of the plant surface. Classic sprayers cannot treat the lower parts of the leaves, while drones, working at a low altitude, create swirls using disc sprayers, which allows for complete treatment of plants. Modern drone models are capable of working in hard-to-reach areas and are more economical compared to traditional methods. They can be equipped with different types of sprayers, adapting to different conditions and requirements. For example, disc sprayers are used to treat large areas, and conical or slot sprayers are used for spot treatment. The use of UAS also has environmental benefits: reduced consumption of chemicals due to more precise application and minimization of environmental impact due to the refusal to use heavy equipment and reduced labor requirements. In addition, the use of UAS allows agricultural producers to quickly respond to changes and adjust the processing process, which increases the overall efficiency of agricultural production. Calculations based on the cost of work and operating efficiency show that when choosing machines for processing fields, agricultural producers should consider the feasibility of purchasing complex and expensive equipment for small areas, since the equipment will be idle for a longer time. Self-propelled sprayers are effective when processing large areas, but become inconvenient for small farms. Thus, the use of unmanned aerial systems is a promising direction that can significantly improve the efficiency and environmental friendliness of agricultural processes.

Advanced Nanostrategies for Biomolecule Delivery in Plant Disease Management.

Sustainable plant disease management has long been a major issue in agriculture since the excessive reliance on broad-spectrum pesticides exacerbates chemical resistance, presenting environmental and health hazards. Taking cues from nature's intricate defense mechanisms, scientists are exploiting bioactive agents involved in plant-pathogen/pest interactions to develop novel strategies to combat diseases. Embracing biomolecules in agriculture offers an ecofriendly alternative to chemical pesticides. However, traditional delivery methods for biomolecules often suffer from low utilization rates and low field stability, diminishing the overall effectiveness of active compounds. The advent of nanotechnology has facilitated the design of novel delivery systems for biomolecular cargos, further enhancing their capacity to adhere to plant surfaces and make disease control strategies effective. Tailored depending upon the extent of infection and type of plant species, innovative nanoparticle strategies maximize the effectiveness of delivery by modifying the size, surface characteristics, and adhesion capacity of the particles to suit particular requirements. This review examines how the various biological factors involved in innate plant defenses can be exploited, as well as the potential of various nanocarriers in biomolecule delivery for plant disease management.

Esterified Lignin Nanoparticles for Targeted Chemical Delivery in Plant Protection.

There is a growing demand for biobased functional materials that can ensure targeted pesticide delivery and minimize active ingredient loss in the agricultural sector. In this work, we demonstrated the use of esterified lignin nanoparticles (ELNPs) as carriers and controlled-release agents of hydrophobic compounds. Curcumin was selected as a hydrophobic model compound and was incorporated during ELNP fabrication with entrapment efficiencies exceeding 95%. ELNPs presented a sustained release of curcumin over 60 days in an oil medium, with a tunable release rate dependent on the lignin-to-curcumin mass ratio. The ELNPs showed a strong adhesion interaction with the hydrophobic wax surface. Quartz crystal microbalance with dissipation monitoring (QCM-D) and atomic force microscopy (AFM) analysis suggested that the ELNPs permeated into the wax layer, potentially preventing pesticide loss due to runoff or rainwater leaching. Rapidly decreasing contact angles between a droplet containing an aqueous dispersion of the ELNPs and a fresh leaf surface provided further evidence of a favorable interaction between the two. Overall, our results portray ELNPs as promising biobased nanoparticulate systems for pesticide delivery to hydrophobic plant surfaces.

Cell walls, a comparative view of the composition of cell surfaces of plants, algae and microorganisms.

While evolutionary studies indicate that the most ancient groups of organisms on Earth likely descended from a common wall-less ancestor, contemporary organisms lacking a carbohydrate-rich cell surface are exceedingly rare. By developing a cell wall to cover the plasma membrane, cells were able to withstand higher osmotic pressures, colonise new habitats and develop complex multicellular structures. This way, the cells of plants, algae and microorganisms are covered by a cell wall, which can generally be defined as a highly complex structure whose main framework is usually composed of carbohydrates. Rather than static structures, they are highly dynamic and serve a multitude of functions that modulate vital cellular processes, such as growth and interactions with neighbouring cells or the surrounding environment. Thus, despite its vital importance for many groups of life, it is striking that there are few comprehensive documents comparing the cell wall composition of these groups. Thus, the aim of this review was to compare the cell walls of plants with those of algae and microorganisms, paying particular attention to their polysaccharide components. It should be highlighted that, despite the important differences in composition, we have also found numerous common aspects and functionalities.

Impact of microplastics on aquatic flora: Recent status, mechanisms of their toxicity and bioremediation strategies.

The accumulation of microplastics (MPs) in aquatic environments has occurred pervasively. The MPs affect almost all the aquatic plants including the aquatic microorganisms, ultimately disturbing the food chain. Aquatic flora attracts MPs due to the formation of several chemical bonds and interactions, including hydrogen bonds, electrostatic, hydrophobic, and van der Waals. Consequently, they hinder plant growth when adsorbed to the plant surfaces. Moreover, the major metabolic processes, including photosynthesis, reproduction, and nutrient uptake, get affected due to the pore-filling of plant tissues and the blockage of sunlight. Subsequently, prolonged exposure to MPs inflicts excessive generation of reactive oxygen species (ROS), ultimately accelerating programmed cell death. However, it has been realized that bioremediation techniques, including phytoremediation, can effectively mitigate MPs pollution by adsorbing or accumulating MPs by 25-80% at the laboratory scale. In this connection, several microorganisms play a vital part in deteriorating MPs due to their ability to form biofilm over the MPs' surface. Additionally, the secretion of extracellular enzymes such as styrene monooxygenase, styrene oxide isomerase, phenylacetaldehyde dehydrogenase, PETase, etc., facilitates the degradation of MPs. Moreover, the inherent ability of plants to adsorb and accumulate MPs can be utilized to manage the MPs in aquatic ecosystems. However, there is a dearth of literature and comprehensive reviews highlighting the potential of bioremediation strategies. Therefore, apart from addressing the impact of MPs on aquatic flora, this article attempts to elucidate the physical and chemical basis of plant-plastic interaction and the potential strategies aquatic flora including microorganisms employ to mitigate plastic pollution.

Advancing Statistical Methodologies for Composite Phenotype Analysis in Genome-Wide Association Studies

Genome wide association studies (GWAs) have revolutionized our understanding of the genetic basis of complex traits by linking specific genetic variants to phenotypes. However, the analysis of composite phenotypes derived from multiple interrelated variables presents unique challenges, particularly in maintaining statistical power and interpretability. Conventional approaches often analyze each trait independently at a single time point, potentially neglecting the underlying correlations and developmental dynamics across different growth stages, which could significantly enhance the detection power of genetic associations. This study presents a novel statistical approach that combines phenotypic data from different plant developmental stages using a compressed linear mixed model (CLMM) to efficiently link the genotypes to phenotypes. The CLMM offers computational efficiency by leveraging dimensionality reduction and data compression techniques, making it suitable for analyzing large-scale GWAs datasets. This capability is crucial given the rapidly growing volume of genomic data. The data used in this study was obtained from Leibniz Institute of Plant Genetics and Crop Plant Research (IPK)-Gatersleben, Germany, database. It includes maize phenomic data and 50K SNPs data for 262 maize inbred lines. The modelling was done in R-statistical software following the guidelines of the Gapit tool. Plant growth was assessed at three time points: 11, 26 and 42 days after sowing (DAS). The models were compared using Akaike Information Criterion (AIC) and Information Criterion (BIC). The results showed that the model based incorporating plant volume, plant height, and plant surface area provided a better fit to the data compared to the models based on plant volume and plant surface area or plant height and plant volume. This is evidenced by lower AIC value of 1967.630 and BIC value of 1999.870 for the model incorporating three phenotypic traits (plant volume, Height and Surface area), compared to the AIC of 2008.560 and BIC of 2040.795 and AIC of 2312.930 for the model based on two phenotypic traits (plant volume and surface area) and BIC of 2351.321 for the for the model based on two phenotypic traits (plant height and volume). In the GWAs analysis, the results showed that the model incorporating three phenotypic traits (plan volume, height and area) detected the highest number of SNPs, with a total of 22 SNPs identified, compared to 11 SNPs detected using the model based on two phenotypic traits (plant surface area and volume) and 9 SNPs for the model based on two phenotypic traits (plant height and volume) across all growth stages considered. These findings suggest that combining traits to generate composite phenotypes in GWAS across different growth time points provides a robust framework that enhances the detection of genetic associations while preserving the biological relevance of the relationships between traits. This approach has significant implications for future GWAS, particularly in the study of complex traits, where understanding the interplay of multiple phenotypic variables is crucial for unraveling the genetic basis of complex traits.

Mechanism and strategy of self-assembly of quaternary ammonium surfactant molecules to regulate pesticide droplet impact and wetting of hydrophobic surfaces.

Surfactants regulate the interaction between pesticide droplets and the surfaces of plants on which they are sprayed. The influence of the key structural functional groups of surfactants on the interaction between pesticide droplets and hydrophobic pear leaves has not been explored. The behavior of Imidacloprid (Imid) droplets regulated by cationic quaternary ammonium surfactants with different structures on hydrophobic pear leaves and their bouncing dynamics were studied. The properties of pesticide droplets regulated by rosin-based bicationic quaternary ammonium salt and ethylene (dodecyl polyoxyethylene/tetradecyl polyoxyethylene) chloride/ammonium bromide were well matched with those of pear leaves with a waxy layer. This structure was closely related to the double-chain structure corresponding to that of double N-head groups in quaternary ammonium surfactants. Quaternary ammonium surfactants regulate the wetting of droplets by forming semi-micellar structures near the three-phase contact line, which drives the droplets to wet and spread on the leaf. The quaternary ammonium surfactant containing the double N-head structure enabled strong wetting and adhesion of pesticide droplets on the hydrophobic surface. The key structural functional groups of different quaternary ammonium surfactants directionally modified the impact kinetics of Imid droplets on the leaf surfaces and their changing trend. The double N-head structure played a key role in the molecular structure of quaternary ammonium surfactants, and the hyperbranched ethylene oxide (EO)chain played a small role in the molecular structure. These results clearly indicate how the structure of key functional groups of quaternary ammonium surfactants regulated the interface adhesion of pesticide droplets on the leaf surfaces and explain the microscopic mechanism of their interaction. © 2024 Society of Chemical Industry.

Machine learning-assisted implantable plant electrophysiology microneedle sensor for plant stress monitoring.

Plant electrical signals serve as a medium for long-distance signal transmission and are intricately linked to plant stress responses. High-fidelity acquisition and analysis of plant electrophysiological signals contribute to early stress identification, thereby enhancing agricultural production efficiency. While traditional plant electrophysiology monitoring methods like gel electrodes can capture electrical signals on plant surfaces, which face limitations due to the plant cuticle barrier, impacting signal accuracy. Moreover, the vast and intricate nature of plant electrical signal data, coupled with the absence of specialized large-scale models, impedes signal interpretation and plant physiological correlation. In light of these challenges, we engineered an implantable microneedle array using micromachining technology for monitoring and decoding plant electrical signals in a minimally invasive manner. This innovative sensor can securely adhere to plant tissue over extended periods, enabling the precise recording of electrical signals triggered by transient (mechanical injury) and long-term stresses (drought and salt stress). Based on the collected plant electrophysiological data, we utilized a machine learning model to analyze these signals for the early detection of plant stress with an accuracy of 99.29%. This sensor has great potential and is expected to revolutionize precision agricultural production and provide valuable help in managing plant stress more effectively.

It's 'claw'-some: Ontogenetic claw shape changes in mites (Acari, Oribatida) as a consequence of ecological shifts.

Claw characteristics of oribatid mites are strongly correlated with environmental factors and these characters remain constant throughout development when immatures and adults share the same ecology and lifestyle. In the present study, claw traits of oribatid mite species with constant ecology were compared with those of species showing a clear ecological shift between juvenile and adult stage. The arboreal Sellnickia caudata and the saxicolous Niphocepheus nivalis dwell in the same microhabitat during their life-cycle, whereas immatures of the terrestrial Carabodes areolatus and Mycobates carli, as well as of the aquatic Hydrozetes lemnae, are, in contrast to their adults, endophagous, meaning they feed and burrow within lichen and plant tissue. We performed a geometric morphometric investigation of their claws and could reveal significant differences in the claw shapes of immatures and adults of all species, except for N.nivalis. Claws of the endophagous juveniles of C.areolatus, M.carli and H.lemnae are generally sharper and higher than those of their adult counterparts. The burrowing lifestyle of the immatures apparently necessitates such specific claw morphologies. Despite having a constant ecology, the arboreal S. caudata also shows distinct differences between immature and adult claw traits, with juveniles possessing stronger curved and sharper claws. But immature stages also possess an additional tarsal adhesive pad which lacks in the adult stage. The presence or absence of this additional adhesive pad apparently requires changes in claw morphology to allow firm attachment on diverse plant surfaces. The present results demonstrate that claw characteristic can change during the development depending on the given ecological factors faced by each developmental stage and depending on the presence of additional attachment devices.