White Root Research Articles

Dictyophora indusiata and Bacillus aryabhattai improve sugarcane yield by endogenously associating with the root and regulating flavonoid metabolism.

Endophytes play a significant role in regulating plant root development and facilitating nutrient solubilization and transportation. This association could improve plant growth. The present study has uncovered a distinct phenotype, which we refer to as "white root", arising from the intricate interactions between endophytic fungi and bacteria with the roots in a sugarcane and bamboo fungus (Dictyophora indusiata) intercropping system. We investigated the mechanisms underlying the formation of this "white root" phenotype and its impact on sugarcane yield and metabolism by metabarcoding and metabolome analysis. Initial analysis revealed that intercropping with D. indusiata increased sugarcane yield by enhancing the number of viable tillers compared with bagasse and no input control. Metabarcoding based on second-generation and third-generation sequencing indicated that D. indusiate and Bacillus aryabhattai dominates the fungal and bacterial composition in the "white root" phenotype of sugarcane root. The coexistence of D. indusiata and B. aryabhattai as endophytes induced plant growth-promoting metabolites in the sugarcane root system, such as lysoPC 18:1 and dihydrobenzofuran, probably contributing to increased sugarcane yield. Furthermore, the association also enhanced the metabolism of compounds, such as naringenin-7-O-glucoside (Prunin), naringenin-7-O-neohesperidoside (Naringin)*, hesperetin-7-O-neohesperidoside (Neohesperidin), epicatechin, and aromadendrin (Dihydrokaempferol), involved in flavonoid metabolism during the formation of the endophytic phenotype in the sugarcane root system. These observations suggest that the "white root" phenotype promotes sugarcane growth by activating flavonoid metabolism. This study reports an interesting phenomenon where D. indusiata, coordinate with the specific bacteria invade, forms a "white root" phenotype with sugarcane root. The study also provides new insights into using D. indusiata as a soil inoculant for promoting sugarcane growth and proposes a new approach for improve sugarcane cultivation.

Perception of affordable diet is associated with pre-school children’s diet diversity in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia: the EAT Addis survey

BackgroundDespite improvements in food access and nutrition security over the last few decades, malnutrition remains a major public health problem. One of the significant contributors to these problems is affordability of nutritious food. This study aimed to examine the association between perceived food affordability and pre-school children’s diet diversity in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia.MethodsCross-sectional data from 2017 to 18 were used for the analysis. A 24-hour dietary recall assessment was done to assess children’s dietary diversity (DD). We used a modified operational definition of affordability indicator called perceived affordability of dietary diversity (afford-DD) to evaluate the impact of the food environment in terms of affordability at the household level. A sample (n 4,898) of children aged 6–59 months representative of households in Addis Ababa was randomly selected using a multistage sampling procedure including all districts in the city. Mixed-effects linear regression models were used to assess the association between children’s DD and afford-DD.ResultsThe survey revealed that the mean (standard deviation [SD]) of children’s DD was 3.9 [± 1.4] while the mean [SD] of afford-DD was 4.6 [± 2.1]. Overall, 59.8% of children met the minimum dietary diversity (≥ 4 food groups). White roots and tubers were the most commonly consumed food groups regardless of their affordability. Considerable variations were observed between households that reported the food item affordable and not affordable in consumption of Vitamin A rich vegetables and fruits, meat and fish, egg, and dairy. The children’s DD was positively associated with afford-DD after adjusting for maternal education, household wealth status and other relevant confounding. Higher maternal education modified the association between affordability and children’s diet diversity.ConclusionsThis study suggests higher perceived food affordability was associated with better diet diversity in children. A higher level of maternal education had the potential to mitigate affordability challenges in meeting the children’s dietary diversity needs. Our study emphasizes the need for inclusive food programs and nutrition interventions addressing social differences, intensifying efforts to make nutrient-rich diets affordable for the less privileged, and highlights the potential benefits of targeting maternal education in addressing child dietary diversity.

Identification and effectiveness of biological agents against pathogens causes of white root fungus disease Rigidoporus sp. in vitro

Diseases affect the process of plant growth. One of the pathogens that causes white root fungal disease, Rigidoporus sp., can be transmitted through root contact. This study aims to determine the types of biological agents and their effectiveness in inhibiting Rigidoporus sp. in vitro. Identification is carried out macroscopically and microscopically. Inhibition testing was conducted on Potato Dextrose Agar (PDA) media, followed by a variance test with a One-Factor Complete Random Design. The results showed that Trichoderma sp. with a rejuvenation age of 8 days (T8) was the most effective in inhibiting the growth of Rigidoporus sp. and had the highest percentage at 71%.

Selection and testing of promising cassava varieties KM568, KM539, KM537 in Phu Yen province

Researching and breeding cassava varieties with high starch yield, resistance to major pests and diseases, and suitability to the production conditions of Phu Yen province and ecological regions is important and urgent. The objectives of this study were to select and create cassava varieties with high starch yield (at least 10% higher than controls KM419 and KM94), resistance to major pests and diseases, grade 1 - 2 disease scores for cassava mosaic disease (CMD), and cassava witches broom disease (CWBD). The research method was used according to Vietnam Cassava Program and International Center for Tropical Agriculture (CIAT) standards for technological process of hybrid cassava selection and breeding. The results showed that three promising cassava varieties KM568, KM539, and KM537 were identified. KM568, a hybrid of KM440 x (KM419 x KM539), yielded 54 tons/ha of fresh tubers with a starch content of 28.4% at harvest after 10 months of planting. KM539, a C39* variety, was developed from the original C39 variety from CIAT and yielded 45.9 tons/ha of fresh tubers with a starch content of 27.9%. KM537, a hybrid of (KM419 x KM539) x KM440, yielded 51.3 tons/ha of fresh tubers with a starch content of 28.5%. These three cassava varieties were resistant to CMD level 1.5 and CWBD level 1. KM568, KM539, and KM537 had 8 - 14 tubers/root, 7 - 12 tubers/root, and 7 - 12 tubers/root, respectively. Also, they all achieved the ideal new plant type shape, white root flesh, straight and compact plants, erect stems, short internodes, and less branching. Additionally, the plant height of KM568, KM539, and KM537 was 2.3 - 2.7 m, 2.7 - 3.0 m, and 2.5 - 2.9 m respectively.

First report of Irpex rosettiformis causing white root rot in avocado trees in Michoacán, México.

In México, avocado production is an important economic source. In the last season it generated $ 3. 27 billion USD of foreign currency in the country. Irpex spp. are wood decay fungi. In the period 2019-2022, in the state of Michoacán (19°13' N; 101°55' W), México, basidiomes of Irpex sp. were observed on the base of trunks and crowns of 5-years-old and older avocado (Persea americana) trees. The trees exhibited disease symptoms that included white root rot, leaf yellowing, small leaves, branch diebacks, generalized defoliation, apical flaccidity, abundant but small sun burnt fruits due to the lack of foliage, and after 2-4 years of first disease appearance, the infected trees died. In the place where fungus was established, abundant white and cottony mycelium was formed, which caused trees decay. The incidence of the disease in the sampled orchards was estimated to be 30% per ha with 350 - 400 trees, which was determined through a simple sampling design focused on trees with signs and symptoms of the disease due to the phytopathogen. Samples of infected tissue (roots and stems) and fungal basidiomes were collected from 90 trees (5-6 per orchard). The symptomatic avocado trees studied were randomly selected from 17 orchards. For the fungal macroscopic characterization, the synoptic keys described by Gilbertson and Ryvarden (1986) and by Largent (1973) were used. The samples showed typical structures corresponding to Irpex sp., including rosettes, annual basidiomes, a system of monomitic hyphae, and subglobose basidiospores. In vitro fungal isolation from basidiomes and infected tree tissues was done according to the protocol of Agrios (2004). The fungal strains were maintained on PDA at 28 °C. At 16 days of incubation the colonies were opaque, whitish with fluffy and corky mycelium. Microscopic analysis of the fungus showed typical yellowish spores, with an ellipsoid shape of 3-4 x 4-5.5 µm (50 accounted structures per isolate [N=19]) and basidia of 20-25 x 4.5-5.5 µm (n=20 basidiomes). For molecular characterization, two molecular markers were used, the internal transcribed spacer rDNA-ITS1 5.8 rDNA-ITS2 (ITS; White et al. 1990) and the large ribosomal subunit (LSU; Vilgalys and Hester 1990). The PCR reaction was performed as described by Martínez-González et al. (2017). The consensus sequences were compared with those deposited in the NCBI-GenBank, using the BLASTN 2.2.19 tool (Zhang et al. 2000), the samples showed 99% match with the species, Irpex rosettiformis. GenBank accession numbers of the submitted isolates are summarized in supplementary Table 4. To test Koch's postulates, 3-months old avocado plants grown in greenhouse conditions were inoculated (n = 10 per each isolate [N= 19]) on the roots with 3 g of I. rosettiformis mycelium. The experiment was done twice with 20 non-inoculated plants as control. After 67 days, basidiomes (50 x 70 x 1.5 mm in average) were observed where the disease incidence was >77%, with subsequent tree decline. The pathogen was re-isolated in vitro in PDA and its identity was confirmed by morphological characteristics of mycelium. This work shows that I. rosettiformis is not only a wood decay fungus, but also a phytopathogen, the causative agent of white root rot disease in P. americana var. drymifolia, cultivar 'Hass', which establishes a precedent for monitoring and preventing its proliferation to other regions in the American continent and the world where nursery avocado seedlings are exported.

Dietary diversity and associated factors among pregnant women in the Southern Province of Rwanda: A facility-based cross-sectional study.

The inadequate dietary diversity of pregnant women in low- and middle-income countries, including Rwanda, is rising and leading to macro and micronutrient deficiencies. The extent of dietary diversity and the factors contributing to it are unknown in Rwanda. This cross-sectional study, with 612 women who attended antenatal care services in Rwanda's Southern Province, identified determinants of dietary diversity among pregnant women. A multistage sampling scheme was used in which four districts were sampled, thereafter one urban and one rural health centre was sampled in each district and finally, a systematic sample of pregnant women was selected in each sampled health centre. Dietary diversity was measured using Minimum Dietary Diversity for Women (MDD-W), and multiple logistic regression models were fitted to identify factors associated with dietary diversity. Only 44.1% (95% confidence interval (CI) of [40.1%, 48.0%]) of participants had adequate dietary diversity. Approximately 95.4% of participants consumed grains, white roots, and tubers. The food groups that were the least consumed consisted of eggs (n = 99, 16.4%), as well as those consisting of milk and milk products (n = 112, 18.5%). The factors which were positively associated with dietary diversity were owning a radio (adjusted odds ratio [aOR] = 1.90 [95% CI 1.27, 2.85]), maternal education (aOR = 1.85 [95% CI 1.28, 2.65]), having a kitchen garden (aOR = 1.69 [95% CI 1.11, 2.57]) and nutrition knowledge score (aOR = 1.45 [95% CI 1.21, 1.74]) for a five-point increase in nutrition knowledge score. The factors negatively associated with dietary diversity include food insecurity, which reduced the odds of dietary diversity (aOR = 0.19 [0.07, 0.50]) per five-unit increase in food insecurity. Furthermore, the odds of adequate dietary diversity were lower among urban residents than rural residents (aOR = 0.69 [0.47, 1.03]). The household size was associated with dietary diversity with the odds of dietary diversity decreasing by 12% for a five-unit increase in household size (aOR = 0.88 [0.79; 0.99]). 23% had poor nutritional status, indicated by their mid-upper arm circumference (MUAC; < 23 cm). Enhanced nutritional education is needed to improve the nutritional knowledge of this population with particular emphasis on the consumption of animal-source foods. Sensitisation activities promoting ownership of kitchen gardens and radios could improve dietary diversity among Rwanda's pregnant women.

Evaluation of susceptibility of commercial citrus rootstocks to white root rot incited by Rosellinia necatrix

Evaluation of susceptibility of commercial citrus rootstocks to white root rot incited by Rosellinia necatrix

Here Comes the Hurricane

This two-section article and interview with Jesús Hilario-Reyes, a queer, non-binary, Afro-Caribbean artist, explores their artwork to connect trans new media histories to contemporary trans Chicanx scholarship via recent notions on “glitch” and “stitch.” The introduction connects Hilario-Reyes’s uprootedness to trans thoughts on “the cut” and trans Chicanx scholar Francisco Galarte’s concept of “Brown transfiguration.” In Section One, Hilario-Reyes discusses their new media practices in relation to land, water, displacement, and diasporic disembodiment. The interview in Section One reveals their experiences with migration, as they reflect on their 3D animated work about Puerto Rico's post-Hurricane Maria flooding, and their role as a DJ creating queer Black space. Section Two delves deeper into their 3D art and music as a healing response to displacement, mourning, and “destierro” (being ripped from one's homeland). Hilario-Reyes’s creativity, expressed through 3D animations, performance, and sound, becomes an embodied and world-building practice infused with resistance and queer Black sovereignty. Their perspectives on "glitch, love, and storms" offer adjacent strategies to resistance optics, addressing the visibility/invisibility dynamics inherent in transphobia and white supremacy. Their understanding of climate change's white supremacist root cause affecting Puerto Rico leads to a transformation of the disembodying effects of systemic violence through trans and Black-informed gestures. Through Hilario-Reyes’s 3D animations and video games, the article connects their work to larger trans scholarship, new media, and trans video game histories. Embodying non-binary and Afro-Caribbean thought, Hilario-Reyes re-engages the body, love, humanness, and their multiple possible selves, turning systemic violence's cataclysmic failures into trans and Afro-Caribbean liberation.

The soil-borne white root rot pathogen Rosellinia necatrix expresses antimicrobial proteins during host colonization.

Rosellinia necatrix is a prevalent soil-borne plant-pathogenic fungus that is the causal agent of white root rot disease in a broad range of host plants. The limited availability of genomic resources for R. necatrix has complicated a thorough understanding of its infection biology. Here, we sequenced nine R. necatrix strains with Oxford Nanopore sequencing technology, and with DNA proximity ligation we generated a gapless assembly of one of the genomes into ten chromosomes. Whereas many filamentous pathogens display a so-called two-speed genome with more dynamic and more conserved compartments, the R. necatrix genome does not display such genome compartmentalization. It has recently been proposed that fungal plant pathogens may employ effectors with antimicrobial activity to manipulate the host microbiota to promote infection. In the predicted secretome of R. necatrix, 26 putative antimicrobial effector proteins were identified, nine of which are expressed during plant colonization. Two of the candidates were tested, both of which were found to possess selective antimicrobial activity. Intriguingly, some of the inhibited bacteria are antagonists of R. necatrix growth in vitro and can alleviate R. necatrix infection on cotton plants. Collectively, our data show that R. necatrix encodes antimicrobials that are expressed during host colonization and that may contribute to modulation of host-associated microbiota to stimulate disease development.

Influence of packaging materials on storage of shatavari (Asparagus racemosus Willd.) root powder

The experiment was conducted at the Department of Post Harvest Technology, KRC College of Horticulture,Arabhavi, Belagavi district, Karnataka, India during 2020-21 to find out the suitable packaging material for storage ofshatavari root powder in Factorial Completely Randomized Design with two factors (types of roots and packagingmaterials). Different packaging materials viz., aluminium pouch, polyethylene lined aluminium pouch and polypropylenepouch were used for packing of shatavari root powder. Magnesium silicate, an anticaking agent was used at 1.00 and 1.50per cent concentration to avoid the caking of powder and vacuum packaging were also tried for these different packagingmaterials for storage of shatavari root powder without anticaking agent. The minimum moisture content (7.64%), wateractivity (0.550), L value (63.76) was noticed in yellow roots after three months of storage whereas maximum moisturecontent (8.10%), water activity (0.561) and L value (67.68) was observed in white root after three months of storage.Shatavari powder packed in polyethylene lined aluminium (laminated) pouch with vacuum recorded lower moisture content(6.25%), water activity (0.416), a* value (2.72), maximum L value (72.33) and b* value (19.82) followed by polyethylenelined aluminium pouch with 1.5 per cent magnesium silicate. The polyethylene lined aluminium pouch with vacuumcondition or 1.5 per cent magnesium silicate proved better for storage of shatavari root powder.

Disease suppression, growth promotion and colonization attributes of resident endophytic bacteria against white root rot (Dematophora necatrix Hartig) of apple.

The inherent potential of apple plants was investigated to explore bacterial endophytes and their role in suppressing Dematophora necatrix,the causative pathogen of white root rot disease. Resultantly 34 endophytic bacteria isolated from healthy apple plants, and subsequently 6 most efficient isolates viz., Bacillus megaterium strain EA3, Enterobacter sp. strain EA7, Bacillus megaterium strain EK2, Stenotrophomonas maltophilia strain EK6, Acinetobacter nosocomialis strain ES2 and Pseudomonas aeruginosa strain ES8 depicting anti-pathogen interactions through preliminary screening were assessed further under in vitro, glasshouse and field conditions against white root rot pathogen/disease. Maximum mycelial growth inhibition (80.37%) was obtained with S. maltophilia strain EK6 encouraging for its seed treatment and soil application thereby providing significant effective control (87.91%) of white root rot under glasshouse conditions to other five bacterial endophytes evaluated simultaneously, followed by field efficacy of 83.70%. In addition, it has significantly enhanced the growth parameters of apple trees under both glasshouse and field conditions. The inoculated healthy plants were assessed for endophytic colonization which revealed maximum endosphere colonialism by S. maltophilia strain EK6. Additionally, confocal microscopic images of transverse sections of root cells colonized by bacterial endophytes as compared to untreated control implied their persistence and establishment in endosphere of apple seedlings. The study provides the first report on interaction between apple associated bacterial root endophytes and D. necatrix. The obtained endophytic strains could be employed as alternative for mitigating white root rot disease in future.

Plant growth regulators improve root growth of rice seedlings after mechanical transplanting and increase grain yield

Summary Enhancing seedling quality and promoting root growth post-transplantation are crucial for improving mechanically transplanted rice productivity. Here we investigated the impact of various plant growth regulators on hybrid and conventional rice varieties. Treatments, including two-diethylaminoethyl hexanoate (DA-6, 10 mg L−1), a combination of potassium 3-indole-butyrate + potassium 1-naphthylacetate + 6-benzylaminopurine (C3, 50 + 50 + 10 mg L−1), potassium 3-indole-butyrate + potassium 1-naphthylacetate + 1-triacontanol (C4, 50 + 50 + 50 mg L−1), potassium 3-indole-butyrate + potassium 1-naphthylacetate + 1.8% sodium nitrophenolate (C5, 50 + 50 + 1 mg L−1), and a combination of potassium 3-indole-butyrate + potassium 1-naphthylacetate + 1.8% sodium nitrophenolate + DA-6 (C6, 50 + 50 + 1 + 10 mg L−1), were sprayed either 3 or 10 days before transplanting. Seedlings sprayed 10 days before transplanting exhibited a higher number of white roots and total roots at the returning green stage, along with increased grain yield, irrespective of the plant growth regulator used. The C6 combination emerged as the most effective treatment, enhancing the growth of both hybrid and conventional rice seedlings, accelerating the growth rate of white roots and total roots, and increasing the length of the longest white root during the greening period, ultimately resulting in higher grain yield. Our findings demonstrate that pre-transplantation application of a combination of plant growth regulators positively influences rice seedling growth.

Assessment of the concentration of toxic metals (aluminum, cadmium and manganese) in the soil and evergreen plant species at the Sastavci surface mine and its vicinity

The study aims to determine the concentration of Al+3, Cd+2 and Mn+2 in the soil and parts of evergreen plant species - juniper and white pine - at the surface mine Sastavci (Badanj) and its vicinity in order to determine the possibility of using evergreen plants as an ecological indicator or for phytoremediation. Globally, as a result of various anthropogenic activities such as traffic, agricultural activities, waste incineration, industrial production, mining, etc., it represents a serious problem leading to pollution with toxic and potentially toxic metal cations. One of the more innovative techniques used for the remediation of mining areas is phytoremediation. By applying phytoremediation, certain plant species in polluted areas have the ability to act as accumulators or hyperaccumulators, absorbing toxic metals from the soil through the plant roots and transporting them to the upper parts. This research has been conducted to determine the concentration of Al+3, Cd+2 and Mn+2 at the surface mine itself and its surroundings, as well as to monitor the distribution of metal cations in the system of roots, branches, needles, and fruits of the evergreen plant species - white pine and juniper. The results showed that the sampled soil was contaminated with Cd in zones I and II for both plant species, since the concentrations exceeded the limit values, while the concentration of Cd in zone III as well as in the control zone was below the determination limits for both plant species. The concentration of Mn in the soil from the white pine and juniper zone was above the world average in all three zones, as well as in the control zone itself. The soil was most enriched with the analyzed elements in the surface mine of zone I and zone II. According to the analysis of elements in the parts of white pine, roots, branches, needles and fruits, the highest concentration of Al was detected in the root in zone I, while the lowest concentration was recorded in the fruit (cones) in the control zone, an increased concentration of Cd was recorded in the branches in zones I and II, and the highest concentration of Mn was recorded in needles in zone II. The highest Al concentration was recorded in the juniper root in zone I and the lowest in the juniper fruit in the control zone, the Cd concentration was the highest in the juniper root zone I, and the lowest in the juniper fruit and the highest Mn concentration was recorded in the juniper needles in zone I. Based on the obtained values of the coefficient of biological absorption, it can be concluded that white pine is not suitable for phytoextraction or phytostabilization of the tested elements. The analysis of biological factors (bioconcentration, translocation and bioaccumulation factor) indicated possible usage of juniper in phytoextraction only for Cd.

Diversity of Endophytic Bacteria and their Potential as Biological Agents Against Rigidoporus microporus Causes White Root Disease in Hevea brasiliensis

Diversity of Endophytic Bacteria and their Potential as Biological Agents Against Rigidoporus microporus Causes White Root Disease in Hevea brasiliensis

Inter-Varietal Variation in Phenolic Profile, Antioxidant, Anti-Inflammatory and Analgesic Activities of Two Brassica rapa Varieties: Influence on Pro-Inflammatory Mediators.

The present research study aims to appraise the potential of polyphenol-rich extracts from two Brassica rapa varieties on antioxidant, anti-inflammatory and analgesic activities using carrageenan-induced paw edema model in rats. Methanol extracts of peels and pulps of Brassica rapa yellow root (BRYR) and Brassica rapa white root (BRWR) were prepared using the soxhlet extraction technique. All four extracts were analyzed by reversed-phase high-pressure liquid chromatography (RP-HPLC) for the polyphenols, and results showed that 10 phenolic acids and 4 flavonoids were detected. Gallic acid was the major phenolic acid (174.6-642.3 mg/100 g of dry plant material) while catechin was the major (34.45-358.5 mg/100 g of dry plant material) flavonoid detected in the extracts. The total phenolic contents (TPC) of BRYR peel, BRWR peel, BRYR pulp and BRWR pulp extracts were in the range of 1.21-5.01 mg/g of dry plant material, measured as GAE, whereas the total flavonoid contents (TFC) were found in the range of 0.90-3.95 mg/g of dry plant material, measured as QE. BRYR peel extract exhibited the best DPPH radical scavenging activity (IC50, 3.85 µg/mL) and reducing potential as compared with other extracts. The in vivo anti-inflammatory potential was assessed by carrageenan-induced rat paw edema, and the analgesic potential was investigated by a hot plate test. Suppression of biochemical inflammatory biomarkers including C-reactive protein (CRP), rheumatoid factor (RF) and tumor necrosis factor (TNF-α), and interleukin-6 (IL-6) concentration were also determined. Results showed that BRYR peel extracts reduced paw edema and suppressed the production of TNF-α, IL-6, CRP and RF most significantly, followed by BRWR peel, BRYR pulp and BRWR pulp extracts. In addition, histopathology observation also supports the anti-inflammatory effect of peel extracts as being greater than that of root pulp extracts. Moreover, it was observed that the analgesic effect of the root-peel extracts was also more pronounced as compared with root-pulp extracts. It can be concluded that BRYR peel extract has higher phenolic contents and showed higher suppression of TNF-α, IL-6, CRP and RF, with strong antioxidant, anti-inflammatory and analgesic effects.

Culturable Bacterial Endophytes of Wild White Poplar (Populus alba L.) Roots: A First Insight into Their Plant Growth-Stimulating and Bioaugmentation Potential.

The white poplar (Populus alba L.) has good potential for a green economy and phytoremediation. Bioaugmentation using endophytic bacteria can be considered as a safe strategy to increase poplar productivity and its resistance to toxic urban conditions. The aim of our work was to find the most promising strains of bacterial endophytes to enhance the growth of white poplar in unfavorable environmental conditions. To this end, for the first time, we performed whole-genome sequencing of 14 bacterial strains isolated from the tissues of the roots of white poplar in different geographical locations. We then performed a bioinformatics search to identify genes that may be useful for poplar growth and resistance to environmental pollutants and pathogens. Almost all endophytic bacteria obtained from white poplar roots are new strains of known species belonging to the genera Bacillus, Corynebacterium, Kocuria, Micrococcus, Peribacillus, Pseudomonas, and Staphylococcus. The genomes of the strains contain genes involved in the enhanced metabolism of nitrogen, phosphorus, and metals, the synthesis of valuable secondary metabolites, and the detoxification of heavy metals and organic pollutants. All the strains are able to grow on media without nitrogen sources, which indicates their ability to fix atmospheric nitrogen. It is concluded that the strains belonging to the genus Pseudomonas and bacteria of the species Kocuria rosea have the best poplar growth-stimulating and bioaugmentation potential, and the roots of white poplar are a valuable source for isolation of endophytic bacteria for possible application in ecobiotechnology.

Green Synthesis of Zinc Oxide Nanoparticles Using Egg White and Coriander Root Waste: Characterization and Anti-Cancer Efficacy in Hela Cells

Green Synthesis of Zinc Oxide Nanoparticles Using Egg White and Coriander Root Waste: Characterization and Anti-Cancer Efficacy in Hela Cells

Socio-demographic determinants of diet quality among working women of reproductive age in Malaysia

BackgroundHaving a good diet quality not only increases the chance of getting all essential nutrients but also reduces the risk of non-communicable diseases. ObjectiveThis study aimed to investigate the socio-demographic determinants of diet quality among working women of reproductive age in the Klang Valley of Malaysia. MethodsSocio-demographics (age, marital status, ethnicity, educational attainment, and monthly earned income) were self-reported by the respondents. The Diet Quality Questionnaire for Malaysia was used to assess all foods and drinks consumed by working women in the previous 24 ​h of a weekday and weekend day. ResultsMore than half of the 244 working women did not consume nuts and seeds (weekday ​= ​71.7% versus weekend ​= ​72.1%) or pulses (weekday ​= ​63.1% versus weekend ​= ​67.2%). Moreover, slightly less than half of working women (weekday ​= ​43.9% versus weekend ​= ​42.6%) reported not consuming milk or milk products. In contrast, grains, white roots and tubers, and plantains (weekday ​= ​98.0% versus weekend ​= ​98.0%) and meat, poultry, and fish (weekday ​= ​97.1% versus weekend ​= ​94.7%) emerged as the most consumed healthy food groups in the previous 24 ​h. This study also demonstrated that 13.1% (n ​= ​32) of working women did not consume at least five healthy food groups daily. Age, marital status, ethnicity, educational attainment, and monthly earned income were the key socio-demographic determinants of diet quality in working women. ConclusionHealthcare professionals, especially nutritionists and dietitians, should work closely with the federal government of Malaysia to reiterate the importance of having a balanced and diversified diet in the nation.

Effect of host genotype on biocontrol of white root rot in Pyrus communis L. rootstocks by Trichoderma harzianum and Bacillus spp.

AbstractA collection of Bacillus and Trichoderma isolates from Iran was investigated for the biological control of pear white root rot caused by Rosellinia necatrix. Among the isolates, B. amyloliquefaciens AP4, B. siamensis AP8 and T. harzianum T20a were selected based on their growth inhibition of R. necatrix in dual cultures, as well as by volatiles, diffusible extracts and culture filtrates. Four pear rootstocks (Pyrodwarf, OHF40, OHF60 and Williams) were assessed for white rot in the greenhouse following soil amendment with the three isolates. For OHF40 rootstock, none of the three isolates significantly reduced disease severity, whereas all three isolates significantly reduced disease severity for OHF69 rootstock. For Pyrodwarf rootstock, only T. harzianum T20a and B. amyloliquefaciens AP4 significantly reduced root rot, but all three isolates significantly reduced leaf fall. For Williams rootstock, all three isolates significantly reduced root rot, but only T. harzianum T20a significantly reduced leaf fall. Thus, the effectiveness of both the Bacillus and Trichoderma isolates was highly dependent upon the pear genotype. The lowest levels of white rot symptoms were observed in the Williams‐T. harzianum T20a interaction resulting in root rot severity of 46.6% and leaf fall of 4.7% at 70 dpi. While the effect of plant genotype on biocontrol activity has been reported frequently for Trichoderma, this is one of the first to report such an effect with a Bacillus biocontrol agent. Both Bacillus and Trichoderma can be effective biocontrol agents of pear white rot, but the plant genotype can have a major impact on their effectiveness.

Molecular mechanism controlling anthocyanin composition and content in radish plants with different root colors

Radish (Raphanus sativus) roots exhibit various colors that reflect their anthocyanin compositions and contents. However, the details of the mechanism linking the expression of anthocyanin biosynthesis and their transcriptional regulators to anthocyanin composition in radish roots remained unknown. Here, we characterized the role of the anthocyanin biosynthetic enzyme flavonoid 3′-hydroxylase (RsF3′H), together with the R2R3 MYB transcription factor (TF) RsMYB1 and the basic helix-loop-helix (bHLH) TF TRANSPARENT TESTA 8 (RsTT8), in four radish plants with different root colors: white (W), deep red (DR), dark purple (DP), and dark greyish purple (DGP). The DR plant contained heterozygous for RsF3′H with low expression level and accumulated a large amount of pelargonidin, resulting in deep red color. While, the DP and DGP plants accumulated the cyanidin due to the higher expression level of functional RsF3′H. Notably, RsMYB1 and RsTT8 transcripts were abundant in all pigmented roots, but not in white roots. To investigate the differential expression of RsMYB1 and RsTT8, we compared the sequences of their promoter regions among the four radish plants, revealing variations in the numbers of cis-elements and in promoter architecture. Promoter activation assays demonstrated that variation in the RsMYB1 and RsTT8 promoters may contribute to the expression level of these genes, and RsMYB1 can activate its own expression as well as promote the RsTT8 expression. These results suggested that RsF3′H plays a vital role in anthocyanin composition and the expression level of both RsMYB1 and RsTT8 are crucial determinants for anthocyanin content in radish roots. Overall, these findings provide insight into the molecular basis of anthocyanin composition and level in radish roots.