Comparative transcriptome analysis provides insights into the molecular mechanism of the anti-nematode role of Arachis hypogaea(Fabales:Fabaceae)against Meloidogyne incognita(Tylenchida:Heteroderidae)

Background:Plant root-knot nematode(RKN)disease is a serious threat to agricultural production across the world.Meloidogyne incognita is the most prominent pathogen to the vegetables and cash crops cultivated.Arachis hypogaea can effectively inhibit M.incognita,but the underlying defense mechanism is still unclear.Methods:In our study,the chemotaxis and infestation of the second-stage juveniles(J2s)of M.incognita to A.hypogaea root tips were observed by the Pluronic F-127 system and stained with sodium hypochlorite acid fuchsin,respectively.The transcriptome data of A.hypogaea roots with non-infected or infected by J2s were analyzed.Results:The J2s could approach and infect inside of A.hypogaea root tips,and the chemotactic migration rate and infestation rate were 20.72%and 22.50%,respectively.Differential gene expression and pathway enrichment analyses revealed ubiquinone and other terpenoid-quinone biosynthesis pathway,plant hormone signal transduction pathway,and phenylpropanoid biosynthesis pathway in A.hypogaea roots responded to the infestation of M.incognita.Furthermore,the AhHPT gene,encoding homogentisate phytyltransferase,was considered to be an ideal candidate gene due to its higher expression based on the transcriptome data and quantitative real-time PCR analysis.Conclusion:Therefore,the key gene AhHPT might be involved in the A.hypogaea against M.incognita.These findings lay a foundation for revealing the molecular mechanism of A.hypogaea resistance to M.incognita and also provide a prerequisite for further gene function verification,aiming at RKN-resistant molecular breeding.

Fabrication and oxidation resistance of silicon nitride fiber reinforced silica matrix wave-transparent composites

Wave-transparent ceramic matrix composites for the high temperature use should possess excellent oxidation resistance. In this work, Si3N4f/SiO2 composites with different fiber content were fabricated by filament winding and sol gel method. The oxidation resistance was investigated by tracking the response of flexural strength to the testing temperature. The results show that the flexural strength and toughness of the composites with fiber content of over 37% can reach high levels at around 175.0 MPa and 6.2 MPa m^1/2, respectively. After 1 h oxidation at 1100℃, the flexural strength drops a lot but can still reach 114.4 MPa, which is high enough to ensure the safety of structures. However, when the oxidation temperature rises to 1200–1400℃, the flexural strengths continue to fall to a relatively low level at 50.0–66.4 MPa. The degradation at high temperatures is caused by the combination of over strong interfacial bonding, the damage of fiber and the crystallization of silica matrix.

Preparation and interface modification of Si3N4f/SiO2 composites

In order to modify the interface, Si ON coating was introduced on the surface of silicon nitride fiber by perhydropolysilazane conversion method. Si-3N4f/SiO2 and Si-3N4f/Si ONc/SiO2 composites were prepared by sol-gel method to explore the influence of Si ON coating on the mechanical properties of composites.The results show that with the protection of Si ON coating, Si-3N4fiber enjoys a strength increase of up to 24.1% and Si-3N4f/Si ONc/SiO2 composites have a tensile strength of 170.5 MPa and a modulus of26.9 GPa, respectively. After 1000℃ annealing in air for 1 h, Si-3N4f/Si ONc/SiO2 composites retain 65.0%of their original strength and show a better toughness than Si-3N4f/SiO2 composites. The improvement of mechanical properties is attributing to the healing effect of Si ON coating as well as its intermediate coefficient of thermal expansion between Si-3N4fiber and SiO2 matrix.