Evaluation of Four Varieties of Sweetpotato (Ipomeoa Batatas (L.) Lam) under Different Sources of Planting Material for Field Performance and Viral Load

Sweetpotato is an important crop for food security in many developing countries which is cultivated using vine cuttings. Studies have revealed that there are at least fifteen well characterized viruses known to infect sweetpotato of which 10 are economically important that contribute to yield reduction. Planting materials use by farmers are often infected by one or more of these viruses. The aim of this study was to evaluate three different sources of planting materials of different health status for their field performance and virus presence. The sources of planting materials were in vitro generated platelets, symptomless Field materials and Farmer’s materials. Four sweetpotato varieties Apomuden, Bohye, Ligri and Dadanyuie were selected from each source of planting material. The trial was laid in a split plot design with the sources of planting material allocated to main plots and the varieties to sub-plots. The plantlets of the four varieties were planted at Botanga Irrigation Scheme in Northern region of Ghana. Viral symptom scores were taken twice, score 1 being the average from 4 - 7 weeks after planting (WAP) and score 2 being the average from 8 - 11 WAP. Nitrocellulose Membranes Enzyme Linked Immunosorbent Assay (NCM-ELISA) kits were employed for the detection of sweetpotato viruses on the field. The source of planting materials significantly influenced (P In vitro generated material showed the least symptoms of virus followed by Field materials. Apomuden and Bohye varieties recorded the highest virus score in the first and second virus symptom observational score respectively. NCM-ELISA revealed that the viruses SPFMV, SPMMV, SPMSV, SPCFV, SPCSV, and CMV were significantly present among the different sources of planting materials. In vitro, Field and Farmer materials recorded NCM-ELISA score of 0.225, 1.075 and 1.500 respectively. Apomuden variety recorded the highest virus score in the assay. Vine and root yield was higher among the in vitro generated material. Farmers should use laboratory cleaned material however, in the absence of such material they should select field material showing no symptom of virus.

Microstructure of a Planting Material Consisting of Nutrition-Expansive Perlitic-Cement Composites

An ecotypic revetment material consisting of nutrition-expansive perlitic-cement composites is introduced. This planting material can combine vegetation recovery with slope protection. The XRD, SEM and image analysis techniques were used to study its composition and microstructure. Its strength was measured by an electro-hydraulic servo-controlled testing machine. The results show the unconfined compressive strength is about 393.6 kPa, and the average elastic modulus is about 47.0 MPa. The quartz, felspar, chlorite and calcite are the main non-clay minerals in the planting material. Its particles are mainly spherical,and the range of the equivalent diameter is 1.83 to 15.96 μm. The results also show the planting material contains a large amount of micro non-capillary and capillary pores, and has a microstructure characteristic of honeycomb and coralline. CSH gel produced by hydration of cement increases the strength and water stability of the particles. The anisotropy and slight orientation of the particles increase the void cross-section area,providing an explanation of the high permeability for the planting material.The better porosity of the planting material is apt tokeep moisture and nutriment, provides oxygen for plant root breathing, and aids to exhaust the carbon dioxide by means of exchanging with atmosphere, hence it can facilitate vegetation.

Adsorption Behavior of Potassium Ion on Planting Materials

Characterization of planting materials used as adsorbent has been studied in order to compare potassium ion adsorption on two types of planting materials, which are a fired planting material （FPM） made from a mixture of 4 kinds of wastes （bottom ash, flue gas desulfurization （FGD） gypsum, paddy soil and sawdust） formed and fired at 850 ℃and the commercial planting material called ＂hydroball＂ （HDB） bought from Jatujak market, Bangkok. The physical characteristics of both types of planting materials indicate that the FPM has a larger specific surface area than the HDB. The factors affecting potassium adsorption on both the planting materials such as an equilibration time and some solid/solution ratios were investigated. The suitable equilibration time for the adsorption to reach an equilibrium on the FPM and HDB is one and two hours, respectively. The highest amounts of potassium ion adsorbed on both the planting materials were obtained when the solid/solution ratio was 1 ： 15. The adsorption behavior on both the planting materials tends to correspond with the Freundlich isotherm.

Effect of Natural Zeolite on Performance of Sulfoaluminate Cement-based Planting Cementitious Material

This paper aimed to improve the water-retention performance and basic physical properties of sulfoaluminate cement（SAC）-based planting cementitious material. The effect of natural zeolite on the performance of SAC-based planting material was investigated. The water-retention performance, porosity, compressive strength, and alkalinity had been tested and TG-DSC analysis had been adopted in this paper. Experimental results showed that zeolite was effective to improve the water-retention capacity and 10%, 20% and 30% natural zeolite increased the pore volume of the hardened pastes by 10.6%, 26.0%, and 38.6%, especially pore size below 0.1 μm was increased by 9.7%, 26.2% and 17.5%. And 10% zeolite was beneficial to the compressive strengths of cementitious material and 1, 3, and 28 d compressive strength reached up to 35.9, 55.0, 80.3 MPa. Furthermore zeolite decreased the alkalinity of pore fluid of hardened cementitious material, while the addition of zeolite reached up to 30%, the alkalinity of pore fluid of hardened cementitious material decreased by 8.9%. Therefore zeolite was suitable for improving the performance of SAC-based planting cementitious material.

SPME as a green sample-preparation technique for the monitoring of phytocannabinoids and endocannabinoids in complex matrices

The endocannabinoid system(ECS),particularly its signaling pathways and ligands,has garnered considerable interest in recent years.Along with clinical work investigating the ECS’functions,including its role in the development of neurological and inflammatory conditions,much research has focused on developing analytical protocols enabling the precise monitoring of the levels and metabolism of the most potent ECS ligands:exogenous phytocannabinoids(PCs)and endogenous cannabinoids(endocannabinoids,ECs).Solid-phase microextraction(SPME)is an advanced,non-exhaustive sample-preparation technique that facilitates the precise and efficient isolation of trace amounts of analytes,thus making it appealing for the analysis of PCs and ECs in complex matrices of plant and animal/human origin.In this paper,we review recent forensic medicine and toxicological studies wherein SPME has been applied to monitor levels of PCs and ECs in complex matrices,determine their effects on organism physiology,and assess their role in the development of several diseases.

Manufacturing Process of Floating Flower Art

Floating flower art belongs to a category of embossing art,which is a kind of garden art that makes plant materials into flower decorations after treatment.In this paper,the whole technological process of making floating flower products was described in detail,and the unique manufacturing process of Japanese embossing brand "Sola Cube" was analyzed,in order to provide some theoretical reference for floating flower lovers and promote its development in China.

Compartmentalized Metabolic Engineering for Artemisinin Biosynthesis and Effective Malaria Treatment by Oral Delivery of Plant Cells

Artemisinin is highly effective against drug-resistant malarial parasites, which affects nearly half of the global population and kills 〉500 000 people each year. The primary cost of artemisinin is the very expensive process used to extract and purify the drug from Artemisia annua. Elimination of this apparently unnecessary step will make this potent antimalarial drug affordable to the global population living in endemic regions. Here we reported the oral delivery of a non-protein drug artemisinin biosynthesized （~0.8 mg/g dry weight） at clinically meaningful levels in tobacco by engineering two metabolic pathways targeted to three different cellular compartments （chloroplast, nucleus, and mitochondria）. The doubly transgenic lines showed a three-fold enhancement of isopentenyl pyrophosphate, and targeting AACPR, DBR2, and CYP71AV1 to chloroplasts resulted in higher expression and an efficient photo-oxidation of di- hydroartemisinic acid to artemisinin. Partially purified extracts from the leaves of transgenic tobacco plants inhibited in vitro growth progression of Plasmodium falciparum-infected red blood cells. Oral feeding of whole intact plant cells bioencapsulating the artemisinin reduced the parasitemia levels in challenged mice in comparison with commercial drug. Such novel synergistic approaches should facilitate low-cost production and delivery of artemisinin and other drugs through metabolic engineering of edible plants.

Adsorption behavior of ammonium by a bioadsorbent-Boston ivy leaf powder

The adsorption behaviors of ammonium ions from aqueous solution by a novel bioadsorbent, the Boston ivy （Parthenocissus tricuspidata） leaf powder （BPTL） were investigated. The SEM images and FT-IR spectra were used to characterize BPTL. The mathematical models were used to analyze the adsorption kinetics and isotherms. The optimum pH range for ammonium adsorption by BPTL was found to be 5-10. The adsorption reached equilibrium at 14 b.r, and the kinetic data were well fitted by the Logistic model. The intraparticle diffusion was the main rate-controlling step of the adsorption process. The high temperature was favorable to the ammonium adsorption by BPTL, indicating that the adsorption was endothermic. The adsorption equilibrium fitted well to both the Langmuir model and Freundlich model, and the maximum monolayer adsorption capacities calculated from Langmuir model were 3.37, 5.28 and 6.59 mg N/g at 15, 25 and 35~C, respectively, which were comparable to those by reported minerals. Both the separation factor （RL） from the Langmuir model and Freundiich exponent （n） suggested that the ammonium adsorption by BPTL was favorable. Therefore, the Boston ivy leaf powder could be considered a novel bioadsorbent for ammonium removal from aqueous solution.

Radiocarbon isotope technique as a powerful tool in tracking anthropogenic emissions of carbonaceous air pollutants and greenhouse gases:A review

Air pollution and climate change are two important threats facing in our planet and are tightly linked to carbonaceous components in the atmosphere.A better understanding of the emission sources and environmental fate/sink of carbonaceous components is critical for improving our knowledge of the global carbon cycle and mitigating the negative environmental impacts of air pollution and climate change on human well-being.Radiocarbon(^(14)C),which is decayed completely in fossil fuel(e.g.coal and petroleum),is an ideal tool for quantifying the carbon flow in various carbon reservoirs.This study reviews the current knowledge of 14C in organic carbon(OC),elemental carbon(EC),individual organic compounds,methane(CH_(4)),carbon dioxide(CO_(2)),annual plants,and tree rings.The impacts of fossil and non-fossil sources on the atmosphere can be quantified by measuring^(14)C.We also report on the influence of nuclear power plants and sea-air gas exchange on the abundance of^(14)C in the atmosphere.The increasing fossil fuel emissions indicated by the depletion of^(14)CO_(2)under IPCC RCP scenarios,support the urgent need to devise ambitious strategies of reducing carbonaceous components to achieve sustainable development on Earth.This review summarizes the challenges and perspectives of 14C studies of the atmosphere.