Plant allelochemicals inhibit the growth and colony formation of Microcystis

Genus Microcystis is the most common dominant species of bloom-forming cyanobacteria.Growth and colony formation are critical processes for the occurrence of Microcystis blooms.To identify allelochemicals that can inhibit the growth and colony formation of Microcystis,Microcystis aeruginosa was cultivated and treated with various concentrations of gramine,catechol,berberine,and sanguinarine in laboratory.Results indicate that the growth,colony formation,and extracellular polysaccharides(EPS)content of Microcystis were significantly inhibited when treated with gramine,catechol,and berberine in appropriate concentrations at high iron level(6.8 mg/L).Microcystis growth was inhibited and colony formation and EPS content were promoted when treated with sanguinarine at high iron level.These findings suggest that cyanobacterial blooms can be controlled by regulating the input of gramine,catechol,and berberine.Furthermore,this study revealed that plant allelochemicals could affect the growth and morphology of algae in aquatic ecological restoration,which may be potentially important for improving water quality.

Arlenea delicata gen.et sp.nov.,a new ephedroid plant from the Early Cretaceous Crato Formation,Araripe Basin,Northeast Brazil

Ephedroid macrofossils have been widely documented in Cretaceous deposits,including numerous from the Lower Cretaceous Yixian Formation of NE China.However,few ephedroid macrofossils have been reported from South America.Herein,we describe a new plant of the family Ephedraceae,Arlenea delicata gen.et sp.nov.,from the Lower Cretaceous Crato Formation of the Araripe Basin,Northeast Brazil,based on the vegetative and reproductive structures.It has the typical morphological characteristics of ephedroid plants,including fertile reproductive branches,opposite phyllotaxy,terminal female cones,a sympodial branching system,longitudinally striated internodes,and swollen nodes.Our new finding is unusual in having inner chlamydosperms subtended by two pairs of bracts,reproductive units connected to branches through swollen receptacles and a smooth seed surface.This new ephedroid taxon from the Crato Formation increases our understanding of plant diversity of this group during the Early Cretaceous.Furthermore,the general morphology(fleshy bracts and enlarged receptacles)of this new fossil discovery indicates that seeds of this plant may have been dispersed by animals such as pterosaurs(mainly the Tapejaridae)and birds(Enantiornithes and Ornituromorpha).If true,this would explain the cosmopolitan distribution of Ephedraceae in the Lower Cretaceous.

基于Plant Simulation仿真技术的装配生产线优化研究

【目的】优化装备生产线,缩短产品交付周期。【方法】基于Plant Simulation仿真技术,对装配生产线进行建模、编程、仿真、分析和优化,有效计算产品产量和成本,识别并优化装配生产线的瓶颈工位。【结果】优化后的三维产线仿真模型产量增幅接近10%,生产效率明显提升。【结论】通过将智能制造技能竞赛和科研教学活动相结合,能够凝练总结竞赛内容,促使教师紧盯前沿知识,创新改革教学内容,实现以赛促教、以赛促学、以赛促改、以赛促建的多重目标。

An Algorithm for Cloud-based Web Service Combination Optimization Through Plant Growth Simulation

In order to improve the efficiency of cloud-based web services,an improved plant growth simulation algorithm scheduling model.This model first used mathematical methods to describe the relationships between cloud-based web services and the constraints of system resources.Then,a light-induced plant growth simulation algorithm was established.The performance of the algorithm was compared through several plant types,and the best plant model was selected as the setting for the system.Experimental results show that when the number of test cloud-based web services reaches 2048,the model being 2.14 times faster than PSO,2.8 times faster than the ant colony algorithm,2.9 times faster than the bee colony algorithm,and a remarkable 8.38 times faster than the genetic algorithm.

A PHYB-PIF4-auxin module promotes tomato graft formation in response to elevated ambient temperature

Grafting is an effective technique for increasing the resistance of vegetables to biotic and abiotic stresses.It has been widely applied to produce solanaceous and melon vegetables.Temperature is an important external factor affecting graft formation.However,the molecular mechanism by which external ambient temperature affects tomato graft formation remains unclear.In this study,we demonstrated that elevating ambient temperature during grafting to 35℃ for more than 24 h after grafting accelerated vascular reconnection.We generated self-or heterografted combinations between phyB1B2 and pif4 loss-of-function mutant and wild-type plants,and were mutants unresponsive to graft formation at elevated ambient temperature.In addition,elevated ambient temperature induced SlPIF4 expression during grafting.SlPIF4 directly binds the promoters of auxin biosynthesis genes SlYUCCAs and activates their expression.Further investigation revealed auxin accumulation in the graft junction under elevated ambient temperature.The results illuminate the mechanism by which the PHYB-PIF4-auxin module promotes tomato graft formation in response to elevated ambient temperature.

Research hotspot and trend of plant water use in karst: Based on a bibliometric analysis from 1984 to 2022

Research on the ecohydrological processes of terrestrial plants is a frontier field comprising ecology,hydrology and global change research,yielding the key theoretical foundations of ecohydrology.In karst areas,due to its unique geological background,the karst landscape is strongly developed,with high bedrock exposure,high permeability,fragmented soils,shallow soils,and high spatial heterogeneity,resulting in very limited water storage for plant uptake and growth in rock fissures and shallow soils.Therefore,water conditions are an important ecological factor influencing plant growth.To comprehensively understand the current progress and development trends in plant water use research focusing on karst areas,this paper uses the VOSviewer software to analyze the literature on plant water use in karst areas between 1984 and 2022.The results showed that:(1)Research on plant water use in karst areas has developed rapidly worldwide,and the number of relevant studies in the literature have increased year by year,which together means that it is attracting more and more attention.(2)The investigation of plant water sources,geological background of karst areas,seasonal arid tropical climates,the relationship betweenδ13C values and plant water use efficiency,karst plant water use in karst savannas and subtropical areas,and ecosystems under climate change yields the knowledge base in this field.(3)Most studies in this area focus on the division of water sources of plants in karst areas,the methods of studying the water use sources of plants,and the water use strategies and efficiency of plants.(4)Future research will focus on how plant water use in karst areas is influenced by Earth’s critical zones,climate change,and ecohydrological separation.These studies will provide a key scientific basis for guiding ecological restoration and promoting sustainable development in karst areas.

Leucine-Rich Repeat Protein Family Regulates Stress Tolerance and Development in Plants

The leucine-rich repeat(LRR)protein family is involved in a variety of fundamental metabolic and signaling processes in plants,including growth and defense responses.LRR proteins can be divided into two categories:those containing LRR domains along with other structural elements,which are further subdivided into five groups,LRR receptor-like kinases,LRR receptor-like proteins,nucleotide-binding site LRR proteins,LRR-extensin proteins,and polygalacturonase-inhibiting proteins,and those containing only LRR domains.Functionally,various LRR proteins are primarily involved in plant development and responses to environmental stress.Notably,the LRR protein family plays a central role in signal transduction pathways related to stress adaptation.In this review,we classify and analyze the functions of LRR proteins in plants.While extensive research has been conducted on the roles of LRR proteins in disease resistance signaling,these proteins also play important roles in abiotic stress responses.This review highlights recent advances in understanding how LRR proteins mediate responses to biotic and abiotic stresses.Building upon these insights,further exploration of the roles of LRR proteins in abiotic stress resistance may aid efforts to develop rice varieties with enhanced stress and disease tolerance.

Molecular breakthroughs in modern plant breeding techniques

Advancements in molecular approaches have been utilized to breed crops with a wide range of economically valuable traits to develop superior cultivars.This review provides a concise overview of modern breakthroughs in molecular plant production.Genotyping and high-throughput phenotyping methods for predictive plant breeding are briefly discussed.In this study,we explore contemporary molecular breeding techniques for producing desirable crop varieties.These techniques include cisgenesis,clustered regularly interspaced short palindromic repeat(CRISPR/Cas9)gene editing,haploid induction,and de novo domestication.We examine the speed breeding approach-a strategy for cultivating plants under controlled conditions.We further highlight the significance of modern breeding technologies in efficiently utilizing agricultural resources for crop production in urban areas.The deciphering of crop genomes has led to the development of extensive DNA markers,quantitative trait loci(QTLs),and pangenomes associated with various desirable crop traits.This shift to the genotypic selection of crops considerably expedites the plant breeding process.Based on the plant population used,the connection between genotypic and phenotypic data provides several genetic elements,including genes,markers,and alleles that can be used in genomic breeding and gene editing.The integration of speed breeding with genomic-assisted breeding and cutting-edge genome editing tools has made it feasible to rapidly manipulate and generate multiple crop cycles and accelerate the plant breeding process.Breakthroughs in molecular techniques have led to substantial improvements in modern breeding methods.

Finding the balance: Modifying the cholesterol and steroidal glycoalkaloid synthesis pathway in tomato(Solanum lycopersicum L.) for human health, fruit flavor, and plant defense

Unlike most plants, members of the genus Solanum produce cholesterol and use this as a precursor for steroidal glycoalkaloids. The production of the compounds begins as a branch from brassinosteroid biosynthesis, which produces cholesterol that is further modified to produce steroidal glycoalkaloids. During the cholesterol biosynthesis pathway, genetic engineering could alter the formation of cholesterol from provitamin D3(7-dehydrocholesterol) and produce vitamin D3. Cholesterol is a precursor for many steroidal glycoalkaloids, including a-tomatine and esculeoside A. Alpha-tomatine is consumed by mammals and it can reduce cholesterol content and improve LDL:HDL ratio. When there is a high a-tomatine content, the fruit will have a bitter flavor, which together with other steroidal glycoalkaloids serving as protective and defensive compounds for tomato against insect, fungal, and bacterial pests. These compounds also affect the rhizosphere bacteria by recruiting beneficial bacteria. One of the steroidal glycoalkaloids, esculeoside A increases while fruit ripening. This review focuses on recent studies that uncovered key reactions of the production of cholesterol and steroidal glycoalkaloids in tomato connecting to human health, fruit flavor, and plant defense and the potential application for tomato crop improvement.

Plastic deformation mechanism of γ-phase U–Mo alloy studied by molecular dynamics simulations

Uranium–molybdenum(U–Mo) alloys are critical for nuclear power generation and propulsion because of their superior thermal conductivity, irradiation stability, and anti-swelling properties. This study explores the plastic deformation mechanisms of γ-phase U–Mo alloys using molecular dynamics(MD) simulations. In the slip model, the generalized stacking fault energy(GSFE) and the modified Peierls–Nabarro(P–N) model are used to determine the competitive relationships among different slip systems. In the twinning model, the generalized plane fault energy(GPFE) is assessed to evaluate the competition between slip and twinning. The findings reveal that among the three slip systems, the {110}<111>slip system is preferentially activated, while in the {112}<111> system, twinning is favored over slip, as confirmed by MD tensile simulations conducted in various directions. Additionally, the impact of Mo content on deformation behavior is emphasized. Insights are provided for optimizing process conditions to avoid γ → α′′ transitions, thereby maintaining a higher proportion of γ-phase U–Mo alloys for practical applications.

Enhancing Plant Resilience to Abiotic Stress:The Power of Biostimulants

Abiotic stresses such as drought,heat,salinity,and heavy metal contamination severely affect global agricultural productivity.Between 2005 and 2015,droughts caused losses of approximately USD 29 billion in developing countries,and from 2008 to 2018,droughts accounted for over 34%of crop and livestock yield losses,totaling about USD 37 billion.To support the growing human population,agricultural output must increase substantially,necessitating a 60%–100%rise in crop productivity to meet the escalating demand.To address environmental challenges,organic,inorganic,and microbial biostimulants are increasingly employed to enhance plant resilience through various morphological,physiological,and biochemical modifications.Plant biostimulants enhance plant resilience under abiotic stress through mechanisms such as abscisic acid signaling modulation,which regulates stomatal closure to reduce water loss during drought and heat stress.Additionally,they aid in scavenging reactive oxygen species and stabilizing ion channels,mitigating oxidative damage,and maintaining ionic balance under stress conditions such as salinity.This review summarizes recent advancements in applying these biostimulants,focusing on their roles in triggering morphological,physiological,biochemical,and molecular changes that collectively enhance plant resilience under stress conditions.It also includes a bibliometric analysis of all articles published on biostimulants from 2019 to 2024 and explores future research directions.Emphasis was placed on optimizing biostimulant formulations and understanding their synergistic effects to maximize their efficacy under various stress conditions.By integrating biostimulants into agricultural practices,we can adopt a sustainable strategy to safeguard crop productivity in the face of climate change and environmental stressors.

Effects of biological soil crusts on plant growth and nutrient dynamics in the Minqin oasis-desert ecotone,Northwest China

Biological soil crusts(BSCs)play crucial roles in improving soil fertility and promoting plants settlement and reproduction in arid areas.However,the specific effects of BSCs on growth status and nutrient accumulation of plants are still unclear in different arid areas.This study analyzed the effects of three different BSCs treatments(without crust(WC),intact crust(IC),and broken crust(BC))on the growth,inorganic nutrient absorption,and organic solute synthesis of three typical desert plants(Grubovia dasyphylla(Fisch.&C.A.Mey.)Freitag&G.Kadereit,Nitraria tangutorum Bobrov,and Caragana koraiensis Kom.)in the Minqin desert-oasis ecotone of Northwest China.Results showed that the effects of three BSCs treatments on seed emergence and survival of three plants varied with seed types.The IC treatment significantly hindered the emergence and survival of seeds,while the BC treatment was more conducive to seed emergence and survival of plants.BSCs significantly promoted the growth of three plants,but their effects on plant growth varied at different stages of the growth.Briefly,the growth of G.dasyphylla was affected by BSCs in early stage,but the effects on the growth of G.dasyphylla significantly weakened in the middle and late stages.However,the growth of N.tangutorum and C.koraiensis only showed differences at the middle and late stages,with a significant enhancement in growth.Analysis of variance showed that BSCs,plant species,growth period,and their interactions had significant effects on the biomass and root:shoot ratio of three plants.BSC significantly affected the nutrients absorption and organic solute synthesis in plants.Specifically,BSCs significantly promoted nitrogen(N)absorption in plants and increased plant adaptability in N poor desert ecosystems,but had no significant effects on phosphorus(P)absorption.The effects of BSCs on inorganic nutrient absorption and organic solute synthesis in plants varied significantly among different plant species.The results suggest that BSCs have significant effects on the growth and nutrient accumulation of desert plants,which will provide theoretical basis for exploring the effects of BSCs on desert plant diversity,biodiversity conservation,and ecosystem management measures in arid and semi-arid areas.

Biofilmed-PGPR:Next-Generation Bioinoculant for Plant Growth Promotion in Rice under Changing Climate

The exopolysaccharide matrix of diazotrophic cyanobacteria was used to integrate phosphorus(P)and potassium(K)solubilizing bacteria,enhancing the survival of plant growth-promoting rhizobacteria,and ultimately the survival of bacteria in the rhizosphere for better plant growth.A new biofilm-based formulation comprising the diazotrophic cyanobacteria Anabaena AMP2,P-solubilizing Bacillus megaterium var.phosphaticum PB1,and K-solubilizing Rhizobium pusense KRBKKM1 was tested for efficacy in rice.The growth medium with half-strength BG-11 medium supplemented with 3%glucose showed best for biofilm formation under in vitro conditions.Analysis of the methanolic extract of the cyanobacterial-bacterial biofilm(CBB)showed the activity of antioxidants,such as 2-methoxy phenol and pentadecane,which are proven to improve plant-microbe interactions and plant growth,respectively.Treatment of rice seeds with CBB extract at 100 mL/kg or 200 mL/kg showed significant enhancement in germination rate and seedling length.Therefore,a pot culture experiment with the CBB formulations was carried out,and different growth and yield parameters were recorded.Principal component analysis showed that plant growth,yield,soil dehydrogenase activity,and soil chlorophyll content were positively correlated with rice plants amended with vermiculite-based CBB at 2 kg/hm^(2) followed by a spray with aqueous CBB formulation at 5 mL/L at 15 and 30 d after rice transplanting grown with a 25%reduced level of nitrogen/phosphorus/potassium chemical fertilizers than the recommended dose.Further,Pearson correlation analysis showed that yield was positively correlated with soil dehydrogenase(r=0.92**)and soil chlorophyll content(r=0.96**).We concluded that CBB could be used as a novel biofilm-based bio-inoculant to increase rice productivity and crop fitness as a component in integrated nutrient management and sustainable organic farming strategies with reduced chemical fertilizers.

Investigation of a NO_(x) emission from coal power plants in Texas, United States and its impact on the environment

Texas is the largest state by area in the US after Alaska,and one of the top states in the production and consumption of electricity with many coal-fired plants.Coal-fired power plants emit greater than 70% of pollutants in the energy sector.When coal is burned to produce electricity,nitrogen oxides(NO_(x))are released into the air,one of the main pollutants that threaten human health and lead to a large number of premature deaths.The key to effective air quality management is the strict compliance of all plants with emission standards.However,not all Texas coal plants have the environmental equipment to lower pollutant emissions.Nitrogen dioxide(NO2)observations from the TROPOspheric Monitoring Instrument(TROPOMI)were used to evaluate the emissions for Texas power plants.Data from both the Emissions and Generation Resource Integrated Database(EGRID)and the Emissions Database for Global Atmospheric Research(EDGAR)were used to examine emissions.It was found that NOx emissions for Texas power plants range from 1.53 kt/year to 10.99 kt/year,with the Martin Lake,Limestone and Fayette Power Project stations being the top emitters.WA Parish and Martin Lake stations have the strongest NOx fluxes,with both exhibiting significant seasonal variability.Comparisons of bottom-up inventories for EDGAR and EGRID show a high correlation(r=0.956)and a low root mean square error(0.766).A more reasonable control policy would lead to much reduced NOx emissions.

Maize Transformation of cry1Ac3 Gene and Insect Resistance of Their Transgenic Plants

The success for genetic transformation of maize (Zea mays L.) is highly related to genotype of target material. A few model varieties can be induced into type Ⅱ callus, which can be easily transformed with high regeneration frequency. However, most of cultivars could be only induced into type Ⅰ callus, which is difficult to be transformed with low regeneration. Thus, studying on the conditions of induction and transformation for type Ⅰ callus will show great importance for improving elite of maize directly with genetic engineering. Bacillus thuringiensis toxin protein (cry1Ac3) gene was successfully delivered into type Ⅰ calli of two elite inbred lines of maize, 340 and E28, via particle bombardment in this work. Fertile transgenic corn plants were obtained through phosphinothricin (PPT) or hygromycin B (HygB) selection, and the results of PCR, Southern blot assay and ELISA showed that foreign genes had been integrated into maize genome and expressed. In the meantime, strong resistance of some transgenic plants to corn borer was showed through bioassay. In addition, the comparison of selective effect between PPT and HygB showed that PPT, as a selective agent, was better than HygB for the growth and regeneration of resistant calli.

Study on Service Platform of Kunming Landscaping Plants Information

For the purpose of Kunming City’s landscaping development and satisfying the needs of botanical garden workers who demand to quickly obtain landscaping plants information and select tree species, a landscaping plant information database was established, which contained almost all Kunming botanical garden plants information. This database was based on Kunming natural environment conditions, and finished by hard work of collecting and analyzing relevant written materials as well as pictures of garden plants. By using B/S Structure model, dynamic web programming language ASP and Photoshop, Dreamweaver as software tools, a Web-based illustrated remote consultation service system of landscaping plants information was constructed.

Design and Implementation of Biogas Plants Geographic Information System

[Objective] A kind of biogas engineering geographic information system was designed and realized.[Method] Based on the data of the investigation of the large and medium-sized biogas projects in Beijing,the system user＇s need and function demand were studied.Sub-system function was divided.By using SuperMap IS.NET,C# and SQL Server 2005 as the database and WebGIS frame,the system spatial and attribute database were designed so as to realize the WebGIS software of biogas project in Beijing.[Result] The system provided application platform for the distribution of biogas project information.User can realize the submission and inquiry the feedback of biogas project information based on system application right etc,so as to visually,fully and precisely inquiry project data.Based on the comprehensive analysis of data,the current state of biogas project and change trend were studied and decided.[Conclusion] The system provided convenience and services to relevant departments＇ planning and management of biogas project.

The Preliminary Design and Implement of Plant Digital Information Retrieval System

[Objective] The aim was to set up a plant digital information retrieval system.[Method] Plant digital information retrieval system was designed by combining with Microsoft Visual Basic 6.0 Enterprise Edition database management system and Structure Query Language.[Result] The system realized electronic management and retrieval of local plant information.The key words of retrieval included family,genus,formal name,Chinese name,Latin,morphological characteristics,habitat,collection people,collection places,and protect class and so on.[Conclusion] It provided reference for these problems of species identification and digital management of herbarium.

Real-Time Information System of Power Plant Based on B/S Computing Mode

This paper introduces the system structure and work principle of the upgraded real time information system in Wangting Power Plant, and then expounds the realization way and function features of this system on B/S computing mode. The results of field application show the new system has good capability, reliability and expandability.

Information Description of Vegetable Planting Metadata Model

[Objective] To study the information description of vegetable planting metadata model. [Method] On the basis of analyzing the data involved in every as- pect of vegetable planting, this paper put forward description schemes of vegetable planting metadata and constructed vegetable planting metadata model by the means of XML/XML schema. [Result] Metadata model of vegetable planting was established, and information description of vegetable planting metadata model was realized by the using of XML Schema. The whole metadata model consists of 7 first-class classifica- tions, including more than 800 information description points which could completely record vegetable planting-related information. [Conclusion] Standards for data collec- tion, management and sharing were provided for the agriculture applications in indus- tries like GAP management of vegetable planting, facility vegetable, food quality traceability, etc.