Exploring the frontiers of life research

Introduction Life research serves as the vanguard of scientific exploration,where the intricate symphony of living organisms unfolds,unraveling the mysteries of existence.Encompassing biology,genetics,ecology,and beyond,it weaves a narrative delving into life’s essence,propelling us toward a profound comprehension of our world.In the relentless pursuit of knowledge,life researchers decode fundamental processes,from unraveling DNA’s secrets to probing the delicate balances of ecosystems.The hallmark of contemporary life research lies in its interdisciplinary character,fostering collaboration among biologists,chemists,physicists,and computational scientists.This collaborative synergy embraces a holistic approach,enabling researchers to address intricate biological questions,spur innovation,and redefine the limits of what was once deemed possible.

Trehalose:A sugar molecule involved in temperature stress management in plants

Trehalose(Tre)is a non-reducing disaccharide found in many species,including bacteria,fungi,invertebrates,yeast,and even plants,where it acts as an osmoprotectant,energy source,or protein/membrane protector.Despite relatively small amounts in plants,Tre concentrations increase following exposure to abiotic stressors.Trehalose-6-phosphate,a precursor of Tre,has regulatory functions in sugar metabolism,crop production,and stress tolerance.Among the various abiotic stresses,temperature extremes(heat or cold stress)are anticipated to impact crop production worldwide due to ongoing climate changes.Applying small amounts of Tre can mitigate negative physiological,metabolic,and molecular responses triggered by temperature stress.Trehalose also interacts with other sugars,osmoprotectants,amino acids,and phytohormones to regulate metabolic reprogramming that underpins temperature stress adaptation.Transformed plants expressing Tre-synthesis genes accumulate Tre and show improved stress tolerance.Genome-wide studies of Tre-encoding genes suggest roles in plant growth,development,and stress tolerance.This review discusses the functions of Tre in mitigating temperature stress—highlighting genetic engineering approaches to modify Tre metabolism,crosstalk,and interactions with other molecules—and in-silico approaches for identifying novel Tre-encoding genes in diverse plant species.We consider how this knowledge can be used to develop temperature-resilient crops essential for sustainable agriculture.

Yield and Grain Quality Response of Spring Wheat Varieties to Irrigation and Fertility Management

Experiments were conducted in 2020 and 2021 in North Dakota to determine the effects of foliar and soil applied fertilizers, variety and irrigation on yield and grain quality of spring wheat. Foliar application of N did not consistently increase yield and protein indicating the soil N levels were adequate to optimize yield. The variety Bolles had higher protein content than Faller. Zinc (Zn) content in the grain was greatest when applied at either flowering or post anthesis. It was also found to be correlated with grain protein content. Yield and grain protein content were negatively related. There was no consistent effect of phosphorous or Zn when applied to the soil on yield, protein, gluten, or Zn content in the grain. Zinc concentration in the grain was significantly correlated with the protein, gluten and P content of the grain. The timing of Zn application was critical to the success of translocating Zn to the grain. Grain Zn concentration increased with most late season foliar Zn applications to both varieties indicating potential for enriching spring wheat nutrient content through production management practices already common in areas that grow spring wheat.

Genotypic Differences in Growth and Physiological Responses to Transplanting and Direct Seeding Cultivation in Rice

The field experiments were conducted to investigate the growth and physiological responses of six super hybrid rice combinations to two planting methods,transplanting(TP) and direct seeding(DS) during 2006-2007 and 2007-2008. The 1000-grain weight and number of tillers per plant at the early growth stage,the maximum quantum yield of PSII(Fv/Fm) and transpiration rate(Tr) were higher in DS plants than in TP ones,whereas the grain yield,number of panicles per square meter,seed setting rate,net photosynthetic rate(Pn) and stomatal conductance were lower in DS plants.However,little difference was detected in number of grains per panicle,stem(shoot) and leaf weight between the combinations in the two planting methods.The responses of plant growth and physiological traits to planting method differed greatly among the six combinations.In both planting methods,Chouyou 58 and Yongyou 6 had the highest and lowest panicle biomass and Pn,respectively.The higher yield of Chunyou 58 was associated with more numbers of panicles per square meter and grains per panicle in both planting methods.The results indicate that lower grain yield in DS relative to TP is attributed to more excessive tillers at the early stage,lower leaf biomass and photosynthetic rate at the late stage.

Influence of Aluminum and Cadmium Stresses on Mineral Nutrition and Root Exudates in Two Barley Cultivars

一个水耕法的实验被执行与不同艾尔忍耐在二个大麦变化在植物和导致 Al 的有机酸渗出在艾尔和矿物质养分含量上学习铝(艾尔) 和镉(Cd ) 的效果。Al 敏感的 cv。商 70-119 比 Al 容忍的 cv 在植物有显著地更高级的艾尔内容和累积。Gebeina 特别在根，当使遭到了到低 pH (4.0 ) 和艾尔处理时(100 μ m ol L ? 1 艾尔和 100 μ m ol L ? 1 艾尔 +1.0 μ m ol L ? 1 Cd ) 。Cd 增加在暴露于艾尔应力的植物增加了艾尔内容。引起的低 pH 和艾尔处理在所有植物部分，在射击和叶子的 P 和 K 内容， Fe ， Zn 和瞬间在 Ca 和 Mg 内容标记减小在在射击的叶子， Zn 和 B 内容的内容，并且 Mn 在根和叶子满足两个。而且，在滋养的集中的变化在比在仅仅暴露于艾尔处理的那些暴露于艾尔和 Cd 的植物是更大的。妈的戏剧的改进迟了，柠檬酸盐，和 succinate 在暴露于 100 μm ol L 的植物被发现?相对控制的 1 艾尔，和Al容忍的栽培变种比Al敏感的有这些有机酸的可观的更高的渗出，显示这些有机酸的那 导致Al 的改进是很可能的与艾尔忍耐被联系。

Maize response to elevated plant density combined with lowered N-fertilizer rate is genotype-dependent

Increasing plant density and improving N fertilizer rate along with the use of high density-tolerant genotypes would lead to maximizing maize(Zea mays L.) grain productivity per unit land area. The objective of this investigation was to match the functions of optimum plant density and adequate nitrogen fertilizer application to produce the highest possible yields per unit area with the greatest maize genotype efficiency. Six maize inbred lines differing in tolerance to low N and high density(D) [three tolerant(T); L-17, L-18, L-53,and three sensitive(S); L-29, L-54, L-55] were chosen for diallel crosses. Parents and crosses were evaluated in the 2012 and 2013 seasons under three plant densities: low(47,600),medium(71,400), and high(95,200) plants ha-1and three N fertilization rates: low(no N addition), medium(285 kg N ha-1) and high(570 kg N ha-1). The T × T crosses were superior to the S × S and T × S crosses under the low N–high D environment in most studied traits across seasons. The relationships between the nine environments and grain yield per hectare(GYPH) showed near-linear regression functions for inbreds L54, L29, and L55 and hybrids L18 × L53 and L18 × L55 with the highest GYPH at a density of47,600 plants ha-1and N rate of 570 kg N ha-1and a curvilinear relationship for inbreds L17, L18, and L53 and the rest of the hybrids with the highest GYPH at a density of95,200 plants ha-1combined with an N rate of 570 kg N ha-1. Cross L17 × L54 gave the highest grain yield in this study under both high N–high-D(19.9 t ha-1) and medium N–high-D environments(17.6 t ha-1).

Impact of Gully on Soil Moisture of Shrubland in Wind-Water Erosion Crisscross Region of the Loess Plateau

The most serious erosion on the Loess Plateau of China exists in the wind-water erosion crisscross region where the annual precipitation is about 400 mm,the ecological environment is very fragile,and water is the key limiting factor for improving the environment. In this study,changes of soil moisture content for Caragana korshinskii Kom. shrubland in the gully bank of the Loess Plateau were studied using the methods of soil sampling and neutron probe. A typical gully(75 m long,28 m wide,and 10 m deep) was selected,and six neutron probe access tubes(6 m long) were installed at points 50,100,200,300,400,and 500 cm from the gully border for obtaining soil moisture data from July to October 2004 at approximately 10 d intervals. Soil samplings were simultaneously carried out for moisture determination at the six points. Results showed that the soil moisture of the shrubland in the gully bank significantly varied between 300 and 400 cm in the horizontal direction and up to 600 cm in vertical direction of the gully. Seasonal changes in soil moisture revealed a curve with a single peak that occurred at the end of August or early September. A linear regression equation was fit for soil water storage and the distance from the gully border,with coefficients depending on rainfall characteristics,sampling point,and time of measurement.

Effects of vegetation cover on recruitment of Ulmus pumila L. in Horqin Sandy Land, northeastern China

Understanding the effects of vegetation cover on seedling survival is helpful for promoting vegetation restoration in environmentally fragile zones. This study was conducted in the desertified, moving sand dunes of Horqin Sandy Land, Inner Mongolia, northeastern China. We hyphothesized that(1) seed density(i.e., number/m2) increases as vegetation cover increases, and(2) there will be more surviving seedlings in locations with higher vegetation covers. Total vegetation cover and initial densities of seeds, germinated seeds and surviving seedlings of Ulmus pumilia were evaluated under various vegetation covers in trying to clarify the effects of vegetation cover on the early stages of the plant life history. In agreement with the first hypothesis, initial seed densities were greater(P<0.05) under higher vegetation covers. The relationship between vegetation cover and initial seed density was represented by a quadratic regression, where a threshold occurred with a vegetation cover of 36%(P<0.05). The higher total vegetation covers, however, did not result in increased densities of germinated seeds(P>0.05), which on average represented 16.7% of initial seed densities. Even more, three months after the study initiation, total vegetation covers were similar(P>0.05) at all positions in the dunes, and they determined a similar number(P>0.05) of surviving seedlings at those positions(i.e. the second hypothesis had to be rejected). The mean number of seed- lings that survived at all positions was only 4.5% of germinated seeds. The number of surviving elm seedlings(0 to 1.7 seedlings/m2) under various vegetations covers(12.2% to 20.8%) at all dune positions by late summer would most likely not contribute to vegetation restoration in the study area.

Genotypic and Environmental Variations of Arabinoxylan Content and Endoxylanase Activity in Barley Grains

Arabinoxylan (AX) content in barley grains is an important quality determinant when barley is used as raw material of malt or beer production. The cultivar and environmental variations of total arabinoxylan (TAX), water extractable arabinoxylan (WEAX) and endoxylanase activity (EA) were investigated using eight barley cultivars growing at seven locations with diverse environmental conditions. The results showed that both barley cultivar and location significantly affected the TAX, WEAX and EA levels, but the variations of TAX content and EA were mainly attributed to cultivar, while the impact of location on WEAX content was greater than that of cultivar. Correlation analysis indicated that TAX was significantly correlated to WUAX.

Effects of Nitrogen Fertilizer Treatments on Caryopsis Filling and Respiratory Rate of Rice

An experiment was conducted to study the effects of nitrogen (N) rate and application time on grain filling and respiratory trait of caryopsis in two rice varieties, IR36 and Dali. The treatments were consisted of no N application topdressing at both tillering and booting stages (CK), 6 g/pot of N topdressing at the tillering stage and 2 g/pot of N topdressing at the booting stage, 2 g/pot of N topdressing at the tillering stage and 6 g/pot of N topdressing at the booting stage. The results showed that the proper utilization of N fertilizer can be helpful to maintain the higher water content, higher respiratory rate and higher dehydrogenase activity of rice caryopsis in late filling phase, and prolong the course for filling and maintaining higher respiratory rate and dehydrogenase activity of rice caryopsis. More N application at booting was more effective compared to more N application at tillering.

Characterization of high-yield performance as affected by genotype and environment in rice

We characterized yield-relevant characters and their variations over genotypes and environments(locations and years) by examining two rice varieties(9746 and Jinfeng) with high yield potential. 9746 and Jinfeng were planted in two locations of Shanghai,China,during 2005 and 2006. The results show that there was a large variation in grain yield between locations and years. The realization of high yield potential for the two types of rice was closely related to the improved sink size,such as more panicles per square meter or grains per panicle. Stem and leaf biomasses were mainly accumulated from tillering stage to heading stage,and showed slow decline during grain filling. Meanwhile,some photosynthetic characters including net photosynthesis rate(Pn),leaf area index(LAI),specific leaf area(SLA),fluorescence parameter(maximum quantum yield of PSII,Fv/Fm),chlorophyll content(expressed as SPAD value),as well as nutrient(N,P,K) uptake were also measured to determine their variations over genotypes and environments and their relationships with grain yield. Although there were significant differences between years or locations for most measurements,SLA at tillering and heading stages,Fv/Fm and LAI at heading stage,stem biomass at heading and maturity stages,and leaf nitrogen concentration at tillering and heading stages remained little changed,indicating their pos-sible applications as selectable characters in breeding programs. It was also found that stem nitrogen accumulation at tillering stage is one of the most important and stable traits for high yield formation.

Physiological and Molecular Response of Wheat Roots to Nitrate Supply in Seedling Stage

The objective of this study was to understand the morphological,physiological,and molecular responses of wheat roots to nitrate supply at seedling stage.Two wheat genotypes,Jimai 22 and Shannong 15,were grown in Hoagland's nutrient solution with different nitrate levels at seedling stage.Results indicated that the plant dry weight and N accumulation increased with the increase of nitrate supply.The number of axial root,total uptake area (TUA),and active uptake area (AUA) increased with more nitrate supply.Correlation analysis indicated that significant positive correlations existed between N accumulation and dry weight,N accumulation and AUA,and N accumulation and AUA/TUA.Although,the expressions of NRT2.1,NRT2.2,and NRT2.3 decreased with nitrate supply increased,the expressions of NRT1,NRT2.1,and NRT2.3 could maintain high level at N3 treatment.The free amino acid and NO3- content in shoot also increased with the increased nitrate application,but no significant difference was found in root among the treatments.These results implied that the increase of N uptake by nitrate supply was due to the morphological and physiological responses of wheat roots and the high expression level of TaNRT genes.Similarly,the contribution of morphological,physiological,and molecular parameters was different between two genotypes of wheat.

Characterization of Leaf Photosynthetic Properties for No-Tillage Rice

A study was conducted to determine the influence of no-tillage cultivation on leaf photosynthesis of rice plants under field conditions. Experiments with the treatments, no-tillage and conventional tillage were carried out at three locations (Jiaxing, Hangzhou, and Xiaoshan, Zhejiang Province, China) for two years (2005 and 2006). Grain yield was constant in Jiaxing, but slightly higher in Hangzhou and Xiaoshan under no-tillage cultivation than that under conventional cultivation. In comparison with the conventional cultivation, no-tillage cultivation showed less biomass accumulation before heading and higher capacity of matter production during grain filling. A significantly higher leaf net photosynthetic rate was observed for the plants under no-tillage than for those under conventional tillage. The fluorescence parameter (Fv/Fm) in leaf did not show any difference between the two cultivations. The effect of cultivation management on transpiration rate (Tr) and SPAD value of rice leaf was dependent on the location and year.

QTL analysis of flag leaf in barley (Hordeum vulgare L.) for morphological traits and chlorophyll content

To understand genetic patterns of the morphological and physiological traits in flag leaf of barley, a double haploid (DH) population derived from the parents Yerong and Franklin was used to determine quantitative trait loci (QTL) controlling length, width, length/width, and chlorophyll content of flag leaves. A total of 9 QTLs showing significantly additive effect were detected in 8 intervals on 5 chromosomes. The variation of individual QTL ranged from 1.9% to 20.2%. For chlorophyll content expressed as SPAD value, 4 QTLs were identified on chromosomes 2H, 3H and 6H; for leaf length and width, 2 QTLs located on chromosomes 5H and 7H, and 2 QTLs located on chromosome 5H were detected; and for length/width, 1 QTL was detected on chromosome 7H. The identification of these QTLs associated with the properties of flag leaf is useful for barley improvement in breeding programs.

Physiological Role of Humic Acid and Nicotinamide on Improving Plant Growth, Yield, and Mineral Nutrient of Wheat (<i>Triticum durum</i>) Grown under Newly Reclaimed Sandy Soil

Humic acid is not a fertilizer as it does not directly provide nutrients to plants, but is a compliment to fertilizer. Nicotinamide (Vitamin pp) is a stress-associated compound that can induce and regulate secondary metabolic accumulation and/or the manifestation of defense metabolism in plants. A field experiment was conducted at the experimental station of National Research center at El-Nubaria region, Egypt, to study the role of foliar application of humic acid (as soil conditioner 13 cm/l) and/or priming grains in nicotinamide (vitamin pp 5 mg/l) in saving irrigation water, decreasing fertilizer dose of NPK and at the same time increasing durum wheat (Triticum durum) cultivars’ (Beni Sweif-1 and Beni Sweif-3) productivity grown under newly reclaimed sandy soil exposed to drought for three weeks continuously. The results showed that plant treated with humic acid or nicotinamide increased significantly all morphological criteria (plant height, leaves number, fresh and dry weights of shoots), metabolism (photosynthetic pigment, total soluble sugar, total carbohydrates, total amino acids and proline), mineral contents (N, P, K, Ca and Mg) and yield (grain, straw and biology) of both cultivars amended with either recommended or half recommended doses of NPK. Foliar application of humic acid to plant priming in Vitamin pp induced significant increases in all studied parameters (morphology, chemical and yield) of plants amended with recommended or half recommended doses of NPK as compared with control plants. The maximum yields of grain, straw and biology of both cultivars were obtained in response to triple treatment (humic acid + nicotinamide + recommended dose of NPK) or (humic acid + nicotinamide + half recommended dose of NPK) respectively.

The Role of Humic Acid and Proline on Growth, Chemical Constituents and Yield Quantity and Quality of Three Flax Cultivars Grown under Saline Soil Conditions

In order to mitigate the salinity effects on flax grown on moderate saline sandy soil (3275 - 3430 ppm) and irrigated with moderate saline water (2300 - 2460 ppm) field experiments were carried out at the experimental Station of the Faculty of Agriculture, Wadi El-Natrun district El-Behera Governorate—Egypt, during two successive winter seasons of 2012/2013 and 2013/2014. Three flax varieties (Opal, Giza-8 and Mayic) were grown and treated with some chemical additives humic acid (50 kg/fed) and/or foliar applied proline (Control, 50 and 100 mg/L). The results showed the positive responses of Giza-8 variety to the combined application of humic acid and proline and mitigated the salinity effects of soil and irrigation water and reflected on most of the studied characters. Such results indicate the potentiality of mitigation the hazardous effect of salinity with these chemical additives. The data indicated that the highest seed yield, straw yield and oil yield were obtained at humic acid (50 kg/fed) with foliar treatment of proline at rate of (100 mg/L). The interaction of proline at (100 mg/L) with humic acid at rate of (50 kg/fed) improved plant fresh and dry weight in all flax cultivars under salinity conditions. Fresh weight increased by 66.6%, 48.7% and 65.5% over controls for Opal, Giza-8 and Mayic varieties, respectively. The interaction of proline at (100 mg/L) with humic acid at rate of (50 kg/fed) with Giza-8 variety gave the highest values of seed yield, straw yield and oil yield.

Comparative evaluation of modified neem leaf, neem leaf and woodash extracts on soil fertility improvement, growth and yields of maize (<i>Zea mays</i>L.) and watermelon (<i>Citrullus lanatus</i>) (Sole and Intercrop)

Two field experiments were carried out at Akure (7oN, 5o101E) in the rainforest zone of Nigeria in 2006 and 2007 to determine the effectiveness of neem leaf, woodash and modified neem leaf extracts as fertilizer sources in improving soil fertility, growth and yield of maize (Zea mays L) and watermelon (Citrulus lanatus) sole and intercrop. There were six treatments namely, poultry manure, neem leaf extract (sole), woodash extract, modified neem leaf (neem leaf + woodash), NPK 15-15-15 and a control (no fertilizer nor extract), replicated three times and arranged in a randomized complete block design (RCB). The extracts (neem leaf, wood ash and modified neem leaf) were applied at 1200 litres per hectare each, NPK 15-15-15 at 300 kg/ha and poultry was applied at 6t/ha. The results showed that there were significant increases (P 2O), K, Ca, Mg, Na, O.M, P and N compared to NPK 15-15-15 and neem leaf extract. For instance, modified neem leaf extract increased soil pH (H2O), K, Ca, Mg, Na, O.M, P and N by 12.4%, 32.8%, 25%, 23.7%, 19.32%, 17.24% and 20% respectively compared to neem leaf extract under intercrop plot. The high soil K/Ca, K/Mg and P/Mg ratios in the NPK 15-15-15 fertilizer treatment led to an imbalance in the supply of P, K, Ca and Mg nutrients to maize and watermelon crops. The least values for growth, yield and soil parameters were recorded under the control treatment. In these experiments, modified neem leaf extract (woodash + neem leaf extracts) applied at 1200 litres/ha was the most effective in improving soil fertility, growth and yield of maize and watermelon (sole and intercrop) and could substitute for 6 tons per hectare of poultry manure and 300kg/ha of NPK 15-15-15 fertilizer.

Inheritance of Fertility Restoration for Cytoplasmic Male Sterility in a New Gossypium barbadense Restorer

In order to clarify inheritance mechanism of fertility restoration for cytoplasmic male sterility (CMS) in a new Gossypium barbadense restorer line Hai R which was found in the fertility test crossing of G. hirsutum CMS lines with G. barbadense germplasms. 23 fertility segregation populations of F2 and backcross were used to analyze the inheritance of fertility restoring gene(s) of Hai R. The result showed that Hai R had one major dominant gene (RfB) to control the CMS fertility restoration and this fertility restoration gene functioned at the sporophytic level. The sterile cytoplasm background might not only influence the transmission rate of male gamete but also that of female gamete when the restorer gene was recessive. It could be deduced that this fertility restoration gene might come from G. harknessii cotton, Hai R is of value in the application of cotton interspecific hybrid breeding.

Influence of Diazotrophic Bacteria on Antioxidant Enzymes and Some Biochemical Characteristics of Soybean Subjected to Water Stress

Drought stress is an abiotic stress that imposes serious constraints on plants.The present investigation was carried out to determine the inter-relationship between some physiological attributes of soybeans affected by drought stress and pure isolates of Azotobacter and Azospirillum.Drought stress and bacterial application increased catalase and glutathione peroxidase activity,whereas drought stress increased superoxide dismutase activity during the pod-filling stage.Abscisic acid and proline levels increased due to drought stress and bacterial application during the flowering stage,whereas total plant nitrogen was enhanced under well-watered conditions when plants were inoculated with bacteria.The close relationship between enzyme activity and drought stress with bacteria indicated that antioxidant enzymes play an important role in alleviating the detrimental effects of water stress.In addition,the enhancement of abscisic acid and proline could be positively linked with drought stress,and drought-induced abscisic acid could induce proline accumulation and the expression of antioxidant enzyme genes.

The influence of drought stress on malt quality traits of the wild and cultivated barleys

As a major abiotic stress,drought causes instability and deterioration of malt barley quality.There is distinct difference among barley cultivars in the responses of the main malt quality traits to drought stress.In the previous study,we identified some Tibetan wild barley accessions with relatively less change of malt quality traits under drought.In this study,we examined the impact of drought stress during grain filling stage on grain weight and several important malt quality traits,including total protein content,β-glucan content,limit dextrinase activity,β-amylase activity,and protein fractions in four barley genotypes(two Tibetan wild accessions and two cultivars).Drought treatment reduced grain weight,β-glucan content,and increased total protein content,β-amylase activity.These changes differed among barley genotypes and treatments,and are closely associated with grain filling process and kernel weight.All the results indicated Tibetan wild barley had great potential for developing drought tolerant barley cultivars.Relatively stable kernel weight or filling process under water stress should be highlighted in malt barley breeding in order to reduce the effect of water stress on malt barley quality.