Fungicide tolerant Bradyrhizobium japonicum mitigate toxicity and enhance greengram production under hexaconazole stress

Bacterial strain RV9 recovered from greengram nodules tolerated 2400 μg/mL of hexaconazole and was identified by 16 S rDNA sequence analysis as Bradyrhizobium japonicum(KY940048). Strain RV9 produced IAA(61.6 μg/mL), ACC deaminase(51.7 mg/(protein·hr)), solubilized TCP(105 μg/mL), secreted 337.6 μg/mL EPS, and produced SA(52.2 μg/mL) and 2,3-DHBA(28.3 μg/mL). Exopolysaccharides produced by strain RV9 was quantified and characterized by SEM, AFM, EDX and FTIR. Beyond tolerance limit,hexaconazole caused cellular impairment and reduced the viability of strain RV9 revealed by SEM and CLSM. Hexaconazole distorted the root tips and altered nodule structure leading thereby to reduction in the performance of greengram. Also, the level of antioxidant enzymes, proline, TBARS, ROS and cell death was increased in hexaconazole treated plants.CLSM images revealed a concentration dependent increase in the characteristic green and blue fluorescence of hexaconazole treated roots. The application of B. japonicum strain RV9 alleviated the fungicide toxicity and improved the measured plant characteristics. Also,rhizobial cells were localized inside tissues as revealed by CLSM. Colonization of B.japonicum strain RV9 decreased the levels of CAT, POD, APX, GPX and TBARS by 80%, 5%,13%, 13% and 19%, respectively over plants grown at 80 μg/(hexaconazole·kg) soil. The ability to detoxify hexaconazole, colonize plant tissues, secrete PGP bioactive molecules even under fungicide pressure and its unique ability to diminish oxidative stress make B.japonicum an attractive choice for remediation of fungicide polluted soils and to concurrently enhance greengram production under stressed environment.     

Consumption-based CO2 emissions accounting and scenario simulation in Asia and the Pacific region

Environmental Science and Pollution Research - This study uses a consumer-based accounting approach to evaluate the CO2 emission factors of 17 countries in Asia and the Pacific region by including...     

Salt marsh restoration: an overview of techniques and success indicators

Environmental Science and Pollution Research - Coastal wetlands including salt marshes are among the most productive ecosystems on Earth. They are known for improving the quality of coastal water...     

A comprehensive review of heavy metal pollution in the coastal areas of Bangladesh: abundance,bioaccumulation, health implications,and challenges

Environmental Science and Pollution Research - The coastal zone of Bangladesh, with a population density of 1278 people per square kilometer, is under serious threat due to heavy metal pollution....     

The emission factor adjustments of the passenger cars in multi-story car parks under drive modes

Environmental Science and Pollution Research - The drive mode is an important factor that affects the adjustment requirements for emission factors of the conventional simulation methods in...     

Nanocomposite Film Based on Gluten Modified with Heracleum persicum Essence/MgO/Polypyrrole: Investigation of Physicochemical and Electrical Properties

In this study, the wheat gluten film was prepared. Heracleum persicum essence, magnesium oxide nanoparticles and polypyrrole were used to modify the structure of the wheat gluten film. Physicochemical properties of the prepared films such as thickness, solubility, moisture absorption ability, antioxidant properties, and electrical conductivity of the films were investigated. Also, the mechanical, structural and thermal properties of the films were investigated by techniques such as SEM, FTIR, XRD, TGA, DTA and tissue analysis. SEM images showed that the essence and polypyrrole strengthened the gluten film structure and made it more resistant to the passage of gases. FTIR spectra confirmed the electrostatic interactions between gluten and essence and polypyrrole. XRD spectra showed the amorphous structure of gluten film and its composites. The results of thermal analysis showed that polypyrrole greatly increased the thermal resistance of the film and the nanoparticles had little effect on the thermal resistance. Thickness, solubility, moisture content and ability to absorb moisture were further affected by the essential oil. The antioxidant and electrical conductivity of the film was greatly increased in the presence of all three additives of essence, magnesium oxide nanoparticles and polypyrrole. The gluten–essence–MgO–PPy (Glu–E–MgO–PPy) composite film had the most antioxidant properties. Glu–E–MgO–PPy film with important electrical conductivity and antioxidant properties has the potential to be used as an active and intelligent film in the packaging of perishable food products.

     

The interaction of boron with goethite: experiments and CD-MUSIC modeling

Boron (B) is an essential element for plants and animals growth that interacts with mineral surfaces regulating its bioavailability and mobility in soils, sediments, and natural ecosystems. The interaction with mineral surfaces is quite important because of a narrow range between boron deficiency and toxicity limits. In this study, the interaction of boric acid with goethite (α-FeOOH) was measured in NaNO₃ background solution as a function of pH, ionic strength, goethite and boron concentration representing as adsorption edges and isotherms. Boron adsorption edges showed a bell-shaped pattern with maximum adsorption around pH 8.50, whereas adsorption isotherms were rather linear. The adsorption data were successfully described with the CD-MUSIC model in combination with the Extended Stern (ES) model. The charge distribution (CD) of inner-sphere boron surface complexes was calculated from the geometry optimized with molecular orbital calculations applying density functional theory (MO/DFT). The CD modeling suggested dominant binding of boric acid as a trigonal inner-sphere complex with minor contributions of a tetrahedral inner-sphere complex (at high pH) and a trigonal outer-sphere complex (at low pH). The interpretation with the CD model is consistent with the spectroscopic observations.     

Suspended sediment load prediction based on soft computing models and Black Widow Optimization Algorithm using an enhanced gamma test

Environmental Science and Pollution Research - The suspended sediment load (SSL) prediction is one of the most important issues in water engineering. In this article, the adaptive neuro-fuzzy...     

Underutilization of occupant restraint systems in motor vehicle injury crashes: A quantitative analysis from Qatar

Introduction: Restraint systems (seat belts and airbags) are important tools that improve vehicle occupant safety during motor vehicle crashes (MVCs). We aimed to identify the pattern and impact of the utilization of passenger restraint systems on the outcomes of MVC victims in Qatar.

Methods: A retrospective study was conducted for all admitted patients who sustained MVC-related injuries between March 2011 and March 2014 inclusive.

Results: Out of 2,730 road traffic injury cases, 1,830 (67%) sustained MVC-related injuries, of whom 88% were young males, 70% were expatriates, and 53% were drivers. The use of seat belts and airbags was documented in 26 and 2.5% of cases, respectively. Unrestrained passengers had greater injury severity scores, longer hospital stays, and higher rates of pneumonia and mortality compared to restrained passengers (P = .001 for all). There were 311 (17%) ejected cases. Seat belt use was significantly lower and the mortality rate was 3-fold higher in the ejected group compared to the nonejected group (P = .001). The overall mortality was 8.3%. On multivariate regression analysis, predictors of not using a seat belt were being a front seat passenger, driver, or Qatari national and young age. Unrestrained males had a 3-fold increase in mortality in comparison to unrestrained females. The risk of severe injury (relative risk [RR] = 1.82, 95% confidence interval [CI], 1.49–2.26, P = .001) and death (RR = 4.13, 95% CI, 2.31–7.38, P = .001) was significantly greater among unrestrained passengers.

Conclusion: The nonuse of seat belts is associated with worse outcomes during MVCs in Qatar. Our study highlights the lower rate of seat belt compliance in young car occupants that results in more severe injuries, longer hospital stays, and higher mortality rates. Therefore, we recommend more effective seat belt awareness and education campaigns, the enforcement of current seat belt laws, their extension to all vehicle occupants, and the adoption of proven interventions that will assure sustained behavioral changes toward improvements in seat belt use in Qatar.