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Biodegradable Zn alloys have significant application potential for hard-tissue implantation devices owing to their suitable degradation behavior and favorable biocompatibility. Nonetheless, pure Zn and its alloys in the as-cast state are mechanically instable and low in strength, which restricts their clinical applicability. Here, we report the exceptional mechanical, corrosion, and biocompatibility properties of hot-extruded Zn-5RE (wt.%, RE = rare earth of Y; or Ho; or Er) alloys intended for use in biodegradable bone substitutes. The microstructural characteristics, mechanical behavior, corrosion resistance, cytocompatibility, osteogenic differentiation, and capacity of osteogenesis in vivo of the Zn-5RE alloys are comparatively investigated. The Zn-5Y alloy demonstrates the best tensile properties, encompassing a 138 MPa tensile yield strength, a 302 MPa ultimate tensile strength, and 63% elongation, while the Zn-5Ho alloy shows the highest compression yield strength of 260 MPa and Vickers hardness of 104 HV. The Zn-5Er alloy shows a 126 MPa tensile yield strength, a 279 MPa ultimate tensile strength, 52% elongation, a 196 MPa compression yield strength, and a 101 HV Vickers microhardness. Further, the Zn-5Er alloy has a 130 µm per year corrosion rate in electrochemical tests and a 26 µm per year degradation rate in immersion tests, which is the lowest among the tested alloys. It also has the best in vitro osteogenic differentiation ability and capacity for osteogenesis and osteointegration in vivo after implantation in rat femurs among the Zn-5RE alloys, indicating promising potential in load-bearing biodegradable internal bone-fixation applications. This work reports the exceptional mechanical, corrosion, and biocompatibility properties of hot-extruded (HE) Zn-5 wt.%–rare earth (Zn-5RE) alloys using single yttrium (Y), holmium (Ho), and erbium (Er) alloying for biodegradable bone-implant applications. Our findings demonstrate that the HE Zn-5Er alloy showed σ uts of 279 MPa, tensile yield strength of 126 MPa, elongation of 51.6%, compression yield strength of 196 MPa, and microhardness of 101.2 HV. Further, HE Zn-5Er showed the lowest electrochemical corrosion rate of 130 µm/y and lowest degradation rate of 26 µm/y, and the highest in vitro osteogenic differentiation ability, in vivo osteogenesis, and osteointegration ability after implantation in rat femurs among the Zn-5RE alloys, indicating promising potential in load-bearing biodegradable internal bone-fixation applications. [Display omitted] [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Soil phosphorus (P) occurs in pools of lower availability due to soil P fixation and therefore, it is a key constrain to crop production. Long term molybdenum-induced effects in wheat and rhizosphere/non-rhizosphere soil P dynamics have not yet been investigated. Here, a long term field experiment was conducted to explore these effects in wheat consisting of two treatments i.e. with molybdenum (+Mo) and without molybdenum (-Mo). The results revealed that molybdenum (Mo) supply increased plant biomass, grain yield, P uptake, preserved the configuration of chloroplast, stomata, and mesophyll tissue cells, suggesting the complementary effects of Mo on wheat yield and P accumulation. During the periods of vegetative growth, soil organic carbon, organic matter, and microbial biomass P were higher and tended to decrease in rhizosphere soil at maturity stage. In +Mo treatment, the most available P fractions [H 2 O-Pi (16.2–22.9 mg/kg and 4.24–7.57 mg/kg) and NaHCO 3 -Pi (130–149 mg/kg and 77.2–88 mg/kg)] were significantly increased in rhizosphere and non-rhizosphere soils, respectively. In addition, the +Mo treatment significantly increased the acid phosphatase activity and the expression of phoN/phoC, aphA, olpA/lppC gene transcripts in rhizosphere soil compared to -Mo. Our research findings suggested that Mo application has increased P availability not only through biochemical and chemical changes in rhizosphere but also through P assimilation and induced effects in the leaf ultra-structures. So, it might be a strategy of long term Mo fertilizer supply to overcome the P scarcity in plants and rhizosphere soil. • Mo supply preserved the leaf ultrastructure through improved P assimilation. • The activity of P enzyme increased in rhizosphere soil in response to Mo application. • Mo application increased the soil P availability through biochemical changes. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Understanding the chemical response and characteristics of bacterial communities in soil is critical to evaluate the effects of selenium (Se) supplement on plant growth and chromium (Cr)/Se uptake in Cr contaminated soil. The rhizosphere soil characteristics of pak choi (Brassica campestris L. ssp. Chinensis Makino) were investigated in soil contaminated with different levels and forms of Cr when supplemented with Se. Although inhibition of plant growth caused by Cr stress was not completely alleviated by Se, Cr content in plant tissues decreased in Cr(VI)120Se5 treatment (Cr(VI): 120 mg kg−1 soil; Se: 5 mg kg−1 soil) and its bioavailability in soil decreased in Cr(III)200Se5 (Cr(III): 200 mg kg−1 soil; Se: 5 mg kg−1 soil) treatment. Moreover, antagonism of Cr and Se on soil enzyme activities and bacterial communities were revealed. Notably, results of Cr(VI) reduction and Se metabolism functional profiles confirmed that bacterial communities play a critical role in regulating Cr/Se bioavailability. Additionally, the increases of Se bioavailability in Cr contaminated soil were ascribed to oxidation of Cr(VI) and reduction of Se reductases proportions, as well as the enhancing of pH in soil. These findings reveal that Se has the potential capacity to sustain the stability of microdomain in Cr contaminated soil. Image 1 • Se induces shifts of bacterial community and enzyme activity in Cr contaminated soil. • Plant Se uptake increased significantly by Cr contamination was observed in Se5 treatments. • Cr/Se bioavailability is regulated by soil bacteria and soil biochemical characteristics. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract: A hydroponic trial was conducted to investigate genotypic differences in nitrate uptake, translocation and assimilation between low nitrate accumulator L18 and high accumulator H96 of Chinese cabbage [Brassica campestris L. ssp. Chinensis (L.)]. The results suggested that H96 could uptake more nitrate than L18 in the root but lower transport inside leaf cells and assimilation in the leaf. It was showed that root morphology parameters – length, surface area and volume of H96 were 18.0%, 31.6% and 46.5% higher than L18. Nitrate transporters NRT1.1 and NRT2.1 transcription levels were 41.6% and 269.6% higher than those of L18 respectively. NRT1.1 and NRT2.1 expression amount in leaf blade of two cultivars were opposite to in the root, L18 NRT1.1 and NRT2.1 expressions were 279.2% and 80.0% higher than H96. In addition, nitrate assimilation capacity of L18 was significantly higher than H96 in leaf. It was showed that Nitrate Reductase (NR; EC 1.7.1.1) activity and NIA expression level of L18 leaf were 234 0.4% and 105.4% higher than those of H96, Glutamine Synthetase (GS; EC 6.3.1.2) activity, Gln1 and Gln2 expression levels in the leaf blade of L18 were 43.9%, 331.5% and 124.8% higher than those of H96 respectively. Nitrate assimilation products-Glu, total amino acid, soluble protein content in the leaf of L18 were all significantly higher than those of H96. The results above suggested that nitrate accumulation differences were due to differential capacities to uptake, mechanisms for nitrate transport in leaves and assimilate nitrate. Comparing contribution of three aspects in nitrate accumulation, translocation and assimilation were contributed more in low nitrate concentration in the leaf blade. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Sclerotinia stem rot (SSR), caused by Sclerotinia sclerotiorum (S. sclerotiorum), one of the most destructive diseases in many crops including Brassica napus L. The extensive use of fungicides to control S. sclerotiorum caused severe damage to the environment in the long term. Increasing study reported that selenium (Se) is a beneficial element for plant by promoting growth and enhancing disease resistance. In this study, it was found that Se in soil shortened lesion length by 19.14% on rape stem infected with S. sclerotiorum. While resistance mechanism of rape stem against S. sclerotiorum remains unknown. Transcriptomic analysis of rape stem was performed and the results indicated that genes related to antifungal pathways were up-regulated. Moreover, metabonomic analysis was carried out to study the inhibitive effect of the dissolved organic matter derived from rape straw with Se pretreatment in soil (RSDOM Se) on S. sclerotiorum mycelium, results showed that RSDOM Se caused severe damage to energy metabolism of mycelium. Further study indicated that RSDOM Se decreased the pathogenicity of mycelium on rape leaves significantly, and enhanced content of chlorophyII, carotenoids, OD phenol and activities of phenylalanine ammonia-lyase (PAL), polyphenol oxidase (PPO) in rape leaves, which suggested that RSDOM Se plays a positive role in regulating oxidative stress responses of plant when infected with S. sclerotiorum. In addition, when compared with dimcthachlon (DIM) treatment alone, DIM combined with RSDOM Se resulted in higher inhibition on mycelial growth of S. sclerotiorum (the inhibition ratio of nearly 60%). Results in this study suggested that Se enhanced the resistance of rape stem against S. sclerotiorum because of the up-regulated genes related to antifungal pathways, and RSDOM Se improved the mycelial growth inhibition and decreased the pathogenicity of mycelium on rape leaves. Overall, Se as well as Se-enrich byproducts, possessed great potential to be developed as ecological fungicides for controlling S. sclerotiorum. Image 1 • Se in soil reduced lesion length on rape stem infected with S. sclerotiorum. • Se in soil up-regulated genes related to antifungal pathways on rape stem. • DOM of rape straw with Se in soil caused more differential metabolites in mycelia. • DOM of rape straw decreased the pathogenicity of S. sclerotiorum on rape leaves. • Dimcthachlon with DOM of rape straw enhanced the inhibition on mycelia growth. Selenium in soil enhanced the resistance of rape stem against Sclerotinia sclerotiorum and dissolved organic matter derived from rape straw inhibited the mycelial growth significantly. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Sclerotinia sclerotiorum (S. sclerotiorum) is a soil-borne pathogen causing serious damage to the yield of oilseed rape. Selenium (Se) acted as a beneficial element for plants, and also proved to inhibit the growth of plant pathogens. However, whether Se could reduce S. sclerotiorum infection in oilseed rape, the related mechanism is still unclear. In this study, proper Se levels (0.1 mg/kg and 0.5 mg/kg) applied in soil decreased the lesion diameter and incidence of S. sclerotiorum in rape leaves. Se enfeebled the decrease of net photosynthetic rate (Pn), stomatal conductance (Gs) and transpiration rate (Tr), and maintained leaf cell structure. Se enhanced the antioxidant system of leaves, as evidenced by the maintenance of mitochondrial function, reduction of reactive oxygen species (ROS) accumulation and malondialdehyde (MDA) content, and the improvement of antioxidant enzyme activities including catalase (CAT), polyphenol oxidase (PPO) and peroxidase (POD). The upregulated defense gene expressions (CHI , ESD1 , NPR1 and PDF1.2) of leaves were also observed under Se treatments. Furthermore, metabolome analysis revealed that Se promoted the metabolism of energy and amino acids in leaves infected with S. sclerotiorum. These findings inferred that Se could act as a potential eco-fungicide to protect oilseed rape leaves from S. sclerotiorum attack. The result arising from this study not only introduces an ecological method to control S. sclerotiorum , but also provides a deep insight into microelement for plant protection. Image 1 • Se applied in soil reduced Sclerotinia stem rot incidence of oilseed rape. • Soil Se-supplement sustained the cell structure of rape leaves that suffering S. sclerotiorum infection. • Se addition enhanced antioxidant ability and upregulated defense gene expressions of rape leaves. • Energy and amino acids metabolism of rape leaves were promoted under Se application. This study provided basic data of Se for plant protection, which also contributed to developing an eco-friendly fungicide to control sclerotinia stem rot. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The potential of chicken manure and ferrous sulfate in immobilizing both mercury (Hg) and arsenic (As) in a tailing collected from Danzhai gold (Au) mine in southwestern part of China was investigated. A laboratory leaching experiment was conducted firstly to study the effectiveness of 30 tons ha−1 to 90 tons ha−1 chicken manure, or its combination with 1.5 tons ha−1 to 15 tons ha−1 ferrous sulfate, on the mobilization of Hg and As in the tailing. Results showed that the sole application of chicken manure at dose of 30 tons ha−1 to 90 tons ha−1 to the tailing removed approximately 94%–99% and 49%–85% of Hg and As, respectively, from the leachate over three months. These reductions might be attributed to the formation of hardly soluble Hg sulfides (e.g., HgS) and As sulfides in the tailing. Addition of chicken manure and ferrous sulfate to the tailing decreased Hg and As concentrations by 60%–85% and 31%–60%, respectively, in the leachate as compared to sole treatment of chicken manure. The mechanisms of Hg and As removal might be linked to their adsorption by iron oxides and chicken manure. The co-application of 30 tons ha−1 chicken manure and 15 tons ha−1 ferrous sulfate to the tailing showed promising results in reducing Hg and As concentrations as compared to the other treatments. The results from field trial showed that about 73% of Hg and 82% of As were removed from the leachate by the selected amendments (30 tons ha−1 chicken manure and 15 tons ha−1 ferrous sulfate), as compared to the control. In summary, the co-application of 30 tons ha−1 chicken manure and 15 tons ha−1 ferrous sulfate was promising in mitigating risk of both Hg and As from tailings, and the knowledge provided might deepen our understanding of mobilization of Hg and As in the tailing in Carlin-type gold mining regions. • Chicken manure (CM) and/or ferrous sulfate (FS) were used to immobilize Hg and As in the tailing. • Hg and As concentrations in the leachate decreased significantly with the CM and/or FS amendment. • The formation of Hg sulfides and As sulfides might explain Hg and As immobilization by CM. • Hg and As might be absorbed by Fe oxides and organic matter in the presence of CM + FS in the tailing. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Sclerotinia stem rot (SSR), a soil-borne plant disease, cause the yield loss of oilseed rape. Selenium (Se), a beneficial element of plant, improves plant resistance to pathogens, and regulates microbial communities in soil. Soil microbial communities has been identified to play an important role in plant health. We studied whether the changes in soil microbiome under influence of Se associated with oilseed rape health. SSR disease incidence of oilseed rape and soil biochemical properties were investigated in Enshi district, "The World Capital of Selenium", and soil bacterial and fungal communities were analyzed by 16S rRNA and ITS sequencing, respectively. Results showed that Se had a strong effect on SSR incidence, and disease incidence inversely related with plant Se concentration. Besides, soil Se enhanced the microbiome diversities and the relative abundance of PGPR (plant growth promoting rhizobacteria), such as Bryobacter, Nitrospirae , Rhizobiales , Xanthobacteraceae , Nitrosomonadaceae and Basidiomycota. Furthermore, Soil Se decreased the relative abundance of pathogenic fungi, such as Olpidium , Armillaria , Coniosporium , Microbotryomycetes and Chytridiomycetes. Additionally, Se increased nitrogen metabolism, carbohydrate metabolism and cell processes related functional profiles in soil. The enrichment of Se in plants and improvement of soil microbial community were related to increased plant resistance to pathogen infection. These findings suggested that Se has potential to be developed as an ecological fungicide for biological control of SSR. Image 1 • Sclerotinia stem rot disease incidence decreased with increasing plant Se content. • Se increased the microbiome diversity in soil. • Soil Se improved the relative abundance of beneficial microbes but decreased that of pathogenic fungi. • Soil Se accelerated nitrogen cycle, carbohydrate metabolism and cell processes. This work gives a new insight into the study of Sclerotinia stem rot control, and provides a theoretical basis for researchers in plant protection. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In this paper, we propose an adaptive, fault-tolerant, and congestion-aware (AFTC) routing algorithm. It improves the overall network performance of three-dimensional Network-on-Chip (3D NoC) in terms of deadlock-free, adaptability, fault tolerance, and balanced traffic. Firstly, the algorithm proposed 12 turn models to avoid deadlock problems. Then, the adaptability of the algorithm is improved by using the three-dimensional diagonal region division method. At the same time, the AFTC can reduce the number of turn-around steps during fault tolerance. Finally, the AFTC can balance traffic by setting different congestion thresholds. Compared with Vertical-Mesh-Conscious-Dynamic (VMCD) algorithm in terms of average packet delay and throughput, the AFTC algorithm can improve the throughput by an average of 27.29 % and 18.62 % while reducing the average delay time in different fault rates under uniform traffic and hotspot traffic patterns, respectively. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The low degradation rate of lignocellulose limits the humification process of citrus organic waste composting. This study explored the roles of general microbial inoculation (GM), citrus waste-derived function microbial inoculation (CM), and CM combined with biochar (CMB) in citrus waste compost. Results showed microbial inoculations all promoted lignocellulose degradation and humus formation, but the roles of CM and CMB were better than GM, especially CMB. Compared to the control, CMB raised the temperature and duration of thermophilic phase by 2.8 °C and 4 days, and improved lignin degradation rate and humus content by 21.5% and 7.6%. Furthermore, CMB promoted bacterial community succession and cooperation, and decreased network complexity. Moreover, CMB strengthened the correlation between mainly bacterial communities and polysaccharides, reducing sugars as well as carbohydrates metabolic, enhancing the contribution of bacteria such as Bacillus , Flavobacterium and Staphylococcus to humus and its precursors. It concludes that the naturally derived microbes in compost had better effects on promoting humus synthesis than exogenous microbes, which provides a new route for rapid humification of high-lignin organic waste in composting. [Display omitted] • The roles of CM and CMB in citrus waste compost are better than GM, especially CMB. • CMB strengthens the cooperative relationship between bacterial communities. • CMB enhances the contribution of Bacillus to lignin degradation and humus formation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Oilseed rape ( Brassica napus L.) with high tolerance to cadmium (Cd) may be used in the phytoremediation of Cd-contaminated fields. However, the mechanisms responsible for Cd accumulation and tolerance in oilseed rape are still poorly understood. Here, we investigated the physiological and molecular processes involved in Cd tolerance of two oilseed rape cultivars with different Cd accumulation abilities. The total Cd accumulation in cultivar L351 was higher than cultivar L338, particularly with increasing concentrations of Cd exposure. L338 was a more pronounced Cd-sensitive cultivar than L351, while higher activities of antioxidant enzymes (CAT, APX, GR, DHAR) as well as higher contents of GSH and AsA were all observed in L351 under Cd treatments, especially at high levels. No differences were found in SOD activities between the two cultivars under the same Cd treatments, suggesting that SOD was not the key factor in relation to the differences of Cd tolerance and accumulation between them. Gene expression levels of BnFe-SOD , BnCAT , BnAPX , BcGR and BoDHAR in roots of L351 were relatively higher than that in L338 under Cd exposure as well as BnCAT and BcGR in leaves. It is concluded that antioxidant enzymes and the ascorbate–glutathione cycle play important roles in oilseed rape Cd accumulation and tolerance. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Cadmium (Cd) is a toxic metal which harms human health through food chains. The mechanisms underlying Cd accumulation in oilseed rape are still poorly understood. Here, we investigated the physiological and genetic processes involved in Cd uptake and transport of two oilseed rape cultivars ( Brassica napus ). L351 accumulates more Cd in shoots but less in roots than L338. A scanning ion-selective electrode technique (SIET) and uptake kinetics of Cd showed that roots were not responsible for the different Cd accumulation in shoots since L351 showed a lower Cd uptake ability. However, concentration-dependent and time-dependent dynamics of Cd transport by xylem showed L351 exhibited a superordinate capacity of Cd translocation to shoots. Additionally, the Cd concentrations of shoots and xylem sap showed a great correlation in both cultivars. Furthermore, gene expression levels related to Cd uptake by roots ( IRT1 ) and Cd transport by xylem ( HMA2 and HMA4 ) were consistent with the tendencies of Cd absorption and transport at the physiological level respectively. In other words, L351 had stronger gene expression for Cd transport but lower for Cd uptake. Overall, results revealed that the process of Cd translocation to shoots is a determinative factor for Cd accumulation in shoots, both at physiological and genetic levels. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Cancer stem-like cells (CSLCs) and anoikis resistance play crucial roles in the metastasis of cancers. However, it remains unclear whether CSLCs are related to anoikis resistance in intrahepatic cholangiocarcinoma (ICC). Here we identified a group of stemness-related anoikis genes (SRAGs) via bioinformatic analysis of public data. Accordingly, a novel anoikis-related classification was established and it divided ICC into C1 and C2 type. Different type ICC displayed distinct prognosis, molecular as well immune characteristics. Furthermore, we found one key SRAGs via several machine learning algorithms. HK2 was up-regulated in tumor-repopulating cells (TRCs) of ICC, a kind of CSLCs with a potent resistance to anoikis. Its up-regulation may be caused by the activation of MTORC1 signaling in ICC-TRCs. And inhibition of HK2 significantly increased anoikis and decreased migration as well invasion in ICC-TRCs. Our studies provide an insight into the molecular mechanism underlying the resistance of ICC-TRCs to anoikis and enhance the evidences for targeting HK2 in ICC. [Display omitted] • We identified several stemness-related anoikis genes in intrahepatic cholangiocarcinoma. • We constructed a novel anoikis-related classification for intrahepatic cholangiocarcinoma. • We found that cancer stem-like cells displayed anoikis resistance due to its up-regulated MTORC1/HK2 axis. • Inhibiting HK2 effectively inhibited migration and invasion of cancer stem-like cells via promoting anoikis. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Phosphorus (P) is one of the essential macro-elements for plants. Sugar and organic acid are important factors affecting sensory characteristics of citrus fruit quality. The aim of this study was to investigate how P fertilizer affects quality improvement particularly sucrose (Suc), fructose (Fru), glucose (Glu) and citric acid (CA) accumulations in Cara Cara navel. P fertilizer improved fruit quality of Cara Cara navel, as supported by decreasing titratable acid (TA), CA and increasing soluble solid (TSS), sugars and the ratio of TSS and TA. At the early stage of fruit development, P fertilizer had greater roles in degrading Suc into Fru and Glu due to the increased activities of Suc-degrading enzymes including acid invertase, neutral invertase and Suc synthase-cleavage activity. Coversely, at the mid and late stages of fruit development, P fertilizer had greater roles in re-synthesizing Suc due to the increased activities of Suc-synthesizing enzymes including Suc phosphate synthase and Suc synthase-synthetic activity. These results indicated that application of P fertilizer increased soluble sugars concentrations by improving Suc metabolism and sink strength in fruit conferred by the upregulations of the activities of Suc-degrading and Suc-synthesizing enzymes. P fertilizer decreased CA accumulations at least partially by inhibiting synthesis of CA due to the decreased activities of CA-synthesizing enzymes including citrate synthetase and phosphoenolpyruvate carboxylase. This study suggested that P fertilizer, particularly fertilized with 0.40 kg/plant, increased soluble sugars but decreased CA accumulations in citrus fruit. • Phosphorus (P) fertilizer improved fruit quality of Cara Cara navel. • P enhanced sugar accumulations by improving sucrose metabolism and sink strength. • P fertilizer reduced citric acid accumulations partially by inhibiting its synthesis. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Different nitrogen (N) sources have been reported to significantly affect the photosynthesis (P n) and its attributes. However, molybdenum (Mo) induced effects on photosynthetic efficacy of winter wheat under different N sources have not been investigated. A hydroponic study was carried out comprising of two winter wheat cultivars '97003' and '97014' as Mo-efficient and Mo-inefficient, respectively to underpin the effects of Mo supply (0 and 1 μM) on photosynthetic efficacy of winter wheat under different N sources (NO 3 ̶, NH 4 NO 3 or NH 4 +). The results revealed that Mo-induced increases in dry weight, gas exchange parameters, chlorophyll contents, NR activities, NO 3 ̶ assimilation, total N contents and transcripts of TaNR and TaNRT1.1 genes under different N sources followed the trend of NH 4 NO 3 > NO 3 ̶ > NH 4 +, suggesting that Mo has more complementary effects to nitrate nutrition than sole ammonium. Interestingly, under Mo-deprivation environments, cultivar '97003' recorded more pronounced alterations in Mo-dependent parameters than '97014' cultivar. Moreover, Mo application significantly improved the chlorophyll contents and chloroplast configuration in all N sources showing that Mo has a key role in chlorophyll biosynthesis and chloroplast integrity. The results also highlighted that Mo-induced enhancements in total N contents and photosynthetic characteristics followed the same order as NH 4 NO 3 > NO 3 − > NH 4 +, suggesting that Mo might affect P n through N metabolism. In crux, our study findings imply that Mo supply increased P n not only through chlorophyll synthesis and chloroplast configuration but also by N uptake and assimilation which may represent a strategy of Mo fertilizer to strengthen the photosynthetic machinery. • Molybdenum improved photosynthetic apparatus through efficient N assimilation. • Molybdenum shows more complementary effects to nitrate nutrition than sole ammonium. • Differential responses to photosynthesis of two wheat cultivars under Mo deficiency. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Molybdenum application holds the potential to enhance agricultural productivity. However, the precise impact on soil microbial diversity and mineral nutrient availability remains uncertain. In this study, we collected rhizosphere soil samples from different growth stages of broad beans. By analyzing mineral element contents, soil phosphorus and zinc fractions, as well as fungal and bacterial diversity, we observed that Mo application resulted in a reduction of soil Citrate‒P and HCl‒P content. This reduction led to an increase in available P content at different stages. Moreover, Mo application elevated root P concentration, but concurrently impeded the translocation of P to the shoots. Mo application also decreased the soil Exc‒Zn (exchangeable Zn) content while increasing the Res‒Zn (residual Zn) content, ultimately causing a decrease in available Zn content at different stages. Consequently, the Zn concentration within broad beans correspondingly decreased. Mo application fostered an augmentation in fungal richness and Shannon indices at the branching and podding stages. The analysis of microbial co-occurrence networks indicated that Mo application bolstered positive connectivity among fungal taxa. Remarkably, Mo significantly increased the abundance of Chaetomium , Leucosporidium , and Thielavia fungi. Spearman correlation analysis demonstrated a significant positive correlation between fungal diversity and soil available P content, as well as a notable negative correlation with soil available Zn content. These findings suggest that Mo application may modify the availability of soil P and Zn by influencing fungal diversity in the rhizosphere of crop soil, ultimately impacting nutrient accumulation within the grains. [Display omitted] • Mo application improved P availability in the rhizosphere soil. • Mo application reduced soil Zn availability. • Mo application reduced P concentration in grain. • Mo and P content had a significant positive correlation with fungal diversity. • Mo application increased the abundance and connectivity of fungal taxa. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study aims to further examine the effect of Magnesium (Mg) application on fruit quality and carotenoid metabolism in Satsuma mandarin pulp. For this, a field experiment was using 20-year-old Satsuma mandarin (C. unshiu Marc.) for two treatment; (1) CK treatment (without Mg), (2) Mg fertilizer treatment (200 g MgO plant−1). Compared with CK, Mg treatment substantially raised the Mg content in pulp at 90 to 150 DAF (the fruit expansion period), increasing by 15.69%–21.74%. Mg treatment also increased fruit TSS content by 15.84% and 9.88%, decreased fruit TA content in by 34.25% and 33.26% at 195 DAF and 210 DAF (the fruit ripening period). Moreover, at 120 to 195 DAF, Mg treatment significantly increased the levels of lutein, β-cryptoxanthin, zeaxanthin and violaxanthin in the pulp. This can be explained by the increased expression of important biosynthetic genes, including CitPSY , CitPDS , CitLCYb1 , CitLCYb2 , CitLCYe , CitHYb , and CitZEP , that played a role in altering the carotenoid composition. The findings of this research offer a novel approach for augmenting both the economic and nutritional worth of citrus fruits. • Mg increases the Mg content in Satsuma mandarin pulp at fruit expansion period. • Improving the flavor of satsuma mandarin fruit by applying Mg. • Mg increases lutein, β-cryptoxanthin, zeaxanthin and violaxanthin in pulp. • Mg accelerates carotenoid accumulation via carotenoid metabolism gene expression. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Some studies have shown that excess molybdenum (Mo) could produce toxic effects on plants. However, little is known about the subcellular distribution of Mo and cell ultrastructure within plants under excess Mo stress. Here, we comprehensively analyzed the changes of Mo distribution in subcellular fractions, cell ultrastructure and antioxidant enzymes in leaves and roots of soybean seedlings in response to excess Mo stress. The results showed that roots exhibited higher Mo accumulation than leaves at the 100 mg L −1 Mo level, about 38.58-, 171.48- and 52.99-fold higher in cell walls, cell organelles and soluble fractions, respectively. Subcellular fractionations of Mo-containing tissues indicated that approximately 90% of Mo was accumulated in the soluble fractions and cell walls of the roots and leaves, and soluble fractions (accumulated 66.3–72.2% Mo) might serve as an effective storage site for excess Mo. Furthermore, excess Mo caused ultrastructural alterations in roots and leaves of soybean seedlings, leading to structural abnormality of chloroplast in leaf cells, plasmolysis, cellular deformity, vacuole enlargement and the swelling of cell wall and cytoplasm in root cells. Meanwhile, under excess Mo stress, the activity of POD, CAT and APX enzymes in roots was 1.43, 2.35 and 1.23 times that under standard Mo condition, while that of SOD and CAT enzymes in leaves was 1.23 and 1.94 times, respectively. This study provided novel insights into the mechanisms of excess Mo toxicity in soybean seedlings. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Phosphorus-modified biochars are considered as good materials for the removal of heavy metals from wastewater. However, the efficacy of ammonium polyphosphate-modified biochar in cadmium (Cd(II)) adsorption remains largely unknown. In this work, the biochar was respectively modified with ammonium polyphosphate (PABC), phosphoric acid (PHBC) and ammonium dihydrogen phosphate (PNBC) to enhance its adsorption performance for heavy metals from wastewater. The properties of biochar before and after modification and P speciation on the surface of the modified biochar were investigated with FTIR, SEM-EDS, XPS, XRD and 31P NMR, and the adsorption capacity was evaluated by batch adsorption experiments. The results demonstrated that the optimal adsorption performance could be achieved at the solution pH = 4, and the pseudo-second-order and Langmuir models could well describe the Cd(II) adsorption process. The maximum adsorption capacity of PABC, PHBC and PNBC for Cd(II) was 155, 138 and 99 mg g−1, which were 4.84, 4.32 and 3.10 folds that of original biochar, respectively. The 31P NMR showed that orthophosphate accounted for 82.1%, 62.8% and 54.5% of P in PABC, PHBC and PNBC, respectively, which decreased to 28.24%, 33.51% and 29.34% after Cd(II) adsorption, indicating that the orthophosphate ratio in P-modified biochar surface could significantly affect Cd adsorption by forming phosphate precipitate. This work implies that the PABC has greater potential in the removal of Cd from wastewater relative to PHBC and PNBC. [Display omitted] • P speciation significantly affect the P-enriched biochars' Cd(Ⅱ) performance. • Adsorption capacity showed a positive linear relationship with surface orthophosphate. • P speciation of modified biochar surface varies with different P reagent. • Ammonium polyphosphate-modified biochar exhibit the highest Cd(II) removal. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]