Water restriction in cowpea plants [Vigna unguiculata (L.) Walp.]: Metabolic changes and tolerance induction

ABSTRACT Global climate change tends to intensify water unavailability, especially in semi-arid regions, directly impacting agricultural production. Cowpea is one of the crops with great socio-economic importance in the Brazilian semi-arid region, cultivated mainly under rainfed farming and considered moderately tolerant to water restriction. This species has physiological and biochemical mechanisms of adaptation to these stress factors, but there is still no clear vision of how these responses can not only allow survival, but also ensure yield advances in the field. Besides acclimation mechanisms, the exogenous application of abiotic (salicylic acid, silicon, proline, methionine, and potassium nitrate) and biotic (rhizobacteria) elicitors is promising in mitigating the effects of water restriction. The present literature review discusses the acclimation mechanisms of cowpea and some cultivation techniques, especially the application of elicitors, which can contribute to maintaining crop yield under different water scenarios. The application of elicitors is an alternative way to increase the sustainability of production in rainfed farming in semi-arid regions. However, the use of eliciting substances in cowpea still needs to be carefully explored, given the difficulties caused by genotypic and edaphoclimatic variability under field conditions.

Application of NLO and Antibacterial Activity of Tricine Doped Potassium Metal Ion Crystal

We have successfully produced Tricine Potassium Nitrate (TPN) single crystal synthesis using the solution growth method in this study. The powder X-ray diffraction (PXRD) technique was used to identify the phases of TPN crystals. Fourier transform infrared (FT-IR) analysis was performed to examine the functional groups contained in the produced crystals. To measure optical transparency, a UV-VIS-NIR investigation was conducted between 200 and 800nm. TPN crystal's photoluminescence (PL) spectrum was recorded. Vickers' hardness tester was used to investigate the mechanical characteristics of the formed crystal.Thermal gravimetric/differential thermal analysis was used to investigate the thermal behaviors of the produced crystals. The surface morphology of the formed crystal was determined using a field emission scanning electron microscope. Wet etching experiments were used to investigate the TPN crystal's growth feature. The shock damage threshold technique was used to determine the shock strength at which the crystal poses a risk. The Kurtz-Perry technique was used to investigate the effectiveness of the developed crystals' second harmonic generation (SHG). The antibacterial activity of TPN grown crystal against various standard bacterial strains.

Development of the prickly pear cactus Opuntia stricta (Haw.) Haw. (Cactaceae) in vitro in response to the replacement of potassium nitrate for a commercial kno 3 fertilizer

ABSTRACT: In micropropagation, potassium nitrate (KNO3), an ACS reagent grade chemical, used in the preparation of growing mediums is expensive and its procurement depends on bureaucratic procedures, as it is controlled by the Brazilian Army. This research to assessed the effect of replacing the ACS KNO3 for a commercially available fertilizer (KNO3- based) on the micropropagation of the prickly pear cactus (Opuntia stricta (Haw.) Haw. cv. Elephant Ear. Treatments used six different fertilizer concentrations (0, 0.5, 1, 1.5, 2 and 2.5 g L-1) and a control consisting of 1.9 g L-1 KNO3, as shown in the MS salts. The survival, size and number of sprouts and the value of fresh biomass were evaluated. After seedling acclimation, we assessed the survival, number of sprouts, length, and number of roots, racket formation, average fresh biomass mass, macronutrient absorption and morphological changes of the seedlings. Explants inoculated with fertilizers at concentrations of 0.0; 2.0 and 2.5 g L-¹ did not grow. The response of explants at concentrations of 0.5 and 1.5 g L-1 of the fertilizer were the same as those developed in a KNO3 medium, and at a concentration of 1.0 g L-1, in all variables, the means were higher than those of the control medium. Therefore, it showed the feasibility of using fertilizers in the in vitro cultivation of the prickly pear cactus, which may remove bureaucratic barriers and reduce product costs by 99.12%.

Antimicrobial Activity of Synthesized Multi-Metallic Nanoparticles using Traditional Indian Siddha Method

In present work, multi-metallic nanoparticles were synthesized by chemical method in a controlled environment by using silver, lead, mercury, egg shell powder (contains 1% calcium phosphate, 1% magnesium carbonate, 94% calcium carbonate and 4% organic matter), potassium nitrate, potassium alum and extracts of citrus lemon by following the process defined in Traditional Indian Medicine, Siddha System of Medicine. The morphology, compositions and structure of the product were characterized by powder X-ray diffraction (PXRD), Fourier transform infrared (FTIR), scanning electron microscopy (SEM), energy dispersive X-ray (EDX) and transmission electron microscopy (TEM) techniques. Highly uniform spherical multi-metallic nanoparticle was subjected for the antibacterial activities. The particles were agglomerated as observed by SEM micrographs. The particles were homogeneous, spherical in shape and loosely agglomerated as seen by TEM pictures. The antibacterial activity of the synthesized multi-metallic nanoparticles against B. cereus, S. aureus, E. coli and P. aeuroginosa was demonstrated using the zone of inhibition technique. The synthesized multi-metallic nanoparticle can find plausible biological applications.

Impact of Sprouting under Potassium Nitrate Priming on Nitrogen Assimilation and Bioactivity of Three Medicago Species

Edible sprouts are rich in flavonoids and other polyphenols, as well as proteins, minerals, and vitamins. Increasing sprout consumption necessitates improving their quality, palatability, and bioactivity. The purpose of this study was to test how KNO3 priming affects the sprouting process species on three Medicago species (Medicago indicus, Medicago interexta, and Medicago polymorpha) and their nutritional values. Targeted species of Medicago were primed with KNO3, and the levels of different primary and secondary metabolites were determined. KNO3 induced biomass accumulation in the sprouts of the three species, accompanied by an increased content of total mineral nutrients, pigments, vitamins, and essential amino acids. Besides, our results showed that KNO3 enhanced the activity of nitrate reductase (NR), glutamate dehydrogenase (GDH), and glutamine synthetase (GS) enzymes, which are involved in the nitrogen metabolism and GOGAT cycle, which, in turn, increase the nitrogen and protein production. KNO3 treatment improved the bioactive compound activities of Medicago sprouts by increasing total phenolic and flavonoid contents and enhancing the antioxidant and antidiabetic activities. Furthermore, species-specific responses toward KNO3 priming were noticeable, where Medicago interexta showed the highest antioxidant and antidiabetic activities, followed by Medicago polymorpha. Overall, this study sheds the light on the physiological and biochemical bases of growth, metabolism, and tissue quality improvement impact of KNO3 on Medicago sprouts.

Evaluation of the efficiency of application of president sensitive toothpaste in dental hyperesthesia after professional diode laser whitening

Taking into account the high demand for professional teeth whitening in patients, as well as a significant high percentage of hyperesthesia after this medical manipulation, the urgency of solving this problem becomes obvious. Our study was carried out in 17 patients aged 20 to 35 years with complaints of hyperesthesia after professional teeth whitening with a diode laser with a wavelength of 810 nm using President Sensitive toothpaste with potassium nitrate and strontium chloride at home. All patients underwent professional oral hygiene before teeth whitening, recommended toothpaste and a brush, and received training in home care and teeth cleaning. According to our research, the toothpaste with potassium nitrate and strontium chloride has a pronounced desensitive effect and corresponds to the declared parameters. Thus, after professional whitening with a diode laser with a wavelength of 810 nm and subsequent application of toothpaste with potassium nitrate and strontium chloride, a decrease in tooth sensitivity, remineralization of hard tissues and suppression of bacterial growth were revealed. However, the selection should be individualized, taking into account all medical indications and properties of hygiene products.

Common Environmental Pollutants Negatively Affect Development and Regeneration in the Sea Anemone Nematostella vectensis Holobiont

The anthozoan sea anemone Nematostella vectensis belongs to the phylum of cnidarians which also includes jellyfish and corals. Nematostella are native to United States East Coast marsh lands, where they constantly adapt to changes in salinity, temperature, oxygen concentration and pH. Its natural ability to continually acclimate to changing environments coupled with its genetic tractability render Nematostella a powerful model organism in which to study the effects of common pollutants on the natural development of these animals. Potassium nitrate, commonly used in fertilizers, and Phthalates, a component of plastics are frequent environmental stressors found in coastal and marsh waters. Here we present data showing how early exposure to these pollutants lead to dramatic defects in development of the embryos and eventual mortality possibly due to defects in feeding ability. Additionally, we examined the microbiome of the animals and identified shifts in the microbial community that correlated with the type of water that was used to grow the animals, and with their exposure to pollutants.

STUDY OF THE EVAPORATION PROCESS OF MOTHER LIQUORS IN THE PRODUCTION OF POTASSIUM NITRATE

"The aim was to study the influence of the main technological parameters on the process of evaporation off the primary mother liquors of the filtration process of a potassium nitrate suspension formed as a result of crystallization of the conversion solution at a temperature of 0 °C. A theoretical analysis of the system diagram and experimental data established the sequence of the formation of components during the evaporation of mother liquors. At the same time, in the studied intervals of variation of the parameters, potassium chloride is formed first, and then, the joint crystallization of potassium and ammonium chlorides occurs with the continuation of the evaporation process, and when the evaporation degree is more than 30-35%, the joint crystallization of potassium, ammonium and potassium nitrate chlorides occurs. The process analytical parameters influence of the ratio of the primary mother liquor and ammonium nitrate, as well as, the degree of evaporation have been studied. A nomogram has been developed showing the dependence of the input and output parameters on the value of the residual pressure, and it makes possible to determine the values ​​of the evaporation degree at given conditions. "