Effects of Selenium–Zinc Interactions on the Bioavailability of Selenium/Zinc in Soil and Its Mechanism

Purpose Biofortification is a core strategy in solving the malnutrition of selenium (Se) and zinc (Zn) for global human being. However, whether Se and Zn co-biofortification can manipulate soil Se/Zn bioavailability and its mechanism still remains unclear. Methods The pot experiment was conducted to investigate the co-amendment of selenate and Zn sulfate on the growth of pak choi, especially on the uptake of Se and Zn, and to elucidate the effect of soil pH and soil enzyme activity on the bioavailability of Se/Zn in soil and its mechanism. Results Results showed that plant growth inhibition caused by the application of high Se rate was significantly alleviated with Zn supplements, and the biomass in the shoots and roots of pak choi in Se2.5Zn20 and Se2.5Zn50 treatments significantly increased (67.0%–112.8%) compared with the Se2.5Zn0 treatment. Additionally, Se and Zn co-amended application significantly enhanced soil available Se/Zn content compared with correspond single Se/Zn treatments. The increase of soil available Zn content could be attributed to the significant decrease in the soil pH, while the increase of soil available Se was from the biochemical conversion caused by the activity of catalase, urease, and alkaline phosphatase. Conclusion Se–Zn co-amendment can ameliorate bioavailability of Se/Zn in soil by regulate the pH and enzyme activity of soil.

Discovery of new genetic determinants controlling the morphological plasticity in rice root and shoot under phosphate starvation using GWAS

Phosphorus is an essential nutrient for plants that is often in short supply. In rice (Oryza sativa L.), phosphate (Pi) deficiency leads to various physiological disorders that consequently affect plant productivity. In this study, a large-scale phenotyping experiment of a set of 160 Vietnamese rice landraces was performed under greenhouse conditions by employing an alpha lattice design with three replicates to identify quantitative trait loci (QTLs) associated with plant growth inhibition by Pi deficiency. Rice plantlets were grown for six weeks in the PVC sand column (16 cm diameter × 80 cm height) supplied with Pi-deficient (10 µM P) medium or full Pi Yoshida (320 µM P) medium. The effects of Pi deficiency on the number of crown roots, root length, shoot length, root weight, shoot weight and total weight were studied. From 36 significant markers identified by using Genome-wide association study, a total of 21 QTLs associated with plant growth inhibition under Pi starvation conditions were defined. A list of 158 candidate genes co-located with defined QTLs was found. Interestingly, a QTL namely qRST9.14 were detected found common across three weight-traits. The co-located gene GLYCEROPHOSPHODIESTER PHOSPHODIESTERASE 13 was found potentially involved in Pi transport. Understanding the molecular mechanisms of Pi starvation responses, and identifying potential QTLs responsible for low-Pi stress tolerance will provide valuable information for developing new varieties tolerant to low-Pi conditions.

Phyllostictine A: total synthesis, structural verification and determination of substructure responsible for plant growth inhibition

The first total synthesis of phyllostictine A is reported and evidence presented that the heterocyclic subunit is the key to the μM herbicidal activity.

Efficiently reducing the plant growth inhibition of CuO NPs using rice husk-derived biochar: experimental demonstration and mechanism investigation

CuO nanoparticles (NPs) have been widely used, and the inevitable release of Cu species into agricultural soil would bring potential toxicity to edible plants.