Isolation and identification of bacillus pumilus yhh-2, a potential pathogen to the alfalfa weevil (Hypera postica gyllenhal)

Alfalfa weevil (Hypera postica Gyllenhal, 1813) samples were collected from different locations in Kırşehir, Turkey, during May–August in 2014. They were immediately transferred to the research laboratory and dissected under aseptic conditions. Then serial dilutions were prepared from digestive tract samples and the spread plate technique was used for obtaining pure cultures. The conventional and molecular methods that include morphological and physiological examinations, biochemical tests, 16S rDNA sequencing, and the basic local alignment search tool (BLAST) were used for identification of the bacterial isolates. According to the findings of the present study, the YHH-2 isolate was found as the main pathogenic bacterium that dominates the digestive tract microflora of the alfalfa weevil. 16S rDNA sequencing and the BLAST data revealed that YHH-2 showed 100% similarity to Bacillus pumilus, recently described as an entomopathogenic strain. In conclusion, the results of the present study are important due to showing for the first time the presence of Bacillus pumilus YHH-2 in the digestive tract of the alfalfa weevil and it may be used as a potential biocontrol agent against the harmful effects of this insect species. © TÜBİTAK

The Effect of Biochars and Endophytic Bacteria on Growth and Root Rot Disease Incidence of Fusarium Infested Narrow-Leafed Lupin (Lupinus angustifolius L.)

The effects of biochar on plant growth vary depending on the applied biochar type, study site environmental conditions, microbial species, and plant–microbial interactions. The objectives of the present study were therefore to assess 1) the response of growth parameters of lupin and root disease incidence to the application of three biochar types in a loamy sandy soil, and 2) the role of endophytic bacteria in biological control of root rot disease incidence in lupin after the amendment of soil with different biochar types. As biochar types we tested (i) hydrochar (HTC) from maize silage, (ii) pyrolysis char from maize (MBC), and (iii) pyrolysis char from wood (WBC) at three different concentrations (1%, 2%, and 3% of char as soil amendments). There were no significant effects in lupin shoot and root growth in soils amended with WBC at any of the concentrations. MBC did not affect plant growth except for root dry weight at 2% MBC. HTC char at 2% concentration, significantly increased the root dry weight of lupin by 54–75%, and shoot dry weight by 21–25%. Lupin plants grown in soil amended with 2% and 3% WBC and MBC chars showed 40–50% and 10–20% disease symptoms, respectively. Plants grown in soil without biochar and with HTC char were healthy, and no disease incidence occurred. Pseudomonas putida L2 and Stenotrophomonas pavanii L8 isolates demonstrated a disease reduction compared to un-inoculated plants under MBC and WBC amended soil that was infested with Fusarium solani.Chinese Academy of SciencesPeer Reviewe

Diversity and Plant Growth-Promoting Ability of Endophytic, Halotolerant Bacteria Associated with Tetragonia tetragonioides (Pall.) Kuntze

The diversity of salt-tolerant cultivable endophytic bacteria associated with the halophyte New Zealand spinach (Tetragonia tetragonioides (Pall.) Kuntze) was studied, and their plant beneficial properties were evaluated. The bacteria isolated from leaves and roots belonged to Agrobacterium, Stenotrophomonas, Bacillus, Brevibacterium, Pseudomonas, Streptomyces, Pseudarthrobacter, Raoultella, Curtobacterium, and Pantoea. Isolates exhibited plant growth-promoting traits, including the production of a phytohormone (indole 3-acetic-acid), cell wall degrading enzymes, and hydrogen cyanide production. Furthermore, antifungal activity against the plant pathogenic fungi Fusarium solani, F. oxysporum, and Verticillium dahliae was detected. Ten out of twenty bacterial isolates were able to synthesize ACC deaminase, which plays a vital role in decreasing ethylene levels in plants. Regardless of the origin of isolated bacteria, root or leaf tissue, they stimulated plant root and shoot growth under 200 mM NaCl conditions. Our study suggests that halophytes such as New Zealand spinach are a promising source for isolating halotolerant plant-beneficial bacteria, which can be considered as potentially efficient biofertilizers in the bioremediation of salt-affected soils.Peer Reviewe

Biochar Amendments Improve Licorice (Glycyrrhiza uralensis Fisch.) Growth and Nutrient Uptake under Salt Stress

Licorice (Glycyrrhiza uralensis Fisch.) is a salt and drought tolerant legume suitable for rehabilitating abandoned saline lands, especially in dry arid regions. We hypothesized that soil amended with maize-derived biochar might alleviate salt stress in licorice by improving its growth, nutrient acquisition, and root system adaptation. Experiments were designed to determine the effect of different biochar concentrations on licorice growth parameters, acquisition of C (carbon), nitrogen (N), and phosphorus (P) and on soil enzyme activities under saline and non-saline soil conditions. Pyrolysis char from maize (600 °C) was used at concentrations of 2% (B2), 4% (B4), and 6% (B6) for pot experiments. After 40 days, biochar improved the shoot and root biomass of licorice by 80 and 41% under saline soil conditions. However, B4 and B6 did not have a significant effect on shoot growth. Furthermore, increased nodule numbers of licorice grown at B4 amendment were observed under both non-saline and saline conditions. The root architectural traits, such as root length, surface area, project area, root volume, and nodulation traits, also significantly increased by biochar application at both B2 and B4. The concentrations of N and K in plant tissue increased under B2 and B4 amendments compared to the plants grown without biochar application. Moreover, the soil under saline conditions amended with biochar showed a positive effect on the activities of soil fluorescein diacetate hydrolase, proteases, and acid phosphomonoesterases. Overall, this study demonstrated the beneficial effects of maize-derived biochar on growth and nutrient uptake of licorice under saline soil conditions by improving nodule formation and root architecture, as well as soil enzyme activity.Peer Reviewe

Isolation and Characterization of Hydrocarbon and Petroleum Degrading Bacteria from Polluted Soil with Petroleum and Derivatives by MALDI-TOF MS Method

Petroleum hydrocarbons are one of the most well-known environmental pollutants not only for plants, and animals but also for humans because of their carcinogenic mutagenic, toxic, and teratogenic effects. Hence, various remediation technologies have been used to overcome these environmental pollutants. Among them, bioremediation is novel promising sustainable approach for treating petroleum and petroleum derivative raw material deleterious components with their effective, low-cost eco-friendly features. In this perspective, the evaluation of soil samples was collected from areas containing petroleum and petroleum derivatives from Kazanli and Karaduvar refinery regions in Mersin-Turkey. Hence, potential hydrocarbon and petroleum degrading bacteria were identified and characterized by the MALDI-TOF MS method as well as biochemical, physiological, and morphological tests. According to the MALDI-TOF MS analysis; members of Bacillus, Stenotrophomonas, Enterobacter, Pseudomonas, Cupriavidus, Acinetobacter, and Escherichia were successfully identified as hydrocarbon and petroleum degrading bacteria

Characterization of gamma-ray and neutron radiation absorption properties of synthesized quinoline derivatives and their genotoxic potential

In this study, six different types of quinoline derivatives were synthesized, which can be used as an anti-radiation drug for active matter and its effects against radiation was determined. The effective removal cross-sections, mean free path, halfvalue layer and neutron transmission number were calculated for fast neutron radiation using the Monte Carlo simulation GEANT4 and FLUKA codes. Gamma radiation shielding parameters such as mass attenuation coefficient (MAC), effective atom number (Zeff), mean free path (MFP), exposure buildup factor (EBF) and halfvalue layer (HVL) were theoretically calculated using WinXCom and Phy-X/PSD software. Neutron equivalent dose measurements were performed using a 241Am-Be fast neutron source and a BF3 gas detector with 4.5 MeV of energy and 74 GBq activity. Both simulation and experimental measurements were compared with paraffin and conventional concrete. It was found that the quinoline derivative shielding material absorbed radiation much better than these reference materials. Additionally, the genotoxic potentials of the derivatives were assessed by using the yeast DEL assay and the results revealed that the derivatives can be considered genotoxically safe at the tested concentrations (up to 5 mM). It has been suggested that this new radiation shielding derivatives material can be used as active ingredients for a drug to be developed against both neutron and gamma radiation.WOS:0006552929000082-s2.0-8510406323

Investigation of neutron and gamma radiation protective characteristics of synthesized quinoline derivatives

Purpose: Quinoline is formed by various natural compounds, such as alkaloids from the cinchona plant, which exhibit various biological activities, and is an important building material for the development of new drugs. Quinoline can be used in anti-radiation drug development but radiation interaction properties must be determined. Material and methods: In this study, six types of synthesized quinoline derivatives were used. Fast neutron removal cross-section, mean free path, half value layer and transmission number were theoretically determined by using GEometry ANd Tracking 4 and FLUktuierende KAskade simulation codes for neutron shielding. Neutron dose absorption rates were determined using the(241)Am-Be fast neutron source and the Canberra NP series portable BF(3)gas proportional neutron detector. Gamma radiation shielding parameters were determined by using WinXCom and PSY-X/PSD software. Additionally, the genotoxic potentials of the derivatives were assessed by using the Ames/Salmonellabacterial reversion assay. Results and conclusions: Neutron shielding parameters such as removal cross-section, mean free path, half value layer and transmission number were theoretically determined for fast neutrons. To determine neutron absorption capacity of quinoline derivatives, neutron absorption, experiments were conducted. In addition, gamma radiation shielding parameters were calculated such as the mean free path (MFP), mass attenuation coefficient (mu t), half value thickness layer (HVL) and effective atomic number (Zeff) in the energy range of 0.015-15 MeV. The results of the all quinoline derivatives have excellent fast neutron shielding power compared to ordinary concrete. In addition, all quinoline derivatives have been found to have the capacity to attenuate gamma radiation. Moreover, they absorb well in both types of radiation, do not cause secondary radiation, and they are genotoxically safe at the tested concentrations. This study has demonstrated that these products can be used as active ingredients for a drug to be developed against radiation.WOS:0005694492000012-s2.0-85091074141PubMed: 3281358