Monitoring the persistence of a genetically modified strain of the <i>Azorhizobium caulinodans </i>in the rhizosphere of <i>Triticum aestivum </i>L.

A protocol was developed to monitor persistence and spread of a genetically modified strain of the growth promoting diazotroph Azorhizobium caulinodans used to inoculate field grown wheat. The protocol was used to identify an endogluconase (egl) overproducing strain of A. caulinodans isolated from inoculated soils. A detection limit of 2500 cfu g-1 and 108_1010cfu g-1 of soil was determined using the BIOLOG® fingerprinting method and PCR technique, respectively. Since none of the tested samples were positive for the bacteria or the Egl 1 gene construct, it was concluded that A. caulinodans ORS 571 pGV910-C1 did not persist or spread in any of the tested field locations. This result may be due to low soil temperatures and competition of indigenous microorganisms: environmental factors that were not favorable for the diazotroph to thrive in the test locations. The application of different inoculation methodologies, as well as the study of other rhizobial genera for the inoculation of wheat in further experiments, is strongly recommended. Key words: detection, diazotroph, endogluconase, ORS 571, whea

Mechanical, Chemical, and Physical Properties of Wood and Perennial Grass Biochars for Possible Composite Application

Miscanthus, switchgrass, and softwood chip biochars, produced by slow pyrolysis, were characterized to evaluate their properties in light of potential alternative and novel applications. This work investigated specific physical and chemical properties of biochars that have not been previously reported. Atomic force microscopy (AFM), moisture absorption, and electrical and thermal analysis were conducted to demonstrate the mechanical, physical, and chemical properties of biochars. In addition, elemental analysis, specific surface area, Fourier transform infrared in the attenuated total reflectance (FTIR-ATR), and X-ray diffraction were performed. The state-of-art quantitative nano-mechanical measurement yielded a modulus of elasticity of approximately 10 GPa for the wood chip biochar, while the grass-based samples exhibited a comparatively lower modulus of approximately 5 GPa. In addition, the pore blocking phenomenon by water molecules was identified as a cause for atypical behavior of the biochars’ moisture absorptions, resulting in wood chip biochar having the lowest equilibrium moisture content of 6.2 wt.%. Results from electrical and thermal conductivity measurements demonstrated relatively lower values in comparison to carbonized biomass

QTL Mapping and Phenotypic Variation for Seedling Vigour Traits in Barley (Hordeum vulgare L.)

Seed vigour is considered a critical stage for barley production, and cultivars with early seedling vigour (ESV) facilitate rapid canopy formation. In this study, QTLs for 12 ESV-related traits were mapped using 185 RILs derived from a Xena x H94061120 evaluated across six independent environments. DArT markers were used to develop a genetic map (1075.1 cM; centimorgans) with an average adjacent-marker distance of 3.28 cM. In total, 46 significant QTLs for ESV-related traits were detected. Fourteen QTLs for biomass yield were found on all chromosomes, two of them co-localized with QTLs on 1H for grain yield. The related traits: length of the first and second leaves and dry weight of the second leaf, biomass yield and grain yield, had high heritability (&gt;30%). Meanwhile, a significant correlation was observed between grain yield and biomass yield, which provided a clear image of these traits in the selection process. Our results demonstrate that a pleiotropic QTL related to the specific leaf area of the second leaf, biomass yield, and grain yield was linked to the DArT markers bPb-9280 and bPb-9108 on 1H, which could be used to significantly improve seed vigour by marker-assisted selection and facilitate future map-based cloning efforts

Interconnected Carbon Nanosheets Derived from Hemp for Ultrafast Supercapacitors with High Energy

We created unique interconnected partially graphitic carbon nanosheets (10–30 nm in thickness) with high specific surface area (up to 2287 m² g^–1), significant volume fraction of mesoporosity (up to 58%), and good electrical conductivity (211–226 S m^–1) from hemp bast fiber. The nanosheets are ideally suited for low (down to 0 °C) through high (100 °C) temperature ionic-liquid-based supercapacitor applications: At 0 °C and a current density of 10 A g^–1, the electrode maintains a remarkable capacitance of 106 F g^–1. At 20, 60, and 100 °C and an extreme current density of 100 A g^–1, there is excellent capacitance retention (72–92%) with the specific capacitances being 113, 144, and 142 F g^–1, respectively. These characteristics favorably place the materials on a Ragone chart providing among the best power–energy characteristics (on an active mass normalized basis) ever reported for an electrochemical capacitor: At a very high power density of 20 kW kg^–1 and 20, 60, and 100 °C, the energy densities are 19, 34, and 40 Wh kg^–1, respectively. Moreover the assembled supercapacitor device yields a maximum energy density of 12 Wh kg^–1, which is higher than that of commercially available supercapacitors. By taking advantage of the complex multilayered structure of a hemp bast fiber precursor, such exquisite carbons were able to be achieved by simple hydrothermal carbonization combined with activation. This novel precursor-synthesis route presents a great potential for facile large-scale production of high-performance carbons for a variety of diverse applications including energy storage