Triple superphosphate, potassium sulfate, and nitrogenous fertilizers effects on fitness and aggressiveness of Fusarium culmorum inducing wheat crown rot

This study examined the effects of N, P, and K fertilizers on Fusarium culmorum on in-vitro mycelial growth and biomass, and aggressiveness on wheat plants. Urea, phosphorus, potassium sulfate, and the mixture of similar amounts of these last two ingredients increased fungal biomass. Rearing mycelia on urea, the mixture, or phosphorus increased aggressiveness by 56%, 120%, and 130%, respectively. But this aggressiveness did not affect inoculated plants dry biomass. However, the inoculum that was reared on ammonium sulfate increased infected plant biomass. These findings infer that the management of this disease may rely on a proper type of fertilizers application. First, farmers are advised to avoid urea and use instead ammonium nitrate; second, place phosphorus and potassium sulfate under the seedbed away from any inoculum in the soil. Therefore, surveying disease development, its past events, soil health, and soil fertility is a prerequisite for any successful control of this disease. Keywords: Fusarium culmorum; Aggressiveness; Fitness; Nitrogen forms; Phosphorus; Potassium sulfate

Harnessing the Potential of Optical Communications for the Metaverse

The Metaverse is a digital world that offers an immersive virtual experience. However, the Metaverse applications are bandwidth-hungry and delay-sensitive that require ultrahigh data rates, ultra-low latency, and hyper-intensive computation. To cater for these requirements, optical communication arises as a key pillar in bringing this paradigm into reality. We highlight in this paper the potential of optical communications in the Metaverse. First, we set forth Metaverse requirements in terms of capacity and latency; then, we introduce ultra-high data rates requirements for various Metaverse experiences. Then, we put forward the potential of optical communications to achieve these data rate requirements in backbone, backhaul, fronthaul, and access segments. Both optical fiber and optical wireless communication (OWC) technologies, as well as their current and future expected data rates, are detailed. In addition, we propose a comprehensive set of configurations, connectivity, and equipment necessary for an immersive Metaverse experience. Finally, we identify a set of key enablers and research directions such as analog neuromorphic optical computing, optical intelligent reflective surfaces (IRS), hollow core fiber (HCF), and terahertz (THz)