Advanced Carbon Functional Materials for Superior Energy Storage

In the developing world, energy crisis is the main reason for less progress and development. Renewable and sustainable energy may be of bright future for scientific lagging and low-income countries; further, sustainability through smart materials got a huge potential; so, hereby keeping in view the energy crisis which the developing world is facing for many decades, we are proposing to write a chapter project for obtaining energy through cheap, sustainable, and functional advanced carbon materials. Carbon materials are the future of energy storage devices because of their ability to store energy in great capacity. The graphene is a material with amazing properties like no band gap, which turns graphene a wonderful candidate for use in the photovoltaic. Shortly, this chapter will discuss how superior energy storage may be obtained through various routes like using pyrrolic (N5) and pyridinic (N6) doping in advanced carbon functional materials, or superior energy by KOH activation in carbon materials, or through carbonization in organic matter, respectively. Further, for the advanced carbon functional materials, the superior energy storage using pyrrolic (N5) and pyridinic (N6) doping, or KOH activation, or through carbonization will be discussed one by one for lithium ion batteries, supercapacitors, and relevant energy devices, respectively

Intentional re-implantation in a left mandibular second molar with broken file in apical third of mesiobuccal root: a case report

Intentional re-implantation is done in cases of endodontic failures where conventional treatment options either fail or cannot be carried out due to any reason. It involves extraction of the offending tooth, extra oral apicectomy, followed by reinsertion of the tooth into its anatomical location. The following case report presents a situation where an endodontic instrument was separated in the mesiobuccal root of the left mandibular second molar during instrumentation that could not be retrieved. The decision of intentional re-implantation was made after detailed discussion with the patient, weighing pros and cons of each available treatment option. Fortunately, a favourable outcome was observed over a span of one year and the patient is still on follow-up for evaluation of long-term prognosis. Key Words: Intentional re-implantation, Apicectomy, Broken file

Melatonin as a Foliar Application and Adaptation in Lentil (Lens culinaris Medik.) Crops under Drought Stress

Here, we grow two different varieties of lentil (lentil-2009 and lentil-93) under different drought levels and with different applications of melatonin. Increasing the levels of soil water deficit significantly decreased numerous morphological and biochemical characteristics, including shoot length, total chlorophyll content, and transpiration rate, in both varieties of lentil. Contrastingly, drought stress increased the concentrations of malondialdehyde (MDA) and hydrogen peroxide (H2O2), and electrolyte leakage, an indicator of oxidative damage to membrane-bound organelles. The activities of enzymatic antioxidants and osmolytes were initially increased up to a drought level of 80% water field capacity (WFC) but gradually decreased with higher levels of drought stress (60% WFC) in the soil. At the same time, the results also showed that the lentil-2009 is more tolerant to drought stress than lentil-93. The negative impact of drought stress can be overcome by the application of melatonin. Melatonin increased plant growth and biomass, photosynthetic pigments, gas exchange characteristics, and enhanced the activities of various enzymatic and non-enzymatic antioxidants and proline content by decreasing oxidative stress. We conclude that foliar application of melatonin offers new possibilities for promoting lentil drought tolerance

Melatonin as a Foliar Application and Adaptation in Lentil (<i>Lens culinaris</i> Medik.) Crops under Drought Stress

Here, we grow two different varieties of lentil (lentil-2009 and lentil-93) under different drought levels and with different applications of melatonin. Increasing the levels of soil water deficit significantly decreased numerous morphological and biochemical characteristics, including shoot length, total chlorophyll content, and transpiration rate, in both varieties of lentil. Contrastingly, drought stress increased the concentrations of malondialdehyde (MDA) and hydrogen peroxide (H2O2), and electrolyte leakage, an indicator of oxidative damage to membrane-bound organelles. The activities of enzymatic antioxidants and osmolytes were initially increased up to a drought level of 80% water field capacity (WFC) but gradually decreased with higher levels of drought stress (60% WFC) in the soil. At the same time, the results also showed that the lentil-2009 is more tolerant to drought stress than lentil-93. The negative impact of drought stress can be overcome by the application of melatonin. Melatonin increased plant growth and biomass, photosynthetic pigments, gas exchange characteristics, and enhanced the activities of various enzymatic and non-enzymatic antioxidants and proline content by decreasing oxidative stress. We conclude that foliar application of melatonin offers new possibilities for promoting lentil drought tolerance

Effect of NaCl on Morphophysiological and Biochemical Responses in <i>Gossypium hirsutum</i> L.

Soil salinity is increasing due to several factors such as climate change and areas with uneven rainfall. This increase in level of salinity compelled the cotton breeders to develop a new germplasm that exhibit the suitable for salty soil. This study aimed to determine the salt tolerance of 50 accessions of Gossypium hirsutum in hydroponic conditions having three levels of NaCl, i.e., 0 mM, 150 mM, and 200 mM. The experiment was carried out in a completely randomized design with a factorial arrangement. Morphological, physiological, and biochemical attributes were estimated in these genotypes. The Na+/K+ ratio was determined by dry digestion method. Salt-susceptible and -tolerant genotypes were identified by biplot and cluster analysis. The genotypes showed significant differences for morphophysiological and biochemical parameters. In control, Cyto-515 showed enhanced growth with shoot length (30.20 cm), root length (20.63 cm), fresh shoot weight (2.34 g), and fresh root weight (0.93 g), while under 150 mM and 200 mM salinity levels, MNH-992 had the maximum root length (15.67 cm) and shoot length (24.67 cm). At a 150 mM salinity level, maximum levels of antioxidants were found in Kehkshan and CIM-595, while at a 200 mM salinity level, AA-703, CIM-595, and Kehkshan showed maximum values of antioxidants. The highest Na+/K+ ratio was observed in VH-363 and FH-114, while Kehkshan had lowest Na+/K+ ratio. The biplot analysis revealed that Kehkshan, CIM-595, VH-330, Cyto-178, MNH-992, and Cyto-515 were widely dispersed and distant from the origin, and exhibiting variability for morphophysiological and biochemical traits under the salt stress. In terms of performance across the treatments, accessions MNH-992, Kehkshan, Cyto-515, and CIM-595 performed significantly better. Peroxidase activity, proline contents, H2O2 determination, and Na+/K+ ratio were shown to be useful for the salt tolerance selection criteria. The potential of such salt tolerant accessions (MNH-992, Kehkshan, Cyto-515, and CIM-595) could be assessed after planting in salt affected areas and could be used in breeding programs for the development of diverse salt tolerant new genotypes of upland cotton

Estimation of Drought Tolerance Indices in Upland Cotton under Water Deficit Conditions

Cotton is a precious commodity that offers raw material to the textile industry. This crop is grown in tropical and sub-tropical regions of the world. Abiotic stresses exerts negative impact on cotton production, but water scarcity has the worst impact. It is rising due to current situation, in which global warming is producing a decrease in precipitation while an increase in evapo-transpiration is causing an agricultural drought. Thus, it is a difficult task for cotton breeders to identify cotton lines that can respond to areas with limited water supplies without lowering yields and might be utilized as suitable parents in a breeding program to produce drought-tolerant indices. The primary objective of this research was the estimation of drought tolerance indices in upland cotton under water deficit conditions. For this purpose, fifty accessions of upland cotton were assessed for their ability to tolerate the water stress under three conditions, namely control, 50% FC, and 75% FC. These genotypes showed significant variations based on morpho-physiological and biochemical characteristics. At control conditions, these genotypes exhibited enhanced growth and better performance. Whereas, the behavior of some indices under 75% FC showed less growth as compared to control, while under the 50% FC highly significant reductions were observed among genotypes. The genotypes that are resistant to drought and those that are susceptible were found using the K-means cluster and biplot analysis. In terms of performance, the genotypes namely Cyto-515, CIM-595, FH-142, and IR-3701 exhibited relatively better in all the treatments and low excised leaf water loss, high relative water contents, chlorophyll contents, free proline contents, and peroxidase activity were observed to be useful selection criteria for drought resistance. These identified genotypes namely, Cyto-515, CIM-595, FH-142, and IR-3701 may be grown in water deficit areas of the country to assess their potential, could be used in breeding programs for development of germplasm suitable for water stress conditions

Antibacterial activity of Rhizopus specie isolated from rhizosphere of Mentha Piperita

Soil is loaded by microbes which are capable of producing antibiotics. These compounds were used therapeutically and sometimes prophylactically in the control of infectious disease. Soil microbes can be grouped into Bacteria, Actinomycetes, Fungi, Algae, Protozoa and Nematodes. Fungi are unique eukaryotes which ingest food from outside and take nutrients through its cell walls and consists of tiny tubular mycelia known as hyphae. The fungi are well known in medical field due to the production of a wide variety of secondary metabolites. The current research study was focused on isolation, identification and antibacterial activity of fungi isolated from rhizosphere of Mentha Piperita (Mint), Abasyn University, Peshawar. The research study was conducted in the Microbiology Research Laboratory (MRL) of Abasyn University Peshawar. The soil sample was collected from rhizosphere by using sterile techniques. Serial dilution method was used to dilute the concentration of microbes present in soil sample. The Potato Dextrose Agar media was prepared and by pour plate method the sample was streaked on the plate. The plates were incubated at 280C for 72hours. The fungus was isolated by sub culturing technique and then identified by morphological and microscopic examination using Lactophenol cotton blue stain (LPCB)

Ultra-Responses of Asphodelus tenuifolius L. (Wild Onion) and Convolvulus arvensis L. (Field Bindweed) against Shoot Extract of Trianthema portulacastrum L. (Horse Purslane)

Weed infestation is a prime challenge coupled with lowering crop production owing to their competition with crop plants for available resources such as nutrients, water, space, moisture, and sunlight. Among weed control methods, the implementation of synthetic herbicides offers an instant solution for getting rid of weeds; however, they are a direct source of potential hazards for humans and generate resistance against synthetic weedicides, making them less effective. Allelopathy is something that happens in nature that can be used as a weed control method that increases crop yield and decreases dependency on synthetic chemicals. The mode of action of some phytochemicals corresponds to synthetic herbicides. Due to this feature, allelochemicals are used as bio-herbicides in weed management and prove more environmentally friendly than synthetic weedicides. The present investigation aims to assess the ultra-responses of A. tenuifolius and C. arvensis, while growing them in a pot experiment. Various levels of shoot extract (L2, L3, and L4) of T. portulacastrum along with the L1 (distilled water) and L5 (synthetic herbicide) were applied to the weeds. Results indicated that aqueous extracts of shoot of T. portulacastrum significantly (p &le; 0.05) affect all the measured traits of weeds and their effects were concentration specific. All morphological parameters were suppressed due to biotic stress with an increase in free amino acids and calcium ions along with a decline in metaxylem cell area and cortical thickness in the root, while the vascular bundle area increased. The shoot extract intrusive with metabolisms corresponded with the synthetic herbicide. It is concluded that Trianthema shoot extract has a powerful phytotoxic impact on weeds (A. tenuifolius and C. arvensis) and can be used in bio-herbicide production

Phytoextracts as Crop Biostimulants and Natural Protective Agents—A Critical Review

Excessive application of synthetic chemicals to crops is a serious environmental concern. This review suggests that some potential natural compounds can be used as alternatives and could be applied directly to plants to improve crop growth and productivity. These phytoextracts can serve as biostimulants to induce abiotic and biotic stress tolerance in different crops growing under diverse environmental conditions. The biosynthesis and accumulation of a variety of chemical compounds such as glycinebetaine, vitamins, nutrients, and secondary metabolites in some plants are of great value and an environmentally friendly cheaper source than several synthetic substances of a similar nature. The review summarizes the information regarding the potential role of different plant phytoextracts and suggests subsequent applications to modulate crop stress tolerance. Future studies should focus on the relative effectiveness of these plant-based extracts compared with their synthetic counterparts and focus on practical applications to signify sustainable practices linked with the use of natural products