Soil microbiome of shiro reveals the symbiotic relationship between Tricholoma bakamatsutake and Quercus mongolica

Tricholoma bakamatsutake is a delicious and nutritious ectomycorrhizal fungus. However, its cultivation is hindered owing to limited studies on its symbiotic relationships. The symbiotic relationship between T. bakamatsutake and its host is closely related to the shiro, a complex network composed of mycelium, mycorrhizal roots, and surrounding soil. To explore the symbiotic relationship between T. bakamatsutake and its host, soil samples were collected from T. bakamatsutake shiro (Tb) and corresponding Q. mongolica rhizosphere (CK) in four cities in Liaoning Province, China. The physicochemical properties of all the soil samples were then analyzed, along with the composition and function of the fungal and bacterial communities. The results revealed a significant increase in total potassium, available nitrogen, and sand in Tb soil compared to those in CK soil, while there was a significant decrease in pH, total nitrogen, total phosphorus, available phosphorus, and silt. The fungal community diversity in shiro was diminished, and T. bakamatsutake altered the community structure of its shiro by suppressing other fungi, such as Russula (ectomycorrhizal fungus) and Penicillium (phytopathogenic fungus). The bacterial community diversity in shiro increased, with the aggregation of mycorrhizal-helper bacteria, such as Paenibacillus and Bacillus, and plant growth-promoting bacteria, such as Solirubrobacter and Streptomyces, facilitated by T. bakamatsutake. Microbial functional predictions revealed a significant increase in pathways associated with sugar and fat catabolism within the fungal and bacterial communities of shiro. The relative genetic abundance of carboxylesterase and gibberellin 2-beta-dioxygenase in the fungal community was significantly increased, which suggested a potential symbiotic relationship between T. bakamatsutake and Q. mongolica. These findings elucidate the microbial community and relevant symbiotic environment to better understand the relationship between T. bakamatsutake and Q. mongolica

Scalable Synthesis of a Si/C Composite Derived from Photovoltaic Silicon Kerf Waste toward Anodes for High-Performance Lithium-Ion Batteries

The solid waste from solar photovoltaic (PV) systems diverges from carbon neutrality targets and the core principles of clean energy. Herein, we present an innovative and cost-effective strategy to fabricate P-SKW@C as anode materials based on the natural properties of submicron silicon kerf waste (SKW) by increasing the surface oxide layer and combining the synergistic effects of magnesium thermal and acid leaching. In particular, the carbon layer establishes channels for electron and ion transport, thereby enhancing the conductivity of P-SKW@C and the mobility of lithium ions. The formation of pores by the synergistic effects of magnesium thermal and acid leaching provides buffer space to accommodate the volume changes in silicon, ensuring the structural integrity of the electrode. Specifically, the P-SKW@C anode exhibits superior rate performance, reaching 1006 mAh g–1 at 2 A g–1, and an outstanding reversible capacity of 1103 mAh g–1 with the current density returning to 0.2 A g–1. Furthermore, the P-SKW@C anode demonstrates a remarkable specific capacity of 905 mAh g–1 at 500 mA g–1 over 200 cycles. Notably, the assembled LiFePO4//P-SKW@C full cell maintains a stable capacity of 105.96 mAh g–1 and an energy density of 329.84 Wh kg–1 at 0.5 °C after 50 cycles. This work introduces a new strategy for recycling the SKW in a sustainable, economical, and environmentally friendly way, facilitating the integration of solid waste and energy storage