Biochar as an Environment-Friendly Alternative for Multiple Applications

The climate crisis and years of unsustainable agricultural practices have reduced soil fertility and crop yield. In addition, agricultural lands contribute more than 10% of greenhouse gases (GHGs). These concerns can be addressed by using biochar for carbon neutralization, environmental restoration, and agricultural management. Biochar has a role in nitrous oxide and methane gas emission mitigation from agricultural soil. New methods are needed to link belowground processes to functioning in multi-species and multi-cultivar agroecosystems. The intricate relationship between biochar and the composition of soil microbial communities, along with its impacts on functions within the rhizosphere, constitutes a highly perplexing and elusive subject within microbial genomics. The present review discusses how biochar can mitigate climate change, enhance carbon sequestration, and support crop productivity. Biochar could be a potential solution to mitigate soil microplastics and heavy metal contamination. Applying a biochar-based microbiome reduces polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) in soil. The current knowledge and perspectives on biochar–plant–microbial interactions for sustainable agriculture and ameliorating the adverse effects of climate change are highlighted. In this review, a holistic approach was used to emphasize the utility of biochar for multiple applications with positive and negative effects and its role in promoting a functional circular economy

Multifarious Effects of Arsenic on Plants and Strategies for Mitigation

Arsenic contamination in soil and water is a major problem worldwide. Inorganic arsenic is widely present as arsenate and arsenite. Arsenic is transferred to crops through the soil and irrigation water. It is reported to reduce crop production in plants and can cause a wide array of diseases in humans, including different types of cancers, premature delivery, stillbirth, and spontaneous abortion. Arsenic methyltransferase (AS3MT) in the human body converts inorganic arsenic into monomethylarsonic acid and dimethylarsinic acid, which are later excreted from the body. Arsenic transfer from the soil to grains of rice involves different transporters such as Lsi1, Lsi2, and Lsi6. These transporters are also required for the transfer of silicate, which makes them important for the plant. Different mitigation strategies have been used to mitigate arsenic from crops, such as plant growth-promoting bacteria, fungi, and nanoparticles, as well as using different plant genotypes and plant extracts. Different factors such as nitric oxide, Fe, and jasmonate also affect the response of a plant to the oxidative stress caused by arsenic. This review highlights the various effects of arsenic on plants with respect to their biochemical, molecular, and physiological aspects and the employment of classical and innovative methods for their mitigation. The current review is expected to initiate further research to improve As remediation to mitigate the effect of heavy metal pollution on the environment

Multifarious Effects of Arsenic on Plants and Strategies for Mitigation

Arsenic contamination in soil and water is a major problem worldwide. Inorganic arsenic is widely present as arsenate and arsenite. Arsenic is transferred to crops through the soil and irrigation water. It is reported to reduce crop production in plants and can cause a wide array of diseases in humans, including different types of cancers, premature delivery, stillbirth, and spontaneous abortion. Arsenic methyltransferase (AS3MT) in the human body converts inorganic arsenic into monomethylarsonic acid and dimethylarsinic acid, which are later excreted from the body. Arsenic transfer from the soil to grains of rice involves different transporters such as Lsi1, Lsi2, and Lsi6. These transporters are also required for the transfer of silicate, which makes them important for the plant. Different mitigation strategies have been used to mitigate arsenic from crops, such as plant growth-promoting bacteria, fungi, and nanoparticles, as well as using different plant genotypes and plant extracts. Different factors such as nitric oxide, Fe, and jasmonate also affect the response of a plant to the oxidative stress caused by arsenic. This review highlights the various effects of arsenic on plants with respect to their biochemical, molecular, and physiological aspects and the employment of classical and innovative methods for their mitigation. The current review is expected to initiate further research to improve As remediation to mitigate the effect of heavy metal pollution on the environment

Antileukemic Activity of hsa-miR-203a-5p by Limiting Glutathione Metabolism in Imatinib-Resistant K562 Cells

Imatinib has been the first and most successful tyrosine kinase inhibitor (TKI) for chronic myeloid leukemia (CML), but many patients develop resistance to it after a satisfactory response. Glutathione (GSH) metabolism is thought to be one of the factors causing the emergence of imatinib resistance. Since hsa-miR-203a-5p was found to downregulate Bcr-Abl1 oncogene and also a link between this oncogene and GSH metabolism is reported, the present study aimed to investigate whether hsa-miR-203a-5p could overcome imatinib resistance by targeting GSH metabolism in imatinib-resistant CML cells. After the development of imatinib-resistant K562 (IR-K562) cells by gradually exposing K562 (C) cells to increasing doses of imatinib, resistant cells were transfected with hsa-miR-203a-5p (R+203). Thereafter, cell lysates from various K562 cell sets (imatinib-sensitive, imatinib-resistant, and miR-transfected imatinib-resistant K562 cells) were used for GC-MS-based metabolic profiling. L-alanine, 5-oxoproline (also known as pyroglutamic acid), L-glutamic acid, glycine, and phosphoric acid (Pi)—five metabolites from our data, matched with the enumerated 28 metabolites of the MetaboAnalyst 5.0 for the GSH metabolism. All of these metabolites were present in higher concentrations in IR-K562 cells, but intriguingly, they were all reduced in R+203 and equated to imatinib-sensitive K562 cells (C). Concludingly, the identified metabolites associated with GSH metabolism could be used as diagnostic markers

Impact of Potassium Inoculants and Biotite on Soil Microbial Population and Enzymatic Activity under Maize (Zea mays L.) Cultivation in Gangetic Plains

The study explores the impact of potassium inoculants and black mica on soil microbial populations and enzymatic activity in maize cultivated soils. Microbial communities fueled by root exudates play essential roles in nutrient cycling, plant health, and soil structure. This study investigates the effects of potassium-solubilizing bacteria (KSB) and mineral potassium on microbial populations and enzymatic activity across different growth stages of maize. The experiment was conducted in randomized block design with 14 treatments, including combinations of KSB isolates, mineral potassium, and inorganic potassium. Microbial populations (bacteria, fungi, actinomycetes, and KSB) were quantified using serial dilution and plating techniques. Enzymatic activities (dehydrogenase, phosphatase, and urease) were assessed to understand nutrient interactions and microbial influences. The findings indicate that all treatments exhibited increased microbial populations compared to the control. Notably, treatment 75% recommended potassium dose + 25% potassium from Biotite + OVPS 05 consistently demonstrated the highest microbial growth. The presence of KSB appeared crucial in enhancing bacterial and fungal populations. Additionally, enzymatic activities were significantly influenced by treatments, with 75% recommended potassium dose + 25% potassium from Biotite + OVPS 05 showing the highest dehydrogenase, alkaline phosphatase, and urease activities. These results suggest that the combination of KSB isolates and mineral potassium contributes to enhanced microbial populations and soil enzymatic activities, offering insights into sustainable agriculture practices that balance productivity and soil health. The study sheds light on the intricate relationships between microorganisms, nutrients, and soil biochemical processes, providing valuable guidance for future agricultural strategies