Comparative analysis of physiological variations and genetic architecture for cold stress response in soybean germplasm

Soybean (Glycine max L.) is susceptible to low temperatures. Increasing lines of evidence indicate that abiotic stress-responsive genes are involved in plant low-temperature stress response. However, the involvement of photosynthesis, antioxidants and metabolites genes in low temperature response is largely unexplored in Soybean. In the current study, a genetic panel of diverse soybean varieties was analyzed for photosynthesis, chlorophyll fluorescence and leaf injury parameters under cold stress and control conditions. This helps us to identify cold tolerant (V100) and cold sensitive (V45) varieties. The V100 variety outperformed for antioxidant enzymes activities and relative expression of photosynthesis (Glyma.08G204800.1, Glyma.12G232000.1), GmSOD (GmSOD01, GmSOD08), GmPOD (GmPOD29, GmPOD47), trehalose (GmTPS01, GmTPS13) and cold marker genes (DREB1E, DREB1D, SCOF1) than V45 under cold stress. Upon cold stress, the V100 variety showed reduced accumulation of H2O2 and MDA levels and subsequently showed lower leaf injury compared to V45. Together, our results uncovered new avenues for identifying cold tolerant soybean varieties from a large panel. Additionally, we identified the role of antioxidants, osmo-protectants and their posttranscriptional regulators miRNAs such as miR319, miR394, miR397, and miR398 in Soybean cold stress tolerance

Leaching characteristics of inherent inorganic nutrients in biochars from the slow and fast pyrolysis of mallee biomass

This study compares the inherent leaching characteristics of inorganic nutrients, particularly alkali and alkaline earth metallic (AAEM, mainly Na, K, Mg, and Ca) species in biochars prepared from the slow and fast pyrolysis of mallee biomass particles at 500 C. The results indicate that, compared to slow pyrolysis, fast pyrolysis produces biochars with less water-soluble AAEM species but more plant available AAEM nutrient species (through Mehlich I extraction). Pyrolysis of different biomass components results in biochars with different water-soluble and plant available AAEM nutrient species, depending on pyrolysis conditions. Biochars produced from pyrolysis of large wood particle (2–4 mm) exhibit slower water leaching kinetics and a lower plant available nutrients than those from fine wood particles (150–250 lm). Slow pyrolysis results in a reduction in water-soluble Na and K in biochars while an increment was observed for biochars produced from the fast pyrolysis of large wood. Experimental kinetic data can be broadly fitted to a pseudo-second order model. For all biochars, a significant proportion of inorganic nutrients can be recycled, demonstrating the potential of returning biochar to soil for completing the loop of nutrient recycling and enhancing the sustainability of biomass utilisation cycle

Pump-valve dual-functional liquid metal soft actuators

Soft actuators offer several advantages over traditional rigid machines. Among soft materials, liquid metal (LM) is particularly noteworthy for its electro-responsive surface properties that induce flow or morphological changes, making it ideal for soft machines. Although using LM droplets as micropumps is simple, they face challenges in efficient vertical fluid pumping. Here, we report a pump-valve dual-functional LM soft actuator (PDLMA) that can continuously pump liquid upward. Benefiting from the unique conformability of LM, the PDLMA can provide the function of a check valve, which blocks the backflow of the rising liquid while continuing the pumping effect. At 6 V direct current (DC), the PDLMA lifts the solution more than 80 cm. We demonstrate the device's applications in circuit-on/off switches and pump-mixer systems. Moreover, as a conceptual experiment, we show the PDLMA's ability to achieve contamination-free drug delivery. The PDLMA represents a crucial step toward the development of soft actuators for flexible machines.</p