Analysis of Auxin-Encoding Gene Family in Vigna radiata and It's Cross-Species Expression Modulating Waterlogging Tolerance in Wild Vigna umbellata.

Mungbean is known to be susceptible to waterlogging (WL) stress. Some of the wild species have the potential to tolerate this through various physiological and molecular mechanisms. Auxin Response Factor (ARF) and Auxin/Indole Acetic Acid (AUX/IAA), an early responsive gene family, has multiple functions in growth, development, and stress tolerance. Here, we report the first comprehensive analysis of the ARF and AUX/IAA gene family in mungbean. A total of 26 ARF and 19 AUX/IAA genes were identified from the mungbean genome. The ARF and AUX/IAA candidates were clearly grouped into two major clades. Further, the subgrouping within the major clades indicated the presence of significant diversity. The gene structure, motif analysis, and protein characterization provided the clue for further fundamental research. Out of the10 selected candidate genes, VrARF-5, VrARF-11, VrARF-25, and VrAUX/IAA-9 were found to significantly multiple-fold gene expression in the hypocotyl region of WL-tolerant wild relatives (PRR 2008-2) provides new insight into a role in the induction of lateral root formation under WL stress. The analysis provides an insight into the structural diversity of ARF and AUX/IAA genes in mungbean. These results increase our understanding of ARF and AUX/IAA genes and therefore offer robust information for functional investigations, which can be taken up in the future and will form a foundation for improving tolerance against waterlogging stress.

Investigating the impact of terminal heat stress on contrasting wheat cultivars: a comprehensive analysis of phenological, physiological, and biochemical traits.

Terminal heat stress has become one of the major threats due to global climate change which is significantly affecting the production and productivity of wheat crop. Therefore, it is necessary to identify key traits and genotypes to breed heat-tolerant wheat. The present study was undertaken with the objective of comparing the effects of heat stress (HSE) and extended heat stress (EHSE) on phenological-physio-biochemical traits of contrasting heat-tolerant and heat-susceptible genotypes during the reproductive phase. Phenological traits exhibited significant reduction under EHSE compared to HSE. Heat-tolerant genotypes maintained balanced phenological-physio-biochemical traits, while heat-sensitive genotypes showed significant reductions under both stress regimes. Among phenological traits, DM (R2 = 0.52) and BY (R2 = 0.44) have shown a positive effect on seed yield, indicating that biomass and crop duration contributed to the yield advantage under stress. During the grain filling stage, both the normalized difference vegetation index (NDVI) and chlorophyll (Chl) exhibited consistently positive impacts on grain yield under both HSE and EHSE conditions. This could be attributed to the enhanced photosynthesis resulting from delayed senescence and improved assimilate remobilization under terminal heat stress. The biochemical activity of superoxide dismutase (SOD), peroxidase (POX), and ascorbate peroxidase (APX) was induced in tolerant genotypes under HSE. The correlation of canopy temperature with phenological-physio-biochemical traits remained static under HSE and EHSE, suggesting CT as the best selection parameter for heat tolerance. The traits showing a positive association with yield and that are less affected under stress could be used for selecting tolerant genotypes under stress environments. These tolerant genotypes can be used to develop mapping populations to decipher the genes conferring tolerance as well as to study the molecular basis of tolerance.

Screening of Comprehensive Panel of Cultivated and Wild Vigna Species for Resistance to Pulse Beetle, Callosobruchus chinensis L.

Pulses are a key source of dietary proteins in human nutrition. Despite several efforts to increase the production, various constraints, such as biotic and abiotic factors, threaten pulse production by various means. Bruchids (Callosobruchus spp.) are the serious issue of concern, particularly in storage conditions. Understanding host-plant resistance at morphological, biochemical and molecular levels is the best way to minimize yield losses. The 117 mungbean (Vigna radiata L. Wilczek) genotypes, including endemic wild relatives, were screened for resistance against Callosobruchus chinensis; among them, two genotypes, PRR 2008-2 and PRR 2008-2-sel, which belong to V. umbellata (Thumb.), were identified as highly resistant. The expression of antioxidants in susceptible and resistant genotypes revealed that the activity of phenylalanine ammonia lyase (PAL) was upregulated in the highly resistant wild Vigna species and lower in the cultivated susceptible genotypes, along with other biomarkers. Further, the SCoT-based genotyping revealed SCoT-30 (200 bp), SCoT-31 (1200 bp) and SCoT-32 (300 bp) as unique amplicons, which might be useful for developing the novel ricebean-based SCAR markers to accelerate the molecular breeding programme.

Design and Application of Materials for Sequestration and Immobilization of 99Tc.

99Technetium (99Tc) is a hazardous radionuclide that poses a serious environmental threat. The wide variation and complex chemistries of liquid nuclear waste streams containing 99Tc often create unique, site specific challenges when sequestering and immobilizing the waste in a matrix suitable for long-term storage and disposal. Therefore, an effective management plan for 99Tc containing liquid radioactive wastes (such as storage (tanks) and decommissioned wastes) will likely require a variety of suitable materials/matrixes capable of adapting to and addressing these challenges. In this review, we discuss and highlight the key developments for effective removal and immobilization of 99Tc liquid waste in inorganic waste forms. Specifically, we review the synthesis, characterization, and application of materials for the targeted removal of 99Tc from (simulated) waste solutions under various experimental conditions. These materials include (i) layered double hydroxides (LDHs), (ii) metal-organic frameworks (MOFs), (iii) ion-exchange resins (IERs) as well as cationic organic polymers (COPs), (iv) surface modified natural clay materials (SMCMs), and (v) graphene-based materials (GBMs). Second, we discuss some of the major and recent developments toward 99Tc immobilization in (i) glass, (ii) cement, and (iii) iron mineral waste forms. Finally, we present future challenges that need to be addressed for the design, synthesis, and selection of suitable matrixes for the efficient sequestration and immobilization of 99Tc from targeted wastes. The purpose of this review is to inspire research on the design and application of various suitable materials/matrixes for selective removal of 99Tc present globally in different radioactive wastes and its immobilization in stable/durable waste forms.

Comparative study of PMS oxidation with Fenton oxidation as an advanced oxidation process for Co-EDTA decomplexation.

In nuclear industry, Co-EDTA complex is generated due to the decontamination activities of nuclear power plants (NPPs). This complex is extremely refractory to the convention methods and can escalate the mobility of Co radionuclide in the environment. Due to its hazardous impact on human and environment, the effective treatments of Co-EDTA complexes are highly recommended. In this study, for the first time, we applied both hydroxyl (OH) and sulfate radical (SO4-) based advanced oxidation processes (AOPs) namely Fenton and peroxymonosulfate (PMS) reactions for the Co-EDTA decomplexation. Both reactions exhibited higher Co-EDTA decomplexation at pH = 3, however, the PMS based reaction was found to be superior, which showed highest decomplexation efficiency (without pH adjustment) over Fenton reaction (pH = 1-13). Moreover, PMS based system was found to be more suitable than Fenton reaction, because PMS showed best Co-EDTA decomplexation efficiency without any additional catalyst dosages at the shorter reaction time. XRD data confirmed the presence of both CoO and Co(OH)2 in the precipitates after treatment. The electron spin resonance spectroscopy (ESR) analysis identified OH and SO4- in Fenton and PMS system, respectively. From this study, we believe that PMS based reaction is a superior alternative of Fenton reaction for the Co-EDTA decomplexation.

Co2+/PMS based sulfate-radical treatment for effective mineralization of spent ion exchange resin.

Sulfate radical advance oxidation processes (SR-AOPs) have attracted a greater attention as a suitable alternative of the hydroxyl radical based advance oxidation process (HR-AOPs). In this study, for the first time we report liquid phase mineralization of nuclear grade cationic IRN-77 resin in Co2+/peroxymonosulfate (PMS) based SR-AOPs. After the dissolution of cationic IRN-77 resin, 30 volatile and 15 semi-volatile organic compounds were analyzed/detected using non-targeted GC-MS analysis. The optimal reaction parameters for the highest chemical oxygen demand (COD) removal (%) of IRN-77 resin were determined, and the initial pH, PMS dosage, and reaction temperature were found to be the most influential parameters for the resin degradation. We successfully achieved ∼90% COD removal (1000 mg/L; 1000 ppm) of dissolved spent resin for SR-AOPs by optimizing the reaction parameters as initial pH = 9, Co2+ = 4 mM (catalyst), PMS = 60 mM (as oxidant) at 60 °C temperature for 60 min reaction. The electron spin resonance spectroscopy (ESR) spectra confirmed the presence of SO4∙- and OH∙ as main reactive species in the Co2+/PMS resin system. In addition, Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FT-IR) analyses were used for structural characterization of solid and liquid phase resin samples. We believe that this work will offer a robust approach for the effective treatment of spent resin generated from nuclear industry.

Efficient radon removal using fluorine-functionalized natural zeolite.

Radon (Rn) can easily leak into the environment through groundwater owing to its high water solubility. Therefore, studying the chemical factors influencing the content and removal of Rn from groundwater is crucial for the evaluation and mitigation of its radiological risks to public health. In this study, we conducted a redundancy analysis (RDA) of Rn in groundwater and performed batch sorption experiments for efficient Rn removal from the groundwater collected from Daejeon using natural zeolite (NZ) and fluorine-functionalized natural zeolite (FFNZ) sorbents. The redundancy analysis revealed a positive correlation between the concentrations of Rn and fluorine (F) in groundwater, indicating that F can support the long-term retention of Rn in groundwater. NZ and FFNZ achieved ~40% and ~70% removal of Rn, respectively, following 24 h of treatment, indicating a significant impact of F (in FFNZ) toward Rn removal from groundwater. Based on the results, Rn is considered to interact with F through the van der Waals force, which limits the volatilization of Rn from the solution. Similarly, the fluorine-functionalized sorbent would interact preferentially with Rn, thereby enhancing its sorption and removal from groundwater.

Effect of ion exchange resin particle size on homogeneity and leachability of Cs and Co in polymer waste form.

We report the size effect of ion exchange resins (IERs) on Cs and Co distribution in polymer waste forms. Ball mill ground IERs (BG) waste form resulted in relatively better homogeneous waste distribution and displayed superior Cs and Co leachability indexes compared with the same polymer waste form prepared with non-ground IERs (NG).

Efficient separation of C2 hydrocarbons in a permanently porous hydrogen-bonded organic framework.

A highly robust porous hydrogen-bonded organic framework (HOF) constructed by 4,4',4''-benzene-1,3,5-triyl-tris(benzoic acid) not only achieves the highest uptakes of ethylene and ethane among the HOF materials, but also exhibits unusual adsorption selectivity of C2H6 over other C2 gases. Besides, it exhibits the second highest acetylene uptake among all the reported HOF materials.