Boron (B) is an essential trace element required for the physiological functioning of higher plants. B deficiency is considered as a nutritional disorder that adversely affects the metabolism and growth of plants. B is involved in the structural and functional integrity of the cell wall and membranes, ion fluxes (H+, K+, PO43−, Rb+, Ca2+) across the membranes, cell division and elongation, nitrogen and carbohydrate metabolism, sugar transport, cytoskeletal proteins, and plasmalemma-bound enzymes, nucleic acid, indoleacetic acid, polyamines, ascorbic acid, and phenol metabolism and transport. This review critically examines the functions of B in plants, deficiency symptoms, and the mechanism of B uptake and transport under limited B conditions. B deficiency can be mitigated by inorganic fertilizer supplementation, but the deleterious impact of frequent fertilizer application disrupts soil fertility and creates environmental pollution. Considering this, we have summarized the available information regarding alternative approaches, such as root structural modification, grafting, application of biostimulators (mycorrhizal fungi (MF) and rhizobacteria), and nanotechnology, that can be effectively utilized for B acquisition, leading to resource conservation. Additionally, we have discussed several new aspects, such as the combination of grafting or MF with nanotechnology, combined inoculation of arbuscular MF and rhizobacteria, melatonin application, and the use of natural and synthetic chelators, that possibly play a role in B uptake and translocation under B stress conditions.

https://www.mdpi.com/1422-0067/19/7/1856/pdf/1

Boron: Functions and Approaches to Enhance Its Availability in Plants for Sustainable Agriculture

Grafting has been utilised for at least the past 7000 years. Historically, grafting has been developed by growers without particular interest beyond the agronomical and ornamental effects, and thus knowledge about grafting has remained largely empirical. Much of the commercial production of fruit, and increasingly vegetables, relies upon grafting with rootstocks to provide resistance to soil-borne pathogens and abiotic stresses as well as to influence scion growth and performance. Although there is considerable agronomic knowledge about the use and selection of rootstocks for many species, we know little of the molecular mechanisms underlying rootstock adaptation to different soil environments and rootstock-conferred modifications of scion phenotypes. Furthermore, the processes involved in the formation of the graft union and graft compatibility are poorly understood despite over a hundred years of scientific study. In this paper, we provide an overview of what is known about grafting and the mechanisms underlying rootstock-scion interactions. We highlight recent studies that have advanced our understanding of graft union formation and outline subjects that require further development.

Merging genotypes: graft union formation and scion-rootstock interactions.

A fungus Fusarium oxysporum F. sp. niveum (FON) is the causal organism of Fusarium wilt in watermelon. In this study, we evaluated the effect of wheat intercropping on the Fusarium wilt of watermelon. Our results showed that wheat intercropping decreases the incidence of Fusarium wilt of watermelon, likely due to the secretion of coumaric acid from the roots of wheat that dramatically inhibits FON spore germination, sporulation, and growth. The secretion of p-hydroxybenzoic acid, ferulic acid, and cinnamic acid from the roots of watermelon stimulates FON spore germination, sporulation, and growth. The secretion of phenolic acids and organic acids from the roots of watermelon is also promoted by FON infection. However, secretion of phenolic acids and organic acids from the roots of watermelon is substantially reduced under wheat intercropping systems. FON infection increases the accumulation of free and conjugated salicylic acid (SA) in watermelon grown under wheat intercropping systems through isochorismate (ICS) and phenylalanine ammonia-lyase (PAL) pathways. Furthermore, wheat intercropping up-regulates the expression of disease-and defense-responsive genes and improves the activities of corresponding pathogenesis-related (PR) enzymes in the roots of watermelon. In conclusion, the secretion of coumaric acid from the roots of wheat and changes in the composition of phenolic acid and organic acid secretion from the roots of watermelon suppress Fusarium wilt of watermelon under wheat intercropping system. Meanwhile, wheat intercropping also enhanced the resistance of watermelon to FON by up-regulating the expression of disease-and-defense responsive genes in watermelon.

Wheat Intercropping Enhances the Resistance of Watermelon to Fusarium Wilt.

In this investigation, biodiesel was produced from Moringa oleifera oil through a transesterification process at operating conditions including a reaction temperature of 60 °C, catalyst concentration of 1% wt., reaction time of 2 h, stirring speed of 1000 rpm and methanol to oil ratio of 8.50:1. Biodiesel blends, B10 and B20, were tested in a compression ignition engine, and the performance and emission characteristics were analyzed and compared with high-speed diesel. The engine was operated at full load conditions with engine speeds varying from 1000 rpm to 2400 rpm. All the performance and exhaust pollutants results were collected and analyzed. It was found that MOB10 produced lower BP (7.44%), BSFC (7.51%), and CO2 (7.7%). The MOB10 also reduced smoke opacity (24%) and HC (10.27%). Compared to diesel, MOB10 also increased CO (2.5%) and NOx (9%) emissions.

Experimental Analysis of Engine Performance and Exhaust Pollutant on a Single-Cylinder Diesel Engine Operated Using Moringa Oleifera Biodiesel

Dilution of engine oil with unburned fuels alters its lubricity and tribological properties. In this research paper, SAE-40 lubricating oil samples were contaminated with known percentages (5%) of fuels (diesel, palm-sesame biodiesel blend (B30), B30 + ethanol, B30 + dimethyl carbonate, B30 + carbon nanotubes and, B30 + titanium oxide). The effect of all these fuels on wear and frictional characteristics of lubricating oil was determined by using a 4-ball tribo tester and wear types on worn surfaces were analyzed by using SEM. Lubricating oil diluted with B10 (commercial diesel) showed highest COF (42.95%) with severe abrasive and adhesive wear than mineral lubricant among other fuels. Lubricating oil diluted with palm-sesame biodiesel (B30 blend) with alcoholic additives showed comparatively less COF, less wear scar diameter and polishing wear due to presence of ester molecules. Lub + B30 + Eth exhibited increment in COF value (35.81%) compared to SAE-40 mineral lubricant. While lubricating oil contaminated with B30 with nanoparticles showed least frictional characteristics with abrasive wear. Lub + B30 + TiO2 showed least increment in COF value (13.78%) among all other contaminated fuels compared to SAE-40 mineral lubricant. It is concluded that nanoparticles in biodiesel blends (B30) helps in reducing degradation of lubricants than alcoholic fuel additives and commercial diesel. (C) 2021 THE AUTHORS. Published by Elsevier BV on behalf of Faculty of Engineering, Alexandria University.

Effect of palm-sesame biodiesel fuels with alcoholic and nanoparticle additives on tribological characteristics of lubricating oil by four ball tribo-tester

Collective effect of ternary nano fuel blends on the diesel engine performance and emissions characteristics

Introduction to vegetable grafting.

In Pakistan vegetables are grown on fairly a large area and help to fulfill the food requirements of increasing population. The average yield of vegetables in Pakistan is lower compared with the other vegetables growing countries; several reasons contribute towards this low yield such as biotic factors (diseases and pest attack), abiotic factors (low and high temperature stress, high light intensity, water scarcity, and salinity), seed quality, and potential of local vegetable’s cultivars. Vegetable grafting is commercially practiced in more than 28 countries across the world. According to the best of our knowledge, up till now there is no research work or practical application of vegetable grafting in Pakistan. Thus in this review we have tried to highlight the importance of vegetable grafting, and how this technique can help uplift/boost up the vegetable sector of Pakistan. Additionally, a working model has been suggested for the development of vegetable grafting in the country. In Pakistan, vegetables such as cucumber, melon, watermelon, tomato, pepper, and bell pepper are sown in plastic tunnels during winter (November and December) to get off season/early produce, however, because of low temperature during the early crop growth period (November-February), a slow rate of growth is observed. Grafting of these vegetable onto selected low temperature tolerant rootstocks can enhance the growth and productivity of vegetables. On the contrary, watermelon, muskmelon, tomato and chilies cultivated under field conditions during the summer season (March-September) suffer from higher temperatures and water scarcity. The use of appropriate rootstocks can enhance the heat and drought tolerance of these vegetables. In short, grafting can be utilized to overcome a large number of problems associated with vegetable production in Pakistan such as soil borne and foliar pathogens, nematodes attack, low and high temperatures stress, salt and heavy metals stress, drought and flooding stress. Additionally, grafting can improve the yield; prolong harvesting period and postharvest life of vegetables, provided appropriate rootstocks are utilized. Grafting of vegetables ensures limited use of inputs (pesticides and fertilizers), thus protects environment, promotes organic vegetable production; and it can help to uplift the economic status of farmers of Pakistan. © 2017 Friends Science Publishers

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Perspectives of Vegetable Grafting in Pakistan: Current Status, Challenges and Opportunities

Background & Objectives: Temporalis muscle dysfunction following pterional approach for skull base approaches is commonly encountered which is very discomforting for patients however, literature regarding its management is insufficient. This study presents 20 cases over the course of 4 years and discuss the pitfalls in the management of temporalis muscle dysfunction following pterional craniotomy for various lesions.Materials and Methods: Sixty patients were operated using the pterional craniotomy, out of which 20 patients were included in the study. In these cases we used three methods of temporalis muscle dissection namely, the submuscular, subfascial & interfascial. Postoperatively, patients were followed for a median of 8 months. Detailed description of the follow-up findings and their statistical associations is presented.Results: Twenty patients with 12 (60%) males & 8 (40%) females with mean age of 43.8 ± 10.9 years were operated. Twelve (60%) patients were operated using the submuscular approach, 6 (30%) by the subfascial method and 2 (10%) by interfascial technique of temporalis muscle dissection. Of the 20 patients, 8 (40%) reported trismus, 10 (50%) had temporal region and jaw pain and 14 (70%) complained of difficulty chewing. For these patients, we employed local heat therapy (n = 14, 70%), chewing exercises (n = 12, 60%) and oral range-of-motion exercises (n = 9, 45%). 78.5% of patients responded with resolution of pain after local heat therapy, 80% with jaw range-of-motion exercises. The temporal hollowing was assessed by plastic surgeon, but none of the patient pursued plastic surgery intervention.Conclusion: Temporalis muscle dysfunction following pterional craniotomy occurs in about one-third of patients. It is a cause of significant patient concern. Physiotherapy and oral analgesics can alleviate the common symptoms. Patients must be informed about this complication to avoid undue psychological distress. Early diagnosis & management leads to better patient response.

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Muhammad Nawaz

Papers

Collective effect of ternary nano fuel blends on the diesel engine performance and emissions characteristics

Introduction to vegetable grafting.

Perspectives of Vegetable Grafting in Pakistan: Current Status, Challenges and Opportunities

Dysfunction of the temporalis muscle following pterional craniotomy: Analysis of 20 cases