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The chitosan (CHT) biopolymer is a de-acetylated chitin derivative that exists in the outer shell of shrimp, shellfish, lobster or crabs, as well as fungal cell walls. Because of its biodegradability, environmental non-toxicity, and biocompatibility, it is an ideal resource for sustainable agriculture. The CHT emerged as a promising agent used as a plant growth promoter and also as an antimicrobial agent. It induces plant growth by influencing plant physiological processes like nutrient uptake, cell division, cell elongation, enzymatic activation and synthesis of protein that can eventually lead to increased yield. It also acts as a catalyst to inhibit the growth of plant pathogens, and alter plant defense responses by triggering multiple useful metabolic pathways. This review emphasizes the role and mechanisms of CHT as a plant growth promoter and disease suppressor, and its future implications in agriculture.

We integrate large-scale SCAPS-1D simulation with machine learning (ML) to co-optimize hole-transport layers (HTLs) and absorber engineering in lead-free perovskite solar cells. Screening HTL material/thickness/doping/defects in tandem with absorber selection and thickness across 35,585 device configurations, we identify CH₃NH₃SnI₃ as the preferred absorber and an optimal architecture FTO/WS₂/CH₃NH₃SnI₃/V₂O₅/Pt. Device-level factors (metal work function, series/shunt resistance, interface trap density, and spectrum) were varied to quantify contributions to power-conversion PCE (PCE). Five ML regressors were trained to predict PCE from device descriptors; a tuned Random Forest achieved R2 = 0.96 (MSE = 0.210) on a held-out test set, enabling rapid exploration of the design space. The best configuration reaches a theoretical/simulated PCE of 40.17% under idealized SCAPS-1D conditions, attributed to a low-doping absorber regime and reduced interfacial recombination; capacitance–voltage analysis corroborates improved charge extraction/accumulation. Sensitivity analyses (series/shunt and interface traps) clarify the assumptions under which this performance is attainable. Beyond a single optimum, the model yields actionable design rules for lead-free PSCs, providing a reproducible, data-driven pathway toward high PCE while highlighting the need for interface passivation and experimental validation.Large-scale SCAPS-1D + ML co-optimization across 35,585 device configurations.CH₃NH₃SnI₃ with WS₂ (ETL) and V₂O₅ (HTL) emerges as the optimal architecture.Random Forest predicts PCE with R2 = 0.96, MSE = 0.210, enabling rapid design search.40.17% simulated PCE under 1-sun AM1.5G; sensitivity to series/shunt and interface traps quantified.Actionable design rules: ~ 0.80 µm absorber, low-doping regime, minimized interfacial defects.

Eggplant ( Solanum melongena ) is moderately sensitive to salinity. Seed priming and exogenous supplementation are technique that enhances germination, growth, and crop yield by overcoming salt stress. Therefore, this study was designed to understand the role of seed priming and copper (Cu) supplementation in modulating salt tolerance in eggplant. When exposed to salt stress, eggplant seedlings showed significantly higher Na +  content, an increased Na/K ratio, prolonged mean germination time, higher relative water loss, more days to flower bud initiation and first flowering, along with decreased germination rate, growth factors, water content, photosynthetic pigments, ionic contents (K + , Ca 2+ , Mg 2+ ), and yield. The results demonstrated that the germination rate, final germination percentage, germination index, germination energy, and seed vigor index significantly improved, while the mean germination time decreased in Cu-primed seeds. The results also revealed that Cu supplementations increased seedling traits, leaf water content, photosynthetic pigment contents, ionic contents (K + , Ca 2+ , and Mg 2+ ), and yield while decreasing the contents of Na + , and Na/K ratio, mean germination time, relative water loss, days to flower bud initiation, and days to 1st flowering under salt stress. Germination of seeds, seedlings growth traits, plant water status, plant pigments, yield, and ionic contents with the NaCl and Cu treatments were found to substantially interact with each other according to both hierarchical clustering and PCA. Overall, Cu seed priming and exogenous supplementation emerged as a promising strategy to enhance salt tolerance and promote germination, growth, and yield by regulating water status, photosynthetic pigments, and ion homeostasis in eggplant seedlings under NaCl stress. These findings provide valuable insights into the mechanisms of Cu-mediated stress alleviation in eggplant, with implications for sustainable crop production in saline environments.

Contamination of heavy metals in agricultural soils, particularly with lead (Pb), poses a severe hazard to ecosystems, crop production, and food safety. Although citric acid has been proposed as a potential detoxifying agent, its dose-dependent effects on Pb-stressed tomato plants under controlled conditions are not well understood. A hydroponic experiment was conducted at Khulna Agricultural University, Bangladesh, from January to March 2023 to assess the impact of CA application on tomato seedlings under Pb stress. However, Pb stress significantly impaired plant growth, water content, photosynthetic pigments, and ionic contents (Ca 2+ , Mg 2+ ) while increasing water loss, electrolyte leakage, and Pb 2+ content compared to the control condition. In this study, the CA treatment, particularly HM2 + CA2 treatment, showed the most significant improvements compared to HM2 stress only. Results showed that HM2 + CA2 significantly boosted seedling growth compared to HM2 stress only by increasing root and shoot biomass, plant height, root number, and root volume. It also significantly improved relative water content, total chlorophyll, beta-carotene, carotenoids, and Ca 2+ and Mg 2+ accumulation in roots and leaves. Additionally, HM2 + CA2 significantly reduced water loss, electrolyte leakage, and Pb 2+ content in roots and leaves compared to HM2 stress only, demonstrating its strong protective effects under heavy metal stress. Hierarchical clustering, PCA, and correlation analyses showed clear separation between Pb-only and CA-treated plants, with the latter displaying improved growth, pigment levels, nutrient status, and water balance, especially under the higher CA dose. These results highlight citric acid’s strong capacity to mitigate Pb stress. However, the study’s hydroponic setup and elevated Pb levels represent limitations that necessitate validation under field conditions, and while higher CA concentrations (CA2) were effective, excessive CA use may pose risks of phytotoxicity or nutrient imbalance, highlighting the need for dose optimization. Overall, the findings support organic acids as promising tools for managing heavy metal contamination.

Drought is a major environmental threat to agricultural productivity and food security across the world. Therefore, addressing the detrimental effects of drought on vital crops like soybean has a significant impact on sustainable food production. Priming plants with organic compounds is now being considered as a promising technique for alleviating the negative effects of drought on plants. In the current study, we evaluated the protective functions of ethanol in enhancing soybean drought tolerance by examining the phenotype, growth attributes, and several physiological and biochemical mechanisms. Our results showed that foliar application of ethanol (20 mM) to drought-stressed soybean plants increased biomass, leaf area per trifoliate, gas exchange features, water-use-efficiency, photosynthetic pigment contents, and leaf relative water content, all of which contributed to the improved growth performance of soybean under drought circumstances. Drought stress, on the other hand, caused significant accumulation of reactive oxygen species (ROS), such as superoxide and hydrogen peroxide, and malondialdehyde, as well as an increase of electrolyte leakage in the leaves, underpinning the evidence of oxidative stress and membrane damage in soybean plants. By comparison, exogenous ethanol reduced the ROS-induced oxidative burden by boosting the activities of antioxidant enzymes, including peroxidase, catalase, glutathione S-transferase, and ascorbate peroxidase, and the content of total flavonoids in soybean leaves exposed to drought stress. Additionally, ethanol supplementation increased the contents of total soluble sugars and free amino acids in the leaves of drought-exposed plants, implying that ethanol likely employed these compounds for osmotic adjustment in soybean under water-shortage conditions. Together, our findings shed light on the ethanol-mediated protective mechanisms by which soybean plants coordinated different morphophysiological and biochemical responses in order to increase their drought tolerance.

SARS-CoV-2, a novel Corona virus strain, was first detected in Wuhan, China, in December 2019. As of December 16, 2021, almost 4,822,472 people had died and over 236,132,082 were infected with this lethal viral infection. It is believed that the human immune system is thought to play a critical role in the initial phase of infection when the viruses invade the host cells. Although some effective vaccines have already been on the market, researchers and many bio-pharmaceuticals are still working hard to develop a fully functional vaccine or more effective therapeutic agent against the COVID-19. Other efforts, in addition to functional vaccines, can help strengthen the immune system to defeat the corona virus infection. Herein, we have reviewed some of those proven measures, following which a more efficient immune system can be better prepared to fight viral infection. Among these, dietary supplements like- fresh vegetables and fruits offer a plentiful of vitamins and antioxidants, enabling to build of a healthy immune system. While the pharmacologically active components of medicinal plants directly aid in fighting against viral infection, supplementary supplements combined with a healthy diet will assist to regulate the immune system and will prevent viral infection. In addition, some personal habits, like- regular physical exercise, intermittent fasting, and adequate sleep, had also been proven to aid the immune system in becoming an efficient one. Maintaining each of these will strengthen the immune system, allowing innate immunity to become a more defensive and active antagonistic mechanism against corona-virus infection. However, because dietary treatments take longer to produce beneficial effects in adaptive maturation, personalized nutrition cannot be expected to have an immediate impact on the global outbreak.

By interfering with germination, seedling development, physiological processes, and the buildup of toxins in plant tissues, lead (Pb) contamination significantly hinders tomato growth. This study explores the effectiveness of zinc (Zn) seed priming and foliar application in mitigating Pb-induced stress and enhancing physiological performance in tomato plants. A lab experiment was conducted to assess tomato seed germination and seedling growth under Pb stress with Zn priming and foliar application. Pb stress significantly impaired the germination properties of tomato seeds. With improvements in germination percentage, germination index, germination energy, and seed vigor index, Zn application markedly enhanced germination properties. Moreover, Pb stress severely impaired plant growth, water content, photosynthetic pigments, and ionic contents (Ca 2+ , Mg 2+ ) while increasing water loss, electrolyte leakage, and Pb content. Foliar application of Zn improved seedling growth, as shown by increases in root fresh weight, root dry weight, shoot fresh weight, shoot dry weight, plant height, root number, and root volume under Pb stress conditions. In addition, relative water content, excised leaf water loss, and electrolyte leakage were improved, while relative water loss was reduced by Zn application. Furthermore, Zn application restored photosynthetic pigment levels under Pb stress. Additionally, Zn application restored Ca 2+ and Mg 2+ in leaves, while reducing Pb buildup in roots and leaves under Pb stress. Hierarchical clustering and PCA revealed significant interactions among seedling growth traits, plant water status, pigment levels, and ionic contents under Pb stress and Zn application. Correlation analysis also revealed a strong negative association between lead content and growth or photosynthetic parameters, while water retention and pigment levels were positively correlated. These results demonstrate the great potential of applying Zn to reduce Pb toxicity and enhance tomato plants’ physiological and biochemical resilience.

Drought is recognized as a paramount threat to sustainable agricultural productivity. This threat has grown more severe in the age of global climate change. As a result, finding a long-term solution to increase plants’ tolerance to drought stress has been a key research focus. Applications of chemicals such as zinc (Zn) may provide a simpler, less time-consuming, and effective technique for boosting the plant’s resilience to drought. The present study gathers persuasive evidence on the potential roles of zinc sulphate (ZnSO4·7H2O; 1.0 g Kg−1 soil) and zinc oxide (ZnO; 1.0 g Kg−1 soil) in promoting tolerance of cotton plants exposed to drought at the first square stage, by exploring various physiological, morphological, and biochemical features. Soil supplementation of ZnSO4 or ZnO to cotton plants improved their shoot biomass, root dry weight, leaf area, photosynthetic performance, and water-use efficiency under drought stress. Zn application further reduced the drought-induced accumulations of H2O2 and malondialdehyde, and electrolyte leakage in stressed plants. Antioxidant assays revealed that Zn supplements, particularly ZnSO4, reduced reactive oxygen species (ROS) accumulation by increasing the activities of a range of ROS quenchers, such as catalase, ascorbate peroxidase, glutathione S-transferase, and guaiacol peroxidase, to protect the plants against ROS-induced oxidative damage during drought stress. Increased leaf relative water contents along with increased water-soluble protein contents may indicate the role of Zn in improving the plant’s water status under water-deficient conditions. The results of the current study also suggested that, in general, ZnSO4 supplementation more effectively increased cotton drought tolerance than ZnO supplementation, thereby suggesting ZnSO4 as a potential chemical to curtail drought-induced detrimental effects in water-limited soil conditions.

In this investigation, a nanostructured Cu2O thin film absorber layer is electrodeposited, exploring the impact of varying negative applied voltages and deposition time. Notably, the Cu2O thin film demonstrated optimal absorbance at −0.95 V, contrasting sharply with a minimum at −0.97 V. The authors' findings underscore that the peak absorbance was achieved at −0.95 V, coinciding with the lowest transmittance observed after 80 min of deposition, aligning with a maximal absorption coefficient of 21 × 103 cm−1. At a deposition time of 5 min, the Cu2O thin film exhibited a noteworthy maximum Urbach energy of 2.00 eV and a minimum steepness parameter of 0.013. In contrast, the lowest Urbach energy was recorded at 0.34 eV, with the highest steepness parameter occurring at an applied voltage of 0.93 V. Furthermore, this study revealed a gradual increase in the refractive index with higher applied voltages, reaching its pinnacle at −1.5 V. These results collectively emphasize the nuanced interplay between applied voltage, deposition time and the optical properties of the nanostructured Cu2O thin film. The observed trends hold significant implications for optimizing the performance of thin film absorber layers, particularly in the context of enhancing absorbance and tailoring optical characteristics for specific applications. The maximum absorbance of the Cu2O thin film was recorded at 17.00 × 103 cm‐1 was achieved at an applied voltage of ‐0.95 V. 34 eV, while the maximum steepness parameter was recorded at an applied voltage of 0.

Water scarcity leads to significant ecological challenges for global farming production. Sustainable agriculture depends on developing strategies to overcome the impacts of drought on important crops, including soybean. In this present study, seven promising soybean genotypes were evaluated for their drought tolerance potential by exposing them to water deficit conditions. The control group was maintained at 100% field capacity (FC), while the drought-treated group was maintained at 50% FC on a volume/weight basis. This treatment was applied at the second trifoliate leaf stage and continued until maturity. Our results demonstrated that water shortage exerted negative impacts on soybean phenotypic traits, physiological and biochemical mechanisms, and yield output in comparison with normal conditions. Our results showed that genotype G00001 exhibited the highest leaf area plant−1 (483.70 cm2), photosynthetic attributes like stomatal conductance (gs) (0.15 mol H2O m−2 s−1) and photosynthetic rate (Pn) (13.73 μmol CO2 m−2 s−1), and xylem exudation rate (0.25 g h−1) under drought conditions. The G00001 genotype showed greater leaf greenness by preserving photosynthetic pigments (total chlorophylls (Chls) and carotenoids; 4.23 and 7.34 mg g−1 FW, respectively) in response to drought conditions. Soybean plants accumulated high levels of stress indicators like proline and malondialdehyde when subjected to drought stress. However, genotype G00001 displayed lower levels of proline (4.49 μg g−1 FW) and malondialdehyde (3.70 μmol g−1 FW), indicating that this genotype suffered from less oxidative stress induced by drought stress compared to the other investigated soybean genotypes. Eventually, the G00001 genotype had a greater yield in terms of seeds pod−1 (SP) (1.90) and 100-seed weight (HSW) (14.60 g) under drought conditions. On the other hand, BD2333 exhibited the largest decrease in plant height (37.10%), pod number plant−1 (85.90%), SP (56.20%), HSW (54.20%), gs (90.50%), Pn (71.00%), transpiration rate (59.40%), relative water content (34.40%), Chl a (79.50%), total Chls (72.70%), and carotenoids (56.70%), along with the maximum increase in water saturation deficit (290.40%) and malondialdehyde content (280.30%) under drought compared to control conditions, indicating its higher sensitivity to drought stress. Our findings suggest that G00001 is a promising candidate to consider for field trials and further evaluation of its molecular signature may help breeding other elite cultivars to develop drought-tolerant, high-yielding soybean varieties.