Salinity stress is one of the main abiotic factors that negatively impact plant growth and productivity. Continuous exposure to NaCl leads to the accumulation of ions such as sodium (Na+), chloride (Cl-), and sulfate (SO(4)2(-)) in plant cells, impairing nutrient absorption and causing cellular and tissue damage. Therefore, it is necessary to find alternatives to mitigate the harmful effects of salinity stress in plants. This study aimed to evaluate the biochemical and morphological changes in Allium cepa exposed to different treatments of NaCl and lutein, both individually and in combination. Seeds (120) were germinated in Petri dishes containing NaCl (50 mM/mL) and lutein (256 mu g/mL and 512 mu g/mL) solutions, at pH 7.1. Then, the conductivity, the germination rate, and the biochemical and molecular analyses were performed. Combination of 256 mu g/mL lutein with 50 mM/mL NaCl demonstrated potential to reduce salinity-induced oxidative stress, suggesting the use of lutein as an effective mitigator against salt stress damage. Lutein showed a binding affinity of -7.19 kcal/mol with the onion target protein. These findings indicate that lutein may enhance plant resistance to adverse conditions, promoting greater survival and development. Further studies in other plant models are recommended to validate the use of lutein as a protective agent for agricultural management in saline soils.

In green onion harvesting, the problems of easy dumping and low rate of clean digging can be encountered. In this paper, a kind of harvesting device for digging and pulling green onions, referred to simply as the device, was designed. The device mainly consists of a digging shovel, screen bars, clamping conveyor belt, etc. This paper focuses on the analysis of the model forces of green onions and soil in the two states of the onion digging process without dumping and clamping. The key factors affecting the model state of onions and soil were identified as: screen bar length l(2), screen bar inclination angle beta, and pulling point position x. Based on the discrete element simulation technology of EDEM, the mechanism-crop-soil model was established, and a single-factor simulation test was conducted to determine the range of values for each factor. Taking the advantages of field test and three-factor five-level orthogonal experimental design, the parameter combinations of green onion harvesting operation evaluation indices were optimized, including a pulling point position of 166 mm, screen bar length of 242 mm, and screen bar inclination angle of 14 degrees. As the results of the field test show, the harvester operation was stable without congestion or damage, the harvesting effect of green onions was improved, and the clean digging rate reached 100%, which meets the agronomic requirements for onion harvesting and the expectations of users.

Cadmium (Cd) is a highly toxic agricultural pollutant that inhibits the growth and development of plants. Arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi (AMF) can enhance plant tolerance to Cd, but the regulatory mechanisms in Allium fistulosum (green onion) are unclear. This study used a Cd treatment concentration of 1.5 mg center dot kg-1, which corresponds to the risk control threshold for soil pollution in Chinese agricultural land, to examine the effects and molecular mechanisms of AMF inoculation on the growth and physiology of green onion under Cd stress. AMF formed an effective symbiotic relationship with green onion roots under Cd stress, increased plant biomass, improved root structure and enhanced root vitality. AMF-colonized green onion had reduced Cd content in roots and leaves by 63.00 % and 46.50 %, respectively, with Cd content being higher in the roots than in the leaves. The ameliorative effect of AMF on Cd toxicity was mainly due to a reduction in malondialdehyde content in leaves (30.12 %) and an enhancement of antioxidant enzyme activities (peroxidase, catalase, superoxide dismutase, glutathione reductase and reduced glutathione) that mitigated damage from excessive reactive oxygen species. In addition, AMF induced secretion of easily extractable glomalin soil protein and total glomalin-related soil protein and inhibited the translocation of Cd to the shoots. Transcriptomic and metabolomic correlation analyses revealed that differentially expressed genes and metabolites in AMF-inoculated green onion under Cd stress were predominantly enriched in the phenylpropanoid biosynthesis and phenylalanine metabolism pathways, upregulated the expression of the HCT, PRDX6, HPD, MIF, and HMA3 genes, and accumulation of the phenylalanine, L-tyrosine, and 1-O-sinapoyl-beta-glucose metabolites. Thus, AMF enhance Cd tolerance in green onions by sequestering Cd in roots, restricting its translocation, modulating antioxidant defenses and inducing the expression of genes involved in the phenylpropanoid biosynthesis and phenylalanine metabolism pathways. Collectedly, we for the first time revealed the mechanism of AMF alleviating the toxicity of Cd to green onion, providing a theoretical foundation for the safe production and sustainable cultivation of green onion in Cdcontaminated soils.

Seaweed extracts from Sargassum cristaefolium at 10% concentrations, effectively inhibited the mycelial growth of Colletotrichum gloeosporioides. According to the available literatures, the GC-MS analysis identified various compounds in these extracts that had a antifungal, antibacterial and antioxidant properties as per previous report. In both pot culture trials and field settings, the application of seaweed extracts via bulb treatment, soil drench, and foliar spray resulted in a notable decrease in the occurrence of twister blight disease. Among the treatments, treatment three, involving bulb treatment with S. cristaefolium at a 10% concentration, soil drench with the same seaweed at a 10% concentration and foliar application of S. cristaefolium at a 10% concentration, demonstrated a remarkable 69.39% reduction in twister blight, showcasing efficacy comparable to biocontrol agents and chemical fungicides. In pot culture conditions, increased levels of peroxidase, polyphenol oxidase, and phenylalanine ammonia lyase were observed, suggesting their involvement in enhancing resistance against disease. Histopathological examinations further revealed reduced tissue damage in treated plants. Additionally, protein content in both leaves and bulbs exhibited an increase in treated plants. This comprehensive study not only underscores the potential of seaweed extracts as effective biostimulants for disease management but also highlights their positive influence on overall plant health and productivity.

The effect of several prevalent cations (including Na+, K+, Mg2+, Ca2+, Al3+, and Fe3+) on the adsorption of monochlorobenzene (MCB) onto bentonite was investigated at the coexistence of nonionic surfactant Tween 80 (T80) in surfactant-enhanced remediation (SER). They are all favorable for MCB and T80 adsorption, especially Mg2+ and Ca2+. Adsorption of MCB is strongly depended on T80 micelles. When its concentration exceeds the solubility, MCB is easier to bind with T80 micelles and be adsorbed by bentonite. Acidic environment can facilitate MCB and T80 adsorption, but the effect of cations on the adsorption is most significant under alkaline conditions. Adsorption capacity of MCB increases first followed by a slight decrease with increasing cations concentrations. The maximum adsorption rate of MCB determined is about 68.4% in a solution containing Mg2+ in the isothermal adsorption of MCB, while it is only 6.8% in a cation -free solution. Various characterizations showed that cations mainly changed the repulsion between bentonite particles and T80 micelles and the agglomeration and structure of bentonite, thus affecting the adsorption of MCB and T80 micelles. Our research demonstrated the nonnegligible promotion of MCB adsorption on bentonite by cations and acidic environment, which will adversely affect SER efficiency.