This study demonstrates how (Ni–Co–S)–reduced graphene oxide (rGO) heterostructure films influence the pseudocapacitance behavior of MoS₂ nanoflakes. rGO was produced through the electroreduction of CO₂ intermediates. The ordering of the heterostructure layers considerably impacted the morphology and interfacial bonding between the (Ni–Co–S)–rGO layers and MoS₂ nanoflakes. Electrodeposited (NiS/CoS)–rGO/MoS₂ and (CoS/NiS)–rGO/MoS₂ layers, prepared in two successive steps, exhibited a porous nanoplatelet structure, whereas the NiCoS–rGO/MoS₂ layers deposited in a single step formed dense nanocomposite (NC) films. X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy and Raman spectroscopy confirmed the presence of various surface bonding states (C–O/=O, S=O/–O, Ni/Co–S) between MoS₂ nanoflakes and (Ni–Co–S)–rGO layers, highlighting the development of synergy through diverse interfacial bonding states. Tailoring the nanoarchitecture of heterostructure layers led to variations in the electroactive site concentrations and charge transport kinetics. The (CoS/NiS)–rGO/MoS₂ nanoplatelets exhibited the highest specific capacitance of 3530.72 F∙g⁻¹ at 1 A∙g⁻¹, surpassing the (NiS/CoS)–rGO/MoS₂ nanoplatelets (3096.69 F∙g⁻¹) and NiCoS–rGO/MoS₂ NCs (2907.71 F∙g⁻¹). Asymmetric hybrid supercapacitors were assembled using the heterostructure (Ni–Co–S)–rGO/MoS₂ NCs and activated carbon (AC). The (CoS/NiS)–rGO/MoS₂ nanoplatelets//AC asymmetric supercapacitor achieved the highest energy density (E) of 26.69 Wh∙kg⁻¹ at a power density (P) of 302.7 W∙kg⁻¹, outperforming other heterostructure supercapacitors, and maintained an E of 9.36 Wh∙kg⁻¹ at a higher P of 2593.32 W∙kg⁻¹. The results illustrated that the in-situ formation of rGO species and the heterostructure layer configurations strongly influenced the pseudocapacitance performance of (Ni–Co–S)–rGO/MoS₂ hybrid electrodes.

The root-knot nematode, Meloidogyne incognita is a major pest that inflicts severe agricultural damage globally,
necessitating sustainable control strategies to mitigate crop losses. This study investigates the nematicidal potential
of Achyranthes aspera leaf extract against M. incognita, specifically targeting second-stage juveniles (J2)
and egg masses. A series of bioassays revealed that exposure to 1000 ppm of A. aspera extract resulted in maximal
J2s mortality and inhibition of egg hatching, while 250 ppm demonstrated the lowest impact. In a pot experiment
with mung bean (Vigna radiata), A. aspera treatments significantly reduced nematode infestation, which
correlated with improved plant growth and photosynthetic performance. Phytochemical analysis identified
fifteen major compounds in the leaf extract, with phytol (36.31 %), neophytadiene (7.98 %), and heptadecanoic
acid (2.83 %) as the most prominent. In-silico molecular docking studies further supported the nematicidal action
of these compounds, demonstrating strong interactions with key nematode proteins, including acetylcholinesterase,
cytochrome c oxidase subunit one, and heat shock protein 90. The results suggest that A. aspera leaf
extract could serve as an effective, eco-friendly bionematicide, presenting a feasible solution for managing
M. incognita in agriculture, especially for small-scale farmers. This work highlights A. aspera’s potential as a
sustainable tool for root-knot nematode management, offering benefits for crop health and yield.

Chromium (Cr) is an extremely toxic metal for all living organisms and its concentration in the environment is constantly
increasing due to human activities. Plants quickly absorb Cr. Subsequently, it enters the human food chain and poses serious health
risks. Chromium toxicity causes a significant reduction in plant growth by inducing oxidative damage and disturbing protein synthesis,
enzyme activity, and nutrient uptake. Plants use diverse mechanisms to mitigate Cr toxicity; however, they are inadequate in the face of
higher concentrations of Cr. Thus, it is essential to decrease Cr toxicity and increase the ability of plants to tolerate Cr stress. Nanoparticles
(NPs) mitigate the toxicity of Cr by reducing its uptake and accumulation and improving antioxidant activities, nutrient homeostasis,
photosynthetic efficiency, osmolyte synthesis, and hormonal balance. The complex interactions between NPs and microbes, signaling
molecules, and hormones also significantly counter Cr toxicity. The present review discusses the various mechanisms of NPs for
mitigating Cr toxicity. This review also addresses various research gaps to encourage the better utilization of NPs to mitigate Cr toxicity
and improve crop growth and yield. This review offers new insights into the role of NPs in mitigating Cr toxicity.

Heavy metal pollution is one of the most devastating abiotic factors, significantly damaging
crops and human health. One of the serious problems it causes is a rise in cadmium (Cd) toxicity. Cd
is a highly toxic metal with a negative biological role, and it enters plants via the soil–plant system.
Cd stress induces a series of disorders in plants’ morphological, physiological, and biochemical
processes and initiates the inhibition of seed germination, ultimately resulting in reduced growth.
Fiber crops such as kenaf, jute, hemp, cotton, and flax have high industrial importance and often face
the issue of Cd toxicity. Various techniques have been introduced to counter the rising threats of Cd
toxicity, including reducing Cd content in the soil, mitigating the effects of Cd stress, and genetic
improvements in plant tolerance against this stress. For decades, plant breeders have been trying to
develop Cd-tolerant fiber crops through the identification and transformation of novel genes. Still, the
complex mechanism of Cd tolerance has hindered the progress of genetic breeding. These crops are
ideal candidates for the phytoremediation of heavy metals in contaminated soils. Hence, increased
Cd uptake, accumulation, and translocation in below-ground parts (roots) and above-ground parts
(shoots, leaves, and stems) can help clean agricultural lands for safe use for food crops. Earlier studies
indicated that reducing Cd uptake, detoxification, reducing the effects of Cd stress, and developing
plant tolerance to these stresses through the identification of novel genes are fruitful approaches. This
review aims to highlight the role of some conventional and molecular techniques in reducing the
threats of Cd stress in some key fiber crops. Molecular techniques mainly involve QTL mapping
and GWAS. However, more focus has been given to the use of transcriptome and TFs analysis to
explore the potential genomic regions involved in Cd tolerance in these crops. This review will serve
as a source of valuable genetic information on key fiber crops, allowing for further in-depth analyses
of Cd tolerance to identify the critical genes for molecular breeding, like genetic engineering and
CRISPR/Cas9.

Microcystin (MC) toxin produced by cyanobacteria has become a significant concern for societies worldwide. The
risk of MC in drinking water has been assessed to human health. Nonetheless, its risk to animal health has not
been thoroughly evaluated. This study investigated MCs in irrigation water and alfalfa plant from nearby
farmlands. Both irrigation water and alfalfa shoots contained greater MC concentrations (1.8–17.4 μg L? 1 and
0.053–0.128 μg g? 1) during summer than winter (2.4 μg L? 1 and 0.017 μg g? 1). These MC concentrations showed
a correlation with the predominance of cyanobacteria in the sites, triggering the potential risk of these microorganisms
in irrigation waters. Accordingly, there would be a high risk (risk quotient, RQ > 1) during summer
and a moderate risk (0.1<RQ < 1) during winter for cattle and sheep that drink polluted irrigation water or eat
contaminated alfalfa plants. Therefore, the study suggests that cyanotoxins in forage plants and irrigation water
sources should be regularly monitored to protect animals from consuming contaminated food and water.

Salinity is a serious abiotic stress that limits crop production and food security. Micronutrient
application has shown promising results in mitigating the toxic impacts of salinity. This study
assessed the impacts of zinc seed priming (ZSP) on the germination, growth, physiological and
biochemical functioning of sorghum cultivars. The study comprised sorghum cultivars (JS-2002 and
JS-263), salinity stress (control (0 mM) and 120 mM)), and control and ZSP (4 mM). Salinity stress
reduced germination and seedling growth by increasing electrolyte leakage (EL: 60.65%), hydrogen
peroxide (H2O2: 109.50%), malondialdehyde (MDA; 115.30%), sodium (Na), and chloride (Cl) accumulation
and decreasing chlorophyll synthesis, relative water contents (RWC), total soluble proteins
(TSPs), and potassium (K) uptake and accumulation. Nonetheless, ZSP mitigated the deleterious
impacts of salinity and led to faster germination and better seedling growth. Zinc seed priming
improved the chlorophyll synthesis, leaf water contents, antioxidant activities (ascorbate peroxide:
APX, catalase: CAT, peroxidase: POD, superoxide dismutase: SOD), TSPs, proline, K uptake and
accumulation, and reduced EL, MDA, and H2O2 production, as well as the accumulation of toxic
ions (Na and Cl), thereby promoting better germination and growth. Thus, these findings suggested
that ZSP can mitigate the toxicity of salinity by favoring nutrient homeostasis, antioxidant activities,
chlorophyll synthesis, osmolyte accumulation, and maintaining leaf water status

Anatoxin-a (ATX-a) is a neurotoxin produced by some species of cyanobacteria. Due to its water solubility and stability
in natural water, it could pose health risks to human, animals, and plants. Conventional water treatment techniques are not
only insufficient for the removal of ATX-a, but they also result in cell lysis and toxin release. The elimination of this toxin
through biodegradation may be a promising strategy. This study examines for the first time the biodegradation of ATX-a
to a non-toxic metabolite (Epoxy-ATX-a) by a strain of Bacillus that has a history of dealing with toxic cyanobacteria
in a eutrophic lake. The Bacillus strain AMRI-03 thrived without lag phase in a lake water containing ATX-a. The strain
displayed fast degradation of ATX-a, depending on initial toxin concentration. At the highest initial concentrations (50 &
100 μg L− 1), total ATX-a degradation took place in 4 days, but it took 6 & 7 days at lower concentrations (20, 10, and
1 μg L− 1, respectively). The ATX-a biodegradation rate was also influenced by the initial toxin concentration, reaching its
maximum value (12.5 μg L− 1 day− 1) at the highest initial toxin concentrations (50 & 100 μg L− 1). Temperature and pH
also had an impact on the rate of ATX-a biodegradation, with the highest rates occurring at 25 and 30 ºC and pH 7 and
8. This nontoxic bacterial strain could be immobilized within a biofilm on sand filters and/or sludge for the degradation
and removal of ATX-a and other cyanotoxins during water treatment processes, following the establishment of mesocosm
experiments to assess the potential effects of this bacterium on water quality