Progressive yield of nickel cobaltite nanocubes for visible light utilization and degrading activities of methyl orange dye pollutant

In this study, pure cobalt oxide (Co₃O₄) as well as nickel cobaltite (NiCo₂O₄) were investigated with their capacity of degradation efficiency for textile dyes like methyl orange (MO) employing visible light irradiation. Two variable concentrations of nickel cobaltite (NiCo₂O₄) with 75:25 and 50:50 wt ratios along with the pure metal oxides were synthesized by thermal decomposition method and analyzed by various sophisticated instruments. Initially, the structural characteristics described the fine crystalline nature of NiCo₂O₄ and also exhibits reduced size than the pure component material (Co₃O₄). Besides, NiCo₂O₄ catalysts represented nano cubic shaped particles, and also their coordinating functional groups were evaluated. Further, the absorption wavelength confirms the two band positions of NiCo₂O₄ which leads to promote visible light absorption, and degrading efficiency of about 47.5% for NiCo₂O₄ (75:25) sample compared with NiCo₂O₄ (50:50) which produced only 26.3% degradation. This higher efficiency of the former was due to high crystallinity and interfacial charge transfer of combined Ni²⁺, Ni³⁺, Co²⁺ and Co³⁺ redox couples. This consecutively produces effective OH radicals that brought the degradation effectively under visible light. The recycling capacity up to 5 repeated cycles has been studied with the NiCo₂O₄ (75:25) and therefore the catalyst can further be used in other dye degradation.

A reversible light- and genotype-dependent acquired thermotolerance response protects the potato plant from damage due to excessive temperature

A powerful acquired thermotolerance response in potato was demonstrated and characterised in detail, showing the time course required for tolerance, the reversibility of the process and requirement for light. Potato is particularly vulnerable to increased temperature, considered to be the most important uncontrollable factor affecting growth and yield of this globally significant crop. Here, we describe an acquired thermotolerance response in potato, whereby treatment at a mildly elevated temperature primes the plant for more severe heat stress. We define the time course for acquiring thermotolerance and demonstrate that light is essential for the process. In all four commercial tetraploid cultivars that were tested, acquisition of thermotolerance by priming was required for tolerance at elevated temperature. Accessions from several wild-type species and diploid genotypes did not require priming for heat tolerance under the test conditions employed, suggesting that useful variation for this trait exists. Physiological, transcriptomic and metabolomic approaches were employed to elucidate potential mechanisms that underpin the acquisition of heat tolerance. This analysis indicated a role for cell wall modification, auxin and ethylene signalling, and chromatin remodelling in acclimatory priming resulting in reduced metabolic perturbation and delayed stress responses in acclimated plants following transfer to 40 °C.