Genome-wide identification and expression analysis of the cellulose synthase gene family in potato ( L.).

Potato () is the fourth largest staple food crop globally. However, potato cultivation is frequently challenged by various diseases during planting, significantly impacting both crop quality and yield. Pathogenic microorganisms must first breach the plant's cell wall to successfully infect potato plants.

Mycorrhizae in mine wasteland reclamation.

Mycorrhizae are found on about 70-80 % of the roots of all plant species; ectomycorrhizae (ECM) are mostly found on woody plants and gymnosperms, whereas arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi (AMF) are found on 80-90 % of all plant species. In abandoned mining sites, woody plants dominate, while non-woody species remain scarce. However, this pattern depends on the specific mine site and its ecological context.

Data on fungal abundance and diversity in copper and cobalt contaminated tailing soils in Kitwe, Zambia.

Mining activities in the Zambian Copperbelt Province have led to the release of heavy metal-containing waste, causing contamination in nearby areas. Despite this environmental challenge, limited knowledge exists regarding the mycobiota in copper mine sites. This study investigates fungal community structure in copper(Cu) and cobalt (Co) contaminated soils around decommisioned dams in Kitwe.

Sucrose Transporter StSUT2 Affects Potato Plants Growth, Flowering Time, and Tuber Yield.

Background: Sucrose transporters (SUTs) mediate sucrose phloem loading in source tissue and sucrose unloading into sink tissue in potatoes and higher plants, thus playing a crucial role in plant growth and development. In potatoes, the physiological function of the sucrose transporters StSUT1 and StSUT4 has been clarified, whereas the physiological role of StSUT2 is not yet fully understood.

Methods And Results: This study analyzed the relative expression of StSUT2 compared to that of StSUT1 and StSUT4 in different tissues from potatoes and its impact on different physiological characteristics by using StSUT2-RNA interference lines.

Potential of bioaugmentation of heavy metal contaminated soils in the Zambian Copperbelt using autochthonous filamentous fungi.

There is great potential to remediate heavy metal contaminated environments through bioaugmentation with filamentous fungi. However, these fungi have been poorly investigated in most developing countries, such as Zambia. Therefore, the present study aimed at isolating indigenous filamentous fungi from heavy metal contaminated soil and to explore their potential for use in bioaugmentation.

Evaluation of heavy metal contamination in copper mine tailing soils of Kitwe and Mufulira, Zambia, for reclamation prospects.

Understanding the level of heavy metal contamination coupled with the assessment of environmental and human risks associated with mine waste dumpsites is an important step to initiating efficient measures for mine wasteland restoration, stabilization, and bioremediation. In the present study, concentration of the heavy metals; Copper (Cu), Cobalt (Co), Iron (Fe), Lead (Pb), Manganese (Mn), and Zinc (Zn) in soil from mine waste dumpsites around Kitwe (Sites: TD25 and TD26) and Mufulira (Site: TD10), Zambia, was assessed to determine the level of contamination, ecological risks, and progress made in reclamation. The mine waste dumpsites in the two towns are located in the vicinity of residential areas.

Recent Advances in Biosorption of Copper and Cobalt by Filamentous Fungi.

Copper (Cu) and Cobalt (Co) are among the most toxic heavy metals from mining and other industrial activities. Both are known to pose serious environmental concerns, particularly to water resources, if not properly treated. In recent years several filamentous fungal strains have been isolated, identified and assessed for their heavy metal biosorption capacity for potential application in bioremediation of Cu and Co wastes.