A rapid high-resolution genome-wide strategy for molecular mapping of major QTL(s)/gene(s) regulating important agronomic traits is vital for in-depth dissection of complex quantitative traits and genetic enhancement in chickpea. The present study for the first time employed a NGS-based whole-genome QTL-seq strategy to identify one major genomic region harbouring a robust 100-seed weight QTL using an intra-specific 221 chickpea mapping population (desi cv. ICC 7184 × desi cv. ICC 15061). The QTL-seq-derived major SW QTL (CaqSW1.1) was further validated by single-nucleotide polymorphism (SNP) and simple sequence repeat (SSR) marker-based traditional QTL mapping (47.6% R2 at higher LOD >19). This reflects the reliability and efficacy of QTL-seq as a strategy for rapid genome-wide scanning and fine mapping of major trait regulatory QTLs in chickpea. The use of QTL-seq and classical QTL mapping in combination narrowed down the 1.37 Mb (comprising 177 genes) major SW QTL (CaqSW1.1) region into a 35 kb genomic interval on desi chickpea chromosome 1 containing six genes. One coding SNP (G/A)-carrying constitutive photomorphogenic9 (COP9) signalosome complex subunit 8 (CSN8) gene of these exhibited seed-specific expression, including pronounced differential up-/down-regulation in low and high seed weight mapping parents and homozygous individuals during seed development. The coding SNP mined in this potential seed weight-governing candidate CSN8 gene was found to be present exclusively in all cultivated species/genotypes, but not in any wild species/genotypes of primary, secondary and tertiary gene pools. This indicates the effect of strong artificial and/or natural selection pressure on target SW locus during chickpea domestication. The proposed QTL-seq-driven integrated genome-wide strategy has potential to delineate major candidate gene(s) harbouring a robust trait regulatory QTL rapidly with optimal use of resources. This will further assist us to extrapolate the molecular mechanism underlying complex quantitative traits at a genome-wide scale leading to fast-paced marker-assisted genetic improvement in diverse crop plants, including chickpea.

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Imperfections such as heterogeneity at different length scales, static versus dynamic disorders, defects in the bulk, surface imperfections, grain boundaries, and interface imperfections of solution-processed hybrid metal—halide perovskite semiconductors are known to be detrimental to the solar cell performance. These imperfections influence voltage losses and charge transport by the formation of undesirable non-radiative channels. Photo-generated charge carriers recombine via these non-radiative channels and hamper the performance of perovskite solar cells (PSCs). Scientists are aiming to decode the nature of these defects by a better understanding of their origins and by developing novel engineering techniques for the passivation of defect states. In this review article, we explain the different kinds of imperfection and discuss their impact on charge carrier transport in PSCs through optical studies. Furthermore, we summarize the efforts made in the community to passivate these defect states by various kinds of additive engineering such as solvent additives, small-organic-molecule additives, potassium-ion additives, graded 3D—2D perovskite materials, etc. Finally, this review provides an insight into defect dynamics and passivation strategies that allows us to understand the nature of defects and helps in the development of future trends in passivation methods.

Using renewable resources like cardanol aiming towards development of bio-derived coordination polymers with nanoporous layered morphology, amorphous/crystalline behavior, and better thermal stability having moderate adsorption capacity towards dye.

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