Aspergillus species are the major cause of health concern worldwide in immunocompromised individuals. Opportunistic Aspergilli cause invasive to allergic aspergillosis, whereas non-infectious Aspergilli have contributed to understand the biology of eukaryotic organisms and serve as a model organism. Morphotypes of Aspergilli such as conidia or mycelia/hyphae helped them to survive in favorable or unfavorable environmental conditions. These morphotypes contribute to virulence, pathogenicity and invasion into hosts by excreting proteins, enzymes or toxins. Morphological transition of Aspergillus species has been a critical step to infect host or to colonize on food products. Thus, we reviewed proteins from Aspergilli to understand the biological processes, biochemical, and cellular pathways that are involved in transition and morphogenesis. We majorly analyzed proteomic studies on A. fumigatus, A. flavus, A. terreus, and A. niger to gain insight into mechanisms involved in the transition from conidia to mycelia along with the role of secondary metabolites. Proteome analysis of morphotypes of Aspergilli provided information on key biological pathways required to exit conidial dormancy, consortia of virulent factors and mycotoxins during the transition. The application of proteomic approaches has uncovered the biological processes during development as well as intermediates of secondary metabolite biosynthesis pathway. We listed key proteins/ enzymes or toxins at different morphological types of Aspergillus that could be applicable in discovery of novel therapeutic targets or metabolite based diagnostic markers.

Jatropha curcas, has been projected as a major source of biodiesel due to high seed oil content (42 %). A major roadblock for commercialization of Jatropha-based biodiesel is low seed yield per inflorescence, which is affected by low female to male flower ratio (1:25-30). Molecular dissection of female flower development by analyzing genes involved in phase transitions and floral organ development is, therefore, crucial for increasing seed yield. Expression analysis of 42 genes implicated in floral organ development and sex determination was done at six floral developmental stages of a J. curcas genotype (IC561235) with inherently higher female to male flower ratio (1:8-10). Relative expression analysis of these genes was done on low ratio genotype. Genes TFL1, SUP, AP1, CRY2, CUC2, CKX1, TAA1 and PIN1 were associated with reproductive phase transition. Further, genes CUC2, TAA1, CKX1 and PIN1 were associated with female flowering while SUP and CRY2 in female flower transition. Relative expression of these genes with respect to low female flower ratio genotype showed up to ~7 folds increase in transcript abundance of SUP, TAA1, CRY2 and CKX1 genes in intermediate buds but not a significant increase (~1.25 folds) in female flowers, thereby suggesting that these genes possibly play a significant role in increased transition towards female flowering by promoting abortion of male flower primordia. The outcome of study has implications in feedstock improvement of J. curcas through functional validation and eventual utilization of key genes associated with female flowering.

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Laboratory experiments were conducted to study the influence of water application rate (2.5, 5.0, 7.5, and 10.0 cm), moisture management regime (i.e., frequency of water application), and initial soil moisture content (25, 50, 75, and 100% of field capacity) on the transformation and movement of urea in soil columns. In general, moisture content and the amounts of urea and NH 4 + -N decreased with depth and time at all water application rates. Whereas approximately 79 to 82% of the added urea was hydrolyzed within 48 h, there was no nitrification of the ureaderived NH 4 + within this time period. The application of 1.0, 2.5, 5.0, and 10.0 cm of water resulted in the percolation of water to depths of 33, 36, 39, and 42 cm, respectively. Moisture management had a significant effect on the distribution of Nspecies in the soil columns. Increasing the frequency of water additions from one (10.0 cm added on day 1) to ten (additions of 1.0 cm day -1 for 10 days) resulted in an increase in the amount of urea-derived NH 4 + in the surface layers of the soil, but a decrease in the amount of NO 3 --N in these layers. The initial moisture content of the soil had a considerable effect on the movement of urea. The movement of urea and urea-derived N into the soil increased with increasing initial soil moisture content, but was restricted to the upper 7 cm of the soil columns. At all soil moisture contents, 60 to 65% of the urea-derived N was recovered in the top 2 cm of the soil column. In general, the recovery of urea-derived N from the soil ranged from about 78 to 85%.

Fossil fuel sources are a limited resource and could eventually be depleted. Biofuels have emerged as a renewable alternative to fossil fuels. Jatropha has grown in significance as a potential bioenergy crop due to its high content of seed oil. However, Jatropha's lack of high-yielding seed genotypes limits its potential use for biofuel production. The main cause of lower seed yield is the low female to male flower ratio (1:25-10), which affects the total amount of seeds produced per plant. Here, we review the genetic factors responsible for floral transitions, floral organ development, and regulated gene products in Jatropha. We also summarize potential gene targets to increase seed production and discuss challenges ahead.