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Meloidogyne hapla is a serious pest of many cultivated plants. In response to the economic significance of the species, efforts are being made to develop a new method to reduce its harmful effects on crops. The aim of the study was to determine the effect of diffusates from seeds of selected species of legumes on the motility of second-stage juveniles and to evaluate the effect of meal from seeds of selected species of legume on the capacity to infect the roots of tomato plants by the J2 stage. The experiment examined the effect of diffusates on the motility of the J2 stage performed in Petri dishes, at temperatures of 10 °C, 17 °C and 21 °C. The evaluation of the J2 stage infectivity was estimated in a pot experiment performed under controlled conditions of 20 ± 1 °C. The pots were filled with sterile substrate mixed with meal from the seeds of selected plants at 1%, 5% and 10% of the substrate weight. The studies carried out in the Petri dishes showed varying effects of the seed diffusates from selected legume plants on the motility of the J2 stage of Meloidogyne hapla. J2 were found to lose their motility within 24 h after immersion in water containing seed diffusates from Melilotus albus, Trifolium pratense T. repens, in the temperature ranges investigated (10 °C, 17 °C and 21 °C). However, in a mixture of seed diffusates and soil filtrate from the root zone of tomato plants, the absence of motility in the second-stage juveniles was observed after 24 h at 17 °C and 21 °C, with seed diffusates from Lotus corniculatus, Medicago sativa, Medicago × varia, Melilotus officinalis, as well as Onobrychis viciifolia, Ornithopus sativus, Vicia sativa, used in the mixture. Galega officinalis Risa (GoR) seed diffusates were found to have an inhibiting effect on the motility of the J2 stage of M. hapla 24 h following the immersion of the J2 stage in the solution of the soil filtrate containing tomato root diffusates, at 21 °C. The J2 stage were not rendered immotile in all the experiment set-ups involving the seeds of V. faba, Lupinus spp., likewise in the control set-ups. In the pots studied, a significant effect of the addition of legume seed meal on the development of M. hapla nematodes and tomato plants was found. The introduction of Lotus corniculatus, Onobrychis viciifolia and Vicia sativa seed meal into the substrate in the proportion of 1%, 5% and 10% resulted in the inhibition of the J2 stage penetration into the roots of tomato plants at temperatures of 17 °C and 21 °C. With the admixture of the M. sativa and T. repens seed meal, within the temperature range investigated, no nematode infection was observed in the roots, regardless of the seed meal content in the substrate. As regards to the fresh weight, tomato plants grown in a substrate containing 1% and 5% of the V. sativa cv. Jaga seed meal were characterised by significantly higher plant weight values as compared to those grown in the control set-up. The obtained results imply that is advisable to expand the scope of research to include other economically important crops damaged by the northern root-knot nematode.

Due to an increasing risk of further damage to forests, forest managers are considering introducing an alternative direction for their future development – via the cultivation of mixed forests. At middle altitudes in the Czech Republic, an oak-beech-linden stand is the most natural type, and we tried to answer three main questions: (i) How the various thinning types affect dendrometric parameters and quality of the stand; (ii) How long thinning works on this stand until it loses its effect; (iii) How the stand develops spontaneously after abandonment. This experiment was conducted at the Training Forest Enterprise in the Czech Republic in Drahanská vrchovina (highlands in central Moravia). In 1988, four plots were established in a 49-year-old stand where, in three of the plots, different types of thinning (crown, low and heavy crown) were performed, leaving one (reference plot) to develop naturally. The height, the height of the crown base and diameter at breast height (DBH) were measured, and the shape and quality of the trunk and crown were estimated on each tree. Measurements were carried out in 1989, 1994, 1999, 2005, 2010, 2015, and 2020. In the first 10 years, the DBH and height of the crown base did not show any differences, and the linden at the heavy crown plot outgrew the linden trees at the other plots in height. After these 10 years, the thickest linden, the tallest beech and linden, and the greatest height of the crown base of beech and linden were all found at the heavy crown plot. The shape and quality of the trunks and crowns of beech, oak and linden were similar in all plots (including the reference plot) during the entire experiment. After thinning, the plots were left to grow spontaneously. The heavy crown thinning removed a greater number of thicker trees at the middle level, thus supporting the trees growing in the lower part of the middle level and in the below level (i.e. the beech and linden). These trees then grew more quickly compared to the others, but their quality decreased, as did that of the others. Therefore, a forest left to grow and develop spontaneously is practically unusable for commercial purposes.

The global demand for high-quality, nutritious food is increasing, and mushrooms have gained popularity as a healthy dietary option; mushroom consumption is increasing in Pakistan owing to their rich nutritional profile, phytochemicals presence and antioxidant capacity. This study was carried out to determine comprehensive nutritional analysis, antioxidant parameters, amino acids, and fatty acid composition of commonly grown mushroom varieties oysters (Pleurotus ostreatus) and white buttons (Agaricus bisporus) in Pakistan. The study results indicated mushrooms are perishable, high in protein and fibre content, along with a low caloric value. Also, they are rich in essential minerals like potassium, phosphorus, iron, and water-soluble vitamins. In addition, both mushrooms demonstrated significant antioxidant activity, with oyster mushrooms having a higher potential. Additionally, profiling of fatty acids and amino acids showed mushrooms having low caloric value and powerful nutrition composition that makes them suitable for developing healthy dietary choices for better human health.

The unique structural and biological diversity found in plants renders them a distinctive and sustainable source for discovering new antibacterial, antifungal and antiparasitic compounds. In the present study, antimicrobial and antibiofilm properties of essential oils of citrus varieties of Northeast India were studied against selected foodborne pathogens using both in vitro and in silico approaches. These essential oils showed significant antimicrobial and antibiofilm activities against foodborne pathogens. i.e. Bacillus cereus MTCC430 and Yersinia enterocolitica MTCC859. It was observed that the treatment with essential oil disturbed the membrane integrity of the pathogens, thereby causing the release of nucleic acids. This study also postulated that active compounds of the essential oils interact with different target proteins of the pathogens and provide an explanation for the mechanisms of antimicrobial and antibiofilm action of the essential oils of citrus varieties against foodborne pathogens.

In the production of grafted vines, losses are caused by fungal pathogens during callus forming or after planting in the soil. To control or reduce natural soil-born fungal infections in nurseries, certain applications were conducted in the sapling cultivation stage to analyse the efficacy of cyprodinil + fludioxonil, fluopyram + tebuconazole active substances, and Trichoderma harzianum biological preparation: 1103 Paulsen rootstock and Vitis viniferea L. cv. In the study, Sultana cultivars were stored in fungicide suspensions for 60 min before and after grafting. After grafting, the saplings were divided into (i) cutting + sawdust (ii) cutting + sawdust + soil application groups and transferred to the callus room. After nine months in the nursery, the plants were uprooted, classified as diseased or healthy, and analysed for morphological and molecular diagnosis of fungal species, isolation incidence, and sapling quality and yield. Boeremia exigua var. exigua was isolated for the first time from cuttings during grapevine sapling production and was first registered in NCBI Genbank. After callus development, Fusarium solani was most frequently isolated pathogen in the roots (21.5%); cyprodinil + fludioxonil reduced the Ilyonectria sp. isolation rate in both shoots and roots. Botryosphaeria dothidae and I. liriodendri pathogens were not detected in disease and healthy cyprodinil + fludioxonil treated saplings. The highest sapling yield was observed in fludioxonil + cyprodinil, cutting + sawdust + soil (78.75%) and cutting + sawdust (70.63%) applications.

Using probiotics represents a potential solution to post-weaning diarrheal diseases in piglets on commercial farms. The gastrointestinal tract of wild boars serves as a promising reservoir of novel lactic acid bacteria with suitable probiotic characteristics. In this study, we isolated eight bacterial strains from the intestinal content of wild boars identified as representatives of the species Bifidobacterium apri, Lactobacillus amylovorus, and Ligilactobacillus salivarius. These isolates underwent in vitro analysis and characterisation to assess their biological safety and probiotic properties. Analysis of their full genome sequences revealed the absence of horizontally transferrable genes for antibiotic resistance. However, seven out of eight isolates harboured genes encoding various types of bacteriocins in their genomes, and bacteriocin production was further confirmed by mass spectrometry analysis. Most of the tested strains demonstrated the ability to inhibit the growth of selected pathogenic bacteria, produce exopolysaccharides, and stimulate the expression of interleukin-10 in porcine macrophages. These characteristics deem the isolates characterised in this study as potential candidates for use as probiotics for piglets during the post-weaning period.

Riparian vegetation plays a major role in maintaining biodiversity and reducing the negative impact of nutrient leaching into aquatic ecosystems. However, the knowledge on the interactions between riparian vegetation and other environmental factors is still incomplete for planning sustainable riparian forest management. The aim of this study was to explore interactions between riparian forest ecosystem components along a small stream. Interactions between vegetation structure, chemical composition of soil and groundwater, as well as chemical element flows via litterfall and precipitation were studied in seven 50 m long transects located in the riparian forest of different characteristics along a 1.4 km river section in the northern part of Latvia. Our results showed that throughfall input of total nitrogen (TN) and potassium (K) was higher in transects with predominantly deciduous tree stands, but the concentration of TN in forest floor was higher in coniferous tree stands. At some soil layers, a positive correlation between organic soil carbon (OC) and the concentration of TN in groundwater was detected. The concentration of TN and nitrate-nitrogen (N-NO₃^–) in groundwater correlated positively with the deciduous tree basal area. The obtained results suggested that element flows are strongly dependent on tree species' composition and a comparatively small riparian area is able to provide diverse ecological conditions.

Eucalyptus plantations are an important source of raw materials for the Thai forest products industry. Despite its economic value, only a few noncomprehensive papers have been published about the wood properties and fungal susceptibility of eucalyptus. Our study covered the most commonly used commercial eucalyptus clones with a wide variety of sizes from eastern Thailand. We assumed that the properties of the clones would differ based on the tree sizes. The objectives of this study were to determine the effects of diameter at breast height (DBH), size, and clone type on wood properties and mould susceptibility. The optimal usage of each log characteristic based on the log quality and properties could be used to determine the maximum payoff. The wood properties and log characteristics of five eucalyptus log classes with three clones were investigated. In general, the levels of means and standard deviations were as follows: the modulus of rupture (MOR) was between 39 ± 4.9 MPa and 66 ± 5.4 MPa, and the modulus of elasticity (MOE) was between 14.5 ± 9.7 GPa and 24.0 ± 2.7 GPa. In addition, the compression parallel to the grain was between 28 ± 3.2 MPa and 43 ± 2.4 MPa, and the compression perpendicular to the grain was between 13 ± 0.7 MPa and 19 ± 1.1 MPa. The shear strength parallel to the grain was between 10 ± 0.3 MPa and 14 ± 0.6 MPa. The cleavage and hardness were from 4.7 ± 1.6 N to 7.4 ± 0.9 N and from 3.6 ± 0.3 kN to 6.2 ± 0.6 kN, respectively. The toughness and nail withdrawal were from 27.3 ± 3.5 kN·mm^–1 to 50.5 ± 1.0 kN·mm^–1 and from 28.56 ± 4.1 N·mm^–1 to 34.52 ± 2.8 N·mm^–1, respectively. Eucalyptus clone K7 had lower MOR and other mechanical properties than clones K58 and K62 except MOE. When DBH increased, the mechanical and physical property values increased as well. This happened for all clones, and especially when DBH was over 200 mm. The results of this study showed that log characteristics, such as taper, slenderness, and crookedness, should be used for log grading standards and that each fast-growing eucalyptus clone could be applied to different product classes.

The present study aimed to evaluate the biochemical and antioxidant responses of common carp after exposure to the antiepileptic and analgesic drug gabapentin at concentrations of 0.1, 1, 10, and 100 μg/l for 4 weeks. The exposure to the highest two concentrations resulted in significant changes in plasma indices such as glucose (only group 100 μg/l), alanine aminotransferase (ALT), lactate dehydrogenase (LDH), lipase, creatine kinase (CK), amylase as well as butyrylcholinesterase (BChE). Similar trends were found in both groups exposed to the environmentally relevant concentrations (i.e., 0.1 and 1 μg/l). In addition, a significant increase in the ferric-reducing power of the plasma was noted in all treated groups. Numerous changes in antioxidant enzymes, superoxide dismutase, catalase, glutathione-S-transferase, as well as lipid peroxidation, were observed especially in the caudal kidney in the group exposed to 100 μg/l. Significant findings were also confirmed in the group exposed to an environmentally relevant concentration (1 μg/l), with a decrease in superoxide dismutase in the gill and an increased lipoperoxidation in the caudal kidney. Our research shows that subchronic exposure to gabapentin may pose a significant risk to non-target aquatic organisms, such as disruption of metabolic pathways or induction of oxidative stress, even at environmentally relevant concentrations.

Pioneer tree species in the Czech Republic include birch, alder and aspen. From an economic point of view, birch seems to be the most promising. Greater use of timber from pioneer tree species in higher value-added products is currently limited by the low stocks of birch, alder and aspen in forest stands. A price survey was carried out in the Western Highlands region in the central part of the Czech Republic to obtain basic information on the prices of assortments of pioneer tree species. The prices of five assortments of raw timber were surveyed for the period 2019–2023. Very few of the prices of pioneer tree species were found for assortments of II and IIIC; these assortments are not actually produced and, therefore, not traded by the respondents. For the roundwood assortments (quality II, IIIAB), it cannot be clearly stated that any of the preparatory timber species (birch, alder, aspen) always achieved a higher price during the observed period. Only in 2023 was it possible to see higher prices for quality IIIAB assortments of alder. Birch of quality V had the highest price of the observed prices for this timber assortment for the pioneer tree species during the period under review. When using a system approach, considering the information on the prices of the timber assortments is also important for deciding on the optimal species composition of the regenerating forest stands. In the case of the Czech Republic's commercial tree species, this information is available at the national level. However, the situation is quite the opposite for the timber assortments of pioneer tree species, where information on their prices is completely lacking. This confirms the fact that the market for assortments of timber from pioneer tree species in the Czech Republic is basically non-existent, the main reason being the low volume of these assortments placed on the market.

Dog. Specifically created to save its master’s life. – (The dog is the ideal) Friend of man, (because it is his devoted slave) (source: Gustave Flaubert, Dictionnaire des Idées Reçues). But is man the best friend of the dog? This question is legitimate when we consider living situations to which modern domestic dogs are exposed. They often do not satisfy basic animal needs. In this narrative review, the author revisits the history of the dog’s presence alongside humans, in the light of current knowledge. The modern dog (breed standards and their interests in canine research) and its breeding strategy, including extreme breeding, will then be given particular attention. Dysfunctional human psychological processes will be explored to make it possible to grasp why the breeding of the modern dog is undergoing such a transformation. Finally, based on these factual and conceptual insights, suggestions to improve canine welfare will be proposed. To be effective, all these must be assessed against real-world conditions.

The lowering of loads at gradual tree felling is the riskiest activity performed by tree climbers. During this activity, great forces emerge and act on the felled tree, while the tree climbers use the tree itself to anchor and secure their stance. This research aims to find out whether certain methods of work or the use of certain rigging for lowering loads exhibit positive features in reducing the forces acting on the anchoring point of the rigging system. The work methodology consists of three operations: (i) the calculation of the coefficient of shear friction for the combination of 4 ropes and 5 lowering devices – altogether 20 combinations; (ii) the mathematical modelling of the maximum forces acting on the lowering loads of known weight; and (iii) the verification of mathematical modelling using a series of measured experiments of lowering loads of known weight. The research results present the calculation of the shear friction coefficient for 20 combinations of rigging rope and lowering devices. The maximum magnitudes of the forces which may act on the upper anchoring point of the rigging system at the known load weight were additionally calculated. A total of 240 force values were measured when a load of 12 kg in weight falls according to a predetermined model situation. The results indicate that the greatest influence on decreasing the impact force generated by the falling load is that of the load attachment, reduced load weight, shortened length of the fall or elongation of the total rope length in the rigging system. The differences in the coefficients of shear friction are apparent in the results of measurements, too.

Salinity represents a significant abiotic stress that markedly influences plant growth through osmotic stress induction. Plants commonly undergo osmotic adaptation when subjected to prolonged periods of saline stress. The current experiments were conducted on five wheat (Triticum aestivum L.) genotypes with contrasting salt tolerance capacities – Mirbashir 128, Gobustan, Gyzyl bughda, Fatima, and Zirva 80 under salinity stress caused by 150 mmol NaCl. The relative water content and osmotic potential were found to decrease significantly in salinity-sensitive genotypes (Fatima and Zirva 80) compared to salinity-tolerant ones (Mirbashir 128, Gobustan, and Gyzyl bughda) when treated with 150 mmol NaCl. Salinity also caused the accumulation of soluble sugars and proline, the amounts of which were observed to be higher in salinity-tolerant genotypes than sensitive ones, while lipid peroxidation was higher in salinity-sensitive genotypes. In salinity-tolerant genotypes, 150 mmol NaCl caused increased antioxidant enzyme activities and accumulation of flavonoids, including anthocyanins, confirming the rapid development of the stress reactions in these plants. Differences in the osmoregulation indicators and antioxidant responses between salinity-tolerant and sensitive plants are assumed to be related to their salinity-tolerance traits. This investigation provides pivotal foundational insights for enhancing the salt tolerance of wheat genotypes, thereby potentially enhancing both yield and quality in diverse wheat cultivars thriving in saline environments.

In Eastern Europe, near-natural forest patches are decreasing and are gradually replaced by non-native plantations. Tree plantations are commonly thought to be simple ecosystems with low conservation value, although this conclusion is mainly based on simple taxonomic diversity indices, which ignore functional and phylogenetic diversity. In this study, our objective was to compare species composition, diagnostic species, taxonomic, functional, and phylogenetic diversity, as well as naturalness status between two near-natural forest types (Quercus-Tilia and Populus alba) and two common plantation types (non-native Pinus sylvestris and non-native Robinia pseudoacacia) in the Deliblato Sands, Serbia. Our results showed that the species composition significantly differed in the four habitats. Each habitat had some species that were significantly concentrated in them. Most of the diagnostic species in the Quercus-Tilia forests were forest specialist plant species, while those in Populus alba forests were species associated with warmer and drier habitats, whereas the plantations hosted diagnostic species with broader ecological tolerances. Native species richness, total species diversity, and functional and phylogenetic diversity were similar in the four studied habitats, which can be explained by the combined effects of light regime and naturalness. We assessed low naturalness (i.e. high degradation) in plantations, which can be expected to reduce diversity. However, higher light availability was probably able to compensate for this effect. Non-native plantations, especially Robinia pseudoacacia plantations, were the most degraded and hosted the highest non-native species richness, implying that they are ecologically undesirable. In light of our results, we suggest that near-natural forest stands should be protected and efforts to restore these forests should be given high priority. Furthermore, it is advisable to continue with a forestry strategy that involves replacing non-native plantations with native ones, such as Tilia tomentosa, in the Deliblato Sands.

Cabbage (Brassica oleracea var. capitata L.) and onion (Allium cepa L.) are two of the most important vegetables in the world, and many insect pests are a problem in their production. Currently, especially in Europe, restrictions on the use of pesticides are increasingly being encouraged, so the need to find and use alternative methods is increasingly urgent. Cultural control of insect pests using companion plants, including cover crops, intercrops, and trap crops, has been proven to help manage these insect pests. Companion plants reduce plant insects primarily by disrupting host-seeking activity, disrupting oviposition, increasing the plant's natural enemies, or luring the pests to alternative food sources. This review outlines successful examples from around the world of the use of companion crops in controlling insect pests, focusing on the main pests of cabbage and onions in Europe. Details regarding the working mechanism of each of the three companion plants are discussed further in this article. We concluded that these companion plant tree forms effectively reduce the number of generalist and specialist plant pests attacking cabbage and onion.

Coffee leaf rust (CLR), Hemileia vastatrix, is a disease that has severely impacted the major coffee growing areas of the world. The discovery of CLR in Hawaii in October 2020 was devastating news to local growers, as it quickly spread to all coffee-growing areas, threatening the second-highest-valued crop in the State. Although the fungicide Priaxor Xemium had been approved as a Section 18 emergency exemption, there was still an urgent need for true systemic fungicides to provide sustained control of the disease. The study's overall objective was to test the efficacy of various systemic fungicides against CLR in field conditions. During the coffee growing season for two years, various fungicides were tested on two farms in the Kona district of Hawaii. Treated trees showed an 84% reduction in CLR incidence compared to untreated trees in Year 1 and a 79% reduction in Year 2 by the end of the study. Treated trees also had 12% and 38% more total leaves per branch than untreated trees in Years 1 and 2, respectively. All fungicide treatments provided excellent or good control of CLR compared to the untreated control under the climate of Hawaii.

The aim of this study was to evaluate the effects of exogenous 2, 4-epibrassinolide (EBR) on the yield of Tartary buckwheat (Fagopyrum tataricum (L.) Gaertn.). A 2-year field experiment was conducted on Tartary buckwheat (cv. Jinqiao 2) with different concentrations (0, 0.1, 0.5, 1.0, and 2.0 mg/L) of EBR and brassinolide (BRZ, inhibitor of brassinolide synthesis). The seed setting rate, agronomic traits, and yield initially increased and then decreased with an increase in the EBR application rate. The seed setting rate, agronomic traits, and yield decreased gradually with an increase in BRZ concentration, and yield was the lowest at 2.0 mg/L. The appropriate application of exogenous EBR could promote the increase of Tartary buckwheat yield. Compared with 0 mg/L (control), the 0.1, 0.5, and 1.0 mg/L treatments increased yield by 13.53, 32.73, and 7.08%, respectively, while the high-concentration treatment (2.0 mg/L) decreased by 4.13%. In conclusion, the appropriate concentration of EBR treatment (0.5 mg/L) delayed the senescence of Tartary buckwheat by increasing its root activity and the activity of antioxidant enzymes in leaves. Simultaneously, it increased the chlorophyll content of Tartary buckwheat leaves, enhanced photosynthesis, increased nonstructural carbohydrate content, and augmented the "source," increasing the seed setting rate and yield of Tartary buckwheat. This concentration is recommended for use in the production of Tartary buckwheat.

As a critical and universal soil physical property, soil water repellency significantly affects soil and water erosion and vegetation restoration, particularly in the karst region. This study analysed soil properties, namely, particle size distribution (PSD) in abandoned farmland and different plantations in karst areas, and their impact on water repellency to provide references for its ecological restoration. First, for the shaddock plantation, citrus plantation, ginkgo plantation, Robinia pseudoacacia plantation, and abandoned farmland, the research objects, soil particle size and water drop penetration time were measured, and the fractal parameters of soil PSD were computed. Soil PSD characteristics’ influence on water repellency was inferred according to, for example, correlation, redundancy, and stepwise regression analyses. Sand content in the shaddock plantation and clay content in the citrus plantation was the highest. The soil particles of abandoned farmland and plantations were primarily sand. The values of volume dimension D(0) in descending order were citrus plantation, shaddock plantation, ginkgo plantation, R. pseudoacacia plantation, and abandoned farmland. The values of information dimension D(1), correlation dimension D(2), and information dimension/volume dimension D(1)/D(0) in descending order were R. pseudoacacia plantation, ginkgo plantation, citrus plantation, abandoned farmland, and shaddock plantation. No significant differences were found in the symmetry degree Df, the spectral width Da of the singular spectral function, and the single fractal dimension D among the abandoned farmland and different plantations. Slight water repellency was observed in the abandoned farmland and different plantations. The degree of water repellency in descending order was R. pseudoacacia plantation > ginkgo plantation > abandoned farmland > citrus plantation > shaddock plantation. Significant correlations were found between fractal parameters and water repellency, and fractal parameters were suitable potential indicators for soil water repellency.

Elderberries belong to the spontaneous flora of Sambucus nigra L., being considered wild fruits and even improper to be consumed. Dark violet-black and slightly glossy elderberry fruits are rich in bioactive compounds such as agglutinin, total anthocyanins and polyphenols. The importance of heating is claimed by the seasonal and toxic specific elderberry fruits. Moreover, the need to transform the fruits from not suitable for consumption into functional products and to prolong the shelf life of the product should be highlighted. Based on these affirmations, the aim of the study was to preserve the elderberries as jam with or without refined sugar. Phytochemical, textural, colour and sensory analyses were used to characterize three samples of jams (one without sugar, one with refined sugar and one with stevia sugar). The samples with stevia sweetener addition showed the highest values of anthocyanins (1.43 ± 0.16 mg·g^–1 dry matter, DM) among the processed samples; as for the raw fruits, the anthocyanin content showed a decrease. The antioxidant activity determined by the 2,2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH) assay revealed similar values between all the analysed elderberry jams. In accordance with the other results, the most appreciated sample by the sensory evaluation was the sample with stevia sweetener. As a conclusion, the total sugar substitution could contribute to a more valuable matrix than the original one. The novelty of the study consists in the use of such popular spontaneous flora of Sambucus nigra L. berries and in a change of the inedible character of the raw fruits into edible functional foods with a prolonged shelf-life.

The rhizosphere plays an important role in both farmland and urban areas, affecting water quantity and quality during surface water infiltration by increasing the heterogeneity of the aeration zone. The extensive application of antibiotics, their recalcitrance to degradation, and the resultant accumulation of antibiotics in soil-microbe-plant systems represent significant threats to the rhizosphere system, thereby threatening ecological stability and environmental and human health. This review synthesises recent findings on the migration and transformation of typical and common antibiotics within the rhizosphere. The main findings include that the absorption of antibiotics by plants is influenced by their molecular weight (MW) and octanol-water partition coefficient (log K_ow), allowing antibiotics to be divided into three classes: (1) antibiotics with high lipophilicity (log K_ow > 2) are mostly adsorbed by root lipids and rarely participate in the soil-plant transport process; (2) antibiotics with log K_ow < 2 and high MWs (MW > 700) are blocked outside the plant roots; and (3) antibiotics with log K_ow < 2 and low MWs (MW < 700) can enter plants through the roots and are transported via transpiration flow in plants. Antibiotics with log K_ow < 1 are more easily transported into plant tissues, including leaves. The rhizospheric microorganisms capable of participating in antibiotic migration and transformation are concentrated in Actinobacteria, Firmicutes, Proteobacteria, and Bacteroidetes. The inhibitory effect of antibiotics on dehydrogenase, sucrase, urease, catalase, and alkaline phosphatase activities surpasses their promoting effect, reducing these enzyme activities by 6–35% on average. However, the promoting effect of antibiotics on peroxidase, acidic phosphatase, and manganese peroxidase outweighs the inhibitory effect, increasing enzyme activity by 2–23%. Furthermore, it is essential to consider the effects of plant age and root characteristics on antibiotic migration and transformation. The results of this review contribute to a better understanding of the migration and transformation of antibiotics within the rhizosphere.

Foot diseases are one of the leading health problems that lead to significant yield losses in small ruminant breeding. This study aimed to clinically evaluate foot diseases in sheep and goats reared in Siirt province of Türkiye and its surrounding districts. Molecular methods were used to investigate the presence of Dichelobacter nodosus serogroups and Treponema spp. phylogroups in cases with identified lesions. Clinical examination of 4 111 sheep and goats identified foot diseases in 402 animals, affecting a total of 410 feet. Contagious ovine digital dermatitis (CODD) and digital dermatitis (DD) cases were identified in 66.82% and 26.82% of diseased feet, respectively. Footrot lesions were found in 4.87% of the feet in which the disease was identified. D. nodosus was detected in 66.23% of swab samples collected from 77 CODD cases, whereas Treponema spp. was identified in 2.59% of the samples. Among DD cases (n = 110), D. nodosus was found in 35.45% and Treponema spp. in 17.27% (Group 1 = 1.81%, Group 2 = 15.45%). The majority of D. nodosus strains identified in the cases (n = 90) were classified as serogroup A (37.77%) and serogroup D (60.00%). This study revealed that CODD is a major problem in small ruminant breeding in the Siirt province and its districts. It was determined that D. nodosus serogroup A, D and Treponema spp. Group 2 strains played an important role in the aetiology of foot diseases in sheep and goats. This study represents the first comprehensive investigation of foot diseases in sheep and goats in the Siirt province and marks a significant milestone as the first study in Türkiye to identify and analyse the aetiology causes of CODD in the literature.

This research employed co-word clustering analysis to classify 62 geographical indication (GI) protection policies from 2009 to 2023 into three distinct types. Employing Sankey diagrams, we dynamically analysed the evolution of these policy tools. These insights provide valuable experiential guidance for reforming and innovating China’s GI protection system and agricultural sustainable development.

This study investigates the impact of prolonged sugarcane cultivation on the pedo-morphological characteristics and physicochemical properties of three soil types: Entisols, Inceptisols, and Vertisols, as a basis for determining the improvement step ensuring the sustainability of sugarcane production in Indonesia. Soil samples were collected from fields of sugarcane cultivated for 10, 20, and 30 years to analyse pedo-morphological and physicochemical properties. The results indicate that while Entisols and Inceptisols exhibited significant changes in soil properties with increasing cultivation duration, the pedo-morphology of Vertisols remained relatively stable. All soil types developed Ap horizons due to sugarcane cultivation, with anthropogenic practices leading to more dynamic changes in surface horizons. Extended cultivation reduced soil organic matter, N-total, and available nitrogen, while phosphorus and exchangeable cation availability were influenced by mineral composition. Notably, cation exchange capacity (CEC) decreased in Entisols and Inceptisols but increased in Vertisols. For productivity, Vertisols demonstrated the most stable and highest sugarcane productivity with long-term monoculture cultivation. There is a need for tailored sustainable soil management across different soil types and practices to mitigate soil degradation and maintain nutrient availability to ensure the sustainability of sugarcane production in Indonesia.

Soil phosphorus plays an important role in the soil ecological environment and sustainable development of the fruit industry in the soil hilly region of southern China, but the impact of different mulching measures on soil available phosphorus and phosphorus fractions in orchards remains unclear. In this study, soil basic physicochemical properties, available phosphorus, inorganic phosphorus fractions and their interrelationships under natural grass cover (NG), film mulch (FM) and clean tillage (CK) in orchards were explored. Compared to CK treatment, both FM and NG treatments have been shown to increase the contents of soil organic carbon (SOC), total nitrogen (TN), and available nitrogen (AN). Additionally, compared with the FM treatment, the NG treatment increased total phosphorus (TP), total potassium (TK), available potassium (AK), and soil acid phosphatase (S-ACP), resulting in greater improvements in soil fertility. The NG treatment increased the contents of aluminium-bound phosphate (Al-P) and iron-bound phosphate (Fe-P) in the 0–40 cm soil layer, whereas the FM treatment decreased the contents of Fe-P and Al-P and increased the content of occluded phosphate (O-P). Compared with the CK treatment, the NG treatment significantly increased the available phosphorus in the 0–40 cm soil layer, whereas the FM treatment significantly decreased it. Redundancy analysis revealed that pH and S-ACP were the main factors affecting soil phosphorus components. Al-P, Fe-P, and S-ACP were the three factors with the highest correlations with available phosphorus. However, according to multiple stepwise analyses, only Al-P was directly related to available phosphorus. Overall, in the southeast hilly orchards, the NG treatment improved soil nutrient and enzyme activity and is considered an effective strategy to increase the biological effectiveness of phosphorus while reducing leaching losses.

Wind erosion represents a locally significant soil degradation process in the Czech Republic, particularly in intensively farmed lowland regions. While areas susceptible to wind erosion have been previously identified, spatially explicit quantification of potential soil loss expressed in t/ha per year at the national scale has so far been lacking. This study presents a comprehensive assessment of potential wind-driven soil loss across the Czech Republic using the Wind Erosion Equation (WEQ). Special attention is given to the soil erodibility index (I), which was derived from extensive laboratory analyses of soil aggregates and evaluated using multiple statistical representations (Q₂₅, median, mean, Q₇₅, and Q₉₀). The resulting variants were used to quantify the sensitivity of modelled soil loss to erodibility assumptions and to compare exceedance of national (9 t/ha per year) and European (2 t/ha per year) reference limits. Results show substantial spatial variability in index I and associated soil loss estimates. Using the recommended median-based variant, approximately 10% of agricultural land exceeds the European reference limit, while only 0.8% exceeds the national threshold. Higher quantile scenarios (Q₇₅ and Q₉₀) identify erosion hotspots in dry lowland regions and are suitable for preventive planning. The presented outputs provide the first spatially consistent national framework for assessing potential wind erosion losses in the Czech Republic.

This article presents guidelines for assessing the optimal dimensions of forest road pipe culverts, based on input of actual and experimental data to standard engineering techniques. In doing so, we assess the need for (i) changes in the parametrisation of inputs (i.e. culvert micro-catchment dimensions, rainfall and resultant culvert flow, and culvert flow rates during culvert hydraulic dimensioning), and (ii) the need to redesign culvert outlets in relation to flow speed. Our results demonstrate that values for most inputs presently used under current technical practice for forest road pipe culvert sizing are significantly higher than those achieved under experimental conditions. The data on outlet flow velocities strongly suggests that strengthening of culvert outlet aprons will be crucial for their future operation.

Stem rot disease poses a significant challenge in passion fruit production, necessitating the identification of resistant genes for the development of stem rot resistant varieties. In this study, we conducted artificial inoculation of Fusarium solani on leaves of two passion fruit varieties, ‘Huangjinguo’ and ‘Ziguo 7’. Leaf samples were collected at 0 h, 24 h, and 48 h post-inoculation for RNA-sequencing (RNA-seq) analysis, and 3 370, 4 464, and 3 974 differentially expressed genes (DEGs) were identified at these stages. Gene Ontology (GO) analysis revealed associations with functions such as response to reactive oxygen species (ROS), response to hydrogen peroxide, and protein complex oligomerisation. Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes (KEGG) analysis highlighted the enrichment of DEGs in the phenylpropanoid biosynthesis pathway, including genes such as ZX.06G0025070, ZX.01G0064640, ZX.04G0011040, ZX.05G0011380, all implicated in lignin biosynthesis. Weighted gene co-expression network analysis (WGCNA) identified three modules significantly associated with passion fruit stem rot resistance. Network analysis highlighted ZX.08G0013660 as the gene with the highest connectivity in these modules, featuring a leucine-rich repeat domain. Reverse transcription quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction (RT-qPCR) analysis further validated ZX.08G0013660 and other genes as potential candidates for passion fruit stem rot resistance. Overall, genes related to ROS, phenylpropanoid biosynthesis and leucine-rich repeat domain protein likely play critical roles in passion fruit stem rot resistance. This study provides new insights for breeding passion fruit varieties resistant to stem rot disease.

The present study was carried out to enlist herbicidal and antimicrobial compounds in the methanolic stem extract of Carthamus oxycantha, a problematic weed of Asteraceae. Methanolic stem extract was subjected to GC-MS analysis that revealed the presence of 150 constituents in the extract. The most abundant compound was Niacin (45.375%) followed by D-ribofuranose, 5-deoxy-5-(methylsulfinyl)-1,2,3-tris-O-(trimethylsilyl)- (14.528%); 9,12-octadecadienoic acid (Z,Z)-, methyl ester (4.951%); γ-tocopherol (4.638%); hexacosane (4.148%); 3-phenyllactic acid, 2TMS derivative  (2.675%); 13-retinoic acid, (Z)-, TMS derivative (2.461%); 2,2,5,5-tetramethyl-4-ethyl-3-imidazoline-1-oxyl (2.276%); octadecanoic acid (1.851%); 2-deoxy-1,3,4,5-tetrakis-O-(trimethylsilyl); pentitol (1.757%); 3,5,5-trimethyl-4-(3-((trimethylsilyl)oxy)butyl)cyclohex-2-enone (1.505%); methyl 9.cis.,11.trans.t,13.trans.-octadecatrienoate (1.136%); and benzoic acid, 3-[(trimethylsilyl)oxy]-, trimethylsilyl ester (1.044%). Peak areas for the rest of the compounds were below 1%. Among the identified compounds, 9,12-octadecadienoic acid (Z,Z)-, methyl ester (3), hexacosane (5), 9,12-octadecadienoic acid (Z,Z)- (28), tetradecanoic acid, methyl ester (29), hexadecanoic acid, methyl ester (30), γ-sitosterol (33), 9,12,15-octadecatrienoic acid, (Z,Z,Z)- (48), dodecanoic acid (68) and eicosane (128) are known to possess antimicrobial activities. Compound 28 is also known for its herbicidal activity as a binary mixture with xanthoxyline. This study concludes that the stem extract of C. oxycantha primarily comprises antifungal and antibacterial compounds.

Soil degradation resulting from illicit coca cultivation and unsustainable grazing practices poses a major challenge to ecosystem restoration in the Peruvian Amazon. This study evaluates the potential of fast-growing tree species to rehabilitate degraded soils while producing economically valuable timber. Monoculture plantations of Corymbia torelliana (eucalyptus), Calycophyllum spruceanum (capirona), Colubrina glandulosa (shaina), and Cedrelinga cateniformis (tornillo) were established on former coca and pasture lands in the Alto Huallaga Valley. We assessed tree growth and key soil physicochemical properties – including soil organic matter (SOM), bulk density (BD), pH, extractable phosphorus (P), and cation exchange capacity (CEC) – in topsoil (0–10 cm) and subsoil (10–40 cm) layers. Eucalyptus and tornillo showed the highest diameter growth, while tornillo plots had significantly higher SOM levels. Soil pH was strongly acidic across all plots, and subsoil P was lowest under tornillo. CEC was highest in eucalyptus and capirona plots. Our findings suggest that tree plantations, particularly with eucalyptus, capirona, and tornillo, represent a viable strategy for the sustainable use and rehabilitation of soils formerly used for coca cultivation and grazing.

From 1967 to 1995, the flight activity of 25 monovoltine species of moths (Noctuidae, Lepidoptera) was monitored via a light trap located in Prague (50.09 N, 14.30 E). For each species, the day when half of the individuals were caught (peak of flight activity, PFA) was specified each year. This study addresses a method of predicting the calendar date of the PFA via thermal time. We determined a base temperature of +6 °C, at which the differences between the predicted and actual dates of the PFA were minimal. For each species and each year, the sum of the degree days exceeding the base temperature from January 1 to the date of the PFA (SumT) was determined, and the average SumT throughout the study was calculated. Each year, the predicted date of the PFA is the date when the average SumT was achieved. Sixty-five percent of the predicted PFA dates fell within ±5 days of the actual date of the PFA. Shifts in the magnitude and direction of the difference between the actual and predicted PFAs affecting concurrently all species were caused by the thermal conditions of the year.