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This study aimed to evaluate the therapeutic efficacy of a ceftiofur-neomycin combination against a pathogenic multidrug-resistant Escherichia coli strain, KECS-0513, isolated from pigs, using a combination of genomic, in vitro, and in vivo approaches. The minimum inhibitory concentration, minimum bactericidal concentration, and checkerboard assays were performed. Time–kill assays were used to assess bactericidal activity over time, and a murine intraperitoneal infection model was used to evaluate survival outcomes following treatment with monotherapies or combination regimens. Whole genome sequencing indicated that KECS-0513 harboured multiple resistance genes, including bla_TEM-1B, sul3, aadA12, aad(3)-IVa, aph(3’)-Ia, and aph(4)-Ia. The resistance genes were localised within a mobile, element-rich plasmid. In vitro checkerboard assays revealed an additive interaction between ceftiofur and neomycin (fractional inhibitory concentration index = 1.0), and time–kill experiments demonstrated enhanced and sustained bacterial clearance with combination therapy. In vivo infection studies in mice demonstrated that the dual treatment resulted in a substantially higher survival rate (66.7%) compared to treatment with either agent alone (33.3% for each). These results support the practical application of ceftiofur-neomycin combination therapy for controlling swine-associated multidrug-resistant E. coli while minimising the risk of resistance emergence.

High-throughput molecular technology DArTseq generates markers for potential use in molecular breeding of crops. Using DArTseq, we analysed a comprehensive set of 333 European potato varieties reflecting the outcomes of long-term breeding history and representing a potential germplasm for future breeding of potatoes in the Central European region. The varieties were classified according to four factors: region of origin, breeder, earliness and utilisation mode, that may potentially reflect their genetic structure, and for which complete data were publicly available. The DArTseq analysis was performed by the service centre, the Diversity Array Technology (University of Canberra), which generated approximately 38 000 silicoDArT and 64 000 SNP (single nucleotide polymorphism) polymorphic markers. The discriminatory ability of the markers in relation to the factors was confirmed using neighbour-joining and principal coordinate analysis (PCoA), while the informativeness was assessed using the discriminant analysis of principal components (DAPC). The analyses identified the 50 SNPs most strongly associated with each factor, along with their highly probable chromosomal localisation. Herein presented research contributes to the evaluation of potato genetic resources by adding the novel molecular data of active germplasm and implies their future utilisation in genome wide association studies and marker assisted selection.

Tea (Camellia sinensis (L.) Kuntze) is a globally important crop valued for its flavour diversity and health benefits. Whole-genome sequencing (WGS) was performed to compare genomic variation and functional potential between clone Yabukita and locally adapted clone I.1.93. Using next-generation sequencing, approximately 10× genome coverage was achieved for both clones, with high mapping efficiency (98.24% for Yabukita and 97.88% for clone I.1.93), ensuring reliable downstream analyses. Single nucleotide polymorphism (SNP) analysis revealed distinct genomic patterns, with Yabukita showing a more uniform chromosomal SNP distribution, while clone I.1.93 exhibited higher SNP densities on specific chromosomes, particularly chromosomes 5 and 13. Silent mutations predominated in Yabukita (48.21%), whereas missense mutations were more frequent in clone I.1.93 (57.97%), suggesting greater functional divergence. Most SNPs occurred in non-coding regions, indicating potential regulatory roles. GO and Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes (KEGG) analyses revealed highly similar shared pathways, including photosynthesis and protein interactions, alongside clone-specific enrichment related to photosynthesis in Yabukita and stress responses in clone I.1.93. miRNA profiling identified distinct regulatory patterns, including the clone-specific miR530 in clone I.1.93. Biosynthetic gene cluster analysis further predicted secondary metabolite pathways associated with terpenoid, polyketide, and saccharide biosynthesis. These findings provide valuable genomic insights for tea improvement and breeding programs.

Rainfall is a major contributor to water erosion of sloping cropland in Northeast China. Identifying how rainfall and slope gradient (S) influence runoff depth (RD) and sediment yield (SY) is crucial for preventing water erosion. Field measurements from runoff plots were collected from 2023 to 2024, and K-means clustering was applied to clarify the rainfall patterns. Response of RD and SY to the rainfall pattern and S were analysed. Key factors impacting RD and SY were explored. The results showed that three rainfall patterns were identified for 34 erosive rainfall events: A (41.2%, medium duration, medium rainfall intensity, and medium rainfall amount (RA)). B (50.0%, short duration, high rainfall intensity, and low RA) and C (5.4%, long duration, low rainfall intensity, high RA). Furthermore, the cumulative RD and SY increased with S for the same rainfall pattern. The cumulative RD and SY responded similarly to rainfall patterns for the same S. The contribution of the rainfall pattern to the cumulative RD and SY decreased in the order of C, A, and B. In addition, rainfall duration (D) and maximum 30-minute rainfall intensity were the key factors affecting RD and SY for rainfall pattern A, respectively. Rainfall erosivity (R) was the key factor affecting RD and SY for rainfall pattern B and C. R and RD were the dominant factors influencing the RD and SY for all rainfall events, respectively.

This research focuses on the effects of large-scale clearcuts resulting from salvage logging after spruce (Picea abies) forest dieback caused by an extreme bark beetle infestation, and on the effect of logging residues management (chopping vs. clearing) on the distribution of potentially toxic elements (PTEs) in soil. Pseudo-total contents of Cd, Cr, Cu, Ni, Pb and Zn were determined in soil samples collected separately from the organic (F+H) and mineral (0–10, 10–20, and 20–30 cm depths) soil layers. The distribution of elements was influenced mainly by sampling locality and position in the soil profile. In general, the contents of Cd, Ni and Cr were higher in the mineral layers, whereas Pb was more concentrated in the FH layer. A significant effect of logging residues management on the distribution of PTEs was observed only for Pb and Zn. We expect that the relative decrease of Pb and increase of Zn contents in the “chopped” treatment was mostly due to the higher input of mineral soil and wood residues to the FH layer. Since the stand was harvested relatively recently, the effects of soil preparation have probably outweighed those of spreading or removing logging residues.

Enhancing economic and environmental efficiency is a fundamental objective shared by all European economic sectors, with agriculture being a particular area of focus. In this study, economic and environmental efficiency are considered in parallel and compared in terms of their long-term development. From an economic perspective, the classical production factors of labour, capital and land are compared with economic production output. The environmental perspective of the study focuses on greenhouse gases and acidifying gases, with the investigation based on data from Eurostat from 2009 to 2020. Due to constraints regarding the  availability of data , the study encompassed 22 EU countries.  The findings indicate that Greece, Spain, the Netherlands and Poland demonstrate high levels of economic efficiency, while Ireland and Finland exhibit notable enhancements in this regard. Low economic efficiency scores are evident in Latvia and Austria, where substantial catching-up processes are observable. With respect to ecological efficiency, Greece, Spain and Italy have been found to be dominant, as have Finland, Sweden and Slovakia. Ireland, Luxembourg and Poland have lower ecological efficiency scores, but only Ireland shows signs of convergence. The present study seeks to minimise the impact of volatility and dispersion with a view to providing valid long-term trends for the purpose of benchmarking efforts and r policy decisions.

The domestication process has had a substantial and varied impact on animals in terms of anatomy, physiology, and behaviour. Poultry species are particularly important for humans, with the most significant being chickens, geese, and ducks. However, it is not well understood whether, or to what extent selection influences the eggshell structure compared to wild ancestors. In the present study, we compared eggshells from three species: Red junglefowl and its four domesticated forms: Green-legged partridge, Lohmann Brown, Ko-Shamo, meat type breeder (Cobb 500); Greylag goose, and two domesticated breeds: Bilgoraj goose and White Koluda goose, as well as Mallard duck and domesticated crossbred KhO-01. The analyses revealed significant differences in the eggshell structure both between species (P < 0.001) and between breeds (P < 0.001 for chickens and geese, and P = 0.039 for ducks). Domesticated forms tend to have fewer mammillary knobs per mm² (P = 0.004), which were larger (P < 0.001) and they show the smaller coverage of the mammillary knobs (P < 0.001). Analyses showed significant correlations of the body mass and egg size with eggshell characteristics (P < 0.001). Considering that domesticated forms are usually larger, it cannot be conclusively determined whether changes in structure result from the domestication process itself or are physiologically linked to body mass and egg size. The relatively high similarity between the eggs of the wild ancestor and the Ko-Shamo breed, which exhibits substantial morphological changes but has a body mass similar to that of the Red junglefowl, supports this interpretation.

Autochthonous cattle breeds represent important resources of genetic diversity. The Busha cattle breed is reared in the Balkan Peninsula and is characterised by high adaptability, resilience, longevity, small body size, and low maintenance and production requirements. During the 36-year observation period, the total population of the autochthonous Busha cattle breed in the Republic of Croatia amounted to 10 411 animals. Pedigree completeness for the total population, considering the first parental generation, was 97.1%. The average inbreeding coefficient was 2.44%, ranging from zero to 42.6%, while the average relatedness coefficient was 3.56% in the total population. The effective population size, calculated in the reference population based on the individual increase in inbreeding, was 63.3. The probabilities of gene origin in the reference population were f_e – 38.0, f_a – 33.0, and f_g – 25.4, indicating a loss of genetic variability due to genetic drift (f_g/f_e – 0.66) and a bottleneck (f_e/f_a – 1.15). In the population of the autochthonous Busha cattle breed, the effective number of ancestors (f_a) was smaller than the effective number of founders (f_e). Increased relatedness among animals was observed, which could affect the long-term conservation of the population.

Drought is a major abiotic stressor that limits crop growth and is often associated with oxidative stress. We evaluated whether foliar silicon (Si) application affects primary root anatomy, plant height, and phenolic metabolism in three common buckwheat (Fagopyrum esculentum) cultivars (La Harpe, Panda, and Smuga) exposed to water deficit. Plants were grown under controlled conditions in four treatments: control; drought; control + Si, and drought + Si. Qualitative anatomical assessment revealed that Si promoted more advanced development of the primary root central cylinder, most notably in La Harpe under drought conditions, where a continuous ring of secondary xylem and a well-developed pith were observed. Drought significantly reduced plant height in all cultivars; Si partially alleviated this reduction in La Harpe and Panda, but not in Smuga. Drought generally increased total phenolic content (TPC) and phenolic acid content (PAC) in both leaves and roots, and Si further enhanced these responses, with the highest values under drought + Si. Overall, the results indicate cultivar-dependent effectiveness of foliar silicon (Si) and suggest that Si contributes to coordinated structural and biochemical adjustments under water deficit conditions. To assess the transferability of these responses, further verification across a broader range of genotypes and under different intensities and durations of drought is warranted.

This study aimed to estimate heritabilities of piglet birth-weight traits and to investigate the relationships between piglet birth-weight and litter-size traits using field data from Czech Large White and Landrace sows. Data including 86 241 piglets from 5 536 litters were analysed using repeatability, genetic, and genomic models. The investigated piglet-weight traits included arithmetic mean birth weight (MBW), within-litter standard deviation (SDBW), coefficient of variation in birth weight (CVBW), and the proportion of small piglets in the litter (SMALL). Heritability rates of piglet-weight traits were low, with the highest estimates for MBW (0.06–0.10) and SMALL (0.08–0.17), depending on the model used, while the other within-litter variability traits showed heritability rates from 0.03 to 0.05. The heritability rates of litter-size traits, including the number of piglets born alive (NBA) and the number of piglets weaned (NW), were low and ranged from 0.05 to 0.07. The realised accuracies of prediction were moderate to high, ranging from 0.50 to 0.72 for piglet-weight traits and from 0.54 to 0.77 for litter-size traits, with ssGBLUP improving realised accuracy by 4–15% in comparison to BLUP. Genetic correlations estimated using BLUP and ssGBLUP indicated that litter size at birth (NBA) tended to be negatively associated with MBW and positively or weakly associated with piglet-weight variability traits (SDBW, CVBW, and SMALL), whereas NW tended to show positive correlations with MBW and negative correlations with variability traits. However, none of the correlations were statistically significant.

To clarify the effects of post-anthesis low light on grain yield and starch quality of waxy and non-waxy soft wheat, a field experiment was conducted from 2023 to 2025. Two wheat cultivars, Jinuo 2 (waxy soft wheat) and Quanmai 725 (non-waxy soft wheat), were employed as test materials, and four shading treatments (no shading, 10% shading, 20% shading, and 30% shading) were applied after anthesis. The regulatory effects of different shading intensities on wheat yield, grain quality, starch granule size distribution and starch viscosity properties were systematically analysed. The results showed that post-anthesis low light stress significantly reduced the grain number per spike, 1 000-grain weight and grain yield, while increasing the protein content, wet gluten content and sedimentation value of wheat grains. Under low light stress, the volume and surface area proportions of A-type starch granules increased, while those of B-type starch granules decreased. Under the same shading condition, Jinuo 2 exhibited a higher proportion of B-type starch granules and a lower proportion of A-type starch granules than Quanmai 725. With increasing shading intensity, the peak, trough and final viscosities, as well as the breakdown and setback values, of grain starch decreased continuously, and all viscosity parameters of Quanmai 725 were significantly higher than those of Jinuo 2. Furthermore, post-anthesis low light reduced the onset, peak and conclusion gelatinisation temperatures and increased gelatinisation enthalpy. Quanmai 725 had higher gelatinisation temperatures, whereas Jinuo 2 possessed higher gelatinisation enthalpy. Correlation analysis indicated that the volume distribution of B-type starch granules (≤ 10 μm) was significantly positively correlated with starch viscosity parameters, while A-type starch granules (> 10 μm) showed a significant negative correlation. In conclusion, post-anthesis low light reduces the yield and the proportion of B-type starch granules, increases the proportion of A-type starch granules, decreases starch pasting viscosity and elevates gelatinisation enthalpy in both soft wheat cultivars. Compared with Quanmai 725, Jinuo 2 is more sensitive to post-anthesis low light stress in terms of starch granule distribution characteristics.

Tree-ring analysis is a valuable tool for understanding long-term climate patterns and their influence on tree growth. This study investigates the climate–growth relationships of Khasi pine (Pinus kesiya Royle ex Gordon) in Doi Khuntan National Park, northern Thailand (at elevations of 850 to 1 035 m a.s.l.), to reconstruct past climate and inform forest management. Using 48 cross-dated increment cores, we developed an 83-year chronology (1936–2018). Standard dendrochronological methods and regression models were applied. The radial growth of P. kesiya was primarily influenced by moisture availability, showing significant positive correlations with March rainfall (r = 0.39, P < 0.01) and April–July relative humidity (r = 0.45, P < 0.01). Growth was negatively correlated with April–July mean temperature (r = –0.47, P < 0.01), indicating that warmer wet seasons induce stress. False-rings served as complementary intra-annual drought proxies, linked to cool-dry transitional periods. Multiple regression models explained 40.6% of radial growth variance and 65.6% of false-ring frequency variance. Reconstructed climate series revealed significant warming trends since the 1930s, most pronounced in April extreme minimum temperature, which increased by +0.98 °C over the study period (Mann-Kendall test, P < 0.01). These findings highlight the vulnerability of montane pine forests to increasing temperatures and atmospheric dryness, providing a multi–proxy baseline for climate change adaptation.

Headwater streams are key pathways for carbon (C) transfer from terrestrial to aquatic ecosystems. Sediments and plant litter constitute major C pools in streams, yet their roles in regulating dissolved carbon (DC) exports remain poorly understood. Here, we investigated dissolved organic carbon (DOC) and dissolved inorganic carbon (DIC) concentrations and export through monthly sampling over one year in a subtropical forest headwater stream. DOC export peaked during the wet season (98.9 ± 171.8 kg·h^–1), whereas DIC export showed no significant seasonal variation. During the wet season, C pool characteristics were more strongly related to DOC dynamics, whereas during the dry season they were more closely associated with DIC dynamics. DOC concentrations in sediments and plant litter were positively related to stream DOC concentrations, while higher total carbon (TC) storage showed weak relationships with DC exports. These results indicate that C pool characteristics influence stream C dynamics mainly through C quality rather than pool size, and that different C pools exert different effects on DOC and DIC dynamics. However, hydrological variables – especially stream discharge – exerted the strongest control on DC export. Together, these findings indicate that hydrology controls C export, whereas C pools regulate the composition of DC in headwater streams.

High salt (sodium chloride) consumption is a significant public health concern worldwide. There is strong scientific evidence that a high-sodium diet is associated with increased rates of several health problems. This article aims to replace the salt content of sliced bread with salt encapsulated in xanthan gum, providing a non-homogeneous distribution of salt to maintain the perception of salty taste. The key focus of this research is to maintain the product's sensory characteristics and ensure consumer acceptance, a crucial aspect in the success of any food product. For this purpose, three sliced bread formulations were developed and compared: Formulation 1 (F1) as the standard, and Formulations 2 (F2) and 3 (F3) using the encapsulated salt technique, with respective reductions of 30% and 50% in salt. Physicochemical analyses were performed on the products of the three bread formulations. Sensory analysis was also performed on the products from the three bread formulations, involving 80 untrained tasters, to evaluate and compare salt intensity. Thus, it was evaluated that F1 and F2 did not present statistical differences in the sodium content, while F3 presented a difference between the others. Therefore, it was possible to conclude that reducing sodium by 29% using xanthan gum encapsulation can be an alternative to reducing salt without lowering flavour perception.

Changes in the content of mineral nutrients (Ca, Mg, K, Na) and risk elements (Mn, Cd) in the assimilatory organs of selected plant species were studied along the altitudinal gradient of A‒D zones polluted by alkaline emissions from the magnesite factory Lubeník (Slovak Republic). Multivariate statistical analysis and comparison with background values in other studies demonstrate persistent intoxication of some plants by Mg (all study plants), K (Lactuca saligna, Dryopteris filix-mas), Mn (Quercus polycarpa, Carpinus betulus, Betula pendula, Lactuca saligna) and Cd (Quercus polycarpa, Carpinus betulus, Betula pendula, Lactuca saligna). Overall, Lactuca saligna accumulated the highest amounts of Mg, Cd, Na and K near the magnesite plant, suggesting its potential as an effective bioindicator of elemental pollution. Unbalanced Ca/Mg ratios, lower than 1, were recorded predominantly in all plant species sampled near the magnesite plant; unbalanced K/(Mg + Ca) ratios were predominantly in woody species.

Rice paddy fields serve as an important source of stable food supply and a notable contributor to atmospheric methane (CH₄) and nitrous oxide (N₂O). Rice cultivar selection acts as a pivotal factor in regulating greenhouse gas (GHGs) of CH₄ and N₂O emissions from rice paddy fields. However, little is known about how different types of rice cultivars affect CH₄ and N₂O emissions. In the study, three types of rice cultivars, including Japonica-type Indica-Japonica hybrid rice (JHR: ZJY1578 and JHY5), Indica-type hybrid rice (IHR: ZZY8 and JFY2), and inbred rice (IR: J67 and XS121), were selected to evaluate differences in mitigating GHGs. Results showed that the total CH₄ and N₂O emissions of two Japonica-type Indica-Japonica hybrid rice cultivars were 49.81–60.01 kg/ha and 0.67–0.83 g/ha, respectively, which were lower than those of the other two rice cultivar types. The total equivalent of carbon dioxide emissions of CH₄ and N₂O (TCO₂-eq) of two Japonica hybrid rice significantly reduced by 16.7–46.9%, compared with the other two types of rice cultivars (IHR and IR). CH₄ contributed 85.5–89.9% to the GWP, while 65.6–80.4% in the field of planting inbred rice. The reduction in GHGs emissions is mainly attributed to yield, available carbon and nitrogen contents, root morphological characteristics, and functional genes. Consequently, GHGs emissions in paddy fields could be mitigated by selecting or breeding cultivars with high yield, lower root exudates, and greater root porosity.

The availability of new sensor technologies, such as thermal and hyperspectral imaging, enables early-stage weed detection and species identification and density estimation, both of which are crucial for effective weed management. Thermal imaging successfully distinguished between dicotyledonous (oilseed rape, pea, Stellaria media, Triplerospermum inodorum, Veronica persica) and monocotyledonous species (barley, wheat, sorghum and Echinochloa crus-galli) except Amaranthus retroflexus, during early growth stages. The most pronounced differences in hyperspectral reflectance occurred at 550 nm, where five distinct plant groups were recognisable (sum of squares = 0.7604, F-value = 105.1). The highest hyperspectral reflectance was recorded for oilseed rape, followed by Stellaria media. The same trend was found for the normalised difference index (NDI), which also showed five distinct groups. These findings indicate that thermography and hyperspectral imaging have strong potential as effective tools for supporting weed detection in precision agriculture; however, further research and field validation are required before routine implementation in agricultural practice.

This study aimed to evaluate the effects of dietary administration of peppermint (Mentha piperita) alone and in combination with southernwood (Artemisia abrotanum) on performance, body and carcass composition, physicochemical characteristics, and amino acid composition of breast meat in broilers under Eimeria challenge. A total of 160 14-day-old male broilers (Ross 308) were randomly assigned to four dietary groups: the control (C) group was fed a basal diet; the CC group received a grower diet containing the coccidiostat robenidine; the M group was fed the diets with the addition of 20 g peppermint/kg of diet; the MS group was fed the diets with the addition of 10 g peppermint + 10 g of southernwood/kg of diet. The addition of peppermint to the diet increased final live weight compared to the CC group (P < 0.05). The highest value of dressing percentage was found in the M group as compared to the CC group (P < 0.01) and C group (P < 0.05). Compared with the C group, a higher intramuscular fat content was found in the breast meat of broilers in both the M and MS groups (P < 0.01; P < 0.05, resp.). Concerning the colour of meat, lower values for yellowness b* and chroma C* characteristics were observed in the C group compared to the MS group (P < 0.05) and mainly to the M group (P < 0.01). In spite of the lower crude protein content (P < 0.05) in the meat of the MS group, the highest content of all essential amino acids (P < 0.05) as well as the total content of all assessed amino acids (P < 0.01) were found in the meat of the MS group, resulting in a considerable increase in the nutritional value of the breast meat proteins of these broilers.

This study aims to demonstrate that Andrographolide, an herbal immunostimulant, can influence M1 macrophages to inhibit inflammation, including the growth of endometriosis caused by inflammation. This study evaluates the effects of Andrographolide on suppressing endometriosis through M1 macrophage activity. This post-test-only experimental study involved 42 female Balb/C mice, which were divided into six groups: Group N, KN (endometriosis without therapy), and KP (endometriosis + dienogest), P1 (endometriosis with 0.05 mg/kg), P2 (endometriosis + 0.1 mg/kg Andrographolide), and P3 (endometriosis + 0.2 mg/kg Andrographolide). Peritoneal fluid was aspirated, and the peritoneum was cut and stretched to observe the extent of the endometriosis. This study compared the formation of ectopic endometrial lesions and analysed the M1/M2 ratio in each group that received standard therapy versus Andrographolide therapy. The results from peritoneal fluid flow cytometry indicated that M1 was more dominant than M2 compared with KP. The levels of M2 in the P2 and P3 groups were also significantly lower than in the KN group. This study demonstrated that Andrographolide may enhance the regulation of M1 macrophage differentiation, acting as a precursor to endometriosis growth by suppressing M2 phenotypes that promote the condition.

A field experiment was conducted with potatoes to examine the effects of hydrogel application and weather conditions on total tuber yield and the content of potentially harmful compounds – glycoalkaloids and nitrates. The first experimental factor comprised three table cultivars: Lawenda, Rima and Provita. The second factor consisted of three treatments: the application of the hydrogel AgroNanoGel Basic at 60 and 90 kg/ha, and a control treatment without hydrogel. Statistical analysis demonstrated significant effects of cultivar, hydrogel application rates, and hydrothermal conditions in the study years on potato tuber yield. The highest yields were produced by cv. Lawenda, and the most favourable yield-forming effects were observed when the hydrogel had been applied at 90 kg/ha. The levels of antinutritional compounds were significantly affected by the experimental factors and weather conditions during the study years. Cv. Rima accumulated the lowest levels of glycoalkaloids, whereas cv. Lawenda contained the least nitrates (V). The hydrogel increased the content of both glycoalkaloids and nitrates relative to the control treatment, although their levels posed no risk to human health. Higher concentrations of antinutritional compounds were recorded in the dry and warm 2024 season than in the cooler and more humid 2025 season.

This study investigates the effects of digital economy (DE) on agricultural land use (ALU) in seven sub-Saharan African (SSA) countries, specifically from 2006 to 2022. Using a moderating mediation model on panel data, the work explores the extent to which the DE, as proxied by fixed telephone subscriptions, internet usage, and mobile penetration, influences the degree and intensity of ALU. The results indicate that ALU is often supported by DE, as technology will lay the groundwork for improved land management and agriculture. Results show that DE has a positive influence on ALU, with a more substantial effect being observed in countries such as Kenya and South Africa, where more developed digital infrastructure and governance are in place. In contrast, Uganda and Zambia exhibit lower impacts due to lower levels of digitalisation and governance barriers. The patent applications (PAs) and water management represent the positive mediators of the efficiency of land-use improvement. The study highlights the need for government-enabling policies and digital infrastructure so that the promise of digital technologies and their uptake for agricultural production in SSA is fully fulfilled. Whenever technology is integrated with an appropriate resource management policy, SSA societies have the potential to achieve sustainable agricultural development and food security.

Rice is a crucial food commodity worldwide, particularly in Asian countries. However, various factors, such as drought, floods, and pest attacks, can lead to the emergence of diseases in rice plants. Accurately identifying these diseases poses a significant challenge for farmers, often leading to significant yield losses. Conventionally, farmers rely on manual methods based on their experience and visual inspections to identify rice diseases. However, this approach is highly ineffective, time-consuming, and prone to error. This study aimed to address this issue by proposing advanced deep learning techniques, an ensemble learning method, to automate and enhance the identification of rice plant diseases. The ensemble learning method was proposed by leveraging two state-of-the-art pre-trained models: EfficientNetV2B0 and MobileNetV3-Large. The proposed Average Ensemble method demonstrates superior performance compared with single models. The proposed Average Ensemble achieved superior performance with an average precision of 0.9339, a recall of 0.9330, an F1-score of 0.9328, and a test accuracy of 0.9330. The results of this study can be used to aid farmers and researchers in accurately identifying rice diseases, ultimately supporting better disease management practices, and enhancing the agricultural productivity.

This study develops and validates a multilayer diffusion model of wheat grain hydration that incorporates layer-dependent diffusion coefficients for bran, endosperm, and germ. The moisture transport is formulated using Fick’s law with two interface formulations: (i) classical continuity of the concentration and flux and (ii) an interlayer resistance formulation that permits concentration discontinuities. Diffusion coefficients and geometric parameters were determined experimentally; A 3D grain model (structured-light scanning, COMSOL Multiphysics) informed the computational domain. Numerical solutions combined eigenfunction expansions with finite-difference discretisation near the interfaces. Across eight winter wheat varieties, the diffusion coefficients spanned 11.6 – 20.5 × 10–12m2·s–1 (mean 16.27 ± 3.08 × 10–12m2·s–1 ). Relative to the continuity model, the resistance model reduced the early-stage endosperm over-prediction by ~ 0.6–1.0 % (absolute) and lowered the whole-grain RMSE by ~ 20–30% over 0–240 min. These results support the role of thin moisture-retaining films as active barriers and yield smooth, real-time-ready outputs suitable for the automated control of pre-milling hydration; the framework is extensible to full 3D transient simulations.

Staphylococcus hyicus is one of the causative agents of exudative epidermitis in pigs. The aim of this study was to establish a porcine challenge model of a skin infection caused by S. hyicus to assess the effectiveness of a medicinal product intended for local application. Based on the results of the presence of toxin encoding genes and antimicrobial resistance (detected resistance to clindamycin, penicillin, ampicillin, erythromycin and tetracycline), three field strains were selected for the trial. At D0, six surface defects were created on the back of six piglets. The defects were inoculated with bacteria at two different concentrations: 1 × 10⁸ or 1 × 10⁹ CFU/ml. Every day throughout the experiment, the pigs were monitored, and their rectal temperatures were measured. On D4, D9, and D14, a visual evaluation and indirect bacteriological imprints of the defects were performed. Crusts were present from D9, and a lower bacterial concentration led to reduced secretion and crust formation. Based on the results of bacterial cultivation of the indirect imprints, however, S. hyicus was present in greater amounts in the wound defects infected with the lower bacterial concentration. As there were differences in the obtained results among the strains used, it can be concluded that the strain marked as CAPM 6689 seems to be the most applicable and the lower concentration was enough for the infection development.

This study analyses the professional interests and motivations of people regarding forestry careers. An online survey (N = 162) was conducted in May 2025. The study identifies the profile of a typical forestry candidate as an individual from a rural area, regardless of gender, who prioritises job security and personal satisfaction over high financial reward. The findings confirm that while forestry students show the strongest interest, intrinsic motivation and a personal relationship with nature are the primary drivers across the board. The key results indicate that practical field experience and communication with professionals significantly bolster career interest. Furthermore, the emerging generation of foresters demonstrates an 'ecologically realistic' perspective, favouring sustainable management and biocentric values over traditional paradigms. The study suggests that to combat the declining workforce, forestry communication should leverage these intrinsic values and increase practical engagement during university studies. Respondents assigned the greatest importance to statements reflecting biocentric and ecocentric values, emphasising the intrinsic value of forests, ecosystem impact considerations, and their role in environmental balance and human well-being.

Two probiotic (Lactiplantibacillus plantarum) supplementation strategies (continuous and cyclic) were evaluated for their ability to enhance resistance of rainbow trout (Oncorhynchus mykiss) to Aeromonas salmonicida infection. Neither of these strategies improved post-challenge survival. Instead, cyclic administration resulted in a significantly higher mortality rate (73%) compared with continuous supplementation (52%) and the control group (46%). One week post-challenge, most haematological, plasma biochemical, and immune parameters showed no significant difference between treatments, though fish receiving cyclic supplementation did exhibit a reduced lymphocyte count. However, three weeks post-challenge, this same group showed a significant decrease in total phagocyte number and in the proportion of phagocytes within white blood cells. IgM concentrations were significantly lower in both probiotic-supplemented groups than in the control group. In the cyclic group, reductions in interleukin-10 and elevations in total protein levels were also observed. Microbiome analysis of gut content three weeks post-challenge revealed a marked decline in microbial diversity in both probiotic-treated groups. These findings indicate that, under the experimental conditions, probiotic supplementation did not provide protection against A. salmonicida infection and that cyclic administration may disrupt immune homeostasis and intestinal microbial stability, ultimately compromising host resilience.

Gyrodactylosis, caused by monogenean parasites of the genus Gyrodactylus, poses a significant threat to aquaculture, particularly under intensive farming conditions. This study evaluated the in vitro effectiveness of three veterinary anthelmintics – fenbendazole (FBZ), levamisole hydrochloride (LHC), and ivermectin (IVM) – against four Gyrodactylus species collected from wild cyprinid hosts. Parasite survival was monitored over 48 h at 6–7 °C. LHC showed the highest efficacy at both tested concentrations (30 and 50 mg/l), achieving near-complete mortality within 8 hours. FBZ and IVM were significantly less effective, with 23% and 33% of parasites surviving, respectively. Species-specific differences in drug susceptibility were observed, particularly with FBZ and IVM, with G. carassii showing consistently higher sensitivity than G. laevis, G. rutilensis, and G. vimbi. Lower water temperatures probably contributed to reduced drug efficacy and prolonged parasite survival. These findings highlight the importance of species-level evaluation and temperature considerations when selecting anthelmintic treatments for gyrodactylosis. In vitro testing under controlled conditions offers valuable insights into parasite susceptibility and complements in vivo approaches. Further research incorporating broader parasite diversity, temperature ranges, and pharmacological profiles is recommended to optimise treatment strategies in aquaculture.

Bruguiera gymnorrhiza and Acanthus ilicifolius are key mangrove species, but their populations have declined recently due to human activities. To promote their restoration, this study optimised seed germination and seedling cultivation using the plant factory method. The parameters, such as illumination, salinity, temperature and nutrient conditions, were examined. Our results showed that suitable illumination, salinity and temperature promoted seed germination of both species. Nutrient addition promoted the germination of B. gymnorrhiza but had little effect on A. ilicifolius. Both species of seedlings grew best in short illumination duration and moderate illumination intensity. Although both species can tolerate high salinity, low salinity (0–10‰ for B. gymnorrhiza and 0–5‰ for A. ilicifolius) promoted seedlings’ growth. High temperature (28–32°C) accelerated the growth of both species of seedlings. Nutrient addition enhanced the growth of both species’ seedlings, especially the addition of Ca²⁺/Mg²⁺ and trace elements strongly promoted the growth of B. gymnorrhiza seedlings. We obtained optimal conditions for seed germination and seedling growth of both species in the plant factory, demonstrating that environmental control significantly enhanced their germination and growth rates. Our findings provide valuable insights into the efficiency of mangrove restoration and the sustainable development of mangrove ecosystems.

Recently, protected cultivation of bananas under subtropical conditions has gained popularity due to the impact of global climate change. Several factors influence the yield and quality of banana cultivation. Among these factors, variety plays an important role along with cultural practices. This study aimed to determine the performance of ‘Azman’, ‘Bango’, ‘Bonus’, ‘Grand Nain’, ‘Lider’, and ‘Paşa’ banana varieties in terms of morphological and yield characteristics under protected cultivation, as well as to elucidate the relationship between yield and factors affecting yield. The research was conducted between 2020 and 2022 in the Manavgat district of Antalya. The research findings showed that each morphological parameter examined varied significantly. However, the ‘Bango’ variety exhibited superior results in terms of finger circumference (13.23 cm), finger length (21.08 cm), bunch weight (39.33 kg), and yield per hectare (72 t/ha). Moderate to high-level phenotypic correlations were found between bunch weight and pseudo stem girth, pseudo stem height, number of fingers, finger weight, finger circumference, and finger length, with values of 0.544, 0.478, 0.326, 0.669, 0.581, and 0.543, respectively. Positive and significant phenotypic correlations were determined between finger length affecting export quality, bunch weight, finger weight, and finger circumference, with values of 0.543, 0.799, and 0.625, respectively. It can be concluded that the ‘Bango’ variety exhibited better results as compared to other varieties in terms of both yield and quality criteria. Additionally, positive phenotypic correlations were observed between bunch weight (which directly influences yield) and finger length (which affects export quality), as well as various morphological and pomological characteristics.

Organic seed coating is an alternative method for supporting sustainable agriculture. This study investigates the influence of organic coating and seed storability on cucumber seeds using atmosphere-controlling techniques. The seeds were coated with an organic formulation, and a non-coated seed was used as a control. All samples were then packed using modified atmosphere packaging, including normal air, 100% N₂, and 100% CO₂, and stored under ambient conditions (30 ± 2 °C) for 8 months. Results indicated that the organic seed coating did not significantly affect seed germination compared to the non-coated seeds (P > 0.05) throughout the storage period. Moreover, the coating tended to positively influence seedling growth, including root and shoot lengths, seedling growth rate, chlorophyll content, and total phenolic content. Additionally, seeds packed with 100% CO₂ showed a slight impact on seedling growth compared to those in normal airbags, but this modified atmosphere packaging technique tended to increase chlorophyll a and b, as well as the total phenolic content in seedlings. Conversely, seeds packaged with 100% N₂ tended to decrease seedling lengths. Therefore, cucumber seeds coated with an organic formulation and packed in a 100% CO₂ bag can enhance seedling growth parameters during germination and extend seed storability.