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How to encourage backers to increase investment and obtain more funds is an important issue for both initiators and platforms in reward-based crowdfunding. Based on the trust theory and the elaboration likelihood model (ELM), this study explores the impact of project information disclosure on the investment intensity of backers in agri-food crowdfunding. The results show that the initiator type, trademark registration, number of certificates, number of reward types, number of project updates, and number of comments had significant positive effects on backers’ investment intensity. Meanwhile, the investment threshold and lottery had a significantly negative impact on backers’ investment intensity. The number of backers played a mediating role in the relationship between independent variables and backers’ investment intensity. Based on the research conclusions, practical implications were proposed for initiators, crowdfunding platforms, and regulators.

Forest management of durmast oak stands [Quercus petraea (Matt.) Liebl.] is focused on the production of high-quality assortments for the furniture industry. Due to various forest management factors and impacts of climate change, their vitality and quality are often reduced. Sudden illumination of the oak trunk caused by management cuts can lead to epicormic shoot formation. This study compared two localities and nine long-term research plots at the stand age of 62–68 years in Slovakia. While one locality was affected by the massive dieback of oak in the past, the other was not. The epicormic shoot occurrence was monitored separately in the lower and upper parts of the trunk, depending on selected quantitative tree parameters and on the various management methods. The formation of epicormic shoot was influenced especially by DBH, crown width and crown volume. The occurrence of shoots was always markedly higher in the upper part of the trunk compared to the lower one. During a 35-year period, the development of the proportion of epicormic shoots in the lower part of the trunk in the locality with massive dieback of oak confirmed a higher occurrence on control plots compared to the managed plots with thinning interventions. It showed that the occurrence of epicormic shoots in durmast oak stands was influenced not only by different methods of management but also by the dieback effect in the past. Promoting more intensive thinning in early-stage oak stands is advised, as it prompts trees to develop larger crowns with limiting formation of epicormic shoots.

Manganese (Mn) is often underestimated in plant nutrition. Its availability to plants is influenced by several factors, which can lead to Mn deficiency or toxicity. The objective was to evaluate the transformation of soil Mn over 21 years in a long-term field experiment. Fertilising with (i) sewage sludge 1 (SS1); (ii) sewage sludge 3 (3 times higher nitrogen (N) dose, SS3); (iii) farmyard manure (FYM); (iv) mineral nitrogen, phosphorus and potassium (NPK) and (v) mineral nitrogen in addition to straw (Nst) was studied to evaluate the transformations of Mn in soil using different extraction methods at the 5 locations. There was a general reduction in the pH during the experiment. Soil acidification caused by mineral N fertiliser increased the bioavailable Mn forms under NPK treatment. This Mn was mobilised from soil reserves, leading to depletion of Mn sources. Application of SS and FYM led to an increase in non-bioavailable Mn fractions, while the expected increase in biologically available Mn was not observed. As the high pH of soil limits Mn availability, foliar Mn application can be recommended for agricultural practice in high-pH soils. On the contrary, liming can be recommended for low-pH soil with high bioavailable Mn content to mitigate the risk of Mn toxicity.

Corn poppy (Papaver rhoeas L.) is one of the most problematic weed species, mainly in rainfed Moroccan and Tunisian cereal crops. The overuse of acetolactate synthase (ALS) inhibiting and/or auxinic herbicides led to the spread of corn poppies resistant to both chemical families in this region. In order to identify and understand the selection drivers of resistance, appropriate characterisation of the resistance profile is necessary. Two experiments were carried out: biological sensitivity tests with ALS inhibiting herbicides (tribenuron-methyl and florasulam) and auxinic herbicides (2,4-d) were carried out with populations sampled in the field where the herbicide failure was observed. Bioassay tests confirmed resistance in all studied populations with an average frequency of 75.13, 30.81, 33.17 and 11.52% with tribenuron, florasulam, 2,4-d and florasulam + 2,4-d, respectively. Corn poppy sampled from both countries exhibited similar frequencies within populations for each tested herbicide. The molecular analysis was conducted with next-generation sequencing (Illumina), allowing massive, precise and rapid sequencing regions of the ALS gene carrying resistance codons. Using this technology, ALS mutant alleles were found in all populations at frequencies ranging from 1.4% to 63.3%, with an average of 16.7%. This study highlights the need to elucidate resistance mechanisms to understand herbicide responses and develop effective strategies for managing resistant corn poppy in rainfed cereals as an essential step to maintain the effectiveness of these molecules as long as possible.

The global decline in crop production poses a significant threat to food security, particularly in the context of a growing human population. Among various environmental constraints on agriculture, biotic stress, particularly that caused by insect pests, remains a major reason for yield losses. Traditionally, synthetic pesticides have been used to manage insect infestations; however, their excessive and non-targeted application has raised serious concerns regarding environmental pollution, adverse health effects, and the accelerated development of pesticide-resistant pest populations. In this context, plant-derived biocactive compounds, particularly flavonoids, have emerged as promising bioinsecticides due to their potent insecticidal properties. Flavonoids, a diverse group of secondary metabolites found abundantly in plants, exhibit strong insecticidal activity by disrupting insect digestion, interfering with nutrient absorption, and inhibiting growth and metamorphosis. These bioactive compounds act through multiple mechanisms, reducing the likelihood of resistance development while offering an eco-friendly alternative to conventional chemical pesticides. Additionally, flavonoids contribute to integrated pest management strategies by enhancing plant defence responses and synergising with other bioinsecticides. Despite their potential, research on flavonoid-based insect control remains limited, particularly in terms of their formulation, stability, and large-scale applicability. Further studies are needed to investigate their interactions with insect physiology, optimise delivery methods, and assess their environmental impact. Advancing flavonoid-based bioinsecticides can contribute significantly to sustainable pest management in modern agriculture, reducing dependence on synthetic pesticides while preserving ecosystem balance. This review examines the potential role of flavonoids as biopesticides in pest management, highlighting the existing research gaps and prospects.

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.

Agricultural logistics face unique challenges such as seasonal demand fluctuations, perishability, and geographic dispersion. The paper systematically analyses 63 peer-reviewed articles from 2013 to 2025, focusing on key optimisation techniques, including multi-criteria decision-making (MCDM), vehicle routing problems (VRP), and path planning problems (PPP). The findings highlight how logistics optimisation can reduce operational costs, improve resource utilisation, and enhance supply chain resilience. Additionally, the study identifies gaps in inbound logistics research and emphasises the need for further integration of digital technologies. Future research should focus on comprehensive, technology-driven solutions to improve adaptability and transparency in agricultural supply chains. Key findings reveal that optimised logistics models can lead to cost reductions of up to 58%, emissions savings of over 60%, and significant improvements in delivery time, field efficiency, and customer satisfaction.

To enhance the biomechanical database of plant root systems for soil reinforcement and erosion control in arid and semi-arid regions, and to provide a scientific basis for selecting superior native shrub and herb species in forestry and grassland measures for desertification control in central and western Inner Mongolia, this study investigated the root-soil interfacial friction characteristics of five typical native plant species – Caragana korshinskii and Hippophae rhamnoides, the semi-shrub Hedysarum mongolicum, and the perennial herbs Medicago sativa and Astragalus adsurgens – in two widely distributed non-zonal soils: loessial soil and aeolian sandy soil. Single-root pull-out tests were conducted on indoor-prepared root-soil composite samples to examine their responses to varying soil moisture levels. The results showed that within a soil moisture range of 4.6% to 20.6%, the single-root pull-out resistance and shear strength of all five species in both soil types followed a quadratic model Y = ax² + bx + c (with all multiple correlation coefficients > 0.5), initially increasing and then decreasing with rising moisture content. Peak values occurred at 8.6% moisture, with consistently higher values observed in loessial soil than in aeolian sandy soil. This indicates an optimal soil moisture level for maximising root-soil interfacial friction resistance. Among the species, Hippophae rhamnoides and Medicago sativa exhibited superior pull-out performance in both soils, with Hippophae rhamnoides showing greater sensitivity to environmental variations in loessial soil. Redundancy analysis identified soil type and moisture content as key factors explaining variations in root pull-out shear strength. These findings demonstrate that mixed-species plantations, leveraging complementary root traits, can form more complex and stable root-soil structures, thereby enhancing surface soil mechanical stability. Further research is needed to elucidate the adaptive mechanisms linking plant traits, environmental conditions, and biomechanical characteristics.

Coppice is the oldest form of systematic and sustainable use of forests, and is currently applied on about 29 million ha (about 14% of total forest land area) in Europe. It had its maximum spread in the 16^th century, when an estimated 36% of all forested land in Europe was managed for coppice. Coppice forests were the most important source of fuelwood until the mid-19^th century, when firewood and charcoal were substituted by alternative fuels, and the demand for construction wood increased. Consequently, coppices (both low and coppice-with-standards) started to be converted to high forests, and the process was driven by national policies and/or subsidies, which is still the situation in some European countries. During the 20^th century, coppicing was abandoned in many places across Europe due to the abandonment of the countryside and population migration into cities, as well as changes in socio-economic conditions, technical advances and political restrictions. However, coppicing is still important in many European countries as the main source of firewood for the rural population, who has limited access to other sources of energy. In this context, this paper presents the most important characteristics of this complex abandonment/management/conversion picture, emphasising the pros and cons for the future of coppices across Europe.

The effects of biofertilizers on the growth, yielding, and nutritional status of apple trees (in comparison with the standard mineral fertilization) was evaluated in 3-years experiment (2018–2020). The experiment included the following treatments: (i) Super Fos Dar, (ii) Polifoska 6, (iii) Super Fos Dar + fungi (Aspergillus niger, Purpureocillium lilacinum), (iv) Urea enriched with fungi, (v) Urea dose reduced to 60% enriched with fungi, (vi) Super Fos Dar + bacteria applied on their own to the soil (Bacillus sp., Bacillus amyloliquefaciens, Paenibacillus polymyxa), (vii) Super Fos Dar enriched with bacteria, (viii) Super Fos Dar 60% enriched with bacteria, (ix) Polifoska 6 enriched with bacteria, (x) Polifoska 6 60% enriched with bacteria. The application of mineral fertilizers (even in reduced doses) enriched with beneficial microorganisms enhanced the growth of apple trees. The most abundant flowering was recorded when fertilization (with Super Fos Dar) was supplemented with beneficial microorganisms applied to the soil. No significant differences in plant yielding were noted (due to damages caused by spring frosts), but the highest fruit weight was recorded in the case of the trees fertilized with microbiologically enriched Super Fos Dar.

Grape hyacinths are popular perennial, flowering bulbous plants. In 2018, 2019, and 2020, some plants of three Muscari species showed symptoms similar to those associated with phytoplasma infection in commercial ornamental gardens in Hungary. Symptoms included virescence of flowers and yellowing of leaves. Symptomatic and asymptomatic Muscari plants were sampled at two locations to detect and identify the pathogens involved. Total DNA was extracted from the plants and used as a template in polymerase chain reaction assays to amplify 16S rRNA gene sequences and housekeeping genes (tuf, secY) with phytoplasma-specific primers. The resulting PCR products from symptomatic plants were cloned and sequenced bidirectionally. Homology searching of the obtained sequences against the GenBank database indicated the presence of  'Candidatus Phytoplasma asteris' in the three Muscari species. This is the first report worldwide of C. P. asteris phytoplasma infecting M. botryoides and M. comosum, and its first identification in M. armeniacum in Hungary.

This study provides the first comprehensive assessment of stem rust tolerance in commercial wheat varieties from Kazakhstan and Russia, including spring and winter varieties. Field trials were conducted to compare yield and agronomic traits between stem rust-inoculated and fungicide-treated plots, providing a practical framework for assessing tolerance. Key indicators such as disease severity, area under the disease progress curve, thousand kernel weight, and the stress tolerance index were evaluated to gauge variety resilience under stress. Significant variations in tolerance were observed, with varieties such as 'Pamyat' 47', 'Nadezhda', 'Lyubava 5', 'Tselinnaya 3s', 'Severyanka', 'Egemen-20', 'Zhemchuzhina Povolzh'ya', 'Dimash', 'Serke' and 'Korona' maintaining yield potential despite high disease pressure. Correlations revealed that traits such as flag leaf area, vegetative period, and plant height were associated with greater tolerance, highlighting their potential in breeding. With the expected increase in stem rust outbreaks due to climate change and the evolving virulence of stem rust pathogens, these findings emphasise the need for breeding programs incorporating resistance and tolerance, offering a sustainable alternative to fungicide use. This study provides critical insights for breeders and plant pathologists seeking to enhance wheat resilience in regions prone to rust epidemics.

The black locust (Robinia pseudoacacia L.) is the second most planted tree species worldwide, and the most common in Hungary. Phenotypic traits, particularly flowering patterns, are well-established indicators of the species' response to climate change. This study examined four forest subcompartments across three Hungarian regions: Northern-Central, Eastern and Southern-Central. The aim was to identify climatic factors correlating with the onset and duration of the flowering period. Additionally, the relationships between these factors and nectar weight and sugar concentration were defined. Results indicate a strong negative correlation between precipitation levels and flowering time: lower accumulated and average precipitation during the spring months of the preceding year was associated with a delayed flowering period in the following year (r = –0.922, r = –0.918, P = 0.05). However, when examining the 14-day period (r = 0.829) before blooming or examining from 1 January (r = 0.929, r = 0.890), the results indicate that other environmental factors may play a more dominant role. Furthermore, the number of chill and heat days was found to affect the starting date (R² = 0.819, R² = 0.765).

The genomic structure of extant cattle populations can contribute to the reconstruction of the history of particular breeds or their subpopulations. Genome-wide population resequencing of extant populations of Czech Red Pied (CRP) cattle, its conserved nucleus herd, and Czech Red (CR) cattle detected a T106C polymorphism in mitochondrial DNA shared by the conserved CRP herd with a geographical belt of Anatolian, Illyrian and Eastern Alpine breeds. On the other hand, this SNP is practically absent in the historical cattle breeds associated with Northern Germany, including German Black Pied cattle, Holstein-Friesian and German Red Mountain cattle (GRM). Correspondingly, this indicator SNP was absent in CR cattle, which, like the GRM, belongs to the group of mountain red cattle breeds. It seems that the precursory cattle population in Central Europe was influenced by the germplasm from the Balkans-related group of breeds, thanks to the political and commercial influence of the Northern Italian, Austrian and Hungarian regions. In addition, the presence of this polymorphism in some European aurochs (Bos primigenius) bone remains suggests possible introgression from local aurochs populations. Alternatively, the T106C presence in yaks and in neighbouring cattle breeds in Northern India, China and Korea raises the possibility of origin of this polymorphism from yak populations. The spread of the T106C mutation in alpine regions is consistent with the known role of this mtDNA region in adaptation to the reduced oxygen pressure.

Sorption of organic contaminants in soils and sediments is a crucial factor affecting their mobility in the vadose zone environment. Freundlich sorption isotherms were evaluated for six micropollutants identified in areas irrigated with river-water and sixteen soils. The highest Freundlich sorption coefficients, K_F, were obtained for 1,3-diphenylguanidine (11.6 ± 5.0 cm^3/nμg^1−1/n/g) followed by triethyl citrate (4.57 ± 4.91), 4-acetamidoantipyrine (1.43 ± 0.24), 6 : 2 fluorinated telomer sulfonate (1.18 ± 0.42), benzo(d)thiazole-2-sulfonic acid (1.12 ± 0.33), and naphthalene-2-sulfonic acid (0.28 ± 0.17). The K_F values for the individual compounds were correlated with soil properties. Multiple linear regressions were used to derive equations for predicting the K_F values using the soil properties. Sorption of cationic molecules was positively affected by cation exchange capacity or clay content, indicating strong sorption of cations on negatively charged sorption sites. Sorption of anionic molecules was positively correlated with organic carbon content and wettability index, suggesting hydrophobic interactions with soil organic matter. Anion sorption was also positively influenced by magnetic susceptibility, which could indicate sorption of anions on the positively charged sorption sites. Sorption of acids was in some cases also positively affected by cation exchange capacity, which could imply their sorption via cation bridges. 

This review article summarises the results of research on forest liming, fertilisation, nutrition flows and cycles in selected European and other countries. The presented studies mostly deal with assessing the effect of liming and fertilisation applied during planting or shortly after planting. The sporadic studies on fertilisation in older stands are also presented. The application of crushed limestone, dolomite or other alkaline rocks or their mixtures is usually used to improve the soil conditions on a large area through the adjustment of soil acidity and to supply any deficient elements, especially calcium and magnesium. These amendments are typically used on naturally nutrient-poor soils or as a curative technique to neutralise the soil chemistry affected by anthropogenic acidification. Artificial fertilisers are usually applied on small spots to individual trees on the surface of the soil shortly after planting or into a planting hole during planting. The purpose is to give some initial support to young trees to better overcome the post-planting shock and to accelerate the height growth. Less frequently, artificial fertilisers are used on large areas of forest stands for the purpose of increasing stem growth. The methods and the extent of forest fertilisation substantially vary in individual countries and different time periods.

Soil is a valuable resource for food production, and it demands a long time to recover itself. Soil erosion is one of the most important issues for countries based on agriculture. This review article analyzed articles published on the topic of general soil erosion in Central Asian countries in 1993–2022. More than 50% of the articles reflect the results of the conducted practical work. The main content of these scientific works is aimed at the prevention of erosion processes, their evaluation and the development of countermeasures. During the considered period, the number of publications on soil erosion has increased in the last years compared to the first years, which indicates that the attention to the topic has increased in recent years. The purpose of this article is to get accurate information about the state of soil erosion in the countries of Central Asia and to get acquainted with the practical works carried out against erosion in these countries. For this aim, the contents of the articles were reviewed and the results of the scientific works conducted on the topic of erosion in each country were presented. According to the content of the articles, the use of modern techniques and technologies in the evaluation and prevention of soil erosion gives effective results.

In pursuit of a low-cost, pollution-free, and scalable technology for remediating heavy metal pollution in mining areas, this study examines a gold mining area with heavy metal pollution (Cd, Pb, and Hg) and employs soil replacement, biochar passivation, and a combination of hyperaccumulators for the remediation. Results show that both soil replacement and the application of biochar significantly reduce the effective content of these three heavy metals, with pig manure biochar demonstrating superior passivation effects on Pb and Hg compared to fruitwood biochar. Combining biochar with hyperaccumulators leads to better results than using either method alone. The combined approach achieved maximum reductions of 69.8, 70.1, and 56.0% for Cd, Pb, and Hg, respectively. The application of biochar improves the originally coarse soil structure, with maximum increases in organic carbon, available potassium, available phosphorus, and total nitrogen under different treatments being 6.26 times, 4.66 times, 4.04 times, and 3.21 times, respectively. Biochar anchors heavy metals around roots, while hyperaccumulators utilise their excellent stress-resistant physiological characteristics to thrive in nutrient-deficient soil enriched with biochar, thereby absorbing the heavy metals anchored by biochar. The synergy of biochar and hyperaccumulators enhances their individual effectiveness, showing promise for remediating polluted mining areas.

Diarrheagenic Escherichia coli (DEC) is a common pathogen around the world that can cause disease with symptoms of diarrhoea. We collected all clinical DEC isolates from diarrhoea samples in three sentinel hospitals for active surveillance of foodborne diseases in Huzhou, China, between 2020 and 2022. The isolates were characterised according to demographic characteristics, time distribution, distribution of suspected culprit foods, antimicrobial results of susceptibility testing, analysis of virulence genes, and pulsed-field gel electrophoresis (PFGE) typing. The positive detection rate was 7.28%, the highest for enteroaggregative E. coli (EAEC) strains, followed by enterotoxic E. coli (ETEC) strains. The predominant virulence genes were astA/pic in EAEC (57.25%) and estIa/estIb in ETEC (17.94%) strains. The proportion of cases was relatively high in children aged 6 years old (15.27%), and the peak of incidence was between June and September. The rates of drug resistance in DEC were high in Huzhou, and the spectrum of drug resistance was wide. The highest rate of drug resistance was for AMP (63.51%), and multiple drug resistance was common. The household was the leading site of DEC infection, and meat and meat products were the main suspected culprit foods (18.15%). EAEC strains showed 52.4–100.00% sequence identity, and ETEC strains showed 52.2–100.00% sequence identity. All cases of DEC infection in Huzhou were sporadic between 2020 and 2022. Strengthening continuous surveillance will be useful in the risk assessment of foodborne diseases caused by DEC.

Mercury belongs among the highly hazardous substances present in the environment and represents a great health risk for many animals including predatory and piscivorous birds. The aim of this study was to assess the total mercury content in the main detoxifying organs (liver and kidney) and in the muscles of adult great cormorants (Phalacrocorax carbo) caught at two localities (the Krogulna ponds and the Nysa Kłodzka River) in southern Poland. The aim was to compare the locality with the iron ore mining history (the Krogulna ponds) with a site without such load (the Nysa Kłodzka River). The total mercury content in the great cormorants decreases as follows: kidneys > liver > muscle in both monitored localities and significantly differs between the localities. The average mercury content varied from 0.58 ± 0.38 mg/kg (muscle) to 1.39 ± 1.42 mg/kg (kidney) in the cormorant from the Krogulna ponds and from 1.09 ± 0.40 mg/kg (muscle) to 3.12 ± 1.55 mg/kg (kidney) in the cormorant from the Nysa Kłodzka River. The accumulation of mercury does not correlate with the mining history as it was higher at the Nysa Kłodzka River, but it is probably influenced by the different fish stocks in these two localities (omnivorous fish in the Krogulna ponds versus predatory fish in the Nysa Kłodzka River).

The aim of this study is to present the seasonal variation of organic matter (OM), total organic carbon (TOC), total nitrogen (TN), and total phosphorus (TP) in the bottom sediments of Marchica Lagoon, a post-restorated lagoon located in the Moroccan Mediterranean, and to estimate the potential role of the geochemistry and granulometry of bottom sediments in the retention of old eutrophication. The organic index of bottom sediment was found generally higher in old-eutrophic and enclosed areas. The surface sediments show variable levels of OM, TOC, TP, and TN; high in some cases (12.3%, 6.71%, 0.70%, and 0.30% respectively). These high levels were recorded in the central part of the lagoon and in areas subjected to high anthropogenic pressure, including wastewater discharges. Our results indicated that sediments are an excellent immobilizer of organic matter (C, N, and P), although, there was no correlation between sediment grain size and organic matter content. The absence of correlation might be explained by currentology and hydrodynamics, but also by the bathymetry of the lagoon. Therefore, sediments must be implicated in any lagoon restoration strategy and the site development plan.

We studied sessile oak (Quercus petraea) growing on six dry sites to understand adaptability responses to drought stress. Pedunculate oak (Quercus robur) on a moderately dry site was tested in parallel. We analyzed accessions from mostly dry sites that were less sensitive to soil drought and found that the growth performance ranking was not the same before and after treatment. We used phenological plasticity approaches to study seed development and plant development before and after drought: the treatments included stem length, root length, and collar diameter, as well as dry above- and below-ground biomass performance. Additionally, after drought treatment, osmolytes and root surface were tested in Q. petraea. According to the analyses and results, the ranked sites did not maintain their ranking status, with Q. petraea exhibiting different rates of growth during each developmental stage from seed development until the end of the treatment of plant material. The smallest seeds came from the driest site, which may indicate more adaptability to drought stress. After drought treatment, large differences were found between the dry biomass performance, stem length, root length, and collar diameter of oaks grown on different sites. The osmolality of Q. petraea on most of the dry sites was higher under the reduced treatment than under the optimal treatment, but not significantly. After drought treatment, all accessions - and especially those from the driest site - showed large differences in growth performance between the treatments. The relationship between seed weight and seedling development before and after drought treatment differed according to the developmental stage.

The excessive use of chemicals in plant production, including mineral fertilizers has a harmful effect on the morpho- and physiological state of strawberry plants, their yielding, and the physicochemical properties of the fruit and soil. Increasing the effectiveness of beneficial microorganisms, i.e. filamentous fungi, arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi (AMF) and bacteria, is an essential method of reducing the amount of fertilizers used to fertilize the soil. The aim of the study was to assess the effect of beneficial soil microorganisms (filamentous fungi and bacteria) applied alone or together with mineral fertilizers on the morpho- and physiological state of ‘Marmolada’ strawberry plants, their yielding, and the physico-chemical properties of the fruit. The experiment included the application of fungi (Aspergillus niger and Purpureocillium lilacinum), bacteria (Bacillus sp., Bacillus amyloliquefaciens and Paenibacillus polymyxa) alone or together with mineral fertilizers (Polifoska 6, Urea, Super Fos Dar 40). The study investigated the number of inflorescences and flowers, the intensity of the green colour of leaves, fruit yield and weight (g and %), pH, extract (°Brix), titratable acidity (g/100 g), fruit firmness (N), as well as the concentrations of macro-and microelements in the leaves of the plants. The obtained results depend on the type of fertilizer and its concentration. Strains of filamentous fungi or bacterial strains only (without fertilizer), increase the fruit yield by 60 and 35%, respectively. Reduced to 60% doses of Polifoska 6, Urea, and Super Fos Dar 40 combined with beneficial soil microorganisms influence the strawberry fruit yield more beneficially than the fertilizers applied in standard doses (100%). The mineral fertilizers enriched with soil beneficial fungi and bacteria increase the mean fruit weight by 25–30%. Both Super Fos Dar 40 enriched with bacterial strains and Polifoska 6 at 100% positively affect the physical and chemical properties of strawberry fruits. The application of reduced to 60% doses of Fos Dar 40 and Polifoska 6 enriched with beneficial bacterial strains increase the nitrogen and potassium contents in the leaves, respectively. Urea and Super Fos Dar 40 at 100% enriched with beneficial bacteria positively affect magnesium content in the leaves. Application of Polifoska 6 and NPK enriched with bacteria beneficially influences the iron content in the leaves. The calcium content in strawberry leaves decreases due to fertilization.

Particle drift happens during herbicide application when droplets travel outside the intended site. Different nozzles produce various range of droplets, so they play a very important role in coverage and drift occasions. When nozzles produce small droplets, the potential for off-target movement is very high. Another important factor determining particle drift is the distance between crops. Wind velocity gives the energy to herbicide particles to move away from the target place. Therefore, a drift simulation of herbicide (mesotrione and rimsulfuron plus thifensulfuron-methyl mixture) was done in a wind tunnel, using different nozzles Extended Range (XR) and Turbo TeeJet Induction (TTI). The wind speed was set at 4.4 m/s, representing the least favourable conditions where applications are possible. In the wind tunnel, eight crops (cantaloupe, cotton, green bean, pumpkin, soybean, sunflower, wheat, and watermelon) were positioned at 4, 6, 9, and 12 m downwind distances from the nozzle, and drift was simulated. Following treatments, plants were returned to a greenhouse for 28 days, and biomass reduction was recorded. Artificial collectors (Mylar cards) and water sensitive cards were positioned alongside plants. According to obtained results, spraying with XR nozzle influences higher injuries than TTI nozzle. Tracer deposition was higher at all distances when XR nozzle was used. Accordingly, droplet numbers, covered area, Volume Median Diameter (VMD), and deposition were higher on water sensitive cards when spraying were done using XR nozzle. As a consequence, higher biomass reduction occurred using the XR nozzle. The most sensitive crops were cantaloupe, pumpkin and sunflower, while the most tolerant were soybean and wheat.

Seedling quality is an important input affecting the outplanted seedling performance. Morphological attributes and association with symbiotic ectomycorrhizal (ECM) fungi belong to influential traits determining seedling quality. In this study, the effect of pre-sowing applied commercial additives Ectovit (containing hydrogel and ECM fungi), Mycorrhizaroots (ECM fungi and nutrients) and Vetozen (natural mineral fertilizer) on the growth and ectomycorrhiza formation of Norway spruce seedlings grown in nutrient-poor pure peat in an open nursery site was assessed. Two-year-old bareroot seedlings were transplanted into containers. No significant growth differences were detected between treatments for 1 + 0 seedlings but the values of growth parameters (root collar diameter; stem height; shoot, root and total dry weight) of Ectovit-inoculated seedlings were significantly higher than those in the other treatments including the control after the second (2 + 0 seedlings) and the third growing season (2 + 1). Root-to-shoot dry weight ratio and number of root tips were distinctly higher after the third year compared to the previous two years but they were not significantly different between treatments. Mycorrhizaroots and Vetozen did not have any significant effect on seedling development. Although the occurrence of treatment-specific ECM morphotype was detected in Ectovit-inoculated seedlings, the high total ECM colonization of roots in all treatments including the control indicated a crucial impact of naturally occurring fungi on ectomycorrhiza formation.

In this paper, empirical relationships between diameter at breast height (DBH), crown diameter (CD), and stem number per hectare (N) were improved in a Paulownia Shan Tong plantation. Various functions of these variables were defined, focusing on growing space (G_s) and stem number per hectare. The linear crown index between CD and DBH seems to be particularly important in predicting stem number per hectare. Based on an analysis of the relationships, a CD-DBH (R² = 0.7254) and a DBH-N graphic model (R² = 0.7302) can be applied widely in plantation forestry. Under suitable site conditions, the investigated Paulownia hybrid can provide a higher increment in DBH than most of poplar hybrids at a certain age. The aim of this study was to explore the relationships between the G_s based on CD and DBH. These types of investigations are of fundamental importance in terms of the growing technology of tree plantations.

Iron chlorin is known to affect plant growth, but its potential applications in watermelon production have rarely been explored. To better understand its effects on the growth, photosynthesis, yield, and quality of watermelon in a greenhouse setting, a series of experiments were conducted using the variety ‘Sumeng 6’. At the flowering and early fruit expansion stages, the plants were sprayed with iron chlorin with mass concentrations of 0.001, 0.002, 0.004, and 0.008 μg/L (T1, T2, T3, and T4). Control plants were sprayed with water (CK). The growth index, root activity, photosynthetic pigment content, photosynthetic parameters, yield, and fruit quality of all plants were measured. The results showed: compared with CK, the T3-treated plants showed significant improvements in several aspects: the leaf contents of photosynthetic pigments, chlorophyll a, total chlorophyll, and carotenoid, increased by 19.51%, 14.29%, and 29.17%, respectively (P < 0.05); the net photosynthetic rate (Pn) increased by 23.60% (P < 0.05); and the soluble solids content, vitamin C content, and yield increased by 7.89%, 34.13%, and 16.27%, respectively (P < 0.05). In summary, it was found that spraying 0.004 μg/L iron chlorin on facility watermelon plants at the flowering and the early fruit expansion stages has a significant effect on the promotion of growth and development, leading to improved quality and yield. This study provides a theoretical reference and technical guide for high-quality and efficient watermelon production.

This work addresses short-run fluctuations of nominal global meat commodity prices, that is, beef, lamb, pork, and poultry, from January 1980 to October 2023, thus including the COVID-19 pandemic and the Russo-Ukrainian conflict. It tries to answer the following questions: how do fluctuations in meat commodity prices behave historically? Are meat commodity prices synchronised? Do their co-movements show specific features during recent global crises such as the COVID-19 pandemic and the Russo-Ukrainian war? Using a ‘classical’ framework of cycle analysis, the work provides a series of turning points upon which statistics on phase and cycle durations and amplitudes are generated. Care is put into highlighting the pros and cons of employing algorithms based on turning points instead of harmonic models. Global nominal meat prices feature cycles lasting between 3.8 and 4.6 years on average. Pork prices, contrary to other meat prices, are characterised by a highly volatile and prevalently contractionary behaviour. From a policy perspective, the article provides results on the synchronisation of couples of meat prices and on the existence of a common meat price cycle both historically and during the COVID-19 pandemic and the Russo-Ukrainian war.

Resistance to PPV and ESFY phytoplasma has been evaluated for Japanese plum (‘Aphrodite’, ‘Black Amber’, ‘Crimson Glo’, ‘Santa Rosa’) and pluot (‘Dapple Supreme’, ‘Flav Queen’, ‘Flav Supreme’) cultivars. Each cultivar was grafted by chip-budding on GF 305 peach rootstocks and infected with the virulent PPV-Rec or ESFY phytoplasma strain also by chip-budding. After bud break, cultivar evaluation consisted in observing presence or absence of symptoms on leaves, noting the symptom intensity on leaves and on the whole plant. Plants were studied in controlled conditions in a sealed screen-house for three consecutive growth periods. DAS-ELISA and RFLP-PCR analyses were also employed to verify the presence or absence of PPV, respectively ESFY phytoplasma. Results obtained in the context of this very severe biological test against PPV and ESFY phytoplasma confirm the high level of susceptibility of Japanese plum and pluot cultivars.

Forests play a significant role for maintaining the biodiversity. In order to manage sustainable forests, tree species history, distribution, and their future prospects are vital. Using standardized quantitative approaches, the age, radial growth, and size class distribution of Abies pindrow (Himalayan fir) were determined from three different altitudinal sites (i.e. high, middle, and lower). The results indicate that Himalayan fir growing in the high-altitude site (Ayubia, 2 917 m a.s.l.) of moist temperate forests of the Himalayan mountains showed lower radial growth (0.13 cm) than in the middle (Bara Gali, 2 617 m a.s.l.; radial growth = 0.13 cm) and lower (Kuldana, 2 455 m a.s.l.; radial growth = 0.22 cm) altitude sites. Correlation analysis demonstrated that age showed a significant positive correlation (P < 0.001) with diameter at breast height. The tree-ring width chronology (totally 80 core samples) of Himalayan fir was developed from moist temperate forests of Himalayan mountains of Pakistan. At Ayubia site it possesses a long time-span (1703-2020 C.E.), followed by Bara Gali (1862-2020 C.E.) and Kuldana (1864-2020 C.E.). Further, the tree-ring width (TRW) chronology of Ayubia showed a significant positive correlation (P < 0.05) with May and June temperature, and a significant negative correlation (P < 0.05) with June and October precipitation, indicating that summer temperatures are the key factor for the radial growth of Himalayan fir. For the Kuldana site, the response of TRW chronology to temperature and precipitation was the same, however, it was significant only for June temperature at Bara Gali. The size class distribution of the high-altitude region (Ayubia) showed a higher number of individuals than the lower altitude region, indicating the lowest disturbance conditions. The absence of individuals in the early size classes and the gap in middle and mature size classes indicate a lower regeneration potential and anthropogenic impact. The pointer year analysis indicated that the Bara Gali forest is more sensitive to abnormal climate events than the other sites. Based on the present study, we suggest that proper attention and conservation strategy should be provided to Himalayan fir growing in the moist temperate forests of Pakistan.