Fulltext search in archive

Agricultural Economics, scientific papers, open access journal, international

Rising CO₂ concentration in the atmosphere is a matter of global concern and poses apprehension about how plants will adapt to the changing environment. Various studies have proved that under high CO₂ levels, plant physiology alters and affects plant functioning. However, under elevated CO₂, the stomatal characters and their relation with physiological responses are still not yet clear. To find out these changes in the stomatal parameters at ambient and two elevated CO₂ (550 ppm and 700 ppm) levels, four genotypes of maize (Zea mays L.) viz. DHM-117, Harsha, Varun and M-24 were grown in open-top chambers. In the study, it was observed that the stomatal density increased, stomatal size altered, stomatal conductance (g_s) and transpiration rate (T_r) decreased under elevated CO₂ (eCO₂) while photosynthetic rate (Pn), water use efficiency (WUE), yield and biomass, of which especially the reproductive biomass increased. Under eCO₂, stomatal and physiological changes were genotypic and CO₂ concentration specific. Increased stomatal density at eCO₂ was mainly due to increased abaxial stomatal density. The improved P_n and reduced T_r at 550 ppm improved the WUE in the plants, while this response was not observed at 700 ppm. These results elucidate that this C4 crop responded positively to up to 550 ppm of CO₂ concentrations, and beyond this, the impact was minimal.

Food insecurity which has been a global threat, forces researchers to develop crops with increased productivity even under varying climatic conditions. Rice, being a significant staple and strategic crop, helps ensure economic stability, food, and nutritional security globally. It meets 20% of the calorie requirement of people residing all over the world. Lately, rice cultivation and research have been facing hitherto unprecedented difficulties in the context of climate-induced water scarcity and dwindling resources of manpower, arable land, etc. In this regard, direct seeded rice (DSR) as a resource conservation technique is gaining popularity as a potential alternative to conventional transplanting with reduced input requirement, reduced methane and CO₂ emission, increased adaptability to climate change, and increased economic returns. The weed menace in DSR prevents it from reaching its fruitful attainment to a significant level. DSR highly depends on herbicide for weed control as manual weeding and other cultural practices are labour intensive which again meets a setback of crop injury (non-selective herbicide) and resistant weeds (selective herbicides). Herbicide-tolerant (HT) rice could be an effective and long-term solution for weed management in DSR. Three HT rice systems, viz., imidazolinones, glyphosate, and glufosinate, have already been developed in this context. This review gives an insight into the need for HT rice in DSR, its production system, limitations, and stewardship guidelines for proper weed management in rice.

To provide a new agent to enhance wheat cold tolerance, we investigated the impacts of gamma-aminobutyric acid (GABA) on wheat antioxidant and photosynthetic capacity and growth parameters under cold stress (CS). CS significantly improved superoxide dismutase, catalase, peroxidase, ascorbate peroxidase and gluathione reductase in wheat leaves. Meanwhile, CS also increased the contents of reduced ascorbate (AsA) and reduced glutathione (GSH). However, CS significantly increased electrolyte leakage (EL) and malondialdehyde (MDA) levels. Compared with CS, GABA + CS improved the activities of the above antioxidant enzymes and the contents of antioxidants. In this way, GABA improved wheat antioxidant capacity and decreased MDA content and EL under CS. Whereas CS significantly increased non-photochemical quenching coefficient (qN) and reduced soil and plant analyser development (SPAD) value, net photosynthetic rate (P_n), maximum photochemical efficiency of PSII (F_v/F_m), effective quantum yield of PS II (Y(II)), photochemical quenching coefficient (qP), plant height and biomass. Compared to CS, GABA + CS significantly promoted the photosynthetic capacity by reducing qN and increasing SPAD value, P_n, F_v/F_m, Y(II) and qP. In this way, GABA improved plant growth under CS. Our results indicated that GABA can be used as a new agent to improve wheat cold tolerance.

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.

This article provides a review of recent studies on the extent to which the use of organic acid elicitors such as salicylic, jasmonic, humic and ascorbic acids has been successful in alleviating the exposure of Lamiaceae plants to unfavourable environmental conditions such as drought and salinity. Overall, the results concluded all organic acid elicitors enhanced the morphological and physiological characteristics of biochemical and secondary metabolite contents. These improvements have enabled plants of the Lamiaceae family to adapt to environmental stress conditions to some extent and survive, thus achieving sustainability in the production of plants of this family. It can be recommended to use salicylic acid in concentrations 0.5–2.5 mM, and it should not exceed it so as not to cause poisoning and disruption of the vital and physiological processes within the plant. In contrast, these plants have limited studies on the relationship between jasmonic acid/ascorbic acid and ascorbic acid. Since vitamins such as ascorbic acid are essential for plant metabolism and growth regulation, their effect on these plants remains unstudied at concentrations 2–10 mM under different abiotic stresses. Further research is needed to understand the impact of Nano-SA, JA, HA, ASA, and citric acid on Lamiaceae plants under various environmental stress conditions. Limited studies exist on the relationship between jasmonate/humic acid and Lamiaceae plants under abiotic stress. The Lamiaceae family needs more studies on adaptation to various environmental conditions and the toxicity of stimulants used to confront these conditions. This research contributes to improving agricultural practices in challenging environmental regions.

This study explores the construction of small reservoirs (SRs) as a strategic solution to address water scarcity in Kashkadarya Province, Uzbekistan, where agricultural productivity is heavily dependent on irrigation. By utilising geographic information system (GIS) and remote sensing (RS) technologies, optimal locations for reservoirs were identified, focusing on improving the water availability for irrigation during critical periods. The research highlights the socio-economic and environmental benefits of SRs, including enhanced agricultural yields, increased employment opportunities, and reduced reliance on energy-intensive pumping stations. The findings indicate that the construction of an 18 Mm³ reservoir in the Ayakchisoy River could supply water to 26.5 thousand hectares, thereby improving the region’s resilience to climate variability. This approach offers a sustainable framework for managing water resources in arid regions, contributing to food security and economic stability.

With climate change, plants face numerous stresses, notably drought for rice cultivation. Improving rice drought tolerance is vital for sustainable production in water-scarce regions. Identification of drought tolerant genotypes at the seedling stage of the crop contributes to build a climate resilient genotype during the period of water scarcity and under challenging environmental conditions. Hence, polyethylene glycol-6000 (PEG-6000) induced drought conditions could be used for testing the drought tolerance in rice at an earlier stage of the crop. Optimization of PEG-6000 concentration for screening index at -6 bar was done using three drought-tolerant and two drought-susceptible check varieties based on probit analysis. Subsequently, 100 rice landraces underwent PEG-6000 induced drought screening at –6 bar and a total of 32 genotypes were selected as tolerant. After 14 days of treatment, the nine observations viz. germination %, root length (cm), shoot length (cm), number of secondary roots, fresh weight (g), dry weight (g), shoot/root ratio, root/shoot ratio and vigour index were recorded. Variance analysis, revealing significant genetic variation among genotypes for all studied traits, indicating genetic variability. Post hoc analysis confirmed notable variation among treatments. Principal component analysis revealed three components, with the first three accounting for 88.89% of total variability. With respect to the biplot, the ten genotypes viz., IRGC109, IRGC403, IRGC448, IRGC461, IRGC466, IRGC486, IRGC508, IRGC518, IRGC527 and IRGC535 are the seedling stage drought tolerant genotypes based on shoot length, number of secondary roots and vigour index. Population structure classified the accessions into two subpopulations, reflecting diversity. The allele frequency divergence is 0.095 which is a measure of fixation index revealing that the moderate divergence is not extremely pronounced. Genetic diversity, assessed through 26 SSR markers selected from drought tolerant QTLs and markers related to vigour index, exhibited 100% polymorphism with 115 alleles and an average PIC value of 0.61 per primer. Shannon index varied between 0.34 (RM212) and 1.96 (RM252), averaging 1.18. Six SSR markers viz., RM246, RM302, RM252, RM219, RM251, and RM486 were associated with the six key traits viz., shoot length, root length, number of secondary roots, dry weight, shoot/root ratio, and root/shoot ratio respectively offering valuable resources for selecting drought-tolerant accessions as it provides the first step in the selection of genotypes based on the key traits.

Sheep production represents an important source of income for farmers in Türkiye; however, reproductive inefficiencies during the anoestrus period pose a major challenge to productivity. This study aimed to evaluate the effects of injectable trace minerals (copper, selenium, manganese, and zinc) on the reproductive performance of Awassi ewes synchronised during the anoestrous period. A total of 200 clinically healthy ewes were randomly allocated to two groups: the trace mineral group (TRACE, n = 100), which received 2 ml of a trace mineral solution 14 days before oestrus synchronisation, and the control group (CON, n = 100), which received 2 ml of 0.9% NaCl. Oestrus was synchronised using intravaginal sponges containing 60 mg medroxyprogesterone acetate for 12 days, followed by administration of 500 IU equine chorionic gonadotrophin at sponge removal. Ewes were hand-mated for five days following synchronisation. Variables assessed included serum trace mineral concentrations, response to synchronisation, and reproductive outcomes (oestrus rate, pregnancy rate, lambing rate, incidence of multiple births, and dystocia). No significant differences (P > 0.05) were found between groups in serum concentrations of copper, zinc, or manganese. Although the duration of oestrus was significantly longer in the TRACE group compared to control (29.66 ± 0.96 h vs 26.09 ± 0.89 h; P = 0.006), all other reproductive indicators were similar between groups. These findings suggest that a single pre-synchronisation injection of trace minerals does not significantly improve the reproductive performance or mineral status in anoestrous Awassi ewes. Further research is needed to determine the optimal timing and dosing strategies for supplementing trace minerals in sheep.

In this study, we used psychology and organisational behaviour theories to determine the main elements affecting Chinese farmers' grain loss-reduction efforts (LREs). We established social factors (SFs), policy factors (PFs) and buyer's strategies (BSs) as the three central factors and constructed a theoretical framework linking these factors to grain producers' LREs. Using this framework, we designed a survey questionnaire and an interview guide; we subsequently collected 1 536 valid questionnaire responses and 25 interview transcripts. The findings revealed that SFs, PFs and BSs had a significance positive effect on the LREs of grain producers. Critically, grain producers from significant Chinese grain-producing regions did not always minimise the effects of the independent variables (SF, PF and BS) on the dependent variable (LRE). This research provides a new viewpoint on grain farmers' LREs activities and may be used to tailor policy and commercial strategies.

Xinjiang apricot is favoured by consumers because of its distinctive aroma, high nutritive value, and abundant functional active substances. Carotenoids of apricot are efficient antioxidants that can protect the human body from free radical attack. However, the extraction, quantification, and antioxidant activity of carotenoids from Xinjiang apricots have not been reported. In this work, ultrasound-assisted ionic liquid (ILs) extraction and optimisation of carotenoids from Xinjiang apricots and to evaluate their antioxidant potential. Based on Box–Behnken design (BBD), the best conditions were IL/ethanol (R_IL/E) ratio of 1 : 2, solid-liquid ratio (R_S/L) of 1 : 3, extraction time of 17 min and number of extractions of 3. The content of carotenoid extracted by ultrasonic-assisted [Bmim][BF₄] ILs was 32.98 ± 0.27 μg·g^–1 that of traditional extraction method was 25.05 ± 0.35 μg·g^–1. Moreover, ultrasonic-assisted ILs extraction technology can shorten the extraction time, simplify the extraction steps and increase the extraction amount. Meanwhile, in order to recover and reuse ILs, ILs-ethanolic solution was frozen at temperatures lower than –80 °C, allowing the ILs precipitation and separation from the ethanol solution. Meantime, the antioxidant potential of five Xinjiang apricot varieties were evaluated by DPPH (2,2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl) and ABTS [2,2'-azino-bis(3-ethylbenzothiazoline-6-sulfonic acid)] assays in vitro and analysed by UV–vis spectroscopy and Raman spectroscopy. The results showed Shushanggan apricot has the highest carotenoid content and the strongest antioxidant activity. In conclusion, this research further proves the advantage of ultrasonic-assisted ILs in carotenoid extraction and the potential to obtain valuable carotenoids from the apricot industries.

Agricultural methane emissions strongly contribute to global greenhouse gas production. Under these circumstances, meeting international climate goals, including the Global Methane Pledge or the European Green Deal, requires developing targeted mitigation strategies. However, research using advanced clustering techniques in a multilevel context remains scarce and mostly limited to CO₂ emissions. This lack of time-series studies addressing regional variability hinders efforts to develop effective mitigation strategies. This study addresses three main research questions: (i) What are the main trends in agricultural methane emissions in the EU-27 countries from 2013 to 2022? (ii) How can the EU countries be classified based on agricultural methane emissions per capita? (iii) What is the impact of selected agricultural and economic indicators, including the number of live bovine animals and land use, on the clustering of methane emissions? Combining hierarchical and k-means clustering with trend analysis, this research integrates data from Eurostat and the World Bank, thereby classifying the EU-27 countries into four clusters based on their agricultural practices and methane emissions profiles. The results highlight distinct emission patterns across the EU-27 regions, with farming systems characterised by high stocking rates and intensive production generating the highest per capita emissions. By contrast, extensive systems with lower animal density exhibit reduced methane intensities. These findings underscore the need to devise effective, region-specific, data-driven policies and strategies for mitigating methane emissions.

This study examines the prevalence of helminthic infestations, risk factors, and odds ratios in 1 300 cattle, revealing significant patterns in parasite distribution and influencing factors. Overall, 60.3% of cattle were infested with one or more types of parasites, with Moniezia spp. being the most prevalent (46.9%), followed by Fasciola spp. (36.9%), Paramphistomum spp. (26.8%), and Avitellina spp. (10.8%). Among the seasons, winter exhibited the highest infestation rate (66.1%), and calves under one year of age were more commonly infested (64.2%) than older cattle (over three years: 51.1%, OR = 0.584 1). Distinct seasonal and age-related patterns were observed for specific parasites. Fasciola spp. was most prevalent in winter (45.09%) and among the youngest cattle (47.87%), while Paramphistomum spp. and Moniezia spp. showed less variation across seasons. Avitellina spp. had the lowest infestation rates in the spring, and cattle older than three years were affected. Co-infections were common, notably between Fasciola and other parasites, with the highest co-infestation rate observed between Avitellina spp. and Moniezia spp. Analysis of deworming efficacy indicated higher treatment success for Fasciola spp. and Paramphistomum spp., lower odds of response for Avitellina spp., and no significant treatment effect for Moniezia spp. Microscopic and pathological examinations were also conducted. These results demonstrate the necessity of thorough deworming procedures along with targeted parasite control to reduce significant health hazards in cattle populations.

This study examines the floristic composition, structural attributes, diversity patterns, and distribution of endemic woody species along an altitudinal gradient in the Al-Jabal Al-Akhdar mountain of northeastern Libya. Stratified sampling was conducted across four elevation zones on the northern and southern slopes. Phytosociological parameters – including density, basal area, importance value index, and diversity indices – were assessed, and Pearson correlations were used to evaluate relationships with altitude and aspect. A total of 61 woody species from 43 genera and 26 families were recorded, highlighting the region's biodiversity. Tree and shrub density and basal area increased with elevation, particularly on northern slopes. Juniperus phoenicea L. emerged as the most dominant tree, while Phlomis floccosa D. Don and Pistacia lentiscus L. dominated the shrub layer. Diversity indices showed negative correlations with altitude, indicating declining species richness and evenness at higher elevations under cooler temperatures and greater environmental stress. Ten endemic woody species were documented, with endemic richness positively associated with altitude, reflecting the role of habitat isolation and environmental filtering. These findings provide essential insights for biodiversity conservation, climate adaptation, and ecosystem management in Al-Jabal Al-Akhdar and comparable mountainous ecosystems.

The somatic cell count (SCC) in raw milk is an important indicator of health and hygienic quality. Artificial reduction of the SCC (ARSCC) in milk, for the apparent improvement of milk quality for commercial reasons, is an undesirable phenomenon and a violation of authenticity both in the factual sense and legislatively. Analytical methods need to be developed to identify ARSCC as well as to assess the effects that ARSCC may have on milk. The aim of the work was to quantify the effects of ARSCC on cow’s milk as a food raw material. The results presented are some of the first on the given problem. Raw bulk tank cow milk was sampled in two experiments, each time for the whole year (2021–2022 and 2023–2024, n = 66 and n = 53, respectively) from herds of Czech Fleckvieh and Holstein cows, 1 : 1. ARSCC in experiment 1 (n = 66) slightly reduced the fat content, in experiment 2 (n = 53) it did not, otherwise the milk indicators with the exception of SCC were almost (1) and completely (2) identical. All samples were negative for the presence of inhibitory substance residues. ARSCC under the specified technological conditions reduced SCC (1) from 772 ± 906 10³/ml to 376 ± 630 10³/ml, by –51.3% (P < 0.001) and (2) from 592 ± 798 10³/ml to 304 ± 468 10³/ml, by –48.5% (P < 0.001). Under these circumstances, the milk fermentation ability improved (1) from 28.52 ± 4.72 °SH to 31.0 ± 4.65 °SH, by 8.66% (P < 0.001) and (2) from 32.51 ± 2.61 °SH to 33.80 ± 2.88 °SH, by 3.97% (P < 0.001). Curd firmness was better for SCC ≤ 400 10³/ml compared to higher SCC by 5.26% (P < 0.001). Nevertheless, it is not possible, for hygienic and health reasons, to allow such milk for human consumption and it is necessary to find effective identification analytical methods for ARSCC.

In recent years, grafting has emerged as an efficient and alternative tool to the relatively slow conventional breeding methods, aiming to increase tolerance to abiotic stresses and soil pathogens while improving yield and quality attributes in fruit vegetables. In the present investigation, six inter-specific cucurbitaceous rootstocks, viz. sponge gourd (SG), ridge gourd (RG), ash gourd (AG), bottle gourd (BG), and Summerfit (SF), an inter-specific hybrid of snap melon × acidulus melon, were evaluated for cucumber (C) cv. ‘Kashi Nutan’. Experimental findings revealed that cucumber grafted onto inter-specific SF exhibited a 14.63%, 57.5%, and 20.05% increase in vine length, number of branches, and dry matter production, respectively, compared to the self-rooted control. Photosynthetic parameters such as photosynthetic rate (P_n), stomatal conductance (g_s), and maximum quantum efficiency of photosystem II (PS II) (Fv/Fm) were also higher in cucumber leaves grafted onto the SF rootstock. Compared to self-rooted plants, cucumber grafted onto SF recorded 72.3% more fruits, a 36.9% increase in fruit weight, and an 80.9% higher fruit yield. The SF rootstock also showed a 44.54% increase in total root length (TRL), a 77.11% increase in root volume, and a 27.25% increase in average root diameter over self-rooted cucumber.

Global food security is increasingly threatened by the vulnerability of agricultural systems to climate variability, especially in sub-humid regions. Northeast China, a major maize-producing region, experiences low spring temperatures and erratic rainfall, which have prompted the widespread adoption of plastic-film mulching (PFM) combined with drip irrigation. However, systematic evaluations of how different PFM patterns affect crop productivity and resource use efficiency remain limited. This study systematically evaluated three PFM strategies – full ridge-furrow mulching (FM), ridge mulching (RM), and no mulching (NM) – in combination with 240 kg N/ha and a zero-nitrogen control under drip irrigation to determine their effects on maize (Zea mays L.) yield, water use efficiency (WUE), and nitrogen utilisation. Field experiments over two consecutive growing seasons assessed crop growth, dry matter (DM) accumulation, nitrogen dynamics, grain yield, and related efficiency parameters. Both FM and RM significantly enhanced early maize growth. At the seedling stage, FM and RM increased plant height by 43.0% and 40.1%, and leaf area index (LAI) by 141.4% and 120.4% over NM, respectively. During the same stage, DM accumulation increased by 228.9% (FM) and 224.9% (RM). These improvements reflected favourable soil hydrothermal conditions under PFM. Before heading, PFM treatments increased pre-anthesis DM accumulation by up to 19.6%, and at maturity, FM and RM raised DM by 6.1% and 5.1% over NM. PFM significantly improved grain nitrogen accumulation, with FM and RM increasing it by 31.0% and 26.9% over NM, respectively, and nitrogen harvest index (NHI), with FM and RM increasing it by 6.8% and 6.1% over NM, indicating enhanced nutrient translocation to grain. PFM also improved grain yield, with FM and RM increasing it by 15.0% and 13.5%, WUE by 17.2% and 15.7%, and nitrogen partial productivity by 16.8% and 14.1%. No significant differences in yield or WUE were observed between FM and RM. Fertilisation consistently enhanced these benefits without changing the relative efficiency ranking of treatments. Notably, the advantages of mulching diminished after the heading stage as temperature and rainfall increased. PFM (both FM and RM) under drip irrigation improves maize yield, water use, and nitrogen efficiency in sub-humid regions. This integrated practice offers a scalable and sustainable strategy to increase maize productivity and resource efficiency, supporting food security in regions facing similar climatic challenges.

Ocular squamous cell carcinoma (OSCC) is an epithelial neoplasm that affects the ocular and periocular tissues, often associated with factors such as exposure to ultraviolet radiation. The disease is rarely reported in buffalo, particularly regarding its progression and treatment. This report describes a case of a buffalo with a pink mass in the right eye showing signs of inflammation. After clinical examination and initial treatment with topical solutions and systemic drugs, the tumour continued to grow. As a result, surgery was performed to remove the mass while preserving the eyeball and third eyelid. The procedure was successful, and histopathological analysis confirmed the diagnosis of OSCC. Postoperative recovery was satisfactory. It was concluded that early surgical treatment followed by medical treatment allowed complete recovery in the buffalo with OSCC.

Biotic and abiotic stresses severely compromise economically important food crops' nutritional quality, growth, and yield. Conversely, the conventional reliance on chemical fertilisers and pesticides has generated substantial environmental and health risks, necessitating the development of sustainable alternatives. Seaweeds are rich sources of bioactive primary and secondary metabolites, and also promising natural biostimulants for enhancing plant resilience and productivity. Specific seaweed-derived metabolites function as molecular elicitors, mimicking pathogen-associated molecular patterns (PAMPs) and activating multi-layered plant defence mechanisms. This review aims to capture recent literature on the biological efficacy of seaweed extracts and their constituent metabolites, such as polysaccharides, phenolic compounds, and fatty acids, against diverse biotic stressors (e.g., bacteria, viruses, oomycetes, fungi (ascomycetes and basidiomycetes), nematodes, and herbivorous insect pests) and abiotic stressors (such as salinity, drought, extreme temperatures, and heavy metals). The biochemical, physiological, and molecular mechanisms by which seaweed-derived bioactive compounds modulate plant defence responses and stress tolerance pathways are also discussed in detail. In conclusion, seaweed extracts and derived metabolites show promising stress-type-specific effects against biotic and abiotic stresses through diverse mechanisms. However, field validation, dosage optimisation, and the discovery of novel bioactives are essential to harnessing their potential fully in sustainable agriculture

'Piel de Sapo' is one of the most consumed market class of melons in the Mediterranean area and it represents an important economic crop in Spain. The 'Mini PS' melon breeding line, which bears two main introgressions from the dudaim 'Queen's pocket' melon in the Piel de Sapo genetic background, was evaluated for its fruit quality traits in three environments. Some interesting commercial characteristics were detected, such as a notable decrease in the fruit weight and a rounder shape, compared with Piel de Sapo, while the other quality traits were not altered. Thus, this mini melon line, ideal as a personal melon, may be useful in the development of new melon cultivars.

Ornamental perennials are highly popular and irreplaceable plants commonly used for enhancing public spaces and private gardens. One of the most frequently occurring pathogens is powdery mildew, a parasitic fungus that covers leaves, stems, and flowers with a whitish to light grey mycelium and reproductive structures. It significantly reduces not only the lifespan of plants but also their aesthetic value. A field survey of ornamental plants infected with powdery mildew was conducted during the growing seasons of 2021–2023 in the Czech Republic. Thirty-nine species and cultivars of infected plants from 17 families were collected from botanical gardens, private gardens, and city parks, and 26 species of powdery mildew were identified. Species identification was based on a combination of morphological and PCR-based molecular analyses. The most frequently represented genus was Golovinomyces (13 species and varieties of powdery mildew on 21 plant samples from eight families), followed by five species of the genus Erysiphe on seven plant species from five families, and seven species of the genus Podosphaera on ten plant species from five families. The species Neoërysiphe galeopsidis was identified on a single plant sample. Two new powdery mildew species (Golovinomyces savulescui, Erysiphe knautie) were identified in the Czech Republic, and the host range of several species was clarified. Golovinomyces bolayi was confirmed on Campanula lactiflora and Veronica longifolia, Erysiphe macleaye on Dicentra spectabilis, and Podosphaera xantii on Calendula officinalis, Chrysanthemum sp., Dahlia pinnata, and Gerbera × hybrida.

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.

The herbicidally active Botrytis strain HZ-011 was isolated from naturally infected leaves of Rumex patientia L., and previous studies found that strain HZ-011 exhibits highly effective herbicidal effects against the broadleaf weeds Amaranthus retroflexus L., Elsholtzia densa Benth, Malva crispa, and Chenopodium album L. In this study, the active components of strain HZ-011 were isolated, purified, and structurally characterised using silica gel column chromatography, thin-layer chromatography, and high-performance liquid chromatography. The extraction test was carried out using four organic solvents with different polarities, and ethyl acetate was ultimately used as the extractant for the bulk preparation of the crude product of the active substances. Thin-layer chromatography yielded 10 different fractions and 26 components, and components B₃ and E₁ showed pathogenic effects on C. album. High-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) of compound components B₃ and E₁ yielded three fractions with larger signal values and peak areas, and raw measurements of them revealed that component 3 was active. By analysing and comparing the spectral data of component 3 from ¹H-NMR, ¹³C-MNR, ESIMS, and EIMS, component 3 was identified as dibutyl phthalate. The activity of the individual compounds was verified. The results of this study lay a theoretical foundation for the discovery and exploration of lead compounds. They will also provide a theoretical basis for developing this strain into a microbially-derived herbicide.

This research aimed to evaluate the type of solvent (80% methanol, ethanol, and water), solute/solvent ratio (1 : 10 and 1 : 15 w/v), maceration time (0 h, 24 h and 7 d) and stage of leaf maturity [vegetative (VW) and generative (GW)] on the physicochemical and antioxidant properties of watercress leaf extracts. The leaf was characterised by determining the chemical composition, the phytochemical profile, and the colour. The GW presented the highest moisture content [93.25 g·(100 g)^–1], carbohydrates [70.74 g·(100 g)^–1], and lightness (L* = 59.66), and the presence of alkaloids, phytosterols, phenols, and flavonoids. VW had the highest protein content [26.52 g·(100 g)^–1] and the lowest presence of phytochemicals. The best solvent for the extraction was distilled water at a 1 : 15 w/v ratio, GW at 24 h rest centrifuged at 2 300 × g for 15 min, obtaining the highest values of phenols [2 077 mg GAE·(100 g)^–1], of dust and an inhibition power of 85.09% by the 2,2'-azino-bis (3-ethylbenzothiazoline-6-sulfonic acid) radical cation (ABTS+) radical method. Therefore, cress leaves in the generative stage can be considered a potential source of bioactive compounds, and using water as an extracting agent for these compounds makes it a viable and economical method to be used in the food industry, and in addition, to be friendly to the environment.

Natural plants are abundant in their native habitats and are traditionally used to treat a variety of health conditions. The Rosa genus stands out as an important species rich in bioactive compounds. This study, conducted in Türkiye, aimed to analyse the antioxidant and phenolic profiles of methanolic extracts obtained from different parts of Rosa canina (R.c.) and Rosa pimpinelifolia (R.p.) collected in 2021 and 2022. The antioxidant activity values of R.c. collected in 2021 and 2022 were found to be between 5 102.31–46 396.36 mmol Fe(II)/100 g in ferric reducing antioxidant power (FRAP), 141.92–377.54 mg ascorbic acid equivalents (AA)/kg in total antioxidant capacity (TAC), 2.18–24.68 µg/g in 2,2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl [DPPH (EC₅₀)] and 34.31–75.77 % in DPPH (% inhibition). Antioxidant activity of R.p. collected in 2021 and 2022 ranged from 17 258.44–71 903.20 mmol Fe(II)/100 g, 271.69–479.19 mg AA/kg, 1.02–8.32 µg/g and 50.98–85.57% for FRAP, TAC, DPPH (EC₅₀) and DPPH (% inhibition), respectively. The R.p. extracts generally exhibited higher antioxidant activity than those of R.c. Considering the total identified phenolic compounds achieved from different plant parts of rosehip for both years, the highest values of total phenolic compounds were determined in R.c. leaves (222.08 mg/100 g) in 2021, and R.p. leaves (5 465.95 mg/100 g) in 2021.

This paper analyses the distribution of CAP subsidies between primary beneficiaries (farms) and final beneficiaries (farm owners) in Slovakia in 2021, using unique micro-level data. The results show a significant inequality in the distribution of CAP subsidies between primary and final beneficiaries in Slovakia. The majority of CAP payments (92% for primary beneficiaries and 89% for final beneficiaries) are concentrated among the top 20% of beneficiaries, with a higher concentration among primary beneficiaries than final beneficiaries. However, there is a reversal at the top stratum of beneficiaries. The top 1% of primary beneficiaries receive 26.2% of CAP subsidies, compared to 31.0% for final beneficiaries. For the remaining 99% of beneficiaries, the distribution of CAP subsidies is more concentrated at the level of primary beneficiaries than at the level of final beneficiaries. The analyses suggest that the implementation of the CAP in Slovakia has not been sufficient to address the unequal distribution of CAP subsidies.

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.

Polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFAs), including omega-3, are known to yield health benefits to mammals, including bulls and human beings. This meta-analysis was done to determine the influence of omega-3 fatty acids (OMFA) on bull semen quality. The research question formulated for this meta-analysis was centred on the Population-Intervention-Comparison-Outcome (PICO) framework. To determine the influence of omega-3 fatty acids on semen quality, a meta-analysis was conducted using the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analysis (PRISMA) guidelines. The different effects were analysed using a random effects model. The variations among the included studies were tested using heterogeneity (I²). Semen volume (MD = 0.28, 95% CI: 0.13; 0.44), sperm concentration (MD = 71.12, 95% CI: 15.97; 126.26), live sperm (MD = 11.93; 95% CI: 7.30; 16.55), sperm motility (MD = 9.24, 95% CI: 7.39; 11.09) and plasma membrane integrity (MD = 11.60, 95% CI: 6.30; 16.89) increased dramatically in the omega-3 fatty acid-supplemented group. Notably, the progressive motility (MD = 1.19, 95% CI: –3.24; 5.61) was the only sperm parameter showing a non-significant influence when omega-3 fatty acids were supplemented. It was then concluded that the omega-3 fatty acid supplementation can be used to improve most of the semen parameters in bulls.

Surgical site infections (SSIs) cause significant complications in the postoperative period in veterinary surgeries. Determining the aetiology of infections is crucial for increasing treatment success rates. This study aims to assess treatment processes by identifying the bacterial agents responsible for infections occurring in cats and dogs after orthopaedic operations and to determine the antimicrobial resistance profiles of these agents. Strains isolated from SSIs were retrospectively analysed in patients brought to the Surgical Clinic of Siirt University Animal Health Application and Research Hospital between 2021 and 2023. The isolates were identified using MALDI-TOF MS. The disc diffusion method was applied to determine the antimicrobial susceptibility of the isolates. A high isolation rate was detected in methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus pseudintermedius and extended-spectrum beta-lactamase (ESBL) producing Enterobacteriaceae. According to the antimicrobial susceptibility results, cephalosporin treatment was continued in only one of the cases in which prophylactic treatment with cephalosporin group antibiotics was applied. Consequently, this study revealed that preoperative prophylactic antibiotic administration may not be sufficient in preventing surgical site infections. Diagnosis of aetiological agents and evaluation of antimicrobial susceptibility are essential in preventing surgical site infections and determining effective treatment options.