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The objective of this study was to verify the accuracy of the quantitative PCR (qPCR) method for in vivo detection of Macrorhabdus ornithogaster. A total of 100 faecal and gastric mucosa samples from avian cadavers were investigated, using cytological and qPCR techniques (budgerigars, Fischer’s lovebirds, red-crowned parakeets, scarlet-chested parrots, eastern rosellas, domestic canaries, zebra finches, white Java sparrow). Using qPCR, the probability of detecting positive samples of droppings was significantly higher than in the faecal smear microscopy (P < 0.01). Cytology detected the presence of Macrorhabdus ornithogaster in 34 faecal samples, whereas qPCR detected 54 positive samples. In all 46 qPCR negative faecal samples, gastric smear qPCR was performed and also yielded negative results. Gastric smear qPCR was also performed in 20 cadavers where faecal qPCR has detected the presence of Macrorhabdus ornithogaster and in all samples confirmed the positive result. This verifies the accuracy of faecal sample qPCR for intravital diagnostics. Overall, the faecal qPCR technique appears to be extremely reliable, as it made it possible to detect all infected individuals, including those with negative stool or gastric cytology.

Quantitative bacterial culture (QBC) is the gold standard for determining urinary tract infections. However, the majority of urine samples were sent to a lab for further bacterial culture. Therefore, the storage condition was vital to maintain the quality and accuracy of the urine samples. The main objective of our study was to examine the urine QBC outcomes of (1) immediate culture, (2) culture after urine sample storage at ambient temperature for 24 h, and (3) culture after urine sample storage at 4 °C for 24 hours. There were 49 feline samples and 30 canine samples included in this study. All QBC samples kept at ambient temperature and refrigerator were consistent with immediate QBC in cats. Eight positive results from immediate QBC were in accordance with refrigerated results in dogs. There were ten positive results in the room-temperature sample with two false-positive results. Our study showed that storing conditions at room temperature or refrigeration for 24 h does not impact the results of QBC in cat urine samples. For dog samples, chilled samples have a higher accuracy rate than room temperature samples, although the overall agreement was still satisfactory.

The aim of this study was to evaluate the effect of rumination time, eating time and season on milk yield and on milk component content in the context of milk recording. The experiment was carried out with two breeds – Czech Fleckvieh cattle and Holstein cattle – for one year. Vitalimetr 5P neck responders were used to monitor eating and rumination time. For statistical evaluation, the time of eating and rumination was divided into three groups according to the length of eating and ruminating, with each breed being categorised separately. The highest protein content, which was 3.6%, was calculated for the group with an average eating time. The fat content was highest for the group with a below-average eating time. On the other hand, the highest milk yield was statistically significantly (P < 0.01) higher in the group with the longest eating time. In terms of rumination, the trend was similar to that of the eating period. In the evaluation of the effect of rumination time, there was no difference in protein %, fat kg and fat % content. A significant (P < 0.05) increase of protein kg was observed with higher rumination time. Changes in milk yield and milk components also occurred throughout the year. During the winter months, the yield decreased, but there was an increase in milk constituent content. During the summer months, the reverse results were obtained. The findings of this study highlight the importance of evaluating eating and rumination time as a potential predictor of milk yield and milk solids content, which are important in milk monetization.

Horsegram (Macrotyloma uniflorum) – an important, self-pollinated food legume, however due to limited genomic and genetic resources the genetic improvement could not be achieved as compare to other major legumes. Our work aims at finding novel microsatellite markers and their use for the construction of a linkage map from 157 individuals of F₉ recombinant inbred lines (RILs) of horsegram. The determinate growth habit and plant height are important traits for its suitability for different cropping systems. The genotypic data were generated by screening 2 395 molecular markers, of which 600 (25.05 %) polymorphic markers were selected. Two-hundred eighty-seven (287) markers were mapped on ten linkage groups (LGs) at a log of odds (LOD) of 3.5 straddling 796.76 cM with 2.78 cM of marker density. For the identification of the quantitative trait loci (QTLs), the phenotypic data recorded on the RILs for the plant height and growth habit were analysed using the statistical tools JoinMap®and Windows QTL cartographer, based on the composite interval mapping (CIM) technique. Across the ten linkage groups, we detected four QTLs (LOD ≥ 2.5) for four traits. All the traits were major QTLs as indicated by the percentage of phenotypic variance (PVE) (≥ 10%) that ranged from 13.5% to 40.3%, therefore, this is very important information which can be used in marker-assisted selection (MAS). The present genomic information generated in this orphan crop, thus, provides the base for genetic improvements by devising molecular breeding strategies.

The improvement of rice production to meet food needs for the increasing population is a general problem faced in wetland development for agriculture. The use of industrial waste, such as coal fly ash (CFA), could effectively improve the soil properties of wetlands. In this study, CFA with an amount of 2% (weight/volume) or 240 g was added to 12 L of three different soils collected from the rice fields (peatland, swampland, and rainfed field) in a 15-L pot, and then incubated in the greenhouse for 15 days. The soil pH, concentrations of NH₄⁺-N, NO₃^–-N, exchangeable calcium (Ca) and magnesium (Mg) and available phosphorus in the soil were quantified following the completion of the incubation. Rice seedlings were planted in each pot, and after 90 days, the growth and yield variables were observed. The results showed that CFA application enhanced the concentrations of NH₄⁺-N, NO₃^–-N, and available phosphorus in peatland and swampland, the rice fields that contain high organic carbon (C), which ultimately leads to increasing rice growth and yield. The application of CFA to rice fields containing low organic carbon did not improve available nitrogen and phosphorus nor enhance the growth and yield of rice. Results of this study indicate an important role of soil organic C content in the rice fields in controlling the effect of CFA on nutrient availability, growth and yield of rice.

The Ellenberg quotient (EQ) is a climate index defined as a ratio of the hottest month's temperature and the average annual precipitation sum. The quotient indirectly expresses the relationship between climate and vegetation, and its application is related to the ecological niche of Fagus sp. Although the quotient was curated on the grounds of field research primarily on German vegetation, the possibilities of its utilisation are not limited to the Central European region. The objective of this study is (i) to compare the EQ values calculated for the forest vegetation zones in the Czech Republic with the published data using the ecological niche of Fagus sylvatica; and (ii) to compare the new EQ-based vertical model with field empirical mapping. The study area is the Czech Republic, Central Europe. We used climate data from 1970–2000 and the data of the National Forest Inventory, 2^nd cycle (2011–2015), representing an objective data design. Geospatial analytic methods, machine learning (boosting), and verification through statistical testing were performed. The results indicate higher EQ values between the two most substantial spatial frames – the Hercynicum and Carpaticum regions. By comparing empirical mapped units to their climatic potential (in the EQ), a match was found only within the Carpaticum region. The study presents a concretisation of the general climate index for a specific region, adds to the knowledge about the Fagus ecological niche in context with the Central European vegetation, and also points to the EQ's potential for evaluating the concept of vertical differentiation of forest communities, as well as a possible prediction tool for the vegetation migration in context with climate change.

The aim of this study was to evaluate the chemical composition of 17 samples of mead originating from the Czech Republic. The samples included honey wines (made only from water and honey) and dessert meads which were treated mainly by the addition of sugar or alcohol. The following chemical parameters were analysed: ethanol, sugar-free extract, hydroxymethylfurfural (HMF), sugars (monosaccharides, disaccharides), organic acids, assimilable nitrogen, and polyphenols. Substantial differences were found between samples: i) the content of glucose and fructose was 2.5-113.1 g L^-1 and 17.3-136.3 g L^-1, respectively; ii) the HMF content ranged from 1.0 mg L^-1 to 87.7 mg L^-1. The most abundant organic acids were lactic acid (average 1.0 g L^-1), gluconic acid (0.6 g L^-1), and acetic acid (0.4 g L^-1); the amount of phenolic compounds was 151.9-385.3 mg gallic acid equivalent (GAE) L^-1. Honey wines typically contained turanose (2.0-7.6 g L^-1) and trehalose (1.1-10.1 g L^-1), while dessert mead was characterised by an increased sucrose content (up to 76.5 g L^-1).

The aim of this study was to determine the heavy metals concentrations in soil, inflorescences of Brassica napus and rapeseed honey sampled from some regions of north-eastern Bulgaria. Thirteen locations were selected for experimental studies. The soils, plants and honeys samples were taken from conventional beekeeping areas away from major industrial pollutants. The median amounts of elements in the soil samples (mg/kg DW) are 1.1246 for Fe(s), 0.7048 for Al(s), 0.5636 for Pb(s), 0.1658 for Cu(s) and 0.0148 for Zn(s). The median amounts of heavy metals measured in the inflorescences of Brassica napus (mg/ kg DW) are 5.5430 for Fe(p), 2.9095 for Zn(p), 1.3225 for Pb(p), 0.2593 for Cu(p) and 0.2105 for Al(p). The median heavy metals concentrations in  tested honey (mg/kg DW) are 1.0026 for Fe(h), 0.1849 for Al(h), 0.1832 for Pb(h), 0.1250 for Zn(h), 0.0702 for. Cu(h). The relationship between the heavy metal in soil, plants and honey was investigated using the Spearman’s rank correlation coefficient. Significant differences in the concentrations of Fe(s), Al(s) and Pb(s) in soils, Fe(p) and Zn(p) in the plant samples, Fe(h) in honey samples from the different locations were found. The heavy metal content tested in honey did not pose a risk to human health.

Steinernema glaseri is a potential biocontrol agent against white grubs of the Phyllophaga spp. complex; however, its suitability for in vitro multiplication has been scarcely investigated. In this study, the effects of the surface culture of NJ-43 strain with its symbiotic bacteria Xenorhabdus poinarii on egg-yolk agar (P2), chicken-liver agar and nutrient meat-peptone (MP) agar on infective juvenile (IJ) productivity and their virulence against Galleria mellonella larvae were investigated. The bacteria on the surface of the agar were first incubated in darkness at 30 °C for 54–102 h, and then 100 surface-sterilised IJs were added. After two harvests, the accumulated productivity was higher on chicken-liver agar (536 × 103 IJs/m2 day) and P2 agar (534 × 103 IJs/m2 day) than on nutrient MP agar (58 × 103 IJs/m2 day). The mean virulence of the in vitro produced IJs was 46–60% and showed no statistically significant difference among the three culture media. In conclusion, the maximum multiplication factor of S. glaseri NJ-43 on solid media was 385, and its original virulence was retained.

In an environment where fruit production is increasingly affected by unpredictable weather patterns, it is important to look for ways to minimise the impact of climate change on production. Under Central European conditions, a limiting factor for apricot (P. armeniaca L.) and Asian plum (P. salicina Lindley) growing in certain years is the occurrence of late spring frosts. One measure to eliminate their impact is to delay the actual flowering of the trees. This can be done by breeding or just by applying various plant growth regulators (PGRs). In our experiment, the effect of a total of 6 active substances in 16 different concentrations was evaluated. The results show that the application of Ethrel-based mixtures (concentrations of 0.05 and 0.5%) had the greatest influence, delaying flowering by up to 3-5 days, but also had the most destructive effect on tree health. The application of the commercial product Rhodofix (NAA - 0.3%) and the application of a proprietary mixture based on NAA 1.0% did not have a very significant effect, with a delay in flowering of just 2 to 3 days. One interesting finding was that the application of the above products had a statistically significant effect on the ripening date of apricot fruit, with a difference of up to 4 days.

This research paper addresses the hypothesis that the peptidoglycan recognition protein 1 (PGLYRP1) gene polymorphism (Tyr76His; dbSNP ID: ss104796364) has an influence on some performance traits and causes of culling in Polish Holstein-Friesian red-white cows. The study involved 134 cows kept on a farm in the south-west of Poland. PGLYRP1 genotypes TT, CT, and CC were detected. It was shown that compared with cows with genotypes CT and TT, the individuals with genotype CC were characterised by higher lifetime yields and higher amounts of lactation milk, fat, and protein. A beneficial effect of genotype CC, compared with genotype TT, was also noted in the case of the lifespan and, consequently, the length of the productive life and the average number of lactations. Diseases of the musculoskeletal system (genotypes CC and TT) and disorders of the reproductive system (genotype CT) were the most common causes of culling. An essential practical observation was the potentially higher susceptibility of cows with genotype CC to mastitis, which resulted in the necessity to cull over one-fifth of the animals in this group. Simultaneously, no cows in this group were culled due to low performance or metabolic, gastrointestinal, and respiratory diseases. Therefore, the PGLYRP1 gene seems to be a promising potential herd health marker; however, to consider it the main gene, it is necessary to extend the investigations to include more individuals and other breeds of dairy cattle.

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.

Pseudomonas aeruginosa is an infectious pathogenic bacteria infecting many different species of animals. Currently, it lacks a commercial vaccine. In this study, three monovalent DNA vaccines (poprL, poprF, and pflgE), three bivalent combination DNA vaccines (poprL+poprF, poprL+pflgE, poprF+pflgE), and a trivalent DNA vaccine (poprL+poprF+pflgE) were constructed. Consequently, we immunised chickens with these DNA vaccines and used inactivated vaccines as the positive controls. Then, the immune efficacy was evaluated through serum antibody detection, a lymphocyte proliferation assay, and cytokine concentration determination. Lastly, we assessed the protection rate through a challenge experiment. Following vaccination, the serum antibody levels induced using these DNA vaccines were different due to the different coating antigens. In the trivalent combination DNA vaccine group, we established that the lymphocyte proliferation (SI values), IFN-γ, IL-2, and IL-4 levels were significantly higher than those of the other six DNA vaccine groups and the inactivated vaccine group. However, the protection provided was slightly lower than that of the inactivated vaccine and higher than those of other DNA vaccines. The protection rate of poprL, poprF, pflgE, poprL+poprF, poprL+pflgE, poprF+pflgE, poprL+poprF+pflgE, and the inactivated vaccine were 50, 45, 60, 75, 80, 80, 90, and 95%, respectively. The results of this study indicated the trivalent DNA vaccine based on oprL, oprF and flgE genes represents a promising approach for the prevention of Pseudomonas aeruginosa infections.

Sustainable global wheat production requires wheat varieties, that are sufficiently resistant to the main wheat diseases. The economically important fungal pathogens worldwide include powdery mildew (PM), yellow rust (YR), leaf rust (LR) and blotch causing pathogens including Septoria nodorum blotch (SNB) and Septoria tritici blotch (STB). Here, we present the evaluation of winter wheat varieties of diverse origin against the prevalent local populations of PM, YR, LR, STB and SNB under natural infection conditions through image-based phenotyping in two consecutive years (2019 and 2020). We found several varieties to be resistant against multiple diseases. Following the association mapping, we obtained a total of 206 marker trait associations for all the parameters scored which were condensed to 79 quantitative trait loci (QTLs) (eight QTLs for PM, 25 QTLs for LR, 11 QTLs for YR, 19 QTLs for SNB and eight QTLs for STB) based on the linkage disequilibrium among the molecular markers. The known genes present at these QTLs are discussed in detail. The varieties resistant to multiple diseases, identified with the QTLs and molecular markers can be considered as elite raw material for future wheat breeding.

Herbivorous pests and arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi (AMF) coexist on the same host plant, having an indirect effect on one another. We established an experiment in a randomised complete block design with four treatments and six replications to examine the impact of AMF on the population and the damage caused to plane trees by the leafhopper Zyginella pulchra. Manure, manure plus fertiliser, manure plus fertiliser plus AMF, and non-inoculated plants (control) were all of the treatments. The findings revealed that while the nutritional content and soluble carbohydrate content were significantly enhanced by all treatments, they largely reached their peak in the AMF-inoculated plants. When compared to control trees that were not inoculated, the concentrations of N, P, and Zn were boosted by 39%, 81%, and 425%, respectively. AMF inoculation increased the population of Z. pulchra nymphs and adults compared to the control. However, the plants with AMF inoculation eventually suffered greater leaf loss as a result of this rise in the pest population. The findings show that while AMF enhance nutrient absorption and are necessary to improve the nutritional state of the host trees, they also enhance the absorption of pests that are thought to be harmful to plane trees. However, AMF colonisation improved the potential attractiveness of Z. pulchra to plane trees.

The aim of this study was to improve the understanding of the contribution of components typically found in milk, but which are not often included in analyses, to the nutritional status of dairy cows. This was undertaken by analysing the amount and composition of milk produced by Simmental dairy cows, a dual-purpose breed farmed in the Czech Republic. Apart from the more frequently analysed group of components in milk, a less frequently analysed group of components were also investigated. This group, typically, consists of the following components: urea, casein, citric acid, beta hydroxy butyrate (BHB) ketones and free fatty acids. The average content of urea, casein and citric acid in milk is 25.75 mg/100 ml, 2.96%, 0.15%, respectively. The influence of environmental factors on these indicators was evaluated, as well as the degree of hereditary establishment. These less frequently analysed components (indicators), as well as the more frequently analysed components of milk, are subject to several external influences, especially the influence of the breeder, the year and the season of calving. The content of these components varied significantly statistically during the lactation period and also in the order of lactation. The influence of a cow’s individuality and the degree of additive genetic background are evident, with estimated heritability coefficients ranging from 0.04 for the BHB ketone content to higher values, e.g., 0.28 for citric acid or 0.31 for the lactose content in milk. The relationships between the components of milk and the daily milk yield were also evaluated, and statistically significant negative correlations were found between the content of casein and the daily milk yield (–0.47) and between the lactose content and the number of somatic cells (–0.37).

The tillage depth plays a critical role in solving soil compaction - a global problem of soil degradation. However, to date, there are few research reported about tillage depth, and the standard of optimum tillage depth is lacking. Therefore, we conducted a meta-analysis to quantify the effect of tillage depths on crop yield across a global scale, and then to analysis their influence factors such as local climate, soil properties, and managements. Moreover, a global distribution of the optimal tillage depths was estimated by using a random-forest model. Overall, our result demonstrated that crop yield first increased within tillage depths from 25 to 35 cm, and then reduced under higher depth of deep tillage compared to conventional tillage, according to 1109 wheat, maize and soybean (WMS) yield observations from 202 studies and 109 publications. Visibly, 35 cm hence became the optimum tillage depth of WMS across the world, while it varies with different regions. Furthermore, higher crop yields observed in areas with a humid climate, high clay contents, and large bulk density under the optimal depth 40, 35 and 45 cm, respectively. In contrast, a lower yield was observed in areas with arid climates, silty and sandy soils, and lower bulk density within optimal depth of 25 cm, 30 cm, and 25 to 35 cm. Human management efforts, including fertilizer addition, irrigation, straw returning, and changing of cropping system or crop species mostly increased the crop yield under deep tillage. Particularly, our meta-analysis indicated that straw returning needs a greater depth. Finally, we predicted the distributions of optimum depths, which showed that 30 and 35 cm were the optimum tillage depths in the temperate and tropical regions, and the total crop yields of global WMS increased by 2689 million tons per year under the optimal tillage depth, compared with the conventional tillage.

We investigated the phenotypic and genetic diversity among 25 grapevine accessions of white grape maintained in a germplasm collection ex situ. The selected varieties were characterised using standardised ampelographic descriptors and microsatellite markers to obtaintheir complete description. The ampelographic analysis based on 24 OIV descriptors and the obtained first dendrogram based on common features, revealed the extent of the phenotypic diversity ranging from 0.29 (between Coarnă albă and Chardonnay) to 0.92 (between Crâmpoşie and Cioinic), without any connection with their supposed origin or the current geographic area of distribution. The SSR allelic analysis with nine standard markers proved and confirmed its high discrimination potential for genotype identification and diversity. The second cluster analysis aimed to evaluate the genetic relationships among analysed accessions,based on Dice’s similarity coefficient, revealed two groups of varieties: the first group (A) included twelve accessions with a degree of similarity between 0.37 and 0.5. The second (B) included eleven accessions, with a similarity degree between 0.33 and 0.67. The genotypic cluster analysis showed a distinct lower similarity between the Majarcă albă variety and all the varieties from the first group, and between Busuioacă de Bohotin and all the analysed varieties. The phenotypic and genetic matrices and dendrograms, although not correlated, were complimentary and provided valuable information about the diversity of the grapevine genotypes and the identification of the synonyms.

The aim of the study was to compare the efficacy of the intranasal and parenteral administration of azaperone in order to achieve pig sedation. A total of 32 weaned piglets divided into 4 groups (8 piglets in each group) were used. Group A was injected intramuscularly (i.m.) with azaperone (Stresnil®, 40 mg/ml inj.; Elanco Animal Health) at a dose of 2 mg/kg of body weight (b.w.). Group B received a dose of 2 mg/kg b.w. of azaperone intranasally. Group C was given azaperone intranasally at a dose of 4 mg/kg b.w. Group D was given 1 ml of saline intranasally and served as the control group. The response to the defined stimulus (a blunt blow of a metal rod into a metal edge of a pen), the degree of salivation, movement level, body temperature and serum azaperone concentration were included in the trial. We found that in order to induce an adequate level of sedation comparable to the standard method of application, i.e., 2 mg/kg b.w. i.m., the intranasal administration of azaperone at a dose of 4 mg/kg body weight is required.

Forest thinning can be used as an adaptive measure to improve the growth and resistance of Norway spruce forests affected by climate change. The impact of different thinning intensities on sap flow, growth, and tree water deficit of 40-year-old Norway spruce was tested. High thinning intensity (–61% of basal area) resulted in increased tree-level sap flow compared to the control (+27%), but it caused a decrease in the stand-level transpiration (–34%) due to reduced leaf area index. Low-intensity thinning (–28% basal area), high-intensity thinning, and control showed similar responses of sap flow to vapour pressure deficit and global radiation, suggesting unchanged isohydric behaviour. Both low- and high-intensity treatments displayed greater radial growth than the control. There were no differences in tree water deficit between the treatments. The low-intensity treatment can be considered the best water utilisation treatment with increased growth and unchanged transpiration at the tree level. The high-intensity treatment had similar radial growth as the low-intensity but lower stand-level transpiration, implying improved soil water availability. The study expands the ecophysiological understanding of thinning as a valuable silvicultural practice for adapting forest management of Norway spruce to the effects of climate change.

This study was conducted to investigate the resistance of 4 wild eggplant species (Solanum aethiopium group Aculeatum, S. incanum, S. macrocarpon, S. linnaeanum), 3 cultivated eggplant varieties (‘Anamur F1’, ‘Pala’, ‘Yamula’), 1 eggplant rootstock (Köksal F1) and 34 interspecific hybrids to Verticillium dahliae Kleb. and Fusarium oxysporum f.sp. melongenae. Disease resistance of eggplant genotypes was determined by the pathogenicity test. The disease severity values varied between 0–80% for Verticillium and between 0–100% for Fusarium. Among the 42 genotypes, 18 genotypes were found to be moderately resistant and 1 genotype was found to be highly resistant to Verticillium. At the same time, 2 of the 42 genotypes were found to be moderately resistant and 22 of the 42 genotypes were found to be highly resistant to Fusarium. All hybrids with S. integrifollium, Solanum aethiopicum group Gilo as father were found to be highly resistant to Fusarium oxysporum f.sp. melongenae. Solanum linnaeanum did not exhibit any disease symptoms and was found to be highly resistant to both disease agents. Present interspecific hybrid eggplant genotypes with known resistance to Verticillium and Fusarium wilt are expected to have significant contributions in developing new eggplant rootstocks and hybrid eggplant cultivars in the future.

A ¹⁵N-labelling technique was carried out to investigate the effect of wheat straw co-application with Bacillus nealsonii, Cohnella, and Paenibacillus lautus on N uptake and assimilation in Diospyros lotus. Wheat straw combined with Bacillus increased the plant height, biomass accumulation, photosynthetic capacity, and uptake of ¹⁵N by roots, with ¹⁵N accumulating mainly in leaves of D. lotus. The NO₃^–-N content in roots and leaves were decreased by wheat straw co-application with Bacillus, whereas NH₄⁺-N, soluble protein, and total N contents were increased. Wheat straw addition promoted the activities of nitrate reductase, glutamine synthase and glutamate synthase in roots rather than in leaves. These N assimilation enzymatic activities, and glutamic-oxaloacetic transaminase and glutamic pyruvic transaminase activities were markedly increased by wheat straw combined with Bacillus. Moreover, the combined application of wheat straw and Bacillus, particularly B. nealsonii, improved the N use efficiency. These findings suggest that the combined application of wheat straw and Bacillus improved D. lotus growth by increasing N uptake, metabolism, and utilisation efficiency.

The present study compares the six crop residue management techniques in main plots (since 2008) and three split nitrogen (N) levels, i.e., 75, 100 and 125 kg N/ha in subplots for rice crops for two years, i.e., 2019 and 2020, in sandy loam soil under field conditions. This experiment evaluated the long-term effect on rice productivity, soil organic carbon content and nutrient requirement in rice-wheat cropping system. The results revealed that different crop residue management practices and N levels significantly influenced rice growth, yield and yield attributes and improved nutrient uptake by grain and straw. Maximum grain yields of 20.8% and 17.8% higher over the conventional (no straw) treatment during 2019 and 2020, respectively, were recorded where the rice and wheat residue was retained or incorporated. The rice grain yield without residue responded significantly up to 125 kg N/ha. Whereas, with rice and wheat residue, rice grain yield did not respond to the application of N beyond 75 kg N/ha during both years.

In this article, we explore multiscale extreme risk interdependence between four soft agricultural markets – coffee, cocoa, cotton and orange juice. Wavelet correlation and cross-correlation are used to investigate this interlink, and dynamic conditional Value at Risk is used to measure extreme risk. Wavelet correlation results suggest a very weak connection between the markets in the short-term and midterm horizons, which means that investors who operate in the short term or midterm do not have to apply hedging measures against extreme risk. However, the situation is different in the long term, where relatively high correlations are found on the highest wavelet scale in all pairs, except coffee–cocoa. Complementary cross-correlation analysis indicates a lead–lag relationship between the markets. The results are mostly in line with expectations, as bigger markets lead smaller markets. Only in the cases of cocoa–cotton and cocoa–orange juice does the opposite happen.

Mulberry is gaining attention for its potential health benefits. However, post-harvest deterioration of quality necessitates drying to prolong storage. This study aimed to investigate the effects of natural drying (ND), hot air drying (HAD), and vacuum freeze drying (VFD) on bioactive compounds and volatile organic compounds of fresh mulberries. The results showed that VFD had the highest retention of total phenols (5 553.87 ± 744.97 µg GAE·g^–1), total flavonoids (3 575.51 ± 465.98 µg rutin·g^–1), and total anthocyanins (64.98 ± 13.15 µg C3C·g^–1) after prolonged drying. Additionally, flavour was identified as the most important indicator influencing consumer preference for dried mulberries, and VFD was found to be effective in retaining the natural flavours of mulberries. Although thermal treatment leads to a significant loss of organic compounds, HAD showed good retention of active substances and lower energy consumption in a shorter processing time.

Turnip mosaic virus (TuMV) is the most important virus of brassica crops. In our study, we compare the genetic structure of two Czech TuMV populations sampled in the country's 25-year interval of virus presence. The 21 isolates, mainly infecting rutabaga and horseradish, were collected from four farms under organic production, and nearly complete genome sequences, 9 596–9 787 nt in length, were obtained using Sanger sequencing for all of them. The analysis of variability and polymorphism showed differences in genetic structure but the relative stability of both populations and moderate negative selection as a factor affecting the current TuMV population. The newly collected isolates are characterised by a relatively high frequency of intralineage recombinants; interlineage recombinants were not detected compared to the 25-year-old population. The phylogenetic analysis allowed the classification of all Czech isolates into world-B phylogroup, with the prevalence of isolates of subgroup B2. The spread of isolates belonging to the other phylogenetic groups posing higher phytopathological risk, which were present in the old population and some surrounding countries, was not found.

The soil seed bank, as a potential source of ground vegetation renewal, plays an important role in the natural recovery and succession of vegetation as well as in the construction of ecosystems. To clarify the characteristics of the soil seed bank of Achnatherum inebrians and its relationship with the aboveground vegetation, the soil seed bank density, species composition and aboveground vegetation of three different grassland types, namely, desert, steppe and meadow, were investigated by means of field survey sampling and indoor germination experiments. The results showed that the seed bank densities of the three habitats were ranked as desert (1 422.22 seeds/m²), steppe (2 077.78 seeds/m²) and meadow (3 722.22 seeds/m²). The numbers of species were 16, 11 and 17, respectively. With respect to the vertical allocation, the soil seed banks in each habitat were shallow, and the seeds were mainly concentrated in the soil surface layer (0–5 cm). The species richness of the soil seed banks in the three habitats was higher than that of the aboveground vegetation, but there were some differences in richness, evenness and dominance. The species richness and diversity of soil seed banks and aboveground vegetation in meadow habitats were higher than those in desert and steppe habitats, indicating that the soil seed banks and aboveground vegetation in meadow habitats had higher stability. There was a significant positive correlation between the density of temporary soil seed banks and the density of aboveground plant communities in grassland habitats. The results may provide some reference for the prevention and control of Achnatherum inebrians in the three habitats.

Most empirical studies evaluating efficiency in the agricultural sector estimate cost efficiency, assuming homogeneity across firms. However, achieving the goal of profit maximisation requires both minimising costs and maximising revenue. Unlike cost efficiency, the concept of profit efficiency considers the errors on both the input side and the output side, and thus, it is more appropriate for evaluating the overall performance of firms. This paper estimates profit efficiency and its determinants in the agricultural sector in Spain using a Bayesian stochastic frontier model with random coefficients. This methodology adequately captures the heterogeneity across firms in the industry. The results reveal, firstly, that agricultural firms in Spain are operating with an average profit inefficiency of 35.78% and, secondly, that this inefficiency is affected, albeit unevenly, by the size and age of the farm. Finally, the implications of these results for managers and public policies are discussed.

The APETALA 2/ethylene response factors (AP2/ERFs) are considered essential in plant disease resistance responses. In this study, a novel eggplant AP2/ERF transcription factor gene, StPti5, was identified and functionally described from wild eggplant (Solanum torvum Sw.). The results of bioinformatics analysis show that StPti5 protein contains a DNA-binding AP2/ERF domain and shares high degree of amino acid similarity with the other known AP2/ERF domain. Subcellular localization assay shows that StPti5 protein was localized in the nucleus. Expression of StPti5 was induced by infection with Verticillium dahliae, ethylene, and methyl jasmonate. Analysis of expression patterns suggests that the function of StPti5 in resistance to Verticillium wilt was most closely linked to ethylene signaling. Overexpression of StPti5 in Arabidopsis thaliana could improve disease resistance to V. dahliae and activate genes linked to the ethylene signaling pathway. Studies on the A. thaliana defence response revealed that the formation of reactive oxygen species (ROS) increased considerably following overexpression of StPti5. In summary, our analysis suggest that StPti5 gene is a functional gene that could improve eggplant's resistance to V. dahliae.

This work discusses the differences in the removal efficiency of heavy metals in soils along the China-Russia crude oil pipeline in different vegetation backgrounds. In this paper, two representative forest types, birch forest and larch forest, were selected for replicated sampling and experimental study in the soil of disturbed and undisturbed areas along the pipeline, respectively. The results showed that after ten years of vegetation restoration, the amount of heavy metals in the soil of birch and larch forests decreased, the Cu content in the soil under the background of the birch forest was higher than that of the larch forest, while the Zn, Mn and Pb contents were lower than that of the larch forest. The order of decreasing magnitude was Mn, Pb, Zn and Cu, and the overall decreasing rate of heavy metal content in larch forest soil was more obvious. The above conclusions indicate that vegetation restoration is an effective measure to alleviate soil heavy metal pollution.