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This study examined the effects of chitosan films enriched with various essential oils on the quality characteristics of rainbow trout burgers stored at (4 ± 1 °C) for 21 days. Five groups were prepared: a control group (C), a chitosan film group (CF), and groups of chitosan films enriched with 1% oregano essential oil (OEO), citrus essential oil (CEO), and rosemary essential oil (REO). Microbiological counts and physicochemical factors were assessed. Significant differences (P < 0.05) in physicochemical properties were observed among the treatments, with OEO showing the lowest pH (6.67), the lowest peroxide value (PV; 12 meq O₂·kg^–1), and the lowest thiobarbituric acid reactive substances (TBARS) level [1.159 malondialdehyde (MDA)·kg^–1]. Microbial results indicated that the shelf life of the treated groups was extended by up to 9 days compared to the control. The lowest counts of Enterobacteriaceae, yeast and mould, and lactic acid bacteria in OEO were 5.17, 4.87, and 5.10 log CFU·g^–1, respectively, while the lowest counts of psychrophilic and mesophilic bacteria were observed in the REO group, at 6.34 and 6.29 log CFU·g^–1, respectively. In conclusion, combining essential oils, particularly oregano and rosemary, with chitosan effectively enhances seafood freshness and extends its shelf life.

The apple scab, caused by Venturia inaequalis, is one of the most devastating diseases of apples because it drastically affects the aerial parts of the tree. Apple breeding programs frequently aim to develop cultivars exhibiting resistance to scab. Thus, controlled pollinations were performed on apple trees in 2021. The experiment was organised into a hybridisation scheme involving six apple cultivars. The scheme consists of: five female genitors (‘Auriu de Bistrița’, ‘Jonathan’, ‘Golden Delicious’, ‘Starkrimson’, and ‘Idared’) and one male genitor (‘Florina’ – donor for the Vf). To quickly identify the Vf gene in the early development stage of progenies, three pairs of primers were used: AM19, AL07, and VFC. The hybrid combinations with the highest percentage of progenies inheriting the Vf resistance gene were: ‘Starkrimson’ × ‘Florina’ (59.2%), followed by ‘Jonathan’ × ‘Florina’ (57.1%). The hybrids that inherited the Vf resistance gene have been transferred to the field and are being further examined for their resistance against scab infections in the field, in the proximity of a natural source of the inoculum infection pressure.

The aim of this study was to determine the proportion of feed consumed by pigs when they had the choice to meet their nutrient requirements offering a low (LND) or a high (HND) nutrient dense diet on animal performance and feeding behaviour. In total 120 barrows and gilts were allotted to three dietary treatments (LND, HND and a feed choice group, FC). Diets were calculated to keep a constant ratio of megajoule net energy (MJ NE) to nutrient standardised ileal digestible (SID) lysine, SID methionine and cysteine, SID threonine, SID tryptophan, Ca, available P and Na. Pigs of the feed choice treatment that could choose between LND and HND chose an energy content between 13.3 and 13.6 MJ ME or rather 10.1 and 10.4 MJ NE. The ratio between LND and HND changed during the growing period to a higher percentage of HND (26.2% : 73.8% in the starter, 22.0% : 78.0% in the grower and 20.0% : 80.0% in the finisher phase). No differences between barrows and gilts were detected regarding the selected diet. As a result, similar zootechnical performance data were observed for HND and FC, whereas LND led to a declined (P < 0.05) performance. Regarding the feeding behaviour no differences in the parameters meal size and daily feeder visits between LND and HND (P > 0.1) were observed. However, within the FC treatment more and greater meals were consumed (P < 0.05) at the HND feeder compared to the LND feeder. Pigs of modern genetics still have the ability to cover their nutrient requirements choosing between diets differing in nutrient density without impairing performance. Furthermore, the results give no indication for the necessity of different energy levels in diets for sexed pigs.

In the experiments, two compounds were used: hydrogen peroxide with silver (H2O2-Ag+) and captan, pyraclostrobin + boscalid and methyl thiophanate + tetraconazole to soak narcissus bulbs before planting for the period of 20 minutes. The bulbs were planted in such a way that 2/3 of the bulb was above the surface of the substrate. All the pots with bulbs were subsequently placed in plastic boxes and transferred to a cooling chamber adjusted precisely for 9 °C and 94–99% air humidity. During the rooting of the bulbs in the cold room after 4, 8, 12 and 15 weeks, and then in the greenhouse after cutting the above-ground parts, the observations of the bulbs and percentage substrate coverage by the fungi most frequently isolated in the previous observations. The research showed that H2O2-Ag+ and fungicides used for soaking significantly limited the fungal development on bulbs and also on the substrate during the rooting period in the cold store and after they were placed in the greenhouse until the flowering.

Nowadays, the interest in research to determine the healthy compounds in fig fruits has increased, as many of them have been found to be beneficial to human health. This study aimed to determine the sugars, organic acids, total phenolic content, antioxidant capacity and volatile compounds in the fruits of 19 fig (Ficus carica L.) genotypes sampled from the Kahramanmaras province in Türkiye in 2018 and 2019. In the fruit of the fig genotypes, the total phenolic content was determined by the Folin-Ciocalteu method, the total antioxidant capacity was determined by the DPPH (2,2-diphenyl-1-picrylhidrazil) method, the sugars, organic acids and volatile aroma compounds were determined chromatographically (HPLC/RID detector), (HPLC/UV detector) and headspace gas chromatography-mass spectrophotometry (HS-GC/MS), respectively. The results showed that most of the biochemical contents and antioxidant capacities of the genotypes significantly differed from each other (P < 0.05). The total phenolic content and antioxidant properties of the fruits ranged from 50.29 to 580.59 mg gallic acid equivalent per 100 g fresh weight base (and 15.98 to 36.77% DPPH, respectively. Regarding the sugar content of the fig genotypes, the main sugar is fructose ranging from 3.35 to 7.37 g per 100 g. The highest fructose content of 7.37 g per 100 g was found in the genotype KMF12. A total of 58 volatile compounds were detected in the fruits of the 19 fig genotypes, including 18 aldehydes, 3 ketones, 6 esters, 2 terpenes, 17 alcohols, 1 acid and 11 other compounds. According to the obtained results, aldehydes, esters and ketones were found to be the major volatile compounds in the fig fruits. The genotypes with the highest values of the phytochemical and antioxidant properties among the genotypes were selected as candidates as a source of variation for breeders who want to develop new commercial varieties beneficial to human health.

Insecticidal interventions at critical stages of maize are an important strategy for managing invasive insect pest fall armyworm (FAW) Spodoptera frugiperda (J.E. Smith). Conventional spraying systems cannot be used over larger areas, and the insecticide application using unmanned aerial vehicles is becoming popular among peasants. As the FAW resides inside the maize whorls, targeted insecticide application is necessary for effective management. The efficacy of (UAV) spray with different types of nozzles was compared with the conventional spray system, namely high-volume spray and Control droplet applicator. The other spray systems' droplet density, efficacy, and residues of insecticides in plants, soil and water were studied. The UAV droplet density up to 5 m swath recorded no significant variation for both nozzles. A UAV with an atomizer nozzle was as effective as a high-volume spray in reducing the FAW infestation. The residue analysis of leaf samples from the study area revealed more residues in the control droplet applicator and UAV atomizer nozzle. The per cent reduction of initial deposits in the top, middle and bottom maize leaves was least in the UAV atomizer nozzle. The insecticide residues in the study sample area were also below the detectable limit. UAV usage in maize saves time and reduces FAW damage as that of high-volume sprayers.

The forest bioeconomy links to a climate-neutral economy for which effective economic and financial promotion is essential to sustainable development. The main purpose of this study was to examine the effects of financial support on the development of the forest bioeconomy in the Czech Republic in the period 2000–2021. Research objectives were met by applying literature review, time series analysis, spatial data analysis, cartogram and cartodiagram method, correlation analysis, and regression analysis. Firstly, regional divergences in financial flows were observed. Owing to the bark beetle calamity, the peak of the financial support was detected in the Vysočina Region (CZK 4 658/EUR 190 per ha), and the Olomouc Region (CZK 2 780/EUR 113 per ha) in 2020. An upward trend – more than 6-fold growth of financial flows to forestry was found. Secondly, the forest carbon model was discovered and tested. Financial contribution for reforestation, establishment, and tending of forest stands increases net carbon sinks while financial contribution for green and environmentally friendly technologies increases net carbon sources. Regional carbon reservoirs offer the potential to contribute to climate targets and achieve sustainable progress.

Owing to its role in mitigating CO₂ in the atmosphere, the total organic carbon (TOC) stock of soil, a key component of the terrestrial carbon cycle, is of significant interest as regards climate change. To determine TOC stock, it is first necessary to determine the soil's bulk density (BD), determined through intact soil sampling; however, in forest soils, it can be difficult to determine BD in soils with high levels of stoniness and/or tree root coverage. Furthermore, the method is time-consuming and labour-intensive, making it impractical for studies over large areas. In such cases, BD can be determined using a pedotransfer function (PTF) expressing the relationship between forest soil TOC and BD. The aim of this study was to determine a forest soil PTF using actual data obtained from 777 soil pits dug as part of the Czech Republic's National Forest Inventory (NFI). Within the NFI, BD is assessed from undisturbed core samples, while TOC is assessed from mixed samples from the same soil genetic horizons. Both generalised linear (GLM) and generalised linear mixed-effects (GLMER) models were used, with the final GLMER model best expressing the relationship for individual natural forest areas within the NFI dataset. The GLMER-based PTF described in this study can be widely applied to accurately estimate soil BD via TOC concentration at temperate forest sites where stoniness and/or root cover previously made it technically impossible to take undisturbed samples using standard methods.

The mechanical scarification of acorns, although requiring a significant investment of resources, is a process commonly used in container nurseries for seed preparation. Its aim is to increase the number of germinating seeds and to shorten and equalise the length of their germination period. Research results indicate that scarification also affects the production of seedlings with improved biometric parameters. However, there is limited information available on improving the structure of the root system, primarily due to the limited availability of image analysis systems for these plant parts. This study employed modern measurement methods using WinRhizo and WinFolia software (Regent Instruments Inc.; Version Pro, 2022) to comparatively analyse root system parameters, focusing mainly on their structure. The parameters of pedunculate oak (Quercus robur L.) seedlings grown in polystyrene containers were compared with and without mechanical scarification, achieved by manually cutting off part of the acorn. After the end of the growing season, the parameters of all analysed seedlings (200 pieces) were determined, and a detailed analysis of the root system was performed on selected average individuals (64 pieces). Scarification resulted in an increase in the number of germinated seeds and grown seedlings, as well as an increase in the height and diameter of the root collar and a reduction in the variation of the obtained seedlings' parameters. Seedlings grown from scarified seeds were also characterised by a greater number of leaves with larger unit mass, which had smaller dimensions. The root system of seedlings grown from scarified seeds exhibited a higher average diameter and total volume of roots, as well as greater total length, surface area, and volume of fine roots, i.e. in the diameter range: 0.5 < D ≤ 2.0 mm. The obtained results confirmed the positive effect of seed scarification on germination and emergence efficiency, as well as on biometric features and the quality of the grown seedlings.

The aim of the study was to prepare and test the effect of diets with 50% and 100% replacement of soybean meal with dehulled seeds of white lupin (Lupinus albus) variety Zulika. One hundred and eighty Cherry Valley duckling were divided to control group (C) and two experimental groups E₅₀ (50% replacement of soybean meal with dehulled white lupin meal) and E₁₀₀ (100% replacement of soybean meal with dehulled white lupin meal). There were evaluated the production parameters and the amino acid spectrum of breast and thigh muscles up to 42 days of age. The effect of diets containing lupin meal had no negative effect on the yield of duckling. In particular, positively can be evaluated higher growth rate in the experimental groups compared to the control (C 3.22 ± 0.28 kg, E₅₀ 3.40 ± 0.27 kg, E₁₀₀ 3.48 ± 0.28 kg), at the same time significantly lower mortality in the experimental groups compared to the control (C 5.88%, E₅₀ 1.47%, E₁₀₀ 1.49%) and, except for E₁₀₀, minimal differences in feed conversion ratio (C 2.33 kg/kg, E₅₀ 2.27 kg/kg, E₁₀₀ 2.71 kg/kg). Feeding diets based on lupin meal resulted in the reduction of most essential and non-essential amino acids (P ≤ 0.05) in the dry matter content of both breast and thigh muscle (E₅₀, E₁₀₀). Lupine meal-based diets positively influenced ducks’ health, which was reflected by lower mortality rate in the experimental groups. Therefore, the results show that diets based on lupin meal had a positive effect on the health and welfare of intensively fattened ducks and that they affected positively the economic aspect of breeding.

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

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

Lead (Pb) is a harmful heavy metal that threatens ecosystems and plant growth. Silicon (Si) plays a crucial role in plant responses to heavy metal stress. In this study, the effects of Si on Pb2+ content and transport, subcellular distribution, and chemical forms in Salix viminalis L. under Pb stress were analysed, aiming to elucidate the detoxification mechanism of Si in S. viminalis under such conditions. Results showed that Si reduced Pb²⁺ in aboveground parts and increased it in roots, lowering its movement to leaves and stems. Analysis of the subcellular distribution of Pb²⁺ revealed that Si application promoted the transfer of Pb²⁺ to vacuole-dominated soluble components (F4) and cell wall components (F1), which increased the binding capacity of the cell wall and the vacuolar storage compartmentalisation for Pb²⁺. Changes in the chemical forms of Pb²⁺ indicated that Si significantly decreased the proportion of more mobile, ethanol-extractable Pb²⁺ (FE) and deionised water-extractable Pb²⁺ (FW) while increasing the proportion of less mobile Pb²⁺ forms, such as NaCl-extractable (FNaCl), HCl-extractable (FHCl), and acetic acid-extractable (FHAc) Pb²⁺, thereby reducing its mobility. This study provides empirical support for the application of Si in the phytoremediation of heavy metal-contaminated soils.

Purslane (Portulaca oleracea L.) is rich in ω-3 fatty acids, antioxidants, and minerals, and has notable neuroprotective, anti-inflammatory, antimicrobial, antidiabetic, antioxidant, anticancer, and antihypertensive properties. This research evaluated the effect of fresh purslane (FP) on the physicochemical and nutritional properties of ice cream, including α-linolenic acid (ALA; 18 : 3; ω-3), mineral content, and antioxidant properties, along with sensory characteristics. FP was added at 0, 5, 10, and 15% (w/w) levels. The addition of FP significantly increased the iron (Fe), calcium (Ca), copper (Cu), sodium (Na), oleic acid (OA), and ALA contents (P < 0.05). FP also increased the first dripping and complete melting times, while decreasing overrun and viscosity. Total antioxidant capacity (TAC) remained unchanged (P > 0.05), but total phenolic content (TPC) and 2,2-diphenyl-1-picryl-hydrazyl (DPPH) radical scavenging activity significantly increased (P < 0.01). Thirty-one volatile compounds were identified, with increases in octadecane, dodecane, and 2-hexenal concentrations due to FP addition. Although the addition of FP improved the ALA content and antioxidant properties, sensory results showed that FP over 5% (w/w) lowered taste and general acceptability scores. Thus, using 5% of FP in ice cream is optimal for enhancing nutritional properties.

Retinal degeneration (RD) is often associated with deficiencies or the inaccurate production of photoreceptor-specific proteins, which are encoded by various genes and characterised by the apoptotic and ongoing death of photoreceptor cells. This study involved administering a single intraperitoneal (i.p.) dose of 50 mg/kg of N-methyl-N-nitrosourea (MNU) to rats to induce RD. Some of these rats also received intraperitoneal minocycline at varying doses to prevent RD. Euthanasia was conducted at five intervals: at 12, 24, 48, and 72 h, and on the 7^th day; and eye samples were taken. These samples were analysed using histopathology, immunohistochemistry, and electron microscopy. Significant RD was observed in the MNU-treated groups, with photoreceptor cell apoptosis demonstrated by the TUNEL method. Compared with those in the control group, there was a progressive thinning of the photoreceptor layer and outer nuclear layer, along with increased levels of glial fibrillary acidic protein (GFAP) and proliferating cell nuclear antigen (PCNA), and reduced levels of rhodopsin and red/green opsin starting from the 12^th hour in the experimental groups. Electron microscopy revealed that amacrine and bipolar cells, in addition to photoreceptors, were also affected. The minocycline treatment did not show significant differences in retinal layer thickness or the staining levels of PCNA, GFAP, and opsins in the MNU-induced RD model.

This study investigated how wheat (C3) and maize (C4) respond to soil thallium (Tl) contamination and elevated CO₂ (eCO₂), aiming to understand strategies for mitigating oxidative stress. Under eCO₂, both crops showed higher biomass production. However, high Tl concentration (120 mg/kg) significantly decreased fresh and dry weights by 31–59%, which translated directly to compromised yield. This growth decline is linked to impaired photosynthesis, evidenced by a 54–57% drop in net photosynthetic rate under elevated Tl. Such photosynthetic inhibition intensifies oxidative stress, marked by increased membrane damage and hydrogen peroxide (H2O2). Furthermore, photorespiration contributed to oxidative stress by generating H₂O₂, with increased activities of glycolate oxidase and hydroxypyruvate reductase rising by 122% and 201%, in wheat and by 179% and 39% in maize, respectively, in response to 120 mg/kg TI under eCO₂ conditions. Simultaneously, to mitigate oxidative damage, antioxidant defences were significantly enhanced, resulting in increased activity of the ascorbate (ASC)/glutathione (GSH) cycle, along with elevated levels of metallothionein and phytochelatin for Tl sequestration, as well as augmented glutathione S-transferase activity. Overall, findings reveal complex interactions between CO₂ and Tl, highlighting species-specific adaptive responses of C3 and C4 plants. C3 plants use photorespiration to combat oxidative stress, while C3 and C4 plants have strong antioxidant systems to reduce the effects of oxidative stress, promoting crop resilience and growth despite Tl toxicity.

Assessing and optimising the efficiency of agricultural and pastoral systems is crucial for the long-term development of a country. The presence of shared factors and undesirable outputs increases the complexity of evaluating the efficiency of these systems. To address this issue, we first analysed the production possibility sets of the agricultural subsystems, pastoral subsystems, and agricultural and pastoral systems. Then, two bounded adjusted measure (BAM) models considering shared factors and undesirable outputs were proposed to evaluate the divisional efficiency of agricultural and pastoral subsystems. Additionally, a network BAM model in the presence of shared factors and undesirable outputs was developed to assess overall efficiency. Undesirable outputs were handled by slack-based measures in the three novel models. The proposed models were used to evaluate the efficiency of agricultural and pastoral systems across 30 provinces and cities in China. To explore the impact of undesirable outputs, the efficiency of ignoring undesirable outputs was investigated and compared with that obtained from the new method. These results suggest that ignoring undesirable outputs may misestimate efficiency to a certain extent.

Gerbera flowers are the best-selling cut flowers worldwide owing to their attractive appearance. Nevertheless, one significant challenge for gerbera flowers is their relatively short vase life. Commercially, synthetic chemicals are used to prolong the vase life of flowers; however, they are not environmentally friendly, posing sustainability concerns. Therefore, we used different concentrations of the biocontrol spore suspension of Streptomyces exfoliatus FT05W and evaluated their effect on vase life, bacterial population, and different morphology and physiological indices of gerbera cut flowers, with the objective of determining the optimal concentration for maximum efficiency. The results revealed that all spore suspensions of S. exfoliatus FT05W (1 × 106 CFU mL) significantly extended vase life and were 4 days longer than the control. S. exfoliatus FT05W treatment also increased bottle life extension days, blossom diameter, and fresh weight, and maintained water balance. In addition, it decreased malondialdehyde (MDA) levels and relative electrolyte leakage (REL), leading to decreased oxidative stress. S. exfoliatus FT05W significantly increased antioxidant enzymes, including superoxide dismutase (SOD) activity, catalase (CAT) activity, peroxidase (POD) activity, soluble sugar (SS), and soluble protein (SP), compared to the control. Furthermore, it can effectively inhibit bacterial proliferation, resulting in a decline in colonies and a significant delay in the flower ageing process. The beneficial impacts of S. exfoliatus FT05W were most pronounced at a concentration of 1 × 106 CFU/mL. The findings of this research suggest that S. exfoliatus FT05W has great potential as a bio-fertiliser for cut flowers, as it is capable of addressing the challenges associated with flower cultivation.

The genus Solanum comprises numerous wild and cultivated species that are important for potato breeding. This pilot-scale study aimed to evaluate the genetic diversity in 44 accessions from Solanum sect. Petota, comprising wild species, Andean landraces, and modern cultivars, obtained from the Potato Research Institute Havlíčkův Brod, Ltd. and the Department of Crop Sciences and Agroforestry at the Faculty of Tropical AgriSciences, Czech University of Life Sciences Prague. Nuclear microsatellite markers (SSR, 29 loci) were applied via five multiplex PCR reactions and analysed using capillary electrophoresis. Binary data matrices were analysed using DARwin software to generate dendrograms reflecting allelic polymorphism. The SSR panel effectively differentiated cultivated accessions from wild types, consistent with the current taxonomy of the genus Solanum, with particularly clear clustering of Andean landraces and modern varieties. However, resolution among wild accessions was limited, likely due to their high genetic complexity and interspecific overlap. These results support the suitability of the SSR panel for analysing diversity in cultivated potatoes. while also highlighting the challenges in resolving wild Solanum taxa. This study contributes to germplasm characterisation and provides a molecular basis for future breeding programmes.

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.

This study examines height growth and its driving factors in stools and standard trees, the two key structural components of coppice-with-standards stands. We focused on sessile oak [Quercus petraea agg. (Matt.) Liebl.] stands over 90 years old at two contrasting sites near Brno (South Moravian Region, Czech Republic): one actively managed and one left unmanaged for more than 40 years as a strict nature reserve. Tree heights were analysed using two-factor analysis of variance (ANOVA) with post hoc tests and multinomial logistic regression. A total of 1 239 trees were measured (584 stools and 655 standards). Standard trees were the tallest on average (21.8 m), significantly exceeding all the stool categories, whereas managed triple-stem stools were the shortest (15.97 m). Across all categories, unmanaged stands generally reached greater heights than managed stands did, except for standard trees. The forest type, exposure and slope had significant effects on height class probabilities, whereas elevation was important only for smaller trees. Overall, the results demonstrate that both the tree type and site conditions strongly influence height growth in Q. petraea coppice-with-standards stands, with management history leaving a clear biological legacy in the present-day stand structure.

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

At present, the assessment of pig welfare quality has gained significant importance, prompting the exploration of novel biomarkers for this purpose. Traditionally, these biomarkers have been monitored in the blood; however, blood sampling is considered an invasive procedure. Currently, non-invasive methods for collecting samples are emerging as viable alternatives for assessing these biomarkers. This article aims to present the current knowledge regarding the use of non-invasive methods for analysing pig welfare biomarkers, specifically focusing on the saliva, hair, faeces, and urine as matrices to determine these biomarkers. The saliva analysis encompasses various biomarkers, such as cortisol, alpha-amylase, chromogranin A, the total esterase, oxytocin, acute phase proteins, adenosine deaminase, immunoglobulins and parameters of redox homeostasis. Cortisol, a specific biomarker, can be determined in the hair, urine and faeces, while urine samples allow for the analysis of catecholamines as non-invasive markers of pig welfare.

In this study, a synergist made of itaconic acid, maleic acid, acrylic acid and other active ingredients polymerised was sprayed on the surface of nitrogen (N) fertiliser particles to make synergistic nitrogen fertilisers (SNF). To explore the effect of SNF on N metabolism of wheat in saline-alkaline land, five treatments were set up: CK – ordinary N fertiliser (299.86 kg N/ha); T1 – SNF (299.86 kg N/ha); T2 – SNF (239.89 kg N/ha); T3 – SNF (179.92 kg N/ha); T4 – SNF (119.94 kg N/ha). The aboveground dry weight of wheat, the photosynthetic characteristics of wheat flag leaves, the activity of the N metabolism enzyme of wheat flag leaves, the expression of N transporter-related genes in wheat roots, and the N accumulation and transport of plants were determined. The results showed that the T1 treatment performed the best. During the two years, the N translocation from stems and leaves to spikes of plants at maturity in T1 was 33.18–45.55% higher than that of CK. The N content of wheat spikes was 12.01–12.66% higher than that of CK. The activities of nitrate reductase, glutamine synthetase, glutamate synthetase and the expression of nitrate transporter gene TaNRT1.1 and ammonium transporter gene TaAMT1.1 were significantly higher than that of CK. The aboveground dry weight of wheat and photosynthetic characteristics of flag leaves were significantly higher than those of CK in T1, whereas the intercellular CO2 concentration was significantly lower than that of CK. The application of SNF positively affected N accumulation and transport in wheat, wheat yield, and fertiliser utilisation, as well as reduced N loss in saline-alkaline land.

This study aims to evaluate the perceptions of Spanish primary producers on waste management practices and different regulatory and administrative proposals. In addition, it identifies the socioeconomic and technical factors influencing these perceptions and highlights the types of agricultural residues that present the greatest management challenges for primary producers. To achieve these objectives, a survey was conducted among 396 primary producers throughout Spain. Results revealed two distinct groups of producers: younger, more educated individuals who showed higher awareness of waste management and older, less educated producers who perceived waste management as less critical. The study also analysed the magnitude of the relationships between these influencing factors and waste management perceptions. Agricultural plastics, biomass, and used oil emerged as the most problematic waste types. The findings suggest the need for a national strategy to improve agricultural waste management in Spain, including awareness campaigns, financial incentives, and stricter regulations to ensure sustainable practices.

Forest logging activities negatively affect various soil properties. In this study, we focus on the logging effects on soil water retention and associated pore size distribution. We measured the soil-water characteristic curves (SWCCs) on 21 undisturbed samples from three research plots: a reference area, a clear-cut area and a forest track. A total of 12 SWCC points between saturation and wilting point were determined for each sample with a sand box and pressure plate apparatus. The trimodal behaviour is highlighted by the dependence between soil moisture and suction. Therefore, we proposed a revised model by combining two exponential expressions with the van Genuchten model. The exponential terms describe the influence of macro-and-structural porosities, and the latter is used to calculate textural porosity. This new model with eight independent parameters was suitable to fit trimodal SWCCs in all samples. Results revealed that logging had the most destructive effect on large pores, and the soil on the forest track was the most affected. Both soil-air and available water capacity were reduced and the permanent wilting point increased as a result of damage to the soil structure and pore system. Observed increased organic carbon content in compacted soils can be attributed to slowed decomposition due to reduced air capacity and increased waterlogging susceptibility of damaged soils.

Silver nanoparticles (AgNPs) have attracted significant interest in veterinary medicine due to their unique properties, including enhanced stability, greater antimicrobial efficacy, and reduced toxicity compared to traditional silver salts. Their applications span various areas of veterinary practice, such as dermatology, wound management, infection prevention, drug delivery, and disinfection. This review explores their use in pigs, highlighting their role as feed additives to prevent diarrhoea, as antibacterial agents in semen extenders, and veterinary dermatology. AgNPs possess broad-spectrum antibacterial activity against both Gram-positive and Gram-negative bacteria, positioning them as a promising alternative to antibiotics in addressing antibiotic resistance. Additionally, AgNPs have shown antiviral potential, though the exact mechanism of action remains unclear. The review examines the antibacterial and antiviral properties of AgNPs, their utility in facility sanitation, and their potential toxicity to pigs. While AgNPs offer significant benefits in veterinary applications, concerns about their toxicity persist. Efforts to reduce this toxicity, such as surface modifications or combining AgNPs with other substances, are under investigation. Further research is essential to fully understand the potential applications and safety of AgNPs in pig medicine.

The availability of a broad variety of cultivars in many ornamental species has increased recently, in particular for attractive annuals, which are valued commercially for their use as cut flowers, potted plants, loose flowers, and in landscape gardening. The breeding of ornamental plants in the current scenario is a challenging endeavour with constantly evolving new obstacles. Modern genomic technologies provide prospects for improved precision breeding and selection for characteristics that are more difficult to determine. Traditionally, ornamental breeding has been focused on increasing resistance to biotic or abiotic stress, novelty, yield, and quality. However, accomplishing these objectives necessitates tedious cross-breeding, and exact breeding methods have been noticed to be not applied constantly. Though the purposes of ornamental crop breeding may vary, the process generally does not differ from the breeding of other crops. Furthermore, vegetatively propagated ornamentals constitute most of the crops. The expanding interest in ornamental crops that are produced by modern crop breeding methods such as genome editing, chromosome manipulation, molecular marker-assisted breeding, mutation breeding, and exploiting somaclonal variations, particularly in relation to altering desirable plant features and producing new ornamental traits of the crops which is the main objective of crop improvement practices. Hence, it has become obligatory to evaluate the current state of any technology created following an in-depth study carried out by several research organisations.

This study examined the impact of selenomethionine (SeMet) on the growth and physiological traits of Salvia miltiorrhiza seedlings. Application of SeMet significantly improved the photosynthetic performance by reducing stomatal limitation value (Ls) and increasing soil and plant analyser development (SPAD) value, net photosynthetic rate (P_n), transpiration rate (T_r), stomatal conductance (g_s) and water use efficiency (WUE), compared to the control. Furthermore, SeMet also improved the photosynthetic performance by reducing non-photochemical quenching (NPQ) and increasing the actual photochemical efficiency of photosystem II (Y(II)), photochemical quenching (qP), maximum photochemical efficiency of PSII (F_v/F_m) and apparent electron transport rate (ETR). Meanwhile, the findings indicated that SeMet was able to enhance the antioxidant capacity of S. miltiorrhiza seedlings by increasing the activities of antioxidant enzymes ascorbate peroxidase (APX), glutathione reductase (GR), peroxidase (POD), catalase (CAT) and superoxide dismutase (SOD), thereby reducing the contents of malondialdehyde (MDA) and hydrogen peroxide (H₂O₂). Besides, SeMet notably impacted plant growth by promoting plant height, basal diameter and biomass. Among different concentrations, 60 mg/L exhibited the most favourable impact on photosynthetic performance, antioxidant capacity and the growth of S. miltiorrhiza seedlings. In summary, the appropriate dosage of SeMet can stimulate the growth of S. miltiorrhiza by enhancing photosynthetic and antioxidant capacities. These findings can serve as a solid theoretical foundation for the application of SeMet in the cultivation and production of S. miltiorrhiza.

This study evaluated the effects of feeding European seabass (Dicentrarchus labrax) that developed from the fingerling to juvenile stage a diet supplemented with a blend of Padina sp. and GroBiotic^®-A over a 12-week period. A total of 480 fish (initial weight: 2.08 ± 0.06 g) were randomly allocated to four groups, each comprising three replicates. The fish were fed to satiation with diets containing varying proportions of Padina sp. and GroBiotic^®-A: 0% Padina sp. and 0% GroBiotic^®-A (0P0G), 1% Padina sp. and 1% GroBiotic^®-A (1P1G), 2% Padina sp. and 1% GroBiotic^®-A (2P1G), and 4% Padina sp. and 1% GroBiotic^®-A (4P1G). The 4P1G group demonstrated significant improvements in growth performance parameters, including final weight, weight gain, and specific growth rate (P < 0.05). However, no significant differences were found in other parameters including feed conversion ratio, visceral somatic index, and survival rate (P > 0.05). Histological analysis of liver and intestinal tissues showed no pathological alterations (P > 0.05); more likely, only adaptive and non-pathological morphological changes such as moderate lipid vacuolisation and preserved mucosal structure were noted. Furthermore, dietary supplementation of the Padina sp. and GroBiotic^®-A blend significantly upregulated the expression of growth-related genes, specifically growth hormone and insulin-like growth factor 1 (P < 0.05). These results suggest that the combination of Padina sp. and GroBiotic^®-A has a synergistic potential to enhance the growth performance without inducing digestive disturbances. Nevertheless, further studies are recommended to assess its effects on fish grown to market size before commercial application.