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Plant growth regulators (PGRs) are artificially synthesized substances that control growth, development, and other various physiological processes in plants. Synthesized auxins, ethylene, abscisic acid, cytokinin, and gibberellins are only a few of the key PGRs that have been studied and used for quite a long period of time. brassinosteroids, salicylic acid, jasmonic acid, CPPU (N-(2-chloro-4-pyridyl)-N’-phenylurea), putrescine, hexanal, triacontanol, melatonin, and other chemicals have been added to the list of PGRs. These PGRs can be considered the new generation of plant growth regulators. These relatively novel hormones are critical for a plant’s growth and development. They aid in the increase of not only the quantity (fruit set, length, weight, yield, volume, pulp percentage, and so on) but also the quality of fruit crops (fruit colour, firmness, total soluble solids, total sugar, ascorbic acid content, etc). They also help to prolong the shelf life of certain fruits and minimize the losses after harvesting. As a result, these new-generation PGRs can be used to boost an orchard’s productivity and income while minimizing pre and post-harvest losses to the greatest extent possible. Hence, this extensive review discusses the impact of these new-generation PGRs on fruit crops.

At the soil level, earthworms are key indicators of water-related processes which help soils to accept, retain, release and transmit water by influencing the soil structure through their burrowing, casts, and drilosphere. The water repellency is an indicator of soil structure stability both for the natural soil and for the earthworm casts (bioturbated soil). The water repellency of earthworm casts is a complex property that should be approached both at ecological and functional level in earthworm categorization because this cast property influences the transport and flow processes in soil, such as those of water, nutrients, pollutants, and gas diffusion. The earthworms have been described as bioremediators of soil water repellency. Casts of the earthworm species Lumbricus terrestris collected from an urban green space have been analysed for particle size composition (texture), organic carbon (OC) content and CaCO₃ content in relation to their water repellency (the hydrophobicity). The findings of this study showed that the main drivers determining the water repellency of the casts of L. terrestris, as indicator of their structural stability, are chemical (the contents of OC and respectively CaCO₃) and physical (contents of clay, silt and fine sand). The water repellency (hydrophobicity) of the casts decreased with their content of clay and silt and increased with their content of organic matter and CaCO₃. The hydrophobicity of earthworm casts is in direct positive relation with their previous water accumulation, i.e. the current penetration time of water increases or decreases if the previous penetration time of the water increased or decreased, respectively. The water drop penetration times indicated that the analysed earthworm casts were slightly water-repellent. A small to medium degree of water repellency has been mostly reported as appropriate for the aggregate stability of the soil.

Optimising the feed composition, especially the forage choice, and reducing costs are essential for improving dairy production efficiency. Different forage sources and proportions were used to formulate rations containing equal energy and protein, and their effects on rumen microbiota and milk production performance of dairy cows were evaluated in two experiments. In experiment 1, thirty lactating cows (235 ±13 d postpartum; milk production 29.1 ± 1.0 kg/day) were divided into Pangola and Bermuda groups. In experiment 2, twenty lactating cows (79.9 ± 8.1 d postpartum; milk production 34.7 ± 0.6 kg/day) were divided into Pangola and oat groups. In experiment 1, the Simpson index for rumen microbiota of the Pangola group was significantly higher than in the Bermuda group (P < 0.05). Analysis of the weighted unique fraction (UniFrac) distances indicated significant differences in the beta diversity of the community composition of rumen microbiota between Pangola, Bermuda and oat groups in both experiments (P < 0.001). The relative abundance of Prevotella brevis was significantly higher in the Pangola group than in the oat group in experiment 2 (P < 0.05). The somatic cell counts (SCCs), C18:0, and C18:1 in milk were significantly higher in the Bermuda group than in the Pangola group (P < 0.05) in experiment 1. On the other hand, milk crude protein (CP) and solids-not-fat (SNF) were significantly higher in the Oat group than in the Pangola group (P < 0.05) in experiment 2; however, milk urea nitrogen (MUN) was significantly higher in the Pangola group (P < 0.05). In conclusion, a switch of forage (Pangola vs Bermuda) at a lower proportion of the diet under the high forage level condition (experiment 1) caused only minor changes in rumen microbiota diversity (Simpson index, beta diversity) and milk production performance (milk SCCs, C18:0 and C18:1). On the other hand, a switch of forage (Pangola vs oat) at a higher proportion of the diet under the low forage level condition (experiment 2) resulted in greater changes in rumen microbiota diversity (beta diversity, relative abundances of bacterial taxa, P. brevis relative abundance) and milk production performance (milk CP, SNF, and MUN).

Eucalyptus plantations are an important source of raw materials for the Thai forest products industry. Despite its economic value, only a few noncomprehensive papers have been published about the wood properties and fungal susceptibility of eucalyptus. Our study covered the most commonly used commercial eucalyptus clones with a wide variety of sizes from eastern Thailand. We assumed that the properties of the clones would differ based on the tree sizes. The objectives of this study were to determine the effects of diameter at breast height (DBH), size, and clone type on wood properties and mould susceptibility. The optimal usage of each log characteristic based on the log quality and properties could be used to determine the maximum payoff. The wood properties and log characteristics of five eucalyptus log classes with three clones were investigated. In general, the levels of means and standard deviations were as follows: the modulus of rupture (MOR) was between 39 ± 4.9 MPa and 66 ± 5.4 MPa, and the modulus of elasticity (MOE) was between 14.5 ± 9.7 GPa and 24.0 ± 2.7 GPa. In addition, the compression parallel to the grain was between 28 ± 3.2 MPa and 43 ± 2.4 MPa, and the compression perpendicular to the grain was between 13 ± 0.7 MPa and 19 ± 1.1 MPa. The shear strength parallel to the grain was between 10 ± 0.3 MPa and 14 ± 0.6 MPa. The cleavage and hardness were from 4.7 ± 1.6 N to 7.4 ± 0.9 N and from 3.6 ± 0.3 kN to 6.2 ± 0.6 kN, respectively. The toughness and nail withdrawal were from 27.3 ± 3.5 kN·mm^–1 to 50.5 ± 1.0 kN·mm^–1 and from 28.56 ± 4.1 N·mm^–1 to 34.52 ± 2.8 N·mm^–1, respectively. Eucalyptus clone K7 had lower MOR and other mechanical properties than clones K58 and K62 except MOE. When DBH increased, the mechanical and physical property values increased as well. This happened for all clones, and especially when DBH was over 200 mm. The results of this study showed that log characteristics, such as taper, slenderness, and crookedness, should be used for log grading standards and that each fast-growing eucalyptus clone could be applied to different product classes.

Drought-tolerant rootstocks with better performance regarding water deficit is important for sustaining orchard productivity, especially in regions where water availability is unpredictable. By selecting appropriate rootstocks, fruit growers can mitigate the adverse effects of insufficient water on yields. However, the response of specific rootstocks to drought remains unknown. Our study examined the drought tolerance of five plum rootstocks (Wavit, Torinell, Adesoto, Penta, and St. Julien) focusing on their physiological and biochemical responses. To assess their tolerance under drought conditions, we evaluated leaf relative water content (RWC), chlorophyll fluorescence, lipid peroxidation, hydrogen peroxide (H₂O₂), proline, and phenolic content. The results showed that Torinel exhibited the highest performance index (PIABS), maximum PSII photochemical efficiency (F_v/F_m), RWC, lowest lipid peroxidation and H₂O₂ during the drought-stress condition. Based on our results, we identified Torinel as a rootstock with a great ability to withstand drought, suggesting that it could be applied in the breeding program to increase plum resistance to drought. The study provides insights into the drought tolerance of different plum rootstocks, identifying which ones are better suited for cultivation in water-limited environments.

Cereus hildmannianus is a species with various nutritional and medicinal properties; however, the fruits and flowers have scarcely been explored. In this regard, the study investigated the bioproduction of total sugar content (TSC), total phenolic content (TPC), and total flavonoid content (TFC), antioxidant [DPPH – 2,2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl and ABTS – 2,2'-azino-bis-(-3-ethylbenzothiazoline-6-sulfonic acid)], iron chelation, and prebiotic activities of methanolic extracts from fruits (epicarps – EE, mesocarps – ME) and flowers (sepals – SE, petals – PE) of C. hildmannianus. The chemical profiles of the extracts were determined by ultra-high-performance liquid chromatography coupled with mass spectrometry. The highest accumulations of TSC were observed in the ME (64%), while the SE also had a high TFC (17 µg QE per mg DW; QE – quercetin equivalents, DW – dry weight) and the EE had a high TPC (646 µg GAE per mg DW; GAE – gallic acid equivalents). A total of 24 compounds (phenolic and organic acids; and glycosylated flavonoids) were putatively identified. The greatest antioxidant activities were obtained with the PE (DPPH: 199 µmol Trolox per mg DW; and ABTS: 59 µmol Trolox per mg DW), while the highest prebiotic effect was obtained with ME and EE regarding both fermentability and production of lactic and acetic acids by multiple species of Lactobacillus and Bifidobacterium. These promising results of bioactive compounds in the fruits and flowers of C. hildmannianus have potential applications for food and pharmaceutical purposes.

The study aims to identify the difference between the current and future strategic management of forest ecosystem services (FES) portfolios in public enterprises of Slovakia. The case studies focus on forest enterprises in Košice, Banská Štiavnica, Kremnica, and Bratislava, representing the best practice examples of providing cultural services in the country. A marketing decision-making model, Boston Consulting Group (BCG) matrix, was used to analyse each company's current FES portfolio. Content analysis assessed the data collected from interviews with managers of the public forest enterprises. Duncker's forest management approaches classification was applied to evaluate the future strategic management of the FES portfolio, and a horizon of 10 years was set. According to the results, the urban forest enterprise in Bratislava is an example of receiving a subsidy from the capital for building and reconstructing recreational facilities. Therefore, this FES portfolio is and will be the most balanced. The portfolio of the forest enterprises in Košice, Kremnica, and Banská Štiavnica will remain unchanged for the next decade, and they plan to use a combination management approach that caters to economic, ecological, and social needs and objectives. Urban forests in Bratislava will focus even more on close-to-nature forestry.

Taking China as an example in this study, we aim to reveal the enabling effects of agricultural science and technology advancement on the progress of rural industrial incorporation at a relatively more refined level. The main innovation in this study lies in the decomposition of agricultural science and technology advancement, followed by an analysis of its effect on rural industrial incorporation along both linear and non-linear dimensions. The study results show that, along the linear dimension, agricultural science and technology advancement, agricultural knowledge advancement and agricultural technology advancement play significant driving roles in the progress of rural industrial incorporation. However, although the estimated coefficient of the integration of agricultural knowledge advancement and technology advancement is positive, it is not statistically significant. Along the non-linear dimension, agricultural science and technology advancement, agricultural knowledge advancement and agricultural technology advancement all exhibit significantly positive effects across different intervals. However, although the integration of agricultural knowledge advancement and technology advancement also shows a positive effect, its significance appears only in the second interval, indicating that the effect of this variable in promoting rural industrial incorporation can be realised only under certain conditions

The aim of the experiment was to determine the yield, content and uptake of macronutrients and their ratio in spring triticale, Milewo cultivar. The field experiment was conducted in the years 2014–2016 on Cambisols. The first experimental factor was a system of soil tillage (traditional (TRD) and reduced (RED)), and the second was sulphur fertilisation (0, 25 and 50 kg S/ha). Based on the study, it was found that the application of conventional tillage and the addition of sulphur fertilisation to NPK significantly increased spring triticale grain yield. The application of reduced tillage positively affected the increase in content and uptake in grain dry matter (DM) of N, S, P, K, Mg and Ca. Adding sulphur (S) to NPK fertilisation favourably increased the content and uptake of N, S, Mg, and Ca and did not affect the content of P and K. The application of reduced tillage expanded the ionic ratio of N : S, P : S while it narrowed the N : P ratio. However, the tillage system did not affect the ionic ratios Ca : P, K : Mg, K : (Ca + Mg) and molar K : (Ca + Mg). Adding sulphur to NPK fertilisation narrowed the N : S and P : S ratios while expanding the N : P and Ca : P ratios. Weather conditions during the 2016 growing season (relatively dry, k = 1.71) favoured spring triticale yield and uptake with dry grain weight of N, S, P, Mg and Ca. The highest N, S, P, K and Ca content in grain dry matter was shown in the 2014 season (relatively humid, k = 1.96). Numerous correlations were found between grain yield and the content, uptake and reciprocal ratios of elements in grain.

Based on strip-tillage technology, this study explores the optimal seedbed environment for maize growth through a three-year field agronomic experiment. A comparative analysis of two planting modes, flat planting and ridge planting, was conducted, and a two-factor, three-level experimental design was implemented (furrow-breaking width: 8, 10 and 12 cm; furrow-breaking depth: 2, 3 and 4 cm), with manual soil covering without furrow breaking as the control group. Analysis of the averaged data over three years indicates that furrow-breaking treatment significantly increased maize yield under both flat and ridge planting modes, highlighting the importance of furrow breaking for maize growth. Ridge planting increased yield by an average of 7.58% compared to flat planting. The optimal yield was achieved at a furrow-breaking width of 10 cm and a depth of 4 cm, where ridge and flat planting yields were 10.37% and 10.43% higher than the average values at each level, respectively. Additionally, at the optimal yield level, the chlorophyll soil-plant analysis development (SPAD) values for ridge and flat planting were 15.36% and 17.06% higher than the average values. The emergence rates of ridge and flat planting maize were 5.43% and 4.93% higher than the average values, respectively. This not only enhanced crop stress resistance but also improved overall economic benefits.

Monitoring the genetic diversity in livestock is a critical component for sustainable management of small and endangered breeds. In this paper we follow up the two most often used metrics of genetic diversity, the average inbreeding coefficients (F) and the effective population (N_e) size in 16 sheep breeds from four countries. The analysis was based on single nucleotide polymorphism (SNP) markers, with about 35 to 49 thousand SNPs and 19 to 98 individuals after quality control. The runs of homozygosity (ROH) method with the cgaTOH software was used to estimate F_ROH, for three different time points in the past (3, 6 and 12 generations before present). Three methods were implemented to estimate N_e, using the NeEstimator v2, GONE and CurrentNe software for different time spans in the past. The average F_ROH ranged between 0.001 and 0.035 for 3 generations, 0.003 and 0.059 for 6 generations, 0.005 and 0.074 for 12 generations in the past. The wide range of inbreeding coefficients might be a consequence of different population sizes and breed management strategies in the respective countries. The results for N_e ranged from 7 to 352 for NeEstimator, 25 to 303 for GONE, and 15 to 542 for CurrentNe. Overall, the software showed comparable results for 10 out of 16 breeds, and significantly different results for at least one software for at least one of the methods for 6 out of 16 breeds. These differences show a degree of uncertainty in N_e estimations for certain breeds. Overall, we suggest the continued monitoring of sheep breeds, ideally by routine genotyping in all populations. This monitoring is especially important for small breeds with a greater decline in genetic diversity.

Biochar exhibits a profound impact on soil organic carbon (SOC) turnover and dynamics, but the underlying mechanism under field conditions is still unclear. A three-year field experiment was performed to evaluate the impact of peanut shell biochar applied at rates of 0, 33.75, 67.5, and 101.25 t/ha (referred to as B0, B1, B2, and B3, respectively) on SOC content and chemical composition in a saline-sodic paddy field using stable carbon isotope composition and ¹³C nuclear magnetic resonance technology. With increasing rates of biochar, SOC and aromatic carbon contents and alkyl carbon/oxygen-alkyl carbon and hydrophobic carbon/hydrophilic carbon ratios increased, while alkyl carbon and oxygen-alkyl carbon contents and aliphatic carbon/aromatic carbon ratio decreased. The new carbon from biochar and rice residues accounted for 26.5% of SOC under B0 and increased to above 80.0% under B2 and B3. The decay rate of old carbon was faster in biochar-amended than in unamended soil. SOC content was positively correlated with alkyl carbon/oxygen-alkyl carbon and hydrophobic carbon/hydrophilic carbon ratios but negatively correlated with aliphatic carbon/aromatic carbon ratio. The results suggest that biochar can increase SOC content by increasing its humification, aromaticity, and hydrophobicity. However, negative priming is not the main mechanism for SOC accumulation during the short-term period.

The concept of the soil phosphorus storage capacity (SPSC) was successfully used to evaluate the phosphorus (P) loss risk and the P retention capacity of acidic soil. This study extended the concept of SPSC from acidic soil to neutral or alkaline soil. A total of 95 surfaces (0-10 cm) soil samples were collected from the Yellow River Delta (YRD) for use in this study. Batch sorption experiments, correlation analysis, stepwise regression, and a split-line model were used to calculate the threshold value of the degree of P saturation (DPS). The SPSC was developed based on the DPS threshold value. Based on a DPS threshold value of 11.5%, we developed the following equation for calculating the SPSC: SPSC = (11.5% - soil DPS) × (0.113 × SOM (soil organic matter) + 1.343 × CaCO₃). In the continuous system in this watershed, from wetland to farmland, the SPSC for vegetable fields (-94.7 ± 79.1 mg/kg) was lowest and that of the restored wetland (76.3 ± 26.1 mg/kg) was the highest. Along the transition zone in the YRD, both the natural soil development and human alternations significantly affected the soil P loss/retention capacity. In terms of P storage, the restored wetlands are the highlands for P retention and the vegetable fields contribute significantly to the P loss in the YRD. As a result, we strongly recommend that the restored wetlands be fully utilised for P retention and that P fertiliser no longer be applied to the vegetable fields to prevent P loss into the watershed.

The aim of this study was to assess the prevalence of correct saddle seating in the Czech Republic using a thermographic camera. Eighty-five randomly selected equestrian saddles were tested and evaluated. They were observed in 129 uses. Saddles of different manufacturers were evaluated after 25 min of training. Thermal images were taken under constant conditions from a distance of 1 m. The camera emissivity was 0.95 with a reflected temperature range of 26-37 °C. The maximum contact value of the saddle panels with the horse's body was 81.34% of their surface area. In all cases of measurement, the saddle panels showed asymmetry of contact with a range of detected values from 0.32% to 30.46% (P < 0.001). In 20.16% of cases, the contact was measured in the spinal canal region (min. 0%, max. 67.5%). In 7.75% of cases, saddle bridge was detected. None of the saddles tested showed 100% fitting (P < 0.001). Saddles with contact in the spinal canal and a bridge at the same time were completely excluded from the evaluation. The saddle panel contact exceeding 70% of the area and a tolerance for asymmetry not exceeding 5% were regarded as suitable for use. In considering a combination of all these parameters, only nine out of 129 cases of use were fully compliant. No correlation between saddle age and occurrence of the observed defects was demonstrated. It was found that thermographic evaluation can be proposed as a tool to standardise the assessment of saddle suitability prior to its use for a specific horse.

The population structure of Phytophthora capsici among asexual and sexual progenies was analyzed using ISSR. Thirty asexual progenies of one parent and three sexual populations were assayed for genetic diversity using 5 ISSR primers and DNA from 120 offspring of P. capsici was amplified. In total, 71 reproducible ISSR fragments were obtained, of which 100% were polymorphic, revealing high polymorphism among the isolates. Among them, the percentages of polymorphism of sexual and asexual progeny isolates were 100.00 and 77.46%, respectively. Genetic similarity coefficients among all the isolates ranged from 0.54 to 0.73. The sexual offspring population showed much more variability than the asexual offspring population with 76.26% variability attributed to diversity within populations as compared with 23.74% among populations. This research reveals that the sexual progeny population of P. capsici contributes more genetic diversity than that of asexual progeny population.

In this study, we investigated whether the mathematical formulas, which generally reveal the external quality characteristics of living organisms, yield the correct results in goose eggs. For this purpose, three genotypes and 555 eggs were studied that were grouped into Native (n = 356), Chinese (n = 163) and Linda (n = 36), which were raised in Aksaray province. The averages in the Native, Chinese and Linda geese were 5.43, 5.38 and 5.7 cm, respectively, in breadth; were 8.12, 8.03 and 8.67 cm in length, respectively; the shape index was 66.9, 67.2 and 66.7 cm, respectively; the egg volume was 142.8, 138.8 and 172.5 cm³, respectively; the egg surface area was 136.9, 134.3 and 155.4 cm², respectively; the egg weight was 159.1, 154.5 and 192.3 g, respectively; the specific gravity of the eggs was 1.11, 1.11 and 1.12 g/cm³, respectively; the shell thickness was 0.510, 0.504 and 0.555 mm, respectively; the shell weight was 14.79, 14.32 and 18.26 g, respectively; the shell volume was 70.06, 67.82 and 86.41 cm³, respectively; the shell specific gravity was 2.111 3, 2.111 0 and 2.113 5 g/cm³, respectively; and the shell ratio was 9.29, 9.26 and 9.49 g, respectively. The number of pores is calculated as 14 828, 14 502 and 17 152, respectively. Although the formulas used give compatible results, there is a need for formulas that calculate closer to the truth rather than formulas that calculate the egg weight and egg shell weight.

A statistical approach was carried out to identify the prevalent virulence factors responsible for post-weaning diarrhoea (PWD). Healthy piglets' faecal samples and diarrhoeic piglets' rectal swab specimens were secured. Twenty-six (26) and 100 independent enterotoxigenic Escherichia coli (ETEC) strains were subsequently isolated. These strains were assessed utilising polymerase chain reaction to identify the encoding genes of six virulence factors: heat-labile enterotoxin (LT; encoded by eltAB), heat-stable enterotoxin A (STa; encoded by estA), heat-stable enterotoxin B (STb; encoded by estB), enteroaggregative E. coli heat-stable enterotoxin 1 (EAST1; encoded by astA), Shiga toxin 2e (Stx2e; encoded by stx2e), and F18 fimbriae (encoded by fedA). The LT and ST secretions were investigated using enzyme-linked immunosorbent assays. From direct observation, no stx2e was evident in the 126 strains. Among the 26 strains retrieved from the healthy piglets, none harboured fedA or secreted LT; 23% (6/26) secreted ST, and 50% (13/26) carried astA. A statistical regression was applied on the 100 E. coli strains retrieved from the diarrhoeic piglets, where fedA was set as the dependent variable and the enterotoxin secretions were set as the independent variables. The results exhibit that the LT secretion was the only significant factor (P < 0.000 1) correlated to fedA in the diarrhoeic piglets; thus, it is concluded that the prevalent virulence factors for PWD were the ECET strain with F18 fimbriae adhesion and LT secretion, but not astA or stx2e.

Several experimental methods have been developed to fractionate soil organic carbon (SOC) into functional sub-pools. However, which fractions had the potential to better reflect the SOC dynamics responding to fertilisation are still under discussion. Thus, we compared different SOC fractions (microbial biomass carbon, MBC; dissolved organic carbon, DOC; permanganate-oxidisable carbon, POXC; particle organic carbon, POC, and aggregation organic carbon fractions) and the soil respiration rate in a wheat-corn rotation field after 40 years of manure and N fertilisation in North China to search for the most sensitive SOC fractions to fertilisation. Manure increased the organic carbon (OC) contents of all the soil fractions (26.5 to 362.8%) and the POC (18.0 to 43.7%) and macro-aggregation percentages (3.0 to 4.4%), which indicated an increasing physical-protected aggregated OC fraction. N fertilisation alone slightly increased the OC contents of all the soil fractions and DOC percentage, but decreased the macro-aggregation OC percentage, which suggests the increasing possibility that the SOC is exposed to microbial communities causing a decreasing aggregation formation. However, when a high level of both the manure and N fertiliser were applied, the excessive N in the soil stimulates the soil microbial activity and decreases the SOC content comparing it to the same level of the manure fertiliser addition.

Chicken eggshell, a poultry waste material, is a potential but poorly recognised source of calcium that can be used by humans to increase their dietary calcium intake by incorporating it into foods. This study was aimed at assessing the effects of eggshell powder supplementation at 5, 10, 15, and 20% levels on the chemical composition, sensory characteristics, and calorific value of the biscuits. Calcium absorption from supplemented biscuits was also determined. The inclusion of eggshell powder resulted in significant variations in the chemical composition of biscuits. It profoundly increased the mineral content, mainly calcium from 43.57 mg 100 g^-1 to 1 054.7, 2 186.7, 2 941.6, and 3 843 mg 100 g^-1 at 5, 10, 15 and 20% supplementation level, respectively. Substantial changes in the sensory quality of biscuits were also observed with corresponding rises in eggshell addition levels. Biscuits prepared with 5 and 10% supplementation levels were found acceptable in terms of sensory attributes. The in vivo study affirmed the absorption of calcium from eggshell powder and it was found highest (41.83%) at 5% supplementation level. Conclusively, supplementation of biscuits with eggshell powder might be an attractive source of dietary calcium intake without any significant adverse effects on biscuits quality up to 10% supplementation level.

Present experiments were conducted to determine the effects of different irrigation levels on yield, yield components and quality of drip-irrigated sugar beet under sub-humid conditions. Field experiments were conducted in the 2019 and 2021 growing seasons in the Bursa province of Turkey. Experiments were carried out in completely randomised blocks design with three replications. Irrigations were scheduled based on the replenishment of 100 (S1), 66 (S2), 33 (S3), and 0% (S4) of soil water depletion within the soil profile of 90 cm using 7-day irrigation intervals. In 2019, root yields varied between 29.32 (S4)-86.31 (S1) t/ha and sugar yields between 6.33-13.57 t/ha. In 2021, root yields varied between 26.18 (S4)-74.56 (S1) t/ha and sugar yields between 6.56-12.53 t/ha. Effects of different irrigation levels on investigated parameters were found to be significant (P < 0.01). The crop water consumption values were significantly related to root and sugar yields (P < 0.01). Based on present findings, S1 treatment was recommended to get the highest root and sugar yields. In case of limited water resources, S2 (33% water shortage) treatment with the highest water productivity and irrigation water productivity values could be recommended to ensure maximum efficiency from the applied irrigation water quantity.

The use of biological control products enhances the reduction of harmful pressures on the environment caused by the use of conventional pesticides. Therefore, this study aims to evaluate the toxicity of eight bioinsecticides on the black cutworm Agrotis ipsilon (Hufnagel) (Lepidoptera: Noctuidae) to understand the relationships between insecticide exposure and insect response at the individual and population levels. The bioassay results showed that emamectin benzoate had high toxicity against A. ipsilon second instar larvae with an LC₅₀ of 0.007 (mg/L). Sublethal concentration (LC₃₀) of emamectin benzoate, spinosyn group and Bacillus thuringiensis formulation (Dipel 2X) had significantly prolonged pupal period. In addition, emamectin benzoate significantly decreased the number of eggs laid per female (135.3 ± 6.919) compared with the control treatment. Thus, the formulation of chlorfenapyr showed a 1.26-fold reduction in hatching rate. Meanwhile, the activities of oxidative stress enzymes (catalase, superoxide dismutase, lipid peroxidase, and glutathione reductase) were significantly affected due to exposure to sublethal concentration. Changes in adipokinetic hormone (AKH) transcriptional regulation were detected via SQ-PCR via using cDNA synthesized from mRNA isolated from treated A. ipsilon larvae. The results showed a higher transcription rate of AKH in spinotram-treated larvae with a 1.42-fold increase over untreated larvae. Our results provide useful information for integrated pest management programs for A. ipsilon by using bioinsecticides.

Although herbicides are used for weed control in the field, their residues can have unfavourable environmental impacts. The objective was to determine the sulfosulfuron herbicide residues in wheat field soil using bioassay and laboratory (HPLC) methods. The two-year experiment was a randomised complete-block design (RCBD) with three replicates using herbicide at control, recommended (26.6 g/ha, D1) and doubled (53.2 g/ha, D2) rates. Soil samples (0-10 cm) were collected randomly at intervals ranging from 0 to 125 days after spraying. Greenhouse experiments (bioassay method) with eight plant species indicated garden cress (Lepidium sativum L.) and corn (Zea mays L.) as the most and the least sensitive ones, respectively. The herbicide residues were stable at D1 up to 90 days after herbicide use, at 1.41 and 0.52 μg/kg in 2019 and 2020, respectively. However, 125 days after herbicide use no residues were observed. With time and for both treatments, soil herbicide residues decreased or the percentage of herbicide loss increased. The sensitivity of HPLC method to detect the herbicide residues was less than the bioassay method. The three-parameter sigmoid equation indicated the mean of DT₅₀ for D1, averaged for the two years it was 19 days.

Leaf spot caused by Cercospora lactucae-sativae is one of the most damaging diseases of 'Green Oak' lettuce in Thailand. This study was conducted to estimate the effectiveness of Trichoderma asperellum NST-009, a native strain in Thailand, to manage the leaf spot disease and enhance the growth of 'Green Oak' lettuce in a nutrient film technique (NFT) hydroponic system. In vitro tests showed that T. asperellum NST-009 significantly inhibited the mycelial growth of C. lactucae-sativae by 72.50%, and its antifungal metabolite from the culture filtrate of T. asperellum NST-009 inhibited the mycelial growth of C. lactucae-sativae by 93.26%. In the hydroponics experiment, T. asperellum NST-009 reduced the disease severity index by 67.51% compared to the inoculated control and significantly stimulated the growth of the 'Green Oak' lettuce in terms of the plant height (8.62%), canopy width (16.67%), leaf number (18.39%), shoot fresh weight (25.71%), root fresh weight (39.26%), and total P in the leaves (31.45%) compared to the control. In addition, T. asperellum NST-009 was found to survive in both the lettuce leaves and roots at 100.00%.

A total of 214 cats with signs of feline lower urinary tract disease (FLUTD) were assessed in this study. There were 81.30% males (82.20% of them neutered) and 18.70% females (80.00% of them spayed) with an age range from 9 months to 17 years (mean 5.1 ± 3.7). Most of the cats (111; 51.90%) were diagnosed with feline idiopathic cystitis; in 57 (26.60%) cats, uroliths were detected. A urinary tract infection (UTI) as well as urethral plugs were diagnosed in 23 cats (10.75%). In 100 cats, a non-obstructive form of feline lower urinary tract disease (FLUTD) was present; in 114 cats (exclusively males) a urethral obstruction was diagnosed. Most of the cats (141; 65.90%) were indoor-housed. The cats with the UTI were significantly older when compared to the other cases of FLUTD. The most common clinical signs reported by the owners were dysuria (39.70%), oliguria/anuria (31.30%), and vomiting (24.80%). In the cats with the urethral obstruction, oliguria/anuria and non-specific systemic signs were dominant whereas in the non-obstructive form, signs of a lower urinary tract disease were more frequent. The urine specific gravity ranged from 1.008 to 1.080, while in the cats diagnosed with UTI, it was significantly lower than the other cats. Haematuria was the most common finding within the urinalysis which was diagnosed in 181 cats (84.60%): macroscopic haematuria was present in 94 patients (43.90%), microscopic haematuria was present in 87 cats (40.70%). Pyuria was found in 36 cats (16.80%). In the UTI cats, the most common bacterial isolate was E. coli. Results of our study are in agreement with previous reports of FLUTD in various countries, with idiopathic cystitis as the most common cause.

Fifty-five healthy conscious dogs were included in a prospective randomised double-blinded clinical study. The dogs allocated to one of four groups received intravenous bolus followed by infusion of fentanyl (FEN-group), or ketamine (KET-group), or lidocaine (LID-group), or saline (SAL-group). The intraocular pressure (IOP), pupil size (PS), heart rate (HR) and mean arterial pressure (MAP) were measured prior to and at 2, 5, 10, 20 and 30 min after initiation of the drug administration. The data were analysed using an analysis of variance and the Steel-Dwass test. No significant difference in the IOP within or between the groups was detected. In the FEN-group, the PS decreased significantly at all the measured times. In the KET-group, the PS increased significantly at 2, 5 and 10 minutes. The PS was significantly smaller in the FEN-group compared to the KET-group at 2, 5, 10 and 20 min, compared to the SAL-group at 5, 10, 20 and 30 minutes. In the FEN-group the HR significantly decreased compared to the baseline and was significantly lower compared to the KET-group and LID-group. Fentanyl, ketamine or lidocaine administered at the doses studied as a bolus followed by a 30-min infusion seem to cause no effect on the IOP in healthy conscious non-painful dogs without ocular abnormalities. Fentanyl decreased and ketamine transiently increased the PS.

Honey is composed mainly of carbohydrates which are represented by mono-, di-, tri-, tetra-, pentasaccharides, and oligosaccharides. The content and proportions of individual carbohydrates reveal information about the origin and technological properties of honey. A total of 5 987 samples of natural honeys originating from the Czech Republic and harvested during a period of nine consecutive years were analysed to research their carbohydrate content, sum of fructose and glucose (Fru + Glc), fructose and glucose ratio (Fru/Glc), and electrical conductivity (Ec). Monosaccharides, melezitose (Mel), and Ec varied according to the source of nectar or honeydew. Sucrose (Suc) content was low 0.87 ± 1.26 g (100 g)^-1 and did not exceed 15 g (100 g)^-1.

This research optimised the application of a hexane-methanol mixture as a binary solvent for the concurrent oil-resin extraction and separation from Calophyllum seeds on a pilot scale, in a direct stage. The optimum oil and resin yields were determined by optimising the extraction conditions using response surface methodology and a second order polynomial model. The extraction conditions affected the oil and resin yields, with the extraction time as the biggest influencing factor. Optimum oil (65%) and resin (16%) yields were predicted to be obtained at 5.2 h and 433 rpm. The model validation with these extraction conditions showed that the predicted results and actual oil (62%) and resin (15%) yields were in passable agreement. The oil was composed of 75.4% triglycerides with a density of 0.874 g.cm^-3, a viscosity of 26.4 mPa.s^-1, an acid value of 46.4 mg KOH.g^-1, an iodine value of 98.0 g iodine.100 g^-1, trace water and sediment contents, and zero ash content. The resin had a viscosity of 4 694.8 mPa.s^-1, a total phenolic content of a 4.51% gallic acid equivalent, an antioxidant activity of an 8.82 mg ascorbic acid equivalent.g^-1, and an acid value of 126.2 mg KOH.g^-1.

Nitrogen-fixing bacteria (NFB) play a significant role in saline soil ecosystems. However, little is known about the correlation between NFB application on growth and yield components of rice plants on saline soils. Exploration and experimental methods were performed to obtain the potential of NFB from a rice field in saline soil and reinoculated in a pot experiment. The experiment was arranged as a randomised block design consisting of 8 treatments, namely inoculation application (control and seed treatments with 20 g inoculant/kg of seed) combined with soil application dosage (0, 500, 1 000 and 1 500 g/ha). The results showed that grain yield increased by 43.8–130.6% with seed treatment of 20 g inoculant/kg of seed combined with soil application 500–1 500 g inoculant/ha. Rice yield was affected by multiple variables NFB population, plant height, number of tillers, and grain straw ratio (R2 = 0.926). Path analysis findings showed that the greatest effective contribution (45.45%) yield of rice in saline soil was contributed NFB population. This finding concludes that the application of NFB inoculants as seed treatments and soil applications can serve as an effective as well as the environmentally friendly microbial-based strategy of rice cultivation on saline soil ecosystems.

The establishment of the reference ambient background concentrations (ABCs) and quality reference values (QRVs) for trace metal (TM) concentrations in soils are required for the environmental assessment and any implementation of a protective action. This information is lacking for soils of the eastern Mitidja plain, which is an important agricultural production area in Algeria. Data for the aqua regia extractable Cd, Cr, Cu, Fe, Ni, Pb and Zn concentrations from 180 composite topsoil samples taken across the Mitidja plain in a stratified random pattern were statistically analysed. Descriptive statistical methods and linear regression equations were applied to determine the upper limit of the ABCs for the TMs. After removal of outliers, the derived QRVs were: Cd 0.24, Cr 62.1, Cu 99.3, Fe 45 590, Ni 47.7, Pb 33 and Zn 115 mg/kg. Iron is a macro element in the soils, but is included as its concentration can be used to normalise the concentrations of the other elements. The derived QRVs are similar or less than those reported for other regions of the world, apart from Cu, where a wide range (36 to 206 mg/kg) is reported. These reference values can be used to identify areas that may require follow-up surveys or to identify priority sites for decision making.

Optimizing current assets and their financing resources is of great importance for firms to sustain their existence with the highest level of profitability. However, empirical evidence from the food and beverage industry on the effects of working capital management (WCM) on profitability is scarce and mixed. This study aims to understand how various components of WCM affect the profitability of listed European food and beverage (F&B) companies. For this purpose, static panel data methodology was used to test the relationship between profitability and WCM measured by the cash conversion cycle and its components. The results were checked for robustness by using dynamic panel data methodology. Our results indicate a negative relationship between profitability and the cash conversion cycle. Unlike previous studies that have analysed a single country, this study provides evidence based on analyses of the largest possible sample of listed European F&B companies.