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Results of a vast research activity carried out worldwide in the last decades have demonstrated that endophytic fungi hold a fundamental role in improving plant fitness based on their aptitudes as growth promoters and/or defensive mutualists. These properties may have applicative perspectives in crop production, particularly for tree species such as hazelnut (Corylus avellana), which is mostly cropped extensively in semi-natural contexts of highland regions throughout the temperate zones. The available data on the occurrence, ecological roles, and applications in biotechnology of endophytic fungi associated with hazelnuts are revised in this paper in view to provide a reference supporting future investigations and projects aimed at exploiting the potential of this component of the plant microbiome.

Triticale (× Triticosecale Wittmack) is a hybrid cereal prepared by crossing wheat and rye. Triticale grain contains substances that have a positive effect on reducing the risk of cardiovascular disease, obesity, cancer, and type 2 diabetes, as well as increasing body's immune response and intestinal function, which warrants a need for greater attention to research on triticale crop's nutritional composition. This review covers the most recent research on the nutritional composition of triticale grain in comparison to other cereals, its role in the food industry, and its usage as a food, providing a scientific foundation for triticale's further development as a sustainable crop. Due to the wide variety of chemical compounds revealed in triticale grain, it has the potential to be utilised as a substitute cereal for various food and beverages.

Amino acids have positive regulatory effects on the function of intestinal epithelial cells (IEC), but in the field of animal nutrition, research on the regulatory effects of amino acids on IEC is still in the initial stages. This study aims to explore the effects of Gly, Gly-Gly, and Gly-Leu on IEC proliferation and their possible mechanisms. Chicken small intestinal epithelial cells were separated using the tissue block method, and other miscellaneous cells were removed for digestion and passage culture. The IEC were cultured in the medium containing 20 nmol/l Gly, Gly-Gly and Gly-Leu for 24 h, and the expression of enterokinase and cytokeratin in cells, the growth curve and activity of IEC, cell cycle, differentially expressed genes, mRNA expression, and protein expression levels of p-mTOR and p-S6K1 in IEC were detected. Enterokinase and cytokeratin were expressed specifically in IEC. The results of growth curve and MTT revealed that the cell viability of IEC was significantly increased after treatment with Gly, Gly-Gly and Gly-Leu. The cell cycle results showed that compared with the control group, Gly, Gly-Gly and Gly-Leu intervention could increase the proportion of IEC in G1 phase, and the proportion in S phase of IEC was decreased. Transcriptome sequencing showed that compared with the control group, there were 54, 28 and 30 differential genes in Gly group, Gly-Gly group and Gly-Leu group, respectively. These genes were mainly enriched in nitric oxide synthesis and protein kinase B signalling, PI3K signal and cellular amino acid biosynthesis and transport signal pathways. RT-PCR results showed that the mRNA expression levels of PCYT2, SPP1, EMC6, GRIA2 and PKD2 were consistent with the sequencing results. Western blot results showed that compared with the control group, the protein expression of p-mTOR and p-S6K1 in Gly group, Gly-Gly group and Gly-Leu group was significantly increased. Gly-Leu can promote the protein synthesis in IEC by activating protein synthesis of mTOR signalling pathway in chicken IEC.

Most farmers use urea as a nitrogen fertiliser to raise mustard (Brassica juncea L.), although its nitrogen (N) content is quickly lost due to its hygroscopic nature. Nitrogen loss in the form of nitrous oxide (N₂O) and nitrates (NO₃^–) has been causing low nitrogen fertiliser efficiency in vegetable cultivation. This investigation aims to assess the impact of urea fertiliser coated with biochar or activated charcoal on losses of N₂O and NO₃^– concentration in the soil during mustard production. The experiment used a randomised block design with five treatments of urea fertiliser coated with biochar/activated charcoal. The observed data included N₂O flux, nitrate, and ammonia content in soil and water. The results showed that urea fertiliser coated with activated charcoal from corn cobs tended to suppress N loss more effectively than urea coated with biochar or activated charcoal from coconut shells. Biochar and activated charcoal from coconut shells suppressed N-N₂O loss as much as 3.1% and 52.5% (7 days after planting (DAP)), respectively, and 68.7% and 71.6% (21 DAP), respectively. Biochar and activated charcoal from corn cob reduce N-N₂O loss by 46.5% and 66.5% (7 DAP), respectively, and by 70.7% and 77.8% (21 DAP). Urea-coated activated charcoal fertiliser increases mustard plant biomass and nitrogen uptake. Biochar and activated charcoal from coconut shells and corncobs increase nitrogen use efficiency by 5, 24, 6, and 17%, respectively. Biochar/activated charcoal coatings are a promising technology for boosting nitrogen use efficiency in vegetable crops, including mustard crops.

Lymantria dispar, a well-known defoliating pest species, also presents a health challenge due to the allergenic potential of its hairs, making it interesting to study from various perspectives. As chemical control methods decline in popularity, the search for effective natural enemies of this pest, such as predators, parasites and parasitoids, are expanding. On this occasion, we report the discovery of the primary parasitoid Glyptapanteles liparidis and the secondary parasitoid Gelis areator for the fauna of Slovenia. Illustrations and a short biology are given for both species.

Drip irrigation is a highly efficient method for watering crops, as  it delivers water directly to the roots and minimises wastage due to evaporation or runoff. This paper presents the development and implementation of  a low-cost drip irrigation control system that uses both time- and soil sensor-based approaches. The system’s efficiency was compared through a field experiment of melon growing, divided into three categories and four replications using a completely randomised design. The treatments include: T1 [time-based irrigation (TBI)], T2 [soil moisture-based irrigation (SMI)], and T3 [hand watering irrigation system (HWI)]. Results indicated that the TBI technique resulted in faster plant growth compared to the other treatments, as evidenced by increased leaf widths, lengths, numbers, and stem diameter. All irrigation techniques showed significant differences in yield characteristics, with TBI and SMI producing no differences in the first flowering day of female fruit widths, lengths, and weight of melon. However, the HWI treatment resulted in lower fruit length and weight yields. Cost analysis showed that the system is beneficial as  a very low-cost device that is affordable, precise, and useful for measuring and controlling irrigation-related parameters for melon cultivation.

Partial slow-release fertiliser substitution for urea combined with water-saving irrigation may synergistically improve rice yield, quality, water, and nitrogen (N) utilisation. A field experiment to evaluate different combinations of irrigation regimes: alternate wetting and drying irrigation (AWD) and flooding irrigation (FI), and N strategies: N0 (no N fertiliser); N1 (100% conventional fertiliser); N2 (100% SCF – sulphur-coated fertiliser); N3 (70% SCF + 30% urea), and N4 (50% SCF + 50% urea) on efficient rice production. Results indicated that higher substitution rates of SCF (N2 and N3) increased total N and ammonia N in surface water, leachate, and soil while reducing nitrate N relative to N1. The N3 strategy showed the highest yields, dry matter, total N uptake, and water N utilisation due to a nutrient release pattern that matched rice growth requirements. AWD yielded 5% lower than FI, except for the N3 strategy, but protein content increased by 12%, and amylose content dropped by 17%. The structural equation model analysis suggested that SCF positively impacted yield by influencing surface water total N and soil total N. Our findings indicate that implementing AWD alongside a 70% SCF basal fertiliser and 30% urea topdressing can optimise rice yield and quality while effectively managing water and fertiliser resources in the middle-lower Yangtze River Basin.

Prior studies have noted the importance of measurement tools that track the contributions of the circular bioeconomy and other developments towards sustainable development. In this study, we examined the EU-27 as a whole and found that its circular bioeconomy, measured by the 41 indicators we used, generally progressed over the period 2004–2021. Research and development personnel and Persons employed in circular economy sectors were ranked as the most progressing indicators over the studied period, together with Patent applications to the European Patent Office, which supports the idea that the circular bioeconomy uses novel technologies and requires research to develop them.

Most studies of agroforestry system biodiversity focus on assessing visible, aboveground biodiversity, largely ignoring soil biodiversity. To fill this gap, a preliminary assessment of soil biodiversity in an agroforestry system was undertaken based on changes in soil enzyme activity. The study was conducted in the village of Maziarnia, Lubelskie Voivodeship, Poland, Europe. Arable fields with spring wheat, mid-field trees and perennial mixed forest were selected for the study. Soil material for physicochemical analyses (pH_H2O, pH_KCl, sorption properties, total carbon and total nitrogen) and biochemical analyses (activity of acid phosphatase, alkaline phosphatase, urease and dehydrogenases) was collected in the spring and autumn of 2022. The present study showed that the biochemical properties of the soils of the selected study sites varied depending on the type of ecosystem determining habitat conditions. Each ecosystem that makes up the agroforestry system studied is characterised by a distinctive microbiome composition and its own level of enzymatic activity. The obtained results support the thesis that agroforestry systems significantly increase the functional diversity and overall biodiversity of agricultural landscapes. However, a full, objective characterisation of the processes taking place in agroforestry systems requires long-term monitoring.

Heading date determines rice seasonal and regional adaptation, while plant height is an important trait related to rice lodging resistance. In this study, a recombinant inbred line population was used to detect quantitative trait loci (QTLs) for both traits in long-day (LD) and short-day (SD) environments. Three and two QTLs for heading date were detected in LD and SD environments, respectively. Notably, qHD8 and qHD10 were commonly detected in both environments. Five and four QTLs for plant height were identified in LD and SD environments, respectively. Among them, qPH3, qPH5 and qPH6 showed no pleiotropic effects on heading date and were detected in both environments. These three QTLs are considered to be the primary targets for improving rice plant height. Additionally, two genomic regions exhibited pleiotropic effects on both heading date and plant height. The alleles delayed the heading date while simultaneously increasing plant height. This study indicated that most QTLs for heading date are sensitive to photoperiod and have pleiotropic effects on plant height, thereby complicating their application in breeding programs. These findings provide useful information for the breeding of rice varieties with desired heading dates and plant heights.

Drunken horse grass (Achnatherum inebrians (Hance) Keng) is a toxic perennial bunchgrass native to Northwestern China. Epichloë endophytic fungi infection could enhance the stress tolerance of drunken horse grass. However, there is a scarcity of literature regarding the effects of intraspecific competition. As a result, we anticipated that the intraspecific competitive dynamics between endophyte-infected (EI) and endophyte-free (EF) plants would become more transparent for four years by planted as the proportions of 2 : 1, 1 : 1, and 1 : 2. The results showed the EI plants exhibited more biomass, seed yields, and survival rates than EF plants. Endophyte infection also facilitated a competitive advantage by enhancing photosynthesis and soil nutrition. Our findings constituted the inaugural investigation into the influence of the intraspecific competitive ability of grass infected with Epichloë endophyte fungi. EI plants caused them to become stronger and stronger, while EF became weaker and weaker by timing and planting proportion increasing, and EF drunken horse grass could be replaced by EI. These conclusions were instrumental in elucidating why the endophytic fungal infection rate of drunken horse grass is 100% observed in natural wilderness. Epichloë endophyte could reduce plant diversity and enhance the dominance of EI plants in intraspecific competition; drunken horse grass may be threatening the persistence of native plant species.

Listeria monocytogenes is capable of forming biofilms on the food contact surfaces, increasing the risk of food contamination by this pathogen. The disinfectant benzalkonium chloride (BC) is commonly used to control L. monocytogenes in the food industry. This study aimed to investigate effects of BC on L. monocytogenes biofilms. Biofilm biomass was measured by the microplate method with crystal violet staining. Results from the broth microdilution method showed that the minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) of BC against L. monocytogenes 10403S was 8 μg·mL^–1. Sub-MICs of BC inhibited the biofilm formation and lethal concentrations of BC removed mature biofilms of L. monocytogenes 10403S. The presence of BC reduced extracellular proteins and exopolysaccharides in biofilms. Additionally, upregulation of quorum sensing gene luxS and agrBDCA and downregulation of flagellum motility genes flaA, motA, and motB were observed in the presence of BC. The BC disinfectant has an excellent anti-biofilm activity against L. monocytogenes.

Many methods are used in a laboratory for packing sieved soil. Determination of soil properties is expected to vary with the applied packing method. The objective of this investigation was to test the impact of initial soil sieving duration and scraping of exposed soil surfaces on saturated hydraulic conductivity (K_s) of an initially air-dry loam soil determined by the simplified falling-head technique. Two sieving durations (5 and 30 min) were considered. A brush was used to scrape exposed surfaces for half of the tested soil columns. A long sieving yielded finer soil than a short sieving and 9–22% smaller values of K_s. Scraping the exposed soil surfaces yielded 4–17% smaller K_s values than those obtained on the not scraped columns. None of the observed differences was statistically significant. Therefore, sieving duration and treatment of the exposed soil surfaces were minor factors influencing the determination of K_s. Reaching general conclusions about sieving duration and scraping effects requires testing these factors with other soils, initial soil water conditions and K_s measurement techniques.

Seaweed has an important role in the mitigation of enteric methane (CH₄) production by ruminant animals. The utilisation and its effectiveness in enteric CH₄ reduction require a preservation process. The aim of the study was to investigate the effect of different drying processes on the effectiveness of seaweed Gracilaria spp. in reducing CH₄ production assessed through an in vitro method. Three drying techniques, sun-drying, oven-drying, and freeze-drying, were applied to produce a dried product of Glacilaria spp. Rice straw basal diets combined with concentrate at the 70 : 30% were used to test the inclusion of 4% of three differently dried products of Gracilaria spp. compared to the basal diet without seaweed (control group). Measurements were conducted on in vitro total and CH₄ gas production, nutrient degradability, ammonia (NH₃) and VFA concentration, and microbial population. Results showed that the three dried products of Gracilaria spp. significantly reduced in vitro CH₄ production compared to the control group (P ≤ 0.05). All drying techniques gave a similar effect on in vitro CH₄ reduction, but they did not affect dry matter (DM) and organic matter (OM) degradability (P ≤ 0.05) and significantly reduced neutral detergent fiber (NDF) degradability (P ≤ 0.05) compared to the control group, with oven-dried treatments having the lowest NDF degradability among the treatments. It is concluded that the three different drying techniques had similar effects on enteric CH₄ reduction.

This study compared the efficacy of the egg yolk (EY) and soy lecithin (SL) semen extender during 72-h storage at 4 °C in the presence/absence of streptomycin, penicillin, lincomycin, and spectinomycin. Bull semen samples (n = 12) were obtained and stored in either ANDROMED^® (SL extender) or TRILADYL CSS^® (EY extender). After 24, 48, and 72 h of storage at 4 °C, bacterial colonies (CFU – colony forming units) were grown and counted on tryptic soy and blood agar, and the bacterial isolates were identified using the MALDI-TOF MS Biotyper. Sperm motility, mitochondrial membrane potential (MMP), membrane and acrosome integrity, sperm DNA fragmentation, and reactive oxygen species (ROS) production were analysed. The results showed that the type of semen diluent could be crucial for the efficacy of used antibiotics, since significantly decreased bacterial occurrence following 48 h or no bacterial growth after 72 h was recorded in the SL-based groups. Even the SL medium itself did not favour bacterial growth, as significantly decreased bacterial load was observed after 48 h (P < 0.01) and 72 h (P <0.000 1). In contrast, the bacterial load in the EY medium without antibiotics significantly increased (P < 0.05). In contrast, an improved ability to preserve sperm quality parameters was observed in EY-extended semen. In particular, sperm motility was significantly higher (P < 0.000 1 and P < 0.001) after 24 h in each EY-based group in comparison to the control (Ctrl), whereas among the SL-based groups, only the spectinomycin-supplemented group presented with a significant motility improvement (P < 0.01) when compared to the Ctrl. Although the EY semen extender provided enhanced sperm quality preservation during the 72-h storage, in the future, the SL medium composition should be improved to match the sperm preservation ability of the EY medium while maintaining its microbial safety.

This research evaluated the suitability of commercially available larval feeds, Otohime B2 (OB2), Aller Infa (AI), and Aqua Start (AS), and one Experimental Feed (EF), for the weaning of largemouth bass (Micropterus salmoides), LMB. Feeds were presented with various ω-3 fatty acid levels/bioavailability (high in OB2 and AI), fat percentage (high in OB2 and AS), free amino acid and short peptide (FAA + SP) levels (high in OB2), and various soluble protein (SPR) levels (high in AS and EF). Fish were co-fed Artemia plus OB2 from the 19^th to 22^nd day post-hatching (DPH), then Artemia in addition to one of the four above diets for seven days, with complete Artemia removal on the 30^th DPH. Fish were sampled on the 32^nd DPH. Morphometry, digestive enzyme activities, hormonal status, skeleton, muscle development, and potentially pathogenic Flavobacterium spp. levels were estimated. Survival was high (96% or more) in all the weaning regimes. Weaning to OB2 was linked to a fast fish growth rate (14.29%/day), while both OB2 and AI supported the skeleton development. Weight gain correlated with total fat, ash levels, free amino acids, and short peptide levels in the diet. Larvae weaned to soluble protein-rich AS and EF showed the lowest fish weight gain and skeleton development, and lower growth of potentially pathogenic Flavobacterium spp. This research suggests that the weaning diets for largemouth bass should have a balanced protein content and quality while allowing for the inclusion of fewer marine ingredients.

This study investigated the effects of the dietary addition of wormwood (Artemisia montana Pampan) on growth performance, blood characteristics, carcass traits, and meat quality in growing-fattening pigs. One hundred eighty crossed pigs (Landrace × Yorkshire × Duroc), weighing approximately 70 kg, were divided into four groups of 15 head (eight barrows and seven gilts) per pen, and the experiment was replicated thrice. The basal diet (C) was supplemented with 0.5% (T1), 1.0% (T2), and 1.5% (T3) of dried powdered wormwood, and the pigs were fed an experimental diet for six weeks. The average daily weight gain and feed efficiency were significantly higher (P < 0.05) in treatments than in C. On the contrary, the total cholesterol concentration was significantly lower (P < 0.05) in treatments than in C. Additionally, the high-density lipoprotein cholesterol concentration was significantly higher (P < 0.05), and the carcass grade was better (P < 0.05) in the treatments than in C. The ether extract content of the longissimus dorsi (LD) muscle was lower (P < 0.05) in T2 and T3 than that in C. In contrast, the unsaturated fatty acid (USFA) composition in LD muscle was higher (P < 0.05) in the treatments than in C. Additionally, the marbling and flavour of cooked meat were better (P < 0.05) in the treatments than in C. The dietary addition of wormwood increased (P < 0.05) lightness and yellowness of the surface meat colour and decreased (P < 0.05) juiciness of the LD sensory evaluation. Therefore, the dietary addition of wormwood improved growth performance, feed efficiency, carcass grade, USFA composition, and oxidation of protein and lipids in the LD muscle of growing-fattening pigs.

White root disease is a significant disease of cashew caused by Rigidoporus sp. Five endophytic fungal isolates, namely AR31D (Fusarium proliferatum), AR42D (Penicillium citrinum), BR32C (Trichoderma asperellum), VNTB1 (Chaetomium sp.), and EAGS14 (Curvularia lunata), were assessed as the biocontrol agents against Rigidoporus sp. in vitro and in planta. The research objective was to obtain endophytic fungi that effectively control Rigidoporus sp. and their mechanisms. The in vitro test results showed that all isolates could inhibit Rigidoporus sp. and promote plant growth by producing volatile organic compounds, chitinase enzymes, and indole acetic acid. Meanwhile, only four isolates could solubilize phosphate with low-medium solubilization efficiency. The isolates successfully colonized the root of cashew saplings in 10–65%. The effectiveness of endophytic fungal isolates in controlling white root disease was determined by the mechanisms involved, such as resistance induction (increased activity of defense enzymes like polyphenol oxidase), chitinase enzyme production, indole acetic acid production, phosphate solubilization, and suppression of plant stress which observed from decreased malondialdehyde concentrations in saplings’ roots. Trichoderma asperellum and Chaetomium sp. were the best isolates with the highest control effectiveness and stimulating plant growth.

The purpose of this paper is to evaluate current nutritional guidelines of modern diets based on medical and nutrition facts and their effect on gut microbiota and health, considering current recommendations of world authorities such as FAO and WHO. For this purpose, the first part is devoted to the impact of microbiota on human health, and special attention is committed to the effect of fibre on gut microbiota. The second part is dedicated to the fundamental division of diets and the evaluation of concrete nutritional guidelines of modern diets into microbiota and health, followed by the recommendations of global authorities. Modern diets include diets from the point of view of medical science (e.g. Mediterranean), promoted by nutritionists and authorities (e.g. Nordic) and by social trends (e.g. vegan). The evaluation summarises that high-fibre diets have tremendous benefits on human health. Diets with fresh, local and naturally fermented food positively impact the gut microbiota, hence human health (agrarian diets). The results of the review show that the nutritional guidelines associated with the lowest mortality are the Mediterranean with the Atlantic or Nordic diet, which is in line with the recommendation of the world authorities (FAO, WHO, UN). The low-fibre western diet with highly processed foods with no or very low levels of live bacteria appears to be high-risk in terms of preventing civilisation diseases with a negative impact on gut microbiota, which is in line with current FAO and WHO guidelines.

The aim of the study was to determine the effect of water deficiency at different development stages on the bioactive content and phenolic compounds in sunflower (Helianthus annuus L.) cake, the residue left after oil is extracted from sunflower seeds. A sunflower genotype was randomly planted in a complete block design with eight different combinations of irrigation (T1–T8) by increasing the available soil moisture measured at different plant growth stages (vegetative, flowering and grain formation). Results indicated that the total phenolics of extracts varied between 1.03–2.03 times more than under drought stress (T8). The antioxidant capacity response of seed cake was 14–39% lower than under drought stress. Irrigation treatment, except in the grain formation stage, was found to enhance the biosynthesis of phenolic compounds such as vanillic and caffeic acids. Irrigation only in the grain formation stage induced the accumulation of phenolic compounds such as coumaric acid and rutin hydrate. The present study established that residues resulting from oil extraction could be converted to a polyphenol-enrichment agent for food systems by manipulating the irrigation treatments.

Low-temperature drying (withering) is the first stage in black tea processing. Determination of appropriate end moisture content of green tea leaf as well as temperature and relative humidity (RH) maintained during withering eventually aid the final quality of the processed tea. Therefore, the tea leaf withering (partial drying) properties were evaluated in an environmental chamber using mathematical models. The temperatures and RH considered were 25, 30, 35 °C and 80, 85, 90%, respectively. A total of nine combinations of temperature and RH were considered by keeping one parameter constant. The conditions were taken adhering to that of the climatic conditions of Assam, India. The withering data from experiments were fitted into five drying models using the curve fitting method. The Page model gave better predictions with an R2 value of 0.9989 at 30 °C temperature and 90% RH. The total phenolic and flavonoid contents of the tea leaf samples were evaluated. The best results were 50.60 ± 0.02 mg GAE·g–1 (GAE – gallic acid equivalent) and 22.47 ± 0.01 mg QCE·g–1 (QCE – quercetin equivalent) at 30 °C withering temperature.

Based on panel data from 2010 to 2020 of 151 A-share listed food-related enterprises in China, this research uses a fixed-effect model to analyse the impact of digital transformation on total factor productivity (TFP) in food-related enterprises. Our findings indicated that digital transformation has a positive and significant catalytic effect on TFP improvement in food-related enterprises. The mechanism test revealed that both cost-saving and innovation capacity enhancement effects of digital transformation contributed to the promotion of TFP improvement in these enterprises. Moreover, our heterogeneity analysis suggested that digital transformation is more effective in enhancing TFP in state-owned enterprises (SOEs) in the food-related industry, indicating that SOEs play a representative role in promoting advanced productivity in agricultural development. We also found that capital-intensive and technology-intensitve food-related enterprises were experiencing productivity paradox traps. Our results confirmed that digital transformation brings catch-up effects to labor-intensive food-related enterprises and those located in major grain production regions. Overall, this research can provide valuable insights for policymakers to upgrade the digital-enabled food industry.

The use of genomic data makes it possible to examine genetic variability and calculate the genetic parameters of the population in an efficient and precise way. The aim of this research was to analyse linkage disequilibrium (LD), contemporary effective population size (Ne_c), haplotype block structure, minor allele frequency (MAF), observed (H_O) and expected heterozygosity (H_E), calculate the genomic relationship matrix and perform a principal component analysis (PCA) in the Serbian Holstein-Friesian cattle population using SNP data from the GGP Bovine 100K chip. After quality control (QC), 83 208 SNPs and 1 575 cows were retained for further analysis. LD on autosomes had an average value of ≥ 0.2 up to a distance of 50–60 kb (r² = 0.211), while on BTX r² ≥ 0.2 was represented at distances of 80–90 kb (r² = 0.211). LD differed between chromosomes. The average H_O for autosomes and X chromosome SNPs was 0.412 and 0.422, respectively. 81.30% of SNPs that passed QC had MAF > 0.2. The total number of haplotype blocks in the studied population was 15 642. On average, blocks contained 2.932 SNPs. The average block length was 32.657 kb and ranged from a minimum of 0.019 kb (BTA21 and BTA26) to a maximum of 999.562 kb (BTX). The estimated value of Ne_c in the this cattle population was 142. The results of PCA showed a significant variability of genotypes in the population, but there was no clear stratification of the population. The obtained results will serve as a basis for future genomic analyses such as the detection of QTLs for important economic traits and the implementation of genomic selection.

In recent years, sulfur inputs into the soil have greatly diminished due to the significant decrease in SO₂ emissions. Plant nutrients, like sulfur, can be released by the mineralisation of soil organic matter (SOM), which is a complicated mixture of substances (or fractions) like glomalin-related soil protein (GRSP) and fulvic acids (FA), humic acids (HA), humic substances (HS) and others. GRSP, FA, HA, and HS content, as well as the content of mineral and organic fractions of sulfur, was determined in different mineral and organic fertiliser treatments of the long-term field experiment. Using these results, the sulfur content in GRSP was calculated based on the soil’s organic matter carbon and soil’s organic bound sulfur (C_SOM/S_ORG) ratio. Sulfur content in GRSP was 4.08–5.46 (easily extractable GRSP), 9.77–15.7 (difficultly extractable GRSP), and 13.9–21.1 (total GRSP) mg S/kg of soil. Overall, the application of the organic fertiliser caused an increase in S content bound to GRSP. A strong significant relationship was also observed between GRSP fractions and soil organic sulfur. A similar relationship was also observed for the HA and HS with organic sulfur.

Several antimitotic agents were tested in three embryogenic doubled haploid (DH) lines of swede (Brassica napus ssp. napobrassica). No effect on embryogenesis was observed at the given concentrations of colchicine (5 μmol/L or 50 mg/L) and treatment time of 24 hours. Flow cytometric analysis of microspore embryos revealed a significant increase in the percentage of DH compared to the control for all substances: ethalfluralin, 62.2%; trifluralin, 58.3%; colchicine, 56.1%; amiprophos-methyl, 54.4%; pronamide, 35.0%; control, 13.3%. The occurrence of pure tetraploids was low (0–5%), mixoploids – especially n+2n – were high in all treatments, including the control (29.4–71.1%). Their presence can be explained as a consequence of spontaneous diploidisation and/or endoreduplication during embryogenesis or embryo germination.

Common ragweed – Ambrosia artemisiifolia L. (Asteraceae) is an invasive plant species in Europe native to North America. Most of the records of known eriophyid mites on different ragweed species are from their native range. Our field experiments in Slovakia, 2016–2023, aimed to identify specific species feeding on common ragweed. We searched for symptomatic plants and collected growing tips, which were then preserved in 70% ethanol for further study. A recently described species of eriophyid mite, Aceria artemisiifoliae Vidović & Petanović (Acari: Eriophyoidea), was found in western and eastern Slovakia. This is the first record of the species in Slovakia and the second record in the world. It remains unclear whether this species is invasive like Ambrosia, and whether it could be used as a potential biological control agent.

Drosophila suzukii poses a significant threat to berry fruits with its uncontrolled spread. Essential oils (EOs) have emerged as potential bioinsecticides due to their natural origin, mode of action, and biodegradability. Although EOs show potential for use in agriculture due to ecotoxicologically favourable characteristics, additional research is required to enhance their effectiveness, stability, and application for practical implementation in pest management. The primary objective of this research was the development of a bioinsecticide formulation based on a combination of three EOs – Pelargonium graveolens, Anethum graveolens, and Pinus sylvestris followed by the assessment of formulated bioinsecticide physicochemical properties. Using a two-choice bioassay, this study aimed to evaluate the effects of formulated bioinsecticides on D. suzukii, regarding their insecticidal properties through oviposition deterrence. The developed formulation exhibited favourable physicochemical properties and demonstrated a decrease in the number of larvae in fruits. Bioinsecticides present an environmentally friendly approach to pest control. However, further research and development are imperative to fully exploit their potential for effective crop protection in the field, followed by comprehensive research to evaluate the potential side effects on natural enemies, ensuring that their implementation doesn't harm beneficial organisms and maintain ecological equilibrium.

Missouri Ozark woodlands are a unique, but imperilled ecosystem type due to fragmentation, lack of proper management and a changing climate. The management, restoration, and conservation of Ozark woodlands is a conservation priority. The Ozark woodlands contribute to the sequestration of carbon and nutrients through their robust productivity, effectively removing carbon dioxide from the atmosphere and storing it in the biomass and soil while cycling essential nutrients to support the ecosystem's health and vitality. We have assessed the over- and mid-storey leaf production, collecting leaves in baskets every autumn in a 1 200-ha conservation area in southwest Missouri since 2000. The leaf production data from 2000 to 2021 were compared among sites; control (not burnt for over 80 years), burnt (fire resumed in March of 1999 and repeated in 2001, 2003, 2008, 2010, 2013, and 2021) and reference (fire resumed in 1980 and repeated every 2 years). The average oak leaf production was statistically higher in the burnt site than the reference site, but only marginally higher than the control site. The leaf production varies statistically between the years. We applied a regression analysis among the productivity, temperature, and precipitation to associate the temporal variability in the weather with the productivity. The reference woodland showed statistical significance with the precipitation, but not with the temperature, while the other sites did not show any statistical significance with the precipitation. No statistically significance difference was observed between the productivity and temperature across any of the woodland burn histories. The March–June, March–May, and June–August precipitation statistically predicted the productivity. The results indicate that long-term burning is predictably associated with woodland leaf production and precipitation, but the precipitation is uncoupled with the productivity in woodlands that were more recently burnt or where burning has been suppressed. Sassafras saplings of approximately 1 m in height have emerged as the dominant species in the understorey of burnt woodlands while being completely absent from the control and reference woodlands. However, the productivity is the highest in the woodlands where burning has been suppressed and 20 years of prescribed fire does not significantly reduce the productivity. Oak regeneration over 20 years of burning is being suppressed by competition with sassafras, which may result in a significant shift in the ecosystem variables.

Riparian vegetation plays a major role in maintaining biodiversity and reducing the negative impact of nutrient leaching into aquatic ecosystems. However, the knowledge on the interactions between riparian vegetation and other environmental factors is still incomplete for planning sustainable riparian forest management. The aim of this study was to explore interactions between riparian forest ecosystem components along a small stream. Interactions between vegetation structure, chemical composition of soil and groundwater, as well as chemical element flows via litterfall and precipitation were studied in seven 50 m long transects located in the riparian forest of different characteristics along a 1.4 km river section in the northern part of Latvia. Our results showed that throughfall input of total nitrogen (TN) and potassium (K) was higher in transects with predominantly deciduous tree stands, but the concentration of TN in forest floor was higher in coniferous tree stands. At some soil layers, a positive correlation between organic soil carbon (OC) and the concentration of TN in groundwater was detected. The concentration of TN and nitrate-nitrogen (N-NO₃^–) in groundwater correlated positively with the deciduous tree basal area. The obtained results suggested that element flows are strongly dependent on tree species' composition and a comparatively small riparian area is able to provide diverse ecological conditions.

Recently, non-thermal technologies have emerged as a means to ensure the safety of agricultural products while also promoting plant growth and reducing pathogenic and chemical contamination of seeds. An experiment was conducted to investigate the effect of various treatments on the germination characteristics of alfalfa seeds. The experiment utilised a completely randomised design with five treatments and three replications, including cold plasma exposure, direct current (DC) electromagnetic field, magnetic field, and a combination of plasma exposure with magnetic and electromagnetic fields. The treated seeds were compared to the control seeds (without exposure) in terms of seedling length, germination rate index (GRI), vigor index, and seed germination. The results indicated that cold plasma treatment and a combination of plasma and magnetic field treatment significantly increased the germination rate compared to the control and other treatments. Furthermore, the combined treatment of plasma and electromagnetic fields, as well as the individual treatment with magnetic fields, resulted in a significant increase in root length and, consequently, the allometric coefficient. Non-thermal technologies are a promising approach to enhancing seed performance, particularly in terms of the rate of germination and seedling length.