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This study aimed to analyse the influence of adding Lycium ruthenicum Murr. fruit (LRF) on physicochemical, sensory characteristics and antioxidant capacity in goat milk yoghurt (GMY) during 21 days of refrigerated storage. Three different yoghurt formulations were processed using varying amounts of added LRF (1.0, 1.5, and 2.0%). LRF supplementation improved some of the physicochemical characteristics and sensory characteristics of GMY. With the increase of LRF addition, the pH of GMY showed a downward trend, and the titrated acidity showed an upward trend. The corresponding number of colonies in the storage period was higher than that of yoghurt without LRF. The addition of a concentration of 1.0–2.0% LRF played a role in the proliferation of lactic acid bacteria, and viscosity and hardness increased with increasing LRF addition. Although the susceptibility to syneresis of GMY showed a downward trend with increasing LRF addition, the scavenging rate of DPPH (2,2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl), •OH (hydroxyl free radicals), and the reducing power of Fe³⁺ of the corresponding concentration of GMY increased. In general, GMY with LRF addition can combine the two nutrients and have higher nutritional value, which is a good supplement to the same types of products in the market.

To better explore the effects of adding phytosterol (PS) microcapsules to feed on pig growth performance, nutrient apparent digestibility, and serum biochemical indicators, 200 healthy ternary hybrid Duroc × Landrace × Yorkshire piglets with an average initial weight of 7.53 ± 0.57 kg) were used as experimental subjects, and randomly divided into five groups with four replicates in each group. The control group of pigs was fed the basic diet, while the experimental group received diets supplemented with different PS levels. They were divided into experimental groups 1 to 4 (100 mg/kg to 5 502 mg/kg) according to different dosage added components. The duration of the experiment was 54 days. The results showed that the total triglyceride (TG) index and diarrhoea status in the experimental group were significantly improved compared to the control group (P < 0.05). The increase in PS addition levels was more significant in the change of pig average daily gain (ADG) (P < 0.05), and the difference in average daily weight gain and feed conversion ratio between PS-400 and PS-550 was significant (P < 0.05). Compared with the control group, the experimental group showed significant differences in crude fibre (CF), ether extract (EE), dry matter (DM), organic matter (OM), average digestible energy (ADE), metabolizable energy, xylan, and calcium (P < 0.05), with a maximum increase of 7.02% in calcium content. The addition of PS can be effective in making the experimental and control groups show a significant difference in value changes in high-density cholesterol (HDL-C) and low-density cholesterol (LDL-C) indicators (P < 0.05), while no significant changes were revealed in the other indicators (P > 0.05). From the above, plant sterol microcapsules can effectively improve pig growth performance and nutrient apparent digestibility, and improve their blood lipid status.

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.

The food industry is always looking for ways to innovate in elaborating and packaging food products to ensure the consumer receives the highest quality. The new proposals include the use of polycaprolactone (PCL), a commonly used biopolymer that is soluble in many organic solvents. The PCL features can be modified by forming blends with other polymers and bioactive molecules to expand their applications in the food industry. For instance, there have been developments in packages and active substances that incorporate microcapsules based on PCL. This review explores the applications of PCL in the food industry, encompassing its role as a biodegradable active package and as an encapsulating agent. The review underscores the potential of this polymer in the context of the food industry.

This research investigated the influence of the storage duration on the health promoting tyrosine, tryptophan and total phenolics in potato tubers. In the course of storage, the total amount of accumulated compounds in the dry mass of organically grown potato tubers increases. This is determined by individual properties of potato variety, storage time, and interaction of these two factors (P < 0.05). Organic potato tubers show increased total phenolic compounds in their dry matter during storage. This is due to a variety of characteristics, storage time and the interaction of these two factors (P < 0.05). A more pronounced increase in total phenolic compounds during storage was observed in 2022 than in 2021.

In order to determine the possibility of using infrared thermography (IRT) in preventing lameness in dairy cows, the aim of this study was to evaluate temperature variations depending on the lesion presence, measurement points and leg position. The study used about 3 000 IRT records from 60 Holstein cows housed in a free-stall barn. Surface temperature measurements were taken at two regions of the hooves: the region of the coronary band, and the region of the skin up to 2 cm above the coronary band. A highly significant (P = 0.004; 0.006, P < 0.01) difference in temperature was observed between healthy and diseased legs at both measurement points. Additionally, a significant (P = 0.029; 0.037; 0.045; 0.012; 0.018, P < 0.05) or highly significant (P = 0.004; 0.006, P < 0.01) difference in temperature values between the front and rear legs was established for both measurement points, i.e., the coronary band and the skin. Despite confirming the potential applicability of infrared thermography in the detection of lameness, it is crucial to consider the significant influences of the environmental factors, impurities, and animal-related factors.

Selenium (Se) is a beneficial element for plant growth and development. In this study, three-year-old potted ‘Qingcui’ plums were treated with Na2SeO4 (Se6+) or selenomethionine (SeMet Se2-) to explore the effect of Se on the plant growth, fruit quality, and 5-hydroxytryptophan (5-HTP) metabolism. Flower and fruit numbers, fruit quality and yield, Se content, and 5-HTP metabolites and enzymes were detected. The results showed that the flower and fruit numbers, and yield were significantly increased by the Se application. There were no significant differences in the fruit diameters, fruit mass, edible part ratio, titratable acids, water content, and solid acid ratio among the treatments. The total soluble solids, soluble protein, and malondialdehyde contents under the Se6+ treatment showed no significant difference compared to the Se2- treatment, but they were significantly higher than these under control by 16.71%, 39.13%, and 36.27%, respectively. The Se application markedly increased plant the Se content, and Se contents in the roots and leaves, or the fruits were significantly larger by the Se6+ treatments than the Se2- treatment. The leaves’ pigment contents under the Se2- treatments were significantly larger than those under the control or Se6+ treatment. Tryptophan was not significantly influenced, the 5-HTP and 5-methoxytryptophan contents were reduced in the roots, and increased in the leaves, and the serotonin content was only significantly increased in the roots by the Se treatments. The tryptophan hydroxylase and hydroxyindole-O-methyltransferase levels were slightly influenced, and the tryptophan decarboxylase level in the roots or fruits was significantly increased by the Se treatments. The Se application had beneficial effects on the plant growth, fruit quality, and Se content, especially in the Se6+ treatment, and influenced the 5-HTP metabolism.

We compared the biological and economic effects of simultaneous artificial regeneration of mixtures of pioneers (birch – Betula pendula Roth or aspen – Populus tremula L.) and beech (Fagus sylvatica L.) with plots of monospecific beech. During the period of two years, the height of young beech trees, their mortality, and the regeneration cost were analysed in the following treatments: monospecific beech (9 000 pcs·ha⁻¹), monospecific beech (5 000 pcs·ha⁻¹), beech/birch (5 000/2 500 pcs·ha⁻¹) and beech/aspen (5 000/2 500 pcs·ha⁻¹). Four plots (differing in soil and altitude) were established in the region of the Czech Republic in autumn 2021. The positive biological effect of these pioneers was detected only in the treatments where the initial planting stock of the pioneers was substantially higher than in that of beech (on average 39 cm vs. 100 cm, respectively). However, the expenses of simultaneous regeneration were about 15% lower compared to plots with monospecific beech in densities like 9 000 pcs·ha⁻¹, and around 35% higher than in the monospecific beech plots with a density of 5 000 pcs·ha⁻¹.

Fractures of long bones in limbs are rare traumatic events in horses. This study investigates whether the incidence and types of fractures can be related to the histomorphometric features of the radius and tibia, which experience different biomechanical stresses and exhibit varying incidences and types of fractures. Clinical observations suggest that, in adults, slightly transverse and comminuted fractures are present in the radius, while the tibia shows a higher frequency of longitudinal and spiral fractures. Microscopic observations reveal no apparent distinctive characteristics between the radius and tibia, whereas the histomorphometric data highlight differences in the osteon density, eccentricity, and diameters of the osteons and Haversian canals. To sum up, tibial osteons are more numerous and smaller than those in the radius, resulting in a 15% higher total extension of the cement line in the tibia compared to the radius. These histomorphometric differences are an evolutionary adaptation to the different biomechanical stresses that involve the thoracic and pelvic limbs. Our results could help better understand numerous clinical realities detectable through retrospective analyses and aid in evaluating a specific bone’s predisposition towards traumatic events in all mammals, including humans.

The new record of Dictyothrips betae Uzel, 1895 (Thysanoptera: Thripidae) after 72 years in Slovakia is presented. Dictyothrips betae is an important pest and one of the few thrips species known as vectors of dangerous plant tospoviruses, causing severe yield losses to economically important crops worldwide. D. betae was swept from an herbal layer in blown dunes in SW Slovakia.

The external fruit colour is an important parameter of the fig fruit quality. Fig anthocyanin content is critical for the peel colour. The peel of mature fruits of the fig cultivar Orphan and its red peel bud mutant Hongyan were separated for a transcriptomic and proteomic analysis. A total of 162 different abundance proteins (DAPs) and 5 015 differentially expressed genes (DEGs) were identified. The correlation analysis revealed that only two and 15 genes were downregulated and upregulated, respectively, at both the transcriptome and proteome levels. The Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes (KEGG) analysis indicated that the enrichment pathways including Tropane, piperidine and pyridine alkaloid biosynthesis, phenylalanine metabolism and isoquinoline alkaloid biosynthesis for DEGs, and protein processing in the endoplasmic reticulum and flavonoid biosynthesis may contribute to the mutant color phenotype. Our results provide transcriptomic and proteomic information for two fig cultivars and may help to clarify the potential mechanisms of fig colouration.

Neoplasms account for approximately half of the deaths of dogs over ten years of age. This finding, associated with the fact that canine cancer patients will often suffer from the consequences of the systemic spread of the tumour and paraneoplastic syndromes, shows the importance of understanding palliative care by veterinarians and owners. In view of this, this review aims to address palliative care that can be used in veterinary medicine to promote the patient’s well-being and quality of life.

Streptococcus (S.) species are important pathogens that cause mastitis in sheep. The study aimed to examine Streptococcus species in sheep milk with subclinical mastitis, assessing their prevalence, antimicrobial resistance, and virulence genes. A total of 200 milk samples were collected from sheep farms in İzmir’s five districts. Out of 32 (28.6%) Streptococcus isolates identified by phenotypic methods, 25 were genotypically identified as S. uberis, 5 as S. agalactiae, and 2 as S. dysgalactiae. Disk diffusion was used to determine the antimicrobial resistance of the isolates. PCR was employed to identify antimicrobial resistance and virulence genes in the isolates. The highest resistance was found for cloxacillin (100%), and the highest sensitivity was found for florfenicol (84%). The most common resistance gene combination was tetM+tetS (3/32) for S. uberis in 9.4%. A total of five virulence genes were detected. GapC+sua (56.2%) constituted the most common gene pattern. The highest virulence gene gapC was detected in 78.1% (25/32) of the isolates. The cylE gene was not detected (0%) in the isolates. Streptococcus species may play a role in mastitis in sheep, emphasising the need for meticulous hygienic milking practices.

A 4 × 2 factorial experiment was conducted to investigate the effect of dietary supplementation levels (0, 5 and 10 g/kg) of chamomile flower powder and a level (60 mg/kg) of salinomycin on performance and gut health of broiler chickens under coccidiosis challenge. A total of 320-day-old Ross 308 broilers were assigned to eight treatments of four replicates with 10 birds. Oral inoculation of the challenged groups with Eimeria tenella occurred on day 8. On day 10, disease challenge and additive level significantly (P = 0.003) interacted, decreasing the feed intake. Feed intake significantly (P ≤ 0.001) decreased in birds supplemented with 10 g/kg of chamomile. At 35 days, birds fed chamomile and anticoccidial significantly (P = 0.001) increased body weight (BW) and weight gain (WG). Disease challenge adversely influenced (P = 0.001) BW and WG. Additive level and disease challenge significantly (P = 0.001) interacted on feed conversion ratio (FCR). Anticoccidial and chamomile improved (P = 0.001) FCR of birds regardless of the rearing conditions. Significantly (P = 0.001) better FCR was observed in the unchallenged birds. The interaction of experimental factors was significant (P ≤ 0.04) on the relative weight of bursa. Disease challenge significantly (P = 0.005) increased the relative weight of liver whereas that of bursa decreased. Cholesterol (P = 0.002), albumin/globulin (P = 0.009), aspartate aminotransferase (AST) (P = 0.002) and alanine transaminase (ALT) (P = 0.001) significantly increased in challenged birds. The interaction of experimental factors was significant (P = 0.002) on villus length, crypt depth and villus height/crypt depth ratio (P = 0.001). Longer (P = 0.001) villi were found in anticoccidial and chamomile supplemented birds. Coccidiosis adversely (P = 0.001) influenced the jejunum morphology. Crypt depth decreased and villus height/crypt depth increased in chamomile offered birds (P = 0.001) regardless of the challenge conditions. Bursal morphology was significantly influenced by experimental factors. Dietary supplementation of chamomile had positive effects on broiler performance, immunity and intestinal morphology during exposure to the E. tenella parasite. Chamomile could be used as a potential natural anticoccidial in broiler nutrition.

Today, there is widespread concern about the potential health effects on populations from consuming contaminated leafy plants and vegetables. In this study, heavy metal content is present in commonly consumed leafy plants (Atriplex hortensis, Spinacia oleracea, Urtica dioica, Beta vulgaris, and Brassica oleracea) from the mining area near Tuzla in Bosnia and Herzegovina was determined. After the preparation of the samples by wet digestion with HNO3, the flame and graphite furnace atomic absorption spectrometry was used. According to the results, the lowest concentration in leafy plants was obtained for Cr 0.08 mg/kg (Brassica oleracea) and the highest for Fe 539.15 mg/kg (Spinacia oleracea). The novelty of this study was to estimate health risk assessment for selected leafy plants. The estimated daily intake (EDI) of Pb, Mn, Zn, and Cd from consuming leafy plants was higher than the maximum tolerated daily intake. For adults, the total target hazard quotient (THQ) calculated based on EDI of the heavy metals was found to be > 1 for Pb and Cd due to all leafy plant consumption and for the children risk level of THQ was observed for most heavy metals. The hazard index due to the intake of toxic metals from ingesting leafy plants was much > 1. According to the total carcinogenic risk index for adults and children, the carcinogenic risks for all samples were higher than the tolerable range. Based on the results of this study, there is a significant non-carcinogenic and carcinogenic health risk to the population associated with the consumption of leafy plants cultivated in the mining area.

The present review deals with a particularly important topic: the use of functional amino acids in different categories of pigs. It is especially relevant in the context of the current efforts to reduce the use of antibiotics in pig farming and the search for possible alternatives to replace them. The review is based on the definition that functional amino acids (FAAs) are classified as dispensable amino acids, but with additional biological functions, i.e., not only are they used for protein formation, but they are also involved in regulating essential metabolic pathways to improve health, survival, growth, and development. We describe the mechanism of action of individual FAAs and their potential use in pigs, including glutamate, glutamine, arginine, branched-chain amino acids (i.e., leucine, isoleucine, and valine), tryptophan and glycine. The work is divided into three parts. The first part deals with the FAAs and their role in the overall health of sows and their offspring. The second part describes the use of functional amino acids in piglets after weaning. Part three examines the use of functional amino acids in growing and fattening pigs and their impact on meat quality.

In this study, LbCu/ZnSOD, LbFeSOD, and LbMnSOD genes were cloned, the role of strigolactones (SLs), a novel plant hormone that is ubiquitous in plants in modulating plant responses to abiotic stress, on the three superoxide dismutases (SODs) under polyethylene glycol PEG-6000 stress were researched in the petals of cut lily flowers. The results indicated that during the development of the lily bud, the expression levels of LbMnSOD gradually increased and those of LbCu/ZnSOD decreased, while the LbFeSOD expression remained at a very low level. When the cut lily flowers were subjected to 10% PEG-6000 stress, the relative water content (RWC) declined, the malondialdehyde (MDA) content and relative electrical conductivity (REC) dramatically increased in the petals. However, when exogenous SLs were employed, the RWC were improved, while the MDA and REC were reduced. Meanwhile, the SLs significantly increased the activities of the total SOD (T-SOD), Cu/ZnSOD and MnSOD, the expression levels of LbCu/ZnSOD and LbMnSOD, especially LbCu/ZnSOD, were markedly up-regulated in the petals. In conclusion, our research indicates that SOD enzymes, especially Cu/ZnSOD and MnSOD, are involved in the drought stress tolerance; the application of strigolactones can enhance the activities of the two SODs, and may increase the expression of LbCu/ZnSOD and LbMnSOD via a positive feedback mechanism in the cut lily petals.

Construction sector has high environmental impact throughout entire life cycle of buildings. One way to reduce the impact is to use building materials with the lowest possible environmental impact – such as wood. The use of wood-based building materials can improve the overall environmental balance of buildings. Compared to other materials, wood probably has the best environmental performance. These findings are particularly significant in the context of the environmental and legislative situation in Europe and the Czech Republic and may be one of the reasons for the increasing number of new wood-based buildings. The main reason for the research is to highlight the potential of wood as an ecological renewable material with multiple applications in all sectors of the national economy, especially in the construction industry. This paper aims to deepen the knowledge of the environmental specifications of building materials, especially wood, highlight its benefits and verify that building with natural and eco-friendly materials is less costly with lower environmental impacts. To illustrate the environmental impact of the construction industry, a case study comparing house variants was conducted to find the most suitable combinations of materials in terms of economic, environmental, and social aspects. It was found that from a sustainable development perspective, building with green materials generally means lower environmental impacts measured by e.g. global warming potential and embodied energy. This is particularly evident in the case of wood, which is not only a renewable material with advantageous thermo-technical and construction properties despite its low weight, but also stores carbon as it grows. The findings show that wood in the structure can reduce the cumulative environmental impact of the whole structure.

Fungal pathogens Plasmopara viticola (Berk. & M.A. Curtis) Berl. & De Toni (downy mildew) and Erysiphe necator Schwein. (powdery mildew) represent the biggest threats for grape growers worldwide. Under suitable conditions, these pathogens can spread very quickly through vineyards and cause significant damage. The most ecological way to reduce the possibility of infection in vineyards is growing interspecific genotypes which are able to suppress these pathogens and stop the spread of infection. With this in mind, 9 international and 11 Czech grapevine genotypes were analysed in order to genotype the resistance loci present in them. As a tool a set of SSR markers linked to known loci of resistance to downy and powdery mildew was used. Namely, presence of four loci responsible for resistance to Plasmopara viticola (Rpv3, Rpv4, Rpv7, and Rpv10) and two for Erysiphe necator (Ren3 and Ren9) loci were analysed with respective SSR markers. By this way the degree of resistance gene pyramiding was newly assessed in all analysed cultivars and their perspectives in grapevine breeding are discussed.

The effects of large granular slow-controlled release fertiliser prepared by a double coating of sulfur and sodium alginate on peanut growth, nitrogen fertiliser utilisation, and soil microbial community were investigated through peanut pot experiments, with a view to providing a theoretical and practical basis for the development of large granular slow-controlled release fertiliser. The results showed that the homemade large granular fertiliser could promote the root development of peanuts, and the root volume increased by 45.10% compared with the uncoated fertiliser at the fruiting stage. At the same time, the soil NH₄⁺-N and NO₃^–-N content were reduced at the seedling stage and increased at the fruiting stage to achieve the fertiliser’s slow and controlled release effect. A significant contribution to the net photosynthetic rate was made for growth development and yield in the middle and late stages. Pod dry weight was significantly higher at the blooming stage than uncoated fertiliser, 4.8% higher at the fruiting stage, and 22.9% higher in nitrogen use efficiency (NUE). In terms of microbial bacterial communities, the large granular slow-release fertiliser promoted the diversity of the treated bacterial communities to some extent, with little difference in the relative abundance of soil bacterial communities. These results showed that a one-time application of homemade large granular slow-release fertiliser positively affected peanuts in terms of yield increase, promotion of nitrogen uptake and improved nitrogen utilisation under nitrogen application with urea equivalent, but the overall effect on soil microbial community was small.

In Spain, the leader in pesticide sales in the European Union, a high-tech and innovative company provides services to the wine industry to optimise phytosanitary work, reduce crop losses and lower production costs. Although the nature of its business encourages the transition to a sustainable agri-food system, it also involves risks associated with uncertainty. The objective of this article was to perform the valuation of the company through the real options approach, including an expansion option, analysing whether this company will be able to increase the value of its project by expanding its activity to a larger number of vineyards. Results showed that the application of the real options approach projected a higher result than the traditional net present value method, so that if the company makes additional investments in its precision agriculture project, these will increase the value by a 15%.

Diversity in the characteristics of agricultural locations has the potential to develop. Unfortunately, the weak transfer of technology based on the characteristics of the location indicates that this potential cannot grow properly. This research aims to synthesise a technology transfer model for an agricultural technology park (ATP) by considering site-specific conditions. This cross-case study was conducted at selected ATP locations. Model synthesis uses the system development life cycle stages of initiation, analysis, and design. The resource-based view approach was broken down into several variables during the analysis stage. Three location-specific technology transfer models were successfully developed: a technology transfer model based on highland specificity, a unique technology transfer model for urban farming, and a tourism village-based model.

Barnyardgrass (Echinochloa crus-galli (L.) P. Beauv.) is one of the most yield-limiting weeds in rice in Turkey. Barnyardgrass resistance to common herbicides has been reported worldwide; however, such information is largely lacking in the country. The objective of this study was to determine the resistance spectrum of different barnyardgrass populations to the most commonly-used herbicides in rice in Turkey. The susceptibility of 40 barnyardgrass populations was evaluated. The samples were collected from fields with intensive rice cultivation in Balikesir and Çanakkale provinces. Seeds were picked from barnyardgrass plants suspected to be herbicide-resistant because of their survival in the rice fields after herbicides application. A total of 38 populations were resistant to penoxsulam, and the resistance index of these populations ranged from 2 to 39. A total of 24 out of the 38 barnyardgrass populations showed a GR₅₀ (herbicide dose causing a 50% reduction in plant dry matter) value higher than the recommended penoxsulam dose (20.2 g a.i./ha) in rice. Among these 24 barnyardgrass populations, 25, 29.2 and 45.8% populations exhibited high, moderate and low level of penoxsulam resistance, respectively. From the penoxsulam-resistant populations (38), the response of 14 populations (low to high resistance to penoxsulam) to six commonly-used herbicides for barnyardgrass control in rice was evaluated. The selected 14 populations showed resistance to almost all herbicides tested, with the lowest average resistance being determined against profoxydim and the highest average resistance against molinate herbicide. Resistance levels against six commonly-used herbicides in rice ranged from 2 to 34.

The aim of this paper was to evaluate the cadmium concentrations in the muscles, liver, and kidney of three age categories (≤ 8 months; ≤ 2 years; ≥ 2 years) of cattle during the period of years 2014-2019 and to determine the age limit at which the concentration of cadmium in an organ with the highest accumulation increases health risk for consumers. In cattle above two years of age, there was a higher average cadmium concentration in the liver (0.10 mg/kg) and kidney (0.62 mg/kg), when compared with cadmium concentration in the liver (0.06 mg/kg) and kidney (0.24 mg/kg) of cattle under two years of age. A paired correlation coefficient r = 0.825 8 (P < 0.006) and Spearman's coefficient ρ = 0.92 (P < 0.000 1) were calculated for the dependence of the cadmium concentration on the age. The correlation analysis statistically demonstrated a significant positive correlation between the concentration of cadmium in the kidney and the age of the cattle. A non-significant difference between the maximum limit and the average concentration of the cadmium in the kidney of the cattle from the age of 6 years (P = 0.029) was demonstrated using the t-test. The cadmium concentration in the muscles was low and was not significantly affected by the cattle's age.

Cultivar selection and crop systems are important factors for maximising soybean seed yield. The effect of row spacing (RS1 = 75 cm, RS2 = 25 cm) on the performance of 10 early maturity soybean cultivars grown in full-season and double-crop system for two consecutive years was studied. The agronomic traits measured were seed yield (SY), plant height (PH), pods per plant (PP), first pod height (FPH), crude protein. RS had a significant effect on SY, PH, PP and FPH. Higher SY (P < 0.01) was recorded in RS2 regardless of the crop system. The double-crop system yield reduction index of the tested cultivars ranged from 30.0% to 56.4% and from 21.5% to 57.2% for RS1 and RS2, respectively. Cultivars differed (P < 0.01) for all traits in both RS and crop systems. Maturity Group I cultivars showed the highest productivity; the cultivars PR92B63 and Atlantic were better adapted to the full-season crop system (SY > 5.67 t/ha); cv. Sphera was the most productive in the double-crop system (4.66 t/ha); cv. PR92M22 showed good adaptability to both cropping systems. In conclusion, the significant effect of RS and crop system on SY was observed, whereas different high yielding cultivars were identified as suitable for full-season and double-crop system.

Zero-valent iron (ZVI) and rice husk (RH) have potential as adsorbents for heavy metals; however, their effects on iron plaque formation and heavy metal uptake by plants are still unclear. In this study, the impacts of ZVI, RH and their combinations on iron plaque formation on the root surface and the uptake of As and Cd by rice plants were investigated. A pot experiment was performed under waterlogged conditions using As^(III)- or Cd^(II)-spiked soil. The results showed that ZVI (0.05% or 0.2%) with or without RH significantly increased iron plaque formation and Fe contents in rice plants and pore water. Under As treatment, ZVI (0.05% or 0.2%) without or with RH obviously increased the As content in plaques and reduced the As content in grains by 67% and 66% and 19% and 24%, respectively. The Cd content was markedly increased in iron plaques and reduced in roots, shoots and grains by ZVI and RH. ZVI (0.05% or 0.2%), RH and their combinations reduced the grain Cd content by 61, 62, 60, 68 and 69%. These findings suggest that ZVI is effective in hindering As and Cd uptake by rice with or without RH in paddies contaminated with As or Cd.

Drought stress is a significant abiotic stressor that has a negative impact on crop production and global food security systems. Drought stress was applied to eggplant seedlings with various field capacities (FC), 80% FC as control, 50% FC, 35% FC, and 20% FC. AgNPs were synthesised from green chemical methods, whereas different concentrations of AgNPs (0, 0.1, 0.2, 0.5 µmol) were applied exogenously on drought-stressed eggplants. Drought stress decreased the growth parameters (plant height, fresh mass, dry mass, leaf area), photosynthetic pigments (Chl a, Chl b, carotenoids), and protein content while increased the proline, hydrogen peroxide (H₂O₂), malondialdehyde (MDA) content, and activity of the antioxidant enzymes, i.e., superoxide dismutase (SOD) and catalase (CAT). AgNPs restricted proline accumulation and reduced H₂O_2, MDA content by upregulating the antioxidant enzymes. Overall, the current study's findings indicated that AgNPs are an effective eco-friendly and low-cost application for plant growth under drought stress, with the potential to mitigate the impact of drought on plants.

Water scarcity is a major constraint facing vegetable production sustainability in open field farming of arid regions like the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia. This study was carried out in an open field of the Research and Training Station of King Faisal University in the eastern region of the Kingdom. The objective was to assess the influences of the polymer addition (PA), deficit irrigation regime (DIR), and their combination on the production and water use efficiency (WUE) of muskmelons. PA treatments of 0.0, 0.2 and 0.4% and the irrigation treatments of 100, 75 and 50% of reference evapotranspiration (ET_o), were imposed throughout the growth stages of muskmelons under surface drip irrigation (DI) and subsurface drip irrigation (SDI). The polymer addition of 0.4% enhanced the field water holding capacity of the medium sandy soil within the locality of the emitters by 43.6%. The soil water content of the surface layer within the vicinity of the polymer amended soil layer increased in a range of 72.4 to 99.4% to the combined influences of the 0.4% PA with the DI and SDI, but were marked more under the SDI. The combination of the 100% ET_o DIR with polymer additions significantly (P < 0.05) enhanced the muskmelon fruit yield (MFY) under the SDI compared to DI. The PA of 0.4% improved WUE and MFY by 67.7, 70.4% under the SDI, and 58.6, 24.2% under the DI, respectively. Without the polymer addition (0.0% PA), the MFY significantly (P < 0.05) decreased with the increase of the DIRs under both DI and SDI.

The aim of the study was to investigate the effect of intestinal alkaline phosphatase (IAP) added to diets on growth performance, diarrhoea incidence (DI), blood metabolites, relative organ weight, and intestinal morphometry of weaned piglets challenged with enterotoxigenic Escherichia coli F4 (K88). A total of 64 crossbred entire male piglets (25-day-old and 7.16 ± 0.28 kg body weight) were allocated into four treatments: control diet (CD^-), CD^- + antimicrobial growth promoter (AGP), CD^- + 15 mg IAP/kg of diet and CD^- + 30 mg IAP/kg of diet, with eight replications. At 15 days, all piglets were orally challenged with 6 ml of a solution containing K88 (10⁶ colony forming units/ml). Microencapsulated IAP in acid solution showed 14.43% solubility and pH values of 1.69, 1.72, 1.51, and 1.52 at the different times measured (0.5 h, 1.0 h, 17.0 h, and 24 h); differently, IAP in basic solution had 4.10% solubility and pH values increased (5.95, 6.10, 6.32 and 6.63) according to the different times, respectively. On days 25-35, piglets that received 30 mg IAP and CD^- showed a better feed conversion ratio (P = 0.075) compared to those fed 15 mg IAP. Piglets that consumed 30 mg IAP or CD^- had higher (P = 0.004) average daily gain on days 35-44. On days 35-44, the piglet average daily feed intake was lower (P = 0.033) with 15 mg IAP compared to AGP. In the entire period, piglets fed 15 mg IAP showed a reduction in average daily gain (P = 0.040) and average daily feed intake (P = 0.092). Piglets on 30 mg IAP showed an improvement (P ≤ 0.05) in DI in the pre-and post-challenge periods. The relative spleen weight of the piglet increased (P = 0.043) in response to 30 mg IAP. Overall, the addition of 30 mg IAP to diets improves the growth performance, attenuates DI, and promotes an increase in spleen relative weight to maintain the healthy state of piglets.

Adequate nutrition of sugar beet with magnesium (Mg) and sulfur (S) has been assumed to be the key to increase fertiliser nitrogen (N) efficiency. This hypothesis was validated on two soils differing in textural class, i.e., sandy and loamy. The experiment consisted of three factors: (1) in-soil application of Kieserite (0, 24 kg Mg/ha); (2) foliar application of Epsom salt (0.2 kg Mg/ha); (3) N rates (0, 40, 80, 120, 160 and 200 kg N/ha). The following parameters were evaluated: (i) yield of storage roots (TY); (ii) qualitative features of storage roots, and (iii) yield of white sugar (WSY). Both yield characteristics, regardless on soil, were affected to a greater extent by in-soil than foliar MgS application. The highest increments of TY and WSY were obtained in 2016, a year with fewer favourable weather conditions and in soil with a wider Ca:Mg ratio. The greatest effect of Kieserite on TY and WSY was observed under low rates of applied N (up to 80 kg/ha). It can be concluded that the right nutrition of sugar beet with MgS in the early stages of sugar beet growth is the prerequisite of an effective N management on soils rich in mineral N.