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Rainfall is a major contributor to water erosion of sloping cropland in Northeast China. Identifying how rainfall and slope gradient (S) influence runoff depth (RD) and sediment yield (SY) is crucial for preventing water erosion. Field measurements from runoff plots were collected from 2023 to 2024, and K-means clustering was applied to clarify the rainfall patterns. Response of RD and SY to the rainfall pattern and S were analysed. Key factors impacting RD and SY were explored. The results showed that three rainfall patterns were identified for 34 erosive rainfall events: A (41.2%, medium duration, medium rainfall intensity, and medium rainfall amount (RA)). B (50.0%, short duration, high rainfall intensity, and low RA) and C (5.4%, long duration, low rainfall intensity, high RA). Furthermore, the cumulative RD and SY increased with S for the same rainfall pattern. The cumulative RD and SY responded similarly to rainfall patterns for the same S. The contribution of the rainfall pattern to the cumulative RD and SY decreased in the order of C, A, and B. In addition, rainfall duration (D) and maximum 30-minute rainfall intensity were the key factors affecting RD and SY for rainfall pattern A, respectively. Rainfall erosivity (R) was the key factor affecting RD and SY for rainfall pattern B and C. R and RD were the dominant factors influencing the RD and SY for all rainfall events, respectively.

Hemp is becoming increasingly popular, and many new varieties are coming onto the market to meet the requirements of different industries. In this study, the seed and stem yield, seed nutritional properties and the biochemical characteristics of the inflorescences of seven European varieties (Fedora 17, Futura 75, KC Dóra, Monoica, Santhica 27, Tiborszallasi, USO 31) were investigated in a 3-year field trial. Futura 75 and Tiborszallasi stand out as varieties with the highest potential in the conditions of the experiment (humid continental climate with oceanic influences, heavy soil). Futura 75 achieved the highest seed yield (505 kg/ha dry matter), stem yield (8 036 kg/ha fresh matter), protein yield (140 kg/ha) and oil yield (181 kg/ha). There were no differences in protein content (average 21.0%) among varieties. The total unsaturated fatty acid content was as high as 87.6% at Tiborszallasi. The best ratio between omega-6 and omega-3 fatty acids was 3 : 1 in Tiborszallasi, which had also the highest oil content (30.2%), the highest total phenolic content (2.8 mg caffeic acid (CA)/g) and the best antioxidant potential (6.69 EC50 DPPH (2,2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl) mg/L). Most varieties had higher cannabidiol and tetrahydrocannabinol contents in the inflorescence at seed maturity (from 0.22 to 3.3 for cannabidiol (CBD) and from 0.00 to 0.32 for tetrahydrocannabinol (THC)) compared to full flowering (from 0.17 to 4.33 for CBD and from 0.00 to 0.52 for THC, on average 2.64% for CBD and 0.19% for THC), presenting an opportunity for dual-purpose use.

Manganese (Mn) is often underestimated in plant nutrition. Its availability to plants is influenced by several factors, which can lead to Mn deficiency or toxicity. The objective was to evaluate the transformation of soil Mn over 21 years in a long-term field experiment. Fertilising with (i) sewage sludge 1 (SS1); (ii) sewage sludge 3 (3 times higher nitrogen (N) dose, SS3); (iii) farmyard manure (FYM); (iv) mineral nitrogen, phosphorus and potassium (NPK) and (v) mineral nitrogen in addition to straw (Nst) was studied to evaluate the transformations of Mn in soil using different extraction methods at the 5 locations. There was a general reduction in the pH during the experiment. Soil acidification caused by mineral N fertiliser increased the bioavailable Mn forms under NPK treatment. This Mn was mobilised from soil reserves, leading to depletion of Mn sources. Application of SS and FYM led to an increase in non-bioavailable Mn fractions, while the expected increase in biologically available Mn was not observed. As the high pH of soil limits Mn availability, foliar Mn application can be recommended for agricultural practice in high-pH soils. On the contrary, liming can be recommended for low-pH soil with high bioavailable Mn content to mitigate the risk of Mn toxicity.

The genetic characterisation of naturally occurring almond genotypes can guide the selection of genetic resources to be used in the breeding programme. Therefore, this study aims to assess the genetic diversity and population structure of almond germplasm comprising 50 accessions naturally occurring in Van, Türkiye, along with two commercial varieties (Pabuç and Dokuzoğuz). Thirteen inter-primer binding site (iPBS) retrotransposon markers generated a total of 102 bands, of which 95 were polymorphic. The average polymorphic band number per marker was 7.3, with a range of 5 to 13. A formula yielding a maximum of 0.5 resulted in polymorphic information content (PIC) values between 0.27 and 0.43, with a mean value of 0.36. Unweighted pair group method algorithm (UPGMA), principal coordinate analysis (PCoA), and STRUCTURE analysis, based on Bayesian clustering analysis, yielded consistent results, indicating that local populations (Akdamar and Çarpanak) were distinctly grouped, while commercial accessions were clustered with Çarpanak accessions. The diversity metrics and classification analysis utilising 13 iPBS-retrotransposon markers demonstrated that the iPBS-retrotransposon marker system possesses significant promise for evaluating the genetic variety and population structure of almonds.

Near-Infrared (NIR) spectrometry has emerged as a promising tool for the non-destructive and rapid analysis of temperate fruit quality, maturity, and other parameters. The technique provides a wealth of information, including details of chemical composition, without damaging the fruit, making it a highly viable alternative to traditional methods. This paper reviews the recent research and applications of NIR spectrometry for fruit evaluation, highlighting its strengths and potential limitations. The analysis shows a significant potential for NIR spectrometry, especially when combined with machine learning and artificial intelligence to handle complex data and improve predictive models. The development of portable NIR spectrometers allows for in-situ quality assessment, expanding its applicability to various fields including on-site quality control. Despite the benefits, this review identifies key challenges including spectral complexity, fruit variability, and the influence of the external environment. Recommendations for future research include focusing on improving calibration and validation of models, increasing predictive accuracy, and developing user-friendly instruments. In addition, standardization of measurement procedures and analytical methods is needed to ensure comparability and reproducibility of results. Further research is needed to fully realize the full potential of NIR spectrometry in fruit quality control.

Conventional irrigation practices result in a substantial amount of water loss with okra cultivation. Although micro-irrigation can address this issue by delivering water directly near the rootzone, it requires manual operation. These issues, however, can be resolved with the introduction of a smart micro-irrigation system. This study aims to develop a smart micro-irrigation system for okra, in conjunction with the sub-components of drip irrigation, a microcontroller, and a soil sensor. The experiment was laid out with a randomised complete block design (RCBD) having three treatments: (i) control irrigation (T₁), (ii) drip irrigation (T₂), and (iii) smart micro-irrigation (T₃). The experimental field was irrigated based on soil moisture regimes in the crop rootzone. The plant growth, yield, and water use efficiency were assessed to evaluate the system. The results showed no significant differences among these treatments (at P < 0.05). The best water usage efficiency (15.98 kg·m^–3) was observed in the T₃ treatment, which also provided about 13.10% water savings compared to the conventional irrigation. This study indicates that a smart micro-irrigation system could be a promising technology for water-efficient okra cultivation.

Reliable indicators of early soil biological change remain limited in tropical agroecosystems, where soil organic carbon (SOC) stocks may respond more slowly than microbial processes. We evaluated whether seasonal vegetation dynamics derived from Sentinel-2 fractional vegetation cover (FVC) are associated with spatial variation in SOC stock and microbial indicators in Jembrana, Bali, Indonesia. We mapped seasonal FVC from 2019 to 2024 and derived site-level metrics of mean cover and temporal variability (standard deviation, anomaly, coefficient of variation, and a temporal stability index). In July 2023, we sampled topsoil (0–30 cm) at 12 sites representing contrasting land uses and topographic settings. We calculated SOC stock from organic carbon concentration, bulk density, and sampling depth, and measured basal respiration and culturable microbial density (colony-forming units, CFU). Vegetation cover peaked consistently during the wet season (December to February), and mean site FVC ranged from 0.31 to 0.99. Mean FVC showed positive but non-significant associations with culturable microbial density (Spearman’s ρ = 0.48, P = 0.114) and basal respiration (ρ = 0.29, P = 0.361), whereas higher vegetation variability metrics tended to coincide with lower culturable microbial density (ρ = –0.43 to –0.51, P = 0.090 to 0.163). SOC stock showed near-zero coefficients and no statistical evidence of association with vegetation metrics (ρ = 0.09, P = 0.781) or microbial indicators (ρ = 0.01, P = 0.975). Principal component analysis of FVC traits explained 99.65% of the variance and separated sites along a gradient from stable, high cover to more variable, lower cover. Overall, FVC stability metrics captured spatial differences that were directionally consistent with microbial indicators, but associations were not statistically significant in this dataset (n = 12). Larger, replicated studies with repeated soil sampling are required to evaluate whether seasonal FVC metrics have robust predictive utility for SOC stock and soil biological indicators.

Diarrhoea in newborn piglets represents a significant challenge to pig production. Controlled oral exposure, also known as “feedback”, whereby sows are exposed at least two weeks before farrowing to pathogens that cause health problems in piglets, is a traditional method of diarrhoea prevention. One type of feedback involves fermenting cow’s milk with faeces from piglets suffering from diarrhoea and administering it to sows before farrowing. The bacterial composition of the faecal inoculum and fermented milk was compared in this study, and the safety of administering the fermented milk to pregnant sows was evaluated. Using microbiota characterisation by 16S rRNA gene sequencing, the genera Acetobacter, Lactobacillus and Lactococcus formed the core microbiota of the fermented milk. However, Clostridium perfringens accounted for up to 33% of the total microbiota in some fermented milk samples. Interestingly, the drop in pH during the later stages of fermentation inactivated C. perfringens and the samples were thus enriched for inactivated C. perfringens antigen. Our findings contribute to a better understanding of the mode of action of fermented milk when used as a form of feedback.

Tree-ring analysis is a valuable tool for understanding long-term climate patterns and their influence on tree growth. This study investigates the climate–growth relationships of Khasi pine (Pinus kesiya Royle ex Gordon) in Doi Khuntan National Park, northern Thailand (at elevations of 850 to 1 035 m a.s.l.), to reconstruct past climate and inform forest management. Using 48 cross-dated increment cores, we developed an 83-year chronology (1936–2018). Standard dendrochronological methods and regression models were applied. The radial growth of P. kesiya was primarily influenced by moisture availability, showing significant positive correlations with March rainfall (r = 0.39, P < 0.01) and April–July relative humidity (r = 0.45, P < 0.01). Growth was negatively correlated with April–July mean temperature (r = –0.47, P < 0.01), indicating that warmer wet seasons induce stress. False-rings served as complementary intra-annual drought proxies, linked to cool-dry transitional periods. Multiple regression models explained 40.6% of radial growth variance and 65.6% of false-ring frequency variance. Reconstructed climate series revealed significant warming trends since the 1930s, most pronounced in April extreme minimum temperature, which increased by +0.98 °C over the study period (Mann-Kendall test, P < 0.01). These findings highlight the vulnerability of montane pine forests to increasing temperatures and atmospheric dryness, providing a multi–proxy baseline for climate change adaptation.

This study aims to demonstrate that Andrographolide, an herbal immunostimulant, can influence M1 macrophages to inhibit inflammation, including the growth of endometriosis caused by inflammation. This study evaluates the effects of Andrographolide on suppressing endometriosis through M1 macrophage activity. This post-test-only experimental study involved 42 female Balb/C mice, which were divided into six groups: Group N, KN (endometriosis without therapy), and KP (endometriosis + dienogest), P1 (endometriosis with 0.05 mg/kg), P2 (endometriosis + 0.1 mg/kg Andrographolide), and P3 (endometriosis + 0.2 mg/kg Andrographolide). Peritoneal fluid was aspirated, and the peritoneum was cut and stretched to observe the extent of the endometriosis. This study compared the formation of ectopic endometrial lesions and analysed the M1/M2 ratio in each group that received standard therapy versus Andrographolide therapy. The results from peritoneal fluid flow cytometry indicated that M1 was more dominant than M2 compared with KP. The levels of M2 in the P2 and P3 groups were also significantly lower than in the KN group. This study demonstrated that Andrographolide may enhance the regulation of M1 macrophage differentiation, acting as a precursor to endometriosis growth by suppressing M2 phenotypes that promote the condition.

Methods used to control insect pests have been mainly chemical. Given the irritations associated with the use of pesticides, a search for alternatives is required, particularly through the use of plant extracts. The present study focused on comparing the insecticidal power of the aqueous extracts of the whole plant Dittrichia viscosa (commonly known as false yellowhead), the aqueous extract ratio of D. viscosa, and the bio-adjuvant Silene fuscata (1 : 1), as well as the synthetic pesticides Thiamethoxam/Lambda-cyhalothrin. Abundance, fecundity, demographic parameters, and biochemical parameters (lipid-glucidic biomarkers) of the winter phenotype of the black poplar leaf aphid Chaitophorus leucomelas were considered variables to assess the effectiveness of different approaches. The results show a strong effect of the aqueous extracts of D. viscosa (A.E. Plant) on abundance, with pronounced insecticidal activity from the aqueous extract ratio (A.E. Ratio) (P < 0.05). The lipid and carbohydrate energy of sexuparae undergo significant changes depending on the products used, with a disturbing effect of the synthetic product compared to aqueous extracts (P < 0.05). Fecundity shows a remarkable disturbance under the action of the active ingredient compared to the extracts. The results confirm that the products applied cause a disturbance in the growth rate (r_m) and net reproductive rate (R₀) of sexuparae, with the chemical treatment having the strongest effect (P < 0.05). The full dose of the active ingredient causes remarkable disturbances in the multiplication rate (λ) and the mean generation time (T) of the sexuparae compared to the other applied molecules. Some stability is reported for the doubling time (DT) of treated females compared to the control ones.

Current dietary patterns in developed countries, characterised by high intakes of processed and animal-source foods, are linked to increased obesity and diet-related non-communicable diseases, as well as environmental burdens. This paper investigates determinants of red meat, white meat, and fish consumption across five European countries, using representative survey data from over 10 000 individuals. Our findings reveal that men consume more red meat and fish than women, though, when adjusted for body weight, women consume significantly more white meat and fish. While vegetarians are mostly people younger than 35 years, meat eaters in the same age category tend to eat more red meat than older people. Cross-country differences highlight the need for localised policy approaches. Individual values also shape dietary choices. Security-oriented people prefer red meat, while altruistic individuals consume less of it. Biospheric values, while strongly associated with being vegetarian, show no significant association with meat or fish intake. To reduce red meat consumption, policies should highlight health benefits of eating less meat, with messages tailored to specific demographic groups. Additionally, enhancing meat alternatives' affordability, taste, and appearance is essential for promoting dietary shifts.

This study investigates advancements and trends in Fleckvieh breeding research using the Web of Science Core Collection database to collate articles published since 1994. Through CiteSpace 6.4.R1, we conducted systematic analyses to visualise research trajectories, identify seminal domains, and delineate emerging patterns. Our methodology encompassed publication profiling, scientific collaboration network mapping, co-citation analysis, and keyword co-occurrence/clustering techniques. The findings reveal that the current research frontiers focus on: Genomic applications in genetic selection, Reproductive efficiency optimisation, Environmental adaptability mechanisms, Thermotolerance management strategies, Cross-disciplinary methodological integration. Germany, Czech Republic, Austria, and Switzerland emerged as leading contributors, with institutions including the Technical University of Munich and University of Natural Resources and Life Sciences, Vienna, demonstrating a particular scholarly influence. Knowledge mapping effectively delineated thematic concentrations and temporal evolution patterns, providing actionable insights for future research prioritisation. The field is progressing towards holistic, interdisciplinary frameworks underpinned by robust international consortia. This work introduces novel analytical perspectives to refine breeding protocols and enhance practical implementation.

Enhancing economic and environmental efficiency is a fundamental objective shared by all European economic sectors, with agriculture being a particular area of focus. In this study, economic and environmental efficiency are considered in parallel and compared in terms of their long-term development. From an economic perspective, the classical production factors of labour, capital and land are compared with economic production output. The environmental perspective of the study focuses on greenhouse gases and acidifying gases, with the investigation based on data from Eurostat from 2009 to 2020. Due to constraints regarding the  availability of data , the study encompassed 22 EU countries.  The findings indicate that Greece, Spain, the Netherlands and Poland demonstrate high levels of economic efficiency, while Ireland and Finland exhibit notable enhancements in this regard. Low economic efficiency scores are evident in Latvia and Austria, where substantial catching-up processes are observable. With respect to ecological efficiency, Greece, Spain and Italy have been found to be dominant, as have Finland, Sweden and Slovakia. Ireland, Luxembourg and Poland have lower ecological efficiency scores, but only Ireland shows signs of convergence. The present study seeks to minimise the impact of volatility and dispersion with a view to providing valid long-term trends for the purpose of benchmarking efforts and r policy decisions.

Protective cultures are selected microorganisms that inhibit undesirable microbiota through metabolic activity, thereby improving the safety and shelf life of dairy products. This study evaluated the effect of protective cultures on the physicochemical, microbiological, and sensory properties of fresh cheese during 21 days of storage at 6–8 °C. Three variants were prepared: a control with the starter culture CHN-19 and two experimental samples containing FreshQ^® Cheese 3 and FreshQ^® 9 (Lacticaseibacillus rhamnosus). The application of protective cultures resulted in a slightly faster acidification but did not significantly affect dry matter or fat content. Microbiological analysis revealed higher counts of lactic acid bacteria and generally lower counts of psychrotrophic microorganisms in samples containing protective cultures on several storage days, while Escherichia coli and moulds were not detected. Sensory evaluation indicated that cheeses with protective cultures, particularly FreshQ^® 9, maintained a pleasant flavour and appearance even after 21 days of storage, whereas the control sample became sensorially unacceptable after approximately two weeks. The application of protective cultures therefore enhances the sensory stability and microbial safety of fresh cheeses without adversely affecting their technological characteristics.

Nitrogen management and irrigation methods play crucial roles in determining rice’s grain yield and quality (Oryza sativa L.). However, limited knowledge exists on how interactions between nitrogen forms and irrigation regimes regulate starch-metabolising enzyme activity to influence rice yield and quality. A soil-growth experiment was conducted using a high-lodging-resistance rice cultivar under three irrigation methods, namely, submerged irrigation (0 kPa), alternate wetting and moderate drying (−20 kPa), and alternate wetting and severe drying (−40 kPa), as well as three nitrogen forms, namely, ammonium nitrogen (NH₄⁺-N), mixed ammonium + nitrate (50 : 50), hereafter denoted as 50 : 50, and nitrate nitrogen (NO₃^–-N). Results indicated that compared with the other treatments, alternate wetting and moderate drying interacted with 50 : 50 treatment, resulting in the following: improved grain yield by 11.7–21.0%, milling, appearance, eating and cooking, and nutritional qualities including milled-rice and gel consistency; and decreased chalky rice, chalky size, chalky degree, amylose content, and protein content by 20.0–23.1, 29.6–33.3, 44.1–48.5, 6.2–9.6 and 10.1–13.9%, respectively. The activities of adenosine phosphate glucose pyrophosphorylase (AGPase), starch synthase (SS), starch-branching enzyme (SBE), and adenosine triphosphate (ATP) enzyme in the grains also improved, with an increase of 20.0–35.0, 11.8–20.0, 13.6–26.3 and 21.2–39.6%, respectively. Conversely, severe drying and NO₃^–-N treatment negatively impacted grain yield and quality due primarily to decreased SS activity in grains under each irrigation method. Correlation analysis showed that starch-metabolising enzyme (AGPase, SS and SBE) activity at 14 days after anthesis (DAA) and 28 DAA exhibited a positive correlation with grain yield, milling quality and gel consistency, whereas negatively correlated with appearance and nutritional qualities. In summary, the adoption of alternate wetting and moderate drying and 50 : 50 interaction treatment can synergistically boost grain yield by increasing the filled-grain rate and 1 000-grain weight and enhance grain quality of rice by upregulating the activities of starch-metabolising enzyme activity.

This study provides the first comprehensive assessment of stem rust tolerance in commercial wheat varieties from Kazakhstan and Russia, including spring and winter varieties. Field trials were conducted to compare yield and agronomic traits between stem rust-inoculated and fungicide-treated plots, providing a practical framework for assessing tolerance. Key indicators such as disease severity, area under the disease progress curve, thousand kernel weight, and the stress tolerance index were evaluated to gauge variety resilience under stress. Significant variations in tolerance were observed, with varieties such as 'Pamyat' 47', 'Nadezhda', 'Lyubava 5', 'Tselinnaya 3s', 'Severyanka', 'Egemen-20', 'Zhemchuzhina Povolzh'ya', 'Dimash', 'Serke' and 'Korona' maintaining yield potential despite high disease pressure. Correlations revealed that traits such as flag leaf area, vegetative period, and plant height were associated with greater tolerance, highlighting their potential in breeding. With the expected increase in stem rust outbreaks due to climate change and the evolving virulence of stem rust pathogens, these findings emphasise the need for breeding programs incorporating resistance and tolerance, offering a sustainable alternative to fungicide use. This study provides critical insights for breeders and plant pathologists seeking to enhance wheat resilience in regions prone to rust epidemics.

Leaf rust is an important wheat disease that considerably reduces the wheat production in most wheat growing regions worldwide. This study aimed to identify leaf rust resistance genes in 42 wheat varieties to find genetic sources with the broadest spectrum of resistance against leaf rust pathotypes, to enable effective breeding for disease resistance. In this study, 42 wheat cultivars were inoculated with 18 pathotypes of Puccinia triticina Eriks. at the seedling stage to postulate the Lr genes in the cultivars. Resistance to leaf rust at the adult stage was then tested in field trials under natural infection during the 2019 to 2020 cropping seasons at Baoding, Hebei Province. Gene postulation together with molecular marker detection identified ten Lr genes (Lr1, Lr10, Lr14a, Lr26, Lr2a, Lr17, Lr20, Lr34, Lr37, and Lr46) among the 42 accessions.  Lr1 was present in 16 accessions, Lr14a in three accessions, Lr17 in five accessions, Lr2a in five accessions, Lr34 in one accession, Lr10 in two accessions, Lr37 in two accessions and Lr46 in 29 accessions. Additionally, 15 wheat accessions displayed adult-plant resistance or other unknown genes. These results suggest that a high level of leaf rust resistance can be achieved by combining known resistance genes and adult-plant resistance genes in wheat cultivars.

This study systematically investigated the synergistic improvement of expansive soil using organic fertiliser (OF), slow-release fertiliser (SRF), and rice straw (RS) through Box-Behnken design (BBD) and response surface methodology (RSM). Key findings include: the quadratic models demonstrated high statistical significance (root density: R² = 0.765, F = 25.84; shear strength: R² = 0.885, F = 18.65; swelling rate: R² = 0.20, F = 15.23; all P < 0.001) with low prediction errors (root content: ± 0.08 mg/cm³; shear strength: ± 0.58 kPa; swelling rate: ± 0.38%); The combination of 12.30% OF + 0.7 kg/m³ SRF + 0.4% RS achieved 58% improvement in shear strength, 32% improvement in root content, 42.7% reduction in swelling rate; OF exhibited negative linear effects on root density (β = – 0.18, P = 0.002) with >10% dosage reducing root growth by 9.0%; SRF showed positive linear impacts on shear strength (β = +0.25, P = 0.001) and root density (β = + 0.12, P = 0.023); RS enhanced shear strength below 0.5% (β = + 0.08, P = 0.042) but impaired root density due to pore clogging (β = – 0.15, P = 0.008). The optimised formulation, validated by triplicate centre-point tests (coefficient of variation ≤ 2.1%), is recommended for slope stabilisation while limiting OF to ≤ 10% to prevent performance degradation. This data-driven approach provides actionable insights for balancing agricultural waste utilisation and geotechnical performance in expansive soil improvement.

This study aimed to estimate heritabilities of piglet birth-weight traits and to investigate the relationships between piglet birth-weight and litter-size traits using field data from Czech Large White and Landrace sows. Data including 86 241 piglets from 5 536 litters were analysed using repeatability, genetic, and genomic models. The investigated piglet-weight traits included arithmetic mean birth weight (MBW), within-litter standard deviation (SDBW), coefficient of variation in birth weight (CVBW), and the proportion of small piglets in the litter (SMALL). Heritability rates of piglet-weight traits were low, with the highest estimates for MBW (0.06–0.10) and SMALL (0.08–0.17), depending on the model used, while the other within-litter variability traits showed heritability rates from 0.03 to 0.05. The heritability rates of litter-size traits, including the number of piglets born alive (NBA) and the number of piglets weaned (NW), were low and ranged from 0.05 to 0.07. The realised accuracies of prediction were moderate to high, ranging from 0.50 to 0.72 for piglet-weight traits and from 0.54 to 0.77 for litter-size traits, with ssGBLUP improving realised accuracy by 4–15% in comparison to BLUP. Genetic correlations estimated using BLUP and ssGBLUP indicated that litter size at birth (NBA) tended to be negatively associated with MBW and positively or weakly associated with piglet-weight variability traits (SDBW, CVBW, and SMALL), whereas NW tended to show positive correlations with MBW and negative correlations with variability traits. However, none of the correlations were statistically significant.

This study examines the floristic composition, structural attributes, diversity patterns, and distribution of endemic woody species along an altitudinal gradient in the Al-Jabal Al-Akhdar mountain of northeastern Libya. Stratified sampling was conducted across four elevation zones on the northern and southern slopes. Phytosociological parameters – including density, basal area, importance value index, and diversity indices – were assessed, and Pearson correlations were used to evaluate relationships with altitude and aspect. A total of 61 woody species from 43 genera and 26 families were recorded, highlighting the region's biodiversity. Tree and shrub density and basal area increased with elevation, particularly on northern slopes. Juniperus phoenicea L. emerged as the most dominant tree, while Phlomis floccosa D. Don and Pistacia lentiscus L. dominated the shrub layer. Diversity indices showed negative correlations with altitude, indicating declining species richness and evenness at higher elevations under cooler temperatures and greater environmental stress. Ten endemic woody species were documented, with endemic richness positively associated with altitude, reflecting the role of habitat isolation and environmental filtering. These findings provide essential insights for biodiversity conservation, climate adaptation, and ecosystem management in Al-Jabal Al-Akhdar and comparable mountainous ecosystems.

Chinese Baijiu distillers' spent grains (DSGs), a major byproduct of liquor production containing valuable polyphenols, face disposal challenges because of their high moisture content and rapid spoilage. In this study, an optimised cellulase-assisted extraction process was developed for DSG polyphenols (DGPs), and their stability and antioxidant capacity were comprehensively characterised. The extraction yield of DGP was determined as the primary response variable to evaluate the effectiveness of the process. A central composite design (CCD) was employed to optimise key operational parameters: enzyme concentration, enzyme temperature and liquid–solid ratio. Results demonstrated that the optimal process conditions were a cellulase dosage of 4.0%, an enzyme temperature of 50 ^ºC and a liquid–solid ratio of 40 mL·g⁻¹, obtaining a polyphenol yield of 4.20 ± 0.10 mg·g⁻¹. Stability assessment indicated that DGP retained 68.9 ± 1.8% of the phenolic content after 7 days of frozen storage at −18 ^ºC, exhibiting better preservation than storage under refrigeration (47.9 ± 2.1%) and room temperature (45.5 ± 3.2%) conditions. Antioxidant assays showed concentration-dependent (0.50–8.0 µg·mL⁻¹) scavenging capacities for ABTS (IC₅₀ = 6.0 µg·mL⁻¹) and DPPH (IC₅₀ = 2.8 µg·mL⁻¹). These findings offer valuable insights for the transformation of distillery byproducts into functional food ingredients while simultaneously addressing the challenges of solid waste management in alcoholic beverage production.

The promotion of sustainable food productivity through innovative technologies remains a central priority in economic development, attracting increasing attention from scholars, policymakers, and industry stakeholders. With the continuing rise in global food demand, resource-efficient solutions are essential to ensuring long-term agricultural growth and stability in food production. This study examines the impact of green finance, agricultural innovation, digital technology, trade openness, and climate change on food production in sub-Saharan Africa (SSA). Using the method of moments quantile regression (MMQR) and the generalised method of moments (GMM), it analyses a balanced panel dataset covering 46 SSA countries from 2001 to 2023. The findings highlight the positive influence of green finance, agricultural innovation, and digital technology in enhancing food production, particularly in lower production sectors, suggesting important bidirectional policy implications. Trade openness is found to promote agricultural growth but exhibits diminishing effects at higher levels of productivity, indicating the relevance of a unidirectional policy focus. In contrast, climate change has a negative effect on food production. The study also identifies key mediation pathways, including green finance stimulating research and development, digital technology improving agricultural credit and farmers' education, and trade openness attracting foreign direct investment. These results emphasise the importance of integrated policy frameworks that combine financial support, technological advancement, and trade openness to promote sustainable agricultural growth and strengthen food security across SSA.

Abiotic stressors are the main barriers to successful crop production in this era. The balance of redox and metabolic activities in plants is negatively impacted by abiotic stresses, which ultimately limit the plants’ capacity to grow and develop. The phytohormones are tiny molecules that control how plants grow and develop, as well as how they react to alterations in their environment. Phytohormone, gibberellic acid (GA) has been proven in a number of recent research to increase plants’ ability to withstand abiotic stress. By regulating numerous physio-biochemical and molecular processes, GA plays a crucial part in reducing the perturbations caused by abiotic stresses in plants. Recent findings have shown that GA controls the activity of antioxidant enzymes, stress-responsive genes, photosynthetic machinery, and reduced oxidative damage. Besides, GA has been involved in cross-talk with other phytohormones to regulate abiotic stress in plants. This review summarises the current research on the application of GA and discusses how GA might support crop growth and production in adverse conditions. The interaction of GA with other phytohormones, potential mechanisms for reducing abiotic stress in plants, the disadvantages of employing GA, and its promise for the future are also covered in this review.

In addition to their practical importance as a medicinal plant, animal feed and a source of materials for the textile and construction industry, industrial varieties of Cannabis sativa L. (hemp in a wider sense) provide an alternative for controlling infectious diseases in livestock. Despite the genetic divergence between two primary groups of cannabis, i.e. medicinal cannabis and technical hemp, hemp plants also produce a wide spectrum of secondary metabolites. These include the main classes of cannabinoids and terpenoids, as well as representatives of flavonoids, stilbenoids, steroids, alkaloids, spiroindans, dihydrophenanthrenes, and lignanamides. Many of them exhibit antibiotic activity which can substitute or complement the use of traditional antibiotics in animal husbandry. For example, the cannabinoid fraction exhibits activity against the Gram-positive bacteria and some fungi. While the activity against Gram-negative bacteria is not characteristic of cannabinoids, these pathogens can still be affected by hemp terpenoids and flavonoids. The synergy among the secondary metabolite fractions or between the hemp metabolites and traditional antibiotics is also a favourable factor. The search for alternatives to traditional antibiotics is further driven by the increasing prevalence of genetically determined antibiotic resistance among veterinary pathogens, which poses the additional risk of transferring resistance traits to the human pathogens. The content of antibiotically active compounds in hemp can be enhanced through selection among existing genotypes, targeted breeding, cultivation conditions, and even by specific elicitation of secondary metabolites with the natural antibiotic function in the disease resistance of the plant. The switch to hemp metabolites is also supported by their compatibility as natural components of plant-based animal feed, and by favourable economic considerations.

Using biostimulants to enhance plant growth and increase yield and secondary metabolites in medicinal and aromatic plants is an important strategy to achieve sustainable agriculture. The influence of two strains of nitrogen-fixing rhizobacteria (NFB) of Azotobacter chroococcum (NFB1) and Azospirillum lipoferum (NFB2), three levels of seaweed extract (SWE; 0 (SWE1), 250 (SWE1), and 500 mg/L (SWE2)) and their interactions have been investigated on Trachyspermum ammi L. (ajwain) growth, fruit yield, and essential oil constituents for two winter seasons. Growth traits (plant height, number of branches, and fresh and dry weights) and fruit traits (umbel number, 1 000-fruit weight, and fruit yield) were improved following NFB and/or SWE applications. Leaf pigments, total phenols, carbohydrates, free amino acids, and nutrient content were also enhanced. Ajwain plants that received NFB2 soil inoculation and foliarly sprayed with SWE1 observed the highest growth and yield values. Applying this treatment resulted in 27.6% and 32.7% higher fruit yield per plant for the first and second seasons, respectively, compared to the control. The results of GC-MS revealed that γ-terpinene, p-cymene, and thymol are the major components in ajwain essential oil. All applications used changed the percentages of the main components detected in ajwain essential oil. For instance, increasing SWE level caused a reduction in γ-terpinene with an increase in thymol content. The highest conservation rate from γ-terpinene to thymol was detected in NFB2 × SWE1-treated plants, with the highest thymol content and least γ-terpinene. Azospirillum lipoferum soil inoculation with SWE1 foliar application is recommended to enhance ajwain production, in terms of fruit yield and oil quality.

The impact of exogenously applied glycine betaine (GB; 0, 5, 10, 20 and 50 mmol) was evaluated in preventing Vigna radiata from the adverse effects of salt (100 mmol NaCl) stress. Salinity reduced growth parameters, such as plant height and fresh and dry weight of plants, while GB application significantly alleviated the decline. Salinity stress led to a decline in total chlorophylls and carotenoids, as well as a reduction in the net photosynthetic rate and gas exchange attributes, including stomatal conductance, transpiration rate, and intercellular CO₂. However, GB supplementation significantly alleviated this decline. Salinity stress increased the accumulation of hydrogen peroxide, superoxide and methylglyoxal, while as applied GB reduced their accumulation, causing a significant decline in the lipid peroxidation. Application of GB, at all concentrations, increased the activity of the antioxidant enzymes under normal and salinity stress treatments with 10 and 20 mmol concentrations, imparting the highest increase. Increase in the radical scavenging activity due to GB application was also supported by increased total antioxidant activity assays measured as percent DPPH and ABTS radical scavenging. In addition, GB-supplemented plants exhibited an apparent increase in the activities of glyoxalase I and glyoxalase II enzymes. Accumulation of osmotic compounds like proline, sugars and GB increased significantly due to GB application and showed a further increase in salt-stressed plants. More importantly, the GB-treated plants exhibited a considerable decline in sodium accumulation, causing a decline Na/K in them. Glycine betaine was effective in mitigating the deleterious effects of salinity.

Dioscorea species possess valuable properties that make them suitable for use in food production. This study characterised doughs made with flours from two species of Dioscorea by evaluating their nutritional, rheological and textural properties for use in baking. Dioscorea composita flour had a higher crude fibre content (1.5% ± 0.11), while Dioscorea bulbifera flour exhibited higher antioxidant content [930.5 mg GAE · (100 g)^–1 dry matter] and better protein digestibility (89.06% ± 0.7%). Wheat flour was substituted with Dioscorea flour (0–30%) to make composite doughs. Doughs containing D. composita exhibited superior biaxial extensibility (41.22 ± 11.9 mm at 20% substitution), compared to the control (21.4 ± 2.7 mm), indicating their potential for use in bread production. Meanwhile, doughs containing 20% or more D. bulbifera flour were more suitable for products such as biscuits or pitta bread. However, all composite doughs were harder to handle, likely due to gluten dilution and component interactions, regardless of the Dioscorea species used. Therefore, the Dioscorea species used in this study could be considered promising candidates for inclusion in suitable bakery products.

Mexico ranks among the countries with the highest deforestation rates, increasing the demand for high-quality forest seedlings of valuable species such as Pinus pseudostrobus Lindl., which face germination limitations due to seed dormancy and low viability. Ionising radiation has emerged as an alternative pregermination treatment capable of inducing adaptive responses in plants through hormesis. This study evaluated the effects of different doses of gamma radiation (⁶⁰Co) and high-energy X-rays (linear accelerator, 6 MeV) on the germination, growth, and quality of P. pseudostrobus seedlings. A total of 1 440 seeds were irradiated per radiation source with 12 doses (0–25 Gy) and sown under nursery conditions in a completely randomised design. Germination parameters, morphological traits, photosynthetic pigment content, and quality indices were analysed. With both radiation sources, low doses (0.5–1.5 Gy) significantly enhanced germination, chlorophyll content, and seedling height and diameter, while doses above 15 Gy inhibited these responses. The LD₅₀ (median lethal dose) was estimated at 20 Gy for gamma rays and 12 Gy for X-rays, whereas GR₅₀ (median growth reduction dose) exceeded 45 Gy in both treatments. These findings demonstrate that low radiation doses elicit a beneficial hormetic effect in P. pseudostrobus, representing a viable biotechnological approach to improve seedling production and ecological reforestation efficiency.

In this study, two experiments were performed with the aim to optimize intensive aquaculture of largemouth bass (Micropterus salmoides). In the first 140-day experiment the effect of the initial fish density was assessed at three levels: low density (LD) 23 kg/m³, medium density (MD) 35 kg/m³ and high density (HD) 46 kg/m³. All three densities provided the same final Fulton's condition coefficient (FC = 1.24-1.28), specific growth rate (SGR = 0.22-0.24%/day) and survival rate (97-100%). No cannibalism was observed at all tested densities. Feed conversion ratio (FCR = 1.39 ± 0.21 g/g) was the lowest for LD and the highest (1.61 ± 0.08 g/g) for MD. The highest fish biomass (25.7 ± 2.7 kg/m³) was obtained at HD and this density was considered as the most effective density of all tested ones during the intensive culture of largemouth bass. The second 60-day experiment tested the effect of largemouth bass and pikeperch (Sander lucioperca) monoculture and biculture of both species on production efficiency. Higher size heterogeneity was obtained in both (mono- and bicultural) groups of pikeperch (308.91-314.56‰/day) compared to the groups of largemouth bass (279.26-284.05 ‰/day). The higher FC (1.09) was found in both types of culture in largemouth bass compared to both methods of culture in pikeperch (0.74-0.78). The lowest SGR was evident in both types of largemouth bass cultures (1.20-1.28%/day). In contrast, the highest SGR was achieved in the bicultural pikeperch (1.88%/day). Similar results like for SGR were also assessed for FCR, where the highest value of FCR was in both cultures of largemouth bass (1.44-1.48 g/g) compared to the lowest FCR in the bicultural of pikeperch (0.73 g/g). Largemouth bass in both tested types of culture had higher survival rates (99.95-99.99%) compared to pikeperch (98.61-98.63%).