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Corporate social responsibility (CSR) is also implemented in agriculture, where larger agricultural holdings have a higher influence. We focused on them and situated our study to a country with a large average farm acreage – the Czech Republic. The aim of the paper is to assess to what extent large agricultural holdings perceive socially responsible behaviour as being important and how it is manifested in their relationship to the stakeholders and the behaviour in economic, social and environmental areas using Carroll’s pyramid and concept of 3 ‘P’. It is also examined if the higher perception of CSR influences the assets. Firms were grouped according to the perceived CSR by a cluster analysis. The highest economic responsibility in cluster 1 corresponded to the relatively high value of the assets, but the highest was in cluster 2 and 3 with important legal and ethical responsibilities. Cluster 4 had the lowest CSR, the same as the value of the assets, but further investigation is needed. The most important stakeholders were the owners and employees, but also the range of activities was provided for the locals. CSR and the importance of the stakeholders in large Czech agricultural holdings were highly perceived, especially on an economic level and in the social area.

Perennial ryegrass (Lolium perenne L.) has potential in the phytoremediation of cadmium (Cd)-contaminated soil due to its strong Cd accumulation capacity and high biomass. In this study, we investigated the growth physiology, Cd accumulation, and metabolites of L. perenne roots under different soil acid stress levels (pH 4.0, 4.5, 5.0 and 6.0) and Cd concentrations (100 and 0 mg/kg) after 90 days of growth. The results showed that soil acid stress significantly impacts the remediation capability and physiological metabolic properties of L. perenne. Based on root Cd content and enrichment coefficient, soil pH between 4.5 and 5.0 was more conducive to Cd accumulation. The growth physiology and Cd accumulation of L. perenne were inhibited under high soil acid stress (pH 4.0). High soil acid stress caused a decrease in root length, root volume, and root biomass of L. perenne. Root malondialdehyde (MDA) content and the activity of antioxidant enzymes (catalase (CAT) and peroxidase (POD)) increased significantly in response to high soil acid stress to enhance tolerance. Metabolomics analysis revealed that acid stress resulted in significant changes in certain metabolites. Tartaric acid, fructose and amino acids (glutamate and lysine) in the roots of L. perenne were compatible solutes under acid stress. This study indicated that L. perenne has strong physiological and metabolic tolerance, as well as Cd accumulation ability, in response to soil acid stress.

Choerospondias axillaries (CA) is an important fast-growing afforestation tree species in southern China, and its fruit has medicinal and edible value. High performance liquid chromatography was used to determine the composition and content of sugar and acid in CA fruits from different provenances, and cluster analysis was conducted on different provenances. The results showed that the total sugar content of CA fruit ranged from 49.31 to 139.41 mg/g, with sucrose accounting for the highest proportion of total sugar, followed by glucose, and fructose was the lowest. The total acid content of CA fruit ranged from 47.97 to 82.81 mg/g, with citric acid accounting for 67.09% of the total acid, followed by ascorbic acid, quinic acid, tartaric acid, and malic acid. Cluster analysis was conducted on 20 CA fruits, which were divided into 4 categories. It was recommended to develop N19 fruit had the highest content of sucrose and glucose, and the highest sweetness value, sugar-acid ratio and sweet-acid ratio. It can be suggested to be developed as a high-sugar fresh food source. N02 fruit with high sugar and high acid content can be used as a raw material for fruit cake processing. This result provides an important reference for the quality evaluation and rational development and utilization of CA.

This study investigated how remote sensing techniques can pinpoint pollution in surface water areas. Researchers focused on the municipalities of Boumerdes, Corso, and Tidjalabine in Algeria’s Boumerdes province. The team used geographic information systems (GIS) to analyse pollution levels and their spatial distribution. Specifically, they employed the Normalised Difference Vegetation Index (NDVI) to identify areas teeming with biodiversity and healthy vegetation. Furthermore, the compactness index provided insights into the overall evolution of the drainage network. This data proved invaluable in identifying areas likely impacted by pollution. Our study is part of a scientific approach to detecting, monitoring, and intervening in water pollution. The core objective was to develop an alternate approach to protecting productive farmland and populated areas by mitigating pollution in these susceptible zones. The NDVI and compactness index, along with their associated database, hold significant promise for environmental preservation efforts. This spatial procedure effectively maps the spatial temporal distribution of pollutants, providing targeted management strategies. The method’s user-friendly nature makes it easily applicable in other African countries.

This study aims to identify the gully erosion typology and development using a geomorphological approach. Gully geomorphology features were executed using combined photogrammetric approaches: aerial photography (unmanned aerial vehicle, UAV) and terrestrial photo data (structure from motion, SfM). The UAV data are used to identify the gully orientation, while SfM derives the geomorphological features in the gully dimensions. Five canopy-free gully erosion points were selected for the UAV-SfM data acquisition. Typically, SfM data offer higher resolution (0.11–0.57 cm) than UAV data (0.61–2.08 cm). Modelling using SfM can provide an in-depth illustration of gully dimensions such as rill erosion, scars, and cracks. The findings demonstrate that the gully depth and width are larger on the middle slope. This phenomenon is influenced by the strength of the flow and the silt transported by the water, which reaches a peak on the middle slope. The lower slopes have a solid form since the power of the flow weakens as it transports the accumulated silt from the upper and middle slopes. The study’s findings can be relied on to guide communities in strengthening the gully body in the middle slope. Furthermore, the findings can be tested and adopted globally with comparable typologies.

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

In Europe, the weather patterns require harvested grain crops to be dried before storage to prevent significant quality loss. The uneven movement of grains inside the drying equipment is a key issue affecting the drying process, causing under- or over drying the harvested crops and thus leading to quality degradation and ultimately to financial losses. To characterise the unevenness of material flow, we introduced a dimensionless displacement ratio. This dimensionless parameter was suitable for comparing the uniformity of the material movement processes within the dryer. Using experimental investigations and numerical simulations, we determined the effect of the lamella inclination angle, the friction between the grain-wall and grain-grain on the uniformity of the flow. The linear functions approximating the quantitative relationships were determined in all the cases. Our findings indicate a significant variation in the displacement ratio ξ corresponding to different lamella inclination angles and friction values demonstrating that the discrete element modelling approach provides further opportunities for determining the optimal operating parameters of mixed flow dryers.

This research work evaluated some engineering properties of breadfruit starch flour following standard procedures with the aim of providing engineering data that would help its usage in food processed industries. Starch was extracted from matured breadfruit fruits, modified using acid and engineering properties were examined following standard procedures. Results of moisture contents, loose and packed bulk densities, density ratio and porosity were ranged from 8.23–9.13% dry basis (DB); 0.44–0.51 g·mL–1; 0.60–0.66 g·mL–1; 70.01–80.14% and 19.87–29.99%, respectively. Similarly, Carr index values ranged from 19.44–30.61% and Hausner ratio values ranged from 1.25–1.43, indicating that the flour samples investigated had poor (native), fair (modified) and good (potato) flow properties, using Carr index standard. Amylose, amylopectin and amylose-amylopectin ratio contents values ranged from 21.52–29.77%; 70.23–78.48% and 0.28–0.42%, respectively. Also, the flour samples thermal properties values using Differential Scanning Calorimeter (DSC) ranged from 106.4–129.09 °C; 31.93–78.36 °C; 106.2–175.75 °C; 214.90–278.6 J·g–1; 35.5–148.82 °C; 2.26–10.95 J·g–1·K–1; 0.305–3.0 (×10–6) W·m–1· °C–1, and 0.095–1.32 (×10–6) m2·s–1 for peak temperature, onset temperature, end temperature, enthalpy, temperature range, specific heat capacity, thermal conductivity and thermal diffusivity, respectively. Viscosity values as influenced by concentration and temperature ranged from 25.8–149 mPas for native starch and 41.9–109.6 mPas for modified starches. Hence, this research work provides engineering data that would help in process control, process design and bulk handling of breadfruit starch flour so as to promote its usage in food process industries.

At present, genetic selection programs produce chicken genotypes with different growth intensities, which might have variable requirements for dietary protein. The objective of this study was to compare the response of three different genotypes to two levels of crude protein in feed mixtures. Cockerels of fast-growing Ross 308, medium-growing Hubbard JA 757 and slow-growing ISA Dual chickens were used in the study. Each genotype was fed diets that differed in protein level: the control group (C) received commercial feed, and the experimental group was fed a diet with a 6% lower protein content (LP). The daily weight gain (DWG) and feed conversion ratio (FCR) were significantly affected by the interaction of genotype and feed protein level. A greater percentage of DWG depression was observed in fast-growing cockerels than in medium-growing cockerels (10% and 6%, respectively), whereas the percentage of slow-growing cockerels negligibly increased (2%). A low-protein diet impaired the FCR only in fast-growing birds (–5%), whereas in the medium- (–2%) and slow-growing groups (+2%), the differences were not significant. Carcass composition significantly influenced only genotype and thigh meat pH. In terms of meat colour, significant interactions revealed that in fast-growing Ross 308 chickens, redness and yellowness did not differ according to diet group; however, in both genotypes with slower growth, significantly greater redness and yellowness were detected in the low-protein diet group than in the control group. The results indicate that genotypes with slower growth have lower protein requirements for growth performance, but lower diet protein has an effect on physical meat quality parameters in these genotypes.

This study evaluates the efficiency of various facial recognition camera systems used to control access in agri-food production environments, focusing on their ability to identify individuals based on biometric facial traits. It is also important to prevent the movement of unwanted persons into the production premises in the agri-food complex. The main goal was to assess how these factors influence the recognition performance and to determine the most reliable system for preventing unauthorised entry. The results show notable performance disparities between the devices tested. It can be concluded in this research that there are statistically significant differences between the maternal, professional and semi-professional systems. The device that is most suited is the HIKVISION iDS-2CD8426G0/F-I, achieving the best average performance score. This is based on usual recognition times. These tests indicate that the HIKVISION DS-2DE7232IW-AE(S5), which obtained an average rating of 2.216789, is the second-best acceptable device. With a score of 2.842113, HIKVISION DS-2CD2H45FWD-IZS (2.8–12 mm) (B) received, without a doubt, the lowest ranking. Given the outcomes, systems with superior recognition capabilities like the iDS-2CD8426G0/F-I are best to use for critical access control applications and to also minimise the use of facial coverings in sensitive areas to ensure reliable identification and higher levels of security of agri-food complexes.

Efforts are being made to replace the fat in meat products such as sausages with vegetable compounds to generate healthier foods. In this work, the effects of including flour, starch, and proteins isolated from pea seeds as partial fat substitutes in pork sausages was evaluated by studying the proximate composition, energy content, total cholesterol, lipid oxidation, and physicochemical, textural, and structural properties during refrigerated storage. The results showed significant differences in the composition of the sausages. Low-fat flour (LFF), starch (LFS), and pea protein (LFP) sausages had approximately 18% lower energy content than high-fat (HF) sausages. Cholesterol content was not significantly different in the treatments. Cooking yield, pH, and water activity were not affected by the inclusion of the replacements. LFF sausages had the highest purge losses and LFP sausages the lowest. The addition of pea starch improved the luminosity of the sausages, but the addition of pea protein resulted in darker sausages. After 12 days of storage, no differences were found between the hardness of LFP and HF sausages. The replacements did not affect lipid oxidation. The results suggest that replacing fat with pea seed components may be an alternative to producing low-fat sausages with health benefits.

Bark beetle Pityokteines spinidens (Coleoptera: Curculionidae: Scolytinae) is widespread across Europe. We identified this species as a pest of Tsuga canadensis in western Bohemia's Americká zahrada National Nature Monument Arboretum. This discovery suggests that P. spinidens could infest any conifer within the Abietoideae subfamily. Given its status as a known pest of various Abies species, its potential impact on related conifers warrants further attention.

Analyses of mercury concentrations in the muscle, liver and kidneys of cattle were conducted in the Czech Republic during the period from 2014 to 2023. The average mercury content in muscles, livers, and kidneys of calves was 0.000 5 ± 0.000 0 mg.kg^–1, 0.002 7 ± 0.000 5 mg.kg^–1, and 0.004 1 ± 0.000 8 mg.kg^–1, respectively. In fattening cattle, the average mercury content in muscles, livers and kidneys was 0.000 5 ± 0.000 0 mg.kg^–1, 0.002 1 ± 0.000 2 mg.kg^–1 and 0.004 9 ± 0.000 3 mg.kg^–1, respectively. In cows, the average mercury content in muscles, livers and kidneys was 0.000 5 ± 0.000 0 mg.kg^–1, 0.002 3 ± 0.000 1 mg.kg^–1 and 0.006 9 ± 0.000 3 mg.kg^–1, respectively. The maximum residual limit for human consumption was exceeded in 10 kidney samples (3 calves, 6 cows, 1 fattening cattle) and 1 liver sample (calf). In all age categories, the highest mercury concentrations were found in the kidneys, lower in the livers, and the lowest in the muscles. When comparing the age groups, significantly higher mercury concentrations were observed in the kidneys of cows than in calves and fattening cattle. It can be concluded that there is still a need for further monitoring of mercury concentrations in cattle tissues in the Czech Republic.

The common vole (Microtus arvalis) is the main pest in agricultural areas of Central Europe. It is particularly important to monitor its numbers during spring, and if high numbers are detected, some form of pest management should be considered. In the Czech Republic, the number of active burrows is monitored using the burrow index, BI, which allows estimation of the total number of rodents, saves time and is easy to use. We aimed to assess the relationship between the burrow index and the relative abundance of the rodent species examined by snap trapping in crop fields. Bayesian MCMC algorithms with a zero-inflation model were used for this analysis. The positive relationship between BI and vole abundance occurred in the total sample of all fields and in alfalfa, winter wheat and barley crop fields. A positive relationship between BI and the abundance of the wood mouse (Apodemus sylvaticus), the second most common pest in the area, was only confirmed in barley, and this relationship was negative in winter rape. The positive influence of the degree of weed cover on BI was confirmed in the total sample and in winter rape and alfalfa, but weed cover has a negative effect on BI in barley and winter wheat. In contrast, weed cover did not affect the relative abundance of both rodent species in any of the sampled crops. The presence of shrubs and forests around the fields reduced BI in the whole sample, especially in alfalfa. The relative abundance of the voles was not affected by the presence of shrubs and forests around the crop. Still, a positive influence was confirmed for the abundances of mice in the whole sample and alfalfa. BI can be a reliable indicator of vole abundance in crops with high densities, but it is not very accurate at low densities and in crop fields rarely used by voles, such as sunflower and maize. 

The natural regeneration of the sessile oak [Quercus petraea (Matt.) Liebl.] is an important aspect of sustainable forest management, especially given the ongoing global climate change and the need to maintain forest stand stability and productivity. This study aimed to evaluate the effect of various regeneration methods on the growth of naturally regenerated sessile oak in the Masaryk Forest Training Enterprise Křtiny, Czech Republic. The research was conducted in seven forest stands where regeneration felling was applied after masting in 2022 (winter 2022/2023) using clear-cut (CC) and shelterwood (S) systems. A total of 531 seedlings were collected from these seven research plots, and the following morphological traits were measured: shoot length, root collar diameter, and biomass allocation. Statistical analysis revealed significant differences (P < 0.05) in shoot length, main root length and total seedling length between the CC and S variants. However, there were no significant differences in root collar diameter or any of the dry-mass parameters between the clear-cut with standards (CC1) variant and the shelterwood plots. Individuals from the CC variants have a 10.3–47.0% wider root collar diameter, 22.3–91.4% more dry mass of the root system, and 51.7–90.4% more dry mass of the aboveground part than individuals in the S variants. These results indicate that the early growth of sessile oak seedlings is greatly influenced by light availability: full sunlight stimulates the development of above- and below-ground parts, whereas canopy cover restricts early growth, particularly in terms of height. The findings highlight the need to consider light and site conditions when planning silvicultural treatments aimed at establishing stable and vigorous oak stands in the face of changing climate conditions.

Farmland transfer is a practical need for China to achieve agricultural mechanisation and modernisation, and also an important way for farmers to optimise their family resource allocation. The existing studies ignore the impact of farmland transfer on the environment, especially carbon emissions. The practical significance of this paper lies in exploring the likely mechanisms driving the effect of the farmland transfer on agricultural carbon emissions from a microeconomic perspective using data from rural households, based on the heterogeneity of land management scale. Results show: (i) Land transfer impacts carbon emissions differently. Land transfer of small-scale farmers increases carbon emissions, while large-scale farmers reduce them. The threshold value of land management scale is 1 ha. (ii) The impact mechanisms are water-saving technology adoption and input of fertilizers and pesticides. Small-scale farmers increase fertiliser and pesticide input after land transfer, increasing carbon emissions. Large-scale farmers mostly reduce irrigation electricity consumption, as well as fertilizer and pesticide input, thus reducing agricultural carbon emissions. In conclusion, it is recommended to guide farmers to expand farmland transfer scale through subsidy policies; guide small-scale farmers' green agricultural production behaviours; and increase the adoption rate of water-saving technologies.

Encapsulation technology offers an effective strategy to enhance the bioavailability and stability of vitamin C by addressing its sensitivity to environmental factors. This study investigates the impact of formulation parameters, particularly lecithin concentration and high-pressure processing conditions, on the physicochemical properties, gastrointestinal stability, cytotoxicity, and shelf life of liposomal vitamin C formulations. Among the tested samples, Sample 1, prepared with 20% soybean lecithin and 20% ascorbic acid and processed at 400 bar with a single cycle, demonstrated superior performance. It exhibited a high zeta potential (−23.17 mV), uniform size distribution (317.5 ± 8.863 nm) and encapsulation efficiency of 77.6%, along with 85% vitamin C retention under simulated gastrointestinal conditions. Cellular uptake in Caco-2 cells reached 30%, and structural integrity was preserved for 240 days at 40 °C, indicating strong thermal stability. The results underscore that lecithin concentration had the most significant influence on encapsulation efficiency and liposome stability, compared to pressure intensity or the number of processing cycles. Furthermore, modulating the zeta potential through lipid composition and the energy applied to phospholipid solutions was found to be critical for improving bioavailability and ensuring long-term dispersion stability. In conclusion, the optimised liposomal formulation offers a promising vehicle for advanced vitamin C delivery with enhanced protection, bioaccessibility, and storage potential.

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.

Seasonal heat stress and metabolic disorders during mid-lactation are the main factors limiting production in Holstein cows, and several proteins and molecules involved in metabolic pathways are altered in response to stress. We investigated the effects of heat stress on the milk yield, milk composition, serum oxidative status, and metabolites in Holstein cows during mid-lactation to identify biomarkers associated with heat stress in serum and milk. Holstein cows with similar body condition scores (3.0 ± 0.25), parity (2.5 ± 0.5), and lactation days (115 ± 5 days) were selected in August (heat stress, HS, n = 20) 2017 and March 2018 (non-heat stress, NHS, n = 20). Milk yield was recorded daily and serum was collected on days 1, 31, and 61. Serum and milk metabolites were analysed by gas chromatography-mass spectrometry on day 1. The results showed a significantly lower average daily milk yield in the HS group than in the NHS group (P < 0.05). The milk compositions of fat (%), lactoprotein, lactose yield, and milk solid-not-fat in the HS group were significantly lower than in the NHS group on days 1, 31, and 61 (P < 0.05). The levels of  malondialdehyde were higher, whereas those of superoxide dismutase and glutathione peroxidase were lower in the serum of the HS group (P < 0.05) than that of the NHS group. The serum concentrations of d-glucose, 9,12-octadecadienoic acid, and d-lactose were significantly higher in  the NHS group than in the HS group (P < 0.05). The concentrations of lactic acid and milk urea nitrogen in the NHS group were lower than those in the HS group (P < 0.05). The present data suggest that metabolic biomarkers are closely associated with heat stress in the serum and milk, which provides a basis for evaluating indicators of heat stress occurrence in mid-lactation cows.

The primary objective of this paper was to compare the nutrient content (N, Ca, S, K, P, Mg) of bilberry biomass, both aboveground and underground, growing in different habitats along the altitudinal gradient. The research was conducted in protected areas of the High Tatras National Park (Slovakia). Two different habitats subjected to study, namely spruce forest stands affected by disturbances (D – disturbed forest stands) and stands unaffected by disturbances (U – undisturbed forest stands), were located at different altitudes: 1 100 m a.s.l., 1 250 m a.s.l., and 1 400 m a.s.l. We found significant differences in the soil nutrient content along the altitudinal gradient. The highest content of nutrients was detected mostly at the highest altitudes in both habitats. The minimum reached 0.01 g·kg^–1 (phosphorus), while the maximum was 8.33 g·kg^–1 (nitrogen). In the case of the bilberry biomass, we found statistically non-significant differences in the content of nutrients among the altitudes within both habitats (D vs. U). The principal component analysis (PCA) showed that the aboveground biomass of bilberry had a significantly higher nutrient content compared to the underground biomass. Nutrient content in aboveground and underground biomass ranged from 1.00 g·kg^–1 (phosphorus) to 13.49 g·kg^–1 (nitrogen) and from 0.38 g·kg^–1 (magnesium) to 7.55 g·kg^–1 (nitrogen), respectively. The biological absorption coefficient (element content in dry biomass/element content in soil) reached the highest values mostly at the lowest altitude for both aboveground and underground biomass.

Foliar application of selenium (Se) is an effective measure to increase Se concentrations in peanut pods. However, how the foliar application of amino acid-chelated selenite affects the photosynthetic characteristics of peanut leaves at the podding stage is still unclear. Here, the effects of Se on the activities of antioxidant enzymes, the concentrations of chlorophyll, soluble protein, soluble sugar, and reduced glutathione (GSH), photosynthetic parameters, and Se concentration of peanut leaves were investigated by spraying selenite, L-lysine-chelated selenite, and amino acid-chelated selenite solutions, respectively. The results indicated that foliar application of Se could significantly increase leaf Se concentration. The net photosynthetic rate (P_n), stomatal conductance (g_s), and transpiration rate (T_r) of leaves were significantly higher than those in the control. However, peanut leaves’ intercellular CO₂ concentration (c_i) decreased significantly. Further study found that the concentrations of chlorophyll, soluble protein, soluble sugar, and GSH in peanut leaves increased significantly, and the activities of superoxide dismutase (SOD), catalase (CAT), and peroxidase (POD) in peanut leaves were significantly higher than those in control. However, there were no significant differences between the foliar application of selenite, L-lysine-chelated selenite, and amino acid-chelated selenite. Thus, foliar application of selenite, L-lysine-chelated selenite, and amino acid-chelated selenite could effectively enhance the photosynthetic functions of peanut leaves, which was closely associated with the improvement of antioxidant enzyme activities and the concentrations of soluble sugar, soluble protein, and GSH, resulting in inhibiting chlorophyll degradation and improving the photosynthetic functions of peanut leaves.

Phytophthora blight of pepper, caused by Phytophthora capsici Leonian, is a destructive disease in pepper production. Extracts of the plant species Stellera chamaejasme Linn, previously known in China as a source of herbal medicine, were also used in former years as a toxin against aphids, mites, and plant-pathogenic fungi. Extracts of S. chamaejasme (SC) and seven commercial fungicides were investigated for their inhibition of mycelial growth and germination of cysts of the pathogen in vitro. The SC alone, infinito (fluopicolide + propamocab + hydrochloride), fluazinam, dimethomorph, and their mixtures with SC strongly inhibited both mycelial growth and germination of cysts of P. capsici. Tests were conducted in a commercial field in Fenggang County, Zunyi City, Guizhou Province, China, in 2019, 2020, 2021, and 2022 to validate these results for growers. A soil application (7 days before transplanting) and three foliar sprays at 7, 10, or 15 days were tested. One soil application of SC followed by three successive foliar sprays of infinito, fluazinam, and dimethomorph at 7- or 10-day intervals, as well as tank-mixed applications of these synthetic fungicides with SC at 15-day intervals, limited Phytophthora blight incidence to < 10% on the non-treated control treatment. Disease incidence was limited to < 3% to < 5% when alternating SC, SC + infinito, SC + fluazinam, and SC + dimethomorph three times at 7-, 10- or 15-day intervals, plus one soil application of SC. When treatments were applied from early April to May, disease incidence was < 10% in the non-treated control during June and July. The optimal concentration of SC was determined to be 0.25 g/L, which effectively controlled Phytophthora blight and protected marketable yield. SC also significantly (P < 0.05) outperformed treatments in a nearby commercial pepper field that relied on applications of a single synthetic chemical fungicide. The findings of this study provide a foundation for guiding growers to implement an efficient and environmentally safe spray program against Phytophthora blight of pepper in Guizhou Province.

Rice productivity needs to be increased to feed Bangladesh’s growing population. Productivity can be increased by adopting improved varieties and management practices, which require additional capital inputs. In this article, we aim to estimate the effect of formal and semiformal credit on rice productivity in Bangladesh. We surveyed 500 rice farmers to achieve these objectives. We used descriptive statistics, propensity score matching and Heckman’s endogenous treatment effect model to analyse the data. The findings indicate that literacy, television ownership and training positively influenced access to formal credit. In general, credit recipients achieved higher productivity than did non-recipients. In the situation of credit source-specific effect, we found mixed results. Given the estimated difference of 438 kg/ha to 495 kg/ha, the results indicated that formal credit recipients had significantly higher productivity than did formal credit non-recipients. In contrast, endogenous treatment effect model results suggested that both formal and semiformal sources of credit had a significant effect on rice productivity. Increased agricultural loan disbursement through formal and semiformal credit institutions is strongly advocated. Farmers’ decision-making abilities regarding the most effective source of credit can be improved through training in financial literacy. The central bank of Bangladesh, along with the credit regulatory authorities of non-governmental organisations, can implement appropriate agricultural credit programmes for farmers.

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

In modern agriculture, nano-priming represents an innovative approach, harnessing the power of nanotechnology to enhance crop yields and nutrition. However, to effectively harness the potential of nanoparticles (NPs) for agriculture applications, understanding their mode of action and optimal application rates for positive effects on microgreen growth and physiology is critical. In this interdisciplinary study, we investigated the priming of sunflower seeds with a range of concentrations (25, 50, and 100 mg/L) of ferric oxide (Fe₂O₃) nanoparticles (FeNPs) and compared them with control samples. Our findings revealed a significant increase in plant biomass, leaf size, and photosynthetic activity in treated samples. The activities of photosystems I and II increased with higher FeNPs concentration. The treated samples exhibited elevated levels of total phenolics, anthocyanin, and antioxidant enzyme activity, along with increased macronutrients and micronutrients. These findings highlight the potential of FeNPs as a promising tool for enhancing plant growth and physiology in sunflower microgreens.

Increased levels of the non-essential hazardous metalloid arsenic (As) in rice grains pose a threat to human health and the sustainability of the rice industry. In several counties, the average As contamination in polished rice has been detected to range from 0.002 to 0.39 mg/kg, which is above the safe limit of 1 mg/kg as recommended by the World Health Organisation. Beyond this limit, the digestive tract, circulatory system, skin, liver, kidney, nervous system and heart can be affected. Humans can develop cancer from consuming or inhaling As. In addition, long-term exposure to drinking water contaminated with arsenic has also been linked to a dose-response relationship with an increased risk of hypertension and diabetes mellitus. Rice has been shown to be an indirect source of arsenic accumulation in human bodies. Under flooded paddy soil, trivalent arsenate (AsIII) occupies 87–94% of the total As, while under non-flooded soil, pentavalent arsenate (AsV) predominates (73–96% of the total As). This review aims to provide a thorough and interdisciplinary understanding of the behaviour of As in the paddy soil and transportation to rice grain and further investigate efficient ways to limit arsenic contamination. Supplementation of soil with specific mineral nutrients such as iron (Fe), sulphur (S) and silicon (Si) can significantly decrease the arsenic accumulation in rice grain by minimising its uptake and translocation. The hydrogen bonding potentials of uronic acids, proteins and amino sugars on the extracellular surface of soil microorganisms facilitate the detoxification of arsenic species. Further, rice is absorbed less when exposed to aerobic water management practices than anaerobic ones since it reduces the build-up of As in rice, and the solution is immobilised as in the soil.

Mediterranean Quercus forests have great ecological importance but face numerous threats, including pests. The spongy moth, Lymantria dispar L., is a major oak defoliator across its geographical range and has a natural enemy complex that may control its population dynamics. This study aimed to investigate candidate predators (Coleoptera: Carabidae) and parasitoids (Hymenoptera: Encyrtidae, Ichneumonidae, Pteromalidae, Braconidae, Bethylidae, Ceraphronidae, Eulophidae, Eupelmidae and Trichogrammatidae; and Diptera: Tachinidae), for the control of L. dispar in two areas in Andalusia (Spain). We studied 10 Quercus stands (Q. suber, Q. ilex, and Q. pyrenaica), with different L. dispar infestation level. Insects were collected using pitfall and cross-vane traps, during the defoliator's larval period. Four genera comprised 92.2% of all the Carabidae predators found: Steropus Dejean (34.1%), Carabus L. (28.4%), Calathus Bonelli (15.9%), and Platyderus Stephens (13.8%); and four Hymenoptera families comprised 93.7% of the parasitoid specimens collected: Encyrtidae (61%), Ichneumonidae (17.5%), Pteromalidae (10.7%), and Braconidae (4.5%). Both the natural enemy assemblage composition and the abundance per tree varied between geographical areas, as well as between levels of defoliator infestation. The candidate enemy complex was markedly diverse and abundant in stands not infested by L. dispar, where no insecticides had been applied. Our results suggest the importance of generalist predators as natural enemies of L. dispar.

Soil water energy determines soil water balance, plant water uptake, and soil thermal properties, but the effects of cover crops (CCs) on in situ measured soil water energy and temperature are not well understood. This study investigated how CCs affect in situ measured soil water potential (SWP), temperature, and saturated hydraulic conductivity (K_fs) during 2 years, with the hypothesis that CC-induced water transpiration can lower SWP. The CCs used included crimson clover (Trifolium incarnatum L.), winter wheat (Triticum aestavum L.), hairy vetch (Vicia villosa), oats (Avena sativa), triticale (Titicale haxaploide Lart.), barley (Hordeum vulgare L.), flax (Linum usitatissimum L.), and winter peas (Lathyrus hirsutus L.). Soil water potential and temperature sensors were installed at 0–10, 10–20, and 20–30 cm depths. Additionally, K_fs was measured in situ using a Guelph permeameter. Results showed that actively growing CCs can lower SWP, leading to increased water transpiration from the field compared with no cover crop (NC) management. Also, by lowering soil temperature, CCs can increase evapotranspirational efficiency compared to NC management. Further, by increasing evapotranspirational efficiency, CC, management resulted in increased subsurface water infiltration and storage as shown by higher K_fs values compared to NC management. In general, CCs have the potential to reduce SWP and temperature during their growth stages and this can be beneficial to seed germination and microbial activities.

In recent years, epidemics of wheat yellow rust caused by Puccinia striiformis f. sp. tritici (Pst) have been observed in major winter wheat-producing regions in Kazakhstan. However, there is currently very little information about the racial composition and virulence of Pst. The global emergence of aggressive and genetically diverse Pst races leads to different seasonal and geographic patterns of the pathogen, making cultivated wheat varieties vulnerable to the pathogen and potentially causing yellow rust epidemics. Three periods with different characteristic dominant Pst races were distinguished in Kazakhstan during 1985–2022. The first period covers 1985–2000, when in the southeast of the country, the main Pst races were 7E156 (31/1.5), 7E158 (A-8/5), 39E158 (X/1.5) and 86E16. In the second period (2001–2010), the crops were dominated by races 7E159, 31E159 and 47E224, which showed virulence to varieties with resistance genes Yr9 and Yr18. In the third period (2018–2022), the most dominant races in the fungal population were 7E159, 39E158, 79E73, 79E179, and 111E158, exhibiting virulence to varieties with the Yr26 and Yr27 genes. In the background of field infection, the resistance genes Yr5, Yr10, and Yr15 remain reliable in ensuring resistance; the Yr4, YrSp, and YrND sources are also highly effective against the Pst population.

The present study employed response surface methodology (RSM) to optimise the prevention of late blowing defects in cheese during storage. The aim was to enhance the inhibition of Clostridium sporogenes in cheese by manipulating three independent variables: Lactiplantibacillus plantarum (utilising two different strains, labelled as A and B, the total cheese inoculation rate was 2% overall and the A : B ratio ranging from 25% to 75%), and lysozyme (ranging from 0 to 0.2 mg·L^–1). The response variables considered in this model cheese study included the Clostridium count, pH, and titratable acidity. The results showed that the optimal conditions for inhibiting C. sporogenes and preventing late blowing defects in cheese were achieved with an L. plantarum A : B ratio of 49.54 : 50.46%, nisin at a concentration of 1.762 mg·L^–1, and lysozyme at 0.2 mg·L^–1. These results demonstrated not only effective inhibition of C. sporogenes, a pivotal contributor to late blowing defects in cheese but also indicated favourable outcomes in terms of acidity parameters, which are crucial quality criteria for cheese production. The application of Response Surface Methodology revealed that late blowing defects can be prevented using relatively lower concentrations of antimicrobial agents, along with a judicious selection of appropriate cultures. This research highlights the potential for more efficient and cost-effective strategies to maintain cheese quality by minimising the risk of late blowing defects.