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This article aims to highlight the importance of climate and environmental challenges for agricultural economics and policy. Empirical research based on the Data Envelopment Analysis (DEA) method determined the average technical efficiency and scale efficiency of farms in the European Union in total and in economic size classes in the period 2004–2020. The results indicate that agriculture is generally characterised by high technical efficiency and scale efficiency. Analysis by economic size classes of farms, defined by the standard sum of their agricultural output, shows that the relationship between the scale of production and technical efficiency of farms is U-shaped. The highest technical efficiency and scale efficiency are characterised by small, large and very large farms economic classes. Economies of scale shift the burden of food production to large farms, which provide food security and are technically efficient but excessively burdensome for the climate and the environment. Small farms produce environmentally friendly food but on a small scale. Therefore, increasing the technical efficiency of medium-sized farms can contribute to more sustainable food production that meets both food security and climate and environmental objectives. The Common Agricultural Policy 2023–2027 provides greater access to financial support for moderate-scale farms and farms undertaking ecosystem restoration activities. This may affect the strength and direction of the relationship between farm scale and productivity, including technical efficiency.

One of the disorders of the mammary gland in the queen is feline mammary fibroadenomatous hyperplasia (FMFH), caused by an increasing concentration of progesterone (P4) and some other local growth factors. It occurs mostly during puberty after the heat characterised by spontaneous or provoked ovulation, as a result of exogenous progesterone intake and sometimes during pregnancy. To diagnose a 14-month-old intact Maine Coon queen with extensive mammary gland hyperplasia, a clinical examination, analyses of the progesterone (P4) concentrations and ultrasound examination were performed. Feline mammary fibroadenomatous hyperplasia associated with a high P4 concentration after spontaneous ovulation was confirmed. After 24 days of therapy with a progesterone antagonist, aglepristone, the symptoms of FMFH resolved. After the next eight weeks, the queen was mated after the owner’s decision. In the third week of pregnancy, a relapse was detected (mammary gland enlargement, pain, discomfort). At the same time, no abnormalities in the uterus or embryos were detected via ultrasound. The P4 concentrations were under regular control. For the next two weeks, only conservative treatment with NSAIDs was used. The queen spontaneously delivered six kittens without any difficulties or perinatal complications 67 days after the first mating. The cat previously treated with aglepristone for FMFH was successfully bred, but FMFH symptoms returned when progesterone concentrations increased during pregnancy.

This study aims to analyse the key company-level variables influencing pollutant emissions in the Spanish agri-food sector and investigate the bidirectional relationship between international trade and environmental performance. Using panel data from 2007–2020, we employ discrete choice models to test causal relationships between business variables and environmental impact. Empirical findings show a negative correlation between internationalisation and polluting emissions from agri-food companies. Additionally, other factors, such as company age and size, also influence this index. These results provide valuable insights for economic decision-makers in the agri-food market, highlighting the implications of international trade and business variables on pollution levels.

Forest headwater streams serve as critical interfaces between terrestrial forests and downstream aquatic ecosystems, playing essential roles in the storage and movement of carbon (C) and nutrients. However, despite their importance, our understanding of the dynamics of plant litter calcium (Ca) and magnesium (Mg) stocks within these streams remains limited. In this study, we conducted a quantitative analysis of the spatiotemporal dynamics of plant litter Ca and Mg concentrations and stocks in a subtropical forest headwater stream from March 2021 to February 2022. We found that: (1) the average concentrations of litter Ca and Mg were 9.9 and 0.7 mg/g, respectively, with mean stocks of 8 792.3 and 620.8 mg/m², respectively; (2) significant variations in litter Ca and Mg concentrations were observed among non-woody debris (13.1 and 0.9 mg/g), fine woody debris (9.0 and 0.5 mg/g), and coarse woody debris (6.1 and 0.4 mg/g), though plant litter type did not significantly affect the stocks of Ca and Mg; and (3) the stocks of Ca and Mg were positively correlated with factors such as rainfall amount, rainfall frequency, water temperature, flow velocity, water depth, electrical conductivity, and discharge, while negatively correlated with stream water alkalinity and dissolved oxygen levels. These findings highlight the critical role of plant litter in headwater streams as a component of forest nutrient stocks and provide empirical support for incorporating headwater streams into the assessment of nutrient stocks and fluxes in forest ecosystems.

As essential natural carbon sinks, woody plants play a key role in urban ecological restoration. The lignite-derived organic fertiliser (LOF) may promote plant growth and carbon sequestration by improving soil properties. This study investigated LOF effects on three typical woody plants – Styphnolobium japonicum (L.) Schott. with taproots, Malus × micromalus Makino with fibrous roots, and Malus domestica Borkh. with both taproots and fibrous roots – focused on soil properties improvement during a three-year planting experiment (2021–2023). The results indicated that LOF application significantly increased soil organic matter (SOM) content, with and without woody plants, by 82.3% and 54.9%, respectively. Concurrently, LOF influenced soil microbial characteristics, especially enhancing the 16S rRNA gene copy number by 0.99 times. For plant growth, LOF application increased root length, volume, and tip number in Malus domestica Borkh. by 37.4, 27.4, and 26.0%, respectively, and in Styphnolobium japonicum (L.) Schott by 43.8, 76.7, and 26.6%, respectively. However, in Malus × micromalus Makino, while root volume increased by 3.8%, root length and tip number decreased by 10.0% and 26.9%, respectively. Additionally, the LOF application increased the soil plant analysis development (SPAD) values of woody plant leaves by 5.3%, indicating improved chlorophyll content and plant health. These findings demonstrate that LOF applications may significantly enhance soil quality and promote plant growth, contributing to improved terrestrial carbon sequestration.

Strip tillage is a very popular form of conservation tillage that is used in places with a higher risk of soil erosion. It is commonly accepted that strip tillage reduces the effects of water erosion; however, the exact way this effect is produced is very hard to quantify. This study focuses on the way strip tillage influences soil moisture and the way it changes with different intensities of rainfall, in comparison with conventional tillage. This study was conducted near Petrovice, Středočeský kraj, Czechia, over the course of four years (2021–2024). The conditions of all four test sites were comparable, both in terms of slope and soil type present. The soil moisture of strip tillage in a depth of 15 cm was changing differently in comparison with conventional tillage. During lower intensity rainfall events, the soil moisture of the strip tilled plot changed significantly less in comparison with conventional tillage. On the contrary, when more intense precipitation occurred, the soil moisture in the strip-tilled plot responded with significantly higher changes in comparison with conventional tillage. Soil drying after precipitation was also studied, with the speed of drying of strip tillage being higher than that of conventional tillage. These findings help better understand the changes strip tillage introduces into the soil and to the crops it is used with.

This study aimed to determine coagulation changes in bitches with pyometra based on a series of coagulation tests and thromboelastography (TEG), and to assess the incidence of disseminated intravascular coagulation (DIC). Eighteen bitches with pyometra and thirty-four control bitches were examined. Haematological, biochemical, and following haemostasis parameters were measured, including: prothrombin time (PT), activated partial thromboplastin time (aPTT), antithrombin activity (AT), and levels of fibrinogen (FBG), d-dimers (DD), tissue factor (TF), plasminogen (PLG), tissue plasminogen activator inhibitor 1 (TPAI-1), and thromboelastography. DIC was considered present if three or more of these parameters were abnormal: platelet count (<153 × 10⁹/l), PT (>8.1 s), aPTT (>25.5 s), FBG (<0.6 g/l), DD (>0.2 mg/l), and AT (<107%). Significant differences were found in the PT, aPTT, FBG, DD, TPAI-1, clotting time, α-angle, and maximal amplitude. According to our scoring system, two patients were DIC positive. The study found alterations in several coagulation tests and hypercoagulable TEG tracings in bitches with pyometra, which point to excessive activation of coagulation, delayed fibrinolysis, and the presence of DIC. No patient bled abnormally, which may suggest that DIC is not overt in the majority of pyometra patients.

Unique challenges have been elicited by climate change, demanding the utilisation of effective adaptation strategies that are both environmentally and economically sustainable. Regrettably, the agricultural sector has not been spared from the effects of climate change, but it is among the largest employers and the primary source of food security globally. The situation is worse in Pakistan, where poverty, hunger, and malnutrition are reported to be prevalent. The complexity of risks posed by climate change has called for climate-smart agriculture (CSA) technologies, which potentially could augment cost efficiency and yield in wheat production. Surprisingly, previous studies have largely overlooked this crucial aspect. Therefore, our research seeks to address two fundamental questions: What is the comparative cost efficiency between adopters and non-adopters of CSA practices in wheat production? And what are the yield effects associated with CSA adoption, particularly compared to non-adopters? To this end, a multi-stage sampling technique was employed to randomly select 400 farm households in a climate risk hotspot province in Pakistan, on which the stochastic frontier analysis (SFA) and endogenous switching regression (ESR) were applied. The results revealed that CSA adoption was associated with improved cost efficiency and yield. Interestingly, if non-adopters decided to adopt CSA, they would increase their wheat yield by about 20%. Given the importance of wheat for food security, this would contribute to poverty and hunger eradication. Therefore, our study conforms to the aspirations of the 2030 agenda by promoting rethinking food production through possible improvement in cost efficiency and yield in the face of a changing climate.

Forest transformation commonly occurs in subtropical areas due to extensive human disturbance. However, we know little about how forest transformation may affect the soil water-holding capacity. Here, we evaluated the effects of forest transformation from natural forests to secondary forests, Castanopsis carlesii plantations, and Cunninghamia lanceolata plantations on the soil water-holding capacity, including the soil water content (SWC), maximum water holding rate (R_t), capillary holding rate (R_c), and non-capillary water holding rate (R_n), and assessed the influences of soil properties and stand characteristics on the forest transformation effects. The results showed that (i) the soil water-holding capacity in secondary forests increased significantly (SWC: 27.3%; R_t: 50.9%; R_c: 36.9%; R_n: 14.0%), but decreased in the Cunninghamia lanceolata plantations (SWC: 24.6%; R_t: 47.0%; R_c: 34.0%; R_n: 13.0%), compared to the nature forests (SWC: 26.0%; R_t: 48.3%; R_c: 34.9%; R_n: 13.4%); (ii) the soil water-holding capacity was positively correlated with the soil porosity, soil total nitrogen concentration, stand density, but negatively influenced by the soil bulk density and diameter at breast height (DBH); and (iii) the stand density, DBH and litterfall amount were the major factors regulating the soil water-holding capacity after the forest transformation. Overall, these results indicated that the soil water-holding capacity would be strongly altered by the forest transformation, but it depends on the soil properties before the transformation and the characteristics of the transformed forests. Our findings will help to better understand the functions of forests in water source conservation under the pressures of human disturbances and environmental changes.

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.

Drying is an essential food preservation method, improving product shelf life and quality while reducing transportation and storage costs. This study evaluated the drying kinetics of bitter gourd slices under halogen drying conditions using both traditional empirical models (Page, Midilli, Logarithmic, Peleg, and Two-Term) and the machine learning-based random forest (RF) model. Experiments were conducted at 60 °C, 65 °C, and 70 °C with slice thicknesses of 3, 5, and 7 mm. Model performance was assessed using the coefficient of determination (R²), root mean square error (RMSE) and mean absolute percentage error (MAPE). The results show that the RF model demonstrated the highest accuracy, with an average R² of 0.9826, the lowest RMSE (0.0655), and MAPE (1.40 %). Its ability to capture non-linear drying behaviour made it the most reliable model. The Midilli model was the best-performing traditional model, with an average R² of 0.9851, but its accuracy declined for thicker slices and higher temperatures. Logarithmic and Peleg models exhibited significant errors, particularly during the mid-to-late drying phases. The results highlight RF's robustness and adaptability, outperforming traditional models in handling complex drying dynamics.

This study elucidates the expression dynamics and biological functions of oar-miR-214_3p in ovarian and uterine tissues of Liangshan Black Sheep across distinct stages of the oestrous cycle, providing novel insights into its regulatory mechanisms governing ovine reproductive physiology. The study employed RT-qPCR, northern blotting, FISH, dual-luciferase reporter assays, and ELISA to analyse the expression and biological functions of oar-miR-214_3p in the ovary and uterus of Liangshan Black Sheep across different stages of the oestrous cycle (proestrus, oestrus, metoestrus, and dioestrus phases). RT-qPCR and northern blotting revealed that oar-miR-214_3p is expressed in the ovarian and uterine tissues, with significant variations across different stages. Compared with the dioestrus and metoestrus phases, oar-miR-214_3p expression was significantly increased during the proestrus and oestrus phases (P < 0.05), with the highest levels observed during oestrus (P < 0.05). FISH analysis indicated that oar-miR-214_3p is primarily localised in the cytoplasm. We constructed wild-type and mutant vectors for mammalian target of rapamycin(mTOR) and Semaphorin 4D (Sema4D). After intervention for 48 h in granulosa cell cultures, RT-qPCR analysis of mTOR and Sema4D expression revealed that the mimic and inhibitor groups suppressed and promoted the expression of these target genes, respectively. The control and NC groups showed stable expression levels with no significant differences. Dual-luciferase reporter assay confirmed that mTOR and Sema4D are oar-miR-214_3p target genes. ELISA revealed that the mimic and inhibitor treatment groups promoted and suppressed oestrogen secretion, respectively. These findings confirm that oar-miR-214_3p, primarily localised in the cytoplasm, regulates ovarian follicle development, ovulation, oestrogen secretion, and the oestrous cycle via its target genes, mTOR and Sema4D. The study provides valuable insights into improving sheep reproductive performance through molecular breeding techniques. These findings have significant clinical and practical applications for enhancing reproductive efficiency.

This study examines the prevalence of helminthic infestations, risk factors, and odds ratios in 1 300 cattle, revealing significant patterns in parasite distribution and influencing factors. Overall, 60.3% of cattle were infested with one or more types of parasites, with Moniezia spp. being the most prevalent (46.9%), followed by Fasciola spp. (36.9%), Paramphistomum spp. (26.8%), and Avitellina spp. (10.8%). Among the seasons, winter exhibited the highest infestation rate (66.1%), and calves under one year of age were more commonly infested (64.2%) than older cattle (over three years: 51.1%, OR = 0.584 1). Distinct seasonal and age-related patterns were observed for specific parasites. Fasciola spp. was most prevalent in winter (45.09%) and among the youngest cattle (47.87%), while Paramphistomum spp. and Moniezia spp. showed less variation across seasons. Avitellina spp. had the lowest infestation rates in the spring, and cattle older than three years were affected. Co-infections were common, notably between Fasciola and other parasites, with the highest co-infestation rate observed between Avitellina spp. and Moniezia spp. Analysis of deworming efficacy indicated higher treatment success for Fasciola spp. and Paramphistomum spp., lower odds of response for Avitellina spp., and no significant treatment effect for Moniezia spp. Microscopic and pathological examinations were also conducted. These results demonstrate the necessity of thorough deworming procedures along with targeted parasite control to reduce significant health hazards in cattle populations.

Selenium (Se) supplementation is a common practice in dairy nutrition. However, the use of biofortified feedstuffs remains a not fully realized strategy to enhance the Se content of animal derived products. This study explored an on-farm biofortification approach by incorporating Se-enriched maize silage into the total mixed ration (TMR) of dairy cows. Sixty Holstein cows were divided into a control group (CON), receiving a conventional diet with selenite supplementation (0.6 mg/kg Se in TMR), and an experimental group (EXP), in which conventional silage was replaced with high-Se silage (0.9 mg/kg Se in TMR). The trial lasted 22 weeks, including one week of adaptation and four weeks after supplementation, when Se concentrations in milk, Se transfer efficiency, and key milk components critical for the production of Se-enriched dairy products were assessed. The higher Se concentration in the TMR had no adverse effects on milk composition or antioxidant status. Milk Se concentration in the EXP group increased rapidly, reaching 68 µg/l within two weeks, significantly higher (P < 0.005) than in the CON group (27 µg/l). Se transfer efficiency to milk was also higher in the EXP group (13.9%) compared to the CON group (8.8%). The diverse Se species in biofortified silage, confirmed through the speciation analysis, may have contributed to these outcomes. However, the gradual decline in milk Se after the initial peak warrants further investigation into physiological factors or changes in silage Se speciation during storage.

Lactoferrin (LF) is an important bioactive component of colostrum, is critical for the development of immunity in the newborns, and it is an important component of the mammary gland defence system. LF is also an important biomolecule in terms of promoting and restoring the human health. The aim of our study was to monitor the dynamics of changes in lactoferrin concentration in goat milk at varying stages of lactation and its correlation with selected components and physicochemical parameters. Colostrum (n = 24) and milk (n = 120) samples were obtained from 12 goats by hand milking. Lactoferrin was determined using reversed-phase high-performance liquid chromatography with an ion-pairing reagent equipped with a Photodiode Array Detector. The LF concentration in colostrum ranged from 206 mg/l to 1 228 mg/l, and showed a statistically significant decrease in concentration (P < 0.05) over the colostral period. Significant correlation coefficients (P < 0.001) were found between crude protein and LF (r = 0.896), lactose and LF (r = –0.754), as well as between non-fat solids and LF (r = 0.853). The LF content in milk ranged within a relatively wide range of 94 mg/l to 1 115 mg/l although the values were highly variable (vx = 57.0%). Significant correlations were found between fat content and LF in milk (r = 0.429, P < 0.001), crude protein and LF (r = 0.376), non-fat solids and LF (r = 0.361), somatic cell count (SCC) and LF (r = 0.330), as well as log SCC and LF (r = 0.348, P < 0.01).

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

Transgenic organisms modified with ancestral genes for nitrogen metabolism are rare. Previously, it was reported that genetically modified Nicotiana tabacum with the ARO4 gene of aromatic amino acid synthesis from the yeast Debaryomyces hansenii increases its growth during moderate salt stress. In this investigation, it was explored if the changes in the expression of the gene DhARO4 in Nicotiana tabacum, during saline irrigation, are related to the chlorophyll content and the total reactive oxygen species production. Seedlings of transgenic and wild type Nicotiana tabacum germinated in standard conditions were divided into two irrigation groups, with 100 mM of NaCl and with tap water; and, after 50 days, in the non-senescent adult leaves of the plants, the total chlorophyll a and b and the total chlorophyll content were determined by spectrophotometry and the reactive oxygen species production (•OH, ¹O₂, H₂O₂) was quantified by a 2',7'-dichlorodihydrofluorescein assay. The expression of the DhARO4 gene was verified with a salt shock of 100 mM of NaCl for 24 hours in the transgenic and wild type plants in the tap water irrigation group. The DhARO4 gene transcript increased (P < 0.05) in the transgenic plant; meanwhile, the average concentration of chlorophyll a increased (P < 0.05), and the average production of reactive oxygen species decreased (P < 0.05).

The paper explores the influence of global pandemic uncertainty (GPU) on food prices (FP) by using the mixed-frequency vector autoregression (MF-VAR) model. Empirical findings indicate that the influence of GPU on FP varies across different scenarios, exhibiting either positive, negative, or insignificant effects. A positive influence implies that GPU fuels panic-buying and stockpiling behaviours, thereby boosting food demand. Concurrently, disruptions in agricultural production and food export restrictions tighten the market supply, potentially pushing FP upwards. Conversely, a negative effect suggests that the global economic downturn and food safety anxieties stemming from pandemic-related uncertainty may dampen food demand, causing FP to decline. In some instances, FP remains unaffected mainly by GPU due to the competing pressures from adverse climate change risks on the food market. Notably, FP's predictive error variance decomposition underscores that the net impact of GPU on FP is stimulatory. This overall effect aligns with the inter-temporal capital asset pricing model (ICAPM), which posits a positive influence of GPU on FP. The findings recommend that consumers and investors diversify their food sources, while policymakers should bolster food supply chain resilience, promote sustainable agriculture, establish emergency reserves and coordinate aid.

Since its introduction in 2019, African swine fever (ASF) has spread to all regions of the Philippines, affecting 73 out of its 82 provinces. To assess the environmental DNA (eDNA) contamination patterns of the ASF virus (ASFV) in swine transport vehicles and evaluate its measures of association, a total of 450 environmental swabs from 30 transportation vehicles were tested using qPCR. Five out of 30 vehicles (16.67%) tested positive in at least one of the following areas: cargo area or sidecar walls (6.67%), cargo area or sidecar floors (6.67%), hauling personnel’s hands (6.67%), steering wheel or handlebars (3.33%), gear shift levers (3.33%), floor mats or footpegs (3.33%), dashboards (3.33%), door handles or sidecar gate bolts (3.33%), tyres/wheels (3.33%), fenders (3.33%), and hauling personnel’s footwear (3.33%). All investigated risk factors were analysed using Chi-square, Fisher’s exact test, and odds ratio and were found to be insignificant, including the frequency of swine transportation per week, frequency of cleaning per week, cleaning materials used, disinfection practices, the number of pigs transported, and whether hauliers owned pigs (p > 0.05). This study illuminates the environmental contamination patterns of ASFV in swine transport vehicles, underscoring the need for targeted biosecurity protocols in areas with a high risk of contamination, particularly the cabin areas. More effective vehicle disinfection systems that will not damage equipment or pose health risks to hauliers are recommended to reduce the risk of ASF disease transmission between countries and geographic regions.

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.

Oligopeptides constitute an important yet understudied component of soil’s dissolved organic nitrogen (DON) pool, representing a primary breakdown product of proteins. However, the mechanisms of oligopeptide uptake and utilisation by crop roots remain poorly understood in a plant nutrition context. We investigated the rate and spatial uptake pattern of ¹⁴C-labelled alanine and di- to pentapeptides of alanine in wheat and rice under sterile hydroponic conditions. Both species demonstrated the capacity to absorb N through amino acids and oligopeptides, with rice roots showing higher peptide uptake than wheat. Specifically, alanine absorption exceeded peptide uptake by 3–7-fold in rice and 6–9-fold in wheat. Using phosphor imaging, we demonstrated that alanine and oligopeptide uptake occurred throughout the root system, with the highest accumulation in the root tip and root hair regions. Further, spatial analysis revealed that peptide absorption rates in rice were 2–5 times higher in the 0–1 cm root section and 1.5–4 times higher in the 1–2 cm section compared to corresponding wheat root segments. We conclude that plants can directly take up amino acids and oligopeptides to acquire exogenous N, with marked differences occurring among species in both uptake efficiency and spatial uptake patterns.

The study aimed to optimise foam-mat drying parameters for producing purple-fleshed sweet potato (PFSP) powder. Egg albumin (EA) (5–15%), xanthan gum (XG) (0.1–0.5%), and drying temperature (50–70 °C) were used as independent variables for optimisation via Response Surface Methodology with a Box-Behnken design. The response variables (drying rate and anthocyanin content) were assessed by 18 treatments, which included 6 central points. The analysis of variance showed a high coefficient of determination (> 88%) between predicted and experimental values across all models. Optimal foam-mat drying conditions were 11.02% EA, 0.34% XG, and 65.1 °C to achieve the highest drying rate (2.49 g water.g dry matter^–1.min^–1) and anthocyanin content (1.01 mg.g^–1). After 3.5 h of drying at 65.1 °C, the foam-mat dried PFSP showed a low moisture content (4.35%) and water activity (0.29). Its water solubility index, water absorption index, rehydration ratio, total polyphenols, and antioxidant activity were determined to be 56.49%, 3.55%, 3.82, 3.66 ± 0.06 mg GAE.g^–1, and 58.49 ± 0.88%, respectively. Under these conditions, the powder maintained its natural beautiful and characteristic purple colour. The microstructure of the foam-mat dried PFSP powder (via SEM images) was also observed.

This review evaluates the role of food waste reuse in sustainable food production, its associated health benefits, and technological advances in bioactive ingredient extraction. The research demonstrates that recycling bioactive food ingredients not only reduces food waste but also increases nutritional value, supports sustainability goals, and creates economic opportunities in the food industry. The process has been shown to enable the development of functional food ingredients, nutraceuticals (health-promoting food supplements), and biodegradable packaging solutions. The integration of biotechnological applications, microbial fermentation, and innovative processing methods has the potential to utilise food waste in the production of value-added products such as functional foods, biomaterials, and biofuels. The development of renewable technologies further enhances this potential. Overcoming safety risks, optimising extraction processes, and implementing global policies supporting food waste recycling are key to making sustainable solutions more effective and widespread. As new approaches emerge in research, the reuse of food waste and, therefore, achieving the zero waste goal will be facilitated by reducing the need for raw materials and increasing the added value in the food industry.

The present study was to determine the genotypic and environmental variability and stability in seed yield, oil content, oil yield, oleic and linoleic acid of 10 safflower lines derived from a cross of Dinçer 5-18-1 × Montola 2000 together with six cultivars under six environments at five locations. The effects of genotypes, environments and genotype × environment interactions were highly significant (P < 0.01) for seed yield and oil content. Averaged across all environments, the seed yield was lowest in the cultivar Olas (2 352 kg/ha), and highest in the line Bay-Er 5 (2 869 kg/ha). According to mean (x_i) and regression coefficient (b_i) values, the Bay-Er 16 was better adapted to unfavourable environmental conditions, whereas the Bay-Er 1, Bay-Er 5 and Bay-Er 14 were better adapted to favourable environmental conditions. The highest oil content across environments, over 35%, was recorded in the line Bay-Er 15 and the cultivars Olas and Linas. The best adaptability to the environments was observed in the cultivar Olas. The oleic acid content of genotypes increased and the linoleic acid contents decreased from the north to the south latitudes. The oil content of genotypes grown in Southeastern Anatolia was higher than in the other regions. Within the regions, seed yield and oil content was higher after autumn sowing than after spring sowing.

The aim of this study is to define data sources and propose methods for effective and secure data management in an agricultural enterprise in the context of using data for decision support. Current developments in information and communication technology (ICT) have contributed towards the increase in the amount of generated data in various fields. The main data sources for agricultural enterprises are the farm itself, suppliers, government, market, and research. The use of smart solutions, artificial intelligence, and other innovative practices in agriculture is discussed at many conferences, in various journals, strategies and project plans. Data is the essential raw material for all these solutions. Large amounts of data cannot be analysed efficiently with spreadsheet programs. Currently, there are trends in the use of data, for example, in business intelligence (decision-making systems), e.g. tools using online transaction processing (OLAP) or process automation or the possibility of e.g. tracing the origin of food. The availability and possibility of creating large data sets bring many challenges related to managing that data. To effectively manage farm data, it is essential to have a well-developed data management plan (DMP) used to formalise the processes related to handling. A DMP mainly addresses archiving, backup, licensing and other important aspects of data management. The challenges and developments in farm data management include incorporating artificial intelligence into data analysis and security. Food is classified as an "Entity of Critical Importance" in the NIS2 EU Directive, which also deals with cybersecurity issues.

The present study aimed to evaluate the biochemical and antioxidant responses of common carp after exposure to the antiepileptic and analgesic drug gabapentin at concentrations of 0.1, 1, 10, and 100 μg/l for 4 weeks. The exposure to the highest two concentrations resulted in significant changes in plasma indices such as glucose (only group 100 μg/l), alanine aminotransferase (ALT), lactate dehydrogenase (LDH), lipase, creatine kinase (CK), amylase as well as butyrylcholinesterase (BChE). Similar trends were found in both groups exposed to the environmentally relevant concentrations (i.e., 0.1 and 1 μg/l). In addition, a significant increase in the ferric-reducing power of the plasma was noted in all treated groups. Numerous changes in antioxidant enzymes, superoxide dismutase, catalase, glutathione-S-transferase, as well as lipid peroxidation, were observed especially in the caudal kidney in the group exposed to 100 μg/l. Significant findings were also confirmed in the group exposed to an environmentally relevant concentration (1 μg/l), with a decrease in superoxide dismutase in the gill and an increased lipoperoxidation in the caudal kidney. Our research shows that subchronic exposure to gabapentin may pose a significant risk to non-target aquatic organisms, such as disruption of metabolic pathways or induction of oxidative stress, even at environmentally relevant concentrations.

Dragon trees, arborescent members of the genus Dracaena (Asparagaceae), provide a wide range of ecosystem services and have been ethnobotanically important plants since ancient times. Currently, their relictual distribution is fragmented, populations are isolated and often under threat. We provide a brief overview of scientific studies and the state of knowledge on dragon trees published since 2020, when the last review was published. More than 120 papers dealing with dragon trees have appeared, indicating a significant interest in their research, cultural uses and conservation. The most intensively investigated species are Dracaena cochinchinensis, D. cinnabari, D. draco and D. cambodiana. Almost half of the papers deal with the chemical composition of resin and its bioactivity, in addition to studies on ecology, conservation and genetics. Only a few studies are devoted to taxonomy and ethnobotany.

The availability of a broad variety of cultivars in many ornamental species has increased recently, in particular for attractive annuals, which are valued commercially for their use as cut flowers, potted plants, loose flowers, and in landscape gardening. The breeding of ornamental plants in the current scenario is a challenging endeavour with constantly evolving new obstacles. Modern genomic technologies provide prospects for improved precision breeding and selection for characteristics that are more difficult to determine. Traditionally, ornamental breeding has been focused on increasing resistance to biotic or abiotic stress, novelty, yield, and quality. However, accomplishing these objectives necessitates tedious cross-breeding, and exact breeding methods have been noticed to be not applied constantly. Though the purposes of ornamental crop breeding may vary, the process generally does not differ from the breeding of other crops. Furthermore, vegetatively propagated ornamentals constitute most of the crops. The expanding interest in ornamental crops that are produced by modern crop breeding methods such as genome editing, chromosome manipulation, molecular marker-assisted breeding, mutation breeding, and exploiting somaclonal variations, particularly in relation to altering desirable plant features and producing new ornamental traits of the crops which is the main objective of crop improvement practices. Hence, it has become obligatory to evaluate the current state of any technology created following an in-depth study carried out by several research organisations.

This study aimed to evaluate the effect of mesobiliverdin IXα-enriched microalgae (MBV-SP) on growth, diarrhoea prevalence, intestinal morphology, antioxidant capacity, and inflammatory cytokines in lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-induced enteritis in weaned piglets. Seventy-two 28-day-old piglets were randomly divided into four groups: control (NC), LPS, tylosin, and MBV-SP, with saline/LPS (100 µg/kg) administered intraperitoneally on day 14. Results showed reduced mortality and diarrhoea rates in the tylosin + LPS and MBV-SP + LPS groups compared to the LPS group. Histological analysis revealed improved villus morphology and decreased crypt depth in the MBV-SP group. Catalase activity was notably higher in the MBV-SP group. Both tylosin and MBV-SP supplementation reduced pro-inflammatory cytokines, with MBV-SP exhibiting a more pronounced effect. In conclusion, MBV-SP mitigated diarrhoea, improved antioxidant capacity, and modulated inflammatory cytokines in weaned piglets with LPS-induced enteritis, highlighting its potential as a dietary supplement for the gut health in piglets.