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The current study aimed to characterise indigenous Bacillus thuringiensis (Bt) strains for their potential use in agricultural broad-spectrum pest control. Twenty-nine Bt strains were isolated from soil in southeastern Kazakhstan. All isolates were Gram-positive and formed endospores. Species identification was conducted by sequencing the gyrase B (gyrB) gene. The nucleotide sequences of the amplified gyrB gene regions were compared with those in the NCBI database, confirming that the isolates were native Bt strains with high homology to known Bt strains (99–100%). In addition, the strains were screened for the presence of genes encoding 11 different crystalline endotoxins using PCR with universal primer pairs. The PCR results showed the distribution frequencies of cry, cyt, and vip genes among the strains: cry1 (100%), vip3 (100%), cry2 (83.3%), cry4 (20%), and cyt1 (30%). PCR revealed diverse gene profiles among the Bt strains, with 5 distinct profiles identified. Regarding insecticidal activity, strains Bt8, Bt11, Bt26, and Bt28 demonstrated high pathogenicity, with mortality rates ranging from 97% to 100% against codling moth caterpillars, outperforming other Bt isolates.

Improved soil properties are commonly reported benefits of adding biochar to agriculture soils. To investigate the range of biochar's effects on soil chemical properties (e.g., soil pH, electrical conductivity (EC), cation exchange capacity (CEC), soil organic carbon (SOC), soil total carbon (TC), and soil carbon-nitrogen ratio (C:N ratio)) in response to varied experimental conditions, a meta-analysis was conducted on previously published results. The results showed that the effect of biochar on soil chemical properties varied depending on management conditions, soil properties, biochar pyrolysis conditions, and biochar properties. The effect size (Hedges'd) of the biochar was greatest for SOC (0.50), the C:N ratio of soil (0.44), soil pH (0.39), TC (0.35), EC (0.21), and CEC (0.20). Among the various factors examined by aggregated boosted tree analysis, the effects of biochar on soil chemical properties were largely explained by the biochar application rate, initial soil pH, and soil sand content. In conclusion, our study suggests that improving soil chemical properties by adding biochar not only requires consideration of biochar application rates and chemical properties but also the local soil environmental factors, especially soil initial pH and sand content of the soil, should be considered.

Species of the genus Xanthium (cocklebur) are invasive plants widespread all over the world. In Bosnia and Herzegovina, Xanthium orientale L. was an invasive species, while Xanthium spinosum L. was an economically harmful weed species. The reason these species are spread over vast areas and across various climate conditions must be attributed to their biology, particularly the biology of their seeds. Germination of populations of X. orientale and X. spinosum at a temperature range of 15 °C to 40 °C over 2 to 20 days ranged between 15.0% (X. spinosum) and 90.0% (X. orientale). By means of the application of a statistical model, a positive correlative dependence of temperature and time on seed germination was determined (X. orientale = 80.70%, X. spinosum = 62.20%), which provided a possibility of modelling the seed germination of Xanthium species in various ecological conditions. The optimal germination temperature for both cocklebur species was 30−35 °C. As the germination of seeds was recorded at all researched temperatures (15, 20, 25, 30, 35 and 40 °C), it points to a wide ecological valence for the considered abiotic factor. These results suggest that the unique germination biological characteristics of the Xanthium genus made it extremely easy for the species to form monodominant communities in new habitats and climate-changing environments quickly.

In this study, the aim was to produce traditional couscous in gluten-free form. For this purpose, rice flour (RF) and pre-treated (gelatinized) rice flour (GRF) were added in varying proportions (15, 20, 25, and 30%) to the recipe instead of gums and enzymes in order to provide the desired structure. The control sample without GRF was also produced. With the addition of GRF, the total dietary fibre (TDF) content in the couscous samples increased, and reversely the carbohydrate and energy values decreased. The GRF reduced the level of total soluble organic material (TSOM) as well as the cooking loss of the couscous samples, which resulted in lower deformability. According to the results, the gluten-free rice couscous was successfully produced with GRF, especially at a 30% ratio. Good cooking properties were observed in these couscous samples. In this context, in the addition of 30% GRF, higher water absorption and swelling volume with lower cooking loss were observed compared with the control sample. In addition, the couscous samples had higher ash, dietary fibre and fat content as well as a lower phytic acid ratio (P < 0.05). It was determined that there was significant correlation between the cooking time of the samples with the cooking loss and total soluble organic material. According to the results, the PCA showed that there were clear correlations between cooking trials (water absorption and swelling volume) and chemical composition (moisture, ash, crude fat, and TDF).

This study evaluated the productive performance, blood parameters and antioxidant status of hyperprolific sows fed control diet or diet supplemented with brown seaweed and polyphenol mixture (SPM). Ninety-six farrowing highly prolific sows (Topigs 20) were assigned to two dietary treatments from day 107 ± 2 days of gestation until weaning: control diet and the same diet containing 15 g/day of SPM. Sows fed SPM diet tended to have lower backfat losses (P = 0.06) than control sows. No difference was observed in daily feed intake. No difference in litter birth weight or number of piglets per litter was observed. In sows fed SPM, average daily gain and weaning body weight of piglets were increased (P < 0.05). Haematochemical parameters, haptoglobin and blood total antiradical activity were not affected (P > 0.05) by dietary treatment. The paraoxonase-1 activity was higher (P < 0.05) in SPM sows than in the control. At the subsequent farrowing, the total number of piglets born was higher (P < 0.05) in sows fed SPM than in the control. Overall, these data suggest that dietary plant polyphenols and brown seaweeds improved the weaning weight of piglets and the total number of piglets born at the subsequent farrowing, modulating oxidative stress in lactating highly prolific sows.

Annatto seeds possess antimicrobial properties, but extraction methods may degrade bioactive compounds. This study investigated the impact of pH-adjusted microwave-assisted extraction using distilled water on antibacterial activity to obtain safe food-grade extracts. Extractions were performed at pH values of 4, 7, and 9 for extraction times of 2, 4, and 6 min, using a microwave power setting of 100 W. The antimicrobial activity of the extracts was assessed against Escherichia coli and Staphylococcus aureus through inhibition zone analysis and viable bacterial cell count reduction. In parallel, the total phenolic content of each extract was quantified to examine the correlations between phenolic concentration and antibacterial activity. The findings revealed that extraction at pH 4 for 2 min yielded the most pronounced antibacterial activity with a minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) of 5%. The application of a 20% annatto extract resulted in the lowest viable cell counts of both E. coli and S. aureus. Variations in pH and extraction time did not result in significant differences in total phenolic content, suggesting that antimicrobial efficacy may be influenced not only by phenolic concentration but also by the specific profile of active compounds.

Ichthyophthiriosis, caused by Ichthyophthirius multifiliis, is a major threat in salmonid aquaculture. This study evaluated the efficacy of orally administered standard doxycycline and controlled-release doxycycline formulations in experimentally infected brook trout (Salvelinus fontinalis). Fish received medicated feed for 10 days starting seven days post-infection. Controlled-release doxycycline achieved the highest survival rate (84.2%), followed by standard doxycycline (73.7%), while no control fish survived after day 25 post-infection. Both drug formulations eliminated trophonts from the skin and gills by 20 days post-treatment. Despite a 2.5-fold lower dietary dose, the controlled-release doxycycline achieved a tissue concentration equivalent to ~32% of that of standard doxycycline, with similar retention rates. Levels of doxycycline residues in water declined over time for both groups, indicating limited environmental release. These results demonstrate the effective mitigation of ichthyophthiriosis with orally administered doxycycline and the enhancement of antiparasitic efficacy and reduction of drug load in tissues and the environment via controlled-release technology, supporting its potential as a sustainable medicated feed strategy in salmonid aquaculture.

Soils that contain rock fragments (particles > 2 mm in diameter) are distributed all over the world. The presence of these small rock fragments can have a great impact on soil water retention properties, as well as on the soil-water infiltration and vegetation restoration in semi-arid regions. To quantitatively describe the transport of water in stony soils, repacked soil cores were used to determine the infiltration rates for different rock fragment contents (0%, 10%, 20%, 30%, and 40%) and rock fragment sizes (2-5, 5-8, 8-11, and 2-11 mm). The results showed that both the content and size of the rock fragments and their interaction significantly affected the infiltration process. The infiltration rates over time and the saturated hydraulic conductivity (K_s) decreased with an increasing rock fragment content to an observed minimum value for a 40% rock fragment content. The soil-water infiltration processes were accurately described by the Kostiakov model. The measured and calculated K_s values decreased with an increasing rock fragment content, which was in accordance with the published data and in accordance with the K_s obtained by five empirical methods. The variations in the measured K_s were likely due to the variations in the soil properties caused by the soil sample repacking. The results of this study may improve the understanding of the effects of the rock fragment content and size on the infiltration processes in arid and semi-arid desert steppes.

The work deals with the evaluation of the quality of curds produced in Slovakia and neighbouring countries (Czech Republic, Poland, Hungary, Ukraine) at the time of their purchase and at the time of the end of the warranty period. Significant differences in consistency (P < 0.05) were found between the model samples of cottage cheese after sensory evaluation. Differences in total porosity were noted between curds examined on the first and last day, storage reduced porosity and changed (reduced) grain size. There was a significant difference in colour between the samples (A1–E5) (P < 0.05). Colourimetric measurement confirmed the lightest colour in sample E4 (L* = 92.87, L* – lightness) from Ukraine, which showed the lowest fat content, and the darkest sample was sample C3 from Poland (L* = 88.62). The minimum value of dry matter content was found in sample E4 (15.79 ± 2.59%) and the maximum value in sample C3 (35.82 ± 2.59%). Towards the end of the use-by date, the dry matter values slightly decreased. Statistical significance was demonstrated between the first day of purchase and the expiration date in dry matter content (P < 0.05) and between fat content in dry matter (P < 0.05). The titration acidity was exceeded in two cases, in sample B2 (first day – FD 172 °SH / last day – LD 192 °SH) and B4 (FD 162 °SH / LD 167 °SH). During the guarantee period, the growth of micromycetes in curds was statistically significant (P < 0.05).

This research focuses on the effects of large-scale clearcuts resulting from salvage logging after spruce (Picea abies) forest dieback caused by an extreme bark beetle infestation, and on the effect of logging residues management (chopping vs. clearing) on the distribution of potentially toxic elements (PTEs) in soil. Pseudo-total contents of Cd, Cr, Cu, Ni, Pb and Zn were determined in soil samples collected separately from the organic (F+H) and mineral (0–10, 10–20, and 20–30 cm depths) soil layers. The distribution of elements was influenced mainly by sampling locality and position in the soil profile. In general, the contents of Cd, Ni and Cr were higher in the mineral layers, whereas Pb was more concentrated in the FH layer. A significant effect of logging residues management on the distribution of PTEs was observed only for Pb and Zn. We expect that the relative decrease of Pb and increase of Zn contents in the “chopped” treatment was mostly due to the higher input of mineral soil and wood residues to the FH layer. Since the stand was harvested relatively recently, the effects of soil preparation have probably outweighed those of spreading or removing logging residues.

The fracture resistance of food grains is an essential piece of information required for the optimum design and development of agricultural post-harvest machinery. In this study, the strength properties of two varieties of Bambara kernels (TVSU-1395 and TVSU-1353) were examined in terms of the mean rupture force, absorbed energy, and deformation as affected by the moisture content and kernel size. To achieve this, a quasi-compressive force was applied on the two varieties of Bambara kernels of varying moisture contents (5.43%, 7.24%, 9.01%, 11.54%, and 13.62% wb) and kernel sizes (small, medium, and large) in between the loading compartments of a universal Testometric device at a 20 mm/min loading rate. The experiments take ten treatments with 20 replications subjected factorially to a completely randomised design (CRD) into consideration. The results revealed that the force needed to initiate the kernel fracture increased with an increase in the kernel size and moisture content from 101.44 to 235.06 N and 74.69 to 190.49 N for TVSU-1395 and TVSU-1353, respectively; whereas the energy at the kernel fracture point increased in a range of 0.074 to 0.401 J and 0.062 to 0.141 J for TVSU-1395 and TVSU-1353, respectively. The kernel deformation increased with the moisture content and size from 0.654 to 3.746 mm. These infer that the large kernel size of the TVSU-1395 variety at a 5.4% moisture content had greater compressive strength than the TVSU-1353 variety. The kernel moisture and size exhibited a strong correlation (0.958 ≤ R² ≤ 0.997) with the strength parameters. The results of this study will help the food industry in designing energy-efficient post-harvest equipment for Bambara kernel processing. Further studies may consider the strength attributes of Bambara kernels at varying rates of loading, kernel orientations, and varieties to optimise the best process conditions for the post-harvest handling of different Bambara cultivars and develop labour-saving decorticating machines.

Almost 24% of the Ukrainian Carpathian ecosystems are assigned to the conservation fund due to their ecological values and attraction to numerous tourists. The forest litter in mountain forest stands plays an important role in terms of its ability to mitigate the impact of tourist activities, and erosion processes along with its contribution to the soil mineralization. Water interception, infiltration, and retention ability of forest litter have an impact on hydrological processes of forest ecosystems. At the same time, the accumulation and spatial distribution of litter can be affected not only by environmental conditions, but also by tourism. In this study, 13 Norway spruce (Picea abies L.) stands distinguished by average distance to the trail were chosen to investigate whether there are any differences in litter structure, water retention, and infiltration abilities as well as litter accumulation in areas along popular hiking trails in the Ukrainian Carpathians. Results showed that the litter thickness has increased with altitude and slope steepness. Moreover, results of one-way ANOVA demonstrate a significant difference (P < 0.05) in litter stock between two groups of sample plots: established directly to adjoin hiking trails and at a distance. Therefore, the forest litter stock nearby hiking trails may indicate that trampling caused by tourists has a negative impact on litter accumulation. However, no statistical difference was found (P > 0.05) in the accumulation of litter along three trails and altitudes across all surveyed forest stands. Results of the immersion test showed that the litter infiltration rate has a significant negative correlation with the maximum mass of absorbed water (r = -0.62, P < 0.05), litter stock (r = -0.69, P < 0.01), and retained precipitation (r = -0.62, P < 0.05). Despite our assumption, the infiltration rate was lower for sites distanced from the hiking trail in comparison with adjoining ones. According to our measurements, the water holding capacity of the litter varies from 42.3 t.ha^-1 to 187.3 t.ha^-1 regardless of the stand composition. Further, the precipitation amount retained by litter varies between 4.2 mm and 18.7 mm. Insignificant differences in litter fractional structure and accumulation were observed in pure spruce stands and mixed spruce-beech with an admixture of beech up to 20%. Further observational and modelling studies are necessary to clarify the role of the beech share in stand composition in relation to fractional structure and water interception and retention ability.

The objective of this research was to evaluate the effect of blackcurrant mash blended with apple pulp during juice production and storage on its phenolic composition, antioxidant activity, L-ascorbic acid, and colour. Five variants of samples were prepared: apple juices from two cultivars: the Shampion and Idared cultivars without and with 20% of blackcurrant pulp and blackcurrant juice which were stored at 4°C and 30°C for 6 months. The apple juices prepared from the Idared and Shampion cultivars had a very low L-ascorbic acid contents (1.32 mg/l and 6.26 mg/l, respectively) whereas blackcurrant juice showed the highest amount of L-ascorbic acid, i.e. 704.3 mg/l. The addition of 20% of blackcurrant pulp before apple crashing resulted in a great difference between L-ascorbic acid contents in juices. The addition of blackcurrant fruits before apple crushing had a statistically significantly different (P < 0.05) influence on phenolic compounds, especially in Idared blended pulp. As compared with the control samples, flavan-3-ol concentration increased 4 times in juices made from 80% of Idared apples blended with 20% of blackcurrant fruits. Apple pulp blended with blackcurrant was richer in hydroxycinnamic acids (especially caffeic, p-coumaric, and neochlorogenic acids) than juices made only from apples. The results ranged from 83.05 to 3297.6µM T/100 ml for DPPH (1,1-diphenyl-2-picrylhydrazyl radical), from 20.64 to 490.93µM T/100 ml for ABTS (2,2'azinobis-(3-ethylbenzthiazoline-6-sulphonic acid)), and from 1.52 to 37.35µM T/ml for FRAP (Ferric reducing antioxidant power assay) for apple juice made from the Idared cultivar and for blackcurrant juice, respectively. The highest level of the antioxidant capacity (P < 0.05) observed in the blackcurrant sample was due to the effect of the high anthocyanin and ascorbic acid contents. The apple juice colour showed a moderate degradation with time as indicated by the slight reduction of L* values in the samples stored at 4°C for 6 months, and a much higher decrease of L* values in the samples stored at 30°C. The lightness of the apple blended with blackcurrant increased during storage as a result of the coloured anthocyanin degradation. The temperature during the sample storage (30°C) had a significant influence, resulting in a higher degradation of all phenolics compounds analysed, colour and antioxidant activity.

The research article's primary aim was to provide a comprehensive and systematic view of a new dimension of logistics in the form of logistics innovations in agricultural enterprises in Slovakia. The intention thereof was to define and then analyse selected logistics innovations in agricultural enterprises. The research object was formed by 95 agricultural enterprises in Slovakia. A questionnaire was used as the research instrument. MS Excel and IBM SPSS Statistics 20 were used to process the data in the questionnaire. The univariate descriptive statistics and multivariate descriptive statistics were used to interpret the data. The research results were tested and evaluated by means of Spearman's rank correlation coefficient. Medium-sized agricultural enterprises in Slovakia represented the largest segment (68%) of the study. The agricultural enterprises mostly understand the use of smart technologies as an innovation in logistics (mean = 4.43). The results of the research showed that the analysed agricultural enterprises intend to innovate mainly the production logistics (mean = 3.20). Out of the logistics processes, the agricultural enterprises want to innovate mostly the inventory management (mean = 4.55). Lean logistics is the most frequently implemented logistics innovation in agricultural enterprises (mean = 3.64). The hypothesis testing has proven that there is a statistically significant relationship between the utilisation of lean logistics and production logistics innovation. In addition, it was proven that there is a statistically significant relationship between the utilisation of radio frequency identification (RFID) and the logistics process innovation - inventory management.

Sorbus domestica L. is a deciduous shrub-like tree in the Rosaceae family that reaches different heights (3–25 m). The service tree commonly grows in the Marmara region, Central and Western Black Sea regions, and Central Anatolia in Türkiye. The fruit of the service tree called Sorbus domestica, has an essential place in regards to human health in terms of its antioxidant values. The aroma components and phenolic compounds it contains display a variety of physiological traits. This study was carried out to determine the changes in the pomological characteristics and volatile compounds of Sorbus domestica L. fruits in the Tokat region at harvest and the consuming maturities in 2019 and 2020. The aroma extraction from the Sorbus fruits identified esters, alcohols, ketones, aldehydes, terpenes, and other volatile aroma compounds. As a result of the study, differences in aldehydes, esters, and terpene compounds were notable within the scope of the volatile aroma compounds. According to the obtained information, our results identified total aldehydes of 70.64%, esters of 7.49%, and terpenes of 21.35% in Sorbus domestica during the harvest maturity. When Sorbus fruits were left at room temperature until consuming for consumption was reached, the volatile compound rates varied which were 60.59% for the aldehydes, 22.49% for the esters, and 13.20% for the terpenes.

The current erosion protection set up in the Czech Republic (CZ) is based on the long-term soil loss due to water erosion using the Universal Soil Loss Equation (USLE). The range of recommended values of tolerable soil loss by water varies among different authors and approaches, depending on the specific area and its parameters. It is, therefore, important to ask the following questions. What is the real range of soil loss by water erosion in CZ. To determine the range of soil loss, a model extrapolation was carried out. The model extrapolation was based on the results from two main experimental measurements. Both from the evaluated volume soil loss of real erosion events and field experiments based on measurements of erosion induced by artificial rainfall. The results of modelled extrapolation of the range of long-term soil loss are in the range 6.9–13.8 t/ha per year.

The creation of the database system represents a complex task which is difficult to coordinate. In this work, a method of the logic framework was used for the coordination of each particular step to one integral part. In the Czech Republic, most of the information about soil was gathered within a systematic soil survey (KPP) in the period 1961–1970. Information about genetic and agronomic characteristics of agricultural soils was gathered for the whole Czech Republic. The other part of the data is coming from the databases of forest soils. This contribution is a continuation of the previous research. We are aware of the fact that in the Czech Republic exist also other soil information systems. In this work we also tried to show the practical exploitation of the large soil database. We applied many approaches to assess bulk density of the soil. It was calculated for the main soil groups and it could be applied on every soil profile in PUGIS system. We also showed different possibilities of mapping soil organic concentration or amount in soils.

In this study, the effects of standard fertilisation versus variable fertilisation with mineral and organomineral fertilisers on N, P, K, Ca and Mg leaching from the ploughed layer and yields of winter wheat and spring wheat (Triticum aestivum L.) and spring barley (Hordeum vulgare L.) were studied. The losses of calcium were the highest, and phosphorus from phosphates was the lowest of all studied nutrients when simulated rainfall and lysimeters were used after the crops were harvested. The use of variable rate fertilisation reduced nitrates leaching in all the studied plots. Nevertheless, leaching of calcium, which is present in higher concentrations in soils (and also magnesium leaching), seems to be more dependent on the used fertilisers (or their combinations) and doses. As found in different studies, we proved that variable rate fertilisation may not increase grain yields.

Sunflower serves as a valuable rotational crop, suitable for snack processing or sunflower seed oil extraction, proving to be a lucrative cash crop. To address sunflower yield uncertainties, this study employs meta-analysis to examine the impact of fertilisation. Utilising 41 studies and 392 pairs of observations based on four criteria, we found an overall 27% increase in sunflower yield with fertiliser application. Nitrogen (N), phosphorus (P), and potassium (K) individually applied raised yield by 23.37, 20.92, and 11.63%, respectively. Combined fertilisers (NP, NK, NP, and NPK) enhanced yield by 29.69, 28.40, 17.35, and 41.91%, respectively. Sunflower type minimally affects yield, while planting density significantly influences it. Combining local soil conditions and environmental factors with appropriate planting densities ensures maximum sunflower yield, fostering economic benefits for farmers. This study holds constructive implications for sunflower cultivation in China, contributing to increased yield.

The 2021 Cyclone Seroja was a category 3 storm that made landfall on Lembata Island, causing extensive damage. This study aims to identify key interpretations of sediment transport related to tropical cyclones (TC) Seroja and past floods using a geopedological approach, estimate the return period through frequency analysis, and determine the rainfall threshold for flooding using HEC-RAS software. Extreme rainfall data from global precipitation model (GPM) (2000–2023) in Wei Laing watershed were analysed alongside LiDAR terrain data, physical and chemical properties of soil, and land cover data. Based on geopedological analysis, the result shows that the erosional-transfer zone of Wei Laing Watershed has thin, loamy, and slightly sandy soils due to erosion and limited pedogenesis. The depositional zone contains flood deposits with abrupt vertical texture changes, reflecting transported coarse grains and finer in-situ sediments. The modern flood deposit (TC Seroja flood deposit) was identified by texture, CaCO₃ content, organic matter, and coarse organic material. The fine-grained flood deposits (≤ 4 cm) are classified as slackwater deposits, consist of silty clay loam and silt loam textures, reflecting deposition under slow-flowing conditions. TC Seroja corresponds to a 50-year return period. Hydrological modelling indicates a 60 mm/day rainfall threshold for flooding, with 77 flood events recorded between 2000–2023. The model is confirmed by thick past flood deposits enriched with coarse organic materials. These findings provide insight into flood dynamics and sedimentary responses, supporting future flood risk mitigation efforts.

Ground heat flux (G) is often an overlooked component of the surface energy balance, and its accurate determination remains challenging. In the present study, the accuracy of various G estimation methods is examined using long-term measurements from the Central European mountain meadow. The impact of different G approximation on calculated evapotranspiration by the Penman-Monteith method (ET) is analysed. Soil heat flux measurements and surface temperature data were used to determine G, while net radiation was used to approximate G. Neglecting G led to an overestimation of ET in the daily timestep. On the contrary, the FAO-recommended hourly approximation overestimated G, underestimating ET. Site-specific calibrations of G prediction models improved their accuracy. For daily average G, as well as for hourly average G, simple constant parameter models (i.e., models including a single parameter specifying the fraction of net radiation directly) provide satisfactory accuracy of ET evaluation. However, in an hourly timestep, net radiation fails as a predictor of G shortly after sunrise and before sunset. The findings emphasise the importance of considering G in ET calculations and the need for site-specific calibrations of G estimation models.

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.

As a critical and universal soil physical property, soil water repellency significantly affects soil and water erosion and vegetation restoration, particularly in the karst region. This study analysed soil properties, namely, particle size distribution (PSD) in abandoned farmland and different plantations in karst areas, and their impact on water repellency to provide references for its ecological restoration. First, for the shaddock plantation, citrus plantation, ginkgo plantation, Robinia pseudoacacia plantation, and abandoned farmland, the research objects, soil particle size and water drop penetration time were measured, and the fractal parameters of soil PSD were computed. Soil PSD characteristics’ influence on water repellency was inferred according to, for example, correlation, redundancy, and stepwise regression analyses. Sand content in the shaddock plantation and clay content in the citrus plantation was the highest. The soil particles of abandoned farmland and plantations were primarily sand. The values of volume dimension D(0) in descending order were citrus plantation, shaddock plantation, ginkgo plantation, R. pseudoacacia plantation, and abandoned farmland. The values of information dimension D(1), correlation dimension D(2), and information dimension/volume dimension D(1)/D(0) in descending order were R. pseudoacacia plantation, ginkgo plantation, citrus plantation, abandoned farmland, and shaddock plantation. No significant differences were found in the symmetry degree Df, the spectral width Da of the singular spectral function, and the single fractal dimension D among the abandoned farmland and different plantations. Slight water repellency was observed in the abandoned farmland and different plantations. The degree of water repellency in descending order was R. pseudoacacia plantation > ginkgo plantation > abandoned farmland > citrus plantation > shaddock plantation. Significant correlations were found between fractal parameters and water repellency, and fractal parameters were suitable potential indicators for soil water repellency.

The nutritional quality of meat from pigs of the indigenous Prestice Black-Pied pig (PB) and the three-breed commercial hybrid of Large White × Landrace × Large White_sireline (CH) was compared using these indicators: content of intramuscular fat, protein, saturated fatty acids (SFA) and essential amino acids (EAAs). The protein content and energy value of PB and CH meat were 20.12% and 22.56%, and 426.77 kJ·(100 g)^–1 and 443.01 kJ·(100 g)^–1, respectively. The lowest fat content (1.33%) and SFA content (0.33%) were found in the meat of commercial hybrid pigs. Leucine and lysine were the most predominant EAAs detected. Valine and leucine are the limiting AAs in studied meat as a protein source for children at 0.5–2 years of age. The compositions of AAs in PB and CH pork fully meet the protein needs of children over 2 years of age and adults. The calculated amount of pork meat provides the required daily intake of AAs and ensures 5–8% energy for children and 8–11% energy for adults at moderate physical activity. In general, the meat of Prestice Black-Pied pig and of the commercial hybrid showed the high nutritional value and quality and it can be recommended for consumption in the diet by children and adults.

Among the various disposal strategies for sewage sludge (SS), soil application is the most suitable. This study was conducted to evaluate soil amendment with SS (0, 10, 20, 30 and 40 g/kg) and its impact on soil fertility and tomato (Solanum lycopersicum L.) growth. The SS significantly improved the agromorphological attributes, the number of produced fruits, and the fruit biomass of tomato plants. The 30 g/kg application of SS led to the highest growth rate and fruit yield. Considering the fruits, the best safe enrichment of metal nutrients was recorded at 30 g/kg, with a significant increase in the micronutrient metals Mn, Zn, Ni, Cu, and Fe with 624, 193, 125, 70, and 32%, respectively, compared to the control. The SS amendment enhanced soil fertility, and heavy metals were within the permissible ranges for agricultural soils. Bioaccumulation factors (BFs) indicated that SS application induced the accumulation of most of the studied metals in the roots, and the BF values of Zn, Cu, Ni, and Pb were > 1. The current study concluded that recirculating SS nutrient components to agricultural soils could offer a valid solution for the sustainable management of this organic waste and enhance plant-crop productivity.

Conservation grassland significantly reduces soil erosion risk in agricultural landscapes, as shown by a nationwide analysis of over 1.9 million Farmer’s blocks (DPBs) records from the Czech Republic (2016–2022). A logit regression model revealed that grassland establishment lowers the likelihood of erosion events by about 64%, with erosion risk strongly influenced by altitude, land use, and management practices. Spatial mapping and soil suitability classification identified nearly 240 00 hectares – mainly along 33 000 concentrated runoff pathways – as suitable for targeted grassland conversion. Despite its soil-protective function, high opportunity costs hinder uptake in economically productive regions. Cluster analysis across EU Member States confirmed a strong link between low permanent grassland share and high erosion exposure. The findings underscore the need for regionally tailored policies, long-term financial support, and flexible land management options to enhance soil resilience and promote sustainable agriculture.

The present investigation explored the possible use of Thymus vulgaris essential oil (TVEO) as a beverage antifungal preservative instead of chemical ones. The chemical profile of TVEO exposed carvacrol (60.47%) as the predominant compound. The antifungal properties of TVEO were assessed on various food spoilage yeast and mould species using two tests. TVEO showed a powerful antimicrobial effect against all the fungal strains at the three volumes of essential oil (EO) used (i.e. 10, 20, and 30 µL). The minimum inhibition concentration (MIC) of TVEO was also evaluated and ranged from 0.0625% to 0.015% (v/v). Furthermore, the potency of TVEO as a beverage antimicrobial preservative was tested at four distinct concentrations (0.6, 1.25, 4, and 6 μL·mL^–1) against Saccharomyces cerevisiae alone and combined with medium heating (70 °C for 2 min) in a real food matrix (Orangina^® drink) for eight storage days. TVEO exhibited a significantly higher preservative effect than chemical preservatives (sodium benzoate and potassium sorbate). Lastly, a molecular docking examined the mechanism of action of carvacrol against two crucial enzymes in S. cerevisiae viability [ERG2 (sterol C8-isomerase) and ERG3 (sterol C5-desaturase)] compared to a chemical preservative (potassium sorbate). The two ligands highly interacted with the two target enzymes. However, carvacrol achieved a better score than potassium sorbate against ERG2 and ERG3, with binding energy of –10.19 kcal·mol^–1 and –11.73 kcal·mol^–1, respectively. Our results open up the perspective of using TVEO as a natural food preservative.

The dominant agricultural sector in Slovakia is crop production, with the majority of arable land dedicated to cultivating cereals (57%), followed by fodder crops (20%) and industrial crops (19%). Slovakia has technical and biophysical potential for expanding biomass production. However, it is crucial to identify optimal production practices, alternative costs, and environmental outputs. Farms become more vulnerable to the worldwide threat posed by climate change. Based on research, farmers can effectively mitigate the adverse effects of climate change by making necessary adjustments to their current farming techniques. Thus, by using an advanced tool like integrated farm models, farmers can evaluate and manage a range of risks related to their activities. This paper aims to present the application of integrated modelling frameworks at the farm level and propose a framework for studying the consequences of climate change through a scenario-based approach at the farm level. Integrated assessments provide new insights that complement those derived from more detailed assessments. Based on the model developed, the results of two research questions are provided. Since, from the viewpoint of the farmer, risk and unpredictability associated with lower yields are frequently the main causes of lower income, spatially explicit integrated modelling is applied, enabling economic optimisation of crop production on a selected farm with a focus on maximising net returns while considering biophysical parameters. The modelling results depict the distribution of selected crops on arable land and the most suitable management practices for crop production in terms of nitrogen application and irrigation utilisation. Additionally, we develop an integrated model proposing the estimation of the risk of yield variability and nitrogen emissions for three climate change scenarios for the simulated period of 2020–2100 on the model farm. In response to the problems posed by climate change, this integrated approach can assist evidence-based decision-making and sustainable agriculture practices.

Knowing the relationship between forest soil properties and their stand conditions is relevant for the sustainable exploitation and management of forest soils. This study examines the influence of stand environmental factors on soil properties within forest environments. We further assessed the spatial variability of these soil properties and their controlling factors. A harmonised soil database on the entire forest areas of the Czech Republic was considered; however, only 851 sampling points with complete data on soil properties was used out of the more than 8 thousand sampling points in the database. The topsoil mineral layer of 0–30 cm was analysed. Principal component analysis was used to determine the relationships between the forest soil properties and their stand controlling factors. The nugget ratios for the semivariograms and cross-variograms were used to evaluate the spatial dependence of soil properties, and their relevant controlling factors. Forest types influence soil reaction and the availability of cations within the topsoils. Phosphorus is influenced by aluminium and cation exchange capacity. There are higher concentrations of total phosphorus and aluminium under broadleaved forest.