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The post-harvest process at the storage stage is one of the most critical processes for maintaining soybean seed quality. The type of packaging and the type of material stored will affect its shelf life. One type of packaging has specific properties that are different from other types of packaging. Therefore, this study used several types of packaging materials and soybean varieties to determine changes in its quality during storage. The treatments were arranged in a 5 × 4 × 7 factorial experiment in a randomised block design (RBD) with three replications, consisting of totally 140 treatment combinations involving five different types of packaging materials. Water content, the weight of 100 grains, seedling dry weight, electrical conductivity (EC), and germination percentage were assessed monthly. The factorial analysis of variance (ANOVA) was used to compare water content, the weight of 100 grains, EC, germination, and seedling dry weight. A qualitative descriptive analysis method was employed for the temperature and relative humidity of the storage room. The results showed that Grobogan had the lowest germination percentage of 84.85% compared to the other varieties (86.97-90.82%). Plastic sack resulted in the most inferior seed quality (82.00% for plastic sack vs. 88.23-90.17% for the other containers). A more extended storage period of soybean seeds caused a decrease in soybean quality for all varieties and packaging materials. Up to 6 months of storage at room temperature, the quality of soybean seeds remained high, with the lowest germination of 80%.

There is significant interest in the propagation of bananas due to their substantial global economic importance, which is why this study aimed to develop an efficient protocol for in vitro propagation through somatic embryogenesis (SE) of the ‘Manzano’ and ‘Pelipita’ cultivars. Immature male flower bud explants were used for embryogenic callus induction. The ‘Manzano’ cultivar showed a higher percentage of embryogenic callus induction than ‘Pelipita’. Stereomicroscopic observations revealed that the embryogenic callus was asynchronous, as various stages of somatic embryos were noted. White translucent pro-embryogenic callus was efficiently utilized to establish embryogenic cell suspension. The development of different stages in the regeneration process of embryogenic cell suspension was also recorded. Embryos in the late coleoptilar stage, characterized by an opaque white morphology, were selected and transferred to an appropriate medium to evaluate the germination percentage. We found that the germination rate was highly efficient for both cultivars, exceeding 90% when using these embryos in the selected stage. Additionally, we observed that embryos that were 90 days old showed a 10–12% increase in germination compared to those that were 60 days old, confirming the importance of embryo maturation duration and the selection of embryogenic aggregates through the sieving of suspended cells to optimize regeneration efficiency.

Bruguiera gymnorrhiza and Acanthus ilicifolius are key mangrove species, but their populations have declined recently due to human activities. To promote their restoration, this study optimised seed germination and seedling cultivation using the plant factory method. The parameters, such as illumination, salinity, temperature and nutrient conditions, were examined. Our results showed that suitable illumination, salinity and temperature promoted seed germination of both species. Nutrient addition promoted the germination of B. gymnorrhiza but had little effect on A. ilicifolius. Both species of seedlings grew best in short illumination duration and moderate illumination intensity. Although both species can tolerate high salinity, low salinity (0–10‰ for B. gymnorrhiza and 0–5‰ for A. ilicifolius) promoted seedlings’ growth. High temperature (28–32°C) accelerated the growth of both species of seedlings. Nutrient addition enhanced the growth of both species’ seedlings, especially the addition of Ca²⁺/Mg²⁺ and trace elements strongly promoted the growth of B. gymnorrhiza seedlings. We obtained optimal conditions for seed germination and seedling growth of both species in the plant factory, demonstrating that environmental control significantly enhanced their germination and growth rates. Our findings provide valuable insights into the efficiency of mangrove restoration and the sustainable development of mangrove ecosystems.

Leafy greens are important vectors for enteric viruses, including human noroviruses (HuNoV), which are a leading cause of foodborne disease. These viruses can contaminate the agricultural environment through untreated wastewater or direct contamination. While studies on HuNoV in vegetables have been conducted, few have focused on Morocco. This study aimed to detect HuNoV in leafy greens collected in the region of Marrakech region over a fifteen-week period (March–June 2023). For this purpose, 112 samples (coriander, lettuce and parsley) were collected and analysed using the ISO 15216-2:2019 method with minor modifications, after validation. The method involved eluting viruses using an alkaline buffer, concentrating them through polyethylene glycol precipitation, and detecting viral RNA via real-time RT-PCR. The applied method yielded variable recovery rates among the tested matrices, with coriander showing the highest recovery (1.5%), followed by lettuce (1.2%) and parsley (0.6%), confirming a significant matrix-dependent variation in HuNoV recovery (ANOVA, P < 0.001). This method enabled the assessment of leafy green contamination, which was found to be 0.89% (1/112). This study underscores the need to enhance detection methods to better assess the risks associated to noroviruses in leafy greens, with implications for human health.

The aim of our three consecutive years (2017-2019) field trial was to obtain information as to the effect of weather conditions of the actual year as well as to assess the impact of some technological parameters such as fertilisation, the choice on the hybrid type on the yield parameters, phytosanitary conditions and mycotoxin contamination of maize. According to our results, the climatic characteristics of the years, the examined hybrid characters (FAO 310 and 490) and the fact of N-fertilisation had significant effects on yield parameters and grain moisture content. The additional N-supply did not affect the development or severity of stem rot in any of the hybrid effects. In this respect, the year effect appeared to be the decisive factor since much higher stem rot values were recorded in the plots of the longer growing season hybrids. Among the mycotoxins examined, only zearalenone and fumonisin found in the harvest were significantly influenced by the effect of the year, the length of the growing season as well as nutrient replenishment. It can be stated that the applied technological parameters have a major effect on the expression of this toxin load in maize. Dry maize stocks that have lost their water in the vegetation are predisposing factors for toxin accumulation. N-content of soil and that of plants can play a different role in mycotoxin accumulation in maize plants.

The aim of the present study was to compare carcass characteristics and meat quality of fast- (Ross 308), medium- (Hubbard JA757) and slow-growing (ISA Dual) chickens (n = 1 980). When the chickens reached an average live weight of 2 kg, 40 birds (males to females, 1 : 1) of each genotype were randomly selected and slaughtered for carcass analysis. Pectoralis major (PM) muscle samples were taken to determine the physical and chemical parameters of the meat quality. The fast- and medium-growing genotypes had higher (+3.24% and +3.84%, respectively) dressing out percentages than the slow-growing chickens. As expected, the breast percentage significantly decreased in the order of fast growth > medium growth > slow growth. The abdominal fat percentage was the lowest in Ross 308 chickens, but the abdominal fat percentage in JA757 and ISA Dual chickens did not differ. For edible organs, fast- and medium-growing chickens had heavier hearts and livers than slow-growing chickens. In contrast, ISA Dual chickens showed heavier gizzards. Genotype dramatically affected the chemical composition of PM muscle. The ISA Dual chickens exhibited a significantly higher proportion of dry matter and protein and lower ether extract and cholesterol content than Ross 308 chickens, with intermediate values for JA757 chickens. The ISA Dual group had a lower ash content than Ross 308 and JA757 groups. In terms of physical parameters, the ISA Dual chickens had higher lightness and yellowness and lower redness, pH 24, and cooking loss than those of the other genotypes. Concerning all genotypes, the shear force values increased from fast- to slow-growing chickens. In conclusion, this study found a difference between the genotypes. Although the slow-growing chickens showed the lowest dressing out and breast percentages compared with the other genotypes, the breast meat of the slow-growing chickens had more favourable nutritional properties.

Protecting sessile oak [Quercus petraea (Matt.) Liebl.] seeds from rodents is crucial to ensure successful germination and emergence in activities such as artificial regeneration, afforestation, and seedling production. This study examined the effects of 12 natural or nature-identical substances, believed to have repellent properties, on the germination, emergence, and survival of sessile oak acorns under both laboratory and field conditions. Acorns were coated using a diatomaceous clay-based pellet system, and a Y-maze experiment was conducted to evaluate rodent behaviour. As a result of the research, among the tested substances, Ferulago confusa and Foeniculum vulgare were recommended as rodent repellents due to their success in laboratory and field trials. Diesel fuel + hair, a conventional repellent, showed poor performance and is not recommended. This study underscores the potential efficacy of natural or nature-identical coatings for protecting seeds from pests in forestry applications.

Identification of the species for dendrochronological studies is of great relevance to understand various aspects of climate change. However, in the northwestern Himalayan region, dendroclimatological investigations are confined to conifer species, with broadleaved species being disregarded. Thus, the present study was conducted to assess the growth response of seven multipurpose tree species (MPTs), namely Bauhinia variegata, Celtis australis, Grewia optiva, Paulownia fortunei, Toona ciliata, Ulmus villosa and Melia composita to local climate variables, viz. temperature as well as rainfall (seasonal, monthly, average) and CO2 level by evaluating the climatic signal in tree ring chronologies at Solan district, India (altitude 1 250 m) in the mid-hills of the northwestern Himalayas. The results indicated that only the maximum, rainy season temperature and CO2 level varied significantly (P < 0.05) between 1991 and 2017. Only G. optiva exhibited a significant (P < 0.05) tendency toward increased growth. C. australis has a remarkable negative correlation with temperature variables, viz. average, maximum, spring season, March temperature, whereas T. ciliata exhibits a positive correlation with temperature variables, such as rainy season, average and April temperature. Similarly, winter, total and December rainfall have a profound effect on P. fortunei, while March rainfall adversely affected the growth of B. variegata. On the other hand, G. optiva demonstrated sensitivity to both temperature (February and May) and rainfall variables (winter, February and May). U. villosa recorded a positive correlation with rainfall (autumn and October rainfall) but a negative correlation with temperature variables (maximum and April temperature). Elevated CO2 levels affected only two species (G. optiva, M. composita) out of the seven selected species. Our findings will contribute to a better understanding of the climate growth relationships of investigated tree species, as a result, to more accurate projections of the effects of climate change on these MPTs and directing future studies.

A field experiment was conducted with potatoes to examine the effects of hydrogel application and weather conditions on total tuber yield and the content of potentially harmful compounds – glycoalkaloids and nitrates. The first experimental factor comprised three table cultivars: Lawenda, Rima and Provita. The second factor consisted of three treatments: the application of the hydrogel AgroNanoGel Basic at 60 and 90 kg/ha, and a control treatment without hydrogel. Statistical analysis demonstrated significant effects of cultivar, hydrogel application rates, and hydrothermal conditions in the study years on potato tuber yield. The highest yields were produced by cv. Lawenda, and the most favourable yield-forming effects were observed when the hydrogel had been applied at 90 kg/ha. The levels of antinutritional compounds were significantly affected by the experimental factors and weather conditions during the study years. Cv. Rima accumulated the lowest levels of glycoalkaloids, whereas cv. Lawenda contained the least nitrates (V). The hydrogel increased the content of both glycoalkaloids and nitrates relative to the control treatment, although their levels posed no risk to human health. Higher concentrations of antinutritional compounds were recorded in the dry and warm 2024 season than in the cooler and more humid 2025 season.

Agriculture has lost its importance in many parts of the world, leaving peasants in a state of uncertainty regarding their social status and identity. This article uses both quantitative and qualitative data to present the changes experienced by Romanian peasants as a result of an entire series of processes which led to the loss of their place within society. Statistical data are used to illustrate the evolution of the most relevant agriculture-related indicators over the last three decades. Qualitative data are presented in order to explain how developments in agriculture were perceived by peasants. While the changes might be irreversible, the story of the 'old' class of peasants should constitute a starting point for redesigning national policies and avoiding the disintegration of an entire social class.

The current study presents the first documented interaction between the date palm scale insect (Parlatoria blanchardi) and the black rats (Rattus rattus). For a year, this study investigated whether R. rattus could serve as a means of phoresy for the survival of P. blanchardi and the potential risks associated with its spread to date palm stands. Our research revealed a prevalence rate of P. blanchardi on R. rattus of 5.79% during the year, while a higher rate of 9.33% was observed during a specific five-month period. The mean infestation intensity was 3.39 parasites/rat during these five months. Statistical data revealed a highly significant difference in the distribution of the three age classes of P. blanchardi among the age categories of R. rattus (χ² = 62.067, df = 24, P = 3.244e–05). Furthermore, rat age classes differed significantly in their P. blanchardi infestation levels (χ² = 18.246, df = 3, P = < 0.001). The Negative Binomial Mixed Model showed a significant positive effect of temperature [(generalised linear mixed-effects models (GLMM): z (estimate/standard error) = 3.13, P < 0.01)] and sex (male) (GLMM: z = 2.22, P < 0.001) on insect abundance. These findings suggest that black rats may represent a previously unknown form of phoresy for the survival of the date palm scale insect, emphasising the need for further research to investigate this novel ecological interaction and its potential implications for pest management.

Water deficit is one of the most important abiotic factors limiting crop yields. To better understand the link between carbohydrate balance and drought stress response in strawberry plants (Fragaria vesca), we monitored by liquid chromatography the carbohydrate status in leaves during exposure to drought of different duration and intensity as well as subsequent recovery. In two greenhouse experiments that differed in the rate of reaching the target water deficit, strawberry leaves showed osmotic adjustment, with gradual increases in glucose and fructose content, likely provided by observed starch degradation. At the point of the most severe stress, proline content increased, while stress markers, such as malondialdehyde content and chlorophyll fluorescence, showed no significant changes. It indicates the defence mechanisms’ ability to protect cellular structures effectively. Strawberry, a member of the Rosaceae family, motivated us to investigate the role of sorbitol in the stress response. However, we found no sorbitol in any stress or control situations. Finally, testing sorbitol’s ability to support strawberry plant or non-green callus growth in vitro did not indicate that sorbitol could be used as a carbon and energy source. In conclusion, strawberries exhibit marked changes in soluble carbohydrate and starch content as an efficient defence against drought, without apparent involvement of sorbitol.

Bio-fertilisation has gained popularity due to its sustainability in agricultural practice. One of the cyanobacterial-based bio-fertilisers is Arthrospira platensis (Spirulina platensis), which contains phycocyanin, a blue protein pigment that is abundant in Spirulina sp., that boosts the growth yield and bioactive content of plants. The aim of the current study is to determine the alteration in antioxidant and phenolic content in red cabbage microgreens (Brassica oleracea var. capitata f. rubra) by treating different organs of the plant with phycocyanin from Arthrospira platensis. The phycocyanin application did not significantly affect the phenolic content of the cotyledon leaves. However, soaking with phycocyanin solution significantly affected the phenolic content of seeds. Regarding the antioxidant capacity of the microgreens, no significant effect was detected on the antioxidant activity of the seeds among the phycocyanin concentrations. The phycocyanin application significantly increased antioxidant activity compared to control soaked in deionised water. The results clearly demonstrate that phycocyanin application to seed and cotyledon leaves affected the antioxidant capacity and phenolic content of the microgreens. Although there are several studies about the effects of phycocyanin on growth parameters, this study has different perspectives in terms of the method of phycocyanin application and evaluation of the bioactive compounds in microgreens.

Climate change is speeding up the melting and retreat of glaciers, which is a big threat to water security in dry and semi-dry areas like Uzbekistan. To understand how glaciers affect regional hydrological systems and to come up with adaptive water management strategies, it is important to keep an eye on how they change over time. This study examines the temporal changes of the Khisar Glacier in the Surkhandarya Basin by combining remote sensing data from different times with a GIS-based spatial analysis. We looked at Landsat images from 1990, 2000, 2010, and 2024 to see how the size of the glaciers has changed and how that relates to weather and water variables. The results show that the glacier area has shrunk significantly, from 8.6 km² in 1990 to 5.1 km² in 2024, a 40.7% decrease over the past three decades. The mean annual temperature in the basin rose by about 1.9 °C during the same time, and the Surkhandarya River's average summer discharge fell by about 22%. These results show how closely rising temperatures, melting glaciers, and lower river flow are linked. They also show how vulnerable glacier-fed water systems are to climate change. Combining satellite observations with climate and hydrology data is a good way to keep an eye on glaciers and assess water resources over time. The GIS-based monitoring framework created in this study provides useful tools for planning how to adapt to climate change and manage water resources in a way that is good for the environment in the Surkhandarya region and other glacier-dependent basins in Central Asia.

This study evaluated a novel slow-release copper fertiliser (soileos Cu) as a sustainable alternative to conventional copper sources for improving wheat yield and nutrient use efficiency. Traditional Cu fertilisers are often limited by rapid leaching and low efficiency, especially on sandy soils with low organic matter, contributing to environmental pollution. They also exhibit low plant-use efficiency due to strong adsorption and immobilisation in soils rich in organic matter and clay minerals, thereby reducing copper availability in the soil solution and contributing to environmental pollution. A multi-scale approach was employed, including laboratory incubation, greenhouse experiments, and multi-site field trials. Copper release was quantified in water over 30 days. Greenhouse experiments compared soileos Cu with copper sulfate (CuSO₄) across multiple application rates, assessing grain yield, biomass, spike count, chlorophyll index (SPAD), and tissue and grain nutrient concentrations. Field trials were conducted at four sites in Canada and the United States with contrasting soil Cu availability. Soileos Cu exhibited controlled, non-linear Cu release with substantially reduced leaching compared to CuSO₄. In greenhouse conditions, soileos Cu achieved maximum grain yield, biomass, and spike number at 25–26% lower Cu application rates than CuSO₄, indicating higher nutrient use efficiency. Field trials confirmed that yield responses were strongly dependent on baseline soil Cu levels, with the greatest yield increase (up to 13.3%) observed at a Cu-deficient site. Overall, soileos Cu provides an effective and environmentally responsible strategy for improving Cu nutrition and wheat productivity, particularly under Cu-limiting conditions.

A long-term experiment in the maise-pea cropping system was conducted in Palampur from October 2019 to September 2021 as part of the All India Coordinated Research Project on Weed Management (AICRP-WM). Ten methods for managing weeds, namely, T₁ – hoeing, T₂ – raised stale seedbed + hoeing, T₃ – stale seedbed + hoeing, T₅ – stale seedbed + mulch, T₆ – raised stale seedbed + mulch, T₄ – mulch 5 t per ha, T₇ – intercropping fenugreek in rabi season and soybeans in kharif season, T₈ – crop rotation (soybean, mustard, and maise-peas alternately), T₉ – intensive cropping (additional crops of mustard in the fall and buckwheat in the summer), and T₁₀ – chemical check (pendimethalin in rabi season and atrazine in kharif season). A randomised complete block design with three replications was used to assess the weed flora, consisting of eight weed species during kharif 2020, fourteen during kharif 2021, and thirteen during the rabi seasons 2019–2020 and 2020–2021. The weed species composition changed significantly in the second year compared to the first. In contrast to the chemical check, the organic weed control treatments showed a variety of weed flora, as indicated by diversity and phytosociological studies. Long periods of germination/emergence, blooming, and fruiting were found in phenological research. Rabi weeds appeared between October and January and between May and August. They flowered and produced fruits or seeds in March and September, respectively, and matured in April and September. Crop rotation followed by Raised stale seedbed (RSSB) + hoeing + earthing resulted in a much greater yield; however, in the second year, the chemical check was comparable to this treatment. Additionally, crop rotation increased profitability over time.

The city longhorn beetle (Aeolesthes sarta) (CLB) (Coleoptera - Cerambycidae) is a polyphagous invasive pest of both healthy and suppressed broadleaved trees in central Asia. CLB causes a great degree of damage in the countries of its origin. To understand this pest in a better way, a detailed review study has been conducted to gather all the valuable information related to the CLB. This review study covers the main aspects of the CLB, its morphology, ecology, distribution, damage, and control measures. The life span of the CLB is two years. It is mainly distributed in the central Asian countries and preferably damages broadleaved tree species, especially Juglans regia, Populus alba, P. euphratica, Acer spp, Salix alba, S. babylonica, Malus pumila, M. sylvestris, Platanus orientalis and Ulmus spp. Effective control and management practices include cutting, removing + burning of infested trees, cultivating high resilient tree species, use of biocontrol agents (i.e. fungus), and use of aluminium phosphide as a pesticide to significantly help control the CLB population. A CLB invasion in a new favourable habitat could impose a serious threat to broadleaf forests and plantations. Therefore, the keen monitoring and surveying of woodland management techniques are recommended. The strict monitoring and inspection of traded wood material at airports and seaports are highly recommended. There is a need to conduct multiple research studies to profoundly understand the CLB phenology, ecology, transportation mode, and damage severity to bridge the gap.

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

Thawed meat is usually of lower quality and less expensive than chilled meat, which some dishonest people may exploit by fraudulently marketing it as chilled. This study focused on methods for detecting and distinguishing frozen meat from chilled meat. The activity of the enzyme aconitase in the eluate was determined, and the mineral cations (Na⁺, K⁺, Mg²⁺) as well as the concentrations of organic acids (acetic, citric, and lactic) were analysed in chilled and thawed meat stored for 7, 14, and 150 days at −18 °C. After 150 days of storage, aconitase activity increased from 47.2 ± 7.2 U·L^–1 to 395.3 ± 59.2 U·L^–1 in pork, from 45.8 ± 11.5 U·L^–1 to 133.3 ± 31.8 U·L^–1 in beef, and from 17.2 ± 8.6 U·L^–1 to 143.6 ± 41.5 U·L^–1 in chicken. The mineral content decreased during storage in meat samples, especially Na⁺ and K⁺ cations (P < 0.05). The results for organic acids were less conclusive. Principal component analysis (PCA) of the data confirmed a clear separation between chilled and thawed meat for all species, with a high variability of nearly 72%.

The leucine-rich repeat receptor-like kinases (LRR-RLKs) compose a large gene family in plant genomes and implement essential functions in diverse plant physiology progress, including defence against pathogens. However, a systematic analysis of LRR-RLKs has not been accomplished in the economically important cucumber. 189 LRR-RLK genes were identified in the cucumber genome and further divided into 22 subgroups based on the sequence similarities in this study. A total of 31 segmental duplication events and 15 tandem duplication events were present in the genome, indicating that the two duplications were the main driving forces for the expansion of the LRR-RLK family in the cucumber. The expression profile analysis revealed that most of the CsLRR-RLKs were upregulated during a downy mildew infection, and resistant cucumbers comprised more upregulated CsLRR-RLKs than the sensitive lines. Taken together, our results provided information on the LRR-RLK gene family in the cucumber and contributed valuable information for the further research of CsLRR-RLKs.

In China’s agricultural catastrophe insurance market, issues of non-equilibrium are prominent. To understand the causes of non-equilibrium in agricultural catastrophe insurance and to develop prevention strategies, this study employs an Evolutionary Game Model, incorporating disaster and insurance data for three types of cereal crops in Henan Province to analyse the Evolutionarily Stable Strategies in the agricultural catastrophe insurance market. The research also considers government policies and disaster reinsurance as implicit participants in the model. The findings reveal significant differences in the impact of non-equilibrium in the agricultural catastrophe insurance market and the choice of game strategies, dependent on the scale of farm operations, the type of crops cultivated, and regional variations. Significantly, decision-making evolutionary paths vary between small and medium-scale farmers, with rice growers emphasising income insurance more. In regions prone to frequent catastrophes, the insurance rates for agricultural catastrophe insurance exhibit greater flexibility. By scientifically delineating agricultural catastrophe risk zones, appropriately expanding the scale of cultivation, reducing insurance rates, and adjusting agricultural catastrophe insurance products, a balanced development in the agricultural catastrophe insurance market can be promoted.

Nutrition plays an important role in human life. So far, there have been discussions focusing on the nutritional value of individual foods, separate dishes, or daily meals. However, they have not taken into account the composition of the diet in the longer term. The aim of this work was to evaluate a full-day diet from a currently renowned company that is producing box diets on the Czech market against a full-day diet of twenty randomly selected students. The results showed that the box diet met the required amount of protein, fat, vitamin E, cholesterol, and also the optimal intake of n-6 and n-3 fatty acids. The amount of saturated fatty acids (SFA) was only slightly increased. Eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA) and docosahexaenoic acid (DHA) content averaged 38 mg day^-1, which did not meet the current requirements. The students' full-day diet was variable, the individual differences were large. Protein intake could be assessed as sufficient in most cases. The total fat intake ranged from 21 g day^-1 to 126 g day^-1. Seven out of twenty samples would satisfy the recommendation for SFA. The content of the essential acids EPA and DHA was below the detection limit with the exception of one sample (containing herring fillets).

A combined roaster and oil expeller was developed with locally available and accessible materials and the efficiency of the machine was evaluated. The obtained result shows that the efficiency of the machine is a function of the roasting temperature, the roasting duration, the moisture contents of the processed seeds and the machine feeding rate. The expeller is movable, simple in design for local fabrication, is easy to operate, requires few repairs and little maintenance and is cost effective. It is powered using a gear reduction electric motor of 5.5 Hp, the expeller has an average oil yield of 25.77% and an extraction efficiency of 70.26% and is designed to work for 8 hours per day of operation. The shaft diameter was designed to be 30 mm, while the roaster heater capacity was 2.8 kW. The designed machine is good for castor oil expression for both small- and medium-scale processing among rural and urban communities.

Wind erosion represents a locally significant soil degradation process in the Czech Republic, particularly in intensively farmed lowland regions. While areas susceptible to wind erosion have been previously identified, spatially explicit quantification of potential soil loss expressed in t/ha per year at the national scale has so far been lacking. This study presents a comprehensive assessment of potential wind-driven soil loss across the Czech Republic using the Wind Erosion Equation (WEQ). Special attention is given to the soil erodibility index (I), which was derived from extensive laboratory analyses of soil aggregates and evaluated using multiple statistical representations (Q₂₅, median, mean, Q₇₅, and Q₉₀). The resulting variants were used to quantify the sensitivity of modelled soil loss to erodibility assumptions and to compare exceedance of national (9 t/ha per year) and European (2 t/ha per year) reference limits. Results show substantial spatial variability in index I and associated soil loss estimates. Using the recommended median-based variant, approximately 10% of agricultural land exceeds the European reference limit, while only 0.8% exceeds the national threshold. Higher quantile scenarios (Q₇₅ and Q₉₀) identify erosion hotspots in dry lowland regions and are suitable for preventive planning. The presented outputs provide the first spatially consistent national framework for assessing potential wind erosion losses in the Czech Republic.

Galicia is one of Spain's leading regions regarding agricultural and livestock production. In the light of the COVID-19 crisis, the permeability to the economic shocks of these sectors led to an unprecedented recession, given the heterogeneity of their characteristics, resulting in widespread losses. The main objective of this article is to analyze the impact of COVID-19 in the agricultural and livestock sectors in Galicia and, at the same time, identify the degree of affectation in each of these sectors, determine the impact of the pandemic in each province and study the institutional responses to the COVID-19 crisis. For this purpose, financial analysis of these sectors will be carried out through a sample of 998 companies. The results show a variation in operating income of -16.41% in the agricultural sector and -9.15% in the livestock sector in Galicia, although they are mixed across the different provinces of the region. Despite the articulation of a network of public aids and the adoption of new commercialization strategies, there are sub-sectors with high losses, such as the ornamental plant industry and the subsector dedicated to the production of beef.

Pseudomonas aeruginosa is an infectious pathogenic bacteria infecting many different species of animals. Currently, it lacks a commercial vaccine. In this study, three monovalent DNA vaccines (poprL, poprF, and pflgE), three bivalent combination DNA vaccines (poprL+poprF, poprL+pflgE, poprF+pflgE), and a trivalent DNA vaccine (poprL+poprF+pflgE) were constructed. Consequently, we immunised chickens with these DNA vaccines and used inactivated vaccines as the positive controls. Then, the immune efficacy was evaluated through serum antibody detection, a lymphocyte proliferation assay, and cytokine concentration determination. Lastly, we assessed the protection rate through a challenge experiment. Following vaccination, the serum antibody levels induced using these DNA vaccines were different due to the different coating antigens. In the trivalent combination DNA vaccine group, we established that the lymphocyte proliferation (SI values), IFN-γ, IL-2, and IL-4 levels were significantly higher than those of the other six DNA vaccine groups and the inactivated vaccine group. However, the protection provided was slightly lower than that of the inactivated vaccine and higher than those of other DNA vaccines. The protection rate of poprL, poprF, pflgE, poprL+poprF, poprL+pflgE, poprF+pflgE, poprL+poprF+pflgE, and the inactivated vaccine were 50, 45, 60, 75, 80, 80, 90, and 95%, respectively. The results of this study indicated the trivalent DNA vaccine based on oprL, oprF and flgE genes represents a promising approach for the prevention of Pseudomonas aeruginosa infections.

The extremely dynamic development of calamities caused by the effects of global climate change followed by the spread of under-bark insect pests mainly in coniferous stands and the ongoing incidental felling have raised concerns in the woodworking industry about the developments in the source material with respect to ensuring production in a short-term view. Since the overall standing stock in spruce stands of all age classes in the Czech Republic amounts to 399.6 million m³ (2017-2026) and the theoretical outlook of the logging potential based on the percentage of logging accounts for 112.62 million m³ (2017-2026), the concerns might be deemed justified. The article presents an updated view of the current situation based on official statistics and offers an analytic prediction of the possible development, considering the possible consequences, even in the production of the forestry sector. The statistical data on the current situation have been compiled for the last two decades of development. The results show that with a continued high rate of bark beetle calamities, assuming a total annual cutting with a permanent limitation on the planned harvests of more than 30 million m³, the complete stands of spruce from age class 5 onwards could be harvested in approximately 14-16 years.

Alpine meadows, one of the most widespread and important vegetation types on the Qinghai-Tibet Plateau, are facing severe degradation. This study examines how degradation affects soil medium and trace elements in the eastern Qinghai-Tibet Plateau, along with their relationships with plant traits and soil properties. Results indicate that alpine meadow degradation significantly reduces vegetation coverage, height, biomass, soil water content (SWC), and the levels of soil organic carbon (SOC), nitrogen (N), and phosphorus (P), while increasing soil bulk density (BD), pH, and potassium (K) content. Soil Ca, Zn, and Mo decrease with degradation, whereas Mg, Fe, Mn, Cu, Ni, and Co increase, with Ca, Fe, and Mn showing the strongest changes. Correlation and redundancy analyses indicate that aboveground biomass, SWC, SOC, N, and P positively correlate with Ca, Mo, and Zn, while pH, BD, and K associate with Mn, Fe, Ni, Co, Mg, and Cu. Therefore, alpine meadow degradation significantly influences the distribution of certain soil physicochemical properties and medium and trace elements in the eastern Qinghai-Tibet Plateau. Meanwhile, these medium and trace elements are also affected by specific soil physicochemical properties. Future grassland restoration should consider not only macronutrients and basic soil properties but also key elements like Ca, Fe, and Mn. This study provides foundational data for the ecological restoration of degraded alpine meadows.

Drought is a major abiotic stressor that limits crop growth and is often associated with oxidative stress. We evaluated whether foliar silicon (Si) application affects primary root anatomy, plant height, and phenolic metabolism in three common buckwheat (Fagopyrum esculentum) cultivars (La Harpe, Panda, and Smuga) exposed to water deficit. Plants were grown under controlled conditions in four treatments: control; drought; control + Si, and drought + Si. Qualitative anatomical assessment revealed that Si promoted more advanced development of the primary root central cylinder, most notably in La Harpe under drought conditions, where a continuous ring of secondary xylem and a well-developed pith were observed. Drought significantly reduced plant height in all cultivars; Si partially alleviated this reduction in La Harpe and Panda, but not in Smuga. Drought generally increased total phenolic content (TPC) and phenolic acid content (PAC) in both leaves and roots, and Si further enhanced these responses, with the highest values under drought + Si. Overall, the results indicate cultivar-dependent effectiveness of foliar silicon (Si) and suggest that Si contributes to coordinated structural and biochemical adjustments under water deficit conditions. To assess the transferability of these responses, further verification across a broader range of genotypes and under different intensities and durations of drought is warranted.

Ocular squamous cell carcinoma (OSCC) is an epithelial neoplasm that affects the ocular and periocular tissues, often associated with factors such as exposure to ultraviolet radiation. The disease is rarely reported in buffalo, particularly regarding its progression and treatment. This report describes a case of a buffalo with a pink mass in the right eye showing signs of inflammation. After clinical examination and initial treatment with topical solutions and systemic drugs, the tumour continued to grow. As a result, surgery was performed to remove the mass while preserving the eyeball and third eyelid. The procedure was successful, and histopathological analysis confirmed the diagnosis of OSCC. Postoperative recovery was satisfactory. It was concluded that early surgical treatment followed by medical treatment allowed complete recovery in the buffalo with OSCC.