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The aim of the research was to examine the influence of different light treatments on the growth, phytochemicals and antioxidant potential of broccoli microgreens. Plants were grown in a growth chamber under LED (light-emitting diode) cold white, red and blue light and under fluorescent cold white light (control). The results showed that white and blue light treatments were the best for microgreen growth. Higher concentration of pigments was recorded in plants grown under LED light compared to those grown under FL (fluorescent lamp) light. The content of phenols and flavonoids had a positive and significant correlation with DPPH (2,2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl) antioxidative capacity (r = 0.66 and r = 0.90, respectively). The first two principal components account for 97.92 % of the total variation of all observed traits in this trial. Based on the PCA (principal component analysis) results, it can be concluded that the traits total phenols content, carotenoid content, chlorophyll a and b content make up the largest share of variability in the obtained results and that the red light conditions were the most unfavourable for the content of phytochemical compounds and antioxidant potential.

The introduction of non-native tree species is considered a potential adaptation strategy to global climate change (GCC) in the forestry sector. As some of the most widespread native species are undergoing stand disintegration due to both abiotic and biotic stressors, the search for alternative species becomes essential. These species can overwhelm native species with both production potential and adaptation to a changing climate. The research focused on climate-growth relationships of two introduced species of the Cupressaceae family, western redcedar (Thuja plicata Donn ex D. Don) and Lawson's cypress [Chamaecyparis lawsoniana (A. Murray) Parl.], in comparison with the native Scots pine (Pinus sylvestris L.) in the northeast part of the Czech Republic. The constructed tree ring chronologies were used as a basis for dendroclimatological analyses: basal area increment (BAI), linear growth trends, Pearson's correlations between climate variables and growth, resilience indices and others. Among the analysed species, Thuja plicata revealed the highest BAI and the most positive growth trend in the last 35 years, with values 2–3 times higher. The Chamaecyparis lawsoniana exhibited the highest negative correlation with mean summer temperatures. In general, Pinus sylvestris showed the highest correlations with precipitation. No clear pattern in resilience indices has been observed. Among the two introduced tree species examined, Thuja plicata emerges as a particularly promising candidate for future application in Central European conditions under ongoing GCC.

Global climate change (GCC) and increasing drought frequency pose a threat to the stability of European forests, particularly those of Norway spruce [Picea abies (L.) Karst.] plantations. We investigated how different pre-commercial thinning (PCT) intensities affect leaf area index (LAI) and its relationship to soil water content (SWC) in young spruce stands in northeastern Czechia. Three permanent research plots in a 13-year-old monoculture were subjected to mild PCT, heavy PCT, or left as an unthinned control in winter 2019/2020. Thinning caused an immediate decrease in LAI, with averages of 8.3 ± 1.1 m²·m^–2 (mild), 3.8 ± 0.5 m²·m^–2 (heavy) and 11.1 ±1.1 m²·m^–2 (control) in 2020. By 2023, LAI in the mildly thinned stand had largely converged with the control, whereas the heavily thinned stand maintained significantly lower LAI. The strongest relationship between LAI and SWC occurred in the heavily thinned plot (R² = 0.715 in 2021), while correlations were weak or transient in the mildly thinned and control plots. These results indicate that PCT intensity influences both the magnitude and duration of LAI reduction and is associated with differences in stand water dynamics. Appropriately adjusted thinning may therefore modestly affect water availability and could contribute to adaptive management of spruce forests under GCC.

Innovation is the driver of sustainable business development and is essential to promote high quality econo-mic development in the country. Are more bank loans better for small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) innovation? Therefore, based on mixed cross-sectional data of county sweet potato processing enterprises, this study applied the econometric model to explore the impact of bank loans on county agrifood SMEs innovation. We find that there is an 'inverted U-shaped' relationship between bank loans and county agrifood SMEs innovation. The analysis of the mechanism shows that bank loans can not only alleviate the problem of innovation financing constraints for agrifood SMEs, but also provide financial support for the innovation activities of agrifood SMEs as a result of trade openness. This study has important practical implications for promoting county agrifood SMEs innovation in China and promoting high-quality county economic development.

The potato is a pivotal food crop on a global scale. Nitrate reductase (NR) and nitrite reductase (NiR) are the key enzymes in nitrogen assimilation. In previous research, we found that the nitrogen assimilation process was effectively regulated by StNR and StNiRs in potato and that there were significant differences in nitrogen utilisation efficiency between different potato varieties. In this study, three potato variants with different nitrogen use efficiency (NUE) were subjected to various nitrogen supply levels and photoperiod treatments. The results indicated that the relative expression levels of StNR and StNiRs in their leaves and roots, along with the enzyme activity of NR and NiR, were proportional to the nitrogen supply levels and photoperiod. This study further clarified the expression patterns of StNR and StNiRs, as well as the enzyme activity changes of NR and NiR in leaves and roots under different nitrogen supply levels and different photoperiod treatments. This provides a theoretical basis for further in-depth exploration of the specific functions related to nitrogen absorption and assimilation efficiency in potato.

Microplastics (MPs) are plastic particles smaller than 5 mm in size, which are widely present and have become one of the major pollutants in the natural environment, and are increasingly recognised as emerging pollutants in agricultural ecosystems. Due to their small size and high mobility, MPs can easily migrate into farmland soils and attach to plant surfaces, thereby altering the physical, chemical and microbial properties of the soil. These changes may affect seed germination, plant growth, and physiological and biochemical functions. This review systematically synthesises current research on the impact of MPs on agricultural soil, focusing on their effects on soil structure, chemical properties and microbial diversity. The positive and negative effects of MPs on plant seed germination, growth, and physiological and biochemical processes are critically analysed. Furthermore, the potential ecological risks of MPs to soil and plant health are discussed. Mitigation strategies and future research priorities are proposed to address MPs contamination in agricultural systems. This study aims to provide both theoretical insights and practical references to support the prevention and control of MPs pollution in farmland soils, thereby contributing to sustainable agricultural development and soil ecosystem resilience.

Controlling weed populations in agricultural land is challenging due to various factors, such as soil conditions, crop type, and environmental conditions. Substantial experience is needed to develop a strategy for minimising pressure from weed infestation. For a relatively longer period, weed control was taken care of using herbicides and mechanical and manual weeding. While herbicides simplify weed control, they pose issues like residual effects and the development of herbicide resistance in weeds, necessitating the deployment of alternate smart weed-management technologies. Lately, smart weeding robots and sensor-based site-specific spraying systems have been developed. Sensors as varied as hyperspectral imaging cameras, Global Navigation Satellite System (GNSS), Real Time Kinematics-Global Positioning System (RTK-GPS), optoelectronic, fluorescence sensors, laser and ultrasonic systems can help to improve weed control efficacy when combined with mechanical and spraying robotic systems. Camera-steered mechanical weeding robots and unmanned aerial vehicles are now widely available for weed management. This review focuses on the developments in sensor-based mechanical and chemical weeding, identification of herbicide-resistant weeds, and herbicide effect assessment. This is a comprehensive overview of studies of sensor-based weed-management strategies being adopted worldwide. Furthermore, an outlook towards future sensor-based weed control strategies and necessary improvements are given.

From 1967 to 1995, the flight activity of 25 monovoltine species of moths (Noctuidae, Lepidoptera) was monitored via a light trap located in Prague (50.09 N, 14.30 E). For each species, the day when half of the individuals were caught (peak of flight activity, PFA) was specified each year. This study addresses a method of predicting the calendar date of the PFA via thermal time. We determined a base temperature of +6 °C, at which the differences between the predicted and actual dates of the PFA were minimal. For each species and each year, the sum of the degree days exceeding the base temperature from January 1 to the date of the PFA (SumT) was determined, and the average SumT throughout the study was calculated. Each year, the predicted date of the PFA is the date when the average SumT was achieved. Sixty-five percent of the predicted PFA dates fell within ±5 days of the actual date of the PFA. Shifts in the magnitude and direction of the difference between the actual and predicted PFAs affecting concurrently all species were caused by the thermal conditions of the year.

The research was conducted in 2014–2017 in a multi-cultivar apple orchard in the Experimental Orchard of the National Institute of Horticultural Research (IO-PIB) in Dąbrowice near Skierniewice. To determine the actual Venturia inaequalis ascospores release dates, the Burkard spore trap installed in a plot of the McIntosh cv. that was not protected against apple scab was used. Monitoring of ascospore releases was carried out annually, starting from the appearance of numerous colouring (maturing) ascospores in the pseudothecia (usually in the second decade of March) and ending at the second half of June, usually about two weeks after the last release of these spores. The sums of ascospores detected on a given day and their proportion in all ascospores recorded during primary infections were calculated. The obtained results formed the basis for the analysis of forecast indications of the A-scab, Metos (Metos® Pessl Instruments), and RIMpro-Venturia models in connection with meteorological data from the Metos weather station installed in this orchard and to compare them with the actual release dates recorded by the Burkard spore trap. Depending on the year, significant differences were found in the number and intensity of V. inaequalis ascospore releases and in their beginning and end dates.

The experiment was done on 180 (2 × 90) Cherry Valley ducks that were fattened until 42 days of age with parity of females and males in the group. The aim of the study was to examine the effect of substituting dehulled lupin seed meal, Zulika variety, for soybean meal and its impact on the fatty acid content of breast and thigh muscle fat. Feeding lupin diets resulted in a significant (P ≤ 0.05) increase in monounsaturated fatty acids (MUFA) in Cherry Valley ducks, as well as significant (P ≤ 0.05) increase in polyunsaturated fatty acids n-3 (PUFA n-3) in breast and thigh muscle fat. There was no effect of the tested diets on PUFA n-6 content in muscle fat. The results confirm that lupin meal in the diet enhances the dietary value of Cherry Valley duck muscle due to the higher proportion of unsaturated fatty acids, with respect to the use of duck meat for human consumption.

Citrus sinensis (L.) Osbeck (sweet orange) is the most important cultivated citrus fruit in the world. However, Hanglongbing (HLB) disease, caused by Candidatus Liberibactor asiaticus (CLAs), poses a major threat to sweet orange production, by hindering colour, quality and export. Carotenoid cleavage oxygenases (CCOs), which include carotenoid cleavage dioxygenases (CCDs) and 9-cis-epoxycarotenoid dioxygenases (NCEDs), are essential for plant growth, development, and adaptation to phytohormonal, biotic, and abiotic stresses. This study identified 14 CsCCO genes in C. sinensis. Structural and conservation studies were conducted using gene structure and conserved domain analysis. Genomic localisation, gene duplication, and similarity among these genes were also examined. Gene ontology analysis predicted that CsCCOs could be involved in the carotene catabolic process. Analysis of cis-regulatory elements revealed that most CsCCO genes are involved in responses to stress, light signalling, and plant growth regulation. Genes in the 9-cis-epoxycarotenoid dioxygenase (NCED) subgroup are predominantly localised in chloroplasts, whereas genes in other subgroups are primarily found in the cytoplasm. All 13 of the CsCCOs genes identified were regulated by 25 microRNAs, indicating the crucial role of microRNAs in gene regulation in Citrus sinensis. The expression patterns of CsCCO genes in response to biotic and abiotic stress were studied. Transcriptome analysis demonstrated that CsNCED3 and CsNCED10 were up-regulated in response to HLB. This provides insight into the function of CCO genes in C. sinensis and identifies potential candidate genes for combating citrus greening.

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.

Puerperal diseases are major postpartum complications in dairy cattle and may compromise both survival and production performance. This study evaluated how specific puerperal diseases influence early culling risk and standardised 305-day milk traits in Slovak Spotted cows. A total of 792 animals were clinically assessed during early postpartum and classified as healthy or affected by ketosis, metritis, retained foetal membranes, parturient paresis, or by comorbid diseases, defined as the concurrent occurrence of two or more disorders. Logistic regression models indicated that ketosis was associated with the highest odds of culling compared with healthy cows (odds ratio = 2.23; P = 0.05). The multivariable model had a predictive discrimination of 0.75, as indicated by the area under the receiver operating characteristic curve, suggesting moderate performance. After excluding the cows culled during the puerperium to avoid bias from incomplete lactation data, the dataset was restricted to 546 animals. Within this group, metritis was associated with the lowest 305-day milk yield, with an average decrease of 1 124 kg compared with healthy cows (P < 0.05). Protein content was slightly lower in cows affected by puerperal disease (P < 0.05), with no significant differences in milk yield, fat or lactose content, nor lactation persistency index. Parity and sire line still remained the primary determinants of variation in milk traits. The results can be used to support decision-making in herd health management and genetic improvement strategies aimed at enhancing cow longevity and production efficiency.

Regulation (EU) 2023/1115 on deforestation-free products (EUDR) establishes a substantially revised legal framework that extends beyond the previous EU Timber Regulation (EUTR 995/2010) by integrating legality, sustainability, and traceability obligations. This article provides a legal and comparative assessment of the implications of the EUDR for the Czech forestry and timber sector. The methodological approach combines doctrinal interpretation of EU legislation, comparative analysis of national implementation models, and an examination of relevant case law. Experiences from selected EU Member States are used to illustrate institutional, technological, and administrative challenges linked to EUDR implementation. The results indicate that, although the Czech Republic has an established regulatory framework under Act No. 251/2025 Coll., effective compliance with the EUDR will require improved coordination among supervisory authorities and the development of a unified digital platform for submitting and verifying due diligence declarations. Evidence from other European countries shows that integrated monitoring systems and the use of third-party certification can enhance both efficiency and transparency. The study concludes that the successful implementation of the EUDR in the Czech context will depend on institutional capacity, digital readiness, and the ability of forest managers and traders to adapt to more stringent environmental and traceability requirements.

In this study, we examine the effect of Agricultural Socialisation Services (ASS) on green grain production efficiency in Jiangsu Province, China, by using data from the China Land Economy Survey. We used the generalised random forests model in this research to address potential issues of farming household self-selection into ASS and unobserved heterogeneity in treatment effects. The results show that participation in ASS significantly improves green production efficiency, particularly for small-scale farmers. Efficiency gains are most pronounced in critical agronomic operations such as pest control, seeding and planting, whereas smaller efficiency effects are observed in plowing, harvesting and straw treatment. The findings suggest that targeted expansion of ASS could substantially enhance sustainable farming practices, especially for resource-constrained farms. This study provides important policy insights for promoting agricultural sustainability through improved access to and delivery of agricultural services, contributing to more efficient and ecofriendly grain production.

This study investigates the characteristics associated with the adoption of smart farming technologies in Turkish agriculture. By surveying 325 farmers across six regions in Türkiye, the research identifies key attributes influencing adoption patterns. Four distinct profiles emerge: technology users, non-users, young educated female farmers, and traditionalists. Exploratory findings from Multiple Correspondence Analysis (MCA) indicate that attributes such as agricultural insurance, credit utilisation, knowledge of smart farming systems, and tractor ownership are commonly observed among technology users. Ordinal logistic regression further quantifies these associations, highlighting the significant role of financial accessibility and knowledge dissemination in shaping adoption likelihoods. Non-users, on the other hand, are characterised by smaller landholdings, lack of credit use, limited awareness, and absence of tractor ownership, reflecting structural barriers to adoption. Tailored financial solutions and shared machinery parks could help address these challenges. Empowering young, educated women farmers, identified as a key demographic for innovation, offers an opportunity to catalyse broader technology adoption. By addressing knowledge gaps and fostering inclusive policies, this study provides actionable insights to accelerate the technological transformation and sustainability of Türkiye's agricultural sector.

Reference crop evapotranspiration (ET_o) is a vital hydrological component influenced by various climate variables that impact the water and energy balances. It plays a crucial role in determining crop water requirements and irrigation scheduling. Despite the availability of numerous approaches for estimation, accurate and reliable ET_o estimation is essential for effective irrigation water management. Therefore, this study aimed to identify the most suitable machine learning model for assessing ET_o using observed daily values of limited input parameters in tropical savannah climate regions. Three machine learning models – a long short-term memory (LSTM) neural network, an artificial neural network (ANN), and support vector regression (SVM) – were developed with four different input combinations, and their performances were compared with those of locally calibrated empirical equations. The models were evaluated using statistical indicators such as the root mean square error (RMSE), coefficient of determination (R²), and the Nash-Sutcliffe efficiency (NSE). The results showed that the LSTM model, using the combination of temperature and wind speed, provided more reliable predictions with R² values greater than 0.75 and RMSEs less than 0.63 mm·day^–1 across all the considered weather stations. This study concludes that, especially under limited data conditions, the developed deep learning model improves the ET_o estimation more accurately than empirical models for tropical climatic regions.

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.

In recent years, China has promoted large-scale hog farming through various approaches. However, this scale-up process may be affected by economic policy uncertainty. This paper empirically examines the impact of policy uncertainty on hog farming scale-up using provincial panel data from 2016–2022 and a fixed-effects model. Our results indicate that economic policy uncertainty significantly inhibits hog farming scale-up, and this effect remains significant even when we increase the criteria for recognising scale-up, alternative estimation methods include two-stage least squares (2SLS), dynamic panel model and panel Poisson model. Mechanism analysis reveals that economic policy uncertainty not only exacerbates the impact of labour and capital factor prices on scale-up hog farming but also exacerbates the volatility of hog prices, which further raises the risks faced by hog farming and inhibits scale-up hog farming. Heterogeneity analysis reveals that the effect of economic policy uncertainty on hog farming scale-up decreases as farm size increases. Higher-level economic policy uncertainty can inhibit scale-up hog farming, while lower-level economic policy uncertainty can instead promote scale-up hog farming. Economic policy uncertainty has a more obvious inhibitory effect on scale-up hog farming in major development areas. These findings have important implications for the promotion of large-scale hog farming and related policy regulation.

In this study, volatile compounds from Cinnamomum cassia Presl. leaves from different regions of China were identified using gas chromatography coupled with mass spectrometry (GC-MS) and Fourier-transform infrared (FTIR) spectroscopy combined with chemometrics. The results showed that the essential oil yields greatly varied across regions, with the density of oil cells at the accumulation and saturation stages playing a key role in this yield. GC-MS analysis revealed a higher content of trans-cinnamaldehyde in samples from the Xijiang River basin (No. 1–8) than in those from Baise Guangxi (No. 9). Variable importance in projection analysis identified five differential marker components for assessing the geographical origin of C. cassia leaves: trans-cinnamaldehyde, acetophenone, cis-cinnamaldehyde, camphor, and α-thujene. Hierarchical cluster analysis, similarity evaluation, and principal component analysis from FTIR fingerprinting indicated that essential oil compositions of samples No. 1–6 from the Xijiang River basin were closely related. In contrast, the Baise sample (Western Guangxi) significantly differed from the other eight, likely due to the geographical distance. Our results indicate that the methods employed are effective for determining the geographical distribution and assessing the quality of raw cinnamon in herbal medicine.

The species diversity of the unique flora in the Hrubý Jeseník Mountains is currently threatened due to the absence of traditional grazing, which was historically used as a management practice. This study evaluates changes in floristic composition in areas near the Švýcárna and Ovčárna lodges, where cattle and sheep grazing was reintroduced in 2012 and 2014, respectively, after long-term abandonment. The floristic composition was assessed using permanent plots and analysed statistically. In total, 84 plant species were recorded in the Švýcárna experimental area over 12 years. All experimental plots throughout the study observed an increase in species richness. In the Ovčárna area, a similar trend was detected, particularly in grazed grasslands dominated by Avenella flexuosa, Festuca supina, and Ligusticum mutellina. The reintroduction of grazing in these areas serves not only as a symbolic return to traditional land use but primarily as an effective management tool to suppress ecological succession and maintain or enhance plant species diversity in biologically valuable habitats.

Rice is prone to be contaminated with spoilage or toxigenic fungi during harvest, storage and processing, with Aspergillus species being the most frequent. It is crucial to develop effective sterilisation technologies for mycotoxin prevention and food safety. In this study, sterilised rice infected by Aspergillus parasiticus strain was treated by dielectric barrier discharge (DBD) cold plasma. Various parameters, including moisture content, oxygen content, treatment time and voltage were tested. Furthermore, sterilisation mechanism of Aspergillus parasiticus by cold plasma was also explored. Results indicated that decontamination effect could be significantly affected by moisture content, oxygen concentration, voltage and treatment time. A 99.89% degradation rate against Aspergillus parasiticus was achieved at 90 kV after 5 min. Cold plasma could reduce the initial concentration of 6.05 to 2.28 CFU·mL^–1 within 240 s, and to thoroughly decontamination within 360 s. In addition, cold plasma treatment destroyed the integrity of Aspergillus parasiticus cell membrane, resulting in a reduction in mycelium biomass and dry weight, as well as a significant decrease in intracellular Ca²⁺Mg²⁺-adenosine triphosphatase (ATPase) activity. These findings demonstrate the potential of cold plasma technology for environmentally friendly sterilisation of hazardous fungi in grain system.

Vietnam’s Mekong River Delta (MRD), where rice is the dominant crop, is increasingly impacted by salinity intrusion, highlighting the need for alternative cropping options. This study evaluated the growth and yield performance of quinoa, beetroot, and maize under three irrigation salinity levels (0, 2 and 4 g/L), with and without rice straw mulch (7 t/ha), in greenhouse conditions representative of the MRD dry season. Agronomic traits, physiological parameters, and changes in soil, including electrical conductivity (ECe), soluble sodium (Sol-Na⁺), and exchangeable sodium percentage (ESP), were assessed. Results showed that quinoa demonstrated the greatest salinity tolerance, maintaining stable growth and yield under 4 g/L saline irrigation and soil ECe exceeding 15 dS/m. Beetroot’s yield was not significantly different under 2 g/L saline irrigation with straw mulching. Maize was highly sensitive to salinity and environmental stress, failing to complete its growth cycle under high heat and humidity, even in non-saline conditions. Across treatments, rice straw mulching significantly reduced soil ECe, Sol-Na⁺, and ESP, and improved crop performance under saline irrigation. Overall, quinoa and beetroot, especially when combined with mulching, offer promising alternatives for dry-season cropping in saline-prone areas of the MRD. In contrast, maize cultivation requires improved soil and environmental management under such conditions.

This review aims to enrich our understanding of Chiari-like malformation (CLM) by combining human and veterinary insights, and providing a detailed cross-species overview. CLM is a developmental abnormality characterised by caudal displacement of the hindbrain into the foramen magnum due to an entire brain parenchymal shift caused by insufficient skull volume. This malformation leads to a progressive obstruction at the craniocervical junction, which disrupts the normal cerebrospinal fluid flow, leading to secondary syringomyelia. The clinical signs of CLM and syringomyelia include phantom scratching, head tilt, head tremor, ataxia, tetraparesis, pain, muscle atrophy, and scoliosis or torticollis. Magnetic resonance imaging remains the gold standard for diagnosing CLM, since it allows the visualisation of abnormal findings such as the caudal cerebellar herniation, caudal cerebellar compression from occipital dysplasia, and attenuated cerebrospinal fluid cisternae. Although various medical and surgical interventions, including foramen magnum decompression, can provide temporary symptomatic/clinical sign relief, current literature shows a lack of sustained long-term efficacy. Therefore, additional research is needed to evaluate the long-term effects of existing treatment strategies and to compare different techniques utilised in conjunction with foramen magnum decompression.

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.

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.

In this study, the effect of abscisic acid (ABA; 150 μmol) or epibrassinolide (EBL, 3 μmol) in mitigating the adverse drought conditions was evaluated in tomato plants (Solanum lycopersicum L. cv. Vilma). Potted plants were subjected to two 6-day periods separated by a one-time rehydration. Results showed that water deficit increased the content of superoxide radical (O₂^•−), malondialdehyde (MDA), proline, ABA and its metabolites. On the other hand, the studied cytokinins showed a rather opposite trend. ABA application maintained and later reduced the O₂^•− content. At the same time, the MDA level was lower but later increased, while the proline content was reduced compared to untreated plants. This indicates that ABA helps the plants cope with the initial stress phase. In addition, ABA-activated signalling pathways showed increased levels of ABA, auxins, salicylic acid or jasmonic acid. EBL even more increased O₂^•− and proline content. At the same time, EBL increased the content of auxins, jasmonic acid and later ABA. In contrast, a decrease in salicylic acid and cytokinins was monitored. These findings indicate that ABA contributed to improved stress responses through early phytohormone-mediated signalling and reduction of stress markers, whereas EBL appeared less effective under our experimental conditions.

Chilli anthracnose, incited by Colletotrichum capsici, is a major disease affecting the quality and quantity of chilli production. Farmers greatly depend on synthetic fungicides for the management of the disease. However, the extensive and non-judicious use of chemical fungicides resulted in the development of fungicide resistance in the pathogen and associated human and animal health risks. Piriformospora indica, a beneficial fungal root endophyte, has been employed as an efficient and safe biocontrol agent for managing bacterial, fungal and viral diseases and enhancing growth and yield. Hence, the present study was carried out to establish the protective role of P. indica against the chilli anthracnose incitant, C. capsici. The enzymes of phenylpropanoid pathway involved in this tripartite interaction were also studied. The study demonstrates that P. indica restricted C. capsici growth in dual culture with 57.22% mycelial inhibition on the 15th day after inoculation. P. indica ‒ colonized chilli plants showed a delay in disease development, and significantly reduced the incidence and severity of chilli anthracnose disease compared to the control plants. Higher activities of defence-related enzymes viz. peroxidase, phenylalanine ammonia-lyase, polyphenol oxidase, 4-coumaryl CoA ligase, cinnamyl alcohol dehydrogenase and total phenol in the P. indica ‒ colonised plants revealed that the endophyte early resistance of plants against further pathogen invasions. The present study revealed P. indica to be an efficient biocontrol agent against chilli anthracnose. The results showed that P. indica reduced the infection of C. capsici by direct antagonism, activation of enzymes involved in plant defence and enhanced growth in chilli plants.

Agriculture faces increasing challenges due to climate change, underscoring the importance of beneficial microorganisms for enhancing crop resilience and improving soil health. However, the performance of microbial inoculant strains can vary widely depending on the cultivated species and environmental conditions. This study evaluated the ESALQ 1306 strain of Trichoderma harzianum, a soil fungus recognised as a biological control agent for crops such as soybean and strawberry, investigating its potential as a growth promoter in maize (Zea mays L.). Field experiments were conducted with three commercial cultivars (DKB255, DKB360, and 2B810) over two growing seasons, one under irrigation and the other under severe natural drought. The results revealed that Trichoderma (ESALQ 1306) significantly increased plant height, biomass, and grain yield, particularly under drought stress, despite lacking a formal recommendation for maize. The cv. DKB360 showed the greatest response, with yield increases of up to 60% compared to untreated controls. Inoculation also improved nutrient uptake, especially nitrogen, highlighting its potential to maintain soil health and fertility. These findings demonstrate that the ESALQ 1306 strain of Trichoderma is a promising soil bioinoculant for agriculture, capable of improving maize performance under both optimal and stressful conditions. However, it is important to emphasise that genotype-specific responses highlight the need to align bioinoculant application with selecting specific cultivars to ensure inoculation success. This insight is crucial for guiding future breeding programs and establishing clear regulatory guidelines for commercialising biological products, fostering sustainable and resilient agricultural systems.

This study aimed to comprehensively evaluate the prevalence, severity, and risk factors associated with gastric lesions in fattening pigs across all four seasons in Slovakia. A total of 1 944 porcine stomachs were examined post-mortem at commercial slaughterhouses, focusing on the non-glandular region (pars oesophagea). A macroscopic evaluation was conducted using a standardised scoring system (0–3), in which gastric lesions, including parakeratosis, erosions, and ulcerations, were observed in 48% of the examined stomachs. Significant seasonal variation was detected, with the highest lesion prevalence recorded during the summer months, likely due to heat stress and reduced feed intake, and the lowest incidence of pathological changes seen in autumn. The gastric fullness had a notable impact: empty and liquid-filled stomachs were more frequently associated with severe mucosal damage, while full stomachs exhibited a protective effect. Furthermore, the feeding regimen played a crucial role: the pigs receiving wet feed had a significantly lower prevalence of gastric lesions than those on a dry feeding regimen. These results underscore the multifactorial nature of gastric ulceration in pigs and highlight the importance of nutritional and environmental management strategies in intensive production systems.