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The study aims to analyse the impact of application of chemical inputs like fertilisers or crop protection products on farm crop yield productivity in Estonian and Slovenian agriculture. We combined the propensity score matching (PSM) method with an inverse probability weighted regression (IPWRA) model to derive treatment effects of the adoption of these critical inputs using Farm Accountancy Data Network data. Results exhibit consistency across estimation techniques. Estimates of both IPWRA and PSM models showed that adoption of at least one of the chemical inputs decreases volatility of crop yield output and downside risk. The results are more robust for Estonian than for Slovenian farms suggesting on possible impacts of other exogenous factors such as climate change on mitigating the crop yield downside risk.

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

The paper deals with the genomic evaluation of retained placenta (RP), metritis/endometritis (MET), and cystic ovarian disease (CYS) and their involvement in the selection programme of Holstein cattle. A procedure for the estimation of genetic parameters and genomic breeding values was proposed. The dataset included farmers’ records of 127 000 lactations from 109 farms for RP, 185 000 lactations from 131 farms for MET and 115 000 lactations from 87 farms for CYS. The lactational incidence was 6.9% (RP), 12.8% (MET) and 9.2% (CYS). The single-trait animal model equation included fixed effects of herd-year-season of calving and parity of the cow, random direct additive genetic effect, random permanent environmental effect and residual effect. The single-step genomic prediction (ssGBLUP) was based on more than 50 000 SNP-genotyped individuals. Heritability for all traits did not exceed 2%. Favourable correlations were found between reproductive disorders resistance, fertility and longevity traits. The correlation between CYS and milk protein yield indicated a genetic predisposition to cystic ovarian disease in high-producing cows. All significant correlations between health traits (clinical mastitis, claw and feet disorders, reproductive disorders) were positive, indicating that the selection for improvement of one health trait would induce a favourable selection response in the others.

Plants are commonly exposed to different abiotic stress factors that can threaten their growth and development. Abiotic treatments might be used as a tool to increase the tolerance of plants grown in controlled environments before being transplanted in open fields, but this technique needs a careful choice of the stressor dose. We screened several UV-B radiation doses (1 h, 3 h, 6 h and 8 h per day) and NaCl doses (75 mM, 150 mM, 300 mM), separately, to be employed as preconditioning treatments of tomato plantlets (Solanum lycopersicum L., ‘Moneymaker’ cultivar) cultivated in a controlled environment. Biometric parameters and antioxidant compounds were quantified in leaves and roots. Our results showed that the application of mild abiotic treatments such as 75 mM NaCl for 14 days or 8 h/day UV-B (18.43 kJ/m²) for 7 days to hydroponically grown tomato plantlets can increase the content of foliar total phenolics and flavonoids without inducing strong impairments in the plant growth and development. Interestingly, this work provides evidence that the UV-B radiation, although perceived only by the above-ground organs of the plants, also induces some morphological and biochemical changes in the root system.

This study aimed to evaluate the influence of the internal factors of ram age and litter-of-origin on semen quality during the cryopreservation process in Sumava sheep rams. This breed is included in the protected genetic resources of the Czech Republic. The sires were systematically divided into four groups according to age (under 1.5 years, 1.5 to 2.5 years, 2.5 to 3.5 years, and over 4.5 years) and according to litter frequency (singletons vs twins). Semen was evaluated after equilibration, and after cryopreservation using iSperm^® mCASA and flow cytometry. During cryopreservation, there was a significant decrease in total sperm motility by 53.5%, progressive motility by 38%, and cells with intact plasma membrane and acrosome by 47%. Frozen-thawed sperm kinematic parameters showed significant age-related variations, with rams aged 4.5 and older displaying notably higher total and progressive motility (16.2% and 6.24%, respectively). Rams born as twins exhibited 3.77% (P < 0.05) higher progressive motility and 5.5% (P < 0.05) higher total motility compared to those born as singles. The sperm of older rams (> 4.5 years) exhibited higher viability (10.1%) and lower damage to the plasma membrane after freeze-thawing (23.6%), (P < 0.05). Twins showed significantly higher sperm viability (4.98%, P < 0.05) than singletons. These rams produce a larger quantity of higher-quality insemination doses after cryopreservation. For Sumava rams, in particular, broadening the sire selection base helps to select suitable rams for breeding. As the sire ages, his genetic value within the production herd may decline with time. This contrasts with genetic resource protection, where the aim is to preserve and store as many high-quality semen samples as possible.

Crops belonging to the Solanaceae family, including potato, tomato, pepper, and tobacco possess considerable economic importance worldwide. However, their production is continuously under threat from plant pathogens. Farmers typically rely on resistant cultivars carrying one or several disease resistance (R) genes introduced through conventional breeding. Over time, a competitive host-pathogen coevolution can lead to major resistance breakdown. Genome editing is a significant research tool and avenue for the genetic improvement of crop species, as it enables the precise introduction of targeted genetic changes. This technology has been successfully used in various food crops, including those belonging to the Solanaceae family. The advent of the CRISPR/Cas9 genome editing system allows the rapid knockout of desirable genes. Plant pathogens often exploit host genes known as susceptibility (S) genes to facilitate their proliferation. Inactivation of these S genes may reduce the pathogen’s ability to infect plants and confer durable and broad-spectrum resistance. This review provides an overview of the current application of CRISPR/Cas9 to disrupt the S genes for the development of disease-resistant solanaceous crops. The technological limitations and potential strategies for overcoming these challenges are discussed.

We applied the Interbull validation methodology, a widely accepted method in animal breeding, to assess novel weighted and nonweighted repeatability models for the prediction of breeding values for longevity in Czech Holstein cattle. The population included in the estimation also contained 58 704 animals with genotypes. Performance records from 1 055 814 cows in the full dataset and from 831 995 cows in the trimmed dataset were used for evaluation. Both linear models included effects of herd-year-period, animal, permanent environment, and correction for milk production of individual cows in relation to herd average lactation curve, differing only in the use of weighs. The average reliability of the validation bulls increased in the full dataset from 0.85 without weight to 0.91 in the model with weight. This increase was also apparent in the trimmed dataset (from 0.42 to 0.50). Both models showed considerable inflation of genomic breeding values (GEBVs) by Interbull validation and did not manifest distinct benefits supporting their use in the routine evaluation of Czech Holstein cattle in the Czech Republic.

The aim of this study was to evaluate the influence of laying hybrid lines of domestic fowl (Gallus gallus f. domestica) and their age on ejaculate parameters in roosters. Parameters assessed included ejaculate volume, sperm concentration, total sperm count (TSC), percentage of normal spermatozoa, and sperm motility. Additionally, morphological defects were observed: defects of the acrosome, head, neck, tail, and immature spermatozoa. The study included 120 roosters of the Barred Plymouth Rock, Sussex Light, Rhode Island Red, and Rhode Island White laying lines. Ejaculate was repeatedly evaluated at the ages of 34, 43, and 52 weeks. The average ejaculate volume was 0.52 ml, sperm concentration 2.53 × 10⁹ cm^–3, motility 81.1%, and defect occurrence rates were as follows: acrosome defects 0.7%, head defects 3.0%, neck defects 2.4%, and tail defects 2.9%. A statistically significant effect (P < 0.01) of the line was observed for all parameters except tail defects. Statistically significant differences between age categories were confirmed for volume, sperm concentration, TSC, immature spermatozoa, and normal spermatozoa (P < 0.01), as well as for ejaculate volume, neck, and tail defects (P < 0.05). The volume, concentration and TSC reached significantly higher values at 43 weeks of age. The incidence of normal spermatozoa and immature spermatozoa was significantly lower at 34 weeks of age. The interaction of age and line was significant (P < 0.01) for sperm concentration, TSC, motility, head, tail, and normal spermatozoa. The highest values of volume, concentration, and TSC were observed in the BPR line, which also exhibited the lowest occurrence of head defects and immature spermatozoa. The RIR line showed a higher occurrence of sperm defects. Younger roosters (34 and 43 weeks of age) had higher ejaculate parameter values and a higher occurrence of sperm defects compared to the older ones.

Soil phosphorus plays an important role in the soil ecological environment and sustainable development of the fruit industry in the soil hilly region of southern China, but the impact of different mulching measures on soil available phosphorus and phosphorus fractions in orchards remains unclear. In this study, soil basic physicochemical properties, available phosphorus, inorganic phosphorus fractions and their interrelationships under natural grass cover (NG), film mulch (FM) and clean tillage (CK) in orchards were explored. Compared to CK treatment, both FM and NG treatments have been shown to increase the contents of soil organic carbon (SOC), total nitrogen (TN), and available nitrogen (AN). Additionally, compared with the FM treatment, the NG treatment increased total phosphorus (TP), total potassium (TK), available potassium (AK), and soil acid phosphatase (S-ACP), resulting in greater improvements in soil fertility. The NG treatment increased the contents of aluminium-bound phosphate (Al-P) and iron-bound phosphate (Fe-P) in the 0–40 cm soil layer, whereas the FM treatment decreased the contents of Fe-P and Al-P and increased the content of occluded phosphate (O-P). Compared with the CK treatment, the NG treatment significantly increased the available phosphorus in the 0–40 cm soil layer, whereas the FM treatment significantly decreased it. Redundancy analysis revealed that pH and S-ACP were the main factors affecting soil phosphorus components. Al-P, Fe-P, and S-ACP were the three factors with the highest correlations with available phosphorus. However, according to multiple stepwise analyses, only Al-P was directly related to available phosphorus. Overall, in the southeast hilly orchards, the NG treatment improved soil nutrient and enzyme activity and is considered an effective strategy to increase the biological effectiveness of phosphorus while reducing leaching losses.

Global climate change (GCC) is putting increasing pressure on forest ecosystems, leading to more frequent disturbances such as pest outbreaks and other climate-related stressors, all of which threaten forest stability. This study examines how different technical water retention measures (infiltration pits) can enhance the resilience of European beech (Fagus sylvatica L.) to these climatic challenges, focusing on their impact on radial growth, sap flow, and acclimatisation to moisture conditions at two sites in Czechia (430–440 m a.s.l.). Three treatments were compared: a water infiltration pit under a culvert mouth, an infiltration pit without a culvert and a control plot without a technical solution. Results showed that maximum daily transpiration rates of beech ranged between 90–120 L per day. Air temperature had a stronger influence on beech radial growth than precipitation, particularly at the waterlogged sites. The lowest radial growth occurred in the treatment involving a water infiltration pit under a culvert mouth, while treatments with an infiltration pit without a culvert demonstrated notable seasonal stem shrinkage and swelling (tree water deficit – TWD), especially in early spring. On the other hand, no differences were found between the three treatments including the control variant in the maximum growth or the context of minimum TWD. In conclusion, these technical measures had limited or short-term effects on the growth and physiological processes of European beech. Despite the high costs of implementation, sap flow and dendrochronological measurements do not support the construction of infiltration pits as a means of improving water retention in forest ecosystems.

A field experiment was conducted in 2023 and 2024 to determine stage-specific crop coefficient values of okra (Abelmoschus esculentus) using the popular F1 hybrid Arka Nikita. Six evapotranspiration (ET_c) based treatments were applied: five under a forced ventilated greenhouse (T₁ = 120% ET_c, T₂ = 100% ET_c, T₃ = 80% ET_c, T₄ = 60% ET_c, T₅ = 100% ET_c in lysimeter) and one under open field (T₆ = 100% ET_c) arranged in a completely randomised block design with three replications. The results showed that T₂ had higher growth parameters, while T₄ and T₆ performed poorly. The yield was significantly higher in T₂ (23.8 t/ha in 2023 and 23.3 t/ha in 2024), whereas T₆ had a lower yield (9.5 t/ha in 2023 and 8.6 t/ha in 2024). Higher water productivity was observed in T₃ (9.85 kg/m³ in 2023 and 8.35 kg/m³ in 2024), while T₆ had lower water productivity (1.83 kg/m³ in 2023 and 1.35 kg/m³ in 2024). Hence, this study recommends using stage-specific crop coefficients of 0.32, 0.63, 0.78, and 0.41 during the initial, development, mid and final stages of 80% ET_c to optimise the water productivity and maximise the yield in the greenhouse-grown okra, respectively.

This study investigates the impacts of exogenously applied proline (Pro, 10 mmol/L) on the growth and productivity of wheat plants in saline environments. The findings indicated that increased NaCl concentrations, 60 and 120 mmol/L, further depressed the shoot and root growth parameters and flag leaf area. However, the Pro treatment ameliorated salt stress and improved all growth parameters, reducing the magnitude of such growth inhibitions compared to nontreated plants. It also enhanced the organic osmolyte accumulation, including Pro, total soluble sugars, and total soluble protein, implicated in osmotic balance and cell protection under stress. Furthermore, supplementing Pro improved ionic balance through a reduction in Na accumulation and an enhancement in the uptake of K, Ca, and Mg, thus mitigating the negative effects of salinity on nutrient availability. Pro treatment affected phytohormone levels, especially increasing auxin and gibberellins while decreasing abscisic acid under salt stress. Antioxidant enzymes such as catalase, superoxide dismutase, ascorbate peroxidase, and glutathione reductase, as well as nonenzymatic antioxidants like ascorbic acid and glutathione, were also enhanced by Pro, thereby protecting the plants against oxidative damage. Moreover, it was noticed that Pro treatment substantially improved all yield attributes of wheat plants, such as plant height, spike length, no. of spikelets/main spike, grain no./main spike, grain fresh and dry weights, and grain yield/plant through attenuation of the negative impact of NaCl. In this regard, Pro application appears to be a very promising approach toward mitigating the adversities of salinity in agriculture, especially in crop productivity in saline environments.

A short-rotation coppice (SRC) system for bioenergy production is vital to supporting climate change mitigation by absorbing CO₂ from the atmosphere and storing carbon as biomass. However, SRC's operation also released some greenhouse gas emissions, affecting the environment. This study aims to assess the potential environmental impacts through the life cycle assessment method in bioenergy production from the SRC system. Data was collected through a literature review and database, and the impact categories were then analysed using Sphera LCA for Experts Education License software (Version 9.2.1.68, 2020). In managing plantations for bioenergy production, plants during one rotation (15 years) will be harvested every 3 years (harvesting cycle). Then, there will be five harvesting cycles during a single rotation. The result showed that the first cycle had the highest environmental impacts because the inputs (fuel, lubricant, electricity, fertiliser, and pesticides) in this cycle were higher than others. The highest contribution comes from the first and end cycles as 3 200 and 2 700 kg CO₂ eq, respectively. Meanwhile, cycles 2, 3, and 4 contribute to the carbon footprint as 2 500 kg CO₂ eq for each cycle. Based on input, fuel consumption has resulted in higher environmental impacts than lubricants, fertilisers, and electricity consumption. In conclusion, energy consumption (fuel, lubricant, and electricity) and agrochemicals (fertilisers and pesticides) have released emissions and affected the environment. In the future, fuel and agrochemical consumption should be reduced to minimise the negative environmental impacts in the short-rotation coppice system.

Antimony (Sb) pollution from industrial activities poses a severe global threat, particularly impacting valuable medicinal crops like linseed, which are highly sensitive to heavy metals. This study reveals the remarkable potential of arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi (AMF) as a sustainable solution to this challenge. Our research demonstrates that while Sb stress significantly impairs linseed growth and photosynthesis, it also triggers oxidative damage. AMF improved photosynthetic performance and water status, and notably enhanced the biosynthesis of crucial phytochemicals like phenolics, flavonoids, and citric acid. These compounds are vital for both plant defence and human health. Furthermore, AMF promoted the accumulation of essential detoxifying agents, leading to a better redox balance and significantly reducing Sb uptake and translocation by 47%. This dual action not only bolsters the plant’s tolerance to Sb but also enhances its medicinal value by boosting health-promoting bioactive metabolites. These promising findings underscore AMF’s dual role: a powerful tool for phytoremediation and a natural enhancer of phytochemical quality. Arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi provide a sustainable, nature-inspired approach to safely cultivate medicinal plants in environments contaminated with heavy metals, underscoring the vital role of plant-microbe interactions in alleviating environmental stresses.

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

Wood density is a fundamental functional trait influencing ecological adaptation, hydraulic safety, and timber utilisation in temperate hardwoods. This study investigated variation in wood density (12% moisture) across mature stands of two economically and ecologically vital European oak species, sessile oak [Quercus petraea (Matt.) Liebl.] and English oak (Quercus robur L.), growing in their characteristic vegetation zones in the Czech Republic. We assessed wood density at two heights (at 1.3 m and at the crown base) across six trees per plot and examined its relationship with tree-ring width and height. Results demonstrated statistically significant interspecific differences, with Q. petraea consistently exhibiting higher wood density (721 kg·m⁻³) than Q. robur (662 kg·m⁻³) at 1.3 m. Q. petraea showed a statistically nonsignificant higher density of 710 kg·m⁻³ at the crown base and an overall average of 717 kg·m⁻³, while Q. robur had densities of 701 kg·m⁻³ and 669 kg·m⁻³, respectively. Radial density profiles revealed species-specific patterns, with Q. robur showing a more uniform density distribution than the pronounced pith-to-bark gradients observed in Q. petraea. Regression analysis indicated that tree-ring width explained only 12–13% of the variance in density, so other anatomical factors, such as latewood proportion and tree-ring structure (number and cell size), should be examined as anatomical drivers of wood-density variation.

The present review deals with a particularly important topic: the use of functional amino acids in different categories of pigs. It is especially relevant in the context of the current efforts to reduce the use of antibiotics in pig farming and the search for possible alternatives to replace them. The review is based on the definition that functional amino acids (FAAs) are classified as dispensable amino acids, but with additional biological functions, i.e., not only are they used for protein formation, but they are also involved in regulating essential metabolic pathways to improve health, survival, growth, and development. We describe the mechanism of action of individual FAAs and their potential use in pigs, including glutamate, glutamine, arginine, branched-chain amino acids (i.e., leucine, isoleucine, and valine), tryptophan and glycine. The work is divided into three parts. The first part deals with the FAAs and their role in the overall health of sows and their offspring. The second part describes the use of functional amino acids in piglets after weaning. Part three examines the use of functional amino acids in growing and fattening pigs and their impact on meat quality.

This study was conducted to determine the effect of traffic stress by soil compaction on zoysiagrass by analyzing the aerial and underground parts and hyperspectral analysis. Zoysiagrass plants were subjected to a compaction strength gradient from 35 to 80 kgf/cm² to confirm the compaction resistance and recoverable limit and measure the physiological change during stress. Changes in leaf color, photosynthesis, and hyperspectral reflectance due to continuous weak and strong traffic stress were measured, and vegetation indices were evaluated for the critical traffic stress injury assessment. As a result, the stem of the zoysiagrass was severely damaged up to 70 kgf/cm² based on soil hardness. The recoverable limit strength of soil compaction was 55 kgf/cm² under weak response pressure conditions. Collectively, our results show that the damage of weak compaction strength on the zoysiagrass was quickly recovered after the stop of traffic stress, especially since the growth of the underground part was increased by weak traffic stress. However, if the compaction strength above 65 kgf/cm2 lasted for a long time, the growth of the underground part is limited by lowering the energy supply for the recovery occurred, in turn, the recovery occurred slowly after the compaction was stopped. Among the vegetation indices obtained from hyperspectral data, pigment specific simple ratio for chlorophyll a (PSSRa), pigment specific simple ratio for chlorophyll b (PSSRb), and pigment specific simple ratio for carotenoids (PSSRc) were effective in evaluating the damage of traffic stress.

Anthocyanins have received an increased attention not only because of its antioxidant activity; but because fortification of food products by minerals is important due to the lack of some minerals in population. The addition of these minerals can affect the sensorial and nutritional composition of food. The influence of calcium fortification on anthocyanins and colour changes in strawberry puree were assessed by accelerated storage test. The quantification of anthocyanins was performed by high-performance liquid chromatography with diode-array detection (HPLC-DAD) and colour changes were measured spectrophotometrically (CIE L* – lightness, a* – redness, b* – yellowness). The kinetical parameters (velocity constants and activation energies) were calculated. The activation energies of degradation of anthocyanins were calculated as pelargonidin-3-glucoside (26.24 ± 0.57, 21.18 ± 1.07, and 24.53 ± 1.33 kJ·mol^–1), cyanidin-3-glucoside (16.10 ± 0.96, 11.61 ± 0.74, and 13.34 ± 1.72 kJ·mol^–1), and pelargonidin-3-rutinoside (8.91 ± 0.17, 7.39 ± 0.98, and 8.23 ± 1.72 kJ·mol^–1) of the control sample, calcium carbonate and calcium citrate respectively. The results showed that the addition of calcium salt had a statistically significant (P ≤ 0.05) effect on the degradation of anthocyanins.

Pod dehiscence or pod shattering from mature soybean (Glycine max L.) is one of the most outstanding disadvantages in domesticated cultivars. Pod shattering in relation to 16 quantitative traits and 3 qualitative traits among 140 cultivars of vegetable soybeans, grain soybeans and small-grain soybeans was evaluated over two years. We found the pod shattering percentage is positively correlated with the number of productive branches, pod width, pod length, pod area, 100-seed weight, 1-seeded-pod percentage, 2-seeded-pod percentage and seed protein content, but negatively correlated with the plant height, pod height at the bottom, number of nodes on the main stem, 3-seeded-pod percentage, 4-seeded-pod percentage and seed oil content. The pod shattering percentage in vegetable soybeans is remarkably high, reaching up to 93%, 7.8 times higher than that of grain soybeans. A schematic model of the characteristics for shatter-susceptible and shatter-resistant soybean cultivars is proposed. The pod shattering in vegetable soybeans is related to the “umbrella-shaped” architecture and pod size. It is suggested to select lines with more 2-seeded and 3-seeded pods for vegetable soybeans, but a higher seed oil content and greater node number on the main stem for grain soybeans and small-grain soybeans, to avoid pod shattering in future breeding programmes.

Foot diseases are one of the leading health problems that lead to significant yield losses in small ruminant breeding. This study aimed to clinically evaluate foot diseases in sheep and goats reared in Siirt province of Türkiye and its surrounding districts. Molecular methods were used to investigate the presence of Dichelobacter nodosus serogroups and Treponema spp. phylogroups in cases with identified lesions. Clinical examination of 4 111 sheep and goats identified foot diseases in 402 animals, affecting a total of 410 feet. Contagious ovine digital dermatitis (CODD) and digital dermatitis (DD) cases were identified in 66.82% and 26.82% of diseased feet, respectively. Footrot lesions were found in 4.87% of the feet in which the disease was identified. D. nodosus was detected in 66.23% of swab samples collected from 77 CODD cases, whereas Treponema spp. was identified in 2.59% of the samples. Among DD cases (n = 110), D. nodosus was found in 35.45% and Treponema spp. in 17.27% (Group 1 = 1.81%, Group 2 = 15.45%). The majority of D. nodosus strains identified in the cases (n = 90) were classified as serogroup A (37.77%) and serogroup D (60.00%). This study revealed that CODD is a major problem in small ruminant breeding in the Siirt province and its districts. It was determined that D. nodosus serogroup A, D and Treponema spp. Group 2 strains played an important role in the aetiology of foot diseases in sheep and goats. This study represents the first comprehensive investigation of foot diseases in sheep and goats in the Siirt province and marks a significant milestone as the first study in Türkiye to identify and analyse the aetiology causes of CODD in the literature.

The paper deals with the assessment of the influence of the length of cold stratification period on the germination parameters of seeds of wild service tree [Sorbus torminalis (L.) Crantz]. The germination tests (4 × 100 seeds) were conducted in two runs in 2020 and 2021; they were performed for three seed lots and three cold stratification periods (two, three and four months) before the testing of germination in each run. The values of germination energy and germination capacity were assessed, and the germination rate was computed. The results showed that the two-month cold stratification period has not been sufficient to overcome the dormancy of tested seeds. Regardless of the year in which the tests were conducted, seeds stratified for two months showed almost zero germination. For seeds treated with three- and four-month cold stratification, the germination percentage varied from ca. 5% to 32% and from ca. 13% to 46%, respectively. Our results basically correspond with findings reported in the reviewed literature. In 2020, the seeds subjected to four-month stratification performed significantly better than the seeds subjected to three-month stratification. However, in 2021, the seeds stratified for three months reached slightly better results. Four-month stratification also led to an increased percentage of prematurely germinated seeds during stratification. To conclude, the two-month period of cold stratification proved to be insufficient and at least three months of cold stratification are needed to obtain the adequate germination of seeds in subsequent laboratory tests.

Tomatoes are in great demand worldwide and consumed due to their nutritional and sensory qualities. Weed infestation poses a great challenge in tomato production, prompting growers to employ two to three herbicides in combinations and sequences for comprehensive control. Consequently, this study was undertaken to investigate the effects of glyphosate, pendimethalin, and metribuzin when applied individually or in sequential combinations in tomato fields. The herbicides significantly reduced the weed density and dry biomass and enhanced the weed control efficiency (WCE) compared to control. A tank mix spray of pendimethalin and metribuzin following glyphosate gave significantly higher WCE (80–91%) and fruit yield (88.47 t/ha). The tomato quality parameters were unaffected by the herbicides. The terminal residues in fruits were found below the safe limit of 0.1 mg/kg for glyphosate and 0.01 mg/kg for pendimethalin and metribuzin. Moreover, there was no evidence of residual carryover toxicity from the applied herbicides, as confirmed by the plant bioassay and instrumental techniques. However, continuous spraying of herbicides repeatedly in succession and in combination necessitates long-term monitoring to assess the potential development of herbicide-resistant weeds, the bio-magnification of residues in soil, their transfer to tomato fruits and the impact on the food chain.

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

'Candidatus Phytoplasma prunorum' ('Ca. P. prunorum') is a causative agent of European stone fruit yellows (ESFY), an economically important decline disease of some stone fruit species (Prunus spp.). The present research focused on the influence of 'Ca. P. prunorum' on primary and secondary metabolites in four apricot genotypes consisting of older trees (genotypes Nora, LEM 159, group 1) and younger trees (genotypes H 74 and H 177, group 2). The content of sugars (glucose, sucrose, fructose and sorbitol), total phenolic content (TPC), total flavonoid content (TFC), antioxidant capacity (AC), total soluble proteins (TSPC), mineral ions: potassium (K+), sodium (Na+), magnesium (Mg2+) and calcium (Ca2+), pigments: chlorophyll a, b and carotenoids, and indolic compounds content (ICC) were analysed in two time periods during the year in the leaves of tested trees. The results revealed that the presence of phytoplasma/ESFY symptoms significantly decreased the content of pigments in both groups during the summer sampling period. ESFY caused a decrease of TPC, TFC and ICC in the H 177 genotype. The phytoplasma decreased the TSPC and K+ content in older trees during both sampling periods. The only increase caused by phytoplasma infection was observed in glucose content, but only in the group of older plants. The results of this study support the idea that 'Ca. P. prunorum' affects metabolites in plants' defence system and manipulates basic metabolic processes during successful infection.

This study systematically evaluated the effects of four thermal processing methods-boiling, steaming, extrusion, and roasting-on the physicochemical properties and in vitro antioxidant activity of black beans. Notably, ash content decreased following boiling and steaming, reaching 45.5 mg·g–1 and 43.5 mg·g–1, respectively, corresponding to reductions of 8.5% and 13.3%. In contrast, extrusion and roasting led to moisture loss, resulting in ash content increases of 3.2% and 6.8%. Among the treatments, boiling significantly increased powder clumping (5.1%), primarily due to elevated moisture content, a value markedly higher than that observed for other methods. Both boiling and steaming diminished brightness, while extrusion deepened colour intensity and enhanced redness. Regarding chemical composition, polyphenol content declined after boiling and steaming (3.8 mg·g–1 and 2.9 mg·g–1, respectively) relative to untreated black bean powder (4.3 mg·g–1). Extrusion, however, elevated polyphenol levels, whereas all heat treatments reduced flavonoid content, with boiling exerting the greatest impact. Antioxidant activity also declined post-processing, with boiling having the most pronounced effect on 1,1-diphenyl-2-trinitrophenylhydrazine (DPPH) radical scavenging and steaming most affecting hydroxyl radical elimination. Extrusion emerged as the optimal processing method for black beans, and superior retention of bioactive compounds, enhanced antioxidant capacity, improved physicochemical properties (lower clumping, stable colour parameters). These findings could provide actionable insights for food industries to select processing methods that maximise nutritional value and functional properties of black bean products.

The somatic cell count (SCC) in raw milk is an important indicator of health and hygienic quality. Artificial reduction of the SCC (ARSCC) in milk, for the apparent improvement of milk quality for commercial reasons, is an undesirable phenomenon and a violation of authenticity both in the factual sense and legislatively. Analytical methods need to be developed to identify ARSCC as well as to assess the effects that ARSCC may have on milk. The aim of the work was to quantify the effects of ARSCC on cow’s milk as a food raw material. The results presented are some of the first on the given problem. Raw bulk tank cow milk was sampled in two experiments, each time for the whole year (2021–2022 and 2023–2024, n = 66 and n = 53, respectively) from herds of Czech Fleckvieh and Holstein cows, 1 : 1. ARSCC in experiment 1 (n = 66) slightly reduced the fat content, in experiment 2 (n = 53) it did not, otherwise the milk indicators with the exception of SCC were almost (1) and completely (2) identical. All samples were negative for the presence of inhibitory substance residues. ARSCC under the specified technological conditions reduced SCC (1) from 772 ± 906 10³/ml to 376 ± 630 10³/ml, by –51.3% (P < 0.001) and (2) from 592 ± 798 10³/ml to 304 ± 468 10³/ml, by –48.5% (P < 0.001). Under these circumstances, the milk fermentation ability improved (1) from 28.52 ± 4.72 °SH to 31.0 ± 4.65 °SH, by 8.66% (P < 0.001) and (2) from 32.51 ± 2.61 °SH to 33.80 ± 2.88 °SH, by 3.97% (P < 0.001). Curd firmness was better for SCC ≤ 400 10³/ml compared to higher SCC by 5.26% (P < 0.001). Nevertheless, it is not possible, for hygienic and health reasons, to allow such milk for human consumption and it is necessary to find effective identification analytical methods for ARSCC.

Drought is a major abiotic stress limiting barley (Hordeum vulgare L.) productivity. We evaluated 17 spring barley genotypes at the early leaf development stage under controlled laboratory conditions with optimal and drought treatments, integrating physiological, biochemical, and molecular traits. Drought reduced relative water content (–1.3% to –3.2%), plant height (–14.7% to –29.6%), and dry biomass (–2.3% to –24.9%), while inducing strong proline accumulation (+23.6% to +454%) and pigment loss (chlorophyll a –10.1% to –79.5%; carotenoids –6.2% to –70.9%). Principal component and discriminant analyses identified plant height and chlorophyll a as the most reliable discriminators, whereas relative water content was less predictive of the species. Multivariate stratification separated tolerant (Argument, Exalis, Slaven, Malz, Valis), intermediate (Laudis 550, Tango, Kompakt, LG Belcanto, SK Levitus), and sensitive (Kangoo, LG Tosca, LG Flamenco, Karmel, Bojos, Nitran, Tadmor) groups of genotypes. Gene expression profiling of 12 genotypes revealed a modest induction of HvABF2 (1.77-fold), moderate upregulation of HvSOD1 (1.82-fold) and HvAPX1 (2.28-fold), and the strongest response in HvP5CS (3.29-fold), which did not consistently correlate with tolerance. Tolerant genotypes combined growth stability, pigment retention, and moderate osmotic adjustment, whereas sensitive genotypes relied on excessive proline accumulation, resulting in severe pigment and growth penalties. Overall, drought tolerance in barley at the early growth stage emerged from the coordinated regulation of growth, photoprotection, and stress-gene activation, providing a foundation that can guide the selection of genotypes for subsequent validation under field conditions and future breeding programmes.

Genetic modifications can improve the health status and disease resistance of farm animals. In the previous study, genetically modified (GM) sheep overexpressing toll like receptor 4 (TLR4) were produced. The GM sheep had stronger ability to eliminate invasive microbes compared to the wild-type (WT) sheep. Physiological status and immune homeostasis, blood parameters, body composition, and gastrointestinal microbial diversity were evaluated in this study to elucidate the effects of TLR4 overexpression. In a set of 10 GM rams, the TLR4 mRNA and protein expression levels in the peripheral blood mononuclear cells, muscle, kidney, and spleen were higher than those of the WT (n = 10; P < 0.05). No significant differences in the parameters of red blood cells, white blood cells, platelets and in the composition of circulating T lymphocyte subsets were observed between the GM and WT sheep (P > 0.05). Of the biochemical parameters, only total protein levels differed (were higher) in the GM sheep than in the WT sheep (P < 0.05) while no significant differences were observed for the other indices (P > 0.05). GM and WT sheep showed similar offal weights and muscle fatty acid and amino acid compositions (P > 0.05). Furthermore, TLR4 overexpression did not affect the community structure of the gastrointestinal tract microbiota. Eleven KEGG pathways associated with the TLR4 gene, physiology and biochemistry, growth and metabolism, fatty acids, and amino acids did not demonstrate significant differences between the GM and WT sheep (P > 0.05). In conclusion, TLR4 overexpression had no principal or adverse effects on the physiological development and health of sheep, except for the general mRNA and protein expression levels.

Peste des petits ruminants (PPR) is a serious acute, highly contagious disease caused by the peste des petits ruminants virus (PPRV). This study aims to establish a qRT-PCR assay with an internal amplification control for the rapid and accurate detection of PPRV. The primers and probes for PPRV N were based on the national standard of the diagnostic techniques for PPR of China, and a pair of primers and TaqMan probes for the internal reference gene of glyceraldehyde-3-phosphate dehydrogenase (GAPDH) was designed. Optimisation of the reaction conditions, specificity, sensitivity and reproducibility tests, and clinical sample detection were conducted. The results showed that the optimal primers and probe concentrations of PPRV were 0.4 μmol/l and 0.4 μmol/l, respectively, and were 0.4 μmol/l and 0.2 μmol/l for the reference gene GAPDH, respectively. The established method has no cross-reaction with other viruses. The minimum detection limit was 6.8 copies/µl for PPRV and 190 copies/µl for GAPDH. The coefficients of variation (CV%) of PPRV and GAPDH were both lower than 2%. The results suggest that the PPRV qRT-PCR method containing internal reference genes has strong specificity, high sensitivity, and good reproducibility. The addition of internal reference genes for the sample quality control improves the accuracy of the detection.