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An unstructured mathematical model is proposed to describe the fermentation kinetics of growth, lactic acid production, pH and sugar consumption by Lactobacillus delbrueckii subsp. bulgaricus WDCM 00102 (National Bank for Industrial Microorganisms and Cell Cultures, Sofia, Bulgaria) as a function of the buffering capacity and initial dry matter concentration of pretreated biomass of Spirulina platensis (Arthrospira platensis) ('Simbiotex' Ltd., Sofia, Bulgaria) in the culture media. Initially the experimental data of L. delbrueckii subsp. bulgaricus WDCM 00102 fermentations in algae-based media with different buffering capacities and dry matter concentrations were fitted to a set of primary models. Later the parameters obtained from these models were used to establish mathematical relationships with the independent variables tested. The models were validated with 6 fermentations of L. delbrueckii subsp. bulgaricus WDCM 00102 in different algae-based media. In most cases, the proposed models adequately describe the biochemical changes taking place during fermentation and are a promising approach for the formulation of algae-based probiotic foods.

Cold stress significantly impacts sesame during its early growth stages, with varying responses observed among different genotypes. Ten genotypes were evaluated for phenotypic response to various temperatures during germination. Cold stress at 10, 12, 14, and 16 °C inhibited germination, with zero germination at 10 °C. At 14 °C, genotypes showed significant germination variation, and it was selected as the threshold temperature for assessing cold tolerance in sesame. Four genotypes were grouped into two, and each group with extreme germination responses (high and low) were selected for further biochemical and physiological studies. Genotypes V5 and V7 exhibited higher cold tolerance, better germination percentage, and seedling parameters under low temperatures, while V8 and V9 showed significant reductions, indicating cold sensitivity. Biochemical analyses revealed that cold-tolerant genotypes had enhanced activities of antioxidant enzymes, including catalase, superoxide dismutase, and peroxidase, as well as higher proline accumulation compared to sensitive genotypes. These antioxidants played a crucial role in mitigating the oxidative stress induced by cold, as evidenced by lower levels of hydrogen peroxide and malondialdehyde in the tolerant genotypes. Cold-tolerant genotypes also accumulated higher soluble sugars and protein levels, contributing to osmotic regulation and membrane stability. The findings highlight the importance of enzymatic and non-enzymatic antioxidants in cold stress tolerance, suggesting these biochemical markers could be used to identify and develop cold-resistant sesame cultivars. The results offer valuable insights into the mechanisms underlying cold tolerance and provide a foundation for breeding efforts to improve sesame cold resistance.

Malus domestica is one of the world’s most important deciduous fruit trees. Over a four-year period (2017–2020), temporal variations in flowering were evaluated in ‘Honeycrisp’ apple trees on eight rootstocks (G.30, G.969, G.202, G.41, G.11, M.9T337, M.26 EMLA and V.6) planted in 2014 in Chihuahua, México. Among the variables evaluated were the probability of late-spring frost, winter chill units, growing degree days, flowering period, foliar nutrient concentrations, trunk cross-sectional area, number and weight of fruit per tree, and production efficiency. Significantly different chill unit accumulations occurred over the four years, with values falling between 974 and 1 415, where for the latter value, the start of flower opening was earlier, but there was a higher risk of damage by temperatures ≤ –2 °C. There was no effect of rootstock on the time of onset and end of flowering. The most productive combinations were ‘Honeycrisp’ on G.969, G.11 and V.6 with yield estimates of 35 300, 34 200 and 33 600 kg/ha, respectively. The commercial production of ‘Honeycrisp’ apple trees requires the evaluation of their agronomic performance with different rootstocks. Flowering is particularly important since this phenological stage is so closely linked to productivity and is strongly affected by variations in winter temperatures.

This study investigated the drying kinetics of Rosa flower buds (Rosa damascene Mill) under environmental conditions (shade), as well as in direct and indirect solar dryers. The effects of 40 °C, 50 °C, and 60 °C temperatures on the drying of the buds were also examined using a laboratory cabinet dryer. The drying rate of the Rosa flower buds was compared with various mathematical models, and the parameters of these models were evaluated. The results illustrated that drying Rosa flower buds under shade required a lengthy period time of approximately 13 days. In contrast, utilising solar dryers significantly reduced the drying period time for Rosa flower buds. Also, compared to the ambient drying method, the use of indirect solar dryers had the most substantial effect on decreasing the drying period time of the buds up to 86.6%. Furthermore, applying a temperature of 60 °C in the laboratory dryer reduced the drying time of the buds by 76.2% compared to a temperature of 40 °C. The Midilli et al. model (MDM), Page model (PM) and approximate diffusion model (ADM) demonstrated a good fit with the experimental data and can be employed to represent the drying behaviour of Rosa flower buds. The effective of moisture diffusivity of Rosa flower buds during drying was found to be in a range from 6.87 × 10^–12 to 1.89 × 10^–10 m²·s^–1 and the activation energy values were determined as 65.30 and 72.80 kJ∙mol^–1 for buds which were dried in the laboratory cabinet dryer and those dried using the ambient and solar dryer methods, respectively.

Assessing the agricultural sustainability of farms is challenging, since it involves various aspects that can change over time and differ by location. This paper develops a composite index to evaluate the sustainability of cereal farming in Catalonia, Spain. Using factor analysis, we integrate 21 indicators across economic, environmental, and social dimensions based on the Farm Accountancy Data Network (2016–2021). The results show sustainability scores ranging from 2 to 5, with larger economic s farms outperforming smaller ones by 0.4 points. Five key factors explain the variance in sustainability across farms, with profitability, benefit-cost ratio, and agri-footprint carrying the highest weights. In addition, our empirical findings indicate that subsidy dependence negatively affects the sustainability of farms, while modernisation and environmental management improvements enhance farm performance. This suggests a need for size-specific policy interventions focusing on smallholder management capacity and broader climate adaptation strategies. The methodology could offer a practical tool for monitoring sustainability progress in Mediterranean cereal production systems, and for identifying possible sources of improvements with regard to more sustainable agricultural practices.

Circular bioeconomy is rapidly gaining ground in the agricultural sector with priority given to the utilisation of more environmentally friendly materials for production and processing. Thus, in this study, biodegradable seedling pots were developed using sawdust (SD) and spent mushroom compost (SMC) as a sustainable alternative to plastic containers. Four pots composed of SMC : SD ratios of 100 : 0, 70 : 30, 60 : 40, and 50 : 50 were developed and evaluated. The mechanical properties, structural characteristics, and water absorption capacity of the pots were assessed and seedlings were made to grow in them to monitor the growth support potential. A universal tensile test machine was used to assess the indirect tensile strength (mechanical properties), while a scanning electron microscope was used to examine the morphology of the samples. Also, images of the seedling roots were segmented and analysed in ImageJ and WinRHIZO software to determine the root system architecture. The results demonstrated that the 60 : 40 ratio exhibited superior performance including having optimal water absorption capacity, indirect tensile strength, and structural properties. The 70 : 30 ratio also showed comparable tensile strength values. However, increasing the SMC content in the pot improved the root developments. This research presents a viable solution for converting agricultural waste into environmentally friendly seedling containers and suggests a potential option for reducing the dependency on plastic pots in agriculture.

The mechanical scarification of acorns, although requiring a significant investment of resources, is a process commonly used in container nurseries for seed preparation. Its aim is to increase the number of germinating seeds and to shorten and equalise the length of their germination period. Research results indicate that scarification also affects the production of seedlings with improved biometric parameters. However, there is limited information available on improving the structure of the root system, primarily due to the limited availability of image analysis systems for these plant parts. This study employed modern measurement methods using WinRhizo and WinFolia software (Regent Instruments Inc.; Version Pro, 2022) to comparatively analyse root system parameters, focusing mainly on their structure. The parameters of pedunculate oak (Quercus robur L.) seedlings grown in polystyrene containers were compared with and without mechanical scarification, achieved by manually cutting off part of the acorn. After the end of the growing season, the parameters of all analysed seedlings (200 pieces) were determined, and a detailed analysis of the root system was performed on selected average individuals (64 pieces). Scarification resulted in an increase in the number of germinated seeds and grown seedlings, as well as an increase in the height and diameter of the root collar and a reduction in the variation of the obtained seedlings' parameters. Seedlings grown from scarified seeds were also characterised by a greater number of leaves with larger unit mass, which had smaller dimensions. The root system of seedlings grown from scarified seeds exhibited a higher average diameter and total volume of roots, as well as greater total length, surface area, and volume of fine roots, i.e. in the diameter range: 0.5 < D ≤ 2.0 mm. The obtained results confirmed the positive effect of seed scarification on germination and emergence efficiency, as well as on biometric features and the quality of the grown seedlings.

In 2007, the Chinese government introduced a temporary corn storage policy targeting four regions: Heilongjiang, Jilin, Liaoning and Inner Mongolia. This policy aimed at stabilising grain markets and ensured farmers' income by providing price support for corn. Its implementation significantly impacted corn prices and the regional distribution of corn cultivation, offering a valuable case for analysing the economic outcomes of China's agricultural policies. This study adopts the adaptive expectations hypothesis to explore the policy's effects, focusing on its influence on farmers' price expectations (mean) and price volatility (variance). Using a Spatial Durbin Model (SDM), we empirically investigate the policy's dynamic regional impacts on corn planting areas. The results show that the temporary corn storage policy significantly increased corn planting areas in the targeted regions, while simultaneously reducing planting areas in non-targeted regions due to negative spatial spillover effects. At the national level, the policy had no statistically significant impact on total corn planting areas, indicating that abolishing the policy alone is unlikely to rationalise or optimise the agricultural planting structure.

The present study was carried out to enlist herbicidal and antimicrobial compounds in the methanolic stem extract of Carthamus oxycantha, a problematic weed of Asteraceae. Methanolic stem extract was subjected to GC-MS analysis that revealed the presence of 150 constituents in the extract. The most abundant compound was Niacin (45.375%) followed by D-ribofuranose, 5-deoxy-5-(methylsulfinyl)-1,2,3-tris-O-(trimethylsilyl)- (14.528%); 9,12-octadecadienoic acid (Z,Z)-, methyl ester (4.951%); γ-tocopherol (4.638%); hexacosane (4.148%); 3-phenyllactic acid, 2TMS derivative  (2.675%); 13-retinoic acid, (Z)-, TMS derivative (2.461%); 2,2,5,5-tetramethyl-4-ethyl-3-imidazoline-1-oxyl (2.276%); octadecanoic acid (1.851%); 2-deoxy-1,3,4,5-tetrakis-O-(trimethylsilyl); pentitol (1.757%); 3,5,5-trimethyl-4-(3-((trimethylsilyl)oxy)butyl)cyclohex-2-enone (1.505%); methyl 9.cis.,11.trans.t,13.trans.-octadecatrienoate (1.136%); and benzoic acid, 3-[(trimethylsilyl)oxy]-, trimethylsilyl ester (1.044%). Peak areas for the rest of the compounds were below 1%. Among the identified compounds, 9,12-octadecadienoic acid (Z,Z)-, methyl ester (3), hexacosane (5), 9,12-octadecadienoic acid (Z,Z)- (28), tetradecanoic acid, methyl ester (29), hexadecanoic acid, methyl ester (30), γ-sitosterol (33), 9,12,15-octadecatrienoic acid, (Z,Z,Z)- (48), dodecanoic acid (68) and eicosane (128) are known to possess antimicrobial activities. Compound 28 is also known for its herbicidal activity as a binary mixture with xanthoxyline. This study concludes that the stem extract of C. oxycantha primarily comprises antifungal and antibacterial compounds.

Global food security is increasingly threatened by the vulnerability of agricultural systems to climate variability, especially in sub-humid regions. Northeast China, a major maize-producing region, experiences low spring temperatures and erratic rainfall, which have prompted the widespread adoption of plastic-film mulching (PFM) combined with drip irrigation. However, systematic evaluations of how different PFM patterns affect crop productivity and resource use efficiency remain limited. This study systematically evaluated three PFM strategies – full ridge-furrow mulching (FM), ridge mulching (RM), and no mulching (NM) – in combination with 240 kg N/ha and a zero-nitrogen control under drip irrigation to determine their effects on maize (Zea mays L.) yield, water use efficiency (WUE), and nitrogen utilisation. Field experiments over two consecutive growing seasons assessed crop growth, dry matter (DM) accumulation, nitrogen dynamics, grain yield, and related efficiency parameters. Both FM and RM significantly enhanced early maize growth. At the seedling stage, FM and RM increased plant height by 43.0% and 40.1%, and leaf area index (LAI) by 141.4% and 120.4% over NM, respectively. During the same stage, DM accumulation increased by 228.9% (FM) and 224.9% (RM). These improvements reflected favourable soil hydrothermal conditions under PFM. Before heading, PFM treatments increased pre-anthesis DM accumulation by up to 19.6%, and at maturity, FM and RM raised DM by 6.1% and 5.1% over NM. PFM significantly improved grain nitrogen accumulation, with FM and RM increasing it by 31.0% and 26.9% over NM, respectively, and nitrogen harvest index (NHI), with FM and RM increasing it by 6.8% and 6.1% over NM, indicating enhanced nutrient translocation to grain. PFM also improved grain yield, with FM and RM increasing it by 15.0% and 13.5%, WUE by 17.2% and 15.7%, and nitrogen partial productivity by 16.8% and 14.1%. No significant differences in yield or WUE were observed between FM and RM. Fertilisation consistently enhanced these benefits without changing the relative efficiency ranking of treatments. Notably, the advantages of mulching diminished after the heading stage as temperature and rainfall increased. PFM (both FM and RM) under drip irrigation improves maize yield, water use, and nitrogen efficiency in sub-humid regions. This integrated practice offers a scalable and sustainable strategy to increase maize productivity and resource efficiency, supporting food security in regions facing similar climatic challenges.

Drawing upon data on co-signed patents in China's agricultural sector between 2015 and 2022, this paper explores the structural characteristics and determinants of the patent collaboration network in agricultural technology involving universities (U), enterprises (E) and research institutes (R). The results of social network analysis (SNA) revealed that the patent collaboration network is expanding in scale, but innovators are sparsely connected to others. Although the subnetwork linked by enterprises is the largest, universities and research institutes are more likely to play roles as hubs and bridges in the network. Furthermore, quadratic assignment procedure (QAP) regression revealed that prior collaboration experience and geographical proximity are key factors that promote co-patenting in the agricultural sector. Compared with U–U partnerships, E–E and E–R partnerships are associated with decreased patent collaboration. In the agriculture and forestry industries, the U–U and U–R partnerships are most likely involved in co-patenting, followed by the R–R and U–E partnerships. In the animal husbandry and fishery industries, no significant difference was found between the partnerships of U–U, R–R, U–E and U–R in their collaborative propensity.

Sunflower (Helianthus annuus L.), a globally significant oilseed crop, faces substantial yield losses due to drought stress, a major environmental constraint. In this study, the effects of nitric oxide (NO) to increase drought tolerance in four sunflower genotypes (resistant Irtysh, RAR 56 and sensitive Zarya, RAR 133) showing different stress responses were investigated. Conducted in a controlled hydroponic system, the experiment applied 100 µM NO under 12% polyethylene glycol (PEG)-induced drought, assessing growth, physiological, and biochemical parameters. PEG alone reduced shoot and root growth, relative water content (RWC), and ion levels (K, Ca, Mg, Na), while increasing oxidative stress markers (malondialdehyde (MDA), H₂O₂, •OH) and electrolyte leakage, particularly in sensitive genotypes. NO application, both alone and with PEG, significantly mitigated these effects, enhancing root fresh weight, RWC, and antioxidant enzyme activities (superoxide dismutase (SOD), peroxidase (POX), catalase (CAT) and glutathione reductase (GR)), while reducing reactive oxygen species (ROS) and lipid peroxidation. Resistant genotypes (Irtysh, RAR 56) exhibited superior stress amelioration. These findings highlight NO’s role as a signalling molecule in augmenting drought resilience through genotype-specific mechanisms. The differential responses among genotypes suggest opportunities for identifying genetic markers associated with NO-mediated drought tolerance, which could guide marker-assisted breeding programs. Additionally, integrating these insights with genomic editing techniques may accelerate the development of drought-resistant sunflower cultivars tailored for water-scarce regions. Future research should optimise NO delivery methods and evaluate field-scale efficacy to advance sustainable sunflower production in water-limited environments.

Retinal degeneration (RD) is often associated with deficiencies or the inaccurate production of photoreceptor-specific proteins, which are encoded by various genes and characterised by the apoptotic and ongoing death of photoreceptor cells. This study involved administering a single intraperitoneal (i.p.) dose of 50 mg/kg of N-methyl-N-nitrosourea (MNU) to rats to induce RD. Some of these rats also received intraperitoneal minocycline at varying doses to prevent RD. Euthanasia was conducted at five intervals: at 12, 24, 48, and 72 h, and on the 7^th day; and eye samples were taken. These samples were analysed using histopathology, immunohistochemistry, and electron microscopy. Significant RD was observed in the MNU-treated groups, with photoreceptor cell apoptosis demonstrated by the TUNEL method. Compared with those in the control group, there was a progressive thinning of the photoreceptor layer and outer nuclear layer, along with increased levels of glial fibrillary acidic protein (GFAP) and proliferating cell nuclear antigen (PCNA), and reduced levels of rhodopsin and red/green opsin starting from the 12^th hour in the experimental groups. Electron microscopy revealed that amacrine and bipolar cells, in addition to photoreceptors, were also affected. The minocycline treatment did not show significant differences in retinal layer thickness or the staining levels of PCNA, GFAP, and opsins in the MNU-induced RD model.

Apart from the roots, the bulb is the most important organ for plant development of the lily plant. In this experiment, the effects of mycorrhizal, vermicompost and promalin applications on the root architecture of Lilium oriental hybrid ‘Adelante’, a bulbous plant, were to be investigated. It was found that the effect of the treatments on root length (128.6 cm), root surface area (8 cm³), number of tips (111.5), number of forks (354.4) and number of crossings (86.2) was lower than that of the control. In terms of root volume, the applications of vermicompost (3 cm²) and promalin (3 cm³) were the most effective. The most effective application on root diameter (3.5 mm) was promalin. In conclusion, the effect on mycorrhizal root development was lower than the control but higher than other applications. In addition, machine learning (ML) algorithms, including linear regression (LR), sequential minimal optimisation for regression (SMOreg), Gaussian process (GP) and artificial neural network-based multilayer perceptron (ANN-based MLP), were used in the study. The input variables were evaluated for modelling and predicting root traits. The performance values of the ML algorithms were noted in the following order: LR > SMOreg > GP > MLP. These results have important implications for the prediction of root growth in lily crops.

We conducted a quantitative ex post analysis of the competitiveness of the Czech Republic’s agrifood exports to other European Union (EU) Member States between 2002 and 2020, using the constant market share (CMS) methodology. The application of this methodology to Czech agrifood exports is novel, as it allows for analysing the export competitiveness variation and its components. Although the findings are consistent with those of previous studies in which the investigators used alternative methodological approaches, we make three contributions to the existing literature. Firstly, the Czech Republic experienced an overall increase in its competitiveness in agrifood exports between 2002 and 2020. Secondly, the high territorial specialisation of Czech agrifood exports to other EU Member States, combined with a general slowdown in the growth of EU markets, has had a significant effect on the growth dynamics of the country’s agricultural exports. Thirdly, there is a problem with the specialisation profile of Czech agrifood exports in terms of commodity and territorial structure. The current composition does not allow the Czech Republic to reach its full potential for agrifood exports. These findings will help industrial, agricultural and trade policymakers to assess the nature of liberalisation and transformation of the Czech Republic’s agricultural sectors, with a view to improving or designing structures and instruments for the promotion of agrifood exports.

In Spain, the leader in pesticide sales in the European Union, a high-tech and innovative company provides services to the wine industry to optimise phytosanitary work, reduce crop losses and lower production costs. Although the nature of its business encourages the transition to a sustainable agri-food system, it also involves risks associated with uncertainty. The objective of this article was to perform the valuation of the company through the real options approach, including an expansion option, analysing whether this company will be able to increase the value of its project by expanding its activity to a larger number of vineyards. Results showed that the application of the real options approach projected a higher result than the traditional net present value method, so that if the company makes additional investments in its precision agriculture project, these will increase the value by a 15%.

Pattern recognition receptors (PRRs) play multiple roles in plants. As a kind of PRRs, chitin elicitor receptor kinase 1 (CERK1) proteins were reported to function in plant resistance to fungal and bacterial pathogens, and tolerance to salt stress. In this study, a predicted cowpea CERK1 homologous gene, designated as VuCERK1, was identified by database search. VuCERK1 protein contains 618 amino acid residues, with a predicted molecular mass of 67.5 kDa and a predicted isoelectric point of 5.04. VuCERK1 shows 58% and 60% sequence identity with AtCERK1 and OsCERK1, respectively. VuCERK1 also shows similar subcellular pattern with AtCERK1 and OsCERK1, suggesting VuCERK1 may function in cowpea immune responses. Gene expression assay indicated, that VuCERK1 was expressed in four different seedling tissues tested, comprising first leave, epicotyl, hypocotyl and root, and it could be induced by salt stress. Furthermore, transient expression of VuCERK1 in Nicotiana benthamiana induced obvious cell death. In addition, heterologous overexpression of VuCERK1 in Arabidopsis thaliana conferred enhanced disease resistance to Pseudomonas syringae pv. tomato strain DC3000 hrcC^- (Pto DC3000 hrcC^-).

Cryptosporidiosis and giardiasis are zoonotic protozoan diseases with significant public health and economic concerns. In Algeria, epidemiological data on these parasites in livestock are limited. This study aimed to estimate the prevalence of Cryptosporidium spp. and Giardia in dairy calves and broiler chickens and to identify the associated risk factors. A microscopic analysis of 200 faecal samples revealed a Cryptosporidium spp. prevalence of 56% in calves and 60% in broiler chickens, while the Giardia prevalence was 8% in calves and absent in chickens. In cattle, the data showed that age constituted a potential risk factor for both parasites (P < 0.000 1 for Cryptosporidium; P < 0.000 5 for Giardia). Interestingly, the risk of a Cryptosporidium infection decreased with age, while the Giardia infestation risk increased. The sex was not a significant factor for Cryptosporidium (P = 0.115 0), but was impactful for Giardia (P < 0.000 1), with males at higher risk. These results highlighted the distinct epidemiological characteristics of Cryptosporidium and Giardia infestations in Algerian livestock. The contrasting age-related risks and sex-specific susceptibility to Giardia underline the need for targeted, age and sex prevention strategies. This study provides valuable data to inform public health policies and to improve livestock management practices in Algeria, contributing to the wider understanding of these zoonotic parasites in North African agricultural farming.

Long non-coding RNA (lncRNA) plays a role in the reconstruction of hair follicles and in the formation and growth of cashmere fibres. One cashmere growth-associated lncRNA was successfully screened out at the early stage in the laboratory, which was named LncRNA MTC. In this study, the binding of galectin 3 (LGALS3) to LncRNA MTC was examined through RNA immunoprecipitation (RIP) in skin fibroblasts of Liaoning Cashmere goats. The pLenti-LGALS3-His-IRES-EGFP lentiviral overexpression vector was built, and the result of CCK8 indicated that the overexpression of LGALS3 significantly enhanced the viability of skin fibroblasts (P < 0.05). A total of 15 proteins interacting with LGALS3 were identified through co-immunoprecipitation (CO-IP) combined mass spectrometry, which were primarily rich in ECM-receptor interaction, focal adhesion, PI3K-AKT, and other signalling pathways. Moreover, PIEZO1 refers to a mechanically sensitive ion channel protein that is capable of regulating the cell proliferation. As revealed by qPCR results, overexpression of LGALS3 significantly upregulated the expression of PIEZO1, which was effectively interfered by siRNA. The result of CCK8 indicated that siPIEZO1 significantly inhibited cell proliferation, whereas overexpression of LGALS3 protected cells from the suppression of siPIEZO1 (P < 0.01). This study revealed that LGALS3 is capable of stimulating the proliferation of skin fibroblasts by regulating PIEZO1. The effect of LGALS3 on the proliferation of skin fibroblasts from the protein interaction was explored, and this study is expected to lay a certain scientific basis for the research on the hair follicle development mechanism of Liaoning Cashmere goats.

The aim of this work was to evaluate the effect of different particle sizes of hens diets on blood biochemical parameters, ileal digesta viscosity and nitrogen retention. In the experimental part, the effects of different physical structure were investigated on two groups of laying hens of the Bovans Brown hybrid from 76 to 80 weeks of age. A finely ground mash diet [geometric mean diameter (GMD), 632 µm] and a coarsely ground mash diet (GMD, 1 258 µm) with the equal nutritional content were used. In the experiment, the particle sizes of the feed mixtures were analysed and compared with the particle size of unaccepted feed residues using a feed separator. Furthermore, feed consumption, live weight of laying hens, blood biochemical parameters, digestive viscosity and nitrogen retention coefficient were assessed. The study revealed that the particle sizes of hens’ diets significantly influenced the nitrogen retention coefficient, with higher values observed in the finely ground diet as compared to the coarsely ground diet (30.3 vs 24.0%; P < 0.05). However, no significant differences were observed in feed intake, live weight, blood biochemical parameters, or digesta viscosity between the dietary groups (P > 0.05). This finding highlights the potential of diet structure optimisation to improve nutrient utilisation efficiency, which is particularly relevant for reducing nitrogen excretion and its environmental impact. These novel insights provide a foundation for further research on the effects of feed structure on productivity and organ health.

Salt stress is a significant abiotic factor that limits crop growth and yield. Nano-fertilisers, effective even in small quantities, have gained prominence for their ability to enhance plant growth and stress tolerance. This study investigated the effects of silica nanoparticles (SiNPs) at different concentrations (0, 100, 200, and 400 mg/L solution) under varying saline water application levels (0.6, 1.2, 2.4, and 3.6 dS/m) on growth parameters, antioxidant enzyme activity, and nutrient uptake in lettuce. The greenhouse experiment followed a randomised complete block design with three replications. Results demonstrated that SiNPs effectively increased head diameter and plant height by approximately 8% and 14%, respectively, compared to the control. Similarly, dry matter content improved by 22% with SiNP-400. While salinity stress significantly increased electrolyte leakage and lipid peroxidation (as indicated by malondialdehyde (MDA) content), SiNPs reduced MDA levels by 21%, indicating lower oxidative damage. Soil-plant analysis development (SPAD) values improved by 6%, and leaf relative water content increased by 4% with the application of SiNPs. Enzyme activity analysis revealed that salinity stress enhanced superoxide dismutase (SOD) and catalase (CAT) activities, but SiNP-400 reduced SOD and CAT levels by 23% and 50%, respectively, suggesting a decrease in oxidative stress. Furthermore, SiNPs enhanced nutrient uptake, significantly increasing the contents of Mg, Fe, and Zn while reducing Na accumulation. The highest Mg, Zn, and K concentrations were recorded under the SiNP-400 treatment. These findings highlight the potential of silica nanoparticles in mitigating the effects of salt stress and improving plant resilience, highlighting their role in sustainable agriculture.

The productivity and quality of the entire flock are negatively impacted by heat stress in chickens, which can have major repercussions, particularly in crowded farming settings where diseases are easy to spread and hard to control. This study uses deep networks and optical flow to identify heat stress in chickens. The technique focuses on identifying obvious signs of heat stress, such as panting and open-mouth breathing in chickens. There are two phases to the suggested approach: (1) using a deep network to detect open-mouth breathing in chickens; (2) using the Gunnar Farnebäck algorithm to compute the optical flow vectors of the wattle, the breathing frequency is estimated in the Fourier domain for the detection of panting chickens. The proposed method was tested on the obtained dataset and demonstrated its ability to recognise heat-stressed chickens in crowded conditions, achieving an overall performance metric of 0.90 by integrating the results of both phases. The two-phase approach, which incorporates the open-mouth breathing behaviour and panting frequency, improves the efficiency and assures robust, reliable heat stress detection.

At present, the low post-thaw quality of poultry semen presents a challenge to develop new strategies for its cryopreservation. The purpose of this research was to assess the impact of kaempferol (KAE) on post-thaw turkey sperm characteristics (motility, membrane and acrosome integrity, mitochondrial function), oxidative and microbial profile. Turkey semen (n = 40) was diluted and cryopreserved in modified Beltsville extender with 5, 10, and 25 µM of KAE or without it (cryopreserved control – Ctrl_C), while fresh semen served as negative control (Ctrl_N). Following thawing, parameters were evaluated including sperm motility, membrane and acrosome integrity, mitochondrial functionality, DNA fragmentation index, apoptosis status, global reactive oxygen species (ROS) generation, lipid peroxidation (LPO) and protein oxidation. Bacterial identification was performed by matrix-assisted laser desorption/ionisation mass spectrometry. Our data suggest that motility, membrane and acrosome integrity, mitochondrial activity continuously increased correspondingly to KAE concentration versus Ctrl_C (P < 0.05) while cell apoptosis, ROS generation, LPO and protein oxidation were significantly decreased in KAE treated groups versus Ctrl_C (P < 0.05). Bacterial growth was suppressed in all KAE-treated groups, which acted synergistically with penicillin to eradicate most bacterial strains from cryopreserved samples versus Ctrl_N. Finally, our results suggest that KAE possesses strong antioxidant and antimicrobial properties which may be used to improve commercially available extenders for more effective preservation of turkey spermatozoa.

This study investigated the effects of slaughter weight and breed on carcass characteristics, meat quality, and technological properties in purebred Balkan and F1 crossbred (Balkan × Saanen) male goats. A total of 48 animals, divided into four slaughter weight groups (10, 15, 18, and 22 kg), were analysed for carcass composition, muscle traits, and fat distribution. ANOVA and multivariate analyses (PCA and HCA) revealed significant effects of weight and breed on key carcass and meat quality parameters. Heavier animals exhibited higher intramuscular fat and primal cut yields with superior water-holding capacity (WHC), while lighter goats had leaner carcasses with less muscle pigment. Crossbred F1 goats demonstrated a more balanced muscle-to-fat ratio, whereas pure Balkan goats tended to accumulate fat more rapidly at higher weights. These findings indicate that optimal slaughter weight selection should align with market demands, such as producing leaner meat in lighter Balkan goats, or achieving increased marbling and better economic returns in heavier crossbred animals. Future research should explore genetic effects on muscle and fat deposition and assess consumer preferences to refine breeding and production strategies.

The Ili region hosts China’s largest lavender cultivation base, yet soil bacterial diversity in its primary cultivation areas remains understudied. To address this, we compared soil bacterial communities across four major cultivation counties (Chabuchar, Agricultural Research Institute, Yining, and Huocheng). Essential oil profiles, soil properties, and bacterial community characteristics were analysed to elucidate microbial variations and environmental interactions. The results showed that: (1) The essential oil yield (1.14%) and linalool content (41.04%) in the Huocheng County cultivation area were significantly higher than those in other areas, and the essential oil quality was relatively the best; (2) the soil bacterial communities in different main cultivation areas shared certain commonalities. At the phylum level, Proteobacteria, Acidobacteriota, Gemmatimonadota, and Actinobacteriota were the dominant phyla, and their relative abundances varied by region and soil layer, and (3) the redundancy analysis results showed that soil bacterial communities were comprehensively affected by environmental factors such as pH, total nitrogen, total phosphorus, soil organic carbon, longitude, and altitude. The significant positive correlations between the abundance of Vicinamibacteraceae (Acidobacteriota) in Huocheng County soils and both soil total phosphorus and linalool content suggest a putative mechanism whereby this bacterial taxon enhances lavender terpenoid synthesis by facilitating phosphorus cycling. Overall, these results suggest that geographically driven climatic variations dynamically alter the soil bacterial community, thereby influencing lavender growth and the final essential oil quality.

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.

The transmission of plant viruses through seed plays a fundamental role in virus spread, persistence, and survival, particularly in economically important crops. Besides its considerable ecological significance, seed transmission influences plant and virus evolution. Virus contamination of the seed also has critical epidemiological implications, especially when combined with subsequent or additional insect vector spread. Plants grown from contaminated seeds serve as primary viral inoculum sources, facilitating the introduction of viruses into new regions and triggering disease outbreaks with substantial economic losses for growers. Changes in environmental conditions increasingly influence plant virus epidemiology by affecting vector populations, host susceptibility, and transmission dynamics, thus increasing virus transmission risks in cereal crops. This review explores the mechanisms of seed transmission and its consequences, with a focus on key cereal viruses in Ukraine: barley stripe mosaic virus, wheat streak mosaic virus, High Plains wheat mosaic virus, sugarcane mosaic virus, and maize dwarf mosaic virus. Hereby, the biological properties of these viruses, the risks posed by seed transmission, and the economic impact on crop production are discussed. Given the widespread distribution of these pathogens, presented data will also be valuable for other cereal-growing regions, particularly those bordering Ukraine and engaged in seed import/export. This review underscores the global need to manage seed-transmitted viruses to safeguard cereal crop productivity and food security. Future research should focus on developing resistant cultivars and advanced diagnostics to control their spread.

This study investigates the benefits of using mine tailings (MT) to improve pea (Pisum sativum L.) growth and productivity on degraded agricultural soils in semi-arid environments. The research aims to evaluate the use of MT as an innovative soil amendment and to determine the optimal dose required to enhance the micronutrient availability of Zn, Mn, Cu and Fe without affecting soil quality. The experiment was conducted in greenhouse pots with three different soil types amended with different MT doses (control and four doses). Soil samples were collected from the Doukkala region, one of the main agricultural areas in Morocco. Pea was grown in pots and monitored for 87 days until maturity. After harvest, soil and plant samples were weighed, measured and analysed by inductively coupled plasma atomic emission spectroscopy (ICP-AES). The experiment found that moderate doses (0.2 g/kg to 1 g/kg) applied to all soil types promoted optimal pea growth by improving plant height, root and above-ground biomass and pod number. Thus, MT can act as a biostimulant. However, nutrient antagonism negatively affected growth at the highest dose (4 g/kg). Bioconcentration and translocation factors indicated efficient micronutrient uptake and biofortification, while heavy metals remained immobilised in roots, effectively eliminating toxicity risks.

Congenital anomalies affecting the spinal column are frequently observed in certain dog breeds. One such condition occurs at the junction between the lower back and the sacrum, where vertebrae exhibit mixed structural characteristics. This retrospective study analysed imaging records of Rhodesian Ridgebacks collected over 28 years, selecting only those that met strict positioning standards for evaluation. A total of 2 012 cases were analysed using established classification methods, identifying three distinct structural variations: a typical junction, a bilaterally altered morphology, and an asymmetrical form affecting one side. The prevalence of these variations was 7.4%, with symmetrical alterations found in 5% of cases and asymmetrical alterations in 2.4%. Statistical analysis did not reveal a significant association between these anatomical variations and canine hip dysplasia (CHD) (P = 0.170 0). These findings support previous research indicating that there is no direct link between these structural variations and joint disorders in this breed. The study represents the most extensive investigation of its kind in this canine population, highlighting that such vertebral variations are frequently observed in routine radiographic screenings, but despite decades of research, consistent clinical correlations remain elusive – underscoring the need for further systematic investigation.

The darkness of the kernel and the lack of simultaneous ripening of the mesocarp and endocarp are among the most significant challenges in Iranian walnut orchards. The mentioned problems appear more in areas with hot and humid summers. The research focused on the quality of the kernel in terms of colour and marketability, as well as the dry matter of the kernels. Additionally, the ease of mesocarp separation from endocarp was examined. Experimental trials were designed with 27 treatment combinations to address the mentioned issues using varying concentrations of 2-chloroethylphosphonic acid (ethephon) at different harvest dates. In this study, using 1 920 ppm of ethephon on August 22nd resulted in the best quality walnut kernels and mesocarp. Researchers in this project successfully achieved the highest quality of walnut kernels and nuts in a region where over 90% of the harvest consisted of dark-kernel walnuts.