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Dental health has historically received little attention in veterinary medicine, but is becoming more common. This study aimed to report the prevalence of dental extractions in dogs in Seoul, Republic of Korea, describe the current status of dental health and determine any preventive methods. In total, 166 dogs participated in the study, presented to the veterinary hospital with an oral disorder or for a routine check-up were included in the study. Teeth were extracted from 130 dogs (78.32%). A single tooth was extracted from 18 dogs (13.85%), whereas multiple teeth (2–29 teeth) were extracted from 112 dogs (86.15%). Ten teeth were extracted in 31 dogs (27.67%). In descending order, the most extracted teeth were PM2, PM3, PM4, and PM1. The age at the first dental check-up, the average interval between dental check-ups, and the average interval between the previous two dental check-ups in the extraction group were significantly greater than those in the non-extraction group. In contrast, the number of dental check-ups was significantly lower. In conclusion, this study suggests regular dental check-ups to prevent dental extractions. The data provide useful information for veterinary dental health management and the prevention of tooth extractions.

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).

The aim of this study was to evaluate the effects of exogenous 2, 4-epibrassinolide (EBR) on the yield of Tartary buckwheat (Fagopyrum tataricum (L.) Gaertn.). A 2-year field experiment was conducted on Tartary buckwheat (cv. Jinqiao 2) with different concentrations (0, 0.1, 0.5, 1.0, and 2.0 mg/L) of EBR and brassinolide (BRZ, inhibitor of brassinolide synthesis). The seed setting rate, agronomic traits, and yield initially increased and then decreased with an increase in the EBR application rate. The seed setting rate, agronomic traits, and yield decreased gradually with an increase in BRZ concentration, and yield was the lowest at 2.0 mg/L. The appropriate application of exogenous EBR could promote the increase of Tartary buckwheat yield. Compared with 0 mg/L (control), the 0.1, 0.5, and 1.0 mg/L treatments increased yield by 13.53, 32.73, and 7.08%, respectively, while the high-concentration treatment (2.0 mg/L) decreased by 4.13%. In conclusion, the appropriate concentration of EBR treatment (0.5 mg/L) delayed the senescence of Tartary buckwheat by increasing its root activity and the activity of antioxidant enzymes in leaves. Simultaneously, it increased the chlorophyll content of Tartary buckwheat leaves, enhanced photosynthesis, increased nonstructural carbohydrate content, and augmented the "source," increasing the seed setting rate and yield of Tartary buckwheat. This concentration is recommended for use in the production of Tartary buckwheat.

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.

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.

As essential natural carbon sinks, woody plants play a key role in urban ecological restoration. The lignite-derived organic fertiliser (LOF) may promote plant growth and carbon sequestration by improving soil properties. This study investigated LOF effects on three typical woody plants – Styphnolobium japonicum (L.) Schott. with taproots, Malus × micromalus Makino with fibrous roots, and Malus domestica Borkh. with both taproots and fibrous roots – focused on soil properties improvement during a three-year planting experiment (2021–2023). The results indicated that LOF application significantly increased soil organic matter (SOM) content, with and without woody plants, by 82.3% and 54.9%, respectively. Concurrently, LOF influenced soil microbial characteristics, especially enhancing the 16S rRNA gene copy number by 0.99 times. For plant growth, LOF application increased root length, volume, and tip number in Malus domestica Borkh. by 37.4, 27.4, and 26.0%, respectively, and in Styphnolobium japonicum (L.) Schott by 43.8, 76.7, and 26.6%, respectively. However, in Malus × micromalus Makino, while root volume increased by 3.8%, root length and tip number decreased by 10.0% and 26.9%, respectively. Additionally, the LOF application increased the soil plant analysis development (SPAD) values of woody plant leaves by 5.3%, indicating improved chlorophyll content and plant health. These findings demonstrate that LOF applications may significantly enhance soil quality and promote plant growth, contributing to improved terrestrial carbon sequestration.

The sustainable management of European forest ecosystems necessitates innovative mechanisation solutions to address operational challenges in hilly, mountainous, and ecologically sensitive terrains. Hybrid-drive unmanned vehicles (HDUVs) present a transformative potential by integrating fuel-electric powertrains with autonomous navigation systems, enabling energy-efficient operations with minimal environmental impact. This review synthesises and critically analyses advancements in three critical domains: (i) dynamic modelling and chassis design for enhanced terrain adaptability, (ii) hybrid powertrain optimisation for reduced emissions and extended operational range, and (iii) the integration of unmanned systems for precision forestry tasks. By examining multi-body dynamics, power management strategies, and AI-driven navigation algorithms, we elucidate the role of HDUVs in improving operational efficiency while mitigating soil disturbance and carbon footprint. The review identifies prevailing research gaps and suggests that future work should prioritise the development of standardised testing protocols and foster cross-disciplinary collaboration to align HDUV development with EU biodiversity and climate objectives.

Rice serves as a crucial staple food for nearly half of the world’s population. However, rice paddies contribute remarkably to greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions. Prior studies often showed a trade-off between reducing GHG emissions and impairing rice yield. In this study, we explore the possibility of employing modulating probiotics to develop a win-win strategy for enhancing rice yields while reducing GHG emissions. Three paired plots of rice paddies were used in the field experiment during the spring growing season (from February to July 2022). Each pair of plots was divided into control and probiotic addition paddies to investigate the effects of modulating probiotic treatment on GHG emissions using the whole-plant chambers. Our results revealed notable reductions in GHG emissions and increases in rice yield with the probiotic treatment relative to the control. The probiotic treatment resulted in a 47.58% reduction in carbon dioxide (CO₂) emissions, a 21.53% reduction in methane (CH₄) emissions, and an impressive 88.50% reduction in nitrous oxide (N₂O) emissions over the growing season. We also observed a 27.75% increase in rice yield with the probiotic treatment. These findings suggest that employing modulating probiotics has the potential to pave the way for mutually beneficial outcomes, enhancing rice productivity while mitigating the GHG emissions associated with rice cultivation.

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.

Lead (Pb) is a harmful heavy metal that threatens ecosystems and plant growth. Silicon (Si) plays a crucial role in plant responses to heavy metal stress. In this study, the effects of Si on Pb2+ content and transport, subcellular distribution, and chemical forms in Salix viminalis L. under Pb stress were analysed, aiming to elucidate the detoxification mechanism of Si in S. viminalis under such conditions. Results showed that Si reduced Pb²⁺ in aboveground parts and increased it in roots, lowering its movement to leaves and stems. Analysis of the subcellular distribution of Pb²⁺ revealed that Si application promoted the transfer of Pb²⁺ to vacuole-dominated soluble components (F4) and cell wall components (F1), which increased the binding capacity of the cell wall and the vacuolar storage compartmentalisation for Pb²⁺. Changes in the chemical forms of Pb²⁺ indicated that Si significantly decreased the proportion of more mobile, ethanol-extractable Pb²⁺ (FE) and deionised water-extractable Pb²⁺ (FW) while increasing the proportion of less mobile Pb²⁺ forms, such as NaCl-extractable (FNaCl), HCl-extractable (FHCl), and acetic acid-extractable (FHAc) Pb²⁺, thereby reducing its mobility. This study provides empirical support for the application of Si in the phytoremediation of heavy metal-contaminated soils.

The beneficial reuse of sewage sludge in agricultural soils is limited by the accumulation of micropollutants of emerging concern, which may pose significant environmental and human health risks. This review summarises recent advances in understanding the occurrence, persistence, and fate of herbicides and their transformation products in sewage sludge. Data from various geographic regions are discussed, with a focus on implications for the safe reuse of biosolids in agriculture. Most available studies have been conducted in European Union countries, where land application of biosolids is a common practice. Twelve groups of herbicides and their transformation products have been identified in sewage sludge, including glyphosate and aminomethylphosphonic acid (AMPA), phenylureas, phenoxy acids, chloroacetamides, triazines and their metabolites, triazinones, phenylcarbamates, isoxazolidinones, benzoic acids, dinitroanilines, benzofurans, phenyl ethers, and other herbicides. Among these, triazines and their metabolites were the most frequently detected, with concentration ranges of 0.01–277 ng/g and not detected (n.d.)–237 ng/g, respectively. Glyphosate and AMPA were found at particularly high concentrations (n.d.–35 000 ng/g). Phenylurea herbicides (e.g., diuron and isoproturon) were detected in a limited number of studies, with concentrations ranging from not detected to 102 ng/g. Substantial concentrations of phenoxy herbicides (2,4-d, 2,4-db, and 2,4,5-t) were also reported in sewage sludge, ranging from 50.5–864 ng/g. The available scientific literature on the occurrence of herbicides in sewage sludge focuses mainly on older, often already banned compounds, while data on currently approved herbicides remain scarce. This review highlights the need for more comprehensive global assessments of herbicides and their transformation products in sewage sludge to ensure the safe agricultural use of biosolids and minimise risks to plants and other organisms. The current lack of systematic monitoring and documentation represents a critical knowledge gap in evaluating environmental exposure and associated risks.

A lack or, conversely, an excess of water during the first growing seasons can bring about a slowdown in the growth of plants, their stagnation or even death. The necessary amount of water is not known for most hybrids of Paulownia. Therefore, one species and four hybrids were subjected to three regimes of watering to find out their impacts on plant height, radial growth, the amount of leaf biomass and leaf area. We planted 30 plants of each species/hybrid into plant pots under a shelter. At the end of the growing season, we measured the above-mentioned parameters. Our results showed that: (i) generally, a mean precipitation of 50 mm per month in the growing season ('per month') seems to be insufficient for optimal growth of Paulownia plants in the first years after planting; (ii) each species/hybrid reacts differently to the amount of water – P. Shan Tong grows better with 100 mm per month, P. tomentosa with 150 mm (and more) per month and the growth parameters of the others did not change (and remained low) with different amounts of water (P. Hybrid 9502, P. Bellissia^® and P. Clon in vitro 112^®).

The aim of this study was to investigate the physiological characteristics and quality of hypocotyls in the production of selenium-enriched sprouts from peanut seeds soaked in selenium (Se) solution. Peanut seeds were soaked with 0, 2.5, 5.0, 7.5, and 10 μmol/L Na₂SeO₃ for 12 h and then germinated. The results showed that the selenium concentration in peanut shoots increased with increasing levels of selenite soaking, and there existed a crossroads of selenite soaking concentration (5.0 μmol/L) when selenium concentrations in cotyledons and hypocotyls were equal. Below and above this concentration, Se concentrations in shoots were radicle > cotyledon > hypocotyl or cotyledon > radicle > hypocotyl, respectively. In addition, Se significantly promoted the elongation of hypocotyls and radicles, increased shoot biomass, increased the activity of antioxidant enzymes and the concentration of antioxidants in hypocotyls, and decreased malondialdehyde levels. Moreover, Se significantly increased the concentrations of soluble sugars, proteins, free amino acids and resveratrol in hypocotyls. These results indicate that soaking peanut seeds with selenite significantly increased Se concentration, biomass, antioxidant capacity and quality of peanut shoots. This study provides a theoretical basis for the rapid and standardised production of Se-enriched peanut shoots from selenite-soaked seeds.

Cattle identification systems are advancing to meet the growing demands of precision livestock management, traceability, and ethical animal treatment. This study investigates three methods: body texture recognition, QR code collars, and numerical labelling, implemented using the YOLOv8 convolutional neural network. Each method was evaluated in terms of accuracy, scalability, adaptability to dynamic herd changes, and operational efficiency under various environmental conditions. Body texture recognition, while leveraging unique natural patterns and achieving a mean Average Precision (mAP50–95) of 0.78 proved limited by its reliance on frequent dataset retraining to accommodate changes in herd composition and susceptibility to misidentification in larger herds. QR code collars demonstrated adaptability in dynamic herds by enabling pre-trained convolutional neural networks to assign reserved codes to new animals without retraining, while removing animals involves simply deleting their codes from the system. This approach also achieved an mAP50–95 of 0.71, which was lower than the body texture-based approach, but offered greater flexibility in herd management. Despite this adaptability, this method demonstrated significant challenges in real-world environments. Occlusion caused by feeders, barriers, or animal movements, along with low-resolution imaging and poor lighting conditions, can compromise detection accuracy, particularly in larger herds with obstructive barn layouts. The numerical labelling method emerged as the most effective solution to dynamic cattle identification, achieving the highest mAP50–95 of 0.84. It provided a scalable and highly accurate approach that integrates seamlessly with automated systems. Unlike traditional body marking techniques such as ear notching and branding, numerical labelling is less invasive, painless, and highly scalable, aligning with ethical livestock management practices while maintaining consistent accuracy across diverse environmental conditions.

The production of food of plant origin is critically dependent on the pollination ability of honey bees, whose health has been deteriorating for a long time, and whose population is declining. In our in vivo experiment on a honey bee brood at the 4-day larval stage, we tested the following concentrations of oxalic acid: 0% (control – applied distilled water), 0.87%, 1.75%, 3.5% and 7%, corresponding to doses of 0 mg, 2.61 mg, 5.25 mg, 10.5 mg, and 21 mg of oxalic acid per dm² of honeycomb with the brood. The LC₅₀ values (72 h) ranged between 3.17% and 3.33%. The different LC₅₀ values obtained resulted from three different methods used to calculate this indicator. The therapeutic index (TI) of oxalic acid was set to be 1.1, indicating a high risk to the honey bee brood. We observed an increased gene expression for the detoxifying enzyme glutathione-S-transferase (GST), but did not detect an increased gene expression for superoxide dismutase (SOD1 and SOD2), which protects the organism from oxidative stress. A decrease in gene expression was observed for prophenoloxidase and hymenoptaecin, while defensin and lysozyme did not show significant changes. These results emphasise the need for the accurate dosage and application of oxalic acid in the treatment of varroosis.

Assessing and optimising the efficiency of agricultural and pastoral systems is crucial for the long-term development of a country. The presence of shared factors and undesirable outputs increases the complexity of evaluating the efficiency of these systems. To address this issue, we first analysed the production possibility sets of the agricultural subsystems, pastoral subsystems, and agricultural and pastoral systems. Then, two bounded adjusted measure (BAM) models considering shared factors and undesirable outputs were proposed to evaluate the divisional efficiency of agricultural and pastoral subsystems. Additionally, a network BAM model in the presence of shared factors and undesirable outputs was developed to assess overall efficiency. Undesirable outputs were handled by slack-based measures in the three novel models. The proposed models were used to evaluate the efficiency of agricultural and pastoral systems across 30 provinces and cities in China. To explore the impact of undesirable outputs, the efficiency of ignoring undesirable outputs was investigated and compared with that obtained from the new method. These results suggest that ignoring undesirable outputs may misestimate efficiency to a certain extent.

A free electricity tandem-twin-hybrid-solar-biomass dryer comprised of two drying rooms and operated with solar and biomass energy combustion of 10 kg rubber wood per hour separately to dry Robusta coffee cherries with 3, 6, 9, and 12 cm bed thicknesses were studied with the drying completion time (tc), number of defects (ND), and colour parameters, i.e., lightness (L*), hue angle [H(^o)], and chroma (C), used as the performance indicators. The experimental results indicated that the drying room, bed thickness, and drying room-bed thickness interaction significantly affected the tc and ND and bed thickness only significantly affected C for both the solar energy drying and the biomass energy drying. The solar energy drying generated a drying air temperature of 44.6 ± 3.5 °C with a tc of 70.9–90.2 h for the front drying room and 40.1 ± 2.8 °C with a tc of 77.2–116.5 h for the rear drying room, whereas the biomass energy drying produced a drying air temperature of 57.2 ± 3.6 °C with a tc of 34.1–44.9 h for the front drying room and 45.6 ± 6.0 °C with a tc of 56.3–96.6 h for the rear drying room. Both drying processes produced coffee beans with the NDs less than 11 qualified for Grade 1 with similar colour characteristics.

This research evaluated the suitability of commercially available larval feeds, Otohime B2 (OB2), Aller Infa (AI), and Aqua Start (AS), and one Experimental Feed (EF), for the weaning of largemouth bass (Micropterus salmoides), LMB. Feeds were presented with various ω-3 fatty acid levels/bioavailability (high in OB2 and AI), fat percentage (high in OB2 and AS), free amino acid and short peptide (FAA + SP) levels (high in OB2), and various soluble protein (SPR) levels (high in AS and EF). Fish were co-fed Artemia plus OB2 from the 19^th to 22^nd day post-hatching (DPH), then Artemia in addition to one of the four above diets for seven days, with complete Artemia removal on the 30^th DPH. Fish were sampled on the 32^nd DPH. Morphometry, digestive enzyme activities, hormonal status, skeleton, muscle development, and potentially pathogenic Flavobacterium spp. levels were estimated. Survival was high (96% or more) in all the weaning regimes. Weaning to OB2 was linked to a fast fish growth rate (14.29%/day), while both OB2 and AI supported the skeleton development. Weight gain correlated with total fat, ash levels, free amino acids, and short peptide levels in the diet. Larvae weaned to soluble protein-rich AS and EF showed the lowest fish weight gain and skeleton development, and lower growth of potentially pathogenic Flavobacterium spp. This research suggests that the weaning diets for largemouth bass should have a balanced protein content and quality while allowing for the inclusion of fewer marine ingredients.

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.

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.

Results obtained from the research study focused on the functional parameters of five saw chains tested on a test bench equipped with an electrically driven chain saw brought a number of findings. One of the most important of them is the significant difference between the cutting rates of round and square chains. The cutting rate of square chains R = 27.9 cm²·s^–1 is about 12% higher than the cutting rate of round chains. The influence of the chain construction on the chain cutting rate was conclusively demonstrated – the cutting rate of chains with a square profile is higher than the cutting rate of round-profile chains. It was further found out that although the specific energy E_m = 77.8 Ws·cm^–2 is by ca. 7% lower in the square chain than in the round chain, Student's t-test did not reveal any statistically significant difference in the data on the specific energy consumption of round and square chains, i.e. the influence of the chain design on the specific energy consumption of the chain at cutting was not clearly demonstrated. Other findings, for example, showed that working with a loose saw chain on the guide bar impairs parameters of the chain operation or that energy demands of cutting with the saw chain are directly proportional to wood density (hardness) and increase with the decreasing wood moisture. Yet another finding was learning the energy flow structure, which indicated that 46% of total power input is consumed by the electric motor alone for its operation while only about 7% goes for driving the chain movement along the bar (without cutting) and power input required for cutting is approximately 46%.

The multifaceted nature of agricultural management and environmental factors complicates the production of winter oilseed rape (Brassica napus L.). This study evaluated 25 varieties (21 hybrids and four populations) in three growing seasons (2020/21, 2021/22 and 2022/23) in Poland. The focus was on yield, fat content, and resistance to Sclerotinia sclerotiorum. The analyses revealed significant variability among the varieties, with the hybrids performing better consistently in terms of yield and fat content. The level of resistance to Sclerotinia was similar in hybrid and population varieties. Furthermore, DK Excited was found to be the highest-yielding variety, while Duke had the highest fat content. Derrick was the most resistant to S. sclerotiorum. Advocat and Dynamic were identified as the best varieties. In the analysed series of field trials, yield was found to be affected by high temperatures and a lack of rainfall in March, June, and July. For fat content, a lack of rainfall in July was the main limiting factor.

To better explore the effects of adding phytosterol (PS) microcapsules to feed on pig growth performance, nutrient apparent digestibility, and serum biochemical indicators, 200 healthy ternary hybrid Duroc × Landrace × Yorkshire piglets with an average initial weight of 7.53 ± 0.57 kg) were used as experimental subjects, and randomly divided into five groups with four replicates in each group. The control group of pigs was fed the basic diet, while the experimental group received diets supplemented with different PS levels. They were divided into experimental groups 1 to 4 (100 mg/kg to 5 502 mg/kg) according to different dosage added components. The duration of the experiment was 54 days. The results showed that the total triglyceride (TG) index and diarrhoea status in the experimental group were significantly improved compared to the control group (P < 0.05). The increase in PS addition levels was more significant in the change of pig average daily gain (ADG) (P < 0.05), and the difference in average daily weight gain and feed conversion ratio between PS-400 and PS-550 was significant (P < 0.05). Compared with the control group, the experimental group showed significant differences in crude fibre (CF), ether extract (EE), dry matter (DM), organic matter (OM), average digestible energy (ADE), metabolizable energy, xylan, and calcium (P < 0.05), with a maximum increase of 7.02% in calcium content. The addition of PS can be effective in making the experimental and control groups show a significant difference in value changes in high-density cholesterol (HDL-C) and low-density cholesterol (LDL-C) indicators (P < 0.05), while no significant changes were revealed in the other indicators (P > 0.05). From the above, plant sterol microcapsules can effectively improve pig growth performance and nutrient apparent digestibility, and improve their blood lipid status.

Peptides play regulatory roles in various plant development and defence processes. They function as molecular messengers that detect threats and trigger defence responses. This study aimed to identify the genes encoding endogenous plant elicitor peptide precursors (PROPEPs) in bananas and their role in inducing resistance to Ralstonia syzygii subsp. celebesensis (Rsc). Two precursor genes, MaPROPEP1 and MbPROPEP1, were discovered and predicted to encode the precursor proteins of elicitor peptides, namely, MaPep1 and MbPep1. Both elicitor peptides contained 23 amino acids of the active elicitor peptide, which activated innate immune responses in banana resistance to Rsc. The disease assessment was conducted by inoculating banana plants with Rsc isolate MY4101 using the root-stabbing method. The results demonstrated that MaPep1 and MbPep1 pretreatment enhanced resistance to banana blood disease, as indicated by reduced disease severity and the absence of wilting for 7 days after infection. The expression of the MaPROPEP1, MbPROPEP1, MaLOX7, and Pr-10 genes was evaluated using qPCR and found to be upregulated by MaPep1 and MbPep1 injection followed by Rsc infection in aboveground banana tissues within 7 days. These findings prove that MaPep1 and MbPep1 are members of the Pep family and exhibit conserved functions across various plant species. This approach may be used to develop strategies for enhancing disease resistance in banana cultivation.

Agricultural methane emissions strongly contribute to global greenhouse gas production. Under these circumstances, meeting international climate goals, including the Global Methane Pledge or the European Green Deal, requires developing targeted mitigation strategies. However, research using advanced clustering techniques in a multilevel context remains scarce and mostly limited to CO₂ emissions. This lack of time-series studies addressing regional variability hinders efforts to develop effective mitigation strategies. This study addresses three main research questions: (i) What are the main trends in agricultural methane emissions in the EU-27 countries from 2013 to 2022? (ii) How can the EU countries be classified based on agricultural methane emissions per capita? (iii) What is the impact of selected agricultural and economic indicators, including the number of live bovine animals and land use, on the clustering of methane emissions? Combining hierarchical and k-means clustering with trend analysis, this research integrates data from Eurostat and the World Bank, thereby classifying the EU-27 countries into four clusters based on their agricultural practices and methane emissions profiles. The results highlight distinct emission patterns across the EU-27 regions, with farming systems characterised by high stocking rates and intensive production generating the highest per capita emissions. By contrast, extensive systems with lower animal density exhibit reduced methane intensities. These findings underscore the need to devise effective, region-specific, data-driven policies and strategies for mitigating methane emissions.

Using biostimulants to enhance plant growth and increase yield and secondary metabolites in medicinal and aromatic plants is an important strategy to achieve sustainable agriculture. The influence of two strains of nitrogen-fixing rhizobacteria (NFB) of Azotobacter chroococcum (NFB1) and Azospirillum lipoferum (NFB2), three levels of seaweed extract (SWE; 0 (SWE1), 250 (SWE1), and 500 mg/L (SWE2)) and their interactions have been investigated on Trachyspermum ammi L. (ajwain) growth, fruit yield, and essential oil constituents for two winter seasons. Growth traits (plant height, number of branches, and fresh and dry weights) and fruit traits (umbel number, 1 000-fruit weight, and fruit yield) were improved following NFB and/or SWE applications. Leaf pigments, total phenols, carbohydrates, free amino acids, and nutrient content were also enhanced. Ajwain plants that received NFB2 soil inoculation and foliarly sprayed with SWE1 observed the highest growth and yield values. Applying this treatment resulted in 27.6% and 32.7% higher fruit yield per plant for the first and second seasons, respectively, compared to the control. The results of GC-MS revealed that γ-terpinene, p-cymene, and thymol are the major components in ajwain essential oil. All applications used changed the percentages of the main components detected in ajwain essential oil. For instance, increasing SWE level caused a reduction in γ-terpinene with an increase in thymol content. The highest conservation rate from γ-terpinene to thymol was detected in NFB2 × SWE1-treated plants, with the highest thymol content and least γ-terpinene. Azospirillum lipoferum soil inoculation with SWE1 foliar application is recommended to enhance ajwain production, in terms of fruit yield and oil quality.

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.

The study aims to identify the difference between the current and future strategic management of forest ecosystem services (FES) portfolios in public enterprises of Slovakia. The case studies focus on forest enterprises in Košice, Banská Štiavnica, Kremnica, and Bratislava, representing the best practice examples of providing cultural services in the country. A marketing decision-making model, Boston Consulting Group (BCG) matrix, was used to analyse each company's current FES portfolio. Content analysis assessed the data collected from interviews with managers of the public forest enterprises. Duncker's forest management approaches classification was applied to evaluate the future strategic management of the FES portfolio, and a horizon of 10 years was set. According to the results, the urban forest enterprise in Bratislava is an example of receiving a subsidy from the capital for building and reconstructing recreational facilities. Therefore, this FES portfolio is and will be the most balanced. The portfolio of the forest enterprises in Košice, Kremnica, and Banská Štiavnica will remain unchanged for the next decade, and they plan to use a combination management approach that caters to economic, ecological, and social needs and objectives. Urban forests in Bratislava will focus even more on close-to-nature forestry.

The circular economy (CE) has proven to be an effective solution for sustainable development in the last two decades, especially in the context of multiple crises. As a long-term strategy, business managers are seeking a sustainable business model that harmoniously and efficiently integrates prosperity, social security, and resource conservation. This research highlights the essential role of components such as green logistics (GL) and green human capital (GHC) in sustainable production (SP), which is necessary for the successful implementation of CE. The study, based on data collected from 117 companies in the Romanian food industry, uses partial structural equation modelling to explore the causal relationships between these variables. The results show that both green logistics and green human capital are important factors for circular economy, and sustainable production significantly mediates the relationships between green human capital, and circular economy, but not significantly for green logistics. Thus, it is concluded that sustainable production has a determining positive effect on circular economy. Although the research is limited by the geographical and sectoral context, it contributes theoretically and practically by analysing the relationships between these concepts and the relevant managerial implications.