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Ascochyta blight, caused by a complex of pathogenic fungi including Didymella pinodes, Ascochyta pisi, and Phoma pinodella, is a major disease of field pea (Pisum sativum), causing severe losses through lesions on leaves, stems, and pods. Mutation breeding using gamma irradiation is a non-GMO strategy to induce genetic variation and accelerate the development of improved genotypes. In this study, the M₂ generation of the forage pea cultivar Dodoni (Pisum sativum L. var. arvense), derived from M₀ seeds irradiated with 100 Gy, was evaluated for tolerance to D. pinodes (CBS 251.47) using a detached-leaf assay under controlled greenhouse conditions. Disease progression was quantified via image-based analysis on the 3^rd and 5^th days post-infection, calculating diseased area and disease severity index. Extensive phenotypic evaluation was also conducted on 16 families in the greenhouse and 100 families under field conditions, using an augmented incomplete block design. Screening revealed several M₂ families with significantly improved tolerance compared to non-irradiated controls. Among these, some individuals combined enhanced resistance with improved yield-related traits, such as higher pod number and biomass, while others exhibited reduced agronomic performance. These findings highlight the phenotypic diversity induced by gamma irradiation and demonstrate the potential to generate dual-purpose pea genotypes with both disease resistance and enhanced productivity, providing valuable material for future breeding of resilient cultivars.

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.

This study investigated the response of sago palms to saline conditions, focusing on their morphological and photosynthetic performance. The photosynthetic traits were evaluated using OJIP chlorophyll fluorescence transient. The plants were exposed to a saline condition of 224 mM NaCl, and their ability to form associations with arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi (AMF) was also assessed. We tested both commercial AMF products, containing spores from multiple genera, and isolated AMF spores from Glomus etunicatum and Glomus grape, to determine their ability to infect sago palm roots under high salt conditions. The results showed that sago palms can maintain efficient photosynthesis even at high salt levels. This is likely due to their ability to prevent excessive salt uptake in shoots and water loss from roots by forming lignin deposits in cell tissues. Furthermore, the study found that sago palm roots can form associations with AMF under saline conditions. These findings indicate that sago palms exhibit tolerance to saline environments, making them a promising crop option for areas with low soil quality where other carbohydrate-producing crops cannot tolerate the conditions.

This research focuses on the effects of large-scale clearcuts resulting from salvage logging after spruce (Picea abies) forest dieback caused by an extreme bark beetle infestation, and on the effect of logging residues management (chopping vs. clearing) on the distribution of potentially toxic elements (PTEs) in soil. Pseudo-total contents of Cd, Cr, Cu, Ni, Pb and Zn were determined in soil samples collected separately from the organic (F+H) and mineral (0–10, 10–20, and 20–30 cm depths) soil layers. The distribution of elements was influenced mainly by sampling locality and position in the soil profile. In general, the contents of Cd, Ni and Cr were higher in the mineral layers, whereas Pb was more concentrated in the FH layer. A significant effect of logging residues management on the distribution of PTEs was observed only for Pb and Zn. We expect that the relative decrease of Pb and increase of Zn contents in the “chopped” treatment was mostly due to the higher input of mineral soil and wood residues to the FH layer. Since the stand was harvested relatively recently, the effects of soil preparation have probably outweighed those of spreading or removing logging residues.

Agricultural informatisation (AgI) is hailed as a 'game-changer' for farmers worldwide, even as climate change increases agriculture's vulnerability to climatic risks and threatens sustainable agrifood production. While AgI aspires to help alleviate hunger and poverty in smallholder farm households by improving on-farm productivity through the promotion of sustainable agricultural practices (SAPs), limited empirical evidence exists on the AgI–SAPs nexus, particularly under severe environmental stress such as drought. We analysed data from a survey of maize farmers in central Zambia – a country exemplifying the impact of severe drought, declared a national emergency and disaster – to explore whether and how AgI can optimise SAP adoption and improve crop yields. Given the potential endogeneity of AgI adoption, we employed a recursive bivariate probit (RBP) and endogenous-treatment regression (ETR) to estimate the former and the latter, respectively. We focused on adoption portfolios of three AgI tools – radio, television and mobile phones – and five SAPs: minimum tillage, residue retention, planting basins, improved seed varieties and irrigation. The results reveal that AgI adoption significantly influences SAP adoption, with varying impacts across different AgI and SAP portfolios. Importantly, the adoption of productivity-enhancing SAPs, particularly improved seed and drip irrigation, produced the largest yield effects (124.46 g/capita/day) for AgI adopters. This increase potentially contributes 43.21% towards daily maize-supply quantity, which is crucial for helping households meet the minimum recommended daily caloric intake. The study therefore underscores that AgI plays a critical role in improving yields through SAP adoption, serving as a compelling pathway for agricultural resilience, especially under adverse climatic conditions. These insights align with the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), particularly those aimed at zero hunger, climate action and poverty alleviation, which advocate re-thinking and transforming food-production strategies.

Rice paddy fields serve as an important source of stable food supply and a notable contributor to atmospheric methane (CH₄) and nitrous oxide (N₂O). Rice cultivar selection acts as a pivotal factor in regulating greenhouse gas (GHGs) of CH₄ and N₂O emissions from rice paddy fields. However, little is known about how different types of rice cultivars affect CH₄ and N₂O emissions. In the study, three types of rice cultivars, including Japonica-type Indica-Japonica hybrid rice (JHR: ZJY1578 and JHY5), Indica-type hybrid rice (IHR: ZZY8 and JFY2), and inbred rice (IR: J67 and XS121), were selected to evaluate differences in mitigating GHGs. Results showed that the total CH₄ and N₂O emissions of two Japonica-type Indica-Japonica hybrid rice cultivars were 49.81–60.01 kg/ha and 0.67–0.83 g/ha, respectively, which were lower than those of the other two rice cultivar types. The total equivalent of carbon dioxide emissions of CH₄ and N₂O (TCO₂-eq) of two Japonica hybrid rice significantly reduced by 16.7–46.9%, compared with the other two types of rice cultivars (IHR and IR). CH₄ contributed 85.5–89.9% to the GWP, while 65.6–80.4% in the field of planting inbred rice. The reduction in GHGs emissions is mainly attributed to yield, available carbon and nitrogen contents, root morphological characteristics, and functional genes. Consequently, GHGs emissions in paddy fields could be mitigated by selecting or breeding cultivars with high yield, lower root exudates, and greater root porosity.

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

Reliable indicators of early soil biological change remain limited in tropical agroecosystems, where soil organic carbon (SOC) stocks may respond more slowly than microbial processes. We evaluated whether seasonal vegetation dynamics derived from Sentinel-2 fractional vegetation cover (FVC) are associated with spatial variation in SOC stock and microbial indicators in Jembrana, Bali, Indonesia. We mapped seasonal FVC from 2019 to 2024 and derived site-level metrics of mean cover and temporal variability (standard deviation, anomaly, coefficient of variation, and a temporal stability index). In July 2023, we sampled topsoil (0–30 cm) at 12 sites representing contrasting land uses and topographic settings. We calculated SOC stock from organic carbon concentration, bulk density, and sampling depth, and measured basal respiration and culturable microbial density (colony-forming units, CFU). Vegetation cover peaked consistently during the wet season (December to February), and mean site FVC ranged from 0.31 to 0.99. Mean FVC showed positive but non-significant associations with culturable microbial density (Spearman’s ρ = 0.48, P = 0.114) and basal respiration (ρ = 0.29, P = 0.361), whereas higher vegetation variability metrics tended to coincide with lower culturable microbial density (ρ = –0.43 to –0.51, P = 0.090 to 0.163). SOC stock showed near-zero coefficients and no statistical evidence of association with vegetation metrics (ρ = 0.09, P = 0.781) or microbial indicators (ρ = 0.01, P = 0.975). Principal component analysis of FVC traits explained 99.65% of the variance and separated sites along a gradient from stable, high cover to more variable, lower cover. Overall, FVC stability metrics captured spatial differences that were directionally consistent with microbial indicators, but associations were not statistically significant in this dataset (n = 12). Larger, replicated studies with repeated soil sampling are required to evaluate whether seasonal FVC metrics have robust predictive utility for SOC stock and soil biological indicators.

The suitability of macadamia trees for different climates has been shown to affect tree growth and fruit quality. In this study, the differences in tree survival rate after frost injury, tree growth, nut mass, kernel quality and yield of seven macadamia cultivars were evaluated for field production in the high altitude and high latitude climate of southern Tibet, and the suitability of macadamia cultivars was determined. The cultivars evaluated were ‘Beaumont’ (‘HAES695’), ‘HVA16’ (‘A16’), ‘Hinde’ (‘H2’), ‘Own Choice’ (‘O.C.’), ‘SSCRI-1’, ‘SSCRI-2’ and ‘SSCRI-3’. Of these, ‘Beaumont’, ‘A16’, ‘H2’ and ‘O.C.’ were Australian cultivars and ‘SSCRI-1’, ‘SSCRI-2’ and ‘SSCRI-3’ were Chinese cultivars. The results showed that all seven cultivars grew well under the high altitude and high latitude climate conditions of southern Tibet without continuous frost. ‘A16’ and ‘Beaumont’ in addition to their reasonable yield, nut mass and kernel quality, had the higher tree survival rate after frost injury. ‘A16’ and ‘Beaumont’ were well adapted to the high altitude and high latitude climate of southern Tibet, followed by ‘O.C.’, ‘SSCRI-1’ and ‘SSCRI-2’, but ‘SSCRI-3’ and ‘H2’ were unsuitable. These results indicated that it is possible to produce macadamia in the high altitude and high latitude climate of southern Tibet by planting excellent frost-resistant cultivars, with promising yields and a commercial standard of nut quality.

In pursuit of a low-cost, pollution-free, and scalable technology for remediating heavy metal pollution in mining areas, this study examines a gold mining area with heavy metal pollution (Cd, Pb, and Hg) and employs soil replacement, biochar passivation, and a combination of hyperaccumulators for the remediation. Results show that both soil replacement and the application of biochar significantly reduce the effective content of these three heavy metals, with pig manure biochar demonstrating superior passivation effects on Pb and Hg compared to fruitwood biochar. Combining biochar with hyperaccumulators leads to better results than using either method alone. The combined approach achieved maximum reductions of 69.8, 70.1, and 56.0% for Cd, Pb, and Hg, respectively. The application of biochar improves the originally coarse soil structure, with maximum increases in organic carbon, available potassium, available phosphorus, and total nitrogen under different treatments being 6.26 times, 4.66 times, 4.04 times, and 3.21 times, respectively. Biochar anchors heavy metals around roots, while hyperaccumulators utilise their excellent stress-resistant physiological characteristics to thrive in nutrient-deficient soil enriched with biochar, thereby absorbing the heavy metals anchored by biochar. The synergy of biochar and hyperaccumulators enhances their individual effectiveness, showing promise for remediating polluted mining areas.

A rapid evaporative ionization mass spectrometry (REIMS) method combined with intelligent knife (iKnife) method was developed to explore the geographical origin and characteristic differential components of Qianbei Ma lamb. The REIMS conditions were initially refined, with the cauterization duration of 3 seconds, and the auxiliary solvent flow rate set to 100 μL·min^–1 to prevent duplication. A database model was created from raw data through the proposed principal component analysis-linear discriminate analysis (PCA-LDA) in Live ID software, successfully applied to identify samples from 5 provinces in China and the real-time reliable identification rate with confidence higher than 99%. The obtained data by REIMS were used to establish the multivariate statistical models which using orthogonal projection to latent structures discriminant analysis (OPLS-DA), provided strong the discrimination power between composition and content changes of 16 specific ions such as m/z 726.3952 and m/z 744.4050, etc., including fatty alcohols, fatty acids and phosphatidylserines in mutton of different origin and the model displayed validation [R²(Y) = 0.968, Q² = 0.924].

Conventional irrigation practices result in a substantial amount of water loss with okra cultivation. Although micro-irrigation can address this issue by delivering water directly near the rootzone, it requires manual operation. These issues, however, can be resolved with the introduction of a smart micro-irrigation system. This study aims to develop a smart micro-irrigation system for okra, in conjunction with the sub-components of drip irrigation, a microcontroller, and a soil sensor. The experiment was laid out with a randomised complete block design (RCBD) having three treatments: (i) control irrigation (T₁), (ii) drip irrigation (T₂), and (iii) smart micro-irrigation (T₃). The experimental field was irrigated based on soil moisture regimes in the crop rootzone. The plant growth, yield, and water use efficiency were assessed to evaluate the system. The results showed no significant differences among these treatments (at P < 0.05). The best water usage efficiency (15.98 kg·m^–3) was observed in the T₃ treatment, which also provided about 13.10% water savings compared to the conventional irrigation. This study indicates that a smart micro-irrigation system could be a promising technology for water-efficient okra cultivation.

Air pollution is beyond an environmental or health issue. The impact of air pollution on farmers' decisions on agricultural mechanisation has always been overlooked and debate persists over subjective and objective pollution. Adopting data set from the China Labour Force Dynamics Survey, we investigate the influence of air pollution perceptions on farmers' mechanised farming. The endogeneity problem is addressed through the instrumental variable method. The consequences reveal that air pollution perceptions strengthen farm mechanisation, and reduced farming time is the key intrinsic mechanism through which perceived air pollution affects farmers' decisions on agricultural machinery. Additionally, this impact is more pronounced in male household heads and farmers in the plains. These findings render valuable policy implications for farmers chronically exposed to air pollution and for agricultural modernisation in China, including the necessity of improving air conditions and encouraging agricultural machinery services.

Agriculture's stable development is vital to the national economy, and its vulnerability justifies fiscal support. On the basis of data from the China Family Panel Studies from 2012 to 2022, this study examines how fiscal allocation affects agricultural production, particularly rural households' grain-growing enthusiasm and their productive income. Results show that public expenditure significantly boosts agricultural production, supported by ordered probit and ordinary least squares fixed effect models and confirmed in robustness tests. Mechanistic tests indicate that agricultural public expenditure promotes agricultural production by improving agricultural technical levels, enhancing production services, and expanding the agricultural scale. Heterogeneity analysis shows that agricultural public expenditure has a stronger effect on grain-growing enthusiasm among low-educated rural households and on productive income in major grain production areas. It also has a stronger effect on productive income for rural households with emerging and prime-aged farmers, in nonmajor grain production areas, and those with high educational attainment. The research offers empirical insights for exploring ways to achieve the 'dual goals' of food security and poverty alleviation.

High soil salinity causes a negative impact on plant growth and lowers crop yields. Thus, pot experiments were conducted to investigate the impact of foliar application of salicylic acid (SA) and proline (Pro), separately and combined, on enhancing salinity tolerance in broad beans. Salinity stress (4.69 ds/m and 6.25 ds/m) significantly reduced plant growth (plant height, leaf area, number of leaf/plant, plant dry weight), chlorophyll pigment content (chlorophyll a, b or total), relative water content, K/Na ratio, seed yield per plant, and N, P, K, and crude protein content in broad bean seeds. Foliar application of Pro and SA, either individually or in combination, enhanced plant growth parameters, chlorophyll pigment content, endogenous proline levels, phenol content, and the activities of antioxidant enzymes [antioxidant enzymes including catalase (CAT), peroxidase (POD) and superoxide dismutase (SOD)]. Additionally, these treatments enhanced plant seed yield, N, P, K, and crude protein levels in the seeds. The combined foliar application of Pro and SA was more effective in mitigating salinity stress’s harmful effects than using either substance alone. These findings indicate that foliar application of SA and Pro, either individually or in combination, alleviated the adverse effects of salinity on broad beans, with the combined application proving to be the most effective.

Annatto seeds possess antimicrobial properties, but extraction methods may degrade bioactive compounds. This study investigated the impact of pH-adjusted microwave-assisted extraction using distilled water on antibacterial activity to obtain safe food-grade extracts. Extractions were performed at pH values of 4, 7, and 9 for extraction times of 2, 4, and 6 min, using a microwave power setting of 100 W. The antimicrobial activity of the extracts was assessed against Escherichia coli and Staphylococcus aureus through inhibition zone analysis and viable bacterial cell count reduction. In parallel, the total phenolic content of each extract was quantified to examine the correlations between phenolic concentration and antibacterial activity. The findings revealed that extraction at pH 4 for 2 min yielded the most pronounced antibacterial activity with a minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) of 5%. The application of a 20% annatto extract resulted in the lowest viable cell counts of both E. coli and S. aureus. Variations in pH and extraction time did not result in significant differences in total phenolic content, suggesting that antimicrobial efficacy may be influenced not only by phenolic concentration but also by the specific profile of active compounds. 

The response of carabid beetles to extensive livestock farming and vegetation structure in two traditionally managed 'dehesa' ecosystems was investigated. From March 2011 to January 2012, sampling was done, using pitfall trapping, on two forestry farms located in the Sierra de Hornachuelos Natural Park (Córdoba, Spain), both with hunting use, but one of them also with a heavy livestock load. On each forestry farm, two sampling plots were selected according to the vegetation structure. Faunal differences were proved through the ecological indices, and the faunal uniqueness was checked by the Coldwell and Coddington Complementarity Analysis. To identify the most influential factor on the carabid biodiversity, a Generalised Linear Mixed Model (GLMM) was performed. Results show that abundance and richness are higher in the plots with open vegetation, similarly like the number of recorded tribes. Nevertheless, the ecological indices do not reflect any significant differences. The complementarity between different vegetation structures exceeds that of the exploitation types. In fact, the GLMM analysis indicated that the livestock itself does not have a significant effect on the fauna. In addition, all exclusive, rare or endemic species came from the closed vegetation plots, suggesting that these areas may act as a reservoir of unique species in terms of biodiversity.

To enhance the biomechanical database of plant root systems for soil reinforcement and erosion control in arid and semi-arid regions, and to provide a scientific basis for selecting superior native shrub and herb species in forestry and grassland measures for desertification control in central and western Inner Mongolia, this study investigated the root-soil interfacial friction characteristics of five typical native plant species – Caragana korshinskii and Hippophae rhamnoides, the semi-shrub Hedysarum mongolicum, and the perennial herbs Medicago sativa and Astragalus adsurgens – in two widely distributed non-zonal soils: loessial soil and aeolian sandy soil. Single-root pull-out tests were conducted on indoor-prepared root-soil composite samples to examine their responses to varying soil moisture levels. The results showed that within a soil moisture range of 4.6% to 20.6%, the single-root pull-out resistance and shear strength of all five species in both soil types followed a quadratic model Y = ax² + bx + c (with all multiple correlation coefficients > 0.5), initially increasing and then decreasing with rising moisture content. Peak values occurred at 8.6% moisture, with consistently higher values observed in loessial soil than in aeolian sandy soil. This indicates an optimal soil moisture level for maximising root-soil interfacial friction resistance. Among the species, Hippophae rhamnoides and Medicago sativa exhibited superior pull-out performance in both soils, with Hippophae rhamnoides showing greater sensitivity to environmental variations in loessial soil. Redundancy analysis identified soil type and moisture content as key factors explaining variations in root pull-out shear strength. These findings demonstrate that mixed-species plantations, leveraging complementary root traits, can form more complex and stable root-soil structures, thereby enhancing surface soil mechanical stability. Further research is needed to elucidate the adaptive mechanisms linking plant traits, environmental conditions, and biomechanical characteristics.

This study contributes to the limited body of research on mergers and acquisitions in primary agriculture by examining how large corporate agroholdings achieve profitable post-acquisition growth for the farms they acquire. Using System GMM estimation, we analyse farm-level data from 648 farms acquired by agroholdings in Ukraine between 2005 and 2016. Our findings show that agroholdings facilitate post-acquisition growth and performance improvements by employing several integration strategies. Specifically, they leverage horizontally integrated structures to: (i) consolidate land resources of acquired farms to achieve scale economies; (ii) reallocate farm resources toward more profitable production lines; and (iii) intensify production on acquired farms. These results support established firm growth theories, namely, the independence of firm growth rates from firm size (Gibrat's law) and the existence of Penrosean limits to growth.

Soil salinisation is a key determinant in soil fertility decline, exerting a direct negative impact on soil organic carbon. In the context of global warming, investigating the response mechanisms of soil organic carbon pools with varying salinity levels to climate change is essential for accurately assessing the carbon cycle and emission potential of degraded soils. Based on soil samples (B1–B6) collected along a coastal salinity gradient, indoor incubation experiments were conducted at 15 °C and 25 °C to characterise soil respiration and its temperature sensitivity (Q10). Double-exponential models were used to simulate soil organic carbon (SOC) mineralisation, characterising active and stable organic carbon pools. The results demonstrated that the Q₁₀ value of the stable organic carbon pool (7–8% of SOC mineralisation) was 103% higher than that of the active organic carbon pool (the initial 1% of SOC mineralisation). The Q₁₀ value of the stable organic carbon pool was 32.6% higher at the high-salinity sites (B1, B2) than at the low-salinity sites (B4, B5). Soil organic carbon, total nitrogen (TN), and total salt (TS) were key regulators of Q₁₀. The Q₁₀ of the active organic carbon pool correlated positively with SOC and TN but negatively with TS, whereas the stable pool showed the opposite trends. The stable organic carbon pool exhibits a salinity-amplified Q₁₀, implying that predictive models must account for this mechanism to avoid substantially underestimating carbon losses from degraded saline soils.

High salt (sodium chloride) consumption is a significant public health concern worldwide. There is strong scientific evidence that a high-sodium diet is associated with increased rates of several health problems. This article aims to replace the salt content of sliced bread with salt encapsulated in xanthan gum, providing a non-homogeneous distribution of salt to maintain the perception of salty taste. The key focus of this research is to maintain the product's sensory characteristics and ensure consumer acceptance, a crucial aspect in the success of any food product. For this purpose, three sliced bread formulations were developed and compared: Formulation 1 (F1) as the standard, and Formulations 2 (F2) and 3 (F3) using the encapsulated salt technique, with respective reductions of 30% and 50% in salt. Physicochemical analyses were performed on the products of the three bread formulations. Sensory analysis was also performed on the products from the three bread formulations, involving 80 untrained tasters, to evaluate and compare salt intensity. Thus, it was evaluated that F1 and F2 did not present statistical differences in the sodium content, while F3 presented a difference between the others. Therefore, it was possible to conclude that reducing sodium by 29% using xanthan gum encapsulation can be an alternative to reducing salt without lowering flavour perception.

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

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

Recently, protected cultivation of bananas under subtropical conditions has gained popularity due to the impact of global climate change. Several factors influence the yield and quality of banana cultivation. Among these factors, variety plays an important role along with cultural practices. This study aimed to determine the performance of ‘Azman’, ‘Bango’, ‘Bonus’, ‘Grand Nain’, ‘Lider’, and ‘Paşa’ banana varieties in terms of morphological and yield characteristics under protected cultivation, as well as to elucidate the relationship between yield and factors affecting yield. The research was conducted between 2020 and 2022 in the Manavgat district of Antalya. The research findings showed that each morphological parameter examined varied significantly. However, the ‘Bango’ variety exhibited superior results in terms of finger circumference (13.23 cm), finger length (21.08 cm), bunch weight (39.33 kg), and yield per hectare (72 t/ha). Moderate to high-level phenotypic correlations were found between bunch weight and pseudo stem girth, pseudo stem height, number of fingers, finger weight, finger circumference, and finger length, with values of 0.544, 0.478, 0.326, 0.669, 0.581, and 0.543, respectively. Positive and significant phenotypic correlations were determined between finger length affecting export quality, bunch weight, finger weight, and finger circumference, with values of 0.543, 0.799, and 0.625, respectively. It can be concluded that the ‘Bango’ variety exhibited better results as compared to other varieties in terms of both yield and quality criteria. Additionally, positive phenotypic correlations were observed between bunch weight (which directly influences yield) and finger length (which affects export quality), as well as various morphological and pomological characteristics.

A significant challenge for the sustainable dairy sector is incorporating by-products generated during other food production and agricultural processes, such as fruit, vegetable, legume, oilseed, and grain production, into dairy products. In previous decades, by-products from these sectors were mainly used as feed for dairy cows and other animals. Currently, there is a trend to use these materials also in dairy production, for fortifying and developing novel dairy products. Additionally, their incorporation into dairy products offers the modification and enhancement of the technofunctional properties. This review summarises contemporary approaches and the current state of sustainable production in the dairy sector, with an emphasis on techno-functionality.

The global demand for high-quality, nutritious food is increasing, and mushrooms have gained popularity as a healthy dietary option; mushroom consumption is increasing in Pakistan owing to their rich nutritional profile, phytochemicals presence and antioxidant capacity. This study was carried out to determine comprehensive nutritional analysis, antioxidant parameters, amino acids, and fatty acid composition of commonly grown mushroom varieties oysters (Pleurotus ostreatus) and white buttons (Agaricus bisporus) in Pakistan. The study results indicated mushrooms are perishable, high in protein and fibre content, along with a low caloric value. Also, they are rich in essential minerals like potassium, phosphorus, iron, and water-soluble vitamins. In addition, both mushrooms demonstrated significant antioxidant activity, with oyster mushrooms having a higher potential. Additionally, profiling of fatty acids and amino acids showed mushrooms having low caloric value and powerful nutrition composition that makes them suitable for developing healthy dietary choices for better human health.

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

Strawberry mild yellow edge virus (SMYEV) was detected in 116 samples out of 423 collected from strawberry plants grown in commercial and experimental plantations in seven provinces of Poland. The number of samples infected with strawberry mottle virus (SMoV) accounted for 84.6% of the 26 SMYEV-positive samples selected for sequence analysis. The nucleotide sequence similarity of the coat protein (CP) gene of 26 selected SMYEV isolates ranged from 84.8% to 100%, and 81.4–99.5% identity was found between these isolates and 48 SMYEV strains from different countries. The CP region's phylogenetic analysis showed that most isolates from Poland clustered within group I (type D74). In contrast, Talis and 3233CL isolates represented group III (type MY18), and the San isolate was clustered in group V (type ABY1-01). Recombination analysis of the CP gene sequences detected two possible recombination events. One was noticed in the Argentinian strain 53, which formed group III with isolates from Chile, and Polish isolates Talis and 3233CL. Another was identified in the Chinese strain sy02 sequence with evidence of the same recombination event in Canadian strains, and the Polish isolate San (V group). Leaf epinasty, mottling, and yellowing of the young leaves and dieback of the older leaves were observed on Fragaria vesca 'Alpine' and 'EMC' indicator plants grafted with leaves of strawberry plants co-infected with SMYEV and SMoV. A single infection with SMYEV induced milder symptoms based on these indicators. 

This study investigated the effects of dry cow feeding on colostrum quality. A survey was conducted, and samples of colostrum and feed ingredients were collected from 25 dairy farms in Northern Italy. Colostrum was analysed for quality in terms of Brix value and gamma globulins, while diets and feed ingredients were analysed for their chemical constituents. The mean colostrum quality (n = 163) was 24.3 ± 4.41% Brix and 54.2 ± 20.8 g/l gamma globulin. The refractometer method effectively assessed colostrum quality, correlating accurately with laboratory gamma globulin measurements (R = 0.729). Factor analysis indicated that key nutrients, such as protein and fat daily intakes in dry cow diets, influenced colostrum immunoglobulin G. Furthermore, supplementation of selenium, vitamin A, vitamin B12, and vitamin E also improved colostrum quality. Colostrum feeding occurred, on average, 5.44 ± 2.63 h post-calving, with a quantity of 2.74 ± 0.71 l per meal, which is below the recommended 10% of the calf body weight. However, the maximum feeding time was 12 h, and the minimum colostrum quantity was 1.25 l, highlighting considerable room for improvement.

This study assessed the effect of a 24-hour bath with praziquantel (2 and 4 mg/l) on grass carp (Ctenopharyngodon idella) by monitoring the haematological parameters, plasma biochemical profile, and oxidative stress indices. Fish were sampled at 24-, 48-, 72-, and 96-hours post-exposure (hpe). The haematological analysis revealed a significant increase (P < 0.05) in the white blood cell count immediately after treatment at both concentrations, with no subsequent changes. Within the plasma biochemical profile, a significant decrease (P < 0.05) was observed only in chloride (24 hpe at 2 mg/l; 72 hpe at both concentrations) and in magnesium (48 hpe at 2 mg/l). The oxidative stress responses indicated that the gill was the most responsive tissue. In the gill, the catalase and glutathione-S-transferase activities increased significantly (P < 0.05) at 48 hpe at 4 mg/l. Lipid peroxidation in the gill decreased at 48 hpe but increased at 72 hpe following exposure to 4 mg/l. In the hepatopancreas, the glutathione peroxidase activity significantly decreased at 48 hpe at 2 mg/l. In the plasma, significant changes (P < 0.05) were detected only in the ceruloplasmin activity, which decreased at 72 hpe in the 2 mg/l group. These findings provide essential baseline data supporting the potential future application of praziquantel in aquaculture.