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The aim of the experiment was to determine the yield, content and uptake of macronutrients and their ratio in spring triticale, Milewo cultivar. The field experiment was conducted in the years 2014–2016 on Cambisols. The first experimental factor was a system of soil tillage (traditional (TRD) and reduced (RED)), and the second was sulphur fertilisation (0, 25 and 50 kg S/ha). Based on the study, it was found that the application of conventional tillage and the addition of sulphur fertilisation to NPK significantly increased spring triticale grain yield. The application of reduced tillage positively affected the increase in content and uptake in grain dry matter (DM) of N, S, P, K, Mg and Ca. Adding sulphur (S) to NPK fertilisation favourably increased the content and uptake of N, S, Mg, and Ca and did not affect the content of P and K. The application of reduced tillage expanded the ionic ratio of N : S, P : S while it narrowed the N : P ratio. However, the tillage system did not affect the ionic ratios Ca : P, K : Mg, K : (Ca + Mg) and molar K : (Ca + Mg). Adding sulphur to NPK fertilisation narrowed the N : S and P : S ratios while expanding the N : P and Ca : P ratios. Weather conditions during the 2016 growing season (relatively dry, k = 1.71) favoured spring triticale yield and uptake with dry grain weight of N, S, P, Mg and Ca. The highest N, S, P, K and Ca content in grain dry matter was shown in the 2014 season (relatively humid, k = 1.96). Numerous correlations were found between grain yield and the content, uptake and reciprocal ratios of elements in grain.

Soil water content is critical in plants’ morphological and physiological processes; therefore, water must always be available in appropriate quantities to meet plant growth needs. Soil moisture can be easily detected using sensors, which offer a practical solution for monitoring water content in the soil. However, using sensors for a long time, especially on agricultural land, will reduce sensor accuracy. This research aims to investigate the accuracy of soil moisture sensors during their use for cultivating crops. Using sensors in sandy clay soil can detect soil moisture levels with an accuracy of 93.80% and a precision of 90.81%. A reading deviation (error) of up to 49.74% with a precision level of 75.69% occurred when the sensor had been used for 40 days. Regular cleaning and calibration of the sensor are necessary to obtain accurate soil moisture readings. A copper-based sensor module kit can be used to detect soil moisture with reasonable accuracy during plant growth with a 5–6 weeks harvest time.

Based on strip-tillage technology, this study explores the optimal seedbed environment for maize growth through a three-year field agronomic experiment. A comparative analysis of two planting modes, flat planting and ridge planting, was conducted, and a two-factor, three-level experimental design was implemented (furrow-breaking width: 8, 10 and 12 cm; furrow-breaking depth: 2, 3 and 4 cm), with manual soil covering without furrow breaking as the control group. Analysis of the averaged data over three years indicates that furrow-breaking treatment significantly increased maize yield under both flat and ridge planting modes, highlighting the importance of furrow breaking for maize growth. Ridge planting increased yield by an average of 7.58% compared to flat planting. The optimal yield was achieved at a furrow-breaking width of 10 cm and a depth of 4 cm, where ridge and flat planting yields were 10.37% and 10.43% higher than the average values at each level, respectively. Additionally, at the optimal yield level, the chlorophyll soil-plant analysis development (SPAD) values for ridge and flat planting were 15.36% and 17.06% higher than the average values. The emergence rates of ridge and flat planting maize were 5.43% and 4.93% higher than the average values, respectively. This not only enhanced crop stress resistance but also improved overall economic benefits.

This study investigated the pathophysiology of polycystic ovarian syndrome (PCOS) and evaluated the protective effects of various treatments in immature female Wistar rats (N = 48). The rats were divided into 6 groups: Olive oil injection (negative control, G1); testosterone propionate (TP)-induced PCOS (G2); probiotic + TP (G3); myo-inositol (myo-ins) + TP (G4); U. dioica extract + TP (G5); W. somnifera extract + TP (G6). The body weight, body weight gain, and percentage gain were measured weekly and then transformed using the base-10 logarithm (log₁₀). TNF-α, IL-4, IL-10, and IL-17 were weekly measured using ELISA kits. Glutathione peroxidase (GSH-Px), superoxide dismutase (SOD), and catalase (CAT) were analysed in the serum and liver extracts. The W. somnifera significantly reduced the TNF-α levels (P < 0.01). The probiotic and myo-ins significantly elevated the IL-10 levels (P < 0.01). Both plant extracts moderately restored the IL-10 levels. The probiotic and U. dioica administration significantly reduced the IL-17 levels (P < 0.01). The W. somnifera administration also decreased the IL-17 levels, though the effect was less pronounced than that of U. dioica. The probiotic, myo-ins, and W. somnifera groups exhibited enhanced CAT activity (P < 0.05). W. somnifera showed significant increases in the SOD and GSH-Px activities (P < 0.01), showing the most dramatic improvement. The use of these four treatments as a monotherapy in this study resulted in different changes. Therefore, further investigation is necessary to evaluate the protective effects of combining duos or trios of these treatments against this disease.

In Saudi Arabia, root-knot nematodes (RKNs) were found to cause considerable damage to eggplant. These parasites cause significant death of seedlings during nursery production, with infected plants showing the symptoms of chlorosis and wilting, along with the characteristic root galls. Therefore, this work was carried out to find a resistant cultivar of eggplant against RKNs in Saudi Arabia by screening 11 locally available cultivars for two successive seasons. Following Koch's postulates for pathogenicity, RKNs were isolated from infected eggplant, and females were identified morphologically by perineal patterns as Meloidogyne javanica, which was distinguished by clear lateral fields on both sides. Identification was confirmed using two species-specific primers (SCAR), Fjav/Rjav and MjF/MjR, and visualized amplified fragments appeared at 670 bp and 517 bp, respectively. A greenhouse experiment was conducted to screen the cultivars, using five replicates for each cultivar and nematode inoculum (1 000 second-stage juveniles). In response to M. javanica, gall index (GI), egg mass index (EMI), and reproduction factors (RF) were calculated, and all the eggplant cultivars were categorized according to their resistance levels based on RF. Among the 11 eggplant cultivars, four were found resistant to M. javanica including Black Beauty (C5, Bursa Tohum), Melanzana Violetta Difirenze (C6, Zorzi), Melanzana Violetta Lung 2 (C7, Zorzi), and Long Purple (C9, Bursa Tohum) and Violetta Lung 3 (C8, Taj Agri) was found highly resistant. Moreover, two cultivars were found moderately resistant, two susceptible, and two susceptible to M. javanica infection. Therefore, this study provided valuable information to eggplant growers about the resistant cultivars in Saudi Arabia. However, the molecular mechanisms of this resistance need to be evaluated to find novel candidate genes for breeding and CRISPR-Cas9-based gene editing programs.

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.

This study examined the genetic variability, heritability, and genetic advance in the F₄ generation of sorghum to enhance grain productivity. The study was conducted at Citayam Research Station, Depok Indonesia (March–September 2023), and evaluated 102 progenies of the F₄ population from a Bioguma (a mutant line) × Gando Keta (a local variety) cross using an Augmented block design with four replications. The results of this experiment indicated that the F₄ generation outperformed the Gando Keta grain yield components, but remained inferior to Bioguma. The yield traits were influenced by the non-additive gene action, with genetic factors playing a significant role in grain weight variation. The top 20% of F₄ progenies exhibited improved yield characteristics, including thicker stems, larger panicles, and increased grain weight.

Snails, which are high in protein, have the potential to be developed as a flavour enhancer through the hydrolysis process. However, consumer acceptance of the flavour enhancer needs to be fully evaluated. The aim of this study was to determine the consumer acceptance of a snail protein hydrolysate from different snail species (golden apple, apple, and freshwater) and at different hydrolysis durations (3, 6, and 9 h), and to identify the drivers of liking of snail protein hydrolysates through descriptive profiling using Rate-All-That-Apply (RATA) method and consumer testing using Hedonic test. The RATA intensity data were subjected to analysis using analysis of variance, followed by a Tukey's post hoc test (P < 0.05). Furthermore, the sensory profile data were analysed using principal component analysis and preference mapping. Snail species and hydrolysis time influenced the sensory profile of snail protein hydrolysate, with the longer hydrolysis time being the most liked. The most liked flavour enhancer derived from golden apple snail with 9 h hydrolysis time had a strong savoury aroma, salty taste, umami taste, lingering mouthfeel, and yellow colour. Additionally, it exhibited a moderate intensity of seafood aroma, a garlic taste, an umami aftertaste, a liquid mouthfeel, and a salty aftertaste. However, it had a low intensity of bitter aftertaste and burnt taste, and a very low intensity of sweet aroma, sweet taste, bitter taste, and bland taste. Thus, these findings highlight the importance of evaluating the efficacy of flavour enhancers and facilitate the identification of the optimal snail species and hydrolysis time according to consumer preference.

The study focused on the relationship between leaf-to-fruit ratio (LFR) and walnut kernel quality in Juglans regia ‘Wen 185’. It was investigated how LFR influences single kernel weight, the contents and percentages of organic matter in kernels, the 13C distribution proportion (¹³C_DP) in crude fat and protein, and the number and size of oil bodies within the kernels. A gradually decreasing LFR led to reduced single kernel weight, the contents of crude fat, crude protein, and soluble sugar dramatically (P < 0.05), with no significant changes in the percentages and (¹³C_DP) of crude fat, crude protein, and soluble sugar (P > 0.05). Moreover, there were no significant differences in the number of oil bodies per unit area and the size of oil bodies in kernel cotyledons and endosperm storage cells among the different LFR (P > 0.05). We propose that the walnut kernel quality depends on the proportion of sugar converted into fat and protein in the kernels, that the changes in LFR affect the amount of sugar accumulated in kernels but not the proportion of sugar converted to fat and protein, and that the LFR, therefore, have no effect on the percentages of crude fat and crude protein in walnut kernels.

Indonesia, as a leading coconut producer, generates a substantial amount of coconut pulp from coconut milk extraction, which can be further processed into low-fat desiccated coconut. However, the drying process induces browning, reducing its whiteness and overall quality. Sodium metabisulphite is commonly used to prevent browning, but excessive use raises health concerns. In this study, the optimisation of the drying temperature and sodium metabisulphite concentration was conducted to minimise the browning while maintaining the quality of low-fat desiccated coconut. Using Response Surface Methodology (RSM) with a Central Composite Design (CCD), responses such as the browning index (BI), whiteness index (WI), moisture content, yield, free fatty acids (FFAs), ash, fat, protein, total phenolic content (TPC), and crude fibre were examined. The results showed that both the drying temperature and sodium metabisulphite concentration significantly influenced the physicochemical properties. The optimal conditions were identified at 62.505 °C and 380.059 ppm sodium metabisulphite, resulting in a whiteness index of 87.219, browning index of 5.1025, yield of 43.125%, moisture content of 2.3%, and free fatty acid content of 4.45%. These findings highlight an effective strategy for reducing the additive dependency while maintaining the physicochemical quality of low-fat desiccated coconut.

This article presents a doctrinal legal analysis of judicial practice concerning criminal tax offences in the Czech timber trade, with a primary focus on VAT fraud. Court decisions were examined thematically to identify key categories of fraud schemes, recurring evidentiary challenges, and patterns of judicial reasoning. Administrative and regulatory frameworks, such as the EU Timber Regulation (EUTR), have played only a marginal role in Czech judicial practice, with a single decision explicitly referring to the EUTR. The findings highlight how courts rely on indicators such as fictitious supply chains, economically irrational transactions, and incomplete documentation to establish fraudulent intent. The study contributes to a better understanding of judicial reasoning in tax fraud cases and offers evidence-based recommendations for strengthening enforcement practice. The article focuses on Criminal Tax Law, i.e. examples of tax fraud in the timber trade that were not dealt with by the tax authorities as administrative offences but were assessed as criminal tax offences falling within the jurisdiction of criminal courts. Criminal Tax Law is a subfield of Czech Tax Law dealing with criminal activity in the area of tax and fee administration. (Lichnovský et al. 2020). The article contains all court decisions in the field of Criminal Tax Law dealing with the issue of timber trade. The article deals only with the criminal law aspects of tax law. No other court decisions were found in the Automated Legal Information System (ASPI). The ASPI legal information system contains only one court decision relating to the EUTR Regulation, which is cited below. Criminal cases in the field of forestry and timber industry constitute only a small part of the entire criminal tax law. In terms of the method of committing the criminal activity (issuing fictitious invoices, fictitious deliveries of goods), these are common frauds common to all economic activities.

The herbicidally active Botrytis strain HZ-011 was isolated from naturally infected leaves of Rumex patientia L., and previous studies found that strain HZ-011 exhibits highly effective herbicidal effects against the broadleaf weeds Amaranthus retroflexus L., Elsholtzia densa Benth, Malva crispa, and Chenopodium album L. In this study, the active components of strain HZ-011 were isolated, purified, and structurally characterised using silica gel column chromatography, thin-layer chromatography, and high-performance liquid chromatography. The extraction test was carried out using four organic solvents with different polarities, and ethyl acetate was ultimately used as the extractant for the bulk preparation of the crude product of the active substances. Thin-layer chromatography yielded 10 different fractions and 26 components, and components B₃ and E₁ showed pathogenic effects on C. album. High-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) of compound components B₃ and E₁ yielded three fractions with larger signal values and peak areas, and raw measurements of them revealed that component 3 was active. By analysing and comparing the spectral data of component 3 from ¹H-NMR, ¹³C-MNR, ESIMS, and EIMS, component 3 was identified as dibutyl phthalate. The activity of the individual compounds was verified. The results of this study lay a theoretical foundation for the discovery and exploration of lead compounds. They will also provide a theoretical basis for developing this strain into a microbially-derived herbicide.

The large number of charcoal kiln sites (CHKS) preserved as cultural heritage monuments demonstrates how extensive forest management for charcoal production has influenced the present forest dynamics and contributed to industrial expansion. Therefore, it is necessary not only to have a reliable methodology for detecting and documenting individual kiln sites for management and protection purposes but also to present the results in a meaningful way to the public. The aim is to optimise the data processing workflow from airborne laser scanning (ALS) point cloud to printable model (from LAS format to STL), determine the influence of vegetation cover at the time of data collection on the quality of the resulting model, verify the quality of printed models using photogrammetry, and finally, produce printed models of CHKS as cultural heritage objects in a form that can be effectively presented to the public. After comparison of different ground filtering methods, we conclude that the most accurate method for creating a precise ground representation for our area of interest was the Cloth Simulation Filtering (CSF) algorithm. From the filtered point cloud, a high-resolution raster surface was generated, which served as the basis for CHKS detection. Using our proposed methodology – combining the topographic position index (TPI) with a 0–5% slope threshold – we achieved a significant improvement in detection performance compared to using a zero-slope threshold alone, with the F1 score increasing from 0.667 to 1.000. Subsequently, the most representative kiln site was selected, which was then processed and optimised using various software tools, resulting in an exchangeable STL file suitable for dissemination and 3D printing. The accuracy of the printable model was then evaluated. We conclude that point cloud from the winter flight campaign achieved higher accuracy. The average height differences were similar; however, the spatial distribution varied between the two clouds. The model from the winter flight campaign had more evenly distributed deviations and overall was better for modelling the CHKS.

Encapsulation technology offers an effective strategy to enhance the bioavailability and stability of vitamin C by addressing its sensitivity to environmental factors. This study investigates the impact of formulation parameters, particularly lecithin concentration and high-pressure processing conditions, on the physicochemical properties, gastrointestinal stability, cytotoxicity, and shelf life of liposomal vitamin C formulations. Among the tested samples, Sample 1, prepared with 20% soybean lecithin and 20% ascorbic acid and processed at 400 bar with a single cycle, demonstrated superior performance. It exhibited a high zeta potential (−23.17 mV), uniform size distribution (317.5 ± 8.863 nm) and encapsulation efficiency of 77.6%, along with 85% vitamin C retention under simulated gastrointestinal conditions. Cellular uptake in Caco-2 cells reached 30%, and structural integrity was preserved for 240 days at 40 °C, indicating strong thermal stability. The results underscore that lecithin concentration had the most significant influence on encapsulation efficiency and liposome stability, compared to pressure intensity or the number of processing cycles. Furthermore, modulating the zeta potential through lipid composition and the energy applied to phospholipid solutions was found to be critical for improving bioavailability and ensuring long-term dispersion stability. In conclusion, the optimised liposomal formulation offers a promising vehicle for advanced vitamin C delivery with enhanced protection, bioaccessibility, and storage potential.

Soil compaction has negative impacts on plant productivity. Degradation of soil structure as a result of soil compaction can inhibit the development of plant roots and make it difficult for plants to take up water and nutrients. This can negatively affect plant growth and productivity. Compaction restricts plant root growth by increasing mechanical resistance, reducing oxygen uptake, and thus reducing crop yields as it inhibits plant development. In this study, the effects of soil compaction due to machinery traffic on the physical structure of soil, morphological characteristics and yield of spinach were investigated in Tokat, where vegetable farming is intensively practised. In the study, four different tractor traffic treatments [C – zero tractor traffic (control), T1 – 1 tractor traffic, T3 – 3 tractor traffic, T5 – 5 tractor traffic] were used. As traffic increased, the penetration resistance, bulk density, and porosity increased, and the lowest volume weight was obtained from the control treatment. Plant weight losses in T1, T3 and T5 treatments compared to the control treatment were 1.92%, 31.09% and 64.64%, respectively. The yield value, which was 62.0 t/ha in the C treatment, was determined to be 31.8 t/ha in the T5 treatment, representing a 48.70% decrease. The proper use of modern agricultural machinery plays an important role in preventing soil compaction and increasing plant productivity.

Robinia pseudoacacia L. is a deciduous tree planted almost all around the world for a wide variety of uses such as ornamental in urban ecosystems and forest trees in afforestation. This study aims to evaluate the genetic diversity and phylogenetic relations of R. pseudoacacia using some selected populations in Istanbul and Kocaeli cities. For this aim, molecular marker-assisted and DNA sequence-based analyses were performed. According to the results, nine of 15 inter simple sequence repeats (ISSR) primers gave clear and distinguishable bands with a total of 100 loci. The percentage of polymorphic loci (PPL) was calculated as 100% for multi-populations and ranged from 46% to 76% for single populations. Nei's gene diversity value was calculated between 0.165 and 0.251. The lowest and highest PPL were found in populations of Barbaros Boulevard and Dilovası District, respectively. Population structure analysis showed seven different genetic structures for five populations. Internal transcribed spacer 1 region (ITS1) and trnL-F intergenic spacer region were used to examine the phylogenetic relationships of R. pseudoacacia, and both regions showed a high discriminative power at the family level. Based on the findings, R. pseudoacacia, as a forest tree residing in the urban ecosystem, may face the risk of population decline in the upcoming years due to its moderate/low genetic diversity and susceptibility to environmental pressures.

This research investigates the intricate connection between indigenous knowledge and sustainable forest management, with two main objectives. It seeks to explore and outline indigenous knowledge, elements, and practices that support sustainable forest management (SFM). It aims to uncover the invaluable traditional insights and practices that have helped preserve and ensure the responsible use of forest ecosystems. Also, it investigated global environmental policies that support indigenous knowledge since the inception of the Convention on Biological Diversity (CBD). A narrative review method was employed to review and analyse peer-reviewed contents and reports to deduce ancestral or traditional wisdom, knowledge, practices, and beliefs from existing studies. The paper extracted data from existing literature from scholarly peer-reviewed journals. It aims to provide useful information for policy-makers, forest managers, and indigenous communities, to promote SFM and the sustainable development goals related to a sustainable environment. The study found that indigenous knowledge (IK) which includes ethnobotanical knowledge and plant selection, mixed land use, seed banks, and cultural beliefs such as sacred groves and taboos are some traditional practices, beliefs, and cultural knowledge that support SFM and can be integrated into international and national environmental management policies which the two-eyed seeing framework (TESF) seeks to promote. The framework highlights the potential of implementing IK into SFM. Also, the Akwé: Kon Guidelines, the United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples (UNDRIP), and the Intergovernmental Science-Policy Platform on Biodiversity and Ecosystem Services (IPBES), are some global environment policies that recognise traditional people and indigenous knowledge since the commencement of the CBD in the nineties. The paper recommends, for a future study, investigating the applicability of the Akwé: Kon Guidelines in international and national projects and programs that impact traditional sacred lands, forests and rivers, and indigenous people. Also, the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC) and the Paris Agreement need to fully acknowledge the supporting role of indigenous knowledge and people in climate change mitigation and adaptation solutions, especially in Africa, since the majority of the world's population constitutes indigenous people who inhabit healthy standing forests and ecosystems.

Unique challenges have been elicited by climate change, demanding the utilisation of effective adaptation strategies that are both environmentally and economically sustainable. Regrettably, the agricultural sector has not been spared from the effects of climate change, but it is among the largest employers and the primary source of food security globally. The situation is worse in Pakistan, where poverty, hunger, and malnutrition are reported to be prevalent. The complexity of risks posed by climate change has called for climate-smart agriculture (CSA) technologies, which potentially could augment cost efficiency and yield in wheat production. Surprisingly, previous studies have largely overlooked this crucial aspect. Therefore, our research seeks to address two fundamental questions: What is the comparative cost efficiency between adopters and non-adopters of CSA practices in wheat production? And what are the yield effects associated with CSA adoption, particularly compared to non-adopters? To this end, a multi-stage sampling technique was employed to randomly select 400 farm households in a climate risk hotspot province in Pakistan, on which the stochastic frontier analysis (SFA) and endogenous switching regression (ESR) were applied. The results revealed that CSA adoption was associated with improved cost efficiency and yield. Interestingly, if non-adopters decided to adopt CSA, they would increase their wheat yield by about 20%. Given the importance of wheat for food security, this would contribute to poverty and hunger eradication. Therefore, our study conforms to the aspirations of the 2030 agenda by promoting rethinking food production through possible improvement in cost efficiency and yield in the face of a changing climate.

Phytopathology deals with a branch of biology encompassing pathogens that infect plants. Pathogenic fungi, bacteria, viruses, viroids, and phytoplasmas are notorious and hard to control; preventive measures are important for managing disease as early as possible. Age-old management practices are time-consuming and labour-intensive processes. In the past, nucleic acid-based methods, such as hybridization, amplification, and sequencing, have been used extensively for the preliminary identification of plant pathogens. Recently, PCR-based methods have been widely used for the detection of plant pathogens. However, PCR methods are time-bound and require high-quality DNA extraction because of inhibitors' effects on PCR sensitivity. Several isothermal detection techniques are commonly used for the onsite detection of plant pathogens. Among them, loop-mediated isothermal amplification (LAMP) is a paradigm diagnostic tool for early plant pathogen detection. Hence, in this review, we discuss the rapid, reliable, sensitive method of the LAMP assay and the limit of detection (LOD) in different sectors of plant pathology. We also address the advantages and disadvantages of different LAMP approaches and future prospects.

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

Pioneer tree species in the Czech Republic include birch, alder and aspen. From an economic point of view, birch seems to be the most promising. Greater use of timber from pioneer tree species in higher value-added products is currently limited by the low stocks of birch, alder and aspen in forest stands. A price survey was carried out in the Western Highlands region in the central part of the Czech Republic to obtain basic information on the prices of assortments of pioneer tree species. The prices of five assortments of raw timber were surveyed for the period 2019–2023. Very few of the prices of pioneer tree species were found for assortments of II and IIIC; these assortments are not actually produced and, therefore, not traded by the respondents. For the roundwood assortments (quality II, IIIAB), it cannot be clearly stated that any of the preparatory timber species (birch, alder, aspen) always achieved a higher price during the observed period. Only in 2023 was it possible to see higher prices for quality IIIAB assortments of alder. Birch of quality V had the highest price of the observed prices for this timber assortment for the pioneer tree species during the period under review. When using a system approach, considering the information on the prices of the timber assortments is also important for deciding on the optimal species composition of the regenerating forest stands. In the case of the Czech Republic's commercial tree species, this information is available at the national level. However, the situation is quite the opposite for the timber assortments of pioneer tree species, where information on their prices is completely lacking. This confirms the fact that the market for assortments of timber from pioneer tree species in the Czech Republic is basically non-existent, the main reason being the low volume of these assortments placed on the market.

Knowing the relationship between forest soil properties and their stand conditions is relevant for the sustainable exploitation and management of forest soils. This study examines the influence of stand environmental factors on soil properties within forest environments. We further assessed the spatial variability of these soil properties and their controlling factors. A harmonised soil database on the entire forest areas of the Czech Republic was considered; however, only 851 sampling points with complete data on soil properties was used out of the more than 8 thousand sampling points in the database. The topsoil mineral layer of 0–30 cm was analysed. Principal component analysis was used to determine the relationships between the forest soil properties and their stand controlling factors. The nugget ratios for the semivariograms and cross-variograms were used to evaluate the spatial dependence of soil properties, and their relevant controlling factors. Forest types influence soil reaction and the availability of cations within the topsoils. Phosphorus is influenced by aluminium and cation exchange capacity. There are higher concentrations of total phosphorus and aluminium under broadleaved forest.

The Asian rice gall midge (Orseolia oryzae) (Wood-Mason) is a major pest of rice, significantly reducing yields and challenging sustainable rice production. This review provides a comprehensive overview of the biology, lifecycle and geographical distribution of the rice gall midge, along with the damage symptoms it causes in rice crops. The interactions between rice and gall midge, the pest's infestation mechanism and the plant’s defensive responses are also explored. Various management strategies are discussed in detail, including insecticides, cultural practices and resistant varieties. The review emphasises that breeding for resistance, especially through the pyramiding of resistance genes and integrated pest management approaches, shows the most promise for long-term control. Advances in crop improvement through breeding methods such as genotyping, phenotyping, field and greenhouse screening and the pyramiding of resistance genes are highlighted. The review emphasises the importance of monitoring virulence in gall midge populations to guide breeding efforts. The genetic basis of resistance is examined through studies of resistance genes, QTL mapping and marker-assisted breeding. Furthermore, molecular approaches, including metabolomic regulations, microarray analysis and biotechnological strategies, are reviewed for their potential in developing durable gall midge-resistant rice varieties. This article synthesises the current knowledge and highlights future research directions, such as identifying novel resistance genes, improving molecular breeding techniques, and developing integrated pest management strategies that combine genetic resistance with eco-friendly controls.

In this study, we assessed the salt tolerance of 38 wheat cultivars from primary wheat cultivation regions in China using a membership function value (MFV) during the germination and seedling emergence stages. Based on salt tolerance assessment, three contrasting groups were classified, with 10 tolerant, 23 moderately tolerant and 5 sensitive cultivars under low salt stress, and 4 tolerant, 25 moderately tolerant and 9 sensitive cultivars under high salt stress and in addition to Na⁺ and K⁺ homeostasis regulation, nitrogen efficient transfer from seed to plant tissues denoted the significant positive correlation with salt tolerance, confirming the importance of nutrient spectra organisation. Salt-tolerant and moderately tolerant cultivars had lower trait network modularity than salt-sensitive cultivars, demonstrating that wheat with different salt tolerance uses alternative strategies to cope with salt stress. These results were important for germplasm evaluation and variety breeding of salt tolerance in wheat.

The study has been conducted at Research Farm, College of Agriculture, Gwalior (M.P.), in the summers of 2021 and 2022. In the summers of 2021 and 2022, the crop was first infested by the shoot and fruit borer on the 10^th and 13^th standard meteorological week (SMW). The infestation persisted until the 23^rd and 24^th SMW, respectively. During the first year, the 15^th SMW had the highest infestation rate for shoot damage, 15.76%, while the 18^th SMW had the highest infestation rate for shoot damage, 15.07%, in the second year. Whereas fruit damage per cent is calculated based on number and weight, and its peak per cent infestation was noted on the 22nd SMW with 31.67% based on number, 30.12% based on weight during the first year, and 30.34% based on number and 29.95% based on weight during the second year, which was noted on the 23^rd SMW. There was a significant positive correlation between maximum temperature and shoot damage percentage (r = 0.62) and minimum temperature and fruit damage percentage based on number (r = 0.87) and weight (r = 0.88) during the first year of study. However, during the first year of the study, there was a negative association (r = –0.68) between morning relative humidity and shoot damage per cent. The following year's research revealed a highly significant positive link between maximum temperature, minimum temperature, and evaporation with fruit damage (%) based on the number (r = 0.64, 0.92, and 0.82) and based on weight (r = 0.63, 0.92, and 0.82), respectively.

In this study, we used psychology and organisational behaviour theories to determine the main elements affecting Chinese farmers' grain loss-reduction efforts (LREs). We established social factors (SFs), policy factors (PFs) and buyer's strategies (BSs) as the three central factors and constructed a theoretical framework linking these factors to grain producers' LREs. Using this framework, we designed a survey questionnaire and an interview guide; we subsequently collected 1 536 valid questionnaire responses and 25 interview transcripts. The findings revealed that SFs, PFs and BSs had a significance positive effect on the LREs of grain producers. Critically, grain producers from significant Chinese grain-producing regions did not always minimise the effects of the independent variables (SF, PF and BS) on the dependent variable (LRE). This research provides a new viewpoint on grain farmers' LREs activities and may be used to tailor policy and commercial strategies.

Conditioning films on surfaces employed in the dairy industry serve as the precursors to the formation of pathogenic biofilms that impact product quality and consumer safety. Conditioning films have been studied from several aspects. However, there has been no study that evaluated the effect of raw milk conditioning film on the adhesion of Escherichia coli. This study investigated the adhesion of E. coli on glass and stainless-steel surfaces conditioned with raw milk and explored the surface properties potentially influencing this adhesion using the contact angle method. The results showed that after treating surfaces with raw milk, the adhesion of the bacteria on stainless steel and glass was significantly altered. Adhesion increased significantly on stainless steel (from 0.55 log₁₀ to 2.8 log₁₀) but it decreased on glass (from 1.56 log₁₀ to 0.8 log₁₀). Significant alterations were observed in the physicochemical properties of the surfaces. Glass was initially relatively hydrophilic (46.33°), while stainless steel was relatively hydrophobic (82.5°). After treatment, the glass became relatively more hydrophobic (74.6°), and stainless steel became relatively more hydrophilic (69.4°). The electron donor/acceptor components of glass decreased after the treatment, while these components increased for stainless steel. The significant changes in adhesion were hypothesized to be due to the modification of surface properties by the raw milk.

The aim of this research was to quantify the bioactive compounds; antioxidant, antibacterial, and antihypertensive capability of different cahuiche (Vaccinium leucanthum Schltdl.) extracts in vitro. Aqueous, ethanolic, and methanolic extracts were obtained from cahuiche berries (Vaccinium leucanthum Schltdl.). Total phenols, flavonoids (quercetin and catechin), and anthocyanins contents were determined, and antioxidant activity was also determined using ABTS [2,2'-azinobis-(3-ethylbenzothiazoline-6-sulfonic) acid] and DPPH (2,2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl), antibacterial activity, and antihypertensive potential, using angiotensin I-converting enzyme (ACE) inhibitor activity (%) in vitro. Methanolic extract showed the highest total phenols (1187.88 ± 87.48 mg gallic acid equivalents), catechin (372.17 ± 35.23 mg catechin equivalents), anthocyanins (578.89 ± 38.5 mg cyanidin-3-glucoside equivalents), ABTS (98.26 ± 0.00%) and DPPH (44.06 ± 3.95%) antioxidant activity, and ACE inhibitor activity of 80.20 ± 2.46%. All extracts presented antibacterial activity against Staphylococcus aureus (ATCC 25923) and Listeria monocytogenes (ATCC 19115) with inhibitor zones of > 11 and 13 mm, respectively. Cahuiche berries are potentially an ideal food or functional ingredient due to their biological activities as natural antihypertensive and antibacterial agent, and high bioactive compound contents.

Mycoplasma hyopneumoniae (M. hyo) and porcine circovirus type 2 (PCV-2) are major and widespread swine pathogens, both implicated in the porcine respiratory disease complex, which can lead to significant economic losses for pig producers. PCV-2d is currently the most prevalent genotype. Vaccination against these two pathogens helps mitigate their impact on pig health and performance. The use of ready-to-mix or ready-to-use (RTU) vaccines targeting PCV-2a or PCV-2a/b and M. hyo is a common practice. This study aimed to evaluate the efficacy of a novel RTU vaccine containing PCV-2d and M. hyo antigens under experimental conditions. Several challenge trials were conducted using PCV-2a, PCV-2b, PCV-2d, and M. hyo to assess the level of protection conferred against different PCV-2 genotypes and M. hyo, as well as to determine the duration of protection. This study demonstrated that the bivalent PCV-2/M. hyo vaccine induces both early and long-lasting protection against infections caused by M. hyo and PCV-2. In addition, cross-protection against the three major PCV-2 genotypes was confirmed.

Optimum nutrition is essential for quality cut flower production and for improving soil health. The study aims to evaluate the interaction between bio-organic and inorganic nutrient sources in enhancing alstroemeria (Alstroemeria hybrida L.) cut flower production and soil health for sustainable cultivation practice. Randomised block methodology involving 20 treatment combinations of inorganic fertilisers (NPK) and biostimulants (Panchgavya and Jeevamrit) applied at varying concentrations. Significant outcomes emerged from the combined influence of inorganic and organic sources of nutrients. The application of the 100% recommended dose of fertiliser (RDF) with 75 mL of Panchgavya resulted in substantial improvements in alstroemeria growth parameters, including plant height (7.8%), early flowering (13.08%), flower diameter (20.03%) and the number of flowering stems (25.3%) over the control (100% RDF). Plant spread (24.1%) and number of florets/stem (26.6%) were improved with the application of 100% RDF with 50 mL of Panchgavya when compared with the control. Soil nutrient content, i.e. available nitrogen (11.5%), phosphorus (28.7%), potassium (13.8%) and microbial populations, i.e. fungal (35.4%) and bacterial (28.2%) colonies also exhibited noteworthy enhancements with the application of 100% RDF with 75 mL of Panchgavya over the control. The study concludes that the application of 100% RDF with 75 mL of Panchgavya increased quality cut flower production in alstroemeria.