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

In recent years, China has promoted large-scale hog farming through various approaches. However, this scale-up process may be affected by economic policy uncertainty. This paper empirically examines the impact of policy uncertainty on hog farming scale-up using provincial panel data from 2016–2022 and a fixed-effects model. Our results indicate that economic policy uncertainty significantly inhibits hog farming scale-up, and this effect remains significant even when we increase the criteria for recognising scale-up, alternative estimation methods include two-stage least squares (2SLS), dynamic panel model and panel Poisson model. Mechanism analysis reveals that economic policy uncertainty not only exacerbates the impact of labour and capital factor prices on scale-up hog farming but also exacerbates the volatility of hog prices, which further raises the risks faced by hog farming and inhibits scale-up hog farming. Heterogeneity analysis reveals that the effect of economic policy uncertainty on hog farming scale-up decreases as farm size increases. Higher-level economic policy uncertainty can inhibit scale-up hog farming, while lower-level economic policy uncertainty can instead promote scale-up hog farming. Economic policy uncertainty has a more obvious inhibitory effect on scale-up hog farming in major development areas. These findings have important implications for the promotion of large-scale hog farming and related policy regulation.

Since 2020, the National Agricultural Research Institute (INIA) has conserved a Creole sheep flock at INIA Las Brujas. This study genetically characterised this population and compared it with six others: San Miguel National Park Creoles, commercial farms Creoles, Brazilian Creoles, Corriedale, Merilin and Soay sheep. The analysis included 628 individuals and 31 392 autosomal SNPs. Soay and San Miguel National Park Creoles exhibited the lowest genetic diversity (Ho = 0.266 and 0.279) and highest inbreeding (F_HOM: 0.283 and 0.249; F_ROH: 0.199 and 0.202). Merilin and Corriedale showed the highest genetic diversity (Ho = 0.351 and 0.364), while Brazilian Creoles had the highest Ho (0.327) among Creoles. Short runs of homozygosity (ROH) segments (≤4 Mb) predominated, with San Miguel National Park and INIA Las Brujas Creoles exhibiting the highest numbers of ROH (22 773 and 16 762, respectively). Fixation index (Fst) and Reynolds distances highlighted INIA Las Brujas Creoles and Soay as the most distinct (0.318 and 0.321, respectively). INIA Las Brujas Creoles also showed notable differentiation from San Miguel National Park Creoles (Fst = 0.269; Reynolds = 0.272). Principal component analysis (PCA) revealed clear clustering, with Corriedale and Merilin closely related (Fst = 0.060; Reynolds = 0.068). Admixture analysis indicated distinct ancestries for Soay, Corriedale and San Miguel National Park Creoles, while commercial and Brazilian Creoles showed significant admixture. INIA Las Brujas Creoles exhibited a distinct ancestry with traces of Corriedale. Phylogenetic analysis confirmed the divergence between Creole and Corriedale/Merilin populations. Results suggest the historical genetic exchange among INIA Las Brujas Creoles, Corriedale, and commercial farms Creoles, while high differentiation of San Miguel National Park Creoles reflects their closed status since 1929.

Corrigendum in: J. For. Sci. 2026 Feb 27;72(2):106. doi: 10.17221/16/2026-JFS

The response of forest trees to bark beetle attack involves substantial changes in terpene content, which varies between resistant and non-resistant species. Terpenes serve as crucial chemical defences against pests, and their production can be influenced by prior attack history, water stress, and biotic interactions. Moreover, the effectiveness of terpenes in resisting bark beetle attack is influenced by their chemical composition. Different tree species produce different types and amounts of terpenes that can affect their overall resistance levels. In conifers, acyclic and cyclic monoterpenes and sesquiterpenes were significantly present in all samples. Acyclic monoterpenes, ketones, aldehydes, monocarboxylic acids and their esters, and aromatic and cyclic compounds have been identified in beech. A statistically significant decrease of compounds in infested trees was determined in pine (cis-β-ocimene, neo-allo-ocimene, terpinene-4-ol, and δ-cadinene), and fir (acetophenone, benzonitrile, phenol, and zonarene). In addition, increased benzaldehyde production was observed. However, in infested beech trees, only increased production of some aliphatic and aromatic compounds (2-butanone and 3,5-octadien-2-one, 2-methyl-4-pentenal and 2,4-hexadienal, octanoic acid, nonanoic acid, 3,4-dimethyl-2,5-furandione, acetophenone, benzeneacetaldehyde, 2-ethyl-1H-pyrrole, β-ionone-5,6-epoxide, β-cyclocitral, and geranyl acetone) was found. We investigated the changes in the terpene composition of surviving trees in bark beetle-infested stands of beech (Fagus sylvatica), pine (Pinus sylvestris), and fir (Abies alba). Our data showed that the distribution of different groups of volatile compounds varied according to the tree species.

Uveodermatological syndrome is a widely recognised disease that continues to raise significant concern among both veterinarians and pet owners. Its aetiology, although still unclear, is believed to involve an autoimmune origin and genetic predisposition. The most common clinical signs include skin depigmentation, alopecia, poliosis, and, most frequently, granulomatous panuveitis. Affected dogs often develop secondary complications owing to persistent intraocular inflammation, such as cataracts and glaucoma. Although immunosuppressive therapy often yields a favourable response, recurrence is commonly observed. In some cases, uveodermatological syndrome presents a clinical challenge, as patients may experience adverse effects from medications, without which irreversible blindness may ensue.

In this study the eradication effectiveness of four commonly used disinfectants against benzalkonium chloride (BC) adapted and non-adapted biofilms of Listeria monocytogenes was compared and the effects of food preservatives on the growth of these strains were comparatively evaluated on pasteurised chicken sausage. After BC adaptation, the minimum inhibitory concentrations (MICs) of BC against planktonic bacteria of L. monocytogenes increased, while the MICs of chlorine dioxide remained unchanged. BC adapted strains showed stronger biofilm formation than the wild-type parents. When used at 1 × MIC, the eradication rates of chlorine dioxide on biofilm biomass, cell viability and biofilm extracellular polymeric substance were higher than BC. When used at the recommended concentrations, chlorine dioxide exhibited the highest efficiency in BC adapted and non-adapted biofilm eradication. Among the four food preservatives, nisin showed the highest inhibition of both BC adapted and non-adapted strains grown on pasteurised chicken sausage. Our data suggest that proper use of BC is required to reduce the exposure of L. monocytogenes to sublethal concentrations of BC and the emergence of BC adapted strains.

This study represents the first evidence of the bacterial blight caused by Xanthomonas arboricola pv. juglandis (Xaj) on walnut trees in Podgorica (Montenegro). Disease symptoms appeared on leaves in the form of dark, angular leaf spots surrounded by yellow-green haloes and lesions spread across the whole leaf. Isolated bacteria were preliminarily identified using PCR with pathovar-specific primer pair XajF/XajR and further characterised based on multi-locus sequence analysis with nine housekeeping genes (fusA, gapA, gltA, gyrB1, lepA, rpoD, dnaK, fyuA, and gyrB2). Montenegrin walnut isolates were homogeneous among themselves and the most closely related to different X. arboricola strains originating from Juglans regia isolated elsewhere. The pathogenicity of isolates was confirmed on walnut leaves, fruits, and branches. All inoculations resulted in the formation of necrotic lesions that initially developed at the site of bacteria entry, with later developing chlorotic areas on leaves along the leaf veins. This finding of Xaj causing leaf blight symptoms on walnuts in Montenegro highlights its expanding distribution across Europe and indicates a potential threat to walnut plantations in Montenegro.

The experiment was done on 180 (2 × 90) Cherry Valley ducks that were fattened until 42 days of age with parity of females and males in the group. The aim of the study was to examine the effect of substituting dehulled lupin seed meal, Zulika variety, for soybean meal and its impact on the fatty acid content of breast and thigh muscle fat. Feeding lupin diets resulted in a significant (P ≤ 0.05) increase in monounsaturated fatty acids (MUFA) in Cherry Valley ducks, as well as significant (P ≤ 0.05) increase in polyunsaturated fatty acids n-3 (PUFA n-3) in breast and thigh muscle fat. There was no effect of the tested diets on PUFA n-6 content in muscle fat. The results confirm that lupin meal in the diet enhances the dietary value of Cherry Valley duck muscle due to the higher proportion of unsaturated fatty acids, with respect to the use of duck meat for human consumption.

Citrus sinensis (L.) Osbeck (sweet orange) is the most important cultivated citrus fruit in the world. However, Hanglongbing (HLB) disease, caused by Candidatus Liberibactor asiaticus (CLAs), poses a major threat to sweet orange production, by hindering colour, quality and export. Carotenoid cleavage oxygenases (CCOs), which include carotenoid cleavage dioxygenases (CCDs) and 9-cis-epoxycarotenoid dioxygenases (NCEDs), are essential for plant growth, development, and adaptation to phytohormonal, biotic, and abiotic stresses. This study identified 14 CsCCO genes in C. sinensis. Structural and conservation studies were conducted using gene structure and conserved domain analysis. Genomic localisation, gene duplication, and similarity among these genes were also examined. Gene ontology analysis predicted that CsCCOs could be involved in the carotene catabolic process. Analysis of cis-regulatory elements revealed that most CsCCO genes are involved in responses to stress, light signalling, and plant growth regulation. Genes in the 9-cis-epoxycarotenoid dioxygenase (NCED) subgroup are predominantly localised in chloroplasts, whereas genes in other subgroups are primarily found in the cytoplasm. All 13 of the CsCCOs genes identified were regulated by 25 microRNAs, indicating the crucial role of microRNAs in gene regulation in Citrus sinensis. The expression patterns of CsCCO genes in response to biotic and abiotic stress were studied. Transcriptome analysis demonstrated that CsNCED3 and CsNCED10 were up-regulated in response to HLB. This provides insight into the function of CCO genes in C. sinensis and identifies potential candidate genes for combating citrus greening.

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

Chlorhexidine (CHX) is a bactericidal agent used as a common disinfectant since the 1950s. However, its effectiveness may have diminished over the time due to the rise of microbial resistance even among nonantibiotics. In this study, we evaluate the response of 46 Staphylococcus aureus isolates to CHXdihydrochloride according to their origin and phenotype (haemolysis induction, coagulase production, methicillin resistance and biofilm formation). Following classification, the influence of seven CHX concentrations (10.00–0.50 mg·L–1) on planktonic cell growth and biofilm formation was evaluated spectrophotometrically at 620 nm and 595 nm (24 h). Even though the effect of CHX was strain-specific irrespective of origin or phenotypic profile, concentrations above 2.50 mg·L–1 were almost uniformly determined as bactericidal. Although the non-bactericidal concentrations did not indicate any statistically significant differences, they did promote biofilm formation in some cases. Overall, our results suggest that CHX is still an effective disinfectant and an antimicrobial agent against S. aureus.

In this study, the effect of abscisic acid (ABA; 150 μmol) or epibrassinolide (EBL, 3 μmol) in mitigating the adverse drought conditions was evaluated in tomato plants (Solanum lycopersicum L. cv. Vilma). Potted plants were subjected to two 6-day periods separated by a one-time rehydration. Results showed that water deficit increased the content of superoxide radical (O₂^•−), malondialdehyde (MDA), proline, ABA and its metabolites. On the other hand, the studied cytokinins showed a rather opposite trend. ABA application maintained and later reduced the O₂^•− content. At the same time, the MDA level was lower but later increased, while the proline content was reduced compared to untreated plants. This indicates that ABA helps the plants cope with the initial stress phase. In addition, ABA-activated signalling pathways showed increased levels of ABA, auxins, salicylic acid or jasmonic acid. EBL even more increased O₂^•− and proline content. At the same time, EBL increased the content of auxins, jasmonic acid and later ABA. In contrast, a decrease in salicylic acid and cytokinins was monitored. These findings indicate that ABA contributed to improved stress responses through early phytohormone-mediated signalling and reduction of stress markers, whereas EBL appeared less effective under our experimental conditions.

The anaerobic unicellular protist Blastocystis is widely recognised for its presence in the gastrointestinal systems of humans and various animals globally. However, there is a paucity of reports on the prevalence and subtype (ST) distribution of Blastocystis in the squirrel population. This study was conducted to determine the prevalence and genetic diversity of Blastocystis, as well as its zoonotic potential, among Sciurus vulgaris and Sciurus vulgaris exalbidus in Chengdu, China. A total of 41 faecal samples (31 from Sciurus vulgaris, 10 from Sciurus vulgaris exalbidus) were analysed for the presence of Blastocystis sp. using the polymerase chain reaction (PCR) amplification of the small subunit ribosomal RNA (SSU rRNA) gene. Our findings revealed a positive rate of 4.88% (2/41 samples) for Blastocystis sp., with both identified as ST4 through nucleotide sequence homology and phylogenetic analysis. Given the zoonotic nature of this subtype, farmed squirrels may serve as potential reservoirs for Blastocystis transmission to humans and domestic animals. These findings are essential for developing effective control strategies against Blastocystis in the study region and enhancing our comprehension of the genetic spectrum of Blastocystis within Sciurus vulgaris and Sciurus vulgaris exalbidus.

From 1967 to 1995, the flight activity of 25 monovoltine species of moths (Noctuidae, Lepidoptera) was monitored via a light trap located in Prague (50.09 N, 14.30 E). For each species, the day when half of the individuals were caught (peak of flight activity, PFA) was specified each year. This study addresses a method of predicting the calendar date of the PFA via thermal time. We determined a base temperature of +6 °C, at which the differences between the predicted and actual dates of the PFA were minimal. For each species and each year, the sum of the degree days exceeding the base temperature from January 1 to the date of the PFA (SumT) was determined, and the average SumT throughout the study was calculated. Each year, the predicted date of the PFA is the date when the average SumT was achieved. Sixty-five percent of the predicted PFA dates fell within ±5 days of the actual date of the PFA. Shifts in the magnitude and direction of the difference between the actual and predicted PFAs affecting concurrently all species were caused by the thermal conditions of the year.

This study aimed to determine coagulation changes in bitches with pyometra based on a series of coagulation tests and thromboelastography (TEG), and to assess the incidence of disseminated intravascular coagulation (DIC). Eighteen bitches with pyometra and thirty-four control bitches were examined. Haematological, biochemical, and following haemostasis parameters were measured, including: prothrombin time (PT), activated partial thromboplastin time (aPTT), antithrombin activity (AT), and levels of fibrinogen (FBG), d-dimers (DD), tissue factor (TF), plasminogen (PLG), tissue plasminogen activator inhibitor 1 (TPAI-1), and thromboelastography. DIC was considered present if three or more of these parameters were abnormal: platelet count (<153 × 10⁹/l), PT (>8.1 s), aPTT (>25.5 s), FBG (<0.6 g/l), DD (>0.2 mg/l), and AT (<107%). Significant differences were found in the PT, aPTT, FBG, DD, TPAI-1, clotting time, α-angle, and maximal amplitude. According to our scoring system, two patients were DIC positive. The study found alterations in several coagulation tests and hypercoagulable TEG tracings in bitches with pyometra, which point to excessive activation of coagulation, delayed fibrinolysis, and the presence of DIC. No patient bled abnormally, which may suggest that DIC is not overt in the majority of pyometra patients.

Puerperal diseases are major postpartum complications in dairy cattle and may compromise both survival and production performance. This study evaluated how specific puerperal diseases influence early culling risk and standardised 305-day milk traits in Slovak Spotted cows. A total of 792 animals were clinically assessed during early postpartum and classified as healthy or affected by ketosis, metritis, retained foetal membranes, parturient paresis, or by comorbid diseases, defined as the concurrent occurrence of two or more disorders. Logistic regression models indicated that ketosis was associated with the highest odds of culling compared with healthy cows (odds ratio = 2.23; P = 0.05). The multivariable model had a predictive discrimination of 0.75, as indicated by the area under the receiver operating characteristic curve, suggesting moderate performance. After excluding the cows culled during the puerperium to avoid bias from incomplete lactation data, the dataset was restricted to 546 animals. Within this group, metritis was associated with the lowest 305-day milk yield, with an average decrease of 1 124 kg compared with healthy cows (P < 0.05). Protein content was slightly lower in cows affected by puerperal disease (P < 0.05), with no significant differences in milk yield, fat or lactose content, nor lactation persistency index. Parity and sire line still remained the primary determinants of variation in milk traits. The results can be used to support decision-making in herd health management and genetic improvement strategies aimed at enhancing cow longevity and production efficiency.

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.

This study investigates the long-term effects of pine (Pinus nigra) afforestation on soil characteristics in comparison to adjacent pastureland in central Kosovo. Soil samples (n = 24) were collected from two land-use types, pine plantations and grassland, over three topographic positions (lower, medium, upper) and two depths (0–10 cm and 10–20 cm). Standard laboratory techniques were used to determine soil organic matter (SOM), organic carbon (SOC), total nitrogen (TN), pH (H₂O and CaCl₂), available phosphorus (P), potassium (K), calcium (Ca), magnesium (Mg), and bulk density (BD). The data were analysed using principal component analysis (PCA) and correlation matrices. The top soils (0–10 cm) beneath pine had higher soil organic matter (mean 2.45%) compared to the pasture lane (1.59%). The SOC and TN levels increased by 43% and 36%, respectively. Soil pH was lower under pine (mean pH_H₂O = 6.3) than under pasture land (pH_H₂O = 6.81), particularly on middle and lower slopes. Exchangeable calcium and magnesium declined by up to 20% under pine plantations, and bulk density also decreased (for example, 1.15 g·cm^–3 under pine land compared to 1.29 g·cm^–3 under pasture land), signifying reduced compaction. Phosphorus concentrations were slightly higher under pasture at a depth of 0–10 cm (mean 12.4 mg·100 g^–1), but under pine, they increased at a depth of 10–20 cm on top slopes. PCA showed differentiation based on land use, with the initial two components representing 70.1% of the overall variance.

Many companies depend on debt sources; they use them to finance their needs. Bank loans are the main debt sources to which companies have access. However, financing only with this source is associated with many risks. The paper’s main goal is to assess and quantify the indebtedness of wineries in Slovakia for 2013–2021 through individual debt ratios. The influence of financial leverage on return on equity (ROE) was tested. The data were drawn from the Register of Financial Statements. From the point of view of the total debt ratio, wineries show values higher than 65%. The presence of short-term debts, especially short-term liabilities, prevailed. The average share of equity reached a very low value of 11%. The average share of bank loans on financing operating activities was very low at the level of 8.53%. The return on assets (ROA) was lower than the cost of debt in most wineries, which means that increasing indebtedness had a negative effect on ROE.

As a critical and universal soil physical property, soil water repellency significantly affects soil and water erosion and vegetation restoration, particularly in the karst region. This study analysed soil properties, namely, particle size distribution (PSD) in abandoned farmland and different plantations in karst areas, and their impact on water repellency to provide references for its ecological restoration. First, for the shaddock plantation, citrus plantation, ginkgo plantation, Robinia pseudoacacia plantation, and abandoned farmland, the research objects, soil particle size and water drop penetration time were measured, and the fractal parameters of soil PSD were computed. Soil PSD characteristics’ influence on water repellency was inferred according to, for example, correlation, redundancy, and stepwise regression analyses. Sand content in the shaddock plantation and clay content in the citrus plantation was the highest. The soil particles of abandoned farmland and plantations were primarily sand. The values of volume dimension D(0) in descending order were citrus plantation, shaddock plantation, ginkgo plantation, R. pseudoacacia plantation, and abandoned farmland. The values of information dimension D(1), correlation dimension D(2), and information dimension/volume dimension D(1)/D(0) in descending order were R. pseudoacacia plantation, ginkgo plantation, citrus plantation, abandoned farmland, and shaddock plantation. No significant differences were found in the symmetry degree Df, the spectral width Da of the singular spectral function, and the single fractal dimension D among the abandoned farmland and different plantations. Slight water repellency was observed in the abandoned farmland and different plantations. The degree of water repellency in descending order was R. pseudoacacia plantation > ginkgo plantation > abandoned farmland > citrus plantation > shaddock plantation. Significant correlations were found between fractal parameters and water repellency, and fractal parameters were suitable potential indicators for soil water repellency.

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

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.

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

Sorbus domestica L. is a deciduous shrub-like tree in the Rosaceae family that reaches different heights (3–25 m). The service tree commonly grows in the Marmara region, Central and Western Black Sea regions, and Central Anatolia in Türkiye. The fruit of the service tree called Sorbus domestica, has an essential place in regards to human health in terms of its antioxidant values. The aroma components and phenolic compounds it contains display a variety of physiological traits. This study was carried out to determine the changes in the pomological characteristics and volatile compounds of Sorbus domestica L. fruits in the Tokat region at harvest and the consuming maturities in 2019 and 2020. The aroma extraction from the Sorbus fruits identified esters, alcohols, ketones, aldehydes, terpenes, and other volatile aroma compounds. As a result of the study, differences in aldehydes, esters, and terpene compounds were notable within the scope of the volatile aroma compounds. According to the obtained information, our results identified total aldehydes of 70.64%, esters of 7.49%, and terpenes of 21.35% in Sorbus domestica during the harvest maturity. When Sorbus fruits were left at room temperature until consuming for consumption was reached, the volatile compound rates varied which were 60.59% for the aldehydes, 22.49% for the esters, and 13.20% for the terpenes.

The paper explores the influence of global pandemic uncertainty (GPU) on food prices (FP) by using the mixed-frequency vector autoregression (MF-VAR) model. Empirical findings indicate that the influence of GPU on FP varies across different scenarios, exhibiting either positive, negative, or insignificant effects. A positive influence implies that GPU fuels panic-buying and stockpiling behaviours, thereby boosting food demand. Concurrently, disruptions in agricultural production and food export restrictions tighten the market supply, potentially pushing FP upwards. Conversely, a negative effect suggests that the global economic downturn and food safety anxieties stemming from pandemic-related uncertainty may dampen food demand, causing FP to decline. In some instances, FP remains unaffected mainly by GPU due to the competing pressures from adverse climate change risks on the food market. Notably, FP's predictive error variance decomposition underscores that the net impact of GPU on FP is stimulatory. This overall effect aligns with the inter-temporal capital asset pricing model (ICAPM), which posits a positive influence of GPU on FP. The findings recommend that consumers and investors diversify their food sources, while policymakers should bolster food supply chain resilience, promote sustainable agriculture, establish emergency reserves and coordinate aid.

The increasing global demand for energy and the negative environmental impacts of fossil fuel exploitation have driven interest in sustainable energy solutions, such as wood. The Russian Federation, as one of the world's largest pellet producers, has an opportunity to utilise pellets domestically. This study addresses the lack of publicly available life cycle assessment (LCA) studies on pellet production and utilisation in Russia, specifically examining the environmental impact of residential heat production from locally produced wood pellets. Utilising primary data from the Northwest region, the study follows ISO 14040 and 14044 standards and employs the ReCiPe 2016 (H) Midpoint v. 1.1 method to assess environmental impacts. The results indicate that the production of pellets is the dominant contributor to the global warming impact category, marine eutrophication, and fossil resource scarcity, while transportation has the least impact across all categories. Sensitivity analyses confirm the robustness of these findings, revealing that using natural gas for pellet drying increases emissions for global warming and fossil resource scarcity, and increasing transportation distance significantly raises emissions across all categories. The findings provide valuable insights for policymakers and stakeholders aiming to enhance the sustainability of similar bioenergy systems.

In this study, the influence of microclimatic conditions in different seasons of the year (including the hottest months) on the quantitative and qualitative characteristics of ejaculates of Czech Holstein bulls was assessed. Bulls were kept in the facility with no forced ventilation or air conditioning. To determine the influence, the temperature-humidity index (THI) was calculated based on the microclimatic parameters measured directly in the facility with the animals. Bull sperm was obtained using an artificial vagina on five occasions throughout the year, in different seasons of the year including the hottest months. Semen was assessed for its volume, sperm concentration, and motility by CASA, as well as cellular viability by using flow cytometry. In the present study no statistically significant positive correlations between values of THI and sperm degradation were observed. Obtained preliminary results give grounds to believe that Czech Holstein bulls produced high-quality sperm during the summer, the hottest months of the year.

Staphylococcus aureus is a zoonotic pathogen that can cause various diseases in both humans and animals. This experiment evaluates the antibacterial activity of extracts from Acer truncatum leaves against S. aureus, including the minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC), growth curve, and cell membrane integrity assessment, alongside the identification of the extract components by LC-MS. Results demonstrated that the MIC of the n-butanol extract from the ethanol extract of Acer truncatum leaves against S. aureus was 3.125 mg/ml, with a minimum bactericidal concentration (MBC) of 6.25 mg/ml. Over 16 h, the extracts at concentrations of 0.25 MIC, 0.5 MIC, and 1 MIC effectively inhibited S. aureus growth. The fluorescence staining revealed that the extracts at different concentrations compromised the structural integrity of the cell membrane. The LC-MS analysis identified the principal constituents of the extract as betaine (27.189%), 3,4-dihydroxymandelic acid (16.112%), quercitrin (14.768%), chlorogenic acid (8.778%) and neochlorogenic acid (4.452%). The study indicated that Acer truncatum leaf extract has good potential for application in natural antibacterial drugs.

The rapid growth of the food industry necessitates rigorous quality control, particularly in egg production. This study explores advanced methodologies for egg quality assessment by integrating the Principal Component Analysis (PCA), Linear Discriminant Analysis (LDA), and k-Nearest Neighbour (KNN) with machine vision techniques. While traditional destructive methods like measuring the Haugh unit (HU) offer direct insights, but render eggs unusable, non-destructive techniques, such as imaging and spectroscopy, allow continuous quality monitoring. Over a 20-day period, egg samples were evaluated using a digital camera to capture key parameters like the albumen and yolk heights. The study’s image processing involved noise reduction, feature extraction, and calibration. The PCA captured 90.18% of the data variability, while LDA achieved 100% classification accuracy, and KNN demonstrated 80% accuracy. These findings underscore the effectiveness of combining machine vision with statistical methods to enhance the egg grading accuracy, contributing to consumer safety and industry standards.

The investigation was aimed to evaluate the physical (total solids, melting rate, viscosity, and overrun) and sensory properties of vanilla gelato (VG) made by substituting soya curd (SC) for milk. Samples were VG without SC (F₀) and with SC, i.e. 25% (F₁), 50% (F₂), and 75% (F₃). Each sample criterion consisted of 5 repetitions (n = 20). Results showed that F₃ possessed the lowest total solids, viscosity, and overrun while its melting rate was the highest among other SC substitution levels (P < 0.05). The sensory test delineated that F₃ had a less soft texture, although its aroma and flavour were not different from others (P < 0.05). Thus, the greater portion of SC substitution for milk in the VGmaking process would substantially affect the physical properties of its final product in which the total solids, viscosity, and overrun were lower while the melting rate was higher. Substituting SC for milk in VG did not affect the sensory properties, except the texture. The higher SC amount used for milk substitution would result in VG with a less soft texture. SC at a certain level of substitution was potentially expected as an innovation of the phyto-gelato product, namely soy gelato.