Fulltext search in archive

The high plasticity, or the ability to differentiate into various cell types, and capacity to become both gametes of early-stage germ cells (eGCs) allows them to be used for the long-term storage and recovery of genetic information. In this study, species-specific protocols (isolation period, enzymatic separation solution, incubation period, appropriate cryoprotectant, and cryopreservation protocol) were established for the isolation and long-term preservation of Black Sea trout eGCs. In addition, the difference between the application of cryopreservation to the whole gonad tissue and to the enzymatically separated cells has been shown in terms of viability and the number of cells obtained. According to the cell count made from the histological sections of the testicular tissue throughout the year, the period with the highest concentration of eGCs in the tissue is between May and June. To identify the optimal enzymatic dissociation solution, we subjected testicular tissues to digestion using various combinations of trypsin (T) and collagenase (C) (0.3–0.5% T and 0.1–0.3% C). Our findings revealed that the 0.3% C provided the highest yield of viable cells (90.9%). We cryopreserved the enzymatically dissociated cells (EDCs) using six different cryoprotectants (Dimethyl sulfoxide, Glycerol, and CryoSOfree™, in both L-15 and phosphate-buffered saline – PBS mediums). Additionally, whole tissue exclusively with CryoSOfree™. After storing the samples at –152 °C for two years, the group of EDCs cryopreserved in L15+Glycerol exhibited the highest viability at 93.3%. Meanwhile, the whole tissue group yielded the greatest number of cells per ml after thawing, with a count of 33 210 000 cells. When considering both the viability (91.11%) and the number of cells obtained (33 210 000 cells/ml), the whole tissue cryopreservation group outperformed all the other methods.

Riparian vegetation plays a major role in maintaining biodiversity and reducing the negative impact of nutrient leaching into aquatic ecosystems. However, the knowledge on the interactions between riparian vegetation and other environmental factors is still incomplete for planning sustainable riparian forest management. The aim of this study was to explore interactions between riparian forest ecosystem components along a small stream. Interactions between vegetation structure, chemical composition of soil and groundwater, as well as chemical element flows via litterfall and precipitation were studied in seven 50 m long transects located in the riparian forest of different characteristics along a 1.4 km river section in the northern part of Latvia. Our results showed that throughfall input of total nitrogen (TN) and potassium (K) was higher in transects with predominantly deciduous tree stands, but the concentration of TN in forest floor was higher in coniferous tree stands. At some soil layers, a positive correlation between organic soil carbon (OC) and the concentration of TN in groundwater was detected. The concentration of TN and nitrate-nitrogen (N-NO₃^–) in groundwater correlated positively with the deciduous tree basal area. The obtained results suggested that element flows are strongly dependent on tree species' composition and a comparatively small riparian area is able to provide diverse ecological conditions.

The research was conducted at the Department of Agronomy and Agricultural Extension, Rajshahi University, from December 2021 to April 2022. The objective was to develop a fuzzy expert system for site-specific N fertilisation using leaf colour code (RGB) and irrigation frequencies for maize yield. The experiment encompassed two primary factors: nitrogen fertiliser application rates (N₁: 100%, N₂: 75%, N₃: 50% of conventional rates) and irrigation frequencies (I₁: 100%, I₂: 75%, I₃: 50% of pan evaporation). A completely randomised design (CRD) with three replications was used to arrange the experimental pots, each receiving recommended doses of phosphorus, potassium, and sulfur, with urea applied per treatment instructions. Results revealed significant chlorophyll content and grain yield differences among the various nitrogen fertiliser rates. The highest grain yield (219.27 g·pot^–1) was observed with N₁, whereas the lowest (186.6 g·pot^–1) was with N₃. Similarly, irrigation frequencies significantly influenced chlorophyll content and cob characteristics, with I₁ resulting in the highest grain yield (211.27 g·pot^–1) and I₃ the lowest (184.6 g·pot^–1). Furthermore, the interaction between fertiliser application rates and irrigation frequencies had notable effects on various parameters, leading to the highest grain yield of 227.62 g·pot^–1 with the combination of N₁ and I₁ and the lowest (168.00 g·pot^–1) with N₃ I₃. The agricultural experiments were facilitated using the Matlab fuzzy toolbox, employing the Mamdani inference method. Fuzzy rules were delineated for nitrogen application rates and irrigation frequencies, with three fuzzy sets each. Membership functions were developed utilising Matlab's fuzzy interface system (FIS) editor and membership function editor, optimising leaf chlorophyll content, evaporation rate as input tiger N fertilisation, and irrigation frequencies as output for precise maize production in Bangladesh.

Chilli anthracnose, incited by Colletotrichum capsici, is a major disease affecting the quality and quantity of chilli production. Farmers greatly depend on synthetic fungicides for the management of the disease. However, the extensive and non-judicious use of chemical fungicides resulted in the development of fungicide resistance in the pathogen and associated human and animal health risks. Piriformospora indica, a beneficial fungal root endophyte, has been employed as an efficient and safe biocontrol agent for managing bacterial, fungal and viral diseases and enhancing growth and yield. Hence, the present study was carried out to establish the protective role of P. indica against the chilli anthracnose incitant, C. capsici. The enzymes of phenylpropanoid pathway involved in this tripartite interaction were also studied. The study demonstrates that P. indica restricted C. capsici growth in dual culture with 57.22% mycelial inhibition on the 15th day after inoculation. P. indica ‒ colonized chilli plants showed a delay in disease development, and significantly reduced the incidence and severity of chilli anthracnose disease compared to the control plants. Higher activities of defence-related enzymes viz. peroxidase, phenylalanine ammonia-lyase, polyphenol oxidase, 4-coumaryl CoA ligase, cinnamyl alcohol dehydrogenase and total phenol in the P. indica ‒ colonised plants revealed that the endophyte early resistance of plants against further pathogen invasions. The present study revealed P. indica to be an efficient biocontrol agent against chilli anthracnose. The results showed that P. indica reduced the infection of C. capsici by direct antagonism, activation of enzymes involved in plant defence and enhanced growth in chilli plants.

Hokkaido brown bear (Ursus arctos yesoensis) meats are used as ingredients of game cuisines. In contrast, shank meats are unsuitable as edible meats due to gamy tastes and tough meats. Here, new meat sauces were developed using glutinous rice koji and food enzymes for the application of the underutilised meat i.e. shank meat. The proximate analysis showed that the obtained sauces were reduced-salt sauces at approximately 6.4–7.7 g·(100 g)^–1 as salt equivalent. The sauces had a light colour, no unacceptable odours, and strong sweetness and umami taste. The sauce with good sensory acceptability was rich in glutamic acid, leucine, lysine, and alanine. Besides, the essential amino acid contents were remarkably high at approximately 55.6%. In addition, the tested sauces had good antioxidative activities, scavenging activities against reactive oxygen species such as superoxide anion radicals and hydroxyl radicals, and angiotensin I-converting enzyme and hyaluronidase inhibitory activities. These results suggested that Hokkaido brown bear shank meat sauces, which had positive effects for human health, could be used as one of novel condiment with consumer demands.

This study compares soil temperature data collected between 2019 and 2022 in Hrušky, South Moravia, Czech Republic. Soil temperature was measured at five depths (5, 10, 20, 50, 100 cm) in the forest shelterbelt (windbreak) and at three distances from it to investigate the impact of the shelterbelt on the climatic conditions of adjacent field plots. In particular, monthly averages, calculated from average daily temperatures, were employed to characterise the temperature course. These are calculated as averages of measured temperatures at 15-minute intervals. Absolute and relative differences and, where appropriate, base indices, were calculated to facilitate the comparison of individual measurement points (sites) and soil depths. The soil temperature values and their dynamics during the year differ between the measurement point in the forest shelterbelt (90-0) and those in the field. Additionally, the field measurement points exhibit some degree of variation, with the more distant field measurement point (180-90) displaying distinct characteristics from the closer field measurement points (90-45, 90-90). During the winter months (December, January, February), the temperature increases with soil depth, being highest within the windbreak. In spring (February and March), the temperature at different soil depths starts to equalise; however, in April, the temperature decreases with soil depth. Throughout the summer, the measurement station within the windbreak has lower temperatures than in the field, where the soil shows higher temperatures at all depths compared to the windbreak measurement station. In August, the temperature differences in depth begin to equalise again. In September, the temperature trend reverses, and from October, the temperatures increase with soil depth, especially in the lower layers of the soil. The temperature trend in November has a more or less winter character. Soil temperatures in the forest shelterbelt are lower in the summer months and higher in the winter months than in the field. The protective effect of the windbreak is more pronounced at measurement stations closer to the belt, as the temperatures at the farthest field measurement station are higher in summer and lower in winter compared to the closer field measurement stations.

Abstract: To eliminate the unpleasant odour and produce more flavour, enzymatic hydrolysis with bromelain (Bro), papain (Pap), and Bro + Pap and boiled with maltose were applied in pig trotters. In this study, Pap, Bro, and a combination of Bro + Pap were dissolved in a saline solution to treat pig trotters. Results showed that the Bro + Pap treatment produced more amino acids, and the boiled + roasted with sugar of Bro + Pap treatment could significantly reduce aldehydes (nonanal and octanal) associated with the formation of off-flavour. Additionally, it increased the content of esters (ethyl propionate, ethyl isobutyrate, ethyl isovalerate, ethyl acetate, methyl acetate, and butyl acetate) in pig trotters, resulting in a more pleasing flavour. Electronic nose signals and sensory evaluation experiments further confirmed these findings. Moreover, the deodorising and aroma-enhancing process also improved their overall eating quality.

The commodity rice in Indonesia and the administration of rice fields are given particular focus by the government. Spraying activities are known to increase the risk of exposure to chemicals for farmers, resulting in a loss of working days for 3–7 days. It is necessary to carry out ergonomic interventions for spraying activities to make the activity safer for farmers. This research aims to identify the ergonomics and safety problems of spraying activities in rice field farming, to analyse and develop intervention parameters to solve issues in spraying activities, and to generate innovative design concepts to overcome spraying problems. Prospective users assign importance weights to the twelve functional requirements. The light sprayer has the highest weight, meaning users need a lightweight sprayer. The relationship between the customer and the functional requirements can be strong, moderate, weak, and zero (no ties). This relationship determines the technical importance of the rating. From the assessment of the relationship between the customer and the functional requirements, it can be seen which technical specifications should be prioritised for developing the product. An automated system is the technical specification that should be prioritised because it has the most significant weight on meeting the consumer needs.

To investigate the regulation mechanism of exogenous plant growth regulators on the sugar accumulation of ‘Fengtang’ plum fruits, and to provide theoretical support for improving the sugar content of ‘Fengtang’ plum fruits. The expression of fruit sugar fractions and related genes was determined by spraying different concentrations of exogenous  abscisic acid (ABA) and Gibberellic acid 3 (GA3) during the critical period of sugar accumulation in ‘Fengtang’ plum. The results showed that exogenous ABA treatment increased fruit soluble solids content, delayed the decline in fruit firmness, increased fruit sucrose and sorbitol content and decreased glucose and fructose content at 90 and 100 days after flowering, while exogenous GA3 treatment decreased fruit sorbitol and sucrose content and increased glucose and fructose content at 110 days after flowering; Exogenous ABA treatment significantly increased the expression of the fruit sugar transporter protein genes PsSWEET4 and PsSTP1 as well as the sucrose phosphate synthase genes PsSUS4 and PsSPS2 at 90 and 100 days after flowering, whereas exogenous GA3 treatment increased the expression of the neutral converting enzyme genes PsNINV1/3/4 at 90, 100, and 110 days after flowering to convert sucrose to fructose and glucose. The conclusion is that ABA increases fruit sugar content by increasing the expression of the fruit sugar transporter protein genes PsSWEET4 and PsSTP1 as well as the sucrose synthase genes PsSUS4 and PsSPS2, whereas GA3 decreases sugar accumulation and delays fruit ripening by decreasing the accumulation of sugar during ripening by increasing the expression of the neutral transforming enzyme genes PsNINV1/3/4 to break down sucrose into fructose and glucose.

The sustainability of the family business mirrors the business success and functionality of the family. Sustainability cannot be ensured without sufficient business profitability, solvency and financial stability. A company unable to pay its obligations on time is insolvent and, therefore, unhealthy. The paper’s main goal is to evaluate the impact of selected economic aspects on the sustainability of family farms in Slovakia. The Finstat database serves as the source of input data for the research. For the economic analysis of the family and non-family sets of companies, Grünwald's bonity index (GIB) was chosen for its universality. According to the Ministry of Economy of the Slovak Republic, family businesses can be considered less risky, especially considering the conservative way of management and the effort for long-term sustainability. However, the results of our research may differ. Family businesses show higher profitability of total and mainly equity capital but also low current liquidity and an undercapitalised state. The most increased non-credit current liquidity was achieved in family businesses in the pandemic years 2020 and 2021. The family businesses we monitored are more profitable than non-family businesses, they do not show an excessive increase in investments, and most of them seem to have a targeted and purposeful high level of short-term liabilities.

This case report follows a 10-year-old castrated male Miniature Schnauzer dog presented with a history of incomplete surgical resection of an oral malignant melanoma (amelanotic type) on the right mandible. Melanoma vaccine therapy was administered due to incomplete surgical resection, however, new masses were detected on the contralateral mandible and suspected pulmonary metastasis occurred at 2 weeks and 7 months, respectively, following the first melanoma vaccination. At the time of detecting the pulmonary metastasis, targeted chemotherapy was initiated with the owner’s consent using imatinib (10 mg/kg/day, p.o.), a tyrosine kinase inhibitor (TKI). The patient did not show any significant adverse events related to both anticancer treatments. Three months following the first dose of imatinib, the absence of the suspected pulmonary metastatic nodules on radiography indicated complete remission. In conclusion, this report describes the achievement of clinical remission of suspected pulmonary metastatic oral malignant melanoma and an extension of survival time in a dog given a combination treatment of immunotherapy and tyrosine kinase inhibitor.

Praziquantel (PZQ) is a drug effective against several parasitic diseases of fish caused by Platyhelminthes. The study assesses the efficacy of selected in-feed PZQ doses in eliminating metacercariae Diplostomum pseudospathaceum in grass carp. The fish were infected with D. pseudospathaceum in laboratory conditions and subsequently treated with PZQ at daily doses of 30 (PZQ1), 50 (PZQ2), and 100 (PZQ3) mg/kg bw for seven days. The treatment trial was followed by a 23-day observation period during which the fish were parasitologically examined on days 0, 2, 8 and 23. Smaller fish were infected with a significantly higher (P < 0.05) number of metacercariae than bigger fish among three weight groups as follows: up to 7 g > 7 to 12 g > 12 g. The in-feed PZQ at doses of 30, 50 and 100 mg/kg bw for seven days was 47%, 84% and 88% effective against metacercariae D. pseudospathaceum, respectively. A significant decrease (P < 0.01) in moving and an increase (P < 0.01) in the immotile metacercariae in the eye’s lens were recorded in all the trial groups on each sampling day. An increasing proportion of motile metacercariae in the post-treatment observation period was seen in PZQ2 and PZQ3, indicating a decreasing trend in the actual efficacy in an environment with no reinfection possibility.

The experiments were carried out on 5 different bioproducts for control of Verticillium longisporum in oilseed rape. For in vitro trials, greenhouse trials and field trials, the bioproducts used were based on bacteria (Bacillus amyloliquefaciens, Pseudomonas veronii) and fungi (Pythium oligandrum, Trichoderma asperellum, Coniothyrium minitans). In in vitro trials, some products (based on Trichoderma asperellum) showed a 100% inhibition effect on the pathogen for a whole trial period of 45 days. The greenhouse trial showed significant differences in bioproducts effectiveness (P < 0.00723) compared to control. Three bioproducts (based on Coniothyrium minitans, Trichoderma asperellum and Pseudomonas veronii) showed a 100% inhibition effect against the pathogen. In field trials conducted in 3 locations, there were some differences in yield, which can be important for growers and practice use. The highest yield (19.1% higher than the control) was achieved with a bioproduct based on Trichoderma asperellum. In trials, it is possible to see that there are promising results that can be used for further testing.

Olive mill wastewater (OMW) has serious environmental implications due to its high organic matter content, particularly its phenolic compounds. Using OMW in crop protection has been suggested as an environmentally friendly alternative to reduce the impact of chemical pesticides on human health and the environment. This study aimed to investigate the antifungal activity of fresh and stored OMW, as well as its ethyl acetate extract, against several phytopathogenic fungi: Syncephalastrum racemosum, Paramyrothecium roridum, Fusarium oxysporum, and Verticillium dahliae. OMW was stored at 25 °C and 45 °C for three months, and both fresh and stored OMW were used in non-sterile, sterile, and centrifuged conditions. Phenolic and flavonoid compounds were extracted and identified by high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) analysis. Results showed that fresh OMW and its derivative compounds significantly inhibited the studied fungi. In contrast, OMW storage, sterilization, and centrifugation increased the mycelium growth of the fungi, particularly S. racemosum, which demonstrated relative resistance to stored OMW and its ethyl acetate extract. During storage, some phenolic and flavonoid compounds disappeared (resorcinol and vanillic acid), while the concentration of others increased (gallic acid, chlorogenic acid, and quercetin). This work highlights the potential use of fresh OMW as a bio-agent to protect plants from fungal diseases.

This research aimed to optimise a pilot-scale formulation for seamless scale-up, considering critical variables such as the honey-to-maltodextrin ratio, temperature, and drying time. Employing response surface methodology with a central composite design approach, the investigation systematically assessed the impact of four key factors within predetermined upper and lower limits: honey volume (90–900 g % dry basis), maltodextrin (60–600 g), drying temperature (60–70 °C), and drying time (180–300 min). Subsequently, these factors were randomised and optimised using the Design Expert software system. The analysis of variance revealed the significant impact of each drying factor, their interactions, and squared squares on the honey-to-maltodextrin ratio, as well as the effects of drying temperature and time. Validation results underscored the model reliability, exhibiting narrow standard deviations ranging from 0.001% to 1.3%. These outcomes emphasise the efficacy of Response Surface Methodology (RSM) and Central Composite Design (CCD) in refining formulations, offering valuable insights into appropriate product development and a seamless scale-up process.

Ohmic heating is an emerging technology currently in high demand for application in various processes. In this research, a prototype of a multipurpose ohmic heating apparatus was successfully designed, fabricated, and tested. This apparatus was designed based on low-cost and versatile sensors and components available worldwide. Three independent chambers could be operated parallelly and individually with different treatments. Parameter data, i.e., voltage, electrical current, the temperature of heated material and environmental humidity-temperature, could be recorded by an embedded data logging system. The sensor had been tested and validated by comparing all the sensors used with commercial standard instruments. The result showed that all sensors had high measurement accuracy, indicated by very low mean absolute error (MAE) and mean absolute percentage error (MAPE), with R² > 0.999. The performance test revealed that product temperature could be accurately maintained according to the set point temperature with a deviation value lower than 0.1 °C. The data logging system was able to record and store the parameter data in SD card memory for up  to several days without interruption. The prototype of the ohmic heating apparatus could be  an effective alternative to process many purposes such as pasteurisation, cooking, warming, and fermentation based on the ohmic heating principle.

Sole biochar addition or exogenous melatonin application can decrease cadmium (Cd) toxicity in polluted soils and improve plant performance and growth. Yet the additive effects of biochar and melatonin application on plant growth, oxidative stress modulation and Cd absorption remain unclear. We conducted a pot experiment to study the combined effects of melatonin, biochar and Cd stress on pea (Pisum sativum L.) seedling growth, antioxidant enzyme activities, photosynthesis parameters and Cd uptake. Results showed that Cd addition significantly decreased pea growth, chlorophyll content, net photosynthesis rate (P_n), transpiration rate (T_r), stomatal conductance (g_s), and increased intercellular CO₂ concentration (c_i) and oxidant enzyme activities when compared to non-Cd contaminated treatment. Exogenous applications of the biochar or melatonin alone significantly decreased the harmful effects of Cd stress and promoted pea seedling growth. Moreover, soil remediation with biochar could more effectively improve pea growth, chlorophyll contents, and photosynthesis parameters and contribute to Cd immobilisation; the melatonin treatment alone could more effectively increase antioxidant enzyme activities. The treatments of biochar and melatonin showed an additive result and had the largest promoting in pea growth, antioxidant enzyme activities, and lowest Cd contents in pea tissue and soil. These results indicate that the combined use of melatonin and biochar is more effective at reducing Cd uptake by pea tissues and alleviating Cd harm to pea plants.

The impact of rhizosphere aeration on the composition of xylem sap in cucumber grown in soil was studied to determine its effects on (i) water and nutrient uptake, (ii) xylem transport, and (iii) amino acid synthesis in the roots. Plants grown under three different aeration conditions were subjected to progressive gas stress throughout the whole growth period. The shoot and root growth, xylem nitrate (NO₃^–) concentration, potassium (K⁺) concentration, xylem sap flow rate, and amino acid concentrations were higher in the Z1 treatment plants than in the control (CK) plants, and the former also showed a lower CO₂ (0.25–0.84%) and a higher O₂ (18.22–20.02%). However, the Z3 treatment plants exhibited decreased xylem loading of amino acids, NO₃^– concentrations, and K+ concentrations and a lower flow rate of xylem sap, which restricted shoot and root growth due to poor aeration caused by a higher CO₂ (0.75–3.68%) and a lower O₂ (11.51–18.6%). Furthermore, the xylem pH in these plants was lower by approximately 0.17 units, and the conductivity was decreased by approximately 0.31 mS/cm. Based on the observed results, the CO₂ and O₂ in the soil can potentially regulate root and shoot growth and the xylem sap composition in cucumber. Therefore, rhizosphere aeration is important for the vigorous growth of plants.

This study aimed to determine the effect of carob molasses pulp flour (CMP) at 5.0, 7.5, and 10.0% on the chemical composition and properties of eggless semolina pasta in terms of colour, nutritional value, cooking quality, and sensory properties. As presumed, carbohydrate and energy values of CMP-added pasta (carbohydrates 73.31–77.40%) were lower than the control (82.17%), whereas dietary fibre values were up to 4 times higher (8.18–12.60% vs. 3.71%). There was not a significant difference in the amount of fat (0.48–0.70%), optimum cooking time (6.56–7.06 min), or cooking loss (10.43–12.57%) of CMP-added pasta compared to the non-enriched counterpart (P > 0.05). All formulations were sufficient in terms of sensory properties; colour shift occurred in the direction from standard yellow to the dark brown area. The results showed that even the maximal tested dosage of the CMP equal to 10.0% could produce pasta with satisfying overall quality.

In modern agriculture, nano-priming represents an innovative approach, harnessing the power of nanotechnology to enhance crop yields and nutrition. However, to effectively harness the potential of nanoparticles (NPs) for agriculture applications, understanding their mode of action and optimal application rates for positive effects on microgreen growth and physiology is critical. In this interdisciplinary study, we investigated the priming of sunflower seeds with a range of concentrations (25, 50, and 100 mg/L) of ferric oxide (Fe₂O₃) nanoparticles (FeNPs) and compared them with control samples. Our findings revealed a significant increase in plant biomass, leaf size, and photosynthetic activity in treated samples. The activities of photosystems I and II increased with higher FeNPs concentration. The treated samples exhibited elevated levels of total phenolics, anthocyanin, and antioxidant enzyme activity, along with increased macronutrients and micronutrients. These findings highlight the potential of FeNPs as a promising tool for enhancing plant growth and physiology in sunflower microgreens.

The purpose of this study was to evaluate the application of biostimulation and bioventing for the treatment of crude oil-contaminated soils. The research needed to check how various industrial biostimulants will perform in the treatment of contaminated soils and whether or not there is a synergetic effect that has to do with the stimulant composition. Soil samples used for this study were collected from South Africa. The soil samples were air-dried for 24 h and subsequently passed through a standard sieve of 2 mm screen. The soil consists of 79.32% sand (2.00–0.02 mm), 14.71% silt (0.02–0.002 mm) and 5.97% clay (< 0.002 mm). A microcosm system containing 1 kg of soil contaminated with crude oil (5% w/w) for biostimulation (BSTc) treatment was amended with varying ratios of municipal wastewater (MWW) and brewery wastewater (BWW) to investigate the possible synergy. The bioventing (BVTc) treatment involves the supply of atmospheric air to the bioreactors through the vadose zone for 30mins flow duration every 48 h intervals at ambient condition for 28 days. The BSTc and BVTc treatments recorded 48–58% and 54–75% total petroleum hydrocarbon (TPH) removal efficiencies, respectively, as the BWW amendment noted appreciable removal compared to MWW, while the control treatment recorded 35%. The result showed that the attempt to boost the TPH removal efficiency using the bioventing with the wastewater amendment was effective, as the presence of enough oxygen in the system resuscitated the activities of the microbial community for enhanced TPH biodegradation. This study inferred that combined bioventing and biostimulation techniques proved to be an effective bioremediation strategy for the treatment of crude oil contaminated soils and could serve as a vital tool towards the mitigation of pollution aftermath faced by communities involved in oil production and/or processing activities.

The advances in the production traits of Oreochromis niloticus are due to the development of genetically superior broodstock animals. Understanding the genetic variability of fish stocks is crucial to any animal breeding program. The aim of this study was to perform a meta-analysis of genetic parameters that considers the variability between studies for economically important traits in the Nile tilapia (Oreochromis niloticus) production. The final dataset from literature review contained 226 estimates of heritability and 53 estimates of genetic correlation across 37 peer-reviewed articles published between 2002 and 2022. Weighted genetic parameter estimates were obtained by fitting a random effect model for all traits studied. Heterogeneity across studies were assessed using the Q statistic and I² index. Heritability estimates ranged from low to moderate magnitude, indicating that a greater response to selection is expected for body length (0.37), body weight (0.29), body width (0.28), and daily weight gain (0.28), compared to the other traits, body height (0.25) and fillet yield (0.19). Genetic correlations ranged from moderate to high magnitude (0.47 to 0.94), which suggests that part of expression of traits is regulated by the same gene groups. The meta-analysis study provided reliable genetic parameter estimates and these findings may be served as the baseline reference for new Nile tilapia (Oreochromis niloticus) breeding programs.

This study was practical work in a commercial beef cattle enterprise to offer beef producers different options in a total mixed ration (TMR) design. This study was conducted to determine the effects of withdrawing maize silage from TMR during the finishing period on weight gain, carcass yield and beef quality of meat in beef cattle. Fifty-two Holstein Friesian x Belgian Blue crossbred bulls were used in this study for 126 days. These bulls were divided into four feeding methods described as (i) no maize silage in TMR (C1), (ii) maize silage was withdrawn from TMR two months before slaughter (S1), (iii) maize silage was withdrawn from TMR one month before slaughter (S2), and (iv) maize silage was included in TMR until slaughter (C2). Results showed that the fattening performance of experimental bulls was not affected by treatments, except some colour parameters of the muscle. Also, its chemical composition, pH, water holding capacity, drip loss, thawing loss, cooking loss, shear force, thiobarbituric acid reactive substances and radical scavenging activity were not affected by treatments. To conclude, the withdrawal of maize silage from TMR did not affect fattening performance and meat quality, suggesting that there is no need to withdraw maize silage from TMR during the finishing period of fattening in beef cattle.

Weed control and replenishing soil moisture and fertility are important areas in fruit production. The number of studies focused to determine whether living mulches in tree rows can fulfil these tasks increases recently. In the paper the results of an 11-year experiment on the effect of two such mulches (Trifolium repens L. and Agrostis capillaris L.) on the growth, yield, and fruit quality of three pear cultivars (‘Alfa’, ‘Dolores’, ‘Amfora’) in relation to herbicide fallow are presented. In the experiment, a single sowing of covering plants without additional treatments was used. A statistically significant reduction in yield (20–22%) was found for both mulches used, which was related to weakening the vegetative growth of trees. The average fruit mass did not change significantly, but the percent share of large fruits increased significantly (about 17%) in the A. capillaris mulch. Fruits from trees growing in T. repens contained significantly more soluble solids and Ca. However, that mulch became heavily infested with weeds after a few years. The obtained results allow us to recommend the use of the living mulch A. capillaris in the tree rows of a commercial pear orchard. The ‘Dolores’ and ‘Amfora’ cvs are particularly recommended.

Drosophila suzukii poses a significant threat to berry fruits with its uncontrolled spread. Essential oils (EOs) have emerged as potential bioinsecticides due to their natural origin, mode of action, and biodegradability. Although EOs show potential for use in agriculture due to ecotoxicologically favourable characteristics, additional research is required to enhance their effectiveness, stability, and application for practical implementation in pest management. The primary objective of this research was the development of a bioinsecticide formulation based on a combination of three EOs – Pelargonium graveolens, Anethum graveolens, and Pinus sylvestris followed by the assessment of formulated bioinsecticide physicochemical properties. Using a two-choice bioassay, this study aimed to evaluate the effects of formulated bioinsecticides on D. suzukii, regarding their insecticidal properties through oviposition deterrence. The developed formulation exhibited favourable physicochemical properties and demonstrated a decrease in the number of larvae in fruits. Bioinsecticides present an environmentally friendly approach to pest control. However, further research and development are imperative to fully exploit their potential for effective crop protection in the field, followed by comprehensive research to evaluate the potential side effects on natural enemies, ensuring that their implementation doesn't harm beneficial organisms and maintain ecological equilibrium.

The agricultural production in China is gradually transitioning from extensive agriculture to green agriculture. In this context, identifying the driving factors and dimensions of farmers’ green production behaviour can contribute to promoting sustainable agricultural development. Existing studies lack investigation into the identification of driving factors and dimensions of green production behaviour among farmers of different scales. This study examined 1 142 farm households from five major grain-producing provinces in the North China Plain in 2019. We employed probit-ISM (interpretive structural modelling) models to analyse the driving factors of green production behaviour among farmers of different scales and identify dimensional differences. The study concluded the following: i) Personal characteristics, household characteristics, operational characteristics, social network characteristics, organisational characteristics, and cognitive characteristics were factors driving green production behaviour among small-scale farmers. However, social network characteristics and organisational characteristics had insignificant effects on green production behaviour among large-scale farmers. ii) Personal characteristics, number of agricultural workers, scale of operation, degree of land fragmentation, and whether relatives and friends are civil servants were the deep-rooted factors driving farmers’ green production behaviour. Part-time farming status, proportion of grain income, types of agricultural machinery, relationship with local farm machinery operators, and organisational characteristics were middle indirect factors. Cognitive characteristics represented the direct surface factors. This study can provide crucial information for government departments, which formulate differentiated policies to promote green production behaviour among farmers of different scales.

Agribusiness is currently faced with the challenge of providing sufficient quality food for a growing population with limited natural resources. Egg production, as an important source of nutrition, is a dynamically developing sector of livestock production on a global scale. Simultaneously, the increasing public and legal considerations of animal welfare affect egg-producing operations. This paper aims to provide insight into missing evidence in the trade-offs between animal welfare and efficiency in egg-producing farms in the Czech Republic and the European Union. Detailed data were gathered on the extent of the enriched cage and indoor cage-free housing systems (aviaries/barns) among the main 30 Czech table-egg-producers. Original micro data enlarged the information on table-egg producers collected using the Orbis database. For the efficiency analysis at the EU level, data on the housing systems were obtained from Eurostat and combined with aggregated data from the Orbis database. A robust data envelopment analysis was applied which benefits from including animal-welfare variables directly into the efficiency evaluation. The results showed a negative, but statistically insignificant, relationship between the animal welfare and efficiency of the egg producers for the Czech Republic table-egg producers as well as those on the EU-country level.

This study investigates peer effects and agglomeration impacts on the cost efficiency of South Korean rice farms using a five-year panel dataset of production costs. We employed a time-varying stochastic frontier cost function approach to estimate cost efficiency and a linear-in-means model to quantify peer influences. The findings underscore peer effects as central to understanding and enhancing farm productivity, particularly in rice farming regions. Both specialisation and diversity of agglomeration positively influenced efficiency, with specialisation having a larger impact. Peer effects were stronger in highly rice-specialised areas. These findings indicate the necessity of incorporating peer influences and regional specialisation in agricultural policymaking for productivity enhancement. A nuanced, evidence-based approach leveraging peer dynamics and agglomeration economies is advocated to boost the efficiency of farming practices.

Temperature is a key parameter that influences the uptake and subsequent utilization of nitrogen by plants. Both suboptimal and supraoptimal temperatures can impair nutrient uptake. The close relatives of bread wheat provide a possible source for breeders to increase stress tolerance. The effect of the increasing temperature (5, 10, 15, 20 and 30 °C) on nitrate uptake and metabolism in five modern spring cultivars of bread wheat (Triticum aestivum L.) and two cultivars of emmer wheat (Triticum dicoccon Schrank), was monitored. Wheat plants were grown under controlled conditions in hydroponics. The parameters of Michaelis-Menten kinetics, maximum uptake rate (V_max), the Michaelis constant (K_m) and selected characteristics of nitrate metabolism, the activity of nitrate reductase (NR) and contents of nitrate in leaves were observed. The effect of temperature was significant for all studied traits except K_m, while the cultivar factor was significant for V_max, K_m, NR and root/shoot ratio (R/S). Emmer wheat cultivar Rudico had significantly higher V_max at 5, 15, 20 and 30 °C than all bread wheat cultivars, on average 7.07, in comparison with 4.09–4.43 μmol NO₃^–/g FW/h in bread wheat cultivars. Emmer wheat Rudico and Tapiruz had significantly higher K_m (on average, 41.59 and 47.22 μM NO₃^–) than bread wheat cultivars (27.59–33.44 μM NO₃^–). Differences in the studied kinetic parameters of nitrate uptake offer the possibility of using T. dicoccon genotypes in breeding for better nitrogen use efficiency.

In the study, the effects of 0, 100, 200 and 400 ppm spray applications of GA3 on root and above-ground parts of ‘Jan Reus’, ‘Bloody Mary’ and ‘Yokohama’ tulip cultivars were determined. According to the results, on the development of plant upper part properties, 200 ppm in ‘Jan Reus’ and ‘Yokohama’ and 100 ppm in ‘Bloody Mary’ were the most effective applications. Again, the least increases in upper part properties were obtained from the control plants in ‘Jan Reus’ and ‘Bloody Mary’, and from the 100 ppm application in ‘Yokohama’. While 100 ppm was the most effective application in ‘Jan Reus’ and ‘Yokohama’ in terms of root development, the effect of the applications in ‘Bloody Mary’ was lower than the control. The application that least increased root development was determined as 400 ppm in ‘Jan Reus’ and 200 ppm in ‘Bloody Mary’ and ‘Yokohama’. Root growth was found to be negatively related to GA3 content. High GA3 is thought to negatively affect overall root growth, possibly by suppressing the effect of auxin. It is assumed that GA3 produced by the plant itself may be sufficient for root development or may be effective at much lower dose applications. On the other hand, it has been determined that the effects of GA3 application vary depending on the variety. According to these results, it is recommended to apply it at a dose of 200 ppm to ensure flowering by providing cooling in tulip cultivars and cut flower cultivation. High doses of GA3 are not recommended for root development.