bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Zebrafish as a robust preclinical platform for screening plant-derived drugs with anticonvulsant properties—a review
Authors: Knap Bartosz , Nieoczym Dorota , Kundap Uday , Kusio-Targonska Kamila , Kukula-Koch Wirginia , Turski Waldemar A. , Gawel Kinga
Published: August 2023

Traditionally, selected plant sources have been explored for medicines to treat convulsions. This continues today, especially in countries with low-income rates and poor medical systems. However, in the low-income countries, plant extracts and isolated drugs are in high demand due to their good safety profiles. Preclinical studies on animal models of seizures/epilepsy have revealed the anticonvulsant and/or antiepileptogenic properties of, at least some, herb preparations or plant metabolites. Still, there is a significant number of plants known in traditional medicine that exert anticonvulsant activity but have not been evaluated on animal models. Zebrafish is recognized as a suitable in vivo model of epilepsy research and is increasingly used as a screening platform. In this review, the results of selected preclinical studies are summarized to provide credible information for the future development of effective screening methods for plant-derived antiseizure/antiepileptic therapeutics using zebrafish models. We compared zebrafish vs. rodent data to show the translational value of the former in epilepsy research. We also surveyed caveats in methodology. Finally, we proposed a pipeline for screening new anticonvulsant plant-derived drugs in zebrafish (“from tank to bedside and back again”).
Intravitreal methotrexate in type B lymphoblastic leukemia—Case Report
Authors: Maya Naranjo Maria Isabel , Vallejo López Sebastián , Mesa Mesa Sara , Ortiz Pérez Mónica , López Posada Mariana , Gaviria Bravo Martha Lía , González Alviar María Elena
Published: August 2023

Leukemia is a common neoplasia that, in its progress, can have ocular involvement due to direct infiltration or secondary to hematological alterations typical of the disease. These findings are consistent with an involvement of the central nervous system and are thus related to the prognosis. Despite the existing systemic therapies, there needs to be more literature that shows the treatment in the ocular involvement of this disease. A case report of a child with ocular involvement due to treatment-refractory acute lymphoblastic leukemia, successfully managed with intravitreal methotrexate, is presented.
Disitamab Vedotin (RC48) combined with bevacizumab for treatment of HR-negative/HER2-positive metastatic breast cancer with liver and brain involvement: A case report
Authors: Qu Fei , Liu Qian , Lu Rongrong , Li Wei
Published: August 2023

Background

The overexpression of human epidermal growth factor receptor 2 (HER2) is strongly correlated with an elevated risk of developing distant metastases, particularly brain metastases, in breast cancer (BC) cases. RC48 (also known as Disitamab vedotin), represents a promising antibody-drug conjugate (ADC), that comprises three well-defined components: hertuzumab against the prominent tumor target-HER2, monomethyl auristatin E (MMAE) and a cleavable linker. Preclinical studies have demonstrated its robust antitumor activity in BC patient-derived xenograft models with HER2-positive or HER2-low expression. Additionally, antiangiogenic drugs like bevacizumab have shown potential efficacy on advanced BC via inhibiting pathological neovascularizationits.

Case presentation

Here, we will share our experience in treating a 49-year-old woman initially diagnosed with stage IV breast cancer characterized by hormone receptor (HR)-negativity and HER2-positivity. This complex case entailed brain and liver metastases, and the patient exhibited resistance to various HER2-targeted treatment regimens. Finally, the patient received RC48 plus bevacizumab as the advanced forth-line treatment, which was well tolerated with no observed toxicities. Subsequent radiological assessments revealed remarkable regression in the brain metastatic lesions, classified as having partial response based on the RECIST 1.1 system. The period of progression-free survival (PFS) was 7 months.

Conclusion

The present study underscores the efficacy of systemic treatment with RC48 in conjunction, showcasing substantial enhancement in both radiographic indicators and clinical symptomatology among patients with brain metastatic breast cancer (BMBC). More specifically, the sequential application of ADCs in combination with antiangiogenics presents a novel avenue for advancing the treatment landscape of metastatic BC.
The tomato chloroplast stromal proteome compendium elucidated by leveraging a plastid protein-localization prediction Atlas
Authors: Bhattacharya Oindrila , Ortiz Irma , Hendricks Nathan , Walling Linda L.
Published: August 2023

Tomato (Solanum lycopersicum) is a model species for studying fruit development, wounding, herbivory, and pathogen attack. Despite tomato’s world-wide economic importance and the role of chloroplasts as metabolic hubs and integrators of environmental cues, little is known about the stromal proteome of tomato. Using a high-yielding protocol for chloroplast and stromal protein isolation, MudPIT nano-LC-MS/MS analyses, a robust in-house protein database (the Atlas) for predicting the plastid localization of tomato proteins, and rigorous selection criteria for inclusion/exclusion in the stromal proteome, we identified 1,278 proteins of the tomato stromal proteome. We provide one of the most robust stromal proteomes available to date with empirical evidence for 545 and 92 proteins not previously described for tomato plastids and the Arabidopsis stroma, respectively. The relative abundance of tomato stromal proteins was determined using the exponentially modified protein abundance index (emPAI). Comparison of the abundance of tomato and Arabidopsis stromal proteomes provided evidence for the species-specific nature of stromal protein homeostasis. The manual curation of the tomato stromal proteome classified proteins into ten functional categories resulting in an accessible compendium of tomato chloroplast proteins. After curation, only 91 proteins remained as unknown, uncharacterized or as enzymes with unknown functions. The curation of the tomato stromal proteins also indicated that tomato has a number of paralogous proteins, not present in Arabidopsis, which accumulated to different levels in chloroplasts. As some of these proteins function in key metabolic pathways or in perceiving or transmitting signals critical for plant adaptation to biotic and abiotic stress, these data suggest that tomato may modulate the bidirectional communication between chloroplasts and nuclei in a novel manner. The stromal proteome provides a fertile ground for future mechanistic studies in the field of tomato chloroplast-nuclear signaling and are foundational for our goal of elucidating the dynamics of the stromal proteome controlled by the solanaceous-specific, stromal, and wound-inducible leucine aminopeptidase A of tomato.
Phenotypic evolution in durum wheat (Triticum durum Desf.) based on SNPs, morphological traits, UPOV descriptors and kernel-related traits
Authors: Marzario Stefania , Sica Rita , Taranto Francesca , Fania Fabio , Esposito Salvatore , De Vita Pasquale , Gioia Tania , Logozzo Giuseppina
Published: August 2023

Durum wheat is a worldwide staple crop cultivated mainly in the Mediterranean basin. Progress in durum wheat breeding requires the exploitation of genetic variation among the gene pool enclosed in landraces, old cultivars and modern cultivars. The aim of this study was to provide a more comprehensive view of the genetic architecture evolution among 123 durum wheat accessions (41 landraces, 41 old cultivars and 41 modern cultivars), grown in replicated randomized complete block in two areas, Metaponto (Basilicata) and Foggia (Apulia), using the Illumina iSelect 15K wheat SNP array and 33 plant and kernel traits including the International Union for the Protection of new Varieties of Plants (UPOV) descriptors. Through DAPC and Bayesian population structure five groups were identified according to type of material data and reflecting the genetic basis and breeding strategies involved in their development. Phenotypic and genotypic coefficient of variation were low for kernel width (6.43%) and for grain protein content (1.03%). Highly significant differences between environments, genotypes and GEI (Genotype x Environment Interaction) were detected by mixed ANOVAs for agro-morphological-quality traits. Number of kernels per spike (h2 = 0.02) and grain protein content (h2 = 0.03) were not a heritability character and highly influenced by the environment. Nested ANOVAs revealed highly significant differences between DAPC clusters within environments for all traits except kernel roundness. Ten UPOV traits showed significant diversity for their frequencies in the two environments. By PCAmix multivariate analysis, plant height, heading time, spike length, weight of kernels per spike, thousand kernel weight, and the seed related traits had heavy weight on the differentiation of the groups, while UPOV traits discriminated moderately or to a little extent. The data collected in this study provide useful resources to facilitate management and use of wheat genetic diversity that has been lost due to selection in the last decades.
Beneficial microbial consortium improves winter rye performance by modulating bacterial communities in the rhizosphere and enhancing plant nutrient acquisition
Authors: Behr Jan Helge , Kampouris Ioannis D. , Babin Doreen , Sommermann Loreen , Francioli Davide , Kuhl-Nagel Theresa , Chowdhury Soumitra Paul , Geistlinger Joerg , Smalla Kornelia , Neumann Günter , Grosch Rita
Published: August 2023

The beneficial effect of microbial consortium application on plants is strongly affected by soil conditions, which are influenced by farming practices. The establishment of microbial inoculants in the rhizosphere is a prerequisite for successful plant-microorganism interactions. This study investigated whether a consortium of beneficial microorganisms establishes in the rhizosphere of a winter crop during the vegetation period, including the winter growing season. In addition, we aimed for a better understanding of its effect on plant performance under different farming practices. Winter rye plants grown in a long-time field trial under conventional or organic farming practices were inoculated after plant emergence in autumn with a microbial consortium containingPseudomonassp. (RU47),Bacillus atrophaeus(ABi03) andTrichoderma harzianum(OMG16). The density of the microbial inoculants in the rhizosphere and root-associated soil was quantified in autumn and the following spring. Furthermore, the influence of the consortium on plant performance and on the rhizosphere bacterial community assembly was investigated using a multidisciplinary approach. Selective plating showed a high colonization density of individual microorganisms of the consortium in the rhizosphere and root-associated soil of winter rye throughout its early growth cycle. 16S rRNA gene amplicon sequencing showed that the farming practice affected mainly the rhizosphere bacterial communities in autumn and spring. However, the microbial consortium inoculated altered also the bacterial community composition at each sampling time point, especially at the beginning of the new growing season in spring. Inoculation of winter rye with the microbial consortium significantly improved the plant nutrient status and performance especially under organic farming. In summary, the microbial consortium showed sufficient efficacy throughout vegetation dormancy when inoculated in autumn and contributed to better plant performance, indicating the potential of microbe-based solutions in organic farming where nutrient availability is limited.
Health concerns about possible long-term effects of legally marketed milk and dairy from animals with intramammary infections
Authors: Schadt Iris
Published: August 2023

Milk and dairy from animals with subclinical mastitis infections are marketable. Mastitis is detected with the somatic cell count (SCC). The EU regulation, among the stricter ones, limits an average of 400,000 somatic cells/ml in milk. Other countries have higher or no thresholds. This level suggests 40% of infected animals, and we indeed consume mastitic milk and dairy. A worldwide prevalence of dairy cattle and buffaloes with subclinical mastitis is estimated to range between 34 and 46%. The current food safety regulations account for mastitis pathogens, their toxins, and the risk of antimicrobial residues, but milk from animals with mastitis contains also compounds that derive from an immune response and inflammation process with biological function for the offspring. To the best of the current knowledge, it cannot be excluded that these compounds do not interfere with human homeostasis and that they do not contribute to redox or cytokine dysregulation that, in turn, could promote certain chronic diseases. These compounds include radicals, oxidation products, nitrosamines, and proinflammatory cytokines with nitrosamines being already recognized as probable carcinogens. Mastitis also alters the composition of caseins, plasmin, and plasminogen activators, which may be related to increased transformation into amyloid with similar characteristics as the fibrils associated with Alzheimer's disease. We should determine whether these bioactive compounds could, alone or in combination, represent any long-term risk to the consumer's health. Adapted regulations and concomitant subsidies for farmers are suggested, for sensing tools that reveal individual SCC and mastitis at milking. Frequent SCC determination is the prerequisite for any mastitis control program.
A 3-to-5 V Input, 80 Peak-to-Peak Voltage (Vpp) Output, 2.75% Total Harmonic Distortion Plus Noise (THD+N), 2.9 μF Load Piezoelectric Actuator Driver with Four-Switch Buck–Boost
Authors: Ye Rui , Chen Junbiao , Dong Shuxiang , Li Bing
Published: August 2023

As human–computer interaction has become increasingly popular, haptic technology has become a research topic of great interest, since vibration perception, as a type of haptic feedback, can enhance user experience during an interaction. However, the high power consumption of existing drivers makes them unsuitable for use in portable devices. In this paper, a bidirectional four-switch buck–boost converter (FSBBC) and Proportional–Integral (PI)–Proportional (P) feedback control are proposed to implement a driver in a high-capacitance piezoelectric actuator which is capable of recovering the energy stored in the high-capacitance load and increasing efficiency. The FSBBC offers an extended input voltage range, rendering significant technological advantages in diverse applications such as automobiles, laptops, and smartphones. By implementing specific control strategies, the FSBBC not only outperforms conventional buck–boost converters in boosting performance, but also ensures that the output and input voltages retain the same polarity. This effectively addresses the polarity inversion challenge inherent to traditional buck–boost circuits. Within the FSBBC, the significant reduction in voltage stress endured by the MOSFET effectively minimizes system costs and size and enhances reliability. The proposed system was simulated in Simulink, which was combined with testing on a field-programmable gate array (FPGA). The driver is capable of driving capacitors of up to 2.9 μF, with 80 Vpp output and 2.75% total harmonic distortion (THD) observed in the test.
Elevating South Africa’s Entrepreneurial Activity in the Fourth Industrial Revolution Era
Authors: Ssekitoleko Patrick , Dhliwayo Shepherd
Published: August 2023

The objective of this research is to appraise the level of entrepreneurial activity in South Africa and to identify the challenges to implementation of the fourth industrial revolution (4IR) that obstruct the leveraging of 4IR technologies to boost entrepreneurial activity in the country. A conceptual exploratory literature review approach was applied. This study’s results show that a high unemployment rate, the quality of entrepreneurial support initiatives, physical infrastructure, enterprise funds and increased economic freedom are enablers of entrepreneurial activity in South Africa. High data costs, poor digital technological preparedness, an unreliable energy supply, data protection and cyber security risks, among other factors, were identified as obstacles to 4IR implementation. We, therefore, recommend a 4IR fund, mandatory data price laws, proactive policing, further public–private partnerships, enhancement of whistle-blower protection laws, among others, as solutions to buoy entrepreneurial activity through application of 4IR technologies. These results signal the need to ensure a synchronized effort by all relevant spheres of government to address the 4IR implementation challenges and enhance entrepreneurial activity for South Africa’s economy.
“I Can Do Anything if I’ve Overcome That”: A Collaborative Case Study of an Adolescent with Symptoms of Lyme Disease in Canada
Authors: Ciotti Sarah , Moore Shannon A. , Tardif-Williams Christine
Published: August 2023

This qualitative case study explored the experiences of one Canadian adolescent with symptom-persistent Lyme disease. Lyme disease is the most prevalent vector-borne illness in North America, and infection rates are rising across Canada. Peak incidence occurs in children aged 5–9 years, making it a significant childhood infectious disease. This involves collaboration with an adolescent with symptom-persistent Lyme disease in Canada to address a gap in the literature. This empirical research was guided by the central research question: “What is the experience of an adolescent with symptom-persistent Lyme disease in Canada?” The purpose of this study was to understand the unique experiences of symptom-persistent Lyme disease in Canada by emphasizing one adolescent’s unique voice. The findings of this case study demonstrate the challenges this adolescent faced in receiving appropriate diagnosis and treatment for Lyme disease, pointing to a need for increased awareness among health professionals regarding the impact and prevalence of tick-borne illnesses for young people, their caregivers, and their healthcare providers. Additional findings suggest that collaborative healthcare may be beneficial for patients with symptom-persistent Lyme disease, and health researchers should continue to engage young people to ensure accurate representation of their experiences.
LoRa-Based Low-Cost Nanosatellite for Emerging Communication Networks in Complex Scenarios
Authors: Parada Raúl , Monzon Baeza Victor , Barraca-Ibort David N. , Monzo Carlos
Published: August 2023

Wireless broadband coverage has reached 95% worldwide. However, its trend is expected to stay the same in the following years, presenting challenges for scenarios such as remote villages and their surrounding environments. Inaccessibility to these areas for installing terrestrial base stations is the main challenge to bridge the connectivity gap. In addition, there are emergencies, for instance, earthquakes or war areas, that require a fast communication reaction by developing networks that are less susceptible to disruption. Therefore, we propose a low-cost, green-based nanosatellite system to provide complete coverage in hard-to-reach areas using long-range communication. The system comprises a pilot station, a base station, and a CubeSat with sensor data collector capabilities acting as a repeater. Our system can be built within hours with a 3D printer using common material, providing a flexible environment where components can be replaced freely according to user requirements, such as sensors and communication protocols. The experiments are performed in Spain by two test sets validating the communication among all components, with RSSI values below −148 dBm and the longest distance above 14 km. We highlight the reduction in the environmental impact of this proposal using a balloon-based launch platform that contributes to sustainable development.
Environmental and Human Health Hazards from Chlorpyrifos, Pymetrozine and Avermectin Application in China under a Climate Change Scenario: A Comprehensive Review
Authors: Tudi Muyesaier , Yang Linsheng , Wang Li , Lv Jia , Gu Lijuan , Li Hairong , Peng Wei , Yu Qiming (Jimmy) , Ruan Huada (Daniel) , Li Qin , Sadler Ross , Connell Des
Published: August 2023

Chlorpyrifos has been used extensively for decades to control crop pests and disease-transmitting insects; its contribution to increasing food security and minimizing the spread of diseases has been well documented. Pymetrozine and Avermectin (also known as abamectin) have been used to replace the toxic organophosphate insecticides (e.g., Chlorpyrifos) applied to rice crops in China, where the overuse of pesticides has occurred. In addition, climate change has exacerbated pesticide use and pollution. Thus, farmers and communities are at risk of exposure to pesticide pollution. This study reviews the contamination, exposure, and health risks through environmental and biological monitoring of the legacy pesticide Chlorpyrifos and currently used insecticides Pymetrozine and Avermectin in China; it investigates whether changes in pesticide usage from Chlorpyrifos to Pymetrozine and Avermectin reduce pesticide contamination and health hazards to communities and residents. In addition, this review discusses whether Pymetrozine and Avermectin applications could be recommended in other countries where farmers largely use Chlorpyrifos and are exposed to high health risks under climate change scenarios. Although Chlorpyrifos is now banned in China, farmers and residents exposed to Chlorpyrifos are still experiencing adverse health effects. Local farmers still consider Chlorpyrifos an effective pesticide and continue to use it illegally in some areas. As a result, the concentration levels of Chlorpyrifos still exceed risk-based thresholds, and the occurrence of Chlorpyrifos with high toxicity in multiple environmental routes causes serious health effects owing to its long-term and wide application. The bioaccumulation of the currently used insecticides Pymetrozine and Avermectin in the environment is unlikely. Pymetrozine and Avermectin used in paddy water and soil for crop growth do not pose a significant hazard to public health. A change in pesticide use from Chlorpyrifos to Pymetrozine and Avermectin can reduce the pesticide contamination of the environment and health hazards to communities and residents. Finally, we recommend Pymetrozine and Avermectin in other countries, such as Vietnam, and countries in Africa, such as Ghana, where farmers still largely use Chlorpyrifos.
Potentially Toxic Elements: A Review on Their Soil Behavior and Plant Attenuation Mechanisms against Their Toxicity
Authors: Thalassinos Georgios , Petropoulos Spyridon A. , Grammenou Aspasia , Antoniadis Vasileios
Published: August 2023

The presence of potentially toxic elements (PTEs) can induce phytotoxicity and growth inhibition in plants. These elements are bioaccumulated and biomagnified in the food chain due to their high stability and resistance to biodegradation. The availability and mobility of PTEs in soil depend on certain physicochemical procedures. Many scientific studies on PTEs have provided valuable information about the processes, environmental fate, effects and remediation techniques. However, there is a need for gathering and presenting all up-to-the-date information concerning mechanisms and processes of PTE mobility in the soil-plant interface. More specifically, soil chemical reactions and processes need to be discussed under the light of PTE potential uptake by plants, as well as the physiological mechanisms at plant molecular level of PTE attenuation when plants are subjected to PTE stress. Thus, in this study we discuss the important soil processes that influence the bioavailability of PTEs for plant uptake. We also elucidate the mechanisms such as phytochelation and antioxidant defense through which plants can mitigate PTE toxicity, enhance their tolerance, and promote their survival in contaminated soils. Moreover, we discuss the major mechanisms of reactive oxygen species (ROS) production and the strategies for ROS scavenging which involve enzymes and non-enzymatic compounds that demonstrate antioxidant effects. In conclusion, this review provides a comprehensive understanding regarding PTE toxicity, utilization and transportability. It could be used by the scientific community and soil end-users towards a better understanding of the mechanisms that plants use to alleviate PTE toxicity, significantly affecting the potential use of plants in soil remediation programs and their capacity to grow in PTE-contaminated soils.
Digital Innovations in Agriculture
Authors: Niedbała Gniewko , Kujawa Sebastian
Published: August 2023

Digital agriculture, defined as the analysis and collection of various farm data, is constantly evolving [...]
Experimental Field Tests of the Suitability of a New Seeder for the Soils of Northern Kazakhstan
Authors: Aduov Mubarak , Nukusheva Saule , Tulegenov Talgat , Volodya Kadirbek , Uteulov Kanat , Karwat Bolesław , Bembenek Michał
Published: August 2023

Kazakhstan is historically a livestock country, and the production of feed requires no less attention than the production of grain. To improve the forage base, one solution is the sowing of high-yielding fodder seeds. An experimental seeder was developed with new design solutions for the sowing machine, with three blades installed at an angle of 120° relative to the lower part of the blower shaft, deviated vertically by 8–10°, along with components with a radius vector of 10–15° and the blower shaft attached to the top of the sowing cylinder. The closing part of the disc coulter contained the press rollers with a disc diameter measuring 350 mm. The field tests were conducted with the parameters between the discs set to α = 10°, a disc vanishing point of β = 40°, a coulter angle of 32°, and an individual 320-mm press roller with a cylindrical 60-mm rim, a leash, and a section for setting the seed placement depth. The wheatgrass varieties “Burabay” and awnless brome “Akmola emerald” were sown. The research showed the higher efficiency of the experimental seeder with seeding units and sowing parts compared to a serial seeder in terms of agricultural performance. The increase in seed germination was 3.56%. The experimental seeder surpassed the regular seeder by 4.95% in terms of the depth uniformity of the seed placement, in terms of yield increase by 5.361 cwt/ha, with reductions in traction resistance of 12.3%, and in fuel consumption by 10%. The economic efficiency from the fuel reduction and yield increase was estimated at around 7700 USD/ha per year.
Hydroponic Cultivation of Laranja Cherry Tomatoes under Salt Stress and Foliar Application of Hydrogen Peroxide
Authors: Guedes Maria Amanda , Silva André Alisson Rodrigues da , Lima Geovani Soares de , Gheyi Hans Raj , Soares Lauriane Almeida dos Anjos , Silva Luderlândio de Andrade , Oliveira Valeska Karolini Nunes , Fátima Reynaldo Teodoro de , Nobre Reginaldo Gomes , Nóbrega Jackson Silva , Azevedo Carlos Alberto Vieira de , Silva Saulo Soares da , Gomes Josivanda Palmeira
Published: August 2023

The objective of this study was to evaluate the effect of the foliar application of hydrogen peroxide (H2O2) in mitigating the effects of salt stress on cherry tomato cultivation in a hydroponic system. The experiment was conducted in a greenhouse, using a Nutrient Film Technique hydroponic system. The experimental design used was completely randomized in a split-plot scheme, with four levels of electrical conductivity of the nutrient solution—ECns (2.1, 2.8, 3.5, and 4.2 dS m−1), considered as plots, and five H2O2 concentrations (0, 12, 24, 36, and 48 µM), regarded as subplots, with four replicates and two plants per plot. An increase in the electrical conductivity of the nutrient solution negatively affected the production components of cherry tomatoes. However, it did not affect the post-harvest quality of the fruits. Despite the reductions observed in the production components due to the increase in the electrical conductivity of the nutrient solution, foliar application of H2O2 at concentrations esteemed between 22 and 25 µM attenuated the deleterious effects of salt stress on the number of fruits and ascorbic acid content and increased the total fruit production per plant of cherry tomatoes.
Water Availability in Pumice, Coir, and Perlite Substrates Regulates Grapevine Growth and Grape Physicochemical Characteristics in Soilless Cultivation of Sugraone and Prime Cultivars (Vitis vinifera L.)
Authors: Kontaxakis Emmanouil , Papadimitriou Dimitrios , Daliakopoulos Ioannis , Sabathianakis Ioannis , Stavropoulou Andriana , Manios Thrassyvoulos
Published: August 2023

Table grape production in soilless cultivation under a controlled environment is a promising solution that addresses many of the challenges of grapevine cultivation, such as factors affecting the quantity and quality of table grape production, cultivation cost, pest management, soil degradation, soil-borne diseases, and adaptation to climate change. However, due to limited knowledge, investigation of many factors is required to effectively implement soilless cultivation, among which are the substrate’s physical-hydraulic properties and suitability for grape production. In this context, we investigate the impact of the properties of organic (coir dust) and mineral (perlite, pumice) substrates and their blend (perlite:coir) on grapevine growth and grape physicochemical characteristics of Sugraone (Superior Seedless) and Prime cultivars. Perlite substrate was the best in qualitative and quantitative production characteristics, whereas pumice substrate proved unsuitable for soilless vine cultivation. Coir and perlite:coir substrates, due to their increased ability to retain moisture, improved plant nutrition and grape quality but delayed ripening. For effective soilless cultivation of grapevines and table grape production, substrates must have the ability to maintain sufficient but not excessive moisture, suitable for supporting physiological processes and plant nutrition, resulting in smooth growth and production.
Balancing Yield and Antioxidant Capacity in Basil Microgreens: An Exploration of Nutrient Solution Concentrations in a Floating System
Authors: Fayezizadeh Mohammad Reza , Ansari Naser Alemzadeh , Sourestani Mohammad Mahmoodi , Hasanuzzaman Mirza
Published: August 2023

The appropriate concentration of the nutrient solution (NS) plays an important role in the yield, antioxidant capacity, and biochemical compounds of basil microgreens in the floating system. This study examined the impact of five different concentrations of Hoagland’s NS (25%, 50%, 75%, 100%, and 125%) on the antioxidant capacity, biochemical compounds, and yield of four basil cultivars and genotypes (Persian Ablagh, Violeto, Kapoor and Red Rubin) in a floating system, utilizing a split plots designs. Results revealed that the highest yield was achieved with a 50% NS concentration. The Persian Ablagh genotype, under a 125% NS concentration, exhibited the highest content of carotenoids, flavonoids, phenolic compounds, and antioxidant potential index (APCI). The Violeto cultivar at a 100% NS concentration produced the highest amounts of vitamin C and anthocyanin. The Kapoor cultivar, when grown with a 100% NS concentration, demonstrated the greatest antioxidant capacity. The nutrient solution with 125% concentration compared to 50% concentration reduced the yield by 23.29%. Also, the performance of the Violeto cultivar increased by 36.24% compared to the red variety of Robin. According to the APCI index, the genotype of Iranian Ablaq basil increased by 152.79% in the treatment of nutrient solution with a concentration of 125% compared to 50%. In this study, yield and total chlorophyll showed a significant negative correlation. A significant positive correlation was observed between vitamin C content and flavonoids, anthocyanin, phenolic compounds, and antioxidant capacity. Anthocyanin content exhibited a positive and significant correlation with the APCI. Based on these findings, we recommend a 50% NS concentration of Hoagland’s NS for optimal yield, a 125% NS concentration for the production of secondary metabolites with enhanced antioxidant capacity, and a 100% NS concentration as a balance between antioxidant properties and yield for basil microgreens production in a floating system.
Economic Development and Pesticide Use in EU Agriculture: A Nonlinear Panel Data Autoregressive Distributed Lag Approach
Authors: Zafeiriou Eleni , Karelakis Christos , Martínez-Zarzoso Inmaculada , Galanopoulos Konstantinos , Gkika Dimitra
Published: August 2023

Within the regime established by the Directive on Sustainable Use of Pesticides (SUDP); the present work explores the relationship between pesticides’ agricultural use per hectare of cropland and the GDP per capita of the rural population for twenty-five EU countries to unveil the efficiency of the current EU strategy. With the econometric tool of panel nonlinear autoregressive distributed lag (NARDL) cointegration technique; we try to capture potential asymmetries in the agricultural use of pesticides concerning positive and negative variations in agricultural income. The findings validate the existence of a long-run relationship that supports an Environmental Kuznets Curve (EKC); i.e., an inverted U-shaped relationship between the variables; since increasing agricultural income is related to reductions in the use of pesticides after the turning point. Even though this result is not validated in the short run; our findings confirm the existence of a steady-state situation with asymmetric responses to pesticides. In terms of policy implications; more measures need to be taken; along with the education of farmers; aiming to enhance their consciousness towards environmental issues and; in consequence; for them to prefer environmentally friendly plant protection methods over chemical ones.
Changes in Enzyme Activities in Salt-Affected Soils during Incubation Study of Diverse Particle Sizes of Rice Straw
Authors: Sharma Sandeep , Gupta Nihar , Chakkal Anmoldeep Singh , Sharma Neha , Alamri Saud , Siddiqui Manzer H. , Haider Fasih Ullah
Published: August 2023

Soil enzymes are linked to the plant–soil–enzyme–soil nutrients of the soil system, which play an important role in carbon cycling and phosphorus mineralization in soil. Monitoring soil biological quality, particularly enzyme activities, after receiving organic amendments is a prerequisite for the sustainable management of soils. An incubation study was conducted to evaluate the effect of different particle sizes of rice residue (control, powdered, 1 cm, 2 cm, 5 cm, and 10 cm) on the enzymatic activities in three soils (normal, saline, and sodic). The soils used in the study were alkaline in reaction with a pH range of 7.05–8.86 and an electrical conductivity (EC) gradient from 0.41 to 2.5 dS m−1. Significant changes in the soil enzyme activity (dehydrogenase, fluorescein diacetate, and alkaline phosphatase) were observed with the incorporation of rice residue as compared to control. The enzymatic activities were substantially enhanced with a decrease in the size of the residue up to 28 days during the incubation period. The maximum enzymatic activity in the three soils was found to be in the order of normal > sodic > saline soils. These results suggest that the particle size of rice residues and salt levels should be considered important factors in residue decomposition in soils, as they directly influence the activity of soil enzymes for the overall improvement of the biological pools in soils.
The Symbiotic Mechanism of the Influence of Productive and Transactional Agricultural Social Services on the Use of Soil Testing and Formula Fertilization Technology by Tea Farmers
Authors: Zhou Zhiyun , Liao Haoling , Li Hua
Published: August 2023

In this investigation, we analyze data from 929 tea farmers across Shanxi, Sichuan, and Anhui provinces to elucidate the impact of productive and transactional agricultural social services on farmers’ adoption of soil testing and formula fertilization technology. Our perspective centers on the farmers’ standpoint and the underpinning mechanisms of these influences. Our findings delineate several key points: Both transactional and productive socialized services exert a positive influence on farmers’ decisions to adopt green production technologies, with the impact of productive socialized services being more pronounced than their transactional counterparts. The enthusiasm and the scale of adoption for green production technologies among farmers are positively impacted by both types of socialized services, a conclusion robust even when potential endogeneity and other statistical biases are corrected using IV Probit. The influence mechanism of transactional and productive social services operates symbiotically, primarily fostering trust, enhancing farmers’ tea price expectations and industry cognition, driving positive social evaluations, and motivating speculative behavior among farmers. Transactional and productive socialization services show varying propensities in promoting the adoption of soil testing and formula fertilization technology, depending on the farmers’ type, endowments, and income levels. Involvement in these agricultural socialization services enables farmers to bolster their income, improve technical proficiency and information-gathering capabilities, jointly participate in market competition, reduce market risks, and enhance their recognition and choice of green production technologies. This appears to be a crucial catalyst for the successful promotion of greener development and transformation within agriculture and rural areas.
Application of Selenium Can Alleviate the Stress of Cadmium on Rapeseed at Different Growth Stages in Soil
Authors: Nie Lingli , Zhou Bingqian , Hong Bo , Wang Xiaodan , Chang Tao , Guan Chunyun , Guan Mei
Published: August 2023

Cadmium (Cd) stress greatly limits the growth of rapeseed, and selenium is a micronutrient that is essential for rapeseed growth, but whether and how selenium application alleviates Cd-induced inhibition remains poorly understood. The present study investigated the alleviating effects of exogenous selenium on rapeseed growth under cadmium (Cd) stress based on the aspects of agronomic traits and soil bacterial community structure and diversity. The results show that low-selenium treatment increased the rapeseed yield by 20.92% by increasing the number of pods per plant under Cd stress, but such effects were not prominent when the selenium application rate was high. Meanwhile, selenium application significantly reduced the cadmium content by 4.74–26.89% in different organs of rapeseed. Further analysis suggested that the benefits of selenium in alleviating Cd stress might be induced by changes in soil bacterial community structure and diversity. In addition, in the functional metabolism spectrum of rapeseed microorganisms treated with selenium, there were 5 primary metabolic pathways with significant differences, and there were 32 and 169 pathways for secondary and tertiary metabolic pathways, respectively. Therefore, selenium treatment in rapeseed soil can alter the composition and metabolic function spectrum of soil microbial communities, ultimately affecting plant growth and Cd tolerance.
Alternatives for the Valorization of Avocado Waste Generated in the Different Links of the Value Chain Based on a Life-Cycle Analysis Approach
Authors: Garcia-Vallejo Maria Camila , Agudelo Patiño Tatiana , Poveda-Giraldo Jhonny Alejandro , Piedrahita-Rodríguez Sara , Cardona Alzate Carlos Ariel
Published: August 2023

This work evaluates the sustainability of small-scale biorefineries as a potential enterprise alternative to be introduced in rural areas based on experimental and simulation data. Four scenarios were evaluated: the first scenario involves the production of guacamole, the second involves the production of animal feed, and the third and fourth scenarios involve the extraction of bioactive compounds and the production of avocado oil or animal feed, respectively. In addition, all scenarios produce biogas and fertilizer. Each of the scenarios were evaluated considering the technical, economic, environmental, and social aspects. As a main result, the first scenario showed the lowest operating and investment costs, as well as the lowest economic profitability (profit margin 35%). On the other hand, the third and fourth scenarios present the highest investment and operating expenses (OpEx USD 6.2 million per year and CapEx USD 1.0 million), but their profit margins are in the 60–70% range. Furthermore, a life-cycle assessment (LCA) was carried out and allows inferring that the transformer link presents the highest environmental impact of the entire value chain and that the carbon footprint for all scenarios ranges between 1.01–2.41 kg CO2 eq per kg avocado. Similarly, the social impact methodology shows that the proposed scenarios do not present any social risk. Thus, the biorefinery for animal feed, bioactive compounds, biogas, and fertilizer was selected as the best option to be implemented in Caldas.
Influencing Factors of Elevated Levels of Potentially Toxic Elements in Agricultural Soils from Typical Karst Regions of China
Authors: Wen Yubo , Wang Yuanyuan , Ji Wenbing , Wei Ning , Liao Qilin , Huang Dingling , Meng Xianqiang , Song Yinxian
Published: August 2023

Agricultural soils originating from carbonate rocks within karst regions exhibit inherent high concentrations of potentially toxic elements (PTEs) due to geogenic processes. However, the influencing factors of the elevated levels of PTEs in the naturally contaminated karst regions remain inadequately comprehended. This research investigates the chemical compositions of 278 soils derived from carbonate rocks. Descriptive statistics, stepwise multiple regression, and the random forest (RF) method were applied to screen the significant factors that affect the distribution, migration, and enrichment of the PTEs in soils. Cadmium (Cd) and arsenic (As) are the most highly contaminated PTEs in the soils of the study area, and the average contents of Cd and As in soils are 11.5 and 2.92 times the national soil background value, respectively. The pollution risk ranking of PTEs is Cd > As > Cr > Zn > Pb > Cu > Ni > Hg, using the proportion exceeding the risk screening thresholds of agricultural land as the standard. Soil Fe2O3 and Mn contents, soil pH and total organic carbon (TOC) values, and weathering intensity (characterized using the chemical index of alternation, CIA) are the most important factors influencing the PTE levels in agricultural soils.
Selection of Agronomic Parameters and Construction of Prediction Models for Oleic Acid Contents in Rapeseed Using Hyperspectral Data
Authors: Lu Junwei , Tian Rongcai , Wen Shuangya , Guan Chunyun
Published: August 2023

High oleic acid oilseed rape is a hot research area in the development of functional oilseed rape. At present, the model of predicting the oleic acid content in rapeseed at the early growth stage based on hyperspectral technology lacks a mechanistic explanation. In this study, based on the data collected at the 5–6 leaf stage of oilseed rape, a one-dimensional linear regression prediction model of the oleic acid content in leaves (x) and the oleic acid content in rapeseed (y) was constructed with the regression equation y = 1.83x + 75.26, and the R2, RMSE, and RPD of the testing set were 0.96, 0.23%, and 4.86, respectively. Then, a support vector regression prediction model of the spectral standard normal transformed feature parameters and the oleic acid content in leaves was constructed, and the R2, RMSE, and RPD of the testing set were 0.74, 0.21%, and 2.01, respectively. Finally, the sensitive parameter transfer model for the prediction of “spectral standard normal transform feature—oleic acid content in leaves—oleic acid content in rapeseed” was validated, and the R2, RMSE, and RPD of the full sample test were 0.71, 0.54%, and 0.54, respectively. The results show that although the accuracy of the prediction model after the introduction of the agronomic parameters was reduced compared with the performance of direct prediction by using spectra, the oleic acid content in oilseed rape leaves, as an important intermediate variable, could better explain the relationship between the reflection spectrum of the leaf and the oleic acid content in rapeseed. This study provides a theoretical basis and technical support for hyperspectral remote sensing technology in the quality prediction of rapeseed.
Reduction of NH3 Emissions from Urea by Long-Term No-Tillage and Stover Mulching with Inhibitors: An Isotopic Field Study in Northeast China
Authors: Zhao Jiayi , Yuan Lei , Chen Huaihai , Chen Xin , He Hongbo , Zhang Xudong , Xie Hongtu , Lu Caiyan
Published: August 2023

Large nitrogen (N) losses during fertilization in agricultural production may result in energy wastage, soil and water contamination, and potentially influence crop development. Thus, with the help of a 15N-labeled tracer, we carried out a field monitoring analysis of NH3 emissions in a long-term (9-year) conservation tillage agroecosystem of Mollisols in northeast China, in order to determine whether a no-tillage regime and four levels of stover mulching (0%, 33%, 67%, and 100%), combined with urease and nitrification inhibitors, could improve fertilizer utilization efficiency in agricultural systems by reducing ammonia volatilization. Our results showed that in comparison with ridge tillage, no-tillage with stover mulching levels of 33%, 67%, and 100% significantly reduced NH3 emission rates and cumulative volatilization from 159.67 to 130.42 g N ha−1 and 15N-NH3 cumulative volatilization emission by 26% (on average). Furthermore, the application of urease and nitrification inhibitors significantly reduced 15N-NH3 volatilization levels from 1.19 to 0.98 g N ha−1. Our research results demonstrate that a long-term no-tillage regime and straw mulching can significantly reduce NH3 volatilization in fertilizers. Furthermore, when combined with the use of urease and nitrification inhibitors, these practices further enhance the reduction in NH3 volatilization. Although the volatilization of 15N-NH3 is minimally studied in Mollisols, these findings provide a solid foundation for improving fertilizer utilization efficiency, reducing crop production costs and mitigating subsequent environmental pollution.