Search Results (490)

Film mulching drip irrigation (FMDI) has shown strong yield-promoting effects in arid regions, but its regulatory effects on sorghum, under the unstable soil hydrothermal conditions of the agro-pastoral ecotone zone, remain poorly understood. Sorghum production in this region is frequently constrained by uneven precipitation, high evaporative demand, and limited thermal resources. This study aimed to clarify the role of film mulching drip irrigation in improving the soil hydrothermal environment and photosynthetic performance of sorghum, thereby enhancing yield in the agro-pastoral ecotone of northern China. Compared with bare land without film mulching or drip irrigation (CK), FMDI increased soil temperature by 0.33–2.25 °C and soil moisture by 13.87–18.10% at 0–20 cm depth, alleviating early growth constraints. The leaf chlorophyll b content and carotenoid content of sorghum increased by 55.61% and 55.27%, respectively, while the net photosynthetic rate (Pn) increased by 32.35% and photosystem II (PSII) photochemical efficiency also improved. Random forest (RF) and partial least squares structural equation modeling (PLS–SEM) analyses indicated that chlorophyll, gas exchange, and soil moisture were key drivers of yield formation. Ultimately, FMDI increased yield by 67.08%, indicating that FMDI is an effective irrigation–mulching strategy for improving sustainable sorghum production in the agro-pastoral ecotone zone. Full article

The impacts of climate change on Mediterranean weed flora were investigated to inform future weed management strategies. Projections indicate that rising temperatures and increased atmospheric CO₂ concentrations are likely to favor ruderal species characterized by rapid phenological development and high dispersal capacity. Enhanced abiotic stressors—such as elevated temperatures, water scarcity, and increased UV-B radiation—are expected to affect crops more severely than weeds, given the latter’s greater evolutionary potential to develop stress-tolerant biotypes. Moreover, the increased frequency and intensity of extreme events (e.g., drought, flooding, and soil salinization) may reduce weed community diversity, potentially leading to dominance by a limited number of highly competitive species and consequently intensifying reliance on chemical weed control. Simplification of weed communities may also increase vulnerability to the introduction and establishment of alien species, particularly those originating from hot and arid regions, some of which may be parasitic, toxic, or allergenic. Climate change-induced phenological mismatches between flowering plants and pollinators are likely to favor wind-pollinated weed species, further compromising the aesthetic and ecological quality of agricultural landscapes. Additionally, increased production of wind-dispersed allergenic pollen, together with the anticipated rise in herbicide applications, may pose significant risks to human health. An effective agronomic strategy to address future weed scenarios should include the genetic improvement in crops to enhance adaptive plasticity, exploiting germplasm from ancestral lines and related wild species. Full article

Autism spectrum disorder (ASD) is a neurodevelopmental condition that occurs in early childhood, characterized by a broad range of clinical manifestations and impairments in social communication. It represents one of the most prevalent neurodevelopmental disorders, affecting approximately 1% of the general population. The phenotypic heterogeneity of ASD arises from different genetic causes, including chromosomal abnormalities, copy number variants (CNVs), and single-nucleotide variants (SNVs), which may occur as de novo or inherited events. Moreover, the polygenic and multifactorial nature of ASD, together with epigenetic regulation and environmental influences, contributes substantially to its complex genetic architecture. Molecular diagnosis remains challenging and relies on multiple genomic approaches, such as array comparative genomic hybridization (array-CGH), whole-exome sequencing (WES), and whole-genome sequencing (WGS); however, the diagnostic yields of these methods remain limited, reflecting the complexity of ASD’s genetic architecture. Notably, ASD-associated genes converge on key biological pathways, particularly those involved in transcriptional regulation, chromatin remodeling, synaptic function, and neuronal signaling. These include well-established risk genes such as CHD8, ADNP, ARID1B, SHANK3, SYNGAP1, SCN2A, GRIN2B, FOXP1, and DYRK1A, among others. This review summarizes the current knowledge on the genetic basis of ASD, highlighting key aspects of its complex genetic architecture. By integrating evidence from major clinical and research databases, it provides a clearer understanding of the underlying mechanisms, supporting improved diagnosis and future research and therapeutic strategies. Full article

Transcription factors that control stem cell programs are central drivers of cancer progression, metastasis, and therapy resistance. ARID3B, a DNA-binding protein overexpressed across multiple tumor types, expands the cancer stem cell population by regulating these pathways. Yet, how ARID3B is regulated remains largely unknown. Here, we uncover phosphorylation at Serine 89 as a critical switch controlling ARID3B localization and function. We used site-directed mutagenesis to generate phospho-dead (S89A) and phospho-mimetic (S89D) ARID3B constructs, and we generated a phospho-specific antibody for S89. With these tools, we showed that phosphorylation confines ARID3B to the nucleus in ovarian cancer and glioblastoma cells, as well as in human tissues, while unphosphorylated ARID3B can localize to the nucleus, cytoplasm, and membrane. Functionally, S89D mirrors wild-type ARID3B in regulating key transcriptional programs, whereas S89A diverges, consistent with altered subcellular localization. Chromatin immunoprecipitation confirms that direct gene regulation is enhanced in WT ARID3B and S89D compared to cells expressing S89A. Collectively, these findings reveal phosphorylation as a previously unrecognized molecular switch that dictates ARID3B’s localization and transcriptional activity, providing novel insights into cancer stem cell regulation and identifying a potential targetable vulnerability in aggressive tumors. Full article

Drought stress severely limits plant growth and productivity, yet the molecular basis of drought tolerance and post-drought recovery remains incompletely understood in many forage legumes. Medicago ruthenica is a perennial legume native to arid and cold regions and exhibits strong drought resilience. Results: We integrated key physiological traits related to stomatal regulation, photosynthesis, osmotic adjustment and antioxidant defense with RNA-seq across four stages (well-watered control, CK; drought for 9 days, D9; drought for 12 days, D12; and rewatering for 4 days, RW). Drought triggered stage-dependent physiological shifts, and transcriptome profiling identified >3000 drought- and rewatering-responsive genes enriched in primary metabolism, redox homeostasis and hormone signaling. WGCNA highlighted two drought-associated modules (MEcyan and MEcoral1) and prioritized three hub transcription factors for functional validation: 861 (AP2/ERF), 22 (WRKY) and 89 (bZIP). Overexpression of each gene in tobacco improved drought tolerance, as indicated by enhanced growth/root traits, increased osmolyte accumulation and antioxidant enzyme activities, and reduced membrane damage. Conclusions: Together, these results provide an integrated view of drought stress response and recovery in M. ruthenica and identify 861, 22 and 89 as candidate regulatory genes for engineering drought resilience in legumes. Full article

Accurately assessing dynamic water resource carrying capacity (WRCC) is essential and challenging, particularly in regions like the Gansu sections of the Yellow River Basin (GSYRB), a core water source protection zone in the arid northwest of China, due to its pressing challenge of balancing water resources for socioeconomic needs and ecological security. This study proposes a novel integrated computational assessment framework named SD-VIKOR to address the complexities arising from nonlinear interactions within the “water resources–socioeconomic–ecological environment” (W–S–E) system. The core of this framework is the tight coupling of a system dynamics (SD) simulation model with a VIKOR multi-criteria evaluation module, where indicator weights are objectively–subjectively determined via an Analytic Hierarchy Process (AHP)–entropy weight method. This integrated SD-VIKOR engine enables dynamic, scenario-based WRCC trajectory simulation. To move beyond simulation and enable mechanistic insight, the framework further incorporates a diagnostic suite: a Geodetector module quantifies dominant drivers and their interactions; an obstacle degree model pinpoints key limiting factors; and a coupling coordination degree model evaluates subsystem synergies. Together, they form a closed-loop “dynamic simulation → multi-criteria assessment → driving mechanism analysis and constraint diagnosis → subsystem coordination analysis” workflow. Applied to the GSYRB from 2012 to 2030 under five development scenarios, the framework demonstrated high efficacy. It successfully captured path-dependent WRCC evolution, revealing that the ecological-priority scenario (B2), which shifts system drivers from economic-scale expansion to resource-efficiency and environmental governance, yielded optimal WRCC and the highest system coordination. In contrast, business-as-usual and single-minded economic expansion scenarios underperformed. Six key obstacle factors were quantitatively identified, linking WRCC constraints to natural endowments, economic patterns, and domestic demand. The results reveal pronounced spatial–temporal heterogeneity in WRCC across the GSYRB, with socioeconomic development, water resource use efficiency, and ecological conditions acting as the primary joint drivers of WRCC evolution. Critically, several key indicators are identified as persistent constraints on regional water sustainability. In contrast to conventional static evaluations, the integrated framework captures the complex dynamics and multi-subsystem interactions governing WRCC, offering a more robust diagnostic of resource–environment systems. These insights provide a transferable analytical basis for designing sustainable water management strategies in arid river basins. Full article

Managing tillage intensity and diversifying crop rotation are important sustainability levers for conservation agriculture (CA) with the potential to enhance crop resilience, resource efficiency, and yield stability. Accordingly, this study aimed to determine the effect of reduced tillage intensities and cereal–legume rotation systems on the agronomic and physiological performance of rainfed durum wheat grown under Mediterranean semi-arid conditions. To this end, a two cropping seasons field experiment was conducted in northeast Tunisia where the combined effects of two reduced tillage intensities (minimum and no-tillage; MT and NT) and two legume-based crop rotation systems (biennial and triennial; B and T) were compared to the more traditional conventionally tilled monocropping system (CT and M). Crop rotation, particularly when integrated with no-tillage (NT), significantly improved wheat development and grain yield, along with key yield attributes such as thousand-kernel weight and spike density. The interaction between tillage and crop sequence was highly influential; for instance, the NT × T (no-tillage × triennial rotation) combination achieved the highest grain yields (240 and 236 g m⁻² in 2020–2021 and 2021–2022, respectively), while the CT × M (conventional tillage × monoculture) interaction resulted in the lowest productivity (143 and 135 g m⁻²). Physiologically, the integration of reduced tillage and legume–cereal rotations optimized the photosynthetic apparatus, as evidenced by significantly improved chlorophyll fluorescence parameters. However, a prominent trade-off was identified: while NT × T maximized productivity, conventional tillage (CT) maintained superior grain protein (18.6%) and gluten concentrations, indicating a nitrogen dilution effect in high-yielding conservation systems. These results demonstrate that while no-tillage and triennial rotations (faba bean–wheat–barley) are robust strategies for climate-resilient yields in semi-arid environments, they must be coupled with optimized nitrogen management to offset quality declines. Consequently, this study establishes the NT × T interaction as a superior model for sustainable rainfed farming, provided that nutrient synchronization is addressed to ensure nutritional security under increasingly unpredictable Mediterranean climates. Full article

Alluvial plains in the marginal zone of the monsoon system are sensitive to the climate–hydrology interaction. However, long term, high-resolution sedimentary records remain scarce in the Songnen Plain of Northeast China. This limited our understanding of the paleoclimate–paleohydrology coupling evolution over glacial–interglacial cycles. A 50.6 m continuous core was retrieved from the western Songnen Plain. The age–depth model and wavelet transform spectrum showed sedimentary continuity from ~885 ka B.P. (the late Early Pleistocene) to ~6 ka B.P. (the early Holocene), with no major hiatuses exceeding orbital resolution. Grain size analyses revealed 18 microfacies, which were synthesized into two major evolutionary cycles: a fan-delta front cycle (dominated by subaqueous mouth bars and distributary channels) and a fan-delta plain cycle (characterized by intertributary bays, floodplain lakes/swamps, and crevasse splays). The absence of pro-delta facies and the sediment succession record the oscillatory shrinkage of the Songnen paleolake. The pulsed enhancements of hydrodynamic energy, marked by grain size coarsening, coincide with major glacial–interglacial transitions (MIS 20/19, 18/17, 16/15, 14/13, 8/7, 6/5, 4/3, and 2/1), whereas fining grain sizes dominate warm interglacial periods (MIS 11, 9, 7, 5, 3, 1). These patterns are sensitive response of the alluvial plain to orbital-scale climate change. Cold–arid glacial background promoted vegetation loss and hydrological instability, and warm–humid interglacial background favored low-energy hydrological condition. This study demonstrates that the regional alluvial evolution was primarily controlled by global ice-volume fluctuations through variability of the East Asian summer monsoon. This study provides a reference for the muti-scale climate–hydrology coupling mechanism study in the northern marginal zone of EASM and highlights the importance of alluvial sediment succession in paleo-research. Full article

Reliable estimation of extreme rainfall is essential for hydraulic design and flood risk mitigation, particularly in arid regions where rainfall exhibits strong temporal and spatial variability. This study presents a statistical framework for developing rainfall intensity-duration-frequency (IDF) curves, complemented by a machine learning-based assessment of model bias and performance. The analysis was conducted using data from ten rainfall stations located within or near the Wadi Al-Rummah Basin. Annual maximum series (AMS) from 1969 to 2024 were first reconstructed to address missing years using a modified normal ratio method (NRM) combined with nearest-station selection, ensuring spatial consistency while preserving station-specific rainfall characteristics. Six probability distributions (Weibull, Gumbel, gamma, lognormal, generalized extreme value (GEV), and generalized Pareto) were fitted to each station, and the best-fit distribution was identified using multiple goodness-of-fit (GOF) criteria, including the Kolmogorov–Smirnov (K-S) test, Anderson–Darling (A-D) test, root mean square error (RMSE), chi-square (χ²) statistic, Akaike information criterion (AIC), Bayesian information criterion (BIC), and the coefficient of determination (R²). Statistical IDF curves were then developed for durations ranging from 5 to 1440 min and return periods from 2 to 1000 years. To evaluate the robustness of the statistically derived IDF curves, three machine learning (ML) models, multiple linear regression (MLR), regression random forest (RRF), and multilayer feed-forward neural network (MFFNN), were trained as surrogate models using duration, return period, and station geographic attributes as predictor variables. Model performance was evaluated using RMSE, MAE, and mean bias metrics across stations and return periods. The lognormal distribution emerged as the best-fit model for four stations, while the Gumbel and gamma distributions were selected for two stations each. Overall, no single probability distribution consistently outperformed others, indicating station-dependent behavior. Among the machine learning models, the MFFNN achieved the closest agreement with statistical IDF estimates ($RMSE\approx 0.97$, $MAE\approx 0.65$, $bias\approx -0.02$), followed by RRF and MLR based on global average performance across all stations and return periods. The proposed framework offers a reliable approach for rainfall IDF development and evaluation in arid region watersheds. Full article

Background/Objective: This study addresses a significant knowledge gap in the literature concerning antibiotic resistance genes (ARGs) in arid soils by employing metagenomic approaches to characterise their diversity, using Kuwait as a model environment. Methods: Soil samples were collected from two agriculturally managed sites (K1 and K3) and one coastal unmanaged site (K2), representing distinct ecological conditions. Results: Taxonomic profiling revealed notable variation in microbial communities at both the phylum and genus levels. Alpha diversity analyses based on the Chao1 and Shannon indices indicated that agricultural soils exhibited greater microbial richness and diversity than the coastal soil. Beta diversity analysis further demonstrated substantial differences in microbial community composition among the sites. Consistent with previous soil microbiome studies, ARGs such as tetA, aac(3)-Ib, sul1, qep, muxB, mexW, mexB, and macB were detected across the sites. However, the identification of distinct clinically relevant resistance genes, including ugd, blaOXA-18, blaCMY-19, blaMOX-7, blaFOX-7, blaLRA-12, and novA, suggests the influence of site-specific or extreme selective pressures. Conclusions: Several of the detected ARGs appear to be rare or previously unreported in soil environments. Although the sample size is too small to support broad generalisations, the detection of ugd in soil is particularly noteworthy, suggesting that soils may serve as reservoirs of polymyxin resistance, potentially undermining the effectiveness of polymyxin antibiotics. Full article

This study evaluated the effects of biostimulant treatments on the ionic composition and yield of ‘Formosa’ papaya (Carica papaya L.) subjected to varying water replacement levels. The research utilized a randomized complete block design in a split-plot scheme comprising three irrigation depths (100%, 75%, and 50% ETc) and four biological treatments: control, Trichoderma harzianum, Ascophyllum nodosum, and Bacillus aryabhattai. Contrary to initial expectations, water restriction was associated with increased yield and leaf concentrations of zinc (Zn) and nitrogen (N), challenging the hypothesis that water restriction limits production. Quantitative results showed that T. harzianum under 75% ETc attained 93.29 kg plant⁻¹, whereas the control at 50% ETc recorded 19.14 g kg⁻¹ of N. Under 50% ETc, B. aryabhattai increased the bacterial population to 10.46 log10 CFU g⁻¹ soil compared to the control. The T. harzianum-based biostimulant reduced leaf sodium (Na) under 75% ETc and maintained the nutrient accumulation order K > N > Ca > Fe > Mn > Zn > Cu > Na. Conversely, B. aryabhattai and A. nodosum improved yield under 100% ETc through N accumulation. This study confirms that microbial and seaweed-based biostimulants mitigate water stress through rhizosphere modification and nutritional homeostasis, offering a practical strategy for sustainable fruit production in semi-arid regions. Full article

Climate change and soil degradation threaten agricultural sustainability in arid oases, where water and nutrient limitations constrain crop production. In Tunisia, date palm residues are abundant but frequently burned despite their potential as soil amendme. This study assessed the effects of date palm waste biochar (B; 10 t ha⁻¹), mineral fertilizers (NPK), and their combination as enriched biochar (BNPK) on soil fertility, including total organic carbon (TOC) and total nitrogen (TN), as well as barley (Hordeum vulgare L.) yield over two consecutive cropping seasons (2023–2024) using a randomized complete block design with three replications. During 2024, B increased TOC to 0.5% (control: 0.18%), while NPK enhanced TN to 0.037% in 2023; however, in 2024, nitrogen levels returned to values comparable to the control condition (0.017%). BNPK combined these beneficial improvements, maintained them in 2024, and resulted in a C/N ratio of 16.7 (control: 9.6), reflecting the most favorable balance between soil carbon accumulation and nitrogen retention. Grain yield increased by 21% (B), 80% (NPK), and 79% (BNPK) relative to the control (3.12 t ha⁻¹), while BNPK reduced soluble sugars in grains (fructose 100%), glucose 86% (control: 0.09, 0.014) and increased grain nitrogen content to 1.80% (control: 0.74). Principal component analysis revealed a clear separation among treatments, with BNPK strongly associated with improved soil fertility, grain yield, and grain quality. These results demonstrate that integrating biochar with nutrient management enhances soil fertility and supports sustainable agriculture in arid oasis agroecosystems. Full article

Growing concern over soil degradation and the demand for sustainable solutions have driven research into remediation technologies. This study aimed to evaluate the morphological, physiological, and phytochemical responses of Larrea cuneifolia, Bulnesia retama, Plectrocarpa tetracantha, and Neltuma flexuosa seedlings exposed to mining waste contaminated soil during early developmental stages. Plants were cultivated for 90 days in soils amended with increasing concentrations of mining waste. Higher waste proportions resulted in a dose-dependent increase in metal(loid)s concentrations and soil acidification. All species survived in soils containing up to 1572.6 mg kg⁻¹ As, 25.6 mg kg⁻¹ Cu, 33.0 mg kg⁻¹ Cd, and 742.6 mg kg⁻¹ Zn. Metal(loid)s accumulation occurred predominantly in roots, reaching 1895.1 mg kg⁻¹ Zn in P. tetracantha and 2223.2 mg kg⁻¹ As in B. retama. The presence of metal(loid)s in leaf and stem tissues was confirmed by SEM-EDX analysis. Elevated MDA levels, combined with low POX and APX activities, indicated a limited antioxidant response. Additionally, the abundance of yeast and bacterial colonies increased across all soil treatments associated with the studied native species. These results demonstrate remarkable tolerance of native species to multi-metal contamination and underscore their potential for cost-effective, nature-based strategies to restore mining-impacted soils in arid regions. Full article

The cactus pear (Opuntia spp.) is a crop of major economic and ecological importance in arid and semi-arid regions. However, with its domestication and intensification, symptoms of fungal diseases have begun to emerge in different cultivation areas. This study was conducted to identify the pathogenic fungi associated with symptoms observed on cladodes in different regions of Morocco and to evaluate the effectiveness of bacterial and fungal antagonists. The study enabled the isolation and identification of several fungal agents from symptomatic cladodes, namely Alternaria alternata, Alternaria tenuissima, Colletotrichum gloeosporioides, and Aspergillus tubingensis. Among these pathogens, A. alternata proved to be the most aggressive and was therefore selected for in vitro and in vivo antagonism assays. Twelve bacterial isolates belonging to the genera Bacillus and Pseudomonas, as well as one isolate of Trichoderma harzianum, were evaluated for their antifungal activity. All antagonists showed significant inhibitory effects against A. alternata in vitro preliminary assay. However, the bacterial isolates B. siamensis, B. halotolerans, and P. peli, as well as T. harzianum, exhibited the highest efficacy. This efficacy was confirmed through direct confrontation tests in vivo on one-year-old cladodes for the three bacterial isolates. In contrast, T. harzianum showed significant pathogenic potential on cladodes of O. ficus-indica and O. megacantha. Investigation of the mechanisms of action of the three most effective bacterial isolates revealed their ability to produce antifungal volatile organic compounds. Enzymatic analyses showed differential production of amylase, chitinase, cellulase and protease among the three isolates, while genes associated with the biosynthesis of antifungal lipopeptides were detected only in P. peli. Full article

The construction of photovoltaic (PV) power stations for sand control in northwestern China has exacerbated the conflict between solar resource utilization and ecosystem fragility, creating urgent ecological challenges that demand immediate solutions. This study investigated Amorpha fruticosa growing under fixed adjustable PV panels at the CGN DaLate Photovoltaic Leading Base in the eastern hinterland of the Kubuqi Desert. Through long-term field observations, three shading time gradients were established: heavy shading (HS), light shading (LS), and no shading (CK, control). The results clearly demonstrated that: (1) Plants in the LS treatment exhibited significantly greater plant height, basal diameter, and crown width compared to those in HS and CK, indicating optimal growth status and morphological plasticity. They maintained the highest net photosynthetic rate (Pn) and water use efficiency (WUE), while their intercellular CO₂ concentration (Ci) was significantly lower than in CK, effectively mitigating photosynthetic inhibition caused by high light intensity. Total chlorophyll (Chl) content increased significantly with increasing shading intensity, whereas the Chl a/b ratio decreased. (2) The LS treatment yielded the highest nitrogen (N), phosphorus (P), and crude protein (CP) contents, along with a more balanced N:P ratio, suggesting a superior state of nutritional metabolism. Growth indicators showed significant positive correlations with WUE and Chl content, and significant negative correlations with transpiration rate (Tr) and Ci, confirming a synergistic “physiological adaptation-growth optimization” mechanism. Our results demonstrate that light shading represents the optimal condition for the growth and biomass accumulation of A. fruticosa, highlighting its potential as a key species for vegetation restoration in PV power stations within arid ecosystems. These findings not only elucidate the plant’s adaptation mechanisms but also provide a crucial physiological basis for selecting and managing understory vegetation, thereby supporting the optimization of integrative “PV-Ecology” systems for sustainable desert restoration. Full article