Search Results (1,604)

The ecological rice–eel co-culture system is not only beneficial for enhancing productivity and sustainability in agriculture but also plays a crucial role in promoting environmental health. In the present study, based on the long-term positioning trial of the rice–eel co-culture system that began in 2016 and was sampled in 2023, the effects of reduced nitrogen fertilizer application on soil physico-chemical properties and the bacterial community were investigated. Treatments included a conventional regular fertilization treatment (RT), rice–eel co-culture system regular fertilization (IT), and nitrogen-reduction 10%, 30%, and 50% fertilization treatments (IT90, IT70, and IT50). Our research demonstrated the following: (1) Compared to RT, IT significantly increased soil water-stable macroaggregates (R0.25), mean weight diameter (MWD), geometric mean diameter (GMD), and available phosphorus content, with the increases of 15.66%, 25.49%, 36.00%, and 18.42%, respectively. Among the nitrogen-reduction fertilization treatments, IT90 showed the most significant effect. Compared to IT, IT90 significantly increased R0.25, MWD, GMD, and available nitrogen content, with increases of 4.4%, 7.81%, 8.82%, and 28.89%, respectively. (2) Compared to RT, at the phylum level, the diversity of Chloroflexi was significantly increased under IT and IT50, and the diversity of Gemmatimonadota was significantly increased under IT90, IT70, and IT50. The diversity of Acidobacteriota was significantly higher in IT90 and IT70 compared to IT. It was shown that the rice–eel co-culture system and nitrogen fertilizer reduction could effectively improve the degradation capacity of organic matter and promote soil nitrogen cycling. In addition, redundancy analysis (RDA) identified total phosphorus, total nitrogen, and available nitrogen (p = 0.007) as the three most important environmental factors driving changes in the bacterial community. (3) The functional prediction analysis of soil microbiota showed that, compared to RT, the diversity of pathways related to biosynthesis (carbohydrate biosynthesis and cell structure biosynthesis) and metabolism (L-glutamate and L-glutamine biosynthesis) was significantly higher under IT70, IT90, IT, and IT50 (in descending order). However, the diversity of pathways associated with degradation/utilization/assimilation (secondary metabolite degradation and amine and polyamine degradation) was significantly lower under all the rice–eel co-culture treatments. In conclusion, the rice–eel co-culture system improved soil physicochemical properties and the soil microbial environment compared with conventional planting, and the best soil improvement was achieved with 10% less N fertilizer application. Full article

Arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi (AMF) play a vital role in the restoration of tropical forests by enhancing soil fertility, facilitating plant establishment, and improving ecosystem resilience. This study presents a comprehensive bibliometric analysis of global scientific output on AMF in the context of ecological restoration, based on 3835 publications indexed in the Web of Science and Scopus databases from 2001 to 2024. An average annual growth rate of approximately 9.45% was observed, with contributions from 10,868 authors across 880 journals. The most prominent journals included Mycorrhiza (3.34%), New Phytologist (3.00%), and Applied Soil Ecology (2.79%). Thematically, dominant research areas encompassed soil–plant interactions, phytoremediation, biodiversity, and microbial ecology. Keyword co-occurrence analysis identified “arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi,” “diversity,” “soil,” and “plant growth” as core topics, while emerging topics such as rhizosphere interactions and responses to abiotic stress showed increasing prominence. Despite the expanding body of literature, key knowledge gaps remain, particularly concerning AMF–plant specificity, long-term restoration outcomes, and integration of microbial community dynamics. These findings offer critical insights into the development of AMF research and underscore its strategic importance in tropical forest restoration, providing a foundation for future studies and informing ecosystem management policies. Full article

This study demonstrated that application of the particular plant growth-promoting rhizobacteria (PGPR) strains Erwinia sp. and Serratia sp. (named C15 and C20, respectively) significantly enhanced tea plant resilience in Zn (zinc)-, Pb (lead)-, and Zn + Pb-contaminated soils by the improving survival rates (over 60%) and chlorophyll content of tea plants, and by reducing the accumulation of these metals in tea plants’ tissues (by 19–37%). The PGPRs elevated key soil nutrients organic carbon (OC), total nitrogen (TH), hydrolysable nitrogen (HN), and available potassium (APO) and phosphorus (APH) contents. Compared to non-PGPR controls, both strains consistently increased microbial α-diversity (Chao1 index: +28–42% in Zn/Pb soils; Shannon index: +19–33%) across all contamination regimes. PCoA/UniFrac analyses confirmed distinct clustering of PGPR-treated communities, with strain-specific enrichment of metal-adapted taxa, including Pseudomonas (LDA = 6) and Bacillus (LDA = 4) under Zn stress; Rhodanobacter (LDA = 4) under Pb stress; and Lysobacter (LDA = 5) in Zn + Pb co-contamination. Fungal restructuring featured elevated Mortierella (LDA = 6) in Zn soils and stress-tolerant Ascomycota dominance in co-contaminated soils. Multivariate correlations revealed that the PGPR-produced auxin was positively correlated with soil carbon dynamics and Mortierellomycota abundance (r = 0.729), while the chlorophyll content in leaves was closely associated with Cyanobacteria and reduced by Pb accumulation. These findings highlighted that PGPR could mediate and improve in tea plant physiology, soil fertility, and stress-adapted microbiome recruitment under heavy metal contaminated soil and stress. Full article

Urochloa brizantha (Brizantha) is cultivated under varying altitudinal and management conditions. Twelve full-sun (monoculture) plots and twelve shaded (silvopastoral) plots were established, proportionally distributed at 170, 503, 661, and 1110 masl. Evaluations were conducted 15, 30, 45, 60, and 75 days after establishment. The conservation and integration of trees in silvopastoral systems reflected a clear anthropogenic influence, evidenced by the preference for species of the Fabaceae family, likely due to their multipurpose nature. Although the altitudinal gradient did not show direct effects on soil properties, intermediate altitudes revealed a significant role of CaCO₃ in enhancing soil fertility. These edaphic conditions at mid-altitudes favored the leaf area development of Brizantha, particularly during the early growth stages, as indicated by significantly larger values (p < 0.05). However, at the harvest stage, no significant differences were observed in physiological or productive traits, nor in foliar chemical components, underscoring the species’ high hardiness and broad adaptation to both soil and altitude conditions. In Brizantha, a significant reduction (p < 0.05) in stomatal size and density was observed under shade in silvopastoral areas, where solar radiation and air temperature decreased, while relative humidity increased. Nonetheless, these microclimatic variations did not lead to significant changes in foliar chemistry, growth variables, or biomass production, suggesting a high degree of adaptive plasticity to microclimatic fluctuations. Foliar ash content exhibited an increasing trend with altitude, indicating greater efficiency of Brizantha in absorbing calcium, phosphorus, and potassium at higher altitudes, possibly linked to more favorable edaphoclimatic conditions for nutrient uptake. Finally, forage quality declined with plant age, as evidenced by reductions in protein, ash, and In Vitro Dry Matter Digestibility (IVDMD), alongside increases in fiber, Neutral Detergent Fiber (NDF), and Acid Detergent Fiber (ADF). These findings support the recommendation of cutting intervals between 30 and 45 days, during which Brizantha displays a more favorable nutritional profile, higher digestibility, and consequently, greater value for animal feeding. Full article

Ongoing interest in the intersection of spirituality and health has prompted a need for integrated research. This report proposes a distinct approach in a model that allows for successful and harmonious cross-fertilization within these latter two areas of interest. Our work is especially pertinent to inquiries around the role of spirituality in mental health, with special attention to chronic pain conditions. The latter have become an open channel for novel avenues to explore the field of spirituality-based interventions within the arena of psychological inquiry. To address this, the authors developed and implemented the Church and Academia Model, a prototype for an innovative collaborative research project, with the aim of exploring the role of devotional practices, and their potential to be used as therapeutic co-adjuvants or tools to enhance the coping skills of patients with chronic pain. Keeping in mind that the church presents a rich landscape for clinical inquiry with broad relevance for clinicians and society at large, we created a unique hybrid research model. This is a new paradigm that focuses on distinct and well-defined studies where the funding, protocol writing, study design, and implementation are shared by experts from both the pastoral and clinical spaces. A team of theologians, researchers, and healthcare providers, including clinical pain psychologists, built a coalition leveraging their respective skill sets. Each expert is housed in their own environs, creating a functional network that has proven academically productive and pastorally effective. Key outputs include the creation and validation of a new psychometric measure, the Pain-related PRAYER Scale (PPRAYERS), an associated bedside prayer tool and a full-scale dissemination strategy through journal publications and specialty society conferences. This collaborative prototype is also an ideal fit for integrated knowledge translation platforms, and it is a promising paradigm for future collaborative projects focused on spirituality and mental health. Full article

Background: Oxidative stress is a critical factor contributing to male infertility, impairing spermatogonial stem cells (SSCs) and disrupting normal spermatogenesis. This study aimed to isolate and characterize human SSCs and to investigate oxidative stress-related gene expression, protein interaction networks, and developmental trajectories involved in SSC function. Methods: SSCs were enriched from human orchiectomy samples using CD49f-based magnetic-activated cell sorting (MACS) and laminin-binding matrix selection. Enriched cultures were assessed through morphological criteria and immunocytochemistry using VASA and SSEA4. Transcriptomic profiling was performed using microarray and single-cell RNA sequencing (scRNA-seq) to identify oxidative stress-related genes. Bioinformatic analyses included STRING-based protein–protein interaction (PPI) networks, FunRich enrichment, weighted gene co-expression network analysis (WGCNA), and predictive modeling using machine learning algorithms. Results: The enriched SSC populations displayed characteristic morphology, positive germline marker expression, and minimal fibroblast contamination. Microarray analysis revealed six significantly upregulated oxidative stress-related genes in SSCs—including CYB5R3 and NDUFA10—and three downregulated genes, such as TXN and SQLE, compared to fibroblasts. PPI and functional enrichment analyses highlighted tightly clustered gene networks involved in mitochondrial function, redox balance, and spermatogenesis. scRNA-seq data further confirmed stage-specific expression of antioxidant genes during spermatogenic differentiation, particularly in late germ cell stages. Among the machine learning models tested, logistic regression demonstrated the highest predictive accuracy for antioxidant gene expression, with an area under the curve (AUC) of 0.741. Protein oxidation was implicated as a major mechanism of oxidative damage, affecting sperm motility, metabolism, and acrosome integrity. Conclusion: This study identifies key oxidative stress-related genes and pathways in human SSCs that may regulate spermatogenesis and impact sperm function. These findings offer potential targets for future functional validation and therapeutic interventions, including antioxidant-based strategies to improve male fertility outcomes. Full article

Recurrent implantation failure (RIF) remains a challenging clinical problem. Growth hormone (GH) co-treatment has been explored as an adjunct in poor responders and RIF patients, with inconsistent evidence of benefit. This prospective cohort study assessed the impact of GH supplementation in 91 RIF patients undergoing in vitro fertilization, stratified by FSHR (follicular stimulating hormone receptor) genotype Asn680Ser with or without GH supplementation. Patients were stratified by FSHR genotype into homozygous Ser/Ser versus Ser/Asn or Asn/Asn groups. Overall, GH co-treatment conferred modest benefits in the unselected RIF cohort, limited to a higher cumulative live birth rate compared to controls and elevated leukemia inhibitory factor (LIF) levels (p < 0.05 both). When stratified by FSHR genotype, the Ser/Ser subgroup exhibited markedly better outcomes with GH. These patients showed a higher (0.5 vs. 0.33, p = 0.003), produced more embryos (2.88 vs. 1.53, p = 0.02), and had a markedly improved cumulative live birth rate—50% with GH versus 13% without—highlighting a clinically meaningful benefit of GH in the Ser/Ser subgroup. No significant benefit was observed in Asn allele carriers. These findings suggest that FSHR genotyping may help optimize treatment selection in RIF patients by identifying those most likely to benefit from GH supplementation. Full article

Cattle manure accounts for approximately one-third of the total livestock manure produced in the Republic of Korea and is typically composted. To elucidate its feasibility as a renewable resource, this study evaluated the conversion of cattle manure into a solid biofuel and the nutrient recovery potential of its combustion residues. Solid fuel was prepared from cattle manure collected in Gyeongsangbuk-do, Korea, and its fuel characteristics and ash composition were analyzed after combustion. Combustion tests conducted using a dedicated solid fuel boiler showed that an average lower heating value of 13.27 MJ/kg was achieved, meeting legal standards. Under optimized combustion, CO and NO_x emissions (129.9 and 41.5 ppm) were below regulatory limits (200 and 90 ppm); PM was also within the 25 mg/Sm³ standard. The bottom ash contained high concentrations of P₂O₅ and K, and its heavy metal content was below the regulatory threshold, suggesting its potential reuse as a fertilizer material. Although the Zn concentration in the fly ash exceeded the standard, its quantity was negligible. Therefore, the solid fuel conversion of cattle manure can become a viable and environmentally sustainable solution for both bioenergy production and nutrient recycling, contributing to improved waste management in livestock operations. Full article

To rationally utilize and develop agricultural waste products, this research involved the synthesis of degradable high water-absorbing resin through the graft copolymerization of cotton straw (CS) with monomers. Among them, acrylic acid (AA) and acrylamide (Am) are used as grafting copolymer monomers, cellulose in the straw serves as the network framework, and MBA acts as the crosslinking agent. ⁶⁰Co gamma rays as initiators. Different concentrations of alkaline solution were used to dissolve the cellulose in the straw. Single-factor and orthogonal experiments were conducted to optimize the experimental conditions. various analytical methods such as thermogravimetric analysis (TG), X-ray crystallography (XRD), infrared spectroscopy (IR), and scanning electron microscopy (SEM) were employed to characterize the structure and properties of the product. ⁶⁰Co gamma rays as initiators, can reduce the pollution caused by chemical initiators and lower energy consumption. Through this research, agricultural waste can be effectively utilized, reducing environmental pollution, lowering industrial energy consumption, and synthesizing degradable and environmentally friendly high-absorbent resins. The product can be applied to agricultural water retention agent, fertilizer controlled release agent and other aspects. Full article

Small reservoirs have important functions, such as water resource guarantee, flood control and drought resistance, biological habitat and maintaining regional economic development. In order to better clarify the impact of agricultural activities on the nutritional status of water bodies in small reservoirs, zooplankton were quantitatively collected from four small reservoirs in the Jiuxianshan agricultural area of Qufu, Shandong Province, in March and October 2023, respectively. The physical and chemical parameters in sampling points were determined simultaneously. Meanwhile, water samples were collected for nutrient salt analysis, and the eutrophication of water bodies in four reservoirs was evaluated using the comprehensive nutrient status index method. The research found that the species richness of zooplankton after farming (100 species) was significantly higher than that before farming (81 species) (p < 0.05). On the contrary, the dominant species of zooplankton after farming (7 species) were significantly fewer than those before farming (11 species). The estimation results of the standing stock of zooplankton indicated that the abundance and biomass of zooplankton after farming (92.72 ind./L, 0.13 mg/L) were significantly higher than those before farming (32.51 ind./L, 0.40 mg/L) (p < 0.05). Community similarity analysis based on zooplankton abundance (ANOSIM) indicated that there were significant differences in zooplankton communities before and after farming (R = 0.329, p = 0.001). The results of multi-dimensional non-metric sorting (NMDS) showed that the communities of zooplankton could be clearly divided into two: pre-farming communities and after farming communities. The Monte Carlo test results are as follows (p < 0.05). Transparency (Trans), pH, permanganate index (COD_Mn), electrical conductivity (Cond) and chlorophyll a (Chl-a) had significant effects on the community structure of zooplankton before farming. Total nitrogen (TN), total phosphorus (TP) and electrical conductivity (Cond) had significant effects on the community structure of zooplankton after farming. The co-linearity network analysis based on zooplankton abundance showed that the zooplankton community before farming was more stable than that after farming. The water evaluation results based on the comprehensive nutritional status index method indicated that the water conditions of the reservoirs before farming were mostly in a mild eutrophic state, while the water conditions of the reservoirs after farming were all in a moderate eutrophic state. The results show that the nutritional status of small reservoirs in agricultural areas is significantly affected by agricultural activities. The zooplankton communities in small reservoirs underwent significant changes driven by alterations in the reservoir water environment and nutritional status. Based on the main results of this study, we suggested that the use of fertilizers and pesticides should be appropriately reduced in future agricultural activities. In order to better protect the water quality and aquatic ecology of the water reservoirs in the agricultural area. Full article

Peanut (Arachis hypogaea L.) is a globally important oilseed cash crop, yet its limited genetic diversity and unique reproductive biology present persistent challenges for conventional crossbreeding. Traditional breeding approaches are often time-consuming and inadequate, mitigating the pace of cultivar development. Essential for double fertilization and programmed cell death (PCD), DUF679 membrane proteins (DMPs) represent a membrane protein family unique to plants. In the present study, a comprehensive analysis of the DMP gene family in peanuts was conducted, which included the identification of 21 family members. Based on phylogenetic analysis, these genes were segregated into five distinct clades (I–V), with AhDMP8A, AhDMP8B, AhDMP9A, and AhDMP9B in clade IV exhibiting high homology with known haploid induction genes. These four candidates also displayed significantly elevated expression in floral tissues compared to other organs, supporting their candidacy for haploid induction in peanuts. Subcellular localization prediction, confirmed through co-localization assays, demonstrated that AhDMPs primarily localize to the plasma membrane, consistent with their proposed roles in the reproductive signaling process. Furthermore, chromosomal mapping and synteny analyses revealed that the expansion of the AhDMP gene family is largely driven by whole-genome duplication (WGD) and segmental duplication events, reflecting the evolutionary dynamics of the tetraploid peanut genome. Collectively, these findings establish a foundational understanding of the AhDMP gene family and highlight promising targets for future applications in haploid induction-based breeding strategies in peanuts. Full article

Enhanced weathering of silicate rocks in agriculture is an option for atmospheric CO₂ removal and fertility improvement. The objective of our work is to characterise some of the agricultural consequences of a basaltic powder amendment on soil-crop systems. Two doses of basalt (80 and 160 t ha⁻¹) were applied to two types of slightly acid soils (sandy or silty clayey), derived from long-term trials at Bordeaux (INRAE, France) and Rothamsted Research (England), respectively. For each soil, half of the pots were planted with ryegrass; the other half were left bare. Thus, the experiment had twelve treatments with four replications per treatment. Soil pH increased with the addition of basalt (+0.8 unit), with a 5% equivalence of that of reactive chalk. The basalt contained macro- and micronutrients. Some cations extractable in the basalt before being mixed to the soil became more extractable with increased weathering, independent of plant cover. Plant uptake generally increased for macronutrients and decreased for micronutrients, due to increased stock (macro) and reduced availability (micronutrients and P), related to pH increases. K supplied in the basalt was responsible for a significant increase in plant yield on the sandy soil, linked to an average basalt K utilisation efficiency of 33%. Our general conclusion is that rock dust applications have to be re-evaluated at each site with differing soil characteristics. Full article

The rice-wheat rotation is the main agricultural cropping system in Jiangsu Province, playing a vital role in ensuring food security and promoting economic development. However, current research on rice-wheat systems mainly focuses on in-situ controlled experiments at the point scale, with limited studies addressing carbon footprint (CF) and energy balance (EB) at the regional scale and long time series. Therefore, we analyzed the evolution patterns of the CF and EB of the rice-wheat system in Jiangsu Province from 1980 to 2022, as well as their influencing factors. The results showed that the sown area and total yield of rice and wheat exhibited an increasing–decreasing–increasing trend during 1980–2022, while the yield per unit area increased continuously. The CF of rice and wheat increased by 4172.27 kg CO₂ eq ha⁻¹ and 2729.18 kg CO₂ eq ha⁻¹, respectively, with the greenhouse gas emissions intensity (GHGI) showing a fluctuating upward trend. Furthermore, CH₄ emission, nitrogen (N) fertilizer, and irrigation were the main factors affecting the CF of rice, with proportions of 36%, 20.26%, and 17.34%, respectively. For wheat, N fertilizer, agricultural diesel, compound fertilizer, and total N₂O emission were the primary contributors, accounting for 42.39%, 22.54%, 13.65%, and 13.14%, respectively. Among energy balances, the net energy (NE) of rice exhibited an increasing and then fluctuating trend, while that of wheat remained relatively stable. The energy utilization efficiency (EUE), energy productivity (EPD), and energy profitability (EPF) of rice showed an increasing and then decreasing trend, while wheat decreased by 46.31%, 46.31%, and 60.62% during 43 years, respectively. Additionally, N fertilizer, agricultural diesel, and compound fertilizer accounted for 43.91–45.37%, 21.63–25.81%, and 12.46–20.37% of energy input for rice and wheat, respectively. Moreover, emission factors and energy coefficients may vary over time, which is an important consideration in the analysis of long-term time series. This study analyzes the ecological and environmental effects of the rice-wheat system in Jiangsu Province, which helps to promote the development of agriculture in a green, low-carbon, and high-efficiency direction. It also offers a theoretical basis for constructing a low-carbon sustainable agricultural production system. Full article

This study investigated the effects of reduced nitrogen combined with an organic fertilizer on maize yield, soil microbial communities, and enzyme activities to optimize fertilization strategies. A field experiment on cinnamon soil in Yuncheng, Shanxi, was conducted and included six treatments: no fertilizer (CK), conventional N (NC0, 180 kg N/ha), sole organic fertilizer (CN0, 3000 kg/ha), and reduced-N + organic fertilizer (CN1: 90 kg N/ha + 3000 kg/ha; CN2: 135 kg N/ha + 3000 kg/ha; and CN3: 180 kg N/ha + 3000 kg/ha). We analyzed yield components, soil nutrients, urease and invertase activities, and bacterial community structure (16S rRNA sequencing). The key results are as follows: CN1 achieved the highest yield (9764.87 kg/ha), which was 46.8% higher than CK. CN2 maintained comparable yields while delivering higher enzyme activities and microbial abundance, positioning this strategy as suitable for soil remediation. Co-application enriched two beneficial phyla, Proteobacteria and Planctomycetota (19% in CN2), with Proteobacteria positively correlating with urease activity and alkali-hydrolyzable N (p < 0.05), while Verrucomicrobiota negatively correlated with urease activity. In conclusion, 25–50% N reduction with an organic fertilizer (3000 kg/ha) synergistically enhances yield, soil enzymes, and beneficial microbiota, supporting sustainable high-yield agriculture with improved soil fertility. Full article

The global escalation of organic waste generation, coupled with rising protein demand and environmental pressure, necessitates innovative, circular approaches to resource management. Hermetia illucens (Black Soldier Fly, BSF) has emerged as a leading candidate for integrated waste-to-resource systems. This review examines BSF biological and genomic adaptations underpinning waste conversion efficiency, comparative performance of BSF bioconversion versus traditional treatments, nutritional and functional attributes, techno-economic, regulatory, and safety barriers to industrial scale-up. Peer-reviewed studies were screened for methodological rigor, and data on life cycle traits, conversion metrics, and product compositions were synthesized. BSF larvae achieve high waste reductions, feed-conversion efficiencies and redirect substrate carbon into biomass, yielding net CO₂ emissions as low as 12–17 kg CO₂ eq ton⁻¹, an order of magnitude below composting or vermicomposting. Larval biomass offers protein, lipids (notably lauric acid), micronutrients, chitin, and antimicrobial peptides, with frass serving as a nutrient-rich fertilizer. Pathogen and antibiotic resistance gene loads decrease during bioconversion. Key constraints include substrate heterogeneity, heavy metal accumulation, fragmented regulatory landscapes, and high energy and capital demands. BSF systems demonstrate superior environmental and nutritional performance compared to conventional waste treatments. Harmonized safety standards, feedstock pretreatment, automation, and green extraction methods are critical to overcoming scale-up barriers. Interdisciplinary innovation and policy alignment will enable BSF platforms to realize their full potential within circular bio-economies. Full article