Search Results (3,096)

Plant peptides, as key signaling molecules, play pivotal roles in plant growth, development, and stress responses. This review focuses on research progress in plant peptides involved in plant immunity, providing a detailed classification of immunity-related plant polypeptides, including small post-translationally modified peptides, cysteine-rich peptides, and non-cysteine-rich peptides. It discusses the mechanisms by which plant polypeptides confer disease resistance, such as their involvement in pattern-triggered immunity (PTI), effector-triggered immunity (ETI), and regulation of hormone-mediated defense pathways. Furthermore, it explores potential agricultural applications of plant polypeptides, including the development of novel biopesticides and enhancement of crop disease resistance via genetic engineering. By summarizing current research, this review aims to provide a theoretical basis for in-depth studies on peptide-mediated disease resistance and offer innovative insights for plant disease control. Full article

With the growth of the global population and the increasing scarcity of arable land, traditional agricultural production is confronted with multiple challenges, such as efficiency improvement, precision operation, and sustainable development. The progressive advancement of artificial intelligence (AI) technology has created a transformative opportunity for the intelligent upgrade of agricultural equipment. This article systematically presents recent progress in computer vision, machine learning (ML), and intelligent sensing. The key innovations are highlighted in areas such as object detection and recognition (e.g., a K-nearest neighbor (KNN) achieved 98% accuracy in distinguishing vibration signals across operation stages); autonomous navigation and path planning (e.g., a deep reinforcement learning (DRL)-optimized task planner for multi-arm harvesting robots reduced execution time by 10.7%); state perception (e.g., a multilayer perceptron (MLP) yielded 96.9% accuracy in plug seedling health classification); and precision control (e.g., an intelligent multi-module coordinated control system achieved a transplanting efficiency of 5000 plants/h). The findings reveal a deep integration of AI models with multimodal perception technologies, significantly improving the operational efficiency, resource utilization, and environmental adaptability of agricultural equipment. This integration is catalyzing the transition toward intelligent, automated, and sustainable agricultural systems. Nevertheless, intelligent agricultural equipment still faces technical challenges regarding data sample acquisition, adaptation to complex field environments, and the coordination between algorithms and hardware. Looking ahead, the convergence of digital twin (DT) technology, edge computing, and big data-driven collaborative optimization is expected to become the core of next-generation intelligent agricultural systems. These technologies have the potential to overcome current limitations in perception and decision-making, ultimately enabling intelligent management and autonomous decision-making across the entire agricultural production chain. This article aims to provide a comprehensive foundation for advancing agricultural modernization and supporting green, sustainable development. Full article

The rainy season characteristics are directly modulated by atmospheric circulation and moisture transport dynamics. Focusing on the characteristics of the rainy season onset date (RSOD), this study aims to advance the understanding and prediction of climate change impacts on agricultural production and disaster mitigation strategies. Based on rainfall data from 66 meteorological stations in northeast China (NEC) from 1961 to 2020, this study determined the patterns of the RSOD in the region and established its mechanistic linkages with atmospheric circulation and water vapor transport mechanisms. This study identifies a climatic regime shift around 2000, with the RSOD transitioning from low to high interannual variability in NEC. Further analysis reveals a strong correlation between the RSOD and atmospheric circulation characteristics: cyclonic vorticity amplifies before the RSOD and dissipates afterward. Innovatively, this study reveals a significant transition in the water vapor transport paths during the early rainy season in NEC around 2000, shifting from eastern Mongolia–Sea of Japan to the northwestern Pacific region. Moreover, the advance or delay of the RSOD directly influences the water vapor transport intensity—an early (delayed) RSOD is associated with enhanced (weakened) water vapor transport. These findings provide a new perspective for predicting the RSOD in the context of climate change while providing critical theoretical underpinnings for optimizing agricultural strategies and enhancing disaster prevention protocols. Full article

The increasing demand for food necessitates that agri-food systems adopt innovative techniques to enhance food production while optimizing the use of limited resources, such as water. In agriculture, hydrogels are being increasingly used to enhance water retention and reduce irrigation requirements. However, most of these materials are based on synthetic polymers that are not biodegradable. This raises serious environmental and health concerns, highlighting the urgent need for sustainable, biodegradable alternatives. Biomass-derived from agro-industrial waste presents a substantial potential for producing hydrogels, which can effectively function as water collectors and suppliers for crops. This review article provides a comprehensive overview of recent advancements in the application of agro-industrial waste for the formulation of hydrogels. Additionally, it offers a critical analysis of the development of hydrogels utilizing natural and compostable materials. Agro-industrial and food waste, which are rich in hemicellulose and cellulose, have been utilized to enhance the mechanical properties and water absorption capacity of hydrogels. These biomaterials hold significant potential for the development of effective hydrogels in agricultural applications; they can be either hybrid or natural materials that exhibit efficacy in enhancing seed germination, improving water retention capabilities, and facilitating the controlled release of fertilizers. Natural hydrogels derived from agro-industrial waste present a sustainable technological alternative that is environmentally benign. Full article

The widespread use of pesticides in modern agriculture has significantly enhanced food production by managing pests and diseases; however, their degradation in soil can lead to unintended consequences for soil fertility and nutrient cycling. This review explores the mechanisms of pesticide degradation, both abiotic and biotic, and the soil factors influencing these processes. It critically examines how degradation products impact soil microbial communities, organic matter decomposition, and key nutrient cycles, including nitrogen, phosphorus, potassium, and micronutrients. This review highlights emerging evidence linking pesticide residues with altered enzymatic activity, disrupted microbial populations, and reduced nutrient bioavailability, potentially compromising soil structure, water retention, and long-term productivity. Additionally, it discusses the broader environmental and agricultural implications, including decreased crop yields, biodiversity loss, and groundwater contamination. Sustainable management strategies such as bioremediation, the use of biochar, eco-friendly pesticides, and integrated pest management (IPM) are evaluated for mitigating these adverse effects. Finally, this review outlines future research directions emphasizing long-term studies, biotechnology innovations, and predictive modeling to support resilient agroecosystems. Understanding the intricate relationship between pesticide degradation and soil health is crucial to ensuring sustainable agriculture and food security. Full article

Insect pests cause severe damage and yield losses to many agricultural crops globally. The use of chemical pesticides on agricultural crops is not recommended because of their toxic effects on the environment and consumers. In addition, pesticide toxicity reduces soil fertility, poisons ground waters, and is hazardous to soil biota. Therefore, applications of entomopathogenic nematodes (EPNs) and plant growth-promoting rhizobacteria (PGPR) are an alternative, eco-friendly solution to chemical pesticides and mineral-based fertilizers to enhance plant health and promote sustainable food security. This review focuses on the biological and ecological aspects of these organisms while also highlighting the practical application of molecular communication approaches in developing a novel plant health product. This insight will support this innovative approach that combines PGPR and EPNs for sustainable crop production. Several studies have reported positive interactions between nematodes and bacteria. Although the combined presence of both organisms has been shown to promote plant growth, the molecular interactions between them are still under investigation. Integrating molecular communication studies in the development of a new product could help in understanding their relationships and, in turn, support the combination of these organisms into a single plant health product. Full article

Automated cherry harvesting presents a significant opportunity to overcome the high costs and inefficiencies of manual labor in modern agriculture. However, robotic harvesting in dense canopies requires sophisticated path planning to navigate cluttered branches and selectively pick target fruits. This paper introduces a complete robotic harvesting solution centered on a novel path-planning algorithm: the Multi-Strategy Integrated RRT for Continuous Harvesting Path (MSI-RRTCHP) algorithm. Our system first employs a machine vision system to identify and locate mature cherries, distinguishing them from unripe fruits, leaves, and branches, which are treated as obstacles. Based on this visual data, the MSI-RRTCHP algorithm generates an optimal picking trajectory. Its core innovation is a synergistic strategy that enables intelligent navigation by combining probability-guided exploration, goal-oriented sampling, and adaptive step size adjustments based on the obstacle’s density. To optimize the picking sequence for multiple targets, we introduce an enhanced traversal algorithm ($\sigma$-TSP) that accounts for obstacle interference. Field experiments demonstrate that our integrated system achieved a 90% picking success rate. Compared with established algorithms, the MSI-RRTCHP algorithm reduced the path length by up to 25.47% and the planning time by up to 39.06%. This work provides a practical and efficient framework for robotic cherry harvesting, showcasing a significant step toward intelligent agricultural automation. Full article

This paper presents the design and implementation of a SLAM-based online mapping and autonomous trajectory execution system for the Nimbulus-e, a concept vehicle designed for agile maneuvering in confined spaces. The Nimbulus-e uses individual steer-by-wire corner modules with in-wheel motors at all four corners. The associated eight joint variables serve as control inputs, allowing precise trajectory following. These control inputs can be derived from the vehicle’s trajectory using nonholonomic constraints. A LiDAR sensor is used to map the environment and detect obstacles. The system processes LiDAR data in real time, continuously updating the environment map and enabling localization within the environment. The inclusion of vehicle odometry data significantly reduces computation time and improves accuracy compared to a purely visual approach. The A* and Hybrid A* algorithms are used for trajectory planning and optimization, ensuring smooth vehicle movement. The implementation is validated through both full vehicle simulations using an ADAMS Car—MATLABco-simulation and a scaled physical prototype, demonstrating the effectiveness of the system in navigating complex environments. This work contributes to the field of autonomous systems by demonstrating the potential of combining advanced sensor technologies with innovative control algorithms to achieve reliable and efficient navigation. Future developments will focus on improving the robustness of the system by implementing a robust closed-loop controller and exploring additional applications in dense urban traffic and agricultural operations. Full article

Legumes are among the most important crops globally, serving as a major food source for protein and oil. In tropical regions, the cultivation of legumes has expanded significantly due to the increasing demand for food, plant-based products, and sustainable agriculture practices. However, tropical environments pose unique challenges, including high temperatures, erratic rainfall, soil infertility, and a high incidence of pests and diseases. Indeed, legumes are vulnerable to infections caused by bacteria, fungi, oomycetes, viruses, and nematodes. This review highlights the importance of legumes in tropical farming and discusses major diseases affecting productivity and their impact on the economy, environment, and lives of smallholder legume farmers. We emphasize the use of legume genetic resources and breeding, and biotechnology innovations to foster resistance and address the challenges posed by pathogens in legumes. However, an integrated approach that includes other cultivation techniques (e.g., crop rotation, rational fertilization, deep plowing) remains important for the prevention and control of diseases in legume crops. Finally, we highlight the contributions of plant genetic resources to smallholder resilience and food security. Full article

This study aims to evaluate eco-innovative solutions in the fertilizer industry that allow for waste valorization in the context of a resource-efficient circular economy. A comprehensive reuse strategy was developed for low-rank peat and post-cultivation horticultural mineral wool, involving the extraction of valuable humic substances from peat and residual nutrients from used mineral wool, followed by the use of both post-extraction residues to produce organic–mineral substrates. The resulting products/semifinished products were characterized in terms of their composition and properties, which met the requirements necessary to obtain the admission of this type of product to the market in accordance with the Regulation of the Minister for Agriculture and Rural Development of 18 June 2008 on the implementation of certain provisions of the Act on fertilizers and fertilization (Journal of Laws No 119, item 765). Elemental analysis, FTIR spectroscopy, and solid-state CP-MAS ¹³C NMR spectroscopy suggest that post-extraction peat has a relatively condensed structure with a high C content (47.4%) and a reduced O/C atomic ratio and is rich in alkyl-like matter (63.2%) but devoid of some functional groups in favor of extracted fulvic acids. Therefore, it remains a valuable organic biowaste, which, in combination with post-extraction waste mineral wool in a ratio of 60:40 and possibly the addition of mineral nutrients, allows us to obtain a completely new substrate with a bulk density of 264 g/m³, a salinity of 7.8 g/dm³ and a pH of 5.3, with an appropriate content of heavy metals and with no impurities, meeting the requirements of this type of product. A liquid fertilizer based on an extract containing previously recovered nutrients also meets the criteria in terms of quality and content of impurities and can potentially be used as a fertilizing product suitable for agricultural crops. This study demonstrates a feasible pathway for transforming specific waste streams into valuable agricultural inputs, contributing to environmental protection and sustainable production. The production of a new liquid fertilizer using nutrients recovered from post-cultivation mineral wool and the preparation of an organic–mineral substrate using post-extraction solid residue is a rational strategy for recycling hard-to-biodegrade end-of-life products. Full article

This study, conducted in Mexico, evaluates the agricultural potential of three compost formulations BFS1, BFS2, and BFS3 produced from mining tailings and thermophilic microbial mats and collected from geothermal environments. The physicochemical characterization included pH, electrical conductivity (EC), macronutrients (N, P, K, Ca, Mg, and S), micronutrients (Fe, Zn, B, Cu, Mn, Mo, and Ni), organic matter (OM), and the carbon-to-nitrogen (C/N) ratio. All composts exhibited neutral pH values (7.38–7.52), high OM content (38.5–48.4%), and optimal C/N ratios (10.5–13.9), indicating maturity and chemical stability. Nitrogen ranged from 19 to 21 kg·t⁻¹, while potassium and calcium were present in concentrations beneficial for crop development. However, EC values (3.43–3.66 dS/m) and boron levels (>160 ppm) were moderately high, requiring caution in saline soils or with boron-sensitive crops. A semi-quantitative Compost Quality Index (CQI) ranked BFS3 highest due to elevated OM and potassium content, followed by BFS1. BFS2, while rich in nitrogen, scored lower due to excessive boron. One-way ANOVA revealed no significant difference in nitrogen (p > 0.05), but it did reveal significant differences in potassium (p < 0.01) and boron (p < 0.001) among formulations. These results confirm the potential of mining tailings—microbial mat composts are low-cost, nutrient-rich biofertilizers. They are suitable for field crops or as components in nursery substrates, particularly when EC and boron are managed through dilution. This study promotes the circular reuse of geothermal and industrial residues and contributes to sustainable soil restoration practices in mining-affected regions through innovative composting strategies. Full article

Flammulina filiformis, one of the most delicious and commercially important mushrooms, demonstrates remarkable adaptability to diverse agricultural wastes. However, it is unclear how different substrates affect the degradation of lignocellulosic biomass and the production of lignocellulolytic enzymes in F. filiformis. In this study, label-free comparative proteomic analysis of F. filiformis cultivated on sugarcane bagasse, cotton seed shells, corn cobs, and glucose substrates was conducted to identify degradation mechanism across various substrates. Label-free quantitative proteomics identified 1104 proteins. Gene Ontology and Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes pathway analysis of protein expression differences were predominantly enriched in energy metabolism and carbohydrate metabolic pathways. Detailed characterization of carbohydrate-active enzymes among the identified proteins revealed glucanase (GH7, A0A067NSK0) as the key enzyme. F. filiformis secreted higher levels of cellulases and hemicellulases on sugarcane bagasse substrate. In the cotton seed shells substrate, multiple cellulases functioned collaboratively, while in the corn cobs substrate, glucanase predominated among the cellulases. These findings reveal the enzymatic strategies and metabolic flexibility of F. filiformis in lignocellulose utilization, providing novel insights for metabolic engineering applications in biotechnology. The study establishes a theoretical foundation for optimizing biomass conversion and developing innovative substrates using targeted enzyme systems. Full article

Based on a comprehensive review of the current research status of ecological compensation both domestically and internationally, combined with field survey data, this study delves into the issue of multi-stakeholder participation in the ecological compensation mechanisms of the Xin’an River Basin. This research reveals that the joint participation of multiple stakeholders is crucial to achieving the goals of ecological compensation in river basins. The government plays a significant role in macro-guidance, financial support, policy guarantees, supervision, and management. It promotes the comprehensive implementation of ecological environmental protection by formulating relevant laws and regulations, guiding the public to participate in ecological conservation, and supervising and punishing pollution behaviors. The public, serving as the main force, forms strong awareness and behavioral habits of ecological protection through active participation in environmental protection, monitoring, and feedback. As participants, enterprises contribute to industrial transformation and green development by improving resource utilization efficiency, reducing pollution emissions, promoting green industries, and participating in ecological restoration projects. Scientific research institutions, as technology enablers, have effectively enhanced governance efficiency through technological research and innovation, ecosystem value accounting to provide decision-making support, and public education. Social organizations, as facilitators, have injected vitality and innovation into watershed governance by extensively mobilizing social forces and building multi-party collaboration platforms. Communities, as supporters, have transformed ecological value into economic benefits by developing characteristic industries such as eco-agriculture and eco-tourism. Based on the above findings, further recommendations are proposed to mobilize the enthusiasm of upstream communities and encourage their participation in ecological compensation, promote the market-oriented operation of ecological compensation mechanisms, strengthen cross-regional cooperation to establish joint mechanisms, enhance supervision and evaluation, and establish a sound benefit-sharing mechanism. These recommendations provide theoretical support and practical references for ecological compensation worldwide. Full article

Agricultural nondestructive testing technology is pivotal in safeguarding food quality assurance, safety monitoring, and supply chain transparency. While conventional optical methods such as near-infrared spectroscopy and hyperspectral imaging demonstrate proficiency in surface composition analysis, their constrained penetration depth and environmental sensitivity limit effectiveness in dynamic agricultural inspections. This review highlights the transformative potential of microwave technologies, systematically examining their operational principles, current implementations, and developmental trajectories for agricultural quality control. Microwave technology leverages dielectric response mechanisms to overcome traditional limitations, such as low-frequency penetration for grain silo moisture testing and high-frequency multi-parameter analysis, enabling simultaneous detection of moisture gradients, density variations, and foreign contaminants. Established applications span moisture quantification in cereal grains, oilseed crops, and plant tissues, while emerging implementations address storage condition monitoring, mycotoxin detection, and adulteration screening. The high-frequency branch of the microwave–millimeter wave systems enhances analytical precision through molecular resonance effects and sub-millimeter spatial resolution, achieving trace-level contaminant identification. Current challenges focus on three areas: excessive absorption of low-frequency microwaves by high-moisture agricultural products, significant path loss of microwave high-frequency signals in complex environments, and the lack of a standardized dielectric database. In the future, it is essential to develop low-cost, highly sensitive, and portable systems based on solid-state microelectronics and metamaterials, and to utilize IoT and 6G communications to enable dynamic monitoring. This review not only consolidates the state-of-the-art but also identifies future innovation pathways, providing a roadmap for scalable deployment of next-generation agricultural NDT systems. Full article

Discovering, analyzing, and finding a key to understanding the physiological and biochemical responses that Vitis vinifera L. undertakes against drought stress is of fundamental importance for this profitable crop. Today’s considerable climatic fluctuations force researchers and farmers to focus on this issue with solutions inclined to respect the ecosystem. In this academic work, we focused on describing the drought stress consequences on several parameters of secondary metabolites on Vitis vinifera leaves (quercetins, kaempferol, resveratrol, proline, and xanthophylls) and on some ecophysiological characteristics (e.g., water potential, stomatal conductance, and leaf temperature) to compare the answers that diverse agronomic management techniques (i.e., irrigation with and without zeolite, pure zeolite and no application) could instaurate in the metabolic pathway of this important crop with the aim to find convincing and thought-provoking responses to use this captivating and versatile mineral, the zeolite known as the “magic rock”. Stressed grapevines reached 56.80 mmol/m²s gs at veraison and a more negative stem Ψ (+10.63%) compared to plants with zeolite. Resveratrol, in the hottest season, fluctuated from 0.18–0.19 mg/g in zeolite treatments to 0.37 mg/g in stressed vines. Quercetins were inclined to accumulate in response to drought stress too. In fact, we recorded a peak of quercetin (3-O-glucoside + 3-O-glucuronide) of 11.20 mg/g at veraison in stressed plants. It is interesting to note how the pool of metabolites was often unchanged for plants treated with zeolite and for plants treated with water only, thus elevating this mineral to a “stress reliever”. Full article