Search Results (430)

Background: Developments in biology, genetics, soil science, plant breeding, engineering, and agricultural microbiology are driving advances in soil microbiology and microbial biotechnology. Material and methods: The literature for this review was collected by searching leading scientific databases such as Embase, Medline/PubMed, Scopus, and Web of Science. Results: Recent advances in soil microbiology and biotechnology are discussed, emphasizing the role of microorganisms in sustainable agriculture. It has been shown that soil and plant microbiomes significantly contribute to improving soil fertility and plant and soil health. Microbes promote plant growth through various mechanisms, including potassium, phosphorus, and zinc solubilization, biological nitrogen fixation, production of ammonia, HCN, siderophores, and other secondary metabolites with antagonistic effects. The diversity of microbiomes related to crops, plant protection, and the environment is analyzed, as well as their role in improving food quality, especially under stress conditions. Particular attention was paid to the diversity of microbiomes and their mechanisms supporting plant growth and soil fertility. Conclusions: The key role of soil microorganisms in sustainable agriculture was highlighted. They can support the production of natural substances used as plant protection products, as well as biopesticides, bioregulators, or biofertilizers. Microbial biotechnology also offers potential in the production of sustainable chemicals, such as biofuels or biodegradable plastics (PHA) from plant sugars, and in the production of pharmaceuticals, including antibiotics, hormones, or enzymes. Full article

Sorghum is a versatile crop that serves as a major source of food, feed, fodder and biofuel globally. Lignin content in sorghum affects multiple important traits, including lodging resistance, forage digestibility and the efficiency of bioenergy production. However, the genetic regulation of lignin content in sorghum remains poorly understood. In this study, we combined transcriptomic and comparative genomic approaches to uncover the genetic network underlying lignin biosynthesis in sorghum. Through comparative genomic analysis, we identified 104 candidate genes involved in lignin biosynthesis. Transcriptome analysis of four sorghum accessions with contrasting lignin contents identified 6132 differentially expressed genes with an enrichment of genes related to phenylpropanoid biosynthesis and cell wall biogenesis. The 104 lignin biosynthesis candidates were significantly enriched (p-value < 0.01) in these differentially expressed genes, with most differentially expressed candidate genes related to monolignol biosynthesis and polymerization being up-regulated in high-lignin accessions. These up-regulated genes are related to all key enzymes involved in lignin biosynthesis, suggesting that the elevated lignin content in these accessions results from a collective increase in enzyme activity. Sequence analysis revealed a significant reduction in genetic diversity across lignin biosynthesis genes in cultivated sorghum compared to wild sorghum. Moreover, selection signals during domestication were identified in 30 lignin biosynthesis genes, 22 of which were differentially expressed, further supporting the functional relevance of these differentially expressed genes in lignin biosynthesis. Overall, our findings uncover the lignin biosynthesis gene network in sorghum and offer potential targets for future functional studies and trait manipulation. Full article

At present, transportation energy comes primarily from fossil fuels. In order to mitigate the effects of greenhouse gas emissions, it is necessary to transition to low-carbon transportation technologies. These technologies can include battery electric vehicles, fuel cell vehicles and biofuel vehicles. This transition includes not only the development and production of suitable vehicles, but also the development of appropriate infrastructure. For example, in the case of battery electric vehicles, this infrastructure would include additional grid capacity for battery charging. For fuel cell vehicles, infrastructure could include facilities for the production of suitable electrofuels, which, again, would require additional grid capacity. In the present paper, we look at some specific examples of infrastructure requirements for battery electric vehicles and vehicles using hydrogen and other electrofuels in either internal combustion engines or fuel cells. Analysis includes the necessary additional grid capacity, energy storage requirements and land area associated with renewable energy generation by solar photovoltaics and wind. The present analysis shows that the best-case scenario corresponds to the use of battery electric vehicles powered by electricity from solar photovoltaics. This situation corresponds to a 47% increase in grid electricity generation and the utilization of 1.7% of current crop land. Full article

Camelina sativa (L.) Crantz, a native European oilseed crop of the Brassicaceae family, is notable for its short life cycle, making it well-suited for crop rotation and diversification. Its seeds contain a high content of oil (36–47%) that is rich in polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFAs) such as alpha-linolenic acid (ALA, C18:3, Ω-3) and linoleic acid (LA, C18:2, Ω-6). This oil has diverse industrial applications, including low-emission biofuels, animal feed, pharmaceuticals, biolubricants, bioplastics, and cosmetics. We analyzed the expression of seven key enzymes involved in fatty acid biosynthesis across nine C. sativa accessions at three stages of silique development using highly efficient qRT-PCR assays designed for the target genes and a normalizing control. Our detailed expression analysis revealed significant variation across varieties, with only the gene FAB2c exhibiting genotype-independent expression, indicating a constitutive and essential role in monounsaturated fatty acid (MUFA) biosynthesis. Other genes showed significant interactions between the variety and developmental stage, highlighting the combined influences of genetic background and silique maturation on gene regulation. V18 emerges as particularly promising, exhibiting elevated expression of genes linked to PUFA and VLCFA biosynthesis—traits of significance for food, biofuel, and industrial applications. These findings, together with the developed qRT-PCR assays, provide valuable tools for selecting Camelina varieties with optimized genetic profiles, highlighting the potential of harnessing natural transcriptional diversity for crop improvement. Full article

Castor (Ricinus communis L.) is a plant belonging to the Euphorbiaceae family originated from Asia or Africa and well adapted to the Mediterranean environment. As an oilseed crop with a high oil content (35–65%), it is nowadays used for biofuels production, with a large potential for applications in chemical and pharmaceutical sectors as well. As for other oilseed crops, the interest towards this crop has grown exponentially in the past decades because of the necessity of limiting fossil fuels, obtaining clean energy, and use of a renewable energy source as required by RED (Renewable Energy Directive) within the European Union. Moreover, castor has a great adaptability in different soil and climate conditions, and it is known as a low-key maintenance crop. These characteristics, together with the necessity of increasing renewable energy sources, with the possibility of re-evaluating marginal lands, make castor the ideal plant to be exploited in the years to come. This review aims at giving useful information regarding its cultivation and soil and climate requirements, providing an overview on its spread on the market. Full article

From the perspective of biogas plant (BGP) operators, it is highly challenging to make a profitable decision on optimal biomethane production and allocation across interconnected markets. The aim of this study is to analyze the dynamics of biomethane markets, develop the gas allocation portfolio (GAP) for BGPs, investigate the impact of GHG quota price on the market dynamics and substrate mix consumption, and evaluate the profitability of the biomethane market system under various demand-based scenarios. A two-step optimization approach based on linear programming is adopted. Firstly, the optimized substrate mix and corresponding GAP are determined for all BGPs. Secondly, by leveraging the options flexibility created by the interconnected nature of biomethane markets, the BGPs’ GAP is further developed. Through an in-depth sensitivity analysis, the effects of GHG quota price variations on the market dynamics are assessed. The results indicate that integrated production, obtained by implementing the improved GAP across all BGPs, maximizes the profitability of the system. At higher quota prices, the consumption of manure, residuals, and grass is encouraged, while the use of energy crops declines. Furthermore, higher quota prices lead to a substantial increase in biomethane price in the EEG market, highlighting the need for further governmental support for biomethane CHP units. The anticipated competition between hydrogen and biomethane to achieve a greater share in the heating sector could pose risks to long-term investments in biomethane. The system achieves its highest profitability, a total contribution margin of EUR 2254.8 million, under the Transport Biofuels Expansion scenario. Generally, policies and regulations that raise the quota price (e.g., the 36. BImSchV) or promote biomethane demand in the heating sector (e.g., the GEG) can provide both economic and ecological benefits to the system. Full article

Agricultural waste poses significant environmental, economic, and social challenges globally, with estimates indicating that 10–50% of agricultural products are discarded annually as waste. This review explores strategies for managing agricultural waste to mitigate its adverse impacts and promote sustainable development. Agricultural residues, such as those from sugarcane, rice, and wheat, contribute to pollution when improperly disposed of through burning or burying, contaminating soil, water, and air. However, these residues also represent untapped resources for bioenergy production, composting, mulching, and the creation of value-added products like biochar, bioplastics, single-cell protein and biobased building blocks. The paper highlights various solutions, including integrating agricultural waste into livestock feed formulations to reduce competition for human food crops, producing biofuels like ethanol and biodiesel from lignocellulosic materials, and adopting circular economy practices to upcycle waste into high-value products. Technologies such as anaerobic digestion for biogas production and gasification for synthesis gas offer renewable energy alternatives and ample feedstocks for gas fermentation while addressing waste management issues. Composting and vermicomposting enhance soil fertility, while mulching improves moisture retention and reduces erosion. Moreover, the review emphasizes the importance of policy frameworks, public-private partnerships, and farmer education in promoting effective waste management practices. By implementing these strategies, agricultural waste can be transformed into a resource, contributing to food security, environmental conservation, and economic growth. Full article

Rye (Secale cereale L.), a cereal with valuable agronomic and nutritional benefits, contributes to sustainable agriculture, especially in areas where more demanding crops cannot be cultivated due to the poor agronomic value of soil. This review explores rye grain quality optimization strategies through production techniques. The quality and yield of grain are under the significant impact of agronomic factors, such as variety selection, crop rotation, soil tillage, fertilization, sowing practices, chemical protection, and harvest timing. It is also under the strong influence of the chosen farm’s management strategy, like organic or conventional farming system. This review emphasizes its diverse potential utilization routes, and the importance of bioactive compounds, dietary fibers, phenolic acids, phytoestrogens, and benzoxazinoids that enhance its value as a functional food. Cereal grain with quality issues cannot be used as food for humans, however, it can still be utilized alternatively as a renewable biofuel. This review showed rye grain to have a potential to contribute to sustainable agriculture and at the same time build farms’ resilience through possible alternative utilization strategies. It can serve as both a food source and a sustainable biofuel, offering a dual-purpose solution within the circular bioeconomy. Full article

Rapeseed (Brassica napus L., 2n = 38) is an important oil crop worldwide, providing vegetable oil and biofuel. Despite improvements in breeding, rapeseed’s harvest index and yield remain lower than other major crops. Plant height (PH) and first-branch height (FBH) are crucial plant architecture traits affecting yield, lodging resistance and efficiency of mechanical harvesting. Phenotypic analysis of 125 rapeseed accessions across four environments revealed wide variation in PH (100–198 cm) and FBH (15.56–112.4 cm), with high broad-sense heritability (H² = 81.59% for PH, 77.69% for FBH), and significant positive correlations between traits. To understand the genetic control of PH and FBH, a genome-wide association study (GWAS) of a natural population was conducted, covering 2,131,705 genome variants across four environments. The 13 QTLs for PH and 15 for FBH were identified. Meta-analysis revealed that 28.57% of these loci overlapped with previously reported QTLs. Haplotype analysis confirmed significant effects of these loci on the traits. Candidate genes for PH and FBH, respectively, were identified based on linkage disequilibrium and functional predictions. However, five novel loci lacked nearby annotated genes. The candidate genes are linked to traits in Arabidopsis and other species, as well as to phytohormone response and cell development, and cell development. Notably, MOS1 gene copies (BnaA03G0481200ZS and BnaC07G0459400ZS) were associated with PH and FBH, indicating their multifunctional potential. Additionally, BnaA05G0163200ZS, with no functional annotation, emerged as a crucial gene for plant architecture. This study provides new genetic insights and may enhance marker-based breeding for ideotypes in rapeseed. Full article

Concerns about sustainable energy sources arise due to the non-renewable nature of petroleum. Escalating demand for fossil fuels and price inflation negatively impact the energy security and economy of a country. The generation and usage of biofuel could be suggested as a sustainable alternative to fossil fuels. Several studies have investigated the potential of using edible crops for biofuel production. However, the usage of algae as suitable feedstock is currently being promoted due to its ability to withstand adverse environmental conditions, capacity to generate more oil per area, and potential to mitigate energy crises and climate change with no detrimental impact on the environment and food supply. Furthermore, the biorefinery approach in algae-based biofuel production controls the economy of algal cultivation. Hence, this article critically reviews different cultivation systems of algae with critical parameters including harvesting methods, intended algae-based biofuels with relevant processing techniques, other applications of valorized algal biomass, merits and demerits, and limitations and challenges in algae-based biofuel production. Full article

Maize (Zea mays L.) is a globally vital crop for food, feed, and biofuel production, with plant height (PH) being a key agronomic trait that significantly influences yield, lodging resistance, and stress tolerance. This study identified a single-base mutation in the D1 (Dwarf 1) gene responsible for the dwarf phenotype in the maize mutant 16N125. Through genetic analysis and fine mapping, the candidate region was localized to chromosome 3, narrowing it down to an interval containing three genes. Sequencing revealed a non-synonymous mutation in D1, which encodes a gibberellin 3-beta-dioxygenase, leading to amino acid substitutions at positions 61 and 123. Genetic analysis of F2 populations confirmed that the mutation at position 61 was responsible for the dwarf trait. Furthermore, the mutation was detected in several Chinese inbred lines, indicating its potential role in dwarfing under specific conditions. These findings provide critical insights into the genetic mechanisms regulating maize plant height, offering valuable information for breeding programs focused on improving crop architecture and yield to address the challenges of global food security and climate change. Full article

Agrophotovoltaic (APV) systems represent innovative agricultural farms and solar power plants, capable of producing electricity and crops simultaneously. Since the solar radiation required to optimize harvests varies by crop type, traditional PV panels face challenges in efficiently adjusting the shading ratio of APV systems. This study evaluates the economic viability of APV systems integrated with building-integrated photovoltaic (BIPV) systems for biofuel production. Specifically, it assesses the production forecast for corn-based biofuel—demand for which is rising due to the mixed-fuel use policy of the Korean government—and the economic feasibility of production in the APV system enhanced by BIPV integration (i.e., the APV–BIPV system). To this end, LCOE (levelized cost of energy) and NPV (net present value) are employed as performance indicators. Additionally, yield data from corn and corn stover harvested in actual APV facilities are utilized to predict bioenergy production. Consequently, the study will analyze the impact of renewable energy production from the proposed APV–BIPV system on achieving the Korean government’s renewable energy production goals and will provide guidelines on the potential benefits for farmers involved in renewable energy production and energy crop harvesting. Full article

The valorization of agricultural residues assumes a pivotal position in the circular economy by transforming waste into a useful and environmentally friendly product, with the cultivation of corn, as one of the world’s predominant crops, being crucial. This article aimed to investigate the feasibility of using residues from corn crop as biofuels, going more in-depth into determining the effect that crop variety may have on its thermal qualities. Specifically, 12 samples of corn crop residues were studied in three main groups: conventional, forage, and transgenic varieties. To achieve this, proximate and ultimate analyses, thermogravimetric analyses, and differential scanning calorimetry were conducted, along with a study of gas emissions and a statistical comparison of different varieties. From the results obtained, it is worth highlighting the low ash content in all the samples (between 5.55% and 8.42%) and high calorific values (higher than 17 MJ/kg in all cases), as well as optimal thermal results for all the samples studied in both pyrolysis and combustion processes. Significant differences were found between the different varieties; in particular, it was observed that the forage variety presented more optimal conditions for its application in both processes. This may represent a potential competitive advantage for the forage varieties. Full article

Feedstock plants for biofuel production can be cultivated on polluted sites that are unsuitable for edible crop production. This approach combines environmental restoration and renewable energy production, therefore enhancing the economic viability of plant-derived biofuels. Previous studies have indicated that exposure to environmental pollutants may elevate lignin levels in exposed plants, potentially impacting the biomass digestibility and the efficiency of bioethanol conversion. In this study, we investigated the impact of the antimicrobial agent chlortetracycline on lignin biosynthesis in the reference organism Arabidopsis thaliana. Toxicity testing showed that exposure to chlortetracycline significantly reduced plant growth at concentrations above 2.5 mg L⁻¹. Using Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR) analysis, we observed a significant increase in the lignin signature, ranging from 16 to 40%, in plants exposed to chlortetracycline as compared to non-exposed control plants. Transcriptomic analysis (RNA sequencing) was conducted to determine the molecular basis of plant response to chlortetracycline, revealing significant enrichment of several genes involved in lignin biosynthesis and the phenylpropanoid pathway, including cinnamyl alcohol dehydrogenase and peroxidases. Exposure to chlortetracycline also resulted in the overexpression of genes involved in the metabolism of xenobiotic compounds, including cytochrome P450 monooxygenases, glutathione S-transferases, and glycosyltransferases. Chlortetracycline also induced several genes involved in plant response to stress and defense mechanisms, including transcription factors (e.g., WRKY, MYB, AP2/ERF families), pathogenesis-related proteins, and genes involved in stress signaling. These results suggest that the antibiotic chlortetracycline triggers multiple stress responses in A. thaliana, which may cause changes in lignin biosynthesis, reductions in plant growth, increases in the lignin content, and induction of defense metabolic pathways. Full article

Sorghum (Sorghum bicolor) is an essential bioenergy crop. Cellulosic and non-cellulosic polysaccharides, which can be transformed into biofuels, comprise most of its biomass. Many glycosyltransferases (GT) families, including GT43, are involved in the biosynthesis of xylan in plants’ primary and secondary cells. In this study, the GT43 gene family was identified, and its secondary structure and a three-dimensional (3D) model were constructed. Additionally, subcellular localization, detection of motifs, and analyses of its phylogenetic tree, physiochemical properties, protein–protein interaction network, gene structure, functional domain, gene duplication, Cis-acting elements, sequence logos, multiple sequence alignment, and gene expression profiles were performed based on RNA-sequence analyses. As a result, eleven members of the GT43 gene family were identified, and the phylogenetic tree of the GT43 gene family showed that all GT43 genes had evolutionary relationships with sorghum. Analyses of gene structure, motifs, sequence logos, and multiple sequence alignment showed that all members of the GT43 protein family were highly conserved. Subcellular localization showed all members of the GT43 protein family were localized in different compartments of sorghum. The secondary structure of the GT43 genes comprised different percentages of α-helices, random coils, β-turns, and extended strands. The tertiary structure model showed that all GT43 proteins had similar 3D structures. The results of the current study indicated that members of the GT43 gene family (Sobic.010G238800, Sobic.003G254700, and Sobic.001G409100) were highly expressed in internodes of the sorghum plant, based on RNA-Sequencing. The framework used in this study will be valuable for advancing research aligned with modern technology requirements and for enhancing understanding of the relationships among GT43 genes in Sorghum bicolor. Full article