Search Results (263)

The citrus processing industry generates large amounts of organic residues whose sustainable management is a major environmental challenge. The aim of this study was to evaluate the effects of incorporating citrus-derived waste (CW) into coconut-coir-based substrates on tomato (Solanum lycopersicum L., cv. Proxy) under different irrigation regimes (I) in a factorial design (CW × I) with three replications. Each replicate consisted of six plants (pots), and the replicate was considered the experimental unit. Plants were grown in substrates amended with 0%, 6.25%, 12.5%, 25.0%, and 37.5% (v/v) citrus waste and subjected to three water regimes (100%, 75%, and 50% of the standard water supply). Plant growth, biomass allocation, yield components, and fruit quality traits were assessed. Results indicate that CW can be incorporated into coconut-coir substrates without detectable penalties in total production at low-to-moderate rates (6.25–12.5%) across all irrigation regimes. Yield reductions of 18% (from 3398 to 2789 g plant⁻¹) attributable to CW were observed mostly at the highest inclusion rates under moderate deficit irrigation (75% water supply), whereas under severe deficit (50% water supply), production declined across all CW rates, including 0%, indicating that water deficit has a dominant limiting effect. Fruit quality parameters were generally maintained or improved in amended substrates, particularly under reduced irrigation with deficit irrigation, generally increasing total soluble solids at 100%, 75%, and 50% WC (+13%, +19%, and +9%, respectively). Overall, these findings support the use of citrus waste at low-to-moderate proportions as a sustainable amendment for soilless tomato cultivation without marked negative effects on yield and fruit quality, enabling its use as a locally sourced substrate component within circular-economy strategies. Full article

Wheat (Triticum aestivum L.) is a strategic food crop for arid, hot regions such as the Arabian Peninsula, the Middle East, and North Africa. In these areas, production is limited by extreme environmental and agronomic conditions, leading to heavy dependence on imported wheat. Irrigation is often essential for successful cultivation, but available water sources are frequently saline. This study evaluated the comparative effects of irrigation salinity and genotype on agronomic performance, physiological responses, and grain quality. Nine Syrian wheat genotypes and one French bread-making cultivar, Florence Aurora, were grown in sandy soil under three irrigation salinity levels (2.6, 10, and 15 dS m⁻¹) across two seasons at the International Center for Biosaline Agriculture (Dubai, UAE). Salinity strongly negatively impacted yield, which decreased by 61% from the control to 15 dS m⁻¹, along with key yield components such as thousand grain weight and total biomass. Physiological traits, including carbon isotope composition (δ¹³C) and Na concentrations in roots, shoots and grains, increased significantly with salinity, while chlorophyll content showed a modest decline. Effects on grain quality were relatively minor: total nitrogen concentration and most mineral levels increased slightly, mainly due to a passive concentration effect associated with reduced TGW. Genotypes varied significantly in yield, biomass, TGW, physiological traits, and grain quality. The highest-yielding genotypes under control conditions (ACSAD 981 and ACSAD 1147) also performed best under saline conditions, and no trade-off was observed between yield and grain quality parameters (TGW, nitrogen, zinc, and iron concentrations). Separate analyses conducted for control and saline treatments identified different drivers of genotypic variability. Under control conditions, chlorophyll content, closely linked with δ¹³C, was the best predictor of genotypic differences and was positively correlated with yield across genotypes. Under salinity stress, grain magnesium (Mg) concentration was the strongest predictor, followed by grain δ¹³C, with both traits positively correlated with yield. These findings highlight key physiological traits linked to salinity tolerance and offer insights into the mechanisms underlying genotypic variability under both optimal and saline irrigation conditions. Full article

Understanding the influence of tree species and their intrinsic traits on biochar yield and carbon retention is essential for optimizing the conversion of biomass to biochar in carbon-negative systems. While it is well-established that pyrolysis temperature and broad feedstock categories significantly affect biochar properties, the extent of species-level variation within woody biomass under standardized pyrolysis conditions remains insufficiently quantified. Here, we synthesized biochar from seven common subtropical tree species at 600 °C under oxygen-limited smoldering conditions and quantified three key indices: biochar yield (Y), carbon recovery efficiency (ηC), and carbon enrichment factor (EC). We further examined the relationships of these indices with feedstock characteristics (initial carbon content, wood density) and functional group identity (conifer vs. broadleaf). Analysis of variance revealed significant interspecific differences in ηC but weaker effects on Y, indicating that species identity primarily governs carbon retention rather than total mass yield. Broadleaf species (Liquidambar formosana, Castanea mollissima) exhibited consistently higher ηC and EC than conifers (Pinus massoniana, P. elliottii), reflecting higher lignin content and wood density that favor aromatic char formation. Principal component and cluster analyses clearly separated coniferous and broadleaf taxa, accounting for over 80% of total variance in carbon-related traits. Regression models showed that feedstock carbon content, biochar carbon content, and wood density together explained 15.5% of the variance in ηC, with feedstock carbon content exerting a significant negative effect, whereas wood density correlated positively with carbon retention. These findings demonstrate that tree species and their functional traits jointly determine carbon fixation efficiency during smoldering. High initial carbon content alone does not guarantee enhanced carbon recovery; instead, wood density and lignin-derived structural stability dominate retention outcomes. Our results underscore the need for trait-based feedstock selection to improve biochar quality and carbon sequestration potential, and provide a mechanistic framework linking species identity, functional traits, and carbon stabilization in biochar production. Full article

Banana (Musa spp.) fruit morphology is a key determinant of yield and quality, yet modeling its 3D structural dynamics across genotypes remains difficult. To address this challenge, we developed a generic, biomass-driven 3D structural model for banana fruit fingers that quantitatively links growth and morphology. Field experiments were conducted over two growing seasons in Hainan, China, using three representative genotypes. Morphological traits, including outer and inner arc length, circumference, and pedicel length, along with dry (W_d) and fresh weight (W_f), were measured every 10 days after flowering until 110 days. Quantitative relationships between morphological traits and W_f, as well as between W_d and W_f, were fitted using linear or Gompertz functions with genotype-specific parameters. Based on these functions, a parameterized 3D reconstruction method was implemented in Python, combining biomass-driven growth equations, curvature geometry, and cross-sectional interpolation to simulate the fruit’s bending, tapering, and volumetric development. The resulting dynamic 3D models accurately reproduced genotype-specific differences in curvature, length, and shape with average fitting R² > 0.95. The proposed biomass-driven 3D structural model provides a methodological framework for integrating banana fruit morphology into functional–structural plant models. Full article

The quality and yield of grafted tomato seedlings are significantly influenced by the selection of high-quality and robust rootstocks. The effectiveness of these rootstocks is dependent on various environmental factors and genetic traits. One of the most critical factors in cultivation is light, as its intensity plays a vital role in seedling growth, overall development, metabolic processes, the efficiency of the photosynthetic system, and other essential plant functions. The aim of this study was to investigate the changes in the photosynthetic system activity and the growth of tomato rootstocks depending on the light intensity. The study was conducted at the Institute of Horticulture, Lithuanian Center for Agricultural and Forestry Sciences, focusing on four tomato rootstock varieties grown in a controlled environment. The plants were grown at a temperature of +23/19 °C and a relative humidity of 55–60%, under different levels of illumination (high-pressure sodium lamps), PPFD: 150, 250 and 350 ± 10 µmol m⁻² s⁻¹. The results indicated that optimal growth and biomass accumulation occurred at around 250 µmol m⁻² s⁻¹, with the most significant growth observed in the rootstocks ‘Auroch’ and ‘Goldrake’. Higher light intensities, specifically at 350 µmol m⁻² s⁻¹, did not consistently enhance growth and could even lead to a reduction in leaf area and overall growth in some cultivars such as ‘Auroch’ and ‘TOR23901’. Although photosynthetic parameters improved with increased light intensity up to 350 µmol m⁻² s⁻¹, these enhancements did not translate into additional growth benefits. Full article

The recently described genus Candolleomyces (Basidiomycota, Agaricales, Psathyrellaceae) is now recognized as a distinct taxonomic group separate from Psathyrella. Currently, no fully assembled and accurately annotated genomes of Candolleomyces species are available, limiting our understanding of their physiological traits and biotechnological potential. Numerous tools exist for fungal genome assembly and annotation, each using different algorithms, resulting in substantial variation in gene content and distribution within the same genome. In this work, a hybrid assembly and annotation of the genome of strain CMU-8613 were performed using pipelines that combine different assembly and annotation tools. Phylogenetic analysis showed that the analyzed strain CMU-8613 belongs to Candolleomyces candolleanus. The assembled genome size ranged from 46.8 Mb (NECAT + Racon) to 59.3 Mb (Canu + Coprinellus micaceus genome assembly), depending on the assembly and polishing strategy. The analysis identified 15–25 secondary metabolite gene clusters (BGCs), depending on the genome assembly and the tools used for BGC prediction. In strain CMU-8613, CAZyme-encoding genes varied across assemblies: 494 genes were detected in the Flye assembly and 453 in NECAT; in both cases, the AA (Auxiliary Activities) and GH (Glycoside Hydrolases) families were the most represented. The diversity of CAZymes observed among Candolleomyces species suggests differences in their saprophytic capacities. Analysis of the MAT-A/MAT-B loci revealed that C. candolleanus possesses a tetrapolar mating system. This study provides the first annotated genome of C. candolleanus, highlighting its enzymatic potential to degrade plant biomass and its capacity to synthesize diverse secondary metabolites. The combination of assembly and annotation tools employed here offers robust alternative strategies for characterizing non-model fungi or species lacking high-quality reference genomes. Full article

Organic production systems impose strong environmental constraints on silage maize, yet the relative contributions of genotype, environment and their interaction (G × E) to key performance traits remain insufficiently resolved. This study evaluated six maize cultivars across 11 organically managed environments (location × year combinations) in Poland, assessing weed infestation, plant height, fresh matter yield, dry matter content and dry matter yield. Genotype × environment interaction was explicitly analyzed using AMMI-based models, and cultivar adaptability and stability were evaluated using complementary indices. Environmental effects consistently dominated all traits, explaining 78–91% of total variation, while G × E interactions, though smaller, were significant and altered cultivar rankings. Weed infestation ranged widely across environments, from below 10% to over 90%, and was almost entirely environment-driven. Yield-related traits followed a strong precipitation gradient, with Pawłowice and Śrem showing the highest biomass potential. SM Perseus produced the greatest dry matter yields (13.53 t·ha⁻¹), whereas SM Mieszko combined high dry matter content (37.73%) with outstanding stability. Mega-environment analysis identified distinct adaptive niches, confirming that no genotype performed consistently best across all conditions. These findings close a key knowledge gap regarding cultivar performance under organic management and demonstrate the necessity of multi-environment evaluation that integrates performance, stability and adaptability analyses to support site-specific cultivar recommendations that enhance biomass productivity and silage quality in ecologically managed maize systems. Full article

The growing global population, along with evolving dietary trends and increasing concerns about health and the environment, underscores the urgent need to transform current food systems to minimize their environmental footprint and enhance global food security. This transformation has driven the development and demand for alternative food sources. In this context, alternative proteins emerge as promising options due to their production from plants, microorganisms, and insects, which potentially reduces the environmental impact of food production while supporting global food security. Nevertheless, the transition toward alternative proteins presents significant challenges related to the presence of antinutritional compounds, poor amino acid composition, lower digestibility, and undesirable organoleptic characteristics. Moreover, these new generations of alternative foods are highly processed, raising concerns about their nutritional adequacy compared to traditional products. In this context, fermentation technologies have emerged as promising tools to overcome these limitations. Traditional fermentation can degrade antinutritional factors, improve digestibility, and release bioactive compounds, allowing the production of new products with health-promoting properties. Beyond traditional fermentation, biomass fermentation to single-cell protein or microbial protein production represents a sustainable alternative, promoting a climate-friendly approach aligned with circular bioeconomy principles by upcycling various agro-industrial streams. Thus, this review discusses how microbial strategies (from traditional fermentation to cutting-edge microbial protein production) can enhance the nutritional properties of alternative protein-based foods. Emphasis is placed on the capacity of traditional fermentation to improve nutritional quality and bioactivity, mitigate undesirable sensory traits, and preserve or enhance micronutrient content. Additionally, integrating biomass fermentation and emerging precision fermentation positions microorganisms as valuable contributors to more nutritious and sustainable food systems. Full article

Weed stress remains a major limiting factor in cotton production, and glyphosate-tolerant varieties provide an effective solution for chemical weed control. However, achieving a balance between herbicide tolerance and agronomic physiological traits remains challenging. In this study, three hybrid combinations were generated by crossing a glyphosate-tolerant cotton line (GGK2) with conventional elite lines and were comprehensively evaluated. Gene expression analysis revealed that the classical detoxification gene GAT was significantly downregulated in all hybrid combinations, whereas the expression of GR79-EPSPS, a gene associated with glutathione metabolism and oxidative stress response, was markedly elevated, particularly in the GGK2 × Y4 combination. This differential expression pattern suggests that GR79-EPSPS may compensate for the reduced function of GAT by conferring oxidative protection under herbicide stress. Physiological determination indicated that hybrid combinations with enhanced GR79-EPSPS expression, especially GGK2 × Y5, exhibited superior photosynthetic pigment composition and photosystem II (PSII) efficiency, validating the role of GR79-EPSPS in maintaining photosynthetic stability. Agronomic trait assessment demonstrated that GGK2 × Y4 achieved significant biomass accumulation and yield improvement through heterosis, although fiber quality improvement was limited. This study effectively enhanced the herbicide resistance of conventional cotton through crossbreeding and revealed that the interaction between GR79-EPSPS and GAT can improve cotton tolerance to herbicides, thereby providing a breeding strategy for developing cotton varieties with both herbicide tolerance and superior agronomic traits. Full article

(1) Background: Oat (Avena sativa L.) is a crop that is widely used in human nutrition, while it also plays an important role in animal husbandry as a high-quality forage crop. However, this crop is particularly susceptible to combined biotic stressors, including insect pests (Agriotes lineatus) and fungal infections (Fusarium spp.). These stresses act synergistically: root damage caused by wireworms increases the plant’s susceptibility to fungal infection, while pathogens further limit nutrient uptake and root system development. In recent years, the reduced efficacy of chemical pesticides against both insect pests and fungal pathogens has highlighted the need for alternative strategies in oat protection, leading to an increased focus on developing bacterial bio-inoculants as sustainable and effective biocontrol agents. (2) Methods: This study aimed to identify bacterial strains capable of suppressing wireworms (Agriotes lineatus) and Fusarium spp. in oats, while simultaneously promoting plant growth. Bacterial isolates were screened for key Plant Growth Promoting (PGP) and biocontrol traits, including IAA and siderophore production, phosphate solubilization, and the presence of toxin- and antibiotic-coding genes. (3) Results: The highest insecticidal effect against wireworms was recorded for Bacillus velezensis BHC 3.1 (63.33%), while this isolate also suppressed the growth of F. proliferatum for 59%, F. oxysporum for 65%, F. poae for 71%, and F. graminearum for 15%. The most effective Bacillus strains (with insecticidal and antifungal activity) were identified and tested in two pot experiments, where their ability to enhance plant growth in the presence of insects and fungi was evaluated under semi-controlled conditions. An increase in plant biomass, grain yield, and nitrogen content was observed in oat inoculated with B. velezensis BHC 3.1 and B. thuringiensis BHC 2.4. (4) Conclusions: These results demonstrate the strong potential of both strains as multifunctional bio-inoculants for enhancing oat growth and mitigating the adverse effects of wireworm damage and Fusarium infection. Full article

Wheat (Triticum aestivum L.), a key global cereal for food and feed, is being improved through gamma irradiation to enhance its nutritional and functional value for forage use. This study examined the forage potential and functional traits of gamma-irradiated colored wheat mutants through integrated analyses of agronomic performance, chemical composition, silage quality, and antioxidant capacity. Nine mutant lines (S1–S9), original colored wheat, and two control cultivars, ‘Cheongwoo’ (forage type) and ‘Keumkang’ (bread type), were evaluated under field conditions. Gamma irradiation (200 Gy) broadened phenotypic and biochemical diversity within the colored wheat background, generating genotypes with distinct biomass and compositional profiles. Several lines, particularly S6 and S8, produced high dry matter yields with balanced crude protein and fiber contents comparable to ‘Cheongwoo’ while maintaining optimal fiber levels for ruminant feeding. Most mutants showed stable fermentation and buffering properties, indicating that radiation-induced variation did not impair silage quality. Antioxidant analyses revealed clear genotypic variation, with the S3 and S1 lines exhibiting elevated phenolic and anthocyanin contents associated with strong radical scavenging activity. Overall, gamma irradiation proved to be an effective approach for generating colored wheat lines with enhanced agronomic performance and functional value, highlighting S3 as a promising dual-purpose whole-crop forage candidate. Full article

Drought is a major problem affecting upland rice growth worldwide, including in northeast Thailand, with insufficient irrigation, where drought stress leads to reduced yields and may affect the functional compound content of rice grains. This research aimed to study the efficacy of arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi (AMF) Rhizophagus variabilis KS-02 and endophytic fungi (EPF) Trichoderma zelobreve PBMP16 on promoting the growth and accumulation of functional substances in upland black rice under drought conditions. Factorial experiments in a randomized complete block design (RCBD) were conducted by cultivating rice inoculated with AMF and EPF as well as co-inoculated with AMF+EPF under three watering conditions: 100% field capacity (FC), 66% FC, and 33% FC. The results show that both AMF, EPF improved some plant growth parameters and physiological performance under both well-watered and water-limited conditions. Inoculating plants with fungi increased the production of enzymes APX, CAT, and GR, as well as proline, which helps plants tolerate water deficit stress. Functional grain quality, including phenolic compounds, anthocyanins, and antioxidant activity, was also increased by fungal inoculation. While co-inoculation provided advantages for certain parameters, particularly antioxidant activity and biomass, single inoculation with AMF or EPF was equally effective or superior for specific traits depending on the level of water stress. Overall, this report shows that both AMF and EPF contribute to improving the productivity and functional quality of upland black rice under drought conditions, with treatment effects varying according to fungal type and water availability. Full article

In Europe, Salvia officinalis L. is the most widely cultivated species of the genus Salvia, valued for its medicinal properties and essential oil production. However, in Spain, the predominant wild species is S. lavandulifolia Vahl., which exhibits notable morphological diversity. Cultivating these species presents specific challenges: S. lavandulifolia typically displays a creeping habit that hinders mechanical harvesting, while S. officinalis contains neurotoxic thujones in its essential oil, raising safety concerns. Therefore, developing new sage cultivars that combine improved agronomic performance, easier harvesting, and a safe, high-quality essential oil composition is of great practical interest for the sustainable production of sage. This study investigates the recently described natural hybrid Salvia × accidentalis nothosubsp. albaladejitoi (S. lavandulifolia subsp. lavandulifolia × S. officinalis) through a comprehensive multiparametric evaluation, including morphological, phenological, and biochemical analyses. The hybrid exhibited greater biomass, likely influenced by S. officinalis, which could facilitate mechanical harvesting. The chemical profile (GC and HPLC) revealed intermediate compositions of the essential oil and extract, characterized by lower concentrations of thujone and camphor and higher levels of bioactive pinenes. Its balanced phenolic profile and enhanced antioxidant capacity also suggest potential functional applications. Overall, S. × accidentalis nothosubsp. albaladejitoi demonstrates a promising combination of agronomic and biochemical traits, supporting its potential as a new cultivar for the sustainable cultivation of sage and the production of high-quality, safe and functionally valuable sage-derived products. Full article

The optimization of mowing management is crucial for establishing a high-yielding “one sowing, two harvests” system for oat (Avena sativa L.) forage production in the alpine regions of the Tibetan Plateau. This study aimed to identify the optimal combination of cutting stage and stubble height to maximize the total seasonal productivity of the system. A two-factor field experiment, arranged in a randomized complete block design, was conducted over two consecutive growing seasons (2024 and 2025) using the local cultivar ‘Qingtian No. 1’. The treatments consisted of two cutting stages (flowering stage, C₁; milk stage, C₂) and three stubble heights (5 cm, H₁; 10 cm, H₂; 15 cm, H₃). Regarding regrowth phase performance, mowing at the flowering stage (C₁) resulted in significantly superior agronomic traits (e.g., stem diameter, tiller number) and photosynthetic characteristics compared to the milk stage (C₂). In terms of forage quality, the C₂H₂ treatment maximized water-soluble carbohydrate content but also led to elevated fiber levels. However, the key metric for system evaluation—the total seasonal dry matter yield—was predominantly governed by the cutting stage. Mowing at the milk stage (C₂) consistently resulted in a higher total yield than C₁, with optimal combinations yielding 1.31 t/ha (C₂H₁) in 2024 and 1.25 t/ha (C₂H₂) in 2025. This advantage was primarily due to a substantially greater first-harvest yield under C₂, which outweighed the regrowth benefits of C₁. A comprehensive evaluation based on total system productivity and forage quality indicates that mowing at the milk stage (C₂) is the optimal strategy for achieving high total output. For ‘Qingtian No. 1’ oat in this region, a stubble height of 10 cm (as in the C₂H₂ treatment) is recommended to ensure robustness across years. This management strategy secures a high total seasonal forage yield through effective biomass allocation between harvests, extending the supply window and offering a sustainable cultivation model for this ecologically vulnerable region. Full article

A genetic linkage map of Grifola albicans f. huishuhua (Maitake) is an important resource for chromosome analysis and the genetic basis of phenotypic variation determination. A total of 92 monokaryotic isolates were selected from the F1 generation of Q3-8 × Y1-18 in this study. Restriction site-associated DNA sequencing, as well as identification of single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs), was performed, aiming to illustrate a high-density genetic linkage map. A total of 1122 high-quality SNP markers were located on a map with a length of 1473.60 centimorgan (cM) by screening 589534 SNPs. This map covers 12 linkage groups (LGs) with an average genetic distance of 122.80 cM. Three quantitative trait loci (QTLs) related to the growth rate of G. albicans f. huishuhua strains were identified using the composite interval mapping method. These QTLs were mapped to linkage groups (LGs) as follows: LG3 (qmgv), LG4 (qmb), LG5 (qmd), LG8 (qrdm1, qrdm2), and LG10 (qmgrc1, qmgrc2, qmgrc3). The genes associated with mycelial growth rate and biomass production of these strains were identified. This information could be used for molecular marker-assisted selective breeding in G. albicans f. huishuhua. Full article