Search Results (562)

Brazil hosts the world’s greatest stingless bee diversity but remains a leading pesticide consumer. This study evaluated the effects of thiamethoxam on Melipona scutellaris (Apidae) and Scaptotrigona postica (Apidae) larvae using standardized in vitro protocols and patented biomimetic technologies. Larvae were exposed to a field-realistic dose (RD) of 0.02292 ng a.i./larva—calculated using the BeeRex model for citrus crops—and two lower doses: RD/10 and RD/100. Thiamethoxam exposure resulted in significant mortality and developmental alterations, even at 100-fold dilutions. In M. scutellaris, mortality was dose-dependent; RD and RD/10 induced body malformation and reduced food consumption, resulting in >98% mortality. At RD/100, surviving individuals showed significant reductions in body size. In S. postica, all tested doses induced larval darkening and accelerated fungal growth, leading to 100% mortality during the feeding period, including at RD/100. This pattern contrasts with the greater tolerance reported for the adult stage of this species. Overall, the results suggest that larval stages may be more sensitive to thiamethoxam exposure than adults, highlighting the importance of considering different life stages in pesticide risk assessment. These findings also emphasize the need for validated experimental approaches to support environmental risk evaluation for Neotropical pollinators. Full article

Adequate pollination of pollinator-dependent crops relies on the abundance and diversity of pollinators, and any temporal mismatch can lead to decreased productivity. Induced off-season flowering is widely used to anticipate the blooming time and to have a favorable market to generate greater economic income. However, the relationship between off-season flowering, effective pollination, and crop yield remains poorly understood. In this study, we compared pollinator and yield metrics of mango among its natural and off-season flowering across two years. We found that the composition, richness, and abundance of their effective pollinators varied across flowering seasons. Remarkably, blowflies were the floral visitors that deposited the highest number of pollen grains per visit and were the most important pollinators during the off-season, while honeybees and stingless bees were more important in the natural season. Mango yield was more positively related to the abundance of wild pollinators in both seasons than to honeybees. However, in both flowering seasons, mango trees suffered from pollen limitation and had a high incidence of malformed fruits. These findings highlight the important role of wild pollinators in maintaining and improving the mango yield and quality, mainly during the induced flowering season, improving the income to mango producers and increasing food security. Full article

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

The western honey bee (Apis mellifera) represents a key pollinator for both crops and wild plants, and its global decline raises serious concerns for ecosystem stability and agricultural productivity. Several biotic and abiotic factors are responsible for colony losses, including alterations in the bee microbiota, which is essential for host metabolism, development, and immune responses. In this study, we employed both molecular protocols and metagenomic approaches based on Next-Generation Sequencing (NGS) to characterize the microbial composition and identify commensal, symbiotic, and pathogenic microorganisms, both known and emerging, associated with A. mellifera colonies from 20 apiaries across the Italian territory. Molecular screening revealed Vairimorpha ceranae, Lotmaria passim, Crithidia mellificae and several viruses, including Sacbrood virus (SBV), Black Queen Cell virus (BQCV), Deformed Wing virus (DWV), Chronic Bee Paralysis virus (CBPV) and Acute Bee Paralysis virus (ABPV). 16S rRNA gene sequencing highlighted a bacterial community mainly composed of the Lactobacillus, Gilliamella, and Snodgrassella genera. Virome analysis detected members belonging to the families Dicistroviridae and Iflaviridae, as well as previously unreported viruses in Italy, such as Apis rhabdovirus (ARV-1, ARV-2), Bee Macula-like virus (BeeMLV), and Lake Sinai virus (LSV). This research expands current knowledge of the A. mellifera metagenome, offering valuable insights for epidemiological surveillance and diagnostic assay development. Full article

Taraxacum kok-saghyz (TK), the rubber dandelion, is an emerging crop offering potential for sustainable natural rubber production independent of tropical climates. Successful domestication of TK requires a mechanistic understanding of its reproductive biology, yet floral anatomy, sporogenesis, and gametogenesis remain poorly characterized. We hypothesized that TK’s reproductive development follows the general patterns of sexually reproducing diploid Taraxacum species and other Asteraceae, distinguishable from the irregular meiosis reported in apomictic taxa. Here, using light and scanning electron microscopy across multiple developmental stages, we describe the floral and inflorescence anatomy, as well as sporogenesis and gametogenesis in TK. Anther development in TK predominantly follows the simultaneous microsporogenesis pattern, typical of eudicots, producing regular tetrahedral tetrads. Notably, we also observed occasional successive-type events resulting in dyads and tetragonal tetrads, indicating a previously unreported developmental variation within the species, culminating in mature tricellular pollen. We detail key reproductive structures, including anther wall layers, ovary mesophyll differentiation, and the presence of a micropylar obturator. The meiotic behavior and gametophyte development observed in TK are consistent with those of diploid, sexually reproducing Taraxacum species and other members of the Asteraceae, in contrast to the irregular meiosis reported in Taraxacum apomictic taxa. These newly described morphoanatomical details on reproductive aspects will inform breeding strategies and advance our understanding of pollination, fertilization, and seed development in TK. Full article

Sunflower is a globally important oilseed crop. Improving its fatty acid composition is crucial for enhancing oil quality and nutritional value. To dissect the genetic basis of quality traits, we performed genome resequencing on 203 sunflower inbred lines and conducted a genome-wide association study (GWAS) for five traits—oil content, stearic acid, palmitic acid, oleic acid, and linoleic acid—across three environments. We identified 103 significant single-nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) and 154 candidate genes. Notably, several associated loci were co-localized for multiple traits, suggesting pleiotropic effects or close genetic linkages. Integration with transcriptome data from developing seeds revealed that 66 candidate genes were expressed within 30 days after pollination, of which 12 showed significant differential expression between high- and low-oleic acid varieties. Functional characterization of a selected candidate, the ω-6 fatty acid desaturase gene (LOC110938218, designated HaDES8.11), demonstrated that the HaDES8.11-eGFP fusion protein localizes to the endoplasmic reticulum. Heterologous expression of HaDES8.11 in Arabidopsis thaliana significantly increased seed linoleic acid content while decreasing oleic acid content, confirming its role in fatty acid desaturation. Our study provides novel genetic insights and valuable candidate genes for the molecular breeding of sunflower with optimized oil quality. Full article

This study examined nectar and pollen production as well as pollinator visitation in Nigella damascena (Ranunculaceae), an annual ornamental and seed crop, over two flowering seasons. Flower anthesis lasted 6–7 days, with protandry: the male phase began on the first day, and pollen presentation continued until corolla senescence. Peak stigma receptivity occurred in 5-day-old flowers, resulting in a partial overlap of male and female functions between days 5 and 7. Nectar was secreted by petal-derived structures, with secretion beginning in 1-day-old flowers and steadily increasing, peaking on the day of maximum stigma receptivity. The nectar sugar composition differed between floral phases; it was sucrose-dominant in the male phase and sucrose-rich in the female phase. Significant year effects were observed for flowering abundance, nectar traits (volume, sugar production, concentration), and pollen output. Flowers were visited predominantly by honey bees, but bumblebees, solitary bees, and dipterans were also recorded. These results demonstrate that floral reward traits vary between years and contribute to differences in the temporal availability of nectar and pollen resources. Full article

Honey bees are very important to the ecological environment and human society, contributing significantly to biodiversity and global food security, with an estimated annual impact of $15 billion in crop pollination in the USA. Over 62% of honey bee colony decline has been observed between June 2024 and February 2025. This study investigates bee stress level monitoring due to external disturbances like mechanical vibrations by measuring internal air temperature, relative humidity, and CO₂ gas concentration levels of beehives. A new wireless sensor board for real-time monitoring of honey bee colonies was designed, built, and validated. The board incorporates NDIR-based SCD30 and SCD41 sensors for CO₂, temperature, and humidity monitoring, integrated with a custom-designed two-layer printed circuit board and a Particle Argon^TM microprocessor for Wi-Fi communication. The developed board was tested and validated with live beehives in summer and winter of 2024 and 2025. The experimental study results showed the adequacy of the built sensor board. Bee colony responses on the applied stimuli (knocks) show that bees responded with a temperature increase of over 5 °C, CO₂ concentration increase by 3000 to over 10,000 ppm, and, at the same time, relative humidity drop by about 10% inside beehives. Full article

Managed colonies of the Western honey bee, Apis mellifera, are essential to global food security by ensuring the pollination of a wide array of crops that are crucial for human consumption. However, substantial declines in managed honey bee populations have been reported worldwide, including in Australia, the United States and Europe. These losses have been attributed to the multifaceted interplay of stressors encompassing agrochemical impact, climate fluctuations, pathogens, suboptimal forage conditions, and habitat reduction. In particular, Paenibacillus larvae, the causative agent of American foulbrood (AFB), is one of the most destructive bacterial pathogens for honey bees due to its high transmissibility, environmental persistence, and capacity to cause complete colony collapse. Recurrent and widespread AFB outbreaks impose significant economic and biosecurity burdens on apiarists, exacerbating declines in pollination services and agricultural productivity. This review synthesises the current landscape of therapeutic strategies targeting AFB, including bacteriophage-based approaches, vaccine development, probiotics, and essential oils, and evaluate their reported field applications, efficacy, and practical limitations. Bacteriophages and immune-priming approaches show the greatest potential to reduce larval mortality and pathogen load, although their application is constrained by formulation stability, delivery challenges, and limited large-scale field validation. Probiotics and essential oils produce highly variable and inconsistent effectiveness under field conditions. Overall, these alternatives currently represent promising complementary tools rather than standalone treatments, underscoring the need for further investigation. Full article

Common buckwheat (Fagopyrum esculentum Mill.) is a pseudocereal that has recently gained increasing interest among both farmers and scientists. Its low soil requirements, high adaptability, and high resistance to diseases and pests allow it to be cultivated in many regions of the world. It is recommended for various cultivation systems, especially for low-input and organic farming. Currently, buckwheat is grown mainly for seeds and less often for green fodder. Thanks to its above-average nutritional value and many benefits that support human health, it is considered one of the leaders in functional food. It can be a basic raw material for many food products such as flour, groats, and flakes, but can also be used as a valuable addition to crisps, bars and drinks. Recently, buckwheat’s usefulness in the energy industry, construction, medicine, and pharmacology has been confirmed. Buckwheat, as a plant species distinct from the dominant global crops, fits very well into the current standards and assumptions of sustainable development. Its cultivation and consumption are associated with a number of benefits not only for human health but also for the whole environment. It is considered a species that counteracts climate change. Buckwheat’s valuable properties include its positive impact on soil physicochemical properties, its enhancement of biodiversity, and its support for pollinators. It is considered a species that can be cultivated in a changing climate, generating a very low carbon footprint. The aim of this study was to determine the contemporary economic importance of buckwheat, its place among species supporting sustainable development, and to identify potential research areas that will contribute to strengthening buckwheat’s role in sustainable agriculture. Full article

Papaya (Carica papaya L.) is a highly cross-pollinated crop that exhibits considerable genetic variability when propagated through seeds, resulting in non-true-to-type progeny. Therefore, the development of an efficient in vitro regeneration system is essential for large-scale clonal propagation of elite cultivars. In the present study, a highly efficient and reproducible somatic embryogenesis protocol was developed for C. papaya var. TNAU Papaya CO 8 using immature zygotic embryos as explants. This study provides the first comprehensive comparative evaluation of three basal media, viz., Murashige and Skoog Medium, N6 Medium, and Woody Plant Medium, for somatic embryogenesis and plant regeneration in this variety, along with the optimization of polyamine-enriched media for enhanced plantlet recovery. The embryogenic potential of explants was assessed across different stages, including callus induction, somatic embryo development, plant regeneration, shoot elongation, rooting, and acclimatization. Maximum callus induction (81.96%) was observed on half-strength MS medium supplemented with 2,4-Dichlorophenoxyacetic acid under dark conditions, followed by ½ N6 (63.00%) and ½ WPM (58.02%). Somatic embryo initiation was highest on ½ MS medium containing 2.0 mgL⁻¹ 2,4-D (77.82%). Somatic embryos developed through distinct globular, heart, torpedo, and cotyledonary stages. Embryo maturation was significantly enhanced on MS medium supplemented with abscisic acid, polyethylene glycol, benzylaminopurine, and proline. The highest plantlet regeneration (85.02%) was achieved on MS medium enriched with putrescine, whereas comparatively lower regeneration was recorded on N6 (75.99%) and WPM (57.97%). Shoot elongation was significantly improved by supplementation with gibberellic acid (1.0 mgL⁻¹). Root induction was optimal on half-strength MS medium containing Indole-3-butyric acid, 1-Naphthaleneacetic acid, phloroglucinol, and activated charcoal, resulting in well-developed roots. Regenerated plantlets were successfully acclimatized in a cocopeat–vermicompost substrate with a survival rate of 74.01%. The optimized protocol provides a reliable and efficient system for large-scale clonal propagation and offers promising applications in genetic transformation and commercial production of papaya var. TNAU papaya CO 8. Full article

Stone fruits, mainly represented by Prunus species, are economically important crops whose yield potential and final quality are largely determined during early fruit development. This early phase, encompassing pollination, fertilization, fruit set, cell division, and pit hardening, involves irreversible developmental decisions that govern fruit survival, size, and productivity. In this review, recent advances in endogenous hormonal regulation during early stone fruit development are synthesized, with emphasis on auxin, gibberellin (GA), cytokinin (CTK), and abscisic acid (ABA). Auxin and GA act as core growth-promoting signals that synergistically initiate fruit set, stimulate cell division and expansion, and support parthenocarpy development, while CTK reinforces early cell proliferation and contributes to final fruit size. In contrast, ABA primarily functions as a growth-inhibitory regulator, integrating developmental and environmental cues to promote fruit growth arrest and abscission under unfavorable conditions. These hormones interact through dynamic synergistic and antagonistic networks that are continuously reprogrammed across developmental stages and tissues. This review provides a regulatory framework for understanding hormone-mediated early fruit development in stone fruits and offers guidance for orchard management and future molecular breeding to stabilize fruit set and improve yield and quality. Full article

In Brassicaceae cross-breeding, asynchronous flowering and geographic separation often cause pollen shortages that severely constrain hybridization. Although pollen cryopreservation offers an effective solution, Brassicaceae pollen is typically short-lived due to its tricellular structure, thin exine, and high desiccation sensitivity, necessitating optimized cryopreservation protocols. In this study, we optimized a pollen cryopreservation protocol for three representatives Brassicaceae species: Brassica rapa L. (Chinese cabbage), Brassica oleracea L. (cabbage), and Barbarea vulgaris R. Br. (European rockcress). An in vitro pollen germination system was optimized to reliably assess pollen viability before and after cryopreservation. Key parameters including pollen collection time, drying duration, freezing procedure, and thawing conditions were systematically evaluated. The optimal protocol comprised: pollen collection at 8:00–10:00, drying at 28 °C and 2% relative humidity for 1 h, precooling at −20 °C for 30 min, storage at −80 °C, and thawing under running tap water (ca. 25 °C). Following 30-day cryopreservation, pollen maintained high germination rates (75.19% for Brassica rapa L., 71.18% for Brassica oleracea L., 80.33% for Barbarea vulgaris) and produced comparable silique development, seed quality, and seed germination rates to those of fresh pollen following pollination. This study established a reliable and efficient cryopreservation system for Brassicaceae pollen that effectively overcomes asynchronous flowering and geographic barriers in hybridization, thereby improving breeding efficiency and facilitating germplasm innovation for Brassicaceae crops. Full article

Pitaya (Selenicereus spp.) cultivation has expanded in the Iberian Peninsula in recent years, driven mainly by increasing demand from the European market and by the crop’s good adaptability to Mediterranean conditions. However, the successful consolidation of this crop requires the adoption of cultural practices adapted to regional edaphoclimatic conditions and production systems. The present review aims to synthesise and critically analyse the scientific literature on pitaya cultural practices, integrating information from major producing regions worldwide and from Mediterranean environments, where data remain limited. Key topics include propagation methods for success in early development, training systems and pruning, soil management within the framework of sustainable orchard management practices and the crop’s versatility in integrating diverse agroecosystems. In addition, bibliometric analysis identified water requirements and irrigation strategies as key aspects for which region-specific guidelines are still required. This study emphasises the utilisation of floral induction techniques and the significance of supplementary manual pollination for ensuring higher productivity and superior fruit quality. Overall, this review provides a consolidated reference to support the development of sustainable and regionally adapted pitaya production systems in the Iberian Peninsula. Full article

The eastern honeybee (Apis cerana) is a keystone pollinator for native ecosystems and agricultural crops in China. However, its distribution faces significant uncertainty due to accelerating climate change. To quantify these risks and inform management strategies, we employed an ensemble species distribution model (Biomod2) integrating ten algorithms to project the suitable habitat of the eastern honeybee under current and future (2060s and 2100s) climate scenarios (SSP126, SSP245, and SSP585). The ensemble model achieved an excellent predictive performance (AUC > 0.9, TSS > 0.8). The current suitable habitat spans approximately 1.47 million km², primarily south of the Yangtze River. Biomod2 simulation indicates that the precipitation of the wettest month and mean diurnal temperature range are the dominant environmental stressors influencing the shift in the spatial distributions of the eastern honeybee. Comparisons between current and future climate scenarios reveal a distinct trend of spatial range contraction in southern China and a northwestward shift of the habitat centroid. The most severe impact is projected under the SSP585 scenario, with a potential net habitat loss of 42.25% by 2100. We propose a dynamic conservation strategy that prioritizes the protection of southern climate refugia while managing habitat connectivity to facilitate the species’ migration, thereby safeguarding agricultural resilience. Full article