Search Results (587)

Extreme temperatures, drought, and salinity are among the most detrimental abiotic stressors limiting global plant productivity, and their frequency has intensified under climate change. These escalating pressures underscore the need for sustainable biological strategies that enhance plant resilience to climate-induced abiotic stresses. Plant growth-promoting rhizobacteria (PGPR) have emerged as a promising, eco-friendly solution due to their ability to optimize rhizospheric processes that strengthen plant adaptive capacity. PGPR improve nutrient acquisition, maintain ionic homeostasis, modulate phytohormone signaling, and regulate ethylene levels through ACC deaminase activity. They also stimulate antioxidant defenses, promote osmolyte and exopolysaccharide synthesis, and enhance root system development—key traits that collectively alleviate drought, salinity, and heat stress. Recent research demonstrates that co-inoculation, multi-strain microbial consortia, and synthetic communities designed using multi-omics approaches significantly enhance PGPR stability, colonization, and functional effectiveness under field conditions. Additionally, nanotechnology-enabled formulations and smart delivery systems are emerging as innovative tools to improve PGPR survival and targeted release in harsh environments. This review synthesizes current insights into PGPR-mediated stress mitigation, highlights technological innovations that support their application, and outlines pathways for integrating PGPR into climate-resilient, sustainable agricultural systems to safeguard crop productivity amid escalating environmental stress. Full article

Potato (Solanum tuberosum L.), the third most important food crop worldwide, is constrained by phytopathogens, environmental stress, and heavy agrochemical use. Potato micropropagation is a biotechnological strategy for producing genetically uniform, pathogen-free plantlets. However, the acclimatization phase remains a major bottleneck in micropropagation, often resulting in poor survival and stunted growth. In this context, plant growth-promoting bacteria (PGPB) represent a sustainable strategy to improve plantlet establishment and reduce reliance on synthetic inputs. This study evaluated the biofertilization and biocontrol potential of three Douro vineyard-associated bacterial strains, Bacillus velezensis Nb1, Burkholderia pyrrocinia Gs3, and Streptomyces sp. 42s5, identified using 16S rRNA and gyrB sequence analysis. In dual-culture assays, the isolates showed antagonistic activity against Fusarium oxysporum, F. solani, Botrytis cinerea, and Alternaria alternata. All strains also exhibited key plant growth-promoting traits, including indole-3-acetic acid and siderophore production, and phosphate solubilization. The isolates were tested individually and in consortia on micropropagated potato plantlets during acclimatization under greenhouse conditions. Eight treatments (six replicates each), including a non-inoculated control, were evaluated. The results indicated that inoculations significantly improved vegetative growth and yield-related parameters. Notably, the Gs3 + 42s5 combination produced the highest shoot biomass, while the three-strain consortium achieved the greatest total tuber weight (36.91 g/plant) compared to the control (7.75 g/plant). These findings highlight the potential of these native PGPB, particularly when applied in multi-strain combinations, to enhance acclimatization efficiency and support sustainable potato production by reducing dependence on chemical inputs and promoting eco-friendly agricultural practices. Full article

Soil acidification severely restricts agricultural productivity in red soil regions, and microbial remediation represents an eco-friendly restoration strategy. A pot experiment was conducted to investigate the dose-dependent effects of Pseudomonas fluorescens on acidified latosol, maize seedling growth, and rhizosphere bacterial communities. Five inoculation rates were applied (5.5 × 10⁹–3.3 × 10¹⁰ CFU pot⁻¹), together with a non-inoculated control. Pseudomonas fluorescens inoculation significantly increased soil pH and base cation contents, reduced exchangeable and hydrolytic acidity, and enhanced soil acid–base buffering capacity. Low to moderate inoculation rates promoted maize photosynthesis, root development, and nitrogen, phosphorus, and potassium accumulation, whereas the highest rate (3.3 × 10¹⁰ CFU pot⁻¹) significantly inhibited seedling growth. Bacterial sequencing showed that inoculation reshaped rhizosphere community structure and enriched taxa, including Proteobacteria, Bacillota, Bacillus, and Pseudomonas. Overall, inoculation rates of 1.1 × 10¹⁰ and 2.2 × 10¹⁰ CFU pot⁻¹ showed the most favorable responses across soil amelioration and maize growth-related traits, suggesting a suitable application range for acidified soil remediation. These results provide preliminary evidence that appropriate application of Pseudomonas fluorescens may contribute to the biological amelioration of acidified soils, although its field-scale effectiveness requires further validation. Full article

Crop production is continually exposed to a wide range of abiotic stresses that negatively affect growth and yield, posing a severe threat to global food security. Plant growth-promoting bacteria (PGPB) promote nutrient assimilation, activate antioxidant enzymes, and stimulate phytohormone production to mitigate abiotic stress. However, the effective application of PGPB in the field depends on host colonization, soil specificity, and susceptibility to competitive microbial communities. Recently, non-thermal plasma (NTP) has emerged as a revolutionary tool for sustainable agriculture, making it a priority to develop efficient, low-cost, and eco-friendly strategies to enhance seed vitality and manage abiotic stress. Plasma-generated reactive oxygen and nitrogen species (RONS) have been shown to mediate intracellular redox homeostasis and the antioxidant defense signaling network. Furthermore, plasma stimulates MAPK cascades and stress-responsive genes such as LEA1, SnRK2, P5C, and the SOS pathway, ionic balance, and membrane stability, ultimately supporting plant stress adaptation to drought, salinity, and heavy metals. Plasma-induced RONS signaling activates PGPB functional traits such as root colonization, biofilm formation, nutrient mobilization, and plant growth-promoting activities. However, the molecular mechanisms underlying NTP-PGPB microbial multiple stress adaptation and the long-term ecological stability and biosafety of microbial communities remain inadequately resolved. Consequently, future integration of multi-omics approaches, synthetic microbial communities, and field-scale validation is required to explore the mechanistic advances of plasma-modulated microbiome interactions to enable agricultural applications. Full article

Fusarium solani is a major soil-borne pathogen responsible for root rot diseases, posing a significant threat to agricultural productivity. The development of environmentally sustainable alternatives to chemical fungicides is therefore urgently needed. This study evaluated the antifungal activity of fermentation broths and extracellular metabolites derived from Tilletia laevis fungi at different developmental stages against F. solani under in vitro conditions. Six test agents, including carbendazim (one positive fungicide control), caffeic acid, phenylacetylglycine, and 6-hydroxypyridine-2-carboxylic acid (candidate bioactive metabolites), were evaluated for mycelial growth inhibition, EC₅₀ values, and physiological responses. All treatments exhibited concentration-dependent inhibitory effects, with carbendazim showing the highest activity (EC₅₀ = 21.26 mg L⁻¹). Among the metabolites, 6-hydroxypyridine-2-carboxylic acid and phenylacetylglycine demonstrated notable antifungal efficacy, particularly at higher concentrations. Fermentation broths from the promycelial stage showed stronger inhibition than those from the teliospore stage, indicating stage-specific metabolite activity. Biochemical analyses of F. solani mycelia revealed significant changes in soluble protein, soluble sugar, and antioxidant enzyme activities (SOD and POD), suggesting that antifungal effects are mediated through metabolic disruption and oxidative stress. These findings highlight the potential of T. laevis-derived metabolites as eco-friendly biofungicides and provide a theoretical basis for sustainable management of soil-borne diseases. Further studies are required to identify active compounds and validate their efficacy under field conditions. Full article

Fusarium species are significant phytopathogens responsible for major crop losses and contamination of food products with harmful mycotoxins, posing serious risks to food security and public health. In response to the limitations of conventional agrochemicals, this study explores sustainable antifungal strategies based on plant-derived products and nanotechnology. The aqueous extract of Ocimum basilicum was investigated as a bioresource for both direct antifungal activity and the green synthesis of silver nanoparticles (OB-AgNPs). Liquid chromatography–mass spectrometry (LC-MS) analysis of the O. basilicum aqueous extract revealed the presence of key compounds, including rosmarinic and chicoric acids, which can reduce and stabilize AgNPs. The biosynthesized nanoparticles were characterized using standard analytical techniques, including UV–visible spectroscopy (UV-Vis), Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR), dynamic light scattering (DLS), high-resolution transmission electron microscopy (HRTEM), and powder X-ray diffraction (PXRD). The OB-AgNPs exhibited a surface plasmon resonance (SPR) peak at 437 nm, a zeta potential of ~–16.3 mV, an average size of 28 nm (TEM) while the average hydrodynamic size is ≈57 nm (DLS). The synthesized AgNPs demonstrated stability in potato dextrose broth (PDB) for up to 24 h. The nanoparticles alongside the aqueous extract were evaluated against selected mycotoxigenic Fusarium species including F. verticillioides, F. proliferatum, F. subglutinans, F. graminearum, and F. globosum, following 96 h of exposure. Results showed that the aqueous O. basilicum extract exhibited limited antifungal activity, with significant inhibition observed only against F. globosum MRC 6122 at the highest concentration tested (400 ng/µL). In contrast, the biosynthesized OB-AgNPs demonstrated potent antifungal activity against most of the tested Fusarium strains, except for F. proliferatum MRC 8549 and MRC 8550, indicating substantially greater efficacy than the crude extract. These findings highlight the potential of O. basilicum-mediated AgNPs as effective and eco-friendly antifungal agents. The study underscores the value of integrating plant-based phytochemicals with nanotechnology for controlling Fusarium pathogens, while emphasizing the need for future studies to determine their effects on mycotoxin production, as well as their safety and phytotoxicity for agricultural applications. Full article

Environmental conditions have become more unstable; therefore, innovative and eco-friendly methods of food production are urgently required. Most existing hydroponic systems lack the capacity for real-time responses and decision-making based on integrated data, similar to contemporary farms. This document outlines the creation of an advanced hydroponic farming system that utilizes Internet of Things (IoT) sensors and a digital twin (DT) simulator to address these challenges. A completely monitored and continuously assessed hydroponic farming simulator operating on a Raspberry Pi, employing various sensors, data management and processing, and automated environmental regulation. The development of this intelligent hydroponic farming system employs a dual-model machine learning pipeline: one that identifies plant diseases through image analysis, and another that assesses plant nutrient levels based on sensor data. The data from the two models are combined using a cloud-based DT, enabling remote access to the DT and offering closed-loop control for irrigation, nutrient dosing, and management of all environmental factors related to crop growth in a hydroponic setting. This research showcases the capability to develop scalable, data-focused precision agriculture solutions that can adapt to the demands of today’s agricultural environment by combining all elements of IoT sensing, machine learning, and DT simulations into one functional hyperphysical system. Full article

The growing focus on environmental sustainability in construction has driven advancements in the design and production of masonry materials, including bricks and concrete blocks. A major development is the incorporation of agricultural and industrial waste, such as fly ash, rice straw ash, bagasse ash, and other by-products, to reduce dependence on non-renewable resources and lower the carbon footprint of traditional manufacturing processes. This systematic review examines the potential of waste materials in masonry unit production by analysing Scopus-indexed studies published between 2015 and 2025. After screening, 30 studies were selected, covering fired bricks, unfired bricks, and concrete blocks, with emphasis on physical, mechanical, thermal, and durability properties. The findings show that industrial wastes typically improve mechanical strength through pozzolanic reactions, while agricultural wastes contribute to lower density and improved thermal insulation. However, performance depends on waste type, replacement level, and production conditions. Optimal incorporation levels are generally below 20%. Despite promising results, challenges remain, including the absence of standardised testing methods, limited durability evaluations, and insufficient evidence for large-scale industrial adoption. This review highlights current research trends and future opportunities for integrating waste materials into sustainable construction products. Full article

This work reviews the strategic valorization of industrial by-products as sustainable sources of biopolymers and bioactive compounds, promoting a circular economy through the efficient use of renewable resources and reducing waste generation. These strategies contribute to lowering the carbon footprint of conventional packaging and plasticulture while supporting more resilient and diverse agriculture systems. Special emphasis is placed on processing roots and tubers as renewable raw materials for the production of biodegradable films for agronomic applications as eco-friendly alternatives to petroleum-based plastics and contributing to soil and ecosystem protection. Additionally, the incorporation of by-products from yerba mate (Ilex paraguariensis) demonstrate significant potential as both matrix-forming and filler materials in biodegradable composites while also providing antioxidant activity and pH-sensing capacity. This sustainable framework is further expanded through the utilization of non-traditional species like rosehip (Rosa rubiginosa), Aloe vera (Aloe barbadensis), and topinambur (Helianthus tuberosus), which provide versatile functional matrices and bioactive compounds. Finally, the development of active and intelligent food packaging is addressed. Extracting natural pH-sensitive pigments from red cabbage and topinambur flowers enables the formulation of eco-friendly inks for real-time freshness monitoring. Ultimately, integrating these waste streams drives technological disruption, scaling sustainable, tailored solutions for global industry needs. Full article

Mushroom mycelium-based biomaterials are eco-friendly, biodegradable, cheap, and sustainable materials. In this study, ten wild mushroom species were collected from tropical forests in Chiang Mai and Chiang Rai provinces, and two commercial mushroom species were obtained from a local market in Chiang Rai Province, Thailand. Mushroom specimens were identified based on morphological characteristics and phylogenetic analysis of the internal transcribed spacer (ITS) region. All fungal species were determined to use suitable agar media (potato dextrose agar; malt extract agar), liquid media (malt extract broth), and agricultural substrate (rubber sawdust size ≤ 2 mm) for mushroom mycelial growth. Mechanical property evaluation using Ashby’s chart indicated that the resulting mushroom mycelium-based biomaterials have the potential to substitute for certain types of synthetic foam. A biodegradability test was conducted through soil burial of samples for 90 days, which demonstrated cumulative weight loss exceeding 60%, thereby confirming biodegradability. Furthermore, a new approach for maintaining mycelial viability was developed and validated, addressing the challenge of maintaining vigorous mycelium. Notably, this study presents the first comprehensive report on the application of Coriolopsis brunneoleuca, Ganoderma tropicum, Hexagonia sp., Microporus xanthopus, Trametes polyzona, and T. sanguinea in mushroom mycelium-based biomaterial production, including material development, characterisation, and prototype fabrication. Based on the material properties and successfully developed prototypes, the mushroom mycelium-based biomaterials produced in this study are potentially suitable for applications in packaging, indoor products, construction, and insulation purposes, as a viable alternative to conventional synthetic materials. Full article

Metal oxide nanoparticles have been the subject of intense research interest because of their remarkable physicochemical properties, such as their high surface area, particle size tunability, outstanding chemical stability, optical activity, catalytic efficiency, and antimicrobial behavior. These properties make them very useful in environmental, biomedical, energy, sensing, agricultural and industrial applications. The chosen synthesis method is important in controlling the morphology, crystallinity, surface charge, band gap and overall performance of metal oxide nanoparticles. They have been prepared using various physical, chemical and biological means, such as sol–gel, co-precipitation, hydro/solvothermal, microwave-assisted, sonochemical, combustion and green synthesis. Of these, green synthesis is gaining more interest as it employs plant extracts, microorganisms, and other biological materials as reducing agents, stabilizing and capping agents that make the process more eco-friendly and cost-effective. Recent advancements in the synthesis and application of metal oxide nanoparticles are discussed. There is an emphasis on the major synthesis routes, the main factors that influence the formation of nanoparticles, the characterization techniques used, and the structure–property relationships uncovered. A special focus is given to the influence of synthesis parameters, such as the type of precursor and the pH, temperature, reaction time, solvents and capping agents, on the properties of nanoparticles. In addition, the uses of metal oxide nanoparticles in photocatalysis, wastewater treatment, antimicrobial activity, drug delivery, biosensing, energy storage, gas sensing, and agriculture are also included. Finally, present challenges, toxicity issues, the problems of large-scale production, and future research directions are discussed to support the practical and sustainable uses of metal oxide nanoparticles. Full article

Trichoderma species are widely investigated and commercially applied as eco-friendly biocontrol agents in sustainable agriculture. These filamentous fungi protect plants through multiple complementary mechanisms, including mycoparasitism, antibiosis, competition for nutrients and ecological niches, and induction of systemic resistance in host plants. These activities are mediated by a diverse array of secondary metabolites, hydrolytic enzymes, and signaling pathways that collectively suppress pathogens and enhance plant health. Beyond disease control, selected Trichoderma strains promote plant growth by improving nutrient acquisition, modulating phytohormone signaling, and increasing tolerance to abiotic stresses. This review summarizes recent advances in the mechanisms underlying Trichoderma spp. mediated biocontrol, with particular emphasis on secondary metabolites, formulation strategies, commercialization, and field applications. Commercial products are available in various formulations, including wettable powders, granules, and liquid preparations, and have demonstrated efficacy against several economically important plant diseases under field conditions. However, their performance remains highly dependent on strain characteristics, host species, environmental conditions and agricultural practices, resulting in inconsistent efficacy across agroecosystems. Recent progress in genomics, transcriptomics, and metabolomics has substantially improved our understanding of Trichoderma–plant–pathogen interactions and revealed considerable strain-specific variation in biocontrol and plant growth-promoting traits. Future research should prioritize strain-specific optimization, formulation stability, microbiome-informed applications, and improved field predictability. Overall, Trichoderma spp. Represents a valuable component of integrated disease management, offering an effective and sustainable alternative to synthetic pesticides. Full article

Tobacco mosaic virus (TMV) poses a serious threat to global agricultural production. It is an exceptionally stable virus with a broad host range and is widespread across diverse agroecosystems. Concerning TMV management, plant-derived metabolites have emerged as promising and eco-friendly antiviral agents. To date, numerous plant-derived metabolites with potent anti-TMV activity and their underlying mechanisms of action have been identified. However, a comprehensive understanding of their mechanisms of action is still lacking. This review summarizes the diversity of anti-TMV mechanisms triggered by natural and plant-sourced semisynthetic compounds. These metabolites mainly include alkaloids, flavonoids, terpenoids, phenylpropanoids, and glycosides, which act either directly targeting virus particles or indirectly by eliciting host immunity. Together, these mechanisms form an integrated defence network that restricts viral replication and movement within the host. This mechanistic understanding will be essential for the rational development of sustainable and effective plant-derived antiviral agents. Full article

Background/Objectives: Chromium contamination represents a major environmental challenge due to its detrimental effects on plant growth and agricultural productivity. Since dichromate uptake in plants occurs mainly through sulfate and phosphate transporters, identifying natural compounds capable of competitively inhibiting these transport pathways may provide an eco-friendly strategy for reducing chromium accumulation. This study aimed to investigate the inhibitory potential of phytochemicals from Djiboutian medicinal plants against sulfate and phosphate transporters using an integrated computational approach. Methods: 49 phytochemicals identified by GC–MS from ten Djiboutian medicinal plants were screened against the sulfate transporter (7LHV) and phosphate transporter (7SP5) using molecular docking. Binding interactions were compared with sulfate, phosphate, and dichromate ions to evaluate potential competitive inhibition. The most promising compounds were further assessed through ADMET prediction and 100 ns molecular dynamics simulations to evaluate their pharmacokinetic properties and complex stability. Results: Molecular docking revealed binding energies ranging from −7.04 to −2.91 kcal/mol for 7LHV and from −6.50 to −0.62 kcal/mol for 7SP5, indicating variable binding affinities among the screened phytochemicals. Several compounds exhibited favorable interactions with key amino acid residues involved in anion transport, suggesting their potential to compete with dichromate uptake. ADMET analysis identified multiple compounds with favorable toxicity and drug-likeness profiles. Among them, cyclohexanepropanoic acid from Aloe djiboutiensis demonstrated the strongest binding affinity toward both transporters. Molecular dynamics simulations confirmed the structural stability of the protein–ligand complexes throughout the 100 ns simulation. Conclusions: This study identifies naturally occurring phytochemicals, particularly cyclohexanepropanoic acid, as promising competitive inhibitors of dichromate transport in plants. These findings provide a theoretical foundation for developing sustainable phytochemical-based strategies to mitigate chromium accumulation in crops and support future experimental validation. Full article

Global agricultural production faces unprecedented challenges due to climate crisis, biodiversity loss, and increasing population pressure, while there is a growing demand for sustainable and eco-conscious food production systems. Traditional methods of crop protection like the use of synthetic chemical pesticides are becoming less effective due to the high resistance development in major insect pests. Moreover, their overuse has raised numerous environmental concerns. In this context, RNA interference (RNAi) has emerged as a promising and environmentally friendly alternative to traditional pesticides, with a more sustainable way of managing pests. This review systematically identifies promising RNAi target gene families for insect pest control, particularly key developmental genes. The selected genes were chosen based on demonstrated RNAi efficacy in at least three different insect species, emphasizing their broad applicability and potential impact. It also discusses the translation of RNAi technologies from laboratory research to field applications. It underscores the importance of moving beyond functional gene characterization to improving the efficiency and scalability of RNAi in real-world agricultural systems. This review systematically lists RNAi target genes and delivery methods in insect pests, identifies research gaps, and supports the development of RNAi-based biopesticides. Full article