Search Results (3,178)

Assessment of crop water requirements (ETc) and their meteorological driving mechanisms are critical for irrigation management in arid inland river basins. Taking the Tailan River Irrigation District (Xinjiang, China) as a case study, temporal changes in cropping structure, crop-specific ETc, and irrigation-district–scale agricultural water demand, as well as the meteorological controls on ETc, were quantified for the period 2000–2024 using Google Earth Engine-based crop mapping, the CROPWAT model, and path analysis. The results demonstrated that the 2024 random forest classification model achieved high accuracy (overall accuracy = 0.902; Kappa = 0.876), and validation against statistical yearbook data confirmed the reliability of crop-area estimation. Cotton dominated the cropping structure (228.6–426.0 km²), while the orchard area expanded markedly from 206.5 km² in 2000 to 393.2 km² in 2024; wheat exhibited strong interannual variability, and maize occupied a relatively small area. Crop-specific ETc differed markedly among crop types, following the order orchard > cotton > maize > wheat, with orchards maintaining the highest water requirement across all growth stages. Total agricultural water demand, estimated by integrating crop-specific ETc with remotely sensed planting areas, increased from approximately 260 million m³ to over 500 million m³ after 2010, mainly due to orchard expansion and cotton cultivation. Path analysis indicated that interannual ETc variability exhibited a stronger statistical association with wind speed than with other meteorological variables. These results provide a quantitative basis for cropping-structure optimization and water-saving irrigation management under changing climatic conditions. Full article

The Dof (DNA binding with one finger) transcription factor family is a plant-specific group of transcription factors that play critical roles in plant growth and development, stress response, and the regulation of secondary metabolism. Prunella vulgaris (P. vulgaris) has attracted considerable attention due to its medicinal value, with rosmarinic acid being one of its key bioactive components. However, the systematic identification of the Dof transcription factor family in P. vulgaris and its regulatory role in rosmarinic acid biosynthesis remains poorly understood. In this study, based on the whole-genome data of P. vulgaris, we identified 48 Dof transcription factor genes distributed across 14 chromosomes using bioinformatics approaches. Physicochemical analysis revealed that the encoded proteins have molecular weights ranging from 15,482.44 to 55,875.53 Da, amino acid lengths between 142 and 509, and theoretical isoelectric points from 4.84 to 10.2. All proteins were predicted to be hydrophilic and localized in the nucleus. Phylogenetic analysis classified them into four subfamilies, and multiple sequence alignment confirmed that all members contain a conserved C2-C2-type zinc finger domain. Analysis of cis-regulatory elements in the promoter regions identified numerous elements related to light responsiveness, hormone response, and development. Transcriptomic expression profiling demonstrated distinct tissue-specific expression patterns of Dof genes, with some showing high expression in spikes and seeds. Correlation analysis between gene expression and rosmarinic acid content identified three candidate genes potentially involved in the regulation of rosmarinic acid biosynthesis, which were further validated by RT-qPCR. Moreover, protein–protein interaction network predictions indicated 242 interactions among 23 Dof proteins. This study provides the first systematic identification of the Dof transcription factor family in P. vulgaris, offering important insights into the transcriptional regulation of rosmarinic acid biosynthesis and presenting potential genetic targets for enhancing rosmarinic acid production through genetic engineering. Full article

Plastic microbeads, widely incorporated into personal care and cleansing products, have emerged as a pervasive contaminant in freshwater systems, including in North America. Historical estimates indicate that North American consumers alone contributed trillions of microbeads daily to municipal wastewater, with global usage reaching quadrillions per day. Regulatory actions in 2017 in Canada and the USA to ban microbeads in personal care products appear to have greatly reduced microbead contamination levels, including a decrease in microbead proportion from 2 to 5% to 0.003%, and an 86% reduction in PE microbead discharge from wastewater treatment plants. Yet these particles still persist in the environment due to their resistance to degradation and continued release from unregulated sources, including industrial abrasives and certain cleaning agents. Studies across the Great Lakes, one of the world’s largest freshwater systems, have documented widespread microbead contamination in surface waters, sediments, and shorelines, highlighting their persistence and accumulation. This review synthesizes findings from key studies conducted between 2013 and 2017 to establish a pre-ban baseline of microbead distribution in the Great Lakes, and presents new data collected from 2018 to 2021 as a post-ban contamination assessment. The review emphasizes the unique challenges posed by microbeads within the broader context of microplastic pollution. We also hope that this paper underscores the critical role of polymer chemists and engineers in developing innovative materials and removal strategies to mitigate future contamination. Full article

Cryopreservation is a critical strategy for the long-term conservation of plant germplasm, particularly for clonally propagated crops, endangered species, and plants producing recalcitrant seeds. Hydrogel-based encapsulation systems can improve survival during ultra-low-temperature storage by providing mechanical protection, moderating dehydration, and regulating cryoprotectant uptake. Although calcium–alginate beads remain the traditional matrix for encapsulation–dehydration and encapsulation–vitrification, recent advances in biomaterials science have enabled the development of composite polysaccharide blends, protein-based matrices, synthetic polymer networks, macroporous cryogels, and functionalized hybrid hydrogels incorporating surfactants, antioxidants, or nanomaterials. These engineered systems provide improved control over water state, pore architecture, diffusion kinetics, and thermal behavior, thereby reducing cryoinjury and enhancing post-thaw recovery across diverse plant explants. This review synthesizes current knowledge on hydrogel platforms used in plant cryopreservation, with emphasis on how physicochemical properties influence dehydration dynamics, cryoprotectant transport, vitrification stability, and rewarming responses. Performance across major explant types is assessed, key limitations in existing materials and protocols are identified, and design principles for next-generation hydrogel systems are outlined. Future progress will depend on material standardization, integration with automated cryopreservation workflows, and the development of responsive hydrogel matrices capable of mitigating cryogenic stresses. Full article

Efficient in vitro regeneration remains a major constraint in the genetic transformation, genome editing, and molecular breeding of wheat (Triticum aestivum L.), largely due to strong genotype-dependent recalcitrance and limited activation of developmental programs required for somatic embryogenesis. Plant regeneration relies on extensive transcriptional reprogramming and epigenetic remodeling orchestrated by morphogenic regulators that modulate meristem identity, as well as cellular pluri- and totipotency. In this review, we synthesize current molecular knowledge on key transcription factors (BBM, WUS/WUS2, GRF-GIF, WOX, LAX1, SERK, WIND1/ERF115) and signaling peptides (CLE/CLV-WUS module, phytosulfokine/PSK) that regulate embryogenic competence in monocot cereals, with emphasis on their orthologs and functional relevance in wheat. We highlight how controlled expression of these morphogenic genes, promoter engineering, and transient or excisable induction systems can significantly enhance regeneration capacity, reduce chimerism in CRISPR-Cas-edited plants, and facilitate genotype-independent transformation. We also discuss epigenetic and metabolic constraints underlying wheat recalcitrance and their potential modulation to improve culture responsiveness. By integrating evidence from wheat, rice, maize, and barley, we outline conserved gene-regulatory networks that reinitiate totipotency and propose strategies to accelerate doubled haploid production and speed-breeding pipelines. Collectively, morphogenic factors emerge as central molecular tools for overcoming regeneration bottlenecks and enabling next-generation wheat improvement. The objective of this review is to synthesize and critically evaluate current molecular knowledge on morphogenic regulators controlling in vitro regeneration in wheat (Triticum aestivum L.), with particular emphasis on their roles in genetic transformation and genome editing. Full article

Heavy metal pollution in forest and agroforestry soils represents a persistent environmental challenge with direct implications for ecosystem functioning, food security, and human health. In tropical and subtropical regions, intense weathering, rapid organic matter turnover, and dynamic redox conditions strongly modulate metal mobility, bioavailability, and long-term soil vulnerability. This review synthesizes current knowledge on the sources, biogeochemical mechanisms, ecological impacts, monitoring approaches, and restoration strategies associated with heavy metal contamination in forest and agroforestry systems, with particular emphasis on tropical landscapes. We examine natural and anthropogenic metal inputs, highlighting how atmospheric deposition, legacy contamination, land-use practices, and soil management interact with mineralogy, organic matter, and hydrology to control metal fate. Key processes governing metal behavior include sorption and complexation, Fe–Mn redox cycling, pH-dependent solubility, microbial mediation, and rhizosphere dynamics. The ecological consequences of contamination are discussed in terms of soil health degradation, plant physiological stress, disruption of ecosystem services, and risks of metal transfer to food chains in managed systems. The review also evaluates integrated monitoring frameworks that combine field-based soil analyses, biomonitoring, and geospatial technologies, while acknowledging methodological limitations and scale-dependent uncertainties. Finally, restoration and remediation strategies—ranging from phytotechnologies and soil amendments to engineered Technosols—are assessed in relation to their effectiveness, scalability, and relevance for long-term functional recovery. By linking mechanistic understanding with management and policy considerations, this review provides a process-oriented framework to support sustainable management and restoration of contaminated forest and agroforestry soils in tropical and subtropical regions. Full article

Plant immunity research is being reshaped by integrative multi-omics approaches that connect transcriptomic, proteomic, and interactomic data to build systems-level views of plant–pathogen interactions. This review outlines the scope and methodological landscape of these approaches, with particular emphasis on how transcriptomic and proteomic insights converge through network-based analyses to elucidate defense regulation. Transcriptomics captures infection-induced transcriptional reprogramming, while proteomics reveals protein abundance changes, post-translational modifications, and signaling dynamics essential for immune activation. Network-driven computational frameworks including iOmicsPASS, WGCNA, and DIABLO enable the identification of regulatory modules, hub genes, and concordant or discordant molecular patterns that structure plant defense responses. Interactomic techniques such as yeast two-hybrid screening and affinity purification–mass spectrometry further map host–pathogen protein–protein interactions, highlighting key immune nodes such as receptor-like kinases, R proteins, and effector-targeted complexes. Recent advances in machine learning and gene regulatory network modeling enhance the predictive interpretation of transcription–translation relationships, especially under combined or fluctuating stress conditions. By synthesizing these developments, this review clarifies how integrative multi-omics and network-based frameworks deepen understanding of the architecture and coordination of plant immune networks and support the identification of molecular targets for engineering durable pathogen resistance. Full article

Current mainstream remote sensing approaches to forest age estimation frequently neglect interspecific differences in functional traits, which may limit the accurate representation of species-specific tree growth strategies. This study develops and validates a technical framework that incorporates multi-source remote sensing and tree species functional trait heterogeneity to systematically improve the accuracy of plantation age mapping. We constructed a processing chain—“multi-source feature fusion–species identification–heterogeneity modeling”—for a typical karst plantation landscape in southeastern Yunnan. Using the Google Earth Engine (GEE) platform, we integrated Sentinel-1/2 and Landsat time-series data, implemented a Gradient Boosting Decision Tree (GBDT) algorithm for species classification, and built age estimation models that incorporate species identity as a proxy for the growth strategy heterogeneity delineated by the Plant Economic Spectrum (PES) theory. Key results indicate: (1) Species classification reached an overall accuracy of 89.34% under spatial block cross-validation, establishing a reliable basis for subsequent modeling. (2) The operational model incorporating species information achieved an R² (coefficient of determination) of 0.84 (RMSE (Root Mean Square Error) = 6.52 years) on the test set, demonstrating a substantial improvement over the baseline model that ignored species heterogeneity (R² = 0.62). This demonstrates that species identity serves as an effective proxy for capturing the growth strategy heterogeneity described by the Plant Economic Spectrum (PES) theory, which is both distinguishable and valuable for modeling within the remote sensing feature space. (3) Error propagation analysis demonstrated strong robustness to classification uncertainties (γ = 0.23). (4) Plantation structure in the region was predominantly young-aged, with forests aged 0–20 years covering over 70% of the area. Despite inherent uncertainties in ground-reference age data, the integrated framework exhibited clear relative superiority, improving R² from 0.62 to 0.84. Both error propagation analysis (γ = 0.23) and Monte Carlo simulations affirmed the robustness of the tandem workflow and the stability of the findings, providing a reliable methodology for improved-accuracy plantation carbon sink quantification. Full article

This paper presents a comprehensive characterization of bottom ash generated during biomass combustion in fluidized boilers, with a focus on its potential use in a circular economy. Two biomass bottom ash samples (BBA 1 and BBA 2) from commercial combined heat and power plants were tested. The scope of this study included the determination of chemical composition, phase composition, and leachability testing of selected impurities. The results showed that the bottom ashes tested are calcium silicate materials with varying proportions of calcium phases (anhydrite, portlandite, and calcite) and silica phases (quartz), depending on the type of biomass and combustion technology. Thermal analysis confirmed the presence of characteristic dehydration, decarbonation, and polymorphic transformations of quartz, with a low organic content. Leachability tests showed low mobility of most trace elements and heavy metals, with increased solubility of sulfates, chlorides, and alkali ions, typical for fluidized ash. The concentrations of As, Cd, Cr, Cu, Pb, Zn, and Hg in the eluates were low or below the limit of quantification, indicating the favorable chemical stability of the tested waste. The results obtained suggest that bottom ashes from biomass combustion in fluidized boilers may be a promising secondary raw material for engineering applications, especially in binding materials and bonded layers, and potentially also in selected agricultural applications, provided that the contents of sulfates, chlorides, and pH are controlled. Full article

Wildfires are increasingly frequent and intense due to climate change, resulting in degraded soils with diminished microbial activity, reduced water retention, and low nutrient availability. In many regions, previously restored areas face repeated burning events, which further exhaust soil fertility and limit the potential for natural regeneration. Traditional reforestation approaches such as seed scattering or planting seedlings often fail in these conditions due to extreme aridity, erosion, and lack of biological support. To address this multifaceted problem, this study proposes a living, biodegradable hydrogel that integrates an engineered soil-beneficial microorganism consortium, designed to deliver beneficial compounds and nutrients combined with endemic plant seeds into a single biopolymeric matrix. Acting simultaneously as a biofertilizer, soil conditioner, and reforestation aid, this 3-in-1 system provides a microenvironment that retains moisture, supports microbial diversity restoration, and facilitates plant germination even in nutrient-poor, arid soils. The concept is rooted in circular economy principles, utilizing polysaccharides from food industry by-products for biopolymer formation, thereby ensuring environmental compatibility and minimizing waste. The encapsulated microorganisms, a Bacillus subtilis strain and a Nostoc oryzae strain, are intended to enrich the soil with useful compounds. They are engineered based on synthetic biology principles to incorporate specific genetic modules. The B. subtilis strain is engineered to break down large polyphenolic compounds through laccase overexpression, thus increasing soil bioavailable organic matter. The cyanobacterium strain is modified to enhance its nitrogen-fixing capacity, supplying fixed nitrogen directly to the soil. After fulfilling its function, the matrix naturally decomposes, returning organic matter, while the incorporation of a quorum sensing-based kill-switch system is designed to prevent the environmental escape of the engineered microorganisms. This sustainable approach aims to transform post-wildfire landscapes into self-recovering ecosystems, offering a scalable and eco-friendly alternative to conventional restoration methods while advancing the integration of synthetic biology and environmental engineering for climate resilience. Full article

Technologies are the enablers of the practical realization of benefits from fundamentals originating from various disciplines of science and engineering for a holistic improvement in the life of livings (plants, animal and humans all included), development of rational societies and the health of planet Earth [...] Full article

The accelerating global demand for sustainable energy, driven by population growth, industrialization, and environmental concerns, has intensified the search for renewable alternatives to fossil fuels. Biofuels, including bioethanol, biodiesel, biogas, and biohydrogen, offer a viable and practical pathway to reducing net carbon dioxide (CO₂) emissions. Yet, their large-scale production remains constrained by biomass recalcitrance, high pretreatment costs, and the enzyme-intensive nature of conversion processes. Recent advances in enzyme immobilization using magnetic nanoparticles (MNPs), covalent organic frameworks, metal–organic frameworks, and biochar have significantly improved enzyme stability, recyclability, and catalytic efficiency. Complementary strategies such as cross-linked enzyme aggregates, carrier-free immobilization, and site-specific attachment further reduce enzyme leaching and operational costs, particularly in lipase-mediated biodiesel synthesis. In addition to biocatalysis, nanozymes—nanomaterials exhibiting enzyme-like activity—are emerging as robust co-catalysts for biomass degradation and upgrading, although challenges in selectivity and environmental safety persist. Green synthesis approaches employing plant extracts, microbes, and agro-industrial wastes are increasingly adopted to produce eco-friendly nanomaterials and bio-derived supports aligned with circular economy principles. These functionalized materials have demonstrated promising performance in esterification, transesterification, and catalytic routes for biohydrogen generation. Technoeconomic and lifecycle assessments emphasize the need to balance catalyst complexity with environmental and economic sustainability. Multifunctional catalysts, process intensification strategies, and engineered thermostable enzymes are improving productivity. Looking forward, pilot-scale validation of green-synthesized nano- and biomaterials, coupled with appropriate regulatory frameworks, will be critical for real-world deployment. Full article

This study tackles the stabilization and delivery challenges of oxidation-prone carrot oil by engineering tailored Zein-OSA starch hybrid complexes. The influence of complex mass ratios (1:2, 1:1, 2:1) on key structural, colloidal, and functional properties was meticulously evaluated. The complexes were analyzed through spectroscopy, thermal methods, and microscopy. Derived emulsions were assessed for stability under environmental stresses (pH, salts, storage), alongside their rheological behavior and aroma retention. The 1:1 complex emerged with optimal molecular compatibility, thermal stability, and barrier properties. In emulsions, the 1:2 formulation provided the most uniform droplets and superior salt tolerance, while the 1:1 ratio yielded the best pH stability. All emulsions were shear-thinning. Microencapsulation effectively converted the emulsion into a stable, free-flowing powder. This work demonstrates a rational approach to designing robust plant-based delivery systems for protecting and improving the functionality of sensitive lipophilic ingredients in practical applications. Full article

Nanotechnology is becoming a key tool in plant biotechnology, enabling nanoparticles (NPs) to deliver biomolecules with high precision and to enhance plant and tissue resilience under stress. However, the literature remains fragmented across genetic delivery, in vitro regeneration, stress mitigation, and germplasm cryopreservation, and it still lacks standardized, comparable protocols and robust long-term safety assessments—particularly for NP use in cryogenic workflows. This review critically integrates recent advances in NP-enabled (i) genetic engineering and transformation, (ii) tissue culture and regeneration, (iii) nanofertilization and abiotic stress mitigation, and (iv) cryopreservation of plant germplasm. Across these areas, the most consistent findings indicate that NPs can facilitate targeted transport of DNA, RNA, proteins, and regulatory complexes; modulate oxidative and osmotic stress responses; and improve regeneration performance in recalcitrant species. In cryopreservation, selected nanomaterials act as multifunctional cryoprotective adjuvants by suppressing oxidative injury, stabilizing cellular membranes, and improving post-thaw viability and regrowth of sensitive tissues. At the same time, NP outcomes are highly context-dependent, with efficacy governed by dose, size, and surface chemistry; formulation; plant genotype; and interactions with culture media or vitrification solutions. Evidence of potential phytotoxicity, persistence, and biosafety risks highlights the need for harmonized reporting, mechanistic studies on NP–cell interfaces, and evaluation of environmental fate. Expected outcomes of this review include a consolidated framework linking NP properties to biological endpoints, identification of design principles for application-specific NP selection, and a set of research priorities to accelerate the safe and reproducible translation of nanotechnology into sustainable plant biotechnology and long-term germplasm preservation. Full article

Globally, grasslands, savannas, and wetlands are degrading rapidly and increasingly being replaced by woody vegetation. Woody Plant Encroachment (WPE) disrupts natural landscapes and has significant consequences for biodiversity, ecosystem functioning, and key ecosystem services. This review synthesizes findings from 159 peer-reviewed studies identified through a PRISMA-guided systematic literature review to evaluate the drivers of WPE, its ecological impacts, and the remote sensing (RS) approaches used to monitor it. The drivers of WPE are multifaceted, involving interactions among climate variability, topographic and edaphic conditions, hydrological change, land use transitions, and altered fire and grazing regimes, while its impacts are similarly diverse, influencing land cover structure, water and nutrient cycles, carbon and nitrogen dynamics, and broader implications for ecosystem resilience. Over the past two decades, RS has become central to WPE monitoring, with studies employing classification techniques, spectral mixture analysis, object-based image analysis, change detection, thresholding, landscape pattern and fragmentation metrics, and increasingly, machine learning and deep learning methods. Looking forward, emerging advances such as multi-sensor fusion (optical– synthetic aperture radar (SAR), Light Detection and Ranging (LiDAR)–hyperspectral), cloud-based platforms including Google Earth Engine, Microsoft Planetary Computer, and Digital Earth, and geospatial foundation models offer new opportunities for scalable, automated, and long-term monitoring. Despite these innovations, challenges remain in detecting early-stage encroachment, subcanopy woody growth, and species-specific patterns across heterogeneous landscapes. Key knowledge gaps highlighted in this review include the need for long-term monitoring frameworks, improved socio-ecological integration, species- and ecosystem-specific RS approaches, better utilization of SAR, and broader adoption of analysis-ready data and open-source platforms. Addressing these gaps will enable more effective, context-specific strategies to monitor, manage, and mitigate WPE in rapidly changing environments. Full article