Search Results (539)

Enteric methane (CH₄) emissions from ruminants are a significant contributor to agricultural greenhouse gas emissions and represent an increasing concern in African livestock systems. This systematic review evaluates the effectiveness of tannin-rich plants as a dietary strategy for mitigating enteric CH₄ emissions in African ruminant production systems. The review followed PRISMA guidelines and included peer-reviewed original studies published between 2015 and 2025 that investigated tannin-rich plant interventions in cattle, sheep, or goats within African production systems. Eligible studies comprised both in vivo feeding trials and in vitro rumen fermentation experiments. Studies were included if they reported enteric CH₄ or greenhouse gas-related outcomes, while reviews, modeling studies, non-ruminant studies, and studies without CH₄-related outcomes were excluded. A total of eight eligible studies were identified, all conducted in South Africa despite the Africa-wide scope of the review. Overall, tannin-rich plant interventions showed potential to reduce CH₄ emissions, although the magnitude and consistency of responses varied depending on tannin type, source, inclusion level, form of administration, and dietary context. Purified and encapsulated tannin extracts generally produced more consistent CH₄ reductions than crude or whole-plant sources. Responses also differed between controlled total mixed ration systems and forage-based feeding systems. However, the small number of studies and their strong geographic concentration limit broader generalization across the continent. In conclusion, tannin-rich plants show promise as a natural CH₄ mitigation strategy in ruminants, but more regionally distributed and methodologically robust studies are needed across Africa to strengthen the evidence base. Full article

Grass–legume mixtures can improve forage productivity and quality, but their performance may vary between years. This study evaluated grass–legume mixture types differing in composition and intended use (forage, universal, and grazing) across two growing seasons, focusing on the first cut. Mixtures were assessed for dry matter yield, botanical composition, chemical composition, and plant height, and principal component analysis (PCA) was used to describe multivariate trait patterns. The year strongly affected mixture performance. Mean dry matter yield decreased from 6949 ± 212 kg ha⁻¹ in 2023 to 1588 ± 94 kg ha⁻¹ in 2024, corresponding to an approximately 76% reduction. In 2023, forage mixtures produced the highest yield, followed by universal and grazing mixtures, whereas in 2024, differences among mixture types were not significant. Botanical composition shifted toward a higher legume proportion in 2024, while mixture type differences in chemical composition largely converged, except for DMD. PCA showed clearer separation among mixture types in 2023, with PC1 and PC2 explaining 64.9% and 17.6% of variance, respectively, whereas separation weakened in 2024. These results indicate that mixture composition and intended use influenced productivity and quality mainly under more favorable growing conditions, while year-to-year variation strongly constrained first-cut mixture performance. Full article

Plant functional traits are central to regulating ecosystem multifunctionality (EMF), yet how coordinated above- and below-ground resource acquisition strategies mediate the effects of forest structural diversity on EMF remain insufficiently understood, particularly in typical south subtropical forests. Here, we applied a trait-based framework to disentangle the pathways linking forest structural diversity to EMF through plant resource acquisition strategies. Typical south subtropical forests were sampled for community-level leaf and root traits, including leaf total nitrogen and total phosphorus content, specific leaf area, leaf dry matter content, root diameter, specific root length, root tissue density, root total nitrogen and root total phosphorus content. EMF was quantified using 13 indicators associated with carbon storage, litter decomposition, primary productivity, and nutrient cycling, evaluated using both averaging and multi-threshold approaches. Principal component analysis was used to summarize trait variation along major functional axes representing the leaf and root economics spectra, and structural equation modeling was employed to quantify direct and trait-mediated pathways linking forest structural diversity to EMF. We found pronounced variation in EMF among forest types, with multifunctionality increasing along the classical fast-slow plant economics spectrum. Communities dominated by fast-growing species exhibited consistently higher EMF than those dominated by slow-growing species, with below-ground traits showing stronger associations with EMF than above-ground traits. In contrast, EMF was unrelated to the root collaboration gradient, suggesting that alternative below-ground foraging strategies contributed little to multifunctionality. Moreover, the positive effects of structural diversity on EMF were indirectly mediated through both leaf and root conservation gradients. Notably, the relative importance of these trait-mediated pathways was threshold-dependent. Root conservation gradients dominated EMF at low multifunctionality thresholds, whereas leaf conservation gradients became increasingly important at higher thresholds. Our findings show that forest structural diversity enhances ecosystem multifunctionality through coordinated leaf and root strategies. By revealing trait-mediated links between biodiversity and EMF, this study clarifies how community composition and species turnover shape multifunctionality in typical south subtropical forests. Full article

Identifying the nectar sources of stingless bees is essential for understanding plant–pollinator interactions and for promoting sustainable meliponiculture. Traditionally, this has been achieved through melissopalynological analysis of honey; however, this approach has certain limitations. Here, we aimed to evaluate whether pollen analysis of bee crop nectar can reliably identify nectar sources for stingless bees. We conducted palynological analyses of honey samples (n = 12) and crop nectar samples (n = 757, considering individual foragers), and conducted field surveys to determine nectar sources for the stingless bee Tetragonula pagdeni in West Bengal, India. From the honey analysis, 42 pollen types were identified, with Eucalyptus tereticornis as the predominant pollen type. In contrast, 67 pollen types were recorded from the crop nectar samples. The most frequently occurring pollen types were Acacia auriculiformis, Borassus flabellifer, Eucalyptus tereticornis, Peltophorum pterocarpum, Tridax procumbens, and Ziziphus mauritiana. Through field surveys, 73 plant species were identified as nectar sources. By integrating these methods, 85 plant species were recognised as nectar sources for stingless bees. The findings indicate that palynological analysis of bees’ crop nectar is an effective method for identifying the nectar sources of a bee species. Furthermore, combining palynological analysis of crop nectar with melissopalynological analysis of honey provides a more comprehensive and potentially more accurate assessment of nectar sources than reliance on honey analysis alone. Full article

Populus nigra buds contain resinous exudates rich in flavonoids, phenolic acids, terpenoids and other bioactive constituents. These exudates are the main botanical source of European Poplar-type propolis. Since hive-collected propolis shows strong botanical, geographical and hive contaminant variability, P. nigra bud resin exudate represents an attractive, standardizable and reproducible alternative for obtaining natural-complex ingredients. This study investigates the compositional relationship between Propolgemma^® standardized P. nigra buds (PBHE) and European propolis (PHE) hydroalcoholic extracts through integrated analytical approaches and evaluates the functional bioactivity of PBHE and a related oral spray formulation (Propolgemma^® spray forte, PBHE-SF). Untargeted metabolomic fingerprinting revealed clear clustering of P. nigra bud exudate with European propolis, demonstrating high compositional similarity. Targeted analyses confirmed that PBHE belongs to the poplar-type propolis family, while retaining additional bud-derived constituents such as salicylates, lignins and tannins, typical of bud tissue and largely absent from hive-collected propolis. Functionally, PBHE showed concentration-dependent antioxidant activity and significant inhibition of Streptococcus pyogenes biofilm at sub-MIC levels. PBHE, incorporated into a patented oral spray formulation (PBHE-SF), demonstrated strong mucoadhesion, high resistance to salivary wash-off, retention of antioxidant flavonoids on epithelial substrates and a mechanical barrier effect, reducing LPS-induced IL-6 release by 39%. It also showed dispersion of pre-formed S. pyogenes biofilms. PBHE emerges as a reproducible, plant-derived, bee-independent alternative to European propolis. Its chemical consistency, functional reliability, independence from bee foraging and from hive-derived contaminants improve the therapeutic potential on mucosal protection in medical device formulations and the suitability for scalable, controlled and industrially sustainable production. Full article

Introduction: The Egyptian Vulture (Neophron percnopterus), an endangered scavenger, plays an important role in ecosystem health and corpse decomposition processes. However, populations have been declining throughout the Indian subcontinent, mainly due to anthropogenic influences. The present study explores how human activities affect the scavenging ecology and feeding behavior of Egyptian vultures in Gonda District, Terai region of Uttar Pradesh, India. Methods: The observations were conducted from January to June 2025. Systematic field observations were conducted at certain dumping locations. Point count sampling techniques were used to capture information on interspecific interactions, food type, feeding duration, and frequency of foraging. Results: The findings showed that vultures relied extensively on manmade food sources, mainly animal carcasses (57%), poultry waste (25%), and market rubbish (10%). Feeding activity peaked in the morning (08:00–11:00 h), coinciding with carcass disposal times at dump sites. Feral dogs, cattle egrets, and crows frequently engaged in interspecific conflict, limiting feeding time and food availability. Dependence on human-mediated food sources demonstrates both adaptation and susceptibility—adaptability in exploiting alternative resources, but vulnerability due to potential exposure to toxins, diminished food supply, and habitat disruption. Conclusions: The study underlines the critical need for better waste management techniques, construction of vulture feeding zones, and public awareness campaigns to support the long-term conservation of Egyptian Vultures in human-modified environments. Full article

Brown midrib (bmr) mutants are frequently associated with unfavorable agronomic traits. In this study, we identified a novel brown midrib mutant, bmr34, which exhibited distinct brown coloration in roots, stems, and leaf midribs. Although most classic bmr mutants show undesirable agronomic performance, this mutant displays altered lignin accumulation and has important potential for forage quality and biomass utilization, providing a key genetic resource for lignin regulatory research in sorghum. Compared to the wild-type, bmr34 showed no significant differences in five major agronomic traits; however, lignin content was significantly reduced. Bulked segregant analysis (BSA) using an F₂ population derived from a cross between bmr34 and the wild type Tx623 mapped the candidate region to chromosome 4. Further sequencing analysis identified a single nucleotide substitution (C → T; reverse strand G → A) at position 5,731,348 within the 5′ splice site of the third intron of Sobic.004G071000 in the mapping interval. KASP marker analysis demonstrated complete co-segregation between the mutation site and the bmr phenotype. Sequence analysis also revealed that this G → A substitution resulted in aberrant splicing and a 33-bp insertion in the third exon, which introduced a premature stop codon. Notably, the normally spliced transcript still accounted for approximately 36.2% of total transcripts in bmr34, indicating partial retention of wild-type transcript processing. These results demonstrate that bmr34 represents a novel weak allele of Bmr6, providing new insights into splice-site mutations and their contribution to lignin biosynthesis regulation in sorghum. Full article

The reuse of treated oilfield-produced water (PW) presents a viable solution to water scarcity in arid regions; however, elevated boron (B) levels pose a significant constraint for sustainable irrigation. This study evaluates boron dynamics in a soil–plant system irrigated with treated PW and examines the effectiveness of nature-based solutions in mitigating its accumulation. A controlled experiment using two soil types and multiple water sources was conducted, with biochar and gypsum applied as soil amendments. Boron concentrations were assessed in plant tissues, roots, and soil layers. Results showed significant boron accumulation under PW irrigation, exceeding safe agronomic thresholds, and soil analysis indicated greater boron retention in surface layers. Boron concentrations reached maximum average concentrations exceeding 200 mg kg⁻¹. To elucidate species-specific tolerance mechanisms, bioaccumulation factors (BAFs) and translocation factors (TFs) were calculated. Results revealed a distinct root-trapping strategy, with high BAF values under oilfield-produced water, while TF values remained significantly lower, indicating that these forage species successfully restricted boron translocation to aerial tissues. Full article

On-farm welfare assessment of equines is a challenge given the large diversity of management practices, especially in terms of housing and activities. In our study, we tested time budget measures as a complementary tool to more conventional welfare indicators (e.g., stereotypic behaviours, ear position while foraging, neck shape). We observed 174 horses living in eight facilities (in their home environment) for which data on management practices and welfare were available. Time budget was assessed using the scan sampling method (1 min scan sampling over 30 min; 33 scans), while welfare assessment was based on classical measures. The study was performed in two parts: The first part consisted of validating time budget as a correlate of welfare state, which was performed at the individual level and according to the context of observation. In the second part, the data were analysed at the farm level by averaging data from all horses in the same facility. The results showed that the time spent feeding, in exploratory walking and observation behaviour were correlated with indicators of positive welfare and/or good practices in contrast to the time spent standing immobile resting or in fixed attention and/or in negative social interactions. Time budget varied greatly between facilities, reflecting welfare state and management (feeding, working) practices. This study shows that, provided that observations are made at different time periods when animals are calm, three sessions of 10 min. could give a good account of the local «atmosphere». These findings bring new insights into both methodological approaches and the significance of behaviours and, in particular, the importance of precisely defining and measuring the types of attention as a window into an animal’s internal state. Full article

Soil salinization is a source of major abiotic stress that severely limits the production of alfalfa (Medicago sativa L.), a globally critical forage legume for sustainable livestock production. Its complex autotetraploid genome and self-incompatibility greatly hinder salt tolerance genetic improvement, while the post-transcriptional regulatory mechanism of alfalfa salt stress response remains largely uncharacterized. This study aimed to narrow the gap between genome-wide genetic signals and causal regulatory mechanisms and identify core post-transcriptional regulators of alfalfa salt tolerance via a multi-layered integrative analysis pipeline. We performed a genome-wide association study (GWAS) using 220 globally collected alfalfa accessions, combined with public transcriptome integration, co-expression network analysis, 3′ untranslated region (3′UTR) motif discovery, and AlphaFold2-based protein-RNA docking simulation. We identified 20 significant salt tolerance-associated loci and prioritized the CCCH-type zinc-finger RNA-binding protein (RBP) MsCCCH20 as the core candidate regulator. We further screened 35 high-confidence target genes of MsCCCH20, detected conserved AU/AG-rich 3′UTR motifs, and provided structural predictions consistent with potential sequence-specific interactions (ipTM 0.70–0.79). Our findings establish a robust framework linking genetic association signals to post-transcriptional regulatory networks and provide high-confidence candidate genes and functional markers for the molecular breeding of salt-tolerant alfalfa. Full article

Crop yield responses to reduced solar radiation are central to the design of agrivoltaic systems, yet crop-specific patterns and critical shading thresholds remain insufficiently characterized across diverse environments. This study evaluates yield responses across a global dataset of 546 observations from 66 studies, including agrivoltaic, shading, and agroforestry systems. Relative yield was analyzed in relation to reduction in solar radiation (RSR), crop type, and environmental variables using exploratory analysis, multiple linear regression, and tree-based ensemble models. Crop responses varied systematically across crop types. Fruits, berries, and fruity vegetables maintained or increased yield under lower shading levels, while forages, leafy vegetables, cereals, and tubers showed gradual declines, and maize and grain legumes exhibited the strongest sensitivity. Across models, yield responses were non-linear, with relatively stable yields at lower shading levels followed by accelerated declines beyond approximately 50–60% RSR. Climatic conditions further influenced these patterns, with crops in higher-radiation and warmer environments maintaining yields more effectively under partial shade. These findings demonstrate that crop yield responses depend on crop type, shading intensity, and environmental context, providing an agronomic basis for crop selection and agrivoltaic system design. Full article

Sorghum (Sorghum bicolor (L.) Moench) is an essential food, forage, and bioenergy crop that plays an irreplaceable role in modern agricultural supply systems and daily life. However, the traditional cultivation varieties, characterized by tall stems, low planting density and large panicles, are incompatible with the requirements of modern intensive agriculture for high-density planting, mechanized harvesting, and efficient resource utilization. Therefore, cultivating an ideotype suitable for mechanized harvesting is the most urgent and practical need for sorghum breeding. This paper systematically reviews the key components of the sorghum ideotype and their physiological basis, focusing on traits such as canopy structure, stalk characteristics, panicle traits, and root systems. Then, the major genes and molecular mechanisms that regulate plant height, stem strength, leaf morphology, and panicle type are described in detail. Additionally, current breeding challenges, including gene pleiotropy, trade-offs among traits, narrow genetic diversity, and limitations in phenotypic identification techniques, are summarized. Finally, we propose modern breeding strategies involving multi-omics approaches, high-throughput phenotyping, gene editing, and computational modeling to advance sorghum breeding into the design era. This will enable the simultaneous improvement in light use efficiency, lodging resistance, and adaptation to mechanized production. Full article

The Tahe red deer is derived from the wild Tarim red deer, an endemic subspecies native to the Tarim Basin in Xinjiang, China. It has recently received official approval as a locally bred deer variety, developed through artificial breeding programs. This breed retains several advantageous traits from its wild ancestors, including tolerance to coarse forage, drought resistance, and a high yield of velvet antlers. To investigate the genetic mechanisms underlying velvet antler production, phenotypic data for antler weight and blood samples were collected from 73 adult Tahe red deer. Whole-genome sequencing and genome-wide association analysis were performed to identify genetic variants associated with antler weight. Population genetic analysis revealed that the observed heterozygosity (Ho) and expected heterozygosity (He) were 0.31291 and 0.32832, respectively, while the nucleotide diversity (π) was 2.17 × 10⁻³, indicating relatively high genetic diversity within the Tahe red deer population. Using a mixed linear model (MLM), a total of 189 candidate genes and 1387 significant SNP loci associated with antler weight were identified (p < 1.0 × 10⁻⁵). Gene Ontology (GO) enrichment analysis revealed that these candidate genes are primarily involved in intracellular calcium ion homeostasis, peptide and protein biosynthesis, extracellular matrix organization, the regulation of glycolysis, and cytoskeleton-related processes, including actin filaments and microfibrils. These biological functions are closely related to cell proliferation, differentiation, energy metabolism, and tissue remodeling. The Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes (KEGG) pathway analysis further indicated that the candidate genes are significantly enriched in several pathways, including the Notch signaling pathway, the cGMP–PKG signaling pathway, the regulation of the actin cytoskeleton, ribosome biogenesis, and mucin type O-glycan biosynthesis. These results suggest that these genes may participate in velvet antler growth and development by regulating cell proliferation and differentiation, cytoskeletal remodeling, and protein synthesis. Overall, this study identifies SNP loci and candidate genes significantly associated with antler weight in Tahe red deer, providing a theoretical basis for genetic improvement and marker-assisted selection for velvet antler production in this breed. Full article

The perennial grass timothy (Phleum pratense) is an important forage crop in cold temperate regions. It forms three types of tillers: vegetative (VEG), generative (GEN), and non-flowering elongated (ELONG). To understand the influence of plant development and tiller formation on biomass production and the diversity in these traits, a total of 246 wild and domesticated accessions of timothy and the related species, P. nodosum and P. alpinum, were investigated. The length of different plant developmental stages and the formation of different tiller types were studied to test the hypotheses: (1) the proportion (%) of different tiller types affects biomass and is influenced by the lengths of the different plant developmental stages, (2) domestication and breeding have affected the length of developmental stages and proportions of tiller types. While timothy cultivars did not differ significantly from wild accessions in biomass, wild accessions had higher VEG%, which increased with latitude of accession origin. P. nodosum cultivars produced the highest number of ELONG of all accessions and species, and the ELONG% showed a strong positive correlation with biomass. Timothy cultivars showed later emergence and tillering, and reached stem elongation and heading earlier than wild accessions, suggesting that delayed tillering, but an overall faster development, has been favoured during breeding. The time between tillering and stem elongation showed a positive correlation with VEG%. This study reveals large diversity in developmental and tiller traits among accessions, reflecting differences in their domestication and breeding history, and highlighting the importance of considering early developmental traits and ELONG formation for yield and quality in further pre-breeding research. Full article

Ruminants significantly contribute to global methane (CH₄) emissions, necessitating the development of dietary mitigation strategies. This study evaluated five Bangladeshi seaweeds (brown, red, and green types) from Saint Martin Island for their anti-methanogenic potential through phenotypic identification, proximate analysis, and in vitro fermentation assessment. Significant interspecies variation was (p < 0.001) observed in dry matter (DM: 82.1–99.9%), acid detergent fiber (ADF: 17.4–24.9%), neutral detergent fiber (NDF: 29.6–43.6%), and dry matter degradability (DMD: 43.9–58.7%), while crude protein (CP) remained consistent (p = 0.574). After 48 h of fermentation, total gas (1.3–22.1 mL/g DM) and CH₄ yield (0.04–1.6 mL/g DM) varied markedly (p < 0.01). DMD was strongly correlated with total gas and CH₄ production. Crucially, both ADF and NDF showed a positive correlation with total gas and CH₄ production. However, NDF displayed a weak positive correlation with DMD. These findings suggest atypical fiber fraction dynamics, contrasting with terrestrial forages. Supplementation effects of two red seaweeds, SW-4 (Gracilaria parvispora) and SW-5 (Asparagopsis taxiformis), on Napier grass were assessed at 5% and 10% inclusion levels. SW-5 reduced CH₄ by 52.7% when co-fermented with Napier grass at a 10% inclusion level for 48 h, whereas SW-4 showed no significant effect. These results highlight SW-5 as a promising dietary supplement to reduce enteric CH₄ in ruminants, suggesting further in vivo validation for optimal use. Full article