Search Results (1,194)

Cadmium (Cd) contamination in agricultural soils originates mainly from atmospheric deposition, irrigation water, fertilizers, pesticides, and industrial waste discharges. This human-induced pollution adversely affects soil fertility and structure, disrupts plant growth and physiological activities, and poses severe health risks through food-chain accumulation. Despite increasing research attention, comprehensive assessments that integrate global patterns, remediation strategies, and knowledge gaps remain limited. Therefore, this literature review critically synthesizes findings from 1060 peer-reviewed studies (screened using PRISMA guidelines) retrieved from Scopus and Web of Science databases, focusing on Cd sources, environmental behavior, plant responses, and soil remediation techniques. Results show that most research has been concentrated in Asia—particularly China—and Latin America. The most frequently investigated topics include Cd accumulation in crops, soil amendments, phytoremediation, and microbial-assisted remediation. Among remediation strategies, assisted phytoremediation and integrated biological–chemical approaches (biochar, PGPR, and soil amendments) emerged as the most promising for sustainable Cd mitigation. In conclusion, this review highlights regional disparities in research coverage, emphasizes the effectiveness of combined remediation approaches, and identifies the need for interdisciplinary and field-scale studies to advance sustainable solutions for Cd pollution control in agricultural systems. Full article

The swift integration of AI, robotics, and advanced sensing technologies has revolutionized agriculture into a data-centric, autonomous, and sustainable sector. This systematic study examines the interplay between artificial intelligence and agricultural robotics in intelligent farming systems. Artificial intelligence, machine learning, computer vision, swarm robotics, and generative AI are analyzed for crop monitoring, precision irrigation, autonomous harvesting, and post-harvest processing. Employing PRISMA to categorize more than 10,000 high-impact publications from Scopus, WoS, and IEEE. Drones and vision-based models predominate the industry, while IoT integration, digital twins, and generative AI are on the rise. Insufficient field validation rates, inadequate crop and regional representation, and the implementation of explainable AI continue to pose significant challenges. Inadequate model generalization, energy limitations, and infrastructural restrictions impede scalability. We identify solutions in federated learning, swarm robotics, and climate-smart agricultural artificial intelligence. This paper presents a framework for inclusive, resilient, and feasible AI-robotic agricultural systems. Full article

Mediterranean cities are increasingly exposed to climate hazards, water scarcity, and social vulnerabilities, demanding integrative approaches for sustainable regeneration. This study examines how participatory governance and co-design processes can shape nature-based solutions (NbS) for climate resilience in Barrios Altos, a socially and environmentally fragile district of Lorca, Spain. Within the framework of the NATUR-W project, the interventions reimagine a degraded hillside and adjacent public spaces into a multifunctional urban forest, complemented by green retrofits of social housing and the adaptive reuse of a historic prison. Methods combined baseline community assessments, stakeholder mapping, co-design workshops, and the establishment of a multi-stakeholder governance board, ensuring inclusive participation from residents, civil society, and municipal authorities. Results demonstrate that the co-created design addressed key community priorities—such as shade provision, safe accessibility, cultural venues, and child-friendly spaces—while integrating sustainable water management systems for irrigation and stormwater control. The participatory process enhanced local ownership, balanced technical feasibility with community aspirations, and fostered governance structures that increase transparency and accountability. Overall, the study illustrates how NbS, when embedded in collaborative governance frameworks, can deliver climate, social, and cultural co-benefits while advancing resilient, inclusive, and human-scale urban environments. Full article

Water deficit is a limitation to maize (Zea mays L.) productivity, and seed physiological conditioning (priming) is a strategy to mitigate its effects. Niobium (Nb), an abundant element in the Earth’s crust and crucial for emerging technologies, is primarily produced and exported by Brazil, particularly in the state of Minas Gerais. However, its behavior in soil and effects on plants remain poorly understood. This study evaluated the impact of maize seed hydropriming with different solutions, including ammonium niobate (V) oxalate (C₄H₄NNbO₉), on germination, seedling physiological performance under water deficit, and recovery after rehydration. The experiment was conducted in a greenhouse using a randomized block design with eight treatments and five replications. The germination speed index (GSI) was recorded over a period of seven days. Water deficit was imposed on day eight by suspending irrigation for seven days, followed by rehydration until day 21. Morphological, biochemical, and physiological traits were evaluated, including biomass, pigments, oxidative stress, antioxidant activity, starch, and osmolytes, with photosynthetic parameters measured during rehydration. Hydropriming with Nb-enhanced seed germination but also induced oxidative stress and reduced biomass accumulation. Nb seed priming affected photosynthetic performance in a treatment-dependent manner, leading to phototoxic effects. Overall, although Nb shows biostimulant potential by improving maize germination, its use under water-deficit conditions may trigger toxic responses associated with increased oxidative stress and growth inhibition. These findings highlight the need for further studies to define safe and effective Nb concentrations for improving drought tolerance. Full article

The Great Salt Lake has shrunk significantly in volume since non-native settlement started. Most of that shrinkage has occurred in recent years. There are many adverse consequences associated with the shrinking of the lake, so avoiding the lake drying completely is desirable. To prevent this from happening, the causes of the drying need to be determined. Previous studies suggest that drying is due to a combination of water diversion for agricultural and municipal use and a decades-long drought. While municipal water use has been mentioned in other studies, it has sometimes been presented as a solution to the drying of the lake. As agriculture uses more water per hectare than urban areas, a prevalent notion is that urban expansion results in water savings. This viewpoint assumes that urban areas are predominantly developed on agricultural land. In this paper we quantify land use change in the Great Salt Lake basin over the last ~40 years and associated likely water diversion quantities based on average irrigation needs for different crops and for urban areas. We determine whether recent urbanization has occurred on natural or agricultural lands and has therefore increased or decreased water demand. Our results show that the cultivated crop area in Salt Lake County decreased markedly in the 2002–2007 and 2018–2023 periods, while developed land increased far more than the decrease in agricultural land. For the 2008–2023 period, far more natural land uses have been converted to urban uses than conversions from agricultural land, meaning that water demand has increased with urbanization. Also, alfalfa has a high water demand and has increased in area. Nevertheless, the increased irrigation water use from the alfalfa area has been smaller than the increase in water use from urban development. Results show that for the four most populous counties, >75% of land use change from 2008 to 2023 has resulted in a net increase in water use. Even for the more agricultural Cache County, Utah, and Franklin County, Idaho, >50% of land use change resulted in a net increase in water use. The results of this study have important implications for the planning of future urban development if the Great Salt Lake is to be preserved. Full article

In the global agricultural production system, maintaining and improving soil quality are core elements for ensuring food security and sustainable agricultural development. As a key indicator of soil quality, the content and dynamic change in soil organic carbon have a profound impact on the physical, chemical and biological properties of soil, and play a decisive role in soil fertility, structural stability, water and fertilizer conservation capacity and microbial activity. However, its decomposition is slow, and a large number of straws returning to the field will impact crop growth; its combination with irrigation is a more reasonable solution, as it can significantly improve the soil environment, increase soil moisture and promote straw decomposition. Therefore, in order to further study the effects of different irrigation methods and straw-returning combinations on soil active-carbon content, an experiment was carried out in long-term arid and semi-arid areas under in-field corn cultivation during 2019–2020. Three irrigation modes were designed—flood irrigation (BI), shallow drip irrigation (SD) and drip irrigation under film (DP)—and straw returning (CS) and no straw returning (CK) were set up, with irrigation applied at critical corn growth stages (internode elongation, heading, bell mouth stage) to support plant growth. The results are as follows: (1) The content of soil organic carbon in different treatments had a gradual upward trend with the advance of growth period; the content of soil organic carbon in DP treatment was significantly higher than that in SD and BI treatment under the same straw returning mode, indicating that drip irrigation under film and straw-returning mode can synergistically improve soil fertility and organic carbon content. (2) Different irrigation methods and straw-returning methods have significant effects on the content of soil active organic carbon components. Different drip irrigation modes can significantly improve the content of soil POC and MBC compared with flood irrigation. The Kos of SD treatment is significantly higher than that of other irrigation treatments, and the CPMI is lower than that of the other two irrigation methods, indicating that the soil organic carbon of SD treatment is more stable. Therefore, under straw-returning conditions, drip irrigation can significantly improve the carbon content of soil components and the management index of soil carbon pool, thus significantly increasing the accumulation of soil organic matter. This study discussed the effects of straw returning on soil organic carbon composition and soil carbon pool index under different irrigation methods to provide theoretical and practical bases for the selection and promotion of straw-returning methods and rational irrigation methods in semi-arid areas. Full article

The Lake Velence watershed faces increasing challenges driven by local and global factors, including the impacts of climate change, energy resource limitations, and greenhouse gas emissions. These issues, particularly acute in water management, are exacerbated by prolonged droughts, growing population pressures, and shifting land use patterns. Such dynamics strain the region’s scarce water resources, negatively affecting the environment, tourism, recreation, agriculture, and economic prospects. Nadap, a hilly settlement within the watershed, experiences frequent flooding and poor water retention, yet it also boasts the highest solar panel capacity per property in Hungary. This research addresses these interconnected challenges by designing a solar-hydrodynamic network comprising four multi-purpose water reservoirs. By leveraging the settlement’s solar capacity and geographical features, the reservoirs provide numerous benefits to local stakeholders and extend their impact far beyond their borders. These include stormwater management with flash flood mitigation, seasonal green energy storage, water security for agriculture and irrigation, wildlife conservation, recreational opportunities, carbon-smart winery developments, and the creation of sustainable blue-green settlements. Reservoir locations and dimensions were determined by analyzing geographical characteristics, stormwater volume, energy demand, solar panel performance, and rainfall data. The hydrodynamic system, modeled in Matlab, was optimized to ensure efficient water usage for irrigation, animal hydration, and other needs while minimizing evaporation losses and carbon emissions. This research presents a design framework for low-carbon and cost-effective solutions that address water management and energy storage, promoting environmental, social, and economic sustainability. The multi-purpose use of retained rainwater solves various existing problems/challenges, strengthens a community’s self-sustainability, and fosters regional growth. This integrated approach can serve as a model for other municipalities and for developing cost-effective inter-settlement and cross-catchment solutions, with a short payback period, facing similar challenges. Full article

The escalating pressure on water resources in agricultural regions has become a catalyst for water conflicts. The adoption of innovative approaches to estimate actual evapotranspiration (ETa) offers potential solutions to mitigate conflicts related to water usage. This research presents the application of a remote sensing-based methodology for estimating actual evapotranspiration (ETa) based on a two-source energy balance model (TSEB) for riparian vegetation in Nebraska, US using the Spatial EvapoTranspiration Modeling Interface (SETMI). Estimated results through SETMI and field data using the eddy covariance system (EC) considering the period 2008–2013 were used to validate the energy balance components and ETa. Modeled energy balance components showed a strong correlation to the ground data from EC, with ET presenting R2 equal to 0.96 and RMSE of 0.73 mm.d⁻¹. In 2012, the lowest adjusted crop coefficient (Kcadj) values were observed across all land covers, with a mean value of 0.49. The years 2013 and 2012, due to the dry conditions, recorded the highest accumulated ETa values (706 mm and 664 mm, respectively). Soybeans and corn exhibited the highest ETa values, recording 699 mm and 773 mm, respectively. Corn and soybeans, together accounting for a substantial portion of the land cover at 15% and 3%, respectively, play a significant role. Given that most fields cultivating these crops are irrigated, both pumped groundwater and surface water directly impact the water source of the Republican River. The SETMI model has generated appropriate estimated daily ETa values, thereby affirming the model’s utility as a tool for assisting water management and decision-makers in riparian zones. Full article

The soybean Glycine max (L.) Merrill is a key crop in Brazil’s agricultural sector and is essential for both domestic food security and international trade. However, water stress severely impacts its productivity. In this study, we examined the physiological and biochemical responses of soybean plants to various water regimes via hyperspectral reflectance (350–2500 nm) and machine learning (ML) models. The plants were subjected to eleven distinct water regimes, ranging from 100% to 0% field capacity, over 14 days. Seventeen key physiological parameters, including chlorophyll, carotenoids, flavonoids, proline, stress markers and water content, and hyperspectral data were measured to capture changes induced by water deficit. Principal component analysis (PCA) revealed significant spectral differences between the water treatments, with the first two principal components explaining 88% of the variance. Hyperspectral indices and reflectance patterns in the visible (VIS), near-infrared (NIR), and shortwave-infrared (SWIR) regions are linked to specific stress markers, such as pigment degradation and osmotic adjustment. Machine learning classifiers, including random forest and gradient boosting, achieved over 95% accuracy in predicting drought-induced stress. Notably, a minimal set of 12 spectral bands (including red-edge and SWIR features) was used to predict both stress levels and biochemical changes with comparable accuracy to traditional laboratory assays. These findings demonstrate that spectroscopy by hyperspectral sensors, when combined with ML techniques, provides a nondestructive, field-deployable solution for early drought detection and precision irrigation in soybean cultivation. Full article

Extensive practice has demonstrated that the continuous pursuit of high yields in the black soil region of Northeast China resulted in imbalances in soil nutrients and declines in both soil quality and water use efficiency. Alternate wetting and drying (AWD) irrigation offers a promising solution for increasing rice yield and maintaining soil fertility. However, the success of this irrigation method largely depends on its scheduling. This study examined the threshold effects of AWD on rice growth, yield, and soil nutrient availability in the Sanjiang Plain, a representative black soil region in Northeast China. A two-year trial was conducted from 2023 to 2024 at the Qixing National Agricultural Science and Technology Park. “Longjing 31”, a local cultivar, was selected as the experimental material. The lower limit of soil water content under AWD was set as the experimental factor, with three levels: −10 kPa (LA), −20 kPa (MA), and −30 kPa (SA). The local traditional irrigation practice, continuous flooding, served as the control treatment (CK). Indicators of rice growth and soil nutrient content were measured and analyzed at five growth stages: tillering, jointing, heading, milk ripening, and yellow ripening. The results showed that, compared to CK, AWD had minimal impact on rice plant height and tiller number, with no significant differences (p > 0.05). However, AWD affected leaf area index (LAI), shoot dry matter (SDM), yield, and soil nutrient availability. In 2023, control had little effect on rice plant height and tiller number among the different irrigation treatments. The LAI of LA was 11.1% and 22.5% higher than that of MA and SA, respectively, while SDM in LA was 10.5% and 17.2% higher than in MA and SA. Significant differences were found between LA and MA, as well as between LA and SA, whereas no significant differences were observed between MA and SA. The light treatment is beneficial to the growth and development of rice, while the harsh growth environment caused by the moderate and severe treatments is unfavorable to rice growth. The average contents of nitrate nitrogen (NO₃⁻-N), available phosphorus (AP), and available potassium (AK) in LA were 11.4%, 8.4%, and 9.3% higher than in MA, and 16.7%, 11.5%, and 15.0% higher than in SA, respectively. Significant differences were observed between LA and SA. This is because the light treatment facilitates the release of available nutrients in the soil, while the moderate and severe treatments hinder this process. Although panicle number per unit area and grain number per panicle in LA were 7.5% and 2.3% higher than in MA, and 10.8% and 2.2% higher than in SA, these differences were not statistically significant. Seed setting rate and thousand-grain weight showed little variation across irrigation treatments. The yield of LA was 10,233.3 kg hm⁻², 9.1% and 14.1% higher than that of MA and SA, respectively, with significant differences observed. Compared with the moderate and severe treatments, the light treatment increases indicators such as the number of panicles per unit area, grains per panicle, thousand-grain weight, and seed setting rate, resulting in significant differences among the treatments. Water use efficiency (WUE) decreased as the control level increased. The WUE of all AWD irrigation treatments was significantly higher than that of the control treatment (CK). Compared with CK, AWD reduces evaporation, percolation, and other water losses, leading to a significant decrease in water consumption. Meanwhile, the yield remains basically unchanged or even slightly increases, thus resulting in a higher WUE than CK. The trends in rice growth, soil nutrient indicators, and WUE in 2024 were generally consistent with those observed in 2023. In 2024, the yield of LA was 9832.7 kg hm⁻², 14.9% and 17.3% higher than that of MA and SA, respectively, with significant differences observed. Based on the results, the following conclusions are drawn: (1) AWD irrigation can affect the growth of rice, alter the status of available nutrients in the soil, and thereby cause changes in yield and WUE; (2) LA is the optimal treatment for increasing rice yield, improving the availability of soil available nutrients, and improving WUE; (3) Both MA and SA enhanced WUE; however, these practices negatively impacted rice growth and the concentration of soil available nutrients, leading to a concurrent decline in yield. To increase rice yield and maintain soil fertility, LA, with an irrigation upper limit of 30 mm and a soil water potential threshold of −10 kPa, is recommended for the Sanjiang Plain region. Full article

Local communities in many parts of the West Bank, Palestine have very limited water resources available for irrigation. In addition, since these communities are traditionally agricultural communities, water shortage and the lack of innovation in the agricultural sector led to loss of jobs in this sector. This in turn led young people to start looking for jobs in different sectors and even increased migration to urban centers. The reuse of treated wastewater can provide a viable solution to irrigation water shortage. It can help in creating jobs in the marginalized communities in the West Bank, especially in areas under full Israeli control (Area C according to the Oslo Accord). Furthermore, it is important to select crops that can resist the effects of climate change and create revenue for the farmers at the same time. In this research, we studied the impact of irrigating marigold (Tagetes erecta), which is a flower plant commonly used in the Palestinian market, with treated wastewater from the Nablus West Wastewater Treatment Plant (NWWTP). The quality of the treated wastewater, as indicated by parameters such as COD, BOD5, pH, EC, and TSS, shows its suitability for agricultural reuse. With low levels of organic matter, a near-neutral pH, and minimal suspended solids, the water poses minimal environmental risks and is ideal for irrigation, though monitoring for salinity buildup is necessary. Twenty-six marigold plants were planted, half of them were irrigated with the treated wastewater and the other half with tap water. Observations of length, number of roses, rose size, days to flower, and flowering days were recorded for both cases. The statistical analysis of the results shows that there is no significant difference between marigolds irrigated with treated wastewater and those treated with tap water, in terms of Plant Height, Rose Number and Rose Diameter. Full article

Background/Objectives: The objective of this in vitro study was to compare and evaluate the in vitro antimicrobial effectiveness of Endosal, Octenisolv, and Endoxal against intracanal Enterococcus faecalis. Methods: The study sample consisted of 84 extracted single-rooted human teeth, which were divided into seven groups (12 roots in each group): Group 1—Endoxal, Group 2—Octenisolv, Group 3—Endosal, Group 4—15% ethylenediaminetetraacetic acid (EDTA), Group 5—2% sodium hypochlorite (NaOCl), Group 6—0.9% sterile saline solution (NaCl), and one positive control group where no irrigant was used. The roots were sterilized within an autoclave for 30 min at 121 °C and then contaminated with E. faecalis bacteria, after instrumentation and removing the smear layer from canals. The root canals were irrigated using a side-vented needle, and then ISO size 40 H-file was used to obtain fine dentine chips. Aliquots taken from the canals were plated on blood agar broth and the plates were incubated for 36 h. Results: In this study, significant differences were observed between the antimicrobial activity of Endoxal, Octenisolv, Endosal, 2% NaOCl, and sterile saline solution. Conclusions: The compound irrigants Endosal, Endoxal, and a novel irrigant containing disodium edetate and octenidine, which were evaluated in this study, exhibited relatively good antimicrobial properties against Enterococcus faecalis. The use of Endosal, Octenisolv or Endoxal appears promising, yet their clinical efficacy remains to be confirmed through further studies. Full article

Accurate assessment of a crop’s water requirement is essential for optimising irrigation scheduling and increasing the sustainability of water use. The crop coefficient (K_c) is a dimensionless factor that converts reference evapotranspiration (ET₀) into actual crop evapotranspiration (ET_c) and is widely used for irrigation scheduling. The K_c reflects canopy cover, phenology, and crop type/variety, but is difficult to measure directly in heterogeneous perennial systems, such as vineyards. Remote sensing (RS) products, especially open-source satellite imagery, offer a cost-effective solution at moderate spatial and temporal scales, although their application in vineyards has been relatively limited due to the large pixel size (~100 m²) relative to vine canopy size (~2 m²). This study aimed to improve grapevine K_c predictions using vegetation indices derived from harmonised Sentinel-2 imagery in combination with spectral unmixing, with ground data obtained from canopy light interception measurements in three winegrape cultivars (Shiraz, Cabernet Sauvignon, and Chardonnay) in the Barossa and Eden Valleys, South Australia. A linear spectral mixture analysis approach was taken, which required estimation of vine canopy cover through beta regression models to improve the accuracy of vegetation indices that were used to build the K_c prediction models. Unmixing improved the prediction of seasonal K_c values in Shiraz (R² of 0.625, RMSE = 0.078, MAE = 0.063), Cabernet Sauvignon (R² = 0.686, RMSE = 0.072, MAE = 0.055) and Chardonnay (R² = 0.814, RMSE = 0.075, MAE = 0.059) compared to unmixed pixels. Furthermore, unmixing improved predictions during the early and late canopy growth stages when pixel variability was greater. Our findings demonstrate that integrating open-source satellite data with machine learning models and spectral unmixing can accurately reproduce the temporal dynamics of K_c values in vineyards. This approach was also shown to be transferable across cultivars and regions, providing a practical tool for crop monitoring and irrigation management in support of sustainable viticulture. Full article

Understanding flow dynamics in open-channel node systems is crucial for designing effective hydraulic engineering solutions and minimizing energy losses. This study investigates how junction geometry—specifically the lateral inflow angle (α = 45° and 60°) and the longitudinal bed slope (I = 0.0011 to 0.0051)—influences the water velocity distribution and hydraulic losses in a rigid-bed Y-shaped open-channel junction. Experiments were performed in a 0.3 m wide and 0.5 m deep rectangular flume, with controlled inflow conditions simulating steady-state discharge scenarios. Flow velocity measurements were obtained using a PEMS 30 electromagnetic velocity probe, which is capable of recording three-dimensional velocity components at a high spatial resolution, and electromagnetic flow meters for discharge control. The results show that a lateral inflow angle of 45° induces stronger flow disturbances and higher local loss coefficients, especially under steeper slope conditions. In contrast, an angle of 60° generates more symmetric velocity fields and reduces energy dissipation at the junction. These findings align with the existing literature and highlight the significance of junction design in hydraulic structures, particularly under high-flow conditions. The experimental data may be used for calibrating one-dimensional hydrodynamic models and optimizing the hydraulic performance of engineered channel outlets, such as those found in hydropower discharge systems or irrigation networks. Full article

Urban agriculture in space-constrained cities requires compact, reproducible propagation systems. Therefore, the aim of this Technical Note is to design, implement, and functionally validate a low-cost, modular hydroponic chamber (SSHG) for early-stage vegetative propagation. This system couples DHT11-based temperature/RH monitoring with rule-based actuation—irrigation 4×/day and temperature-triggered ventilation—under the control of an Arduino Uno microcontroller; LED lighting was not controlled nor analyzed. Two 15-day trials with basil (Ocimum basilicum L.) yielded rooting rates of 61.7% (37/60) and 43.3% (26/60) under a deliberate minimal-input configuration without nutrient solutions or rooting hormones. Environmental summaries and spatial survival maps revealed edge-effect patterns and RH variability that inform irrigation layout improvements. The chamber, bill of materials, and protocol are documented to support replication and iteration. Thus, the SSHG provides a transferable baseline for educators and researchers to audit, reproduce, and improve small-footprint, controlled-environment propagation. Beyond its technical feasibility, the SSHG contributes to sustainability by leveraging low-cost, readily available components, enabling decentralized seedling production in space-constrained settings, and operating under a minimal-input configuration. In line with widely reported hydroponic efficiencies (e.g., lower water use relative to soil-based propagation), this open and replicable platform aligns with SDGs 2, 11, 12, and 13. Full article