Search Results (193)

Drought and water scarcity are some of the most important challenges facing agricultural producers in dry environments. This study aimed to evaluate the effect of algae extract and zeolite in terms of their biostimulant action on water stress tolerance to obtain better growth and production of tomato Lycopersicum esculentum L. grown in an open field under suboptimum and deficient soil moisture content. Large plots had a suboptimum soil moisture content (SSMC) of 25% ± 2 [28% below field capacity (FC)] and deficient soil moisture content (DSMC) of 20% ± 2 [11% above permanent wilting point (PWP)]; both soil moisture ranges were based on field capacity FC (32%) and PWP (18%). Small plots had four treatments: algae extract (AE) 50 L ha⁻¹ and zeolite (Z) 20 t ha⁻¹, a combination of both products (AE + Z) 25 L ha⁻¹ and 10 t h⁻¹, and a control (without application of either product). By applying AE, Z, and AE + Z, plant height, plant vigor, and chlorophyll index were significantly higher compared to the control by 20.3%, 10.5%, and 22.3%, respectively. The effect on relative water content was moderate—only 2.6% higher than the control applying AE, while the best treatment for the photosynthesis variable was applying Z, with a value of 20.9 μmol CO₂ m⁻² s⁻¹, which was 18% higher than the control. Consequently, tomato yield was also higher compared to the control by 333% and 425% when applying AE and Z, respectively, with suboptimum soil moisture content. The application of the biostimulants did not show any mitigating effect on water stress under soil water deficit conditions close to permanent wilting. These findings are relevant to water-scarce agricultural areas, where more efficient irrigation water use is imperative. Plant biostimulation through organic and inorganic extracts plays an important role in mitigating environmental stresses such as those caused by water shortages, leading to improved production in vulnerable agricultural areas with extreme climates. Full article

Cherry tomato is a highly demanding crop regarding temperature and water requirements. Considering that the climate crisis has already affected soil quality, water quality and quantity, and temperatures throughout the year, some cultivation practices may need to adapt to the new reality. This research aims to investigate whether soil type in a greenhouse (Zones 1 and 2), deficient irrigation (50% of the optimal irrigation according to the producer), or their interaction can affect the fruit production per plant and quality of cherry tomatoes. Evaluated parameters included total and monthly fruit production per plant, phenolic compounds, antioxidant activity, total soluble solids, and lycopene content. Results indicate that fruit production per plant was not significantly affected by any treatment or their interaction. Cherry tomato fruit quality was not dramatically affected by either soil type or irrigation level. To conclude, irrigation levels can be reduced by 50% without compromising tomato fruit quality and production per plant. These results can be a potential to adaptation to the climate crisis and water scarcity. Full article

Background: Bone resorption following tooth loss poses significant challenges for dental implant success. Guided bone regeneration (GBR) techniques, particularly in vertically deficient ridges, often require complex procedures and soft tissue management. This case report introduces a modified occlusive barrier with a window, combined with tricalcium phosphate, to address these challenges. Methods: A 26-year-old female with significant bone loss in the mandibular anterior region underwent GBR using a digitally designed titanium occlusive barrier. The barrier was fabricated using CAD/CAM technology and secured with screws. A blood clot mixed with tricalcium phosphate was used to promote bone regeneration. Postoperative care included regular irrigation, de-epithelialization, and follow-up over six months. Implant placement and histological analysis were performed to evaluate outcomes. Case Presentation: The patient achieved 8.8 mm of vertical and 7.6 mm of horizontal bone regeneration. Histological analysis confirmed the presence of mature, mineralized bone, and keratinized gingiva. The implant was successfully placed, and a fixed prosthesis was restored after four months, with stable results at a three-year follow-up. Conclusion: This technique demonstrates effective bone and soft tissue regeneration in a single procedure, eliminating the need for autologous bone grafts and secondary surgeries. The use of a digitally designed occlusive barrier offers precision, reduces morbidity, and simplifies the surgical process, suggesting a promising advancement in GBR. Further studies are needed to validate these findings. Full article

Ensuring food security and sustainable land management is a global priority, particularly within countries participating in the Belt and Road Initiative (BRI). This study investigates the role of cultivated land regulation systems in influencing agricultural productivity and trade efficiency, focusing on China, Russia, and Kyrgyzstan. Despite the critical role of cultivated land, variations in land-regulation policies and regional practices have led to disparate outcomes in agricultural productivity, sustainability, and trade efficiency. A comparative methodology was employed, integrating descriptive statistics, regression modeling, and geospatial analysis to evaluate yield trends, irrigation coverage, land-use efficiency, and trade performance between 2016 and 2022. Data were sourced from government reports, international databases, and satellite imagery. The results indicate that China’s centralized land-regulation policies—such as the Red Line Policy—have stabilized arable land, enhanced average crop yields (6.1 tons/ha in 2022), and significantly expanded agricultural export volumes. In Russia, land consolidation and modernization efforts have improved productivity (2.9 tons/ha in 2022) and export capacities, though limited irrigation remains a challenge. Kyrgyzstan, while showing gradual improvements through cooperative farming, continues to face fragmentation, infrastructure deficiencies, and limited trade growth. The study concludes that harmonized and targeted land-regulation policies—coupled with infrastructure investments and regulatory alignment—are essential to secure productivity, improve trade efficiency, and strengthen agricultural resilience across BRI countries. Strengthened investments in infrastructure, land-tenure security, and policy alignment across BRI countries are recommended to enhance food security and agricultural trade efficiency. Full article

Research into alternative phosphorus (P) fertilizer sources that may be able to supplement P resources is necessary. Struvite (MgNH₄PO₄ · 6H₂O) can be made by removing excess nutrients from waste sources and may reduce greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions from cropping systems. This study sought to quantify GHG [i.e., methane (CH₄), nitrous oxide (N₂O), and carbon dioxide (CO₂)] fluxes, season-long emissions, and net GHG emissions from chemically precipitated struvite (CPST) and synthetic and real-wastewater-derived electrochemically precipitated struvite (ECST) compared to monoammonium phosphate (MAP) and an unamended control (UC) from flood-irrigated rice (Oryza sativa) grown in P-deficient, silt loam soil in a greenhouse. Gas samples were collected weekly over a 140-day period in 2022. Methane and CO₂ emissions differed (p < 0.05) among P fertilizer sources, while N₂O emissions were similar among all treatments. Methane, CO₂, and N₂O emissions from MAP-fertilized rice were the greatest (98.7, 20,960, and 0.44 kg ha⁻¹ season⁻¹, respectively), but they were similar to those of CH₄ and CO₂ for CPST and those of N₂O for all other P fertilizer sources. Season-long CH₄, CO₂, and N₂O emissions and net GHG emissions did not differ between ECST materials. This study’s results emphasized the potential that wastewater-recovered struvite has to reduce GHG emissions in rice production systems. Full article

Nitrogen (N) is an essential nutrient for crop growth, as N fertilizer application regulates crop nitrogen uptake, affecting leaf photosynthetic rates, crop growth, and yield formation. However, both N deficiency and excess can reduce corn yields. Hence, optimizing the N fertilizer application strategy is crucial for crop production. In this study, a field plot trial with five N fertilization application strategies was conducted in the maize field from 2021 to 2022 in the Ningxia Yellow Irrigation District, Northwest China. These strategies contain zero N application rates (CK, 0 kg ha⁻¹), the farmer practical N fertilizer application strategy (FP, 420 kg ha⁻¹), the optimized N fertilizer application strategy (OPT, 360 kg ha⁻¹), organic fertilizer and chemical fertilizer combination application (ON, 300 kg ha⁻¹), and controlled-release N fertilizer and 33 urea application (CN, 270 kg ha⁻¹). The maize yield and N balance under each treatment were investigated to propose the optimized N application strategy. The results showed that the CN treatment’s grain yield (15,672 kg ha⁻¹) was the highest in both years, which was 109.97% and 8.92% higher than the CK and FP treatments, respectively. The apparent utilization rate and partial productivity of N fertilizer decreased with the increase in the N application rate. Also, the apparent utilization rate of N fertilizer in CN was 23.02%, 19.41%, and 13.02% higher than the FP, OPT, and ON, respectively. Applying controlled-release urea and organic fertilizers improved the physical and chemical properties of the soil, increased the organic matter content and soil fertility, and ultimately increased the spring maize yield. Meanwhile, the TN, NO₃⁻-N, and NH₄⁺-N concentrations in leaching water significantly correlated with the N application rate. With the extension of the maize growth period, the concentrations of TN, NO₃⁻-N, and NH₄⁺-N in leaching water gradually decreased. The N leaching amount in FP was the highest, while the CN was the lowest. The NO₃⁻-N is the primary N leaching form, accounting for 46.78~54.68% of the TN leaching amount. Compared with the CN, the ON significantly increased the inorganic N content in the 0–40 cm soil layer, and it reduced the residual inorganic N content below 40 cm soil depths compared with FP and OPT treatments. Considering the relatively high spring maize yield and N utilization efficiency, as well as the relatively low N leaching amount and soil inorganic N residues, the ON and CN treatments with 270–300 kg ha⁻¹ N application rate were the optimized N application strategies in the spring maize field in the study area. Full article

Groundwater, which constitutes 95% of the world’s freshwater resources, is widely used for drinking and domestic water supply, agricultural irrigation, energy production, bottled water production, and commercial use. In recent years, due to pressures from climate change and excessive urbanization, a noticeable decline in groundwater levels has been observed, particularly in arid and semi-arid regions. The corresponding changes have been analyzed using a diverse range of methodologies, including data-driven modeling techniques. Recent evidence has shown a notable acceleration in the utilization of such advanced techniques, demonstrating significant attention by the research community. Therefore, the major aim of the present study is to conduct a bibliometric analysis to investigate the application and evolution of machine learning (ML) techniques in groundwater research. In this sense, studies published between 2000 and 2023 were examined in terms of scientific productivity, collaboration networks, research themes, and methods. The findings revealed that ML techniques offer high accuracy and predictive capacity, especially in water quality, water level estimation, and pollution modeling. The United States, China, and Iran stand out as leading countries emphasizing the strategic importance of ML in groundwater management. However, the outcomes demonstrated that a low level of international cooperation has led to deficiencies in solving transboundary water problems. The study aimed to encourage more widespread and effective use of ML techniques in water management and environmental planning processes and drew attention to the importance of transparent and interpretable algorithms, with the potential to yield rewarding opportunities in increasing the adoption of corresponding technologies by decision-makers. Full article

Although sweet potato (Ipomoea batatas) is gaining importance in West Africa, it remains uncertain whether the research is adequately advanced to support the promotion of this crop in the region. Consequently, this systematic review of 125 articles provides a detailed overview of studies focused on sweet potatoes in West Africa. The paper explores various bibliometrics, the research geographic spread, and the topics discussed (e.g., food security and nutrition, climate resilience, livelihoods). The study indicates that sweet potato has the potential to address multiple issues in West Africa, including food and nutrition insecurity (especially micronutrient deficiencies, e.g., vitamin A) as well as poverty. However, it also reveals significant research gaps in terms of geographical and thematic areas. From a geographical perspective, research is primarily conducted in Nigeria and Ghana. From a thematic perspective, there are deficiencies in areas like economics and social sciences, applications in animal husbandry, marketing, use of leaves, irrigation methods, and impacts on climate resilience and livelihoods. There is a pressing need for collaborative research and knowledge exchange among nations to fully realize the potential of sweet potato and develop its value chains to contribute to sustainable socio-economic development across West Africa. Full article

Within the context of global desertification trends in arid regions, advancing afforestation and sand stabilization efforts are not only vital for human survival but are also key considerations in addressing the challenges of climate change and achieving sustainable development. This study, set against the backdrop of China’s new round of Grain-for-Green compensation policies implemented in 2014, investigates farmers’ behavior in planting economically valuable forests and grasslands driven by compensation incentives. Grounded in the principles of behavioral economics and assuming farmers as rational “economic agents”, this study focuses on farmers residing on the northern and southern slopes of the Tianshan Mountains in Xinjiang. Employing the fuzzy-set qualitative comparative analysis (fsQCA) approach, it examines the intricate causal mechanisms that shape farmers’ involvement or lack thereof in economic forest and grassland activities. These mechanisms are analyzed through the lenses of resource endowment, psychological perception, and external environmental factors. The results indicate that perceived benefits and neighbor imitation serve as essential conditions for non-participation in planting economic forests and grasslands. Three configurational pathways account for participation: farmers motivated by perceived benefits, those guided by the combined influence of “psychological perception and external environment”, and individuals driven by ecological aspirations alongside neighbor imitation. Additionally, four configurational pathways explain non-participation, with two types of farmers identified: those facing a dual deficiency of psychological perception and external environment, and non-high income traditional farmers dependent on agricultural irrigation water. Full article

Coordinating the spatial distribution of crop roots with soil nutrients, along with selecting appropriate types of fertilizers, is an effective strategy to enhance root nutrient absorption and increase crop yield. In Xinjiang’s current surface drip irrigation practices for rice (Oryza sativa L.), premature leaf senescence and N deficiency are common issues, resulting in decreased yields. This study investigated whether different N forms under subsurface drip irrigation can modulate rice root morphological strategies to delay senescence in later growth stages, enhancing rice N uptake and yield formation. A field experiment compared the effects of different drip irrigation positions (surface drip irrigation at the surface, DI0; subsurface drip irrigation at 10 cm depth, DI10) and N forms (urea N, UN; ammonium N, AN) in four combination treatments (DI0-UN, DI0-AN, DI10-UN, DI10-AN) on rice root morphology, aboveground growth, and yield formation. During the grain-filling stage, the total root length (RL) and root number (RN) in the DI10-AN treatment were higher than in other treatments. Root vitality increased by 23.24–133.72% during the later filling stages, while the root decline rate decreased by 1.16–32.80%. The root configuration parameters β in the DI10-AN treatment were superior to those in other treatments, indicating that roots tend to distribute deeper in the soil. The DI10-AN treatment reduced Malondialdehyde (MDA) levels and increased Superoxide Dismutase (SOD) activity, thereby alleviating water and N stress on the leaves in later growth stages and maintaining higher photosynthetic parameter values. The DI10-AN treatment significantly increased N absorption (14.37–52.88%) and yield (13.32–46.31%). Correlation analysis showed that RL, RN, and root activity (Ra) were significantly positively correlated with transpiration rate (Tr), intercellular CO₂ concentration (Ci), N uptake (NUP), one thousand-kernel weight (TKW), seed setting rate (SR), Efficient panicle (EP), and yield (r > 0.90). This study presents a new rice drip fertigation technique that combines subsurface irrigation with ammonium to enhance root growth and increase crop productivity. Full article

Zanthoxylum planispinum var. Dingtanensis (hereafter Z. planispinum) has excellent characteristics, including Ca and drought tolerance. It can flourish in stony soils, and it is used as a pioneer plant in karst rocky desertification control. However, soil degradation, coupled with the removal of nutrients absorbed from the soil by Z. planispinum’s fruit harvesting, exacerbates nutrient deficiency. The effects of fertilization on soil nutrient utilization and microbial limiting factors remain unclear. Here, we established a long-term (3 year) field experiment of no fertilization (CK), organic fertilizer + chemical fertilizer + sprinkler irrigation (T1), chemical fertilizer + sprinkler irrigation (T2), chemical fertilizer treatment (T3), and leguminous (soybean) + chemical fertilizer + sprinkler irrigation (T4). Our findings indicate that fertilization significantly improved the nutrient uptake efficiency of Z. planispinum, and it also enhanced urease activity compared with CK. T1 increased soil respiration and improved water transport, and the soil nutrient content retained in T1 was relatively high. It delayed the mineralization rate of organic matter, promoted nutrient balance, and enhanced enzyme activity related to the carbon and nitrogen cycle. T4 caused soil acidification, reducing the activity of peroxidase (POD) and polyphenol oxidase (PPO). The soil microbial community in the Z. planispinum plantation was limited by carbon and phosphorus, and T1 mitigated this limitation. This study indicated that soil nutrient content regulated enzymatic activity by influencing microbial resource limitation, with organic carbon being the dominant factor. Overall, we recommend T1 as the optimal fertilization strategy for Z. planispinum plantations. Full article

The management of forest species in the recovery of degraded areas of semi-arid regions is mainly limited by the availability of water and nutrients. Thus, the objective of this research was to evaluate the growth, yield, and energy characteristics of the wood of two forest species of the Brazilian semi-arid region subjected to deficient irrigation with sewage effluent by drip in degraded soil. For this, a field experiment was conducted in an agroforestry system with two native species of the Caatinga biome: sabiá (Mimosa caesalpiniifolia Benth) and aroeira (Myracrodruon urundeuva Allemão), intercropped with forage palm (Opuntia stricta (Haw) Haw). The wastewater used was domestic, coming from kitchen and bathroom sinks, which underwent primary and secondary treatment. The irrigation treatments were applied in the first two years: in the first year, water supply in the volume of 0.5 L/plant/week (WS_0.5), treated effluent in the volume of 0.5 L/plant/week (TE_0.5), and treated effluent in the volume of 1 L/plant/week (TE₁). In the second year, all treatments were leveled at 0.5 L/plant/week, and in the following two years, all irrigation treatments were discontinued. Growth variables were monitored and, at the end of the study period, wood production was calculated and energetic analyses were performed. The Richards model adjusted satisfactorily to the growth variables for the species studied. The treated effluent at a volume of 1 L/week increased the yield in condensed liquid and decreased the volatile materials (VM) of sabiá, while in aroeira it increased the basic density and VM, with a decrease in the gravimetric yield. Full article

Iron (Fe) deficiency is among the most important agronomical concerns under alkaline conditions. Bicarbonate is considered an important factor causing Fe deficiency in dicot plants, mainly on calcareous soils. Current production systems are based on the use of high-yielding varieties and the application of large quantities of agrochemicals, which can cause major environmental problems. The use of beneficial rhizosphere microorganisms is considered a relevant sustainable alternative to synthetic fertilizers. The main purpose of this work has been to analyze the impact of the inoculation of tomato (Solanum lycopersicum L.) seedlings with the WCS417 strain of Pseudomonas simiae, in the presence or absence of bicarbonate, on plant growth and other physiological parameters. To conduct this research, three different inoculation methods were implemented: root immersion, foliar application, and substrate inoculation by irrigation. The results obtained show the ability of the P. simiae WCS417 strain to induce medium acidification in the presence of bicarbonate to increase the SPAD index and to improve the growth and development of the tomato plants in calcareous conditions provoked by the presence of bicarbonate, which indicates that this bacteria strain could have a great potential as an Fe biofertilizer. Full article

River barrages ensure water availability for enhanced irrigation and human consumption. Of course, effective and sustainable management of existing barrages requires controlling riverbed erosion through appropriately designed stilling basins with their appurtenances. The present study assesses the stilling basin performance of the Taunsa Barrage, a vital water resources infrastructure built in 1958 in Punjab, Pakistan, and rehabilitated between 2004 and 2008 through the construction of a subsidiary weir (SW) downstream of the main weir. A physical modeling approach was employed, consisting of two distinct phases of laboratory experiments. Phase 1 replicated the Taunsa Barrage before rehabilitation, assessing the need for SW construction under different discharge rates and downstream bed elevations. Phase 2 reproduced the post-rehabilitation conditions, including varying discharge values, heights and positions of the SW, to evaluate the stilling basin design concerning the ability to dissipate flow energy. The results demonstrated (i) inadequate tailwater levels and oscillating hydraulic jump formation under increased discharges in pre-rehabilitation conditions (highlighting the poor performance of the original Taunsa Barrage stilling basin and the need for an SW to address these hydraulic deficiencies), and (ii) that the SW, under the design conditions, achieved optimal head loss for discharge values near the design discharge. However, the head loss efficiency was highly sensitive to variations in the distance and height of the SW due to hydraulic jump pulsations. Moreover, the head loss efficiency rapidly degraded for discharges greater than the design discharge. These findings indicate that the Taunsa barrage stilling basin may lack the capacity to accommodate higher discharges resulting from the interplay between climate change and land use alterations within the upstream Indus River basin. Future research should focus on developing a design that enhances energy dissipation robustness, reducing susceptibility to potential discharge increases. Full article

Selenium (Se) is an essential element for humans. However, much of the world’s human population is deficient in this element, which has become a public health problem. This study aimed to evaluate whether applying severe water stress to wheat plants (Triticum aestivum L.) could allow Se to reduce the production losses and increase the grain quality, thereby contributing to the reduction in hidden hunger. The experiment was conducted in a randomized block design with four replications in a 5 × 2 factorial scheme, with five doses of Se (0.00, 0.25, 0.50, 1.00, and 2.00 mg dm⁻³) and two irrigation conditions (with and without water deficit). When sodium selenate (Na₂SeO₄) was applied to the soil, the grains were rich in Se. Under low doses, there was an enrichment of the grains in sulfur, iron, copper, and zinc as well as total free amino acids and total soluble proteins, and lower losses in productivity under severe water stress. Higher doses decreased the concentration of malondialdehyde (MDA) and hydrogen peroxide (H₂O₂), increased the catalase activity, and increased the water use efficiency (WUE). Therefore, applying Se at a dose of 0.25 mg dm⁻³ is effective for the biofortification of wheat grains. It enhances grain nutritional quality, increases Se bioaccessibility, and reduces production losses under water stress conditions. Full article