Search Results (2,020)

Agrivoltaic (AV) systems offer a promising solution to global challenges, such as land scarcity, food insecurity, and increasing energy demand, by enabling the simultaneous production of photovoltaic (PV) electricity and agricultural outputs on the same land. This review synthesizes more than two decades of interdisciplinary research on solar–agriculture integration, including agrivoltaic systems, biomass-based approaches, and greenhouse-integrated photovoltaic technologies, with particular emphasis on their relevance to arid and semi-arid environments, such as those found in the Middle East. The impacts of different PV configurations (such as semi-transparent, bifacial, vertical, and sun-tracking modules) on crop productivity, microclimatic conditions, and land-use efficiency are critically examined. The findings indicate that AV systems, particularly in water-scarce, high-irradiance regions, can enhance climate resilience, reduce competition for land, and improve both energy and water-use efficiency. Recent advances in crop selection strategies, adaptive PV system designs, and smart irrigation technologies further strengthen the feasibility of these systems for Middle Eastern agricultural systems. Nevertheless, key challenges remain, including the need for region-specific design optimization, improved understanding of crop light requirements, and robust assessments of economic viability under diverse policy and market conditions. Overall, life cycle assessments and techno-economic analyses confirm the environmental and economic benefits of AV systems, especially for sustainable irrigation, agricultural productivity, and rural development in the Middle East context. This review provides strategic insights to support the sustainable deployment and scaling of agrivoltaic systems across Middle Eastern agricultural landscapes, informed by global experience. A dedicated regional assessment summarizes existing agrivoltaic pilots and feasibility studies across the Middle East and North Africa, highlighting technology choices, crop compatibility, and policy drivers. Full article

The MOPLUS project, funded by the Portuguese Recovery and Resilience Plan (PRR), aims to enhance soil organic matter, soil structure, and water retention in apple orchards located in the “Maçã de Alcobaça” Protected Geographical Indication area through organic fertilization based on locally available livestock effluents, thereby reducing reliance on synthetic fertilizers under Mediterranean climatic conditions. This study evaluated the physiological and biometric responses of apple trees subjected to four fertilization strategies (M1–M4) in three commercial ‘Gala’ orchards in central Portugal over three growing seasons (2023–2025). Measurements included leaf functional traits, gas exchange, chlorophyll fluorescence, spectral indices, vegetative growth, fruit production per tree and mean fruit weight. Interannual climatic variability and orchard-specific conditions were the dominant drivers of tree response, while fertilization effects were smaller and mainly expressed through interactions with year and orchard. When analyzed within the same orchard, fertilization strategies M2 and particularly M3 maintained physiological performance, vegetative growth, and fruit production per tree at levels comparable to full mineral fertilization. Among treatments, M3 showed the most consistent responses across sites and years, indicating that partial mineral substitution with pig slurry can sustain tree functioning while maintaining or enhancing fruit production per tree. The most restrictive strategy (M4) occasionally showed reduced photosynthetic performance under specific orchard–year combinations, suggesting a threshold effect associated with stronger mineral reduction, but without evidence of generalized physiological stress. Overall, these findings demonstrate that partial substitution of mineral fertilizers by organic amendments—especially pig slurry (M3) and, to a lesser extent, composted cattle manure (M2)—is agronomically viable, allowing apple tree performance and productivity to be maintained while enhancing system resilience under Mediterranean climatic variability. These results also provide practical decision support for site-adapted fertilization management in commercial drip-irrigated apple orchards, supporting reduced mineral fertilizer dependence without compromising productivity. Full article

Moray (Cusco, Peru) represents one of the most sophisticated examples of Inca agricultural engineering, where architecture, environmental management, and constructive systems converge to generate controlled microclimates for agricultural experimentation. Recognized as an important archaeological heritage site, Moray provides valuable insight into ancestral Andean strategies for adapting agriculture to complex high-altitude environments. However, the site is increasingly exposed to environmental pressures associated with climatic variability, soil erosion, structural collapses, and tourism intensity. This study aims to analyze the relationship between microclimates, geometric design, and constructive sustainability of the Moray archaeological complex through integrated spatial, functional, and constructive analyses, supported by digital tools such as Google Earth Pro, AutoCAD 2023, SketchUp 2023, and environmental simulations developed by Andrew Marsh. The research examines the geometric configuration of the circular terraces, which present radii between 45 and 65 m, heights ranging from 3 to 5 m, and slope variations between 14% and 48%, generating temperature gradients of 12–15 °C between upper and lower levels. These conditions enabled the Incas to experiment with and adapt diverse ecological species across different thermal zones. The study also evaluates the irrigation and infiltration systems composed of gravel, sand, and stone layers that ensured soil stability and moisture regulation. Climate data from SENAMHI (2019–2024) indicate that Moray is located in a semi-arid meso-Andean environment, reinforcing its interpretation as an ancestral environmental laboratory. The results demonstrate Inca mastery in integrating environmental design, hydrological engineering, and agricultural experimentation while also identifying current conservation challenges related to erosion processes, structural deterioration, and tourism pressure. This research contributes to understanding Moray as a climate-sensitive heritage system, offering insights relevant to contemporary strategies for sustainable agriculture, climate adaptation, and heritage conservation in Andean regions. Full article

Water scarcity in Mediterranean environments has driven the search for sustainable strategies to improve water-use efficiency while maintaining fruit quality. This study evaluated the combined effect of sustained deficit irrigation and preharvest chitosan sprays on fruit quality, bioactive compounds, mineral composition, and postharvest behaviour in two late-season peach cultivars (“Tiétar” and “Duero”) grown under semi-arid Mediterranean conditions. Sustained deficit irrigation was applied throughout the season, together with preharvest chitosan applications during fruit development, to assess individual and interactive effects. Deficit irrigation caused only slight reductions in fruit size while increasing total soluble solids (TSS) concentration and the maturity index (TSS/titratable acidity). Chitosan application increased fruit firmness and modified titratable acidity depending on the irrigation regime (full irrigation or deficit irrigation). The combined treatment (chitosan + deficit irrigation) promoted the accumulation of phenolic compounds and antioxidant activity, particularly in “Tiétar”, increased calcium and iron contents, and showed a longer shelf life. These results indicate that integrating deficit irrigation with preharvest chitosan sprays can mitigate the impact of water scarcity while improving functional and postharvest quality of peaches under Mediterranean conditions. Full article

Background: Rotary instrument fracture during third molar extraction is rare but clinically relevant, presenting diagnostic and therapeutic challenges. Aim: This scoping review summarizes available evidence on bur breakage and displacement during third molar surgery, focusing on causes, clinical manifestations, and management strategies. Materials and Methods: A systematic search of PubMed, Virtual Health Library, and Google Scholar was conducted for studies published from January 2008 to March 2025 reporting rotary instrument fracture during third molar extraction. Extracted data were qualitatively analyzed. Results: Eight studies reporting eleven clinical cases were included. All fractures occurred during mandibular third molar extractions. Pain was the most frequent symptom (45%), followed by swelling (27%) and trismus (18%). Management varied from immediate surgical retrieval to conservative observation. Conclusions: Although uncommon, rotary bur fracture during third molar extraction requires preventive attention and accurate reporting. Adherence to manufacturer recommendations, single-use bur policies, and adequate irrigation should be considered. Prospective multicenter and mechanical studies are needed to establish standardized management protocols. Full article

Forest restoration programs are increasingly adopted to mitigate climate change-driven ecosystem degradation, yet the plant functional strategies underpinning successful tree establishment are not fully understood. We investigated the effect of vapour pressure deficit and soil conditions on the interplay between leaf gas exchange and carbon metabolism in three-year-old saplings of different species characterised by distinct functional strategies, as well as non-structural carbohydrate (NSC) partitioning at plant desiccation. We performed two complementary experiments to evaluate interspecific functional differences between Fraxinus ornus L., Quercus cerris L., and Quercus pubescens Willd. in a Mediterranean restored woodland and to compare them with fully irrigated nursery conspecifics. Stomatal sensitivity to closure was similar between species, whereas higher leaf gas exchange and reduced leaf shedding increased twig sugars, as in the case of F. ornus, likely contributing to its better establishment. Irrigation augmented gas exchange rates in potted saplings under moderate evaporative demand but overall did not increase NSCs compared with outplanted conspecifics, possibly because of different carbon demand. Desiccated saplings maintained substantial NSCs, but their reduced pools, especially starch, suggested that they were consumed as a response to drought. Overall, findings indicate that NSC allocation can help define proxies of plant performance in restoration programs. Full article

Drought is one of the most limiting abiotic stresses for agricultural production, especially in horticultural crops grown in arid and semi-arid areas. In the present study, we evaluated the potential of bacterial isolates obtained from coastal environments in Chile to improve drought tolerance in Lagenaria siceraria, a plant species increasingly used as a rootstock for cucurbit cropping. Rhizosphere bacteria were isolated from Sicyos baderoa, the only native cucurbit species of the Chilean coast, from which four isolates with plant growth-promoting traits, such as indole-3-acetic acid production, phosphorus solubilization, nitrogen fixation, and siderophore production, were selected. These isolates were inoculated on two L. siceraria genotypes, Illapel and Osorno, under both normal irrigation and water deficit conditions. The results showed that Peribacillus frigoritolerans showed a clearer positive effect on biomass and net photosynthesis under water deficit in the Illapel genotype, increasing shoot biomass by up to ~75% and restoring net photosynthetic rates by up to ~260% relative to non-inoculated drought-stressed plants. In contrast, responses associated with Staphylococcus succinus and those observed in the Osorno genotype were mainly expressed as trait- and tissue-specific adjustments, consistent with a more stabilizing response rather than broad growth stimulation. Additionally, malondialdehyde levels were reduced by up to ~25%, while free proline accumulation increased by more than 100% under water deficit. In contrast, total phenolic compounds showed more variable responses, indicating genotype- and strain-specific adjustment of antioxidant metabolism. Overall, the observed responses were heterogeneous and strongly dependent on the specific strain–genotype–trait combination and, therefore, should be interpreted as preliminary evidence supporting the potential value of native rhizobacteria for improving early drought-related traits in cucurbit rootstocks. Among the tested strains, Peribacillus frigoritolerans emerged as the most promising candidate for enhancing early drought tolerance in responsive genotypes such as Illapel, while highlighting the need for follow-up studies under replicated nursery and field conditions, including grafted plants, multiple drought intensities and combined inoculant strategies. Full article

Although salt acclimation is a recognized strategy for improving crop salt tolerance, its specific role in tomato (Solanum lycopersicum L.) remains unclear. This study investigated the effects of salt acclimation on enhancing salt tolerance in tomato seedlings through physiological and transcriptomic analyses. Here, we found that T3 acclimation treatment (irrigation with 14 mL of 7.5 g L⁻¹ NaCl solution per plant) effectively conferred enhanced salt tolerance in tomato seedlings, with plant height, stem diameter, leaf area, chlorophyll content, net photosynthetic rate, and soluble protein content increasing by 4.52, 5.13, 3.16, 10.78, 11.85, and 25.96%, respectively, compared with the control. T3 treatment also reduced oxidative damage and ionic stress, as evidenced by reduced electrolyte leakage, lower malondialdehyde content, and a decreased root Na⁺/K⁺ ratio, while simultaneously boosting antioxidant enzyme activities. Membership function analysis confirmed T3 as the optimal treatment, with a 9 d duration consistently benefiting multiple cultivars. Transcriptomic analysis revealed that salt acclimation upregulated genes associated with phenylpropanoid biosynthesis, lignin catabolic process, and peroxidase activity, suggesting that these pathways might mediate acclimation-induced salt tolerance through promoting lignin biosynthesis to reduce Na⁺/K⁺ ratio and enhancing reactive oxygen species’ scavenging capacity to maintain cellular homeostasis. Our results indicate that tomato seedlings acclimated with 14 mL of 7.5 g L⁻¹ NaCl solution per plant for 9 d significantly improves salt tolerance through coordinated physiological adjustments and transcriptional reprogramming. Full article

Drought stress is one of the major abiotic factors limiting crop growth and yield, particularly in wheat. Water deficit leads to reduced chlorophyll content, impaired photosynthetic performance, and decreased biomass accumulation. Nitrogen fertilization may influence plant physiological responses to drought; however, its capacity to alleviate drought-induced growth reduction remains uncertain. A pot experiment was conducted to evaluate the impact of different nitrogen-based fertilizers on wheat seedlings grown under irrigation level 60% PPW (control) and 30% PPW (drought stress) conditions, with balanced levels of phosphorus and potassium maintained in all treatments. Water deficit led to substantial reductions in chlorophyll content compared to optimally irrigated plants. Similarly, the performance index (PI) decreased by 139.3% at Term 1 (1 day after foliar nitrogen application) and 27.2% at Term 2 (7 days after application). The net photosynthetic rate (Pn) declined markedly under drought conditions and was not significantly improved by nitrogen fertilization, indicating a partial and mainly short-term physiological response to nitrogen under water deficit. The application of nitrogen fertilizers, particularly urea and Nitron S, modulated the relative chlorophyll content and selected chlorophyll fluorescence (Fv/Fm, Fv/Fo, PI) and gas-exchange (E, gs, Ci) parameters under drought conditions, mainly shortly after application. However, aboveground dry biomass under drought conditions was not significantly affected by any nitrogen fertilizer. Urea induced the most consistent short-term physiological responses under both irrigation regimes, with effects more pronounced shortly after application, whereas Nitron S showed fertilizer-specific effects under drought stress. Overall, the results demonstrate that foliar nitrogen fertilization can modulate short-term physiological responses of wheat seedlings to drought but does not translate into sustained improvements in Pn or biomass accumulation. In the context of climate change and increasing water scarcity, identifying nitrogen fertilizers that support physiological functioning without overestimating growth benefits has critical implications for sustainable wheat production. Optimizing nitrogen fertilization may, therefore, contribute to improved nutrient management strategies under water-limited conditions. Full article

Radish is a nutrient- and antioxidant-rich root vegetable whose growth is strongly affected by water availability, highlighting the need for strategies to enhance drought tolerance. Methyl jasmonate (MeJa) is a bioregulator involved in plant stress responses. This study evaluated the role of MeJa in alleviating water deficit effects in radish. Plants were maintained under well-watered conditions (80% water retention capacity) or subjected to total irrigation restriction from 15 to 30 days after sowing (DAS). Foliar applications of 100 µM MeJa or water were performed at 7, 14, and 21 DAS. Growth, gas exchange, chlorophyll fluorescence, photosynthetic pigments, relative water content, electrolyte leakage, and storage root quality were assessed. Water deficit reduced relative water content and increased electrolyte leakage, indicating oxidative damage, which impaired growth and gas exchange. MeJa application reduced electrolyte leakage but did not mitigate drought-induced reductions in growth or gas exchange. Notably, water deficit increased sugar, mineral, and antioxidant contents in roots, regardless of MeJa treatment. Overall, although MeJa modulated some stress-related physiological responses, enhancing antioxidant defenses, it was insufficient alone to improve drought tolerance in radish. Full article

Extensive green roofs can be used to provide spaces for local agriculture in urban environments, although extreme moisture and temperature conditions typically found in these systems can often be challenging for crop production. The Southern Illinois University-Carbondale extensive green roof was utilized to determine the effects of a polyacrylamide hydrogel, pine bark mulch, and irrigation frequency on the growth and productivity of ‘Compact’ and ‘Italian Large Leaf’ basil (Ocimum basilicum), and the growth and overwintering ability of two perennial culinary herbs, sage (Salvia officinalis) and thyme (Thymus vulgaris). Results indicated that weekly irrigation increased late-season basil and perennial plant vigor, basil fresh and dry weight, and overwintered perennial plant vigor and height compared to bimonthly watering. Although the use of pine bark mulch improved basil fresh weight and plant vigor compared to no mulch, mulching did not influence (p > 0.05) perennial herb growth or overwintering in an extensive green roof environment. Hydrogel applications improved basil plant height compared to none, although fresh and dry plant biomass were not influenced by hydrogel applications. In comparison, hydrogels as additions to the green roof medium did not influence either early- or late-season perennial plant vigor, although the overwintered plant vigor collected the following spring was greater in the no-hydrogel treatment. For perennial herbs, sage had greater vigor, overwinter survival, and overall suitability for extensive green roof environments compared to thyme. This research indicated the importance of perennial herb selection and consistent water supply for annual and perennial herb growth and the overwintering success of perennial herbs. Thus, supplemental water and other management strategies to provide more constant medium moisture content are important considerations for sustaining culinary herb production on extensive green roofs. Full article

Background/Objectives: Reverse total shoulder arthroplasty (RTSA), a commonly performed procedure in elderly patients with osteoarthritis, is frequently complicated by postoperative infections—primarily caused by Cutibacterium acnes and coagulase-negative staphylococci (CoNS)—which remain a major clinical challenge. While standard antiseptic skin protocols can reduce the bacterial load at the surgical site, they often fail to achieve complete eradication, particularly with C. acnes, a resident species of the shoulder microbiome. Recent evidence indicates that intraoperative povidone–iodine irrigation is effective in significantly decreasing microbial burden; however, a thorough characterization of the virulence factors of the isolated strains remains essential. Methods: A total of 187 clinical strains isolated immediately after RTSA were characterized with respect to their antibiotic resistance profiles and biofilm-forming capacity, and the impact of intraoperative povidone–iodine irrigation on the reduction in bacteria that express these virulence traits was evaluated. Results: Of the 120 C. acnes isolates, 97.67% were susceptible to the tested antimicrobial agents, while only 3.33% exhibited resistance, specifically to clindamycin. In contrast, 53% of CoNS isolates were classified as susceptible, whereas the remaining 47% demonstrated multidrug resistance. Biofilm production was detected in 24% (29/120) of C. acnes and 39% (25/64) of CoNS isolates, with a statistically significant reduction observed after irrigation only for C. acnes. No association was found between biofilm formation and clindamycin resistance in C. acnes, likely due to the low number of resistant isolates. Conversely, among CoNS, a correlation was observed, with the 17.2% of biofilm-producing strains also exhibiting resistance to antimicrobial agents. Conclusions: Notwithstanding the presence of these virulence factors, povidone–iodine irrigation proved effective in substantially reducing the number of bacterial isolates recovered at the surgical site without selecting for strains with enhanced pathogenicity. Notably, the majority of resistant bacteria were detected prior to intraoperative irrigation. This intraoperative procedure may be a key approach to reducing prosthetic joint infections frequently caused by more virulent pathogens, which are unlikely to be selected following this disinfection strategy. Full article

Arsenic (As) accumulation in rice (Oryza sativa L.) is considered a major environmental and food safety concern, particularly in flooded agroecosystems where reducing conditions mobilize As from soils. Portugal is one of Europe’s rice producers, especially in the Tejo, Almansor, and Sorraia valleys. As such, this study evaluates As pathways across 5000 ha of rice fields in the Tagus, Sorraia, and Almansor alluvial plains by combining soil, water, and plant analyses with a geostatistical approach. The soils exhibited consistently elevated As concentrations (mean of 18.9 mg/kg), exceeding national reference values for agricultural soils (11 mg/kg) and forming a marked east–west gradient with the highest levels in the Tagus alluvium. Geochemical analysis showed that As is strongly correlated with Fe (r = 0.686), indicating an influence of Fe-oxyhydroxides under oxidizing conditions. The irrigation waters showed low As (mean of 2.84 μg/L for surface water and 3.51 μg/L for groundwater) and predominantly low sodicity facies, suggesting that irrigation water is not the main contamination vector. In rice plants, As accumulation follows the characteristic organ hierarchy roots > stems/leaves > grains, with root concentrations reaching up to 518 mg/kg and accumulating progressively in the maturity phase. Arsenic content in harvested rice grains was 266 μg/kg (with a maximum of 413.9 μg/kg), being close to EU maximum limits when considering typical inorganic As proportions, assuming 60 to 90% inorganic fraction. Together, the findings highlight that a combined approach is essential, and identify soil geochemistry (and not irrigation water) as the primary source of As transfer in those agroecosystems, due to the flooded conditions that trigger the reductive dissolution of Fe oxides, releasing As. Additionally, the results also identified the need for targeted monitoring in areas of elevated As content in soils and support future mitigation through As speciation analysis, cultivar selection, improved fertilization strategies, and water-management practices such as Alternate Wetting and Drying (AWD), to ensure the long-term food safety. Full article

Rainfall-adapted irrigation (RAI), the application of controlled-release nitrogen fertilizer (CRNF), and deep placement of nitrogen fertilizer can contribute to the improvement of resource utilization efficiency. Nevertheless, the interactive effects of these factors on nitrogen loss via runoff and leaching from paddy fields remain ambiguous. Consequently, a two-year field experiment was conducted to evaluate the interactive effects of four nitrogen management strategies on nitrogen losses through runoff and leaching from paddy fields and rice yield under RAI when compared to conventional flooding irrigation (CI). Compared to CI, RAI significantly reduced total nitrogen loss via runoff (−49.8%) and leaching (−35.9%) by lowering volume of runoff and leaching. Compared to conventional nitrogen application (surface application of common urea with 240 kg N ha⁻¹), deep placement of CRNF with 192 kg N ha⁻¹ decreased floodwater nitrogen concentration, reducing total nitrogen loss by 46.8% via runoff and 50.9% via leaching. Importantly, RAI combined with deep placement of CRNF with 192 kg N ha⁻¹ minimized nitrogen losses through leaching and runoff from paddy fields and maximized grain yield (8251 kg ha⁻¹) by improving nitrogen accumulation in rice. Collectively, RAI combined with deep-placed CRNF with an 80% nitrogen rate could reduce non-point source pollution from paddy fields. Full article

Inland depression irrigation districts in the arid regions of Xinjiang, owing to the absence of natural drainage conditions, exhibit unique groundwater-salt dynamics and face prominent risks of soil salinization, thus necessitating clarification of their water-salt transport mechanisms to ensure sustainable agricultural development. This study takes the Karamay Agricultural Comprehensive Development Zone as the research subject. The study examines the distribution characteristics of soil salinity, groundwater depth, and Total Dissolved Solids (TDS) of groundwater across diverse soil textures, elucidates the correlative relationships between groundwater dynamics and soil salinity, and forecasts the evolutionary trajectory of groundwater levels within the irrigation district. The findings reveal that groundwater depth in silty soil regions (3.24–3.11 m) substantially exceeds that in silty clay regions (2.43–2.61 m), whereas TDS of groundwater demonstrates marginally elevated concentrations in silty clay areas (19.05–16.78 g L⁻¹) compared to silty soil zones (18.18–16.29 g L⁻¹). Soil salinity exhibits pronounced surface accumulation phenomena and considerable inter-annual seasonal variations: manifesting a “spring-peak, summer-trough” pattern in 2023, which inversely transitioned to a “summer-peak, spring-trough” configuration in 2024, with salinity hotspots predominantly concentrated in silty clay distribution zones. A significant sigmoid functional relationship emerges between soil salinity and groundwater depth (R² = 0.73–0.77), establishing critical depth thresholds of 2.44 m for silty soil and 2.72 m for silty clay, beneath which the risk of secondary salinization escalates dramatically. The XGBoost model demonstrates robust predictive capability for groundwater levels (R² = 0.8545, MAE = 0.4428, RMSE = 0.5174), with feature importance analysis identifying agricultural irrigation as the predominant influencing factor. Model projections indicate that mean groundwater depths across the irrigation district will decline to 2.91 m, 2.76 m, 2.62 m, and 2.36 m over the ensuing 1, 3, 5, and 10 years, respectively. Within a decade, 73.33% of silty soil regions and 92.31% of silty clay regions will experience groundwater levels below critical thresholds, subjecting the irrigation district to severe secondary salinization threats. Consequently, comprehensive mitigation strategies encompassing precision irrigation management and enhanced drainage infrastructure are imperative. Full article