Search Results (711)

A field trial was conducted at two locations in northern Ghana over two successive years to determine the optimal insecticide application timings for mitigating non-lepidopteran pest infestations in a cowpea (Vigna unguiculata (L.) Walp.) variety, Songotra-T. This variety was genetically engineered to resist damage by the Maruca pod borer (MPB) (Maruca vitrata Fab.; Lepidoptera: Crambidae). A split-plot design, with cowpea variety as the main plot factor (Songotra-T vs. Songotra) and insecticide spraying regimes as the sub-plot, was used. Spraying treatments ranged from no spray to three applications at key growth stages (50% flowering, pod initiation, and 50% podding). Data were collected on pest infestation, pod damage, and grain yield. An economic analysis of the spraying regimes tested was performed using yield data. Significant spraying regime effects were observed for non-lepidopteran pests such as whiteflies (p = 0.034), thrips (p = 0.006) and the pod-sucking bugs complex (p < 0.05). Variety effects were mainly significant for MPB infestation and damage to pods. Songotra-T consistently produced approximately 2-fold higher yields than Songotra. Among spraying regimes, two applications at pod initiation and 50% podding resulted in the highest yields, while additional sprays offered no significant advantage. This spraying regime also resulted in a higher return on investment. These findings demonstrate that the adoption of Songotra-T mitigates excessive insecticide use in cowpea production. Full article

Smallholder farmers’ yields fluctuate yearly due to the variability of climate, resources, and diseases. The study aimed to assess genotypes-by-environment interactions under different management practices using additive main effects and multiplicative interaction models. Potato cultivars (Mondial, Electra, Sababa, and Panamera) were grown in five environments (Mbalenhle, Hlathikhulu, Mbhava, Stezi, and Gobizembe) for three seasons (2021–2023). Potatoes were planted under mulch (non-mulched and mulched) and fungicide (sprayed and unsprayed) management practices. The results revealed that the genotype–environment effect had a minimal contribution to tuber yield, ranging from 8.42% to 11.01% across management practices. For instance, in the absence of fungicide application with mulch and non-mulched practices, resulted in genotype effects of 69.92% and 60.62% and environments effects of 20.52% and 30.95%, respectively. Full article

One of the main objectives of agriculture is to improve crop production and mitigate oxidative damage caused by climate change, such as water stress. This study evaluated the potential use of Klebsormidium sp. K39 extract (Kleb), obtained by phycoremediation treatment, to address these agricultural challenges. The experimental trials involved the application of Kleb at 1 mg C_org L⁻¹ through foliar spray, under standard or water stress (WS) conditions. The effect of Kleb was evaluated by monitoring growth parameters, antioxidant activities, and lipid peroxidation. The quality parameters of the tomato fruits were also evaluated. The results demonstrated that the application of Klebsormidium extract enhanced tomato growth while maintaining root development and canopy cover under water stress conditions. These findings suggest that Kleb may act as a biostimulant to improve crop resilience. Moreover, treated plants under water stress conditions had an increase in yield of around 35% with respect to untreated stressed plants. Although fruit quality parameters were not significantly affected, in Kleb-treated plants lycopene content increased only under standard conditions, while polyphenol content significantly increased under both WS and standard conditions. In treated plants, lipid peroxidation decreased by 58% in the leaves and 19% in the fruits under WS conditions, suggesting a significant reduction in oxidative damage. In the fruits, correlation analysis revealed positive relationships among key stress markers. These findings suggest that Kleb extract enhances resilience to water stress in tomato plants by modulating antioxidant responses and secondary metabolite production, making it an eco-friendly approach to sustainable crop management under climate-related stressors. Full article

The operational efficiency and precision of boom sprayers, as critical equipment for protecting field crops, are vital to global food security and agricultural sustainability. In precision agriculture systems, achieving uniform pesticide application fundamentally depends on maintaining stable boom posture during operation. However, severe boom vibration not only directly causes issues like missed spraying, double spraying, and pesticide drift but also represents a critical bottleneck constraining its functional realization in cutting-edge applications. Despite its importance, achieving absolute boom stability is a complex task. Its suspension system design faces a fundamental technical contradiction: effectively isolating high-frequency vehicle vibrations caused by ground surfaces while precisely following large-scale, low-frequency slope variations in the field. This paper systematically traces the evolutionary path of self-balancing boom technology in addressing this core contradiction. First, the paper conducts a dynamic analysis of the root causes of boom instability and the mechanism of its detrimental physical effects on spray quality. This serves as a foundation for the subsequent discussion on technical approaches for boom support and balancing systems. The paper also delves into the evolution of sensing technology, from “single-point height measurement” to “point cloud morphology perception,” and provides a detailed analysis of control strategies from classical PID to modern robust control and artificial intelligence methods. Furthermore, this paper explores the deep integration of this technology with precision agriculture applications, such as variable rate application and autonomous navigation. In conclusion, the paper summarizes the main challenges facing current technology and outlines future development trends, aiming to provide a comprehensive reference for research and development in this field. Full article

The teaching of the phytosociological method comprises several stages and aligns closely with the research-oriented teaching–learning process promoted by active methodologies. In both cases, preliminary inquiry is essential to review existing knowledge on vegetation in all its dimensions: bioclimatic, biogeographical, ecological, floristic composition, distribution, and conservation status. The main objective is to connect active teaching methodologies with phytosociological research. To this end, the natural environment is used to bring students into direct contact with plant communities, and the phytosociological research method is applied, through which students learn sampling techniques. This approach provides a rapid and effective assessment of habitat conservation status (EU Habitats Directive 92/43/EEC, European Council, 21 May 1992). As notable results, we highlight the poor conservation status of the three communities described, which is evident from the decline in characteristic association species. The present study focuses on the wetlands of the Costa Tropical, where communities of Juncus acutus, Typha dominguensis, Phragmites australis, and Arundo donax predominate. In this case, these communities act as open-air laboratories for teaching the phytosociological method. The Juncus acutus communities differ from those of Scirpus holoschoenus and other Juncus acutus stands by the presence of the endemic Linum maritimum. Meanwhile, the reedbeds differ from Thypho-Phragmitetum australis through the presence of Halimione portulacoides. In both cases, the influence of sea spray conditions the presence of subhalophilous species such as Juncus acutus, Linum maritimum, and Halimione portulacoides. This has enabled us to establish two new plant associations: LmJa = Lino maritimi–Juncetum acuti (rush stands) and Hp–Phra = Halimione portulacoidis–Phragmitetum australis (reedbeds). Ecological gradients also make it possible to separate Typha communities belonging to the Ca–Td = Cynancho acuti–Typhetum dominguensis association, and Phragmites into two distinct associations. This distinction arises because Typha communities require soil water during the summer period, whereas in Phragmites stands the upper soil horizon dries out. Full article

Understanding drop dispersion behavior is significant to the optimization of liquid dispersion devices. In this work, the drop dispersion behavior in the combined trapezoid spray tray was directly observed and analyzed with a high-speed camera. It was found that the fracture of the liquid neck is the main mode for the liquid column to generate drops. The dispersion behavior of the drops was simulated by CFD, and it was found that the liquid neck is caused by the surrounding vortex field and the uneven pressure distribution inside the liquid column. At the same time, the dispersion time of the drops was counted, and it was found that the drop dispersion time ranges from 5 to 60 ms, depending on the drop diameter and the gas kinetic energy factor in plate hole F₀. Full article

Modified tuber starches have gained relevance as innovative and versatile materials for the encapsulation of bioactive compounds, distinguishing themselves from synthetic polymers due to their biocompatibility, biodegradability, and tunable functionality. This review analyzes the effects of physical, chemical, and biochemical modifications on the composition and morphological, rheological, thermal, and techno-functional properties of tuber starches, as well as their development prospects as coating materials in encapsulation techniques such as spray drying, freeze-drying, electrospinning, and emulsification. The evidence reviewed indicates that modified tuber starches exhibit reduced retrogradation, higher thermal resistance, improved solubility, and better digestibility, facilitating their application as protective agents. The main challenges for their industrial implementation are identified and analyzed, including the standardization of processes, scalability, and the ambiguous regulatory framework. In the future, research in this area should be directed toward the optimization of “clean-label” methodologies and the valorization of non-conventional tuber sources, thereby consolidating the development of safer, more effective, and more sustainable encapsulation systems for the food industry. Full article

This study presents a novel approach for the synthesis of tin(II) sulphide (SnS) by integrating ultrasonic spray pyrolysis (USP) with hydrogen reduction (HR), using tin(II) sulphate (SnSO₄) as a precursor. The method combines aerosol droplet generation using ultrasonic atomisation at 1.7 MHz with gas-phase reduction in a tube reactor under H₂-N₂ mixed gas flow. Thermochemical assessment indicated that SnS formation is thermodynamically favourable from 400 to 1000 °C, in reasonable agreement with experimental results. XRD analysis confirmed the formation of SnS as the main phase accompanied by SnO₂ as a secondary product without SnSO₄ when conducting USP-HR at 1000 °C. SEM images revealed flake-like, spherical, and agglomerated morphologies, with EDS confirming distinct Sn-S regions. This study demonstrates the feasibility of producing SnS powder using a simple precursor system and a clean reducing environment. The process offers a scalable and controllable synthesis route for SnS materials, providing an alternative to conventional substrate-based deposition techniques. Further optimisation of reaction temperature and residence time is expected to enhance phase purity and reduce agglomeration. Full article

Quadrotors have been under development for over a century. The first quadrotors were large, heavy, and difficult to control aircraft operated by a single pilot. The first quadrotors remained in the prototype stage due to accidents, budget cuts, and failure to meet military standards. Production of manned quadrotors ceased in the 1980s. Since the 2010s, manned quadrotors have been used as air taxis, achieving greater success. The development of quadrotor unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) began in the 1990s. Their small size, low cost, and ease of control have made them advantageous. Advances in hardware and software technologies have expanded the use of quadrotor UAVs. Today, quadrotor UAVs are used in various fields, including surveillance, aerial photography, search and rescue, firefighting, first aid, cargo transportation, agricultural spraying, mapping, mineral exploration, and counterterrorism. This review examines the development of manned quadrotors and quadrotor UAVs in detail from the past to the present. First, the major manned quadrotors developed are described in detail, along with their technical specifications and photographs. Graphs are provided showing the weight, powerplant, flight duration, and passenger capacity of manned quadrotors. Second, the main quadrotor UAV models entering mass production are discussed, presenting their development processes, technical specifications, areas of use, and photographs. Graphs are presented showing the weight, battery capacity, flight duration, and camera resolution of quadrotor UAVs. Unlike studies focusing solely on the recent past, this review provides a broad overview of the development of quadrotors from their inception to the present. Full article

In this work, two configurations of Ti/HAp functionally graded coatings were fabricated on Ti–6Al–4V alloy substrates using detonation spraying. The coatings differed in the number and sequence of Ti and hydroxyapatite (HAp) deposition cycles, resulting in distinct gradient architectures: Configuration 1 incorporated a sharper transition from the Ti-rich base to the HAp-rich surface, whereas Configuration 2 featured a smoother and more gradual compositional gradient. The microstructure and elemental distribution were examined by scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and energy-dispersive X-ray spectroscopy (EDS). Both configurations exhibited well-defined gradient layering, with titanium concentrated near the coating–substrate interface and an increased Ca and P content toward the upper bioceramic region. Raman spectroscopy confirmed the preservation of hydroxyapatite as the main phase, showing a characteristic 961 cm⁻¹ band. Adhesion strength measured according to ASTM C633-13 was 45.78 ± 4.4 MPa for Configuration 1 and 52.32 ± 6.7 MPa for Configuration 2, both significantly exceeding the minimum required 15 MPa. The findings demonstrate that detonation-sprayed Ti/HAp gradient coatings provide strong adhesion and stable bioceramic surfaces, making them promising for metal implant applications. Full article

Xiaochikan Village, located in Guangdong Province in South China, is one of the few remaining traditional rammed earth dwellings of the Cantonese ethnic group in the Lingnan region. However, the influence of Zhuhai’s subtropical maritime monsoon climate has led to continuous physical and chemical erosion of the rammed earth walls. For example, cracking occurs due to high temperatures and heavy rain, accelerated weathering occurs due to salt spray deposition, and biological erosion occurs due to high humidity and high temperatures. Therefore, two experimental analysis techniques, X-ray diffraction (XRD) and scanning electron microscopy-energy dispersive spectrometer (SEM-EDS), were used to explore the structural anti-erosion mechanism of the ancient, rammed earth buildings in Xiaochikan Village. The results show that (1) the morphological characteristics of the east and west walls of the rammed earth dwellings in Xiaochikan Village are more similar. The particles on the east wall are regular spherical or polygonal, small, and evenly distributed, while the particles on the west wall are mainly spherical and elliptical, with consistent size and less agglomeration. The surfaces of the particles on both walls are relatively smooth and flat. (2) The core element bases of the four wall samples are consistent, with C, Si, Al, Ca, and Fe as the core, accounting for more than 93%, reflecting the base characteristics of the local alluvial soil “silicate skeleton–carbonate cementation–organic matter residue” and reflecting the “local material” attribute of rammed earth. Except for the south wall sample, the Cl content of the remaining samples exceeds 1%. In the thermal map, Cl shows “pore/interstitial enrichment”, which confirms that the salinization process of marine aerosols with rainwater infiltration and evaporation residue is a common influence of marine climate. (3) The rammed earth walls in Xiaochikan Village consist of three main minerals: Quartz (SiO₂, including alpha-type SiO₂), Calcite (CaCO₃, including synthetic calcite), and Gibbsite (Al(OH)₃). Full article

In the Mediterranean region, the persimmon cultivar ‘Rojo Brillante’ may experience up to four waves of fruit drop. The first is a physiological event during fruit set that is common in woody species, while the subsequent waves are induced by rising temperatures and prolonged summer water stress. These summer drops represent the main limiting factor, leading to yield losses of up to 90%. Organ abscission is a complex process regulated by genetic, hormonal, nutritional, and environmental factors. We hypothesise that calcium (Ca) plays a protective role in the abscission zone (AZ) by inhibiting cell wall-degrading enzymes such as polygalacturonase (PG) and pectin methylesterases (PMEs). Calcium applications every 15 days from anthesis onwards significantly reduced fruit drop. Treatments preserved polar auxin transport—through DkPIN1 expression—and inhibited stage C of the abscission process, decreasing the relative expression of the DkIDL6 gene in the AZ. Moreover, PME and PG activities were significantly lower in Ca-treated fruits, confirming the stabilising effect of calcium on AZ integrity. In summary, pre-anthesis calcium sprays reduced premature fruit drop by about 30% under heat–drought stress by down-regulating key abscission genes (DkIDL6, DkPG20, DkPME41) and preserving cell wall integrity and fruit firmness, supporting the use of Ca treatments as a climate-smart approach to stabilise persimmon yield. Full article

Marine engineering equipment operates under extreme conditions such as high salinity, humidity, and flow velocity during marine resource exploration. These harsh environments impose strict requirements on surface performance, especially in terms of wear and corrosion resistance. Wear-resistant coatings are increasingly regarded as a crucial surface engineering approach to mitigate multi-mechanism degradation and improve the long-term reliability of marine equipment. In this review, the typical wear mechanisms in marine environments are systematically analyzed. Corresponding to different service scenarios, the main categories of coating materials, such as metal matrix composite coatings, cermet coatings, functionally graded coatings, and nanolayered coatings are summarized in terms of their structure and performance characteristics. Furthermore, mainstream fabrication techniques, including high-velocity oxy-fuel (HVOF), high-velocity air-fuel (HVAF), laser cladding, cold spray, and physical/chemical vapor deposition (PVD/CVD), are reviewed with respect to their influence on coating micro-structure and properties. Standardized evaluation methods for coating performance are also discussed. Finally, the current research challenges are identified, and future development trends are outlined, with an emphasis on multifunctional, intelligent, and environmentally friendly coating systems. This work aims to provide a systematic reference and theoretical basis for the design and application of wear-resistant coatings in marine environments. Full article

The world population is expected to grow to over 10 billion by 2050 and therefore impose further stress on food production. Precision agriculture has become the main approach used to enhance productivity with sustainability in agricultural production. This paper conducts a technical review of how robotics, artificial intelligence (AI), and thermal imaging (TI) technologies transform precision agriculture operations, focusing on sensing, automation, and farm decision making. Agricultural robots promote labor solutions and efficiency by utilizing their sensing devices and kinematics in planting, spraying, and harvesting. Through accurate assessment of pests/diseases and quality assurance of the harvested crops, AI and TI bring efficiency to the crop monitoring sector. Different deep learning models are employed for plant disease diagnosis and resource management, namely the VGG16 model, InceptionV3, and MobileNet; the PlantVillage, PlantDoc, and FieldPlant datasets are used respectively. To reduce crop losses, AI–TI integration enables early recognition of fluctuations caused by pests or diseases, allowing control and mitigation in good time. While the issues of cost and environmental variability (illumination, canopy moisture, and microclimate instability) are taken into consideration, the advancement in artificial intelligence, robotics technology, and combined technologies will offer sustainable solutions to the existing gaps. Full article

This study investigated the production and characterization of avocado oil emulsions generated with a three-fluid nozzle (3FN) and the physicochemical and thermodynamic properties of the resulting microcapsules obtained by spray drying. The emulsions showed a bimodal size distribution with a main peak at 0.893 µm and PDI values below 0.70 indicate a mid-range polydispersity. Despite their shear-thinning behavior, emulsions exhibited limited stability, as indicated by ζ-potential (−23.9 mV) and increasing TSI values. Spray drying with 3FN achieved a yield of 71.7% and an encapsulation efficiency of 57.8%, with moisture content below 4%, meeting commercial requirements. The microcapsules displayed unimodal particle distributions (D[3,2] = 8.38 µm; D[4,3] = 11.14 µm) and irregular spherical morphologies with surface folds and roughness. Adsorption isotherms followed a type II pattern, well described by the GAB model, with monolayer moisture content (0.043–0.060 g H₂O/g solids) defining critical stability conditions. Thermodynamic analyses identified a “minimum entropy zone” corresponding to enhanced structural stability, while glass transition data confirmed that encapsulated oil did not act as a plasticizer. Overall, the use of a three-fluid nozzle enabled the development of avocado oil microcapsules with favorable physical and thermal attributes, supporting their potential for long-term stability in functional food applications. Full article