Search Results (148)

The increasing discharge of pharmaceutical contaminants, particularly antibiotics like metronidazole (MNZ), into water systems poses significant ecological and public health risks due to their high solubility and low biodegradability. This study developed and characterized a highly porous activated carbon derived from maize cob (MC-AC). The synthesized material was characterized using FTIR, FESEM, PXRD, HRTEM, and BET analysis. Batch adsorption experiments were conducted, and the removal efficiency of MC-AC for MNZ was 98.6%. Optimization and modeling of the process variables of pH (3–11), contact time (0–75 min), concentration (0–70 mg/L), temperature (25–35 °C), and adsorbent dosage (0.5–1.5 g/L) were investigated using the Box–Behnken design (BBD) of response surface methodology, and 29 runs were obtained. The BBD model determined an optimal removal efficiency of 94.6 for metronidazole. Furthermore, non-linearized kinetic and isotherm models were used to determine the adsorption mechanism and mode of metronidazole from water. From the investigation, it was observed that both the Freundlich and pseudo-second-order models exhibited high correlation coefficients. The models with the best performance and low error metrics were determined by R², MSE, RMSE, SAE, and SSE. Therefore, the adsorption mode was multilayer heterogeneous, and the mechanism was chemisorption. Therefore, this study provides a unique alternative for using the Box–Behnken design, kinetic, and isotherm models to understand the removal of metronidazole from water using maize cob-activated carbon. Full article

A field experiment was conducted at the Agronomy Field Laboratory of Bangladesh Agricultural University to evaluate the effects of arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi (AMF) inoculation and foliar supplementation of nitrogen (N) and phosphorus (P) on the performance of maize (Zea mays L.) under irrigated and rainfed conditions. The experiment followed a randomised complete block design with two levels of AMF (inoculated and non-inoculated) and four foliar treatments (no N and P, N only, P only, and combined N + P). The recommended dose of fertiliser (RDF) was applied as a soil application to all treatments. AMF inoculation significantly increased grain yield by 8.1% under rainfed and 10.0% under irrigated conditions compared with non-inoculated plants. Foliar application of N and P, especially when they were applied together, significantly improved yield components, including cob length, number of grains per cob, and 1000-grain weight. The highest grain yield (9.08 t ha⁻¹ under rainfed and 10.91 t ha⁻¹ under irrigated conditions) was obtained from the combined treatment of AMF inoculation and foliar N + P application. Redundancy analysis (RDA) and linear mixed-effects modelling (LMM) confirmed that water availability was the dominant factor controlling maize productivity, while AMF inoculation exhibited a stronger independent effect than foliar fertilisation. Under rainfed conditions, the treatment responses were reduced, and maize responded better to foliar N application in combination with AMF than combined N + P application. These findings indicate that the integrated use of AMF and foliar nutrient management enhances maize productivity, but optimal combinations depend strongly on moisture regimes. Full article

This study explores the use of metallurgical slag extracts as a liquid mineral fertilizer for maize cultivation. Slag samples were obtained from the former lead smelter in Shymkent and the Zhezkent Mining and Processing Plant. Elemental analysis identified the slag from the second storage area of the Shymkent smelter as the least contaminated with potentially toxic elements and enriched in macro- and micronutrients. Slag extraction was conducted via chemical leaching using potassium sulfate and ammonia solutions in a hydrogen peroxide medium, yielding Cu²⁺ and Zn²⁺ concentrations of 423.751 mg/L and 86.649 mg/L, respectively. The resulting extracts were diluted with distilled water at a ratio of 1:10 (potassium sulfate extract) and 1:200 (ammonia extract) and applied to assess early seed development and subsequent maize yield. Seed germination rates were comparable to those of the control group (100%). After 90 days of growth, maize plants treated with the ammonia-based extract showed positive effects on root system development, stem growth, and cob formation. The concentration of potentially toxic elements in the dry plant biomass remained within permissible limits. These findings demonstrate the potential for the safe agricultural use of these extracts while ensuring the rational utilization of industrial waste. Full article

The dynamic growth of global maize production results in the generation of large amounts of residues originating from both cultivation and processing, creating a need to develop efficient and sustainable management pathways. The aim of this study was to evaluate the feasibility of utilizing selected maize-derived residues (straw, cobs, technical maize, and post-fermentation DDGS) for the production of densified solid fuels based on biochar obtained through pyrolysis at 500 °C. The study included analyses of the mineral composition of biomass and biochar, determination of biochar yield, ash content, and higher heating value (HHV). The biochar yield ranged from 30.19% to 42.49%, with the highest values obtained for DDGS (dried distillers grains with solubles). The pyrolysis process led to an increase in HHV to 25.3–32.14 MJ/kg. These values are comparable to the calorific values of hard coal. The results indicate that biochar derived from maize residues may represent a promising feedstock for the production of solid fuels with increased energy density, while the ashes generated during their combustion show potential for agricultural applications. Full article

Baby maize (Zea mays L.) is a high-value horticultural crop widely cultivated due to its short growth cycle and strong market demand. However, intensive production systems often rely heavily on chemical fertilizers, leading to reduced nutrient use efficiency and potential soil degradation. The present study investigated the potential of the Priestia megaterium Thr45 to enhance soil fertility, improve crop performance, and optimize fertilizer management in baby maize cultivation. A field experiment was conducted using a three-factor factorial design consisting of bacterial inoculation, different urea application rates, and different KCl rates. Soil chemical properties, plant growth parameters, yield components, and nutrient composition of edible cobs were evaluated. The results showed that inoculation with P. megaterium Thr45 significantly increased available phosphorus and exchangeable potassium in soil compared with the non-inoculated control. Inoculated plants exhibited higher chlorophyll content, greater leaf development, and increased plant height during early growth stages. Bacterial inoculation also significantly improved yield components, including ear number, ear yield, edible cob yield, and plant biomass. Furthermore, the nutritional quality of baby corn was enhanced, as reflected by increased protein and mineral (N, P, and K) concentrations in edible cobs. Significant interactions between bacterial inoculation and fertilizer treatments indicated that the beneficial effects of P. megaterium Thr45 were closely associated with nutrient management practices. Notably, comparable yield and nutritional quality were achieved under reduced nitrogen and potassium fertilizer inputs when combined with bacterial inoculation. These findings highlight the novel potential of P. megaterium Thr45 as an effective biofertilizer for improving nutrient availability, maintaining high productivity, and supporting sustainable baby maize production with reduced chemical fertilizer inputs Full article

Ustilago maydis is an economically significant biotrophic smut fungus, capable of infecting maize. This is a localized infection where tumors are formed, potentially in any of the aboveground parts of the plant. In extreme cases, maize plants may die. It is also dimorphic, i.e., it is capable of switching from yeast-like to filamentous forms. The switch can be induced by nitrogen sources, pH, and some lipids/oils. The active infectious form is the filamentous form which is capable of penetrating plant cells using the appressorium. This study focuses on understanding the mitochondrial genome diversity in U. maydis, the selection pressure on the genes encoded in the mitochondrial genome, and the phylogeny of the strains investigated. The results suggest that the strains maintained high consistency in genome architecture and synteny. The cox1 and cob genes in the genomes possessed different intron numbers, with the presence or absence of homing endonuclease genes (HEGs), which overall contributed to the differences in the genome sizes. Among the genes in the mitogenome, nad6 was the only gene that has a non-synonymous nucleotide change, but the overall changes within the mitogenomes suggest purifying selection. The study helped identify the different mitotypes using PCR, although further markers or whole-genome sequencing may be required to fully distinguish mitotypes. Full article

To reduce the production cost of Pleurotus giganteus and to valorize agricultural waste, this study investigated the effects of substituting cottonseed hull with corn cob (a major lignocellulosic by-product of maize production) on the mycelial growth, agronomic traits, nutrient composition, commercial quality, and economic benefits of P. giganteus ‘Shenxun No.1’. The aim was to verify the feasibility of this substitution and screen optimal substrate formulations for industrial cultivation. Four substrate formulations with corn cob substitution ratios of 0% (T1), 15% (T2, control), 30% (T3), and 45% (T4) were designed, while adjusting cottonseed hull proportions to 45%, 30%, 15%, and 0%, respectively. Mycelial colonization performance, fruiting body agronomic traits (yield and cap/stipe characteristics), nutrient contents (crude protein, crude fiber, etc.), and commercial traits (marketable yield and production cost) were systematically determined and analyzed. The results showed that corn cob content exceeding 15% prolonged the substrate bag colonization time by 5–7 days, but T4 (45% corn cob) resulted in the densest mycelia with excellent structural development. In terms of fruiting bodies, T4 exhibited the highest yield in the second harvest flush and the highest total yield across three flushes. Nutritionally, crude protein content of fruiting bodies decreased by 10.48% in T4 compared to T1, while crude fiber content increased with rising corn cob proportion; no significant difference in crude polysaccharide content was observed among formulations. Importantly, corn cob substitution did not impair the commercial traits of fruiting bodies, and T4 achieved the lowest material cost per bag (0.78 CNY) with an optimal cost–benefit ratio. In conclusion, corn cob is a viable and cost-effective substitute for cottonseed hull in P. giganteus cultivation, and the 45% substitution formulation (T4) is recommended for industrial production due to its superior yield performance and economic benefits. This study provides a theoretical basis for sustainable utilization of agricultural waste and optimization of P. giganteus cultivation systems. Full article

Soil salinization threatens crop production; however, in multi-crop field systems, evidence for the effectiveness of waste biomass-functional microorganism composite amendments remains limited. Here, we developed a composite microbial soil conditioner (F2) using pine needles and crushed corn cobs as carriers combined with salt-tolerant strains Bacillus subtilis (K1), Azotobacter chroococcum (Y1), and Bacillus gelatinus (J3) to remediate moderately saline-alkali soil from central Gansu (pH 8.36 ± 0.18; EC 1658 ± 55.24 μS·cm⁻¹). Saturation screening identified an optimal carrier ratio of pine needles:corn cobs = 1:2 and an inoculum ratio of K1:Y1:J3 = 1:2:1. In pot experiments, F2 increased soil organic matter and water-holding capacity, enhanced alkaline phosphatase, urease, and sucrase activities, and significantly reduced soil pH and EC. Maize seedling height and chlorophyll content increased by 53.87% and 38.88%, respectively. Amplicon-based microbiome profiling indicated enrichment of beneficial microbial taxa and strengthened primary metabolic functions under F2. Field validation across five crops (flax, potato, edible sunflower, sorghum, and maize) showed consistent growth and yield-related improvements. Overall, these results demonstrate that the biomass–microbe composite amendment effectively alleviates saline-alkali constraints by jointly improving soil properties, microbial functions, and crop performance. Full article

Agroforestry is defined as a multifunctional approach to land management that enhances biodiversity and soil health while mitigating environmental impacts compared to intensive agriculture. The efficacy of maize cultivation in agroforestry systems is significantly influenced by nutrient competition. The factors that influence this phenomenon include the dimensions and configuration of the tree rows, as well as the availability of nutrients. This study examined the effect of nitrogen fertilization, tree line spacing, and seasonal changes on the productivity and the leaf spectral characteristics of the intercropped maize (Zea mays L.) within a willow-based agroforestry system in eastern Hungary. The experiment involved the cultivation of maize with two spacings (narrow and wide field strips) and four nitrogen levels (0, 50, 100, and 150 kg N ha⁻¹) across two growing seasons (2023–2024). The results demonstrated that yield-related parameters, including biomass, cob size and weight, and grain weight, exhibited a strong response to nitrogen level and tree line spacing. The reduction in spacing resulted in a decline in maize productivity. However, a high nitrogen input (150 kg N ha⁻¹) partially mitigated this effect in the first growing season. Vegetation indices demonstrated a high degree of sensitivity to annual variations, particularly with regard to tree competition and weather conditions. Multispectral vegetation indices exhibited a heightened responsiveness to environmental and management factors when compared to indices based on visible light (RGB). The findings of this study demonstrate that a combination of optimized tree spacing and optimized nitrogen management fosters productivity while maintaining agroecological sustainability in temperate agroforestry systems. Full article

Nitrogen deficiency is a major constraint on maize (Zea mays L.) productivity in Afghanistan, where poor soil fertility limits yields. This study investigated the effect of urea fertilizer on maize growth, physiology, and yield under semi-arid conditions in Balkh Province with a Calcisols soil type, focusing on maize cultivated for grain production. A field experiment was conducted in 2019 using a randomized complete block design with three replications and four nitrogen levels: 0 (control), 38.4, 76.8, and 115.2 kg ha⁻¹. The region consists of fertile alluvial plains suitable for crop cultivation, though maize productivity is constrained by soil nutrient limitations, especially nitrogen deficiency. The soil at the experimental site is silty loam in texture, moderately fertile with alkaline pH (8.1), low organic matter (0.5%), and limited available nitrogen (15 mg kg⁻¹). Growth traits (plant height, leaf number, leaf area, SPAD value), physiological parameters (leaf area index, crop growth rate, biomass), and yield components (cob length, cob diameter, seed number, 100-seed weight, biological yield, and Brix content) were recorded. Results showed that nitrogen application significantly improved all traits compared to the control. The highest values for plant height (260.2 cm), cob length (31.67 cm), biological yield (216.6 t ha⁻¹), and Brix content (8.6%) were observed at 115.2 kg ha⁻¹, although 76.8 kg ha⁻¹ produced nearly similar results. Correlation analysis revealed strong positive associations between SPAD values, vegetative traits, and yield. The findings indicate that 115.2 kg ha⁻¹ urea is an efficient and practical nitrogen rate for enhancing maize productivity under Afghan conditions. Full article

The study was conducted to determine the apparent total tract digestibility, the rate of digesta passage, growth performance, and physicochemical properties of the digesta of Windsnyer pigs fed on increasing levels of potato hash silage. Diets were formulated to contain 0, 80, 160, 240, 320, and 400 g potato hash silage/kg of diet. Pigs were randomly assigned to six diets according to a completely randomised design. Six pigs were allocated to each dietary treatment. All diets were blended with chromic oxide (Cr₂O₃) to calculate apparent total tract digestibility and rate of passage. Pigs were fed diets containing different levels of potato hash silage for 5 d, following 7 d of adaptation. Thereafter, pigs were subjected to a 35-day growth performance experiment. Thirty-six pigs were slaughtered and eviscerated to determine digesta characteristics and gut compartment weights. There was a positive correlation (p < 0.05) between mean retention time and each of digestibility of dry matter, organic matter, and crude protein. There was a quadratic increase (p < 0.05) in digestibility of organic matter, crude protein, fibre and feed intake as dietary levels of potato hash silage increased. Average daily gain and gain-to-feed ratio decreased linearly (p < 0.05) in pigs as levels of potato hash silage increased. The swelling capacity (SWC) of the digesta from ileum decreased linearly (p < 0.05) as dietary levels of potato hash silage increased. The SWC of the digesta from the caecum increased linearly (p < 0.05) as dietary levels of potato hash silage increased. The water holding capacity (WHC) of the stomach digesta decreased linearly (p < 0.05) as dietary levels of potato hash silage increased. The WHC of the digesta from the ileum and caecum displayed negative quadratic responses (p < 0.05) as dietary levels of potato hash silage increased. The WHC of digesta from the proximal colon showed a linear decline (p < 0.05) as dietary levels of potato hash silage increased. The WHC of digesta from the distal colon increased linearly (p < 0.05) as dietary levels of potato hash silage increased. The results indicated that Windsnyer pigs can effectively utilise potato hash silage in diets until the 240 g/kg inclusion level beyond which total tract digestibility and feed intake are compromised. Full article

Next-generation sequencing (NGS) has revolutionized genetic research, enabling the massive, rapid, and relatively inexpensive analysis of the genomes, transcriptomes, and epigenomes of various organisms, including maize. Therefore, this paper uses NGS, association mapping, and physical mapping to identify candidate genes associated with yield structure traits and yield in maize (Zea mays L.). Furthermore, expression analysis of selected candidate genes was performed to confirm their contribution to yield formation. The plant material used for the study was 186 F1 hybrids and 20 reference genotypes (high-yielding and low-yielding). Field experiments were conducted simultaneously in two locations (in Smolice and Kobierzyce). NGS yielded a total of 45,876 molecular markers (24,437 SilicoDArT markers and 21,439 SNP markers) relevant to yield and crop structure. The largest number of markers in both localities (Smolice and Kobierzyce) was related to: the number of grain rows (6960), dry matter content after harvest (6616), the number of grains in a row (6721), mass of grain from the cob (6616), and cob length (6564). The smallest number of markers in both localities was related to yield (t ha⁻¹) (1114) and yield from the plot (1237). To narrow down the number of markers for physical mapping, ten were selected from all the significant ones associated with the same traits in both localities (Kobierzyce and Smolice). Significant markers included eight silicoDArT markers (459199, 2447305, 4768759, 4579916, 4764335, 2448946, 2492509, 4774802) and two SNP markers (9692004, 5587791). These markers were used for physical mapping. These markers are located on chromosomes 7, 8, and 10. Some of these markers are located at a considerable distance from characterized genes or within uncharacterized genes. Two markers caught our attention: SNP 5587791 and silicoDArT 4774802. The first one is located on chromosome 8 inside exon 5 of the LOC100383455 U-box domain-containing protein 7 gene, the second marker is also located on chromosome 8 near (300 bp) the LOC103635953 putative WUSCHEL-related homeobox 2 protein gene. Our own research and literature reports indicate the usefulness of next-generation sequencing, association mapping, and physical mapping for identifying candidate genes associated with economically important traits in maize. Furthermore, two genes characterized in detail in the publication, LOC100383455 U-box domain-containing protein 7 gene and LOC103635953 putative WUSCHEL-related homeobox 2 protein gene, may be involved in processes related to maize yield. Full article

A pot experiment was carried out to evaluate the effects of composts, vermicomposts, and mineral fertilization on maize (Zea mays L.) growth, grain quality, soil chemical properties, and nematode communities. Eight treatments were tested, including organic amendments combined with mineral nitrogen, exclusive mineral fertilization, and an unfertilized control. Soil chemical properties, including pH, salinity, nitrogen compounds, and macro- and microelements, varied notably across treatments. Nematode community analysis revealed distinct patterns among treatments: Shannon diversity was moderate and relatively stable across most treatments, but a statistically significant reduction was recorded in treatment 7. In contrast, the Plant Parasitic Index (PPI) varied significantly, reflecting differences in community maturity and parasitic pressure. Bacterivores and fungivores indicated active nutrient cycling, while omnivores and predators reflected soil food web stability. Fertilization treatments significantly affected maize grain development. The highest thousand-kernel weight (TKW) was recorded in treatment 6 (+8.9% vs. control) and treatment 4 (+7.4% vs. control). The kernel number per cob was greatest in treatments 4 and 5 (+38% and +32%), with corresponding increases in grain mass per cob (+48% and +40%). The mean cob core weight ranged from 20.1 g in the control treatment to 30.2 g in treatment 1. The greatest increases compared to the control were observed in treatments 1 and 5, amounting to 50.2% and 44.8%, respectively. Overall, fertilization influenced grain quality, soil chemistry, and nematode communities, highlighting the importance of integrating organic and mineral amendments for sustainable crop production. Full article

Soil acidification, primarily driven by intensive agricultural practices and excessive nitrogen fertilization, is a growing concern worldwide, severely affecting soil health and crop growth. To identify effective soil amendments for mitigating acidity, this study systematically evaluated the physicochemical characteristics and acid-neutralization capacity of biochar derived from different biomass and pyrolysis conditions. Maize straw was pyrolyzed at different temperature to determine the optimal preparation temperature, which was then applied to other biomass, including reed straw, soybean straw, and corn cobs, for comparative analysis. The objectives were to compare the structure, surface features, and acid-neutralization capacity of this biochar, specifically targeting the acidic soil in the black soil region of Northeast China, and to determine the optimal biochar for mitigating soil acidification. The results show that biochar from maize straw pyrolyzed at 700 °C (MBC700) exhibited the highest acid-neutralization efficiency, increasing the pH of acidic soil from 5.50 to 6.06 within seven days, with a long-term buffering capacity. In contrast, reed straw biochar (RBC) exhibited a higher intrinsic pH (9.96) and a larger specific surface area (42.3 m²∙g⁻¹), but its weaker structural integrity limited its durability. Gradient addition experiments further demonstrated that MBC700 at a 0.5% dosage achieved superior acid-neutralization efficiency compared with RBC and other types of biochar at the same rate, indicating better reactivity and applicability. The findings suggest that biochar derived from crop residues can effectively mitigating soil acidification, offering a viable alternative to traditional lime application. This study provides a more sustainable and environmentally friendly alternative solution for soil acidification. Full article

The aim of the study was to assess the impact of fertilizer type (urea, compound fertilizer), biodegradable coating type (linseed oil or hemp oil based) and nitrogen dose (135 and 180 kg N·ha⁻¹) on the yield of corn intended for silage. A three-year field experiment was conducted using a randomized block design with three replicates. The test plant was corn intended for silage. The field experiment was conducted in a factorial design comprising three experimental factors: fertilizer type (two levels), coating type (two levels), and fertilizer dose (two levels). Controlled-release fertilizers (CRF) based on biodegradable coatings are an emerging solution in sustainable nitrogen management, yet their field-scale performance remains insufficiently validated. This study investigated how biodegradable coatings based on linseed and hemp oils affect nutrient release dynamics and maize yield under three-year field conditions. The study represents the first field validation phase translating laboratory coating characteristics into agricultural performance metrics. Statistical analysis (ANOVA, Tukey’s test) showed that in the first year of the study, the greatest impact on plant height and corn yield was observed in the case of type of fertilizer used (η²_p up to 17.83%), type of coating (η²_p up to 63.15%) and their interaction (η²_p up to 11.92%). The symbol η²_p (partial eta squared) represents a measure of effect size in analysis of variance (ANOVA). The largest plant size (average 307–310 cm) and the highest yield (107.33 t·ha⁻¹) were obtained in the case of yields in which compound fertilizer or urea with coatings were used in relation to the series in which fertilizers without coatings were applied (differences up to 11 t·ha⁻¹). Statistical analysis using repeated measures ANOVA confirmed a significant time effect, with fertilizer effectiveness declining in subsequent years of the experiment (p < 0.05). In the experiment, no effect of the tested factors on the number of corn cobs was found (η²_p < 2.27%). The highest fresh matter yield for silage production was obtained with coated NPK compound fertilizer (98.80 t·ha⁻¹), representing a 48% increase compared to the unfertilized control (66.90 t·ha⁻¹). The results of the study indicate that the use of coated compound fertilizers—NPK has the most beneficial effect on yield and biometric parameters of plants in the first growing season after their soil application. The enhanced nutrient release from biodegradable coatings provided greatest benefits in the first growing season, with diminishing effects in subsequent years due to coating degradation and residual soil nutrient accumulation. Full article