Search Results (5,609)

Water quality plays a central role in determining the environmental performance of pond-based tropical aquaculture systems. This study aimed to evaluate the relative environmental performance of different tropical pond-based aquaculture systems by identifying multivariate water quality patterns that allow their discrimination and comparison under commercial production conditions. Four pond-based production systems were evaluated: an aquaponic system (APS), a recirculating aquaculture system (RAS), a conventional earthen pond system (CEP), and an integrated rice–chame system (RCS). Fourteen physicochemical water quality variables were monitored throughout the production cycle under real commercial conditions using a comparative observational design. Multivariate discriminant analysis was applied to identify the variables with the highest discriminatory power and evaluate the ability of water quality patterns to correctly classify observations among production systems. The results revealed a clear multivariate separation between technologically intensive systems (APS and RAS) and less intensive and integrated systems (CEP and RCS), reflecting distinct water quality structures and environmental functioning. Variables associated with mineralization and nutrient dynamics, including electrical conductivity, dissolved solids, turbidity, phosphates, chlorides, dissolved oxygen, nitrites, and temperature, contributed most strongly to system discrimination. The discriminant functions achieved a high overall correct classification rate, demonstrating the robustness of the multivariate approach. These findings support the use of water quality variables as consistent environmental signatures for distinguishing tropical pond-based aquaculture systems, providing an operational framework for assessing their relative environmental performance. Discriminant analysis emerges as a valuable tool for system characterization and comparative evaluation, supporting environmentally informed management and optimization of chame aquaculture under tropical conditions. Although water quality represents a robust integrative indicator, it captures only one dimension of environmental performance, and additional factors such as production efficiency, energy use, and effluent characterization should be incorporated in future studies to achieve a comprehensive sustainability assessment. Full article

Long-term monitoring is essential for understanding how recurring disturbances, such as hurricanes and coral bleaching, affect reef fish communities and ecosystem processes. This study evaluates temporal trends (2013–2025) in fish assemblage composition, functional diversity, and nutrient excretion proxies (C, N, and P) across three reef sites on San Andrés Island in the Colombian Caribbean. Our results reveal significant shifts in community structure following major disturbances in 2020 (Hurricanes Eta, Iota) and 2023 (mass bleaching event). Taxonomic and functional richness (TRich, FRich) fluctuated throughout the study period, whereas functional divergence (FDiv) declined earlier (2016), highlighting site-specific differences. A trait-based nutrient-excretion proxy (NPC composite score) identified key species that maintain nutrient cycling. Despite recent coral bleaching, certain sites exhibited functional resilience, sustained by the persistence of high-performing nutrient providing species. However, the overall disconnect between taxonomic recovery and functional stability suggests that ecosystem-level processes remain vulnerable, even when species richness appears to recover. This highlights the importance of integrating functional traits and nutrient recycling proxies into monitoring programs to better predict long-term variability in San Andrés Island reefs under a changing climate. Our findings provide a framework for prioritizing management efforts in the Seaflower Biosphere Reserve with emphasis on maintaining ecosystem services. Full article

Manganese (Mn) is an essential micronutrient required for plant growth, photosynthesis and metabolic regulation. Its importance is related to the involvement in several metabolic processes that ensure proper cellular function and balanced plant development throughout the production cycle. In plants, Mn is absorbed predominantly as Mn²⁺, and its availability is strongly influenced by soil pH, aeration, and other mineral nutrients in the soil solution. After uptake by roots, Mn is translocated to the shoot, accumulating primarily in metabolically active organs such as stems, young leaves and flowers. Although Mn exhibits limited mobility in the phloem, adequate concentrations are necessary to sustain both vegetative development and reproductive growth. Adequate Mn concentration is directly reflected in fruit development, as well-nourished plants show improved flowering, greater assimilate translocation capacity, and better fruit filling, thereby positively influencing yield and quality. However, Mn deficiency is common in alkaline soils or soils with high organic matter, causing interveinal chlorosis in young leaves, reduced growth, and lower biomass production. Under prolonged conditions, deficiency leads to less vigorous plants with reduced metabolic efficiency. Conversely, Mn toxicity, typically associated with acidic and poorly drained soils, restricts root development and induces nutritional imbalances with other elements, such as calcium, magnesium, and iron. Therefore, proper Mn management is essential to ensure nutritional balance and optimal performance of agricultural crops. Overall, this review synthesizes advances in Mn transport, cellular compartmentalization, and metabolic regulation, emphasizing how Mn interacts with other mineral nutrients to influence plant physiology. Attention is given to the integration of Mn with redox networks, photosynthetic regulation, and reproductive development. By linking transport mechanisms with physiological outcomes, this review identifies key patterns governing Mn homeostasis and highlights implications for crop nutrition and sustainable nutrient management. Full article

Apple pomace represents an important agro-industrial residue with high moisture content and significant environmental burden if improperly managed. This study investigated its thermochemical valorisation into biochar via two processes, followed by comprehensive physicochemical characterization and agronomic evaluation. Elemental analysis revealed carbon enrichment from 47.89% in raw material to 77–78% after the thermal process, evidencing a progressive aromatization. Scanning electron microscopy, Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy, and Raman analysis confirmed a temperature-dependent transition from partially amorphous carbon (400 °C) to more ordered aromatic structures (450 °C), while excessive thermal treatment (550 °C) increased structural defects. ICP-OES revealed an enrichment in thermally stable metals (Fe, Al, Mn) and limited Cd accumulation. Germination assays using Triticum aestivum L. demonstrated that biochar produced at 400 °C significantly improved the germination uniformity and seedling height (14.1 mm), as well as biomass accumulation compared to the control soil sample. The fertilizer addition increased the soluble Na and electrical conductivity (up to 643 µS/cm), potentially inducing transient salinity stress. Soil chemical analysis indicated increased K availability in soils amended with biochar produced at 400 °C, whereas the combination of biochar obtained at 450 °C with fertilizer conducted to elevated concentrations of certain trace metals, mainly Ni and Cr, highlighting the demand for careful monitoring. Overall, the biochar produced at 400 °C yielded to an optimal balance between structural stability, nutrient enrichment, and agronomic performance, evidencing that apple pomace may be a viable feedstock for sustainable biochar production within circular bioeconomy frameworks. Full article

Livestock production systems are considered some of the most environmentally degrading due to greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions and their contribution to poor air, soil and water quality, amongst other impacts. Advanced manure treatment technologies are required in response to intensification of dairy production worldwide, and the considerably greater volumes of manure generated that require collection and management. Similarly, in Australian dairy systems cows spend more time off pasture, with increased collection of larger manure volumes from a range of contained housing facilities. Adoption of advanced treatment is required to capture nutrients at risk of loss, and ideally to valorise manure to support uptake of these technologies. This review describes the generation of manure and the manure sources found in commercial Australian systems, including grazing-based and intensive dairy farms, supporting zero grazing. The review draws on manure data from pasture-based industries elsewhere and summarises their properties for comparison with Australian systems. Manure treatments that recover and retain nutrients, water and energy are reviewed. These include additives, mechanical/chemical/membrane separation, thermochemical and biological treatments which produce organic and inorganic soil amendments, clarified or potable water, gases (N₂, H₂), biofuels and energy. The review describes the technical and operational details of the technologies, and where there are opportunities for the Australian dairy industry. Treatment technologies need to be validated for Australian systems based on the collated data of local manure properties, as differences with international manure data have been observed. The relative costs, technological maturity, and the benefits and challenges associated with adoption are discussed. Many advanced technologies are ready for adoption, but others are experimental or at pilot stage and relative costs range from low to very high. However, to accurately assess feasibility of manure treatments, environmental, and production benefits should be balanced against capital and operating expenses and account for costs associated with current management. For large intensive farms, implementing advanced manure technologies may be required to ensure approval to operate/expand and to meet regulatory compliance. Future research for the Australian industry should investigate nutrient retention and further develop separation treatments incorporating chemical and mechanical technologies. Bioconversion of manure through insect composting as well as investigating co-digestion opportunities to enhance biogas production would support famers currently using these systems. Full article

Sustainable fertilizer technologies are essential to address nutrient losses, environmental pollution, and inefficiencies associated with conventional urea application. In this study, humic acid–functionalized starch (St–HA) gel coatings were developed and optimized via a Wurster fluidized-bed system to produce controlled-release urea granules, with an additional carnauba wax outer layer to further extend nutrient release duration. The coating formulation was synthesized through in situ crosslinking of tapioca starch with humic acid using N,N′-methylenebisacrylamide and potassium persulfate, yielding a cohesive film. A central composite rotatable design (CCRD) was employed to investigate the influence of atomizing air pressure, fluidizing air flow rate, fluidized-bed temperature, and spray rate on coating performance. Comprehensive characterization; including FTIR, XRD, rheological analysis, thermogravimetric studies, water retention, biodegradability, and surface abrasion, confirmed chemical crosslinking, structural stability, and mechanical robustness of the coatings. Nitrogen release analysis in both water and soil demonstrated a substantial extension of release longevity from less than 2 days (uncoated) to 18–20 days for St–HA-coated urea, and up to 28 days with the additional wax coating. Coated granules exhibited low abrasion (8–24%), high water-retention capacity, and 68% biodegradation in 60 days, ensuring environmental compatibility. The findings establish St–HA/wax hybrid coatings as a viable, eco-friendly strategy for controlled-release fertilizers, integrating renewable feedstocks with scalable industrial processing for precision nutrient management. Full article

Soil microbial communities regulate plant growth and nutrient cycling, yet their dynamics during early ginseng cultivation remain poorly understood. This study used Illumina MiSeq sequencing to characterize bacterial and fungal communities in rhizosphere and bulk soils from second- and third-year ginseng fields. Differences across growth periods were analyzed using one-way ANOVA. Significant shifts in α- and β-diversity occurred in both soil rhizosphere and bulk soils, and distinct environmental factors shaped community structure. Correlation heatmaps, redundancy analysis (RDA), and Mantel tests identified associations between soil physicochemical properties and microbial taxa. Notably, soil location had a stronger effect on microbial variation than cultivation duration. Dominant bacterial genera were strongly correlated with NH₄⁺-N, and fungal community composition was primarily driven by NH₄⁺-N. These results demonstrate that early ginseng cultivation significantly alters soil microbial communities and provide a basis for sustainable agricultural practices and soil ecosystem management. Full article

Karst water systems are highly vulnerable to land use pressures, requiring integrated assessments to support conservation and management. This study evaluated the physicochemical, microbiological, and pesticide-related water quality in the Environmental Protection Area Nascentes do Rio Vermelho (APANRV), a karst conservation unit in the Brazilian Cerrado. Sixteen sampling sites (rivers, springs, and cave waters) were monitored during the dry (May 2024) and rainy (October 2024) seasons. Analyses included nutrients, major ions, Escherichia coli, and a broad spectrum of pesticides. The results showed marked spatial and seasonal variability, with elevated hardness and conductivity in karst areas due to carbonate dissolution. Nitrate and total phosphorus reached peak values of 13.59 and 0.132 mg L⁻¹, respectively, indicating localized nutrient enrichment. E. coli concentrations reached ≥2419.6 MPN 100 mL⁻¹, exceeding regulatory limits, particularly during the rainy season at recreational cave sites. Pesticides were detected in both seasons, with 11 compounds in the dry season and 8 in the rainy season, including atrazine degradation products, and maximum quantified concentrations up to 1.8 µg L⁻¹ (acephate). These findings highlight the combined influence of geology, seasonality, and land use on karst water quality and reinforce the need for continuous monitoring and targeted management strategies. Full article

The integration of appropriate tillage practices with straw returning can effectively mitigate soil degradation in Northeast China. However, limited research has explored the impacts of different tillage practices combined with varying straw incorporation depths on the structure and diversity of soil microbial communities. In 2016, a field experiment was initiated using a two-factor split-plot design, featuring six treatments: two tillage depths of 10 cm (D10) and 30 cm (D30) combined with three straw management practices—straw mixing incorporation (SM), straw deep burial (SB), and straw removal (SR). Soil samples collected in 2019 were analyzed for multiple soil properties and microbial indices. Results indicated that both straw returning and tillage depth significantly influenced soil organic carbon (SOC), soil total nitrogen (STN), total phosphorus (TP), and total potassium (TK), with the D30 treatment combined with straw returning optimizing soil nutrient contents most effectively. Under straw returning, D10 significantly increased urease activity in the 0–10 cm soil layer, whereas D30 enhanced this enzyme activity in the 10–30 cm soil layer, while β-glucosidase activity was less responsive to tillage depth. For the D10 treatment with straw returning, acid phosphatase activity was markedly higher than that in the straw removal treatment, whereas N-acetyl-β-D-glucosaminidase activity exhibited the opposite trend. Straw-returning methods had no significant effects on the bacterial and fungal Chao1 indices, while the Shannon index was positively correlated with key soil properties. Redundancy analysis (RDA) of microbial community composition at the phylum level and soil environmental factors revealed that soil nutrients in the 0–10 cm soil layer were positively correlated with Actinobacteriota, Ascomycota, and Basidiomycota, whereas the explanatory power of soil nutrients for microbial community variation decreased in the 10–30 cm soil layer. Our results highlight that tillage depth and straw returning can regulate soil microbial community composition and enhance soil nutrient cycling, thereby providing a theoretical basis for optimizing the combined application mode of tillage and straw-returning practices in Northeast China. Full article

Premium coffee depends on high-quality beans, influenced by a combination of genetic, environmental, and postharvest factors. This review summarizes the mechanisms underlying coffee bean quality, with an emphasis on the genetic differences between Coffea arabica and Coffea canephora, as well as the integrated roles of environmental conditions, agronomic practices, including nutrient and shade management, and postharvest processing technologies. The allotetraploid genome of C. arabica is influenced by homoeologous exchanges and subgenome-biased expression (such as decreased DXMT activity that reduces caffeine), which contribute to its complex flavor profile. Key lipid metabolism genes, particularly FADS2, play a critical role in regulating lipid metabolism. The effects of altitude (1600–2000 m) and shade influence various metabolic pathways. Cooler temperatures promote sugar accumulation, while excessive shading hinders carbon assimilation and the development of flavor precursors. Postharvest processing significantly influences flavor, where microbial or enzymatic treatments enhance sensory attributes. In addition, methods like natural, washed, or honey processing modulate various nonvolatile compounds, impacting lipid emulsification and aroma retention. Multi-omics analyses suggest that MYB proteins play a key role in regulating pathways involved in caffeine, chlorogenic acids, and terpenes. Effective hermetic packaging prevents oxidation, thereby preserving freshness. Overall, superior coffee quality stems from synergistic interactions across genetic, ecological, agronomic, and processing factors, highlighting the need for the development of an integrated strategy to support the sustainable production of premium coffee. Full article

The rhizosphere is a critical interface linking plants and soil; however, the mechanisms by which parasitic plants affect host growth through rhizosphere microecological changes remain unclear. This study systematically elucidates how Monochasma savatieri, a hemiparasitic plant, promotes blueberry growth by reshaping rhizosphere microecology. Pot experiments showed that parasitism significantly enhanced urease, sucrase, and soil nitrate reductase activities, improving organic matter decomposition and nutrient transformation efficiency. Concurrently, soil total nitrogen (TN), total phosphorus (TP), and total potassium (TK), along with alkali-hydrolyzable nitrogen (AN) and available potassium (AK), decreased, suggesting enhanced nutrient absorption by roots. At the microbial level, parasitism altered community composition and diversity, enriching functional taxa such as Nitrosomonas, OLB5, and Serendipita. Functionally, pathways related to stress resistance (necroptosis and glutamatergic synapses) were activated, whereas those linked to pathogen colonization (Pseudomonas aeruginosa biofilm formation and tryptophan metabolism) were suppressed. These modifications reduced harmful microbial competition, optimized nutrient cycling and signaling networks, and established a favorable rhizosphere microenvironment for root health. By integrating soil enzyme activity, nutrient dynamics, and microbial functions, M. savatieri systemically improves the rhizosphere microenvironment, ultimately enhancing blueberry growth. This study provides theoretical support for intercropping and management of parasitic plants with blueberries. Full article

Clubroot caused by Plasmodiophora brassicae is a devastating soil-borne disease of oilseed rape, and physiological race differentiation of the pathogen greatly hinders disease control. The differential regulatory mechanisms of different P. brassicae races on the rhizosphere microecology remain unclear. This study aimed to reveal the race-specific effects of P. brassicae on the rhizosphere microenvironment, microbial community and nitrogen cycling of oilseed rape. A pot inoculation experiment was conducted with two typical races from Sichuan Province (race 4 CZ and race 2 KD), combined with soil physicochemical determination, high-throughput sequencing and functional prediction. The results showed that CZ exhibited a higher infection rate but a lower disease index than KD. Both races significantly decreased soil pH and reshaped soil nutrient profiles. Notably, CZ treatment caused a more pronounced pH decrease and was characterized by NH₄⁺-N accumulation, whereas KD treatment was dominated by NO₃⁻-N enrichment. Bacterial alpha diversity was increased by both races, following the order KD > CZ > CK. In contrast, fungal alpha diversity was decreased by both races, showing the pattern CK > KD > CZ. Distinct rhizosphere microbial community structures were formed under different race infections, and both races reduced the abundance of nitrogen-fixing bacteria and related functional genes. These findings indicate that distinct P. brassicae races shape race-specific rhizosphere microenvironments by differentially regulating soil acidification, nutrient availability and nitrogen-cycling functional microorganisms, thereby driving divergent pathogenic outcomes. This study is the first to reveal differential regulation of the rhizosphere microecology by distinct physiological races of P. brassicae, offering new insights for region-specific management of clubroot disease. Full article

Cultivation of perennial mixtures has emerged as an efficient way to produce a large amount of forage, supporting a sustainable livestock industry. The stability and sustainability of forage production is largely controlled by soil health. However, variation in soil health in perennial mixtures still needs further investigation under diverse conditions. Clarifying the relationships between soil physicochemical properties and microbial community is of great importance in better understanding soil health in perennial cultivated grasslands. The effects of mixing combination of alfalfa with timothy or smooth bromegrass on soil health were evaluated through comparing soil nutrients, enzyme activities, microbial community, and forage yield in alfalfa–grass mixtures and corresponding monocultures after seven years of establishment. Mixtures significantly increased forage dry matter yield by 61.39% and 1188.29% in the alfalfa–timothy mixture compared with alfalfa and timothy monocultures, respectively, and by 54.36% and 736.38% in the alfalfa–smooth bromegrass mixture compared with alfalfa and smooth bromegrass monocultures, respectively. Mixtures enhanced soil organic carbon, total nitrogen, nitrate nitrogen and ammonium nitrogen contents, and urease activity, but reduced microbial alpha diversity. Beneficial taxa, such as Bacillus, Paenibacillus, and Mortierella, were enriched. Soil nitrate nitrogen was identified as a key driver influencing bacterial functional composition, while soil organic carbon, ammonium nitrogen, water, alkaline phosphatase, and sucrase exhibited significant effects on fungal functional composition. This study demonstrated that alfalfa–grass mixtures enhance system productivity by improving soil physicochemical properties and reconstructing soil microbial community. It provides a theoretical basis from the viewpoint of soil health for establishing and managing sustainable cultivated grasslands. Full article

Growers in the grain-producing continental cold desert and cold semiarid regions are interested in the local adaptation of winter malting barley (Hordeum vulgare) as a potential alternative crop to winter wheat (Triticum aestivum). Variety selection for specific environments is a critical first step in producing high yields of winter malting barley at the same production costs. Twenty-two winter malting barley entries were planted under irrigation in randomized complete blocks at New Mexico State University’s Agricultural Science Center at Farmington (cold desert; 3 replicates) and Rex E. Kirksey Agricultural Science Center at Tucumcari (cold semiarid; 4 replicates) in September 2023 and harvested for grain in July 2024. All entries at Tucumcari were heavily grazed by wildlife over winter, which may have influenced grain production of some varieties, although there was no site × cultivar interaction for grain yield, which ranged from 2558 to 4157 kg ha⁻¹. Irrigation and N fertilization differences between sites likely influenced (p < 0.0001) grain yield and grain protein (4421 and 2172 kg grain yield ha⁻¹ at Farmington and Tucumcari, respectively; 109 and 93 g grain protein kg⁻¹ at Farmington and Tucumcari, respectively). Future research in cold desert and semiarid regions should evaluate cultivar differences regarding irrigation and nutrient management. Full article

Background/Objectives: In recent years, the migrant population has been increasing. Migrants are at risk for malnutrition, mental disorders and related health problems. In this study, we aimed to examine the relationships among diet quality, eating behavior, posttraumatic stress disorders and sleep quality in Syrian migrants. Methods: This study included 78 female and 72 male Syrian adult migrants. The participants completed a questionnaire including demographic information, the Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index, the Posttraumatic Stress Disorder Short Scale, and a three-factor eating questionnaire. For the diet quality calculation, a 24 h retrospective food consumption record was taken. Results: A total of 94.0% of the participants had mild to moderate risk of posttraumatic stress disorder. It was determined that 90.7% of Syrian migrants had low or moderate diet quality. There was a positive correlation between the PTSD score and age (r = 0.244) and the Pittsburgh sleep quality index score (r = 0.244) and between the Pittsburgh sleep quality index score and uncontrolled eating (r = 0.171) (p < 0.05). The probability of impaired sleep quality increased in individuals with PTSD scores in the T2 (11–19 points) (OR: 1.342; 95% CI: 1.073–1.678) and T3 (20–31 points) (OR: 1.485; 95% CI:1.157–1.905) groups, whereas the probability of improved diet quality increased in individuals in the T2 (11–19 points) (OR: 1.042; 95% CI: 1.000–1.086) group. Conclusions: Poor diet quality, risk of posttraumatic stress disorder and poor sleep quality are very common among Syrian migrants. In this respect, evaluating Syrian migrants and taking necessary precautions may help reduce the risk of chronic diseases related to nutrient deficiencies and mental problems. There is a need for policies and programs to manage PTSD among Syrian refugees. Full article