Search Results (1,725)

Sweet potato (Ipomoea batatas (L.) Lam.) aerial biomass has potential as an alternative forage resource for ruminants in semi-arid regions; however, the fermentative behavior of different genotypes remains poorly understood. This study evaluated the fermentation profile, nutrient losses, and chemical composition of silages produced from the aerial parts of ten sweet potato accessions cultivated under agroecological conditions. Wilted biomass from each accession was pooled, homogenized, and ensiled in four mini-silos used as subsamples for fermentation characterization. Hierarchical clustering identified two distinct groups, indicating clear genotype-dependent variation in silage performance. Accessions BGH-UNIVASF 8 and 16 showed superior fermentation efficiency, characterized by greater dry matter recovery, lower effluent and gas losses, and more stable fermentation profiles. In contrast, several high-yielding accessions exhibited greater fermentation losses, indicating a trade-off between biomass productivity and preservation efficiency. Total digestible nutrients varied among accessions but were not consistently associated with fermentation quality. Overall, the results demonstrate that silage quality in sweet potato is strongly genotype-dependent and highlight the importance of integrating agronomic, nutritional, and fermentative traits when selecting accessions for silage production under semi-arid conditions. Full article

Agriophyllum squarrosum (L.) Moq. (sand rice) is a drought-tolerant psammophytic species with high potential as a climate-resilient food crop due to its nutritional value and adaptation to arid environments. This study evaluates morphometric and biochemical variation in seeds from five natural populations across the deserts of Kazakhstan to assess their breeding potential. Seed morphometric traits showed moderate variability (CVs of 4.71–17.98%), with strong positive correlations among seed length, width, and thousand-seed weight, indicating coordinated development. In contrast, biochemical traits, particularly amino acid composition, exhibited substantially higher variability (CV up to 174.9%), reflecting metabolic flexibility under different environmental conditions. Among the amino acids reliably quantified in this study, histidine was the most abundant, while cysteine, tyrosine, and alanine showed high variability. Total protein content remained relatively stable, reaching up to 34.96% in superior accessions. Multivariate analyses revealed significant population differentiation: Akt1 was the most distinct, whereas Alm1 exhibited superior seed size and mass. Weak correlations between morphometric and biochemical traits suggest their partial independence. Integrated multivariate evaluation identified Akt2 and Alm1 as the most promising populations for breeding. Overall, the observed variation highlights strong potential to select genotypes that combine improved seed size with favorable biochemical characteristics, based on the five amino acids quantified above the LOQ, thereby supporting breeding and domestication efforts. Full article

Background/Objectives: Sex estimation is a cornerstone of research and practice in bioarchaeology and forensic anthropology. However, morphological and metric methods are often hampered by population-specific variation, subjectivity in assessment, and taphonomy. This study compares morphological analysis and ancient DNA (aDNA)-based sex assessment in a 19th-century Portuguese sample to evaluate the accuracy of osteological (anthropological) criteria. Methods: This study analysed 37 skeletons from the Venerável Ordem Terceira da Nossa Senhora do Carmo burial grounds in Porto. Sex estimation was based on (1) the bioanthropological assessment of morphological traits of the os coxae and the skull (2) through aDNA analysis using a multi-marker approach, including real-time PCR (qPCR) targeting autosomal loci, the amelogenin locus, a Y-chromosomal INDEL, and Y-STRs. aDNA was extracted via a non-destructive protocol. Results: Whilst anthropological analysis was possible on all 37 individuals, estimation of sex through aDNA analysis was possible for 26 individuals. A 20% discordance rate was found between morphological and aDNA results. Many individuals morphologically classified as “possible female” or “indeterminate” were genetically identified as male. Genetic analysis resolved most cases that biological anthropologists concluded were “indeterminate”. Conclusions: The high discordance in the Carmo sub-sample may indicate reduced skeletal sexual dimorphism, with males exhibiting skeletal traits typically associated with females, suggesting a sample-specific reduction in sexual dimorphism likely influenced by environmental, nutritional, and/or genetic stressors. A limitation of this study is its small sample size: only 26 of 37 individuals yielded usable genetic results, and only a portion of these individuals provided sufficient data for a direct comparison between morphological and genetic data. Nevertheless, these findings highlight the risk that applying generalised osteological standards relying solely on morphology can lead to systematic misclassification, emphasising the need for a critical, multidisciplinary approach to sex estimation. Full article

Purple basil (Ocimum basilicum L.) is a medicinal plant widely recognized for its richness in bioactive compounds; however, its production in semi-arid regions is often constrained by soil and/or irrigation water salinity. Micronutrient fertilization may contribute to plant stress alleviation under salinity, since elements such as Mn, Mo, and Zn are involved in essential processes related to photosynthetic metabolism and physiological adjustment. This study aimed to evaluate the short-term effects of Mn, Mo, Zn, and their combinations on growth, gas exchange, and relative chlorophyll indices of purple basil plants subjected to severe NaCl stress under greenhouse conditions. The experiment was conducted under greenhouse conditions for 30 days in a randomized block design with nine treatments and four replicates: a non-saline control without micronutrients, a saline control without micronutrients, and plants exposed to 100 mM NaCl with substrate application of Mn, Mo, Zn, MoMn, ZnMo, ZnMn, or ZnMoMn. Micronutrient sources were applied to the substrate at 3.5 g kg⁻¹ according to each treatment. Fertilization with Mn, Mo, Zn, and their combinations enhanced plant stress alleviation under salinity compared with the saline control without micronutrients, with positive responses in growth and physiological performance, including increases in chlorophyll indices. The double combinations MoMn, ZnMo, and ZnMn attenuated the effects of NaCl, especially by increasing leaf area. Mn stood out for increasing net photosynthesis and water-use efficiency, whereas Mo and ZnMo were associated with higher relative chlorophyll indices. Although the triple combination ZnMoMn improved some traits compared with the saline control, its lower efficacy relative to selected single or double applications may indicate that the simultaneous supply of the three elements reduced specific synergistic effects, possibly due to nutritional imbalance or antagonistic interactions among micronutrients under severe salinity. Overall, micronutrient fertilization, particularly through specific double combinations, may contribute to short-term mitigation of NaCl-induced stress responses under controlled greenhouse conditions. Full article

Eating behavior and eating habits are shaped from the earliest stages of life through interactions among biological, familial, social, and environmental factors. The aim of this narrative review is to integrate evidence on the early-life determinants of eating behavior and their influence on dietary intake from infancy to adolescence. A narrative review was conducted with a structured search approach prioritized on longitudinal studies, intervention trials, and policy evaluations when available, and using cross-sectional evidence mainly to describe patterns and sociodemographic factors. Synthesizing the current evidence, our framework proposes that breastfeeding, responsive complementary feeding, and self-regulatory parenting are associated with higher responsiveness to internal hunger, satiety cues, and preference for nutrient-dense foods. Conversely, coercive practices, early exposure to highly palatable foods, and the influence of food marketing are linked to dominant hedonic responses and impulsive consumption patterns. Furthermore, family environments characterized by stress or food insecurity, together with high access to low-nutrient foods, may increase vulnerability to poor eating habits and emotional eating during adolescence. Overall, the evidence highlights the need for preventive interventions that integrate parenting support, school food education, digital marketing regulation policies, and the promotion of healthy food environments across multiple sectors. Understanding the biological, psychological, and social factors linking early determinants to dietary intake and eating behaviors across development is essential for promoting a balanced relationship with food and preventing chronic diseases from an early age. Full article

This study evaluated the effects of maternal overfeeding during mid-to-late gestation on maternal productivity, metabolic status, reproductive recovery, and calf performance in Hanwoo cattle using conventional statistics and machine learning (ML) approaches. A total of 243 pregnant cows were assigned to either a control group or an overfeeding group from gestation day 90 to parturition. The overfeeding treatment increased nutrient supply to approximately 140–145% of the control level. Maternal body weight (BW), body condition score (BCS), serum metabolites, and reproductive traits were evaluated throughout gestation and postpartum, while calf growth, morphometrics, and metabolic traits were assessed at birth and weaning. Calves were further classified into growth- or meat-quality-oriented genotypes using SNP-based profiling. Overfeeding increased maternal BW gain and BCS during gestation and reduced circulating non-esterified fatty acid concentrations, indicating improved maternal energy status. However, overfed cows showed a longer interval to postpartum estrus return. Calf birth weight was not significantly affected by maternal overfeeding, whereas calf growth and morphometric traits at weaning were more strongly influenced by parity, sex, and genotype. Machine learning models identified gestational BW, metabolic indicators, calf feed intake, and genotype as major predictors of maternal and calf outcomes, with random forest and XGBoost showing superior predictive performance compared with linear models. These findings suggest that parity- and genotype-informed nutritional management combined with ML-based prediction may support precision feeding strategies in beef cattle production systems. Full article

Armillaria is a genus of macrofungi with high ecological, biological, medicinal, and edible value. As facultative plant pathogens and nutritional symbionts, Armillaria species support the growth of valuable medicinal plants including Gastrodia elata and Polyporus umbellatus. They also exhibit unique traits such as exceptional longevity, widespread clonal expansion, rhizomorph formation, and bioluminescence, making them a valuable model for studying fungal ecology, symbiosis, specialized metabolism, and applied research. This review summarizes recent progress in Armillaria research, covering biological characteristics, nutritional components, bioactive constituents, species identification, genomic resources, and biosynthetic pathways. We discuss advances in artificial cultivation and the regulatory roles of exogenous phytohormones in mycelial and rhizomorph development. The nutritional value of fruiting bodies is highlighted, with a focus on key pharmacologically active metabolites such as protoilludane-type sesquiterpenes and polysaccharides. We also review multilocus phylogenetic analysis, comparative genomics, and the biosynthetic gene clusters of melleolides and bioluminescence, which have improved understanding of Armillaria evolution and functional differentiation. Full article

Light availability in tropical forests varies spatially and temporally, strongly influencing plant acclimation. Understanding variation and covariation among functional traits associated with photoacclimation is essential for predicting plant responses to environmental change. Here, we investigated acclimatory responses of Schinus terebinthifolia Raddi (Anacardiaceae), a widespread Neotropical species adapted to heterogeneous light environments. We evaluated variation and covariation in morphological, anatomical, physiological, and nutritional traits under contrasting light conditions. Under high light, plants invested more resources in palisade parenchyma and subepidermal layers while maintaining water-use efficiency, indicated by higher δ¹³C values. Irregular adaxial cuticles and unstacked thylakoid membranes were also observed under high irradiance. The strongest covariation occurred among anatomical traits, especially spongy parenchyma and adaxial and abaxial cuticles. Overall, the relationship between trait variation and covariation was slightly negative but not significant, although patterns differed among functional groups. These findings demonstrate that photoacclimation in S. terebinthifolia involves coordinated functional strategies that optimize light modulation, water conservation, and photosystem II performance under variable tropical light environments. Full article

Blueberry fruit quality is characterized by multi-dimensional traits such as color, sugar-acid flavor, and volatile aroma. However, variations in progeny metabolites during seedling selection need further study. This research used the blueberry variety ‘Baldwin’ (BW) and its seedling offspring (BWSO) to compare fruit appearance, as well as sugar and acid components, anthocyanin monomers, and volatile metabolites. High-performance liquid chromatography was used to analyze anthocyanins, sugars, and acids, and gas chromatography–mass spectrometry was used to analyze volatile compounds. The results showed that, compared with BW, BWSO had a blacker skin and a lower L* value. Its total anthocyanin content increased by 35.90%, with delphinidin increasing the most (52.70%); component ratios were reconstructed. The main organic acids in BWSO decreased; titratable acid dropped by 29.82%, and the total soluble solids–acid ratio rose by 37.49%, indicating a good low-acid, high-sugar flavor. Forty-three differential volatile metabolites were found, and BWSO differed from BW in its green, fruity, and floral flavors. Notably, BWSO’s vitamin C (Vc) content decreased by 70.45% compared to BW, and Vc was negatively correlated with anthocyanin components. In conclusion, BWSO exhibits a black phenotype due to elevated total anthocyanins and restructured component ratios. Its low-acid trait yields better taste, but the antagonism between anthocyanin and Vc means balanced nutritional quality selection is crucial in dark-blueberry breeding. These findings offer new insights into the mechanism of color variation and provide a reference for balanced quality trait selection in seedling selection. Full article

Fish represent the most species-rich group within the phylum Chordata, possessing exceptional nutritional and ornamental value. Global aquaculture, particularly finfish farming, is experiencing rapid expansion worldwide, and fish serve as crucial model organisms for vertebrate developmental biology and functional genomics research. However, traditional breeding methods are plagued by limitations such as low precision and lengthy breeding cycles. Currently, gene editing technologies represented by the CRISPR/Cas system, base editing, and prime editing have provided revolutionary tools for dissecting gene function, modeling human diseases, targeted trait improvement, and ecological adaptation studies. This review describes the evolutionary history of gene editing technology, compares gene delivery strategies in fish embryos, and highlights landmark applications in key areas, including gene function research, aquaculture breeding, ornamental fish coloration regulation, and human disease model construction. Finally, we propose that innovation should be pursued while ensuring biosafety and regulatory compliance, to promote the transformation of fish gene editing toward large-scale and safe application. Full article

Red deer meat represents a sustainable and nutritious alternative to conventional meats, owing to its favourable nutritional profile, and extensive farming practices. The post-rut period is a physiologically demanding phase, particularly for stags, due to energy depletion associated with the mating season. This study evaluated the effects of feed supplementation during the post-rut period on physicochemical, technological and sensory properties of meat from farmed red deer. Meat samples from 22 farmed red deer (11 hinds and 11 stags) were collected from two supplemented groups (n = 8 each; 4 male + 4 female) and a control group (n = 6; 3 male + 3 female). The longissimus thoracis et lumborum (LTL) and semimembranosus (SM) muscles were analysed. Supplementation was applied for 60 days during the post-rut period and consisted of protein-rich and phytogenic feed mixtures containing alfalfa, oat protein, herbs and plant-based additives. Muscle type, sex and supplementation significantly affected meat quality (p ≤ 0.05). After ageing, pH values were lower in stags than in hinds, particularly in control and group II animals (5.43 vs. 5.55, p < 0.05), whereas supplemented group I showed greater pH stability. Shear force values were influenced by muscle type × feeding group interaction, with the lowest values observed in SM muscle from group II (15.94 N). Protein content was significantly affected by supplementation, sex and muscle type (p < 0.01), with the highest values generally observed in supplemented stags, particularly in the LTL muscle. Supplemented groups also exhibited more favourable selected sensory attributes, including lower livery flavour intensity and reduced hardness scores (p ≤ 0.05), although overall sensory quality did not differ significantly between groups. These findings suggest that targeted feed supplementation during the post-rut period may influence selected physicochemical, technological and sensory traits of venison, with some responses being more pronounced in stags. Full article

Tomato (Solanum lycopersicum L.) is a globally important vegetable crop and a major dietary source of bioactive compounds, including lycopene, ascorbic acid, phenolics, and minerals. Modern tomato breeding has substantially improved yield, uniformity, and postharvest performance; however, these gains have often been accompanied by reduced flavor quality, lower nutritional value, and narrowing of the genetic base. This review synthesizes available evidence on Lithuanian tomato germplasm and evaluates its relevance for future breeding strategies aimed at enhancing genetic gain under Northern European conditions. The review integrates published data on genetic diversity, molecular characterization, morphological traits, fruit quality parameters, and yield performance of Lithuanian cultivars and hybrids developed in Lithuania. SSR-based studies indicate moderate genetic diversity, with mean expected heterozygosity of approximately 0.51 and mean PIC values of 0.47 in cultivars and 0.45 in hybrids, while also confirming a relatively narrow breeding pool. Lithuanian cultivars display substantial variation in fruit morphology, dry matter, soluble solids, firmness, lycopene, ascorbic acid, and yield. Traditional cultivars such as ‘Svara’, ‘Milžinai’, ‘Slapukai’, and ‘Balčiai’ show valuable nutritional and technological traits, whereas hybrids such as ‘Auksiai H’, ‘Adas H’, and ‘Ainiai H’ demonstrate improved productivity and firmness. The available evidence suggests persistent yield–quality trade-offs, particularly between productivity, soluble solids content, antioxidant accumulation, and postharvest performance. Although Lithuanian germplasm does not represent exceptionally broad genetic diversity, it contains regionally adapted material with stabilized trait combinations useful for breeding resilience, nutritional quality, and adaptation to temperate environments. Future progress will require broadening the genetic base and integrating traditional breeding with marker-assisted selection, genomic selection, GWAS, genome editing, multi-omics, and pangenomic approaches. Overall, Lithuanian tomato germplasm represents a locally adapted regional resource for translating genetic diversity into genetic gain in modern tomato breeding. Full article

Optimizing speed breeding protocols for biennial crops requires matching the vernalization regime with the genetic background. In this study, nine sugar beet genotypes were exposed to 12, 13, 14 or 15 weeks of vernalization and subsequently grown under controlled speed breeding conditions. Survival analysis revealed a threshold-like acceleration of bolting and flowering: 12 and 13 weeks were largely equivalent, whereas 14–15 weeks sharply increased the bolting and flowering hazard rates. Genotypic variation strongly influenced reproductive success and seed yield traits; genotype MARGARITA KWS combined early flowering with the highest seed number (361 seeds per plant) and total seed weight (5.26 g), while genotype 1K073 did not flower under any vernalization duration. A separate mini-steckling root architecture experiment with 11 genotypes showed that slow-release Osmocote fertilizer significantly increased mini-steckling fresh weight, length and width, with the strongest responses in genotypes 1K073, 1K139 and SMART LIENNA KWS. The interaction between genotype and nutrition was significant for mini-steckling fresh weight and width, indicating that optimal nutrition can modulate the expression of genotypic differences. Multivariate analyses (PCA, CVA, Mahalanobis distances) confirmed that vernalization duration had a threshold-type effect and that genotype was the dominant factor for seed traits, whereas nutrition was the main driver of mini-steckling architecture. Overall, these findings suggest that tailoring vernalization duration and nutrition to the genetic background may substantially improve the efficiency of sugar beet speed breeding. Full article

As the direct biosynthetic precursor of creatine, guanidinoacetic acid (GAA) exerts a pivotal regulatory role in energy homeostasis and protein metabolism. Rabbit meat has garnered increasing global recognition as a healthy food source, characterized by its outstanding high-protein and low-fat nutritional profile. Accordingly, the optimization of rabbit meat quality has attracted growing attention from both consumers and animal production practitioners. In the present study, we evaluated the impacts of dietary GAA supplementation on meat quality traits, in vivo antioxidant capacity, muscle fiber characteristics, and fatty acid metabolism in New Zealand white rabbits. A total of 960 male New Zealand white rabbits were assigned to two age groups: 40-day-old group and 60-day-old group (40 ± 2 days, 1.19 ± 0.09 kg; 60 ± 2 days, 1.82 ± 0.15 kg). Within each age group, rabbits were randomly allocated to a control diet or a diet supplemented with 100 mg/kg GAA (CON-40, GAA-40, CON-60, GAA-60). After a 45-day feeding period, two-way ANOVA revealed that GAA supplementation significantly reduced shear force (p < 0.01, diet main effect) and muscle fiber density (p < 0.01, diet main effect), with an age-dependent effect on shear force (age × diet interaction, p < 0.05). Moreover, GAA enhanced systemic antioxidant capacity, as indicated by increased serum superoxide dismutase (SOD) activity (p < 0.01) and total antioxidant capacity (T-AOC) (p < 0.05), while no significant effect on malondialdehyde (MDA) was detected under the current experimental conditions. GAA also regulated the expression of lipid metabolism-related genes (FAS, HSL, ACC) in intramuscular and perirenal fat, indicating its regulatory effect on fatty acid metabolism. In conclusion, dietary GAA supplementation improves rabbit meat tenderness and antioxidant capacity, with no negative effects on growth performance. These findings confirm that GAA has the potential to serve as a nutritional strategy to improve rabbit meat quality, supporting the development of rabbit meat as a functional food for human consumption. Full article

Genetically modified (GM) plants have revolutionized agriculture for more than three decades. The production of a GM plants is a complex, multi-stage process. Several key methods are available for generating GM plants. The choice of transformation method depends on the type of plant (dicotyledonous or monocotyledonous), the objective (large-scale production versus studying a specific gene in particular cells or tissues), and whether stable or transient transformation is desired. Following successful transformation, the next step is the regeneration of a whole plant from a single cell in tissue culture, which is a labor-intensive and time-consuming process. Currently, numerous genes that confer desirable traits have been identified. These traits include stress tolerance, herbicide and pest resistance, and improved consumer qualities (such as flavor, appearance, shelf life, and nutritional value). In this review, we describe the main methods for producing GM plants and provide examples of trait genes utilized in agricultural biotechnology. Despite the fact that GM plants represent one of the most significant biotechnological advances, they also remain among the most contentious issues in contemporary food safety and agricultural policy. Here, we discuss the advantages and disadvantages of using GM plants for humans. Full article