Search Results (184)

Sandy calcareous soils in arid regions suffer from low phosphorus (P) availability due to high fixation rates, limiting crop productivity. This study investigates a novel hybrid smart fertilizer (BN) composed of olive pomace biochar (BC) and nano-hydroxyapatite (nHAP). BN was synthesized and characterized using XRD, FTIR, SEM/TEM, and zeta potential analysis. Its P release kinetics were modeled, and its agronomic performance was assessed on faba bean (Vicia faba L.) in a pot experiment under sandy soil conditions with and without wood vinegar (WV). The 1:1 BC:nHAP formulation showed a two-stage release profile: a rapid initial burst (Higuchi model, R² = 0.86) followed by sustained zero-order release (R² = 0.80). In the pot experiment, BN combined with WV significantly increased plant height by 36%, shoot fresh weight by 232%, and available soil P by 39% compared to conventional SSP (p < 0.05). This synergistic treatment also improved root nodulation and nutrient (N, P, K) uptake. The BC-nHAP hybrid coupled with WV acts as an efficient P delivery system, improving soil fertility in arid environments based on circular economy principles, aligning with SDGs 2, 12, and 15. Full article

Olive groves in Mediterranean regions are being increasingly exposed to drought and heat extremes, intensifying the interannual yield variability. This study presents an integrated smart-farming framework that links soil context, climate forcing and satellite-observed canopy dynamics to enhance the interpretability and transferability of yield indicators at the parcel scale in southern Spain. Using SoilGrids root-zone properties and the Sentinel-2 time series of the normalized difference vegetation index (NDVI), we first classified parcels into three edaphic clusters. The canopy development was then expressed in thermal time using growing degree days (GDD), enabling phenology-aligned comparisons across campaigns. Two robust patterns emerged: (i) the cumulative NDVI up to 520 GDD showed a consistent negative association with both the biomass and the oil yield, suggesting an early-season vegetation trade-off and carry-over effects typical of perennial systems, and (ii) the rainfall accumulated during a thermally defined window (120–480 GDD) strongly estimated the yield in the subsequent year ($R^2=0.83$–0.97 across soil clusters). By anchoring both vegetation and precipitation indicators to physiologically meaningful thermal milestones, the proposed framework avoids arbitrary calendar windows and enhances the interpretability, cross-year comparability, and scalability. Under projected increases in drought frequency and heat extremes, such hydro-thermal scaling approaches offer a robust basis for early yield forecasting, cooperative-level production planning, and adaptive management in Mediterranean olive systems. Full article

Unmanned Aerial Vehicle (UAV) imagery has become an important tool for erosion monitoring, but little is known about its application in Mediterranean agricultural systems such as vineyards and olive groves. In this study, drone flights were conducted in vineyards and olive groves where mulch and biochar treatments had been applied. Digital terrain models (DTMs) and orthomosaics were constructed using a photogrammetry workflow, and model error was determined via global positioning system (GPS) transects. Erosion was assessed using Digital elevation models of Difference (DoD) and compared with field-based erosion plot measurements. Explanatory variables for erosion (soil roughness, slope length, steepness, vegetation cover) were derived from DTMs and orthomosaics and were evaluated in a multiple linear regression model. Although direct measurement of erosion from the DoDs was difficult, this was primarily influenced by the unexpectedly low erosion rates during the study period, and the high root mean square error (RMSE) of the DTMs. Significant differences in DTM-derived variables were found between study areas, and especially between areas with organic and integrated management, even though treatments showed similar patterns. The multiple linear regression model demonstrated strong explanatory power, accounting for a large part of the variation in measured erosion using the UAV-derived variables (R² = 0.81). Slope and slope length were the most important predictors of erosion together with the interaction between these two variables. The results suggest that soil erosion in the study areas was mostly determined by topographic and management factors, rather than the applied treatments. This study highlights the value of UAV imagery in advancing the understanding of erosion processes in Mediterranean agricultural systems, while also identifying the challenge of accurately measuring erosion from DoDs under conditions of low erosion rates. Full article

Background: The root of Schisandra propinqua (Wall.) Baill. var. sinensis Oliv is a traditional ethnomedicine in China; it was widely used to treat abscesses, sores, carbuncles, rheumatism, and so on. The purpose of this study was to elucidate the bacteriostatic mechanism of the ethyl acetate extract from the root of Schisandra propinqua (Wall.) Baill. var. Sinensis Oliv (Xiao Xue Teng) against Staphylococcus aureus ATCC 25923 (S. aureus ATCC 25923). Methods: Bioactive bacteriostatic constituents in Xiao Xue Teng were identified through Hybrid Quadrupole-TOF LC/MS/MS. The minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) of Xiao Xue Teng against S. aureus ATCC 25923 was determined using the microbroth dilution method. A time–kill curve analysis was used to evaluate the bacteriostatic effects. SDS-PAGE coupled with nano-liquid NanoLC-ESI-MS/MS, real-time PCR, and scanning electron microscopy (SEM) was used to study the bacteriostatic mechanism of Xiao Xue Teng against S. aureus ATCC 25923. Results: The MIC of Xiao Xue Teng against S. aureus ATCC 25923 was determined to be 15.625 µg/mL. The translation initiation factor (IF-2) and elongation factor (EF-Tu) were significantly decreased in S. aureus ATCC 25923 after treatment with Xiao Xue Teng, while the proteins SodA and AhpC were obviously increased. The intracellular levels of total reactive oxygen species (ROS) and hydrogen peroxide (H₂O₂) were significantly increased (p < 0.01) after the treatment with Xiao Xue Teng. Concurrently, the activities of SOD, CAT and GSH-Px were significantly increased (p < 0.01). Moreover, cellular swelling and shrinkage were observed using SEM. Conclusions: The bacteriostatic mechanism of Xiao Xue Teng against S. aureus ATCC 25923 was related to eliciting oxidative stress, inhibiting protein synthesis and enhancing cytoplasmic membrane permeability. Full article

Objective: This systematic review aimed to evaluate material-based modifications of resorbable root canal filling materials for primary teeth, assessing how compositional changes—including bioactive additives, antimicrobial agents, and alternative base matrices—influence antimicrobial performance. Methods: A systematic search of PubMed, Scopus, Web of Science (WoS), and Embase was performed in October 2025. Search terms included (primary teeth OR deciduous teeth) AND (root canal filling materials OR root canal filling OR canal obturation) AND (antibacterial agents OR antibacterial OR antimicrobial). Study selection adhered to PRISMA 2020 standards and was systematically organized through the PICO framework. From 199 identified records, 18 studies met the eligibility criteria. Results: Most studies evaluated modified zinc oxide-based materials. Additives such as propolis, Morinda citrifolia extract, Aloe vera, and olive oil enhanced antimicrobial activity or improved clinical and radiographic outcomes compared with conventional zinc oxide–eugenol. Triclosan-containing formulations consistently demonstrated strong antibacterial effects. In contrast, chlorhexidine yielded variable results, with some calcium hydroxide–based pastes showing superior performance in its absence. Antibiotic-enriched materials exhibited high antimicrobial efficacy; however, several studies raised concerns regarding the potential development of bacterial resistance. Conclusions: Most of the introduced modifications of resorbable root canal filling materials for primary teeth enhance antimicrobial activity and their physicochemical properties in vitro. Clinical evidence is limited and heterogeneous, and therefore, its superiority over conventional materials cannot be definitively determined. Further long-term, randomized clinical trials on large patient groups, evaluating the same modifications, are needed to confirm the effects observed in laboratory studies. Full article

Hydraulic redistribution (HR) in plants facilitates bidirectional water transport through the vascular system in response to soil water potential gradients, with implications for ecological facilitation. This study aimed to evaluate the efficacy and results obtained with high-precision weighing lysimeters in detecting HR in olive (Olea europaea L.) using a split-root experimental setup with potted trees. Sixteen pots, each containing half of a plant’s root system, were independently monitored for mass changes to quantify HR between irrigated and water-stressed compartments. The independent weighing of each pair of linked pots was a challenge, but the purpose-built precision lysimeter array effectively isolated weights despite mechanical connections between pot pairs. Results demonstrated measurable water redistribution via roots from irrigated to dry pots, with mass transfer from the irrigated side to the non-irrigated side of the plants, between 10 and 70 g. After irrigation, non-irrigated pots received by HR on average between 3 and 12% of the irrigation water applied in irrigated pots. This furthermore highlighted the potential of the lysimeters for precise quantification of plant-mediated water dynamics. It was observed that HR intensity peaked shortly after irrigation, some hours to one day, and diminished over time, with higher intensity during nocturnal periods or cloudy humid daily conditions of negligible or null evapotranspiration. These findings confirm previous observations with reverse sap flow sensors, now with a different experimental approach, which appears precise but only possible for potted plants, allowing further understanding of HR. Full article

This study investigated land degradation sensitivity in Southern Tunisia’s Jeffara region and examined the effectiveness of water harvesting techniques (WHTs) as countermeasures. Land Degradation Sensitivity Index was calculated using a modified MEDALUS framework, in which thematic quality indices were derived from normalized indicators (climate, soil, vegetation, and management) and combined through a geometric mean within a GIS environment. The model is validated with field observations. The research found that almost the entire study area (≈99%) was classified as critically sensitive under the baseline scenario. Contributing factors include extreme aridity, limited vegetation cover, significant soil erosion, and human pressures. The most severely degraded areas are found in mountainous zones, desert plains, and mining areas, whereas regions dominated by olive orchards showed moderate sensitivity levels. This lower sensitivity is associated with the drought tolerance and deep root systems of olive trees, which enhance resistance to prolonged dry periods. This study modeled the impact of implementing traditional WHTs, notably Jessour and Tabias. Under this scenario, a clear qualitative improvement was observed, with the proportion of land classified as critical decreasing from 99% to 77.3%, indicating a measurable reduction in land degradation sensitivity associated with the implementation of WHTs. Despite their environmental benefits, such as enhancing soil moisture and stabilizing agricultural yields, the spatial expansion of WHTs remains limited. Full article

In Brazil, the olive tree (Olea europaea) is propagated by cuttings using indole-3-butyric acid (IBA) for rooting and sand as the substrate. Auxin-producing microorganisms may enhance this process when applied together with IBA. This study evaluated the rooting capacity of cuttings from four olive cultivars—Arbequina, Maria da Fé, Ascolano 315, and Koroneiki—treated with commercial products based on microorganisms, plus IBA. The biostimulants used were Bacillus amyloliquefaciens, Bacillus licheniformis, Bacillus subtilis, Trichoderma harzianum, and the commercial product Bioraiz^® (a mixed mineral fertilizer) in liquid formulation. Trichoderma harzianum and Bacillus spp. improved the quality of rooted cuttings, promoting the formation of more roots per cutting (about 10) and longer roots, on average of 8.1 cm in the cultivars Maria da Fé, Ascolano 315, and Arbequina. Cuttings treated with Trichoderma harzianum, Bacillus subtilis, and Bacillus licheniformis produced higher percentages of rooted cuttings, over 50%, and more developed root systems. Conversely, the control and Bioraiz^® showed weaker rooting performance, producing fewer than seven roots per cutting. Overall, the results highlight the potential of biostimulant applications, such as Trichoderma and Bacillus subtilis, as promising tools to optimize the rooting of olive tree cuttings, whereas the fertilizer showed limited effectiveness in promoting rooting. Full article

Wastewater from food processing industries contains synthetic dyes and preservatives that may pose phytotoxic and genotoxic risks. The present work represents an exploratory study based on a wastewater source and sampling period. Wastewater was characterized by physicochemical analysis and high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC). Onion seeds and bulbs were exposed to 0% (control), 20%, 40%, 60%, 80%, and 100% wastewater dilution. DNA was extracted from root cells using the cetyltrimethylammonium bromide (CTAB) method. The DNA damage was analyzed by the comet assay. HPLC analysis confirmed the presence of sorbic acid, citric acid, benzoic acid, butylated hydroxyanisole (BHA), and butylated Hydroxytoluene (BHT) by showing corresponding peaks. The mean root length in wastewater was significantly reduced by 55%, 50%, and 65% on days 3, 5, and 7, respectively, relative to the control. On day 3, the highest genotoxicity at 100% wastewater was indicated by 96.69% tail DNA, a tail moment of 108.3 a.u., an Olive tail moment of 58.01 a.u., and a comet length of 136 µm. Enhanced DNA damage persisted on days 5 and 7, with comet lengths reaching 127–149 µm and 111–182 µm, respectively. Although the observed effects may reflect general cytotoxicity arising from a complex wastewater mixture and showed that untreated food processing wastewater presents a significant genotoxic risk and requires effective treatment prior to reuse. Full article

This study provides a comprehensive and refined framework for the micropropagation of the critically endangered Greek endemic Silene conglomeratica. Using a limited seed stock, a reliable in vitro propagation protocol was developed, supporting both ex situ conservation and potential commercial applications in floriculture and landscape architecture. Nodal explants excised from aseptic seedlings, established on half-strength Murashige and Skoog (MS) medium, were successfully used for culture initiation. Supplementation with 1.0 mg L⁻¹ meta-topolin (mT) and 0.2 mg L⁻¹ 1-naphthaleneacetic acid (NAA) promoted shoot proliferation. Subsequent subculturing on half-strength Rugini Olive Medium (OM/2) supplemented with 0.5 mg L⁻¹ 2-isopentenyladenine (2iP) resulted in high multiplication rates and a high frequency of spontaneous rooting. Rooting initiation was further optimized using OM/2 supplemented with 0.5 mg L⁻¹ indole-3-butyric acid (IBA). The high acclimatization percentage (80%) confirms the feasibility of this protocol for ex situ conservation and highlights its applicability for nursery production and specialized landscape use. Overall, this study contributes an efficient and scalable propagation strategy that supports both the conservation and sustainable utilization of this valuable endemic species. Future work should focus on refining these protocols through more targeted testing of concentrations and alternative combinations of growth regulators and nutrient compositions. Full article

The foliar application of various biostimulants, such as protein hydrolysates (PHs), has been associated with improved nutrient uptake efficiency and stress tolerance in perennial crops, like olive (Olea europaea L.). In this study, PHs obtained by enzymatic hydrolysis by Alcalase Pure (referred to as treatment H1), Alcalase Pure and Flavourzyme (referred to as treatment H2), or Alcalase Pure and Protana™ Prime (referred to as treatment H3) with proteins from pumpkin seed cake were tested for their potential beneficial growth, performance, and nutrition effects in one-year-old olive seedlings grown under controlled conditions. Amino acid and element compositions were evaluated in the PHs, which were used for foliar application six times at eight-day intervals. Control (C) plants were treated the same way, but without PHs. Shoot and root growth, leaf reflectance indices, and the composition of micro and macronutrients in different organs and leaf tissues were determined. Plants in the H2 treatment grew significantly better than C plants. They had the highest Photochemical Reflectance Index and a Chlorophyll-Normalized Difference Vegetation Index similar to that of C plants, indicating an optimal growth/photosynthesis balance. A decrease in the concentration of several mineral elements in the lower epidermis in H2- and H3-treated plants compared to C and H1-treated plants was accompanied by their increase in the spongy mesophyll, indicating their redistribution to support increased metabolism, resulting in increased shoot growth in these two treatments. Arguably, these observed effects could be attributed to the amino acid profile of the H2 mixture, which had the highest concentration of L-proline, L-arginine, and L-lysine among the three PH mixtures, and a higher L-asparagine concentration than the H1 mixture. Overall, the results highlight the applicative potential of tailored PH formulations for the optimization of growth, mineral element composition, and physiological performance in olive cultivation. Full article

We aimed to establish a rapid and precise method for identifying and quantifying multi-species vegetable oil (corn oil, olive oil (OLO), soybean oil, and sunflower oil (SUO)) adulterations in camellia oil (CAO), using soft ionization by chemical reaction in transfer–high-resolution mass spectrometry (SICRIT-HRMS) and machine learning methods. The results showed that SICRIT-HRMS could effectively characterize the volatile profiles of pure and adulterated CAO samples, including binary, ternary, quaternary, and quinary adulteration systems. The low m/z region (especially 100–300) exhibited importance to oil classification in multiple feature-selection methods. For qualitative detection, binary classification models based on convolutional neural networks (CNN), Random Forest (RF), and gradient boosting trees (GBT) algorithms showed high accuracies (98.70–100.00%) for identifying CAO adulteration under no dimensionality reduction (NON), principal component analysis (PCA), and uniform manifold approximation and projection (UMAP) strategies. The RF algorithm exhibited relatively high accuracy (96.25–99.45%) in multiclass classification. Moreover, the five models, including CNN, RF, support vector machines (SVM), logistic regression (LR), and GBT, exhibited different performances in distinguishing pure and adulterated CAO. Among 1093 blind oil samples, under NON, PCA, and UMAP: 10, 5, and 67 samples were misclassified by CNN model; 6, 7, and 41 samples were misclassified by RF model; 8, 9, and 82 samples were misclassified by SVM model; 17, 18, and 78 samples were misclassified by LR model; 7, 9, and 43 samples were misclassified by GBT model. For quantitative prediction, the PCA-CNN model performed optimally in predicting adulteration levels in CAO, especially with respect to OLO and SUO, exhibiting a high coefficient of determination for calibration ($R_C^2$, 0.9664–0.9974) and coefficient of determination for prediction ($R_p^2$, 0.9599–0.9963) values, low root mean square error of calibration (RMSEC, 0.9–5.3%) and root mean square error of prediction (RMSEP, 1.1–5.8%) values, and RPD (5.0–16.3) values greater than 3.0. These results indicate that SICRIT-HRMS combined with machine learning can rapidly and accurately identify and quantify multi-species vegetable oil adulterations in CAO, which provides a reference for developing non-targeted and high-throughput detection methods in edible oil authenticity. Full article

Eucommia ulmoides Oliv. (E. ulmoides), an endemic tree species in China, holds significant value in traditional Chinese medicine industry and health food. The plant is rich in diverse bioactive compounds, including lignans, iridoids, flavonoids, polysaccharides, E. ulmoides gum, amino acids, and minerals. These components contribute to a range of pharmacological activities such as anti-inflammatory, antioxidant, antihypertensive, immunomodulatory, and bone-protective effects, which support its long-standing traditional use and emerging clinical and adjunctive applications. While current research has predominantly focused on the bark and leaves, other parts, such as flowers, seeds, stems and roots, remain underexplored despite their substantial potential for medicinal and edible applications. Based on the recent literature, this paper systematically summarized the chemical composition, health benefits, and comprehensive utilization of different parts of E. ulmoides (bark, leaves, flowers, and seeds), aiming to provide a theoretical foundation for the high-value utilization of the entire plant resources of E. ulmoides. As a health-promoting plant resource, E. ulmoides has extensive development potential in applications such as health foods, natural medicines, and agricultural inputs. Future research should prioritize elucidating the synergistic mechanisms among different active compounds, advancing technologies for multi-part utilization, and establishing standardized quality evaluation systems to facilitate broader applications in functional foods, pharmaceuticals, and related interdisciplinary fields. Full article

The olive tree hosts diverse endophytic fungi that may contribute to plant protection and growth. In this study, a preliminary screening of olive-associated fungal endophytes was conducted. A total of 67 fungal endophytes were isolated from the leaves and roots of the Greek cultivars Amfissa and Kalamon and identified using morphological and molecular approaches; 28 representative strains were selected for functional evaluation. Dual culture assays revealed substantial antagonistic activity against major phytopathogens, with growth inhibition ranging from 19.05% to 100%. Notably, strains F.KALl.8 and F.AMFr.15 showed the strongest suppression across pathogens. Interaction phenotyping revealed all major interaction types (A, B, C) and subtype C1/C2, with several strains producing pigmentation zone lines or hyphal ridges at contact sites. The assessment of plant growth-related effects using Arabidopsis thaliana as a model system showed that three strains (F.AMFr.15, F.KALr.4, F.KALr.38A) significantly increased seedling biomass (up to ~16% above the control), whereas nine strains caused severe growth reduction and disease symptoms. Beneficial strains also altered root architecture, inhibiting primary root elongation while inducing extensive lateral root formation. Collectively, these findings highlight the functional diversity of olive-associated fungal endophytes and identify promising candidate strains, particularly F.AMFr.15 (identified as Clonostachys sp.), for further host-specific validation as potential biological control and plant growth-promoting agents. Full article

Air temperature is commonly used to represent plant thermal conditions, although temperatures within woody tissues and the soil–root zone can differ substantially under field conditions. This study characterized the thermal dynamics of xylem tissue and the soil–root interface in almond and olive orchards under Mediterranean field conditions in Southern Spain. Using long-term in-field measurements, temperatures were monitored in branch and trunk xylem tissues and at the soil–root interface, and regression models were developed to provide empirical correction relationships between air and internal temperatures across seasons and sensor position. Branch xylem temperatures closely matched air temperature for both minima and maxima. In contrast, trunk xylem and the soil–root interface showed pronounced thermal buffering. Trunk xylem maximum temperature was significantly (3.4 to 5.4 °C) lower than air temperature during summer. Shaded soil–root interface temperatures were 5.2 to 9.0 °C lower than air temperature in spring and summer but 5.9 to 11.7 °C higher than air temperature in autumn and winter. These patterns indicate a strong capacity of woody tissues and the soil–root system to moderate external thermal conditions. By quantifying air-to-tissue and air-to-soil relationships under field conditions, this study provides microclimatic data that can improve agronomic models and temperature-driven disease risk frameworks for vascular pathogens infecting woody crops. Full article