Search Results (5,729)

In the coming decades, the agricultural system will predictably rely on organic material to produce crops and maintain food security. Currently, the use of inorganic fertilizers to grow crops and vegetables, such as Swiss chard, spinach, and lettuce, is on the rise and has been proven to be detrimental to the soil in the long run. Hence, there is a growing need to use organic waste material, such as spent coffee grounds (SCGs), to grow crops. Spent coffee grounds are made of depleted coffee beans that contain important soluble compounds. This study aimed to determine the influence of different levels (0.32 g, 0.63 g, 0.92 g, and 1.20 g) of spent coffee grounds on the metabolomic profile of Swiss chard. The 1H-nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) results showed that Swiss chard grown with different levels of SCGs contains a total of 10 metabolites, which included growth-promoting metabolites (trehalose; betaine), defense mechanism metabolites (alanine; cartinine), energy-reserve metabolites (sucrose; 1,6 Anhydro-β-D-glucose), root metabolites (thymine), stress-related metabolites (2-deoxyadenosine), caffeine metabo-lites (1,3 Dimethylurate), and body-odor metabolites (trimethylamine). Interestingly, caprate, with the abovementioned metabolites, was detected in Swiss chard grown without the application of SCGs. The findings of the current study suggest that SCGs are an ideal organic material for growing Swiss chard for its healthy metabolites. Full article

Fruit flies that belong to the genus Zeugodacus (Diptera: Tephritidae) pose significant threats as invasive pests of agricultural crops in Asia and sub-Saharan Africa. The intensification of transboundary trade in fresh horticultural produce has increased the risk of introducing invasive species such as fruit flies, more so through the inadvertent transport of their immature developmental stages. Such immature stages of fruit flies belonging to the Tephritidae family are frequently intercepted at the international borders worldwide and are unable to be identified to the species level using morphological characteristics. Molecular identification using mitochondrial Cytochrome Oxidase I (COI) gene has proven to be quite useful, as they are not constrained by developmental stages, sex, or colour morphs of the pest species in question. Also, real-time PCR-based species-specific assays offer quicker turnaround time since they do not require any post-PCR procedures. This study evaluated the utility of a real-time PCR assay based on the COI gene region to identify Zeugodacus cucurbitae from other Tephritid species. The developed real-time PCR assay provides a swift and precise way of discriminating between these highly invasive pest species during an interception event for rapid decision making. High specificity, having no cross-reactions with closely related Tephritids, and sensitivity of the developed assay will be extremely useful in discriminating Z. cucurbitae from other closely related fruit fly species. Z. cucurbitae-specific real-time PCR developed in this study is appropriate for organizations that carry out routine diagnostics to facilitate fresh produce imports and exports. Our assay is fully optimized for rapid deployment at international borders, offering reliable detection of the target species regardless of developmental stage, sex, or geographic origins. Full article

The widespread use of pesticides in modern agriculture has significantly enhanced food production by managing pests and diseases; however, their degradation in soil can lead to unintended consequences for soil fertility and nutrient cycling. This review explores the mechanisms of pesticide degradation, both abiotic and biotic, and the soil factors influencing these processes. It critically examines how degradation products impact soil microbial communities, organic matter decomposition, and key nutrient cycles, including nitrogen, phosphorus, potassium, and micronutrients. This review highlights emerging evidence linking pesticide residues with altered enzymatic activity, disrupted microbial populations, and reduced nutrient bioavailability, potentially compromising soil structure, water retention, and long-term productivity. Additionally, it discusses the broader environmental and agricultural implications, including decreased crop yields, biodiversity loss, and groundwater contamination. Sustainable management strategies such as bioremediation, the use of biochar, eco-friendly pesticides, and integrated pest management (IPM) are evaluated for mitigating these adverse effects. Finally, this review outlines future research directions emphasizing long-term studies, biotechnology innovations, and predictive modeling to support resilient agroecosystems. Understanding the intricate relationship between pesticide degradation and soil health is crucial to ensuring sustainable agriculture and food security. Full article

Black soldier fly frass (BSFF) is a nutrient-rich organic byproduct with growing potential as a sustainable fertilizer. While its effects on crops have been studied, its impact on tree seedling development for reforestation remains poorly understood. This study evaluated the effect of BSFF on the growth and survival of two native Malagasy tree species: the fast-growing Dodonaea madagascariensis and the slow-growing Verpis macrophylla. A six-month nursery experiment tested three BSFF application rates (half-, one-, and two-fold nitrogen equivalence), along with cattle manure, synthetic NPK, and a no-fertilizer control. The survival was highest in the half-fold BSFF (95% for D. madagascariensis, 87.5% for V. macrophylla) and lowest in BSFF two-fold (0% and 22.5%, respectively) treatments. NPK also significantly reduced the survival (5% for D. madagascariensis, 17.5% for V. macrophylla). The growth responses were most pronounced in D. madagascariensis, where the BSFF half- and one-fold treatments led to height growth rates that were 2.0–2.7 times higher than that of the control, cattle manure, and NPK treatments, and diameter growth that was 1.8–2.3 times higher. The biomass accumulation was also significantly higher under the BSFF half- and one-fold treatments for D. madagascariensis. In contrast, V. macrophylla showed limited response to the treatments. These findings indicate that calibrated BSFF application can enhance seedling performance in reforestation efforts, particularly for fast-growing species. Notably, the growth rate of D. madagascariensis doubled (in terms of cm/month) under optimal BSFF treatment—a critical advantage, as time is a key constraint in reforestation and faster growth directly supports more efficient forest restoration. This highlights BSFF’s potential as a sustainable and locally available input for forest restoration in Madagascar. Full article

The growth potential of Crinum bulbispermum was evaluated on gold mine tailings. The primary objectives were to model the species’ climatic niche in relation to gold mining regions, assess its germination success on tailings, and compare seedling survival and growth on tailings versus other soil types. Species distribution modelling identified the South African Grassland Biome on the Highveld (1000+ m above sea level), where the majority of gold mines are located, as highly suitable for the species. Pot trials demonstrated above 85% germination success across all soil treatments, including gold mine tailings, indicating its potential for restoration through direct seeding. An initial seedling establishment rate of 100% further demonstrated the species’ resilience to mine tailings, which are often seasonally dry, nutrient-poor, and may contain potentially toxic metals. However, while C. bulbispermum was able to germinate and establish in mine tailings, long-term growth potential (over 12 months) was constrained by low organic carbon content (0.11%) and high salinity (194.50 mS/m). These findings underscore the critical role of soil chemistry and organic matter in supporting long-term plant establishment and growth on gold tailings. Building on previous research, this study confirms the ability of this thick-rooted geophyte to tolerate chemically extreme soil conditions. Crinum bulbispermum shows promise for phytostabilization and as a potential medicinal plant crop on tailings. However, future research on microbial community interactions and soil amendment strategies is essential to ensure its long-term sustainability. Full article

This study investigates the production and economic feasibility of biochar for smallholder and family farms in Central Amazonia, with potential implications for other tropical regions. The costs of construction of a prototype mobile kiln and biochar production were evaluated, using small-sized biomass from acai (Euterpe oleracea Mart.) agro-industrial residues as feedstock. The biochar produced was characterised in terms of its liming capacity (calcium carbonate equivalence, CaCO_3eq), nutrient content via organic fertilisation methods, and ash analysis by ICP-OES. Field trials with cowpea assessed economic outcomes, as well scenarios of fractional biochar application and cost comparison between biochar production in the prototype kiln and a traditional earth-brick kiln. The prototype kiln showed production costs of USD 0.87–2.06 kg⁻¹, whereas traditional kiln significantly reduced costs (USD 0.03–0.08 kg⁻¹). Biochar application alone increased cowpea revenue by 34%, while combining biochar and lime raised cowpea revenues by up to 84.6%. Owing to high input costs and the low value of the crop, the control treatment generated greater net revenue compared to treatments using lime alone. Moreover, biochar produced in traditional kilns provided a 94% increase in net revenue compared to liming. The estimated externalities indicated that carbon credits represented the most significant potential source of income (USD 2217 ha⁻¹). Finally, fractional biochar application in ten years can retain over 97% of soil carbon content, demonstrating potential for sustainable agriculture and carbon sequestration and a potential further motivation for farmers if integrated into carbon markets. Public policies and technological adaptations are essential for facilitating biochar adoption by small-scale tropical farmers. Full article

Insect pests cause severe damage and yield losses to many agricultural crops globally. The use of chemical pesticides on agricultural crops is not recommended because of their toxic effects on the environment and consumers. In addition, pesticide toxicity reduces soil fertility, poisons ground waters, and is hazardous to soil biota. Therefore, applications of entomopathogenic nematodes (EPNs) and plant growth-promoting rhizobacteria (PGPR) are an alternative, eco-friendly solution to chemical pesticides and mineral-based fertilizers to enhance plant health and promote sustainable food security. This review focuses on the biological and ecological aspects of these organisms while also highlighting the practical application of molecular communication approaches in developing a novel plant health product. This insight will support this innovative approach that combines PGPR and EPNs for sustainable crop production. Several studies have reported positive interactions between nematodes and bacteria. Although the combined presence of both organisms has been shown to promote plant growth, the molecular interactions between them are still under investigation. Integrating molecular communication studies in the development of a new product could help in understanding their relationships and, in turn, support the combination of these organisms into a single plant health product. Full article

This study explores the revival of cotton (Gossypium spp. L.) farming in Italy through sustainable practices, addressing economic and water-related challenges by integrating cultivar selection, arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi (AMF) inoculation, and deficit irrigation under organic farming. Field trials evaluated two widely grown Mediterranean cultivars (Armonia and ST-318) under three irrigation levels (I-100: 100% crop water requirement; I-70: 70%; I-30: 30%) across two Sicilian soil types (sandy loam vs. clay-rich). Under I-100, lint yields reached 0.99 t ha⁻¹, while severe deficit (I-30) yielded only 0.40 t ha⁻¹. However, moderate deficit (I-70) maintained 75–79% of full yields, proving a viable strategy. AMF inoculation significantly enhanced plant height (68.52 cm vs. 65.85 cm), boll number (+22.1%), and seed yield (+12.5%) (p < 0.001). Cultivar responses differed: Armonia performed better under water stress, while ST-318 thrived with full irrigation. Site 1, with higher organic matter, required 31–38% less water and achieved superior irrigation water productivity (1.43 kg m⁻³). Water stress also shortened phenological stages, allowing earlier harvests—important for avoiding autumn rains. These results highlight the potential of combining adaptive irrigation, resilient cultivars, and AMF to restore sustainable cotton production in the Mediterranean, emphasizing the importance of soil-specific management. Full article

Weed management remains a critical challenge in the U.S. container ornamental production industry, where weeds not only compete with crops for limited resources but also harbor pests and pathogens, thereby diminishing plant quality and marketability. The paper explores the economic impact of weed infestations, herbicide resistance development, and the limited availability of selective herbicides for ornamental crops in the United States. This review synthesizes current chemical weed control tactics, focusing not only on both preemergence and postemergence herbicides commonly used in ornamental nurseries, but also organic alternatives and integrated weed management (IWM) approaches as complementary strategies by evaluating their effectiveness, crop safety, and usage. There is a critical need for research in the areas of alternative chemical options such as insecticides, miticides (e.g., Zerotol and Tetra Curb Max), and organic products for liverwort control in greenhouses. Although essential oils and plant-based extracts show some potential, their effectiveness and practical use remain largely unexplored. Full article

Astragalus sinicus, a key leguminous green manure widely cultivated in Southern China’s rice-based cropping systems, plays a pivotal role in sustainable agriculture by enhancing soil organic matter sequestration, improving rice yield, and elevating grain quality. The symbiotic nitrogen-fixing association between A. sinicus and its matching rhizobia is fundamental to its agronomic value; however, suboptimal inoculant efficiency and field application methodologies constrain its full potential. To address these limitations, we conducted a multi-phase study involving (1) rhizobial strain screening under controlled greenhouse conditions, (2) an optimized lyophilization protocol evaluating cryoprotectant (trehalose, skimmed milk powder and others), and (3) seed pelleting trails with rhizobial viability and nodulation assessments over different storage periods. Our results demonstrate that Mesorhizobium huakuii CCBAU 33470 exhibits a superior nitrogen-fixing efficacy, significantly enhancing key traits in A. sinicus, including leaf chlorophyll content, tiller number, and aboveground biomass. Lyophilized inoculants prepared with cryoprotectants (20% trehalose or 20% skimmed milk powder) maintained >90% bacterial viability for 60 days and markedly improved nodulation capacity relative to unprotected formulations. The optimized seed pellets sustained high rhizobial loads (5.5 × 10³ cells/seed) with an undiminished viability after 15 days of storage and nodulation ability after 40 days of storage. This integrated approach of rhizobial selection, inoculant formulation, and seed coating overcomes cultivation bottlenecks, boosting symbiotic nitrogen fixation for A. sinicus cultivation. Full article

This study aims to evaluate eco-innovative solutions in the fertilizer industry that allow for waste valorization in the context of a resource-efficient circular economy. A comprehensive reuse strategy was developed for low-rank peat and post-cultivation horticultural mineral wool, involving the extraction of valuable humic substances from peat and residual nutrients from used mineral wool, followed by the use of both post-extraction residues to produce organic–mineral substrates. The resulting products/semifinished products were characterized in terms of their composition and properties, which met the requirements necessary to obtain the admission of this type of product to the market in accordance with the Regulation of the Minister for Agriculture and Rural Development of 18 June 2008 on the implementation of certain provisions of the Act on fertilizers and fertilization (Journal of Laws No 119, item 765). Elemental analysis, FTIR spectroscopy, and solid-state CP-MAS ¹³C NMR spectroscopy suggest that post-extraction peat has a relatively condensed structure with a high C content (47.4%) and a reduced O/C atomic ratio and is rich in alkyl-like matter (63.2%) but devoid of some functional groups in favor of extracted fulvic acids. Therefore, it remains a valuable organic biowaste, which, in combination with post-extraction waste mineral wool in a ratio of 60:40 and possibly the addition of mineral nutrients, allows us to obtain a completely new substrate with a bulk density of 264 g/m³, a salinity of 7.8 g/dm³ and a pH of 5.3, with an appropriate content of heavy metals and with no impurities, meeting the requirements of this type of product. A liquid fertilizer based on an extract containing previously recovered nutrients also meets the criteria in terms of quality and content of impurities and can potentially be used as a fertilizing product suitable for agricultural crops. This study demonstrates a feasible pathway for transforming specific waste streams into valuable agricultural inputs, contributing to environmental protection and sustainable production. The production of a new liquid fertilizer using nutrients recovered from post-cultivation mineral wool and the preparation of an organic–mineral substrate using post-extraction solid residue is a rational strategy for recycling hard-to-biodegrade end-of-life products. Full article

This study, conducted in Mexico, evaluates the agricultural potential of three compost formulations BFS1, BFS2, and BFS3 produced from mining tailings and thermophilic microbial mats and collected from geothermal environments. The physicochemical characterization included pH, electrical conductivity (EC), macronutrients (N, P, K, Ca, Mg, and S), micronutrients (Fe, Zn, B, Cu, Mn, Mo, and Ni), organic matter (OM), and the carbon-to-nitrogen (C/N) ratio. All composts exhibited neutral pH values (7.38–7.52), high OM content (38.5–48.4%), and optimal C/N ratios (10.5–13.9), indicating maturity and chemical stability. Nitrogen ranged from 19 to 21 kg·t⁻¹, while potassium and calcium were present in concentrations beneficial for crop development. However, EC values (3.43–3.66 dS/m) and boron levels (>160 ppm) were moderately high, requiring caution in saline soils or with boron-sensitive crops. A semi-quantitative Compost Quality Index (CQI) ranked BFS3 highest due to elevated OM and potassium content, followed by BFS1. BFS2, while rich in nitrogen, scored lower due to excessive boron. One-way ANOVA revealed no significant difference in nitrogen (p > 0.05), but it did reveal significant differences in potassium (p < 0.01) and boron (p < 0.001) among formulations. These results confirm the potential of mining tailings—microbial mat composts are low-cost, nutrient-rich biofertilizers. They are suitable for field crops or as components in nursery substrates, particularly when EC and boron are managed through dilution. This study promotes the circular reuse of geothermal and industrial residues and contributes to sustainable soil restoration practices in mining-affected regions through innovative composting strategies. Full article

The use of chemical fertilizers has significantly increased crop yields but has also led to soil problems such as nutrient imbalance and salinization. In response, organic fertilizers have emerged as a crucial component for sustainable agricultural development. This study was designed to develop an easily applicable organic suspension fertilizer using peanut bran, the primary by-product of peanut oil extraction, as the main raw material. Fourier-transform infrared (FTIR) analysis revealed that 80 °C is the optimal heating temperature for forming a stable peanut-bran suspension. A comprehensive experimental investigation was conducted to evaluate the effects of different peanut bran addition levels, stabilizers, emulsifiers, and suspending agents on the stability of suspension fertilizers. The results identified the optimal suspension fertilizer formulation as comprising 20% peanut bran, 0.5% sodium bentonite, 0.1% monoglyceride, 0.2% sucrose ester, 0.02% carrageenan, and 0.3% xanthan gum. This formulation ensures good stability and fluidity of the suspension fertilizer while maintaining a low cost of 0.134 USD·kg⁻¹. The findings provide a scalable technological framework for valorizing agro-industrial waste into high-performance organic fertilizers. Full article

To address the issues in existing 3D point cloud facet generation networks, specifically, the tendency to produce a large number of empty facets and the uncertainty in facet count, this paper proposes a novel deep learning framework for robust facet segmentation. Based on the generated facet set, two exploratory applications are further developed. First, to overcome the bottleneck where inaccurate empty-facet detection impairs the downsampling performance, a facet-abstracted downsampling method is introduced. By using a learned facet classifier to filter out and discard empty facets, retaining only non-empty surface facets, and fusing point coordinates and local features within each facet, the method achieves significant compression of point cloud data while preserving essential geometric information. Second, to solve the insufficient precision in organ segmentation within crop point clouds, a facet growth-based segmentation algorithm is designed. The network first predicts the edge scores for the facets to determine the seed facets. The facets are then iteratively expanded according to adjacent-facet similarity until a complete organ region is enclosed, thereby enhancing the accuracy of segmentation across semantic boundaries. Finally, the proposed facet segmentation network is trained and validated using a synthetic dataset. Experiments show that, compared with traditional methods, the proposed approach significantly outperforms both downsampling accuracy and instance segmentation performance. In various crop scenarios, it demonstrates excellent geometric fidelity and semantic consistency, as well as strong generalization ability and practical application potential, providing new ideas for in-depth applications of facet-level features in 3D point cloud analysis. Full article

Soil salinization is a major constraint to global crop productivity, highlighting the need to identify salt tolerance genes and their molecular mechanisms. Here, we integrated mRNA and miRNA profile analyses to investigate the molecular basis of salt tolerance of an elite Brassica napus cultivar S268. Time-course RNA-seq analysis revealed dynamic transcriptional reprogramming under 215 mM NaCl stress, with 212 core genes significantly enriched in organic acid degradation and glyoxylate/dicarboxylate metabolism pathways. Combined with weighted gene co-expression network analysis (WGCNA) and RT-qPCR validation, five candidate genes (WRKY6, WRKY70, NHX1, AVP1, and NAC072) were identified as the regulators of salt tolerance in rapeseed. Haplotype analysis based on association mapping showed that NAC072, ABI5, and NHX1 exhibited two major haplotypes that were significantly associated with salt tolerance variation under salt stress in rapeseed. Integrated miRNA-mRNA analysis and RT-qPCR identified three regulatory miRNA-mRNA pairs (bna-miR160a/BnaA03.BAG1, novel-miR-126/BnaA08.TPS9, and novel-miR-70/BnaA07.AHA1) that might be involved in S268 salt tolerance. These results provide novel insights into the post-transcriptional regulation of salt tolerance in B. napus, offering potential targets for genetic improvement. Full article