Search Results (291)

In the current era, Indian agriculture faces a significant demand for increased food production, which has led to the integration of advanced technologies to enhance efficiency and productivity. Drones have emerged as transformative tools for enhancing precision agriculture, reducing costs, and improving sustainability. This study provides a comprehensive review of drone adoption in Indian agriculture by examining its effects on precision farming, crop monitoring, and pesticide application. This research evaluates technological advancements, regulatory frameworks, infrastructure, farmers’ perceptions, and the financial accessibility of drone technology in the Indian agricultural context. Key findings indicate that, while drone adoption enhances efficiency and sustainability, challenges such as high costs, lack of training, and regulatory barriers hinder widespread implementation. This paper also explores the growing market for agricultural drones in India, highlighting key industry players and projected market growth. Furthermore, it addresses regional differences in adoption rates and emphasizes the increasing social acceptance of drones among Indian farmers. To bridge the gap between potential and practice, the study proposes several policy and institutional recommendations, including government-led financial incentives, training programs, and public–private partnerships to facilitate drone integration. Moreover, this review article also highlights technological advancements, such as AI and IoT, in agriculture. Finally, open issues and future research directions for drones are discussed. Full article

This study investigated pesticide residues in 580 vegetable samples collected from markets in Serbia, encompassing potatoes, carrots, celery, radishes, horseradish, ginger, onions, and leeks. In total, 33 distinct pesticides were detected using validated HPLC-MS/MS and GC-MS/MS analytical methods. Multiple residues were identified in 19 samples, while 29 samples exceeded established maximum residue levels (MRLs). Acute and chronic dietary risks were assessed for both adults and children. Although individual hazard quotients (HQs) for adults and children remained below the threshold of concern (HQ < 1), the cumulative acute risk reached up to 63.1% of the Acute Reference Dose (ARfD) for children and 51.1% ARfD for adults, with ginger and celery posing the highest risks. Similarly, cumulative chronic risks remained below the safety threshold, with the Acceptable Daily Intake (ADI) percentages reaching a maximum of 5.9% ADI for adults and increased vulnerability of 11.0% ADI among children. Monte Carlo simulations were applied to account for variability and uncertainty in chronic exposure estimates. The hazard index (HI) results showed that adverse health effects for both population groups remained within acceptable safety limits (HI < 1), although higher susceptibility was observed in children. Sensitivity analysis identified body weight and vegetable consumption rates as the most influential factors affecting chronic risk variability. Full article

Food safety concerns related to pesticide residues in fruits and vegetables have increased globally, particularly in regions where monitoring programs are scarce or inconsistent. This study provides the first multi-year evaluation of pesticide contamination and associated dietary risks in Cape Verde, an African island nation increasingly reliant on imported produce. A total of 570 samples of fruits and vegetables—both locally produced and imported—were collected from major markets across the country between 2017 and 2020 and analyzed using validated multiresidue methods based on gas chromatography coupled to Ion Trap mass spectrometry (GC-IT-MS/MS), and both gas and liquid chromatography coupled to triple quadrupole tandem mass spectrometry (GC-QqQ-MS/MS and LC-QqQ-MS/MS). Residues were detected in 63.9% of fruits and 13.2% of vegetables, with imported fruits showing the highest contamination levels and diversity of compounds. Although only one sample exceeded the maximum residue limits (MRLs) set by the European Union, 80 different active substances were quantified—many of them not authorized under the current EU pesticide residue legislation. Dietary exposure was estimated using median residue levels and real consumption data from the national nutrition survey (ENCAVE 2019), enabling a refined risk assessment based on actual consumption patterns. The cumulative hazard index for the adult population was 0.416, below the toxicological threshold of concern. However, when adjusted for children aged 6–11 years—taking into account body weight and relative consumption—the cumulative index approached 1.0, suggesting a potential health risk for this vulnerable group. A limited number of compounds, including omethoate, oxamyl, imazalil, and dithiocarbamates, accounted for most of the risk. Many are banned or heavily restricted in the EU, highlighting regulatory asymmetries in global food trade. These findings underscore the urgent need for strengthened residue monitoring in Cape Verde, particularly for imported products, and support the adoption of risk-based food safety policies that consider population-specific vulnerabilities and mixture effects. The methodological framework used here can serve as a model for other low-resource countries seeking to integrate analytical data with dietary exposure in a One Health context. Full article

Plant Parasitic Nematodes (PPNs) are a major problem in agriculture. Damage caused by PPNs has been estimated at USD 80–157 billion annually. The estimates could be even worse in the future in the context of a growing world population in a climate change scenario and with the removal/reduction in the use of some nematodicides due to the strong ecological impact. Biocontrol Agents (BCAs) currently constitute only 8.8% of the general pesticide market. With a view to an ecological transition, the transition from pesticides to biopesticides represents an important challenge that appears necessary not only for organic farming, but also in so-called integrated agriculture. Among the possible BCAs, microorganisms, and in particular yeast, which enjoys the GRAS (Generally Recognized As Safe) status, have the advantage of being able to be produced on a large scale by fermentation on waste substrates at low cost. In this paper, as proof of concept we constructed yeast strains expressing short hairpin RNAs (shRNAs) targeting the daf-16 gene in C. elegans. We demonstrate that oral ingestion of yeast cells expressing DAF16 shRNA is efficient in lowering daf-16 expression and lifespan, suggesting a sustainable RNA interference-based strategy to inhibit the development of PPNs. Full article

The evolution of global agriculture encourages the extensive use of pesticides although significant concerns regarding their impact on human health and the environment must be considered. The present paper highlights the presence and concentrations of various pesticide residues in fruits and vegetables available on Romanian markets. A total of 74 pesticide compounds authorized for agricultural use were identified and quantified in 620 randomly selected samples spanning a wide range of horticultural products by employing the QuEChERS extraction method and liquid chromatography–mass spectrometry (LC-MS/MS). The most often detected pesticides comprised boscalid and azoxystrobin, present in 42% and 37% of apple and strawberry samples, respectively, with mean concentrations of 0.12 mg/kg and 0.09 mg/kg. In cucumbers and tomatoes, difenoconazole and acetamiprid were predominant, detected in 35% and 40% of samples, with average residue amounts of 0.08 mg/kg and 0.07 mg/kg, respectively. Statistical analysis, achieved with Python 3.13.2, the pandas library (alongside descriptive statistics), and ANOVA, revealed significant variations in residue levels based on the product type and geographic origin. Boscalid and azoxystrobin were commonly encountered in apples and strawberries while difenoconazole and acetamiprid predominated in cucumbers and tomatoes. Even though the majority of pesticide residues conformed to EU maximum residue limits (MRLs), about 6% of samples, generally from imported products, displayed some residue concentrations approaching critical thresholds, with the highest exceedance observed for chlorpyrifos and lambda-cyhalothrin at concentrations of up to 0.25 mg/kg. This research provides a comprehensive overview of pesticide residues prevalence in Romania’s fresh product supply while, at the same time, supporting consumer awareness initiatives and evidencing the critical demand for continuous monitoring and strengthened regulatory frameworks for food safety. Full article

Baculoviruses represent a promising group of microbial insecticides for the biological control of agricultural pests, particularly those within the order Lepidoptera. Their high host specificity and environmental safety make them ideal candidates for inclusion in integrated pest management (IPM) programs. This review presents a comprehensive overview of baculovirus biology, highlighting their infection mechanisms, selectivity, and ecological compatibility. Special attention is given to advances in mass production systems—both in vivo and in vitro—and formulation technologies that improve field efficacy and environmental persistence, including UV protectants and microencapsulation. Regulatory aspects are also discussed, comparing international approval pathways and highlighting the disparity between regions with supportive policies (e.g., Latin America, Asia) and those with more restrictive frameworks (e.g., the European Union). Additionally, the current global market landscape for baculovirus-based products is examined, with emphasis on recent growth, commercialized formulations, and challenges such as host resistance and the limited spectrum of action. By synthesizing findings from the scientific literature and industry reports, this review underscores the role of baculoviruses as effective, sustainable alternatives or complements to chemical insecticides in modern agriculture, contributing to the reduction in pesticide residues and environmental impact. Full article

Occupational exposures in the agricultural industry globally have been associated with heightened risk for several diseases. Reports written in South Africa in the last decade have raised awareness of the harsh occupational conditions and human rights abuses suffered by farmworker communities in the wine industry. Despite receiving “fair trade” labels upon reentry into the global market in the 1990s, the working conditions on wine farms in South Africa have remained unchanged and exploitative for centuries. Farmworkers remain dependent on substandard farm housing, have insecure land tenure rights, are exposed to toxic pesticides, are denied access to benefits and unionization, and endure long working hours in harsh environmental conditions with low pay. These occupational conditions are linked to interacting disease clusters: metabolic syndrome, problematic drinking, and communicable diseases including tuberculosis, HIV, and COVID-19. This milieu of interacting diseases with deleterious outcomes is an under-considered occupational syndemic that will likely worsen given both the lasting impacts of COVID-19 and more recent shifts in global public health funding. Full article

Water contamination with toxic pollutants such as heavy metals, oil spills, organic and inorganic dyes, pesticides, etc., causes severe environmental and human health pollution. Aerogels have gained increasing attention in recent years as promising adsorbents due to their outstanding properties. This paper critically evaluates the recent advancements in aerogel-based materials, highlighting their challenges, limitations, and practical applications in large-scale experiments. The influence of key parameters such as adsorbent dosage, solution pH, ionic strength, and temperature is also discussed. Integrating nanotechnology and advanced manufacturing methods, a new generation of high-performance adsorbents with increased sorption capacity and reusability could be developed. Additionally, pilot studies and field trials are highlighted in this review, showing aerogels’ practical and real-world applications. Although various gaps in the production process that limit aerogel implementation in the market still exist, the research progress in the field shows that novel aerogels could be used in real wastewater treatment in the future. This review underscores the need for future research to develop advanced aerogel-based materials using green and sustainable synthesis methods that can lead to full-scale application. Full article

Animal-based food is significant for human nutrition, as it represents an easily digestible source of high-quality proteins, fatty acids, fat-soluble vitamins, and energy. During evolution, humans developed anatomical, metabolic, and biochemical adaptations in the digestive tract, becoming increasingly dependent on nutritionally valuable food, such as animal-based products. Animal-based food can be a source of chemical substances that are harmful to health, such as contaminants (heavy metals, mycotoxins, organochlorine pesticides, etc.), veterinary drug residues, and additives. The subject of this paper is the determination of the content of essential (copper—Cu, iron—Fe, and chromium—Cr) and heavy and toxic metals (lead—Pb, cadmium—Cd, arsenic—As, and tin—Sn), as well as nitrites, in meat products, particularly pâtés and meat spreads available on the market in the Republic of Srpska. Determination of the content of metals was performed using the ICP-OES method, while nitrites were analyzed using the standard SRPS ISO 2918/1999 method. The obtained results indicate that the content of heavy and toxic metals and nitrites is lower than the maximum prescribed by national regulations, namely the Rulebook on Maximum Amounts of Certain Contaminants (Official Gazette of BA, No. 68/14, 79/16, 84/18) and the Rulebook on Additives in Food (Official Gazette of BA, No. 33/18 and 6/21). Full article

Honey bees and other pollinators are key to functioning natural and managed ecosystems. However, their health is threatened by many factors, including pesticides. Spraying fungicides during flowering of fruit trees is widespread even though it directly exposes pollinators to these fungicides. Here, we report a series of experiments designed to understand how the combination of propiconazole and carbendazim, marketed in China as Chunmanchun^®, affects honey bee health. With an acute oral toxicity of 23.8 μg a.i./bee over 24 h in the laboratory, we considered the acute mortality risk from normal Chunmanchun^® applications as relatively low. However, our comprehensive studies revealed other diverse effects: Chunmanchun^® reduced memory after classic conditioning by approximately 25% and altered the activity of protective enzymes and the composition of the honey bees’ gut microbiota. Specifically, the genus Lactobacillus was decreased by ~13%, and Bartonella and Snodgrassella were increased by ~10% and ~7.5%, respectively. The gut metabolome was also disrupted in diverse ways, possibly as a functional consequence of the microbiome changes. Thus, we demonstrated numerous sublethal effects of the combination of propiconazole and carbendazim, which adds to the growing evidence that agrochemicals and fungicides in particular can harm pollinator health in subtle ways that are not captured in simple mortality assays. Full article

International markets are placing increasing importance on sustainability benchmarks that encompass not only environmental but also social and economic dimensions. This study investigates whether cooperative wineries, particularly those composed of small-scale producers, can meet these growing demands. Sixteen winegrowers from a cooperative winery in the Douro region of Portugal were surveyed using indicators aligned with the National Sustainability Certification Benchmark for the Wine Sector (RNCSSV). The survey captured practices from the 2022/2023 season to assess readiness for certification and examine viticultural practices affecting sustainability. Results highlight structural challenges: 57% of respondents operate as family-run businesses, often with informal organizational practices—only one-third of which met the 50% certification threshold. Nevertheless, there is evidence of a transition toward sustainable viticulture. Many producers reported soil cover practices and reduced herbicide use (19% no longer apply them), with positive implications for soil conservation and yield stability, particularly where water is available. Despite constraints in data detail, particularly regarding pesticide use and field practices, the study provides a solid empirical basis for targeted sustainability efforts. These findings may support the development of simplified tools and tailored strategies to foster sustainability transitions in cooperative winegrowing contexts. Full article

Pineapple (Ananas comosus) is an important crop worldwide, due to its nutritional properties. It is well known as a rich source of vitamins (A, C, and D) and various minerals that are vital in human diets. The aim of this review was to explore the economic viability of organic fertilizers that improve growth, yield, and quality during pineapple production in Africa. This study was conducted through a comprehensive analysis of the literature from peer-reviewed journals. It was reviewed that organic fertilization is a general agricultural approach that prioritizes environmental sustainability, biodiversity, and soil health through the avoidance of chemicals, including inorganic fertilizers. It was also found that organic fertilizers can effectively improve growth performance, yield, and the quality of the pineapple fruit to levels comparable to those of the fruit grown using inorganic fertilizers. Subsistence and smallholder farmers have adopted organic fertilization more than commercial farmers. Various challenges, including high certification costs, limited market access, high operating costs, inadequate farmer training, and limited knowledge on producing fruit using organic fertilizers, have been reviewed. The potential for higher market prices for organically produced fruit was noted, together with the challenges. Despite higher market prices and environmental benefits from organic fertilization, the economic viability of organic fertilizers for pineapple production is constrained by other factors, such as pest management difficulties, as the policies of conservation agriculture limit the use of chemical pesticides or the introduction of alien species as biocontrol agents. Full article

The concentrations of pesticide residues were determined in 2164 samples of 46 fruit species, collected over a 4-year period. Fruits originated from 59 countries, including Serbia (N = 199). Pesticide residues were determined by liquid chromatography–tandem mass spectrometry (LC-MS/MS) after extraction using a modified QuEChERS protocol. A total of 173 pesticide residues were detected. Of the fruit samples, 62.57% had pesticide residues at or above 0.01 mg/kg, and 4.67% exceeded the maximum residue limits (MRLs) set by the Serbian regulation. MRL values were most often exceeded in pomegranate and citrus fruits (grapefruit and mandarin). The most frequently found pesticide was imazalil (detected in 624 samples, 28.84%), with the highest concentration (93.870 mg/kg) found in a grapefruit sample. Multiple pesticides were detected in 50.92% of the fruit samples, and two grapefruit samples contained up to 44 pesticide residues. Full article

The Chinese government has been continuously strengthening environmental regulations. to promote the reduction in pesticide use. However, the issue of excessive pesticide use remains unresolved. Technological progress of the pesticide manufacturing industry plays a critical role in reducing pesticide intensity and is a key objective of environmental regulations for pesticides. This study examines the impact of China’s environmental regulations on technological progress of the pesticide manufacturing industry by using panel data from 30 provinces between 2004 and 2020 and constructing command-and-control and market-incentive environmental regulations. Empirical results show that environmental regulations have significantly promoted technological progress of the pesticide manufacturing industry, with market-incentive environmental regulations proving more effective than command-and-control environmental regulations. Regional analysis reveals that the eastern and western regions are consistent with the national results, while the central region shows heterogeneity. In the eastern and western regions, environmental regulations have fostered technological progress, generating an “innovation compensation effect”. However, the central region exhibits a dual effect. On one hand, environmental regulations have stimulated research in pesticide technologies; on the other hand, they have squeezed out investment in high-quality and innovative technologies, thereby hindering technological progress to some extent. Consequently, the government should enhance environmental supervision, revise environmental protection laws, and increase investments and subsidies for pesticide enterprises to foster technological innovation. Moreover, the formulation and implementation of environmental regulations should account for regional disparities. Full article

The Farm-to-Fork strategy, an essential component of the European Green Deal, aims to establish a sustainable and healthy food system. A crucial aspect of this strategy is reducing synthetic pesticide use by 50% by 2030. In this context, biocontrol is seen as a vital tool for achieving this goal. However, the upscaling of biocontrol faces several challenges, including technical and socio-economic issues and concerns regarding the legal status of biocontrol products. This article focuses on the Positive List, which includes indigenous and introduced species that have been established for use in EPPO countries and approved biological agents in some OECD countries. This article discusses microbial control agents and active substances derived from microbial metabolites, macro-agents, semi-chemicals, and plant-based compounds. It covers their origins, active substances, mechanisms of action against target pests, application methods, market availability, benefits, and potential environmental side effects. Additionally, it discusses the role of beneficial insects and mites as natural enemies in Integrated Pest Management (IPM) within the context of conservation methods. This article addresses the future of biological control, which largely relies on advancements in science to tackle two critical challenges: enhancing the reliability and effectiveness of biopreparations in field conditions and developing suitable formulations of biopesticides tailored to large-scale cultivation technologies for key crops. Full article