Search Results (17,925)

Efficient crop health monitoring is crucial for global food security. Supervised deep learning approaches are often impractical due to the scarcity of large, labeled datasets. To address this limitation, this study adapts EfficientAD, an unsupervised, label-free anomaly detection framework originally designed for industrial inspection, for agricultural imagery on small datasets. The method utilizes a Patch Description Network (PDN) for localized feature extraction, a student network for local anomalies, and an autoencoder for global structural constraints. Benchmarked against AnoGAN, Pix2Pix, InTra, and Teacher–Student models, the framework demonstrated superior performance on the MVTec AD, PlantVillage, Coffee Leaf, and a custom real-world Sweet Potato dataset. The model achieved perfect area under the receiver operating characteristic curve (AUROC) scores of up to 100% in categories like “Pongamia”, “Potato”, and “Coffee Leaf”. While image-level classification was exceptionally robust, pixel-level localization (AUPRO) proved sensitive to complex agricultural backgrounds. To overcome this, a background interference analysis was conducted using Background Removed (BGRM) and out-of-distribution Background Replaced-Green (BGRP-G) strategies on the custom dataset. Notably, the BGRP-G strategy remarkably improved the image-level AUROC from 88.9% to 99.5% and substantially boosted the pixel-level AUPRO from 47.1% to 61.9%, successfully preserving the boundary integrity of severe structural defects. Achieving millisecond-level latency without complex data augmentation, this adapted label-free framework offers a versatile, highly efficient solution for real-time crop health diagnostics on resource-constrained Edge AI devices. Full article

The plant mitochondrial genome has become a current research hotspot as an independent genetic model. Nevertheless, mitochondrial genome information for most Dendrobium species remains unknown. In this study, the assembly of mitochondrial genome of Dendrobium nobile Lindl.,1830 and Dendrobium denneanum Kerr., 1933 was conducted through the application of second- and third-generation sequencing technologies, with the mitochondrial genome of D. denneanum Kerr. being reported first. The results revealed that the mitochondrial genomes of the two species possessed a multi-chromosome circular structure. Their total lengths were 641,414 bp and 558,760 bp, consisting of 21 and 19 contigs, respectively. A total of 67 and 72 genes, 993 and 1491 repeat sequences, and 549 and 553 RNA editing sites were identified. Gene loss was observed. A total of 26 and 36 homologous fragments were detected between the mitochondrial and the chloroplast genome, accounting for 5.09% and 4.93% of the total lengths, respectively, indicating intracellular gene transfer. Synteny and phylogenetic analyses revealed that the two species shared extensive collinear regions and clustered together in a distinct clade of the phylogenetic tree, indicating a close sister relationship. These findings enrich the mitochondrial genome database and provide valuable insights to guide future research on species identification and molecular evolution of the genus Dendrobium. Full article

Intensive ornamental planting is increasingly prevalent in urban green spaces, yet its effects on soil microbial community assembly and interaction networks remain poorly understood. Here, we examined shifts in soil properties, microbial diversity, community composition, and interaction networks across successive planting cycles. Bacterial alpha-diversity remained relatively stable, whereas fungal communities showed pronounced sensitivity to early planting stages. Beta-diversity analyses revealed that bacterial community composition was jointly influenced by planting stage and site type, while fungal communities were primarily structured by site characteristics. Co-occurrence network analysis revealed contrasting reassembly trajectories between microbial groups. Bacterial networks exhibited increasing complexity and modularity, indicating enhanced interaction intensity and competitive structuring under intensive management. In contrast, fungal networks displayed reduced connectivity but maintained or recovered modular organization, suggesting structural buffering. Notably, keystone taxa remained taxonomically conserved, indicating that network reorganization was driven by interaction rewiring rather than species turnover. We propose a dual-speed reassembly framework in which bacteria function as fast-responding components with dynamic interaction networks, whereas fungi act as slow-buffering, structurally persistent elements. This decoupling of short-term functional responsiveness and long-term stability provides new insights into how intensive management reshapes soil microbiomes in botanical garden ecosystems. Full article

Members of the genus Rhizobium are best known for nitrogen-fixing symbioses with legumes, yet their diversity and evolutionary roles in non-legume hosts remain poorly explored, particularly in arid ecosystems. We report the isolation and characterization of strain AGC32, an endophytic bacterium obtained from surface-sterilized roots of the desert medicinal plant Peganum harmala collected in Moroccan drylands. Phylogenomic analyses placed AGC32 within the genus Rhizobium but clearly distinct from described species, with average nucleotide identity values below 96% and digital DNA–DNA hybridization values below 70%, supporting its designation as a novel species for which the name Rhizobium moroccans sp. nov. is proposed. Comparative genomics revealed extensive structural genome rearrangements relative to its closest sequenced relative, Rhizobium deserti, indicating a divergent evolutionary trajectory. The high-quality draft genome encodes metabolic pathways associated with adaptation to nutrient limitation and environmental stress, including complete allantoin utilization, polyphosphate metabolism, organic acid assimilation, and multiple systems involved in oxidative and osmotic stress tolerance. Phenotypic assays corroborated these genomic predictions, demonstrating the ability to metabolize diverse organic acids and carbohydrates and to express multiple plant growth–promoting traits, including nitrogen fixation and the solubilization of phosphorus, potassium, and silicon. Collectively, these findings expand the ecological and evolutionary diversity of Rhizobium, demonstrate its capacity to associate with non-legume medicinal plants in extreme environments, and highlight desert ecosystems as reservoirs of previously unrecognized microbial diversity with potential applications in sustainable agriculture in arid regions. Full article

Background/Objectives: Knowledge of plant-based diets is gaining increasing significance in adolescents due to the growing popularity of vegetarian and vegan dietary patterns. To date, there has been limited research examining the level of awareness and understanding of these diets among secondary school students, as well as the factors influencing their knowledge. The aim of the study was to determine the prevalence of plant-based diets and to assess knowledge regarding these dietary patterns among high school students, as well as to identify factors associated with both diet adherence and achieving sufficient nutritional knowledge. Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted among 341 high school students. Data were collected using a self-administered paper questionnaire that included demographic information, self-reported body weight and height, adherence to plant-based diets, and knowledge of vegetarian and vegan nutrition. Nutritional knowledge was assessed using a structured 19-item questionnaire (25 scorable items) and verified for reliability (test–retest, Krippendorff’s alpha = 0.88). Based on a 25-point scale, a score of >60% (16–25 points) was categorized as ‘sufficient’ knowledge. Statistical analyses included the chi-square test, Mann–Whitney and Kruskal–Wallis non-parametric tests, and multivariable logistic regression to estimate adjusted odds ratios (aOR) for factors associated with sufficient knowledge. Results: The prevalence of plant-based diets in the study group was 16.1% (n = 55), with a significantly higher frequency observed among female students and those with sufficient nutritional knowledge. The majority of students (81.2%) achieved sufficient knowledge. Higher scores were observed among female students, those in higher grade levels, and those individuals adhering to plant-based diets (p < 0.05). Multivariate regression analysis indicated that male sex (aOR = 0.38 compared to females), higher grade level (aOR = 3.66 for grade 3 vs. grade 1; aOR = 3.62 for grade 4 vs. grade 1), residence in a rural area (aOR = 0.50), and non-adherence to a plant-based diet (aOR = 0.32) were independently associated with sufficient knowledge. Conclusions: The majority of high school students demonstrate sufficient knowledge regarding plant-based diets, with significant variations associated with sex, grade level, place of residence, and experience with plant-based diets. These findings underscore the need for targeted educational interventions, particularly among male students, those in lower grade levels, and individuals residing in rural areas. Full article

As global urbanization accelerates, biophilic urbanism has emerged as a key nature-based strategy for enhancing public health. While plants are critical active agents for psychological restoration, the specific pathways through which vegetation characteristics influence human–environment interactions remain fragmented. This knowledge gap hinders the evidence-based translation of biophilic principles into actionable urban design and governance. This study conducts a systematic bibliometric analysis of 443 peer-reviewed articles (2000–2025) at the intersection of restorative landscapes, urban settings, and plant-based interventions retrieved from the Web of Science Core Collection. Employing multiple visualization tools (VOSviewer, bibliometrix, and CiteSpace), we map publication trends, international collaborations, and thematic evolution. The results demonstrate a significant shift in the field, moving beyond the validation of foundational restorative theories (e.g., ART and SRT) to a more precise, implementation-oriented framework. This shift is characterized by the operationalization of vegetation attributes as controllable design variables, increasingly relating biophilic principles to broader nature-based solutions (NbS) agendas and evidence-informed urban governance. Thematic clustering analysis identified three core knowledge domains: (1) the role of plants as active exposure agents and behavioral mediators in psychological restoration; (2) the impact of specific plant characteristics—such as canopy structure, species diversity, and seasonal variation—on therapeutic outcomes; and (3) the integration of urban green spaces into broader governance frameworks to promote health equity and inclusive well-being. Our analysis highlights that plant-based interventions are evolving from aesthetic ornaments into precision design levers for fostering human–nature interactions. This study provides a science-based foundation for developing practical design guidelines and policy frameworks, shifting biophilic urbanism toward a robust governance strategy for creating equitable, restorative, and resilient cities. Full article

The salinization of natural grasslands is a growing global concern. The Songnen Plain in northeastern China represents a typical soda–saline grassland region, yet an integrated understanding of how salinization reshapes plant, soil, and microbial components in this ecosystem remains limited. In this study, we investigated plant community characteristics, soil physicochemical properties, and soil microbial communities across a salinity gradient (from non-saline to extremely severe saline) using field surveys, laboratory analyses, and structural equation modeling (SEM). Our results showed that vegetation species diversity, the Shannon–Wiener index, and Simpson’s index all decreased from mild to severe salinization. Soil nutrient indicators, including total nitrogen (TN), total phosphorus (TP), and total potassium (TK), significantly decreased with increasing salinity. SEM revealed that plant community diversity had a significant positive effect on soil microorganisms, whereas soil properties, particularly available potassium (AK) and electrical conductivity (EC), exerted significant negative effects on microbial diversity. Together, these results provide an integrated view of how salinization restructures plant–soil–microbe interactions across the Songnen Plain grasslands. These findings improve understanding of saline–alkali grassland degradation from a plant–soil–microbe perspective and provide a theoretical basis for ecosystem restoration in this region. Full article

Salinity is a major constraint for lettuce production, affecting plant growth, physiological status, and market quality. This study evaluated the combined effects of increasing salinity levels (S₀: non-saline control; S₃₀, S₆₀, and S₁₂₀ mM NaCl) and Trichoderma harzianum inoculation on morphological, physiological, and quality-related traits of lettuce. Increasing salinity levels resulted in significant reductions in growth-related parameters, particularly leaf area, shoot biomass, root volume, and cutting resistance (CR), with the most pronounced decreases observed at S₁₂₀. In contrast, several physiological and quality-related parameters showed different response patterns. Membrane stability index (MSI) and chlorophyll index remained relatively stable across salinity treatments, while total soluble solids (C) increased with increasing salinity, indicating osmotic adjustment under stress conditions. Leaf color parameters showed reductions in lightness and chroma at higher salinity levels, suggesting structural and optical changes in leaves rather than severe pigment degradation. The effects of Trichoderma on plant growth were limited and did not consistently mitigate growth reductions under salinity. However, inoculation influenced several physiological and quality-related traits, including MSI and TSS, indicating a role in physiological regulation and stress adaptation rather than direct growth promotion. Multivariate analyses indicated that salinity was the main factor contributing to treatment separation, whereas Trichoderma application influenced the overall trait profile without consistently increasing growth parameters. Overall, the results suggest that under saline conditions, Trichoderma may contribute to stress tolerance and physiological stability rather than directly increasing plant growth, and its effectiveness depends on stress severity. Full article

Continuous monocropping and inappropriate fertilization have contributed to nutrient depletion and soil degradation, limiting peanut productivity in subtropical red soil agroecosystems. Although diversified cropping may help alleviate these constraints, the reasons why it improves peanut productivity remain unclear. In this study, we conducted a long-term field experiment in Jiangxi, China, to compare four cropping systems, assess soil nutrients, peanut productivity, and bacterial communities, and further evaluate the role of key taxa through inoculation assays and structural equation modeling. Results showed that diversified cropping improved peanut growth and yield, with the green manure integrated system performing best overall. Diversified cropping also increased soil organic carbon, total nitrogen, and available phosphorus, while reshaping bacterial communities. Several taxa, including Bradyrhizobium, Mycobacterium, Dormibacter, and Ardenticatena, were positively associated with soil nutrients. Inoculation assays further showed that a synthetic consortium assembled from representative strains affiliated with key taxa produced stronger effects on plant growth than a single-strain inoculation. Structural equation modeling identified key taxa as the factor most strongly associated with crop productivity. These findings suggest that higher peanut productivity under diversified cropping was closely associated with concurrent improvements in soil fertility and the enrichment of key taxa. Full article

This study evaluated contamination by polychlorinated dibenzodioxins and dibenzofurans (PCDDs/Fs) and polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs) in 390 feeds and 1756 food samples collected in Latium and Tuscany (Italy, 2016–2025) using HRGC-HRMS. PCDDs/Fs and dioxin-like PCBs (dl-PCBs) are expressed as WHO 2005 toxic equivalents (WHO₀₅-TEQ). Non-dioxin-like PCBs (ndl-PCBs) lack dioxin-like toxicity mechanisms due to their non-coplanar structure and are not assigned a toxic equivalence factor. Feed results were normalised to 12% moisture content. Median levels of WHO₀₅-PCDDs/Fs+dl-PCBs TEQ at the upper limit in feed were 10–100 times lower than those reported in European monitoring data (EFSA, 2002–2010) for comparable categories, including additives, premixtures, raw materials and compound feed, with plant and animal feed materials below 0.03 ng/kg and aquaculture feed at 0.24 ng/kg. Food contamination was generally low, with the median WHO₀₅-PCDDs/Fs+dl-PCBs TEQ 2–4 times lower than Italian national data (2013–2016), considering comparable categories such as meat, fish, milk, eggs, oils, baby foods, marine oils, animal fats and liver. Higher levels were observed in game meat, sheep products and fermented milk than in pork and poultry. The contamination remained stable over time. These results indicate an improvement in food safety thanks to national and EU regulations, although continued surveillance of high-risk and undersampled categories remains essential. Full article

This study presents the results of research on the modification of gypsum with bio-waste to improve its thermal insulation properties and to evaluate the influence of the type and amount of the additive on the physical, mechanical, and microstructural properties of the composite. Various fractions of plant-based bio-waste were used in amounts ranging from 0.75 to 10% by weight. The thermal conductivity coefficient and thermal diffusivity were determined. Additionally, analyses of dimensional stability over time, visual appearance, and phase distribution uniformity were conducted. Mechanical tests included surface hardness measurements. In order to determine the material’s durability, water absorption and frost resistance tests were performed, and structural changes and properties after these cycles were analyzed. It was found that selecting the appropriate type and proportion of additive makes it possible to obtain composites with a favorable balance between thermal insulation, dimensional stability, and mechanical performance. The conducted research confirms the potential for effective use of bio-waste as a gypsum-modifying raw material, contributing to the development of sustainable building materials with a reduced environmental footprint and improved functional parameters. Full article

The effects of progressive drought stress were examined in four economically important plant species belonging to the Lamiaceae family: catnip (Nepeta cataria L.), lavender (Lavandula angustifolia Mill.), holy basil (Ocimum tenuiflorum L.), and perilla mint (Perilla frutescens (L.) Britton). Plants were grown in a controlled pot experiment under three soil water capacity levels: 70% (control), 50% (moderate stress), and 30% (severe stress), and the drought stress lasted for 30 days. The study evaluated a comprehensive set of leaf micromorphological parameters, including the density and diameter of glandular trichomes, stomatal density and size, and the thickness of the lamina, mesophyll, epidermis, cuticle, and parenchymal layers. In addition, essential oil (EO) content, total flavonoid content (TFC), and elemental composition were analyzed. Drought responses were strongly species-specific. O. tenuiflorum, P. frutescens, and N. cataria showed high sensitivity characterized by reduced biomass and thinning of leaf tissues. These changes were accompanied by typical xeromorphic adaptations, such as increased stomatal and glandular trichome density, and reduced stomatal size. L. angustifolia exhibited pronounced cuticle thickening, suggesting an effective structural mechanism to minimize water loss. Secondary metabolism also responded differently among species. In some cases, drought shifted metabolic allocation toward flavonoid accumulation at the expense of essential oils, whereas in others, moderate stress promoted the co-accumulation of both compounds. These patterns indicate distinct adaptive strategies linking anatomical plasticity with metabolic regulation. Overall, moderate drought supported adaptive responses, while severe water limitation impaired growth and metabolic production. From a practical perspective, maintaining moderate soil water availability appears critical to optimize both plant performance and the accumulation of valuable secondary metabolites in Lamiaceae species. Full article

Background: Vitamin D deficiency remains a widespread public health issue in Europe, despite the availability of sunlight, dietary sources, supplements, and food fortification. National fortification strategies differ substantially in their regulatory approaches, food vehicles, and fortification levels, influencing the population’s vitamin D intake and status. Objective: The primary objective of this study was to map vitamin D food fortification policies across European Union (EU) Member States, European Free Trade Association (EFTA) countries, and the United Kingdom (UK), focusing on regulatory frameworks, eligible food categories, and implementation models. Methods: A structured review of national legislation and official guidance on vitamin D food fortification was conducted between December 2025 and March 2026 across EU Member States (n = 27), EFTA countries (n = 4), and the UK. For EU Member States, the framework established by Regulation (EC) No 1925/2006 was examined alongside national implementation measures. For EFTA countries and the UK, corresponding national legislation and official regulatory guidance were reviewed. Data were extracted on fortification policy status, eligible food categories, legal basis, and fortification levels. Targeted searches of PubMed and Scopus were performed to identify modeling studies and policy analyses supporting the interpretation of the findings. Results: Fortification policies show marked heterogeneity. Mandatory fortification is limited to a few countries and specific foods: Finland (homogenized skim milk), Sweden (low-fat milk, fermented dairy, plant-based alternatives, and fat spreads), Belgium (margarine and selected fats), and Poland (margarine and fat spreads). In most other European countries, vitamin D fortification is voluntary under EU legislation or equivalent national legislation, depending on market uptake. Food vehicles vary regionally, with Northern Europe extending fortification beyond fats to include fluid milk and plant-based drinks, whereas other regions mainly fortify margarines, cereals, dairy products, and plant-based beverages. Fortification levels also differ, with some countries specifying maximal or exact levels, while others lack national standards. Data on fortified foods are limited in several Central and Southern European countries. Modeling indicates that multi-vehicle fortification is more effective than single-vehicle approaches, safely increasing population intakes while reducing deficiency prevalence. Conclusions: Vitamin D fortification policies across Europe are highly heterogeneous. Most countries rely on voluntary approaches, which provide limited coverage. Strengthening policy through mandatory and well-coordinated multi-vehicle strategies, informed by modeling and population-based studies, can improve vitamin D intake, reduce deficiency prevalence, and enhance health equity. Full article

The development of planar structures such as wings or leaves is a common feature among organisms and serves as a mechanism to increase surface to volume ratios. We wished to explore whether the recurrent and independent development of similar adaptive planar morphologies is the result of an activation of common genetic modules or toolkits. To test this, we focused on the developmental gene networks that are proposed to define leaf polarity in eudicots in phylloclades, leaf-like organs derived from branch primordia, in the monocot Ruscus aculeatus. Since branch primordia normally have a radial shape, this approach allowed us to examine the genetic changes required for the transformation from a round to a planar (flat) form. In our transcriptome analysis of phylloclade and stem tissue, we detected 76,085 annotated ORFs of which 87.2% were identified as complete out of 2026 BUSCO groups. Expression patterns clearly identify differentiation between phylloclade and stem tissues consistent with an enhanced photosynthetic function in the phylloclades. However, except for the AS1/AS2 and possibly STM module, we see little evidence that canonical leaf adaxial and abaxial modules are activated in the sampled phylloclades compared with the stems. Our results show that the unifacial nature of phylloclades is consistent with the observed lack of strong adaxial/abaxial molecular signatures. We propose that in R. aculeatus and plants with similar unifacial laminar leaves, adaxial/abaxial molecular identity may not be required for planar growth, and that lateral expansion of organ primordia and acropetal and intercalary cell division may be sufficient to generate planar versus radial organ shapes. Full article

Social wasps are frequently associated with fruit injuries in agroecosystems, but the diversity of species involved and the ecological context of these interactions remain poorly synthesized in Brazil. This study aimed to compile and analyze records of social wasp interactions with fruits in Brazil, combining opportunistic field observations, iNaturalist records, and published studies. In total, 19 field observations, 87 iNaturalist records, and 11 published studies were incorporated into the dataset, resulting in 2443 records involving 51 social wasp species in 10 genera and 36 plant species. Most records involved fruits still attached to the plant (1853; 75.8%), whereas 590 records (24.2%) were associated with fallen fruits. Large-bodied wasps were disproportionately associated with fruits on the plant, while small- and medium-sized species were more frequent on fallen fruits, and this association was significant (χ² = 554.71; p < 0.001). Records also varied significantly throughout the year (χ² = 5693.28; p < 0.001), with peaks in February, March, and July. The interactions were strongly concentrated in a few genera, especially Polybia, Polistes, and Agelaia, and in a few fruit species, particularly Psidium guajava, Anacardium occidentale, and Mangifera indica. Overall, the compiled evidence indicates that fruit exploitation by social wasps in Brazil is structured by body size, resource accessibility, and seasonality. However, because the study compiles heterogeneous records rather than directly measuring economic losses, the agricultural significance of these interactions remains context-dependent and requires further evaluation. Full article