Search Results (2,881)

Efficient crop management requires intelligent control strategies capable of handling uncertainty, nonlinear environmental interactions and dynamic crop growth conditions. This study presents a multisensor data fusion-based intelligent crop management framework for Capsicum cultivation using both a Mamdani fuzzy inference system (MFIS) and an adaptive Mamdani fuzzy inference system (AMFIS). The Capsicum dataset from the SmartFasal platform includes temperature, humidity and soil moisture at three depths, recorded over a four-month period (March–June 2020) with a total of 7188 samples. The proposed MFIS and AMFIS models are implemented and evaluated in the simulation environment. A Capsicum yield of 60–63 t/ha (3.6–3.8 kg/plant) is predicted via a regression model built on raw sensor inputs under conventional environmental management. An expert-rule MFIS with triangular memberships improves the regulation of agricultural parameters, increasing yield to 70–73 t/ha (4.2–4.4 kg/plant), a 15–18% increase. To improve adaptability, the AMFIS model incorporates fuzzy C-means (FCM) clustering for the automatic tuning of Gaussian membership functions and enables the controller to adjust dynamically to sensor data distributions. The adaptive system achieves a predicted productivity range of 82–87 t/ha (4.9–5.2 kg/plant), a 30–35% increase over the baseline. The regression model validation metrics R² = 0.86, RMSE = 2.1 t/ha, and MAE = 1.7 t/ha confirm the reliability of the yield estimation within the simulation framework rather than experimentally measuring crop performance. A correlation analysis, histograms, scatter plots, and Bland–Altman assessments reveal that compared with the MFIS, the AMFIS results in smoother control transitions, lower variability, and higher resource-use efficiency. This study represents a data-driven simulation framework, and future work will focus on real-time implementation and experimental validation under actual greenhouse conditions. Full article

To address the poor mechanical adaptability of conventional equipment to 40 cm narrow-row sesame cultivation and the high weeding resistance and energy consumption of traditional weeding tools, this study developed an integrated bionic weeding and plant protection vehicle. The vehicle features a modular structure capable of three-row weeding and four-row plant protection, coupled with an extended-range hybrid powertrain. Its parallel linkage design enables terrain adaptation, ensuring consistent weeding depth of 3–6 cm and stable spraying height. Combined with an adjustable spraying width and a “detection–feedback–adjustment” mechanism to prevent plant collisions, the vehicle is fully compatible with the agronomic requirements of narrow-row cultivation. Inspired by mole cricket forelegs, the vehicle’s bionic weeding wheel blade model incorporates quantified biological features: quadratically fitted claw toe contours (R² > 0.97), a toe base height-to-width ratio of 1:2, and a toe groove radius-to-toe height ratio of 1:1. This design achieves a reliable biological-to-engineering translation. EDEM-based Discrete Element Method (DEM) simulations confirm that the bionic wheel outperforms conventional designs: the average torque is 17.4% lower (7.75 vs. 9.38 N·m), the soil disturbance rate is 8.2 percentage points higher (95.2% vs. 87.0%), and soil particle motion is more ordered (average velocity: 0.52 vs. 0.58 m/s), effectively reducing energy waste and improving weeding efficiency. Full article

Under dry sowing and wet emergence conditions in Xinjiang, cotton planting with extra-wide film mulching and sowing faced challenges including low soil moisture content and poor soil plasticity. These conditions resulted in inadequate film edge laying, seed exposure, and unstable sowing depth. This study focused on an extra-wide film mulch planter, conducting operational process analysis and parameter optimization experiments. The research first analyzed the soil layer structure required for a high-quality cotton seedbed, described the structural composition and working principle of the extra-wide film mulch planter, and examined the interaction between key components and soil during operation. The primary factors affecting machine performance were identified, and a soil-deflecting device was added to mitigate rapid soil backflow. A coupled MBD-DEM model was developed to simulate the operation of key components, and simulation experiments were conducted. The optimal parameter combination obtained through optimization was as follows: furrowing disc deflection angle of 11°, primary soil-covering disc deflection angle of 20°, operational speed of 3.5 km/h, longitudinal blade height of 16 mm, and spring stiffness of 14 N/mm. Simulation validation under these parameters yielded the following results: covering soil amount ranged from 3.22 kg/m to 3.67 kg/m, with a mean of 3.43 kg/m; seeding qualification rate ranged from 94.97% to 97.52%, with a mean of 96.3%; film hole length ranged from 43.14 mm to 46.86 mm, with a mean of 45.18 mm; and cotton seed sowing depth ranged from 29.51 mm to 31.82 mm, with a mean of 31.23 mm. These simulation results met the operational requirements for extra-wide film mulching and sowing. Field validation experiments were conducted using the optimal parameter combination. The results showed a mean soil-covering thickness of 35.1 mm, mean soil-covering width of 65.3 mm, mean film hole length of 45.7 mm, and mean cotton seed sowing depth of 29.1 mm, with coefficients of variation of 5.1%, 2.6%, 4.7%, and 5.8%, respectively. The field results were generally consistent with the simulation results, confirming the reliability of the simulation model and demonstrating improved operational performance of the extra-wide film mulch planter, making it more suitable for the dry sowing with wet emergence technique. Twenty days after sowing, the mean emergence rate reached 93.3% with a coefficient of variation of 1.0%, indicating stable emergence, which preliminarily validated the effectiveness of the constructed seedbed in promoting cotton growth. Full article

Background: Tectoridin is a prominent isoflavone glycoside found in herbs such as Belamcanda chinensis (L.) DC and Iris tectorum Maxim. It has drawn increasing research interest due to its promising pharmacological activities. However, no critical review to date has determined whether its broad pharmacological activity stems from binding to specific targets or from the non-specific, broad-spectrum activity commonly associated with flavonoids. This paper provides a comprehensive review of tectoridin, covering its plant sources, pharmacological effects, pharmacokinetics, and toxicity, alongside an in-depth analysis of the mechanisms underlying its pharmacological effects and strategic recommendations for advancing its clinical translation. Methods: A systematic literature search was conducted in PubMed, Web of Science, Google Scholar, SciFinder, and CNKI for publications from 1968 to 2025 using keywords including tectoridin, tectorigenin 7-O-glucoside, traditional uses, ethnopharmacology, pharmacology, bioactive compounds, biological activity, pharmacokinetics and toxicity. Results: Tectoridin exhibits a broad spectrum of pharmacological activities, including anticancer, anti-inflammatory, hepatoprotective, antidiabetic, antioxidant, cardiovascular, and estrogenic effects. Pharmacokinetic studies have shown rapid tissue distribution and slow elimination; the aglycone metabolite tectorigenin often displays enhanced bioactivity, and chemical modifications may further improve efficacy. Toxicity data suggest relative safety in medicinal food contexts, but comprehensive in vivo studies remain limited. Tectoridin shows promise for treating cancer and inflammatory diseases; however, further research is needed to elucidate its molecular mechanisms, clarify toxicity, and optimize bioactivity. Conclusions: This review bridges natural products and modern therapeutics by focusing on tectoridin, highlighting its therapeutic potential, addressing challenges, and offering new perspectives for treating various diseases. Full article

Increasing total soil porosity and optimizing pore distribution improve soil water-holding capacity, thereby alleviating drought impacts on crop yields in semi-arid regions. A three year split-plot field experiment was conducted, with organic fertilizer (sheep manure) rates as main plots and water-retaining agent (WRA) rates as subplots. Four organic fertilizer (0, 45, 60, and 75 Mg hm⁻²) and four WRA rates (0, 0.3, 0.6, and 0.9 Mg hm⁻²) were set, resulting in 16 combined treatments. Undisturbed soil samples were collected to analyze pore distribution and water availability using the soil water retention curve. The results showed significant variations in ameliorative effects with soil depth. Individual applications of either organic fertilizer or WRA significantly improved topsoil pore distribution and water availability but exerted negative effects on the subsoil. Combined application enhanced both soil layers, with a stronger synergistic effect in the subsoil. The combination of 45 Mg ha⁻² organic fertilizer + 0.9 Mg ha⁻² WRA achieved optimal soil improvement in the 0–20 cm layer, increasing aeration porosity by 21.89% compared to organic fertilizer alone; this improvement led to 14.99% and 15.65% increases in plant available water (PAW) and readily available water (RAW), respectively. For the 20–40 cm layer, the combination of 60 Mg ha⁻² organic fertilizer + 0.9 Mg ha⁻² WRA was optimal, increasing total, aeration, and capillary porosity by 24.18%, 183.50%, and 56.73%, respectively, compared to organic fertilizer alone. Consequently, subsoil water availability was enhanced, resulting in 57.53% and 61.18% higher PAW and RAW than the control without WRA. These findings highlight the necessity of layer-specific regulation and differentiated management. The optimal combinations (OF45+W0.9 for 0–20 cm and OF60+W0.9 for 20–40 cm) effectively optimize pore distribution and increase water availability through the complementary synergistic effects of organic fertilizer and WRA. Consequently, this strategy alleviates drought stress on crop yields in semi-arid regions. Full article

Tamarindus indica L. is a species of tree with high economic value. However, research on its associated bacterial communities is limited, and no microbial fertilizer has yet been developed specifically for tamarind. In this study, we selected 20 geographical provenances of tamarind as experimental materials, evaluated their germplasm resources, and investigated the correlation between plant traits and associated bacterial communities under grafting conditions. Provenances YM2 and BS21 produced the largest fruits, while all physiological indices showed significant variability among the tested accessions. Microbial samples from the phyllosphere and rhizosphere were collected from these 20 provenances, and 16S rRNA gene sequencing was conducted to compare microbial communities. The differences in rhizosphere microbiota among different samples were more significant than those in phyllosphere microbiota; subsequently, an in-depth investigation was conducted on the relationships between rhizosphere bacterial communities and various traits under these grafting conditions. Through correlation analysis, significant correlations were identified between some microbial phyla and the traits of tamarind under these grafting conditions. Under the current grafting conditions, variations in the rhizosphere microbiome were associated with tamarind provenances. However, due to the constraints of the experimental design, the potential influences of rootstock genotypes and scion–rootstock signal transduction could not be excluded. Nevertheless, through the unification of rootstock sources and the design of correlation analysis, this study has initially verified the dominant association between scion provenances and microbial communities. Full article

Understanding how land management influences soil carbon (C) and nitrogen (N) dynamics is critical for improving ecosystem resilience and carbon sequestration potential in semiarid rangelands. This study used classical field- and laboratory-based methods to assess soil organic carbon (SOC), organic matter (OM), and N content at 13 sites across four ecological provinces in eastern Oregon, USA. Treated sites—where traditional rangeland restoration and management practices had been applied to them (i.e., juniper removal, sagebrush removal, post-fire grass seeding, and land conversion to pasture)—were paired with adjacent untreated control sites. Soil samples were collected at two depths, 0 to 10 cm and 15 to 25 cm and analyzed for C, N, OM, bulk density (BD), soil volumetric water content (SVWC), porosity, and texture. Soil C and N stocks were calculated on an area basis (t ha⁻¹), and statistical analyses were conducted using one-way ANOVA and correlation tests. Treated sites generally exhibited higher soil C, N, and OM content compared to untreated sites, particularly in the upper 10 cm of soil. Data obtained from the two soil depths (0 to 10 cm and 15 to 25 cm) were averaged and assumed to represent the top 30 cm of the soil profile, corresponding to the effective rooting zone at each field. The site where sagebrush removal was followed by grass seeding exhibited the highest soil C and N stocks (115.8 t C ha⁻¹ and 9.2 t N ha⁻¹, respectively). This site also had the highest OM content (9.53%), which was observed in the topsoil layer (0 to 10 cm) across all sites and depths. Strong positive correlations between C and N were detected across all sites (mean r = 0.92), while negative correlations were observed between soil C and bulk density at several locations. Results suggest that vegetation management practices such as woody plant removal and grass establishment can enhance soil C storage and nutrient retention in semiarid rangeland ecosystems. These findings provide baseline data to inform land management strategies aimed at improving soil health and carbon sequestration potential in the Pacific Northwest region in the USA. Full article

To solve the problems of low seeding precision and the poor operational adaptability of traditional no-till seeders under dense planting mode, and meet the agronomic requirements for high maize yield, this study carried out optimization and experimental research on the no-till precision fertilizer-seed co-sowing system for maize with wide-narrow row dense planting, relying on the experimental base of the Science and Technology Courtyard for Super High-Yield Cropping Systems in Qihe, China Agricultural University. Through modular integration and the optimization of key components, precise row spacing adjustment and improved sowing depth consistency in complex plots were achieved. A tractor-implement integrated a kinematic model and a dynamic model of the seed metering tube, which were constructed to quantify the correlation between operational parameters and motion states, providing theoretical support for structural parameter optimization. Field tests showed that all operational quality indicators of the system met the local high-yield requirements for no-till dense planting; the comprehensive performance was optimal at a density of 75,000 plants·ha⁻¹, with the best seeding uniformity (coefficient of variation: 5.65%), seedling emergence and seedling uniformity, which is well adapted to the agronomic characteristics of the wheat–maize rotation areas in the Huang-Huai-Hai Plain. Subsequent optimization by reducing the operating speed and increasing the spring stiffness can further improve the operational quality, realize the deep integration of agronomy and agricultural machinery, provide agricultural machinery support for high-yield and high-quality maize cultivation, and is of great significance for improving agricultural production efficiency and resource utilization. Full article

Rhizoctonia solani is the main pathogen that causes tomato root rot, which is a soilborne disease that seriously affects tomato production, leading to huge economic losses. Biocontrol is an excellent control method for suppressing plant disease, as it is environmentally friendly, safe, and sustainable. Currently, reviews of the biocontrol of tomato root rot caused by R. solani are scarce. In this review, biocontrol agents, including bacteria and fungi, that can control tomato root rot caused by R. solani are discussed in depth, as well as their control effects. Moreover, this review systematically analyzes the potential control mechanisms of biocontrol agents, including the production of cell-wall-degrading enzymes, the production of metabolites, mycoparasitism, the induction of plant systemic resistance, and competition. Considerations for the practical application of biocontrol agents, including their formulation, reproducibility under field conditions, environmental variability, regulatory considerations for some microbial agents, and limitations, are also highlighted and discussed. Finally, further research suggestions are made for the future control of tomato root rot caused by R. solani. This review provides a basis for the field application of biocontrol agents to control tomato root rot caused by R. solani. Full article

Bioaerosol emissions from biological treatment processes like composting, livestock operations, and wastewater plants pose notable occupational and environmental health risks. Biofiltration is a common mitigation measure for gaseous pollutants, but its effectiveness in controlling bioaerosols is less studied. This review synthesizes current evidence on biofiltration for the removal of bioaerosols. Findings indicate that biofiltration can significantly reduce emissions from waste-related biological processes, although results vary widely and depend heavily on design and operational factors. In composting, agricultural, and wastewater treatment contexts, fungal bioaerosols are consistently removed with high efficiency, often over 90%. Conversely, bacterial removal shows greater variability, from negligible to above 90%, influenced primarily by airflow rate, bed depth, and media stability. Systems with residence times of tens of seconds and bed depths of at least 1 m tend to reliably reduce bacterial counts, whereas undersized, high-flow systems experience marked efficiency losses. The choice of packing material is also crucial; mature, stable media maintain performance, whereas nutrient-rich or unstable substrates can lead to fungal emissions, turning the biofilter into a secondary source. Data on endotoxin removal are limited and remain insufficient for firm design recommendations. Overall, biofiltration’s effectiveness depends on complex interactions among physical retention, biological stability, and design. These insights emphasize the need for future research to focus on standardized, performance-based design criteria supported by consistent reporting and full-scale validation. Full article

Charcoal rot caused by Macrophomina phaseolina limits mungbean yield around Faisalabad. Fields surveyed during Kharif 2024 showed 43–58% disease incidence. At the research farm, disease severity rose from 8.6% (14 days after sowing) to 62.4% (maturity). Plants with 40–55% infection lost 42% of grain yield (1182 to 684 kg/ha). Soil temperature at a 10 cm depth best predicted disease (r = +0.86). Each 1 °C above 27 °C added 8% more severity. Early sowing in April and resistant varieties were recommended for farmers to cut losses. Full article

Aquaculture effluent appears as an alternative for reuse, given its significant generation. However, its use must be reasonable to avoid damage to the environmental quality of the soil. In this context, the objective was to evaluate the chemical changes in Ultisol cultivated with small prickly pear cactus and irrigated with different dilutions of aquaculture effluent in the supply water. The experiment was conducted at the Water Reuse Experimental Unit, located in the Brazilian semi-arid region, Mossoró, RN, Brazil. Planting was carried out in a randomized block design with five treatments and five replications. A small prickly pear cactus was irrigated weekly for 365 days, with the gross water depth determined based on the crop’s evapotranspiration. During the experimental period, the physical-chemical characterization of the effluent dilutions was conducted every 60 days, with initial and final descriptions of the soil in the 0.0–0.20 m and 0.20–0.40 m layers. Additionally, cation exchange capacity and the exchangeable sodium percentage were determined. Multivariate statistical analysis was applied to understand chemical changes in the soil. The dilutions containing a higher proportion of aquaculture effluent in the supply water, primarily consisting of 100% effluent, exhibited the chemical changes in the soil. Using a dilution containing 25% aquaculture effluent in 75% supply water may be the most viable alternative for water supply in prickly pear cactus irrigation, with non-relevant changes in soil chemical characteristics. Full article

High-quality genomic DNA extraction remains a major bottleneck for fungal genomics, particularly for worldwide aerobic and non-photosynthetic mushroom species that rely on their rigid cell walls, interference between metabolites, polysaccharides, etc., and complex genomes. This study systematically compares five DNA extraction protocols involving four distinct sample preparation procedures (fresh (A), filtered (B), frozen (C) and cryogenic mycelium (D)) across mycelial cultures of eight Tunisian fungal strains representing Ascomycota and Basidiomycota to identify the optimal combination for genomic DNA extraction from mycelium. The eight phylogenetically diverse fungal species were analyzed using short-read (MiSeq and NextSeq550) and/or long-read (MinION Mk1C) sequencing technologies, giving a depth coverage between 3.7× and 83×. The generation and quality of the assemblies were assessed within the Galaxy platform, which revealed a gap percentage of 0–0.509%. Taxonomic characterization and phylogenetic inference were performed with SANGER technology using the Internal Transcribed Spacer (ITS) and D1/D2 region of the 26S rRNA gene, assigning the species to our eight different strains: Clitopilus baronii (BS6), Porostereum spadiceum (BS200), Trametes versicolor (BS22-9), Schizophyllum commune (BS23-13), Gloeophyllum abietinum (BS23-14), Irpex laceratus (BS100), Trichoderma asperellum (GC9) and Trichoderma harzianum (S3). The optimized DNeasy Plant Pro Kit protocol with cryogenic biomass treatment presents a safe and cost-effective method for fungal genome sequencing and taxonomic resolution. This integrated comparative evaluation of extraction for sequencing identifies an optimal Qiagen-based extraction strategy combined with cryogenic treatment for eight diverse Tunisian fungal species, guiding method selection based on specific cell wall characteristics rather than proposing a universal protocol limited by unequal replication and strain numbers. Full article

Marine organisms that episodically aggregate near coastal nuclear power plant water intakes pose a substantial risk to cooling water security. Predicting the spatial distribution of such high-risk species remains challenging because their occurrence is shaped not only by environmental conditions but also by complex trophic interactions. In this study, we model the habitat distribution of three high-risk nektonic species, Dotted gizzard shad (Konosirus punctatus), Japanese swimming crab (Charybdis japonica) and squid (Loligo sp.), in the cooling water intake area of a coastal nuclear power plant in eastern Liaodong Bay using generalized linear models (GLMs) and joint species distribution models (JSDMs). Based on summer surveys conducted in 2024–2025, we explicitly incorporated trophic linkages among target species, their prey, and predators within JSDMs. Model performance was evaluated using cross-validation based on AUC, RMSE, and coefficient of determination (R²). Our results indicate that water depth was the dominant environmental driver for all three species, while chlorophyll-a concentration and distance to the intake exerted species-specific effects. By incorporating interspecific trophic associations and environmental responses, JSDMs showed consistently improved predictive performance relative to GLMs, with approximately 1.5-fold higher R² values and 10–30% lower RMSE, while offering enhanced ecological interpretability. The models revealed strong positive associations between target species and both lower-trophic prey and higher-trophic predators, suggesting that top–down and bottom–up processes jointly regulate aggregation dynamics. This study demonstrates that integrating trophic interactions into species distribution modeling substantially improves predictions of high-risk marine species near coastal infrastructure and provides an ecological basis for proactive management of cooling water intake systems. Full article

Treated wastewater (TWW) reuse mitigates water scarcity but may induce soil salinization and trace metal accumulation if improperly managed. This field study evaluated the combined effects of irrigation water quality (TWW vs. well water) and irrigation method (surface vs. subsurface drip irrigation, SDI) on soil chemical properties, okra growth, yield, and nutrient/trace element dynamics under semi-arid Mediterranean conditions. Soil pH remained stable across treatments. Electrical conductivity was not significantly affected by water quality but increased in deeper layers under surface drip irrigation, indicating salt migration. SDI promoted more uniform nutrient distribution and favored Na⁺ displacement toward deeper layers, reducing root-zone exposure. Cations stratified vertically, with Ca²⁺, Mg²⁺, and K⁺ concentrated in surface layers and Na⁺ at depth. Water quality exerted a stronger influence than irrigation method. The fertilizing effect of TWW significantly enhanced plant height (53%), leaf dry matter (43%), aboveground biomass (81%), and fruit yield (16.3%). When combined with SDI, TWW improved irrigation water use efficiency by 20%. Although fruit Cd concentrations increased under TWW irrigation, all trace metals remained below international food safety standards. These findings indicate that integrating TWW with SDI enhances productivity and water use efficiency while maintaining short-term food safety, though long-term monitoring remains essential. Full article