Search Results (2,318)

Research on the cataloging of microstructures and chemical compound localization in peanut hulls in relation to fungal tolerance remains limited. The hull (pericarp) is the first physical interface with the soil environment and may contribute to defense against fungal invasion. Here, hull microstructure and histochemical localization of alkaloid-like compounds, cellulose, lignin, starch, and total proteins were characterized across reproductive developmental stages R3–R6 in three commercially grown cultivars (Georgia-06G, Georgia-12Y, and Georgia-18RU). Stained sections were examined by light and fluorescence microscopy, and images were quantified in Fiji-ImageJ as stained area percentage. Among the compounds studied, the highest area percentages were observed at later stages (R5 and R6). Alkaloid-like compounds, cellulose, and starch were higher at the R5 stages of G-18 (9.61 ± 0.75), G-12Y (22.96 ± 5.84), and G-06 (6.31 ± 1.13) respectively, while lignin and total proteins were highest at the R6 stage of G-18 (respectively, 14.49 ± 1.43 and 13.90 ± 1.45). The lowest histochemical presence for most metabolites occurred in the early stages (R3–R4). This indicates that hull maturation is accompanied by increased physical (sclerenchyma and lignified cells) and biochemical (alkaloid-like compounds, proteins) features consistent with protective roles. As the analysis was based on representative sections and regions of interest (ROI)-level quantification, the results are intended to guide future studies on hull-mediated defense and breeding for Aspergillus tolerance. Full article

Excessive chemical fertilization in maize production has reduced fertilizer-use efficiency and increased pressure on soil quality, whereas reducing fertilizer input without yield loss remains challenging. This challenge has shifted attention toward strategies that improve crop nutrient acquisition and utilization under lower fertilizer supply. Harpin protein-based enzyme complexes may provide a regulatory approach, but their field performance under reduced fertilization remains unclear. A two-year field experiment was conducted from 2023 to 2024 using two maize cultivars, Heyu236 and Fuyuan2. In 2023, the harpin protein-based enzyme complex was applied at 200-fold and 300-fold dilutions under conventional fertilization to identify effective spraying concentrations. In 2024, the same two concentrations were evaluated under conventional fertilization and 15%, 30%, and 45% fertilizer reductions. In the 2023 concentration screening trial under conventional fertilization, the enzyme complex increased kernels per ear by 5.6–9.7% and tended to increase the yield by 0.4–17.2% (not significant). In 2024, under reduced fertilization, enzyme application combined with 30% fertilizer reduction produced a stable yield response. In particular, the 300-fold dilution combined with 30% fertilizer reduction increased kernels per ear by 18.1% and 13.2% and grain yield by 16.9% and 9.5% in Fuyuan2 and Heyu 236, respectively. Soil analyses showed that the enzyme treatment mainly improved nutrient availability, as reflected by higher available P, available K, alkali-hydrolyzable N, organic matter, and available Cu, Zn, Fe, and Mn in the soil. These findings suggest that the harpin protein-based enzyme complex helped maintain maize yield under moderate fertilizer reduction by improving kernel formation and soil nutrient availability. Among the tested treatments, foliar application at 300-fold dilution combined with 30% fertilizer reduction showed the greatest potential for reducing fertilizer input while sustaining maize productivity. Full article

Soil salinity severely restricts castor (Ricinus communis L.) seed germination, yet the molecular basis of this trait remains poorly understood. Here, we identified and functionally characterized RcnsLTPC, a nonspecific lipid transfer protein gene strongly induced by salt stress, which encodes a plasma membrane-localized nsLTP1 protein. Promoter analyses indicated that RcnsLTPC is responsive to stress-, hormone-, and light-related signals, supporting its potential role in environmental adaptation. Heterologous expression in Saccharomyces cerevisiae and overexpression in Nicotiana tabacum consistently demonstrated that RcnsLTPC acts as a positive regulator of salt tolerance, improving germination, root development, biomass accumulation, antioxidant capacity, and ion homeostasis under NaCl stress. Notably, ZnO-NPs priming further amplified the protective effects of RcnsLTPC, suggesting a synergistic interaction between nanopriming and gene-mediated stress adaptation. Collectively, these findings establish RcnsLTPC as a key regulator of salt tolerance in castor and provide a conceptual basis for combining nanotechnology with genetic enhancement to improve crop performance on saline soils. Full article

The Azorean livestock system depends strongly on pasture-based feeding, making regional agriculture sensitive to global warming. This study assessed the effects of experimental warming on forage productivity, forage quality, and soil fertility in three pastures along an altitudinal gradient over two years (2020–2021). Open-top chambers were used to create warmer conditions, and soil and forage samples were analysed for chemical and mineral composition. Warming increased net forage productivity by 30% and 70% in the lower-altitude pasture in 2020 and 2021, respectively, and by 56% in the intermediate-altitude pasture in 2021. Responses at the highest altitude were weak or not significant. Effects on forage quality were seasonal. In winter and early spring, warming increased crude protein by 14–45% and ash by 4–13% in the lower- and intermediate-altitude pastures. Later in the season, warming was associated with higher fibre fractions, especially in the intermediate-altitude pasture, indicating faster plant maturation. Soil factors significantly structured forage quality, with phosphorus as the main driver. This study contributes to understanding how climate change may affect the sustainability of pasture-based livestock systems in island environments, supporting the development of adaptive management strategies to safeguard productivity, soil fertility, and ecosystem resilience. Full article

Global food security and climate mitigation goals are placing unprecedented demands on agricultural systems to simultaneously improve soil productivity and reduce carbon emissions. Spent mushroom substrate (SMS), the mushroom industry’s principal waste stream, offers considerable recycling potential, yet its influence on dissolved organic carbon (DOC) chemistry and soil aggregate stability remains unclear. We tested four SMS return regimes on a medium-textured fluvo-aquic soil: CK, 0 t·ha⁻¹; ORS, 22.5 t/ha; ERS, 22.5 t/ha; and SRS, 45 t/ha in total, with 22.5 t/ha applied per SMS return event. It was found that SMS improved soil structural stability across all regimes, with SRS delivering the strongest effects. Compared with CK, SRS raised the proportions of >2 mm and 0.25–2 mm aggregates by 31.62% and 33.42%, while the mean weight diameter (MWD) and geometric mean diameter (GMD) increased by 23.25% and 22.68%. SMS also elevated aromatic carbon abundance, DOC concentration, UV254, and SUVA254. Fluorescence EEM-PARAFAC resolved DOC into three component: namely, two humic-like and one protein-like, and SMS expanded the relative contribution of the humic-like C1 fraction. Overall, under the tested fluvo-aquic soil and wheat–maize rotation conditions, SMS return was associated with changes in DOC composition, higher aggregate stability, and greater aggregate-associated carbon accumulation. These findings suggest that SMS return may be a promising strategy for improving soil structure and recycling agricultural waste under similar field conditions, but its broader applicability requires further validation. Full article

Agroecosystems are perpetually subjected to environmental factors. Driven by a shifting global climate, soil moisture deficits represent an increasingly frequent threat to crop productivity. In farming, however, these abiotic stressors seldom occur in isolation, as fields are invariably compounded by biotic weed pressure. Consequently, investigating plant responses to such combinatorial, multi-faceted stress is paramount to evaluating the realistic efficacy of modern agrotechnical interventions. A 2-year, three-factor pot experiment was conducted at the Research and Education Station in Swojczyce, belonging to the Wrocław University of Environmental and Life Sciences. The aim of the study was to examine the response of winter wheat (Triticum aestivum L., cv. Agil) to drought stress during the period when cereal plants were at the 51–65 BBCH developmental stages. Additionally, in some pots with winter wheat, Apera spica-venti (L.) Beauv. was sown as a weed to evaluate the effects of biotic stress. To observe the mitigation of stressors, three different types of biostimulants were used—a silicon-based preparation and two seaweed-based preparations derived from Ecklonia maxima (Osbeck) Papenfuss and Ascophyllum nodosum (L.) Le Jolis, respectively, representing structural, morphological, and biochemical defense strategies. Drought stress significantly and negatively affected the length of the wheat main stem, lateral tillers, and lateral spikes, as well as the weight of the main wheat spike. The simultaneous occurrence of drought stress and A. spica-venti competition resulted in the greatest cumulative reduction in main spike weight. Furthermore, drought stress was associated with an increase in nitrogen/protein content and potassium content in wheat straw. The presence of A. spica-venti significantly reduced both the weight of the main wheat spike and the number of non-productive tillers. The limited effectiveness of biostimulants may be associated with the severity and timing of stress exposure during reproductive development. Full article

Optimizing nutrient management is critical for enhancing crop productivity and grain nutritional quality in reclaimed soils, where poor soil fertility and salinity often limit barley cultivation. In that context, this study evaluated the effects of NPK fertilization on barley grain metabolism in reclaimed soil, using four barley cultivars (Betaone, Heuknuri, Nurichal, and Sogang) under fertilized (F) and non-fertilized (NF) conditions. Chemical fertilization (N–P₂O₅–K₂O = 88–72–36 kg ha⁻¹) increased crude protein (CP) concentrations in Heuknuri and Sogang by over 30%, while reducing the soluble sugar content by 15–24%. In contrast, starch content remained relatively stable across all cultivars. Gas chromatography–mass spectrometry (GC–MS) profiling revealed that fertilization caused only modest changes in grain primary metabolism, including increased fatty acids (oleate, linoleate), alongside consistent accumulation of amino acids related to nitrogen assimilation (asparate, asparagine, glutarate, proline). Two-way ANOVA and principal component analysis (PCA) revealed that the cultivar identity, rather than fertilization, was the dominant factor shaping metabolic variation, affecting 23 of 28 detected metabolites. Notably, Betaone and Heuknuri exhibited higher overall metabolite accumulation and stable metabolic profiles across treatments, suggesting better physiological adaptation to nutrient-deficiency stress. These results indicate that NPK fertilization under reclaimed soil conditions promotes nitrogen assimilation more than carbon storage, and grain metabolic changes are largely cultivar-dependent. However, the underlying regulatory mechanisms controlling carbon–nitrogen allocation and lipid metabolism under fertilization were not fully investigated and require further multi-omics and long-term field studies. Full article

Holotrichia parallela is a globally distributed soil-dwelling pest that poses a major threat to peanut cultivation in China. Neuropeptides, as critical signaling molecules, regulate multiple physiological and behavioral processes in insects and represent highly promising targets for pest management. To date, the functional characteristics of neuropeptides in H. parallela remain unreported. In this study, we isolated and cloned one NPF and one NPFR gene, respectively. Bioinformatics analysis revealed that alternative splicing of the NPF gene produces two transcript variants, NPFa (255 bp) and NPFb (369 bp). The NPFR gene spans a length of 1188 bp, encoding 395 amino acids that contain seven α-helical transmembrane domains, indicating that it belongs to the family A G protein-coupled receptor (GPCR) family. Spatiotemporal expression profiles demonstrated that NPF was most abundant in the adult brain, whereas NPFR was highly enriched in the brain and antennae. NPF expression peaked in second-to-third-instar larvae, while NPFR was highly expressed in eggs. Starvation stress significantly upregulated the expression of both genes. RNA interference (RNAi)-mediated silencing of NPF and NPFR significantly reduced food intake, female fecundity, and glycogen content in adults. These findings enhance our understanding of insect neuropeptides signaling networks and support the development of behavior-based pest control strategies. Full article

The utilization of saline–alkali lands and the competition between medicinal plants and grain crops are urgent issues. This study aimed to evaluate the effects of combined biochar and phosphogypsum application on soil physicochemical properties, microbial communities, and safflower growth, yield, and bioactive component accumulation in moderately saline–alkali soil of western Jilin, and to identify key soil factors driving these responses. To achieve this, outdoor pot experiments were conducted using safflower (Carthamus tinctorius L.), with the application of 1% biochar + 1% phosphogypsum to moderately saline–alkali soil. The results showed that the amendment significantly reduced bulk density (BD), pH, sodium adsorption ratio (SAR), total alkalinity (TA), and exchangeable sodium percentage (ESP), while increasing soil water content (SWC), soil organic matter (SOM), nitrogen, phosphorus, potassium, and beneficial ions. Soil sucrase, urease, alkaline phosphatase, and catalase activities were enhanced. Copiotrophic taxa (Pseudomonadota, Sphingomonas, Vicinamibacter) increased, whereas oligotrophic taxa (Gemmatimonadetes, Longimicrobium, Luteitalea) decreased, with stronger effects on bacteria than fungi. Safflower growth indices improved; leaf Na⁺/K⁺ ratio, superoxide radicals, and malondialdehyde decreased; and soluble protein, proline, and antioxidant enzyme activities increased. Bioactive components (hydroxysafflor yellow A, kaempferol) and yield reached 1.41%, 0.056%, and 343.23 mg/plant, representing 1.74–27.68-fold increases over moderate and mild saline–alkali soils. Correlation analysis identified SOM, total nitrogen (TN), available phosphorus (AP), BD, SWC, pH, SAR, TA, and ESP as key factors. In conclusion, co-application of 1% biochar and 1% phosphogypsum improves soil physicochemical and microbial properties, alleviates saline–alkali stress, and enhances safflower quality and yield. Full article

The coexistence of microplastics (MPs) and heavy metals (Cd, Pb) in agricultural soils has become a global environmental and ecological risk. In this study, a pot experiment was conducted to investigate the effects of different concentrations of polyethylene (PE) microplastics and combined Cd/Pb contamination on the growth and development, heavy metal accumulation, and antioxidant system of tobacco (Nicotiana tabacum L. cv. Yunyan 87). The results showed that low-dose PE and low concentrations of heavy metals had minor impacts on tobacco growth and the antioxidant system; in contrast, high-dose PE and elevated heavy metal treatments markedly induced increases in malondialdehyde content (MDA) and enhanced the activities of superoxide dismutase (SOD), catalase (CAT), and peroxidase (POD). Under co-contaminated conditions, the addition of low-dose PE reduced the translocation capacity of heavy metals, alleviated heavy metal-induced oxidative stress responses, and promoted tobacco growth. Conversely, high-dose PE promoted the translocation of Cd into tobacco plants and increased Cd contents in tobacco leaves, leading to marked decreases in soluble protein and soluble sugar contents, and causing severe reductions in plant height, number of functional leaves, and biomass. Structural equation modeling (SEM) analysis revealed that the direct effect of PE on tobacco growth was not significant; instead, it primarily acted as a regulatory factor, exerting either promotional or inhibitory effects on tobacco growth at different doses. The impact of Cd/Pb on tobacco growth appeared to involve two potential pathways. On the one hand, Cd/Pb induced direct toxicity through their accumulation within tobacco tissues. On the other hand, they exerted indirect regulation primarily by modulating the activities of the tobacco antioxidant system. Full article

Soil degradation and organic matter depletion threaten the sustainability of Mediterranean agroecosystems, highlighting the need for effective and sustainable soil restoration strategies. This study evaluated the short-term effects of composts and vermicomposts derived from chestnut sawdust and food waste on soil functionality and broccoli quality under field conditions using a multi-indicator assessment framework. Six fertilization treatments, including composts, vermicomposts, horse manure, mineral NPK fertilization, and an unfertilized control, were tested in broccoli-cultivated plots. Organic amendments significantly improved soil chemical, biochemical, and biological properties compared with mineral fertilization and the unfertilized control. Vermicompost 10/90 (10% sawdust:90% wet waste) produced the strongest effects, increasing soil organic carbon and organic matter by about 85%, cation exchange capacity by 45%, and dehydrogenase activity by 83% compared with the unfertilized control. Compost and vermicompost treatments also enhanced microbial biomass carbon, enzymatic activities, and QBS-ar values, indicating improved soil biological quality and microarthropod diversity. Broccoli quality was significantly influenced by fertilization regime. Vermicompost 10/90 increased vitamin C by 154%, vitamin E by 54%, total proteins by 18%, and total carbohydrates by 17% compared with the unfertilized control. Organic amendments also enhanced total phenolics, flavonoids, and antioxidant activity relative to NPK and control treatments. Principal component and correlation analyses revealed strong positive relationships among organic matter accumulation, microbial activity, enzymatic processes, soil biodiversity, and crop nutritional quality. Overall, the integrated multi-indicator approach demonstrated that waste-derived organic amendments improve soil functionality and crop quality simultaneously, supporting their use as sustainable tools for circular and resilient Mediterranean agricultural systems. Full article

Plant quality is strongly influenced by environmental conditions, including the presence of micronutrients and potentially toxic elements in the soil. This study aimed to evaluate the effect of soil-applied fluorine on the content of exogenous (essential) and endogenous (non-essential) amino acids in black radish roots and the aerial biomass of narrow-leaved lupine. The following essential amino acids were identified: histidine, threonine, arginine, lysine, tyrosine, leucine, phenylalanine, isoleucine, methionine, and valine. The group of endogenous amino acids comprised cysteine, proline, serine, glutamic acid, aspartic acid, glycine, and alanine. Increasing fluorine application generally enhanced the accumulation of both essential and endogenous amino acids in lupine shoots and radish roots. The strongest stimulatory effect on the synthesis of most amino acids was observed at the lowest fluorine doses, i.e., 20 mg F kg⁻¹ soil for narrow-leaved lupine and 100 mg F kg⁻¹ soil for black radish. By contrast, the concentrations of certain endogenous amino acids, such as aspartic acid, glutamic acid and proline in radish roots and aspartic acid in lupine shoots, were highest at intermediate fluorine contamination levels. Moreover, the maximum contents of tyrosine and cysteine in lupine aerial parts were recorded under the highest fluorine dose. Overall, protein derived from black radish exhibited a higher nutritional value than that of narrow-leaved lupine. The results obtained show that simulated soil contamination with fluoride stimulates amino acid synthesis in both plants. The research enables a better assessment of the quality and nutritional value of crops grown under conditions of environmental contamination, and helps to explain the mechanisms by which plants defend themselves against chemical stress. The research suggests that moderate fluoride contamination causes changes in nitrogen metabolism, increasing amino acid production, which may be a defence mechanism in plants against stress. Full article

Unlike conventional energy-intensive physical/chemical soil remediation, dietary regulation of As oral bioavailability represents a cost-effective, sustainable downstream intervention in environmental risk management and control. However, how distinct dietary structures regulate As bioavailability remains unelucidated, hindering a holistic understanding of corresponding exposure and health risks. To address this, a mouse bioassay was conducted to evaluate the relative bioavailability (RBA) of As in two soils with four typical diet structures (high-fat, high-protein, high-carbohydrate, and high-dietary fiber diets). The results showed that although the four diets promoted the gastrointestinal As dissolution by 1.1–1.7-fold, the high-dietary fiber diet decreased As-RBA by 9.49–13.2% and lowered the health risk by 0.50–0.70-fold, which was more effective than high-protein and high-carbohydrate diets. The decrease was associated with lower intestinal permeability, which correlated with a significant increase in the relative abundance of Roseburia and Lachnospiraceae, and a decrease in the apoptosis rate of mouse intestinal epithelial cells. In contrast, a high-fat diet increased As-RBA by 8.72–11.9% and raised the health risk by 1.33–1.38-fold, which was associated with a significant proliferation of Dubosiella and a significant inhibition of Roseburia. This study shows that a high-dietary fiber diet is associated with reduced As exposure and potential health risks, in parallel with favorable changes in gut microbiota, oxidative status, and intestinal permeability. Full article

Climate change is emerging not only as a threat to global food production but also as a major driver of declining nutritional quality in food crops. Throughout this review, terms such as nutrient decline, imbalance, and nutritional quality changes are used to describe relative changes in the nutritional attributes of edible crop tissues, as reported in the source studies. Elevated atmospheric CO₂, altered rainfall patterns, shifts in solar radiation, and rising temperatures influence soil processes, plant metabolism, and genotype × environment interactions that determine nutrient composition and density. Evidence from controlled experiments, free-air CO₂ enrichment (FACE) studies, field trials, and meta-analyses suggests a recurrent tendency toward reduced concentrations of essential macronutrients and micronutrients, including protein, iron, zinc, and selected B-vitamins in a range of cereals, legumes, and horticultural crops, while responses remain context-dependent and are not universally observed across all nutrients, cultivars, or production systems. These reductions raise serious concerns for populations already experiencing widespread micronutrient deficiencies. This review synthesizes the current knowledge on the extent and mechanisms of climate-driven nutrient decline across major crops, highlighting variability among species, cultivars, and production environments. We also evaluate the potential health consequences, particularly heightened risks of anemia, impaired immunity, developmental challenges, and other deficiency-related disorders. Regions such as South Asia, Southeast Asia, and Sub-Saharan Africa are identified as highly vulnerable due to their strong dependence on nutrient-poor staples and existing burdens of hidden hunger. Furthermore, we assess key mitigation and adaptation pathways, including agronomic innovations, climate-smart agricultural practices, biofortification, advanced breeding strategies, and the emerging use of microbial and cyanobacterial biostimulants to enhance nutritional resilience in cropping systems. Finally, this review provides an integrated synthesis of climate-induced nutrient decline, its health implications for vulnerable populations, and priority actions needed to protect global food and nutrition security in the face of accelerating climate change. Full article

Parent material is a fundamental determinant of soil pedogenesis, yet its specific role in regulating the molecular composition and vertical evolution of dissolved organic matter (DOM) in paddy soils remains poorly understood. The primary objective of this study was to elucidate how distinct parent materials and soil depths interact to shape DOM chemodiversity. This study investigated 14 paddy soil samples from the plow horizon (Ap, 0–20 cm) and subsoil horizon (Br, 20–50 cm) paddy soils derived from seven parent materials (plate shale: PS, quaternary red clay: QRC, granite: GR, Alluvial Sediment: AS, limestone: LS, sandy gravel: SG, and purple soil: PR). For each composite sample, DOM extraction and subsequent optical characterizations were performed in triplicate (n = 3 analytical replicates). The analysis of soil physicochemical properties was integrated with ultraviolet-visible (UV-Vis) absorption and excitation-emission matrix spectroscopy combined with parallel factor analysis (EEMs-PARAFAC). Our results revealed that parent material significantly dictated the soil chemical microenvironments, with LS, SG, and PR maintaining alkaline profiles, whereas others exhibited distinct surface acidity. Consequently, this microenvironmental heterogeneity profoundly influenced DOM characteristics. While DOM generally shifted towards higher molecular weight and increased aromaticity with depth, its evolutionary trajectory was highly dependent on the parent material. For instance, SG soils preserved a strong autochthonous signature in Ap, whereas GR soils exhibited the highest humification degree. Furthermore, PARAFAC analysis identified a dominant refractory humic-like component (C1 and C2) alongside a highly variable labile protein-like component (C3, 15–40%). Correlation and principal component analyses (PCA) further demonstrated that soil depth and parent material jointly drive DOM evolution, wherein soil organic matter (SOM) abundance showed strong positive associations with total nitrogen (TN), total phosphorus (TP), and available arsenic. These findings underscore that parent material properties are critical variables for understanding soil carbon cycling and managing heavy metal risks in paddy ecosystems. Full article