Search Results (413)

Using our terahertz sensor, we addressed the agricultural challenge of nondestructively and cost-effectively detecting internal plant moisture. For plant health assessment, we developed a low-cost nanobolometer imaging sensor array. The proposed terahertz imaging system can detect changes in leaf moisture content under stress, even at low moisture levels. The system enables terahertz imaging of living plant tissues to assess moisture and nutrient distribution in leaves. Because terahertz radiation is non-ionizing and strongly interacts with water molecules, it can reveal internal plant processes. Plant development can also be monitored using time-series imaging. In addition, specialized software was used to enhance the quality of terahertz images and to fuse them with conventional images. This feature enables a more comprehensive assessment of plant health. Such an approach may support future applications, such as disease detection and evaluation of fertilizer effects. Full article

Tobacco (Nicotiana tabacum L.) is an industrial crop cultivated worldwide with intensive management systems that include continuous cropping, conventional tillage and high use of agrochemicals. The increasing concerns about environmental and economic sustainability call for innovative practices to maintain yield while managing weeds and enhancing soil fertility. Our research investigated the effect of green manure or cover crops coupled with minimum tillage on Kentucky tobacco production and the level of control of weeds. Six integrated management systems were tested in a four-year trial in Tuscany, Italy: (TS1) conventional farming management as defined above; (TS2) reduction in fertilizers and compost application; (TS3) rotation of tobacco–leguminous green manure and reduction in fertilizers; (TS4) rotation of tobacco–leguminous green manure and compost application without fertilizers; (TS5) rotation of tobacco–mixture of cover crops, minimum tillage before tobacco transplant, reduction in fertilizers; (TS6) as in TS5 but with a compost amendment addition. The different farming practices represented an ecological filter for the weed communities. The combination of conventional tillage, compost application and green manure was sufficient to control weed development. On the other hand, cover crop termination via roller crimper and minimum tillage did not reduce weed pressure, thereby negatively affecting tobacco production. Further studies are needed to improve the effectiveness of mulching and minimal tillage on weed levels not detrimental to tobacco development. It would be advisable to alternate different weed management strategies to prevent community specialization, mitigate negative effects on crops and enhance biodiversity at the farm scale. Full article

Soil degradation, nutrient depletion, and persistent weed pressure represent critical challenges in the adoption of sustainable agriculture practices in subtropical organic farming systems. Reliance on conventional inputs threatens long-term soil health and ecosystem resilience, highlighting the need for regenerative alternatives. Cover crops are widely recognized as multifunctional agroecological tools with the capacity to enhance nutrient cycling, perform weed suppression, and improve soil organic matter. To evaluate their effectiveness in South Florida's subtropical climate and organic raised bed systems, a field experiment was conducted as a Randomized Block Design (RBD) at the Florida International University Organic Garden during the 2024 summer season. The six cover crops species that were tested include green gram (Vigna radiata), hibiscus (Hibiscus sabdariffa), sorghum (Sorghum bicolor), soybean (Glycine max), sunn hemp (Crotalaria juncea), and pearl millet (Pennisetum glaucum). Data collected includes plant establishment, biomass accumulation, weed suppression, soil physiochemical properties, and plant nutrient composition. Sorghum and sunn hemp produced the highest fresh and dry biomass, with sorghum achieving the most effective weed suppression with the lowest weed biomass and weed population. Sunn hemp contributed to enhanced nitrogen content in plant tissues, while hibiscus promoted the highest soil P and N concentrations. Pearl millet exhibited the highest total carbon and organic matter content, indicating potential for enhancing soil carbon content and soil fertility. Results show that each cover crop species can provide a specialized or generalized ecosystem service depending on management goals. Full article

Background and Objectives: To evaluate maternal characteristics associated with placenta previa in comparison with breech cesarean controls, as well as maternal and neonatal outcomes. Materials and Methods: A retrospective case–control study was conducted at the Hospital of Lithuanian University of Health Sciences, Kaunas Clinics (2015–2022). A total of 150 cases of placenta previa were compared with a control group of participants who underwent cesarean delivery due to fetal breech presentation without placenta previa. Results: In multivariable analysis, higher parity, prior cesarean delivery, in vitro fertilization, prior surgical termination of pregnancy, and prior uterine surgery were independently associated with placenta previa compared with breech cesarean controls. Maternal complications were significantly more frequent in the placenta previa group and included placenta accreta spectrum disorders, second- and third-trimester hemorrhage, postpartum hemorrhage, and increased need for blood transfusion. The most severe outcomes, including cesarean hysterectomy, occurred exclusively in cases complicated by placenta accreta spectrum disorders. Neonatal outcomes in the placenta previa group were characterized by higher rates of preterm birth, low Apgar scores, and birth weight < 2500 g. Adverse neonatal outcomes were partly associated with earlier gestational age at delivery. However, placenta previa remained associated with low Apgar score after adjustment. Conclusions: Compared with breech cesarean controls, placenta previa was associated with multiple maternal characteristics, including higher parity, prior cesarean delivery, in vitro fertilization, prior surgical termination of pregnancy, and prior uterine surgery. The condition is linked to increased maternal hemorrhagic morbidity, particularly in cases complicated by placenta accreta spectrum disorders, as well as adverse neonatal outcomes mainly related to prematurity. These findings highlight the importance of careful antenatal monitoring and delivery planning in specialized centers. Full article

Fertilizers play a crucial role in increasing grain yields and ensuring agricultural supply. However, heavy reliance on fertilizers has brought growing pressure on food security and environmental sustainability. Soil improvement technologies provide an effective way to reduce fertilizer use while maintaining agricultural productivity. This paper uses survey data from 808 farmers in China’s major grain-producing regions. It examines the effects of single and combined soil improvement technologies on fertilizer application intensity. Based on farmers’ capabilities, cognition, and production behaviors, this study further explores the moderating roles of digital literacy, psychological expectation, and continuous technology adoption. The results show that technology combinations have a stronger inhibitory effect on fertilizer reduction than a single technology. Digital literacy and continuous technology adoption strengthen this mitigation effect, while psychological expectations weaken it. The fertilizer-reduction effect is more evident in larger farms, non-transferred land, and farms with higher levels of mechanization. Future agricultural policies should place more emphasis on the popularization of technology combinations, such as through targeted subsidies and special supporting funds. At the same time, differentiated support measures should be formulated in light of local conditions to curb excessive fertilizer application and promote the sustainable development of agriculture. Full article

Madagascar’s Central Highlands have experienced extensive deforestation and soil degradation, limiting the success of reforestation efforts. Poor soil fertility, particularly nitrogen limitation, constrains early seedling growth in degraded landscapes. This study evaluated the field performance of composted Black Soldier Fly frass (CBSFF) as a soil amendment for the native pioneer tree Dodonaea madagascariensis within the Ambohitantely Special Reserve. Four treatments were compared across four sites using a randomized complete block design: unfertilized control, cattle manure (4 g N), CBSFF one-fold (4 g N), and CBSFF two-fold (8 g N). The experiment was conducted on seedlings aged 16 months at the start of the study, and their growth was monitored over a six-month period. Growth responses were analyzed using generalized linear mixed-effects models with site included as a random factor. Seedling survival remained near 100% across all treatments, indicating no phytotoxic effects of composted frass under field conditions. Fertilization significantly enhanced both basal stem diameter and height growth. When standardized by nitrogen input, cattle manure and CBSFF produced comparable growth responses, indicating that nitrogen availability, rather than fertilizer identity, primarily drove early seedling performance. Height growth exhibited a clear dose-dependent response, with the double-dose CBSFF treatment producing the greatest increase. Planting method had a modest effect on height but did not alter the relative performance of fertilizer treatments. These findings demonstrate that composted BSF frass functions as an effective nitrogen source for early tree establishment in degraded tropical soils and performs comparably to traditional manure under field conditions. By validating insect-derived fertilizer within a restoration context, this study supports the integration of circular nutrient systems into sustainable reforestation strategies in biodiversity-rich yet resource-limited landscapes. Full article

The complexity of physicochemical properties in iron ore tailings has led to extensive and varied study avenues. Moreover, changes in these features resulting from source discrepancies have complicated the identification of consistent patterns in study findings, thereby hindering the standardization and advancement of resource exploitation technologies. This paper provides a comprehensive analysis of the utilization pathways for iron tailings. It identifies the mainstream recovery processes for rare earth minerals, a relatively less-researched direction. It also describes research progress on the use of iron tailings for the preparation of fertilizers and soil conditioners, as well as their application as cementitious materials or aggregates in building materials and mine backfilling engineering. It incorporates various activation methods for the preparation of cementitious materials from iron tailings into a unified comparative framework and quantifies the key performance indicators of different activation pathways through a summary table. It also summarizes studies on the ecological reclamation of tailings ponds based on bioremediation techniques. The essential physicochemical properties of iron deposits are meticulously analyzed, and this is followed by a specialized overview of the principal treatment techniques, critical performance indicators, and their foundational mechanisms. The current application of various technical approaches is examined to identify key problems, and future development opportunities are outlined. Full article

Agricultural soils play a dual role in the climate system, acting both as carbon sinks and natural sources of greenhouse gas emissions, which may be intensified under unsustainable management. However, the comparative effectiveness of different soil management strategies, particularly organic amendments derived from agro-industrial residues, remains insufficiently clarified. This review aims to critically synthesize current scientific evidence on soil stewardship practices for mitigating greenhouse gas emissions and enhancing soil carbon sequestration. The analysis is based on a structured review of peer-reviewed literature published over the last decade, including field experiments, long-term trials, and LCA studies. Comparative insights are provided across conventional mineral fertilization, organic amendments, and circular fertilization approaches based on agro-industrial by-products. The results indicate that organic amendments such as compost, digestate, and vermicompost generally increase soil organic carbon stocks (up to +40% in long-term systems) and can reduce greenhouse gas emissions and carbon footprint compared with mineral fertilization, although responses vary depending on soil, climate, and management conditions. The review evaluates the effects of different management practices on soil organic carbon dynamics, greenhouse gas fluxes, nutrient use efficiency, and soil biological functioning. Special emphasis is placed on the role of waste-derived fertilizers—such as composts, digestates, and vermicompost—in promoting soil carbon stabilization while reducing the environmental burden associated with synthetic inputs. Evidence consistently indicates that soil stewardship strategies grounded in circular economy principles can lower net carbon footprints, improve soil resilience, and mitigate trade-offs between productivity and climate mitigation. By framing soil management within the context of global warming mitigation, this review highlights the multifunctional role of soils as climate regulators and underscores the potential of agro-industrial waste valorization as a scalable pathway toward climate-smart and low-emission agricultural systems. Full article

The objective of this review is to synthesize current knowledge and evidence on male reproductive health by addressing preventive medicine strategies and biomarkers, as well as to provide clinicians, researchers, and policy makers with a coherent framework for prevention of male reproductive health. In this review male (in)fertility and determinants of male reproductive health as well as preventive strategies with special attention to primary, secondary and tertiary prevention in male reproductive health will be analyzed. From primary preventive measures: education, weight management, physical activity, sleep, healthy diet, alcohol and smoking consumption will be assessed, while from secondary preventive measures: sexually transmitted infection (STI) from the point of transmission prevention, testicular self-examination, hormonal testing and management, chronic diseases and semen analysis will be discussed; and from tertiary preventive measures: treatment of STI, treatment of congenital abnormalities, infertility treatment and urogenital cancer treatment will be elaborated. Additionally, biomarkers in male reproductive health will be synthesized and discussed. Bridging the gap between evidence and practice will ultimately lead to better understanding of the complex state of male reproductive health, thus minimizing the potential missed windows of opportunities in timely adequate preventive interventions implementations, as well as on time diagnostic and optimal treatment options. Full article

This Special Issue, entitled “Digital Soil Mapping for Agri-Environmental Management and Sustainability”, gathers nine studies from around the globe that illustrate how digital soil mapping (DSM) is being applied to support agri-environmental management and sustainability. Field- and farm-scale studies are emphasized, where informed decisions are essential for efficient day-to-day management and profitability. The articles highlight the integration of remote/proximal sensing, along with modern machine learning techniques, to produce high-resolution soil maps, soil fertility and nutrient management zoning, and to monitor salinity and soil moisture to inform irrigation and land management. Another key focus is improving sampling strategies and assessing prediction uncertainty and model interpretability. This collection sets future DSM priorities, including cost-effective sampling, robust uncertainty assessments, and reliable cost–benefit and risk assessment approaches that link map accuracy/uncertainty to management outcomes and economic performance. Full article

Globally, diverse agricultural production strategies have been implemented to address the impacts of climate change, with sustainable farming models emerging as key approaches, particularly in regions affected by environmental degradation. Latin America is especially vulnerable due to its strong dependence on agriculture, pressure on natural resources, and persistent socioeconomic inequalities in rural areas. This study presents a review of sustainable agricultural practices, with particular attention to evidence from Latin America on sustainable agricultural practices as effective strategies for climate change adaptation and mitigation, natural resource conservation, and food security enhancement. Special emphasis is placed on the role of the bioeconomy and the integration of traditional knowledge with modern agricultural management, highlighting their combined contribution to agroecosystem resilience. The review critically examines how sustainable agricultural practices influence soil health, agroecosystem resilience, and the long-term sustainability of agricultural production within a circular economy framework. The findings indicate that practices such as no-till farming, crop rotation, organic fertilization, and integrated soil management significantly improve soil structure, nutrient retention, organic matter content, and soil biodiversity. These practices also reduce soil degradation, enhance resource-use efficiency, and promote carbon sequestration, thereby contributing directly to climate change mitigation. Overall, the results underscore the importance of holistic approaches that integrate traditional practices with technological innovations and highlight the need for further applied research across diverse environmental and socioeconomic contexts, particularly to address adoption barriers among smallholder farmers and to optimize sustainable agricultural strategies at local and regional scales. Full article

Under drip irrigation conditions, the transport pattern of soil water in the root zone directly affects the water use efficiency of crops. The type of soil matrix, initial moisture content, and irrigation water quality jointly determine the hydrodynamic process of water infiltration. However, as a special type of irrigation water, the water movement mechanism of biogas slurry under drip irrigation in soilless cultivation substrates still lacks systematic investigation. In this study, transparent soil column infiltration experiments were conducted using two types of cultivation substrates—organic (coconut coir) and inorganic (desert sand)—under controlled facility conditions. Three initial moisture contents (10%, 15%, and 20%) and two irrigation water qualities (tap water and diluted biogas slurry) were combined to form twelve treatment groups. Soil moisture sensors and visualization techniques were employed to quantitatively analyze the wetting front morphology, vertical and horizontal infiltration rates, wetting ratio, and soil moisture profile distribution under different treatments. The results showed that the initial moisture content significantly influenced the advancement pattern of the wetting front. Higher initial moisture levels promoted the transformation of the wetting front shape from a “semi-pear” form to a “hemispherical” one and reduced the rate of infiltration decline. The coconut coir substrate exhibited stronger vertical infiltration capacity and a central water aggregation characteristic, whereas the desert sand demonstrated a wider horizontal expansion range. Under low and moderate initial moisture conditions, the application of biogas slurry enhanced horizontal water diffusion and improved the uniformity of the wetted zone, with the wetting ratio increasing by more than 6% compared with high moisture conditions. In addition, the power function model provided an excellent fit for the cumulative infiltration process across all treatments (R² > 0.96), indicating its suitability for describing the water transport process in facility cultivation substrates. This study provides theoretical support for precise water and fertilizer management and the efficient utilization of biogas slurry in soilless cultivation systems. Full article

Long-term soil fertility is governed by the metabolic plasticity of microbial communities, particularly during the decomposition of crop residues. This study investigated the straw-associated functional microbial profile associated with straw decomposition under the influence of 62 years of continuous management with mineral fertilization and liming. Using the Biolog EcoPlateTM approach combined with a modified litter-bag protocol, we assessed shifts in metabolic activity patterns of functional guilds and groups. PERMANOVA results revealed that the interaction between liming and fertilization (p < 0.05) was the primary driver of divergence in functional communities, rather than the individual effect of factors. Long-term treatments induced a significant reconfiguration of the functional niche, shifting from the native, generalist microbiome to specialized communities in treated variants, with carbohydrate (CH) guilds as dominant and indicators of community performance. Moderate levels of liming (L1) stimulated metabolic activity and maintained higher functional diversity across amino acid (AA) and polymers (Px) guilds. Intensive liming (L2), in contrast, restricted the activity of most microbial functional groups and favored amine (AM) and carboxylic acid (CX) guilds. Shifts from a generalist microbiome in native soil to specialized communities in treated soils show the capacity of microorganisms to adapt efficiently under agronomic management. Full article

Background/Objectives: Endometriosis affects ~10% of women, causing chronic pain, reduced quality of life, and, often, infertility. As endometriosis literacy and awareness are low in society and among health care providers (HCPs), patients are often on their own. The aim of this study was to identify information needs of patients, their social networks and HCPs based on the perspective of the patients as experts. Methods: Four participatory workshops (two online, two in-person) with 45 Austrian women (ages 20–50) diagnosed with endometriosis were conducted. Using pinboards for target groups (patients, partners/social networks, HCPs) and reviews of existing materials, we explored gaps and co-created ideas for information material and dissemination. Results: Participants emphasized the need for comprehensive, up-to-date, evidence-based information on disease progression, multimodal treatment options, and life-stage-specific topics such as fertility, surgical aftercare, or menopause. The necessity of legal and financial guidance (e.g., disability rights or prescription fee exemptions) was highlighted, alongside clear pathways to specialized care. Some of the existing materials or contents were criticized as outdated, inconsistent, or difficult to read. For their social networks, participants requested simple, empathetic materials explaining disease chronicity, intimacy/fertility challenges, and practical support during pain episodes. HCPs were urged to update clinical knowledge, proactively address symptoms, validate pain experiences, and be transparent about treatment side effects and psychosocial burdens. Conclusions: A centralized, co-created, and easily accessible information ecosystem could support patient autonomy, improve trust, and reduce diagnostic delays. Strengthening self-help groups and life-stage-tailored information are critical to improving self-management and mitigating endometriosis’s socioeconomic impact. Full article