Search Results (739)

Understanding phenotypic variation in traits associated with drought and heat tolerance is essential for developing climate-resilient spring wheat cultivars under increasingly variable environmental conditions. To evaluate phenotypic and physiological variation in water-use efficiency (WUE), carbon isotope discrimination (δ¹³C), and heat tolerance, 198 Canadian spring wheat cultivars representing diverse breeding backgrounds were assessed under controlled drought and high-temperature conditions. Traits measured included whole-plant water-use efficiency (WUE_WP), carbon isotope composition (δ¹³C), biomass accumulation, water use per plant, and chlorophyll fluorescence across six developmental stages. Whole-plant WUE ranged from 3.07 to 7.81 g L⁻¹, while δ¹³C values ranged from −24.06‰ to −29.33‰. Biomass accumulation and water use were strongly positively correlated (r = 0.94, p < 0.001), indicating that greater biomass production was associated with increased water consumption. In contrast, the relationship between WUE_WP and δ¹³C was weak (r = −0.09), suggesting that δ¹³C alone may not be a reliable proxy for WUE_WP under combined drought and heat stress conditions. Phenotypic diversity across the cultivar panel was relatively low to moderate (Shannon diversity index, H^′ = 1.88–2.62), indicating limited adaptive capacity within the evaluated germplasm. Principal component analysis explained 76.6% of the total variation and effectively differentiated cultivar responses to stress. Chlorophyll fluorescence, particularly the maximum quantum efficiency of PSII photochemistry (F_V/F_M), was highly sensitive to stress-induced reductions in photosynthetic performance. Measurements obtained during reproductive drought and heat stress stages showed stronger associations with biomass, water use, WUE_WP, and δ¹³C than measurements collected during non-stress periods, indicating that F_V/F_M can be a reliable physiological indicator for screening drought and heat tolerance. Overall, the results revealed detectable phenotypic variation but relatively modest diversity and generally weak to moderate trait associations, highlighting the potential value of incorporating diverse germplasm and integrated phenotyping approaches to improve climate resilience in Canadian spring wheat. Full article

Severity factors are widely used to compress torrefaction temperature–time history into a single scalar descriptor. However, whether such scalar representations are structurally sufficient to describe realised conversion across heterogeneous biomass samples remains unclear. In this study, we evaluated the adequacy of single-scalar severity descriptors using a literature-derived dry torrefaction dataset comprising 154 observations from 7 published studies, covering multiple biomass categories and operating conditions. A severity factor, SF(α), was formulated, and its scaling parameter α was optimised through a systematic α-sweep to maximise its relationship with the experimentally determined extent of conversion (EOC). Based on the optimised formulation, EOC was decomposed into severity-implied conversion (SIC) and conversion offset (CO), separating the dominant severity-controlled trajectory from sample-specific deviations. The optimised formulation (α* = 65.1) showed a strong global correlation with EOC (R2 = 0.8593), confirming that severity captures the main average conversion trend. However, nested model comparisons showed that including CO consistently improved explanatory power for both absolute fuel properties and enhancement ratios, with the greatest gains in enhancement space. SIC and CO accounted for 85.9% and 14.1% of the total variance, respectively, indicating that a non-negligible component of conversion variability was not captured by the single severity descriptor. These results show that, although a single severity scalar is useful for describing dataset-level trends, it does not fully resolve sample-level torrefaction behaviour within the analysed dataset. The SIC–CO framework is therefore proposed not as a new severity index or a pre-measurement predictive model, but as a post hoc diagnostic framework for identifying the explanatory limits of scalar severity representations in biomass torrefaction analysis. Full article

The aim of the current study is to determine the nutritional value and the content of the biologically active components in kidney vetch (Anthyllis vulneraria L.). It is established that the dry biomass contains substantial amounts of proteins and carbohydrates, primarily dietary fiber, while the total oil content is relatively low (below 3.0%). The isolated glyceride oil represents the complete lipid fraction derived from all plant parts (leaves, stems, and flowers). The glyceride oil of A. vulneraria is notable for its high levels of biologically active constituents, particularly sterols, tocopherols, and phospholipids. Palmitic (30.3%) and oleic (11.5%) acids dominate the fatty acid profile; β-sitosterol, α-tocotrienol, and α-tocopherol are the major sterol and tocopherol components, respectively. On the other hand, phosphatidylinositol, together with phosphatidic acids, prevails within the phospholipid fraction. Based on the obtained fatty acid composition, several important ratios were calculated—unsaturated fatty acids (UFA)/saturated fatty acids (SFA), saturated fatty acids/monounsaturated fatty acids (MUFA), polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFA)/saturated fatty acids, and n-6/n-3, providing an integrated assessment of the lipid quality. The PUFA/SFA value (0.24) suggests relatively high oxidative stability. In contrast, the n-6/n-3 ratio (0.86) shows a balanced distribution of essential fatty acids, which is associated with favorable nutritional properties. Full article

Abiotic stresses, such as drought, salinity, and aluminum toxicity (Al³⁺), affect the growth and initial establishment of wheat plants, limiting crop yield in restrictive growing environments. Therefore, the early selection of tolerant genotypes adapted to multiple production environments is essential to optimize wheat production. A laboratory experiment was conducted to identify and recommend wheat cultivars that simultaneously combine adaptability and stability for initial morphological responses when subjected to stressful environmental conditions. Plants from 12 wheat cultivars were grown under non-stressful (control) and stressful conditions (drought, salinity and Al³⁺ stress), using a 4 × 12 factorial arrangement with four replicates. On the 28th day, the emergence rate, length, dry matter and vigor of the plants were measured. Abiotic stresses limit the initial growth and vigor of wheat plants, with drought causing the greatest limitation for plant growth and biomass accumulation, while salinity had the greatest impact on plant vigor indices. Aluminum toxicity limits root development and biomass allocation. Principal component analysis explained 67.76% of the total variability and distinguished the plant growing environments. The multi-trait index proved effective in cultivar selection, highlighting the cv. ORS Feroz due to its proximity to the ideotype and adaptability to multiple abiotic stresses. Full article

Seed enhancement technologies have emerged as promising approaches to improve seedling growth and nursery performance of forest tree species. This study evaluated the effects of combining seed priming and seed coating technologies with beneficial microbial inoculants on the seedling quality of Falcataria falcata (L.) Greuter & R.Rankin. Fourteen treatments, including hydropriming (HP), gibberellic acid (GA₃), Rhizobium sp., Trichoderma sp., endomycorrhiza, polymer coating, nutrients, fungicide, and insecticide, were assessed under nursery conditions. Seedling quality was determined using the number of roots, number of nodules, root-to-shoot ratio, vigor index I, and vigor index II. Significant differences among treatments were observed for all measured parameters (p < 0.001). The treatment HP + GA₃ + Rhizobium sp. + polymer coat + fungicide (T13) produced the highest number of roots (31.76 roots seedling⁻¹), indicating enhanced root development. Meanwhile, HP + endomycorrhiza (T4) resulted in the highest number of nodules (5.49 nodules seedling⁻¹), root-to-shoot ratio (0.593), and vigor index I (2055.57), reflecting improved biomass allocation and overall seedling quality. Principal component analysis explained 71.9% of the total variation and revealed distinct associations between treatments and growth attributes. Treatments containing Rhizobium sp. were primarily associated with root proliferation and seedling vigor, whereas endomycorrhizal treatments were linked to nodulation and balanced biomass development. The results demonstrate that integrating microbial inoculants with seed priming and coating technologies can significantly enhance seedling quality, even when germination responses are similar among treatments. These findings highlight the potential of biologically enhanced seeds as a sustainable strategy for producing vigorous planting materials suitable for plantation forestry, reforestation, and landscape restoration programs. Full article

The utilization of sugarcane molasses as a low-cost carbon source for riboflavin production is hindered by the reactive oxygen species (ROS) stress induced by its complex components, which suppresses microbial metabolism. To address this, we employed adaptive laboratory evolution (ALE) under progressively increasing stress to develop a sugarcane molasses-tolerant and high-yielding Ashbya gossypii. The adapted strain achieved a riboflavin titer of 298.39 ± 2.01 mg/L, representing a 99.4% increase over the parental strain (149.66 ± 4.97 mg/L), accompanied by a 96% increase in biomass (dry cell weight). Notably, the specific riboflavin production per unit biomass showed no significant difference between the two strains, indicating that the improved total yield was primarily driven by enhanced biomass accumulation. Transcriptomic analysis revealed the molecular basis for this enhanced biomass accumulation—the elevated expression of antioxidant enzymes (SOD1, PRDX5) mitigated ROS levels to support cellular growth, while the coordinated upregulation of the pentose phosphate pathway (E2.2.1.1) and purine metabolism genes (PPAT, ADE5, PFAS, ADSL) enhanced the supply of biosynthetic precursors, ribulose-5-phosphate (Ru5P) and GTP, for nucleotide biosynthesis and cell proliferation. These metabolic adjustments collectively enabled the adapted strain to achieve robust growth under sugarcane molasses stress, thereby driving the overall increase in riboflavin production. This study elucidates the molecular mechanism underlying ALE-improved riboflavin production and provides a promising strategy for its industrial fermentation using sugarcane molasses. Full article

Post-fire rehabilitation structures are widely used in Mediterranean burned landscapes to reduce runoff and sediment transfer, yet their ecological associations with early vegetation recovery remain insufficiently documented. This observational study assessed vascular plant composition, species richness, vegetation cover, plant density, aboveground biomass, and soil properties across log barriers, wattles, and log dams in the burned landscape of Ancient Olympia, western Greece. The study area belongs to the humid climatic class of the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP) aridity framework based on the Thornthwaite aridity index, providing a comparatively wetter Mediterranean post-fire context. Paired depositional and eroded microsites in operationally restored post-fire areas were monitored in 2022 and 2023. The sampling design comprised nine plots and 18 microsites (n = 9 plots, 18 microsites). Generalized estimating equations (GEE), change-score models, principal component analysis (PCA) and permutational multivariate analysis of variance (PERMANOVA) were performed to examine associations of monitoring year, microsite condition and rehabilitation structure type with soil and vegetation patterns. A total of 27 vascular plant species belonging to 16 families were recorded. The average vegetation cover increased from 39.17 ± 21.44% in 2022 to 75.11 ± 12.90% in 2023. Model-based marginal estimates with 95% confidence intervals indicated a large positive increase in vegetation cover over this period. Further, rapid early recovery was indicated by large increases in species richness, plant density and biomass. Depositional microsites were associated with stronger recovery signals than eroded ones, characterized by a larger increase in vegetation cover, density, biomass and species richness. Among rehabilitation structures, log dams showed the highest cumulative floristic richness and a broader observed floristic spectrum, although the species-level contingency analysis provided only marginal evidence for structure-associated differences in floristic composition. Changes in selected soil properties including total nitrogen (total N), ammonium nitrogen (NH4-N), nitrate nitrogen (NO3-N), pH, electrical conductivity (EC), and exchangeable calcium (Ca), magnesium (Mg), and potassium (K), were detected between 2022 and 2023; the multivariate soil pattern was driven primarily by mineral nitrogen, pH, and EC. These findings suggest that, under operational post-fire restoration conditions, rehabilitation structures are associated not only with erosion-control functions but also with microsite differentiation that may shape early plant establishment and biodiversity recovery in Mediterranean burned landscapes. Full article

Red clover (Trifolium pratense L.) is an important forage legume that is also a valuable source of bioactive compounds with potential health-promoting properties. This study evaluated the variability among diploid (2n) and tetraploid (4n) red clover cultivars in forage productivity, quality-related parameters, polyphenol and flavonoid content, and antioxidant activity, in order to identify promising ideotypes for dual-purpose breeding. A total of 90 cultivars were assessed under field conditions; green matter yield, dry matter yield, crude protein content, and protein yield were analyzed together with total polyphenols, total flavonoids, and antioxidant activity. Spearman correlation and principal component analysis (PCA) were used to relate the traits and identify cultivars with contrasting characteristics. Cultivar differentiation was pronounced within each ploidy group, whereas diploid and tetraploid cultivars overlapped substantially in the multivariate space, indicating that ploidy alone is not a reliable predictor of forage or medicinal value. At the group level, tetraploids tended toward higher biomass, protein-related traits, and total polyphenol concentration, while total flavonoids and antioxidant activity were broadly comparable between groups. Forage- and medicinal-related traits were only weakly correlated and thus behaved as largely independent selection targets—which is precisely why integrated multi-trait evaluation is required to identify cultivars combining both. Several cultivars did combine favorable agronomic and phytochemical characteristics, supporting within-group selection of red clover germplasm with dual forage and medicinal potential for sustainable agricultural systems. Full article

Introduction: Elasmobranchs are an important component of deep-water and slope ecosystems, playing a key role in benthic and demersal food webs. Many species inhabiting offshore banks of the northeastern Atlantic are characterized by low productivity and high sensitivity to fishing pressure, which makes fishery-independent assessments particularly relevant. The Porcupine Bank supports a diverse assemblage of deep-water sharks and skates, yet quantitative information derived from standardized trawl surveys remains essential to characterize community structure and support ecosystem-based management. This study aims to provide an updated overview of the composition, relative abundance, biomass, and occurrence of elasmobranch species on the Porcupine Bank. Methodology: Data were collected during the Porcupine bottom trawl survey carried out in September–October 2023. The survey used a stratified random sampling design by depth and comprised a total of 88 valid demersal trawl hauls. Results: A total of 23 elasmobranch species belonging to four orders (Carcharhiniformes, Squaliformes, Rajiformes, and Hexanchiformes) were recorded. The assemblage was dominated by deep-water sharks, particularly squaliforms and carcharhiniforms. Galeus melastomus was the most dominant species, showing the highest stratified mean biomass and abundance and occurring in the majority of hauls. Other abundant and recurrent species included Etmopterus spinax, Scyliorhinus canicula, and Deania calceus. Skates of the genera Dipturus and Leucoraja were less abundant but showed consistent occurrences across depth strata. Several deep-water species, such as Apristurus spp. and Rajella fyllae, were recorded only sporadically, with very low abundances and limited occurrence. Conclusions: The results highlight the predominance of small- to medium-sized deep-water sharks on the Porcupine Bank and the comparatively lower contribution of rajid skates. This study provides a robust description of elasmobranch assemblage structure based on standardized sampling and constitutes a valuable baseline for future monitoring and comparative assessments in offshore Atlantic ecosystems. Full article

Cadmium (Cd) contamination in agricultural soil poses a severe threat to rice growth and food safety worldwide. Seedling-stage Cd tolerance directly determines rice establishment and subsequent yield under Cd stress, but its genetic basis remains largely unclear. In this study, a genome-wide association study (GWAS) was conducted using 490 diverse accessions from the 3000 Rice Genome Project (3K RGP). Three biomass-related traits, shoot height (SH), shoot dry weight (SDW), and root dry weight (RDW), were measured under control and Cd stress conditions, along with their relative values. A total of 3,196,134 high-quality SNPs were used for genetic analysis, and population structure was corrected by principal component analysis (PCA) and kinship matrix. In total, 39 stable QTLs were detected, including 19 for RDW, 18 for SDW, and 2 for SH, most of which were specifically identified under Cd stress. Three major QTLs (qSDW1.1, qRDW3.2, qRDW5.2) were prioritized for candidate gene mining. Combining LD block analysis, gene annotation, Cd-responsive transcriptome data, and haplotype analysis, OsAKR2 (LOC_Os01g62870), OsAS1 (LOC_Os03g18130), and LOC_Os05g11320 were identified as key candidate genes regulating seedling Cd tolerance, and superior haplotypes of these genes were identified. This study reveals the genetic architecture of rice seedling Cd tolerance and provides elite QTLs, genes, and haplotypes for molecular breeding of Cd-resilient rice varieties. Full article

Introduction: Elasmobranchs are key components of marine ecosystems but are particularly vulnerable to fishing pressure due to their life-history traits, including slow growth, late maturity, and low fecundity. The Gulf of Cádiz supports a diverse assemblage of coastal and deep-water elasmobranch species, many of which are subject to incidental capture in demersal fisheries. Reliable fishery-independent information on their distribution, relative abundance, and biomass is essential to assess population status and to inform ecosystem-based fisheries management in the northeastern Atlantic. This study aims to provide an updated overview of the composition, relative abundance, biomass, and occurrence of elasmobranch species in the Gulf of Cádiz, contributing baseline information for monitoring and conservation purposes. Methodology: Data were obtained from the ARSA bottom trawl survey carried out in March 2026 using a stratified random sampling design by depth. A total of 45 valid hauls were performed. Results: A total of 29 elasmobranch species belonging to Rajiformes, Carcharhiniformes, Squaliformes, Myliobatiformes, Hexanchiformes, and Torpediniformes were identified. Small demersal sharks and skates dominated the assemblage. Scyliorhinus canicula was the most frequent and abundant species, occurring in 37 hauls and showing the highest mean abundance and biomass. Other recurrent taxa included Torpedo marmorata, Etmopterus spinax, Leucoraja naevus, and Raja clavata. Several species of conservation concern, such as Rostroraja alba, Centrophorus uyato, and Galeorhinus galeus, were recorded at low frequencies and abundances, highlighting their rarity in survey catches. The assemblage reflected a clear dominance of shelf and upper-slope species with occasional captures of deep-water taxa. Conclusions: The ARSA survey provides a valuable snapshot of the current elasmobranch community in the Gulf of Cádiz, confirming the prevalence of small-bodied, benthic species and the low occurrence of large or vulnerable taxa. These results underscore the importance of continued standardized surveys to detect temporal trends and support management strategies aimed at the conservation of elasmobranch diversity in the gulf. Full article

Soil biological activity integrates microbial processes involved in organic matter decomposition and nutrient cycling, yet its long-term response under agricultural systems in Paraguay remains poorly documented. This study evaluated soil biological activity in a 32-year field experiment in the Eastern Region of Paraguay, comparing cropping systems differing in tillage intensity and crop rotation diversification. Soil samples from the 0–20 cm layer were analyzed for microbial biomass carbon (MBC), β-glucosidase (BG), urease (URE), acid phosphatase (AP), arylsulfatase (ARS), soil organic carbon (SOC), total nitrogen (TN), available phosphorus (P), sulfur (S), and pH. Our results revealed that BG, URE, and AP increased under no-tillage, particularly in the most diversified no-tillage rotation, with 71%, 90%, and 51% higher activities, respectively, than conventional tillage. MBC and ARS were not significantly affected by cropping systems. Principal component analysis, Spearman correlations, and Mantel analysis indicated that enzymatic responses were associated with SOC, TN, P, S, and pH, linking soil biological activity with chemical attributes related to nutrient cycling. These findings show that diversified no-tillage strengthens soil biological functioning under representative Paraguayan grain-production conditions, providing long-term local evidence to guide soil-health management, crop diversification strategies, and more sustainable agricultural systems in the region. Full article

This study quantified total biomass stocks in Carrasco (CAR, n = 12), a dense tropical deciduous vegetation type from the Brazilian semi-arid region for which biomass information remains scarce. We also evaluated differences in floristic composition, diversity, structure, and biomass allocation patterns relative to Cerrado sensu stricto (CSS, n = 40). Forest inventories were conducted in southeastern Brazil. Woody biomass was estimated using a regional allometric equation. Roots were sampled in a position adjacent to the plots, and litter was collected at the center of each plot using a frame. Necromass was assessed along a linear transect corresponding to the length of each plot using the line-intersect method. Biomass differences between vegetation types were assessed using generalized linear and mixed-effects models (GLMs and GLMMs). Total biomass reached 45.24 Mg ha⁻¹ in CSS and 59.01 Mg ha⁻¹ in CAR. In CSS, woody biomass predominated (20.47 Mg ha⁻¹; 45%), followed by roots (18.47 Mg ha⁻¹; 41%), litter (5.49 Mg ha⁻¹; 12%), and necromass (0.81 Mg ha⁻¹; 2%). In CAR, roots were the dominant component (32.37 Mg ha⁻¹; 55%), followed by woody biomass (16.57 Mg ha⁻¹; 28%), litter (8.39 Mg ha⁻¹; 14%), and necromass (1.68 Mg ha⁻¹; 3%). CSS and CAR shared only 10% of their species and showed significant differences in total biomass (TB) and belowground biomass (BGB), while aboveground biomass (AGB), aboveground woody biomass (AGWB), litter, and necromass did not differ significantly (α = 0.05). The BGB/AGWB ratio was <1 in CSS and >1 in CAR, resembling global patterns of savanna/shrubland and grassland formations, respectively. Considering the sampling design adopted, despite the higher stem density in CAR, larger individuals in CSS compensated for structural differences, resulting in similar aboveground biomass stocks. Our findings reinforce the floristic and structural distinctiveness of Carrasco and reveal contrasting biomass allocation strategies, with a strong dominance of belowground biomass in CAR. These results demonstrate that aboveground-based assessments can substantially underestimate total biomass in semi-arid transitional vegetation and highlight the need to incorporate non-forest ecosystems into biomass inventories, conservation planning, and climate change mitigation strategies. Full article

Buds are a critical stage in the annual growth–dormancy cycle of perennial woody plants and are essential for survival and biomass accumulation. To safeguard these structures, trees employ both physical and chemical protection. Although Populus buds are known to contain rich phytochemistry, population-level variation remains largely unexplored. Here, we characterized bud phytochemistry across a population of Populus trichocarpa natural variants using gas chromatography–mass spectrometry and examined the antifungal properties of bud extracts. In the reference genotype Nisqually-1, a total of 32 lipophilic metabolites were detected, belonging to four chemical groups: terpenoids, phenylpropanoids, linear hydrocarbons, and others. Analysis of 49 additional P. trichocarpa natural variants revealed both shared features and substantial variation. All lines contained metabolites from the phenylpropanoid, linear hydrocarbon and terpenoid classes, which consistently dominated the profiles. However, quantitative differences in individual metabolites and relative class abundances distinguished the lines, allowing them to be grouped into three chemotypic clusters. To assess potential biological implications of phytochemical variance, we tested antifungal activity of bud extracts against the pathogenic fungus Fusarium oxysporum. Extracts from all 50 lines significantly inhibited fungal growth compared with controls. Correlation analyses between metabolite abundance and inhibition strength identified candidate metabolites that were most strongly associated with antifungal activity. Together, these findings reveal both conserved and variable components of bud phytochemistry in P. trichocarpa. The observed chemical diversity and consistent antifungal effects suggest that bud metabolites contribute to defense and may reflect adaptation across natural populations. 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