Search Results (2,807)

Mushroom mycelium-based biomaterials are eco-friendly, biodegradable, cheap, and sustainable materials. In this study, ten wild mushroom species were collected from tropical forests in Chiang Mai and Chiang Rai provinces, and two commercial mushroom species were obtained from a local market in Chiang Rai Province, Thailand. Mushroom specimens were identified based on morphological characteristics and phylogenetic analysis of the internal transcribed spacer (ITS) region. All fungal species were determined to use suitable agar media (potato dextrose agar; malt extract agar), liquid media (malt extract broth), and agricultural substrate (rubber sawdust size ≤ 2 mm) for mushroom mycelial growth. Mechanical property evaluation using Ashby’s chart indicated that the resulting mushroom mycelium-based biomaterials have the potential to substitute for certain types of synthetic foam. A biodegradability test was conducted through soil burial of samples for 90 days, which demonstrated cumulative weight loss exceeding 60%, thereby confirming biodegradability. Furthermore, a new approach for maintaining mycelial viability was developed and validated, addressing the challenge of maintaining vigorous mycelium. Notably, this study presents the first comprehensive report on the application of Coriolopsis brunneoleuca, Ganoderma tropicum, Hexagonia sp., Microporus xanthopus, Trametes polyzona, and T. sanguinea in mushroom mycelium-based biomaterial production, including material development, characterisation, and prototype fabrication. Based on the material properties and successfully developed prototypes, the mushroom mycelium-based biomaterials produced in this study are potentially suitable for applications in packaging, indoor products, construction, and insulation purposes, as a viable alternative to conventional synthetic materials. Full article

Greenhouses in subtropical and tropical regions must be designed as agricultural engineering systems adapted to local climates, rather than simply replicating the “insulation” models of temperate areas. Under extreme climatic conditions such as persistent high temperatures, intense solar radiation, high humidity, heavy rainfall, and frequent extreme winds, greenhouses transform from enclosed insulation layers into selective climate filters, mitigating crop stress while maintaining close contact with the outdoor environment. This paper summarizes how these climate drivers are reshaping the use, structure, and control concepts of greenhouses, emphasizing that the performance of warm-zone greenhouses depends primarily on heat dissipation, humidity management, and biohazard control, rather than heating and insulation. In this review, we analyze the climatic boundary conditions that define warm-climate conservation cultivation, including long-term overheating risk, high UV radiation, vapor pressure deficit, and suppressed condensation tendency, as well as storm-induced uplift and dynamic loads. These constraints necessitate unique structural forms: tall, lightweight, well-ventilated building types with large roof and side openings, roof geometries that facilitate rainwater runoff, sophisticated drainage systems, and corrosion-resistant materials suitable for humid and coastal environments. Because insect netting significantly reduces ventilation, pest control and temperature regulation become co-design issues, requiring oversized vents, optimized airflow paths, and hybrid roof–mesh structures. Ventilation is considered the primary climate-control mechanism, supplemented by passive cooling measures such as shading and radiation/optical management (e.g., diffuse films and near-infrared-selective films). Active evaporative cooling is considered a conditional measure due to humidity limitations and disease risks. This paper also integrates the impacts on specific crops (fruits and vegetables, leafy greens, and orchids). It highlights emerging trends: typhoon-resistant and adaptive geometries, computational fluid dynamics (CFD)-based design, and sensor-rich IoT/digital twin control frameworks. These principles collectively establish a coherent design framework for achieving resilient, resource-efficient greenhouse production in warm climates. Full article

Feed efficiency classification based on residual feed intake (RFI) and residual intake and gain (RIG) is widely used to identify biologically efficient animals, yet it remains unclear whether this classification reflects consistent differences in digestive, fermentative, and metabolic processes. This study evaluated the effects of RFI and RIG classification on nutrient intake, apparent digestibility, ruminal fermentation, nitrogen metabolism, microbial protein synthesis, and gaseous emissions in confined lambs. Thirty-eight weaned Texel ewe lambs underwent a 60-day performance test using an automated feed intake system and were classified as high-efficiency, neutral, or low-efficiency based on both indices. Animals were individually housed in respirometric chambers where emissions of methane, carbon dioxide, nitrous oxide, and ammonia were assessed by cavity ring-down spectroscopy; apparent digestibility was determined from total collections of feed, orts, faeces, and urine; microbial protein synthesis was estimated from urinary purine derivatives; and ruminal short-chain fatty acid profiles were determined by gas chromatography. Feed efficiency classification did not significantly affect body weight, nutrient intake, apparent digestibility, ruminal fermentation parameters, nitrogen balance, microbial protein synthesis, or greenhouse gas emissions. Principal component analysis revealed two major biological gradients related to nutrient intake and utilisation (42.9%) and ruminal fermentation and gaseous emissions (23.3%), together explaining 66.2% of total variance, but showing no clear separation among efficiency groups. These findings indicate that the digestive, fermentative, and nitrogen metabolism variables evaluated in this study did not account for the observed variation in feed efficiency. Because the regression underlying RIG explained little additional variation (R² = 0.01), these conclusions primarily reflect feed efficiency as classified by RFI, suggesting that other physiological mechanisms may play a more important role in determining feed efficiency in confined Texel ewe lambs. Full article

Subjected to high-intensity development, enclosed tropical islands frequently face severe spatial resource constraints and acute risks of ecological degradation. To seek a comprehensive solution to multidimensional spatial conflicts, this study selected Hainan Island—a region facing development pressure from the Free Trade Port construction—as the study area. By coupling the XGBoost-SHAP, NSGA-II, and PLUS models, we constructed an integrated modular spatial planning framework of “mechanism interpretation—macro optimization—micro reconstruction”. The main findings are as follows. (1) Over the past 15 years, the fragile ecosystem of the island has faced immense pressure. Lacking an external buffer hinterland, land-use transitions exhibited a distinct chain transmission characteristic of “built-up land occupying agricultural land, and agricultural land squeezing forest”. This internal spatial cascading substitution constituted the core mechanism of ESV decline. (2) The reconstruction of the spatial pattern is governed by dual thresholds of natural constraints and economic pulling. A rigid ecological defense baseline (NDVI ≥ 0.40) restricts disorderly urban sprawl, while spatial inflection points (8.46 km from the coastline and 271 m from roads) precisely delineate the coastal and traffic-oriented agglomeration boundaries for built-up land. (3) Among the predefined scenarios, the Sustainable Development (SD) scenario emerges as the optimal pathway. By proactively reducing inefficient agricultural land space at the macro level and strictly implementing identified threshold controls alongside “infill” urban agglomeration at the micro level, the SD scenario is expected to successfully achieve a Pareto-optimal synergy between socioeconomic growth and the restoration of regional ESV. This study not only establishes an objective benchmark for the refined multi-objective spatial governance of the Hainan Free Trade Port, but also provides a referential planning paradigm for vulnerable enclosed islands globally facing high-intensity anthropogenic stress. Full article

The rubber tree (Hevea brasiliensis Müll. Arg), the primary source of natural rubber, faces severe constraints from low temperature stress in industrial production. To elucidate the molecular mechanisms underlying cold tolerance, this study identified and systematically analyzed 44 HbGATA transcription factor family members at the whole-genome level. Based on physicochemical property analysis, phylogenetic tree construction, chromosome localization, gene structure analysis, and profiling of promoter cis-elements, the characteristics of individual genes were determined. Using the cold-tolerant cultivar yunyan 77-2 subjected to 4 °C treatment (0, 2, 8, and 24 h), candidate genes were validated via quantitative real-time PCR analysis. The results demonstrate that HbGATA10, HbGATA13, and HbGATA27 were significantly up-regulated after 24 h treatment, whereas HbGATA44 exhibited down-regulated expression at 24 h, suggesting that these four genes represent core candidates in the response to cold stress in rubber trees. This study provides the first systematic insight into the potential functions of the HbGATA family in cold acclimation in rubber tree and offers novel theoretical foundations and genetic resources for molecular breeding aimed at improving cold tolerance. Full article

Silicon (Si)-based amendments can regulate soil nitrogen (N) cycling and reduce gaseous N losses, but the effect of nano-Si particle size on mineral N dynamics and nitrous oxide (N₂O) emissions under flooded tropical paddy soil conditions remains unclear. This study aimed to elucidate how nano-Si particle size regulates mineral N dynamics and N₂O emissions, with particular emphasis on whether smaller particles promote ammonium N (NH₄⁺-N) dominance and more effectively mitigate N₂O emissions than larger particles. A 30-day flooded incubation experiment was conducted using tropical paddy soil amended with 15 or 50 nm nano-Si particles, each applied at 67 mg kg⁻¹ dry soil, alongside an unamended control. Mineral N dynamics, extracellular enzyme activities, N-cycling functional genes, and N₂O emissions were evaluated. Compared with the control, 15 nm and 50 nm nano-Si significantly increased NH₄⁺-N concentration by 16.4% and 5.25% while reducing nitrate N (NO₃⁻-N) concentration by 40.8% and 23.0%, respectively. The NO₃⁻-N/NH₄⁺-N ratio decreased significantly by 49.8% and 22.1%, indicating a particle-size-dependent shift toward NH₄⁺ dominance. The 15 nm treatment significantly enhanced β-N-acetylglucosaminidase and leucine aminopeptidase activities, supporting organic N turnover and NH₄⁺-N accumulation. It also significantly reduced the abundance of the nitrite reductase gene nirS, involved in denitrification, whereas the N₂O reductase gene nosZ, responsible for N₂O reduction, showed no consistent treatment-specific response. Consistently, cumulative N₂O emissions decreased significantly by 33.6% and 18.2% under 15 nm and 50 nm treatments, respectively. These results indicate that both nano-Si treatments significantly shifted mineral N dynamics toward NH₄⁺-N dominance and reduced cumulative N₂O emissions compared with the control. These responses were consistently stronger under the 15 nm treatment than under the 50 nm treatment, demonstrating that smaller nano-Si particles more effectively limit NO₃⁻-N accumulation, promote NH₄⁺-N retention, and mitigate N₂O emissions in flooded tropical paddy soil. Nevertheless, direct measurements of N-transformation rates, comparisons with conventional Si sources, and field-scale validation are required before practical application. Full article

Bactrocera dorsalis (Hendel) and Bactrocera correcta (Bezzi) are two globally concerning quarantine pests within the genus Bactrocera (Tephritidae). Both species inflict severe damage on the agricultural industry and international export trade. Their distribution range has expanded due to global warming, posing an increasing threat to fruit production. Heat shock proteins (HSPs), functioning as molecular chaperones, are known to contribute to temperature adaptation in insects. However, the cold adaptation regulatory mechanisms in these two Bactrocera species remain unclear. In this study, eIF4EBP3^−/− mutations were established by the CRISPR-Cas9 system in both species. The survival rate of the mutations was significantly reduced with cold treatments, and qRT-PCR analysis indicated that eIF4EBP3 regulates the expression of several downstream heat shock proteins, suggesting that it may be involved in rapid cold hardening (RCH) adaptability in both fruit fly species. In addition, this work represents the first application of the CRISPR-Cas9 system in B. correcta, which provides methods to further studies on this species. Our results provide insights into the molecular mechanisms underlying rapid cold hardening adaptation in B. dorsalis and B. correcta and a potential molecular marker for monitoring cold tolerance in field populations which could guide the development of novel control strategies that target the RCH adaptation pathways. Full article

For millennia, farmers in cassava’s homeland in the neotropics selected varieties suited to their climate, soils, biological environments, management systems, and nutritional needs. These actions were fundamental to the crop’s success as a reliable staple energy source. After the arrival of Europeans in the New World, these varieties spread first to Africa and later to Asia, where they were further selected for local conditions and needs. The founders of the International Center for Tropical Agriculture in Cali, Colombia, recognized the importance of legacy landrace varieties as sources of genetic diversity for breeding to support tropical production systems, improve nutrition, and boost income. One of earliest activities of the new center, beginning in 1969, was to organize the collection of cassava landraces to establish a genetic resource for breeding purposes at the center’s headquarters in the Cauca Valley. We describe the multifaceted understanding about this remarkable heritage through thorough evaluation over a diverse range of environments and the creation of new varieties aimed at adding value across the crop’s diverse agro-ecologies and uses. CIAT breeders, along with a broad coalition of partners, have targeted demands from growers, processors, and consumers throughout the tropics. Latin American germplasm remains the foundational source of novel, high-value traits that differentiate cassava products across markets, underpinning the continued gains in productivity, quality, and end-use performance. Full article

Earthworms play crucial roles in soil fertility and are vital to sustainable agriculture and environmental stability. Synchronously, they are highly sensitive to their environment, which limits their abundance and activities. Existing research primarily focuses on their protein-coding gene responses at different chemicals and/or temperature stresses. This study utilized the tropical earthworm Eudrilus eugeniae as a model to investigate how the expression of protein-coding genes and microRNAs are influenced in the anterior tissues at different moisture conditions (30%, 80%, and 100% water-holding capacity). We revealed that molecular chaperones sHsp20, Hsp70, a CHORD-containing protein, and HspBP1-like genes were differentially regulated, and Hsp70 family genes served as hub genes in this process. In addition, a novel lineage-specific microRNA, with an opposite expression trend, was predicted to target three chaperone genes (CHORD-containing protein, Hsp90-like, and Hsp40). Pull-down and dual-luciferase assays further verified their potential interactions. This study suggests holistic cooperation between transcriptional and post-transcriptional mechanisms in the anterior tissues of earthworms facing soil moisture variation and provides new insights into the effect of moisture on the adaptation of biological molecules in earthworms. Full article

Water scarcity has a significant impact on global agriculture, particularly in semi-arid regions, hindering economic development. The use of recycled urban wastewater in agriculture is a sustainable practice; however, it is essential to assess its impact on soil carbon stocks and microbial activity. This study hypothesized that the use of wastewater in soil cultivated with forage cactus and amended with 8 or 12 tons of sorghum straw as soil cover could increase carbon stocks, microbial biomass, and microbial activity compared to bare soil, even after only 8 months. The experiment was conducted in a tropical semi-arid region of Brazil, based on a factorial design with different cactus intercropping systems and soil cover treatments under wastewater irrigation. Overall, soil carbon stocks did not increase significantly compared to the control, although they increased by approximately 21% over the study period. However, soil cover increased C-CO₂ emissions by 70% after 4 and 8 months. Microbial biomass carbon increased by 65% compared to the baseline (time 0), particularly in treatments with soil cover. Soil cover and consortium under wastewater irrigation improved microbial activity and biomass, even over a short experimental period, indicating a sustainable soil management strategy to enhance soil organic matter quality and microbial properties. Full article

Banana Fusarium wilt, caused by Fusarium oxysporum f. sp. cubense (FOC), poses a major threat to global banana production. Straw submergence combined with rice rotation (SFR) has emerged as a promising disease-management strategy, but its underlying mechanisms remain unclear. Here, we conducted a three-year field experiment to determine how SFR alters soil physicochemical properties, microbial communities, and soil metabolites. SFR sharply decreased soil redox potential (Eh) and shifted nitrogen transformation by increasing ammonium nitrogen (AN) and reducing nitrate nitrogen (NN). Eh and NN were positively correlated with culturable Fusarium spp. counts (r = 0.36, p < 0.01), whereas AN was negatively correlated. SFR also reshaped soil microbial communities, reduced the relative abundance of Fusarium, and enriched several putatively antagonistic microbial taxa. Metabolomic profiling showed that several Fusarium-associated metabolites were downregulated and that differential metabolites were enriched in key KEGG pathways. Network analysis further identified Luteimonas as a potential keystone bacterial genus negatively associated with Fusarium-associated metabolites. Partial least squares path modeling suggested that soil physicochemical changes were linked to Fusarium wilt suppression largely through indirect bacterial–fungal–metabolite pathways. These findings indicate that SFR suppresses banana Fusarium wilt, reducing disease incidence to 16.25% at the vigorous growth stage (versus 100% in SC), an 83.8% relative reduction compared with banana monoculture, through coordinated changes in soil Eh and nitrogen status, microbial community structure, and soil metabolic profiles. Full article

In the event of a nuclear or volcanic winter, up to two-thirds of sunlight could be blocked (abrupt sunlight reduction scenarios, ASRS), leading to a worldwide crop failure. There are some similarities between such effects and the short northern summer. This suggests the possibility of transferring successful agricultural practices validated in high latitudes to tropical regions, especially low-tech solutions, which can be more easily implemented in the case of a global catastrophe. We show that equatorial regions’ temperatures under a 150 Tg (millions of tonnes of soot to the stratosphere) scenario of nuclear winter (around 15 °C average) are similar to summer temperatures in northern European regions of the former Soviet Union, which had functional agriculture. We identified the following main agricultural technologies which can be adapted: (a) cold-tolerant crops, first of all potatoes, but also rutabaga and fodder beet; (b) frost-protection technologies (night-covering, watering, bottles with water); (c) silage production in pits for animal feeding; (d) and low-labor-demanding crops. One meta lesson is making several bets on different food-producing technologies in the situation of risky agricultural practices. These findings contribute to Sustainable Development Goal 2 (Zero Hunger) and highlight how historically validated, low-input agricultural knowledge can underpin sustainable food system resilience under extreme climate disruption. Full article

Agriculture plays a key role in global food production, whereas organic waste management remains an important environmental challenge. Organic residue-derived compost represents a sustainable strategy for nutrient recycling, soil fertility improvement, and reduced reliance on synthetic fertilizers in horticultural systems. This study systematically reviewed the scientific literature on the application of compost in cherry tomato (Solanum lycopersicum var. cerasiforme) cultivation to evaluate its effects on agronomic performance and production systems. A database search from 2004 to July 2025 identified 86 studies that met the predefined eligibility criteria. The analysis showed an increasing trend in research over the last two decades, with publications peaking in 2021. Most studies were conducted in Latin America, particularly in Colombia, Mexico, and Brazil, highlighting the relevance of the cherry tomato crop. The application of compost was associated with improved plant growth, nutrient availability, and crop productivity. The production cycles ranged from 37 to 220 days, with shorter cycles commonly observed in tropical environments. Rice husk compost is among the most frequently used organic amendments. Overall, compost represents an effective strategy to enhance agronomic performance and promote sustainable cherry tomato production worldwide. Full article

Penicillium and Talaromyces are among the most diverse genera of filamentous fungi and play important ecological roles in soil ecosystems. Despite their ecological and biotechnological relevance, the diversity of these genera remains insufficiently documented in many tropical regions of Mexico. This study aimed to identify species of Penicillium and Talaromyces isolated from soils in Veracruz, Mexico, using an integrative taxonomic approach and to evaluate selected functional traits associated with their biotechnological potential. Species identification was achieved through an integrative framework combining morphology and multilocus phylogenetic analyses. Functional characterization included qualitative assessments of laccase, manganese peroxidase, lignin peroxidase, cellulolytic activity, and phosphate-solubilizing capacity. Seven species were identified, all of which are reported here for the first time from Mexico: Penicillium citreosulfuratum, P. citrinum, P. crustosum, P. mallochii, P. shanghaiense, Talaromyces albobiverticillius, and T. aculeatus. Several isolates exhibited ligninolytic, cellulolytic, and phosphate-solubilizing activities, indicating their potential roles in organic matter decomposition, nutrient cycling, and sustainable agricultural applications. These findings expand the known distribution of Penicillium and Talaromyces in Mexico, contribute to the documentation of the country’s fungal diversity, and demonstrate the value of integrative taxonomy for revealing previously unrecorded fungal taxa in tropical soil ecosystems. Full article

Frost prediction in tropical high-mountain agricultural regions is difficult because sparse meteorological networks must represent strong terrain-driven microclimatic variability. This article presents a topoclimatic graph dataset for frost prediction in the Altiplano Cundiboyacense, Colombia. The released core dataset contains 23 agricultural weather stations and is seasonally focused on recurrent November–February frost periods rather than year-round continuous monitoring. It includes four consistently available meteorological variables at 30 min resolution: air temperature, relative humidity, dew point temperature, and solar radiation. The data were consolidated from multiple operational sources, harmonized to a common temporal grid, subjected to physical and consistency-based quality control, and completed through temporal and spatial reconstruction with traceability labels. The final release also provides binary frost_event and frost_warning_6h labels, point-based topographic descriptors, 1 km buffer-based raster summaries, land-cover proportions, station-level static feature vectors, and graph products including edge lists and adjacency matrices. These data products support graph-based deep learning, multimodal spatiotemporal analysis, and frost early warning experiments in a tropical mountain agroecosystem. The dataset offers a reproducible framework for integrating heterogeneous environmental observations into graph-ready representations while preserving sufficient environmental context for benchmarking frost prediction methods in data-sparse regions. Full article