Search Results (862)

The house cricket, Acheta domesticus, is found globally. It is an agricultural pest causing economic damage to a wide variety of crops including cereal seedlings, vegetable crops, fruit plants, and stored grains. Additionally, crickets act as mechanical vectors of pathogens by harboring bacteria, fungi, viruses, and toxins, causing foodborne illnesses. They can contaminate stored grains, packaged foods, or animal feed due to deposition of their feces, lowering the quality of the food and creating food safety risks. Synthetic insect repellents, such as pyrethroids and carbamates, have been used previously in integrated pest management practices to control crickets. Though successful as repellents, they have been associated with health and environmental risks and concerns. The use of organic green repellents, such as plant essential oils, may be a viable alternative in pest management practices. In this study, we tested the effects of 27 plant-based essential oils on the behavior of A. domesticus. A. domesticus were introduced into an open arena to allow them unrestricted movement. A transparent plastic bottle containing an essential oil treatment was placed in the arena to allow voluntary entry by the crickets. Following a predetermined observation period, the number of crickets that entered the bottle was recorded, and percent entry was calculated as the proportion of individuals inside the bottle relative to the total number in the arena. Analysis of the percentage entry into the bottles allowed for a comparative assessment of repellency of the selected essential oils examined in this study. Essential oils that elicited high levels of entry into the bottle were categorized as having weak or no repellency, while those that demonstrated reduced entry were classified as moderate or strong repellents. Our results indicated that A. domesticus responded with strong repellent behavior to nearly half of the essential oils tested, while four essential oils and two synthetic repellents evoked no significant repellent responses. Four strong repellent essential oils, namely peppermint, rosemary, cinnamon, and lemongrass, were tested at different concentrations and showed a clear dose-dependent repellent effect. The results suggest that selected essential oils can be useful in the development of more natural “green” insect repellents. Full article

Since Portugal acceded to the European Union, the measures introduced under the Common Agricultural Policy (CAP) have significantly influenced farmers’ behavior and their choices of agricultural activities, with different consequences on agricultural sustainability. This paper analyses changes in crop-based income following the CAP evolution in Portuguese agriculture from 1989 until 2023 and their consequences on agricultural sustainability. The analysis is based on the Standard Output (SO) for temporary and permanent crops. These data were sourced from the Agricultural Census, conducted every ten years, and the Farm Structure Surveys were held every three years. To examine the evolution of land use and establish relationships between variables, the study employed HJ-Biplot methodology and cluster analysis. Then, a comparative analysis with agricultural sustainability trends, using several social and environmental indicators, was carried out. Regarding temporary crops, the results reveal a decline in the total SO weight of cereals for grain, alongside an increase in vegetables and floriculture. For permanent crops, a decrease was observed in fresh fruits and citrus fruits, while nuts and subtropical fruits showed notable growth. Also, the positive evolution of several SOs was accompanied by improvements in agricultural sustainability on environmental and social indicators. Full article

This study addresses the challenges of early recognition of fruit and vegetable diseases and pests in facility horticultural greenhouses and the difficulty of real-time deployment on edge devices, and proposes a lightweight cross-scale intelligent recognition network, Light-HortiNet, designed to achieve a balance between high accuracy and high efficiency for automated greenhouse pest and disease detection. The method is built upon a lightweight Mobile-Transformer backbone and integrates a cross-scale lightweight attention mechanism, a small-object enhancement branch, and an alternative block distillation strategy, thereby effectively improving robustness and stability under complex illumination, high-humidity environments, and small-scale target scenarios. Systematic experimental evaluations were conducted on a greenhouse pest and disease dataset covering crops such as tomato, cucumber, strawberry, and pepper. The results demonstrate significant advantages in detection performance, with mAP@50 reaching $0.872$, mAP@50:95 reaching $0.561$, classification accuracy reaching $0.894$, precision reaching $0.886$, recall reaching $0.879$, and F1-score reaching $0.882$, substantially outperforming mainstream lightweight models such as YOLOv8n, YOLOv11n, MobileNetV3, and Tiny-DETR. In terms of small-object recognition capability, the model achieved an mAP-small of $0.536$ and a recall-small of $0.589$, markedly enhancing detection stability for micro pests such as whiteflies and thrips as well as early-stage disease lesions. In addition, real-time inference performance exceeding 20 FPS was achieved on edge platforms such as Jetson Nano, demonstrating favorable deployment adaptability. Full article

Chilli (Capsicum annuum) is a popular spice and vegetable crop of significant economic importance that is cultivated worldwide in warm and humid climatic zones. Although chilli is a thermophilic crop, its quality and yield potential are significantly affected due to various abiotic factors, including extremely fluctuating temperatures beyond the optimum temperatures (18–30 °C). Global warming and anthropogenic activities lead to adverse climatic changes, imposing severe stress on growth, development, and productivity. High temperatures above 43–45 °C adversely affect chilli crops, especially during the reproductive stages, by causing immature fruit dropping, poor seed vigour, reduced number of flowers, flower abscission, aborted reproductive organs, reduced fruit set, and significant yield loss by 50%. Therefore, to reduce quantitative and qualitative losses, heat management is necessary from April to June in Pakistan, when the temperature rises beyond 40 °C. For heat management, the hybridisation of heat-resilient and high-yielding genotypes to develop heat-tolerant high-yielding hybrids appears to be a rational approach. These genetically improved hybrids inherit such characteristics that assist in maintaining vigorous growth, fruit quality, and stable yield without significant yield losses even under heat-stressed conditions. Hence, the thermotolerant chilli hybrids developed through hybridisation help to satisfy the escalating demand for chilli and guarantee the financial stability of farmers. Full article

In northwestern Ecuador, where more than 90% of the original forest cover has been lost, it is unknown how soil chemistry influences bat diversity. This study evaluated bat diversity, non-herbaceous plant community structure, and soil nutrients in 30 plots distributed across crops on two farms separated by 32 km. Soil analyses revealed variations in organic matter and nutrients, identifying calcium, magnesium, zinc and iron as the most influential. A total of 1662 individuals of 24 non-herbaceous plant species and 193 individuals of 16 bat species were recorded, dominated by frugivorous and nectarivorous guilds. Generalized linear mixed models showed significant relationships between bat diversity indices and soil nutrients. These elements improve tree growth, fruiting, and flowering, which increases the quality and availability of food resources for bats. In return, these mammals provide key ecosystem services such as pollination, seed dispersal, and insect control. Our findings highlight that soil chemistry indirectly regulates bat communities by influencing vegetation structure and resource availability. This integrated approach underscores the importance of soil–plant–animal interactions in tropical agricultural landscapes, offering practical guidance. Full article

Valorizing fruit and vegetable residues as renewable sources of bioactive compounds (BCs) is critical for advancing sustainable biotechnology. This review (i) assesses the occurrence, diversity and functionality of BCs in 20 edible plant residues; (ii) compares and classify them by botanical family and residue type; (iii) reviews and evaluates the efficiency of conventional and green extraction and characterization techniques for recovering phytochemical and isolating phenolics (e.g., flavonoids and anthocyanins), carotenoids, alkaloids, saponins, and essential oils; and (iv) examines the BCs’ environmental, medical, and industrial applications. It synthesizes current knowledge on the phytochemical potential of these crops, highlighting their role in diagnostics, biomaterials, and therapeutic platforms. Plant-derived nanomaterials, enzymes, and structural matrices are employed in regenerative medicine and biosensing. Carrot- and pumpkin-based nanoparticles accelerate wound healing through antimicrobial and antioxidant protection. Spinach leaves serve as decellularized scaffolds that mimic vascular and tissue microenvironments. Banana fibers are used in biocompatible composites and sutures, and citrus- and berry-derived polyphenols improve biosensor stability and reduce signal interference. Agro-residue valorization reduces food waste and enables innovations in medical diagnostics, regenerative medicine, and circular bioeconomy, thereby positioning plant-derived BCs as a cornerstone for sustainable biotechnology. The BCs’ concentration in fruit and vegetable residues varies broadly (e.g., total phenolics (~50–300 mg GAE/g DW), anthocyanins (~100–600 mg C3G/g DW), and flavonoids (~20–150 mg QE/g DW)), depending on the crop and extraction method. By linking quantitative food waste hotspots with phytochemical potential, the review highlights priority streams for the circular-bioeconomy interventions and outlines research directions to close current valorization gaps. Full article

Systems favoring cross-pollination, such as male sterility and female flowering type, are of great importance in the development of new hybrid cultivars and their seed production. The advantages of male sterility are expressed in the production of cheaper and competitive seeds. The presence of this characteristic in watermelon is not common, and in some cases, it is accompanied by negative manifestations. A collection of 150 watermelon genotypes was tested at the Maritsa Vegetable Crops Research Institute, Bulgaria, over the past nine years to search for a genetic source of male sterility. The results revealed that two mutations were found. The first mutation was in a plant of the Asar variety, which formed completely degenerated structures in the place of male and female flowers that were completely sterile. The other mutation affected male flowers, female flowers, and leaf shape. Male flowers produced a small amount of pollen. Female flowers were formed, but they were sterile and aborted at an early stage. The genotype can be propagated by pollination of the normal plants, which in the next generation segregate into mutant—25% and normal—75%. The gene source is phenotyped according to the main characteristics of the fruits and the vegetation period. The mutation found cannot be directly used in a breeding program, but it is of interest for studying this important trait. The success of detecting flowers that are sterile depends on the number of watermelon plants, which, for the conditions of the experiment, amounted to a minimum of 4492 plants at a probability level of P₃—0.95. Full article

Root-knot nematodes (RKNs) of the Meloidogyne genus impact various plants, including crops, fruits, and vegetables. Few chemical control options exist globally, and many nematicides are banned due to health and environmental risks. This study tested a new nematicidal agent, the symbiotic bacterium Xenorhabdus indica, which was molecularly identified (PV845100). Cell-free culture supernatants of Xenorhabdus spp. and their biogenic Ag-NPs were used in nematicidal assays. Meloidogyne incognita showed high mortality rates of 95.3%, 74.6%, and 72.6% after 72 h of treatment with the X. indica filtrate at three concentrations. At the same concentrations, biogenic Ag-NPs resulted in 82.0%, 90.0%, and 85.3% mortality rates, respectively. After 72 h, hatchability decreased by 53%, 74.6%, and 72.6% for the X. indica filtrate and 82.0%, 90.0%, and 85.3% for Ag-NPs. Quantitative real-time PCR (Q-PCR) revealed that Mi-Ache1 expression was lower in M. incognita second-stage juveniles (J2s) treated with the filtrate and Ag-NPs after 72 h compared to controls. Mi-Ache2 expression was also decreased, but only slightly. Furthermore, both the X. indica filtrate and biogenic Ag-NPs were safe in human lung (WI-38) and skin (HFB4) cell lines. These findings suggest that bacterial filtrates and their biogenic Ag-NPs could serve as cost-effective, environmentally friendly alternatives to commercial nematicides. Full article

The increasing frequency and intensity of droughts, a direct consequence of climate change, represent one of the main threats to agriculture, especially for crops with a high water demand such as the processing tomato. The objective of this study is to evaluate the potential of the IrriDesK digital twin (DT) as a tool for automated irrigation management and the implementation of regulated deficit irrigation (RDI) strategies tailored to the crop’s water status and phenological stage. The trial was conducted in an experimental plot over two consecutive growing seasons (2023–2024), comparing three irrigation treatments: full irrigation based on lysimeter measurements (T1) and two RDI strategies programmed through IrriDesK (T2 and T3). The results showed water consumption reductions of 30–45% in treatments T2 and T3 compared to treatment T1, with applied volumes of 277–400 mm versus approximately 570 mm in treatment T1, thus remaining within the sustainability threshold (<500 mm, equivalent to 5000 m³ ha⁻¹). This threshold corresponds to the maximum seasonal allocation typically available for processing tomato under drought conditions in the region and was used to configure the DT’s seasonal irrigation plan. The monitoring of leaf water potential (Ψleaf) and the normalized difference vegetation index (NDVI) confirmed the DT’s ability to dynamically adjust irrigation and maintain an adequate water status during critical crop phases. In terms of productivity, treatment T1 achieved the highest yields (≈135 t ha⁻¹), while RDI strategies reduced production to 90–108 t ha⁻¹, but improved fruit quality, with increases in total soluble solids content of up to 10–15% (°Brix). These results demonstrate that IrriDesK is an effective tool for the optimization of water use while maintaining crop profitability and enhancing the resilience of processing tomatoes to drought scenarios. Full article

Strawberry (Fragaria × ananassa (Weston) Rozier) is a high-value crop whose market success depends on fruit quality traits such as sweetness, firmness, and pigmentation. In sustainable agriculture, wood distillates are gaining interest as natural biostimulants. This study evaluated the effects of foliar application of two commercial wood distillates (WD1 and WD2) and one produced in a pilot plant at the Institute for Bioeconomy of the National Research Council of Italy (IBE-CNR) on strawberry physiology, fruit yield, and fruit quality under greenhouse conditions. Non-destructive ecophysiological measurements were integrated using optical sensors for proximal phenotyping, enabling continuous monitoring of plant physiology and fruit ripening. Leaf gas exchange and chlorophyll fluorescence were measured with a portable photosynthesis system, while vegetation indices and pigment-related parameters were obtained using spectroradiometric sensors and fluorescence devices. To assess the functional relevance of vegetation indices, a linear regression analysis was performed between net photosynthetic rate (A) and the Photochemical Reflectance Index (PRI), confirming a significant positive correlation and supporting PRI as a proxy for photosynthetic efficiency. All treatments improved photosynthetic efficiency during fruiting, with significant increases in net photosynthetic rate, quantum yield of photosystem II, and electron transport rate compared to control plants. IBE-CNR and WD2 enhanced fruit yield, while all treatments increased fruit soluble solids content. Non-invasive monitoring enabled real-time assessment of physiological responses and pigment accumulation, confirming the potential of wood distillates as biostimulants and the value of advanced sensing technologies for sustainable, data-driven crop management. Full article

Powdery mildew poses a persistent threat to global vegetable and fruit production, particularly affecting leafy crops such as lettuce, spinach, and cucurbits. Conventional control strategies including chemical fungicides, biological agents, and resistant cultivars face limitations due to resistance development, environmental toxicity, and inconsistent field efficacy. This review explores the emerging role of nanotechnology, specifically nanoparticles (NPs) and nanosuspensions (NSs), in managing powdery mildew. Metallic nanoparticles and non-metallic variants demonstrate potent antifungal activity through mechanisms such as membrane disruption, reactive oxygen species (ROS) generation, and gene regulation. Encapsulated nano-fungicides and sprayable essential oils represent potential application methods that could enhance delivery precision and activate plant defense mechanisms against powdery mildew. Integrating the application of nanoparticles and nanosuspensions with smart and digital delivery systems could be a promising strategy for managing powdery mildew infestation in fruits and vegetables. Despite their potential, challenges including ecotoxicity, formulation stability, scalability, and regulatory gaps must be addressed. This review underscores the need for interdisciplinary research to advance safe, effective, and sustainable nano-enabled solutions for powdery mildew control. Full article

Substrate and soil temperatures were analyzed throughout 14 representative fruit–vegetable crop cycles and treatments grown in low-cost Mediterranean greenhouses, mostly around the cold winter period. The mean daily temperatures of most common substrates (perlite and coconut-coir bags) were lower (between 0.9 and 3.0 °C) and more variable than root zone temperatures of the most common soil (enarenado soil) throughout all crop cycles and treatments studied, particularly during the cold period. The mean daily temperature of the perlite and coconut-coir bags was low (around 15 °C) during most of the cold periods, and the minimum daily temperature was very low (around 12 °C) during some crop periods. These low temperatures are generally considered suboptimal for greenhouse production. The seasonal dynamics of the minimum and mean daily temperature of the substrate bags were similar to those observed for the mean daily greenhouse air temperature. The minimum daily temperature of substrate bags was close to the mean daily greenhouse air temperature for all the studied crop cycles. A simple and practical relationship was found for predicting mean daily temperatures of substrate bags from mean daily greenhouse air temperatures (MAE = 0.87 °C; RMSE = 1.15 °C). A substantial spatial and temporal variation in the hourly temperature was found in the cross-section of the coconut-coir bag, but not for the mean daily temperature. No differences were found for the mean daily temperature along the longitudinal section of the bag. In general, representative measurements of the coconut-coir bag can be taken by installing the sensors horizontally and especially vertically around the middle part of the bag. Full article

Greenhouse agriculture is experiencing global expansion; however, in Andean countries such as Ecuador, its development is constrained by low-tech infrastructure, limited automation, and insufficient environmental monitoring, all of which negatively affect productivity and fruit quality. This study characterized the microclimate of a low-tech greenhouse in Chaltura, Imbabura Province, during a complete production cycle of tomato crop (Solanum lycopersicum L.). Microclimatic conditions were analyzed during three phenological stages (vegetative, reproductive, and harvest). Temperature and relative humidity were recorded at 5 min intervals using sensors placed in the greenhouse quadrants, while an external weather station provided daily outdoor climate data. Statistical analyses were performed in R software (version 4.4.x). The results revealed marked internal microclimatic heterogeneity and showed that the crop remained outside the optimal ranges of temperature, relative humidity, and vapor pressure deficit (VPD) for over 50% of the time across all phenological stages and greenhouse quadrants. These findings underscore the urgent need for cost-effective climate-control strategies adapted to local conditions and provide a scientific basis for future research aimed at improving climatic and productive efficiency, as well as the resilience and sustainability of protected agriculture in Andean regions. Full article

Pollinating insects are the most important pollinators in nature; they pollinate vegetables, fruits, oil crops, and wild plants, so that crop yields can be increased, wild plants can live and reproduce, and human food security and ecosystem stability are maintained. To identify the pollination network of plants–insects and the pollination service value in Hanzhong City, the methods of random net capture and transect counting in field work were used. The agricultural statistical data from Hanzhong City in 2023 was combined in the analysis. The results showed that Hanzhong City is rich in pollinator resources, with a total of 80 species of pollinators and 59 species of pollinating crops and wild nectar plants. The abundant pollinator resources provide sufficient pollination services for the production of local vegetables, fruits, and oil crops. The characteristics of the pollination networks are obvious, showing the structural characteristics of low connectivity, medium nesting, and low network specialization. In 2023, the pollination service value of pollinators in Hanzhong City was CNY 3524–4878 billion, accounting for 10.02–13.87% of the city’s agricultural output value of the year. Suggestions for the protection of pollinators in Hanzhong City: Reduce the use of pesticide, support beekeeping, intercrop nectar plants, and rationally plant crops. Full article

The agricultural sector faces significant challenges related to climate change and population growth, which intensify pressure on natural resources and food security. Sustainable resource-efficient systems, alongside wastewater valorisation, are a promising solution. This study evaluated the reuse potential of aquaculture, urban, and swine farm wastewater in hydroponic cultivation. Trials with leafy vegetables and fruit crops were conducted in aquaponic systems containing two fish species (Koi carp and African catfish) and two small-scale hydroponic systems. Water quality, plant development, and environmental parameters were monitored. Results for the best performance scenarios within each cultivation system showed that in urban wastewater, strawberries yielded 183 ± 74 g/plant, exceeding yields in aquaponics (125 ± 60 g/plant). Lettuce performed better in swine farm wastewater (180 ± 39 g/plant) than in urban (65 ± 6 g/plant), with corresponding water-use efficiencies of 117 and 65 g/L. Aquaponics also supported stable yields, up to 108 ± 1 g/plant for lamb’s lettuce and 10,047 ± 8791 g of papaya fruit per plant. Nutrient recovery in hydroponic systems supplied with urban and swine farm wastewater reached up to 95% for N, P, and K. Overall, these systems demonstrated substantially lower water consumption compared with values commonly reported for conventional agriculture, underscoring their strong sustainability advantages. Full article