Search Results (857)

The citrus processing industry generates large amounts of organic residues whose sustainable management is a major environmental challenge. The aim of this study was to evaluate the effects of incorporating citrus-derived waste (CW) into coconut-coir-based substrates on tomato (Solanum lycopersicum L., cv. Proxy) under different irrigation regimes (I) in a factorial design (CW × I) with three replications. Each replicate consisted of six plants (pots), and the replicate was considered the experimental unit. Plants were grown in substrates amended with 0%, 6.25%, 12.5%, 25.0%, and 37.5% (v/v) citrus waste and subjected to three water regimes (100%, 75%, and 50% of the standard water supply). Plant growth, biomass allocation, yield components, and fruit quality traits were assessed. Results indicate that CW can be incorporated into coconut-coir substrates without detectable penalties in total production at low-to-moderate rates (6.25–12.5%) across all irrigation regimes. Yield reductions of 18% (from 3398 to 2789 g plant⁻¹) attributable to CW were observed mostly at the highest inclusion rates under moderate deficit irrigation (75% water supply), whereas under severe deficit (50% water supply), production declined across all CW rates, including 0%, indicating that water deficit has a dominant limiting effect. Fruit quality parameters were generally maintained or improved in amended substrates, particularly under reduced irrigation with deficit irrigation, generally increasing total soluble solids at 100%, 75%, and 50% WC (+13%, +19%, and +9%, respectively). Overall, these findings support the use of citrus waste at low-to-moderate proportions as a sustainable amendment for soilless tomato cultivation without marked negative effects on yield and fruit quality, enabling its use as a locally sourced substrate component within circular-economy strategies. Full article

Automatic Milking Systems (AMSs) enable the continuous recording of production, milkability, behavioral, and physiological traits, offering new opportunities for genetic evaluation in dairy cattle. This study aimed to estimate variance components and genetic parameters for milk yield-related traits, milking efficiency traits, rumination time (RT), and daily average milk temperature (MTEMP) using AMS-derived data from 1252 Holstein cows. 65,475 weekly records from a single commercial herd were analyzed using repeatability animal models fitted by restricted maximum likelihood. Heritability estimates were moderate to high for milking time (MT) (0.31), milking speed (MS) (0.38), RT (0.30), and MTEMP (0.28), whereas behavioral traits such as number of milking (NoM) (0.26) and number of refused (NoREF) (0.11) showed lower but meaningful heritabilities. Repeatability was highest for MT and MS (0.77 and 0.79), indicating consistent milking performance across repeated records. MTEMP demonstrated clear seasonal variation, increasing in warmer periods and decreasing during colder months, indicating sensitivity to environmental conditions. Genetic correlations among traits revealed both favorable and unfavorable associations; however, several estimates were associated with relatively large standard errors and should therefore be interpreted with caution. The inclusion of MTEMP as a proxy physiological trait derived from AMS data showed measurable genetic variation, although its biological interpretation requires careful consideration. Overall, the results suggest that AMS-derived phenotypes may contribute useful information for genetic studies of functional traits, but the single-herd structure, limited pedigree depth, and data aggregation procedures restrict the generalizability of the findings. Further multi-herd and genomics-based studies are required to validate these results and assess their applicability in breeding programs. Full article

Wheat (Triticum aestivum L.) is a strategic food crop for arid, hot regions such as the Arabian Peninsula, the Middle East, and North Africa. In these areas, production is limited by extreme environmental and agronomic conditions, leading to heavy dependence on imported wheat. Irrigation is often essential for successful cultivation, but available water sources are frequently saline. This study evaluated the comparative effects of irrigation salinity and genotype on agronomic performance, physiological responses, and grain quality. Nine Syrian wheat genotypes and one French bread-making cultivar, Florence Aurora, were grown in sandy soil under three irrigation salinity levels (2.6, 10, and 15 dS m⁻¹) across two seasons at the International Center for Biosaline Agriculture (Dubai, UAE). Salinity strongly negatively impacted yield, which decreased by 61% from the control to 15 dS m⁻¹, along with key yield components such as thousand grain weight and total biomass. Physiological traits, including carbon isotope composition (δ¹³C) and Na concentrations in roots, shoots and grains, increased significantly with salinity, while chlorophyll content showed a modest decline. Effects on grain quality were relatively minor: total nitrogen concentration and most mineral levels increased slightly, mainly due to a passive concentration effect associated with reduced TGW. Genotypes varied significantly in yield, biomass, TGW, physiological traits, and grain quality. The highest-yielding genotypes under control conditions (ACSAD 981 and ACSAD 1147) also performed best under saline conditions, and no trade-off was observed between yield and grain quality parameters (TGW, nitrogen, zinc, and iron concentrations). Separate analyses conducted for control and saline treatments identified different drivers of genotypic variability. Under control conditions, chlorophyll content, closely linked with δ¹³C, was the best predictor of genotypic differences and was positively correlated with yield across genotypes. Under salinity stress, grain magnesium (Mg) concentration was the strongest predictor, followed by grain δ¹³C, with both traits positively correlated with yield. These findings highlight key physiological traits linked to salinity tolerance and offer insights into the mechanisms underlying genotypic variability under both optimal and saline irrigation conditions. Full article

Climate change has intensified drought events, compromising popcorn production, particularly in tropical regions. This study aimed to identify popcorn inbred lines with superior water-use efficiency and responsiveness, and to examine the relationships among morpho-agronomic traits associated with expanded popcorn volume per hectare (VP). Fifty inbred lines were evaluated under well-watered (WW) and water-stressed (WS) conditions across two cropping seasons (2020 and 2021). Water deficit was imposed at pre-anthesis, with the permanent wilting point occurring during early reproductive stages in 2020 and during grain filling in 2021. Principal component analysis and efficiency/responsiveness classification were used to characterize line performance. Significant genotype × water condition × season interactions affected all traits. Water stress reduced VP by 75% in 2020 and 46% in 2021, reflecting the differing timing of stress. Line L477 showed high efficiency and responsiveness, while genotypes such as L213, L221, and L222 were inefficient and non-responsive in both years. Under WW, VP was mainly associated with hundred-grain weight, ear length, and grain number per row, whereas under WS, ear diameter and number of rows per ear were the strongest contributors, indicating that the available genetic variability is more effectively exploited through selective morpho-agronomic criteria tailored to each water scenario. Contrasting crosses between efficient and non-responsive lines (L325 and L481) and inefficient but responsive lines (L513, L625, and L689) are recommended to support the development of hybrids that combine high yield under irrigation with resilience under water-stress conditions. Full article

Cotton (Gossypium barbadense L.) is a crop of great economic importance, as the superior quality of its fiber is highly valued worldwide. The objective of this research was to evaluate the agromorphological diversity of cotton germplasm using both qualitative and quantitative descriptors. A combination of univariate and multivariate statistical analyses was applied to identify promising accessions. The coefficients of variation (GCV and PCV) and high heritability estimates observed for descriptors such as the number of sympodial branches, fiber weight, and number of seeds per capsule confirm genetic control, ensuring the effectiveness of selection in future breeding programs. Correlation analysis revealed a strong positive relationship between lint yield and number of bolls per plant (0.893). Furthermore, principal component analysis indicated that accessions PER1010536, PER1010538, PER1010543, and PER1010547 were associated with high yield and early-maturity traits. Furthermore, multiple correspondence analysis and mixed data factor analysis demonstrated that the observed variability also depends on qualitative traits such as petal spot and bract color, supporting the concept of a complex genetic architecture. These findings provide a solid basis for the development of new cotton cultivars with improved productivity. Full article

Tea plants are frequently threatened by insect pests, resulting in substantial yield and quality losses. Methyl jasmonate (MeJA) is a key defense signaling molecule in plants; however, its integrated effects on tea plant growth, resistance, and quality-related traits remain poorly understood. In this study, field experiments were conducted to evaluate the effects of exogenous MeJA at different concentration (0.02–20 mM) on growth traits, quality components, and resistance to the tea green leafhopper and tea orange gall mite in Camellia sinensis ‘Zhongcha 108’, and transcriptome analysis was further integrated to elucidate the underlying molecular mechanisms. The results showed that appropriate MeJA concentrations (0.2–2 mM) significantly optimized bud morphology, characterized by shortened internodes, thicker stems, and reduced leaf insertion angles. Importantly, these treatments did not significantly alter the measured quality-related biochemical components, such as free amino acids and soluble sugars, within the evaluated time frame. Collectively, this study provides the first field-based evidence defining an effective MeJA concentration window that balances pest resistance induction, growth modulation, and processing suitability for flat-type green tea, offering practical guidance for the rational application of MeJA in tea plantation management. Full article

Soil salinity is a major constraint to wheat production worldwide. Efficient screening of salt-tolerant cultivars is essential for breeding programs, yet a rapid and reliable evaluation system based on full-life-cycle salt stress treatment is lacking. To address this, we conducted a hydroponic experiment encompassing the entire growth cycle of 37 wheat cultivars under control and salt stress (85.5 mM NaCl). Using principal component and stepwise regression analyses on 15 agronomic and yield-related traits, we identified five key indicators—total dry weight, root dry weight, plant height, thousand-grain weight, and number of grains per spike—that effectively represent overall salt tolerance. Based on a comprehensive evaluation value (D-value), the cultivars were classified into five distinct categories: highly salt-tolerant, salt-tolerant, moderately salt-tolerant, weakly salt-tolerant, and salt-sensitive. Notably, the highly salt-tolerant cultivar ‘Yangfumai 8′ and the salt-sensitive cultivar ‘Yangmai 22’ were selected as representative extremes. A subsequent pot experiment confirmed significant physiological differences between them in antioxidant enzyme activities (SOD, POD, CAT) and proline accumulation under salt stress. This study establishes a practical and efficient screening framework, providing breeders with a simplified index set for high-throughput evaluation and offering ideal contrasting materials for in-depth physiological research on salt tolerance mechanisms in wheat. Full article

Capsicum pubescens (rocoto) is an Andean domesticate with notable agronomic and nutraceutical potential, yet it remains underrepresented in chili pepper breeding programs. In this study, 78 accessions from the Peruvian Andes were evaluated in a single field environment during the 2024 growing season for 28 variables spanning plant architecture, phenology and yield, color (CIELAB), weight, fruit morphology, physicochemical variables, and functional phytochemicals, including total phenolics, carotenoids, ascorbic acid, capsaicinoids, and antioxidant activity (FRAP, DPPH, ABTS). Descriptive analyses revealed broad phenotypic diversity in key variables such as yield and bioactive compounds. Spearman correlations uncovered a clear modular structure, with strong within-domain associations across morphological, chromatic, and biochemical variables, and statistically significant but low-magnitude cross-domain associations (e.g., fruit length with pungency, redness with total phenolics). Principal component analysis and hierarchical clustering resolved three differentiated phenotypic profiles: (i) low-pungency accessions with high soluble solids and varied fruit colors; (ii) highly pungent materials with elevated antioxidant capacity; and (iii) large, red-fruited accessions with considerable carotenoid content and high moisture. This multivariate architecture revealed weak cross-block correlations among agronomic, color, and functional traits, enabling selection of promising accessions combining desirable agronomic attributes and favorable bioactive profiles in specific accessions. These results provide a quantitative foundation for future breeding strategies in C. pubescens, opening concrete opportunities to develop improved cultivars that simultaneously meet productivity and functional quality criteria. Full article

Apple breeding programs focus on enhancing yield, quality, and disease resistance, with a strong emphasis on evaluating phenological traits like flowering time and pomological traits such as fruit size and flavour, which are crucial for commercial success and consumer preference. Twenty-four families were obtained by crossing six apple varieties selected as pollen receptors and four apple genotypes resistant to scab selected as pollen donors. Data related to bud burst date, flowering date, harvest date, lengths of the periods between bud burst and flowering and from flowering to harvest (developmental period), fruit equatorial and polar diameter, fruit polar/diameter ratio, soluble solid content (SSC) and flesh firmness were analysed as a genetic partial diallel design. The study’s ANOVA on 24 fruit families across two years revealed significant genotype–environment interactions affecting flowering date, harvest date, and developmental periods, with some variables like fruit weight and soluble solids showing consistent variation. During each year, temperature influenced phenological phases, with earlier budbreak and flowering in warmer, less variable conditions in 2019. Analysis of genetic effects indicated high heritability for phenological traits and moderate heritability for fruit morphology and quality, with parental genetic contributions varying over years. Principal component and Procrustes analyses identified key variable groupings and parent profiles, highlighting genotypes such as ‘Granny Smith’, ‘McIntosh’, and ‘HM100’ with consistent additive effects, and certain families with notable heterotic performance. Overall, genetic and environmental interactions significantly shape phenological and fruit quality traits, guiding breeding strategies. Full article

Understanding the influence of tree species and their intrinsic traits on biochar yield and carbon retention is essential for optimizing the conversion of biomass to biochar in carbon-negative systems. While it is well-established that pyrolysis temperature and broad feedstock categories significantly affect biochar properties, the extent of species-level variation within woody biomass under standardized pyrolysis conditions remains insufficiently quantified. Here, we synthesized biochar from seven common subtropical tree species at 600 °C under oxygen-limited smoldering conditions and quantified three key indices: biochar yield (Y), carbon recovery efficiency (ηC), and carbon enrichment factor (EC). We further examined the relationships of these indices with feedstock characteristics (initial carbon content, wood density) and functional group identity (conifer vs. broadleaf). Analysis of variance revealed significant interspecific differences in ηC but weaker effects on Y, indicating that species identity primarily governs carbon retention rather than total mass yield. Broadleaf species (Liquidambar formosana, Castanea mollissima) exhibited consistently higher ηC and EC than conifers (Pinus massoniana, P. elliottii), reflecting higher lignin content and wood density that favor aromatic char formation. Principal component and cluster analyses clearly separated coniferous and broadleaf taxa, accounting for over 80% of total variance in carbon-related traits. Regression models showed that feedstock carbon content, biochar carbon content, and wood density together explained 15.5% of the variance in ηC, with feedstock carbon content exerting a significant negative effect, whereas wood density correlated positively with carbon retention. These findings demonstrate that tree species and their functional traits jointly determine carbon fixation efficiency during smoldering. High initial carbon content alone does not guarantee enhanced carbon recovery; instead, wood density and lignin-derived structural stability dominate retention outcomes. Our results underscore the need for trait-based feedstock selection to improve biochar quality and carbon sequestration potential, and provide a mechanistic framework linking species identity, functional traits, and carbon stabilization in biochar production. Full article

Heat and high-irradiance stress increasingly threaten almond production in Mediterranean environments, where rising temperatures and prolonged summer droughts impair photosynthetic performance and yield. This study evaluated the effectiveness of three mineral-based shielding materials: kaolin, basalt powder, and zeolite. We hypothesized that the foliar application of reflective mineral materials would reduce leaf temperature, enhance photosynthetic efficiency, and improve yield without altering nut nutraceutical quality. A two-year field experiment (2024–2025) was conducted using a randomized block design with four materials (untreated control, kaolin, basalt powder, and zeolite). Physiological traits (gas exchange, chlorophyll fluorescence, leaf temperature, and SPAD index), morpho-biometric and biochemical parameters, and yield components were assessed. Kaolin and basalt powder significantly lowered leaf temperature (−1.6 to −1.8 °C), increased stomatal conductance and net photosynthesis, and improved photochemical efficiency (Fv′/Fm′) and electron transport rates. These treatments also enhanced drupe weight, kernel dry matter, and productive yield (up to +32% compared with the control). Zeolite produced positive but less prominent effects. No significant differences were detected in fatty acid profile, total polyphenols, or antioxidant capacity, indicating that the materials did not affect almond nutraceutical quality. Principal component analysis confirmed the strong association between kaolin and basalt powder and improved eco-physiological performance. Overall, mineral shielding materials, particularly kaolin and basalt powder, represent a promising, sustainable strategy for enhancing almond orchard resilience under Mediterranean climate change scenarios. Full article

Nest architecture and surrounding habitat features can strongly influence the reproductive success of cavity-nesting birds; however, quantitative data from natural environments remain limited. We examined how nest structure and surrounding habitat features correlate with reproduction in the small bee-eater (Merops orientalis). A total of 38 natural nests were monitored during the breeding season. The Conway–Maxwell–Poisson model showed that cavity depth was a significant positive predictor of clutch size (β = 0.46 ± 0.22 SE, p = 0.036), whereas entrance diameter and nest height were not significantly related. Principal component analysis (PCA) of standardized cavity dimensions (cavity depth, entrance diameter, and nest height) showed that nest height (captured by PC2) was strongly associated with higher breeding success (OR = 0.002, p = 0.021), whereas overall cavity size (PC1) had a weaker, marginally positive correlation (OR = 3.87, p = 0.09). Habitat distance variables showed only weak, non-significant trends after accounting for multicollinearity. Nest structural traits explained more variation in reproductive performance than landscape variables (pseudo-R² = 0.80 for clutch size; 0.59 for breeding success). Field monitoring of 38 nests showed a mean clutch size of 3.9 eggs, an overall hatching success of 77.5%, and a fledging success of 51.2%, yielding a 37.1% breeding success. Our results highlight the importance of conserving sandy streambanks and mitigating human disturbance in proximity to active nests to conserve breeding success in small bee-eaters. As these findings were based on one site and a single breeding season, broader generalizations will require replication across additional years and locations. Full article

Understanding yield improvement in horticultural systems depends on elucidating how multiple plant traits operate in concert to sustain productivity. Mulberry (Morus alba L.) provides a suitable model for examining such whole-plant integration. Under cold-region field conditions, a modern high-yield cultivar (‘Nongsang 14’) was compared with a traditional cultivar (‘Lusang 1’). Measurements encompassed canopy architecture, biomass allocation between roots and shoots, leaf economic traits, and gas-exchange parameters, allowing trait coordination to be evaluated across structural and physiological dimensions. Multivariate profiling—Principal Component Analysis (PCA) and correlation networks—was used to characterise phenotypic integration. The modern cultivar’s superior productivity emerged as a coordinated “acquisitive” trait syndrome. This strategy couples a larger canopy (higher LAI) and nitrogen-rich foliage (higher LNC) with greater stomatal conductance (G_s), operating together with reduced root-to-shoot allocation. These features form a tightly connected network where structural investment and physiological upregulation are synchronised to maximise carbon gain. These findings provide a whole-plant framework for interpreting high productivity, offering guidance for breeding programmes that target trait integration rather than single-trait optimisation. Full article

The inherent chemical composition of different rice varieties can significantly influence the quality of sweet rice wine. However, most studies on sweet rice wine overlook varietal characteristics, resulting in slow progress in breeding rice varieties specialized for sweet rice wine production. To investigate the relationship between the inherent chemical composition of various rice varieties, such as starch, protein, and crude fat content, and their corresponding rice wines, 16 rice varieties with significant compositional variation were used in this study. The results revealed that screening solely for glutinous or non-glutinous rice is insufficient to select suitable raw materials for sweet rice wine production. Correlation analysis showed that the total sugar content of sweet rice wine was primarily associated with starch properties. In contrast, the formation of alcoholic strength and juice yield was more complex, exhibiting close correlations with multiple rice components, including amylose, albumin, globulin, crude fat, tannin content, and others. Furthermore, interactions among these components were also significantly correlated with these quality traits. In conclusion, amylose content, the ratio of amylose to amylopectin, gel consistency, and albumin content are important indicators for the rapid screening of high-quality rice lines, as they strongly correlate with sweet rice wine quality. These results will facilitate the development of rice varieties specialized for sweet rice wine production. Full article

Improving yield and nitrogen-use efficiency (NUE) is essential for dryland winter wheat. We hypothesized that cultivars classified as high-yield and high-efficiency (HH) achieve superior performance through coordinated root–canopy traits that enhance water and nitrogen acquisition, sustain post-anthesis photosynthesis, and maintain assimilate and nitrogen remobilization. A two-year field experiment was conducted using ten regionally representative cultivars, which were grouped into HH, high-yield and low-efficiency (HL), low-yield and high-efficiency (LH), and low-yield and low-efficiency (LL) types based strictly on grain yield and NUE. Measurements included yield components, grain-filling, dry matter accumulation and partitioning, soil water use, nitrogen uptake and remobilization, and root–canopy structural traits. HH increased yield by 41.5% and water-use efficiency by 24.1% relative to LH, supported by denser shallow roots, moderate deeper-root development, higher leaf area index, and more compact canopies. HH also exhibited stronger post-anthesis dry matter and nitrogen translocation, resulting in a larger grain number per unit area and improved sink capacity. Correlation analyses further demonstrated positive associations among root–canopy traits, water and nitrogen dynamics, and yield formation. These results support the hypothesis that a coordinated root–canopy structure underlies the superior yield and NUE performance of HH cultivars in dryland systems, providing a physiological basis for cultivar improvement. Full article