Search Results (4,548)

Treated wastewater (TWW) reuse mitigates water scarcity but may induce soil salinization and trace metal accumulation if improperly managed. This field study evaluated the combined effects of irrigation water quality (TWW vs. well water) and irrigation method (surface vs. subsurface drip irrigation, SDI) on soil chemical properties, okra growth, yield, and nutrient/trace element dynamics under semi-arid Mediterranean conditions. Soil pH remained stable across treatments. Electrical conductivity was not significantly affected by water quality but increased in deeper layers under surface drip irrigation, indicating salt migration. SDI promoted more uniform nutrient distribution and favored Na⁺ displacement toward deeper layers, reducing root-zone exposure. Cations stratified vertically, with Ca²⁺, Mg²⁺, and K⁺ concentrated in surface layers and Na⁺ at depth. Water quality exerted a stronger influence than irrigation method. The fertilizing effect of TWW significantly enhanced plant height (53%), leaf dry matter (43%), aboveground biomass (81%), and fruit yield (16.3%). When combined with SDI, TWW improved irrigation water use efficiency by 20%. Although fruit Cd concentrations increased under TWW irrigation, all trace metals remained below international food safety standards. These findings indicate that integrating TWW with SDI enhances productivity and water use efficiency while maintaining short-term food safety, though long-term monitoring remains essential. Full article

The guava tree (Psidium guajava L.) is a tropical fruit tree of worldwide importance; however, the salinity of irrigation water severely limits its development in semi-arid regions. However, magnesium (Mg) can mitigate this stress by promoting plant photosynthetic activity. The objective was to evaluate the effect of foliar Mg in mitigating saline stress on photosynthesis and the growth of guava cultivar seedlings. The experiment was conducted in a randomized complete block design, in a 2 × 2 × 3 factorial scheme, with two guava cultivars (Kumagai and Paluma), two irrigation water salinity levels (a low-salinity control—0.5 dS m⁻¹, and salt stress—2.5 dS m⁻¹), and three doses of foliar Mg (0, 1, and 2 mL L⁻¹), and six replications. A salinity of 2.5 dS m⁻¹ reduced growth and gas exchange in both cultivars, with a reduction of approximately 30% in total dry mass, and 16% in CO₂ assimilation rate. Supplementation with 1 mL L⁻¹ of Mg attenuated the effects of stress, stimulating chlorophyll synthesis and gas exchange, reducing approximately leaf temperature in 3.5%, and vapor pressure deficit (VPD) in 12%. The Paluma cultivar was more responsive to Mg under salinity, with improved CO₂ assimilation rate, stomatal control, and water use efficiency. Kumagai showed greater growth in height and diameter with 1 mL L⁻¹ under stress. Foliar application of magnesium (1 mL L⁻¹) is a promising strategy to produce guava seedlings under saline stress. Full article

Muskmelon (Cucumis melo L.) is an economically important crop that remains highly susceptible to destructive fungal diseases, including gummy stem blight, downy mildew, Fusarium wilt, and anthracnose. Although fungicides and resistant cultivars are widely used, reliance on chemical control raises concerns regarding environmental safety, food quality, and the emergence of fungicide-resistant pathogen populations. Consequently, microbial biopesticides, particularly Bacillus species, have attracted increasing attention as sustainable alternatives. In this study, muskmelon plants exhibiting leaf wilting, chlorosis, and stem yellowing were collected from Guangming Farm in Wufeng, Taichung, Taiwan, and associated pathogens were isolated from stem tissues and identified to determine the causal agent of these symptoms. In addition, the biocontrol efficacy of Bacillus subtilis strain MCLB2 against melon fruit rot, as well as its underlying mechanisms, was evaluated. Pathogenicity assays confirmed that isolate F01 was the causal agent. Based on morphological characteristics and internal transcribed spacer (ITS) sequence analysis, this isolate showed 99.8% identity to Fusarium pernambucanum URM 7559 (GenBank accession no. NR_163754), and phylogenetic analysis further placed it within the Fusarium incarnatum–equiseti species complex (FIESC). Antagonistic assays demonstrated that B. subtilis MCLB2 significantly inhibited mycelial growth and suppressed the spore germination of F. pernambucanum. In addition, culture filtrates of strain MCLB2 effectively reduced Fusarium-induced fruit rot in melon and disrupted fungal cellular respiration. Liquid chromatography–tandem mass spectrometry (LC–MS/MS) analysis revealed that the strain produced surfactin-family lipopeptides. In conclusion, B. subtilis MCLB2 exhibits potential as a sustainable biocontrol agent for managing Fusarium fruit rot in melon, likely through surfactin-mediated disruption of fungal cellular respiration. Full article

Cadmium (Cd) contamination is widely recognized as a major risk factor affecting the security and quality of crop production. Watermelon (Citrullus lanatus) is a globally cultivated fruit that is susceptible to Cd stress. 24-Epibrassinolide (EBR), an active brassinosteroid, is essential for plant growth and abiotic stress responses. However, its protective role in watermelon under Cd stress remains unclear. This study elucidates the physiological and molecular processes underlying EBR-mediated alleviation of Cd toxicity in watermelon seedlings. The results showed that exogenous EBR application effectively mitigated Cd-induced growth inhibition through decreased Cd deposition, reduced the accumulation of reactive oxygen species (ROS), lowered membrane lipid peroxidation, and increased antioxidant capacity in watermelon leaves under Cd treatment. Transcriptome (RNA-Seq) analysis revealed that EBR triggered substantial reprogramming of gene expression patterns, identifying 530 differentially expressed genes (DEGs) in Cd + EBR co-treatment compared with Cd treatment alone, including 204 down-regulated genes and 326 up-regulated genes. These DEGs are vital for controlling several physiological processes, including phenylpropane metabolism, phenylpropanoid biosynthesis, endoplasmic reticulum’s protein production, cell wall organization, and others. Further physiological assays confirmed that EBR increased the activities of PAL and 4CL, the core enzymes driving phenylpropanoid biosynthesis, leading to a significant accumulation of total phenols and flavonoids. Together, the above results give concrete proof of the powerful functions of 24-EBR, acting as an enhancer of plant performance under Cd stress by enhancing the antioxidant system and by activating the phenylpropanoid pathway and its derived metabolic networks. Full article

The exponential growth of the fruit-processing industry generates significant quantities of organic by-products, such as peels, seeds, and pomace, which represent a rich but underutilized source of bioactive polyphenols. Valorizing these residues is critical for the transition toward a circular bioeconomy, yet conventional extraction methods remain solvent-intensive and kinetically inefficient. This review provides a comprehensive analysis of emerging green extraction technologies, specifically Ultrasound-Assisted (UAE), Microwave-Assisted (MAE), Enzyme-Assisted (EAE), Pressurized Liquid (PLE), and Supercritical Fluid Extraction (SFE), and Pulsed Electric Field (PEF), applied to key industrial matrices including apple, citrus, grape, olive, and coffee. Comparative data demonstrate that intensification technologies significantly outperform conventional maceration, with UAE and MAE reducing processing times by up to 90% while enhancing polyphenol yields by 20–55% through mechanisms such as acoustic cavitation and dipole rotation. Furthermore, high-pressure methods exhibit tunable selectivity, enabling the specific recovery of heat-sensitive anthocyanins and bound phenolics without the use of toxic organic solvents. The study concludes that the future of industrial valorization lies in the adoption of hybrid technologies and sequential biorefinery strategies to achieve high-purity isolates with minimal environmental impact. Full article

The development of selective and sustainable catalysts is essential to enable the chemical recycling of mixed plastic waste. In this work, calcium-modified biochars derived from cocoa pod husk (CPH) and palm kernel shell (PKS) were prepared for treating a mixture of poly(ethylene terephthalate) (PET) and poly(lactic acid) (PLA). The aim was to separate the mixture through the PLA methanolysis, while maintaining the PET unreacted for a potential physical recycling. Biochar was ex situ modified with calcium precursor using a value-added concentrate recovered from the hydrothermal treatment of Jatropha fruit husk. Subsequently, a pyrolysis step was further applied to convert the calcium species into CaO, which is the active phase for the methanolysis reaction. Structural, microscopic, and spectroscopic analyses revealed that the carbon matrix strongly influences the evolution and stabilization of calcium phases during pyrolysis and post-treatment. CPH-derived biochars promoted the formation of highly dispersed CaO, whereas PKS favored the growth of larger, less reactive Ca(OH)₂ domains. As a result, the CPH_Ca10 (i.e., 10% desired calcium loading based on CPH-biochar mass) catalyst exhibited superior basicity and catalytic activity, achieving near-complete PLA conversion under mild conditions (90–110 °C) depending on the system with only 2 wt.% catalyst. Importantly, under these mild conditions, PET remained chemically intact, demonstrating the process’s high selectivity and applicability to mixed bioplastic–fossil plastic streams. This study highlights a circular, low-carbon route to producing effective Ca-based catalysts from agricultural residues. It establishes a promising strategy for selective depolymerization and separation in complex plastic waste systems. Full article

Tomato (Solanum lycopersicum L.) is a globally important vegetable, prized for its nutritional value and antioxidant content. Given the increasing demand for foods with health-promoting properties and the need for sustainable production practices, this study evaluated the impact of different growth substrates combined with plant growth-promoting rhizobacteria (PGPR) inoculation on the yield and nutraceutical quality of greenhouse tomatoes grown in a semi-hydroponic system. ‘Nereida’ variety saladette tomato plants were either inoculated with a single PGPR consortium (1 × 10⁸ CFU mL⁻¹) or uninoculated. Three substrates were used: a chemical fertilization control and a sand-vermicompost mixture with two inherent levels of phosphorus (253 and 442 ppm). The chemically fertilized substrate without inoculation served as the control treatment. The results indicated that the chemically fertilized substrate presented a significantly higher yield per square meter (p < 0.05), reaching values of 5.20 ± 0.70 kg m⁻² and 4.83 ± 0.35 kg m⁻² in the control treatment. However, fruits grown in the vermicompost-based substrate with higher phosphorus content (442 ppm) and PGPR inoculation exhibited significantly greater antioxidant capacity (54.16 µmol TE g⁻¹ FW) and higher concentrations of vitamin C (14.03 mg·100 g⁻¹ FW), lycopene (47.68 mg·100 g⁻¹ FW), flavonoids, carotenoids, and glutathione. This represented an increase of 28–45% in bioactive compounds including lycopene, vitamin C, flavonoids, carotenoids, and glutathione compared to the chemical control. While the interaction between substrate and inoculation was significant only for soluble solids, both factors independently and additively contributed to the enhancement of nutraceutical parameters. These findings suggest that the use of vermicompost-based substrates, particularly those with higher phosphorus content, in combination with PGPR inoculation, is a promising strategy to enhance the accumulation of health-promoting bioactive compounds in tomato fruits, despite a trade-off in total yield. Full article

Plant foods have been the cornerstone of human diets since ancient times, fueling civilization and shaping cultures. Plants became central to sustainable food systems, offering diverse and nutritious options for the future. Sea buckthorn (Hippophae rhamnoides L.) has attracted growing scientific interest due to the presence of bioactive compounds, polyphenols, fatty acids, phytosterols, carotenoids, vitamins, and minerals in its fruit, seeds, and leaves. Moreover, sea buckthorn exhibit antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, antimicrobial, antidiabetic, antihyperlipidemic, anticancer, hepatoprotective, neuroprotective, and metabolic regulatory properties supported by in vitro and in vivo models. The biological activity of these phytochemical compounds plays a crucial role in regulating the AMP-activated protein kinase (AMPK) and phosphoinositide 3-kinase/protein kinase B (PI3K/Akt) signaling pathways, as well as pro-inflammatory cytokines such as tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α) and interleukin-6 (IL-6), cell proliferation, and apoptosis. Furthermore, its potential against microbial growth, including S. aureus, S. epidermidis, S. intermedius, and S. pyogenes, among others, not only expands its applications in the pharmaceutical industry but also attracts researchers to incorporate it into food products. This could lead to the discovery of plant-based therapeutic products without significant adverse effects. However, further exploration of each component’s potential side effects is necessary to support the commercialization of formulated products in either the pharmaceutical or food industries, ensuring the highest safety standards for consumers. Including studies on bioavailability and pharmacodynamics could further strengthen the scientific evidence supporting the specific phytochemicals in sea buckthorn and their mechanistic interactions. Full article

The ‘Pingguoli’ pear (Pyrus pyrifolia cv. Pingguoli) has a cultivation history spanning nearly one hundred years. Bud mutation selection is an important breeding method for the ‘Pingguoli’ pear. In this study, high-throughput sequencing technology (RNA-Seq) and non-targeted metabolomics (LC-MS/MS) were used to analyze the large-fruited bud mutation line (LFS) and normal type (NTF) of the ‘Pingguoli’ pear during the cell division (G1), rapid growth (G2), and mature stages (G3) of the fruit. The results showed that LFS exhibited a 46.32% increase in average single fruit weight (383.01 ± 54.72 g vs. 261.76 ± 10.79 g, p < 0.01) and a 19.10% decrease in soluble solids content (12.70 ± 0.94% vs. 15.40 ± 2.06%, p < 0.05) compared to NTF. Compared with the NTF, the content of total phenols and total flavonoids and the activity of antioxidant enzymes in the LFS fruits were significantly higher, while the contents of soluble sugar, reducing sugar, and soluble protein were significantly lower. Transcriptome analysis revealed that key metabolic pathways—including pentose and glucuronate interconversions, starch and sucrose metabolism, and cutin, suberine, and wax biosynthesis—were significantly enriched between NTF and LFS. These pathways may contain the specific differentially expressed genes (e.g., those involved in sugar metabolism and wax biosynthesis) identified as potential regulators of fruit size, appearance, and nutritional quality in the LFS. LC-MS/MS analysis identified key differentially accumulated metabolites, including L-arginine, caffeic acid, L-cysteine, pyridoxamine 5′-phosphate, adenosine-5′-phosphosulfate, neopentolactone D, chlorogenic acid, and gluconic acid, which are directly associated with the nutritional and antioxidant differences between LFS and NTF. The genes most related to metabolites in the three different developmental periods of the LFS and NTF were identified through combined analysis. These results provide insights for further research on bud mutation breeding and the quality formation mechanism of ‘Pingguoli’ pears. Full article

The rapid accumulation of fruit and vegetable waste and oyster shell residues presents increasing environmental challenges, particularly in regions with intensive agricultural and aquaculture production. This study evaluated the use of oyster shell powder as a calcium-based buffering additive to stabilize acidic fruit and vegetable waste during rearing of black soldier fly larvae (BSFL, Hermetia illucens). Five substrates containing 0, 2, 4, 6, and 8% oyster shell powder (fresh weight basis) were prepared and used for larval rearing under controlled conditions for 12 days. Substrate pH dynamics, larval growth performance, substrate utilization efficiency, and nutritional composition of larval biomass were assessed. Oyster shell supplementation significantly increased substrate pH in a dose-dependent manner, shifting the substrate from strongly acidic conditions toward the range favorable for larval development. Moderate supplementation levels (2–4%) resulted in the highest larval biomass, survival rate, dry matter reduction, and bioconversion efficiency, whereas excessive supplementation reduced performance. Protein content increased at moderate supplementation levels, while lipid content decreased with higher oyster shell inclusion. Calcium concentration in larval biomass increased proportionally with supplementation, whereas essential amino acid composition remained stable. These results demonstrate that oyster shell powder can be used as an effective buffering material to improve the stability of acidic organic waste substrates and enhance BSFL-based bioconversion. The combined utilization of fruit and vegetable waste and oyster shell residues represents a practical approach for integrated waste valorization and supports the development of circular bioeconomy strategies for sustainable protein production. Full article

Chilli is a major horticultural crop in tropical and subtropical regions that contributes substantially to the global culinary and economic sectors. However, anthracnose remains one of the most destructive diseases, causing severe losses in both field and stored fruits. Current management strategies offer limited long-term effectiveness, highlighting the need for sustainable alternatives. This study developed nanoemulsions (NEs) from Garcinia atroviridis fruit extract and evaluated their biocontrol potential against Colletotrichum capsici alone and in combination with Trichoderma harzianum. Two formulations, NE4 and NE7, exhibited good thermostability without phase separation at 25 and 54 °C, with droplet sizes of 135.1 and 124.1 nm, respectively, and were non-phytotoxic to chilli seedlings. In vitro, the nanoemulsions significantly suppressed C. capsici mycelial growth (62%) compared to the crude extract. Under rain shelter conditions, NE integrated with T. harzianum (T7 and T8) was highly effective in delaying disease onset and reducing disease severity, achieving 90.07% and 88.37% relative disease reduction, respectively. These treatments also produced the highest marketable yields, comparable to the synthetic fungicide Dithane M-45^® (2 g L⁻¹). In contrast, the untreated control group exhibited an 83% yield loss. The results indicate that nanoemulsions of G. atroviridis fruit extract, particularly when combined with T. harzianum, offer a promising and sustainable biological control option for managing pre-harvest chilli anthracnose. Their incorporation into integrated pest management programmes may reduce dependence on chemical fungicides and support safer chilli production systems. Full article

This study aims to establish a time-resolved harvesting standard for Penthorum chinense. To achieve this, we systematically integrated growth phenology, phytochemical accumulation dynamics, and antioxidant activity across six key developmental stages. The contents of total phenolics, flavonoids, proanthocyanidins, and tannins exhibited a biphasic fluctuation pattern, which was closely correlated with variations in antioxidant capacity. Principal component analysis identified the optimal harvest windows: flowers achieved the highest integrated score at the full blooming stage, whereas leaves scored highest at the early fruiting stage. These periods also corresponded with greater fresh biomass, supporting favorable economic returns. Accordingly, we recommend the full blooming stage as the optimal harvest time for flowers and the early fruiting stage for leaves and stems. Future research should focus on elucidating how environmental factors regulate the accumulation of bioactive compounds, which will further refine cultivation and harvest strategies to enhance the quality of this medicinal herb. Full article

Potassium is an essential nutrient for crop growth and plays a critical role in regulating water metabolism, facilitating photosynthate transport, and improving agricultural product quality. The precise management of potash fertilizer inputs is therefore vital for enhancing agricultural productivity and promoting sustainable resource use. Using panel data for 31 provinces in China from 2000 to 2024, obtained from the China Statistical Yearbook, this study integrates the Tapio decoupling model, stochastic frontier analysis (SFA), fixed-effects models, and an XGBoost–BiLSTM hybrid model to investigate the dynamic relationship, utilization efficiency, and driving mechanisms of potash fertilizer inputs and grain production. The results indicate that the relationship between potash fertilizer inputs and grain production has shifted from an expansive negative decoupling state—characterized by faster growth in fertilizer inputs than in output—to a strong decoupling state, where fertilizer inputs decline while grain production continues to increase. This transition exhibits a clear spatial gradient, with improvements from eastern to northeastern and central regions. Potassium use efficiency (KUE) shows a steady upward trend, with significant regional heterogeneity, characterized by higher efficiency in the south, lower efficiency in the north, and notable differentiation in western regions, largely driven by climatic and soil variations. Despite these improvements, substantial potential for reducing fertilizer inputs remains across provinces. Potash fertilizer inputs exert a significant positive effect on grain production, while the cultivation of potassium-intensive crops, such as sugar crops, tobacco, and fruits, is a key driver of regional demand. Model projections suggest that from 2025 to 2030, grain production will grow at an annual rate of 1.2–1.5%, while potash fertilizer inputs will decline by 2–4% annually, indicating a transition toward greener agricultural development. These findings highlight the need for region-specific fertilization strategies, optimized fertilizer structures, and improved soil nutrient monitoring systems to ensure food security and sustainability. Full article

Lentinula edodes (Berk.) Pegler, also known as Shiitake, is one of the most popular edible mushroom species containing high contents of polysaccharides, proteins and unique aroma, widely cultivated in China, Japan and Korea. A series of studies has been carried out on the extraction and active effect of the L. edodes polysaccharides, but the molecular mechanisms involved in the protein expression profiles during the whole life cycle are relatively unclear. This study employed an iTRAQ-MS/MS proteomic approach, combined with real-time quantitative PCR (qRT-PCR) and enzyme activity assays, to systematically analyze the protein expression profiles and their relationship with lignocellulose degradation in L. edodes across four key developmental stages: mycelia (SF), brown film formation (BF), primordia (YF), and fruiting bodies (MF). A total of 2043 proteins were identified, with 1188 being differentially expressed proteins (DEPs). Gene Ontology (GO) and Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes (KEGG) enrichment analyses revealed that metabolic processes, carbohydrate metabolism, and related pathways were significantly active during development. The study specifically focused on carbohydrate-active enzymes (CAZymes), identifying 197 CAZyme proteins classified into 78 families. Key families such as glycoside hydrolases (GHs) and carbohydrate esterases (CEs) played crucial roles in lignocellulose degradation. The enzymatic activities of major lignin-degrading enzymes (laccase, manganese peroxidase, and lignin peroxidase) were dynamically regulated across the developmental stages. qRT-PCR results largely corroborated the proteomic data, confirming the reliability of the protein expression profiles. This study provides a comprehensive, stage-resolved proteomic landscape of lignocellulose degradation during L. edodes development, revealing species-specific temporal dynamics, offering a valuable basis for understanding its growth and development, with implications for edible fungus cultivation and biomass conversion applications. Full article

To improve nitrogen (N) fertilizer management in vineyards and support sustainable production, we conducted field experiments in 2021–2022 to evaluate the effects of reduced N fertilization combined with organic fertilizer (OF) on vine growth, fruit quality, soil fertility, and economic returns in Shine Muscat grapes. Six treatments were established: conventional fertilization (CF), four reduced-N treatments combined with OF (0.9N + OF to 0.6N + OF; i.e., 10–40% N reduction), and a blank control (CK). Yield was significantly increased under 0.8N + OF (18.2% in 2021; 96.0% in 2022) and 0.7N + OF (10.8% in 2021; 47.9% in 2022), with 0.8N + OF also delivering the highest economic returns. Fruit quality analysis showed that 0.8N + OF consistently increased total sugar and the sugar–acid ratio, and improved vitamin C content. Substitution ratios >40% led to a decline in economic benefits. Path analysis indicated that vertical diameter and single-berry weight exerted significant positive effects on total yield. OF substitution also improved fruit quality. Soil available nutrients (N, P, and K) and organic matter were primary factors influencing yield; potassium was the key factor regulating sugar accumulation, with the strongest effect on improving flavor coordination. Reducing N by 20–30% combined with OF (particularly the 0.8N + OF treatment) synergistically enhanced photosynthetic efficiency, N utilization, yield and quality, and soil fertility, representing the optimal fertilization strategy. Full article