Search Results (3,010)

Heritage landscapes endure not through the preservation of fixed forms but through the capacity to adapt to changing social, political, economic, and environmental conditions. Conservation policies that privilege static ideals of authenticity risk undermining the very systems they aim to protect. This paper advances a model of shared stewardship that links conservation of heritage to support for livelihoods, functional flexibility, and community authority in decision-making. Using the Ifugao Rice Terraces of the Philippine Cordillera as a case study, we integrate archaeological, ethnographic, spatial, and agricultural economic evidence to examine the terraces as a dynamic socio-ecological system. Archaeological findings and oral histories show that wet-rice agriculture expanded in the 17th century, replacing earlier taro-based systems and incorporating swidden fields, managed forests, and ritual obligations. Contemporary changes such as the shift from heirloom tinawon rice to commercial crops, the impacts of labor migration, and climate variability reflect long-standing adaptive strategies rather than cultural decline. Comparative cases from other UNESCO and heritage sites demonstrate that economic viability, adaptability, and local governance are essential to sustaining long-inhabited agricultural landscapes. We thus argue that the Ifugao terraces, like their global counterparts, should be conserved as living systems whose cultural continuity depends on their ability to respond to present and future challenges. Full article

Common bean (Phaseolus vulgaris L.), the world’s most widely grown legume crop, is not only of great commercial importance but is also a vital smallholder crop in low-to-medium-income countries. In sub-Saharan Africa common bean provides consumers with a major proportion of their dietary protein and micronutrients. However, productivity is constrained by viruses, particularly those vectored by aphids and whiteflies, and problems are further compounded by seed-borne transmission. We describe common bean’s major viral threats including the aphid-transmitted RNA viruses bean common mosaic virus and bean common mosaic necrosis virus, and the whitefly-transmitted begomoviruses bean golden mosaic virus and bean golden yellow mosaic virus and discuss how high-throughput sequencing is revealing emerging threats. We discuss how recent work on indirect and direct viral ‘manipulation’ of vector behaviour is influencing modelling of viral epidemics. Viral extended phenotypes also modify legume interactions with beneficial organisms including root-associated microbes, pollinators and the natural enemies of vectors. While problems with common bean tissue culture have constrained transgenic and gene editing approaches to crop protection, topical application of double-stranded RNA molecules could provide a practical protection system compatible with the wide diversity of common bean lines grown in sub-Saharan Africa. Full article

The bacterial diversity of soils cultivated with avocado (Persea americana M.) is influenced by different factors, perhaps the most decisive being the type of agronomic management used by farmers. In conventional agronomic management (CM), high doses of agrochemicals are applied, in contrast to organic agronomic management (OM), where organic fertilizers are used. This alters the diversity and abundance of soil microorganism populations, which in turn affects crop health. This study aimed to isolate and morphologically characterize rhizospheric bacteria from avocado trees under different agronomic management systems (CM and OM). For the bacterial isolates, their ability to promote plant growth in vitro was determined through biochemical tests for phosphorus and calcium solubilization and nitrogen fixation. In addition, their in vivo effect on tomato (S. lycopersicum) growth was evaluated, and their antagonistic capacity against Fusarium sp. was assessed. The results showed differences in the quantity, diversity, and morphologies of bacterial isolates depending on the type of agronomic management. A higher Shannon diversity index was found in OM (2.44) compared to CM (1.75). A total of 35 bacterial isolates were obtained from both management types. A greater number of isolates from OM soils exhibited in vitro PGP activity; notably, eight isolates from OM plots showed phosphate-solubilizing activity, compared to only one from CM plots. Furthermore, although all isolates demonstrated nitrogen fixing capacity, those from OM orchards produced significantly higher nitrate levels than the control (Azospirillum vinelandii). On the other hand, inoculation of tomato plants with bacterial isolates from OM soils increased plant height, root length, and total fresh and dry biomass compared to isolates from CM soils. Likewise, OM isolates exhibited greater antagonistic activity against Fusarium sp. These findings demonstrate the impact of agronomic management on soil bacterial populations and its effect on plant growth and protection against pathogens. Full article

Tomato fruit (Solanum lycopersicum) is a valuable agricultural crop worldwide due to its nutritional value and culinary applications, making it one of the most widely consumed vegetables in the human diet. However, excessive solar UV-B radiation represents a significant factor in decreasing productivity, marketable yields, and fruit quality in tomato crops by causing damage to both DNA and the photosynthetic system, as well as chlorophyll degradation. The application of silicon nanoparticles has been shown to increase tolerance to abiotic stressors, including enhanced UV-B radiation. Therefore, this study aims to evaluate the protective effects of foliar silicon nanoparticle (SiNP) application on photosynthetic parameters, photosynthetic pigments, and secondary metabolites under enhanced UV-B stress in tomato plants. Photosynthetic parameters (stomatal conductance to water vapor, net CO₂ assimilation rate, transpiration rate, and intercellular CO₂ molar fraction), biogenic volatile organic compounds (BVOCs), chlorophylls, and carotenoids were evaluated. The application of SiNPs showed beneficial effects on plants grown under ambient UV-B conditions, increasing photosynthetic parameters while also enhancing chlorophyll and carotenoid levels. In plants exposed to enhanced UV-B radiation, SiNP treatment helped to maintain and even improve photosynthetic parameters and stomatal function in leaves while also promoting the accumulation of photosynthetic pigments. Additionally, the application of SiNPs also resulted in a slightly higher content of lycopene and total carotenoids in tomato fruits. Full article

Climate change causes major agricultural losses, driven both by the rise of plant diseases and by extreme weather events such as droughts and floods. Increased precipitation can lead to waterlogging of important crops. The roots of plants submerged in water have limited access to oxygen, which leads to hypoxia, which, in turn, reduces plant resistance to other factors, e.g., plant pathogens. On the other hand, beneficial microorganisms can help plants oppose abiotic stress, e.g., by producing plant hormones or osmoprotectants such as trehalose, to increase plant tolerance to drought. It turns out that plant-beneficial microorganisms can also increase plant resistance to waterlogging. This can be achieved by various mechanisms that involve the production of 1-aminocyclopropane-1-carboxylate (ACC) deaminase, which reduces the amount of ethylene accumulated in the submerged roots. This can stimulate the production of reactive oxygen species scavengers that protect plants from the oxidative stress caused by less efficient anaerobic metabolism, produce plant hormones that help plants to better adapt to low-oxygen conditions, and shape the plant microbiome, supporting plant growth in waterlogging conditions. This review outlines plant responses to waterlogging and discusses examples of microorganisms that improve plant tolerance, focusing on their underlying mechanisms. Full article

Efficient irrigation management is essential for optimizing yield and quality in specialty crops like hot peppers (Capsicum chinense), particularly under controlled greenhouse environments. This study employed a novel sensor-based system integrating soil moisture and sap flux monitoring to evaluate water use dynamics in Capsicum chinense, a species for which such applications have not been widely reported. Three cultivars—Habanero, Helios, and Lantern—were grown under three volumetric soil moisture contents: low (15%), medium (18%), and high (21%). Water uptake was measured at leaf (transpiration, stomatal conductance) and plant levels (sap flux via heat balance sensors). Photosynthesis, fruit yield, and capsaicinoid concentrations were assessed. Compared to high irrigation, medium and low irrigation increased photosynthesis by 16.6% and 22.2%, respectively, whereas high irrigation favored greater sap flux and vegetative growth. Helios exhibited an approximately 8.5% higher sap flux as compared to Habanero and about 10% higher as compared to Lantern. Helios produced over 30% higher fruits than Habanero and Lantern under high irrigation. Habanero recorded the highest pungency, with a capsaicinoid level of 187,292 SHU—exceeding Lantern and Helios by 56% and 76%, respectively. Similarly, nordihydrocapsaicin and dihydrocapsaicin accumulation were more cultivar-dependent than irrigation-dependent. No significant interaction between cultivar and irrigation was observed, indicating genotype-driven water use strategies. Our study contributes to precision horticulture by integrating soil moisture and sap flux sensors to reveal cultivar-specific water use strategies in Capsicum chinense, thereby demonstrating the potential of an integrated sensor-based irrigation system for efficient irrigation management under increasing water scarcity in protected environments. As a preliminary greenhouse study aimed at maintaining consistent irrigation throughout the growing season across three volumetric soil moisture levels, these findings provide a foundation for subsequent validation and exploration under diverse soil moisture conditions including variations in stress duration, stress frequency, and stress application at different phenological stages. Full article

Plants are constantly exposed to various environmental challenges, such as drought, flooding, heavy metal toxicity, and pathogen attacks. To cope with these stresses, they employ several adaptive strategies. This review highlights the potential of plant-derived smoke (PDS) solution as a natural biostimulant for improving plant health and resilience, contributing to both crop productivity and ecological restoration under abiotic and biotic stress conditions. Mitigating effects of PDS solution against various stresses were observed at morphological, physiological, and molecular levels in plants. PDS solution application involves strengthening the cell membrane by minimizing electrolyte leakage, which enhances cell membrane stability and stomatal conductance. The increased reactive-oxygen species were managed by the activation of the antioxidant system including ascorbate peroxidase, superoxide dismutase, and catalase to meet oxidative damage caused by challenging conditions imposed by flooding, drought, and heavy metal stress. PDS solution along with other by-products of fire, such as charred organic matter and ash, can enrich the soil by slightly increasing its pH and improving nutrient availability. Additionally, some studies indicated that PDS solution may influence phytohormonal pathways, particularly auxins and gibberellic acids, which can contribute to root development and enhance symbiotic interactions with soil microbes, including mycorrhizal fungi. These combined effects may support overall plant growth, though the extent of PDS contribution may vary depending on species and environmental conditions. This boost in plant growth contributes to protecting the plants against pathogens, which shows the role of PDS in enduring biotic stress. Collectively, PDS solution mitigates stress tolerance in plants via multifaceted changes, including the regulation of physico-chemical responses, enhancement of the antioxidant system, modulation of heavy metal speciation, and key adjustments of photosynthesis, respiration, cell membrane transport, and the antioxidant system at genomic/proteomic levels. This review focuses on the role of PDS solution in fortifying plants against environmental stresses. It is suggested that PDS solution, which already has been determined to be a biostimulant, has potential for the revival of plant growth and soil ecosystem under abiotic and biotic stresses. Full article

As the Internet of Things (IoT) expands, ensuring secure and efficient image transmission in resource-limited environments has become crucial and important. In this paper, we propose a lightweight image encryption scheme based on Elliptic Curve Cryptography (ECC), tailored for embedded and IoT applications. In this scheme, the image data blocks are mapped into elliptic curve points using a decimal embedding algorithm and shuffled to improve resistance to tampering and noise. Moreover, an OTP-like operation is applied to enhance the security while avoiding expensive point multiplications. The proposed scheme meets privacy and cybersecurity requirements with low computational costs. Classical security metrics such as entropy, correlation, NPCR, UACI, and key sensitivity confirm its strong robustness. Rather than relying solely on direct comparisons with existing benchmarks, we employ rigorous statistical analyses to objectively validate the encryption scheme’s robustness and security. Furthermore, we propose a formal security analysis that demonstrates the resistance of the new scheme to chosen-plaintext attacks and noise and cropping attacks, while the GLCM analysis confirms the visual encryption quality. Our scheme performs the encryption of a $512\times 512$ image in only 0.23 s on a 1 GB RAM virtual machine, showing its efficiency and suitability for real-time IoT systems. Our method can be easily applied to guarantee the security and the protection of lightweight data in future smart environments. Full article

Strawberry (Fragaria x ananassa) production has increased around the world, but crop quality and yield are threatened by fungal pathogens. Botrytis cinerea is a filamentous fungus that infects over 1400 species of crops, causing gray mold disease with devastating losses to horticulture worldwide, including strawberry. The heavy reliance on synthetic fungicides in the strawberry industry has led to the emergence of fungicide resistance in B. cinerea. Therefore, understanding the fundamental biology of B. cinerea is an important step in the search for novel antifungals. Although B. cinerea is one of the most serious pathogens of strawberry, this pathosystem is understudied compared to other plant hosts. Consequently, further evidence is needed on pathogen penetration and early disease development in strawberry tissues. Here, we adapted and advanced assays using detached strawberry leaves, fruits, and petals to study B. cinerea infection. These assays allow the comparison of the treatment effect on the same fruit, avoiding confounding from differential ripening, and facilitate the screening of fungicides or biocontrol agents. Through chlorophyll fluorescence analysis and scanning electron and confocal microscopy, we quantified lesions caused by B. cinerea in the early stages of infection in fruit and petals, and demonstrated that B. cinerea penetrates through the stomata of strawberry achenes, revealing a previously unrecognized infection route in this host. These data provide a deeper understanding of the B. cinerea–strawberry interaction and will serve as a foundation for future studies seeking novel antifungal treatments against B. cinerea. Full article

Rice (Oryza sativa L.) is a staple crop for over half of the global population; however, pathogenic infections pose significant threats to its sustainable production. Although chemical pesticides are commonly employed for disease control, their prolonged usage has led to pathogen resistance, reduced effectiveness, and non-target toxicity, rendering them unsustainable for agricultural practices. Nanomaterials (NMs) present a promising alternative due to their small size, tunable release properties, and diverse mechanisms for disease resistance. This review examines how NMs can enhance rice disease management through (1) direct pathogen suppression; (2) the activation of plant defense pathways; (3) the formation of nanoscale barriers on leaves to obstruct pathogens; (4) targeted delivery and controlled release of fungicides; and (5) modulation of the microbiome to bolster resilience. Moreover, we critically analyze the agricultural potential and environmental implications of NMs, develop optimized application strategies, and, for the first time, propose the innovative ‘NMs-Rice-Soil’ Ternary System framework. This groundbreaking approach integrates nanotechnology, plant physiology, and soil ecology. The pioneering framework offers transformative solutions for sustainable crop protection, illustrating how strategically engineered NMs can synergistically enhance rice productivity, grain quality, and global food security through science-based risk management and interdisciplinary innovation. Full article

Under the “double security” goal of achieving both food security and ecological protection, this study explores the green and low-carbon utilization efficiency of cultivated land (GLCUECL) in the Huaihe River Ecological Economic Belt (HREEB). This study identifies the spatiotemporal evolution characteristics and trends, promoting the green, low-carbon, and sustainable utilization of arable land resources in the HREEB, thus contributing to regional and national food and ecological security. Using a global super-efficiency EBM framework that accounts for undesirable outputs, as well as the GML index, the researchers measured and decomposed the GLCUECL in 25 prefecture-level cities of the HREEB from 2005 to 2021. The Theil index and kernel density estimation were applied to analyze regional disparities and changing developmental traits. Spatial convergence and divergence were assessed using the coefficient of variation and spatial convergence models. Key findings include the following: (1) Over time, the GLCUECL in the HREEB exhibited an overall upward trend and a non-equilibrium characteristic, namely the “East Sea-river-lake Linkage Area (ESLA) > Midwest Inland Rising Area (MIRA) > Huaihe River Ecological Economic Belt (HREEB) > North Huaihai Economic Zone (NHEZ)”. The increase in the GML index of the GLCUECL is mainly attributable to a technical progress change. (2) The overall difference in the GLCUECL tends to decline, which is mainly attributable to the intra-regional differences. (3) The overall kernel density curves for the HREEB and its three sub-regions exhibited a “rightward shift” trend. Except for the expansion and polarization of the absolute difference in the GLCUECL in the NHEZ, the absolute difference in GLCUECL in other regions, such as the HREEB, ESLA, and MIRA, exhibited a decreasing trend. (4) Spatial convergence analysis revealed that only the NHEZ lacks σ-convergence, whereas all regions exhibited β-convergence. Moreover, factors such as rural economic development level, cultivated land resource endowment, agricultural subsidy policy, crop planting structure, and technological input exerted a heterogeneous effect on the change in the GLCUECL. Based on these findings, this study offers recommendations for improving GLCUECL in the HREEB. Our recommendations include the implementation of the concept of green new development, optimization of the institution supply, establishing a regional cooperation mechanism for green and low-carbon utilization of cultivated land, and formulation of differentiated paths for improving the green and low-carbon utilization efficiency of cultivated land according to local conditions. Full article

Protected cultivation is a cultivation practice that plays an important role in improving crop quality. Aroma is an important flavour that assesses the quality of yuzu. In this study, C. junos cv. ‘Kitou’ grown in open fields (CJKTF) and plastic greenhouses (CJKTP) were selected as the study material. Significant differences in aroma performance between CJKTF and CJKTP were found by the olfactory senses of the members of this research group and an electronic nose, with CJKTP having a stronger aroma. Regarding VOCs, GC-MS analyses revealed 13 VOCs up-regulated and 28 VOCs down-regulated in CJKTP compared to CJKTF. Transcriptome analysis revealed that 515 genes were up-regulated and 720 genes were down-regulated in CJKTP compared to CJKTF. The differential VOCs nerolidol and γ-cadinene, and the differential genes nerolidol synthase 1 (NES1), nerolidol synthase 1-like (NES1-like), and cadinene synthase (DCS), were in the sesquiterpene synthesis pathway and showed significant correlation. NES1, NES1-like, and DCS encode terpene synthases, which may be involved in the biosynthetic pathway of nerolidol and γ-cadinene. In conclusion, the use of plastic greenhouses for cultivation may improve the quality and aroma intensity of yuzu, as well as alter the expression of related genes, compared to field cultivation. These results suggest that protected cultivation is a suitable cultivation practice to enhance the aroma of yuzu. Full article

In agriculture, the use of fructans has gained relevance due to their ability to improve plant immunity and resistance to pathogens. However, many studies use high-purity fructans, which makes their application more expensive. In this work, the efficacy of two agave fructans, one food grade from Agave tequilana Weber var. Azul (FT) and the other obtained by semi-craft extraction from A. cupreata (FC) were evaluated in comparison with reagent-grade inulin from dahlia tubers. The effectiveness of their defense response against Phytophthora capsici infection in tomato (Solanum lycopersicum L.) was analyzed by evaluating defense mechanisms, including lignin deposition, hydrogen peroxide (H₂O₂) accumulation, and β-1,3-glucanase and peroxidase activity. The results indicated that foliar application of both fructans showed protection against infection, reducing disease incidence and severity. FT fructans at lower concentration (0.5 g/L) showed the highest protection, followed by FC, while dahlia inulin showed lower effectiveness. An early and progressive accumulation of H₂O₂ was observed in fructan-treated plants, in contrast to the late increase in untreated infected plants. Also, peroxidase activity was higher in the fructan treatments, suggesting a more efficient defense response. Although lignin deposition was not directly correlated with protection against P. capsici, fructans showed potential as resistance inducers. Given their low cost, easy extraction, and zero environmental impact, agave fructans represent a viable alternative for crop protection in sustainable agricultural systems. This study opens the door to their validation in the field and their application in other economically important crops, contributing to biological control strategies with less dependence on agrochemicals. Full article

Effective water resource management plays a crucial role in achieving sustainability in agriculture, hydrology, and environmental protection, particularly under growing water scarcity and climate-related challenges. Soil moisture (θ), matric potential (h), and hydraulic conductivity (K) are critical parameters influencing water availability for crops and regulating hydrological, environmental, and ecological processes. To address the need for accurate, real-time soil monitoring in both laboratory and open-field conditions, we proposed an innovative IoT-based monitoring system called SHYPROM (Soil HYdraulic PROperties Meter), designed for the simultaneous estimation of parameters θ, h, and K at different soil depths. The system integrates capacitive soil moisture and matric potential sensors with wireless communication modules and a cloud-based data processing platform, providing continuous, high-resolution measurements. SHYPROM is intended for use in both environmental and agricultural contexts, where it can support precision irrigation management, optimize water resource allocation, and contribute to hydrological and environmental monitoring. This study presents recent technological upgrades to the proposed monitoring system. To improve the accuracy and robustness of θ estimates, the capacitive module was enhanced with an integrated oscillator circuit operating at 60 MHz, an upgrade from the previous version, which operated at 600 kHz. The new system was tested (i.e., calibrated and validated) through a series of laboratory experiments on soils with varying textures, demonstrating its improved ability to capture dynamic soil moisture changes with greater accuracy compared to the earlier SHYPROM version. During calibration and validation tests, soil water content data were collected across a θ range from 0 to 0.40 cm³/cm³. These measurements were compared to reference θ values obtained using the thermo-gravimetric method. The results show that the proposed monitoring system can be used to obtain predictions of θ values with acceptable accuracy (R² values range between 0.91 and 0.96). To further validate the performance of the upgraded SHYPROM system, evaporation experiments were also conducted, and the θ(h) and K(θ) relationships were determined among soils. Retention and conductivity data were fitted using the van Genuchten and van Genuchten–Mualem models, respectively, confirming that the device accurately captures the temporal evolution of soil water status (R² values range from 0.97 to 0.99). Full article

Protected structures with drip fertigation systems have allowed many countries around the world to grow high-value vegetables, such as tomatoes and bell peppers year round, particularly under adverse edaphoclimatic conditions. This paper evaluates the feasibility of tomato and bell pepper cultivation in Sunshine Pacific Limited. Farm in Tanumalala, a commercial farm in Samoa, under a protected cultivation system with drip fertigation. The yield, water use efficiency, establishment and maintenance costs, and the average return per hectare of production were analyzed. Additionally, economic feasibility indicators were estimated using the discount factors of 6.5% and 11%. Results showed that the annual yield of tomatoes (163,500 kg/ha) was higher than bell peppers (103,500 kg/ha). The water use efficiency (WUE) and product water use (PWU) of these two crops in this study were less efficient compared to what was observed in other countries, as indicated by the value of the respective WUE and PWU: 8.38 kg/m³ and 0.12 m³/kg for tomatoes while 5.31 kg/m³ and 0.19 m³/kg for capsicum. Despite the high initial establishment cost, all economic feasibility parameters indicated that the system is profitable, having a BCR ratio of more than 2, and feasible under Samoa conditions, mostly due to the high market price. Thus, this system of cultivation could be an option for growing high-value vegetables in Samoa. However, further research is needed to improve the yield and water use efficiency. Full article