Search Results (298)

Labor shortages in seedling nurseries, particularly in manual inspection and replanting, hinder operational efficiency despite advancements in automation. This study aims to develop a cost-effective, GPU-free machine vision system to automate the detection of deficient seedlings in plug trays, specifically for small-scale nursery operations. The proposed Deficiency Detection and Replanting Positioning (DDRP) machine integrates low-cost components including an Intel RealSense Depth Camera D435, Raspberry Pi 4B, stepper motors, and a programmable logic controller (PLC). It utilizes OpenCV’s Haar cascade algorithm, HSV color space conversion, and Otsu thresholding to enable real-time image processing without GPU acceleration. The proposed Deficiency Detection and Replanting Positioning (DDRP) machine integrates low-cost components including an Intel RealSense Depth Camera D435, Raspberry Pi 4B, stepper motors, and a programmable logic controller (PLC). It utilizes OpenCV’s Haar cascade algorithm, HSV color space conversion, and Otsu thresholding to enable real-time image processing without GPU acceleration. Under controlled laboratory conditions, the DDRP-Machine achieved high detection accuracy (96.0–98.7%) and precision rates (82.14–83.78%). Benchmarking against deep-learning models such as YOLOv5x and Mask R-CNN showed comparable performance, while requiring only one-third to one-fifth of the cost and avoiding complex infrastructure. The Batch Detection (BD) mode significantly reduced processing time compared to Continuous Detection (CD), enhancing real-time applicability. The DDRP-Machine demonstrates strong potential to improve seedling inspection efficiency and reduce labor dependency in nursery operations. Its modular design and minimal hardware requirements make it a practical and scalable solution for resource-limited environments. This study offers a viable pathway for small-scale farms to adopt intelligent automation without the financial burden of high-end AI systems. Future enhancements, adaptive lighting and self-learning capabilities, will further improve field robustness and including broaden its applicability across diverse nursery conditions. Full article

Alpine permafrost plays a vital role in regional hydrology and ecology. Alpine permafrost is highly sensitive to climate change and human disturbance. The Muri area, which is located in the headwaters of the Datong River, northeast of the Tibetan Plateau, has undergone decadal mining, and the permafrost stability there has attracted substantial concerns. In order to decipher how and to what extent the permafrost in the Muri area has responded to the decadal mining in the context of climate change, daily MODIS land surface temperatures (LSTs) acquired during 2000–2024 were downscaled to 30 m × 30 m. The active layer thickness (ALT)–ground thaw index (DDT) coefficient was derived from in situ ALT measurements. An annual ALT of 30 m × 30 m spatial resolution was subsequently estimated from the downscaled LST for the Muri area using the Stefan equation. Validation of the LST and ALT showed that the root of mean squared error (RMSE) and the mean absolute error (MAE) of the downscaled LST were 3.64 °C and −0.1 °C, respectively. The RMSE and MAE of the ALT estimated in this study were 0.5 m and −0.25 m, respectively. Spatiotemporal analysis of the downscaled LST and ALT found that (1) during 2000–2024, the downscaled LST and estimated ALT delineated the spatial extent and time of human disturbance to permafrost in the Muri area; (2) human disturbance (i.e., mining and replantation) caused ALT increase without significant spatial expansion; and (3) the semi-arid climate, rough terrain, thin root zone and gappy vertical structure beneath were the major controlling factors of ALT variations. ALT, estimated in this study with a high resolution and accuracy, filled the data gaps of this kind for the Muri area. The ALT variations depicted in this study provide references for understanding alpine permafrost evolution in other areas that have been subject to human disturbance and climate change. Full article

Coconut (Cocos nucifera L.) is one of the most widely cultivated crops, with increasing popularity and demand for its products, which necessitates increased production. However, the lack of high-quality planting materials is a major limitation in replanting the senile palms worldwide. This study examined the possibility of using a direct shoot organogenesis pathway as an alternative to somatic embryogenesis to produce clonal coconut plantlets using immature inflorescence explants obtained from Indonesia and Australia, through investigation of the explant types, exogenous plant growth regulators, and additives. Histological analysis showed suitable stages of immature inflorescence explants to be used, which led to the formation of shoot-like structures resembling true vegetative shoots, in all treatments consisting of exogenous plant growth regulators except for those without activated charcoal. The culture medium supplemented with thidiazuron (100 μM) alone or those supplemented with various combinations of other plant growth regulators showed similar shoot induction percentages (ca. 63 to 80%) or shoot-like structures per explant (ca. 6 to 8). The addition of adenine sulphate (217 μM) was found to significantly improve shoot induction (ca. 50%) from immature inflorescence explants compared to the control (ca. 5%), whereas phloroglucinol was found to negatively impact shoot induction, and L-glutamine showed a positive influence. The current study showed several improvements, which warrant further studies to develop commercial protocol for mass production of clonal coconut plantlets through direct organogenesis. Full article

Xylella fastidiosa was first detected in Portugal in 2019 in Lavandula dentata. In response, the national plant health authorities promptly established a Demarcated Zone in the affected area and implemented a series of eradication and control measures, including the systematic removal and destruction of infected and host plants. This study analyzes the economic and operational impacts of these eradication efforts in the northern region of Portugal, with a focus on Demarcated Zones such as the Porto Metropolitan Area, Sabrosa, Alijó, Baião, Mirandela, Mirandela II, and Bougado between 2019 and June 2023. During this period, about 412,500 plants were uprooted. The majority were Pteridium aquilinum (bracken fern), with 360,324 individuals (87.3%), reflecting its wide distribution and the large area affected. Olea europaea (olive tree) was the second most common species removed, with 7024 plants (1.7%), highlighting its economic relevance. Other notable species included Quercus robur (3511; 0.85%), Pelargonium graveolens (3509; 0.85%), and Rosa spp. (1106; 0.27%). Overall, destruction costs were estimated at about EUR 1.04 million, with replanting costs of roughly EUR 6.81 million. In parallel, prospection activities—conducted to detect early signs of infection and monitor disease spread—generated expenses of roughly EUR 5.94 million. While prospecting represents a significant financial investment, the results show that it is considerably more cost-effective than large-scale eradication. Prospection enables early detection and containment, preventing the widespread destruction of vegetation and minimizing disruption to agricultural production, biodiversity, and local communities. Importantly, our findings reveal a sharp decline in confirmed cases in the initial outbreak area—the Porto Demarcated Zone—from 124 cases in 2019 to just 5 in 2023, indicating the effectiveness of the eradication and monitoring measures implemented. However, the presence of 20 active Demarcated Zones across the country as of 2023 highlights the continued risk of spread and the need for sustained vigilance. The complexity of managing Xylella fastidiosa across ecologically and logistically diverse territories justifies the high costs associated with surveillance and targeted interventions. This study reinforces the strategic value of prospection as a proactive and sustainable tool for plant health management. Effective surveillance requires the integration of advanced methodologies aligned with the phenological stages of host plants and the biological cycle of vectors. Targeting high-risk locations, optimizing sample numbers, ensuring diagnostic accuracy, and maintaining continuous training for field teams are critical for improving efficiency and reducing costs. Ultimately, the findings underscore the need to refine and adapt monitoring and eradication strategies to contain the pathogen, safeguard agricultural systems, and prevent Xylella fastidiosa from becoming endemic in Portugal. Full article

Background: Instrument separation is a frequent issue in root canals, often complicated by intriguing anatomical variations that make treatment more challenging. These variations in canal structure can lead to various iatrogenic complications, such as missed canals, instrument separation, gouging, perforation, and overextension of obturation materials. One such complication is instrument breakage, which can disrupt the cleaning and shaping processes and potentially cause pain or discomfort. Materials and Methods: The present systematic review was conducted following PRISMA guidelines and the Cochrane Handbook for Systematic Reviews of Interventions. The present systematic review aimed to identify all clinical trials focused on the removal of separated instruments from endodontic canals using an endodontic surgical approach. Results: A total of 21 studies were included, reporting 22 cases involving surgical approaches for separated instrument removal. Conclusions: The analysis of available evidence, although prim Information added.arily based on clinical cases and case series, emphasizes that surgical approaches for removing separated endodontic instruments are a viable therapeutic option when non-surgical treatments are ineffective or not feasible. Techniques such as apicoectomy, intentional replantation, surgical removal, and the technique provide innovative, customized solutions for addressing complications related to separated instruments, showing favorable clinical and radiographic success rates in follow-up assessments. Full article

Maize stalk rot (MSR) is one of the most devastating fungal diseases affecting maize worldwide. In recent years, biological control agents have emerged as an environmentally friendly and highly attractive strategy for managing MSR. In this study, two Bacillus strains—B. subtilis KP3P9 and B. siamensis K13C—were shown to effectively inhibit the growth of the MSR pathogen Fusarium graminearum in vitro. Pot experiments showed that inoculation with KP3P9 significantly increased plant height, stem width, above-ground part fresh weight, and total plant fresh weight, whereas K13C significantly improved the stem width and under-ground part fresh weight of maize seedlings (p < 0.05), demonstrating their plant-growth-promoting potential. Moreover, both strains markedly reduced the disease severity indices (DSIs) of maize seedlings, indicating that they can enhance maize resistance to the pathogen. Whole-genome sequencing using Oxford Nanopore (ONT) and Illumina technologies showed that the complete genomes of KP3P9 and K13C contained biosynthetic gene clusters involved in the biosynthesis of antimicrobial secondary metabolites, including fengycin, bacillibactin, subtilin, pulcherriminic acid, subtilosin A, bacilysin, and others. Moreover, both strains exhibited strong antagonistic activity against F. solani (the causal pathogen of apple replant disease), as well as F. oxysporum f. sp. cubense race 1 (Foc1) and tropical race 4 (FocTR4) (pathogens responsible for banana wilt disease), with inhibition rates exceeding 70% in vitro. These results indicate that KP3P9 and K13C are promising biocontrol agents for MSR and other devastating Fusarium diseases. Full article

Background/Objectives: Pain-induced vasoconstriction and thrombosis cause vascular insufficiency, a major etiology of early necrosis in replanted digits. While systemic intravenous analgesia (SIVA) carries significant side effects, continuous brachial plexus block (CBPB) provides analgesia with vasodilation. Amidst uncertainties regarding distal vascular recanalization and sympathetic denervation, whether CBPB’s hemodynamic effects translate into improved perfusion and outcomes in replanted digits remains unknown. This randomized controlled trial compared the effects of CBPB versus SIVA on digit perfusion, vascular insufficiency, and survival rates post-replantation. Methods: After screening 113 patients, 55 patients (71 digits) were ultimately randomized and analyzed: the CBPB group (n = 27, 36 digits) received 0.2% ropivacaine infusion at 5 mL/h; the SIVA group (n = 28, 35 digits) received intravenous parecoxib 20 mg twice daily with supplemental tramadol for visual analog scale (VAS) scores > 3. The primary outcome was digital skin temperature trajectory measured at 0, 12, 24, 36, and 48 h postoperatively. Secondary outcomes included Doppler-quantified combined volumetric flow rate of the radial and ulnar arteries (RA-UA VFR) at identical timepoints, VAS scores, vascular insufficiency incidence, and 7-day digit survival. Results: CBPB significantly enhanced perfusion in replanted digits at all postoperative timepoints, with digital skin temperature peaking at 48 h (32 ± 1.6 °C vs. 31 ± 1.1 °C; p < 0.001) and RA-UA VFR peaking at 24 h (4.0 ± 0.83 vs. 1.8 ± 0.51 mL/s; p < 0.001) versus SIVA. Concurrently, CBPB provided superior analgesia (VAS 0.52 ± 0.51 vs. 1.9 ± 1.0; p < 0.001) and significantly reduced 48-h vascular insufficiency incidence (8.3% vs. 29%; p = 0.028). No significant difference was observed in seven-day survival rates between groups (97% vs. 91%; p = 0.329). Conclusions: CBPB significantly enhanced perfusion in replanted digits and reduced the incidence of vascular insufficiency, despite not conferring additional survival benefits. Full article

Flavescence dorée (FD) is a major grapevine disease in Europe with significant economic consequences. The objective of this review is to provide as much information as possible on the documented susceptibility or tolerance of different cultivars, both international and local within individual countries. Additionally, spontaneous recovery has been observed as a viable option for replanting injured vines, but its efficacy varies by cultivars. In this regard, a broad categorization was developed for several cultivars, particularly those examined in Europe, describing their higher or lower susceptibility and aptitude to recover. Future research, however, should not only address the geographic spread of FD, but also investigate how pathogen–host interactions may differ across cultivars. Such insights could be crucial for assessing the risk of FD introduction in new regions and understanding cultivar-specific susceptibility and epidemic dynamics, because present studies remain mostly concentrated in regions suffering significant FD pressure, resulting in a focus on a small number of cultivars that are often specific to a certain geographical area. Furthermore, the implementation of innovative strategies has the potential to give a comprehensive and long-term approach to managing and containing FD. Full article

Fusarium wilt (Foc) TR4 was first reported in Northern Vietnam in 2018. Since then, it has rapidly spread across most northern provinces along the Red River basin banana production landscapes, impacting Cavendish (Musa AAA genome) production. The other main banana cultivars which are widely grown in this production zone are Pisang Awak (Musa ABB genome) and Pisang Mas (Musa AA genome). Field surveys were conducted in 2022/2023 across this banana production region to assess pathogen spread from Cavendish monocropping systems into adjacent smaller-scale mixed cultivar systems. Across 130 sites, a total of 210 banana pseudostem tissue samples were collected from symptomatic Cavendish, Pisang Awak and Pisang Mas plants. Foc TR4 incursions into mixed small-to-mid-sized Cavendish–Pisang Awak plantations were confirmed, and the pathogen was also recorded in Pisang Awak plantations and backyard gardens that did not contain any Cavendish mats. A screenhouse-based Foc TR4 screening trial including seven commonly cultivated Musa varieties in Northern Vietnam indicated that Pisang Awak and Pisang Mas are susceptible to the pathogen. While Pisang Awak, an important local variety, is known to be susceptible to both Foc Race 1 and TR4, recent field observations suggest a limited susceptibility of Pisang Awak to Foc TR4 in mixed cultivar plantation settings. Local farmers similarly reported observing reduced susceptibility, with several having already replanted TR4-affected Cavendish fields with Pisang Awak as part of their disease management strategy. No infections were observed on field-grown Pisang Mas plants in TR4-affected mixed banana cultivar production landscapes. These results and insights provide solutions for the revival of TR4-affected Cavendish production fields or landscapes, through the cultivation of less susceptible local cultivars. In addition, the introduction, validation and scaling of Formosana (i.e., GCTCV-218, a Cavendish somaclone with moderate resistance to Foc TR4) should be envisaged. Full article

Auricular avulsion injuries are rare, and microvascular reimplantation is considered the preferred treatment according to current literature. However, when a small skin pedicle is preserved, non-microvascular reattachment techniques may offer comparable outcomes. This systematic review aims to assess whether these techniques could represent a viable alternative. We analyzed 32 cases of pedicled auricular avulsion reported in 16 articles, focusing on patient demographics, injury mechanisms, pedicle characteristics, venous congestion, and postoperative management. Venous congestion occurred in 11 patients, with a significantly higher risk in narrower pedicles (mean width 9.82 mm; 95% CI: 4.75–14.89; p = 0.025). Prophylactic heparin significantly reduced this risk (p = 0.007). Other interventions—leech therapy and hyperbaric oxygen—lacked sufficient data for firm conclusions. Most cases achieved graft survival; necrosis occurred in some, and only two patients required additional surgery. Non-microvascular techniques appear to be a viable alternative to microvascular reimplantation, with similar results and potentially fewer complications. Venous congestion remains the main challenge, requiring active management and hospitalization for monitoring. Limited case series and publication bias still hinder the development of standardized guidelines. Full article

Mapping the oil palm (Elaeis guineensis), the globally leading oil-bearing crop and a crucial industrial commodity, is of vital importance for food security and raw material supply. However, existing remote sensing approaches for oil palm mapping present several methodological challenges including temporal resolution constraints, suboptimal feature parameterization, and limitations in age structure assessment. This study addresses these gaps by systematically optimizing temporal, spatial, and textural parameters for enhanced oil palm mapping and age structure analysis through integration of Landsat 4/5/7/8/9, Sentinel-2 multispectral, and Sentinel-1 radar data (LSMR). Analysis of oil palm distribution and dynamics in Malaysia revealed several key insights: (1) Methodological optimization: The integrated LSMR approach achieved 94% classification accuracy through optimal parameter configuration (3-month temporal interval, 3-pixel median filter, and 3 × 3 GLCM window), significantly outperforming conventional single-sensor approaches. (2) Age estimation capabilities: The adapted LandTrendr algorithm enabled precise estimation of the plantation establishment year with an RMSE of 1.14 years, effectively overcoming saturation effects that limit traditional regression-based methods. (3) Regional expansion patterns: West Malaysia exhibits continued plantation expansion, particularly in Johor and Pahang states, while East Malaysia shows significant contraction in Sarawak (3.34 × 10⁵ hectares decline from 2019–2023), with both regions now converging toward similar topographic preferences (100–120 m elevation, 6–7° slopes). (4) Age structure concerns: Analysis identified a critical “replanting gap” with 13.3% of plantations exceeding their 25-year optimal lifespan and declining proportions of young plantations (from 60% to 47%) over the past five years. These findings provide crucial insights for sustainable land management strategies, offering policymakers an evidence-based framework to balance economic productivity with environmental conservation while addressing the identified replanting gap in one of the world’s most important agricultural commodities. Full article

The growing global demand for bioplastics highlights the need for sustainable starch sources, and Indonesia has considerable potential for cultivating such feedstock. While cassava has been widely promoted, there is limited scientific justification for prioritizing it over alternatives such as sago. An important distinction is that cassava is grown on mineral soils, where many alternative crops are viable, whereas sago is cultivated on peatlands, where relatively few crops can be grown sustainably. This study compares the socio-economic benefits of cassava and sago, considering their competitiveness against their main competing crops (i.e., corn on mineral soils and oil palm on peatlands). For new plantations, sago generated lower farm-level benefits than cassava, with net present values of 1534 EUR/ha and 5719 EUR/ha, respectively. However, when integrating starch processing and environmental impacts, sago provided greater benefits than cassava (4166 EUR/ha vs. 3555 EUR/ha). In the long term, sago may become more profitable than cassava due to its low maintenance and lack of replanting needs. Additionally, sago offers broader societal and environmental advantages, as it thrives on undrained peatlands, for which few alternatives exist. This study concludes that sago, as a paludiculture crop, is a sustainable option for bioplastic feedstock and can support peatland restoration. Full article

Cabomba caroliniana A. Gray (cabomba) is an invasive alien aquatic plant (IAAP) posing a significant threat to aquatic ecosystems in Australia. Its ongoing spread is primarily driven by its rapid growth rate and ability to readily regenerate from stem fragments. Flumioxazin, an effective herbicide for controlling cabomba, has been registered for use in Australia since 2021. However, exposing cabomba to flumioxazin can induce stem fragmentation, potentially facilitating further spread. This study aims to determine whether stem fragments of cabomba following treatment at different flumioxazin doses (i.e., 25, 50, 100, or 200 ppb a.i.) can regenerate new healthy shoots that could contribute to its future spread in a new environment, in either summer or winter. This study also aims to investigate how this regrowth potential changes over time after herbicide application. Results show that flumioxazin suppressed the regeneration of replanted stem fragments in a dose-dependent manner in both winter and summer. In winter, complete regeneration was suppressed at the highest concentration tested (200 ppb a.i.), while low concentrations (25 and 50 ppb a.i.) resulted in an average 45% lower regeneration rate and 93% lower regenerated biomass than the control. In summer, suppression of regeneration was lower; at 200 ppb a.i., partial regeneration (18%) occurred with a 97% biomass reduction. At lower concentrations (25 and 50 ppb a.i.), more stem fragments regenerated (66%) and biomass reduction was lower (69%) compared to winter. Furthermore, in summer, the plants gradually regained their ability to regenerate over time after herbicide exposure, regardless of flumioxazin concentration, while no such recovery occurred in winter at any concentration. The findings show that the highest tested dose (200 ppb a.i.) can effectively suppress cabomba regenerative ability, which will greatly reduce the risk of new infestations caused by dispersed fragments, particularly in winter, when cooler temperatures and lower light are suboptimal for cabomba growth. This suggests that winter may be a more effective season for flumioxazin application. However, since some regeneration still occurred in summer, even at the highest tested dose, the highest registered label rate (400 ppb a.i.) may be necessary to ensure effective suppression under warmer conditions. Further studies are needed to evaluate this higher dose and its long-term efficacy. Full article

Alfalfa (Medicago sativa) persists for several years but must be rotated to another crop before replanting. Kura clover (T. ambiguum M. Bieb) is a perennial legume that can persist indefinitely without replanting; however, establishment is slow, which limits economic returns during the process. Two studies, each with four randomized complete blocks, were planted in two consecutive years at New Mexico State University’s Rex E. Kirksey Agricultural Science Center at Tucumcari, NM, USA, as the first known assessment evaluating alfalfa as an economic nurse crop during kura clover establishment using various kura clover–alfalfa drilled and broadcast planting arrangements. Irrigation termination due to drought limited yield measurements to three years after seeding. In that time, kura clover–alfalfa mixtures generally yielded equally to monoculture alfalfa, except for alternate row planting. After 5 years, the alfalfa stand percentage remained >80%, except for the alternate row treatment (69% stand). Kura clover monocultures attained about 40% stand, and the mixtures had a <25% stand. Alfalfa may persist for more than 5 years before relinquishing dominance to kura clover in mixtures, but the alfalfa would continue to provide economic returns as kura clover continues stand development with minimal production, but develops its root system to maximize production when released from the alfalfa nurse crop. Full article

The ongoing degradation of global forests has severely weakened ecosystem service functions, and traditional judicial remedies have struggled to quantify intangible ecological losses. China has become an important testing ground for restorative justice through the establishment of specialized environmental courts and the practice of environmental public interest litigation. Since 2015, China has actively explored and institutionalized the application of the concept of restorative justice in its environmental justice reform. This concept emphasizes compensating environmental damages through actual ecological restoration acts rather than relying solely on financial compensation. This shift reflects a deep understanding of the limitations of traditional environmental justice and an institutional response to China’s ecological civilization construction, providing critical support for forest ecosystem restoration and enabling ecological restoration activities, such as replanting and re-greening, habitat reconstruction, etc., to be enforced through judicial decisions. This study conducts a qualitative analysis of judicial rulings in forest restoration cases to systematically evaluate the effectiveness of restorative justice in compensating for losses in forest ecosystem service functions. The findings reveal the following: (1) restoration measures in judicial practice are disconnected from the types of ecosystem services available; (2) non-market values and long-term cumulative damages are systematically underestimated, with monitoring mechanisms exhibiting fragmented implementation and insufficient effectiveness; (3) management cycles are set in violation of ecological restoration principles, and acceptance standards lack function-oriented indicators; (4) participation of key stakeholders is severely lacking, and local knowledge and professional expertise have not been integrated. In response, this study proposes a restorative judicial framework oriented toward forest ecosystem services, utilizing four mechanisms: independent recognition of legal interests, function-matched restoration, application of scientific assessment tools, and multi-stakeholder collaboration. This framework aims to drive a paradigm shift from formal restoration to substantive functional recovery, providing theoretical support and practical pathways for environmental judicial reform and global forest governance. Full article