Search Results (16,132)

Camellia oleifera is an important economic tree species in China. Accurate estimation of canopy structural parameters of C. oleifera is essential for yield prediction and plantation management. However, this remains challenging in mountainous plantations due to canopy occlusion and background interference. This study developed a multi-level object-oriented segmentation method integrating UAV-based LiDAR and visible-light data to address this issue. The proposed approach progressively eliminates background objects (bare soil, weeds, and forest gaps) through hierarchical segmentation and classification in eCognition, ultimately enabling precise canopy delineation. The method was validated in a high-canopy-closure plantation characterized by a mountainous area. The results demonstrated exceptional performance; canopy area extraction and individual plant extraction achieved average F-scores of 97.54% and 91.69%, respectively. The estimated tree height and mean crown diameter were strongly correlated with field measurements (both R² = 0.75). This study provides a method for extracting the parameters of C. oleifera canopies that is suitable for mountainous regions with high canopy closure, demonstrating significant potential for supporting digital management and precision forestry optimization in such wooded areas. Full article

A field experiment was conducted on 16-year-old ‘Wen 185’ walnut trees in Aksu, Southern Xinjiang, to identify optimal water and fertilizer management under subsurface drip irrigation. Four irrigation levels were established: 75% ET_c (W1), 100% ET_c (W2), 125% ET_c (W3), and 150% ET_c (W4). These were combined with three fertilizer levels: N 270, P 240, K 300 kg ha^-1 (F1), N 360, P 320, K 400 kg ha⁻¹ (F2), and N 450, P 400, K 500 kg ha⁻¹ (F3). This resulted in a total of 12 treatments. This study assessed the impact of different water and fertilizer treatments on walnut growth dynamics, yield, fruit quality, water and fertilizer use efficiency, and soil nitrate residue. Principal component analysis (PCA) was used to construct comprehensive growth and photosynthesis indices (CGI and CPI). Parameters significantly correlated with yield and quality were then screened via Pearson analysis, and a game theory-based combination weighting method was adopted to determine weights for integrating six categories of indicators: growth, photosynthesis, yield, quality, resource use efficiency, and environmental impact. A coupled TOPSIS-GRA model was developed for comprehensive evaluation. Furthermore, binary quadratic regression was employed to optimize the application ranges of water and fertilizer. The results showed that the W2F2 treatment achieved the highest rank by synergistically enhancing growth, photosynthetic performance, yield, and quality. This treatment also maintained high water use efficiency (WUE) and partial factor productivity of fertilizer (PFP) and effectively reduced nitrate accumulation in deep soil layers. The CGI and CPI, derived from PCA, effectively quantified phenological growth and photosynthetic characteristics. Correlation analysis identified seven core parameters, among which IV-CPI correlated most strongly with yield. In contrast, II-CPI was more closely associated with increased single-fruit weight and reduced tannin content. Within the comprehensive evaluation system that used game theory-based combination weighting, yield received the highest weight (0.215), while IV-CPI was assigned the lowest (0.011). The TOPSIS-GRA coupled model identified the W2F2 treatment as the highest-ranked. Furthermore, regression optimization determined the optimal total seasonal application ranges to be 5869.94–6519.81 m³ ha⁻¹ for irrigation and 975.54–1107.49 kg ha⁻¹ for fertilization. The coupled TOPSIS-GRA model enabled a balanced assessment of the objectives: high yield, superior quality, resource use efficiency, and environmental sustainability. Thus, it provides a theoretical foundation and practical guidance for enhancing the productivity and sustainability of subsurface drip-irrigated walnut orchards in Southern Xinjiang. Full article

This study explores the health status of veteran Zelkova serrata trees (average age 300 years) in the Pohang region in the context of long-term climatic trends and local environmental variability. Eleven nationally designated veteran trees were monitored using physiological indicators Soil Plant Analysis Development (SPAD) values and live crown ratio (LCR), internal structural assessment (sonic tomography-derived decay ratio), and environmental parameters including meteorological records and Landsat-derived Land Surface Temperature (LST) data from 2000 to 2025. While recent years showed localized heat-extreme events, most sites displayed spatially heterogeneous yet gradually increasing LST trends, with 2024 recording the highest values at more than half the locations. Tree vitality differences were more strongly associated with site specific microclimatic conditions than with uniform long-term climate shifts: trees in cooler or less urbanized zones showed higher SPAD values and lower decay levels, whereas those in warmer, edge-influenced sites exhibited signs of physiological stress. The results indicate that rising summer surface temperature—and their interaction with atmospheric drying—intensify water-stress impacts, but the actual tree responses are modulated by local land-cover and soil stability contexts. These findings underscore the need for integrated, multi-scale assessment of veteran tree health and suggest that conservation practices should incorporate microclimate-based intervention strategies. Full article

Agricultural and ecological systems are threatened by extreme and compound climate extremes such as hotter droughts. These events are characterized by elevated maximum temperatures, leading to atmospheric drought, and reduced precipitation, leading to soil drought. Such conditions reduce plant productivity and are increasing mortality trees in forests worldwide. Some forest types are particularly vulnerable to hotter droughts such as some European mountain silver fir (Abies alba) forests. However, we still lack conceptual frameworks linking hotter droughts and rising VPD with growth decline and tree death. This review elucidates physiological responses to drought in conifers with a focus on silver fir. In silver fir declining populations, prolonged stomatal closure under elevated VPD can lead to reduced growth, and impaired xylem development, potentially triggering positive feedback that exacerbates hydraulic limitations. We also review the ecological significance of xylem vulnerability to embolism, identifying the critical water potential thresholds that determine silver fir survival and hydraulic failure risk under soil water deficit. These findings underscore the importance of both atmospheric and soil drought as physiological stressors causing forest decline, and highlight the need for further research into adaptive strategies and early warning indicators in tree species. Full article

Background: The increase in potentially toxic elements (PTEs) in the soil is worrying, especially in agricultural soils due to the bioaccumulation factor. Copper (Cu) and iron (Fe) are micronutrients, responsible for important functions in the plant body, but the high availability of these elements in the soil can cause soil contamination and toxicity in plants; consequently, they can be considered PTEs. Objectives: The focus of this study is to understand the physiological responses (pigments, gas exchange, growth, biomass, accumulation) of Canavalia ensiformis to high levels of Cu and Fe in the soil, in isolation, and to identify which PTE is most harmful to its development. Methods: Two experiments (Cu and Fe) were conducted simultaneously in a greenhouse. Treatments of 50, 150, 250, and 350 mg dm⁻³ of soil for each element (CuSO₄*5H₂O and FeSO₄*7H₂O) were incorporated into the soil (Oxisol) of each experimental unit (4 dm³ pot), in addition to the control. C. ensiformis seeds were sown directly in soil enriched with Cu and Fe, respectively, and after emergence they were cultivated for 90 days. Results: Changes in chlorophyll levels caused direct effects on gas exchange, shoot biomass, root development, nodulation, and total plant biomass. The tolerance of the species is dependent on chlorophyll levels and gas exchange. There was accumulation of both PTEs in the roots and low translocation to the shoot. Conclusions: The plants were tolerant to Fe treatments; however, they were not tolerant to Cu treatments (T150–T350). Excess Cu was more detrimental to plant development. Full article

Soil-borne diseases of banana severely threaten the sustainable development of the banana industry. In the pineapple–banana rotation system, using rhizosphere microorganisms to control banana Fusarium wilt via pineapple root exudates is a promising green control strategy. However, the role of volatile organic compounds (VOCs) in mediating disease suppression remains unclear. To explore the disease-inhibiting mechanisms, this study employed in vitro assays and high-throughput sequencing to evaluate the effects of three pineapple-root-derived VOCs (decanal, nonanal, octanol). The results showed the following: (1) All three VOCs strongly inhibited the mycelial growth of Fusarium, with octanol exhibiting the highest inhibition. (2) Each VOC promoted Arabidopsis thaliana growth, and decanal was the most effective. (3) In pot experiments, these VOCs significantly altered the banana rhizosphere microbial community, facilitating the colonization of beneficial genera—characterized by reduced microbial diversity and increased beneficial genera abundance. These results delineate a VOC-mediated rhizosphere microbe–Fusarium–plant interaction network, offering a novel theoretical foundation for the ecological control of banana diseases via the rhizosphere microbiome. In conclusion, this study elucidates a new mechanism for banana disease inhibition via VOCs, highlighting the positive impacts on plant growth and rhizosphere soil health through microbiota modulation. Full article

Ectomycorrhizal fungi (ECMF) function as critical mediators connecting plant roots and associated microorganisms. These fungi establish intimate associations with the root systems of diverse higher plants, particularly Pinaceae species, constituting essential components of forest ecosystems. The current understanding of ECMF community structure in Pinus elliottii and its potential associations with soil characteristics remains inadequate. This investigation examined seasonal variations in rhizosphere soil physicochemical properties and fungal community dynamics between susceptible (YB) and healthy (YJ) P. elliottii using amplicon sequencing. The results demonstrated significant seasonal differences in fungal community composition between YB and YJ. Dominant ECMF genera exhibited distinct distribution patterns, with Rhizopogon predominating in YJ and Tricholoma in YB. Correlation analyses revealed strong associations between these ECMF taxa and key soil parameters (available potassium, total phosphorus, and available phosphorus), indicating substantial seasonal influences of phosphorus and potassium cycling on ECMF development. Ericoid mycorrhizal fungi displayed higher abundance in YJ samples during spring, suggesting their dual role in facilitating nutrient acquisition and enhancing host plant resilience against biotic and abiotic stresses. These findings provide novel insights into seasonal dynamics of fungal communities in P. elliottii ecosystems and offer practical implications for sustainable plantation management under global change scenarios. Full article

Ecosystem services play a crucial role in maintaining ecological balance and supporting socio-economic development. However, long-term human activities and climate change have led to severe ecosystem degradation and exacerbated soil erosion on the Loess Plateau. This study takes the Loess Plateau as a case study and using key models such as Integrated Valuation of Ecosystem Services and Tradeoffs (InVEST) to analyze the spatiotemporal variations of five ecosystem services—water yield, habitat quality, windbreak and sand fixation, soil conservation, and net primary productivity (NPP)—from 2000 to 2020. Based on the land use types projected by the Patch-generating Land Use Simulation (PLUS) model for 2025 and 2030 under natural development, ecological protection, and cropland protection scenarios, the study simulates these five ecosystem services and the comprehensive ecosystem service index for the Loess Plateau in 2025 and 2030. Finally, an ecological risk assessment model based on the inverse transformation of ecosystem services is constructed to identify key ecological restoration areas on the Loess Plateau by 2030. The results indicate: (1) From 2000 to 2020, water yield, soil conservation services, and NPP on the Loess Plateau showed a significant increasing trend, The unit area sand fixation capacity displayed a spatial pattern of higher values in the Northwest and lower values in the Southeast, while soil conservation and NPP exhibited the opposite trend, with higher values in the Southeast and lower values in the Northwest. Water yield decreased from the Southeast to the Northwest. During this period, the comprehensive ecosystem service index of the Loess Plateau generally declines, but the balance and synchronicity of ecosystem services improve, with a reduction in regional disparities. (2) Different future scenarios have different effects on the regional pattern of ecosystem services and restoration. Among future scenarios, the ecological protection scenario is most conducive to enhancing comprehensive ecosystem services, reducing the proportion of medium- and high-priority restoration zones. The cropland protection scenario has the lowest proportion of general restoration zones, but local ecological risks increase. The findings of this study can provide a scientific basis for ecological restoration and land-use planning on the Loess Plateau, promoting the long-term stability and sustainable development of ecosystem services. Full article

This article illustrates the development of an autonomous in situ monitoring system for soil quality, both at depth and at the surface, in the context of climate change in order to prevent aridification and even desertification. Thus, to overcome the limits of traditional, costly and time-consuming methods for measuring soil quality, the Ecosystem platform was developed using Internet of Things (IoT) technologies, which together with the IoT-SoL monitoring station will provide freely accessible data and services to ensure soil sustainability in Romania. This includes a set of multi-parametric sensors placed at different depths in the soil, which collect data in real time and transmit it to the Ecosystem platform. To ensure the quality of the results, correlation matrices of the measured values were used, obtaining a percentage between 90.00–99.96% of their similarity. The pro-posed technical method can form the basis for the development of monitoring platforms integrating data from various sources, automating data collection and providing new decision-making support tools. This study demonstrates the effectiveness and applicability of the system in laboratory conditions and highlighted its potential to be translated into real soil monitoring conditions. Full article

Türkiye is one of the most vulnerable countries in the Mediterranean Basin; the assessment of changes in soil erosion driven by both climate variability and anthropogenic factors is of great importance. This study aims to examine the current state and potential future changes in soil erosion in Sakarya Province, situated in the eastern part of the Mediterranean Basin, by employing the GIS-based RUSLE (Revised Universal Soil Loss Equation) model. Considering the impact of climate change on precipitation regimes, rainfall projections for the 2061–2080 period under the high-emission SSP5-8.5 scenario were evaluated. The analysis revealed that the current average annual soil loss in Sakarya is 2.9 t/ha, with the highest erosion risk occurring on steep slopes, bare surfaces, and agricultural lands. By 2080, under the SSP5-8.5 scenario, the annual average soil loss is projected to be 2.6 t/ha, while slight and very slight erosion levels are expected to increase. These results provide important insights for identifying current risk areas and critical zones for conservation, as well as for projecting future erosion scenarios, thus contributing to sustainable land management policies at the watershed scale. The study suggests that strategies to reduce erosion risk in Sakarya should particularly focus on land management practices such as slope stabilization, afforestation, land cover improvement, and terracing. These approaches are crucial for mitigating land degradation (SDG 15.3) and ensuring sustainable agricultural production (SDG 2.4) within the framework of the Sustainable Development Goals. Full article

Pothos (Epipremnum aureum G.S. Bunting), which belongs to the Arum family (Araceae Juss.), can be used for medicinal, ornamental, and pollutant-purifying purposes. Due to the usefulness of pothos, the market demand for this species is increasing. Our study attempts to fill in the shortcomings of previous studies on the effect of activated carbon and plant growth regulators on the ability of shoots to take root in vitro, as well as the effect of inexpensive and readily available materials on the transition of seedlings from in vitro to the greenhouse stage. To evaluate the shooting results, Murashige and Skoog medium (MS) was used, which included 6-benzylaminopurine (BA), kinetin (Kn), α-naphthaleneacetic acid (α-NAA), coconut water, activated carbon, and indole-3-butyric acid (IBA) in various concentrations and combinations. Our results showed that the MS medium with the addition of 2.5 mg/L BA and 1.0 mg/L Kn was optimal for propagation by shoots. In this variant, 2.86 shoots per explant, 1.87 cm of shoot length, and 1.59 leaves per shoot were obtained. Despite the fact that this treatment provided the highest total cytokinin concentration, it was significantly more effective than only BA (2.5 mg/L) and all combinations of BA+α-NAA or Kn+α-NAA. For rooting, the micro shoots obtained on the above medium were transferred to MS + 0.25 mg/L α-NAA + 0.5 g/L AC, which allowed for rooting by 93.33%, 1.93 roots per explant, and root lengths by 2.37 cm. This is higher than with the IBA-based treatment, which led to a shortening of the roots and a reduction in their branching. Acclimatization in a 1:1 mixture (by volume) of loamy garden soil (pH 6.2, 2.1% organic matter) and coconut coir (particle size 0.5–2 mm) gave 75% survival after 40 days. These results have opened up the prospect of developing an effective method for reproducing pothos species in vitro by organogenesis at the lowest cost. Full article

Saline soils severely constrain rice growth and reduce grain yield. While biochar and Chlorella have each been extensively investigated for their roles in improving plant growth, few studies have explored their combined application to support rice cultivation in saline soil environments. A controlled pot experiment tested three biochar rates (B₀: 0 g/kg, B₂₀: 0.98 g/kg, B₄₀: 1.97 g/kg) and two Chlorella concentrations (C₀: 0 cells/mL, C₁: 1.3 × 10⁷ cells/mL) to evaluate their combined effects on soil properties, rice root development, and productivity. The study showed that compared with B₀C₀, B₀C₁ increased NH₄⁺-N by 50.00–57.16%, NO₃⁻-N by 57.61–104.57%, effective panicle number by 55.00%, and grain yield by 46.06%. Meanwhile, B₂₀C₁ also significantly improved soil and plant indicators, with NH₄⁺-N increased by 57.21–63.16%, NO₃⁻-N by 140.28–151.53%, urease activity by 57.18–178.81%, root traits by 28.58–213.10%, effective panicle number by 40.00%, and grain yield by 30.05%. Mechanistically, biochar promoted rice root growth by improving soil physicochemical properties, while Chlorella enhanced soil NH₄⁺-N and NO₃⁻-N contents via the “capacitor effect”, boosted urease activity, and secreted plant hormones to directly stimulate rice tillering. Notably, Chlorella significantly increased yield under no biochar (B₀C₁) or low biochar (B₂₀C₁) conditions, but this effect nearly disappeared under high biochar application (B₄₀C₁). This study is the first to reveal the synergistic effect between biochar and Chlorella, as well as their application potential in rice cultivation on saline soils. It thereby provides novel insights for saline soil amendment and aquaculture tailwater reuse. Full article

Bacterial diseases cause significant economic losses and pose a major challenge to global crop yields. These diseases reduce yields and affect food security, particularly for small-scale farmers in developing regions. Post-harvest losses also contribute to resource waste, soil degradation, and deforestation. Conventional management strategies, such as synthetic fungicides and antimicrobials, raise concerns about environmental sustainability, human health, and pathogen resistance. Bacteriophages—viruses that selectively infect bacterial pathogens—offer a highly specific and eco-friendly alternative for disease management both post-harvest and pre-harvest, reducing the need for chemical pesticides throughout the plant lifecycle. This review examines bacteriophage biology, advantages over traditional treatments, and challenges to their application. Phages effectively target pathogens such as Pectobacterium, Xanthomonas, Xylella, Clavibacter, and Dickeya, while preserving beneficial microorganisms. Key challenges include bacterial resistance, regulatory hurdles, and phage stability under environmental conditions. Advances in phage genomics, bioengineering, and formulation have enhanced viability and efficacy, supporting phages as promising biocontrol agents. Integrating phage therapy with other eco-friendly strategies may improve effectiveness further. Future research should focus on optimizing production, refining regulations, and large-scale field studies to ensure practical feasibility. Addressing these issues will help bacteriophages contribute significantly to sustainable plant disease management and global food security. Full article

Climate and climate variability conditions determine crop suitability and the agricultural potential within a climatic region. Specifically, meteorological parameters, such as precipitation and temperature, are the primary factors determining which crops can successfully grow in a particular climatic region. The objective of agroclimatic classification and zoning is to identify optimal agricultural productivity zones based on efficient use of natural resources. This study aims to develop and present an agroclimatic classification and zoning methodology using Geographic Information Systems (GIS) and advanced remote sensing data and techniques. The agroclimatic methodology is implemented in three steps: First, Water-limited Growth Environment (WLGE) zones are developed to assess water availability based on drought and aridity indices. Second, soil and land use features are evaluated alongside water adequacy to develop the non-crop specific agroclimatic zoning. Third, crop parameters are integrated with the non-crop specific agroclimatic zones to classify areas into specific crop suitability zones. The methodology is implemented in three study regions: Évora-Portalegre in Portugal, Crau in France, and Thessaly in Greece. The study reveals that inadequate rainfall in semi-arid regions constrains the viability of irrigated crops. Nonetheless, the findings show promising potential compared to existing cropping patterns in all regions. Moreover, the use of high-resolution spatial and temporal remotely sensed data via web platforms enables up-to-date and field-level agroclimatic zoning. Full article

Bio-gels are a class of functional polymeric materials with three-dimensional network structures. Their exceptional biocompatibility, biodegradability, high specific surface area, and tunable physicochemical properties make them highly promising for environmental remediation. This article systematically reviews the classification of bio-gels based on source, cross-linking mechanisms, and functional attributes. It also elaborates on their fundamental properties such as porous structure, high water absorbency, stimuli-responsiveness, and mechanical stability and examines how these properties influence their environmental remediation efficiency. This review comprehensively analyze the mechanisms and efficacy of bio-gels in adsorbing heavy metal ions, removing organic dyes, improving soil water retention, and restoring ecosystems. Special attention is given to the interactions between surface functional groups and contaminants, the role of porous structures in mass transfer, and the ecological effects within soil–plant systems. Additionally, this review explores extended applications of bio-gels in medical tissue engineering, controlled release of drugs and fertilizers, and enhanced oil recovery, highlighting their versatility as multifunctional materials. Finally, based on current progress and challenges, this review outline key future research directions. These include elucidating microscopic interaction mechanisms, developing low-cost renewable feedstocks, designing multi-stimuli-responsive structures, improving long-term stability, and establishing full life-cycle environmental safety assessments. These efforts will help advance the efficient, precise, and sustainable use of bio-gels in environmental remediation, offering innovative solutions to complex environmental problems. Full article