Search Results (211)

Kiwifruit, with its unique flavor, nutritional value, and economic benefits, has gained significant attention in agriculture production. Kiwifruit plants have traditionally been propagated without grafting, but recently, grafting has become a more common practice. A new and complex disease called Kiwifruit Vine Decline Syndrome (KVDS) has emerged in different kiwifruit-growing areas. The syndrome was first recognized in Italy, although similar symptoms had been observed in New Zealand during the 1990s before subsequently spreading worldwide. While kiwifruit was not initially grafted in commercial orchards, the expansion of cultivation into regions with heavy soils or other challenging environmental conditions may make grafting selected kiwifruit cultivars onto KVDS-resistant or -tolerant rootstocks essential for the future of this crop. Grafting is a common horticultural practice, widely used to propagate several commercially important fruit crops, including kiwifruits, apples, grapes, citrus, peaches, apricots, and vegetables. Grafting methods and genetic compatibility have a crucial impact on fruit quality, yield, environmental adaptability, and disease resistance. Achieving successful compatibility involves a series of steps. During grafting, some scion/rootstock combinations exhibit poor graft compatibility, preventing the formation of a successful graft union. Identifying symptoms of graft incompatibility can be challenging, as they are not always evident in the first year after grafting. The causes of graft incompatibility are still largely unknown, especially in the case of kiwifruit. This review aims to examine the mechanisms of graft compatibility and incompatibility across different fruit crops. This review’s goal is to identify potential markers and techniques that could enhance grafting success and boost the commercial production of kiwifruit. Full article

Wildfires threaten human health, economies and the environment. Fuel management is a core activity of land managers to reduce the detrimental impacts of wildfires. Land managers also seek to conserve biodiversity within their fuel management programs. We sought to understand how fuel management could be implemented to achieve fire risk reduction and biodiversity conservation in the same landscape. Specifically, we asked: (1) what vegetation attributes are desirable for wildfire risk reduction and biodiversity conservation, and are they compatible? and (2) what combinations of management actions could achieve both objectives? We used structured decision-making with 23 stakeholders from eight organisations to elicit means objectives and management actions for fire risk reduction and biodiversity conservation in dry eucalypt forests and woodlands. Vegetation attributes identified as desirable to reduce fire risk were often compatible with those desired for biodiversity conservation, suggesting management actions could achieve both objectives in the same landscape. Workshop participants often selected prescribed burning as a management action, and specifically, mixed severity, patchy burns for biodiversity conservation. Predator control, habitat creation and revegetation were coupled with burning and mechanical treatments to improve outcomes for biodiversity. There was uncertainty around the likelihood of success for most management actions, highlighting the need for adaptive management to test and refine management over time. Overall, structured decision-making allowed for integration of a range of stakeholder perspectives into the development of multi-objective fuel management pathways. This approach forms a basis for designing more socially acceptable fuel management programs. Full article

This study evaluates the compatibility and innovative applications of unmodified vegetable oils, including rapeseed, sunflower, linseed, castor, and used cooking oils, in the production of sustainable polymeric materials, particularly polyurethane adhesives. Fatty acid composition was characterized using GC-MS, functional groups were identified by FTIR, and physicochemical properties, such as hydroxyl value, acid value, viscosity, and density, were measured using conventional analytical techniques. The results highlight significant differences in the properties of the oils, influencing their suitability for specific industrial applications. Castor oil, with its high ricinoleic acid content and hydroxyl value, was identified as the most suitable option for bio-based polyols and polyurethane production. Compatibility tests confirmed that unmodified oils can be effectively blended with polyols, ensuring stability and homogeneity without chemical modification. This approach simplifies production, reduces reliance on petrochemical feedstocks, and advances the development of environmentally friendly polyurethane adhesives. Future research will focus on optimizing formulations and assessing the long-term performance of adhesives incorporating unmodified vegetable oils. Full article

This study evaluates the combined use of mobile transects and fixed stations to analyze atmospheric urban heat islands (UHIs’a) in Temuco, Chile. Data were collected using 23 fixed stations and 3 mobile transects traversing predefined city routes, capturing temperature records at one-minute intervals. Results revealed moderate correlations between methodologies (coefficients: 0.55–0.62) and average temperature differences of 0.72 °C to 1.6 °C, confirming their compatibility for integrated use. UHI intensities ranged from weak (0.5 °C) to extremely strong (13 °C), with the highest urban temperature (33.1 °C) observed in Zone Z-3, contrasting with 25.4 °C at the rural Maquehue station. Simulations and isothermal maps identified four UHI zones, highlighting the influence of impervious surfaces, traffic density, and limited vegetation on temperature distribution. Fluctuation plots revealed rapid cooling in vegetated areas and high heat retention in dense urban zones. These findings validate the methodologies for spatial and temporal UHI analysis and provide actionable insights for urban planning. Targeted interventions, such as increasing vegetation in high-risk zones, are recommended to mitigate extreme heat and enhance thermal comfort in urban areas. Full article

The FuelEU Maritime Regulation, part of the European Union’s (EU’s) Fit for 55 initiative, aims to achieve significant reductions in greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions within the maritime sector. This study assesses the feasibility of alternative fuels for the Estonian pilot fleet using a Well-to-Wake (WtW) life cycle assessment (LCA) methodology. Operational data from 18 vessels, sourced from the Estonian State Fleet’s records, were analyzed, including technical specifications, fuel consumption patterns, and operational scenarios. The study focused on marine diesel oil (MDO), biomethane, hydrogen, biodiesel, ammonia, and hydrotreated vegetable oil (HVO), each presenting distinct trade-offs. Biomethane achieved a 59% GHG emissions reduction but required a volumetric storage capacity up to 353% higher compared to MDO. Biodiesel reduced GHG emissions by 41.2%, offering moderate compatibility with existing systems while requiring up to 23% larger storage volumes. HVO demonstrated a 43.6% emissions reduction with seamless integration into existing marine engines. Ammonia showed strong potential for long-term decarbonization, but its adoption is hindered by low energy density and complex storage requirements. This research underscores the importance of a holistic evaluation of alternative fuels, taking into account technical, economic, and environmental factors specific to regional and operational contexts. The findings offer a quantitative basis for policymakers and maritime stakeholders to develop effective decarbonization strategies for the Baltic Sea region. Full article

Extending the shelf life of perishable food, such as apples, and storing them in cold conditions and/or controlled atmospheres have been of great interest in the last decades. Apples are very valuable fruits with many health benefits, but during storage at ambient conditions, they ripen quickly and lose moisture, causing lower crispness or other negative effects, resulting in waste problems. There has been growing attention to protective edible coatings or active packaging films based on biopolymers and natural bioactive substances. Edible coatings and films allow for combination with functional ingredients or compounds, affecting the maintenance of the postharvest quality of fruits and vegetables. They also ensure the preservation of the sensory characteristics of food, and they can have antimicrobial or antioxidant properties. All these aspects play a significant role in the storage of apples, which can also help prevent waste, which is in line with the circular economy approach. The functionality of coatings and films is closely related to the type, content, and composition of active compounds, as well as their interaction with biopolymers. Active coatings with the addition of different functional compounds, such as plant extracts, phenolic acids, and nanoparticles, can be an alternative solution affecting the postharvest quality of apples during storage, maintaining the fruit’s stability, and thus minimising their waste. The most important issues related to the latest reports on improving the postharvest quality of apples using edible coatings incorporated with various active substances were evaluated. Agricultural conditions and factors that affect the postharvest quality of apples were described. The requirements for protective coatings for apples should be focused on low-cost materials, including waste-based resources, good miscibility, and compatibility of components. Those factors combined with the storage conditions may result in shelf life extension or retention of the postharvest quality of apples, regardless of the variety or cultivation techniques. Full article

Fusarium wilt of banana is a major production constraint in India, prompting banana growers to replace bananas with less remunerative crops. Effective disease management practices thus need to be developed and implemented to prevent further spread and damage caused by Fusarium oxysporum f. sp. cubense (Foc), the cause of Fusarium wilt. Currently, knowledge of disease incidence, affected varieties, and the geographical spread of Foc races in India are only scantily available. An extensive field survey was conducted in 53 districts of 16 major banana-growing states of and one union territory of India that covered both tropical and subtropical regions. Disease incidence ranged from 0 to 95% on farms, with Cavendish bananas (AAA) most affected. No Fusarium wilt symptoms due to Foc R1 were observed in Nendran (AAB) or Red Banana (AAA) in South India. During the survey, 293 Foc isolates were collected from Cavendish, Pisang Awak (ABB), Silk (AAB), Monthan (ABB), Neypoovan (AB), and Mysore (AAB) bananas. Isolate diversity was assessed through Vegetative Compatibility Group (VCG) analyses, sequencing of EF1α gene sequences, phylogenetic analyses, and characterisation by SIX gene composition. Thirteen VCGs were identified, of which VCGs 0124, 0125, 01220, and 01213/16 were dominant and infected Cavendish bananas. Phylogenetic analysis divided the Indian Foc isolates into race 1 (R1), subtropical race 4 (STR4), and tropical race 4 (TR4). Secreted in Xylem (SIX) gene analyses indicated that the effector genes SIX4 and SIX6 were present in the VCGs 0124, 0124/5, 0125, and 01220 of race 1, SIX7 was present only in Foc STR4, and SIX8 was found only in Foc R4 (TR4 and STR4) isolates. Insights into the geographical distribution of Foc races, and their interactions with banana varieties, can guide integrated disease management intervention strategies across India. Full article

The growing demand for sustainable and environmentally friendly fuels and the increasing need to diversify energy sources have stimulated significant research in the field of renewable motor fuels. Despite the progress made, there is still a need to expand the feedstocks, optimize technological pathways, and, in particular, conduct comprehensive studies of the compatibility of renewable components with traditional fuels. In light of the above, the authors propose optimizing the properties of renewable fuels by using new vegetable oils and alcohols for their synthesis. The work is focused on studying the basic physical–chemical properties of fatty acid esters and assessing the possibility of using them as renewable components of motor fuels. Renewable components were obtained via the esterification of selected plant oils (rapeseed oil, camelina oil, palm kernel oil, and coconut oil) with different alcohols (ethanol and isobutanol) with further vacuum distillation of esters. The influence of the structure and composition of renewable components on their physical–chemical properties was studied and substantiated. It shows how the carbon number distribution and double bonds in fatty acid radicals influence the properties of renewable components. The paper shows the impact of the type and structure of alcohol used for esterification on the properties of studied products. The regularities in the change in properties of renewable components depending on the composition of oils and alcohols are explained and substantiated from the point of view of physical chemistry and the basics of forces of intermolecular interactions. Renewable components were compared to the properties of conventional motor fuels (diesel fuel and jet fuel). Based on the level of component compatibility with petroleum fuels, recommendations for replacing or blending petroleum fuels with renewable components were proposed. Full article

Fungi of the Aspergillus genus, particularly A. flavus, pose a significant threat to maize crops as they can produce toxic and carcinogenic aflatoxin compounds. This study focused on identifying the sexual mating types, MAT1-1 and MAT1-2, through PCR in A. flavus strains isolated from maize ears in two agricultural regions of Argentina—one subtropical and the other temperate—from the 2012/13 to the 2020/21 growing season. A total of 81 strains were analyzed, revealing a higher frequency of the MAT1-1 type in both regions (69%) and in the seasons with the highest number of strains collected. The MAT1-1 strains included 63% non-aflatoxigenic and 37% aflatoxin producers, predominantly lacking sclerotia production (69%), while MAT1-2 strains were mostly aflatoxin producers (82%) and S-sclerotia producers (48%). Additionally, more vegetative compatibility groups were identified as MAT1-1 (4 out of 6) than MAT1-2. These findings suggest that the use of MAT1-1 strains as biocontrol agents could maintain the stability of natural populations and reduce aflatoxin production, minimizing risks to crops. This underscores the importance of evaluating the genetic structure of A. flavus populations to implement effective biological control strategies. Full article

Microplants are vegetables, grains and aromatic herbs that are consumed in the stage of young plants, without roots, developed after the germination stage, in the stage of cotyledons and which have a high content of nutrients (antioxidants, vitamins, minerals, fatty acids, lutein, β-carotene, proteins and fibers, etc.), which makes them functional, concentrated foods capable of feeding the world’s ever-growing population. The significant amounts of antioxidants in microgreens have the role of neutralizing free radicals and reducing their harmful impact on human health. The microgreens studied were spinach (Spinacia oleracea) cultivar ‘Lorelay’, mustard (Sinapis alba) cultivar ‘White’ and radish (Raphanus sativus) cultivar ‘Red Rambo’, tested on hemp and coconut substrates and under the influence of the organic biostimulator Biohumussol, based on humic acids. The antioxidant content of the plants was determined by analyzing total carotenoids, lycopene, chlorophyll, β-carotene, polyphenols and flavonoids, as well as the antioxidant activity by ABTS and DPPH methods. The obtained results indicated that the reaction of the plant material depends on the composition of the substrate and the presence of the applied biostimulator. The highest contents of substances with an antioxidant role were obtained from the microgreens on the hemp substrate, especially mustard and radishes, and the biostimulator proved to be compatible with the spinach microgreens. Full article

Cryphonectria hypovirus 1 (CHV1) is successful in controlling Cryphonectria parasitica, the causal agent of chestnut blight, but little is known regarding its transmission to other fungi, for example the European Cryphonectria radicalis. In this study, CHV1 was transmitted (circa 200,000–800,000 copies/microliter) to seven C. radicalis isolates from infected C. parasitica. Reverse transmission to virus-free C. parasitica (European 74 testers collection) was achieved, although it was less successful (250–55,000 copies/µL) and was dependent on the vegetative compatibility (VC) group. In C. radicalis, the virus infection led to colony colour change from pink to white and smaller colonies, dependent on the virus concentration. The virus was concentrated in the colony edges, and vertically transmitted to 77% of conidia. However, several in vitro experiments demonstrated that C. radicalis was always outcompeted by the blight fungus, only suppressing the pathogen between its 25–50% inoculum level. It presented good secondary capture only when acting as a pioneer. Two types of in planta assays (individual and challenge inoculations) were undertaken. Cryphonectria radicalis behaved as a saprotroph, while chestnut blight fungus behaved as an aggressive pathogen, and lesions after treatment with C. radicalis were no smaller in general, only when using cut branches. Overall, the results showed that infected C. radicalis was unable to control cankers. Full article

Background/Objectives: The demand for natural-based formulations in chronic wound care has increased, driven by the need for biocompatible, safe, and effective treatments. Natural polysaccharide-based emulsions enriched with vegetable oils present promising benefits for skin repair, offering structural support and protective barriers suitable for sensitive wound environments. This study aimed to develop and evaluate semisolid polysaccharide-based emulsions for wound healing, incorporating avocado (Persea gratissima) and blackcurrant (Ribes nigrum) oils (AO and BO, respectively). Both gellan gum (GG) and kappa-carrageenan (KC) were used as stabilizers due to their biocompatibility and gel-forming abilities. Methods: Four formulations were prepared (F1-GG-AO; F2-KC-AO; F3-GG-BO; F4-KC-BO) and evaluated for physicochemical properties, spreadability, rheology, antioxidant activity, occlusive and bioadhesion potential, biocompatibility, and wound healing efficacy using an in vitro scratch assay. Results: The pH values (4.74–5.06) were suitable for skin application, and FTIR confirmed excipient compatibility. The formulations showed reduced occlusive potential, pseudoplastic behavior with thixotropy, and adequate spreadability (7.13–8.47 mm²/g). Lower bioadhesion indicated ease of application and removal, enhancing user comfort. Formulations stabilized with KC exhibited superior antioxidant activity (DPPH scavenging) and fibroblast biocompatibility (CC_50% 390–589 µg/mL) and were non-hemolytic. Both F2-KC-AO and F4-KC-BO significantly improved in vitro wound healing by promoting cell migration compared to other formulations. Conclusions: These findings underscore the potential of these emulsions for effective wound treatment, providing a foundation for developing skin care products that harness the therapeutic properties of polysaccharides and plant oils in a natural approach to wound care. Full article

Cities globally must make urgent decisions to ensure a sustainable future as rising pollution, particularly PM2.5, poses severe health risks like respiratory and heart diseases. PM2.5’s harmful composition also impacts vegetation and the environment. Immediate government intervention is necessary to mitigate these effects. This study tackles the urgent problem of reducing PM2.5 levels in Medellín’s urban and indoor environments, where pollution presents serious health risks. To explore effective solutions, this research provides new data on the interaction between particulate matter from various pollutants and negative ions under different temperature conditions, offering valuable insights into air quality improvement strategies. Using a high-voltage system, ions bind to pollutants, accelerating their removal. Experiments measured temperature, humidity, formaldehyde, volatile organic compounds, negative ions, and PM2.5 in a 40 cm³ chamber across various conditions. Pollutants tested included cigarette smoke, incense, charcoal, and gasoline at two voltage levels and three temperature ranges. The data, available in CSV format, were based on 36,000 samples and repeated tests for reliability. This resource is designed to support studies investigating particulate matter control in urban and indoor environments, as well as to improve our understanding of negative ion-based air purification processes. The data are publicly available and structured in formats compatible with leading data analysis platforms. Full article

Since its introduction into Europe in the first half of the 20th century, Cryphonectria parasitica has been gradually spreading across the natural range of the sweet chestnut (Castanea sativa Mill.), infecting the trees and causing lethal bark cankers. Serendipitously, a hyperparasitic Cryphonectria hypovirus 1 (CHV1), which attenuates C. parasitica virulence in combination with more tolerant European chestnut species, was able to ward off the worst effect of the disease. In North America, unfortunately, the native Castanea dentata is now functionally extinct since it occurs only as root sprouts in eastern deciduous forests where it was once dominant. In our work, we investigated changes in C. parasitica populations over time and the regional variability in chestnut populations’ tolerance toward the blight disease. While vegetative compatibility (vc) type diversity and prevalence of hypovirulence remained similar as in previous studies, in the Buje population, unlike in previous studies, we were unable to find any hypovirulent fungal strains. The most common vegetative compatibility types (vc types) were EU-1, EU-2 and EU-12. However, several rare EU-types were found, including one previously unreported: EU-46. By inoculating several C. parasitica strains on tree stems from several chestnut populations, we observed that the induced lesion size was affected by the type of inoculum (CHV1-free or CHV1-infected), genotype-related individual chestnut stem and chestnut stem population of origin-related variability. The largest lesions were induced by CHV1-free fungal isolate DOB-G: 20.13 cm² (95% C.I. 18.10–22.15) and the smallest by CHV1-infected L14/EP713: 2.49 cm² (95% C.I. 1.59–3.39). Surprisingly, the size of the lesions induced by other CHV1-infected strains fell somewhere in between these extremes. The size of induced lesions was dependent on the population of origin as well and ranged from 11.60 cm² (95% C.I. 9.87–13.33) for stems from the Moslavačka gora population to 17.75 cm² (95% C.I. 15.63–19.87) for stems from Ozalj. Full article

The application of biological pesticides as alternatives to chemical phytosanitary products is a natural and innovative method to improve environmental protection and sustainable agricultural production. In this work, the compatibility between Trichoderma spp. and a commercial lignin extract was assessed in vitro and in vivo. The beneficial effects of lignin in combination with different Trichoderma consortia were evaluated in terms of improved growth and quantitative and qualitative tomato productivity. T. virens GV41 + T. asperellum + T. atroviride + lignin formulation was the most effective in growth promotion and increased root and stem dry weight compared to control (45.4 and 43.9%, respectively). This combination determined a 63% increase in tomato yield compared to the control, resulting in the best-performing treatment compared to each individual constituent. Consistent differences in terms of lycopene, GABA, ornithine, total, essential, and branched-chain amino acids were revealed in fruits from tomato plants treated with Trichoderma–lignin formulations (T. asperellum + T. virens GV41 + lignin) or with the microbial consortia (T. asperellum + T. virens GV41, T. atroviride + T. virens GV41). The developed bioformulations represent a sustainable biological strategy to increase yield and produce nutritional compound-enriched vegetables. Full article