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Nutrient resorption from senescing leaves prior to litterfall is a strategy for nutrient conservation in vascular plants. However, the mechanisms through which soil fertility and/or foliar nutrient status affect nutrient resorption are not yet fully known. We used two 1,000‐m‐wide altitudinal gradients on two different bedrock types (carbonate and silicate) for analysing the interactive effects of temperature and soil chemistry on the resorption efficiency of two major nutrients, nitrogen (N) and phosphorus (P). Our objective was to assess how nutrient resorption varied across the gradients through the adaptation of individual species to changing environmental conditions rather than through changes in species composition. Both N and P resorption efficiency increased across the altitudinal gradients independent of bedrock type. The main process regulating nutrient resorption was a negative feedback to nutrient availability in the soil. The negative feedback of nutrient resorption efficiency to soil nutrient status was unrelated to total soil nutrient contents but depended on concentrations of organic N forms for nitrogen resorption efficiency (NRE) and on inorganic P forms for phosphorus resorption efficiency (PRE), respectively. While we hypothesized that the resorption of P, as a principally rock‐derived nutrient, depended on physical–chemical processes affected by soil chemistry, our results showed that microbial P mineralization was the main source of inorganic P supply to the plants. Both NRE and PRE were effective to improve the growth potential of plants, but there was no evidence of stoichiometric adaptations of N:P RE‐to‐nutrient ratio in the soil. A plain language summary is available for this article. Plain Language Summary

   Aims Investigations into the nutrient contents and changes in the stoichiometry and nutrient resorption strategies of different original forests during their development are of great significance toward the establishment of healthy, high-quality forest ecosystems. Methods A total of 24 sample plots with age gradients were established in natural Larix principis-rupprechtii forests and plantations, from which mature and senescent leaves, new branches, fine roots, and soil were collected and analyzed. The carbon (C), nitrogen (N), and phosphorus (P) contents were determined, and the stoichiometric ratios and resorption efficiencies were calculated. Results and conclusions The soil organic carbon and total nitrogen of the forests accumulated with advancing age, whereas the total phosphorus decreased because of higher consumption. Plantation trees tended to reduce the storage of nutrients in inactive plant structures to prevent nutrient loss, whereas natural forest trees maintained a stable nutrient concentration within their active organs. Plantation and natural forest trees adopted highly conservative N and P utilization strategies through improved resorption efficiencies. However, plantation forests were more conservative than their natural counterparts. The mature leaves, litter, branches, and fine roots of natural forests were influenced to a greater degree by the soil P, whereas those of plantation forests were more affected by the soil N. Nutrient concentrations within the active organs of plantation trees were more strongly dependent on soil than natural forests. We considered that natural forests likely possessed a more extensive range of strategies to deal with the variable compositions and concentrations of soil nutrients, which might strengthen their resilience against the effects of aging.

PurposeFor decades, it has been customary to relate human health to the nutritional composition of foods, and from there was born food composition databases, composition labelling scores and the recommendation to eat varied foods. However, individuals can fully address their nutritional needs and become chronically ill. The nutrient balance of a food is only a small part of its overall health potential. In this paper, we discussed the proof of concept that the increased risk of chronic diseases worldwide is primarily associated with the degradation and artificialization of food matrices, rather than only their nutrient contents, based on the assumption that “food matrices govern the metabolic fate of nutrients”.MethodsAn empirico-inductive proof of concept research design has been used, based on scientific data linking the degree of food processing, food matrices and human health, notably on the glycaemic index, nutrient bioavailability, satiety potential, and synergistic effects.ResultsWe postulate that if the nutrient content is insufficient to fully characterize the diet-global health relationship, one other dimensions is necessary, i.e., the food matrix through the degree of processing. Both matrix and nutrient composition dimensions have been included under the new concept of the 3V index for Real (Vrai), Vegetal (Végétal), and Varied (Varié) foods. The Real metric, reflecting the integrity of the initial food matrix, is the most important, followed by the Vegetal (nutrient origin) and the Varied (“composition” effect) metrics.ConclusionConcerning their effects on health, food matrix comes first, and then nutrient composition, and calorie quality matters more than calorie quantity.

Leaf-litter decomposition is a central process in carbon cycling; however, our knowledge about the microbial regulation of this process is still scarce. Metaproteomics allows us to link the abundance and activity of enzymes during nutrient cycling to their phylogenetic origin based on proteins, the ‘active building blocks’ in the system. Moreover, we employed metaproteomics to investigate the influence of environmental factors and nutrients on the decomposer structure and function during beech litter decomposition. Litter was collected at forest sites in Austria with different litter nutrient content. Proteins were analyzed by 1-D-SDS-PAGE followed by liquid-chromatography and tandem mass-spectrometry. Mass spectra were assigned to phylogenetic and functional groups by a newly developed bioinformatics workflow, assignments being validated by complementary approaches. We provide evidence that the litter nutrient content and the stoichiometry of C:N:P affect the decomposer community structure and activity. Fungi were found to be the main producers of extracellular hydrolytic enzymes, with no bacterial hydrolases being detected by our metaproteomics approach. Detailed investigation of microbial succession suggests that it is influenced by litter nutrient content. Microbial activity was stimulated at higher litter nutrient contents via a higher abundance and activity of extracellular enzymes.

Digital farming is a novel agricultural philosophy that aims to maximize a crop yield with the minimal environmental impact. Digital farming requires the development of technologies that can work directly in the field providing information about a plant health. Raman spectroscopy (RS) is an emerging analytical technique that can be used for non-invasive, non-destructive, and confirmatory diagnostics of diseases, as well as the nutrient deficiencies in plants. RS is also capable of probing nutritional content of grains, as well as highly accurate identification plant species and their varieties. This allows for Raman-based phenotyping and digital selection of plants. These pieces of evidence suggest that RS can be used for chemical-free surveillance of plant health directly in the field. High selectivity and specificity of this technique show that RS may transform the agriculture in the US. This review critically discusses the most recent research articles that demonstrate the use of RS in diagnostics of abiotic and abiotic stresses in plants, as well as the identification of plant species and their nutritional analysis.

Background Pistachio ( Pistacia vera L.) nuts are among the most popular nuts. The pistachio cultivars are tolerant to both drought and salinity, which is why they are extensively grown in the arid, saline, and hot regions of the Middle East, Mediterranean countries, and the United States. Results This study evaluated the agronomic and chemical characteristics of 10 pistachio cultivars (‘Abbasiali’, ‘AhmadAghaei’, ‘Akbari’, ‘Chrook’, ‘Fandoghi’, ‘KalehGhoochi’, ‘Momtaz’, ‘Rezaei’, ‘Sefied’, and ‘Shahpasand’). Total phenolic content, antioxidant capacity, fruit mineral elements, soluble protein content, kernel-oil content, and fatty-acid composition were determined in 60 fruits (20 fruits per replication). Leaf mineral elements were determined in 450 leaves (150 leaves per replication). Significant differences were observed ( p < 0.05 ) among the cultivars, with the coefficient of variation (CV) ranging from 1.03 (unsaturated fatty acids) to 115.16% (early nut splitting). Flower buds varied from 4 (‘AhmadAghaei’) to 7 (‘Momtaz’), and fruit per bunch ranged from 11 (‘Abbasiali’) to 21 (‘Momtaz’). Hull percentage ranged from 36.8 (‘KalehGhoochi’) to 43.1% (‘Chrook’), and nut percentage ranged from 56.3 (‘Chrook’) to 62.4% (‘KalehGhoochi’). Iron content in leaves ranged from 267 (‘Chrook’) to 367 mg/kg (‘Rezaei’), while iron in fruits ranged from 65.72 (‘Fandoghi’) to 81.90 mg/kg (‘Sefied’). Total phenolic content varied from 99.9 (‘Rezaei’) to 184.30 mg/g (‘Fandoghi’), and antioxidant activity ranged from 39.14 (‘Shahpasand’) to 82.89% (‘Sefied’). Oil content ranged from 49.26 (‘Rezaei’) to 67.72% (‘AhmadAghaei’), with oleic acid between 48.4 (‘Rezaei’) and 55.55% (‘KalehGhoochi’). Leaf phosphorus positively correlated with split nut percentage ( r = 0.669 ) and negatively with blank nut percentage ( r = -0.734 ). Fruit potassium strongly correlated with total phenolics ( r = 0.917 ) and oleic acid ( r = 0.654 ). Multiple regression analysis showed that blank nut percentage was negatively correlated with leaf zinc ( β = -0.77 ) and positively with antioxidants ( β = 0.77 ). Early nut splitting showed a negative correlation with antioxidants ( β = -0.72 ). The first three principal components (PC1 = 22.48%, PC2 = 18.15%, PC3 = 15.82%) explained 56.45% of the total variation. Heat map analysis using Ward clustering revealed cultivar groupings based on traits like nutrient content and fatty acid composition. Conclusions The findings obtained in this study allow producers to select the most suitable cultivars for obtaining more efficient and high-quality products. Additionally, choosing cultivars based on environmental factors and market demands contributes to the development of more effective production strategies. The ultimate goal is to provide insights that guide the selection of pistachio cultivars optimized for both agricultural sustainability and market-specific requirements.

Dry matter accumulation and distribution constitute the essential material basis for crop yield formation, directly impacting both yield and quality development. Nonetheless, the effects of planting density on dry matter accumulation, distribution, and nutrient uptake in cotton across various row spacing configurations remain ambiguous. This study conducted a two-year field experiment utilizing the cotton cultivar \"Tahe 2\". In 2024, a single-factor trial was adopted with three row spacing treatments: same row spacing (S3), wide-ultra-narrow row spacing (S4), and wide-narrow row planting (S6). In 2025, a two-factor split-plot design was used: main plots were the three row spacing patterns (S3, S4, S6), and subplots were three planting densities: 135 000 plants ha (D1), 180 000 plants ha (D2), 225 000 plants ha ¹ (D3). We investigated leaf area index (LAI), dry matter accumulation and distribution, nutrient content, and yield. In 2024, S6 showed the highest leaf area index (LAI) and dry matter accumulation ( < 0.05). In 2025, LAI and dry matter accumulation increased significantly with increasing plant density ( < 0.05). The dry matter partitioning ratio to reproductive organs increased with growth. Row spacing and planting density significantly affected leaf nutrient contents; upper-leaf nitrogen (N) and potassium (K) first increased then decreased, while middle- and lower-leaf N and leaf phosphorus (P) at all positions declined gradually. Boll number per plant decreased with increasing density, whereas yield was significantly affected by their interaction ( < 0.05). The highest yield was found in S6 in 2024 and S6D2 in 2025. Two-year experiments indicated that S6 combined with 180,000 plants ha ¹ optimized population structure, improved resource use efficiency, and increased cotton yield. Among the three row spacing configurations tested, the medium planting density of 180,000 plants ha under the wide-narrow row planting pattern (S6) optimized the leaf area index, enhanced population dry matter accumulation, and improved distribution to reproductive organs, thereby maximizing seed cotton yield, which reached up to 6420.47 kg·ha .

Nanomaterials offer considerable benefits in improving plant growth and nutritional status owing to their inherent stability, and efficiency in essential nutrient absorption and delivery. Cerium oxide nanoparticles (CeO 2 NPs) at optimum concentration could significantly influence plant morpho-physiology and nutritional status. However, it remains unclear how elevated CO 2 and CeO 2 NPs interactively affect plant growth and quality. Accordingly, the ultimate goal was to reveal whether CeO 2 NPs could alter the impact of elevated CO 2 on the nutrient composition of spinach. For this purpose, spinach plant morpho-physiological, biochemical traits, and nutritional contents were evaluated. Spinach was exposed to different foliar concentrations of CeO 2 NPs (0, 25, 50, 100 mg/L) in open-top chambers (400 and 600 CO 2  μmol/mol). Results showed that elevated CO 2 enhanced spinach growth by increasing photosynthetic pigments, as evidenced by a higher photosynthetic rate (Pn). However, the maximum growth and photosynthetic pigments were observed at the highest concentration of CeO 2 NPs (100 mg/L) under elevated CO 2 . Elevated CO 2 resulted in a decreased stomatal conductance (gs) and transpiration rate (Tr), whereas CeO 2 NPs enhanced these parameters. No significant changes were observed in any of the measured biochemical parameters due to increased levels of CO 2 . However, an increase in antioxidant enzymes, particularly in catalase (CAT; 14.37%) and ascorbate peroxidase (APX; 10.66%) activities, was observed in high CeO 2 NPs (100 mg/L) treatment under elevated CO 2 levels. Regarding plant nutrient content, elevated CO 2 significantly decreases spinach roots and leaves macro and micronutrients as compared to ambient CO 2 levels. CeO 2 NPs, in a dose-dependent manner, with the highest increase observed in 100 mg/L CeO 2 NPs treatment and increased roots and shoots magnesium (211.62–215.49%), iron (256.68–322.77%), zinc (225.89–181.49%), copper (21.99–138.09%), potassium (121.46–138.89%), calcium (118.22–91.32%), manganese (133.15–195.02%) under elevated CO 2 . Overall, CeO 2 NPs improved spinach growth and biomass and reverted the adverse effects of elevated CO 2 on its nutritional quality. These findings indicated that CeO 2 NPs could be used as an effective approach to increase vegetable growth and nutritional values to ensure food security under future climatic conditions.

Although macroinvertebrate communities play a key role in the cycling of nitrogen (N) and phosphorus (P) in streams, this process may be disrupted through decreased macroinvertebrate diversity or abundance from agricultural inputs of nutrients, sediments and pesticides. However, it is unclear how such community changes affect their biological storage of N and P. In 2010 and 2011, we collected water samples and macroinvertebrates from 14 streams in New Brunswick, Canada, with catchments representing a gradient in agricultural cover (0–92%, mainly potatoes). Macroinvertebrate communities were dominated by aquatic insects, and individual families were weighed for biomass and analyzed for N and P content as well as δ15N, an indicator of excess nutrients. Aqueous total P and total N increased significantly with agricultural cover, whereas macroinvertebrate community biomass and richness decreased. Within 6 of 9 taxa, δ15N values increased with agricultural cover. N content varied among families, with the lowest (average ⁓8.5%) values in Baetidae, Ephemerellidae, Chironomidae and Simuliidae, and the highest (average ⁓10.1%) values in Perlidae, Chloroperlidae and Elmidae adults. In addition, P content was significantly higher in Chironomidae (0.63%) than Perlidae (0.42%), Chloroperlidae (0.32%), and Hydropsychidae (0.42%). However, no individual families showed a significant change in their N or P content across sites. Community nutrient storage (CNS g/m2; sum of family nutrient content %N or %P * family biomass g/m2) for both N and P was not related to agriculture in the catchments whereas community nutrient content (CNC; the average %N or %P of all families weighted by their relative biomass) increased for P and decreased for N with higher agriculture. Overall, these results suggest that agricultural inputs of nutrients and other materials affect storage of N and P in stream macroinvertebrate communities, likely through impacts on community biomass and diversity.

Biochar can be used as an alternative component in growing media, positively affecting plant growth/yield, but also media properties. In the present study, two commercial grade biochars (BFW-forest wood; and BTS-fresh wood screening), mainly wood-based materials, were used at 7.5% and 15% (v/v), adding nutrient in two levels (100% and 150% standard fertilizer level-Fert). Biochar affected growing media properties, with increases on pH and changes on the nutrient content levels. Biochar BFW enhanced the emergence of seeds in comparison to the control. Increased fertilizer levels benefited plant yield in BFW and BTS at 7.5%, but not at 15%. Leaf stomatal conductance was reduced at 150% fertilized biochars (BFW + Fert and BTS + Fert) at 7.5%, while total chlorophylls increased at BTS + Fert at 7.5% and 15%. The addition of biochars decreased the antioxidant activity in the plant. Lipid peroxidation in lettuce was increased in most cases with the presence of biochars (BFW, BTS) and 150% fertilization, activating antioxidant (superoxide oxidase and peroxidase) enzymatic metabolisms. The addition of Biochars in the growing media increased the content of nutrients in seedlings, as plants could absorb more available nutrients. Biochar of beech, spruce, and pine species (BFW) at 7.5% was more promising for substituting peat to produce lettuce seedlings. However, examining different species (tomato, leek, impatiens, and geranium) with BFW at 7.5%, the results were not common, and each species needs to be evaluated further.