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Due to ongoing climate change, the need for the application of adaptive strategies in agriculture is increasing, particularly in areas with insufficient rainfall, high temperatures and weather fluctuations during the vegetation period. Therefore, an experiment was conducted in 2020 and 2021 to determine the influence of superabsorbent polymers (SAPs) on morphological, physiological and production traits of maize. SAPs were applied using a method of seed coating, which is considered cost-effective and environmentally friendly. Due to the impact of SAPs, significantly larger weights of leaves and roots, as well as the length of roots in the initial growth stage, were found. Furthermore, the SAP treatment condition found significantly larger values of leaf relative water content and spectral indexes PRI (photochemical reflectance index) and NDVI (normalised difference vegetation index). Applying SAPs also led to a significant increase in spikes per plot and grain yield of maize. Moreover, the results significantly impact the interaction between year and treatment. The correlation analysis indicates a higher correlation between the observed traits in the SAPs treatment condition, which subsequently impacted the final maize production. These results confirm that applying SAPs can be considered a suitable strategy for mitigating the impacts of adverse weather conditions, especially in terms of sustainability and maintaining maize production.

The aim of this study is to develop and predict models of tractive efficiency using the artificial neural network and stepwise approach. The tractive efficiency of tractor (CASE JX75T) was measured experimentally. Experiments were conducted in the site of Basrah University. Which had silty clay soil texture. The field conditions included effect of two level of cone index (550 and 980 kPa), two level of moisture content (8 and 21%), three forward speeds (0.54, 0.83 and 1.53 m/s) and four level of tillage depths (10, 15, 20 and 25 cm). The results illustrated that both developed models (stepwise approach and ANN technique) had acceptable performance for predicting tractive efficiency of tractor under various field conditions. However, ANN model outperformed stepwise model, where 4-7-1 topology showed the best power for predicting tractive efficiency with R-squared of 0.97 and MSE of 0.0074 with Levenberg-Marquardt training algorithm. The analysis of variance demonstrated that the studied parameters had single significant effect on tractive efficiency. The most parameter influential on tractive efficiency was tillage depth followed forward speed, cone index and moisture content.

The study was primarily aimed at determining the possibility of preserving the quality parameters and functional value of the semen of Caucasian tur, Capra caucasica after cryopreservation. For this purpose, the following objectives were set: to find out the possibility of obtaining the semen of Caucasian tur by electroejaculation and to study the parameters of its fresh undiluted semen; to study the cryoprotective properties of the experimental synthetic medium for dilution of its semen; to study the quality parameters and functional value of the frozen semen; and to evaluate the fertilizing capacity of the frozen and thawed semen. In the field study, semen was obtained during the breeding season (late November) from three mature turs by electroejaculation. A total of 19 ejaculates were obtained and evaluated. At each retrieval, ejaculates were pooled to exclude the influence of individual male characteristics and separated into two equal aliquots. One aliquot was then diluted with TRIS-based synthetic medium (control medium) and the other was diluted with the same medium supplemented with 10% platelet-rich plasma (PRP) from the same animal from which the biomaterial had been collected. Subsequently, all samples were cryopreserved in liquid nitrogen. The volume, total motility, velocity of sperm, acrosome, and plasma membrane integrity of sperm at different stages of cryopreservation (after dilution, equilibration, and freezing and thawing) were investigated. The results have shown that the semen obtained by electroejaculation had an average volume of 0.8 mL (range 0.3 to 1.4 mL), satisfactory quality parameters (sperm velocity 76% (7.6 points on a 10-point scale), average concentration 2.85 × 108 sperms mL-1). Semen diluted with the experimental medium supplemented with 10% PRP had significantly higher total motility (p < 0.05) compared to the control medium after equilibration and freezing, and thawing. In the experimental diluent after freezing and thawing, the percentage of sperm with high motility has significantly increased (p < 0.05) compared to the control medium. The addition of 10% PRP resulted in improved progressive motility and viability of sperm after cryopreservation (p < 0.05), as well as increased acrosome preservation and plasma membrane integrity compared to the control medium. The fertilizing ability of cryopreserved semen frozen in the experimental medium was 19.1% higher compared to the control medium.

The use of insecticides to eliminate mosquito larvae from ground pools may disrupt atural predator-induced control of mosquito larvae. Detrimental effects on predators may be directly from toxicity or by eliminating prey organisms. Identifying the principal predators responsible for mosquito suppression is needed to select non-target indicator species for insecticide studies. In this study, we sought to determine trophic level interactions between predators and immature stages of Anopheles gambiae Giles mosquitoes under experimental conditions in the coastal region of Kenya. To identify effective predation pattern, a series of prey choice experiments was conducted. The relative abilities of five common species of aquatic insects found in the malaria-endemic coastal region of Kenya were assessed in a series of experiments. Experiments were conducted in semi-field conditions at Jaribuni, near the sites of insect collection. In single predator experiments, notonectids consumed most of the mosquito larvae; hydrometrids consumed about half of the mosquito larvae in treatments. Veliids and gerrids had significant, but small effects on larval survivorship. Dytiscids did not have a significant effect on mosquito larvae survivorship. In a two-predator experiment, notonectids significantly decreased survivorship of dytiscids without a change in suppressive effects on mosquito larvae. Of the five common predators evaluated, notonectids were clearly the most voracious consumers of mosquito larvae. The predation pressure on mosquito larvae was not affected by the addition of additional prey items, consisting of small dytiscid beetles. The importance of this notonectid species in coastal Kenya suggests that it would be a valuable non-target indicator species for insecticide studies. Hydrometrids were also efficient at consuming mosquito larvae. Of the five common predators from the Kenyan coast evaluated in this study, notonectids were the most voracious consumers of immature mosquitoes. Their predation pressure on mosquito larvae was not affected by the addition of additional prey items, consisting of small dytiscid beetles.

Plant–soil feedback (PSF) occurs when plants change the biota and physicochemical properties of the soil, and these changes affect future survival or growth of plants. PSF depends on several factors such as plant functional attributes (e.g., life cycle or photosynthetic metabolism) and the environment. PSF often turn positive under dry conditions because soil biota confers drought tolerance. Conspecifics and close relatives share pathogens and consume similar resources, exerting negative PSF on each other. These ideas have mostly been tested under controlled conditions, while field studies remain scarce. To reevaluate these findings in nature, we analyzed plant–soil feedbacks over a drought-stress gradient in a phosphorus-limited semiarid grassland. We planted seedlings of 17 species in plots where community composition had been monitored for six years. To determine PSF intensity, we measured how seedling longevity was affected by previous occupancy of conspecifics and heterospecifics. The previous occupancy–survival relationship (OSR) was used as a proxy for PSF. Evidence for OSRs was found in one-third of the species pairs, with inconclusive evidence for the rest suggesting weak feedbacks. This is in line with the expectation that PSFs in the field are weaker than under controlled conditions. As expected, positive PSFs were more frequent as drought stress increased. The strongest OSRs were caused in dry plots by C₄ perennial grasses, which had very positive OSRs on several C₃ annual forbs, but negative effects on each other. Well-documented differences between these two functional groups may explain this result: C₃ plants are more sensitive to drought, and thus may be favored by tolerance-conferring microbiota; in contrast, water-efficient C₄ perennial grasses compete for phosphorus strongly, perhaps driving strong negative PSFs between them. Finally, close relatives had more negative OSRs on each other than on distant relatives as expected, although only in dry plots. This pattern was mostly due to the negative effects of closely related C₄ grasses under dry conditions, and their positive effects on distantly related dicots. Our results highlight the importance of plant traits and of the environmental context in determining the direction and strength of PSFs under field conditions.

Accurate and efficient measurement of tree diameter at breast height (DBH) is essential for forest inventory and management. While traditional methods are time-consuming, new smartphone-based LiDAR applications like ForestScanner promise rapid, cost-effective solutions. However, their performance across diverse forest ecosystems requires thorough evaluation. This study aimed to assess the accuracy and time efficiency of the ForestScanner app for plot-level DBH measurements compared to manual caliper methods under varied growing conditions in Romania. One hundred circular plots (approx. 300 m² each) were established in forests near Brașov City, encompassing diverse forest tree species, ages, topographies, and understory conditions. DBH of 987 trees was measured manually with calipers and digitally using the ForestScanner app on a LiDAR-equipped iPhone. Time consumption for plot establishment, manual DBH, and app-based DBH measurements was recorded. Accuracy was assessed using bias, mean absolute error (MAE), and root mean squared error (RMSE), with heteroskedasticity checked via Breusch-Pagan and White tests. ForestScanner showed a negligible overall bias (-0.003 cm), but MAE reached 3.66 cm when all measurements were included. Occlusion by vegetation or nearby trees significantly impacted the app’s accuracy; for non-obstructed trees (n = 824), bias was +0.26 cm with an MAE of 2.07 cm. Manual DBH measurement averaged 14 seconds/tree, while ForestScanner averaged 16 seconds/tree. Plot establishment time and measurement time were influenced by tree density. ForestScanner offers a user-friendly, free tool for DBH measurement and tree mapping, but its accuracy may be affected by occlusion. On the other hand, the app comes equipped with several useful features, such as documenting the plots by LiDAR point clouds, real-time DBH measurement, and data storage, while returning comparable time efficiencies. Future work should focus on more diverse forest types to refine its practical application in forestry.

The impact of the field conditions on needle-punched mulches made of cellulose fibres and PLA biopolymer during the 300 days of exposure was investigated. The study observed the degradation of nonwoven mulches during specific exposure periods (30, 90, 180 and 300 days), evaluating their mechanical, morphological and chemical properties. The impact of nonwoven mulches on soil temperature and moisture, consequently on the number of microorganisms developed beneath mulches after 300 days of exposure, were analysed and associated with obtained results complementing comprehension of nonwoven mulch degradation. The findings show that nonwoven mulches made from jute, hemp, viscose and PLA fibres change when exposed to environmental conditions (soil, sunlight, rainfall, snow, ice accumulation, air and soil temperatures, wind). The changes include alterations in colour, structure shifts and modifications in properties. The results highlight the degradation pathways of cellulose and PLA mulches, revealing that cellulose-based fibres degrade through the removal of amorphous components, leading to increased crystallinity and eventual structural breakdown. WAXD findings demonstrated that microbial and environmental factors initially enhance crystalline regions in cellulose fibres but ultimately reduce tensile strength and flexibility due to amorphous phase loss. FTIR analysis confirmed the molecular changes in cellulose chains, particularly in pectin and lignin, while SEM provided direct evidence of surface damage and fibre disintegration. Furthermore, it was found that fibre types of nonwoven mulch influence soil moisture retention and soil microbial activity due to a complex interplay of fibre composition, environmental conditions and nonwoven fabric characteristics. Comprehensive mechanical, morphological and chemical results of different types of nonwoven mulch during the 300 days of exposure to the field conditions provide valuable insights into sustainable practices for using nonwoven mulches for growing crops.

The excessive use of agrochemicals to increase yield and fruit quality can result in soil, freshwater, and groundwater contamination. Designing and using new products based on microorganisms, such as rhizosphere bacteria, could reduce intensive agrochemical application and subsequent potential contamination. Therefore, the effect of a biocontroller (Pseudomonas fluorescens) on the nutrient balance and yield quality of melon ( Cucumis melo L.) was evaluated under field conditions. Control and treatment plots without and with a biocontroller applied with an irrigation system were assayed. Soils were monitored by physicochemical and biochemical analysis and plants by nutrient and yield quality analysis during crop development. Pseudomonas fluorescens application significantly promoted salt solubility (416 and 1128 μS cm-1), available Cu concentration (3.8 and 4.3 mg kg-1), P availability (104 and 123 mg kg-1), and microbial C biomass (56 and 93 mg C kg-1) for control and treatment plots, respectively. In addition, biocontroller application did not significantly increase soil total N and exchangeable Na, Mg, and K concentrations. Pseudomonas fluorescens also promoted Mn, N, Zn, and P absorption, which causes competition among nutrients, limiting Cu, Na, Ca, and K absorption by melon plants. The β-glucosidase activity was also responsible for releasing Fe, Zn, Cu, Mn, P, and N in the soil. Finally, P. fluorescens application increased fruit size and weight (3.0 to 3.8 and 3.3 to 4.3 kg for control and biocontroller treatments, respectively); therefore, biofertilization with this bacterium is a sustainable alternative to increase yield and fruit quality without increasing the use of chemical fertilizers and pesticides.

In this study, we applied an inductively coupled, radio frequency oxygen plasma to maize seeds and investigated its effects on seedling emergence, plant number at tasseling, and crop yield of maize in realistic field conditions. Maize seeds of seven different hybrids were treated over two harvest years. In addition to plasma-treated seeds, a control sample, fungicide-treated seeds, an eco-layer, and a plasma and eco-layer combination, were planted. Seedling emergence, plant number at tasseling (plants/m2), and yield (kg/ha), were recorded. In the first harvest year, results were negatively affected by the presence of an insect pest. In the second harvest year, plant number and yield results were more uniform. In both years, for two and three hybrids, respectively, the highest yield arose from plants from plasma-treated seeds, but the differences were only partially significant. Considering our results, plasma treatment of maize seeds appears to have a positive effect on the yield of the plant.

PurposeOrganic amendment applications have been proposed as important agricultural management practices for the maintenance of soil health. Weathered coal (WC), biochar (BC), and grass peat (GP) have been used widely and globally for a long time. However, the differences in soil physical properties following the application of these amendments have rarely been evaluated under the same field conditions.MethodsIn this study, the changes in the physical properties of loamy clay soil after applying WC, BC, and GP (3%, w:w) were investigated under field conditions after 375 days.ResultsRelative to unamended soil, the WC, BC, and GP applications increased the total porosity and decreased the bulk density of amended soils (P < 0.05). The soil water content increased by 23.8% following the BC application, whereas it was decreased by 10.5% following the GP application (P < 0.05). The application of all the amendments increased the soil average temperature by 0.71 °C (GP), 0.41 °C (WC), and 0.18 °C (BC) (P < 0.05). Additionally, the WC application increased the fraction of aggregates of 1–2 mm in size (by 47.6%) and of 2–5 mm in size (by 65.8%), and the stability of soil aggregates (P < 0.05). All the amendments increased the soil pores (> 300 and 30–300 µm) of amended soils, but the saturated hydraulic conductivity of these soils was not significantly improved.ConclusionThe application of WC can improve the formation and stability of soil aggregates to reduce the risk of soil erosion. BC is suitable for use in drought-prone areas with low rainfall and strong evaporation because it can increase the retention capacity of soil water. GP should be applied with caution, considering that its decomposition after extraction leads to the severe loss of organic carbon to the atmosphere. Overall, the selection of organic amendments in agricultural management practices should take into account the local environmental conditions.