Combining slow-release fertilizer and plastic film mulching reduced the carbon footprint and enhanced maize yield on the Loess Plateau.

Agricultural practices significantly contribute to greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions, necessitating cleaner production technologies to reduce environmental pressure and achieve sustainable maize production. Plastic film mulching is commonly used in the Loess Plateau region. Incorporating slow-release fertilizers as a replacement for urea within this practice can reduce nitrogen losses and enhance crop productivity. Combining these techniques represents a novel agricultural approach in semi-arid areas. However, the impact of this integration on soil carbon storage (SOCS), carbon footprint (CF), and economic benefits has received limited research attention. Therefore, we conducted an eight-year study (2015-2022) in the semi-arid northwestern region to quantify the effects of four treatments [urea supplied without plastic film mulching (CK-U), slow-release fertilizer supplied without plastic film mulching (CK-S), urea supplied with plastic film mulching (PM-U), and slow-release fertilizer supplied with plastic film mulching (PM-S)] on soil fertility, economic and environmental benefits. The results revealed that nitrogen fertilizer was the primary contributor to total GHG emissions (≥71.97%). Compared to other treatments, PM-S increased average grain yield by 12.01%-37.89%, water use efficiency by 9.19%-23.33%, nitrogen accumulation by 27.07%-66.19%, and net return by 6.21%-29.57%. Furthermore, PM-S decreased CF by 12.87%-44.31% and CF per net return by 14.25%-41.16%. After eight years, PM-S increased SOCS (0-40 cm) by 2.46%, while PM-U decreased it by 7.09%. These findings highlight the positive effects of PM-S on surface soil fertility, economic gains, and environmental benefits in spring maize production on the Loess Plateau, underscoring its potential for widespread adoption and application.

Clinical usefulness and acceptability of small-bowel capsule endoscopy with panoramic imaging compared with axial imaging in Japanese patients.

Objectives: We aimed to evaluate the usefulness and acceptability of CapsoCam Plus (CapsoCam) in Japanese patients. Methods: This retrospective single-center study enrolled 930 patients with suspected small-bowel bleeding (SSBB) who underwent capsule endoscopy. Thirty-three patients using CapsoCam and PillCam SB3 (SB3) were matched using propensity score matching. The diagnostic yield and the acceptability of CapsoCam were evaluated. Results: There was no SSBB case where capsule endoscopy was performed within 48 h of bleeding. CapsoCam had a significantly higher observation rate of the entire small bowel (97% vs. 73%, p = 0.006) and Vater's papilla (82% vs. 15%, p < 0.001) than SB3. The reading time of CapsoCam was significantly longer than that of SB3 (30 vs. 25 min, p < 0.001), and CapsoCam's time from the capsule endoscopy swallowing to read completion was longer than that of SB3 (37 vs. 12 h, p < 0.001). The two groups showed no difference in the capsule endoscopy findings according to the P classification. Notably, 85% of the patients using CapsoCam reported examination distress as "not at all" or "almost not," and 94% reported swallowing difficulty as "very easy" or "easy." Conclusions: CapsoCam took time to read; however, it is a well-tolerated examination with a high observation rate of Vater's papilla and entire small-bowel mucosa. Detectability of bleeding sources was comparable in both modalities for cases of occult SSBB and overt SSBB more than 48 h after bleeding. CapsoCam is a useful modality for patients with SSBB.

Stable partial nitrification was achieved for nitrogen removal from municipal wastewater by gel immobilization: A pilot-scale study.

As an energy and carbon saving process for nitrogen removal from wastewater, the partial nitrification and denitrification process (PN/D) has been extensively researched. However, achieving stable PN in municipal wastewater has always been challenging. In this study, a gel immobilized PN/D nitrogen removal process (GI-PN/D) was established. A 94 days pilot-scale experiment was conducted using real municipal wastewater with an ammonia concentration of 43.5 ± 5.3 mg N/L at a temperature range of 11.3-28.7℃. The nitrogen removal performance and associated pathways, shifts in the microbial community as well as sludge yield were investigated. The results were as follows: the effluent TN and COD were 0.6 ± 0.4 mg/L and 31.1 ± 3.8 mg/L respectively, and the NAR exceeding 95%. GI-PN/D achieved deep nitrogen removal of municipal wastewater through stable PN without taking any other measures. The primary pathways for nitrogen removal were identified as denitrification, simultaneous nitrification-denitrification, and aerobic denitrification. High-throughput sequencing analysis revealed that the immobilized fillers facilitated the autonomous enrichment of functional bacteria in each reactor, effectively promoting the dominance and stability of the microbial communities. In addition, GI-PN/D had the characteristic of low sludge yield, with an average sludge yield of 0.029 kg SS/kg COD. This study provides an effective technical for nitrogen removal from municipal wastewater through PN.

Effects of supplementing rumen-protected rubber seed oil to dairy cattle on feed digestibility and milk production.

Objective: The aim of this study was to determine the effect of rumen-protected rubber seed oil supplementation on feed digestibility, milk yield, and milk composition in tropical dairy cows. Methods: Twelve crossbred Holstien-Friesian dairy cows (75% Holstein-Friesian, 25% Thai native breed) with a mean body weight (BW) of 460 ± 30 kg and 20 ± 5 days in milk were randomly assigned to 1 of 3 treatments according to a completely randomized design. The treatments were as follows: a basal diet without rumen-protected fat (RPF) (control) or supplementation of rumen-protected palm oil (RPPO) at 300 g/h/d and rumen-protected rubber seed oil (RPRSO) at 300 g/h/d. Each cow was fed a total mixed ration ad libitum. Results: The nutrient intake was similar among treatments (p>0.05). Adding RPF did not affect nutrient digestibility, while organic matter digestibility increased in dairy cows receiving RPRSO (p<0.01). Blood urea nitrogen, total protein, or glucose did not alter among treatments (p>0.05), while triglycerides and cholesterol were increased when cows were fed RPPO (p<0.01). Adding RPF increases milk yield in cows (p<0.01). The supplementation of RPRSO increased milk fat (p=0.04). Milk fat yield was higher in RPPO and highest in RPRSO (p<0.01). The addition of RPF increased the oleic acid (OA, C18:1 cis-9) in milk (p=0.01). In addition, cows fed RPRSO increased linoleic acid (LA; C18:26 cis-9,12 + trans-9,12) and -linolenic acid (ALA; C18-33 cis-9,12,15) in milk (p<0.01). The addition of RPF increased milk unsaturated fatty acids (UFA) and monounsaturated fatty acids (MUFA) (P≤0.04). The PUFA in milk increased with RPRSO supplementation (p<0.01). Conclusion: Supplementation of RPRSO during early lactation can increase feed digestibility and the concentration of milk fat with PUFA (LA and ALA) in tropical dairy cows.

Response of photosynthesis, population physiological indexes, and yield of cotton in dry areas to the new technology of "dry sowing and wet emergence".

Introduction: In arid areas, exploring new "dry sowing wet emergence (DSWE)" water-saving irrigation techniques may become one of the most important ways to reduce agricultural irrigation water use and improve economic efficiency. Methods: The study was conducted in a two-year field trial in 2021 and 2022, setting up three seedling emergence rates (W1: 6 mm, W2: 10.5 mm, W3: 15 mm) and two drip frequencies (D1: 2 times, D2: 4 times) for a total of six irrigation combinations. Results and discussion: The results indicate that under the "DSWE" irrigation pattern, in contrast to the low frequency treatment, the photosynthetic efficiency of cotton leaves in the high-frequency treatment is significantly higher. The stomatal conductance of cotton leaves has increased by 6.67% within two years, and the net photosynthetic rate has risen by 12.22%. Compared with the CK treatment, there is no remarkable difference in the photosynthetic indicators of the W3D2 treatment, while the net photosynthetic rate has increased by 1.68%. The population physiological indicators of each treatment group exhibit a trend of initially increasing and then decreasing as the growth period prolongs. The differences in the group population physiological indicators of cotton at the seedling stage among different seedling water treatments are relatively minor. The high frequency treatment maintains a relatively high level throughout the growth period. Compared with the low-frequency treatment, the yields of lint cotton and seed cotton in the high-frequency treatment have increased by 14.77% and 20.89%, respectively. Compared with the winter irrigation technology, there are no significant differences in the cotton yield and quality indicators of the "DSWE" high-frequency and high-seedling water treatment (W3D2). Over two years, the average unit yields of lint and seed cotton have decreased by 1.95% and 3.01%, respectively. Nevertheless, irrigation water during the growth period declined by 38.46%. The appropriate "DSWE" irrigation technology (W3D2) can significantly enhance the physiological indicators of cotton, ensuring crop yield and quality while significantly reducing the amount of agricultural irrigation water.

Genome-wide identification of rice CXE gene family and mining of alleles for potential application in rice improvement.

Carboxylesterases (CXE, EC 3.1.1.1), a class of hydrolases with an α/ß folding domain, play important roles in plant growth and development and stress response. Here, we identified 32, 63, 41, and 45 CXE genes in Oryza sativa Japonica (Nipponbare), Oryza sativa Indica (93-11), Oryza sativa Indica (Xian-1B1 var.IR64), and Oryza sativa Japonica (Geng-sbtrp var.ChaoMeo), respectively. Then, we analyzed the chromosomal location, physical and chemical properties, subcellular localization, collinearity, and selection pressure of CXE genes in four rice varieties. We also analyzed the functional interaction network, cis-regulatory elements, evolutionary relationship, and protein tertiary structure, and performed gene expression profiling and qPCR verification under abiotic stress, as well as diversity analysis of 3010 gene-CDS-haplotype (gcHap) rice samples, aiming to understand the potential function of the 32 OsCXE genes. Our results indicated that fragment replication is the main reason for amplification of the CXE gene family in rice, and the gene family has undergone strong purification selection. OsCXE3.1, OsCXE3.2, OsCXE3.3, OsCXE5.1, and OsCXE7.3 may be used to improve the tolerance of rice to abiotic stress. OsCXE play important roles in rice population differentiation and improvement, and the major gcHaps at most OsCXE locus are significantly associated with yield traits. Therefore, natural variations of most OsCXE locus have great potential value for improvement of rice productivity.

Reducing red light proportion in full-spectrum LEDs enhances runner plant propagation by promoting the growth and development of mother plants in strawberry.

Full-spectrum light-emitting diodes (LEDs) have gradually replaced narrow-spectrum LEDs and are widely used in plant factories with artificial lighting (PFALs). However, the specific effect of LED light quality on dry mass allocation in runner plant propagation remains unclear. Hence, we cultivated "Akihime" strawberries as mother plants for 115 days to conduct runner plant propagation experiment under white LEDs (W100), white and red LEDs (W84R16 and W55R45), red and blue LEDs (RB100), and red, blue and green LEDs (RB80G20) in PFALs, and determined key factors affecting dry mass accumulation and allocation among mother plants and runner plants based on growth component analysis. The results showed that the net photosynthetic rate and total leaf area in mother plants in W100 increased by 11% and 31%, respectively, compared with W55R45. In comparison to W84R16 and W55R45, W100 increased the dry mass (23%-30%) of runner plants mainly by increasing the total dry mass (TDM) (23%) of strawberry plants, without significantly affecting the fraction of dry mass partitioning to runner plants. However, the number of runners in W55R45 was 5.1 per plant, representing only 78% of that in W100. Compared with RB100, RB80G20 significantly increased the number of runner plants and runner numbers by 16% and 19% to 13.0 per plant and 5.8 per plant, respectively. The partial replacement of blue light with green light in RB80G20 induced a shade avoidance response in runner plants, resulting in a 55% increase in the total leaf area of runner plants compared with RB100. Data from growth component analysis showed that compared with red and blue LEDs, white LEDs increased the TDM of runner plants by 83% by increasing the plant TDM accumulation (44%) and the fraction of dry mass partitioning to runner plants (37%). Additionally, the dry mass (g) of runner plants per mol and per kilowatt-hour under in W100 were 0.11 and 0.75, respectively, significantly higher than other treatments. Therefore, reducing red light proportion in full-spectrum LEDs is beneficial for strawberry runner plant propagation in PFALs.

Large-scale heterogeneous synthesis of monodisperse high performance colloidal CsPbBr3 nanocrystals.

Colloidal lead halide perovskite nanocrystals (LHP NCs) are promising semiconductor materials for optoelectronic devices, but the high ionicity of LHP NCs makes their crystallization control and post-treatment difficult. Here, phosphonic acids (PAs) are employed as ligands to design a solid-liquid heterogeneous reaction system to regulate the LHP NC crystallization and achieve the desired focusing growth. During the heterogeneous synthesis, the precursors in the liquid phase are responsible for the burst nucleation and initial growth of NCs. Afterwards, the focusing growth of NCs is supported by the precursors released from the solid phase. In addition, the strong binding ability of PAs enables effective passivation of LHP NCs. Without post-treatment, gram-scale monodisperse CsPbBr3 NCs having photoluminescence with a full width at half-maximum of 18 nm and a quantum yield of near-unity are obtained. The CsPbBr3 NCs covered by a compact ligand layer keep initial quantum yield even after 18 cycles of purification, exhibiting excellent stability against polar solvents, ultraviolet irradiation and heat treatment. As scintillators, the prepared CsPbBr3 NCs show strong radioluminescence emission and high-resolution X-ray imaging.

Impact of active root zone soil potassium levels on cotton yield and fiber quality under no tillage.

Introduction: Potassium deficiency significantly hinders cotton growth and development, adversely affecting yield and fiber quality. Applying potassium fertilizer is a common practice to address potassium deficiency in the soil. However, the effectiveness of potassium fertilizer application depends on the appropriate soil potassium levels in cotton fields. Methods: This study used a randomized block design with six different soil potassium levels and conducted experiments across 18 micro-zones in the field. This study aimed to investigate the response of cotton yield and quality to different soil potassium levels, to try to clarify the suitable soil potassium levels for cotton growth, so as to provide practical and effective help for determining the amount of potash fertilizer in the cotton field. Results: The results showed that the seedcotton yield was increasing, with the soil potassium level increased under no tillage. There was no significant difference among K4, K5, and K6 on seedcotton yield, which were significantly higher than K1 and K2. As soil potassium levels increased, the proportion of autumn boll and the proportion of outer boll also increased, indicating that higher soil potassium levels support the better growth and development of cotton in the middle and late stages, leading to increased boll sets and higher yields. Additionally, the available potassium content in the 0-40-cm soil layer was significantly correlated with yield and yield parameters but not with fiber quality indices. Discussion: It is concluded that K4 treatment could provide sufficient potassium to meet the growth and development needs of cotton. Potassium fertilizer application is recommended when the available potassium content in the 0-40-cm soil layer falls below 122.88 mg kg-1 in the cotton field.

Association of STAT1 gene with milk fat and protein yield in Holstein Friesian crossbred cattle maintained in the sub-tropical climate of India.

Signal transducers and activators of transcription (STAT) genes are involved in signal mediation of various hormones and cytokines. STAT1 located on chromosome number 2 is involved in mammary gland development and is associated with milk composition traits in bovines. This study aimed to find any relationship and impact of STAT1/BspHI gene with milk fat and protein yields in a herd of Holstein Friesian (HF) crossbred cattle of sub-tropical climate of Northern India. Milk composition data of 535 adult HF crossbred cows for a period of 12 years was collected from the records maintained at Livestock Farm, Guru Angad Dev Veterinary and Animal Sciences University. First lactation data of 222 animals was chosen for further analysis. After data correction for non-genetic factors (season of calving, period of calving, interaction effect of season and period of calving and age at first calving) these animals were categorised into two groups based on corrected high and low milk fat and protein yields. Forty animals were then selected for blood collection and further laboratory analysis. Amplified using PCR-RFLP technique, the 314 bp STAT1 gene was digested using BspHI restriction enzyme. C-T polymorphism at nucleotide position 201 and 260 of the STAT1 amplicon was observed. At 201, for genotype AA and Aa, the genotypic frequencies were 0.80 and 0.20%. At 260, for genotype BB and Bb, the genotypic frequencies were 0.25 and 0.75%. Least square analysis showed a significant association of all genotypes with milk fat and protein yields. Hence, STAT1 can be used as a potential candidate gene to aid in better animal selection in breeding programmes.

Assessment of Various Archwire Materials and Their Impact on Orthodontic Treatment Outcomes.

Aim Orthodontic treatment relies heavily on the mechanical properties and surface characteristics of archwire materials to achieve optimal outcomes. This study aimed to comprehensively evaluate the mechanical properties, including tensile strength, yield strength, and modulus of elasticity, as well as the surface characteristics, such as surface roughness and frictional properties, of different archwire materials. Methods Four types of archwire materials, stainless steel, nickel-titanium (NiTi), beta-titanium, and esthetic archwires, were subjected to mechanical testing and surface analysis, with 31 in each group. Tensile testing was conducted to determine the maximum tensile strength, yield strength, and elastic modulus of each material. Surface roughness analysis was performed using profilometry techniques, and frictional properties were evaluated using an orthodontic friction testing apparatus. Results Stainless steel exhibited the highest tensile strength (900 N), followed by beta-titanium (850 N), NiTi (800 N), and esthetic archwire (750 N). Stainless steel also demonstrated the highest yield strength (780 N), followed by beta-titanium (740 N), NiTi (710 N), and esthetic archwire (650 N). The modulus of elasticity was the highest for stainless steel (200 GPa), followed by beta-titanium (170 GPa), NiTi (150 GPa), and esthetic archwires (120 GPa). Surface roughness was lowest in stainless steel archwires (mean Ra value of 0.25 µm), leading to reduced frictional resistance, whereas esthetic archwires exhibited the highest surface roughness (mean Ra value of 0.40 µm) and frictional forces. Significant differences in the mechanical properties and surface characteristics were observed among the materials (p < 0.05). Conclusions The choice of archwire material significantly influences orthodontic treatment outcomes by affecting the efficiency and effectiveness of tooth movement. Stainless steel and beta-titanium wires are ideal for high-stress applications, providing the robust mechanical strength necessary for complex movements. In contrast, NiTi wires, with their superelasticity, offer consistent and gentle forces, enhancing patient comfort and accelerating the alignment phase. Esthetic archwires, while visually appealing, often compromise mechanical performance, potentially prolonging treatment duration.

Substituting partial chemical nitrogen fertilizers with organic fertilizers maintains grain yield and increases nitrogen use efficiency in maize.

Introduction: Long-term application of excessive nitrogen (N) not only leads to low N use efficiency (NUE) but also exacerbates the risk of environmental pollution due to N losses. Substituting partial chemical N with organic fertilizer (SP) is an environmentally friendly and sustainable fertilization practice. However, the appropriate rate of SP in rainfed maize cropping systems in semi-arid regions of China is unknown. Methods: Therefore, we conducted a field experiment between 2021 and 2022 in a semi-arid region of Northern China to investigate the effects of SP on maize growth, carbon and N metabolism (C/NM), and NUE. The following treatments were used in the experiment: no N application (CK), 100% chemical N (SP0, 210 kg N ha-1), and SP substituting 15% (SP1), 30% (SP2), 45% (SP3), and 60% (SP4) of the chemical N. The relationship between these indicators and grain yield (GY) was explored using the Mantel test and structural equation modeling (SEM). Results and discussion: The results found that the SP1 and SP2 treatments improved the assimilates production capacity of the canopy by increasing the leaf area index, total chlorophyll content, and net photosynthetic rate, improving dry matter accumulation (DMA) by 6.2%-10.6%, compared to the SP0 treatment. SP1 and SP2 treatments increased total soluble sugars, starch, free amino acids, and soluble protein contents in ear leaves via increasing the enzymatic reactions related to C/NM in ear leaves during the reproductive growth stage compared with SP0 treatment. The highest plant nitrogen uptake (PNU) and nitrogen recovery efficiency were obtained under the SP2 treatment, and the GY and nitrogen agronomic efficiency were higher than the SP0 treatment by 9.2% and 27.8%. However, SP3 and SP4 treatments reduced DMA and GY by inhibiting C/NM in ear leaves compared to SP0 treatment. Mantel test and SEM results revealed that SP treatments indirectly increased GY and PNU by directly positively regulating C/NM in maize ear leaves. Therefore, in the semi-arid regions, substituting 30% of the chemical N with SP could be considered. This fertilizer regime may avoid GY reduction and improve NUE. This study provides new insights into sustainable cultivation pathways for maize in semi-arid regions.

Evaluation of Needles in Endoscopic Ultrasound-Guided Tissue Acquisition of Pancreatic Cancer for Genetic Yield and Quality.

BACKGROUND: Endoscopic ultrasound-guided fine needle biopsy (FNB) is the gold standard in tissue acquisition of pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (PDAC). There is a paucity of evidence of the impact of needle type or size on the genetic yield and quality. METHODS: Patients 18 years and older with PDAC who underwent FNB were retrospectively identified from a single database from 2016 to 2021. Genetic quantity is measured in micrograms (µg) and quality defined by RNA or DNA integrity number (RIN and DIN). FNB needles examined were Acquire 22 gauge (Boston Scientific, Marlborough, MA, USA) and ProCore 22 and 20 gauges (Cook Medical, Bloomington, IN, USA). RESULTS: Two hundred seventy-seven patients were identified. ProCore 20G needle procured higher RNA quantity (4125.8µg, IQR: 2003.8, 5954.8, p = 0.012) compared to ProCore 22G (2050µg IQR: 966.4, 3181.6) and Acquire 22G (2310.6µg, IQR: 1439.3, 4312). Median DNA quantity was 3340.5µg (Acquire 22G), 2610.4µg (ProCore 22G) and 3499.7µg (ProCore 20G) (p = 0.763). Median DIN was 7.3 (Acquire 22G and ProCore 22G) and 7.4 (ProCore 20G) (p = 0.449). Median RIN was 3.0 (Acquire 22G and ProCore 22G) and 2.7 (ProCore 20G) (p = 0.886). CONCLUSION: ProCore 20G was associated with higher quantity of RNA. There were no differences in the quality acquired by different needles.

An integrated targeted metabolome of phytohormones and transcriptomics analysis provides insight into the new generation of crops: Polygonatum kingianum var. grandifolium and Polygonatum kingianum.

Huangjing is becoming a new generation of crop. Polygonatum kingianum var. grandifolium (XHJ) is a variant of P. kingianum (DHJ), and they are treated as Huangjing. Unlike other Polygonatum species, the rhizome bud of XHJ can germinate both in spring and autumn, which contributes to its high rhizome yield. However, the molecular mechanism of the autumn shooting of XHJ was still unknown. In the present study, cellular observation, comparative targeted metabolome of phytohormones, and transcriptome analysis between XHJ and DHJ in autumn were conducted. Interestingly, 'Diterpenoid biosynthesis' (ko00904) and 'Plant hormone signal transduction' (ko04075) were commonly enriched by differentially accumulated phytohormones (DAPs) and differentially expressed genes (DEGs) in all tissues, which indicated the high auxin content, low cytokinin (CTK) content, and low abscisic acid/gibberellin (ABA/GA) ratio might contribute to the XHJ rhizome buds' differentiation and germination in autumn. Moreover, according to the weighted gene co-expression network analysis (WCGNA), transcript factors (TFs) related to auxin, CTK, GA, and jasmonic acid (JA) metabolism were screened, such as AP2/ERFs, WRKY, and NAC, which deserve further research. In conclusion, we comprehensively illustrated the mechanism of XHJ natural autumn shooting through cytological, metabolic, and transcriptomic analysis, which improves our understanding of the high yield of XHJ rhizomes and the diversity of shooting mechanisms in Polygonatum to lay the foundation for the further development of the Huangjing industry.

Effects of coordinated regulation of water, nitrogen, and biochar on the yield and soil greenhouse gas emission intensity of greenhouse tomatoes.

Regulating the coupled relationship among water, nitrogen, and biochar is an effective strategy for increasing production and reducing emissions in greenhouse agriculture. However, a comprehensive evaluation model remains lacking. Toward this end, we aimed to evaluate the emission patterns of greenhouse gases and greenhouse tomato yield during the spring and autumn cultivation seasons as influenced by irrigation water use efficiency, nitrogen fertilizer partial productivity, and soil organic carbon (SOC). We applied three irrigation levels: 100% (W1), 80% (W2), and 60% (W3) of the reference crop evapotranspiration; three nitrogen application levels: 240, 192, and 144 kg ha-1, representing 100% (N1), 80% (N2), and 60% (N3) of the actual local application amount; and four biochar application gradients: B0, B1, B2, and B3 corresponding to 0, 30, 50, and 70 t ha-1, respectively. Interaction experiments were conducted based on the implementation the incomplete multifactorial design, using W1N1B0 as the control. The entropy weight method was used to calculate the main and sub-weights of the evaluation indicators. During the growing season, greenhouse gas emissions have a significant impact. The cumulative emissions of CO2, N2O, and CH4 from soil in spring are 24.4%, 42.18%, and 13.9% higher than those in autumn, respectively. Soil temperature was a key environmental factor influencing soil CO2 emissions, while soil moisture content and nitrogen fertilizer input efficiency were the main factors affecting soil N2O emissions, and the correlation between soil CH4 emissions and soil organic carbon content was most significant. Water-nitrogen-biochar interaction significantly affected yield and GHGI: adding biochar under the same water-nitrogen- and moderately deficient irrigation(W1) under the same nitrogen-biochar application modes increased yield and reduced GHGI. However, moderately reduced nitrogen application decreased(N2) both measures under the same water-biochar application mode. The VIKOR comprehensive evaluation method determined W2N2B2 as the most suitable water-nitrogen-biochar application mode for optimizing yield and GHGI. This study provides a theoretical basis for stable, low-carbon development in green-intensive agriculture.

Soybean breeders can count on nodules.

Soybean, the most important legume crop, plays a crucial role in food security and sustainable agriculture. Recently, Zhong et al. demonstrated that a moderate increase in nodule number in soybean improves field yield and protein content. Their findings propose a potential strategy to enhance yield performance in other legume crops.

Detection of damage caused by Nezara viridula on soybean using novel imaging approaches based on computed tomography and image color analysis.

Soybean (Glycine max L.) is an important leguminous plant, in which pests trigger significant damage every year. Important members of this community are insects with piercing-sucking mouthpart, especially the southern green stinkbug, Nezara viridula L.. This insect with its extraoral digestion causes visible alterations (morphological and color changes) in the seeds. We aimed to obtain precise information about the extent and nature of damage in soybeans caused by N. viridula using nondestructive imaging methods. Two infestation conditions were applied: one with controlled numbers of pests (six insects/15 pods) and another with naturally occurring pests (samples collected from the apical part of the plant and samples from whole plants). An intact control group was also included, resulting in four treatment groups. Seed samples were analyzed by computed tomography (CT) and image color analysis under laboratory conditions. According to our CT findings, the damage caused by N. viridula changed the radiodensity, volume, and shape (Solidity) of the soybean seeds during the pod-filling and maturing period. Radiodensity was significantly reduced in all three damaged categories compared to the intact sample; the mean radiodensity reduction range was 49-412 HU. The seed volume also decreased significantly (25%-80% decrease), with a threefold reduction for samples exposed to regulated damage compared to natural ones. The samples exposed to natural damage showed significant but minor reduction in solidity, while samples exposed to regulated damage showed a prominent decrease (~12%). Image color analysis showed that the damaged samples were well distinguishable, and the differences were statistically verifiable. The achieved data derived from our external and internal imaging approaches contribute to a better understanding of the internal chemical processes, and CT analysis helps to understand the alteration trends of the hidden structure of seeds caused by a pest. Our results can contribute to the development of a practically applicable system based on image analysis, which can identify lots damaged by insects.

Effects of integrated fertilizer application on selected soil properties and yield attributes of common bean (Phaseolus vulgaris L.) on different soil types.

In Ethiopia, common bean (Phaseolus vulgaris L.) productivity remains low because of low soil fertility. However, both plant production and soil fertility benefit from integrated application of fertilizers. Thus, this study investigates the effect of integrated application of inorganic, organic and biofertilizers on selected soil properties and yield components of common bean. A field experiment was conducted at three sites in southern Ethiopia, under two consecutive cropping season (2021 and 2022). The experiment was conducted using a randomized complete block design (RCBD) with three replications. The treatments included three levels of inorganic fertilizer (Triple Superphosphate, TSP), applied at 0, 42.5, and 85 kg TSP ha⁻1 for Kokate; 0, 29, and 58 kg TSP ha⁻1 for Hawassa; and 0, 35.5, and 71 kg TSP ha⁻1 for Alage, tailored to the specific conditions of each site. Additionally, the experiment incorporated three levels of organic inputs 0, 5 t biochar ha⁻1, and 5 t compost ha⁻1 as well as Rhizobium inoculation (HB-429) applied at 500 g ha⁻1. These treatments were designed to assess the combined effects of inorganic, organic and biofertilizers on soil health and crop performance. Results showed that the integrated application of inorganic, and organic fertilizers significantly (p ≤ 0.05) improved soil pH, soil organic carbon, and available P compared with the sole fertilizer application plots. Similarly, the integrated use of inorganic, organic and biofertilizers increased nodule numbers, seed weight, grain yield, and biomass yield. We also found that 23 and 24 % higher grain yield were achieved with integrated applications of TSP fertilizer with compost on Hawassa and Alage sites than sole inorganic fertilizer application. On the other hand, the integrated application of TSP fertilizer with biochar increased by 18 % grain yield on Kokate over the sole application of inorganic fertilizer. The highest economic benefit of 69,460 and 63,250 ETB was obtained from the integrated application of TSP fertilizer with compost at Hawassa and Alage sites, respectively. The highest economic benefit for the Kokate site was 53,583 ETB at TSP fertilizer with biochar application. Overall, the study confirms that site-specific integrated soil fertility management appears to be a prerequisite for sustainable and profitable common bean production over sole fertilizer application in southern Ethiopia.

Optimizing split-fertilizer applications for enhanced maize yield and nutrient use efficiency in Nigeria's Middle-belt.

Inadequate and imbalanced fertilizer application is a significant barrier to achieving higher maize yields in Nigeria's Middle Belt. This study hypothesized that optimizing fertilizer types and application rates, particularly through split applications of straight fertilizers, can significantly enhance maize yield and nutrient use efficiency compared to conventional NPK blends and farmer's practices. This experiment evaluated the effects of optimizing types and amounts of fertilizer on maize growth and yield, soil characteristics, and nutrient use efficiencies in the mid-belt region of Nigeria. A field experiment was conducted at two locations using a randomized complete block design with four replications. The treatments included national and regional fertilizer recommendations, applied as NPK blends and straight fertilizers, along with a farmer's practice and control. Soil samples were collected before and after the experiment, and data on yield, yield attributes, grain, and leaf samples, were collected for analysis. The results showed that split applications of straight fertilizers increased grain yield by 22 %-46 %, achieving yields ranging from 2.37 to 3.08 t ha-1, compared to yields from NPK blends. Nitrogen uptake efficiency improved by up to 52 %, while potassium uptake exceeded 100 % in certain treatments. Despite higher input costs, split applications yielded gross margins up to 35 % greater than those obtained with NPK blends, underscoring their economic viability. Split application of regional recommendation of 119:38:20 kg ha-1 of N, P, and K from straight fertilizer shows higher yields and better nutrient efficiency than NPK blends, proving effective for optimum maize production in the region. No significant changes in soil physio-chemical properties, suggesting that long-term studies are needed to fully understand the impact of fertilizer practices on soil health. These findings strongly support the adoption of site-specific nutrient management strategies, particularly the use of straight fertilizers in split applications, to maximize maize production in Nigeria's Middle-Belt.

Yield stress and zeta potential-pH behaviour of washed spherical α-Al2O3 particles with anionic additives: Particle force and ChemBio 3D simulation.

The yield stress- and zeta potential-pH behaviour of washed spherical α-Al2O3 suspension with and without three typical anionic additives were characterized. The zero zeta potential or isoelectric point (IEP) of washed α-Al2O3 particles locates at pH∼ 9.5. With the increased dosage of the anionic additives, IEP moves to a lower pH range. The maximum yield stress of 50 wt% α-Al2O3 suspension decreases from 78.3 Pa to 50 Pa by about 36 % when citric acid is 0.2 dwb% (dispersant g/100 g powder). According to the simulation of the MM2 model, the type of O-H···O hydrogen bond existed in the CA molecule which results in a stable steric repulsive effect. The pH range where yield stress exists also moves to the lower pH with the addition of anionic additives. However, the addition of Diisobutylene-maleic anhydride sodium salt and Polystyrene sulphonic acid sodium salt increase the maximum yield stress because of the specific attraction force, hydrophobic attraction force and charge attraction force.