Isolation and characterization of a newly discovered plant growth-promoting endophytic fungal strain from the genus Talaromyces.

In the Kandi zone of Punjab, India, root and rhizospheric soil samples were collected from the local vegetation near the Shivalik mountain foothills. Fifteen fungal colonies exhibiting distinct cultural morphology on Potato Dextrose Agar (PDA) plates were selected for plant-microbe interaction studies. Among these, the isolate HNB9 was identified as a nonpathogenic root colonizer. Morphological and molecular analyses confirmed HNB9 as Talaromyces albobiverticillius, characterized by the secretion of a red pigment as a secondary metabolite. Plants colonized with T. albobiverticillius HNB9 exhibited enhanced growth, manifesting in increased shoot and root length compared to untreated controls. This study unveiled the first evidence that a species from the Talaromyces genus, specifically T. albobiverticillius, possesses dual capabilities of root colonization and plant growth promotion. Moreover, HNB9 demonstrated the production of plant growth-regulating compounds like Indole Acetic Acid (IAA) and proficient solubilization of crucial nutrients (Phosphorous, Zinc, and Silica) through plate culture methods. This finding represents a significant contribution to the understanding of root-colonizing fungi with plant growth-promoting attributes, challenging the existing knowledge gap within the Talaromyces genus.

Effect of shade on biodiversity within coffee farms: A meta-analysis.

Aligning crop production with conservation initiatives has long been a topic of debate, with agricultural intensification threatening biodiversity across the globe. Shade-grown coffee allows farmers to preserve biodiversity by providing viable habitat, but its conservation value remains unclear. In this meta-analysis, we screened existing literature using the PRISMA protocol to compare the effect of three shade intensities on species diversity and individual abundance: sun, low shade (LS) and high shade (HS). Furthermore, we examine differences between taxa, within taxa and between regions to establish which species benefit most from shade and whether these benefits vary dependent on geographical location. Out of 1889 studies, we included 69 studies in the analysis, and performed random-effects meta-analyses and meta-regressions. Overall, we found that species diversity was significantly higher in HS when compared to sun and LS, and species diversity in LS tended to be higher than in sun. In each treatment, the species diversity of birds was higher in the higher shade treatment, i.e., HS and LS. In addition, mammal and epiphyte species diversity was higher in HS when compared to LS. Similarly, studies from Latin America showed significantly higher species diversity and abundance in shaded farms when compared to sun farms. Studies conducted in Africa detailed the opposite relationship, with abundance being significantly higher in less shaded systems, highlighting that land-use strategies must be region-specific. Moving forward, strategies to conserve biodiversity within coffee farms should: 1) account for region-specific variables; 2) end further encroachment; 3) maintain connectivity; and 4) optimise yield through prioritising faunal and floral diversity.

Plant diversity and ethnobotanical importance of home gardens in Ghana's middle belt: a cross-sectional survey of the Sunyani municipality.

BACKGROUND: Home gardens are a species-rich socioecological system with a diverse range of cultivated and naturally occurring plants with the potential to make contributions to address sustainable food, biodiversity and climate crisis. However, there is a dearth of information on the socio-demographic profile of home gardeners and the importance of home gardens to ethnobotany, food security and biodiversity. Therefore, the study aimed to assess the socio-demographic profile of home gardeners in the Sunyani municipality as a case in point for the middle belt of Ghana and to evaluate the diversity of plants in home gardens and their ethnobotanical importance. METHODS: A total of 12 suburbs were selected from three subzones in the Sunyani municipality. In each suburb, 25% of households were randomly selected and if they had a home garden, one adult in the house was interviewed. A list of all plants in the home garden and their uses was obtained from respondents. A Chi-square test was used to assess the distribution of home gardeners among various socio-demographic categories, and binomial logistic regression was employed to determine links between socio-demography and home garden attributes. The ethnobotany R package was used to evaluate the ethnobotanical importance of plants in home gardens. RESULTS: A total of 186 respondents were recruited for this study, 79 being females and 107 males. A total of 79 plant species were also identified belonging to 70 genera and 40 families. Trees were the most common plant life form in home gardens, followed by shrubs, herbs, vines, grasses and lianas. Ethnobotanical indices revealed the most important plants in home gardens to be staples, food supplements and medicinal plants. These were Musa paradisiaca, Caripa pabaya, Xanthosoma sagittifolium, Manihot utilisima and Mangifera indica, Moringa oleifera, Citrus sinensis, Capsicum frutescens, Taraxacum officinale, Solanum aethiopicum, Cocos nucifera, Solanum torvum, Persea americana, Dioscorea alata and Elaeis guineensis. CONCLUSION: Plants used as staples, food supplements and medicinal purposes emerged as the most culturally relevant scoring high on all ethnobotanical indices. Home gardens present an opportunity to address food security and nutrition needs of households and communities.

Silicon nanoparticles alleviate cadmium toxicity in rice (Oryza sativa L.) by modulating the nutritional profile and triggering stress-responsive genetic mechanisms.

This study investigated the physiological and molecular responses of rice genotype '9311' to Cd stress and the mitigating effects of silicon oxide nanoparticles (SiO NPs). Cd exposure severely hindered plant growth, chlorophyll content, photosynthesis, and Cd accumulation. However, SiO NPs supplementation, particularly the SiONP100 treatment, significantly alleviated Cd-induced toxicity, mitigating the adverse effects on plant growth while maintaining chlorophyll content and photosynthetic attributes. The SiONP100 treatment also reduced Cd accumulation, indicating a preference for Si uptake in genotype 9311. Complex interactions among Cd, Si, Mg, Ca, and K were uncovered, with fluctuations in MDA and H2O2 contents. Distinct morphological changes in stomatal aperture and mesophyll cell structures were observed, including changes in starch granules, grana thylakoids, and osmophilic plastoglobuli. Moreover, following SiONP100 supplementation, genotype 9311 increased peroxidase, superoxide dismutase, and catalase activities by 56%, 44%, and 53% in shoots and 62%, 49%, and 65% in roots, respectively, indicating a robust defense mechanism against Cd stress. Notably, OsNramp5, OsHMA3, OsSOD-Cu/Zn, OsCATA, OsCATB, and OsAPX1 showed significant expression after SiO NPs treatment, suggesting potential Cd translocation within rice tissues. Overall, SiO NPs supplementation holds promise for enhancing Cd tolerance in rice plants while maintaining essential physiological functions.

The Application of Arbuscular Mycorrhizal Fungi as Microbial Biostimulant, Sustainable Approaches in Modern Agriculture.

Biostimulant application can be considered an effective, practical, and sustainable nutritional crop supplementation and may lessen the environmental problems related to excessive fertilization. Biostimulants provide beneficial properties to plants by increasing plant metabolism, which promotes crop yield and improves the quality of crops; protecting plants against environmental stresses such as water shortage, soil salinization, and exposure to sub-optimal growth temperatures; and promoting plant growth via higher nutrient uptake. Other important benefits include promoting soil enzymatic and microbial activities, changing the architecture of roots, increasing the solubility and mobility of micronutrients, and enhancing the fertility of the soil, predominantly by nurturing the development of complementary soil microbes. Biostimulants are classified as microbial, such as arbuscular mycorrhizae fungi (AMF), plant-growth-promoting rhizobacteria (PGPR), non-pathogenic fungi, protozoa, and nematodes, or non-microbial, such as seaweed extract, phosphite, humic acid, other inorganic salts, chitin and chitosan derivatives, protein hydrolysates and free amino acids, and complex organic materials. Arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi are among the most prominent microbial biostimulants and have an important role in cultivating better, healthier, and more functional foods in sustainable agriculture. AMF assist plant nutrient and water acquisition; enhance plant stress tolerance against salinity, drought, and heavy metals; and reduce soil erosion. AMF are proven to be a sustainable and environmentally friendly source of crop supplements. The current manuscript gives many examples of the potential of biostimulants for the production of different crops. However, further studies are needed to better understand the effectiveness of different biostimulants in sustainable agriculture. The review focuses on how AMF application can overcome nutrient limitations typical of organic systems by improving nutrient availability, uptake, and assimilation, consequently reducing the gap between organic and conventional yields. The aim of this literature review is to survey the impacts of AMF by presenting case studies and successful paradigms in different crops as well as introducing the main mechanisms of action of the different biostimulant products.

Eggplant-garlic intercrops reduce the density of Tetranychus urticae on eggplant and improve crop yield.

Diversification of cultivation systems plays a critical role in ecosystem functions such as pest control, diversity of beneficial arthropods, and soil fertility. Repellent plants (releasing volatile organic compounds as arthropod repellents and providing alternative prey for natural enemies) may be used in an intercropping system for pest control; however, little is known concerning their relative priority. In this study, the impact of intercropping eggplant (E) (Solanum melongena L.) and garlic (G) (Allium sativum L.) in three designs - with row ratios of 4E:4G, 4E:8G, or 4E:12G - was assessed on the density of the two-spotted spider mite (TSSM) (Tetranychus urticae Koch), the abundance and diversity of predators, and crop yields, compared with the sole crops over two growing seasons of 2019 and 2020. In three intercrops, a significant decrease in the density of TSSM egg and mobile stages was observed compared with the sole eggplant at each growth stage of eggplant. The damage index by TSSM on eggplants was lower in intercrops (8.1-11.5%) compared with sole crop (37.0-40.3%) in the two seasons. The abundance of Stethorus gilvifrons was lower in the three intercrops than in the sole crop on the blooming-initial fruit set and the fruit development stages of eggplant. The density of Orius niger was higher in the three intercrops compared with the sole crop on vegetative growth and flowering to initial fruit set stages of eggplants. The abundance of Chrysoperla carnea was not significant among treatments. Greater values of the Shannon diversity index and the Pielou's evenness index for the construction of TSSM predators were recorded in the three intercrops compared with the sole eggplant over both growing seasons. In addition, a significant improvement in the yield per unit area of eggplant and garlic was obtained in intercrops compared with sole crops. These results indicate intercropping eggplant and garlic was a practical solution for reducing TSSM on eggplant, promoting the abundance of predators, and improving the crop yields of eggplant and garlic compared with the sole crops.

Application of green synthesized bimetallic nZVI-Cu nanoparticle as a sustainable alternative to chemical fertilizers to enhance growth and photosynthetic efficiency of rice seedlings.

Application of nanomaterials in agriculture has been extensively explored over the past decade leading to a wide ambit of nanoparticle-based agrochemicals. Metallic nanoparticles consisting of plant macro- and micro-nutrients have been used as nutritional supplements for plants through soil amendments, foliar sprays, or seed treatment. However, most of these studies emphasize monometallic nanoparticles which limit the range of usage and effectivity of such nanoparticles (NPs). Hence, we have employed a bimetallic nanoparticle (BNP) consisting of two different micro-nutrients (Cu & Fe) in rice plants to test its efficacy in terms of growth and photosynthesis. Several experiments were designed to assess growth (root-shoot length, relative water content) and photosynthetic parameters (pigment content, relative expression of rbcS, rbcL & ChlGetc.). To determine whether the treatment induced any oxidative stress or structural anomalies within the plant cells, histochemical staining, anti-oxidant enzyme activities, FTIR, and SEM micrographs were undertaken. Results indicated that foliar application of 5 mg L-1 BNP increased vigor and photosynthetic efficiency whereas 10 mg L-1 concentration induced oxidative stress to some extent. Furthermore, the BNP treatment did not perturb the structural integrity of the exposed plant parts and also did not induce any cytotoxicity. Application of BNPs in agriculture has not been explored extensively to date and this study is one of the first reports that not only documents the effectivity of Cu-Fe BNP but also critically explores the safety of its usage on rice plants making it a useful lead to design new BNPs and explore their efficacy.

From soil to plant: strengthening carrot defenses against Meloidogyne incognita with vermicompost and arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi biofertilizers.

Introduction: Sustainable agricultural practices for controlling crop pests are urgently needed to reduce the reliance on chemical pesticides, which have long-term detrimental effects on ecosystems. In this study, we assessed the effectiveness of arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi (AMF) and vermicompost (Vc) supplementation, alone and in combination, in mitigating the negative impacts of Meloidogyne incognita infestation on carrot (Daucus carota L.) growth, development, and physiology. Methods: We measured different plant growth parameters such as plant height and biomass accumulation, several plant physiological parameters such as the levels of photosynthetic pigments, phenolics, and the activity of defense enzymes such as peroxidases and polyphenol oxidases, and evaluated the severity of Meloidogyne incognita nematode infestation on plants treated or not treated with vermicompost (Vc) and/or arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi (AMF). Results: Our findings show that M. incognita significantly affects plant growth, biomass accumulation, and photosynthetic pigment and carotenoid content. The incorporation of Vc and AMF into the soil, either individually or in combination, significantly alleviates the negative effects of nematode infestation on carrot plants. This was accompanied by the induction of phenolic compounds and defense enzymes such as peroxidases (+15.65%) and polyphenol oxidases (29.78%), and by a reduction in the severity of nematode infestation on Vc and AMF-treated plants compared to nematode-infested plants. Principal component analysis (PCA) shows significant correlations between various of the studied parameters. In particular, we observed negative correlations between the application of AMF and Vc alone and in combination and disease severity, and positive correlations between plant growth, photosynthetic pigments phenol content, and activity of defense enzymes. Discussion: Our study highlights the relevance of cultural practices and beneficial microorganisms for the sustainable and environmentally friendly management of agricultural pests.

Impact of Different Fertilizer Sources under Supplemental Irrigation and Rainfed Conditions on Eco-Physiological Responses and Yield Characteristics of Dragon's Head (Lallemantia iberica).

The effects of the irrigation regime and different fertilizer sources on the eco-physiological responses and yield characteristics of dragon's head were explored in a factorial experiment based on a randomized complete block design with 12 treatments and 3 replications in the 2019 growing season. The treatments included six different fertilizer sources (animal manure, vermicompost, poultry manure, biofertilizer, chemical fertilizer, and control) and two irrigation regimes (rainfed and supplemental irrigation). The results indicated the positive effects of supplementary irrigation and the application of vermicompost, poultry manure, and animal manure by increasing the absorption of nutrients (phosphorus and potassium) and improving relative water contents, chlorophyll and carotenoid contents, and the fixed oil percentage of dragon's head. The activities of catalase, ascorbate peroxidase, and superoxide dismutase decreased in the rainfed plants, whereas organic fertilizer application increased the antioxidant enzyme activity. The highest grain yield (721 kg ha-1), biological yield (5858 kg ha-1), total flavonoids (1.47 mg g-1 DW), total phenol (27.90 mg g-1 DW), fixed oil yield (200.17 kg ha-1), and essential oil yield (1.18 kg ha-1) were noted in plants that were treated with vermicompost under supplemental irrigation. Therefore, it is recommended that organic fertilizers such as vermicompost and poultry manure be used to substitute chemical fertilizers. These practices can help popularize organic crops using rainfed and supplementary irrigation.

Silicon nanoparticles: Synthesis, uptake and their role in mitigation of biotic stress.

In the current scenario of global warming and climate change, plants face many biotic stresses, which restrain growth, development and productivity. Nanotechnology is gaining precedence over other means to deal with biotic and abiotic constraints for sustainable agriculture. One of nature's most beneficial metalloids, silicon (Si) shows ameliorative effect against environmental challenges. Silicon/Silica nanoparticles (Si/SiO2NPs) have gained special attention due to their significant chemical and optoelectronic capabilities. Its mesoporous nature, easy availability and least biological toxicity has made it very attractive to researchers. Si/SiO2NPs can be synthesised by chemical, physical and biological methods and supplied to plants by foliar, soil, or seed priming. Upon uptake and translocation, Si/SiO2NPs reach their destined cells and cause optimum growth, development and tolerance against environmental stresses as well as pest attack and pathogen infection. Using Si/SiO2NPs as a supplement can be an eco-friendly and cost-effective option for sustainable agriculture as they facilitate the delivery of nutrients, assist plants to mitigate biotic stress and enhances plant resistance. This review aims to present an overview of the methods of formulation of Si/SiO2NPs, their application, uptake, translocation and emphasize the role of Si/SiO2NPs in boosting growth and development of plants as well as their conventional advantage as fertilizers with special consideration on their mitigating effects towards biotic stress.

Effects of summer savory (Satureja hortensis L.) and sweet corn (Zea mays L. saccharata) intercropping on crop production and essential oil profiles of summer savory.

A 2-year field experiment evaluated the effects of sweet corn-summer savory intercropping on crop productivity and essential oil (EO) composition of summer savory. Five cropping patterns of Corn 100%:Savory 0%, C75:S25, C50:S50, C25:S75, and C0:S100 were tested. The highest corn yield (2,440 kg ha-1) was obtained in a corn monoculture, but was not significantly different from C75:S25 or C50:S50. However, in both years the highest savory yield was obtained in S100 (793.3 g m-2 and 816.6 g m-2, respectively). Savory yields decreased as the proportion of corn increased. The land equivalent ratios in C25:S75, C50:S50, and C75:S25 were 1.54 ± 0.07, 1.56 ± 0.03, and 1.35 ± 0.1, respectively. Monocropped savory had the highest EO value followed by C25:S75 and C50:C50. However, no significant differences were found among these three treatments. Gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (GC-MS) analysis showed that the major components were carvacrol (35.88%-42.96%), γ-terpinene (18.45%-20.03%), ρ-cymene (11.77%-12.24%), and α-terpinene (2.75%-3.96%). The highest amount of carvacrol was recorded in C25:S75 (42.96%). This study suggests that intercropping of corn and savory represents an effective sustainable strategy, especially for smallholders, as a way to increase their overall land productivity and to improve the quality of savory's EO.

Impacts of soil, climate, and phenology on retention of dissolved agricultural nutrients by permanent-cover buffers.

Nutrient losses from farms affects environmental and human health, but retention by riparian buffers can vary by nutrient identity, flow path, soil texture, seasonality, and buffer width. On conventional farms with corn, we test the relationships between levels of dissolved nitrogen (N) and phosphorus (P) in downslope surface-water, and flow paths relating to porewater in soils (to 40 cm deep), groundwater of the saturated zone (to 2.5 m deep), soil nutrient pools, and changes in plant biomass and tissue quality by season. We found that the major drivers of surface-water nutrients were multi-factor and nutrient-specific, variously relating to soil, climate, vegetation uptake, and tiling on clay soils. N retention was best explained by soil type, with 10 times more surface-water N in the sand versus clay setting, despite identical fertilization rates on corn. P retention was best explained by precipitation and time of year. Vegetation uptake was strongest for shallow-soil porewater, and was greatest in buffers where root biomass was 20 times greater by weight. We were unable to detect any impact of vegetative uptake on groundwater nutrients. Overall, peak nutrient inputs to surface-water were in early summer, fall, and winter - all times when plant uptake is low. Buffers appear to be a necessary component of nutrient capture on farms, but insufficient unless partnered with measures that reduce nutrient flows at times when plants are inactive.

Assessing the Usefulness of Moringa oleifera Leaf Extract as a Biostimulant to Supplement Synthetic Fertilizers: A Review.

The extensive use of synthetic chemical fertilizers is associated with environmental pollution and soil degradation. In addition, the high costs of these fertilizers necessitate the search for alternative, eco-friendly and safe natural sources of phytonutrients. The liquid extracted from moringa (Moringa oleifera Lam.) leaves has been used in agriculture to improve the growth and productivity of several crops. The efficacy of moringa leaf extract (MLE) is attributed to its high content of mineral nutrients, protein, vitamins, sugars, fiber, phenolics and free proline. In addition, MLE contains significant amounts of phytohormones, such as auxins, cytokinins and gibberellins. Furthermore, MLE is a valuable product promoting seed germination, plant growth and deeper root development, delaying fruit senescence and increasing the yield and quality of crops grown under normal or stressful conditions. Here, we review the research on MLE as a biostimulant to enhance crop growth and productivity. Moreover, we emphasize its possible introduction to smallholder farming systems to provide phytonutrients, and we further highlight research gaps in the existing knowledge regarding MLE application. Generally, MLE is an inexpensive, sustainable, eco-friendly and natural biostimulant that can be used to improve the growth and productivity attributes of various crops under non-stressful and stressful conditions.

Biological Synthesis of Silver Nanoparticles and Prospects in Plant Disease Management.

Exploration of nanoparticles (NPs) for various biological and environmental applications has become one of the most important attributes of nanotechnology. Due to remarkable physicochemical properties, silver nanoparticles (AgNPs) are the most explored and used NPs in wide-ranging applications. Also, they have proven to be of high commercial use since they possess great chemical stability, conductivity, catalytic activity, and antimicrobial potential. Though several methods including chemical and physical methods have been devised, biological approaches using organisms such as bacteria, fungi, and plants have emerged as economical, safe, and effective alternatives for the biosynthesis of AgNPs. Recent studies highlight the potential of AgNPs in modern agricultural practices to control the growth and spread of infectious pathogenic microorganisms since the introduction of AgNPs effectively reduces plant diseases caused by a spectrum of bacteria and fungi. In this review, we highlight the biosynthesis of AgNPs and discuss their applications in plant disease management with recent examples. It is proposed that AgNPs are prospective NPs for the successful inhibition of pathogen growth and plant disease management. This review gives a better understanding of new biological approaches for AgNP synthesis and modes of their optimized applications that could contribute to sustainable agriculture.

The power of seaweeds as plant biostimulants to boost crop production under abiotic stress.

Abiotic stresses like drought and salinity are major factors resulting in crop yield losses and soil degradation worldwide. To meet increasing food demands, we must improve crop productivity, especially under increasing abiotic stresses due to climate change. Recent studies suggest that seaweed-based biostimulants could be a solution to this problem. Here, we summarize the current findings of using these biostimulants and highlight current knowledge gaps. Seaweed extracts were shown to enhance nutrient uptake and improve growth performance in crops under stressed and normal conditions. Seaweed extracts contain several active compounds, for example, polysaccharides, polyphenols and phytohormones. Although some of these compounds have growth-promoting properties on plants, the molecular mechanisms that underly seaweed extract action remain understudied. In this paper, we review the role of these extracts and their bioactive compounds as plant biostimulants. The targeted application of seaweed extract to improve crop performance and protein accumulation is also discussed.

Nanotechnology-enabled biofortification strategies for micronutrients enrichment of food crops: Current understanding and future scope.

Nutrient deficiency in food crops severely compromises human health, particularly in under privileged communities. Globally, billions of people, particularly in developing nations, have limited access to nutritional supplements and fortified foods, subsequently suffering from micronutrient deficiency leading to a range of health issues. The green revolution enhanced crop production and provided food to billions of people but often falls short with respect to the nutritional quality of that food. Plants may assimilate nutrients from synthetic chemical fertilizers, but this approach generally has low nutrient delivery and use efficiency. Further, the overexposure of chemical fertilizers may increase the risk of neoplastic diseases, render food crops unfit for consumption and cause environmental degradation. Therefore, to address these challenges, more research is needed for sustainable crop yield and quality enhancement with minimum use of chemical fertilizers. Complex nutritional disorders and 'hidden hunger' can be addressed through biofortification of food crops. Nanotechnology may help to improve food quality via biofortification as plants may readily acquire nanoparticle-based nutrients. Nanofertilizers are target specific, possess controlled release, and can be retained for relatively long time periods, thus prevent leaching or run-off from soil. This review evaluates the recent literature on the development and use of nanofertilizers, their effects on the environment, and benefits to food quality. Further, the review highlights the potential of nanomaterials on plant genetics in biofortification, as well as issues of affordability, sustainability, and toxicity.

Synthesis of an organic-inorganic composite from calcium carbonate and Kraft lignin and its use as carrier material for controlled release of semiochemical agents.

The control of pests in agricultural systems is currently based on the widespread use of pesticides that efficiently control pests but have negative effects on the environment and humans. Thus, several studies have been conducted to develop alternative sustainable ways to control pests in agriculture. The use of semiochemicals presents a good alternative to develop a sustainable tool monitoring and control insect pests in crops areas. The dispensing carriers of semiochemicals are typically made of non-degradable material, often petroleum derivatives such as butyl rubber, that become polluting waste after application. To develop a biodegradable and low-cost dispenser for semiochemicals, particles of CaCO3 and a CaCO3/Kraft lignin composite were synthesized using CO2 bubbling, characterized and evaluated for 30 days as a dispenser of the limonene molecule, which is a common semiochemical in plants and also pheromone component is some insect species, such as the lesser mealworm Alphitobius diaperinus. Furthermore, limonene is volatile molecule that is easy to acquire and low-cost, which makes it an ideal semiochemical to evaluate the potential of the CaCO3 particles and CaCO3/Kraft lignin composite as a semiochemical dispenser for use in agriculture. The pure calcium carbonate I, pure calcium carbonate II, and composite I synthesized particles presented a larger specific surface area than the other composites. All the particles evaluated showed a slow limonene release rate between the 5th and 30th days evaluated, indicating the potential of these materials as pheromone dispensers. The composites with higher specific surface area, calcium carbonate II (19.5 m2/g) and composite I (23.1 m2/g), released a higher level of limonene during the 30 days evaluated.

Agricultural Jiaosu: An Eco-Friendly and Cost-Effective Control Strategy for Suppressing Fusarium Root Rot Disease in Astragalus membranaceus.

Root rot caused by the pathogenic fungi of the Fusarium genus poses a great threat to the yield and quality of medicinal plants. The application of Agricultural Jiaosu (AJ), which contains beneficial microbes and metabolites, represents a promising disease control strategy. However, the action-effect of AJ on Fusarium root rot disease remains unclear. In the present study, we evaluated the characteristics and antifungal activity of AJ fermented using waste leaves and stems of medicinal plants, and elucidated the mechanisms of AJ action by quantitative real-time PCR and redundancy analysis. The effects of AJ and antagonistic microbes isolated from it on disease suppression were further validated through a pot experiment. Our results indicate that the AJ was rich in beneficial microorganisms (Bacillus, Pseudomonas, and Lactobacillus), organic acids (acetic, formic, and butyric acids) and volatile organic compounds (alcohols and esters). It could effectively inhibit Fusarium oxysporum and the half-maximal inhibitory concentration (IC50) was 13.64%. The antifungal contribution rate of the microbial components of AJ reached 46.48%. Notably, the redundancy analysis revealed that the Bacillus and Pseudomonas genera occupied the main niche during the whole inhibition process. Moreover, the abundance of the Bacillus, Pseudomonas, and Lactobacillus genera were positively correlated with the pH-value, lactic, formic and butyric acids. The results showed that the combined effects of beneficial microbes and organic acid metabolites increased the efficacy of the AJ antifungal activity. The isolation and identification of AJ's antagonistic microbes detected 47 isolates that exhibited antagonistic activities against F. oxysporum in vitro. In particular, Bacillus subtilis and Bacillus velezensis presented the strongest antifungal activity. In the pot experiment, the application of AJ and these two Bacillus species significantly reduced the disease incidence of Fusarium root rot and promoted the growth of Astragalus. The present study provides a cost-effective method to control of Fusarium root rot disease, and establishes a whole-plant recycling pattern to promote the sustainable development of medicinal plant cultivation.

Characterization and Valorization of the Agricultural Waste Obtained from Lavandula Steam Distillation for Its Reuse in the Food and Pharmaceutical Fields.

The main focus of the current research was the characterization of the by-products from the steam distillation of Lavandula angustifolia Mill. (LA) and Lavandula x intermedia Emeric ex Loisel (LI) aerial parts, as they are important sources of bioactive compounds suitable for several applications in the food, cosmetic, and pharmaceutical industries. The oil-exhausted biomasses were extracted and the total polyphenol and flavonoid contents were, respectively, 19.22 ± 4.16 and 1.56 ± 0.21 mg/g for LA extract and 17.06 ± 3.31 and 1.41 ± 0.10 mg/g for LI extract. The qualitative analysis by liquid chromatography-electrospray tandem mass spectrometry (HPLC-ESI-MS) revealed that both the extracts were rich in phenolic acids and glycosylated flavonoids. The extracts exhibited radical scavenging, chelating, reducing activities, and inhibitory capacities on acetylcholinesterase and tyrosinase. The IC50 values against acetylcholinesterase and tyrosinase were, respectively, 5.35 ± 0.47 and 5.26 ± 0.02 mg/mL for LA, and 6.67 ± 0.12 and 6.56 ± 0.16 mg/mL for LI extracts. In conclusion, the oil-exhausted biomasses demonstrated to represent important sources of bioactive compounds, suitable for several applications in the food, cosmetic, and pharmaceutical industries.

Pesticide residues in honeybee-collected pollen: does the EU regulation protect honeybees from pesticides?

Researchers globally identify pesticides as one of the main reasons for pollinator decline. In the European Union (EU), extensive legislation is implemented to protect pollinators from harmful pesticide exposure. The aim of our study was to discover whether the pesticide residue levels in honeybee matrices, such as nectar and pollen, exceeded the chronic or acute toxicity levels when beehives were located next to fields treated with specific insecticides. The insecticides were used according to the EU legislation and its national implementation. The experiments were conducted in turnip rape, oilseed rape, and caraway fields in southern Finland during the years 2019 and 2020. The pesticides used in the experiments contained the active substances lambda-cyhalothrin (2019), esfenvalerate (2020), and tau-fluvalinate (2020). However, the honeybee-collected pollen and nectar were analyzed for residues of more than 100 active substances. The results showed that the pesticide residue levels clearly remained under the oral acute toxicity for honeybees, although we found high levels of thiacloprid residues in the pollen collected in 2019. The pesticide residues in nectar were below LOQ values, which was most likely due to the rainy weather conditions together with the chosen sampling method. No statistically significant differences were observed between the insecticide-treated and untreated fields. In light of our research, the EU legislation protected honeybees from oral acute toxicity during the years 2019 and 2020. However, potential sublethal effects of thiacloprid and other pesticide compounds found in the collected pollen cannot be ruled out. In the future, constant monitoring of pesticide exposure of honeybees and wild pollinators should be established to ensure that pesticide legislation, and its implementation across the EU successfully protects pollinators and their services in agricultural environments.