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Soil nutrition assessment is a critical factor in improving both the quantity and quality of agricultural yields. The integration of Internet of Things (IoT) technology represents a groundbreaking advancement, allowing for real‐time measurements in smart farming. This article focuses on investigating and evaluating the current challenges in nutrient management within smart farming and explores the future potential of utilizing IoT for nutrient management. To gather data, bibliometric analysis and utilization of the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta‐Analyses (PRISMA) flowchart were conducted, searching on the Publish or Perish and Science direct search engines using the keywords "soil nutrient monitoring smart farming internet of things" without quotation marks. A total of 395 articles were initially identified, 20 of which were included in the analysis after verification with Covidence assessment tools. Our review of existing studies revealed that many nutritional management approaches are still in prototype and experimental design, without the use of experimental design agriculture standards, without validation through plant testing, and mainly focus on monitoring systems. This highlights the need for additional research into large‐scale studies, considering data security and the application of this technology in agricultural experimental design across a wide range of agricultural practices. Furthermore, future research on NPK IoT‐based sensors is expected to provide numerous benefits and accessibility to all farmers, ensuring agricultural profitability. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Megalurothrips usitatus (Bagnall) feeds on the young tissues of plants, causing wilting and deformity of leaves as well as damage to flowers and fruits, thereby seriously affecting plant yield. Due to its small size and difficulty of control, the species is one of the most important pests in the legume family. To clarify the occurrence and damage pattern of M. usitatus on field crops, a study was conducted using eight different crops as experimental materials, and an age-stage, two-sex life table was constructed. The population density of M. usitatus was the highest on cowpeas (Vigna unguiculata L. Walp.), followed by green beans (Phaseolus vulgaris L.) and Vigna cylindrica (Vigna unguiculata subsp. cylindrica (L.) Verdc.) in terms of net reproductive rate and the intrinsic rate of increase. In terms of reproductive capacity, cowpeas and V. cylindrica were more suitable for M. usitatus growth and reproduction, followed by green beans. M. usitatus could develop into adults on courgettes (Cucurbita pepo L.), wax gourds (Benincasa hispida Thunb. Cogn.), Momordica charantia (Momordica charantia L.), and soybeans (Glycine max L. Merr.) but had difficulty reproducing on those plants. Cucumber (Cucumis sativus L.) was the least suitable for the survival of M. usitatus. Population parameter analysis showed that the cowpea was the most suitable host plant for M. usitatus, followed by green beans and V. cylindrica. M. usitatus had difficulty reproducing on courgette, wax gourd, M. charantia, and soybeans, and feeding on cucumbers inhibited M. usitatus development and reproduction. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The Karakılçık landrace is known for its quality traits, especially protein content. However, its high plant height causes lodging and yield loss, which limits the production area. A Levante × Karakılçık population developed by crossing the local Karakılçık wheat with the commercial variety Levante in order to eliminate the disadvantages of Karakılçık and adapt it to wider production areas. In the study, yield, quality, and some physiological traits were investigated in the population. The experiment was conducted in an augmented experimental design in the cropping seasons of 2021-2022 and 2022-2023. A total of 36 genotypes from Levante × Karakılçık population, parents and 2 controls were tested. The tested genotypes varied significantly for all investigated traits (P < 0.01). Principal component biplot analysis explained 69.3% of the variations and relationships between the traits and genotypes. Among the investigated traits, genotypes LK26, LK19 and LK3 outperformed their parents in 5 traits (spike length (SL), number of spikelets per spike (SNS), number of grain numbers per spike (GNS), protein content (PC) and wet gluten content (G)), 4 traits (SNS, grain weight per spike (GWS), GNS and PC) and 3 traits (grain yield (GY), GNS and test weight (TW)), respectively. The genotype LK3 for yield and the genotypes LK19 and LK26 for quality traits could be recommended to growers and breeders. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In order to ensure reliable inferences in scientific experiments, sampling criteria should be determined and defined during the experimental design phase. Determining plot and sample sizes without scientific criteria could result in resource and labor inefficiencies with no gain in experimental precision. In this work we estimate plot and sample sizes for biometric variable analyses in lettuce seedlings. The seedlings were sown in four expanded polystyrene foam transplant trays with 128 and 200 cells. Foliar area, stem diameter, shoot height, root length, root volume, root area, fresh and dry shoot and root masses. The methods described by Paranaiba (PARANAIBA et al., 2009) and Cochran (COCHRAN, 1977) were used for plot size and sample size estimations, respectively. Sample size varied according to the variables analysed and transplant tray cell number. Root variables required the highest number of samples. For a 10% margin of error, 12 seedlings were necessary for evaluations in a 128 cell tray, while 11 seedlings were required for analysis in 200 cell trays. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The promising study aimed to determine the most suitable synthetic cultivar of maize (Zea mays L.) under varied effects of mineral fertilizer combinations (nitrogen, phosphate, and potassium) and organic manures. A maize field experiment materialized in the 2022 crop season in the experimental fields of Ibn-Al-Bitar Preparatory Vocational School, District Al-Hussainiya, Holy Kerbala Governorate, Iraq. Employing the randomized complete block design (RCBD) with a split-plot arrangement helped set the experiment. In the main plots, the six combinations of mineral and organic fertilizers used comprised a) 160N + 100P2O5 + 40K2O kg ha-1, b) 160N + 100P2O5 + 40K2O + 4 t ha-1 of organic fertilizer, c) 160N + 100P205 + 40K2O kg ha-1 + 8 t ha-1 of organic fertilizer, d) 320N + 200P2O5 + 80K2O kg ha-1, e) 320N + 200P2O5 + 80K2O kg ha-1 + 4 t ha-1 of organic fertilizer, and f) 320N+200P2O5+80K2O kg ha-1 + 8 tons ha-1 organic fertilizer. The six maize synthetic cultivars in the subplots were Fajr-1, Maha, 5018, Sumer, Sarah, and Baghdad-3. The total uptake of nitrogen and phosphorus showed a significant interaction between fertilization levels and maize cultivars. The maize synthetic cultivar 5018 achieved the highest interaction at the sixth fertilizer level, with nitrogen and phosphorus uptake of 348.33 and 69.50 kg ha-1, respectively. The maize cultivar Baghdad-3 at the sixth fertilizer level achieved the maximum interaction for potassium uptake, grains per ear, biological, and grain yields (213.43 kg ha-1, 777.50 grains per ear, 20,949 kg ha-1, and 9,674 kg ha-1, respectively). However, this interaction was not significantly different from the interaction of the same synthetic cultivar with the fifth fertilizer level for the traits, viz., grains per ear, biological, and grain yields. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Breeders are focused on developing high-yielding genotypes that can grow in semi-arid regions under water stress. A field experiment was conducted during the 2020 to 2021 cropping season at the experimental field of ITGC, Setif. The aim of this study was to assess the performance of durum wheat genotypes for agronomic traits growing under semi-arid conditions. The 10 genotypes evaluated were grown in a randomized block with three replications. Analysis of variance showed that the genotype effect was significant for most parameters studied. The best grain yield was recorded for genotypes G3 (3.52 t ha-1) G2 (3.48 t ha-1), and G5 (2.89 t ha-1); thus, they maintained the highest water content (81.09, 84.95, and 84.34%, respectively) and lower temperatures under these conditions. Simple linear regression showed that grain yield correlated positively with the number of spikes, and the number of grains per spike. The principal component (PC) analysis classified both genotypes G2 and G3 as high grain-yielding genotypes; by contrast, genotypes Jupare C 2001, Bouatleb, and G1 were low-yielding. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Risk assessment relies on cost–benefit analysis by prey species in relation to predator behavior. The lunar cycle can have strong influences on the way that predator and prey species behave in their environment as light levels can influence activity patterns. By examining how lunar phase influences behavior, we may be able to better predict instances of human–wildlife conflict. As part of the Elephants and Sustainable Agriculture in Kenya project, over 5 years of study have been dedicated to mitigating human–elephant conflict in the Kasigau Wildlife Corridor in southern Kenya, focusing on the construction of deterrent fences and the collection of environmental data in and bordering the Rukinga Wildlife Sanctuary. Elephant presence around crop fields was hypothesized to have a negative relationship with lunar light levels because of an increase in perceived risk from typically greater human activity with moonlight, and a positive relationship with increased darkness during the waning moon phases. The lunar phase data were compared to elephant presence within 12 m of experimental crop fields along the boundary of their wild habitat and human agricultural land to provide insight for potential crop raiding events. Elephants were present significantly less during the full and gibbous moon phases when compared to the new moon phase, and significantly more during the new and waning moon phases. Our findings are being shared with the farmers living in the KWC and may be useful to others living in high HEC areas by providing a form of early warning system that also may have broader applications in the mitigation of other human–wildlife interactions. HIGHLIGHTS Dynamic landscape of fear provides novel insight on elephant behavior near agricultural lands with applications for conservation strategies. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

We aimed to estimate genetic parameters and select sorghum lines for forage purposes based on agronomic and chemical traits. A total of 100 inbred lines, comprising the biomass/bmr, biomass, dual purpose (sweet/forage), and forage types, were evaluated in the 2020/2021 and 2021/2022 crop years. We analyzed the data using a linear mixed model approach. Genetic variance, line mean-based heritability, selection accuracy, genetic correlation between traits and crops and the coefficient of experimental variation were estimated. The breeding values of the lines were predicted, and the factor analysis and genotype-ideotype distance index based on BLUP (FAI-BLUP) were applied for multi-trait selection. Biomass production and cell wall composition traits were measured. There was genetic variation among the lines, with moderate to high heritability. The lines selected by the FAI-BLUP index resulted in significant genetic gains expected with selection for all traits. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

According to the convergence confinement theory, it is an effective measure to control the large deformation of high ground stress in fractured soft rock tunnels by using yielding support. The yielding support can be classified as either radial or circumferential yielding support. Circumferential yielding support is achieved by transforming radial displacement into circumferential tangential closure without compromising the support capacity of the primary lining support structure. Based on this, and inspired by the design principle of dampers, a yielding support structure system with spring damping elements as its core was developed, based on the connection characteristics of steel arches in highway tunnel, which can provide increasing support resistance in the yielding deformation section. Then the mechanical properties of spring damping elements were obtained through indoor axial pressure and flexural tests. In addition, according to these results with numerical calculations, the yielding support structure system with embedded spring damping elements can reduce the internal force of the support structure by approximately 10% and increase the area of the plastic zone of the surrounding rock by 11.23%, which can fully utilize the self-bearing capacity of surrounding rock and verify the effectiveness of circumferential yielding support. Finally, the spring damping support structure system was designed with reference to the construction process of the tunnel excavated by drilling and blasting method, and the transformation of the spring damping element to spring damping support structure was achieved. Based on field test results, surrounding ground pressure for the yielding support optimization scheme was reduced by 40% and more evenly distributed, resulting in the successful application and a reduction in the construction cost of large deformation tunnels in soft rock. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The study's main aim was to evaluate the effects of complex mineral fertilizers on the complex properties of heavy loam soils in the grey forests of Russia in terms of applying individual soil nutrition components from experiments with fodder beets. This study employed a rigorous and systematic approach to accomplish the defined goal. Specifically, the research was conducted within a seven-field crop rotation system, with fodder beets serving as the primary experimental crop. In addition, a model experiment resembling a vegetation trial was undertaken, incorporating seven distinct schemes involving various types of fertilizers. This design facilitated the evaluation of the effectiveness of each fertilizer type. The study results demonstrate that complex fertilizers impact the soil's chemical and biophysical parameters. Soil acidity decreases through the use of complex, high-nitrogen fertilizers. Major chemical nutrients (nitrogen, phosphorus, and potassium) in plant biomass and soil also have a high degree of transition. It is explained by the effects of combining elements on the destruction intensity of the crystalline lattice in the basic structures of potassium, phosphorus, and nitrogen. There is also evidence that complex fertilizers can improve humus quality and replenish its reserves. All the aforementioned impacts of complex fertilizers on the crop contribute to the high productivity and yield of forage beet. The results of the study may help optimize the fertilization process, improve the quality and quantity of agricultural products, as well as increase soil fertility, and reduce the negative impact of agrochemicals on the environment. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The rising adoption of agricultural technologies such as the Internet of Things (IoT) or "smart farming" aims to boost crop production in terms of both quantity and quality. This study compares the benefits of a smart farm employing an IoT-based hydroponic system with those of a conventional hydroponic farm, using Chinese cabbage (Brassica pekinensis L.) as the experimental crop. Our primary objective was to automate environmental monitoring, achieving pH level and electrical conductivity (EC) maintenance through smartphone or computer interfaces for nutrient and acid–base solution adjustments. Additionally, we evaluated plant growth and crop quality, finding superior results with the smart hydroponic system. On average, there were substantial increases in various parameters, including total fresh weight (27.14%), total dry weight (48.90%), plant height (11.14%), stem diameter (32.89%), leaf area (94.30%), leaf width (32.36%), leaf length (38.12%), and chlorophyll content (22.73%). Nitrate accumulation in the edible parts of Chinese cabbage remained within safe limits for both systems, reflecting careful nutrient management. These findings highlight the potential of IoT-based technology in enhancing productivity and quality in hydroponic farming, marking a significant step towards revolutionizing traditional agricultural practices for more efficient crop production systems. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Monitoring of bioinoculants once released into the field remains largely unexplored; thus, more information is required about their survival and interactions after root colonization. Therefore, specific primers were used to perform a long-term tracking to elucidate the effect of Hartmannibacter diazotrophicus on wheat and barley production at two experimental organic agriculture field stations. Three factors were evaluated: organic fertilizer application (with and without), row spacing (15 and 50 cm), and bacterial inoculation (H. diazotrophicus and control without bacteria). Hartmannibacter diazotrophicus was detected by quantitative polymerase chain reaction on the roots (up to 5 × 105 copies g−1 dry weight) until advanced developmental stages under field conditions during two seasons, and mostly in one farm. Correlation analysis showed a significant effect of H. diazotrophicus copy numbers on the yield parameters straw yield (increase of 453 kg ha−1 in wheat compared to the mean) and crude grain protein concentration (increase of 0.30% in wheat and 0.80% in barley compared to the mean). Our findings showed an apparently constant presence of H. diazotrophicus on both wheat and barley roots until 273 and 119 days after seeding, respectively, and its addition and concentration in the roots are associated with higher yields in one crop. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The article discusses the demonization and weaponization of conventional agriculture in recent years, as well as the promotion of radical agricultural transformation. It emphasizes the need for improvements in current agricultural practices through science-based technologies, such as improved crop varieties, soil management strategies, and strategies to reduce greenhouse gas emissions. The article also examines two claims that have been used to support radical agricultural transformation: the loss of plant genetic diversity and the contribution of smallholder farmers to global food production. It questions the validity of these claims and highlights the potential for misleading policy decisions based on questionable estimates. The article concludes by emphasizing the importance of evidence-led policies for sustainable food production. [Extracted from the article]

The current study investigates the performance of various sampling designs in providing accurate estimates for crucial maize yield traits (intended for silage) including plant height, fresh/dry/ear weight, number of maize ears per plant, and total ear weight per plant, using spatial maize data. The experiment took place in an experimental field area at Aristotle University (AUTH) farm during the 2016 growing season. Nine sampling designs were statistically analyzed and compared with spatial data from an Italian maize hybrid (AGN720) to identify the most suitable and effective sampling design for dependable maize yield estimates. The study's results indicate that, among the different sampling techniques, Stratified Random Sampling is the most effective and reliable method for obtaining accurate maize yield estimates. This new approach not only provides precise estimates but also requires fewer measurements, making it suitable for experiments where not all plants have emerged. These findings suggest that Stratified Random Sampling can be employed effectively as an alternative to harvesting the entire plot for effectively estimating maize crop traits in experimental plots. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The demand for soybeans as one of cereal commodities increases every year, however, to meet the production and demand level is still challenging in Indonesia. One of the causes of low soybean production is stress during cultivation, lack of nutrients, or poor quality of soybean seeds. One solution is to increase seed protection by coating the seeds with an environmentally friendly biological seed coating. This study aims to obtain the best biological seed coating for increasing soybean seed viability, vigor, and yield. The research was conducted at the Faculty of Agriculture Experimental Station of Universitas Padjadjaran, Jatinangor from August to November 2021. Two sets of experimental design were employed in this study, a Completely Randomized Design for the viability and vigor parameters in laboratory, and a Randomized Block Design with four replications for evaluation of the yield components in the field. The experiment was carried out with a combination of soybean cultivar and biological seed coating. The cultivars used in this study were Anjasmoro cv. (yellow) and Detam-4 cv. (black) and the biological seed coatings were B. subtilis, Trichoderma sp., and Rhizobium sp. Post-hoc test after F-test used Least Significance Different (LSD) with a significant level of 5%. The results showed that the application of the three biological seed coatings was not significantly affect seed physiological traits. However, the seed coating treatments increased the number of seeds per plant and seed weight per plant in yellow soybeans. Meanwhile, the application of B. subtilis and Rhizobium sp. in black soybeans increased the number of seeds per plant and the weight of seeds per plant. The best biological seed coating in this experiment was B. subtilis. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In this review of the Dark Emu debate we start out by summarising Bruce Pascoe's original work and Peter Sutton and Keryn Walshe's critique. However, the majority of this contribution is to place this Australian-focussed debate into broader conceptual, methodological and evidential contexts generally associated with the investigation of early agriculture in other parts of the world. If we are to apply the term "agriculture" to Aboriginal plant management practices, then this requires a global, rather than a continental-centric comparative perspective. We argue debates regarding the character of plant exploitation practices on the Australian mainland, including whether they included forms of agriculture or experimental horticulture, have been hindered by a lack of terminological clarity, the absence of a methodological framework to assess empirically verifiable evidence, and - even more problematically - a lack of relevant data on the putative plants and practices involved. Here, terminology is clarified and a bottom-up, practice-based method is advocated for the assessment of recent (using oral, visual and written histories) and ancient (using archaeological, archaeobotanical and palaeoecological evidence) forms of food plant exploitation in Australia. The terminology and methodological framework are heuristically applied to three scenarios: (1) ethnographic and historical records for the exploitation of underground storage organs (USOs) on the Australian mainland; (2) historical documentation regarding the botany, potential human roles in dispersal, and Aboriginal exploitation of banana (Musa spp.), taro (Colocasia esculenta) and greater yam (Dioscorea alata) in northern Australia and (3) archaeobotanical evidence for the exploitation of USOs and other plants from The Top End. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract scientists are concerned about the utilizing of biostimulants-based amino acids in plant feeding and mitigating negative effects of water stress. As a result, two-year field experiments were conducted at Faculty of Agriculture's experimental station at Cairo University to study the effectiveness of liquid yeast waste (CMS) and Cargo amino acids (AAs) on the agro-physiological features of broccoli plants with different irrigation frequencies (every 5, 10, and 15 days). Compared with control plants, the foliar application of AAs and CMS significantly increased plant height, photosynthesis pigments, head weight, head diameter, head height, plant yield, and quality at different irrigation frequencies. Likewise, both treatments (CMS and AAs) significantly improved ascorbic acids by 16.65% and 15.95% and increased total phenol content by 24.10% and 36.60%, respectively, compared to control plants. Accordingly, the highest productivity was achieved for broccoli grown under irrigation every five days with the CMS bio-stimulant, where it was 3111.17 kg ha-1, while the lowest productivity was achieved for the control treatment in which no biostimulants were added and irrigation frequency every 15 days, and the productivity was 1376.22 kg ha-1. Plants irrigated every 15 days produced the highest levels of abscisic acid (ABA) and superoxide dismutase (SOD), followed by plants irrigated every 10 days and every 5 days. Exogenous application of amino acids bio-stimulants could be suggested to improve vegetative growth, biochemical characteristics, productivity, and nutritional value as well as to mitigate negative effects of water scarcity. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The most widely produced grain legume for human consumption in the world is the common bean (Phaseolus vulgaris L.). This plant is native to the Americas, where it plays an important role in the daily diet. The environment where beans are grown is varied, from tropical zones to high mountains, with different growth habits and production systems, from highly technical to traditional. Therefore, efforts in bean crop modeling should start from identifying the type of bean and the target system. Beans are very sensitive to abiotic stress, a fact that has encouraged the modeling of their possible response under climate change scenarios. For this, a literature review was carried out to identify modeling exercises carried out in Latin America, which include growth studies (node production rates and leaf area), phenology and yield. The models used in these studies include EcoCrop, CROPGRO-DRYBEAN (implemented on the DSSAT platform), and in one case of each, Maxent and CLIMEX. Four studies are described in detail: in the two countries with the highest production in the world (Brazil and Mexico), and in Central America as a region highly vulnerable to climate change. Studies agree that bean productivity could suffer serious negative effects in the course of the 21st century because of climate change. Finally, a recent exercise to collect historical data from bean trials in Latin America is reported to feed future modeling efforts. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Quantitative investigation of the utilization characteristics of precipitation resources and the production capacity of the intercropping production system under the soybean maize intercropping mode in northern China is of great significance for improving the resource utilization rate of dryland agriculture and regional sustainable development. This study adopted a completely randomized block design, and six planting modes were set up: soybean monoculture, maize monoculture, and four soybean maize intercropping modes. Plant height and grain yield data were observed, and precipitation resource utilization efficiency was calculated. Based on the FAO-56 recommended crop coefficients, the crop coefficients were corrected according to the actual growth of crops in the experimental area; combined with meteorological data, the crop water demand under different planting modes was estimated based on the Penman-Monteith principle. The results showed that crops' daily growth water demand under different planting modes was generally deficient in water in the early and middle stages of growth, and surplus in the later stages. Compared with the monoculture mode, there were significant differences in precipitation resource utilization efficiency under different intercropping modes (P < 0.05), with soybeans reduced by 67.50% ~ 89.56%, and maize reduced by 43.99% ~ 61.05%. Based on the semi-humid and semi-arid area of the eastern Loess Plateau, an appropriate irrigation system needs to be designated for soybean and maize intercropping systems in the early and middle stages of crop growth. Under a certain proportion of water resource supply, different modes have different water resource utilization efficiency and final production capacity for the intercropping system. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Plant loss occasionally occurs in field experiments with coffee crops in experimental plots. In breeding programs, such loss can be harmful, especially when the corresponding statistical analyses are not consistent with the experimentally generated data. Herein, we analyzed productivity data to determine whether the compensatory effect occurs in coffee crops, evaluated the need to correct experimental failures, and identified the best stand correction method. We used productivity data from six harvests of eleven experiments with Coffea arabica plants. The experiments were implemented in a randomized block design, with four replications and six plants per plot. The following stand correction methods were evaluated: rule of three; Zuber; Vencovsky and Cruz covariance of the average or ideal stands; and Cruz, and the data were compared without correction adjustments. The most adequate correction methods were selected based on genetic variance, selective accuracy, and progeny ordering. The compensatory effect was evident from the analyzed data, with stand correction being evidenced as beneficial in progeny competition experiments. The best results were obtained for the covariance methods using average or ideal stands, followed by the method proposed by Cruz. The rule of three and Zuber method exhibited unsatisfactory results and are not recommended for stand correction in progeny competition experiments with coffee crops. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A field experiment was conducted in the experimental field of the Crop Sciences Department at the College of Agricultural Engineering Sciences - University of Baghdad during fall seasons of 2021 and 2022. The aim of this study was to investigate the role of nano and metallic boron foliar nutrition on yield, components, water use efficiency, and water consumption under water stress for sweet corn (Zea mays L.). Randomized Complete Block Design was used within split -plot arrangement with three replicates, where the main plots included three levels of water stress (irrigation at 40, 60, and 80% of available water) coded as W1, W2, and W3, respectively. The nano and metallic boron spray concentrations represented 5, 10, 20, and 40 mg L-1 coded as N1, N2, M1, and M2, respectively. Results showed that nano and metallic boron concentrations significantly affected all the studied traits. The concentration of 5 mg L -1 of nano boron N1 significantly exceeded other concentrations under study in increasing ear length, number of rows per ear, number of grains per row, and weight of 500 grains, which positively reflected on improving grain yield of 5.93 and 5.96 t ha-1 . The interaction between water stress treatments and nano and metallic boron concentrations was significant for all the studied traits except for ear length. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The aim of this study was to investigate whether, in the context of a higher incidence of Ustilago maydis and Fusarium spp. at optimal and delayed harvest times, a higher incidence of mycotoxin contamination in maize grains could be expected. The field experiment was carried out at the Lithuanian Research Centre for Agriculture and Forestry experimental fields over three consecutive years (2020–2022). Two maize hybrids (Duxxbury and Lapriora) with different FAO numbers were used. The experimental design in the field was a randomized complete block design. Harvesting took place at three different times: first at physiological maturity, and then 10 (±2) and 20 (±2) days after the first harvest. Each hybrid had four repetitions at different harvest times. The U. maydis infection was only detected in 2021 and after the first harvest cobs were further divided into four different groups with four repetitions: healthy cobs, cobs visually infected with Fusarium spp., cobs visually infected with common smut, and cobs visually infected with both pathogens. No U. maydis-damaged maize cobs were found in 2020 and 2022. The levels of Fusarium microscopic fungi in maize grains were also from 4 to 16 times higher in 2021 than in 2020 and 2022. Harvest delays in 2020 led to a significant deoxynivalenol concentration increase in the Duxxbury hybrid and an HT-2 concentration increase in the Lapriora hybrid. In 2021, deoxynivalenol, 3-acetyl-deoxynivalenol, 15-acetyl-deoxynivalenol, and HT-2 concentrations significantly rose in both hybrids, but the T-2 concentration significantly increased only in the Lapriora hybrid. Deoxynivalenol concentrations were, respectively, 110 and 14.6 times higher than in cobs only infected with Fusarium spp. or U. maydis. Concentrations of 15-acetyl-deoxynivalenol were, respectively, 60, 67, and 43 times higher than in asymptomatic cobs and cobs only infected with Fusarium spp. or U. maydis. Cobs contaminated with both pathogens also had higher concentrations of 3-acetyl-deoxynivalenol. T-2 and HT-2 were detected in maize grains harvested from cobs infected only with Fusarium spp. The presence of U. maydis and Fusarium fungi in maize cobs, along with harvest delays, led to significant increases in mycotoxin concentrations, highlighting the importance of timely harvesting and pathogen management to mitigate mycotoxin contamination in maize grains. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Against the backdrop of excessive global nitrogen fertilizer use, the loss of nitrogen fertilizer has led to environmental pollution and resource waste. Therefore, finding effective mitigation measures is of great significance for sustainable agricultural development. This study examined the problems of nitrogen fertilizer loss in soil and the potentials of nitrification inhibitors and urease inhibitors to reduce it by using quantitative analysis methods. Different soil types and treatment areas at the ecological agriculture experimental station were included in the study with different ratios of nitrification inhibitor, 3,4-Dimethylpyrazole phosphate (DMPP), and urease inhibitor, N- (n-butyl) thiophosphoric triamide (NBPT) treatments. The indicators for the degree of nitrogen fertilizer loss measurement included ammonia volatilization, nitrogen leaching, and nitrogen fertilizer utilization efficiency. The results showed that, by using the CO (NH2)2+DMPP+NBPT treatment method, the cumulative losses of ammonia volatilization in sandy soil and clay soil after 15 days were 5,430.36 g N/hm² and 4,130.36 g N/hm², respectively. The nitrogen runoff loss rates were approximately 36-60% and 34-45%, respectively. The nitrogen leaching loss rates were about 20-74% and 15-50%, respectively. The nitrogen fertilizer utilization efficiency for wheat was approximately 36.1-37.4% and 44.3-45.6%, respectively. The results indicated that the utilization of nitrification/urease inhibitors could significantly reduce nitrogen fertilizer loss and improve its overall utilization efficiency. The results of this study offered valuable insights for enhancing environmental conservation and promoting food security. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Due to the importance of intercropping as one of the methods of agricultural intensification, this research was conducted on caraway and pea crops at Experimental Farm, Fac. Agric., Zagazig Univ., Egypt during 2021/2022 and 2022/2023 seasons. The aim of this work was studying the influence of intercropping system (sole planting of each crop as control, 1: 1, 2: 2, 2: 3 and 3: 2 as ridge ratio of caraway: pea, respectively), phosphorus fertilization levels (0.00, 15.50, 31.00 and 46.50 kg P2O5/feddan) as well as their combination treatments on growth, productivity and competitive indices between caraway and pea plants. Results showed that, in most cases, alternating two ridges of caraway with two ridges of pea recorded the highest values in plant height, branches number per plant and total dry weight of both crops, fruits and volatile oil yield per caraway plant and pods yield per pea plant as well as total chlorophyll content and phosphorus percentage of both crops compared to the other intercropping systems. Additionally, the most of the measured parameters for the two crops showed a substantial rise at the maximum level of phosphorus fertilization. When compared to the other combinations, the 2: 2 intercropping system + 46.50 kg P2O5/feddan treatment was the most effective. Generally, land equivalent ratio referred to that using the intercropping system of 2: 2 and phosphorus fertilization at 46.5 kg P2O5/ feddan, one feddan may yield the same yield as 1.386 or 1.453 feddan of each crop grown separately. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Plant growth, flowering, square and boll formation are significantly affected by plant density in cotton production. The research was carried out in the field of experimental Özaltın Agriculture Company Experiment Fields in 2019 with four replication according to the split plot design with two different cotton genotypes with open (Karayel) type and closters (Lodos) type under five different plant densities (7,000 plants/da, 14,000 plants/da, 21,000 plants/da, 28,000 plants/da and 35,000 plants/da). The aim of the study was to determine the effects of different plant densities on yield, yield components and fiber quality characteristics of cotton varieties with different plant types (different boll distribution on branch of plant). With the increase in plant density (28,000 and 35,000 plants/da), plant height, number of fruit branches, number of vegatatif branches, boll weight, boll number were decrased, on the other hand the number of node on the first fruit branch, the first hand harvest rate, the number of days of opening the first boll, micronare values were increased. It was determined that there was no significant effect on fiber quality properties and lint percentage except for micronaire. Cotton varieties with different cotton biomass architecture such as open type and closter type showed different reactions in terms of cotton boll yield at different plant densities. According to the mean of both cultivars in each plant density, the highest boll yield (649.4 kg/da) and fiber yield (275.8 kg/da) were obtained from plant density of 14,000 plants/da. When genotype x plant density interaction is evaluated in terms of cotton boll yield, the plant density in genotypes with open boll distribution type should not be more than 21,000 plants/da plant density; It was determined that plant density should not be less than 14,000 plants/da for the cotton genotypes with closter boll distribution type. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Top‐down suppression of herbivores is a fundamental ecological process and a critical service in agricultural landscapes. Adoption of bioenergy cropping systems is likely to become an increasingly important driver causing loss or gain of this service in coming decades. We measured natural pest suppression potential in ten model bioenergy crops in a long‐term experimental array by deploying plasticine sentinel caterpillar mimics, which record imprints from predator attacks. Cropping systems included three intensive annual row crop systems and a range of simple perennial monocultures and more complex polycultures. We compared attack rates across the ten cropping systems and assessed differences over time within a growing season and between the ground level and canopy. We found strong differences in attack rates across cropping systems, usually with more attacks in perennial crops than annuals. However, outcomes varied in space and time, both within and among cropping systems. Birds and small mammals were responsible for most, and sometimes all, attacks in annual crops and were most important early in the season. Chewing arthropod attacks increased over the course of the growing season and were responsible for most attack events in perennial systems. In late summer there were almost no attacks in annual crop canopies, while attack rates in perennial canopies at the same time were quite high and were carried out almost entirely by chewing arthropods. Our results underscore the lack of trophic complexity in annual bioenergy cropping systems relative to perennials. They also illustrate the dramatic changes in predator activity and predation intensity that occur both seasonally and between the ground and plant canopy. Policies and practices that increase the footprint of annual crops for bioenergy are likely to cause a deficit in pest suppression services at local and landscape scales. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Our experiments with crop progenitors have demonstrated that these species exhibit dramatic plasticity in key traits that are affected by domestication, including seed and fruit morphology. These traits can be altered by cultivating crop progenitors for a single season, in the absence of any selection for domesticated phenotypes. We hypothesize that cultivation caused environmental shifts that led to immediate phenotypic changes in crop progenitors via developmental plasticity, similar to tameness in animals. Here we focus on the loss or reduction of germination inhibitors in an annual seed crop because seeds with high dormancy are undesirable in crops, and also present a serious barrier to selective pressures that arise from seed-saving and planting by humans. Data from four seasons of observation of the crop progenitor Polygonum erectum L. suggest that the low plant density conditions of an agroecosystem trigger a phenotypic response that reduces germination inhibitors, eliminating a key barrier to further selection. The timing of the harvest can also be used to manipulate the germinability of seed stock. These observations suggest that genetic assimilation may have played a role in the domestication of this plant. More experimental work with crop progenitors is needed to understand whether or not this phenomenon played a part in the domestication of other plants, and to accurately interpret the significance of ancient plant phenotypes in the archaeological record. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Wheat can be cultivated by hole sowing, but its border effect has not yet been studied. Therefore, we carried out a field experiment from 2021 to 2022 at the Doukou Crop Experimental Demonstration Station (108°52′ E, 34°37′ N) of Northwest A&F University in Jingyang County, Xianyang City, Shaanxi Province, China. The response of dry matter, photosynthetic characteristics, and yield components of wheat to the border effects under the hole sowing method was studied. The results showed specific border effects on each index of five wheat varieties (XN136, XN175, XN527, XN536, and XN765), among which the border effects of XN175 and XN765 were the most significant, with the highest yield. Subsequent correlation analysis revealed that only grain per spike and intercellular carbon dioxide concentration responded negatively to the border effects, and the rest were positively correlated. Finally, we conducted a random forest model analysis of different indicators of wheat varieties with significant border effects. We found that net photosynthetic rate and aboveground dry matter per plant had the most significant impact and contribution to the border effects. In contrast, grain per spike had the most negligible impact on the border effects. Our results fill a gap in the study of the border effects of wheat under hole sowing cultivation for future researchers. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Straw returning to the field can reduce the use of chemical fertilizers and improve the utilization rate of chemical fertilizers on the basis of improving soil fertility. Straw resources can also be effectively utilized during this time. However, there is a different replacement rate of chemical fertilizer with straw return in China, due to the varying crop planting systems with the various soil fertility. In this study, a critical review was proposed to comprehensively analyze the replacement potential of chemical fertilizer by straw returning in field experiments. The data were collected from the published literature data of “CNKI” from 2000 to 2021 and 32 field experiments of straw returning to fields in Hubei Province from 2013 to 2021. The search keywords were set as “straw return”, “nitrogen (N) fertilizer”, “phosphorus (P) fertilizer”, “potassium (K) fertilizer”, and “fertilizer replacement and reduction”. The criteria for selecting data from the literature are as follows: 1) The study was conducted in China; 2) The experimental crop was rice, wheat, maize or oilseed rape; 3) The same experiment needed to include the paired treatment and control group. The treatment group was the chemical fertilization reduction with straw return, whereas, the control group was chemical fertilization without straw return. The rest experimental conditions of the treatment and control group were strictly consistent; 4) The level ranges of chemical fertilizer were 150-250 kg/hm² (N), 40-120 kg/hm² (P2O5), and 50-150 kg/hm² (K2O); 5) There were the clear starting and ending years of the experimental period; 6) The published data included the fertilizer amount, crop yield, basic physical and chemical properties of soil. Eventually, 487 published datasets were collected during the years 2000-2021, while, 641 experimental datasets from 32 field experiments that conducted in Hubei Province from 2013 to 2021. After that, the datasets were utilized to determine the proportion of N, P, and K fertilizer reduction by straw return for the major crops, in order to estimate the chemical fertilizer saving potential of straw return on a national scale. Specifically, the average replacement ratios of N, P, and K fertilizers by straw return were 12.2%, 23.9% and 43.5%, respectively. There was no significant difference in the replacement ratios by straw return among the crops. In rotation systems, the average replacement ratio of N and P fertilizer by straw return in the paddy-upland rotation system (e.g., rice monoculture and rice-oilseed rape rotation) were 5.0-12.9 and 18.0-24.8 percentage points higher than those in the upland rotation system (e.g., wheat-corn rotation and corn monoculture). In addition, the supply capacity of soil nutrients was an important influencing factor on the replacement reduction potential of chemical fertilizer (especially P and K fertilizer) by straw return. The reduction ratios of P and K fertilizer by straw return were 9.1-11.5 and 6.2-14.2 percentage points lower in soil with a high nutrient supply capacity than those with the low one, respectively. According to the planting area and fertilizer consumption of various crops in 2020, the national N, P2O5, and K2O fertilizer for the rice, wheat, maize, and oilseed rape seasons could have reduced by 239.48×104, 227.73×104 and 451.98×104 t, respectively, accounting for 12.6%, 25.0%, and 48.5% of the current N, P2O5 and K2O fertilizer consumptions. The total cost of chemical fertilizer was saved 478.98×108 Yuan per year by straw return. A large number of field experiments were implemented for the comprehensive analysis of the reduction potential of chemical fertilizer by straw return. The finding can provide the theoretical basis and data support for the high-use efficiency of chemical fertilizers for the major crops in China. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) thermal imaging can serve as an excellent platform to rapidly obtain the spatial distribution of crop canopy temperature (CT) for dynamic variable rate irrigation (VRI). This study aims to improve the spatial distribution accuracy of crop water deficit using UAV thermal imaging. A conversion model between SRGB and CT was established to clarify the effects of flight altitude and take-off time on the spatial distribution of CT. The experiment was conducted at the water and fertilizer integration experimental base in Dacaozhuang, Hebei Province of the North China Plain (36°28'12"N, 114°54'01"E). The UAV flight area was 1.78 ha under a three-span center-pivot irrigation system with an overhang. The experimental crops were taken as winter wheat and summer maize in 2022. Three procedures were used to determine the relationships between temperature and SRGB. Firstly, the temperature and SRGB were displayed in the nine single photos. Secondly, the temperature and SRGB were extracted as the black body from the nine different temperature values, and then their photos were captured with the thermal imaging camera. Thirdly, the CT was measured with the nine stationary infrared thermometers (IRTs) that were installed in the experimental field. As such, the SRGB was obtained in these locations by the UAV thermal imaging system. In the field test, the flight date was selected in sunny and windless weather and then started at 08:00, 11: 00, 14: 00 and 17:00 with a flight altitude of 70 m and a flight period of 20 min. The flight altitude was set as 70, 90, and 110 m, according to the cruising ability of the UAV. The flight date was chosen on May 22, May 28, and June 1 at the grain-filling stage for the winter wheat, whereas, the summer maize was on August 2, August 17, and September 13 from the twelfth leaf stage to the milk stage. The reason was that the crop canopy coverage posed some influence on the accuracy of CT during the thermal imaging system, in terms of take-off time in the experiments. The flight date was also selected on July 18, 19, and 20 at the sixth leaf stage of summer maize over different altitudes. The results indicated that there was a significant linear relationship between SRGB and CT. The highest accuracy was achieved in the temperature of the black body, with a determination coefficient of 0.98. The take-off time of UAV thermal imaging had a great influence on the spatial distribution of CT. The spatial variation of CT showed a weak degree of variation at the take-off time of 08:00 and 17:00. At the take-off time of 11:00 and 14:00, a moderate degree of variation was found with the greatest difference in the CT and the smallest total irrigation amount in the prescription map of VRI. During the growing season of winter wheat, the total irrigation amount at 11:00 was 11.8%, 5.8%, and 20.6% lower than that at 08:00, 14:00, and 17:00, respectively. The total irrigation amount of summer maize at 14:00 was 13.5%, 2.7%, and 18.9% lower than that at 08:00, 11:00, and 17:00, respectively. The image resolution decreased,as the flight height increased during UAV thermal imaging. The total irrigation amount at 90 and 110 m flight height was 6.1% and 12.1% higher than that at 70 m flight height, respectively. The highest CT was achieved in the winter wheat at 11:00-15:00 and the summer maize at 11:00-16:00, indicating the optimal flying time. The findings can provide technical support to the design accuracy of variable irrigation prescription maps for the winter wheat and summer maize in North China Plain using UAV thermal imaging system. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The article explores how the ancient practice of intercropping maize, beans, and squash known as the Three Sisters-reduces pest damage through plant teamwork. Topics discussed include how the plants attract beneficial insects, the challenges of replicating these benefits with other crops, and the role of volatile chemicals in pest control.

Cover crops are gaining traction in many agricultural regions, partly driven by increased public subsidies and by private markets for ecosystem services. These payments are motivated by environmental benefits, including improved soil health, reduced erosion, and increased soil organic carbon. However, previous work based on experimental plots or crop modeling indicates cover crops may reduce crop yields. It remains unclear, though, how recent cover crop adoption has affected productivity in commercial agricultural systems. Here we perform the first large‐scale, field‐level analysis of observed yield impacts from cover cropping as implemented across the US Corn Belt. We use validated satellite data products at sub‐field scales to analyze maize and soybean yield outcomes for over 90,000 fields in 2019–2020. Because we lack data on cover crop species or timing, we seek to quantify the yield impacts of cover cropping as currently practiced in aggregate. Using causal forests analysis, we estimate an average maize yield loss of 5.5% on fields where cover crops were used for 3 or more years, compared with fields that did not adopt cover cropping. Maize yield losses were larger on fields with better soil ratings, cooler mid‐season temperatures, and lower spring rainfall. For soybeans, average yield losses were 3.5%, with larger impacts on fields with warmer June temperatures, lower spring and late‐season rainfall, and, to a lesser extent, better soils. Estimated impacts are consistent with multiple mechanisms indicated by experimental and simulation‐based studies, including the effects of cover crops on nitrogen dynamics, water consumption, and soil oxygen depletion. Our results suggest a need to improve cover crop management to reduce yield penalties, and a potential need to target subsidies based on likely yield impacts. Ultimately, avoiding substantial yield penalties is important for realizing widespread adoption and associated benefits for water quality, erosion, soil carbon, and greenhouse gas emissions. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Errors in the generation of production maps can arise from many causes and are practically inevitable. Even though errors will occur, production data can be improved by following a few best practices. The primary methods for improving harvest data should always be the calibration and proper operation of the combine. In cases where this is not possible or where errors occur, the John Deere Operations Center offers data analysis tools through filtering, postcalibration, and improving the visualization of production maps. These practices will result in obtaining accurate data on which agronomic decisions can be made for subsequent farming years. Mapping productions using the John Deere S780i harvester combine and its associated systems provides the farmer with valuable information about their farm, which can be used to make informed and calculated decisions to increase overall productivity, sustainability, and profitability of the agricultural farm. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

It is also important to indicate the presence of wild or weed plant species; I Amaranthus hybridus i , I Chenopodium album i , I Chenopodium murale i , I Chenopodium vulvaria i , belonging to the Chenopodiaceae (Amaratnaceae) family that is naturally present in the region (Deghiche-Diab et al., 2016; Deghiche-Diab & Deghiche, 2016). First record of the sawfly Athalia cornubiae Benson, 1931 (Hymenoptera: Tenthredinidae) in the oasis of Ziban (Algerian Sahara) Athalia cornubiae Benson (Hymenoptera: Tenthredinidae: Allantinae), A sawfly genus and species new to North America. Notes on the British sawflies of the genus Athalia (Hymenoptera: Tenthredinidae), with the description of a new species. [Extracted from the article]

• Detection of water stress and earliness comparison between two indices (LST, PRI). • PRI j index derived to correct the effect of LAI on PRI measurement (R2 = 0.91). • PRI j was found to be significantly correlated with AWC (R2 = 0.85). • PRI j reflect the level of FAO-56 water stress coefficient (K s) with an R2 of 0.69. • PRI j is a new photoprotection index of winter wheat compared to Rn (R2 = 0.74). In semi-arid and arid regions, crops face elevated atmospheric demands and endure prolonged periods of moderate to severe water scarcity. In this context, this study investigated the effectiveness of the photochemical reflectance index (PRI) and a normalized surface temperature index (T norm) for proxy detection of the water stress of winter wheat crops. Furthermore, the potential of PRI for characterizing water, atmospheric or photo-inhibition stress, and wheat transpiration was assessed over experimental drip-irrigated crop fields in the Haouz plain, central Morocco. In practice, PRI observations were compared to agro-environmental variables such as Leaf Area Index (LAI), Available Water Content (AWC) at a root zone depth, net Radiation (R n), Vapor Pressure Deficit (VPD) and the wheat transpiration derived from sap flows, lysimeters and a crop water balance model. Due to the strong relationship between PRI and LAI (R2 = 0.91), another index named PRI j was derived to correct for this effect. The PRI j was found to be independent of structural effects related to LAI and significantly correlated with AWC (R2 = 0.85). Using the PRI j index, we can reflect the level of water stress experienced by the wheat field throughout the experiment with an R2 of 0.69 for a FAO-56 water stress coefficient (K s) of less than 1. Under dry conditions, for an AWC below 30%, the correlation between AWC and T norm gives an R2 of 0.29. However, comparison of PRI j with the T norm index showed that PRI j is an early water stress index and provides information on the state of the vegetation cover at all stages of wheat development. The study's findings can have a significant impact on the use of the PRI as a water stress indicator, helping in the optimal irrigation of crops. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study sought to characterize the transfer of agricultural organic inputs by macrofauna to the biogenic aggregate compartments of the soil and test the existence of a faecal food web process based on coprophagic feeding behaviours. In an experimental plantain crop field of Colombia, we applied the agroecological FBO (Fertilisation Bio Organique ®) technology, a nucleation technique which consists in planting perennial plants in 1.0 x 0.4 × 0.4 m deep trenches where low- and high-quality organic materials are added in a specific design, and endogeic earthworms are inoculated. We evaluated the effectiveness of Near Infrared Spectroscopy (NIRS) to track this flow of organic matter through different natural stages of decomposition represented by soil macroaggregates produced by soil macroinvertebrates as faecal pellets and casts. After one year, great part of the organic inputs had been either mineralized or incorporated into macroaggregates of different sizes and origins. Using NIRS and physicochemical laboratory analyses, we assessed the quality and quantity of organic matter in the different types of aggregates separated manually according to their origin: large biogenic aggregates (LBA), medium sized biogenic aggregates (MBA) and small biogenic aggregates (SBA); physical aggregates (PA), root aggregates (RA) and residual soil (RS). Earlier studies had shown that these structures were presumably formed by the activity of macroinvertebrates of three different functional groups, Diplopoda and Isopoda litter transformers for SBA, epidendogeic earthworms for MBA and mesohumic endogeic earthworms for LBA, organized in a feeding succession. A Coinertia analysis between showed significant covariation among the two sets of physico chemical (22 variables) and NIR spectral (100 different wavelength absorbances) characterization of 135 samples representative of the three classes of biogenic macroaggregates, physical aggregates and residual non macroaggregated soil, (RV = 0.55; p < 0.001). This analysis clearly separated biogenic structures and ranked them according to their size, from small SBA to medium sized MBA and large LBA. Physical PA aggregates and RS residual soil were projected close to the LBAs in the coinertia factorial plan. Multiple combinatorial data analysis CDA, associated 5 specific wavelength absorbance ranges with aggregate types and residual soil. Along the sequence from small to large biogenic aggregates, residual soil and physical aggregates, wavelengths associated to easily decomposed substrates (in ranges 1708–1716 nm; 1796–1948 and 2164–2316 nm) had progressively decreasing absorbances. Substrates associated to slowly decomposing aromatic, alkane and phenolic substrates either increased (1420–1436) or decreased (1284–1380) along this sequence. These results are compatible with the hypothesis of a progressive transformation and transfer of organic residues first into small biogenic aggregates that are presumably faecal pellets of Isopoda and Diplopoda, then to medium sized biogenic aggregates identified as casts of epiendogeic earthworms and finally to large biogenic aggregates expected to be the casts of the large endogeic earthworms present in these soils. A definitive verification of the hypothesis and the involvement of specific macroinvertebrates will require direct experimentation in controlled laboratory conditions. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Rice (Oryza sativa) is one of most consumed foods in the world, being of great economic importance for Colombians. Rice crops is commonly affected by pests, which requires the use of agrochemicals that also contaminate the environment and harm human health. The aim of this study was to evaluate the impact of aqueous extracts from Azadiracta indica leaves, a plant known for its repellent function, on insect populations in an experimental rice crop in vegetative phase. The treatments of the rice ice plots were done with three aqueous dissolutions prepared from A. indica leaves (T1 = 5 %, T2 = 10 %, T3 = 20 %); also, a negative control (T4 = 0 %) was used. Sampling of the insect population was carried out weekly in order to check the efficacy of the extracts. A total of 7418 individuals belonging to 12 orders were processed. Diptera (2720) was the most representative order, followed by Hemiptera (1854), and Coleoptera (1045). No significant pests were found. Delphacidae was the most abundant family (92 individuals were captured). An efficacy of 74% was observed in the third treatment (T3). It was concluded that the use of A. indica had a controlling effect on the insect population of the crop. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Understanding pest evolution in agricultural systems is crucial for developing effective and innovative pest control strategies. Types of cultivation, such as crop monocultures versus polycultures or crop rotation, may act as a selective pressure on pests' capability to exploit the host's resources. In this study, we examined the herbivorous mite Aceria tosichella (commonly known as wheat curl mite), a widespread wheat pest, to understand how fluctuating versus stable environments influence its niche breadth and ability to utilize different host plant species. We subjected a wheat‐bred mite population to replicated experimental evolution in a single‐host environment (either wheat or barley), or in an alternation between these two plant species every three mite generations. Next, we tested the fitness of these evolving populations on wheat, barley, and on two other plant species not encountered during experimental evolution, namely rye and smooth brome. Our results revealed that the niche breadth of A. tosichella evolved in response to the level of environmental variability. The fluctuating environment expanded the niche breadth by increasing the mite's ability to utilize different plant species, including novel ones. Such an environment may thus promote flexible host‐use generalist phenotypes. However, the niche expansion resulted in some costs expressed as reduced performances on both wheat and barley as compared to specialists. Stable host environments led to specialized phenotypes. The population that evolved in a constant environment consisting of barley increased its fitness on barley without the cost of utilizing wheat. However, the population evolving on wheat did not significantly increase its fitness on wheat, but decreased its performance on barley. Altogether, our results indicated that, depending on the degree of environmental heterogeneity, agricultural systems create different conditions that influence pests' niche breadth evolution, which may in turn affect the ability of pests to persist in such systems. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Several black to brown colored spots especially on leaf lamina were noticed on the potato crop at an experimental field of Banaras Hindu University, Varanasi (India) during 2015. Such symptoms were reported as brown spot of potato caused by Alternaria alternata elsewhere in the world. To understand the extent of such symptoms, a roving survey was carried out during the 2016 cropping season in thirteen districts of Uttar Pradesh and two districts of Bihar and the presence of brown spot symptom across the region with the percent disease index (PDI) ranging from 17.77 to 40.00% was observed. Forty isolates obtained from surveyed locations grouped into four categories viz., non-pathogenic (10), low pathogenic (09), moderately pathogenic (08) and highly pathogenic (13) based on the pathogenicity test. However, morphologies of 30 pathogenic isolates were found to be similar with A. alternata. The identity of those 30 isolates was further confirmed by PCR using A. alternata specific primers. On the other hand, phylogenetic analysis of rDNA sequence of 13 pathogenic isolates from the present study and published sequences of A. alternata and other related fungi retrieved from GenBank, NCBI has confirmed the identity of brown spot of potato from the surveyed location as Alternaria alternata. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The impacts of drought on agricultural production is a hot topic in agrometeorological research field. Soybean is an important economic crop. Clarifying its responses and adaptation characteristics to drought would be helpful to predict the soybean yields and improve agricultural production technology under global climate change. Therefore, authors conduct water control experiments in the scientific observing and experimental station of crop cultivation in northeast China. The soybean cultivar "Liaodou 15" was used and the drought and rewatering control experiments were conducted. At the flowering and full seed stage, the light drought (relative soil moisture 65%±5%), heavy drought (relative soil moisture 50%±5%), and control (relative soil moisture 80%±5%) treatments were set, respectively and the treatments lasted for 7, 14 and 21 days, respectively. After the droughts, the rewatering treatments were conducted to make the relative soil moisture recover to the control level. When the water stress reached the set levels, the indexes including contents of soluble protein, malondialdehyde (MDA) and the activities of superoxide dismutase (SOD) and peroxidase (POD) in the leaves were measured. These indices were also measured on the seventh day after rewatering to clarify the effects of drought and the compensation effects of rewatering. The results showed that the contents of soluble protein, malondialdehyde (MDA) and the activity of peroxidase (POD) increased significantly under light and heavy drought conditions at the flowering stage. The activity of superoxide dismutase (SOD) increased significantly under light drought condition. At the full seed stage, the soluble protein content, MDA content and SOD activity increased, but the POD activity decreased significantly. Rewatering showed compensation effects on soluble protein content, MDA content and SOD activity of soybean leaves, but did not show obvious compensation effect on POD. In conclusion, drought would probably induce peroxidation damage to soybean leaves, represented by the increase of antioxidant enzyme and osmotic regulation substance content. Rewatering can alleviate the peroxidation damage caused by drought, showing different degrees of compensation effect. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Wheat (Triticum aestivum) is an important food crop grown all over the world, its production is decreasing day after day due to fungal attacks. Present experimental investigation was designed with an aim to synthesize organic fungicide to control these pathogens in future. Therefore, focus of present manuscript was to isolate the fungal strains of Puccinia striiformis tritici causes rust disease of wheat. Morocco as a check was grown in field conditions favorable for fungal growth on 24 November (2020). Experimental plants were inoculated with fungal strains P. striiformis RR01 at stages 55 to 65 according to Zadok scale. Fungal strains (RR-01) were isolated from the experimental crop after the appearance of symptoms of leaf rust disease and were processed further for identification. Identification was done microscopically confirming that the isolated strains belong to Puccinia. Further molecular analysis of RR-01 also confirmed that isolates have close resemblance with the Puccinia striiformis. Identified sequences of the strains were submitted to NCBI which were assigned the accession number for more confirmation dendrogram were also prepared. After complete identification, infected dried leaves were kept in envelopes as rust is biotrophic fungi, while fungal spores were also stored as glycerol stocks. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Agriculture and plant cultivation has been and will continue to be a vital field of human activity, since the beginning of mankind, agriculture has been part of man's daily life. Man instead looked for methods, mechanisms and technologies to ease the work and capitalize on the biological potential of cultivated crops. As a result, this field, which is a science in and of itself, has had a constant need for advancement and knowledge. The transition from manual tools to modern, self-guiding machines and from manual grain harvesting to the creation of true mobile processing factories known as generic combine harvesters makes this technological advancement represent a true revolution of modern technologies, integrated in the most important activity sector of humanity, agriculture. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Wheat (Triticum aestivum L.) is the among the first three agroeconomic important crop plants, with a high carbohydrate and protein content in grains. In this study, 80 cultivars, from the VGRB germplasm collection, were phenotypes in field experiments. Morphological traits were observed on the harvest spike prior to threshing. Awn roughness will be assessed visually and by sliding one's finger along the central part of the awn in the direction from top to bottom. Flowering dates will be retrieved from digitized records of VGRB propagation cycles. Accessions were evaluated in 2020/2021 field trials under a randomized block experimental design. Among the measured phenotypic records there are traits as germination rate, flowering time, disease resistance and yield. Results indicate that VRGB germplasm contains a wide variety of genotypes that have a high agronomical value. This germplasm could be used in future breeding programs. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Software engineering is a systematic approach that allows traceability of programming-oriented projects in the multiple paradigms that can be written, thus allowing the orderly planning of information flows and algorithms to reach the desired result through of the implementation of a robust and systematic methodology. On the other hand, the Indoor trend is a technological concept that has evolved with the entry of the 21st century, with the aim of promoting urban, peri-urban and rural agriculture. This concept creates agriculture anywhere from a department to a greenhouse. The present work presents the results of a research in software engineering referred to the design of a mini-PFAL, technified with multiple layers of software for the control of growth parameters in experimental lettuce crops, such as light intensity, temperature, humidity, light spectrum frequency, irrigation control, etc. The design strategies for the creation of the software architecture at its different levels are described, applying the software design methodology. The structure of the design process is ordered from the requirements analysis to the interface design, with them the final product reported is a PFAL IoT system that is interconnected via Bluetooth and WiFi with the SmartPhone, in turn via USB port to a GUI Visual Studio application, having a WareHouse data that administrates the information of the variables in a local database which manages the information on a SharePoint page that in turn, links with Access, having a Dashboard to directly control crop growth remotely, thus having an intelligent PFAL system for growing vegetable crops in vertical format. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]