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China’s vegetation ecosystem has undergone profound changes, and there is an urgent need to explore the mechanisms behind vegetation changes in different ecological sub-regions and historical periods across China. Based on NDVI (normalized difference vegetation index) data, this study analyzed the spatial and temporal evolution patterns and driving mechanisms of six ecological sub-regions in China. The results showed that: (1) over the past 20 years, the vegetation coverage in mainland China showed a decreasing trend from east to west. (2) Over the past 20 years, the vegetation coverage of the six ecological sub-regions showed an increasing trend, with the highest increase in Central Southern China (0.0039) and the lowest increase in East China (0.002). (3) The gravity center of Northeast China showed a trend of migration to the northwest. The gravity center of North China, East China, and Central South China showed a trend of migration to the southwest, while that of Northwest and Southwest China showed a trend of migration to the southeast. (4) During the period from 2000 to 2020, vegetation cover levels showed an upward trend. (5) The lag time of vegetation types in different regions was different. (6) Precipitation was the dominant influencing factor in the evolution of vegetation in Northeast China, North China, Northwest China, and Southwest China. The dominant influencing factors of vegetation evolution in East China were land use and GDP (gross domestic product), while the dominant influencing factors of vegetation evolution in Central South China were precipitation and land use. Full article

Spirulina is a highly nutritious microalgae commonly used as a food additive. During fermentation, different adjuncts are incorporated to act as a nutrient source for yeast and fortify or modify the sensory attributes of the final product. In this study, the effect of Spirulina on the characteristics of controlled yeast fermentation and the production of volatile organic compounds (VOCs) was analyzed. Spirulina was added to malted barley during mashing and fermented under standard conditions. An unaltered mash (negative control) and yeast extract (positive control) were also fermented. The addition of Spirulina resulted in an increased fermentation rate (~14% faster) and bigger yeast cells (~34% larger) in comparison to the negative control. There were differences in color (determined as SRM) between treatments; however, there were only minor differences in VOCs, with no statistical differences observed between chemical compound groups. No differences were observed in the pH, total number of yeast cells, or final attenuation between treatments. The primary mechanism for the observed differences is believed to be an increase in amino acids available to yeast that were contributed by the Spirulina. This shows both that Spirulina has a high potential as a fermentation adjunct and that the amino acid profile of an adjunct can significantly impact fermentation. Full article

Down syndrome (DS) is caused by trisomy of chromosome 21 and is associated with characteristic features of appearance, intellectual impairment to varying degrees, organ defects, and health problems typical of this syndrome. Studies on the frequency of consumption of food products in this group show many irregularities, in particular too low consumption of vegetables and fruits, wholegrain cereal products and dairy products, and excessive consumption of meat products and sweets. It is necessary to correct eating habits. The diets of people with trisomy 21 should be consistent with the recommendations of rational nutrition for the general population and take into account specific dietary modifications related to the occurrence of diseases and health problems characteristic of this syndrome. Full article

Abandoned mine drainage treatment ponds could have contrasting effects on the reproductive success of birds living in the vicinity. The ponds and associated vegetation may, like any other body of freshwater, provide beneficial habitats for the insects that the birds use to feed their young; or instead, the ponds may act as an ecological trap, attracting the birds to a habitat that is poor in quality and negatively impacting their productivity. We monitored nests of an aerial insectivore, the Tree Swallow (Tachycineta bicolor), to determine whether the distance between the ponds and the nests affected various reproductive parameters including clutch size, hatch rate, number of nestlings, nestling size and mass, number of fledglings, fledging rate, and fledge date. Data were collected over two breeding seasons (2022 and 2023) from a swallow population in southwestern Pennsylvania, USA. We found that the nests closest to the treatment ponds had significantly more nestlings and fledglings, earlier fledge dates, and a better fledging rate when compared to nests that were more distant from the ponds. However, all these parameters were well below previously published values, which suggests that the mine drainage ponds provide good nesting habitats relative to what is available in the region but that they do not represent high-quality habitats for this species overall. Full article

In recent years, there has been increasing interest in developing novel materials based on natural biopolymers as a renewable alternative to petroleum-based plastics. The availability of proteins derived from agricultural by-products, along with their favourable properties, has fostered a renewed interest in protein-based materials, promoting research in innovative technologies. In this study, we propose the use of rapeseed protein-rich meal as the main ingredient for the preparation of novel sustainable materials combining excellent environmental properties such as biodegradability and renewability. The application of sustainable products in the present high-tech society requires the modification of the basic native properties of these natural compounds. The original route proposed in this paper consists of preparation via the compression moulding of flexible biomaterials stabilized by crosslinkers/chain extenders. An investigation of the effects of different denaturing and disulfide bond reducing agents, crosslinkers, and preparation conditions on the material mechanical behaviour demonstrated that the novel materials have appreciable strength and stiffness. The results show the potential of utilizing full meal from vegetable by-products to prepare protein-based materials with guaranteed ecofriendly characteristics and mechanical properties adequate for specific structural applications. Full article

The increasing population, its requirements for food, and the environmental impact of the excessive use of inputs make crop production a pressing challenge. Integrated nutrient management (INM) has emerged as a critical solution by maximizing nutrient availability and utilization for crops and vegetables. This review paper highlights the potential benefits of INM for various vegetables and field crops and explores the conceptual strategies, components, and principles underlying this approach. Studies have shown that a wide range of vegetables and field crops benefit from INM, in terms of increased yield and improvements in yield attributes, nutrient contents and uptake, growth parameters, and various physiological and biochemical characteristics. This paper discusses biostimulants, their categories, and their impact on plant propagation, growth, photosynthesis, seed germination, fruit set, and quality. Additionally, this review explores modern sustainable soilless production techniques such as hydroponics, aeroponics, and aquaponics. These cultivation methods highlight the advancements of controlled-environment agriculture (CEA) and its contribution to nutrient management, food security and minimizing the environmental footprint. The review concludes by proposing methods and fostering discussions on INM’s future development, while acknowledging the challenges associated with its adoption. Finally, this review emphasizes the substantial evidence supporting INM as a novel and ecologically sound strategy for achieving sustainable agricultural production worldwide. Full article

(1) Background: Chayote [Sechium edule Jacq. (Sw.)] is a non-traditional export product; recently, demand has increased due to its nutritional and functional properties. There is a wide diversity of varietal groups (VGs) within this species. Despite this, only virens levis and nigrum spinosum varieties are commercialized on a large scale, while the rest are underutilized and poorly studied, so the genetic pool of this species is at risk. (2) Methods: The following variables were evaluated in the fruits of 10 chayote groups of varieties: shape, size, weight, stomatal frequency (SF), stoma size, stomatal index (SI), color index (CO*), pigments, titratable acidity (TA), total soluble solids (TSS), total sugars and moisture content. In addition, the postharvest behavior of the ten VGs stored at room temperature and the effect of 1-MCP on fruit quality during cold storage were evaluated. (3) Results: The groups a. minor and n. minor showed rapid weight loss, the albus varieties showed high epidermis oxidation, while v. levis, n. maximum, n. spinosum and n. xalapensis were susceptible to viviparity, blisters and fungal incidence. 1-MCP prevented chilling injury (CI) and weight loss. (4) Conclusions: The diversity of postharvest characteristics allows the use of VGs for different uses such as a fresh fruit, agroindustrial transformation or mixing with other vegetables. Full article

Phenology and photosynthetic capacity both regulate carbon uptake by vegetation. Previous research investigating the impact of phenology on vegetation productivity has focused predominantly on the start and end of growing seasons (SOS and EOS), leaving the influence of peak phenology metrics—particularly in typical climatic transition zones—relatively unexplored. Using a 24-year (2000–2023) enhanced vegetation index (EVI) dataset from the Moderate Resolution Imaging Spectroradiometer (MODIS), we extracted and examined the spatiotemporal variation for peak of season (POS) and peak growth (defined as EVI_max) of forest vegetation in the Funiu Mountain region, China. In addition to quantifying the factors influencing the peak phenology metrics, the relationship between vegetation productivity and peak phenological metrics (POS and EVI_max) was investigated. Our findings reveal that POS and EVI_max showed advancement and increase, respectively, negatively and positively correlated with vegetation productivity. This suggested that variations in EVI_max and peak phenology both increase vegetation productivity. Our analysis also showed that EVI_max was heavily impacted by precipitation, whereas SOS had the greatest effect on POS variation. Our findings highlighted the significance of considering climate variables as well as biological rhythms when examining the global carbon cycle and phenological shifts in response to climate change. Full article

In many European countries over the last few decades, arable fields dominate agricultural landscapes, leading to very intensive land-use practices. This seems to be the main cause of population declines for numerous farmland species, including the European brown hare (Lepus europaeus Pallas, 1778). The Research Institute for Animal Production (National Agricultural and Food Centre—NPPC, Luzianky, Slovakia) has been engaged in a long monitoring project (a project currently running), collecting certain indicators of brown hare population dynamics during hunting season from 1987 to 2023 in the Slovak Danubian Lowland. In the same macro-area (Čiližská Radvaň and Lehnice), a study was conducted on the influence of permanent semi-natural vegetation in relation to recruitment, population density and production. The entire monitored period was aggregated into 5-year intervals (for a total of seven time intervals), with the aim of analyzing the brown hare population dynamics. Spring hare density in the Danubian Lowland is currently 20.8 hares/km², with harvests of 4.6 hares/km². During the monitoring period, bag animals have been examined following the regular hunting operations for the purpose of age determination (weight of eye lenses), sex ratio and productivity. There was a large positive effect of set-aside with special mixtures created for hares in large-scale farmed agrarian landscapes on brown hare density, bag and recruitment. In-model hunting grounds with such set-asides increased the spring stock by 25%, bag by 100% and recruitment by 20%. This study reveals that the management of European brown hare is not sustainable in the Slovak Danubian Lowland, and the population is decreasing. This is proven through the decline in harvest brown hares and by population dynamic parameters. Our data suggest that improvements in the habitat quality of arable landscapes by the adoption of permanent semi-natural vegetation may be more effective in the increase in the brown hare population. Full article

Savannas play a key role in estimating emissions. Climate change has impacted the Cerrado savanna carbon balance. We used the burned area product and long-term field inventories on post-fire vegetation regrowth to estimate the impact of the fire on greenhouse gas emissions and net carbon dioxide (CO₂) emissions in the Cerrado savanna between 1985 and 2020. We estimated the immediate emissions from fires, CO₂ emissions by plant mortality, and CO₂ removal from vegetation regrowth. The burned area was 29,433 km²; savanna fires emitted approximately 2,227,964 Gg of CO₂, 85,057 Gg of CO, 3010 Gg of CH₄, 5,103 Gg of NO_x, and 275 Gg of N₂O. We simulated vegetation regrowth according to three fire regime scenarios: extreme (high fire frequency and short fire interval), intermediate (medium fire frequency and medium fire interval), and moderate (low fire frequency and long fire interval). Under the extreme and intermediate scenarios, the vegetation biomass decreased by 2.0 and 0.4% (ton/ha-year), while the biomass increased by 2.1% under a moderate scenario. We converted this biomass into CO₂ and showed that the vegetation regrowth removed 63.5% of the total CO₂ emitted (2,355,426 Gg), indicating that the Cerrado savanna has been a source of CO₂ to the atmosphere. Full article

The brown marmorated stink bug Halyomorpha halys (Stål, 1855), native to East Asia, is an extremely polyphagous pest that infests more than 300 plant species from 49 families. In Europe and North America, this pest causes enormous damage to the production of economically important crops (tree fruit, vegetables, field crops, and ornamental plants). Global warming favours its spread, as the rise in temperature results in the appearance of further generations of the pest. Halyomorpha halys (nymph and adult) causes damage typical of the Pentatomidae family by attacking host plants throughout their development (buds, stems, fruits, and pods). Ripe fruits are often disfigured, and later suberification and necrotic spots form on the fruit surface, making them accessible to plant pathogens that cause fruit rot and rendering them unmarketable. The increasing global importance of the pest suggests that more coordinated measures are needed to contain its spread. Understanding the biology and ecology of this species is crucial for the development of reliable monitoring and management strategies. Most insecticides available for the control of H. halys have a broad spectrum of modes of action and are not compatible with most integrated pest management systems, so biological control by natural enemies has recently been emphasised. Preventing excessive population growth requires early identification and effective control measures that can be developed quickly and applied rapidly while respecting the environment. This paper presents a comprehensive review of the latest findings on the global distribution of this important pest, its potential spread, biology and ecology, key host plants of economic importance, monitoring methods, and effective biological control strategies, as well as future perspectives for sustainable H. halys control measures. Full article

Rapid global urbanization and its progress have profoundly affected urban vegetation. The ecological quality of urban vegetation is a vital indicator of regional ecological stability and health. A comprehensive assessment of the coupling coordination and coercive relationship between urbanization and the vegetation ecological quality is essential for promoting sustainable regional green development. Using the rapidly urbanizing Guangdong–Hong Kong–Macao Greater Bay Area (GBA) urban agglomeration in China as an example, this study evaluates the vegetation quality condition and the level of urbanization and explores the dynamic relationship between vegetation ecological quality and urbanization processes. This study introduces the vegetation ecological quality index (VEQI) based on net primary productivity (NPP) and fractional vegetation cover (FVC), as well as the comprehensive urbanization index (CUI) derived from gross domestic production (GDP), population density, and nighttime lighting data. The coupling coordination and Tapio decoupling models are employed to assess the degree of coupling coordination and the decoupling relationship between the VEQI and CUI across different periods. The results showed that (1) from 2000 to 2020, the VEQI in the GBA showed a significant increase, accompanied by continuous urbanization, particularly evident with the high CUI values in central areas; (2) the coupling coordination degree (CCD) exhibits high values and significant change slopes in the central GBA, indicating dynamic interactions between urbanization and vegetation ecological quality; (3) the decoupling states between the VEQI and CUI are dominated by weak decoupling (WD), strong decoupling (SD), expansive negative decoupling (END), and expansive coupling (EC), suggesting improvements in the relationship between urbanization and vegetation ecological quality; (4) the coordinated development level of the VEQI and CUI in the study area shows improvement, and their decoupling relationship displays a positive trend. Nevertheless, it remains crucial to address the impact of urbanization pressure on vegetation ecological quality and to implement proactive measures in response. The results of this study provide theoretical support for mesoscale development planning, monitoring vegetation ecological conditions, and formulating environmental policies. Full article

Tomato (Solanum lycopersicum L.) is widely grown in the tropics, where its production is subjected to heavy disease losses. A goal of tomato breeders is genetic improvement of early maturity genotypes with higher fruit quality under challenging environmental conditions, such as the presence of multiple pathogens, is the goal of tomato breeders. In Mexico, tomato is one of the main exported vegetables, grown in most of the northwestern states of the country, with the state of Sinaloa as one of the largest producers. In this study, we evaluated fruit quality parameters in 16 tomato hybrids (14 hybrids under development in Sinaloa and 2 as commercial lines), which were previously analyzed with molecular markers to detect gene resistance. The hybrids were harvested at the “red ripe” stage at three different harvest dates. Total soluble solids (TSS), titratable acidity, pH, color, firmness, and the TSS/acidity ratio were evaluated. Of the 16 hybrids analyzed, 2 showed the presence of genes for resistance to TYLCV, 7 for resistance to TSWV and Fol race 3, 15 for resistance to Fol race 2, and all 16 for resistance to Fol race l. Results show that most of the tomato hybrids analyzed during the three harvest dates met market standards reported in the USDA’s fresh tomato import regulations and Mexico Supreme Quality 2005 (MCS Mexico Calidad Suprema for its acronym in Spanish). However, two of the advanced developmental hybrids better met the market requirements and are also maturing early. Full article

Flowering, the transition from the vegetative to the reproductive stage, is vital for reproductive success, affecting forage quality, the yield of aboveground biomass, and seed production in alfalfa. To explore the transcriptomic profile of alfalfa flowering transition, we compared gene expression between shoot apices (SAs) at the vegetative stage and flower buds (FBs) at the reproductive stage by mRNA sequencing. A total of 3,409 DEGs were identified, and based on gene ontology (GO), 42.53% of the most enriched 15 processes were associated with plant reproduction, including growth phase transition and floral organ development. For the former category, 79.1% of DEGs showed higher expression levels in SA than FB, suggesting they were sequentially turned on and off at the two test stages. For the DEGs encoding the components of circadian rhythm, sugar metabolism, phytohormone signaling, and floral organ identity genes, 60.71% showed higher abundance in FB than SA. Among them, MsAP1, an APETALA1 (AP1) homolog of Arabidopsis thaliana, showed high expression in flower buds and co-expressed with genes related to flower organ development. Moreover, ectopic expression of MsAP1 in Arabidopsis resulted in dwarfism and early flowering under long-day conditions. The MsAP1-overexpression plant displayed morphological abnormalities including fused whorls, enlarged pistils, determinate inflorescence, and small pods. In addition, MsAP1 is localized in the nucleus and exhibits significant transcriptional activity. These findings revealed a transcriptional regulation network of alfalfa transition from juvenile phase to flowering and provided genetic evidence of the dual role of MsAP1 in flowering and floral organ development. Full article

Biogas digestate is increasingly used in organic farming to improve soil nutrient supply and sustainably increase yields. However, biogas digestate can also lead to environmentally relevant N₂O emissions. The benefits, opportunities, and risks associated with the use of digestate as a fertilizer in organic farming are a subject of ongoing debate, in part due to a lack of conclusive experimental results. A field trial conducted in southern Germany examined the short-term and long-term impacts of digestate fertilization on winter wheat yield, nitrogen use efficiency, and N₂O-N emissions. The four-year results from the years 2019 to 2022 are presented. Digestate was applied with a nitrogen input of up to 265 kg ha⁻¹, with 129 kg ha⁻¹ NH₄⁺-N. The application of digestate resulted in a significant increase in wheat yield, with an average increase of 53% (2019) to 83% (2022) compared to the unfertilized control. It is notable that the treatment applied for the first time did not reach the yield of the long-term fertilized treatment, with a yield gap of 0.5 to 1.2 Mg ha⁻¹ (6% to 15%). The highest N₂O-N emissions (up to 3.30 kg ha⁻¹) in the vegetation period from spring to autumn were measured in the long-term fertilized treatment. However, very high N₂O-N emissions (up to 3.72 kg ha⁻¹) also occurred in two years in winter in the unfertilized treatment. An increase in soil inorganic N stocks and N₂O-N emissions was observed following the wheat harvest and subsequent tillage in all treatments. No significant differences were identified between the fertilizer treatments with regard to product-related emissions. The experimental results demonstrate that N₂O-N emissions are not solely a consequence of N fertilization, but can also be attributed to tillage, post-harvest practices, and previous crops, with considerable variability depending on weather conditions. The experimental data provide comprehensive insight into the influence of cultivation, soil characteristics, and meteorological conditions on N₂O-N emissions at an agricultural site in southern Germany. Full article