Soil salinization represents a major challenge for agriculture, severely limiting plant growth. At present, over 1,000 million hectares are threatened by this phenomenon, aggravated by climate change and human practices such as excessive irrigation. This problem leads to a drop in agricultural yields and threatens food security. It is crucial to develop sustainable agricultural strategies, including adapted management practices and innovative solutions to mitigate the effects of salinization. This study explores the potential of combined cultivation of Ceratonia siliqua L. (carob) and Spergularia salina J.Presl as a strategy for enhancing growth in a saline environment. Four levels of NaCl concentration were applied, ranging from 0 mM/L to 257 mM/L. Key parameters assessed included soil electrical conductivity, morphological parameters, as well as various physiological and biochemical indicators of stress. The results show that the combination of Ceratonia siliqua and Spergularia salina significantly improves the salt tolerance of carob plants compared with monoculture, as evidenced by the marked difference in the parameters measured. The findings of the study suggest that the associated cultivation of Ceratonia siliqua and Spergularia salina could represent a sustainable solution for maintaining agricultural productivity in saline environments. Indeed, this method not only proves to be effective in improving crop resilience to salt stress, but also offers significant benefits for sustainable soil management.

Combining Conservation Agriculture (CA) and Integrated Farming Systems (IFSs) can be both a powerful approach and tool for promoting and regenerating environmental sustainability in drylands. Such a combination can include (i) the integration of various agricultural activities like crops, livestock, and trees within a single CA farm; (ii) the creation of a closed-loop system where waste from one component becomes an input for another; and (iii) the promotion of circularity practices like using livestock manure as fertilizer for CA crops. The most relevant benefits for drylands are (i) increased nutrient cycling and reduced reliance on external inputs; (ii) improved farm biodiversity and resilience; and (iii) potential for additional income streams from livestock or trees. When combined, CA and IFSs offer even greater benefits: i) excess crop residues from CA can be used as feed or bedding for livestock in IFSs; (ii) manure from livestock in IFS can be composted and used as fertilizer for crops in CA, reducing reliance on synthetic fertilizers; and (iii) the improved soil health from CA benefits both crops and trees in IFS. For successful integration, challenges to consider are private and public investments for simultaneously adopting CA and IFSs, thorough changes in traditional practices and mental settings, the development of research and extension efforts, increased and continuous support and motivation to farmers, and strengthening and downscaling government policies that can play a role in incentivizing the adoption of CA and IFS for sustainable agriculture and food security.

Soils with greater microbial diversity are generally considered healthier. Cover crops are used to diversify the cropping system, providing various benefits to the agricultural system. After cutting, these crops are sometimes incorporated into the soil and other times left on the surface. This study aimed to evaluate the effects of deposition methods (left on the soil surface or incorporated into the soil) for sunn hemp Crotalaria juncea (CJ) after cutting on soil microbial diversity. A field experiment was conducted with the following treatments in three replications: CJ incorporated (INC), CJ left on the soil surface (SUP), and a control with spontaneous vegetation (CTL). Later, the plots were sown with grain sorghum (MG2220). Soil samples from the 0-10 cm layer were collected 19, 52, and 80 days after CJ cutting and analyzed for microbial diversity. In the first sampling collection, the bacterial diversity in the INC and SUP groups was significantly higher than in the CTL group, likely due to the input of carbon and nitrogen from CJ, stimulating bacterial growth and diversity. However, there was no initial effect on soil fungal diversity. In the second sampling collection, the bacterial diversity in the INC group, the only treatment group that did not receive topdressing with urea (CO(NH₂)₂), was approximately double that of the other treatments, while the fungal diversity remained without significant differences between treatments. Finally, in the third sampling collection, there was no difference between treatments for bacterial or fungal diversity. It was concluded that, for up to 19 days, CJ residues stimulated bacterial diversity. Urea nitrogen topdressing negatively influenced bacterial diversity. At 80 days after CJ cutting, the bacterial diversity decreased compared to the first sampling round, and the fungal diversity was not significantly affected by the treatments evaluated.

Poor phosphorus use efficiency of applied fertilizers due to low phosphorus availability is a considerable factor contributing to low maize productivity in Pakistan. Phosphorus use efficiency can be enhanced by phosphorus application through band placement and phosphorus seed coating to increase phosphorus uptake. Thus, keeping in view this fact, an experiment was performed at the Agronomic Research Area, University of Agriculture Faisalabad, to evaluate the effect of different sources and application methods of phosphoric fertilizers on autumn planted maize, in 2017. The derformance of Di-ammonium Phosphate (DAP) and Single Super Phosphate (SSP) was evaluated under two application methods (Seed Coating and Band Placement) alone and in combination. Experiment was arranged in a randomized complete block design and replicated three times with a plot size of 3 m × 6 m. Results revealed that the application of phosphorus through seed coating and band placement significantly increased the maize yield. Maximum grain yield (7.72 t ha^-1), biological yield (19.33 t ha^-1), cob length (18.80 cm), number of grains per cob (382.9), plant height at maturity (230.0 cm), 1000-grain weight (260.3 g) and grain protein contents (9.55%) were recorded where phosphorus was applied through Single Super Phosphate seed coating and Single Super Phosphate band placement. Therefore, it is concluded that seed coating with Single Super Phosphate + band placement of Single Super Phosphate would be a better phosphorus use efficiency management strategy for the farming community in order to enhance maize production.

The present study discusses the currently accessible modern farming system under changing climate scenarios. Traditionally, plants are grown in open farming methods but climate change, urbanization, industrialization, and population growth have raised concerns about global food insecurity issues. Studies have reported that it would be difficult to provide enough food supply to the growing population using open-field farming systems. Therefore, we should change the farming pattern by introducing precision agriculture tools in traditional agriculture. Soilless farming is the modern practice of crop growing exclusive of the support of soil by providing water and solid particles as a rooting medium in an artificial supporting system. It is mainly practiced with two methods including solid media and water culture. Solid media is described as the growing of plants in a solid organic or inorganic media such as woodchips, barks, fleece, peat moss, sawdust, marc, and coco peat. The inorganic substrate includes zeolite, vermiculite, gravel, rock wool, sand, glass wool, etc. The water culture is different than solid media, where crops are grown in a water-rich solution. In the system, the plant's roots are continually or interval soaked or flooded with/ in the solution. The upper parts of plants are put above supporting trays of growth boxes. Hydroponics, aquaponics, and aeroponics are the three types of water culture. This study found that soilless farming is cost-effective, higher yields, and quicker harvests from smaller areas of land than soil-based farming. Furthermore, it can provide many benefits; including it can deal with growing food issues and rapid climate variations for competent consumption of existing natural sources. Also, the method is suggested to be practiced in those regions having less arable land, rapid environmental changes, and increasing food challenges with the indigenous population.

Tobacco is one of the most important economic crops worldwide for mainly producing cigarettes, accompanying with millions of tons of tobacco wastes in agricultural fields every year. Owing to the increasing concerns for human health and agricultural ecology, tobacco wastes containing the bioactive compounds such as nicotine are commonly recognized to be hazardous and urgently required to be handled carefully. Therefore, the full utilization of tobacco wastes seems to be an ideal goal for not only avoiding their negative effects but also providing the sustainable resources. The microwave-assisted hydrothermal treatment is proposed to be the first solution for extracting the carbohydrate from the wasted leaves and stalks. A high efficiency more than 90% and solid content higher than 50 g/L could be achieved at 120-130 ^oC in only 20 min. The preliminary economic analysis shows 10 times benefit of the crude carbohydrate output compared with the consumption of energy input. Specifically, the carbohydrate could be also used as the coating material for promoting the germination of wheat seeds. Then pyrolysis is proposed to be the second solution for transforming the residual biomass solid into high-value aromatic compounds and by-products biochar. A relatively high level of phenols and even some benzenes that are difficult to generate could be obtained after the hydrothermal treatment of tobacco wastes. More interestingly, the introduction of seawater would result in the preferred production of benzenes and phenols in all identified compounds, which may be attributed to the facilitation of chloride element. These products should be separated by distillation technology for further industrial usage. The by-product biochar could be also employed in adsorbing environmental contaminant and other applications. These solutions may pave the way for sustainable agricultural development.

The toxicity of nanomaterials for plants is an important issue in the agricultural field. Single-walled carbon nanotubes (SWCNTs) have a small diameter of about 2 nm, and they are toxic for single cells of plants. To reduce the toxicity of SWCNTs, there is a method of filling of SWCNTs. The filling of SWCNTs encompasses the loading of their the inner spaces with different substances. The physics of filled SWCNTs defines their toxicity. First, the microstructure of the filled SWCNT is an important point. Second, the electronic properties of the filled SWCNT is also a significant point. The microstructure and electronic properties of the filled substances are different from the bulk. They should be studied in order to reveal their differences and to model the properties of the filled nanomaterials. It is known that the band structures of the encapsulated substances with one-dimensional atomic structures are very different from three-dimensional band structures. These differences lead to new electronic structures with doping and Fermi-level variations. Here, cobalt iodide (CoI₂) was loaded in SWCNTs with diameter of 1.4 nm. The transmission electron microscopy showed the loading of cobalt iodide in the SWCNTs, and crystal formation. Raman spectroscopy, and X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy, proved the p-doping of the SWCNTs with cobalt iodide. The obtained information is needed to reduce the toxicity of nanomaterials for plants and reduce grass growing with nanomaterials in the agricultural field.

The phytohormone auxin plays a key role in most processes of plant development and growth, including de novo morphogenic events like the formation of adventitious roots. Nevertheless, the molecular mechanisms behind adventitious rooting (AR) remain not completely understood, and many plants species, like the walnut tree (Juglans regia L.), exhibit a recalcitrant behaviour towards stem cuttings propagation. AUX/LAX genes encode a family of auxin influx transporters involved in the transport of indole-3-acetic acid (IAA), directly synthesized by plant cells or derived from the conversion of indole-3-butyric acid (IBA), with a leading role in the induction phase of the AR process. The present study aimed to identify and characterize the members of the AUX/LAX family in J. regia through diverse in silico methods. An analysis of promoter sequences was also performed to provide insights into the regulation of JrAUX/LAX expression. Eight JrAUX/LAX genes were identified, and all demonstrated highly conserved structural characteristics, with all members comprising eight exons showing conserved length, interrupted by seven length-variable introns. To analyse the involvement of JrAUX/LAX in AR, an in vitro rooting trial was established. Basal region of microcuttings of ‘Paradox’, the first-generation hybrid between two Juglans species (J. hindsii X J. regia), were immersed in an IBA solution, and further inoculated in rooting medium. Sections of the basal region of microcuttings from both IBA-treated and non-treated samples were collected at different timepoints post-immersion: 0h, 6h, 72h, 5 days and 7 days. JrAUX/LAX exhibited differential expression patterns between IBA and control samples and amongst timepoints during the experiment, indicating the involvement of these genes in the induction phase of the AR process. Further investigation considering genotypes behaving differently to the AR stimulus should be performed to better comprehend the role of the JrAUX/LAX family in this morphogenic process.

Recent research trends emphasize the valorization of food industry waste to enhance economic gain, food security, environmental safety, and sustainable development. Among the significant wastes from the date industry are date seeds, which represent substantial economic resources. Typically discarded or used as animal feed, date seeds possess a valuable chemical composition, particularly high levels of phenolic compounds, making them suitable for various applications. This study focuses on the valorization of date seeds from the Takerboucht variety in the Adrar region. The objective was to evaluate the in vitro antioxidant and antidiabetic properties of the crude seed extract. The phenolic and flavonoid contents of the extract were determined using the Folin–Ciocalteu and aluminum chloride colorimetric methods, respectively. Antioxidant activity was assessed through DPPH, FRAP, and ABTS assays, while antidiabetic activity was evaluated by examining the inhibitory effect of the extract on the key diabetes enzyme, α-amylase. The date seed extract demonstrated significant antioxidant activity, reducing both DPPH and ABTS radicals in a dose-dependent manner, with IC₅₀ values of 2.7 μg/ml and 42.9 μg/ml, respectively. The extract also exhibited considerable potential in the FRAP assay (0.114 mg/ml), comparable to standards BHT and BHA. This antioxidant activity was well correlated with the total phenolic content (100.20 mg GAE/g DW) and flavonoid content (44.618 mg CE/g DW). Moreover, the extract showed strong inhibitory activity against α-amylase, with an IC₅₀ of 0.24 mg/ml, compared to the positive control, acarbose (0.17 mg/ml). These findings suggest that date by-products, particularly Takerboucht seeds, are a rich source of phenolics with significant antioxidant and antidiabetic properties. Consequently, they could be considered inexpensive sources of natural antioxidants for use in food and non-food applications and in preventing metabolic disorders such as hyperglycemia.

Rice, a high-water-consuming cereal crop that provides essential carbohydrates to nearly half of the world's population, faces significant challenges in sustainable production due to irrigation water deficits, climate change, and excessive groundwater extraction, all threatening global rice production and food security. Technologies such as drip irrigation and fertigation are effective in improving water and nutrient use efficiency, thereby enhancing productivity compared to traditional methods. In eastern India’s subtropical climate, a cereal-based cropping system features rice as the primary crop during the wet season, with vegetables grown in the dry season to boost food security and farmer income. Research on the combined effects of drip irrigation and nitrogen management in rice is limited. To address this gap, our study investigated the impact of various water stress levels following drip irrigation and different nitrogen fertilizer applications on rice growth, yield, and water productivity. Field experiments were conducted at the Indian Institute of Technology Kharagpur in 2018 and 2019. This study investigated two nitrogen levels (50% and 100% of the recommended dose) and four water management conditions (rainfed, flooded, and drip irrigation at -0.6 bar and -0.8 bar soil water potentials) in a strip-plot design. The results showed that water stress beyond 0.6 bar during reproductive stages significantly reduced yield, with notable decreases under 0.7 bar stress around flowering. Limited irrigation at 0.6 bar improved water productivity to 1.0 kg/m³ compared to 0.58 kg/m³ under flooding. Nitrogen use efficiency (NUE) was higher at 50% nitrogen application, with apparent nitrogen recovery (ANR) decreasing from 55% to 33% as nitrogen levels increased. Drip irrigation required only 7% of the water needed for flooding while maintaining similar yields. This study highlights the importance of water-efficient technologies for mitigating climate-induced challenges and ensuring food security in subtropical India.