In recent decades, global climate change has significantly threatened food production and quality. Salinity, drought, nutrient deficiencies, and extreme temperatures, often accompanied by prolonged dry periods, are among the most common challenges to be overcome. Consequently, there is an urgent need to develop formulations that can enhance crop growth and resistance to abiotic stresses. Biostimulants, known for stimulating natural plant processes, are applied to plants or soil to improve nutrient uptake and tolerance to abiotic stress. Recently, the formulation of biostimulants using by-products generated along the agri-food chain, such as seeds, leaves, peels, and kernels, has been proposed, thereby contributing to the circular economy. This systematic review aims to provide data on the extraction techniques necessary to obtain compounds from agri-food by-products. Techniques include pressurized liquid extraction, supercritical fluid extraction, ultrasound-assisted extraction, maceration, liquid–liquid extraction, and solid–liquid extraction. The review also examines the effects of these by-product-based biostimulants on plant growth and resistance to abiotic stress, anddiscusses the limitations of this novel approach. By focusing on the utilization of agri-food by-products in biostimulant formulations, this review highlights the potential benefits and challenges of integrating sustainable practices in agriculture to combat the adverse effects of climate change.

Cereal crops, including wheat, corn, barley, and rye, play a fundamental role in global agriculture due to their significant nutritional and economic contributions. These grains are staple foods in many diets and serve as a primary source of sustenance and economic value. In Kosovo, where bread and baked products are central to daily meals, understanding the specific traits and qualities of various wheat varieties is crucial for optimizing agricultural practices and ensuring high-quality end products.

This research focuses on three key wheat cultivars in Kosovo: “Pobeda,” “Euclide,” and “Europe.” By analyzing these cultivars, the study aims to assess their suitability for cultivation and evaluate the quality of the products they produce. The investigation covered a range of agronomic, qualitative, and baking parameters to determine how each cultivar performs under local conditions. Significant differences were noted among the cultivars, with “Euclide” demonstrating the highest flour extraction rate (42.97%) and superior baking performance, positioning it as the most effective choice for producing high-quality bread. Additionally, the chemical analysis revealed variations in fat and fiber content among the cultivars, with “Pobeda” showing the highest levels of both (2.54% fat and 3.21% fiber). Although ANOVA results did not indicate significant differences in some agronomic characteristics, each cultivar exhibited unique features, emphasizing the impact of cultivar-specific traits. Overall, this study provides valuable insights into the characteristics of wheat cultivars in Kosovo. The findings offer practical guidance for farmers and the baking industry, aiming to improve cultivation practices and enhance the quality of wheat-based products.

Cucumber (Cucumis sativus) production in greenhouses has proven to be an efficient alternative for achieving higher yields and better quality compared to open-field cultivation. However, successful greenhouse cultivation also depends on well-balanced fertilization. Conventionally, this is achieved using inorganic fertilizers, but there is a growing push to change this, given the environmental impact of such chemical inputs. This study aims to compare two conventional fertilization treatments using chemical sources and two treatments using biol (liquid organic fertilizer) on the quality and yield of cucumber fruits (Centauro 1 variety). Each treatment repetition was allocated to a greenhouse cultivation bed of 25 m² in a completely randomized design where 120 cucumber seedlings were planted. The fertilization treatments evaluated were Biol30 (100L of 3% biol applied every 30 days), Biol70 (100L of 7% biol applied every 30 days), Nitro (1.9kg urea in 3 applications), and Comp [complete fertilization: 2kg Ca(NO₃)₂, 1.6kg MgSO₄, 0.8kg (NH₄)₂HPO₄, 1.6kg KNO₃, and 1.6kg urea]. Phosphorus and potassium were applied 14 days after planting (dap), and the rest were split into three applications: 14, 42, and 63dap. Fifteen plants per bed were sampled to evaluate size (length and diameter), yield, and fruit weight by harvesting their fruits starting at 50dap. The results showed no significant differences between the organic and chemical treatments regarding yield (p=0.094), but Biol70 produced 1.44x higher yields than Nitro, 1.18x higher than Comp, and only 1.09x higher than Biol30. This improvement in yield was caused by the number of harvested fruits in the Biol (Biol30:133; Biol70:149) and Comp (134) treatments, given that Nitro consistently produced the longest, widest, and heaviest (p≤0.029) but lowest number of fruits (p=0.046). In summary, organic fertilization treatments performed favourably, producing fruits of similar quality and greater yield when compared to recommended chemical fertilization treatments.

In the Balkans' agroecological conditions, early seedling production occurs during winter. The quality and duration of sunlight during this period are suboptimal, preventing the seedlings from reaching their full genetic yield potential due to the deprivation of certain light qualities. Therefore, our study aimed to test whether the usage of energy-efficient light-emitting diodes (LEDs) can fulfill the plants' light requirements during the early stages of seedling production. The research was performed at the Institute for Vegetable Crops Smederevska Palanka, Serbia. We used three commercial lettuce (Lactuca sativa L.) cultivars—Genesis, Jukebox, and Viola—for the experiment. In the three-leaf stage, plants were placed in plant growth chambers and exposed to multispectral white (W) and monochromatic blue (B) LEDs for 25 days with a 9/15h and 10/14h (light/dark) photoperiod, to simulate outdoor conditions. Cultivation in a greenhouse using only natural daily light (DL) served as the control. After 25 days, morphological growth parameters such as root and shoot weight were measured. Additionally, the total chlorophyll content was determined spectrophotometrically using the method described by Lichtenthaler. Our results showed that compared with the control, W and B LEDs significantly increased the seedling root and shoot weight, while B LEDs increased the total chlorophyll content. In plants grown under DL and W LEDs, the total chlorophyll content did not differ significantly. The Jukebox genotype exhibited the strongest response to the light treatment. This genotype had the highest total chlorophyll content, as well as shoot and root weight under B LEDs compared to W LEDs and DL. When exposed to B LEDs, the Jukebox genotype reached a shoot and root weight up to 4 times that of to DL. Based on our results, this lettuce cultivation method enhances seedling growth and chlorophyll content and positively affects seedling quality.

The impacts of nanoplastics (NPs) and microplastics (MPs) on terrestrial systems are not yet fully understood, but their increasing accumulation is raising significant concerns, particularly with the use of sewage sludge in agricultural practices. This research aimed to elucidate the effects of polyethylene (PE), humic acid (HA), and their combination on the growth and development of Allium sativum (garlic). This study observed the formation of a significant eco-corona after 24 hours of interaction between PE and HA, which led to notable enhancements in garlic plant growth parameters. Specifically, plants exposed to eco-coronated PE exhibited improved growth and higher chlorophyll (Chl) content. Garlic bulbs treated with a combination of PE and HA demonstrated an impressive growth rate of 90%, compared to only 30% for those treated with PE alone. Chlorophyll content measurements further revealed that plants in the HA and PE+HA treatment groups had significantly higher levels of Chl a, b, and total Chl (a + b) compared to those treated with PE alone. Additionally, the HA and PE+HA treatment groups showed lower catalase activity than the groups treated with PE alone, indicating reduced oxidative stress and toxicity. These findings suggest that HA can substantially mitigate the toxicity caused by PE, likely due to the formation of an eco-corona on the PE particles' surface. This eco-corona appears to alter the interaction between the plastic particles and the plants, potentially reducing harmful effects. This study indicates that utilizing eco-coronas could be an effective strategy for protecting plants from xenobiotics such as NPs. Further, this research is essential to fully understand the mechanisms behind these interactions, including how eco-coronas form and function, and to explore their broader implications for terrestrial ecosystems. This knowledge is essential for creating guidelines to manage plastic pollution and protect terrestrial ecosystems from the harmful effects of NPs and MPs.

The most widely recognized and accepted meaning of traceability is the tracking and tracing of food products within a supply chain using a record-keeping process. Traceability is an essential means of obtaining information on the safety and quality of foodstuffs and building consumer confidence. This research, carried out during 2023, aimed to evaluate the traceability elements used in products bought in supermarkets in the wilaya of Tlemcen, Algeria. In the first step, consumer attitudes towards traceability were analyzed. In the second step, an examination of food products and commercial transactions was performed. The survey operations were mainly aimed at remedying the shortcomings and imbalances in terms of traceability observed on the market. In Algeria, Executive Decree 12-203 on product safety rules imposes that when goods are released for consumption, they must comply with regulatory requirements concerning safety, health and consumer protection, with regard to the appropriate measures implemented to ensure their traceability mechanisms. As required by "Food Law," Regulation 178/2002 stipulates that all operators in the agricultural and agri-food sectors set up a traceability system. Multiple nations are attempting to control both imported and locally produced products through the introduction of specific legislations. The investigations focused mainly on compliance with the transparency obligation for commercial practices, in particular the invoicing requirement, as well as the failure to provide compulsory consumer information on the origin and designation of the manufacturer or organization responsible for placing the product on the market. In critical situations, the organization of withdrawals or recalls to reduce the risk of food-borne illnesses is paramount. Judicial and administrative measures were taken against offenders at various product supply stages. The dynamic ever-changing flow of commodities and trade transactions in the marketplace implies the need for an appropriate traceability system to identify the owner of both current and all prior commodities.

In conditions of intensive greenhouse vegetable production, lettuce production during the winter without heating occupies a significant place in the crop rotation after tomatoes, peppers, and cucumbers. In addition to being profitable, this type of salad production provides the benefits of phytoextracting excess nutrients and eliminating pathogens and weeds. This research was performed at the Institute for Vegetable Crops in Smederevska Palanka and a purple variety of leafy lettuce; Viola was chosen as the plant material. The experiment followed a random block system with three repetitions in the irrigation system and two types of cultivation: deep tillage (50 cm) and shallow tillage (15 cm). Lettuce was planted at a spacing of 20×25 cm. In both cases of soil cultivation, two types of organic fertilizers were separately applied following the manufacturer's instructions: 1) vermicompost—Lumbrikum Radovanović; 2) briquetted chicken manure—Nervosol organic NPK 4-3-4. The control involved soil cultivation without fertilizer application. The results of our research indicate that deep tillage had a statistically significant impact on the plant height, leaf width, leaf length, leaf color, weight of the aerial part of the plant, and total plant weight. The highest lettuce yield (6.98 kg m^-2) was achieved on deeply tilled soil in which Nervosol organic NPK 4-3-4 was incorporated, while the highest yield on shallow tilled soil (5.82 kg m^-2) was measured in the treatment with the vermicompost. The yield in the control on deeply tilled soil was 4.87 kg m^-2, while on shallow tilled soil, it was 4.01 kg m^-2. Deep tillage, combined with the usage of Nervosol organic NPK 4-3-4, was shown to be an effective method for increasing lettuce yield compared to the shallow tilling control. In situations where deep tillage is not possible, the usage of vermicompost is a good alternative.

This study focuses on the estimation of kharif paddy area using optical data from remote sensing, particularly during the early monsoon season when cloud-free data is more readily available. Remote sensing for crop monitoring has evolved significantly with the advent of modern satellites offering high spatial and temporal resolution. In the kharif season of 2019, Sentinel-2A optical data from the European Space Agency (ESA) was utilized at the peak flowering stage of paddy to estimate the crop area in Tamil Nadu. The study employed both supervised and unsupervised classification methods, with a preference for supervised classification due to prior knowledge of the study area. Training sites were developed using ground truth data collected during field surveys, leading to the classification of land into six categories: Paddy, Waterbody, Settlements, Barren lands, Other crops, and Miscellaneous. The Sentinel-2A data was then analyzed using the maximum likelihood classifier in ArcGIS software to delineate the paddy area, with iterative refinements and accuracy assessments ensuring reliable results. The final analysis revealed a total kharif paddy area of 22,246.01 hectares in the Thanjavur district. Detailed block-wise statistics were generated, showing Orathanadu block with the highest paddy area of 3,117.43 hectares and Budalur block with the least at 340.97 hectares. The findings highlight the effectiveness of using high-resolution satellite data and supervised classification methods for accurate crop area estimation with kappa index of 0.83.

Cotton is a cash crop and used all over the world. Plant extracts can be used for the management of pests that are injurious to plants. Plant extracts have an important role in crop protection, although most commonly in combination with other tools including chemical pesticides as part of Bio-intensive Integrated Pest Management. To investigate the controlling effect of plant extracts (PEs) on sucking pests of cotton, a field experiment was conducted and the experiment was comprised of four replications. Plant extracts were applied in three treatments, Control, Foliar application of tobacco extract, and Foliar application of Neem extract. Data regarding pest population was collected after one day after the application of PEs, three days after the application of PEs, seven days after the application of PEs, and,10 days after the application of PEs. Foliar application of Neem extract after the application of three and seven days of extracts showed good results by reducing the jassid and whitefly population to about 60-70%. Similarly, tobacco extract also showed better results by reducing the whitefly and jassid population to about 50-60% as compared to the control treatment in the crop of cotton. These findings will help control sucking insect pests of cotton with or without using of pesticides.

Inga edulis Mart. (Fabaceae) is a fast-growing, nitrogen-fixing tree native to Central and South America, being prevalent in the Amazon Basin. It is a versatile and valuable tree species with a wide range of traditional uses and benefits, as well as an important local food. However, despite its wide uses, specific studies focused on understanding the patterns of diversity of I. edulis are still scarce. In this study, we evaluated how morphological and genetic diversity is distributed across natural and planted I. edulis populations, studying a total of 125 samples collected in South Ecuador. Specifically, we asked the following questions: (1) Is genetic erosion occurring in domesticated populations? (2) Does gene flow occur between natural and planted populations? (3) Do different cultivation practices impact the diversity of I. edulis? Our results show that fruits are longer and heavier in planted than in wild trees, contrary to genetic diversity, which was found to be significantly higher in wild trees. Agro-forestry systems where Inga is being used in Cocoa and Coffea plantations showed low diversity. In contrast, trees used by locals in their homes and gardens still maintain high levels of diversity, being a good source for the conservation of raw genetic diversity. Gene flow occurred between natural and wild populations, although different genetic groups were seen in wild trees supporting the presence of genetic erosion in domesticated populations. Understanding and maintaining this genetic diversity is essential for the conservation of genetic resources. This is critical for the long-term sustainability of breeding programs, ensuring that future generations continue to have access to robust and adaptable genetic resources.