Rising food demand alongside shrinking arable land and resources necessitates more efficient and resilient cultivation methods. In agrisilviculture, trees are grown with crops, promoting ecological and economic interactions. Moringa oleifera Lam. is grown for its nutritional and medicinal values to both humans and animals. Intercropping M. oleifera with vegetables can reduce pest pressure, lowering the need for chemical pesticides and supporting ecological balance. The aim of the study was to evaluate the performance of vegetable crops in an agrisilviculture system and fertilizer application. The experiment consists of three treatments (sole vegetable, M. oleifera + vegetable, and vegetable with fertilizer) laid out in a Randomized complete block design with five replications. Parameters collected include plant height, leaf area, stem diameter, chlorophyll content, number of branches, plant vigour, Radiation Use Efficiency (RUE) and fresh biomass. All studied parameters were found to be statistically significant (P<0.05). For spinach, chlorophyll content, plant vigour, plant height, biomass and radiation use efficiency were positively influenced by the fertilizer application as they obtained greater values of 31.02 µ/mol, 56.08 %, 25.4 cm², 340.47 g and 3.072 g/MJ, respectively. On the other hand, for butternut, leaf area, biomass, stem diameter, number of branches and radiation use efficiency were observed to be high in fertilized plots with values of 73.54 cm², 239.3 g, 51.726 mm, 5.2 and 2.5603 g/MJ, respectively. M. oleifera-based agrisilviculture improved soil fertility, with vegetables under the moringa canopy showing the highest nutrient concentrations (B, Ca, Cu, Fe, K, Mg, Mn, NH₄, P, Zn). Soil moisture was also the highest in agrisilvicultural plots, reaching 15.25% in butternut and 15.27% in spinach. Thus, tree-crop interaction enhances crop resilience by providing shade, improving soil fertility, and conserving water, making it a sustainable option for small-scale farmers.

This study investigates the potential of microalgal extracts as natural biostimulants for scarlet runner bean, also known as ayocote bean (Phaseolus coccineus) germination. We evaluated the effects of different extract concentrations (0–100% v/v) over 120 hours on germination dynamics and the levels of bioactive compounds (total phenolics and antioxidant power, FRAP) in the resulting seedlings. While extract concentration did not significantly affect the final germination percentage (P=0.086), it had a pronounced effect on germination speed and seedling physiology. Higher concentrations generally suppressed germination, as measured by a decrease in the Continuous Germination Index (CGI, P=0.003), which is a novel index derived from the functional data analysis of the smoothed germination curve that describes the trajectories of said curves. The highest concentration (100%) even exhibited moderate toxicity (Seed Germination Index: -0.27). In contrast, low to moderate concentrations (25–50%) enhanced the germination process, with peak performance observed at 50% (CGI: 112.32 area units). Bioactive compound levels were also significantly influenced, with total phenolics (P=0.003) and FRAP (P≤0.001) varying throughout germination. A notable recovery in antioxidant power values between 72 and 96 hours, particularly at lower concentrations, suggests a stress-adaptive response potentially linked to the increased phenolic content observed after 72 hours. We conclude that microalgal extracts can effectively enhance the germination and bioactivity of ayocote beans, but their application requires careful dose calibration, with an optimal range at or below 50%, to maximise biostimulation and avoid phytotoxic effects.

The demand for high-quality agricultural products is increasing; however, this requirement is becoming challenging due to climate change, which causes abiotic stresses. In this research, we studied the performance of the kiwi fruit, Actinidia deliciosavar. "Hayward", 60 days after their storage for two different cultivation periods, in which a glycine-betaine biostimulant (GB) was applied to the kiwi trees via irrigation. The experiment was carried out in a kiwi orchard where two treatments were arranged: one treatment where the biostimulant was applied (GB) and a control treatment (C) that was biostimulant-free. Postharvest analysis was performed at the Productive Agriculture and Plant Health Laboratory of the Department of Agriculture of the University of Ioannina by measuring the fresh and dry weight of kiwi fruits (g), their soluble solids content (%), and titratable acidity (%). To assess the antioxidant traits of kiwi fruits, the DPPH (%) and ascorbic acid content (mg DW⁻¹) were recorded. The data analysis revealed that GB treatment was beneficial for kiwi fruits during storage, enhancing their antioxidant capacity as indicated by their higher ascorbic acid content (vitamin C) compared to the control. This qualitative difference may be beneficial for the commercial requirements of kiwifruit cultivation and promising for kiwi metabolism, strengthening their cultivation under the abiotic conditions of climate change. This prompts us to further investigate the application of amino acid biostimulants. This result complements the literature on the implementation of biostimulants, as reports regarding their application in kiwifruit cultivation are limited. This study took "Hayward" kiwifruits as the research object and found that the glycine-betaine (GB) biostimulant had a positive effect on kiwifruits during storage. This provides an optional solution for meeting the commercial needs of kiwifruit cultivation and improving the adaptability of kiwifruit cultivation under abiotic stress conditions.

Increasing drought and rising water and soil salinity pose significant challenges to both agricultural productivity and nutrition security in the Mediterranean region. Pea crop (Pisum sativum L.), which is vital for sustainable agriculture, is highly sensitive to salt stress, leading to substantial yield losses due to osmotic and oxidative damage and to the degradation of key physiological processes. Pea plants were grown in pots filled with sterile soil under greenhouse conditions. Plants were subjected to two salinity conditions: non-saline control (0 mM NaCl) and progressively increasing salt concentration (100, 150, and 200 mM NaCl). The trial included an uninoculated control and a treatment inoculated with a consortium of salt-tolerant Pseudomonas sp. and Bacillus sp. strains.

The results demonstrated that salt stress significantly reduced plant growth, biomass accumulation, and nitrogen content in uninoculated plants, while increasing electrolyte leakage and tissue sodium concentration. In contrast, consortium inoculation under salt stress resulted in significantly higher total biomass, leaf number, and leaf area than all other treatments. Furthermore, consortium inoculation increased photosynthetic activity compared with uninoculated plants, as indicated by a significantly higher SPAD index and the maintenance of a high maximum quantum yield of photosystem II, suggesting limited photo-inhibition. Additionally, under salt stress, our consortium enhanced osmotic regulation, resulting in a 3.2-fold increase in proline content, and improved membrane stability, with a 38% reduction in electrolyte leakage compared to the uninoculated treatment.

Overall, synergistic PGPR consortium effectively mitigates salt stress in peas through a multi-faceted defense mechanism, representing a promising sustainable strategy to enhance legume resilience under saline conditions.

In the context of promoting sustainable agriculture, this research explores the biostimulant potential of aqueous extracts from three brown seaweed species, Sargassum trichocarpum, Cystoseira tamariscifolia and Fucus spiralis, on the germination and early seedling growth of Solanum lycopersicum.
Extracts were prepared by cold maceration and sonication and applied at different concentrations (0.1–1.5%) in a completely randomized design, with positive and negative controls and ten replicates per treatment. The extracts were applied at different concentrations. Significant treatment effects were observed in the results for all evaluated parameters. F. spiralis at a 0.2% concentration significantly enhanced germination, outperforming C. tamariscifolia treatments and both controls at higher concentrations. The extract's high content of phenolics, polysaccharides and essential minerals is likely responsible for this positive response. However, both F. spiralis and C. tamariscifolia at higher concentrations (1–2%) showed inhibitory effects, which could have been caused by osmotic stress due to excessive salinity. Macroscopic observations revealed that higher concentrations of S. trichocarpum enhanced hypocotyl growth and overall seedling vigor; however, root growth responses depended on species and concentration. Overall, this study highlights the concentration and species specificity of seaweed-based biostimulants. F. spiralis at low concentrations and S. trichocarpum at high concentrations have great potential to improve early tomato seedling growth, supporting their specific application in sustainable crop management practices.

Abstract

Bambara groundnut [Vigna subterranea (L.) Verdc.] is an important legume for subsistence farming in Africa, valued for its ability to withstand adverse environmental factors. The experiment was conducted at the University of Namibia-Ogongo campus experimental field during the 2024/2025 cropping season. The study assessed the phenotypic variability of Bambara groundnuts induced by gamma(γ) irradiation. The four Bambara groundnut genotypes, namely Namblack, Nambrown, Namcream, and Namred seeds, were exposed to gamma irradiation doses at 100 Gy, 200 Gy, 300 Gy, 400 Gy, and 500 Gy, and 0 Gy as a control. The growth and yield phenotypic traits were evaluated in this study. The result from the analysis of variance on growth traits such as first emergence, 50% emergence, and plant leaves were significant at P < 0.05, and yield traits such as days to maturity, number of pods, and pod length were significant at P < 0.05 and yield per plot, pods weight, pod width, and biomass were significant at P < 0.05. The association between growth and yield-related traits was analyzed using Pearson's correlation, which revealed a strong association. The phenotypic variability observed in this study will be used as a basis for mutation breeding in Bambara groundnut. The study also encourages future research in other Bambara groundnut genotypes using gamma irradiation.

Saffron (Crocus sativus L.) production is limited by land availability and climatic conditions, highlighting the need for innovative cultivation systems. The effects of three plant growth regulators, i.e., kinetin (1 ppm), gibberellic acid (GA₃, 50 ppm), and abscisic acid (ABA, 1.5 ppm), were assessed in controlled cultivation systems over two seasons (2022–2023) at Sher-e-Kashmir University of Agricultural Sciences and Technology, Jammu, India, with field-grown controls from Pampore (Kashmir) and Kishtwar. Key parameters were grouped into vegetative growth (leaf number and plant height), floral yield (flower fresh weight and dry stigma yield per 100 corms), and quality indices. Secondary metabolites were evaluated both qualitatively and quantitatively: crocin and picrocrocin contents were determined using UV–visible spectrophotometry at their respective absorption maxima, while antioxidant activity was estimated by the DPPH radical scavenging assay (IC₅₀ values). Kinetin performed comparably to or better than field controls in leaf production (21.0 vs. 22.2–23.0), stigma yield (7.65 g vs. 6.63–6.67 g), and crocin content (17.4 % vs. 14.7–16.5 %), while GA₃ enhanced shoot length (23.7 cm vs. 24.9–27.1 cm) and flower weight (404.6 mg vs. 391.7–427.5 mg). ABA was ineffective or inhibitory for most parameters. Principal component analysis grouped kinetin and GA₃ treatments with high-performing field controls, confirming their effectiveness in promoting both growth and quality. These results indicate that kinetin (1 ppm) enhances saffron quality through improved metabolite accumulation, while GA₃ (50 ppm) optimizes growth and yield. This study demonstrates that hormonal modulation in innovative cultivation systems can enable high-value, year-round saffron production in non-traditional areas, contributing to climate-resilient crop production.

Introduction: Fusarium wilt, caused by the soil-borne pathogen Fusarium oxysporum, is a major constraint to okra (Abelmoschus esculentus (L.) Moench) production, leading to significant yield losses. Due to the environmental and health concerns associated with chemical control, this study investigated the efficacy of biological control agents, specifically the separate and combined inoculations of the arbuscular mycorrhizal (AM) fungus Glomus mosseae and the bacterium Bradyrhizobium japonicum, in managing Fusarium wilt and enhancing okra growth.

Methods: A greenhouse experiment was conducted using a randomized complete block design with 13 treatments and three replications. Okra seedlings were subjected to various inoculation regimes with G. mosseae, B. japonicum, and F. oxysporum, applied either singly, simultaneously, or sequentially. Key growth parameters, including plant height, stem girth, leaf number, and leaf surface area, were measured over five weeks. Disease severity was assessed based on visual symptoms. Data were analyzed using Analysis of Variance (ANOVA).

Results: Plants inoculated with F. oxysporum alone exhibited severe wilting, chlorosis, necrosis, and stunted growth. In contrast, inoculation with G. mosseae alone significantly enhanced all growth parameters and suppressed disease symptoms. The suppressive effect on the pathogen was most pronounced in treatments involving dual inoculation of G. mosseae and B. japonicum, particularly when applied before the pathogen. B. japonicum alone could not effectively suppress the pathogen. The susceptibility of okra to F. oxysporum was found to be age-mediated, with the most significant growth changes occurring between the second and fourth weeks after inoculation.

Conclusion: The study demonstrates that Glomus mosseae is effective in suppressing Fusarium wilt and promoting okra growth. For Bradyrhizobium japonicum to be an effective biocontrol agent, it must be co-inoculated with G. mosseae. These findings highlight the potential of using these biological agents, especially in combination, as a sustainable strategy for managing Fusarium wilt in okra cultivation.

Among the various strategies to improve crop yields and stress resilience in modern agriculture, proper management of macronutrients and plant growth regulators is mandatory. Phosphorus is an essential element involved in many physiological processes in plants, but it mainly exists in the soil as phosphate ions, of which only a small fraction is bioavailable. To prevent phosphorus deficiency, the common practice is the widespread use of phosphate fertilisers, which causes considerable environmental damage. A more sustainable strategy involves using soil microorganisms to enhance phosphate availability to plants.

Melatonin is an indolamine that exhibits hormone-like activity and functions as a plant growth regulator. The current knowledge is based on exogenous administration to plants exposed to abiotic and biotic stresses, where it has shown beneficial effects, while its endogenous roles remain underexplored.

Lettuce (Lactuca sativa L.) is an extensively cultivated crop with a sequenced genome and relatively short life cycle, making it a suitable model for molecular studies, including those involving phosphate-solubilizing microorganisms and endogenous melatonin.

This project aims to investigate: (i) the genetic and metabolic factors involved in the interactions between different lettuce genotypes and a phosphate-solubilizing microbial community under phosphate-limiting conditions, to identify candidate genes and metabolic pathways relevant to low-phosphate resilience and future breeding; (ii) the roles of melatonin in response to this abiotic stress and associated biotic interactions; and (iii) the genes involved in melatonin biosynthesis.

To dissect the metabolic variations occurring under defined biotic and abiotic conditions, we employed an untargeted metabolomics approach using UPLC-HRMS. Investigations into endogenous melatonin levels, its biosynthetic pathway, and its roles under phosphate-limiting conditions and microbial interactions are ongoing. Preliminary results confirm the presence of melatonin at very low levels in lettuce leaves, as well as the identification of the first gene involved in its biosynthesis.

Alpha-amylase is an essential enzyme in plants that hydrolyses starch into sugars that the growing seedling uses for energy, especially during seed germination. Alpha-amylase also contributes to starch synthesis during seed maturation and in other plant tissues for energy storage and utilisation. In this study, an in silico initiative has been undertaken to characterize the sequences and structures of alpha-amylase in monocot (Oryza sativa subsp. japonica) and dicot (Arabidopsis thaliana) plants. An unavailability structure of dicot alpha-amylase was created through Python homology modelling, along with the structural validations. The results revealed that the sequences of monocot were highly occupied by charged polar and nonpolar amino acids, whereas the dicots mostly increased their uncharged polar amino acids. The alpha-amylase of dicot was more hydrophilic than that of monocot. The instability index and aliphatic index indicate that the alpha-amylase of monocots was more thermostable. The secondary structure assessment of both proteins showed some significant structural differences. The higher formations of different intra-protein interactions significantly increased the stability of monocot alpha-amylase. The molecular dynamics simulations with a run time of 100 ns comparatively disclosed the higher stability, fluctuations, rigidity, and compactness of monocot alpha-amylase. This study will help in understanding how evolution had a marked impact on monocots to dicots. It is also helpful for protein engineering to enzyme synthesis.