Google Earth Engine (GEE) revolutionized agricultural monitoring by providing scientists immediate access to huge satellite archives without requiring heavy local computing. In crop science, this means that water stress and growth conditions can be monitored almost in real time. A critical indicator of plant health is canopy water content (CWC), which reflects leaf hydration and strongly correlates with chlorophyll concentration. Accurate estimation of CWC is essential for timely irrigation management, early detection of crop water stress, and improving overall water-use efficiency. In our research, we developed a hybrid method that couples the PROSAIL radiative transfer model and Gaussian Process Regression (GPR) to directly estimate CWC from Sentinel-2 images. For model training, we utilized field measurements taken at ICAR-IARI, New Delhi, on February 23, 2023, and Sentinel-2 Biophysical Processor data. The model performed well, yielding an R² of 0.88, an RMSE of 0.0007, and an NRMSE of 7.59% for 155 test plots. To extend our assessment, we deployed the trained model on the GEE platform. This enabled us to scale up water content across the entire IARI location. The GEE-based estimates were very close to the local estimates and had an R² of 0.96. The results indicate that integrating PROSAIL with GPR and deploying it on GEE provides an efficient, scalable method for crop water status monitoring. This facilitates irrigation scheduling and precision agriculture on a larger regional level.

Nowadays, as the population continues to grow, climate change is affecting more and more areas worldwide. One of them is agriculture, and more specifically, salinity not only in irrigation water but also in the soil. The accumulation of salt degrades the quality of the plants and simultaneously reduces soil productivity. Therefore, the goals of the United Nations become more doubtful but, at the same time, more urgent than ever. It is necessary to adopt sustainable methods that improve water quality through innovative irrigation systems to ensure food security for the population in the near future and protect the environment. The objective of this study was to evaluate the use of these two technologies for growing lettuce (Lollo Verde and Lollo Rossa) with high-saline irrigation water (E.C.i = 12 dS/m) in pots filled with five different soil textures. These two innovative electronic technologies were: i) a generator of Agro-Nanobubbles (Agro-NBs) and ii) an electronic water treatment system, using low-frequency radiation waves (MAXGROW). More specifically, the main treatments were the following: a. control / regular tap water (E.C.i =1 dS/m), b. regular tap irrigation water + MAXGROW + Agro-NBs c. saline irrigation water enriched with Agro-NBs, d. saline irrigation water + MAXGROW, and e. saline irrigation water + MAXGROW + Agro-NBs, for each variety. Various vegetable agronomic and quality parameters were measured. In conclusion, the results showed that the vegetable yield was not only not negatively affected, but also increased (5% to 20%), and the plants were improved both in their length (0% up to 14%) and quality (Chlorophyll fluorescence emission (fv/fm) non-statistical significance). The study demonstrates that, with technological advances, agriculture is well-positioned to address many environmental challenges while promoting sustainability and reducing its ecological footprint.

Identifying sustainable agricultural practices that simultaneously boost yield from existing farmland and optimize resource use efficiency is critical to meet the growing demands of an expanding population amid dwindling natural resources. Strengthening nutrient management approaches that enhance crop productivity, improve soil health, increase soil organic carbon, and maintain energy balance can promote sustainability in agricultural systems. In this context, chickpea (Cicer arietinum L.), distinguished by its comparatively high protein content among pulse crops, serves as an ideal model to evaluate diverse nutrient management strategies. Field investigations were conducted during the Rabi 2023-2024 season in the western part of Tamil Nadu state, India. The treatments were imposed in a factorial randomized block design with two factors: soil and foliar applications. The soil application consists of S₁ – 100% recommended dose of fertilizer, S₂ – 75% recommended dose of fertilizer + farm yard manure at 10 t ha⁻¹, S₃ – 75% recommended dose of fertilizer + vermicompost at 5 t ha⁻¹, S₄ – 50% recommended dose of fertilizer + farm yard manure at 10 t ha⁻¹, and S₅ – 50% recommended dose of fertilizer + vermicompost at 5 t ha⁻¹, while the foliar application includes F₁ – nano di-ammonium Phosphate (two sprays at 2% at 30 and 45 days after sowing), F₂ – nano urea (two sprays at 2% at 30 and 45 days after sowing), and F₃ – nano emulsion biofertilizer (two sprays at 10 ml L⁻¹ at 30 and 45 days after sowing). The application of nanoemulsion biofertilizer provided the highest values for growth, physiological, and yield parameters of chickpea at 30, 45, and 60 days after sowing, and at harvest. The grain yield and stover yield were recorded as 1111.60 kg ha⁻¹ and 2501.10 kg ha⁻¹, respectively. The combined application of the recommended 50% fertilizer dose + vermicompost at 5 t ha⁻¹ with nanoemulsion biofertilizer was found to be the most effective for chickpea productivity in the western part of Tamil Nadu, India.

Potatoes are highly valued worldwide for their high yield, nutrition, versatility, and income potential. Potatoes are the leading non-cereal food crop, ranking third in human consumption after rice and wheat. In Africa, potatoes are the second most cultivated crop and are commonly used as a staple food after maize. Potatoes are a promising crop to address global poverty and hunger, potentially improving food security and boosting farm returns for smallholders. Recent years saw high temperatures and droughts affecting crops globally. Namibia has the potential to increase potato production and diversity. The study aims to identify how planting date and varieties affect potato growth and yield across cultivars and seasons. Three planting phases (March 06, April 06, May 06) and four varieties (Barcelona, Rainbow, Spunta, Montreal) were arranged in a randomized complete block design with four replications. Twelve treatments were organized into four varieties, each with three phases. Data on growth and yield parameters were analyzed using SAS 9.4. The maximum plant height of 32.76 cm was recorded from phase 1 in Barcelona, and the minimum of 9.12 cm from phase 3 in Rainbow. The highest total tuber number (33) was recorded from 06 April in Spunta, with the lowest (13) in Montreal from the third planting date. The highest total tuber weight (21.40 t/ha) was recorded in Rainbow from the second planting date, and the least (6.78 t/ha) was Montreal in phase 3. The study indicates that 06 April is the best planting date for all varieties, considering overall performance and tuber yield, with phase 1 and phase 3 showing poorer results. The best planting date is phase 2, as Barcelona and Rainbow outperform Spunta and Montreal in marketable tubers.

This research formulated and evaluated the efficiency of a biofertilizer, cocopeat encapsulated plant growth-promoting rhizobacteria (cocopeat-PGPR), in the management of flood stress and the growth of Zea mays (maize) seeds cultivated under flood conditions. Rhizobacteria were isolated from a weed (Phyllanthus amarus) and screened for plant growth-promoting (PGP) traits; Indole-3-acetic acid (IAA) production and phosphate solubilization. Rhizobacteria were further tested for PGP activity using a seed germination bioassay, and those with superior performance were used for formulation and a pot experiment. Formulations were prepared by homogenizing 20ml of each PGPR standardized inoculum with 2g of oven-dried cocopeat and 24 g of starch gel, pelleted, and dried at room temperature. The efficiency of the formulations was evaluated in a pot experiment by measuring plant height (PH), shoot length (SL), and root length (RL) of the treated maize seeds weekly. Two sets of treatments were performed: seeding with one cocopeat-PGPR pellet/pot and four cocopeat-PGPR pellets/pot. Controls were without the cocopeat-PGPR formulation. Flood conditions were simulated by waterlogging the treatments without drainage. Five rhizobacterial isolates were obtained; two tested positive for phosphate solubilization (CE and C), and two tested positive for IAA production (CE and PP). These isolates also demonstrated superior growth performance during the seed germination bioassay. At day 7 of the pot experiment, no growth was recorded for maize seeds treated with a single cocopeat-PGPR pellet or for the control. However, at day 7, in treatments with four cocopeat-PGPR pellets, only cocopeat-CE supported maize seed growth and sustained growth. The mean SL, RL, and PH recorded for the seeds were 2.4 cm, 3.1 cm, and 15.7 cm, respectively. Before day 14, the maize seeds withered. The PGPR (CE) was identified by 16S rDNA sequencing as Priestia flexa. This study, therefore, examines the potential of cocopeat (Priestia flexa) to mitigate flood stress and promote growth in maize plants.

Soil salinization threatens agricultural sustainability in semi-arid regions where Physalis ixocarpa (Mexican husk tomato) represents an economically important crop. While exogenous proline enhances salt tolerance in various species, the underlying molecular mechanisms and metabolic trade-offs in P. ixocarpa remain unexplored. This study employed integrated morphophysiological, spectroscopic, and metabolomic approaches to elucidate proline's multifaceted protective mechanisms beyond simple osmotic adjustment.

Germination screening established moderate salt stress conditions, where proline pretreatment via seed imbibition substantially restored germination rates and seedling vigor. Subsequent in vitro culture experiments applied proline directly to salt-stressed seedlings, revealing an unexpected strategic trade-off: proline-treated plants prioritized photosynthetic protection over structural growth, achieving chlorophyll levels exceeding even non-stressed controls while reducing root biomass. This resource reallocation represents an energy-efficient stress tolerance strategy.

Infrared spectroscopy demonstrated proline incorporation into plant tissues and restoration of structural polysaccharide conformations disrupted by salinity. Metabolomic profiling uncovered fundamental biochemical reorganization: salt stress triggered shifts in primary carbohydrate identity and synthesis of nitrogenous osmolytes, while proline treatment reversed these changes and generated active proline-derived metabolites.

A key finding challenges conventional understanding of stress protection: phenolic antioxidants disappeared under salt stress and were not restored by proline treatment, yet plants showed enhanced tolerance. This suggests proline operates through preemptive metabolic stabilization rather than reactive antioxidant synthesis—a more cost-effective protective mechanism. These results provide practical protocols for enhancing salt tolerance through both seed priming and seedling treatment, with potential application in marginal growing conditions where water quality and soil salinity limit production.

The Mexican countryside is not exempt from the effects of global climate change. Abrupt changes in environmental temperature, rainfall patterns and the duration of droughts are part of the process that has led to soil erosion and an increase in the presence and incidence of pests. These conditions suggest changes in growing patterns. Grape in Mexico has been identified in primarily arid areas where even soil conditions appear to be a disadvantage. The present study is conducted in Mata de Sarza, Veracruz, Mexico; the objective is to identify table grape (Vitis vinífera) as a cultivation alternative for this region from three varieties, Perlette, Flame Seedless and Summer Royal, under agro-productive conditions in the local climate through reproduction by cuttings. The agronomic evaluation includes the length of cuttings, the number of growth nodes for subsequent antifungal treatment and rooting in root production chambers, once the cuttings have been removed from the root chamber and before the final planting of the cut, the percentage of cuttings with primary radiculae and root bulbs, the physico-chemical characteristics of the soil, the monthly development of the stems, and the photosynthetic capacity of the leaf area as main indicators in the preliminary stage. There were cuttings with values within 68±5.3 cm, with roots ranging from 2.2 cm to 17.3 cm; the number of root bulbs per cut was on average up to 8, while the number of growth nodes ranged between 4 and 7. The soils had an average clay content of 65% and sand of 23%, and the average monthly stem growth was 17.3 cm. Cultivation, in this preliminary stage of development, has adapted to the physical–climatic conditions, different from the main wine-growing areas of the country, while establishing the bases for a production model.

Silicon (Si) and arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi (AMF) have been widely recognized for enhancing plant tolerance to water deficit. However, the combined influence of these factors on the phenolic metabolism of wheat plants grown under water-limited conditions remains unclear. This study evaluated the effects of Si and AMF on the accumulation of phenolic compounds in two wheat genotypes differing in their tolerance to water deficit stress (Tukan-sensitive; Kiron-tolerant). A pot experiment was conducted under two irrigation regimes [90% of water holding capacity (WHC) and 40% WHC], two Si doses (0 or 1000 mg Si kg^-1 soil), and two AMF levels (-AMF, +AMF). Plants were grown under greenhouse conditions using a randomized factorial design with three replicates per treatment. Data were analyzed by analysis of variance (ANOVA), and treatment differences were determined by the LSD test (p ≤ 0.05). Plants were harvested at the tillering stage, and individual phenolic compounds were analyzed by HPLC–DAD–ESI-MS/MS. Accordingly, seven flavonoids [luteolin-hexoside-pentoside I, luteolin-hexoside-pentoside II, apigenin-pentoside-hexoside I, luteolin-hexoside-hexoside, apigenin pentoside-hexoside II, luteolin 7-(2″-pentosyl-4″ -O-hexosyl) hexoside, luteolin C-deoxihexosyl-O-hexoside, apigenin 8-C-rhamnoside-6-C-glucoside, and isoscoparin 2″-O-deoxyhexoside] were identified in shoots of both wheat genotypes, with apigenin and luteolin derivatives being predominant. In Tukan, higher concentrations of the identified phenolic compounds were detected in plants cultivated under water deficit than in well-watered plants. In contrast, Kiron showed no significant changes across irrigation regimes. Interestingly, the combined application of Si and AMF further increased phenolic accumulation in water-stressed Tukan but reduced phenolic levels in Kiron under the same conditions. Our results reveal that the synergistic action of Si and AMF can either stimulate or decrease phenolic accumulation depending on the wheat genotype. Moreover, these findings highlight the importance of cultivar-specific strategies when combining these beneficial approaches to improve drought tolerance. Acknowledgments: FONDECYT Projects N°1241718, N°11240738 and N°11240769, ANID, Chile.

The development of eco-friendly nanomaterials through plant-mediated synthesis has gained wide attention in recent years due to its sustainability and biocompatibility. In the present study, silver nanoparticles (AgNPs) were synthesized using aqueous leaf extract of Lawsonia inermis (henna), a plant rich in bioactive phytochemicals that act as reducing and stabilizing agents. The green synthesis approach eliminates the need for hazardous chemicals, aligning with the principles of green technology. The formation of AgNPs was confirmed by characteristic surface plasmon resonance in UV–Vis spectroscopy and further validated by means of complementary analytical techniques. The biosynthesized nanoparticles were evaluated for their effect on seed germination and early seedling growth of chickpea (Cicer arietinum), an important pulse crop. Different concentrations of AgNPs (10, 20, 30, 40, 50, 60, 70,80 ppm), were applied to assess their influence on germination percentage, root and shoot elongation, and seedling vigor index. The results revealed that lower concentrations of L. inermis-mediated AgNPs enhanced germination rate, stimulated root development, and improved overall seedling vigor when compared with control treatments. However, higher concentrations exhibited inhibitory effects, indicating a dose-dependent response. The observed stimulatory effect at optimum levels may be attributed to the antimicrobial properties of AgNPs, which reduce pathogenic interference during germination, as well as their potential role in modulating physiological processes in seeds. These findings highlight the dual advantage of green synthesized AgNPs as both an eco-friendly nanomaterial and a seed priming agent. This study emphasizes the potential application of L. inermis-derived AgNPs in sustainable agriculture, offering an alternative to synthetic agrochemicals for enhancing crop establishment and productivity.

In recent decades, climate change in Morocco has been characterized primarily by water imbalance resulting from rainfall deficits and increasingly severe drought periods, which are not evenly distributed. Among the areas most affected by these changes is the southeastern region, which includes the Gheris watershed, the subject of this study. This watershed extends from northwest to southeast, between 30°40'N and 32°00'N and between 4°20'W and 6°00'W, covering an area of 17,500 hectares. Its arid-to-semi-desert climate is characterized by highly variable annual rainfall, reflecting the irregularity of precipitation, and summer temperatures exceeding 40°C. This study aims, on one hand, to characterize and quantify the effects of climate change on land use in the Gheris watershed, and on the other hand, to provide scientifically reliable data and methodology for identifying and monitoring the impacts of climate change in the region. To achieve these aims, geospatial data for the Gheris watershed from 1990 to 2024 were obtained from the Google Earth Engine (GEE) platform. Using machine learning algorithms (Support Vector Machine (SVM) and Random Forest (RF)), land use and land cover (LULC) maps were generated, and the Normalized Difference Vegetation Index (NDVI), Normalized Difference Water Index (NDWI), and surface temperature (Ts) were calculated. Spatial analysis of the temporal images generated (LULC, Ts, NDVI, and NDWI) for the selected years allowed for monitoring the evolution of land use, surface temperature, vegetation, and water surfaces during the period between 1990 and 2024. This analysis shows that the impact of climate change on the Gheris watershed is manifested by significant changes in land use, marked mainly by a strong regression in vegetation and water surfaces and the progression of desertification, which has strongly affected local agriculture.