INTRODUCTION
Traditional seed systems in sub-Saharan Africa depend largely on farmer-saved sorghum seeds, which play a vital role in food security, seed sovereignty, and maintaining on-farm biodiversity in low-input farming systems. However, limited information exists on how stem rank (mainstem vs. tiller-derived) influences subsequent seed quality, seedling establishment, and yield performance. This study evaluated the interaction between genotype and stem rank harvesting source on subsequent physiological seed quality and field performance under traditional seed systems.

MATERIALS AND METHODS
Seeds were collected during the 2023/24 season from four sorghum types: two hybrids differing in tillering ability, one open-pollinated variety (OPV), and a landrace grown at the University of Limpopo Experimental Farm. A 4 × 3 factorial design tested the effects of cultivar and stem rank (mainstem, tillers 1–2). Seed viability and vigour were analyzed using R statistical software with an unbalanced two-way ANOVA under a completely randomized design (CRD). Post hoc mean separation was conducted using the Bonferroni–Sadik test at the 5% probability level via the agricolae package. Field performance was analyzed using a two-way ANOVA under a randomized complete block design (RCBD) in GenStat® Version 20, with mean comparisons performed using the Bonferroni test.

RESULTS
Germination exceeded 80% across all genotypes and stem ranks, with no significant differences (p < 0.05). However, mainstem and tiller 1 seeds exhibited superior membrane integrity (<25 µS·cm⁻¹·g⁻¹), metabolic activity, and seedling vigour, while tiller 2 seeds showed delayed maturation and reduced vigour, particularly in hybrid Mr. Buster. Field performance mirrored these trends, with yields above 3 t·ha⁻¹ but reduced yield in Mr. Buster tiller 2.

CONCLUSION
All seed sources maintained high viability and yield potential, but prioritizing mainstem, tiller 1 and tiller 2 seeds especially in resilient genotypes such as Macia, PAN606, and the landrace can sustain subsequent seed vigour and productivity in traditional sorghum seed systems across sub-Saharan Africa.

This study aimed to describe, classify, and provide baseline data for assessing soil quality at the Organo Mineral Fertilizer Plant experimental plot, Barth Road, University of Ibadan. Objectives included evaluating the soils for agricultural use, mapping their spatial distribution, and determining soil quality ratings of the identified units.

A detailed soil survey was conducted on the 1.05 ha plot using a rigid grid method. Auger examinations at 10 m intervals revealed three mapping units, with one profile pit excavated in each. Soil samples from various horizons were air-dried, crushed, and sieved before undergoing physical, chemical, and biological analyses.

Three soil series were identified: Balogun (Typic Kanhaplausalf/Haplic Lixisol), Egbeda (Chromic Kandiustalf/Chromic Lixisol), and Ibadan (Typic Kandiustalf/Manganiferric Lixisol). Textures ranged from sandy to sandy clay loam. The Balogun series graded from sandy at the surface to sandy loam beneath. Soil pH values (6.20–7.07) indicated slight acidity to near-neutrality. Organic carbon content was moderate to high, with the Ibadan series recording the highest value (17.56 g/kg). Total nitrogen was moderate (4.38–6.32 g/kg). Although calcium, magnesium, potassium, and sodium were low, micronutrients such as manganese, iron, copper, and zinc were abundant.

All soils showed high base saturation (>50%) and well-developed horizons, confirming their classification as Alfisols. They were slightly acidic to slightly alkaline, with medium to high organic carbon levels, making them suitable for crop production. Based on the soil quality index, IND_B and IND_A performed best (1.00 and 0.90, respectively), while IND_C (SQI < 0.90) remained suitable for farming. To enhance productivity, exchangeable bases should be supplemented through organic and inorganic fertilizers. Overall, the soils are suitable for sustainable agricultural management and productivity improvement.

Water pollution has become an escalating global threat, driven by industrialization, agricultural runoff, and improper waste disposal. Contaminants such as heavy metals, synthetic dyes, and organic pollutants are increasingly polluting freshwater sources, posing serious risks to ecosystems and human health. There is an urgent need for eco-friendly and cost-effective solutions to mitigate this issue. One sustainable approach gaining attention is the valorization of agricultural waste, particularly from fruit crops like dragon fruit (Hylocereus spp.), to develop natural adsorbents for water purification. This review explores the potential of dragon fruit peel and other waste parts as bio-adsorbents for treating polluted water. Rich in cellulose, pectin, hemicellulose, and phenolic compounds, dragon fruit peel exhibits high surface area and active functional groups capable of binding and removing various pollutants. Studies have shown its efficiency in adsorbing heavy metals like lead (Pb²⁺), cadmium (Cd²⁺), and chromium (Cr⁶⁺), as well as synthetic dyes such as methylene blue and malachite green, through mechanisms including ion exchange, hydrogen bonding, and surface complexation. By converting agricultural waste into a valuable resource for water remediation, dragon fruit waste offers an environmentally sustainable and low-cost solution. This approach supports circular economy practices while reducing dependency on synthetic and non-biodegradable adsorbents. In conclusion, dragon fruit waste has significant potential in reducing water pollution, and further research into optimization, scalability, and real-world applications can enhance its role in sustainable water management systems.

Soil salinization is a major threat to food security in the coastal regions of Pakistan, necessitating innovative and sustainable reclamation strategies. This study investigated the efficacy of indigenous plant-growth-promoting endophytes (PGPEs), isolated from native halophytes of the Indus Delta, to enhance wheat (Triticum aestivum) resilience and rehabilitate saline soils in Sindh province. A consortium of three potent endophytic strains, selected for high salt tolerance and multifunctional PGP traits (including phosphate solubilization and indole-3-acetic acid production), was developed. A field trial was conducted in naturally saline soils near Thatta using a randomized complete block design with four treatments: an untreated control, chemical fertilizer alone, PGPE inoculation alone, and a combined PGPE and reduced fertilizer application. Inoculation with the PGPE consortium significantly improved soil health, reducing electrical conductivity by 18% and increasing soil organic matter content by 22% compared to the control. Wheat plants treated with PGPEs exhibited superior growth, with a 35% increase in root length and a 28% increase in shoot biomass, attributable to enhanced nutrient acquisition and water use efficiency. The combined treatment (PGPE + fertilizer) yielded the highest grain production, surpassing the control by 42%. Biochemical analyses confirmed elevated proline content and antioxidant enzyme activities, indicating robust induced systemic tolerance to salinity stress. This research provides compelling evidence that locally sourced PGPE consortia are a highly effective, sustainable, and economically viable bio-strategy for mitigating salt stress and improving productivity in saline agroecosystems, with significant potential for global application.

Coffee production generates large volumes of spent coffee grounds (SCGs) as a nutrient-rich residue. Despite this potential, the direct use of SCGs as a fertilizer is limited by their acidity and secondary metabolites such as caffeine, tannins, and polyphenols, which can inhibit plant growth. This study assessed the feasibility of combining SCGs with raw cow manure as a feedstock for vermicomposting by examining their effects on the growth and reproduction of Eisenia fetida and the phytotoxicity of the resulting compost.

Four treatments and four replicates were used in a completely randomized design, testing SCG-to-dairy manure ratios of 0:100 (control), 33:67, 50:50, and 67:33. Each 20 × 20 × 9 cm container was stocked with ten mature E. fetida earthworms and maintained for one month at 21 °C and 75% moisture. Parameters monitored included pH and electrical conductivity (EC). Phytotoxicity was assessed using aqueous extracts of the vermicompost in a lettuce germination bioassay.

Vermicompost pH was 7.5 across treatments, while EC decreased with higher SCG content, ranging from 674 μS/cm in the control to 383 μS/cm in the 67% SCG treatment. Increase in earthworm biomass was higher in the 33% SCG but lower in the 50% and 67% treatments relative to the control. Cocoon production decreased with increasing SCG content. In a subsequent recovery phase, where earthworms were transferred to a manure-only environment, biomass stabilized across all groups, and cocoon production increased relative to the control, suggesting that reproductive inhibition under higher SCG levels was reversible. In the lettuce seed test, the germination rate was above 90% for all treatments (92-93%).

Overall, the results demonstrate that a 33:67 SCG-to-manure ratio provides optimal conditions for vermicomposting, enabling efficient processing of SCGs while supporting earthworm performance and producing a phytotoxin-free organic soil amendment. This highlights the potential of integrating SCGs into circular bioeconomy practices in sustainable agriculture.

Olive oil production is integral to Mediterranean culture and economy. Yet, the disposal of olive mill waste (OMW) poses major environmental risks due to its phenolic content, low biodegradability, and phytotoxicity. Vermicomposting using Eisenia fetida offers a sustainable method to convert two-phase OMW into a nutrient-rich soil amendment, while reducing its toxicity. This study evaluated the feasibility of vermicomposting OMW mixed with dairy cow manure to produce a high-quality soil amendment without impairing earthworm performance.

A completely randomized design with four treatments and four replicates was used, testing OMW-to-manure ratios of 0:100 (control), 33:67, 50:50, and 67:33 as a feedstock in 20x20x9cm plastic containers. Each container received ten mature E. fetida earthworms and was incubated for one month at 21°C and 75% moisture. Parameters monitored included electrical conductivity (EC) and pH, while phytotoxicity was assessed by germination of lettuce seeds exposed to extracts of the resulting vermicompost.

Vermicompost pH was 7.7 across treatments, while EC increased with increasing OMW concentrations, ranging from 685 μS/cm (control) to 1062 μS/cm (OMW-67%). Earthworm biomass increased in all OMW treatments relative to the control. However, cocoon production declined with higher OMW content, suggesting temporary reproductive inhibition. During a subsequent recovery phase in which earthworms were transferred to dairy manure, biomass remained similar across treatments, and cocoon production increased above control levels, demonstrating a temporary rather than permanent reduction in reproductive activity. Lettuce seed germination exceeded 90% in all treatments (91-93%), indicating low residual phytotoxicity.

These findings indicate that OMW can be effectively converted into a high-quality soil amendment through vermicomposting when mixed with cow manure, while maintaining viable, reproductively active earthworm populations. This process offers a practical and environmentally sound approach to managing a major agro-industrial byproduct in Mediterranean regions, supporting circular economy practices and sustainable agricultural development.

In the context of sustainable viticulture and circular bioeconomy, this study investigated the valorization potential of vineyard pruning by-products (leaves), gathered during two seasonal defoliation events across eight Vitis vinifera varieties (Vinhão, Touriga Nacional, Padeiro de Basto, Alvarinho, Sauvignon Blanc, Loureiro, Moscatel Galigo Branco and Arinto).

Removing leaves from plants before they naturally dry out and fall is a useful wine-growing practice for controlling yield and improving grape quality. This technique can reduce the number and compactness of bunches and improve the cold resistance and composition of grapes. However, the time of year and the amount of defoliation are crucial, since excessive leaf removal can negatively affect vine performance.

This study aimed to evaluate the polyphenolic composition of two defoliation timings (May and June) from hydroalcoholic extracts of dried leaves.

Identification and quantification of catechin, epigallocatechin gallate (EGCG), gallic acid, quercetin, rutin, ellagic acid and 3-O-methylellagic acid (3-MEA) were performed using high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) with a diode array detector (DAD).

Based on the obtained results, the 50% ethanol solution resulted in a higher content of phenolic compounds for vine leaves in the second defoliation. In the leaves of the early defoliation, the phenolic composition showed the main accumulation of gallic acid and catechin, while the content of quercetin and 3-MEA was higher in the second defoliation.

Higher contents of quercetin were obtained in leaf extracts from the Vinhão variety (53 mg/100g). 3-MEA, an ellagic acid derivative, was found exclusively in leaves collected during the second defoliation, revealing significant differences between cultivars.

This research provides information about the phenolic profile evolution of vineyard pruning by-products (leaves), contributing to a more environmentally friendly and waste-reducing food system. Valorization of this pruning waste presents a possible alternative to disposal, in line with sustainable and health-promoting food innovation goals and enhancing a circular economy.

Soil degradation and nutrient depletion remain pressing threats to sustainable agriculture, particularly in highly weathered volcanic soils where phosphorus (P) retention and structural fragility constrain productivity. This study evaluated the long-term impact of organic amendments (ORG) compared to inorganic fertilization (INORG) across five pasture sites in southern Chile. A comprehensive set of soil health indicators, including physical, chemical, and biological parameters, was assessed alongside plant nutrient status and productivity. Results demonstrated that ORG management significantly improved soil physical structure, reducing bulk density and increasing porosity, water retention, and plant-available water. Chemically, soils under ORG exhibited higher soil organic matter, total carbon, and nitrogen, as well as a 30–40% increase in labile and organic P fractions. Biologically, microbial biomass carbon, nitrogen, and phosphorus increased up to tenfold under ORG, coupled with a 15–50% rise in acid phosphatase activity, indicating enhanced microbial functionality and nutrient cycling. Plant responses mirrored these improvements. ORG-treated pastures produced 25–60% more biomass than INORG-managed sites and showed higher concentrations of N, P, and K in shoots and roots. In addition, elevated chlorophylls and carotenoids supported improved photosynthetic efficiency, while oxidative stress indicators decreased by more than 40%, suggesting greater resilience to environmental stressors. Principal component analysis confirmed that plant vigor, nutrient uptake, and biomass production were strongly associated with organic management, whereas oxidative damage clustered with inorganic fertilization. Overall, these findings provide robust field evidence that organic amendments foster soil resilience and enhance plant performance in temperate pastures. By improving nutrient availability, microbial activity, and water regulation, ORG management emerges as a viable pathway to strengthen agroecosystem sustainability under current and future climate pressures.

The effective use of conserved insitu and exsitu genetic resources of Bambara groundnut (BG) - an orphan crop, in pre-breeding programs is hampered by a lack of well-characterized germplasm and associated traits in the collections. Genotype-by-sequencing (GBS) is a next-generation sequencing technology that enables high-throughput SNP (single-nucleotide polymorphism) marker discovery, facilitating genomic studies and faster development of improved cultivars through genomic-assisted breeding tools. In this study, 361 accessions of Bambara groundnut from the Genetic Resources Center, International Institute of Tropical Agriculture (GRC-IITA), and individual breeding programs in Southern Africa were genotyped using single plants. We sought to determine the genetic diversity and population structure, to facilitate various downstream genomic applications of GBS-derived SNP data and to guide the formulation of a focused, trait-specific core set for Bambara groundnut. A total of 7592 SNPs were generated from the GBS pipeline. After SNP quality control filtering for missing data ≤ 15% and MAF ≤ 0.01, a total of 3848 high-quality SNPs were retained and used in the clustering analysis and investigation of population structure in the BG population. An NJ tree showed that 361 accessions were grouped into three major clusters, with two West African collections that were distinctly separated from the East and Southern African collections. The Q-matrix plot also confirmed the grouping of subpopulations into three groups; however, STRUCTURE revealed only two main groups: Southern and East Africa, and West Africa. The heatmap revealed that accessions from countries near each other were highly genetically similar, suggesting high gene flow due to seed exchanges. Due to the highly structured population by country of origin, we recommend considering proximity to capture the highest diversity.

Maize (Zea mays L.) is a key cereal in India, yet its productivity is often constrained by micronutrient deficiencies, particularly zinc (Zn) and boron (B). These nutrients are critical for photosynthesis, reproductive processes, and the partitioning of assimilates. A field experiment was conducted during the kharif seasons of 2023 and 2024 at IFTM University, Moradabad, to assess the impact of different Zn and B application methods on maize growth and yield. The study followed a randomized block design with eight treatments, including soil application, foliar spraying, and integrated approaches, each replicated three times. Growth attributes—plant height, leaf area index (LAI), dry matter accumulation (DMA), and crop growth rate (CGR)—were recorded, while yield was measured at harvest. Results revealed that integrated Zn and B application through soil and foliar routes significantly enhanced crop performance compared with individual applications and the control. The combined treatment increased plant height by 14–18%, LAI by 20–25%, and DMA by 22–27%. Grain yield reached 6.40 t ha⁻¹ in 2024, representing a 28% gain over the control and 12–15% higher than single-nutrient treatments. These findings demonstrate that integrated soil-and-foliar applications of Zn and B improve nutrient uptake, growth, and yield efficiency. This approach offers a practical and scalable strategy for sustainable maize production under irrigated conditions in western Uttar Pradesh.