In agricultural contexts, the health of soil is pivotal to crop success, particularly evident in maize cultivation where soil conditions influence both yield and grain quality. This study delved into the impacts of various organic and mineral fertilization methods on maize growth, grain quality, and soil chemistry.

The experiment examined eight distinct fertilization treatments, ranging from composts to vermicomposts to mineral fertilization and a control group. Notably, Vermicompost B emerged as highly beneficial, yielding the highest maize production and grain quality, with a thousand-kernel weight (TKW) of 297 grams. This surpassed results from mineral fertilization (variant 7) and unfertilized controls, which recorded TKWs of 274 grams and 277 grams, respectively.

Vermicompost B not only boosted yield but also enriched soil nutrients significantly. It exhibited elevated levels of nitrate nitrogen (49.3 mg/kg), phosphorus (61.8 mg/kg), potassium (156.2 mg/kg), calcium (1416 mg/kg), zinc (14.7 mg/kg), and boron (1.36 mg/kg). Moreover, its soil pH of 6.8 and moderate electrical conductivity of 0.94 dS/m indicated favorable soil conditions for maize growth.

In contrast, Vermicompost C, while lower in nitrogen and phosphorus, proved superior in zinc (17.5 mg/kg) and boron (1.53 mg/kg) concentrations, highlighting its potential as a micronutrient source. Mineral fertilization, while effective in providing ample macronutrients (nitrogen, phosphorus, potassium), fell short in micronutrient supply, particularly zinc and boron.

These findings underscore the viability of vermicompost-based fertilization strategies, especially those incorporating sewage sludge and green waste, as sustainable alternatives to traditional mineral fertilizers. Beyond enhancing crop productivity and grain quality, these organic approaches improve soil fertility, offering long-term benefits for agricultural sustainability and resilience against environmental challenges. As agriculture seeks more sustainable practices, the role of soil health and nutrient management remains critical in securing future food production.

Greenhouse production systems in New Zealand face dual challenges of limited light availability during winter and high pathogen pressure, both of which restrict productivity. Conventional responses rely on agrochemical inputs, yet these approaches are increasingly unsustainable. Recent advances in controlled-environment photobiology suggest that supplementary monochromatic red LED light can simultaneously stimulate growth and activate defence mechanisms, offering a sustainable alternative. Red light is perceived by phytochromes, triggering downstream transcriptional changes that regulate salicylic acid signalling, antioxidant enzyme activity, and secondary metabolite biosynthesis—pathways known to enhance resistance against necrotrophic pathogens such as Botrytis cinerea.

To test these effects, a glasshouse experiment was conducted at Lincoln University using lettuce as a model crop. Plants were grown under two conditions: supplementary red LED light (250 µmol m⁻² s⁻¹ for 5 h daily) and an untreated control, for ten weeks. Growth performance was evaluated by measuring shoot fresh weight (SFW) and dry weight (DW). Chlorophyll content was quantified spectrophotometrically using acetone-extracted pigments following Lichtenthaler (1987). Total phenolic content and antioxidant activity (DPPH assay) were also determined. Plants were subsequently inoculated with B. cinerea spores to assess disease severity.

Red-light supplementation increased SFW by 45% and significantly increased total chlorophyll, phenolic content, and antioxidant activity compared with controls. Disease severity was markedly reduced in red-light–treated plants: three days after inoculation, lesion length averaged 40 mm compared with 70 mm in controls, and lesion width averaged 18 mm compared with 30 mm. These findings indicate that red-light exposure not only promotes biomass accumulation but also enhances biochemical defences against B. cinerea infection.

This work underscores the potential of targeted spectral manipulation as a dual strategy for yield enhancement and disease resistance in glasshouse crops. Such findings contribute to the mechanistic understanding of light-mediated defence and provide a framework for scaling sustainable lighting strategies in controlled-environment agriculture.

This study presents a multifactorial long-term field experiment designed to evaluate the combined effects of fertilizers, hybrid varieties, planting density, tillage practices, and crop rotation on sustainable crop management. The treatments included three tillage systems (Ripping tillage, Strip tillage, Winter plowing), three levels of NPK fertilizer (0, 80, 160 t/ha), three maize hybrids (Merida, Fiednico, and P9985), two plant densities (60,000 and 80,000 plants per hectare), three types of tillage, crop rotation (winter wheat, maize) and irrigation (irrigated –non irrigated). The study was conducted in 2024 at the Látókép Experimental Station (Debrecen, Hungary). The experiment was established to address the need for integrated agricultural practices that optimize crop yield, soil health, and resource use efficiency over extended periods. The long-term experiment has a split-plot design. The main plot treatments are tillage and irrigation, with no replication. Data were collected following standardized protocols and statistically analysed using Genstat 12th edition. Results demonstrate significant interactions among the factors. The three hybrid treatments evaluated: Merida hybrid had the highest average yield (11.02 t/ha), followed by Fiedncio and P998510.67-10.51 t/ha, respectively. Interaction between hybrids, fertilizer, and tillage did not show a significant difference in yield, as determined by the Duncan multiple-range test at the 5% significance level. It could suggest using a low amount of fertilizer with any type of hybrid and tillage. Irrigated plots consistently outperformed non-irrigated counterparts. All hybrids with ripping tillage had the highest yields, and Merida yielded significantly more with ripping tillage (p<0.05). This suggests that Merida is a promising variety for cultivation, making it a preferred choice for farmers looking to maximize output. This research provides valuable insights into balancing productivity with sustainability, offering a framework for developing resilient cropping systems that can adapt to evolving agricultural challenges. The findings support the adoption of diverse management practices to enhance both economic and ecological outcomes in long-term crop production.

Introduction: Ginger (Zingiber officinale Roscoe) is a medicinal crop indigenous to China. As for conservation, propagation, and enhanced crop growth rate under a protected environment, understanding the mechanisms of abiotic stress tolerance plays an integral role in enhancing medicinal properties in the herb's subsequent growth stages.

Methods: The effects of three different light durations (15, 30, and 45 days) represented by 50% shade levels in 3 times harvesting (every 15, 30 and 45 days shading in each harvesting time durations combined with three water levels in greenhouse condition on plant growth parameters, including the level of peroxidase activity and proline content in the root and shoot of 2 month-old seedling plants, were investigated. The two-factor experiment was laid out in a split-plot design based on RCBD with three replications. The proline concentration was measured spectrophotometrically employing the method of Bates et al. (1973). Peroxidase (POX) activity was measured according to the method of Herzog and Fahimi (1973).

Results: Both peroxidase activity and proline content were increased in the inappropriate light duration condition. Peroxidase (POX) in roots increased sharply, reaching 68.3% and 50% in 15 and full-time shading days, respectively, at each harvest after months of treatment, compared to the 30-day shaded condition. Meanwhile, lower proline levels were recorded after 30 days of shading in each harvest; while the height ratio in root and shoot (58% and 40%, respectively) was higher after 15 days of shading compared to 30 days of shading.

Conclusion: In the case of POX and proline, there were increasing trends in terms of shortened shading duration compared with the other two shade durations. Peroxidase plays an essential role in plant growth and development. Proline content of under- and above-ground plant organs augmented upon exposure to the shortest and longest shade durations.

The field experiment was conducted during the fall-spring period of the 2024/2025 growing season, at the experimental field of the Institute of Vegetable Crops Smederevska Palanka in Smederevska Palanka, Serbia. Carrot (Daucus carota L.) variety Nantes SP-80 was sown on October 2^nd 2025, after which pendimethalin at 1137.5 g ha^-1 of a.i. was applied.

Three different herbicide treatments were applied on March 24^th 2025, all including pyridate: 1) pyridate 900 g ha^-1 + clopyralid 100 g ha^-1, 2) pyridate 900 g ha^-1 + flumioxazin 30.6 g ha^-1, and 3) pyridate 900 g ha^-1 + clomazone 96 g ha^-1. All herbicides were applied with 200 L ha^-1 of water by using Lechler IDK12002 nozzles. A period of 21 days after application (DAA), crop injury, weed density, and aboveground biomass of weeds and carrots were sampled, and these were then oven-dried for 72 h at 75 ⁰C. Data was analyzed with IBM SPSS Statistics software, version 26.0, by running Tukey's test (α=0.05).

The most dominant weed species was Senecio vulgaris L. The highest dry biomass reduction of Senecio vulgaris L. was obtained in treatment with clomazone (89.09%), followed by treatments with clopyralid (55.67%) and flumioxazin (52.38%). The dry biomass reduction of carrots was highest in treatments with flumioxazin (63.53%), followed by clomazone (46.99%) and clopyralid (22.98%), respectively, whereby visual crop injury was 10, 30, and 20%, respectively. By adding flumioxazin, leaves were burned more, which is why the percent of dry biomass reduction was higher than visual rates, compared to treatments with clomazone, where, due to the synergism, visual crop injury was the highest of all three treatments.

All treatments caused crop injury, whereby flumioxazin caused the highest dry biomass reduction of carrots, but did not control Senecio vulgaris L., compared to treatment with clomazone where crop biomass reduction was less, but Senecio vulgaris L. biomass was highest.

The present study was conducted to optimise the growth size of the Biloxi blueberry variety by establishing a heuristic dashboard of soil nutrients and monitoring fruit set percentage to maximise the nutrient blend through fertilised water irrigation (10 sets per day over a 90-day harvest period). Blueberries are known as “longevity fruits” due to their high antioxidant capacity against free radicals and reactive species, and they are considered to be one of the greatest sources of antioxidants among all fruits. The time of leaf and floral bud initiation was determined by recording the date of the first leaf and flower to open. Percent fruit set was observed by counting the number of flowers on different selected branches and the number of fruits 15 days after full bloom. Percent fruit set was calculated as follows: Fruit set (%) = (total number of flowers/total number of flowers) x 100. After harvesting, the fruit was analysed for size, weight, and physicochemical properties (total solids, titratable acidity, total sugars, and reducing sugars) using standard procedures. A mixture dashboard was created by blending the acidic: potassium nitrate, magnesium sulphate, monoammonium phosphate, Iron chelate, and phosphoric acid; and non-acidic parts: calcium nitrate, ammonium sulphate, boric acid. After the berry's growth and flowering period (90 days), the increase in size resulting from irrigation with the optimal mixture was maximised at 13 mm, an increase of 2 mm + 0.1 in the measured samples.