New crop management strategies like biostimulation could help close yield gaps in established cropping areas affected by climate change. Field foliar application of humic substances (HB) could be implemented as an agricultural practice only after long-term validation at the farm level. On-farm experimentation (OFE) in farmers’ fields can be used as a testing methodology, including determining the technology’s economic profitability. A total of 447 on-farm experimentation trials on soybean, rice, maize, wheat and barley were installed from 2014 to 2023 in the main production zones of Uruguay. In rice, a significant mean increase (7%) independent of the production conditions (soil, climate, variety, and year) was found. In wheat and barley, a mean yield response of 12% over 14 years and 17% over six years was obtained, respectively. For all crops, we found a tendency to increase the response in those sites and years with the least appropriate conditions for cultivation. The probability of exceeding the break-even cost ranged from 79.7 % for wheat to 87.5% for rice. The results show for the first time that a single foliar application of an HB at a crop cycle-critical moment of these five grains can be transferred as a simple, sustainable, and low-cost technology to achieve higher yield and economic returns.

High-throughput phenotyping using remote sensors is a recent strategy that has enabled breeders to evaluate complex traits in breeding programs, such as internal CO₂ concentration (Ci). Ci is an important trait for measuring plant adaptation to climate change. However, this is only possible after validating models. The objective of this work was to identify promising machine learning (ML) models for predicting physiological traits in soybean genotypes using a hyperspectral sensor. The experiment was conducted in a randomized block design with four replicates and 25 soybean genotypes. Ci was evaluated 60 days after emergence of the genotypes in three leaves per plot. Spectral readings were performed on these same leaves with a spectroradiometer to acquire spectral variables in the range of 350 to 2500 nm. The spectral variables were used as input for the prediction of each physiological trait. The ML models tested were artificial neural networks, REPTree decision tree, M5P decision tree, random forest (RF), and support vector machine. A 10-fold cross-validation was used to obtain the following accuracy parameters: Pearson's correlation coefficient between the observed and predicted values, ​​and the mean absolute error. The results obtained indicate that all the models evaluated, with the exception of RPTree, are efficient for performing high-precision phenotyping of Ci using spectral variables as input. These results enabled the large-scale evaluation of soybean genotypes.

Walnut is an important temperate tree crop treasured for its nutrient-dense kernels. All fruit parts, including the green husks, are rich in bioactive phenolic compounds with antimicrobial and antioxidant properties. The study examined total phenolic content (TPC) in green husks of twelve cultivars, namely, ‘Alsószentiváni 117’, ‘Alsószentiváni kései’, ‘Eszterházy kései’, ‘Milotai kései’, ‘Milotai intenzív’, ‘Milotai 10’, ‘BD6’, ‘Köpcös’, ‘Tiszacsécsi 83’, ‘Eszterházy II’, ‘Chandler’, and ‘Bonifác1’. Sampling was performed fortnightly, from the lignification of the nuts (late June) to September at harvest time in 2022, 2023, and 2024.

Using the Folin–Ciocalteu spectrophotometric method, this study showed that the biosynthesis of TPC significantly varies (p < 0.001) among cultivars as the fruit develops to maturity across the years. Total phenolic content in the green husks ranged between 27.9 and 67.7 mgGAE/gDM, between 7.1 and 98.6 mgGAE/gDM, and between 37.0 and 91.3 mgGAE/gDM in 2022, 2023, and 2024 respectively. ‘Milotai kései’ recorded the least TPC at 7.1 mgGAE/gDM and ‘Alsószentiváni kései’ the highest amount at 98.6 mgGAE/gDM in 2023. This study also shows that all cultivars achieved the highest phenolic content either at the lignification stage or harvest time in 2022 and 2024. However, in 2023, the TPC content in a number of these cultivars such as ‘Milotai intenzív’, ‘Milotai 10’, ‘BD6’, ‘Köpcös’, ‘Eszterházy II’, and ‘Bonifác1’ was the highest in mid-July and August. These findings suggest that the biosynthesis of phenolic compounds in walnuts is dependent on inherent cultivar characteristics and other exogenous factors such as sampling period.

Bacterial wilt, also known as brown rot of potato, is an economically significant disease of solanaceous vegetables, which is caused by Ralstonia solanacearum. Defense against R. solanacearum is a challenging task requiring the combined application of different treatments in an integrated manner. By using molecular biologic techniques, new transgenic plant lines with improved pathogen resistance can be generated, while facilitating deeper knowledge of the molecular mechanisms involved in plant–pathogen interactions. We aimed to generate silencing and overexpressing constructs to obtain transformed S. tuberosum lines resistant to R. solanacearum. After an exhaustive literature search, we chose four genes with probable relations with R. solanacearum resistance in potato: [1] MKK1, which is part of the mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK) gene family, building up a phosphorelay cascade; [2] WAT1, a gene responsible for secondary cell wall deposition; [3] SK23, encoding a GSK3-/SHAGGY-like kinase, which has been earlier proven to be in negative correlation with pathogen resistance in different plant species; and [4] a thaumatin-like protein gene, OSML15, belonging to the pathogenesis related (PR) genes and which was shown to confer resistance to several soil-borne pathogens in tomato. Antisense repression of MKK1, WAT1, and SK23, as well as the overexpression of OSML15, was successfully achieved in the potato cultivar ‘Désirée’ and three lines from each type of transgenic plants selected for Ralstonia tests planned to be performed in the near future.

The use of hydrogels has grown in recent years due to their ability to retain water and slowly release it to plants. This research sought to evaluate whether the hydrogel based on cashew gum interferes with the physiological performance of maize subjected to different levels of water deficit. The experiment was conducted in a greenhouse at the Federal University of Mato Grosso do Sul. A completely randomized experimental design was used in a 4x2 triple factorial scheme with 3 replications. The first factor was composed of four doses of the hydrogel: 0, 60, 120 and 240 mg pot^-1, which correspond to 7,5; 15; 30 and 60 kg ha^-1; the last factor was composed of two irrigation levels 50 and 100% of the water storage capacity. Thirty days after maize germination, gas exchange analyses were performed using a portable photosynthesis equipment (Infrared Gas Analyzer - IRGA), model Li6400XT with a photosynthetically active photon flux of 1200 μmol m^-2 s^-1 and ambient CO₂ concentration of (400 ± 10 mol m^-2 s^-1). The physiological variables evaluated were: net photosynthesis (µmol CO₂ m^-2 s^-1) and transpiration (mmol H₂O m^-2 s^-1). There was a significant interaction between hydrogel doses and irrigation levels. The use of hydrogel at any dose promotes higher values ​​of net photosynthesis and transpiration for the 50% evapotranspiration level compared to the 100% level. The results suggest that a 50% water saving combined with the use of the lowest hydrogel dose provides better physiological performance of maize plants.

Metabolomics is a method with considerable unexploited potential in functional genomics, capable of identifying genetic and physiological differences in plants. Therefore, comprehending the metabolic differences of cassava genotypes is crucial for enhancing the traits favoured by farmers and consumers among other factors. We employed a liquid chromatography—mass spectrometry quadrupole (LC-MS qTOF) to examine the metabolic profiles of four cassava genotypes under controlled conditions and discovered 3,372 metabolite features. Principal Component Analysis (PCA) and Partial Least Squares Discriminant Analysis (PLS-DA) revealed significant differences in metabolic patterns between genotypes. P4/10 showed the most substantial split, while UKF4 showed only little divergence. Furthermore, the results indicated that lipids, polyphenols, organic acids, and flavonoids were the key metabolites responsible for genotype separation. A pathway analysis indicated significant contributions from the phenylpropanoid biosynthesis, fatty acid degradation, and flavonoid biosynthesis pathways, highlighting the importance of genotype-specific metabolic profiles in determining cassava's biochemical diversity. These findings underscore the significance of metabolic blueprints in defining distinct characteristics among genotypes. Moreover, subsequent research may investigate the genetic foundation of metabolic diversity and its potential to develop enhanced cassava genotypes with superior nutritional value and stress resilience.

The use of hydrogels can maximize water use in response to growing food demands. However, research is needed to investigate the appropriate dose for water deficit situations. The objective of this research was to evaluate the growth of maize subjected to different levels of water deficit with the use of cashew gum-based hydrogel in different doses. The experiment was conducted in a controlled environment at the Federal University of Mato Grosso do Sul in a completely randomized design with three replicates. A 2x4 factorial scheme was used with two irrigation levels (50 and 100% of water storage capacity) and four hydrogel doses, 0; 60; 120; and 240 mg pot^-1, which correspond to 7,5; 15; 30; and 60 kg ha^-1. After 70 days of germination, the maize plants were measured to determine their total height and then cut close to the ground. The material was then sent to the laboratory, their fresh mass was weighed, and they were dried in an oven at 65ºC for 72 hours until they reached a constant weight. The dry mass was determined on a precision analytical balance (grams per pot). Only the isolated effects of irrigation levels and hydrogel doses were significant. The higher irrigation level provided greater height and dry mass in maize plants. There was a linear adjustment tomaize plant growth in response to hydrogel doses. However, for dry mass, quadratic behavior was displayed. The results indicate that regardless of the irrigation level, the use of cashew gum hydrogel doses between 15 and 30 kg ha-1 provide greater growth in maize plants.

Seed priming with biofertilizers offers a sustainable and eco-friendly approach to improving rice seed germination and early seedling growth. This study investigated the effects of biofertilizer treatments on germination speed, vigor index, plant height, and root length in three rice varieties (Nipponbare, Koshihikari, and NU1). Treatments included seeds soaked or unsoaked in biofertilizer, compared to control and autoclaved biofertilizer under controlled conditions. Results showed that biofertilizer significantly enhanced germination speed, with NU1 demonstrating a 9% improvement compared to the control. The vigor index increased by 34% in Nipponbare, 61% in Koshihikari, and 87% in NU1. Biofertilizer-soaked seeds also recorded a substantial increase in plant height, with Nipponbare showing a 114% improvement, while root length improved markedly, with NU1 exhibiting a 25.8% increase. Statistical analysis using ANOVA and Tukey’s HSD test confirmed that these improvements were significant (p < 0.05). The autoclaved biofertilizer showed limited effects, emphasizing the necessity of active microbial components. These findings illustrate the potential of biofertilizers to accelerate germination, improve early growth parameters, and enhance rice productivity, supporting sustainable agricultural practices and contributing to global food security efforts.

The commercialization of leafy vegetables, such as wild rocket (Diplotaxis tenuifolia L.), is gaining prominence due to their convenience and high content of bioactive compounds, making them key ingredients in ready-to-eat salads. However, sustainable packaging solutions are critical to reducing their environmental impact. This study aimed to evaluate the postharvest performance of wild rocket cultivated in three substrates and packaged using alternative biodegradable materials: polylactic acid (PL), cellulose+Kraft (CK), and polylactic acid+Kraft (PLK) bags. Wild rocket was grown in coco peat (CP), coco peat with livestock compost (90:10; CP+LC), and coco peat with mushroom compost (50:50; CP+MC). At harvest, the leaves were washed; disinfected; packaged in PL, CK, or PLK bags; and stored at 4°C for 7 and 14 days. Quality parameters, including nitrate and phenolic content, antioxidant capacity, moisture retention, and weight loss, were assessed to identify the best substrate and packaging combination for extending shelf life and preserving quality. The results indicated that the nitrate concentration was significantly lower in the plants grown on CP and packaged in PLK bags, regardless of storage time. The plants cultivated on CP showed the highest phenolic content and antioxidant capacity, with no significant differences due to the packaging type. Among the tested packaging materials, PL retained more water vapor than the others, which condensed and led to leaf wetness and a shorter shelf life. Conversely, the CK bags absorbed more product moisture, causing the most elevated dehydration. The PLK bags had a superior quality by maintaining an optimal modified atmosphere and balancing the moisture retention, ensuring a better product after 14 days at 4ºC, without differences among the substrates used. In conclusion, growing wild rocket in CP in combination with its storage in PLK bags is a promising and sustainable solution for minimally processed leafy vegetables within short food supply chains, offering an eco-friendly alternative to petroleum-based plastics while maintaining postharvest quality.

In recent years, biological control has become one of the important means of insect pest control in Chinese urban gardens with the urban residents' increasingly high requirements for the living environment and from the perspective of ecological environmental protection. Biological control is a method that utilizes beneficial organisms or their metabolic products to prevent and control pests and diseases. It has advantages such as being safe for humans and other organisms, pests being less likely to develop drug resistance, and having a lasting control effect. It holds a pivotal position in urban pest management. In this paper, biological control methods of urban garden pests, application examples, existing problems and solutions of biological control of urban garden pests in Beijing were systematically reviewed. Firstly, presenting a comprehensive review of important biological control technologies such as controlling pests with insects, controlling pests with fungi, and controlling pests with birds is helpful for further understanding the key technical points of biological control and its significant importance for the protection of biodiversity. Secondly, by combining the successful cases of biological control of pests in Beijing's urban gardens, deeply analyzing the important position of biological control technologies in the prevention and control of pests in urban gardens is of great significance for realizing the grand goals of the capital city's biodiversity and promoting the construction of a garden city in the capital. Finally, in light of the problems encountered in the practical application of biological control technologies, approaches and lines of thought for problem-solving have been put forward. Briefly speaking, this review holds substantial theoretical and practical significance in guiding the biological control of pests in urban gardens, which is conducive to enhancing urban biodiversity and the quality of the living environment for urban residents.