Global agriculture stands at a critical juncture, facing the dual challenge of sustaining food production for a rapidly growing population while mitigating the environmental consequences of intensive farming. The overuse of chemical fertilizers and pesticides has accelerated soil degradation, biodiversity loss, and ecological imbalances, threatening long-term viability. Synthetic microbial communities (SynComs) have emerged as a promising approach to reshape plant-microbe interactions, offering a precise, scalable, and ecologically sustainable alternative to conventional agrochemicals. Unlike native microbial communities, which form naturally and vary with environmental conditions, SynComs are deliberately assembled consortium of multiple microbial strains selected for their complementary functions, ecological compatibility, and ability to perform targeted roles within a host or environment. By engineering microbes with targeted functional traits, SynComs enhance nutrient assimilation, bolster plant defence, and fortify resilience against biotic and abiotic stresses. The understanding of SynCom design, exploring their composition, functional dynamics, and mechanisms for optimizing plant health is crucial for effective synthesis and application, alongside cutting-edge computational tools and genomic databases that enable precision engineering of microbial communities. Despite their transformative potential, large-scale application of SynComs remains constrained by challenges related to field efficacy, regulatory frameworks, and long-term microbial persistence. Addressing these barriers through interdisciplinary research and policy innovation is imperative. As environmental microbiome moves towards sustainability-driven solutions, SynComs hold the key to revolutionizing farming practices, reducing chemical dependence, and ensuring global food security in an era of mounting environmental stressors.
The challenge of balancing the need for renewable energy to address climate change and the demand for land to boost food production often appears to be in conflict. Agrivoltaic systems (AVS) present a promising solution by integrating agricultural crop production with electricity generation on the same land. Nevertheless, reduced light availability beneath AVS poses a significant challenge, potentially limiting crop growth and yield. This study investigates the impact of photovoltaic panels (PVPs) on microclimate and wheat production under varying shading conditions during the rabi seasons of 2017-18 and 2018-19. We analyzed shading patterns, air temperature, soil temperature, air humidity, and solar radiation (Photosynthetically active radiation) effects in plots under full shade (FSh), partial shade (PSh), and full sun (FSu) conditions to evaluate their impact on microclimate modifications and subsequent effects on wheat growth and yield. The wheat variety GW 496 was cultivated under the AVS with line sowing and drip irrigation techniques. PVPs create dynamic shading patterns influenced by their dimensions, tilt, and spacing. Shading intensity varies throughout the day and season, and significantly impacts daytime air temperature, with temperatures under PVPs averaging 1.2 degrees C lower than in full sun, and relative humidity varying with shading intensity. The FSu plot experienced the highest temperatures and PAR levels, while the FSh plot had the lowest due to continuous shading. Soil temperatures were also lower under PVPs, particularly in the FSh plot. Plant height was greater under partial shade (PSh) compared to full shade (FSh), while ear head length, test weight, and harvest index decreased with increased shading intensity. Biological and grain yields of wheat decreased with shading intensity, with a 62.8 % reduction in grain yield and a 54.8 % reduction in biological yield under full shade (FSh) compared to full sun (FSu). The findings underscore that while some shading can mitigate heat stress and conserve soil moisture, excessive shading substantially reduces crop yields. This research highlights the importance of balancing shading to optimize wheat production in AVS.
Microbial entomopathogens that include fungi, bacteria, viruses, and nematodes have long been valued for their role in biological control of insect pests. However, recent research highlights their expanded applications beyond pest management. Entomopathogenic fungi such as Beauveria bassiana and Metarhizium spp. are increasingly recognized for their potential as biocontrol agents in integrated pest management systems. These fungi exhibit not only direct insecticidal effects but also secondary metabolites that contribute to plant disease suppression, thereby enhancing crop health and yield. Bacterial entomopathogen Bacillus thuringiensis, as the most widely used biopesticide, has also demonstrated potency not only against insects but also as systemic resistance inducer, thereby boosting plant immunity against pathogens. Moreover, entomopathogens are emerging as growth promoters and biostimulants, enhancing crop vigor through nutrient uptake and root development. This review consolidates current knowledge on the mechanisms of action of microbial entomopathogens against pests as well as current understanding on its other plant-beneficial traits. It also discusses their environmental impact and potential integration into sustainable agricultural practices. This comprehensive exploration underscores the transformative potential of microbial entomopathogens in shaping future strategies for holistic crop health management including pest management in agriculture.
This paper investigates how the heating sector can best support the green transition into climate-neutral societies. In order to do so, the heating sector must be considered and analysed as an integral part of the entire energy system as well as be coordinated with other greenhouse gas emitting sectors. Consequently, in this study with Denmark as a case, we establish the context of a full transition of all sectors into a climate-neutral society. Using such context, we investigate the role of the heating sector with a focus on excess heat potentials, energy savings vs. supply, district heating vs. individual heating as well as the ability to recycle low-temperature excess heat and to provide flexibility and support the integration of variable renewable energy sources also in other subsectors of the energy system. The results of the analyses show (1) a feasible reduction level of around 36% in end-use heat demand in buildings, with higher potential in older buildings and lower in new buildings, (2) expanding district heating to areas with a density of 15-10 kWh/m2 is feasible, resulting in a district heating share of 63-70% of the heat demand compared to the current level of 51%, (3) a large unexploited potential to use heat sources such as industrial excess heat, geothermal heat, data centres and power-to-X, reducing the need for biomass in the heating sector, and (4) increased use of variable renewable energy and combined heat and power production increasing gas export and thus replacing biomass consumption outside the country.
Probiotics are live microorganisms with health benefits. Lactic acid bacteria (LAB) are among the well-known probiotic formulations in various products intended for human or animal consumption. Prior researches on Tej have thus far looked into its physicochemical compositions, microbial load and starter cultured development. This work on screening of probiotic from Tej is novel because there hasn’t been any report on screening of probiotics for improvement of the beverage. The aim of this research is therefore to investigate the probiotic properties of LAB isolated from Tej. Samples were collected from Addis Ababa, and LAB were identified following morphological, physiological, and Matrix Assisted Laser Desorption Ionization Time of Flight Mass spectrometer (MALDI-TOF). A total of 300 isolates were purified and characterized among which 280 of them were LAB. All the 280, LAB isolates were screened for their antibacterial properties out of which 200 showed antibacterial activities, 158 were tolerant to low pH values (pH 2 and 3), 134 survived the bile concentrations of 0.3
