Aggregate stability and near-surface shear resistance represent complementary expressions of soil structural condition, yet it remains unclear whether they respond similarly to land use and tillage or are associated with different soil properties across heterogeneous headwater catchments. We evaluated 69 georeferenced surface-soil locations (0–0.05 m) under natural forest (NF), grassland forage (GF), conventional tillage (CCT), no-tillage (CNT), and minimum tillage (CMT) in southern Brazil. Soil organic carbon in the selected 1–2 mm aggregate fraction (SOC1–2), clay flocculation in the 1–2 mm fraction (FD1–2), aggregate stability (AS), particle-size fractions, gravimetric soil water content (GSWC), and a Torvane index of near-surface field shear resistance were evaluated using a priori contrasts, Spearman correlations, and principal component analysis (PCA). Relative to the mean of permanent-vegetation land uses, cultivated land had 49% lower SOC1–2, 27% lower FD1–2, 8% lower AS, and 70% lower shear-resistance. SOC1–2 was strongly associated with AS (Spearman r = 0.73) but was essentially unrelated to the Torvane index (r = 0.04). In contrast, the shear-resistance index was more closely associated with GSWC (r = 0.48) and silt in the 1–2 mm fraction (r = 0.34). Differences among tillage systems within cultivated land were generally small, except for greater AS under CNT than CMT. The first two principal components explained 53.7% of the standardized multivariate variation. Overall, land use was more strongly associated with near-surface soil structural condition than tillage system, while AS and field shear resistance captured complementary, non-interchangeable aspects of soil structural organization. AS was more closely related to SOC1–2 and FD1–2, whereas near-surface shear resistance was more closely associated with contemporaneous GSWC and particle-size and soil-class conditions. These findings show that land use is a stronger determinant of near-surface soil structural condition than tillage system, and that aggregate stability and field shear resistance provide complementary, non-interchangeable information for assessing soil structural organization and supporting land-management decisions in heterogeneous headwater catchments.
Over the past decades, the intensive use of chemical fertilizers in agriculture has shown low efficiency while causing serious environmental issues and leading to soil nutrient imbalances. These challenges are compounded by climate change, increasing incidence of diseases and pests, and soil acidification, factors that jeopardize agricultural productivity and, consequently, threaten global food security. Soybean (Glycine max L.) is one of the world’s most important crops, serving as a key source of protein and oil for both human consumption and animal feed. Its global relevance continues to grow with rising demand for food, biofuels, and industrial applications, with Brazil, the United States, and Argentina leading production. Beyond its economic value, soybean contributes to agricultural sustainability through symbiotic nitrogen fixation, reducing the need for synthetic fertilizers. However, maintaining high yields under changing environmental conditions requires innovative management strategies. In this context, one promising strategy to mitigate these problems is the use of plant growth-promoting bacteria (PGPB), which contribute to more sustainable crop yield. Although numerous studies are underway regarding the potential of PGPB, further research is still necessary due to the limited understanding of their mechanisms of action and the vast range of benefits they may offer. Currently, there is a wide variety of inoculants based on different bacterial species, which play a key role in stimulating plant growth and reducing reliance on agrochemicals. Among emerging technologies, noteworthy examples include molecular inoculants (still not widely adopted commercially), bacterial and fungal consortia formulated into a single product, and inoculants containing genetically edited microorganisms—all of which have shown great promise in enhancing the performance of beneficial microbial species. The selection and genetic editing of rhizosphere-associated PGPB—an essential component of the plant microbiome—are viable alternatives for promoting more sustainable agriculture. Thus, this review examines the main inoculant technologies aimed at obtaining efficient microorganisms capable of improving rhizosphere conditions and microbial community dynamics, representing a strategic opportunity for developing solutions that enhance soybean sustainability. Rhizosphere processes mediated by microbial co-inoculation and extracellular vesicles: impacts on soil function and soybean Sustainability.
Both monoculture and crop rotation systems adopt distinct production strategies, offering gains in productive efficiency and resilience to edaphoclimatic variations. Given these increasing environmental pressures and the need for more balanced production systems, this study evaluated the environmental performance of different agricultural arrangements in different countries: Argentina (wheat + soybean), Brazil (soybean + wheat; soybean + maize; cotton + maize), China (wheat, maize, and cotton monocultures), and the USA (soybean and maize monocultures). Using the life cycle assessment (LCA) methodology, which integrates environmental categories related to atmospheric emissions, soil quality, and land use, the objective was to evaluate the trade-offs between productive intensification and resource conservation. The analyses consistently indicate that crop rotation systems tend to exhibit superior environmental performance compared to intensive monocultures. Among the observed benefits, the following stand out greater agroecological stability and edaphoclimatic adaptability, improved nutrient cycling and maintenance/storage of soil organic carbon (SOC), as well as reduced risks of erosion and fertility loss. Thus, the results confirm that, under the evaluated conditions, crop rotation systems – when associated with soil conservation practices and regenerative management – prove to be the best environmental option, as they reduce impacts on soil, water, and the atmosphere without compromising productivity.
This study developed a Eugenia caryophyllus nanoemulsion and evaluated its performance antimicrobial and toxicity. Nanoemulsion was produced with the high agitation method, using essential oil and a surfactant in the oily phase, and the aqueous phase consisted of a surfactant and ultrapure water. Nanoemulsion characterization included mean droplet diameter, zeta potential, and polydispersity index. Antimicrobial activity evaluation minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) and minimum bactericidal concentration (MBC) and the nanoemulsion’s ability to destroy and inhibit biofilm in vitro and ex vivo on bovine incisor specimens. In silico toxicity predictions were determined using Molinspiration Cheminformatics, pkCSM, ProTox-II, and OSIRIS Property Explorer software. Molecular docking was conducted using AutoDock Vina and AutoDock4 AMDock v.1.5.2 to analyze the interactions between the IL-1β, IL-6, IL-8, IL-10 and TNF-α and the eugenol. To evaluate the data, one-way analysis of variance (ANOVA) was used, followed by Tukey’s test, using GraphPad Prism 8.0.1 software (GraphPad Software Inc, San Diego, CA, USA). Nanoemulsion had a mean droplet size of 117 nm, a low polydispersity index, and a zeta potential of -7.9 mV. Antimicrobial activity tests demonstrated 0.78 mg/ml MIC and 1.56 mg/mL MBC against Streptococcus. mutans. The nanoemulsion also effectively eradicated and inhibited biofilm in vitro . Genotoxicity and cytotoxicity tests confirmed the safety of the nanoemulsion for dental use. In molecular docking, eugenol demonstrated higher binding affinity to the TNF-α and lower affinity to the IL-10. This study highlights the potential of this nanoemulsion as antimicrobials in dentistry, emphasizing its natural origin and confirmed safety by the tests.
Aluminum (Al³⁺) accumulates in the brain and has been linked to neurodegeneration. When combined with citrate, its absorption increase, raising the risk of neurodegenerative disorders such as Alzheimer’s disease. Resveratrol (RSV), a polyphenol with anti-inflammatory, antioxidant, and neuroprotective properties, has been associated with aging prevention by reducing oxidative stress. This in vivo study aimed to determine whether RSV could protect male Swiss mice from Al³⁺-induced cognitive impairment, alterations in purinergic signaling, and brain inflammation. The study was conducted using 60 animals treated with aluminum chloride (AlCl₃ 50 mg/Kg, gavage), citrate (AlCl₃ 50 mg/Kg + CIT 100 mg/Kg, gavage), and resveratrol (AlCl₃ 50 mg/Kg + RSV 100 mg/Kg, gavage), along with their respective Controls, for 30 days every 48 h. Behavioral assessments included the open field test, object recognition test, and Y-maze test to evaluate cognitive performance. Enzymatic activity of purinergic pathways and levels of receptors and inflammation-related molecules were also analyzed. AlCl₃ and AlCl₃ + CIT induced an inflammatory response in mice, as evidenced by the modulation of purinergic system enzymes associated with inflammation. Al³⁺ intoxication also triggered behavior alterations, which was modulated by CIT and alleviated by RSV treatment. Western blot findings revealed that AlCl₃ and AlCl₃ + CIT altered protein levels of purinergic receptors (A1R, A2AR, and P2 × 7R), the inflammasome protein NLRP3, the pro-inflammatory cytokine IL-1β, and the neurotrophic factor BDNF. RSV counteracted the toxic effects of Al³⁺, providing neuroprotection against its toxicity and presenting itself as a potential therapeutic candidate for cognitive deficits. RSV counteracts Al3+-induced effects in purinergic enzymes and receptors of the cerebral cortex. The addition of citrate altered the toxicity of Al³⁺. RSV has neuroprotective effects against Al3+-induced toxicity.
