The increasing resistance to conventional antifungal therapies necessitates novel topical formulations. This study developed biocomposite hydrogels based on hydroxyethylcellulose (HEC), keratin, and oregano essential oil (OEO) from Origanum syriacum var. bevanii. Eight hydrogels (H1-H8) with varying HEC (3-3.5%), keratin (0-1.6%), and OEO (0-0.06%) were prepared. GC-MS identified thymol (24.44%), gamma-terpinene (20.54%), p-cymene (15.45%), and carvacrol (12.65%). Rheological data were quantified using the Ostwald-de Waele model. The consistency index was strongly influenced by composition and temperature. A medium concentration of keratin and OEO represents the optimal formulation ratio, offering rheological behavior suitable for the intended therapeutic purpose. Antifungal activity evaluated against Aspergillus brasiliensis, Fusarium oxysporum, and Phanerochaete chrysosporium showed low OEO concentrations (0.003-0.006%) were ineffective. Hydrogels with 0.06% OEO (H7, H8) achieved complete suppression of A. brasiliensis and P. chrysosporium (score 0); H7 also fully inhibited F. oxysporum. A clear OEO concentration threshold above 0.006% is required for efficacy, with keratin acting as a functional encapsulant. These biocomposite hydrogels offer promising rheological and antifungal properties for further development.
Amphibian chytridiomycoses are emerging fungal diseases caused by Batrachochytrium dendrobatidis (Bd) and Batrachochytrium salamandrivorans (Bsal). They pose a significant threat to amphibians worldwide, driving catastrophic species declines and extinctions with knock-on impacts on the ecosystem and human health. This review examines the expanding distribution of Bd and Bsal, with a focus on Eastern Europe. Advances in diagnostics including histopathology, PCR, and environmental DNA detection -, including their strengths and limitations, are discussed. This review considers morphological characteristics, pathogen life cycles, mechanisms of pathogenesis, and clinical signs useful for guiding infection and disease detection. Innate and acquired host immune responses in response to Bd and Bsal infection are discussed within the context of host resistance and tolerance. Finally, potential transmission routes are explored, with a focus on the role the pet trade plays in pathogen spread, and current treatment and mitigation approaches for both wild and captive amphibians are summarised. Insights into the epidemiology of Bd and Bsal and environmental factors influencing pathogen spread and resistance can inform proactive conservation and disease management strategies essential for protecting at-risk amphibian populations.
This paper analyzes the dynamics of land use and land cover in the South-West Oltenia region ofRomania over the period 1990-2023, using official statistical data concerning agricultural and non-agricultural areas, as well as their respective land use categories. While the total land area has remained constant throughout the analyzed interval, the distribution among land use categories has undergone significant changes. At the regional level, agricultural lands-particularly arable land and pastures-have shown relatively stable trends, whereas areas cultivated with vineyards and orchards have experienced a marked decline. Forested areas have slightly increased, reflecting efforts toward reforestation and environmental conservation. Built-up areas, including construction and infrastructure, have expanded noticeably, highlighting socio-economic development and the growing demand for built spaces. Conversely, the surface area of unproductive lands has increased substantially, underscoring the urgent need for land rehabilitation measures and interventions to combat land degradation. The study emphasizes the challenges posed by land degradation and the necessity of implementing sustainable land management policies that balance agricultural productivity, environmental protection, and urban expansion. The findings provide a robust foundation for decision-makers and regional planners in promoting sustainable territorial development in the South-West Oltenia region.
Soil degradation due to erosion is one of the most pressing environmental issues in the mountainous regions of Central Asia. This study presents the results of a comprehensive investigation of mountain brown soils distributed in the Chatkal and Turkestan ranges of Uzbekistan, focusing on their morphological changes under the influence of water erosion. The research methods included field descriptions of soil profiles, geobotanical analysis, and laboratory studies of agrochemical properties (humus, pH, nitrogen, phosphorus, and potassium content). The analysis of the soil cover allowed us to identify three subtypes of mountain brown soils: carbonate, typical, and leached, differing in carbonate depth and humus content. The results showed that erosion leads to the removal of the humus horizon, a decrease in organic matter content, and the deterioration of soil physicochemical properties. In the Chatkal Range, with its moderately humid climate, deeper carbonate accumulation and higher humus content were observed, but intense spring precipitation accelerates soil profile washout. In the Turkestan Range, where the climate is drier and steep slopes prevail, erosion is exacerbated by sparse vegetation and high seismic activity. Future research will focus on developing erosion prediction models considering climate change, as well as implementing effective soil conservation practices, including contour farming, terracing, and vegetation restoration.
The horse chestnut leaf miner (Cameraria ohridella Deschka et Dimic) is a major pest affecting Aesculus hippocastanum L. in urban areas across Europe. To design effective management strategies, it is essential to accurately assess the level of infestation. However, current observations rely on visual assessments which are subjective, timeconsuming, and not suitable for large-scale monitoring. The research explores the use of AI and UAVs for assessing infestation levels of horse chestnut trees with C. ohridella in urban environments. The infestation severity is classified using convolutional neural networks (CNNs) which are trained with a standardized scale of damage assessment on leaf images, scanned leaf images, and RGB and thermal images from UAVs. The leaf-based assessment and crown thermal indices are compared sufficiently that the approach can assist in early detection of infestation and scalable monitoring. The findings indicate that there exists a significant correlation between the AI predictions and those made by the expert assessments. The thermal anomalies used in the predictive model also show a good relationship with infestation levels. For monitoring C. ohridella infestations, the approach offers a scalable, reproducible, and cost-effective solution. There is a strong possibility of this synergy being included in pest control in urban green infrastructure management and early warning systems and assessment of ecosystem services provided by urban horse chestnut trees.
This study aims to explore the natural variability of Algerian cork oak (Quercus suber) populations to support efforts to restore and sustain cork oak forests. For that, we used a gel-based proteomic (SDS-PAGE-MS-MALDI-TOF/TOF) to analyze the proteome profiles of acorns from five populations of Quercus suber in West Algeria. The objectives were approached by identifying differential protein bands through univariate and multivariate statistical analyses, which were subsequently analyzed by mass spectrometry. A total of 26 proteins were characterized using a combination of peptide mass fingerprinting (PMF) and MS/MS fragmentation, with 52 protein bands assigned to various functional categories. The findings highlight many proteins associated with the stress response, including chaperone proteins such as CLPB and HSP70. Additionally, key proteins, including rpoC2 and the Fanconi-associated nuclease one homolog, which play critical roles in DNA transcription and repair, were identified. The results demonstrate that Algerian acorn genotypes exhibit a high abundance of heat shock proteins, indicating their potential for adaptation to environmental conditions. Based on the provided data, the regions that stand out as distinct are Q. suber Nesmoth and Q. suber Hafir, which show a greater representation of developmental proteins, RNA-binding proteins, seed storage proteins, and transferases, suggesting a more pronounced adaptation to environmental stressors in these regions compared to others.
The quality of seeds, designated as biological material for the establishment of new crop generations, is largely determined by their physical characteristics, achieved through conditioning and preservation. Proper exploitation equipment and configuration of cleaning machines in the technological seed conditioning flow include: number of cleaning machines (z), optimal feeding rate (q), combinations of sieves with different hole types (g) used in a single operation, as demonstrated in this article, can ensure the final quality of wheat seeds belonging to the biological category of the batch while also contributing to energy saving. Through utilization of well-known statistical techniques it was possible the interpretation of results, which highlighted significant differences between cleaning machines variants regarding technological flow, which affected in the final the most important parameters of seeds like purity (P) and germination (G) but also the seed technical processing efficiency (eta(t)). By using the active experimental planning method (AEPM) and the orthogonal central composite design (OCCD) of the second order, a multidimensional mathematical model P = f (q, g, z), was developed to describe the efficiency of conditioning process.
The variation of some morphological parameters and physiological indices in cabbage (Brassica oleracea var. capitata) in relation to fertilization was evaluated. The experiment was carried out under greenhouse conditions, agricultural year 2023-2024. The early cabbage hybrid 'Gazelle F1' was cultivated. Fertilization was done with Natur Complet G (12.5 kg/400 m2) by incorporation into the soil, respectively Terranova (500 ml/400 m2) and Naturamin WSP (10 g/10 L water), with fertigation application. A control variant was considered for comparison. Total plant biomass (TPW, g), head fresh biomass (HFB, g), leaf fresh biomass (LFB, g), leaf dry biomass (LDB, g), leaf ash content (LAC), root fresh biomass (RFB, g), root dry biomass (RDB, g), and root ash content (RAC, g) were determined. The comparative analysis showed differences with statistical safety generated by fertilization for TPB and HFB (p<0.001), LFB (p<0.01), and LDB (p<0.05). Multivariate analysis showed positive action of parameters, and variable level of intensity in relation to the principal components. The positioning of plant parameters changed in the structure of the principal components, in relation to the fertilization variants.
Integrated agricultural systems, particularly crop-livestock-fish (CLF) models, offer transformative opportunities to enhance sustainability, increase productivity, and strengthen food security in rural areas. However, their success depends not only on ecological and technical optimization but also on the meaningful engagement of diverse stakeholders. This study aims to systematically map key stakeholders, assessing their levels of power, interest, and influence within the CLF integration framework in Takalar Regency, South Sulawesi, Indonesia. The analysis employs Mitchell et al.'s stakeholder salience framework alongside Ostrom's socio-ecological systems (SES) theory. Using triangulated data from literature reviews, semi-structured interviews, and field observations, stakeholders were categorized into four quadrants: Subjects, Players, Context Setters, and Crowd. Findings indicate that institutions like TPHPKP, the Department of Livestock, and the Department of Marine and Fisheries show high power and high interest, while grassroots actors such as farmers and fishers exhibit high interest but limited institutional influence. Strategic engagement mechanisms, inclusive communication strategies, and institutional innovation are crucial for enhancing grassroots participation and promoting equitable governance. This study deepens the understanding of governance dynamics and stakeholder relationships in integrated farming systems within developing country contexts.
Soil protection in Maramures (Romania) has always been, is, and will always be the focus of specialists, environmental engineers, young farmers, local and regional public authorities, etc. Under the current information consumption society, these approaches - according to the international specialized literature, later harmonized at national and regional levels - tend to become increasingly viral in terms of different tools specific to Environmental Information Systems (EISs) and Environmental Informatics. In this context, for this paper, the investigation, analysis, and description of the concerns in question are the prerogative of infographics - extremely useful tools (from our perspective) to present the dynamics of what has been significantly achieved in the research area. The results, synthesized from open-source publications indexed in the Web of Science (R), Google Scholar (R), and ResearchGate (R) platforms, covering the period 2000-2024, reveal numerous significant concerns related to the protection of soil resources in the area. As such, we agree that we must continue to contribute to investigating the topic and promote good practices specific to development based on sustainable principles.
The paper presents the process of converting former communal pastureland into a community forest, implemented in Ineu Commune, Bihor County, Romania. The study analyzes the technical aspects related to the establishment and early development of a black walnut (Juglans nigra) plantation, as well as the administrative and legislative framework that enabled the land-use conversion. The reconversion process was based on local council decisions adopted in accordance with the provisions of the Forest Code (Law No. 331/2024) and the Administrative Code (Government Emergency Ordinance No. 57/2019), which regulate property transfer and the management of local assets. The analysis focused on the survival rate and health condition of the planted seedlings, in correlation with the integration of the newly established stand into the existing forest fund. The results provide an applied perspective on how local administrative units can rehabilitate degraded lands through community afforestation projects, in line with the objectives of the European Green Deal and the European Union Forest Strategy 2030.
The Asian walnut moth, Garella musculana (Erschov, 1874), a major pest of walnut in Asia, was recently detected in Bulgaria. The common walnut (Juglans regia L.) is widely distributed in the country, being cultivated in gardens, along streets and roads, and in orchards. Surveys conducted between May and September of 2024 and 2025 examined walnut trees in streets, parks, and suburban areas across different climatic zones. The species was recorded in the Sofia region, northeastern Bulgaria, and along the Black Sea coast, but was not found in southern and northwestern Bulgaria. In the Sofia region, three generations were observed. Larvae were found mainly in the fruit pericarp, although some also penetrated the nut. Our results suggest that the species is still expanding its range in Bulgaria. Considering its rapid spread in the Sofia region and the growing importance of walnut cultivation, further investigations into the distribution and impact of this pest are needed.
An experimental study was conducted from January to August 2022 in Hobigong, Sylhet Division, Bangladesh, to assess the effects of different organic and inorganic fertilizer combinations on sweet gourd growth and yield. The experiment followed a Randomized Completely Block Design (RCBD) with three replications and four treatments: T1 (4 kg compost per plant, farmers' practice), T2 (4 kg compost + 1.5 L human urine + 1.5 L biochar), T3 (4 kg compost + 1.5 L cattle urine + 1.5 L biochar), and T4 (inorganic NPK: 44 g urea, 44 g TSP [Triple Super Phosphate], 77 g MoP [Muriate of Potash]). Results showed that combined applications of organic inputs significantly improved crop performance. The T3 treatment produced the highest germination rate (90%), plant height (42.4 cm), number of fruits per plant (2.1), and fruit weight (2785.3 g). In contrast, the control (T1) recorded lower values: 60% germination, 26 cm plant height, 1.1 fruits per plant, and 1922.8 g fruit weight. Overall, the combination of compost, cattle urine, and biochar (T3) proved most effective for optimizing sweet gourd growth and yield.
Soil acidity and associated phosphorus (P) fixation in highly leached humid tropical soils are major constraints to their agronomic productivity. They thus require effective acidity-alleviating cum P-supplying fertility management. This study assessed the potential of co-application of wood ash (WA) and calcium oxide (CaO) as natural and synthetic limes with rock phosphate (RP) and single superphosphate (SSP) as natural and synthetic P-fertilizers, respectively for acid coarse-textured Ultisols. The WA and CaO were added at 157 and 5 kg ha(-1) equivalents, and RP and SSP at 50 and 333 kg ha(-1) equivalents, respectively to 5-kg potted soils. Over 9 weeks, treatment effects in the soil evaluated on soybean growth showed enhancements. Relative to the control, soil pH increased in WA/WA+RP by 107%-121%; the highest relative increases in total N were in WA+RP (2,350%), available P in WA+SSP (520%), and K+/Ca2+/Mg2+ and base saturation in WA (50%-391%), with highest N-P-K uptake from WA+RP (450%-600%). The highest relative increases in above-soil plant growth and dry matter were in WA+RP/WA+SSP/CaO+SSP (63%-102% and 86%, respectively). Treatment residual effects over also 9 weeks showed similar nutrient-uptake/growth trends. Agronomic responses to treatment largely reflected soil pH-regulated differences in soybean uptake of P found to be linearly related to soil available P. Unlike WA, CaO needs P-fertilizer to improve soil productivity. Overall, however, WA+RP/WA+SSP/CaO+SSP is suggested for the soils.
Ocimum basilicum is a medicinal plant known to have many health benefits. One way to propagate this plant is through in-vitro culture. In-vitro secondary metabolite production can be increased by adding elicitors such as phenylalanine. This study aims to determine the effect of phenylalanine on the growth and production of secondary metabolites of Ocimum basilicum in vitro. Experiments were conducted with various concentrations of phenylalanine (0, 200, 250, and 300 mg/150 mL) combined with 1.5 mg L-1 Benzyl Amino Purine (BAP). The results showed that although phenylalanine combined with BAP inhibited the growth of Ocimum basilicum plants such as root growth in both the number of roots and root length, the number of leaves produced, and the height of the plantlets. However, phenylalanine has the potential to increase fresh weight at moderate concentrations and secondary metabolites such as total phenolics although it causes a decrease in total flavonoid content along with increasing phenylalanine concentration. Further investigation is needed to determine the specific cause of this response.
A multiannual study (2020-2024) was carried out in the Buzau Plain to assess the impact of organic fertilization on productivity and biochemical composition in three cultivars of Lavandula angustifolia Mill. ('Vera', 'Munstead', 'Codreanca)'. The fertilization regime included organic nitrogen sources (blood meal, compost), phosphorus (natural phosphates), and potassium (mineral-origin potassium sulfate), with periodic supplementation of basalt rock meal. Growth and yield parameters (plant height, number of flowering stems, inflorescence mass, essential oil yield) were dependent differences were observed, with 'Vera' consistently showing superior performance in both productivity and secondary metabolite accumulation. Statistical analysis revealed strong correlations between the number of flowering stems and essential oil yield (r = 0.87), as well as between fertilization intensity and phenolic compound content (similar to 40% increase from minimum to maximum dose). The findings demonstrate that organic fertilization plays a crucial role not only in sustaining floral yield but also in enhancing biochemical quality. This study underlines the synergistic effect of genetic background and sustainable nutrient management, offering practical recommendations for expanding organic lavender cultivation and improving the economic and therapeutic value of its raw material.
Endocrine-disrupting compounds (EDCs) are of great concern, which interfere with hormonal systems, posing risks to human, animal, and environmental health. This study synthesizes findings from multidisciplinary investigations focused on the detection, distribution, and biological effects of EDCs across various matrices. Using gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (GC-MS) techniques, EDCs such as PCBs, OCPs, PAHs, PBDEs, and phthalates were quantified in dairy products, eggs, propolis, water bodies, and animal tissues. High levels of lipophilic EDCs were found in first-lactation bovine milk, fruit-added yogurt, organic eggs, and propolis, with contamination patterns influenced by fat content and production type. In vitro assays revealed cytotoxic and endocrine-disrupting effects of phthalates and BPA in cell lines from humans, cattle, dogs, and crayfish. Wildlife biomonitoring confirmed bioaccumulation of POPs in sea turtles and bats, while placental analyses demonstrated species-specific contaminant profiles and transcriptomic alterations affecting fetal development. These findings highlight the persistence and prevalence of EDCs and underscore the need for integrated monitoring and mitigation strategies. Adopting a One Health approach is essential to safeguard ecosystem integrity and public health from EDC-related risks.
The results of three-stages of experimental study conducted under different agroclimatic conditions are presented. The adaptability of Chinese soft winter wheat genotypes was evaluated across three experimental phases: the initial stage involved 124 samples, the second stage focused on 50 samples, and the final stage examined the 12 most promising samples under organic farming conditions. The study identified advanced genotypes with valuable breeding traits, including high productivity, for subsequent hybridization efforts. This process aimed to integrate the genetic potential of both Ukrainian and Chinese wheat varieties to develop improved genotypes. The research distinguished semi-dwarf (60-85 cm) and short-stemmed (85-105 cm) wheat varieties According to indicators of homeostaticity, stability, selection value, plasticity, these genotypes are suitable for originating new varieties adapted to the cultivation under organic farming conditions. The selected best genotypes of wheat varieties from China were transferred to the National Center of Genetic Resources of Ukraine and breeding institutions.
The aim of this study was to provide evidence on how Ukrainian agrarian feel about the problem of transgenic crops research and practical use both for industrial and food purposes. This is a survey-based study, accompanied with statistical analysis of the survey outcomes and. Artificial neural network-based prediction of the attitude depending on religious beliefs. Most of the respondents were Christians (83.13%), while the least number of representatives were among Islam and Buddhism religions (1.20% each, respectively). The highest general positivity towards GMOtechnologies was recorded for Buddhism and atheistic respondents. The highest negativity towards transgenic crops was recorded for Christians. To some extent, legislative persecution also impacted attitude towards GMO-crops. High data asymmetry was identified among the datasets. The general predictive accuracy of the developed artificial neural network reached 58.82% with the F1 score of 0.31, indicating moderately low accuracy of the prediction. The specificity of the prediction was very high - 89%. Further studies will be carried out to enlarge the initial dataset and make it more comprehensive in terms of diminishing data asymmetry.
Juniperus phoenicea essential oil (JPEO) contains various biologically active constituents with remarkable biological activity. This study focuses on the chemical content, antimicrobial efficacy, heavy metal levels and antioxidant capacity of the essential oil extracted from the foliage of Algerian Juniperus phoenicea. The essential oil was obtained by hydrodistillation and then analysed by gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (GC-MS). To assess the heavy metal composition, energy dispersive X-ray fluorescence spectrometry (EDXRF) was applied to the extracted oil. The agar disk diffusion technique was employed to test antibacterial activity, and the MIC and MBC values were identified. Reducing power (RP) and DPPH assays were performed to evaluate the antioxidant capacity. The results showed significant antibacterial effects against Gram-positive bacteria, while Gram-negative bacteria were insensitive. The antioxidant activity was noteworthy compared to ascorbic acid, with IC50 values of 1.10 +/- 0.01 mg/mL (DPPH) and 1.55 +/- 0.01 mg/mL (RP). The oil contained heavy metals at concentrations lower than those permitted by the World Health Organization. These results suggest that Juniperus phoenicea essential oil is an interesting new source of healthy natural compounds with antioxidant and antibacterial capacity, confirming its application in food biosafety as a preservative.
