Maize production is highly sensitive to drought, particularly when irrigation intervals are extended during critical growth stages. This study evaluated whether foliar salicylic acid (SA) can mitigate drought-induced damage in two maize hybrids (Gloria and Semini) grown under three irrigation intervals (every 2, 4, and 6 days). A factorial RCBD with three replicates was used, with SA applied at 0, 1, and 2 mM as foliar sprays at 30 and 60 days after emergence. Morpho-physiological traits, biochemical stress/antioxidant indicators, and yield components were assessed and analyzed using ANOVA and Duncan’s multiple range test (α = 0.05). Extending irrigation to 6 days caused significant reductions in plant performance and productivity, with major declines in chlorophyll content and membrane stability and sharp increases in electrolyte leakage; kernel yield decreased by 64.16% compared with the 2-day irrigation interval. Foliar SA alleviated drought effects in a dose-dependent manner, with 2 mM SA producing the greatest improvements in water status and membrane protection, reducing lipid peroxidation, and increasing yield traits (e.g., kernel yield increased by 29.21% versus untreated plants). The Gloria hybrid consistently outperformed Semini in morpho-physiological performance and yield, indicating superior drought resilience and yield potential. Overall, applying 2 mM SA can partially offset drought-related losses by strengthening osmotic adjustment, antioxidant capacity, and membrane stability, resulting in improved yield under limited irrigation.
The rising cost of soybean meals (SBM), which typically make up 20-25% of broiler and layer diets, has driven the search for sustainable and cost-effective alternative protein sources. Azolla, an aquatic fern belonging to the family Salviniaceae family, has emerged a promising substitute owing to its high protein content. However, its utilization in poultry diets is limited by the presence of anti-nutritional factors (ANFs) such as phytates, oxalates, cyanogenic compounds, and tannins. This review synthesizes findings from published studies on the nutritional composition of azolla and its effect on performance and product quality in broilers and laying hens. The review also show that azolla can be supplemented up to 10% in chicken feed without adversely affecting body weight gain (BWG), feed conversion ratio (FCR), egg production, or egg quality. Although higher inclusion levels may cause adverse effects due to the presence of ANFs; these can be mitigated through conventional processing methods, such as sun-drying. In conclusion, azolla is a nutrient-rich protein source and can be included up to 10% in the diets to improve performance parameters in broilers and laying hens. However, further research is warranted to determine the optimal inclusion levels that maximize production performance, health indices, and product quality while minimizing feed wastages.
Under the “dual carbon” goals, this study examines the impact of carbon trading policies on logistics carbon efficiency using Chinese provincial panel data (2006–2020). A super-efficiency SBM model and multi-period DID method are employed. The key findings are as follows: (1) Carbon trading policy significantly improves logistics carbon emission efficiency, which is a conclusion that remains robust to endogeneity and multiple robustness checks. (2) Industrial structure upgrading and green technology innovation serve as dual mediating pathways, forming a “structural optimization - technological innovation” mechanism. (3) Policy effects exhibit contextual heterogeneity, proving stronger in inland regions, areas with low-carbon energy dependence, weakly regulated regions, and high-agglomeration clusters. (4) Government intervention and industrialization negatively moderate the policy effect, whereas openness, economic development, and city hierarchy exert positive moderation, indicating that higher developmental capacity amplifies policy dividends. These findings provide empirical support for differentiated policy design to accelerate logistics decarbonization.
This study quantifies recent climate variability and change in Jeddah and uses SWOT and TOWS assessments to develop ecological strategies. Analysis of daily weather observations from 1 January 2000 to 31 December 2023 was carried out, and linear forecasts to 2060 were made. Annual means reveal sustained warming, with mean temperature rising by 0.052°C, minimum temperature rising by 0.146°C, and maximum temperature falling by 0.042°C. Relative humidity decreased by 0.582% per year. Annual totals and averages of cooling degree days increased significantly. Wind speed and sea level pressure showed little change, and precipitation was inconsistent. By 2060, the temperature is projected to be approximately 32.2°C (31.5-32.9°C), with tighter certainty than rainfall. Correlation analyses confirm these patterns: minimum temperature is strongly and positively associated with mean temperature, and relative humidity are strongly and negatively associated, and precipitation has a moderate positive but uncertain association. These findings reveal management priorities for mangrove, coastal forest, wadi, xeric shrubland, peri-urban green belt, and shelterbelt ecosystems. SWOT and TOWS analyses revealed strengths in national policy and scientific capacity, weaknesses in fossil-fuel dependence, urban heat, and water constraints, opportunities in native species restoration, protected-area expansion, and rapid solar deployment, and threats from intensifying heatwaves, land degradation, biodiversity loss, and health risks.
Water scarcity is a major constraint to durum wheat production in Mediterranean semi-arid environments. This study assessed the effects of three foliar organic biofertilizers, vermicompost tea (F1), nettle extract (F2), and their mixture (F+), on two durum wheat genotypes (Simeto and Vitron) grown under well-watered (WW) and rainfed (RF) field conditions. Physiological, morphological, phenological, and agronomic traits were evaluated together with drought tolerance indices derived from grain yield. Water regime significantly influenced all measured traits. Compared with WW conditions, RF conditions increased proline and total soluble sugar contents while reducing leaf area, biomass production, grain yield, and yield components. Biofertilizer responses varied according to genotype and trait. Under RF conditions, Simeto exhibited greater proline accumulation, whereas Vitron accumulated higher levels of soluble sugars. Biofertilizer effects varied among traits; however, vermicompost tea (F1) was generally associated with improved growth and yield performance across water regimes, whereas responses to F2 and F+ were more variable. Grain yield and its components were significantly influenced by water regime, genotype, and biofertilizer treatment. Among the tested biofertilizers, F1 provided the most consistent yield performance under both WW and RF conditions. Drought tolerance indices further identified Vitron as the more stable genotype across contrasting water regimes, particularly when combined with vermicompost-based treatments. Overall, the results highlight the potential of foliar organic biofertilizers, especially vermicompost tea, to enhance durum wheat performance under water-limited conditions and emphasize the importance of genotype-specific responses for improving drought adaptation in Mediterranean environments.
