Abstract Background: Cadmium (Cd) contamination in food poses serious health risks, especially in leafy vegetables and salads, which are staples in the daily diet. Recently, silicon (Si) has been suggested as a potential solution to limit cadmium accumulation in plants. Methods: This study assessed the role of exogenous silicon application (0.5 mM) on cadmium toxicity, accumulation, and translocation in a commonly consumed salad, lamb’s lettuce ( Valerianella locusta ). Results: Silicon significantly mitigated cadmium-induced toxicity by attenuating its symptoms. Root growth, root and whole plant water content, and the activities of both photosystem I (PSI) and photosystem II (PSII) were improved, particularly PSI through increased oxidation of P700 (P700 ox ). Silicon application also increased proline levels, reduced membrane peroxidation, and restricted cadmium accumulation in shoots, consistent with reduced root-to-shoot translocation. Plants exposed to cadmium (20 μM CdCl 2 ) accumulated 27.8 μg Cd g −1 dry weight (DW) in edible shoots, compared with 2.76 μg g −1 DW with silicon, representing a 90.1% reduction in shoot Cd concentration. Conclusions: These findings indicate that exogenous silicon application can reduce cadmium toxicity and accumulation in the edible tissues of lamb’s lettuce, suggesting a promising approach under the controlled conditions tested. Validation in Cd-contaminated soils under realistic cultivation conditions will help translate these benefits into practical applications.
Abstract Background : Food safety incidents associated with consumption of contaminated fresh fruits and vegetables (FV) remain a global health hazard. In Africa, food safety incidents currently account for the highest mortality rates when compared to other world regions. Promoting adoption of food safety practices (FSPs) among value chain actors may increase FV consumption while minimizing food safety incidents. Yet, quantitative research testing this hypothesis remains scanty in Africa. Methods : To address this gap, we used regression models and cross-sectional data from 1569 respondents—consumers (buyers), traders (sellers), and farmers (producers)—in Uganda, as a case study. Results : We find that adoption of multiple FSP and the use of low-risk pesticides are positively associated with FV consumption (dietary diversity). Conclusions : Our findings emphasize that promoting FSP is associated with improved food safety and dietary diversification. Conceptually, we add to the existing literature on measuring food safety by developing a new simple approach: the Food Safety Score.
Abstract Background : Vertical farming (VF) has been proposed as a partial response to the combined pressures of population growth, climate change, resource scarcity, and land degradation. Methods : This critical narrative review evaluates the technological, environmental, economic, nutritional, and social dimensions of VF by examining key literature published between 2014 and 2025. Results : The reviewed literature indicates that VF can improve water-use efficiency, land-use efficiency, and year-round production, particularly for high-value leafy greens and herbs. However, the evidence is heterogeneous. Life-cycle assessments report substantially higher carbon footprints for vertically farmed produce than for open-field agriculture in some settings, whereas other studies suggest that net environmental benefits may be achieved when renewable electricity is used. A consistent gap across the literature is the near-exclusive emphasis on leafy greens and herbs. Evidence addressing staple and commodity crops such as maize, rice, soybean, and cotton is sparse and largely limited to proof-of-concept or laboratory-scale studies. Conclusions : VF appears promising for selected crops, but it is not yet a validated strategy for staple-crop food security at commercial scale. Its agronomic, energy-efficiency, and economic feasibility for staple-crop production remains unresolved, and further independent life-cycle and techno-economic analyses are needed before such claims can be substantiated.
Abstract Background: The Chome Nature Forest Reserve (CNFR) and the Kindoroko Nature Forest Reserve (KNFR) in the Pare Mountains of northern Tanzania are home to the micro-endemic green pygmy chameleon ( Rhampholeon viridis ), a forest-dependent species highly sensitive to microclimatic changes. Methods: This study assessed vegetation cover change between the two forest reserves from 2000 to 2025 and evaluated the current distribution and population dynamics of R. viridis . Forest cover dynamics (FCD) were quantified using Landsat 5 and 8 satellite imagery selected for their long temporal archive and 30 m spatial resolution suitable for detecting decadal-scale forest cover change together with Normalized Difference Vegetation Index (NDVI) analysis to discriminate forested from non-forested land cover. Field surveys using stratified transects and visual encounter methods assessed chameleon abundance, age structure, sex ratio, canopy condition, and the effects of elevation on populations. Results: Results showed severe forest loss in both reserves between 2000 and 2025. In CNFR, forest area (FA) declined from 96.15 to 28.79%, while non-forest area (NFA) expanded from 3.85 to 71.20%. Similarly, in KNFR, FA decreased from 98.64 to 26.77%, with NFA increasing from 1.35 to 73.22%. A total of 603 R. viridis individuals were recorded (358 adults and 245 juveniles). However, no significant differences in abundance were observed between reserves for either juveniles (p = 0.664) or adults (p = 1.000). The population was female-biased (198 males, 405 females), with no significant sex differences (p > 0.05). No significant effect of elevation on abundance was observed (p > 0.05); however, humidity differed significantly among zones (p = 0.001). Conclusion: These findings indicate that R. viridis populations currently persist despite substantial habitat degradation, but continued forest loss may threaten long-term population stability. The study highlights the urgent need for strengthened forest protection, habitat restoration, and long-term ecological monitoring to ensure the conservation of this micro-endemic species in the Eastern Arc Mountains.
Abstract Background : Cluster farming (CF) has emerged as a promising collective and geographically concentrated approach in both developed and developing countries. Although CF has shown a significant effect on poverty reduction, the existing literature has overlooked the mechanisms that drive this effect. Methods : We applied a causal mediation analysis (CMA) to investigate how CF reduces the extent of household poverty among teff producers in Ethiopia using nationally representative data from CF-priority regions. The income approach, Foster–Greer–Thorbecke model, and t-test were also used. Results : CF participants had a 22% lower poverty headcount ratio, a 20% lower poverty gap, and a 17% lower poverty severity compared to non-participants in Ethiopia. We found mixed mean comparison results regarding the effect of CF on the extent of household poverty at the regional level. This implies that the performance of CF in reducing household poverty varies by region. The CMA results indicated that teff marketed surplus value (TMSV) negatively and significantly mediated the effect of CF on the poverty headcount ratio, poverty gap, and poverty severity. The indirect effect of CF on the extent of household poverty was greater than its total effect. Conclusion : This suggests that an increase in TMSV is a crucial mechanism through which CF reduces the extent of household poverty. Thus, promoting the integration of CF with market-oriented production supports poverty reduction efforts and transforms the subsistence production system in Ethiopia. Further studies should also be conducted using panel data, a multidimensional poverty index, a large sample size, and additional control variables to reinforce the findings of this study.
