BACKGROUND:Sweet cherry is highly valued around the world for its sensory qualities. Bioactive properties play significant roles in sweet cherry quality and consumer acceptance due to its health benefits. Plant nutrition through balanced fertilizer application helps in abiotic stresses mitigation, enhancing the biosynthesis of bioactive substances. For three consecutive years, magnesium (Mg) and potassium (K) were applied as foliar sprays to sweet cherry trees of the Burlat cultivar, with the aim to improve phytochemical composition. Fruits from each treatment were harvested at the commercial ripening stage to evaluate cherry bioactive composition and antioxidant activity. RESULTS:Overall, the phytochemical composition and antioxidant activity increased over the three trial years, reaching their highest values in 2021, highlighting the effects of continuous fertilization with Mg and K. The Mg treatments (especially Mg250 in 2019 and Mg125 in 2020) enhanced the phytochemical composition of sweet cherries by increasing total phenolics, flavonoids, ortho-diphenols, and anthocyanin contents, as well as boosting antioxidant activity. In contrast, K treatments (mainly K50) led to a decrease in all bioactive compounds and antioxidant activity. The levels of individual phenolic compounds varied across treatments; however, catechin, epicatechin, chlorogenic acid, and quercetin-3-O-rutinoside contents declined over the 3 years, while neochlorogenic acid and cyanidin-3-O-rutinoside levels increased, stabilizing in 2020 and 2021. CONCLUSIONS:These findings offer valuable insights for enhancing sweet cherry bioactive properties. © 2025 Society of Chemical Industry.

Plant nutrition through fertilizer application plays a crucial role in enhancing crop quality and yield, necessitating a balanced fertilization approach. Sweet cherry, esteemed as one of the most prized crops worldwide, was the focus of this three-year study spanning from 2019 to 2021, involving the sweet cherry cultivar Burlat. This study investigated the foliar application of magnesium (Mg) and potassium (K) to enhance fruit quality parameters. Different doses of Mg (250 g hL−1 and 125 g hL−1) and K (100 g hL−1 and 50 g hL−1) and a control treatment were administered to sweet cherry trees to assess their impact on fruit quality. At the commercial ripening stage, fruits from each treatment were harvested for comprehensive evaluation, including biometric and chromatic parameters, fruit firmness, routine parameters, sensory profile, and nutrient content analysis. Results from the study revealed notable enhancements in fruit weight and dimensions, particularly in the control treatment in 2020. Furthermore, Mg125 and Mg250 treatments exhibited improved color development and accelerated maturity by increasing the total soluble solids content while decreasing titratable acidity. Sensorial profiling indicated that Mg125 and Mg250 treatments intensified color intensity and sweet taste while mitigating sour taste perceptions. Conversely, potassium fertilization, especially the K50 treatment, led to increased fruit firmness and nutrient content. These findings offer valuable insights into optimizing sweet cherry production practices globally.

Sweet cherry trees are one of the most important crops worldwide, producing fruits with high economic importance due to the nutritional value and bioactive properties of cherries, providing benefits to human health. Due to the currently unstable climatic conditions, cherry cracking has become a significant problem, strongly affecting the quality and yield of cherry orchards. A cracking rate of 20–25% at harvest can render cherry production unprofitable, decreasing the commercial value of the fruit, as only the cracked ones can be sold to processing industries. This study aims to assess the impact of calcium- and seaweed-based biostimulant applications on sweet cherry quality and profitability in cv. Sweetheart. Applying 300 g hL−1 of calcium led to a significant 52% reduction in the cracking index and a substantial 136% increase in orchard yield. Similarly, applying 150 mL hL−1 of seaweed resulted in a 2% increase in fruit weight and a 3% decrease in the cracking index. Therefore, our findings suggest that calcium- and seaweed-based biostimulants could serve as novel and sustainable alternatives for orchard producers, enhancing cherry profitability and marketability.

Sweet cherry (Prunus avium L.) is a highly valued fruit, and optimal nutrient management is crucial for enhancing yield and fruit quality. However, the over-application of chemical fertilizers in cherry cultivation leads to environmental issues such as soil degradation and nutrient runoff. To address this, foliar application, a more targeted and eco-friendly fertilization method, presents a promising alternative. This study evaluates the effects of pre-harvest foliar application of calcium (Ca) (150 and 300 g hL−1) and seaweed extracts (75 and 150 mL hL−1), both individually and in combination, on the physiological and biochemical responses of ‘Burlat’ sweet cherry trees. Key physiological parameters, including plant water status, photosynthetic performance, and leaf metabolites, were analyzed. Results show that trees treated with seaweed extracts or with combined Ca and seaweed application had improved water status, higher sugar, starch, and protein content, as well as enhanced antioxidant activity and phenolic content compared to those treated solely with calcium. However, the combined treatment did not significantly enhance overall tree performance compared to individual applications. This study highlights the potential of seaweed-based biostimulants in sustainable cherry production.

Climate change prediction indicates an increased likelihood of precipitation variability and droughts in the Mediterranean region. Previous studies demonstrated that microbial symbionts combined with supplementary irrigation could mitigate climate change effects and boost chickpea production in low-fertility soils. The aim of the study was to assess the effects of inoculation with a consortium of plant growth-promoting rhizobacteria (PGPR) (Pseudomonas sp., Burkholderia sp. and Mesorhizobium sp.) and arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi (AMF) (Rhizophagus irregularis, Funneliformis geosporum and Claroideoglomus claroideum) on growth, grain yield and crude protein content of chickpeas under the following irrigation regimes: I1-no water stress, I2-moderate water stress, I3-strong water-stress, I4-no water stress in critical growth stages of plant cycle development and I5-severe water stress). Plants irrigated only during the critical growth stages of flowering and pod filling showed higher grain yields compared to plants from other water deficit irrigation treatments. Additionally, chickpeas co-inoculated with PGPR and AMF, and irrigated only during critical growth stages, presented higher grain yield than non-inoculated plants without water stress (1.45- and 1.33-fold increase in 2018 and 2019, respectively). Inoculation with beneficial microorganisms and supplemental irrigation at critical stages benefits chickpea growth and should be considered for increasing crop productivity and promoting agricultural sustainability.

Entomopathogenic fungi (EPF) contribute to different ecosystem services. However, factors affecting their natural occurrences in soil remain poorly understood. In a previous study, 81 soil samples were subjected to insect baiting using Galleria mellonella and Tenebrio molitor to isolate EPF from Portuguese vine farms. Here, soils yielding any of the four common EPF, i.e., Beauveria bassiana, Purpureocillium lilacinum, Metarhizium robertsii, and Clonostachys rosea f. rosea, were correlated with their chemical properties. Beauveria bassiana was negatively affected by higher available P (p = 0.02), exchangeable K-ions (p = 0.016) and positively affected by higher soil pH_H2O (p = 0.021). High exchangeable K-ions inhibited P. lilacinum (p = 0.011) and promoted C. rosea f. rosea (p = 0.03). Moreover, high available K also suppressed P. lilacinum (p = 0.027). Metarhizium robertsii was inhibited by higher organic matter content (p = 0.009), higher C:N (p = 0.017), total N (p = 0.007), and exchangeable Mg-ions (p = 0.026), and promoted by higher exchangeable Na-ions (p = 0.003). Nonetheless, mean comparisons and principal component analysis suggested that higher soil pH and exchangeable Ca-ions have contrasting effects on EPF occurrences, as they promote B. bassiana and inhibit M. robertsii. Herbicides did not seem to affect EPF presence. Overall, this study is among the first reports on the effects of soil chemistry on EPF other than Metarhizium, and will facilitate biological pest management approaches.

Chickpea (Cicer arietinum L.) currently ranks second in the world's production of grain legumes and it is considered a cheap source of plant-based protein. In Mediterranean regions, predicted changes in climate are likely to further worsen drought stress and increase the economic vulnerability of chickpea production. Plant growth promoting bacteria (PGPB) and arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi (AMF) have the potential to improve plant growth and ameliorate the adverse effects of drought stress. The aim of this study was to assess the effects of inoculation with PGPB (Mesorhizobium sp., Burkholderia sp. and Pseudomonas sp.) and AMF (Rhizophagus irregularis, Funneliformis geosporum and Claroideoglomus claroideum) on the growth, grain yield and protein content of chickpea in a field experiment under different irrigation regimes throughout the growing season (100% water requirements (WR), 50% WR, 25% WR, 100% WR only during reproductive stages, and rainfed). Based on two years of results, the beneficial effects of co-inoculation (PGPB+AMF) on plant growth parameters of chickpea allow a cumulative grain yield of about 13,838 kg ha(-1), resulting in an increase of 6% when as compared to a single inoculation and 24% over the non-inoculated plants. Plants inoculated with PGPB+AMF, and irrigated only during the reproductive stages, had the highest cumulative grain yield (18,157 kg ha(-1)), resulting in an increase of 16% and 237% over fully irrigated plants inoculated with PGPB+AMF and noninoculated plants under rainfed conditions, respectively. In water-scarce environments, deficit irrigation only during the reproductive stage allows farmers to achieve higher yields with less water consumption, which, when combined with microbial inoculation, has the potential to benefit agricultural production of chickpea.

Sweet cherries are seasonal fruits, considered one of the most popular spring and summer fruits in temperate regions of Europe due to their attractive appearance, taste, colour and sweetness, having a high economic importance [...]

types of nursing knowledge; and Acting according to values and knowledge base, by investing in personal development, which includes learning about various non-conventional therapeutic modalities. ConclusionsThe meanings of action and the need for a trusting relationship are key elements of nursing care.Nurses develops selfknowledge towards maturity, which includes education and training of non-conventional therapeutic modalities as a resource of literacy in health care.Nurses also believe that these practices make them feel autonomous and avoid the risk of losing what is specific to nursing.

Several studies have emphasized the negative impact of the conventional soil management (CT) system on productivity and sustainability of chestnut orchards (Castanea sativa Mill.) when compared to no-tillage with grass cover (NT). However, scarce information is available regarding the effects of these soil management systems on soil organic matter (SOM) dynamics and soil quality. SOM or soil organic carbon is a key component of soil quality and has different fractions with different lability, namely, organic C (POC), active C (AC) and hot-water extractable carbon (HWC). These are considered as indicators of changes in management-induced soil quality. Thus, a study was carried out to evaluate the effects of NT and CT systems applied in the chestnut orchards on: (i) total amount of soil organic C (TOC), including C from both organic and mineral layers; (ii) soil organic C concentration of mineral horizons (OC); (iii) labile soil organic fractions (POC, AC, HWC); (iv) and soil mineral-associated C. The study was developed in two 30-year old chestnut orchards located in Northeast Portugal, that were kept under different soil management systems (NT or CT) during the preceding 17 years. Soil samples were taken at 0–10 and 10–20 cm soil depth. No significant differences in OC concentration were observed between NT and CT, while TOC was significantly higher in NT than in CT (22.54 and 12.17 Mg/ha or 34.16 and 22.90 Mg/ha, considering the organic layer plus mineral layers at 0–10 and 0–20 cm depth (set of two depths). The NT practice led to significantly higher concentration of labile C fractions (POC, AC and HWC) than CT at 0–10 cm soil depth. These results indicate that measurement of labile soil organic C fractions, such as POC, AC and HWC, may provide a sensitive and consistent indication of changes in soil C and SOM dynamics in response to soil management practices. Overall, NT seems to ensure better soil quality than CT in chestnut orchards under Mediterranean climate conditions.

This study aims to evaluate the influence of irrigation on the chestnutRSQUOs physiology, nut calibre and yield. The study was carried out during 2015 and 2016, in a chestnut orchard of the 'Judia' cultivar, located in Braganca in the northeast of Portugal. Two irrigation systems were installed in 10 trees each: drip (TI) and micro-sprinkler (SI). Irrigation was triggered when stem water potential fell below -1.2 MPa. Ten other sample trees were kept in rainfed conditions (NI). From June to October the stem water potential, chlorophyll fluorescence, photosynthetic and transpiration rates were monitored and production per tree was weighted. The total mean amount of water furnished was of 470 and 925 m3 ha-1 in 2015 and 2016, respectively. On both years the photosynthetic and transpiration rates were higher for irrigated trees (8.6 µmol CO2 m-2 s-1 and 1.9 mmol H2O m-2 s-1) than for non-irrigated ones (7.6 µmol CO2 m-2 s-1 and 1.8 mmol H2O m-2 s-1). Chestnut production was 26% higher for irrigated trees with 48.2 kg tree-1 and nut size was smaller in non-irrigated trees (93 nuts kg-1) than for the irrigated ones (75 nuts kg-1). Despite of these differences the climatic conditions, particularly the hotter temperatures in 2016, affected production and nut size. From 2015 to 2016 production decreased 16, 27 and 33% for SI, TI and NI, respectively. Nut size also decreased 90, 45 and 24% for NI, TI and SI, respectively, when the temperature sum (May-October) varied from 2348 to 2504°D. The introduction of irrigation in the chestnut orchard is beneficial but temperature plays an important role in the tree physiology and production.

Chestnut orchards are facing new limitations due to scarce of soil water during summer times, mainly attributed to the low precipitation amount typically occurred on such period. The present study aims to define a methodology to improve in a smart way the utilization of water on chestnut irrigation. Based on leaf gas exchanges parameters, there is done a transposition for the soil water content and matric potential, to allow an optimization of the irrigation scheduling in chestnut trees. Trial was installed in a loamy soil at the northeast of Portugal between 2013 and 2016 with micro-sprinkler and drip irrigation system. Stem water potential, photosynthetic rate, soil water content and soil water potential were monitored during the vegetative cycle (June-October). The stem water potential was dependent on air's temperature and soil moisture. The higher photosynthetic rate (9-11 mu molCO(2).m(-2)s(-1)) was reached when midday stem water potential ranged between -1.2 to -0.5 MPa and the regression between stem water potential and soil water content on the top 10-40 cm of soil was of r(2) = 0.38. According to these, it was admissible to trigger irrigation when the probe registers 16% and watering must keep soil's moisture near 23%. The regression between stem and soil water potential was of r(2) = 0.43 and irrigation scheduling may be triggered when 'Watermark' sensor at 30-60 cm soil depth is above -100 cbar to promote good tree water status although this last is air temperature dependent.

Different types of irrigation systems can be used in chestnut orchards. To understand which one grants higher yield values treatments were applied in adult trees: drip system - TI; micro-sprinkler system - SI; non-irrigated system - NI. The study covers two years in the northeast of Portugal. Irrigation was triggered every time stem water potential was lower than -1.2 MPa. The study considers costs with the equipment, water and labour, and the income from the chestnuts' sale. Due to the hotter conditions of 2016 more water was supplied (93 mm) than in 2015 (47 mm). Little more water was furnished in SI (73 mm) than in TI (67 mm). Production was 27% higher in irrigated (48 kg/tree) than in NI trees (38 kg/tree) and in relation to the canopy's area (kg/m2) the TI produced 18% and SI 29% more than NI. Annual costs were higher with irrigation (4654, 4549 and 1530 €/ha for SI, TI and NI, respectively) but the higher income (22126, 21984 and 16174 €/ha for TI, SI and NI respectively) made up for the investment. The profits from irrigated trees can be 22% or 37% higher than in non irrigated ones, for 1 ha or 5 ha, respectively.

In the northeast of Portugal there is a tendency to introduce irrigation system on the chestnut orchards but the effect of irrigation on the chestnut's quality has not been studied yet. This study aims to evaluate the effect of irrigation on the 'Judia' cultivar chestnuts quality concerning its chemical composition, fruit size and tastiness. Three treatments were applied during 2015 and 2016: the drip system, the micro-sprinkler system and a non irrigated treatment. In both years the bigger chestnuts and production were always present in irrigated treatments. Significant differences among treatments were found in ashes, starch, soluble sugars, and crude protein contents in 2015, but in 2016 no significant differences were found. Moreover, the non-irrigated chestnuts were the sweetest but with smaller calibre. The chestnuts from micro-sprinkler were the firmest and they were as sweet as the drip's chestnuts. Results suggest that irrigation, namely with sprinkler system, valorise the chestnuts by increasing its size and keeping its nutritional value and its sensory quality.

Fusarium oxysporum exhibits insect pathogenicity—however, generalized concerns of releasing phytopathogens within agroecosystems marred its entomopathogenicity-related investigations. In a previous study, soils were sampled from Douro vineyards and adjacent hedgerows. In this study, 80 of those soils were analyzed for their chemical properties and were subsequently co-related with the abundance of entomopathogenic F. oxysporum, after insect baiting of soils with Galleria mellonella and Tenebrio molitor larvae. The soil chemical properties studied were organic matter content; total organic carbon; total nitrogen; available potassium; available phosphorus; exchangeable cations, such as K+, Na+, Ca2+, and Mg2+; pH; total acidity; degree of base saturation; and effective cation exchange capacity. Entomopathogenic F. oxysporum was found in 48 soils, i.e., 60% ± 5.47%, of the total soil samples. Out of the 1280 insect larvae used, 93, i.e., 7.26% ± 0.72%, were found dead by entomopathogenic F. oxysporum. Stepwise deletion of non-significant variables using a generalized linear model was followed by a generalized linear mixed model (GLMM). A higher C:N (logarithmized) (p < 0.001) and lower exchangeable K+ (logarithmized) (p = 0.008) were found significant for higher fungal abundance. Overall, this study suggests that entomopathogenic F. oxysporum is robust with regard to agricultural changes, and GLMM is a useful statistical tool for count data in ecology.

Climate change is ongoing but the magnitude, extent and duration of its impacts is far from being known and, in particular, its consequence on Earth’s life is still under study. This article presents an overview about many research lines aiming to increase the resilience of chestnut in climate changes frame. In Europe, chestnut is considered a Mediterranean crop, facing nowadays significant heat and drought stresses with important consequences on species health. So, modelling its production is fundamental to project the future production and species area redistribution according to the new expected climatic conditions. These models are being developed based on specific meteorological variables and indices well related to different aspects and stages of the vegetative cycle. For example, the best range of growing degree days (GDD) for better ‘Judia’’s chestnut production was found to be within the range 2000-2200°D (between May and October). At orchard level, it is also demonstrated the benefits of preserving a good soil herbaceous vegetation cover, complemented with smart irrigation which can prevent the reduction on nut production by about 25-50%, depending on the annual precipitation, and increase the edible mushroom production. Results also clearly demonstrated the importance of bees on pollination, where a decrease of about 70% was observed when they were absent. New hybrid rootstocks are being developed (e.g., ColUTAD) aiming to face the new climatic context, namely to maximize photosynthesis rate at high air temperature (T100 = 34°C). Also in ‘Judia’, such plasticity was observed between genotypes from cold and warm localities. Calibers ranged between 58 and 107 nuts kg-1. The tolerance against blight disease (Chryphonectria parasitica) also significantly varied. Finally, additional mineral nutrition with silicon seems to lead to a lower mortality rate and phenol’s inhibition as well as to an increased tolerance of the specie to thermal and hydric stress. The addition of silicon appears to have protective effect on trees against ink (Phytophthora cinnamomi) and blight diseases as well as to prepare and adapt trees for a future climate that is expected to be warmer and drier.

It is assumed that chestnut tree benefits from irrigation but it should be managed conscientiously. This article aims to evaluate the relationship between different soil-plant-atmosphere intervenient to guideline de chestnut producer to the best commitment for water management in the chestnut. In 2015, in a chestnut orchard of Judia variety located in Bragança, it was compared watered and no watered trees. It was measured stem water potential, soil moisture and meteorological parameters. Throughout the growing season the stem water potential dropped from -0.6MPa to -1.6MPa, but in watered trees it was kept near -1.2MPa. Soil moisture at 30cm in watered trees varied between 15 and 22% and it was below 13% in non watered trees. The stem water potential is well correlated with soil moisture, but it is floatable with environmental conditions. The yield was 20% higher in watered trees even with deficit irrigation. The producer benefits from the use of equipment that allows automatic and continuous records without destructive methods.

Tiago Marques1*, Rosário Anjos2,5, Teresa Pinto2,5, Alice Vilela3,5, Luís Martins2,4, Fernando Raimundo2,5, Jorge Ferreira-Cardoso1,2,5, André Pereira6, José Gomes– Laranjo2,5 University of Trás-os-Montes and Alto Douro (UTAD), Vila Real, Portugal, mail*: tiagofcmarques@gmail.com CITAB Centre for the Research and Technology of Agro-Environmental and Biological Sciences, University of Trás-os-Montes and Alto Douro (UTAD), Vila Real, Portugal CQ-VR Chemistry Research Centre University of Trás-os-Montes and Alto Douro (UTAD), Vila Real, Portugal CIFAP-ECAV – University of Trás-os-Montes and Alto Douro (UTAD), Department of Forest Sciences and Landscape Architecture, P-5001 801 Vila Real, Portugal DeBA-ECVA – University of Trás-os-Montes and Alto Douro (UTAD), Department of Biology and Environment, P-5001 801 Vila Real, Portugal Agro Rio Bom, Lda., Rua das Felgueiras, no 1, 5445-083 Valpaços, Portugal

Soil tillage with chisel ploughing is the conventional soil management system in chestnut stands for fruit production in Northern Portugal. A study was developed to assess the effects of three soil management systems on in situ soil N mineralization dynamics, tree nutrition status and fruit productivity, in a 50-yr old chestnut stand. The treatments were: conventional tillage with a chisel ploughing twice a year (CT), no-tillage with rainfed improved pasture with leguminous and grasses plants (NIP), and no-tillage with spontaneous herbaceous vegetation natural pasture (NP). The CT treatment showed a strong increase of the soil N mineral concentration following soil disturbance by tillage, but the cumulative net N mineralized along the year was significantly lower (51.8 kg ha-1) than in the NIP (85.1 kg ha-1) treatment. The NP treatment (65.9 kg ha-1) did not cause a reduction in the soil N mineralization when compared to the CT treatment. The mineralization rate (g mineralized N kg-1 total N) in 2004 was about 26, 30 and 38 in the treatments CT, NP and NIP, respectively. Treatments showed different soil N dynamics, the proportion of mineralized NO3-N being lower in the NP (10-48%) than in CT and NIP treatments (53-74%). Our study indicates that no-tillage systems improve the tree nutrition status and enhance productivity.

Portugal is one of the most important chestnut world producers with more than 30.000 tons, Tras-os-Montes being the main Portuguese region where almost 85% of the chestnuts are produced. In Portugal, the project Regcast has started experimental studies, which aim to give guidelines to the producers for chestnut's water management based on real plant water needs. Three treatments like non-irrigated; deficit irrigated and fully irrigated were carried from June to October 2013 on a 15 years old chestnut orchard. Preliminary results suggest that there are no significant differences between treatments for predawn leaf water potential (ranged from -0,2 to -0,5 MPa), for canopy air temperature and for photosynthetic rate and transpiration rate at 9am. Although, at midday, there are significant differences for leaf water potential, photosynthetic rate and transpiration rate. These three parameters are higher for irrigated treatments, with significant difference for full-irrigated treatment comparing with non-irrigated treatment. Soil moisture results show significant differences between treatments in the more superficial layers (0-40 cm). Predawn leaf water potential results indicate the importance of deep roots in extracting water during the night, but the midday leaf water potentials suggest the true importance of the upper root in water absorption during daylight. The yield, fruit size and fruit quality must be analysed in order to draw more conclusions.