BackgroundThere is evidence that global anthropogenic climate change may be impacting floral phenology and the temporal and spatial characteristics of aero-allergenic pollen. Given the extent of current and future climate uncertainty, there is a need to strengthen predictive pollen forecasts.MethodsThe study aims to use CatBoost (CB) and deep learning (DL) models for predicting the daily total pollen concentration up to 14 days in advance for 23 cities, covering all five continents. The model includes the projected environmental parameters, recent concentrations (1, 2 and 4 weeks), and the past environmental explanatory variables, and their future values.ResultsThe best pollen forecasts include Mexico City (R2(DL_7) approximate to .7), and Santiago (R2(DL_7) approximate to .8) for the 7th forecast day, respectively; while the weakest pollen forecasts are made for Brisbane (R2(DL_7) approximate to .4) and Seoul (R2(DL_7) approximate to .1) for the 7th forecast day. The global order of the five most important environmental variables in determining the daily total pollen concentrations is, in decreasing order: the past daily total pollen concentration, future 2 m temperature, past 2 m temperature, past soil temperature in 28-100 cm depth, and past soil temperature in 0-7 cm depth. City-related clusters of the most similar distribution of feature importance values of the environmental variables only slightly change on consecutive forecast days for Caxias do Sul, Cape Town, Brisbane, and Mexico City, while they often change for Sydney, Santiago, and Busan.ConclusionsThis new knowledge of the ecological relationships of the most remarkable variables importance for pollen forecast models according to clusters, cities and forecast days is important for developing and improving the accuracy of airborne pollen forecasts. CatBoost is a preferable model for short-term forecasts, while Deep Learning is for longer ones, but there is no definite answer to what the better model is for every day or city. Past pollen trends are strong indicators of future pollen concentrations. CatBoost can be used to determine the importance of environmental variables in forecasting daily total pollen concentration. Abbreviations: 2mT, 2 m temperature; CB, CatBoost; DL, Deep Learning; DOY, day of the year; ERA5, the fifth generation ECMWF (European Centre for Medium-Range Weather Forecasts) atmospheric reanalysis dataset; pevap, potential evapotranspiration; st, soil temperature.image

Abstract Apple (Malus domestica Borkh.) is the most important fruit in the EU. The total yield is more than 11 million tons.year-1, 15% of which is that of the early apple varieties. Several papers have already been published on the efficacy of crown and fruit thinning in the 20th century. Nowadays, hybrid varieties and intensive crown types are used in modernized systems. Our research was carried out in a Hungarian orchard during two cultivation periods. We studied two early apple varieties (Idaho, Gala Must) to determine how fruit thinning affected the quantity and quality of fruits. We found that the effectiveness of non-thinned technology is similar or slightly better compared to fruit thinning, after the second harvest. The average yield of Idaho apples per tree per harvest was 35.9 vs. 24.8 kg, while that of Gala Must was 50.8 vs. 59.2 kg (with thinning vs. without thinning). To assess quality, we measured water-soluble sugars, NO3 -, NO2 and vitamin C content. Immediately, after the harvest, a surprisingly high vitamin C content was found in the fruits (4.4 mg.100 g-1 on average), which, however, decomposed after 3 months of storage. We also determined the pathway of the decomposition of vitamin C.

Pollen, particularly from the Ambrosia genus, plays a pivotal role in triggering allergic rhinoconjunctivitis symptoms. This review delves into the global background of Ambrosia, focusing on its origins, invasive potential, and spread to South America. The ecological niche for Ambrosia species is explored, emphasizing its stability globally but exhibiting unique and dynamic features in South America. Information on Ambrosia pollen concentration in South America is summarized, revealing varying levels across countries. The establishment of new aerobiology stations, as highlighted in the latest findings, contributes valuable data for understanding allergen risk management in the region. The health perspective addresses the rise in allergic diseases due to climate change, emphasizing the need for continuous monitoring, especially in South America. Agricultural damage inflicted by Ambrosia is discussed, emphasizing its invasive potential, high seed production, and negative impact on crops, forage quality, and livestock. The review also positions Ambrosia as a marker of climate change, discussing the effects of global warming on pollen seasons, concentrations, and allergenic characteristics. The importance of expanding aerobiology stations in South America is underscored, requiring collaborative efforts from government, scientific societies, and academic institutions. The review concludes by advocating for increased monitoring to address potential challenges posed by Ambrosia, offering a basis for tailored interventions and future research in South American regions.

Ongoing and future climate change driven expansion of aeroallergen-producing plant species comprise a major human health problem across Europe and elsewhere. There is an urgent need to produce accurate, temporally dynamic maps at the continental level, especially in the context of climate uncertainty. This study aimed to restore missing daily ragweed pollen data sets for Europe, to produce phenological maps of ragweed pollen, resulting in the most complete and detailed high-resolution ragweed pollen concentration maps to date. To achieve this, we developed two statistical procedures, a Gaussian method (GM) and deep learning (DL) for restoring missing daily ragweed pollen data sets, based on the plant’s reproductive and growth (phenological, pollen production and frost-related) characteristics. DL model performances were consistently better for estimating annual total pollen concentrations than those of the GM approach. These are the first published modeled maps using altitude correction and phenology to recover missing pollen information. We created a web page (http://euragweedpollen.gmf.u-szeged.hu/), including daily ragweed pollen concentration data sets of the stations examined and their restored daily data, allowing one to upload newly measured or recovered daily data. Generation of these maps provides a means to track pollen impacts in the context of climatic shifts, identify geographical regions with high pollen exposure, determine areas of future vulnerability, apply spatially-explicit mitigation measures and prioritize management interventions.

Ongoing and future climate change driven expansion of aeroallergen-producing plant species comprise a major human health problem across Europe and elsewhere. There is an urgent need to produce accurate, temporally dynamic maps at the continental level, especially in the context of climate uncertainty. This study aimed to restore missing daily ragweed pollen data sets for Europe, to produce phenological maps of ragweed pollen, resulting in the most complete and detailed high-resolution ragweed pollen concentration maps to date. To achieve this, we have developed two statistical procedures, a Gaussian method (GM) and deep learning (DL) for restoring missing daily ragweed pollen data sets, based on the plant's reproductive and growth (phenological, pollen production and frost-related) characteristics. DL model performances were consistently better for estimating seasonal pollen integrals than those of the GM approach. These are the first published modelled maps using altitude correction and flowering phenology to recover missing pollen information. We created a web page (http://euragweedpollen.gmf.u-szeged.hu/), including daily ragweed pollen concentration data sets of the stations examined and their restored daily data, allowing one to upload newly measured or recovered daily data. Generation of these maps provides a means to track pollen impacts in the context of climatic shifts, identify geographical regions with high pollen exposure, determine areas of future vulnerability, apply spatially-explicit mitigation measures and prioritize management interventions.

Ambrosia artemisiifolia, common ragweed, is an invasive plant species whose introduction and spread in Eastern Europe has resulted in enormous environmental and economic losses in agriculture and public health in recent decades. The aim of this chapter is: (i) to provide an overview on the origin and distribution of Ambrosia from North America to Europe, with special focus on Eastern Europe, particularly Hungary; and (ii) to identify and quantify those human-related factors on either a regional or global basis that may act to facilitate the spread and pollen production of this plant species. The chapter shows that socio-economic changes, particularly in agriculture following the fall of the Soviet Union, may be factors in contributing to the degree of soil disturbance necessary for ragweed establishment and spread. In addition, a temporal analysis is conducted of ragweed pollen characteristics and local meteorological factors from Szeged, Hungary (located in the biogeographical region of Hungary with the highest recorded ragweed pollen counts). This analysis demonstrates that most of the A. artemisiifolia pollen is from local (<100 km) sources on non-rainy days, but that recent anthropogenic changes in surface temperatures have likely lengthened both the growing season and the time of pollen exposure for common ragweed (i.e. delay in the onset of the autumn frost) in this location. Overall, both ongoing changes in land use and anthropogenic changes in climate are likely to continue to drive the spread of this invasive species, with negative consequences, particularly for allergic rhinitis, in Eastern Europe.

The marketability of the sweet peppers is determined by their quality in Class I, which must also meet the highest standards in terms of the color, shape of the variety and the characteristics of the various flavors. However, the determinants of quality may vary from one pepper type to another. During of our research, we examined the utilization of nitrogen, magnesium and potassium in different types of domestic peppers in the context of the relative chlorophyll content of the foliage and the amount of sugar and total capsaicin in the fruits. We determined that the nutrient solution prepared by Duna-r Ltd. is suitable for achieving the highest sugar and capsaicin content, but their levels can differ significantly. The uptake and utilization of nitrogen, magnesium and potassium of nutrient solution can be checked with the SPAD (Soil Plant Analysis Development) index data of the foliage. We found that there are periods in the phenophase of the pepper cultivars studied when both sugar content and capsaicin content increase significantly. Another major result is that sugar content is a basic determinant of capsaicin content in hot peppers and cherry peppers, while it is not an important factor of capsaicin content for Bogyiszló-type peppers.

Abstract Antioxidants are compounds that inhibit combustion (oxidation) processes. Antioxidants are vital components of our body, which can be obtained in part through plant nutrition. Therefore, it is very important to study species that have significantly higher antioxidant capacity than other species. The aim of the study was to investigate the antioxidant capacity of total polyphenols (TPC) of European mistletoe (Viscum album L.) leafy shoots collected from different species of trees (black locust, European ash, white poplar, field maple and black walnut) based on different methods; DPPH (2,2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl), FRAP (ferric reducing antioxidant power) and TPC (total phenolic contents). The results proved that the antioxidant effect of leafy shoots from European ash (Fraxinus excelsior) against hydroxyl radicals (ROS) showed significantly higher values than those of the other four tree species. We found that the DPPH, FRAP and TPC methods show significant differences in antioxidant effect of European white mistletoe leafy shoots on the studied tree species and tea brands. However, the FRAP method shows higher sensitivity for trees but for tea brands, the DPPH method is more sensitive. The reason for the difference might be explained by the different methods of drying. In the future, we consider it feasible to plant ash groves at an altitude of at least 80 m above sea level in a closed area, where we can start growing European white mistletoe as an herb. Based on the results obtained European white mistletoe can be recommended as an herb to natural medicine for supplementary treatment of several cancer diseases.

In areas where the tree of heaven (Ailanthus altissima) appears and multiplies, the original vegetation degrades and transforms. The invasive tree of heaven is also of great importance in urban environments, where it causes building damage, static problems and endangers utilities. Ailanthus pollen concentration was measured during the 3-year period (2016-2018) at three county capitals (Szolnok, Debrecen, Nyíregyháza) of the Northern Great Plain, Hungary (JászNagykun-Szolnok county, Hajdú-Bihar county and Szabolcs-Szatmár-Bereg county), with a 7-day Hirst-type (Burkard) pollen trap. The highest total pollen count of A. altissima was measured in all three years in Nyíregyháza (1114 pollen m-3 in 2016; 788 pollen m-3 in 2017; 635 pollen m-3 in 2018), while the lowest values were measured in Szolnok in all three years (99 pollen m-3 in 2016; 78 pollen m-3 in 2017; 93 pollen m-3 in 2018). In Debrecen, the annual total pollen concentration varied between 109-127 pollen grains m-3 in the studied period. The extent of the prevalence of A. altissima can be deduced from its pollen concentrations. For this purpose, multi-year pollen data is displayed on a map in which areas characterized by different pollen concentrations are represented by colour codes. Pollen monitoring provides information on the size of A. altissima stands and provides a basis for proposals and plans for measures to control this invasive tree species and mitigate the damage caused by it.

The International Ragweed Society held its current conference in Budapest on September 8-9, 2022. The conference is the highest-level international event in the field. The paper, in connection with the event, gives a brief overview of the beginnings of palynology, which is a relatively new science. The paper reports a Hungarian example of the rapid spread of ragweed. It presents the damage caused by ragweed and its pollen, which happens in all areas of life, based on which it is said a serious natural, economic, human, and environmental health problem. Based on model results, the problem will continue to worsen with global climate change. All of this proves the attention paid to the topic and the fact that the conference provides insight and solutions to the environmental and social challenges posed by ragweed and its pollen.

Pollen exposure weakens the immunity against certain seasonal respiratory viruses by diminishing the antiviral interferon response. Here we investigate whether the same applies to the pandemic severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2), which is sensitive to antiviral interferons, if infection waves coincide with high airborne pollen concentrations. Our original hypothesis was that more airborne pollen would lead to increases in infection rates. To examine this, we performed a cross-sectional and longitudinal data analysis on SARS-CoV-2 infection, airborne pollen, and meteorological factors. Our dataset is the most comprehensive, largest possible worldwide from 130 stations, across 31 countries and five continents. To explicitly investigate the effects of social contact, we additionally considered population density of each study area, as well as lockdown effects, in all possible combinations: without any lockdown, with mixed lockdown−no lockdown regime, and under complete lockdown. We found that airborne pollen, sometimes in synergy with humidity and temperature, explained, on average, 44% of the infection rate variability. Infection rates increased after higher pollen concentrations most frequently during the four previous days. Without lockdown, an increase of pollen abundance by 100 pollen/m3 resulted in a 4% average increase of infection rates. Lockdown halved infection rates under similar pollen concentrations. As there can be no preventive measures against airborne pollen exposure, we suggest wide dissemination of pollen−virus co-exposure dire effect information to encourage high-risk individuals to wear particle filter masks during high springtime pollen concentrations.

The diagnosis and treatment of atopic disorders associated with specific aerobiological triggers require basic botanical training. However, the identification of specific pollen can often be confounded by broad naming conventions that range from categorized colloquial to scientific names based on either higher taxonomic levels or, in some cases, binomial nomenclature. Physicians specializing in allergy often lack a comprehensive understanding with respect to plant taxonomy and botanical nomenclature that are critical skills required for clinical practice and research programs evaluating pollen and airborne fungal spores. In addition, binomial and current family designation and synonyms, including author citation are often misused, causing a misinterpretation of existing plants species or pollen types. It is critical that the correct botanical name is linked to a validated specimen and scientific naming conventions are used where possible by the clinician and researcher. In relation to pollen identification, we propose that clinicians and researchers should provide the currently accepted binomial nomenclature, offer relevant synonyms, and use the Angiosperm Phylogeny Group names.

Temperature and precipitation are the most important meteorological variables influencing crop yields of cereals. In the paper we use and compare two procedures, namely Factor analysis with special transformation and multiple linear regression analysis with stepwise method in determining the influence of monthly mean temperatures and monthly precipitation amounts of April, May, June, July and August for determining the crop yields of maize, wheat, barley and lye. When comparing the results received on the two methods, those variables were retained that were concurrently significant for determining the crop yields for both cases. It is found that for maize yield the most important variables in decreasing order are August mean temperature with negative, as well as July and June precipitation amounts with positive association. For wheat yield, June and May mean temperatures, while for barley yield the same but in reverse order are the most important variables, all with negative relationship. Concerning rye yield, April precipitation amount with positive and June mean temperature with negative association are the decisive variables. Among the examined cereals, maize yield is the most sensitive to precipitation. The here-mentioned significant relationships may have a predictive power in projecting the actual crop yield.

The effect of height on pollen concentration is not well documented and little is known about the near-ground vertical profile of airborne pollen. This is important as most measuring stations are on roofs, but patient exposure is at ground level. Our study used a big data approach to estimate the near-ground vertical profile of pollen concentrations based on a global study of paired stations located at different heights. We analyzed paired sampling stations located at different heights between 1.5 and 50 m above ground level (AGL). This provided pollen data from 59 Hirst-type volumetric traps from 25 different areas, mainly in Europe, but also covering North America and Australia, resulting in about 2,000,000 daily pollen concentrations analyzed. The daily ratio of the amounts of pollen from different heights per location was used, and the values of the lower station were divided by the higher station. The lower station of paired traps recorded more pollen than the higher trap. However, while the effect of height on pollen concentration was clear, it was also limited (average ratio 1.3, range 0.7-2.2). The standard deviation of the pollen ratio was highly variable when the lower station was located close to the ground level (below 10 m AGL). We show that pollen concentrations measured at > 10 m are representative for background near-ground levels.

The aim of the paper is to modernise a farm building for rabbits and provide a possible solution for other farms. The model calculations are focused on the welfare viewpoint of rabbit breeding, i.e. first of all on ventilation, cooling and heating of the shed in order to approach the microclimate for meat rabbit production. The planned air handling unit can ensure the optimal temperature range (15-25°C) for rabbits all year round. In addition, thermal insulation and mechanical components of a rabbit house were planned and the possibility of reducing the energy demand of the building by more than 40% was analysed. The renewed rabbit farm is better suited to animal welfare requirements, as it can meet the environmental needs in production and reduces the building’s impact on the surrounding area.

The aim of the study is to compare the performance of the two classification methods, based on the atmospheric circulation types over the Pannonian basin in Central Europe. Moreover, relationships including seasonal occurrences and correlation coefficients, as well as comparative diagrams of the seasonal occurrences of the circulation types of the two classification systems are presented. When comparing of the automated (objective) and empirical (subjective) classification methods, it was found that the frequency of the empirical anticyclonic (cyclonic) types is much higher (lower) than that of the automated anticyclonic (cyclonic) types both on an annual and seasonal basis. The highest and statistically significant correlations between the circulation types of the two classification systems, as well as those between the cumulated seasonal anticyclonic and cyclonic types occur in winter for both classifications, since the weather-influencing effect of the atmospheric circulation in this season is the most prevalent. Precipitation amounts in Budapest display a decreasing trend in accordance with the decrease in the occurrence of the automated cyclonic types. In contrast, the occurrence of the empirical cyclonic types displays an increasing trend. There occur types in a given classification that are usually accompanied by high ratios of certain types in the other classification.

Recent paper was focused on the environmental requirements of indoor domestic rabbit production and welfare indices of the rabbit were collected from the results of several researchers. The following environmental features were studied: microclimate (room temperature, relative humidity, and air movement), air pollutants, illumination, noise and overcrowding, and other housing conditions of rabbits. The minimum requirements for housing conditions are becoming increasingly stringent in the European Union, but unfortunately the consumers’ demands and the proposals on regulation are often do not take into consideration the real needs, physiology and ethology of rabbits and/or the European rabbit farmers’ interest in competitiveness on the world market.

BACKGROUND:Ongoing climate change might, through rising temperatures, alter allergenic pollen biology across the northern hemisphere. We aimed to analyse trends in pollen seasonality and pollen load and to establish whether there are specific climate-related links to any observed changes.METHODS:For this retrospective data analysis, we did an extensive search for global datasets with 20 years or more of airborne pollen data that consistently recorded pollen season indices (eg, duration and intensity). 17 locations across three continents with long-term (approximately 26 years on average) quantitative records of seasonal concentrations of multiple pollen (aeroallergen) taxa met the selection criteria. These datasets were analysed in the context of recent annual changes in maximum temperature (Tmax) and minimum temperature (Tmin) associated with anthropogenic climate change. Seasonal regressions (slopes) of variation in pollen load and pollen season duration over time were compared to Tmax, cumulative degree day Tmax, Tmin, cumulative degree day Tmin, and frost-free days among all 17 locations to ascertain significant correlations.FINDINGS:12 (71%) of the 17 locations showed significant increases in seasonal cumulative pollen or annual pollen load. Similarly, 11 (65%) of the 17 locations showed a significant increase in pollen season duration over time, increasing, on average, 0·9 days per year. Across the northern hemisphere locations analysed, annual cumulative increases in Tmax over time were significantly associated with percentage increases in seasonal pollen load (r=0·52, p=0·034) as were annual cumulative increases in Tmin (r=0·61, p=0·010). Similar results were observed for pollen season duration, but only for cumulative degree days (higher than the freezing point [0°C or 32°F]) for Tmax (r=0·53, p=0·030) and Tmin (r=0·48, p=0·05). Additionally, temporal increases in frost-free days per year were significantly correlated with increases in both pollen load (r=0·62, p=0·008) and pollen season duration (r=0·68, p=0·003) when averaged for all 17 locations.INTERPRETATION:Our findings reveal that the ongoing increase in temperature extremes (Tmin and Tmax) might already be contributing to extended seasonal duration and increased pollen load for multiple aeroallergenic pollen taxa in diverse locations across the northern hemisphere. This study, done across multiple continents, highlights an important link between ongoing global warming and public health-one that could be exacerbated as temperatures continue to increase.FUNDING:None.

The aim of the study is to compare the performance of the two classification methods, based on the atmospheric circulation types over the Pannonian basin in Central Europe. Moreover, relationships including seasonal occurrences and correlation coefficients, as well as comparative diagrams of the seasonal occurrences of the circulation types of the two classification systems are presented. When comparing of the automated (objective) and empirical (subjective) classification methods, it was found that the frequency of the empirical anticyclonic (cyclonic) types is much higher (lower) than that of the automated anticyclonic (cyclonic) types both on an annual and seasonal basis. The highest and statistically significant correlations between the circulation types of the two classification systems, as well as those between the cumulated seasonal anticyclonic and cyclonic types occur in winter for both classifications, since the weather-influencing effect of the atmospheric circulation in this season is the most prevalent. Precipitation amounts in Budapest display a decreasing trend in accordance with the decrease in the occurrence of the automated cyclonic types. In contrast, the occurrence of the empirical cyclonic types displays an increasing trend. There occur types in a given classification that are usually accompanied by high ratios of certain types in the other classification.

The aim of the study is to analyse the relationship between meteorological elements and the main air pollutants based on the data of Szeged city, southern Hungary. Factor analysis was performed for both summer and winter months. Only the two extreme seasons were investigated because the variables in question are then under different processes. The database includes daily means of 11 meteorological elements and 8 air pollutants for the summer (June, July, August) and winter months (December, January, February) of the five-year period 1997-2001, respectively. Four factors were retained both in the summer and winter months that contribute significantly to the formation of weather and air pollution episodes in Szeged. Wind speed is an important parameter in both extreme seasons for diluting air pollution. Strong winds reduce the concentrations of air pollutants, and vice versa. O-3 concentrations are inversely proportional to the concentrations of the primary air pollutants. In Factor 4 only the factor weights of the ozone parameters are almost exclusive for both extreme seasons.