Cadmium (Cd) contamination limits plant growth and productivity. This study evaluated whether cold plasma (CP) seed treatment mitigates Cd stress in two wheat cultivars, Borlaug-16 (B-16) and Zincol-16 (Z-16). Seeds were exposed to CP for 1-4 min and grown under 50 ppm Cd. CP improved germination, with B-16 showing a 40% increase in germination percentage under CP1 and Z-16 a 90.47% increase in germination index under CdCP1 compared to the control. Growth and yield traits also improved; in B-16, grain yield increased by 45.19% (CdCP1) and biomass by 32.29% (CP1), while Z-16 showed an 83.07% increase in biomass (CP4) and a 66.94% increase in total chlorophyll (CdCP4). Oxidative damage declined, with malondialdehyde reduced by 7.79% (B-16, CP4) and 9.09% (Z-16, CP2), accompanied by increased activities of superoxide dismutase, catalase, peroxidase, and ascorbate peroxidase. Leaf Cd concentrations decreased by 38.73% in B-16 and 71.79% in Z-16 under CdCP1 relative to Cd-stressed plants. Overall, CP treatment was associated with reduced oxidative stress and improved physiological performance. These results indicate that CP is a practical approach to improve wheat performance under Cd-contaminated conditions.

Postharvest oxidative stress accelerates senescence and flavonol loss in bell peppers, reducing nutritional quality and shelf life, while the role of exogenous melatonin in preserving specific flavonols and regulating the AsA-GSH cycle during ambient storage remains unclear. This study evaluated the effects of melatonin (100 and 200 mu mol/L) on flavonol composition, antioxidant capacity, and antioxidant defence systems in bell peppers stored for nine days at 23 +/- 2 degrees C. Melatonin significantly preserved major flavonols, particularly quercetin, luteolin, and apigenin derivatives, with 200 mu mol/L providing the greatest retention. Antioxidant capacity measured by 2,2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH) and ABTS (-azino-bis(3-ethylbenzothiazoline-6-sulfonic acid) assays and activities of catalase, peroxidase, and ascorbate peroxidase were markedly enhanced by melatonin treatment. The AsA-GSH cycle was positively regulated, especially at 100 mu mol/L, maintaining higher levels of reduced antioxidants. After 9 days, ascorbic acid contents were 5.24 and 6.60 mg g-1 in peppers treated with 100 and 200 mu mol/L melatonin, respectively, compared with 4.40 mg g-1 in controls. Glutathione (GSH) levels were higher in treated samples (10.59-10.64 mg g-1) than in controls (9.22 mg g-1), while oxidised GSH accumulation was significantly suppressed. Overall, exogenous melatonin mitigates oxidative stress and preserves flavonols, supporting its postharvest application in bell peppers during storage.

Withania coagulans (Dunal) Stocks, a medicinal plant of the Solanaceae family, has long been recognized in traditional medicine for its antidiabetic, antimicrobial, and antioxidant activities. In the present study, gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (GC-MS) analysis of the aqueous stem extract of W. coagulans revealed a diverse phytochemical profile, comprising phenolics, terpenoids, and fatty acids. The extract was subsequently assessed for its biological potential using in vitro assays. It exhibited notable antibacterial activity against Salmonella Typhi and Escherichia coli, producing inhibition zones between 15 and 25 mm, comparable to that of standard antibiotics, underscoring its potential as a natural antibacterial agent. The antidiabetic potential of the extract was established by starch hydrolysis and α-amylase inhibition, where the extract achieved 58.33% and 75.8% inhibition, respectively. Antioxidant activity was demonstrated in the DPPH assay, showing a progressive increase in radical scavenging from 27.5% at 100 µg/mL to 57.3% at 500 µg/mL concentration. In silico docking, ADMET analysis, and molecular dynamics simulations identified caryophyllene oxide and 2,2-dimethyl-3-(…)-oxirane as promising lead terpenoids, exhibiting strong predicted binding affinities across antibacterial, antidiabetic, and antioxidant targets. These findings provide scientific support for the ethnopharmacological use of W. coagulans and suggest its potential compounds with predicted multi-target binding affinities.

Vegetation indices (VIs), such as the normalized difference vegetation index and the normalized difference red edge index, derived from multispectral imagery is crucial for crop health monitoring in precision agriculture. However, the acquisition of key bands particularly the near-infrared (NIR) and red-edge (RE) bands relies on expensive and specialized multispectral sensors, which significantly limits their application in resource-constrained scenarios. To address this issue, this study explores cross-band generation methods to produce high-quality NIR and RE bands from widely available RGB images. Existing methods often prioritize pixel-level accuracy while neglecting the semantic utility of the generated bands for downstream tasks and are susceptible to background interference. To overcome these limitations, we propose a perception-driven generation framework. First, we perform vegetation segmentation on raw images using the excess green vegetation index to construct a purified dataset of cotton vegetation pixels, which directs the model’s focus toward learning the core spectral mapping relationships of vegetation. Leveraging prior knowledge from semantic segmentation, we introduce a selective reconstruction process that prioritizes detailed spectral reconstruction in vegetation regions while simplifying noncritical background areas. This strategy enhances computational efficiency without compromising key information quality. Subsequently, we design a transformer-based multichannel spectral fusion model incorporating a spectral-spatial attention mechanism utilizing strip convolution to adaptively fuse channel features and concentrate on key spatial regions. The model is optimized using a composite loss function that combines perceptual loss and pixel-level loss, ensuring the generated bands are both spectrally accurate and semantically rich. Experiments on a cotton image dataset collected by a DJI Mavic3 multspectral drone demonstrate that the proposed method generates more visually realistic NIR and RE bands compared to existing approaches. Most importantly, the classification accuracy for cotton health status using VIs derived from the generated data is significantly improved, outperforming methods using only RGB data and approaching the performance achieved with real multispectral data. This study provides a cost-effective solution for high-precision crop monitoring under resource constraints.

Monoculture is the cultivation of a single crop over a large area for several consecutive years to enhance global food production. However, it is also associated with certain environmental issues like soil degradation, reduced nutrient availability, impact on biodiversity, increased pest infestation, and climate change. Farmers use chemical pesticides and fertilizers to enhance crop yield, which results in environmental pollution of soil, water runoffs, and the emission of greenhouse gases. The biological impact of monoculture includes a decrease in the population of natural enemies and reduced genetic variability with the elimination of indigenous crops. The economic and social problems of monoculture include narrow or single-commodity-based markets, monopoly, and food security issues. To overcome the issue, there is a need to adopt integrated technologies like cultural practices (crop rotation, intercropping, agroforestry), replacing traditional inputs with modern innovative inputs (biofertilizers, nano-fertilizers, biopesticides), or modern techniques like precision agriculture or regenerative agriculture. The integration of all these techniques can be beneficial while considering climate change and biodiversity. The advancement in artificial intelligence, Internet of Things (IoT), and edge computing can be employed for efficient use of resources for climate resilience, preserving biodiversity, environmental equilibrium, and enhanced productivity.

Cornus mas L. (cornelian cherry) is one of the fruit species that has attracted attention in recent years and is a widely used species from traditional consumption to modern industrial applications due to its high nutritional content, richness in bioactive compounds, and functional food potential. Tu & euro;rkiye is very rich in terms of dogwood genetic resources that can be grown from seed and used for different breeding purposes. This study aimed to characterize the variation in fruit/plant quality attributes and to assess the underlying genetic diversity among 30 C. mas L. genotypes using interprimer binding site (iPBS) markers. A comprehensive set of pomological traits (e.g., fruit size, weight, length) and biochemical parameters (soluble solids, titratable acidity, total phenolic content, and antioxidant capacity) was recorded at harvest. Overall, substantial variability was observed among the genotypes. Some accessions combined larger fruit size with higher soluble solids content and antioxidant capacity, whereas others produced smaller fruits but exhibited higher acidity or phenolic content, suggesting distinct potential uses for fresh consumption and processing. Genetic diversity was evaluated using 12 iPBS primers, which generated a total of 89 bands, of which 75.3% were polymorphic. The mean polymorphism information content value was 0.89, with values ranging from 0.77 to 0.99, revealing moderate-to-high genetic differentiation among genotypes. Cluster and multivariate analyses grouped the accessions into four major clusters, which were largely consistent with their pomological and biochemical profiles. Taken together, these results provide an integrated view of pomological, biochemical, and molecular variation in C. mas L. genotypes and identify promising genotypes that can be exploited in future breeding and conservation programs.

Dactylis glomerata L. (Orchard grass) is a widely cultivated forage crop known for its rich nutritional value, making it an ideal daily feed for livestock. This study assessed the genetic diversity and population structure of 180 orchard grass accessions using 12 highly polymorphic Start Codon Targeted (SCoT) primers. A total of 244 reproducible bands were generated with an average polymorphism rate of 85.47

KNO3, an inorganic salt, plays a crucial role in regulating growth, stress responses, and various physiological processes, including seed germination and root architecture. Previous research has established the role of KNO3 in improving the seed quality, but the specific mechanism which contributes to the seed enhancement and nutrient acquisition remains uninvest gated. Priming with potassium nitrate (KNO₃) is a promising strategy to enhance seed quality and seedling performance under suboptimal conditions. The effects of KNO₃ priming on both seed metabolism and germination and early seed growth in tomato (Solanum lycopersicum) is investigated in this study. Seeds were seeded with four KNO₃-primed tomato in varying concentrations (0.1

This study investigated how two drying methods (tray drying and freeze drying) combined with different solvent extractions (water, n-hexane, acetone, ethanol, and methanol) influence the nutritional composition, bioactive compounds, antioxidant activity, and functional properties of Ziziphus mauritiana fruit powder. Freeze drying was more effective than tray drying in preserving heat-sensitive nutrients and phytochemicals, particularly phenolics, flavonoids, and ascorbic acid, demonstrating the superior retention of bioactive compounds. Among solvents, acetone and methanol extracts showed the highest recovery of phenolic and flavonoid constituents, while ethanol and water extracts exhibited strong antioxidant activity. Water extracts also displayed notable functional properties, including glucose adsorption and α-amylase inhibition, indicating potential anti-diabetic benefits. FTIR analysis confirmed the presence of major functional groups such as hydroxyl (O – H), carbonyl (C = O), and C – H and C – O related vibrational bands in the fruit powder. Overall, the combined assessment of drying and extraction methods provides new insights into optimizing the nutritional and medicinal potential of Z. mauritiana, supporting its application as a functional food ingredient.

The aim of the study was to examine the effects of inoculation with arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi (AMF) on growth, productivity and mineral contents of chickpeas in pot experiment. The experiment was set in three levels of AMF (50 g, 100 g, and 150 g). Host growth stages of chickpea cultivars had increased positively with the AMF inoculation. Nitrogen concentrations in the rhizospheric soil of Parbath-98 and Noor-2019 cultivars were high (870 mg/kg and 2570 mg/kg, respectively) at low level of AMF inoculum, which indicated the absorption of nitrogen from soil effected inversely. Elemental analysis of chickpea all three cultivars showed good absorption of phosphorus; i.e., 1.50 mg/kg, 0.34 mg/kg, and 2.21 mg/kg at 150 g AMF inoculum. The results of AMF root colonization, spore densities, proximate and elemental analysis revealed that at 150 g AMF inoculum provision, effective outcomes of these indicators seen compare to 50 g and 100 g. The elevated root colonization along spore densities were observed at maximum level of AMF inoculum in all three cultivars of chickpea. The highest AMF root colonization of 66.10

Global pollution causes significant concern due to its negative effects on humans, terrestrial and marine organisms, as well as its destructive impact on ecosystems as a whole. Among the most toxic pollutants are pesticides, which are highly persistent in the environment, exhibit high toxicity, and have numerous consequences for human and animal health. A distinctive feature of pesticide use is that they do not remain confined to soil layers or plant crops; regular application leads to their gradual accumulation outside agricultural fields. Organochlorine pesticides, polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs), and polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) are among the most persistent organic pollutants. They have been detected in various environmental samples from the equator to Antarctica, and vertically they have already reached the bottom of the Mariana Trench and have been found on the Tibetan Plateau. Thousands of synthetic chemicals have been introduced into large-scale industrial production. One approach to reducing the negative impact of pesticides involves not only the development of highly selective next-generation pesticides but also the proper application of knowledge regarding their biological degradation. Achieving this requires a thorough understanding of the metabolic features of biotransformation, which is the focus of this review. The authors declare no conflicts of interests.

This study explores the green synthesis of gold nanoparticles (AuNPs) using the aqueous extract of Boerhavia diffusa L., a plant known for its medicinal properties. The synthesis of AuNPs was confirmed through UV–Vis spectroscopy, showing a characteristic surface plasmon resonance peak at 551 nm, indicating successful nanoparticle (NPs) formation. The physicochemical properties of the NPs were further analyzed using FTIR, XRD, SEM, and DLS, revealing a crystalline structure, spherical morphology, and an average size of 53.17 ± 0.58 nm. The biogenic AuNPs were evaluated for their antimicrobial, antifungal, antioxidant, and anticancer activities. AuNPs exhibited significant antibacterial effects against Listeria monocytogenes, Bordetella bronchiseptica, and Escherichia coli, with zone of inhibition ranging from 25 to 27 mm. In antifungal assays, AuNPs displayed potent activity against Candida albicans, Aspergillus niger, Cryptococcus neoformans, and Trichophyton rubrum, with inhibition zones between 78 and 86 mm. The antioxidant potential was also demonstrated through DPPH, FRAP, and TPC assays, with AuNPs showing 80

Food waste is a growing global concern due to the loss of essential nutrients and associated environmental impacts. Upcycling food waste into functional ingredients and nutraceuticals supports sustainability, wellness, and the circular bioeconomy. This review presents and compares conventional and green extraction technologies, including solvent extraction, enzymatic hydrolysis, microbial fermentation, ultrasound-assisted, microwave-assisted, and pulsed electric field techniques, for recovering bioactive compounds from food by-products. Green extraction approaches are emphasized for their ability to enhance yield and purity while reducing chemical use, energy consumption, and environmental burden. The review also explores the role of biotechnological innovations and artificial intelligence in optimizing extraction processes, improving scalability, and ensuring economic feasibility. Furthermore, it addresses current challenges, including regulatory barriers, consumer acceptance, and technological limitations, that hinder large-scale implementation. This work underscores the valorization of food by-products into wellness-oriented formulations and highlights the potential of sustainable extraction technologies to transform food waste into high-value resources, contributing to global goals on sustainable production, health promotion, and environmental conservation.

Salinity has a global impact on plants by inducing biochemical and metabolic changes that lead to oxidative stress, impairing growth, yield, and productivity.The pistachio tree (Pistacia vera L.) is a salt-tolerant species.This study aims to investigate the effectiveness of carbon nitride nanostructures modified with iron (Fe/C3N4) on the Akbari pistachio variety under salinity stress levels (0, 50, 100, and 150 mM) and foliar applying (distilled water as a control, Fe2O3 (0.2 g L-1), C3N4 (0.2 g L-1), and carbon nitride modified with iron or Fe/C3N4 (0.2 g L-1).The findings showed that salinity decreased relative water content (RWC), SPAD index, membrane stability index (MSI), maximum fluorescence (Fm), and variable fluorescence (Fv), and increased hydrogen peroxide (H2O2). However, foliar application with Fe2O3, or Fe/C3N4, improved all traits. Nevertheless, there was no significant interaction between the applied mitigating treatments and salinity levels on RWC, MSI, SPAD index, Fm, Fv, and H2O2. Salinity stress increased malondialdehyde (MDA), phenol, and flavonoid levels, and reduced leaf number, height, photosynthetic pigments, vitamin C, and total protein. The application of foliar treatments, especially Fe/C3N4, improved the influence of salinity stress. Additionally, the activity of antioxidant enzymes increased under salt stress and foliar application. Fe/C3N4-treated seedlings consistently exhibited higher growth and photosynthetic traits and lower oxidative damage than untreated controls across salinity levels, indicating a stable physiological benefit rather than a salinity-specific effect.

Bio-stimulants are emerging as effective agents to improve crop performance under abiotic stress, particularly in rain-fed systems. This two-year field study evaluated the effects of foliar-applied bio-stimulant (Actibion) (1250 mL ha− 1) composed of various amino acids including aspartic acid (1.21

The rising demand for plant-based milk alternatives (PBMAs) reflects growing consumer interest in sustainable nutrition and healthier diets. This review provides a comprehensive examination of the nutritional quality, health impacts, and sustainability of PBMAs derived from cereals, legumes, nuts, and seeds. It analyzes their physicochemical characteristics, fortification strategies, and advancement in processing technologies, including high-pressure homogenization, ultrasonication, and enzymatic treatments, which enhance shelf life, sensory quality, and bioavailability. This review also explores allergenicity and antinutritional factors associated with PBMAs, highlighting the role of formulation and processing in addressing these limitations. In addition, it discusses global market trends, consumer perceptions, and regulatory considerations, underscoring the role of PBMAs in shaping sustainable and resilient food systems. By addressing knowledge gaps across nutrition, processing, and sustainability, this review provides valuable insights for researchers, industry professionals, and policymakers seeking to optimize PBMAs for a growing, health-conscious, and eco-aware global population.