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Diminishing soil fertility and crop productivity due to traditional intensive cultivation has prompted the use of straw and manure to improve soil health in Northeast China. However, few comparative studies have explored the influence of varying straw and manure incorporation depths on crop growth. A field experiment in the rainfed black soil regions of Gongzhuling and Keshan assessed the effects of deep (30 cm) and shallow (15 cm) incorporations of straw and manure on soil fertility, maize root growth, and maize productivity. Deep incorporations, via subsoiling tillage (DST) and deep-plow (DDT) tillage, enhanced soil water storage of 30–100 cm soil layer during periods of low rainfall, improved the availability of nutrients (nitrogen, phosphorus, and potassium) and soil organic matter content, especially in deeper soil, compared to shallow incorporation using rotary tillage (SRT). Both DST and DDT induced a larger rooting depth and a higher fine root (diameter class 0–0.5 mm) length density by 31.0% and 28.9%, respectively, accompanied by reduced root turnover. Furthermore, the sub-surface foraging strategies of roots under the DST and DDT treatments boosted the total nitrogen, phosphorus, and potassium uptake (6.5–17.9%) and achieved a higher dry mass accumulation during the later growth period, thus leading to notable improvements in the 100-kernel weight and yield (16.1–19.7%) and enhancing water- and nutrient-use efficiencies by 2.5–20.5%. Overall, compared to shallow incorporation, deep incorporation of straw and manure significantly enhances root growth and spatial distribution of soil water and nutrients, which has great potential for increasing maize yield in rainfed agricultural areas.

Although Mollisols are renowned for their fertility and high-productivity, high carbon (C) losses pose a substantial challenge to the sustainable provision of ecosystem services, including food security and climate regulation. Protecting these soils with a specific focus on revitalizing their C sequestration potential emerges as a crucial measure to address various threats associated with climate change. In this study, we employed a modeling approach to assess the impact of different fertilization strategies on crop yield, soil organic carbon (SOC) stock, and C sequestration efficiency (CSE) under various climate change scenarios (baseline, RCP 2.6, RCP 4.5, and RCP 8.5). The process-based SPACSYS model was calibrated and validated using data from two representative Mollisol long-term experiments in Northeast China, including three crops (wheat, maize and soyabean) and four fertilizations (no-fertilizer (CK), mineral nitrogen, phosphorus and potassium (NPK), manure only (M), and chemical fertilizers plus M (NPKM or NM)). SPACSYS effectively simulated crop yields and the dynamics of SOC stock. According to SPACSYS projections, climate change, especially the increased temperature, is anticipated to reduce maize yield by an average of 14.5% in Harbin and 13.3% in Gongzhuling, and soybean yield by an average of 10.6%, across all the treatments and climatic scenarios. Conversely, a slight but not statistically significant average yield increase of 2.5% was predicted for spring wheat. SOC stock showed a decrease of 8.2% for Harbin and 7.6% for Gonghzuling by 2,100 under the RCP scenarios. Future climates also led to a reduction in CSE by an average of 6.0% in Harbin (except NPK) and 13.4% in Gongzhuling. In addition, the higher average crop yields, annual SOC stocks, and annual CSE (10.15–15.16%) were found when manure amendments were performed under all climate scenarios compared with the chemical fertilization. Soil CSE displayed an exponential decrease with the C accumulated input, asymptotically approaching a constant. Importantly, the CSE asymptote associated with manure application was higher than that of other treatments. Our findings emphasize the consequences of climate change on crop yields, SOC stock, and CSE in the Mollisol regions, identifying manure application as a targeted fertilizer practice for effective climate change mitigation.

Abstract Bdelloid rotifers are part of the restricted circle of multicellular animals that can withstand a wide range of genotoxic stresses at any stage of their life cycle. In this study, bdelloid rotifer Adineta vaga is used as a model to decipher the molecular basis of their extreme tolerance. Proteomic analysis shows that a specific DNA ligase, different from those usually involved in DNA repair in eukaryotes, is strongly over-represented upon ionizing radiation. A phylogenetic analysis reveals its orthology to prokaryotic DNA ligase E, and its horizontal acquisition by bdelloid rotifers and plausibly other eukaryotes. The fungus Mortierella verticillata, having a single copy of this DNA Ligase E homolog, also exhibits an increased radiation tolerance with an over-expression of this DNA ligase E following X-ray exposure. We also provide evidence that A. vaga ligase E is a major contributor of DNA breaks ligation activity, which is a common step of all important DNA repair pathways. Consistently, its heterologous expression in human cell lines significantly improves their radio-tolerance. Overall, this study highlights the potential of horizontal gene transfers in eukaryotes, and their contribution to the adaptation to extreme conditions.

Glomalin-related soil proteins (GRSP) play a crucial role in strengthening soil structure and increasing carbon (C) storage. However, the chemical stability of GRSP and related arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi (AMF) community response to fertilization remains unclear. This study investigated C and nitrogen (N) contents, three-dimensional fluorescence characteristics in GRSP, and AMF properties based on a field experiment that was subjected to 29 years of various fertilizations. The experiment included treatments with no fertilizer (CK), chemical fertilizer (NPK), manure (M), and manure combined with NPK (NPKM) treatments. Results showed that GRSP contained 37–49% C and 6–9% N, respectively. Compared with CK and NPK, the C and N proportions in GRSP significantly increased under M and NPKM. Using the parallel factor model, four fluorescent components of GRSP were identified: one fulvic acid-like component (C2), one tyrosine-like component (C4), and two humic acid-like components (C1, C3). Under M and NPKM, the fluorescent intensity of C2 and C4 decreased, while the humification index (HIX) increased relative to CK and NPK, indicating that organic fertilization could enhance the stability of GRSP. The C and N proportion in GRSP positively associated with soil organic C (SOC), total N (TN), available phosphorus (AP), AMF biomass, and diversity, while C2 and C4 showed negative associations. Structural equation modeling further revealed that manure-induced changes in pH, SOC, TN, and AP increased AMF biomass and diversity, thereby altering GRSP composition and stability. This study provides valuable insights into the compositional traits of GRSP, contributing to sustainable soil management and C sequestration in agroecosystems.

Abstract By 2050, the predicted global population is set to reach 9.6 billion highlighting the urgent need to increase crop productivity to meet the growing demand for food. This is becoming increasingly challenging when soils are saline and/or deficient in phosphorus (P). The synergic effect of P deficiency and salinity causes a series of secondary stresses including oxidative stress. Reactive Oxygen Species (ROS) production and oxidative damage in plants caused either by P limitation or by salt stress may restrict the overall plant performances leading to a decline in crop yield. However, the P application in adequate forms and doses could positively impact the growth of plants and enhances their tolerance to salinity. In our investigation, we evaluated the effect of different P fertilizers forms (Ortho-A, Ortho-B and Poly-B) and increasing P rates (0, 30 and 45 ppm) on the plant's antioxidant system and P uptake of durum wheat (Karim cultivar) grown under salinity (EC = 3.003 dS/m). Our results demonstrated that salinity caused a series of variations in the antioxidant capacity of wheat plants, at both, enzymatic and non-enzymatic levels. Remarkably, a strong correlation was observed between P uptake, biomass, various antioxidant system parameters and P rates and sources. Soluble P fertilizers considerably enhanced the total plant performances under salt stress compared with control plants grown under salinity and P deficiency (C+). Indeed, salt-stressed and fertilized plants exhibited a robust antioxidant system revealed by the increase in enzymatic activities of Catalase (CAT) and Ascorbate peroxidase (APX) and a significant accumulation of Proline, total polyphenols content (TPC) and soluble sugars (SS) as well as increased biomass, Chlorophyll content (CCI), leaf protein content and P uptake compared to unfertilized plants. Compared to OrthoP fertilizers at 45 ppm P, Poly-B fertilizer showed significant positive responses at 30 ppm P where the increase reached + 18.2% in protein content, + 156.8% in shoot biomass, + 93% in CCI, + 84% in shoot P content, + 51% in CAT activity, + 79% in APX activity, + 93% in TPC and + 40% in SS compared to C+. This implies that PolyP fertilizers might be an alternative for the suitable management of phosphorus fertilization under salinity.

In the context of global insect decline, the urbanisation process plays a key role. However, urban pavements, which are considered to be impervious to biodiversity, can harbour ground-nesting insects under certain conditions. Recent observations have revealed the presence of Formicidae nests under urban pavements. The aim of this work is to determine the species richness of Formicidae nesting under urban pavements in the Brussels-Capital Region (Belgium) and to characterise their nest environment and soil texture. Seven ant species were identified in 120 nesting sites: Lasius niger, Lasius brunneus, Lasius flavus, Lasius fuliginosus, Tetramorium caespitum, Tetramorium impurum and Myrmica rugulosa. Concrete slabs or natural stones with a sandy sub-layer are the main structures in which ants nest. In addition, nests were mainly found under modular pavements with degraded rigid joints. The results of this work highlight the capacity of urban structures to host part of ant biodiversity in cities.

The establishment of the reference ambient background concentrations (ABCs) and quality reference values (QRVs) for trace metal (TM) concentrations in soils are required for the environmental assessment and any implementation of a protective action. This information is lacking for soils of the eastern Mitidja plain, which is an important agricultural production area in Algeria. Data for the aqua regia extractable Cd, Cr, Cu, Fe, Ni, Pb and Zn concentrations from 180 composite topsoil samples taken across the Mitidja plain in a stratified random pattern were statistically analysed. Descriptive statistical methods and linear regression equations were applied to determine the upper limit of the ABCs for the TMs. After removal of outliers, the derived QRVs were: Cd 0.24, Cr 62.1, Cu 99.3, Fe 45 590, Ni 47.7, Pb 33 and Zn 115 mg/kg. Iron is a macro element in the soils, but is included as its concentration can be used to normalise the concentrations of the other elements. The derived QRVs are similar or less than those reported for other regions of the world, apart from Cu, where a wide range (36 to 206 mg/kg) is reported. These reference values can be used to identify areas that may require follow-up surveys or to identify priority sites for decision making.

Summary: Background: Accurate prediction of side-specific extraprostatic extension (ssEPE) is essential for performing nerve-sparing surgery to mitigate treatment-related side-effects such as impotence and incontinence in patients with localised prostate cancer. Artificial intelligence (AI) might provide robust and personalised ssEPE predictions to better inform nerve-sparing strategy during radical prostatectomy. We aimed to develop, externally validate, and perform an algorithmic audit of an AI-based Side-specific Extra-Prostatic Extension Risk Assessment tool (SEPERA). Methods: Each prostatic lobe was treated as an individual case such that each patient contributed two cases to the overall cohort. SEPERA was trained on 1022 cases from a community hospital network (Trillium Health Partners; Mississauga, ON, Canada) between 2010 and 2020. Subsequently, SEPERA was externally validated on 3914 cases across three academic centres: Princess Margaret Cancer Centre (Toronto, ON, Canada) from 2008 to 2020; L'Institut Mutualiste Montsouris (Paris, France) from 2010 to 2020; and Jules Bordet Institute (Brussels, Belgium) from 2015 to 2020. Model performance was characterised by area under the receiver operating characteristic curve (AUROC), area under the precision recall curve (AUPRC), calibration, and net benefit. SEPERA was compared against contemporary nomograms (ie, Sayyid nomogram, Soeterik nomogram [non-MRI and MRI]), as well as a separate logistic regression model using the same variables included in SEPERA. An algorithmic audit was performed to assess model bias and identify common patient characteristics among predictive errors. Findings: Overall, 2468 patients comprising 4936 cases (ie, prostatic lobes) were included in this study. SEPERA was well calibrated and had the best performance across all validation cohorts (pooled AUROC of 0·77 [95% CI 0·75–0·78] and pooled AUPRC of 0·61 [0·58–0·63]). In patients with pathological ssEPE despite benign ipsilateral biopsies, SEPERA correctly predicted ssEPE in 72 (68%) of 106 cases compared with the other models (47 [44%] in the logistic regression model, none in the Sayyid model, 13 [12%] in the Soeterik non-MRI model, and five [5%] in the Soeterik MRI model). SEPERA had higher net benefit than the other models to predict ssEPE, enabling more patients to safely undergo nerve-sparing. In the algorithmic audit, no evidence of model bias was observed, with no significant difference in AUROC when stratified by race, biopsy year, age, biopsy type (systematic only vs systematic and MRI-targeted biopsy), biopsy location (academic vs community), and D'Amico risk group. According to the audit, the most common errors were false positives, particularly for older patients with high-risk disease. No aggressive tumours (ie, grade >2 or high-risk disease) were found among false negatives. Interpretation: We demonstrated the accuracy, safety, and generalisability of using SEPERA to personalise nerve-sparing approaches during radical prostatectomy. Funding: None.

Whether China can achieve the United Nations’ Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) largely depends on the ability of main food-producing areas to cope with multiple land use change challenges. Despite the fact that the Yangtze River basin is one of the key regions for China’s food security, the spatiotemporal dynamics of cropland abandonment and recultivation remain largely unexplored in this region. The present study assesses the evolution of the agricultural system within the Yangtze River basin between 2000 and 2020 by mapping cropland abandonment and recultivation using MODIS time series and multiple land cover products. The results highlight a widespread cropland abandonment process (i.e., 10.5% of the total study area between 2000 and 2020), predominantly in Western Sichuan, Eastern Yunnan, and Central Jiangxi. Although 70% of abandoned cropland is situated in areas with slopes less than 5°, the highest rates of abandonment are in mountainous regions. However, by 2020, 74% of this abandoned cropland had been recultivated at least once, whereas half of the abandoned croplands got recultivated within three years of their initial abandonment. Hence, as this is one of the first studies that unravels the complex interaction between cropland abandonment and recultivation in a spatiotemporal explicit context, it offers (i) scientists a novel methodological framework to assess agricultural land use issues across large geographical entities, and (ii) policy-makers new insights to support the sustainable transition of the agricultural sector.

It is generally known that soil organic carbon (SOC) stocks tend to increase with an increase in C input, whereas the C sequestration efficiency (CSE), i.e., the conversion ratio of C input to SOC, differs depending on the amount and type of C input. However, there is still a need to better understand the impact of various fertilization practices on CSE. We studied the data from eight long-term experiments located in the main dryland region of China in order to comprehensively assess the key drivers of CSE in the plow layer considering nearly four decades of various fertilizer treatments, i.e., no fertilizer (CK); chemical nitrogen, phosphorus, and potassium (NPK/NP); chemical fertilizers plus manure (NPKM/NPM/NM); and straw (NPKS/NPS/NS). Our results showed that manure amendment had the most significant fertilization effect on SOC sequestration with an average CSE of 14.9%, which was significantly higher than that of chemical fertilization (9.0%) and straw return treatments (7.9%). In addition, manure amendment also had the highest average SOC increase rate of 684 kg C ha-1 yr-1. Variance partitioning analysis (VPA) illustrated that the CSE of the main dryland region of China was mostly controlled by edaphic characteristics (32.2%), especially the soil C/N ratio and clay content. VPA and structural equation modeling revealed that the magnitude and influencing factors driving CSE varied among different fertilizer treatments. Soil total N was the limiting factor for CSE in the CK treatment, whereas the soil C/N ratio and pH were the main explanatory factors for CSE in the long-term chemical NPK fertilizer treatment. The negative impact of C input from straw was the main driver of CSE under straw return treatments, though C input had a positive effect on the improvement of soil physical properties. However, when considering manure amendments, the improvement of soil nutrients and clay content controlled CSE, underlining the main positive direct effect of soil chemical properties. In a nutshell, our results recommend manure plus chemical fertilizers as a sustainable practice for improving the C sequestration rate and efficiency in dryland cropping systems.

Enhancing soil organic carbon (SOC) stocks through fertilization and crop rotation will contribute to sustaining crop productivity and mitigating global warming. In this study, we analyzed the differences in total SOC stocks and their driving factors in the topsoil (0–20 cm) with various fertilization measures in two puddled lowland rice-based cropping systems (i.e., rice-wheat rotation and double rice rotation systems) over the last four decades from seven long-term experiments in the Yangtze River catchment. The soil types include Cambisol, Luvisol, and Anthrosol. The treatments include no fertilizer application (CK), application of chemical nitrogen, phosphorus and potassium fertilizers (NPK) and a combination of NPK and manure applications (NPKM). Every year, field was ploughed to a depth of 15–20 cm before wheat sowing and rice transplanting. Residue was removed after plant harvesting. Results showed that during the last four decades, the average crop grain yield ranged from 1,151 ± 504 kg ha−1 yr−1 under CK treatment to 7,553 ± 1,373 kg ha−1 yr−1 under NPKM treatment. The topsoil SOC stock significantly increased by 8.6 t ha−1 on average under NPKM treatment in rice-wheat system and by 2.5–6.4 t ha−1 on average under NPK and NPKM treatments in double rice system as compared with CK. A higher SOC sequestration rate and a longer SOC sequestration duration were found in NPKM treatment than that in NPK treatment in both cropping systems. The highest SOC stock ratio (SOC stock in fertilizer treatments to CK) was observed under the NPKM treatment in both cropping systems, though no significant difference was found between these two cropping systems. However, the fertilization-induced relative increase of the SOC stock was 109.5% and 45.8% under the NPK and NPKM treatments, respectively in the rice-wheat system than that in the double rice system. This indicates that the rice-wheat system is more conducive for SOC sequestration. RF and SEM analyses revealed that the magnitude and influencing factors driving SOC sequestration varied between two systems. In the double rice system, continuous flooding weakens the influence of precipitation on SOC sequestration and highlights the importance of soil properties and C input. In contrast, soil properties, C input and climate factors all have important impacts on SOC sequestration in rice-wheat system. This study reveals that the rice-wheat system is more favorable for SOC sequestration despite its lower C input compared to the double rice system in China’s paddies.

Investigating the dynamics and distribution of soil phosphorus (P) fractions can provide a basis for enhancing P utilization by crops. Four treatments from a 29-year long-term experiment in black soil with maize cropping were involved in this study: no fertilizer (CK), inorganic nitrogen and potassium (NK), inorganic nitrogen, phosphorus, and potassium (NPK), and NPK plus manure (NPKM). We analyzed soil P fractions in different soil layers using a modified Hedley sequential method. The long-term NPKM treatment significantly increased total P by 0.6–1.6 times in the different soil layers. The Olsen-P concentration far exceeded the environmental threshold for soil Olsen-P (50.6 mg kg−1) in the NPKM treatment in the 0–60 cm soil profile. Moreover, the concentrations and proportion of labile and partially labile inorganic P (Pi) fractions (i.e., NaHCO3-extracted Pi, NaOH-extracted Pi, and dilute HCl-extracted Pi) to the sum of all P fractions (Pt) in the 0–60 cm soil profile were higher in the NPKM treatment than in the NPK treatment, indicating that manure could promote the transformation of non-labile into more labile forms of P in soil, possibly by manure reducing P fixation by soil particles. Soil organic matter, Mehlich-3 extractable iron (Fe), and organic-bound aluminum were increased by fertilization, and were the main factors influencing the differences in the P fractions in the 0–20 cm soil layer. Soil mineral components, i.e., free Fe oxide and CaCO3, were the main factors influencing the P fractions in the subsoil. The soil P transformation process varied with soil layer and fertilization. Application of manure fertilizer can increase the labile (Olsen) P concentrations of the various soil layers, and thus should reduce the mineral P fertilizer requirement for crop growth and reduce potential environmental damage.

Understanding the role of nutrients in the alleviation of salt stress effects and the unrevealed significance of root system architecture for plant adaptation is one of the major research areas in the current context of agriculture. Root anatomy is also a valuable parameter to be considered in understanding how the root system counters soil salinity's effect on plant growth. Although Root Phosphorus Acquisition Efficiency (RPAE) under salt stress differs depending on plant species and the severity of salinity in the rhizosphere, optimising phosphorus (P) nutrition seems to bring positive results. This study was planned to investigate the combined effect of salinity and P-availability on root morphology and anatomy as well as nutrient uptake of wheat plants. A pot experiment was performed in open-field conditions using a Moroccan variety of durum wheat. Special emphasis was placed on how orthophosphate and polyphosphate fertilizer forms and phosphorus doses alter the morphology and anatomy of the roots under salt stress. Two soluble fertilizers were used: an orthophosphate (Ortho-A) and a polyphosphate (Poly-B) were applied at four P levels (0, 30, 45 and 60 ppm of P). Our findings showed that salt stress induced, at both anatomical and morphological levels, a series of modifications in the roots of wheat plants. Compared to salt-stressed and unfertilized plants, soluble P-fertilizers significantly increased soil available P, root P- content, RPAE, root length (RL), root surface area (RSA), root volume (RV), root mass density (RMD), root tissue water content (TWC), number of root tips, vascular cylinder diameter and SD/CT ratio. Furthermore, Poly-B showed a positive response in both morphological and anatomical parameters at lower doses while Ortho-A revealed significant results within the increase in P-concentration. The increased root parameters observed under P-treatments could determine the root performance and efficiency to acquire water and P and their transport to the aboveground organs of wheat plants under salinity.

“Occasional” sexuality occurs when a species combines clonal reproduction and genetic mixing. This strategy is predicted to combine the advantages of both asexuality and sexuality, but its actual consequences on the genetic diversity and species longevity are poorly understood. Androgenesis, a reproductive mode in which the offspring inherits its entire nuclear genome from the father, is often reported as a strictly clonal reproductive mode. Androgenesis is the predominant reproductive mode within the hermaphroditic, invasive lineages of the mollusk genus Corbicula. Their ability to reproduce clonally through androgenesis has been determinant in their invasive success, having colonized during the 20th century American and European freshwater systems, where they became notorious invaders with a widespread, global distribution. However, in androgenetic Corbicula clams, occasional genetic mixing between distinct lineages has also been observed when the sperm of one lineage fertilizes the oocyte of another one. Because of these occasional introgressions, the genetic relationships between Corbicula species remained unclear, and the biogeographic origins of the invasive androgenetic lineages have been challenging to identify. To address these issues, we analyzed the patterns of allele sharing for several nuclear and mitochondrial molecular markers among Corbicula individuals collected across both the native and invasive range. Our results show the occurrence of an allelic pool encompassing all Corbicula freshwater species worldwide, including sexual and androgenetic ones, which highlights the substantial genetic mixing within this genus. However, the differences in allele sharing patterns between invasive lineages, and the low diversity within each lineage, suggest recent, distinct biogeographic origins of invasive Corbicula androgenetic lineages. Finally, the polyploidy, high heterozygosity, and hybrid phenotypes and genotypes found in our study probably originated from hybridization events following egg parasitism between distinct Corbicula lineages. This extensive cross-lineage mixing found in Corbicula may generate nuclear diversity in an otherwise asexually reproducing species.

Salt stress impacts phosphorus (P) bioavailability, mobility, and its uptake by plants. Since P is involved in many key processes in plants, salinity and P deficiency could significantly cause serious damage to photosynthesis, the most essential physiological process for the growth and development of all green plants. Different approaches have been proposed and adopted to minimize the harmful effects of their combined effect. Optimising phosphorus nutrition seems to bring positive results to improve photosynthetic efficiency and nutrient uptake. The present work posed the question if soluble fertilizers allow wheat plants to counter the adverse effect of salt stress. A pot experiment was performed using a Moroccan cultivar of durum wheat: Karim. This study focused on different growth and physiological responses of wheat plants grown under the combined effect of salinity and P-availability. Two Orthophosphates (Ortho-A & Ortho-B) and one polyphosphate (Poly-B) were applied at different P levels (0, 30 and 45 ppm). Plant growth was analysed on some physiological parameters (stomatal conductance (SC), chlorophyll content index (CCI), chlorophyll a fluorescence, shoot and root biomass, and mineral uptake). Fertilized wheat plants showed a significant increase in photosynthetic performance and nutrient uptake. Compared to salt-stressed and unfertilized plants (C+), CCI increased by 93%, 81% and 71% at 30 ppm of P in plants fertilized by Poly-B, Ortho-B and Ortho-A, respectively. The highest significant SC was obtained at 45 ppm using Ortho-B fertilizer with an increase of 232% followed by 217% and 157% for both Poly-B and Ortho-A, respectively. The Photosynthetic performance index (PItot) was also increased by 128.5%, 90.2% and 38.8% for Ortho-B, Ortho-A and Poly B, respectively. In addition, Poly-B showed a significant enhancement in roots and shoots biomass (49.4% and 156.8%, respectively) compared to C+. Fertilized and salt-stressed plants absorbed more phosphorus. The P content significantly increased mainly at 45 ppm of P. Positive correlations were found between phosphorus uptake, biomass, and photosynthetic yield. The increased photochemical activity could be due to a significant enhancement in light energy absorbed by the enhanced Chl antenna. The positive effect of adequate P fertilization under salt stress was therefore evident in durum wheat plants.

Partial substitution of synthetic nitrogen fertilizer with manure (organic substitution) is highly recommended to minimize environmental risks without compromising crop productivity in intensive agricultural systems. However, our understanding of the effect of organic substitution on soil organic carbon (OC) and total nitrogen (TN) in deep soil and its impact on crop productivity remains limited. Here we investigated OC and TN changes in soil profile down to 100 cm, crop yield, and sustainable yield index under synthetic nitrogen, phosphate, and potassium fertilizers (NPK), NPK plus straw (NPKS), and organic substitution (NPKM) treatments over two decades in four upland fields across different climate zones. Compared with the initial values, two decades of NPKM treatment significantly (p < 0.05) increased OC and TN stocks in either topsoil (by 25.6–103.8 and 15.8–89.8%) or deep soil (by 2.9–71.3 and 5.7–36.9%), respectively, across all sites. The increases in OC and TN stocks in 0–100 cm soil receiving NPKM were significantly higher than those receiving NPK at all sites and NPKS at three high-evaporation sites. Compared with NPKS and NPK treatments, crop yield and N uptake were significantly increased under NPKM treatment only at the Qiyang site. Furthermore, OC sequestration in the entire soil profile down to 100 cm and TN accumulation in topsoil exhibited significant positive correlations with crop N uptake, relative crop yield, and sustainable yield index. In conclusion, long-term partial substitution of synthetic N fertilizer with manure facilitates soil OC and TN sequestration in the entire 100 cm profile and thus maintains high crop productivity in upland areas.

Copper smelting has been a source of soil contamination with trace metals in Penga Penga (Lubumbashi). The residents are exposed to trace metal ingestion, and planting trees is challenging in such soil conditions. Nevertheless, planting trees in former household dumps or using various types of amendments has allowed the provisioning of fruits in a few residences. From the perspective of scaling up the process, a survey has been conducted with the aim of assessing the effectiveness of the planting processes on the trace metal content in fruits and leaves of Mangifera indica L. and Syzygium guineense (Willd) DC. Samples were collected from residential households in Penga Penga and Kalebuka (a non-polluted suburb). The bioconcentration factor (BCF) and the safe weekly consumption (SWC) were calculated for each species. The results showed higher values of total and soluble concentrations of Cu, Pb, and Zn in the rhizosphere of the two species in Penga Penga. Metal concentrations were higher in the fruits and leaves from Penga Penga, with 47% of samples above the FAO and WHO thresholds (vs. 18.5% in Kalebuka). The BCF values were below 1, demonstrating the effectiveness of the process in reducing the translocation of metals to leaves and fruits. Recommendations from the SWC limit Pb consumption to 9 kg for mango flesh and Cd consumption to 6.6 kg for S. guineense fruits in Penga Penga (vs. 78 kg and 68 kg in Kalebuka). Finally, the results of this study provide interesting lessons for the scaling up and technical itinerary of planting trees in Penga Penga.

Phytostabilization is a more appropriate way for rehabilitation of metal-polluted environments in the Copperbelt region. A 1.5-hectare tree planting trial had been installed on the tailings dam (TD) with the help of organic matter (OM) mixed to topsoil. Then, 15 years later, this study aimed to evaluate the performance of the tree plantation, in regard to soils and spontaneous vegetation. The Cu and Co concentration was higher in the reclaimed soil compared with the unreclaimed. Acacia auriculiformis, Acacia polyacantha, Albizia lebbeck, Pinus sylvestris, Psidium guajava, Senna siamea, Senna spectabilis, and Syzygium guineense responded well to the criteria of phytostabilization, whereas Leucaena leucocephala was very invasive. Metal concentration was manifold higher in charcoals than in woods (Zn: 3.8–39.8 mg kg−1 in wood versus 272–523 mg kg−1 in charcoal) with no differences between charcoals regardless of the origin. The tree implantation aided with amendments can meet the criteria of phytostabilization through good survival and regeneration in the heavily contaminated TD.

Among mine wastes, tailings are known to have the largest environmental impact, as they have high concentrations of trace elements and are susceptible to wind dispersal and water erosion. A tree plantation trial was installed at Kipushi tailing (DR Congo) in order to mitigate the contaminant dispersal in the surrounding areas. Fifteen years later, the present study was conducted for the purpose of investigating the macronutrient and metal content in amended holes and assessing the performance of tree species through root behavior in the tailings dams. Results show elevated available P, K, Ca, and Mg concentration in the surface and amended layers, which is higher than the unpolluted soil of the miombo woodland. Trace metals were manifold higher compared to the pedo-geochemical background of the region, with Cu and Co concentration tending to increase in the organic matter-rich layers, while Zn, Cd, Pb, and As remained higher in tailings. Compared to the tailing layer, roots grew well in the amended layers, but few roots ranging from very fine to big from all the surviving species were able to grow beyond the amended layers, indicating the possibility of tree survival on the tailings dams over many years. Acacia polyacantha and Psidium guajava are species that showed a higher quantity of roots in the unamended tailing layers. Leaves should be avoided for human or animal consumption, but as the concentration of Cu, Zn, and Co in guava was lower, there is no indication of hazards in case of their consumption. Therefore, the use of well-adapted tree species on the mix-up of the organic amendments with the uncontaminated topsoil seemed to be a good technique for the reclamation of larger polluted areas.

Salt-affected soils are related to salinity (high content of soluble salts) and/or sodicity (excess of sodium), which are major leading causes of agricultural land degradation. This study aimed to evaluate the performances of three machine learning (ML) algorithms in predicting the soil exchangeable sodium percentage (ESP), electrical conductivity (ECe), and salt-affected soil classes, from soluble salt ions. The assessed ML models were Partial Least-Squares (PLS), Support Vector Machines (SVM), and Random Forests (RF). Soil samples were collected from the High Valley of Cochabamba (Bolivia). The explanatory variables were the major soluble ions (Na+, K+, Ca2+, Mg2+, HCO3−, Cl−, CO32−, SO42−). The variables to be explained comprised soil ECe and ESP, and a categorical variable classified through the US Salinity Lab criteria. According to the model validation, the SVM and RF regressions performed the best for estimating the soil ECe, as well as the RF model for the soil ESP. The RF algorithm was superior for predicting the salt-affected soil categories. Soluble Na+ was the most relevant variable for all the predictions, followed by Ca2+, Mg2+, Cl−, and HCO3−. The RF and SVM models can be used to predict soil ECe and ESP, as well as the salt-affected soil classes, from soluble ions. Additional explanatory features and soil samples might improve the ML models’ performance. The obtained models may contribute to the monitoring and management of salt-affected soils in the study area.

BackgroundIn patients with diabetes, the dynamics in which hypoglycemia recovers impacts cardiovascular disease risk. Our study investigated the extents of “post-hypoglycemic hyperglycemia (PHH)” (i.e. hypoglycemia that recover to hyperglycemia in any circumstance) and factors likely to influence PHH characteristics in a pediatric cohort of patients with type 1 diabetes (T1D).MethodsWe collected retrospective continuous glucose monitoring (CGM) data from 142 pediatric patients with T1D to characterize episodes of PHH during a two-month follow-up period. Factors influencing PHH were determined using univariate and multivariate analyses.ResultsIn our EPHICA cohort, PHH rate was 0.6 ± 0.3 episode/day and correlated (r=0.33; p

Teaching Point: Failure to recognize unusual radiological presentations of some lung adenocarcinomas can lead to misdiagnosis and/or delay appropriate treatment.

Laboratory investigations on terrestrial model-species, typically of temperate origin, have demonstrated that terrestrial ectotherms can cope with daily temperature variations through rapid hardening responses. However, few studies have investigated this ability and its physiological basis in the field. Especially in polar regions, where the temporal and spatial temperature variations can be extreme, are hardening responses expected to be important. Here, we examined diurnal adjustments in heat and cold tolerance in the Greenlandic seed bug Nysius groenlandicus by collecting individuals for thermal assessment at different time points within and across days. We found a significant correlation between observed heat or cold tolerance and the ambient microhabitat temperatures at the time of capture, indicating that N. groenlandicus continuously and within short time-windows respond physiologically to thermal changes and/or other environmental variables in their microhabitats. Secondly, we assessed underlying metabolomic fingerprints using GC-MS metabolomics in a subset of individuals collected during days with either low or high temperature variation. Concentrations of metabolites, including sugars, polyols, and free amino acids varied significantly with time of collection. For instance, we detected elevated sugar levels in animals caught at the lowest daily field temperatures. Polyol concentrations were lower in individuals collected in the morning and evening and higher at midday and afternoon, possibly reflecting changes in temperature. Additionally, changes in concentrations of metabolites associated with energetic metabolism were observed across collection times. Our findings suggest that in these extreme polar environments hardening responses are marked and likely play a crucial role for coping with microhabitat temperature variation on a daily scale, and that metabolite levels are actively altered on a daily basis.

It is well established that environmental and biotic stressors like temperature and pathogens/parasites are essential for the life of small ectotherms. There are complex interactions between cold stress and pathogen infection in insects. Possible cross-protective mechanisms occur between both stressors, suggesting broad connectivity in insect stress responses. In this study, the functional significance of these interactions was tested, as well as the potential role of newly uncovered candidate genes, turandot. This was done using an array of factorial experiments exposing Drosophila melanogaster flies to a combination of different cold stress regimes (acute or chronic) and infections with the parasitic fungus Beauveria bassiana. Following these crossed treatments, phenotypic and molecular responses were assessed by measuring 1) induced cold tolerance, 2) immune resistance to parasitic fungus, and 3) activation of turandot genes. We found various responses in the phenotypic outcomes according to the various treatment combinations with higher susceptibility to infection following cold stress, but also significantly higher acute cold survival in flies that were infected. Regarding molecular responses, we found overexpression of turandot genes in response to most treatments, suggesting reactivity to both cold and infection. Moreover, maximum peak expressions were distinctly observed in the combined treatments (infection plus cold), indicating a marked synergistic effect of the stressors on turandot gene expression patterns. These results reflect the great complexity of cross-tolerance reactions between infection and abiotic stress, but could also shed light on the mechanisms underlying the activation of these responses.

Lubumbashi (DR Congo)—the capital of copper mining—has been considered as one of the richest mining regions of the world for more than a decade. These riches have brought along multiple mining companies responsible for soil, river water and vegetable pollution, as in many African cities. The aim of the present study was to quantify and evaluate the pollution levels and the potential sources of soil, irrigation water and vegetable contamination by the metals As, Cd, Cr, Cu, Pb, Co and Zn in the urban gardens of Lubumbashi (DR Congo). The contamination, pollution and enrichment levels of the gardens were determined based on different indices in order to rank the soils. The results show that soils, waters and vegetables present contamination levels that represent a serious concern for human health. All soils presented contamination indices ranging from low (72% of the soils) to very high (3.4% of the soils) metal (copper, lead, zinc) contamination. The Cu and Cd contents varied between 1355 mg/kg et 236 mg/kg, much higher than the World Health Organisation (WHO) thresholds (100 mg/kg for Cu and 2 mg/kg for Cd). Moreover, the water used for crop and garden irrigation presented high Pb (57% of the waters), Fe (52%), Cu (19%) and Cd (10%) contamination levels, above the Association Française de Normalisation (AFNOR) U4441 toxicity thresholds (2 mg/kg for Cu; 0.1 mg/kg for Fe and 0.01 mg/kg for Pb) for crop irrigation. Finally, the vegetables produced in these gardens and sold in the local markets had very high metal content (47% contained Cu; 100% contained copper and cobalt) above the WHO standard (10 mg/kg for Cu, 2 mg/kg for Cd and 1 mg/kg for Co) for human consumption. In the face of these issues, it would be preferable to consider cheaper, more sustainable techniques that reduce soil-to-plant metal transfer.

Female endoparasitoid wasps usually inject venom into hosts to suppress their immune response and ensure offspring development. However, the parasitoids ability to evolve towards increased success on a given host simultaneously with the evolution of the composition of its venom has never been demonstrated. Here, we designed an experimental evolution to address this question. We crossed two parasitoid lines of Leptopilina boulardi differing both in parasitic success on different Drosophila hosts and venom composition. F2 descendants were reared on three different Drosophila species for nine generations. We tested for evolution of parasitic success over the generations and for the capacity of parasitoids selected on a given host to succeed on another host. We also tested whether the venom composition - based on a statistical analysis of the variation in intensity of the venom protein bands on SDS-PAGE 1D - evolved in response to different host species. Results showed a specialization of the parasitoids on their selection host and a rapid and differential evolution of the venom composition according to the host. Overall, data suggest a high potential for parasitoids to adapt to a new host, which may have important consequences in the field as well in the context of biological control.

Over the last decades, growing crop production across China has had far-reaching consequences for both the environment and human welfare. One of the emerging questions is “how to meet the growing food demand in China?” In essence, the consensus is that the best way forward would be to increase crop yield rather than further extend the current cropland area. However, assessing progress in crop production is challenging as it is driven by multiple factors. To date, there are no studies to determine how multiple factors affect the crop production increase, considering both intensive farming (using yield and multiple cropping index) and large-scale farming (using mean parcel size and number of parcels). Using the Logarithmic-Mean-Divisia-Index (LMDI) decomposition method combined with statistical data and land cover data (GlobeLand30), we assess the contribution of intensive farming and large-scale farming changes to crop production dynamics at the national and county scale. Despite a negative contribution from MPS (mean parcel size, ), national crop production increased due to positive contributions from yield (), MCI (multiple cropping index, ), as well as NP (number of parcels, ). This allowed China to meet the growing national crop demand. We further find that large differences across regions persist over time. For most counties, the increase in crop production is a consequence of improved yields. However, in the North China Plain, NP is another important factor leading to crop production improvement. On the other hand, regions witnessing a decrease in crop production (e.g., the southeast coastal area of China) were characterized by a remarkable decrease in yield and MCI. Our detailed analyses of crop production provide accurate estimates and therefore can guide policymakers in addressing food security issues. Specifically, besides stabilizing yield and maintaining the total NP, it would be advantageous for crop production to increase the mean parcel size and MCI through land consolidation and financial assistance for land transfer and advanced agricultural infrastructure.

Understanding the effects of a fertilization regime on the long-term accumulation and transformation of soil phosphorus (P) is essential for promoting the development of sustainable management of soil P. Based on a 29-year field experiment in Mollisol, the compositions and changes of P forms using a modified Hedley sequential extraction method, solution 31P-NMR and P K-edge XANES and soil properties were investigated under continuous mono maize with and without manure (NPKM and NPK). Results showed a stronger positive related coefficient between soil total P and labile P, and mid-labile P fraction was found in NPKM than in NPK treatment. It indicated NPKM could improve the availability of soil accumulated P and reduce its transformation to stable P. Accumulated inorganic P (Pi) was dominated by aluminum phosphate (Al-P) and monobasic calcium phosphate monohydrate (MCP) for NPK treatment, Al-P, MCP, and tricalcium phosphate for NPKM treatment with XANES analysis, which contributed to the P availability in Mollisol. Moreover, the proportion of IHP with XANES and ratio of orthophosphate diesters to monoesters in NPK compared to NPKM indicated the higher Po lability with NPK treatment. Pi, especially NaHCO3-Pi and NaOH-Pi, were the potential sources of resin-Pi. Soil organic matter (SOM), organic-bound iron, and alumina oxide (Fep + Alp) showed significant influence on the transformation of P forms. Our research suggested that due to the rise in SOM and Fep + Alp, the fertilization regime significantly increased most highly active soil P fractions, especially in NPKM treatment. This work gives new insight into sustainable P management, which benefits the reduction in soil P accumulation.

Saline–alkali soils have high sodicity, high pH, and high levels of soluble salts, as well as carbonates. This study aimed to evaluate the effect of cattle manure and chicken manure combined with gypsum at three levels on reclaiming a saline–alkali soil, through a soil column experiment. Combined treatments were more effective than those of sole gypsum in reducing the initial exchangeable sodium percentage (ESP) below 5%. Electrical conductivity (ECe) was lowered below 1.6 dS m−1 by all treatments, except the control. The higher effectiveness of manures combined with gypsum can be explained by their synergistic effect on Na+ displacement and subsequent soil structure improvement, leading to an enhancement in the leaching process, and then the salinity/sodicity reduction. Soluble salts and Na+ were considerably reduced in all treatments at the first leaching. Soil ESP and ECe threshold values from the US Salinity Lab classification were reached by any treatment, except the control. The addition of cattle manure or chicken manure might enhance the reclamation effect of gypsum with leaching for some saline–alkali soils.