Search

Bacillus species have emerged as promising agents for reducing chemical input in sustainable crop production. These bacteria possess diverse abilities, including nutrient cycling, phytohormone production, and stress tolerance enhancement in plants. Recent advances in omics technologies have revolutionized the understanding of Bacillus sp. biology and expanded their potential applications. Bacillus-based products have demonstrated effectiveness in reducing nitrogen and phosphorus fertilizer requirements while maintaining or improving crop yields. However, their field performance may be inconsistent, highlighting the need for further research to optimize formulations and delivery methods. The compatibility with other agricultural inputs varies depending on the specific chemicals and conditions involved. The introduction of Bacillus sp. can significantly affect the soil microbiome, potentially promoting plant growth and microbial diversity. Strain specificity and host compatibility play crucial roles in determining the success of host–parasite interactions. The regulatory and safety aspects require further investigation to ensure the safe and sustainable use of Bacillus species in various applications. The integration of Bacillus-based products into existing crop management systems, following the principles of Integrated Pest Management and Integrated Crop Management, is essential for their successful implementation. This review provides a comprehensive overview of the current knowledge on Bacillus sp. for reducing chemical inputs for sustainable crop production, highlighting the challenges and opportunities for future research and application. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Bacillus species have emerged as promising agents for reducing chemical input in sustainable crop production. These bacteria possess diverse abilities, including nutrient cycling, phytohormone production, and stress tolerance enhancement in plants. Recent advances in omics technologies have revolutionized the understanding of Bacillus sp. biology and expanded their potential applications. Bacillus-based products have demonstrated effectiveness in reducing nitrogen and phosphorus fertilizer requirements while maintaining or improving crop yields. However, their field performance may be inconsistent, highlighting the need for further research to optimize formulations and delivery methods. The compatibility with other agricultural inputs varies depending on the specific chemicals and conditions involved. The introduction of Bacillus sp. can significantly affect the soil microbiome, potentially promoting plant growth and microbial diversity. Strain specificity and host compatibility play crucial roles in determining the success of host–parasite interactions. The regulatory and safety aspects require further investigation to ensure the safe and sustainable use of Bacillus species in various applications. The integration of Bacillus-based products into existing crop management systems, following the principles of Integrated Pest Management and Integrated Crop Management, is essential for their successful implementation. This review provides a comprehensive overview of the current knowledge on Bacillus sp. for reducing chemical inputs for sustainable crop production, highlighting the challenges and opportunities for future research and application.

IntroductionIt is estimated that by 2050, the world's population will increase by 30 to 35 percent, so about 60 percent growth in agricultural production must be achieved for proper nutrition. Food security refers to a situation in which people at all times, physically, socially, and economically, have access to adequate, safe, and nutritious food that meets their nutritional needs and preferences for an active and healthy life. One of the most important challenges of the 21st century to improve food security is the preservation of agricultural biodiversity. Biodiversity is a key factor in ensuring that adequate food is available at any given scale and is often assessed in terms of genetic composition as well as their stability locally. Conventional single-crop farming systems depend on a small number of high-yield crops and their expansion, in addition to environmental problems, led to significant reductions in plant biodiversity. There are different approaches to addressing food security and biodiversity protection concerns. This study aimed to investigate food security and effective factors in the protection of agricultural biodiversity to ensure sustainable food security. Materials and MethodsThis research has been performed in Anzali port. The present study is applied in terms of purpose and descriptive-analytical method. This study was conducted in two stages: 1. Food security status: information required for research through library and documentary studies (detailed results of the country's census and village identity) and part of it through field studies (observation, interview, and questionnaire). In this regard, in the first stage, a questionnaire related to food security indicators such as food adequacy, health, nutrition, and availability to have an active and healthy life was used. Randomly selected and a total of 90 households in the city were interviewed. 2. Study of the role of agriculture. Biodiversity Conservation Indicators in Ensuring Sustainable Food Security, 100 farm managers were surveyed in 10 villages, and the questions were divided into 5 groups: economic, social, educational, infrastructure, and organizational. Finally, SPSS software and Pearson correlation were used to plot the chart and statistical analysis. Results and DiscussionThe city has food adequacy, access to food, and healthy activity, which is about 8 hours a day, but in terms of healthy living away from disease, nutrition, and having a healthy food free of chemical inputs, is poor. Improving food security is especially important for developing countries where social, political, cultural, and economic developments can improve food security. The government should adopt policies such as global cash food subsidies to improve food security, direct support for low-income households, and allocate subsidies based on the geographical location of these households. Our results show that even in a city, the relationship between socio-economic factors and caloric intake can vary from region to region. Thus, if governments choose specific policies (for example, education policies), they should target provinces where food security is negatively correlated with calorie intake. Simple income-raising policies are not always an effective way to improve calorie intake in rural areas. Relevant and private government institutions should focus on other socio-economic factors and prioritize them in improving calorie intake in the family and improving health outcomes. In all villages except the exempt village, infrastructure factors have the greatest impact on maintaining biodiversity, and in the exempt village, economic factors have the greatest impact. The highest standard deviation is seen in the infrastructure factors related to the villages of Torbegodeh, Talebabad, ShilehSar, Khomeyran, Ashpala, Abkenar, and Kapurchal. The most standard deviation in other villages is related to economic factors. In Torbegodeh and Rudpasht villages, the importance of educational factors, Talebabad, Shileh Sar, and Kapurchal villages, the importance of social factors, Khomeyran, Maaf, and Ashpala villages, the importance of infrastructure factors, and Abkenar village, environmental factors are more. ConclusionIn general, in this region, rice fields with high inputs of resources and low crop diversity and environmental impacts can lead to environmental feedback in different areas, for example, reducing biodiversity and soil fertility, which is more dependent on the base. Fossil fuel inputs for robust production stability. To this end, focusing on the production of agricultural products for domestic consumption to increase food security by supporting rural livelihoods and the production of environmentally sustainable food should be a priority.

Sustainable food production, among other non-intensive production systems, involves the important interactions of myriads of plant growth-promoting microorganisms, plant, soil, soil fauna, and production of utilizable carbon in the rhizosphere capable of enhancing soil health, plant growth, and protection that lead to increased crop productivity. Plant growth-promoting rhizobacteria (PGPR) including symbiotic rhizobia and free-living rhizobacteria possess traits that help to enhance plant growth due to their many modes of action that start with the ability to colonize both the intracellular and extracellular rhizosphere niche in their search for a carbon source and reduction in the free use and quantity of agrochemicals. In the past few decades, the focus on developing biosafety agro-products has shifted from agrochemical-based applications to a more sustainable system without posing negative impacts on the soil microflora or fauna. The present review focuses on the application of PGPR inoculants on soils and seeds to improve biological nitrogen fixation, solubilization of phosphate, and secretion of phytohormones required for growth, especially application in a pressured environment. We discuss how PGPR enhances nutritional regulation and hormonal balance in plants, bacterial taxa enrichment, and improvement of carbon sources utilization beneficial for plant growth. We highlight the antagonistic and synergistic interactions with microorganisms within the rhizosphere and beyond in bulk soil which indirectly boosts plant growth rate and induces resistance against phytopathogens. While soil-borne pathogens continually oppose the functions of these microorganisms, PGPR has improved diverse strategies in the form of agro-compatibility, root colonization, nutrient, iron, and space competition, systemic resistance, antibiotics synthesis, lytic acid, hydrogen cyanide, and siderophore production for advanced food production. Finally, we highlighted the roles of PGPR in phytoremediation, techniques of applying microbial inoculants to enhance plant growth and commercialization of PGPR products and the challenges developing countries have to defeat.

Agriculture is an ongoing changing field where farmers constantly change production technology by adopting different updated modern practices. The study explores the motivating factors influencing farmers to switch to synthetic pesticides dependent on farming from organic farming methods. The main factors are the lower price of organic vegetables, pesticide availability, social responsibility and economic considerations. The most challenging AEZ -13 coastal Satkhira has been taken for this study. The result shows that farmers who choose to switch give high importance to the production cost, price of organic vegetables, supply of bio-product, and availability of organic products than the moral, economic and social concerns.

Objective: in this research, we assessed the level of organic inputs usage in contrast to chemical inputs in sugarcane producers at the ejido Jareros, Veracruz, in the municipality of Ursulo Galvan. Design/methodology/approach: Through surveys, a descriptive statistical analysis was conducted on the main socioeconomic aspects of the sugarcane producers in the ejido and an analysis of the means significance of the level of usage of agricultural inputs (chemical/organic) divided into five variables: pesticides, fungicides, acaricides, fertilizers and weed control. Results: The significance value of the five variables analyzed was: pesticides (p=0.1774); fungicides (p=0.2090); acaricides (0.3625); fertilizers (p=0.0005) and weed control (p=1.0000). Findings/conclusions: Based on the significance values and mean difference of the five assessed variables, it is concluded that the excessive use of nitrogenous fertilizers is the factor with the greatest potential to negatively impact the environmental and edaphic deterioration of arable soils in the Jareros ejido, State of Veracruz, Mexico. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The chemical inputs such as chemical pesticides has harmful effects on the environment and human health but unfortunately, still widely used in developing countries. The purpose of this research was to investigate the factors affecting the tendency of the cooperative member's greenhouse owners in the Bandar Abbas Township toward pesticide use. For this purpose, this paper used the Health Belief Model as the theoretical research, to investigate willingness of greenhouse owners to pesticide use in the Hormozgan province. Sample of the research was selected based on simple random sampling (n = 110). Data collection in this study was conducted using a researcher-made questionnaire. After preparing the questionnaire and confirming its validity by experts, to determine the reliability of the various sections of the questionnaire, the Cronbach alpha coefficient was used (α= %63- %88).To examine the factors affecting the willingness of the cooperative member's greenhouse owners, the regression analysis using stepwise method was run. The findings revealed that three variables including perceived benefits, perceived barriers and perceived severity are able to predict a significant proportion of the variation in the willingness of the cooperative members greenhouse owners to pesticide use (R2= 0.44). Further, among variables in the model, perceived benefits variable is the most important variable. This variable is able to predict a significant proportion of the variation in willingness of the cooperative members greenhouse owners to pesticide use (R2= 0.37). Finally, based on the research results, provided suggestions to decrease willingness of the cooperative member's greenhouse owners to pesticide use.

Sustainable agriculture is a holistic approach to produce food, fiber, feed and fuel in a way that does not damage the environment and also must meet the needs of the present and future population of the world, while considering agro-ecosystem health, social and economic equity and profitability. Therefore, the sustainable agriculture cannot be isolated from the concept of sustainable development in any country or region. The current survey was conducted in order to study the sustainability of agricultural systems in Golestan Province in the north of Iran during the period of 2002-2011. The required data were obtained from formal statistical database. The total numerical value of sustainability was calculated for individual years using 21 different indexes. Because of the diverse nature of the selected indexes and their wide range, they were normalized to facilitate their comparison. The results show that the agricultural sustainability has been increased significantly over the studied period. The lowest value of sustainability was observed in the first year of the studied period (i.e., 2002) but the highest value was calculated for 2009 and thereafter the sustainability of agro-ecosystem has decreased slightly. The improvement of sustainability could be attributed to the application of less chemical inputs such as pesticides and fertilizers, higher water and nitrogen use efficiencies, higher yield of different crops, especially dry land crops and the higher cultivation area of nitrogen fixing species.

The agro-environmental policies included in rural development plans are getting increasing importance in European Community strategies. These policies represent the meeting point between demand and supply of positive externalities. The difficulty of assessing real environmental efficiency is one of the elements characterizing agro-environmental measures. This difficulty is related to the identification of suitable parameters for evaluating farms according to their impact on the territory. This impact is mainly related both to chemical inputs and to the territorial characteristics of the farm. Different types of fertilizers, pesticides and herbicides are currently used in production processes; however, the analysis has focused only on nitrates, as they represent the most critical types of chemicals related to soil pollution. A case study is provided by analysis of agro-environmental measures in Tuscany for the reduction of nitrates in organic and integrated farms. Using spatial multicriteria analysis, integrated and organic farms were classified according to their geographical locations and their release of nitrates into the soil. This classification permits the highlighting of farms that make the greatest economic efforts to reduce pollution and therefore it could determine environmental benefits. Considering that the trend of policy strategies is toward a reduction of monetary resources, the classification could help decision makers choose the right allocation of future resources. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract Cation to anion relay recognition was studied for the first time with sequential specificity (Cu2+ → F− or Co2+ → F−) using a fluorescence "ON−OFF−ON" mechanism. L 1 is a receptor with high selectivity for F−, Cu2+ and Co2+ ions in the solution of DMSO/H 2 O with a 9:1 vol ratio. Absorption and fluorescence spectra were used to investigate the sensing process. Fluorescent emission intensity of L 1 at 324 is quenched (switch-Off) after the addition of Cu2+ and Co2+. Surprisingly, complex L 1 + Cu2+ or L 1 + Co2+ is restored with addition of F− into the compound (switch-On). Consequently, implication (from emission) and inhibit (from absorption) logic gates are constructed at molecular level. The gates operate in fluorescence and absorption modes when Cu2+ and F− or Co2+ and F− are used as input materials and the fluorescence intensity signal as outputs. Based on reversible and reproducible system, a sequential memory unit with integrated "Writing–Reading–Erasing–Reading" behavior, is developed. Graphical abstract fx1 Highlights • Based on the fluorescence intensity signal as outputs, a sequential logic circuit is developed. • The truth table shows various combinations of inputs with "output". • Consequently, implication and inhibit logic gates are constructed at molecular level. • The sequential logic circuit corresponding to the "output" emission is a memory device. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The purpose of this study is the analysis of the farmers economic behavior to reduce the adverse environmental effects of agricultural chemical inputs by using contingent valuation approach and Tobit model by Heckman's two stage. To achieve the desired goal, 100 questionnaires collected by a random sampling from farmers of Kashaf- rood basin in Mashhad city in 2013. Results showed that variables of age, education, type of agricultural activity, index 2 (farmers agree with the adverse effects of overuse of chemical fertilizers and pesticides, index 5 (farmers agree with investments to protect the soil and water), Sex, number of households employed in agriculture, experience in the use of soil and water conservation practices, total area under cultivation and index 4 (farmers agree with well being of available soil and water) have a significant impact on the farmers financial participation to reduce the adverse environmental effects of chemical fertilizers. also, variables of age, education, total amount annual consumption of chemical pesticides per year, sex, main job, number of households employed in agriculture, type of agricultural activity, net savings of agriculture, land ownership status, total amount annual consumption of fertilizer per year, index 1 (farmers agree with benefits of preventing soil washing), index 4 (farmers agree with well being of available soil and water) and index 5 (farmers agree with investments to protect the soil and water) have a significant impact on the farmers financial participation to reduce the adverse environmental effects of chemical pesticides. According to the study results, Suggestions is presented for reducing the adverse environmental impacts of chemical inputs.

This article focuses on the intermediary figure of the village‐level petty retailer of chemical inputs, providing an account of the everyday relationships of farmers with transnational and domestic agribusiness capital. Retailers are figures from whom farmers purchase seeds, fertilizers, pesticides, and other chemicals. The article traces the rise of village‐level retailers in western Maharashtra, India, since the 1990s, and finds that Maratha (a dominant landholding cultivator caste) households have ventured into retailing. Further, farmers depend on retailers for credit, technical knowledge, and for the sale of their harvest. By analysing the pressures and risks of petty retail, visible in interactions with farmers, the article argues that even as retailing provides avenues for upward mobility to petty agricultural commodity producers, the trade is too volatile for the gains to sustain. Thus, the entry of Marathas into petty retail is akin to an attempt at class differentiation but without consolidation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

[Display omitted] • The receptor HL 2 exhibited very good sensing behavior towards Ni2+ and CN−/OAC− ions. • The combinatorial circuit was designed by three logic gates (OR, NOT and AND) using different output signals towards CN− (Inc), OAC− (InO) and HSO 4 − (InH). • Two chemical inputs (Ni2+ and CN− or Ni2+ and OAC−) and one output (absorbance at 420 nm) can be used to construct a molecular keypad lock. • According to the remarkable changes in the absorption outputs of HL 2 by the four chemical inputs have also been utilized to construct "four-input" combinatorial molecular logic circuit. A novel Schiff base ligand HL 2 was synthesized as a colorimetric sensor for Ni2+ and CN−/OAC− ions. The binding constants (K a) calculated using the Benesi-Hildebrand analysis of the UV–vis titration data for Ni2+ and CN−/OAC− ions were determined to be 2.88 × 1010, 7.03 × 104 and 3.44 × 103 M−1, respectively. The stoichiometry ratio between receptor HL 2 and Ni2+ was verified to be 2:1. The experimental results were confirmed by Density Functional Theory (DFT) studies using the B3LYP level and 6-31+g (d) basis set. The absorbance outputs signals were measured at 370 nm (Out1) and 500 nm (Out 2) based on three chemical inputs CN− (Inc), OAC− (InO) and HSO 4 − (InH) in eight different combinations. The combinatorial circuit was designed by three logic gates (OR, NOT and AND) using different output signals towards CN− (Inc), OAC− (InO) and HSO 4 − (InH). The absorbance output signals for four chemical inputs, Including Ni2+ (In Ni2+), CN− (Inc), OAC− (InO) and HSO 4 − (InH) in sixteen different combinations, were successfully recorded at 500 nm (out1) and 425 nm (out2). Furthermore, two chemical inputs (Ni2+ and CN− or Ni2+ and OAC−) and one output (absorbance at 420 nm) can be used to construct a molecular keypad lock. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Computers have become smarter, smaller, and more efficient due to the downscaling of silicon-based components. Top-down miniaturisation of silicon-based computer components is fast reaching its limitations because of physical constraints and economical non-feasibility. Therefore, the possibility of a bottom-up approach that uses molecules to build nano-sized devices has been initiated. As a result, molecular logic gates based on chemical inputs and measurable optical outputs have captured significant attention very recently. In addition, it would be interesting if such molecular logic gates could be developed by making use of ion sensors, which can give significantly sensitive output information. This review provides a brief introduction to anion receptors, molecular logic gates, a comprehensive review on describing recent advances and progress on development of ion receptors for molecular logic gates, and a brief idea about the application of molecular logic gates. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract: The World Wildlife Fund is facilitating a dialogue on impacts of salmon aquaculture. The goal of the dialogue is to establish the state of knowledge in seven subject areas associated with the industry: benthic impacts, nutrient loading, escapees, chemical inputs, diseases, feeds and social issues and to establish international standards for salmon aquaculture practices. Chemical inputs from salmon aquaculture include antifoulants, antibiotics, parasiticides, anaesthetics and disinfectants. The use and potential effects of these compounds are herein summarized for the four major salmon producing nations: Norway, Chile, UK and Canada. Regulations governing chemical use in each country are presented as are the quantities and types of compounds used. The problems associated with fish culture are similar in all jurisdictions, the magnitude of problems is not and the number of compounds available to the fish farmer varies from country to country. Unfortunately, the requirement to publically report chemical use is inconsistent among countries. Chemical use data are available from Norway, Scotland and parts of Canada. The government of Chile and some Canadian provinces, while requiring that farmers report disease occurrence, compounds prescribed and quantities used, do not make this information readily available to the public. The fact that these data are available from regulatory agencies in Scotland and Norway adds pressure for other jurisdictions to follow suit. Data such as these are essential to planning and conducting research in field situations. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Abstract: Photophysical properties of new azobenzene-containing compounds (E)-2-((2-(undec-10-enoyloxy)phenyl)diazenyl)phenol (1) and 2-((E)-(2-((E)-3-bromoallyloxy)phenyl)diazenyl)phenol (2) were studied at various pH levels. The two substituents, 1 (pK a 9.38) and 2 (pK a 11.38) exhibited large differences in their sensing characteristics toward metal cations. 1 can act as a fluorescent INHIBIT logic gate driven by pH (HO−) and Zn2+ ions, while 2 can be made to operate OR logic gate by appropriate interaction with HO− and Cu2+ as chemical inputs. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Abstract: This study focused on the effect of management regime and crop developmental stage on soil bacterial functional diversity by using GN Biolog plates. The fields examined were: a grazed grassland (Gr), 2 conventional cultivations differing in the amount and the quality of chemical inputs (C-1 and C-2) and 5 fields cultivated organically for 14, 10, 8, 5 and 2years respectively. All agricultural lands were cultivated with Phaseolus vulgaris L. Sampling was conducted at seedling emergence, in the mid-growth and after harvest. Low values of diversity were recorded in grassland and conventional fields with the lowest ones in C-2 field. In organic fields, diversity was not related to the age of organic cultivation. However, despite diversity similarities a gradual evolution in community functionality was recorded that parallel changes in the rate of substrate consumption. Increased catabolic activity and diversity followed by changes in the composition of consumed wells occurred in the middle of the phaseolus growth period. Finally, the effect on catabolic profiles of crop developmental stage in conjunction with seasonally varying abiotic conditions was of greater magnitude than that of management regime. The temporal changes in bacterial functionality were totally absent at the C-2 field. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]