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ONE OF EGYPT'S top targets for future agricultural development is the Northern El Bahrya Oases region. The current study aims at digitally mapping the soils of the area under consideration and producing land capability and suitability digital maps. The considered region lies between longitudes 29° 9' 28.433'', 29° 22' 32.785'' East and latitudes 28° 57' 38.309'', 28° 58' 41.324" N. The region is covering roughly 46228 Fed. The Digital Elevation Model (DEM) is utilized along with the thematic maps of soil properties to produce digital land capability and suitability maps. The spatial analysis tool in the Arc-GIS 10.8 software generated thematic layers. Physiographic mapping units were created and showed that the studied area has one landform which is plateau. The land capability was evaluated by the method of Storie index where the studied area was classified into three capability grades, namely; grade 2, 3 and 4. The soils of grade 2 (66.41 % of the whole region) have moderate limitations for agricultural crops and texture is the main limiting factor. The area of grade 3 (25.59%), has soils with texture and salinity limiting factors, while the soils of grade 4 (7.99%), have texture, depth and salinity main limiting factors. Land suitability was done according to Sys and others for some crops and transferred to GIS to produce digital maps. The fertility maps of soil nutrients for N, P, K, Fe, Mn, Zn, and Cu are included. The study established a detailed database to serve decision-makers and help in sustainable development. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Reservoirs have experienced varied degrees of eutrophication in recent years as the effects of climate change and human activities on reservoir ecosystems have intensified. This study looked at the patterns of integrated nutrient status and total phosphorus (TP) concentration in 30 reservoirs in major reservoirs across Fujian Province. Significant connections were identified between TP concentration, trophic status, and total phytoplankton density. 88.9% of the reservoirs were at the middle trophic level by the nutritional status (EI). The average EI of the 25 reservoirs with water supply functions is 39.2, eight reservoirs in coastal areas having EI values more than 45.0. The EI of the Baisha Reservoir in Jiulong River Basin reached 50.3, indicating modest eutrophication. TP concentration levels in the 30 reservoirs of Fujian Province range from 0.01 to 0.08 mg·L−1, representing different functional categories. Algal bloom is more likely to occur in a reservoir with a high nutrient status value. The N/P mass ratios of the 30 reservoirs were all significantly greater than 7.0, with the minimum is 11.0 and the maximum is 136.0, which indicating that these reservoirs were typically phosphorus‐limited. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Introduction: Pregnant women with a history of metabolic bariatric surgery (MBS) are at high risk of developing nutrient deficiencies, leading to greater challenges to reach nutritional requirements. This study compared nutrient status of women using specialized "weight loss surgery" multivitamin supplementation (WLS-MVS) to those using standard supplementation (sMVS) during pregnancy following MBS. Methods: Multicenter observational cohort study including 119 pregnant women at 41.0 (18.5–70.0) months after Roux-en-Y gastric bypass (RYGB, n = 80) or sleeve gastrectomy (SG, n = 39). Routine blood samples were analyzed every trimester (T1, T2, T3), and micronutrient serum levels were compared between WLS-MVS and sMVS users. Results: During pregnancy after RYGB, WLS-MVS users demonstrated higher serum concentrations of hemoglobin (7.4 [7.2, 7.5] vs. 7.0 [6.8, 7.3] mmol/L), ferritin (23.2 [15.0, 35.7] vs. 13.7 [8.4, 22.4] µg/L), and folic acid (31.4 [28.7, 34.2] vs. 25.4 [21.3, 29.4] nmol/L) and lower serum vitamin B6 levels (T1: 90.6 [82.0, 99.8] vs. 132.1 [114.6, 152.4] nmol/L) compared to sMVS users. Iron deficiencies and elevated serum vitamin B6 levels were less prevalent in the WLS-MVS group. During pregnancy after SG, WLS-MVS users showed higher serum vitamin D concentrations (89.7 [77.6, 101.8] vs. 65.4 [53.3, 77.4] nmol/L) and lower serum vitamin B1 concentrations (T2: 137.4 [124.2, 150.6] vs. 161.6 [149.0, 174.1] nmol/L, T3: 133.9 [120.1, 147.7] vs. 154.7 [141.9, 167.5] nmol/L) compared to sMVS users. Conclusion: Low maternal concentrations of micronutrients are highly prevalent during pregnancy after MBS. The use of specialized multivitamin supplementation generally resulted in higher serum levels during pregnancy compared to standard supplementation. Future research is needed to investigate how supplementation strategies can be optimized for this high-risk population. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The phenomenon of leveling off and environmental degradation that occurs as a negative impact of the excessive use of chemical fertilizers and pesticides encourages the development of organic farming systems that can produce crop yields that are not contaminated and free from synthetic chemicals and maintain a healthier environment. The research was conducted from October to December 2022 by taking soil samples from farmers' paddy fields in Tegal Regency using an organic (Cawitali Village) and conventional or non-organic (Jembayat Village) farming system. Composite soil samples were taken from a soil depth of 0 to 20 cm from the soil surface using a soil drill on lowland rice fields with organic farming systems and conventional farming after harvest. The analysis of the chemical properties of the soil carried out was C-organic (Walkley and Black), N-total (Kjeldahl), CEC and soil bases (exch-Ca, exch-Mg, exch-K, and exch-Na), total P (25% HCl) and available P (Bray I), while the observed soil biological properties were the total number of microbial and fungal populations. The results showed that organic paddy soil's chemical and biological properties were relatively higher than conventional paddy soil's. Total fungi in organic lowland soils were lower than in conventional paddy fields. The nutrient status of C-organic and N-total in organic rice fields tended to increase compared to conventional rice fields, namely from very low to low and low to moderate, respectively. In contrast, the other nutrient statuses observed tended to remain relatively unchanged. Generally, soil biological and chemical properties were better in organic farming than in conventional farming systems. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Indoor vertical farms can optimize light, temperature, humidity, and nutrient use, thus potentially maximizing crop growth and yield. However, the reported potential for enhanced crop growth and yield within these systems needs to be tempered against the understanding of the effects of this “forced growth”/optimal growth environment on “actual” plant performance to fully reap the benefits of these innovative vertical farming systems. We investigated the effect of calcium (Ca) on the production of strawberries in an indoor vertical farm system with varying photosynthetic photon flux density (PPFD). Fruit yield of plants fed with high Ca (9 meq·L−1) increased by 42.3% when the PPFD was 422 µmol·m−2·s−1; however, a subsequent increase to 572 µmol·m−2·s−1 resulted in a decline in fruit production. Plants treated with low Ca (5 meq·L−1) had a reduced yield and demonstrated no response to the PPFD. The observed increase in yield was associated with increased fruit production and total soluble solids. Plants exhibited 21.5% and 57.8% increases in the total dry weight when exposed to 422 and 572 µmol·m−2·s−1, respectively; however, Ca did not have any impact on this response. Independent of the Ca concentration, the photosynthesis rate increased by 16.1% and 22.2% when the PPFD increased to 422 and 572 µmol·m−2·s−1, respectively; however, the highest photosynthesis rate was recorded with 422 µmol·m−2·s−1 when the Ca level was 9 meq·L−1. High Ca-fed plants exhibited a reduction in Ca (−17.1%) content in their fruits when exposed to 572 µmol·m−2·s−1, which was likely caused by a dilution effect attributable to increased fruit biomass. In contrast, shoot Ca increased when plants were given high Ca when the PPFDs were 422 and 572 µmol·m−2·s−1. The Ca concentration in shoots correlated with the increasing yield, and a higher Ca concentration was associated with the increasing transpiration rate and stomatic conductance. Shoot phosphorus declined when plants were exposed to increased PPFD, and phosphorus was lower when plants were provided with 9 meq·L−1 of Ca; however, plants watered with low Ca solutions had more potassium. The shoot nitrogen content and micronutrient contents were unchanged regardless of the variations in PPFD or Ca. In summary, the favorable conditions for the cultivation of strawberry under controlled environments resulted in greater growth and fruit yield as long as Ca was provided at higher concentrations in the irrigation solutions (from 5 to 9 meq·L−1). We suggest that the higher demand of Ca that is necessary to satisfy the enhanced plant development observed in indoor farming systems may be connected to the role of Ca in the formation of new tissues, cell walls, and cell membranes.

The popularity of vegetarian and vegan diets is growing due to increased awareness of the environmental and health benefits of such diets. However, despite the consumption of meatless diets being associated with decreased risk of chronic diseases and mortality, followers of these diets are prone to certain nutritional inadequacies, which could limit health benefits. The main nutrients of concern are vitamin B12, vitamin D, iodine, selenium, calcium, and iron. It is essential for all those following vegetarian and vegan diets to implement vitamin B12 supplementation. To prevent vitamin B12 deficiency, adults should take one oral dose of 50–100 μg cyanocobalamin daily or 2000 μg weekly divided into two oral cyanocobalamin doses. Iodine supplementation is essential for pregnant and breastfeeding women and is recommended for vegetarians and vegans who are unable to access sea vegetables or iodine-fortified foods. The recommended dose of iodine supplement for adults is 150 μg daily. Selenium supplementation should be reserved for individuals with clinical evidence of deficiency due to concerns of adverse effects on lipid profiles and type 2 diabetes risk. It is recommended that vegetarian and vegan adults should supplement 4000 International Units (IU)/d of oral vitamin D to prevent deficiency as sunlight exposure is unreliable due to a range of lifestyle and environmental factors. This recommendation also applies to omnivores. As a precaution, those wishing to transition to a more plant-based diet should consider how they will substitute the nutrition they currently obtain from animal-based foods with plant-based sources or appropriate supplementation.

Tobacco (Nicotiana tabacum L.) is a major cash crop, and soil quality played a significant role in the yield and quality of tobacco. Most farmers cultivate tobacco in rotation with other crops to improve the soil characteristics. However, the effects of different previous crops on the soil's nutrient status and bacterial community for tobacco cultivation still need to be determined. Three treatments were assessed in this study, i.e., tobacco-planting soil without treatment (CK), soil with barley previously cultivated (T1), and soil with rapeseed previously cultivated (T2). The soil physical and chemical properties and the 16S rRNA gene sequence diversity of the bacterial community were analyzed. The effects of different crops on the physical and chemical properties of tobacco-planting soil and the diversity and richness of the bacterial community were comprehensively discussed. The results of this study showed that different previously cultivated crops altered the nutrient status of the soil, with changes in the ratio of NH4 +-N to NO3 --N having the most significant impact on tobacco. In CK, the ratio of NH4 +-N to NO3 --N was 1:24.2, T1-1:9.59, and T2-1:11.10. The composition of the bacterial community in tobacco-planting soil varied significantly depending on the previously cultivated crops. The richness and diversity of the bacterial community with different crops were considerably higher than without prior cultivation of different crops. The dominant bacteria in different treatments were Actinobacteriota, Proteobacteria, and Chloroflexi with their relative abundance differed. In conclusion, our study revealed significant differences in nutrient status, bacterial community diversity, and the richness of tobacco-planting soil after the preceding cultivation of different crops. Suitable crops should be selected to be previously cultivated in tobacco crop rotations in near future for sustainable agriculture. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Negative effects of salt stress may be counteracted by adequate management of sulfated nutrition. Herein, we applied 3.50, 4.25, and 5.00 mM SO42− in a nutrient solution to counteract salt stress induced by 75 and 150 mM NaCl in cabbage cv. Royal. The increase in NaCl concentration from 75 to 150 mM reduced the contents of macronutrients and micronutrients in the shoot. When increasing from 3.50 to 4.25 mM SO42−, the contents of nitrogen (N), phosphorous (P), potassium (K), calcium (Ca), magnesium (Mg), and sulfur (S) in shoots were enhanced, at both concentrations of NaCl. Increasing from 3.50 to 4.25 mM SO42− enhanced iron (Fe), zinc (Zn), manganese (Mn), and sodium (Na) concentrations with 75 mM NaCl. With 150 mM NaCl, the increase from 3.50 to 4.25 mM SO42− enhanced the contents of Cu and Mn, but also those of Na. Chlorophylls a, b, and total decreased as the concentration of SO42− increased in plants treated with 150 mM NaCl. With 75 mM NaCl, carotenoid concentration had a positive relationship with SO42−. Hence, the 4.25 mM SO42− concentration increased the contents of macronutrients and micronutrients in the presence of 75 mM NaCl, while, with 150 mM NaCl, it improved the contents of macronutrients except K. The chlorophyll a/chlorophyll b ratio remained close to 3 when the plants were treated with 5.00 mM SO42−, regardless of NaCl. Similarly, this level of SO42− increased the concentration of carotenoids, which translated into reductions in the total chlorophyll/carotenoid ratios, indicating a protective effect of the photosynthetic apparatus. It is concluded that higher doses of sulfur favor the accumulation of nutrients and increase the concentration of carotenoids under salt stress. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Understanding the relationship between plant diversity and invasibility is essential in invasion ecology. Species‐rich communities are hypothesized to be more resistant to invasions than species‐poor communities. However, while soil microorganisms play a crucial role in regulating this diversity–invasibility relationship, the effects of plant competition mode and soil nutrient status on their role remain unclear. To address this, we conducted a two‐stage greenhouse experiment. Soils were first conditioned by growing nine native species separately in them for 1 year, then mixed in various configurations with soils conditioned using one, three, or six species, respectively. Next, we inoculated the mixed soil into sterilized substrate soil and planted the alien species Rhus typhina and native species Ailanthus altissima as test plants. We set up two competition modes (intraspecific and interspecific) and two nutrient levels (fertilization using slow‐release fertilizer and nonfertilization). Under intraspecific competition, regardless of fertilization, the biomass of the alien species was higher in soil conditioned by six native species. By contrast, under interspecific competition, the biomass increased without fertilization but remained stable with fertilization in soil conditioned by six native species. Analysis of soil microbes suggests that pathogens and symbiotic fungi in diverse plant communities influenced R. typhina growth, which varied with competition mode and nutrient status. Our findings suggest that the soil microbiome is pivotal in mediating the diversity–invasibility relationship, and this influence varies according to competition mode and nutrient status. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Summary: Rhizosphere microbiomes are pivotal for crop fitness, but the principles underlying microbial assembly during root–soil interactions across soils with different nutrient statuses remain elusive.We examined the microbiomes in the rhizosphere and bulk soils of maize plants grown under six long‐term (≥ 29 yr) fertilization experiments in three soil types across middle temperate to subtropical zones.The assembly of rhizosphere microbial communities was primarily driven by deterministic processes. Plant selection interacted with soil types and fertilization regimes to shape the structure and function of rhizosphere microbiomes. Predictive functional profiling showed that, to adapt to nutrient‐deficient conditions, maize recruited more rhizobacteria involved in nutrient availability from bulk soil, although these functions were performed by different species. Metagenomic analyses confirmed that the number of significantly enriched Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes Orthology functional categories in the rhizosphere microbial community was significantly higher without fertilization than with fertilization. Notably, some key genes involved in carbon, nitrogen, and phosphorus cycling and purine metabolism were dominantly enriched in the rhizosphere soil without fertilizer input.In conclusion, our results show that maize selects microbes at the root–soil interface based on microbial functional traits beneficial to its own performance, rather than selecting particular species. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This article, published in the journal "Environment & Ecology," presents a study on the genetic variability and nutrient content of different genotypes of the amaranthus plant. The research found a wide range of major nutrients in both leaves and grains of the amaranthus genotypes, with high heritability observed for all traits. The study suggests that amaranthus has the potential to be a valuable source of nutrition due to its genetic variability and nutrient content. The document provides detailed data on the quality parameters of different amaranthus genotypes, including information on leaf fiber, iron, moisture, oxalates, vitamin C, stem fiber, and color. The authors highlight the nutritional potential of amaranthus as a source of essential nutrients in the human diet and reference other studies that support these findings. [Extracted from the article]

Taking the muck from the Muli and Jiangcang open-pit mining areas in Qinghai Province as the research object, 20 samples of muck from the mining area were collected, and 17 samples of marsh meadow soil without human disturbance and pollution were used as background values. Through testing and analyzing the particle size composition of the slag in the mining area and the soil in the marsh meadow, it was found that the composition of the slag in the two mining areas was the same as that of the swamp meadow soil, and the content was silt-sand-clay in descending order. There was different in the proportion of the composition, and the content of soil powder in the swamp meadow was more abundant. According to the soil texture classification standard, the slag soil in the Muli mining area belonged to silt loam, and the slag soil in the Jiangcang mining area belonged to silt loam and loam, mainly silt loam, and the swamp meadow soil had both the characteristics of silt loam and loam. At the same time, statistical analysis of the pH, organic carbon, total potassium, total phosphorus, total nitrogen, alkali hydrolyzable nitrogen, available nitrogen, available phosphorus, available potassium and other indicators of the slag soil showed that the pH value of the slag soil in the two mining areas was alkaline and the content of organic matter was low, and the total nutrients were different from the marsh meadow soil. The total nitrogen content was much lower than the marsh meadow soil, and the total potassium content was slightly higher than the marsh meadow soil. The content of available nitrogen in available nutrients was very poor, and the average content of available phosphorus and available potassium was higher than that of swamp meadow soil, especially available potassium was more obvious. Correlation analysis showed that the clay particles of the slag soil in the mining area were positively correlated with all nutrients, and the relationship between silt, sand and nutrients was gradually weakened. Therefore, in the process of soil remediation and reconstruction, attention should be paid not only to the nutrient changes of slag soil, but also to the structure ratio of the particle size of slag soil to accelerate soil maturation, improve the soil-plant-microbe system, and build a soil suitable for vegetation growth in alpine mining areas. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Support for the development of sustainable coconut (Cocos nucifera L.) plantations is important. The ability of arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi (AMF) to enhance plant growth has long been recognized. However, AMF's role in transplanting media for the early growth of coconut is not well researched. The purpose of this study was to investigate the effects of AMF and various transplanting media on plant growth and soil nutrient status. A factorial randomized block design was used, with a three levels dose of AMF inoculum as the initial factor. The second factor was the composition of the transplanting media, specifically the combination of manure (PK), sawdust (SG) and sand (P) at three different levels. The research was conducted in North Maluku, Indonesia, from 2019 to 2022. The measured plant attributes were plant growth from 6 to 30 m after planting (MAT), some physiology traits, and soil nutrient status. The results indicated that the combination of 4 g AMF inoculum seedling-1 with media composition of PK:SG:P = 1/3:1/3:2/3 has resulted in significant improvement (p < 0.01) in stem circumference, leaf midribs number, leaf midribs length, plant height and availability of soil nutrients in terms of N (214.2%), P (78.5%), and K (88.9%). The activity of leaf nitrate reductase also increased significantly (p < 0.01) by 79.5%, as well as chlorophyll a (p < 0.01) and total chlorophyll content (p < 0.01) which increased by 40.6% and 49.1% respectively. The combination of AMF inoculation and transplanting media represent a sustainable agronomic technology that can enhance the optimal nutritional status and promote the early growth of coconut palms. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study investigated the impact of fertilization treatments on mature, forty-year-old, fully productive olive trees (Olea europaea L. cv. Koroneiki) in two non-irrigated orchards featuring contrasting soil types: non-calcareous–acidic and calcareous–alkaline. Over three years (2019–2021), seven distinct treatments were applied, involving inorganic soil fertilizers (traditional strategy) and foliar applications of a liquid organic product containing fulvic and humic acids. Fertilization significantly influenced physiological parameters, such as mineral nutrition, photosynthetic pigments of olive leaves, fruit yield, and oil production per tree, revealing noteworthy effects influenced by soil types and their interactions with treatments. Statistical analysis highlighted specific treatments, indicating that the foliar application of the organic product once a year in alkaline soil or biannually in acidic soil resulted in the highest observed fruit yield and oil production per tree. Indeed, contrary to the control–unfertilized trees, specific fertilization strategies resulted in an average increase of up to 47% and 73% in fruit yield per tree and up to 96% and 100% in oil production per tree in acidic and alkaline soil, respectively. Furthermore, consistently high yields were correlated with constant high values of the chlorophyll a/chlorophyll b ratio (2.3–3.3 in August for acidic soil) and leaf chlorophyll a concentration (55–66 mg/100 g f.w. in August for alkaline soil). This novel finding underscores the crucial role of these factors as prerequisites for achieving superior fruit production. Our results emphasize the potential of integrating foliar organic fertilization as a complementary strategy to traditional soil-based approaches. This is particularly relevant under non-irrigated/rainfed cultural conditions, emphasizing the significance of considering alternative fertilization practices for optimized olive orchard management. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Managing soil salinization requires identifying a sustainable cropping system to improve soil quality by removing salts, particularly in the south Mediterranean area. The present study aimed to evaluate the efficiency of the forage crop successio n containing triticale and alfalfa in removing salt from salinized calcareous soil. The experiment was conducted in field during two successive seasons. Five electrical conductivity levels of salinized soil (ECs) were tested: 0.3 (control), 0.8, 1.4, 1.8, and 2 dS m-1 (1:5extraction). The triticale was grown from November 2019 to April 2020. The alfalfa occupied the same soil from June 2020 to October 2021 (11cuts). The electrical conductivity of the irrigation water was ECi=1.1 dS m-1. The results revealed that the soil salinity and the exchangeable sodium percentage (ESP) decreased during the cropping seasons. The high ECs=2 dS m-1 and its ESP=85.2% became similar to control levels (ECs=0.25 dS m-1, ESP=5%) after the succession of triticale and fourth cuts of alfalfa. The NaCl uptake at the end of the cropping succession was 1433 kg ha-1 at an initial ECs=2 dS m-1. Concerning the nutrient status of the plants, nitrogen, phosphorus, and potassium contents were invariable with ECs levels. For alfalfa, a reduction in calcium and magnesium contents was noticed with soil salinity in the first season (2020). The results suggest that the insertion of triticale and alfalfa in the forage cropping system is an efficient solution for removing salt from salinized soils to ensure sustainable agricultural production. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The change in soil microbial biomass and stoichiometry in different land uses of Northeast India were assessed by using the fumigation extraction method. The pattern of microbial biomass C, N, and P followed the sequence of forest (650.36, 62.86 and 254.54μgg−1) > grassland (62.86, 39.30 and 31.76 μgg−1> cropland (31.84,18.62 and 15.54 μgg−1), and exhibits seasonality with the lowest concentrations during the winter season across all land uses. The maximum concentrations were recorded during the rainy season in the forest and the summer season in both grassland and cropland. Microbial ratios (C: N, C: P and N: P) and proportions of microbial biomass to total soil nutrients vary with a variance in land use types. Soil microbial biomass exhibited a positive significant relation with soil nutrients but negatively related with soil temperature and moisture in all the study sites. Two-way ANOVA of soil microbial biomass exhibits significant differences due to seasons and land use types (p< 0.01). The microbial stoichiometry of the present study indicates N limitations in the study sites, while the proportion of microbial nutrients to total soil nutrients reveals nutrient mineralization in the forest and immobilization and competition in grassland and cropland. Furthermore, this study indicates that landuse and soil management practices interfere with microbial stoichiometry and nutrient release and immobilization patterns. Improving the retention of organic matter in ecosystems may enhance microbial activity and soil health.

Abstract Understanding the relationship between plant diversity and invasibility is essential in invasion ecology. Species‐rich communities are hypothesized to be more resistant to invasions than species‐poor communities. However, while soil microorganisms play a crucial role in regulating this diversity–invasibility relationship, the effects of plant competition mode and soil nutrient status on their role remain unclear. To address this, we conducted a two‐stage greenhouse experiment. Soils were first conditioned by growing nine native species separately in them for 1 year, then mixed in various configurations with soils conditioned using one, three, or six species, respectively. Next, we inoculated the mixed soil into sterilized substrate soil and planted the alien species Rhus typhina and native species Ailanthus altissima as test plants. We set up two competition modes (intraspecific and interspecific) and two nutrient levels (fertilization using slow‐release fertilizer and nonfertilization). Under intraspecific competition, regardless of fertilization, the biomass of the alien species was higher in soil conditioned by six native species. By contrast, under interspecific competition, the biomass increased without fertilization but remained stable with fertilization in soil conditioned by six native species. Analysis of soil microbes suggests that pathogens and symbiotic fungi in diverse plant communities influenced R. typhina growth, which varied with competition mode and nutrient status. Our findings suggest that the soil microbiome is pivotal in mediating the diversity–invasibility relationship, and this influence varies according to competition mode and nutrient status.

Abstract Background Ageing is characterised by physiological changes that can affect the nutrient availability and requirements. In particular, the status of vitamin D, cobalamin and folate has often been found to be critical in older people living in residential care. However, there is a lack of studies investigating the status of these nutrients in healthy and active home-dwelling elderly people. Methods The aim of this cross-sectional study was to assess the status of vitamin D based on serum concentrations of 25-hydroxycholecalciferol [25-(OH)D], cobalamin based on serum concentrations of holotranscobalamin (holoTC) and folate based on red blood cell (RBC) folate in unsupplemented, healthy and active German home-dwelling subjects ≥ 70 years of age (n = 134, mean ± SD: 75.8 ± 4.5 years). Dietary intake was assessed by 3-day food recalls. The study was conducted between March and November of 2021 (during the COVID-19 pandemic). Results The mean 25-(OH)D concentration was high at 85.1 ± 26.0 nmol/L, while the majority of women (92%) and men (94%) had 25-(OH)D concentrations ≥ 50 nmol/L. Less than 10% of men and women had 25-(OH)D concentrations

The aim of this study was to investigate the influence of biostimulants containing amino acids, humic acids, oligosaccharides and glycosides on the growth parameters and nutrient status of French marigold. The experiments were carried out in the glasshouse and field of the Faculty of Agriculture, University of Banja Luka, during 2009, 2010 and 2011. Young French marigold plants (cultivar 'Hero Orange') were treated with Radifarm® or tap water as a control. At the end of May, the seedlings were transplanted into outdoor beds and plants in the treatment group were further treated with Megafol®, Viva® and Kendal®, while plants in the control group continued to only receive tap water. At the end of the experiment, the following parameters were recorded for each plant: plant height (cm), plant diameter (cm), flower diameter (cm), number of flowers, fresh and dry weight (g), and concentrations of total nitrogen, phosphorus, potassium, calcium and magnesium in the roots and above-ground parts. It was found that the application of biostimulants increased the quality of these ornamental plants by improving their ability to overcome temperature stress and their nutrient uptake from the soil, which would reduce the need for fertiliser application and consequently environmental contamination. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Ageing is characterised by physiological changes that can affect the nutrient availability and requirements. In particular, the status of vitamin D, cobalamin and folate has often been found to be critical in older people living in residential care. However, there is a lack of studies investigating the status of these nutrients in healthy and active home-dwelling elderly people. Methods: The aim of this cross-sectional study was to assess the status of vitamin D based on serum concentrations of 25-hydroxycholecalciferol [25-(OH)D], cobalamin based on serum concentrations of holotranscobalamin (holoTC) and folate based on red blood cell (RBC) folate in unsupplemented, healthy and active German home-dwelling subjects ≥ 70 years of age (n = 134, mean ± SD: 75.8 ± 4.5 years). Dietary intake was assessed by 3-day food recalls. The study was conducted between March and November of 2021 (during the COVID-19 pandemic). Results: The mean 25-(OH)D concentration was high at 85.1 ± 26.0 nmol/L, while the majority of women (92%) and men (94%) had 25-(OH)D concentrations ≥ 50 nmol/L. Less than 10% of men and women had 25-(OH)D concentrations < 50 nmol/L. The mean holoTC concentration was 88.9 ± 33.7 pmol/L (94.8 ± 34.6 pmol/L in women and 73.6 ± 25.6 in men). Only 8% of the women were cobalamin deficient (< 50 pmol/L holoTC) compared to 22% of the men. The mean RBC folate concentration was 831 ± 244 nmol/L, while the prevalence of folate deficiency was 10%. Linear regression analysis showed that only folate equivalent intake was associated with the relevant nutrient status marker. Conclusion: Our findings suggest that healthy, independently living older people with high levels of education, physical activity, and health awareness are not necessarily at higher risk of vitamin D, folate and cobalamin deficiency. Further studies are needed to verify these findings and to identify lifestyle and dietary patterns that can predict adequate nutrient status for healthy ageing. Trial registration: This study is officially recorded in the German Clinical Trials Register (DRKS00021302). [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Negative effects of salt stress may be counteracted by adequate management of sulfated nutrition. Herein, we applied 3.50, 4.25, and 5.00 mM SO42− in a nutrient solution to counteract salt stress induced by 75 and 150 mM NaCl in cabbage cv. Royal. The increase in NaCl concentration from 75 to 150 mM reduced the contents of macronutrients and micronutrients in the shoot. When increasing from 3.50 to 4.25 mM SO42−, the contents of nitrogen (N), phosphorous (P), potassium (K), calcium (Ca), magnesium (Mg), and sulfur (S) in shoots were enhanced, at both concentrations of NaCl. Increasing from 3.50 to 4.25 mM SO42− enhanced iron (Fe), zinc (Zn), manganese (Mn), and sodium (Na) concentrations with 75 mM NaCl. With 150 mM NaCl, the increase from 3.50 to 4.25 mM SO42− enhanced the contents of Cu and Mn, but also those of Na. Chlorophylls a, b, and total decreased as the concentration of SO42− increased in plants treated with 150 mM NaCl. With 75 mM NaCl, carotenoid concentration had a positive relationship with SO42−. Hence, the 4.25 mM SO42− concentration increased the contents of macronutrients and micronutrients in the presence of 75 mM NaCl, while, with 150 mM NaCl, it improved the contents of macronutrients except K. The chlorophyll a/chlorophyll b ratio remained close to 3 when the plants were treated with 5.00 mM SO42−, regardless of NaCl. Similarly, this level of SO42− increased the concentration of carotenoids, which translated into reductions in the total chlorophyll/carotenoid ratios, indicating a protective effect of the photosynthetic apparatus. It is concluded that higher doses of sulfur favor the accumulation of nutrients and increase the concentration of carotenoids under salt stress.

• Dairy consumption has been shown beneficial for the physical function for older adults. • The Physical function includes several factors (e.g., muscle strength and walking ability). • Potential health effects of dairy consumption could differ between the sexes. • Dairy consumption was beneficial for multiple physical function in older women. We investigated sex differences in the associations between dairy consumption and the physical function among community-dwelling older adults. Six hundred and fifty-six older adults (75.6 ± 6.4 years old) participated in this study. Dairy consumption (5-item Likert score) and the physical function (gait speed, handgrip strength, and skeletal muscle mass) were measured. The linear and quadratic associations between dairy consumption and the physical function measures were examined by a multiple linear regression analysis adjusted for covariates. Among women, an increased dairy consumption was significantly linearly associated with greater hand-grip strength and faster gait speed (both p <0.05) after adjusting for covariates. Among men, dairy consumption was not associated with the physical function measures. Dairy consumption was not associated with the muscle mass in either sex. Increased dairy consumption was associated with a superior physical function in older women. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study was conducted at a special farm existing at Banu Aday, Manfalout city, Assiut Governorate, Egypt, to study the impact of soil conditioners on growth and fruiting of Manfalouty pomegranate trees during 2020 and 2021 seasons. Hundz soil, bentonite and compost were applied in January of each season. This study designed as a randomized complete block system with four transactions and three replicating’s two trees for each. Data indicated that using hundz soil, bentonite or compost considerably raised the shoot length, leaf area, chlorophyll, relative water contents, leaf-N, P and K%. However, all treatments considerably reduced the leaf proline content. All soil conditioners used considerably increased the yield/tree and commercial fruit % and considerably reduced the percentages of fruit splitting and sunburn compared to use check treatment. Moreover, all treatments used caused a significant improvement the fruit traits represented by increasing weight, arils percentage of fruits, total soluble contents as well as reducing sugar, vitamin C and anthocyanin contents and lack the total acidity in comparison with control. Using hundz soil and compost as soil conditioners recorded the highest units of general evaluation these values were 99.6 and 97.2, respectively. In general view, obtained results ensure the importance of using soil conditioners i.e., hundz soil or compost to produce pomegranate trees as improving the characteristics of fruit and thus increasing the marketing value of yield. In addition, these soil conditioners treatment used lead to soil improvement, growth and increase production yield, then reduce production cost. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Intensive dairy farming systems in the sandy soil of northwestern Morocco are based on three successive forage crops per year, including corn. The aim was to evaluate the productivity and the quality of different intensive crop successions based on corn in sandy soil. Three forage crops per year (winter, spring, and summer cropping seasons) were tested according to six successions: 1. fallow-corn-corn, 2. oat-corn-corn, 3. berseem-corn-corn, 4. pea/triticale-corn-corn, 5. oat-soybean-corn, and 6. berseem-corn-soybean. Each succession of crops was evaluated in two years field experiment using a randomized complete block design. Results revealed that oat-corn-corn and pea/triticale-corn-corn successions produced the highest dry biomass (46.5 t ha-1 year-1). The crop succession of berseem-corn-soybean resulted in the lowest biomass (30.8 t ha-1 year-1). The highest net energy for lactation was recorded at oat-corn-corn and pea/triticale-corn-corn successions (303 103 MJ ha-1 year-1). The crop successions based on one corn (oat-soybean-corn and berseem-corn-soybean) recorded the lowest net energy for lactation (195.5 103 MJ ha-1 year-1). The oat-corn-corn, pea/triticale-corn-corn, and oat-soybean-corn successions recorded the highest crude protein values (3.9 t ha-1 year-1). Soil organic matter and the content of soil on total N, P, and Mg were similar for the different crop successions at the end of the experimental years.

Conservation agriculture (CA) is believed to improve the soil properties. The question whether transplanted rice adapts to CA alike is not answered. Furthermore, the role of genotypes/varieties in CA is not clearly established. We compared two CA-based cropping systems i.e. ZT-direct seeded rice (DSR) followed by ZT-green gram (GG), (ZT-DSR-ZT-GG) and ZT-transplanted rice (TPR) followed by ZT-GG, (ZT-TPR-ZT-GG), vis-à-vis. conventional tillage (CT) system, (CT-DSR-CT-GG) with respect to soil structure, nutrient status, carbon sequestration potential, GHG emissions, energy saving and yield. Additionally, relative performance of green gram varieties under CA was evaluated. After five years, OC, N and P increased significantly in ZT-DSR-ZT-GG system. The increase in TOC was 16.90% and 11.86% in ZT-DSR-ZT-GG and ZT-TPR-ZT-GG, respectively, over CT-DSR-CT-GG. Similarly, in ZT-DSR-ZT-GG, the MBC, DHA, FDA, acid phosphatase and alkaline phosphatase were 2.7, 1.9, 1.4, 1.03 and 1.07 fold higher over CT-DSR-CT-GG. The cumulative seasonal emission of N2O was 73% and 35% higher in CT-DSR-CT-GG over ZT-DSR-ZT-GG and ZT-TPR-ZT-GG, respectively. Overall energy saving was 32% and 25% in ZT-TPR-ZT-GG and ZT-DSR-ZT-GG cropping systems, respectively, compared to CT-DSR-CT-GG. The system productivity was at par in CA (ZT-TPR-ZT-GG)- and CT-based cropping system. The interaction between the CA practices and the crop variety was non-significant for most of the tested parameters indicating flexibility in choosing a variety for crop cultivation under CA. It may be concluded that the associated benefits of CA without compromise in yield are highly recommended to sustain soil and environmental health in rice-pulse cropping system. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study investigated the impact of fertilization treatments on mature, forty-year-old, fully productive olive trees (Olea europaea L. cv. Koroneiki) in two non-irrigated orchards featuring contrasting soil types: non-calcareous–acidic and calcareous–alkaline. Over three years (2019–2021), seven distinct treatments were applied, involving inorganic soil fertilizers (traditional strategy) and foliar applications of a liquid organic product containing fulvic and humic acids. Fertilization significantly influenced physiological parameters, such as mineral nutrition, photosynthetic pigments of olive leaves, fruit yield, and oil production per tree, revealing noteworthy effects influenced by soil types and their interactions with treatments. Statistical analysis highlighted specific treatments, indicating that the foliar application of the organic product once a year in alkaline soil or biannually in acidic soil resulted in the highest observed fruit yield and oil production per tree. Indeed, contrary to the control–unfertilized trees, specific fertilization strategies resulted in an average increase of up to 47% and 73% in fruit yield per tree and up to 96% and 100% in oil production per tree in acidic and alkaline soil, respectively. Furthermore, consistently high yields were correlated with constant high values of the chlorophyll a/chlorophyll b ratio (2.3–3.3 in August for acidic soil) and leaf chlorophyll a concentration (55–66 mg/100 g f.w. in August for alkaline soil). This novel finding underscores the crucial role of these factors as prerequisites for achieving superior fruit production. Our results emphasize the potential of integrating foliar organic fertilization as a complementary strategy to traditional soil-based approaches. This is particularly relevant under non-irrigated/rainfed cultural conditions, emphasizing the significance of considering alternative fertilization practices for optimized olive orchard management.

There is a lack of comprehensive reports on nutrient deficiencies and dietary intake among various age groups of children in China. The objective of this review is to provide an overview of the nutrient status, intake, and diet adequacy of Chinese children (0–18 years old). PubMed and Scopus were searched for literature published between January 2010 and July 2022. A systematic review approach with a quality assessment was performed to analyze 2986 identified articles in English and Chinese. Eighty-three articles were included in the analysis. In younger children, anemia and iron and Vitamin A deficiencies remain severe public health problems, despite high Vitamin A and adequate iron intake. In older children, a high prevalence of selenium; Vitamin A and D deficiencies; and inadequate intakes of Vitamins A, D, B, C, selenium, and calcium were reported. Intakes of dairy, soybeans, fruits, and vegetables were below recommended levels. High intakes of iodine, total and saturated fat, and sodium and low dietary diversity scores were also reported. As nutritional concerns vary with age and region, future nutrition interventions should be tailored accordingly. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Using spectral data to quantify nitrogen (N), phosphorus (P), and potassium (K) contents in soybean plants can help breeding programs develop fertilizer-efficient genotypes. Employing machine learning (ML) techniques to classify these genotypes according to their nutritional content makes the analyses performed in the programs even faster and more reliable. Thus, the objective of this study was to find the best ML algorithm(s) and input configurations in the classification of soybean genotypes for higher N, P, and K leaf contents. A total of 103 F2 soybean populations were evaluated in a randomized block design with two repetitions. At 60 days after emergence (DAE), spectral images were collected using a Sensefly eBee RTK fixed-wing remotely piloted aircraft (RPA) with autonomous take-off, flight plan, and landing control. The eBee was equipped with the Parrot Sequoia multispectral sensor. Reflectance values were obtained in the following spectral bands (SBs): red (660 nm), green (550 nm), NIR (735 nm), and red-edge (790 nm), which were used to calculate the vegetation index (VIs): normalized difference vegetation index (NDVI), normalized difference red edge (NDRE), green normalized difference vegetation index (GNDVI), soil-adjusted vegetation index (SAVI), modified soil-adjusted vegetation index (MSAVI), modified chlorophyll absorption in reflectance index (MCARI), enhanced vegetation index (EVI), and simplified canopy chlorophyll content index (SCCCI). At the same time of the flight, leaves were collected in each experimental unit to obtain the leaf contents of N, P, and K. The data were submitted to a Pearson correlation analysis. Subsequently, a principal component analysis was performed together with the k-means algorithm to define two clusters: one whose genotypes have high leaf contents and another whose genotypes have low leaf contents. Boxplots were generated for each cluster according to the content of each nutrient within the groups formed, seeking to identify which set of genotypes has higher nutrient contents. Afterward, the data were submitted to machine learning analysis using the following algorithms: decision tree algorithms J48 and REPTree, random forest (RF), artificial neural network (ANN), support vector machine (SVM), and logistic regression (LR, used as control). The clusters were used as output variables of the classification models used. The spectral data were used as input variables for the models, and three different configurations were tested: using SB only, using VIs only, and using SBs+VIs. The J48 and SVM algorithms had the best performance in classifying soybean genotypes. The best input configuration for the algorithms was using the spectral bands as input. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Indoor production systems with light emitting diode (LED) lamps are a feasible alternative for increasing strawberry productivity by reducing the incidence of pests and diseases and the damage caused by extreme weather events. Blue (BL) and red (RL) LED light are considered the most important light spectra for photosynthesis and crop yield; however, recent studies have demonstrated that the beneficial effects of green light (GL) have been underestimated. This information would be of particular importance for strawberry production in controlled-environments/vertical farming systems as it may lower input costs and enhance production efficiency and quality and marketability. The present study aimed to define the effect of GL in combination with BL in strawberry. A proportion of 20% GL (20% BL + 60% RL) of total photosynthetic photon flux density was beneficial for plant growth and productivity; however, a 27% GL (12% BL + 61% RL) proportion was detrimental or comparable to that with 6% GL (36% BL + 58% RF). Total dry mass increased 51% when plants were illuminated with 20% GL lamps compared to those with 6% GL; the most impacted plant part was the root as it increased by 155%. The higher yield was observed with GL at 20%, but further increasing GL to 27% resulted in reduced yield. GL at 20% and 27% exhibited higher photosynthesis but reduced transpiration, stomatic conductance, and internal CO2, which in turn increased instantaneous and intrinsic water-use efficiency. Plants with the highest yield (20% GL) exhibited lower total soluble solids in fruits but still the values obtained were acceptable (8.25 °Brix); these fruits contained a high total sugars and phenolics concentration but a reduced antioxidant scavenging capacity. High proportions of GL were associated with a higher leaf and fruit Ca and a higher leaf P and K, which may be due to the increased allocation of biomass to the roots. In conclusion, GL at 20% and BL at 20% resulted in the best growth and yield parameters, enhanced net photosynthesis rate, water-use efficiency and fruit quality attributes. The effects of GL observed in this study may also be important for other high-value horticultural crops suitable for indoor vertical farming. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A field investigation was carried out to evaluate the impact of molybdenum (Mo) application on the yield and nutrient status of cauliflower in an acid Alfisol. The experiment comprised eleven treatments, replicated thrice in a randomized block design (RBD). The highest marketable yield of 558.8 g plant-1 was recorded in treatment with a recommended dose of NPK + FYM, with an increase of 29.1 percent over control (T1). The same treatment enhanced the uptake of macro-and micronutrients. Mo application positively influenced the curd productivity and soil nutrient status, with the conjoint application (soil plus foliar) out performing other treatments. In conclusion, cauliflower crop grown on Mo deficient soil responds positively to its conjoint application (soil plus foliar). However, the sole foliar application of Mo @0.1% recorded the highest apparent nutrient recovery (ANR) and bioaccumulation factor (BAF), with corresponding values of 2.2% and 41.2, respectively. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Children with severe early childhood caries (s-ecc) will experience pain and difficulty chewing. S-ecc causes a deficiency in dietary intake and may become malnourished. Purpose: this study was aimed to know the relationship between severe early childhood caries (s-ecc) with nutritional status of chilldren at the age of 36-71 months in PAUD of Puskesmas Mandiangin, Mandiangin Koto Selayan district, Bukittinggi City. Method: obsevational analytics with cross sectional approach. The sample size was 56 children aged 36-71 months with def-t criteria ≥ 4 and selected by consecutive sampling method. S-ECC was measured using pufa index and nutritional status was measured using IMT / U. Results: the overall mean def-t children with s-ecc 7.77%. Children with positive pufa were 66.1% and those with 48.2% malnutrition status. As many as 62.2% of children with (s-ecc) positive pufa have malnutrition status. The result of statistical test using Chi-Square obtained p value = 0,008. Conclusion: There is a significant relationship between severe early childhood caries (s-ecc) with nutritional status and children with positive pufa are more at risk of malnutrition status.

Highly weathered soils are widepsread in the humid tropics. These soils are deep, clayey, and reddish and contain scant amounts of nutrients like Si due to excessive leaching, heavy desilication-aluminization, and erosion owing to their slope gradient and position. However, few investigations have been published in terms of their nature, characteristics, and nutrient status, especially for the geologically young Philippine islands. This study assessed the properties, geochemical composition, and fertility of deep and highly weathered soils developed from various parent materials in Central Philippines (Leyte and Samar). Sampling covered the entire soil profiles, including the lower portions, that are usually neglected in common soil characterization studies. Among the soil profiles, only profiles 3 and 8 have developed from non-uniform or heterogeneous parent materials. Findings likewise revealed heavy losses of K2O, CaO, MgO, and Na2O from the highly soil profiles evaluated. The amount and profile distribution of K2O and CaO is below 0.5% in the entire profile of most soils. On the other hand, there is apparent enrichment of Al2O3, Fe2O3, and to a lesser extent SiO2 in the highly weathered soil profiles, thus supporting the residua hypothesis. In terms of morpho-physical characteristics, the soils have deep solum, reddish color, subangular structure, friable moist consistence, and sticky and plastic wet consistence which are all related to the highly weathered nature of the soils. They also generally have low bulk density and higher porosity due to the iron oxides aggregation effect. The strong acidity (pH

Purpose: Considering the role of nutrient supply in plant growth, the effect of single and simultaneous application of triple superphosphate (TSP) and phosphate solubilizing bacteria (PSB) on the growth and phosphorus uptake of pistachio seedlings were investigated. Research method: A study was conducted as a factorial experiment based on a completely randomized design with three replications under greenhouse conditions. The treatments include three levels of PSB [Control (PSB0), Pseudomonsa sp. (PSB1) and Pseudomonas fluoresens (PSB2)] and three levels of P [Control (P0), 15 mg P kg-1 soil (P1) and 30 mg P kg-1 soil (P2) as triple superphosphate]. Findings: the results indicated that application of TSP and PSB increased dry weight, plant height, total chlorophyll and carotenoids content and uptake of P in pistachio seedlings. Inoculation with PSB increased shoot dry weight (36%), root dry weight (44%), total chlorophyll (31%), carotenoids (30%), shoot P uptake (62%) and root P uptake (84%) in pistachio seedlings. Research limitations: By measuring other traits such as nutrient concentration, the response of pistachio seedlings to microbial inoculation can be more clearly interpreted. Originality/Value: Using of new insecticides with new and widespread mode of action can be recommended against postharvest pest in the practical entomology.

A field investigation was carried out to evaluate the impact of molybdenum (Mo) application on the yield and nutrient status of cauliflower in an acid Alfisol. The experiment comprised eleven treatments, replicated thrice in a randomized block design (RBD). The highest marketable yield of 558.8 g plant-1 was recorded in treatment with a recommended dose of NPK + FYM, with an increase of 29.1 percent over control (T1). The same treatment enhanced the uptake of macro-and micronutrients. Mo application positively influenced the curd productivity and soil nutrient status, with the conjoint application (soil plus foliar) out performing other treatments. In conclusion, cauliflower crop grown on Mo deficient soil responds positively to its conjoint application (soil plus foliar). However, the sole foliar application of Mo @0.1% recorded the highest apparent nutrient recovery (ANR) and bioaccumulation factor (BAF), with corresponding values of 2.2% and 41.2, respectively.

Soil nutrient status is the foundation of agricultural development. Exploring the features of soil nutrients and status evaluation can provide a reference for the development of modern agriculture. LightGBM is an optimization algorithm based on the boosting framework, which uses histograms to improve the accuracy of the model. Based on the construction of the LightGBM model, the main nutrient features and status of tobacco planting soil were analyzed in seven towns in Debao County, Guangxi Province, namely Yantong Town, Longguang Town, Najia Town, Zurong Town, Du'an Town, Dongling Town and Jingde Town. The confusion matrix results show the accuracy of the LightGBM model is 94.2%, and the eigenvalue analysis shows that the available potassium (K) contributes the most to the nutrient status. The pH value of soil ranging from 6.1 to 7.8 is favorable for tobacco growth, and the contents of soil organic matter, total nitrogen (N), available phosphorus (P), exchangeable calcium (Ca) and exchangeable magnesium (Mg) are at the appropriate level. Available potassium (K) and available zinc (Zn) are at a high level, but available boron (B) is slightly insufficient. The nutrient status of 10% of soil is at an extremely high level, and about 81.03% of soil is medium level or above. The LightGBM model has high reliability in the automatic evaluation of soil nutrient status, which not only can accurately monitor the soil nutrient status but also reflects the correlation and importance of nutrient factors. Therefore, the LightGBM model is significant for guiding soil cultivation and agricultural production. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The sustainability of woody crop agroecosystems requires continued improvements to water, nutrient and soil management. In this work, the combination of resource availability or fertigation dose with soil management practices was tested in a 2 × 2 factorial design in a drip irrigated young almond orchard. The fertigation doses were: the farmer supply at 60% of crop evapotranspiration and full nutrient requirements and the half-farmer supply at 30% of crop evapotranspiration and half nutrient requirements. The soil management practices were: bare soil and cover crops in the inter-row (mixture of grasses and legumes). Tree growth, yield, water and nutrient status, and cover crop biomass and nutrient status were determined, as well as inter-row soil C and N concentration. Results showed that the effect of resource availability was independent of soil management and vice versa. The half farmer treatment reduced tree vegetative growth and yield compared to farmer treatment, due to a negative effect on the water status, without observing a decrease in the concentration of nutrients in leaves or fruit. Trees with cover crop also reduced growth and yield compared to bare soil management. This was due to a nutritional competition, mainly of Ca, Fe, Mn and Zn, rather than to a decline in tree water status. Cover crops sequester up to 1 t/ha/year of carbon but do not increase soil organic carbon, nor soil total nitrogen. Cover crops proved to be efficient in reducing soil nitrate concentration in the topsoil and therefore has potential to prevent its leaching. Deficit fertigation and the use of cover crops can be effective practices to preserve and save water and nutrient resources in Mediterranean agroecosystems, but should be established with caution so as not to compromise the profitability of the orchard. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

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The current investigation was executed at in a private the Orchard, located at El-Badary district, Assiut Governorate, Egypt, to study the effect of organic and bio-form fertilizers on vegetative growth, nutrient status and fruiting of Manfalouty pomegranate trees during 2019 and 2020 seasons. The experiment was arranged in a complete randomized block design with five replications and it consisted of five treatments. The results can be summarized as follow: Using the recommended dose of nitrogen (RND) via thrice form (mineral plus organic and bio-form) significantly increased the shoot length compared to use RND via mineral-N fertilizer (check treatment). All fertilization treatments significantly increased leaf area, chlorophyll and contents of N, P and K in leaves compared to check treatment. The fertilization treatments significantly increased the yield/tree and significantly decreased the fruit splitting and sunburn percentage compared to use mineral-N source only. Fertilization with any twice form (organic plus mineral)or thrice form (organic + bio + mineral) significantly improved the fruit properties by increasing the fruit weight, arils percentage and total soluble solids as well as sugar, anthocyanin and vitamin C contents and decreasing the total acidity compared to using the check treatment. It is clear from the current results the importance of fertilization through organic and bio-form for pomegranates productivity, via improve the fruit quality which reflects on induce the increase packable yield. In addition, such fertilization treatments reduce the cost of production and environmental pollution. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The rapid growth of product sectors for plant-based meat and dairy alternatives has raised significant scientific interest in their nutritional and ecological benefits. Here, it outlines the fractionation of plant-based raw materials and describes the technologies applied in the production of meat and dairy substitutes. Moreover, the study describes the effects of these new products on human nutrient supply and metabolic responses. Examples of meat-like products produced by extrusion technology and dairy alternatives are provided, addressing production challenges and the effects of processing on nutrient digestibility and bioavailability. In contrast to animal-based products, plant-based protein ingredients can contain many compounds produced by plants for defense or symbiotic interactions, such as lectins, phytates, and a wide range of secondary metabolites. The intake of these compounds as part of a plant-based diet can influence the digestion, bioaccessibility, and bioavailability of essential nutrients such as minerals and trace elements but also of amino acids. This is a critical factor, especially in regions with limited plant species for human consumption and inadequate technologies to eliminate these compounds. To fully understand these impacts and ensure that plant-based diets meet human nutritional needs, well-controlled human studies are needed., (© 2024 The Author(s). Molecular Nutrition & Food Research published by Wiley‐VCH GmbH.)

We evaluated the biomass of the algae with luxury P uptake (LPU) and mixotrophy in the periphyton in a shallow reservoir mesotrophic. We analyzed the relationship between the two adaptive strategies and light and P availability in the environment and periphyton TP content. Water and periphyton on artificial and natural substrates were sampled in different macrophyte stands in dry and rainy periods. Algae with LPU and mixotrophy represented a large part of total biomass and density, respectively. P was a significant predictor of changes in biomass of the algae with LPU and mixotrophy on artificial substrate. For natural substrate, light was a significant predictor for algal biomass in the periphyton. We found a negative relationship between the biomass of algae with LPU and mixotrophy and TP concentration and light. Biomass of algae with both strategies tended to decrease with the increase in TP content in the periphyton. Algae with LPU and mixotrophy had growth success in periods of high shading and low P and both were associated with the P-limiting condition. In conclusion, algae with LPU and mixotrophy can contribute to the storage of the P in the periphyton. Changes in the proportion of autotrophic and mixotrophic algae in the periphyton can affect the potential for removal and retention of P of the community in lakes and shallow reservoirs. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]