Food and Energy Security最新文献

Iron (Fe) is an essential micronutrient for plant photosynthesis and human health. Pear represents a widely consumed fruit for human Fe intake, yet its yield and quality are frequently challenged by Fe deficiency (FD) stress. Despite the prevalence of FD stress in agricultural production under generally alkaline and calcareous conditions, pear plants implement a series of adaptive responses to maintain Fe homeostasis, which remains poorly understood. In this study, key time points for RNA-seq analysis were determined by examining FD-related physiological indicators in pear seedlings (Pyrus betulaefolia) under short-term FD stress. The results revealed that FD stress enhanced root rhizosphere acidification (peaking at 24 h post-treatment) and caused a gradual decrease in leaf SPAD value and Fe content, while no obvious aboveground chlorosis phenotype was observed. By comparing RNA-seq data of root samples at 3, 6, 12, and 24 h post-FD stress with the control (0 h), a total of 8369 differentially expressed genes (DEGs) were generated, and 1423 DEGs were identified throughout the stress period. Functional annotation indicated that DEGs were enriched in transcriptional regulation, signal transduction, and secondary metabolism, while KEGG enrichment implied that DEGs are involved in sugar, proline, γ-aminobutyric acid (GABA), galactose, raffinose, and polyamines metabolism, as well as hormone signaling. In addition, 18 PbHAs, 18 PbFROs, and 19 PbIRTs were identified, where Chr13.g22071 (PbHA), Chr7.g31823 (PbFRO), and Chr11.g10287 and Chr11.g10606 (PbIRTs) may be responsible for Fe homeostasis in FD-stressed pear plants. Moreover, 490 transcription factors (TFs) were screened from the DEGs, with ERF, MYB, WRKY, bHLH, and NAC TFs accounting for the majority. Notably, 21 from 36 bHLHs were FD-induced, among which Chr3.g19682, Chr5.g08031, Chr2.g44023, and Chr8.g558833 might be the core FD regulators. Furthermore, based on the results of the gene coexpression analysis, an intricate regulatory network showing synergistic or antagonistic interactions between these TFs and core Fe uptake-related genes has been established. Overall, this study identifies prospective genes for maintaining Fe homeostasis under FD stress, offering a theoretical foundation for further research into the molecular mechanisms of pear adaptation to FD stress, and potentially guiding the development of FD-tolerant pear varieties.

Bangladesh is highly exposed to recurrent covariate and idiosyncratic shocks that pose persistent threats to household food security. This study examines whether agricultural production diversity and market participation can mitigate the adverse effects of such shocks on food security. Using nationally representative data from the Household Income and Expenditure Survey (HIES) 2022 and applying Partial Least Squares Path Modeling (PLS-PM), the analysis captures both direct and mediated pathways linking shocks, livelihood responses, and food insecurity. Descriptive results show that floods and waterlogging are the most prevalent covariate shocks, while illness, job loss, and income reductions constitute the dominant idiosyncratic shocks. Food insecurity remains widespread, with only 43% of households food secure and 24% experiencing severe food insecurity. Structural path estimates indicate that covariate shocks significantly worsen household food security, while simultaneously inducing greater agricultural production diversification and increased market participation. Agricultural production diversity strongly promotes market participation and independently reduces food insecurity, while market participation also exerts a direct food-security-enhancing effect. Mediation analysis reveals that diversification and market participation partially absorb the negative impacts of covariate and combined shocks on food security; however, these strategies are insufficient to fully offset the overall adverse effects of shocks. Idiosyncratic shocks show limited and statistically insignificant mediated effects. Overall, the findings highlight that while agricultural diversification and market participation enhance household resilience, covariate shocks remain the primary drivers of food insecurity in Bangladesh. Strengthening diversified production systems alongside efficient and inclusive market access is therefore critical for reducing food insecurity in shock-prone contexts.

This study advances a novel, multidimensional approach to quantifying agricultural resilience to climate shocks by integrating economic, calories, and risk-based indicators. To accomplish this, resilience is defined in terms of the failure–recovery dynamics of net cash farm income (NCFI) and daily calorie intake. In addition, farmers' resilience is further evaluated by incorporating their risk preferences through certainty equivalents (CE). An integrated modeling framework, combining a crop model with a whole-farm system model, is utilized to simulate crop yield outcomes under three climate regimes: dry, normal, and wet. Then, the whole-farm system model is used to evaluate the impacts on households of eight agricultural practice interventions, which are defined by three plant densities and three planting dates. The analysis is conducted across four economic classes of farmers: very poor, poor, middle, and rich in Senegal's Groundnut Basin. Resilience is evaluated using a recovery-based framework that models disruption duration and treats the recovery period as a decision variable to be optimized. Risk is incorporated through a tool that compares alternative practices across different levels of risk aversion. Results demonstrate that while wealthier farmers often have higher incomes, they can exhibit lower resilience in calorie intake under shocks due to their higher baseline needs. Calorie deficiencies persist across all economic classes and climate scenarios. Notably, alternative practices improve resilience across districts, particularly in Thiès, where farmers demonstrate higher levels of recovery and higher CE values. This study presents a comprehensive resilience evaluation framework that provides robust guidance for policy decisions on climate-resilient farming interventions, adaptable to diverse agroecological and socioeconomic contexts.

This study advances a novel, multidimensional approach to quantifying agricultural resilience to climate shocks by integrating economic, calories, and risk-based indicators. To accomplish this, resilience is defined in terms of the failure–recovery dynamics of net cash farm income (NCFI) and daily calorie intake. In addition, farmers' resilience is further evaluated by incorporating their risk preferences through certainty equivalents (CE). An integrated modeling framework, combining a crop model with a whole-farm system model, is utilized to simulate crop yield outcomes under three climate regimes: dry, normal, and wet. Then, the whole-farm system model is used to evaluate the impacts on households of eight agricultural practice interventions, which are defined by three plant densities and three planting dates. The analysis is conducted across four economic classes of farmers: very poor, poor, middle, and rich in Senegal's Groundnut Basin. Resilience is evaluated using a recovery-based framework that models disruption duration and treats the recovery period as a decision variable to be optimized. Risk is incorporated through a tool that compares alternative practices across different levels of risk aversion. Results demonstrate that while wealthier farmers often have higher incomes, they can exhibit lower resilience in calorie intake under shocks due to their higher baseline needs. Calorie deficiencies persist across all economic classes and climate scenarios. Notably, alternative practices improve resilience across districts, particularly in Thiès, where farmers demonstrate higher levels of recovery and higher CE values. This study presents a comprehensive resilience evaluation framework that provides robust guidance for policy decisions on climate-resilient farming interventions, adaptable to diverse agroecological and socioeconomic contexts.

This study investigates the combined effect of insecurity-related shocks and livestock sales on the food security of rural households in Burkina Faso. Using data from 3855 households collected through the 2023 National Integrated Food Security and Nutrition Survey, the analysis employs an ordered probit model alongside instrumental variable approach. The findings indicate that insecurity shocks significantly increase the likelihood of selling small or young livestock. While this strategy improves food security for the most vulnerable households, it fails to preserve the fragile balance of marginal food security. The results also show that literacy and access to public transportation are positively associated with the likelihood of choosing this strategy. Additionally, current food consumption status among rural households is influenced by gender, literacy, and mobile phone ownership. Results suggest that resilience and food security in regions affected by terrorist violence depend on policy interventions that promote restocking, enhance transport access, and deliver tailored, gender-responsive support. Crucially, these interventions must prevent the over-selling of young animals to safeguard herd renewal and long-term resilience.

Agri-photovoltaic (Agri-PV) systems integrate agricultural production with solar energy generation on the same land, offering a promising response to the dual global challenges of food security and renewable energy expansion under increasing land constraints. This review critically synthesizes current scientific evidence on the environmental, agricultural, and socio-economic impacts of Agri-PV systems, with particular emphasis on their implications for local ecosystems and sustainable land use. Using a systematic review approach, we examine how different Agri-PV configurations influence soil health, water use efficiency, microclimate regulation, biodiversity, and crop productivity across diverse climatic and geographic contexts. The evidence indicates that well-designed Agri-PV systems can enhance soil moisture retention, moderate extreme temperatures, and improve water-use efficiency, thereby strengthening agricultural resilience, particularly in arid and semi-arid environments. However, outcomes are highly context-dependent, with potential trade-offs arising from excessive shading, altered hydrology, soil compaction during installation, and ecological disturbances if systems are poorly planned or managed. Case studies from Asia, Europe, and Africa demonstrate that participatory design, adaptive system configurations, and supportive governance frameworks are critical for balancing food production and energy generation objectives. The review further evaluates the contribution of Agri-PV systems to multiple United Nations Sustainable Development Goals, notably SDG 2 (Zero Hunger), SDG 7 (Affordable and Clean Energy), SDG 13 (Climate Action), and SDG 15 (Life on Land), highlighting both synergies and potential conflicts. Key mitigation and policy strategies are identified to safeguard long-term environmental integrity and promote equitable adoption. Overall, Agri-PV systems emerge as a viable component of integrated food–energy–land strategies, provided that deployment is guided by context-sensitive design, inclusive governance, and evidence-based policy frameworks.

Agri-photovoltaic (Agri-PV) systems integrate agricultural production with solar energy generation on the same land, offering a promising response to the dual global challenges of food security and renewable energy expansion under increasing land constraints. This review critically synthesizes current scientific evidence on the environmental, agricultural, and socio-economic impacts of Agri-PV systems, with particular emphasis on their implications for local ecosystems and sustainable land use. Using a systematic review approach, we examine how different Agri-PV configurations influence soil health, water use efficiency, microclimate regulation, biodiversity, and crop productivity across diverse climatic and geographic contexts. The evidence indicates that well-designed Agri-PV systems can enhance soil moisture retention, moderate extreme temperatures, and improve water-use efficiency, thereby strengthening agricultural resilience, particularly in arid and semi-arid environments. However, outcomes are highly context-dependent, with potential trade-offs arising from excessive shading, altered hydrology, soil compaction during installation, and ecological disturbances if systems are poorly planned or managed. Case studies from Asia, Europe, and Africa demonstrate that participatory design, adaptive system configurations, and supportive governance frameworks are critical for balancing food production and energy generation objectives. The review further evaluates the contribution of Agri-PV systems to multiple United Nations Sustainable Development Goals, notably SDG 2 (Zero Hunger), SDG 7 (Affordable and Clean Energy), SDG 13 (Climate Action), and SDG 15 (Life on Land), highlighting both synergies and potential conflicts. Key mitigation and policy strategies are identified to safeguard long-term environmental integrity and promote equitable adoption. Overall, Agri-PV systems emerge as a viable component of integrated food–energy–land strategies, provided that deployment is guided by context-sensitive design, inclusive governance, and evidence-based policy frameworks.

Hybrid fixation is an emerging breeding tool that eliminates the need to purchase costly hybrid seeds on an annual basis. However, this technique is limited to Arabidopsis, rice, and soybean with a severe issue of seed setting. Seed setting rate is affected due to targeting of cell division-related genes and an increase in ploidy in each successive generation. These types of issues can be sorted out by identifying self-haploid indication lines. Egg cell-specific endopeptidases (ECS) play a role during gamete fusion/fertilization by avoiding polytuby and along with gamete fusion work as a haploid inducer in many crops. Here, we knock out BnECS1, BnECS2, and both together in Brassica napus (B. napus) by using the clustered regularly interspaced short palindromic repeats (CRISPR-Cas9) gene editing system. Mutant population causes maternal/self-haploid induction in B. napus. Self-haploid induction will play a significant role in hybrid fixation, allowing hybrid plants to maintain their ploidy level without requiring additional hybridization with other haploid induction lines. Hence, our study provides a baseline for the development of hybrid fix plants in B. napus without an increase of ploidy in each successive generation.

Plants are often attacked by multiple herbivores. Most studies on plant–herbivore interactions focus on pairwise comparisons, examining one or two herbivores attacking a single species, or a single herbivore attacking multiple species. Although sequential herbivory is prevalent, there has been limited investigation on plant and herbivore response to sequential attacks, especially in soybean (Glycine max, L.). To examine this, we imposed sequential and intermittent herbivory with two herbivores—fall armyworm, Spodoptera frugiperda (FAW), and soybean looper, Chrysodeixis includens (SL)—on two soybean varieties, “Magellan” and “Black Hawk”. A comprehensive evaluation of plant growth, physiology, and fitness traits, alongside herbivore growth and development, was conducted. No significant effects of the sequential attacks were observed on soybean growth traits. However, after the first attack, physiological traits were upregulated but remained unchanged post sequential herbivory. FAW exhibited higher mass gain compared to SL during the first herbivory. In sequential attacks, FAW that fed on SL-primed plants gained more mass, whereas both herbivores that fed on FAW-primed plants gained the least. The frass weight and the number of frass pellets collected from FAW were also higher in both the first and sequential attacks compared to SL. However, yield and fitness were unaffected by sequential herbivory by either FAW or SL. Taken together, these findings suggest that FAW, although a minor but polyphagous pest, was able to feed more and induce higher defenses compared to SL, a major pest of the crop with limited host range. More importantly, we show that sequential and intermittent herbivory has differential effects on host and herbivore traits, but not on yield, suggesting tolerance—an area that should be explored further.

Rice blast is the most significant disease affecting rice production, causing substantial yield loss and quality degradation. Previous studies have focused primarily on the genetic basis of pathogen resistance in rice. Recent studies have revealed the immune response mechanisms induced by pathogen-associated molecular patterns in the pathogen-host system, as well as the immune responses induced by effector proteins of the pathogen. This review summarizes recent advancements in the mechanisms by which rice blast effectors alter host cell structures or functions and interfere with rice immunity, and the molecular mechanisms through which rice blast resistance genes regulate rice resistance. This article explores the urgent problems that need to be solved in the field of molecular breeding research on rice resistance to rice blast and proposes a research concept for systematically mining the rice antagonistic genes corresponding to the virulence genes of the rice blast fungus, constructing new rice varieties with precise disease resistance, and thereby effectively reducing the harmful effects of rice blast on rice production.