Food and Energy Security最新文献

The tuberous roots of Ophiopogon japonicus are well-known Chinese traditional herbal medicine. However, as a byproduct, the fibrous roots of O. japonicus (FROJ) are discarded during the production process, resulting in a waste of resources. Existing studies have demonstrated that the FROJ serves as an important resource for functional food and pharmaceutical applications. However, the application effects of FROJ as a feed resource in livestock remain unclear. This study aimed to evaluate the effects of FROJ on in vitro ruminal fermentation, antioxidant capacity, and microbial communities in yaks. The results showed that dietary FROJ significantly increased the total volatile fatty acids (VFAs), the proportion of acetic acid, and propionic acid compared to the hay group. Furthermore, dietary FROJ significantly reduced the yak's rumen malondialdehyde (MDA) content and significantly increased superoxide dismutase (SOD) and glutathione peroxidase (GSH-Px) activity in the rumen fluid. It also significantly increased the relative abundance of Firmicutes, Actinobacteriota, and unclassified_Lachnospiraceae, as well as the Firmicutes to Bacteroidetes ratio in yak rumen. Spearman's correlation analysis of the microbiota, rumen fermentation parameters, and antioxidant capacity revealed positive and negative regulatory mechanisms. In conclusion, dietary FROJ can improve ruminal fermentation and antioxidant capacity in yaks, and this improvement may be associated with an increase in potentially beneficial microbiota. Our findings indicate that the FROJ can be utilized as a feed supplement for ruminants, serving to enhance their immune responses and alleviate the resource wastage.

The development of sustainable agricultural practices in Karst regions faces significant challenges due to inherent soil limitations and complex terrain characteristics. This study investigated the effects of biochar-based fertilizers on soil properties and fruit quality of chestnut rose (Rosa roxburghii) in Southwest China's Karst region. Three biochar types derived from R. roxburghii pomace (RPB), discarded mushroom substrate (DMB), and chili straw (CSB) were evaluated at five application rates in combination with conventional fertilizers (with nitrogen, phosphorus, and potassium). Results revealed that the RPB4 treatment (70% biochar) significantly enhanced soil moisture content (61.37%), organic matter content (22.73%), and available nitrogen (22.74%) compared to controls. Fruit quality parameters showed significant improvements under optimal biochar treatments, with vitamin C content increasing by 67.94% (DMB4), total flavonoids by 120.06% (RPB4), and soluble sugars by 148.69% (RPB4). Structural equation modeling revealed significant direct effects of biochar application on soil water content (Standardized path coefficient = 0.60) and pH (0.80). Principal component analysis identified RPB4 as the optimal treatment combination, explaining 69.328% of total variance in soil and fruit properties. These findings provide quantitative evidence for the efficacy of biochar-based fertilizers in improving both soil quality and fruit characteristics in Karst agricultural systems, while establishing optimal application rates for sustainable orchard management.

This study examines the impact mechanism and dynamic changes in how reports on the discharge of nuclear-contaminated water in Japan affect Chinese consumers' willingness to purchase seafood. An extended theoretical model is innovatively constructed by integrating the variables of media involvement and risk perception, based on the Theory of Planned Behavior (TPB). A longitudinal research design was employed, utilizing a mixed-method approach that combines Structural Equation Modeling (SEM) and Fuzzy-set Qualitative Comparative Analysis (fsQCA). The SEM results indicate that the influence of media involvement on risk perception significantly weakens over time. The relationship between risk perception and attitude shifts from negative to positive, while the impact of subjective norms on purchase intention strengthens over time. The fsQCA results reveal diverse antecedent configurations affecting purchase intention at different periods, highlighting the nonlinearity and complexity of consumer decision-making. This study provides new insights into understanding the dynamic evolution of consumer behavior in response to public emergencies, while also expanding the applicability of the TPB in this context. The findings have important practical implications for government crisis communication strategies and corporate marketing strategies.

This study investigated how nitrogen (N) fertilization influences rice grain quality and seed endophytic microbial communities, a topic of growing importance because of the critical role of N management in balancing crop productivity and nutritional attributes. Four N treatments were applied: no N (N0), low N (N1), normal N (N2), and high N (N3). The results showed that increasing N application significantly elevated amino acid and protein contents but reduced taste values. Microbial community structure was highly responsive to N levels, with Proteobacteria and Ascomycota as the dominant phyla. High N treatment notably enriched Mucoromycota, which correlated positively with amino acids and protein and negatively with taste. Co-occurrence network analysis revealed that high N increased microbial OTUs (64 bacterial and 50 fungal) and interactions, enhancing ecological network stability. Functional predictions suggested that N indirectly affects grain quality by modulating microbial metabolic processes such as heterotrophy. These findings demonstrate that N fertilization reshapes the seed microbiome, thereby influencing rice nutritional and sensory quality, and provide insights for optimizing N management to improve rice quality.

Annually, coffee results in the emission of at least 90 million tons of CO₂-equivalents. Here we provide a brief overview of the coffee export preparation process, with a focus on key sources of carbon emissions linked to production and transportation. We then present a road map that has the potential to significantly reduce the climate impact of coffee. We focus on the decarbonization of logistics and the production of biochar and other organic fertilizers from waste biomass. Together, these strategies could neutralize almost 3 million tons of CO₂-equivalents annually. Finally, this analysis highlights current knowledge gaps and areas where further mitigation of greenhouse gases might be possible.

Food and nutrition insecurity remains a pressing challenge in many emerging economies. This study examines the heterogeneous impacts of greenhouse farming (GHF) on household food insecurity, dietary diversity, and food consumption in Ghana. Using survey data from 400 vegetable-producing households and applying marginal and policy-relevant treatment effect (MTE and PRTE) models, the analysis reveals significant heterogeneity in gains from GHF, shaped by both observable and unobservable household characteristics. Overall, GHF adoption is associated with increased dietary diversity and food consumption, as well as reduced food insecurity. The PRTE estimates indicate that improving farmers' access to produce markets could raise household dietary diversity and food consumption by 42% and 41%, respectively, while lowering food insecurity by 25%. By quantifying both the heterogeneous impacts of GHF and the role of market access, this study provides new evidence on how climate-smart agricultural technologies can enhance household nutrition and food security in sub-Saharan Africa.

Kaya, C., and F. Uğurlar 2024. “Glutathione-Induced Hydrogen Sulfide Enhances Drought Tolerance in Sweet Pepper (Capsicum annuum L.).” Food and Energy Security 13: e559. https://doi.org/10.1002/fes3.559.

In the published version of the above article, the authors noticed an error in Figure 1b,c. The incorrect version of Figure 1b,c was inadvertently included. The corrected version of Figure 1b,c are provided below.

In Section 3.1, “Impact of GSH on visual symptoms and canopy temperature under water stress,” the reported canopy temperature values were inconsistent with the corrected Figure 1c. To show the minor nature of the correction, both the original and corrected sentences are provided:

Original sentence:

“In particular, the foliar temperatures of the water-stressed plants rose from 30.7°C to 34.6°C. GSH application alone or combined with NaHS reduced the canopy temperature to 32.4 and 31.7°C, respectively. However, when HT pre-treatment was combined with GSH, it led to an increase in canopy temperature to 34.1°C, while the application of NaHS in conjunction with GSH + HT nullified the effect of HT, resulting in a reduction of canopy temperature to 32.6°C.”

Corrected sentence:

“In particular, the foliar temperatures of the water-stressed plants rose from 29.2°C to 33.1°C. GSH application alone or combined with NaHS reduced the canopy temperature to 30.7°C and 29.7°C, respectively. However, when HT pre-treatment was combined with GSH, it led to an increase in canopy temperature to 33.5°C, while the application of NaHS in conjunction with GSH + HT nullified the effect of HT, resulting in a reduction of canopy temperature to 30.5°C.”

These corrections do not affect the results, interpretations, or conclusions presented in the article.

We apologize for this error.

Qiao G., F. Chen, C. Xu, Y. Li, D. Zhang. 2024. Study With Agricultural System Resilience and Agro-Ecological Efficiency Synergistic Evolutionary in China. Food and Energy Security. 13: e514. https://doi.org/10.1002/fes3.514.

In the published version of the above article, the author would like to make the following changes.

In the interpretation of Equation (11) in the last paragraph of Section 3.2.1 ‘Sequential Parameter Judgement’ on page 10, the conversion of the raw d-value to the analysed d-value is not explicitly stated.

The raw d-value output from Equation (11) is a value within the range of value domain [0, +∞), and the smaller its value characterises the higher degree of system synergy. The subsequent empirical analysis is actually used by the forward normalisation of the d-value, which has been converted to the value of the value domain (0, 1], when the larger the value indicates a higher degree of synergy.

On page 10 of 19, the last paragraph of Section 3.2.1, the text ‘Where d is the synergy value, a large value of indicates a low level of synergy, while the opposite is a high level of synergy. The value of d is then forwarded to obtain the synergy score of the composite system of agricultural resilience and eco-efficiency in China from 2001 to 2020’. was inadequate. This should have read:

‘Where d represents the synergy value, the larger the d value output by Equation (11), the lower the degree of synergy. The original d value theoretically has no upper bound and the value domain is [0, +∞). In order to facilitate the analysis, it is assumed that d_max and d_min as the maximum and minimum values of the observed samples, based on the data characteristics of the output value of Equation (11), the paper uses (d_max × 1.05 − d)/(d_max × 1.05 − d_min × 0.95) for the forward normalisation. The raw d value directly output from Equation (11) was converted into a positive value in the interval of value domain (0, 1] to evaluate the synergy score of the composite system of agricultural resilience and eco-efficiency in China from 2001 to 2020. The analyses of the subsequent studies were based on the d-values after treatment with the forward normalisation method’.

We apologise for this omission and any misunderstanding.

Invasive species represent a growing threat to global food security and biodiversity. Integrating species distribution modeling with economic impact assessment enables the development of targeted, evidence-based strategies to mitigate these threats. In this study, we estimate global habitat suitability and associated economic risks posed by the invasive fall armyworm (Spodoptera frugiperda) to key crops in Brazil. Habitat suitability was modeled under Shared Socioeconomic Pathways (SSPs 245, 370, and 585) across three future timeframes (2030s, 2050s, and 2070s). The results indicate a consistent expansion of climatically suitable areas for S. frugiperda through the 2070s under all scenarios. The most important environmental variables shaping its distribution were the precipitation of the wettest quarter, mean temperature of the warmest quarter, elevation, and isothermality. Our economic risk mapping in Brazil identified soybean and corn production areas as the most vulnerable to S. frugiperda infestation, reflecting their extensive cultivation in regions with high climate suitability for S. frugiperda. These findings provide critical insights for developing adaptive strategies to reduce the future impact of S. frugiperda on agricultural productivity and food security.

Farmer-based organizations (FBOs) play a crucial role in knowledge exchange, capacity building, resource access, and advocacy, thereby contributing to the well-being of smallholder farmers. Existing evidence on the welfare outcomes of FBO participation has largely focused on conventional measures such as income, crop yield, and resource management. However, farmer well-being is multidimensional, encompassing not only economic outcomes but also resilience and social inclusion. This study addresses this gap by incorporating broader welfare indicators—food security, credit access, and livelihood diversification—to capture the full benefits of FBO participation. The study is based on primary survey data collected from 500 smallholder farming households in Punjab, Pakistan, collected via systematic random sampling to test the posited aims. The research employs propensity score matching (PSM) and inverse probability weighted regression adjustment (IPWRA) to estimate the welfare effects of FBO participation. Logit estimates from the PSM model highlight the importance of extension access, peer influence, and tenure security in shaping farmers' decisions to join FBOs. Results from both PSM and IPWRA models consistently show that FBO membership yields significant welfare gains. Specifically, participation improves the Food Consumption Score, promotes livelihood diversification, and enhances access to credit. The findings demonstrate the potential of structured collective action to foster multidimensional rural development. Strengthening and supporting FBOs should therefore be a priority for governments and development agencies as a means to enhance food security, improve financial inclusion, and diversify rural livelihoods, ultimately building resilience and reducing vulnerability among farming households.