ACS agricultural science & technology最新文献

The application of the nanomaterial “graphene oxide (GO)” in agriculture holds promise for enhancing crop production, potentially addressing global food scarcity. However, experimental findings on GO’s impact on plants have been inconsistent, and our understanding of its long-term effects, impact on yield, and general efficacy remains limited. To address these gaps, we administered GO to rice plants over a period exceeding 80 days and assessed its influence on the final biomass production and grain yield through a two-year experiment. Our results clearly showed that while the positive effects of short-term GO treatments were not detected, the long-term treatment of 20 mg/L GO increased both the final biomass production and grain yield. As no significant interactions between treatment and the year were detected, these outcomes are likely representative of the general effects on rice. Moreover, GO-treated plants exhibited GO coverage on root surfaces, and the presence of certain fertilizer components on the roots significantly increased with the addition of 20 mg/L GO. Therefore, our study suggests that the addition of 20 mg/L GO during the term from transplanting to harvesting promotes the accumulation of fertilizer components around the root, thereby enhancing the final biomass production and grain yield of rice.

The integrity of extra virgin olive oil (EVOO) quality markers can be compromised owing to deceptive marketing practices, such as misleading geographical origin claims or counterfeit certification labels, i.e., protected designations of origin (PDO). Therefore, it is imperative to introduce ecofriendly, rapid, and economical analytical methods for authenticating EVOO, such as near-infrared (NIR) spectroscopy. Unlike traditional techniques such as chromatography, NIR spectra contain unresolved bands; hence, chemometric tools such as principal component analysis (PCA) are essential for extracting valuable information from them. Herein, PCA was employed to reduce the high dimensionality of the NIR spectra. The PCA factors were then integrated as explanatory variables in machine-learning classification models, enabling the classification of EVOO based on its geographical origin or PDO. Furthermore, the classification models were improved by incorporating agro-climatic data, resulting in a noticeable improvement in the accuracy and reliability of the results. These results were cross-validated by changing the calibration and validation subsamples in successive iterations and averaging the obtained ratios. The results were robust when the olive varieties differed. Consequently, our findings highlight the potential benefits of incorporating agro-climatic information with NIR spectral data in classification models.

Push-pull technology refers to a promising mixed cropping practice for sustainable agricultural intensification, which uses properties of intercrop and border crop species to defend a focal crop against pests. Currently, the most widely practiced system uses Desmodium spp. as intercrop and Brachiaria or Napier grass as border crops to protect maize (Zea mays) against both insect pests and parasitic weeds. Several previous studies have demonstrated the efficacy of the push-pull system, but research on the underlying chemical mechanisms has mostly been limited to laboratory and glasshouse experiments that may not fully reproduce the complexity of the system under natural conditions. To address this limitation, we performed a large-scale study in farmer-operated push-pull maize fields in three east African countries. We compared maize leaf extracts from plants grown on push-pull fields with maize from fields employing conventional agricultural practices to assess the influence of push-pull cultivation on the maize metabolome. We identified two benzoxazinoid glycosides, which are known to have antiherbivore properties and were present in greater relative abundance in push-pull-cultivated maize leaves across three countries. Our data thus suggest that maize cultivated under push-pull has an increased resistance to herbivore attack compared to maize grown under conventional local agricultural practices.

This study examines the effects of replacing Camellia sinensis tea with passion fruit juice (PF_KLB) and apple juice (A_KLB) on the resulting beverages’ physicochemical profile, bioactive composition, and sensory characteristics. PF_KLB exhibited higher total acidity and alcohol content and lower total soluble solids, total sugars, reducing sugars, and nonreducing sugar contents than conventional kombucha and A_KLB. Kombucha and A_KLB contained higher levels of total phenolics and flavonoids, and antioxidant activity than PF_KLB. The sensory evaluation indicated that PF_KLB was well-regarded for its aroma but received criticism for its taste, which was perceived as sour and bitter in contrast to the sweeter taste of kombucha and A_KLB. Acidity significantly affected alcohol production and influenced product acceptance in conjunction with sugar content. A_KLB is a promising probiotic alternative to kombucha due to its favorable sensory acceptance and the presence of bioactive substances.

Preplant soil disinfestation often relies on harmful soil fumigants; however, the efficacy of sustainable alternatives using biomass amendment fermentation is limited to tillage depths (0-15 cm). This soil column study evaluated whether increasing the irrigation frequency could promote anaerobic pest-suppressive conditions in deeper soils by leaching biocidal fermentation products (organic acids) from surface-applied amendments. Columns received either singular (standard) or weekly irrigation. Almond hulls, an agricultural byproduct, were either incorporated 0-15 cm into soil or applied as a surface mulch. Oxygen and organic acids were measured at 4-50 cm over 21 days, and the experiment was conducted in triplicate. Anaerobic conditions (3% O₂) were achieved after 5 days, corresponding to acetic acid accumulation below amended layers: maximum concentrations ranged from 42 to 93 mM at 19-50 cm depths. Additional irrigation further increased concentrations in the deepest layer (50 cm) by almost 50%, demonstrating that water management can enable strategies for depth-dependent soil pest control. This may be particularly valuable for soil disinfestation ahead of the establishment of deep-rooted crops.

Preplant soil disinfestation often relies on harmful soil fumigants; however, the efficacy of sustainable alternatives using biomass amendment fermentation is limited to tillage depths (0–15 cm). This soil column study evaluated whether increasing the irrigation frequency could promote anaerobic pest-suppressive conditions in deeper soils by leaching biocidal fermentation products (organic acids) from surface-applied amendments. Columns received either singular (standard) or weekly irrigation. Almond hulls, an agricultural byproduct, were either incorporated 0–15 cm into soil or applied as a surface mulch. Oxygen and organic acids were measured at 4–50 cm over 21 days, and the experiment was conducted in triplicate. Anaerobic conditions (3% O₂) were achieved after 5 days, corresponding to acetic acid accumulation below amended layers: maximum concentrations ranged from 42 to 93 mM at 19–50 cm depths. Additional irrigation further increased concentrations in the deepest layer (50 cm) by almost 50%, demonstrating that water management can enable strategies for depth-dependent soil pest control. This may be particularly valuable for soil disinfestation ahead of the establishment of deep-rooted crops.

Electrospun multilayer nanofiber matrices developed using β-cyclodextrin, poly(vinyl alcohol), and poly(lactic-co-glycolic) acid effectively encapsulated the hexanal biomolecule and facilitated its controlled release. The multilayer nanofiber matrices loaded with hexanal (overlay method) are characterized through scanning electron microscopy (171 nm), transmission electron microscopy (73 nm), Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (peak at 1716 cm^–1 corresponds to hexanal), X-ray diffraction (12.13 and 18.69°), and thermogravimetric analysis (340 °C). Fruits treated with hexanal-loaded multilayer nanofiber matrices by the overlay method recorded a lower loss in physiological weight, pH, total soluble solids, and total sugar content (17.61%, 5.15, 20.05° Brix, 17.32%, whereas in control 26.99%, 5.75, 23.08° Brix, and 21.34%, respectively, on 21st day of observation), and furthermore, the firmness, titratable acidity, and vitamin C (11.86 N/m, 0.54, and 8.53%) were higher than those of control (6.12 N/m, 0.38, and 5.09%, respectively). The shelf life of mango fruits (var. Alphonso) treated with multilayer nanofiber matrices was extended up to 23 days compared to that of the control fruits (12 days). Thus, the overall results suggested that multilayer nanofiber matrices effectively encapsulate hexanal and regulate its release slowly, which could be effectively used to enhance the physical and biochemical components and shelf life of fruits.

Pesticides can lose effectiveness and harm the environment due to factors like their chemical properties, weather conditions, and how they are applied. This can happen through drifting, bouncing, rolling, or leaching, which means the pesticide does not reach its target and pollutes the air, water, or soil. The pesticide controlled release system has good environmental responsiveness and can achieve precise quantitative release, which not only reduces the demand for pesticides in target crops and further improves pesticide utilization but also reduces the amount of pesticide residues in the soil and reduces the problem of environmental pollution. In addition, noncovalent interactions between pesticides and carriers play a significant role in pesticide controlled release systems. They can significantly improve the properties of pesticides, themselves, increase drug loading capacity, and enhance the stability of the system and the sensitivity of environmental stimulus-response. In this paper, the latest progress in constructing a pesticide controlled release system based on noncovalent interactions (hydrophobic interactions, hydrogen bonding interactions, electrostatic interactions, and supramolecular host–guest interactions) is summarized in detail, which provides a good foundation for developing an ideal pesticide controlled release system in the future.

Cattle slurry storage is a considerable source of pollutant emissions due to microbial degradation of its components and subsequent volatilization. These emissions are directly linked to losses of essential nutrients, which are consequently no longer available for further use (e.g., in biogas plants or for fertilization). Here, we present the correlation between the application of calcium cyanamide (CaCN₂) as an additive for efficient mitigation of emissions from cattle slurry storage and the conservation of nutrients. Three series of laboratory storage experiments were conducted using fresh cattle slurry with and without CaCN₂ under semiaerobic conditions at ambient temperature for 4 months each. Emission measurements and detailed mass balances, based on slurry analyses and weighing, revealed a considerable reduction in greenhouse gas emissions by 76.3% and concomitant preservation of fresh matter (34.9%), carbon (47.2%), and nitrogen (96.3%) upon facile additive application. Thus, CaCN₂ can enhance the value of cattle slurry despite prolonged storage.

Biochar effects on agricultural soils change over time as biochar ages. To better understand the long-term impacts of biochar application on climate change mitigation, the effect of biochar aging on nitrous oxide (N₂O) emissions has been widely investigated in field experiments. However, the underlying relationship of N₂O emissions with biochar properties, fertilization practices, soil properties, and weather conditions is poorly understood. We collected data from 30 peer-reviewed publications with 279 observations and used machine learning (ML) to model and explore critical factors affecting daily N₂O fluxes. We established and compared models constructed using neural networks (NN), support vector regression (SVR), random forest (RF), and extreme gradient boosting (XGB). We found that the gradient boosting regression (GBR) model was the optimal algorithm for predicting daily N₂O fluxes (R² > 0.90). The importance of factors driving daily N₂O fluxes is as follows: fertilization practices (44%) > weather conditions (30%) > soil properties (21%) > biochar properties (5%). In addition, the aging time of biochar, potassium application rate, soil clay fraction, and mean air temperature were critical factors affecting the daily N₂O fluxes. When biochar is initially applied, it can reduce N₂O emissions; however, it has no long-term effects in reducing N₂O emissions. The accurate prediction and insights from the ML model benefit the assessment of the long-term effects of biochar aging on N₂O emissions from agricultural soils.