ACS agricultural science & technology最新文献

Traditional pest management strategies, such as indiscriminate pesticide use, have adverse environmental and human health implications. As a sustainable alternative, this research focuses on employing nanosensors for the detection of semiochemicals, including pheromones and defensive compounds, released by stink bugs. These nanosensors feature a nanohybrid layer of polyaniline and silver (PANI.Ag) and a nanocomposite of polyaniline and graphene oxide (PANI/GO). The study explores the detection of synthetic semiochemicals, including cis and trans bisabolene epoxides, (E)-2-hexanal, (E)-2-decenal, (E)-2-octenyl acetate, and (E)-2-octenal semiochemicals emitted by Nezara viridula (Southern green stink bug) in the real environment. The sensing layer characterization showed differences in hydrophilicity and surface roughness between the PANI.Ag and PANI/GO layers. When exposed to synthetic compounds like cis and trans bisabolene epoxides, (E)-2-hexanal, and (E)-2-decenal, the nanosensors demonstrated distinct responses, with PANI/GO exhibiting higher sensitivity. The resonance frequency shifts correlated with the concentration of the compounds, underscoring the potential of these sensors in detecting low concentrations with limits of detection (LOD) and quantification (LOQ) lower than 0.44 and 1.15 ng/mL, respectively. Real environment testing with soybean plants indicated that the nanosensors effectively detected semiochemicals emitted by N. viridula adults, especially in the presence of male–female couples, underscoring their potential for agricultural pest monitoring. The findings support the use of these nanosensors for the early detection of pest activity, offering a proactive approach to integrated pest management.

Botrytis gray mold (BGM) caused by Botrytis cinerea or B. fabae is a destructive foliar fungal disease of temperate legumes such as chickpea, lentil, and fava bean. With little to no robust host resistance, fast, accurate, and quantifiable diagnosis would help to prevent disease establishment and costly overspraying. For this, gold nanoparticle-based PCR-free assays, comprising inexpensive, portable screen-printed carbon electrodes (SPCEs) and species-specific biotinylated capture probes, were developed to detect, discriminate, and quantify the causal organisms. Initially, probe specificities and sensitivities were determined (100 fg/μL ∼2 genome copies/μL) in pure fungal backgrounds using multiplexed quantitative PCR, detecting as few as 100 spores on artificially infected legume leaves. Subsequently, electrocatalytic (EC) assays were developed using functionalized magnetic nanoparticles and assessed on three lentil cultivars under quasi-field conditions. Using biotinylated capture probes, the charge densities were correlated with pathogen quantity. The limits of detection (LOD) were 10 fg for both species, 10 times more sensitive than qPCR and able to detect a single spore in a plant background. The new diagnostic tools were subsequently validated on naturally infected field material and offer substantial advances for application in advanced informed BGM management.

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.

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.