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Cui J, Tian H, Qi Y, Hu X, Li S, Zhang W, Wei Z, Zhang M, Liu Z, Abolfathi S. Impact of microplastic residues from polyurethane films on crop growth: Unraveling insights through transcriptomics and metabolomics analysis. ECOTOXICOLOGY AND ENVIRONMENTAL SAFETY 2024; 283:116826. [PMID: 39106570 DOI: 10.1016/j.ecoenv.2024.116826] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/17/2024] [Revised: 06/08/2024] [Accepted: 07/30/2024] [Indexed: 08/09/2024]
Abstract
The utilisation of coated controlled-release fertilizers (CRFs) leads to the persistence of residual plastic films in agricultural soils, posing a potential threat to crop health. This study investigates the impacts of four residual films (0.39 %, w/w) derived from CRFs in soil, including petrochemical polyether, bio-based polyether, castor oil polyester, and wheat straw polyester polyurethane on wheat growth. This study found that PecPEUR significantly reduced wheat plant height, stem diameter, leaf area, and aboveground fresh weight by 24.8 %, 20.2 %, and 25.7 %. Through an in-depth exploration of transcriptomics and metabolomics, it has been discovered that all residual films disrupted glycolysis-related metabolic pathways in wheat roots, affecting seedling growth. Among them, PecPEUR significantly reduced the fresh weight of aboveground parts by 20.5 %. In contrast, polyester polyurethane residue had no discernible impact on aboveground wheat growth. This was attributed to the enrichment of wheat root genes in jasmonic acid and γ-aminobutyric acid metabolic pathways, thus mitigating oxidative stress, enhancing stress resistance, and ensuring normal plant growth. This study, for the first time, provides comprehensive insights into the effects of polyurethane film residue on wheat seedling growth, underscoring its potential as a promising alternative to conventional plastics in soil.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jing Cui
- National Engineering Research Center for Efficient Utilization of Soil and Fertilizer Resources, College of Recourses and Environment, Shandong Agricultural University, Taian, Shandong 271018, China
| | - Hongyu Tian
- National Engineering Research Center for Efficient Utilization of Soil and Fertilizer Resources, College of Recourses and Environment, Shandong Agricultural University, Taian, Shandong 271018, China
| | - Yingjie Qi
- Shandong (Linyi) Institute of Modern Agriculture, Zhejiang University, Linyi, Shandong 276041, China
| | - Xiaomin Hu
- National Engineering Research Center for Efficient Utilization of Soil and Fertilizer Resources, College of Recourses and Environment, Shandong Agricultural University, Taian, Shandong 271018, China
| | - Shuyue Li
- National Engineering Research Center for Efficient Utilization of Soil and Fertilizer Resources, College of Recourses and Environment, Shandong Agricultural University, Taian, Shandong 271018, China
| | - Wenrui Zhang
- National Engineering Research Center for Efficient Utilization of Soil and Fertilizer Resources, College of Recourses and Environment, Shandong Agricultural University, Taian, Shandong 271018, China
| | - Zhanbo Wei
- Engineering Laboratory for Green Fertilizers, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shenyang 110016, China
| | - Min Zhang
- National Engineering Research Center for Efficient Utilization of Soil and Fertilizer Resources, College of Recourses and Environment, Shandong Agricultural University, Taian, Shandong 271018, China
| | - Zhiguang Liu
- National Engineering Research Center for Efficient Utilization of Soil and Fertilizer Resources, College of Recourses and Environment, Shandong Agricultural University, Taian, Shandong 271018, China.
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Knez M, Ranić M, Gurinović M. Underutilized plants increase biodiversity, improve food and nutrition security, reduce malnutrition, and enhance human health and well-being. Let's put them back on the plate! Nutr Rev 2024; 82:1111-1124. [PMID: 37643733 PMCID: PMC11233877 DOI: 10.1093/nutrit/nuad103] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 08/31/2023] Open
Abstract
The global food system depends on a limited number of plant species. Plants with unsatisfactory nutritional value are overproduced, whereas the wide variety of nutrient-rich plant species used in earlier times remains neglected. Basing our diet on a few crops has wide-ranging negative consequences on nutrition and food security. Although still under-researched, underutilized plants are slowly starting to receive increased recognition. These plants have superior nutritional content and immense potential to contribute to food and nutrition security and increased sustainability. This narrative review provides evidence to encourage the promotion, domestication, and commercialization of underutilized plants. The anti-inflammatory, antidiabetic, and anticancer effects of some of underutilized plants are presented in this review. The outstanding ability of forgotten plants to increase food and nutrition security, boost dietary diversity, reduce malnutrition, and enhance human health and well-being is demonstrated. The main barriers and obstacles to reintroducing underutilized foods are reviewed and recommendations for overcoming nutrition and dietary-related challenges for re-establishing underutilized plants into the global food system are presented. The expansion of underutilized plants for human use is of paramount importance. The exceptional nutritional properties, bioactive potential, and proven health benefits of underutilized plants indicate that increased promotion, domestication, and commercialization of these plants should be strongly supported. Besides health benefits, marginalized plants have the potential to enhance human well-being and improve people's lives in many ways, retain biodiversity, and develop local economies. Therefore, underutilized plants should be used in the broader context of well-balanced and healthy diets.
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Affiliation(s)
- Marija Knez
- Centre of Research Excellence in Nutrition and Metabolism, Institute for Medical Research, National Institute of Republic of Serbia, University of Belgrade, Belgrade, Serbia
- Capacity Development Network in Nutrition in Central and Eastern Europe, Belgrade, Serbia
| | - Marija Ranić
- Centre of Research Excellence in Nutrition and Metabolism, Institute for Medical Research, National Institute of Republic of Serbia, University of Belgrade, Belgrade, Serbia
- Capacity Development Network in Nutrition in Central and Eastern Europe, Belgrade, Serbia
| | - Mirjana Gurinović
- Capacity Development Network in Nutrition in Central and Eastern Europe, Belgrade, Serbia
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3
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Hossain MS, Garcia Caparros P, Mühling KH. Editorial: Mineral nutrition and plant stress tolerance. FRONTIERS IN PLANT SCIENCE 2024; 15:1461651. [PMID: 39119494 PMCID: PMC11306120 DOI: 10.3389/fpls.2024.1461651] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/08/2024] [Accepted: 07/12/2024] [Indexed: 08/10/2024]
Affiliation(s)
- Md Sazzad Hossain
- Kiel University, Kiel, Germany
- Sylhet Agricultural University, Sylhet, Bangladesh
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Tlatlaa JS, Tryphone GM, Nassary EK. Impact of sowing date and level of phosphorus application on economic returns in cotton. FRONTIERS IN PLANT SCIENCE 2024; 15:1402731. [PMID: 38933458 PMCID: PMC11199725 DOI: 10.3389/fpls.2024.1402731] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/18/2024] [Accepted: 05/28/2024] [Indexed: 06/28/2024]
Abstract
This study explored the economic dynamics of cotton (Gossypium hirsutum L.) production in Msilale village, Chato District, Tanzania. The experiment utilized a factorial design with sowing dates on November 25th, December 15th, and January 4th, and phosphorus levels at 0, 20, 40, and 60 kg P ha-1, replicated three times. Results indicated significantly higher cotton yields (6.1 t ha-1 and 6.3 t ha-1) for November and December sowings compared to January (3.8 t ha-1). This is a 61% and 66% increase in cotton yields for November and December sowings, respectively relative to January sowing. Though not significant, 20 kg P ha-1 and 40 kg P ha-1 applications yielded 5.8 t ha-1 and 5.4 t ha-1, respectively, while 60 kg P ha-1 yielded 5.3 t ha-1. This is a 9.4% and 1.9% increase in cotton yields at 20 and 40 kg P ha-1, respectively relative to absolute control and 60 kg P ha-1 application. Economic analysis revealed that late sowing (January) had the lowest net profit (Tshs. 3,723,400 ≈ USD 1,486) and benefit-to-cost ratio (BCR) of 11.2. Early sowings recorded higher net profits (Tshs. 6,679,527 ≈ USD 2,666 and Tshs. 6,861,283 ≈ USD 2,738) and BCRs (18.4 and 18.8, respectively). This is a 79% (BCR = 64%) and 84% (BCR = 68) increase in net benefits from early sowings compared to late sowing. Applications of 20, 40, and 60 kg P ha-1 resulted in net benefits of Tshs. 5,452,572 ≈ USD 2,176 (BCR = 19.2), Tshs. 5,209,904 ≈ USD 2,079 (BCR = 15.1), and Tshs. 5,748,786 ≈ USD 2,294 (BCR = 14.1), respectively, with a significant (p = 0.017) BCR at 20 kg P ha-1 indicating cost-effectiveness. This is a 36% and 7.1% economic benefit at 20 and 40 kg P ha-1, respectively compared to 60 kg P ha-1 application. Optimizing sowing dates and P levels can boost economic returns in cotton production and promote sustainability.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jacob Shauri Tlatlaa
- Sokoine University of Agriculture, College of Agriculture, Department of Crop Science and Horticulture, Chuo-Kikuu, Morogoro, Tanzania
| | - George Muhamba Tryphone
- Sokoine University of Agriculture, College of Agriculture, Department of Crop Science and Horticulture, Chuo-Kikuu, Morogoro, Tanzania
| | - Eliakira Kisetu Nassary
- Sokoine University of Agriculture, College of Agriculture, Department of Soil and Geological Sciences, Chuo-Kikuu, Morogoro, Tanzania
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Künzli M, Dürr-Auster T, Bracher C, Zhao Y, Bachelder J, Emmanuel F, Wiggenhauser M. 67Zn and 111Cd labelled green manure to determine the fate and dynamics of zinc and cadmium in soil-fertilizer-crop systems. ISOTOPES IN ENVIRONMENTAL AND HEALTH STUDIES 2024; 60:286-308. [PMID: 38488879 DOI: 10.1080/10256016.2024.2324966] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/20/2023] [Accepted: 02/22/2024] [Indexed: 03/17/2024]
Abstract
Isotope source tracing enables to accurately determine the fate of nutrients that are applied with fertilizers to soils. While this approach is well established for major nutrients such as nitrogen, it is not yet established for trace metals. Here, we aimed to determine the fate of the micronutrient zinc (Zn) and the contaminant cadmium (Cd) that were applied with an organic fertilizer to a soil-wheat system. A pot study was conducted in which wheat was grown on an alkaline soil. The soils received green manure and/or soluble Zn fertilizer and were compared with non-fertilized control treatments (n = 4 experimental replicates). The green manure was labelled with the stable isotopes 67Zn and 111Cd. For an efficient sample throughput, a method was provided and validated to determine enriched stable isotope ratios (67Zn:66Zn and 111Cd:110Cd) and the Zn and Cd concentrations in one analytical run. To this end, single collector ICP-MS analyses and stable isotope mass balances calculations were combined. Applying this method revealed that the addition of green manure increased neither Zn nor Cd concentrations in wheat grains due to biomass dilution effects. Isotope source tracing showed that the largest fraction of these metals in the wheat shoots derived from the soil in all treatments (Zn 87-99 %, Cd 94-98 %). Moreover, the addition of green manure increased the transfer of Zn and Cd from soil to wheat by a factor 1.9 for both elements. This increased transfer was likely related to a nitrogen fertilization effect that increased root and shoot biomass and thereby the soil exploration of the wheat. This study demonstrated how the fate and dynamics of multiple trace metals can be efficiently determined in soil-fertilizer-crop systems using isotope source tracing.
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Affiliation(s)
- Manja Künzli
- Institute of Agricultural Sciences, ETH, Zurich, Switzerland
| | | | | | - Yang Zhao
- Institute of Agricultural Sciences, ETH, Zurich, Switzerland
- College of Earth and Planetary Sciences, University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Bejing, People's Republic of China
| | - Jill Bachelder
- Institute of Agricultural Sciences, ETH, Zurich, Switzerland
- Institute of Biogeochemistry and Pollutant Dynamics, ETH, Zurich, Switzerland
- Department of Water Resources and Drinking Water, Eawag, Dubendorf, Switzerland
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Mironiuk M, Izydorczyk G, Witek-Krowiak A, Chojnacka K, Górecki H. Valorization of poultry slaughterhouse waste into fertilizers with designed properties. ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCE AND POLLUTION RESEARCH INTERNATIONAL 2024; 31:17822-17834. [PMID: 38253836 DOI: 10.1007/s11356-024-31960-8] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/20/2022] [Accepted: 01/06/2024] [Indexed: 01/24/2024]
Abstract
Climate change, soil erosion, air and water pollution, or problems related to waste management are just some of the many problems in the modern world. Comprehensive solutions are sought to reduce the effects of progressive environmental degradation according to the assumptions of the concept of sustainable development. The paper presents a technological concept that may be a response to these problems. The presented solution assumes full utilization of slaughterhouse waste with the simultaneous recovery of nutrients and the production of functional fertilizing products with designed properties. Four liquid fertilizer formulations with the following composition were prepared: N - 2.30-3.64%, P2O5 - 2.18-9.66%, and K2O - 0.11-4.49%. The manufactured products were characterized by a high sulfur content and the addition of microelements. The tests carried out on plants confirmed their effectiveness similar to commercial mineral fertilizers. An increase in green matter yield of peas by 5 t/ha and maize by 2 t/ha was observed. The lack of microbiological risk associated with their use has been proven. Good efficiency with a simultaneous reduction in production costs resulting from the use of waste materials, as well as limiting the negative impact of poultry farms on the environment, make this solution an attractive alternative to mineral fertilizers, in line with the assumptions of the circular economy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Małgorzata Mironiuk
- Department of Advanced Material Technologies, Faculty of Chemistry, Wrocław University of Science and Technology, Smoluchowskiego, 25, 50-372, Wrocław, Poland.
| | - Grzegorz Izydorczyk
- Department of Advanced Material Technologies, Faculty of Chemistry, Wrocław University of Science and Technology, Smoluchowskiego, 25, 50-372, Wrocław, Poland
| | - Anna Witek-Krowiak
- Department of Advanced Material Technologies, Faculty of Chemistry, Wrocław University of Science and Technology, Smoluchowskiego, 25, 50-372, Wrocław, Poland
| | - Katarzyna Chojnacka
- Department of Advanced Material Technologies, Faculty of Chemistry, Wrocław University of Science and Technology, Smoluchowskiego, 25, 50-372, Wrocław, Poland
| | - Henryk Górecki
- Department of Advanced Material Technologies, Faculty of Chemistry, Wrocław University of Science and Technology, Smoluchowskiego, 25, 50-372, Wrocław, Poland
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Cebani S, Jimoh MO, Sogoni A, Wilmot CM, Laubscher CP. Nutrients and phytochemical density in Mesembryanthemum crystallinum L. cultivated in growing media supplemented with dosages of nitrogen fertilizer. Saudi J Biol Sci 2024; 31:103876. [PMID: 38161387 PMCID: PMC10757035 DOI: 10.1016/j.sjbs.2023.103876] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/08/2023] [Revised: 11/04/2023] [Accepted: 11/24/2023] [Indexed: 01/03/2024] Open
Abstract
Mesembryanthemum crystallinum L. is an annual halophyte that originated from southern Africa. However, little has been reported about factors that modulate the quantity of secondary metabolites in the plant. In this study, the twin effect of different nitrogen concentrations (0.36, 0.6, 0.8 g/L) and growing media (LECA clay, peat, vermiculite and silica sand) on plant growth, chlorophyll contents, minerals, proximate and antioxidant metabolites in hydroponically cultivated M. crystallinum was investigated. This is important to determine the dosage of N fertilizer that will optimize the bio-productivity and biosynthesis of secondary metabolites and antioxidants in M. crystallinum grown in a hydroponic system. The untreated plant (0 g/L N) was taken as the control. At the end of the experiment, optimum yields in leaf number (9.2), fresh weight (50.40 g), Ca, N, and Protein (34.04 %) were recorded in M. crystallinum grown with peat enhanced with different dosages of N-fertilizer. Likewise, chlorophyll level, dry weight, ABTS/TEAC, FRAP, ADF and NDF contents were optimized in LECA clay treated with N-fertilizer. Silica sand with 0.36 g/L dosage of nitrogen fertilizer optimized P, Mn and Zn levels, so also the moisture (9.83 % at 0.8 g/L N), fat (2.38 %, 0 g/L N) and carbohydrates (44.98 and 44.95 %). The highest ash content, Mg and Fe were recorded in the untreated vermiculite as well as polyphenols and K, at 0.6 g/L; Cu and root length (14.60 cm), at 0.8 g/L. In conclusion, different dosages of nitrogen fertilizer and growing media could enhance the growth potential, chlorophyll, phytochemicals, and nutritional properties of M. crystallinum.
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Affiliation(s)
- Siphamandla Cebani
- Department of Horticultural Sciences, Faculty of Applied Sciences, Cape Peninsula University of Technology, Bellville, Cape Town 7535, South Africa
| | - Muhali Olaide Jimoh
- Department of Horticultural Sciences, Faculty of Applied Sciences, Cape Peninsula University of Technology, Bellville, Cape Town 7535, South Africa
- Department of Plant Science, Olabisi Onabanjo University, P.M.B. 2002, Ago-Iwoye, Ogun State, Nigeria
| | - Avela Sogoni
- Department of Horticultural Sciences, Faculty of Applied Sciences, Cape Peninsula University of Technology, Bellville, Cape Town 7535, South Africa
| | - Carolyn Margaret Wilmot
- Department of Horticultural Sciences, Faculty of Applied Sciences, Cape Peninsula University of Technology, Bellville, Cape Town 7535, South Africa
| | - Charles Petrus Laubscher
- Department of Horticultural Sciences, Faculty of Applied Sciences, Cape Peninsula University of Technology, Bellville, Cape Town 7535, South Africa
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Hacisalihoglu G, Armstrong P. Crop Seed Phenomics: Focus on Non-Destructive Functional Trait Phenotyping Methods and Applications. PLANTS (BASEL, SWITZERLAND) 2023; 12:1177. [PMID: 36904037 PMCID: PMC10005477 DOI: 10.3390/plants12051177] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/10/2022] [Revised: 02/27/2023] [Accepted: 03/02/2023] [Indexed: 06/18/2023]
Abstract
Seeds play a critical role in ensuring food security for the earth's 8 billion people. There is great biodiversity in plant seed content traits worldwide. Consequently, the development of robust, rapid, and high-throughput methods is required for seed quality evaluation and acceleration of crop improvement. There has been considerable progress in the past 20 years in various non-destructive methods to uncover and understand plant seed phenomics. This review highlights recent advances in non-destructive seed phenomics techniques, including Fourier Transform near infrared (FT-NIR), Dispersive-Diode Array (DA-NIR), Single-Kernel (SKNIR), Micro-Electromechanical Systems (MEMS-NIR) spectroscopy, Hyperspectral Imaging (HSI), and Micro-Computed Tomography Imaging (micro-CT). The potential applications of NIR spectroscopy are expected to continue to rise as more seed researchers, breeders, and growers successfully adopt it as a powerful non-destructive method for seed quality phenomics. It will also discuss the advantages and limitations that need to be solved for each technique and how each method could help breeders and industry with trait identification, measurement, classification, and screening or sorting of seed nutritive traits. Finally, this review will focus on the future outlook for promoting and accelerating crop improvement and sustainability.
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Affiliation(s)
- Gokhan Hacisalihoglu
- Biological Sciences Department, Florida A&M University, Tallahassee, FL 32307, USA
| | - Paul Armstrong
- USDA-ARS Center for Grain and Animal Health Research, Manhattan, KS 66502, USA
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Cai S, Zhao X, Pittelkow CM, Fan M, Zhang X, Yan X. Optimal nitrogen rate strategy for sustainable rice production in China. Nature 2023; 615:73-79. [PMID: 36813959 DOI: 10.1038/s41586-022-05678-x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 20] [Impact Index Per Article: 20.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/25/2022] [Accepted: 12/13/2022] [Indexed: 02/24/2023]
Abstract
Avoiding excessive agricultural nitrogen (N) use without compromising yields has long been a priority for both research and government policy in China1,2. Although numerous rice-related strategies have been proposed3-5, few studies have assessed their impacts on national food self-sufficiency and environmental sustainability and fewer still have considered economic risks faced by millions of smallholders. Here we established an optimal N rate strategy based on maximizing either economic (ON) or ecological (EON) performance using new subregion-specific models. Using an extensive on-farm dataset, we then assessed the risk of yield losses among smallholder farmers and the challenges of implementing the optimal N rate strategy. We find that meeting national rice production targets in 2030 is possible while concurrently reducing nationwide N consumption by 10% (6-16%) and 27% (22-32%), mitigating reactive N (Nr) losses by 7% (3-13%) and 24% (19-28%) and increasing N-use efficiency by 30% (3-57%) and 36% (8-64%) for ON and EON, respectively. This study identifies and targets subregions with disproportionate environmental impacts and proposes N rate strategies to limit national Nr pollution below proposed environmental thresholds, without compromising soil N stocks or economic benefits for smallholders. Thereafter, the preferable N strategy is allocated to each region based on the trade-off between economic risk and environmental benefit. To facilitate the adoption of the annually revised subregional N rate strategy, several recommendations were provided, including a monitoring network, fertilization quotas and smallholder subsidies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Siyuan Cai
- State Key Laboratory of Soil and Sustainable Agriculture, Changshu National Agro-Ecosystem Observation and Research Station, Institute of Soil Science, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Nanjing, People's Republic of China
- University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, People's Republic of China
| | - Xu Zhao
- State Key Laboratory of Soil and Sustainable Agriculture, Changshu National Agro-Ecosystem Observation and Research Station, Institute of Soil Science, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Nanjing, People's Republic of China.
| | - Cameron M Pittelkow
- Department of Plant Sciences, University of California, Davis, Davis, CA, USA
| | - Mingsheng Fan
- College of Resources and Environmental Sciences, China Agricultural University, Beijing, People's Republic of China
| | - Xin Zhang
- Appalachian Laboratory, University of Maryland Center for Environmental Science, Frostburg, MD, USA
| | - Xiaoyuan Yan
- State Key Laboratory of Soil and Sustainable Agriculture, Changshu National Agro-Ecosystem Observation and Research Station, Institute of Soil Science, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Nanjing, People's Republic of China.
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Castillo J, Kirk GJD, Rivero MJ, Haefele SM. Regional differences in nitrogen balance and nitrogen use efficiency in the rice–livestock system of Uruguay. FRONTIERS IN SUSTAINABLE FOOD SYSTEMS 2023. [DOI: 10.3389/fsufs.2023.1104229] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/16/2023] Open
Abstract
The reintegration of crops with livestock systems is proposed as a way of improving the environmental impacts of food production globally, particularly the impact involving nitrogen (N). A detailed understanding of processes governing N fluxes and budgets is needed to design productive and efficient crop–livestock systems. This study aimed to investigate regional differences in N balance (NBAL, defined as all N inputs minus outputs), N use efficiency (NUE, defined as N outputs/inputs × 100), and N surplus (NSURP, defined as all N inputs minus only outputs in food products) in the rice–livestock system of Uruguay. Three regions across Uruguay are distinguished based on soil fertility and length of pasture rotation. The northern region has high soil fertility and short length of rotation (HFSR); the central region has medium soil fertility and medium length of rotation (MFMR); the eastern region has low fertility and long pasture rotation (LFLR). Results for the last 18 years show a very high NUE (90%) for the rice component in all rotations, associated with negative NBALs ranging from −35 kg N ha−1 yr−1 in HFSR to −3 kg N ha−1 yr−1 in LFLR. However, the livestock component, which overall had low animal productivity (<2 kg N ha−1 yr−1), had low NUE (<10%) but positive NBALs in all the rotations, sustaining N supply in the rice component. At the system level, NUE was high (60%) and NBAL was slightly positive in all rotations (from +2.8 kg N ha−1 yr−1 in HFSR to +8.5 kg N ha−1 yr−1 in LFLR). Because of a recent increase in the N fertilizer dose in rice, NSURP for the overall system was intermediate (40 kg N ha−1 yr−1) and should be monitored in the future. Efforts to improve the system's efficiency should focus on the livestock component.
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Janssens C, Havlík P, Boere E, Palazzo A, Mosnier A, Leclère D, Balkovič J, Maertens M. A sustainable future for Africa through continental free trade and agricultural development. NATURE FOOD 2022; 3:608-618. [PMID: 37118605 DOI: 10.1038/s43016-022-00572-1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/25/2021] [Accepted: 07/13/2022] [Indexed: 04/30/2023]
Abstract
Developing and integrating agricultural markets may be key to addressing Africa's sustainability challenges. By modelling trade costs from farm gate to potential import markets across eight African regions, we investigate the impact of individual components of continental free trade and the complementary role of domestic agricultural development through increased market access for farmers and agricultural intensification. We find that free trade would increase intra-African agricultural trade sixfold by 2030 but-since it does not address local supply constraints-outside food imports and undernourishment would reduce only marginally. Agricultural development could almost eliminate undernourishment in Africa by 2050 at only a small cost of increased global greenhouse gas emissions. While continental free trade will be enabled in Africa through the African Continental Free Trade Area, aligning this with local agricultural development policies is crucial to increase intra-African trade gains, promote food security and achieve climate objectives.
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Affiliation(s)
- Charlotte Janssens
- University of Leuven, Department of Earth and Environmental Sciences, Heverlee, Belgium.
- International Institute for Applied System Analysis, Laxenburg, Austria.
| | - Petr Havlík
- International Institute for Applied System Analysis, Laxenburg, Austria
| | - Esther Boere
- International Institute for Applied System Analysis, Laxenburg, Austria
| | - Amanda Palazzo
- International Institute for Applied System Analysis, Laxenburg, Austria
| | - Aline Mosnier
- United Nations Sustainable Development Solutions Network, Paris, France
| | - David Leclère
- International Institute for Applied System Analysis, Laxenburg, Austria
| | - Juraj Balkovič
- International Institute for Applied System Analysis, Laxenburg, Austria
| | - Miet Maertens
- University of Leuven, Department of Earth and Environmental Sciences, Heverlee, Belgium
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Plant Nutrition for Human Health: A Pictorial Review on Plant Bioactive Compounds for Sustainable Agriculture. SUSTAINABILITY 2022. [DOI: 10.3390/su14148329] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/01/2023]
Abstract
Is there any relationship between plant nutrition and human health? The overall response to this question is very positive, and a strong relationship between the nutrition of plants and humans has been reported in the literature. The nutritional status of edible plants consumed by humans can have a negative or positive impact on human health. This review was designed to assess the importance of plant bioactive compounds for human health under the umbrella of sustainable agriculture. With respect to the first research question, it was found that plant bioactives (e.g., alkaloids, carotenoids, flavonoids, phenolics, and terpenoids) have a crucial role in human health due to their therapeutic benefits, and their potentiality depends on several factors, including botanical, environmental, and clinical attributes. Plant bioactives could be produced using plant tissue culture tools (as a kind of agro-biotechnological method), especially in cases of underexploited or endangered plants. Bioactive production of plants depends on many factors, especially climate change (heat stress, drought, UV radiation, ozone, and elevated CO2), environmental pollution, and problematic soils (degraded, saline/alkaline, waterlogged, etc.). Under the previously mentioned stresses, in reviewing the literature, a positive or negative association was found depending on the kinds of stress or bioactives and their attributes. The observed correlation between plant bioactives and stress (or growth factors) might explain the importance of these bioactives for human health. Their accumulation in stressed plants can increase their tolerance to stress and their therapeutic roles. The results of this study are in keeping with previous observational studies, which confirmed that the human nutrition might start from edible plants and their bioactive contents, which are consumed by humans. This review is the first report that analyzes this previously observed relationship using pictorial presentation.
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A Comparative Photographic Review on Higher Plants and Macro-Fungi: A Soil Restoration for Sustainable Production of Food and Energy. SUSTAINABILITY 2022. [DOI: 10.3390/su14127104] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/06/2023]
Abstract
The Kingdom of Plantae is considered the main source of human food, and includes several edible and medicinal plants, whereas mushrooms belong to the Kingdom of fungi. There are a lot of similar characteristics between mushrooms and higher plants, but there are also many differences among them, especially from the human health point of view. The absences of both chlorophyll content and the ability to form their own food are the main differences between mushrooms and higher plants. The main similar attributes found in both mushrooms and higher plants are represented in their nutritional and medicinal activities. The findings of this review have a number of practical implications. A lot of applications in different fields could be found also for both mushrooms and higher plants, especially in the bioenergy, biorefinery, soil restoration, and pharmaceutical fields, but this study is the first report on a comparative photographic review between them. An implication of the most important findings in this review is that both mushrooms and plants should be taken into account when integrated food and energy are needed. These findings will be of broad use to the scientific and biomedical communities. Further investigation and experimentation into the integration and production of food crops and mushrooms are strongly recommended under different environmental conditions, particularly climate change.
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