Soybean mosaic virus (SMV), a pathogen responsible for inducing leaf mosaic or necrosis symptoms, significantly compromises soybean seed yield and quality. According to the classification system in the United States, SMV is categorized into seven distinct strains (G1 to G7). In this study, we performed a genome-wide association study (GWAS) in GAPIT3 using four analytical models (MLM, MLMM, FarmCPU, and BLINK) on 218 soybean accessions. We identified 22 SNPs significantly associated with G1 resistance across chromosomes 1, 2, 3, 12, 13, 17, and 18. Notably, a major quantitative trait locus (QTL) spanning 873 kb (29.85–30.73 Mb) on chromosome 13 exhibited strong association with SMV G1 resistance, including the four key SNP markers: Gm13_29459954_ss715614803, Gm13_29751552_ss715614847, Gm13_30293949_ss715614951, and Gm13_30724301_ss715615024. Within this QTL, four candidate genes were identified: Glyma.13G194100, Glyma.13G184800, Glyma.13G184900, and Glyma.13G190800 (3Gg2). The genomic prediction (GP) accuracies ranged from 0.60 to 0.83 across three GWAS-derived SNP sets using five models, demonstrating the feasibility of GP for SMV-G1 resistance. These findings could provide a useful reference in soybean breeding targeting SMV-G1 resistance.
Elena Lazzaro, Elena Lazzaro, Dessislava Dimitrova
et al.
African Swine Fever (ASF) represents a significant threat to global pig production, due to its high lethality rate and the ability of the African Swine Fever Virus (ASFV) to persist in wild boar populations and the environment. In areas where small-scale pig farming is an important economic activity and a diverse source of protein, the disease also significantly affects nutritional security, food sovereignty and self-sufficiency. This study, conducted in Bulgaria, investigated the impact of ASF on small-scale pig farmers and East Balkan Swine farmers. A mixed-methods approach was employed, combining semi-structured interviews (n = 30), structured questionnaires (n = 10), and discussions with relevant authorities (n = 7), including farmers, health authorities and local veterinarians. The results highlight the vulnerability of traditional pig farming methods, with a significant focus on the East Balkan Swine, the last native pig breed in Bulgaria, whose population has been heavily affected by the disease.
Mohammad Shameem Al Mamun, Shovon Kumar Paul, Md. Jahangir Alam
This study evaluated integrated pest management (IPM) components for controlling four major tea pests (tea mosquito bug, red spider mite, thrips, and looper caterpillar) in Bangladesh through multi-location field and laboratory experiments. The study was conducted at the main farm of Bangladesh Tea Research Institute (BTRI), Srimangal, Moulvibazar, and BTRI Sub Station, Panchagarh, during April 2017 to September 2018. The experiments were set up following a completely randomized design (CRD) in laboratory conditions and a randomized complete block design (RCBD) in field conditions with three replications. Data were collected at 24, 48, and 72 hours after treatment (HAT) at laboratory conditions and 7 days intervals at field conditions following respective methods. The results revealed that under cultural control measures, light pruning (LP) significantly reduced the infestation of pests of tea other than skiff pruning. Seven days of regular plucking rounds reduced the incidence of Helopeltis and other foliar pests of tea. Weeding significantly reduced the infestation of red spider mite in tea. Under mechanical control measures, solar power light traps and yellow sticky traps captured a greater number of thrips, jassids, aphids, moths of the looper caterpillar, and other flying insects in the tea ecosystem. Among the botanical extracts, fresh leaves, succulent stems, and seeds of Bishkatali, Bhat, Burweed, Garlic, Lantana, Mahogani, and Tobacco demonstrated strong insecticidal properties. The host plant resistance trials revealed that clones BT1, BT2, and BT15 were less susceptible to Helopeltis; BT5, BT6, and BT17 showed relatively high resistance to red spider mite, while BT3, BT4, BT8, BT9, BT12, BT13, BT14, BT15, BT18, BT19, and BT20 were less infested by thrips. The bio-control agent, Bracon hebetor, as a larval parasitoid, effectively suppressed looper caterpillar populations. Microbial pesticides Metarhizium anisopliae and Pseudomonas fluorescens significantly reduced red spider mite population, while Bacillus thuringiensis significantly reduced looper caterpillar population. These findings collectively support a robust, eco-friendly IPM framework for sustainable tea cultivation in Bangladesh, reducing pesticide dependency, lowering production costs, and promoting environmental safety.
Constantina-Bianca Vulpe, Adina-Daniela Iachimov-Datcu, Andrijana Pujicic
et al.
Triazole fungicides are widely used in agriculture but may pose risks to human health through occupational, accidental, or environmental exposure. This systematic review aimed to evaluate the toxicity of ten European Union-approved triazole fungicides in rodent models and cell lines. A total of 70 studies were included, reporting quantitative in vivo oral, dermal, or inhalation toxicity in mammals or quantitative in vitro cytotoxicity in human or mammalian cell lines; the exclusion criteria comprised publications not in English or not accessible. Literature searches were conducted in Web of Science, Google Scholar, and the Pesticide Properties DataBase (PPDB), and risk of bias in included studies was assessed using ToxRTool. Due to heterogeneity in study designs, reporting formats, and endpoints, data were synthesized descriptively. Quantitative endpoints included LD<sub>50</sub>/LC<sub>50</sub> values for in vivo studies and LOEC, IC<sub>50</sub>, LC<sub>50</sub>, and EC<sub>50</sub> values for in vitro studies, while mechanistic endpoints highlighted apoptosis, oxidative stress, genotoxicity, and endoplasmic reticulum stress. Difenoconazole and tebuconazole were the most extensively studied compounds, whereas several triazoles had limited data. The limitations included heterogeneity of data and incomplete reporting, which restrict cross-study comparisons. Overall, the findings provide a comprehensive overview of potential human health hazards associated with EU-approved triazole fungicides and highlight critical knowledge gaps. The review was registered in Open Science Framework.
Nur Fariha Amir, Aslizah Mohd-Aris, Tuan Norhafizah Tuan-Zakaria
et al.
Background: Volvariella volvacea is a highly nutritious edible mushroom grown mainly in Southeast Asian countries. However, the low yield of V. volvacea has discouraged farmers from engaging in its production. Objective: The study was conducted to observe the improvement of V. volvacea yield depending on various physiochemical parameters of V. volvacea growth. Methods: The parameters tested in this study include the weight of the substrate, i.e., 2 kg (W1) and 6 kg (W2); the surface area of the substrate: A1 (1218 cm2), A2 (1530 cm2) and A3 (2000 cm2); and four different substrate formulations (F1, F2, F3 and F4). Results: Substrate weight and surface area were found to be important, but not critical, factors in determining fruiting bodies formation, total fungal mass, and BE rate. However, the formulation media showed a significant contribution that could help in the induction of fruiting bodies. According to the results, the culture medium with a mixture of EFB substrate and black soil showed the highest BE percentage of 17.75 % (at optimised substrate weights = 2 kg). Conclusion: The results of this study can be used as a reference for further studies to improve the cultivation of V. volvacea, especially when EFB fibres are used as the main substrate. Future studies to identify genes involved in the formation of fruiting bodies are strongly recommended.
Caitlin C. Rering, John J. Beck, Griffin W. Hall
et al.
Summary The plant microbiome can influence plant phenotype in diverse ways, yet microbial contribution to plant volatile phenotype remains poorly understood. We examine the presence of fungi and bacteria in the nectar of a coflowering plant community, characterize the volatiles produced by common nectar microbes and examine their influence on pollinator preference. Nectar was sampled for the presence of nectar‐inhabiting microbes. We characterized the headspace of four common fungi and bacteria in a nectar analog. We examined electrophysiological and behavioral responses of honey bees to microbial volatiles. Floral headspace samples collected in the field were surveyed for the presence of microbial volatiles. Microbes commonly inhabit floral nectar and the common species differ in volatile profiles. Honey bees detected most microbial volatiles tested and distinguished among solutions based on volatiles only. Floral headspace samples contained microbial‐associated volatiles, with 2‐ethyl‐1‐hexanol and 2‐nonanone – both detected by bees – more often detected when fungi were abundant. Nectar‐inhabiting microorganisms produce volatile compounds, which can differentially affect honey bee preference. The yeast Metschnikowia reukaufii produced distinctive compounds and was the most attractive of all microbes compared. The variable presence of microbes may provide volatile cues that influence plant–pollinator interactions.
Kelley Moyers, John T. Abatzoglou, Alvar Escriva-Bou
et al.
California’s bountiful San Joaquin Valley (SJV), a critical region for global fruit and nut production, has withstood two severe, multi-year droughts in the past decade, exacerbated by record-breaking high temperature and evaporative demand. We employed climate data and crop coefficients to estimate the crop water demand in the SJV over the past forty years. Our approach, using crop coefficients for Penman-Montieth modeled evapotranspiration, focused on the climate effects on crop water demand, avoiding the confounding factors of changing land use and management practices that are present in actual evapotranspiration. We demonstrate that increases in crop water demand explain half of the cumulative deficits of the agricultural water balance since 1980, exacerbating water reliance on depleting groundwater supplies and fluctuating surface water imports. We call this phenomenon of climate-induced increased crop water demand an invisible water surcharge. We found that in the past decade, this invisible water surcharge on agriculture has increased the crop water demand in the SJV by 4.4% with respect to the 1980–2011 timeframe—more than 800 GL per year, a volume as large as a major reservoir in the SJV. Despite potential agronomic adaptation and crop response to climate warming, increased crop water demand adds a stressor to the sustainability of the global fruit and nut supply and calls for changes in management and policies to consider the shifting hydroclimate.
Annika Vahk, Pablo Monsivais, Cassandra M. Johnson
et al.
Fathers are potential leaders of healthy behavior changes in their families. Culturally tailored programs are needed to support behavior changes within families, including Latino families; however, there have been few father-focused nutrition programs for Latino families. This study evaluated the immediate effects of ¡Haz Espacio Para Papi! (Make Room for Daddy!; HEPP), a six-week, father-focused, family-centered program focused on nutrition and physical activity near the Texas–Mexico border. A modified stepped-wedge study design included a treatment group for the HEPP pilot and a wait-listed control group. Pre/post-tests included instant skin carotenoid scores, the self-reported dietary intake of fruits and vegetables (FV), and healthy dietary behavior scores (HDBSs). A 2 × 2 mixed analysis of variance evaluated changes in outcomes across time and between groups for 42 fathers with pre/post-test measures. There were no statistically significant changes in fathers’ VM scores and FV intake across time or between groups. Fathers’ HDBSs increased across time (p ≤ 0.01, 95% CI [0.23, 1.38]). Age, educational attainment, and the number of children living in the household did not have a significant effect on the program outcomes (p > 0.05). The HEPP program may guide the design of future father-focused nutrition interventions aimed at dietary behavior changes.
Marie Abitbol, Caroline Dufaure de Citres, Gabriela Rudd Garces
et al.
During the last twenty years, minimal white spotting associated with blue eyes was selected by feline breeders to create the Altai, Topaz, and Celestial breeds. Additionally, certain breeders introduced this trait in their lineages of purebred cats. The trait has been called “dominant blue eyes (DBE)” and was confirmed to be autosomal dominant in all lineages. DBE was initially described in outbred cats from Kazakhstan and Russia and in two purebred lineages of British cats from Russia, as well as in Dutch Maine Coon cats, suggesting different founding effects. We have previously identified two variants in the <i>Paired Box 3 (PAX3)</i> gene associated with DBE in Maine Coon and Celestial cats; however, the presence of an underlying variant remains undetermined in other DBE breeding lines. Using a genome-wide association study, we identified a single region on chromosome C1 that was associated with DBE in British cats. Within that region, we identified <i>PAX3</i> as the strongest candidate gene. Whole-genome sequencing of a DBE cat revealed an RD-114 retrovirus LTR (long terminal repeat) insertion within <i>PAX3</i> intron 4 (namely NC_018730.3:g.206975776_206975777insN[433]) known to contain regulatory sequences. Using a panel of 117 DBE cats, we showed that this variant was fully associated with DBE in two British lineages, in Altai cats, and in some other DBE lineages. We propose that this NC_018730.3:g.206975776_206975777insN[433] variant represents the <i>DBE<sup>ALT</sup></i> (<i>Altai Dominant Blue Eye</i>) allele in the domestic cat. Finally, we genotyped DBE cats from 14 lineages for the three <i>PAX3</i> variants and showed that they were not present in four lineages, confirming genetic heterogeneity of the DBE trait in the domestic cat.
The adoption and diffusion of innovations are essential for both the development of production processes and the improvement of agricultural environmental sustainability, at any stage of the value chain. In recent years, social scientists have studied the diffusion and adoption of agricultural innovations from different approaches, such as innovation diffusion theory, behavioral models, econometric models, social capital and social network analysis, among others. In this study we analyze the scientific literature through a bibliometric analysis based on co-citation networks, to explore the theoretical pillars and bibliographic coupling, with which we explore the current methodological research trends of the last 50 years. The conclusions drawn from this analysis are that in recent years agricultural researchers on adoption and diffusion have designed multivariate methods that combine diverse study approaches. This review contributes to a better understanding of theory and practice in the study of the adoption and diffusion of agricultural innovations.
Roxana Djalali Farahani-Kofoet, Jan Graefe, Rita Zrenner
Two rapid asparagus (<i>Asparagus officinalis</i> L.) screening methods, in sand culture and in vitro, were tested to evaluate the response of young seedlings against <i>F. oxysporum</i> f. sp. <i>asparagi</i> (isolate Foa1). Root morphological parameters were evaluated and correlated with the symptomatology and expression of the defense-related genes at 5 and 7 dpi. In sand cultivation, the Foa1-inoculated cultivars showed no visible disease symptoms on their roots until 7 dpi. Two-factorial ANOVA statistics found no significant interaction between the cultivars and treatments for most root parameters but some differences between the cultivars. The in vitro Foa1-inoculated cultivars showed high susceptibility according to their symptomatology and differed greatly in the length of the primary root at 5 dpi. In some cultivars, the primary root length and root surface area were higher upon Foa1 inoculation. The expression changes were very different among the cultivars, with significant induction of <i>PR1</i>, <i>POX,</i> and <i>PAL</i> at 5 dpi in all cultivars in vitro but only in two cultivars in sand cultivation. The in vitro screening method, although more artificial, seemed to be more reliable than sand cultivation since the fungus was able to develop well in the culture medium. In sand-filled pots, the fungus may have been hindered in its development, even though a considerable higher amount of Foa1 was inoculated. In addition, the fungal growth was easily trackable in tubes, while in sand cultivation, the results were only visible after pulling the seedlings out of the pots 12 dpi.
The Agricultural Health Study, a large prospective cohort study has been initiated in North Carolina and Iowa. The objectives of this study are to: 1) identify and quantify cancer risks among men, women, whites, and minorities associated with direct exposure to pesticides and other agricultural agents; 2) evaluate noncancer health risks including neurotoxicity reproductive effects, immunologic effects, nonmalignant respiratory disease, kidney disease, and growth and development among children; 3) evaluate disease risks among spouses and children of farmers that may arise from direct contact with pesticides and agricultural chemicals used in the home lawns and gardens, and from indirect contact, such as spray drift, laundering work clothes, or contaminated food or water; 4) assess current and past occupational and nonoccupational agricultural exposures using periodic interviews and environmental and biologic monitoring; 5) study the relationship between agricultural exposures, biomarkers of exposure, biologic effect, and genetic susceptibility factors relevant to carcinogenesis; and 6) identify and quantify cancer and other disease risks associated with lifestyle factors such as diet, cooking practices, physical activity, smoking and alcohol consumption, and hair dye use. In the first year of a 3-year enrollment period, 26,235 people have been enrolled in the study, including 19,776 registered pesticide applicators and 6,459 spouses of registered farmer applicators. It is estimated that when the total cohort is assembled in 1997 it will include approximately 75,000 adult study subjects. Farmers, the largest group of registered pesticide applicators comprise 77% of the target population enrolled in the study. This experience compares favorably with enrollment rates of previous prospective studies. ImagesFigure 1.Figure 2.Figure 3.Figure 4.