Chemical and Biological Technologies in Agriculture

Abstract Background Arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi (AMF) form symbioses with crops, enhancing nutrient uptake and stress tolerance. However, their responses to agronomic practices such as cover cropping and microbial grain inoculation remain poorly understood under field conditions. For maize, one of the world’s most important crops, it is still unclear how these management strategies influence AMF…

Abstract Background Uranium (U) contamination poses a serious threat to ecosystems. Phytoremediation offers an eco-friendly solution but is often limited by metal toxicity in plants. Arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi (AMF) can enhance plant tolerance and improve phytoremediation efficiency, while their specific interaction with polyamine (PA) metabolism under U stress remains unclear. This study inves…

Abstract Background Suaeda glauca , an edible halophyte, is rich in bioactive polysaccharides, yet its prebiotic properties remain unclear. Results In this study, using Suaeda glauca as the raw material, a water-soluble polysaccharide fraction J40 with a weight-average molecular weight of 11.55 kDa was obtained through hot water extraction followed by graded ethanol precipitation. J40 is a hybrid…

Trapa acornis Nakano, also known as “Nan-hu-ling” (NHL), is an important agricultural crop whose fruits are commonly consumed as food, while its stems are usually discarded as agricultural by-products. In the current investigation, a homogeneous polysaccharide (NHLP) with a weight-average molecular weight (Mw) of 62.0 kDa was isolated from the stem of NHL. Monosaccharide composition analysis reve…

Bio-inspired synthesis provides valuable potency in multifunctional applications. The post-harvest spoilage of fruits needs to be minimized through this approach. An eco-friendly and cost-effective bio-based synthesis of nickel oxide nanoparticles (NiO NPs) was successfully achieved using Illicium verum Hook.f. extract. To enhance multi-functionality, NiO NPs were further functionalized with grap…

Red paprika (Capsicum annuum L.) quality maintenance during storage and distribution is crucial, with storage temperature significantly impacting physiological changes and freshness. This study evaluated the effects of two storage temperatures (10 °C and 20 °C) on red paprika quality attributes and aimed to identify freshness indicators through volatile organic compounds (VOCs) analysis using a n…

Global CO2 emissions have reached unprecedented levels, intensifying climate change and threatening food security, biodiversity, and agricultural sustainability. Catalytic conversion of CO2 into value-added chemicals and fuels represents a promising strategy toward carbon neutrality, with thermo-, photo-, and electro-catalysis being the major approaches. However, these processes often require hig…

Glutaredoxins (GRXs) are small oxidoreductases that play a crucial role in response to abiotic stress. Although the GRX gene family has been characterized in several species, the knowledge of their evolution relationship, diversification and function in grape are still limited. In this study, 32 VvGRX genes were identified and clustered into CC-, CGFS-, GRL- and CPYC-type categories. The structur…

Green synthesis of metal nanoparticles using plant-derived reducing and stabilizing agents offers an environmentally compatible alternative to chemical synthesis. However, developing multifunctional nano-enabled microbicides that are both effective and safe for crop systems remains a challenge. To provide a simple and sustainable approach for managing fruit crop diseases, this study utilized Cole…

Abstract Background and aims Soybean is sensitive to phosphorus (P) supply, but the rhizosphere ecological mechanisms underlying its low-P tolerance, particularly the synergistic regulatory network between microorganisms and metabolites, are not well understood. This study aimed to integrate metagenomics and metabolomics to reveal the rhizosphere regulatory strategies of soybean in response to gr…

Rhizosphere microorganisms are key regulators of plant growth, stress tolerance, and secondary metabolism. However, whether soil microbial communities influence lutein and zeaxanthin biosynthesis in maize remains unclear. Analysis of rhizosphere microbial communities revealed that maize varieties rich in lutein- and zeaxanthin harbored greater soil microbial diversity and richness compared to com…

Biodynamic agriculture, different from other agroecological practices, comprises the use of humified preparations to stimulate humus formation in soil and increase plant growth and quality. The biodynamic preparations (BP), undergone a natural biotechnological transformation, were characterized by their C and N elemental content and carbon molecular distribution, and evaluated in vitro, for the f…

Humic acids (HA) represent the major fraction of humic substances, which are supramolecular mixtures formed through humification of organic matter in soils, sediments, and natural waters. Rich in carboxylic and phenolic groups, HA influence soil fertility, nutrient availability, plant growth, and stress tolerance. Their biostimulant effects depend on origin, chemical structure, and concentration,…

Abstract Background Dracocephalum kotschy Boiss., an endemic and vulnerable herb native to Iran, is highly valued for its distinctive botanical features and wide range of pharmacological properties. However, its growth and metabolite production can be affected by environmental conditions, necessitating strategies to improve agronomic performance and phytochemical quality. This study aimed to inve…

Abstract Background Fusarium crown rot (FCR), caused mainly by a complex of Fusarium species, is a destructive wheat disease worldwide that reduces yield and contaminates grain with mycotoxins. In Algeria, previous studies have shown that Fusarium culmorum is the pathogen most commonly associated with FCR, alongside Fusarium pseudograminearum, Microdochium nivale, and M. majus. To support sustain…

Germination triggered by prolonged rainfall at maturity or high moisture levels during storage poses a major limitation to the use of wheat in food processing. Germinated wheat, however, represents a viable feed resource for ruminants and an opportunity for biological resource reutilization. This study systematically evaluated the effects of different germination durations on wheat nutritional co…

Aminopolycarboxylic acids (APCAs) are widely used as chelating agents in agriculture to address iron (Fe) deficiency. However, the environmental concern of the most common APCAs, such as EDTA, has prompted the search for more sustainable alternative molecules. In this sense, the benzeneacetic acid 2-hydroxy-α-[(2-hydroxyethyl)amino] (BHH) has been presented as a novel chelating agent for Fe ferti…

Valsa canker of the Korla fragrant pear severely reduces yield and fruit quality. Biological control, owing to its environmental friendliness and safety for humans and animals, has become a major focus of recent research on plant disease management. Bacillus species are well known for their antagonistic activity against plant pathogens, and a biocontrol strain previously isolated in our laborator…