Potassium silicate counteracts salt-induced damage associated with changes in some growth characteristics, physiological, biochemical responses, and nutrient contents in two grapevines (Vitis vinifera L.) cultivars

This study investigates the effects of potassium silicate on the growth characteristics, physiological parameters, biochemical parameters, and nutrient content of two grapevine cultivars, 'Bidaneh Ghermez' and 'Sahibi Gird', under NaCl stress conditions. The plants were exposed to NaCl solutions with concentrations of 0, 40, and 80 mM in a hydroponic system. Additionally, the plants were treated with potassium silicate sprays at concentrations of 0, 50, 100, and 200 mg L-1. As NaCl levels increased, both 'Bidaneh Ghermez' and 'Sahibi Gird' cultivars exhibited reduced fresh and dry root weights. However, with potassium silicate application at 200 mg L-1, the rate of root dry weight loss was reduced to 28% and 66.4% for 40 mM and 80 mM NaCl treatments, respectively. The maximum total protein content (1.65 mg L-1 fresh weight) was detected at the 80 mM NaCl level and potassium silicate application at 50 mg L-1. The maximum ascorbate peroxidase activity was observed at a potassium silicate concentration of 50 mg L-1. Based on the results, increasing NaCl levels significantly boosted plant Na+ percentage. In treatments with 40 and 80 mM NaCl (without potassium silicate), nitrate levels decreased by 32.34% and 46.71%, respectively, compared to the control. The amount of leaf iron in the 40 mM salinity treatment increased and by 10.47% with potassium silicate at a concentration of 200 mg L-1. The findings confirmed the role of potassium silicate in modulating the negative effects of NaCl, although more investigations in different grapevine cultivars under NaCl stress are required in this field

A model to predict the fruit bearing capacity of individual apple trees and its variability within commercial orchards

Die Einstellung des Fruchtbehangs bei Apfelanlagen unter Berücksichtigung der für die individuelle Vermarktung optimalen Fruchtqualität wird bislang anhand von einzelnen Bäumen geschätzt und anschließend einheitlich für ganze Schläge durchgeführt. In der vorliegenden Arbeit wurde ein Ansatz entwickelt, um die Fruchtertragskapazität von allen Bäumen einer Anlage in Relation zu Blattfläche, Zielfruchtgröße und saisonaler Witterung zu modellieren. Die Ermittlung der Fruchtertragskapazität einzelner Bäume erfolgte in einer Erwerbsanlage mit Bäumen die als schlanke Spindel erzogen wurden ('Gala'/M.9, 3030 Bäume ha-1, n = 607 Versuchsbäume) im fünften Standjahr. Die Blattfläche der Bäume wurde mit einem Light detection and ranging (LiDAR) Laserscanner gemessen. Mit dem LiDAR Sensor wurden dreidimensionale Punktwolken der Baumkronen aufgezeichnet. Durch Segmentierung einzelner Punkte konnte zwischen Blattfläche, Holz und Früchten unterschieden werden. Die Blattfläche pro Baum schwankte zwischen 5 m2 und 11 m2. Die notwendige Blattfläche, um Früchte von 65 mm bis 80 mm zu erzeugen, betrug unter Berücksichtigung deren saisonalen C-Verbrauchs und der saisonalen Wetterbedingungen 274 cm2–847 cm2 Blattfläche. Aus dem Ziel Früchte in diesen Größenklassen (65 mm; 70 mm; 75 mm; 80 mm) zu erzeugen und unter Berücksichtigung der vorhandenen und benötigten Blattfläche resultierte die optimale Fruchtanzahl pro Baum. Diese schwankte innerhalb der Anlage zwischen 92 und 249 Früchten pro Baum. Zur Validierung des Modells wurde die Fruchtanzahl an Einzelbäumen (n = 106) gezählt und die Fruchtgrößenverteilung baumweise bestimmt. Die modellierte Fruchtertragskapazität stimmte bis zu einem Blattfläche-zu-Frucht-Verhältnis von 600 cm2 pro Frucht mit den gemessenen Werten mit geringer Abweichung überein. Bei größeren Blattfläche-zu-Frucht-Verhältnissen war die Vorhersage ungenau. Die Ergebnisse zeigen, dass die Fruchtertragskapazität einzelner Bäume anhand der Blattfläche und saisonaler Wetterdaten modelliert werden kann. Das Modell kann sowohl als (i) physiologisches Modell zur Simulation der Zielfruchtzahl einzelner Bäume als auch als praxisrelevantes (ii) agronomisches Modell zur Entscheidungsfindung für eine baumindividuelle Ausdünnung eingesetzt werden.The adjustment of fruit set in apple orchards, taking into account the optimal fruit quality for different marketing purposes, has so far been estimated on the basis of individual trees and then carried out uniformly for entire orchards. In the present work, an approach was developed to model the fruit bearing capacity of all apple trees in an orchard in relation to their total leaf area, target fruit size and seasonal weather conditions. The fruit bearing capacity of individual trees was estimated for all trees of a commercial apple orchard with spindle trained trees ('Gala'/M.9, 3030 trees ha-1, n = 607 experimental trees) in the fifth year after planting. The leaf area of the trees was measured with light detection and ranging (LiDAR) laser scanner. Three-dimensional point clouds of the tree canopies were recorded with the LiDAR sensor. By segmenting individual points, it was possible to distinguish between leaf area, wood, and fruit surfaces. The leaf area per tree ranged between 5 m2 and 11 m2. The leaf area per fruit required to produce fruit of 65 mm to 80 mm varied between 274 cm2 and 847 cm2, taking into account their seasonal C consumption and seasonal weather conditions. In order to produce fruit in these size classes (65 mm; 70 mm; 75 mm; 80 mm), taking into account the actual total leaf area per tree and the required leaf area per fruit, the fruit bearing capacity was calculated. Among the trees of the same orchard, the fruit bearing capacity showed a range between 92 and 249 fruit per tree. To validate the model, the number of fruit on individual trees (n = 106) was counted and the distribution of fruit size was recorded for each tree. The measured values matched the modeled fruit bearing capacity with little deviation up to a leaf area to fruit ratio of 600 cm2 per fruit. At larger leaf area to fruit ratios, the prediction was inaccurate. The results show that the fruit bearing capacity of individual trees can be simulated using leaf area and seasonal weather data. The model can be used both as (i) a physiological model to simulate the effect of the number of fruit on the fruit size and (ii) an agronomic model for decision making enabling tree-specific thinning

Reduction of plant protection products in sensible areas in Germany in context of the SUR Proposal: Influence of data, methods and definitions on the assessment of agricultural land effected

In agriculture, the application of plant protection products to cropland is important to prevent quality and yield reduction. The use of plant protection products implies negative effects on human health and the environment. Thus, a legal measure towards reducing the use of plant protection products is its restriction or ban especially in sensitive areas.This is the first national study to use publicly and freely available geodata to access the area of agricultural land located in different types of sensitive areas according to the proposal for a new EU Regulation on the Sustainable Use of Plant Protection Products (SUR). We assess the impact of different scenarios for a German implementation. In this study we analyse publicly available geodata of CORINE land cover 5 ha of 2018 with geographic information systems (GIS) for different scenarios.The results show that the impact of a pesticide ban or restriction for sensitive areas differs between regions and the type or combination of sensitive area. Using the CLC5-2018 data we estimate 19.6 million hectares of national agricultural area. Landscape Protection Area, Nature Parks and Water Protection Areas contain the largest proportion of agricultural land. A scenario which considers National Parks, Nature Reserves, Biosphere Reserves, Nature Parks, Natural Monuments, Landscape Protection Areas and Natura 2000 sites with Fauna-Flora-Habitat areas and Special Protected Areas for bird sanctuaries and Ramsar sites would affect 46.6% of the agricultural land use in Germany, ranging from 33.4% to 77.9% across different states.Comparing our CLC5-2018 results to a similar study from 2023, which used LBM-DE as land use data, we find that there is little difference between the results of identical scenario definitions when expressed as proportions. Whereas different SUR scenario definitions can lead to significantly different outcomes

Coupling effects of Fe(II) and CaCO3 application on cadmium uptake and accumulation in rice (Oryza sativa L.)

Excessive cadmium (Cd) in rice, caused by Cd pollution of farmlands, poses a serious threat to human health. In this study, a pot experiment was conducted to investigate the effects of two doses of CaCO3 (Ca1: 2 g kg-1, Ca2: 10g kg-1), two types of Fe(II) (EDTA-Fe(II) and FeSO4; 0.14 g Fe kg-1), and their combined application on the uptake and accumulation of Cd in rice plants grown in Cd-contaminated acidic soil. The results revealed that FeSO4 significantly increased rice grain biomass, whereas the other treatments had no significant effects. Further, the addition of EDTA-Fe(II) or FeSO4 significantly enhanced iron plaque formation on the root surface and increased the Fe content in the rice plants and porewater. Compared to the control, CaCO3 addition weakened the formation of iron plaque and reduced the Fe concentration in the porewater and root tissue, stems and leaves, whereas the Fe concentration in brown rice and the husks remained unaffected. Combined application of CaCO3 and Fe(II) significantly promoted the formation of iron plaque and increased the Fe concentration in brown rice. However, the Cd concentration in the iron plaque was reduced by CaCO3 addition but increased by Fe(II) treatment. Notably, all treatments reduced the Cd concentration in all rice plant tissues. The application of Ca1, Ca2, EDTA-Fe(II), FeSO4, Ca1+EDTA-Fe(II), Ca1+FeSO4, Ca2+EDTA-Fe(II) and Ca2+FeSO4 significantly reduced the Cd concentration in brown rice by 69%, 63%, 51%, 60%, 46%, 39%, 38%, and 29%, respectively. These results indicate that the application of CaCO3, EDTA-Fe(II)/FeSO4, or their combination can effectively reduce Cd accumulation and translocation in rice plants

Enhancing the germination of seeds and the seedling growth and development of Pistacia khinjuk stocks via a seed dormancy breaking method

The behaviour of individuals with adaptations that will ensure survival is of critical importance for the continuation  of species during periods when environmental factors reach challenging levels for living beings. In seed plants, this behaviour is achieved through dormancy, in which vital functions are reduced to a minimum. Seed dormancy is not germinating of seeds despite favorable  environmental conditions due to internal and external factors. The impermeable and hard seed coat prevents or delays germination in wild Pistacia seeds, causing problems in the production of rootstocks in the desired numbers. In the present study, dormancy-breaking methods including treatment with sulfuric acid, Gibberellic acid (GA3), 6-Furfurylaminopurine (kinetin), 6-Benzylaminopurine (BAP) and their combination, were tested on P. khinjuk seeds stored at 4°C and 25°C for 6 months after harvest. The seeds were then allowed to germinate for 45 days in sand-filled seedling trays. The germinated seeds were transferred to pots, and the contents of dry and fresh weight, total soluble sugar and protein, chlorophyll a, b and carotenoid of the seedlings were measured after 28 days of the growth and development. It was found that the highest germination rate, dry and fresh weight, total soluble sugar and protein and chlorophyll a,b contents were obtained from seeds that treated with scarification+GA3+BAP and stored at 25°C for 6 months

Antimycobacterial potential of green synthesized silver nano particles from selected Himalayan flora

Mycobacterium tuberculosis (Mtb) is a persistent threat to human life and a challenge to global public health. The pathogen’s antibioticresistance has become a serious problem, prompting the development of nanotechnology-based medicines to prevent multidrug resistance in microorganisms. The present study aimed to synthesize silver nanoparticles (AgNPs), using leaves extracts of Achillea millefolium, Artemisia campestris and Hedera nepalensis to analyze their antimycobacterial potential. The biosynthesized silver nanoparticlesnwere harvested and characterized through UV visible spectroscopy,nField Emission Scanning Electron Microscopy (FESEM) and Energy Dispersive X-ray spectroscopy (EDX). The FESEM analysis showed, that selected plant-based silver nanoparticles were spherical in shape with a diameter ranging from 50 nm to 80 nm. Energy Dispersive X-ray spectroscopy revealed that constitute elements of silver nanoparticles are Ag, C, O, Cl and Ca. The biosynthesized AgNPs exhibited significant antibacterial potential against Mycobacterium tuberculosis. At a concentration of 50 μL Hedera nepalensis exhibited the highest growth inhibition at 97.33%, followed by Artemisia at 95%, whereas the percentage growth inhibition of Achillea millefolium at 50 μL concentration was 72.33% as compared to the Rifampicin (RIF) i.e., 40%. Fluorescence microscopy confirmed visible growth inhibition in both experimental and controlled cultures. Hedra nepalensis and Artemisia campestris showed promising potential to inhibit the growth of mycobacteria populations, indicating their potential for the development of novel nanomedicine to treat tuberculosis effectively

Production, antimicrobial, antioxidant, sensory, and therapeutic properties of herbal wine – A comprehensive review

Wine is a fermented beverage. Herbal-infused wine is beneficial to health due to its antimicrobial and anticancer properties. The constituents of these plants, including flowers, fruits, stems, roots, bark, and leaves, contain antioxidant activity. The herbs can be extracted through various methods such as maceration, decoction, infusion, crushing, grinding, and blending. Saccharomyces cerevisiae is the primary organism responsible for fermentation, converting glucose into metabolic energy. This review analyses the potential medicinal value of herbal wine in treating human diseases. Herbal wine is a recent development in culinary technology, as herbs possess antioxidant and antimicrobial properties that make them effective against cancer and diabetes. Polyphenols found in wine have been reported to be effective in treating human ailments such as coronary heart disease, diabetes, microbial infections, neurodegenerative diseases, and aging. Therefore, fortifying alcoholic beverages may increase health benefits and clinical applications. The qualities of these herbal extracts are comparable to those of fortified wines, making drinking fortified wines a healthier option than consuming conventional wines. However, the production of herbal wine from certain extracts may require the addition of taste enhancers. Our focus is on the fermentative production of wine from various herbal extracts, including physicochemical, antioxidant, antimicrobial, and sensory evaluation. We compare and describe the health benefits and harmful effects of fruit wine and herbal wine

Unsealing, revitalizing and networking for more urban green – Report of the 13th Symposium Urban Green, Berlin, 7th and 8th November 2023

Zur Planung und Organisation von Städten ist diverse Infrastruktur erforderlich, die je nach Bereich in Funktionen unterteilt und unterschiedlich benannt wird. Zur grünen Infrastruktur gehört das Stadtgrün, das mit seinen Ökosystemleistungen vielfältige Funktionen in der Stadtlandschaft übernimmt. Die Gesamtheit des Stadtgrüns schließt sich als urbane grüne Infrastruktur zu einem Netzwerk aus naturnahen und gestalteten Flächen zusammen. Multifunktionalität, Nutzbarkeit, biologische Vielfalt und Ästhetik sind Ziele der Planung und Gestaltung der grünen Infrastruktur.Zur grauen Infrastruktur gehören Strukturen, die z. B. die Mobilität und Vernetzung in Städten ermöglichen. Um Städte klimaresilient und lebenswert zu gestalten, sind Maßnahmen zur Förderung der grünen Infrastruktur erforderlich. Dazu zählt die Entsiegelung von Flächen der grauen Infrastruktur, ihre Revitalisierung und geeignete Begrünung, sei es die Bepflanzung mit Bäumen, die Pflanzung von Stauden oder die Förderung der spontanen Vegetation. Diese Maßnahmen bewirken zusätzlich eine gezielte Vernetzung von Grünflächen und ihrer Qualifizierung für die grüne Infrastruktur. So lässt sich oft das vorhandene Netzwerk erweitern, verbessern und aufwerten.Vor diesem Hintergrund beschäftigte sich das 13. Fachsymposium Stadtgrün mit der Frage, wie man Flächen möglichst zielführend entsiegeln, revitalisieren und vernetzen sollte, um zu einem funktionsfähigen Stadtgrün beizutragen.Das 13. Fachsymposium fand als online übertragene Präsenzveranstaltung in Berlin statt. Die veranstaltenden Organisationen, namentlich in alphabetischer Reihenfolge, die Bundesanstalt für Landwirtschaft und Ernährung, das Bundesministerium für Ernährung und Landwirtschaft und das Julius Kühn-Institut bedanken sich bei den Vortragenden und den über 300 Teilnehmenden für eine sehr interessante und zukunftsweisende Tagung.Urban Green assumes diverse functions in the urban landscape through its ecosystem services. The entirety of urban greenery, regardless of the type of vegetation- and water-dominated area, forms an urban green infrastructure that integrates into a more or less connected network of natural and designed spaces. Multifunctionality, usability, biological diversity, and aesthetics are goals of planning and design.The unsealing of areas in the gray infrastructure, their revitalization, and appropriate greening, whether it be tree planting, the cultivation of perennials, or the promotion of spontaneous vegetation, are crucial measures for the deliberate connection of green spaces and their qualification for the green infrastructure. This often allows for the expansion, improvement, and enhancement of the existing network.Against this background, the 13th Urban Greenery Symposium addressed the question of how to effectively unseal, revitalize, and connect areas to contribute to a functional urban greenery. The renaturation of gray infrastructure areas should become part of the "new transformation culture" in cities, where nature-based solutions and dealing with constantly changing natural elements, as well as considering water conditions, are decisive design factors. Examples were derived to illustrate how plant habitats can be restored, and the possibility of networking new urban biotopes was discussed. The significant involvement of public and private actors and their gardens was reflected upon.The symposium was held in Berlin as an in-person event streamed online. The organizing entities, the Federal Ministry of Food and Agriculture, the Julius Kühn Institute, and the Federal Agency for Agriculture and Food, express their gratitude to the speakers and the over 300 participants for a very interesting and forward-looking conference

Biometric, ultrastructural, and seed germination analysis of Etlingera elatior (Jack) R.M. Smith

Torch ginger is a tropical species of ornamental/landscape, medicinal, and gastronomic use in several countries. The ideal physiological conditions for its seed development are unknown, which precludes sexual reproduction for propagation of seedlings and genetic improvement of the species. Thus, the objective of this study was to understand the morphological and biometric traits of its fruits and seeds and to evaluate the effect of temperature on the germination, storage, emergence, and seedling growth of two cultivars of torch ginger to contribute to future research on the propagation of the species. The color of the fruits suffices to distinguish the cultivars, while the other biometric and ultrastructural traits are similar between cultivars. The seeds of the two cultivars showed a higher percentage of germination in the dark under a thermoperiod of 35°C for 16 h and 25°C for 8 h. The Red Torch cultivar tolerated storage for up to 30 days, while the Pink Torch seeds could be stored for up to 90 days. The emergence in substrate was greater under the thermoperiod of 35/25°C, being 30% and 20% for the Red and Pink Torch cultivars at 30 days of thermal induction, respectively, but greater seedling growth occurred at 30/25°

Impact of postharvest osmodehydration treatments and drying processes on the nutritional quality, bioactive compounds and preservation of leaf amaranth (Amaranthus cruentus)

Amaranth leaves are rich in micronutrients and health-promoting secondary metabolites, but highly perishable. The effect of osmodehydration and drying on nutritional quality, health-promoting compounds and their postharvest preservation in Amaranthuscruentus leaves was investigated. The experimental set up consisted of four treatment variants with different levels of osmotic solution (NaCl) concentration, temperature and immersion time, i.e.; variant 1 (2.5%, 20 °C, 60 min), variant 2 (10%, 20°C, 60 min), variant 3 (10%, 40°C, 60 min), and variant 4 (10%, 40°C, 180 min). Osmodehydrated leaves were oven-dried at 30°C or 60°C, freeze-dried or stored at ambient temperature for 3 days, with non-osmodehydrated leaves as control. Results showed that proteins,minerals (Ca, Mg, Fe, Zn), carotenoids, flavonoids, and phenolic acids were preserved in osmodehydrated leaves with no significant changes, except proteins in freeze-dried and a significantly decreased chlorophyll content in both freeze- and oven-dried leaves of variant 4, corresponding to higher osmotic solution concentration, temperature and longer immersion time. During shelf-life, most nutrients and secondary metabolites were maintained with no significant changes, except protein that significantly increased while ascorbic acid and chlorophylls in both osmodehydrated and control leaves significantly decreased. Lower-temperature and shorter-time immersion resulted in better quality preservation