Sorghum genotypes response to dryland conditions of northern Kazakhstan

Sorghum genotypes are characterised by drought resistance and high biomass production, which makes them suitable for animal feeding under conditions of fodder scarcity in dry steppe zones. Under the harsh continental condit ions in northern Kazakhstan, the selection of suitable sorghum genotypes is crucial for maintaining yield stability and product quality. In 2020–2022, studies were conducted in northern Kazakhstan on 9 varieties of sweet sorghum and 7 hybrids of sweet sorghum–sudangrass to determine the relationship between qualitative and productive traits for modelling optimal material. Hybrids were inferior to sweet sorghum in terms of total yield and stem biomass, but had a higher leaf mass, making them more suitable for use as animal feed. The results contribute to a better understanding of plant resilience and support the promotion of sorghum and sorghum–sudangrass hybrids in cold regions with short summers for sustainable forage production under uncertain climatic conditions. The results show that the 2 sweet sorghum genotypes (Kapital and Volonter) are characterised by stable productivity and good adaptability under different environmental conditions, as they can reach full maturity over the three years. Volzhskoye 51 and Calibr genotypes are best suited for green mass production under higher rainfall conditions, while the SP 15 genotype is best among sorghum-sudangrass hybrids. The sweet sorghum varieties Sevilia, Kapital and Sahara stood out for their higher sugar content in stem juice and can be recommended for bioethanol production

Host–Pathogen–Biocontrol Interactions: Effects of Bacillus velezensis on the Suppression of Black Rot Disease in Cabbage cv. Futoški

Xanthomonas campestris pv. campestris (Xcc), the causal agent of black rot, has a significant impact on cabbage production worldwide. The goal of this research was to evaluate the effect of preventive foliar treatments with Bacillus velezensis strain RD-FC 88 on the primary and secondary metabolism of Xcc-infected cabbage cv. Futoški plants. Special attention was given to measuring metabolites’ changes, aiming to determine the influence of the applied biocontrol treatment on the development of plant immune response and resistance to pathogen. This study reports the first comprehensive biochemical and physiological analysis of the interaction between host plant, biocontrol strain and pathogen, thus providing novel insight into black rot management. Pathogen inoculation caused a significant decrease in the majority of measured metabolites, including most free amino acids (Gln, Ala, BCAA), phenolics, and glucosinolates. Preventive application of B. velezensis strain in Xcc-infected plants restored the levels of aromatic amino acids, Asp, Glu, Leu, Val, and Ala to control values. A similar pattern was observed in aliphatic glucosinolates sinigrin and glucoiberin, as well as for the indolic glucosinolate 4-methoxy-glucobrassicin. Additionally, increased accumulation of hydroxybenzoic acids, hydroxycinnamic acids, and kaempferol derivatives was also observed in the plants treated with the biocontrol strain and subsequently infected with Xcc, compared to plants solely infected with Xcc. The obtained results imply that the RD-FC 88 strain holds potential as an efficient priming agent, capable of stimulating cabbage cv. Futoški defense responses and enhancing its resistance to Xcc

Climate and farming system dominate wheat yield responses across European pedoclimatic zones, despite widespread soil nutrient surpluses

Background and aims European wheat production faces the challenge of maintaining yields while reducing environmental impacts from agrochemicals. Organic farming is often considered a sustainable alternative to promote soil health and reduce chemical inputs. This study assessed nutrient status in wheat soils across nine European pedoclimatic zones, comparing conventional and organic systems and evaluating management practices such as crop rotation, tillage and fertilization type. Methods A total of 188 soils were analyzed for macro- and micronutrients, and wheat yield data were evaluated in relation to soil nutrients, climate, wheat type (winter- vs. spring-sown), and management using correlation, random forest, and regression analyses. Results Soils showed excess P, K, Mg, Cu, Fe, Mn, and Zn, but S and B deficiencies. Organic systems increased total N, while conventional farming enhanced nitrate, sulfate, and boron. Wheat yield was primarily driven by temperature, precipitation, wheat type (winter- vs. spring-sown), and farming system, with additional contributions from fertilization and nutrients (particularly exchangeable Ca, Fe, Mn, and Zn). On average, organic yields were 37% significantly lower than conventional, but these differences were smaller in Mediterranean zones due to reduced pest pressure and improved water retention and infiltration. Practices such as crop rotation, residue incorporation, and reduced tillage positively influenced yield. Conclusion Organic farming supports soil health and sustainable use of resources, but may reduce wheat yield in northern and central European pedoclimatic zones. Tailored nutrient management combined with agronomic practices can enhance productivity while minimizing environmental impacts, especially in climate-stressed regions

Status and Perspectives of Organic Maize Production in Serbia

Maize (Zea mays L., Poaceae family) is the most domesticated plant species in the world. At the global level, the growing trend of expanding the area under organic plant production is evident. The use of genetically modified hybrids is prohibited in organic production. One of main prerequisites for the successful organic maize production is the use of hybrids that are well adapted to local conditions and tolerant of most abiotic and biotic stress factors. Among the most widely grown are NS 3014, NS 4015, NS 5043, NS 540, NS 6010, NS 6030, NS 640 and NS 7020, which belong to different FAO maturity groups and are well adapted to the agro-ecological conditions of the country. In Serbia, organic crop production takes place on an area of 25035.11 ha, while cereal production is in second place with an area of 3838.54 ha. Considering the importance of maize as a field crop and the place it occupies among types of cereals, the goal of this paper was to point out the importance and state of certified organic maize production. Among all grain types, wheat occupies the largest area under organic plant production (1128.77 ha), while oats (636.4 ha) are in second place, and maize occupies the third position with a total of 591.18 ha (maize for silage occupies an additional 303.98 ha). As for the regional distribution, largest areas are represented in area of Vojvodina (384.65 ha) and slightly less in the region of Šumadija and Western Serbia (160.58 ha). There is a growing trend in the demand for organic corn around the world. Considering the needs of the market, maize organic production in Serbia is small, especially in comparison with the areas under conventional production. Organic production is Serbia’s export opportunity

Influence of climate change on ensiling

Climate change can affect the quantity, reliability, and quality of forage production and therefore silage preparation. In the coming decades, crops and forage plants integral to feed conservation will face rising temperatures, higher carbon dioxide levels, and highly variable water availability due to changing rainfall patterns. Contamination with undesirable microbes and chemical agents is often encountered during silage production under climate change conditions. The presence of yeasts and molds can negatively affect the nutritional value and livestock production. Future strategies in feed preparation, processing, and livestock production will focus on achieving carbon neutrality and reducing greenhouse gases in agriculture, including livestock farming, which is a global concern. Ensiling involves microbial activity followed by biochemical reactions. Changes in the silo occur almost immediately after plants are transferred from the field to the silo. The course and severity of these changes depend on various factors, mainly those that promote successful lactic acid fermentation, such as moisture content, an anaerobic environment, carbohydrate levels, and temperature

Structure-property relationships in α-Bi2O3: Correlating synthesis parameters with antimicrobial efficacy against bacterial pathogens

Antimicrobial resistance to conventional antibiotics represents a major global health challenge, driving the search for alternative antimicrobial agents. Metal oxides are promising candidates due to their multi-target antibacterial mechanisms and reduced susceptibility to resistance development. However, their overall efficacy and safety profiles often remain inferior to those of conventional small-molecule antimicrobials. Therefore, exploring new metal oxides may yield antibacterial materials with improved performance compared with widely studied systems such as zinc oxide, titania, ceria, and iron oxides. In this study, α-Bi2O3 particles are synthesized by thermal decomposition and reverse coprecipitation at different temperatures to investigate the influence of synthesis parameters on structural, morphological, and antibacterial properties. The obtained materials are characterized using X-ray powder diffraction (XRPD), Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR), scanning and transmission electron microscopy (SEM/TEM), and zeta potential analysis. Antibacterial activity is evaluated against the Gram-negative bacterium Escherichia coli and the Gram-positive bacterium Staphylococcus aureus. The results confirm the formation of monoclinic α-Bi2O3, with crystallite size and phase purity increasing with synthesis temperature. The synthesis route significantly influences particle morphology, producing smaller particles by thermal decomposition and larger rod-like structures by reverse coprecipitation. All samples exhibit strong antibacterial activity against Escherichia coli, achieving more than 80% growth inhibition within 4 h, whereas Staphylococcus aureus shows higher resistance due to its thicker cell wall structure. The novelty of this work lies in establishing a clear correlation between synthesis parameters, structural characteristics, and antibacterial performance of α-Bi2O3 particles, providing new insights for optimizing bismuth oxide–based antimicrobial materials for biomedical applications

Time-Dependent Effects of Ultrasonic Modification of Soy Protein Concentrate on the Mixolab Rheology of Enriched Dough

Soy protein concentrate (SPC) often has limited food applications due to the loss of its functional properties under harsh industrial processing. This study explored the effects of exposure time to high-intensity ultrasound (HUS) on the structural properties of SPC to assess the potential of a single protein for multiple bakery applications. HUS treatment modified SPC free sulfhydryl group content (4.81 ± 0.03 to 1.47 ± 0.01 µmol/gprotein) and hydrophobicity (34.17 ± 0.02 to 30.56 ± 0.03 µgBPB/mgprotein) and promoted the formation of soluble and insoluble aggregates, especially with longer exposure times, as evidenced by SDS-PAGE. According to Raman analysis, SPC exposed to 0.5 min HUS exhibited an α-helical content of 33.52 ± 1.58% and β-sheet content of 56.80 ± 4.40%, while the tyrosine doublet (I850/I830) ratio was associated with dough stability and indicated intermolecular hydrogen bonding within the dough matrix. Water absorption capacity was improved upon addition of HUS-exposed SPC samples, to 58.4 ± 0.71%, compared with 52.6 ± 0.85% of SPC-enriched dough. These changes accelerated dough development time and enhanced amylase activity, resulting in a dough with desirable viscosity. HUS-exposed samples with higher α-helix content and solubility, decreased water syneresis, and hydrophobic SPC formed stabile complexes with hydrophobic regions of the amylose chain, both leading to reduced starch retrogradation (1.551 ± 0.13 to 0.855 ± 0.04). Overall, this study showed that by controlling the HUS treatment time, protein structure can be tailored for its use in diverse bakery applications, further enhancing the commercial value of protein concentrates

Bentonite–Chitosan–Surfactant Composite with Antimicrobial, Antioxidant, and Mycotoxin Adsorption Properties

This study aimed to design a new composite with promising antimicrobial and antioxidant properties by a simple modification process of natural bentonite (B) with polysaccharide chitosan isolated from edible mushrooms Agaricus bisporus—ChM (sample B–ChM) and subsequently with a cationic surfactant—hexadecyltrimethylammonium bromide—HB (sample B–ChM–HB) for effective removal of mycotoxin zearalenone (ZEN). Characterization confirmed the presence of ChM in B–ChM and both ChM and HB in B–ChM–HB. Compared to non- or slightly inhibitory activity of B and B–ChM, B–ChM–HB showed fungicidal activity against yeast Candida albicans and mycotoxigenic mold Aspergillus flavus, with a reduction of 6.00 log10 (CFU/mL) and 5.32 log10 (CFU/mL), respectively. B–ChM–HB showed a very high neutralization ability on •DPPH (89.03%–95.99%) in the concentration range of 0.625–5.0 mg/mL, the highest ferrous ion chelating ability (80.25%) at a concentration of 0.625 mg/mL, and did not induce lipid peroxidation in the linoleic acid model system. While B and B–ChM exhibited low adsorption of ZEN, its adsorption by B–ChM–HB was significantly higher. The equilibrium results of B–ChM–HB for ZEN were in accordance with the linear isotherm model at pH 3 and 7, pointing out that hydrophobic interactions (partitioning process) were relevant for toxin adsorption by the composite. Similar maximum ZEN adsorbed amounts under the applied experimental conditions (14.4 mg/g) at both pH values suggested that its adsorption was independent of the pH. This study reported for the first time that a novel composite of B with ChM and HB showed promising antimicrobial and antioxidant properties and was an efficient adsorbent for mycotoxin ZEN

Revisiting the Identification of Xanthomonas arboricola Strains Isolated from Cherry in Montenegro Through Genome Analysis and Pathogenicity Testing

Xanthomonas arboricola pv. pruni (Xap) is a well-known phytopathogenic bacterium responsible for bacterial spot in Prunus species. Although cherry has historically been listed as a potential host for this pathogen, the occurrence of Xap bacterial spot in cherry is rare. In the present study, two bacterial strains isolated from cherry in Montenegro and initially identified as Xap were subjected to genomic and pathogenicity analyses. The results showed substantial genetic divergence, along with distinct phenotypic profiles, between these strains and reference Xap strains known to be pathogenic in Prunus. These findings are consistent with recent studies reporting the existence of nonpathogenic, less virulent, or atypical strains of X. arboricola that had previously been misidentified as Xap due to limitations of previous diagnostic methods. The results, together with the historically low number of verified Xap infections in cherry and evidence that some strains may have been misidentified or confused with nonpathogenic or misclassified strains, contribute to the hypothesis that cherry may not be a highly relevant natural host for Xap and should therefore be reevaluated. This could have implications for monitoring strategies, risk assessment, and regulatory measures concerning Xanthomonas management in cherry cultivation

Agrobiodiversity Management for Sustainable and Safe Food Systems

Agrobiodiversity, defined as the variety of plant, animal, and microorganism species within an agroecosystem, is a key factor in maintaining sustainable and safe food systems. This paper examines the relationship between agrobiodiversity and food production, with particular focus on the influence of genetic and species diversity on nutritional quality and food safety. Using an analytical and comparative approach, the study explores how the loss of agrobiodiversity—driven by intensive agricultural practices and other anthropogenic factors—negatively impacts food safety. The results indicate that the preservation of local varieties, soil biogenicity, and production based on ecological principles not only enhance food safety but also improve crop resistance to diseases and pests. Based on the analysis, it is recommended to strengthen institutional support, raise awareness among producers and consumers, and promote production practices grounded in ecological principles to preserve the environment, agrobiodiversity, and food safety. In conclusion, agrobiodiversity represents not only an ecological asset but also a health and economic resource of strategic importance for the future of food production