Chemical and Biological Technologies in Agriculture最新文献

{"title":"Research progress in near-infrared spectroscopy for detecting the quality of potato crops","authors":"Wenjing Ren,&nbsp;Qingqing Jiang,&nbsp;Wenliang Qi","doi":"10.1186/s40538-025-00747-5","DOIUrl":"10.1186/s40538-025-00747-5","url":null,"abstract":"<div><p>NIR spectroscopy-based detection technology is an analytical methodology that utilises the absorption, reflection, and transmission properties of near-infrared light when interacting with a variety of substances. The technique facilitates the assessment of the composition and characteristics of the materials being analysed. Notably, NIR spectroscopy is characterised by its nondestructive nature, rapid execution, high sensitivity, ease of operation, and efficiency in analysis. In recent years, this technology has been widely applied and expanded in many fields, such as food analysis, biology, and medicine. Root crops, including but not limited to potatoes, cassava, yams, and sweet potatoes, are vital nutritional components of human diets and also serve as critical raw materials in food processing and industrial applications. The significance of these crops is underscored by their impact on consumer health and the economic viability of enterprises, thereby highlighting the importance of effective detection methods for these crops. NIR spectroscopy detection technology is capable of conducting thorough evaluations of both the internal qualities (e.g., starch, protein, sugars, and soluble solids) and the external qualities (e.g., appearance, morphology, pest infestations, and diseases) of root crops. In comparison with alternative spectroscopic techniques, NIR spectroscopy offers a more straightforward approach for the detection and analysis of root crop samples, whilst preserving the integrity of the samples. This emphasises the significant potential of NIR spectroscopy for real-time online monitoring of root crops. The present paper provides a concise overview of the principles underlying NIR spectroscopy detection technology and synthesises research findings regarding its application in the quality assessment of root crops. It emphasises recent advancements in the field, particularly concerning sample pretreatment, spectral collection and processing, and model development. The discussion further encompasses the advantages and limitations of NIR spectroscopy technology, along with the primary challenges encountered in its practical applications and prospects for future development.</p><h3>Graphical Abstract</h3>\u0000<div><figure><div><div><picture><source><img></source></picture></div></div></figure></div></div>","PeriodicalId":512,"journal":{"name":"Chemical and Biological Technologies in Agriculture","volume":"12 1","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":5.2,"publicationDate":"2025-03-05","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://chembioagro.springeropen.com/counter/pdf/10.1186/s40538-025-00747-5","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"143554050","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":2,"RegionCategory":"农林科学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Effects of different plant-derived fermentation products as soil amendments on microbial community structure and mitigation of soil degradation caused by replanting","authors":"Xinyue Miao,&nbsp;Pengyuan Lv,&nbsp;Lixiang Wang,&nbsp;Yi Zhou,&nbsp;Ergang Wang,&nbsp;Yu Zhan,&nbsp;Guixiang He,&nbsp;Zhiqi Liang,&nbsp;Jinglou Zhang,&nbsp;Changbao Chen,&nbsp;Qiong Li","doi":"10.1186/s40538-025-00748-4","DOIUrl":"10.1186/s40538-025-00748-4","url":null,"abstract":"<div><h3>Aims</h3><p>Soil amendments play a pivotal role in revitalizing soil ecosystems degraded by continuous intensive farming practices. However, existing research primarily focuses on chemical or biological amendments, overlooking the potential of plant-derived fermentation products. The influence of plant fermentation products on diverse soil functions and their underlying connections with soil microbial communities remains elusive. This study delves into the effects of various plant fermentation products as innovative amendments on transplanted soil.</p><h3>Methods</h3><p>We evaluated soil functions encompassing ginseng yield and quality, nutrient cycling processes, soil enzymatic activities crucial for primary production, and physicochemical properties.</p><h3>Results</h3><p>Our findings reveal that plant fermentation products effectively enhance soil functions, with XS (fine Manchurian wildginger and Shiso) exhibiting the most pronounced impact on restoring soil fertility compared to untreated aged ginseng soil. Furthermore, application of these products altered bacterial and fungal community compositions, marked by increased relative abundances of dominant bacterial phyla (e.g., <i>Actinobacteria</i> and <i>Proteobacteria</i>) and fungal phyla (e.g., <i>Ascomycota</i> and <i>Basidiomycota</i>). Notably, bacterial networks exhibited greater complexity post-treatment, suggesting a more responsive nature to environmental changes compared to fungi. Bacterial networks were dominated by positive interactions, significantly stronger than those in fungal networks. Functional predictions indicate that treatments involving plant fermentation products modified the metabolic capabilities of soil fungal communities. Additionally, these treatments significantly reduced plant disease incidence associated with transplantation, with XS being the most effective.</p><h3>Conclusions</h3><p>In conclusion, our results demonstrate that plant fermentation products foster stronger intra- and inter-microbial interactions, thereby enhancing soil ecosystem multifunctionality and promoting sustainable agriculture.</p><h3>Graphical abstract</h3>\u0000<div><figure><div><div><picture><source><img></source></picture></div></div></figure></div></div>","PeriodicalId":512,"journal":{"name":"Chemical and Biological Technologies in Agriculture","volume":"12 1","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":5.2,"publicationDate":"2025-03-04","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://chembioagro.springeropen.com/counter/pdf/10.1186/s40538-025-00748-4","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"143533270","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":2,"RegionCategory":"农林科学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Nanotechnology-driven gene silencing: advancements in SIGS–dsRNA technology for sustainable disease management","authors":"Muhammad Imran,&nbsp;Xianyang Feng,&nbsp;Zhongke Sun,&nbsp;Hanan Al Omari,&nbsp;Gaoyang Zhang,&nbsp;Jiayu Zhu,&nbsp;Munirah F. Aldayel,&nbsp;Chengwei Li","doi":"10.1186/s40538-025-00738-6","DOIUrl":"10.1186/s40538-025-00738-6","url":null,"abstract":"<div><p>Among the fungal diseases, Fusarium head blight (FHB), caused by <i>Fusarium graminearum</i>, is one of the most destructive disease affecting wheat. This pathogen poses significant threats to global wheat production, leading to substantial yield losses and contaminating grains with harmful mycotoxins. The chemical control of FHB has become increasingly challenging due to the rise of pathogen resistance, environmental concerns, and the effects of climate change. This review introduces a novel approach to disease management through spray-induced gene silencing (SIGS), a cutting-edge technology that uses double-stranded RNA (dsRNA) to silence critical genes in both the fungus and the host plant. This silencing reduces pathogen virulence and enhances plant resilience. A key innovation is the integration of nanotechnology to improve the delivery of dsRNA, addressing challenges related to stability, cellular uptake, and targeting efficiency in field conditions. Nanocarriers have revolutionized dsRNA delivery by improving its encapsulation efficiency, precision, and stability, compared to traditional methods. Advances in cost-effective dsRNA production, particularly through microbial expression systems, enable scalable and sustainable implementation of this technology. This review emphasizes the potential of nanocarrier systems in precision agriculture and highlights their role in replacing harmful chemical treatments with RNA interference (RNAi)-based solutions. RNAi-based approaches not only reduce reliance on synthetic chemicals, but also promote environmental sustainability by addressing fungicide resistance. However, challenges remain in large-scale field application, cost-effectiveness, and regulatory approval processes. Overcoming these hurdles will be crucial to unlocking the full potential of this technology. In conclusion, the combination of nanotechnology and SIGS-based dsRNA delivery offers a groundbreaking approach to managing Fusarium infections in wheat. This innovative strategy has the potential to minimize environmental impacts while enhancing global food security, paving the way for a more sustainable and resilient agricultural future.</p><h3>Graphical Abstract</h3><div><figure><div><div><picture><source><img></source></picture></div></div></figure></div></div>","PeriodicalId":512,"journal":{"name":"Chemical and Biological Technologies in Agriculture","volume":"12 1","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":5.2,"publicationDate":"2025-03-04","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://chembioagro.springeropen.com/counter/pdf/10.1186/s40538-025-00738-6","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"143553798","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":2,"RegionCategory":"农林科学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Identification of antifungal lipopeptides from Bacillus subtilis Sh-17 targeting Fusarium oxysporum f. sp. lycopersici","authors":"Sarfaraz Hussain,&nbsp;Maratab Ali,&nbsp;Abdel‑Halim Ghazy,&nbsp;Abdullah A. Al-Doss,&nbsp;Kotb A. Attia,&nbsp;Tawaf Ali Shah,&nbsp;Fujun Li","doi":"10.1186/s40538-025-00744-8","DOIUrl":"10.1186/s40538-025-00744-8","url":null,"abstract":"<div><h3>Background</h3><p>This study addresses the critical issue of <i>Fusarium</i> wilt in tomatoes, caused by <i>Fusarium oxysporum</i> f. sp. <i>lycopersici</i> (FOL), a severe fungal pathogen responsible for global yield losses. Conventional control measures, such as resistant crop varieties and chemical fungicides, have limitations due to environmental concerns and the risk of pathogen resistance. As a sustainable alternative, this study aims to explore the biocontrol potential of the bacterial strain Sh-17, focusing on its lipopeptides (LPs) to effectively suppress FOL.</p><h3>Results</h3><p>This study demonstrated the antifungal capability of the Sh-17 strain, obtained from a tomato field, against FOL. Through 16S rDNA gene sequence analysis and phenotypic evaluation, Sh-17 was identified as <i>Bacillus subtilis</i> Sh-17. During the disease control assay using in vitro petri dishes, Sh-17 showed promising plant growth-promoting and disease-control capabilities in seedlings when tomato seeds were inoculated with both Sh-17 and FOL. Subsequently, the lipopeptide extract derived from Sh-17 showed strong antifungal properties in a dose-dependent manner, with complete inhibition of FOL at a concentration of 3500 µg mL⁻¹. Furthermore, it was observed that LPs decreased the amount of ergosterol, which affects the stability and general structure of the plasma membrane. The genomic DNA of Sh-17 was subjected to PCR screening, which revealed the presence of genes responsible for the biosynthesis of antifungal LPs. Furthermore, LC–MS analysis identified distinct LPs, such as surfactins, fengycin, iturins, bacilysin, and bacillomycin derivatives in the crude LPs extract of Sh-17. Moreover, microscopic analyses (fluorescent/TEM) demonstrated morphological abnormalities and even death of the hyphae and spores of the phytopathogen upon its interaction with LPs.</p><h3>Conclusions</h3><p><i>B. subtilis</i> Sh-17 exhibits strong antifungal properties against FOL and supports seedlings health by protecting them from pathogen infestation. The LPs produced by Sh-17 inhibit FOL growth in a dose-dependent manner by disrupting the pathogen’s cellular structures and proved to be an effective biocontrol agent against <i>Fusarium</i> wilt in tomatoes.</p><h3>Graphical abstract</h3><div><figure><div><div><picture><source><img></source></picture></div></div></figure></div></div>","PeriodicalId":512,"journal":{"name":"Chemical and Biological Technologies in Agriculture","volume":"12 1","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":5.2,"publicationDate":"2025-03-03","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://chembioagro.springeropen.com/counter/pdf/10.1186/s40538-025-00744-8","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"143533225","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":2,"RegionCategory":"农林科学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Effects of microbial fermentation on nutrients and flavor substances of cottonseed kernel and functional properties of derived peptides","authors":"Na Liu,&nbsp;Yuan Wang,&nbsp;Xiaoping An,&nbsp;Jingwei Qi,&nbsp;Yang Jia","doi":"10.1186/s40538-025-00742-w","DOIUrl":"10.1186/s40538-025-00742-w","url":null,"abstract":"<div><p>Cottonseed kernel (CK) contains high contents of protein and lipids and can be used as a protein feed ingredient. However, the application of CK in animal feed is limited due to the presence of free gossypol. High levels of free gossypol is toxic to animals by affecting protein digestion, causing liver and kidney damage, and impacting growth and reproduction. Microbial fermentation is an effective processing approach to reduce gossypol, improve nutritional value and produce functional peptides of cottonseed by-product. The objective of this study was to evaluate the influence of microbial fermentation on the free gossypol, nutrients and flavor substances of CK. Then the structure, water and oil holding capacity and in vitro antioxidant activity of derived peptide were examined. Fermentation significantly decreased free gossypol content from 0.12 mg/kg to not detected, while increased the contents of crude protein, ether extract, water-soluble protein contents and peptide yields by 5.11%, 9.42%, 40.98% and 39.79%, respectively. Compared with unfermented CK (UCK), the total amino acids, palmitic, oleic acid and linoleic acid contents of fermented CK (FCK) were significantly higher by 114.72%, 24.31%, 14.34% and 14.25%, respectively. Meanwhile, the relative contents of alcohols, aldehydes, esters in FCK were increased by 10.85-fold, 8.75-fold, 8.25-fold compared with UCK. In addition, the derived peptides from FCK (FCKP) possessed higher water and oil holding capacities compared to derived peptides from UCK (UCKP), by 7.01 fold and 22.95%, respectively. In vitro antioxidant assay indicated that FCKP exhibited stronger DPPH, hydroxyl radical scavenging activities and reducing power. In conclusion, microbial fermentation remarkably improved the nutritional value and flavor substances of CK, and derived CK peptide with antioxidant activity.</p><h3>Graphical abstract</h3><div><figure><div><div><picture><source><img></source></picture></div></div></figure></div></div>","PeriodicalId":512,"journal":{"name":"Chemical and Biological Technologies in Agriculture","volume":"12 1","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":5.2,"publicationDate":"2025-02-28","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://chembioagro.springeropen.com/counter/pdf/10.1186/s40538-025-00742-w","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"143513408","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":2,"RegionCategory":"农林科学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Synergistic herbicidal effects of Nelumbo nucifera Gaertn. leaf extract-silver nanoparticles against Bidens pilosa L.","authors":"Fangxiang He,&nbsp;Yanhui Wang,&nbsp;Haimei Huang,&nbsp;Liangwei Du","doi":"10.1186/s40538-025-00741-x","DOIUrl":"10.1186/s40538-025-00741-x","url":null,"abstract":"<div><p>The risks posed by conventional herbicides have driven research toward environmentally friendly alternatives for sustainable agriculture. We synthesized silver nanoparticles (AgNPs) using aqueous extracts from the allelopathic plant <i>Nelumbo nucifera</i> Gaertn. (lotus) leaves, and their herbicidal activities were investigated against farmland weeds. The lotus-assisted AgNPs were characterized using ultraviolet–visible (UV–Vis) spectroscopy, <i>X</i>-ray diffraction (XRD), and transmission electron microscopy (TEM). The surface plasmon resonance (SPR) band at 459 nm observed from the UV–Vis spectrum confirmed the successful synthesis of AgNPs. The hydrodynamic diameter of the AgNPs, as determined by the dynamic light scattering (DLS) measurement, was 105.1 nm, with a polydispersity index of 0.196. XRD results confirmed the synthesized AgNPs were proven to be crystalline with an average crystallite size of 18.62 nm. TEM analyses revealed that the AgNPs exhibited a spherical morphology with an average particle size of 12.87 nm. The herbicidal activities against <i>Bidens pilosa</i> L. of these lotus-mediated AgNPs were tested using both the Petri dish method and the soil irrigation method. The plant-derived AgNPs demonstrated a greater inhibitory effect on the seed germination and seedling growth of <i>B. pilosa</i> than the lotus extract. The results from herbicidal tests demonstrated that the synergetic herbicidal activity was realized after combining lotus extract with AgNPs. This study provided a new alternative to synthesize AgNPs by allelopathic plants, which could be used as botanical nanoherbicides for weed management in sustainable agriculture.</p><h3>Graphical abstract</h3>\u0000<div><figure><div><div><picture><source><img></source></picture></div></div></figure></div></div>","PeriodicalId":512,"journal":{"name":"Chemical and Biological Technologies in Agriculture","volume":"12 1","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":5.2,"publicationDate":"2025-02-25","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://chembioagro.springeropen.com/counter/pdf/10.1186/s40538-025-00741-x","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"143489468","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":2,"RegionCategory":"农林科学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Optimizing drying time for Centella asiatica (L.) Urban: metabolomic insights into dehydration effects on primary and secondary metabolites","authors":"Da Hye Ryu,&nbsp;Jwa Yeong Cho,&nbsp;Muhammad Hamayun,&nbsp;Su Hyeon Lee,&nbsp;Hyeong Ho Cha,&nbsp;Je Hyeong Jung,&nbsp;Ho-Youn Kim","doi":"10.1186/s40538-025-00745-7","DOIUrl":"10.1186/s40538-025-00745-7","url":null,"abstract":"<div><h3>Background</h3><p>Drying has been considered a preservation technique for reducing water activity, preventing microbial growth, and preserving the quality of aromatic and medicinal plants. Therefore, an understanding of the changes in plant metabolisms due to dehydration during drying and the resulting changes in the active components of medicinal crops is required. <i>Centella asiatica</i> (L.) Urban is one of the important medicinal plant for consumption or medicinal purposes with its four most abundant triterpenoids, including two sapogenins (asiatic acid, AA; madecassic acid, MS) and saponins (asiaticoside, AS; madecassoside, MS). This study investigated the effects of the rate of dehydration on <i>C. asiatica</i> using a metabolic approach and identified the proper drying time to obtain the highest active components.</p><h3>Results</h3><p>In fresh samples (0-h drying condition), the highest AA content and TCA-related components (citrate, glutamate, and aspartate) levels were observed. As drying progressed, even minimal drying (6 h) induced metabolic changes by suppressing photosynthesis. With extended drying time, a significant time-dependent increase in amino acid production was observed. While amino acid accumulation progressed, an increase in MA content was observed at 12 h of drying along with an increase in <i>Cab</i>AS gene expression levels. Subsequently, representative stress-related amino acids (GABA and proline) levels rose over time, peaking at 24 and 48 h of drying, respectively. At 48 h of drying, when the moisture in the <i>C. asiatica</i> had disappeared, an increased level of <i>Ca</i>AS expression (involved in biosynthesis of α-amyrin, the precursor of AA and MA) was observed. At extreme dehydration (96 h of drying), increased levels of <i>Ca</i>GT expression (involved in the glycosylation of AA and MA to produce AS and MS) were recorded. Consequently, these elevated biosynthesis gene expression levels resulted in increased saponins, including AS and MS content. However, beyond 96 h of drying, all the metabolites underwent degradation.</p><h3>Conclusions</h3><p>This study highlights that metabolic responses during drying significantly alter centellosides by stimulating diverse metabolic pathways. Optimizing the drying period would maximize active components (MS and AS) in <i>C. asiatica</i>, thereby enhancing its pharmaceutical value.</p><h3>Graphical Abstract</h3>\u0000<div><figure><div><div><picture><source><img></source></picture></div></div></figure></div></div>","PeriodicalId":512,"journal":{"name":"Chemical and Biological Technologies in Agriculture","volume":"12 1","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":5.2,"publicationDate":"2025-02-24","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://chembioagro.springeropen.com/counter/pdf/10.1186/s40538-025-00745-7","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"143481064","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":2,"RegionCategory":"农林科学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Agro-morphological yield-attributed traits, essential oil content, phytochemical composition, and biological activities of some Medicago species","authors":"Ziba Bakhtiar,&nbsp;Mohammadreza Hassandokht,&nbsp;Vahid Fozi,&nbsp;Mohammad Hossein Mirjalili","doi":"10.1186/s40538-025-00740-y","DOIUrl":"10.1186/s40538-025-00740-y","url":null,"abstract":"<div><h3>Background</h3><p><i>Medicago</i> species (Fabaceae) have garnered significant interest due to their rich array of natural phytochemicals, <i>i.e.</i> saponins, phenolics, and tannins, which exhibit a diverse range of medicinal and biological properties, including the ability to lower blood sugar and fat levels, as well as possessing antimicrobial, antioxidant, and anticancer effects. This study investigated various agro-morphological yield-attributed traits, essential oil characteristics, content of pigments, total triterpene saponins, condensed tannin, total phenolic, and total flavonoids, and biological activity of the three cultivated populations of six <i>Medicago</i> species collected across Iran.</p><h3>Results</h3><p>The highest fresh (1044.15 ± 5.35–1153.38 ± 2.61 g/m²) and dry (199.60 ± 1.71–274.48 ± 2.24 g/m²) weight and leaf area index (4.61 ± 0.21–5.83 ± 0.52) were measured in the cultivated populations of <i>M. sativa</i>. The essential oil content ranged from 0.02% to 0.17% (w/w) among the studied samples. A total of 26 chemical compounds 96.08‒99.90% of the essential oils were identified. <i>n</i>-Nonanal (52.21‒66.50%), dimethoxy-(<i>E</i>)-citral (5.22‒7.93%), terpinen-4-ol (1.55‒6.98%), citronellol (4.13‒6.78%), and α-terpineol (2.13‒4.89%) were the major components. Positive and negative significant correlation of antioxidant activity (DPPH and FRAP) (<i>p</i> &lt; 0.01) with total anthocyanin (<i>r</i> = –0.57, <i>r</i> = 0.72), triterpene saponin (<i>r</i> = –0.75, <i>r</i> = 0.81), total phenolic (<i>r</i> = –0.90, <i>r</i> = 0.97), and total flavonoid content (<i>r</i> = –0.87, <i>r</i> = 0.86) were obtained. The highest antibacterial and antifungal activities of the EOs were obtained against <i>Staphylococcus aureus</i> (MIC: 0.062 mg/ml) and <i>Candida glabrata</i> (MIC: &lt; 0.016 mg/ml), respectively. The results demonstrated the superior growth characteristics, valuable phytochemical compositions, and strong biological activities of the studied cultivated populations of <i>Medicago</i>.</p><h3>Conclusions</h3><p>In general, populations of <i>M. phrygia</i>, <i>M. monspeliaca</i>, and <i>M. sativa</i> are distinguished as promising candidates for further exploitation in breeding and production programs aimed at improving both agricultural productivity and pharmaceutical applications, as well as exploring innovative applications in food safety and pest management.</p><h3>Graphical abstract</h3>\u0000<div><figure><div><div><picture><source><img></source></picture></div></div></figure></div></div>","PeriodicalId":512,"journal":{"name":"Chemical and Biological Technologies in Agriculture","volume":"12 1","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":5.2,"publicationDate":"2025-02-24","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://chembioagro.springeropen.com/counter/pdf/10.1186/s40538-025-00740-y","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"143480971","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":2,"RegionCategory":"农林科学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"The formation of pineapple translucency was regulated by Ca2+/H+ antiporter gene AcoCAX2","authors":"Haiyan Shu,&nbsp;Farinaz Vafadar,&nbsp;Aiping Luan,&nbsp;You Wang,&nbsp;Junhu He,&nbsp;Rulin Zhan,&nbsp;Shenghe Chang","doi":"10.1186/s40538-025-00746-6","DOIUrl":"10.1186/s40538-025-00746-6","url":null,"abstract":"<div><h3>Background</h3><p>Flesh translucency is a significant physiological disorder in pineapple cultivation. Calcium deficiency in the fruit is a primary cause of flesh translucency. However, simply adding calcium to the soil or applying calcium fertilizer to the leaves and fruits does not eliminate flesh translucency. The mechanism behind this phenomenon has not been previously documented.</p><h3>Results</h3><p>Our research discovered that the calcium content in the stalk was significantly higher than in the fruit. Calcium ions are primarily transported through the phloem. The calcium concentration in the phloem sap of pineapple stalk at different stages ranged from 14 to 17 µmol/L. The transporter responsible for unloading Ca²⁺ across the membrane of the end sieve vessel in the stalk phloem is the Ca²⁺/H⁺ antiporter exchanger (CAX). Among the four CAX genes in pineapple, only AcoCAX2 is expressed in the stalk. The AcoCAX2 protein is located in the plasma membrane and cytoplasm. Calcium-sensitive yeast K667 transformed with AcoCAX2 absorbed more calcium ions from the medium compared to the control. The promoter proNtPRB1b-proAcoCAX2 is specifically expressed in the junction between the stalk and fruit. Plants overexpressing AcoCAX2 in this junction absorbed more calcium in the fruit, resulting in a lower incidence of translucency compared to the control. Fruit with a mutant AcoCAX2 gene contained less calcium and exhibited a higher incidence of translucency than control.</p><h3>Conclusion</h3><p>The mutant flesh with AcoCAX2 contained more liquid in the intercellular space compared to the wild type and control. AcoCAX2 is the main gene responsible for transferring calcium ions from the stalk phloem into the fruit.</p><h3>Graphical Abstract</h3>\u0000<div><figure><div><div><picture><source><img></source></picture></div></div></figure></div></div>","PeriodicalId":512,"journal":{"name":"Chemical and Biological Technologies in Agriculture","volume":"12 1","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":5.2,"publicationDate":"2025-02-22","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://chembioagro.springeropen.com/counter/pdf/10.1186/s40538-025-00746-6","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"143471958","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":2,"RegionCategory":"农林科学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Essential oil-based emulsions reduce bacterial canker on kiwifruit plants acting as antimicrobial and antivirulence agents against Pseudomonas syringae pv. actinidiae","authors":"Davide Danzi,&nbsp;Mario Thomas,&nbsp;Sara Cremonesi,&nbsp;Fateme Sadeghian,&nbsp;Giorgia Staniscia,&nbsp;Marco Andreolli,&nbsp;Michele Bovi,&nbsp;Annalisa Polverari,&nbsp;Lorenzo Tosi,&nbsp;Marta Bonaconsa,&nbsp;Silvia Lampis,&nbsp;Francesco Spinelli,&nbsp;Elodie Vandelle","doi":"10.1186/s40538-025-00743-9","DOIUrl":"10.1186/s40538-025-00743-9","url":null,"abstract":"<div><p><i>Pseudomonas syringae</i> pv. <i>actinidiae</i> (Psa) poses a significant threat to global kiwifruit production, with current control measures proving insufficient and fostering resistance development. Essential oils (EOs) offer a promising alternative due to their multifaceted antimicrobial and antivirulence mechanisms. This study evaluated the antimicrobial activity of various EOs—cinnamon bark (CIN), oregano (ORE), clove bud (CLO), and thyme (THY)—against Psa, in terms of growth and virulence traits. CIN exhibited the highest antimicrobial activity, followed by ORE and CLO EOs, while THY EO was less effective. Encapsulation of EOs into organic polymer-based emulsions enhanced their antimicrobial efficacy by improving bioavailability and stability while reducing the required dosage. Notably, CIN and ORE EO emulsions effectively reduced disease symptoms in kiwifruit under both in vitro and in vivo conditions. Mechanistically, these EOs demonstrated dual activity: direct antimicrobial effects likely via membrane alteration and indirect antivirulence effects, including the inhibition of biofilm production and type III secretion system induction. Field trials further confirmed the potential of EO-based formulations to reduce disease incidence and severity over a growing season. This study underscores the potential of EO emulsions as sustainable, cost-effective plant protection agents, aligning with the goals of environmentally friendly crop management strategies.</p><h3>Graphical Abstract</h3>\u0000<div><figure><div><div><picture><source><img></source></picture></div></div></figure></div></div>","PeriodicalId":512,"journal":{"name":"Chemical and Biological Technologies in Agriculture","volume":"12 1","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":5.2,"publicationDate":"2025-02-20","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://chembioagro.springeropen.com/counter/pdf/10.1186/s40538-025-00743-9","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"143455402","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":2,"RegionCategory":"农林科学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}