ACS agricultural science & technology最新文献

{"title":"Eudragit L100 as a Polymeric Matrix for the Controlled Release of Thyme Essential Oil (Thymus vulgaris) with Antifungal Activity in Maize Seed Coating Applications","authors":"Caio M. S. Lopes,&nbsp;Fabio S. Souza,&nbsp;José V. Chaves, Jr.,&nbsp;Breno R. Barrioni,&nbsp;Juliano E. Oliveira,&nbsp;Francisco J. Gonzalez-Benito,&nbsp;Eliton S. Medeiros","doi":"10.1021/acsagscitech.6c00425","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1021/acsagscitech.6c00425","url":null,"abstract":"<p>Fungal contamination during maize seed germination is a major agricultural challenge, while agriculture relies heavily on synthetic fungicides that pose environmental and health risks. In this study, a sustainable, controlled-release polymeric seed coating was developed to mitigate endophytic fungal growth without compromising seed viability. Polymeric formulations based on a methacrylic acid–methyl methacrylate copolymer (Eudragit L100) incorporating 0, 10, 20, and 30 wt % thyme essential oil (TEO) were prepared to evenly coat maize seeds using a rotary drum coater. Physicochemical characterizations confirmed a homogeneous incorporation of the essential oil without compromising polymer integrity. Release kinetics of TEO revealed a predominantly Fickian diffusion mechanism. Data were fitted with the Korsmeyer–Peppas model, with formulations exhibiting a progressively slower release profile as the concentration of oil decreases, delivering less than 5% of the total oil over 144 h. Germination assays demonstrated a significant reduction in fungal incidence, averaging approximately 30% for coated seeds compared to the control. Although a simultaneous reduction in overall germination rate was observed at the highest oil contents due to phytotoxic effects, the polymeric coating successfully mitigated the high volatility of the essential oil. Compared to conventional treatments, incorporation of TEO in Eudragit L100 offers a robust, eco-friendly barrier that reduces volatilization losses while maintaining controlled release. Optimization of oil content is therefore required to preserve germination performance, particularly for applications involving extended seed storage. The study demonstrates the potential of these systems as a sustainable strategy for agricultural seed protection, providing a long-lasting defense against soil-borne pathogens.</p>","PeriodicalId":93846,"journal":{"name":"ACS agricultural science & technology","volume":"6 9","pages":"1959–1968"},"PeriodicalIF":3.4,"publicationDate":"2026-09-21","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"149003790","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Vitex negundo in the Era of Genomics: Applications of Biotechnology and Bioinformatics","authors":"Vasanth S,&nbsp;Padmapriya S,&nbsp;Sathiyamurthy V. A,&nbsp;Renuka R,&nbsp;Santhanakrishnan V. P,&nbsp;Jayakanthan M","doi":"10.1021/acsagscitech.5c00619","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1021/acsagscitech.5c00619","url":null,"abstract":"<p><em>Vitex negundo</em> L. belongs to the family Lamiaceae, commonly known as the five-leaved chaste tree (Nirgundi), is a medicinally significant plant species with a rich ethnopharmacological history across Asia. Traditional medicinal systems have utilized various parts of this plant to treat inflammation, pain, respiratory disorders, and numerous other ailments. Genomic technologies have profoundly advanced our understanding of this medicinally valuable species, providing deeper insights into its genetic makeup, metabolic pathways, and therapeutic potential. This comprehensive review examines the intersection of <em>V. negundo</em> research with modern biotechnological and bioinformatic approaches. We explored recent advances in genomic, transcriptomic, and metabolomic analyses to elucidate the molecular basis of bioactive compound production in <em><em>V. negundo</em></em>. This review highlights biotechnological interventions, including tissue culture techniques, genetic transformation protocols, and genome editing strategies, that enhance bioactive compound yield and plant propagation. Additionally, we discuss bioinformatics tools and databases that have facilitated the computational analyses of <em>V. negundo</em> genes, proteins, and metabolites. The integration of multiomics approaches has provided unprecedented insight opportunities for drug discovery in this species. This review also addresses challenges in implementing these technologies and outlines future perspectives for translating genomic insights into practical applications for pharmaceutical development, conservation strategies, and sustainable utilization of <em>V. negundo</em>. This synthesis of traditional knowledge using cutting-edge genomic tools demonstrates how interdisciplinary approaches can accelerate the exploration and utilization of medicinal plants in modern healthcare systems.</p>","PeriodicalId":93846,"journal":{"name":"ACS agricultural science & technology","volume":"6 9","pages":"1636–1651"},"PeriodicalIF":3.4,"publicationDate":"2026-09-21","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"149003689","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Copper-Loaded Cellulose Nanocrystals as an Alternative Foliar Formulation for Crop Protection","authors":"Bhanu Sharma,&nbsp;Jorge Pereira,&nbsp;Ronit Apsingekar,&nbsp;Preeti Maiti,&nbsp;Melissa M. Deinys,&nbsp;Allison Lloyd,&nbsp;Swadeshmukul Santra","doi":"10.1021/acsagscitech.6c00413","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1021/acsagscitech.6c00413","url":null,"abstract":"<p>Copper-based bactericides remain important for crop protection but are limited by phytotoxicity, environmental accumulation, poor rainfastness, and copper-tolerant pathogens. Here, copper-loaded cellulose nanocrystals (Cu-CNCs) were developed as a foliar copper formulation by <em>in situ</em> precipitation of copper species onto mixed-acid-derived CNCs. TEM, SEM–EDS, XRD, and XPS confirmed the formation of Cu-CNC composites containing predominantly Cu(II) species. Antibacterial activity was evaluated against copper-sensitive and copper-tolerant <em>Xanthomonas perforans</em>. Cu-CNCs and Kocide 3000 showed the same MICs of 128 and 512 ppm Cu, respectively. T2 and T3 showed stronger activity than Kocide 3000 in leaf-recovery assays, while higher Cu loadings also improved disk-diffusion inhibition against the copper-sensitive strain. At 800 ppm Cu, Cu-CNCs caused only 8.4–11.1% affected leaves vs 24.6% for Kocide 3000. Cu-CNCs also showed strong foliar copper retention after sequential water washes, supporting their potential as an alternative foliar copper formulation.</p>","PeriodicalId":93846,"journal":{"name":"ACS agricultural science & technology","volume":"6 9","pages":"1935–1946"},"PeriodicalIF":3.4,"publicationDate":"2026-09-21","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"149003713","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Metabolic Engineering for Improving Tobacco Quality: Advances and Perspective","authors":"Jie Liu,&nbsp;Kejuan Zhang,&nbsp;Jun Zhang,&nbsp;Xinsheng Li,&nbsp;Jinyuan Ge","doi":"10.1021/acsagscitech.6c00193","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1021/acsagscitech.6c00193","url":null,"abstract":"<p>Tobacco remains a vital global cash crop with diverse economic and industrial uses. Traditional improvement methods, such as breeding and chemical treatments, often lack long-term precision and sustainability. Conversely, metabolic engineering—combining systems and synthetic biology—enables precise modifications of tobacco's metabolic pathways, allowing control over key compounds such as terpenoids and alkaloids. This approach offers a more efficient and environmentally friendly alternative. The review explores the challenges and mechanisms associated with four major tobacco quality traits—aroma, health, functionality, and combustion—and examines corresponding metabolic engineering strategies. It concludes by summarizing key findings and suggesting future research avenues to advance the field.</p>","PeriodicalId":93846,"journal":{"name":"ACS agricultural science & technology","volume":"6 9","pages":"1677–1686"},"PeriodicalIF":3.4,"publicationDate":"2026-09-21","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"149003754","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Exploring the Potential of CuS Nanoparticles for Agriculture: Functions, Implications, and Research Gaps","authors":"Ziqing He,&nbsp;Cristina M. Sabliov,&nbsp;Kevin Simon,&nbsp;Enzhu Hu,&nbsp;Melanie Kah","doi":"10.1021/acsagscitech.6c00409","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1021/acsagscitech.6c00409","url":null,"abstract":"<p>Copper (Cu) and sulfur (S)-based compounds have long been used in agriculture, yet their conventional soluble formulations often require repeated application and can contribute to off-target environmental loading. In recent years, nanoforms of Cu and S have been explored as alternative agricultural materials due to their reactivity, release kinetics, and biological interactions, which can differ markedly from those of bulk or ionic counterparts. Building on this progress, this review examines the potential of copper sulfide nanoparticles (CuS NPs) as an emerging material that integrates micronutrient chemistry, redox activity, and nanoscale functionality. The number of studies directly evaluating CuS NPs in agriculture remains relatively limited, but existing reports suggest three main application pathways: as antifungal/antibacterial agents, as nanocarriers for pesticidal active ingredients, and as controlled nutrient-delivery platforms for plant-relevant elements.</p><p>Several studies have reported promising agronomic performance of CuS NPs compared to Cu-containing NPs and synthetic pesticides. However, results are highly context dependent. This review identifies key gaps in benchmarking, mechanistic validation, and fate assessment under realistic soil–plant exposure scenarios. Such studies are required to strategically design and assess CuS formulations that will deliver tangible agronomic benefits without unacceptable environmental risks.</p>","PeriodicalId":93846,"journal":{"name":"ACS agricultural science & technology","volume":"6 9","pages":"1687–1701"},"PeriodicalIF":3.4,"publicationDate":"2026-09-21","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"149003792","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Frontiers in Citrus Science: Biotechnological Advances and Metabolomic Innovations","authors":"Dwaraka Vinodh Kumar,&nbsp;Navinraj Shanmugam,&nbsp;Muthuvijayaragavan R.,&nbsp;Manikanda Boopathi N.,&nbsp;Kokiladevi Eswaran,&nbsp;Raveendran Muthurajan,&nbsp;Santhana Krishnan Vichangal Pridiuldi","doi":"10.1021/acsagscitech.6c00034","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1021/acsagscitech.6c00034","url":null,"abstract":"<p>Citrus species are notable for their broad spectrum of bioactive phytochemicals that play an important role in human health and nutrition. Citrus improvement through conventional breeding remains severely constrained by biological bottlenecks, including long juvenile phases, high heterozygosity, nucellar polyembryony, and complex reproductive behavior, which collectively slow the development of superior cultivars. In recent years, advances in plant biotechnology have provided alternative strategies to overcome these limitations. This review synthesizes current progress in citrus improvement by integrating tissue culture, genetic transformation, genome editing, and metabolomics approaches. Particular emphasis is placed on how these tools enhance trait introgression, disease resistance, and fruit quality while accelerating breeding cycles. Additionally, the role of metabolomics in elucidating biochemical pathways and supporting precision breeding is highlighted. By combining conventional knowledge with emerging technologies, this review provides a comprehensive framework for modern citrus improvement. Future efforts should focus on integrating multiomics approaches with high-throughput phenotyping and genome editing to enable more efficient, targeted, and sustainable citrus breeding programs.</p>","PeriodicalId":93846,"journal":{"name":"ACS agricultural science & technology","volume":"6 9","pages":"1652–1676"},"PeriodicalIF":3.4,"publicationDate":"2026-09-21","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"149010611","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Root Zone Transformations: An Overlooked Source of Exposure Uncertainty for Nano-Agrochemicals","authors":"Nilendu Basak,&nbsp;Arun Kumar","doi":"10.1021/acsagscitech.6c00768","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1021/acsagscitech.6c00768","url":null,"abstract":"","PeriodicalId":93846,"journal":{"name":"ACS agricultural science & technology","volume":"6 9","pages":"1721–1723"},"PeriodicalIF":3.4,"publicationDate":"2026-09-21","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"149003722","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Optimization of Fermentation Conditions for Production of Bioactive Metabolites and Enzymes from Trichoderma spp","authors":"Isabela de L. Valente,&nbsp;Dinalva Schein,&nbsp;Giovani L. Zabot,&nbsp;Marcio A. Mazutti","doi":"10.1021/acsagscitech.6c00285","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1021/acsagscitech.6c00285","url":null,"abstract":"<p>The development of sustainable agricultural inputs is essential to reduce the reliance on synthetic agrochemicals. <em>Trichoderma</em> species are widely recognized for their biocontrol potential and plant growth-promoting effects. In this study, <em>Trichoderma asperellum</em> and <em>Trichoderma harzianum</em> were cultivated under controlled conditions to produce extracellular enzymes and bioactive compounds. The resulting metabolites included compounds associated with antifungal activity, siderophore production, and phytohormone-like effects. For chitinase production, the highest activity reached 0.029 U mL^–1 in medium 4 for <em>T. asperellum</em>, corresponding to a 70.0% increase during cultivation, whereas <em>T. harzianum</em> achieved 0.069 U mL^–1 in medium 5, representing an 18.4% increase. Maximum protease activities were 22.04 U mL^–1 in medium 3 for <em>T. asperellum</em> and 39.70 U mL^–1 in medium 4 for <em>T. harzianum</em>, corresponding to increases of 58.3% and 42.1%, respectively. β–1,3-Glucanase production reached 0.088 U mL^–1 in medium 2 for <em>T. asperellum</em> and 0.033 U mL^–1 in medium 4 for <em>T. harzianum</em>, representing increases of 60.2% and 54.6%, respectively. The in vitro findings demonstrate a strategy for generating <em>Trichoderma</em>-based bioactive compounds with potential application as biocontrol agents and biofertilizers in sustainable agriculture.</p>","PeriodicalId":93846,"journal":{"name":"ACS agricultural science & technology","volume":"6 9","pages":"1880–1893"},"PeriodicalIF":3.4,"publicationDate":"2026-09-21","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"149003745","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Isolation, Characterization, and Evaluation of Arbuscular Mycorrhizal Fungi from the Rhizosphere of Barley (Hordeum vulgare L.) Collected From Dama District, Guji Zone, Ethiopia","authors":"Nigatu Ebisa Nemomsa,&nbsp;Kifle Ware Jilo","doi":"10.1021/acsagscitech.6c00289","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1021/acsagscitech.6c00289","url":null,"abstract":"<p>Arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi (AMF) have significant potential to enhance plant growth. This study isolated, characterized, and evaluated AMF from the rhizosphere of barley (<em>Hordeum vulgare</em> L.) collected from five kebeles in the Dama district, Ethiopia. Thirty rhizosphere samples were processed using wet sieving and decanting to isolate spores, which were identified based on morphotaxonomic criteria. Root colonization was assessed microscopically using staining techniques. In a greenhouse pot experiment at Dilla University, 10 treatments (8 AMF isolates and 2 control groups) were arranged in a completely randomized design with three replications. Twelve AMF species from four genera (<em>Acaulospora</em>, <em>Gigaspora</em>, <em>Scutellospora</em>, and <em>Glomus</em>) were identified. Spore density and root colonization varied considerably across sampling sites. Inoculation significantly improved barley growth compared to noninoculated controls (<em>p</em> &lt; 0.05). Treated plants exhibited consistently greater shoot length, root length, and shoot dry weight than control plants. These results confirm that AMF inoculation significantly enhances key growth parameters in barley, including plant height, root elongation, and biomass accumulation. The top-performing isolates from the genera <em>Glomus</em>, <em>Acaulospora</em>, <em>Gigaspora</em>, and <em>Scutellospora</em> should be evaluated further in field trials to confirm their effectiveness under real agricultural conditions, paving the way for their development as commercial biofertilizers.</p>","PeriodicalId":93846,"journal":{"name":"ACS agricultural science & technology","volume":"6 9","pages":"1894–1904"},"PeriodicalIF":3.4,"publicationDate":"2026-09-21","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"149003751","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Simultaneous Analysis of Phytohormones and Lipid Peroxidation Products in Plant Seeds by LC-MS/MS after Molecular Weight Cutoff Filtration","authors":"Sargun Kaur,&nbsp;Honglan Shi,&nbsp;Obed Patty,&nbsp;Paul Ki-souk Nam","doi":"10.1021/acsagscitech.6c00162","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1021/acsagscitech.6c00162","url":null,"abstract":"<p>Investigation of the phytohormone and lipid peroxidation product levels in plant seeds can provide an insight into their germination potential and vigor. Simultaneous analysis of these diverse classes of compounds presents a significant challenge for a sample preparation method tailored to accommodate their distinct chemical properties. In this study, an analytical method consisting of simple extraction, molecular weight cutoff filtration, and subsequent liquid-chromatography tandem mass spectrometry (LC-MS/MS) analysis was developed for accurate quantification of 11 phytohormones including 2 auxins, 4 cytokinins, 2 gibberellins, abscisic acid, salicylic acid, and jasmonic acid in plant seeds. Additionally, the new method was used for the analysis of 4 lipid peroxidation products like polyunsaturated fatty acids and malondialdehyde. All 15 target plant biochemicals in corn seed tissue were simultaneously analyzed using as little as 50 mg of sample amount. The method detection limits were low, in the range of 0.08–8 ng/mg of corn seed samples. The sample spike recoveries (77–125%) and reproducibility (3–18% relative standard deviation, RSD) were good for all analytes at ng to mg concentration range using minimum amount of seed samples. To our knowledge, this is the first method combining simple sample preparation with LC-MS/MS detection for simultaneous analysis of such a large panel of phytochemicals using very small amount of seed tissue. The method is expected to have broad applications in the seed quality assessment for germination potential and vigor, as well as in the investigation of phytohormone and lipid peroxidation metabolites.</p>","PeriodicalId":93846,"journal":{"name":"ACS agricultural science & technology","volume":"6 9","pages":"1830–1836"},"PeriodicalIF":3.4,"publicationDate":"2026-09-21","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"149003753","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}