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Effect of nanocalcium foliar application on the growth, yield, and fruit quality of strawberry cv ‘Alba’
No full textThe strawberry (Fragaria � ananassa Duch.) is a very important horticultural crop that is cultivated worldwide. The production system, especially
fertilization has a significant influence on the yield and quality of strawberries. The aim of this study was to evaluate the effectiveness of natural calcite foliar fertilizer (FitosmartVR
) on the strawberry cultivar cv. ‘Alba’ in
greenhouse production. Strawberries were grown in two-row beds covered
with black plastic mulch and irrigated using a drip system. Pre-harvest
foliar application of FitosmartVR
was applied on one-year-old plants, at concentrations of 0.3% and 0.5%. Flowering and ripening time, productivity,
plant growth, biometric characteristics and biochemical parameters (total
soluble solids content, total titratable acid content, vitamin C content,
monomeric anthocyanins content, total phenolic content), and antioxidant
activity were monitored. The application of 0.5% FitosmartVR resulted in the
highest yield per plant, fruit weight, and fruit quality, with a significant
improvement in fruit firmness and appearance. Additionally, FitosmartVR
increased the monomeric anthocyanin content, total phenolic content and
antioxidant activity of the strawberries. These results suggest that nanocalcium fertilizer can enhance both the quality and yield of strawberries, thus
presenting a promising sustainable alternative to conventional fertilizers
Migration and Safety Issues in Food Packaging Bionanocomposites
No full textBiopolymers have great potential for use in the production of food packaging.
They are renewable, biodegradable, widely available, non-toxic, and inexpensive,
but possess poor mechanical, thermal, and barrier properties which limit
their application on a large scale. Therefore, bionanocomposites aim to improve
functional characteristics by incorporating small amounts of nanofillers into the
bio-based matrix. In addition, these composites can be tailored to enable active
and intelligent packaging which can help prolong the shelf life of food and ensure
traceability throughout the supply chain. Depending on their size and morphology,
commonly used nanofillers are divided into three groups: one-dimensional 1D nanomaterials
(nanofibers, nanotubes, and nanocrystals), two-dimensional 2D nanomaterials
(layered nanomaterials) and three-dimensional 3D nanomaterials (nanoparticles).
Although these substances are generally recognized as safe (GRAS), there is
a potential risk that they could migrate from the packaging material into the food
and have a negative impact on consumer health. Therefore, this chapter discusses the
nature and properties of the main nanofillers used to manufacture bionanocomposites,
migration issues, and factors affecting their potential release from bionanocomposites.
In addition, an overview of the regulations and viewpoints of food safety
authorities and scientific perspectives on the migration of nanoparticles into food is
provided
Prediction of HHV (Higher Heating Value) of Different Biomass Samples
No full textThe primary indicator of the fuel value of a biomass sample is its heating value. Based on the
chemical and elemental composition results, it is possible to calculate the approximate calorific
value of any fuel using the appropriate formulas. The aim of this study was to predict the HHV
(Higher Heating Value) of various biomass samples (tobacco stems of the Berley type, soybean
stems, wheat straw, sunflower head residues, corn cobs, and beech wood sawdust) based on their
chemical and elemental composition. The HHV was computationally determined using formulas
proposed by different authors. The lowest HHV based on ash content was found in sunflower
head residues (17.08 MJ kg⁻¹), while the highest was in beech wood sawdust (19.79 MJ kg⁻¹).
The highest HHV calculated based on lignin content was found in corn cobs (19.19 MJ kg⁻¹),
and the lowest in soybean stems (18.10 MJ kg⁻¹). Determining the HHV of biomass based on the
elemental composition (C, H, N, S, O) of the tested samples showed that the highest value was
in beech wood sawdust (19.48 MJ kg⁻¹), and the lowest in wheat straw (17.41 MJ kg⁻¹). The
chemical composition of biomass is also influenced by its origin, as well as the geographical
climate where the plant grew, and a significant role is played by the timing of raw material
harvest. The results obtained indicate that using tobacco stems of the Berley type for biofuel
production could be cost-effective, as they have a high heating value, which does not differ
significantly from other tested forms of agricultural biomass
The Importance of using Biopesticides in Organic Farming
No full textBiopesticides, natural origin products, represent a significant tool in sustainable and
environmentally friendly agriculture, particularly in organic farming. Derived from
microorganisms, plant extracts, and natural minerals, biopesticides offer an eco-friendly alternative
to synthetic pesticides. Their application enables effective control of pests, diseases and weeds with
minimal impact on the environment, biodiversity, and human and animal health. This paper
examines the advantages and limitations of biopesticides, highlighting their potential in ecosystem
preservation and productivity improvement in organic farming. The aim of this paper is to point
out the importance of the use of biopesticides in organic agriculture based on the available
literature. In the paper, the method of data analysis was applied, which were collected from
scientific studies, published in scientific works and at scientific conferences, including scientific
publications of the authors of the paper. The results of numerous scientific research, including the
research of the authors of this paper, indicate that, in addition to being used as biofertilizers,
microorganisms also produce biologically active substances with pronounced antimicrobial and
antifungal effects, so they can also be used as biopesticides, which significantly contribute to food
safety. The role of biopesticides in reducing carbon dioxide emissions and contributing to global
efforts in combating climate change underscores their importance as an indispensable tool for
sustainable agriculture in the future. The specificity of biopesticides in targeting harmful organisms
makes them safe for beneficial insects, such as pollinators, and contributes to the preservation of
natural resources like soil and water. Their use in organic farming reduces the negative effects of
synthetic pesticides and aids in maintaining ecological balance. However, the effectiveness of
biopesticides often depends on ecological factors, formulation, and proper application. Despite
these challenges, their contribution to sustainable production is significant, as they help reduce the
use of chemicals, preserve food quality, and support sustainable development goals. Based on the
review of scientific research, it can be concluded that development of new formulations, increased
market availability of biopesticides and farmer education on their proper application are crucial for
broader adoption of these solutions in organic agriculture
The Effect of Maize Landraces and Testers on the Number of Leaves above the Ear in Test Cross Hybrids
No full textThe variation of the number of leaves above the ear in maize test cross hybrids was analyzed
to identify superior combinations for this trait. The experiment involved crossing 31 maize
landraces with three testers (L217, L73B013, and L255/75-5), representing different heterotic
groups (Iowa Dent, BSSS and Lancaster). The general mean for the number of leaves above
the ear was 6.18 leaves. The analysis of variance revealed that all sources of variation, including
the environment, tester, landrace, and their interactions, were highly significant (p≤0.01),
except for the triple interaction (p=0.964). The coefficient of variation was 6.00%, indicating
low within-group variability. Maize landrace AN1569, across all testers, exhibited the highest
number of leaves (6.72), suggesting its superior general combining ability for this trait. Other
landraces, such as AN877, AN288, and AN197, also showed high values, predominantly
belonging to dent maize types from late maturity groups. In contrast, the maize landrace
AN1890, in test cross hybrids, produced the lowest number of leaves above the ear (5.76).
Tester L73B013 contributed to hybrids with the highest number of leaves above the ear (6.31),
compared to L217 and L255/75-5, which were statistically similar to each other. A positive
correlation (r=0.782) was observed between the number of leaves above the ear in landraces
per se and their general combining ability, emphasizing the additive genetic effects in the
inheritance of this trait. These results emphasize the importance of specific landraces and
testers in breeding programs aimed at improving the number of leaves above the ear, with
potential implications for yield and adaptability
Antioxidants in Cereal Grains
No full textAntioxidants are molecules that can prevent the oxidation of other molecules. They prevent
chain reactions that damage other molecules in cells. Antioxidants oxidize themselves - they
give one or more electrons to a free radical, which leads to stabilization and prevention of
potential oxidative stress, which is the main cause of cellular damage. With this effect,
antioxidants affect the health of the body: they slow down aging, lower cholesterol, protect the
heart and blood vessels, prevent the formation of tumors, protect the skin from UV radiation,
reduce the risk of arteriosclerosis and stroke. They help detoxification, prevent damage of eye
structures and the process of macular degeneration, protect the lungs from asthma and
bronchitis, exhibit antibacterial and antiviral effects. In this regard, the aim of this work was to
present, through a review of the literature, the most important antioxidants in cereal grains and
their importance in human nutrition. Fibre and micronutrients in the outer layer and germ
fractions of the grain acting together to combat oxidative stress, inflammation, hyperglycemia
and carcinogenesis. High antioxidant activity in whole-grain cereals possess chemical
ingredients: vitamin E, folates, phenolic acids, carotenoids, phytic acid, lignins, lignans,
alkylresorcinols, zinc, iron, selenium, copper and manganese. They are also a good source of
betaine, choline and sulphur amino acids. During digestion, the antioxidant capacity of cereals
is increased. Reports of numerous epidemiological studies indicate that the consumption of
grains protects the human body from numerous diseases associated with aging, especially from
cardiovascular diseases, cancer, diabetes, etc
Agrobiodiversity and health safe food production
No full textAgrobiodiversity, as the variety of plant, animal and microorganism species within the agroecosystem, is a key factor in preserving sustainable and safe food systems. The paper studies the connection between agrobiodiversity and food production, with special reference to the influence of genetic and species diversity on the nutritional quality and food health safety. Using an analytical and comparative approach, the paper examines how the loss of agrobiodiversity, caused by intensive agricultural production and other anthropogenic influences, negatively effects on food health safety. The results indicate that the preservation of local varieties, soil biogenicity and production based on ecological principles not only contribute to food safety, but also increase crop resistance to diseases and pests. Based on the analysis, it is recommended to strengthen institutional support, raise the awareness of producers and consumers, as well as develop tendencies that include production based on ecological principles with the aim of preserving the environment, agrobiodiversity and food health safety. The conclusion is that agrobiodiversity is not only an ecological, but also a health and economic resource of strategic importance for food production in the future
Impact of unmanned aerial vehicle flight settings on spray quality and weed control in wheat
No full textThis study aimed to evaluate the influence of unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) flight settings on spray quality and
herbicide efficacy in wheat (Triticum aestivum L.) under field conditions. The experiment was conducted over
two growing seasons with four UAV-based treatments (two flight heights: 1.5 and 2.5 m; two flight speeds: 3
and 5 m s-1) and a non-treated control to assess the effect of flight settings on spray quality. Two herbicide
mixtures were tested applied at 30 L ha-1. The analyzed spray quality parameters included droplet deposition
(µL cm-2), surface coverage (%), droplet density (drops cm-2), and volume median diameter (VMD). At the same
time, herbicide efficacy was assessed based on weed density and fresh weed mass reduction. In the first
growing season (2022), treatments applied at the lower flight height (h = 1.5 m) resulted in superior spray
quality, with maximum droplet deposition exceeding 0.70 µL cm⁻² and surface coverage reaching up to 11.2%
(1.5 m at 3 m s-1 and 1.5 m at 5 m s-1). In contrast, in the second season (2023), the highest herbicide efficacy
was observed at the higher flight height of 2.5 m (3 and 5 m s-1), despite lower deposition values (0.19-0.27 µL
cm-2). At higher flight heights and speeds, finer droplets were produced, with the VMD decreasing to 354 µm
in 2022 and 275 µm in 2023, confirming the influence of increased dispersion and airflow on droplet size during
UAV spraying. The systemic activity of iodosulfuron-methyl-sodium + amidosulfuron + mefenpyr-diethyl
appeared to compensate for reduced initial deposition and coverage. Both herbicides achieved high efficacy
when applied via UAV, with 1.5 m at 5 m s-1 and 2.5 m at 5 m s-1 showing the most consistent weed control.
Lamium purpureum was the dominant and most persistent weed species across both years, showing the lowest
response to herbicide treatments. These findings demonstrate that conventional herbicide formulations can be
effectively applied using UAV systems when flight settings are properly optimized, highlighting their potential
for aerial application in wheat production. Further research should focus on the development and registration
of UAV-specific herbicide formulations
Myofibrillar protein gel incorporated with soybean dietary fiber and sodium substitutes: Synergetic effect on gel properties and in vitro gastric digestion
No full textThis study investigated the effect of sodium substitutes and soybean dietary fiber (SDF) on the gel properties and in vitro gastric digestion characteristics of myofibrillar protein (MP). Incorporation of sodium substitutes and SDF increased gel strength, particularly in gels with KCl. In contrast, CaCl2 and MgCl2 increased MP gel cooking loss, and SDF reduced this loss and improved water retention. CaCl2 and MgCl2 caused uniform microstructure of MP, and SDF led to a denser structure. Structural enhancements induced by SDF, such as stronger molecular interactions, denser gel structure and higher acid-buffering capacity of MP gel, decreased the pepsin diffusion rate and reduced protein hydrolysis. Notably, KCl combined with 3.0 % SDF further reduced the pepsin diffusion rate to 43.65 μm2/s. Overall, the combination of sodium substitutes with SDF enhanced MP gel properties, retarded gastric acid diffusion, and retarded pepsin diffusion, resulting in lower hydrolysis degrees and larger molecular weight digestion products
Forage yield and nutritional value of alfalfa in relation to cutting height, stage of maturity and climatic changes
No full textIn the central Serbian region, a three-year study without irrigation examined the influence of
cutting height (6, 10, and 15 cm), maturity stage, and agroecological conditions on the yield and nutritional value of alfalfa. Variable agroecological conditions caused a yield difference of 10.32 t ha⁻¹, from an average of 37.77 t ha⁻¹ in the first year to 48.09 t ha⁻¹ in the second year, across all tested mowers. The yield decreased with the increase in cutting height and increased with the progress of the maturity stage. With the increase in cutting height, the crude protein (CP) content increased, while the crude fiber (CF) content decreased. At a cutting height of 15 cm, the crude protein (CP) content was significantly (p ≤ 0.05) higher than at a cutting height of 6 cm. A cutting height of 15 cm had a significantly (p ≤ 0.05) lower crude fiber (CF) content of alfalfa compared to cutting heights of 6 and 10 cm. The crude protein (CP) content was significantly (p ≤ 0.05) higher during the budding phase compared to the full bloom phase. The strongest negative correlation (p ≤0.001) was observed between crude protein (CP) and crude fiber (CF) content (r=-0.957 to r=-0.944) and between yield and crude protein content (r=-0.896 to r=-0.878). There are no statistically significant differences (p ≥ 0.05) in the content of calcium (Ca), phosphorus (P) and
potassium (K), but a trend of increase or decrease has been determined