Lentinan protects Caenorhabditis elegans against fluopyram-induced toxicity through DAF-16 and SKN-1 pathways.

Fluopyram, a SDH inhibitor fungicide, is widely used in agriculture to control fungi and nematodes. However, fluopyram has been proved toxic that caused damage to organs through oxidative stress. The development of natural extracts that can reduce oxidative damage is a promising method.

Spatiotemporal diversity and community structure of cyanobacteria and associated bacteria in the large shallow subtropical Lake Okeechobee (Florida, United States).

Lake Okeechobee is a large eutrophic, shallow, subtropical lake in south Florida, United States. Due to decades of nutrient loading and phosphorus rich sediments, the lake is eutrophic and frequently experiences cyanobacterial harmful algal blooms (cyanoHABs). In the past, surveys of the phytoplankton community structure in the lake have been conducted by morphological studies, whereas molecular based studies have been seldom employed.

Ammonium Sulfite Slurry from Ammonia-Based Desulfurization Activates Water-Soluble Humic Substances from Lignite: Performance, Application, and Mechanism.

Both ammonium sulfite slurry (ASS) from ammonia-based desulfurization and lignite are waste materials with low value. In this work, an innovative method was developed by applying ASS in lignite activation to produce water-soluble humic substances (WHSs) with a high bioactivity and economic value. The optimal activation method was to mix lignite and ASS at a 4:1-liquid-solid ratio by vortex blender and then oscillate it for 30 min at 25 °C.

A Controlled-Release Nanofertilizer Improves Tomato Growth and Minimizes Nitrogen Consumption.

Minimizing the consumption of agrochemicals, particularly nitrogen, is the ultimate goal for achieving sustainable agricultural production with low cost and high economic and environmental returns. The use of biopolymers instead of petroleum-based synthetic polymers for CRFs can significantly improve the sustainability of crop production since biopolymers are biodegradable and not harmful to soil quality. Lignin is one of the most abundant biopolymers that naturally exist.

Sieving Fruit Pulp to Detect Immature Tephritid Fruit Flies in the Field.

Fruit flies of the Tephritidae family are among the most destructive and invasive agricultural pests in the world. Many countries undertake expensive eradication programs to eliminate incipient populations. During eradication programs, a concerted effort is made to detect larvae, as this strongly indicates a breeding population and helps establish the spatial extent of the infestation.

An integrated framework for improving watershed management planning.

Proper land use and management (LUM) planning is pivotal to curbing land degradation and ensuring sustainable use of limited watershed resources. Despite decades of research and development efforts, land degradation remains a serious environmental problem in many parts of the world. Issues regarding the sustainability of current LUM initiatives are due to poor linkages between the ecological and socio-economic dimensions of LUM decisions, and an integrated framework allowing LUM interventions to be properly planned and implemented is lacking.

Oxidative stress and mitochondrial damage induced by a novel pesticide fluopimomide in Caenorhabditis elegans.

Fluopimomide is a novel pesticide intensively used in agricultural pest control; however, its excessive use may have toxicological effects on non-target organisms. In this study, Caenorhabditis elegans was used to evaluate the toxic effects of fluopimomide and its possible mechanisms. The effects of fluopimomide on the growth, pharyngeal pumping, and antioxidant systems of C.

Biochar impacts on soil nitrogen and carbon dynamics in a Spodosol amended with biosolids and inorganic fertilizer.

Despite evidence suggesting that biochar can retain nutrients, particularly nitrogen (N), and reduce the risks of transport, research on the co-application of biochar with organic and inorganic fertilizer sources is limited. Three laboratory studies (herein referred to as static incubation, column leaching, and batch sorption) were conducted to evaluate the impacts of two biochar materials (pine and grass biochar generated at temperatures of 800 and 400°C, respectively) on N and carbon (C) dynamics in soils amended with different N sources (ammonium nitrate, Class B, and Class AA biosolids). Nitrogen sources were applied at an equivalent rate of 180 kg N ha while biochar was applied at a 1% (w/w) rate.

Plant-Parasitic Nematodes Associated with in Florida.

The subtropical climate of Florida allows for a wide range of crops to be grown. With the classification of hemp ( L., <0.

Gene Expression, Enzyme Activity, Nitrogen Use Efficiency, and Yield of Rice Affected by Controlled-Release Nitrogen.

Controlled- or slow-release urea can improve crop nitrogen use efficiencies and yields in many agricultural production systems. The effect of controlled-release urea on the relationships between levels of gene expression and yields has not been adequately researched. We conducted a 2 year field study with direct-seeded rice, which included treatments of controlled-release urea at four rates (120, 180, 240, and 360 kg N ha), a standard urea treatment (360 kg N ha), and a control treatment without applied nitrogen.

Integration of Volatilomics and Metabolomics Unveils Key Flavor-Related Biological Pathways in Different Carambola Cultivars.

Carambola is a tropical fruit that is highly sought after by consumers due to its unique flavor, star shape, and nutritional value. Enhancing the flavor quality of this fruit can increase the consumer acceptance and market demand. However, flavor is an intrinsic characteristic of fruits.

Volatile Characterization of Lychee Plant Tissues () and the Effect of Key Compounds on the Behavior of the Lychee Erinose Mite ().

Herbivore-Induced Plant Volatiles (HIPVs) are volatile signals emitted by plants to deter herbivores and attract their natural enemies. To date, it is unknown how lychee plants, , respond to the induction of leaf galls (erinea) caused by the lychee erinose mite (LEM), . Aiming to reveal the role of HIPVs in this plant-mite interaction, we investigated changes in the volatile profile of lychee plants infested by LEM and their role on LEM preferences.

Modification of Fabrication Process for Prolonged Nitrogen Release of Lignin-Montmorillonite Biocomposite Encapsulated Urea.

Crop production faces challenges in achieving high fertilizer use efficiency. To address this issue, slow-release fertilizers (SRFs) have emerged as effective solutions to minimize nutrient losses caused by leaching, runoff, and volatilization. In addition, replacing petroleum-based synthetic polymers with biopolymers for SRFs offers substantial benefits in terms of sustainability of crop production and soil quality preservation, as biopolymers are biodegradable and environmentally friendly.

Investigating Photo-Degradation as a Potential Pheromone Production Pathway in Spotted Lanternfly, .

Since its discovery in North America in 2014, the spotted lanternfly (SLF), , has become an economic, ecological, and nuisance pest there. Developing early detection and monitoring tools is critical to their mitigation and control. Previous research found evidence that SLF may use pheromones to help locate each other for aggregation or mating.

Lethal and Sublethal Effects of Contact Insecticides and Horticultural Oils on the Hibiscus Bud Weevil, Linell (Coleoptera: Curculionidae).

In 2017, the hibiscus bud weevil (HBW), Linell (Coleoptera: Curculionidae), was found outside of its native range of Mexico and Texas, infesting hibiscus plants in Florida. Therefore, we selected 21 different insecticide and horticultural oil products to evaluate their effects on the reproductive rate, feeding, and oviposition behavior of the HBW. In laboratory experiments, significant mortality was observed in adult weevils exposed to diflubenzuron-treated hibiscus leaves and buds, and hibiscus buds treated with diflubenzuron contained the fewest number of eggs and feeding/oviposition holes.

Biochar inhibited hydrogen radical-induced Cd bioavailability in a paddy soil.

Herein, hydrogen (H·) radical was observed as a new pathway to produce hydroxyl (OH·) radicals that promoted cadmium sulfide (CdS) dissolution and thus Cd solubility in paddy soils. In soil incubation experiments, the bioavailable Cd concentrations in flooded paddy soils were increased by 8.44 % as the soil was aerated for 3d.

Kitaviruses: A Window to Atypical Plant Viruses Causing Nonsystemic Diseases.

is a family of plant-infecting viruses that have multiple positive-sense, single-stranded RNA genomic segments. Kitaviruses are assigned into the genera , , and , mainly on the basis of the diversity of their genomic organization. Cell-to-cell movement of most kitaviruses is provided by the 30K family of proteins or the binary movement block, considered an alternative movement module among plant viruses.

Genome Sequence Resource of the Avocado Scab Pathogen Elsinoe perseae.

We present a draft genome sequence of Elsinoe perseae, an economically important plant pathogen of commercially grown avocados. The 23.5-Mb assembled genome consists of 169 contigs.

Piperitone (-Menth-1-En-3-One): A New Repellent for Tea Shot Hole Borer (Coleoptera: Curculionidae) in Florida Avocado Groves.

The tea shot hole borer, , has been recently established in Florida, USA, where it vectors fungal pathogens that cause dieback in avocado. Pest monitoring uses a two-component lure containing quercivorol and α-copaene. Incorporation of a repellent into IPM programs may reduce the incidence of dieback in avocado groves, particularly if combined with lures in a push-pull system.

Predicting runoff and sediment responses to climate-resilient land use and management scenarios.

Soil erosion is the predominant agent affecting ecosystem services in the Ethiopian highlands. However, land management interventions aimed at controlling erosion in the region are hampered, mainly by a lack of watershed-based appropriate management practices and anticipated climate changes. This study examined the effectiveness of different land use changes and management scenarios in decreasing runoff and sediment loss under current and future climates in the drought-prone humid watershed of the Ethiopian highlands.

Beyond the Limits of Light: An Application of Super-Resolution Confocal Microscopy (sCLSM) to Investigate Eocene Amber Microfossils.

Amber is known as one of the best sources of fossil organisms preserved with exceptional fidelity. Historically, different methods of imaging have been applied to amber, including optical microscopy and microtomography. These methods are sufficient to resolve millimeter-scaled fossils.

Quantifying the contribution of external loadings and internal hydrodynamic processes to the water quality of Lake Okeechobee.

The water quality of a waterbody is determined by internal hydrodynamic processes as well as external loadings. Understanding the interaction between the external loading and internal process of a waterbody is essential for efficient water management and water quality improvement. Studies and efforts have focused on water and nutrient loading from drainage watersheds, but the contribution of the waterbody's internal process to water quality is often ignored and not well documented.

Integrated approach using insecticides in combination with reflective plastic mulch for the management of pepper weevil, Anthonomus eugenii (Coleoptera: Curculionidae).

Pepper weevil, Anthonomus eugenii Cano, is a serious pest of peppers (Capsicum annuum) in the United States and worldwide. This study evaluated the combined effect of insecticides (thiamethoxam and oxamyl) and reflective mulches (reflective silver on white and reflective silver on black) on pepper weevil suppression and yield increase. This study was conducted under field conditions in Homestead, FL, during the fall 2020, spring 2021, and 2022 growing seasons.

Preparation and Nutrient Release Characteristics of Liquefied Apple Tree Branche-Based Biocoated Large Tablet Urea.

Controlled-release fertilizers (CRFs) could improve crop yield and fertilizer use efficiency. However, the coating materials of conventional CRFs are mainly derived from petrochemical products, which are expensive and nondegradable, bringing potential environmental pollution. Therefore, using sustainable bio-based materials is the development direction.