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Nitrogen partitioning between plant species and soil microbes in alpine heath

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  Nitrogen partitioning between plant species and soil microbes in alpine heath ecosystems plays a critical role in regulating nutrient cycling and ecosystem productivity in cold, nutrient-limited environments. In these fragile landscapes, plants and soil microbial communities compete and cooperate for limited nitrogen resources derived from organic matter decomposition, atmospheric deposition, and microbial mineralization processes. Soil microbes often immobilize nitrogen during decomposition, temporarily restricting its availability to plants, while certain plant species have evolved adaptive strategies—such as symbiotic associations with mycorrhizal fungi and efficient root uptake mechanisms—to access organic and inorganic nitrogen forms. This dynamic partitioning influences plant community composition, soil fertility, and ecosystem resilience under changing climatic conditions. Understanding these interactions helps improve ecological models of nutrient cycling and supports con...
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Kinetic analysis of the pyrolysis process of microbiologically modified sunflower husks

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  Kinetic analysis of the pyrolysis process of microbiologically modified sunflower husks provides important insights into the thermal decomposition behavior and energy conversion efficiency of this biomass resource. Microbial pretreatment alters the structural composition of sunflower husks by partially degrading lignocellulosic components such as lignin, cellulose, and hemicellulose, thereby improving their reactivity during pyrolysis. Through thermogravimetric analysis (TGA) and kinetic modeling, parameters such as activation energy, reaction rate constants, and decomposition stages can be evaluated to better understand the transformation of modified biomass into biochar, bio-oil, and syngas. The study highlights that microbiological modification can enhance the pyrolysis efficiency, reduce energy requirements, and promote sustainable bioenergy production while contributing to agricultural waste valorization and environmental sustainability. #Pyrolysis #BiomassConversion #Sunfl...
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Crop irrigation with treated wastewater in sustainable agriculture

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  Crop irrigation with treated wastewater is emerging as a sustainable solution to address water scarcity and enhance resource efficiency in agriculture. By safely reusing properly treated municipal and industrial effluents, farmers can ensure a reliable water supply while reducing pressure on freshwater resources. Treated wastewater often contains essential nutrients such as nitrogen, phosphorus, and potassium, which can partially substitute for chemical fertilizers and improve soil fertility when managed appropriately. However, its application requires careful monitoring of salinity levels, heavy metals, pathogens, and organic contaminants to protect soil health, crop productivity, and food safety. Advanced treatment technologies, precision irrigation methods like drip systems, and strict quality standards help minimize environmental risks. When integrated with sustainable farming practices, wastewater irrigation supports circular economy principles, enhances climate resilience, ...
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Advancing plant healthcare through photobiotechnology for sustainable agriculture

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  Advancing plant healthcare through photobiotechnology represents a transformative pathway toward sustainable agriculture by harnessing the power of light to regulate plant growth, immunity, and productivity. Photobiotechnology integrates principles of plant physiology, molecular biology, and optical science to optimize photosynthesis, activate defense pathways, and enhance stress resilience using targeted light spectra. By manipulating specific wavelengths such as red, blue, and far-red light through LED systems, researchers can stimulate photoreceptors like phytochromes and cryptochromes, thereby improving nutrient uptake, disease resistance, and metabolic efficiency. This approach reduces dependency on chemical pesticides and synthetic fertilizers, supporting eco-friendly crop management. Controlled light environments in greenhouses and vertical farms further enable precision agriculture, ensuring higher yields with lower water and energy inputs. Additionally, photodynamic trea...
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Physiology, biochemistry and molecular biology of fruits, seeds and other sinks

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  The physiology, biochemistry, and molecular biology of fruits, seeds, and other sink organs focus on understanding how plants allocate, store, and regulate assimilates such as sugars, proteins, lipids, and minerals during growth and development. Sink organs—including developing fruits, seeds, tubers, and storage roots—act as major sites of carbon and nutrient accumulation, driven by coordinated source–sink interactions. Physiological processes such as phloem loading and unloading, hormonal regulation (auxins, gibberellins, cytokinins, abscisic acid, and ethylene), and environmental signaling control sink strength and biomass partitioning. At the biochemical level, pathways governing carbohydrate metabolism (sucrose synthase, invertases, starch biosynthesis), lipid accumulation, amino acid synthesis, and secondary metabolite production determine quality traits like sweetness, oil content, storage longevity, and stress tolerance. Molecular biology approaches reveal the gene network...
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Soil Bioresource Applications and Environmental Sustainability

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  Soil bioresources—comprising microorganisms, organic residues, biochar, compost, crop residues, and biofertilizers—play a pivotal role in advancing environmental sustainability and resilient agroecosystems. The strategic application of these bioresources enhances soil structure, nutrient cycling, carbon sequestration, and microbial diversity, ultimately improving crop productivity while reducing reliance on synthetic inputs. Beneficial soil microbes facilitate nitrogen fixation, phosphorus solubilization, and organic matter decomposition, thereby strengthening soil fertility and ecosystem stability. Organic amendments such as compost and biochar contribute to soil carbon storage, mitigate greenhouse gas emissions, and improve water retention capacity, particularly under climate stress conditions like drought and salinity. Furthermore, integrating soil bioresources into circular bioeconomy frameworks supports waste recycling, pollution remediation, and sustainable land management....
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Influence of potassium salt on cracking behavior of purple soil

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 The influence of potassium salt on the cracking behavior of purple soil under wetting–drying cycles is a critical issue in soil physics and land management, particularly in regions where purple soils are widely distributed and subjected to seasonal rainfall variability. Potassium salts alter the physicochemical properties of soil by affecting clay mineral interactions, osmotic potential, and pore-water dynamics. During repeated wetting–drying cycles, the presence of potassium ions (K⁺) can modify soil aggregation and shrink–swell characteristics, thereby influencing crack initiation, propagation, and network geometry. Moderate concentrations of potassium salt may enhance particle flocculation and improve aggregate stability, reducing crack width and density. However, excessive potassium accumulation can increase soil salinity, weaken structural integrity, and intensify desiccation cracking due to osmotic stress and reduced cohesion among particles. These cracking patterns signific...
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