ABSTRACT The micropropagation of dragon fruit (Selenicereus undatus) is an alternative method to produce vigorous plants with high phytosanitary quality. However, depending on the consistency of the growing medium (liquid, semi-solid, and solid), plants can develop physiological and anatomical disorders, impairing their growth and reducing their viability ex vitro. The aim of this study was to evaluate the biometric characteristics, photosynthetic pigments, and anatomical sections of S. undatus plants grown in five concentrations of agar (0.0, 3.5, 7.0, 10.5, and 14.0 g L-1) in MS medium. Biometric characteristics (number of roots, length of the aerial part, and fresh and dry masses of the roots and aerial part of the plants), photosynthetic pigments (chlorophyll a, b, total and carotenoid contents), and anatomy [number of vascular bundles, cross-sectional area (mm2), and length of reserve parenchyma (μm)] were evaluated. Biometric, photosynthetic pigment, and anatomical characteristics differed between S. undatus plants for the different concentrations of agar. Plants grown in agar-free medium showed increased length, aerial and root biomass, indicating enhanced growth. In contrast, plants grown on media containing 10.5 g L-¹ and 14.0 g L-¹ agar exhibited higher levels of chlorophyll a, chlorophyll b, and total chlorophyll. Additionally, carotenoid levels were higher in plants grown on agar, regardless of concentration. Plants grown without agar showed higher vascular bundle count, cross-sectional area, and reserve parenchyma length than those with agar. In this way, S. undatus plants can be micropropagated efficiently in an agar-free medium.

ABSTRACT Biodegradable packaging has received considerable attention as a sustainable alternative. One way to increase its functionality is to incorporate bioactive compounds extracted from plants into polymeric matrices to create active packaging. Fruits from the Cerrado biome are rich sources of bioactive compounds, including antioxidants and antimicrobials, making them valuable for human health, functional foods, and active packaging development. In this study, we extracted and quantified total carotenoids from cerrado fruits (cagaita and mamacadela) using ultrasonic equipment with various time and temperature parameters. The extract with the highest carotenoid content was incorporated into biodegradable active packaging at concentrations of 20% and 30%. The mamacadela extract contained 12 times more total carotenoids than the cagaita extract, with values of 363.00 ±0.05 mg β-carotene/100 g and 30.00 ±0.03 mg β-carotene/100 g, respectively. The optimal extraction conditions (363.00 ±0.05 mg β-carotene/100 g) were achieved at 60 °C for 60 min in a conventional bath with agitation at 35 ±5 rpm. Incorporating the extract into the films resulted in a positive correlation between the extract concentration and increased stiffness, whereas the permeability of water vapor decreased. Compared to the control sample, the films containing the extract exhibited a noticeable color shift toward yellow. The developed films showed satisfactory mechanical properties, water vapor resistance, and enhanced coloration, making them a viable and sustainable option for active food packaging.

ABSTRACT Essential oils (EOs) are continuously explored from new sources, while encapsulation emerges as a promising strategy for their application in different fields. The aim of this study was to characterize microcapsules (MCs) containing EOs extracted from Campomanesia adamantium fruit residues, evaluate their antioxidant capacity and incorporate them into a cosmetic formulation. Two microcapsules (MCs) containing EO were prepared by complex coacervation with gelatin (G) and gum arabic (GA) in two ratios: MC1 (G:GA 1:2) and MC2 (G:GA 2:1). The chemical composition, EO retention, encapsulation efficiency, morphological features, solubility, hygroscopicity, thermal properties, infrared spectroscopy, and antioxidant capacity were analyzed. EO and MC were incorporated into an anti-aging cosmetic formulation, and the organoleptic characteristics, stability (4, 25, and 45 °C), spreadability, and microbiological quality of the cream were evaluated for 90 days. MC1 exhibited superior properties due to the greater proportion of gum arabic, which provided thermal protection, better water solubility, lower hygroscopicity, and a less porous surface. The MC1 and MC2 antioxidant capacities were similar to those of free EO, consistent with the results of the retention rates and encapsulation efficiency. Infrared spectroscopy confirmed the encapsulation, maintaining the main constituents of EO (α-pinene, limonene, β-ocimene, and β-caryophyllene). Incorporating the MCs and EO into a cosmetic cream resulted in the formation of a stable emulsion with good spreadability and consistent organoleptic properties over 90 days, suggesting that C. adamantium residue can be used in cosmetic formulations.

ABSTRACT Brazilian steel industries require high-quality charcoal to produce pig iron. Desirable charcoal attributes include high elemental carbon content, large mean particle size (MPS), and high density, while producing low contents of ash and volatile matter, and presenting low contents of water and contaminants (e.g., phosphorous). These attributes are commonly determined by standardized laboratory analyses, which are time consuming and costly, besides generating chemical effluents. Portable X-ray fluorescence (pXRF) spectrometry can be used to avoid the downsides of laboratory analyses. The objective of this study was to evaluate the use of pXRF data in machine-learning models trained to predict attributes of eucalypt charcoal. pXRF data (elemental contents) from 276 charcoal samples were used to train predictive models using six machine-learning algorithms. Auxiliary explanatory variables (drying time, wood age, fine particle content, and friability) were included in the models. Models were trained to predict the following charcoal attributes: fixed C (%), ash content (%), volatile matter (%), MPS (mm), water content (%), density (kg/m3), and P contents (%). Satisfactory predictions were obtained for volatile matter, MPS, moisture, and density (R2 > 0.6), and very accurate predictions were obtained for ash and P contents (R2 > 0.75). The inclusion of auxiliary explanatory variables increased the prediction accuracy of MPS (R2 increased from 0.61 to 0.82), bulk density (from 0.56 to 0.73), and P contents (from 0.86 to 0.94). These results indicate that pXRF can be used as an ecofriendly alternative to assess the quality of eucalypt charcoal utilized in metallurgy.

ABSTRACT Bacterial halo blight and bacterial leaf spot have similar symptoms in coffee plants, and the etiological agents Pseudomonas coronafaciens pv. garcae (Pcg) and P. amygdali pv. tabaci (Pat) have very similar colony morphologies and biochemical characterizations, which makes it difficult to provide a correct diagnosis. To date, Coffea arabica is the only known natural host of Pcg, while Pat affects a wide range of host plants. However, no studies have yet been conducted to test the pathogenicity of Pcg strains in Pat hosts or Pat strains from different hosts in coffee plants. The objectives of this study were to evaluate the virulence level among Pcg strains and to perform cross-inoculation tests to confirm the hosts specificity for Pcg and Pat. In the virulence tests, there was variation in aggressiveness among Pcg strains. The reference isolate (CFBP 1634) and seven Pcg strains considered more aggressive were selected for cross-inoculation testing on different Pat hosts. All the Pat strains, regardless of the host of origin, caused disease in the coffee seedlings and Pcg strains caused disease in Phaseolus vulgaris, Cucumis sativus, Carica papaya, Aster sp., Coffea arabica, Celosia plumosa and Desmodium incanum. Therefore, there is no host specificity for Pcg and Pat, using artificial inoculation. These results are important for the beginning of the knowledge of the host range of Pcg and may contribute to the development of strategies to manage the disease.

ABSTRACT Phragmipedium kovachii is a renowned orchid for its striking flowers and ecological significance. This study aimed to develop an efficient protocol for its micropropagation and conservation. Shoots measuring 0.7-1.0 cm were used as explants and cultured on half-strength Murashige and Skoog (MS) medium with various combinations of 6-benzylaminopurine (6-BAP) and indole-3-acetic acid (IAA), with or without 100 mL L-¹ coconut water. The highest protocorm-like bodies (PLBs) formation rate (96.7%) and the maximum PLBs per explant (12.58 ± 0.33) were obtained on medium containing 2.0 mg L-¹ 6-BAP, 0.6 mg L-¹ IAA, and coconut water. During the regeneration phase, PLBs regenerated on media supplemented with either 0.5 mg L-¹ 6-BAP and coconut water, as well as those on media containing 0.5 mg L-¹ meta-Topolin (mT) and banana homogenate, produced optimal plantlets for subsequent rooting stages. Rooting was enhanced using 1.0 mg L-¹ IAA with coconut water or 0.5 mg L-¹ indole-3-butyric acid (IBA) with banana homogenate. Plantlets grown on coconut water-supplemented media developed longer roots with a pentarch stele, well-differentiated sclerenchyma tissue, and numerous metaxylem vessels, exhibiting the highest survival rate. In contrast, those cultured on banana homogenate produced thicker roots with a polyarch stele. Acclimatization was successfully achieved using substrates consisting of equal proportions of bark, perlite, and peat, as well as a mixture of soil, sand and perlite (2:1:1), ensuring high ex vitro survival rates (87 and 80%, respectively). This study provides an effective protocol for the ex situ conservation and large-scale production of P. kovachii plants.

ABSTRACT The increased incidence of seed coat cracking (SCC) in soybean seeds has been frequently reported in production fields. However, the impact of SCC on seed quality, especially in the context of phytosanitary treatment and during storage, remains largely unexplored. This study evaluates the tolerance of SCC-affected seeds with seed treatment during storage in the seed quality. The experimental design was a completely randomized triple factorial analysis (2 x 4 x 3) involving two seed treatments (with and without), four levels of SCC (0%, 10%, 20%, and 40%), and three storage periods (0, 60, and 120 days). Two soybean cultivars, BMX Desafio and P96R70, were treated with a fungicide and two insecticides and evaluated for germination and vigor. It was found that seed treatment had a negative effect on the BMX Desafio cultivar, observed mainly in lots with SCC and after 60 days of storage. Susceptibility to seed deterioration with SCC was observed in the P96R70 cultivar. Seed vigor deterioration accelerates after 60 days of storage. Despite the impact of SCC on the P96R70 cultivar, its effect on physiological quality during a 120-day storage period is minimal in lots with up to 40% SCC, suggesting that SCC may not be a limiting factor up to this level. The results reinforce the importance of considering genotype, SCC level, and storage time in post-harvest management, in addition to providing input for breeding programs aimed at SCC tolerance.

ABSTRACT The effective use of water and the role of soil amendments are gaining increasing importance in sustainable agricultural practices. This study examined how changing irrigation water levels and biochar dosages affect the production and quality of buckwheat. In the study, 5 different irrigation water levels (100%,75%, 50%, 25% and 0%) and 5 biochar doses (1000 kg, 750 kg, 500 kg, 250 kg and 0 kg per decare) were applied in Bilecik conditions. Grain yield, water productivity, mineral content (Mg, K, P, Fe, Zn, Cu), total starch, crude protein, crude oil content, fibre and ash were analyzed. Application result show that the average grain yield increased when the irrigation water level and biochar dose increased. The highest grain yield was determined from the B100×I75 (2311.6 kg ha-1) interaction. Irrigation water and water use efficiency values increased with decreasing irrigation water level and plant water consumption. The analysis indicated that under stressful conditions, some quality criteria increased. Biochar enhances soil water retention, reduces evaporation losses, and improves irrigation efficiency, thereby supporting plant growth under water stress and enabling higher yields with reduced irrigation. In addition, according to the analysis results using the ANN model, the issue where 92% irrigation and biochar application was applied came to the fore.

ABSTRACT Plants naturally utilize associated microbes to perform a variety of beneficial functions, including nutrient acquisition. Identifying a consortia of different beneficial microbes that live in harmony with a native ecosystem or living plant is necessary for application in agriculture. The objective of this research was to identify beneficial bacteria for growth promotion in local lettuce and use them in lettuce cultivation in a hydroponic nutrient film technique (NFT) system. Explants of roots (A), stems (B), and leaves (D) from local lettuce were physiologically, genetically, and morphologically identified and utilized in Archivel lettuce production. Indigenous bacteria isolated from local lettuce are capable of IAA production (IPB), nitrogen fixation (NFB) and phosphate solubilization (PSB) and are genetically similar to Marinobacter salsughinis strains 43SY, Delftia acidovorans 11, Brucella rhizosphaerae PB1_7, Stenotrophomonas geniculata 1285, Delftia acidovorans strain 19MWFB29, the uncultured bacterium clone 18447 and the uncultured bacterium clone WBB5. Marinobacter salsughinis strain 43SY, Delftia acidovorans 11, and Brucella rhizosphaerae PB1_7 enhanced the biological freshness, pigmentation, and photosynthate accumulation of Archivel lettuce cultivated in the NFT hydroponic system. These strains have great potential for use in lettuce production and agricultural applications through organic hydroponics.

ABSTRACT Phytogenic products are useful poultry feed additives owing to their beneficial effects on health, laying performance, and product quality. This study aimed to determine the effect of cherry laurel (Laurocerasus officinalis Roem.) unshelled kernel (CLUK) dietary supplementation on the laying performance, egg quality, and yolk fatty acid (FA) and antioxidant contents in laying hens. 400 Lohmann Brown hens, housed with outdoor access, were randomly allocated into four groups. Each group comprised four replicates of 25 hens. Hens in the control group were fed on a basal diet without CLUK (0CK), whereas those in the treatment groups were fed on a basal diet supplemented with CLUK at doses of 2.5 (2.5CK), 5 (5CK), or 10 (10CK) g per kg diet for 12 weeks. The egg weight in the 5CK group was higher than that in the 0CK and 2.5CK groups. The feed conversation rate (FCR) in the 2.5CK and 10CK groups was lower than that in the 0CK group. The yolk heptadecanoic acid content was higher in the 5CK group. The yolk docosahexaenoic acid content was upregulated in the 2.5CK and 10CK groups. The yolk n6/n3 ratio was higher in the 0CK. Principal component analysis plot revealed seven egg yolk FAs. The egg yolk 2,2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH) free radical scavenging capacity in the 10CK group was higher than that in the 0CK and 2.5CK groups. These findings suggest that CLUK is a potential laying hen feed additive and improves egg weight, FCR, and yolk FA profile, DPPH scavenging potential, and n6/n3 ratio.