Abstract The beet armyworm, Spodoptera exigua Hübner, is a destructive pest of many vegetable and field crops, and its management has become increasingly difficult due to widespread insecticide resistance. Biological control is therefore a critical component of sustainable pest management. Two important natural enemies of S. exigua are the egg–larval parasitoid Chelonus oculator and the S. exigua nucleopolyhedrovirus (SeNPV); however, their combined use requires an understanding of how viral infection affects parasitoid performance. This study evaluated the interactions between C. oculator and SeNPV across second, third, and fourth instar larvae of S. exigua under laboratory conditions. Larvae were exposed to parasitism alone, SeNPV alone (10 4 –10 8 OBs⋅mL −1 ), or parasitism followed by viral infection. SeNPV caused dose-dependent increases in larval mortality, with concentrations of 10 7 –10 8 OBs⋅mL −1 achieving nearly 100 % mortality within 7–11 days. When parasitism and viral infection were combined, mortality increased more rapidly at high viral doses; however, parasitoid development was strongly inhibited. No wasps emerged from hosts infected with 10 7 –10 8 OBs⋅mL −1 , and emergence declined sharply even at moderate viral concentrations. These results demonstrate that although SeNPV enhances short-term host mortality, it can severely reduce parasitoid survival, creating potential antagonism between these biocontrol agents. Effective integration of C. oculator and SeNPV will therefore require careful optimization of viral dose and application timing to balance immediate pest suppression with long-term parasitoid conservation.

Abstract Climate change results in rainfall distribution anomalies that trigger drought, resulting in reduced crop yields. Additionally, the scarcity of nitrogen fertilizer is an obstacle in increasing production yields. Therefore, an intensification approach is needed in corn cultivation. In corn cultivation, quick and accurate decision-making is essential, which necessitates the use of technological inputs. One technology that can be utilized is the UAV (Unmanned Aerial Vehicle). UAV can be used to obtain vegetation indices such as NDVI (Normalized Difference Vegetation Index) and canopy cover density (CCD). NDVI development has been extensively studied, but NDVI applications in Indonesia remain limited due to differences in agroecosystems and lack of localized calibration. As a result, NDVI has not yet been utilized in Indonesia. Thus, the development of NDVI is necessary. The objective of this study was to develop a predictive model for corn productivity using NDVI and agronomic traits under varying irrigation intervals and nitrogen doses. This research was conducted from July to October 2024 at the Bajeng Balitsereal Experimental Farm, Pabentengan Village, Bajeng Subdistrict, Gowa District, South Sulawesi. This study was designed using a split-plot design, where irrigation intervals were the main plots with three irrigation intervals (5 days, 10 days, and 15 days), and nitrogen doses were the subplots with five dose levels (0, 100, 150, 200, and 250 N kg/ha). Each treatment combination was replicated three times, resulting in 45 experimental units. Each experimental plot was 16 m 2 in size. Drone imagery was taken at 09:00. Agronomic data will be analyzed using analysis of variance, correlation analysis, and path analysis. After identifying potential agronomic characteristics, these characteristics were analyzed using linear regression and multiple regression on NDVI and canopy cover density based on pixels. Regression results were validated using the coefficient of determination ( R 2 ) and Root Mean Square Error (RMSE). Based on multivariate analysis results, plant height, male flowering age, female flowering age, peel cob weight, and number of seeds per row were identified as the agronomic traits with the greatest influence on productivity. These agronomic traits were then analyzed using linear and multiple regression against NDVI and CCD traits. The productivity (ton/ha) model formulation based on the linear regression approach combined with NDVI (45.55 (NDVI) – 5.15) was considered more effective than other model formulations because it has a high and stable R 2 (train: 0.8555, and test: 0.8543).

Abstract Water scarcity significantly threatens smallholder agriculture in Indonesia, Exacerbated by El Niño and climate change. Traditional irrigation practices often lead to water inefficiencies and yield losses, particularly in drought-prone regions. This study addresses these challenges by developing and evaluating a unique, low-cost, timer-based, semi-automatic drip irrigation system. This system, tailored for waxy corn farming in South Sulawesi, offers a practical and cost-effective solution for water scarcity. The objective was to enhance water-use efficiency, sustain crop productivity, and assess the economic feasibility of this system as a scalable solution for smallholders in the region. The field experiment, which adjusted irrigation scheduling based on plant growth stages and compared it to conventional practices, yielded promising results. The system achieved a water-use efficiency of 3.87 kg/m 3 , categorized as ‘good to outstanding,’ and delivered consistent yields while reducing manual labor and water wastage. The short payback period of 1.4 planting cycles makes it financially accessible for smallholder adoption, further highlighting the potential impact of the system. This system offers a practical alternative to high-tech sensor-based models, bridging the gap between advanced irrigation technologies and the needs of resource-constrained farmers in developing countries. This study recommends broader implementation supported by policy incentives, farmer training, and infrastructure investment. Future improvements could include the integration of real-time monitoring tools to optimize water delivery and expand adaptability across diverse agro-climatic conditions in the region. This adaptability ensures that smallholder farmers can confidently adopt the system in various regions of Indonesia.

Abstract The use of fresh sage is increasingly popular due to its unique aroma and sensory characteristics. However, sage is a perishable fresh produce with a short shelf life, with limited knowledge of its storage conditions. This work investigated the effects of various temperatures (2, 6, and 20 °C) and relative humidity (RH) levels (atmospheric-65 % and high-95 %) on the quality characteristics of fresh sage during postharvest storage. The results indicated lower weight loss and respiration rate at lower temperatures and high RH. In addition, a higher phytochemical content (phenols, flavonoids, and ascorbic acid) and antioxidant activity were observed in sage stored at 2 and 6 °C (at a high RH level). Sage stored at 6 °C and 65 % RH, also presented higher phenolics and antioxidants. Storage at 20 °C resulted in higher microbial load compared to lower temperatures. Higher sage essential oil yield was found at plants stored at 6 °C, while camphor was also found at higher levels at this temperature. Thus, from the results, it could be suggested that postharvest storage of fresh sage at 6 °C along with high RH could contribute to the preservation of a fresh, aromatic fresh produce of high nutritional value.

Abstract The expansion of white mustard ( Sinapis alba L.) cultivation onto low-fertility sandy soils necessitates to enhance oil productivity and establishing environmentally friendly soil relations as part of a sustainable development strategy. Combining organic soil amendments with natural biostimulants could offer an integrated solution by improving both the root zone environment and plant physiological performance. A two-year field study (2023/2024-2024/2025) employed a split-plot design to investigate the effects of plant compost (0, 5, 10, 15 tons per hectare) as a main plot and foliar biostimulants (seaweed extract at 2, 4 ml L −1 ; moringa leaf extract at 15, 30 %; active yeast at 6, 12 ml L −1 ) as sub-plots on white mustard grown under drip irrigation. All compost and biostimulant treatments significantly improved growth, yield, and biochemical parameters relative to the control. Compost rate at 15 t ha −1 yielded the highest values for vegetative growth (e.g., plant height, leaf area), yield components (pod number, seed yield), and fixed oil production. Among biostimulants, seaweed extract at 4 ml L −1 was most effective. A significant interaction was observed, with the combination of 15 t ha −1 compost and 4 ml L −1 seaweed extract producing the most pronounced results, increasing seed yield per hectare and oil yield by approximately 305 % and 875 %, respectively, compared to the untreated control. This treatment also maximized photosynthetic pigments and NPK content in plant tissue. The integrated application of 15 t ha −1 plant compost and 4 ml L −1 seaweed extract is a highly effective, sustainable cultivation strategy for maximizing growth, seed yield, and oil content of white mustard in sandy soils.

Abstract Barley production is affected by many pests and diseases, but aphids cause significant economic losses due to their feeding and plant virus transmission. This study tested the susceptibility and resistance of five different barley cultivars to aphid reproduction using different techniques, including electrical penetration graph (EPG). Furthermore, their ability to stimulate the kinetics of five different barley cultivars was tested using a spectrophotometer. Peroxidase (POX) and polyphenol oxidase (PPO) are expressed in plants after physical or chemical stimulation. Finally, defense-related genes were expressed using quantitative real-time PCR. The EPG results showed that ICARDA 15 was a resistant cultivar against aphids by preventing them from feeding and transmitting viruses. The results also showed that the two cultivars of basil and Acsad 14/17 are resistant, which led to a significant increase in both PPO/POX enzymes compared with the control among all tested barley cultivars. As for gene expression, the results showed that Acsad 17/14, Arar, Ryhan, and ICARDA 15 cultivars are resistant, as the expression of these genes increased significantly compared to the cultivar, which is local cultivar. This study evaluated five barley cultivars using different techniques regarding their resistance or sensitivity to aphid attacks.

Abstract This study aims to provide a theoretical basis and empirical support for optimizing hog insurance policies, thereby enhancing the welfare levels of both producers and consumers. Based on the concept of compensatory variables, this article develops a model to measure the welfare effects of the hog industry. It analyzes the impact of insurance policies on producer welfare and consumer welfare effects in hog production and marketing balance zones based on data from China’s Production and Sales Balance Area from 2010 to 2022. It is found that the net return of hog production in most provinces in the balance of production and marketing area is positive, and the total welfare effect is significantly improved; the implementation of hog insurance policy promotes the producer welfare effect and the total welfare effect, and there is an inconsistency in the trend of changes in hog insurance and consumer welfare effects; the pig insurance policy in provinces with large pig production and consumption has a relatively weak impact on improving production welfare benefits. Based on the findings, several practical policy recommendations are proposed, including differentiated insurance subsidy adjustments by province, dynamic optimization of welfare enhancement strategies, innovation in pork consumption-oriented insurance products, enhanced data collection, and policy monitoring.

Abstract Huanglongbing (HLB), caused by Candidatus Liberibacter asiaticus ( C Las), poses a substantial threat to global citrus agriculture. Current management strategies (planting disease-free nursery trees, implementing effective psyllid control, and removing all symptomatic trees) are inadequate for remedying diseased trees or alleviating economic losses. Therefore, new alternative methods for HLB control are urgently needed. In this study, the ethanol extracts from four traditional Chinese medicinal herbs: Sophora japonica (SJ), Lonicera japonica Thunb. (LJT), Taraxaci herba (TH), and Scutellaria baicalensis Georgi (SBG), were selected for the treatment assay of HLB. Analysis of flavonoid content revealed that SJ extract possesses the highest concentration, followed by LJT, TH, and SBG extracts. The potted studies demonstrated that all extracts reduced the C Las titers, with the SJ extract achieving the greatest significant reduction at a depletion rate of 79.05%. Field tests confirmed the remarkable efficacy of SJ extract, achieving a 99.1% reduction in C Las titers after 150 days. Physiological studies revealed that all extracts increased photosynthetic pigment concentrations, reduced starch/soluble sugar accumulation, and mitigated reactive oxygen species oxidative damage in HLB-affected plants, with SJ extract showing statistical significance relative to other treatments. Furthermore, herb extracts mitigated soil acidification, elevating pH beyond control levels, with SJ exhibiting the most prolonged effect. A comparative assessment of SJ extract and rutin, an established anti-HLB flavonoid, on HLB cure was performed, revealing no significant difference in efficacy. These findings establish SJ extract and flavonoid-rich botanicals as promising eco-friendly, environmentally sustainable alternatives for HLB management.

Abstract Saline–alkaline stress negatively impacts agriculture by altering soil properties, reducing nutrient availability, and causes oxidative damage that limits plant growth. This study evaluated coconut shell biochar (CSB) functionalized with citric acid (BCA) or ascorbic acid (BAA) to mitigate saline–alkaline stress (50 mM NaCl + 10 mM NaHCO 3 ) in tomatoes grown in calcareous soil (pH = 8.03). BCA and BAA were studied at low doses (0.0 g, 1.25 g, 2.50 g, 5.00 g and 10.00 g kg −1 soil), in addition to an unstressed treatment and treatment with saline–alkaline stress without CSB. Nutrient content ( NO 3 − {\text{NO}}_{3}^{-} , K⁺, Ca 2 ⁺) transitory in petiole cell extract (PCE) and soil solution, soil enzyme activity, enzymatic and non-enzymatic antioxidant systems were evaluated. The application of 10.00 g BCA kg −1 soil increased the K + content (79%) on PCE, while 1.25 g BCA kg −1 soil increased the yield (43.03%). Treatment 10.00 g BCA kg −1 soil increase GSH content (152.28%) and RuBisCO activity (22.85%). Furthermore, the data showed that CA-functionalized CSB induced positive modulation in the total phenol content (+7.4%), flavonoids (+72.9%), glutathione peroxidase (+687%), catalase (+62%), and ascorbate peroxidase (+20.2%) activities compared to saline–alkaline stress treatment without CSB. The same treatment improved in soil alkaline phosphatase (+87%), urease (+35.8%), β- N -acetylglucosaminidase (+20%), and fluorescein diacetate hydrolysis (+155.7%) activities. The use of CSB-functionalized at low doses can potentially mitigate the effects of salt–alkali stress on tomatoes in calcareous soils and can be used as a sustainable strategy for agriculture.

Abstract The aim of this study is to investigate the characteristics of vulnerable households regarding their access to local government support during COVID-19 and assess how this support impacts their choices of livelihood strategies in Central Vietnam. Survey data were collected from 499 family businesses and farming households across the region’s four provinces, and a propensity score matching technique was performed to examine the impacts. The results indicate that the age of the household head, poverty status, membership in agricultural cooperatives, and ownership of vegetable land all have a significant relationship with access to government support. In comparison to matched non-recipients, supported households markedly reduced their engagement in livelihood diversification, cultivation, and forest-based activities while simultaneously increasing their involvement in business. The access to government support significantly reshaped livelihood strategies among households. The findings from the study contribute to the literature on government social protection in response to COVID-19, specifically designing and implementing interventions to assist vulnerable households in developing countries like Vietnam.