Biosecurity practices of bovine tuberculosis affected French cattle farms between 2016 and 2023.

Aquaculture is the leading animal food-producing sector in Bangladesh and is ranked 5th globally, yielding 2.64 million MT in 2021. Sustainable aquaculture principally relies on an effective governance system that ensures compliance with environmental, social, and food safety standards while managing the risks associated with farming practices. Effective governance significantly influences safe fish production and, thus, fosters sustainability in the sector. Accessing mainstream international markets from developing countries requires addressing challenges such as food safety, traceability, and certification compliance. Secondary data were retrieved from the ‘Web of Science’ databases and explored for critical analysis to understand the existing aquaculture governance systems in Bangladesh. The study revealed that Bangladesh had enacted various laws and policies to sustain the industry and promote safe fish production. However, the government framework is fragmented, with multiple agencies and departments formulating complex regulations that are challenging for farmers to navigate. Hence, a key recommendation is the development of a collaborative packaged policy, led by the Department of Fisheries (DoF), to harmonize intra- and inter-ministerial efforts. DoF could introduce BanglaGAP, modeled after similar Global South initiatives, to bolster aquaculture governance and provide training for value chain stakeholders. Before adopting such schemes, it is essential to assess the suitability of the initiatives for small-scale farmers and their effectiveness in addressing socioeconomic sustainability issues, such as inequity, exploitation, and injustice in local production and supply chains. Thus, Bangladesh has the potential to develop a tailored aquaculture governance framework, adopt responsible certification schemes, and strengthen its position as a major global fish producer and exporter.

Photodegradation of polyamide, polyester, and HDPE aquaculture cage nets: Implications for microplastic pollution.

Macrobrachium nipponense is favored by Chinese farmers due to its advantages such as stronger adaptability, fewer diseases and investments, better economic benefits and is eco-friendliness. However, investigations regarding M. nipponense culture remain limited to laboratory aquarium tanks. There are no established guidelines on optimal stocking density for M. nipponense related to commercial scale farming practices in earthen ponds. In this study, the effects of stocking density on growth performance, water quality, immune indices and the economic benefits of M. nipponense reared in earthen ponds were evaluated. Juvenile prawns (0.22 ± 0.03 g) were stocked at four densities: D90: 90 individuals (inds)/m², D135: 135 inds/m², D180: 180 inds/m², and D225: 225 inds/m². The results demonstrate that growth performance of M. nipponense in low densities was higher than that in high densities in the early stages, while in the later growth stages, no significant differences were found across all groups. Neither the aquatic environment nor prawn antioxidant capacity was significantly impacted across all groups, as they underwent significant changes along with changing of the seasons. Taking into account the above results and the total yield, the yield and proportion of large-sized prawns, net profit and return on investment, the final recommended stocking density is 1.8 million inds/ha (D180 density). The results of this study will provide guidance for the commercial farming of M. nipponense and give valuable insights for promoting sustainable development. • Low density promotes early growth of Macrobrachium nipponense but final weight converges across densities. • Stocking density did not significantly affect water quality or prawn antioxidant capacity, though they varied seasonally. • High-density ponds show lower microbial diversity yet harbor more nitrogen-cycling bacteria. • Optimal stocking density is 1.8 million individuals/ha, based on growth, yield, and economics.

Paphia undulata enhances sedimentary CH4 and N2O emissions via divergent microbial mechanisms.

Risk factors associated with Ehrlichia ruminantium and tick infestation amongst cattle in Guadeloupe, French West Indies.

Hepatic multi-level responses to polyethylene microplastics in Lateolabrax maculatus: Insights from transcriptomics, antioxidant enzyme activity, and histopathology

Assessing implementation of biosecurity practices in Canadian dairy farms: An observational study.

The development of salt-affected arable lands has become a serious challenge to agricultural sustainability and global food security due to climate change. The dangers posed by soil salinity and its impact on farming have not been sufficiently addressed through traditional breeding methods. Halo tolerant plant growth-promoting rhizobacteria (HT-PGPR) are important for restoring degraded salt-affected soils and for helping plants grow better, improving their nutritional value and yield, and increasing their ability to withstand both living and non-living stressors. HT-PGPR use several methods to reduce soil salinity, including the production of substances and plant hormones, the creation of secondary metabolites and siderophores, the maintenance of ion balance, and the improvement of plant nutrient availability. As our study aims to expand our understanding of HT-PGPR and its effects on agriculture, this review addresses salinity-related problems and provides the scientific community with modern solutions, such as HT-PGPR, for sustainable farming practices and efficient agriculture.

Plastic mulching and crop type govern the vertical distribution and composition of microplastics in a major agricultural irrigation system.

Knowledge, attitudes, and practices of Brazilian dairy farmers and technical advisors regarding antibiotic use and antimicrobial resistance.

Enhanced rock weathering has greater promise as a sustainable farming practice than a CO2 removal technology

Crimean-Congo haemorrhagic fever (CCHF) is an emerging zoonotic disease of significant public health concern caused by Crimean-Congo haemorrhagic fever virus (CCHFV), primarily transmitted by tick vectors. Its spread is further compounded by global warming, tick range expansion, and traditional farming practices. This study aimed to assess the prevalence of CCHFV in ticks parasitizing livestock in Kermanshah Province, Iran, which borders Iraq, a country that has experienced major CCHF outbreaks in recent years. Serum and tick samples were collected from 302 small ruminants (SRs) in six districts, considering previous CCHF cases and regional differences. Following RNA extraction from both ticks and sera, a homemade real-time RT-PCR was used to detect CCHFV infection. All sera tested negative, while 0.67% (4/604) of ticks were infected with CCHFV (Hyalomma asiaticum and Rhipicephalus sanguineus were positive). This study confirms the circulation of CCHFV in the western region of Iran and, more importantly, reports the detection of an Aigai virus (formerly CCHFV genotype VI or AP-92-like strain) in tick populations for the first time in Iran. These findings emphasize the need for continued molecular surveillance, vector control, and cross-border cooperation to mitigate the risk of CCHF transmission in humans.

Agriculture in hilly regions holds significant potential but is often undervalued in the context of food production due to the distinct terrain, microclimate, and subsistence farming practices. This study explores long-term water and energy fluxes across the years 2017-2021, over a rainfed rice-wheat system using the eddy covariance technique to evaluate evapotranspiration (ET) dynamics. Seasonal variation in ET during rice and wheat growing seasons closely follows the daily magnitude of available net energy, relative canopy cover and the supply of soil moisture. The total ET during the rice and wheat growing seasons ranged from 319.39-403.82mm and 341.81-458.29mm, respectively, with maximum daily ET values of 7.21mm day-1 for rice and 6.79mm day-1 for wheat. Path analysis was used to examine the direct and indirect effects of environmental and biophysical factors on ET, including net radiation (Rn), air temperature (Tair), vapor pressure deficit (VPD), soil water content (SWC), stomatal conductance (Gs), and leaf area index (LAI). VPD was the dominant driver of ET during the rice season, while both VPD and Rn significantly influenced ET during the wheat season. Gs was also a key factor, with stronger control during the wheat season. Notably, VPD had a negative impact on ET through Gs in both seasons. Overall, this study highlights how ET ET in rainfed rice-wheat systems interacts with environmental and biophysical factors, providing insights into crop-water relations and land-atmosphere interactions.

This study focused on the design modification, manufacture, and performance evaluation of animal-drawn secondary tillage tools for furrowing in a wheat-based light soil farming system in 2nd Chefa Kebele, Misrak Bedawacho District, Hadiya Zone, Central Ethiopia. The objective was to improve the efficiency and effectiveness of the traditional maresha plough while maintaining compatibility with local farming practices. Field experiments were conducted under actual farming conditions using pairs of oxen, comparing traditional and modified implements based on weight, tillage depth, rake angle, pulling force, draft force, field capacity, efficiency, structural safety, and soil physical properties. The modified tools were lighter and incorporated a reduced rake angle and multi-plough configurations to enhance performance. Results showed significant improvements, with working time reduced from 6.89h to 1.98h for 0.25ha and field capacity increasing from 0.036 to 0.126ha/hr, while field efficiency reached up to 99.21%. Although draft force increased slightly with additional ploughshares, pulling force remained within manageable limits. Structural analysis confirmed that all components operated safely within allowable stress limits. The modified tools also improved soil plasticity and moisture retention, supporting better crop establishment. In conclusion, the modified animal-drawn tillage implements offer a practical, efficient, and sustainable solution for smallholder farmers by enhancing productivity and reducing labor and animal fatigue. It is recommended that these tools be promoted through local fabrication, extension services, and farmer training, while further studies should assess long-term performance, adaptability, and adoption across different agro-ecological conditions.

Pseudomonas aeruginosa is a highly virulent bacterium that causes morbidity and mortality in fish farming practices. Therefore, the current work is accounted as a pioneer trial to assess Aloe vera or Barbados aloe gel (BAG, 8mg/L) as an antimicrobial agent against P. aeruginosa infection in African catfish (Clarias gariepinus). In addition, hematological, biochemical, blood electrolytes, and histopathological investigations were applied, alongside tissue antioxidant response. For this, fish (n = 160) were arranged into four sets (control, BAG, P. aeruginosa, and P. aeruginosa-BAG), with four replicates (40 fish/set) for 15 days. The outcomes exhibited hematological-biochemical disruptions with high mortality (42.50%) resulting from P. aeruginosa challenge. This is evidenced by lowering hematological parameters (red and white blood cell count, hemoglobin, packed cell volume, and neutrophils, lymphocytes) and elevation of hepatic enzymes (aspartate and alanine aminotransferases). In addition, stimulation of stress response (high cortisol and glucose), hyperkalemia, and lipid peroxidation (increased malondialdehyde level) were obvious in the P. aeruginosa group. This was besides hyponatremia and inactivation of antioxidants (catalase and superoxide dismutase) of the skin, gills, and liver. These tissues also exhibited histopathological abnormalities, including epithelial desquamation, tissue hyperplasia, necrosis, leukocytic infiltration, vascular congestion, and cellular degeneration following P. aeruginosa infection. Conversely, watery exposure to BAG palliated these changes induced by P. aeruginosa. It improved blood profiles, electrolytes, and hepatic enzymes while boosting tissue antioxidant activity and regenerating the histopathological structure of skin, gills, and liver. This alleviation led to decreased mortality (12.50%). Taken together, the current report confirmed P. aeruginosa 's pathogenicity. It highlighted the promoting activity of aqueous addition of BAG (8mg/L) as an antibacterial agent, besides its privileges for enhancing fish health for sustaining aquaculture.Clinical trial number: not applicable.

Microbial communities play essential roles in agroecosystem functioning, yet the effects of different rice farming practices on their structure and dynamics remain underexplored, particularly across soil and water compartments. This study compared microbial assemblages in organic and conventional rice fields in southern Brazil over a single growing season, based on ten samples collected from two fields. High-throughput sequencing of 16S region V3V4 and 18S region V4 rRNA genes was used to profile bacteria, unicellular eukaryotes, fungi, and metazoa at three time points during rice cultivation. Community composition and diversity differed between farming systems and over time. In soil, bacterial richness was higher in conventional systems at specific time points but showed greater temporal variability. In water, microbial communities in organic systems were generally more diverse and stable, with significantly lower bacterial richness in conventional systems at the initial sampling point (P < 0.01). Unicellular eukaryotes and metazoa showed strong farming-system responses, particularly in water, where organic fields supported more diverse assemblages. These findings highlight the influence of farming practices on microbial biodiversity and emphasize the importance of integrated, multi-group approaches for understanding agroecosystem functioning.

Green fish farming represents an integrated aquaculture approach that rears aquatic organisms in controlled environments to improve production efficiency and environmental sustainability. Although significant, current green fish farming practices are labour-intensive and expensive due to grid energy dependency resulting in operational inefficiencies and elevated fish mortality. To address these key challenges, we propose a multidisciplinary approach that involves the development of a cost-effective, solar-powered automation system that integrates computer vision and deep learning techniques for real-time monitoring of fish behaviour, water quality, feeding, and waste management. First, we design the system architecture that enables automation and ensures accurate system performance under varying conditions. Second, following the architecture, we build a complete and cost-effective smart system that works along with an intelligent software framework that leverages computer vision and deep learning techniques. Utilizing custom datasets from video frames and environmental sensors, this system utilizes convolutional neural networks (CNNs) for fish behavior analysis, real-time disease detection via camera feeds, and precise feeding control through actuators. The design also incorporates a renewable energy subsystem, employing advanced photovoltaic panels and efficient battery storage to guarantee reliable power. The major contribution lies in the seamless integration of these multidisciplinary components. Furthermore, the system architecture is modular and scalable, making it suitable for both smallholder and commercial fish farms. Cost optimization with low-cost sensors and open-source software enables economic viability for resource-constrained farmers. Extensive simulation studies confirmed significant improvements in monitoring accuracy, reduced manual intervention, and enhanced operational sustainability.

The parotoid gland secretion of the medicinal toad (Bufo gargarizans) is the primary source of Chansu, a valuable traditional medicine. However, the lack of understanding regarding the biological regulation of venom synthesis limits the optimization of farming practices and quality control. Here, we integrated histology, lipidomics, transcriptomics, and untargeted metabolomics to delineate the regulatory mechanisms governing venom accumulation and biosynthesis, aimed at guiding aquaculture management. Histological results revealed that the parotoid gland is a highly regionalized organ, where structural maturity is positively correlated with toxin storage capacity, providing a morphological basis for determining optimal harvest timing. This structure is underpinned by a distinct lipid profile: high levels of triglycerides supply essential energy for massive venom production, while enriched ceramides and sphingomyelin form a specialized barrier to ensure high-quality venom encapsulation. Transcriptome analysis indicated that the upregulation of steroid and primary bile acid biosynthesis genes (e.g., FDFT1, DHCR7, HSD3B7, CYP27A1, and ACOX2) drives the synthesis of bioactive bufadienolides. Furthermore, we identified key enzymatic regulators─including CYP450s (CYP2C25, CYB561, CYP2K4) and acetylases (AACS, ACAT)─as potential genetic markers for identifying high-yielding venom. Collectively, these findings provide a scientific basis for establishing standardized farming protocols, advancing molecular breeding strategies for this important medicinal species, and achieving sustainable exploitation of toad venom.

India ranks first in milk production, contributing 24.64 per cent of global milk production. The development of web modules is a cost-effective and rapid method for disseminating information to multi-stakeholders. The present study was conducted in four districts of Karnataka with the objective of developing and evaluating a web module on dairying among professionals. The website was developed in English and Kannada to disseminate demand-driven information. Eight phases were followed for developing the web module, including analysis, design, development, testing, implementation, evaluation, scaling up, and report preparation and submission. A random sampling method was used to select 10 university scientists, 10 veterinary officers and 5 KMF officials from each district, resulting in a final sample size of 100 respondents from four districts of Karnataka. Information needs were assessed before developing the web module, and the same respondents evaluated the developed module. The evaluation considered utility, information, technical and user attributes components, and respondents recorded their level of satisfaction for each component and related sub-component. Among veterinary officers, the information component ranked first (WMS 2.94, Rank I). Among university scientists, the utility component ranked first (WMS 2.90, Rank I). Among KMF officials, the user attributes component ranked first (WMS 2.93, Rank I). The findings indicate that web-based information and communication technologies can support stakeholders by providing timely, need-based information. The website may serve as a first-hand, cost-effective information source on scientific dairy farming practices for students, dairy farmers and stakeholders, while helping livestock owners and extension personnel save time, money and effort.