Effects of different blending ratios of lard and chicken fat on growth performance, nutrient utilization, serum lipid metabolism, and tissue fatty acid composition in meat ducks.

Double-edged sword: Aspergillus flavus as a threat to food safety and a resource for biotechnology.

XsMAX2 negatively regulates post-fertilization ovule development in Xanthoceras sorbifolium.

River-reservoir systems generate strong hydrological and environmental heterogeneity, often associated with shifts in bacterial communities, yet how spatiotemporal environmental differences jointly shape community variation, assembly processes, and co-occurrence patterns remains poorly resolved at the system scale. Here, we combined 16S ribosomal RNA (rRNA) gene sequencing with water-quality measurements to characterize bacterial dynamics across sampled riverine and reservoir sections of the Hanjiang River (China) during contrasting seasons. Community composition and diversity differed across sections and seasons, and the distance-decay relationship was steeper in the warm season, suggesting more evident spatial structuring. Assembly mechanisms also shifted: stochastic processes were relatively more prominent in reservoir samples and during the cold season, whereas heterogeneous selection became more evident in warm-season riverine sections. Co-occurrence networks showed seasonal reorganization, transitioning from denser cold-season networks to more modular warm-season structures, with cross-module connectivity increasingly concentrated in topology-defined connector taxa. Among environmental correlates, water temperature-together with covarying conditions reflecting productivity, nutrient availability, and organic-matter status-was consistently associated with community variation, and Threshold Indicator Taxa Analysis (TITAN2) identified a system-specific community-level transition near 19.4°C along this gradient. Partial least squares path modeling further suggested that temperature was statistically linked to bacterial attributes both directly and indirectly via covarying water-quality conditions, jointly accounting for 66% of community variation within the model. Collectively, these results may support temperature-aware bacterial monitoring and water-quality management in river-reservoir systems.

Wind power plants are frequently placed in natural ecosystems, but their impacts on plant communities are rarely considered. Therefore, it is unknown how far potential impacts extend into adjacent vegetation and how long they persist. To address this, we surveyed vegetation at different distances to roads at three wind power plants in Norway that were commissioned 4, 12, and 19 years ago. We then used Grime's CSR strategies to document functional shifts in plant community composition and Ellenberg Indicator Values (EIVs) to identify the abiotic gradients driving these shifts. We found that shifts in plant community composition were related to road distance and time since disturbance. At the youngest site, the proportion of plants with ruderal strategies was significantly increased within 10.4 m of roads, effectively expanding the footprint of roads by more than two-fold. At the oldest site, this impact was reduced to 2.8 m, suggesting that the original stress-tolerant communities recovered at a rate of 0.5 m per year. Increased ruderality near roads was associated with plant communities indicating higher nutrient availability and more reactive soils. This study provides novel knowledge regarding the spatial and temporal impact of wind energy development on plant communities. As road construction appears to shift community composition toward ruderal dominance by increasing nutrient availability, we recommend keeping road- and construction areas to a minimum. Overall, this can reduce the footprint of wind power plants and ensure that the transition to renewable energy does not come at the expense of ecosystems.

Characterising complex metabolic responses in an engineered, cross-feeding microbial co-culture using quantitative proteomics.

Sufficient nutrient availability is a prerequisite for enhanced plant and ecosystem production under elevated atmospheric carbon dioxide levels. While previous research has focused on nitrogen limited ecosystems, young forests and at one nutrient at a time, the present study simultaneously investigated gross soil nitrogen and phosphorus dynamics in a mature Eucalyptus woodland with phosphorus limitation, exposed to elevated CO 2 (EucFACE). Neither gross N mineralization rate, gross nitrification rate nor the exchange rate of inorganic P between soil solid phase and soil solution were affected by elevated CO 2 . However, we observed that rates were usually higher in the presence of living roots, compared to root-free soil. Also, the soil content of inorganic N and P was unaffected by elevated CO 2 . These results are partly unexpected, as we hypothesized an increased P mobilization under elevated CO 2 . Our results suggest that it is the limited amount of mobilizable P rather than the competition between soil microorganisms and plants for available P that may constrain plant uptake of P and tree growth at the site. The soil microorganisms likely already utilize all mobilizable P at ambient CO 2 conditions, and the remaining soil P is bound too strongly for mobilization. Our study highlights the complexity of P limited soil systems and their response to eCO2 as well as identify research gaps including seasonal eCO2 interactions and the value of integrating dynamics of multiple nutrients to reveal the trajectory of change. • First study that simultaneously investigated gross soil N and P dynamics under eCO 2 • Neither gross N mineralization, nor P mobilization were affected by eCO 2 at EucFACE • The limited amount of mobilizable P may constrain plant uptake of P and tree growth

Bonellia viridis is a benthic echiurid commonly associated with Mediterranean rocky substrates, yet its distribution patterns and environmental drivers remain poorly understood. This study investigates its spatial patterns along the Ligurian coast (NW Mediterranean Sea) using standardised video ROV surveys conducted over the last decade (2015-2025) at multiple sites between 20 and 100 m depth, characterised by coralligenous and rocky reefs under diverse environmental conditions. Results revealed significant spatial variability, with average abundance increasing from east to west and a clear preference for depths less than 50 m. Multivariate analyses highlighted the key roles of substrate slope, bottom type and biocoverage in shaping the echiurid distribution patterns, while sediment cover showed no significant effect. A multiple linear regression confirmed that most environmental variables significantly contributed to species abundance. At the broad spatial scale, species abundance was negatively correlated with rainfall regime and positively correlated with the Population Equivalent (PE) of the coastal towns facing the sites where transects were conducted. This suggests that B. viridis may benefit from increased nutrient availability associated with urban runoff, untreated sewage, and harbour operations—common features along the highly urbanised western Ligurian coast. Seasonal comparisons indicated higher abundances in spring and autumn, likely driven by an enrichment in organic matter associated with increased primary production. These findings provide new insights into the ecological requirements of B. viridis and suggest its potential role as a bioindicator species for monitoring benthic habitat conditions in Mediterranean coastal ecosystems. • Bonellia viridis distribution was assessed in the Ligurian Sea by ROV surveys. • Hard bottom features shape B. viridis distribution in coralligenous habitats. • Echiurans may decline with rainfall-driven inorganic sediment increase. • B . viridis may benefit from from nutrients increased by urbanization and runoff. • Seasonal shifts in abundance suggest link with food availability and biological cycle.

Water pollution by heavy metals such as lead (Pb) causes toxic effects that inhibit the growth of aquatic organisms. Bioremediation using microorganisms such as Azotobacter sp. and Pseudomonas sp. is an environmentally friendly approach to reducing Pb toxicity through biological absorption and detoxification mechanisms. This study aimed to determine the most effective combination of biofertilizers in supporting the bioremediation process and the growth of water lettuce (Pistia stratiotes L.). The experiment was conducted in the greenhouse of the University of Singaperbangsa Karawang from January to April 2025 using a single-factor Randomized Block Design (RBD) with nine treatments and three replications. The results showed that treatment B (10 ppm Pb (50 ml Pseudomonas sp. + 25 ml Azotobacter sp.)) produced the highest values across all growth parameters. The combination of these two microorganisms enhanced nutrient availability and phytohormone production, supporting photosynthetic activity and improving the adaptation of Pistia stratiotes L. to Pb exposure, thereby demonstrating potential as an effective bioremediation agent.

Biodegradable and conventional microplastics differentially affect soil nutrient availability and stress responses in spinach (Spinacia oleracea L.)

Soil amendment ameliorating health of degraded soils affected by heavy metals and acidification: New insights from highly active silicon.

Xylanase and phytase as modulators of gut microbiota and phytate degradation in wheat-based diets for meat quail.

Biochar is widely reported to buffer drought by improving soil water-holding capacity and nutrient availability, but whether it also modulates polyol metabolism linked to osmotic adjustment in tomato remains underexplored. Here we integrate physiological (polyol pools, SDH enzyme) and molecular (SDH transcripts) readouts with explicit soil and material characterisation to test how a wood-derived biochar alters the sorbitol/ribitol-SDH axis during water limitation. Tomatoes grown in biochar-amended soil (WB, 20g kg-1) versus unamended soil (OB) were exposed to 100%, 75% and 45% soil water content (SWC). Under drought, OB plants accumulated more ribitol and sorbitol, with concomitant increases in SDH activity and SDH mRNA, whereas WB plants showed significantly attenuated polyol accumulation and SDH upregulation. At 75% and 45% SWC, SDH transcripts in OB were ~ 2 × and 4 × the 100% baseline, respectively, versus ~ 1 × and ~ 2 × in WB (two-way ANOVA, irrigation × biochar interaction p < 0.01). Novelty: The data indicate that biochar attenuates the polyol-associated stress response (lower osmolyte demand and SDH induction) while maintaining growth, consistent with improved plant water status. These findings suggest that biochar may contribute to reducing osmotic stress responses, complementing its agronomic benefits in arid systems and supporting sustainable tomato production.

Carbonisation of rare earth elements hyperaccumulator (Dicranopteris pedata) for remediation of heavy metal contaminated Soil: A Case study.

Plant stress responses are shaped by both the plant genome and its associated microbial communities, which together form the plant holobiont. Given the rapid adaptive potential of plant-associated microbes, we hypothesised that directed evolution under selective pressure can accelerate the development of holobiont-level stress tolerance. Directed evolution of the plant-associated bacterium Bacillus subtilis MR21 produced three evolved strains (EV1-EV3) with distinct plant-beneficial traits. These strains enhanced coriander growth under conditions of lead (Pb) toxicity and micronutrient deficiency. The evolved bacteria improved rhizosphere conditions by reducing Pb availability and increasing the availability of essential nutrients, including phosphorus, iron and zinc, thereby enhancing plant holobiont stress tolerance. In addition, rhizosphere detoxification and elevated production of organic acids, such as succinic and glutamic acid, contributed to improved soil chemical conditions. Together, these processes promoted a by-product mutualism within the rhizosphere, in which detoxifying bacteria indirectly supported less beneficial members of the microbial community. We conclude that directed evolution of plant-associated bacteria provides a natural and efficient strategy to enhance plant stress tolerance at the holobiont level, offering a complementary approach to conventional breeding and genetic engineering.

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.

Bokashi is an anaerobically fermented organic fertilizer whose quality depends on the balance between carbon-rich and nitrogen-rich feedstocks. This study evaluated five bokashi formulations prepared from different proportions of leaf straw (JD) and cattle manure (PK), namely: JD100, JD75PK25, JD50PK50, JD25PK75, and PK100. Bokashi was fermented under anaerobic conditions for 21 days and assessed for temperature, moisture content, pH, organic carbon, C/N ratio, total nitrogen, P₂O₅, K₂O, and magnesium (Mg). The experiment was arranged in a Completely Randomized Design, while treatment performance was evaluated using descriptive statistics, including mean ± standard deviation, coefficient of variation, and trend analysis. Results showed that increasing the proportion of manure generally enhanced nutrient availability. Total nitrogen increased from 1.54% in JD100 to 2.72% in JD25PK75, while Mg concentration increased from 3,506 mg kg⁻¹ in JD100 to 10,999 mg kg⁻¹ in PK100. In contrast, straw-dominated formulations maintained higher organic carbon content (27.86%) and more neutral pH conditions (7.7). The C/N ratio declined from 18.10 in JD100 to 8.72 in PK100, indicating greater decomposition and compost maturity. Among the treatments, JD50PK50 exhibited comparatively balanced characteristics, combining relatively high organic carbon, moderate nutrient levels, near-neutral pH (6.8), and a moderate C/N ratio (11.48). These findings suggest that balanced straw–manure mixtures can improve bokashi maturity, nutrient retention, and chemical stability for sustainable organic fertilizer production.

Nitrogen availability critically influences biofilm development in drinking water distribution systems (DWDSs), yet the distinct impacts of ammonium (NH₄⁺) and nitrate (NO₃⁻) on biofilm and pathogen risks remain unclear. Using bench-scale annular reactors simulating DWDSs, we investigated how ammonium depletion/supplementation (AD/AS) and nitrate depletion/supplementation (ND/NS) regulate biofilm profiles over 28days. Water chemistry analyses and functional annotation (KEGG, FAPROTAX) revealed that AS and NS increased total nitrogen retention (AS: 2.046-2.261mg/L; NS: 10.625-11.800mg/L) and biofilm prokaryotic cell abundance. AS enriched biosynthesis and virulence pathways (e.g., amino acid transport, energy production), while AD activated stress-response mechanisms (e.g., DNA repair, carbohydrate metabolism). NS favored Gram-negative bacteria, stress-tolerant taxa, and pathogenic genera (e.g., Acinetobacter, Mycobacterium), whereas ND upregulated organic nitrogen scavenging. Nitrogen supplementation preferentially enriched genera including WHO-listed critical-risk pathogens, which correlated strongly with inorganic nitrogen levels (Mantel r > 0.5, P < 0.05). In contrast, genera including high/medium-risk pathogens exhibited increased relative abundance under depletion via organic nutrient reliance. These findings demonstrate that NH₄⁺ and NO₃⁻ differentially regulate biofilm pathogenicity: NH₄⁺ drives growth and virulence, while NO₃⁻ enhances structural resilience and redox flexibility. The study advocates targeted nitrogen management in DWDS to monitor and mitigate biofilm-associated health risks and for optimizing microbial stability. KEY POINTS: • Nitrogen species (NH₄⁺ and NO₃⁻) enrichment and availability elevated biofilm cell density and altered functional groups and metabolic processes, revealing strong coupling between nutrient availability and microbial proliferation in DWDSs. • Ammonium enrichment drove virulence- and metabolism-related functions, whereas nitrate promoted oxidative resilience and biofilm matrix stability. • Nitrogen limitation activated stress-adaptive and organic nitrogen scavenging pathways, reshaping community composition toward stress-tolerant, opportunistic taxa.

Nutrient sensing and transceptor-mediated metabolic control in yeast.

Rhizosphere bacterial communities play a crucial role in improving nutrient availability, disease and stress resistance, and overall development in plants. Biofertilizers can enhance plant growth, but little is known about their mode of interaction. Here, we studied the impact of seedling coating with two nitrogen-fixing cyanobacterial strains, Nostoc sp. NoHu, or Anabaenopsis circularis AnHu, on chamomile (Chamomilla recutita L.) growth, essential oil yield and quality, apigenin-7-O-glucoside, and the composition of rhizosphere bacterial communities, under field conditions in Egypt. The rhizosphere bacterial community, analyzed by 16S rRNA amplicon libraries, composed of 31 phyla and 164 different genera. Compared to untreated plants, the application of both strains showed contrasting effects. Nostoc sp. application significantly enhanced almost all tested plant growth parameters, including fresh and dry weights of shoots, roots, and flowers, as well as the yield and content of vital essential oil constituents and the apigenin-7-O-glucoside. Furthermore, Nostoc sp. application increased both the abundance and diversity of the rhizosphere bacterial community compared to untreated plants, suggesting an indirect effect mediated through altering the rhizosphere bacterial community structure. In contrast, A. circularis application negatively affected essential oil yield and quality, exhibited the lowest bacterial abundance and diversity. These findings highlight potential of Nostoc sp. NoHu to boost chamomile productivity and essential oil quality. The contradictory responses between the two cyanobacterial strains emphasize strain-specific effects with Nostoc sp. NoHu as a promising biofertilizer candidate for chamomile.