Haematological parameters are important indicators of health, physiological status and resilience. In pigs, these parameters are influenced by both exogenous factors, such as feeding, housing and weaning age and intrinsic factors, including physiological maturity and genetic background. In this study, complete blood counts from 512 German Landrace (GL) and German Saddleback (GS) piglets kept in conventional (CON) and organic (ORG) housing systems were analysed throughout four developmental stages until day 70 of life. The GS consistently showed significantly higher counts of red and white blood cells, alongside higher counts of leukocyte subsets such as lymphocytes and monocytes, indicating a potentially efficient immune profile compared to GL. In contrast, GL exhibited larger erythrocytes with higher haemoglobin content as reflected via higher MCV and MCH levels, potentially endowing GL pigs to cope with the high metabolic demands for growth and performance. Housing effects were observed at day 70, where pigs kept in ORG showed reduced HCT and MCV, but higher MCHC levels, which might be attributed to feed components in ORG husbandry, potentially reflecting dietary limitations in methionine. Notably, platelet counts were higher in GL compared to GS piglets under ORG conditions, implying a breed-dependent haematopoietic response. In summary, these findings indicate a trade-off between erythrocyte quantity and haemoglobin-loading capacity, with potential implications for breed-specific myoglobin characteristics. The leukocytes profile further suggests breed-related differences in immune resilience which need to be validated by functional analyses to inform housing and management strategies for weaning in both modern and indigenous pig breeds.

Environmental conditions strongly influence grape amino acid profiles, which are key for fermentation and wine aroma. However, the combined effects of climate-driven warming and reduced rainfall together with vineyard management on berry amino acid composition remain poorly understood under field conditions. This study evaluated the effects of warming (W) and reduced rainfall (RR) on the nitrogen composition of cv. Monastrell berries under conventional (CON) and organic (ORG) vineyard management systems. A field experiment was established in 2023 in a rainfed vineyard (Murcia, SE Spain) using open-top chambers and rain-exclusion shelters to simulate warming and reduced rainfall respectively, with ambient conditions as controls. Individual amino acids and ammonium were analyzed by HPLC at harvest in 2023 and 2024, and nitrogen parameters including total free amino acids (FAN), yeast-assimilable nitrogen (YAN) and precursor aromatic nitrogen (PAN) were determined. ORG management showed higher amino acid concentrations than CON, with increases exceeding 100 % for GABA and proline. In 2023, climate treatments significantly affected 13 amino acids, whereas vineyard management effects and vineyard management × climate interactions were each significant for 4. Warming increased FAN, AAN, YAN and PAN by 25–75 % under ORG and by 111–160 % under CON, while ammonium increased by 96 % and 28 % under ORG and CON, respectively. Reduced rainfall had negligible effects in both years, confirming temperature as the dominant driver. These findings indicate that warming strongly alters grape nitrogen metabolism, whereas organic management mitigates its impact, supporting its role as a sustainable strategy to preserve nitrogen compounds under future climate scenarios.

Long-term moderate substitution of organic manure for chemical fertilizers enhances greenhouse vegetable production sustainability.

Carbonaceous components are important components of fine atmospheric particulate matter (PM<sub>2.5</sub>) and can affect the local environment, climate, and human health. The PM2.5, Organic (OC) and elemental (EC) Carbon concentrations were measured at Arconville (AT) and Mahoule (MT) traffic during the dry season in southern Benin cities of Abomey-Calavi and Cotonou. The data are collected with passive samplers and archived as daily averages from December 2016 to March 2017. To gain a better understanding of possible local and regional aerosol sources, the concentration of PM2.5, OC and EC, as well as the OC/EC ratio were evaluated overall. For the studied period, average concentrations of PM2.5 particles were 64 ±16 µ.gm<sup>-3</sup> and 79 ±18 µ.gm<sup>-3</sup> at AT and MT, respectively. Those of OC and EC were 31 ± 13 μg·m<sup>-3</sup> and 9 ± 06 μg·m<sup>-3</sup> for AT and 38 ± 16 μg·m<sup>-3</sup> and 13 ± 08 μg·m<sup>-3</sup> for MT, respectively. Also, total carbon accounted for 62.5% of PM2.5 at AT and 64.56% at MT. The OC/EC ratios obtained in AT and MT were 3.44 and 2.92, respectively. These OC/EC ratios obtained in two cities are greater than 2, which confirmed the presence of secondary organic aerosols during this period on these two traffic sites.

Apricots are affected by many abiotic and biotic factors that could negatively impact their vitality and yield, leading to branch and tree dieback. Knowledge of the microbiome composition is key to choosing the optimal measurement strategy. The effect of the two different growing systems, i.e., organic (ORG) and integrated pest management (IPM), on the apricot fungal microbiome was studied. The inner bark was used to isolate DNA, and the present fungi were analyzed using a metagenomics high-throughput sequencing (HTS) profiling approach of the data obtained based on the Illumina sequencing of the ITS1-ITS2 amplicons of the 18S rRNA gene. Of the 20 analyzed samples, Ascomycota was the dominant phylum, and Dothiomycetes was the most abundant. Basidiomycota was the less frequent, with Tremellomycetes being the predominant within this phylum. PCA analysis showed the complete separation of the samples obtained from the orchards grown under the ORG and IPM systems. Cladosporia, Alternaria, Aureobasidium, and Visniacozyma were detected in all samples, but they dominated the IPM samples. Filobasiadiales were recognized as an indicator species for ORG management, while Caliciales, Lecanorales, Lichinales, Mycosphaerellales, Myriangiales, Phacidiales, Teloschistales, and Thelebolales were identified as indicator species for IPM management. Based on the order and genus levels, a significantly higher fungal microbiome richness was detected in the ORG samples. This could be connected to the environmentally beneficial growing system applied in the orchard, but it is impossible to assess the risk of trunk disease development or premature apricot tree decline.

Aquafeeds formulated with organic or circular economy-derived ingredients aim to enhance sustainability and consumer acceptance. This study evaluated the global warming potential (GWP) and digestibility of such feeds, and assessed their effects on performance, feed utilisation and physiological resilience, defined as the ability to maintain tissue function and integrity under different feeding conditions of juvenile gilthead seabream (Sparus aurata) during grow out and after an overcrowding stress challenge. Three isonitrogenous (~51% crude protein) and isoenergetic (~18% crude fat) diets with limited fishmeal were formulated: a control (CTRL) commercial-like feed; an organic (ORG) diet based on organic-certified ingredients rich in plant proteins (primarily pea protein concentrate and wheat gluten); an eco-efficient (ECO) diet mainly composed of circular economy-derived animal by-products (e.g., poultry meal and feathermeal hydrolysate). The GWP was estimated using a life cycle assessment. Juvenile seabream (~14 g) were stocked in triplicate 500 L tanks (90 fish per tank, initial density of 2.5 kg/m3) and fed three times daily following feeding tables generated by FiT Feeding Tables, to optimise ration and minimise waste, over a 65-day growth period (final density of 8 kg/m3) and a subsequent 14-day overcrowding challenge (initial density of 12.4 kg/m3). At the end of the growth period, all groups exhibited at least a threefold increase in body weight. Feed digestibility was high (apparent digestibility coefficients (ADCs) > 60%) and utilisation efficient. Physiological resilience was supported by stable growth and relative expression of biomarkers for gut health, oxidative status and immune function. Although ORG and ECO diets showed a higher GWP, this impact may decrease with increased use of renewable energy in ingredient production. The ORG diet also improved fish phosphorus retention. These organic and circular economy-derived feeds present viable options to reduce aquaculture's environmental footprint while maintaining fish performance and resilience.

The use of service (cover) crops is widely practiced in soil agriculture due to their many benefits, including enhanced nutrient supply and improved soil health. Bacteria, as major decomposers of plant residues in the soil, play essential roles in nutrient cycling. This study examined the impact of various almond orchard management practices on the soil microbial community composition in a hyper-arid ecosystem. High-throughput sequencing was used to compare the microbial communities in two adjacent almond orchards managed with either organic (ORG) or regenerative agriculture (RA) practices, alongside an uncultivated (UC) site. Notably, little is known about the responses of soil bacterial communities in hyper-arid regions to intercrop mulch from service crops. This study may offer insights into the ecological limits of the benefits of service crops in promoting soil health under extreme conditions. Our findings demonstrate that RA management can alter soil organic carbon levels and reshape microbial communities by increasing overall bacterial abundance and enriching specific keystone taxa. These changes may have significant implications for nutrient cycling processes in hyper-arid agroecosystems.

Climate change trends and the ongoing environmental crisis are anticipated to significantly affect crop production, particularly rice, which is highly sensitive to these changes. This study explores adaptive strategies for ensuring long-term food security through agri-environmental farm management practices, focusing on a polyculture rice production model (POLY), which emphasizes crop diversification, land races, resource management, and environmental stewardship. We compare the POLY model with local organic (ORG) and conventional (CV) models in northern Italy's western Po Plain, particularly during the extreme climatic event of 2022 and the preceding five years. Although POLY and ORG farms exhibited lower average rice yields (3.9 and 4.3 Mg/ha, respectively) compared to CV (6.7 Mg/ha), they demonstrated better resilience to the 2022 climate anomaly. POLY farms achieved yield increases of 21-22% for the top performers, while ORG farms saw a 20% increase, contrasting with a 10% decrease in CV yields. Yield variability was higher in POLY and ORG farms due to cultivar diversity, providing insurance against climatic unpredictability. Regression analysis revealed a significant correlation between total annual precipitation and CV yields, whereas POLY and ORG yields showed less sensitivity to climate fluctuations. Economically, POLY farms outperformed in efficiency, indicating a viable model for addressing agri-environmental challenges without necessarily increasing land productivity. This study highlights the importance of integrating such models into comprehensive strategies to mitigate the interconnected crises of environment, climate, and food supply.

Common wheat (Triticum aestivum L.) is a key cereal in the global economy, providing essential nutrients for human and animal health. The European Union promotes less intensive farming systems as part of its sustainable development strategy. This study aimed to evaluate the impact of different farming systems on the concentration of macronutrients-potassium, phosphorus, magnesium, and calcium (K, P, Mg, and Ca)- and micronutrients-iron, zinc, manganese, and copper (Fe, Zn, Mn, and Cu)-in wheat grain, as well as the effect of grain processing on the distribution of these nutrients in bran, flour, and bread. This study included four spring wheat cultivars (Harenda, Kandela, Mandaryna, and Serenada) grown under organic (ORG), integrated (INT), and conventional (CONV) systems at the Osiny Experimental Station (Poland; 51°27' N; 22°2' E) between 2019 and 2021. The P concentration was determined using the colorimetric method, while the other nutrients were analyzed by atomic absorption spectrometry (AAS). The grain from the CONV system exhibited higher macronutrients concentrations, whereas grain from less intensive systems had higher micronutrients concentrations, except for Fe. The Fe concentration in grain from the INT and CONV systems was comparable. An interaction effect between cultivars and farming systems on P, Ca, Mn, Zn, and Cu concentrations in the grain was observed. In all research material, the highest concentrations of minerals were found in bran, followed by grain, with the lowest concentrations observed in flour and bread.

Abstract Italy is the most important European producer of organic (ORG) durum wheat [Triticum turgidum spp. durum (Desf.) Husn.]. Growth and yield of durum wheat are affected by weather conditions and by management systems (MS). The objective of this research was to determine the long‐term impact of two different MS (ORG and conventional [CON]) and their interactions with weather conditions on durum wheat yields. The study was part of a long‐term experiment in Pisa, Italy, comparing crop performance in a 5‐year rainfed rotation (i.e., sugar beet [Beta vulgaris L. var. saccharifera] or maize [Zea mays L.] followed by common wheat [T. aestivum L. subsp. aestivum emend. Thell.], sunflower [Helianthus annuus L.], faba bean [Vicia faba L. var. minor], and durum wheat) over 15 years under ORG and CON MS. Durum wheat yields were 37% lower under ORG compared to CON on average, though similar yields were produced across the two systems during one of the 5‐year cycles. There was a significant interaction between MS and climatic conditions for yield and yield components. A lower number of spikes per m2 was observed in ORG wheat compared to CON, thus spotlighting on likely different soil N availability in the two MS at the double ridge stage. ORG management resulted in weed biomass increases over time, with 400% higher weed biomass under ORG by the end of the research period. The high interannual variability across both MS confirms that multi‐year studies are needed to demonstrate the relative productivity of ORG versus CON MS.

Examining the structural properties of hydrophilic and hydrophobic organic aerosols using 1H NMR: diurnal variations and source apportionment.

This study investigated how different cultivation practices conventional mineral fertiliser-based (CONV), certified organic (ORG), and integrated nutrient management (INM) influence the nutrient composition, functional quality, and consumer-oriented health value of potato (Solanum tuberosum L.) tubers. Thirty farms across major potato-growing regions were selected and stratified by cultivation system, and composite tuber samples were analysed for proximate composition, vitamin C, potassium, iron, zinc, phenolic compounds, antioxidant capacity and nitrate content. Results showed that cultivation practice significantly affected both nutrient density and functional attributes. ORG and INM systems produced tubers with substantially higher vitamin C (≈17-30% increase), total phenolics, and antioxidant capacity, along with markedly lower nitrate concentrations compared with CONV. INM uniquely combined these nutritional advantages with the highest mean tuber yield (32.4 t ha−1) and favourable marketable size grading. Consumer-oriented interpretation expressed as percent contribution of a 150 g serving to adult recommended daily allowances indicated that ORG and INM potatoes supplied greater proportions of daily vitamin C and potassium requirements and achieved superior traffic light classifications for nitrate and antioxidant quality. A composite nutritional healthiness index further confirmed the advantage of ORG and INM systems. These findings highlight that nutrient composition of potatoes is not fixed but can be strategically enhanced through cultivation choices. They also underscore the importance of translating agronomic data into simplified nutritional messages to support informed consumer choices. The study concludes that integrated nutrient management offers the optimal balance of agronomic productivity and enhanced nutritional value, while organic systems maximise health-beneficial compounds; both systems present valuable opportunities for farmers, retailers, policymakers and consumers seeking nutritionally superior potatoes.

Currently, the EU is focusing on less intensive agrotechnology and sustainable development. It is important to minimize the occurrence of mycotoxins (including Fusariotixins) in food, and to monitor mycotoxin concentration in the food chain. Therefore, this study evaluated Fusarium mycotoxin contamination, specifically type A and B trichothecenes and ergosterol concentration, in wheat grain from a three-year field experiment (2019–2021) conducted at IUNG-PIB in Osiny (Poland), along with its byproducts (bran, flour, bread). Four wheat cultivars were grown under different farming systems: organic (ORG), integrated (INT), and conventional (CONV). Ergosterol was analyzed using HPLC with an absorbance detector while Type A and B trichothecenes were analyzed using gas chromatography and mass spectrometry. Results showed that the farming system significantly influenced type B trichothecenes concentration in grain, with the highest concentration established in ORG-grown wheat. However, the grain concentration from the INT farming system was comparable to that from CONV. Type A trichothecenes concentrations were low and not significantly affected by the farming system. Bran exhibited the highest ergosterol and mycotoxin concentration, while flour and bread exhibited the lowest.

In this study, we investigated the temporal variation of organic and inorganic aerosol with its optical properties in Mumbai (India), an urban coastal region. Mean PM2.5concentrations during the sampling period were 175μg/m3 (winter) and 90μg/m3 (summer). During winter, the average concentrations of organic (OC), elemental (EC), and water-soluble organic carbon (WSOC) were three times higher than in summer. Secondary organic carbon (SOC) contribution in OC was higher in summer (78%) than in winter (53%), and strong solar radiation in summer likely caused this outcome. Aerosols were slightly acidic in both seasons, with an average pH of 5.7 (winter) and 6.0 (summer). A correlation was observed between SOC and the acidity of particles in summer (R2 = 0.6), indicating some amount of acid-catalysed SOC formation. In both seasons, the sulphate oxidation ratio (SOR) was higher than the nitrate oxidation ratio (NOR), which may reflect a preference for SO2 oxidation over NO2 or the difference in partitioning ammonium nitrate into ammonium sulphate under high RH. The dominant mechanism of SOC formation (gas vs aqueous phase oxidation) also showed seasonal variation. In winter, a relatively steep reduced major axis (RMA) slope of O3/CO suggests gas phase oxidation was the dominant mechanism of SOC production. Winter has more BrC fraction than summer, indicating higher absorbing aerosols, though the efficiency of absorbing the light was higher in summer. To assess the radiative forcing of PM2.5 on a local scale, an effective carbon ratio (ECR) was computed. The findings pointed to a local radiative heating impact caused by PM2.5. The spectral slope ratio and MAE at 250 to 300nm ratio (E2/E3) revealed a higher abundance of high molecular weight species in WSOC during summer than in winter.

Unveiling the organic chemical composition and sources of organic carbon in PM2.5 at an urban site in Greater Cairo (Egypt): A comprehensive analysis of primary and secondary compounds

Associations between short-term exposure to airborne carbonaceous particles and mortality: A time-series study in London during 2010–2019

Impact of biodynamic and organic vineyard management on the microorganism community and aroma characteristics of cabernet sauvignon wine

Considering the scarce number of studies investigating the oxidative potential of PM2.5 in Italy, a measurement campaign was conducted from February 2020 to October 2020 in a coastal semi-rural site of Basilicata (Southern Italy) with the goal to characterize the fine fraction of ambient particulate matter (PM) and investigate its chemical and toxicological properties, by means of oxidative potential. Different instruments such as an automatic low-volume sampler, an aethalometer and an optical particle counter, were employed for the measurement of PM2.5 mass concentration, equivalent black carbon (eBC) concentration and absorption Ångström exponent (AAE), and particle number size distribution in 0.25–31 μm size range, respectively. 108 daily PM samples, collected on quartz fibre filters, were chemically analysed. Organic (OC) and elemental (EC) carbon content was estimated by thermo-optical transmittance technique (TOT), the concentrations of the main water-soluble ions and total elements were determined by ion chromatography and ED-XRF technique, while the oxidative potential of the water-soluble fraction was estimated through the dithiothreitol (DTT) assay. The mean value of PM2.5 mass concentration was 9.2 ± 2.5 μg/m3 and the average contribution of measured species on PM2.5 mass was 3.3% EC; 19.3% OC; 27.0% secondary inorganic aerosol (sum of SO42−, NH4+ and NO3−), and 10.2% of the other ions and elements. The OC and EC contributions to PM2.5 mass and their mean ratio (OC/EC = 6.6 ± 3.1) suggest that the site is affected by the combined contribution of traffic emissions and biomass combustion (domestic heating and agricultural activities), with the latter prevailing over the traffic, as supported by the mean AAE value of 1.3. The mean OP normalized by sampled volume, OPDTTV, was as high as 0.34 ± 0.22 nmol/min·m3, a value comparable to those recorded for PM2.5 in suburban areas of Italy. The correlation between OPDTTV and the chemical species observed in the PM2.5 samples showed a good agreement with the carbonaceous component OC (r = 0.62) and with some ions, K+ and SO42− (r = 0.60). These results identify combustion sources as the most responsible for the relatively high OPDTTV activity of PM2.5 recorded in this area.

This study represents the first investigation of soil ciliate diversity and community structure in the Marche region, Italy, encompassing both natural sites and agro-ecosystems. The main aims were (i) to assess the ability of ciliates to discriminate between different types of land uses, i.e., arable lands and possible farming management practices [organic (ORG) vs. conventional (CON)], and forest (FOR) sites; and (ii) to investigate the relationships among ciliate communities and abiotic parameters at the studied sites. Soil samples were collected twice from 10 sites (5 forest (FOR) (natural soils) and 5 arable lands under different agricultural management systems (3 ORG (minimum tillage) and 2 CON (sod seeding)). Ciliate communities were studied using qualitative (non-flooded Petri dish) and quantitative methods (ciliate counts from permanent slides). Soil chemical–physical (texture, CEC, N, OM, C/N) parameters were also measured. Qualitative ciliate analysis allowed us to identify a total of 59 species representing 33 genera, 20 families, 13 orders, and 7 classes. ORG sites were the richest in species followed by CON and FOR. Multivariate analysis showed statistically significant differences between natural sites (FOR) and agricultural sites, and between ORG and CON management farming systems. CCA analysis revealed a positive correlation between the ciliate species and silt, clay, and pH in ORG sites, and sand, organic carbon, organic matter, total nitrogen, C/N ratio, and CEC (cation exchange capacity) in FOR sites, suggesting the significance of these parameters in shaping the ciliate communities. Altogether, these results showed the bioindicative potential of ciliate communities in discriminating between natural sites (FOR) and arable lands, and their capacity to discriminate, at least preliminarily, between different soil management systems (ORG vs. CON). Furthermore, this study highlights the high diversity of soil ciliates and their response to habitat variability.

Quantitative evaluation of the effects of diverse greenhouse vegetable production systems (GVPS) on vegetable yield, soil water consumption, and nitrogen (N) fates could provide a scientific basis for identifying optimum water and fertilizer management practices for GVPS. This research was conducted from 2013 to 2015 in a greenhouse vegetable field in Quzhou County, North China. Three production systems were designed: conventional (CON), integrated (INT), and organic (ORG) systems. The WHCNS-Veg model was employed for simulating vegetable growth, water dynamics, and fates of N, as well as water and N use efficiencies (WUE and NUE) for four continuous growing seasons. The simulation results revealed that nitrate leaching and gaseous N emissions constituted the predominant N loss within GVPS, which separately accounted for 11.5-59.4% and 6.0-21.1% of the N outputs. The order of vegetable yield, N uptake, WUE, and NUE under different production systems was ORG > INT > CON, while the order of nitrate leaching and gaseous N loss was CON > INT > ORG. Compared to CON, ORG exhibited a significant increase in yield, N uptake, WUE, and NUE by 24.6%, 24.2%, 26.1%, and 89.7%, respectively, alongside notable reductions in nitrate leaching and gaseous N loss by 67.7% and 63.2%, respectively. The ORG system should be recommended to local farmers.