Monitoring Plant Health Using Multispectral Satellite Imagery Based on Various Spectral Indices

Plant microbiota has received increasing attention in recent years. In particular, the microbiota associated with cereals is being extensively studied to identify bacterial strains that can promote plant health and growth. Barley is the fourth most important cereal worldwide in terms of agricultural production. Intensive barley agriculture requires the use of chemical fertilizers to compensate for nutrient deficiencies in soils and limit pathogen development. The isolation and use of bacteria that can enhance the bioavailability of soil nutrients and inhibit the development of plant pathogens could ultimately limit the use of these chemicals. In this study, we have isolated from a barley microbiota three bacterial strains belonging to the genus Streptomyces. These strains were characterized and named GPA1, GPAT2, and GPN2. These three closely related isolates were from the same bacterial genus Streptomyces. Based on a phylogenetic analysis, the strains GPAT2 and GPN2 were classified as Streptomyces murinus, while GPA1 was identified as a new species. All strains showed antagonistic activity against two microorganisms that inhibit barley germination: Pseudomonas sp. MRN1 and Fusarium sp. CK. In addition, these strains exhibited different effects on the growth of barley cultivated under hydroponic and axenic conditions. In fact, GPN2 appeared to have no effect whereas the inoculation of barley seedlings with GPAT2 and GPA1 resulted in a reduction and an increase in root length after two weeks of growth, respectively. GPA1 had various Plant Growth-Promoting (PGP) abilities, including phosphate and zinc solubilization and siderophore production. A metabolite profiling of the GPA1 bacterial culture also showed its production and excretion of indole-3-acetic acid (IAA). In this study, we have characterized three closely related bacteria, which display different effects on barley seedlings growth. These results revealed that the type of interactions of Streptomyces with barley is strain-dependent, suggesting that these interactions may arise from specific molecular mechanisms acquired through coevolutionary processes.

Although, NPs have potential to improved plant resistance against abiotic stress, increased nutrient usage efficiency, and sustenance of agricultural production. However, reactions of NPs in soil matrices, particularly their movement, perseverance, and biogeochemical reactions in soil-plant system under heavy metals (HMs) were not well understood. Therefore, this review presents the latest research in order to clarify the molecular interactions, beneficial transformations, and detoxification processes of NPs in plants and evaluates their roles in these processes. It further aims to quantify the benefits and risks, and give future directions for NPs design and applications in environmental remediation and agriculture. NPs significantly enhanced agricultural outcomes through mechanisms such as regulating HMs uptake, boosting antioxidant enzyme activity (up to a 60% increase), altering soil properties, and optimizing physiological metabolism. NPs amendments raised crop output by 20-55% while reducing disease and nutrient leaching to 50% and 30%, respectively, and improving the soil's carbon sink by 15%. Meanwhile, green-synthesized nanomaterials offer eco-friendly alternatives in remediation through processes like adsorption, oxidation, coprecipitation, ion-exchange, photocatalysis, and nanophytoremediation, achieving 100% pollutant removal efficiency for elements like hexavalent chromium using iron NPs. However, challenges such as NPs accumulation in food chains, potential toxicity to non-target species, and physiological disruptions necessitate solutions like microbiome co-delivery and stimuli-responsive systems to balance safety and effectiveness. In order to increase the available resources and address the worldwide food safety issue, the use of NPs in agroecosystems might be a crucial step towards sustainable farming. Therefore, the influence of NPs on soil, and plant antioxidant defense systems and oxidative stress activation under HMs should be studied using molecular, physiological, and biochemical techniques. For this purpose, real-time polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) analysis, illumina MiSeq sequencing, pyrosequencing analysis, metagenomics, metabolomics, proteomics, and functional assays etc. could be most useful for NPs risk/benefit evaluation.

Endophytic microorganisms play important roles in plant health, but their diversity and functions can vary with host developmental stage. Camellia oleifera, a major oil-producing crop in China, offers a valuable system for exploring these dynamics. We compared endophytic microbial communities in young (5-year) and old (15-year) C. oleifera leaves using high-throughput 16S rRNA and ITS sequencing, supported by culture-dependent isolation and inhibition assays. Diversity indices, taxonomic composition, and predicted bacterial functions were analyzed with QIIME2 and PICRUSt2. Ten fungal and nine bacterial strains were isolated and tested for antagonism against key leaf pathogens in confrontation assays (n = 3 replicates). A total of 607 bacterial and 778 fungal ASVs were identified. Young leaves contained greater bacterial richness and diversity (Observed ASVs, Shannon, Simpson indices, P < 0.05), while old leaves hosted higher fungal richness. Beta diversity (Bray-Curtis PCoA) showed clear separation of bacterial communities by leaf age, with weaker separation for fungi. Bacterial functional prediction revealed enrichment of carbohydrate metabolism and amino acid biosynthesis in young leaves, while secondary metabolism and stress response pathways were more prominent in old leaves. Among isolated strains, Coniochaeta velutina inhibited Colletotrichum gloeosporioides, Alternaria alternata, and Botryosphaeria dothidea by 67.4%, 54.8%, and 65.2%, respectively. The bacterium Burkholderia ambifaria achieved the highest inhibition rate of 87.2% against B. dothidea. These findings suggest that leaf age shapes endophytic microbial diversity and bacterial functional potential in C. oleifera. Moreover, C. velutina and B. ambifaria represent promising candidates for biocontrol applications. While limited by small sample size (n = 3 replicates), this exploratory study provides foundational insights into age-associated shifts in endophyte communities and their biocontrol potential.

It is well recognised that the plant microbiome plays a critical role in plant health, productivity, and resilience to environmental stresses. Recent research has suggested the two disciplines of plant breeding and microbiome engineering should be integrated at an early stage of crop development and this will enhance plant performance via the promotion of beneficial plant-microbe interactions. Achieving this goal requires a greater understanding of key factors that shape the plant microbiome. Perennial ryegrass (Lolium perenne), the most common pastoral forage species utilised in New Zealand, was used as a model system. The microbiome associated with different plant zones (including the rhizosphere, root and shoot) was assessed from plants collected from multiple field trials across the North and South Islands of New Zealand. Results indicate that plant zone, geographic location and plant growth stage were the strongest drivers of ryegrass microbiome structure as analysed by amplicon sequencing of 16S and ITS genes for bacteria and fungi, respectively. In contrast, ryegrass cultivar and the presence of agriculturally beneficial strains of Epichloë endophyte had minor impacts on the ryegrass microbiome but significantly shaped the ryegrass seed microbiome. Current research is focused on investigating the influence of diverse ryegrass genetics (&gt;400 different families) on the plant microbiome to uncover host genetic contributions to microbial community assembly. This knowledge will provide a critical foundation for the development of novel forage crops with beneficial microbiome traits to enhance plant performance and promote sustainability.

Plants establish a close association with a community of microbes naturally living in the soil, known as resident soil microbiome, which typically maintains a dynamic equilibrium that confers resilience against biotic and abiotic perturbations. However, this microbiome can also reduce the success of adding new helpful microbes (bioinoculants) by reducing their functional integration with the host plant. Although bioinoculants often perform well under controlled conditions, their efficacy in pathogenic soils is frequently compromised even after repeated applications. While several factors influencing inoculation success have been examined, the impact of soil microbial load, its dynamics, and associated transcriptomic consequences remain largely overlooked. To address this gap, we induced dysbiosis in the resident soil microbiome using moist heat treatment (MHT) thereby generating a gradient in microbial load. We then assessed the phenotypic and transcriptomic responses of Cucumis sativus L., for bioinoculants alongside relative and quantitative rhizosphere microbiome profiling. MHT reduced resident soil bacterial abundance by 96.4% ± 0.9%, with 78% recovery observed after planting. This recolonization promoted plant growth and overall health by restructuring the rhizosphere microbiome and activating plant-microbe interaction pathways such as sugar metabolism, nitrogen metabolism, and aromatic compound degradation. In contrast, moist heat untreated (native) rhizosphere, with a microbial load threefold higher, resisted restructuring, favoring metabolic pathways that preserve microbial stability, such as cell wall and signal molecule biosynthesis, at the expense of plant health. Transcriptomic analyses revealed that, in moist heat treated (dysbiotic) soil conditions, bioagent inoculation triggered induced systemic resistance in cucumber, characterized by downregulation of PAL and POX gene families together with SAMDC, and upregulation of auxin-regulatory and calcium uniporter genes. This response reflected a reallocation of metabolic energy from defense to growth, while maintaining active signaling for beneficial colonization and pathogen perception via modulation of calcium influx. Our findings highlight microbial load modulation as a key strategy to facilitate rhizosphere remodeling, enhance bioinoculant efficacy, and promote plant transcriptomic responses.

Phyllosphere microorganisms promote plant health, facilitate plant growth, and support ecosystem function. In this study, we compared the effects of leaf anatomy, physiological properties, and chemical composition on the diversity and abundance of epiphytic microorganisms across four forage species: wheat (Triticum aestivum), rye (Secale cereale), barley (Hordeum vulgare), and Italian ryegrass (Lolium multiflorum). The results showed that crop type significantly influenced microbial abundances on leaf surfaces and in whole leaves (P < 0.05). Specifically, wheat exhibited higher abundances of aerobic bacteria, lactic acid bacteria, molds, and yeasts in whole leaves and on leaf surfaces than those of the other three forage species. Microbial abundance on leaf surfaces was lower than that in whole leaves among the four crops. The stomatal density on the abaxial leaf surface was significantly higher than that on the adaxial surface (P < 0.0001) among the four crops. The main drivers of whole-leaf microbial abundance included soluble sugars, stomatal density, intercellular CO2 concentration, and total water vapor conductance. Conversely, the key factors influencing surface microbial abundance were reducing sugars (affecting lactic acid bacteria and molds) and stomatal density on the adaxial surface (affecting yeasts). In conclusion, the morphology, physiology, and chemical composition of forage leaves collectively shape the colonization patterns and abundance of epiphytic microorganisms. Wheat exhibited larger microbial numbers than those of the other three forages. Soluble sugars and stomatal density emerged as key determinants of microbial community structure, whereas epidermal structure influenced the formation of specific functional microbial communities through a dual mechanism of physical selection and microenvironmental regulation.

Introduction: The Polog Valley, situated at 380–550m above sea level between the Sharr Mountains and Mali i Thatë, is a low-lying plain prone to thermal inversion during winter. This occurs when cold air becomes trapped beneath a layer of warmer air, preventing normal air circulation. As a result, pollutants such as PM0.6, PM2.5, and PM10 accumulate, posing serious health risks. The Sharr Mountains (2794m) and Mali i Thatë (2287m) geographically enclose the valley, worsening the inversion effect, particularly from December to February. This leads to increased respiratory, cardiovascular, and neurological illnesses, especially in the elderly, infants, and middle-aged individuals, with significant social and economic costs. Aim of the Study: This study aims to monitor environmental pollution across the Polog Valley, Sharr Mountains, and Mali i Thatë during winter. It examines how thermal inversion affects human, plant, and animal health. Pollutant impact will be assessed using chicken and quail egg samples, with previous tests showing adverse effects on embryonic development. Materials and Methods: Forty chicken and forty quail egg samples will be exposed to environmental pollutants in a controlled setting. Pollutants, prepared in 50ml vials, will be administered in 100µL doses for quail and 200µL for chicken eggs at various developmental stages. Samples will be incubated and analyzed using a magnifying glass, Nikon SMZ 1500 stereomicroscope, and Kozo FL 666 fluorescent microscope. The study will be conducted at the Scientific Research Laboratory of the Faculty of Forestry and the Ecological and Technological Institute University of Tetova. Results: The research will provide data on environmental pollution in the vertical and longitudinal profiles of the study area. Findings will offer reliable indicators for ongoing environmental monitoring. Conclusion: The study will highlight the extent of environmental pollution in the Polog Valley, Sharr Mountains, and Mali i Thatë. It will offer evidence-based recommendations for addressing pollution and mitigating its health and ecological impacts.

Introduction Advances in automation and AI/ML offer new opportunities for plant science, including design, modeling, and analysis. This study aimed to develop an automated platform for researching small model plants under axenic conditions and integrate it with AI/ML tools. Methods The EcoBOT platform was developed, which consists of sterile containers (EcoFABs) for growing plants and imaging for monitoring plant growth and health. Brachypodium distachyon was grown on the EcoBOT, and its response to nutrient limitation and copper stress was evaluated. Results The results showed that Brachypodium distachyon grown in the EcoBOT maintained sterility and responded to nutrient limitation and copper stress. Analysis of over 6,500 root and shoot images revealed varying sensitivity and response rates to copper. Bayesian Optimization was used to improve model accuracies relating copper concentrations to plant biomass via sequential experiments, resulting in a &amp;gt;30% improvement. Discussion The findings of this study demonstrate the potential of the EcoBOT platform for researching plant responses to environmental factors. Future experiments could focus on relating other chemical stresses and microbial interactions to create generalized models of plant responses.

Precision irrigation provides a sustainable approach to enhancing water efficiency while maintaining crop productivity. This study evaluates a reinforcement learning approach, using the advantage actor–critic algorithm, for closed-loop irrigation control in a greenhouse environment. The reinforcement learning control is designed to regulate soil moisture near the maximum allowable depletion threshold, minimizing water use without compromising plant health. Its performance is compared against two common strategies: an on–off closed-loop controller and a time-based open-loop controller. The results show that the proposed controller consistently reduces irrigation water consumption relative to both benchmarks, while adapting effectively to environmental variability and the crop’s increasing water demand during growth. These findings highlight the potential of reinforcement learning to achieve a more efficient balance between water conservation and crop health in controlled agricultural systems.

Pepper blight, caused by Phytophthora capsici, significantly impacts plant health and reduces crop yields, resulting in severe economic losses. Developing resistant varieties and identifying resistance targets through transcriptomic sequencing, along with elucidating their underlying resistance mechanisms, represent pivotal strategies for disease control. In this study, 11 resistant pepper varieties were identified from 21 varieties; among these, the highly resistant line 19K23 and the susceptible line QM were selected for further analysis. Transcriptome sequencing of root samples from both varieties was conducted on day 2 and day 5 after inoculation with P. capsici. Analysis of differentially expressed genes between the resistant variety and susceptible variety revealed pathways such as photosynthesis, oxidoreductase activity, plant-pathogen interaction, and secondary metabolism. Six key biological processes were highlighted among the highly differentially expressed genes, with porphyrin and chlorophyll metabolism activated early in 19K23. The Ras family, MAPK signaling, hormone signal transduction, and GPI-anchor biosynthesis were implicated in resistance. Importantly, secondary metabolism and lipid metabolism pathways such as phenylpropanoid biosynthesis, isoquinoline alkaloid biosynthesis, and unsaturated fatty acid biosynthesis appeared to play pivotal roles. Additionally, cell wall synthesis and structure, as well as stress response processes, were important. These findings enhance understanding of pepper resistance mechanisms against P. capsici and offer valuable molecular insights for future research on genetic regulation and resistance breeding.

Quorum sensing (QS) and clustered regularly interspaced short palindromic repeats (CRISPR) systems are envisaged as revolutionary in abating plant bacterial pathogens. Bacterial cell–cell communication and plant pathogen QSSMs (quorum sensing signaling molecules) are dissected for underlying mechanisms in prominent pathogens, viz., Pseudomonas syringae , Erwinia amylovora, a nd Xanthomonas campestris . Biofilm formation and virulence mechanisms are critically addressed to repurpose potential QS inhibition strategies. CRISPR technologies are combined with CRISPR engineering to produce enhanced disease-resistant varieties, with potential applications. QS-CRISPR interplay for deciphering the key interactive changes in plant health management is prioritized for deliberate future research outcomes. Sustainable agricultural practices are envisaged for successful lab-to-field authentic field trials and large-scale applicability across the globe. Potential technical limitations, the need for stringent agricultural laws, and future innovations are addressed. Moreover, the cost-effectiveness, enhanced crop production, yield, and productivity hindering the above key plant bacterial pathogens are comprehensively addressed against these plant bacterial pathogens. Furthermore, a future outlook characterized by extensive outreach and global implications is substantiated regardless of regional specificity, climate change, and global warming. A decade of research on advancements in adequate plant protection is revisited to incorporate augmented approaches, including artificial intelligence (AI) and machine learning, in sustainable agriculture. The significance of the present review is based on addressing QSSMs and plant protection strategies encompassing modern molecular biological techniques.

Bio-stimulants are natural substances that have achieved considerable advances. However, they remain inconsistent under biotic and abiotic stress, limiting their utilization in sustainable agriculture. There is an urgent need for cost-effective and multifaceted approaches to phytopathogens control, integrating bio-stimulants that enhance plant resistance and improve the biomarker of potato tuber quality. This study evaluated the efficacy of compost, macroalgae, Trichoderma harzianum, and arbuscular mycorrhizal (AM) fungi as bio-stimulants and their combinations in managing the black scurf disease of potato plants that causes serious yield losses. The findings indicated that all assessed bio-stimulants markedly reduced the disease severity compared to the untreated control group. Notably, both T. harzianum and macroalgae demonstrated higher effectiveness when applied individually than other individual treatments, which achieved a reduction of DS by 71.57%, 69.61%, respectively, and DI by 71.43%, 64.28%, respectively. However, combinations of AM fungi (My) with macroalgae (Al), which achieved the highest reduction of DS by 83.46%, and DI (78.6%) in compared with the infested control. While the triple mixture of AM fungi, T. harzianum, and macroalgae exhibited superior efficacy in reducing disease incidence by 82.14% when compared to the infested control. Furthermore, all bio-stimulant treatments contributed positively to plant growth and tuber yield, particularly those involving AM fungi combined with macroalgae or their individual applications. The highest quality tubers of potato starch and -amylase content resulted from treatments with macroalgae alone or combined with mycorrhizal fungi. These tubers demonstrated improved tolerance to elevated temperatures at 60°C in an oven until completely dry, with significant variations in potato quality correlating particularly with their starch and α-amylase contents. Furthermore, the influence of bio-stimulants on Indole-3-acetic acid, an important growth hormone, was consistent with observations obtained from greenhouse experiments. These findings highlight the potential of biologically-based strategies for managing black scurf in organic potato cultivation. Bio-stimulants, especially mycorrhizae and macroalgae, offer a sustainable approach to enhancing plant health, suppressing disease, and improving tuber quality.

Iron (Fe) is an essential micronutrient for plants and humans, with plants being a primary dietary Fe source. Fe availability significantly affects plant health, development, and yield. Its deficiency severely inhibits plant growth; however, the mechanisms by which plants coordinate growth and Fe acquisition under Fe-deficient conditions are not fully understood. This study uncovers a novel role of the signaling peptide PROPEP2 and its receptor PEPR2 in regulating plant growth and Fe uptake during Fe deficiency. PROPEP2 expression is strongly induced under Fe deficiency. Loss-of-function mutants of PROPEP2 show reduced sensitivity to Fe deficiency, indicating its key role in stress response. Exogenous application of Pep2 downregulates key iron uptake genes (IRT1 and FRO2) and upregulates BTS, a negative regulator of Fe deficiency responses. Our findings reveal that PEPR2 primarily perceives Pep2 and is involved in modulating root growth under Fe-limited conditions. The PEP2-PEPR2 module influences root architecture, rhizosphere acidification, and Fe uptake, ultimately affecting plant Fe accumulation. The PEP2-PEPR2 pathway plays a critical role in managing the trade-off between growth and stress adaptation under Fe deficiency. This research reveals a new molecular mechanism by which plants regulate iron uptake and adapt growth under nutrient stress.

Nutrient acquisition is the fundamental regulator of maize (Zea mays) growth, development, and yield. The present narrative review intends to integrate existing information on dynamics of nutrient uptake in maize under scrutiny for understanding how the processes affect growth and yield. We focus on the effective absorption and utilization of macronutrients (N, P and K) and micronutrients that promote plant health, grain development, and stress tolerance. Key determinants of nutrient availability (soil type, pH, organic matter, environment) and physiological or yield impacts of deficiency are studied. Strategies to optimize uptake efficiency precision application of fertilizer, organic fertilizers, and sustainable soil management are discussed. Optimizing these dynamics is central to maize productivity, enhancement and sustainable crop production. This review provides valuable insights into optimizing maize nutrition for improved food security and sustainable crop production.

Air pollution has indeed become one of the most significant concerns worldwide. Vehicular emissions are among the most outstanding sectors emitting many pollutants into the atmosphere. It is affecting human health and causing significant damage to plants. A comprehensive study of the effects of air pollution on plant physiology is required because of the growing danger it poses to ecosystems and human health. This research in Dehradun City, Uttarakhand, aims to evaluate the impact of air pollution on the photosynthetic pigments of Litchi plants (Litchi chinensis). The main focus of this research is to understand how common air pollutants, such as sulfur dioxide, nitrogen dioxide, and particulate matter, affect photosynthetic pigments (carotenoids and chlorophylls). Understanding the connection between plant health and air quality is crucial for promoting a healthy ecological balance in urban areas. This paper depicts the condition of the litchi plant in Dehradun City due to air pollution. We monitored Rajpur Road, ISBT, and one at the control site, i.e., Graphic Era Deemed University. The particulate matter (PM10), SOx, and NOx were observed to be high at ISBT, 148.34±31.39 μg.m-3, 12.96±5.79 ppm, 23.99±2.04 ppm, respectively, and lowest at the control site, 95.30±3.38μg.m-3, 9.87±1.70 ppm, 10.92±1.40 ppm, respectively. For the plant analysis, chlorophyll a, chlorophyll b, total chlorophyll content, and carotenoids were calculated. This study will shed light on the complex interplay between air quality and Litchi plant photosynthetic performance, which in turn informs solutions for environmentally responsible management.

Harnessing beneficial microbes to counteract the negative impact of microplastics (raw and aged) on plant health and oxidative balance

Tetranychus urticae are among the most important leaf-damaging plant-pests, causing severe crop losses worldwide. The plant phyllosphere microbe plays fundamental roles in plant growth and health. However, little is known about how T. urticae and phyllosphere microbes interact to impact plant health. In this study, we used amplicon sequencing to explore the changes in phyllosphere microbes between infected and uninfected Vigna unguiculata leaves by T. urticae. The results showed that the diversity of epiphytic bacteria and endophytic fungi can be significantly decreased, influenced the community structure of the phyllosphere microbe, and decreased co-occurrence network connectivity and complexity of phyllosphere microbes after infection of T. urticae. After infection by T. urticae, V. unguiculata recruited some beneficial microbes (Rickettsia, Naganishia, Brevundimonas, and Aspergillus) to the phyllosphere. PICRUSt and FUNGuild predictive analysis indicated that infection of T. urticae can cause the changes of the function of the phyllosphere fungi. Null model analysis indicated that assembly of epiphytic and endophytic fungal community changed from deterministic processes to stochastic processes after infection of T. urticae, while assembly of epiphytic and endophytic bacterial community changed from stochastic processes to deterministic processes. Our findings provided new insights into interactions among phyllosphere microbes-pest-plants.

Unearthing roundworms: Nematodes as determinants of human health.

Transient microbial architects: tracing the legacy effects of ephemeral taxa during plant microbiome assembly.