Use Of Agrochemicals Research Articles

IMPACT OF PGPR ON THE SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT OF AGRICULTURE: CURRENT AND FUTURE PROSPECTS

The quest for boosting agricultural yields due to increased stress on food production has inevitably brought about the indiscriminate use of chemical fertilizers and different agrochemicals. Biofertilizers facilitate the overall growth and yield of crops in an eco-friendly manner. They comprise residing or dormant microbes implemented in the soil or used for treating crop seeds. One of the most applicants in this respect is rhizobacteria. Plant growth-promoting rhizobacteria (PGPR) are an important group of beneficial, root-colonizing bacteria. They exhibit harmonious and divergent interactions with the soil microbiota and interact in an array of activities of ecological meaning. They encourage plant growth by facilitating biotic and abiotic stress tolerance and aid the nutrition of host plants. Due to their lively growth endorsing activities, PGPRs are considered an eco-friendly alternative to dangerous chemical fertilizers. Chemical fertilizers used in agriculture to improve yields and eradicate pathogens, however, negatively influence the ecosystem. The doubts over pesticide side effects, there is a growing interest in better thoughtfulhelpful interactions between plants and rhizosphere microbial populations. As a result, biological agents are in high demand around the world. The use of plant growth-promoting Rhizobacteria (PGPR). They have a crucial function in increasing soil fertility, promoting plant growth, and suppressing phytopathogens for the development of environmentally friendly sustainable agriculture.In this section, we try to devise a strategy for increasing crop output and health, developing sustainable agriculture, and commercialization through the use of plant growth-promoting rhizobacteria.

Exploring the scenario of natural farming and food system in the North Eastern Hill Region of India: an introspective study

The agricultural practices in India's North Eastern hill region (NEHR) align with the philosophy of natural farming, which emphasizes working in harmony with natural cycles and processes of the natural world. Farmers in the region follow the traditional agriculture practices based on indigenous technical knowledge (ITK), these practices align with the attributes of natural farming such as; no-tillage, intercropping, mulching, crop rotation, no use of agrochemicals, functional biodiversity, crop diversity etc. evolved through experience and experiments by ancestors. As the indigenous communities habituated in the region have historically relied on natural resources, their food systems have been centred around forest-based resources, which include a wide variety of wild species. Therefore, this study endeavors to provide a comprehensive overview of the scenario of natural farming and food systems in NEHR. Further, it suggests assessing natural farming in the context of NEHR while taking food systems into consideration, along with the documentation of both cultivated and collected wild foods of significance.

Impact of agrochemicals application on soil quality indicators and trace elements level of wetlands under different uses

An attempt to boost agricultural production has led to increased agrochemical usage. Continuous agrochemical usage for decades has brought changes to soil properties. The study assessed the impact of agrochemicals (fertilizers and pesticides) on wetland characteristics in Abeokuta, Nigeria. Five wetlands under maize, plantain, rice, vegetable productions, and control site were studied. Profiles were dug on each wetland, and soil samples were collected from pedogenic horizons and analysed using appropriate techniques. The morphological properties like colour, texture, structure, and consistency differ across the wetlands. The particle size fraction showed that the sand content was higher than silt and clay contents. Soil chemical indicators like pH, OM, TN, and K were lower in agrochemicals applied fields than in the control site, whereas available P was increased in these fields. The total trace element contents were highly affected and their levels have almost reached the permissible limit of WHO standards for agricultural purposes. Nutrient depletion and trace element build-up were more prominent in agrochemicals applied fields as against the control field. Information gathered from this study can help the policymakers on the proper usage and management of these wetlands on a productive and sustainable basis. To reduce agrochemicals impact which majorly contributed to the differences in the soil quality indicators and trace elements level, it is our opinion that planning to shift toward organic agriculture with no or minimal use of agrochemicals are to be considered.

Sustained Agricultural Spraying: From Leaf Wettability to Dynamic Droplet Impact Behavior.

Crop production and quality safety system have the potential to nurture human health and improve environmental sustainability. Providing a growing global population with sufficient and healthy food is an immediate challenge. However, this system largely depends on the spraying of agrochemicals. Crop leaves are covered with different microstructures, exhibiting distinct hydrophilic, hydrophobic, or even superhydrophobic wetting characteristics, thus leading to various deposition difficulties of sprayed droplets. Here, the relationship between wettability and surface microstructure in different crop leaves from biological and interfacial structural perspectives is systematically demonstrated. A relational model is proposed in which complex microstructures lead to stronger leaf hydrophobicity. And adding surfactant with a faster dynamically migrating velocity and reducing droplet size can improve agrochemical precise deposition. These contribute toward highly accurate and efficient targeted applications with fewer agrochemicals use and promote sustainable models of eco-friendly agriculture systems.

Potential of bacteriophage PCT27 to reduce the use of agrochemicals to control Pectobacterium carotovorum subsp. Carotovorum in Chinese cabbage (Brassica pekinensis)

As antimicrobial resistance (AMR) continues to spread among bacteria and poses a serious threat to global health, the indiscriminate use of antibiotics in various fields, including agriculture, should be avoided. Here, we isolated a novel bacteriophage (phage), PCT27, specific for Pectobacterium carotovorum subsp. carotovorum (Pcc), a phytopathogen responsible for soft rot of crops, and investigated its potential as an adjunct to reduce the use of agrochemicals in Pcc control. Phage PCT27, which belongs to the family Autographiviridae, inhibited in vitro growth of Pcc within 1 h of infection by recognizing colanic acid as a host receptor. More than 90% of the virions rapidly adsorbed to the host cells within 3 min, supporting the efficient control of Pcc by PCT27. PCT27 supplementation reduced the minimum inhibitory concentration of streptomycin by 50% for Pcc control in vitro. Accordingly, PCT27 successfully complemented an antibiotic-based agrochemical in preventing Pcc infection in Chinese cabbage leaves and seedlings by reducing the dose of the agrochemical by a quarter. As a biocontrol agent for Pcc that complements agrochemicals, PCT27 can not only prevent economic losses due to crop decay but would also contribute to addressing the AMR crisis for sustainable agriculture and environmental safety.

Effect of Pepper Rootstocks as a Sustainable Alternative to Improve Yield and Fruit Quality

Sustainable agriculture is a good alternative for the healthy production of food in the present, without the risk to global agriculture in the future. Therefore, feasible production techniques have been sought, such as the use of rootstocks, which provide tolerance to biotic and/or abiotic stresses, to avoid an excessive use of agrochemicals and damage from pathogens, without affecting crop production. The objective of this study was to analyze the morphological and productive adaptation of three commercial hybrids (Avante, DiCaprio and Ucumari) grafted onto three rootstocks (Fundación, Yaocali and UAN), in order to evaluate and determine their effect on the quality and yield of bell pepper fruit, which has a high demand and great economic potential. Significant differences were found between the rootstocks and hybrids for the commercial classification of the fruits, with Yaocali producing larger fruits, which have the highest value in the export market, surpassing the UAN with 63.9%. The DiCaprio graft outperformed the Ucumari interactions by 231.5%, and the Avante interactions by 142.8%, for the extra-large (XL) fruit production. Based on the results obtained, it is possible to conclude that the grafted plants improved the quantity of the fruits of higher classification. However, they did not have a significant influence on the yield and quality of the fruits, which could be attributed to the lack of compatibility between them; therefore, the vigor of the plant was not expressed. This study showed that the rootstock did not influence the yield and fruit quality components of the grafts.

Pesticide use, management practices and perceived effects on the health of cocoa farmers in Cross River State, Nigeria

Pesticide poisoning is a leading occupational and public health concern among farmers in Nigeria. Nevertheless, with the country’s rising population coupled with fluctuations in climatic conditions that favor frequent pest and disease outbreaks, the demand for pesticides has been on the increase to enhance food production and quality, thereby ensuring food security. Cross River State is the second largest cocoa producing state in the country with many small scale farmers involved in cocoa production. In spite of researches carried out on agrochemical use in Nigeria, little is known about pesticide use in Cross River State. This study was, therefore, aimed at documenting pesticide use, management practices and perceived effects on cocoa farmers’ health in Cross River State, Nigeria. A multistage sampling technique was used to survey 150 cocoa farmers in the State. A set of structured questionnaires was used to elicit information from farmers. The instrument focused on farmers’ socio-economic characteristics, major pesticides used, pesticide management practices, and perceived pesticide effects on health. Data were analyzed using descriptive statistics. Results showed that the majority (71.3%) of farmers was male with most (60.7%) having farming experience of ten years and above, implying that cocoa production is dominated by men. Pesticides used in the study area were: herbicides such as clear weed (58%), insecticides such as Actara 25WG (98%) and Dursban 48EC (96%), inferring that more insecticides than herbicides were used by farmers. Pesticide management practices such as “use of personal protective equipment (PPE) and reading manufacturers’ instructions before pesticide application” were practiced by 26% and 38% of respondents, respectively. Cough (MS=4.03), shortness of breath (MS=3.96), skin itching (MS=3.87), dizziness (MS=3.78) and sneezing (MS=3.78) were the severely perceived pesticide related sicknesses reported by farmers. The study recommended that agricultural extension advisory services should lay more emphasis on pesticide risk awareness and attitudinal change among farmers. Key words: Pesticide use, Pesticide management practices, Farmers’ Health, Perceived pesticide effects

Farmer’s perception of agrochemical use on honeybees and honey production in Benin: Implication for organic honey production

Beekeeping faces numerous challenges, including the use of agrochemicals. Honeybee colonies are lost because of chemical pesticides use in agriculture to control pests and diseases, which affects detoxifying mechanisms and immune responses, making them more vulnerable to parasites. The purpose of this study was to investigate people’s perception of the impact of agricultural pesticide use on the honeybee community and honey production in northern Benin. A survey was conducted using a questionnaire among 100 beekeepers. Individual interviews were used to gather information on treated crops, the distance between beehives and these cultivated fields, the effect of pesticides and herbicides, alternative methods to pesticide use and honey production. Chemical pesticides such as Callifor G, Kalach, Atrazila 80 WP, Herbextra, Atraforce, Adwumawura (480 SL), Cottonex, Thalis, Cotonix and Cypercal P 330 EC were used in agricultural fields, and beehives were typically found near treated fields. The majority of beekeepers (79%) are aware of the risks associated with pesticides and employ non-pesticide alternatives such as biopesticides to minimize them. In general, beekeepers reported a reduction in the big breed of bees and a 40% decrease in the little breed. When the beehives were placed far away from the treated areas, the honey yield was higher. Alternative pest management strategies to farmers' pesticide use would result in long-term increases in honey production and would constitute the main step of the conversion to organic apiculture in northern Benin.

Effect of Mergers and Acquisitions on Organizational Competitiveness in Agrochemical Industry in Kenya

Purpose: The study's objective was to determine how mergers and acquisitions affected organizational competitiveness in Kenya's agrochemical sector. The following specific objectives served as the study's direction: to evaluate how market expansion affected organizational effectiveness; to examine how effective governance affected organizational effectiveness; to examine how adequate human resource levels affected organizational competitiveness; and to assess how production capacity affected organizational competitiveness among Kenya's agrochemical industry.
 Methodology: The study's core research subjects were managers and employees of Nairobi's agrochemical companies, utilizing a cross-sectional research design. The study gathered information from 281 respondents as its sample size using multi-stage sampling techniques. Questionnaires were used to collect data on employees, and scheduled interviews were used to collect data on managers. Content analysis techniques were used to examine qualitative data. Quantitative data was categorized and coded using a code book made in accordance with the research variables. The data was examined using SPSS version 25 (Statistical Packages for Social Sciences). Descriptive findings showing positive means and standard deviation obtained by all variables. Additionally, inferential statistics are presented in form of a correlation analysis conducted to determine the effect of production capacity, effective governance, HR adequacy, and market extensions on organizational competitiveness.
 Findings: The results indicate strong positive relationships between these factors and organizational competitiveness. Increasing production capacity, implementing effective governance practices, investing in HR adequacy, and expanding into new markets were all found to enhance organizational competitiveness. The statistical analysis supports these findings, with significant correlation coefficients and a regression model that explains a significant portion of the variance in organizational competitiveness. The chapter emphasizes the importance of focusing on these factors to improve organizational competitiveness and achieve long-term success.
 Unique contributions to theory, practice and policy: The study recommends that policy makers should encourage research into alternative pesticides and fertilizers and regulate the use of agrochemicals to minimize their negative impact on the environment and human health. Companies and organizations in the industry should take responsibility for the safety of their products and provide incentives for sustainable agricultural practices. The government should regulate the use of agrochemicals and invest in research and development of alternative pesticides and fertilizers. Other stakeholders should raise awareness and support research on sustainable agricultural practices.

Thermo-acoustic approach for pesticide-plasma protein binding in colloidal system: An impact of membrane mimic structures on molecular interactions in biological systems

Recently, use of agrochemicals, most importantly pesticides has experienced an enormous upsurge as a consequence of continuously increasing demand of enhanced crop production. Various toxins in the environment interact with bio-molecules and causes serious ailments in human beings. Different physicochemical, computational and spectroscopic methods have been used to study binding of toxins with bio-molecules. In present study, thermo-acoustic method was aimed to employ for studying binding of organophosphate pesticides with plasma protein in absence and presence of colloidal solutions of ionic surfactants. Role of different binding sites in protein molecules, nature of pesticide molecules and forces involved in pesticide-plasma protein binding were investigated. Volumetric and acoustic parameters such as apparent (Vϕ) and partial molar volume (Voϕ), expansibility factor (Eoϕ), Hepler’s constant, compressibility factor (Kϕ) and intermolecular free length (Lf) were calculated using density and sound velocity data at different temperatures (293.15–313.15)K. Positive values of Vϕ increased with increasing pesticide concentration in aqueous plasma protein solutions which were indicative of strong associative molecular interactions in solutions. Obtained results of this study about pesticides-protein binding will be helpful for medical and pharmaceutical researchers.

Sustaining insect biodiversity in agricultural systems to ensure future food security

An additional threat to sustainable food production, besides climate change, is declining biodiversity, especially in insects. To mitigate this threat, we need to determine the drivers of biodiversity decline. Insect biodiversity decline can be mainly attributed to the intensification of agriculture with the main drivers being habitat loss and use of agro-chemicals. We must view changes to more sustainable practices in agricultural management critically to determine whether these changes will sustain insect biodiversity. The first consideration for farmers is to make a profit and the priority in choosing a certain farming practice will be based on agronomic and economic gains. Damage to crops by insects, pathogens and weeds has always been a major limitation to crop yield and the management of pests, pathogens and weeds is therefore an important consideration. To reach the goal of sustaining biodiversity farmers will have to find a tradeoff between economic gain and protecting biodiversity. They will have to decide how much land they can spare for natural areas and still make a profit. Farmers will also need incentives to consider this. We will have to concentrate more on the restoration of habitats in agricultural lands and find interventions to limit the expansion of land use for agricultural development. This will enable us to reach the goal of the half-earth theory,proposed by Prof E.O. Wilson, where half of the land is conserved to safeguard biodiversity,

GROWTH PROMOTING ACTIVITY OF FLAVONOIDS OF EXTRACTS OF POPULUS POPULUS BALSAMIFERA BUDS

Currently, the urgent task is to accelerate the development of alternative plant protection measures, which is associated with the aggravation of the environmental situation, the desire to reduce pollution of agricultural landscapes and obtain agricultural products with minimal use of agrochemicals. Poplar extract is a plant growth stimulant due to the presence in its composition of saturated and unsaturated fatty acids, lipids, phenolic and polyphenolic compounds, amino acids, essential oils, vitamins, which provide a stable growth-stimulating effect. The advantages of biological preparations, based on balsamic poplar, include their low cost, the absence of a negative effect on plant productivity, high specificity, low toxicity. The main difference between biological preparations and other plant protection products is that they are able to stimulate the natural protective abilities of the plants themselves, thereby affecting harmful organisms. The use of such drugs is one of the ways to solve environmental problems in agriculture and a powerful means of increasing the effectiveness of both plant protection from phytopathogens and crop production in general. The purpose is to evaluate the stimulating activity of the extracts of the buds of poplar balsamic Populusbalsamifera on the seed productivity of flax. The objecvtives: to isolate the sum of flavonoids from balsamic poplar; to establish the growth-stimulating activity of the extract of the buds of balsamic poplar in relation to flax seeds. Methodology. The method of obtaining the proposed balsamic poplar extract includes the use of balsamic poplar buds, air drying, grinding, extraction with 90% ethanol in a Soxlet apparatus, filtration and evaporation until the target product is obtained. The results. The obtained results and conclusions. In the course of the study, flavonoids have been isolated from the buds of balsamic poplar. The presence of flavonoids in the ethanol extract is confirmed by qualitative reactions. The composition of poplar kidney extract has been investigated by thin-layer chromatography. Conclusion. It has been found that the extract from the poplar buds mainly contains substances of a flavonoid nature. The results of studying the growth-stimulating activity of the extracts of balsamic poplar Populusbalsamifera showed high seed productivity of flax of Tomsk selection in the control group; reproduction conditions have positively affected the yield of flax.

Consumers Willing to Pay for Freshwater-Grown Vegetables in District Faisalabad, Pakistan

Due to the scarcity of freshwater supplies, farmers have increasingly turned to wastewater for irrigation to grow crops. However, this practice poses risks as vegetables grown with wastewater may contain toxins and heavy metals that are harmful to human health, soil quality, and groundwater resources. Consequently, these vegetables can cause diseases, while freshwater-grown vegetables are more expensive due to the scarcity of water. This paper focuses on exploring consumers' willingness to pay for vegetables grown in freshwater and investigates factors such as age, income, education, bid price, risk perception, and health risk perception that influence their willingness to pay a premium price for these vegetables. The study was conducted in Faisalabad city, where 130 vegetable consumers were interviewed using a semi-structured questionnaire. The findings indicate that consumers highly value their health and are willing to pay a premium price for safe and healthy vegetables. This highlights the need for businesses and policymakers to meet the demand for safe vegetables by providing a consistent and reliable supply of treated water to farmers and educating them on the proper use of agrochemicals to mitigate health risks. Policymakers and other stakeholders can play a role in supporting vegetable farmers with these resources. This creates an opportunity for investors to establish businesses that meet the demand for safe and healthy vegetables in Faisalabad.

Assessment of Metal Contamination in Oreochromis niloticus from Ekiti State’s Major Dams, Southwest, Nigeria and its Human Health Implications

Agricultural and domestic activities around dams in Nigeria involve the use of agrochemicals and insecticides to boost production and combat insect pests respectively. The study aimed to ascertain metals contents and assess the hazards associated with heavy metals in Oreochromis niloticus in three major dams in Ekiti State. Fish samples were collected for 24 months. Metal concentrations in fish samples were determined using spectrometry. The metals concentrations in the tissues were at lower concentrations compared to the maximum acceptable limits in food by Food and Agricultural Organization (FAO) and World Health Organization (WHO). Metals accumulation pattern revealed that the accumulation of the essential metals were higher than those of the non-essential metals in the fish tissues. There were significant seasonal variations in the concentrations of metal in fish tissues within the dam and among the dams. Significant relationships existed at P < 0.05 or P < 0.01 between some of the metals and the fish body weight and body length in the different dams while in others the relationships were not significant. Human health risk assessment showed no significant non-carcinogenic adverse health risk. Carcinogenic health assessment indicates that the utilization of the species as a protein source does not currently pose public health risk to consumers. However, the discovery of cadmium and lead in fish muscle is of great concern because of their toxic effects on human. Therefore, there is a need for close monitoring of these toxic metals contamination to prevent their excessive accumulation in the human food chain.

Prediction of the toxic impact on the freshwater microalgae Scenedesmus intermedius produced by the interaction of copper sulfate and copper oxychloride in a binary mixture with glyphosate

The high population growth worldwide causes a high demand for food with an increase in the use of different agrochemicals, with pesticides and herbicides being the primary pollutants of anthropogenic origin in the environment. One of the critical aims of ecotoxicology is the evaluation of toxic effects of mixtures of chemical substances that can have additive, synergistics or antagonistics effects in different ecosystems. For this reason, the aims of this research were to: 1) estimate the individual subchronic toxicity of agrochemicals copper oxychloride [Cu2(OH)3Cl], copper sulfate (CuSO4), and glyphosate (Gly-BH) on the inhibition of population growth of the freshwater chlorophyte Scenedesmus intermedius, and 2) predict the antagonistic, synergistic, or additive behaviour of binary mixtures of Gly-BH with Cu2(OH)3Cl and CuSO4 through the Combination Index Equation (CIE). The individual toxicity order at 7 days of exposure in S. intermedius was CuSO4 (IC50 2.70 mg/l) > Gly-BH (IC50 4.03 mg/l) with no statistical differences between both agrochemicals and > Cu2(OH)3Cl (IC50 25.59 mg/l) with a major tolerance if it compared with the other chemicals. For the binary mixture of CuSO4/Gly-BH, an antagonistic effect was observed (combination index CI > 1), but with lower toxicity (IC50 7.40 mg/l) when compared with the individual responses of these compounds. However, in the mixture, Cu2(OH)3Cl/Gly-BH was more toxic with a synergistic response (IC50 0.85 mg/l) even between 5 and 30 times higher. These results highlight the importance of studying interactions of chemical substances in ecosystems to establish a better evaluation and regulation of their environmental impact.

Role of Biostimulants in Horticulture: A Review

In recent days, several technological innovations were proposed in order to improve the production and sustainability through a significant reduction in use of agrochemicals. One 0f the best approach to increase crop productivity is the utilisation of environment-friendly organic products such as “Biostimulants”. There are different types of substances that act as biostimulants namely humic and fulvic acid, protein hydrolysates and other N-containing compounds, Seaweed extract and botanicals, Chitosan and other biopolymers, Inorganic compounds, beneficial fungi and bacteria. These biostimulants plays an important role in improving the plant growth, yield and quality of the product. The guava fruits coated with chitosan 1% and stored at 12°C had shown higher firmness, TSS, titratable acidity and maintained greenness with a slow increase in yellow colour by the end of storage. Knowledge on effective use of these biostimulants by understanding their properties has become a challenge to the researchers to improve yield, quality and shelf life of different horticultural products.

Diverse communication strategies in bees as a window into adaptations to an unpredictable world

Communication is a fundamental feature of animal societies and helps their members to solve the challenges they encounter, from exploiting food sources to fighting enemies or finding a new home. Eusocial bees inhabit a wide range of environments and they have evolved a multitude of communication signals that help them exploit resources in their environment efficiently. We highlight recent advances in our understanding of bee communication strategies and discuss how variation in social biology, such as colony size or nesting habits, and ecological conditions are important drivers of variation in communication strategies. Anthropogenic factors, such as habitat conversion, climate change, or the use of agrochemicals, are changing the world bees inhabit, and it is becoming clear that this affects communication both directly and indirectly, for example by affecting food source availability, social interactions among nestmates, and cognitive functions. Whether and how bees adapt their foraging and communication strategies to these changes represents a new frontier in bee behavioral and conservation research.

The complex interplay between plant-microbe and virus interactions in sustainable agriculture: Harnessing phytomicrobiomes for enhanced soil health, designer plants, resource use efficiency, and food security

The present-day climate change scenario represents a substantial peril to the global population concerning food security, given the potential impacts on agricultural productivity, food availability, and accessibility. The excessive use of agrochemicals, as fertilizers and pesticides, leads to the deterioration of soil health as well. Sustainable land-use practices without perturbing the soil ecosystem are achievable only with a comprehensive mechanism. The current need for sustainable agriculture is fulfilled by harnessing the noble services of plant-microbial association. Microhabitats around plant roots represent the region of maximum microbial activity. Microbiomes play a functional role in affecting plant growth, soil fertility and biogeochemical cycles. Plant-microbe interactions are highly specific to the host controlled by root exudates, metabolites, environmental factors and symbiotic associations e.g. legume-rhizobia and plant-fungi association. Proper strategies for the use of microbial inoculants will certainly facilitate the various crop improvement programs. The present review, therefore, exemplifies the various studies on the potential of plant microbiomes for sustainable agricultural ecosystems coupled with assuring food security. The review also summarizes recent trends in plant microbiome diversity, the relationship between host plant and microbe, transgenic plants, designer plants and their role in mitigating soil stress. Nevertheless, the future of the global population and food production rely on the prospects of plant microbiome ingenuity.

Triazine Herbicide and NPK Fertilizer Exposure: Accumulation of Heavy Metals and Rare Earth Elements, Effects on Cuticle Melanization, and Immunocompetence in the Model Species Tenebrio molitor

The increasing use of agrochemicals, including fertilizers and herbicides, has led to worrying metal contamination of soils and waters and raises serious questions about the effects of their transfer to different levels of the trophic web. Accumulation and biomagnification of essential (K, Na, Mg, Zn, Ca), nonessential (Sr, Hg, Rb, Ba, Se, Cd, Cr, Pb, As), and rare earth elements (REEs) were investigated in newly emerged adults of Tenebrio molitor exposed to field-admitted concentrations of a metribuzin-based herbicide and an NPK blend fertilizer. Chemical analyses were performed using inductively coupled plasma tandem mass spectrometry (ICP-MS/MS) supported by unsupervised pattern recognition techniques. Physiological parameters such as cuticle melanization, cellular (circulating hemocytes), and humoral (phenoloxidase enzyme activity) immune responses and mass loss were tested as exposure markers in both sexes. The results showed that NPK fertilizer application is the main cause of REE accumulation in beetles over time, besides toxic elements (Sr, Hg, Cr, Rb, Ba, Ni, Al, V, U) also present in the herbicide-treated beetles. The biomagnification of Cu and Zn suggested a high potential for food web transfer in agroecosystems. Gender differences in element concentrations suggested that males and females differ in element uptake and excretion. Differences in phenotypic traits show that exposure affects metabolic pathways involving sequestration and detoxification during the transition phase from immature-to-mature beetles, triggering a redistribution of resources between sexual maturation and immune responses. Our findings highlight the importance of setting limits for metals and REEs in herbicides and fertilizers to avoid adverse effects on species that provide ecosystem services and contribute to soil health in agroecosystems.

Agricultural farming intensification significantly reduced earthworm abundance and diversity in Usangu agro-ecosystems, Tanzania

Earthworms an ecologically important group of invertebrates that are crucial to delivery of many ecosystem services, but also considered ecosystem engineers playing an important role in soil fertility and land productivity. Earthworms facilitate breakdown and decomposition of plant and animal materials releasing plant nutrients. Earthworm burrows allow air and water movement in the soil but also improve soil fertility and drainages. Earthworm population in agricultural soils is influenced by different factors i.e., tillage, farming activities, soil chemistry as well as chemical contaminants. Agricultural (paddy farming) intensification with increased and excessive use of agrochemicals (fertilizers, pesticides, and herbicides) may affect earthworm population in agricultural soils. Recently, there scant studies conducted to characterize earthworm abundance and diversity in Tanzania's agro-ecosystem. Therefore, the present study characterized earthworm population in agricultural soils of contrasting intensification in Usangu agro-ecosystem (UA) to understand influence of current land use on earthworm abundance and their diversity as they have a vital role in agro-ecosystem productivity and sustainability. This study found that current paddy farming and associated activities in UA negatively affect earthworm occurrence, distribution, and diversity. Where only four dominant earthworm species were determined (Apporectodea caliginosa (endogeic), Lumbricus terrestris (Anecic), Pontoscolex corentrurus (endogeic), Fimoscolex sporadochactus (Anecic)) compared to other tropical areas. But also, highly intensified paddy farming areas (i.e., Chimala, Igalako, Ihahi, Kapunga, Mahongole, and Uturo) were observed to have earthworm abundance <25 individuals/m2 an FAO recommended earthworm count/m2 in healthy soils compared to less intensified schemes (25-40 earthworm/m2). The earthworm abundance and biomass determined in UA was below global average of 78 individuals per m2 and 150 g/m2, indicating that UA is in deteriorating quality. Thus, current farming practices creates unfavourable environmental conditions which likely leads to migration of earthworm to other land use or death due to harsh environment created. High earthworm abundance and biomass improve land productivity via nutrient recycling, thus low earthworm counts and diversity in UA likely to threaten agro-ecosystem sustainability. The present study provides baseline information on earthworm abundance and their diversity in UA and Tanzania.