Vegetation Treatments Research Articles

Green roof runoff reduction of 84 rain events: Comparing Sedum, life strategy-based vegetation, unvegetated and conventional roofs

Green roofs have emerged as effective stormwater management systems, but understanding the contribution of their various components to hydrological performance is crucial for optimizing their design and implementation. More empirically measured data on the hydrological function of green roof vegetation is needed, especially under realistic low-maintenance, non-irrigated scenarios. Further, targeted, evidence-based plant selection based on ecological theories may improve green roof hydrological performance. Previous research has suggested that, in contrast to monocultures, mixtures of species with complementary traits could optimize provisioning of various ecosystem services. Thus, species mixtures based on their adaptive life strategy using the CSR theory (Competitor, Stress tolerator, and Ruderal) were hypothesized to have better hydrological performance than a Sedum monoculture or bare substrate under natural conditions over multiple seasons. To test this hypothesis, the runoff from thirty 2 m2 green roof modules was measured. The retention and detention performance of different green roof treatments were evaluated for 84 precipitation events of varying rain depth and intensity during snow-free periods. Differences in retention as well as detention between the vegetation treatments varied, but generally increased with increasing rain event volume and the Stress-tolerant treatment generally performed better than bare substrate. On a mean event basis, the mixture of stress-tolerator species demonstrated a 74 % retention rate, while the Bare substrate retained 72 % of the rainfalls. Overall, the green roofs, including bare substrate and vegetated treatments, effectively retained >50 % of the cumulative precipitation depth. In line with previous studies, the Sedum monoculture generally showed worse hydrological performance than other non-succulent vegetation mixtures, despite its relatively high cover and survival. The vegetated treatment with the highest species richness and diversity in life strategies (Mix) did not provide the best vegetation cover, or hydrological performance. Instead, the Stress-tolerant treatment, characterized by the high survival rate of a single graminoid species, consistently demonstrated superior event-based stormwater retention and peak attenuation capabilities.

Effects of sown and spontaneous inter-row vegetation on weeds and beneficial arthropods in vineyards

The intensification of crop management has resulted in a decline of biodiversity in the last decades, in particular through habitat loss, fragmentation and degradation. Semi-natural habitats within agricultural landscapes such as hedges, grasslands or herbaceous field margins, provide resources and refuge to beneficial arthropods. In vineyards, extensively used inter-row vegetation may be functionally equivalent to such semi-natural habitats, and sowing of plant species rich in floral resources may improve habitat functions. In this study, three types of vineyard inter-row vegetation treatments were compared in 15 vineyards of South-eastern France: (1) sowing a high-diversity seed mixture (HD) with a high number of nectariferous plant species, (2) spontaneous vegetation, and (3) tilled inter-rows. We monitored the inter-row vegetation including problematic weeds, the abundance of beneficial arthropods, and the predation of sentinel prey. The invasive weedy grass species Cynodon dactylon showed a lower cover in HD inter-rows than in spontaneous vegetation, whereas no differences were found for the invasive herb Erigeron sumatrensis. Both weed species were still best controlled in tilled inter-rows. Beneficial arthropods were less abundant in tilled than in spontaneously vegetated and sown inter-rows. Day predation was higher in HD inter-rows than in spontaneous vegetation although no significant differences were found for observed predators. Over all treatments, plant species richness, flower and grass cover had a positive influence on several beneficial arthropod groups. Our results highlight the positive effects of species-rich inter-row vegetation on weed control, beneficial arthropod abundance and predation but also showed that further research is needed to improve the efficiency beyond services already provided by spontaneous vegetation.

The effectiveness of using the laboratory samples based on bacteria of the genus Streptomyces on peas in the conditions of the Volga-Vyatka region

Data on productivity, fungal diseases and the quality of seed peas grown on sod-podzolic medium-clay soil in 2021–2023 using pre-sowing seed treatment separately and in combination with plant vegetation treatment with experimental preparations based on local strains of the genus Streptomyces (A4 and 8A1-3) are presented. The comparison drugs were the chemical fungicide Pioneer, KS and the biological drug Pseudobacterin-2, J. The assessment of the biological effectiveness (BE) of the drugs was carried out on cultivars of peas of various morphotypes bred by the FARC North-East: ‘Falensky yubileiny’, ‘Falensky usaty’, ‘Falensky kormovoy’. The biological effectiveness of all tested preparations in protecting peas from root rot and ascochitosis was determined by the weather conditions of the year of research. In 2021, a significant decrease in the development of root rot compared with the control (38.4 %) was facilitated by seed treatment with a preparation based on S. antimycoticus 8A1-3 strain (29.0 %). A significant reduction in the development of pea root rot in 2022 was achieved by seed treatment with the chemical fungicide Pioneer (by 9.1 %), the reference bio-drug Pseudobacterin-2 (by 9.9 %) and the test strain S. antimycoticus 8Al-3 (by 7.1 %). In protecting peas from ascochitosis in 2022, the strain Streptomyces A4 (BE 72.7 %) proved itself as a Pioneer chemical fungicide (BE 72.7 %), and the strain Streptomyces 8A1-3 (BE 84.1 %) significantly surpassed them in effectiveness. The effect of drugs on the yield of peas in the years of research (HTC = 0.77–0.83 with an average long-term HTC = 1.4) was estimated as insignificant. Treatment with both experimental and commercial preparations of seeds and vegetative plants did not adversely affect the grain size and the content of crude protein in it. The ‘Falensky usaty’ was distinguished among the studied cultivars by large seeds: the mass of 1000 grains was 258.8±18.5 g. The ‘Falensky kormovoy’ and the ‘Falensky jubileiny’ cultivars proved to be medium-seeded ones (174.7±23.1 and 147.9±37.1 g, respectively). The content of crude protein in grain was negatively affected by the development of root rot on peas (correlation coefficient r =-0.77). The maximum crude protein content was recorded during the joint treatment of seeds and plants with a preparation based on S. castalarensis A4 (24.0±2.6 %) in the ‘Falensky jubileiny’ cultivar, with Pseudobacterin-2 (23.1±2.0 %) in the ‘Falensky kormovoy’ cultivar, with a preparation based on S. antimycoticus 8A1-3 (21.1±1.7 %) in the ‘Falensky usaty’ cultivar.

Assessing Landslide susceptibility and formulating adaptation strategies in the Konto Watershed, East Java, Indonesia

A landslide is defined as the displacement of masses of soil or rock constituting a slope, or a combination thereof, resulting from the destabilization of the slope composition. This study aims to develop an integrated approach to managing landslide hazards in the Konto Watershed by assessing susceptibility through spatial mapping and providing a detailed risk assessment to inform disaster mitigation, landslide management, and land use planning. The susceptibility formula incorporates eight observational parameters: max 3-day rain, slope, rock geology, fault presence, regolith depth, land use, road infrastructure presence, and population density. Each parameter is assigned a weight value, representing its respective weighting factor. Primary data on landslide potential is gathered through direct field observations in critical areas with slopes exceeding 40 %, while secondary data is sourced from Indonesian government agencies. The secondary data is then identified, mapped, and analyzed using spatial scoring analysis. The research findings indicate that landslide hazards in areas with high slope gradients and specific soil types, land use combined with elevated rainfall, are categorized as very low (1.16 %), low (6.64 %), medium (89.24 %), and high (3.06 %) of susceptibility from 235.22 km2 of watershed area. The regional function area converts 75.8 % of existing land use into 61.2 % protected zones, 32.2 % buffer zones, and 6.6 % cultivation zones, without altering 24.2 % of existing settlement and rice field areas. Landslide control efforts encompass four treatments: protected and buffer area preservation, mechanical treatment, and cultivation area management based on susceptibility levels. Long-term vegetative treatments are designed according to regional function and susceptibility levels.

Attenuation Effect of Azolla spp. on Lambda-Cyhalothrin Toxicity to Aquatic Organisms.

Wetlands play a crucial role in providing valuable ecosystem services, including the removal of various pollutants. In agricultural basins, wetlands are exposed to agrochemical loads. This study aims to assess the attenuation effect of the ubiquitous macrophyte Azolla spp. on the toxicity of lambda-cyhalothrin to sensitive aquatic organisms. An indoor mesocosm experiment was conducted to compare the concentration of lambda-cyhalothrin at different time points after pesticide application in vegetated and unvegetated treatments, including a control without pesticide addition. Toxicity tests were performed throughout the experiment on three organisms: a fish (Cnesterodon decemmaculatus), a macroinvertebrate (Hyalella curvispina), and an amphibian (Boana pulchella). The results demonstrated that lambda-cyhalothrin concentration and toxicity in water were significantly lower in the Azolla spp. treatment. Furthermore, the half-life of lambda-cyhalothrin decreased from 1.2days in the unvegetated treatment to 0.4days in the vegetated treatment. The vegetated treatment also resulted in a significantly lower mortality rate for both H. curvispina and C. decemmaculatus. However, no mortality was observed in B. pulchella for any of the treatments. Sublethal effects were observed in this organism, such as lateral bending of the tail and impairment of the ability to swim, which were attenuated in the vegetated treatment. We conclude that Azolla spp. can effectively reduce the concentration and toxicity of lambda-cyhalothrin, suggesting its potential use in farm-scale best management practices to mitigate the effects of pesticide loads from adjacent crops.

Design and Construction and Energy Consumption Study of a New Electrolyzed Water Cell Generator Prototype for Food Disinfection

This study explores the feasibility of producing electrolyzed water (EW) for post-harvest treatment of fruits and vegetables as a new substitute for current chemical products. A prototype generator using tap water and NaCl solution was tested for EW’s sanitization efficiency, energy, and economic costs. In vitro tests on Penicillium e., Aspergillus n., Botrytis c., and Alternaria a. assessed EW pH, chlorine concentration, electro-oxidative potential, pathogen contact time, and energy consumption. Optimal results were achieved with a pH of 4.6, electro-oxidative potential of 188 mV, active chlorine concentration of 3.4 mg/L, and a contact time of 1–2 min. The prototype produced 10.0 L of EW in 1 h, consuming 0.11 kWh of electricity. Real-scale energy consumption was 545 kWh/m3 EW, costing 12.51 euro/m3. The study concludes that optimizing EW production can reduce energy consumption, making it a viable alternative for industrial sanitization of fruits and vegetables.

USES AND ABUSES OF PESTICIDES IN BANGLADESH

Bangladesh, spanning 148,460 km² with a 580 km coastline, confronts significant climate change challenges, experiencing rising temperatures and declining rainfall. With a population exceeding 170 million, its density could surpass 1200 people per km² by 2025, despite ranking 94th in land area and 8th in global population. Bangladesh ranks 3rd in rice and vegetable production and 10th in tropical fruits production: The country’s pesticide use ranks 29th globally, with substantial variations per hectare compared to leading countries like China and Japan. Pesticides play a vital role in Bangladeshi agriculture to combat pests and diseases. Fluctuations in registered formulations from 2010 to 2022 indicate regulatory adjustments and market shifts, with biopesticide registrations witnessing growth. The pesticide industry has flourished, with the number of companies expected to reach 802 by 2024, reflecting increasing demand and regulatory approvals. However, pesticide consumption has shown fluctuation, with increases in both usage and market value. The heavy treatment of vegetables like brinjal highlights the necessity for targeted pest management strategies. Despite the benefits of pesticides in enhancing yields, their misuse poses significant health and environmental risks, necessitating sustainable pest management practices to ensure long-term agricultural and environmental sustainability in Bangladesh.

Prediction model of browning inhibitor concentration and its optimal composition for mass processing of ready-to-eat fresh-cut 'Fuji' apple (Malus domestica Borkh.) strains.

In this study, we optimized the composition of the browning inhibitor for apples and established a prediction model for the browning inhibitor concentration in mass-processed fresh-cut apples based on electrical conductivity measurements. The "Fuji" apples that were harvested in Chungju, Korea, were used for this study. Vitamin C mixture (VCM) and trehalose (Tre) were used as browning inhibitors at a 4% ratio. The browning reaction under Δ3 of BI (browning index) for 5 days was defined as the target shelf-life of the apple flesh. The ΔBI of VCM and Tre was lower than that of VCM by 4%. It is revealed that the electrical conductivity of the browning inhibitor was highly correlated with its concentration and the number of soaked apples. Finally, the regression of the conductivity was fitted as Y=-0.0024 (number of soaked apples) + 0.5111 (R2=0.9931). In the validation test, the conductivity must be maintained at 0.4373 S/m or higher to maintain the target anti-browning level of Δ3 or less, which corresponded to ∼80% of the initial qualitative level after manufacture. The conductivity measurement of the browning inhibitor is suitable for monitoring and predicting its concentration in the mass processing of fresh-cut apple production due to the convenience of this method. PRACTICAL APPLICATION: The conductivity measurement of browning inhibitors can be applied not only to the mass processing of apple production but also to the anti-browning treatment of other fruits and vegetables, due to the convenience of this method. From these research results, it is expected to derive a formula that can predict the concentration of browning inhibitors through simple experiments for other fruits or vegetables.

Predicting the coupling effects of grass and shrub with biological crust on splash and sheet erosion

Vegetation plays an important role in preventing soil erosion in arid and semi-arid regions. However, the current research on soil erosion under vegetation conditions neglected the role of biological crusts (BSC). The impact of different combinations of grass and shrub vegetation with BSC on the soil erosion process were investigated in this study through indoor simulated rainfall experiments and field experiments. Additionally, the calculation formula for the splash and sheet erodibility coefficients (KSS) in the Rangeland Hydrology and Erosion Model (RHEM) model was revised and validated. The results showed that the ability of BSC to reduce erosion was gradually enhanced with an increase in BSC coverage. The significant erosion reduction effect of BSC under different vegetation coverages was found. As the BSC coverage increased to 40 %, the soil erosion process changed from transport-limited to detach-limited. When grass and shrub was combined with BSC, the average flow velocity was smaller than that of the individual vegetation treatments. Moreover, the proportion of BSC resistance was the highest among the various vegetation combinations consistently. When the coverage of the combined BSC exceeded that of the vegetation, the BSC dominated the soil erosion process through its direct physical protection and indirect alteration of soil properties. When the BSC coverage was incorporated into KSS, the determination coefficients of the revised KSS were all above 0.8. This study deepened the understanding of the coupling effects of grass and shrub with BSC on slope erosion processes, and improved the predictive accuracy of the RHEM model.

Medium-Term Comparative Effects of Prescribed Burning and Mechanical Shredding on Soil Characteristics in Heathland and Shrubland Habitats: Insights from a Protected Natural Area

Parts of the Cantabrian Mountains (N Spain) have been colonized by woody species in the past six or seven decades as a result of a decline in livestock activity and changes in the fire regime. Various management strategies have been used to prevent the expansion of shrubs and recover grassland ecosystems for grazing activities. However, it is not clear how different vegetation treatments affect soils, which are crucial in supporting life and providing nutrients in these ecosystems. The aim of the present study was to compare the dynamics of the physicochemical and biological soil properties after two vegetation treatments: prescribed burning and shredding. Samples were obtained from plots representing alkaline and acidic soils dominated by gorse shrub (Genista hispanica subsp. occidentalis) and heath (Calluna vulgaris) plant communities, respectively. The soil samples were collected immediately before and after the treatments and one and two years later. The level of available P varied depending on the soil pH, and it only increased after the treatments in the acidic soils in the heathland community. The total N and available P concentrations were higher after the prescribed burning, and the enzymatic activity tended to be higher after the shredding treatment. Despite the significant effects on some soil variables, prescribed burning and shredding did not have important short- and medium-term effects on the chemical and soil enzymatic properties. These treatments can therefore be considered sustainable vegetation management tools, at least in the medium term.

Nutrient and sediment retention by riparian vegetated buffer strips: Impacts of buffer length, vegetation type, and season

Farming activities in watersheds can significantly increase sediment and nutrient loads, threatening aquatic ecosystems. Riparian vegetated buffer strips (RVBS) have emerged as a promising strategy to capture and sequester these pollutants. While previous research highlights the effectiveness of woody vegetation in reducing nutrient loads, an essential knowledge gap exists regarding the comparative efficiency of different vegetation types (woody, shrubs and grasses) in trapping nutrients and reducing transport from watersheds to waterbodies. To address this knowledge gap, a multi-year field investigation was carried out with the following objectives: (a) to evaluate the influences of RVBS length (2, 5, 10, 14 and 18 m) and vegetation type (woody, grass, shrub, and no buffer) on reducing nutrient and sediment concentrations in surface runoff across different seasons, and (b) to compare soil microbiological characteristics among the different buffer treatments. The findings reveal significant insights into the effectiveness of different RVBS configurations in mitigating nutrient and sediment concentrations. Woody RVBS demonstrated exceptional resilience, particularly during snowmelt periods, significantly outperforming non-woody vegetation types. In contrast, RVBS with grasses often showed limited effectiveness in reducing nutrient levels in overland flow. Importantly, the results highlight the remarkable capacity of woody vegetation within 18-metre RVBS, exhibiting 100% sediment trapping efficiency (STE), 89.8% total nitrogen (TN) removal, and 92.82% total phosphorus (TP) removal. Comparatively, grass treatments displayed lower efficiencies (STE:86%, TN:72.3%, TP: 77.8%), followed by shrubs (STE: 62%, 43.9% and 48.8%), and the control with no buffer (STE: 27%, TN: 20.6%, TP: 23.17%). The superior efficacy of woody vegetation can be attributed to its deep rooting systems and higher organic matter content in the soil compared to grass and shrub areas. Additionally, woody treatments exhibited higher levels of organic carbon, nutrients, and microbial activities in the soil, indicating greater potential for nutrient cycling. High-throughput sequencing revealed shifts in bacterial community diversity and biomass in vegetation treatments compared to the control bare soil. These findings underscore the potential of RVBS incorporating woody vegetation or grass to mitigate nutrient and sediment concentrations by enhancing infiltration and plant uptake processes. Nevertheless, RVBS effectiveness may vary, particularly during snowmelt periods. Future studies should explore RVBS design and management approaches in natural systems, with a specific focus on optimizing the effectiveness of grass treatments during snowmelt.

Industrial device for the continuous UV-C treatment of fruit and vegetables: simulation-aided design and model validation

Abstract The irradiation of foods with UV-C light is a non-thermal and non-chemical treatment that allows for achieving several benefits, from surface decontamination to hormetic effects on biological matrices. Nowadays, even if its effects have been extensively proven and discussed, UV-C radiation is not widespread on an industrial level for the treatment of solid and liquid foods, mainly due to technical limitations and the non-uniformity of legislation for different products and among different countries. In this study, numerical simulation was adopted as a tool for the design and optimization of a device for the UV-C treatment of fruits and vegetables. After validating the modelling approach, the radiation treatment was evaluated for different product configurations. The proposed approach aims to facilitate the implementation and the scale-up of the UV-C treatment in the food industry, as it allows for assessing its effects under different operating conditions, prior to the physical prototyping stages.

Costus speciosus (Koen ex. Retz.) Sm.: a suitable plant species for remediation of crude oil and mercury-contaminated soil.

The aim of this study was to evaluate the efficiency of Costus speciosus (Koen ex. Retz.) Sm. in the degradation of crude oil and reduction of mercury (Hg) from the contaminated soil in pot experiments in the net house for 180days. C. speciosus was transplanted in soil containing 19150mgkg-1 crude oil and 3.2mgkg-1 Hg. The study includes the evaluation of plant biomass, height, root length, total petroleum hydrocarbon (TPH) degradation, and Hg reduction in soil, TPH, and Hg accumulation in plants grown in fertilized and unfertilized pots, chlorophyll production, and rhizospheric most probable number (MPN) at 60-day interval. The average biomass production and heights of C. speciosus in contaminated treatments were significantly (p < 0.05) lower compared to the unvegetated control. Plants grown in contaminated soil showed relatively reduced root surface area compared to the uncontaminated treatments. TPH degradation in planted fertilized, unplanted, and planted unfertilized pot was 63%, 0.8%, and 38%, respectively. However, compared to unvegetated treatments, TPH degradation was significantly higher (p < 0.05) in vegetated treatments. A comparison of fertilized and unfertilized soils showed that TPH accumulation in plant roots and shoots was relatively higher in fertilized soils. Hg degradation in soil was significantly (p < 0.05) more in planted treatment compared to unplanted treatments. The fertilized soil showed relatively more Hg degradation in soil and its accumulation in roots and shoots of plants in comparison to unfertilized soil. MPN in treatments with plants was significantly greater (p < 0.05) than without plants. The plant's ability to produce biomass, chlorophyll, break down crude oil, reduce Hg levels in soil, and accumulate TPH and Hg in roots and shoots of the plant all point to the possibility of using this plant to remove TPH and Hg from soil.

Effect of vegetation treatment and water stress on evapotranspiration in bioretention systems

Evapotranspiration is a key hydrological process for reducing stormwater runoff in bioretention systems, regardless of their physical configuration. Understanding the volumes of stormwater that can be returned to the atmosphere via evapotranspiration is, therefore, a key consideration in the design of any bioretention system. This study establishes the evapotranspiration dynamics of three common, structurally different, bioretention vegetation treatments (an Amenity Grass mix, and mono-cultures of Deschampsia cespitosa and Iris sibirica) compared with an un-vegetated control using lab-scale column experiments. Via continuous mass and moisture loss data, observed evapotranspiration rates were compared with those predicted by the FAO-56 Penman–Monteith model for five 14-day dry periods during Spring 2021, Summer 2021, and Spring 2022. Soil moisture reductions over the 14-day trials led to reduced rates of evapotranspiration. This necessitated the use of a soil moisture extraction function alongside a crop coefficient to represent actual evapotranspiration from FAO-56 Penman–Monteith reference evapotranspiration estimates. Crop coefficients (Kc) varied between 0.65 and 2.91, with a value of 1.0 identified as a recommended default value in the absence of treatment-specific empirical data. A continuous hydrological model with Kc=1.0 and a loading ratio of 10:1 showed that evapotranspiration could account for between 1 and 12% of the annual water budget for a bioretention system located in the UK and Ireland, increasing to a maximum of 35% when using the highest Kc observed (2.91).

Application of electrolysed water in post-harvest treatment of fruits and vegetables

Post-harvest losses in fruits and vegetables have triggered the interest of scientists to look for alternative methods for treatment of horticultural produce after harvest for inactivation of pathogens without causing any ill effects.

Potential role of post-harvest management in agribusiness

Agriculture plays a key role in deciding the economy of the country and agricultural marketing has become the potential driver of the agricultural sector. Green revolution and succeeding technologies made our farmers to succeed in the production front, but lagging appreciably in terms of price realization owing to their inability to stop post-harvest losses and inaccessibility to efficient and scientific marketing system. Post-harvest management includes storage, packaging, coating, disease management, extended shelf life, maintaining food quality. Foods and other products can be preserved by storage at low temperature, which retards the activities of microorganisms and preserve perishable foods in their natural state. Preservation depends on the storage time required whether short or long-term short and the type of product. A cold storage unit works on two principles: Vapour absorption system (VAS), and Vapour compression system (VCS). Although VAS is a bit costlier, but economical in operation. Food irradiation is another recent food preservation technology to address some of post-harvest losses. Food is exposed to ionizing radiation (i.e. radiowaves, microwaves, UV rays, X-rays, gamma rays etc.). Food irradiation can be applied to specific purposes as quarantine treatment of fruits and vegetables and as a method to ensure hygienic quality of foods. Food processing techniques like grading, sorting and packaging, etc add value and enhances shelf life of food. Agricultural productivity augmentation needs a concurrent development of post-harvest support mechanism and efficient and organized marketing system, which would ensure maximum price rrealization to the farmers.

EFFECTIVENESS OF CYTOKININ PREPARATIONS FOR IMPROVING CALLUSOGENESIS AND PHYSIOLOGICAL STATE OF GRAPE CUTTINGS (VITIS VINIFERA L.)

EFFECTIVENESS OF CYTOKININ PREPARATIONS FOR IMPROVING CALLUSOGENESIS AND PHYSIOLOGICAL STATE OF GRAPE CUTTINGS (VITIS VINIFERA L.)

Five-year vegetation conversion from pasture to C3 and C4 plants affects dynamics of SOC and TN and their natural stable C and N isotopes via mediating C input and N leaching

Understanding the effects of land-use change on stock and composition of soil organic carbon (SOC) and nitrogen (N) is pivotal for sustainable agriculture and climate change adaption. However, previous studies have often overlooked the specific vegetation type in land-use changes. Therefore, a five-year lysimeter block experiment was conducted, involving non-vegetation, eulalia (C4 plant), and clover (C3 plant) to investigate the impacts of vegetation conversion from pasture on SOC and N dynamics and their natural stable isotopes. Non-vegetation caused 26.21 % and 25.88 % decreases in SOC and total N (TN) contents. Five-year eulalia and clover cultivation maintained stable SOC content, with clover exhibiting higher soil TN content. Eulalia-derived soil C was 1.64–7.58 g C kg−1 and SOC loss in eulalia treatment was 1.86–7.90 g C kg−1. Soil δ13C in eulalia increased at a rate of 0.90 ‰ year−1, significantly surpassing clover and non-vegetation treatments. Conversely, soil δ15N decreased over time, showing insignificant difference among all treatments. Eulalia exhibited significantly higher dry weight and δ13C but lower TN content compared with clover. However, no significant differences were observed in total C and δ15N between the two vegetation treatments. Non-vegetation exhibited higher dissolved organic C concentration than two vegetation treatments in 2017, decreasing over time. Dissolved TN and nitrate concentrations in leachate followed the order clover> non-vegetation> eulalia, with nitrate being the predominant form of N leaching from leachate. Our findings reveal that vegetation conversion affects soil C and N contents, and alters their natural isotopes as well as the leaching of labile soluble nutrients. Notably, non-vegetation consistently reduced SOC and TN contents, whereas eulalia cultivation maintained SOC content, improved C/N ratio and δ13C, and reduced N leaching compared with clover cultivation. These results highlight the potential of eulalia as a candidate plant for enhancing C sequestration and reducing N leaching in cold regions of Japan.

Effectiveness of the use of biopreparations and fungicides in the cultivation of spring wheat in the forest-steppe of the Priobye

The data on the effectiveness of using chemical, fungal and bacterial fungicides to treat seeds and crops of spring soft wheat in order to limit harmfulness of major diseases are presented. The research was conducted in 2020–2022 on chernozem leached forest-steppe of the Novosibirsk region Priobye. Chemical seed protectant Scarlet and its mixture with Vitaplan were the most effective dressers in the fight against root rots. It has been demonstrated that although biopreparations are inferior in efficiency to chemical ones, they act for a longer period of time and protect the plant from the disease for a longer period of time. Seed dressing with chemical preparation reduced the development of leaf diseases by 53–58%, and with biopreparations – by 34–41%. Titul 390 was the most effective of the vegetation treatments – 60–98%. The efficiency of the biopreparations was 42–64% in the years of moderate disease development. In the years of strong development of septoriosis or powdery mildew, the efficiency of biopreparations did not exceed 22–30%. The biological preparations had a growth-stimulating effect on the plants: they increased the flag leaf area by 22–39%. The seed treatment showed an increasing trend in the number of spikelets, grains per ear and grain weight per ear. Application of the preparations during the vegetation period increased reliably the ear length by 16–28%, the number of spikelets – by 15–20, grains – by 24–31, grain weight per ear – by 33–51%. At seed dressing the greatest increase in the yield (0.15 t/ha) was provided by Scarlet, when using a mixture of biological and chemical preparations it amounted to 0.11 t/ha. When treated during the growing season, chemical fungicide increased the yield by 0.33 t/ha, while biopreparations increased the yield by 0.11–0.14 t/ha. Complex use of chemical preparations (Scarlet + Titul 390) provided the maximum yield increase – 0.62 t/ha, from the joint use of chemical and biological preparation the yield increased by 0.15–0.33 t/ha. The biological preparations increased this indicator by 0.13–0.23 t/ha. It has been concluded that it is possible to select combinations of chemical and biological preparations that can control phytosanitary situation and provide acceptable yield.

Redefining the wildfire problem and scaling solutions to meet the challenge

ABSTRACT As the climate warms, extended drought and heat events in the United States are driving an increase in acres burned and homes lost to wildfire. The most devastating wildfires happen when dry winds carry embers long distances, start spot fires and ignite homes. Burning homes then become the fuel that ignites other nearby homes, causing mass conflagrations. Today wildfire is largely approached as a problem that can be controlled through vegetation treatments and firefighting, but that strategy has not stopped the loss of homes and even entire communities. However, new observational and analytical tools have given firefighters, governments, and the public a better understanding of wildfire and how to prepare for it. By redefining the wildfire problem as a home ignition problem, communities can survive even extreme fires and can safely reintroduce fire to the land.