Insights into enhanced bacterial cellulose production in pre-fermented coconut water by Lentilactobacillus buchneri: Evidences from proteomic and metabolomic analyses.

Harnessing phosphorus fertilizer to counteract warming-driven decline in maize water productivity under climate change

Developing strategies to improve pasture yield and mitigate environmental impacts is crucial in Southeastern Brazil, where livestock farming faces competition for areas with profitable crops. Accurate evapotranspiration (ET) estimation is an essential component of managing soil water balance and evaluating pasture response to drought and water productivity. The objectives of this study were to: (1) develop a relationship between the basal crop coefficient (Kcb) derived from observed ET, and the soil-adjusted vegetation index (SAVI) from PlanetScope images; (2) integrate the Kcb-SAVI relationship into remote sensing-based soil water balance (RSWB) to generate daily Kcb and then simulate the actual evapotranspiration (ETa) of an intensively grazed tropical pasture in the state of São Paulo, Brazil; and (3) use the spatialized estimate of ETa to assess the crop water productivity ([Formula: see text]). The Kcb-SAVI relationship developed in this study showed a strong positive correlation between SAVI and Kcb, with Pearson correlation coefficient (ρ) and [Formula: see text] values of 0.89 and 0.79, respectively. Comparisons between observed and simulated ETa indicated good agreement for daily values ([Formula: see text] of 0.59mm d-1, Willmott index of agreement ([Formula: see text]) of 0.86) and for average weekly values ([Formula: see text] of 0.38mm d-1, [Formula: see text] of 0.93). Biases of -5% and 3% were obtained for modelled cumulative ETa in the years 2021-2022 and 2022-2023, respectively. The average [Formula: see text] values were similar for both years, 2.2kgm-3 in 2021-2022 and 1.8kgm-3 in 2022-2023. These findings demonstrate the potential of RSWB, ETa, and WP assessments to enhance decision-making, monitoring, and management of water resources in pasture-based livestock farming.

This study investigates the relationship between water governance and agricultural water productivity in two irrigation systems, qanat and well-based farming, in Sabzevar County, Iran. The study is based on cross-sectional field survey data collected from 202 farmers using a structured questionnaire grounded in internationally recognized water governance frameworks. A multistage random sampling approach was applied. Water governance was operationalized as a multidimensional index consisting of eight components. Physical water productivity (crop yield per cubic meter of water, kg·m⁻³) and economic water productivity (net economic return per cubic meter of water, IRR·m⁻³) were calculated for three major crops (wheat, barley, and cotton). Descriptive statistics, Spearman correlation analysis, Mann-Whitney U tests, and multiple linear regression models were employed for data analysis. The results show that overall water governance is at a moderate level, with relatively higher performance in consensus-building and responsibility, and lower performance in accountability, transparency, and equity-related dimensions. Water productivity was significantly higher in qanat-based systems compared to well-based systems for both physical and economic indicators, with larger differences observed in economic productivity. Correlation analysis indicates a positive association between water governance and water productivity, stronger for economic productivity (r = 0.258, p < 0.01) than for physical productivity (r = 0.162, p < 0.05). Regression results further confirm that governance is positively associated with economic water productivity after controlling for socio-economic and farm-level variables. The findings highlight the importance of strengthening formal water governance institutions, particularly in accountability, transparency, and equity, while leveraging existing social capital and traditional irrigation systems. Rehabilitation and sustainable management of qanat systems are suggested as complementary strategies for improving agricultural water efficiency and reducing pressure on groundwater resources. This study contributes to the literature by providing comparative empirical evidence on governance-productivity linkages in traditional and modern irrigation systems in arid regions.

The present study aimed to determine the water requirements and natural resource use efficiency of protein-rich species under semi-arid conditions. A field experiment was conducted from October 2020 to February 2023 with five species (alfafa, gliricidia, leucaena, moringa, and pigeon pea) in a randomised block design, with four replications. Data were obtained from productivity (YDM), crop evapotranspiration (ETc) and its partitioning, single- (Kc) and dual-crop coefficients (Kcb and Ke), crop water use efficiency (WUE), crop water productivity (WPCETc), system water productivity (WPcR+ID), irrigation water productivity (WPID), and nutrient (NUE) and radiation use efficiency (RUE). Gliricidia showed the lowest average daily ETc (~4.0 mm day-1) and higher transpiration contribution (67%), resulting in greater average Kcb values (~0.63) compared to other species. In contrast, moringa presented higher mean Kc values (~0.93), while the other crops had similar values (~0.85). In terms of productivity and efficiency, gliricidia outperformed the other crops (YDM = 1.298 kg m-2; WPCETc, WPcR+ID, and WPID equal to 3.467, 2.906, and 8.102 kg m-3, respectively; NUE equal to 568.384, 61.746, 831.400, 403.626, and138.564 g ha-1 mm-1, respectively for N, P, K, Ca, and Mg; and RUE = 1.418 g MJ-1). In turn, alfalfa showed a higher annual production frequency (11.4 cycles year-1). Therefore, the present study made it possible to expand water and production management, supporting better species selection. In general, gliricidia is recommended in semi-arid production systems for higher productivity, efficient resource use, and lower water demand, while in agroecosystems that require a continuous supply of forage, alfalfa is recommended. © 2026 Society of Chemical Industry.

The Impact of microplastics and nanoplastics on human health: a growing concern.

Hygroscopic hydrogels are promising materials for high-efficiency sorption-based atmospheric water harvesting (SAWH); however, their practical application is constrained by intrinsically slow water transport within the collapsed dehydrated polymer networks, a process predominantly governed by osmotic pressure gradient (∇πos). Here, we develop a rigid-polymer-network-based interconnected macroporous hygroscopic hydrogel (HRIMP) via a facile foaming-assisted polyelectrolyte diffusion-complexation strategy, enabling ultrafast sorption/desorption kinetics for high-efficiency SAWH. The antishrinkage rigid network resists structural collapse during dehydration, preserving a hierarchical porous architecture that synergistically combines ∇πos with capillary pumping to accelerate water transport beyond the limitations of conventional hydrogels. Consequently, the HRIMP exhibits excellent sorption/desorption kinetics across a wide humidity range, achieving equilibrium water uptake within just 45 and 90 min at 30% and 90% relative humidity (RH), respectively, and releasing 83.4% of adsorbed water within only 29.5 min under one sun irradiation. Leveraging this ultrafast kinetics, we design a continuous cyclic SAWH device that maintains high water productivity (1.07 Lwater kgsorbents-1 day-1) even under cold, dry winter conditions (around 0 °C, 43% RH). This rigid-network design strategy provides a generalizable approach to overcome the inherent mass-transfer limitations of gel-based adsorbents, promoting the practical application of high-performance SAWH systems.

Multiscale environmental and management effects on forest water use and productivity in contrasting U.S. regions.

Onion (Allium cepa L.) is one of the major vegetable crops grown in Ethiopia. Although its productivity depends on optimization of irrigation water depth and fertilizer application rates, there is limited scientific evidence on the optimal nitrogen rate and irrigation depth in our study area. Therefore, this study investigated the interactive effects of different irrigation depths and nitrogen fertilizer rates on onion yield and resource use efficiency. A field experiment was conducted over two dry seasons (2019-2020) using nine treatment combinations, consisting of three irrigation depths and three nitrogen rates, arranged in a 3 × 3 factorial randomized complete block design with three replications. Prior to analysis, data were tested for normality and homogeneity. Subsequently, data were analyzed using a general linear model, and means were compared using LSD at P < 0.05. Results demonstrated that irrigation depth was the dominant factor (P < 0.001), followed by nitrogen level (P < 0.05). Although marketable yield increased consistently with the combined increase of both inputs, rising from 15.94 ± 0.72 ton ha⁻¹ in T1 to 31.30 ± 1.20 ton ha⁻¹ in T9, this trend alone does not determine optimal management. Based on multi-criteria analysis, treatment T6 (100% of crop water requirement combined with 125% nitrogen) was identified as optimal, recording the highest irrigation water productivity (4.85kg m⁻³) and economic irrigation water productivity (121.27 ETB m⁻³), along with improved cation exchange capacity (11.433 ± 0.968 meq/100g soil), reflecting enhanced nutrient retention. Accordingly, T6 is recommended as the most suitable strategy for improving sustainable onion productivity in the study area and in regions with similar agro-ecological conditions.

Accurate and sensitive detection of pesticide residues is crucial for environmental safety and human health. Herein, a self-powered metal-organic framework nanozyme-based immunoassay was developed for selective and sensitive detection of isoprocarb by encapsulating calcium peroxide and heme into a Zn-MOF to construct the CaO2/heme@Zn-MOF composite. The prepared nanozyme exhibits intrinsic peroxidase-like activity and enables in situ H2O2 generation under acidic conditions, effectively eliminating the need for external oxidants. By coupling antibody-antigen specific recognition with catalytic signal amplification of CaO2/heme@Zn-MOF, a competitive nanozyme-linked immunosorbent assay was established for selective detection of isoprocarb. The fluorescence signal originating from o-phenylenediamine oxidation gradually decreases with an increase in isoprocarb concentration, allowing quantitative analysis with a detection limit of 0.017 μM. The entire competitive immunoassay can be completed within an optimal detection time of 90 min. Furthermore, the proposed method demonstrates excellent practical reliability and anti-interference capability in real water and agricultural products, achieving quantitative recovery rates ranging from 92.85% to 107.14% with relative standard deviations of less than 5.91%. Furthermore, a portable immunomagnetic bead with paper devices was fabricated for on-site analysis. This work provides a general strategy for integrating self-powered nanozymes with immunoassays, thereby expanding their potential for portable environmental monitoring.

Neonicotinoid insecticides (NIs) improve crop yield but raise environmental and health concerns. This review describes residues of 13 commercial NIs and their transformation products (TPs) in water, soil, air, vegetables, fruits, tea, and animal-derived foods. It also summarizes risks to nontarget organisms (aquatic species, soil invertebrates, and bees) and humans. NIs disrupt neuronal signaling in nontarget species, suggesting their ecological risks are substantially underestimated. Halogenated NIs show marked environmental persistence. Unexpectedly, all parent NIs and their TPs display high mobility. Six parent NIs and 70.45% of TPs show nontarget toxicity. Notably, 27.24% of neonicotinoid insecticide TPs (excluding dinotefuran's TPs) simultaneously exhibit strong persistence, high mobility, and nontarget toxicity. These threats to ecosystems should not be overlooked. The review proposes forward-looking recommendations for next-generation NIs. Overall, this work provides critical insights into NIs toxicity and ecological impacts, offering valuable guidance for mitigating environmental contamination.

Francisella tularensis is a bacterial pathogen that can contaminate drinking water and food products, causing tularemia - a severe zoonotic disease that affects both humans and animals. This infection is dangerous to human health and may be fatal without diagnosis and treatment. Therefore, rapid, sensitive, and selective detection of this microorganism is in high demand for clinical diagnostics, environmental monitoring, and ensuring food safety. This study presents the development of immunochromatographic (lateral flow) tests for revealing F. tularensis cells in natural and drinking water samples. A special feature of the test system is catalytically active Au@Pt nanoparticles (a peroxidase-like nanozyme) used as a label for specific antibodies. Au@Pt nanozyme can catalyze the oxidation of the peroxidase substrate, followed by the formation of a colored product, which amplifies the colorimetric signal on the test strip and significantly improves detection sensitivity. The tests allow for the detection of F. tularensis cells in concentrations down to 102-103 cells per mL, depending on the strain, with visual result assessment. The application of Au@Pt nanozyme decreased the detection limits by 321-9600 times compared to gold nanoparticles commonly used in immunochromatography. The assay duration is 14 min, including the catalytic enhancement step. Monoclonal antibodies against bacterial lipopolysaccharide provide selective detection of virulent strains, excluding cross-reactions with non-pathogenic strains of F. tularensis and other microorganisms that may also contaminate water sources. The effective testing of natural and tap water samples conducted with no preliminary sample preparation has proven the relevance of the developed approach.

Methane (CH4) production is commonly associated with anaerobic microbial respiration, yet substantial CH4 production has been observed in aerobic surface waters, presenting the "aerobic methane paradox". Clarifying the mechanism behind aerobic CH4 production is essential for refining the global CH4 budget. Here, we demonstrate that sunlight-driven photochemical processes can effectively produce CH4 across various surface waters, including river, lake, and seawater. The CH4 formation rates ranged from 0.4 ± 0.1 to 0.7 ± 0.1 μmol/m2/h in the daytime, which were 2.3- to 3.9-fold higher as compared to those driven by the decomposition of organic matter by methanogenic archaea in the nighttime. Such aerobic CH4 production stems from the rapid oxidation of naturally abundant methyl donors (e.g., dimethyl sulfoxide) by a photochemically produced hydroxyl radical (•OH), which yields a methyl radical (•CH3) and subsequently leads to CH4 production. Simulations on CH4 productions across varying seasons, latitudes, altitudes, and regions at the global scale suggest that the photochemical processes contribute to 35.3-70.7% of marine CH4 emissions. Our study highlights a ubiquitous yet previously overlooked photochemical source of CH4 production in surface waters, shedding light on the "aerobic methane paradox", which has implications on the global CH4 budget.

Common bean productivity in arid and semi-arid regions is frequently constrained by water deficit and micronutrient limitations. This study aimed to (i) quantify the effects of deficit irrigation and foliar micronutrient application on growth, yield, and water productivity, and (ii) elucidate the physiological and biochemical mechanisms underlying genotype-specific drought tolerance. Field experiments were conducted over two growing seasons on sandy soil using three common bean varieties (Nebraska, Giza 3, and Giza 6). Treatments were arranged in a split-split-plot randomized complete block design, with varieties as main plots, irrigation regimes [full irrigation (F100%), moderate deficit (D80%), and severe deficit (D70%)] as subplots, and foliar-applied micronutrients (Fe, Zn, and Mn at three rates) as sub-subplots. Measurements at mid- and late-growth stages included chlorophyll content, antioxidant enzyme activity, leaf micronutrient concentrations, growth traits, grain quality, yield, and water productivity. Giza 6 exhibited superior early physiological responses, with significantly higher chlorophyll content and antioxidant enzyme activity under the highest micronutrient rate (T3: 15 Fe : 30 Zn : 20 Mn). Under prolonged deficit irrigation, the combination of moderate stress (D80%) and T2-T3 applications sustained higher leaf Fe, Zn, and Mn concentrations, supporting continued growth and nutrient translocation. Clear genotypic differences were observed, with Giza 6 maintaining higher grain quality, yield, and water productivity under water-limited conditions, whereas Nebraska showed greater sensitivity despite micronutrient supplementation. These findings demonstrate that integrated water-nutrient management enhances drought resilience through improved physiological stability and nutrient homeostasis. Combining moderate deficit irrigation with targeted micronutrient application is an effective strategy to optimize productivity and water use efficiency in drought-prone environments.

ABSTRACT The electrochemical reduction of CO 2 (CO 2 RR) to liquid fuels, particularly ethanol, is limited by competing ethylene pathways and sluggish proton‐coupled electron transfer (PCET). While conventional catalyst design has predominantly focused on surface binding energies, the critical role of the electrode–electrolyte interface, specifically the structure of interfacial water, remains underexplored. In this study, we aim to address this gap by reporting on a gadolinium (Gd)‐doped Cu 2 O electrocatalyst that utilizes the high oxophilicity of lanthanides to engineer a free water‐rich interfacial microenvironment, enabling high ethanol selectivity. Operating at an industrially relevant 800 mA cm −2 in a flow cell, the catalyst achieves ethanol Faradaic efficiencies of 46.5% and 48.5% in alkaline and neutral electrolytes, respectively. Remarkably, the ethanol partial current density reaches 527.8 mA cm −2 at 1200 mA cm −2 . Operando spectroscopy reveals that Gd dopants disrupt the rigid, ice‐like interfacial hydrogen‐bonding network, enriching non‐coordinated free water. This disordered environment enhances proton availability, facilitating the selective hydrogenation of * OCCO intermediates to ethanol‐forming species (e.g., * OCCOH) while suppressing ethylene generation. These findings establish a direct structure–function correlation between interfacial water dynamics and product selectivity, providing a novel design principle for sustainable fuel synthesis.

Selenium (Se) is one of the beneficial elements for plants and can enhance the antioxidant capacity and tolerance of plants against the adverse effects of drought stress. This research was conducted to investigate the effects of applying different forms of selenium in mitigating drought stress on the growth characteristics, water use efficiency, and essential oil percentage of peppermint (Mentha × piperita). Plants were subjected to two irrigation regimes (100% and 50% of crop evapotranspiration [ETc⦌) and selenium was applied at four levels: no application (control), mixing with irrigation water at a concentration of 5mg L⁻¹ sodium selenate, foliar spraying of 5mg L⁻¹ sodium selenate before imposing drought stress, and foliar spraying of 5mg L⁻¹ sodium selenate after imposing drought stress on peppermint plants. The results showed that increasing drought severity significantly reduced biomass, root weight, photosynthetic pigments, essential oil percentage and relative water content, but increased water productivity, total phenol, electrolyte leakage, and antioxidant activity. Application of selenium, particularly as a foliar spray before drought, effectively mitigated the negative impacts of drought stress, leading to notable increases in shoot fresh and dry weight, essential oil yield, water productivity, pigment concentrations, relative water content, total phenol, electrolyte leakage, and antioxidant activity. These findings demonstrate that low-concentration selenium application is a practical strategy to improve drought tolerance and productivity in peppermint, and suggest foliar spraying of selenium prior to stress as the most effective treatment for optimizing growth and essential oil yield under water-limited conditions.

Accurately reproducing and predicting transport behaviors inside spray towers still remain as a challenging issue. Most existing numerical results are validated only against outlet measurements. However, disagreements in internal multiphysics can prevent the results from accurately reflecting two-phase flow and transport within towers. In this work, a three-dimensional spray drying model was constructed using the Euler-Lagrange framework and validated in a pilot-scale centrifugal spray drying system with maltodextrin solution. The reaction engineering approach was adopted to describe the convection mass transfer via a user-defined function. Eighteen internal temperatures and outlet parameters were experimentally measured in validating numerical results. The results showed that the average relative error between the calculated temperatures and the experimental data was 1.76%. The relative errors between the predicted outlet air temperature, product water content, and average particle size and the experimental values were 0.06, 3.48, and 0.68%, respectively. The high-precision prediction of internal temperatures and outlet parameters demonstrated the model's reliability. The results also revealed a stronger evaporation around the tower centerline, where higher air velocity and temperature, as well as lower water vapor content, were observed. Droplet trajectories showed that large-size droplets required longer drying time, whereas small-size droplets dried rapidly but had longer residence time due to swirl and backflow. The effects of inlet air temperature, feed rate, disk rotational speed, and inlet air angle on droplet drying behaviors were further investigated. The research results are expected to provide industrialized guidance for designing a spray dryer and optimizing operating conditions.

Mercury (Hg) concentrations in the fillets of Arctic char (Salvelinus alpinus) differ widely among neighboring oligotrophic lakes on Cornwallis Island (Nunavut, Canada), but the reasons for these differences are poorly understood. Climate change is likely affecting Hg cycling in lakes, although studies report conflicting or mixed responses. We quantified Hg bioaccumulation (BAFs), biota-sediment accumulation (BSAFs), and trophic transfer factors (TTFs) for chironomids and Arctic char in Char, Small, Resolute, and Meretta Lakes to explain lake-to-lake differences. Simultaneously, we leveraged the natural differences in water temperatures and productivity to explore how warming may impact Hg cycling. Length-adjusted total Hg (tHg) concentrations in Arctic char from the four populations ranged from 0.11 ± 0.01 to 0.50 ± 0.18 µg/g dry weight. The BAFs for Arctic char and chironomids relative to water were high relative to lower-latitude lakes and Arctic marine food webs. The BAFs and BSAFs for Arctic char and chironomids were generally lower in the shallow lakes (Meretta and Small). The TTFs were highest in the deeper, colder study lakes (Char and Resolute). Bioaccumulation factors for chironomids and Arctic char did not correspond to Hg methylation potentials in sediments. A principal component analysis uncovered significant correlations with dissolved organic carbon in lake water, and tHg in lake water and pore water, with TTFlarvae and lake temperature. The comparisons of BAFs and BSAFs among these lakes, taken together with the results of previous studies, suggest that MeHg bioaccumulation may decrease as the Arctic continues to warm, and yet the reasons for higher bioaccumulation in colder lakes require further study. Our results confirm the highly context-dependent nature of Hg bioaccumulation in freshwater and provide insights into temperature-dependent responses that may occur under continued climate change.

This research develops a water-centric nexus assessment framework for Thailand’s major crops: rice, sugarcane, and cassava, within shared cultivation areas. The framework examines interaction among water use, agricultural productivity, and economic performance, positioning water as the central analytical dimension. A 10-year monthly dataset (2013–2022) from official sources was examined, and farmer interviews confirmed the relevance of variables, cost structures, and adaptive capacity. Applying a system-thinking approach using VENSIM software to construct causal loop diagrams and perform scenario-based analyses rather than full dynamic simulations. The framework integrates three normalized components: water mass productivity, economic water productivity, and water security, into a composite nexus index. Results indicate that sugarcane has the highest water productivity (0.010 tons/m 3 ), followed by cassava (0.004 tons/m 3 ) and rice (0.00031 tons/m 3 ). Sugarcane also demonstrates superior economic water productivity, yielding higher profits per unit of water consumed. Sensitivity analysis reveals that expanding cultivation areas generally reduces water security; however, productivity and water-use efficiency improvements can offset these impacts up to crop-specific land-use thresholds. The sustainable annual expansion rates are estimated at 0.68% for sugarcane and 0.75% for cassava, while rice requires a 0.26% reduction in cultivated area to sustain a positive Water–Economy–Food nexus. Beyond these thresholds, the nexus turns unfavorable. Overall, the findings highlight the importance of demand-side water management, strategic crop allocation, and farmer adaptability in sustaining a stable water-centric nexus. The proposed framework provides a practical decision-support tool for integrated agricultural water management and policy development in Thailand. • Developed a validated WEF Nexus framework using 10 years of real data for Thailand’s agricultural systems. • Sugarcane shows the highest water productivity and economic return, highlighting its resource efficiency potential. • Identified critical crop area thresholds beyond which WEF Nexus stability declines, guiding sustainable land use. • Farmers show moderate-high adaptability, with advanced varieties and controlled irrigation improving system resilience.

From acquisition to conservation: Whole-plant trait coordination under water-nitrogen interactions determines maize yield and water productivity