ALBERT

Description: Access and use of seed of improved varieties of groundnut among farmers can improve farmers’ livelihoods and contribute to the potential of crop production in Tanzania. This paper analyzes factors underpinning the adoption of improved groundnut varieties among farmers to pave the way for upscaling quality seed used for increased production and commodity business in farming communities. A four-stage stratified sampling was used to collect data from 300 groundnut farmers in seven agro-ecological zones through individual interviews. Secondary data were collected from the literature and the Tanzania Agricultural Research Institute at Naliendele centre (TARI–Naliendele). Descriptive statistics and Probit regression model were used for data analysis. The empirical results showed that Johari 1985, Pendo 1998, Naliendele 2009, Mnanje 2009, Mangaka 2009 and Nachi 2015, are the main six improved groundnut varieties used by farmers, with Pendo 1998 having the highest adoption rate (17.1%). In the grain market, four varieties, namely Pendo 1998, Mnanje 2009, Nachi 2015 and Johari 1985, were observed to be highly preferred by grain off-takers. Furthermore, among the adopted improved varieties, Nachi 2015, is observed to be the most consistent high yielding variety, ranging from 1100 kg/ha to 1500 kg/ha in all agro-ecological zones. A farmer’s decision to adopt new varieties is affected by age and gender, farmer group membership, availability of improved seed and seed cost. Overall, male farmers are more likely to adopt improved varieties of groundnut than female farmers. The implications of these findings are also discussed, in particular in the area of policy support.

Description: Green bonds are similar to conventional bonds but are specifically earmarked to raise money to finance climate or environmental projects. There have been anecdotes of green bonds being priced tighter than similar conventional bonds by the same issuers. Our survey of academic literature indicates that most papers show the yield of a green bond is lower than that of the equivalent conventional bond at issuance (also known as green premium or greenium). However, green bond pricing studies by Climate Bonds Initiative produce mixed results. The conflicting results are likely explained by differences in sample selections, time periods, methodologies, and the properties of the respective issuing entity and the bond. In addition, we examine investment returns from select green bond funds and green bond indexes. The assets under management of those funds are still small and they underperform their benchmark indexes.

Description: Sugarcane is an important industrial crop because it is the major source of white sugar. It is also one of the crops for the alcohol and biofuel industries. Disease-causing organisms can significantly decrease the productivity of sugarcane plants and sugar quality. Among the disease-causing organisms, Colletotrichum falcatum Went causes the most significant economic loss (5–50%) in the sugarcane production due to red rot disease. This loss results in only 31% sugar recovery. It is reported that C. falcatum can kill sugarcane plants. Currently, there is no sustainable way of preventing red rot disease from spreading in sugarcane plantations. Many popular sugarcane varieties are no longer used in sugarcane cultivation because of their susceptibility to C. falcatum. The objectives of this manuscript were to: (i) summarize existing approaches for the early detection of red rot disease and controlling techniques of red rot disease in the field and laboratory and (ii) assess red rot disease control effectiveness so as to propose better methods for mitigating the spread C. falcatum. If our proposition is adopted or practiced, it could significantly contribute to the mitigation of C. falcatum infection in the sugarcane industry. This could enable achieving sustainable cultivation of sugarcanes to guarantee the sustainability of the sugar industry in the tropics and the subtropics.

Description: The transition from intensive conventional agriculture to sustainable agriculture has become a global priority. This is due to the need for environmentally friendly agriculture to ensure sufficient food for a rapidly growing population. The bioeconomy is essential to progress in the field of sustainable agriculture. It contributes to the conservation of biological resources through circular and comprehensive management. The bioeconomy prioritizes the reduction and reuse of materials and products. The focus of this study is the use of biodegradable/compostable raffia in protected horticultural crops in the Province of Almería (Spain). The analysis and evaluations, based on an extensive literature review and information given by stakeholders, determined that biodegradable raffia use significantly improves the management of residual biomass in Almería. However, biodegradable raffia is only used in a small percentage of crops even though it is a sustainable alternative and profitable for farmers. The economic analysis incorporates the higher cost of recycling non-biodegradable raffia.

Description: Sustainable agricultural production is endangered by several ecological factors, such as drought, extreme temperatures, excessive salts, parasitic ailments, and insect pest infestation. These challenging environmental factors may have adverse effects on future agriculture production in many countries. In modern agriculture, conventional crop-breeding techniques alone are inadequate for achieving the increasing population’s food demand on a sustainable basis. The advancement of molecular genetics and related technologies are promising tools for the selection of new crop species. Gene pyramiding through marker-assisted selection (MAS) and other techniques have accelerated the development of durable resistant/tolerant lines with high accuracy in the shortest period of time for agricultural sustainability. Gene stacking has not been fully utilized for biotic stress resistance development and quality improvement in most of the major cultivated crops. This review emphasizes on gene pyramiding techniques that are being successfully deployed in modern agriculture for improving crop tolerance to biotic and abiotic stresses for sustainable crop improvement.

Description: The aim of the study was to evaluate the changes in glomalin-related soil proteins (GRSP) content, microbial diversity and soil physical quality depending on the type of soil measures of soil improvement and changes in soil health. The study was based on a 100-year stationary field microplot experiment where the soil profiles were collected with preserving the natural soil horizons. The microplot experiment was carried out on eight different soil types: Brunic Arenosol (Dystric I), Rendzic Leptosol, Fluvic Cambisol, Haplic Cambisol (Eutric), Gleyic Phaeozem, Brunic Arenosol (Dystric II), Haplic Cambisol (Eutric II) and Haplic Cambisol (Dystric). These soils are the most common types of agricultural soils in Poland. Relatively significant correlations with the soil quality, physical parameters and the glomalin-related soil proteins have been found. The study determined the total GRSP (T-GRSP) and easily extractable GRSP (EE-GRSP) levels in soils as well as the soil physical quality index and soil’s microbial biodiversity. The GRSP depended on the type of soil and correlated with S-Index and also was responsible for the unique chemical and physical properties of soils. Soils characterized by the highest T-GRSP content belonged to the group of very good and good soil physical quality characterized also by high biological activity, for which there were strong correlations with such parameters as dehydrogenase activity (DHA), microbial biomass content (MBC), microbial nitrogen content (MBN) and total bacteria number (B). The highest T-GRSP content and higher microbial diversity were found in Gleyic Phaeozem, Rendzic Leptosol and Fluvic Cambisol. The T-GRSP and EE-GRSP content were additionally correlated with the number of AMF spores. Very poor and poor soil physical quality according to S-Index characterized Brunic Arenosol (Dystric I) and Haplic Cambisol (Dystric). This research indicates that a specific edaphone of soil microorganisms and GRSP content may be of great importance when assessing a soil’s quality and improvements in soil health. The abundance of glomalin-producing fungi significantly affects the quality of the soil. This effect is particularly important for agricultural soils are threatened by ongoing land degradation.

Description: Leaf rust (LR) and stem rust (SR) pose serious challenges to wheat production in Kazakhstan. In recent years, the susceptibility of local wheat cultivars has substantially decreased grain yield and quality. Therefore, local breeding projects must be adjusted toward the improvement of LR and SR disease resistances, including genetic approaches. In this study, a spring wheat segregating population of Pamyati Azieva (PA) × Paragon (Par), consisting of 98 recombinant inbred lines (RILs), was analyzed for the resistance to LR and SR at the seedling and adult plant-growth stages. In total, 24 quantitative trait loci (QTLs) for resistance to rust diseases at the seedling and adult plant stages were identified, including 11 QTLs for LR and 13 QTLs for SR resistances. Fourteen QTLs were in similar locations to QTLs and major genes detected in previous linkage mapping and genome-wide association studies. The remaining 10 QTLs are potentially new genetic factors for LR and SR resistance in wheat. Overall, the QTLs revealed in this study may play an important role in the improvement of wheat resistance to LR and SR per the marker-assisted selection approach.

Description: Organic amendments can reportedly sustain and increase lowland rice productivity in smallholder systems. Few studies have assessed locally-available substrates in hydrologically variable floodplain environments. We investigated the effects of green and farmyard manures on rice yields, and total soil C and N in the Kilombero floodplain, Tanzania. At both the fringe and the middle positions, five treatments were applied in 2016 and 2017, comprising (1) non-amended control, (2) farmyard manure, (3) pre-rice legumes, (4) post-rice legumes and (5) a combination of green and farmyard manures. Residual treatment effects were assessed in 2018 when rice plots were uniformly non-amended. Depending on the year and the position, organic amendments increased rice grain yields by 0.7–3.1 Mg ha–1 above the non-amended control. Sole green and farmyard manure applications had similar effects on grain yield, while a combination of green and farmyard manure led to a significant increase in grain yield above both the control and sole applications of organic amendments in both years. The contribution from biological N2 fixation by legumes ranged from 4 to 61 kg N ha–1. Despite partial N balances being mostly negative, we observed positive residual effects on the yield of the non-amended rice in the third year. Such effects reached up to 4 Mg ha−1 and were largest with post-rice legumes, sole or combined with farmyard manure. Irrespective of the position in the floodplain, manures significantly increased soil C and N contents after two years, hence enhancing soil fertility and resulting in increased rice grain yields. Comparable benefits may be obtained along the hydrological gradients of other large river floodplains of the region and beyond.

Description: The aim of this study was to analyse the genetic and phenotypic differentiation of bacteria isolated from root nodules of Trifolium rubens, a rare clover species. The symbiotic compatibility of selected isolates was investigated using two agronomically important plants, red clover (Trifolium pratense L.) and pea (Pisum sativum L.). A high genetic diversity of analysed strains was shown using the Enterobacterial Repetitive Intergenic Consensus Polymerase Chain Reaction (ERIC-PCR) method. Most of the strains showed a high similarity to R. leguminosarum in the 16S rRNA sequence. Two strains were identified as Agrobacterium spp. There was a strong positive correlation between fresh clover weight and the number of root nodules and a statistically significant increase in the number of the root nodules in selected strains compared to the negative control. Phenotypic tests and BIOLOG analysis showed the ability of the analysed strains to grow in different experimental conditions (pH = 6–10, 0.5–3% NaCl, different carbon and nitrogen sources), which makes them suitable for application as an agronomically important factor.

Description: Ecuador Andean purple corn (Zea mays L.) was subjected to a germination process at 15–40 °C for 24–168 incubation hours. Purple corn protein concentrates (PCPCs) were obtained by alkaline extraction at pH 8.0 and pH 10.0, followed by an isoelectric precipitation process at pH 4.0, pH 5.0 and pH 6.0. Proteins and phenolic content of PCPCs was calculated. PCPC antioxidant properties were determined by the ferric-reducing antioxidant power (FRAP) in vitro method and by the 2,2-azinobis, 3-ethyl-benzothiazoline-6-sulfonic acid, (ABTS) in vitro method. Andean purple corn seeds were able to germinate under the germination conditions tested in this study. The higher percentage of germination was of 63.33% at 168 h/25 °C. The PCPCs protein profile was characterized for the presence of six bands with molecular weights of 14.50 kDa, 20.12 kDa, 25.18 kDa, 41.85 kDa, 59.59 kDa, and 65.87 kDa. Germinated PCPC presented a high TPC content with ranges of 605.71–1820.00 mg gallic acid equivalents (GAE)/g PCPC dry weight (DW), germinated PCPC/72 h/25 °C presented a higher value of 1820.00 mg GAE/g PCPC, DW. All germinated PCPCs samples assayed presented strong antioxidant activity when measured by the ABTS and FRAP methods. Germinated PCPC/144 h/35 °C presented high antioxidant activity by ABTS with 804.35 µmol Trolox equivalents (TE)/g PCPC DW and germinated PCPC/144 h/30 °C presented a high value by the FRAP method, 987.83 µmol TE/g PCPC DW.

Description: Weedy rice is one of the most common weeds in rice cultivation in many rice areas throughout the world and it is able to cause significant yield reductions. Weedy rice is characterized by a high biological diversity that permits different populations to be identified on the basis of their morphological and physiological traits. This variability contributes to its success in different environments and allows different abiotic stresses, which are intensified by climate change, to be faced. Taller plants, enhanced tillering, seed shattering and the presence of red pericarp, variable hull coloration and awn morphology, linked to a deeper seed dormancy, are some of the traits that help weedy rice to spread in changing environments. The higher phenotypic plasticity and genetic variability of weedy rice make it more able to cope with temperature variations, intermittent water availability, soil salinity, drought conditions and increased CO2 concentrations than cultivated rice. As these abiotic stresses will become more frequent in the future, weedy rice competitiveness may be higher, with a spread of infestations. Thus, the control of weedy rice should be based on an integration of different preventive and agronomic techniques, a sensible use of herbicides and the use of suitable rice varieties.

Description: Testing Fusarium resistance to ear rots in maize requires a well-supported methodology and tests for toxin responses. In this study, commercial hybrids were tested for resistance to Fusarium graminearum, Fusarium culmorum, and Fusarium verticillioides (kernel and silk channel), as well as their toxin response. One third of the hybrids tested showed a similar resistance or susceptibility to the three pathogens and their toxin response, but there is no proof for their genetic background being the same or different. The performance of the remaining hybrids was highly variable and supports the idea of different genetic regulation. The mean ear rot severity of the kernel resistance was doubled compared with the silk channel resistance data. The ear rot and toxin tests displayed significant positive correlations, verifying the decisive role of resistance in toxin regulation. Several hybrids, termed toxigenic hybrids, showed significant extra toxin production, indicating an additional food safety risk. The toothpick method gave more reliable results and a better differentiation of genotypes. The resistance to different Fusarium spp. in a specific growing region should be analyzed separately in independent resistance tests. Through this, the food safety risks could be better identified. Susceptible hybrids should not be used for commercial production.

Description: The study’s objective was to evaluate the influence of thinning on the quality and regularity of yield of ‘Regina’ cherries grown on a dwarf Gisela 5 rootstock. The experiments were conducted in the years 2009–2012 in Western Poland. Trees were thinned using a chemical agent, ammonium thiosulphate (ATS), at doses of 20 g ATS L−1, 30 g ATS L−1 and 40 g ATS L−1, and by hand, and the results of chemical and hand thinning were compared with those obtained for unthinned trees. The course of weather conditions in winter and during flowering had a significant impact on yield. Chemical thinning is known to be an effective method to regulate fruiting of pome trees, but it can also be successful if applied to cherry trees, as reflected by the alternate bearing index, which was the lowest after applying ATS at a dose of 40 g. ATS treatment improved fruit quality in full crop years. Thinning resulted in, among other things, larger and darker fruit and higher content of total soluble solids and titratable acidity. Treatment with 40 g ATS L−1 significantly stimulated the vegetative growth of trees.

Description: Since 2006, an increasing number of French vineyards have chosen to convert to organic farming. One major change in vineyard practices includes replacing chemical pesticides with copper and sulfur-based products in line with Council Regulation (EC) No. 834/2007. This change can make overall management and pest and disease control more difficult and potentially lead to yield losses. From 2013 to 2016, a network of 48 vineyard plots, in southern France, under conventional management and in conversion to organic farming were monitored throughout the three-year conversion phase to investigate the grapevine phytosanitary management of four major pests and diseases and variations in control efficiency. The severity of downy and powdery mildew, grape berry moths, and Botrytis bunch rot were assessed and linked to the protection strategy. The findings showed that pests and diseases were controlled in the third year of conversion at similar efficiency levels as in conventional farming. However, the first two years of conversion were a transitional and less successful period during which higher incidences of cryptogamic diseases were observed. This demonstrates a need for winegrowers to receive more in-depth technical advice and support, especially on pest and disease control, during this critical transition period.

Description: The sugarcane (Saccharum spp. L.) mechanical harvesting system leaves a large amount of straw mulch on the soil surface. The straw mulch may affect soil conditions, root regrowth, and sugarcane yield. Thus, this study assessed the response of sugarcane root system growth and stalk yield to different rates of straw removal. An experiment was conducted in a Rhodic Kandiudox with sand clay loam texture to test the impact of four rates of straw removal: no removal (18.9 Mg ha−1 of dry mass); moderate removal (8.7 Mg ha−1); high removal (4.2 Mg ha−1) and total removal on sugarcane root system and stalk yield. Higher concentrations of roots (60%) were found in the first 40 cm of soil. Moderate straw removal resulted in higher root mass (3.6 Mg ha−1) and stalk production (23 Mg ha−1 of dry mass). However, no straw removal reduced root mass by 20% (105 Mg ha−1). Through regression analysis, it was estimated that retaining between 8.5 and 13 Mg ha−1 of straw resulted in the highest root mass and stalk yield. Managing straw removal to retain a moderate amount enables producers to sustain suitable soil conditions for sugarcane root growth and stalk production while providing straw for industrial use.

Description: Proximal sensing techniques can potentially survey soil and crop variables responsible for variations in crop yield. The full potential of these precision agriculture technologies may be exploited in combination with innovative methods of data processing such as machine learning (ML) algorithms for the extraction of useful information responsible for controlling crop yield. Four ML algorithms, namely linear regression (LR), elastic net (EN), k-nearest neighbor (k-NN), and support vector regression (SVR), were used to predict potato (Solanum tuberosum) tuber yield from data of soil and crop properties collected through proximal sensing. Six fields in Atlantic Canada including three fields in Prince Edward Island (PE) and three fields in New Brunswick (NB) were sampled, over two (2017 and 2018) growing seasons, for soil electrical conductivity, soil moisture content, soil slope, normalized-difference vegetative index (NDVI), and soil chemistry. Data were collected from 39–40 30 × 30 m2 locations in each field, four times throughout the growing season, and yield samples were collected manually at the end of the growing season. Four datasets, namely PE-2017, PE-2018, NB-2017, and NB-2018, were then formed by combing data points from three fields to represent the province data for the respective years. Modeling techniques were employed to generate yield predictions assessed with different statistical parameters. The SVR models outperformed all other models for NB-2017, NB-2018, PE-2017, and PE-2018 dataset with RMSE of 5.97, 4.62, 6.60, and 6.17 t/ha, respectively. The performance of k-NN remained poor in three out of four datasets, namely NB-2017, NB-2018, and PE-2017 with RMSE of 6.93, 5.23, and 6.91 t/ha, respectively. The study also showed that large datasets are required to generate useful results using either model. This information is needed for creating site-specific management zones for potatoes, which form a significant component for food security initiatives across the globe.

Description: Targeted genome editing using CRISPR-Cas9 has been widely adopted as a genetic engineering tool in various biological systems. This editing technology has been in the limelight due to its simplicity and versatility compared to other previously known genome editing platforms. Several modifications of this editing system have been established for adoption in a variety of plants, as well as for its improved efficiency and portability, bringing new opportunities for the development of transgene-free improved varieties of economically important crops. This review presents an overview of CRISPR-Cas9 and its application in plant genome editing. A catalog of the current and emerging approaches for the implementation of the system in plants is also presented with details on the existing gaps and limitations. Strategies for the establishment of the CRISPR-Cas9 molecular construct such as the selection of sgRNAs, PAM compatibility, choice of promoters, vector architecture, and multiplexing approaches are emphasized. Progress in the delivery and transgene detection methods, together with optimization approaches for improved on-target efficiency are also detailed in this review. The information laid out here will provide options useful for the effective and efficient exploitation of the system for plant genome editing and will serve as a baseline for further developments of the system. Future combinations and fine-tuning of the known parameters or factors that contribute to the editing efficiency, fidelity, and portability of CRISPR-Cas9 will indeed open avenues for new technological advancements of the system for targeted gene editing in plants.

Description: The use of Light Emitting Diode (LED) lights in microscale vegetable production is more and more widespread. In this context, the effect of light spectrum on photosynthesis, growth, shoot yield, pigment content, and nutritional status of einkorn seedlings (Triticum monococcum L. ssp. monococcum), germinated and grown in a nutrient solution, was investigated. Plants were subjected to six different LED light treatments, all having a photon flux density (PFD) of 200 μmol m−2 s−1. Two light treatments were monochromatic (red or blue), three dichromatic (blue and red in the proportion), and one of a wider spectrum (selected as a control). All the light treatments affected the morphological, biochemical, and nutritional status of einkorn seedlings. Overall, the dichromatic treatments were the most effective in stimulating biomass production, CO2 assimilation, and evapotranspiration, as well as contents in chlorophyll a and b and carotenoids, and additionally nitrogen, phosphorous, manganese, iron, and zinc. These results are of relevance for the beneficial effects of dichromatic LED treatments in maximizing einkorn shoot yield and nutritional values, and in limiting energy consumption in indoor cultivation.

Description: Lentil (Lens culinaris Medikus) is one of the most important cool season food legume crops grown in many countries. Seeds are typically rich in protein, fiber, prebiotic carbohydrates and minerals, such as iron and zinc. With changing climate and variability, the lentil crop faces frequent droughts and heat stress of varying intensity in its major production zones. In the present study, a set of 162 lentil accessions selected through the Focused Identification of Germplasm Strategy (FIGS) were screened for tolerance to heat stress and combined heat-drought stresses under field conditions at two contrasting locations, namely Marchouch and Tessaout in Morocco. The results showed a significant genotypic variation for heat tolerance and combined heat-drought tolerance among the accessions at both locations. Based on the heat tolerance index (HTI), accessions, namely ILL 7833, ILL 6338 and ILL 6104, were selected as potential sources of heat tolerance at Marchouch, and ILL 7814 and ILL 8029 at Tessaout. Using the stress tolerance index (STI), ILL 7835, ILL 6075 and ILL 6362 were identified as the most tolerant lines (STI 〉 1) at Marchouch, and ILL 7814, ILL 7835 and ILL 7804 (STI 〉 1) at Tessaout, under the combined heat-drought stress conditions. Accession ILL 7835 was identified as a good source of stable tolerance to heat stress and combined heat-drought stress at both locations.

Description: This paper studies the effect of variance swap in hedging volatility risk under the mean-variance criterion. We consider two mean-variance portfolio selection problems under Heston’s stochastic volatility model. In the first problem, the financial market is complete and contains three primitive assets: a bank account, a stock and a variance swap, where the variance swap can be used to hedge against the volatility risk. In the second problem, only the bank account and the stock can be traded in the market, which is incomplete since the idiosyncratic volatility risk is unhedgeable. Under an exponential integrability assumption, we use a linear-quadratic control approach in conjunction with backward stochastic differential equations to solve the two problems. Efficient portfolio strategies and efficient frontiers are derived in closed-form and represented in terms of the unique solutions to backward stochastic differential equations. Numerical examples are provided to compare the solutions to the two problems. It is found that adding the variance swap in the portfolio can remarkably reduce the portfolio risk.

Description: This paper investigates the clustering or dependency of extremes in financial returns by estimating the extremal index value, in which smaller values of the extremal index correspond to more clustering. We apply the interval estimator method to determine the extremal index for a range of threshold values in the developed and emerging markets from 2007–2017. The indices we used to represent developed markets are from France, Germany, Italy, Japan, USA, UK, Spain, and Sweden. For the emerging markets, we use indices from China, Brazil, India, Malaysia, Russia, Saudi Arabia, and Portugal. The results show that clustering occurs in the emerging and developed markets under several threshold values. This study will shed light on the dependency structure of financial returns data and the proprieties of the extremes returns. Moreover, understanding clustering of extremes in these markets can help investors reduce the exposure to extreme financial events, such as the financial crisis.

Description: Economic and environmental concerns limit peat use for substrate production, promoting interest in alternative materials. Hence, in this study, 16 substrates were obtained by mixing, in a factorial combination, eight substrates with different ratios of peat, rice hulls (RH), and anaerobic digestion residues (ADR) and two types of RH: whole (WRH) or ground RH (GRH). Substrates were physically and chemically characterized and then tested as potting substrates for Pelargonium peltatum ‘Ville de Paris’ and Rosa × hybrida ‘La Sevillana’ production. Physical characteristics worsened the increasing RH content. This problem was partly solved using GRH and adding ADR to the substrates. As for chemical characteristics, RH increased P and K, reducing cation exchange capacity, NO3-N, and Ca, thus causing a possible nutritional imbalance. ADR addition increased all nutrients, restoring the nutritional balance. Geranium and rose plants were negatively affected by an increasing rate of RH. In both species, the use of GRH improved the considered parameters, whereas ADR improved some parameters but only in geranium. It was possible to partly substitute peat with 33% RH, but GRH plus ADR is necessary for geranium production, and facultative for rose. The multiple regression method and principal component analysis appear to be useful tools to understand which substrate parameters, and to what extent, influence the growth of ornamental plants.

Description: We study numerical algorithms for reflected anticipated backward stochastic differential equations (RABSDEs) driven by a Brownian motion and a mutually independent martingale in a defaultable setting. The generator of a RABSDE includes the present and future values of the solution. We introduce two main algorithms, a discrete penalization scheme and a discrete reflected scheme basing on a random walk approximation of the Brownian motion as well as a discrete approximation of the default martingale, and we study these two methods in both the implicit and explicit versions respectively. We give the convergence results of the algorithms, provide a numerical example and an application in American game options in order to illustrate the performance of the algorithms.

Description: Drought is a major abiotic stress factor limiting cotton yield. It is important to identify the genotypes that can conserve water under drought stress conditions and improve yield. The objective of the current study was to evaluate cotton genotypes for water conservation traits, i.e., high FTSW (Fraction of Transpirable Soil Water) threshold for transpiration. Plants utilize water slowly by declining transpiration at high FTSW and conserving soil water, which can be used by the plant later in the growing season to improve yield. Fifteen cotton varieties were selected based on their differences in transpiration response to elevated vapor pressure deficit (VPD) to study drought responses. Two pot experiments were carried out in the greenhouse to determine the FTSW threshold for the transpiration rate as the soil dried. A significant variation (p 〈 0.01) in the FTSW threshold values for transpiration decline was observed, ranging from 0.35 to 0.60 among cotton cultivars. Genotypes with high FTSW thresholds also displayed low transpiration under well-watered conditions. Further studies with four selected genotype contrasts in FTSW threshold values for transpiration showed differences (p 〈 0.05 to 0.001) in gas exchange parameters and water potentials. This study demonstrated that there are alternate traits among the cotton genotypes for enhancing soil water conservation to improve yield under water-limited conditions.

Description: Strawberry cropping system relies heavily on proper disease management to maintain high crop yield. Powdery mildew, caused by Sphaerotheca macularis (Wall. Ex Fries) is one of the major leaf diseases in strawberry which can cause significant yield losses up to 70%. Field scouts manually walk beside strawberry fields and visually observe the plants to monitor for powdery mildew disease infection each week during summer months which is a laborious and time-consuming endeavor. The objective of this research was to increase the efficiency of field scouting by automatically detecting powdery mildew disease in strawberry fields by using a real-time machine vision system. A global positioning system, two cameras, a custom image processing program, and a ruggedized laptop computer were utilized for development of the disease detection system. The custom image processing program was developed using color co-occurrence matrix-based texture analysis along with artificial neural network technique to process and classify continuously acquired image data simultaneously. Three commercial strawberry field sites in central Nova Scotia were used to evaluate the performance of the developed system. A total of 36 strawberry rows (~1.06 ha) were tested within three fields and powdery mildew detected points were measured manually followed by automatic detection system. The manually detected points were compared with automatically detected points to ensure the accuracy of the developed system. Results of regression and scatter plots revealed that the system was able to detect disease having mean absolute error values of 4.00, 3.42, and 2.83 per row and root mean square error values of 4.12, 3.71, and 3.00 per row in field site-I, field site-II, and field site-III, respectively. The slight deviation in performance was likely caused by high wind speeds (〉8 km h−1), leaf overlapping, leaf angle, and presence of spider mite disease during field testing.

Description: We present a statistical model which can be employed to understand the contagion dynamics of the COVID-19, which can heavily impact health, economics and finance. The model is a Poisson autoregression of the daily new observed cases, and can reveal whether contagion has a trend, and where is each country on that trend. Model results are exemplified from some observed series.

Description: The Vietnamese economy has increased at high speed over the transformation decades; however, most recent studies on the economic growth of this country used the Cobb-Douglas or CES (Constant Elasticity of Substitution) production functions, which are unable to explore the relationship between the elasticity of capital-labour substitution and development process, and hence, are not relevant to accessing a dynamic economic system. For that reason, this study is conducted to specify an unrestricted VES (Variable Elasticity of Substitution) production function in a one-sector growth model of Vietnam, highlighted by two characteristics: successful transition from plan to market and rapid progress. The VES is given preference over the CES and the Cobb-Douglas having the elasticity of substitution between capital and labour varying with economic development. By employing a Bayesian nonlinear regression through MCMC methods, the study reported the following findings: (1) the above-unity variable elasticity of capital-labour substitution in an aggregate unrestricted VES function specified for Vietnam shows that the model generates the possibility of endogenous economic growth; (2) the capital share tends to increase, while the labour share faces a downward trend along with the development of Vietnam; (3) the VES is empirically proven through a Bayes factor test to be superior to the CES and Cobb-Douglas for analysis of the growth process of Vietnam, an emerging transition economy.

Description: Coatings offer a means to control nanoparticle (NP) size, regulate dissolution, and mitigate runoff when added to crops through soil. Simultaneously, coatings can enhance particle binding to plants and provide an additional source of nutrients, making them a valuable component to existing nanoparticle delivery systems. Here, the surface functionalization of metal and metal-oxide nanoparticles to inhibit aggregation and preserve smaller agglomerate sizes for enhanced transport to the rooting zone and improved uptake in plants is reviewed. Coatings are classified by type and by their efficacy to mitigate agglomeration in soils with variable pH, ionic concentration, and natural organic matter profiles. Varying degrees of success have been reported using a range of different polymers, biomolecules, and inorganic surface coatings. Advances in zwitterionic coatings show the best results for maintaining nanoparticle stability in solutions even under high salinity and temperature conditions, whereas coating by the soil component humic acid may show additional benefits such as promoting dissolution and enhancing bioavailability in soils. Pre-tuning of NP surface properties through exposure to select natural organic matter, microbial products, and other biopolymers may yield more cost-effective nonagglomerating metal/metal-oxide NPs for soil applications in agriculture.

Description: According to the recommendations of the World Health Organization (WHO), due to the increased risk of cardiovascular disease, the daily consumption of table salt should be reduced. To avoid the health consequences of iodine deficiency, it is necessary to include alternative food sources of this trace element in the human diet. One of the most effective ways of improving nutrition is the biofortification of crops with minerals and vitamins. The purpose of this study was to determine the influence of iodine biofortification (potassium iodate/KIO3/, 5-iodosalicylic acid/5-ISA/and 3.5-diiodosalicylic acid/3.5-diISA/) on the chemical composition of lettuce (Lactuca sativa L. capitata) cv. ‘Melodion’. Plants were cultivated in a hydroponic system NFT (Nutrient Film Technique). We compared the effect of iodine fertilization on the basic chemical composition, fatty acid profile, macro- and micronutrients, content of sugars, nitrogenous compounds, chlorides, and iodine compounds. The results obtained in this research indicate that the application of iodine compounds has an influence on changes of concentration of iodine and other compounds in the treated samples. In lettuce, the main fatty acid was linolenic acid; however, fertilization with iodine did not affect the fatty acid profile in plants, except for concentrations of myristic and arachidic acids. We also found that iodine fortification has positive effects on concentrations of some micro- and micronutrients. Moreover, the application of 3.5-diISA decreased the concentration of nitrates as compared to control and other treatments. Therefore, it may be postulated that the production of lettuce fortified with iodosalicylates is worthy of consideration due to the fact that it may be a good source of iodine and other compounds in the human diet.

Description: Carbonization of cage layer chicken manure (CLCM) can improve its bio-recalcitrance which might improve nitrogen (N) bioavailability in soil. However, temperature(s) to exhibit appropriate variations in the chemical makeup of the manure during carbonization in order to achieve this objective is unknown. In this study, we investigated the alterations in chemical compositions, surface functionalities, and N speciation initiated by different carbonization temperatures (350, 500, and 650 °C) and the effects of these alterations on N bioavailability in soil. The objective was to identify suitable temperature condition(s) for the conversion of CLCM into a carbonized product of appropriate bio-recalcitrance that is capable of improving N bioavailability in soil more than the un-carbonized CLCM. The results showed an increased bio-recalcitrance of the manure with increasing carbonization temperatures due to drastic changes in the chemical makeup and accumulation of heterocyclic aromatic N structures. Subsequently, these alterations in the chemical makeup and state of the organic N species in the manure affected N bioavailability in soil. Notably, N bioavailability of CLCM and benefits on plants were improved when soil was supplied with CLCM that was altered at 350 °C. With these observations, we concluded that alterations in chemical and surface structural compositions and N speciation at 350 °C are optimum for instituting the required bio-recalcitrance to CLCM in order to improve N bioavailability in soil for plants.

Description: Medicago truncatula (barrel medic) and Pisum sativum subsp. elatius (wild pea) accessions originating from variable environmental conditions in the Mediterranean basin were used to study physical seed dormancy (PY) release. The effect of soil burial on PY release was tested on 112 accessions of medic and 46 accessions of pea over the period of 3 months in situ at three common gardens (Hungary, Spain and Greece) from 2017 through 2019. PY release after soil exhumation followed by experimental laboratory germination of remaining dormant seeds (wet, 25 °C, 21 days) were related to the environmental conditions of the common garden and macroclimatic variables of the site of origin of the accessions. Higher PY release was observed in buried seeds under humid rather than under dry and hot environments. Exposure of remaining dormant seeds to experimental laboratory conditions increased total PY release up to 70% and 80% in barrel medic and wild pea, respectively. Wild pea showed higher phenotypic plasticity on PY release than barrel medic, which had higher bet-hedging within-season. Wild pea showed lower bet-hedging among-season (PY 〈 10%) in relation to precipitation than barrel medic, which was more conservative (PY ≈ 20%). Observed variability suggests that these species have the capability to cope with ongoing climate change.

Description: Soybean (Glycine max L. Merrill) is one of the most important crops worldwide. In several European countries such as Germany, soybean cultivation is not traditional and as such remains to be optimized. One option to increase soybean production is to adapt and improve the seeding system. To investigate the effects of different seeding systems on seed yield, seed protein, and oil content, plant characteristics were assessed using a two-factorial (two seeding systems and four cultivars) field trial over two years (2017–2018) at two locations in southeast Germany. The seeding systems were drill (row spacing 14 cm) and precision seeding (row spacing 28 cm), and the cultivars were Viola 000, Lissabon 000, ES Mentor 00, and Orion 00. Depending on the seeding system, a seed yield of 3.8 t ha−1 dry matter (DM), 40.9% protein content (DM), and 18.8% oil content (DM) was achieved by drilling, and 3.6 t ha−1 yield (DM), 40.1% protein content (DM), and 19.1% oil content (DM) with precision seeding (average across four cultivars, two locations, and two years). No significant effects of the seeding system on all seed and plant characteristics were observed. As drilling and precision seeding did not affect the seed yield, seed protein, oil contents, and plant characteristics of soybean in this study, farmers are able to choose the seeding system which fits best into their farms and is economically most viable.

Description: Medical disputes that result in medical compensation and losses affect the financial management and sustainable operational risks of enterprises. Employee training plays an important role in the sustainable growth of human resource management and also can help avoid any potential risks to enterprises’ operating revenue. Based on data of a company, this study’s model aims to establish a mathematical model to find the most suitable decision variables in order to provide decision-making analysis and judgment of a company’s individual economic behaviors. From the second-order differential modeling method, where the functional training time of the aesthetic medicine industry (including medical errors/dispute incidences, functional training costs, and medical benefits) links to a specific functional relationship, the optimal decision-making model and evaluation criteria for the proportion of this training time under the concept of sustainable management can be constructed. The method proposed herein reduces medical errors or disputes, strengthens risk and financial management, provides customers with the best service quality, and serves as the basis for decision-making evaluation of the maximum benefits of sustainable operations.

Description: Process-based crop models are advantageous for the identification of management strategies to cope with both temporal and spatial variability of sugarcane yield. However, global optimization of such models is often computationally expensive. Therefore, we performed global sensitivity analysis based on Gaussian process emulation to evaluate the sensitivity of cane dry weight to trait parameters implemented in the Agricultural Productions System Simulator (APSIM)-Sugar model under selected environmental and management conditions in Khon Kaen (KK), Thailand. Emulators modeled 30 years, three soil types and irrigated or rainfed conditions, and emulator performance was investigated. rue, green_leaf_no, transp_eff_cf, tt_emerg_to_begcane and cane_fraction were identified as the most influential parameters and together they explained more than 90% of total variance on the simulator output. Moreover, results indicate that the sensitivity of sugarcane yield to the most influential parameters is affected by water stress conditions and nitrogen stress. Our findings can be used to improve the efficiency and accuracy of modeling and to identify appropriate management strategies to address temporal and spatial variability of sugarcane yield in KK.

Description: A soil tillage system adjusted to the soil type and agro-ecological conditions, together with the optimal nutrient supply, is a prerequisite for high maize (Zea mays L.) yield. However, there is little knowledge about the influence of soil tillage and nitrogen (N) rates on maize grain quality. A study was initiated in 1978 in Zemun Polje, Belgrade, Serbia, on the chernozem soil type. The effects of three N rates—0, 180 and 240 kg N ha−1—within three tillage practices—no-tillage, reduced and conventional tillage—and their influence on grain yield (GY) and the content of proteins, starch, oil, total tocopherols and carotenoids, phytic phosphorus (Phy), glutathione (GSH), phenols and inorganic P (Pi) in maize grain were analysed in the period 2016–2018. Differences in maize GY were 2.57 and 3.01 t ha−1 for reduced- or no-tillage, respectively, in comparison to conventional tillage. Conventional tillage and higher N rates contributed to the increase in maize yield and the grain nutritional quality with regard to the increased level of proteins, GSH and Phy. On the other hand reduced inputs were beneficial only for grain quality, in relation to the increase in tocopherols and phenols.

Description: ×Amarine hybrids are attractive ornamental geophytes grown for cut flower production. Their cultivation is limited due to lesser flowering percentages and lesser bulb weight gain. To optimize the growth and propagation of geophytes, plant growth regulators (PGRs) are used, but so far none have been tested in ×Amarine. We investigated the effect of gibberellic acid (GA3; 50, 100, and 200 mg dm−3) and methyl jasmonate (MeJA; 100, 500, and 1000 µmol dm−3) on growth, flowering, bulb yield, and select physiological parameters of ×A. tubergenii “Zwanenburg”. PGRs were applied as foliar sprays on the 70th and 77th day after planting. GA3 treatment at 200 mg dm−3 exhibited the greatest leaf number, leaf length, bulb weight, daughter bulb number, CO2 assimilation intensity, greenness index, total sugars, and total protein content in bulbs. GA3 application at 100 and 200 mg dm−3 accelerated flowering and at 50 and 100 mg dm−3 significantly increased the bulb flowering percentage. MeJA at all tested concentrations prolonged anthesis time and reduced the bulb flowering percentage. GA3 at all concentrations and MeJA at 500 and 1000 µmol dm−3 stimulated daughter bulbs formation. GA3, especially at 200 mg dm−3 can improve anthesis and increase ×A. tubergenii “Zwanenburg” bulb yield.

Description: Smart agriculture is an evolving trend in the agriculture industry, where sensors are embedded into plants to collect vital data and help in decision-making to ensure a higher quality of crops and prevent pests, disease, and other possible threats. One of the most critical pests of palms is the red palm weevil, which is an insect that causes much damage to palm trees and can devastate vast areas of palm trees. The most challenging problem is that the effect of the weevil is not visible by humans until the palm reaches an advanced infestation state. For this reason, there is a pressing need to use advanced technology for early detection and prevention of infestation propagation. In this project, we have developed an IoT-based smart palm monitoring prototype as a proof-of-concept that (1) allows monitoring palms remotely using smart agriculture sensors, (2) contribute to the early detection of red palm weevil infestation. Users can use web/mobile applications to interact with their palm farms and help them in getting early detection of possible infestations. We used an industrial-level IoT platform to interface between the sensor layer and the user layer. Moreover, we have collected data using accelerometer sensors, and we applied signal processing and statistical techniques to analyze collected data and determine a fingerprint of the infestation.

Description: The aim of this experiment was to evaluate the effect of fertilizing processing tomato by coupling the green manuring of fall-winter cover crops with fertigation in spring-summer. In a two-year experiment, seven fertilization treatments were compared: green manuring of pure barley (B100) and pure vetch (V100) sown at 100% of their ordinary seeding rates, green manuring of a barley-vetch mixture at a ratio of 75:25 of their own seed rates (B75V25), fertigation with drip irrigation at a rate of 200 kg ha−1 of nitrogen (N) (Fert_N200), fertigation combined with B100 and B75V25 at a N rate complementary to 200 kg N ha−1 (B100 + Fert and B75V25 + Fert, respectively), and an unfertilized control (N0) with no cover crops for green manuring prior to tomato transplanting or fertigation. The Fert_N200 treatment resulted in maximum tomato N uptake, growth and yield, but caused high N leaching, especially during the no-cover fall-winter period, as was also the case for N0. The V100 treatment promoted quite good tomato N status and yield, but did not reduce N leaching. The B100 and B75V25 treatments reduced N leaching but decreased tomato N uptake, growth and yield. The B100 + Fert and B75V25 + Fert treatments reduced N leaching, likely increased soil N stock, and facilitated optimal tomato N nutrition and maximum yields. Combining fertigation with green manuring of cover crops composed of pure grass or grass-legume mixtures appears to be a very effective and environmentally sound practice for fertilizing high N-demanding spring-summer crops like processing tomato.

Description: Pesticides play a crucial role in regulating crop production by reducing crop losses and increasing crop yield and quality. However, they may threaten surface and groundwater, a phenomenon occurring at global scale, potentially causing environmental damage and prohibition of water use or high treatment costs for drinking water. Assessing spatially-defined aquifer vulnerability to pesticide is then important, as it may allow defining agricultural areas where pesticides should be used following well-defined agronomic practices/limitations. In this study, after a brief review of recent studies on aquifer vulnerability assessment to pesticide, we applied the Vulnerability Index method to the agricultural area of the Municipality of San Giuliano Terme (Pisa, Italy) in order to focus on the data needs and discuss the reliability of this method (as an example of index-overlay methods). The proposed method needs a relatively small number of parameters compared to other more complex ones. Despite a such a small number of parameters, some were not easily available in our case study. Thus, some assumptions were made. This led to vulnerability maps with reduced reliability, no validation with groundwater samples, and little practical use. This means that to produce robust but static vulnerability assessments, large datasets are needed. In turn, the cost of data gathering may be high. The value of these data may, however, be increased, and the cost better justified if the analyses are based on process-based or advanced statistical methods. While the future for vulnerability assessment methods is the use of process-based/advanced statistical methods, index-overlay methods, as a preliminary step for process-based simulation analysis, may still provide initial and relatively quick insights on potential leaching of pesticides. This in turn may support extension services in delivering timely and relevant advices on the use of such pesticides to farmers and owners of plant nurseries and greenhouses.

Description: The middle and lower reaches of the Yangtze River (MLYR) plain represent the second-largest wheat producing area in China; the winter wheat-rice system is one of the main planting systems in this region. The use of the agricultural production system simulator (APSIM)-wheat model to simulate wheat production potential and evaluate the impact of future climate change on wheat production in this region is of great importance. In this study, the adaptability of the APSIM-wheat model in the MLYR was evaluated based on observational data collected in field experiments and daily meteorological data from experimental stations in Wuhan, Jingmen, and Xiangyang in Hubei province. The results showed significant positive relationships between model-predicted wheat growth duration from sowing to anthesis and maturity and the observed values, with coefficients of determination (R2) in ranges of 0.90–0.97 and 0.93–0.96, respectively. The normalized root-mean-square error (NRMSE) of the simulated growth durations and measured values were lower than 1.6%, and the refined index of agreement (dr-values) was in the range of 0.74–0.87. The percent mean absolute relative error (PMARE) was cited here as a new index, with a value below 1.4%, indicating that the model’s rating was excellent. The model’s performance in terms of grain yield and above-ground biomass simulation was also acceptable, although it was not as good as the growth periods simulation. The R2 value was higher than 0.75 and 0.72 for the simulation of grain yield and biomass, respectively. The indices NRMSE and PMARE were lower than 19.8% and 19.9%, and the dr-value was higher than 0.71. According to our results, APSIM-wheat was an effective and accurate model for simulating the phenology and yield production processes of wheat in the MLYR, and the results also provided a theoretical basis and technical support for further research on the yield potential of wheat-rice rotation planting systems with clarification of the key factors limiting the yield gap in this region.

Description: Certain phosphorous solubilizing (PSB) and phosphorous mineralizing (PMB) bacteria may improve plant growth by improving nutrient availability. The aim of this work was to evaluate the effect of inoculation with two Bacillus spp. strains, 12A and 25A, on wheat seedlings growth. To this aim, a durum and a bread wheat genotype were grown under controlled conditions in a low P compost medium to evaluate: (i) the effect of the bacterial isolates on plant growth and root system architecture; (ii) the expression of two key genes indicative of the P-starvation response and phosphate (Pi) uptake, TaIPS1 and TaPHT1.6-B1. The results showed that 12A Bacillus sp. significantly increased root length, surface area and biomass. Furthermore, an enhanced shoot dry weight and P content were observed. This might be explained by the capacity of strain 12A to produce indole-3-acetic acid (IAA) in addition to P mineralizing and P solubilizing capability. No effect on plant growth was observed for 25A strain. The semi-quantitative gene expression analysis showed an overall lower expression of TaIPS1 in the inoculated plants and highest expression of TaPHT1.6-B1 in 12A inoculated plants. This suggests that Pi-responsive genes might be useful molecular indicators for the effectiveness of PSB and PMB.

Description: Geophytes are an increasingly widely used group of plants. Its high biodiversity, however, significantly impacts the cultivation process. Therefore, every new insight into the behavioral aspects of each single species is crucial for production. This study, for the first time, aims at contributing to a better understanding of the interplay between the bulb size potential of Narcissus poeticus and the pattern of bulb lifting time to find the optimal combination of these factors in obtaining the best quality propagation material. Twelve bulb size groups were examined. Plants were planted in the open air in two locations of Central East Europe and lifted in three terms: immediately and two and four weeks after flowering. Bulb fresh and dry weight, as well as leaf, root and total plant dry weight, increased with growing bulb size and delayed the time of lifting. The bulb weight increase indicator was twice as high for bulbs lifted in the third date compared to those lifted earlier. Its value was the highest for the smallest bulbs. Bulb shape ratio gradually decreased together with the increase of bulb weight and later lifting term. Principal components analysis allowed singling out two principal components that accounted for 86.58% of total variability.

Description: Biochar soil amendment to agricultural systems can reduce nitrogen (N) leaching; however, application to agricultural nitrogen treatment systems has not been extensively explored. The objective of this study was to assess the impact on N leaching in soils receiving repeated N applications which may be observed in agricultural treatment systems. In this study, 400 °C, 700 °C, and oxidized 700 °C corncob biochar was amended to sandy loam soil columns at 5% (wt/wt) to assess the impacts to N cycling following repeated synthetic N applications. Columns received weekly applications of either organic N (ORG-N), ammonium (NH4+-N), or nitrate (NO3−-N) and the N effluent, gaseous emissions, and soil N retention was measured. Biochar produced at 400 °C significantly reduced N leaching compared to control columns by 19% and 15% for ORG-N and NH4+-N, respectively, with application concentrations similar to silage bunker runoff. For NO3−-N applications, 700 °C biochar significantly reduced leaching by 25% compared to the controls. The primary mechanism reducing N effluent for biochar amended columns was enhanced soil retention of ORG-N and NO3−-N. Biochar surface chemistry analysis measured an increase in oxygenated functional groups and cationic minerals on the biochar surface, which likely enhanced retention through cationic bridging or the development of an organomineral layer on the biochar surface. Results indicated biochar amendment to agricultural treatment systems receiving N runoff may reduce the risk of N leaching.

Description: This study uses the BEKK-GARCH model to examine the return-and-volatility spillover between the world-leading markets (USA and China) and four emerging Latin American stock markets over the global financial crisis of 2008 and the crash of the Chinese stock market of 2015. Regarding return spillover, our findings reveal a unidirectional return transmission from Mexico to the US stock market during the global financial crisis. During the crash of the Chinese stock market, the return spillover is found to be unidirectional from the US to the Brazil, Chile, Mexico, and Peru stock markets. Moreover, the results indicate a unidirectional return transmission from China to the Brazil, Chile, Mexico, and Peru stock markets during the global financial crisis and the crash of the Chinese stock market. Regarding volatility spillover, the results show the bidirectional volatility transmission between the US and the stock markets of Chile and Mexico during the global financial crisis. During the Chinese crash, the bidirectional volatility transmission is observed between the US and Mexican stock markets. Furthermore, the volatility spillover is unidirectional from China to the Brazil stock market during the global financial crisis. During the Chinese crash, the volatility spillover is bidirectional between the China and Brazil stock markets. Lastly, a portfolio analysis application has been conducted.

Description: The EU’s Common Agricultural Policy (CAP 2014–2020) on soil management points to the combination of sustainable food production with environmental protection, reduction of CO2 emissions, and safeguarding of soil biodiversity. In this study, three farms (in the Emilia-Romagna region), managed with both conventional and conservation practices (the last ones with and without sub-irrigation systems), were monitored from 2014 to 2017 to highlight the impact of different crops and soil managements on soil arthropods, in terms of abundance, composition, and soil biological quality (applying QBS-ar index). To do this, linear mixed models were performed, whereas arthropods assemblages were studied through PERMANOVA and SIMPER analysis. Soil communities varied among farms, although most differences were found among crops depending on management practices. Nonetheless, conservation systems and a wider reduction in anthropogenic practices provided better conditions for soil fauna, enhancing QBS-ar. Moreover, arthropod groups responded to soil practices differently, highlighting their sensitivity to agricultural management. Community assemblages in corn and wheat differed between managements, mainly due to Acari and Collembola, respectively. In conservation management, wheat showed the overall greatest abundance of arthropods, owing to the great number of Acari, Collembola, and Hymenoptera, while the number of arthropod groups were generally higher in crop residues of forage.

Description: Excess of cadmium (Cd) in soil leads to a number of adverse effects which challenge agricultural production. Aims of this study were to investigate variations in Cd content in leaves (Zea mays L.) of different maize genotypes and to detect effects of Cd on photosynthesis through chlorophyll a fluorescence. Pot vegetation experiments with four maize genotypes and four different soil Cd levels were repeated for two years. Chlorophyll fluorescence, photosynthetic pigments and inductively coupled plasma (ICP) analysis for ear-leaf Cd and zinc (Zn) and soil Cd were carried out. Significant differences between genotypes were found for leaf Cd, where higher Cd soil concentrations resulted in higher Cd leaf concentrations. Cd uptake into maize leaves increased with increasing Cd levels in soil, which was genotype-dependent and higher and lower Cd accumulating groups were formed. Changes in chlorophyll fluorescence caused by elevated Cd levels in soil were mostly visible as changes in dissipation energy, yields of primary photosystem II photochemistry and electron transport. Decrease of reaction centers per antenna chlorophyll and increased variable fluorescence at J step (VJ) resulted in decrease of performance indexes in the highest Cd concentration. Decreases in chlorophyll fluorescence parameters suggest reduced functionality of reaction centers and problems in re-oxidation of primary quinone acceptor (QA).

Description: A failure of the EPSPS-inhibiting herbicide glyphosate to control several populations of Hordeum murinum subsp. leporinum (or H. murinum) occurred in southern Spain after more than fifteen applications in both crop (olive, orchards, and citrus) and non-crop (dry areas, roadsides and ditches) areas. Eight out of 18 populations studied were resistant (R) to glyphosate with R factors higher than four based on GR50. These populations also had the highest values of LD50 and the lowest levels of shikimic acid accumulation. Two adjuvants tested increased glyphosate efficacy in both susceptible (S) and R populations thanks to better spray foliar retention. Moreover, PS I-, PS II-, and ACCase-inhibiting herbicides, in pre- or post-emergence, proved to be the best chemical alternatives with different sites of action (SoA) to control both S and glyphosate-R populations. This study represents the first report worldwide of glyphosate resistance in H. murinum found in very different crop and non-crop areas from southern Spain. To design chemical strategies to implement integrated weed management programs for glyphosate-R H. murinum, both adjuvants and herbicides with alternative SoA as well as application timings should be considered.

Description: No-tillage has been used for mitigating wind erosion on the Southern High Plains US for decades. This study investigated the effects of tillage and nitrogen (N) fertilizer timing on cotton lint yield, fiber quality, and seed N content during a three-year transition from conventional tillage (CT) to a no-tillage system both with a wheat (Triticum aestivum) cover crop (NTW) and without a cover crop (NT). Lint yield was different between tillage systems within each year with the NTW system producing greater lint yield than the CT system in the second and third year of the transition period. The concentration of cotton seed N was not different within years, although it was decreased in the no N added control in the third year. Cotton fiber strength was increased in the NTW system compared to the CT system in the second year of the study. However, the CT system produced increased fiber strength compared to the other two systems in 2018 and is likely the result of late-season weather conditions. It was determined that implementing a NTW system may increase lint yield within the first few years and has no effect on most fiber quality parameters, especially in environmentally challenging conditions.

Description: Herbicide resistance in weeds restricts control options, thereby escalating economic loss and threatening agricultural sustainability in cereal production. Field evaluation of the crop performance, competitive traits, and consequent weed suppressive potential of 13 commercial winter wheat (Triticum aestivum L.) cultivars was performed in central NSW Australia with a focus on the evaluation and modelling of above-ground interactions. In 2015 and 2016, replicated field trials were established with genetically diverse commercial wheat genotypes under moderate to low rainfall conditions in Wagga Wagga (572 mm) and Condobolin (437 mm) New South Wales, respectively. The heritage cultivar Federation and a commercial cultivar of winter cereal rye (Secale cereale L.) were included as known weed-suppressive controls. Crop and weed growth, as well as early vigour, leaf area index, and photosynthetically active radiation, were monitored at various crop phenological stages including early growth, vegetative, flowering, grain fill, and harvest. Significant differences between wheat cultivar and location were observed for crop biomass, early vigour, leaf area index, weed number, weed biomass, canopy architecture, and yield in both 2015 and 2016. Differences in weed establishment were largely impacted first by rainfall and season and secondly by crop architecture (i.e., height, size, canopy) and phenology (i.e., growth stages). Early vigour and early canopy closure were instrumental in suppressing weed establishment and growth. Cultivar performance and competition with weeds were also clearly influenced by both environmental factors and genotype, as evidenced by differences in early cultivar performance, yield, and weed suppression by season and location. Specifically, Federation, Condo, and Janz wheat cultivars were superior performers in terms of weed suppression in both locations and years; however, Federation produced up to 55% lower yield than recently introduced cultivars. Partial least squares (PLS) regression was performed to develop a predictive linear model for weed competition in commercial wheat cultivars based on weed dry biomass as the response variable and selected aboveground crop canopy traits as predictors. In 2015, the model differed in accordance with crop growth stage, but the impact of predictors on weed biomass at both locations was not significant. In 2016, under local above average rainfall conditions, the model showed a significant negative correlation (p 〈 0.001) of most predictors on weed biomass (r2 = 0.51 at Condobolin, r2 = 0.62 at Wagga Wagga), suggesting the most influential factors in reducing weed numbers and establishment as crop vigour, biomass, and height. Our results indicate the establishment of competitive wheat cultivars in the absence of post-emergent herbicides resulted in a two to five-fold increased weed suppression over less suppressive genotypes, without significant yield penalties. Therefore, cultivar choice constitutes a cost-effective and sustainable weed management tool, particularly when weed pressure is significant.

Description: Plant biostimulants have been increasingly used in agriculture. Plant biostimulants have been mostly investigated regarding their stress attenuation and only a few reports have brought information on their effects on fruit quality, which is related to appearance, chemical and physical attributes. Due to their organic nature, they have a sustainable appeal, attending the demand of consumers worried about the beneficial effects of healthier foods. This review turns evident the little information available on this matter. As fruits have differentiated metabolism, from pollination to harvest and after-harvesting, it is suggested that further research should focus separately on each stage. Thus, research should aim at quality formation, when the fruits are still attached to the plant, and shelf life extension, after harvesting.

Description: Sorghum is the world’s fifth major cereal in terms of production and acreage. It is expected that its growth will be affected by the increase in air temperature, an important component of global climate change. Our objective was to use the Agricultural Land Management Alternatives with Numerical Assessment Criteria (ALMANAC) model to (a) evaluate the impact of climate warming on forage and grain sorghum production in Argentina and (b) to analyze to what extent yield changes were associated with changes in water or nitrogen stress days. For model calibration, we used previous information related to the morpho-physiological characteristics of both sorghum types and several soil parameters. We then used multiyear field data of sorghum yields for model validation. Yield simulations were conducted under three possible climate change scenarios: 1, 2, and 4 °C increase in mean annual temperature. ALMANAC successfully simulated mean yields of forage and grain sorghum: root mean square error (RMSE): 2.6 and 1.0 Mg ha−1, respectively. Forage yield increased 0.53 Mg ha−1, and grain yield decreased 0.27 Mg ha−1 for each degree of increase in mean annual temperature. Yields of forage sorghum tended to be negatively associated with nitrogen stress (r = −0.94), while grain sorghum yield was negatively associated with water stress (r = −0.99). The information generated allows anticipating future changes in crop management and genetic improvement programs in order to reduce the yield vulnerability.

Description: Based on 243 current valid distribution records for six wild strawberry species in China and data on 20 environmental variables, the geographical distributions of and potentially suitable areas for the wild strawberry species in Yunnan Province (China) under the current climate scenario were explored using the MaxEnt model and ArcGIS software, and major environmental variables affecting their geographical distributions were evaluated. In addition, the spatio-temporal dynamic patterns of the suitable areas for the six wild strawberry species in Yunnan Province in the 2050s and 2070s under the two climate models of RCP2.6 and RCP8.5 were predicted. Under the current climate scenario, the six wild strawberry species have suitable areas in Yunnan Province, which were mainly distributed in the high-altitude and low-temperature regions in the northwest and northeast, such as Diqing and Zhaotong. In addition, the average size of the highly suitable area for diploid wild strawberry species was greater than that for tetraploid species. Under the future climate scenarios, the average size of the highly suitable area for diploid species showed a tendency to expand, while that of tetraploid species showed a tendency to shrink. Altitude was a critical variable affecting the distribution of tetraploid species. Under the two future climate models of RCP2.6 and RCP8.5, the suitable areas for wild strawberry species shifted to the regions of high latitude, high altitude, and low temperature. In addition, the average distance in the shift of the suitable area for tetraploid strawberry species was greater than that for the suitable area for diploid strawberry species. The above results provide valuable information for the management and protection of the germplasm resources of Fragaria.

Description: Soil salinization due to climate change and intensive use of water and soil is increasing exponentially. Cucurbitaceae species are cultivated worldwide and the identification of salinity tolerant genotypes to be used as rootstock or scion for securing yield stability in salt affected agricultural areas is a research priority. In the present greenhouse study, we assessed the response to salinity (0 mM a non-salt control and 150 mM NaCl dissolved in the nutrient solution) in the seedlings of 30 genotypes of cucurbits grown in a floating hydroponic system. The species tested included 16 genotypes of Cucumis melo L. (CM1-16), 6 Citrullus vulgaris Schrad. (CV1-6), 2 interspecific hybrids of Cucurbita maxima Duch. × Cucurbita moschata Duch. (CMM-R1 and 2), 4 bottle gourd (Lagenaria siceraria (Molina) Standl. (LS1-4)), 1 Cucurbita moschata Duch. (CMO51-17), and 1 luffa (Luffa cylindrica Mill. (LC1)) species. Results highlighted different morphological and physiological traits between the species and genotypes and a different response to salt stress. We identified C. maxima × C.moscata interspecific hybrid CMM-R2, melon genotypes CM6, CM7, CM10, and CM16 together with watermelon genotypes CV2 and CV6 and bottle gourd LS4 as salt tolerant genotypes and possible candidates as salt resistant rootstock to be introduced in grafting programs.

Description: The trehalose-6-phosphate synthase (TPS) gene family plays important roles in conferring plant stress resistance, but a comprehensive analysis of the gene family is lacking for sugarcane (Saccharum spp. hybrids). The objective of this study is to document functional classification, evolutionary characterization, and expression profiling of sugarcane TPS gene (ScTPS) family. Nine putative ScTPS genes were identified and assigned to two distinct classes based on gene structure and phylogeny. Phylogenetic analysis showed that 31 TPS genes from Arabidopsis, rice and sugarcane could be divided into five distinct clades, suggesting that there were at least five orthologous groups in monocot and dicot plants. Evolution analysis of TPS genes revealed that TPS family members appeared to have undergone strong negative selection. The strength of the selective pressure differed in most clades, especially Class I TPS genes, experienced significantly stronger negative selection pressure than Class II TPS genes. There were also cis-regulatory elements related to phytohormones and abiotic stresses. Additionally, ScTPS genes were found to exhibit divergent expression in response to simulated drought, salinity, and ABA stresses. Since ScTPS genes function in sugarcane adaptation to environmental stimuli, it might be used as a molecular marker in screening sugarcane germplasm for increased stress resistance.

Description: Weed management is a challenge for farmers worldwide, and the problem is exacerbated by the spread of weed herbicide resistance. Simulation models that combine population dynamics and genetics are valuable tools for predicting the impact of competing management options on weed density, allele frequency, and phenotypic resistance levels. The new R package PROSPER provides functions for the forward simulation of weed population dynamics on a field scale, the selection of individuals according to their sensitivity to herbicides, and the recombination of alleles during reproduction. Objects are provided to enter and save model parameters in a clear structure, and to save output data for further processing in R. The basic functions are extensible with R code. PROSPER combines individual-based population dynamics with monogenic or polygenic diploid inheritance and flexible selection pressure. Stochasticity can be included at all model steps. Two examples of the population dynamics of two annual weed species with herbicide resistance are presented. All parameters and the models are available in PROSPER. In addition to simulation, PROSPER is intended for sharing and publishing population dynamic parameters and models, which is easily done thanks to R.

Description: Bacterial blight is a common disease found in the rice-growing regions in the Korean peninsula. Identification of the gene network involved against Xanthomonas oryzae pv. oryzae Korean race K2 in popular japonica cultivars is essential in underpinning the molecular mechanism of resistance. A microarray of two popular Korean japonica rice cultivars, a bacterial blight susceptible Dongjin and resistant Jinbaek, was performed to investigate the transcripts of inducible genes at 48 h post-inoculation. A total of 771 differentially expressed genes were identified in Jinbaek, whereas 298 were found in Dongjin. The resistance observed in Jinbaek is likely participated by genes with predicted functions in transmembrane perception, intracellular signal transduction, and transcription activity. Moreover, the remarkable involvement of numerous WRKY proteins signifies orchestration of defense signals via robust cellular reprogramming, which leads to resistance. To discover genes essential to bacterial blight resistance in Jinbaek, 13 highly expressed genes encoding different protein classes were cloned and overexpressed in rice. Although none of the overexpression plants exhibited resistance comparable to Jinbaek, four candidate genes, including one twin-arginine translocation pathway signal (LOC_Os01g45640.1), one cytochrome p450 (LOC_Os09g10340.1), and two uncharacterized expressed protein (LOC_Os08g26230.4, LOC_Os09g04310.1) conferred partial resistance. However, of these four genes, only p450s have been reported to play an important role in the synthesis of plant defense compounds. These findings revealed the complexity of key immune signaling conduits critical to mounting a full defense against Xanthomonas. oryzae pv. oryzae race K2 in japonica rice.

Description: Prunus spinosa L. is a shrub that produces berries—sloes—with a high content of phenolic compounds and anthocyanins. Numerous consumer products are made from sloes, such as “Pacharán” liquors or jams. For these reasons, it is crucial to design accurate analytical methods for the extraction of these bioactive compounds in order to promote their consumption and to improve our health. In this study, an ultrasound-assisted extraction method was developed to extract phenolic compounds and anthocyanins from sloes. Several process variables (methanol composition, pH, temperature, cycle, amplitude, and sample–solvent ratio) were optimized based on a Box–Behnken design. The most influential parameters for the extraction of total phenolic compounds were the cycle, the percentage of methanol, and pH of the extraction solvent, with 0.2 s, 67%, and pH 7 as their optimal values, respectively. For total anthocyanins, all parameters were influential, with 44% methanol at pH 2, 48 °C, 0.2 s cycles, 30% amplitude, and 1.5 g/20 mL ratio as the optimal values for their corresponding variables. Both methods showed high recoveries, short time use, and high precision (RSD 〈 5%). In addition, the sloe liqueur “Pacharán” and sloe jams were analyzed to demonstrate the applicability of these methods for the extraction of the real matrix.

Description: Zinc (Zn) is a nutrient that regulates many vital functions of the human body, hence the demand for Zn in the balanced daily nutrition has to be covered. Priming of seeds with Zn for Zn-enriched sprout production can be considered a good alternative to artificial supplementation in a modern diet. Hence, the aim of our study was to determine the exposure level of Zn bringing neither risk for humans nor growth inhibition of enriched broccoli, pea and sunflower sprouts. Seeds treated with 0, 10, 20 and 30 μg mL−1 ZnSO4 responded in a differentiated way to Zn. Pea seed germination and sprout growth was diminished by 30 μg mL−1 ZnSO4, but for sunflower sprouts this Zn level resulted in the highest fresh mass and largest hypocotyls. Zn content in sprouts greatly increased in a dose-dependent manner, mostly in broccoli (up to 25 times) and peas (up to 4 times), and to a lesser extent (up to 120%) for sunflowers. Free radical scavenging activity was usually decreased. Considering the potential non-carcinogenic risk of sprouts consumption estimated by the hazard analysis, the safest exposure level for seed priming will be 10 μg mL−1 ZnSO4. It was confirmed by random amplification of polymorphic DNA analyses indicating no DNA variations in sprouts treated with 10 μg mL−1 ZnSO4 compared to the control.

Description: Wild blueberry is a native plant managed as a crop in northeastern North America. Fruit drop in wild blueberry, Vaccinium angustifolium Aiton, was studied over 6 years (1996–1999, 2008 and 2011). Three hypotheses were tested regarding fruit drop mechanisms from plants (clones) sampled in the field: (1) proportional fruit drop; (2) constant or uniform fruit drop; and (3) pollen or resource limitation. In addition, the temporal rate of fruit drop was measured between the end of pollination (petal fall) and fruit maturity just prior to harvest (2008 and 2011). The dynamics of fruit drop were different in the two years. The role of pollination intensity in fruit drop was also assessed. Evidence for both proportional fruit drop and resource limitation at the clone level was found but only proportional drop at the field level. Low levels of seed set are associated with fruit drop. In a four-year study (1996–1999), fruit drop ranged from 23.3 to 49.4% of the total set fruit. Partitioning the variance in fruit drop between years, fields and clones (plant genotypes) showed that the highest variation is between stems within clones (37.4%) and clones (plant genotype) within fields (35.4%), followed by between fields (19.8%) and between years (7.4%).

Description: Nitrogen fertilization is indispensable in increasing wheat crop productivity but, in order to achieve maximum profitable production and minimum negative environmental impact, improving nitrogen use efficiency (NUE) should be considered. The aim of this study was to evaluate the nitrogen use efficiency (NUE) in a long-term wheat–maize–soybean rotation system with the final purpose of increasing the overall performance of the wheat cropping system. Research was undertaken at the Agricultural Research Development Station Turda (ARDS Turda), located in Western Transylvania Plain, Romania. The experimental field was carried out at a fixed place during seven wheat vegetation seasons. The plant material consisted of a wheat variety created by the ARDS Turda (Andrada), one variety of maize (Turda 332) and one variety of soybean (Felix). The experiment covered two planting patterns: wheat after maize and wheat after soybean and five levels of nitrogen fertilization (control-unfertilized, fertilization with 0—control plot, 30, 60, 90 and 120 kg N ha−1 y−1). The following indices were assessed: NUE (nitrogen use efficiency), N uptake and PFP (partial factor productivity). The results of the present study suggest that reduced N-fertilization doses could improve N uptake and utilization for both planting patterns.

Description: An essential input of annuity pricing is the future retiree mortality. From observed age-specific mortality data, modeling and forecasting can take place in two routes. On the one hand, we can first truncate the available data to retiree ages and then produce mortality forecasts based on a partial age-range model. On the other hand, with all available data, we can first apply a full age-range model to produce forecasts and then truncate the mortality forecasts to retiree ages. We investigate the difference in modeling the logarithmic transformation of the central mortality rates between a partial age-range and a full age-range model, using data from mainly developed countries in the Human Mortality Database (2020). By evaluating and comparing the short-term point and interval forecast accuracies, we recommend the first strategy by truncating all available data to retiree ages and then produce mortality forecasts. However, when considering the long-term forecasts, it is unclear which strategy is better since it is more difficult to find a model and parameters that are optimal. This is a disadvantage of using methods based on time-series extrapolation for long-term forecasting. Instead, an expectation approach, in which experts set a future target, could be considered, noting that this method has also had limited success in the past.

Description: Pre-harvest application of prohydrojasmon (PDJ) or abscisic acid (ABA) induces the red color in fruits that were exposed to sunlight at the orchard. In this large-scale work, we evaluated the effect of two different pruning techniques of ‘Kent’ mango orchards, one leading to opening the orchard canopy to expose as much fruit as possible to sunlight, while the second pruning leads to square-shaped trees and subsequently reduces the amount of sunlight reaching the fruit. These two pruning methods were combined with preharvest spraying with prohydrojasmon (PDJ) or abscisic acid (ABA) using two different types of sprayers, i.e., regular and air-jet sprayer. Pruning the canopy of the orchards to open and closed trees exposed 80% or 30% of fruits to sunlight, respectively. Both of the application with air-jet and regular sprayers effectively covered the fruit without causing fruit detachment and damage to yield. Both the phytohormones (PDJ and ABA) application treatments induced red blush skin, red intensity, anthocyanin, and flavonoids, particularly in fruit grown outside the tree canopy in both open and closed trees. PDJ and ABA treatments exhibited marginally reduced acidity than the untreated control, while the brix was not affected much by any of the treatments. Besides these, exposure to sunlight and PDJ treatment also reduced postharvest decay and increased chlorophyll degradation and yellowing in comparison to the controls. This study promoted applicative evidence about the positive effects of exposure to sunlight, prohydrojasmon (PDJ), and abscisic acid (ABA) on red color development without compromising the mango fruit’s quality.

Description: Among the rust diseases, leaf rust of wheat caused by Puccinia triticina, is the most prevalent worldwide and causes significant yield losses. This study aimed to determine the genomic location of loci that control adult plant resistance (APR) to leaf rust in the pre-Green Revolution landrace accession, Aus27506, from the “Watkins Collection”. An Aus27506/Aus27229-derived F7 recombinant inbred line (RIL) population was screened under field conditions across three cropping seasons and genotyped with the iSelect 90K Infinium SNP bead chip array. One quantitative trait loci (QTL) on each of the chromosomes 1BL, 2B and 2DL explained most of the leaf rust response variation in the RIL population, and these were named QLr.sun-1BL, QLr.sun-2B and QLr.sun-2DL, respectively. QLr.sun-1BL and QLr.sun-2DL were contributed by Aus27506. QLr.sun-1BL is likely Lr46, while QLr.sun-2DL appeared to be a new APR locus. The alternate parent, Aus27229, carried the putatively new APR locus QLr.sun-2B. The comparison of average severities among RILs carrying these QTL in different combinations indicated that QLr.sun-2B does not interact with either of the other two QTL; however, the combination of QLr.sun-1BL and QLr.sun-2DL reduced disease severity significantly. In planta fungal quantification assays validated these results. The RILs carrying QLr.sun-1BL and QLr.sun-2DL did not differ significantly from the parent Aus27506 in terms of resistance. Aus27506 can be used as a source of adult plant leaf rust resistance in breeding programs.

Description: Bioremediation and phytoremediation of soil polluted with petroleum hydrocarbons (PHs) are an effective and eco-friendly alternative to physicochemical methods of soil decontamination. These techniques can be supported by the addition of effective strains and/or surface-active compounds. However, to obtain maximum efficacy of bioremediation, the interactions that occur between the microorganisms, enhancement factors and plants need to be studied. Our study aimed to investigate the removal of petroleum hydrocarbons from an aged and highly polluted soil (hydrocarbon content about 2.5%) using multiway enhanced bio- and phytoremediation. For this purpose, 10 enhanced experimental groups were compared to two untreated controls. Among the enhanced experimental groups, the bio- and phytoremediation processes were supported by the endophytic strain Rhodococcus erythropolis CDEL254. This bacterial strain has several plant growth-promoting traits and can degrade petroleum hydrocarbons and produce biosurfactants. Additionally, a rhamnolipid solution produced by Pseudomonas aeruginosa was used to support the total petroleum hydrocarbon loss from soil. After 112 days of incubation, the highest PH removal (31.1%) was observed in soil planted with ryegrass (Lolium perenne L. cv. Pearlgreen) treated with living cells of the CDEL254 strain and rhamnolipid solution. For non-planted experimental groups, the highest PH loss (26.1%) was detected for soil treated with heat-inactivated CDEL254 cells and a rhamnolipid solution. In general, the differences in the efficacy of the 10 experimental groups supported by plants, live/dead cells of the strain tested and rhamnolipid were not statistically significant. However, each of these groups was significantly more effective than the appropriate control groups. The PH loss in untreated (natural attenuation) and soils that underwent phytoremediation reached a value of 14.2% and 17.4%, respectively. Even though the CDEL254 strain colonized plant tissues and showed high survival in soil, its introduction did not significantly increase PH loss compared to systems treated with dead biomass. These results indicate that the development of effective biological techniques requires a customized approach to the polluted site and effective optimization of the methods used.

Description: Repeated applications of herbicides at the labelled rates have often resulted in the selection and evolution of herbicide-resistant weeds capable of surviving the labelled and higher rates in subsequent generations. However, the evolutionary outcomes of recurrent herbicide selection at low rates are far less understood. In this study of a herbicide-susceptible population of Lolium perenne ssp. multiflorum, we assessed the potential for low glufosinate rates to select for reduced susceptibility to the herbicide, and cross-resistance to herbicides with other modes of action. Reduced susceptibility to glufosinate was detected in progeny in comparison with the parental population following three rounds of selection at low glufosinate rates. Differences were mainly observed at the 0.5X, 0.75X, and 1X rates. Comparing the parental susceptible population and progeny from the second and third selection cycle, the percentage of surviving plants increased to values of LD50 (1.31 and 1.16, respectively) and LD90 (1.36 and 1.26, respectively). When treated with three alternative herbicides (glyphosate, paraquat, and sethoxydim), no plants of either the parental or successive progeny populations survived treatment with 0.75X or higher rates of these herbicides. The results of this study provide clear evidence that reduced susceptibility to glufosinate can evolve in weed populations following repeated applications of glufosinate at low herbicide rates. However, the magnitude of increases in resistance levels over three generations of recurrent low-rate glufosinate selection observed is relatively low compared with higher levels of resistance observed in response to low-rate selection with other herbicides (three fold and more).

Description: Although the EU structural funds aim to alleviate disparities through supporting regional development, their impact on local economies and societies is considered as uneven. As existing studies explore the absorption rate of the EU share of contribution as a point-in-time indicator at the end of the policy cycle, evidence about regional co-finance and the factors dynamically affecting absorption performance is lacking. To that end, this paper aims to provide a new longitudinal investigation of the absorption time series and develop an original indicator, supported by a statistical error analysis, for offering a transparent view of the total funds’ absorption. The analysis highlights that undesired regional strategies due to low administrative capacity may increase the absorption rate, though without supporting regional growth. The proposed approach could further facilitate the equitable allocation of political accountability regarding the structural funds’ absorption to the EU and the regions. Overall, it is anticipated that this research will support the EU in monitoring actual regional performance for prompting local managing authorities to improve their administrative capacity.

Description: This paper provides an econometric analysis aiming at evidencing the dynamics showed by the S&P 500 market index during the period of 4 January 2001–28 April 2020, in which the subprime crisis has taken place and the COVID-19 crisis has begun. In particular, we fit a three-regime switching model that allows market parameters to behave differently during economic downturns, with the regimes representative of the tranquil, volatile, and turbulent states. We document that the tranquil regime is the most frequent for the whole period, while the dominant regime is the volatile one for the crisis of 2008 and the turbulent one for the first four months of 2020. We fit the same model to the returns of the Dow Jones Industrial Average index and find that during the same period of investigation, the most frequent regime has been the tranquil one, while the volatile and turbulent regimes share the same frequencies. Additionally, we use a multinomial logit model to describe the probabilities of volatile or turbulent regimes. We show that, in the case of the S&P 500 index, the returns from the Volatility Index (VIX) index are significant for both the volatile and the turbulent regimes, while the gold, WTI oil, and the dollar indices have some explanatory power only for the turbulent regime.

Description: When using the Focused Information Criterion (FIC) for assessing and ranking candidate models with respect to how well they do for a given estimation task, it is customary to produce a so-called FIC plot. This plot has the different point estimates along the y-axis and the root-FIC scores on the x-axis, these being the estimated root-mean-square scores. In this paper we address the estimation uncertainty involved in each of the points of such a FIC plot. This needs careful assessment of each of the estimators from the candidate models, taking also modelling bias into account, along with the relative precision of the associated estimated mean squared error quantities. We use confidence distributions for these tasks. This leads to fruitful CD–FIC plots, helping the statistician to judge to what extent the seemingly best models really are better than other models, etc. These efforts also lead to two further developments. The first is a new tool for model selection, which we call the quantile-FIC, which helps overcome certain difficulties associated with the usual FIC procedures, related to somewhat arbitrary schemes for handling estimated squared biases. A particular case is the median-FIC. The second development is to form model averaged estimators with weights determined by the relative sizes of the median- and quantile-FIC scores.

Description: Wheat was one of the first grain crops domesticated by humans and remains among the major contributors to the global calorie and protein budget. The rapidly expanding world population demands further enhancement of yield and performance of wheat. Phenotypic information has historically been instrumental in wheat breeding for improved traits. In the last two decades, a steadily growing collection of tools and imaging software have given us the ability to quantify shoot, root, and seed traits with progressively increasing accuracy and throughput. This review discusses challenges and advancements in image analysis platforms for wheat phenotyping at the organ level. Perspectives on how these collective phenotypes can inform basic research on understanding wheat physiology and breeding for wheat improvement are also provided.

Description: Global change modifies vegetation composition in grasslands with shifts in plant functional types (PFT). Although changes in plant community composition imply changes in soil function, this relationship is not well understood. We investigated the relative importance of environmental (climatic, management and soil) variables and plant functional diversity (PFT composition and interactions) on soil activity and fertility along a climatic gradient. We collected samples of soil and PFT biomass (grasses, legumes, and non-legume forbs) in six extensively managed grasslands along a climatic gradient in the Northern Iberian Peninsula. Variation Partitioning Analysis showed that abiotic and management variables explained most of the global variability (96.5%) in soil activity and fertility; soil moisture and grazer type being the best predictors. PFT diversity accounted for 27% of the total variability, mostly in interaction with environmental factors. Diversity-Interaction models applied on each response variable revealed that PFT-evenness and pairwise interactions affected particularly the nitrogen cycle, enhancing microbial biomass nitrogen, dissolved organic nitrogen, total nitrogen, urease, phosphatase, and nitrification potential. Thus, soil activity and fertility were not only regulated by environmental variables, but also enhanced by PFT diversity. We underline that climate change-induced shifts in vegetation composition can alter greenhouse gas—related soil processes and eventually the feedback of the soil to the atmosphere.

Description: Pigeonpea is one of the important pulse crops grown in many states of India and plays a major role in sustainable food and nutritional security for the smallholder farmers. In order to overcome the productivity barrier the Translational Pigeonpea Genomics Consortium (TPGC) was established, representing research institutes from six different states (Andhra Pradesh, Karnataka, Madhya Pradesh, Maharashtra, Telangana, and Uttar Pradesh) of India. To enhance pigeonpea productivity and production the team has been engaged in deploying modern genomics approaches in breeding and popularizing modern varieties in farmers’ fields. For instance, new genetic stock has been developed for trait mapping and molecular breeding initiated for enhancing resistance to fusarium wilt and sterility mosaic disease in 11 mega varieties of pigeonpea. In parallel, genomic segments associated with cleistogamous flower, shriveled seed, pods per plant, seeds per pod, 100 seed weight, and seed protein content have been identified. Furthermore, 100 improved lines were evaluated for yield and desirable traits in multi-location trials in different states. Furthermore, a total of 303 farmers’ participatory varietal selection (FPVS) trials have been conducted in 129 villages from 15 districts of six states with 16 released varieties/hybrids. Additionally, one line (GRG 152 or Bheema) from multi-location trials has been identified by the All India Coordinated Research Project on Pigeonpea (AICRP-Pigeonpea) and released for cultivation by the Central Variety Release Committee (CVRC). In summary, the collaborative efforts of several research groups through TPGC is accelerating genetics gains in breeding plots and is expected to deliver them to pigeonpea farmers to enhance their income and improve livelihood.

Description: This paper proposes a new classification of correlated data types based upon the relative number of direct connections among observations, producing a family of correlated observations embracing seven categories, one whose empirical counterpart currently is unknown, and ranging from independent (i.e., no links) to approaching near-complete linkage (i.e., n(n − 1)/2 links). Analysis of specimen datasets from publicly available data sources furnishes empirical illustrations for these various categories. Their descriptions also include their historical context and calculation of their effective sample sizes (i.e., an equivalent number of independent observations). Concluding comments contain some state-of-the-art future research topics.

Description: Pseudostellaria heterophylla, in the family Caryophyllaceae, is an important Chinese medicinal plant commonly used to treat various diseases in children and valued for its ornamental properties. In this study, nodal segments were obtained from wild plants and used as explants to develop an efficient micropropagation protocol for this species. Murashige and Skoog (MS) medium supplemented with 1.5 mg·L−1 6-benzyladenine (6-BA) was the most suitable medium for inducing axillary buds and enhancing their growth, and MS medium containing 0.1 mg·L−1 indole-3-butyric acid (IBA) was the most effective for inducing in vitro rooting. To reduce labor, time, and cost, microshoots were rooted under ex vitro conditions. Pretreatments of the shoots with 100 mg·L−1 naphthaleneacetic acid (NAA) for 1 min ensured successful rooting in 86.7% of shoots. Comparison of the leaf microstructure between in vitro- and ex vitro-rooted plantlets revealed abnormal stomatal apparatus in the former. The stomatal apparatus of ex vitro plantlets were normal, although the stomatal density was reduced, which indicated that these plantlets were more likely to be able to adapt to environmental conditions in the field. We identified the optimal medium for P. heterophylla multiplication with respect to increased rooting efficiency of micropropagated shoots under ex vitro conditions. This results presented here will be helpful for agricultural cultivation of P. heterophylla.

Description: Tomato and cucumber seedlings were grown in a growth chamber to evaluate the effects of different cycles of light–dark exposure conditions (T0 (control treatment) (1 cycle of 24 h distributed in 18 h of light exposure and six hours of dark), T1 (two cycles of 12 h distributed in nine hours of light exposure and three hours of dark) and T2 (three cycles of eight hours distributed in six hours of light exposure and two hours of dark) on growth, nutrient status, pigment concentration and physiological changes. Total dry weight showed different behaviors in both species, since in tomato the total dry weight remained unchanged under varying light–dark cycles, whereas in cucumber seedlings there was a clear decrease compared to the control treatment. In both species, plants grown under T2 showed the best water content. Nitrogen, P and K content—as well as partitioning in the different organs of the plants—displayed different patterns under varying cycles of light–dark conditions in both species. Chlorophyll (b and a + b) concentration decreased significantly in both species in T1 and T2 compared to the control treatment (T0). At physiological level, the concentration of total soluble sugars and proline in leaf showed the highest value in the control treatment with 18 h of light and six hours of dark.

Description: This study aims to evaluate the bio-morphological and biochemical variability of three Tunisian wild populations and one growing cultivar of purslane (Portulaca oleracea L.). The studied varieties should be easily distinguished by the color and the habitus of the plant as mentioned in literature, but the various analyses have shown a strong morphological heterogeneity within and among the wild and cultivated accessions as presented by the variance analysis test (ANOVA) and the PCA (Principal component analysis). We found high intrapopulation variability through the wild populations that make it hard to differentiate them only on the base of morphology. We analyzed the biochemical profile of those populations based on the analysis of freeze-dried samples of leaves and stems. We identified and quantified twelve different phenolic compounds by the HPLC-diode array detector (DAD) technique. Six phenolic acids and flavonoids were identified in the leaves and stems of the wild and cultivated populations. Sinapic acid and myricetin are the majors identified compounds through our samples. The results were significantly different in relation to the plant organs and to the geographic origin for most of the compounds. The obtained results highlighted the importance of Portulaca as a medicinal plant by showing its richness in phenols and flavonoids that have multi-medicinal effects besides their antioxidant power.

Description: The purpose of this paper is to assess the impact of ambiguity on financial analyst forecast incentives and the associated abnormal stock returns. I present a model incorporating ambiguity aversion into a two-period Lucas tree model. The resulting model confirms the role of ambiguity in the determination of asset returns. In particular, the model with ambiguity aversion generates a lower price and a higher required rate of returns compared to the classical model without ambiguity concern. I construct a measure of ambiguity and provide empirical evidence showing that the incentive of analysts to misrepresent information is a function of ambiguity. Analysts are more likely to bias their forecasts when it is more difficult for investors to detect their misrepresentation. Under ambiguity, analysts’ optimistic forecasts for good/bad news tend to deteriorate. Moreover, stock returns are positively related with ambiguity. Under ambiguity neither good nor bad news is credible. Investors systematically underreact to good news forecast and overreact to bad news forecast when ambiguity exists.

Description: The production of a biomass as a feedstock for biorefinery is gaining attention in many agricultural areas. The adoption of biorefinery crops (i.e., perennial cardoon) can represent an interesting option for farmers and can contribute to increase soil organic carbon stock (SOCS). The study aimed to assess the potential effect on long-term SOCS change by the introduction of cardoon in a Mediterranean marginal area (Sassari, Italy). To this end, three process-oriented models, namely the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) guidelines for national greenhouse gas inventories (Tier 2), a humus-balance model (SOMBIT) and Rothamsted carbon model (RothC), were used to compare two scenarios over 20 years. The traditional cropping system’s faba bean–durum wheat biennial rotation was compared with the same scenario alternating seven years of cardoon cultivation. The model’s calibration was performed using climate, soil and crop data measured in three cardoon trials between 2011 and 2019. SOMBIT and Roth C models showed the best values of model performance metrics. By the insertion of cardoon, IPCC tool, SOMBIT and RothC models predicted an average annual SOCS increase, whereas, in the baseline scenario, the models predicted a steady state or a slight SOCS decrease. This increase can be attributed to a higher input of above- and belowground plant residues and a lower number of bare soil days (41 vs. 146 days year−1).

Description: There are wide variations in fertilizer recommendations for switchgrass (Panicum virgatum L.) as biofuel feedstock or forage. Inconsistent yield responses to fertilization are common. Nutrient translocation, from aboveground leaves and stems to belowground roots, is a contributor to variable, and sometimes the absence of, fertilizer response. A field study evaluated how major nutrients are cycled within switchgrass during the growing season. Aboveground (AG) and belowground (BG) biomasses were harvested and analyzed separately for yield (AG) and nutrient concentrations (AG and BG). Maximum yields were 26.3 (2008), 17.5 (2009) and 29.3 (2010) Mg ha−1 until senescence. In all years, the N concentration of the AG biomass decreased as the season progressed (p 〈 0.0001). The belowground biomass N concentration increased over time in 2008 and 2010 (p 〈 0.05). Phosphorus (P) and potassium (K) displayed similar trends to nitrogen concentration. Temporal changes of other nutrients in the AG and BG biomass concentrations were inconsistent and varied compared with N. The dynamics of the macronutrients suggested translocation from AG to BG as the switchgrass matured. Nutrients stored in roots can be beneficial for regrowth in the following growing season, which may reduce response to fertilizers. A greater understanding of nutrient cycling and harvest timing is needed to better manage different switchgrass production systems.

Description: Climate change is causing soil salinization, resulting in crop losses throughout the world. The ability of plants to tolerate salt stress is determined by multiple biochemical and molecular pathways. Here we discuss physiological, biochemical, and cellular modulations in plants in response to salt stress. Knowledge of these modulations can assist in assessing salt tolerance potential and the mechanisms underlying salinity tolerance in plants. Salinity-induced cellular damage is highly correlated with generation of reactive oxygen species, ionic imbalance, osmotic damage, and reduced relative water content. Accelerated antioxidant activities and osmotic adjustment by the formation of organic and inorganic osmolytes are significant and effective salinity tolerance mechanisms for crop plants. In addition, polyamines improve salt tolerance by regulating various physiological mechanisms, including rhizogenesis, somatic embryogenesis, maintenance of cell pH, and ionic homeostasis. This research project focuses on three strategies to augment salinity tolerance capacity in agricultural crops: salinity-induced alterations in signaling pathways; signaling of phytohormones, ion channels, and biosensors; and expression of ion transporter genes in crop plants (especially in comparison to halophytes).

Description: The aim of this study is to determine if capital flows can account for the international effects on domestic monetary policy, using an augmented Taylor rule model. In addition to the standard determinants of nominal interest rates, we include capital flow measures to show how central banks consider this important factor when deciding on the most appropriate monetary policy. Using a panel of inflation targeting economies and the dynamic panel approach, this study finds that capital inflows and outflows are an important determinant of nominal interest rates.

Description: The use of deinking paper sludge (DPS) as a fertilizer instead of sending it to landfill could play a role in reducing greenhouse gases and improving soil properties. The objectives of this study were (1) to evaluate the changes in the physical (permeability and structural stability), chemical (particularly soil pH), and biological (microbial metabolic quotient (qCO2), microbial biomass soil CO2 emissions) of a calcareous agricultural soil following two successive annual amendments with three treatments (0, 30, and 60 Mg DPS ha−1—control, DPS30, and DPS60, respectively); and (2) to determine whether the addition of N-fertilizer to these treatments (controlF, DPS30F, and DPS60F, respectively) causes changes to soil fertility. The DPS application increased soil organic matter (+0.80%: DPS60 vs. control; and +0.35%: controlF vs. DPS60F), available phosphorus (+23.14 mg kg−1: DPS60 vs. control; and +14.34 mg kg−1: DPS60F vs. controlF), potassium (+0.6 g kg−1: controlF vs. DPS30F), and calcium (+0.28 g kg−1: DPS60 vs. control). The 60 Mg DPS ha−1 rate improved permeability and structural stability, regardless of the presence or absence of N-fertilizer. On the other hand, the 60 Mg DPS ha−1 rate without N-fertilizer lead to a decrease in total mineralization rate and qCO2, thereby indicating a reduction in CO2 emissions. The rate of 60 Mg ha−1 DPS could be effectively used to enhance the permeability and stability (soil restoration) and mitigate CO2 emissions, whereas the 30 Mg ha−1 rate could be used as fertilizer to improve the fertility of calcareous soils.

Description: This paper reviews the beliefs which drive some agricultural sectors to consider the lunar influence as either a stress or a beneficial factor when it comes to organizing their tasks. To address the link between lunar phases and agriculture from a scientific perspective, we conducted a review of textbooks and monographs used to teach agronomy, botany, horticulture and plant physiology; we also consider the physics that address the effects of the Moon on our planet. Finally, we review the scientific literature on plant development, specifically searching for any direct or indirect reference to the influence of the Moon on plant physiology. We found that there is no reliable, science-based evidence for any relationship between lunar phases and plant physiology in any plant–science related textbooks or peer-reviewed journal articles justifying agricultural practices conditioned by the Moon. Nor does evidence from the field of physics support a causal relationship between lunar forces and plant responses. Therefore, popular agricultural practices that are tied to lunar phases have no scientific backing. We strongly encourage teachers involved in plant sciences education to objectively address pseudo-scientific ideas and promote critical thinking.

Description: Agricultural management, such as tillage and straw-returning, affect soil fertility and nutrient cycling in agroecosystems. With the increasing food demand and challenges imposed by climate change, these effects on soil fertility need to be closely monitored, so that short-term agricultural intensification should not threaten the long-term productivity of the land. Therefore, the main objective of this study was to examine the long-term effects of different management practices on soil aggregate stability and associated organic carbon (OC) and nitrogen (N) over a 33-year period in the croplands of the North China Plain. Bulk soils from the surface and subsurface layers were fractionated using the wet sieving approach. The results showed that the silt + clay (SC) fractions (

Description: Cichorium spinosum L. is considered a health-promoting vegetable that has been recently introduced in cultivation, and thus information on the responses of its different ecotypes to N supply level and source is largely fragmented. To cover this gap of knowledge, seeds of two different local ecotypes of C. spinosum L. originating from a coastal and a montane habitat of the island of Crete were propagated, and the obtained seedlings were grown hydroponically. The supplied nutrient solution differed in the total-N level (4 or 16 mmol L−1) and N source (NH4-N/-N/total-N: 0.05, 0.25, or 0.50). The impact of N supply level and N source ratio on the metabolism of the two ecotypes was assessed by gas chromatography–electron impact–mass spectrometry (GC/EI/MS) metabolomics combined with bioinformatics analyses. A general disturbance of the plants’ metabolism was recorded, with results revealing that the genotypic composition was the predominant factor for the observed discriminations. The montane ecotype exhibited substantially lower levels of metabolites such as fructose and α-α-trehalose, and higher levels of glucose, myo-inositol, and fatty acids compared to the coastal ecotype when both were treated with low N. Carboxylic acids and metabolites of the tricarboxylic acid cycle (TCA) were also substantially affected by the N supply level and the NH4-N/total-N ratio. The obtained information could be further exploited in the breeding of cultivars with improved nutritional value and resilience to variations in N supply levels and sources.

Description: We studied the volatility assumption of non-life premium risk under the Solvency II Standard Formula and developed an empirical model on real data, the Danish fire insurance data. Our empirical model accomplishes two things. Primarily, compared to the present literature, this paper innovates the fitting of Danish fire insurance data using a composite model with a random threshold. Secondly we prove, by fitting the Danish fire insurance data, that for large insurance companies the volatility of the standard formula is higher than the volatility estimated with internal models such as composite models, also taking into account the dependence between attritional and large claims.

Description: The main goal of the study was to determine the biodiversity of bacteria and their metabolic profile in the rhizosphere of four winter wheat (Triticum aestivum L.) varieties (Hondia, Nordkap, Rotax, Tytanika) cultivated in Haplic Podzol soil in a no-tillage system. Two techniques, i.e., next generation sequencing (NGS, meta-barcoding of 16S rRNA community) and community level physiological profiling (CLPP), were applied to obtain a holistic picture of biodiversity. The basic soil chemical parameters (acidity, redox potential, carbon content, forms of nitrogen, and phosphorus) were also determined. It was found that the rhizospheric microbiome (at the genus level) of cv. Hondia and Rotax were significantly different from that present in the other cultivars studied. The CLPP technique demonstrated that microbial metabolic activity depended on both the type of substrate and wheat cultivars. Carbohydrates and carboxylic acids were the most easily utilized compounds in all rhizospheric soils. The principal component analysis (PCA) evidenced that the rhizospheric soils of Rotax and Nordkap were characterized by a higher functional activity (strong correlation with the Shannon-Wiener index, the Richness index, and utilization of hydrocarbons) than those of Hondia and Tytanika.

Description: Organic amendment is important for promoting soil quality through increasing soil fertility and soil microbes. This study evaluated the effectiveness of using liquid food waste material (LFM) as a microbial resource, by analyzing the microbial community composition in LFM, and by isolating plant growth-promoting bacteria (PGPB) from the material. High-throughput sequencing of LFM, collected every month from May to September 2018, resulted in the detection of 〉1000 bacterial operational taxonomic units (OTUs) in the LFM. The results showed that Firmicutes was abundant and most frequently detected, followed by Proteobacteria and Actinobacteria. Of the culturable strains isolated from LFM, almost all belonged to the genus Bacillus. Four strains of PGPB were selected from the isolated strains, with traits such as indole acetic acid production and 1-aminocyclopropane-1-carboxylic acid deaminase activity. Lettuce growth was improved via LFM amendment with PGPB, and Brassica rapa showed significant differences in root biomass when LFM amendment was compared with the use chemical fertilizer. Field experiments using LFM showed slight differences in growth for Brassica rapa, lettuce and eggplant, when compared with the use of chemical fertilizer. LFM is a useful microbial resource for the isolation of PGPB, and its use as fertilizer could result in reduced chemical fertilizer usage in sustainable agriculture.

Description: In this study, we use Neural Networks (NNs) to price American put options. We propose two NN models—a simple one and a more complex one—and we discuss the performance of two NN models with the Least-Squares Monte Carlo (LSM) method. This study relies on American put option market prices, for four large U.S. companies—Procter and Gamble Company (PG), Coca-Cola Company (KO), General Motors (GM), and Bank of America Corp (BAC). Our dataset is composed of all options traded within the period December 2018 until March 2019. Although on average, both NN models perform better than LSM, the simpler model (NN Model 1) performs quite close to LSM. Moreover, the second NN model substantially outperforms the other models, having an RMSE ca. 40% lower than the presented by LSM. The lower RMSE is consistent across all companies, strike levels, and maturities. In summary, all methods present a good accuracy; however, after calibration, NNs produce better results in terms of both execution time and Root Mean Squared Error (RMSE).

Description: Despite the fact that a comprehensive analysis of digitalization processes in the EU member states has been carried out, the impact of a country’s digitalization level on the risks of poverty and social exclusion requires further investigation. The purpose of the paper is to verify a hypothesis that a higher level of national digitalization provides positive trends in reducing the risks of poverty and social exclusion for the population. The Digital Economy and Society Index (DESI) was used to evaluate the digitalization levels of the EU countries. The indicator “People at risk of poverty or social exclusion” (AROPE) was applied to estimate the poverty level. As the main research methods, the authors used a comparative and correlation analysis with respect to the above-mentioned indicators, as well as the Monte Carlo method in order to evaluate the probability of a change in the indicator “population at risk of poverty or social exclusion” in 2021. The EU countries with higher digitalization levels have a lower percentage of the population at risk of poverty and social exclusion. However, a higher digitalization level of the EU member states does not provide an accelerated risk reduction of poverty and social exclusion. Statistical calculations with respect to the entire population of these countries mainly indicate reverse processes. At the same time, a further reduction of poverty and social exclusion level is less probable in the countries with a higher level of digitalization. For relatively poor segments of the population (the 1st and 2nd quintiles by income) in the EU member states, the level of digitalization does not play a significant role. For relatively wealthy segments of the population (the 3rd and 4th quintiles by income) the authors noticed a pattern: the higher the level of digitalization is, the lower the risk of poverty and social exclusion becomes. A pairwise comparison of countries with initially similar AROPE values showed that in most cases (3 out of 5), the countries with higher levels of digitalization showed a more significant reduction in poverty and social exclusion. However, the probability of further positive changes in this area is higher for the countries with a lower level of digitalization.

Description: For a symmetric matrix B, we determine the class of Q such that Q t BQ is non-negative definite and apply it to panel data estimation and forecasting: the Hausman test for testing the endogeneity of the random effects in panel data models. We show that the test can be performed if the estimated error variances in the fixed and random effects models satisfy a specific inequality. If it fails, we discuss the restrictions under which the test can be performed. We show that estimators satisfying the inequality exist. Furthermore, we discuss an application to a constrained quadratic minimization problem with an indefinite objective function.

Description: One of the remaining challenges in explaining differences in total factor productivity is heterogeneity between sectors and within a specific sector in terms of labor and capital. This paper employs the generalized method of moments (GMM) to identify factors that affect total factor productivity across 21 manufacturing sectors and to clarify the heterogeneous determinants of total factor productivity within manufacturing sectors for the period 2010–2015. Our estimations show that large firms have significantly greater total factor productivity levels than small firms in some fragmentations of firms in terms of both labor and total capital and in some manufacturing sectors. It is suggested that firm characteristics should be considered by the government in establishing relevant policies for enhancing firm productivity.

Description: Soil organic carbon (SOC) is declining globally due to intensification of agriculture. Reversing declines should reduce soil erosion, maintain yields, raise the soil’s atmospheric carbon sink, and improve habitat for biodiversity. Commercial fields were sampled in a diverse European Atlantic zone cropland to relate SOC status to cropping intensity and to define a realistic target for restoration. SOC (%C by mass) decreased from 4% to 2% as the proportion of high-intensity crops increased from zero to 55% (linear regression, F pr. 〈 0.001). In further sampling in and around high-intensity fields, mean SOC increased from 2.4% in cultivated soil to 3.3% in field margins and 4.8% in nearby uncultivated land (F pr. 〈 0.001). Three broad zones of SOC in close spatial proximity were then defined: 1) high-intensity arable from 1% to 3%, 2) mid-intensity arable and arable-grass from 3% to 5% and 3) uncultivated and semi-natural land from 5% upwards. C:N ratio was constrained around 12, unaffected by cropping intensity, but slightly lower in fields than in margins and uncultivated land (F pr. 〈 0.001). A feasible target SOC of just above 3% was defined for high-intensity sites. There should be no biophysical obstacle to raising SOC above 3% in the high-input sector. Results argue against treating cropland of this type as uniform: assessment and restoration should be implemented field by field.

Description: The aim of this paper has been to determine the importance of the strip-till method for the content of carbon and the quality of organic matter as compared with plough and ploughless tillage. The question to answer has been to what extent strip-till can contribute to carbon sequestration and thus be part of the strategy of counteracting climate change. The research involved soil where conventional tillage (CT), strip-till (ST), and reduced tillage (RT) were applied. These systems differ completely in the way they affect the post-harvest residue, i.e., “plant residue management”. For air-dry soil samples, the following analyses were made: the content of total organic carbon (TOC) and total nitrogen (Nt), content of dissolved organic carbon (DOC) and dissolved nitrogen (DNt), and the fractional composition of humus. In the surface layer the content of TOC ranged from 11.96 (CT) to 13.88 g kg−1 (RT) and DOC ranged from 209.9 (CT) to 230.5 mg kg−1 (ST). The share of the fraction of fluvic acids (0–15 cm layer) changed from 15.51% (RT) to 18.81% (ST), the share of the fraction of humic acids was 9.36% (ST) to 11.60%, and humins were 68.90% (CT) to 72.6% (RT). These results demonstrated that the tillage system determines the properties of the organic matter of soil. In the surface layer (0–15 cm) and in the 30–50 cm layer the properties of the soil organic matter under strip-till had a greater similarity to the soil under ploughless tillage than under conventional tillage. Ploughless tillage and strip-till considerably limited the leaching of carbon and nitrogen from the surface layer to the 30–50 cm layer. Strip-till, similarly to ploughless tillage, is the tillage method which can be crucial for the process of carbon sequestration.

Description: The possibility to use hedging strategies is an often neglected aspect in the literature on prediction/betting markets, as most papers assume that bettors will bet according to their beliefs about the probability of the outcome of the event, as opposed to the direction in which the odds will move. This ignores strategies that try to buy low and sell high through exploiting price changes, which is an important aspect to incorporate to fully understand market pricing. In this paper, we derive the key mathematical results in using hedging strategies through taking opposite positions to an initial bet after the market odds have changed and show that a profit can be made without explicitly speculating on the probability of the outcomes. We also discuss two sources of inefficiency that can arise when using hedging strategies in practice: (i) the need to pay a fee when using a betting exchange and (ii) the lack of a lay option (the possibility to bet against outcomes) on some markets, and we analyze how they affect the possibilities to hedge. Many of the results have interesting properties when expressed in terms of the naive probabilities implied by the odds.

Description: After more than a decade of existence, crypto-currencies may now be considered an important class of assets presenting some unique appealing characteristics but also sharing some features with real financial assets. This paper provides a comprehensive statistical analysis of the six most important crypto-currencies from the period 2015–2020. Using daily data we (1) showed that the returns present many of the stylized facts often observed for stock assets, (2) modeled the returns underlying distribution using a semi-parametric mixture model based on the extreme value theory, (3) showed that the returns are weakly autocorrelated and confirmed the presence of long memory as well as short memory in the GARCH volatility, (4) used an econometric approach to compute risk measures, such as the value-at-risk, the expected shortfall, and drawups, (5) found that the crypto-coins’ price trajectories do not contain speculative bubbles and that they move together maintaining the long run equilibrium, and (6) using static and dynamic D-vine pair-copula models, assessed the true dependence structure among the crypto-assets, obtaining robust copula based bivariate dynamic measures of association. The analyses indicate that the strength of dependence among the crypto-currencies has increased over the recent years in the cointegrated crypto-market. The conclusions reached will help investors to manage risk while identifying opportunities for alternative diversified and profitable investments. To complete the analysis we provide a brief discussion on the effects of the COVID-19 pandemic on the crypto-market by including the first semester of 2020 data.

Description: Sowing and transplanting dates are important cultivation factors for rice production. Therefore, the present study focused on developing a rice model system that would be able to determine sowing and transplanting dates for diverse cultivars and planting methods in different agro-ecological zones. Different model parameters were integrated into a rice model system on the basis of their interaction effects in this study. The results showed that sowing and transplanting dates designed by the rice model system were approached to the planting dates recommended by local agricultural experts for high yield practices, with root mean squared error (RMSE) of 5.3 to 14.74 days. The model system accurately simulated suitable sowing and transplanting dates under most scenarios with relatively low RMSE, high linear correlation coefficient (R2), and model efficiency (EF). Using the model system recommendations, rice yield under manual transplanting in low fertility soil was increased the most (5.5%), while for direct sowing in high fertility soil, yield increase was modest (0.8%). The newly-developed rice model system can act as a technical approach to design suitable sowing and transplanting dates for achieving high yield and effective crop production.

Description: Water stress is the main abiotic factor that limits soybean grain yield. We investigated eight soybean cultivars under well-watered (WW) and terminal drought stress (TDS) conditions to determine the traits associated with water saving and the relationship between water use, root morphology, canopy architecture, flower and tagged-pod number, and yield performance. Under WW conditions, the average grain yield across the new soybean cultivars was significantly higher (18.7 g plant−1 vs. 15.1 g plant−1), but significantly less water was used (36 L plant−1 vs. 47 L plant−1) than in the old soybean cultivars. Under TDS, the four old soybean cultivars failed to produce a measurable grain yield, while the new soybean cultivars Zhonghuang 30 (ZH) and Jindou 19 (J19) produced a measurable grain yield. Water stress significantly reduced the flower numbers and tagged-pod numbers; the four new soybean cultivars on average had low flower and tagged-pod numbers under WW treatment, while they had low flower but high tagged-pod numbers under TDS conditions. ZH and JD exhibited a lower branch number and leaf area under both WW and TDS conditions. Water use during the flowering and podding periods was significantly positively correlated with the flower number and the tagged-pod number under both WW and TDS conditions. Thus, the small canopy size and low root length and root surface area contributed to a water-saving mechanism in the new soybean cultivars and improved the yield under drought conditions.