Biology and Life Sciences

Abstract: Biochar amendment offers a promising strategy to enhance soil physicochemical performance and yield response in nutrient-poor sandy soils; however, its effectiveness depends strongly on feedstock type and application rate. This field study assessed the agronomic and sandy soil responses of tomatoes to biochars derived from date palm, maize, and potato residues, applied at 0, 2, 4, 8, and 16 t·ha⁻¹ under desert conditions in southeastern Algeria. Biochars were characterized for physicochemical and structural properties, and their effects on soil carbon, nutrient availability, and tomato yield were evaluated. The results showed that biochar application significantly increased soil total organic carbon (TOC) and total yield, particularly at low application rates. Date palm biochar applied at 2 t·ha⁻¹ produced the highest yield improvement, whereas excessive application tended to suppress yield. In contrast, soil N, P, and K did not show statistically significant differences among treatments, although slight numerical increases were observed compared to the control at medium application rates (4–8 t·ha⁻¹). These findings highlight the importance of optimizing biochar application rates according to feedstock type to maximize agronomic benefits. Overall, moderate biochar application represents a promising strategy for improving soil organic carbon status and crop productivity in desert sandy soils agroecosystems.

Abstract: Cordyceps militaris is a high-value medicinal mushroom with rapidly growing demand in functional food and nutraceutical markets, yet practical frameworks for small-scale household cultivation remain limited. This study presents an integrated technical and economic feasibility analysis of small-scale Cordyceps production, comparing two scenarios: Scenario 1, an entry-level household setup with one growth room and processing area; and Scenario 2, a larger configuration with two growth rooms and a shared processing area, with staggered scheduling. Both use consistent biological, operational, and market assumptions, with no hired labor. The analysis covers capital expenditure (CapEx), operating costs (OpEx), profitability metrics, payback period, and break-even thresholds, complemented by sensitivity analysis on key biological parameters. While both scenarios are technically and financially viable, Scenario 2 delivers substantially superior returns, faster payback, and stronger resilience to variation in biological efficiency and contamination, requiring only modest incremental CapEx. Gross margins remain consistent across scales, indicating that expansion's advantage lies in more efficient CapEx amortization rather than improved unit profitability. Beyond financial performance, the findings highlight Cordyceps cultivation as a family-centered enterprise that can strengthen household economic diversification, generate supplementary or primary income, and contribute to the livelihoods of urban and rural families.

Abstract: Severe decline and death of young table grape vines (1 to 2 years old) have been observed recurrently in commercial vineyards in Peru since 2022. Affected plants developed rapid shoot wilting associated with extensive necrotic lesions at the rootstock collar below the graft union, leading to plant death within days of symptom onset. A Cylindrocarpon-like fungus was consistently isolated from symptomatic collar tissues. Morphological characterization, cardinal temperature assays, and phylogenetic analyses based on the internal transcribed spacer region (ITS) and histone H3 (his3) gene identified the pathogen as a member of the genus Pleiocarpon. Bayesian inference of concatenated sequences resolved the Peruvian isolates as a distinct lineage sister to P. strelitziae (posterior probability = 1.00). Greenhouse pathogenicity tests with two representative isolates on cv. Red Globe grafted onto Salt Creek rootstock reproduced collar lesions and shoot wilting, fulfilling Koch's postulates. Optimal mycelial growth occurred between 25.7 to 26.1°C, and maximum experimental growth was observed between 28.8 to 31.5°C, consistent with warm conditions during vineyard establishment in coastal Peru. The disease, designated here as collar rot of grapevine, is pathologically distinct from classical black-foot disease due to its extensive belowground collar necrosis and rapid vine collapse. Recurrent outbreaks and the near-exclusive use of the susceptible Salt Creek rootstock indicate that Pleiocarpon-associated collar rot is an emerging threat to table grape production in Peru.

Abstract: Grapevine trunk diseases (GTDs) are major constraints to vineyard longevity and productivity worldwide, and pruning wounds are recognized as key infection courts for their causal fungi. However, the dynamics of natural infection after pruning under field conditions remain insufficiently defined. This study evaluated natural infection of grapevine pruning wounds by GTD pathogens in three commercial vineyards in Spain and France over two growing seasons. At each site, vines were pruned either early in the dormant season (November-December) or late (February), and wounds were sampled weekly for 8 weeks. Disease severity was quantified as the percentage of wood pieces yielding GTD pathogens after isolation. A total of 11,230 fungal isolates were recovered, of which Botryosphaeriaceae accounted for 54.4%, followed by Diaporthe spp. (34.2%) and Cytospora spp. (11.4%). Disease severity varied significantly over time in all site-disease combinations, and temporal trajectories differed with pruning time and season. Late pruning resulted in significantly greater disease severity than early pruning in 6 of 9 site-disease combinations. The strongest effect was observed in Pyrénées-Atlantiques for Botryosphaeria dieback, where late pruning increased severity by 18.77 percentage points; Cytospora canker at the same site increased by 7.24 percentage points. Climatic analyses revealed site-specific associations, with relative humidity most strongly associated with disease severity in Pyrénées-Atlantiques and precipitation in Pyrénées-Orientales. These results indicate that GTD pathogens can be recovered from pruning wounds for at least 8 weeks after pruning and that the effect of pruning time depends strongly on vineyard and pathogen group.

Abstract: This study evaluates the performance of LiDAR sensing and UAV photogrammetry for three-dimensional canopy reconstruction and structural parameter estimation in precision agriculture. Experiments were conducted in Sicily (Italy) on Moringa oleifera Lam. and Ficus macrophylla subsp. columnaris, representing contrasting canopy architectures. LiDAR and UAV data were used to generate canopy models and estimate canopy height, volume, and vegetation density. A voxel-based approach was applied to LiDAR point clouds to analyze internal canopy structure. LiDAR significantly outperformed UAV photogrammetry, achieving lower errors in canopy height estimation (RMSE = 0.19–0.21 m vs. 0.52–0.60 m) and canopy volume (3.5–4.2% vs. 13.7–16.1%). UAV photogrammetry provided reliable estimates of canopy surface but underestimated structural parameters in dense vegetation due to occlusion effects. Differences were more pronounced in Ficus macrophylla than in Moringa oleifera, highlighting the influence of canopy complexity. These findings demonstrate that LiDAR-derived structural metrics can improve canopy characterization and support precision agriculture applications such as biomass estimation, irrigation planning, and canopy management in Mediterranean cropping systems.

Abstract: Grapevine trunk diseases (GTDs), caused mainly by fungal ascomycetes and some basidiomycetes, threaten vineyard sustainability through yield losses, higher management costs and reduced vineyard lifespan. Because pruning wounds are the main infection courts, pruning decisions strongly shape GTD risk. This review critically analyses advances over the last decade, with a particular focus on studies published since 2018, on how pruning practices influence infection dynamics and management outcomes across GTD complexes. We synthesize evidence on spore dispersal and weather drivers, temporal patterns of wound susceptibility, and the performance of mitigation strategies, including pruning timing (early/late and double pruning), training systems and sap-flow-oriented pruning concepts, optimization of wound number and size, and inoculum reduction through sanitation and remedial surgery. We also review recent field evaluations of pruning-wound protectants under artificial inoculation and natural infection, covering fungicides, biological control agents and physical barriers. Reported outcomes are highly variable among regions, climates and pathogen groups, indicating that universal recommendations are unreliable without local epidemiological context. Priority research gaps include: (i) field validation of traditional pruning concepts (protective wood/desiccation cones and diaphragm preservation) under natural infection; (ii) the epidemiological contribution of growing-season wounds; (iii) mechanistic drivers of the wide range of reported wound-susceptibility duration; (iv) development of cold-tolerant biological control agents effective across pathogen-host combinations; and (v) validation and transferability of spore-dispersal and risk-forecast models across viticultural regions. Overall, GTD management is best approached as a region-adapted, integrated strategy combining pruning decisions, inoculum management and timely wound protection.

Abstract: A rice rhizosphere Streptomyces strain SAI-25 was previously reported to exhibit bicontrol activity against a limited range of agricultural pests, leaving its broader agricultural potential unexplored. In this study, we performed whole genome sequencing, untargeted metabolomics and in-vitro assays to examine its full agricultural potential. Genome similarity confidently re-assigned SAI-25 as a new strain of S. cavourensis. The comparative genome analysis revealed the presence of unique proteins and genomic islands with diverse functions highlighting its genomic novelty. Among the predicted Biosynthetic Gene Clusters (BGCs) for secondary metabolites, majority were annotated having biocontrol and plant growth promoting (PGP) activities. Three of them were detected in untargeted metabolomics of secretome on Iron deficiency or Salinity stress, which includes a siderophore (desferrioxamine B), an osmoprotectant (ectoine), and a broad-spectrum antimicrobial (valinomycin). Beyond the annotated BGCs, at least eight additional agriculturally relevant secondary metabolites were also detected. For the previously reported insecticidal diketopiperazine derivative produced by SAI-25, two key enzymes capable of diketopiperazine core biosynthesis were predicted. Finally, the in-vitro assays revealed its broad range PGP activities. Overall, the SAI-25’s versatile secondary metabolites and potent PGP enzymes highlight its potential as a promising biopesticide/biofertilizer candidate.

Abstract: German chamomile (Matricaria recutita L.) is an important medicinal and aromatic crop in Ukraine, where it’s dried flower heads (Chamomillae anthodium) are officially registered and standardized according to the European Pharmacopoeia. Despite its economic relevance, information on population-level variability in essential oil yield and chemical composition remains limited. This study evaluated twenty wild chamomile populations distributed across major agroclimatic regions of Ukraine to identify valuable chemotypes for cultivation, breeding, and commercial standardization. Clus-ter analysis revealed a partial relationship between flower head mass and both qualitative and quantitative essential oil traits, while environmental conditions showed only weak influence. Over all, Ukrainian wild chamomile predominantly belonged to Type B chemotype (/-/-α-bisabolol oxide A > /-/-α-bisabolol > /-/-α-bisabololoxide B). Southern populations with medium-sized flower heads and moderate oil content were dominated by the phytotherapeutic valuable /-/-α-bisabolol chemotype. These findings provide a scientific basis for chemotype-based selection, region-specific cultivation, and improvement of commercial chamomile quality and its products. In the conditions of special agricultural production in Ukraine, the technology of growing medicinal chamomile is not sufficiently developed. New agrotechnical issues are being studied in accordance with adaptive varieties, which are the domestic Perlyna Lisostepu, Azulena and the foreign: Bodegold (Germany), Zloty Lan (Poland). However, these are chamomile varieties with an average content of essential oil, which has a high content of bisabololoxides. However, the needs for technologies for harvesting and processing chamomile drugs are currently not sufficiently resolved. These facts affect the low visual and herbal quality of teas in the consumer network, which are produced by the Ukrainian companies.

Abstract: Olive leaf spot, caused by Pseudocercospora cladosporioides, is one of the main foliar diseases affecting olive crops. This study determined the sensitivity of eighteen Uruguayan isolates of P. cladosporioides to eighteen fungicides belonging to eight chemical groups. Mycelial growth inhibition assays were performed on PDA with increasing fungicide concentrations, and the EC₅₀ for each isolate-fungicide combination was calculated. Copper-based fungicides showed moderate levels of inhibition. Among contact fungicides, mancozeb exhibited the best inhibition compared with ziram and captan, while dodine showed a similar level of inhibition to ziram. Most fungicides from the benzimidazole, strobilurin and triazole groups demonstrated the highest efficacy with carbendazim, trifloxystrobin and mefentrifluconazole showing the greatest inhibitory activity. These findings guide the selection of fungicides for cercospora leaf spot management within sustainable pest control programs and establish a reference framework for future resistance monitoring.

Abstract: As a significant branch of nanotechnology, carbon-based nanomaterials (CNMs) have garnered extensive attention for their broad application potential in agriculture, attributed to their unique structural and physicochemical properties. They are considered one of the important tools for promoting sustainable agricultural development. Among them, carbon nanotubes (CNTs), owing to their excellent mechanical properties, electrical characteristics, and high specific surface area, have recently attracted considerable interest in plant growth regulation and the development of agricultural inputs. This article systematically reviews the research progress of CNMs, especially CNTs, in agriculture. Firstly, it outlines the structural characteristics and physicochemical properties of different types of CNMs. Subsequently, from a plant physiological perspective, it focuses on analyzing their mechanisms of action in nutrient uptake, photosynthesis regulation, and antioxidant defense. Based on this, it summarizes the application progress of CNMs in plant growth promotion, nano-pesticide and fertilizer delivery, and precision agriculture sensing. Furthermore, this article emphasizes the dose-dependent biphasic effect (hormesis) of CNMs on plants: at low doses, they can promote growth and enhance stress resistance, whereas at high doses, they may induce oxidative stress, cellular damage, and photosynthesis inhibition. However, significant variations in responses exist depending on the material type, physicochemical properties, and plant species, and a unified understanding of the underlying mechanisms has not yet been established. Finally, this article discusses green synthesis strategies for CNMs and their potential ecological risks, and points out that future research should focus on key issues such as precise dose regulation, long-term environmental behavior, and multi-scale mechanism analysis. This review aims to provide a systematic reference for understanding CNMs-plant interactions and their safe application in agriculture.

Abstract: The Hsp20 protein family, recognized in all organisms for its chaperone activity in the heat-stress response, is part of the Heat Shock Protein (Hsp) superfamily, defined by a conserved alpha-crystallin domain (ACD). Hsp20s are the smallest proteins in the superfamily (mostly between 15 and 22 kDa) and assist in protein refolding during stress and developmental processes. In this study, we characterize the Hsp20 gene family in Chenopodium quinoa (2n = 4x = 36) using an integrative omic approach. C. quinoa is well known for its global contributions to food production and tolerance to various abiotic stresses. We identified 69 CqHsp20 genes distributed across the nine chromosomes of each subgenome (A and B), organized mainly into homologous pairs, with paralogs on eight chromosomes, likely from tandem duplications, suggesting a well-conserved evolutionary pattern within the species. The phylogenetic analysis grouped CqHsp20 proteins into two main clusters, split into four sub-clusters based on peptides’ cellular localization, consistent with a characteristic gene structure and conserved motif analysis. The integration of transcriptomic data from published experiments enabled us to detect a cluster of putatively ubiquitously expressed CqHsp20, as well as other groups that showed differential responses across abiotic stress conditions. The pattern shows more genes with transcriptional activity under drought and salinity than under heat, key adaptive traits underlying quinoa’s known ecological versatility. Some of these genes, with null or low transcriptional activity under heat stress, encode organelle-targeting peptides, a phenomenon not reported in other model plant studies. Varying expression within CqHsp20 homologous and paralogs supports the idea that gene duplication creates genomic diversity, facilitating adaptation to variable extreme environments. However, while theoretical and in silico analysis provide valuable insight into quinoa Hsp20 response, empirical data are essential to unequivocally understand how these gene expression variations affect quinoa response to abiotic stressors.

Abstract: Lavender (Lavandula angustifolia Mill.) is a globally significant crop, with Bulgaria maintaining a leading position in essential oil production. This study presents the first comprehensive, multi-regional analysis of commercial lavender plantations in Bulgaria, integrating phenotypic, biochemical, and genetic data. A novel Field Quality Index (FQI) was developed to objectively quantify production efficiency by balancing yield, essential oil quality, and intra-field homogeneity. Genetic profiling of 285 individual plants via Start Codon Targeted (SCoT) markers revealed significant genetic diversity and a population structure derived from two primary clusters (Delta K = 2), with high intra-field heterogeneity (64%). Our results demonstrate that peak FQI values are achieved in fields with moderate genetic diversity (Genetic Homogeneity Index HI = 0.6–0.7) and high polymorphic information content (PIC ≥ 0.35), whereas excessive clonal uniformity compromises both yield and phytochemical complexity. Regions in Northeastern Bulgaria (Shumen, Shabla) outperformed traditional areas, showing superior resilience to heat stress, which was found to suppress linalool biosynthesis while stimulating trans-ocimene accumulation. Association analysis identified six SCoT loci with high potential for Marker-Assisted Selection (MAS), explaining up to 33.97% of the variation in key terpenoids. These findings establish the FQI as a robust tool for genome-informed management and provide a strategic framework for the sustainable production of high-value lavender oil in a changing climate. The SCoT markers demonstrate substantial potential for practical use in assessing yield and quality, as well as for integration into breeding programs aimed at advancing lavender production.

Abstract: Containerized ornamental plant production requires efficient irrigation strategies to balance plant quality with water and nutrient conservation. This study evaluated the effects of different leaching fraction (LF) levels (0%, 20%, 40%, and 60%) on plant growth, ornamental quality, water use, and macronutrient leaching in off-season potted Curcuma cv. ‘Jasmine Pink’. Irrigation volumes were determined using crop coefficient (Kc)-based estimates derived from evaporation pan measurements. The results showed that the highest LF level (60%) significantly improved several ornamental quality traits, including flower number per cluster, leaf greenness, specific leaf area, and compactness index, while also increasing aerial dry weight and photosynthetic performance during the flowering stage. These improvements were associated with reduced substrate electrical conductivity, indicating that higher LF might effectively mitigated root-zone salt accumulation and promoted favorable physiological conditions for plant growth. However, increasing LF also resulted in greater irrigation water consumption and higher macronutrient losses through leachate, particularly for potassium. In contrast, lower LF treatments (0–20%) improved water use efficiency and reduced nutrient losses but showed moderate salt accumulation in the root zone, which slightly limited photosynthetic performance and ornamental development. Overall, the results indicate that a higher LF (60%) provides optimal plant growth and ornamental quality for off-season potted Curcuma production, although integrated strategies may be required to reduce water and nutrient losses. These findings provide practical insights for optimizing irrigation management in container-grown ornamental crops.

Abstract: The aim of this study was to evaluate whether edible coatings and plant derived ex-tracts can help maintain the quality and microbiological safety of fresh-cut sweet peppers during short-term refrigerated storage. Two bell pepper cultivars, Sunny F1 (yellow) and Yecla F1 (red), were sliced and subjected to five treatments: water wash-ing (control), washing with BioActiW 2000 Food sanitizer (BAW), BAW followed by carboxymethylcellulose (CMC) coating (BAW+CMC), CMC coating enriched with 3.5% alcoholic chokeberry pomace extract (CMC+AE), and soaking in 3.5% aqueous chokeberry pomace extract (AAE). Samples were stored at 5 °C for 7 days and evalu-ated for physicochemical analysis, microbiological contamination, postharvest quality, and sensory properties. The treatments influenced quality attributes in a cultivar de-pendent manner. All coating based treatments reduced polyphenol and L-ascorbic acid content relative to the control, although formulations containing chokeberry extract tended to limit these losses compared with BAW+CMC. Total sugar and carotenoid contents were not significantly affected. In both cultivars, BAW and BAW+CMC were the most effective treatments for reducing mesophilic bacteria and yeast counts, limit-ing softening, reducing weight loss, and maintaining marketable quality. By contrast, AAE applied without prior sanitization increased microbial counts in Sunny F1, indi-cating that the extract alone was not sufficient to control native microflora. Sensory analysis showed clear cultivar specific responses: Sunny F1 generally tolerated CMC+AE and BAW+CMC better, whereas Yecla F1 was more sensitive to off-flavors associated with the chokeberry extract. PCA analysis indicated that smell and taste at-tributes were the main drivers of perceived quality. These results suggest that CMC based coatings can support fresh-cut pepper quality, but their practical value depends strongly on prior sanitization. The addition of chokeberry pomace extract may be beneficial for some quality traits, yet its overall ef-fect depends on cultivar and treatment conditions, including extract concentration and pH.

Abstract: Rice (Oryza sativa L.) is one of the world’s major staple foods. However, its production is severely constrained by rice blast disease, caused by Magnaporthe oryzae, which leads to substantial yield losses. Conventional management relies on fungicides and chemical treatments; however, these methods raise concerns regarding the development of pathogen resistance and potential environmental impacts. This study evaluated carrageenan from Hypnea musciformis, collected from the coast of Saint Martin (92°19′21.28″E and 20°37′38.12″N), located in the Bay of Bengal, Bangladesh, as a natural plant growth promoter as well asbiocontrol agent. Carrageenan was characterized by high sulfate (19–35%) and galactose (12–18%) contents, with FT-IR confirming characteristic κ-carrageenan functional groups. Application of 15% carrageenan significantly increased germination of seed (27%), seedling vigor (93%), shoot and root lengths (54% and 47%), and biomass compared with untreated controls. Carrageenan markedly suppressed M. oryzae, inhibiting mycelial growth (83%), reducing conidiogenesis and conidial germination, and decreasing lesion length in detached leaves and potted plants. Treated rice seedlings exhibited improved soluble sugars, photosynthetic pigments, proline, phenolic and flavonoid contents, and enhanced antioxidant enzyme activities such as CAT (catalase) and POD (peroxidase), while lowering oxidative stress markers such as H₂O₂ and MDA (malondialdehyde). These results demonstrate that carrageenan from H. musciformis enhances rice growth and elicits defense responses against rice blast, offering a sustainable and environment friendly alternative to chemical-based fungicides for integrated M. oryzae management.

Abstract: Rootstock selection is a key component of sustainable vineyard planning, as it determines the vine’s capacity to adapt to soil properties and environmental constraints. This study presents Vitis, a modular, microservice‑based Decision Support System (DSS) designed to assist winegrowers and professionals in identifying the most suitable grapevine rootstocks for specific pedoclimatic conditions. The rootstock module (SR‑Vitis) integrates a process‑based model that evaluates 17 widely used European rootstocks by considering soil and site characteristics, including effective rooting depth, texture, coarse fragments, salinity, pH, active calcium carbonate, potential fertility, and risks of waterlogging and water deficit. Input data can be entered manually or retrieved automatically from a georeferenced database through geographic coordinates. The system outputs a list of rootstocks compatible with the given soil and environmental context and provides the user with an automatic report in PDF format. The model was applied to four vineyards located in two contrasting Italian winegrowing regions, Chianti Classico (Tuscany) and Alta Murgia (Apulia), revealing strong agreement between DSS recommendations and rootstocks currently adopted by growers, while also identifying cases where alternative choices could reduce agronomic risk. These results demonstrate the potential of SR‑Vitis as an objective and practical tool for enhancing vineyard design, improving decision-making, and supporting viticultural resilience under increasingly variable climatic conditions.

Abstract: Gallnut anthracnose, caused primarily by Colletotrichum species, acts as a primary bottleneck restricting the sustainable development of the Rhus chinensis industry. Developing green biocontrol strategies by screening molecular targets for novel fungicides is highly imperative. A strain designated as Serratia plymuthica WF63 was isolated from healthy R. chinensis tissues. The strain exhibited broad-spectrum antifungal activity and multiple plant growth-promoting (PGP) traits, including the production of protease, cellulase, and indole-3-acetic acid (IAA). In vivo pot experiments revealed that WF63 achieved a biocontrol efficacy of over 50% against anthracnose pathogens (Colletotrichum nymphaeae and C. fioriniae) and demonstrated significant plant growth-promoting effects. Gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (GC-MS) analysis, combined with in vitro toxicity validation of pure compounds, identified hexahydro-2H-pyrido[1,2-a]pyrazin-3(4H)-one as a core antifungal component in the fermentation broth, with a median effective concentration (EC₅₀) of 133.88 mg·L^-1 against the target pathogen. These findings not only highlight WF63 as a promising microbial resource but also elucidate the specific nitrogen-containing heterocyclic compound as potential lead molecules for green fungicide development.

Abstract: The effects of biostimulants on raspberry remain insufficiently understood, particularly in relation to cultivar-specific responses and the potential of remote sensing for treatment evaluation. The aim of this study was to assess the impact of foliar-applied biostimulants on yield and physiological responses of two floricane raspberry cultivars, Glen Ample and Przehyba, using UAV-based multispectral imaging under field conditions. Five treatment variants were tested, including a control and four biostimulant formulations based on animal-derived amino acids, plant-derived amino acids, seaweed extract, and seaweed extract combined with animal-derived amino acids. Biostimulant application significantly affected yield and fruit number per plant, whereas fruit weight remained unchanged. The highest yield values were generally associated with treatments based on plant-derived amino acids and seaweed-containing formulations, while the lowest values were recorded in the control and after the application of animal-derived amino acids. Multispectral analysis revealed treatment-dependent temporal changes in vegetation indices, with clearer trends emerging after aggregation of relative percentage changes across measurement intervals. These results indicate that biostimulant effectiveness in floricane raspberry is strongly dependent on cultivar, formulation type, and temporal context. UAV-based multispectral imaging proved to be a promising non-destructive tool for tracking physiological responses to biostimulation under field conditions.

Abstract: Piper aduncum L. essential oil (PAEO) contains bioactive compounds with acknowledged insecticidal potential against various agricultural pests. Nevertheless, there is limited information about its long-term toxicological stability. In this sense, this study sought to assess the toxicological stability of PAEO after storage for 12 months at different temperatures (5 °C, 20 °C, and 35 °C) and light conditions (exposed to light or not), focusing on four insect pest species of stored grains: Sitophilus zeamais (Coleoptera: Curculionidae), Tribolium castaneum (Coleoptera: Tenebrionidae), Oryzaephilus surinamensis (Coleoptera: Silvanidae), and Cryptolestes ferrugineus (Coleoptera: Cucujidae). The toxicological stability of PAEO was evaluated every four months using concentration-mortality bioassays. Dillapiole was the predominant constituent, representing 70.34% of the identified compounds. At the conclusion of the 12-month evaluation, the PAEO demonstrated increased toxicity to the species S. zeamais, O. surinamensis, and C. ferrugineus. High temperature (35 °C) and light exposure significantly reduced the toxicity of PAEO to all four species. In conclusion, the efficacy of PAEO against insect pests is best preserved when kept in amber bottles, at temperatures not exceeding 20 °C, and shielded from light.

Abstract: Rice (Oryza sativa L.) is an important staple crop in Mozambique, and understanding its genetic diversity is essential for crop improvement, genetic resources management and conservation. However, molecular characterization of Mozambican rice germplasm remains limited. This study assessed genetic diversity and population structure of 40 lowland rainfed rice genotypes using 3473 high-quality single nucleotide polymorphism (SNP) markers generated through DArTseq™ genotyping-by-sequencing platform. Results revealed moderate genetic diversity with a mean polymorphism information content of 0.25, indicating moderate marker informativeness. Unbiased expected heterozygosity (uHe = 0.314) was higher than observed heterozygosity (Ho = 0.125), reflecting the inbreeding nature of rice (FIS = 0.357). Model-based admixture analysis identified four subpopulations, with 20% of genotypes classified as admixed. Substantial genetic differentiation was observed among these subpopulations (FST = 0.267), which was broadly consistent with the principal coordinate analysis and the neighbor-joining tree. Furthermore, a high mean Manhattan dissimilarity index (0.70), indicated strong genetic divergence across the panel. Analysis of molecular variance revealed significant variation among subpopulations (32.90%) and within subpopulations (67.10%). These findings provide foundational genetic insights to guide Mozambican rice breeding programs and support the long-term conservation of local germplasm.