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Topic Review
Tetranychus urticae in Northern Africa
In North Africa, Tetranychus urticae Koch, 1836 represents one of the most destructive generalists among mite herbivores. Unfortunately, it is a source of important annual casualties in crop production. It is a phytophagous mite that can feed on hundreds of host plants and produces significant damage. The control of Tetranychus urticae in North Africa has been principally based on acaricide sprays. However, new alternative methods have shown effective results, such as artificial ultraviolet-B, natural enemies, and the introduction of new genetic methods.
  • 807
  • 30 Mar 2022
Topic Review
Bovine β-Casein Variants and Human Health
Bovine beta-casein has been a subject of increasing scientific interest because its genetic A1 variant during gastrointestinal digestion releases opioid-like peptide β-casomorphin-7 (β-CM-7). Since β-CM-7 is involved in the dysregulation of many physiological processes, there is a growing discussion of whether the consumption of the β-casein A1 variant has an influence on human health. The clinical studies on humans showed a negative effect of variant A1 on serum glutathione level, digestive well-being, cognitive performance score in children, and mood score in women.
  • 807
  • 22 Dec 2022
Topic Review
Long-tailed Weasel
The Long-tailed Weasel (Mustela frenata) is a slender and agile carnivore found across North and Central America, characterized by its distinctive long body and tail. With a keen sense of smell and excellent hunting skills, the Long-tailed Weasel primarily preys on small mammals such as rodents, rabbits, and voles. Its adaptable nature allows it to thrive in a variety of habitats, including forests, grasslands, and agricultural areas, where it plays a vital role in controlling rodent populations.
  • 806
  • 15 Mar 2024
Topic Review
Plant Secondary Metabolites as Defense Tools against Herbivores
Plants have evolved several adaptive strategies through physiological changes in response to herbivore attacks. Plant secondary metabolites (PSMs) are synthesized to provide defensive functions and regulate defense signaling pathways to safeguard plants against herbivores. Herbivore injury initiates complex reactions which ultimately lead to synthesis and accumulation of PSMs. The biosynthesis of these metabolites is regulated by the interplay of signaling molecules comprising phytohormones. Plant volatile metabolites are released upon herbivore attack and are capable of directly inducing or priming hormonal defense signaling pathways. Secondary metabolites enable plants to quickly detect herbivore attacks and respond in a timely way in a rapidly changing scenario of pest and environment.Several studies have suggested that the potential for adaptation and/or resistance by insect herbivores to secondary metabolites is limited. These metabolites cause direct toxicity to insect pests, stimulate antixenosis mechanisms in plants to insect herbivores, and, by recruiting herbivore natural enemies, indirectly protect the plants. Herbivores adapt to secondary metabolites by the up/down regulation of sensory genes, and sequestration or detoxification of toxic metabolites. PSMs modulate multi-trophic interactions involving host plants, herbivores, natural enemies and pollinators. Although the role of secondary metabolites in plant-pollinator interplay has been little explored, several reports suggest that both plants and pollinators are mutually benefited. Molecular insights into the regulatory proteins and genes involved in the biosynthesis of secondary metabolites will pave the way for the metabolic engineering of biosynthetic pathway intermediates for improving plant tolerance to herbivores. 
  • 802
  • 14 Mar 2022
Topic Review
Development of Organic Food Sector
Our study aimed to explore the factors limiting the development of the organic food sector in Poland from the perspective of processing, distributing, and retailing companies. We used a qualitative approach with in-depth semi-structured interviews with the management board representatives of 17 large- and medium-sized enterprises and the owners of 10 small and medium companies. The potential limiting factors, including legal, economic, technological, and environmental factors, were identified by reviewing the corporate and market reports of processing and retailing companies operating in the Polish organic sector.
  • 801
  • 28 Sep 2021
Topic Review
Narrow-Leaf (dnl2) Mutant in Maize
The dnl2 mutant is a recessive mutant caused by EMS mutagenesis that displays various developmental defects, with a short stature and narrowed leaves being the two most obvious features. Phenotypic and cytological observations revealed that narrow-leaf mutant, dnl2 showed inhibited cell growth, altered vascular bundle patterning, and disrupted secondary cell wall structure when compared with the wild-type, which could be the direct cause of the dwarf and narrow-leaf phenotype.
  • 801
  • 21 Mar 2022
Topic Review
Bush Dog
The Bush Dog (Speothos venaticus) emerges as a captivating and elusive canid species, residing in the dense and remote habitats of Central and South America. Recognized for its unique appearance and social behaviors, the Bush Dog stands out as a small yet highly specialized predator within the intricate tapestry of neotropical ecosystems. This elusive canid's cryptic lifestyle and distinctive pack dynamics make it a subject of intrigue for wildlife enthusiasts and researchers alike.
  • 799
  • 04 Feb 2024
Topic Review
Optical-sensors improve nitrogen utilization efficiency
       Nitrogen use efficiency (NUE) for cereal crops grown around the world is low with an estimated value of 33%. This means that a considerable amount of nitrogen (N) is not recovered in the grain. As a result, several independent studies have been conducted to evaluate active optical sensors as an approach for N management. These studies reported benefits that range from N saving to higher NUE and sustaining grain yield in comparison to conventional methods of N management. This work reviewed and documented the extent to which the use of active optical sensors impacted winter wheat grain yield and NUE. In particular, the amount of N saved, NUE, and grain yield were reviewed and results presented by N management approach and region.
  • 798
  • 27 Aug 2020
Topic Review
Effect of Stressors on Honeybee Immunity
Honeybees are the most prevalent insect pollinator species; they pollinate a wide range of crops. Colony collapse disorder (CCD), which is caused by a variety of biotic and abiotic factors, incurs high economic/ecological loss. Various ecological stressors are microbial infections, exposure to pesticides, loss of habitat, and improper beekeeping practices that are claimed to cause these declines. Honeybees have an innate immune system, which includes physical barriers and cellular and humeral responses to defend against pathogens and parasites. Exposure to various stressors may affect this system and the health of individual bees and colonies.
  • 797
  • 30 May 2022
Topic Review
Breeding Inducer Development
Different approaches that can be used for maize maternal haploid inducer development are explained in this entry. For a complete review on maternal haploid inducers, see: https://www.mdpi.com/2223-7747/9/5/614/htm
  • 794
  • 28 Oct 2020
Topic Review
Alternative Proteins for Fish Diets
Aquaculture has been challenged to find alternative ingredients to develop innovative feed formulations that foster a sustainable future growth. Given the most recent trends in fish feed formulation on the use of alternative protein sources to decrease the dependency of fishmeal, it is fundamental to evaluate the implications of this new paradigm for fish health and welfare. 
  • 794
  • 13 May 2022
Topic Review
Recovery of phosphorus from wastewater
Mined phosphate rock is the largest source of phosphorus (P) for use in agriculture and agro-industry, but it also is a finite resource irregularly distributed around the world. Alternatively, waste water is a renewable source of P, available at the local scale. In waste water treatment, biological nitrogen (N) removal is applied according to a wide range of variants targeting the abatement of the ammonium content. Ammonium oxidation to nitrate can also be considered to mitigate ammonia emission, while enabling N recovery. Different alternatives exist for coupling biological N treatment and phosphate precipitation when treating waste water in view of producing P-rich materials easily usable as fertilisers. Phosphate precipitation can be applied before (upstream configuration), together with (concomitant configuration), and after (downstream configuration) N treatment; i.e., chemically induced as a conditioning pre-treatment, biologically induced inside the reactor, and chemically induced as a refining post-treatment. Characteristics of the recovered products differ significantly depending on the case studied. Currently (year 2020), precipitated phosphate salts are not typified in the European fertiliser regulation, and this fact limits marketability. Nonetheless, this topic is in progress according to potential requirements to be complied by these materials. Integrated approaches for waste water treatment including P recovery must consider significant needs for subsequent agronomic valorisation of the recovered phosphate salts following the paradigms of the circular economy, sustainability, and environmental protection.
  • 792
  • 27 Oct 2020
Topic Review
Lacticaseibacillus casei ATCC 393
Lactic acid bacteria (LAB) are commonly applied to fish as a means of growth promotion and disease prevention. However, evidence regarding whether LAB colonize the gastrointestinal (GI) tract of fish remains sparse and controversial.
  • 792
  • 28 Dec 2021
Topic Review
ICTs in Agri-Food Logistics
A major challenge of Sustainable Development Goal 12 “Responsible Consumption and Production” is to reduce food losses along production and supply chains. This is particularly critical for fresh food products, due to their perishable and fragile nature, which makes the coordination of the actors all the more crucial to avoid wastes and losses. The rise of new technologies, referred to as “Industry 4.0” powered by the internet of things, big data analytics and artificial intelligence, could bring new solutions to meet these needs. Information and communication technologies (ICTs) allow for frequent exchanges of huge amounts of information between actors in the agrofood chains to coordinate their activities.
  • 791
  • 02 Feb 2022
Topic Review
Six Papaya Cultivars Grown
Six papaya (Carica papaya L.) cultivars, grown in a Mediterranean climate under greenhouse conditions, were screened for physicochemical properties, antioxidant capacity, nutritional and sensory characteristics. The fruits, harvested with more than 50% of yellow surface (between 60% and 77%) were tested for carotenoids content, phenolic content, reducing activity (ABTS), and cellular antioxidant activity (CAA50). The physicochemical traits were measured in terms of the titratable acidity and soluble content whereas proximal composition along with moisture, fats, total sugar, ash, vitamin A, C, and E content. Moreover, the sensory profile was analyzed by a semi-trained panel. Although the six analyzed cultivars reached qualitative characteristics to satisfy market needs, significant differences among them were found in a genotype-dependent manner. In particular, Cartagena and Maradol cultivars evidenced the highest values of minerals and vitamins, carotenoids, polyphenols, ABTS and CAA50 and reached the best commercial requisites (size, total soluble solids content/titratable acidity ratio). As for sensory analysis, we observed significate differences only for sweetness, juiciness, odor, and flavor of peach and exotic fruits whereas descriptors related to unpleasant defects or sensations always have very low scores in all the observed cultivars. These results highlight the possibility of obtaining quality papaya fruits in a Mediterranean climate using greenhouse growing.
  • 790
  • 03 May 2021
Topic Review
Evapotranspiration
Accurate evapotranspiration (ET) estimation is important in understanding the hydrological cycle and improving water resource management. The operational simplified surface energy balance (SSEBop) model can be set up quickly for the routine monitoring of ET. Several studies have suggested that the SSEBop model that simulated ET has performed inconsistently across the United States. There are few detailed studies on the evaluation of ET simulated by SSEBop in other regions. To explore the potential and application scope of the SSEBop model, more evaluation of the ET simulated by SSEBop is clearly needed. We calculated the SSEBop model-based ET (ETSSEBopYRB) with the input of MOD11A2 and climate variables in the Yellow River Basin (YRB), China. We also compared the ETSSEBopYRB with eight coarse resolution ET products, including China ETMTE produced by the upscaling energy flux method, China ETCR generated by the nonlinear complementary relationship model, three global products based on the logic of Penman-Monteith (ETPMLv2, ETMODIS and ETBESS), two global ET products based on the surface energy balance (ETSEBS, ETSSEBopGlo), and integrated ET products based on the Bayesian model averaging method (ETGLASS), by the annual ET derived from the water balance method (WB-ET) in fourteen catchments. We found that ETSSEBopYRB and the other eight ET products were able to explain 23 to 52% variability in water balance ET of fourteen small catchments in YRB. ETSSEBopYRB has better agreement with WB-ET than ETSEBS, ETMODIS, ETCR and ETGLASS, with a lower RMSE (88.3 mm yr-1 vs 121.7 mm yr-1), higher R2 (0.49 VS 0.43) and lower absolute RPE (–3.3% VS –19.9%) during the years 2003–2015. We also found that the uncertainties of the spatial pattern of the average annual ET and the ET trend are still large in different ET products. Third, we found that the free global ET product derived from the SSEBop model (ETSSEBopGlo) highly underestimated the annual total ET trend of the YRB. Poor performance of the land surface temperature product of MOD11A2 in 2015 caused the large ETSSEBopYRB uncertainty at eight-day scale and monthly scale. Further evaluation of the ET based on the SSEBop model in site measurements is needed.
  • 789
  • 14 Jan 2022
Topic Review
Salmonella and Food Safety
Salmonellosis is the second most reported gastrointestinal disorder in the EU resulting from the consumption of Salmonella-contaminated foods. Symptoms include gastroenteritis, abdominal cramps, bloody diarrhoea, fever, myalgia, headache, nausea and vomiting.
  • 789
  • 07 May 2021
Topic Review
Genetics Matters
The understanding of how genetic information may be inherited through generations was established by Gregor Mendel in the 1860s when he developed the fundamental principles of inheritance. The science of genetics, however, began to flourish only during the mid-1940s when DNA was identified as the carrier of genetic information. The world has since then witnessed rapid development of genetic technologies, with the latest being genome-editing tools, which have revolutionized fields from medicine to agriculture. This entry walks through the historical timeline of genetics research and deliberates how this discipline might furnish a sustainable future for humanity.
  • 789
  • 19 Apr 2022
Topic Review
Camelina sativa
Camelina sativa (L.) Crantz, also called gold-of-pleasure, false flax, or linseed dodder, is an oilseed crop belonging to the tribe Camelineae of the mustard family (Brassicaceae). Camelina is a hardy plant that adapts very well to different types of soil and grows best in cool semi-arid climates. The great potential of this crop is also being exploited to obtain a sustainable feedstock for its different applications, and to improve dryland agriculture. Camelina can be used to improve the quality of foods, such as dairy products and meat, and the consumption of its oil has potential benefits for human health.
  • 786
  • 23 May 2023
Topic Review
Date (Phoenix dactylifera L.) by-Products
The demand and price of feed/feed stuffs was greatly altered after the COVID-19 crisis, showing great interest on depends on local feed stuffs and a decrease in the imported ones. Date palm (Phoenix dactylifera L.) is a common crop in arid and semiarid regions for production of date fruits. Several by-products, such as whole cull dates, date stones (also called pits, seeds, kernels), sugar-extracted date pulp, are produced from date fruit processing industries. These by-products, particularly date stone meal represent 10 to 20% of the whole dates are wasted, causing environmental issues. However, the date stone is rich in various nutrients, such as nitrogen-free extract, fiber, fat, and minerals, which could be used as an alternative feed source in poultry nutrition. However, the high fiber content in date stone meal restricts its use in poultry diets. Whole date wastes and date pulp have lower protein, fiber and fat content than those in date stone meal.
  • 784
  • 23 Apr 2021
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