Royal Agricultural University

Abstract Present research work explored the multimodal function of Bacillus subtilis -mediated zinc oxide and copper oxide nanoparticles towards citrus greening disease, with their impact on the kinnow biochemical response. UV-Vis spectroscopy confirmed nanoparticle formation with surface plasmon resonance peaks at 380 nm (ZnONPs) and 280 nm (CuONPs), while particle sizes averaged 60 nm and 85 nm, respectively. Zeta potentials were − 35 mV (ZnONPs) and − 20 mV (CuONPs), indicating stable colloidal dispersions. XRD analysis confirmed their FCC crystalline nature, and FTIR spectra revealed plant-derived functional groups (O–H, N–H, C = O, C–O) involved in nanoparticle capping. SEM imaging showed irregular spherical ZnONPs (45–55 nm) and rod-shaped CuONPs (70–80 nm). Greenhouse assays showed significant disease suppression, with ZnONPs + CuONPs reducing incidence to 16.95%, outperforming ZnONPs (19.61%) and CuONPs (28.76%). Concentration- and time-dependent reductions under ZnONPs + CuONPs reached 12.84% at 0.75% and 12.06% at 21 days. Field trials confirmed similar trends (25.90% incidence under ZnONPs + CuONPs). Biochemically, ZnONPs at 0.75% enhanced SOD (6.06 µg/g FW), POD (5.98), CAT (5.04), TPC (5.38), TSP (5.85), TSS (6.15), proline (4.99 µmol/g FW), H₂O₂ (4.73), and MDA (5.43). Agronomic traits were also improved at 100 mg/L ZnONPs: juice pH (3.50), juice content (46.46%), vitamin C (16.03 mg/100 mL), fruit weight (213.53 g), diameter (72.29 mm), peel thickness (9.29 mm), and yield (258.03 kg/tree). These findings underscore the promise of biogenic ZnONPs and CuONPs as sustainable, multifunctional tools for integrated disease management and crop health improvement.

Simple SummaryMonitoring animal welfare is a key element of conducting research involving animals. The aim of this project was to co-create animal welfare monitoring systems that could contribute to best practice husbandry standards of farm animals in a real animal research setting. Researchers worked with nine staff to co-design six bespoke welfare assessment protocols to be conducted in addition to legally required welfare monitoring for adult cattle, calves, sheep, pigs, and goats in specific experimental environments that included both positive and negative welfare elements. Four protocols were subsequently applied with variable frequency by three staff to cattle, goats, and two pig populations. Assessments were all observational and included behavioural and physical condition data. Two staff provided feedback on their views of the process. A key finding was that with facilitation, staff could generate protocols that included elements designed to encourage or evaluate interventions to promote positive emotions. However, data collection was sporadic, and although the staff who provided feedback reported that they valued the process highly, they noted that the primary challenge was finding the time to conduct the additional assessments. We therefore conclude that sustained support is likely to be required to maximise the benefits for the animals and staff of developing and conducting additional voluntary welfare monitoring of farm animals.The aim of this project was to co-create an animal welfare monitoring system that incorporated both positive and negative welfare measures that would contribute to best practice husbandry standards of farm animals in a real animal research setting. Researchers worked with nine staff to co-design six bespoke welfare assessment protocols to be conducted in addition to legally required welfare monitoring for adult cattle, calves, sheep, pigs, and goats in specific experimental environments. Four protocols were subsequently applied with variable frequency by three staff to cattle, goats, and two pig populations. Assessments were all observational, and included behavioural scan sampling, Qualitative Behaviour Assessment scores, visual analogue mood scores, and physical condition data. Two staff provided feedback on their views of the process. A key finding was that with facilitation, staff could generate protocols that included elements designed to encourage or evaluate interventions to promote positive emotions. However, data collection was sporadic, and although the staff who provided feedback reported that they valued the process highly, they noted that the primary challenge was finding the time to conduct the assessments. We therefore conclude that sustained support is likely to be required to maximise the benefits for the animals and staff of developing and conducting voluntary welfare monitoring of farm animals.

Chemical contamination of soils due to military activity has become an urgent global concern, particularly in conflict-affected regions such as Ukraine. This study presents a methodology for the rapid identification and assessment of contaminated agricultural land using an integrated approach that combines open-source intelligence, geographic information systems (GIS), and remote sensing. The authors focused on military debris as a primary vector of soil contamination (by Cd, Co, Cr, Cu, Fe, Mn, Ni, Pb, and Zn) and utilized publicly available digital resources to geolocate fragments of destroyed equipment across farmlands in Kharkiv Oblast. To compensate for the limited availability of high-resolution, time-specific satellite imagery, the study employed free datasets from the European Space Agency. The emergence of soil tracks and field roads was used as a proxy indicator of ground disturbance and potential chemical impact. These signals guided field sampling campaigns, during which soil samples were collected in proximity to identified debris and analyzed in laboratory conditions for chemical pollutants. Analytical studies revealed that heavy metals at the impact site exceed maximum permissible concentrations and exhibit an increasing trend, particularly for cadmium, copper, lead, and zinc, with exceedances reaching up to 62 times the regulatory limits. All findings were systematically documented using a custom-designed GIS database, allowing the classification of contamination severity and spatial distribution. The resulting maps aim to support local authorities and farmers in decision-making and prioritising remediation measures. This approach provides a replicable framework for post-conflict environmental assessment and contributes to strengthening soil resilience in war-affected agricultural zones.

Farmer professional cooperatives are the focus objects of agricultural carbon emission reduction; with the use of the advantages of scale economy and technology, one can promote the development of low-carbon agriculture. In order to study the influencing factors of agricultural carbon emission reduction on farmer professional cooperatives, we explore the interaction effects of carbon emission reduction behavior between farmer professional cooperatives and farmers under government interventions. This paper introduces a carbon transaction mechanism as well as reward and punishment polices into a tripartite evolutionary game model between farmer professional cooperatives, governments, and farmers. Based on the model, we identify a stable evolution strategy and perform simulation analysis. The results indicate that the carbon transaction mechanism can effectively suppress the negative effect of increased costs through higher revenues of the carbon transaction, and carbon prices above 60 CNY/ton enable cooperatives to reduce regional emissions. Higher revenues can promote positive carbon emission reduction behaviors of farmer professional cooperatives and farmers. The sharing ratio increases from 20% to 80%, and farmers gain additional benefits by cooperating in the farmer professional cooperative practices to reduce emissions. Rational regulation of carbon transaction price and quota can promote the participation of farmer professional cooperatives in carbon emission reduction practices and promote the farmers’ inclusion into farmer professional cooperatives.

Ornamental fish production is significantly impacted by whether fish spawn naturally under controlled conditions. Therefore, goldfish (Carassius auratus) were allowed to breed naturally using various types of substrates to investigate their effects on ovulation, fertilization, and hatching rates in an experimental setup. The goldfish were subjected to five different substrate treatments: T1 (water hyacinth), T2 (jute rope), T3 (polythene), T4 (net), and T5 (no substrate). The optimal pH and dissolved oxygen levels for goldfish spawning were found to be 7.14 to 7.24 and 5.65 to 6.22 mg/L, respectively. Results indicated that the highest number of eggs (356.66±40) was observed in the polythene substrate (T3), while no eggs were found in the absence of substrate (T5). The polythene substrate also yielded the highest fertilization rate (93%) and hatching rate (95.01%). Notably, goldfish exhibited no spawning behavior without any substrate, suggesting that substrate may act as both a spawning substrate and an essential cue for ovulation in goldfish. Furthermore, the study's findings support the recommendation of goldfish as substrate breeders. This research offers valuable insights for small-scale fish farmers, entrepreneurs, and hatchery owners looking to enhance goldfish spawning techniques in aquarium settings.

In response to these concerns, using organic fertilizers, such as poultry manure (PM) and vermicompost (VC), has gained attention as a viable strategy to reduce reliance on chemical fertilizers. Organic fertilizers improve soil quality by enhancing

Health benefits from access to nature are well known and increasingly cited as a supporting argument for the conservation of biodiversity, particularly in cities. However, calculating the benefits from access to nature in economic terms is challenging due to a lack of data linking benefits, number of beneficiaries, and monetary values. This study used mobile phone ‘ping’ data to estimate the use of large biodiverse green spaces (e.g., metropolitan National Parks) surrounding Adelaide, the World’s second National Park City. This ping data was combined with park user and general population data to calculate a health benefit from access to green spaces for citizens across socio-economic groups in the city. Additional data on health burden costs was then used to calculate reduced health costs from access to nature in 20 metropolitan National Parks by 2,842,503 visitors in 2018-19. Across all socio-economic groups, an estimated AU$140 million worth of reduced healthcare costs was generated through access to biodiverse green spaces adjacent to the city. This is equivalent to around 4% of the total South Australian healthcare budget. Importantly, citizens from the lowest 40% of socio-economic areas in the metropolitan area received a disproportionately high reduced health cost from access to green space, despite the additional private cost of accessing National Parks. This study thus provides an opportunity to frame both health and biodiversity conservation decisions at a city and state scale.