Phenolic foam (PF) produces much PF waste during processing because of its friability and tendency to pulverize. Currently, commonly used disposal methods like incineration and landfill cause air and soil pollution. Moreover, protective polyurethane foam (PUF) requires both excellent acoustic insulation and mechanical strength in scenarios, such as factories and roads, to enhance environmental comfort and safety. In this study, PF waste was recycled via a mechanical method, and compounding the recycled PF powder as a functional filler with PUF significantly improved its mechanical and acoustic properties. The sample (PUFB-2.5) with 2.5 g PF powder added achieved a compressive strength of 372.19 kPa, 99.03% higher than the standard foam sample (PUFB-0). Additionally, the sample (PUFB-10) with 10.0 g PF powder added achieved an optimal average sound absorption coefficient (alpha) of 0.59, 63.89% higher than PUFB-0. In the 400-2400 Hz frequency range, sample PUFB-2.5 displayed superior sound absorption properties, with alpha reaching 0.78. This study not only achieves the recyclable and circular utilization of PF waste but also enhances the mechanical and acoustic properties of PUF and offers new paths for the convergence of material science and environmental engineering industries.

The use of nanoparticles has emerged as a popular amendment and promising approach to enhance plant resilience to environmental stressors, including salinity. Salinity stress is a critical issue in global agriculture, requiring strategies such as salt-tolerant crop varieties, soil amendments, and nanotechnology-based solutions to mitigate its effects. Therefore, this paper explores the role of plant-based titanium dioxide nanoparticles (nTiO2) in mitigating the effects of salinity stress on soybean phenotypic variation, water content, non-enzymatic antioxidants, malondialdehyde (MDA) and mineral contents. Both 0 and 30 ppm nTiO2 treatments were applied to the soybean plants, along with six salt concentrations (0, 25, 50, 100, 150, and 200 mM NaCl) and the combined effect of nTiO2 and salinity. Salinity decreased water content, chlorophyll and carotenoids which results in a significant decrement in the total fresh and dry weights. Treatment of control and NaCl treated plants by nTiO2 showed improvements in the vegetative growth of soybean plants by increasing its chlorophyll, water content and carbohydrates. Additionally, nTiO2 application boosted the accumulation of non-enzymatic antioxidants, contributing to reduced oxidative damage (less MDA). Notably, it also mitigated Na+ accumulation while promoting K+ and Mg++ uptake in both leaves and roots, essential for maintaining ion homeostasis and metabolic function. These results suggest that nTiO2 has the potential to improve salinity tolerance in soybean by maintaining proper ion balance and reducing MDA level, offering a promising strategy for crop management in saline-prone areas.

Plants activate physiological responses against salinity stress through hormone signaling pathways such as melatonin (M) and methyl jasmonate (MeJ). These hormones trigger defense responses, but comparing their individual and combined effects under salt stress has not been studied. This research investigates defense responses in tomato plants induced by 100 mu M of M and MeJ, along with their combined application (MeJ+M, 100+100 mu M) under non-stress, threshold (0.9 g NaCl kg-1 soil) and severe (1.8 g NaCl kg-1 soil) salinity conditions. Compared to melatonin, MeJ application caused adverse effects, including chlorophyll degradation (34.2 %), root inhibition (17.2 %), and elevated H2O2 (28.9 %), O2-center dot (33.7 %), and malondialdehyde (14.3 %) in the plant under non-stress conditions. Evaluation of the MeJ+M treatment in non-stress conditions indicated that M prevented MeJ-induced damage. Besides, the optimal potassium uptake and plant growth were obtained in the MeJ+M treatment under non-stress and threshold salinity levels. Phytohormones application increased enzymatic antioxidant activity (superoxide dismutase, catalase, ascorbate peroxidase, and peroxidase), modified the activity of phenylalanine ammonia-lyase and polyphenol oxidase, and consequently boosted non-enzymatic antioxidants (phenolic, flavonoid, and anthocyanin content), resulting in a significant reduction of damage from severe salinity stress. However, due to their almost similar physiological changes induced by MeJ, M, and MeJ+M, these treatments were not superior compared to each other in severe stress. Thus, owing to the disruption of the normal morpho-physiological processes in non-stress conditions by MeJ, M can be considered a safer treatment for practical usage. Additionally, the MeJ+M application can not only optimize antioxidant protection under stress conditions but also stimulate plant growth under non-stress conditions.

Fungal diseases caused by Fusarium spp. significantly threaten food security and sustainable agriculture. One of the traditional strategies for eradicating Fusarium spp. incidents is the use of chemical and synthetic fungicides. The excessive use of these products generates environmental damage and has negative effects on crop yield. It puts plants in stressful conditions, kills the natural soil microbiome, and makes phytopathogenic fungi resistant. Finally, it also causes health problems in farmers. This drives the search for and selection of natural alternatives, such as bio-fungicides. Among natural products, algae and cyanobacteria are promising sources of antifungal bio-compounds. These organisms can synthesize different bioactive molecules, such as fatty acids, phenolic acids, and some volatile organic compounds with antifungal activity, which can damage the fungal cell membrane that surrounds the hyphae and spores, either by solubilization or by making them porous and disrupted. Research in this area is still developing, but significant progress has been made in the identification of the compounds with potential for controlling this important pathogen. Therefore, this review focuses on the knowledge about the mechanisms of action of the fatty acids from macroalgae, microalgae, and cyanobacteria as principal biomolecules with antifungal activity, as well as on the benefits and challenges of applying these natural metabolites against Fusarium spp. to achieve sustainable agriculture.

Root-knot nematodes (Meloidogyne spp.) have garnered significant attention from researchers owing to the substantial damage they cause to crops and their worldwide distribution. However, controlling these nematodes is challenging because a limited number of chemical pesticides and biocontrol agents are effective against them. Here, we demonstrate that pepper rotation markedly reduces Meloidogyne incognita infection in cucumber and diminishes the presence of p-hydroxybenzoic acid in the soil, a compound known to exacerbate M. incognita infection. Pepper rotation also restructures the rhizobacterial community, leading to the colonization of the cucumber rhizosphere by two Pseudarthrobacter oxydans strains (RH60 and RH97), facilitated by enrichment of palmitic acid in pepper root exudates. Both strains exhibit high nematocidal activity against M. incognita and have the ability to biosynthesize indoleacetic acid and biodegrade p-hydroxybenzoic acid. RH60 and RH97 also induce systemic resistance in cucumber plants and promote their growth. These data suggest that the pepper root exudate palmitic acid alleviates M. incognita infection by recruiting beneficial P. oxydans to the cucumber rhizosphere. Our analyses identify a novel chemical component in root exudates and reveal its pivotal role in crop rotation for disease control, providing intriguing insights into the keystone function of root exudates in plant protection against root-knot nematode infection.

Strawberry (Fragaria x ananassa) is a horticultural crop known for its sensitivity to mechanical damage and susceptibility to postharvest decay. In recent years, various strategies have been implemented to enhance both the yield and quality of strawberries, among which the application of nitric oxide-producing compounds has garnered special attention. The present study aimed to investigate the effects of varying concentrations of sodium nitroprusside (SNP), specifically 0, 200, 400, and 600 mu M, on strawberries (cv. Camarosa) cultivated in a soilless culture system. It was attempted to identify optimal treatment concentrations that would improve the quality and yield of the strawberries. The analysis of variance revealed significant differences (p <= 0.01) in all morphological and phytochemical properties, as well as antioxidant and enzymatic activities, between the treated samples and the control group. Notably, the highest concentrations of total phenolics, phenylalanine ammonia-lyase (PAL) enzyme activity, guaiacol peroxidase enzyme activity, and potassium content in the fruit were recorded at the 400 mu M SNP treatment. Specifically, these values were 6.67 mg GAE 100 g(-)1 FW, 57.42 nmol g(-)1 FW min(-)1, 0.183 mu mol H2O2 min-1 100 ml-1 extract, and 5.9% DW, respectively. Furthermore, the 200 mu M SNP treatment yielded the highest ascorbic acid content (0.587 mg AA 100 g-1 FW) and the lowest 50% inhibitory concentration for free radicals at 44.18 mu l. In contrast, the 600 mu M treatment resulted in the highest total flavonoid content (0.529 mg QE 100 g(-)1 FW). In conclusion, the findings indicated that SNP treatment can effectively enhance the yield and improve the quality and marketability of the strawberry fruit.

The development of environmentally friendly control methods to mitigate the severe damages caused by Phytophthora cinnamomi in the Mediterranean climate-type ecosystems is essential. In this way, crop waste and by-products which represent between 13 and 65% of agriculture production, are a rich source of bioactive compounds with antifungal and biocide activity. The main objective of this work was to determine the biocide activity against P. cinnamomi of three organic extracts. These extracts enriched in bioactive compounds come from residues of asparagus (Asp) and olive crops (Oliv and OH, from fruits and leaves respectively). They were evaluated at two doses (0.15 and 0.10%) on the mycelial growth and sporangial production of P. cinnamomi by in vitro experiments. Mycelial growth and sporangial production were significant reduced from the three plant extracts at the two doses tested, reaching a total inhibition with Asp at both doses. In general, no phytotoxicity symptoms were observed on seed germination and plant development, except for a plant yield reduction in the substrate treated with Oliv and Asp at the highest dose. In experiments performed in artificially infested soil, Asp induced a reduction of chlamydospores viability greater than 75% compared to unamended soil. Additionally, in planta experiments showed a significant reduction in plant mortality in substrate amended with OH. These results suggest that soil application of Asp and OH can limit P. cinnamomi infectivity and survival, setting the first steps to develop a sustainable method to control the root disease based on agricultural waste circular economy.

Urbanization impacts plant-herbivore interactions, which are crucial for ecosystem functions such as carbon sequestration and nutrient cycling. While some studies have reported reductions in insect herbivory in urban areas (relative to rural or natural forests), this trend is not consistent and the underlying causes for such variation remain unclear. We conducted a continental-scale study on insect herbivory along urbanization gradients for three European tree species: Quercus robur, Tilia cordata, and Fraxinus excelsior, and further investigated their biotic and abiotic correlates to get at mechanisms. To this end, we quantified insect leaf herbivory and foliar secondary metabolites (phenolics, terpenoids, alkaloids) for 176 trees across eight European cities. Additionally, we collected data on microclimate (air temperature) and soil characteristics (pH, carbon, nutrients) to test for abiotic correlates of urbanization effects directly or indirectly (through changes in plant secondary chemistry) linked to herbivory. Our results showed that urbanization was negatively associated with herbivory for Q. robur and F. excelsior, , but not for T. cordata. . In addition, urbanization was positively associated with secondary metabolite concentrations, but only for Q. robur. . Urbanization was positively associated with air temperature for Q. robur and F. excelsior, , and negatively with soil nutrients (magnesium) in the case of F. excelsior, , but these abiotic variables were not associated with herbivory. Contrary to expectations, we found no evidence for indirect effects of abiotic factors via plant defences on herbivory for either Q. robur or F. excelsior. . Additional biotic or abiotic drivers must therefore be accounted for to explain observed urbanization gradients in herbivory and their interspecific variation.

Aims This study aimed to assess the effects of phenolic acid-degrading bacteria strains on phenolic acid content, plant growth, and soil bacterial community in phenolic acid-treated soils.Methods and results The strain of interest coded as B55 was isolated from cucumber root litter, and its degradation rates of ferulic acid and p-coumaric acid were 81.92% and 72.41% in Luria-Bertani solution, respectively, and B55 was identified as Bacillus subtilis. B55 had plant growth-promoting attributes, including solubilization of inorganic phosphate and production of siderophore and indole acetic acid. Both ferulic acid and p-coumaric acid significantly restrained an increase in cucumber seedling dry biomass, while the B55 inoculation not only completely counteracted the damage of phenolic acids to cucumber seedlings and decreased the content of ferulic acid and p-coumaric acid in soil, but also promoted cucumber seedlings growth. Amplicon sequencing found that B55 inoculation changed the cucumber rhizosphere bacterial community structure and promoted the enrichment of certain bacteria, such as Pseudomonas, Arthrobacter, Bacillus, Flavobacterium, Streptomyces, and Comamonas.Conclusions B55 not only promoted cucumber seedling growth, and decreased the content of ferulic acid and p-coumaric acid in soil, but it also increased the relative abundance of beneficial microorganisms in the cucumber rhizosphere.

Pesticides, employed in agriculture to boost harvests and control pests, harm the ecosystem. Surface runoff from their widespread use pollutes water and soil. Pesticides deplete beneficial insect populations, upset ecological equilibrium, and contaminate food chains, posing health concerns through bioaccumulation and biomagnification. Moreover, heavy metals from industry, mining, and inappropriate waste disposal are persistent, harmful environmental pollutants. Lead, mercury, cadmium, and arsenic in soils and sediments pollute water supplies and endanger aquatic life, wildlife, and humans. Heavy metal exposure can cause neurological issues, reproductive abnormalities, and cancer, making cleanup necessary. Also, industrial activities, wastewater discharge, and agricultural runoff produce phenolic compounds, another harmful environmental contaminant. Bisphenol A, phenol, and chlorophenols poison aquatic species, limit plant photosynthesis, and alter microbial populations. Additionally, phenolic chemicals can stay in the environment for lengthy durations, causing longterm ecological damage and health concerns from tainted drinking water and food. As a result, environmental monitoring is becoming increasingly important for sensitively detecting and quantifying pesticides, phenolic compounds, and heavy metals. Electrochemical sensors and modification materials are prepared for specific pollutant detection, providing selectivity and sensitivity, thus enabling the detection of the target molecule down to the nanomolar or even picomolar range. In this respect, ordered mesoporous carbon (OMC) materials attract attention in electrochemical sensing applications due to their numerous advantages. OMCs are promising for catalysis and sensing applications due to their well-ordered pore structure, high specific surface area, and tunable pore sizes in the mesopore range. The unique properties of these materials could open a new approach to studying the electrochemical determination of other environmental pollutants. This review covers the properties, advantages, synthesis procedures, and characterization processes of OMCs and focuses on the role of OMCs in the electrochemical detection of environmental pollutants. Moreover, this study examines OMC-based research carried out in recent years in depth.