How omnivory affects the survival and choices of earwig Doru luteipes (Scudder) (Dermaptera: Forficulidae)?

Doru luteipes (Scudder, 1876) is an omnivorous predator that finds different food resources in the corn plant: eggs of Spodoptera frugiperda (J.E. Smith, 1797), uredospores of Puccinia polysora (Underw, 1897), and pollen. Knowing the survival and food preferences of this predator is essential to define its relevance as a biological control agent. We hypothesize that the foraging behavior and predatory capacity of D. luteipes may be affected when several food resources, especially eggs of S. frugiperda, uredospores of P. polysora, and pollen are concurrently in the same plant. The survival of D. luteipes in the nymph stage and their preference among food resources, often available in corn plants, were determined. To verify the survival of D. luteipes, newly hatched nymphs were fed exclusively with 1- uredospores of P. polysora, 2- eggs of S. frugiperda, 3- corn pollen, 4- a combination of uredospores + eggs, and 5- artificial diet (control). In another experiment, nymphs and adults of D. luteipes with 24 and 48 hours of fasting were individually released in the center of a container with four diets: 1- uredospores of P. polysora, 2- eggs of S. frugiperda, 3- corn pollen, 4- artificial diet, and maintained for 10 minutes, to evaluate the food choice and feeding time. The exclusive feeding with S. frugiperda eggs caused low nymph survival (8%), but the combination of P. polysora uredospores + S. frugiperda eggs allowed 58.3% survival. D. luteipes preferred feeding during the nighttime and the most significant proportions of choices by nymphs and adults were for pollen and diet, with adults spending more time eating pollen. These findings indicate that the trophic choices of D. luteipes are relevant to understand its contribution as an agent to control pest insects and fungal diseases in corn.

Effect of a glyphosate formulation on freshwater plankton: A community combined metric approach

Aim: The aim of this study was to experimentally assess the effects of glyphosate formulation on plankton composition by using different community parameters through a mesocosm experiment. Methodology: A 600 l mesocosm experiment was performed for 7 days, including a control (without glyphosate) and two concentrations of glyphosate. Results: Glyphosate caused a significant decrease in cladoceran density and a significant increase in rotifer, Chlorophyceae, and Euglenophyceae densities. In addition, zooplankton size diversity as well as microalgal evenness diminished. Interpretation: The decrease in cladoceran density may have benefited rotifers since they are less competitive for food resources. Moreover, the decrease in cladoceran foraging pressure over Chlorophyceae and Euglenophyceae may have benefited them. The different tolerances and competitiveness within the plankton components make the structure of this community a good indicator of environmental disturbance.

Methodological Aspects of the Military-Economic Significance of Agriculture and Modern Problems of Military Food Resources in Ukraine

Today, the study of the military-economic significance of agriculture is given considerable attention by both the leadership of the Armed Forces of Ukraine and the state as a whole, so the main purpose of the article is to determine some methodological aspects of the militaryeconomic significance of agriculture to strengthen the military-economic potential of the state and reveal the problems of using food resources for military purposes. In the article, the authors analyse statistical data on the dynamics of the main indicators that characterise the military-economic significance of the agro-industrial complex in the general system of national security of the state, as well as the dynamics of their growth over the years, with further research of correlations between these indicators and defence expenditures of Ukraine in order to develop recommendations for assessing the importance of indicators for the development of the agricultural sector in ensuring a sufficient level of military-economic potential of the state. Through the analysis, the economic capabilities of the state to provide Armed Forces were established, the views on determining the share of GDP in the protection of national interests in order to strengthen the country’s MEP were formed, the main priorities for further development of the country as a whole were formulated. Also in the article, using the method of an expert survey based on pairwise comparisons, the indicators of the contribution of the main components to the overall indicator of sufficiency of the level of military and economic potential of the state are evaluated in order to determine the importance of the agricultural sector in the development of this potential. Based on the results, it was determined that the basis of any MEP of the state is the stability of the functioning of industry and the agricultural sector, since this is the basis for ensuring the country’s defence capability as a whole. The collected statistical data and practical results obtained can be useful for specialists in the defence and agricultural sectors of the state, as well as scientists for conducting further research in the area defined in the article

Sustainable Management of the Electrical-Energy–Water–Food Nexus Using Robust Optimization

The significance of the security of electrical energy, water, and food resources in the future, which are inextricably connected, has led to increasing attention to this important issue in studies. This is an issue inattention to which can have irreparable consequences in the future. One of the sectors where electrical energy, water, and food are very closely associated is agriculture. Undoubtedly, the ability to properly manage electrical energy, hydropower, and food resources that have many uncertainties brings about the development of agriculture on the one hand and the optimal allocation of electrical energy, water, and land resources on the other. Thus, while reaching the highest economic profit, the greenhouse gas emissions reach the minimum possible value too. In this study, via robust optimization and by precisely considering the existing uncertainties, a model was developed for the optimal allocation of electrical energy, water, and land resources for a region in the north of China. In addition to acknowledging the close relationship between electrical energy, water, and food sources, the results show the method’s effectiveness for sustainable management in agriculture.

Evolutionary Genetics of Crop-Wild Complexes

Since Darwin’s time, the role of crop wild relatives (CWR), landraces, and cultivated genepools in shaping plant diversity and boosting food resources has been a major question [...]

Composite Flour from Indonesian Local Food Resources to Develop Cereal/Tuber Nut/Bean-Based Ready-to-Use Supplementary Foods for Prevention and Rehabilitation of Moderate Acute Malnutrition in Children

Undernourishment is a threat to human health. The prevalence of undernourishment remains alarming, especially among children under five years old in many countries, including Indonesia. Nowadays, the handling of undernourishment has shifted to treatment outside the hospital, utilizing local nutrient-rich foods. At the national level, the utilization of local food resources is a part of the promotion of dietary diversification and the bioeconomy. Ready-to-use supplementary food (RUSF) refers to supplementary foods aimed at improving the nutrition of moderate acute malnutrition (MAM) children under five years old. RUSF biscuit recipes were made using local food resources available in Banten province, Indonesia. To optimize the nutritional profile of the developed RUSF, taro/talas banten were mixed with ground-nut/peanut (Arachis hypogaea L.) and mungbean (Vigna radiata) as protein and lipid sources and red rice (Oryza longistaminata) and maize (Zea mays) as carbohydrate sources, and enriched by the local banana Nangka (Musa textilia). Two formulations were selected for the pilot testing, namely the taro-peanut and taro-peanut/mungbean RUSF biscuits, made from taro Banten, cereal, peanut and/or mungbean, and local banana. The RUSF biscuit showed promising results, presenting a high level of acceptance and a macronutrient composition that meets the standards for MAM children. However, the RUSF biscuits should be fortified with micronutrient premix to fulfill the dietary requirement for the MAM children. The results of this study provide further development opportunities.

Berries instead of bears: new insight into gastronomic attractiveness of Russian Siberia

Active use of berries in regional cuisines underlines gastronomic specifics of Russia. The present study focuses on three regions of Russian Siberia and establishes that edible berries are numerous there and determine specifics of the regional cuisine rooted into the cultural traditions. These cultural and gastronomic traditions developed during four centuries by Russian settlers in Siberia who adapted to severe natural conditions, explored new food resources, and interacted with the local peoples. If so, berries and berry products can be regarded as a kind of ethnic food. Modern berries-based tourism (bacatourism) initiatives and, particularly, berry picking and tasting at you-pick farms and raspberry festival are registered on the study territory. Sellers tend to position berry products as typically Siberian, which permits their use as regional, quasi-ethnic souvenirs. Berries determine significant gastronomic attractiveness of Southern Siberia, and further exploitation of this potential can contribute to sustainable development of this vast territory and maintaining its cultural identity within the broad and diverse Russian space.

Environmental, Ecological and Food Resources in the Biodiversity Overview: Health Benefits

The Special Issue “Environmental, Ecological and Food Resources in the Biodiversity Overview: Health Benefits” wants to underline the importance of classification, cataloguing and analysis of environmental, agricultural, ecological, botanical and food sources—from native species to unconventional sources and wastes—which should be promoted from the perspectives of biodiversity and sustainability [...]