Terpenoids of plants in arid environments.

Arid and desert environments are characterized by the sparse and discontinuous vegetation cover. Species that have been able to survive difficult bioclimatic conditions and adapt from generation to generation in these areas had to develop physiological and biochemical mechanisms of tolerance and/or resistance. The use of secondary metabolites, specifically terpenoids, is predominant in most of the biotic and abiotic interactions in which these plants are involved. Studies have shown their roles in the prevention of oxidative stress by intervening in thermo-tolerance, water stress, and salt stress generalized in a model of "the protective role of volatile compounds" explained by a single biochemical mechanism. Other studies have proven the functions of terpenoids in direct and indirect defenses against natural enemies, herbivores, and pathogenic microorganisms, in the attraction of pollinators, in competition and facilitation and other interactions between plants. This review mainly summarizes the recent research progress on the adaptation mechanisms of plants in arid environments and the biological and ecological roles of terpenoids in the various biotic and abiotic interactions.

Harnessing soil bacteria and their benefits for sustainable agriculture with changing climate.

Soil bacteria contribute effectively to key biogeochemical reactions in the soil rhizosphere. They support plants in the rhizosphere to adapt quickly to changing climatic conditions. Differences in root exudates, trace gas chemistry, chemical compounds and nutrient exchange contribute to the recruitment of diverse microorganisms by plant roots. This review highlights the importance of characterizing novel microorganisms to support sustainable agricultural practices. We discuss about tools for characterizing microbes and agricultural practices that influence microbial diversity, and have reviewed how microorganisms may have important but unidentified roles in climate change. Beneficial microbes could improve the turnover of carbon, nitrogen, phosphorus and other minerals thereby avoiding the use of chemical inputs, which are not only causing serious environmental harm but also pose danger to human and animal health.

Five decades of research on phytoplasma-induced witches' broom diseases.

Phytoplasmas, prokaryotic wall-less microorganisms, are important pathogens of several plant species in most parts of the world. Phytoplasmas have been reported associated with various symptoms on hundreds of plant species. Witches' broom disease (WBD) is one of the most common disease symptoms, which is caused by phytoplasma strains belonging to different phytoplasma groups. Symptoms of the disease differ from one host to the other as well as from one phytoplasma strain to the other. However, WBD symptoms are usually characterized by the production of a large number of small leaves, accompanied in some host plants by the production of several branches/shoots. Phytoplasma strains belonging to more than 13 groups and 39 subgroups have been reported associated with WBD in more than 116 plant species. Most of the phytoplasma strains causing WBD symptoms in plant species belong to the 16SrII and 16SrI groups, mainly 16SrII-D and 16SrI-B subgroups. The current review provides information on the different types of phytoplasma strains associated with WBD symptoms in ornamental plants, medicinal plants, forest trees, weeds, vegetable crops, field crops, and fruit trees. Emphasis is on WBD on acid limes, almonds, peanuts, jujube, and cassava that have resulted in significant economic losses in different countries. Description of the symptoms, phytoplasma groups, and management options is also provided for some of the diseases.

Milk production, mortality, and economic parameters in the context of heat-stressed dairy cattle.

As climate change progresses, higher temperatures and longer periods of extreme weather are likely to increasingly impact the production and health of dairy cattle, in turn affecting farm-level profits and economic decision-making. This review identifies and summarizes the currently available research on the effect of climate-related heat stress or heat stress mitigation measures on milk yield, mortality, and economic parameters on dairy farms. A scoping review approach was adopted to map the volume, range, and characteristics of the existing body of evidence and to identify research gaps. Through a comprehensive search, 286 studies published between 2010 and 2020 were identified and underwent data extraction and analysis. These studies were conducted in 46 countries, and encompassed both research and non-research herds as well as simulation models. The Temperature-Humidity Index (THI) was the most common indicator of heat stress, although a range of atmospheric, physiological, and descriptive indicators were used. Three-quarters of these studies examined at least one heat stress mitigation strategy, such as genetic manipulations, mechanical interventions, and diet manipulation. Approximately 97% of studies evaluated the impact of heat stress on milk yield, and 10% of studies examined at least one economic parameter. Research gaps exist in the analysis of economic parameters related to heat stress in dairy cattle. Given the urgent and increasing nature of climate challenges, additional economic analyses of the effects of heat stress in dairy cattle are needed to inform production and animal health decisions in a rapidly changing environment.

Augmentative biological control in greenhouses in Japan.

In Japan, augmentative biological control is mainly implemented in greenhouses using arthropod natural enemies. Two imported natural enemy species, Phytoseiulus persimilis Athias-Henriot (Acari: Phytoseiidae) against spider mites and Encarsia formosa Gahan (Hymenoptera: Aphelinidae) against the greenhouse whitefly, Trialeurodes vaporariorum (Westwood) (Hemiptera: Aleyrodidae), were first commercialised in greenhouses in 1995, followed by the commercialisation of other exotic species. Exotic arthropod natural enemies are used to control both exotic and indigenous pests in greenhouses. Currently, the most popular exotic natural enemy species are predatory mites such as P. persimilis and Amblyseius swirskii Athias-Henriot (Acari: Phytoseiidae). Recently, there has been a shift from using exotic to using indigenous natural enemies in greenhouses. Currently, the importation of generalist predators for augmentative biological control is very difficult in Japan. Several collaborative studies have been conducted in Japan to develop biological control using indigenous natural enemies. These studies developed innovative technologies, such as new banker plant systems based on combinations of two natural enemies or flightless Harmonia axyridis (Pallas) (Coleoptera: Coccinellidae). Indigenous natural enemies have been commercialised following the registration of Orius strigicollis (Poppius) (Hemiptera: Anthocoridae). Biological control can be achieved using an indigenous strain of Nesidiocoris tenuis (Reuter) (Hemiptera: Miridae) with a banker plant system, on which the bug can reproduce without alternative prey. Research and development of biological control using indigenous natural enemies should be continued in Japan.

The tension between global GHG emissions of animal source foods, sustainability, and food security in Latin America and the Caribbean.

The livestock sector faces an important challenge in the medium and long term since it must satisfy an increasing demand for animal products as a result of the increase in population and the world economy but safeguarding natural resources and at the same time minimizing the environmental contamination, especially the greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions attributed to livestock husbandry. For Latin America and the Caribbean (LAC), this becomes more relevant given the importance of the sector for the food security of rural communities, particularly for small-scale producers. In this manuscript, we address the main challenges of LAC in this context, from a global perspective that includes the demographic, economic, cultural, and environmental effects. The biggest global challenge for the LAC livestock sector for the coming decades is how to satisfy the growing human demand for animal protein in a sustainable way maintaining the food security of their communities. The efforts to achieve these goals require focusing on improving the efficiency of both animal husbandry and production systems. Therefore, it is necessary to implement technologies of sustainable intensification and it is urgent that those who make political decisions become aware of these issues.

Constraints to using livestock to meet dietary needs in developing countries: role of vaccines.

Animal agriculture and animal-source foods (ASF) play a critical role in food security, childhood nutrient sufficiency, and economic development in sub-Saharan Africa. Here, we consider constraints to production of ASF in Africa with a focus on infectious animal diseases and climate stress and their control, by vaccines and selective breeding, respectively. This is not a meta-analysis but rather is meant to act as an overview or primer for discussing the value of livestock in developing countries, constraints to this, possible solutions, and finally some roadblocks to accomplishing this. The material provided is based on our own knowledge gained through careers in this field as well as discussions with colleagues.

Advanced mass spectrometry-based foodomics and imaging.

The food analysis has rapidly transcended traditional boundaries and become a multidisciplinary food and nutrition science. Technological advances, particularly in analytical instrumentation, bioinformatics, and sample preparation, enabled development of objective, fast, multiplexed, and deep molecular screenings also for complex samples, such as raw materials and food products. The comprehensive and precise molecular profiles and fingerprints as well as unique molecular markers are determined, both qualitatively and quantitatively, for a broad range of food products with specific sensory properties. Novel analytical platforms and instruments are implemented, methods optimized, and protocols developed for a large number of applications, for instance in food microbiology, toxicology, authentication, food quality control. Modern food analysis technologies enable novel insight and provide good foundations for precise determination of geographical origin, genetically modified food, and differentiation between organic and conventional food. The study of effects of food and nutrition on human health and well-being was facilitated. All enumerated may assist in providing enough safe and quality food to the growing human population, and is possible due to application of foodomics technologies, particularly, genomics, transcriptomics, metabolomics, and proteomics, in food analysis. This review is a comprehensive summary on developments in the fields of food analysis and foodomics from 2014 to 2020 with the emphasis on mass spectrometry (MS)-based analytical platforms and their usage in analysis of food contaminants, proteins, and small molecules. Other foodomics techniques are mentioned in brief. A separate paragraph is dedicated to MS-based imaging technologies in food analysis and foodomics imaging methods, a new emerging technology.

Use of essential oil for post-harvest pest control.

Since past few decades, application of essential oils (EOs) was explored experimentally for the management of postharvest pests and diseases. However, uses of essential oils face a series of problems, including regulatory obstruction to commercialization (such as cost of toxicological and environmental assessments) or the way that efficiency of essential oils toward pests and diseases is not as evident or clear as that seen with the present available forms. This review highlights several issues extending from EOs chemistry to their bioactivity potential. The mechanism of action of EOs is also discussed to provide better understanding about their functions and improve the scope for the establishment of commercial opportunities in the form of natural biocontrol agents/botanical pesticides.

Community-supported agriculture (CSA): significance and prospects for growth for individuals, communities, and food systems.

Community-supported agriculture (CSA) is an alternative way of supplying food based on direct interaction between producers and consumers. As an alternative food network (AFN) and a form of civic agriculture, it is considered a more sustainable way of food production and consumption compared to the conventional food system. The number of CSA initiatives has been increasing in the last few decades worldwide parallel to growing scholarly debates about its usefulness, viability and potential. This article contributes to the review of the following: The impacts of CSA on individuals and communities, including motives for involvement and benefits received; the impacts of CSA on food systems, particularly on sustainability; and the barriers and opportunities for CSA growth. We conclude that CSA addresses the needs for sustainable and ecologically sound food and contributes to community building by reconnecting urban and rural places and people with their food. It is also an active position against the unsustainable dominant food systems and shows a different way of caring for the planet and the people. However, in order to grow, CSA needs to overcome certain barriers, namely financial difficulties, unrealistic member expectations and the need for social justice by providing livelihoods for the farmers and becoming more inclusive in terms of race, income and gender. The COVID-19 crisis presented an opportunity for CSA to become more effective as the CSA initiatives demonstrated resilience during lockdowns and the demand for their products increased.