Sandy soils are suffering from water loss and desertification, which severely restrict the development of local agriculture. In this work, an eco-friendly hydrogel composed of borax and locust bean gum was synthesized to enhance the water retention capacity of sandy soil and support agricultural development in arid regions. Locust bean gum/borax hydrogel with a 3D network structure exhibited great water-absorbing capacity (130.29 g/g) within 30 min. After mixing 0.9 wt% hydrogel with sandy soil, the maximum soil water content, water retention time, soil porosity and soil organic matter were increased by 32.03 %, 14 days, 38.9 % and 8.64 g/kg respectively. Little effect on soil microorganisms revealed barely toxicity. Furthermore, the hydrogel was confirmed to be biodegradable at 43.47 % after 4 weeks. According to the study, locust bean gum/borax hydrogel possesses good water absorbing capacity, soil water retention ability, soil optimization ability and low adverse environmental impact. Together, it is inferred that the hydrogel can improve the water retention capacity of sandy soil in arid areas, promoting plant growth in arid areas.

In agriculture, hydrogels can be addressed for effective operation of water and controlled-release fertilizers. Hydrogels have a significant ability for retaining water and improving nutrient availability in soil, enhancing plant growth while reducing water and fertilizer usage. This work aimed to prepare a hydrogel composite based on microalgae and biopolymers including chitosan and starch for use as a soil conditioner. The hydrogel composite was characterized by FTIR, XRD, and SEM. All hydrogel properties were studied including swelling degree, biodegradability, water-holding capacity, water retention, and re-swelling capacity in soil and water. The urea fertilizer loading and releasing behavior of the prepared hydrogels were investigated. The results revealed that the range of the maximal urea loading was between 99 and 440%, and the kinetics of loading was fitted with Freundlich model. The urea release % exhibited 78-95%, after 30 days, and the kinetics of release was fitted with zero-order, Higuchi, and Korsmeyer-Peppas models. Furthermore, the prepared hydrogels obtained a significant water-holding capacity, after blending soil (50 g) with small amount of hydrogels (1 g), the capacity increased in the range of 99.4-101.5%. In sum, the prepared hydrogels have the potential to be applied as a soil conditioner.

Steamed bread has long been an important part of Chinese cuisine. This study investigated the effects of salted egg white (SEW) (5, 10, 15, and 20% w/w) on the quality of steamed breads. Findings revealed that SEW notably enhanced the bread\'s volume and texture, with a 20% inclusion significantly boosting water retention and rheological properties, albeit reducing bread\'s lightness. In addition, the H-bond absorption band intensity in the Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR) analysis showed increased peak intensities with higher SEW levels, indicative of protein structure alterations. X-ray diffraction confirmed the presence of an amylose-lipid complex. Scanning electron microscope (SEM) and Confocal laser scanning microscope (CLSM) imaging depicted a smooth, consistent protein network with SEW addition. Consumer sensory evaluation responded favourably to the SEW15 steamed bread, suggesting its potential for food industry application. Overall, the study considers SEW an effective ingredient for improving steamed bread quality.

Amphioctopus neglectus is a species of octopus that is favored by consumers due to its rich nutrient profile. To investigate the influence of different thawing methods on the quality of octopus meat, we employed four distinct thawing methods: air thawing (AT), hydrostatic thawing (HT), flowing water thawing (FWT), and microwave thawing (MT). We then explored the differences in texture, color, water retention, pH, total volatile basic nitrogen (TVB-N), total sulfhydryl content, Ca2+-ATPase activity, and myofibrillar protein, among other quality indicators in response to these methods, and used a low-field nuclear magnetic resonance analyzer to assess the water migration that occurred during the thawing process. The results revealed that AT had the longest thawing time, leading to oxidation-induced protein denaturation, myofibrillar protein damage, and a significant decrease in water retention. Additionally, when this method was utilized, the content of TVB-N was significantly higher than in the other three groups. HT, to a certain extent, isolated the oxygen in the meat and thus alleviated protein oxidation, allowing higher levels of Ca2+-ATPase activity, sulfhydryl content, and springiness to be maintained. However, HT had a longer duration: 2.95 times that of FWT, resulting in a 9.84% higher cooking loss and a 28.21% higher TVB-N content compared to FWT. MT had the shortest thawing time, yielding the lowest content of TVB-N. However, uneven heating and in some cases overcooking occurred, severely damaging the protein structure, with a concurrent increase in thawing loss, W value, hardness, and shear force. Meanwhile, FWT improved the L*, W* and b* values of octopus meat, enhancing its color and water retention. The myofibrillar protein (MP) concentration was also the highest after FWT, with clearer subunit bands in SDS-PAGE electrophoresis, indicating that less degradation occurred and allowing greater springiness, increased Ca2+-ATPase activity, and a higher sulfhydryl content to be maintained. This suggests that FWT has an inhibitory effect on oxidation, alleviating protein oxidation degradation and preserving the quality of the meat. In conclusion, FWT outperformed the other three thawing methods, effectively minimizing adverse changes during thawing and successfully maintaining the quality of octopus meat.

The CMC-PNIPAM hydrogel with semi-interpenetrating structure and temperature-sensitivity was prepared by in-situ polymerization of N-isopropylacrylamide (NIPAM) in sodium carboxymethylcellulose (CMC) solution at room temperature. The mass ratio of CMC to NIPAM was a key factor influencing the network structure and property of CMC-PNIPAM hydrogel. The low critical phase transition temperature (LCST) of CMC-PNIPAM hydrogels increased from 34.4 °C to 35.8 °C with the mass ratio of CMC to NIPAM rising from 0 to 1.2. The maximum compressive stress of CMC-PNIPAM hydrogel reached to 26.7 kPa and the relaxation elasticity was 52 % at strain of 60 %. The viscoelasticity of CMC-PNIPAM hydrogel was consistent with the generalized Maxwell model. The maximum swelling ratio in deionized water was 170.25 g·g-1 (dried hydrogel) with swelling rate of 2.57 g·g-1·min-1 at 25 °C. CMC-PNIPAM hydrogel hardly absorbed water above LCST, but the swollen hydrogel could release water at the rate of 0.36 g·g-1·min-1 once exceeding LCST. The test of water retention showed that soil mixed with 2 wt% dried CMC-PNIPAM hydrogel could retain 13.08 wt% water after 30 days at 25 °C that was 4.4 times than that of controlled soil without CMC-PNIPAM hydrogel. The semi-interpenetrating CMC-PNIPAM hydrogel showed a potential to conserve water responding to temperature.

Development of nano-enabled fertilizers from green waste is one of the effective options to enhance global agricultural productions and minimize environmental pollution. In this study, novel, eco-friendly and cost-effective nano- enabled fertilizers (NEF) were synthesized using the planetary ball milling procedure. The NEF (nDPF1and nDPF2) were prepared by impregnation of nanostructured date palm pits (nDPP) with (KH2PO4 + MgO) at 1:1 and 3:1 (w/w) ratios respectively. The nDPP, nDPF1 and nDPF2 were extensively characterized. The produced nano-fertilizers enhanced soil water retention capacity with nDPF2 being the most effective. The water retention capacity of nDPF2 treated soil was 5.6 times higher than that of soil treated with conventional fertilizers. In addition, the nDPF2 exhibited superior sustained lower release rates of P, K and Mg nutrients for longer release periods in comparison with the conventional fertilizers. For instance, P cumulative release percentages from conventional fertilizers, nDPF1 and nDPF2 in soil reached 22.41%, 10.82 and 8.9% respectively within 384 h. Findings from FTIR and XPS analyses suggested that hydrogen bonding and ligand exchange were the main interaction mechanisms of PO4-K-Mg ions with nDPP surface. The released kinetics data of the NEF revealed that power function was the best suitable model to describe the kinetics of P, K and Mg release data from NEF in water and soil. Pot study ascertained that the nano-enabled fertilizers (nDPF1 and nDPF2) significantly promoted biomass production and nutrient uptake of maize plants as compared to commercial fertilizer treated plants. The present work demonstrated the potential of NEF to increase nutrients uptake efficiency, mitigate moisture retention problem in arid soils and reduce nutrients loss through leaching and safeguard the environment.

Physical properties of peat are widely applied to detect the quality of peatland ecosystem. A comprehensive dataset on the peat properties is the foundation for the development tool and model of peat ecosystem, especially in region with frequent wildfire. Here we established a tabular dataset for physical properties of lowland tropical peatland in Indonesia. The data were obtained in dry season 2019 and 2023, respectively, at Jambi and Central Kalimantan peatlands. The dataset comprises of 66 peat samples from two land-uses namely secondary forest and ex-burned lowly vegetation. The physical properties are bulk density, porosity, water retention at four pressures (-1, -10, -25, and -1500 kPa), and water holding capacity. In addition, a set parameter of van Genuchten for water retention curve is available. The field-observed dataset provides a solid base for a better understanding of physical peat properties and can be used as a first step to develop peat water retention database in lowland tropical peatlands.

Soil moisture reserves are a key factor in maintaining soil fertility and all other related ecosystem services (including carbon sequestration, soil biodiversity, and soil erosion control). In semiarid blown-sand areas under aridification, water preservation is a particularly crucial task for agriculture. The international Diverfarming project (2017-2022), within the EU Horizon 2020 Program, focused on the impacts of crop diversification and low-input practices in all pedoclimatic regions of Europe. In this three-year experiment conducted in the Pannonian region, the impact of intercropping asparagus with different herbs on some provisioning and regulating ecosystem services was evaluated in the Kiskunság sand regions. Relying on findings based on a range of measured physical and chemical soil parameters and on crop yields and qualitative properties, advice was formulated for farmers. The message drawn from the experiment is somewhat ambiguous. The local farmers agree that crop diversification improves soil quality, but deny that it would directly influence farm competitiveness, which primarily depends on cultivation costs (such as fertilization, plant protection, and labour). Further analyses are needed to prove the long-term benefits of diversification through enriching soil microbial life and through the possible reduction of fertilizer use, while water demand is kept at a low level and the same crop-quality is ensured.

Extreme climates and the unpredictability of the weather are significant obstacles to agricultural productivity. This study is the first attempt to explore the capacity of nanobonechar (NBC) for promoting climate-smart agriculture. A pot experiment was performed on maize (Zea mays L.) under a deficit irrigation system (40, 70, and 100% irrigation rates) using different soil application rates of the NBC (0, 0.5, 1, and 2% wt/wt). Additionally, the CO2-C efflux rate and cumulative CO2-C were measured in an incubation experiment. The results indicated the best performance of the 1% NBC treatment under a 70% irrigation rate in terms of the fresh and dry weights of maize plants. Total PO43- and Ca2+ were significantly higher in the plants grown in the NBC-amended soil as compared to the control, showing a gradual increase with an increase in the NBC application rate. The improved productivity of maize plants under a deficit irrigation system was associated with enhanced water-holding capacity, organic matter, and bioavailability of cations (Ca2+, K+, and Na+) and anions (PO43- and NO3-) in the soils amended with NBC. The CO2-C efflux rate and cumulative CO2-C emissions remain higher in the NBC-amended soil than in the un-amended soil, pertaining to the high contents of soil organic matter emanating from the NBC. We conclude that NBC could potentially be used as a soil amendment for promoting maize growth under a water stress condition.

Nanotechnology has emerged as a promising approach for the controlled release of nutrients, particularly phosphorus and potassium. These essential plant nutrients are often applied in excess, leading to environmental pollution and loss of efficiency in crop production. Innovative economic and highly efficient fertilizers are urgently needed to achieve the targeted crop production worldwide in the presence of limited land and water resources. Therefore, in this study, novel, eco-friendly, cost-effective and enhanced efficiency nano-enabled fertilizers, NEF (nWTF1and nWTF2) were synthesized by impregnation of nanostructured water treatment residuals (nWTR) with (KH2PO4 + MgO) at 1:1 and 3:1 (w/w) ratios respectively using a planetary ball mill. The nWTR, nWTF1 and nWTF2 were extensively characterized. The water retention behavior and the sustained release of nutrients from the fabricated nano-enabled fertilizers (nWTF1 and nWTF2) in distilled water and sandy soil were investigated and monitored over time. The water retention capacity of the soil treated with nWTF2 after 26 days was 9.3 times higher than that of soil treated with conventional fertilizer. In addition, the nWTF2 exhibited lower release rates of P, K and Mg nutrients for longer release periods in comparison with the conventional fertilizers. This is a significant advantage over traditional fertilizers, which release nutrients quickly and can lead to leaching and nutrient loss. The main interaction mechanisms of PO4-K-Mg ions with nWTR surface were suggested. The results of the kinetics study revealed that power function was the best suitable model to describe the kinetics of P, K and Mg release data from NEF in water and soil. The produced NEF were applied to Zea maize plants and compared to commercial chemical fertilizer control plants. The obtained results revealed that the nano-enabled fertilizers (nWTF1 and nWTF2) significantly promoted growth, and P content compared with the commercial chemical fertilizer treated plants. The present work demonstrated the power of nano enabled fertilizers as efficient and sustained release nano-fertilizers for sustainable agriculture and pollution free environment.