Agricultural Research Center

Solar-powered electromagnetic conditioning of saline groundwater: an exploratory assessment of ionic composition and soil-extract salinity

Saline groundwater is a difficult irrigation source in arid and off-grid areas, but a conditioning device must not be described as a desalination process unless net salt removal is demonstrated. This exploratory pilot assessment examined a photovoltaic-powered electromagnetic coi...

Modeling and experimental validation of an indirect active hybrid solar dryer for mint leaves: Coupled thermal and moisture-transfer analysis

A mathematical model was developed and experimentally validated to predict the thermal performance and drying behavior of an indirect active solar dryer (IAHSD) for mint leaves. The distinctive contribution of the proposed approach is its integration of solar-energy input, auxili...

UV-C irradiation and hermetic storage modulate essential oil profiles and antifungal bioactivity of Apiaceae fruits during long-term storage

Abstract Long-term storage can erode the value of Apiaceae fruits through volatilization and compositional drift of their essential oils (EOs). This study evaluated UV-C pre-treatment (25 min) and packaging type as practical approaches to preserve EO quality in fennel ( Foeniculu...

Evaluation of edible coating on quality, biochemical components and microbial community under cooling and freezing conditions on fresh-cut artichoke

Abstract This study evaluated the effectiveness of edible coatings combined with natural essential oils in improving the postharvest quality, nutritional value, and microbial stability of artichokes under different storage conditions. The experiment was conducted over two growing...

Optimizing cold storage of Sitotroga cerealella eggs for the mass rearing of Trichogrammatoidea bactrae: Effects on reproductive performance of parent and progeny

Abstract Improving effective cold storage techniques for maintaining factitious host eggs without adversely affecting their quality and the performance of emerged parasitoids is essential. Therefore, this study investigated the effects of different storage temperatures (–2 °C, 2...

Multi-trait assessment of Meloidogyne incognita resistance in developed Cucumis spp. inbred lines: horticultural, physiological, biochemical, and histological insights

This study aimed to develop nematode-resistant inbred lines from Cucumis sativus, C. sativus var. hardwickii, and C. metuliferus, and to elucidate their resistance mechanisms against Meloidogyne incognita. Three parental genotypes were self-pollinated across five generations, wit...

Biostimulatory Effect of 3-Acetonyl-3-Hydroxyoxindole on the Growth and Secondary Metabolites of Khaya senegalensis: UPLC–MS/MS Profiling and Molecular Docking Insights

Developing sustainable agricultural biostimulants that simultaneously optimize vegetative growth and specialized metabolic pathways is critical for maximizing plant growth, photosynthetic efficiency, and metabolome reprogramming. In this study, for the first time, the effects of...

Acaricidal activity of silver nanoparticles biosynthesized from unripe fruits of Solanum elaeagnifolium Cav. against Tetranychus urticae Koch

Abstract Background Tetranychus urticae Koch, is a globally significant agricultural pest. Its rapid development of resistance to conventional acaricides poses a major challenge to effective control. Recently, nanotechnology has emerged as a transformative approach in agriculture...