This paper examines whether cooperative membership improves economic outcomes among Chinese family farms, using the nationally distributed microdata taken from Wu's research study. Shifting the lens from technology to institutions, we estimate the determinants of joining agricultural cooperatives and the income effects of membership. A logit model shows that training exposure, larger farm size, model-farm status, and participation in contract farming significantly increase the probability of joining, whereas never using the internet lowers it. To address selection on observables, propensity score matching (nearest-neighbor and optimal) yields average treatment effects on the treated of 32–37% for total income and 28–33% for per-capita income, with good post-match covariate balance. Interaction and split-sample analyses suggest income scales are strongly interlinked with land area, but the incremental premium from membership is imprecisely estimated for large farms in cross-section. The results support the idea that cooperatives help lower information and transaction costs, ease contract processes, and complement the knowledge-intensive channels described by Wu. Policy recommendations include improving cooperative governance, increasing digitally-supported extension services and targeted training, and professionalizing market intermediation to convert technological improvements into higher and more stable farm incomes.

The cactus mealybug (Dactylopius opuntiae) is a significant pest that threatens Opuntia species in Tunisia and other arid regions, often causing severe damage to crops. This study aims to evaluate a sustainable pest control approach through the use of micronized basalt flour (Farina di Basalto type XF). Applied at 3% and 5%, alone or mixed with 1% mineral oil, the treatments were evaluated in the field at two infested sites in Tunisia (Kalaa Soghra, Sousse Governorate and Ennadhour, Zaghouan Governorate). For comparison, conventional chemical control (chlorpyrifos-ethyl) and untreated plots were also included. The treatments were applied by foliar spraying every 14 days. Observations were made two days before treatment, on the day of treatment, and 24, 72, and 168 hours afterwar. The most effective result was obtained with the combination of 3% basalt flour with 1% mineral oil, which achieved mortality rates of 89.29% and 100% at Kalaa Soghra and Ennadhour, respectively. This treatment also reduced significantly the appearance of new individuals (98%), indicating a strong repellent effect. Chlorpyrifos-ethyl achieved 100% mortality and total inhibition of new individuals, but it caused considerable damage to the plants. In contrast, the basalt-based solution proved to be a safe, effective, and environmentally responsible alternative, highlighting its potential as part of a sustainable pest management strategy for cactus crops.

The bread is the main part of the daily intake and our diet. Although people consume large amounts of bread every day, they are not aware of the antioxidative effects. This study aimed to investigate the phenolic contents, antioxidant potentials, and sensory properties of bread-derived products (8 different types of breads) consumed in Turkey. Bread types were produced with the help of a home type bread making machine and white bread was used as a control. Besides the sensory analysis total phenolic contents and antioxidant activity analyses were performed. Sensory evaluations were determined by using the nine-point hedonic scale method. Total phenolic contents were determined by using Folin-Ciocalteau’s method. Antioxidant capacities were determined by using ABTS, DPPH, and FRAP assays. As a result, each bread type showed more antioxidant activity and phenolic content than control bread. In all antioxidant analyses, whole wheat bread was showed the highest antioxidant potentials (200.00µM TEAC for ABTS, 147.50µM TEAC for DPPH, 116.94µM TEAC for FRAP). Whole wheat bread also showed the highest amount of phenolic substance (64.30mg GAE/100g DW), but a low overall acceptability score (6.00/9.00). The control white bread was showed minimum antioxidant potential. The antioxidant properties of oat flour and oat bran breads, whose sensory acceptability was higher than control bread, were also quite high compared to control bread. Consequently, the addition of different cereal flours during the preparation of bread-dough considerably affects the antioxidant activities as well as sensory properties of produced bread. Hereby, it is possible to consume bread as a functional food. So, individuals can be made aware of consuming the bread types contains pseudo cereals.

In R.N. Macedonia has a large number of autochthonous or domesticated cultivars (varieties) of grapevine that are grown as individual vines or small, limited plantings. By the early 20th century and before the attack of the Phylloxera, had many more autochthonous cultivars (varieties) in our country. In this paper we have examined four autochthonous species grapevine - two table varieties (konchanka and white winter) and two wine sorts (Ohrid white variety, Ohrid black variety). According phenotypic characteristics that point to the centres of origin of varieties, examined varieties - konchanka and white winter belong to the eastern varieties convarietas orientalis, subconvarietas antasiatica, and examined varieties Ohrid white variety and Ohrid black variety belong to the Black Sea - Balkan varieties convarietas pontica, subconvarietas balcanica. Among the examined varieties in detail are compared properties by the second group of descriptors according to the propositions of O.I.V. For some codes (characteristics) are determined a large difference between the varieties. Also for more detailed delineation of the varieties have been examined cytological properties - chromosome number, germination and liveliness of pollen, number of chromosomes in mitosis and meiosis, level of ploidy percentage of fertilization (fecundation) self-fertilization (autogamy) and cross-fertilization (ksenogamy). The statistical processing of data from ampelography is according to a cluster program (SPSS) which operates on the binary similarity or diversity as measures used for grouping data, and further form a clear display–dendrogram.

The pandemic situation offers the specialists in psychology the possibility to study the manifestation in the relational-value fullness of the personality, the individual differences between vulnerability or resistance regarding the real or unreal perception of the disease. Meleady, Hodson, Earle's article published in 2021, based on research conducted in June 2020, presents the effects of the person and the situation in predicting prejudice and avoidance outside the group during the COVID-19 pandemic. The way in which individual differences through emotional content transcend or not the rational, oscillating between acceptance, awareness, adaptation, isolation, rejection and guilt. People adopting various roles of saviour or victim, however, the pandemic situation invites us, without being able to refuse, to seek to understand, to live the unknown of a future danger of the disease.

In a study to compare the effectiveness of some essential oils nano emulsions and bio-agnates as alternative of chemical nematicide in control of root-knot nematode, Meloidogyne incognita parasitizing on chilli pepper plants, parallel with the plant growth and yield under two varying conditions; in vitro , greenhouse and plastic house (intended for commercial production). In vitro study, basil and mint essential oil nano emulsions (at rate 5%) achieved the best effects on morality reduction percentage (100%) at droplet size up 48.10 nm and 97.3 nm, respectively compare with non-treated control. In greenhouse basil and mint essential oil nano emulsions (at 5%) (82.59% and 81.52%) and at 3% (77.6% and 72.15%) respectively, ranked second on population reduction with approximately effect of bio-arc (at 2.5 g/L) (74.81%), after nemaphose (92.7%). Similar pattern were found in plastic house with noted positive effect on increase in yield %, where basil and mint essential oil nano emulsions at (at 5%) achieved 113.42 and 108.23 respectively.

Amaranthus genus has about 60 species, which has the potential for daily diet diversification basically an alternative food for Celiac disease. The aim of this study was to determine the nutritional value in four genotypes of amaranth: A. molleros, A. caudatus, A. mantegazzianus and A. cruentus. The heritability of the studied characters as protein and mineral content of seeds and leaves, and oil contents of seed were so high. Maximum values of protein content of seeds was 16.55% (A. cruentus), in leaves was 20.10% (A. caudatus), and the mineral of seeds was 2.73% (A. moleros), in leaves was 18.76% (A. mantegazzianus) and the oils content of seeds was 6.16% (A. moleros). Oil content of the seeds proportion of genetic variance to total phenotypic variance was 72%, and it has a significant impact of ecological factors. Seed and leaves of Amaranthus species can be used as sources of protein and rich amaranth leafy and gluten-free amaranth seeds production studies. This study may help in further work on Amaranthus; separate divergent genotypes may serve as parents for further crossing.

The research included seven autochthonous apple varieties in the area of Tomislavgrad, Stipanjici locality, during 2025, which represent only one part of the natural wealth of our country. In seven autochthonous apple varieties: Petrovaca bijela, Budimka, Ljutika-Divljaka, Ledarica, Bedrica, Ljepocvjetka-Cvjetaca and Jonatanka, phenological characteristics were monitored and analysed with morphological-pomological properties of fruits. The following phenological characteristics were monitored: flowering phenophases, germination of the first fruits, fruit growth, fruit ripening and full maturity. Five characteristics for the description of apple fruits were determined using the UPOV descriptor for apples (UPOV, 2003) (International Union for the Protection of New Varieties of Plants)-'Apple'. The results of monitoring the morphological and pomological properties of fruits show that the lowest average fruit weight was in the variety of Cvjetaca (58.38 g), while the highest average value of fruit weight was recorded in the variety of Bedrica (140.59 g). It is evident that the lowest value of fruit width was measured in the variety of Bedrica (63.23 mm), and the highest in the variety of Jonatanka (70.83 mm). The Cvjetaca variety had the lowest average fruit height (47.24 mm), while the Bedrica variety had the highest (59.72 mm). The Budimka variety had the highest average stem length (2.73 cm), while the Divljak variety had the lowest average stem length (1.43 cm). The Jonatanka variety had the largest average cup and was (1.28 mm), while the Petrovaca bijela variety (0.41 mm) had the lowest average cup depression. Based on the conducted research, the examined autochthonous apple varieties can serve as a valuable genetic material in breeding programs, which can be used in order to create new varieties, as well as for propagation in commercial plantations.

Ghana’s pineapple industry is well developed and structured horticultural sector. Before the early 2000s, a lot of farmers were producing for the export market due to the appreciable returns from their labour until setbacks occurred. From 2008 to date, production volume has been maintained (e.g. 661,500 tonnes for each year from 2023 to 2025), although export volume keeps declining. If the trend in export decline continues, most farmers will venture into other crops, despite the fact that the sub-sector and the country are not adequately prepared to embrace this change.