Çankırı Karatekin University

Mistletoes and other parasitic plants pose serious problems for forests because of the impacts on their host trees. This emphasizes the importance of understandingthese relationships in the light of changing environmental conditions and forest management. This study investigates the effects of pine mistletoe ( Viscum album subsp. a ustriacum Wiesb.) on the physiological traits and plant nutrients of Anatolian black pine ( Pinus nigra Arnold subsp. pallasiana (Lamb.) Holmboe). Fifteen uninfected (control) [thin class control (TC) and medium class control (MC)], and fifteen moderately infected [thin class infected (TI) and medium class infected (MI)] Anatolian black pine trees were sampled from both thin and medium diameter classes. The study revealed that mistletoe-infected trees exhibited significant reductions in chlorophyll content and mineral nutrients, alongside increases in proline, malondialdehyde (MDA), and hydrogen peroxide (H 2 O 2 ), particularly in the medium-diameter class. These findings suggest that mistletoe infection caused a notable decline in photosynthetic efficiency and nutrient absorption, affecting plant health. The principal component analysis showed a clear distinction between infected and uninfected trees, further confirming the detrimental impact of pine mistletoe infection on Anatolian black pine.

This study aimed to evaluate the oxidative stability and vitamin A retention of fortified sunflower oil intended for edible use, under different storage conditions over a six‐month period. Sunflower oil samples were enriched with retinyl palmitate in four concentrations (15,30,60,90 μg/g) and stored in transparent and brown glass bottles under daylight and dark conditions for six months. Oxidative stabilities of the samples (Rancimat) were measured at the beginning of the study. The other analysis including retinyl palmitate levels, peroxide value, conjugated diene and triene, and free fatty acids contents were performed at the beginning and monthly intervals over a six‐month storage period. The results were evaluated using some statistical tests at significance levels of p < 0.05 and p < 0.001. The analysis revealed that, at the end of the sixth month, the highest levels of retinyl palmitate were retained in the groups fortified with 90 μg/g and stored in dark conditions, specifically in transparent bottles (89.39 ± 1.38 μg/g) and brown bottles (80.87 ± 4.05 μg/g). The highest peroxide values were observed after storage in the control group stored under light conditions in transparent bottles (43.92 ± 4.65 meq O2/kg oil), and in the group fortified with 15 μg/g under the same conditions (55.66 ± 14.12 meq O2/kg oil). Enriched sunflower oil exhibited a statistically significant increase in free fatty acid contents over time. In conclusion, storage time, light exposure, and bottle color significantly influenced oxidation and quality parameters. Proper storage conditions, particularly protection from light, are essential for maintaining the stability of retinyl palmitate‐enriched sunflower oil. Based on these findings, it is recommended that vitamin A‐enriched sunflower oils be stored in brown or light‐resistant bottles, kept away from direct light, and consumed relatively promptly to minimize oxidative degradation and preserve vitamin A stability.

Background Regular exercise improves cardiovascular health through regulating the plasma lipoprotein profile. But the effects of different exercise modalities on exercise capacity, muscle strength and quality-of-life in dyslipidemia is unclear. Objectives This study aimed to investigate the effects of calisthenic exercises on exercise capacity, muscle strength and quality-of-life in dyslipidemia. Methods Thirty-nine individuals were randomly divided into 3 groups: Aerobic + Calisthenic Exercise Group (ACG), Aerobic Exercise Group (AG) and Control Group (CG). Exercise capacity measured using cardiopulmonary exercise test, muscle strength using handheld dynamometer, quality-of-life using Short Form-36 Quality of Life Questionnaire (SF-36) at baseline and 8 weeks after. Results Peak oxygen uptake (VO2peak) (p < 0.001), metabolic equivalent (MET) (p < 0.001) and percentage of oxygen pulse increased significantly within ACG (p < 0.001). Peak heart rate (p = 0.006) and heart rate reserve improved significantly within AG (p = 0.004). Peak VO2 (p < 0.001), MET (p < 0.001), oxygen pulse (p = 0.006), knee extensor (p < 0.001) and handgrip strength decreased significantly within CG (p = 0.009). MET (p < 0.001) and %handgrip strength increased significantly in ACG compared to AG and CG (p = 0.021). Peak VO2 (p < 0.001), heart rate (p < 0.001), heart rate reserve (p < 0.001), and handgrip strength increased significantly in ACG compared to CG (p = 0.009). Peak heart rate (p < 0.001), heart rate reserve (p < 0.001) and shoulder abductor strength improved significantly in AG compared to CG (p = 0.019). Conclusions Aerobic exercises recommended for regulating blood biochemistry in dyslipidemia. But effects of calisthenic exercises in dyslipidemia are unclear. Our study showed that calisthenic exercises which combined with aerobic exercise training may improve cardiac and pulmonary response to exercise and handgrip strength in dyslipidemia. Additionally, aerobic exercise training may improve cardiac response to exercise in dyslipidemia. ClinicalTrials Number: NCT06008912.

Introduction Individuals diagnosed with schizophrenia face significant barriers that impact their quality of life and restrict their social participation. This study explores the lived experiences of individuals with schizophrenia, focusing on the challenges they encounter in social settings. Method A qualitative research design with an Interpretative Phenomenological Analysis approach was employed to examine the subjective experiences of 18 participants diagnosed with schizophrenia. Data were collected through semi-structured interviews and observational field notes to capture both verbal and non-verbal expressions. Findings Three primary themes emerged from the analysis: (1) personal growth and well-being, (2) adaptation to social environments, and (3) social contexts and support. Conclusion The study highlights restricted social networks, challenges in daily functioning, and the impact of stigma on social participation. Findings emphasize the need for structured interventions focusing on social skills training, occupational engagement, and reducing stigma. The role of occupational therapy in enhancing autonomy, fostering meaningful social interactions, and promoting long-term community integration is underscored.

Although there is substantial evidence in the literature regarding the relationship between job resources and work engagement, the direction and timing of these relationships remain unclear. In this regard, the present study aimed to examine the time-lagged and concurrent reciprocal relationships between job resources and work engagement. To achieve this, a cross-lagged panel analysis with latent variables was conducted using data collected from 747 teachers over three waves. Findings revealed that previous job resources positively influenced subsequent work engagement, while prior work engagement also positively predicted later job resources. Additionally, when autoregressive and cross-lagged effects were controlled, job resources were found to have a concurrent positive impact on work engagement, whereas work engagement did not simultaneously affect job resources. Among the multiple models tested, the model demonstrating both time-lagged and concurrent reciprocal relationships between job resources and work engagement received the strongest empirical support. This result showed that the relationships between job resources and work engagement are best explained when all potential relationships are considered. Based on these results, the study offers several recommendations for policymakers, practitioners, and researchers.

Environmental contamination from pharmaceutical residues and oily wastewater poses serious challenges for modern water treatment technologies. In this study, we developed multifunctional, highly hydrophobic cotton textiles through in situ growth of ZIF‐8 and cobalt‐doped ZIF‐8 (Co/ZIF‐8) on cotton fabrics at room temperature using a simple immersion method. To further enhance hydrophobicity, the coated fabrics were treated with octadecylamine (OA) and beeswax (BW), resulting in water contact angles ranging from 116° to 132°. The modified fabrics were evaluated for their catalytic performance in degrading oxytetracycline hydrochloride (OTC‐HCl) via peroxymonosulfate (PMS)‐based advanced oxidation processes (AOPs). Results showed significant improvement in degradation efficiency, with Co/ZIF‐8@CT achieving 85.9% and ZIF‐8@CT 69.9% degradation, compared to just 23.57% without a catalyst. Coating with OA and BW slightly reduced the degradation rate (62.3% and 60.8%) due to restricted molecular diffusion. Additionally, the treated textiles demonstrated high oil–water separation efficiencies (86–97%) and excellent self‐cleaning performance, effectively removing Methylene Blue powder from their surfaces. These properties highlight the potential of the developed materials in addressing both pharmaceutical pollution and oily wastewater. Overall, the study presents a scalable, low‐temperature strategy for fabricating reusable, multifunctional textiles for advanced environmental remediation and sustainable wastewater treatment applications.

Traditional antibiotic removal techniques—such as coagulation, membrane filtration, ozonation, and biodegradation—are often inadequate for large-scale applications due to limiting factors including high operational costs, complex system design, and the formation of toxic by-products. In addition, the low selectivity levels of these techniques and the need for additional post-treatment make it difficult to achieve effective and sustainable water treatment goals. The phosphoric acid-activated chitosan-derived carbon adsorbent proposed in this study demonstrated superior adsorption capacities for both amoxicillin and doxycycline, owing to its high surface area and abundant functional groups, aligning with sustainability principles. Thus, it stands out as an economical and environmentally friendly alternative that directly solves the shortcomings of previous methods. High-performance activated carbon was synthesized via phosphoric acid activation of chitosan for the removal of amoxicillin (AMX) and doxycycline (DOC) antibiotics from aqueous solutions. The adsorption efficiency was systematically evaluated in batch experiments at temperatures ranging from 30 to 50 °C, initial antibiotic concentrations of 50–400 mg/L, and pH levels spanning from 3 to 13. The phosphoric acid activation process significantly influenced the physicochemical properties of the resultant activated carbon, enhancing its structural and textural characteristics. The activated carbon exhibited a substantial surface area of 998.02 m²/g, a pore volume of 0.485 cm³/g, and an average pore diameter of 2.55 nm, structure favorable for adsorption. Furthermore, kinetic analysis revealed that the adsorption process followed the pseudo-first-order model, indicating that physisorption was the dominant mechanism. Equilibrium data were best described by the Langmuir isotherm model, highlighting monolayer adsorption on a homogeneous surface. The maximum adsorption capacities for AMX and DOC were determined to be 227.18 mg/g and 299.07 mg/g, respectively, at 50 °C, demonstrating the high affinity of the adsorbent for these pharmaceutical contaminants. These findings indicate that chitosan-derived activated carbon is a cost-effective, sustainable material with strong potential for removing antibiotic contaminants from wastewater. Graphical Abstract

This study investigated the flavonoid compounds and their biological activities in methanol extracts obtained from root, stem, leaf, and flower parts of Amaranthus retroflexus L. Flavonoids in the extracts were characterized for the first time by liquid chromatography–highresolution mass spectrometry (LC–HRMS), and a total of eight flavonoid derivatives were identified. The extracts’ total antioxidant status (TAS) and total oxidant status (TOS) were determined, and the results were expressed as mM Trolox equivalent/L and µM H2O2 equivalent/L. According to our findings, all extracts showed high antioxidant activity, with a TAS value >2.0, mainly the root extract, which exhibited the highest activity, with a value of 3.632 mM Trolox equivalent/L. In addition, all extracts showed in vitro inhibition of acetylcholinesterase (AChE) enzyme. In DNA protection tests performed by gel electrophoresis, it was observed that the extracts could effectively protect plasmid DNA against oxidative damage. In silico evaluations assessed the binding affinities, dynamic stability, and pharmacokinetic profiles of luteolin‐7‐rutinoside, rutin, hyperoside, and quercitrin to AChE. ADMET analyses, molecular docking, and MD simulation (100 ns) revealed that luteolin‐7‐rutinoside and rutin exhibited high binding affinity and stable stability, but all compounds required structure optimization and formulation strategies due to poor absorption and high risk of drug‐induced liver injury (DILI).

Background/Objectives: Timely and effective clinical management of leishmaniasis depends on a deep understanding of parasite biology and drug resistance mechanisms. Phosphatidylinositol-specific phospholipase C (PI-PLC) enzymes are critical for parasite survival and immune evasion and possibly influence treatment outcomes. This study aimed to characterize the PI-PLC gene family in the Leishmania infantum and Leishmania major genomes, with a focus on their expression profiles in antimony-susceptible and -resistant strains to uncover their diagnostic and prognostic relevance. Methods: This study conducted a comprehensive genome-wide screening to identify PI-PLC genes in L. infantum and L. major, followed by detailed analyses of their gene structures, conserved motifs, chromosomal localization, and phylogenetic relationships. To explore potential roles in drug resistance and clinical prognosis, RNA-seq data from antimony-resistant and -susceptible L. infantum strains were analyzed for differential gene expression. Results: Twenty-two PI-PLC genes were identified in each species, displaying conserved catalytic domains and diverse biochemical characteristics. Phylogenetic and chromosomal analyses revealed gene clustering and distribution patterns. Importantly, expression profiling highlighted several PI-PLC genes with differential regulation in resistant strains, suggesting a role in treatment response and potential as molecular markers. Conclusions: Our findings suggest that PI-PLC genes may be associated with drug susceptibility in L. infantum, warranting further functional investigation to validate their role as potential molecular markers.

Biotic interactions are expected to influence species' responses to global changes, but they are rarely considered across broad spatial extents. Abiotic factors are thought to operate at larger spatial scales, while biotic factors, such as species interactions, are considered more important at local scales within communities, in part because of the knowledge gap on species interactions at large spatial scales (i.e., the Eltonian shortfall). We assessed, at a continental scale, (i) the importance of biotic interactions, through food webs, on species distributions, and (ii) how biotic interactions under scenarios of climate and land‐use change may affect the distribution of the brown bear (Ursus arctos). We built a highly detailed, spatially dynamic, and empirically sampled food web based on the energy contribution of 276 brown bear food species from different taxa (plants, vertebrates, and invertebrates) and their ensemble habitat models at high resolution across Europe. Then, combining energy contribution and predicted habitat of food species, we modelled energy contribution across space and included these layers within Bayesian‐based models of the brown bear distribution in Europe. The inclusion of biotic interactions considerably improved our understanding of brown bear distribution at large (continental) scales compared with Bayesian models including only abiotic factors (climate and land use). Predicted future range shifts, which included changes in the distribution of food species, varied greatly when considering various scenarios of change in biotic factors, providing a warning that future indirect climate and land‐use change are likely to have strong but highly uncertain impacts on species biogeography. Our study confirmed that advancing our understanding of ecological networks of species interactions will improve future projections of biodiversity change, especially for modelling species distributions and their functional role under climate and land‐use change scenarios, which is key for effective conservation of biodiversity and ecosystem services.

The aim of this study was to enhance the nutritional value and antioxidant bioaccessibility of gluten-free biscuits by incorporating increasing amounts of chia seeds. The physical, chemical, and sensory properties, as well as the in vitro bioaccessibility of total phenolics and antioxidant activity, were evaluated in gluten-free sweet biscuits developed by substituting red rice flour and tapioca starch with chia seeds (0–20%). The changes in sensory, textural, and some chemical properties of the biscuits during six months of storage were also monitored. As the chia seed content increased, the moisture, ash, protein, fat, and total dietary fiber contents of the biscuits rose, while the carbohydrate content decreased. Biscuits with 20% chia substitution exhibited the highest nutritional value, particularly in dietary fiber content (6.16%), while those with 10% chia substitution maintained overall acceptability scores comparable to the control biscuits throughout storage. The total phenolic content and antioxidant activities (DPPH and FRAP) of all chia-substituted biscuits were significantly higher than those of the control biscuits. Additionally, incorporating chia seeds improved the bioaccessibility of phenolic compounds and antioxidants, with biscuits containing 10% chia substitution showing the highest bioaccessibility for both phenolics and FRAP.

The demand for health care has increased. This demand causes an increase in the resources allocated and pressures on health managers and policymakers. Thus, it is important to evaluate the efficiency. It aimed to investigate the efficiency of the hospitals operating in Turkey. Stochastic Frontier Analysis (SFA), Data Envelopment Analysis (Charnes, Cooper and Rhodes Model [CCR] and Banker, Charnes and Cooper Model [BCC]), and capacity utilization indicators (bed occupancy ratio [BOR], bed turnover rate [BTR], and average length of stay [LoS]) were used. Thirty‐nine of the 96 hospitals were found to be efficient according to BCC. It found that there was a strong correlation between the CCR model and SFA. It was moderate between BCC and SFA. Also, it was seen that there were significant differences between the SFA and BTR averages of the hospitals that were found to be efficient and inefficient. However, there were no significant differences between the averages of BOR and LoS. It is thought that the results obtained from different methods will help decision makers to better understand and monitor the performance of hospitals.

Diabetes Mellitus is a chronic metabolic disorder affecting a substantial global population leading to complications such as retinopathy, nephropathy, neuropathy, foot problems, heart attacks, and strokes if left unchecked. Prompt detection and diagnosis are crucial in managing and averting these complications. This study compares the effectiveness of a Decision Tree Classifier and an Artificial Neural Network (ANN) in predicting Diabetes Mellitus. The Decision Tree Classifier demonstrated superior performance, achieving a 97.7% accuracy rate compared to the ANN’s 94.7%. The Decision Tree Classifier also achieved higher precision (96.9% vs. 88.8%) and recall (96.5% vs. 90.2%) than the ANN, along with a balanced F1 score of 96.5% versus 90.2%. The Matthews Correlation Coefficient (MCC) confirmed a stronger correlation between predictions and actual labels for the Decision Tree Classifier (87.4%) compared to the ANN (78%). Furthermore, the Area Under Curve (AUC) score of 96% for the Decision Tree Classifier was higher than that of ANN (78%). The relative importance feature analysis clearly established glycated hemoglobin (HbA1c) as the paramount factor in predicting diabetes mellitus. Diabetic patients showed markedly higher cholesterol and triglycerides, increasing cardiovascular risk, while High Density Lipoprotein (HDL) and Low-Density Lipoprotein (LDL) levels showed no significant difference between diabetics and non-diabetics. However, Very Low-Density Lipoprotein (VLDL) was significantly elevated, suggesting altered lipid transport in diabetes. Body Mass Index (BMI) was also notably higher in diabetics, reinforcing the link between obesity and diabetes risk. Principal Component analysis further highlighted five clusters of health-related variables, identifying age-related metabolic indicators (AGE, HbA1c, BMI), kidney function markers (creatinine (Cr), Urea), cardiovascular lipid profiles (Cholesterol, LDL), lipid transport (VLDL), and protective cardiovascular indicator (HDL). The study highlights the superiority of decision tree classifier in predicting Diabetes Mellitus, suggesting its potential for significant clinical applications in diagnosis and management.

OBJECTIVE The aim of this study was to evaluate the risk of obstructive sleep apnea and sleep quality in adolescents with and without polycystic ovary syndrome. METHODS A case–control study was conducted on 82 adolescent girls admitted to the pediatric endocrinology clinic of a training and research hospital in Turkey. Data were collected using the Participant Information Form, Stop and Stop-Bang Questionnaire, Cleveland Adolescent Sleepiness Questionnaire, Sleep Quality Scale, and Sleep Variables Questionnaire. RESULTS It was determined that the mean Stop and Stop-Bang scores of adolescents in the healthy and polycystic ovary syndrome groups were similar and had a high level of obstructive sleep apnea risk. Daytime sleepiness levels were similar in both groups, but daytime sleepiness mean scores were a little higher in healthy adolescents. In addition, it was determined that the level of sleepiness at school and during transportation was statistically significant and high in the healthy group, and the sleep quality of all adolescents was moderately similar. CONCLUSION Our data reveal the importance of a comprehensive assessment of sleep health, including obstructive sleep apnea, as well as duration, timing, and quality in adolescents when considering polycystic ovary syndrome. Healthcare professionals should consider the sleep health of all adolescents presenting to endocrine outpatient clinics.

Background Functional strength training (FST) has gained considerable attention due to its potential in enhancing muscle strength, endurance, and body composition, especially among athletes. The purpose of this study was to assess the effects of a 12-week FST program on performance outcomes such as muscle strength, muscular endurance, and body composition in elite male field hockey players. Methods The study involved 28 male athletes from the Türkiye Hockey Federation Super League, with a mean age of 27.54 ± 1.34 years and an average athletic experience of 7.62 ± 0.48 years. The mean height of participants was 180.28 ± 4.54 cm, and their mean weight was 75.59 ± 3.08 kg. Participants were randomly divided into two groups: the experimental group (n = 14) and the control group (n = 14). Pre-intervention assessments were conducted to evaluate muscle strength (Leg Extension, Leg Curl, Bench Press, Pushdown), muscular endurance (30-s Sit-up and Push-up tests), and body composition [Body Mass Index (BMI) and Body Fat Percentage (BFP)]. The experimental group participated in the FST program three times per week for 12 weeks, while the control group maintained their usual training regimen. Post-test evaluations were performed using the same testing protocols. Statistical Analysis: Data were analyzed using two-way repeated measures ANOVA to assess the interaction effects of group and time (pre-test vs post-test). Partial eta squared (η²) values were used to report effect sizes, and statistical significance was set at p < 0.05. Data analysis was carried out using SPSS 22.0 software. Normality was assessed through the Shapiro-Wilk test, and data distribution was further examined through skewness-kurtosis values, histograms, box plots, and Q-Q plots. Paired sample t-tests were performed for pairwise comparisons, with Cohen’s d used to determine the effect sizes. The classification for effect sizes followed Hopkins’ (2002) guidelines: small (≥0.01), moderate (≥0.06), and large (≥0.14). Results Significant group × time interaction effects were found for all measured variables (p < 0.05). The experimental group showed greater improvements in body composition, muscle strength, and muscular endurance compared to the control group. Specifically, the experimental group experienced a significant reduction in BMI (pre-test: 21.17 ± 0.64 kg/m², post-test: 19.84 ± 0.85 kg/m², p < 0.001) and BFP (pre-test: 15.36% ± 0.62%, post-test: 12.13% ± 0.47%, p < 0.001), while the control group showed minimal changes in these variables. Muscle strength improvements in the experimental group were significant for Leg Extension (pre-test: 83.93 ± 4.87 kg, post-test: 66.07 ± 4.01 kg, p = 0.003), Leg Curl (pre-test: 99.29 ± 7.81 kg, post-test: 118.21 ± 5.04 kg, p < 0.001), and Bench Press (pre-test: 66.43 ± 6.91 kg, post-test: 87.14 ± 4.69 kg, p < 0.001). In contrast, the control group did not show significant improvements in these tests. Muscular endurance was also superior in the experimental group for both the 30-s Sit-up (pre-test: 19.21 ± 0.97, post-test: 23.36 ± 1.28, p < 0.001) and Push-up (pre-test: 24.66 ± 2.53, post-test: 27.04 ± 0.81, p < 0.001) tests. Effect sizes (Cohen’s d) indicated moderate to large effects for all measured variables, with d values ranging from 0.46 to 1.14 for strength and endurance improvements. Conclusion The findings of this study demonstrate that a 12-week FST program significantly improves muscle strength, endurance, and body composition in elite male field hockey players. These results suggest that incorporating FST into athletic training regimens may optimize performance and enhance overall physical fitness in athletes.

Propolis can be used as a stand-alone dietary supplement and has the potential to be used as an active ingredient in pharmaceuticals or functional foods because it has been shown to have various health benefits attributed to its phenolic compositions. However, its low solubility in water and strong taste and aroma limits the incorporation in food systems; it is thought that the different encapsulation techniques serve as an effective method to protect bioactive compounds while also helping to mask the taste of propolis and preserve its antioxidant properties. In this study, propolis extracts with final solvents of alcohol, honey, and glycerol were encapsulated using the ionic gelation method with sodium alginate (Na-Alg) at concentrations of 0.5%, 1.5%, and 2% and CaCl₂. The nine encapsulated propolis samples’ physicochemical, microtextural, and bioactive properties were compared. Since the durability of the capsules until they reach the intestine is crucial, changes in color and bioactivity in digestive fluids after simulated gastric digestion were also assessed. The optical characterization of the capsules revealed that encapsulation with 1% Na-Alg resulted in mechanically weak, deformed, and heterogeneous capsules for all solvent bases. Increasing the Na-Alg concentration led to more uniform and homogeneous capsule structures. When 1.5% and 2% Na-Alg were used, the membranes effectively trapped the core material, producing successful capsules. Among the solvents, honey-based propolis extracts formed the best capsules. None of the samples with different bases and Na-Alg ratios lost their encapsulated form in the simulated gastric fluids. Considering the commercialization potential of the products, the combination of 1.5% honey-based propolis and the Na-Alg ionic gelation coating method is recommended as the most suitable approach.

This study aimed to evaluate the effects of Scots pine (Pinus sylvestris L.) sawdust on the growth, aesthetic quality, photosynthetic pigments, and nutrient uptake of Lavandula officinalis, a widely cultivated medicinal and ornamental plant in Türkiye. Eleven growth media were formulated by mixing peat and perlite with sawdust at concentrations ranging from 5% to 50% (v/v). The results demonstrated that the 25% sawdust treatment significantly enhanced plant height, crown width, fresh weight, and visual appearance. Photosynthetic pigment concentrations (chlorophyll a, b, and carotenoids) were also optimized at this level, while higher sawdust proportions (≥ 40%) led to notable declines. Contrary to expectations, total nitrogen content increased with sawdust levels, possibly due to nitrogen-rich tissues in the sawdust and enhanced microbial mineralization. Calcium content peaked at 25%, whereas micronutrients such as iron, copper, and zinc decreased with higher sawdust ratios. The findings suggest that Scots pine sawdust, when applied at moderate levels, can serve as a sustainable substrate component in lavender cultivation. This is the first study to systematically assess Scots pine sawdust in lavender growing media, contributing to the development of resource-efficient and environmentally friendly horticultural practices.

Background and Aims Soil salinity is an increasing threat to crop production and, as a consequence, improving the level of salinity tolerance has become a priority in plant research. Biologicals, including microorganisms and biostimulants, can play a significant role in enhancing plant tolerance to salinity stress, which is further fueled by soil degradation and climate change. Methods This review explores the mechanisms by which these agents contribute to salinity tolerance. Results Microorganisms such as plant growth-promoting rhizobacteria, mycorrhizal or endophytic fungi improve plant resilience by facilitating nutrient uptake, producing phytohormones, and enhancing antioxidant activities. They alter root architecture and exude signals that improve water use efficiency, allowing plants to better manage osmotic stress. Biostimulants, comprising amino acids, humic substances, plant and seaweed extracts, further bolster plant tolerance by regulating ion balance and stimulating metabolic pathways associated with the stress response. Some of these substances enhance photosynthetic efficiency, thus maintaining plant growth and productivity under saline conditions. Collectively, the synergistic interaction of microorganisms and biostimulants cultivates a robust soil-plant interface, providing a sustainable strategy to mitigate the impacts of salinity. Conclusion Continued research is needed to optimize their application methods and to understand the complex interactions within specific crop and soil systems, enabling agricultural systems to adapt to increasing soil salinity levels.