Lignin is a natural biopolymer. A vibrant and rapid process in the synthesis of silica nanoparticles by consuming the lignin as a soft template was carefully studied. The extracted biopolymer from coir pith was employed as capping and stabilizing agents to fabricate the silica nanoparticles (_nSi). The synthesized silica nanoparticles (_nSi) were characterized by ultraviolet–visible (UV–Vis) spectrophotometry, X-ray diffraction analysis (XRD), Scanning Electron Microscope (SEM), Energy-Dispersive X-ray Analysis (EDAX), Dynamic Light Scattering (DLS) and Fourier-Transform Infrared Spectroscopy (FTIR). All the results obtained jointly and independently verified the formation of silica nanoparticles. In addition, EDAX analysis confirmed the high purity of the _nSi composed only of Si and O, with no other impurities. XRD spectroscopy showed the characteristic diffraction peaks for _nSi and confirmed the formation of an amorphous nature. The average size of _nSi obtained is 18 nm. The surface charge and stability of _nSi were analyzed by using the dynamic light scattering (DLS) and thus revealed that the _nSi samples have a negative charge (−20.3 mV). In addition, the seed germination and the shoot and root formation on Vigna unguiculata were investigated by using the _nSi. The results revealed that the application of _nSi enhanced the germination in V. unguiculata. However, further research studies must be performed in order to determine the toxic effect of biogenic _nSi before mass production and use of agricultural applications.

This paper considers the evolution of processes applied in agriculture for field operations developed from non-organized handmade activities into very specialized and organized production processes. A set of new approaches based on the application of metaheuristic optimization methods and smart automatization known as Agriculture 4.0 has enabled a rapid increase in in-field operations’ productivity and offered unprecedented economic benefits. The aim of this paper is to review modern approaches to agriculture machinery movement optimization with applications in sugarcane production. Approaches based on algorithms for the division of spatial configuration, route planning or path planning, as well as approaches using cost parameters, e.g., energy, fuel and time consumption, are presented. The combination of algorithmic and economic methodologies including evaluation of the savings and investments and their cost/benefit relation is discussed.

Surface treatment by low-temperature plasma has a great potential in a wide range of applications in many industries and research fields, such as material engineering, automobile industry, ecology, medicine, and agriculture. The application of plasma treatments is relatively new and not very common in agriculture. Protecting cereal seeds against some fungal diseases is one of the plasma applications in agriculture. We tested the possibility of decreased mycotoxin concentration by low pressure and atmospheric pressure plasmas. In addition, we investigated the effects of plasma treatment on nutritive values of the seeds because of their usage as domestic animal feed. The influence on seed germination was also studied and are also reported here.

Considering automatized and robotic milking systems substantially decreasing the contact between producers and the herd, milk analysis is crucial to maintain the quality and safety of all dairy products. These systems naturally also decrease the possibility of health problems and illness identification. Abnormalities in milk can be caused by several factors. Milk quality can be affected by external conditions, such as temperature and contamination in the feedstock; by management practices, such as hygiene, milking frequency, treatment, and feedstuff quality; and by diseases, genetics, or age. Somatic cell count, electric conductivity, and contents of urea, fat, protein, and lactose were reviewed as likely parameters of milk representing its quality with respect to feedback for consumers and breeders. Methods for evaluating milk constituents and parameters are still being developed to provide in-line information. These methods allow the avoidance of enormous economic losses every year caused by milk discard, health treatments, or cow replacements. In addition, individual and in-line milk analysis provides information in terms of nutritional status or lactation period and fertility. The objective of this study is to identify trends and potential methods focusing on in situ and in-line techniques for the analysis of milk parameters during the automatized and robotic milking process. Four methods are described and compared: near-infrared spectroscopy (NIRS) and mid-infrared spectroscopy (MIRS), optical analysis, milk conductivity analysis, and milk leukocyte differential test. The versatility and accessibility of these methods were also evaluated, showing a considerable range of possible related problems.