Land degradation (LD) is an emerging threat of the decade that is not only deteriorating arable lands globally but also threatening global ecosystem sustainability. Therefore, the intensification of LD has stimulated global governing bodies and researchers to undertake initiatives against this dilemma through sustainable and eco-friendly approaches. Geographical mapping is critical in analysing land formation, soil composition and land use patterns, subsequently facilitating data-driven planning for soil conservation. In this review, Geographic Information System (GIS) technology, combined with Shuttle Radar Topography Mission (SRTM) data, is used to explore soil properties and land use patterns across Saudi Arabia, with a focus on soil types, soil thickness, and soil uses. Spatial analyses indicate that the most predominant soil type in the country is sandy, followed by loam and sandy loam. The soil depth distribution exhibits a notably bimodal pattern, with large areas characterized by shallow soils (0–4 m) and deep soils (43–50 m). These spatial visualizations provide valuable insights into soil heterogeneity, supporting evidence-based, site-specific strategies for sustainable land management. This study also outlines the major land degradation pathways affecting arable lands in Saudi Arabia and describes how these pathways can be used to assess the extent of land loss. Besides land loss pathways, the current study also explains the most suitable mitigation strategies, including mulching, cover cropping, and agroforestry, as well as how international governing bodies like the UNDP, UNEP, FAO, and World Bank can contribute to the mitigation of LD in Saudi Arabia. However, further studies are required to assess the intensity of these solutions for each soil type and thickness under different climatic conditions.

The medicinal plant, Withania somnifera L. cell culture is sustainable source of important medicinal active ingredients. However successful cell culture amenability relies on media composition, cell growth pattern and elicitation strategies. The Glitz (Gli; modified Litvay media) media promisingly supported friable callus induction and maximum growth (15 g biomass) till 56th day of culture but showed lower polyphenols (6.32 mg g-1 DW) and flavonoids (0.15 mg g-1 DW) contents. Further the friable callus was introduced to the liquid Gli media for cell suspension culture establishment. While for increase secondary metabolites synthesis the established cell culture was treated with elicitors; Methyl Jasmonate (MeJa; 5, 10 and 20 µM) and Salicylic Acdi (SA; 50, 100 and 200 µM). The gallic acid standard based total phenolic acid content met the higher value (35.36 mg per g dry cell weight), 3-fold of the control value (10.73 m g^-1) in MeJa (20 µM) treated cells. While the higher (3.2 mg g^-1 dry cell weight) quercetin standard based flavonoid content in comparison to control (0.92 mg g^-1 DW; 3.5-fold) was observed in SA (100 µM) elicitor treated cell cultures. In parallel DPPH free radical scavenging activity of 60.5% (control: 35.5%) were recorded in elicitors treated cells cultures extracts corroborated to the presence of antioxidant compounds. Based on these findings, it is worth noting that modification in the nutrient media composition significantly improves the W. somnifera cells growth (biomass) and secondary metabolism, and this study concept the cellular agriculture for sustainable future in medicinal plants research.

Land degradation (LD) is a dominant threat of the decade, which is deteriorating arable lands globally. Therefore, this intensification of LD has stimulated global governing bodies and researchers to take the initiative against this dilemma through sustainable and eco-friendly approaches. Geographical mapping is critical for analyzing land formation, its types, and uses; data-based maps provide a detailed overview of land use. In this study, we have created simplified SRTM-based maps for Saudi Arabia related to soil types, soil thickness, and soil uses either as vegetation or for agricultural aspects using GIS tools. Results of these GIS analyses showed that the maximum area of the country is sandy, followed by loam and sandy loam. Meanwhile, the maximum soil thickness is either under 0-4 meters or 43-50 meters. This geological display of the country could be instrumental in assessing the soil types and what sort of inputs or steps can be taken to make each type of soil fertile. Moreover, we also mentioned the land degradation pathways impacting the country’s arable lands and explained the pathways that can help assess such land losses. Besides land loss pathways, we explained the most suitable mitigation strategies, including mulching, cover cropping, agroforestry, riparian buffer strips, agroforestry, terracing, and nutrient use efficiency. In this article, we also focused on the aims of the Saudi Green Initiative and the steps that are being taken by international governing bodies like UNDP, UNEP, FAO, and the World Bank to mitigate land degradation in the region. However, further studies are required to assess the intensity of these solutions at each soil type and thickness.

Elaeocarpus sylvestris (Lour.) Poir., an evergreen tree native to East and Southeast Asia, has gained increasing scientific attention owing to its broad pharmacological properties. Traditionally used in East Asian medicine to treat inflammation, fever, and infectious diseases, modern research has revealed diverse bioactivities, including potent antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, antiviral, anticancer, antidiabetic, and immunomodulatory effects. This therapeutic potential is primarily attributed to its rich phytochemical composition, particularly polyphenols such as geraniin, 1,2,3,4,6-penta-O-galloyl-β-D-glucose and quercetin. This review particularly focuses on the chemistry of E. sylvestris, summarizing structurally elucidated compounds, including hydrolysable tannins, flavonoids, and triterpenoids, along with recent insights into the structure–activity relationships that underpin these antiviral, antioxidant, and anticancer activities. Recent studies have demonstrated substantial antiviral efficacy of E. sylvestris extracts and isolated compounds against major human pathogens, including herpesviruses, influenza A virus, and SARS-CoV-2, supported by in silico, in vitro, in vivo, and early-phase clinical evaluations. Its cosmeceutical applications, including antioxidant, skin-whitening, and blue-light protective effects, further highlight its multifunctional potential. To our knowledge, this is the first comprehensive review summarizing the phytochemistry, pharmacological activities, therapeutic potential, and cosmeceutical applications of E. sylvestris. Despite these promising findings, challenges remain in elucidating precise molecular mechanisms, pharmacokinetics, and clinical validation. This review identifies current research gaps and future directions necessary to advance E. sylvestris as a scientifically validated natural therapeutic resource.

Saudi Arabia’s Arabica coffee is produced almost entirely by smallholder farmers. Although the local production meets only a small share of national consumption, the sector has expanded substantially in recent years under national development initiatives and strategic investment. This study diagnoses the smallholder value chain in Jazan, Asir and Al Baha through a cross-sectional survey of 347 farms in 14 governorates (May–November 2023). Mean green-bean yield was 0.37 kg per tree (median 0.25), which is within the global smallholder Arabica range, and the top 6.5% of the farms exceeded 1 kg per tree. Water scarcity was the leading production constraint (84.9% of respondents). This prompted a separate, exploratory irrigation survey of 57 Jazan farms (January 2024), which found true drip irrigation to be about 50% more water-productive than basin or stripped-emitter systems, a finding that would need confirmation through controlled trials. Although membership is self-selected and unmeasured confounding cannot be excluded, farmers who belonged to a producer organisation consistently performed better across the value chain. Their yields were higher (0.40 versus 0.23 kg per tree, p = 0.003), and this advantage held after adjustment for farm and farmer characteristics (+78%, 95% CI + 33 to +137). In addition, 24% of members undertook on-farm roasting against 3.9% of non-members. These findings point to wider producer-organisation coverage, more efficient irrigation and improved post-harvest handling as priority areas for intervention and future evaluation.

Saudi highland Arabica coffee has been cultivated for centuries on mountain terraces across Jazan, Asir, and Al-Baha. It commands premium prices (SAR 100–200 per kilogram) in one of the world’s fastest-growing coffee markets, while its UNESCO recognition as an Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity further strengthens its market position. Yet, despite these favourable conditions, many smallholder farmers remain unable to cover their production costs. Drawing on a stratified survey of 347 farms, a purposive cost-structure dataset of 19 farms, and qualitative field observations, this study examines the structural constraints that keep the sector in a low-viability equilibrium. The analysis shows that labour and water account for 72% of variable production costs, median yield is only 0.25 kg per productive tree compared with a biological potential of 4.0 kg, and 42% of farmers report no commercial sales, relying instead on household consumption and social gifting. Government subsidies keep about 40% of farms profitable, but the employment-based eligibility criterion excludes many younger growers needed for the sector’s long-term sustainability. The study proposes a practical reform package centred on rural infrastructure, cooperative extension and shared labour, performance-based subsidies, and contract farming to transform highland coffee into a viable specialty commodity aligned with Saudi Vision 2030.