Research & reports

Subin Babu Neupane, Pedro F S Toledo, Katerina Velasco-Graham, Felipe N. Soto‐Adames, Arash Kheirodin · Journal of Integrated Pest Management · United States

This is the first report documenting the invasive thrips species Thrips parvispinus, native to Southeast Asia, in Texas, USA. Samples collected from 12 locations across Texas -- including greenhouse facilities, large retail outlets and community gardens -- from plants showing foliage injury confirmed the species' presence in November 2025, and detections across multiple counties suggest it has been introduced to multiple locations and may be widely distributed in the state.

Ainsley C. McStay, S.L. Walser, Eric C. Sirkovich, Nicolas Perdrial, Justin B. Richardson · Journal of Environmental Quality · United States

This study evaluated portable X-ray fluorescence (pXRF) measurements of macronutrients, micronutrients, and toxic elements (As, Pb) in soils and plants from 10 urban community gardens across the eastern United States. It found that pXRF and traditional methods provided agreeable estimates for some elements (Mn, Cu, Zn, Pb) but not for macronutrients (Ca, K, P). While pXRF is an accurate tool for screening Mn, Cu, Zn, and Pb, macronutrients were poorly estimated in fruits, leaves, and roots, and genus-specific and garden-specific factors may be important for plant uptake models.

Moisés Savian, Mari Inês Caríssimi Boff, Pedro Boff · Cadernos de Agroecologia · Brazil

This study evaluated Brazilian scientific production from 2009 to 2018 on urban agriculture's contribution to food and nutritional security, analyzing 34 selected articles out of 612. It found that while agrobiodiversity is present in urban agriculture areas, pesticide use is a reality in some crop plots. The research suggests urban agriculture must be based on agroecology to avoid environmental contamination and produce healthy food.

Saad El‐Din Hassan, Eva Boon, Marc St‐Arnaud, Mohamed Hijri · Molecular Ecology · Canada

A study assessing indigenous arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi (AMF) community structure in roots and soil of Plantago major (plantain) growing on trace-metal (TM)-contaminated versus uncontaminated sites, selected based on a survey of TM concentrations (As, Cd, Cu, Pb, Sn, Zn) in community garden soils in Montreal, Canada. AMF community structure was analyzed using PCR-DGGE, cloning and sequencing, and direct sequencing. Native AMF diversity, measured by the number of AMF ribotypes, was decreased in TM-polluted soils and plant roots compared with unpolluted sites, and community structure was altered by TM contamination. Various Glomus species along with Scutellospora aurigloba and S. calospora were the most abundant ribotypes in unpolluted soil, while G. etunicatum, G. irregulare/G. intraradices and G. viscosum occurred in both polluted and unpolluted soils, and G. mosseae together with unidentified Glomus ribotypes (B9, B13) dominated in TM-polluted sites. The predominance of G. mosseae at metal-polluted sites is interpreted as suggesting tolerance to TM stress and potential use for phytoremediation.