This study investigates the role of agricultural exports as a potential engine of economic growth in South Africa, employing a cointegration and error correction model (ECM) framework on time series data from 1980 to 2023. The results confirm a long-run equilibrium relationship between agricultural exports and economic growth, with lagged total exports and employment significantly influencing GDP growth in the short run. However, other factors like foreign direct investment, gross capital formation, and population growth did not exhibit a statistically significant impact. These findings underscore the importance of agricultural exports in driving South Africa’s economic growth. To further enhance this potential, the study recommends establishing a consistent and transparent policy environment to foster investor confidence and long-term planning in the agricultural sector, expanding the range of agricultural exports to reduce vulnerability to external shocks and enhance overall economic resilience and streamlining customs procedures, reducing trade barriers, and improving logistics to enhance the competitiveness of South African agricultural exports in the global market. These policy recommendations, grounded in empirical evidence, offer a roadmap for harnessing the full potential of agricultural exports to drive sustainable economic growth in South Africa.

Horticultural crops are rich in constituents such as proteins, carbohydrates, vitamins, and minerals important for human health. Under biotic and abiotic stress conditions, rhizospheric bacteria are powerful sources of phytohormones such as indole acetic acid (IAA), gibberellic acid (GA), abscisic acid (ABA) and Plant growth regulators including cytokines, ammonia, nitrogen, siderophores, phosphate, and extra cellular enzymes. These phytohormones help horticultural crops grow both directly and indirectly. In recent agricultural practices, the massive use of chemical fertilizers causes a major loss of agricultural land that can be resolved by using the potent plant growth-promoting rhizospheric bacteria that protect the agricultural and horticultural crops from the adverse effect of phytopathogens and increase crop quality and yield. This review highlights the role of multifunctional rhizospheric bacteria in the growth promotion of horticultural crops in greenhouse conditions and agricultural fields. The relevance of plant growth hormones in horticultural crops highlighted in the current study is crucial for sustainable agriculture.

Arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi (AMF) increase the uptake of soluble phosphates, while phosphorus solubilizing fungi (S) promote the solubilization of insoluble phosphate complexes, together benefiting plant nutrition. The use of these organisms in combination with minerals or rocks that provide nutrients is another alternative to maintain crop productivity. The objective of this work was to combine AMF and S with pyroclastic materials (ashes and pumicites) from the Puyehue volcano and phosphoric rocks (PR) from the Río Chico Group (Chubut) and to evaluate the performance of these mixtures as substrates for potted production of Lactuca sativa. To formulate the substrates, a mixture of Ter-rafertil® with ashes was used as a base. Penicillium thomii was the S and spores of the fungus Rhizophagus intraradices (AEGIS® Irriga) served as the source of AMF. Various combinations of microorganisms and the addition or not of RP were evaluated. The treatments were: (1) substrate; (2) substrate + AMF; (3) substrate + S; (4) substrate + AMF + S; (5) substrate: PR; (6) substrate: PR + AMF; (7) substrate: PR + S, and (8) substrate: PR + AMF + S. There were 3 replicates per treatment. The parameters evaluated were total and assimilable P content in the substrate, P in plant tissue and dry biomass. All of them were significantly higher in the plants grown in the substrate added with PR and inoculated with S and AMF. This work confirms that the S/AMF combination with volcanic ashes from Puyehue and PR from Grupo Río Chico formulated with a commercial substrate promote the growth of L. sativa. Thus, it is possible to increase the added value of geomaterials of national origin.

This study aims to analyze how public debt influences economic growth in Kosovo, using quarterly data from Q1 2008 to Q4 2022 and employing the generalized method of moments (GMM). The research reveals that there is a negative relationship between public debt and economic growth when other factors such as trade openness, total investment, current account balance, and primary balance are considered. Furthermore, the findings confirm an inverted “U-shaped” relationship between public debt and economic growth, indicating that the optimal debt level is between 27.75% and 36.2% of GDP.

Silymarin, a bioactive compound derived primarily from the seeds and fruit of the milk thistle (Silybum marianum) plant, has garnered increasing attention in recent years due to its potential applications in agriculture. This comprehensive review explores the multifaceted role of silymarin in agricultural practices, shedding light on its chemistry, biological activities, and diverse applications. The chemical structure and properties of silymarin are elucidated, emphasizing its unique solubility, stability, and bioavailability, which render it suitable for agricultural use. A significant portion of the review is dedicated to examining the biological activities of silymarin, which encompasses its antioxidant properties. The underlying mechanisms responsible for these activities are explored, highlighting their potential as a natural solution for mitigating environmental stressors that adversely affect crop health and productivity. Illustrative examples from research studies and practical applications underscore its effectiveness in safeguarding agricultural yields and ensuring food security. Furthermore, the review delves into the potential of silymarin to enhance crop growth, yield, and quality. Mechanisms through which silymarin influences plant physiology and metabolism are examined, providing valuable insights into its role as a growth-promoting agent in agriculture. The review concludes with a forward-looking examination of the prospects of silymarin in agriculture, highlighting emerging trends and areas of innovation that hold promise for sustainable and resilient farming systems. In summary, this review consolidates the current body of knowledge surrounding silymarin’s potential in agriculture. It underscores the versatility of silymarin as a natural tool for crop protection, growth enhancement, and environmental sustainability, offering valuable insights for researchers, practitioners, and policymakers seeking innovative approaches to address the challenges of modern agriculture.