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Reclaiming the Urban Commons: The Past, Present and Future of Food Growing in Australian Towns and Cities: Edited by Nick Rose and Andrea Gaynor. Extends the discussion historically with its fine chapters by Gaynor (see also her book), Clay, and Kunek and Shone, and the conclusion by Rose. Significantly, I Reclaiming the Urban Commons i points to the structural and political problems that frame food resilience. [Extracted from the article]

Our two main research aims were to elicit children's liking preferences for forty-five different vegetables by asking them which vegetables they have eaten and which were their two favorite vegetables. Our third aim was to disseminate our Child Vegetable Liking Survey for broader use. Children (n = 448) in the first, second, third, and fourth grades completed the prototype Child Vegetable Liking Survey. Students were read a paper-and-pencil demographic survey that asked questions about their age, gender, and race ethnicity, followed by a checklist of forty-five vegetables that they have ever eaten and a prompt to circle their two favorite vegetables. A color photograph supported the textual (word) list of forty-five vegetables to help students with recognition of their vegetable liking preferences. Implications for survey development with children are discussed in the context of functional health literacy and interactive health literacy. A list of expository texts with vegetable photographs are included for researchers to share with educators who desire to build background knowledge about a variety of vegetables with picture book compatibility. Conclusions: The top three vegetables with the highest frequencies and percentages "ever eaten" by the children included corn (n = 418; 93.3%), broccoli (n = 394; 97.9%), and carrots (n = 380; 84.8%), followed by potatoes, celery, lettuce, tomato, peas, sweet potato, and cucumber. A high number of students reported NOT ever eating bok choy (n = 413; 92.2%), yellow beans (n =404; 90.2%), kohlrabi (n = 399; 89.1%), followed by okra, rhubarb, parsnips, rutabaga, collard greens, yams, edamame, and artichokes. Corn was chosen as the favorite vegetable by the most students (n = 147; 34.6%). The second and third favorite vegetables were carrots (n = 88; 20.8%) and broccoli (n = 77; 18.2%), followed by potatoes, cucumber, pumpkin, sweet potato, red pepper, avocado, lettuce, and tomato. The following vegetables were never chosen by the children as one of their two favorite vegetables: collard greens, kohlrabi, parsnip, rutabaga, turnips, and yellow beans. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

To improve the problem of low seeding efficiency facing the single-row planting mode traditionally used in China, this study aimed to design a novel three-row pneumatic precision metering device. The working principle and main structure were introduced in the paper. The three main factors affecting the seeding performance comprised of vacuum pressure, angular velocity of the metering tray, and taper angle of the sucking hole. A Box-Behnken experiment design having the qualified index and missed seeding index as the experimental index was used, and the results indicated that optimal performance of the metering device was achieved when the vacuum pressure was 2.16 kPa, the angular velocity of the metering tray was 29.43 rpm, and the taper angle of the sucking hole was 61.51°. The qualified index of the inner, middle, and outer ring was 95.12%, 94.68% and 94.24% respectively, while the missed seeding index of the inner, middle, and outer ring was 3.67%, 3.12% and 2.58% respectively under the optimal combination of parameters. The bench test results were basically consistent with the optimized results. This paper can provide support for the design of a three-row pneumatic precision metering device for Brassica chinensis. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Indoor food production in vertical hydroponic systems can be done yearround in any climate, has less negative environmental impacts compared to industrial agriculture and is a way of increasing the nutritional value of crops. Indoor hydroponic systems make it easy to control the precision of additives and amendments, such as fertilizers and vermicompost tea, to nutrient solution reservoirs. Vermicompost tea is known to contain beneficial microorganisms and can help increase the biomass, nutrient density, and overall health of the plants. Microorganisms and plants have co-evolved and is an essential relationship that deserves recognition and further research. The goal of the research presented in this paper was to better understand if vermicompost tea and its associated microorganisms, such as bacteria, fungi, nematodes, and protozoa, would increase biomass and nutrient density of Purple Lady Bok Choy (Brassica rapa var. chinensis) in vertical hydroponic systems. Statistical analyses were performed to compare the biomass and macro- and micronutrients of three different treatments to one another and a control. There was a significant difference between the mean leaf and root biomass among varying concentrations of vermicompost tea solutions and added inorganic hydroponic fertilizer. The nutrient density for both macro- and micronutrients also differed significantly due to different concentrations of vermicompost tea, suggesting that beneficial microbes may help plants uptake and absorb nutrients in a more efficient manner depending on the concentration of vermicompost tea and hydroponic fertilizer. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The objective of this research was to study of the correlation between RGB colour indicators and lead concentration in leafy plants. Cabbage and lettuce crops were watered with 3 levels of Lead Pb-contaminated (2.4 and 6 mg/lit). To distinguish the heavy metal contamination and their impact on vegetative characteristics for plants, the results showed with the levels of poisoning (0,2,4, and 6 mg/lit) showed the maximum value of Hue and vegetative were 0.76. and 0.032, also showed the minimum value for the same indices were 2.15 and 1.51. Also with the levels of poisoning (0,2,4, and 6mg/lit) showed the maximum value of simple red-green ratio and Green-red vegetation index was 1.61. and 0.23, also showed the minimum value for the same indices were 1.28 and 0.12. for Cabbage crops while for lettuce the results showed with the levels of poisoning (0, 2, 4, and 6 mg/lit) showed the maximum value of Hue and vegetative were 0.71. and 0.027, also showed the minimum value for the same indices were 0.41 and 0.024. Also with the levels of poisoning (0,2,4, and 6 mg/lit) showed the maximum value of simple red-green ratio and Green-red vegetation index was 1.65. and 0.43, also showed the minimum value for the same indices were 1.6 and 0.2. Linear regression analysis was performed on the equations to predict the monitoring Hue and vegetative and simple red-green ratio and Green-red vegetation index The red, green, blue band and intensity, the simple blue-green ratio addition to visible atmospherically resistant index simple green leaf and normalized greenblue difference index The RGB-based vegetation index 2 and RGB-based vegetation index 3 at different poisoning levels. The existence of a strong relationship between them and contains a high coefficient of determination. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study demonstrated the possibility of using the digital image model and Detect The RGB Colour Vegetation Indicators for Cabbage and Lettuce Crop under nitrogen deficiency and water deficiency. For cabbage, the results show the relationship between the vegetation indicators based on colour indicators and the different fertilization levels of cabbage crops, which were at level (50 ETC), indicating that the Hue index and vegetative reached their heights indicators in the fourth level of fertilization (150%) respectively, which amounted to 2.23 and 2.03. While their minimum indicators were the third level of fertilization and amounted to 2.10 and 0.64 respectively. For Lettuce, the results demonstrated the correlation between the color indicators and the fertilization level (0%), which was at level (100% ETC), during the third stage of irrigation. The simple red-green ratio, green-red vegetation index, and visible atmospherically resistant index all reached their maximum indicators on irrigation, amounting to 0.9, 0.84, and 1.07 respectively, while the simple blue-green ratio, green leaf was increasing until it reached 0.22, 0.73, then followed by the normalized green-blue difference whose maximum indicator reached 0.67 in the same period. As a result of irrigation, the RGB-based vegetation indexes 2 and 3 attained their maximum indicators, which were 5.56 and 6.74, respectively. After watering, the Hue index and vegetative indicators attained their respective peak values of 2.23 and 2.81. While their minimum markers were 2.16 and 2, respectively, before irrigation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Sorting nexin protein is a class of highly conserved eukaryotic proteins containing the PX domain. Recent studies related to SNX in plants have focused on the regulation of abiotic stress processes, and there are few studies on the involvement of SNX in biological stress processes in plants. In this paper, a YTH assay and BiFC experiments were conducted twice to show that BcSNX3 (Brassica campestris Sorting nexin 3) interacted with CP and VPg of TuMV, and the interaction between BcATG8h (Brassica campestris autophagy-related gene 8h) and BcSNX3 was also found by YTH and BiFC. The colocalization of BcSNX3 and BcATG8b (Brassica campestris autophagy-related gene 8b) revealed BcSNX3 and autophagosome at the same place in the cell. QRT-PCR analysis showed that TuMV infection promotes the expression of BcSNX3, and the overexpression of this gene hinders the expression of autophagy-related genes and facilitates TuMV infection. VIGS was used to repress the expression level of the BcSNX3 gene in pak-choi to further study the function of BcSNX3 in the infection process of TuMV. After inoculation with TuMV, it was found that the accumulation of viral RNA in BcSNX3-gene-silenced plants was significantly less than in control plants. The accumulation of TuMV virus in the Arabidopsis snx3 knockout mutant was also less than in the wild type after TuMV inoculation. These results suggest that TuMV infection facilitates the expression of BcSNX3, and this gene may promote virus infection by inhibiting autophagy degradation of the virus and interacting with the CP and VPg of the virus. These results lay the foundation for the TuMV resistance breeding of pak-choi. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This paper presents a method for automatically measuring plants' heights in indoor hydroponic plantations using the OpenCV library and the Python programming language. Using the elaborated algorithm and Raspberry Pi-driven system with an external camera, the growth process of multiple pak choi cabbages (Brassica rapa L. subsp. Chinensis) was observed. The main aim and novelty of the presented research is the elaborated algorithm, which allows for observing the plants' height in hydroponic stations, where reflective foil is used. Based on the pictures of the hydroponic plantation, the bases of the plants, their reflections, and plants themselves were separated. Finally, the algorithm was used for estimating the plants' heights. The achieved results were then compared to the results obtained manually. With the help of a ML (Machine Learning) approach, the algorithm will be used in future research to optimize the plants' growth in indoor hydroponic plantations. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The objective of this study was the possibility of using IR images to detect lead toxicity for Cabbage and lettuce crops. Lead Pb-contaminated were watered with 3 levels of (2, 4,and 6 mg/lit). To distinguish the heavy metal contamination and their impact on vegetative characteristics. For plants, the results showed a poisoning level (2mg/liter). The maximum MTD and NRCT values were 6.3 and 4, respectively. The lowest values under the same level of poisoning were 0.89 and 0.01. The greatest MTD and NRCT values at the poisoning level (4 mg/liter) were 5.3 and 2.5, respectively. The lowest values at the same level of poisoning were 0.19 and 0.07. Additionally, at the same time period with the same poisoning level (6 mg/liter), the maximum values for MTD and NRCT were 5.8 and 0.24, and the lowest values were 1.5 and 0.1. C. For lettuce plants, at a toxic dose of 2 mg/liter. The MTD and NRCT values ranged from 6.2 and 1.5 to 0.2 and 0.09 at the same amount of poisoning, respectively. Intoxication (4 mg/liter). In poisoning level (4mg/liter) the highest values for MTD and NRCT were 3.2 and 1.87 also the minimum value in the same level of poisoning were 0.2 and 0.08. And in the same period with poisoning level (6mg/liter) the highest values for MTD and NRCT were 2.88 and 1.55 also the minimum value in the same level of poisoning were 0.22 and 0.05. Linear regression analysis was performed to predict MTD and NRCT at different days were done . The maximum value of cabbage temperature of air, soil, canopy, and leaf was 35, 30, 27, and 23 °C, also showed the minimum value for the same indices were 17.4, 16.2, 15.5 and 14.5 °C, in poisoning level (2mg/liter). In poisoning level (4mg/liter) the maximum value of cabbage temperature of air, soil, canopy, and leaf were 40, 35, 28, and 31 C, also showed the minimum value for the same indices were 14, 15, 16. and 17.9 °C. While the maximum value of lettuce temperature of air, soil, canopy, and leaf was 33.6, 30.6, 28.6, and 26 °C, also showed the minimum value for the same indices were 18.9, 17.8, 15.4 and 13.6 °C, in poisoning level (2mg/liter). In poisoning level (4mg/liter) the maximum value of Lettuce temperature of air, soil, canopy, and leaf were 40, 32.7, 28.6, and 26 °C, also showed the minimum value for the same indices were 24, 21, 18. and 13.7 °C. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The research was conducted on the farm of the agricultural research station, Agricultural Research Center, Tripoli, Libya (latitude of 32° 12' 25" and longitude of 13° 62' 16") during the season of 2021-2022. Cabbage and lettuce crops were planted at greenhouse condition in November 2021. The objective of this study was using alternate representations of infrared thermography IR to detect the vegetative indicators addition to continuously monitor cabbage and lettuce plants growing conditions for discrimination plants stresses under the shortage of nitrogen and irrigation water, using four levels of nitrogen fertilization (0, 50, 100 and 150% of Nitrogen recommended). Also four levels of water regime (50%, 75%, 100% and 125% of ETc) . The leaf-to-air temperature difference (ΔT), The relationship between the temperature of the canopy (Tc) and temperature of soil (Ts), pair is best suited to find the plant under water stress. Water stress index (CWSI) and stomatal conductance index (Ig) using various reference and non-reference thresholding techniques were tested. In this research a thermal imaging system was used to measure the leaf-temperature changes of several crops according to plant stresses. Results showed by applying 100% fertilization and 100% ETc to cabbage. The heat stress was the highest as MTD, maximum temperature difference, normalized relative canopy temperature were 8 and 0.32 C when the water stress as CWSI, IG index of stomatal conductance were 0.5 and 4.15 for cabbage in100% ETC and 150%F. Finally, possibility of using infrared thermography for detailed and continuous monitoring showed its ability to distinguish and show the thermal and water stress of plants under nitrogen and water deficiency. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

[Display omitted] • Lignosulfonate boosted methane yield by 22.18 % in sludge anaerobic digestion. • Lignosulfonate destroyed sludge stability and promoted organic matter release. • Lignosulfonate addition facilitated each step of sludge anaerobic digestion. • Digested sludge residues enhance plant growth and benefit agricultural purposes. • Lignosulfonate addition is a sustainable sludge management approach. This study explores the feasibility of using lignosulfonate, a byproduct of the pulp and paper industry, to facilitate sludge anaerobic digestion. Biochemical methane potential assays revealed that the maximum methane production was achieved at 60 mg/g volatile solids (VS) lignosulfonate, 22.18 % higher than the control. One substrate model demonstrated that 60 mg/g VS lignosulfonate boosted the hydrolysis rate, biochemical methane potential, and degradation extent of secondary sludge by 19.12 %, 21.87 %, and 21.11 %, respectively, compared to the control. Mechanisms unveiled that lignosulfonate destroyed sludge stability, promoted organic matter release, and enhanced subsequent hydrolysis, acidification, and methanogenesis by up to 31.30 %, 74.42 % and 28.16 %, respectively. Phytotoxicity assays confirmed that lignosulfonate promoted seed germination and root development of lettuce and Chinese cabbage, with seed germination index reaching 170 ± 10 % and 220 ± 22 %, respectively. The findings suggest that lignosulfonate addition offers a sustainable approach to sludge treatment, guiding effective management practices. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]