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This study focuses on the genetic diversity and population structure of Prunus dulcis (almond tree), a crucial agricultural component with widespread cultivation and commercial importance, particularly in Iran, a region with a longstanding tradition of almond cultivation. The diverse almond collection in Iran encompasses many local varieties, breeding selections, rootstocks, and international cultivars. This diversity necessitates advanced genotyping techniques to gain insights into genetic diversity, population structure, and linkage disequilibrium (LD). In this paper, genotyping-by-sequencing (GBS) was employed to analyze 62 almond germplasm samples, identifying approximately 63,537 high-quality single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) distributed across the eight chromosomes of the almond genome. On average, there were 30,225 SNPs per chromosome. The analysis yielded an average polymorphism information content (PIC) of 0.315 and an expected heterozygosity (He) rate of 0.28, indicating a significant level of genetic diversity within the studied almond germplasm. The LD analysis demonstrated a rapid decline, with an average LD decay spanning approximately 300 kb for an r2 value of 0.2. This suggests substantial hybridization among the sampled almond varieties. Principal Component Analysis (PCA) and structure analysis could not differentiate genotypes based on geographical origin, providing further evidence of genetic mixing among the studied almond populations. An Analysis of Molecular Variance (AMOVA) highlighted significant genetic diversity within populations but revealed minimal differences. This comprehensive study of Iran's almond genotypes offers valuable insights for future breeding and conservation efforts, emphasizing this agriculturally significant species abundant genetic diversity and intricate population structure. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Digital agriculture supports farmers' decision making to improve productivity and profitability. However, adoption of digital technology is uneven. Through interviews with 21 medium acreage almond growers and crop consultants in California's Central Valley, we examine barriers to adoption through the lens of technology acceptance models, Technology Acceptance Model (TAM-3) and Unified Theory of Acceptance and Use of Technology (UTAUT-2). Not surprisingly, farmers are willing to adopt technology when profitability and ease of use are shown, with economic returns (either anticipated or demonstrated) from the technology investment serving as the primary factor influencing adoption. Trust operates as a moderating factor to the desire for economic returns that influences adoption. There may be trust, or lack of trust, in technology performance or in the advisors who recommend it. Producer trust is affected by expectations of technology relevance and usefulness, and it is influenced by prior experience. Concerns about data management (e.g., governance, quality, privacy, security) take a back seat to more practical issues such as profitability, leaving producers in an imbalanced position with tech companies who have an interest in their agricultural data. We assert that producer acceptance of data management practices (despite their uncertainty in how to utilize the data being generated) implies that there is a basic level of trust in tech companies' data management practices that is consistent with models of moralistic trust behaviors for precision ag adoption. Our findings contribute to the growing research on digital agriculture that debates the benefits and downsides of digital agriculture. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This work was conducted over three-year monitoring seasons of three almond cultivars (Guara, Marta, and Lauranne) subjected to deficit irrigation in combination with cover crops in a Mediterranean semiarid area (SW, Spain). Four water–soil treatments were evaluated based on the conjunction of two irrigation strategies: fully irrigated (FI), covering 100% of the ETC, and regulated deficit irrigation (RDI), with two soil-management systems: bare soil (BS) and cover crop based on a mixture of vetch (Vicia sativa L.) and oat (Avena sativa L.) (CC). Throughout the study period in trees, the yield, the stem water potential (Ψstem), leaf nutrient content (N, P, K, Ca, Mg, Na, Fe, Zn, Mn, and Cu) in soils, organic carbon, microbial biomass, fluoresceine diacetate, and enzymatic activities (dehydrogenase, protease, β-glucosidase, and alkaline phosphatase) were determined. In addition, the dry matter and carbon fixation by plant covers were evaluated. For Guara and Lauranne, yield reductions (22 and 26%, respectively) were found for water-stressed (RDI-CC) plots with respect to non-stressed combination (FI-CC) plots, contrasting with cv. Marta, without a significant impact on productivity in all combinations. That is, the RDI (~3.000 m3 ha−1) strategy enabled acceptable productivity, offering promising possibilities for cultivation performance under water-scarcity scenarios. Important differences in Ψstem could be observed and ascribed to irrigation strategies, especially for Guara and Lauranne, but without significant effects due to the soil-management systems applied. No differences were observed in the tree nutritional status due to the presence or absence of CC; however, its presence increased the fixation of atmospheric carbon, which was not the case under BS conditions. Additionally, CC significantly fostered the microbial processes and enzymatic activities, particularly in upper soil layers (0–10 cm) and with plenty of water supply in FI-CC plots and to a lesser extent in RDI-CC plots, which could encourage prominent aspects for soil quality and health restoration. Thus, the cover crop is congruent with RDI to facilitate soil functionality and water savings in a changing climate, contributing to resilient farming systems in the Mediterranean environment. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The nitidulid beetle Carpophilus truncatus is rapidly becoming a major pest of nut crops around the world. This insect first infested Australian almonds in 2013 and has since escalated to be the preeminent insect pest for the industry. Data pertaining to C. truncatus distribution are scant, but without awareness of its origin, distribution, and ecological factors that influence distribution, efforts to understand and manage the insect as a pest are stymied. Here, we employ an integrative approach to gain a multifaceted understanding of the distribution of C. truncatus in Australia. Methods employed were (1) reviewing historical records in insect collections to establish the presence of C. truncatus prior to commercial almond horticulture, (2) field trapping of insects to establish presence in regions of interest, (3) laboratory trials to determine the thermal limits of the organism, and (4) correlative species distribution modelling to describe its current distribution. We find that C. truncatus is more widespread across Australia than was previously known, with historical records preceding commercial almond production in Australia by a century. The methods developed in this study can be applied elsewhere in the world where C. truncatus is an emerging pest, or to novel pest species as they arise with increasing frequency in a globalised and warming world. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Introduction: The almond tree is a major global nut crop, and its production has surged dramatically in recent years. Super high-density (SHD) planting systems, designed to optimize resource efficiency and enhance precocity, have gained prominence in almond cultivation. A shift in cropping systems toward sustainable intensification (SI) pathways is imperative, and so maximizing branching density within the canopies of SHD trees is crucial to establish and maintain productive potential, especially for hedge-pruned trees. This study investigates the influence of different almond cultivars grafted onto a novel growth-controlling rootstock on tree architectural and growth parameters in a SHD orchard. This open field research provided valuable insights for the development and application of new tools and methods to increase productivity and sustainability in almond growing. Methods: Three cultivars (Lauranne® Avijour, Guara Tuono, and Filippo Cea) were evaluated in Gravina in Puglia (BA) over a two-year period. Canopy growth parameters, such as canopy volume and trunk cross-sectional area, and architectural traits, like branching density, branching angle, number and length of subterminal shoots, and number of brachyblasts, were measured through qualitative and quantitative measurements. Results and discussion: Results revealed significant differences in tree height, canopy thickness, width, volume, and vigor among the cultivars. Architectural traits, including branch parameters, brachyblast parameters, and subterminal shoots, varied among the cultivars. Lauranne displayed a more compact welldistributed canopy and exhibited the lowest vigor. Filippo Cea showed the highest vigor and the greatest canopy volume. Tuono had a higher number of buds and bud density. The best ideotype for SHD orchards is a smaller tree, with high branching density and smaller trunk diameters, i.e. the vigor. Cv. Lauranne seemed to be the best cultivar, mostly with the lowest tree vigor of all the cultivars involved. These findings provide valuable insights for almond growers and breeders seeking to optimize orchard design and management for enhanced SHD orchards productivity and sustainability. Future research will explore the relationship between canopy architecture and yield parameters, considering different scion/rootstock combinations in different environmental conditions. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Predicting the timing of phenological events is important in agriculture, especially high-revenue products. A project sponsored by USDA-ARS had the objective of adapting a previously developed model for estimating proportions of insects in different development stages as a function of temperature (degree) and time (days) for predicting bloom in almond orchards. Data for the model normally form a two-way table of counts, with rows corresponding to sample percentages of different development stages and columns to sampling times. In this study, we report a technique developed to estimate sample sizes of multinomial and product multinomial models using a method of moments and determine the empirical coverage of sample size. This study aims to determine an appropriate sample size for data collection. This involves establishing a sampling distribution for the Pearson statistic, defined as the product of the sample size and the deviance of empirical proportions from population proportions. The intended outcome is to predict the optimal timing for harvesting crops at desired development stages when coupled with the phenology model, for which variability of the maximum likelihood estimates of the phenology model depends on sample size. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Understanding and accurately predicting stomatal conductance in almond orchards is critical for effective water-management strategies, especially under challenging climatic conditions. In this study, machine-learning (ML) regression models trained on multispectral (MSP) and thermal infrared (TIR) data acquired from unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) are used to address this challenge. Through an analysis of spectral indices calculated from UAV-based data and feature-selection methods, this study investigates the predictive performance of three ML models (extra trees, ET; stochastic gradient descent, SGD; and extreme gradient boosting, XGBoost) in predicting stomatal conductance. The results show that the XGBoost model trained with both MSP and TIR data had the best performance (R2 = 0.87) and highlight the importance of integrating surface-temperature information in addition to other spectral indices to improve prediction accuracy, up to 11% more when compared to the use of only MSP data. Key features, such as the green–red vegetation index, chlorophyll red-edge index, and the ratio between canopy temperature and air temperature (Tc-Ta), prove to be relevant features for model performance and highlight their importance for the assessment of water stress dynamics. Furthermore, the implementation of Shapley additive explanations (SHAP) values facilitates the interpretation of model decisions and provides valuable insights into the contributions of the features. This study contributes to the advancement of precision agriculture by providing a novel approach for stomatal conductance prediction in almond orchards, supporting efforts towards sustainable water management in changing environmental conditions. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This document is a summary of an editorial article titled "Effects of Agronomical Practices on Crop Quality and Sensory Profile" published in the journal Agronomy. The article discusses the importance of agronomical practices in improving crop quality and sensory properties. It highlights the challenges faced in achieving sustainable development goals related to poverty, hunger, clean water, climate action, and sustainable agriculture. The article presents research on various crops, including tomatoes, citrus fruits, apples, olives, and almonds, and explores topics such as growing conditions, cultivars, irrigation strategies, and postharvest treatments. The findings emphasize the need for breeding programs and consumer preferences in developing crop varieties that meet both climatic conditions and consumer demands. The article also discusses the impact of irrigation strategies on olive oil quality and the importance of trellis systems in grapevine cultivation. Additionally, it explores the potential of Boesenbergia rotunda as a medicinal plant for preventing SARS-CoV-2 infection and the utilization of prickly pear peel flour in cake production. [Extracted from the article]

Simple Summary: Almond hull (AH) is a by-product of almond production that can be used in ruminant feeding, but their composition is variable and needs further characterization. We observed that there were significant differences in chemical composition and nutritional value of samples of AH from two varieties, with AH from Guara variety having more energy and protein than those from Soleta variety in samples collected in two different almond campaigns in the South of Spain. Moreover, harvesting year affected the chemical composition and nutritive value of AH, making necessary their chemical analysis before being used as feed in the practice. In addition, we conducted in vitro trials to investigate the effects of including increasing amounts of AH in diets for dairy ruminants on diet degradability and methane production. Methane is a greenhouse gas with high warming potential that is produced during feed fermentation in the rumen. The results indicate that dried AH can replace up to 16% of conventional feed ingredients in diets for dairy ruminants, but methane production was not reduced. In conclusion, the tested AH can be used as alternative feed for ruminants, although this by-product does not contain antimethanogenic compounds. Almond hulls (AH) are frequently used in dairy ruminant feeding, but information on variability of their nutritive value and their potential effects on CH4 production is still scarce. The influence of almond variety (Guara vs. Soleta) on chemical composition and energy value of AH was investigated using 10 samples per variety collected in 2 consecutive years. Guara-AH had greater (p ≤ 0.015) ash, protein, and fat content, but lower (p ≤ 0.001) fiber than Soleta-AH. The metabolizable energy content estimated from chemical composition and in vitro gas production was 8.5% greater for Guara than for Soleta samples. Harvesting year significantly affected most of the chemical fractions. The in vitro ruminal fermentation of diets for dairy ruminants including increasing amounts of dried AH (8, 16 and 24% of the total diet; fresh matter basis) indicated that AH can be included up to 16% of the diet, partially substituting corn, wheat bran and sugar beet pulp without detrimental effects on in vitro volatile fatty acid (VFA) production. In contrast, when AH replaced alfalfa hay and corn, VFA production was reduced at all levels of AH inclusion. No antimethanogenic effects of AH were detected in the in vitro incubations. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Almonds are becoming a central element in the gastronomic and food industry worldwide. Over the last few years, almond production has increased globally. Portugal has become the third most important producer in Europe, where this increasing trend is particularly evident. However, the susceptibility of almond trees to changing climatic conditions presents substantial risks, encompassing yield reduction and quality deterioration. Hence, yield forecasts become crucial for mitigating potential losses and aiding decisionmakers within the agri-food sector. Recent technological advancements and new data analysis techniques have led to the development of more suitable methods to model crop yields. Herein, an innovative approach to predict almond yields in the Trás-os-Montes region of Portugal was developed, by using machine learning regression models (i.e., the random forest regressor, XGBRegressor, gradient boosting regressor, bagging regressor, and AdaBoost regressor), coupled with remote sensing data obtained from different satellite platforms. Satellite data from both proprietary and free platforms at different spatial resolutions were used as features in the study (i.e., the GSMP: 11.13 km, Terra: 1 km, Landsat 8: 30 m, Sentinel-2: 10 m, and PlanetScope: 3 m). The best possible combination of features was analyzed and hyperparameter tuning was applied to enhance the prediction accuracy. Our results suggest that high-resolution data (PlanetScope) combined with irrigation information, vegetation indices, and climate data significantly improves almond yield prediction. The XGBRegressor model performed best when using PlanetScope data, reaching a coefficient of determination (R2) of 0.80. However, alternative options using freely available data with lower spatial resolution, such as GSMaP and Terra MODIS LST, also showed satisfactory performance (R2 = 0.68). This study highlights the potential of integrating machine learning models and remote sensing data for accurate crop yield prediction, providing valuable insights for informed decision support in the almond sector, contributing to the resilience and sustainability of this crop in the face of evolving climate dynamics. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Almond cultivation is of great socio-economic importance worldwide. With the demand for almonds steadily increasing due to their nutritional value and versatility, optimizing the management of almond orchards becomes crucial to promote sustainable agriculture and ensure food security. The present systematic literature review, conducted according to the PRISMA protocol, is devoted to the applications of remote sensing technologies in almond orchards, a relatively new field of research. The study includes 82 articles published between 2010 and 2023 and provides insights into the predominant remote sensing applications, geographical distribution, and platforms and sensors used. The analysis shows that water management has a pivotal focus regarding the remote sensing application of almond crops, with 34 studies dedicated to this subject. This is followed by image classification, which was covered in 14 studies. Other applications studied include tree segmentation and parameter extraction, health monitoring and disease detection, and other types of applications. Geographically, the United States of America (USA), Australia and Spain, the top 3 world almond producers, are also the countries with the most contributions, spanning all the applications covered in the review. Other studies come from Portugal, Iran, Ecuador, Israel, Turkey, Romania, Greece, and Egypt. The USA and Spain lead water management studies, accounting for 23% and 13% of the total, respectively. As far as remote sensing platforms are concerned, satellites are the most widespread, accounting for 46% of the studies analyzed. Unmanned aerial vehicles follow as the second most used platform with 32% of studies, while manned aerial vehicle platforms are the least common with 22%. This up-to-date snapshot of remote sensing applications in almond orchards provides valuable insights for researchers and practitioners, identifying knowledge gaps that may guide future studies and contribute to the sustainability and optimization of almond crop management. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Simple Summary: Apis mellifera is a managed pollinator that experiences cycles of extreme losses at the population level. Several culprits have been associated with these mass losses. Most notably, the parasitic mite Varroa destructor is a consistent suspect in periodic mass losses of honey bee colonies. Our team performed diagnostic screening of pathogens and parasites in operations that experienced extreme losses during the winter of 2023. The direct cost to replace lost colonies and the immediate economic harm imparted from severe losses are described. United States commercial beekeepers prepare honey bee colonies for almond pollination in California each year in late January to early February. This represents the largest managed pollination event in the world and involves more than half of all U.S. honey bee colonies. In winter 2023, numerous colonies in Florida, which were graded as suitable for almonds (larger than ten frames of bees), dwindled suddenly or altogether died within several weeks, just prior to movement for almonds. The timing of these losses and the resulting morbidity caused severe economic harm to affected operations. This study reports interviews with affected stakeholders, their economic harm, and analyses of pathogens and parasites found in their colonies. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Simple Summary: Managed honey bees are virtually exclusive pollinators of almonds in commercial agricultural contexts such as that of California's Central Valley where 80% of the world's almonds are produced. Streamlining almond pollination by utilizing honey bee colonies in the most efficient way aims to support both the growers and beekeepers as demand for pollination services and per unit costs are increasing. This study examines whether hive entrance orientation and hive strength influence the pollinating activity of honey bees in almond orchards. We have found that hives facing east have a marked advantage in starting their activity in the morning compared to hives facing west. Similarly, strong colonies show a significantly earlier start of activity than weak colonies. The practical implication of these findings lies in configuring the placement of colonies of varying strengths in a way that favours their foraging activity. The foraging activity of honey bees used to pollinate almonds was examined in relation to their hive entrance orientation and colony strength. Twenty-four colonies of honey bees, twelve in each group, were situated with their entrances facing east and west cardinal points. Bee out counts were recorded continuously and hive weight data at ∼10 min intervals from 17 February to 15 March 2023. Colony strength was assessed using the frames of adult bees (FOB) metric. East-facing hives started flight 44.2 min earlier than west-facing hives. The hive direction did not affect the timing of the cessation of foraging activity. The hive strength played a significant role: hives assessed as weak (≤3.0 FOB) commenced foraging activity 45 min later than strong hives (>3.0 FOB) and ceased foraging activity 38.3 min earlier. Hive weight data did not detect effects of either the hive direction or colony strength on the commencement and cessation of foraging activity, as determined using piecewise regression on 24 h datasets. However, the hive weight loss due to foraging activity at the start of foraging activity was significantly affected by both direction (East > West) and colony strength (Strong > Weak). Our study showed that, during almond pollination, both hive entrance exposure and hive strength have quantifiable effects on colony foraging behaviour and that these effects combine to regulate the overall foraging activity of the pollinating colonies. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Field experiments were conducted in three successive seasons (2019–2021) to evaluate the effects of four commercial organo-mineral fertilizers with biostimulating action (Hendophyt®, Ergostim®, and Radicon®) on the vegetative and productive performance of young almond trees (Prunus dulcis, cv. Tuono) grown in a semiarid climate in Southern Italy. Foliar treatments were applied three times during each season (at the swollen bud, beginning of flowering, and fruit set-beginning of fruit growth stages). Both 2020 and 2021 were adversely affected by late frosts, resulting in damage to the flowers and small fruits without any positive effect of the biostimulant applications. In contrast, the results obtained during the normal climate year (2019) indicated that the growth of trunk diameter and shoot length of trees tended to increase in biostimulant treatments compared to those of the control. The number of buds and flowers per unit length of the branch revealed no significant differences among years and all compared treatments. However, in 2019, the fruit set percentage, number, and weight of kernels per tree were significantly higher in the biostimulant treatments compared to those of the control. To this regard, the use of biofertilizers is suitable for maintaining soil fertility and improving crop productivity This information holds significance for almond tree growers. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

ABC (ATP-binding cassette) transporter proteins are one of the most extensive protein families known to date and are ubiquitously found in animals, plants, and microorganisms. ABCs have a variety of functions, such as plant tissue development regulation, hormone transport, and biotic and abiotic stress resistance. However, the gene characterization and function of the ABC gene family in almond (Prunus dulcis) have not been thoroughly studied. In this study, we identified 117 PdABC genes using the whole genome of 'Wanfeng' almond obtained by sequencing and explored their protein characterization. The PdABC family members were classified into eight subfamilies. The members of the same subfamily had conserved motifs but poorly conserved numbers of exons and introns and were unevenly distributed among the eight subfamilies and on the eight chromosomes. Expression patterns showed that PdABC family members were significantly differentially expressed during almond development, dormant freezing stress, and salt stress. We found that PdABC59 and PdABC77 had extremely high expression levels in pollen. PdABC63 and PdABC64 had high expression levels during almond petal development and multiple stages of flower development. PdABC98 was highly expressed in annual dormant branches after six temperature-freezing stress treatments. PdABC29, PdABC69, and PdABC98 were highly expressed under different concentrations of salt stress. This study preliminarily investigated the expression characteristics of ABC genes in different tissues of almond during flower development, freezing stress and salt stress, and the results will provide a reference for further in-depth research and breeding of almond in the future. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Water scarcity threatens agriculture in California. During the last two decades, historically severe droughts have led to severe water shortages. Under projected changes in climate, droughts of greater severity and duration will exacerbate this situation. California produces 80% of the world's almonds, which require consistent water supplies for irrigation. Almonds are the most commonly grown crop in California, covering nearly 1.4 million acres over about 8,000 farms. In response to these challenges, almond growers are considering a myriad of management strategies to save water and mitigate climate change. The Tree-Crop Remote Sensing of Evapotranspiration Experiment (T-REX) aims to identify water and orchard management opportunities to maximize water use efficiency and carbon sequestration in almonds and other woody perennial tree crops. The project combines satellite, uncrewed aerial vehicles, and proximal sensing technologies to retrieve key variables used to model surface fluxes and biophysical properties. We aim to advance our understanding of water management and cultural practices on water-carbon relationships in tree-perennial agroecosystems. Through new methods, such as evapotranspiration-based irrigation scheduling, even a modest 10% decrease in almond orchard irrigation across the state equates to about a third of the water in Lake Oroville, California's second-largest reservoir, at average levels. From a carbon perspective, almond orchards could sequester 8% of the state's current greenhouse gas emissions by transitioning toward climate-smart practices. As such, the almond industry is uniquely positioned to curb water use and contribute to climate change mitigation while maintaining economic viability of almond production. An overview of initial results related to evapotranspiration observational and modeling uncertainty and carbon sequestration potential are presented in this article. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Almond growers are seeking ways to reduce costs but maintain yield. Intensive planting systems with greater planting densities using trees on growth-controlling rootstocks, combined with mechanical pruning and shake-and-catch harvesting are becoming popular. In this study we examined the responses of six almond cultivars with distinctive architecture grafted onto five rootstocks with varying degrees of vigor control. Trees were planted in 2018 in a nursery row and left to grow without pruning until Winter 2021. Pruning involved a rudimentary hedging treatment akin to mechanical pruning. Branching and tree structure were recorded in 2020, before pruning, and again at the end of 2021, after one season's growth following pruning. A rating system was developed to record qualitative data on central leader dominance and the number, length, basal diameter, and, in some cases, branching angle of axillary shoots and including scaffold branches. Relatively few changes were recorded in the basic growth habit of these trees in response to pruning. Before pruning, the most common rootstock effect was on axillary shoot production. After pruning, the most common rootstock effects were on scaffold branching and the length of subterminal axillary shoots. Further studies are required to determine how these differences produced by the interaction between pruning and rootstock may affect the productivity of fruit-bearing trees. Although in this study with young trees we were not able to record crop yield, the results highlight that it is mainly the scion-rootstock combination, with or without pruning, that determines the potential productivity of fruiting canopies. Scion-rootstock combinations that produce narrow upright canopies naturally with strong central leader dominance and highly branched canopies are preferred for superintensive growing systems with or without use of mechanical hedging. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The rootstock genotype plays a crucial role in determining various aspects of scion development, including the scion three-dimensional structure, or tree architecture. Consequently, rootstock choice is a pivotal factor in the establishment of new almond (Prunus amygdalus (L.) Batsch, syn P. dulcis (Mill.)) intensive planting systems, demanding cultivars that can adapt to distinct requirements of vigor and shape. Nevertheless, considering the capacity of the rootstock genotype to influence scion development, it is likely that the scion genotype reciprocally affects rootstock performance. In the context of this study, we conducted a transcriptomic analysis of the scion/rootstock interaction in young almond trees, with a specific focus on elucidating the scion impact on the rootstock molecular response. Two commercial almond cultivars were grafted onto two hybrid rootstocks, thereby generating four distinct combinations. Through RNA-Seq analysis, we discerned that indeed, the scion genotype exerts an influence on the rootstock expression profile. This influence manifests through the modulation of genes associated with hormonal regulation, cell division, root development, and light signaling. This intricate interplay between scion and rootstock communication plays a pivotal role in the development of both scion and rootstock, underscoring the critical importance of a correct choice when establishing new almond orchards. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Exposure to agrochemical sprays containing pesticides and tank-mix adjuvants has been implicated in post-bloom mortality, particularly of brood, in honey bee colonies brought into California almond orchards for pollination. Although adjuvants are generally considered to be biologically inert, some adjuvants have exhibited toxicity and sublethal effects, including decreasing survival rates of next-generation queens. Honey bees have a highly developed olfactory system to detect and discriminate among social signals. To investigate the impact of pesticide-adjuvant combinations on honey bee signal perception, we performed electroantennography assays to assess alterations in their olfactory responsiveness to the brood ester pheromone (BEP), the volatile larval pheromone β-ocimene, and the alarm pheromone 2-heptanone. These assays aimed to uncover potential mechanisms underlying changes in social behaviors and reduced brood survival after pesticide exposure. We found that combining the adjuvant Dyne-Amic with the fungicide Tilt (propiconazole) and the insecticide Altacor (chlorantraniliprole) synergistically enhanced olfactory responses to three concentrations of BEP and as well exerted dampening and compensatory effects on responses to 2-heptanone and β-ocimene, respectively. In contrast, exposure to adjuvant alone or the combination of fungicide and insecticide had no effect on olfactory responses to BEP at most concentrations but altered responses to β-ocimene and 2-heptanone. Exposure to Dyne-Amic, Altacor, and Tilt increased BEP signal amplitude, indicating potential changes in olfactory receptor sensitivity or sensilla permeability to odorants. Given that, in a previous study, next-generation queens raised by nurses exposed to the same treated pollen experienced reduced survival, these new findings highlight the potential disruption of social signaling in honey bees and its implications for colony reproductive success. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Animal feed ingredients, especially those abundant in high quality protein, are the most expensive component of livestock production. Sustainable alternative feedstocks may be sourced from abundant, low value agricultural byproducts. California almond production generates nearly 3 Mtons of biomass per year with about 50% in the form of hulls. Almond hulls are a low-value byproduct currently used primarily for animal feed for dairy cattle. However, the protein and essential amino acid content are low, at ~30% d.b.. The purpose of this study was to improve the protein content and quality using yeast. To achieve this, the almond hulls were liquefied to liberate soluble and structural sugars. A multi-phase screening approach was used to identify yeasts that can consume a large proportion of the sugars in almond hulls while accumulating high concentrations of amino acids essential for livestock feed. Compositional analysis showed that almond hulls are rich in polygalacturonic acid (pectin) and soluble sucrose. A pectinase-assisted process was optimized to liquefy and release soluble sugars from almond hulls. The resulting almond hull slurry containing solubilized sugars was subsequently used to grow high-protein yeasts that could consume nutrients in almond hulls while accumulating high concentrations of high-quality protein rich in essential amino acids needed for livestock feed, yielding a process that would produce 72 mg protein/g almond hull. Further work is needed to achieve conversion of galacturonic acid to yeast cell biomass. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Knowledge of the response of growth parameters of almond (Badam) trees to different water supply conditions is important for Badam production. To identify growth parameters that are sensitive to water deficit in almond trees, field experiments were conducted during a median water year to monitor the major growth characteristics of almond trees under different irrigation conditions in Shache County, Xinjiang, China. A field (in-situ) monitoring system was also constructed using various sensors for the continuous and non-destructive monitoring of the growth parameters, such as soil water in the root zone, canopy temperature depression, trunk diameter, and fruit diameter of almond trees. The results confirmed the reliability of the monitoring system. Both canopy temperature depression and the diameter shrinkage of the trunk and fruit were significantly negatively correlated (r values ranging from −0.996 to −0.823) with the irrigation water quantity. This correlation was observed from the young fruit stage to the maturation stage of almond trees, under irrigation conditions representing 50–100% of crop evapotranspiration (ETc). These parameters were sensitive (|r| ≥ 0.778) to the water deficit status of almond trees from 14:00 to 18:00 in sunny weather. These results can provide both technical and theoretical support for real-time non-destructive assessment of the water deficit status of almond trees. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A comparative genomic analysis was conducted for 171 Salmonella isolates recovered from raw inshell almonds and raw almond kernels between 2001 and 2013 and for 30 Salmonella Enteritidis phage type (PT) 30 isolates recovered between 2001 and 2006 from a 2001 salmonellosis outbreak-associated almond orchard. Whole genome sequencing was used to measure the genetic distance among isolates by single nucleotide polymorphism (SNP) analyses and to predict the presence of plasmid DNA and of antimicrobial resistance (AMR) and virulence genes. Isolates were classified by serovars with Parsnp, a fast core-genome multi aligner, before being analyzed with the CFSAN SNP Pipeline (U.S. Food and Drug Administration Center for Food Safety and Applied Nutrition). Genetically similar (≤18 SNPs) Salmonella isolates were identified among several serovars isolated years apart. Almond isolates of Salmonella Montevideo (2001 to 2013) and Salmonella Newport (2003 to 2010) differed by ≤9 SNPs. Salmonella Enteritidis PT 30 isolated between 2001 and 2013 from survey, orchard, outbreak, and clinical samples differed by ≤18 SNPs. One to seven plasmids were found in 106 (62%) of the Salmonella isolates. Of the 27 plasmid families that were identified, IncFII and IncFIB plasmids were the most predominant. AMR genes were identified in 16 (9%) of the survey isolates and were plasmid encoded in 11 of 16 cases; 12 isolates (7%) had putative resistance to at least one antibiotic in three or more drug classes. A total of 303 virulence genes were detected among the assembled genomes; a plasmid that harbored a combination of pef, rck, and spv virulence genes was identified in 23% of the isolates. These data provide evidence of long-term survival (years) of Salmonella in agricultural environments. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The objective of the present study was to carry out a technical study of the gasification of almond shells and husks at different temperatures and, subsequently, an economic analysis for the in situ installation of a decentralized unit to produce electricity, through a syngas generator, that would overcome the use of fossil fuels used in this agroindustry. The gasification tests were carried out at three different temperatures (700, 750 and 800 °C) and the results for the tests carried out were as follows: a 50:50 mixture of almond husks and shells was found to have a lower heating value of value of 6.4 MJ/Nm3, a flow rate of 187.3 Nm3/h, a syngas yield of 1.9 Nm3/kg, cold gas efficiency of 68.9% and carbon conversion efficiency of 70.2%. Based on all the assumptions, a 100 kg/h (100 kWh) installation was proposed, located near the raw material processing industries studied, for an economic analysis. The technical–economic analysis indicated that the project was economically viable, under current market conditions, with a calculated net present value of k€204.3, an internal rate of return of 20.84% and a payback period of 5.7 years. It was concluded that thermal gasification is a perfectly suitable technology for the recovery of raw materials of lignocellulosic origin, presenting very interesting data in terms of economic viability for the fixed bed gasification system. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The plant-pathogenic bacterium Xylella fastidiosa is a major threat to agriculture and the environment worldwide. Recent devastating outbreaks in Europe highlight the potential of this pathogen to cause emergent diseases. X. fastidiosa subsp. multiplex ESVL and IVIA5901 strains that belong to sequence type 6 were isolated from almond orchards within the outbreak area in Alicante province (Spain). Both strains share more than 99% of the chromosomal sequences (average nucleotide identity), but the ESVL strain harbors two plasmids (pXF64-Hb_ESVL and pUCLA-ESVL). Here, virulence phenotypes and genome content were compared between both strains, using three strains from the United States as a reference for the phenotypic analyses. Experiments in microfluidic chambers, used as a simulation of xylem vessels, showed that twitching motility was absent in the IVIA5901 strain, whereas the ESVL strain had reduced twitching motility. In general, both Spanish strains had less biofilm formation, less cell aggregation, and lower virulence in tobacco compared with U.S. reference strains. Genome analysis of the two plasmids from ESVL revealed 51 unique coding sequences that were absent in the chromosome of IVIA5901. Comparison of the chromosomes of both strains showed some unique coding sequences and single-nucleotide polymorphisms in each strain, with potential deleterious mutations. Genomic differences found in genes previously associated with adhesion and motility might explain the differences in the phenotypic traits studied. Although additional studies are necessary to infer the potential role of X. fastidiosa plasmids, our results indicate that the presence of plasmids should be considered in the study of the mechanisms of pathogenicity and adaptation in X. fastidiosa to new environments. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study examined the level of knowledge, attitude, and practice toward organic fertilizer adoption in Uruzgan, Afghanistan. A total of 116 structured questionnaires were distributed to almond smallholder farmers in the Tarin Kowt district. The results revealed a medium level of knowledge and attitude, and a high level of practice toward organic fertilizer adoption among the almond smallholder farmers. The finding showed that 97.4% of the farmers used cow manure and 20.7% used poultry manure. About 62.9% of the farmers used 0.67-1.08 tons of organic fertilizer per acre and all (100%) farmers used it in the fall season. The result further showed that friends, family members and radio are the main sources of information. The major problems limiting almond production were pests and disease, limited access to certified almonds varieties, limited access to organic fertilizers, lack of market availability for almonds and limited access to extension services. This research provides indicators of organic and inorganic fertilizer use, as well as insights for policymakers to better consider the sustainable application of organic fertilizer and its adoption among farmers in order to achieve sustainable development. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The purpose of the research was to identify the physiological–biochemical and anatomical–morphological peculiarities found during in vitro cultivation of Corylus avellana L. and Prunus dulcis (Mill.) D.A.Webb, which occur as a result of the action of trophic and phytohormonal determinants. The research was conducted on three hazelnut varieties (Trapezund, Jefferson, Tonda Gentile Romana) and four almond varieties (E5 Borozan, M41 Alex, Georgia, Louise). A theoretical and experimental rationale for their use in the microclonal propagation of these cultures has been developed. The effectiveness of the preparatory stage before introduction into aseptic conditions for growing mother plants in closed soil conditions with scattered artificial lighting and microbiological protection has been proven. This reduced self-intoxication by oxidation products with phenol-like substances and microflora contamination of primary explants. Among the nutrient media compared, the best was Nas and Read (NRM) for hazelnuts and Nas Almond Medium (NAM) for almonds. Passaging on the same media leads to a decrease in regeneration indicators. In regenerants of almonds, the rosette of the shoots was noted, and in hazelnuts, the death of apical buds was also found. To prevent this, alternating NRM and driver and kuniyuki walnut (DKW) media for hazelnuts and NAM and Quirin and Lepoivre (QL) for almonds was effective. Long-term cultivation on media with a high content of synthetic analogues of phytohormones leads to the accumulation of phytotoxic effects with each subsequent passage. The phytotoxic effect of cytokinins was manifested in hyperhydration of shoots and of auxins in callus fertilisation. On comparing the ontogenesis of regenerants from explants isolated from mother plants aged 30–180 days, it was found that the optimal age for hazelnut and almond was 90 days. To reset the trophic and hormonal determinants, the introduction of explant donors into a state of dormancy has been successfully used. At the final fourth stage of microclonal propagation, in order to adapt plants simultaneously with an increase in the number of regenerants, it is effective to use the photoautotrophic method of microclonal propagation with intensive lighting and air enriched with carbon dioxide. For the transition of plants from conventional heterotrophic propagation to autotrophic cultivation, an intermediate stage of pre-adaptation of regenerants in wet chamber conditions is effective. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Maximizing water use efficiency, yield, and plant survival under drought is a relevant research issue for almond-tree-growing areas worldwide. The intraspecific diversity of this species may constitute a valuable resource to address the resilience and productivity challenges that climate change poses to crop sustainability. A comparative evaluation of physiological and productive performance of four almond varieties: 'Arrubia', 'Cossu', 'Texas', and 'Tuono', field-grown in Sardinia, Italy, was performed. A great variability in the plasticity to cope with soil water scarcity and a diverse capacity to adapt to drought and heat stresses during fruit development were highlighted. The two Sardinian varieties, Arrubia and Cossu, showed differences in water stress tolerance, photosynthetic and photochemical activity, and crop yield. 'Arrubia' and 'Texas' showed greater physiological acclimation to water stress while maintaining higher yields, as compared to the self-fertile 'Tuono'. The important role of crop load and specific anatomical traits affecting leaf hydraulic conductance and leaf gas exchanges efficiency (i.e., dominant shoot type, leaf size and roughness) was evidenced. The study highlights the importance of characterizing the relationships among almond cultivar traits that affect plant performance under drought in order to better assist planting choices and orchard irrigation management for given environmental contexts. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

There is a controversy regarding when it is appropriate to apply the irrigation restriction in almond trees (Prunus dulcis Mill.) to save water without penalizing yield. We hypothesized that knowing when plants demand fewer photoassimilates would be a good indicator of less sensitivity of the crop to water deficit. One parameter that defines the photosynthetic capacity is the triose phosphate utilization (TPU). Due to its connection to the export of sugars from the leaves to other sink organs, it is a good candidate for being such an indicator. The objective was to analyze the seasonal evolution of the photosynthetic capacity of three almond cultivars (cvs Guara, Marta and Lauranne) subjected to water stress during vegetative, kernel-filling and postharvest stages. Two sustained deficit irrigation (SDI) treatments (SDI75 and SDI65 with water reductions of 25 and 35%, respectively) and a control treatment (FI) consisting of fully irrigated trees were applied. The response of curves AN-Ci was analyzed to assess the maximum carboxylation rate (Vcmax), maximum rate of electron transport (Jmax), TPU and mesophyll conductance to CO2. In addition, leaf water potential and yield were measured. Our experimental findings showed any significant differences in the variables analyzed among cultivars and irrigation treatments. However, consistent differences arose when the results were compared among the phenological stages. During the kernel-filling and the postharvest stages, a progressive limitation by TPU was measured, suggesting that the demand for photoassimilates by the plant was reduced. This result was supported by the correlation found between TPU and fruit growth rate. As a consequence, a downregulation in Jmax and Vcmax was also measured. This study confirms that the kernel-filling stage might be a good time to apply a reduction in the irrigation and suggests a method to detect the best moments to apply a regulated deficit irrigation in almond trees. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Canker symptoms were observed on almond trees in the Fez-Meknes region, Morocco. Isolations were conducted from the infected branch and trunk showing internal and external brown lesions. Four representative fungal isolates were screened, and their identities were confirmed by cultural traits and sequence analysis of DNA using two genes, the ITS region (internal transcribed spacer) and calmodulin (cmdA). The identified fungi were Curvularia hawaiiensis, Fusarium ambrosium, Lasiodiplodia theobromae, and Chondrestereum purpureum. The pathogenicity test on almond twigs revealed that these species were pathogenic to their host with different degrees of virulence, with Lasiodiplodia theobromae as the most virulent causing the longest necrotic lesion (285.17 mm) and the death of twigs. Physiological traits analysis of the above-mentioned fungi showed that the optimum mycelium growth response at different temperatures varies from 10 to 35 °C, while the pH ranges between 3.0 and 8.0. This study confirms the presence of canker pathogens on almond trees, which will contribute valuable information to improve the understanding of the contemporary status of almond trees, thus helping the improvement of the management of almond orchards. To our knowledge, all these fungi represent new records in Morocco and some of them are confirmed on the almond trees for the first time in the world. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In drought years, almond growers have to restrict fresh water application, either stressing the trees with inadequate water or adding saline water and reducing water stress but causing salt stress. Tree response to combined water and salt stress are critical consideration on management decisions but there is no appropriate information currently. That's why, it was investigated the water and salt stress and combined water-salt stress on two almond varieties in a two year (2015 and 2016) outdoor experiment with young trees. Trees were 1 year old at the beginning of the experiment. The experiment was conducted USDA (United States Department of Agriculture) Salinity Laboratory, Riverside, California, USA. Drought treatments consisted of 100%, 80% and 60% of tree evapotranspiration (ET) and salt treatments of Electrical Conductivity (EC= 0.55, 1.20, 2.40 and 3.0 dS m-1), for a total of 120 trees in twelve treatments with two varieties and five replicates. We examined water use, trunk diameter and physiological parameters (leaf net photosynthetic rate, stomatal conductance and leaf water potential). Photosynthetic rate values (Pn) ranged between 3.53 and 11.08 µmol CO2 m-2 s-1 for Nonpareil and 4.58 and 9.48 µmol CO2 m-2 s-1 for Aldridge. Stomatal conductance values ranged between 0.076 and 0.283 mol H2O m-2 s-1 for Nonpareil and 0.097 and 0.302 for Aldridge. All parameters showed significant decline starting at 80% water application and EC 1.2 dS m-1. In terms of growth rather than survival, almond was sensitive to water as well as salt stress. We evaluated combined stress using three stress response models: additive stress, dominant stress model and a multiplicative stress model where the predicted growth loss is obtained by multiplying the relative growth response for the individual stresses. Equation (2) for reduction in trunk growth were developed for treatments with either salinity only or water only stress. Both varieties grafted to Nemaguard rootstock were very sensitive to salinity with growth loss starting at EC 1.2 dS m-1. The results indicate that the Nonpareil is more sensitive to drought and salt stress than Aldridge. Aldridge almond variety can be recommended for areas where water supplies are scarce and salinized. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Copyright of Revista Colombiana de Investigaciones Agroindustriales is the property of Revista Colombiana de Investigaciones Agroindustriales del Centro Agropecuario Sena Buga and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)

Mediterranean almond growing is increasing, as confirmed in Italy where new almond orchards in areas not previously interested in this nut crop have been recently established. In these new areas, as in the coastal of Latium region, the knowledge of eco-physiological behavior as a complex interaction among cultivars, pedoclimate conditions and orchard management is still poor. Optimizing fertilization strategies according to cultivar needs is one of the main key factors to guarantee high yields and nut quality, as well as to reduce environmental pollution. With this aim, an almond field collection has been established planting medium- and late-bloom cultivars. During the growing seasons 2019–2020, leaf samples were collected at 90 and 120 days after full bloom (DAFB) analyzed for biometrical and eco-physiological traits and leaf nutrients content through foliar diagnostics. Differences in foliar nutrient content depend on both cultivar and phenological stage. According to Pearson correlation heatmap, leaf nitrogen content showed a medium–high positive correlation with Nitrogen Balance Index (NBI) either at 90 or 120 DAFB, highlighting reciprocal influences among leaf nutrient contents and some eco-physiological traits. The findings of this study will help to develop novel environmentally friendly nutrition and fertigation strategies supported by foliar diagnostics which also consider accurate cultivar requirements. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Organic farming is a human and environment friendly production system that is based on soil fertility and food safety without using chemical fertilizers and pesticides in production, aiming to re-establish the deteriorated ecological balance as a result of harmful production practices. Organic products attract the interest of consumers as they are strongly perceived as healthier products compared to conventional food. This study aimed to determine the differences in chemical, mineral, and fatty acid characteristics between conventionally and organically cultivated Ferragnes and Ferraduel almond cultivars. When conventional and organic almonds were evaluated in terms of fatty acids, proximate compositions, and minerals, crude oil and Mg were statistically insignificant, while Cu was significant (P < 0.05) and all others were quite significant (P < 0.001). Total sugar was higher in organic samples compared to conventional samples in both cultivars. The crude oil and linoleic acid (12.93% for Ferragnes and 14.99% for Ferraduel) were higher in conventional samples but oleic acid (78.9% for Ferragnes and 81.08% for Ferraduel) was higher in organic samples. In addition, organic samples contained higher Mg and Fe but lower P, K, Ca, Na, Zn, Mn and Cu when compared with conventional samples. The results indicate that conventionally cultivated almonds present higher mineral content and lower fatty acid value compared to organically cultivated almonds. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The almond seed wasp (Eurytoma amygdali Enderlein) is a wasp from the order Hymenoptera, Eurytomidae family. The almond wasp is an important pest for almonds in the European, the Caucasus and the Middle East almond growing countries. In Romania the almond crop has regained interest among farmers. Recent observations confirm that this insect is present also in Romania, in the Dobrogea region. Almond fruits attacked by Eurytoma amygdali have been collected from the spontaneous flora, kept in laboratory conditions and microscopically observed, before, in time and after pupation. This paper might be of interest for farmers, pest-control products companies, as well for the pheromone traps R & D industry. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Adding organic amendments to soils in orchards has been suggested as a climate-smart agricultural practice that can increase resilience to extremes such as drought. The benefits of adding almond hulls and shells to soil include releasing potassium into the soil, improving water infiltration, reducing soil water evaporation, and enhancing water-holding capacity. In this study, soil infiltration and root water uptake (RWU) patterns of almond trees in amended and control soil treatments were investigated. An almond orchard was mulched with a mixture of almond hulls and shells used as surface-applied organic matter amendments. The combined use of time-lapse electrical resistivity tomography (ERT), stem water potential (SWP) and leaf water potential (LWP) measurements were used to evaluate RWU, soil infiltration patterns, and tree water status at different times during the study. The results of the ERT showed that the RWU patterns for the almond trees are distinct between the amended and the control treatments after the irrigation was applied. Compared to the control treatment, the amended treatment allowed the soil to store more water. Regardless of treatment, the majority of RWU patterns were observed in the top 0.5–1 m root zone depth. Almond trees began to recover from stress, as indicated by the SWP and LWP values, four hours after the start of irrigation. In addition, this was demonstrated by the ERT measurements, which revealed the RWU activity four hours after the irrigation had been applied. This research reveals that time-lapse ERT surveys combined with soil and tree water status data can infer patterns of RWU in almond trees grown with organic soil amendments and under controlled conditions. Furthermore, it was concluded that using almond hulls and shells as organic matter amendments can help almond growers improve infiltration, making almond production more resilient to climate change-related extremes such as droughts. ● Almond hulls and shells used as organic amendments increased soil infiltration. ● Electrical resistivity tomography (ERT) revealed distinct root water uptake patterns. ● Almond trees in amended soils showed quicker recovery from water stress. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Almond [Prunus dulcis (Mill.) D.A. Webb] is an economically important, specialty nut crop grown almost exclusively in the United States. Breeding and improvement efforts worldwide have led to the development of key, productive cultivars, including 'Nonpareil,' which is the most widely grown almond cultivar. Thus far, genomic resources for this species have been limited, and a whole-genome assembly for 'Nonpareil' is not currently available despite its economic importance and use in almond breeding worldwide. We generated a 571X coverage genome sequence using Illumina, PacBio, and optical mapping technologies. Gene prediction revealed 49,321 putative genes using MinION Oxford nanopore and Illumina RNA sequencing, and genome annotation found that 68% of predicted models are associated with at least one biological function. Furthermore, epigenetic signatures of almond, namely DNA cytosine methylation, have been implicated in a variety of phenotypes including self-compatibility, bud dormancy, and development of noninfectious bud failure. In addition to the genome sequence and annotation, this report also provides the complete methylome of several almond tissues, including leaf, flower, endocarp, mesocarp, exocarp, and seed coat. Comparisons between methylation profiles in these tissues revealed differences in genome-wide weighted % methylation and chromosome-level methylation enrichment. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

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Background. Milk, the first food of mammals, helps to establish a baseline gut microbiota. In humans, milk and milk products are consumed beyond infancy, providing comprehensive nutritional value. Non-dairy beverages, produced from plant, are increasingly popular as alternatives to dairy milk. The nutritive value of some plant-based products continues to be debated, whilst investigations into impacts on the microbiome are rare. The aim of this study was to compare the impact of bovine milk, soy and almond beverages on the rat gut microbiome. We previously showed soy and milk supplemented rats had similar bone density whereas the almond supplemented group had compromised bone health. There is an established link between bone health and the microbiota, leading us to hypothesise that the microbiota of groups supplemented with soy and milk would be somewhat similar, whilst almond supplementation would be different. Methods. Three-week-old male Sprague Dawley rats were randomly assigned to five groups (n D 10/group) and fed ad libitum for four weeks. Two control groups were fed either standard diet (AIN-93G food) or AIN-93G amino acids (AA, containing amino acids equivalent to casein but with no intact protein) and with water provided ad libitum. Three treatment groups were fed AIN-93GAAand supplemented with either bovine ultra-heat treatment (UHT) milk or soy or almond UHT beverages as their sole liquid source. At trial end, DNA was extracted from caecum contents, and microbial abundance and diversity assessed using high throughput sequencing of the V3 to V4 variable regions of the 16S ribosomal RNA gene. Results. Almost all phyla (91%) differed significantly (FDR < 0.05) in relative abundance according to treatment and there were distinct differences seen in community structure between treatment groups at this level. At family level, forty taxa showed significantly different relative abundance (FDR < 0.05). Bacteroidetes (Bacteroidaceae) and Firmicutes populations (Lactobacillaceae, Clostridiaceae and Peptostreptococcaceae) increased in relative abundance in the AA almond supplemented group. Supplementation with milk resulted in increased abundance of Actinobacteria (Coriobacteriaceae and Bifidobacteriaceae) compared with other groups. Soy supplementation increased abundance of some Firmicutes (Lactobacilliaceae) but not Actinobacteria, as previously reported by others. Conclusion. Supplementation with milk or plant-based drinks has broad impacts on the intestinal microbiome of young rats. Changes induced by cow milk were generally in line with previous reports showing increased relative abundance of Bifidobacteriacea, whilst soy and almond beverage did not. Changes induced by soy and almond drink supplementation were in taxa commonly associated with carbohydrate utilisation. This research provides new insight into effects on the microbiome of three commercially available products marketed for similar uses. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study was carried out with the aim to evaluate physical fruit traits, proximate composition, elemental content, and fatty acid profiling of almond kernels from ten genotypes (sweet and bitter) grown under various agro-ecological conditions (Tafraout, Igherm, Taliouine, Tiznit and Essaouira) in southern Morocco. During the ripening stage, samples (almond kernels) belonging to these genotypes were subjected to physical fruits measurements (weight, length, width, and thickness). Proximate composition determination (crude protein, crude oil, ash and moisture) was carried out on the powder of kernels for each genotype. Carbohydrates as well as energy value were calculated. Elemental profiling of almond kernels consisted of ten macro and microelements was determined as well as the fatty acids composition of almond extracted oil. The results of this study showed wide variations among the investigated genotypes in terms of crude protein (17.14 ± 2.14 to 25.12 ± 1.23 g/100 g), oil content (51.12 ± 2.99 to 56.26 ± 3.22 g/100 g), ash content (5.11 ± 0.45 to 6.79 ± 0.52 g/100 g), moisture content (2.55 ± 0.38 to 4.34 ± 1.16 g/100 g), carbohydrates (13.34 ± 1.54 to 18.59 ± 2.22 g/100 g) and energy value (549.80 ± 37.04 to 591.03 ± 38.56 kcal/100 g DM). A similar trend was observed in the case of mineral profiling. K (9796.08 ± 793.49 to 14 197.84 ± 1150.03 mg/kg) was the major mineral in all genotypes. This was followed by P (8190.75 ± 663.46 to 11 061.68 ± 895.96 mg/kg), Ca (3067.53 ± 248.47 to 5404.93 ± 437.79 mg/kg) and Mg (4002.85 ± 324.22 to 5101.72 ± 413.23 mg/kg), while Na, Cu, Fe, Zn, Mn and B were detected in small quantities. Our results revealed six fatty acids with a dominance of oleic acid, which varied widely among the studied genotypes and extraction technique. Solvent extraction performed better in terms of oil content. The studied genotypes showed a great pomological potential that could be exploited for their fruits such as for breeding purposes. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Nanotechnology brings to agriculture new forms of fertilizer applications, which could be used to reduce environmental contamination and increase efficiency. In this study, foliar fertilization with nanoencapsulated boron (B) was studied in comparison to an ionic B (non-encapsulated) application in young B-deficient almond trees grown under a controlled environment. B movement within the plant in relation to the leaf gas exchange, water relations parameters, and root hydraulic conductance was measured. Also, the expression of aquaporins (AQPs) [plasma membrane intrinsic protein (PIP) and tonoplast intrinsic protein (TIP)] was studied in relation to water uptake and transport parameters to establish the effectiveness of the different B treatments. The obtained results were associated with a high concentration of observed B with nanoencapsulated B, provided by the higher permeability of carrier nanovesicles, which allowed B to reach the cell wall more efficiently. The increases in water uptake and transport obtained in these plants could be related to the role that this element played in the cell wall and the relationship that it could have in the regulation of the expression of AQPs and their involvement in water relations. Also, an increase in the expression of PIPs (mainly PIP2.2) to the applied nanoencapsulated B could be related to the need for B and water transport, and fine regulation of TIP1.1 in relation to B concentration in tissues provides an important feature in the remobilization of B within the cell. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The rapidly increasing global population and anthropogenic climate change have created intense pressure on agricultural systems to produce increasingly more food under steadily challenging environmental conditions. Simultaneously, industrial agriculture is negatively affecting natural and agricultural ecosystems because of intensive irrigation and fertilization to fully utilize the potential of high-yielding cultivars. Growth-promoting microbes that increase stress tolerance and crop yield could be a useful tool for helping mitigate these problems. We investigated if commercially grown almonds might be a resource for plant colonizing bacteria with growth promotional traits that could be used to foster more productive and sustainable agricultural ecosystems. We isolated an endophytic bacterium from almond leaves that promotes growth of the model plant Arabidopsis thaliana. Genome sequencing revealed a novel Erwinia gerundensis strain (A4) that exhibits the ability to increase access to plant nutrients and to produce the stress-mitigating polyamine spermidine. Because E. gerundensis is known to be able to colonize diverse plant species including cereals and fruit trees, A4 may have the potential to be applied to a wide variety of crop systems. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Copyright of Historia Agraria is the property of Historia Agraria and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)

The almond (Amygdalus communis L.) is one of the first plants to be cultivated by man since prehistory. Often the almond is mentioned in the ancient religious texts, being appreciated for its tasty and healthy fruits, but also the plant as a whole is known as a symbol of hope. The Greeks and the Romans can be considered the first almond growers, spreading this species in their colonies. Nowadays, this crop evolved from solitary trees through the vineyards, to intensive orchards and more recently, to high and super high-density orchards. New resistant cultivars to specific climatic conditions, specific rootstocks, and technology contributed to the development of almond crop technology. In this review, we point out the evolution of the cultivation technologies for the almond crop with their specific characteristics like the planting density, the rootstock vigour, the cultivars specificity, the training, and the pruning systems, the irrigation, the soil management, the fertilizers, the plant protection, etc. This paper can be a useful tool for anybody interested in almond crop technology. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The rainfed mountain plantations in semiarid areas of the Mediterranean region with conventional practices register soil erosion values much higher than soil formation rates, affecting their long-term sustainability. The objective of this study during four-year monitoring period was to evaluate the response of soil erosion and runoff to different soil-management strategies (SMS) for the most representative rainfed fruit crops: almond, olive, and vineyard. The SMS based on conservation agriculture techniques were: minimum tillage, minimum tillage with plant strips, and no-tillage with plant strips. Soil erosion and runoff patterns were examined in erosion plots on a mountain slope under each SMS. The results demonstrated that the SMS investigated reduce runoff and soil erosion compared to conventional tillage in the study area. The combination of minimum tillage with plant strips in almond and vineyard showed to be more valuable strategy in soil control than unique minimum tillage, averaging a reduction of soil erosion and runoff of 36 and 39%, respectively. As for olive, the minimum tillage with plant strips with respect to no-tillage was able to lessen both soil erosion and runoff by 36%. Likewise, this strategy proved to be the most efficient for minimizing the adverse impact of heavy rains on water erosion development on hillslopes. Since an increase of high-intensity rainfalls in the Mediterranean semi-arid areas is expected, the implementation of sustainable strategies is urgent in order to mitigate the effects of climate change. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

California almond orchards are most U.S. beekeepers' first stop on their pollination and honey production circuit, so the agrochemicals bees are exposed to in almonds can shape the vitality of their colony for the rest of the year. We explored the potential for honey bee exposure to bee-toxic agrochemicals during almond bloom by utilizing the California Department of Pesticide Regulations' Pesticide Use Report database from 1990 to 2016. We found that overall, growers are observing the pesticide labels and reducing their use of labeled bee-toxic pesticides during almond bloom. However, we also found that insect growth regulators, fungicides and organosilicone surfactants -- agrochemicals often not labeled as toxic to bees -- are commonly applied during almond bloom. These agrochemicals can be sublethally or synergistically toxic to adult honey bees and bee larvae, presenting potential harm to colonies during almond pollination. Our findings demonstrate the need for a shift in the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency's labeling requirements, as well as continued communication between almond growers, pesticide applicators and beekeepers to keep colonies at a low risk of bee-toxic agrochemical exposure. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Almond is one of the most featured nut crops owing to its high nutritional value. However, due to three different waves of flower and fruitlet drop, fruit drop is a major concern for growers. In this study, we carried out a time-course transcriptome analysis to investigate gene expression differences between normal and abnormal fruitlet development. By de novo assembly analysis, we identified 33,577 unigenes and provided their functional annotations. In total, we identified 7,469 differentially expressed genes and observed the most apparent difference between normal and abnormal fruits at 12 and 17 days after flowering. Their biological functions were enriched in carbon metabolism, carbon fixation in photosynthetic organisms and plant hormone signal transduction. RT-qPCR validated the expression pattern of 14 representative genes, including glycosyltransferase like family 2, MYB39, IAA13, gibberellin-regulated protein 11-like and POD44, which confirmed the reliability of our transcriptome data. This study provides an insight into the association between abnormal fruit development and carbohydrate signaling from the early developmental stages and could be served as useful information for understanding the regulatory mechanisms related to almond fruit drop. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Pyrethroid resistance was first reported in 2013 for the navel orangeworm, Amyelois transitella, but the genetic underpinnings of pyrethroid resistance are unknown. We investigated the role of cytochrome P450 monooxygenases (P450s) belonging to the CYP3 and CYP4 clans using colonies derived from individuals collected in 2016 from almond orchards in two counties. One colony (ALM) originated from an almond orchard in Madera County with no reported pyrethroid resistance and the second colony (R347) originated from the same Kern County orchard where pyrethroid resistance was first reported. We used high-throughput quantitative real-time PCR (qRT-PCR) analyses of 65 P450s in the CYP3 and CYP4 clans of A. transitella to identify P450s induced by bifenthrin and associated with pyrethroid resistance. Nine P450s were constitutively overexpressed in R347 compared to ALM, including CYP6AE54 (11.7-fold), belonging to a subfamily associated with metabolic pesticide detoxification in Lepidoptera and CYP4G89 (33-fold) belonging to a subfamily associated with cuticular hydrocarbon (CHC) synthesis and resistance via reduced pesticide penetrance. Cuticular hydrocarbons analysis revealed that R347 produced twice as many total CHCs in the egg and adult stages as ALM. Topical toxicity bioassays for R347 determined that egg mortality was reduced at low bifenthrin concentrations and larval mortality was reduced at high concentrations of bifenthrin compared to ALM. Our discovery of both changes in metabolism and production of CHCs for R347 have implications for the possible decreased efficacy of other classes of insecticide used to control this insect. The threat of widespread pyrethroid resistance combined with the potential for cross-resistance to develop through the mechanism of reduced penetrance warrants developing management strategies that facilitate insecticide passage across the cuticle. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The stem borer, Lixus algirus L. (Coleoptera: Curculionidae) is the major insect pest of faba bean in the Mediterranean region. This study investigates the field biology and fluctuation of L. algirus at Douyet research Station in Morocco during two cropping seasons 2014-2015 and 2015-2016 using two local faba bean varieties. The influence of sowing dates and varieties on the damage caused by L. algirus was investigated over different locations and seasons using a split-plot design. The overwintering adults appear in the field from February by feeding over the leaves of faba bean plants. Eggs are laid from Mid-February through late April and mostly during March. The egg peak ranged from 0.75 to 1.1 eggs per plant. The number of larvae increases during March and peaked in April. The larval peaks ranged between 0.45 to 1.5 larvae per plant. The larval development takes an average of 42 days. Pupation lasts about 21 days within stems. Adults emerged in early June. Life cycle duration was 80 days. One generation of L. algirus was recorded on faba bean varieties in Morocco. The mean number of eggs showed a positive correlation with total rainfall. The number of pupae and relative humidity was negatively correlated. Peach and almond leaves were the most preferred by the newely emerged L. algirus adult during the summer and early autumn period. Planting dates did not affect L. algirus infestation levels over all varieties tested and locations. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]