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The introduction of organic technology for growing vegetable plants will help to reduce the environmental burden of pesticides and produce safe vegetable products with high yields. The purpose of the study was to investigate the effect of biological preparations on the organic cultivation of vegetable plants. Field, measuring and weighing, mathematical and statistical methods were used to determine the efficacy of the preparations. The study was conducted in 2018-2021 in different regions of Ukraine. It was established that the systemic use of biologies during the growing season of vegetable plants provided rapid growth and development, helped to increase immunity to diseases, reduced the activity of pathogenic microorganisms in the soil, and provided an increase in overall yield. The general use of biologic preparations in open ground conditions contributed to a total potato yield of 25.4 t/ha, and the complex use of preparations on Brussels sprouts forms a larger number of heads - 90 units. The Organic Balance biological product provided an increase in yield of up to 3.5 t/ha and 90% marketability of products when growing Chinese cabbage. Chemical analysis showed that the use of biologics increased the dry matter in tomato fruits by 1.03% - in the Rio Fuego variety and 1.39% - in the Missouri variety. The yield increase in the studied varieties of asparagus beans Laura and Purpurova was 0.5 and 0.6 t/ha compared to the variants without seed inoculation. The use of biological preparations provided a higher yield in tomato plants of the Asvon variety by 2.2 t/ha, significantly reduced the content of nitrates in fruits to 50-80 mg/kg, while in the control - 110-170 mg/kg, increased the content of dry matter by 1.03 and 1.39%, depending on the variety. The gross yield of winter garlic with the use of biologics increased by 5%, and the marketability of potato tubers increased by 5%. Organic technologies would allow farmers to minimise the use of pesticides, produce environmentally friendly products, and increase yields [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Carbon dioxide (CO2) plays an important role on Earth. But right now, there is too much! Burning fossil fuels increases the CO2 emissions into the atmosphere, causing global warming. Friend or foe, reducing CO2 is crucial. One way to do this is to capture CO2 before it is released from factory chimneys, or to take it directly from the air. These strategies not only reduce CO2, but also offer a way to reuse it in daily life products. Can you imagine captured CO2 being used to create the bubbles in your soda or growing the vegetables you eat? Current efforts are focused on designing new materials that can powerfully attract CO2. These materials have spaces inside where CO2 can enter and stick to the surface through a process called adsorption. The objective is to capture CO2 that can later be released to use for other purposes! [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose: The article analyzes the market for technologies used to support production processes in directed agriculture. The state of vegetable farming in Poland was analyzed and references were made to the country’s market and economic potential in relation to vegetable cultivation. Also analyzed were the directions of distribution of vegetables on a national and international scale. The vegetable farm surveyed in the case study has been cooperating with a chain of super and hyper markets for several decades. Design/methodology/approach: The subject of observation and profitability assessment included industry reports, technological flowcharts and price calculation using methods of calculating the arithmetic mean based on VAT invoices provided by the surveyed business entity. The presentation and detailed examination of available data took the form of tables and bar charts which were justified descriptively. The source of information for this paper was the subject literature, statistical data and many studies of the Central Statistical Office and Eurostat, reports in the industry section, an interview with the owner of a vegetable farm, an analysis of financial documents made available by the business in question as well as the author’s own observation. The business’s characteristics, revenues, costs and sales market were examined. Also, the machine park of the surveyed business and the level of employment therein were analyzed over the years. Findings: The surveyed farm produces goods for over 10 months a year, which significantly affects the continuity of supplying the customer with fresh vegetables. The article presents the characteristics of the farm and analyzes the production possibilities for individual vegetables. Manufacturing large quantities of goods requires an adequate supply of warehouse space, vegetable processing halls and the necessary human resources. The surveyed farm has been recording a steady increase in investment opportunities as well as introduction and improvement of recycling and ecological activities. Research limitations/implications: The analysis was limited to one vegetable farm. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Brinjal (Solanum melongena) is a precious and nourishing vegetable grown worldwide in tropical and subtropical climates. Jassid (Amrasca biguttula biguttulaI.) (Hemiptera: Cicadellidae), of which nymphs and adults suck the cell sap from the underside of the brinjal leaves resulting in curling and affecting the photosynthesis process. The present study aimed to study the effectiveness of biopesticides and their impact on jassid and its natural enemy in different seasons. The field experiment arranged in randomized block design includes six biorational insecticides such has (T1)-Spinosad 45 % SC @ 0.4ml/l, (T2)-Neem Seed Kernel Extract(NSKE) 1% @ 2ml/l, (T3)-Beauveria bassiana 1x 108 conidia/ml @10ml/l, (T4)-Metarhizium anisopliae 1x 108 conidia/ml @10ml/l, (T5)-Verticillium lecanii 1x108 conidia/ml @10ml/land (T6)-Untreated plots replicated in four times. It is resulted that all the biorational pesticides performed significantly better than the control. However, among the treatments, application of (T3)-Beauveria bassiana 1x108 conidia/ml @10ml/l and (T2)-Neem Seed Kernel Extract (NSKE) 1% @2 ml/l was found to have significantly better results against jassid, during Rabi(2021) and Kharif season (2022) respectively. For predatory coccinellids, (T2) - Neem Seed Kernel Extract (NSKE) 1% @2 ml/l and(T1)-Spinosad 45 % SC @ 0.4ml/l were found to be better compared to other treatments in Rabi and Kharif season. This research will help to understand the importance of biopesticides with eco-friendly approaches to manage jassid. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Tomato is one of the most important and popular vegetable crop grown mainly in dry seasons in Bangladesh. The southern part of the country is suffering from soil salinity problem due to tidal floods. The increasing salinity in the cultivatable land causes huge crop failure. A dozen of tomato varieties have been developed but they are not been tested for salinity tolerance. Therefore, this study was conducted to evaluate the tolerance level of tomato varieties against NaCl salinity stress at the vegetative stage. Methods: The study comprised of four levels of electrical conductivity (EC) based NaCl salinity viz., EC 2 (control), EC 4, EC 6 and EC8 mS/cm and eight varieties of tomato. The two-factor pot experiment was carried out in a randomized complete block design with four replications. NaCl salinity was imposed on the tomato plants through a hydroponic culture system and the effects of salinity on shoot-roots traits were measured. Result: Results showed that morphological traits of tomato plants varied significantly with the salinity levels and variety. It is also noticed that all the vegetative traits reduced as salt concentrations increased in the solution. In combined effects of variety and salinity levels, it was found that BARI Tomato-17 performed superior. It can be concluded that variety BARI Tomato-17 showed comparatively salt tolerant than the other varieties. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Clusterbean is one of the most important crop of arid and semi-arid region of India. It is mainly grown for vegetable, manure, fodder and seed purpose. Seeds of clusterbean contain galactomann (stored in endosperm) which has industrial uses, thus making it the major cash earner crop. Various biotic and abiotic stresses affects the crop during its growth stages. Among biotic stresses, weeds are the major one affecting the crop growth and yield. Due to initial slow growth of the clusterbean intense crop-weed competition takes place upto 20-30 DAS and if weeds are not managed properly there will be a severe yield reduction. Under Haryana conditions only manual weeding is recommended which is time consuming and expensive hence there is need to exploit other methods of weed control. Therefore, present study was conducted to study the effect of mechanical methods of weed management on growth, yield and economics of clusterbean. Methods: A field experiment was conducted during kharif season 2018 to study the effect of mechanized weed management practices on growth, yield and economics of clusterbean at Regional Research Station, Bawal (Rewari), CCS Haryana Agricultural University, Hisar. Experiment was performed in randomized block design with ten treatments and three replication. Result: It was found that among various weed management practices, two mechanized weeding with power weeder at 20 DAS and 35 DAS under 60 cm row spacing resulted in significantly higher plant height, leaf area index, dry matter accumulation, seed yield and its attributes in comparison to other treatments and it was statistically at par with mechanized weeding at 20 DAS and 35 DAS with tractor drawn cultivator. The weeding with tractor drawn cultivator was found to be most economical with maximum net returns (Rs. 36076 ha-1) and B:C (2.37) in comparison to other treatments followed by weeding with power weeder that fetched net return of Rs. 35868 ha-1 with B:C of 2.25. Therefore, two times interculture with power weeder or tractor drawn cultivator found beneficial and economical for farmers. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Vegetables are a crucial component of every diet and a good source of vitamins and minerals. Many raw vegetables, such as salads, are consumed, and consuming raw vegetables contaminated with human and animal feces can lead to a variety of intestinal parasite diseases. The goal of this cross-sectional study was to investigate the incidence of contamination of green leafy vegetables with human intestinal parasites, as well as identify the most common parasite species and any seasonal variation in parasite abundance in green leafy vegetables found and sold for human consumption in various markets and stores in Jeddah. To the best of our knowledge, no research has been conducted on the prevalence of parasite-contaminated vegetables in Jeddah. From September 2020 to July 2021, 250 leafy vegetables (coriander, watercress, lettuce, parsley, leek, and green onion) were collected from various markets and stores in Jeddah. The vegetables were sorted, labelled, and evaluated in the laboratory after being completely washed with distilled water, examined for sediment, staining, and microscopically examined. Chromatographic immunoassay tests were also used to confirm parasite identification. Intestinal parasites were discovered in 35.2% of the vegetables (88/250). Coriander was the most contaminated (64.2%), while green onion was the least contaminated (21.9%). Blastocystis spp. was the most often discovered parasite (55.7%), followed by Strongyloides spp. larva (22.7%) and Entamoeba coli cysts (6.8%). Summer has the greatest percentage of parasites, followed by autumn, while winter has the fewest. There was no statistically significant relationship between the kind of vegetable, seasonal parasite prevalence in green vegetables, and parasite type.These findings highlight the importance of inspecting vegetables grown or imported from endemic countries for parasite contamination. In Jeddah, several fresh green vegetables were tainted with intestinal parasites. This demonstrates that those who consume raw vegetables regularly may be susceptible to parasitic illnesses. These findings highlight the need of monitoring vegetables grown or imported from parasitic-endemic areas. As a result, it is critical to establish strategies and control measures to limit the likelihood of parasites in food-borne diseases. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Salinity exhibits many constraints in vegetable growing. Exogenous applications should be performed in growing in order to mitigate salinity damage. This study examined some physiological and histological properties of young pepper (Capsicum annuum L.) 'Çetinel' plants exposed to salt stress by applying different doses of sodium nitroprusside (SNP). Seedlings were transplanted into pots and salt application was started after 6 d. One day before salt stress, three different doses of SNP (12.5, 25.0 and 50.0 µM) were applied as a solution to the roots, excluding control and salt (NaCl) application. Then, 150 mM salinity was applied to all plants except the control. The experiment was terminated 35 d after the salinity treatment. At the end of the study, many histological and physiological parameters were evaluated. Plant growth, leaf relative water content (LRWC), total chlorophyll and carotenoid content of the leaves decreased in pepper plants under saline conditions, but SNP treatments increased the values. Membrane permeability in NaCl application increased by approximately 304% compared to control application. The SNP treatments increased xylem conduit diameter by 65.7% and epidermis thickness by 61.5% compared to salinity stress. When the results were evaluated, the values closest to the control in many parameters were recorded in the NaCl+SNP 25.0 µM application and it was found that it was effective in mitigating salinity stress damage. At the same time, 25.0 µM SNP application improved xylem vessels and cortical cells that may help plants acquire water and minerals more efficiently. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Carnarvon is a key horticultural district in Western Australia which is located approximately 900 km north of Perth and is characterised by a semi-arid climate. In Carnarvon, capsicum (Capsicum annuum L.) is the second most important vegetable crop after tomato, with approximately 3700 tonnes of capsicum fruit produced annually with a farm gate value of AUD 13.5 million. High temperatures, excessive sunlight, low air humidity, and strong wind in spring and summer are major impediments to the achievement of high yield and quality of capsicum in this region. Capsicums are usually planted between March (early autumn) and May (late autumn), and the harvest is usually finished by October (spring) of the same year when grown under shade net houses. However, the internal microenvironment in the shade net houses is sub-optimal for the crop in the early and late growing season due to excessive temperatures and low humidity, resulting in a shorter harvest window and lower production. This study was conducted to examine the possibilities to extend the cropping season for capsicum varieties (i.e., Chevello and Chevi) grown under the retractable roof production system (RRPS) and explore an alternative protected cropping structure that is more affordable and suitable to grow vegetable crops under Carnarvon weather conditions. Overall, the results showed that capsicums planted in February (planting 1) performed better than specimens planted later on in the season: planting 1 performed better and yielded the highest marketable fruit yield (102.6 t ha-1) compared to those planted in early April (planting 2, 72.5 t ha-1) and late May (planting 3,36.1 t ha-1). The RRPS effectively mitigated the adverse weather conditions and provided a more optimised internal microenvironment for vigorous crop establishment in late summer and an extended harvest in late spring, leading to a higher marketable fruit yield per crop. The total soluble solids were cultivar-specific, with the Brix level of Chevello changing with planting time while those of Chevi remained constant. The study identifies the potential for an alternative protected cropping structure, i.e., the modified multi-span polytunnels. The technical feasibility and affordability of the alternative protected cropping structure is also discussed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Chilli is an important spice and vegetable crop grown in tropical and sub-tropical climate. Recently, Chilli leaf curl disease has become a serious threat to chilli growing farmers. Methods: The present study was aimed to know prevalence of leaf curl disease in chilli. For this, roving field survey was carried out in 63 randomly selected chilli fields covering 21 villages in seven mandals of Kurnool district in Andhra Pradesh during 2019-20. Attempts were also made on molecular diagnosis of begomovirus associated with chilli leaf curl disease. Result: The average mean per cent incidence of chilli leaf curl virus in Kurnool district was 50.76% ranging from 25.0% to 82.2%. During the field survey, the highest mean leaf curl incidence was noticed in Peddakadubur mandal (71.1%) followed by Gonegandla (59.96%) and Nandavaram (52.27%) mandals, while the lowest leaf curl incidence was observed at Adoni (37.83%) mandal in Kurnool district. The amplified coat protein gene was sequenced and obtained 770bp sequence which was deposited in Gen Bank. The obtained sequence shared maximum identity of 99.7% with chilli leaf curl virus Guntur isolate (MN417112). As per species demarcation and nomenclature criteria of begomovirus, the virus associated with chilli leaf curl disease in Kurnool district shared > 94% sequence identity with Chilli leaf curl virus. Hence it was identified as chilli leaf curl virus (ChiLCV). [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Mercury (Hg) is a toxic, non-essential element for living organisms, frequently present in high concentrations in soils from industrial areas. The total, dissolved, and labile Hg concentrations in garden soils and their accumulation in edible vegetables (onion, garlic, lettuce, and parsley) grown on contaminated soils in localities situated a former mining area were evaluated. The labile Hg fraction was estimated by diffusive gradient in thin films (DGT). The soil-to-vegetable transfer factors, as well as the health risk by exposure to Hg, were calculated based on the labile Hg concentration in soil. The total Hg concentration in soil varied widely (0.11–3.77 mg kg−1), Hg in soil solution ranged between 2.14 and 20.2 μg L−1 and labile Hg between 1.13 and 18.6 μg L−1. About 36–96% (84% on average) of the Hg concentration in soil solution was found in labile form. Multivariate analysis revealed significant correlations between the labile Hg concentration in soil and Hg accumulated in vegetables. The hazard indices showed that, although the study area is affected by legacy pollution, exposure to soil and consumption of locally grown vegetables do not pose health risks. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Various stressors threaten rice fields' productivity. Microplastics (MPs) are ubiquitous pollutants that accumulate in agricultural soils, effectively impairing agroecosystem functioning. The study investigates the MPs pollution status of rice fields and compares it with that of non-paddy vegetable farms under contrasting management practices. Possible sources of MPs in the fields are identified. Additionally, the relationships between MPs abundance and soil characteristics are investigated. This provides innovative insights into the possible impact of MPs on soil health and functioning. Density separation using saturated NaCl solution and oxidative organic matter digestion using Fenton's reagent were employed to extract the MPs. The extracted MPs were categorized according to shape, size, and color. The results indicated that the paddies (1952.86±114.36 particles/kg) contained significantly more MPs than did the non-paddies (1134.44±221.52 particles/kg). Beads (53.75%) and fibers (28.46%) were the most common MPs. More than 90% of all MPs recovered from the fields were less than 1 mm in size. Of the 16 color groups identified, the colors silver, white, and black were the most abundant. Sewage sludge application and mulching were recognized as the primary sources of MPs in the paddies, with sludge contributing more than mulching. Microplastics were shown to potentially alter vital soil characteristics. Rice fields are otherwise overlooked reservoirs of MPs. More attention should be paid to raising awareness of their role as MPs accumulation hotspots among governmental bodies, researchers, producers, and citizens. Contributing MPs sources need to be identified, and managerial decisions should consider the polluting capacity of different practices. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The increasing threat of heat stress in agriculture, fueled by the relentless rise in global temperatures, presents a formidable challenge for vegetable crops. High-temperature stress instigates intricate morphological, anatomical, and physiological changes in vegetables, resulting in a noticeable decline in yield and an overall compromise in quality. Mitigating these challenges necessitates the imperative development of heat-tolerant vegetable varieties, underscoring the need for a nuanced understanding of crop responses to the rigors of high-temperature stress. This comprehensive review systematically explores the multifaceted impacts of heat stress on vegetable crops, spanning morphological traits, physiological processes, and molecular dynamics. Beyond the identification of challenges, the review explores into the intricate adaptive mechanisms employed by vegetables to counteract the stresses imposed by elevated temperatures, besides exploring in detailed how these crops navigate and respond to the physiological disruptions caused by heat stress. Further, it also assesses the efficacy of diverse genomic approaches in the development of heat-tolerant vegetable varieties. In addition, the review explores genomic tools such as genomic selection, transgenic approaches, and genome editing technologies, which hold promise in expediting the development of vegetable varieties endowed with enhanced thermo-tolerance and heightened productivity. By synthesizing insights from diverse scientific realms, the review aspires to provide a comprehensive and integrative perspective on mitigating the adverse impacts of heat stress on vegetable crops, paving the way for sustainable agricultural practices in the face of escalating global temperatures. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

While food markets and food production chains are experiencing exponential growth, global attention to food safety is steadily increasing. This is particularly crucial for ready-to-eat products such as fresh-cut salads and fruits, as these items are consumed raw without prior heat treatment, making the presence of pathogenic microorganisms quite frequent. Moreover, many studies on foodborne illnesses associated with these foods often overlook the transmission links from the initial contamination source. The prevention and control of the dissemination of foodborne pathogens should be approached holistically, involving agricultural production, processing, transport, food production, and extending to final consumption, all while adopting a One Health perspective. In this context, our objective is to compile available information on the challenges related to microbiological contamination in minimally handled fruits and vegetables. This includes major reported outbreaks, specific bacterial strains, and associated statistics throughout the production chain. We address the sources of contamination at each stage, along with issues related to food manipulation and disinfection. Additionally, we provide potential solutions to promote a healthier approach to fresh-cut fruits and vegetables. This information will be valuable for both researchers and food producers, particularly those focused on ensuring food safety and quality. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

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This article discusses the impact of Tetranychus urticae Koch, a pest commonly known as the spider mite, on brinjal (eggplant) crops in Punjab, India. The study found that using the acaricide propargite resulted in a significant reduction in crop loss and a higher yield compared to untreated plots. The cost benefit ratio was also favorable, with a ratio of 52.34:1 for July-transplanted crops and 23.34:1 for February-transplanted crops. The study emphasizes the importance of implementing pest management strategies to minimize crop losses and protect economic interests. [Extracted from the article]

Vertical farming is gaining attention for urban agriculture and sustainable food production, but mainstream crops may not be economically viable in this system, prompting a shift to high-value crops. This study explores the potential of Cichorium spinosum L. (spiny chicory), a wild edible green, for vertical farming. When cultivated on open field and greenhouses, spiny chicory tends to flower prior vernalization deeming the flowered plants unsalable, necessitating an investigation on its flowering responses. C. spinosum L. plants were cultivated and for 5 months in peat-filled pots, under low light (100 μmols m2 s−1), and two photoperiods (10 and 15 h) with stable temperature (20 °C) and CO2 level (400 ppm). No flowering occurred at the end of the first experiment, indicating that photoperiod alone did not induce flowering. Next, C. spinosum L. was hydroponically cultivated under a 15 h photoperiod, light intensity of 300 μmols m−2 s−1, temperature between 25 and 30 °C, CO2 levels of 350 to 400 ppm, and plant density of 100 plants m−2. At the end of the one-month cultivation the yield of the salable fresh weight was approximately 1.7–2 kg per m2. Moreover, gas exchange measurements were conducted to analyze CO2 uptake and evapotranspiration. This study aims to enhance understanding of spiny chicory's flowering response and growth performance, providing valuable insights for cultivating this wild edible vegetable in vertical farming systems. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

There is little information on the impact of advertising on organic vegetable consumption. A survey was conducted among 135 households. Information were collected on demographic characteristics of the consumers, frequency of vegetable consumption, attitude toward organic vegetable consumption, consumers' sources of information and types of information sought on organic vegetable. Organic vegetable consumers sought information on hygiene (61.5%), environment where vegetable was grown (71.9%), type of fertilizer used (53.3%), nutritional value (71.9%), pesticide free (58.5%), safety or health consciousness (65.2%), and price of the produce (64.4%) from the internet (75.6%), social media (74.8%), and mobile marketing (66.7%) before making consumption decision. The majority of respondents (55.6%) consumed vegetables once weekly. Age (β= −1.54; p<0.05), and primary occupation (β=−0.85; p<0.05) discouraged organic vegetable consumption while gender (β = 0.72; p<0.05), and advertising messages contents (β = 0.18, p<0.05) promote consumption of organic vegetables. Advertising messages contributed to consumer awareness and consumption of organic vegetables. However, additional effort is required for increased consumption and frequency of consumption. Marketing strategies should target a broad population of potential consumers to increase the frequency of organic vegetable intake among potential consumers. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The information on greenhouse gas (GHG) emission and energy use patterns from vegetable production in the Chotanagpur plateau region of Jharkhand state is minimal. The current study analyzed the energy input–output and GHG emission and their relationship with the productivity of two critical vegetables grown in the region, viz. summer season okra and tomato. In this regard, data were collected from 30 vegetable farmers of the region in a pretested questionnaire through personal interviews. The results show that the overall energy input used in the okra production was 8828.71 MJ ha−1 of which human energy (27.62%), petrol (27.31%), farmyard manure (13.59%), and animal energy (13.22%) contributed the primary inputs. The total energy required for tomato production was 4798.66 MJ ha−1, where petrol (25.13%) contributed the highest, followed by fertilizer (16.94%), diesel (14.67%), electricity (12.06%), farmyard manure (12.03%), and human energy (11.65%), respectively. The energy ratio (energy output to energy input) for okra and tomato was estimated at 2.85 and 7.58, respectively. The benefit cost ratios for tomato and okra production were 7.87 and 1.71, respectively, showing that the cultivation of both the vegetables is remunerative in the region, with tomato being more remunerative than okra. The total GHG emission was 875.41 and 322.75 kg CO2eq ha−1 for okra and tomato, respectively. The economical use of inputs could help reduce GHG emissions in vegetable production. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Vegetables can be distinguished according to differences in color, shape, and texture. The deep learning convolutional neural network (CNN) method is a technique that can be used to classify types of vegetables for various applications in agriculture. This study proposes a vegetable classification technique that uses the CNN AlexNet model and applies compressive sensing (CS) to reduce computing time and save storage space. In CS, discrete cosine transform (DCT) is applied for the sparsing process, Gaussian distribution for sampling, and orthogonal matching pursuit (OMP) for reconstruction. Simulation results on 600 images for four types of vegetables showed a maximum test accuracy of 98% for the AlexNet method, while the combined blockbased CS using the AlexNet method produced a maximum accuracy of 96.66% with a compression ratio of 2×. Our results indicated that AlexNet CNN architecture and block-based CS in AlexNet can classify vegetable images better than previous methods. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In the context of productivity challenges confronting urban residents in developing nations like Ethiopia, a burgeoning trend is emerging whereby individuals are turning towards vegetable cultivation as a strategy to enhance food security. This research endeavor seeks to explore the barriers faced by vegetable growers and the promising prospects for urban agriculture in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia. Employing a blend of qualitative and quantitative methodologies, the study leveraged household surveys, focus group dialogues, interviews, and desk assessments to collect data. The selection of households for participation was executed through probability sampling. Examination of the household survey findings encompassed descriptive statistical analyses along with correlation and regression studies. The impediments associated with urban vegetable cultivation were scrutinized utilizing a Strengths, Weaknesses, Opportunities, and Threats (SWOT) analysis in conjunction with a Force Field Analysis. The outcomes of the study underscore favorable inclinations among respondents towards vegetable cultivation. Most producers contribute to household food availability, earn supplementary income, and value the sector's accessibility without necessitating substantial financial investments. Nonetheless, notable challenges within vegetable production operations include land access constraints, pest and disease issues, and water scarcities. Correlation assessments unveiled a robust positive link between fertilizer and seed accessibility levels. Furthermore, binary logistic regression models identified certain age and employment groups as being more predisposed to engage in leafy vegetable cultivation compared to other demographics. The study proposes opportunities for expanding existing production capacities, notably through initiatives like household food gardens. Moreover, there exists potential for augmenting community food sovereignty by harnessing local insights on urban vegetable cultivation practices. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The present study reports the application of feather hydrolysates (FHs) obtained from the hydrolysis of chicken feathers by Bacillus safensis LAU 13 (KJ461434) and Aquamicrobium defluvii FH 20 (OM281847.1) as organic nitrogen fertilizer for the cultivation of Corchorus olitorius, Celosia argentea and Amaranthus caudatus. Foliar treatment of the vegetables with FHs (100%, v/v) remarkably improved their growth and yield performances. The FHs induced over 1.5-fold improvement in root length, shoot height, shoot fresh weight, dry weight, leaf number, leaf area and chlorophyll contents of the vegetables compared to water after 6 weeks of cultivation. In most cases, FHs at optimal levels displayed better growth promotion than NPK fertilizer. FHs elevated the nitrogen content (25.53–29.79%), organic carbon (33.77–38.96%), and microbial load (102–104 cfu/g) of soil after 6 weeks. Vegetables fertilized with FHs showed improvements in crude protein, crude fibre, ash, phenols, flavonoids, and proanthocyanidin contents to controls. Also, about 1.1-fold improvement in hydrogen peroxide and DPPH radicals scavenging activities was obtained. Significant lipid peroxidation inhibition against ferrous ion (Fe2+) damage in precision-cut liver slices with higher catalase activities was recorded. Thus, the bacterial FHs significantly enhanced the growth, nutritional and antioxidant properties of the vegetables as well as soil nutrient and biological activities. Hence, the application of the bacterial FHs can be substituted for synthetic fertilizer to promote sustainable agricultural food production in an ecologically benign manner. Bacterial feather hydrolysates improved growth, nutritional and nutraceutical qualities of vegetables as eco-friendly biofertilizers. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Brassicaceae vegetables contain glucosinolate (GSL), which is well known for its role in the plant defense system, bitter substances, and functional components. This study reported the GSL profiles of 18 GSLs in 14 Brassicaceae vegetables (kale, cabbage, kohlrabi, broccoli, cauliflower, komatsuna, pak choi, turnip, choy sum, Chinese cabbage, rutabaga, leaf mustard, leaf radish, and radish root) consisting of 64 cultivars grown in Japan. The GSL compositions showed specific trends among each species, and furthermore, there was considerable variation in the total and individual GSL contents among the cultivars and tissues of the same vegetable. Because each vegetable was grown under the same conditions, this variation was expected to primarily be due to the genetic background. It is desirable to collect additional data from commonly distributed cultivars to conduct more detailed studies on GSLs in Brassicaceae vegetables, such as investigating a negative correlation between GSL consumption and cancer risk. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Agriculture is responsible for giving rise to huge quantities of degradable and non-degradable waste during various farming activities. A deeper understanding of farmers' perceptions and levels of agro-waste management capacity is essential in developing locally accepted strategies for agro-waste management. This study was framed to analyze vegetable farmers' perception and capacity for Bangladesh's 3Rs waste management concept (reduce, reuse, and recycle). A total of 125 farmers were selected following a stratified proportionate random sampling technique and interviewed using a structured questionnaire. The findings of this study indicate that intercultural and harvesting practices produce a large variety of bio-degradable and non-degradable waste materials compared to other stages of vegetable production and marketing of produce. The overall score showed that the vegetable farmers' have a medium (39.2%) to high (60.8%) perception of the 3Rs waste management concept, but they possessed a low perception of recycling agro-waste. However, the overall capacity score for 3Rs waste management was low (67.2%) to medium (31.2%), indicating a low capacity of vegetable growers to recycle different types of waste. This study offers suggestions for a development program that includes special training facilities for vegetable growers to strengthen their waste management capabilities based on the 3Rs concept. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

T. molitor larvae were fed with wheat bran (W) and supplemented (1:1) with cucumber (C + W) or tomato (T + W) agricultural wastes, from conventional or ecological farming, for 6 weeks. Weekly and fortnightly measurements of larvae weight/tray and length were taken, respectively. At the end of the study, the fatty acid composition of the larvae was analyzed using GC-MS. On day 43, the weight of larvae supplemented with wastes almost doubled that reached by the control larvae (647–720 vs. 370 g/tray), which were 15% smaller. Supplementation decreased the larval fat content and increased the polyunsaturated fatty acids between 22–37%, with linoleic acid being the most abundant. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Chilli (Capsicum annuum L.) is an important vegetable crop grown in the Indian sub-continent and is prone to viral infections under field conditions. During the field survey, leaf samples from chilli plants showing typical symptoms of disease caused by cucumber mosaic virus (CMV) such as mild mosaic, mottling and leaf distortion were collected. DAC-ELISA analysis confirmed the presence of CMV in 71 out of 100 samples, indicating its widespread prevalence in the region. Five CMV isolates, named Gu1, Gu2, BA, Ho, and Sal were mechanically inoculated onto cucumber and Nicotiana glutinosa plants to study their virulence. Inoculated plants expressed the characteristic symptoms of CMV such as chlorotic spots followed by mild mosaic and leaf distortion. Complete genomes of the five CMV isolates were amplified, cloned, and sequenced, revealing RNA1, RNA2, and RNA3 sequences with 3358, 3045, and 2220 nucleotides, respectively. Phylogenetic analysis classified the isolates as belonging to the CMV-IB subgroup, distinguishing them from subgroup IA and II CMV isolates. Recombination analysis showed intra and interspecific recombination in all the three RNA segments of these isolates. In silico protein–protein docking approach was used to decipher the mechanism behind the production of mosaic symptoms during the CMV-host interaction in 13 host plants. Analysis revealed that the production of mosaic symptoms could be due to the interaction between the coat protein (CP) of CMV and chloroplast ferredoxin proteins. Further, in silico prediction was validated in 13 host plants of CMV by mechanical sap inoculation. Twelve host plants produced systemic symptoms viz., chlorotic spot, chlorotic ringspot, chlorotic local lesion, mosaic and mild mosaic and one host plant, Solanum lycopersicum produced mosaic followed by shoestring symptoms. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This document presents the results of a study on the effect of different mulch materials on the growth and yield of cucumber plants. The study found that black polythene mulch resulted in the highest specific leaf weight, net assimilation rate, and relative growth rate of the plants. It also led to the shortest time to first flowering, highest number of fruits per plant, and highest fruit yield per plant, bed, and hectare. The use of mulch materials was found to improve soil temperature, water absorption, and nutrient uptake, resulting in increased plant growth and yield. [Extracted from the article]

This article presents a study on the impact of integrated nutrient management on cabbage cultivation in Medziphema, Nagaland. The study found that combining organic manures with inorganic fertilizers significantly increased the yield and economic viability of cabbage. The treatment of 25% NPK + 75% FYM + Biofertilizers showed the best results in terms of head diameter, weight, yield, and profitability. The findings suggest that adopting this integrated nutrient management approach can enhance cabbage cultivation in Nagaland, with different treatment combinations depending on the availability of organic manures in specific areas. [Extracted from the article]

The move towards reducing environmental and health risks related to pesticide application in smallholder agriculture requires a more detailed understanding of farmers' awareness and pesticide use practices. Drawing on field observations and interviews with 90 randomly selected farmers, this study assesses the choice of pesticide, use patterns and the level of awareness of pesticide risks among male and female farmers growing vegetables on Idjwi Island, eastern Democratic Republic of Congo. The main crops grown are tomatoes, eggplants, and cabbages, which are vulnerable to pest attacks, leading to fruit rot (70%), leaf holes, and spots (17%), resulting in significant economic losses. To protect crops, farmers use various pesticides, including fungicides (e.g., Metalaxyl, Mancozeb) and insecticides (e.g., profenofos, Cypermethrin), based on their availability on local market, perceived effectiveness, and relatively affordable prices. Although the results did not reveal significant differences in pesticide use patterns between male and female farmers, men (41%) make decisions about pesticide purchase and use within households either alone or jointly with their spouses (31%). Regrettably, farmers disregard safety instructions and hygiene practices following pesticide application, leading to concerns about public health and the environmental impact of using these products. While we highlight the factors influencing farmers' willingness to wear protective equipment, findings also show that 75% of the participants are willing to pay $US 5 for any alternative method to pesticide use. This study emphasizes the need for improving awareness and recommends field farmers' schools to train farmers on pesticides' proper usage and management. The results suggest further research on farmers' exposure to pesticide and the exploration of existing alternative methods based on integrated pest management to advance sustainable agriculture. Plain Language Summary: Pesticide Choice and Use Practices Among smallholder farmers on Idjwi Island, Democratic Republic of Congo Pesticide-based crop protection has become prevalent among farmers seeking to increase crop yields and minimize losses in market-oriented vegetable farms. While the risk of pesticides for human health and the environment are still minimized and poorly understood by farmers, the choice of pesticides is essentially based on their availability on markets, perceived effectiveness, and affordable prices. In 41% of cases, men generally decide on the purchase and pesticide application. Regrettably, farmers disregard safety instructions and hygiene practices following pesticide application, leading to concerns about public health and the environmental impact of using these products. The results of this study can inform recommendations for the safety of agricultural workers, farmers and the protection of the environment. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Models of species composition in diversified cropping systems utilize mostly functional trait-based or observation-based approaches. We argue that a combination of these two approaches makes polyculture design tools more robust. We assessed quantity, quality, and complementarity of information from multiple sources for designing diversified cropping systems with vegetables and spice crops for cold temperate climate. Trait and observational data were integrated from: (i) two grower-oriented and one academic crop database, (ii) a survey of farmers practicing community-supported agriculture, and (iii) a systematic literature review on the use of spice crops in vegetable farming. Survey results reveal that the farmers were capable of achieving medium to good levels of their main goals, but failed to reach desired multifunctionality with their polycultures, which can be potentially improved with computational tools. None of the analyzed data sources provided a comprehensive dataset for all target crops and functional traits. However, source combination allowed for design from known crop companions (farmers survey and grower-oriented databases), to addressing specific pest problems (literature review), and increasing functional complementarity and facilitation by trait matching (academic and grower-oriented trait databases). Integrating information from different sources increased the number of crop combination options but also planning and management complexity. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Simple Summary: Smallholder farmers in Southeast Asia produce rice in flooded plots (<2 ha) surrounded by raised levees (bunds). To decrease pesticide use among farmers, researchers have promoted ecological engineering as a series of practices that optimize farm diversification to enhance the activities of pests' natural enemies and reduce pest damage. This study examined the impact of farm diversification and other sustainability practices on pesticide use by rice farmers in the Philippines. We interviewed 302 farmers to assess their farm management practices. Many of the farmers used upland areas and bunds to produce fruits and vegetables. Some made botanical extracts of chili (Capsicum spp.), ginger (Zingiber officinale Roscoe), or lemongrass (Cymbopogon sp.) to control pests and diseases in their vegetables. In one region, the farmers avoided insecticides by using Trichogramma wasps to control stemborers. We found that farmers with relatively high awareness of the beneficial insects that occurred on their farms, who raised ducks in their rice fields, or who planted flowers or vegetables on their bunds tended to perform fewer pesticide applications to their rice crops. We recommend that flower and vegetable strips be combined with a series of other, environmentally friendly pest management options to enhance the outcomes of ecological engineering on rice farms. Ecological engineering is defined as the design of sustainable ecosystems for the benefit of both human society and the environment. In Southeast Asia, researchers have applied ecological engineering by diversifying farms using flower strips to restore regulatory services to rice ecosystems and thereby reduce herbivore-related yield losses and overall pesticide use. We conducted a survey of 302 rice farmers across four regions of the Philippines to assess their farm diversification practices and determine possible associations with pesticide use. Rice was the main product on all farms; however, the farmers also produced fruits and vegetables, either rotated with rice (47% of the farmers) or in small plots in adjacent farmland. In addition, 64% of the farmers produced flowers, herbs, and/or vegetables on rice bunds. Vegetables were cultivated mainly to supplement household food or incomes, but 30% of the farmers also believed that the vegetables reduced pest and weed damage to their rice. We found that 16% of the farmers grew flowers on their bunds to reduce pest damage to rice and vegetables, and many farmers applied botanical extracts, growth stimulants, and insect traps to reduce damage to the vegetables. Some farmers avoided insecticides on rice by using Trichogramma cards. Planting flowers on rice bunds, rearing ducks in the rice fields, and farmers' recognition of beneficial rice arthropods were statistically significantly associated with lower pesticide (particularly, insecticide) applications to rice. Our results indicate that farm diversification to produce supplementary foods for rural households and access to alternative pest management options can reduce pesticide use on rice farms in tropical Asia. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A correct cultivation technique supported by scientific evidence that leads to high-quality standards can promote sustainable floriculture. It is urgent to find alternative solutions to the widely used chemical fertilizers and evaluate the effectiveness of other fertilizers. The liquid organic ones, already in use in organic vegetable farming, could be a good substitute if supplied together with growth-promoting products such as microbial biostimulants. In the hope of replacing the traditional chemicals with a more sustainable organic-based fertilization, the present investigation aimed to evaluate the effects of a microbial biostimulant and various combinations of organic and mineral fertilization on morphological characteristics and physiological parameters of Tagetes patula L. and Ageratum houstonianum Mill. The plants were grown in pots with a substrate inoculated or not with the microbial biostimulant and were fertigated with nutrient solutions at different concentrations of elements from mineral and/or organic sources. Six fertilization formulas were adopted: control (only water without fertilizer), 100% mineral fertilization, 50% mineral fertilization, 100% organic fertilization, 50% organic fertilization, and 50% mineral + 50% organic fertilization. For the organic fertilization, a commercial liquid fertilizer admitted in organic farming with 3-2-5.5 NPK with 3% organic nitrogen was used. Mineral fertilization was formulated to match the organic solution as closely as possible. We observed an improvement in ornamental value (stem diameter and shoot number) with the biostimulant inoculum. Generally, the 50% mineral and 50% organic fertilization did not negatively influence the morphological characteristics. The reduction by 50% in the mineral nutrients and the integration of this reduction with an organic fertilizer was feasible to produce potted plants of these species during spring in the Mediterranean area. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Brinjal is a widely grown vegetables. A pot experiment was conducted to study the effect of farmyard manure (FYM), Zn and B application on fruit yield, their uptake and ascorbic acid contents of brinjal where two levels of FYM (no FYM and 5 Mg ha−1), four levels of Zn (no Zn, 5 kg Zn ha−1 as basal, 10 kg Zn ha−1 as basal and 5 kg Zn ha−1 as basal + foliar spray of Zn twice @ 0.5% ZnSO4.7 H2O) and three levels of B (no B, 1 and 2 kg B ha−1) were applied in a factorial controlled randomized design. Zn @ 10 kg ha−1 through basal and soil + foliar application enhanced the fruit yield over Zn @ 5 kg ha−1 and control. Foliar spraying of Zn and basal applied Zn enhanced the Zn uptake in fruits to 2.0–2.25 fold, while 2 kg B ha−1 application enhanced the uptake by B of two-fold irrespective of FYM application. A higher B use efficiency was recorded with 1 kg B ha−1 application than 2 kg B ha−1. Basal application of Zn and B, in addition to the foliar spray of Zn, is recommended to correct Zn and B deficiency in brinjal. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Summer cover crop utilization by no-till vegetable farms is essential for continuous soil protection, especially in the southern United States where intense storms are likely to occur in hot and humid summer months. A field experiment was conducted at the National Soil Dynamics Laboratory in Auburn, AL, USA, between the summers of 2015 and 2017 to determine the effectiveness of an experimental roller/crimper in mechanically terminating summer cover crops. Iron clay peas (Vigna unguiculata, L.) planted on a sandy loam and pearl millet (Penninsetum glaucum, L.) planted on clay soil were selected to determine termination rate effectiveness in single, double, and triple rolling/crimping over the same area. Overall, termination rates for both cover crops were higher for rolling three times (71%) compared to rolling once (55%) or twice (63%). However, cover crop termination was inhibited due to rainfalls on the experimental area during the three-week evaluation period. In 2016, drought conditions and high temperatures (32.6 °C) caused biomass reduction, especially for pearl millet, of over 31% to 39% compared to 2017 and 2015. Rolling provided higher soil-water conservation compared with the non-rolled control due the cover crop mulch layer blocking sunlight, keeping the soil surface cooler and preventing water evaporation. Recurrent rolling did not cause soil compaction above the 2.0 MPa level that inhibits root growth, but changes in soil strength were dependent on the soil moisture content. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In the context of rural development and transformation, it is crucial to identify the impact of rural multifunctionality on non-point source (NPS) pollution. This study applies the Soil and Water Assessment Tool (SWAT), geographical detector, and principal component analysis in Liyang, a typical hilly subbasin in China, in order to assess the rural multifunctional development that influences the spatial differentiation of NPS pollution and detect the interactive effects of rural multifunctionality. The R2 and NSE demonstrated that the calibrated SWAT model successfully simulated NPS pollution in Liyang. The village scale was identified as the optimal research scale for examining the rural multifunctional development on NPS pollution distribution. The rural multifunctional indicators, such as the proportion of vegetable farming, sowing area, and grain farming, would influence NPS distribution. The number of family farming cooperatives, the area of pond farming, and the nature reserves area were also significant. The rural multifunctionality in Liyang could be classified into five categories: grain production, mixed agriculture, ecological conservation, leisure tourism, and industry and business function. The superposition of rural multifunctionality has a strengthening effect on NPS pollution, especially when the ecological conservation function is combined with the grain production or modern agriculture function. The study could provide NPS pollution control strategies for policymaking in rural multifunctional development. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Frequent drought and worsening salinity intrusion challenge future land uses and livelihoods in the Vietnamese Mekong Delta. The central government is, therefore, formulating a new strategy premised on adaption to natural environmental dynamics. For an achievable strategy that bridges the gap between plans and practice, it is important to understand what drives land-use changes at the farm level. Previous research developed and applied a multi-scale drivers framework in the highly flooded zone of the delta. The current study uses that same framework to investigate the land-use history and drivers of change in the salinity intrusion zone of this delta from 1975 to 2016. We interviewed 32 farmers in Tra Vinh Province and used transcript analysis to quantify the influence of the drivers that the farmers mentioned. We then compared the drivers of land-use change with those found earlier in the highly flooded zone. Results show more diversification of land uses and land-use changes in the salinity intrusion zone. Farmers here followed three main pathways: rice intensification, integrated farming of rice and vegetables/aquaculture, or intensive shrimp farming. Land-use changes were conditional on the regional infrastructure construction to preserve freshwater conditions. However, household-scale drivers, especially natural and financial assets, were most frequently mentioned. Socio-economic context also emerged as an important driver, particularly trends and pressures from the community and markets. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

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We examined five pumpkin cultivars (including three selected by the Kazakh Institute of Fruit and Vegetable Growing) for resistance to Fusarium. Among resistant rootstocks to the Fusarium pathogen, we distinguished Mozoleevskaya 10, Stofuntovaya, and Karina cultivars for further work. The results showed that when grafting cucumber on pumpkin, the best rootstock options compared to the root-related standard of the cucumber hybrid Asylum were the pumpkin cultivars Karina and Stofuntovaya. Their early yield indicators were in the range of 3.46 and 3.39 kg m-2. It exceeded the standard by 36.7% and 33.9%, respectively. In terms of total productivity, the grafting varieties for the pumpkin cultivars, i.e., Karina and Stofuntovaya also showed high yields: 27.56 kg m-2 and 26.65 kg m-2 respectively, which significantly exceeded the rootstock standard by 42.38% and 36.68%, respectively. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The squash bug, Anasa tristis (De Geer) (Hemiptera: Coreidae), is a serious pest of cucurbit crops across the United States. Conventional growers commonly use broad-spectrum insecticides to manage squash bugs, however organic growers lack these effective chemical tools and must rely on alternative management strategies. Biological control of A. tristis is largely understudied, specifically the potential of natural enemy, Hadronotus pennsylvanicus (Ashmead) (Hymenoptera: Scelionidae), as an augmentative biological control agent. For this reason, we performed early-season field releases of H. pennsylvanicus on organic farms in southeastern Virginia to test if this would improve A. tristis egg parasitism. We chose organic vegetable farms growing summer squash (Cucurbita pepo L.) as release sites and nearby Virginia Tech Agricultural Research Extension Centers (AREC) as no-release sites. Parasitoids were reared in the lab and deployed as parasitized egg masses (∼2–3 females wasps/plant) in June 2020 and 2021. Before parasitoid deployment, host eggs collected from release and no-release sites displayed low levels of H. pennsylvanicus parasitism in 2020 (<21%) and 2021 (<8%). In both years, the percentage of A. tristis eggs parasitized within 2 weeks post deployment was significantly greater at release sites (∼60%) than at no-release sites (∼14%). High rates of H. pennsylvanicus parasitism (>72%) were further observed at release sites 4, 6, 8, and 10 weeks following parasitoid deployment. Our study demonstrates that releases of lab-reared H. pennsylvanicus can increase A. tristis egg parasitism rates and subsequently decrease successful nymph hatch rates in early summer squash plantings. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]