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Aflatoxin B1 (AFB1), a hepatocarcinogenic metabolite produced by certain strains of Aspergillus section Flavi, is one of the major contaminants in red chili products that affect human health. This study determined the level of AFB1 in chili traded in Oman. In addition, a survey was conducted among 260 respondents to assess consumers' knowledge and awareness of aflatoxin contamination in chili. A competitive enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) was performed on 58 samples of dried red chili pods, red chili flakes, and red chili powder collected from various markets in Oman. The ELISA results showed the presence of AFB1 in all the samples analyzed. None of the dried red chili pod samples exceeded 10 ppb AFB1, the maximum permissible limit adopted by the Oman Legislation for foods, whereas a few red chili flakes and red chili powder samples exceeded 10 ppb. However, AFB1 content in all the samples was below the maximum tolerance limit of 20 ppb set by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration. The survey results revealed that most respondents were unaware of aflatoxins, as education, gender, and social media were found to be significant determinants of aflatoxin awareness. This study provides valuable insights into the level of AFB1 contamination in red chili products, raises the need for aflatoxin awareness in Oman, and urges for safe culinary practices in the region. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Chili (Capsicum annuum L.) is one of the most important vegetable cum spice crops grown throughout the world. Evaluation of genotypes based on morphological and yield contributing traits provides the opportunity to assess variability and select superior genotypes. The present investigation was carried out from April 2018 to November 2018 in the summer season and from December 2018 to June 2019 in the winter season in a net house and field, respectively, in the Department of Genetics and Plant Breeding, Patuakhali Science and Technology University, Patuakhali, Bangladesh. A set of 30 qualitative and 13 quantitative characteristics developed by Biodiversity International were recorded to evaluate the genotypes for morphological and yield-contributing traits. The estimated Shannon–Weaver diversity for qualitative traits ranged from 0 to 1.334, where the maximum diversity was recorded for fruit color at an intermediate stage, stem color after transplanting, fruit surface, stigma position, calyx margin shape, and fruit set, while the minimum diversity (H′ = 0) was observed for the traits corolla shape and anthocyanin spots, indicating no diversity of these traits. Thirteen quantitative traits were also analyzed for the selection of the genotypes with the greatest yield. The quantitative traits also exhibited a wide range of variability according to descriptive statistics and analysis of variance. Moreover, the present study revealed a high heritability for almost all of the quantitative traits, which was confirmed by the values of genotypic coefficient of variation, phenotypic coefficient of variation, h 2 b, and GA for both the summer and winter seasons. This suggests that these traits are predominantly governed by additive genes, making them highly amenable to effective selection. The heatmap analysis based on the morphological quantitative traits revealed five clusters for both the summer and winter seasons for the studied chili genotypes, four distinct clusters in the summer season, and three distinct clusters in the winter season for the parameters studied. Using the multi-trait genotype–ideotype distance index based on multiple trait information, the genotypes R-06, R-07, C0525-2, BARI (Bangladesh Agricultural Research Institute) Morich-2, Tengakhali, and Rcy 002 were selected as promising for both the summer and winter seasons. Hence, they are recommended for commercial cultivation or use as parent materials in future breeding for the development of new cultivars adaptable to climate change.

In contemporary agriculture, sustainability challenges like climate change, declining productivity, and nutrient deficiencies threaten food production. Judicious use of methodologies, dosages, and timing is crucial for sustainable practices. Nano-fertilizers gain importance due to their nutrient-release properties and increased use efficiencies. Chili is a commercial crop that requires high nutrients, the present field trial was carried out at AHRS, Bavikere, Shivmogga (India) during 2020 and 2021, to investigate its growth and yield responses to foliar applications of nano nitrogen (nN) and zinc (nZn) alongside conventional urea and ZnSO4. The experiment comprised combinations of recommended doses of nitrogen (RDN) (75, 100 & 125%) along with two foliar sources, nano (nN & nZn @ 0.4%) and conventional (urea @ 2% & ZnSO4@ 0.2%) against control. Foliar application of nN and nZn @0.4%+125% RDN (T3) improved growth and yield attributes & green chili yield (33.07 t ha−1), compared to RDF (T1, 23.8 t ha−1) and conventional sources (T6, 30.9 t ha−1). The utilization of nano-fertilizers in T3 resulted in a substantial enhancement of 39.0% in yield. Increments of 57.2% and 49.3% in net returns compared to conventional N and zinc sources respectively were also noted. Further, the land productivity reached $13.5 per day in T3, indicating economic viability. Application of 75% RDN with nN and nZn saved 25-50% of RDN compared to conventional sources. The results propose cutting nitrogen fertilizer by up to 50%, showcasing the eco-friendly aspect of nano-fertilizers. They boost productivity and profitability while supporting sustainable farming by reducing nitrogen usage. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Fusarium oxysporum f. sp. capsici (Foc) poses a significant position in agriculture that has a negative impact on chili plant in terms of growth, fruit quality, and yield. Biological control is one of the promising strategies to control this pathogen in crops. Chili is considered as one of the most important crops in the Hyderabad region that is affected by Fusarium wilt disease. The pathogen was isolated from the infected samples in the region and was confirmed by morphological characteristics and PCR with a band of 488 bp. The bacterial strains were isolated from the rhizosphere soil of healthy plant and also confirmed by PCR with a band of 1,542 bp.The molecular characterization of the fungal and bacterial strain has shown 99.9% homology with the retrieved sequences of Fusarium oxysporum f. sp. capsici and Bacillus subtilis from NCBI. The 1-month-old Ghotki chili plants were inoculated with 1×105 cfu spore/ml−1 suspension and confirmed that the FOC-1 is responsible for chili Fusarium wilt disease. Subsequently, among the 33 screened Bacillus strains, only 11 showed antagonistic activity against F. oxysporum. Out of these, only two strains (AM13 and AM21) have shown maximum antagonistic activity against the pathogen by reducing the infection and promoting growth parameters of chili plants under both in vitro and greenhouse conditions. The study suggested that biological control is the most promising control strategy for the management of Fusarium wilt of chili in the field. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In this study, we investigated native soil antagonists and the exotic Bacillus thuringiensis (Bt) in their effectiveness against chili bacterial pathogens, specifically Pseudomonas syringae and Xanthomonas vesicatoria. Putative native soil antagonists were isolated through plating heat-shocked (60 °C) serial dilutions on nutrient agar plates. Among these isolates, two (SK, CM) were further characterized based on phenotypic and biochemical traits, revealing gram-positive and catalase-positive characteristics, while being negative for urease, oxidase, and arginine dihydrolase. To evaluate the efficacy of SK, CM, and exotic Bt against P. syringae and X. vesicatoria, a dual culture confrontational assay was conducted. SK, CM, and Bt were found to restrict the growth of X. vesicatoria, not P. syringae. Consequently, further tests were exclusively performed with X. vesicatoria. Chemical compatibility with copper sulfate, topsin M, and sodium benzoate was assessed using the poisoned food technique, revealing inhibitory effects on microbial growth except for topsin M. Antibiotic sensitivity testing (erythromycin, streptomycin, tetracycline, penicillin) of X. vesicatoria, SK, CM, and Bt was carried out using the disk diffusion method. Results indicated a minimum zone of inhibition (0 mm) against penicillin and a maximum (29 mm) against streptomycin. The efficacy of antagonists was also tested in planta using detached leaf and seedling inoculation methods. Pre-inoculating leaves of a susceptible chili cultivar with antagonists and subsequently re-inoculating with X. vesicatoria demonstrated that, except for the positive control, leaves remained asymptomatic after 7 days post-inoculation. A pot experiment involving soil drenching and foliar spray inoculation further confirmed that plants initially treated with antagonists exhibited resistance against subsequent pathogen application compared to the positive control. In conclusion, this pilot study revealed that native putative Bacillus spp. isolates (SK, CM) and commercial exotic Bt have the potential to counteract X. vesicatoria in both local and distant tissues. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

From 2000 to 2022, all and serious notifications of the EU Rapid Alert System for Food and Feed (RASFF) on herbs and spices were examined to identify the most notified products, their associated hazards and origin countries, as well as the consequent notification classification and actions taken. The data reveals that 3741 notifications were transmitted for herbs and spices during the last 23 years, accounting for 5.3% of the RASFF total notifications of all product categories (70630). Border rejection and serious risk decisions represented 37.9% and 39.5% of the total herbs and spices notifications, respectively. In the last 5 years, serious notifications ranged from 76.6% to 87.2% of all herbs and spices notifications. India was the most notified origin country (23.6%), followed by Brazil (8.7%), Thailand (7.2%), Turkey (5.8%), and China (4.6%). The top 10 notified herbs and spices were chili, black pepper, curry, paprika, nutmeg, spice mix, basil, mint, ginger, and cumin, while the top 10 hazards were Salmonella, aflatoxin, Sudan 1, Sudan 4, ethylene oxide (EtO), ochratoxin A, chlorpyrifos, Escherichia coli, pyrrolizidine alkaloids, and color E 160b. Approximately 96.3% of black pepper, 71% of chili, and almost all nutmeg serious notifications were related to Salmonella, aflatoxins, and mycotoxins, respectively. Strict measures to minimize the risk associated with such contaminants in herbs and spices must be implemented. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract Fusarium wilt is an important disease on chili plants caused by the fungus Fusarium oxysporum. This study aims to determine the effectiveness of secondary metabolites from 2 Pseudomonad isolates in controlling Fusarium wilt in chili plants and their effect on chili plant growth. This research was conducted in two stages, namely in vitro, which was carried out in the plant health laboratory and greenhouse, Faculty of Agriculture, Universitas Pembangunan Nasional Veteran Jawa Timur, and in vivo which was carried out in chili plantations known to be endemic to Fusarium wilt in Menganti, Gresik. The research design used in this study was Completely Randomized Design for in vitro testing and Randomized Group Design for in vivo testing by testing 9 treatments repeated 3 times. The treatment tested was control, secondary metabolite application of Pseudomonas isolates PY-122 and PY-142 with concentrations of 20% 30%, 40% and 50%. The variables observed were inhibition of secondary metabolites on the growth of Fusarium fungus, disease incubation period, disease severity index, and plant growth. Sequencing results with 16rRNA gene markers for both Pseudomonas isolates showed similarities to Pseudomonas sp. The results showed that the treatment of secondary metabolite PY-142 with a concentration of 50% showed the highest consistent inhibition. In the greenhouse and field tests, the two isolates slowed down the disease incubation period and development compared to controls. In agronomical observations, the average plant height, number of leaves, root length, and appearance of the first flower on the treated plants were higher and more numerous than the control plants.

Numerous cultivars of chili are grown in Bangladesh for their nutritional and sensory attributes, serving as both spices and food items. Among many, indigenous chili cultivars in Bangladesh include Sada Akshi, Kajini, Dhani, and Naga are the important ones. The functional qualities of chili peppers are attributed to the plentiful presence of bioactive substances. Consequently, this study aimed to determine the variations in bioactive compounds, antioxidant activities, and hotness among the pre-mature, mature, pre-ripening, and ripening stages of four distinct chili cultivars. Four different cultivars of chilis at four different maturity stages were collected and analyzed for their antioxidant and bioactive profiles. The findings of the research revealed that all chili varieties exhibited a notable range of vitamin C concentration, ranging from 1.67 to 8.45 mg/g FW during the maturity stages. The values of TPC, TFC, total carotenoids, and chlorophyll a and b ranged from 16.68 to 46.76 mg GAE/g, 2.80–8.53 mg QE/g, 4.31–85.79 μg/g DW, 2.83–15.54 and 0.74–5.66 μg/g DW on a dry weight basis, respectively. The antioxidant activity was assessed using the FRAP and the DPPH scavenging assay and the values ranged from 142.62 to 311.03 mM Fe (II) Equivalent/100g DW and 216.36–329.52 μM Trolox Equivalent/g DW, respectively. The content of vitamin C, TPC, total carotenoids, and chlorophyll b was increased with the stages of development. The hotness of chili also increased with the development stages. However, the antioxidant activity fluctuated during the development stages of chili. Furthermore, the study incorporated the evaluation of physical parameters, such as height, weight, and color attributes concerning chilies. The Naga variety of chili demonstrated the highest level of efficacy when compared to other varieties. The nutritional and physicochemical information of the different cultivars of chili in this study might be useful to the breeders, spice processors, and consumers for desired size, taste, and hotness with health-promoting bioactive compounds, eventually for determining the harvest time.

Anthracnose disease (Colletotrichum spp.) in chili can lead to low fruit quantity and quality from planting to the postharvest stage. The environmentally friendly management using chitosan (CS) is expected to suppress anthracnose disease and increase the shelf-life of chili. This study aimed to determine the effect of the chitosan-tripolyphosphate (CS-TPP) to suppress anthracnose on chili during postharvest storage through in-vitro and in-vivo assays. In the in-vitro assay, CS-TPP solution with a ratio of [5:2] and [3:1] was applied into a warm Potato Dextrose Agar (PDA) medium. It was grown by Colletotrichum pathogen, while on in vivo assay, CS-TPP was applied to chili fruit before being inoculated by the pathogen. A control treatment was prepared without CS-TPP application. Results revealed that the CS-TPP ratios affected the growth of Colletotrichum spp. at the in-vitro assay. The CS-TPP [5:2] ratio was more effective than CS-TPP [3:1] in reducing the growth of Colletotrichum spp. with the fungal inhibition of 62,65% and 55,56%, respectively, compared to the control treatment. Moreover, it also showed anthracnose disease suppression on chili fruit of 51%, and 29%, respectively, compared to control treatment at in-vivo assay. This study showed the potential use of CS-TPP as a coating application for anthracnose disease management on storage chili, however further study such as viability and longevity of formula need to be done.

The cruel repression against the opponents of the coup d’état organized against the regime of Salvador Allende on 11 September 1973 pushed hundreds of them into exile. From September 1973 to July 1974, several hundred people were welcomed in the embassy, as well as in the residence of the French ambassador and his wife, Pierre and Françoise De Menthon, Fifty years later, the exiles who agreed to recall the memory of this history bear witness to their improvisation and dedication. For Cahiers d’histoire, the two directors evoke the meaning and the stakes of their work, produced by Pauline Marion-Mataillet for La Société des Apaches. The film premiered at the Maison de l’Amérique latine in Paris in July 2022, in the presence of the President of the Chilean Republic, Gabriel Boric. A version of 52 minutes is available in replay on France TV, a version of 68 minutes is offered to independent cinemas, associations and collectives who would like to show it.

Abstract The reduction in crop productivity due to drought stress, is a major concern in agriculture. Drought stress usually disrupts photosynthesis by triggering oxidative stress and generating reactive oxygen species (ROS). The use of zinc-quantum dot biochar (ZQDB) and proline (Pro) can be effective techniques to overcome this issue. Biochar has the potential to improve the water use efficiency while proline can play an imperative role in minimization of adverse impacts of ROS Proline, functioning as an osmotic protector, efficiently mitigates the adverse effects of heavy metals on plants by maintaining cellular structure, scavenging free radicals, and ensuring the stability of cellular integrity. That’s why current study explored the impact of ZQDB and proline on chili growth under drought stress. Four treatments, i.e., control, 0.4%ZQDB, 0.1 mM Pro, and 0.4%ZQDB + Pro, were applied in 4 replications following the complete randomized design. Results exhibited that 0.4%ZQDB + Pro caused an increases in chili plant dry weight (29.28%), plant height (28.12%), fruit length (29.20%), fruit girth (59.81%), and fruit yield (55.78%) over control under drought stress. A significant increment in chlorophyll a (18.97%), chlorophyll b (49.02%), and total chlorophyll (26.67%), compared to control under drought stress, confirmed the effectiveness of 0.4%ZQDB + Pro. Furthermore, improvement in leaves N, P, and K concentration over control validated the efficacy of 0.4%ZQDB + Pro against drought stress. In conclusion, 0.4%ZQDB + Pro can mitigate drought stress in chili. More investigations are suggested to declare 0.4%ZQDB + Pro as promising amendment for mitigation of drought stress in other crops as well under changing climatic situations.

Bean consumption during childhood may play a role in promoting early-life health given their high nutritional quality. To examine the associations of children's bean consumption with the socio-demographic characteristics of the child and mother and the child's nutrient intake, we analyzed data from the WIC-ITFPS-2, which followed children and their mothers at 1, 3, 5, 7, 9, 11, 13, 15, 18, and 24 months (m) following birth. Caregivers (mostly mothers) responded to an interview-administered 24 h recall on their child's dietary intake at each time point. The intake of dried beans, chili, yellow beans, and lima beans was quantified. Correlate measures included socio-demographic characteristics. Outcome measures of interest focused on the intake of macronutrients (grams and % kcals) and micronutrients at 11 (infancy) and 24 m (toddler) only. To ensure statistical power, we only examined the associations of dried beans and chili with socio-demographics (Chi-square tests) and nutritional outcomes (ANOVA) at 11 and 24 m. The proportion of children who consumed dried beans or chili was very low in the first 6 m of age, started to increase at 7 m (1.2% and 0.4%) and 11 m (4.9% and 2.3%), and reached a high level at 18 m (10.5%) and 24 m (5.9%), respectively. Consumption of yellow or lima beans was rare (<0.1%). At 11 and 24 m, dried bean consumption was higher in children who were White (vs. Black). Dried bean and chili consumption was higher in children who were of Hispanic or Latino ethnicity (vs. non-Hispanic or non-Latino ethnicity). Children who consumed dried beans and chili at 11 or 24 m had a higher intake of total energy, protein, total fiber, potassium, folate, and magnesium compared with non-consumers. The bean consumption was low amongst children, differed by race and ethnicity, and was associated with improved macro- and micronutrient intake in children at 11 and 24 m. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The reduction in crop productivity due to drought stress, is a major concern in agriculture. Drought stress usually disrupts photosynthesis by triggering oxidative stress and generating reactive oxygen species (ROS). The use of zinc-quantum dot biochar (ZQDB) and proline (Pro) can be effective techniques to overcome this issue. Biochar has the potential to improve the water use efficiency while proline can play an imperative role in minimization of adverse impacts of ROS Proline, functioning as an osmotic protector, efficiently mitigates the adverse effects of heavy metals on plants by maintaining cellular structure, scavenging free radicals, and ensuring the stability of cellular integrity. That's why current study explored the impact of ZQDB and proline on chili growth under drought stress. Four treatments, i.e., control, 0.4%ZQDB, 0.1 mM Pro, and 0.4%ZQDB + Pro, were applied in 4 replications following the complete randomized design. Results exhibited that 0.4%ZQDB + Pro caused an increases in chili plant dry weight (29.28%), plant height (28.12%), fruit length (29.20%), fruit girth (59.81%), and fruit yield (55.78%) over control under drought stress. A significant increment in chlorophyll a (18.97%), chlorophyll b (49.02%), and total chlorophyll (26.67%), compared to control under drought stress, confirmed the effectiveness of 0.4%ZQDB + Pro. Furthermore, improvement in leaves N, P, and K concentration over control validated the efficacy of 0.4%ZQDB + Pro against drought stress. In conclusion, 0.4%ZQDB + Pro can mitigate drought stress in chili. More investigations are suggested to declare 0.4%ZQDB + Pro as promising amendment for mitigation of drought stress in other crops as well under changing climatic situations. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The utilization of antagonistic microbes as biological control agents for plant diseases has been widely used. It is known that several antagonistic fungi are capable of producing Indole Acetic Acid (IAA), so they have a complete role in supporting plant growth because they can act as bioprotectants and biofertilizers. Various efforts to increase the effectiveness of control with biological agents continue to be carried out to obtain effective and efficient biological control methods that are attractive to agricultural practitioners. This study aimed to determine the potential of IAA-producing fungi in increasing plant growth and inhibiting Fusarium oxysporum pathogens in chili plants. This research used a completely randomized design method with four treatments, each repeated five times. This study found that all eight fungi isolates can inhibit more than 60%, and the highest percentage of inhibition occurred on the seventh day of G fungi isolates, at 80.89%. The results of the IAA test qualitatively using Salkowski's reagent showed that from the eight fungi isolates, there were two fungi isolates that changed color to pink, namely AMR and AR fungi isolates, with each concentration of 22.29 ppm and 11.65 ppm. The research conducted in the Greenhouse showed that the treatment of P1 at seven weeks after planting was effective in increasing plant height, and P2 treatment at seven weeks after planting was effective in increasing the number of leaves of cayenne pepper plants. Besides that, all antagonistic fungi treatments had the potential to be used as biological agents, with P3 treatment having the lowest disease intensity at seven weeks after planting by 10%. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Chili (Capsicum annuum L.), though it is one of the strategic and important vegetable commodities in Indonesia; still faces a main problem, i.e. low productivity with 7.78 tons ha-1 nationally and 6.45 tons ha-1 specifically in Jawa Tengah. Consequently, the improvement of chili growth yield under different experience and creativity farmer levels (ECFLs), components of agronomy (ACs), and their economic analysis partially was addressed as the main objective of the research. C. annuum 'Akar', healthy and farmer seedlings were used in the field research. The factorial experiment was arranged in a randomized complete block design with three replications. ECFLs from high (ECFL-1), moderate (ECFL-2), less (ECFL-3), and initially developed (ECFL-4) were used as the first treatment, and five different ACs with gradual component reduction of ACs-1, ACs-2, ACs-3, ACs-4 and ACs-5 as second treatment. The research clearly revealed that different seedlings, ECFLs, and ACs significantly affected the 'Akar' growth yield. Cultivation of the healthy seedlings by ECFL-1, who had ± thirty years' experience in chili cultivation and fast response to all and potential problems during chili cultivation, under ACs-1, as a complete and optimal ACs, increased vegetative growth and yielded 417.8 flowers and 289.7 fruits plant-1, 1,040.6 g chili plant-1, and 1,044.8 kg chili plot-1; 110-337% improvement; IDR. 16,750,081 farmer income from 250 m² plot size; and 4.77 R/C ratio, respectively. However, for positive income, R/C ratio, and low production cost for all farmers, further applications of ACs-2 were promisingly chosen. Entirely the optimal growth yield of chili was established by using healthy seedlings, choosing suitable Acs, and paying more attention to the ECFL. The results can be applied to other chili types and varieties. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Curly red chili is one of the strategic agricultural products in Indonesia, especially in Bengkulu, and its distribution process is an essential aspect. This process consists of market participants' behavior and price formation. This research aims to investigate the curly red chili market behavior and to analyze the price formation and price transmission elasticity in Bengkulu Province. Panel data were obtained from retailers and farmers during a month. Data were analyzed using qualitative descriptive analysis for market behavior, while linear regression was used for the factors affecting price formation and price transmission elasticity. The result of market behavior analysis indicates that collecting traders buy the chili from farmers, then sell it to the next level sellers without any treatment. If the farmers have no debt and price agreement, they negotiate the price with the traders. On the other hand, if the farmers have a loan and there is a price agreement, the price is determined by the moneylender. Furthermore, the chili price at retailers is formed by following the price change on the previous day, and it is also influenced by the price at previous traders. It can be concluded that the marketing system has a vertical effect and backward linkage between its elements. The chili price transmission elasticity is 0.675. This empirical result concluded that the rate of price change by 1 per cent at the consumer level would cause a price change of only 0.675 per cent in the trader stage. Thus, the market system is inefficient, and it is competing imperfectly. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Palangka Raya's city has marginal sandy soil for agricultural development. Chili are commonly grown in this area, but they face challenges due to pest attacks. The use of pesticides to control pests has a detrimental effect on the beneficial arthropod population. To address this issue, it is necessary to adopt semi-organic farming systems. The research aims to determine the population, diversity, and dominance. The research was conducted from October 2020 to January 2021 at the Laboratory of the Department of Agronomy, Faculty of Agriculture, University of Palangka Raya. We employed 3 trapping techniques, namely Sweep net, Pitfall trap, and Light trap on sandy areas covering approximately 600 m2. Chili plants were treated using organic and inorganic fertilizers, trichocompost, and bioinsecticide. The results of the study showed that beneficial arthropods caught were 453 individuals during six periods of observation, with Predators (67.82%), Parasitoids (10.60%), Pollinators (1.46%), and Detritivores (2.93%), respectively. The harmful arthropods caught were 94 individuals (17.18%). Chili plant diversity index (H') ranged from low to high category (H' = 0.6-2.48), while the dominance index (D) was classified as low to high (D = 0.1-1.73). The evenness index (E) of the community fluctuated before stabilizing (E = 0.52-1.65). Arthropods family abundance (N1) was classified as less to sufficient (N1 = 1-1.67).

Tailing land reclamation aims to improve the environment so that the tailing areas become productive for crop cultivation. The research was carried out in the tailings area of Mile 21.5 Timika from March to September 2022. The research aimed to study the dosage levels of Pistia stratiotes composts as an ameliorant to support the growth and yield of chili cultivated in the fresh tailings area. This study was laid out in a randomized block design with the Pistia stratiotes compost as a treatment, which consisted of PS1 = 1 kg/plant, PS2 = 2 kg/plant, PS3 = 3 kg/plant, and PS4 = 4 kg/plant in 6 replications. Based on the results, there was a significant effect of Pistia stratiotes compost on the growth and yields of chili. PS4 treatment produced the highest growth (plant height and leaf number) and highest yields (fruit number/plant, fruit weight/plant, fruit weight/plot, fruit weight/ha), while PS1 produced the lowest growth and yields. Chili produced 4.19 t/ha by PS4, indicating a high yield potential when tailings turned into a more stable growth media over time. There was a significant correlation between plant height and leaf number with the fruit weight. This shows that the vegetative growth component is closely related to increased chili yields. The high heritability value indicates the genetic factor influenced the growth and yields of chili more than the environmental factors. The metal contents in the chili fruit tissue are below the threshold level. The findings of this study emphasized the appropriate reclamation approaches using Pistia stratiotes compost as an ameliorant, which effectively improves the quality of tailing as growing media to maximize chili yields.

Mount Merapi, located in Indonesia, is an active volcano that poses a significant threat to the surrounding communities. Vegetables, including chili, are grown in the disaster-prone areas surrounding Mount Merapi, despite the risks associated with the active volcano. Based on the prevailing wind patterns in the region, the disaster-prone areas surrounding Mount Merapi have been classified into four distinct zones, namely Zones I, II, III, and IV, each characterized by distinct agroecosystems, feasibility, and risk levels. Therefore, this study aimed to describe agroecosystems, costs, income, feasibility, and risks of chili farming in in the four zones surrounding Mount Merapi. The samples of this study consist of 163 farmers from the four disaster-prone zones surrounding Mount Merapi, selected through purposive sampling. The RC ratio was employed as part of the feasibility analysis, and the production and income risks were analyzed. The results showed that chili farming in Zone IV (the area farthest from the disaster center) possessed the lowest cost, revenue, and income. On the contrary, Zone III generated the highest cost and revenue, while Zone I (the area with the highest vulnerability to disasters) had the highest income. The range of R/C values ranges from 2.40 in Zone I to 1.16 in Zone IV. Considering the results, chili farming was feasible in disaster-prone areas, where the production risk was lower than the income risk. Therefore, Zone I, the area with extremely high disaster risk, had the lowest production and income risk. This study highlighted that chili farming provides benefits to the vulnerable farmers and new perspective for agricultural sustainability in the area of Mount Merapi.

Cabai (Capsicum annum L.) merupakan salah satu hasil produk pertanian yang mudah rusak dan mempunyai daya simpan singkat yang disebabkan oleh kerusakan mekanis, fisik, fisiologis dan pembusukan. Salah satu upaya untuk mempertahankan kualitas cabai yaitu edible coating dengan menambahkan lidah buaya karena memiliki kelebihan dapat memperbaiki penampilan, mengurangi tingkat kebusukan, memperbaiki flavor, tekstur, dan warna. Edible coating perlu ditambahkan plasticizer yang berfungsi untuk mengatasi sifat kerapuhan lapisan coating, salah satu plasticizer yang dapat digunakan yaitu gliserol. Tujuan dari penelitian ini adalah untuk mengetahui pengaruh aplikasi edible coating gel lidah buaya dengan gliserol, tingkat kematangan, dan bagaimana kedua faktor tersebut saling berinteraksi terhadap kualitas cabai pascapanen. Penelitian ini dilakukan dengan menggunakan Rancangan Acak Lengkap (RAL) yang terdiri dari dua variabel, yaitu variasi gel lidah buaya dengan gliserol dan tingkat kematangan. Pengamatan dilakukan selama dua puluh satu hari. Parameter yang diamati adalah susut bobot, kadar air, kadar vitamin C, pengukuran kejernihan warna, warna merah a, warna biru b, kadar capsaicin, uji organoleptik terhadap warna luar, tekstur, bau dan penerimaan umum. Terdapat interaksi antara edible coating gel lidah buaya dengan gliserol dan tingkat kematangan terhadap kualitas cabai pasca panen yang berpengaruh nyata terhadap kadar air, kadar vitamin C, warna L (kecerahan), warna a (merah), warna b (kuning), kadar capsaicin dan organoleptik pada aroma pada cabai. Perlakuan terbaik terdapat pada perlakuan 445 ml gel lidah buaya dengan 55 ml gliserol dengan tingkat kematangan merah.

Aflatoxin B1 (AFB1), a hepatocarcinogenic metabolite produced by certain strains of Aspergillus section Flavi, is one of the major contaminants in red chili products that affect human health. This study determined the level of AFB1 in chili traded in Oman. In addition, a survey was conducted among 260 respondents to assess consumers’ knowledge and awareness of aflatoxin contamination in chili. A competitive enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) was performed on 58 samples of dried red chili pods, red chili flakes, and red chili powder collected from various markets in Oman. The ELISA results showed the presence of AFB1 in all the samples analyzed. None of the dried red chili pod samples exceeded 10 ppb AFB1, the maximum permissible limit adopted by the Oman Legislation for foods, whereas a few red chili flakes and red chili powder samples exceeded 10 ppb. However, AFB1 content in all the samples was below the maximum tolerance limit of 20 ppb set by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration. The survey results revealed that most respondents were unaware of aflatoxins, as education, gender, and social media were found to be significant determinants of aflatoxin awareness. This study provides valuable insights into the level of AFB1 contamination in red chili products, raises the need for aflatoxin awareness in Oman, and urges for safe culinary practices in the region.

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Improving agricultural productivity to ensure food security while maintaining sustainability is a challenge that needs to be overcome in Bali, Indonesia. Ten farmers in Karangasem Regency, which is among the areas in Bali with a low food security index, were interviewed regarding their agricultural practices and government support for increasing the production of rice and chili—the main crops in the regency—while maintaining sustainability. The interview results revealed that the farmers recognized a lack of sunlight and disease as constraints to cultivation and attempted to improve productivity and control the disease by selecting varieties, cropping systems, and synthetic insecticides based on their previous experiences and the recommendations of agricultural extension workers. The Karangasem Regency Government actively encourages farmers to use biofertilizers and biological control agents to promote sustainable agriculture. Their use to improve rice and chili productivity is important to sustainably increase food security not only in Karangasem Regency but also in Bali Province. Furthermore, since agricultural extension workers are a source of information on agricultural production for farmers, it is important to train them for further extension activities in the future. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Delayed parenthood characterizes family formation in developed countries and is also emerging in developing countries. In Latin America, fertility trends have been historically characterized by early family formation and adolescent childbearing. Recent studies indicate emerging trends of late fertility, but there is conflicting empirical evidence on whether and why parenthood is being postponed. This mixed-methods study examines the trends and determinants of late fertility in Chile, focusing on whether and why women are delaying first childbearing. Quantitative findings indicate an increase in the age at first birth driven by a rise of the proportion of women becoming mothers after 30 years and a decrease of adolescent childbearing. Estimations show differences in the timing of first childbearing according to education, employment, and marital status. Qualitative findings suggest that delaying first childbearing is driven by aspirations of self-realization, emerging gender norms, intensification of mothering, partnership insecurity, and precarious social conditions for having children. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This article seeks to analyze the role assigned to education in the first moments of institutional construction of the Civil Military Dictatorship in Chile (1973-1975). Methodologically, a historical study was developed based on the analysis of different types of sources, such as laws, decrees, minutes and strategic documents, documents that communicate the main ideological guidelines of the regime. The conclusions indicate that education in these documents is located in a place of political restriction, neoliberal in economics and conservative in values. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The present research investigates the amount of capsaicin and dihydrocapsaicin in three parts of chili extracts (pericarp, seeds, and placenta). Moreover, inhibition potential of capsaicin and dihydrocapsaicin, and chili extracts against AChE were also investigated in vitro and in silico study. The results show that placenta extract had more capsaicin (3818.72 mg/kg DW) and dihydrocapsaicin (2788.37 mg/kg DW) than other extracts. The inhibition potential of dihydrocapsaicin against AChE was higher than that of capsaicin and chili extracts. Which corresponded to the K i value of dihydrocapsaicin (0.85 mM) higher inhibition potential than that of capsaicin (1.20 mM). The stronger interaction of dihydrocapsaicin than capsaicin at the active site of AChE was also supported by the binding affinity value (−7.8 kcal/mol for dihydrocapsaicin and −7.3 kcal/mol for capsaicin). However, the inhibition modes of dihydrocapsaicin and capsaicin were mixed-type inhibition against AChE. Besides, dihydrocapsaicin and capsaicin were surrounded by aromatic amino acids in the active site of AChE, which caused an increase in fluorescence intensity (FI). A similar increase in FI was also observed in the chili extracts (pericarp, seeds, and placenta). Our results show that capsaicinoids (capsaicin and dihydrocapsaicin) from chili extracts are natural inhibitors of AChE and may be applied to therapeutic Alzheimer's disease. [Display omitted] • Chili placenta extract has the highest dihydrocapsaicin and capsaicin content. • Dihydrocapsaicin has the highest binding affinity against acetylcholinesterase (AChE). • Dihydrocapsaicin and capsaicin have mixed-type inhibitions against AChE. • Dihydrocapsaicin and capsaicin are bound with aromatic amino acids of AChE. • Dihydrocapsaicin and capsaicin cause an increase in fluorescence intensity of AChE. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

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Despite the growing popularity of biostimulants among farmers, a major problem remains with their variable effects on individual species and varieties of cultivated crops. Therefore, it is important to know how to choose a suitable product for the given growing conditions while simultaneously considering species and varietal variability in crop cultivation. The goal of this study is to highlight different reactions of plants to the applied preparations within the monitored representatives of the Capsicum genus, with an emphasis on intervarietal variability. The experiments with two monitored and one control variants occurred during the growing seasons of 2020 and 2022 in Slovakia’s southwest region, characterized by a European continental climate with warm and dry summers. Seven varieties of Capsicum annuum and two varieties of Capsicum chinense were chosen based on actual growers’ preferences: “Žitava,” “Szegedi 80,” “Karkulka,” “Hodoníska sladká,” “Habanero Orange,” “Habanero Chocolate,” “Kristián,” “Damián” and “Kurtovska kápia.” In the present study, we observed the effects of selected commercial biostimulants – the combination of Energen Fulhum Plus and Energen Fruktus Plus in the first variant and the biostimulant Humix® Universal in the second variant – on bell pepper fruits. We evaluated three productivity parameters: fresh fruit weight per variety, weight of one fruit and number of bell pepper fruits per plant. From the qualitative parameters, we evaluated the content of ascorbic acid, capsaicin, carotenoids, and the American Spice Trade Association color value. The monitored biostimulants had variable effects in all pepper varieties, while some of them statistically significantly increased and others significantly decreased the monitored parameters. In conclusion, we state that the application of verified biostimulants did not have a uniform effect on the observed varieties of the Capsicum genus. Therefore, based on our results, we cannot generalize the effect of a specific biostimulant on a specific crop genus or species. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

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Copyright of Runa: Archivo para las Ciencias del Hombre is the property of Runa: Archivo para las Ciencias del Hombre 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.)

Tailing land reclamation aims to improve the environment so that the tailing areas become productive for crop cultivation. The research was carried out in the tailings area of Mile 21.5 Timika from March to September 2022. The research aimed to study the dosage levels of Pistia stratiotes composts as an ameliorant to support the growth and yield of chili cultivated in the fresh tailings area. This study was laid out in a randomized block design with the Pistia stratiotes compost as a treatment, which consisted of PS1 = 1 kg/plant, PS2 = 2 kg/plant, PS3 = 3 kg/plant, and PS4 = 4 kg/plant in 6 replications. Based on the results, there was a significant effect of Pistia stratiotes compost on the growth and yields of chili. PS4 treatment produced the highest growth (plant height and leaf number) and highest yields (fruit number/plant, fruit weight/plant, fruit weight/plot, fruit weight/ha), while PS1 produced the lowest growth and yields. Chili produced 4.19 t/ha by PS4, indicating a high yield potential when tailings turned into a more stable growth media over time. There was a significant correlation between plant height and leaf number with the fruit weight. This shows that the vegetative growth component is closely related to increased chili yields. The high heritability value indicates the genetic factor influenced the growth and yields of chili more than the environmental factors. The metal contents in the chili fruit tissue are below the threshold level. The findings of this study emphasized the appropriate reclamation approaches using Pistia stratiotes compost as an ameliorant, which effectively improves the quality of tailing as growing media to maximize chili yields. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Pinching is known to invigorate the growth of multiple shoots, promote the growth of lateral, and increase fruit formation. An experiment was conducted in the field of the Gokuleshwor Agriculture and Animal Science College, Baitadi, Nepal to examine the effect of pinching on the growth and yield of the chili (Capsicum annuum). The experiment utilized the 'NS-1701 variety and was carried out in a Randomized Complete Block Design (RCBD) with five replications and four treatments; pinching at 20, 30, and 40 days after transplanting (DAT), and no pinching as control. Results revealed significant effects of pinching on various parameters, including plant height, leaf number, number of branches, number of fruits, and fruit yield. The maximum plant height was observed in the control group without pinching. The maximum number of branches, the highest leaf number, the number of fruits, and the yield were achieved when pinching was performed at 30 DAT compared to other treatments and control. Based on the observed result, it can be concluded that pinching the chili plants at 30 DAT was the most effective approach for achieving optimal growth and yield. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Chili (Capsicum annuum L.) is highly susceptible to soilborne diseases, thereby presenting a significant threat that results in considerable yield losses in chili production. The exploration of genes conferring resistance and the underlying defense mechanisms presents a promising strategy for bolstering plant disease control. In this study, we selected two distinct cultivars, the disease-sensitive 'Hailan 99' and the disease-tolerant 'Sanxiaqing', to elucidate the molecular basis of their responses to soilborne disease intervention. We conducted a comprehensive analysis of root morphological characteristics and transcriptome profiles under stress conditions. Our findings revealed that, when subjected to soilborne disease intervention, these two cultivars exhibited contrasting root system characteristics and responses, reflecting diverse defense strategies. The disease-resistant cultivar demonstrated superior adaptability, possibly owing to its capacity for swift recognition of pathogen effectors, activation of defense responses, and effective containment of infection at localized sites, thus impeding disease progression. Noteworthy genes such as T459_04053, implicated in effector recognition; MSTRG.26158, MSTRG.30886, and T459_22510, associated with secondary metabolite biosynthesis; and T459_05615, partaking in the autophagy pathway, along with other differentially expressed genes linked to effector recognition, immune activation, and modulation of cell death processes, offer valuable insights into enhancing soilborne disease resistance in chili. Furthermore, these findings contribute to an enhanced understanding of the molecular mechanisms underlying soilborne disease resistance in diverse plant crops. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Fusarium oxysporum f. sp. capsici (Foc) poses a significant position in agriculture that has a negative impact on chili plant in terms of growth, fruit quality, and yield. Biological control is one of the promising strategies to control this pathogen in crops. Chili is considered as one of the most important crops in the Hyderabad region that is affected by Fusarium wilt disease. The pathogen was isolated from the infected samples in the region and was confirmed by morphological characteristics and PCR with a band of 488 bp. The bacterial strains were isolated from the rhizosphere soil of healthy plant and also confirmed by PCR with a band of 1,542 bp.The molecular characterization of the fungal and bacterial strain has shown 99.9% homology with the retrieved sequences of Fusarium oxysporum f. sp. capsici and Bacillus subtilis from NCBI. The 1-month-old Ghotki chili plants were inoculated with 1×105 cfu spore/ml−1 suspension and confirmed that the FOC-1 is responsible for chili Fusarium wilt disease. Subsequently, among the 33 screened Bacillus strains, only 11 showed antagonistic activity against F. oxysporum. Out of these, only two strains (AM13 and AM21) have shown maximum antagonistic activity against the pathogen by reducing the infection and promoting growth parameters of chili plants under both in vitro and greenhouse conditions. The study suggested that biological control is the most promising control strategy for the management of Fusarium wilt of chili in the field.

The piquin chili is a wild spice widely consumed from the South United States to Central America and stands out as a source of flavonoids, essential metabolites with antioxidant properties. The concentrations of flavonoids, carotenoids, and capsaicinoids vary according to regions, maturity stages, and ripening processes. These compounds, which are known for their health benefits and industrial applications, highlight the importance of identifying ideal environmental conditions for collecting fruits with the highest contents. Comprehensive studies of the piquin chili are essential for understanding its properties for the benefit of consumers. This approach fortifies trade, contributes to resource conservation, and advances cultivated chili production.

The area of rubber plantations in Tabalong Regency is 69,505 ha spread across 12 districts, 28.43% of the area of South Kalimantan rubber plantations which reached 244,421 ha. There are two rubber planting patterns, namely a single planting distance of 6 m, a distance between rows and 3 m, a distance between plants with a rubber population of 550 plants, while the SUPRADIN pattern, a double planting distance, a distance between double rows of 18 m, narrow rows of 2 m, and between plants of 2.5 m with a plant population of 400 / ha. Annuals that are intercropped from the SUPRADIN rejuvenation model in rubber plants in Tabalong Regency are gogo rice plants and tomato plants. Gogo rice, tomatoes and large chilies are crops that very suitable for planting in highland areas, so this is in accordance with land conditions in the Tabalong Regency area. The purpose of this study is to analyze the cost, income and profit structure, as well as the feasibility of farming gogo rice, tomatoes and large chilies as interstitial crops in dry land in the SUPRADIN (Diversified and Integrative People's Rubber Plantation Business System) pattern in Tabalong Regency. Based on the results of the study, it shows that the amount of gogo rice farming issued by rubber farmers in the SUPRADIN pattern is IDR 9,312,447 / ha, with an income of IDR 13,662,540 / ha, and a profit of IDR 6,841,930 / ha. In tomato farming, the farming costs incurred amounted to IDR 34,195,357 / ha, with income of IDR 54,726,372 / ha, and the profit amounted to IDR 34,599,528 / ha. Meanwhile, the cost of large chili farming is IDR 43,977,327 / ha, with income of IDR 97,258,483 / ha, and profits of IDR 74,392,969 / ha. In addition, in terms of feasibility, gogo rice, tomato and large chili can be said to be worth cultivating. The RCR value of large chili farming is 2.69, meaning that every IDR 1 of farm costs incurred provides revenue of IDR 2.69. The RCR value of tomato farming is 2.03, meaning that every IDR 1 of farming costs incurred provides revenue of IDR 2.03. While the RCR value of gogo rice farming is 1.76, meaning that every IDR 1 of farming costs incurred provides revenue of IDR 1.76.

Bemisia tabaci is a major pest in chili as it can act as a vector for transmitting the yellow curl virus. Endophytic bacteria have been reported to trigger plant defense against whiteflies. This study aimed to obtain a solid formula for the endophytic bacteria B. pseudomycoides strain SLBE1.1SN and a storage duration that effectively controls whitefly. This experimental study used a completely randomized design (CRD) consisting of 26 treatments and repeated three times. The treatments combined different types of endophytic bacterial carrier formulas and storage duration, synthetic insecticide treatment (Imidacloprid), and control. The treatments were applied to chili seeds and seedlings. The results showed that not all stored endophytic bacterial formulation could suppress the whitefly population on chili plants. The formula B. pseudomycoides strain SLBE1.1SN with rice straw as carrier material at six weeks storage was the best formula for controlling whitefly. This suggests that the formulation of stored endophytic bacteria not only reduced the number of eggs laid, but also suppressed the development of nymphs and imago.

Chili is an important agricultural commodity in Indonesia and plays an significant role in the economic growth of the country. Its demand from households and industries reaches up to 61%. However, this high demand also means that monitoring efforts must be intensified, particularly for chili plant diseases that can greatly impact yields. If these diseases are not addressed promptly, they can lead to a decrease in production levels, which can negatively affect the economy. With technological advancements, automatic monitoring using image processing is now highly feasible, making monitoring more efficient and effective. Common chili plant diseases include chili leaf yellowing disease, chili leaf curling disease, cercospora leaf spots, and magnesium deficiency with symptoms that can be observed through the shape and color of the leaves. This research aims to classify chili plant diseases by comparing the CNN algorithm and the pre-trained MobileNetV2 based model performance using the Confussion Matrix. The study shows that the MobileNetV2 model, trained with a learning rate of 0.001, produces a more optimal model with an accuracy of 90% and based on the calculation of the confusion matrix, the average percentage values for recall, precision, and F1 score are 92%. These findings highlight the potential.

Induced mutation for the creation of desirable traits through chronic gamma irradiation provides an opportunity for the selection and development of new chili varieties. This study was conducted to assess the effects of different doses of chronic gamma irradiation on morpho-physiological traits in chili. Ten plants from each variety were exposed to different doses of chronic gamma irradiation for 277.02 h at three weeks after germination under gamma greenhouse facilities, with accumulative dose; 185.61Gy, 83.11Gy, 47.096Gy, 30.474Gy, 19.4Gy, 13.9Gy, 11.1Gy, 8.31Gy, 5.54Gy) and 2.77Gy respectively. Highly significant differences were observed among doses (Rings) of chronic gamma irradiation expressed in mean values for all investigated traits. Relatively moderate doses of chronic gamma irradiation represented by doses 47.096 Gy (Ring 4) and 19.40 Gy (Ring 6) resulted in significant stimulation for most of the studied characters. The highest heritability was recorded in days to flowering at 99.88 while the lowest was observed in fruit dry weight at 34.66 %. High genetic advance were recorded for most of the quantitative traits studied. In addition, a highly significant positive correlation was observed between total fruit per plant, total number of fruit per plant, plant height, fruit fresh weight, number of secondary branches, chlorophyll a, fruit dry weight, total chlorophyll content, stem diameter, fruit length and fruit girth. With increasing chronic gamma dose, mutagenic efficiency and efficacy generally increased. Induced variety of desirable features will considerably increase the chilli's amelioration through mutation breeding, leading to the development of improved varieties. The results of this research offer valuable information for the use of chronic gamma radiation in the mutations breeding of Capsicum annuum L., which will be advantageous for future breeding programs.

Maximizing food production under adverse conditions is a major challenge to food security and sustainability in the face of population growth and climatic change. The use of amendments applied as a supplement under adverse conditions may play a significant role in the mitigation of biotic and abiotic stress. This study aimed to explore the morpho-physio-biochemical changes in chili in response to cadmium (Cd) stress. The present study investigated the effects of foliar-applied selenium (Na2SeO4) (3 µM) and soil-applied humic acid (250 mg kg−1 w/w soil) in the sole and synergistic form under varying levels of cadmium stress (0, 2, and 4 mM using CdCl2) in chili. Results revealed that a linear decrease was noticed in the growth, biomass, and phenological attributes of chili plants by increasing the Cd stress. More reduction was noticed at the higher levels of Cd stress as compared to control due lowering plant dry weight (18.15 and 39.67%), relative water content (RWC) (10.73 and 24.17%), total chlorophyll concentrations (16.01 and 31.44%) and increased electrolyte leakage (49.44 and 129.35%) and malonaldehyde contents (MDA) (68.41 and 104.04%). Dry biomass significantly increased with humic acid and selenium treatments, regardless of cadmium level. The reduced enzymatic activities associated with reactive oxygen species (ROS) detoxification, underscores the pivotal role of Se and humic acid in maintaining redox homeostasis. The combined effect of selenium and humic acid proved better results as compared to the sole application in minimizing Cd uptake in roots and fruit. This study demonstrates that the application of humic acid and selenium activates physio-biochemical defense responses against cadmium stress in chili plants and provides significant pavement for the cultivation of chili in cadmium-containing soils with a target of high-yielding and quality. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Over the past decade, there has been a revival of social protest and labor union activity in Chile. In this article, we examine the effects of this phenomenon to analyze its influence on working-class identity. Using International Social Survey Programme surveys from 2009 and 2019, we investigate whether class location and union membership affect people's subjective identification with the working class and how that effect may have changed over the decade. Our findings suggest that subjects who are situated in a 'subordinated' class position (unskilled workers or informal self-employed workers) are more likely to identify with the working class compared to subjects located in a privileged class position (employers, experts, or managers). However, surprisingly, our analysis does not indicate that working-class identity is reinforced by union membership. In addition, our results do not demonstrate that the effect of class or union membership has strengthened over the past decade. At the end of this article, we offer some possible explanations for these findings. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

International organizations (IOs) dispatch fact-finding missions to establish epistemic authority by objectively and impartially assessing contested facts. Despite this technocratic promise, they are often controversial and sometimes even fuel international disputes that challenge the epistemic authority of the dispatching organizations. Although the twenty-first century has witnessed a proliferation of United Nations (UN) commissions of inquiry, they have received surprisingly little attention in international relations (IR) scholarship. How can we explain this trend and the successes and failures of fact-finding missions, which sometimes even backfire on the IO authority? Drawing on IR theories of delegation, epistemic authority, and IO field operations as well as public international law scholarship on commissions of inquiry, this article develops an analytical framework for studying the delegation, implementation, and dissemination of fact-finding missions. It theorizes how and under what conditions international fact-finding missions close or widen credibility gaps and thus help to establish, maintain, or weaken the epistemic authority of IOs. The article illustrates this framework with a case study of the Ad Hoc Working Group on the Human Rights Situation in Chile, sent by the UN Commission on Human Rights in 1974 to investigate allegations of human rights violations and torture. The conclusion outlines a comparative research agenda on international fact-finding missions for IR that contributes to the study of knowledge production in IOs and the enforcement of international norms. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]