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The aim of this study was to compare Fe, Zn, Mn, Al and Li contents in table potato tubers, obtained from seven potato cultivars with different flesh colour, and one cultivar characterised by light-coloured flesh. The study material consisted of potato tubers produced in a one-factor field experiment carried out at the Agricultural Experimental Station in Zawady belonging to the University of Siedlce, Poland (52°03′ N, 22°33′ E) in 2021–2023. The following cultivars were tested: Eurostar (light yellow flesh), Rote Emmalie and Herbie 26 (red flesh), Provita, Salad Blue, Blaue Annelise, Vitelotte Noire and Bora Valley (purple and blue flesh). The study showed that the genetic characteristics of the cultivars determined the nutrient content and uptake with tuber yield. Of the tested minerals which are important for human nutrition (Fe, Zn, Mn), red and purple cultivars accumulated more Fe than the light yellow-fleshed Eurostar. Zn content was the highest in red-fleshed cultivars compared with light and purple-fleshed cultivars. Mn content was the highest in the tubers of the light yellow-fleshed Eurostar and lowest in red Rote Emmalie. Fe, Zn, Mn and Al contents and uptake with tuber yield were influenced by weather conditions during the growing season. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

BACKGROUND: Cassava utilization for food and/or industrial products depends on inherent properties of root dry matter content (DMC) and the starch fraction of amylose content (AC). Accordingly, in the present study, near‐infrared reflectance spectroscopy (NIRS) models were developed to aid breeding and selection of DMC and AC as critical industrial traits taking care of root sample preparation and cassava germplasm diversity available in Uganda. RESULTS: Upon undertaking calibrations and cross‐validations, best models were adopted for validation. DMC in calibration samples ranged from 20 to 45 g 100g−1, whereas, for amylose content, it ranged from 14 to 33 g 100g−1. In the validation set, average DMC was 29.5 g 100g−1, whereas, for amylose content, it was 24.64 g 100g−1. For DMC, a modified partial least square regression model had regression coefficients (R2) of 0.98 and 0.96, respectively, in the calibration and validation set. These were also associated with low bias (−0.018) and ratio of performance deviation that ranged from 4.7 to 5.0. In addition, standard error of prediction values ranged from 0.9 g 100g−1 to 1.06 g 100g−1. For AC, the regression coefficient was 0.91 for the calibration set and 0.94 for the validation set. A bias equivalent to −0.03 and a ratio of performance deviation of 4.23 were observed. CONCLUSION: These findings confirm the robustness of NIRS in the estimation of dry matter content and amylose content in cassava roots and thus justify its use in routine cassava breeding operations. © 2023 The Authors. Journal of The Science of Food and Agriculture published by John Wiley & Sons Ltd on behalf of Society of Chemical Industry. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

BACKGROUND: Starch, dry matter content (DMC), proteins, and sugars are among the major influences on yam tuber quality. Genetic improvement programs need simple, rapid, and low‐cost tools to screen large populations. The objectives of this work were, using a quantitative trait loci mapping approach (QTL) on two diploid full‐sib segregating populations, (i) to acquire knowledge about the genetic control of these traits; (ii) to identify markers linked to the genomic regions controlling each trait, which are useful for marker‐assisted selection (MAS); (iii) to validate the QTLs on a diversity panel; and (iv) to identify candidate genes from the validated QTLs. RESULTS: Heritability for all traits was moderately high to high. Significant correlations were observed between traits. A total of 25 QTLs were identified, including six for DMC, six for sugars, six for proteins, and seven for starch. The phenotypic variance explained by individual QTLs ranged from 14.3% to 28.6%. The majority of QTLs were validated on a diversity panel, showing that they are not specific to the genetic background of the progenitors. The approximate physical location of validated QTLs allowed the identification of candidate genes for all studied traits. Those detected for starch content were mainly enzymes involved in starch and sucrose metabolism, whereas those detected for sugars were mainly involved in respiration and glycolysis. CONCLUSION: The validated QTLs will be useful for breeding programs using MAS to improve the quality of yam tubers. The putative genes should be useful in providing a better understanding of the physiological and molecular basis of these important tuber quality traits. © 2023 The Authors. Journal of The Science of Food and Agriculture published by John Wiley & Sons Ltd on behalf of Society of Chemical Industry. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

BACKGROUND: The purpose of this study was to investigate the potential of hyperspectral imaging for the characterization of cooking quality parameters, dry matter content (DMC), water absorption (WAB), and texture in cassava genotypes contrasting for their cooking quality. RESULTS: Hyperspectral images were acquired on cooked and fresh intact longitudinal and transversal slices from 31 cassava genotypes harvested in March 2022 in Colombia. Different chemometric methods were tested for the quantification of DMC, WAB, and texture parameters. Data analysis was conducted through partial least squares regression, K nearest neighbors regression, support vector machine regression and CovSel multiple linear regression (CovSel_MLR). Efficient performances were obtained for DMC using CovSel_MLR with, coefficient of multiple determination Rp2=0.94, root‐mean‐square error of prediction RMSEP = 0.96 g/100 g, and ratio of the standard deviation values RPD = 3.60. High heterogeneity was observed between contrasting genotypes. The predicted distribution of DMC within the root can be homogeneous or heterogeneous depending on the genotype. Weak predictions were obtained for WAB and texture parameters. CONCLUSIONS: This study showed that hyperspectral imaging could be used as a high‐throughput phenotyping tool for the visualization of DMC in contrasting cooking quality genotypes. Further improvement of protocols and larger datasets are required for WAB and texture quality traits. © 2023 The Authors. Journal of The Science of Food and Agriculture published by John Wiley & Sons Ltd on behalf of Society of Chemical Industry. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

With more frequent and intense fires expected under future climate conditions, it is important to understand the mechanisms that control flammability in Australian forests. We followed a systematic review approach to determine which physical traits make eucalypts leaves more or less flammable. Specifically, we reviewed 20 studies that covered 35 eucalypt species across five countries and found that leaf water content, leaf area (LA), and specific leaf area (SLA) are the main drivers of leaf flammability. These traits are easy and straightforward to measure, while more laborious traits (e.g., volatile organic compounds and structural carbohydrates) are seldom measured and reported. Leaf flammability also varies with species, and, while the biochemistry plays a role in how leaves burn, it plays a minor role in fire behaviour at landscape scales. This review highlights the range of different protocols used to measure flammability and leaf water content, warranting caution when comparing traits and results between studies. As a result, we propose a standardised protocol to measure leaf water content and advocate for long-term measurements of leaf traits and flammability. This study not only contributes to the understanding of how and why eucalypt leaves burn but also encourages research into the relative importance of traits in influencing flammability and provides a guide for selecting traits that can be monitored using satellite images to inform fire management policies and strategies. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Cassava is a crucial starchy root crop cultivated worldwide in tropical and subtropical areas. Efforts have been made to improve its desirable characteristics to increase food and nutritional quality. However, the adoption of new cassava varieties can be influenced by their yield performance, which can be affected by cassava mosaic disease (CMD). The present study evaluated selected cassava genotypes' performance across two years at the advanced breeding stage. Using a randomized complete block design with two replications, 16 genotypes, a yellow root variety (TMS07/0593) and a white root (TMS30572) as checks were evaluated for yield, yield-related traits and response to CMD. There were highly significant (P < 0.001) variations among the cassava genotypes for yield-related traits, but no genetic variation was reported for fresh and dry root yields. The effect of season and genotypes × season interaction on all traits was significant only for harvest index and percentage of survival plants, respectively. Only genotype UIC-17-2428 and the two national check varieties (TMS07/0593 and TMS30572) did not resist CMD completely. At harvest, genotype UIC-17-2031 had the highest fresh root yield (39.0 t/ha), dry root yield (10.5 t/ha), and harvest index (0.63). Genotype UIC-17-58 had the highest dry matter content (37.2%) at harvesting, followed by UIC-17-46 (36.4%) while genotype UIC-17-583 had the lowest value (22.8%). The genotypes evaluated have promising premium agronomic traits. To assess their stability, genotypes with outstanding dry root yield must be evaluated across multiple environments. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

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In eastern Ethiopia, sweet potato is a vital food and nutrition security crop; moreover, orange-fleshed sweet potato (OFSP) varieties are rich in beta-carotene content and have the potential to alleviate chronic Vitamin A malnutrition in the region. However, the unavailability of adaptable varieties and lack of information on production and post-harvest handling practices have limited its production and utilization in eastern Ethiopia. The research was conducted to identify the proper harvesting stage of OFSP varieties for optimum yield and nutritional compositions at Rare and Babile research stations of Haramaya University during the main rainy season of 2022. Three varieties (Alamura, Kabode, and Bakule) and four harvesting periods (120, 150, 180, and 210 days after planting (DAP) in factorial combinations were evaluated in randomized complete block design with three replications. Data were collected for growth, yield, and physicochemical composition-related parameters. Combined analysis of variance revealed the interaction effect of harvesting time and varieties had a significant (p

Eggplant is the most important fruit vegetable crop in many countries, including Ethiopia. In spite of this, its production is hindered by low nutrient availability in soil and suboptimal intra-row spacing. In order to address these issues, a field investigation took place in the Wolaita zone during 2022/23 growing season to evaluate the effects of various concentrations of blended NPSB fertilizer and intra-row spacing on the growth, yield, and quality of eggplants. Five various blended NPSB fertilizer rates (0, 50, 100, 150, and 200 kg ha−1) and three intra-row spacing distances (30, 40, and 50 cm) were used in the investigation, which was designed as a randomized complete block with three replicates. Based on an analysis of variance, it was discovered that the main effects of NPSB fertilizer rates and intra-row spacing significantly (p

Abstract Background The stalk traits stalk diameter, stalk length, rind penetrometer resistance and dry matter content are important indicators for measuring lodging resistance. Results In this study, 377 inbred lines were used as the basic materials, and four stalk-related traits including stalk diameter, stalk length, rind penetrometer resistance and dry matter content of the third segment of maize, were investigated at the tasseling, grain filling, and maturity stages. 461,053 high-quality SNPs which were obtained by whole genome resequencing were used for genome-wide association study. As a result of mixed linear model analysis (P

Background: The stalk traits stalk diameter, stalk length, rind penetrometer resistance and dry matter content are important indicators for measuring lodging resistance. Results: In this study, 377 inbred lines were used as the basic materials, and four stalk-related traits including stalk diameter, stalk length, rind penetrometer resistance and dry matter content of the third segment of maize, were investigated at the tasseling, grain filling, and maturity stages. 461,053 high-quality SNPs which were obtained by whole genome resequencing were used for genome-wide association study. As a result of mixed linear model analysis (P < 9.77 × 10–6), 29 significant SNPs related to traits were detected, accounting for 7.19% -15.03% of phenotypic variation, among which 4, 1, 4 and 20 SNPs were found related to rind penetrometer resistance, stalk diameter, stalk length, and dry matter content respectively. Most candidate genes are related to plant element structure, signal transduction mechanisms, inorganic ion transport and metabolism, nucleotide transport and metabolism, and transporter enzyme families. Comparing mixed linear model with generalized linear model, a total of 12 candidate genes were detected repeatedly, during which the candidate gene Zm00001d014449 were detected 5 times, with a phenotypic variation interpretation rate of 9.95% -10.84%. This gene is mainly expressed in cells with active cell division and tissue differentiation, and is involved in the formation of stalk vascular bundles and the synthesis of cell walls. Another candidate gene, Zm00001d005300, encodes the transcription factor MYB44, which regulates the dependence of salt stress signal phosphorylation, can effectively inhibit the accumulation of destructive reactive oxygen species, and has a certain resistance to non-biotic stress. In addition, this study also found that 10 unknown functional genes can be further Functional verification. Conclusions: This study helps to deepen the understanding of the genetic basis of traits related to maize stalk lodging resistance, and provides theoretical guidance for future maize lodging resistance breeding. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

An experiment was conducted at the Horticulture Farm of Bangladesh Agricultural University, Mymensingh, during the period of November 2021 to February 2022. The experiment consisted of two factors, such as factor A: three varieties of broccoli i.e. V1: Early You, V2: Barbara, V3: Green Crown and factor B: four levels of micronutrients i.e. T0: control, T1: Boron @ 3 kg/ha, T2: Zinc @ 2 kg/ha, T3: Boron + Zinc @ (3+2) kg/ha. The two-factor experiment was laid out in Randomized Complete Block Design with three replications. Variety and micronutrients influenced significantly on most of the parameters under the study. In case of variety, the highest curd yield (13.35 t/ha) was found from V3 (Green Crown) and the lowest curd yield (11.12 t/ha) was found from V1 (Early You). V2 (Barbara) showed higher dry matter content of broccoli curd, which is 15.72%. On the other hand, V¬1 (Early You) showed lower dry matter content, which is 13.34%. For micronutrients, T3 (Boron +Zinc @3+2 kg/ha) performed the highest in respect of curd yield (19.37 t/ha) and the lowest (6.32 t/ha) was from T0 (control). T3 (Boron+Zinc @3+2kg/ha) showed higher dry matter content (13.01%), whereas T0 (control) showed the least (11.02%). For combined treatment, the highest curd yield (21.61t/ha) was obtained from V3T3 (Green Crown and Boron +Zinc @ 3+2 kg/ha micronutrient dose) and the lowest curd yield (5.23 t/ha) from V0T0 (Early You and control). V2T3 (Boron+ Zinc @3+2 kg/ha with Barbara variety) produced the highest dry matter content of curd, which is 17.34%. On the other hand, the lowest dry matter content of broccoli curd is provided by V1T0 (Early You variety with control) treatment combination which is 12.49%. Therefore, it can be concluded that V3 (Green Crown) along with Boron+Zinc @ 3+2 kg/ha and V2 (Barbara) along with Boron+Zinc @ 3+2 kg/ha were found to be the best in respect of yield and dry matter content of broccoli, respectively, compared to other treatments. [Fundam Appl Agric 2023; 8(4.000): 649-654]

ABSTRACTDirect planting (i.e. the planting of seed roots) can reduce the labor requirements of sweet potato (Ipomoea batatas (L.) Lam.) cultivation. To broaden the breeding material for high dry matter productivity in direct planting, root dry matter content (DMC) and root dry matter weight per hill (DMW) were compared under both direct planting and conventional transplanting by using 28 sweet potato genotypes cultivated in 2020 and 2021. Unlike in the case of the mother root DMC, a significant positive correlation between the daughter root DMC in direct planting and the root DMC in transplanting was observed over two years (p

The aim of this study was to compare Fe, Zn, Mn, Al and Li contents in table potato tubers, obtained from seven potato cultivars with different flesh colour, and one cultivar characterised by light-coloured flesh. The study material consisted of potato tubers produced in a one-factor field experiment carried out at the Agricultural Experimental Station in Zawady belonging to the University of Siedlce, Poland (52°03′ N, 22°33′ E) in 2021–2023. The following cultivars were tested: Eurostar (light yellow flesh), Rote Emmalie and Herbie 26 (red flesh), Provita, Salad Blue, Blaue Annelise, Vitelotte Noire and Bora Valley (purple and blue flesh). The study showed that the genetic characteristics of the cultivars determined the nutrient content and uptake with tuber yield. Of the tested minerals which are important for human nutrition (Fe, Zn, Mn), red and purple cultivars accumulated more Fe than the light yellow-fleshed Eurostar. Zn content was the highest in red-fleshed cultivars compared with light and purple-fleshed cultivars. Mn content was the highest in the tubers of the light yellow-fleshed Eurostar and lowest in red Rote Emmalie. Fe, Zn, Mn and Al contents and uptake with tuber yield were influenced by weather conditions during the growing season.

The dynamics of amylose (AM) and total starch content (TSC) have been studied in several apple varieties; however, their responses to environmental variables and rootstocks are less understood in new low-climacteric varieties. In addition, the pertinence of AM and TSC to fruit dry matter content (DMC), fruit quality at harvest, and quality retention after storage is little understood. In this study, we investigated the seasonal changes in AM and TSC of 'Ambrosia' apples grafted onto dwarfing rootstocks Malling 9 (M.9) and Budagovsky 9 (B.9) in two consecutive years, 2016 and 2017, in the Okanagan-Similkameen Valley, British Columbia, Canada. Enzymatic methods with Megazyme® kits were used to analyze the fruit samples collected from four orchards in the growing season. In 2016, the orchard microclimate exhibited cooler nights and greater diurnal temperature ranges (DTRs) compared to 2017. As a result, the AM content and AM portion in TSC were significantly higher in 2016, with levels peaking over 40% compared to the values observed in 2017. However, there were no significant differences in peak values of TSC between the two years. Additionally, the apples grown on the B.9 rootstock consistently showed higher levels of AM and AM percentage compared to those grown on the M.9 rootstock. The study also used Felix 750 Produce Quality Meter, a handheld infrared spectrometer, to assess the dry matter content (DMC) of growing fruit, which showed a strong correlation with AM content (r > 0.8). After being harvested at commercial maturity and stored in controlled atmospheric chambers (CA) for 8 months, fruit quality analysis suggested that the AM level and its percentage in TSC played an important role in determining 'Ambrosia' apple quality after long-term storage. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Identifying, and evaluating, the nutritional and toxic compounds in radish (Raphanus sativus L.) is important for breeding. This study investigates the quality and health indices in leaves of radish cultivars: Cherry Belle, Champion, French Breakfast, Sparkler, and a local landrace (Isfahan). Difference were observed in contents of dry matter (7.84–11.23%) and ash (1.12–2.05%) in leaves of radish cultivars. Nitrate content in leaves 1780–5234 mg·kg−1 which was 71.2–209.3% of the permissible limit. "Cherry Belle" and the local cultivar had the highest nitrate content. With increased dry matter accumulation in leaves, nitrate content decreased. Cultivars that have a higher photosynthesis capacity, represent more capability in nitrate consumption. The IC50 in leaves was 33.1%. The local landrace had the highest antioxidant capacity and "Cherry Belle" the lowest. The phenolic content and vitamin C in leaves of radish cultivars was 99.9 mg GAE/100 g and 34.25 mg/100 g, respectively. Radish leaves were rich in vitamin C. It is apparently possible to develop cultivars that have higher content of bioactive compounds and lower nitrate accumulation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study aimed to evaluate the impact of environmental and genetic factors on the yield, starch, and dry matter content in tubers of potato (Solanum tuberosum L.) cultivars belonging to different maturity groups considering cultivars diversity according to SSR markers. Twenty-four very early, early, medium, and late potato cultivars were evaluated. Field experiments were conducted in 2018-2020 in two locations: Forest Steppe and Forest zones of Ukraine. The SSRs analysis was carried out in 2021 using eight markers: STM0019, STM3009, STM2005, STM2028, STM3012, STM3023, STM5136, and STM5148. During this study, it was found that the growing zone and the year weather conditions had the greatest influence on the potato tuber yield - 54% and 24%, while the effect of the cultivar genotype on the tuber yield was 8%. It was found that the cultivar genotype and the year weather conditions had the greatest influence on the potato tuber dry matter content - 36% and 30%, respectively. The impact of cultivar genotype on the starch content was 31%, while the influence of the year weather conditions reached 21% and the growing zone 3%. Based on the distribution of alleles obtained by SSR markers, the majority of the very early ('Riviera', 'Prada', 'Duma', and 'Vzirets') and one of the early ('Zhytnytsia') tested potato cultivars were included in one cluster group. It was revealed that the 416 bp allele was identified by the STM5148 marker mainly in the very early potato cultivars, and the 424 bp allele was detected only in the very early and early ones. The study of SSRs and their associations with maturity can be considered as a reliable and rapid method for potato genotyping to find favourable combinations of alleles. Thus, to increase the nutritional value and productive potential of potatoes by developing and improving the main elements of cultivation technology, the biological characteristics of the potato cultivars in the agricultural and climatic conditions of Ukraine should be taken into account. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

With more frequent and intense fires expected under future climate conditions, it is important to understand the mechanisms that control flammability in Australian forests. We followed a systematic review approach to determine which physical traits make eucalypts leaves more or less flammable. Specifically, we reviewed 20 studies that covered 35 eucalypt species across five countries and found that leaf water content, leaf area (LA), and specific leaf area (SLA) are the main drivers of leaf flammability. These traits are easy and straightforward to measure, while more laborious traits (e.g., volatile organic compounds and structural carbohydrates) are seldom measured and reported. Leaf flammability also varies with species, and, while the biochemistry plays a role in how leaves burn, it plays a minor role in fire behaviour at landscape scales. This review highlights the range of different protocols used to measure flammability and leaf water content, warranting caution when comparing traits and results between studies. As a result, we propose a standardised protocol to measure leaf water content and advocate for long-term measurements of leaf traits and flammability. This study not only contributes to the understanding of how and why eucalypt leaves burn but also encourages research into the relative importance of traits in influencing flammability and provides a guide for selecting traits that can be monitored using satellite images to inform fire management policies and strategies.

Leaf water content (LWC) is a crucial physiological parameter that plays a limiting role in the efficiency of photosynthesis and biomass production in many plants. This study investigated the use of diffuse reflectance near-infrared spectroscopy (NIRS) for the rapid prediction of the gravimetric LWC in eucalypt leaves from Eucalyptus and Corymbia genera. The best-performing model for LWC gave a R2pred of 0.85 and RMSEP of 2.32% for an independent test set, indicating that the handheld NIR instrument could predict the LWC with a high level of accuracy. The use of support vector regression gave slightly more accurate results compared with partial least squares regression. Prediction models were also developed for leaf thickness, although these were somewhat less accurate (R2pred of 0.58; RMSEP of 2.7 µm). Nevertheless, the results suggest that handheld NIR instruments may be useful for in-field screening of LWC and leaf thickness in Australian eucalypt species. As an example of its use, the NIR method was applied for rapid analysis of the LWC and leaf thickness of every leaf found on an E. populnea sapling.

The impacts of global climate change and a rapid increase in population have emerged as major concerns threatening global food security. Environmental abiotic stress, such as drought, severely impairs plants' morphology, physiology, growth, and yield more than many other environmental factors. Plants use a complex set of physiological, biochemical, and molecular mechanisms to combat the negative effects caused by drought-induced stress. The aim of this study was to investigate morphological, spectral, physiological, and biochemical changes occurring in 30 garlic accessions exposed to short-term drought stress in a greenhouse setting and to identify potential early drought-induced stress markers. The results showed that, on average, garlic plants exposed to drought conditions exhibited a decrease in assimilation, transpiration, and stomatal conductance of 39%, 52%, and 50%, respectively, and an average increase in dry matter and proline content of 10.13% and 14.29%, respectively. Nevertheless, a significant interaction between the treatment and accessions was observed in the investigated photosynthetic and biochemical parameters. The plants' early response to drought ranged from mild to strong depending on garlic accession. Multivariate analysis showed that accessions with a mild early drought response were characterized by higher values of assimilation, transpiration, and stomatal conductance compared to plants with moderate or strong early drought response. Additionally, accessions with strong early drought response were characterized by higher proline content, lipid peroxidation, and antioxidant capacity as measured by FRAP compared to accessions with mild-to-moderate early drought response. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Studying the canopy spectral reflection characteristics of different N-efficient maize varieties and analyzing the relationship between their growth indicators and spectral vegetation indices can help the breeding and application of N-efficient maize varieties. To achieve the optimal management of N fertilizer resources, developing N-efficient maize varieties is necessary. In this research, maize varieties, i.e., the low-N-efficient (Zhengdan 958, ZD958), the high-N efficient (Xianyu 335, XY335), the double-high varieties (Qiule 368, QL368), and the double inefficient-type varieties (Yudan 606 YD606), were used as materials. Results indicate that nitrogen fertilization significantly increased the vegetation indices NDVI, GNDVI, GOSAVI, and RVI of maize varieties with different nitrogen efficiencies. These findings were consistent with the performance of yield, dry matter mass, and leaf nitrogen content and were also found highest under both medium and high nitrogen conditions in the double-high variety QL368. The correlations of dry matter quality, leaf nitrogen content, yield, and vegetation indices (NDVI, GNDVI, RVI, and GOSAVI) at the filling stage of different N-efficient maize varieties were all highly significant and positive. In this relationship, the best effect was found at the filling stages, with correlation coefficients reaching 0.772–0.942, 0.774–0.970, 0754–0.960, and 0.800–0.960. The results showed that the yield, dry matter weight, and leaf nitrogen content of maize varieties with different nitrogen efficiencies increased first and then stabilized with the increase in the nitrogen application level in different periods, and the highest nitrogen application level of maize yield should be between 270 and 360 kg/hm2. At the filling stage, canopy vegetation index of maize varieties with different nitrogen efficiencies was positively correlated with yield, dry matter weight, and leaf nitrogen content, especially GNDVI and GOSAVI on the leaf nitrogen content. It can be used as a means to predict its growth index.

Fuel moisture content (FMC), which is the ratio of equivalent water thickness (EWT) to dry matter content (DMC), plays a crucial role in the estimation of vegetation ignition probability and the fire propagation rate. The PROSAIL model can adequately simulate the canopy reflectance of vegetation, with the input of field-measured data into the model ensuring conformity with the ecological rules. If the EWT and DMC can be estimated by an empirical statistical method according to the reflectance spectrum, the universality of the physical model and the efficiency of the empirical statistical method can be considered. In this study, a fast and versatile method is established for estimating FMC based on the EWT, DMC, leaf area index measured data, and the PROSAIL model. The Normalized Difference Infrared Index (NDII) and Normalized Dry Matter Index (NDMI) were obtained from the spectral curves, with the results showing an obvious linear relationship between the NDII and EWT, NDMI, and DMC. Therefore, EWT and DMC can be estimated using the NDII and NDMI. The accuracy of the estimation results is verified to be high. The estimation model can be extended to Landsat 8 data to estimate FMC. The estimated FMC data verified by the measured data showed that R² was 0.743 and the RMSE was 34.2%. The model accuracy was reliable owing to large dynamic changes in the FMC. However, the estimated value of the FMC shifted significantly to the left during this study. The reasons for this are as follows: 1) The field-measured points are not sufficient to support the analysis according to different vegetation types, and the physical and chemical properties of different types are varied, leading to altered simulated spectral curves; 2) The vegetation spectrum is sensitive to the DMC at 1,650 nm, 1,720 nm, and 2,270 nm bands, and the sensitivity near the 1,650 nm and 1,720 nm bands is greater than that at 2,270 nm. However, because the Landsat 8 image does not have a 1,720 nm band, the 2,270 nm band was selected to calculate the NDMI, making the value of the estimated DMC too large, resulting in a small value of the estimated FMC and a significant shift to the left; 3) 1,650 nm and 2,270 nm are not in the central wavelength of the two bands of Landsat 8; therefore, the estimated DMC and FMC are shifted. In addition, the fast and versatile method, which is established based on the EWT, DMC, leaf area index measured data and the PROSAIL model, can realize large-scale and high-precision monitoring of the FMC, providing a scientific reference for forest fire prevention.

The paper presents the results of experimental studies on the combined pre-sowing treatment of the tomato seed material of a tomato variety “Malva”, which consisted of exposure to visible radiation in the range from 460 to 625 nm and an alternating magnetic field with induction from 6.5 to 65 mTl. Experimental studies were conducted at all stages of plant development: from pre-sowing seed treatment to the final products (tomatoes). As a result of the experimental studies, we revealed that the best results obtained about the dry matter content in tomato seedlings and about the yield on the root of the final products (tomatoes) are achieved at presowing seed treatment with two influencing factors. The first is optical radiation with a wavelength of 460 nm and treatment time of 60 s. The second is magnetic field with an induction of 39 mTl and treatment time of 30 s. After such combined treatment, the seeds were cured for 120 hours before sowing. As a result, we experimentally recorded that the dry matter content in tomato seedlings increased by 25.41%, and the tomato yield increased by 38.00%, compared to the control variant. This allows us to speak about such seed treatment before sowing as an effective agro-technological method, which can be recommended for use in vegetable growing.

The aim of this study was to evaluate and compare the performance of multivariate classification algorithms, specifically Partial Least Squares Discriminant Analysis (PLS-DA) and machine learning algorithms, in the classification of Monthong durian pulp based on its dry matter content (DMC) and soluble solid content (SSC), using the inline acquisition of near-infrared (NIR) spectra. A total of 415 durian pulp samples were collected and analyzed. Raw spectra were preprocessed using five different combinations of spectral preprocessing techniques: Moving Average with Standard Normal Variate (MA+SNV), Savitzky–Golay Smoothing with Standard Normal Variate (SG+SNV), Mean Normalization (SG+MN), Baseline Correction (SG+BC), and Multiplicative Scatter Correction (SG+MSC). The results revealed that the SG+SNV preprocessing technique produced the best performance with both the PLS-DA and machine learning algorithms. The optimized wide neural network algorithm of machine learning achieved the highest overall classification accuracy of 85.3%, outperforming the PLS-DA model, with overall classification accuracy of 81.4%. Additionally, evaluation metrics such as recall, precision, specificity, F1-score, AUC ROC, and kappa were calculated and compared between the two models. The findings of this study demonstrate the potential of machine learning algorithms to provide similar or better performance compared to PLS-DA in classifying Monthong durian pulp based on DMC and SSC using NIR spectroscopy, and they can be applied in the quality control and management of durian pulp production and storage. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Leaf water content (LWC) is a crucial physiological parameter that plays a limiting role in the efficiency of photosynthesis and biomass production in many plants. This study investigated the use of diffuse reflectance near-infrared spectroscopy (NIRS) for the rapid prediction of the gravimetric LWC in eucalypt leaves from Eucalyptus and Corymbia genera. The best-performing model for LWC gave a R2pred of 0.85 and RMSEP of 2.32% for an independent test set, indicating that the handheld NIR instrument could predict the LWC with a high level of accuracy. The use of support vector regression gave slightly more accurate results compared with partial least squares regression. Prediction models were also developed for leaf thickness, although these were somewhat less accurate (R2pred of 0.58; RMSEP of 2.7 µm). Nevertheless, the results suggest that handheld NIR instruments may be useful for in-field screening of LWC and leaf thickness in Australian eucalypt species. As an example of its use, the NIR method was applied for rapid analysis of the LWC and leaf thickness of every leaf found on an E. populnea sapling. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The production of cherry tomato (Solanum lycopersicum var. cerasiforme) is negatively affected by harsh environmental conditions such as extremely high and low temperatures, wind and hail damage, and pest and disease infestation. These factors delay maturity and cause uneven ripening, fruit abrasion, and blemishes, which consequently result in poor fruit quality and reduced shelf life. Preharvest bagging is an environmentally friendly alternative technique for enhancement of fruit quality and hence alleviates the stated problems. The study evaluated the physico-chemical quality of ‘Tinker’ and ‘Roma VF’ cherry tomato as influenced by preharvest bagging (transparent and blue plastics) during 8 days of shelf life at ambient conditions. Five clusters of fruit per plant per cultivar with a diameter of 1.5 to 2.0 cm were bagged after 16 days of fruit set and harvested at the green maturity stage, 12 days after preharvest bagging for the assessment of postharvest quality. Preharvest bagging effectively accelerated fruit maturity and ripening as indicated by enhanced fruit size, uniform color development, high pH, dry matter (DM) content, soluble solid content (SSC), and low titratable acidity (TA) during shelf life. Bagged fruit had higher loss of firmness and weight mainly due to ripening and showed very slight incidence of diseases during shelf life of 8 days. Unbagged cherry tomato had delayed maturity and ripening; small-sized fruit; uneven color development; low pH, SSC, and DM; and high TA. Although unbagged cherry tomato had lower firmness and weight loss due to delayed ripening, fruit showed moderate to severe incidence of tomato bacterial canker disease (Clavibacter michiganensis subsp. michiganensis) during shelf life. These results indicated that preharvest bagging accelerated fruit maturity and ripening, improved physico-chemical quality, and reduced disease infestation on cherry tomato during shelf life.

Purpose: In the first stage to produce open pollinated and hybrid onion cultivars, identification of compatible genotypes as breeding base populations with the climatic conditions is of special importance. Thus, this research was performed to evaluate short day onion hybrids and achieve a breeding base population by identifying the best genotypes in terms of quantity and quality traits and also for studying the reaction of genotypes to the climatic conditions of Isfahan and Khuzestan. Research method: Fifteen onion genotypes were evaluated as complete block design with three replications in two locations (Isfahan and Khuzestan) under field condition during the 2017-2018 growing season. The traits evaluated included: bulb yield, average bulb weight, dry matter content, total soluble solids, and weight loss. Findings: According to the results of Isfahan location, Savannah Sweet and Saba hybrids had the highest bulb yield (42.72 t/ha and 41.05 t/ha, respectively) and Vania hybrid with high significant different (p< 0.05) was showed the lowest bulb yield (19.77 t/ha). In Khuzestan location, SV6326, Saba and Savannah Sweet for bulb yield (92.38, 89.71 and 89.14 t/ha, respectively) were recognized as super hybrids, in contrast, hybrids: Early Super Select, Behbahan improved population, Super Perfect, Sahar and Vania, were considered as weak hybrids (bulb yields

Fuel moisture content (FMC), which is the ratio of equivalent water thickness (EWT) to dry matter content (DMC), plays a crucial role in the estimation of vegetation ignition probability and the fire propagation rate. The PROSAIL model can adequately simulate the canopy reflectance of vegetation, with the input of fieldmeasured data into the model ensuring conformity with the ecological rules. If the EWT and DMC can be estimated by an empirical statistical method according to the reflectance spectrum, the universality of the physical model and the efficiency of the empirical statistical method can be considered. In this study, a fast and versatile method is established for estimating FMC based on the EWT, DMC, leaf area index measured data, and the PROSAIL model. The Normalized Difference Infrared Index (NDII) and Normalized Dry Matter Index (NDMI) were obtained from the spectral curves, with the results showing an obvious linear relationship between the NDII and EWT, NDMI, and DMC. Therefore, EWT and DMC can be estimated using the NDII and NDMI. The accuracy of the estimation results is verified to be high. The estimation model can be extended to Landsat 8 data to estimate FMC. The estimated FMC data verified by the measured data showed that R² was 0.743 and the RMSE was 34.2%. The model accuracy was reliable owing to large dynamic changes in the FMC. However, the estimated value of the FMC shifted significantly to the left during this study. The reasons for this are as follows: 1) The field-measured points are not sufficient to support the analysis according to different vegetation types, and the physical and chemical properties of different types are varied, leading to altered simulated spectral curves; 2) The vegetation spectrum is sensitive to the DMC at 1,650 nm, 1,720 nm, and 2,270 nm bands, and the sensitivity near the 1,650 nm and 1,720 nm bands is greater than that at 2,270 nm. However, because the Landsat 8 image does not have a 1,720 nm band, the 2,270 nm band was selected to calculate the NDMI, making the value of the estimated DMC too large, resulting in a small value of the estimated FMC and a significant shift to the left; 3) 1,650 nm and 2,270 nm are not in the central wavelength of the two bands of Landsat 8; therefore, the estimated DMC and FMC are shifted. In addition, the fast and versatile method, which is established based on the EWT, DMC, leaf area index measured data and the PROSAIL model, can realize large-scale and high-precision monitoring of the FMC, providing a scientific reference for forest fire prevention. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Manipulating the crop load in peach trees determines carbon supply and optimum balance between fruit yield and quality potentials. The impact of carbon supply on peach fruit quality was assessed in three development stages (S2, S3, S4) on fruit of equal maturity from trees that were carbon (C) starved (unthinned) and sufficient (thinned). Previous studies determined that primary metabolites of peach fruit mesocarp are mainly linked with developmental processes, thus, the secondary metabolite profile was assessed using non-targeted liquid chromatography mass-spectrometry (LC-MS). Carbon sufficient (C-sufficient) fruit demonstrated superior quality attributes as compared to C-starved fruit. Early metabolic shifts in the secondary metabolome appear to prime quality at harvest. Enhanced C-availability facilitated the increased and consistent synthesis of flavonoids, like catechin, epicatechin and eriodyctiol, via the phenylpropanoid pathway, providing a link between the metabolome and fruit quality, and serving as signatures of C-sufficiency during peach fruit development. [Display omitted] • Optimized crop loads enhance C-supply priming peach fruit metabolism and quality. • Primary metabolism is mainly linked with peach fruit developmental processes. • Non-targeted LC-MS revealed that flavonoids up-accumulate in the C-sufficient fruit. • Phenylpropanoids are signatures of C-sufficiency during peach fruit development. • Phenylpropanoids link primary/secondary metabolism with superior fruit quality. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The production of cherry tomato (Solanum lycopersicum var. cerasiforme) is negatively affected by harsh environmental conditions such as extremely high and low temperatures, wind and hail damage, and pest and disease infestation. These factors delay maturity and cause uneven ripening, fruit abrasion, and blemishes, which consequently result in poor fruit quality and reduced shelf life. Preharvest bagging is an environmentally friendly alternative technique for enhancement of fruit quality and hence alleviates the stated problems. The study evaluated the physico-chemical quality of ‘Tinker’ and ‘Roma VF’ cherry tomato as influenced by preharvest bagging (transparent and blue plastics) during 8 days of shelf life at ambient conditions. Five clusters of fruit per plant per cultivar with a diameter of 1.5 to 2.0 cm were bagged after 16 days of fruit set and harvested at the green maturity stage, 12 days after preharvest bagging for the assessment of postharvest quality. Preharvest bagging effectively accelerated fruit maturity and ripening as indicated by enhanced fruit size, uniform color development, high pH, dry matter (DM) content, soluble solid content (SSC), and low titratable acidity (TA) during shelf life. Bagged fruit had higher loss of firmness and weight mainly due to ripening and showed very slight incidence of diseases during shelf life of 8 days. Unbagged cherry tomato had delayed maturity and ripening; small-sized fruit; uneven color development; low pH, SSC, and DM; and high TA. Although unbagged cherry tomato had lower firmness and weight loss due to delayed ripening, fruit showed moderate to severe incidence of tomato bacterial canker disease (Clavibacter michiganensis subsp. michiganensis) during shelf life. These results indicated that preharvest bagging accelerated fruit maturity and ripening, improved physico-chemical quality, and reduced disease infestation on cherry tomato during shelf life. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Studying the canopy spectral reflection characteristics of different N-efficient maize varieties and analyzing the relationship between their growth indicators and spectral vegetation indices can help the breeding and application of N-efficient maize varieties. To achieve the optimal management of N fertilizer resources, developing N-efficient maize varieties is necessary. In this research, maize varieties, i.e., the low-N-efficient (Zhengdan 958, ZD958), the high-N efficient (Xianyu 335, XY335), the double-high varieties (Qiule 368, QL368), and the double inefficient-type varieties (Yudan 606 YD606), were used as materials. Results indicate that nitrogen fertilization significantly increased the vegetation indices NDVI, GNDVI, GOSAVI, and RVI of maize varieties with different nitrogen efficiencies. These findings were consistent with the performance of yield, dry matter mass, and leaf nitrogen content and were also found highest under both medium and high nitrogen conditions in the double-high variety QL368. The correlations of dry matter quality, leaf nitrogen content, yield, and vegetation indices (NDVI, GNDVI, RVI, and GOSAVI) at the filling stage of different N-efficient maize varieties were all highly significant and positive. In this relationship, the best effect was found at the filling stages, with correlation coefficients reaching 0.772–0.942, 0.774–0.970, 0754–0.960, and 0.800–0.960. The results showed that the yield, dry matter weight, and leaf nitrogen content of maize varieties with different nitrogen efficiencies increased first and then stabilized with the increase in the nitrogen application level in different periods, and the highest nitrogen application level of maize yield should be between 270 and 360 kg/hm2. At the filling stage, canopy vegetation index of maize varieties with different nitrogen efficiencies was positively correlated with yield, dry matter weight, and leaf nitrogen content, especially GNDVI and GOSAVI on the leaf nitrogen content. It can be used as a means to predict its growth index. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This research was conducted to determine the compositional and textural characteristics and sensory profile of 'Ambrosia' apples with different dry matter content (DMC) as estimated using a Felix-750 Produce Quality Meter (Felix Instruments Inc., Camas, WA, USA). Fruits were harvested from a commercial orchard in Cawston and an experimental field in Summerland Research and Development Centre (SuRDC) in British Columbia, Canada, when the average absorbance difference index/coefficient of fruit skin δAbsorbance (δA) dropped under 0.45 ± 0.10. DMC levels were estimated after harvest at the blush/background transition zone for fruit categorization on 300 fruits from each location. Fruits were coded with an individual number and grouped in different DMC categories. The distribution of the estimated DMC levels obtained from two locations was different. The results indicate that DMC levels were strongly and positively correlated with the soluble solids content (SSC) of the fruit (r = 0.81). Sensory evaluations also demonstrated that apples in the lowest DMC category (12.5% ± 0.5 from Cawston) were considered the least sweet apples with the least overall flavour quality by panellists compared to the apples from the other DMC categories included in the sensory evaluations from the two locations. Panellists also perceived less-than-expected "fresh apple" and "tropical" flavours but more-than-expected "no flavour" and "bland" off flavour from the lowest-DMC-category apples. The non-destructive DMC measurements show a potential to be used to sort apples for SSC, sweetness and flavour; nevertheless, they were not related to firmness or textural attributes. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The dynamics of amylose (AM) and total starch content (TSC) have been studied in several apple varieties; however, their responses to environmental variables and rootstocks are less understood in new low-climacteric varieties. In addition, the pertinence of AM and TSC to fruit dry matter content (DMC), fruit quality at harvest, and quality retention after storage is little understood. In this study, we investigated the seasonal changes in AM and TSC of ‘Ambrosia’ apples grafted onto dwarfing rootstocks Malling 9 (M.9) and Budagovsky 9 (B.9) in two consecutive years, 2016 and 2017, in the Okanagan-Similkameen Valley, British Columbia, Canada. Enzymatic methods with Megazyme® kits were used to analyze the fruit samples collected from four orchards in the growing season. In 2016, the orchard microclimate exhibited cooler nights and greater diurnal temperature ranges (DTRs) compared to 2017. As a result, the AM content and AM portion in TSC were significantly higher in 2016, with levels peaking over 40% compared to the values observed in 2017. However, there were no significant differences in peak values of TSC between the two years. Additionally, the apples grown on the B.9 rootstock consistently showed higher levels of AM and AM percentage compared to those grown on the M.9 rootstock. The study also used Felix 750 Produce Quality Meter, a handheld infrared spectrometer, to assess the dry matter content (DMC) of growing fruit, which showed a strong correlation with AM content (r > 0.8). After being harvested at commercial maturity and stored in controlled atmospheric chambers (CA) for 8 months, fruit quality analysis suggested that the AM level and its percentage in TSC played an important role in determining ‘Ambrosia’ apple quality after long-term storage.

Optimum quantity of nitrogen fertilizer to maximize the production and minimize the cost of cultivation is need of the day. Therefore, it is obligatory to know the nitrogen demand of potato crop for economical production and minimizing the negative effect on environment. Consequently, an experiment was conducted at CCS Haryana Agricultural University, Hisar, for 2 years to investigate the effect of nitrogen levels on newly developed potato varieties Kufri Surya and Kufri Sadabahar. Nitrogen dose of 300 kg/ha gave the highest values for growth parameters which were at par with 225 kg/ha nitrogen, whereas the maximum values for yield parameters as well as dry matter content (tubers + haulms) were recorded with nitrogen dose of 225 kg/ha. It means nitrogen above 225 kg/ha has no significant effect on crop yield parameters. The variety Kufri Sadabahar gave significantly higher values for all the growth and yield parameters than Kufri Surya. It was concluded that the variety Kufri Sadabahar supplied with nitrogen 225 kg/ha gave the maximum productivity (388.7 q/ha), net income (Rs. 2,08,576/ha) and benefit to cost ratio (2.31). [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Provitamin A biofortification and increased dry matter content are important breeding targets in cassava improvement programs worldwide. Biofortified varieties contribute to the alleviation of provitamin A deficiency, a leading cause of preventable blindness common among pre-school children and pregnant women in developing countries particularly Africa. Dry matter content is a major component of dry yield and thus underlies overall variety performance and acceptability by growers, processors, and consumers. Single nucleotide polymorphism (SNP) markers linked to these traits have recently been discovered through several genome-wide association studies but have not been deployed for routine marker-assisted selection (MAS). This is due to the lack of useful information on markers' performances in diverse genetic backgrounds. To overcome this bottleneck, technical and biological validation of the loci associated with increased carotenoid content and dry matter content were carried out using populations independent of the marker discovery population. In the present study, seven previously identified markers for these traits were converted to a robust set of uniplex allele-specific polymerase chain reaction (PCR) assays and validated in two independent pre-breeding and breeding populations. These assays were efficient in discriminating marker genotypic classes and had an average call rate greater than 98%. A high correlation was observed between the predicted and observed carotenoid content as inferred by root yellowness intensity in the breeding (r = 0.92) and pre-breeding (r = 0.95) populations. On the other hand, dry matter content-markers had moderately low predictive accuracy in both populations (r< 0.40) due to the more quantitative nature of the trait. This work confirmed the markers' effectiveness in multiple backgrounds, therefore, further strengthening their value in cassava biofortification to ensure nutritional security as well as dry matter content productivity. Our study provides a framework to guide future marker validation, thus leading to the more routine use of markers in MAS in cassava improvement programs. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A new high yielding oat variety OL 15 derived from cross between HJ 8 and OL 1610 was released during the year 2021 for irrigated, timely sown conditions of Punjab. Variety reaches to 50 per cent flowering in 115-120 days and ready for harvesting for green fodder. The variety is low in Acid detergent fiber (ADF) and Neutral detergent fiber (NDF) content but possess high crude protein (CP) content, crude protein yield (CPY) as well as superior nutritional quality for in-vitro dry matter digestibility (IVDMD). OL 15 is semi-erect in stature with high tillering ability, good for single cut system with more desirable morphological plant characters such as plant height, leaf length and leaf width and having medium sized grains. The variety showed high responses to nitrogenous fertilizers and is moderately susceptible to powdery mildew. In the overall performance over five years, mean green forage yield of 852.46 q/ha with a superiority of 23.2 per cent over check (Kent) was recorded. The mean dry matter yield recorded for this variety was 180.1 q/ha with 31.4 per cent superiority over check (Kent). At Faridkot district of Punjab, the variety recorded the highest green forage yield (998 q/ha) which justifies the genetic potential of the variety. The variety outperforms other released and tested varieties Kent, OS 6, and OL 125 in terms of green forage yield, dry matter yield and seed yield. The crude protein yield was 10.80 q/ha with an IVDMD of 50.5 per cent and a CP content of 7.1 per cent. The variety OL 15 was recommended in the year 2021 for cultivation in Punjab state of India.

Purpose The objective of the study was to evaluate the application effects of different doses of onion residue mixed with bovine manure compost as an organic fertilizer on a hybrid Tetsukabuto squash crop cultivated in a field.Method The experimental design required randomly dividing blocks with three replicates. The experiments were designed with different dose combinations in experimental units (4 m wide x 8 m long deep). There were three treatments: organic fertilization (two compost doses 6 and 8 kg m-2); mineral fertilization (45 kg N ha-1 urea), unfertilized control. The number of leaves, main guide length per plant and dry matter were determined.Results The results obtained during the first 15-day sampling showed significant differences (p

The impacts of global climate change and a rapid increase in population have emerged as major concerns threatening global food security. Environmental abiotic stress, such as drought, severely impairs plants’ morphology, physiology, growth, and yield more than many other environmental factors. Plants use a complex set of physiological, biochemical, and molecular mechanisms to combat the negative effects caused by drought-induced stress. The aim of this study was to investigate morphological, spectral, physiological, and biochemical changes occurring in 30 garlic accessions exposed to short-term drought stress in a greenhouse setting and to identify potential early drought-induced stress markers. The results showed that, on average, garlic plants exposed to drought conditions exhibited a decrease in assimilation, transpiration, and stomatal conductance of 39%, 52%, and 50%, respectively, and an average increase in dry matter and proline content of 10.13% and 14.29%, respectively. Nevertheless, a significant interaction between the treatment and accessions was observed in the investigated photosynthetic and biochemical parameters. The plants’ early response to drought ranged from mild to strong depending on garlic accession. Multivariate analysis showed that accessions with a mild early drought response were characterized by higher values of assimilation, transpiration, and stomatal conductance compared to plants with moderate or strong early drought response. Additionally, accessions with strong early drought response were characterized by higher proline content, lipid peroxidation, and antioxidant capacity as measured by FRAP compared to accessions with mild-to-moderate early drought response.

Apple plays an important role in human health. The unripe apples, after physiological falls and the agricultural operation "regulation of the fruit load", are not used for food. The use of agricultural organic waste is a current problem. In the presented paper was approached the possibility of valorification on these unripe fruits to obtain natural products. Were studied the unripe apples of 4 varieties: Coredana, Golden Rezistent, Rewena and Reglindis. The fruits were harvested during development at 45th, 58th, 71st, 84th and 97th days after the full bloom. It was determined physico-chemical indices in fruits extracts. During the ripening of fruits, the diameter and mass increased continuously, the moisture content does not change significantly, but the pH values of the apple pulp increased nonessential. Dry matter content and total sugar increased considerably as the fruits were growing. There are unexpected increases in dry matter around the 84th day after the full bloom. The acidity decreased during the fruit development. Sensory evaluation was also effectuated. The results obtained provide informations regarding the optimal use of the unripe apple varieties researched in order to process and obtain different products (especially natural acidifiers).

The organic dried fruits market is in a growing demand in Romania, especially due to the important amounts of nutrients for human health that the fruits bring. In this study we aimed to test the influence of different pre-treatment and drying temperatures on physical and biochemical characteristics in two organic apple varieties (‘Topaz’ and ‘Dalinette’). Both varieties were washed, cored, sliced and hot-water blanched in order to inactivate the enzymes that produces the browning reaction. As control, untreated apple slices were dried in the same conditions as those pre-treated. Two temperature were used in order to assess the drying conditions, 40 °C and 70 °C. Results shown that different drying periods are required for organic apple ‘Topaz’ and ‘Dalinette’. When control samples were dried, 18 hours where necessary for ‘Dalinette’ variety to reach 95 ± 3 % dry matter, compared to 14 h for ‘Topaz’ variety. The drying period was dependent of both applied pre-treatments and temperatures. After drying, it was observed an increase in phenolic content and antioxidant activity for both pre-treated organic apple varieties. Both pre-treatment and higher temperatures (70 °C) affected the ascorbic acid content for ‘Dalinette’ apple slices.

The Agricultural Research Company of Minas Gerais (EPAMIG) has developed a wheat cultivar, MGS Brilhante, which does not have an awn and adapts well to different regions of the state. Thus, it is being evaluated as an alternative for the production of silage in the offseason, so far proving to be quite promising. Thus, the objective of this work was to evaluate the productive response of the wheat cultivar MGS Brilhante submitted to different levels of nitrogen fertilization. The study was conducted in the Experimental Center of Vale do Piranga, of EPAMIG, in the municipality of Oratorios, Minas Gerais. Four levels of nitrogen fertilization as topdressing, in the form of agricultural urea, were tested: 50, 100, 150 and 200 kg N ha-1, in addition the control, without the covering fertilization. The design adopted was in randomized blocks, with five treatments and four replications per treatment, totaling 20 experimental plots. These plots were planted on May 10, 2022, re3ceived topdressing fertilization on June 15, 2022, and were harvested and evaluated for yield on August 1, 2022. Dry matter content, dry matter productivity, plant height and lodging rate were evaluated. All data were submitted to analysis of variance and were considered significant at 5% probability. The yield and plant height data were submitted to linear regression analysis. For the average dry matter content, analysis was performed based on the Tukey test. All statistical analyses were performed using the SISVAR 5.6 software. No lodging was observed in any experimental plot. There was a significant difference (P=0.015) in the dry matter contents between the treatment that did not receive any top dressing and the treatments that received doses of 150 and 200 kg N ha-1, and the control treatment had the highest dry matter content (31.42%, 26.75% and 26.55%, respectively). Regarding dry matter productivity and plant height, both variables showed high positive correlation coefficients with fertilizer doses (R²=86.95% and R²=98.21%, respectively). Average yields of 4.77, 6.00, 6.52, 6.54 and 7.10 tons DM ha-1 and average plant height were found of 1.15, 1.17, 1.22, 1.25 and 1.28 meters in the treatments with 0, 50, 100, 150 and 200 kg N ha-1, respectively. Nitrogen is a macronutrient that is used in the plants’ photosynthesis process and stimulates increased solar radiation absorption. This means that the greater supply of this nutrient to the plant leads to higher biomass production, because it stimulates the tillering of plants and also increases leaf area. This is the explanation for the increase in plant size and wheat crop productivity with higher doses of nitrogen. The higher dry matter content found in the control treatment, even with all the experimental plots having the same cultivation period, can be explained by the lower leaf area index produced, which caused the proportions of stems and ears, which have lower moisture content, to be higher in these plants. Based on the edaphoclimatic conditions of the region, wecan conclude that the MGS Brilhantecultivarresponds linearly in productivity with the increase in the nitrogen dose, but the cost-benefit ratio of the increment of these doses applied to the crop for silage production should be considered.

Provitamin A biofortification and increased dry matter content are important breeding targets in cassava improvement programs worldwide. Biofortified varieties contribute to the alleviation of provitamin A deficiency, a leading cause of preventable blindness common among pre-school children and pregnant women in developing countries particularly Africa. Dry matter content is a major component of dry yield and thus underlies overall variety performance and acceptability by growers, processors, and consumers. Single nucleotide polymorphism (SNP) markers linked to these traits have recently been discovered through several genome-wide association studies but have not been deployed for routine marker-assisted selection (MAS). This is due to the lack of useful information on markers’ performances in diverse genetic backgrounds. To overcome this bottleneck, technical and biological validation of the loci associated with increased carotenoid content and dry matter content were carried out using populations independent of the marker discovery population. In the present study, seven previously identified markers for these traits were converted to a robust set of uniplex allele-specific polymerase chain reaction (PCR) assays and validated in two independent pre-breeding and breeding populations. These assays were efficient in discriminating marker genotypic classes and had an average call rate greater than 98%. A high correlation was observed between the predicted and observed carotenoid content as inferred by root yellowness intensity in the breeding (r = 0.92) and pre-breeding (r = 0.95) populations. On the other hand, dry matter content-markers had moderately low predictive accuracy in both populations (r< 0.40) due to the more quantitative nature of the trait. This work confirmed the markers’ effectiveness in multiple backgrounds, therefore, further strengthening their value in cassava biofortification to ensure nutritional security as well as dry matter content productivity. Our study provides a framework to guide future marker validation, thus leading to the more routine use of markers in MAS in cassava improvement programs.

The ecological relevance of early ontogenetic trends in root/shoot covariation in herbaceous plants is barely known. In the present study, this issue was tackled for seedlings and juvenile plants of two herbaceous species (Plantago lanceolata and Sanguisorba minor) that share several life-history traits and habitats. We measured root and shoot traits of plants growing in the same conditions. Plantago lanceolata plants develop shallow roots and increase biomass allocation to lateral roots through ontogeny. Sanguisorba minor plants form deeper root systems in which biomass allocation to the tap root increases through ontogeny. Root dry matter content was lower in the latter species. Shoot growth of P. lanceolata was linked to the biomass of lateral roots and to the biomass and morphology of the tap root whereas aboveground growth of S. minor was linked to the exploration capacity of the tap root. The number of internodes was linked to the number of first order lateral roots in the seedlings of both species, and also in juvenile plants of P. lanceolata. Specific leaf area was positively correlated with the specific length of the tap root only in S. minor; the dry matter contents of leaves and lateral roots were positively correlated in P. lanceolata. The contrasting patterns of biomass allocation of both species are linked to specific morphological and functional root-architecture traits, and could reflect different strategies of resource acquisition and soil exploration and exploitation. Plant species whose architectural features and habitats are broadly similar may differ in the way root and shoot traits relate to each other through ontogeny, thereby revealing unequal resource-use strategies. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Ambrosia™ is an apple that naturally has limited post-harvest quality retention, which is accompanied by relatively low dry-matter content (DMC). This trial was proposed to improve the DMC of this apple by scheduling deficit irrigation (DI) conducted in a semi-arid orchard in the Similkameen Valley (British Columbia, Canada) in 2018 and 2019. Two irrigation regimes were implemented in the orchard: commercial irrigation (CI) and DI, which was defined as irrigation for 2/5 of the timespan of CI. Five irrigation treatments were conducted: 1—adequate irrigation (AI), which used CI for the whole season; 2—early-summer DI (ED), which used DI from 20 June to 20 July; 3—middle-summer DI (MD), which used DI from 20 July to 20 August; 4—late-summer DI (LD), which used DI from 20 August to 10 days before harvest; and 5—double-period DI (DD), which covered the interval of MD and LD. The DI treatments resulted in a significant decrease from AI −1.0 to −1.5 MPa in stem water potential (SWP), followed by subsequent recovery. Conversely, SWP did not recover, and instead reached a critical low of −2.5 MPa under continued deficit conditions (DD). This, in turn, correlated with significant differences in the DMC among the treatments. Specifically, ED resulted in a rapid and sustained increase in DMC throughout the summer. At the time of harvest, ED resulted in a five-fold increase in the proportion of fruit, with greater than 16% DMC and 15% DMC in 2018 and 2019, respectively, compared to AI. DD resulted in similar levels of DMC elevation compared to ED, but also caused irregular maturation and the increased incidence of soft scald disorder in the post-harvest period. MD and LD had variable effects on DMC, and also increased the incidence of soft scald disorder. Consequently, fruit collected from the ED resulted in the best blush color attributes, higher soluble solid content, and a significant improvement in the post-harvest retention of both fruit firmness and acidity. The ED irrigation model would be recommended as a practical way for Ambrosia™ growers in semi-arid regions to decrease water usage, and to ensure high fruit quality for superior marketing and sustainable production. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Eggplant is the most important fruit vegetable crop in many countries, including Ethiopia. In spite of this, its production is hindered by low nutrient availability in soil and suboptimal intra-row spacing. In order to address these issues, a field investigation took place in the Wolaita zone during 2022/23 growing season to evaluate the effects of various concentrations of blended NPSB fertilizer and intra-row spacing on the growth, yield, and quality of eggplants. Five various blended NPSB fertilizer rates (0, 50, 100, 150, and 200 kg ha -1 ) and three intra-row spacing distances (30, 40, and 50 cm) were used in the investigation, which was designed as a randomized complete block with three replicates. Based on an analysis of variance, it was discovered that the main effects of NPSB fertilizer rates and intra-row spacing significantly ( p  < 0.01) affected many of parameters, including dry matter content, total soluble solids, fruit number, fruit length, and days to 50 % flowering. Additionally, the interaction effect between NPSB fertilizer and intra-row spacing significantly ( p < 0.05) impacted the number of days to first fruit harvest, plant height, leaf area, branch number, leaf number, fruit diameter, fresh fruit yield, marketable fresh fruit yield, unmarketable fresh fruit yield, and total fresh fruit yield. According to the current investigation, the highest marketable fresh fruit yield (121.04 t ha -1 ) was obtained by 150 kg ha -1 NPSB with 40 cm intra-row spacing. These findings suggest that 150 kg ha -1 of blended NPSB fertilizer with 40 cm distance between plant spacing is optimal for eggplant cultivation in the study area and analogous agro-ecological settings. This optimized approach can effectively support eggplant growers in maximizing both yield and quality outcomes., Competing Interests: The authors declared that they have no conflict of interest., (© 2024 The Authors.)

The aim of this study was to evaluate and compare the performance of multivariate classification algorithms, specifically Partial Least Squares Discriminant Analysis (PLS-DA) and machine learning algorithms, in the classification of Monthong durian pulp based on its dry matter content (DMC) and soluble solid content (SSC), using the inline acquisition of near-infrared (NIR) spectra. A total of 415 durian pulp samples were collected and analyzed. Raw spectra were preprocessed using five different combinations of spectral preprocessing techniques: Moving Average with Standard Normal Variate (MA+SNV), Savitzky–Golay Smoothing with Standard Normal Variate (SG+SNV), Mean Normalization (SG+MN), Baseline Correction (SG+BC), and Multiplicative Scatter Correction (SG+MSC). The results revealed that the SG+SNV preprocessing technique produced the best performance with both the PLS-DA and machine learning algorithms. The optimized wide neural network algorithm of machine learning achieved the highest overall classification accuracy of 85.3%, outperforming the PLS-DA model, with overall classification accuracy of 81.4%. Additionally, evaluation metrics such as recall, precision, specificity, F1-score, AUC ROC, and kappa were calculated and compared between the two models. The findings of this study demonstrate the potential of machine learning algorithms to provide similar or better performance compared to PLS-DA in classifying Monthong durian pulp based on DMC and SSC using NIR spectroscopy, and they can be applied in the quality control and management of durian pulp production and storage.