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Urban agriculture is increasingly recognized as a vital part of food security initiatives in cities worldwide, including Addis Ababa, Ethiopia. We studied trace metal levels in sediment, soil and irrigated vegetables from farms located along the Akaki River in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia's capital, and evaluated the associated public health risks. A total of 24 sediment and 36 soil samples, and edible parts of most widely cultivated vegetables were collected and analyzed for trace metals content using an Inductively Coupled Plasma Mass Spectrometry (ICP-MS). In sediment samples, the contents of As, Cr, Cu, Ni, Pb, and Zn were above the threshold effect level. Soil levels of As, Cr, Cu, Mn, and Zn levels exceeded typical values of world soils. Besides, Ni soil content at one farming site exceeded the limits set by the European Economic Community (EEC) for agricultural soils. Strikingly, the levels of As, Pb, and Zn in few vegetable samples were above the allowable limits of the World Health Organization (WHO) despite the fact that the levels of these metals in the soil samples were within the acceptable ranges for agricultural soils. Therefore, the allowable concentrations of trace elements in agricultural soils may need to be more stringent. Cadmium, a known cause for kidney, bone, and lung diseases including cancer, was the most accumulated in vegetables. Among the toxic metals, the levels of As, Cr, and Pb were higher in Swiss chard samples. The irrigation water quality and consumption of vegetables cultivated in such urban soils may also need to be restricted. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Pesticides are a critical aspect of contemporary agriculture and a significant driver of agricultural intensification and productivity. However, the overuse of chemical pesticides in agricultural activities continues to be a significant concern worldwide. The study is based on qualitative and quantitative approaches, using personal interviews with 390 vegetable farmers in Assam, India. A total amount of 2573 kg of pesticide-active ingredients was applied by the farmers per season, and it was observed that 68% of the farmers exceeded the recommended pesticide usage, with an average overuse rate of 0.88 kg per season. According to the toxicity classification of the World Health Organization, about 16% of the active ingredients reported by farmers were highly hazardous, while 25% were moderately hazardous. The study used a binary logistic regression where factors like education level, Integrated Pest Management, and cultivation of separate plots for self-consumption reduced pesticide overuse. In contrast, factors like farmers' experience of health symptoms, information sources, access to credit, and off-farm income were found to promote pesticide overuse. This study provides valuable insights for policymakers in the design of effective policies to address the problem of pesticide overuse in developing countries in general and in India in particular. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Fermented vegetables contain probiotic microbes and metabolites, which are transformed from fresh vegetables, potentially providing health benefits. The kind of vegetable used to ferment and how it is grown may determine the types of health-promoting properties. To understand the possible benefits of fermented vegetables under different growing conditions, we compared the microbiomes and metabolomes of three different types of naturally fermented vegetables—carrots, peppers, and radishes—that were grown either under conventional or regenerative growing systems. We profiled bacterial and fungal communities via 16S rRNA short-read (V4 region), long-read, and ITS2 sequencing, in tandem with untargeted metabolomics (LC-MS). The results showed that the microbiomes and metabolomes of the fermented vegetables under each growing system are unique, highlighting distinctions in amino acid content and potentially probiotic microbes (p < 0.05). All fermented vegetables contained high amounts of gamma-aminobutyric acid (GABA), a critical neurotransmitter. However, GABA was found to be in higher abundance in the regenerative fermented vegetables, particularly in carrots (p < 0.01) and peppers (p < 0.05), and was associated with higher abundances of the typically probiotic Lactiplantibacillus plantarum. Our findings indicate that the growing system may impact the microbiome and metabolome of plant-based ferments, encouraging more research on the health-boosting potential of regeneratively grown vegetables. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

COMMON bean is an important vegetable crop grown in Egypt for local consumption and can be exported abroad. Its dry seeds are valuable sources of protein. To increase its productivity, common bean seeds were irradiated when it was exposed to ionizing radiation (gamma irradiation) for a predetermined amount of time that depends on the radioactivity of the radioactive source (60Co). Worldwide, billions of people suffer from zinc (Zn) insufficiency. Zinc is an essential mineral for plants and mammals. This study aimed to evaluate the effects of foliar Zn sprays and seeds gamma irradiation on the growth, yield, productivity and grain nutritional quality of common bean. The experimental design was a split-plot in two factors with three replicates. The main plots were seeds gamma irradiation (0, 10, 20, and 80 Gy) and the sub-plots were zinc spraying as ZnSO4 (0, 50, 100 and 150 mg L-1 ). Field experiments were carried out in two successive growing seasons under field conditions using drip irrigation system. One commercial common bean cultivar was used (Bronco). Some of growth parameters yield and quality parameters were estimated to follow the effect of zinc fertilization and gamma irradiation on the common bean plant. The results indicated that increasing Zn concentration in the spray solution cased a positive in common bean. Also Exposing seeds to moderate doses of gamma rays leads to positive effects on plant growth, yield and quality. In this regard, it was concluded that there was a positive interaction between spraying with zinc and gamma irradiation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The first part of this paper provides a brief overview of France’s organic agriculture to consider how the country’s organic school meals are connected with “sustainable town development” in the context of SDGs as compared with the situation in Japan. The paper then outlines the EGAlim law, the legislation aimed to promote organic school meals, by examining the key points in the reports from “nationwide observation sites” of organic school meals. Based on the above, the last part focuses on Langouet, a small municipality in Brittany that has achieved France’s first 100-percent organic school meals, summarizing the inter-related developments of the region's unique environmental, economic and social businesses originating from school meals using locally grown organic ingredients. To understand why these businesses are attracting young people and couples into the village, the paper considers and clarifies the social solidarity-based economic activities involving local people, exemplified by ecological housing, energy autonomy realized through regenerative power generation, food autonomy by permaculture farming in common vegetable gardens, and participatory cafes. To conclude, the paper confirms that the population increase owing to the inflow of people and the young demographic structure are essential elements supporting the sustainability of the village. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Urban agriculture along major highways often exposes food crops to heavy metal contamination, primarily from vehicular emissions. This review examines the origins, exposure pathways, and health risks associated with heavy metals in roadside vegetables. Sources include both tailpipe emissions, such as lead (Pb) and cadmium (Cd), and non-tailpipe emissions from tyre and brake wear, which release zinc (Zn) and copper (Cu). Contamination occurs through atmospheric deposition on plant surfaces and root uptake from polluted soils. A systematic synthesis of global case studies reveals alarming levels of heavy metals, often exceeding WHO/FAO thresholds. For instance, vegetables cultivated along the Accra-Tema motorway in Ghana contained cadmium levels up to 279 mg/kg, posing significant health risks. Similarly, roadside vegetables in India, Nigeria, and China demonstrated bioaccumulation of toxic elements, with health implications including carcinogenic and non-carcinogenic effects. The review highlights the direct and indirect exposure pathways for humans, such as dietary intake of contaminated vegetables, inhalation of particulates, and dermal contact. Health consequences include gastrointestinal distress, neurotoxicity, reproductive issues, and elevated cancer risks. To mitigate these risks, the review advocates for the prohibition of vegetable farming near high-traffic highways, along with the implementation of stringent monitoring programs to assess and control heavy metal levels. Future research should address ecological impacts and integrate diverse contamination sources to develop effective risk management strategies. This work is a critical resource for policymakers, researchers, and urban planners aiming to enhance food safety and public health in urban settings. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

99 chilli genotypes were screened for yellow mite and thrips incidence under field conditions at Vegetable Research Farm, Punjab Agricultural University, Ludhiana, Punjab during 2021. Based on damage score/LCI, mite and thrips population density per six apical leaves, and the percentage of leaf infestation, the genotypes were categorised. The categories included 6 genotypes as resistant, 13 as moderately resistant, 37 as moderately susceptible, 36 as susceptible, and 7 as highly susceptible. 25 chilli genotypes were selected from the field screening and evaluated at Entomological Research Farm under net house conditions in the following season in 2022. The combined results of field and artificial screening identified YB- 583, SL-696, and FLP-640 as resistant genotypes, while PP-418, PUP-661 and SN-721 were identified as highly susceptible. These results suggest that resistant and moderately susceptible genotypes may be used in the development of chilli varieties with resistance to yellow mite and chilli thrips. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Leafy vegetables are very healthy for human beings having high contents of phyto- and physico-chemicals and are low in fat and calories. Mountainous regions worldwide have diverse agroclimatic conditions conducive for the cultivation of different leafy vegetables. Present research study assessed six leafy vegetables for their composition at fifteen different agroecological sites. Fresh leaves of six leafy vegetables, i.e. alfalfa, water clover, spinach, leaf mustard, pennywort, and fenugreek, were collected from the mountainous region. Procured leaf samples were brought to analytical laboratory and were subjected to physicochemical and phytochemical analysis, i.e. moisture content, pH, TSS, ascorbic acid, carotenoids, phenolic content, flavonoids, and antioxidant potential. Among all the sampling sites and vegetables, a significant variation was observed for the physicochemical and phytochemical parameters. In samples procured from different agroecological sites, the better retention of quality parameters was observed among the leaf sample collected from fifteen different agroecological sites. The highest values were recorded for moisture content in spinach at site 1, for pH in leaf mustard at sites 4, 5 and 6, for TSS in spinach at sites 6 and 9, for ascorbic acid in alfalfa at site 6, for total phenolics in spinach at site 5, for carotenoid in leaf mustard at site 5, for flavonoids in fenugreek at site 5, and for antioxidant in spinach at site 6. It can be concluded that mountainous regions are rich in agroecological conditions suitable for producing leafy vegetables carrying healthful constituents for the consumption by human beings. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study, investigated the concentrations of cadmium, lead and arsenic in vegetables grown with irrigation and sold in Sabon gari and Samaru markets in Zaria, Nigeria. Cadmium was absent in amaranthus, pepper and tomatoes purchased from Samaru market. Nevertheless, amaranthus and lettuce had higher concentrations of these toxic metals than pepper. Total arsenic concentrations in the investigated vegetables were higher than the maximum levels set by the World Health Organization. Total daily intake of the metals was higher than the maximum levels for consuming vegetables from these markets. Therefore, individuals who consume these foods may be at risk. These results indicate the possibility of toxic metal contamination in vegetables purchased from Zaria markets. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In 2022, seniors studying horticulture at Montana State University (MSU; Bozeman, MT) had the opportunity to participate in a unique community-based learning project in collaboration with the newly built PreK-12 public school in the rural town of Winifred, MT, to establish the greenhouse infrastructure to be used in curriculum at the school. The new greenhouse facility presented an opportunity for Winifred students to not only gain experience growing vegetables, but also to provide a source of fresh vegetables for school lunches and for community members. This course presented two unique opportunities for the MSU horticulture students: (1) to experience problem-solving horticultural challenges through designing and troubleshooting the setup of the cropping systems for the greenhouse and (2) to participate in a course with a real-world impact on improving food security in rural areas of Montana. Over the course of the semester, the MSU students successfully established the infrastructure for the Winifred School greenhouse, which has continued to be integrated into the curriculum as well as providing fresh produce for students and community members. By the end of the course, MSU students demonstrated program learning outcomes including demonstrating the content knowledge and skills necessary to function successfully in a horticultural career and being able to identify and analyze plant growth problems and develop solutions or strategies to solve those problems. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The present study focused on assessing the morphological and biochemical variations among the cultivated and wild okra species at vegetable research farm, Indian Agricultural Research Institute in the year 2021-22 and it has been found that the wild species possess more amount beneficial traits viz; chlorophyll a, chlorophyll b, total chlorophyll, carotenoid, phenol, moisture, mucilage, sugar, ascorbic acid when compared to the cultivated species. The mean performance of these quantitative characters differed significantly from cultivated species (Abelmoschus esculentus). Biochemical parameter values were found to be high in wild accessions and lowest in cultivated species. Among the various wild species of A. moschatus, such as IC-141055 and IC-141040, and wild accessions of A. tetraphyllus, including IC-90515 and IC-90746-1, these plants are characterized by their small, deeply serrated leaves. These traits contribute to reduced infestation rates of BYVMV (Bhindi Yellow Vein Mosaic Virus) and ELCV (Enation Leaf Curl Virus), as the compact leaf structure offers less space for vectors to thrive. Consequently, these species are promising candidates for breeders to consider in crop improvement programs. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Copyright of Acta Agriculturae Slovenica is the property of Biotechnical Faculty of the University of Ljubljana 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.)

Food insecurity is a top economic and national security concern in many countries, and scientists worldwide are working to increase crop productivity in order to address this issue. In line with this information, the present study aimed to test the possibility of improving the yield and fruit quality of two tomato cultivars, namely 'Vspyshka' and 'Lyana'. The effect of LSL (light of sodium lamps—control) and the short additional 4 h treatment of nighttime LED lighting (LSL+night LED) with an increase in the proportion of red, blue, and far-red spectra on tomato fruit yield as well as its physiological, biochemical, and consumer attributes were compared in this study. The results suggested that LSL+night LED significantly increased soluble solids concentration, vitamin C content, and polyphenolic compounds of tomato fruits, taking into account the varietal characteristics. Moreover, a moderate to high relationship was also observed between the polyphenolic complex, vitamin C content, and antioxidant activity. It was concluded that the LSL+night LED could further enhance the relationship between polyphenols and antioxidants, as well as soluble solids concentration. LSL+night LED treatment also provided an increased accumulation of five essential amino acids associated with the taste characteristics of fruits, namely histidine, valine, threonine, licin, and the sum of isoleucine. In addition, the contents of lysine and methionine increased in the 'Lyana' cultivar. LSL+night LED treatment was also noted to have a less pronounced effect on the contents of aspartic acid and asparagine, as bio stimulators of plant growth processes, as well as the amino acids arginine, serine, glycine, and tyrosine, which were additionally consumed to restore photosynthesis. LSL+night LED treatment reduced the concentration of nitrates in fruits, which is a toxic element for human health. Overall, the results of the study are believed to be demanded in practical applications, with potential benefits in improving the elements of resource-saving technology for growing vegetable crops. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Eggplant is a vegetable grown worldwide, and due to quality standards, large amounts of biomass are generated after harvest. Biomass is considered a source of bioactive compounds with antioxidant properties. Therefore, this research aimed to evaluate the bioaccessibility (BA) and antioxidant capacity of microencapsulated alkaloids from eggplant fruit biomass. Eggplant biomass was collected, and the total alkaloid content, antioxidant capacity (TEAC, FRAP, and ORAC), and alkaloid profile (UPLC/MS) were determined before and after the in vitro digestion of encapsulated and non-encapsulated alkaloids. In vitro digestion significantly reduced the total alkaloid content and antioxidant capacity of alkaloid-rich extracts. Microencapsulation increased the bioaccessibility of alkaloid-rich extracts threefold, and the antioxidant capacity increased by up to 50%. The antioxidant capacity of digested microcapsules increased, and their bioaccessibility was higher than that of non-encapsulated alkaloids. Solamargine and solasonine decreased by 17 and 15% BA, respectively, during in vitro digestion; however, microencapsulation protected these alkaloids during in vitro digestion and enhanced their content. This study demonstrates that microencapsulation is a feasible option to protect alkaloids and preserve their antioxidant capacity during gastrointestinal digestion, as well as to give added value to eggplant plant biomass. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Soil samples were collected from vegetable agricultural areas in and around Addis Ababa, and their levels of radioactivity were measured. Gamma spectrometry with high-purity germanium detector was used to quantify radioactivity level. The average concentration of 226Ra, 232Th, and 40K were 32.8 ± 2.1, 62.4 ± 4.4, and 544.3 ± 23.3 Bq kg−1 respectively. The mean values of 232Th and 40K are higher, whereas the value of 226Ra is comparable with world average values. Radiological hazard indices, including radium equivalent activity (Ra eq), absorbed dose rate (D r), outdoor annual effective dose equivalent (D eff), external hazard index (H ex), internal hazard index (H in), and gamma radiation representative level index (I γ), were calculated based on the activity concentration of 226Ra, 232Th and 40K. The mean values were 163.9 Bq kg−1, 78.7 nGy h−1, 0.10 mSv y−1, 0.44, 0.53, and 0.60 respectively. All indices are lower than global recommended limit values. These results revealed that radiation hazard due to radionuclides in the soil of the study area is insignificant. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The genus amaranth is comprised of 60–70 species. This climate hardy plant is grown as a vegetable as well as cereal crop in many areas of the world. Current study multivariate analysis was used to characterize the exotic vegetable amaranth genotypes. The experiment was conducted in the research area of Muhammad Nawaz Shareef University of Agriculture, Multan under RCBD design with three replications of 50 exotic amaranth genotype. 22 different variables were investigated for the principal component and cluster analysis using different software packages in R studio. According to the results of principal component analysis the first five PCs had eigenvalues greater than one and they explained the 84.59% diversity in exotic vegetable amaranth accessions. First two principal components explained 57.31% of variation. Traits that loaded highly for first PC include moisture (-0.892), carbohydrates (0.938), energy (0.920), stomatal conductance (0.803), net photosynthesis (0.795) and dry weight (0.770). The traits which impacted the second PC highly include protein (0.692), fat (-0.571), nitrogen (0.692), calcium (0.545), phosphorus (0.908), zinc (0.960), iron (0.826) and potassium (0.872). For future breeding program the selection based on these results will be effective for crop enhancement drive in exotic vegetable amaranth genotypes. Hierarchical clustering was done and dendrogram split the 50 genotypes into 5 groups using silhouette method. The pairwise clustering revealed that intra cluster distance is smaller than inter cluster distance. The maximum inter cluster distance was observed between cluster I and II (9.88); between cluster I and III (9.47); between cluster II and IV (9.27). Clinical trial number Clinical trial number not applicable. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Recycling nutrients and organic matter available as waste in urban areas may close nutrient gaps and improve soil quality, but the concentrations of potentially toxic elements (PTEs) are commonly higher than in mineral fertilisers. How quickly may the limits for soil quality be exceeded, and for which elements, if such materials are applied intensively? For a rough answer to this question, we used soil data from ten case farms near Oslo and Bergen (Norway) to estimate how PTE concentrations increased when the demand for nitrogen (N), phosphorus (P) and potassium (K) in a theoretical carrot crop produced every year was covered by compost or digestate from source-separated food waste, or composted garden waste, compared with manure from horses and poultry which are often kept in peri-urban areas. Results: With the intensive fertilisation assumed here, the Norwegian soil quality limits for PTEs were reached within 20–85 years, and faster for soil with more organic matter since regulatory limits set by weight discriminate soils with low bulk density. The limits were reached first for Cu and Zn, which are both essential micronutrients for crop plants. The concentrations of macronutrients in the urban waste-based fertilisers were not well balanced. Rates covering the K demand would lead to high surpluses of P and N. In peri-urban vegetable growing, high applications of compost are not unusual, but more balanced fertilisation is required. Conclusions: The Norwegian regulations for PTEs in organic soil amendments and agricultural soil are stricter than in the EU, and do not support recycling of organic matter and nutrients from urban waste. Many materials which can only be applied with restricted amounts to Norwegian agricultural soil, may be applied according to crop demand in the EU. Growers utilising urban waste-based fertilisers intensively should monitor the soil regularly, including PTE analyses. Soil sampling should occur on fixed sampling points to reveal changes in concentrations over time. Norwegian authorities should consider a revision of the organic fertiliser regulation to support recycling of valuable organic materials. There is a need for more data on the PTE concentrations in agricultural soil and organic fertiliser materials. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Understanding the relationship between the aerobic transformation of organic matter (OM) and the bioavailability of lead to plants may allow the safe application of organic fertilizers (OF) in agriculture. The present study aimed to elucidate the relationship of different OM structures with Pb, revealing the action of OF (poultry litter) on Pb dynamics, presenting the effects of OM transformations on bioavailability and transfer to vegetables produced in tropical mountain agroecosystems (TMA). The association of Pb with hydrophilic structures (CAlk–O and CAlk–di–O) during the aerobic transformation of poultry litter (PL) contributes to the increase in the water-soluble form of this metal (3.17–15.30%). The structural changes promoted by the transformation of OM, in addition to reducing the adsorption capacity of Pb in PL (Kd reduction from 1135.50 to 87.49), favor the formation of outer-sphere complexes. PL that have a more labile structure, i.e., those that are less humified, have greater affinity for Pb. The greater affinity of Pb for labile structures that are preserved in PL during OM transformations contributed to its increase and transport to edible plant parts. Considering the edible parts of vegetables grown in TMA and fertilized with fresh PL, 100% of broccoli, 91.78% of cabbage, 80.00% of tomato, 65.96% of parsley, 49.19% of lettuce, and 32.88% of cauliflower showed Pb contamination that exceeded the permitted level. Therefore, OF contributes to lead contamination of food produced in TMA, representing a risk to human health. Studies are needed to propose additional treatments for this residue before its use. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Copyright of Berichte aus dem Julius Kühn-Institut is the property of Julius Kuehn Institut 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.)

Abiotic stress is one of the key factors harming global agriculture today, seriously affecting the growth and yield of vegetables. Pepper is the most widely grown vegetable in the world, with both high nutritional and economic values. Currently, the increase in global extreme weather events has heightened the frequency of abiotic stresses, such as drought, high and low temperatures, waterlogging, and high salt levels, which impairs pepper growth and development, leading to its reduced yield and quality. In this review, we summarize the research progress on the responses of pepper to abiotic stress in recent years in terms of physiology, biochemistry, molecular level, and mitigation measures. We then explore the existing problems and propose future research directions. This work provides a reference for the cultivation and development of new pepper varieties resistant to abiotic stress. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Considerable amounts of irrigation water of vegetable crops grown in homogenous sandy soil profiles could be subjected to deep percolation water losses due to inappropriately designed surface or subsurface drip irrigation methods. This study aimed to investigate the combined influence of implementing clay soil layer in homogenous sandy soil profile of low-tech greenhouse ridges and using modified surface drip irrigation (M-DI) on soil moisture distribution and water productivity of tomatoes. In the greenhouse, a 7.5 cm thick clay soil layer was implemented 15 cm from the soil surface of each ridge as a hydraulic barrier. Three irrigation regimes (100%, 70% and 50% of ETo) were imposed with the M-DI on tomato plants and 100%ETo with surface drip irrigation (DI) as control. Regarding economic valuation, viability was preserved for the M-DI and DI methods. The outcome indicated that soil moisture spreads more horizontally than vertically on the sandy soil above the clay soil layer. The combined effect of the homogenous sandy soil profile amendment and full irrigation (100%ETo) with the M-DI irrigation method increased the tomato fruit yield by 64.5%. Furthermore, the combined influence enhanced water productivity by the M-DI to 54.7 kg/m3 compared to 32 kg/m3 by the DI. However, M-DI demonstrated dominance over DI regarding returns, yield, and profit. Economic-wise, the M-DI requires 50% less of the lateral pipelines needed by the DI in low-tech greenhouses. Adopting the M-DI with a hydraulic barrier can improve soil moisture, water productivity, yield, and returns for tomato crops in low-tech greenhouses under sandy soil conditions. Also, the M-DI with the hydraulic clay barriers was an economically viable investment compared to the DI without clay barriers for growing tomatoes in low-tech greenhouses. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A comparative study between fertigation and spraying procedures in terms of the status of Cadmium (Cd) and Arsenic (As) in greenhouse cucumber was conducted as a two-factor split plot based on a randomized complete block design with three replications at the Soil and Water Research Institute, Karaj, Iran in 2023. The main and sub-factors were respectively fertigation and spraying that were used in two levels [the maximum permissible concentration of Cd and As in granular triple super phosphate fertilizer (25 ppm Cd and 50 ppm As) and the minimum permissible concentration of these metals in granular triple super phosphate fertilizer (5 ppm Cd and 5 ppm As)]. Spraying was done in three modes (spraying of leaves, leaves and fruit, and fruit). On average, the results showed that the order of the concentration of Cd in plant tissues (DW) was as leaf (0.284 mg/kg) > fruit peel (0.102 mg/kg) > fruit peel + flesh (0.054 mg/kg) > fruit flesh (0.044 mg/kg). This order for As was as leaf (0.608 mg/kg) > fruit flesh (0.127 mg/kg) > fruit peel + flesh (0.109 mg/kg) > fruit peel (0.072 mg/kg). Based on the measurements, the spraying procedure accumulated more amounts of Cd and As in the fruit (i.e., peel + flesh) than the fertigation procedure. In general, it is concluded that under soilless culture, the status of heavy metals in plant tissues of greenhouse cucumber is related to the nature of the metal, the organ exposed to the metal, and the fertilization procedure. Because there is the risk of contamination of vegetables grown in the areas fertigated and sprayed with poor-quality nutrient solutions in terms of the content of heavy metals, the frequency of fertigation and spraying needs to be monitored continuously for the quality of the vegetables cultivated in greenhouses. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Greenhouse vegetable production has become increasingly important in meeting the increasing global food demand. Yet, it faces severe challenges in terms of how to maintain soil productivity from a long-term perspective. This review discusses the main soil productivity limiting factors for vegetables grown in greenhouses and identifies strategies that attempt to overcome these limitations. The main processes leading to soil degradation include physical (e.g., compaction), chemical (e.g., salinization, acidification, and nutrient imbalances), and biological factors (e.g., biodiversity reduction and pathogen buildup). These processes are often favored by intensive greenhouse cultivation. Mitigation strategies involve managing soil organic matter and mineral nutrients and adopting crop rotation. Future research should focus on precisely balancing soil nutrient supply with vegetable crop demands throughout their life cycle and using targeted organic amendments to manage specific soil properties. To ensure the successful adoption of recommended strategies, socioeconomic considerations are also necessary. Future empirical research is required to adapt socioeconomic frameworks, such as Science and Technology Backyard 2.0, from cereal production systems to greenhouse vegetable production systems. Addressing these issues will enable the productivity of greenhouse vegetable soils that meet growing vegetable demand to be sustained using limited soil resources. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Urban farming is important in supporting food security in urban areas. This study aims to identify the use of communication media in implementing urban farming and supporting institutions in the application of urban farming. This research was conducted using a survey method with samples selected in tiers representing each extension institution of farmer women groups. Furthermore, data were gathered from interviews and FGDs. The results showed that accessing information and communication behavior was in the excellent category with a score of 4.65. There are different types of facilities that are currently used by farmers to access information, namely smartphones where the extension workers always provide information related to farming, and printed extension media such as brochures, flyers, and books related to vegetable farming. Farmer knowledge about information sources is also in an excellent category. They know the types of information sources and how to get information according to their needs that comes from reliable and accurate sources. Farmers received full support from local leaders and the government through the food crops and fisheries office of the city of Pekanbaru with regular counseling held by extension workers, and socialization related to urban farming. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Bangladeshi vegetable growers rely heavily on chemical pesticides to manage pests. Botanical pesticides are often promoted as an environmentally friendly way to control pests that can help to mitigate the harmful effects of chemical pesticides. This study analyzed vegetable growers' knowledge and willingness to adopt botanical pesticides. The data was collected from 202 vegetable farmers using face-to-face interviews. Descriptive statistics and a set of econometric models were used to analyze the data. Only 20% of the farmers had good knowledge of botanical pesticides. About 43% of the farmers were willing to adopt botanical pesticides. Education, training, extension contact, and cosmopolite behavior (communication with other people) significantly enhanced the knowledge of the vegetable growers. With membership in IPM club and extension contacts, the odds of willingness to adopt increased by a factor of 7.60 and 4.23, respectively. The use of modern information and communication technology can assist the adoption of botanical pesticides by increasing farmers' knowledge. Providing farmers with training on the easy preparation of homemade botanical pesticides can also aid in their widespread adoption. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Carrot is a major root vegetable crop grown in many parts of the world. In Europe, cavity spot disease continues to have a major impact on marketable yield. The disease is caused by several Pythium spp., with P. violae the main pathogen in the UK and results in small black lesions on mature carrot roots. The lack of reliable inoculation methods for these Pythium pathogens has, for many years, hampered the identification of new effective crop protection products or carrot varieties that are resistant to the disease. In this research, inoculation methods were developed for P. violae using mycelium or oospores, each of which successfully induced typical cavity spot symptoms in both pot‐ and field‐grown carrots as well as consistent root stunting in the former. These methods were also used to successfully identify carrot cultivars with resistance to cavity spot and confirmed the efficacy of the fungicide metalaxyl‐M against the disease. Results therefore demonstrated that the inoculation methods should be reliable for identifying the efficacy of crop protection products, assessing cavity spot resistance and for further studies investigating the biology and epidemiology of the pathogen. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Linear alkyl benzene sulfonates (LASs) with alkyl chains from C10 to C14 are the most commonly used anionic surfactants in household laundry. However, LAS toxicity toward agricultural soil further could be formed at a risk for fruits and vegetables grown on the land, so that to develop a sensitive and precise analytical technique for determination of trace residual sulfonates in vegetables is very important for health. This study developed a QuEChERS extraction coupled to liquid chromatography–tandem mass spectrometry (LC–MS/MS) method for analyzing LASs in vegetables and fruits. The best results were obtained using acetonitrile as the extraction solvent combined with 25 mg primary secondary amine and 25 mg graphitized carbon black as sorbents. The linearity ranged between 1 and 250 ng/mL as well as limit of quantification (LOQ) was obtained in the range of 0.01–0.23 ng/mL of the proposed analytical method. The proposed method was utilized to detect the real spinach samples and water spinach planted with LASs‐spiked water, and the results showed the trace LASs were detected with concentration between 1.8 and 29.1 ng/g. In this study, a thorough optimization and validation of different amount of sorbent cleanup efficiency approaches was performed for the first time for the analysis of LAS. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Contaminated vegetables grown and consumed in cities of the global South have adverse public health consequences. Through interviews with farmers, traders, consumers and institutional representatives, this article explores why stakeholders in the irrigated vegetable value chain in Accra continue unsafe practices. The multi-stakeholder data are analysed by combining a behavioural model with a framework of complex stakeholder interactions. Arguably, a systemic approach would help meet stakeholders' opportunity, capability and motivation needs and actualise current efforts to promote safe practices. Findings indicate the need for all stakeholders to develop a shared understanding of each other's practices and co-design flexible arrangements that better integrate their diverse rationales, knowledge and constraints. Improving hygiene and food safety from farm to fork requires political commitment that accounts for land tenure insecurity and the high cost of safe water. This article was published open access under a CC BY licence: https://creativecommons.org/licences/by/4.0. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

bjective - This study aims to examine the role of Market Learning Orientation (MLO) and Entrepreneurial Orientation (EO) in enhancing Innovation Capability (IC) to sustain the performance of Micro, Small, and Medium Enterprises (MSMEs) in Malaysia, specifically in the Fruits and Vegetables (FFV) contract farming sector. Methodology/Technique - Using a quantitative approach, primary data were collected from 228 FFV MSMEs through structured questionnaires. The data were analyzed using Partial Least Squares Structural Equation Modeling (PLS-SEM) to test the relationships between MLO, EO, IC, and firm performance. Findings and Novelty - The results reveal that both MLO (β = 0.156, p < 0.05) and EO (β = 0.565, p < 0.01) significantly enhance IC, which, in turn, positively influences firm performance (β = 0.265, p < 0.05). While MLO and EO do not directly impact performance, their mediated effects through IC are significant. This study contributes to the literature by emphasizing the pivotal role of IC as a mediator in translating strategic orientations into measurable business outcomes. It offers practical insights for MSMEs to prioritize innovation and for policymakers to design programs fostering strategic and innovative practices. Type of Paper - Empirical Paper [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Melon fruit flies, Zeugodacus cucurbitae infest fruits of cucurbit plants and make them unpalatable. Their ubiquitous presence across the globe is an indication that they are highly adaptive to varying environment. Its larval stage burrows inside the fruits eating soft contents and growing up to its third instar stage. There are ample evidences that food provided at developing stages may cause substantial variation in the external morphology of insects. Since, Z. cucurbitae larvae grow on different vegetable crops, it was aimed to see whether the host species cause variation in the weight and biochemical characteristics during its larval (pre-adult) stage. In the present work, we reared larvae on three different foods, i.e., pumpkin, long gourd and bitter gourd and observed the influence of these varying foods on their weight and the total contents of triglycerides, protein and glucose. The results of this study indicated that the larval weight significantly varied between two genetically different strains grown on varying foods. Within the strain, food provided at larval stage also caused its marked impact on the larval weight. The impact of food consumed at larval development was also analysed on their biochemical parameters. Larval triglyceride level varied significantly between the strains as well as due to varying food provided at their larval development. The rearing food caused variation on total glucose content of the third instar larvae. Larvae fed on bitter gourd possessed maximum content of glucose in both the strains. However, strain and food together did not leave significant effect on the glucose content. The total protein was found to significantly differ between the larvae of the two strains fed on varying food. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose: The current investigation was conducted at the Vegetable Research Farm of the School of Agriculture, Lovely Professional University, Phagwara, Punjab. The aim of the study was to know the effect of different combinations of organic amendments along with biofertilizers on various horticultural, biochemicals, soil profiling traits and economics of radish cultivation. Method: The experiment followed a Factorial Randomized Block Design with three replications, two varieties, and ten treatments. The statistical data analysis was calculated from five randomly chosen plants for various horticultural, biochemical, and soil profiling traits, while the economics for the same was also calculated for analyzing the profit margin. Results: The study found significant results across attributes. Pusa Chetki excelled in germination time, plant height, leaves, and leaf area at different stages. Pusa Shweta showed superiority in root-related factors, chlorophyll, ascorbic acid, sugars, acidity, and dry matter. T10 demonstrated excellence in various parameters. A combination of Pusa Chetki with 100% Vermicompost yielded notable results in plant height, soluble solids, sugars, and firmness. The VC:FYM:PM (50:25:25) treatment in Pusa Shweta displayed the highest gross return, net return, and benefit-to-cost ratio. Conclusion: The combination of Pusa Shweta and a treatment consisting of 50% Vermicompost, 25% FYM, and 25% Poultry Manure produced positive outcomes across various parameters and had the highest economic returns in terms of benefit-to-cost ratio. These findings offer valuable insights for farmers and researchers interested in improving radish cultivation by utilizing organic amendments and biofertilizers. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Pyrethroid resistance and mechanisms for resistance for Anopheles gambiae sensus lato (s.l.) (Diptera: Culicidae) Giles, were assessed in three urban areas (vegetable farming, industrial and residential) of Abidjan. Susceptibility to pyrethroids (deltamethrin, permethrin and alphacypermethrin), with and without piperonyl butoxide (PBO) pre‐exposure was evaluated. Anopheles gambiae complex members were identified using Short Interspersed Nuclear Elements PCR (SINE PCR), and resistance mechanisms (kdr‐west, kdr‐east and ace‐1) and metabolic gene expression (CYP6P5, CYP6M2, CYP6P3, CYP6P4) were determined by real‐time polymerase chain reaction (PCR). High resistance to deltamethrin, permethrin and alphacypermethrin was observed in Port‐Bouet (vegetable farming) and Treichville (industrial site), whereas moderate resistance to deltamethrin and high resistance to alphacypermethrin and permethrin were found in Abobo (residential site). Pre‐exposure to PBO with pyrethroid increased mortalities in all sites. In Treichville, pre‐exposure to PBO restored susceptibility to deltamethrin, but not in Port‐Bouet or Abobo. In Treichville, An. gambiae Giles sensu stricto (s.s.) was predominant (92.9%), whereas in Abobo and Port‐Bouet, An. coluzzii Giles was predominant (73.6% and 66.4%, respectively). The highest kdr‐west mutation frequency was in An. gambiae s.s. (42.8%) from Abobo, followed by An. gambiae s.s. (40%) from Port‐Bouet and An. gambiae s.s. (35.6%) from Treichville. In An. coluzzii, the highest kdr‐west mutation frequency was in Port‐Bouet (48.2%), followed by Abobo (28.00%) and Treichville (21.4%). Mutation frequencies of kdr‐east were lower in An. gambiae s.s. from Treichville (4.1%) and Port‐Bouet (2.1%) and absent in An. gambiae from Abobo. In industrial and vegetable farming areas, CYP6P3 and CYP6M2 were overexpressed compared with Kisumu. The study suggests An. gambiae s.l. distribution and pyrethroid resistance are influenced by human activities. Treichville's industrial area favoured An. gambiae s.s., whereas Abobo's residential and Port‐Bouet's vegetable farming areas were dominated by An. coluzzii. Resistance in Treichville and Port‐Bouet was associated with kdr (west and east) genes and metabolic genes, whereas in residential areas, only kdr‐west genes were observed. These data suggest that PBO + deltamethrin impregnated nets could aid malaria control, benefiting industrial areas of Côte d'Ivoire and other African cities. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study investigated the effects of different cooking techniques (hot-air baking and deep frying) on digestibility, thermal properties, and functional compounds of potatoes, carrots, and cultivated mushrooms. Color values (Hunter L, a, b, and ΔE), thermal properties (To and ΔH values), total phenolic content, antioxidant activity, estimated glycemic index (eGI), and sensory properties analyses were carried out on the obtained products. According to the results, a statistically significant (p<0.05) effect of different cooking techniques on the physicochemical and sensorial properties of cooked potato, carrot, and cultivated mushroom samples was found. The eGI values of the samples were ranged in 42.82-68.50 and had low (<55) glycemic indexes, with the exception of deep-fried carrot samples. With the cooking process, a decrease was observed in the antioxidant activity and total phenolic content of the samples. The sensory analysis results determined that the panelists gave higher scores to the deep-fried samples than the baked samples. In addition, the general acceptance scores of deep-fried products were higher. As a result, the baking process is recommended for the preservation of physicochemical properties of the samples, although deep frying provided higher scores for sensorial properties. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The present study investigated broccoli cultivation under semi-arid conditions, focusing on the Parthenon F1 and Orantes F1 cultivars. Turkey has made significant advances in vegetable production, particularly in modern agricultural techniques that ensure higher yield eventually income of the growers. This study was conducted at the Adıyaman University Agricultural Practice and Land Management Research Center, with soil analyses performed before planting. Experimental plots were established with four replications, each containing ten plants. The main parameters recorded includes head diameter, head length, plant height, head weight, SPAD readings, vitamin C and nitrogen contents. The obtained results indicated that the Parthenon F1 had a higher average head diameter (11.83 cm) and head length (13.42 cm) compared to the Orantes F1 (8.46 cm and 10.95 cm, respectively). The average plant height for Parthenon F1 was 54.48 cm, while Orantes F1 had an average height of 49.39 cm. The average head weight of Parthenon F1 was significantly higher at 299.07 g compared to Orantes F1's 164.46 g. The SPAD readings were found similar for both cultivars, with Parthenon F1 at 72.86 and Orantes F1 at 72.57. Vitamin C content was higher in Parthenon F1 (111.76 mg/100 g FW) than in Orantes F1 (100.62 mg/100 g FW). However, Nitrogen content was higher in Orantes F1 (4.31%) compared to Parthenon F1 (3.64%). These findings highlight the importance of planting season and variety selection in achieving optimal broccoli production in semi-arid regions. The Parthenon F1 variety, especially when planted in autumn, demonstrated superior results in most parameters. These results suggested that adopting suitable cultivars and adjusting planting seasons can enhance broccoli yield and quality under semi-arid conditions. Further research on different cultivars and cultivation techniques is recommended to improve the sustainability and productivity of broccoli cultivation in semi-arid regions. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: The optimum sowing date is crucial among the different agronomic procedures for maximizing output. Optimizing a crop's planting time may be one of the most significant climate resilient tactics for increasing production and hence it becomes necessary to study the crop growth behaviors in changing climatic conditions. The proposed field investigations were undertaken to study the influence of different sowing dates on yield of vegetable pea. Methods: Field investigations were undertaken during Rabi seasons of 2020-21 and 2021-22 at the Vegetable Research Farm, Department of Horticulture, Dr. Rajendra Prasad Central Agricultural University, Pusa (85.67°E - 25.98°N.), which comes under sub- Himalayan foothills region of India. The research study was performed in randomized block design with three replications consisting of eight different sowing dates of vegetable pea. cv. Azad Pea-3 at 10 days interval between each sowing dates. Observations were made on various growth and yield attributing parameters. Result: Results revealed that the parameters under study were substantially affected by various sowing dates. Second week of sowing in November in the years produced maximum plant height at 60 DAS (83.77 cm), number of branches per plant (3.97), number of nodules per plant at flowering (26.13), number of green pods per plant (20.80), 10 pods weight (75.67 g) and pod yield (52.06 q/ha). [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Weather variations have posed enormous barriers to water resources, availability of food, human health, infrastructure, and natural environment. These phenomena underscore the need for climate smart practices in South Africa. The study examined in context, the socio-economic determinants, and acceptance of climate smart agriculture practices in Mzinti, Nkomazi Local Municipality South Africa. From a known population of 455 farmers, 212 samples were selected for the survey and considered realistic for the study. This survey comprised questions that were clear, unbiased, and relevant to the research questions. Enumerators were further briefed on the study objectives and the importance of consistent and ethical data collection. The team comprised of four primary data enumerators. A pilot survey with 20 randomly selected smallholder farmers was undertaken to identify and address any questionnaire that may be ambiguous. Based on this pilot, minor revisions were made to improve the questionnaire and ensure accurate reflection of intended variables, thus enhancing the reliability of the data collection instrument. A randomized sampling method was employed to select respondents who participated in the study. This allowed every participant to have a fair chance of being chosen. The study used the structured questionnaire, and the field survey was done between the month of April 2023 and July 2023. Descriptive statistics: frequency count, tables, and percentages, were used to explain the socio-economic determinants for acceptance of climate smart agriculture practices. The hypothesized variables were assessed using the binary logistic regression to determine the correlation between the socio-demographic characteristics and dependent variables. The result revealed that age (p< 0.007), crop yield (p<0.001), farm income (p<0.047) farm size (p<0.020, and food shortages (p<0.001) were correlated and statistically significant in determining the acceptance of climate smart agriculture practices. The study concluded that climate smart agriculture practices enhance farmer productivity, and it is influenced by factors such as age, farm size, and scarcity of food, crop yield, and farm income. The adoption of climate smart agriculture enables farmers to have increased crop yields, have access to food, increased income of the farm. Thus, it can be concluded that CSA practices effectively enhance the productivity of vegetable farming and food security. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Urban agriculture has emerged as a crucial strategy to address food security and sustainability challenges, particularly in densely populated areas. This study focused on enhancing leafy greens' production, specifically lettuce (Lactuca sativa L.) and arugula or rocket (Eruca sativa L.), using Nutrient Film Technique (NFT) systems and automation in container-based vertical farming. The study utilized a 20-foot shipping container retrofitted to create a thermally insulated and automated growth environment equipped with energy-efficient LED lighting and precise climate control systems. The results demonstrated significant improvements in crop yields, with the NFT systems achieving productivity up to 11 times higher than traditional methods in protected horticulture. These systems enabled continuous cultivation cycles, responding to the high market demand for fresh local produce. Moreover, the integration of low-cost sensors and automation technologies, each costing under USD 300, ensured that the environmental conditions were consistently optimal, highlighting this approach's economic feasibility and scalability. This low-cost framework aligns with industry standards for affordable technology, making it accessible for small- to medium-sized urban agriculture enterprises. This study underscores the potential of vertical farming as a sustainable solution for urban food production. It provides a model that can be replicated and scaled to meet the growing demand for healthy, locally grown vegetables. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Tomato is the most widely grown vegetables in the world and also the most important item of the vegetables processing sector. Tomato is important vegetable plant in our agriculture map which used as food in many countries of the world and especially Egypt. It infested with many pests, among of the most serious pest, tomato leaf miner, Tuta absoluta (Meyrick) (Lepidoptera: Gelechiidae). This study was aimed to investigate efficiency of Imidacloprid applied alone and in a binary mixture with Sylgard 309 adjuvant against this pest under field conditions, effect of Imidacloprid on tomato yield and determination of Imidacloprid residues in tomato fruits and soil. Results illustrated that adding Sylgard 309 adjuvant to Imidacloprid caused increasing mean reduction percentage to 98.02%, recording the first superior treatment. In case of tomato yield during two summer successive seasons 2014 and 2015, results reported that tomato yield increased by adding Sylgard 309 adjuvant to Imidacloprid and recorded superior yield of 600.75 and 613.15 Kg with increasing value of 41.27% and 35.44%, respectively during seasons 2014 and 2015 compared with control. Unfortunately, adding Sylgard 309 adjuvant to Imidacloprid was causation in increasing the half-life (T½) values and the quantities of residues in tomato fruits and soil, that were less than the maximum residue level (0.5 mg/kg). [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Hydroponics is a soilless farming technique that has emerged as a sustainable alternative. However, new technologies such as Industry 4.0, the internet of things (IoT), and artificial intelligence are needed to keep up with issues related to economics, automation, and social challenges in hydroponics farming. One significant issue is optimizing growth parameters to identify the best conditions for growing fruits and vegetables. These parameters include pH, total dissolved solids (TDS), electrical conductivity (EC), light intensity, daily light integral (DLI), and nutrient solution/ambient temperature and humidity. To address these challenges, a systematic literature review was conducted aiming to answer research questions regarding the optimal growth parameters for leafy green vegetables and herbs and spices grown in hydroponic systems. The review selected a total of 131 papers related to indoor farming, hydroponics, and aquaponics. The review selected a total of 123 papers related to indoor farming, hydroponics, and aquaponics. The majority of the articles focused on technology description (38.5%), artificial illumination (26.2%), and nutrient solution composition/parameters (13.8%). Additionally, remaining 10.7% articles focused on the application of sensors, slope, environment and economy. This comprehensive review provides valuable information on optimized growth parameters for smart hydroponic systems and explores future prospects and the application of digital technologies in this field. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The majority of global population is in the cities and most tourists are concentrated in the cities. Research on the relationship between urban farming and tourism is gaining popularity in urban studies. In Malaysia, community urban farming has been identified as a solution to sustainable development to provide food in or out of the city. This study is about how the community at Desa Impian, Merbau Sempak promotes organic vegetable farming to academicians and business communities. The idea is to promote this area as a sustainable tourism hub for researchers and business communities. This study is a multimodal semiotic analysis to better understand the dynamic of community farming culture in Malaysia. Using qualitative design and multi-layered analytical framework to explore interactive meanings construed through the functionality of various semiotic resources in multimodal narratives this study reveals the dynamic multilayered nature of government, individual community members, and public voices about community farming culture from a Malaysian socio-cultural context. On a deeper level, farming at Desa Impian means self-identification and sharing of identity that gives rise to a sense of belonging. This study contributes to the knowledge of multimodal socio-semiotic and narrative theories on sustainable urban farming tourism in Malaysia. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Commercial vegetable farming requires effective marketing to benefit both farmers and consumers. In marketing vegetables, farmers face different barriers that limit their choice of market outlets. Using a mixed-methods approach in a study of 243 vegetable farmers in selected communities, the research sought to determine the factors that influence the farmers' choices of market outlets to sell their farm produce. The results show that most of the participants (46.7%) sell their vegetables at the popular markets within the state to wholesalers and retailers; 24.9% of the participants sell their vegetables at home/within the farm vicinity to wholesalers and retailers while 12.4% of the participants sell their vegetables at home/farm gate to consumers. The lowest proportion (6.2%) of participants indicated that they sell their vegetables to wholesalers and retailers in markets outside the state. The major determinants of the choice of market outlet identified by the participants are quantity of vegetables harvested (77.8), distance to market/high cost of transportation (65.3%), bargaining power (44.9%), lack of storage facilities (30.2%) and cost of tax paid in the market (15.1). The results suggest that interventions should be targeted towards the construction of rural roads to improve access to markets and farmlands, the formation of farmer's unions to regulate the prices of vegetables and tax, and the abolition of any community law restricting farmers' access to market and provision of storage facilities for the farmers. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The organic and inorganic composition of pyrolytic liquids derived from biomass pyrolysis and their effects on plant growth with foliar fertilization are insufficiently understood. Particularly, whether there is a link between the composition and effect on plant growth and their property of feedstock and of pyrolysis conditions remains unknown. In this study, three typical pyrolytic liquids derived from pyrolysis of apple branches, maize shoots, and rice husks were selected, the mineral elements and organic molecular composition as well as dissolvable organic carbon content were analyzed using volumetric analysis and GC-MS mass spectroscopy. Subsequently, the liquids were used to formulate liquid fertilizers with consistent amounts of major mineral nutrients (N-P2O5-K2O + DOC, 35% + 10%) . Then, a field demonstration experiment with foliar spraying on capsicum was conducted in a vegetable farm near Nanjing. The field experiment included 5 treatments of no foliar fertilizer (CK, clean water only), commercial foliar fertilizer (WSF), and foliar fertilizer with pyrolytic liquids of rice husk (RF), maize shoots (CF), and apple branches (AF) . When the capsicum was ripe, fruit yield was measured and plant samples were collected for quality assessment. The results showed that the pyrolytic liquids varied not only in organic and inorganic contents but also in organic molecule abundances. The dissolvable organic carbon pool was dominated by organic acids and phenolic compounds with varying amounts of ketones, aldehydes, and esters. In pyrolytic liquids derived from pyrolysis of apple branches and rice husks, organic acids and phenolic compounds were the most abundant, respectively. However, all liquid fertilizers with pyrolytic liquids promoted capsicum growth and improved plant quality. Among them, the AF treatment was the best, followed by CF, RF and WSF treatments. Compared with CK, all the foliar spraying treatments increased the capsicum yield (over 35% on average) and AF treatments increased by 62%. Particularly, the number of fruits, leaf area, and SPAD of a single capsicum plant was significantly increased by 54.73%, 26.99%, and 19.67%, when sprayed with fertilizers containing AF over those containing CK. Similarly, all the foliar spraying treatments increased the size of capsicum fruit (over 25%) and the content of soluble sugar and capsaicin (20% on average) as well as soluble protein (5%) . Moreover, AF treatment exerted the most significant improvement in capsicum growth and quality parameters among the studied foliar fertilizers, the content of soluble sugar, soluble protein, Vitamin C, capsaicin and dry matter were increased by 6%-30%. Overall, the effect of the pyrolytic liquids-based foliar fertilizers on capsicum plant growth and quality was related to the abundance of organic acids of low molecular weight and antioxidant phenols than to that of mineral nutrients [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The article examines common dishes of Ukrainian cuisine, the culinary traditions of indigenous Crimean Tatars, and the influence of the Soviet colonial history on the gastronomic culture of Ukrainians. Topics discussed include Ukrainian food practices that reflect the collective past experience such as frugal use of resources, storage of basic food stables and animal farming, as well as the flavours of Ukrainian dishes, foraging as part of everyday culture, and popular Ukrainian beverages.

While the macronutrient calcium (Ca) has been utilized to mitigate fluorine (F) toxicity in soils for plants, its role in alleviating phytotoxicity from atmospheric F exposure remains underexplored. This study investigates the effect of foliar-applied Ca on the growth, physio-biochemical characteristics, and F accumulation in Chinese cabbage (Brassica chinensis L.) following both foliar and root F exposure. Results show that foliar application of Ca (0.5 and 1.0 g L−1) significantly enhanced the root length, plant height, and biomass of plants exposed to foliar F at 20 mg L−1, in comparison to the control group, with no notable improvement observed in plants subjected to root F exposure. Foliar application of Ca at 0.5 g L−1 increased chlorophyll production, alleviated the oxidative impairment in leaves, and mediated protective responses specifically under atmospheric F stress, as evidenced by increased chlorophyll concentration and reduced MDA and proline levels. In seedlings with foliar F exposure, F concentration in leaves decreased by 19.9% following foliar application of 1.0 g L−1 Ca compared to the control group without Ca. Additionally, foliar application of Ca at 1.0 g L−1 showed potential in mitigating the health risks associated with consumption of the leafy vegetable grown in F-enriched atmospheres. These findings suggest that foliar Ca application is a promising strategy for mitigating the adverse effects of atmospheric F on leafy vegetables. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

IntroductionEntrepreneurship in agricultural sector is a key enabler of rural development and economic growth. This research delves into the entrepreneurial behavior of vegetable growers involved in polyhouse protected farming and focuses on the factors that influence their entrepreneurial pursuits.MethodsThe research employed a mixed sampling methodology and the data collection was done by personally interviews. Whereas, data were analyzed using various statistical techniques including Entrepreneurial behavior index computation and Kendall’s tau correlation.ResultsThe results of the study reveal noteworthy associations between factors such as farm income, experience in protected cultivation, area allocated for polyhouse cultivation and extension contact with entrepreneurial behavior. Notably, income consistently demonstrated a positive correlation with all aspects of entrepreneurial behavior, while experience and extension contact also exhibited significant positive relationships. Conversely, education level displayed a negative correlation with risk-taking ability but a positive correlation with other dimensions such as cosmopoliteness and innovativeness. However, family size and gender did not demonstrate significant associations with entrepreneurial behavior.DiscussionThe findings underscored the intricate nature of entrepreneurial behavior among vegetable growers which necessitate tailored interventions to foster entrepreneurship in this sector. The research recommends policy measures like financial incentives, enhanced access to extension services and promoting collaboration among polyhouse cultivators to encourage entrepreneurship. These initiatives aim to overcome financial barriers, improve technical knowledge and address structural challenges, ultimately fostering sustainable entrepreneurship and agricultural development.