2020-08-09
Zaini, Nurul Solehah Mohd, Yaacob, Jamilah Syafawati, Gengatharan, Ashwini, Dahlal, Norazilawati Md, Azman, Ezzat Mohamad, Mohsin, Aliah Zannierah, Imad Wan-Mohtar, Wan Abd Al Qadr, Rahim, Muhamad Hafiz Abd
Zaini, Nurul Solehah Mohd ; Yaacob, Jamilah Syafawati ; Gengatharan, Ashwini ; Dahlal, Norazilawati Md ; Azman, Ezzat Mohamad ; Mohsin, Aliah Zannierah ; Imad Wan-Mohtar, Wan Abd Al Qadr ; Rahim, Muhamad Hafiz Abd ; ABSTRACT Bananas rank among the most widely consumed fruits globally. However, their cultivation generates substantial waste, including peels, leaves, inflorescences, and pseudostems, with up to 80 % of the plant's biomass being discarded. This waste not only poses considerable environmental and economic challenges but also represents an underutilized resource rich in unique nutritional and bioactive compounds, such as neurotransmitters, essential fatty acids, enzymes, and flavor constituents that are common in other agricultural byproducts. In this review, we present recent statistics on banana production and waste generation, alongside an examination of the potential applications of banana waste. These applications include direct consumption to combat malnutrition, incorporation into functional foods, the development of innovative food packaging, and contributions to sustainable agriculture. Additionally, we address the cultural significance of banana waste, review current life cycle analysis studies that highlight its environmental benefits, and outline the strategies for its valorization, addressing commercial viability, technical challenges, and regulatory considerations. By elucidating the processing challenges and multifunctional potential of banana waste in food science and technology, this study provides a comprehensive roadmap for leveraging this abundant resource to advance sustainable development goals, minimize agricultural waste, enhance global nutrition, and promote eco-friendly technological innovations.
2020-08-09
Peternelli, Luiz Alexandre, Andrade, Andréa Carla Bastos, Dias, Cristina Silva, Teófilo, Reinaldo Francisco
Peternelli, Luiz Alexandre ; Andrade, Andréa Carla Bastos ; Dias, Cristina Silva ; Teófilo, Reinaldo Francisco ; ABSTRACT The growing demand for biofuels and sugar has prompted the selection of sugarcane cultivars with higher fiber content and apparent sucrose levels. In the initial phase of a breeding program, researchers might focus on classifying individuals as selected or not based on whether they display a property value above or below a specific threshold. Integrating classification methods with near-infrared (NIR) spectroscopy is essential for effective selection. This work outlines a two-step procedure designed to facilitate a fair comparison of the classifications under evaluation. We applied our approach to assess three classification techniques – Partial Least Squares Discriminant Analysis (PLS-DA), Support Vector Machines (SVM), and Random Forests (RF) – about their performance in predicting the classes of two sugarcane properties derived from NIR data. Our study utilized a dataset of 460 samples, categorized into high and low levels of fiber percentage (FIB) and apparent sucrose content (ASC), both of which are closely related to sucrose content. In the first step, the data was split into training and testing sets via the Kernard-Stone algorithm to determine the appropriate pretreatments for the NIR spectra. The selected pretreatment for each method was then applied in the second step, where the 460 samples were randomly divided again into training and test sets over ten repetitions. A key finding of this study is that the optimal set of pretreatments for a specific dataset varies depending on the classification method used. This two-step procedure streamlines the process for researchers to compare different classification techniques.
2020-08-09
Gültaş, Hüseyin Tevfik
Gültaş, Hüseyin Tevfik ; ABSTRACT To ensure the sustainability of agriculture and the production of safe food, supplementary irrigation is required for crops that are primarily rainfed, particularly in arid conditions. This study aimed to determine the water stress response of safflower (Carthamus tinctorius L.) under limited water conditions and to establish the crop water stress index (CWSI) as a basis for crop-based irrigation scheduling. Irrigation applications were conducted using the line-source sprinkler irrigation method to create three constraints (35, 75, and 100 % of the water requirement) and a rainfed condition (control plot) under different crop growth periods. The main plots consisted of three growth periods of safflower and only one supplementary irrigation during the vegetative, flowering, and ripening periods. The highest yield was obtained at 3.06 and 3.42 t ha–1 for 2019 and 2021, respectively, in the plot that was irrigated in each period during the growing season. The irrigation water (I) and water use efficiency (WUE) were 0.42 and 0.51 kg m–3 in the first year, and 0.47 and 0.59 kg m–3 in the second year, respectively, for the subject fully irrigated throughout the season. The upper base value, which can be utilized in calculations of the CWSI, was determined to be approximately 14.50. The lower base equation was obtained as Y = −4.9428 (VPD) + 19.121 at a statistical significance level of 1 % where Y is yield and VPD is vapor pressure deficit. The CWSI values calculated for each treatment ranged between −0.25 and 1.45. The threshold value at which irrigation should commence was determined to be 0.63, and it will serve as a valuable reference data source for irrigation scheduling.
2020-08-09
Ossifo, Momate Emate, Nakamura, Luiz Ricardo, Canaza-Cayo, Ali William, Silva, Viviane Costa, Rosa, Lucas Ferreira, Ferreira, Daniel Furtado
Ossifo, Momate Emate ; Nakamura, Luiz Ricardo ; Canaza-Cayo, Ali William ; Silva, Viviane Costa ; Rosa, Lucas Ferreira ; Ferreira, Daniel Furtado ; ABSTRACT Understanding the growth and development of Corriedale sheep is critical to efficient production, as the breed is renowned for its high-quality wool and meat, as well as a variety of by-products. The main aim of this paper was to analyse the live weight of female Corriedale sheep according to five candidate variables: chest girth, abdominal girth, body length, wither height, and rump height. For this purpose, data from 100 animals from an experimental centre in Peru were examined. Generalized additive models for location, scale, and shape (GAMLSS), also known as distributional regression models, were used on account of their flexibility in describing the behavior of the response variable, allowing for the modeling of characteristics beyond the mean. Three different two-parameter distributions were tested to describe the response variable: gamma (GA), inverse gamma (IGAMMA), and inverse Gaussian (IG). A stepwise-based procedure was applied to select covariates for each parameter of the distributions. The GAMLSS based on the IG distribution was the most appropriate according to the Akaike Information Criterion (AIC), with the final model incorporating candidate variables in its two different regression structures (mean and dispersion). Finally, residual analysis indicated that the fitted model is suitable for describing the dataset under study.
2020-08-09
Reis, Nilmária Natália Veras, Viana, Alexandre Pio, Silva, Flavia Alves da, Rodrigues, Alex Souza, Santos, Eileen Azevedo
Reis, Nilmária Natália Veras ; Viana, Alexandre Pio ; Silva, Flavia Alves Da ; Rodrigues, Alex Souza ; Santos, Eileen Azevedo ; ABSTRACT Guava, prized for its economic potential, is grown across Brazil. Addressing the challenge of limited cultivars, the Universidade Estadual do Norte Fluminense Darcy Ribeiro (UENF) launched a program to select promising genotypes, aiming to introduce new high-quality cultivars in the north and northwest Rio de Janeiro state. This study uses microsatellite markers to identify divergent genotypes for future crosses to assess the genetic diversity of guava genotypes from the first and second self-fertilization (S1 and S2) populations. From S1, 94 genotypes, and S2, 98 genotypes were selected across ten inbred lines based on morpho-agronomic traits. The molecular characterization utilized 21 polymorphic microsatellite markers to assess genetic parameters, calculate distances, analyze clustering, and determine the structure of each population. In S1, the average number of alleles (NA) per locus was 2.57, with higher expected heterozygosity (He) than observed heterozygosity (Ho), indicating more homozygous alleles. Unweighted Pair-Group Method with Arithmetic Mean (UPGMA) clustering formed five distinct groups, with Bayesian analysis identifying two groups. S2 had 2.23 alleles per locus, with lower genetic variability and four UPGMA groups. Simple sequence repeat (SSR) markers effectively discriminate genetic variability, which promotes guava breeding. Bayesian inference delineated clear genotype structures in both populations, highlighting potential advancements in breeding these inbred lines.
2020-08-09
Fialho, Audasley Tadeu Santos, Riveros, Rony Lizana, Pacheco, Letícia Graziela, Leme, Bruno Balbino, Silva, Raully Lucas, Dorigam, Juliano Cesar de Paula, Sakomura, Nilva Kazue
Fialho, Audasley Tadeu Santos ; Riveros, Rony Lizana ; Pacheco, Letícia Graziela ; Leme, Bruno Balbino ; Silva, Raully Lucas ; Dorigam, Juliano Cesar De Paula ; Sakomura, Nilva Kazue ; ABSTRACT: This study aimed to determine the optimal methionine:cystine (Met:Cys) ratio in diets with reduced crude protein (CP). Two trials were carried throughout14 to 28 days. In trial 1, 1200 broiler chicks were distributed under a random design of ten treatments in a 2 × 5 factors of variability arrangement with two protein levels (21.5 and 19.5 % CP) and five digestible Met:Cys ratios (42:58, 46:54, 50:50, 54:46, and 58:42). Each treatment consisted of six replicates each, with 20 birds per experimental unit. In trial 2, 36 birds were selected and randomly allocated in six treatments with three replications each to carry out a nitrogen (N) balance study. The treatments were designed in a 2 × 3 factorial arrangement with two levels of protein (21.5 and 19.5 % CP) and three Met:Cys ratios (42:58, 50:50, and 58:42). Statistical analyses were performed as two-way analysis of variance (ANOVA) with interactions and main effects compared by Tukey's test. All statistical procedures were performed using the PROC GLM, and PROC NLIN was used to fit the quadratic broken line. No interaction was observed for weight gain, but there was a significant effect of the Met:Cys p < 0.05. There was a significant interaction between Met:Cys and CP level for feed intake (FI) and feed conversion rate p < 0.05. The CP level did not affect N retention (NR) p > 0.05 but significantly affected N intake (Nin), excretion (Nexc), and utilization (kN) efficiency. Therefore, an average Met:Cys ratio of 52:48 promoted a better performance response, improved in kN, and even CP reduction.
2020-08-09
López-Galé, Yeison David, Martínez, Mauricio Fernando, Rios-Rojas, Liliana, García-Dávila, Mario Augusto
López-Galé, Yeison David ; Martínez, Mauricio Fernando ; Rios-Rojas, Liliana ; García-Dávila, Mario Augusto ; ABSTRACT Root rot caused by the oomycete Phytophthora cinnamomi (Pc) is the main phytosanitary limitation in avocado production in many regions of the world. Management of this disease has been based on epidemiological studies and integrated crop management, where resistant rootstocks are considered one of the main options. This study aimed to evaluate the resistance levels of six avocado genotypes from the Colombian Germplasm Avocado Collection (CCGA) to Pc under nursery conditions, as these genotypes are known to be promising for use as rootstocks. Each genotype was propagated by cloning and evaluated with and without the pathogen in conformity with epidemiological, physiological, and histological parameters in a randomized complete block experimental design with three replicates per treatment, with each replicate being represented by three plants as an experimental unit. The area under the disease progress curve (AUDPC) and the apparent rate of infection (rAUDPC) discriminated against four levels of genetic resistance to the pathogen. The AUDPC in inoculated plants of each genotype was related to the degree of root necrosis (RN), with significant reductions in photosynthetic capacity, stomatal conductance (gs), and biomass loss in root and foliage in the most susceptible genotypes. Histological analysis of roots confirmed the ability of Pc to invade and damage roots in different avocado genotypes. At the same time the formation of tyloses was identified as a mechanism of histological response to infection. The selections CCGA0143, CCGA0080, CCGA0122, and Duke-7 are proposed as elite genotypes resistant to Pc, due to reduced root damage and etiological performance to infection under nursery conditions.
2020-08-09
Scislowski, Liliane, Faria, Marcos Ventura, Zchonski, Felipe Liss, Silva, Paulo Roberto da
Scislowski, Liliane ; Faria, Marcos Ventura ; Zchonski, Felipe Liss ; Silva, Paulo Roberto Da ; ABSTRACT The objectives were to evaluate genetic divergence in 59 Solanum lycopersicum var. cerasiforme lines correlating with the country of origin, and to estimate the combining ability of 13 selected lines based on high soluble solids contents (°Brix). The DNA of the 59 lines was amplified using nine inter-simple sequence repeat (ISSR) primers. Shannon’s diversity index (I = 0.47) and Nei’s genetic diversity (h = 0.30) indicated high genetic diversity. Genetic differentiation coefficient (GST) = 0.035 suggested low genetic differentiation between populations and analysis of molecular variance (AMOVA) showed that high variability was not confined to any single country of origin. Principal coordinates analysis (PCoA) clustered the genotypes into three main groups, and a dendrogram confirmed no apparent relationship between the origin and the genetic profiles of the lines. Genetic classification of the mini tomato lines based on their country of origin is not feasible using ISSR markers. The 78 hybrids obtained from the crosses among the 13 selected lines were evaluated in a complete diallel scheme over two seasons, considering the number of bunches, number of fruits per bunch, average fruit weight, fruit length and width, peduncular scar, °Brix, productive cycle, and yield. Average fruit weight and yield were the traits that most influenced the genetic diversity of these 13 parental lines. Based on general combining ability (GCA) we identified lines with good performance for each trait, while specific combining ability (SCA) revealed crosses that exhibited outstanding performance. Promising lines and hybrids were selected for mini tomato breeding program advancement.
2020-08-09
Zanella, Marco Antonio, Barrio-Conde, Mikel, Gomez-Gil, Jaime, Aguiar-Perez, Javier Manuel, Pérez-Juárez, María Ángeles, Silva, Fabio Moreira da
Zanella, Marco Antonio ; Barrio-Conde, Mikel ; Gomez-Gil, Jaime ; Aguiar-Perez, Javier Manuel ; Pérez-Juárez, María Ángeles ; Silva, Fabio Moreira Da ; ABSTRACT The coffee industry is a vital sector of global agriculture. Coffee is one of the most widely traded plant products in the world. Coffee fruit ripeness affects the taste and aroma of the final brewed beverage, coffee farms’ overall yield and economic viability. Traditional methods of assessing coffee fruit ripeness, which rely on manual inspection by skilled workers, are labor-intensive, time-consuming, and prone to subjective interpretation. In this study, we have used the YOLOv9 (You Only Look Once) algorithm that outperformed previous versions particularly by using a new lightweight network architecture called the gelan-c model. The objective of this study was to identify and classify quickly and accurately the degree of ripeness of the harvested coffee fruits into the following classes: unripe, ripe-red, ripe-yellow, and overripe. The images were captured during harvesting with a commercial harvester in a coffee farm in the southern region of the state of Minas Gerais, Brazil. Data augmentation was performed to increase the dataset in terms of images and bounding boxes. Detection performance was obtained for image sizes between 128 and 640 px. The best performance was achieved with an image size of 640 px, reaching a precision level of 99 %, a recall of 98.5 %, an F1-Score of 98.75 %, a mAP@0.5 of 99.25 %, and a mAP@0.5:0.95 of about 85 % during the validation phase. Our study significantly outperforms previous studies on fruit classification in terms of models used, data augmentation strategies, and overall performance.
2020-08-09
Silva, Lúcia Hulda de Sena, Nascimento, Luzimar da Silva de Mattos do, Santiago, Manuela Cristina Pessanha de Araújo, Chávez, Davy William Hidalgo, Couto, Cinthia de Carvalho, Jesus, Monalisa Santana Coelho de, Freitas-Silva, Otniel, Pacheco, Sidney, Borguini, Renata Galhardo
Silva, Lúcia Hulda De Sena ; Nascimento, Luzimar Da Silva De Mattos Do ; Santiago, Manuela Cristina Pessanha De Araújo ; Chávez, Davy William Hidalgo ; Couto, Cinthia De Carvalho ; Jesus, Monalisa Santana Coelho De ; Freitas-Silva, Otniel ; Pacheco, Sidney ; Borguini, Renata Galhardo ; ABSTRACT Coffee is a beverage that is widely consumed throughout the world, especially in Brazil. Its high market value makes it a prime target for fraud. To combat this fraud, different methods have been developed and improved over the years to detect potential adulterants in coffee and guarantee its authenticity. Nevertheless, these methods still pose a challenge. Therefore, this work aimed to identify adulteration markers in roasted and ground Arabica coffee using high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) to determine the flavonoid and phenolic acid profile. Samples of Arabica coffee beans and defective coffee beans were adulterated with coffee husks by preparing mixtures in different proportions (97:3, 90:10, 80:20 % w/w), which were then subjected to chromatographic and chemometric analyses, including principal component analysis (PCA) and partial least squares discriminant analysis (PLS-DA). Using the phenolic compounds associated with chemometric methods, protocatechuic acid was identified as a marker of adulteration in roasted and ground coffee with Arabica coffee husks, even at low adulterant concentrations (3 %).
2020-08-09
da Silva, Bruna Neves Pereira, Masetto, Tathiana Elisa, Zanzi, José Vinicius dos Santos, Pereira, Gislaine da Silva, de Souza, Luiz Carlos Ferreira
Da Silva, Bruna Neves Pereira ; Masetto, Tathiana Elisa ; Zanzi, José Vinicius Dos Santos ; Pereira, Gislaine Da Silva ; De Souza, Luiz Carlos Ferreira ; ABSTRACT Safflower is a crop with seeds containing high amounts of oleic and linoleic acids, which have applications in cosmetics, food, feed, and pharmaceutical industries. Safflower seeds are generally reported to undergo after-ripening and to have physiological dormancy. This study comprehensively analyzed the physical changes and the induction of dormancy and germinability in developing seeds to determine whether the safflower population is adequately developed during seed dispersal. From the 80th day after flowering (DAF), seeds were collected separately from plants on a weekly basis until 131 DAF, resulting in seven sampling dates. The changes in length, diameter, thickness, water content, and fresh and dry weight during seed development were measured. Simultaneously, the effects of dark and light, temperature, and gibberellic acid (GA3) (0, 50, and 100 µM) on seed germination, dormancy and germination characteristics of safflower seeds were investigated. The seeds ceased to increase in length, width and thickness, reaching a mature appearance at 131 DAF, with a dry mass per seed of 0.0443 g. The water content decreased between 117 and 124 DAF, indicating an obvious process of desiccation during the final stage of seed maturation. Germination capacity is acquired at 117 DAF, as evidenced by an increase in germination and a reduction in dormant seeds, particularly at low temperatures (10°C) and with GA3 supplementation. At 131 DAF, seeds exhibited 7.9 % water content, and there was an increase in seed germination and a decrease in seed dormancy status, regardless of GA3 supplementation and temperature.
2020-08-09
Pertille, Rafael Henrique, Citadin, Idemir, Oliveira, Laise de Souza de, Lauri, Pierre-Éric, Rauh, Anahí Tamara
Pertille, Rafael Henrique ; Citadin, Idemir ; Oliveira, Laise De Souza De ; Lauri, Pierre-Éric ; Rauh, Anahí Tamara ; ABSTRACT The expansion of apple cultivation into subtropical climates has necessitated effective strategies to ensure high and consistent productivity. Adapting apple trees to mild winter regions involves challenges in lateral sprouting, which is partly related to the accumulation of chill. This study aimed to investigate the budding patterns of different apple tree cultivars in two sites with contrasting environmental cultivation. The study was conducted in two orchards in a mild winter region of Brazil: Horizonte orchard (ideal cultivation environment) and Lovo orchard (marginal cultivation environment). The selected apple cultivars included ‘Eva’, ‘Fuji Suprema’, and ‘Galaxy’. The experimental design involved marking five one-year-old shoots on five plants at each site and cultivar during the winter for two consecutive years. At the onset of the subsequent autumn, the marked branches were collected to assess the development of lateral shoots. In addition, the total number of spurs and shoots was counted in each orchard. The ‘Gala’ cultivar exhibited consistent spurs per plant across both sites. However, the ‘Fuji’ cultivar demonstrated a substantial increase in total spurs per plant in the low chill environment, with no discernible change in the development of lateral spurs, suggesting a high bourse-over-bourse formation. In orchards with higher chill accumulation, both cultivars necessitated high pruning due to excessive long shoots, underscoring the importance of adapted training systems and cultural practices to each growing region. Further research must enhance our understanding of plant architecture in mild winter regions.
2020-08-09
Tavares, Tiago Rodrigues, Santos, Felipe Rodrigues dos, Silva, Thainara Rebelo da, Rezende, Vinicius Pires, Almeida, Eduardo de, Oldoni, Henrique, Amaral, Lucas Rios, Carvalho, Hudson Wallace Pereira de
Tavares, Tiago Rodrigues ; Santos, Felipe Rodrigues Dos ; Silva, Thainara Rebelo Da ; Rezende, Vinicius Pires ; Almeida, Eduardo De ; Oldoni, Henrique ; Amaral, Lucas Rios ; Carvalho, Hudson Wallace Pereira De ; ABSTRACT This scientific note outlines the design, components, radiological protection, and operation of a cost-effective X-ray fluorescence (XRF) spectrometer produced in-house. Priced at approximately half that of other commercial models, this spectrometer delivers comparable performance, as demonstrated in a case study involving agricultural soil samples. The document guides researchers interested in constructing their own devices using readily available components, thereby allowing for customized setups tailored to specific applications. The objective is to encourage the adoption and automation of XRF spectrometry within the Soil Science and Agronomic Engineering community, thereby enhancing its utility as a rapid and environmentally friendly tool for monitoring agricultural samples, including those collected from hybrid and/or mobile laboratories.
2020-08-09
Faria, Sandra Eulália Santos, Azevedo, Alcinei Místico, Rabelo, Nayany Gomes, Anastácio, Varlen Zeferino, Maciel, Valentina de Melo, Matos, Deltimara Viana, Rodrigues, Elias Barbosa, Amorim, Phelipe Souza, Silva, Janete Ramos da, Santos, Fernanda de Souza
Faria, Sandra Eulália Santos ; Azevedo, Alcinei Místico ; Rabelo, Nayany Gomes ; Anastácio, Varlen Zeferino ; Maciel, Valentina De Melo ; Matos, Deltimara Viana ; Rodrigues, Elias Barbosa ; Amorim, Phelipe Souza ; Silva, Janete Ramos Da ; Santos, Fernanda De Souza ; ABSTRACT: The tomato (Solanum lycopersicum L.) plays a vital role in global agriculture and is a model organism in genetic studies. Visual classification of tomatoes for genetic improvement programs faces challenges due to variety diversity, uneven ripening, external damages, and evaluator subjectivity. Recent advances in the field of computational resources, such as image phenotyping have enabled pre- and post-harvest assessments that are both fast and precise. This study aimed to classify tomato fruits based on shape, group, color, and defects using Convolutional Neural Networks (CNNs). The performance of five architectures - VGG16, InceptionV3, ResNet50, EfficientNetB3, and InceptionResNetV2 was evaluated to identify and determine the most efficient one for this classification. The research considered ten hybrids and their five parental lines. The experiment was conducted in the field, and images of ripe fruits were acquired using a portable mini studio. The ExpImage package in R software was used for fruit individualization by image and to aid in creating a synthetic database for network training. Images were grouped according to their classifications in terms of shape, color, groups, and defects. The InceptionResNetV2 architecture was the most efficient, achieving metrics such as precision and recall exceeding 93 % for most analyzed variables, and shorter classification times. This study advances the understanding of CNN applications in agriculture and research and provides valuable guidelines for optimizing classification tasks in distinct types of fruits.
2020-08-09
Santos Júnior, José Mendes dos, Colen, Fernando, Frazão, Leidivan Almeida, Pegoraro, Rodinei Facco, Fernandes, Luiz Arnaldo
Santos Júnior, José Mendes Dos ; Colen, Fernando ; Frazão, Leidivan Almeida ; Pegoraro, Rodinei Facco ; Fernandes, Luiz Arnaldo ; ABSTRACT The present study evaluated the granular properties of organomineral fertilizers produced from charcoal fines (biochar) and natural phosphate with three distinct binders: cassava wastewater (CW), pyroligneous extract (PE), and bio-oil (BO). The objective was to ascertain the potential of these fertilizers to increase common bean production. To form the granules, a 3:1 ratio of biochar to natural phosphate was employed, along with five binder doses (50, 75, 100, 125, and 150 % of the biochar-phosphate mixture weight). The granules were evaluated based on their crushing strength, water absorption ratio (WAR), granule density, impact resistance index (IRI), salinity index (SI), and pH. The most optimal granules were selected for the experiment with the common bean, using a completely randomized design in a 3 × 4 + 4 factorial scheme with three replications. The treatments comprised three binders (CW, PE, and BO), four binder doses (75, 100, 125, and 150 %), and four controls: unfertilized soil (NS), natural phosphate (NP), biochar mixed with natural phosphate (B + NP), and biochar (B). Compared to the CW or PE granules, the BO granules exhibited superior crushing resistance, density, and IRI, accompanied by a reduced WAR. The PE granules exhibited a higher SI and a lower pH. The application of CW, PE, or BO granules resulted in a significant increase in shoot dry matter (SDM), with values of 98.31, 123.73, and 47.46 %, respectively, compared to the NS. Similarly, root dry matter (RDM) notably increased, with values of 331.03, 755.17 and 141.38 %, respectively. The physicochemical properties of organomineral fertilizers are influenced by the type of binder used, affecting common bean production. Further research is needed to ascertain the long-term effects of these slow-release fertilizers.
2020-08-09
Huang, Xinhe, Cao, Yanping, Cui, Mengyang, Li, Qingqing
Huang, Xinhe ; Cao, Yanping ; Cui, Mengyang ; Li, Qingqing ; ABSTRACT The impact of climate change on food production is evident across most regions of the world, including China, particularly in the Huang-Huai-Hai Plain (HHHP), which is crucial for grain production. Investigating the quantitative effects of climate variables on grain yield is therefore of paramount importance. A study of the HHHP region revealed an upward trend in temperature, along with a downward trend in shortwave radiation and precipitation from 1995 to 2018. During this period, the grain yield exhibited two distinct stages: a decline from 1.1 billion tons in 1995 to 0.96 billion tons in 2003, followed by a period of stable growth from 1 billion tons in 2004 to 1.5 billion tons in 2018. In terms of spatial dynamics, the grain yield in the HHHP transitioned from a pattern of scattered high-yield cities to concentrated high-yield areas. From a single-factor perspective, temperature (q = 0.44) exhibited the most significant impact to grain yield in the HHHP, followed by shortwave radiation (q = 0.28) and precipitation (q = 0.24). The interaction between temperature and precipitation was identified as the primary driver of grain yield in the HHHP and its sub-region, Hebei Province. In contrast, in Henan and Shandong Provinces, the predominant influence was attributed to the interaction of shortwave radiation and temperature. The sensitivity degree model indicates that 87.5 % of cities within the HHHP region are sensitive to cropland with respect to grain yield. The present study demonstrates the multifaceted impacts of climate change on grain yield and provides essential evidence for developing effective strategies to ensure global food security.
2020-08-09
Abreu-Junior, Cassio Hamilton, Rocha, Juan Ricardo, Barros, Timóteo Herculino da Silva, Moreira, Gabriele Rossini, Rezende, Vinícius Pires, Cagliari, Viviane Nunes dos Santos, Rocha Junior, Carlos da, Coelho, Alyam Dias, Boaretto, Rodrigo Marcelli, Capra, Gian Franco, Nogueira, Thiago Assis Rodrigues, Jani, Arun Dilipkumar, Lavres Júnior, José
Abreu-Junior, Cassio Hamilton ; Rocha, Juan Ricardo ; Barros, Timóteo Herculino Da Silva ; Moreira, Gabriele Rossini ; Rezende, Vinícius Pires ; Cagliari, Viviane Nunes Dos Santos ; Rocha Junior, Carlos Da ; Coelho, Alyam Dias ; Boaretto, Rodrigo Marcelli ; Capra, Gian Franco ; Nogueira, Thiago Assis Rodrigues ; Jani, Arun Dilipkumar ; Lavres Júnior, José ; ABSTRACT Boron (B) is an essential element that limits crop productivity and quality in tropical regions due to its low availability. Rainfall regime influences B dynamics in soil, which, in turn, affects crop responses to B. Tropical soils are considered low in B if concentrations are less than 0.20 and 0.60 mg kg–1 for annual and perennial crops, respectively. The B availability in soil is governed by the soil’s pH, texture, organic matter (OM) content, cation exchange capacity, and source material. Plants’ uptake of B occurs passively, although it varies according to its availability in the soil solution. The presence of low- affinity (BOR1 gene) and high-affinity (NIP5;1 gene) transporters has been characterized. B deficiency can impair crop development due to its role in cell metabolism at the molecular, physiological, anatomical, and morphological levels. Both B deficiency and toxicity affect plant growth, highlighting the importance of monitoring B availability by assessing soil fertility to optimize crop performance and quality. Further study should examine the nutritional management of economically important crops using B sources with different solubility in water, application rates, particle sizes, placement, forms, and timing. The speculation that the range between B deficiency and toxicity is narrow may be misunderstood, especially when foliar diagnosis is still neglected. This review aims to understand B dynamics in tropical soils, its functions in higher plants cultivated in these regions, and how its deficiency and/or toxicity can affect agricultural production.
2020-08-09
Cruz, Priscila Júnia Rodrigues da, Silva, Denise Vieira da, Marcon, Hiam Jardel, Dubeux Junior, José Carlos Batista, Homem, Bruno Grossi Costa, Danés, Marina de Arruda Camargo, Boddey, Robert Michael, Casagrande, Daniel Rume
Cruz, Priscila Júnia Rodrigues Da ; Silva, Denise Vieira Da ; Marcon, Hiam Jardel ; Dubeux Junior, José Carlos Batista ; Homem, Bruno Grossi Costa ; Danés, Marina De Arruda Camargo ; Boddey, Robert Michael ; Casagrande, Daniel Rume ; ABSTRACT Accurately assessing the nutritive value of diets in mixed pastures is crucial for selecting optimal supplementation and management strategies, which can enhance animal performance and productivity. This 2-year study evaluated whether clipping forage at stubble height accurately represents diets consisting of marandu palisade grass and forage peanut compared to samples collected by hand-plucking. Forage nutritive value was assessed at three grazing intensities: severe (10 cm stubble height), moderate (15 cm stubble height), and light (20 cm stubble height). Two hypotheses were tested to compare the nutritive value of hand-plucked versus clipped samples: H0: β0 = 0 and H0: β1 = 1. Pearson's correlation analysis was also conducted. The hypothesis H0: β0 = 0 was accepted for crude protein (CP), and protein-free neutral detergent fiber (NDF) concentrations in both marandu palisade grass and forage peanut. However, the hypothesis H0: β1 = 1 was rejected for CP and NDF concentrations in marandu palisade grass, and CP in forage peanut (p < 0.01), though not for NDF concentration in forage peanut (p = 0.240). Pearson's correlation coefficients were not significant for any chemical compound evaluated, regardless of species (p > 0.05). Therefore, clipping mixed pasture at stubble height is not an effective method for evaluating the nutritive value of the consumed diet as it fails to account for grazing selection, and spatial and morphological variability.
2020-08-09
Cabral Neto, Otavio, Deliza, Rosires, Sousa, Sabrina Luzia Grégio de, Saldanha, Tatiana, Gamallo, Ormindo Domingues, Santos, Wellington Barros dos, Rosenthal, Amauri
Cabral Neto, Otavio ; Deliza, Rosires ; Sousa, Sabrina Luzia Grégio De ; Saldanha, Tatiana ; Gamallo, Ormindo Domingues ; Santos, Wellington Barros Dos ; Rosenthal, Amauri ; ABSTRACT This research study endeavored to examine the impact of high-pressure processing (HPP) on the texture and color of post-rigor mortis beef, explicitly focusing on the Longissimus dorsi muscle obtained from the crossbred F1 Senepol/Nelore breed of cattle. Pressure levels ranging from 100 to 400 MPa were exerted at varying processing times on beef sourced from animals of both genders (males and females). Subsequently, the samples were assessed for tenderness, cooking loss, and color. HPP at 100 and 200 MPa promoted significant increases (p < 0.05) in tenderness regardless of sex, based on decreases in shear force in instrumental texture analyses. A significant increase in cooking loss was detected at higher pressures (more than 300 MPa). HPP made a statistically significant impact (p < 0.05) on specific color parameters, and overall, the treatment at 200 MPa resulted in more positive effects.
2020-08-09
Berchembrock, Yasmin Vasques, Botelho, Flávia Barbosa Silva, Pathak, Bhuvan, Zhao, Shan, Srivastava, Vibha
Berchembrock, Yasmin Vasques ; Botelho, Flávia Barbosa Silva ; Pathak, Bhuvan ; Zhao, Shan ; Srivastava, Vibha ; ABSTRACT The ERECTA family of receptors (ERfs), encoding leucine-rich repeat receptor-like kinases (LRR-RLKs), can regulate multiple aspects of plant development and abiotic stress responses. The rice (Oryza sativa) genome contains three ERfs, namely ERECTA 1 (OsER1), ERECTA 2 (OsER2), and ERECTA-LIKE (OsERL). However, there is limited information currently available on their expression pattern during the plant developmental stages. The expression pattern of OsERfs genes at reproductive stages from the booting (R2) to milk (R6) stage in Nipponbare cultivar and the transgenic plants expressing a truncated Arabidopsis ERECTA (ER) lacking the kinase domain (∆Kinase) were studied. The ∆Kinase functions as a dominant-negative receptor and presumably disrupts ER signaling in rice. The highest level of rice ERfs (OsERfs) expression was observed at the heading (R3) and flowering (R4) stages. ∆Kinase expression induced the compensation effect and increased the expression of endogenous OsERfs genes, possibly due to the suppression of ER signaling. The response to heat stress was evaluated at the reproductive stages to test the functional effect of the upregulated OsERfs on transgenic plants. Although transgenic plants exhibited enhanced growth during the vegetative stages, they succumbed to heat stress during the grain filling stages. Overall, the ∆Kinase plants generated in this research serve as essential resources to study the role of OsERfs in the response of plants to developmental and environmental stress.
2020-08-09
Kitajima, Elliot Watanabe, Corona, Fernanda de Pádua Del, Pires, Lorenna Leal, Guimarães, Jandson José do Vale, Lorenzi, Harri
Kitajima, Elliot Watanabe ; Corona, Fernanda De Pádua Del ; Pires, Lorenna Leal ; Guimarães, Jandson José Do Vale ; Lorenzi, Harri ; ABSTRACT The Cactaceae family is known for its adaptation to dry habitats and peculiar morphology of different forms and sizes, composed of perennial succulent stem-bearing spine plants, lacking broad green leaves. Cactaceous plants have been cultivated for food production, medicinal and cosmetic products, animal fodder, construction, and ornamental applications. Among them, the widely cultivated dragon fruit (genus Hylocereus and Selenicereus) is gaining prominence. Physiologically, they have reduced their photorespiration and achieved higher water-use efficiency rates than the other metabolic types. For this reason, cacti have the potential to become a stable food source in the future scenario of global climate change. Many pests and diseases have been described affecting cactaceous plants, including viruses. Viral infection of cacti is mostly asymptomatic though examples of mottling, chlorotic, or necrotic ringspots have been described, and their economic impact is unknown as yet. The cytopathic effect, such as spindle-shaped inclusions in epidermal and parenchymal cells, was first observed in the late 19th century. Subsequently, it was discovered that they were indeed aggregate particles of potexvirus. Until the turn of the 21st century, few viruses among cacti were known (genera Potexvirus, Tobamovirus, Carlavirus, and Alphacarmovirus); however, since the advent of advances in molecular tools, several new cactus viruses (families Tospoviridae, Solemoviridae, Caulimoviridae, Geminiviridae and Genomoviridae) have been described. Currently, 31 distinct virus species, belonging to 13 genera of nine families, as well as three viroids of two genera, have been documented to naturally infect cacti. This review updates the number of known cactus viruses, providing a brief description of each of them.
2020-08-09
Fabian, Elder Cavalcante, Pedreira, Bruno Carneiro e, Costa, Ana Cláudia da, Paula, Nelcino Francisco de, Fonseca, Alessandra Schaphauser Rosseto, Vieira, Karine Padilha Nunes, Pacheco, Rodrigo Dias Lauritano, Tavares, José Roberto, Petter, Farah Arruda, Negrão, Fagton de Mattos, Cabral, Luciano da Silva
Fabian, Elder Cavalcante ; Pedreira, Bruno Carneiro E ; Costa, Ana Cláudia Da ; Paula, Nelcino Francisco De ; Fonseca, Alessandra Schaphauser Rosseto ; Vieira, Karine Padilha Nunes ; Pacheco, Rodrigo Dias Lauritano ; Tavares, José Roberto ; Petter, Farah Arruda ; Negrão, Fagton De Mattos ; Cabral, Luciano Da Silva ; ABSTRACT This study aimed to evaluate the effects of supplementation of live yeast (LY) associated with starch levels (SL) on the in vitro kinetic parameters of the gas production (GP), in vitro neutral detergent fiber digestibility (IVNDFD), volatile fatty acid (VFA) and methane (CH4) production of Urochloa brizantha cv. Marandu grass harvested in both the rainy and dry seasons. The study was conducted in a 2 × 3 factorial arrangement, whereby LY supplementation (with and without LY) was associated with 0, 10, and 20 % of starch supplementation. The variables were analyzed using PROC MIXED in SAS (Statistical Analysis System, version 9.3). LY and SL had no interaction effects on any of the variables tested. LY supplementation increased total GP at 72 h of incubation in both forage seasons by approximately 25 %. Additionally, LY supplementation decreased lag time; however, the GP rate was unaffected. The LY also caused a slight drop in IVNDFD at 48 h in both forage seasons. LY supplementation decreased total VFA production by 25.96 % for the rainy season and 11.32 % for the dry season and caused a 40 and 46 % drop in CH4 for the rainy and dry season forage, respectively. The assumption that combining LY and starch would enhance LY activity was not confirmed in this study, as most analyzed variables showed no interaction between the two factors. Consequently, no beneficial effects on increased SL could be attributed to LY supplementation.
2020-08-09
Antolin, Luís Alberto Silva, Silva, Evandro Henrique Figueiredo Moura da, Zanon, Alencar Junior, Ribeiro, Bruna San Martin Rolim, Marin, Fabio Ricardo
Antolin, Luís Alberto Silva ; Silva, Evandro Henrique Figueiredo Moura Da ; Zanon, Alencar Junior ; Ribeiro, Bruna San Martin Rolim ; Marin, Fabio Ricardo ; ABSTRACT Maize production in Brazil is notable for its high potential for agricultural expansion and extensive cropland areas. This study evaluated the current yield gap (Yg) in Brazilian maize production and investigated the potential impact of irrigation on closing this gap. Field experiments were conducted in three key maize-producing regions in Brazil to calibrate a crop model and obtain reliable data on yield potential (Yp) and water-limited yield potential (Yw) across different environments. Data on river basin flows were employed to ensure that irrigation would not result in the depletion of water resources for other uses. Our findings suggest that Brazil’s average actual yield (Ya) is 55.4 % below the Yp. It was determined that increasing irrigation levels is a viable method for achieving the potential maize yield without compromising available water resources. The average Yg is approximately 5.2 Mg ha–1, indicating a potential production increase of 41.9 % without expanding cropland areas. Strategic planning is essential to balance increased production and expanded irrigation, particularly to avoid impacting regions with water scarcity. It is underscored that the focus should be on areas with sufficient water resources to close Brazil’s current maize Yg. The results from this study offer valuable data for decision-makers and policymakers to enhance maize production sustainably.