Agricultural Crops Research Articles

Nitrogen-Fixing Gamma Proteobacteria Azotobacter vinelandii—A Blueprint for Nitrogen-Fixing Plants?

The availability of fixed nitrogen limits overall agricultural crop production worldwide. The so-called modern “green revolution” catalyzed by the widespread application of nitrogenous fertilizer has propelled global population growth. It has led to imbalances in global biogeochemical nitrogen cycling, resulting in a “nitrogen problem” that is growing at a similar trajectory to the “carbon problem”. As a result of the increasing imbalances in nitrogen cycling and additional environmental problems such as soil acidification, there is renewed and increasing interest in increasing the contributions of biological nitrogen fixation to reduce the inputs of nitrogenous fertilizers in agriculture. Interestingly, biological nitrogen fixation, or life’s ability to convert atmospheric dinitrogen to ammonia, is restricted to microbial life and not associated with any known eukaryotes. It is not clear why plants never evolved the ability to fix nitrogen and rather form associations with nitrogen-fixing microorganisms. Perhaps it is because of the large energy demand of the process, the oxygen sensitivity of the enzymatic apparatus, or simply failure to encounter the appropriate selective pressure. Whatever the reason, it is clear that this ability of crop plants, especially cereals, would transform modern agriculture once again. Successfully engineering plants will require creating an oxygen-free niche that can supply ample energy in a tightly regulated manner to minimize energy waste and ensure the ammonia produced is assimilated. Nitrogen-fixing aerobic bacteria can perhaps provide a blueprint for engineering nitrogen-fixing plants. This short review discusses the key features of robust nitrogen fixation in the model nitrogen-fixing aerobe, gamma proteobacteria Azotobacter vinelandii, in the context of the basic requirements for engineering nitrogen-fixing plants.

Chemical Composition and Insecticidal Potential of Essential Oil from Murraya koenigii (L.) Obtained by Natural Deep Eutectic Solvents.

Aphis craccivora Koch and Planococcus lilacinus Cockerell are phloem feeders and act as vectors for transmitting plant viruses to agricultural and horticultural crops thereby damaging them. The persistent and widespread use of synthetic, wide-spectrum pesticides has resulted in resistance development that is detrimental to the environment, human health, and natural enemies of pests. The present investigation uses various extraction mediums to examine the insecticidal efficacy of essential oils (EOs) isolated from Murraya koenigii (L.) leaves. Increase in yield was observed in the EO extracted using NADES-AHD [0.16% (obtained with hydro-distillation)] to 0.30% [obtained with N-1 (glycerol:lactic acid)]. EO obtained with water was found more effective against A. craccivora (LD50 = 0.89 µL/insect) and followed by N-1 (glycerol:lactic acid), and N-3 (choline chloride:citric acid) (LD50 = 1.29-1.38 µL/insect). Similarly, EO isolated by water and N-4 (choline chloride:oxalic acid) was effective against P. lilacinus (LD50 = 2.63-3.06 µL/insect). Additionally, the EO prepared by water substantially reduced glutathione S-transferase (GST) and acetylcholinesterase (AChE) in target pests, suggesting that these enzymes may be the EOs' site of action. NADES-AHD has enhanced the EO yield as compared to the conventional method. The EO obtained with water showed promising toxicity against target pests and target site of action. Therefore, based on field and greenhouse bio-efficacy experiments, EOs/biopesticides/botanicals can be proposed for controlling the spread of mealy bugs and aphids.

Cakile maritima: A Halophyte Model to Study Salt Tolerance Mechanisms and Potential Useful Crop for Sustainable Saline Agriculture in the Context of Climate Change.

Salinity is an increasing problem for agriculture. Most plant species tolerate low or, at best, moderate soil salinities. However, a small (<1%) proportion of species, termed halophytes, can survive and complete their life cycle in natural habitats with salinities equivalent to 200 mM NaCl or more. Cakile maritima is a succulent annual halophyte belonging to the Brassicaceae family; it is dispersed worldwide and mainly grows in foreshores. Cakile maritima growth is optimal under slight (i.e., 100 mM NaCl) saline conditions, measured by biomass and seed production. Higher salt concentrations, up to 500 mM NaCl, significantly impact its growth but do not compromise its survival. Cakile maritima alleviates sodium toxicity through different strategies, including anatomical and morphological adaptations, ion transport regulation, biosynthesis of osmolytes, and activation of antioxidative mechanisms. The species is potentially useful as a cash crop for the so-called biosaline agriculture due to its production of secondary metabolites of medical and nutritional interest and the high oil accumulation in its seeds. In this review, we highlight the relevance of this species as a model for studying the basic mechanisms of salt tolerance and for sustainable biosaline agriculture in the context of soil salination and climate change.

Effect of conservation agriculture on soil fungal diversity in rice-wheat-greengram cropping system in eastern Indo-Gangetic plains of South Asia.

Conservation agriculture (CA) is emerging as an eco-friendly and sustainable approach to food production in South Asia. CA, characterized by reduced tillage, soil surface cover through retaining crop residue or raising cover crops, and crop diversification, enhances crop production and soil fertility. Fungal communities in the soil play a crucial role in nutrient recycling, crop growth, and agro-ecosystem stability, particularly in agricultural crop fields. This study investigates the impact of seven combinations of tillage and crop residue management practices of agricultural production systems, including various tillage and crop residue management practices, on soil fungal diversity. Using the Illumina MiSeq platform, fungal diversity associated with soil was analysed. The results show that the partial CA-based (pCA) production systems had the highest number of unique operational taxonomic units (OTUs) (948 OTUs) while the conventional production system had the lowest number (665 OTUs). The major fungal phyla identified in the topsoil (0-15 cm) were Ascomycota, Basidiomycota, and Mortierellomycota, with their abundance varying across different tillage-cum-crop establishment (TCE) methods. Phylum Ascomycota was dominant in CA-based management treatments (94.9±0.62), followed by the partial CA (pCA)-based treatments (91.0 ± 0.37). Therefore, CA-based production systems play a crucial role in shaping soil fungal diversity, highlighting their significance for sustainable agricultural production.

WEEDS AND WILD PLANTS AS NATURAL HOSTS OF CUCUMBER MOSAIC VIRUS: A CASE STUDY FROM WESTERN SLOVAKIA

Cucumber mosaic virus (Bromoviridae) is a worldwide widespread pathogen affecting more than 1200 plant species. Although more attention is paid to CMV research on agricultural crops, vegetables or ornamental plants, this work was focused on the analysis of several weeds and wild plants as potential natural hosts of CMV. For this purpose, samples from two different agroecological locations were tested by DAS-ELISA using CMV-specific antibodies, revealing nine CMV-positive plant species. CMV isolates from greater burdock (Arctium lappa L.), rough hawksbeard (Crepis biennis L.), wood avens (Geum urbanum L.), prickly lettuce (Lactuca serriola L.), black medick (Medicago lupulina L.), bitter dock (Rumex obtusifolius L.), field sowthistle (Sonchus arvensis L.), white clover (Trifolium repens) and white violet (Viola alba Besser.) were further characterized by sequencing the complete CP gene, disclosing their affiliation to the CMV Group II. We have shown that weeds and wild plant species can be effective hosts for CMV and can serve as virus reservoirs from which the virus can be spread to cultivated crops.

Pest and Disease Video Classification with Convolutional Neural Network and Transfer Learning

The important field crops of agriculture are affected due to attack of various pests and diseases which leads to reduction in crop production. Early classification and identification of pests and diseases in plant helps farmers to take mitigation steps. To address this issue with computer vision based techniques, convolutional neural network (CNN) based deep learning models were studied for classification of pests and diseases videos. Six different CNN models were developed. Two approaches namely from scratch learning and transfer learning were used. Data augmentation techniques such as reflection, scaling, rotation, and translation were also applied to prevent the network from overfitting. The classification accuracy of 99.19%, 99.08% and 98.80% was attained in VGG19, DENSENET201 and CNN 5 Layer model. The results demonstrated that CNN models with good architecture can classify pests and diseases with good performance.

Review Article on Agro Textile- "The Future of Farming"

Agro textiles are one of the twelve categories of technical textiles, primarily utilized in agriculture, horticulture, forestry, and aquaculture. These textiles have been used in agriculture for thousands of years, providing effective crop protection throughout their entire life cycle. The current agro textiles market is mainly comprised of polyolefin and petrochemical-based products. Agro textiles are innovative products that are specially designed for the agricultural applications and practices. With the increase in population worldwide, stress on agricultural crops has increased.[2] As agriculture and horticulture look toward the future, they are adopting various technologies to enhance overall yield and product quality. Agro textiles such as sunscreens, bird nets, wind shields, mulch mats, hail protection nets, and harvesting nets are employed to achieve these objectives.

Dissipation and Residue of Chloroisobromine Cyanuric Acid in Ginger and Pepper and Its Dietary Intake Risk Assessment.

Chloroisobromine cyanuric acid is a highly effective broad-spectrum systemic fungicide for disease control in agricultural crops. In this study, the degradation, residue levels, and potential dietary risks associated with the chloroisobromine cyanuric acid residues in two widely consumed crops, pepper and ginger, were evaluated through supervised field experiments conducted at 12 sites for pepper and 4 sites for ginger in China in 2021. A QuEChERS-LC-MS/MS method was established for quantifying cyanuric acid (CYA) in both crops. The method achieved a limit of quantification (LOQ) of 0.02 mg kg-1 for ginger and 0.05 mg kg-1 for pepper, with recovery rates ranging from 91% to 96% for ginger and 84% to 89% for pepper and the relative standard deviation of 2.9% to 11.2% for ginger and 2.8%~12.9% for pepper, respectively. The results indicated that CYA had half-lives ranging from 3.1 to 8.2 days in pepper, and the terminal CYA residues at harvest were all lower than 5 mg kg-1, the maximum residue limit established in China. Furthermore, the chronic dietary risk exposure to chloroisobromine cyanuric acid in ginger and pepper, harvested at a pre-harvest interval of three days and at the normal harvesting time after the application of 50% chloroisobromine cyanuric acid soluble powder (SP), was 37.96%, which was much lower than 100%, indicating no significant health risks to the Chinese population. This study provides basic data for establishing the MRLs and serving as a reference for developing the analytical method applicable to CYA residues in different plant matrices.

Susceptibility of Aphis craccivora (Hemiptera: Aphididae) to three entomopathogenic Fusarium species

The black aphid (Aphis craccivora) is an insect pest that can cause significant losses to different agricultural crops. Entomopathogenic fungi can be good options for controlling this insect. Fusarium species have shown promising results in the biological control of several agricultural pests, mainly of the order Hemiptera. This study investigated the susceptibility of A. craccivora to 27 Fusarium isolates, distributed among F. sulawesiense (4), F. pernambucanum (6) and F. caatingaense (17). The viability of the conidia of all isolates was assessed by measuring their germination rate. Pathogenicity tests were conducted at 10⁷ conidia/mL, and the best-performing isolate was further tested at different concentrations (10⁴ to 10⁸ conidia/mL). Data were analyzed using ANOVA, Tukey's test at 5 %, and R for calculating lethal times (LT50,90) and lethal concentrations (LC50,90). All isolates had viable conidia with germination rates between 92.67 % and 100 %. Mortality rates ranged from 17.22 % to 90.23 %. F. pernambucanum URM 7559 had the shortest lethal times (LT50 of 2.24 days and LT90 of 4.42 days), followed by F. sulawesiense URM 7555 (LT50 of 2.35 days and LT90 of 4.77 days) and F. caatingaense with LT50 of 3.93 days for URM 6784 and LT90 of 8.27 days for URM 6807. The three Fusarium species tested, especially F. pernambucanum, showed promise in the biological control of A. craccivora. Although the results are promising, additional studies are needed to evaluate the safety, field efficacy and environmental impacts of Fusarium use, focusing on the interaction with the agricultural ecosystem and the risks to non-target organisms.

Bugs (hemiptera) of western siberia possible agents of biological control of phytophages

The increasing harmfulness of phytophages damaging agricultural and ornamental crops is associated with various factors, in particular with the expansion of the range of pest species and the development of resistance to the chemical plant protection products used. The search and regular replenishment of the assortment of entomocarifages is becoming important in the biological protection of plants for obtaining organic crop products. An alternative to using chemical pesticides is to use natural enemies. One of the promising and numerous suborders is the hemiptera or bugs (Hemiptera: Heteroptera). The paper provides an ecological and faunal description of zoophages and zoophytophages of the order Hemiptera found in the regions of the Novosibirsk region (Moshkovsky, Bolotninsky, Chulymsky districts), Altai Territory (Troitsky district) and the Altai Republic (Ust-Koksinsky district) during the growing season of 2023. Seven species belonging to three families of the bedbug suborder were collected: Nabidae (Nabis ferus, Nabis limbatus), Anthocoridae (Orius niger), Pentatomidae (Arma custos, Zicrona caerulea, Picromerus bidens, Pentatoma rufipes). The insects were kept alive for transportation to the laboratory and study of their biological characteristics. Three species were introduced into laboratory culture. The selection of conditions for keeping predatory insectoids continues to obtain a stable laboratory population and further use in crop production. As a result of the surveys of natural and agrobiocenoses, predation by Arma custos and Pentatoma rufipes on the larvae of the Colorado potato beetle was revealed.

Adaptive mechanisms of wheat cultivars to lead toxicity through enhanced oxidative defense, ionomic redistribution, and anatomical modifications

Lead (Pb) contamination is a critical environmental issue that poses a substantial threat to agricultural sustainability and crop productivity, particularly for staple crops like wheat (Triticum aestivum L.). This study investigates the differential physiological, biochemical, and anatomical responses of two wheat cultivars, SKD-1 and Borlaug-16, under Pb stress (100 mg/kg Pb for 21 days). Borlaug-16 displayed a notable tolerance to Pb toxicity, evidenced by a significant increase in total biomass, including a 41.22% rise in shoot turgid weight and a 23.37% increase in root turgid weight, alongside a 57.72% enhancement in root cortex thickness. This cultivar also showed increased antioxidant enzyme activities, such as catalase and peroxidase, and a better ionomic balance, maintaining higher levels of essential minerals like Ca in leaf tissues while effectively accumulating Pb and other trace elements in roots. In contrast, SKD-1 suffered from a more substantial reduction in essential minerals and weaker anatomical and biochemical defenses. The study's novelty lies in providing an integrated approach to understanding wheat cultivar-specific adaptations to Pb stress, suggesting Borlaug-16 as a promising candidate for cultivation in Pb-contaminated soils. These findings underscore the importance of developing Pb-tolerant cultivars to ensure sustainable wheat production in polluted environments.

The prospects for the introduction of a mesoamerican species chia Salvia hispanica L. in the conditions of the southern forest-steppe of Western Siberia

Relevance. This article presents the results of breeding work and the introduction of the Mesoamerican culture Spanish sage or chia (Salvia hispanica L.), which is currently one of the most popular pseudo-grain crops from the family of Lamiaceae in Western countries due to its unique seeds rich in nutrients, PUFA, dietary fiber and antioxidants. In 2009, the European Union considered the seeds of the plant to be a promising type of food. There are only 17 registered genotypes of culture in the world, in the collection of GRR VIR there are two forms obtained from European countries. There are no registered varieties of Spanish sage in the state register of breeding achievements approved for use in the territory of the Russian Federation. The research of this culture is limited only by the biological side: the study of morphobiological features, its use for decorative purposes.Material and methodology. The research was conducted in the educational and experimental farm of the Omsk State Agrarian University in 2019-2023. The objects of research were several samples of various ecological and geographical origin and 2 new forms of Spanish sage obtained during local selection. All records and observations were carried out according to the following methods: field experience in vegetable growing (S.S. Litvinov, 2011), State variety testing of agricultural crops (1989), assessment of primary introduction by G.P. Semenova (2001) and variety assessment of floral ornamental plants by V.N. Bylov (1971).Results. As a result of continuous year-round introduction work, the breeders of the Omsk State Agricultural University managed to overcome the photoperiodic sensitivity of the plant and obtain adaptive forms 0/18 and 3/18. An assessment of the decorative value, the success of the introduction and the possibility of introducing new samples into production in the conditions of the southern forest-steppe of Western Siberia is given. The first of the locally obtained forms, as more productive, was transferred to the state variety testing in 2023 under the assumed name of the variety "Siberian Emerald". Breeding work in this direction continues.

Food as a factor determining the physiological state of populations of the phytopagous pests of agricultural crops

Relevance. Trophic relationships along with competition and mutualism are the most basic and significant interactions in ecosystems. To develop, survive, and multiply, insects need to consume a certain amount of nutrients at a certain ratio. Food products are complex mixes of nutrients and non-nutritive substances (sometimes toxic ones): macronutrients (proteins, carbohydrates, and lipids), micronutrients (vitamins and minerals), and water. Some nutrients are essential; insects lack the ability to synthesize them in their bodies and must obtain them from their diet or through symbiosis with beneficial organisms. Identification mechanisms being well developed in the system “phytophagous insect – plant” allow insects to successfully spread, multiply, and feed on certain plant species. The complex of hydrolytic enzymes in the insect intestine is one of the main targets for plant defense responses because these enzymes determine the availability of structural compounds for phytophagous insects. For this reason, enzymes in the insect intestine play a key role in the adaptation of insects to the pest resistance of fodder plants. For instance, when proteinase inhibitors are synthesized in a fodder plant as the result of induced insect resistance the complex of enzymes in an insect intestine might change negating the effect of these inhibitors. The development of co-adaptations due to interactions among species in food chains depends on a complicated constellation of conflicting relationships between consumers and food objects. The mechanisms of this influence may be rooted in the allelochemical interactions in the system “phytophagous insect – plant recipient”. Allelopathic interactions are among the most complex interactions because they are constituted by direct and indirect effects. Plants when damaged by phytophagous insects activate defense responses, which incorporate several mechanisms, including an increase in the concentration of secondary metabolites, many of which are phenolic compounds.The aim of the work is to describe the mechanisms of relationships in the system “phytophage-plant”. Conclusion. Management of processes of intra-water divergence of insect-phytophages in agrobiocoenoses in order to prevent the emergence of races and populations of pests adapted to live on initially resistant to them plant forms is possible in compliance with the transition to a targeted selection of agricultural crops for resistance to a complex of pests.

Characterization and Evaluation of an Electrostatic Knapsack Sprayer Prototype for Agricultural Crops

Pesticide application development has grown exponentially in recent decades thanks to the implementation of new technologies and improved quality of spray input application. Electrostatic technology for increasing deposition has proven to be a suitable tool under specific study conditions, such as when working with very small droplet sizes, with air assistance, or typically in greenhouse environments. However, its effectiveness in hydraulic spraying, as well as its application from a commercial point of view in agriculture, is still challenging. The aim of this study was to evaluate the performance of this technology by implementing a modified lance on a small commercial knapsack sprayer, equipped with a hydraulic nozzle providing a range of droplet size values (Dv50) from 136 μm to 386 μm in the pressure range between 2 and 6 bar. This setup allowed operation under normal conditions (disconnected electrostatic system: NES) or with the connected electrostatic system (ES), with both configurations being tested in this study. Liquid distribution profiling as well as qualitative and quantitative evaluation of deposition were carried out both under laboratory conditions and in tomato crops under greenhouse conditions. The results showed no differences between the ES and NES in terms of flow rate (L min−1) characterization or in the total accumulated volume collected with the vertical bench. The impact of the electrostatic system connection was clearly observed in laboratory trials, with total deposition increases of up to 66%. In field trials, this effect decreased in unexposed areas and in denser sections of the crop. However, the overall increase in deposition, mainly associated with the exposed side, continued to be significant.

Weed community differences in row crops with varying input levels in Ghana

Abstract Peanut (Arachis hypogaea L.) and maize (Zea mays L.) are essential crops for Ghana’s economy and food security, but weed infestation poses a significant threat to their cultivation. Crop rotations influence weed communities, but little is known about these processes in peanut-cropping systems in West Africa. This study investigated the impact of different crop rotations and input levels on weed communities in Ghana over 3 yr. Results showed that low inputs (absence of herbicide and fertilization) favored species richness, while higher input levels (weed control with herbicides and fertilizer use) reduced it. Diversity and evenness were also affected by inputs, with varying patterns across locations and seasons. Weed population growth rates (λ) varied significantly by location and treatment; all management programs resulted in increasing weed populations. Principal component analysis revealed distinct associations between weed species and crop management. The majority of weed species exhibited a generalist behavior and did not associate with a particular management. However, billygoat weed (Ageratum conyzoides L.) and Benghal dayflower (Commelina benghalensis L.) were positively associated with high-input systems, while purple nutsedge (Cyperus rotundus L.) exhibited strong associations with low and medium inputs. The weed–crop rotation dynamics described here demonstrate how management drives the selection of weed species that are more pervasive and interfere with important food crops in Ghanaian agriculture.

Beyond the ‘gender gap’ in agriculture: Africa's Green Revolution and gendered rural transformation in Rwanda

The African Green Revolution (AGR) aims to modernize, intensify, and commercialize agriculture through increasing technology adoption by smallholder farmers. AGR interventions also promote gender equality, aiming to close the ‘gender gap’ in agriculture by enhancing women's access to purchased inputs, technology, land, and finance. With an empirical focus on Rwanda, this article examines the gendered implications of the AGR. We critically reflect on the notion of gender gaps and the associated tendency of development research to treat gender as a variable, assessing outcomes for male-headed versus female-headed households in terms of their access to material assets. We argue that these assessments overlook (1) the differential impacts of AGR policies within households and (2) how agricultural modernization influences gendered access to material resources as well as immaterial responsibilities, norms, and identities. Our findings from a mixed-methods study with four Rwandan communities show how the AGR empowers men as ‘modern’ farmers while marginalizing women's agricultural spaces, labor, and crops. We argue that development research and practice should move beyond the narrow focus on gender gaps to additionally consider how technologies and policies are themselves gendered in ways that can constrict food security, entrench inequitable power dynamics, and further marginalize women.

Resistance to Acetyl Coenzyme A Carboxylase (ACCase) Inhibitor in Lolium multiflorum: Effect of Multiple Target-Site Mutations

Italian ryegrass (Lolium multiflorum Lam.) is a persistent weed species that poses significant management challenges in key agricultural crops such as wheat, corn, cotton, and soybean. This study investigated the prevalence of resistance to ACCase inhibitor herbicides, specifically diclofop and pinoxaden, among field-collected Italian ryegrass populations. The survey revealed widespread resistance to diclofop and emerging cross-resistance to pinoxaden. To elucidate the physiological mechanism of ACCase herbicide resistance, we investigated mutations in the carboxyl-transferase (CT) domain of the ACCase enzyme, a critical region for herbicide sensitivity. Using dCAPS assays and CT domain sequencing, several known resistance-conferring mutations were detected in diclofop survivors, including I1781L, W2027C, I2041N, D2078G, and C2088R. Additionally, other mutations such as L1701M, E1874A, N1878H, G1946E/Q, V1992D, and E2039D were identified. To understand the functional role of these mutations in herbicide resistance, homology modeling was performed using AutoDock Vina for selected mutation combinations. The computational analysis revealed that all mutations and their combinations resulted in reduced binding affinity with diclofop and pinoxaden compared to the wild-type ACCase CT domain. Computational binding energy predictions indicated that the G1946E mutation and the L1701M + I1781L + E1874A + N1878H combination exhibited the lowest affinities for diclofop and pinoxaden, respectively. This study provides valuable insights into the molecular basis of ACCase inhibitor resistance in Italian ryegrass. However, further research is needed to validate the functional significance of each new substitution and its combinations in conferring herbicide resistance.

Enhancing Citrus Resilience: Strategies and Advances in Abiotic Stress Management: A Review

Citrus, a major global agricultural crop is highly valued for its nutritional benefits and widespread consumption. However, as a subtropical plant, citrus is particularly sensitive to abiotic stresses such as salinity, drought, waterlogging, nutrient deficiency, high irradiance and cold temperatures. These stresses pose significant challenges to citriculture, reducing yield and fruit quality. Traditional methods like rootstock selection and plant breeding have been used to improve stress tolerance to some extent. Recent advancements in genetic engineering and biotechnology have enhanced our understanding of the molecular mechanisms behind stress tolerance. Identifying and isolating specific genes and transcription factors have led to novel agricultural practices that economically benefit citriculture and mitigate the adverse effects of abiotic stress. This review paper emphasizes and summarises the citrus responses to abiotic stress and strategies developed to enhance stress tolerance in citrus plants.

A Review of the Application of Hyperspectral Imaging Technology in Agricultural Crop Economics

China is a large agricultural country, and the crop economy holds an important place in the national economy. The identification of crop diseases and pests, as well as the non-destructive classification of crops, has always been a challenge in agricultural development, hindering the rapid growth of the agricultural economy. Hyperspectral imaging technology combines imaging and spectral techniques, using hyperspectral cameras to acquire raw image data of crops. After correcting and preprocessing the raw image data to obtain the required spectral features, it becomes possible to achieve the rapid non-destructive detection of crop diseases and pests, as well as the non-destructive classification and identification of agricultural products. This paper first provides an overview of the current applications of hyperspectral imaging technology in crops both domestically and internationally. It then summarizes the methods of hyperspectral data acquisition and application scenarios. Subsequently, it organizes the processing of hyperspectral data for crop disease and pest detection and classification, deriving relevant preprocessing and analysis methods for hyperspectral data. Finally, it conducts a detailed analysis of classic cases using hyperspectral imaging technology for detecting crop diseases and pests and non-destructive classification, while also analyzing and summarizing the future development trends of hyperspectral imaging technology in agricultural production. The non-destructive rapid detection and classification technology of hyperspectral imaging can effectively select qualified crops and classify crops of different qualities, ensuring the quality of agricultural products. In conclusion, hyperspectral imaging technology can effectively serve the agricultural economy, making agricultural production more intelligent and holding significant importance for the development of agriculture in China.

Combining capillary electrophoresis and chemometric tools for the straightforward determination of imidazolinone herbicides in plant-based milks.

Highly polar herbicides, such as imidazolinones, are used for weed control to increase agricultural productivity and crop quality. However, their misapplication can lead to residues in ready-to-eat food with a potential health risk for consumers. Hence, the fast determination of these herbicides is necessary for timely action. In this work, an eco-friendly method based on capillary zone electrophoresis combined with chemometrics was used for the determination of imazapyr and imazamox in vegetable-based beverages such as soy and quinoa milk. The analytical strategy consisted of only three steps: (i) protein precipitation prior to sample injection (ii) data pre-processing to reduce the background and make corrections on electrophoretic times shift, and (iii) resolution of fully overlapped capillary electrophoresis (CE) peaks by the well-known partial least square (PLS) algorithm, which extracts quantitative information attributed to the analytes. The method was successfully applied in the concentration range between 1.00 and 100 μg L-1 with coefficient of determination of the calibration (R2 cal) and prediction (R2 pred) > 0.90, residual prediction deviation of calibration (RPDcal) and of prediction (RPDpred) > 3, and relative error of prediction (REP) > 11 in the analyzed sample matrices, in the three built methods (quinoa samples, soy samples, and joint quinoa and soy samples). The proposed methodology offers a simple and quick alternative for determining imidazolinones at trace concentrations in vegetable beverages, such as quinoa and soy milk, without complex sample preparation. The results were consistent with those obtained using more complex techniques, confirming the applicability of this method. © 2024 Society of Chemical Industry.