Cultivation Environment Research Articles

Assessment of Yield and Quality of Eggplant (Solanum melongena L.) Fruits Improved by Biodegradable Mulching Film in Two Different Regions of Southern Italy

Low-density polyethylene (LDPE) mulching films have an important function in crop cultivation; at the end of their life, however, their removal and disposal become both an economic and environmental problem. One possible alternative to low-density polyethylene (LDPE) mulch is provided by certified soil-biodegradable mulch films, such as those produced by Novamont and commercially available under the trade name MaterBi®. MaterBi is a biodegradable thermoplastic material made with starch and a biodegradable copolyester based on proprietary technology. In this study, we compared two biodegradable MaterBi®-based films (commercial and experimental films) with bare soil and a low-density polyethylene to evaluate their effect on yield and on a number of qualitative characteristics (organoleptic and nutraceutical composition) of eggplant fruits (cv Mirabelle F1) grown in two different regions in Southern Italy (Sicily and Campania). In our study, the use of biodegradable MaterBi® films improved not only yield and production parameters, such as the number and average weight of fruits, but also lipophilic and hydrophilic antioxidant activity and phenolic and ascorbic acid content. For many parameters, responses differed according to the cultivation environment and, in particular, the site’s pedoclimatic conditions. Our results suggest that biodegradable MaterBi®-based mulching films are a potentially valid alternative to traditional LDPEs, providing the production and quality benefits reported above and promoting environmental sustainability, thanks to their positive biodegradable properties.

Differences in shrimp pond bottom soil properties and bacterial load between acute hepatopancreatic necrosis disease (AHPND)‐infected ponds and AHPND‐free ponds and their relation to AHPND

AbstractThis study investigated the disparities in soil characteristics and pathogenic bacteria prevalence between shrimp ponds affected by acute hepatopancreatic necrosis disease (AHPND) and unaffected ponds, alongside examining the spatial distribution of soil attributes in flat‐oriented pond soil strata. Using Pearson correlation and logistic regression analyses, relationships among variables and indicators associated with AHPND prevalence were discerned, leading to the formulation of a predictive model for AHPND occurrence. Soil samples were collected from distinct locations and depths within ponds across three southern provinces of Thailand's Andaman Seaboard. The analysis revealed significantly higher concentrations of several variables, including SOD, TIC, NO2−‐N, Ca, Mn, Cu, Zn, and specified Vibrio strains, in AHPND‐afflicted ponds, especially at 0–5 cm depth. A prominent differentiation was the escalated concentration of easily decomposable organic matter (EDOM) within infected ponds, implicating potential soil and water quality deterioration alongside heightened shrimp susceptibility to AHPND. Correlational analysis showed links between bacterial densities and organic matter groupings, trace elements, exchangeable bases, and soil pH, in AHPND‐infected ponds. The logistic regression model encapsulated three soil variables (TOC, Mg, and Mn) and one pathogen variable (V. parahaemolyticus) and furnished an equation to estimate the log (odds) of AHPND occurrence, facilitating better understanding and potential forecasting of AHPND prevalence in shrimp cultivation environments.

Adapting food environment frameworks to recognize a wild-cultivated continuum.

Food environments, or interfaces between consumers and their food systems, are a useful lens for assessing global dietary change. Growing inclusivity of nature-dependent societies in lower-and middle-income countries is driving recent developments in food environment frameworks. Downs et al. (2020) propose a food environment typology that includes: wild, cultivated, informal and formal market environments, where wild and cultivated are "natural food environments." Drawing from transdisciplinary perspectives, this paper argues that wild and cultivated food environments are not dichotomous, but rather exist across diverse landscapes under varying levels of human management and alteration. The adapted typology is applied to a case study of Indigenous Pgaz K'Nyau food environments in San Din Daeng village, Thailand, using the Gallup Poll's Thailand-adapted Diet Quality Questionnaire with additional food source questions. Wild-cultivated food environments, as classified by local participants, were the source of more food items than any other type of food environment (37% of reported food items). The case of Indigenous Pgaz K'Nyau food environments demonstrates the importance of understanding natural food environments along a continuum from wild to cultivated.

Shrimp and Fish Underwater Image Clasification Using Features Extraction and Machine Learning

Shrimp cultivation is one type of cultivation that has a significant impact on the social status of coastal communities. Shrimp farming traditionally faces several challenges, including water pollution, imbalances in temperature, feed, media, and costs. Monitoring the condition of shrimp in the cultivation environment is very necessary to determine the condition of shrimp in the water. Classification of shrimp and fish is the first step in monitoring the condition of shrimp underwater. This research proposes the development of a method for classifying shrimp and fish underwater using feature extraction and machine learning. The flow of this research is: (1) preparing data from ROI detection results, (2) extraction process of morphometric characteristics P and T, (3) calculating the value of morphometric characteristics P and T, (4) data breakdown for training data and testing data, (5) Model creation process, data training and data testing using SVM, RF, DT, and KNN, (6) Evaluation of classification results using a confusion matrix. From this research, it was found that the Random Forest method obtained the highest accuracy, namely 0.93. From this matrix, the values ​​obtained are True Positive = 349, False Positive = 28, True Negative = 223, False Negative = 0.

Plant Watering System Using ESP8266

Efficient water management is crucial for sustaining healthy plant growth, especially in environmentsprone to drought or excessive moisture. This paper presents a novel plant watering system designed to optimize water usage while ensuring adequate hydration for plants. The system incorporates sensors to measure soil moisture levelsand environmental conditions, such as temperature and humidity, enabling real-time monitoring and responsive watering. Utilizing a microcontroller-based control unit, the system autonomously regulates watering intervals and durations based on preset thresholds and plant specific requirements. By employing drip irrigation technology, water is delivered directly to the root zone, minimizing waste and promoting efficient absorption. Experimental results demonstrate the system's effectiveness in maintaining optimal soil moisture levels, fostering plant health, and conserving water resources. This innovative approach offers a sustainable solution for automated plant care, suitable for both indoor and outdoor cultivation environments.

Isoflavone profile and soybean quality: Effects of genotype, cultivation environment and storage

The interaction between soybean genotypes and environmental conditions alters the chemical and phytochemical composition of soybeans. These changes influence the quality of soybeans during storage. Therefore, the study analyzed the influence of soybean genotypes (BMX ALVO RR, DM 57I52RSF IPRO, BRS 5601 RR, and 95r51), cultivation environment (Bagé, Cachoeira do Sul, Vacaria, and São Luiz Gonzaga), and storage time (0, 6, 12 months) on quality parameters and the isoflavone profile of soybeans. The analyses performed included titratable acidity, soluble protein, germination, electrical conductivity, soybean defects, colorimetric profile, and isoflavone profile. The Vacaria environment showed the lowest values for acidity (0.86–0.91%), lipase activity (6.14–14.2%), electrical conductivity (194.5–335.0 μS/cm), and fermented grains (0.45–1.4%) at the end of storage, regardless of the analyzed genotype, demonstrating to be a suitable environment for the cultivation of these genotypes. Additionally, the highest concentrations of isoflavones were also detected in the genotypes cultivated in Vacaria at the beginning of storage (2205.0–2983.8 μmol/g). Analyzing all the results, the 57i52RSF genotype cultivated in Vacaria showed the best quality during storage. On the other hand, the 95r51 genotype exhibited low quality during storage, especially when cultivated in São Luiz Gonzaga.

Investigation of Heavy Metals Contamination in Indian Aquaculture Shrimp -Litopenaeus vannamei

The expanding aquaculture industry in India has raised concerns about potential environmental contaminants, particularly heavy metals in seafood products. This study aims to assess the presence and levels of heavy metals in Indian aquaculture shrimp, focusing on the widely cultivated species Litopenaeus vannamei. Shrimp samples were collected from diverse aquaculture sites across India and rigorous analytical techniques were employed to quantify the concentrations of various heavy metals. Preliminary findings indicate the potential presence of mercury (Hg), lead (Pb), cadmium (Cd), arsenic (As), copper (Cu), zinc (Zn), chromium (Cr) and nickel (Ni) in the shrimp tissues. The study explores potential sources of contamination including water quality, sediments and feed to ascertain the pathways through which these heavy metals enter the shrimp cultivation environment.

Changes in growth and active components of Angelica gigas Nakai in different cultivation environments

Changes in growth and active components of <i>Angelica gigas</i> Nakai in different cultivation environments

Enhancement of Nutrient Composition and Non-Volatile Flavor Substances in Muscle Tissue of Red Drum (Sciaenops ocellatus) Through Inland Low Salinity Saline-Alkaline Water Culture.

The red drum (Sciaenops ocellatus), a globally significant marine aquaculture species, boasts formidable osmoregulatory capabilities and remarkable adaptability to low salinity, making it an ideal candidate for commercial cultivation in inland low salinity saline-alkaline waters. However, studies on the fundamental nutritional composition and flavor quality of S. ocellatus in these inland low salinity saline-alkaline waters remain unreported. This study delves into the impact of inland low salinity saline-alkaline environments on the basic nutritional components and nonvolatile flavor substances (including free amino acids and free nucleotides) in the muscle tissue of S. ocellatus. The findings reveal that redfish cultivated in these conditions exhibit a significant increase in the crude fat, ash, and protein content in their dorsal muscle tissue, coupled with a decrease in moisture content (p < 0.05), indicating an enhancement in the nutritional value of the dorsal muscle tissue. Furthermore, this cultivation environment significantly elevates the content of free amino acids in the muscle tissue (p < 0.05), particularly those contributing to umami and sweet tastes, while reducing the relative content of bitter amino acids. Although the total content of free nucleotides decreased, the equivalent umami concentration (EUC) in the muscle tissue markedly increased (p < 0.05) due to the synergistic effect of umami amino acids and flavor nucleotides, enhancing the umami taste characteristics. Therefore, inland low salinity saline-alkaline aquaculture not only elevates the nutritional value of S. ocellatus muscle tissue but also improves its umami flavor characteristics. This discovery opens new perspectives for further research into the impact of inland low salinity saline-alkaline environments on the flavor properties of marine animals.

Adopting green absorbent for CO2 capture and agricultural utilization: Biogas slurry and biomass ash case

Previously, the once-through CO2 chemical absorption process by biogas slurry was experimentally verified to offer the unique advantages like low energy consumption, cost-effectiveness, and feasibility of CO2 fixation in plants. However, this technology also faces some challenges and limitations, including a low CO2 absorption rate and performance. To improve the effectiveness and reliability of this innovative carbon capture, utilization, and storage (CCUS) technology, this study proposes a novel method to enhance the CO2 absorption performance without affecting agricultural applications of CO2 by mixing biogas slurry with biomass ash as the green CO2 absorbent. The results indicate that when the solid-liquid mass ratio of biomass ash to biogas slurry is 5:10, the CO2 loading of the biomass ash and biogas slurry mixture (BA-BS) reaches 936.7 ± 59.1 mmol/kg. Furthermore, the pH of the BA-BS remains stable at 6.9, meeting the rhizosphere pH requirements for plant cultivation. The CO2 absorption of the BA-BS liquid phase, referred to as improved biogas slurry (IBS), reaches its maximum at 230.4 ± 3.5 mmol/L, which is 126.8% higher than that of the unimproved biogas slurry. The nitrogen content in the BA-BS solid phase, calling improved biomass ash (IBA), also reaches its maximum at 4.24 ± 0.74 mg/g, thereby expanding the agricultural utilization of biomass ash. The most reasonable and effective way of utilizing CO2-rich mixed biogas slurry and biomass ash involves use IBA as the base fertilizer for tomato cultivation, supplemented later with IBS to promote growth. This optimal application allows for substantial utilization of CO2, introduced into the tomato cultivation environment by IBA and IBS. The carbon fixation of a single tomato has improved by 108.2%. This study thus provides a feasible solution for high-value negative carbonization of biogas slurry and biomass ash.

Enhancing lipid production in Chlorella under successive stresses of periodic micro-current and salinity: Performance and contribution

Two-stage cultivation of Chlorella with periodic micro-current coupled with NaCl stress was investigated to analyze the performance and contribution of increased lipid production. In the growth stage, periodic micro-current of 3 mA resulted in an escalation of 290.06 mg/L of Chlorella’s biomass by 61.25 % in comparison to the control. During the induction stage, under a NaCl concentration of 8 g/L, the highest lipid content and yield attained were 42.11 % and 199.32 mg/L, revealing an increment of 53.13 % and 39.11 % respectively when compared to the control. Additionally, the polyunsaturated fatty acids content (PUFA) decreased from 30.11 % to 23.09 %, while the saturated fatty acids content (SFA) increased from 31.86 % to 42.39 %. Chlorella demonstrated adaptability to the alterations in the cultivation environment by an initial upsurge and later a reduction in SOD and CAT enzyme activities, and concurrently facilitated lipid synthesis by similar changes in the activities of ACCase and DGAT. The above cultivation enabled a synergistic effect of swift growth and efficient lipid accumulation in Chlorella, providing groundwork for large-scale biofuel production.

A Synthetic Microbiome Based on Dominant Microbes in Wild Rice Rhizosphere to Promote Sulfur Utilization

Sulfur (S) is one of the main components of important biomolecules, which has been paid more attention in the anaerobic environment of rice cultivation. In this study, 12 accessions of rice materials, belonging to two Asian rice domestication systems and one African rice domestication system, were used by shotgun metagenomics sequencing to compare the structure and function involved in S cycle of rhizosphere microbiome between wild and cultivated rice. The sulfur cycle functional genes abundances were significantly different between wild and cultivated rice rhizosphere in the processes of sulfate reduction and other sulfur compounds conversion, implicating that wild rice had a stronger mutually-beneficial relationship with rhizosphere microbiome, enhancing sulfur utilization. To assess the effects of sulfate reduction synthetic microbiomes, Comamonadaceae and Rhodospirillaceae, two families containing the genes of two key steps in the dissimilatory sulfate reduction, aprA and dsrA respectively, were isolated from wild rice rhizosphere. Compared with the control group, the dissimilatory sulfate reduction in cultivated rice rhizosphere was significantly improved in the inoculated with different proportions groups. It confirmed that the synthetic microbiome can promote the S-cycling in rice, and suggested that may be feasible to construct the synthetic microbiome step by step based on functional genes to achieve the target functional pathway. In summary, this study reveals the response of rice rhizosphere microbial community structure and function to domestication, and provides a new idea for the construction of synthetic microbiome.

Optimizing winter climate control in high-altitude smart greenhouse through renewable energy integration

In the context of food security in mountain regions, this study explores the potential of a Smart Greenhouse (SGH) to address the challenges posed by climate change and limited resources. The SGH utilizes an 8 m2 solar water heating system, weather stations for external temperature and humidity monitoring, as well as internal light, humidity, and temperature sensors to create an optimized environment for crop cultivation. Experiments were conducted with various crops within the SGH during the harsh winter months, typically rendering the cultivable land fallow due to extreme cold conditions. The SGH is equipped with sensors and communication technologies, ensuring continuous data collection and the automated regulation of heating, ventilation, and air conditioning systems. Located in Genekha, Thimphu, this pilot SGH seamlessly integrates renewable energy technology to provide heat during the cold winter season, obviating the need for external heating sources in the summer. The study employed TRNSYS and OpenStudio simulation software to assess the SGH's performance, focusing on temperature and humidity control inside and outside the greenhouse. Additionally, soil pH and nutrient content were examined, and the time required for crop growth and harvesting was recorded. In conclusion, this paper acknowledges some of the current design's limitations and presents recommendations for future enhancements, with a focus on the specific context of improving crop production and food security in mountainous regions.

The influence of chitosan on plant growth and -sitosterol content in adventitious roots of Talinum paniculatum in NFT hydroponic cultivation system

Beta-sitosterol is the most abundant type of phytosterol found in nature and it offers numerous health benefits for humans including anticancer, antidiabetic, and blood cholesterol-lowering properties. One biomass with a significant beta-sitosterol content is the Javanese ginseng root (Talinum paniculatum). However, Javanese ginseng has not been fully exploited and is often perceived as a mere wild plant. This research was conducted by cultivating Javanese ginseng using the Nutrient Film Technique (NFT) hydroponic method along with the addition of chitosan elicitors at various concentrations: 0, 12.5, 25, and 50 ppm. The purpose of this research was to determine the optimal chitosan concentration for the growth of Javanese ginseng, the beta-sitosterol content, and the productivity of -sitosterol in Javanese ginseng roots. The research revealed that a 12.5 ppm chitosan concentration could increase the root weight by 8.785 g and the shoot weight by 88 g. The growth rate increased to 3.457 g/day and the productivity of -sitosterol in the roots reached 25.084 mg/m2/month. On the other hand, the addition of chitosan led to a decrease in the root-to-shoot ratio, indicating an improved cultivation environment compared to cultivation without chitosan. Furthermore, the results of the research also indicated that the addition of chitosan did not affect the β-sitosterol content in the Javanese ginseng adventitious roots. Therefore, it can be concluded that the optimal chitosan concentration that positively impacts Javanese ginseng cultivated using the NFT hydroponic method is 12.5 ppm because chitosan generates Reactive Oxygen Species (ROS) which causing plant damage and cell death when threshold exceeded.

Participatory Analysis of Impacts of Agricultural Production Systems in a Watershed Depicting Southern Brazilian Agriculture

The objective of this study was to propose a multidimensional model capable of evaluating, in a participatory method, the pressures agricultural production systems cause to aquatic ecosystems. The model was structured with information compiled from scientific articles, doctoral theses, public documents, and field research performed with the participation of stakeholders through interviews, questionnaires, and group evaluations. The evaluation matrix combines seven criteria and twenty-five sub-criteria with different weights to evaluate two main aspects: (i) land occupation and soil management and (ii) agricultural waste production and disposal. The model was tested in 14 agricultural farms, representing four productive arrangements, in a large watershed (2400 km2) in southern Brazil. The geophysical characteristics of the site (18.3%), land use and occupation (28.2%), management practices (soil and water) (25.4%), manure and fertilizers (12.6%), pesticides (14.1%), agricultural waste and discards (1.4%) were the criteria and their respective weights used in the structure of the proposed evaluation model. The evaluation showed that the combination of the fragility of cultivated environments and the absence of conservation practices represented the greatest risks (72.9%) to maintaining the sound environmental conditions of aquatic ecosystems. For future research, it is recommended that a cost-effectiveness analysis be carried out to evaluate environmental conflicts.

Vanilla Growing in South Florida

Vanilla extract is popular around the world as an ingredient in food, cosmetics, and pharmaceutical applications. The botanical source of vanilla extract is primarily the cured beans of Vanilla planifolia. The United States is the world's largest importer of vanilla beans, but domestic production is minimal. Southern Florida has a favorable growing environment for vanilla cultivation. Though currently there is no commercial production of vanilla in southern Florida, it has the potential to be a highly profitable crop in the future. This publication aims to provide basic information to growers interested in establishing a vanillery.

Genotypic difference in physico-chemical grain composition of three species of grain amaranth selected for the Brazilian Savannah

Seventeen genotypes, representing three species of grain amaranth, were analyzed for physico-chemical components. These genotypes are considered outstanding in terms of agronomical performance, necessitating an understanding of protein, lipids, fiber, and carbohydrate content. It has been demonstrated that A. cruentus, A. hypochondriacus, and A. caudatus differ in the content and properties of these compounds. Based on field experiments conducted in the Brazilian Savannahs, these genotypes were initially tested for germination and vigor after 12 years of storage under low moisture conditions at 10°C in air-tight plastic bags. Assuming that the physico-chemical characteristics were maintained, as indicated by an average 80% germination rate, samples of amaranth seeds were milled and used for analysis. The results indicate protein content below expectations, with the highest values above 14g per 100g, while lipids, fiber, and carbohydrates are within the expected range. The possible factors to explain these results are related to the cultivation environment, although genotypic differences are also significant. Additional testing with broad-based selected lines is necessary to improve selection for both agronomic and physico-chemical composition. The present results suggest that efforts should be concentrated on A. cruentus and A. hypochondriacus.

Analysis of Fungal Infections and Public Community Literature in Iran: A Systematic Review

Context: Today, the emergence of fungal infections in public places has become a focus, especially in developing countries. Objectives: The present study aimed to study the literature on fungal infections in public places in Iran to find a variety of fungal infections. Study Selection: A search was performed to identify relevant studies in PubMed, Web of Science, Scopus, Scientific Information Database (SID), and Magiran databases from 2010 to 2022 using special keywords and equivalents. Overall, 25 studies met the inclusion criteria. Finally, the required information was extracted and discussed. Results: The research findings indicate that the research design of most of the papers was cross-sectional. Most of the studies in the field of fungal infections in public environments in Iran have been carried out in places such as swimming pools, schools, some health-related environments, cultivation environments, and soil. Different species of Aspergillus, Penicillium, Mucor, and Mucormycosis were identified in the environments. Conclusions: Examination of different species showed a combination of superficial, skin, mucosal, and visceral fungal infections observed in public places. Prevention and environmental analysis should be given more attention by health policy-makers in order to reinforce public health.

Topdressing nitrogen applied at different phenological stages and growth regulator on wheat in subtropical regions in southern Brazil

There are doubts about nitrogen (N) management and the use of growth regulator in wheat. Thus, the objective was to evaluate the wheat performance as a function of topdressing N applied at different phenological stages of crop, and the use of trinexapac-ethyl (TE) growth regulator associated with N fertilization in subtropical regions in southern Brazil. In each environment, two experiments were carried out, all with an experimental design in 2 × 4 factorial scheme. The factors in experiment 1 were topdressing N application at seedling emergence and tillering stages and N rates (0, 40, 80, and 120 kg N ha−1); and in experiment 2: use of TE (with and without) and N rates (0, 40, 80, and 120 kg N ha−1) applied at tillering. The augment of N in topdressing increases the lodging. The use of TE minimizes the lodging. In environment with irrigation, the application of intermediate N rates at crop emergence reduces lodging. The yield components are altered by the rates and stages of N application, with variable responses according to the cultivation environment. The stage of application does not affect grain yield. N fertilization increases the yield, being that in Ponta Grossa the wheat is more responsive to higher N input. In certain environments, TE reduces the number of spikes m−2 and increases the number of grains per spike. TE impairs yield when associated with N non-application in topdressing. On the other hand, it maximizes the effect of N fertilization on yield, when using higher N rates in topdressing.

The Implementation of Micro/Nanobubbles (MNBs) Technology to Treat Basin Water as The Primary Water Source for Hydroponics in Greenhouse

The greenhouse plays a pivotal role in creating an ideal environment for hydroponic cultivation. The greenhouse has utilized rainwater and basin water as a source of raw water for hydroponic farming. Presently, the water quality of Leuwi Padjadjaran basin fails to meet the standards required for hydroponics due to its turbidity, sediment content, discoloration, pH levels exceeding 7, and low dissolved oxygen (DO) concentration of 2.2 mg/l. The micro/nanobubbles (MNBs) technology stands as a viable method for water treatment owing to its capacity to bind impurities via radical OH. The application of MNBs for the treatment of basin water involves the use of a hydrodynamic cavitation MNBs generator with a dual-chamber rotating flow nozzle. The parameters evaluated in this research encompass DO concentration, MNBs stability, microbubble size, and the visual response to MNBs application. MNBs treatment was conducted with three different gases: air, oxygen, and ozone. Microbubbles were measured using the particle image velocimetry (PIV) method. The DO concentration reaches 21.6 mg/l when employing oxygen-based MNBs. On the third day post-generation, MNBs stability still maintains DO concentrations above the initial levels. Thus it can be used as hydroponic raw water. Keywords: DO concentration, Greenhouse, Micro/nanobubbles, Water treatment.