Harvest Date Research Articles

Models for Predicting Pineapple Flowering and Harvest Dates

Models for Predicting Pineapple Flowering and Harvest Dates

Análise econômica dos efeitos do ponto de colheita sobre a qualidade e a produtividade de maçãs ‘Fuji Suprema’

Abstract This study aimed to analyze the effect of harvest date on ‘Fuji Suprema’ apple quality, productivity, and economic profitability at harvest and after storage. Apples were harvested at the beginning of the commercial harvest window (H1), ten days after H1 (H2), and 22 days after H1 (H3) in the 2008 and 2009 growing seasons. A total of six samples with ~400 kg of fruit (~2,900 apples) each were picked at each growing season and harvest date, which were assessed at harvest (six subsamples of 100 fruit) and after 250 days of controlled atmosphere storage at 0.8 °C. The economic analysis considered fixed and variable production costs in the orchard and postharvest practices and the productivity of packaged apples (pack-out). Early harvested (H1) apples had greater flesh firmness, acidity, and lower soluble solids content than late-harvested apples (H3), both at harvest and after storage. Delaying harvest by 22 days increased the production by 10.2% due to increased fruit size but reduced the production by 3.6% due to severe sunburn and pre-harvest decay incidence. Late harvest also increased production losses due to decay by 4.4% and 10.9% during storage and shelf, respectively, but reduced production losses due to superficial scald by 17.1 to 22.7%. The net revenue (R$ ha-1) is higher for apples harvested late (H3, flesh firmness of 15.6 lb and starch index of 7.1) than for apples harvested early (H1 and H2) when the fruit is marketed soon after harvest (between April and May). However, for apples marketed after long-term storage, economic profitability is maximum when harvested at an intermediate maturity stage (H2, flesh firmness of 16.4 lb and starch index of 6).

Effect of extended days on feed on carcass gain, efficiency, and quality of individually fed beef steers.

Crossbred steers (n = 114, initial BW = 334kg; SEM = 5kg) were serially harvested to evaluate the change in carcass composition by feeding cattle 21 or 42 d longer than the 2014 industry average subjective measure of finish, 1.27cm of 12th rib fat thickness. Carcass ultrasound measurements were collected on 76 steers at 1, 78, and 134 days on feed (DOF) to project appropriate harvest date. Steers were sorted into three harvest groups, and serially harvested at 142, 163, or 185 DOF, with the first harvest date selected based on an estimated 12th rib fat thickness of 1.27cm via ultrasound measurement. Steers were fed using an individual animal feeding system, to determine individual performance metrics. Steer DMI did not differ (P ≥ 0.31) between harvest groups, while carcass-adjusted ADG and G:F decreased linearly (P ≤ 0.04) as DOF increased. Carcass weight increased linearly (P < 0.01) as DOF increased from 142 to 185 DOF, with steers gaining an additional 36kg of HCW when fed an additional 42 DOF. Carcass LM area quadratically increased (P = 0.04) to 163 DOF and remained constant to 185 DOF. Marbling score was not different (P = 0.14) between harvest groups; however, the opportunity to grade USDA Premium Choice was improved for steers fed to 185 DOF. Calculated YG and 12th rib fat thickness increased linearly (P < 0.01) as DOF increased, with distributions across YG 1 through 5 differing between harvest groups (P < 0.01), and 185-d carcasses having the greatest frequency of YG 4 carcasses. As cattle are fed for additional DOF, live ADG and G:F decline, while HCW and LM area increase.

Ripening Trends of Vitis vinifera L. cv Sugrasixteen (SABLE SEEDLESS®) Table Grapes at Different Crop Loads and Bunch Sizes

Crop load and bunch size manipulation are two prominent viticultural practices used in the production of Vitis vinifera L. cv. Sugrasixteen table grapes. However, their respective effects on berry ripening are unknown and were investigated in this study. A split-plot vineyard block design with three different crop loads (low, medium, and high) as the main treatments and two bunch size treatments (small and large) as the subplot factors were used. Weekly berry samples from veraison to harvest from each treatment were analysed for mass, total soluble solids (TSS), titratable acidity (TA), and pH. Data mining established the ripening trends and explored the possibility of estimating optimal harvest dates using EC50 values. Results showed that berries of large bunches had higher average mass than small bunches during ripening. Increased crop loads resulted in berries with lower mass, TSS and TSS: TA ratio, and delayed berry ripening. Conversely, berries from the low crop load increased in mass and accumulated TSS faster during ripening than higher crop loads, reaching EC50 two to four days earlier with accumulation starting to slow down at higher values. EC50 could be used to estimate harvest dates for low to medium crop loads, but not for high crop loads. This study provides the first in-depth analysis of SABLE SEEDLESS® ripening trends concerning crop load and bunch size management. The results have implications for the grape’s overall eating quality. The statistical prediction of optimal harvest dates for lower crop loads could have practical benefits for the industry.

The effect of a direct-fed microbial (10-G) on live animal performance, carcass characteristics, and Salmonella prevalence of fed beef heifers.

The objective of this study was to determine the efficacy of the direct-fed microbial 10-G upon cattle growth performance, liver and lung health, carcass quality, and yield outcomes, as well as prevalence and enumeration of Salmonella in feces and lymph nodes. Fed beef heifers (N = 1,400; initial shrunk body weight [BW] 343.3 ± 36.2kg) were blocked by the day of arrival and randomly allocated to one of two treatments (0 [negative control, CON] or 2g of a direct-fed microbial [10-G] that provided 1 billion CFUs per animal per day of Lactobacillus acidophilus, Enterococcus faecium, Pediococcus pentosaceus, L. brevis, and L. plantarum) with 10 pens per treatment. Recto-anal mucosal fecal samples (RAMs; n = 477) and subiliac lymph nodes (SLNs; n = 479) were collected longitudinally at harvest from 23 to 25 heifers per pen. Data were analyzed using mixed models; pen served as the experimental unit; block and harvest date were random effects. No differences were detected in dry matter intake (P = 0.78), final BW (P = 0.64), average daily gain (P = 0.51), gain to feed (P = 0.71), hot carcass weight (P = 0.54), dressed carcass yield (P = 0.52), 12th rib fat depth (P = 0.13), longissimus muscle area (P = 0.62), calculated empty body fat (P = 0.26), or marbling score (P = 0.82). Distributions of liver scores (P ≥ 0.34), quality grades (P ≥ 0.23), and yield grades (P ≥ 0.11) were also not different between treatments. A tendency was detected for more normal lungs (P = 0.08; 10-G = 65.96%, CON = 61.12%) and fewer inflated lungs at harvest for cattle fed 10-G (P = 0.10; 10-G = 0.29%, CON = 1.16%); other lung outcomes did not differ (P ≥ 0.54). Salmonella prevalence did not differ for RAM samples (P = 0.41; 10-G = 97.74%, CON = 96.82%) or SLN (P = 0.22; 10-G = 17.92%, CON = 13.66%). Salmonella concentration of RAM samples (P = 0.25; 10-G = 3.87 log CFU/g, CON = 3.32 log CFU/g) or SLN (P = 0.37; 10-G = 1.46 log CFU/g, CON = 1.14 log CFU/g) also did not differ between treatments at harvest. These results do not demonstrate any difference in live animal performance, carcass characteristics, or Salmonella carriage for heifers fed 10-G.

Development of intelligent technology elements to establish optimal harvest dates for grain crops

The outstripping pace of agro-industrial complex development is largely determined by the level of agricultural production organization. The effectiveness of crop cultivation depends both on external factors: nature of soils, climatic conditions, etc., and on the skillful organization of agrotechnical measures, timely implementation of planned sowing cycles, cultivation and harvesting of crop production. The development of intelligent technologies can optimize the use of resources and management processes in the field of agriculture, as well as improve the quality of finished products. In particular, using the capabilities of artificial intelligence, it is possible to process large amounts of data on soil composition, fertility, humidity, and other soil parameters; predict weather and climate, forecast and plan sowings of certain crops. With the help of modern intelligent technologies, it is possible to monitor the condition of plants, identify diseases and pests, control growth and determine the best time for sowing, various types of plant treatment and time for harvesting. Definitely, these are just some areas where intelligent technologies in agriculture that can be used. With the development of technology and improved data availability, the possibilities of using artificial intelligence in all the areas mentioned will only grow.

The Effect of Planting Dates and Planting Methods on Cotton Quantitative and Qualitative Traits in Moderate and Humid Climatic Conditions

otton is one of the most important crops in Golestan Province, Iran. The planting and harvesting date interferes with autumn crops such as wheat. A delay in planting cotton causes a decrease in yield. Transplanting cultivation can help to solve this problem. For this purpose, an experiment was carried out during two crop years in 2017 and 2018 in Iran, Golestan Province, Gorgan city, research station of Iraqi Mahlah in the form of a split plot based on randomized complete blocks design in four replications. Experimental treatments including planting dates at three levels including; Planting dates were May 27, June 16 and July 7 and planting methods were in seven levels (6 treatments using Transplanting and direct seeding methods). Quantitative traits including plant height, number of bolls per plant, lint weight per boll, lint yield and biological yield were measured along with cotton qualitative traits such as fiber length, stretch percentage, fiber fineness, fiber strength and uniformity index. Based on the results, the simple effect of planting dates, planting methods, as well as the interaction effect of planting dates × planting methods on all quantitative and qualitative traits were significant. Also, the interaction effect of year × planting date × planting method on the number of bolls per plant and biological yield was significant. The average lint yield in transplanting methods was 2256 kg per hectare and showed an increase of about 37% compared to direct seeding cultivation method. The best cultivation method it was that one with one seedling transplanted, the distance between the rows=75 cm and the distance on the rows=40 cm, the yields being higher as compared to other treatments. In general, the lint yield in direct seeding was much lower than the lint yield in transplanting cultivation. Also, the quality traits were affected by planting dates and planting methods, and in most cases, cotton quality traits were improved in the transplanting cultivation method. Therefore, if the cost of producing and transporting seedlings is economical, cotton transplanting is preferable to direct seeding cultivation.

Live and carcass production traits for progeny of an F1 USDA Prime-Yield Grade 1 carcass clone sire compared to progeny of popular beef terminal sires.

The cloning of beef carcasses that grade United States Department of Agriculture (USDA)Prime-yield grade (YG) 1 (P1) has produced a sire that ranked well against high-performing bulls from multiple breeds. An F1 (P1 × P1 - first generation offspring) sire would ideally outperform its high-performing parents. A terminal sire study was conducted comparing progeny of an F1 (P1 × P1) sire (AxG1) against progeny (heifers and steers) of four high-performing sires of varying breeds {P1 (ALPHA); Angus; Simmental; Angus × Simmental}. Production traits included morbidity and mortality frequencies, weaning weight, feedlot arrival weight, and days on feed; carcass traits included frequency of abscessed liver and lung health, quality grade and YG parameters, total carcass value (US$), and carcass value per hundredweight (CWT [45.4 kg]; US$). A completely randomized experimental design was used; data were analyzed using a mixed model with a fixed effect of sire and random effects of harvest date, sex, and pen. AxG1 sired heifers had the highest (P < 0.01) marbling score, the highest (P < 0.01) carcass value per CWT, and numerically had the lowest calculated YG and highest frequency of YG one carcass. Steers sired by AxG1 had the least (P = 0.05) backfat, lowest (P < 0.01) calculated YG, highest (P < 0.01) marbling score, highest (P < 0.01) frequency of USDA Prime carcasses, the greatest (P < 0.03) total carcass value, and greatest (P < 0.01) carcass value per CWT. Collectively, AxG1 steer and heifer carcasses exhibited the least 12th rib fat thickness and lowest USDA YG in addition to the largest longissimus muscle area, highest marbling score, and greatest frequency of USDA Prime. These data suggest that AxG1 performed comparably to other high-performing industry terminal sires in carcass quality and YG outcomes.

The effect of root fertilizing with organic mineral fertilizer BioEcoss on the vegetable pepper plants development in the central zone of the Krasnodar Territory

The article presents the results of studies conducted to evaluate the effectiveness of BioEcoss fertilizers in various concentrations in hot vegetable pepper cultivation. The experiment was conducted in 2022/2023 in a glazed winter greenhouse, geographically located in the Kuban State Agrarian University Botanical Garden, Krasnodar. The object of research is the variety of hot vegetable pepper “Pikovaya Dama” (“Queen of Spades”). It was found that the introduction of the studied organomineral fertilizer in any studied concentration (from 1% to 3%) accelerated the plants flowering onset and fruits biological ripeness compared with the control, increased productivity and average fruit weight. The highest fertilizer concentration in the experiment (3%) contributed to earlier fruit harvest dates (earlier than the control for 18 days), fruiting period extension, increase in fruits number on branches of the first and second order to 10 pieces (at the control – 7), fruits average weight increase. The yield in this variant of the experiment was 0.66 kg / m2, which was higher than the control by 0.42 kg / m2, other variants with the addition of a less concentrated solution – by 1.4-2.1 times. The use of fertilizers in any concentration contributed to 100% marketability of fruits.

ORANGE FRUIT IMAGE QUALITY ASSESSMENT USING HYBRID MODEL

Since ripeness is regarded by consumers as the most important quality indication in the crops industry, maintaining and monitoring its ripeness has become a major issue in the business of growing crops. Additionally, as it significantly affects the product's quality and consumer preferences, the product's appearance is one of the makers' most pressing worries. However, the forecasting of storage life and the selection of the best harvest dates are still largely based on individual interpretation and practical experience. Threshold segmentation and certain morphological techniques are used in the early stage of the extraction of an area of interest. The segmented orange images are then divided into training and testing data sets, and the second stage entails extracting color-based traits from them. Choosing the classifier training settings is the focus of the third phase. The final phase, which makes use of the previously trained ANN, categorizes the data. One of the most crucial conclusions of this study is that creating a neural network is an empirical process that requires a lot of trials in order to identify the ideal variables that will give the neural classification algorithm the best performance. initialization of weights, the quantity of hidden neurons. Based on the proposed model the accuracy and efficiency is 1.3% which is more accurate result.

Effects of Climate Change and Phenological Monitoring of the Indigenous Godello Variety in a Territory of Heroic Viticulture and Biosphere Reserve

In the year 2023, the phenological behaviour of the indigenous Godello variety of vineyard was evaluated at Souto Chao, located in the north-west of the Iberian Peninsula, which is a wine-growing region and considered as the place of Designation of Origin (Ribeira Sacra DO). In 2017 and 2018, a similar study was carried out on the same plants of Godello variety, but this latest study aimed to ascertain the nature and extent of changes in the crop’s phenology within the timeframe between the initial two years analysed (2017 and 2018) and the present year, 2023. The scale used for study was the one proposed by the BBCH of Lorenz. The average length of the vegetative cycle in the initial two years was 167 days (161 and 174 days in 2017 and 2018, respectively), while in 2023 it was 164 days. The results obtained show a longer vegetative cycle in 2018, with significant differences between the beginning and end of the different phenological phases. Of the three years analysed, 2018 stands out showing a significant deviation from the average. Moreover, there is a close relationship between the phenological behaviour of the Godello variety and certain climatic parameters. Temperature is the most decisive factor, specifically the average annual minimum temperature, which was lower in 2018. In addition, the highest thermal requirements were observed in that same year, with figures slightly above 5200 GDD. As for the historical harvest dates, there are only two recorded years in which the grape harvest took place in August, namely in 2017 and 2023. In this geographical region, the grape harvest, with the exception of the two years mentioned above, usually takes place in September, as was the case in 2018. The vulnerability of viticulture to climate change depends on the magnitude of the impacts. Global warming is the great challenge for the wine business and will force changes in vineyard management to curb its most damaging effects. Its most obvious effects, such as the rise in average global temperature or the decrease and redistribution of rainfall, increasingly in the form of occasional and intense storms, have gone from perception to certainty.

Simultaneous evaluation of yield and stability of sugar beet (Beta vulgaris L.) varieties under Egyptian conditions using AMMI and GGE biplot approaches

An experiment was conducted on stability analysis of seven diverse monogram sugar beet (Beta vulgaris L.) varieties for root and sugar yields and their attributes grown under three harvesting dates after sowing during 2021-22 and 2022-23. The data generated from eighteen environments representing the combinations among harvesting dates, locations, and seasons were subjected to additive main effects and multiplicative interaction (AMMI) genotype main effect and genotype x environment interaction (GGE Biplot) analysis. Results obtained from AMMI combined analysis of variance showed that the main effects of sugar beet varieties, environments, and their interaction were highly significant for all studied traits. It is observed that sugar beet plants grown in the Nubaria region and harvested after 210 days, gave the best results for most root and sugar quality traits. The analysis further revealed that Volna and Klara varieties were the elite ones regarding root and sugar yields, and juice quality parameters as an overall mean across the environments. AMMI stability analysis indicated the variety Vangelis was broadly or narrowly stable under different environments and reflected somewhat good performance for most studied traits, while Klara and Volna were considered very promising as above stable ones using GGE Biplot graphs. The findings indicated that GGE Biplot graphs are more accurate and more informative as compared to AMMI stability analysis.

Performance of Grafted Bitter Gourd (Momordica charantia L.) at Different Pruning and Nitrogen Levels in Nawalparasi East, Nepal

Pruning and level of nitrogen influence the growth and yield of bitter gourd. A field experiment was conducted to assess the effect of different pruning and nitrogen levels on the growth and productivity of bitter gourd from March to July 2022 in Nawalparasi East, Nepal. The field experiment was laid out in a split-plot design with three replications. The treatment comprised three levels of pruning (No pruning, second generation (2G) pruning, and third generation (3G) pruning) in main plots and three different doses of nitrogen (100, 150, and 200 kg ha-1) in sub-plots. Observations on growth, floral, and yield parameters were recorded, analyzed, and presented. The research result revealed that 3G pruning with 200 kg ha-1 nitrogen level produced the highest fruit yield (16242.56 kg ha-1) at the fourth harvest. The yield trend showed higher fruit yield at higher nitrogen levels and 3G pruning at all dates of harvest. The increased fruit yield at higher nitrogen levels was because of more number of fruits per plant as well as longer fruit length and larger fruit diameter. The higher productivity in 3G pruning was mainly due to more fruit per plant at the fourth harvest. The results indicate a higher yield of bitter gourd at a higher level of nitrogen with 3G pruning.

Effects of Climate Conditions before Harvest Date on Edamame Metabolome.

Edamame is a green soybean that is rich in nutrients. Boiled edamame has been traditionally used for food in the East Asia region. It was known among farmers that conditions, such as temperature and climate on the day of harvest, affect the quality of edamame. Large-scale farmers harvest edamame on multiple days in the same year; however, the quality of edamame varies from day to day due to variations in climate conditions. In this study, we harvested edamame over several days between 2013 and 2018, obtained the climate conditions on the harvest date, and performed metabolome analysis using capillary electrophoresis mass spectrometry. To clarify the correlation between climate conditions before the harvest date and edamame components, comparative analyses of the obtained meteorological and metabolomic data were conducted. We found positive and negative correlations between the sunshine duration and average temperature, and the amounts of some edamame components. Furthermore, correlations were observed between the annual fluctuations in climate conditions and edamame components. Our findings suggest that the climate conditions before the date of harvesting are closely related to edamame quality.

Antioxidants of blushed and unblushed sides in relation to superficial scald of ‘NY2’ (RubyFrost®) apples treated preharvest with 1-methylcyclopropene and aminoethoxyvinylglycine

The effects of plant growth regulators (PGRs) and harvest date on antioxidant contents at harvest and superficial scald development in ‘NY2’ apple during storage have been studied. Aminoethoxyvinylglycine (AVG, ReTain®) and 1-methylcyclopropane (1-MCP, Harvista™) were sprayed two and one weeks, respectively, before the first of three weekly harvests. The apples were stored at 0.5 °C for 20 weeks + 7 d at 20 °C. At harvest, color and index of absorbance difference (IAD) values, and contents of total phenolics, anthocyanins, chlorophylls, carotenoids, ascorbic acid (TAA), dehydroascorbic acid (DHA) glutathione (GSH), reduced glutathione (GSSG) and total antioxidant activity of blushed and unblushed sides of the apple were measured. The antioxidant contents increased with later harvest dates. Chlorophyll and GSSG were higher in unblushed than blushed skin tissues, while all antioxidant contents were highest in blushed skin tissues. Superficial scald incidence was highly correlated with less mature fruit, lower fruit anthocyanin, higher chlorophyll content at harvest. α-Farnesene, conjugated trienols (CTols), and IAD value index were measured at 0, 1, 2, 4, 6, 10, 15, and 20 weeks at 0.5 ⁰C for fruit from harvest 1. Scald incidence and severity was higher in AVG-treated fruit than untreated or 1-MCP treated fruit and did not decrease at later harvest dates. Using harvest management and preharvest application of plant growth regulators is a promising strategy to improve the nutritional value of 'NY2′ apples, reduce physiological disorders, and maintain fruit quality.

Effects of Harvesting Dates on Qualitative Characteristics of Bread Wheat Cultivars

In the agricultural season of 2022/2023, wheat crop samples were collected from farmers' fields in Al-Muthana Governorate to investigate the impact of different harvesting dates on the qualities and qualitative characteristics of bread wheat varieties. The study utilized a factorial experimental design, incorporating two factors: harvesting dates (18.04, 28.04, and 08.05) and wheat bread varieties (Ibaa 99, Babylon, Wafia), each with three replications. Key findings included significant differences among harvesting dates, with the first harvest date yielding the highest averages for 1000 grain weight, grain moisture, and specific weight. In contrast, the third harvest date recorded the highest protein percentage in grains. Additionally, significant variations were observed among wheat cultivars, with Ibaa 99 having the highest protein percentage, Babylon having the highest 1000 grain weight, grain moisture, and specific weight, and Wafia having the highest wet gluten content. The interaction between these factors showed significant differences in most qualitative traits studied. This study highlights the importance of selecting optimal harvesting dates to maximize wheat quality attributes. Keywords: Wheat, qualitative characteristics, harvesting dates.

Impact of delaying harvesting dates for sugar beet varieties under recent environmental changes

The present study was conducted at Experimental Sennuris District in Fayoum Governorate, Egypt (latitude of 29024/26//N and longitude of 30052/00//E) to investigate the effect of harvest dates on some sugar beet varieties concerning their yield and quality. Two successive field experiments were carried out in the 2020/2021 and 2021/2022. A randomized complete block split plots were assigned for the four harvesting dates (mid-February, 1st week of March, mid-March and 1st week of April), i.e. at the age of 180, 195, 210 and 225 days after sowing. The sub-plots were occupied by the four sugar beet varieties i.e. (Faraida, Jampol, Fantazja and Melodia). The obtained results revealed that there were significant differences among the four studied harvesting dates concerning root length, diameter and weight as well as root yield in both seasons. The highest values were obtained by delaying the harvesting up to 225 days from sowing. Concerning the quality traits, neither the harvesting date nor the varieties affected sucrose, purity (QZ), sodium, potassium, α-amino N and sugar recovery percentages in both seasons. However, the upper mid-harvesting date i.e. age of 195 days from sowing recorded the lower significant impurities and SLM percentages in the 1st season only.

Forage yield and nutritive value of summer legumes as affected by row spacing and harvest timing

Winter wheat (Triticum aestivum L.) is an essential, high-quality forage used for grazing stocker cattle from fall to spring in the US Southern Great Plains (SGP). However, the lack of nutritious forages during summers limits grazing by stocker cattle. To fill this quality gap, a short season species capable of producing significant yield and quality of forage is necessary. A two-year experiment was conducted to evaluate the performance of three legumes: tepary bean (Phaseolus acutifolius A. Gray), mothbean [Vigna aconitifolia (Jacq.) Marechal], and soybean [Glycine max (L.) Merr.] as a control, at different harvest dates, in response to different row spacing (38 ​cm and 76 ​cm) and moisture levels (rainfed and irrigated). Results showed forage yield by all legumes planted at 38 ​cm spacing (4.5 and 3.9 ​Mg ​ha−1) was higher than at 76 ​cm spacing (3.4 and 2.4 ​Mg ​ha−1) in 2018 and 2019. Soybean was the most productive while mothbean had the highest relative feed value (RFV) in both 2018 and 2019 (160 and 118, respectively). Although soybean produced more forage, mothbean and tepary bean provided high quality forage in terms of neutral detergent fiber (NDF), acid detergent fiber (ADF), and in-vitro true digestibility (IVTD). The results indicate that no single legume species stands out as the unequivocal leader in delivering both high-quality and abundant forage. Consequently, the choice of which species to utilize should be tailored to the specific forage requirements and management goals. Future research should explore mothbean genotypes to identify cultivars with greater yield potential and develop agronomic practices that effectively utilize those cultivars.

Technological aspects of growing Juglans nigra (L.) with closed root system for agroforestry in arid regions

Black walnut (Juglans nigra L.) as a multipurpose durable species has found application in agroforestry in temperate regions of the northern hemisphere. The deficit of J. nigra planting material is a limiting factor in increasing the area under this crop in agroforestry in arid regions. There is no or fragmentary information on the technology of cassette cultivation of black walnut in the closed ground. Juglans nigra (L.) is a large tree and favorably differs from other representatives of the genus Juglans (L.) by its longevity and ornamental character. The experiment on seed propagation was conducted at the nursery of the Nizhnevolzhskaya station, Volgograd region, Russia on selection of woody species from May 2022 to September 2023 in closed ground conditions. The optimal dates of harvesting (October) and sowing (2nd decade of May) for the southern subjects of Russia were proposed. Observance of technological aspects provides ground germination by July up to 75%, which is 6% higher. The developed regulation of agrotechnical methods (collection, storage of nuts, sowing, watering, fertilization, etc.) provides production of standard planting material (200 seedlings/m2) for one growing season.

Fruit quality and shelf-life of Sardinian tomato (Solanum lycopersicum L.) landraces

The conservation and characterization of landraces have key roles in the safeguarding and valorization of agrobiodiversity. Indeed, these plant genetic resources represent an important crop heritage with quality and sensory characteristics that can be of great use to consumers and industry. In addition, the preservation of genetic resources from the risk of progressive genetic erosion, and the enhancement of their potential can contribute to food security and improve the nutritional value of food. Accordingly, this study aimed to investigate a collection of Sardinian tomato landraces for parameters that have determinant roles in evaluating their responses to conservation, and therefore to consumer acceptance. Six Sardinian landraces and two commercial varieties were cultivated in a two-years off-season trial, harvested at two different maturity stages (turning, red-ripe) and characterized using 14 fruit-related quality parameters that define the marketability, nutritional value, and flavor of the fruit. Data were collected at intervals of 10 days, starting from the harvest date and over 30 days of storage under refrigeration. The simultaneous analysis of all the qualitative characteristics for the different genotypes allowed to clearly differentiate the local varieties from the commercial varieties and a few landraces emerged for their satisfactory performances, e.g. “Tamatta kaki” ad "Tamatta groga de appiccai". In particular, the “Tamatta groga de appiccai” showed satisfactory lycopene content at marketable stages (average 5.65 mg 100g-1 FF), a peculiar orange-pink color with the highest hue angle values (range: H°T0 = 72.55—H°T30 = 48.26), and the highest firmness among the landraces of the red-ripe group (range: EpT0 = 1.64—EpT30 = 0.54 N mm-1). These results highlight the potential of some of the Sardinian tomato landraces for developing new varieties or promoting their direct valorization in local markets and could considerably increase the effectiveness and efficiency of agrobiodiversity conservation strategies.