Decrease In Fruit Production Research Articles

Unravelling some factors affecting sexual reproduction in rock-specialist shrub: Insight from an endemic Daphne arbuscula (Thymelaeaceae)

The role of endemic species in global biodiversity is pivotal, and understanding their biology and ecology is imperative for their fitness and long-term survival, particularly in the face of ongoing climatic oscillations. Our primary goal was to investigate the sexual reproduction level of the endangered Western Carpathian endemic Daphne arbuscula (Thymelaeaceae), which inhabits extreme rocky habitats, and to comprehend the influence of specific factors on its reproductive success. We conducted the research across four populations, varying in size and environmental conditions. Over two years, we monitored flower and fruit production, analyzed genetic variability within and among populations, and studied pollination mechanisms. Daphne arbuscula proved to be strictly self-incompatible, with significant variations in flower and fruit production among populations and seasons. The average fruit production percentage consistently remained below 50% across populations, indicating challenges in sexual reproduction. Cold and harsh weather during the reproductive phase had a substantial negative impact on sexual reproduction efficacy, leading to decreased fruit production. Nevertheless, several individuals in sheltered microhabitats displayed significantly higher fruit production, ranging from 60% to 83%, emphasizing the critical role of microhabitat heterogeneity in sustaining sexual reproduction in this species. We found no pronounced differences in genetic diversity within or among populations, suggesting that genetic factors may not critically influence the reproductive success of this endemic species. The implications of our findings might be of paramount importance for the long-term survival of D. arbuscula and offer valuable insights for the development of effective conservation strategies for this species.

First description of adenosine production by Gnomoniopsis smithogilvyi, causal agent of chestnut brown rot

Gnomoniopsis smithogilvyi (Gnomoniaceae, Diaporthales) is the main causal agent of chestnut brown rot on sweet chestnut worldwide. The rotting of nuts leads to alterations in the organoleptic qualities and decreased fruit production, resulting in significant economic losses. In 2021, there was an important outbreak of chestnut rot in southern Galicia (Spanish northwest). The profile of secondary metabolites from G. smithogilvyi was studied, especially to determine its capability for producing mycotoxins, as happens with other rotting fungi, due to the possible consequences on the safety of chestnut consumption. Secondary metabolites produced by isolates of G. smithogilvyi growing in potato dextrose agar (PDA) medium were identified using liquid chromatography coupled with high-resolution mass spectrometry. Three metabolites with interesting pharmacological and phyto-toxicological properties were identified based on their exact mass and fragmentation patterns, namely adenosine, oxasetin, and phytosphingosine. The capacity of G. smithogilvyi to produce adenosine in PDA cultures was assessed, finding concentrations ranging from 176 to 834 µg/kg. Similarly, the production of mycotoxins was ruled out, indicating that the consumption of chestnuts with necrotic lesions does not pose a health risk to the consumer in terms of mycotoxins.

Effect of Shading Percentage and Potassium Dosages on Growth and Yield of Cutleaf Groundcherry (Physalis angulata L.)

Cutleaf groundcherry is a medicinal herbaceous plant that has not been widely cultivated. Adjustment to the light intensities supported by the fulfillment of essential macro-nutrient underlies the agronomic consideration for cropping system determination. The study aimed to examine the growth and yield of cutleaf groundcherry grown under shade nets of various shading percentages and potassium application at different dosages. A split-plot design was used for this pot experiment repeated three times. The main plot was the shading percentages (0, 25, 50 and 75), while potassium dosages (0, 60, 120 and 180 kg ha<sup>-1</sup>) were the subplot. The result showed that several growth variables were affected by the interaction between shading percentages and potassium dosage, whereas yield variables were not. Under the high level of shading, leaf number (41% to 50%), leaf area (28% to 50%), and shoot dry weight (70% to 85%) were reduced at all potassium dosages. Potassium dosage at 120 kg ha<sup>-1</sup> was required to achieve better growth under full sun or soft shading. Shading at 50% and upper significantly decreased fruit production by 30% lower fruit number, 50% to 80% lower fruit weight, and 15% lower total soluble solids (TSS). In addition, potassium fertilizer at 120 kg K<sub>2</sub>O ha<sup>-1 </sup>improved fruit weight but did not affect TSS. It can be concluded that cutleaf groundcherry is able to grow well under high intensity of light and need an adequate supply of potassium to improve growth, yield and fruit quality.

Isolation and Identification of Nitrogen-Fixing Rhizobacteria associated with Cocoa plantation (Theobroma cacao L) as Biofertilizer Agent

Ringinkembar Village, Sumbermanjing Wetan District, Malang Regency, is one of the centers for cocoa plantations using an organic farming system. However, over time this organic farming system experienced a decrease in fruit production, possibly from soil fertility and biofertilizers that were less available in the soil. This study aims to analyze the nitrogen-fixing ability and identify rhizosphere isolates that excel in nitrogen-fixing obtained from the rhizosphere of cacao (Theobroma cacao L) plant. Bacteria were isolated from the soil surrounding cocoa plant roots and grown on Nfb (Nitrogen free Bromothymol Blue) agar media. The nitrogen-fixing bacteria were analyzed with quantitative and qualitative methods. Six potential nitrogen-fixing isolates were identified based on the 16S rDNA sequence. The total number of isolates obtained from nitrogen-fixing isolation was six isolates. The R3.FN1 isolate showed the highest ammonia index at 0.52 µg.L-1 and was identified as Stenotrophomonas maltophilia KB13 with 99.87% similarity to the 16S rDNA sequence.

Life Cycle Assessment (LCA) of Substrate Mixes Containing Port Sediments for Sustainable 'Verna' Lemon Production.

The increase in maritime trade and its global economic importance have forced port management actors to carry out the periodic dredging of their sediments to maintain an adequate depth for the passage of large ships to maintain their operation and competitiveness. During the dredging process, large volumes of port sediment are generated. Dredged port sediment is currently considered a waste material and its disposal is regulated. Finding ways to safely reuse port sediments is necessary for sustainable development. In this study, a life cycle assessment (LCA) methodology was applied to identify the environmental impact of port sediments when used as a culture medium for lemon trees. A total of 90 lemon trees (Citrus limon L. Burm var ‘Verna’) were used in the trial. The trees were grown under controlled conditions using three substrates, with different portions of peat and port sediment (25%, 50%, and 75%) to identify the real impacts of the culture media on the growth process. The LCA was calculated and analyzed according to the ISO 14040:2006 standard, using the SimaPro v. 9.3 software (PRé Sustainability B.V, Amersfoort, The Netherlands). The functional unit defined for the three-culture media was 1 kg of lemons. The LCA results showed a significant increase in the environmental impact of lemon cultivation proportional to port sediment content (75%), due to the decrease in fruit production caused by the sediment. However, the least impact was identified for the culture medium at 50% peat and 50% port sediment. The greatest impacts were more related to crop management rather than the port sediment content. The results showed that the use of the port sediment, mixed with other substrates as an agricultural medium amendment, is a viable option for lemon growers.

Conflicts Between Neighbors: Viticulturists and Soybean Farmers at the Pampa Biome – RS, Brazil

The Pampa Biome represented in last four centuries a specialization in cattle production, with high historical, socioeconomic, and cultural similarities between Argentina, Brazil, and Uruguay, the countries that share the same Biome. However, from the twentieth century onward the scenario changed. Agriculture and forestry, because of the higher and faster financial returns are now the most important in socio and economic levels. From 2000 onward, a movement of expansion in Brazilian viticulture has highlighted new potential borders, in this case, replacing natural pastures in the Pampa Biome. The significant growth of grapevine area can be illustrated by the doubled surface, reaching 1560 hectares, and the number of vineyards grew from 7 to more than a 100. In 2010 it was created the association “Vinhos da Campanha” to represent the region, to structure the geographical indication and to improve the visibility of this terroir and their physical and environmental conditions. However, viticulturists did not expect a huge threat to their vineyards. In the seven past years, the 2,4-D based herbicides spread over transgenic soybean plants cultivated nearby vineyards is causing the decrease of fruit production, presence of herbicide residue in harvested fruit, killing parts or even the entire vineyards: all damages representing monetary losses. Finally, due to the losses and the underway lawsuits, the community cohesion has been broken apart: viticulturists increased cohesion and union among themselves, but social cohesion between them and soybean growers no longer exist in several areas of Rio Grande do Sul state. Later on similar scenario reached other Brazilian States and other fruit species.

Kajian Kombinasi Perlakuan Zat Pengatur Tumbuh TDZ dan Benzil Adenin Terhadap Perkembangan Kalus Durian Merah

Red durian plants have the potential to be developed because they have high economic value. Red durian plants are propagated conventionally in two ways, namely through seeds and shoot grafts. Propagation using shoot graft creates a new problem for red durian farmers, namely a decrease in fruit production on the parent plant due to large amounts of scion. One alternative to the propagation of red durian seeds without damaging the parent plant can be done by using tissue culture techniques. The explants used in this study was durian callus. The callus was grown on B5 media treated with a plant growth regulator combination in the form of TDZ consisting of six treatments, namely 0, 0.4, 0.8, 1.2, 1.6 ppm and BA consisting of five treatment, namely 0, 0.3, 0.6, 0.9, 1.2 ppm. This research was conducted to determine the best dose of combination treatment of tidiazuron (TDZ) with BA in the formation of shoots from red durian callus through tissue culture. The results showed that at the age of 6 months after culture, red durian callus had a color change from yellow to green in the TDZ treatment 1.6 ppm + BA 1.2 ppm.

Application of LCA Methodology to the Production of Strawberry on Substrates with Peat and Sediments from Ports

The Life Cycle Assessment (LCA) methodology was applied to identify the potential environmental impact of dredged sediments used as growing media for food crops. The dredged sediments used came from Livorno port and were previously phytoremediated. For the assay, strawberry plants (Fragaria x ananassa Duch vr. ‘San Andreas’) were used. The plants were cultivated on three different substrates (100% peat, 100% dredged sediment and 50% mix peat/sediment) to identify the real impact of the culture media on the growing process. LCA was calculated and analyzed according to ISO 14040:2006 by SimaPro software. ReCipe Midpoint (E) V1.13/Europe Recipe E method was applied. One kilogram of produced strawberry, for each crop media tested, was defined as the functional unit. Eighteen impact categories were selected where Marine Eutrophication (ME), Human Toxicity (HT) and Freshwater Ecotoxicity (FET) were identified as relevant impact categories. The LCA results showed an increase in the environmental impact of strawberry cultivation using 100% sediment against 100% peat, due to the decrease in fruit production caused by the sediment. Nevertheless, the decrease in the environmental impact and the fruit production increase identified when the sediment is used mixed (<50%) with other substrates. The appropriate use of these substrates would be justified within the context of the circular economy.

Habitat-specific effects of flowering advance on fruit-set success of alpine plants: a long-term record of flowering phenology and fruit-set success of Rhododendron aureum

Global warming tends to accelerate flowering phenology of alpine plants, and it may cause a decrease in fruit production due to lower pollinator activity and/or higher risk of frost damage earlier in the season. Because flowering period of alpine plants varies highly depending on snowmelt conditions, the effects of phenological variation on fruit-set success may vary among local populations. I observed the relationship between flowering time and fruit-set success in four populations of a bee-pollinated dwarf shrub, Rhododendron aureum, located in fellfield and snowbed habitats in northern Japan, for 12 or 13 years over the 25 years from 1995 to 2019. Flowering of the fellfield populations usually occurred in June, and flowering of the snowbed populations commonly started after mid-July, although there was considerable yearly variation in actual flowering time within individual populations. Generally, the fruit-set rates of the fellfield populations were low, with large yearly fluctuations, whereas those of the snowbed populations were stable and high. There was a clear trend toward a decrease in fruit-set rates with earlier flowering in the fellfield populations due to pollen limitation and occasional frost damage. The risk of frost damage increased with earlier flowering in the fellfield habitat. These results indicate that the effects of climate change on fruit-set success of alpine plants are strongly site-specific and are greatest early in the growing season.

Climatic and fire determinants of early life-history stages in the Mediterranean shrub Cistus albidus

Abstract Aims Cistus albidus reproductive traits have been studied on typical Mediterranean shrublands along a water availability gradient in Northeastern Iberian Peninsula. Germination of this species is known to be highly favoured by fire. Moreover, Mediterranean species are particularly dependent on water availability. Therefore, we establish the hypothesis that in addition to fire disturbance, seedling recruitment in this Mediterranean seeder will be improved in drought-induced episodes resulting in generalized canopy die-off. Methods Individuals of several populations of C. albidus were collected and the size, weight and number of fruits and seeds were measured. Germination tests were also carried out on five pre-germination treatments: seeds’ exposure to heat shock, imbibition, two cycles of imbibition/desiccation and the combination of heat shock and imbibition and imbibition/desiccation cycles. Moreover, the number of seedlings after a drought event was surveyed in the field and correlated with canopy die-off. Important findings Our study shows the variability of the C. albidus reproductive traits, such as germination rate or fruit production, along the water availability gradient. This variability resulted in a decrease in fruit production but an increase in successful germination under drier conditions. Cistus albidus seeds increased germination with heat, demonstrating their ability to successfully establish after fire. However, recruitment was not exclusively fire dependent since seedling establishment was higher under C. albidus canopies that had collapsed after the extreme drought. Finally, adult density increased C. albidus die-off and mortality, as well as seedling establishment. These results suggest that this species exhibits a trade-off between different reproductive outcomes (i.e. seed production vs. viability), which in turn is determined by climate. This study also provides evidence of how intra-specific competition, climate, particularly drought events and fire disturbance, can determine the success of key early stages of the life history of a common, representative Mediterranean fire-prone seeder shrub.

Variability in space and time: contrasting fruit distribution patterns in the deceptive orchid Orchis militaris

In angiosperms, a decrease in fruit production towards the apex of individual inflorescences is usually observed. Orchids are thought to be primarily pollination-limited species, and non-uniform pollination could cause this decrease pattern in several species. Fruit production was investigated in relation to flower position and floral display size in Orchis militaris (Orchidaceae), a deceptive species. Over 2years, eight populations of O.militaris were studied and fruit position along the inflorescence was recorded. Generalised linear models were performed to examine the effect of population, year, flower position and floral display size on fruit production. The dominant pattern was characterised by a higher fruit set in the middle part of the inflorescence (parabolic pattern). A non-directional pattern of fruit production was also detected in some populations. Within a given population, patterns were generally consistent among years. In one of the two study years and in one of the eight populations specifically, the proximal-to-distal decrease in fruit production was dramatic in plants with a large floral display but weak or absent in small displays. Our study demonstrates the intraspecific diversity of fruit distribution patterns in O.militaris. Non-uniform pollination along the inflorescence is likely to be responsible for the parabolic pattern, while irregular visitation could explain the non-directional pattern of fruit production. Pattern variation among years and between populations could arise from spatiotemporal variation in pollinator assemblages. Resource competition effects could explain the interaction effect between display size and flower position.

Fruit yield and survival of five commercial strawberry cultivars under field cultivation and salinity stress

Abstract Strawberry is one of the most salt-sensitive horticultural crops, and important to the economies of both United States and California, the highest producer country and state, respectively. Thus, the increasing salinity (electrical conductivity) of irrigation water (ECiw) in semiarid areas of the world is a growing concern to strawberry growers. We evaluated five commercial cultivars under the ECiw of 0.7 (control), 1.0, 1.5, and 2.5 dS m−1, under field conditions for 240 days. Increased ECiw increased Cl− in all tissues, while Na+ only increased in roots and petioles. Thus, toxic effects of salinity in leaves were attributed to Cl−, not Na+. All cultivars maintained sufficient levels of both macro and micronutrients in shoots without competition between Na+ and K+, or Ca2+ or between Cl− and NO3−. All cultivars had decreased fruit production, even when ECiw increased to 1.0 dS m−1. Although ‘Albion’ and ‘San Andreas’ had the least fruit yield at control salinity, ‘Albion’ was the cultivar with the least mean relative reduction in fruit yield, marketable fruit size, shoot + root biomass, and survival at ECiw = 2.5 dS m−1, and thus the most salt tolerant. Regarding absolute yield, ‘Monterey’ was the highest fruit producer under salinity. All cultivars maintained fruit total soluble sugars (Brix%) across salinity levels with ‘Albion’, ‘Monterey’, and ‘Benicia’ having the highest values (11–13% Brix) regardless of salinity. ‘Albion’ and ‘San Andreas’ were the best at maintaining commercial fruit size under salinity. ‘Albion’, ‘Benicia’, and ‘Monterey’ had higher fruit yields at ECiw = 2.5 dS m−1 than ‘Ventana’ and ‘San Andreas’ and can enable farmers to produce strawberries with irrigation water ECiw up to 1.5 dS m−1, although with some fruit yield loss. Results indicate that these newer commercial cultivars are more salt-tolerant than cultivars previously tested, and with enough variability in salt tolerance to improve selection for irrigation water salinity with ECiw >1.0 dS m−1.

EFEITO DE DOSES DE INSETICIDA E ADJUVANTE NO CONTROLE DE PHYLLOCNISTIS CITRELLASTAINTON (LEPIDOPTERA: GRACILLARIIDAE) EM LIMA ÁCIDA TAHITI

Citrus leaf miner, Phyllocnistis citrellaStainton,1856 (Lepidoptera,Gracillariidae), is one of the main pests of the culture of acid lime Tahiti and control chemical is the primary method of control. The objective of this study was to testthe effect of insecticide treatments associated with adjuvant, in increasing the efficiency of control of citrus leaf miner in acid lime Tahiti. An experiment was installed in statistical design of randomized blocks with five treatments and four repetitions. The treatments consisted of a control treatment without application of pesticides and the use of the insecticide Ampligo® (clorantraniliprole + lambda-cialotrina) at the recommended dosage, at half the recommended dose and associated with the adjuvant. Three applications were carried out respecting the shortage period of the product. The damages of citrus leaf miner wereassessed in five branches of the central plant.Fruits wereharvest and determining the number and the mass (kg) of fruit per plant.The data were subjected to analysis of variance (F test) and the means were compared by Tukey test (P ≤ 0.05). Also the data were submitted to multivariate analysis using hierarchical cluster analysis techniques and principal component analysis (PCA). All treatments were effective in reducing the attack symptoms of citrus leaf miner, highlighting insecticide in half dosage and application of insecticide in half dosage with the adjuvant.The multivariate analysis was effective in discriminating application treatments of insecticides and adjuvant, and showa direct relationship between the citrus leaf miner and the decrease in fruit production.

Dissecting Community Structure in Wild Blueberry Root and Soil Microbiome.

A complex network of functions and symbiotic interactions between a eukaryotic host and its microbiome is a the foundation of the ecological unit holobiont. However, little is known about how the non-fungal eukaryotic microorganisms fit in this complex network of host–microbiome interactions. In this study, we employed a unique wild blueberry ecosystem to evaluate plant-associated microbiota, encompassing both eukaryotic and bacterial communities. We found that, while soil microbiome serves as a foundation for root microbiome, plant-influenced species sorting had stronger effect on eukaryotes than on bacteria. Our study identified several fungal and protist taxa, which are correlated with decreased fruit production in wild blueberry agricultural ecosystems. The specific effect of species sorting in root microbiome resulted in an increase in relative abundance of fungi adapted to plant-associated life-style, while the relative abundance of non-fungal eukaryotes was decreased along the soil-endosphere continuum in the root, probably because of low adaptation of these microorganisms to host–plant defense responses. Analysis of community correlation networks indicated that bacterial and eukaryotic interactions became more complex along the soil-endosphere continuum and, in addition to extensive mutualistic interactions, co-exclusion also played an important role in shaping wild blueberry associated microbiome. Our study identified several potential hub taxa with important roles in soil fertility and/or plant–microbe interaction, suggesting the key role of these taxa in the interconnection between soils and plant health and overall microbial community structure. This study also provides a comprehensive view of the role of non-fungal eukaryotes in soil ecosystem.

Effect of Different Cutting Heights of Mechanically Pruned Grapevines cv. Merlot Over Three Consecutive Seasons

The mechanisation of various vineyard operations reduces production costs and labour requirements, thus allowing for the more efficient management of larger vineyards. However, pruning mechanisation has been associated with yield decline (a decrease in fruit production due to the elongation of the fruiting positions out of the trellis system area), over cropping and unstable yields. Furthermore, manual followup has been a common practice for most vineyards subjected to mechanised pruning. A Merlot vineyard was studied for three consecutive seasons in terms of its vegetative and productive aspects, and hand pruning was compared with mechanised alternating pruning strategies. Bud burst was more successful in hand-pruned vines compared to mechanically pruned vines. However, hand pruning took longer and produced a lower yield compared to mechanical pruning. Traditional high (25 cm above the cordon wire) mechanical pruning showed deteriorating characteristics over time in vegetative and yield parameters. Vines pruned at a lower height (12 cm above the cordon wire) in one of the three seasons maintained high production. Despite higher yields, fruit soluble solids, pH and titratable acidity were not altered. The quantity of second-crop fruit from lateral shoots was small and was very similar among treatments. Mechanical pruning at a lower height in one season in general reduces the annual potential yield, but the average and cumulative effects over the years improve compared to using just traditional high mechanical pruning. These long-term effects make it feasible to fully mechanise vineyard pruning and maintain high yields.

KAJIAN PEMANGKASAN TUNAS APIKAL DAN PEMUPUKAN KNO3 TERHADAP HASIL TANAMAN TOMAT

Apical dominance on tomato crops impact on its lateral buds dormancy, it needs to be reduced by prunning the apical portion of the crop. Timeliness of prunning will affect the growth of lateral buds and its results as well. Lateral buds growth potential to become productive branches that will produce more flowers and fruits. The growth occurs when not followed by proper fertilization will lead to decreased fruit production. Nutrient that regulates flowering and fruiting is potassium, such as KNO3. Research carried out in field of State Agriculture Polytechnic of Kupang from July until November 2015. The results showed that a). The time prunning apical buds at 7 HST (days after planting), affect both the amount of production branches (6.7917), the number of fruit crops and plots (36.8333 and 464.83) and fruit weight per plot (17579.2 kgs) of tomatoes; b). KNO3 dose of 10 g/ltr (K2) , had a good influenced on fruits quantities in each crop (33.222), fruits diametres (4.1189 cm) fruits amount and its weight in each plot (419.11 fruits and 17,331 kgs). Otherwise, that dose has not a significant different with KNO3 dose of 5 g/ltr (K1), so K1 is better for fertilizer use efficiently; c). There are interactions between time of apical buds prunning on 7HST with KNO3 dose of 5 g/ltr (K1P1) where weight of tomatoes in each crop are best (1,987.21 g). This results will contributes as science and technology information for tomato farmers, teaching materials enrichment and scientific article publication. Â Keywords : prunning, buds, apical, KNO3, tomato Â

Grouseberry (<em>Vaccinium scoparium</em> Leiberg ex Coville) fruit production in forest openings in Banff National Park, Alberta

Grouseberry (Vaccinium scoparium Leiberg ex Coville) is an abundant dwarf shrub in the understory of many areas of subalpine forest in Banff National Park and has the potential to produce fruit important for wildlife. However, the suppression and prevention of wildfires, which began in the early 1900s in the park, have reduced fire-dependent shrubland and open forest and increased the extent of closed, mature forest. Because canopy closure is typically associated with decreased fruit production by understory shrubs, the decline in fire disturbance may be reducing Grouseberry fruit production. To quantify this effect, we measured Grouseberry fruit production under various forest canopies at 10 sites in Banff during 2004–2012. We measured site openness by modeling photosynthetically active direct solar radiation (dPAR) adjusted for overshadowing by topography and coniferous foliage. We found a positive relation between Grouseberry fruit production and dPAR in 2006 and 2010–2012, but not in 2008 or 2009, the 2 years of lowest fruit production; data were lacking for 2004, 2005, and 2007. We also recorded high Grouseberry fruit densities beginning 5 years after fire removed the forest canopy in four prescribed burns conducted during 2001: fruit production was 3.3 to more than 20 times that in adjacent mature forests in 5 of the 6 years analyzed. This study shows the potential ecological benefits of both prescribed burns and wildfire in upper subalpine forests where Grouseberry is widespread, but fruit production is low under the forest canopy.

Climate change and socio-ecological transformation in high mountains: an empirical study of Garhwal Himalaya

AbstractMountain regions are highly vulnerable to climate change, as they are ecologically fragile, tectonically and seismically active, and geologically sensitive. The main objectives of this study are to examine socio-ecological transformations and to illustrate the major driving forces - climate change, education and waves of modern civilization - in the Garhwal Himalaya. Data on socio-ecological systems and their patterns of change were accumulated from primary and secondary sources and through participatory rural appraisal. We present a case study where household level surveys were conducted in two villages. A total of 37 households were surveyed. Additionally, marginal farmers and extension workers were interviewed. Questions on population, migration, cropping pattern and livestock were answered by the head of the surveyed households. Population size was decreasing due to out-migration. The whole Garhwal region experienced 15.3% out-migration, while migration from the two villages was observed at 50% during the period 1990-2014. Similarly, changes in land use and cropping patterns and in the livestock population were observed. There was a decrease in the extent of land under cereals (24%) and fruits (79%), a decrease in fruit production (75%), and a decrease in the number of livestock (76%). Climate change was observed as a major driver of the decrease in production and productivity of cereals and fruits, leading to land abandonment. Education, on the other hand, was a major driver of out-migration. Further, extreme events through climate change happened more frequently and changed the landscape. This study reveals that an increase in infrastructural facilities to create jobs and sustainable land management can control out-migration and can enhance land capability.

Better prediction of Mediterranean olive production using pollen-based models

Olive oil is a major economic resource of the Mediterranean region. Olive crop management can be improved by models that forecast the variable reproductive biology of olive tree. However, the processes controlling olive harvest are complex on large scales. Here, we study the parameters that influence olive fruit production for developing accurate forecasting models. Seventeen aerobiological sampling points have monitored olive pollen grains in Spain, Italy and Tunisia from 1993 to 2012. Six crop models have been developed at two provinces and country scales. The modelling has been done in two steps: (1) typification and (2) modelling by partial least square regression. Results show that higher pollen indexes and water availability during spring are related to an increase of final fruit production in all the studied area. Higher pollen indexes are also positively correlated with air temperature during early spring and autumn. Furthermore, a decrease of fruit production is related with increasing air temperature during winter and summer. To conclude, we have designed accurate models that allow accurate predictions of olive production.

Enzymatic reactive oxygen species (ROS) scavenging system in mango varieties resistant and susceptible to malformation

Mango malformation inflicts a serious damage to the mango cultivation, resulting in decreased fruit production as well as quality. A number of biochemical compounds including mangiferin, phenolic compounds, polyphenol oxidase, and phytoalexins have been implicated to play a crucial role in the tolerance/resistance of different mango cultivars to malformation. The present study was attempted to identify a correlation between phytochemicals (phenolic compounds, enzymes, and antioxidants) and the extent of malformation in mango. This study underlines the significance of enzymatic ROS scavenging system in disease resistance/susceptibility. It further advocates strongly that the leaf PPO, LOX and antioxidant enzyme activities can be used as biochemical indicator for screening mango germplasm against malformation disorder. The results of the present investigation establish the role of biochemical metabolites in determining the tolerance of mango varieties to malformation malady which, however, needs to be further explored through the use of molecular tools and markers.