Harvest Delay Research Articles

Lignin and Activity Enzymatic in Susceptibility to Weathering Damage on Soybean Seeds

The aim of this study was to evaluate the isoenzyme activity in soybean seeds with different lignin contents subjected to harvest delay with artificial incidence of rainfall before and after storage. The experiment was conducted in a randomized block design with three replicates and a 5 × 3 × 2 factorial design, being five soybean cultivars, three harvest seasons (R8, R8 + one pre-harvest rainfall simulation, and R8 + two pre-harvest rainfall simulations), and two storage seasons (0 and 180 days). The pre-harvest rainfall simulations were performed through irrigation at the intensity of 30 mm of water until the pods were soaked and then collected after reached 18% water content. Seeds were evaluated regarding chemical composition (lignin content), physiological quality (germination, accelerated aging), and enzymatic activity (catalase, esterase, alcohol dehydrogenase, malate dehydrogenase, and isocitratelyase). The cultivar AS 7307 RR showed higher lignin content in the integument and higher physiological quality. The harvest delay and the artificial incidence of rainfallpromotesvariation in the electrophoretic pattern of the enzymes catalase, esterase, alcohol dehydrogenase; malate dehydrogenase, and isocitratelyase for stored and non-stored seeds.

Performance evaluation and economics of the reaper-cum-binder machine for the mechanized harvesting of wheat crop at Madhubani district of Bihar

India ranks second in terms of wheat production after China, the main reason being lesser productivity, which was 3173 kg/ha for India and 4995 kg/ha for China. Delays in harvesting may associate considerable or even severe losses due to over maturity or any unforeseen natural adversity. Early harvesting could open up opportunities for extra revenues through farming of short duration vegetable crops in the gap between two major crops i.e. paddy and wheat. The reaper cum binder is not that popular for the farmers of Bihar. The study was conducted on this machine for assessment of the performance as well as the economics of the operation, particularly in Bihar where wheat cropping system is still dominant. The reaper-cum-binder saved 11.11 % per hectare of yield to the farmers. So, this machine is preferred well for custom hiring. The field efficiency of the reaper-cum-binder for the wheat crop was obtained as 70.44 %. In harvesting by reaper-cum-binder for the wheat crop, total grain losses were found to be 92.11 kg/ha. The economics of machine over conventional methods of harvesting was calculated and it was found that the benefit-cost ratio for reaper-cum-binder for the wheat crop was 2.08. The breakeven hectares and breakeven hours of reaper-cum-binder for the wheat crop were calculated as 19.75 hectares and 51.94 hours respectively. The custom hiring rate estimated for the wheat crop, was also found to be beneficial for the farmers.

Influence of the harvest date on berry compositions and wine profiles of Vitis vinifera L. cv. ‘Cabernet Sauvignon’ under a semiarid continental climate over two consecutive years

The ripeness of a grape is critical to berry composition and to the resultant wine. For wineries with a single cultivar occupying an extensive area, the total soluble solid of grapes can range from 22°Brix to 28°Brix. Accordingly, the influence of different harvest dates (ripeness) on berry compositions and on the resultant wine profile was investigated for Vitis vinifera L. cv. ‘Cabernet Sauvignon.’ Berry dehydration was observed as berry weight and juice yields decreased. Berry anthocyanins were concentrated and methylated anthocyanin levels fluctuated with increasing delays in harvesting. Hexanal and 2-hexenal levels in must decreased significantly as berries ripened. In the resultant wines, 2,3-butanediol levels increased. Wines harvested earlier were lighter, presented lower color intensity (CI) values and higher yellow% levels, and exhibited richer aroma profiles (compounds). Through a principal component analysis and discriminant analysis, the compounds characterizing each harvest date were identified.

The influence of milling and sifting processes on deoxynivalenol distribution in whole-wheat flour and its products

Milling and sifting of grain are important processes that affect mycotoxin distribution in the chain of grain products. The level of deoxynivalenol (DON) in white flour cannot be reduced by sifting because it is concentrated within a specific white flour fraction. The objective of this study was to investigate the influence of milling and sifting processes on the reduction of DON contamination in whole-wheat flour and in the chain of spring wheat products (grain – bran – white flour – white flour fractions) from artificially and naturally (2016) and naturally (2017) infected grain samples. The current study showed that the distribution of DON in the grain products (whole-wheat flour – bran – white flour) depends on the weather conditions of the season and grain contamination level. This was particularly evident in the naturally contaminated grain in 2017. The highest DON concentrations were determined in bran. Higher DON concentrations in the bran from the naturally infected grain indicate the protective function of the grain hull, which provides partial protection for grain embryo against higher contamination. With a delay in harvesting, which resulted in increased DON concentrations, bran remained the most contaminated product; however, this was not true for the products from artificially infected grain. The DON level in bran was not significantly different atP<0.05 from that in whole-wheat flour from artificially infected grain, it indicates that after inoculation, bran had biochemical compounds capable of significantly diminishing trichothecene production. It was investigated that DON levels were concentrated in white flour fractions 160 and 112 μm from naturally infected grains and in white flour fraction (residues) from artificially and naturally infected grains harvested later. The results obtained in this study could be further used for developing novel strategies aimed at limiting mycotoxin contamination in food and feed.

Should Faustmann Forecast Climate Change?

Climate change is predicted to substantially alter forest growth. Optimally, forest owners should take these future changes into account when making rotation decisions today. However, the fundamental uncertainty surrounding climate change makes predicting these shifts hard. Hence, this paper asks whether forecasting them is necessary for optimal rotation decisions. While climate-change uncertainty makes it theoretically impossible to calculate expected profit losses of not forecasting, we suggest a method utilizing Monte-Carlo simulations to obtain a credible upper bound on these losses. We show that an owner following a rule of thumb - ignoring future changes and only observing changes as they come - will closely approximate optimal management. If changes are observed without too much delay, profit losses and errors in harvesting are negligible. This means that the very complex analytical problem of optimal rotation with changing growth dynamics can be simplified to a sequence of stationary problems. It also implies the argument that boundedly-rational agents may behave “as if” being fully rational has traction in forestry.

Production system effects on growth, pod yield and seed quality of organic faba bean in southern Italy

Abstract A research was carried out in southern Italy in order to evaluate the effects of two farming systems (open field, greenhouse) and five transplanting times (27 September, 11 October, 25 October, 8 November, 22 November) on plant growth, harvest precocity, fresh pod yield and seed quality of organic faba bean. Crop biomass and root expansion were higher in open field than in greenhouse. The fourth planting time resulted in the highest crop biomass, whereas the second crop cycle showed the highest leaf area index. Greenhouse crops showed higher precocity than the open field ones by about two weeks, as well as the first transplant; the delay in harvest beginning increased from the second to the fourth planting time. Both fresh pod and seeds yield were significantly higher in open field than under protected environment with the third and fourth planting times. Seed fiber and protein content showed higher values in greenhouse compared to open field and increased with the transplant delay. Seed polyphenols attained higher concentration in open field and with the two earliest planting times. Overall, 25 October to 8 November planting times in open field best fitted the southern Italy growing conditions in terms of pod yield, but the 27 September to 11 October planting times resulted in the highest harvest precocity, remarkably enhanced under greenhouse growing, whereas seed quality was controversial.

Rice milling quality as affected by drying method and harvesting time during ripening in wet and dry seasons

ABSTRACTHead rice recovery is known to decrease with the delay in harvesting during ripening, but this effect may differ between wet season (WS) and dry season (DS) and among different paddy drying methods. In five experiments, rice was harvested by hand between 25 and 45 days after flowering in DS and WS when temperature around harvest was slightly above and below 30°C, respectively. The highest head rice recovery was generally obtained when rice was harvested at 25 days after 75% flowering. Delaying harvest to 30 days resulted in significant reduction in head rice recovery in 3 out of 7 cases and further delay to 35 days resulted in significant reduction in 8 out of 10 cases. For the crops harvested 25 days after flowering and dried with a flatbed dryer head rice recovery improved compared to sun drying in two experiments. When harvesting was delayed, sun drying tended to reduce head rice recovery compared to artificial drying. Sun drying only in the morning also improved head rice recovery compared to drying for the whole day. For a given drying method, head rice recovery decreased with increase in heat sum from flowering to harvest. It is concluded that rice crops should be harvested in both DS and WS around 25 days after 75% flowering when heat sum with base temperature of 10°C was around 450–500 degree-days. If an artificial dryer is not available, rough rice should be sun dried only in the morning with frequent stirring and mixing to promote more even drying.Abbreviations: WS: wet season; DS: dry season

Impact of agronomic factors on fusarium mycotoxins in harvested wheat

ABSTRACTThe aim of this study was to model fusarium mycotoxins against agronomic factors in order to identify those that have the greatest impact on mycotoxin levels in harvested wheat. To achieve this, fusarium mycotoxins levels were monitored, and associated agronomic data collected, in approximately 150 English wheat fields/year between 2006 and 2013. Results showed large seasonal variation in fusarium mycotoxin levels, with high levels in 2008 (13% and 29% exceeding legal limit for unprocessed soft wheat intended for human consumption for deoxynivalenol (DON) and zearalenone (ZON), respectively) and 2012 (10% and 15% exceeding legal limit for unprocessed soft wheat intended for human consumption for DON and ZON, respectively) and low levels in 2006 and 2011 (no samples exceeding legal limits for unprocessed soft wheat intended for human consumption for DON or ZON). Analysis of agronomic factors identified previous crop, cultivation and variety as the greatest risk factors. The greatest risk of mycotoxin development in grain was following maize as a previous crop and minimum tillage. The combined effect of these factors gave respective average DON and ZON levels 20 and 14 times higher than other previous crop and cultivation combinations. A newly quantified risk factor was harvest date. A 1-month delay in harvest resulted in a 10 and 25 times greater mean DON and ZON concentration, respectively, when compared to crops harvested around the long-term regional average harvest date. These results highlight the highly seasonal variation in fusarium mycotoxins in wheat and the agronomic factors that should be avoided to minimise fusarium mycotoxin levels in harvested wheat.

Fissured grain and head rice yield of crops harvested manually or by combine at different ripening stages in Cambodia

ABSTRACTCombine has been well adopted by smallholders in lowlands of Cambodia and is contributing to the development of mechanized rice production for commercial purposes. Broken rice is a major issue for the commercial rice product, and fissured grain at harvest leads to broken rice and lowers head rice yield (HRY) during milling. Factors that determine grain fissures and broken rice were obtained from three studies: an on-farm study of fissured grain, a research station experiment of fissured grain and broken rice harvested at different ripening stages and a mill study of fissured and broken rice during drying and milling processes in Cambodia. There was significant variation in fissured rice percentage among 20 farms sampled, and the fissured grain was negatively correlated with grain moisture content at harvest. Time of harvesting was crucial, as delay in harvesting after 25 days after flowering (DAF) often resulted in lower grain moisture content and higher fissured grain, which subsequently reduced HRY. However, the optimum time of harvesting varied across four seasons for crops harvested manually or by combine. In some years, crops harvested at 35 DAF had rather low per cent fissured grain with subsequently high HRY, this may have been associated with slightly lower temperatures. The mill study showed that fissured grain developed during the drying, storage and milling processes. It is concluded that while grain moisture content at the time of harvest may be used as an indication of subsequent HRY, the latter was more strongly related to fissured grain at harvest.

Cooperative effects of pre-harvest calcium and gibberellic acid on tissue calcium content, quality attributes, and in relation to postharvest disorders of late-maturing sweet cherry

Six Ca(NO3)2 sprays at 0.3% and 0.6% from pit hardening (PH) to 1 week before harvest (1WBH) most effectively increased Ca uptake in sweet cherry (Prunus avium). Low concentration (<0.3%) did not affect the absorption of Ca; high concentration (> 1.6%) caused burning of leaf margins. Fruit treated with Ca had greater fruit firmness (FF), soluble solids content (SSC) and titratable acidity (TA) and fewer disorders than untreated fruit while retaining marketable color and size. A single, low concentration of GA3 combined with Ca sprays enhanced Ca uptake, cracking resistance, and FF without delaying maturation. When Ca plus GA3 sprays were reduced to four times, Ca uptake was retarded, but had an equal or greater benefit than Ca sprays alone. The 5-d harvest delay in combination-treated fruit did not affect skin color, but these fruit had reduced Ca levels at harvest and displayed stem browning after storage.

Within-plant variability in blueberry (Vaccinium corymbosum L.): maturity at harvest and position within the canopy influence fruit firmness at harvest and postharvest

For blueberry, harvest readiness is based on skin color, with fruit being considered ready to pick when the berry skin reaches 100% blue coverage. The extended bloom period for the blueberry inflorescence and uneven developmental rates can yield fully blue fruit that are widely different in physiological maturity, at any given harvest date. The objective of this study was to determine the inherent variability in the firmness of a synchronized cohort of blueberry fruit and the effects of harvest delay and position within the canopy on fruit characteristics at harvest and after refrigerated storage. During two consecutive seasons, the harvest canopy of ‘Duke’ and ‘Brigitta’ was divided into two regions as east (E) and west (W) sides. Fruit of a specific developmental stage from each side were either harvested when reaching 100% blue coverage (ripe fruit: B100) or allowed to stay on the plant for six additional days (over-ripe fruit: B100+6). Despite the narrow period of time elapsed between harvests of ripe and over-ripe fruit, variation in firmness was extensive, with decreases up to 24%, depending on year and cultivar. The six days of additional development were enough to increase the amount of soft and very soft fruit at harvest and after storage, demonstrating the importance of frequent harvests to improve firmness at final destinations. Both the percentage of blue fruit at each harvest date and total fruit produced were higher on the E side of the plant. Year-to-year variation in firmness exceeded that caused by the imposed treatment, which highlights the need to understand the environmental factors contributing to fruit softening. This is the first report on in-plant fruit variability for blueberry and its effect on postharvest performance.

Biomass and essential oil of Tagetes minuta influenced by pinching and harvesting stage under high precipitation conditions in the western Himalayas

ABSTRACTA field experiment was conducted to study the effect of pinching and harvesting stages on duration of phenophases, aerial biomass partitioning, and essential oil productivity. It comprised of two pinching (pinching and without pinching) and four harvesting stages (bud initiation, flower initiation, 50% flowering and 100% flowering). All the phenological stages were delayed by pinching and the crop took 93–103 days, respectively, under control and pinching from transplanting to 100% flowering. Biomass accumulation in to leaf, flower and stem was enhanced by pinching. Pinching and 100% flowering stage recorded significantly higher fresh biomass and essential oil content than other treatments. Delay in harvesting stage from bud initiation to 100% flowering also caused variation in oil content and composition. Major constituents of essential oil (Z)-β-ocimene and (E)-ocimenone increases, while dihydrotagetone and (E)-tagetone decreases with delay in harvesting from bud initiation to 100% flowering stage.

Delaying harvest for naturally drying maize grain increases the risk of kernel rot and fumonisin contamination

Artificial drying, although costly, ensures a safe storage and preserves post-harvest grain quality. Alternatively, a more cost-effective measure is to delay harvest to promote natural drying, but this management may increase the risk of mycotoxigenic ear rot fungi contamination. The objective was to evaluate the effect of increasing maize harvest delay on fungal disease and fumonisin levels. Three maize hybrids (BRS1035, Attack and DKB390 YG) were sown in the field to study the effect of five harvest delays (15, 30, 45, 60 and 75 days) after the optimum date (18% grain moisture). There was a significant trend of increasing the incidence of kernel rot and total fumonisins in the grains when delaying harvest, but fungal incidence and mycotoxin contamination varied with the hybrid. The main fungi detected in the grain samples were Fusarium verticillioides and Stenocarpella maydis. The hybrid DKB390 YG showed significantly lower incidence of F. verticillioides contamination and lower fumonisin accumulation in the grains than the other hybrids. The hybrid Attack was the least susceptible to kernel rot incidence. Our data shows that delaying harvest for minimizing drying costs may increase the risk of mycotoxin contamination in maize in the tropics of Brazil.

Harvest time impacts the fatty acid compositions, phenolic compounds and sensory attributes of Frantoio and Manzanilla olive oil

Abstract The effect of harvest time at different ripening stages of fruit influences quality of olive oil. Therefore, the current investigations were conducted during 2013 and 2014 to explore the effects of five different harvesting times (mid- and late-April, mid- and late-May and mid-June) on chemical and sensory attributes of Frantoio and Manzanilla olive oil. The fatty acids of olive oil showed significant increase (palmitic acid, stearic acid, linoleic acid and PUFA) or decrease (oleic acid, MUFA, and MUFA:PUFA ratio) with the delay in harvesting irrespective of the cultivars. A significant gradual decrease was noted in major polyphenol compounds from the first to the fifth harvest. The concentration of phenolic compounds was comparatively higher in the fruit harvested in 2014. The sensory attributes of oil in both cultivars deteriorated with the delay of harvesting, with water stress possibly influencing the bitterness of the fruit in 2014. The harvesting in early part of winter under Mediterranean climate produced olive oil with better chemical and sensory attributes. Higher concentrations of phenolic compounds were observed in 2014 with less rainfall; however, the trend of declining concentration on phenolics from the first to the fifth harvest was comparatively prominent in 2014 than 2013.

Grape Growth, Anthocyanin and Phenolic Compounds Content of Early Ripening Cv. Cardinal Table Grape (V. vinifera L.) as Affected by Various Doses of Foliar Biostimulant Applications with Gibberellic Acid

Uneven skin coloration of early ripening table grapes is characterized by a lack of coloring berries within a cluster and the failure of some berries to develop color even with an uncertain delay of harvest. Biostimulants and plant growth regulators are known to have considerable roles on skin color development in the course of grape maturation. This study was carried out to compare the effects of different biostimulant doses, including 0, 1000, 2000 and 4000 ppm (BSt 0, BSt 1, BSt 2 and BSt 4, respectively) with or without gibberellic acid (GA3; 20 ppm) on grape characteristics and chemical composition of early ripening cv. Cardinal grape. Study results of cv. Cardinal grape revealed that alone effects of biostimulant doses had more effective on grape characteristics, total anthocyanin content and total phenolic compounds content from phytochemical characteristics. Although different foliar spray applications had varying effects on physical and chemical parameters; BSt 2 application had especially more superior effects on grape growth and phytochemical characteristics of cv. Cardinal grape.

HEAD RICE YIELD OF CROPS HARVESTED BY COMBINE AND HAND AT DIFFERENT RIPENING TIMES IN CAMBODIA

SUMMARYExperiments were conducted across 2 years to determine the effect of harvesting methods – combine harvester and hand harvesting – and harvest time during ripening on milling quality of long grain rice grown in the rainfed lowland ecosystem in Cambodia. Head rice yield (HRY) was highest when rice was harvested 25 days after flowering and decreased with delay in harvesting at 35 and 45 days after flowering. This was accompanied by a general decline in grain moisture content at harvest, although it was still high at 24–25% at 35 days after flowering. The decline in HRY was associated with increases in fissured grain percentage observed immediately after harvest. Hand harvesting produced 2–6% higher HRY than combine harvesting. Fissured grain in hand harvested crops was lower in year 1, but was similar to combine harvested crops in year 2. Both hand and combine harvested crops were sun-dried but rough rice harvested by combine was dried on plastic sheet and this may have contributed to reduction in HRY. Maximum HRY percentage was only about 44% and the factors contributing to this low HRY were discussed. Harvesting time and methods had no significant effect on grain yield, but the field grain loss during the harvesting operation was 2–5% higher in combine than hand harvesting.

Correlation between Time of Harvesting and Duration before Cooling on the Microbial Quality of French Bean (Phaseolus vulgaris L.)

French bean is a major export crop from Kenya into United Kingdom and Europe. It is usually consumed cooked. Food safety is one of the most important factors that influence success of fresh produce export. Microbial contamination is one of the food safety concerns in fresh produce industry. This study focused on understanding the correlation between harvesting time and duration before cooling on the microbial quality of French beans. To assess the microbial quality of French beans, samples of French beans were harvested at different times of the day, 7am, 9am, 11am , 1pm and 3pm. The harvested beans were then held in the produce shed before start of cooling for various durations; 0 hour, 2 hours, 4 hours, 6 hours and 8 hours. The samples were later graded and packed in modified atmosphere packaging (MAP) bags. The samples were analyzed following standard plate technique to determine the microbial qualities of French bean samples. Total viable counts (TVC) in these samples showed mean values ranging from 0.7 to 3.3×105 CFUs g-1 for total Enterobacteriacea, Listeria monocytogenes, moulds and Staphylococcus aureus. Of the microorganisms isolated, Enterobacteriacea (71.6%) was the highest, followed by Staphylococcus aureus (20.9%), Moulds (7.2%) and Listeria monocytogenes at 0.3%. The harvesting time and duration before cooling had significant effect on population of microorganisms with those harvested early in the morning having the highest population. The high presence of microbial load in samples harvested early morning can be attributed to poor personal hygiene of the food handlers and excessive leaf wetness in the morning. There is need to do further research on the effect of solar radiation on the growth and survival of Listeria monocytogenes, it was evident that the Listeria population decreased significantly with every delay in harvesting, which could also be attributed to dry leaf and pod surfaces. French bean contamination in the field may result from various sources, ranging from soil, irrigation water, contaminated harvesting tools and equipment and contamination from harvesters and food handlers. It is therefore important to know the possible sources of contamination and put in place measure to eliminate or reduce contamination. Hygiene practices like hand washing after using the toilet, before handling produce and avoiding touching of face, skin and nose can be useful in reducing contamination from food handlers. Use of gloves to protect hands during harvesting is necessary to reduce contamination.

Forage Yield and Nutritional Characteristics of Cultivated Fodders as Affected by Agronomic Interventions: A Review

The human population is growing rapidly which increases pressure on livestock to meet the animal products (milk, meat, wool etc.) demand. For the higher productivity of livestock, it is essential to provide green fodder to the livestock. The poor quality green forages not only reduce milk productivity but also affect animal health. The green forage quality plays a key role in economical ruminant production. Forage quality depends mainly on its genetically trait, however, it can be improved by implying improved agronomic practices viz., timely/adequate tillage operation, optimum nutrient management, sowing at right time with adequate seed rate, intercropping system, timely water management, weed management and harvesting at right stage etc. The green biomass yield is significantly influenced by tillage operations. The right source and dose of nutrient is important for the production of quality fodder. Addition of nitrogen to soil increases the fodder yield as well as protein content. Delayed sowing generally increases the crude protein and fiber content but decreases the crude fat. Crop density is positively related to forage yield and crude fiber, however, crude protein is negatively associated with plant density. Introducing legumes intercrops in cereal fodder improves the fodder quality as well as quantity. Forage yield follows a decreasing trend by enhancing the water scarcity, however, optimum irrigation and good quality water improves the fodder quality. Delay in harvesting decreases forage quality. Therefore, proper agronomic practices should be followed for enhanced fodder production and better nutritional value.

Effect of harvesting time on forage yield and quality of maize

Maize is the very important silage source in the world. Timely harvesting ensure high maize forage yield and quality. Therefore, the study focused on the effects of four harvesting times (starting at the 12 August every 7 days) on yield and qualitative parameters of forage green mass of maize hybrid ZP 677. The experiment was set in Vojvodina Province, Serbia, during the 2013 and 2014 growing seasons. Plant height, stem diameter, number of leaves per plant, ear percentage, forage yield, dry matter content and crude protein content were higher, while stem percentage was lower in 2014 with favorable climatic condition. Forage yield, crude protein content, ADF and NDF decreased, while dry matter content significantly increased with delay in harvesting. The maize hybrid should be harvested when the milk line is three-quarter of the way down the grain that is in the third decade of August.

Physiological and enzymatic changes in soybean seeds submitted to harvest delay1

ABSTRACT Harvest delay may affect the physiological quality of soybean seeds due to the occurrence of unfavorable environmental conditions in the field. This study was conducted to investigate the physiological and enzymatic changes in soybean seeds submitted to harvest delay. A randomized block design, with eight seed harvest periods (0; 5; 10; 15; 20; 25; 30; and 35 days after the R8 phenological stage - full maturity) of the BRS 820 RR® cultivar, with four replicates, was used. At each harvest period, the moisture content, 1,000-seed weight, germination, seedling emergence, emergence speed index, accelerated aging, vigor and viability (tetrazolium test), electrical conductivity, enzymatic expression and seed yield were measured. Harvest delay up to 35 days after the R8 phenological stage do not affect the 1,000-seed weight and seed yield. The delayed harvest from the R8 stage results in increased damage by stink bugs and moisture. The harvest delay of seeds from the 10th day after the R8 stage impairs the seed vigor and, from the 15th day, seed germination. Seeds harvested with a delay after the R8 stage have lower expressions of the following isoenzymatic systems: malate dehydrogenase, alcohol dehydrogenase, esterase, isocitrate lyase and superoxide dismutase, especially after 15 days of harvest delay.