Early Harvest Research Articles

Maturity biomarkers predicting storage performance of early-harvested yellow-fleshed kiwifruit identified using integrated multi-omics analysis

Accurate determination of kiwifruit maturity in the first half of the harvest window is crucial in predicting storage risk, since early-harvested fruit are more susceptible to disorders and rots during extended cold storage. Maturity estimations are usually based on soluble solids content (SSC), but SSC alone is unreliable at early harvest times, necessitating the need for more precise markers. To address this, we performed multi-omics on harvested, yellow-fleshed kiwifruit at four chronological ages based on days after anthesis, namely early harvest (H1), early-mid (H2), late-mid (H3) and late harvest (H4), across two seasons from the same orchard. Analysis of phenotype, transcriptome, metabolome, proteome, hormone concentrations and enzyme activity profiles identified discriminating features within the datasets that separated harvest times, particularly in the first half of the harvest window. Strong seasonal variability was observed. The most reliable variates for maturity estimation were found in the transcriptome, and two transcripts with sharply decreasing abundance during early harvest (Aquaporin TIP4-1 and MYB10) and three transcripts with sharply increasing abundance during later harvest (β-Amylase 3.2, Pectinesterase inhibitor protein and α-Terpineol synthase) with relative seasonal stability were identified. In a different season we used these five potential biomarkers in combination with SSC as a predictive tool. This allowed precise assessment of the maturity stage of fruit in the first half of the harvest window from 12 orchards in four geographical regions, and accurate prediction of their storage outcome.

Spectrochemical analysis of seasonal and sexual variation of antioxidants in Corema album (L.) D. Don leaf extracts

Bioactive phytoconstituents have been increasingly investigated for their potential human health benefits. Corema album (L.) D. Don, an Ericaceae, reportedly has antioxidant, antimicrobial and anticancer properties. Aiming at enhancing its nutraceutical potential, we performed a spectrochemical analysis of hydroethanolic extracts from C. album leaves. We report on changes in the antioxidant activity of the extracts, as well as in the accumulation of key phytoconstituents (namely phenolic compounds), in female and male samples, throughout three harvesting seasons (February, July, and October). For each extract, the antioxidant activity was assessed by different spectrophotometric methods. Simultaneously, attenuated total reflectance Fourier transform mid-infrared spectroscopy (FTIR-ATR), and high-performance liquid chromatography – electrospray ionisation – quadrupole time-of-flight mass spectrometry (HPLC-ESI-Q-TOF-MS), were used to identify and monitor variations in the composition of phenolic compounds in the extracts. The main compounds identified were epicatechin, laricitrin-O-hexoside isomers, and myricetin-O-hexoside isomers. Significant differences were found in the composition and relative abundance of the compounds of interest, according to sex and season. Overall, a trend was observed whereby phenolic content and antioxidant activities were higher in males and increased between the earlier and the latest harvests. Based on these results, we may conclude that late summer or early autumn harvests are preferable when aiming at the highest yearly content of bioactive compounds. Additionally, it should be considered that extracts from male individuals typically display higher antioxidant activities. Ultimately, our understanding of C. album in the context of nutraceutical applications is benefited from the quantitative and qualitative portrait provided here, thus promoting its relevance as a source of bioactive compounds.

Stressors and Resilience within the Cassava Value Chain in Nigeria: Preferred Cassava Variety Traits and Response Strategies of Men and Women to Inform Breeding

This study investigated the trait preferences for cassava in the context of climate change and conflict stressors among value-chain actors in Nigeria to strengthen social inclusion and the community-resilience outcomes from breeding programs. Multi-stage sampling procedures were used to select and interview male and female value-chain participants in the Osun, Benue and Abia States. The results indicated that farmers preferred cassava traits such as drought tolerance, early bulking, multiple-product use and in-ground storability to strengthen resilience. Climate change and challenges related to social change shaped the response strategies from both genders, and influenced trait preferences, including the early re-emergence of cassava leaves, stems that had ratooning potential, and especially the root milking that was important among female respondents. The major response strategies employed by men included frequent farm visits to prevent theft and engaging in non-agricultural livelihoods. Those employed by women included backyard farming, early harvesting, having preferences for food with fewer processing steps, and depending on remittances. The resilience capacity was higher for men than for women due to their better access to assets, as well as their abilities to relocate their farms and out-migrate in search of other livelihoods. Considering gendered cassava traits, and enhancing their resilience and response strategies, can complement efforts to make breeding more socially inclusive, resilient, and anticipatory to future challenges created by climate and related social changes.

Urolithiasis: Review and case description of a Wagyu feeder steer with struvite crystalluria and urolithiasis treated with calcium boluses

Bovine urolithiasis, or formation of calculi in the urinary tract of cattle due to struvite crystalluria, is a life-threatening and painful disease. Clinical signs often go unnoticed until the prognosis of the animal is poor and immediate euthanasia is necessary. The author reports a treatment used to disrupt the disease process. The treatment allowed a valuable beef animal to comfortably complete its finishing stage without using medications that require a withdrawal period prior to harvest. A 27-month-old Wagyu steer in the finishing phase presented with inappetence, polyuria, dysuria and depression. Urinalysis showed an abundance of struvite crystals. Serum chemistry revealed a calcium:phosphorus ratio of 1.2:1. To avoid early harvest and progression of the disease, the steer was treated with over-the-counter calcium boluses, which were successful in dissolving the crystals. Daily urinalysis was used to determinethe frequency of treatment needed. The author proposes an alternative method for treating struvite crystalluria and preventing subsequent urolithiasis in feeder steers.

Production of Long Hemp Fibers Using the Flax Value Chain

Hemp is finding a strong renewal of interest in the production of fine fibers for garment textiles. This resource of long-line fibers would come as a complement to the highly demanded flax fibers, whose large production in the north-west of Europe cannot be extended. In Normandy, where a complete industrial value chain exists for flax, it is intended to adapt it to hemp, and this was demonstrated from the field to the scutched fibers with a complete value chain. In this region, early harvesting is necessary to leave enough time for dew-retting and permit dry storage of stems before mid-September. An early-flowering variety (USO-31) was harvested using dedicated hemp equipment to obtain a 1 m parallel and aligned windrow that can be further processed by flax equipment. The scutching process as well as the fiber’s morphological and mechanical properties were particularly studied. Adapted scutching process parameters with reduced advancing speed and beating turbine velocity led to long fiber yields of about 18% of the stem mass. Stem yields were reaching about 6 tons/ha leading to a production of 1.1 tons/ha of long fibers. The tensile properties of the long fibers were highly sufficient for textile applications, and their thickness after hackling was in the range suitable for the production of fine yarns. Compared to other crops grown in Normandy, the hemp as produced in this 2020 case study provides good incomes to the farmer, higher than traditional crops such as wheat or barley, and the results of this study should encourage farmers to grow hemp for textile purposes.

Efficiency of cultivation of variegated alfalfa and awnless brome in pure form and in mixed sowings

The development of technology elements for the cultivation of perennial alfalfa-brome mixtures contributes to the formation of highly productive agrocenoses and reduce the cost of fodder mass. In 2017-2022, in the conditions of the Penza region, there has been studied the effect of seeding rates of alfalfa variegated of Daria variety and awnless brome Udalets in pure and mixed sowings, the level of mineral nutrition and the time of harvesting green mass on the economic and energy efficiency of cultivation. Growing seasons of 2017-2021 were characterized by dry conditions (HTC = 0.4-0.8), of 2022 – by normal moisture (HTC = 1.0). The calculation of the cost of production showed the advantage of the seeding rate of alfalfa and brome 70+40 %, the introduction of N45P60K90 and harvesting in the early phase the cost of 1 ton of feed units amounted to 2.36 thousand rubles, in the variant without fertilizers at this seeding rate, the cost was 6.8 % higher – 2.52 thousand rubles. The level of profitability of alfalfa-brome mixtures when cultivated for green mass was at a high level and amounted to 161-238 % according to the variants. Higher rates were obtained in variants with a seeding rate of 70+40 %, the introduction of N45P60K90 during harvesting both in the budding phase and variable mowing – 235-238 %. Cost of 1 ton feed units at a seeding rate of 70+40 % was 1.51-1.96 GJ (depending on the mowing period), a decrease in the seeding rate of alfalfa to 40 % increased the cost of 1 ton of feed units up to 1.74-2.20 GJ. The use of mineral fertilizers increased the cost of 1 ton of feed units when applying P60K90 by 0.02-0.06 GJ, and when introducing N45P60K90 by 0.29-0.36 GJ. The early phase of harvesting was energetically favorable – the cost of 1 ton of feed units was lower than when harvesting in the flowering phase by 0.08-0.15 GJ. With a high seeding rate of alfalfa and a low seeding rate of brome (70+40 %), the maximum energy efficiency coefficient (EEC) was obtained – 5.2-7.1 (depending on the background of nutrition and the mowing period). With a decrease in the seeding rate of alfalfa from 70 to 40 %, a decrease in the EEC to 4.5-6.1 was noted. The application of mineral fertilizers significantly reduced the EEE indicators – from 5.8-7.1 to 5.5-6.7 with the application of P60K90 and to 4.3-5.3 with the application of N45P60K90. At an early harvesting time (budding phase), the EEC was slightly higher – 4.7-7.1, than at a late harvesting time (flowering phase) – 4.5-6.8.

Effect of Fertigation on the Physicochemical Quality and Antioxidant System of ‘Fino’ Lemons during Postharvest Storage

Fertigation is a technique of injecting fertilizers along the irrigation lines, allowing a precise control of the moisture and the application. Nowadays, the main fertilizers used are nitrogen and potassium. Usually, an excess of fertigation is applied to achieve an early harvest of the lemon fruit. However, there is no literature available regarding the effects of excess fertigation on lemon fruit quality and antioxidant systems at harvest and during cold storage. Therefore, the present study aims to investigate these effects. This experiment was developed by comparing two plots: the first one with standard fertigation (SF) and the second one with intensive fertigation (IF). The yield per tree in the early harvest was higher in the IF than the SF plot; however, total yield was similar under both fertigation strategies. Lemons from the SF plot maintained higher total phenolic content and total antioxidant activity compared with lemons from the IF plot. In addition, firmness, total soluble solids and titratable acidity were also higher in SF lemons. Furthermore, weight loss, ethylene production, colour (parameter a*) and decay incidence were reduced in lemon fruits from the SF plot. Early lemons harvested from the standard fertigation plot showed high physicochemical quality and antioxidant properties, reducing lemon fruit decay during cold storage and providing high-quality fruits to consumers.

Isolation and functional verification of an aspartate aminotransferase gene from Neoporphyra haitanensis

BackgroundNeoporphyra haitanensis is a commercial laver species in China. Aspartic acid is an important flavor amino acid, and aspartate aminotransferase (AAT) is a crucial enzyme in its biosynthesis. In this study, we cloned one AAT gene (NhAAT) from the red alga N. haitanensis and investigated its sequence structure, transcriptional expression and enzymatic characteristics. The purpose of our research is to obtain a functional AAT responsible for the biosynthesis of aspartic acid from red seaweeds, which has the potential to influence the flavor of N. haitanensis.ResultsSequence analysis showed that NhAAT contains a conserved domain of Aminotran_1_2, which belongs to the transaminase superfamily. The secondary structure of NhAAT is dominated by α-helix. The results of enzymatic characterization illustrated that the NhAAT has highest catalytic activity at 45 °C and pH 7.5 in both forward and reverse reactions. The calculated Km values of NhAAT was 5.67 and 6.16 mM for L-glutamic acid and L-aspartic acid, respectively. Quantitative analysis showed that the NhAAT expression of N. haitanensis collected in late harvest (Dec) was 4.5 times that of N. haitanensis collected in early harvest (Oct), while the aspartic acid content of N. haitanensis collected in late harvest (Dec) was 1.2 times that of N. haitanensis collected in early harvest (Oct).ConclusionThe results of enzyme kinetics indicated that NhAAT prefers to catalyze the reaction in the direction of aspartic acid production. Moreover, the trend of NhAAT expression level was consistent with that of aspartic acid content in N. haitanensis in different harvest periods. Our research is helpful to understand the accumulation and regulation of amino acids in N. haitanensis in different habitats and the taste difference of N. haitanensis in different harvest periods.

Winter cereal species, cultivar, and harvest timing affect trade-offs between forage quality and yield

Volatile feed costs and extreme weather events are contributing to greater economic risk and precarity throughout much of the United States dairy industry. These challenges have prompted dairy farmers to seek ways to reduce feed imports without compromising milk production. For organic dairy farmers, the need to produce more homegrown forage is exacerbated by the high cost and limited supply of organic feed. Integrating winter cereals for forage as part of a double-cropping system is a potential solution, but increasing the amount of forage in dairy cow rations can reduce milk production if the forages are not managed for optimal quality. Organically managed field experiments in Maryland (MD) and New York (NY) were conducted to address two primary objectives: (1) determine the yield and quality of winter cereals—four cultivars each for barley (Hordeum vulgare L.), cereal rye (Secale cereale L.), and triticale (× Triticosecale Wittm. ex A. Camus.)—grown as forage and harvested at different crop growth stages, and (2) evaluate the trade-offs between yield and quality in relation to winter cereal phenology and harvest date. Mean yield at a commonly harvested growth stage, swollen boot (Zadoks 45), was 1.3, 2.2, and 2.2 Mg ha−1 in MD and 1.8, 2.5, and 2.9 Mg ha−1 in NY for barley, cereal rye, and triticale, respectively. Mean relative forage quality (RFQ) at the same growth stage was 180, 158, and 163 in MD and 179, 156, and 157 in NY for the three species. Overall, cereal rye reached swollen boot stage the earliest, barley produced the highest RFQ and retained high quality the longest, and cereal rye and triticale produced the highest yields. Based on these results, farmers should consider barley cultivars if quality is the priority and winter-hardiness is not a concern; cereal rye cultivars if an early harvest is most important; and triticale cultivars if greater harvest schedule flexibility would be most valuable. These findings can be used to better meet the needs of dairy farmers, enhance double-cropping system performance, and improve the synchronization of harvest timing with the specific needs of lactating dairy cows, dry cows, heifers, and calves.

Evaluating the Perennial Flooding on the White Volta River and the Bagre Dam Spillage on Agricultural Activities in the Sudan Savanna in the Upper East Region, Ghana

Ensuring food security and the reduction of poverty has become a major challenge for sub Saharan African countries especially among subsistent farmers. Subsistent households depend on the yield obtained from the farm for their survival and economic development. However, the nature and impact of the floods have increased in frequency and intensity especially in recent years which have affected food production. It is against this background that this study was undertaken to evaluate the perennial flooding the White Volta River and the Bagre Dam spillage on agricultural activities in the Sudan Savanna in the Upper East Region of Ghana. The mixed method design was employed for the study which obtained information on both qualitative and quantitative data about the issue under investigation. A total of 200 subsistent farmers households were randomly sampled for the data collections. The primary data was collected using questionnaires, interviews, focus group discussions, field observation and photography. The secondary data was obtained from NADMO and MOFA directorates on the destruction of farms and crops yields respectively. The findings show that the study areas experience floods every year. The floods usually occur around August and September when rainfall is in torrential coupled with the spillage of the Bagre dam. The flooding has resulted in the declined in food production among subsistent farmers. As a result of this, households in Galaka, Salipiga, Yarigu, Binduri and Sapkare were food insecure. This situation (food insecurity) has led to households engaging in others activities in ensuring food security. The study recommend that there should be close engagement between authorities in Ghana and that of Burkina Faso so that the latter country can provide exact time for the spillage of the dam. Information on the dam spillage beforehand will help farmers in the affected communities to adequately prepare, including early harvesting to reduce the amount of farm produce lost to floods.

A mixed methods assessment of knowledge, attitudes and practices related to aflatoxin contamination and exposure among caregivers of children under 5 years in western Kenya.

Identifying factors that may influence aflatoxin exposure in children under 5 years of age living in farming households in western Kenya. We used a mixed methods design. The quantitative component entailed serial cross-sectional interviews in 250 farming households to examine crop processing and conservation practices, household food storage and consumption and local understandings of aflatoxins. Qualitative data collection included focus group discussions (N 7) and key informant interviews (N 13) to explore explanations of harvesting and post-harvesting techniques and perceptions of crop spoilage. The study was carried out in Asembo, a rural community where high rates of child stunting exist. A total of 250 female primary caregivers of children under 5 years of age and thirteen experts in farming and food management participated. Study results showed that from a young age, children routinely ate maize-based dishes. Economic constraints and changing environmental patterns guided the application of sub-optimal crop practices involving early harvest, poor drying, mixing spoiled with good cereals and storing cereals in polypropylene bags in confined quarters occupied by humans and livestock and raising risks of aflatoxin contamination. Most (80 %) smallholder farmers were unaware of aflatoxins and their harmful economic and health consequences. Young children living in subsistence farming households may be at risk of exposure to aflatoxins and consequent ill health and stunting. Sustained efforts to increase awareness of the risks of aflatoxins and control measures among subsistence farmers could help to mitigate practices that raise exposure.

Spatial patterns of vigor by stand density across species groups and its drivers in a pre-harvest ponderosa pine-dominated landscape in northern California

Information on spatial patterns of forest health and stand vigor in historical forests is quite limited, particularly for forests of North America, which have been subsequently harvested. We used forest inventory data from 1934, which pre-dated early 20th century timber harvest, to reconstruct patterns of vigor in overstory trees. Across 4,000 ha of ponderosa pine-dominated forests in the Blacks Mountain Experimental Forest (BMEF), we described the spatial patterns of pre-harvest (1934) forests using a stand density index (SDI) and accounting for different species and vigor classes. We then identified topo-edaphic variables associated with pre-harvest SDI. To do so, we first calculated SDI for two species groups: 1) ponderosa pine (Pinus ponderosa Laws.) and Jeffrey pine (Pinus jeffreyi Grev. & Balf.), and 2) incense-cedar (Calocedrus decurrens (Torr.) Florin) and white fir (Abies concolor (Grod. and Glend.)) as well as for seven vigor classes within these two groups. Second, using Moran’s I, we found four spatially aggregated clusters (Moran’s I = 0.35): 1) ponderosa pine-high vigor, 2) ponderosa pine-low vigor, 3) mixed species-high vigor, and 4) mixed species-low vigor. Most of the pre-harvest landscape consisted of high vigor ponderosa pine clusters with low SDI (relative density (RD) < 0.25). High elevation sections consisted of mixed species clusters of both high and low vigor with high SDI (RD > 0.35). Using classification and regression tree analysis, we identified elevation (m), surface-soil depth (cm), and sub-soil depth (cm) were related to the clusters. A multinominal logistic regression model (kappa = 0.44; classification accuracy = 64.4 %) identified surface stoniness, available water capacity at 150 cm depth and its interaction with sub-soil depth as important variables that were related to clusters. Within ponderosa pine-dominated forests, managers consider dense stands of low vigor trees to be at-risk of insect, disease, and fire. Thus, our results can be used by managers as representative baselines for characterizing (pre-harvest) stand conditions to guide management treatments to support high vigor and low density forest conditions.

Genotype by Environment Interaction on Early-Maturing and High-Yield Maize Hybrids

productivity in drylands in Indonesia. Trials of hybrid maize candidates in several locations and different seasons are highly needed to determine the stability of hybrid maize candidates prior to commercial release. The objectives of the research were: (1) to evaluate the performance of maize hybrids in several locations and different seasons; (2) to assess the stability of early-maturing and grain yield characteristics of genotypes evaluated in several locations and seasons; and (3) to determine hybrid maize candidates that can be released as new superior/elite varieties. The research was conducted at 14 research populations (7 different locations, 2 seasons). Each population was planted according to the randomized block design with 10 genotypes as treatments and 4 replicates, so 40 experiment units were obtained. Ten genotypes were tested: six hybrid maize candidates derived from a diallel cross with high yield potential and early-maturing traits (G1, G2, G3, G4, G5, G6) and 4 elite varieties as checks (G7 = SK, G8 = ANM, G9 = Pertiwi-x, and G10 = BISI-x). The combined analysis of variance (ANOVA) conducted on 10 genotypes and 14 research populations revealed that genotypes, environments (season, location, season x location), and interactions (genotype x season, genotype x location, genotype x season x location) significantly affect harvest age and grain yield per hectare (p &lt; 0.01). G4 had an early harvest age (91.93 days) and grain yield per hectare above the average of all genotypes in all environments (8.71 ton ha-1), and was also declared stable based on three stability analyses: Finlay-Wilkinson, Eberhart-Russel, and AMMI. Thus, G4 is recommended as an elite hybrid maize variety with early-maturing, high-yield, stable, and broad adaptability traits. Doi: 10.28991/HEF-2023-04-01-05 Full Text: PDF

Intensive management increases flexibility in managing wood supply

We modelled the potential impact of intensification of plantation management and thinning, on timber supply of an ∼500 000 ha forest in Alberta, Canada over a 200-year planning horizon. Pre-commercial and commercial thinning were applied to a portion of the better sites, which allowed shortening of the time to merchantability and earlier harvest than unthinned stands; less than 25% of the forest was thinned over the course of the plan. The sustainable harvest rate, represented here as the annual allowable cut (AAC), increased by ∼14% above baseline, when thinning was applied. Similarly, there was a 20.7% increase in AAC projected with the relaxation of even flow rules if thinning was also applied. Finally, thinning offset the expected decline in AAC after a 20-year surge in cutting of mature pine, designed to slow an epidemic of mountain pine beetle. In terms of wood supply, the volume extracted at thinning was &lt;2% of annual supply but volume from final harvest from thinned stands, at times, surpassed that of unthinned stands of the forest. Individual tree size from thinned stands was ∼twice that from unthinned areas in the second part of the planning period, offsetting the expected decline in piece size after the era of harvest of natural forests.

Quantification and Prediction with Near Infrared Spectroscopy of Carbohydrates throughout Apple Fruit Development

Carbohydrates play a key role in apple fruit growth and development. Carbohydrates are needed for cell division/expansion, regulate fruitlet abscission, and influence fruit maturation and quality. Current methods to quantify fruit carbohydrates are labor intensive and expensive. We quantified carbohydrates throughout a growing season in two cultivars and evaluated the use of near infrared spectroscopy (NIR) to predict apple carbohydrate content throughout changes in fruit development. Carbohydrates were quantified with high performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) at five timepoints between early fruitlet growth and harvest in ‘Gala’ and ‘Red Delicious’ apples. NIR spectra was collected for freeze-dried fruit samples using a benchtop near infrared spectrometer. Sorbitol was the major carbohydrate early in the growing season (~40% of total carbohydrates). However, the relative contribution of sorbitol to total carbohydrates rapidly decreased by 59 days after full bloom (&lt;10%). The proportion of fructose to total carbohydrates increased throughout fruit development (40–50%). Three distinct periods of fruit development, early, mid-season, and late, were found over all sampling dates using principal component analysis. The first (PC1) and second (PC2) principal components accounted for 90% of the variation in the data, samples separated among sampling date along PC1. Partial least squares regression was used to build the models by calibrating carbohydrates quantified with HPLC and measured reflectance spectra. The NIR models reliably predicted the content of fructose, glucose, sorbitol, sucrose, starch, and total soluble sugars for both ‘Gala’ and ‘Red Delicious’; r2 ranged from 0.60 to 0.96. These results show that NIR can accurately estimate carbohydrates throughout the growing season and offers an efficient alternative to liquid or gas chromatography.

Growing conditions on growth and yield of one-year-old asparagus plants of the cultivars ‘Early California’, ‘UC157’, and ‘Taiho-wase’

ABSTRACT One-year-old asparagus (Asparagus officinalis L.) plants are cultivated in temperate regions, but effects of climatic conditions on them are not clear. More producers are growing 1-year plants, and it is necessary to establish appropriate cultivar selection and cultivation practices to stabilize yields in response to fluctuating weather conditions. The relationship between weather conditions and growth and yield of asparagus “Taiho-wase,” “Early California,” and “UC157,” grown using the whole harvest cultivation method for 1-year-old plants over 5 years, was assessed. Yields were reduced when weather conditions included low duration of sunshine in summer, high precipitation in fall, and low temperature during early harvest. “Early California” was highly susceptible to weather conditions, although it is a high-yielding cultivar when appropriate cultivation practices are used. “Taiho-wase” had little annual variation. The field trials conducted over multiple years clarified effects of weather conditions on cultivars.

Postharvest Application of Acibenzolar-S-Methyl Activates Salicylic Acid Pathway Genes in Kiwifruit Vines.

The plant defence inducer Actigard® (acibenzolar-S-methyl [ASM]) is applied before flowering and after fruit harvest to control bacterial canker in kiwifruit caused by Pseudomonas syringae pv. actinidiae. Pre-flowering application of ASM is known to upregulate defence gene expression; however, the effect of postharvest ASM on defence gene expression in the vine is unknown. In this study, the expression of eight "defence marker" genes was measured in the leaves of Actinidia chinensis var. chinensis, "Zesy002," and Actinidia chinensis var. deliciosa, "Hayward," vines after postharvest treatment with ASM and/or copper. There were two orchards per cultivar with harvest dates approximately three weeks apart for investigating potential changes in responsiveness to ASM during the harvest period. In all trials, postharvest ASM induced the expression of salicylic-acid-pathway defence genes PR1, PR2, PR5, BAD, DMR6, NIMIN2, and WRKY70. Gene upregulation was the greatest at 1 day and 7 days after treatment and declined to the control level after 3 weeks. In "Zesy002", the ASM-induced response was greater at the early harvest site than at the late harvest site. This decline was concomitant with leaf yellowing and a reduction in RNA yield. Effects of postharvest ASM on gene expression did not persist into the following spring, nor were vines conditioned to respond more strongly to pre-flowering ASM application.

Sowing and Harvesting Measures to Cope with Challenges of Cover Crops Experienced by Finnish Farmers

Farmers may promote the cultivation of under-sown cover crops (CCs) in various ways without jeopardizing the yield of a cash crop. With this survey, we aimed to understand how Finnish farmers manage possible challenges with under-sown CCs. A farmer survey was carried out in 2021. We invited 6493 farmers who had selected CCs as a registered measure to answer a questionnaire with 20 statements (a Likert scale), and 1130 responded (17.4%). A Cochran–Mantel–Haenszel test was used to measure the strength of the association between 11 farm/farmer characteristics of the respondents and 20 statements. Responses indicated that farmers often took under-sown CCs into account during the growing season. Sowing was considered an especially critical measure and the CC seeding rate was often assessed with a test run before sowing. Thirty-nine per cent of the respondents had made investments, most often to facilitate sowing. The farmers usually adjusted the fertilizer rate only according to the cash crop. Early harvesting of a cash crop was considered important by 58% of farmers to ensure that the CCs do not hamper the harvest. Farmers harvested cash crops as soon as they matured and were harvestable, though they had mixed views on whether CCs impacted the quality of the cash crop. Subsidized, investing farmers were likely to be oriented towards the benefits from the ecosystem services provided by CCs. Their experiences should be shared among the farming community to support the large-scale implementation of CCs.

Effect of Different Black Pepper Crop Ages on the Availability of Nitrogen, Phosphorus, and Potassium

Black pepper cultivation at different land backgrounds and fertility can affect crop productivity. This study aims to determine soil-plant nutrients for three pepper farms based on crop ages and the correlation of selected physical and chemical properties. Samples were collected in Kapit, Bintulu, and Sri Aman and analyzed for physical and chemical properties. Soil nutrient in Bintulu (6 months old) has revealed higher soil pH (4.95) with higher Fe (0.21 g/kg) and N (1.33 g/kg) contents that is caused by burnt earth residue from the burning of secondary forest. Sri Aman (12 months old) showed greater TOC (3.34%), P (0.0032 g/kg), and K (0.10 g/kg) benefitted from a long year of cultivation and proper pre-establishment earlier. Nutrient removal is high in Bintulu for Fe, Mn, N, and K, while Sri Aman for P is due to early harvesting before its mature phase, whereby the increase in nutrient accumulation in leaves to support berries. Correlation has revealed the role of soil pH in governing the availability of TOC, P, and K. The increasing soil pH increases the availability of P and K. Hence, the availability of N, P, and K is affected by numerous reasons, such as pH and crop management.

Nitrogen accumulation and partitioning in field‐grown heirloom tomato cultivar Brandywine

AbstractHeirloom tomato (Solanum lycopersicum L.) are a high‐value crop for organic vegetable growers. Tomato plants have a high N requirement and are adversely affected by insufficient, excessive, and poorly timed N fertilization. However, little information is available about N dynamics in heirloom tomato and whether their nutritional needs differ from those of hybrid fresh‐market (HFM) tomato. The project's goals were to (a) develop seasonal N accumulation curves for the popular heirloom tomato cultivar Brandywine, (b) measure the N removed with the harvested fruits, and (c) determine whether N concentrations from recently matured leaves from adequately and underfertilized fields as well as N accumulation and partitioning fell within published thresholds for HFM tomato plants. We tracked the leaf N concentrations, growth, yields and N accumulation of organically grown Brandywine tomato in a 2‐yr replicated field trial under low‐ and high‐N availability treatments. We also collected leaf and fruit samples from fertilized and unfertilized plots on local commercial organic fields. Total N accumulation ranged between 25 to 45 g N per linear bed meter and did not differ with N treatment. The N removed with the harvested fruit averaged 1.14 kg Mg−1 fresh fruit across all sites and years and differed by site but not N fertility. On average, 70–80% of tomato N demand occurred between full bloom and early harvest. The observed N accumulation per unit yield, seasonal N accumulation pattern, and leaf sufficiency thresholds for Brandywine tomato were within the ranges published for HFM tomato varieties.