Harvest Interval Research Articles

Growth and Biomass Yield of Grey Sedge (Lepironia articulata Retz. Domin) under Different Shoot-Cutting Intervals in a Tropical Peatland

Grey sedge (Lepironia articulata Retz. Domin) is a plant endemic to tropical peatlands and is widely used as a handicraft and biodegradable product that brings income to local farmers. However, its habitat has been decreasing due to peatland degradation, which has forced local farmers to harvest L. articulata repeatedly in the same habitat. To examine the effects of repeated shoot cutting at different time intervals on L. articulata growth and biomass yield, a mesocosm experiment was conducted from June 2019 to March 2020 in a tropical peatland in Perigi village, Ogan Ilir District, South Sumatra, Indonesia, using a randomized block design with four treatments and three replicates. The treatments were as follows: P1 (cutting every 1 month), P2 (cutting every 2 months), P3 (cutting every 3 months), and P4 (cutting at 6-months). The results showed that P1 significantly reduced monthly shoot height, shoot diameter, shoot number, dry biomass, cumulative shoot number, and cumulative dry biomass. In contrast, considering L. articulata‘s regenerative growth, the growth and cumulative biomass yield of P3 (1453.5 ± 518.4 g m−2) were as good as those of P4. These results indicate that the harvesting interval should be longer than 3 months for the sustainable use of L. articulata in tropical peatlands without damaging its regenerative ability.

Heat pipe-enhanced two-stage thermoelectric harvester based on phase change material

The thermoelectric generator (TEG) technology is important for improving energy efficiency. However, the TEG limited by poor thermoelectric material properties and thermal transfer strategies faces challenges in achieving excellent heat harvesting capacity, especially for large-temperature gradients. Herein, we reported a heat pipe-enhanced two-stage thermoelectric generator (HTTEG) enabled by bismuth alloy-based PCM for effective space waste thermal harvesting. We comprehensively explored the effects of different thermal-enhanced strategies on HTTEG performance. Compared with copper plate and horizontal layout, the effective thermal conductivity obtained by vertical-planar heat pipe is 1.1 × 104 W/mK enhanced by 79.2 and 33.0 times, which has outstanding advantages in achieving considerable temperature difference and excellent thermoelectric harvesting capacity of the HTTEG. We also systematically discussed the thermoelectric properties of heat pipe-enhanced one-stage TEG (HOTEG) and HTTEG by simulation and LED test bench. The results show that the bismuth alloy-based PCM with considerable latent thermal capacity and remarkable heat transfer characteristics can suppress temperature fluctuations and expand thermoelectric harvest interval, achieving excellent power output capacity. Compared with the HOTEG, the thermoelectric power achieved by HTTEG is 4.45 W enhanced by 581.8 %, because optimizing the spatial layout of stage-two thermoelectric modules to the high-temperature gradient interval achieves remarkable heat harvesting efficiency.

Growth and production of cat's whiskers plant biomass (Orthosiphon aristatus Bl. Miq.) In various accessions and harvest intervals

Cat's whiskers plant is an ornamental plant used as a medicinal plant. The part of the cat's whiskers plant used is leaves. Accessions and harvest intervals are essential for increasing optimal yields to plant biomass growth and results. This study aims to determine the effect of differences in accession, intervals, and interactions between accession differences and intervals on the growth and production of a cat's whiskers biomass. The design used in this study is a complete group design of being randomized with two treatment factors. The first factor has two treatment levels: white flowering accessions (A1) and purple flowering accessions (A2). The second factor is a harvest interval with four treatment levels, namely a 1-week harvest interval (P1), two weeks (P2), three weeks (P3), and six weeks (P4). The results showed that accession treatment significantly affected the number of books, number of branches, flowering ages, leaf fresh weight, leaf dry weight, and leaf simplicia yields. Harvest interval treatment significantly affects the height of the shoots, number of shoots, number of branches, number of leaves, flowering ages, leaf fresh weight, stem fresh weight, flower fresh weight, leaf dry weight, stem dry weight, flower dry weight, and leaf simplicia yield. Accession interactions with harvest intervals significantly affect the height of the shoots, number of shoots, number of branches, number of leaves, flower fresh weight, stem dry weight, and leaf simplicia yields.

Effect of wind conditions on the performance of an Oscillating Water Column energy converter

Local atmospheric conditions surrounding an off-shore Oscillating Water Column device — OWC hereinafter —, in particular wind action, may affect OWC performance and efficiency, specially over long harvesting intervals, i.e. yearly energy production. This work proposes an experimental study of a simple off-shore OWC where different ambient conditions are compared. More specifically, it proposes a set of experimental tests in laboratory wave flume, under both calm and external wind conditions, which represent a more realistic situation in full-scale prototypes. The results show that the external wind modifies the ambient conditions by changing the temperature, humidity and pressure values of the air surrounding the OWC device, affecting the density and the thermodynamic balance. This affects negatively the OWC performance, reducing the maximum pneumatic power by up to 15%, which can be extrapolated to a reduction of 3% in the total amount of annual energy produced.

Effect of doses fertilizer and harvest interval on the intensity of leaf spot diseases, production and quality of citronella grass (Cymbopogon nardus L.) essential oils in ultisols soil

Until now, Indonesia is still a world exporter of essential oils, including citronella oil. So that the role of farming communities in the development of Indonesia's essential oil industry is very helpful. For this reason, a study was carried out on response of fertilization and harvest interval on the intensity of leaf spot diseases of citronella grass, and productivity in ultisols soil which was carried out from October 2020 to September 2022. The experiment was arranged in a randomized block design in factorial with 9 treatments, as the first factor is 3 levels of an organic fertilizer (NPK); P1 = 25 g clumps −1, P2 = 37.5 g clumps −1 and P3 = 50 g clumps −1. The second factor is the harvest interval with three levels which is 4 = harvest interval once every 4 months, 3 = harvest interval every 3 months and 2 = harvest interval once every 2 months, repeated three times. Each treatment plot consisted of 24 clumps with a plant spacing of 1 × 1 × 1 m. Varieties used is Serai wangi 1. Parameters observed were intensity of leaf spot diseases, vegetative growth, livestock production, oil production, quality analysis and R/C ratio. The results showed that there was an effect of fertilizer doses and harvest intervals on the development of leaf spot disease. It was seen that at the application of fertilizer doses of 37.5 g clumps −1 with harvest intervals once every three months showed the lowest disease attacks, namely on Cuvularia sp and Pestalotia sp (5.98%, 5.42% and 7.98 %, 7.44 %). In addition, the development of vegetative growth is also influenced by the application of fertilizer doses and harvest intervals on the parameters of canopy width, plant height, leaf length, leaf width and number of tillers. The best fertilizer dose is 37.50 g clump −1 successively (175.40 cm, 172.29 cm, 113.62 cm, 2.36 cm and 119.59 stems), with harvest intervals every 3 months (179.40 cm, 187.29 cm, 119.44 cm, 2.45 cm and 120.00 stems), as well as fresh leaves production tons/ha/year and oil production kg/ha/year the best is the application of fertilizer doses of 37.50 g clumps−1 with harvest intervals once every 3 months (67.81 tons−ha-year and 578.61 kg−ha- year,with, 67.40 tons–ha-th and 517.60 kg–ha-th). For oil quality, numerically, the application of fertilizer at a dose of 37.50 g of clump −1 with harvest intervals every 3 months is still high. The proper R/C ratio for farming occurs in the 2 nd year by administering a fertilizer dose of 37.50 g clump−1 and harvesting intervals once every 3 months with an increase of 116.67%. So, the citronella grass variety Serai wangi 1 can be developed on ultisol soil types by applying an organic fertilizer (NPK).

Elucidating the flower, seed yield and phytochemical variability of marigold (Calendula officinalis L.) in response to winter sowing at different harvest intervals and dates

Marigold is a plant native to the Mediterranean region, belonging to the Asteraceae family, and has been cultivated as a medicinal and ornamental plant all over the world for centuries. Due to its long flowering period, it is important to determine the appropriate harvest interval and date. This study was performed in the Research Area of Çukurova University in the 2019–2020 and 2020–2021 growing seasons, with an aim to investigate the influence of different harvest intervals (4-, 8-, and 12-day harvest intervals for the flowers) and harvest dates (8-day interval for the seeds) on the flower and seed yield and quality traits of marigold. The highest total flower yield (7519.8 kg/ha; harvest at 4-day intervals) and seed yield (595.6 kg/ha; 1st harvest) were obtained in the 1st growing season. The highest seed fixed oil ratio (12.86 %) was obtained in June, and the highest flower essential oil ratio (0.18 %) was obtained in May. Of the 38 components in the essential oil, α-Cadinol (22.59 %–30.10 %), δ-Cadinene (9.88 %–13.79 %), τ-Muurolol (6.58 %–8.20 %), γ-Cadinene (4.80 %–7.15 %), and γ-Muurolene (4.15 %–4.82 %) were determined as the main components. Six fatty acids were detected in the fixed oil and the main components were determined as α-calendic acid (22.07 %–49.41 %), linoleic acid (28.31 %–37.85 %), and oleic acid (7.18 %–30.06 %). The highest α-calendic acid ratios were detected in June and decreased as the harvests were delayed. Consequently, the application of harvesting at 4-day intervals for increased flower number and harvesting seeds early due to the high α-calendic acid rate can be considered as a feasible approach.

Preliminary Results of Relationship between Oil Palm Harvest Losses and Harvest Interval in Riau and West Kalimantan, Indonesia

Oil palm smallholders, in particular non-plasma independent smallholders, experience significant yield gaps. Closing this yield gap is important to enhance sustainable livelihoods for oil palm smallholders and reduce the risk of yield increase through expansion. One of the key factors influencing yield is the harvest interval (number of days between two harvesting rounds). Although standards for Good Agricultural Practices regarding oil palm prescribe a harvest interval of 7-10 days, independent smallholders often maintain a harvest interval of 12-30 days. A longer harvesting interval not only reduces the number of fresh fruit bunch harvested per hectare per month but also leads to a larger harvest loss from overripe fruits falling to the ground, deteriorating quickly (harvest loss). We followed an interdisciplinary research approach, combining insights from agronomy and anthropology, to better understand farmers’ practices, and drivers and challenges underlying decision-making. The approach consisted of field audits, farmer surveys, and qualitative interviews to explore which factors impact harvest interval. The harvest interval of smallholders in Riau and West Kalimantan ranged from 11 to 30 days. Farmers followed long harvest intervals (>16-d) due to the low fresh fruit bunch yield. However, longer harvest intervals increased potential harvest losses.

Forage yields and quality of Cenchrus ciliaris and Panicum maximum ecotypes under varied harvest intervals in a semi-arid environment in Kenya

Abstract. Kisambo BK, Wasonga OV, Kipchirchir OK, Karuku GN, Kirwa EC. 2023. Forage yields and quality of Cenchrus ciliaris and Panicum maximum ecotypes under varied harvest intervals in a semi-arid environment in Kenya. Intl J Trop Drylands 7: 102-111. Livestock production in Kenya typically relies on native pastures for nutrition and efforts are ongoing to develop varieties adapted to semi-arid conditions. A field experiment was conducted in a semi-arid environment to evaluate harvest intervals’ influence on the yield and nutritional attributes of selected grass ecotypes of two native grasses used in reseeding and fodder production. The grasses included buffel grass Cenchrus ciliaris Kilifi (KLF), C. ciliaris Magadi (MGD), Guinea grass Panicum maximum Isinya (ISY) and P. maximum Taveta (TVT). They were planted in a randomized-complete block design in a split-plot arrangement and maintained under rain-fed conditions. Forage harvests were performed at 3 harvest intervals i.e., 14, 28 and 84 days, simulating different utilization regimes in semi-arid Kenya. Biomass yield, forage accumulation and quality of the grasses were determined. The highest yields were obtained at 28-day harvest intervals and were 74% higher than the 14-day interval, although almost similar to the 84-day interval harvests. Forage accumulation rates varied significantly (p <0.005) between ecotypes and harvesting intervals. Crude Protein (CP) declined significantly with maturity, from a mean of 11.67% for the 14-day harvesting interval to 5.22% at the end of the season and varied among treatments. In Vitro Dry Matter Digestibility (IVDMD) increased with increasing harvest interval. However, fiber components-Nutrient Detergent Fiber (NDF), Acid Detergent Fiber (ADF) and Acid Detergent Lignin (ADL) increased with plant age. Harvest intervals had a significant (p <0.05) influence on the yield and qualitative attributes of the grass ecotypes. C. ciliaris ecotype MGD and P. maximum ecotype TVT are viable options for further performance evaluation in semi-arid environments as efforts to develop new range fodder varieties are accelerated.

Risk assessment and hygienic regulation of using of milbenock insecticide based on the new active substances aversectin class milbemectin

Annotation. The problem of risk assessment for the population and persons involved in the treatment of agricultural crops with plant protection products is relevant in many countries of the world. The aim of the study was hygienic regulation of the Milbenok insecticide based on a new compound of the active substances aversectin class milbemectin to reduce the potential occupational risk and population risk. The method of natural experiment was used, residual amounts of milbemectin were determined by the method of high-performance liquid chromatography. Statistical processing of the obtained results, mathematical modeling of the degradation of the milbemectin was performed using EU recommendations and MS Excel programs (2000) and IBM SPSS Statistics Base v.22. It was determined that the half-life (DT50) of milbemectin in the soil in Ukraine climate regions – 21.4±1.6 days, in agricultural crops (apples, grapes) – 11.8±0.6 days. Risk assessment of the population based on the possible daily intake of the pesticide with products, as well as the integral indicator of danger when consuming products grown treated by insecticide Milbenok showed that the risk is two level lower than the permissible level and is moderately dangerous. The working zone is relatively safe for workers when using the insecticide. The risk for persons involved in the application of the Milbenok on apple trees, considering the contamination of personal protective equipment, was acceptable. The MRL of milbemectin was substantiated in apples, grapes (berries) – 0.02 mg/kg, apples, grapes (juice) – 0.01 mg/kg, AAC in the soil – 0.2 mg/kg and the regulations for the safe using of the Milbenok (pre harvest interval and time of workers' exit to cultivated areas). The obtained results should be considered when deciding the need to control pesticide residues in food products and environmental objects.

Enhancing Coastal Saline Soil Productivity: Innovative Irrigation and Mulch Strategies for Improved Chili Cultivation

Coastal saline soils in the West Bengal region present intricate challenges to agricultural productivity, primarily stemming from the limited availability of high-quality irrigation water. To address this issue, potential solutions encompass the utilization of saline water through appropriate irrigation techniques and schedules. This study investigates the synergistic effects of combining saline and fresh water via tillage practices and the selection of salt-resistant crop varieties. The experiment comprises eight treatment combinations, each replicated four times, involving the application of both saline and fresh water using 10-liter capacity pitchers placed strategically between four plants. Additionally, two distinct tillage methods, conventional and mulch, are employed. The chosen crop variety for experimentation is Bullet lanka-3 variety. The results underscore substantial enhancements in both soil physicochemical properties when implementing diverse pitcher irrigation methods alongside varying tillage strategies. These improvements contribute to ameliorated soil conditions and heightened nutrient accessibility, consequently fostering crop growth and yield. Noteworthy gains are observed in chili production, with yields ranging from 4.04 t ha-1 to 8.81t ha-1 across the initial seven harvesting intervals, in comparison to the control plot. This research sheds light on innovative techniques to mitigate the challenges posed by coastal saline soils, paving the way for improved agricultural sustainability and productivity.

Measuring the Residual Levels of Fenpyroximate and Its Z-Isomer in Citrus Using Ultra-High-Performance Liquid Chromatography-Tandem Mass Spectrometry and Assessing the Related Dietary Intake Risks.

Fenpyroximate is an efficient, broad-spectrum phenoxypyrazole acaricide which is used for controlling various mites. In this study, we measured the levels of terminal fenpyroximate residues in citrus fruits, and estimated the dietary intake risks posed by fenpyroximate. To this end, a QuEChERS analytical method was used in combination with ultra-high-performance liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry (UHPLC-MS/MS) to determine the residual levels of fenpyroximate and its Z-isomer (Z-fenpyroximate) in citrus fruits collected from 12 fields under good agricultural practices (GAPs). The average recoveries of fenpyroximate in whole fruits and citrus flesh were 104-110% and 92-109%, respectively, with corresponding RSDs of 1-4% and 1-3%. The average recoveries of Z-fenpyroximate were 104-113% and 90-91%, respectively, with RSDs of 1-2% in both cases. Each limit of quantification (LOQ) was 0.01 mg kg-1. Fifteen days after application with 56 mg kg-1, the terminal residues of fenpyroximate in whole fruits and citrus flesh were <0.010-0.18 mg kg-1 and <0.010-0.063 mg kg-1, respectively; the corresponding values for total fenpyroximate (the sum of fenpyroximate and Z-fenpyroximate) were <0.020-0.19 and <0.020-0.053 mg kg-1. The levels of terminal fenpyroximate residues in citrus fruit were less than the maximum residue limits (MRLs) specified in all the existing international standards. In addition, the risk quotients RQc and RQa were both less than 100%, indicating that the long-term and short-term dietary intake risks posed to Chinese consumers by fenpyroximate in citrus fruit are both acceptable after a 15-day harvest interval.

Gamma irradiation of eggplant seeds influences plant growth, yield and nutritional profile in M1 generation

The study examines agromorphological traits and nutrient compositions in three genotypes of eggplants (Solanum melongena ‘African Beauty F1’ and ‘Melina F1’ and S. aethiopicum ‘Kotobi’) grown from seeds irradiated by gamma rays (γ-ray) with 100 Gy. Experiments were carried out in the screenhouse and experimental field of Crop Science Department, University of Calabar, Nigeria. Completely randomised design with four replications and randomised complete block design with three replications was used in the screenhouse and field experiments respectively. Eggplant × γ-ray effect reduced (p ≤ 0.05) seedling emergence, plant height and number of leaves in the nursery at 2 and 4 weeks after sowing. In the field, these traits were consistently lower for irradiated Melina F1 and Kotobi (p &gt; 0.05) at ten weeks after transplanting. Irradiated African Beauty F1 had the highest (p ≤ 0.05) upper canopy leaf area (429.54 cm2), higher (p &gt; 0.05) plant height and stem width; lower (p &gt; 0.05) number of branches and leaves. Un-irradiated and irradiated Kotobi had the highest (p ≤ 0.05) fruit load, lower (p ≤ 0.05) fruit volume, weight and yields over four harvest intervals. Carbohydrate and energy contents of Kotobi fruits grown from 100 Gy gamma-ray irradiated seeds were concurrently improved (p ≤ 0.05). Gamma ray irradiation had both positive and negative influences on the agromorphological traits, mineral composition and nutrient profile of eggplants. However, 100 Gy dose of irradiation had a negative effect on fruit characteristics in general. From the results of this study, inconsistent variations in the agromorphological traits of the irradiated eggplants of the three varieties were reported. Therefore, the goal of mutation breeding in eggplant should not undermine the importance of the eggplant genotype as well as the actual radiation dose.

Simultaneous Thermal Analysis for characterization of fungal depolymerisation of Norway spruce

After fungal decay experiments chemical characterisation of the wood is often a routine and several methodological approaches are available. In this study, we tested if simultaneous thermal analysis (STA) is a valid alternative to traditional wet chemical methods since STA allows significantly smaller sample size and faster analysis. Three model fungi including the brown rot fungi Rhodonia placenta and Gloeophyllum trabeum and the white rot fungus Trametes versicolor were employed in the study using Norway spruce as substrate. The experiment was harvested after 10, 20 and 52 weeks. At each harvest interval, aliquots of the material were characterized by STA and wet chemical methods. The results validated that STA can be effectively used to estimate cell wall composition of brown rot depolymerised wood. However, STA slightly overestimated cellulose at brown rot decay above 50%. The method was not verified for simultaneous white rot because STA only estimated hemicellulose correctly compared to the wet chemical method. Hence, STA is considered suitable for brown rot fungi below 50% mass loss but not for simultaneous white rot because STA did not estimate cellulose and lignin correctly.

Harvest Time Residues of Imidacloprid and Thiamethoxam in Black Gram

Imidacloprid and thiamethoxam insecticides have been important tools for controlling pests in black gram. The use of these pesticides on various crops has increased rapidly resulting the produce containing toxic residues from the application of these insecticides and in some cases the concentrations are above maximum residue limit. The prudent usage of synthetic insecticides resulted in secondary pest-outbreaks, resistance development, food, and ecosystem adulteration and so on which pose serious threat to human beings. However, food safety issues related to pesticide residues are important to consider with a food crop such as black gram which causes no harm to consumers and are permissible in domestic and international trade. Therefore, the objective of this study was to analyse harvest time residues of imidacloprid and thiamethoxam in black gram. The study was conducted during the summer season 2021 at Research Farm, Tirhut College of Agriculture, Dholi (Muzaffarpur)–Bihar. The crop (cultivar SML 613) was sown on February, 27, 2021. Insecticides were applied at 30 days after sowing which was followed by two successive sprays at 15 days intervals following the recommended dose of 25 g a.i. ha-1 for both the insecticides. Sample aliquots were analysed using HPLC (High Pressure Liquid Chromatography) equipped with Photo Diode–Array Detector (PDA). The sample taken at harvest with a pre–harvest interval (PHI) of 28 days did not reveal the residues of imidacloprid and thiamethoxam in black gram seeds at Limit of Quantification (LOQ) of 0.05 mg kg-1.

Comparative Analysis of MEM, RPMI 1640 Media on Rabies Virus Propagation in Vero Cells and Virus Quantification by FAT

Rabies disease can be preventable through vaccination is the only way for effective control and the vaccine is administered as post exposure prophylaxis method (PEP) along with rabies immunoglobulin. For the preparation of the vaccine, the high titre rabies virus has to be propagated in suitable host system like Vero cells. In this study, the virus was propagated in tissue culture flask in two different tissue culture media namely MEM and RPMI-1640, keeping Vero cell line as the host system. This preliminary study is to find the media that yields a better viral titre as high, the influence of harvesting intervals on viral titre for the reason that the vaccine yield is directly proportional to the viral titre during the virus propagation stage and leads to cost effective vaccine. The Vero cell was revived from passage 154 and the part of cells were subjected for adaptation in RPMI-1640 media with gradual media replacement. The passaging of RPMI 1640 media cells were continued until it reaches the equal cell count of MEM (p-158). The confluent monolayer of Vero cells was maintained in the same passage level with appropriate media. The cell count of MEM media, RPMI-1640 were 10.28 x 106 and 10.35 x 106 respectively in 25cm2 tissue culture flasks. The Vero cells were sub-cultured in 175 cm2 tissue culture flasks infected with 0.2 MOI (Multiplicity of Infection) of virus and the viral titration was estimated through FAT test (Fluorescent Antibody Test). The highest viral titre obtained from RPMI-1640 media batch (10-6.125/ml) and MEM media batch (10-6.25 /ml). The two days interval viral harvests shows (Batch 1 &amp; 3) the viral titre log ranged between 10-4.375 to 10-5.875 and three days interval harvests (Batch 2 &amp; 4) the viral titre log ranged between 10-3.750 to 10-6.250 per mL.

The nutritive value of Panicum maximum and, Brachiaria brizantha grass species

ABSTRACT The objective of this study was to evaluate the nutritive value of Panicum maximum and Brachiaria brizantha cultivars in terms of nutrient composition, dry matter intake, and digestibility at different harvesting stages. The factors investigated were three cultivars; Mombaca, Gutton (Panicum maximum), and Marandu (Brachiaria brizantha), and three harvesting intervals (6, 10, and 14 weeks) after planting (WAP). Collected grass samples were subjected to nutrient and in-vitro dry matter digestibility analysis. The cultivars and harvesting stages influenced (P < 0.05) the nutrient composition, dry matter intake (DMI), invitro dryy matter digestibility (IVDMD), relative feed value (RFV), and total digestible nutrients (TDN) of grasses. There was an interaction between the cultivars and harvesting intervals on acid detergent lignin (ADL), calcium (Ca), magnesium (Mg), sodium (Na), potassium (K), K/Ca + Mg, copper (Cu), iron (Fe), zinc (Zn), and manganese (Mn). It can be concluded that Panicum maximum and Brachiaria brizantha cultivars can support optimum ruminant livestock production, and, the nutritive value of the Marandu cultivar supersedes minimum animal requirements.

Shortening harvest interval, reaping benefits? A study on harvest practices in oil palm smallholder farming systems in Indonesia

CONTEXTSmallholders are responsible for a large share of global palm oil production. Yet, in Indonesia, the main palm oil producing country, smallholders' yields remain low. Better management practices, including short harvest interval (HI, the number of days between two harvest rounds), could help to raise smallholder yields. However, at present, HI is long in smallholder fields and the drivers underlying this phenomenon are poorly understood. OBJECTIVEWe explored agronomic, socio-economic, and institutional factors that underlie harvesting practices in independent oil palm smallholder farming systems in Indonesia to assess scope for sustainable intensification through shorter HI and reduced harvest losses. METHODSCombining methods from agronomy and anthropology, we followed harvest interval of 950 farmers in six representative locations across Indonesia via farmer diaries over a period of two years to establish a correlation with yield. To quantify this relationship, we conducted post-harvest field measurements, and to explain which underlying factors impact HI we did qualitative interviews and surveys. RESULTS AND CONCLUSIONSThe HI of smallholders in our study ranged from 10 to 39 days (average: 17-d). Half of the farmers followed long HI (>16-d). Key factors impacting HI include annual fresh fruit bunch (FFB) yield, total palm area per farmer, trusted labor availability, plantation accessibility, and FFB price. Farmers responded to low yield by prolonging HI to increase labor productivity and optimize labor and transportation costs. SIGNIFICANCEThis study contributes to a better understanding of the relation between HI and yield in smallholder farming systems, by uncovering how socio-economic and institutional factors sometimes override agronomic considerations. Long HI can potentially lead to harvest loss from loose fruits and missed bunches, and reduce oil quality from overripe bunches. However, to obtain the benefits of shorter HI requires collective action and incentives along the supply chain to streamline the harvest and sale process.

Degradation of selected organophosphorus pesticide residues and their pre harvest interval determination in hyacinth bean grown commercially in Bangladesh

The consumers are very much concerned about food safety. To ensure safe food for the consumers, it is essential to follow the pre harvest interval (PHI) of pesticides. Therefore, in order to ascertain the pre-harvest interval of fenitrothion and diazinon in hyacinth bean in the environmental conditions of Bangladesh, this study was started. The chosen organophosphorus insecticides (fenitrothion and diazinon) were sprayed with the recommended dose (1.5 ml/L of water) in a field trial at the Entomology Division of BARI, Gazipur. At 0, 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, and 12 days after spray (DAS), samples were taken. The Gas chromatography (GC) with a Flame Thermionic Detector (FTD) was used to quantify the residues after the samples were prepared using a modified Quick, Easy, Cheap, Effective, Rugged and Safe (QuEChERS) extraction method. Fenitrothion residue was found up to 8 DAS, and at 7 DAS (0.018 mg/Kg), the level of residue was above the MRL. At 8 DAS, the fenitrothion residue was 0.007 mg/kg, which was below MRL. Pre-harvest interval (PHI) for fenitrothion was determined at 8 DAS, and no residue was found after 9 DAS. Diazinon residue was found up to 9 DAS, with the level of residue above the MRL at 8 DAS (0.016 mg/Kg). At 9 DAS, the diazinon residue was 0.007 mg/kg, which was below MRL. Pre-harvest interval (PHI) was determined for diazinon at 9 DAS, and as of 10 DAS, no residue was found. Asian Australas. J. Biosci. Biotechnol. 2023, 8 (2), 30-37

Effect of cutting management on the forage production and quality of tepary bean (Phaseolus acutifolius A. Gray)

Tepary bean (Phaseolus acutifolius A. Gray) is an underutilized drought tolerant annual legume, originating from the Sonoran Desert, that may be a beneficial forage/hay for beef cattle in the Southern Great Plains of the US (SGP). The SGP has erratic rainfall and periods of intermittent drought exacerbated by high summer temperatures. In 2020 and 2021, a split-plot design was used to evaluate 13 genotypes of tepary bean and a forage soybean (control) at El Reno, OK, USA to compare production of plant biomass and forage nutritive value parameters under seven harvest regimes. Genotypes were used as the main plot and cutting management as the sub-plot. Biomass production of all tepary bean genotypes equaled that of soybean (p > 0.05), while several genotypes had superior forage nutritive value traits (p ≤ 0.05). Overall, a 15-cm cutting height and 30-day harvest interval produced the best overall product (average dry biomass of 5.8 Mg ha−1 with average relative feed values (RFV) of 165). Although all harvest regimes reduced total seasonal biomass, forage nutritive value increased. However, the tradeoff between forage production and nutritive value may be unacceptable to most producers. Further agronomic and breeding research is needed to encourage producers to grow tepary bean as a forage/hay in the SGP.

Performance of the Napier Hybrid Cultivars CO-5 (Pennisetum glaucum × P. Purpureum schumach) and Sampoorna (Pennisetum pedicillatum × P. americanum) Harvested at Five Intervals

Low pasture biomass production and fodder scarcity are among the major challenges affecting productivity of dairy cattle farms in Sri Lanka. As a potential solution to this, two Napier hybrid cultivars, CO-5 and Sampoorna, were recently introduced, and a field experiment was conducted to evaluate their growth, dry matter production, and nutritional composition from May to September 2020 to identify the optimum stage of harvest during the Yala season of the year. Plant measurements and samples were collected at five harvest intervals (4, 6, 8, 10, and 12 weeks after planting, respectively), with the plant samples subjected to biomass and nutritional assessments. The number of tillers and leaf length significantly differed (p = 0.01) between the two cultivars at 4 weeks harvesting interval (HI), whilst the number of leaves differed at 12-week HI, respectively. Dry matter yield increased (p = 0.16) almost linearly, whilst crude protein declined exponentially with CO-5 greater than Sampoorna (p = 0.057; 9.3% vs. 8.7%), with increasing harvesting intervals, respectively. In vitro organic matter digestibility and in vitro metabolizable energy contents were similar across weeks 4, 6, and 8 but then decreased. This study demonstrates that higher dry matter yields (12.54 t/ha) can be obtained through harvesting both cultivars at 12 week HIs, but from a nutritional perspective, harvesting at 6 week HIs during Yala season of the year would be optimum for farmers.