Horticultural Crop Production Research Articles

Mpact of mission for integrated development of horticulture (MIDH) in Haryana

During the twelfth five-year plan govt of India has launched mission for integrated development of horticulture with effect from 2014-15 for holistic development of horticulture sector. Horticulture sector has emerged as an important source of farmer’s income in Haryana and Kinnow is one of the most important and focused fruit crops under this scheme in Haryana. So, the study was carried out to analyse the trends in area, production and productivity of horticultural crops, to calculate the economics of kinnow and to identify the constraints faced by kinnow growers based on both primary and secondary data. Sirsa district of Haryana was selected as study area as it has highest area under cultivation of kinnow in the state. From the results a positive growth trend in horticulture sector was found. The CGR in area, production and productivity under total horticultural crops in Haryana from 2005-06 to 2017-18 was found to be of 5.08 per cent, 7.55 per cent and 2.34 per cent, respectively. The average total establishment cost, operational cost, NPV, IRR, B: C ratio and payback period for kinnow were found of Rs.122460, Rs. 56662, Rs.747703.64, 26.24 per cent and 7 years, respectively. Major constraints faced by fruits growers were as lack of infrastructure for processing and storage, inadequate infrastructure for post-harvest management, poor marketing facility, lack of good quality planting materials etc.

Influence of farmers' knowledge of climate change on production of citrus and tomato in Nigeria

ABSTRACT Production is the basis of value-chain which is a key factor in Agricultural Transformation Agenda (ATA) in Nigeria. Thus, for successful production of horticultural crops the importance of climate cannot be overemphasized. Therefore, in this era of climate change there is the need to study farmers' knowledge of climate change and their production level. The study was carried out in Nigeria. Multistage sampling technique was used to arrive at a study population of 441 tomato and citrus farmers. Data were collected using Focus Group Discussions (FGDs), structured interview schedule and secondary data (FAOSTAT). It was analyzed using descriptive statistics (frequencies, percentage and pie charts) and inferential statistics (Pearson Product Moment Correlation). There existed no significant relationship between knowledge level of respondents and change in production of both crops. The reason for this could be that no matter what the level of knowledge one may have on the subject of climate change it does not have anything to do with production, adaptation strategies is the key. Citrus and tomato farmers' adaptation strategies to climate change includes among others crop management, use of varieties resistant to pests and diseases, altering the timing or location of cropping activities, different planting dates and shortened length of growing period. In conclusion climate change has affected the production of horticultural crops therefore for ATA to have a good footing there is the need to focus on the adaptation strategies that can combat the effect of climatic changes. Key words: Horticultural crops, Horticultural farmers, Climate, Production, Knowledge,

ЧИННИКИ ЗАЛУЧЕННЯ ЗАОЩАДЖЕНЬ ДОМОГОСПОДАРСТВ НА РИНОК БАНКІВСЬКИХ ДЕПОЗИТІВ УКРАЇНИ: РЕГІОНАЛЬНИЙ ВИМІР

The article provides economic indicators of the EU and Ukraine, in particular the share of agriculture and indicators of food exports and imports. The changes that took place have been analyzed in the land market and in general in the market of agricultural products of Ukraine, and it was found that during 2015-2019 there was a negative trend of decreasing economic efficiency of agricultural production. It is concluded that the level of profitability of production of horticultural, grain and legume crops tends to decrease. It was found that the structure of exports of Ukrainian products is dominated by crop products, and the share of livestock products is insignificant. Noted that the increase in the value of exports of agricultural goods over the past three years is positive and the most profitable now will be the export of truffles from Ukraine to EU countries. According to FAOSTAT (Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations), namely the indicators of profitability and production of truffles, a conclusion was made on the competitiveness of Ukrainian truffles in the EU market. It has been determined that the agricultural sector activity has positive and negative moments in the territories of Ukraine. It has been concluded that the Ukrainian government has to focus on a policy aimed at balancing the tax burden, introducing certification for the European market.

Vermicompost Nutrient Composition and Itꞌs Influence on Productivity and Quality of Cabbage (Brassica Oleracea Var. Capitata ) and Tomato ( Solanum lycopersicum ): A Review

To feed ever increasing population enhancing productivity by sing integrated agricultural practices are paramount important. Among agricultural practice production of horticultural crops vegetables crops are the major one. To obtain significant yield, quality of agricultural products having suitable and fertile soil is paramount important. To increase production and productivity using technology that increase production and productivity of crops with affordable cost for the growers, sustainable production and sound for the environment. According to researchers finding, vermicompost can prepared from organic materials by decomposing organic inputs decomposer, worms. As several research finding indicates that proportion of nutrient available in vermicompost are higher than other organic materials. Furthermore application of vermicompost increased productivity of cabbage and tomato as well. As different Authors finding showed that the vermicompost with recommended doses of chemical fertilizers was suitable for the improved growth and yield of cabbage and tomato. The highest yield were obtained from the crop which was planted in treatment three. Vermicompost in addition to fertilizers ensured favorable condition for the yield of cabbage and tomato crops. Keywords: Vermicompost. Cabbage, Tomato, nutrient composition, Growth, Yield DOI : 10.7176/JNSR/10-1-03 Publication date: January 31 st 2020

Učinci razine zaslanjenosti vode za navodnjavanje na produktivnost boba (Vicia faba L.)

In Mediterranean region where seawater intrudes porous karst matrix and salinizes soil and water resources, water used for the irrigation of crops is frequently of inadequate quality. Measuring the productivity of horticultural crops under saline conditions helps to determine whether and when to irrigate crops if water is saline, thus balance between crop water and salt stress. A greenhouse pot experiment was set to study the effects of saline irrigation water on faba bean (Vicia faba L.) biomass and yield parameters. NaCl salinity was applied in a nutrient solution as follows: NaCl0 as control (nutrient solution without added NaCl), NaCl50 (control + 50 mM NaCl), and NaCl100 (control + 100 mM NaCl). Five weeks after salinity treatment started, plant height (cm), number of lateral branches per plant, number of pods and seeds per plant, shoot weight (g), pod weight (g) and seed weight (g) were determined. Compared to control, increased irrigation water salinity statistically significantly decreased measured parameters (P<0.01), except for number of branches and pods. Faba bean productivity decreased proportionally to the irrigation water salinity level, suggesting that optimal saline agriculture management strategy can be to allow for the acceptable yield loss in order to avoid plant water stress.

Review: partial root zone drying an approach to increase water use efficiency of horticultural crops and chlorophyll fluorescence

Nowadays, lack of irrigation water is critical factor that reduce horticultural crop production and productivity. This serious shortage of irrigation water requires improvement of our irrigation me...

Horticultural Crops Production Potentials and Challenges Assessment in Arsi Zone, Oromia-Ethiopia

Horticultural Crops Production Potentials and Challenges Assessment in Arsi Zone, Oromia-Ethiopia

Biofertilizers in horticultural crops

Bovine manure biofertilizers can exert physical, chemical, and biological effects on the soil and the phytoprotective, physiological, and productive actions in horticultural crops. The literature review was performed to compile information on the production, uses, and effects of bovine manure biofertilizers on soil properties and plants. Biofertilizers are produced by organic components, minerals, and inoculants. Among the organic sources, the bovine manure is the most used. The fermentation of the bovine manure in water constitutes the Vairo biofertilizer, the most employed in Brazilian horticulture. With the chemical enrichment of this preparation came the Supermagro, Agrobio, and Agrobom biofertilizers. In the soil, it can act in the improvement of soil fertility, physical properties, and in the diversity and abundance of the biota. Also, it can act in control of pests and diseases, leaf composition concerning macro and micronutrients, and in the production and post-harvest quality of horticultural crops. Therefore, this review describes the preparation, chemical composition, and utilization of bovine manure biofertilizers in both soil and plants, offering perspectives of research on the formulations, application, and effects of these inputs on horticultural species.

Development of Improved Fruit, Vegetable, and Ornamental Crops Using the CRISPR/Cas9 Genome Editing Technique.

Horticultural crops, including fruit, vegetable, and ornamental plants are an important component of the agriculture production systems and play an important role in sustaining human life. With a steady growth in the world’s population and the consequent need for more food, sustainable and increased fruit and vegetable crop production is a major challenge to guarantee future food security. Although conventional breeding techniques have significantly contributed to the development of important varieties, new approaches are required to further improve horticultural crop production. Clustered regularly interspaced short palindromic repeats (CRISPR)/CRISPR-associated protein 9 (Cas9) has emerged as a valuable genome-editing tool able to change DNA sequences at precisely chosen loci. The CRISPR/Cas9 system was developed based on the bacterial adaptive immune system and comprises of an endonuclease guided by one or more single-guide RNAs to generate double-strand breaks. These breaks can then be repaired by the natural cellular repair mechanisms, during which genetic mutations are introduced. In a short time, the CRISPR/Cas9 system has become a popular genome-editing technique, with numerous examples of gene mutation and transcriptional regulation control in both model and crop plants. In this review, various aspects of the CRISPR/Cas9 system are explored, including a general presentation of the function of the CRISPR/Cas9 system in bacteria and its practical application as a biotechnological tool for editing plant genomes, particularly in horticultural crops.

The Marketing System of Agricultural Products in Bangladesh: A Case Study from Sylhet District

The monotonous demand for rice in Bangladesh is shifting rapidly. Positive economic growth andurbanization are the key factors behind this change. The agricultural marketing system is traditional andnot properly functional. A group of intermediaries controls the market and supply chain of agriculturalproducts. A proper functional market is vital for food producers, processors, traders, and consumers.Bangladesh has become self-sufficient in cereal crop production, but the production of horticulturalcrops is not sufficient yet. This situation has led to severe bottlenecks in the processes of marketing. Thestudy aimed at assessing the present marketing system of agricultural products in Sylhet and atdetermining the marketing constraints and potentialities of farm products in this area. It was found thatthe net marketing margin was the highest in the case of the retailer and the lowest in case of Aratdar. ButReturn on operating capital was the highest for the Aratdar because they did not need to purchase theproduct they handle. The farmers identified the high price of seed as the topmost constraint in productionand marketing systems. Re-structuring of Market Management System and updating regulatory andinstitutional set up are highly essential for the proper functioning of the market system.

Impacts of post-Brexit agricultural policy on fruit and vegetable intake and cardiovascular disease

Abstract Background The post-Brexit agricultural regime represents an opportunity to positively influence food systems and improve public health. Health-improving measures could include expanding the UK production of fruits and vegetables (F&amp;V), thus increasing F&amp;V availability. Currently, only 1.4% of total agricultural land in England is allocated to F&amp;V. This study aims to estimate the potential impacts of allocating additional land to F&amp;V production on cardiovascular disease (CVD) and inequalities in England between 2021 and 2030. Methods We used the previously validated IMPACT Food Policy model to translate changes in land allocated to F&amp;V into changes in F&amp;V intake and associated CVD mortality, expressed in number of deaths prevented or postponed (DPPs) by age, sex, and Index of Multiple Deprivation (IMD) quintile. We modelled two scenarios that assumed a linear increase in agricultural land allocated to F&amp;V until it covers a) 10% and b) 20% of all land suitable for production of horticultural crops in England. We assumed that F&amp;V prices would drop to a new equilibrium. We used Monte Carlo simulations to produce uncertainty intervals. Results Our model suggested that by 2030, F&amp;V intake might increase by approximately 4% (95% Uncertainty Interval: 2%-7%) and 8% (4%-13%) respectively, under the first scenario. Under the second scenario, F&amp;V intake could increase by approximately 17% (10%-29%) and 37% (26%-51%) respectively. These increases in F&amp;V intake were associated with 3360 (1760-5920) CVD DPPs under the first scenario and 15700 (9000-24310) under the second scenario in 2021-2030. Our modelled scenarios could also reduce inequalities, with some 16% of DPPs occurring in the least deprived group compared with 22% in the most deprived. Conclusions Policymakers should consider the public health impacts of the post-Brexit agricultural regime in England. Increasing the land allocated to F&amp;V production could substantially reduce the burden of CVD and associated inequalities. Key messages The post-Brexit agricultural policy can be an opportunity to improve diet and public health in the UK. Increasing the agricultural land allocated to fruit and vegetable production in England could reduce the burden of cardiovascular disease and associated inequalities.

LED applications in greenhouse and indoor production of horticultural crops

LED applications in greenhouse and indoor production of horticultural crops

ANIMAL MANURE AS FERTILIZER: CHANGES IN SOIL ATTRIBUTES, PRODUCTIVITY AND FOOD COMPOSITION

Animal manure (AM), such as swine, cattle, sheep, horse, as well as other organic waste materials from recycling agri-food or other processes may be used as nutrient source for horticultural annual and perennial crops, increasing nutrient cycling and reducing costs related to acquisition of industrial fertilizers. Additionally, over the years it is expected to modify chemical, physical, and biological soil attributes such as increasing the nutrient content in the soil, which can affect crop productivity, change the food composition, fruit and vegetable storage aptitudes, and impact on the environment. The present review addresses the effect of AM applications on the soil-plant interface, emphasizing the following aspects: (a) changes in chemical, physical and biological attributes in soils with a history of AM applications, (b) effect of application of AM on annual plant productivity and (c) AM as fertilizer: productivity and food composition of horticultural crops. Successive applications of AM in soils tend to increase the chemical and physical attributes, and, increased production of grain crops. Effect of AM fertilizations on quality and nutritional value of fruits is still uncertain; it depends on several factors, including: 1) characteristics of organic matter, 2) pedoclimatic conditions, 3) time of application and 4) plant species.

Cotton and cardoon byproducts as potential growing media components for Cichorium spinosum L. commercial cultivation

The intensification of horticultural crops cultivation makes urgent the seeking for alternative growth substrates that could substitute non-renewable and/or synthetic growing media, such as peat and rock wool. The aim of the present study was to evaluate the potential use of byproducts from two industrial crops commonly cultivated in the Mediterranean basin, namely cardoon and cotton, as growth substrates for Cichorium spinosum, while zeolite addition was also tested as a soil amendment. A pot experiment was carried for two consecutive growing periods and plant growth was evaluated for six growing media compositions, while plant extracts were also evaluated in terms of their phenolic compounds profile, antioxidant and antimicrobial activities. The results of this study showed that cotton byproducts and zeolite may partially substitute peat in growth substrate of C. spinosum and high yields comparable to peat may be achieved. Phenolic compounds content and antioxidant activity of leaves' extracts was higher for plants grown in soil which showed severe stress symptoms comparing to the other tested substrate blends. Antimicrobial activity was also affected by growth substrate composition, only in the case of antibacterial properties of leaves' extracts, whereas none of the extracts presented significant antifungal activities. In conclusion, the use of cotton ginning byproducts and zeolite in growth substrate blends may partially substitute conventional substrates as peat in horticultural crops production, resulting in reduction of production cost and lessening of bulky byproducts’ management and related environmental burden without compromising yield.

Orientation of Small Hobby High Tunnels and Potential Effects on Cut Sunflowers and Fresh Herbs

High tunnels are gaining popularity for their use in horticultural crop production. However, little is known about the effect of high tunnel orientation on plant growth and development. In this set of studies, we show tunnel orientation does not necessarily affect the production of cut sunflower (Helianthus annuus) and culinary herbs oregano (Origanum vulgare), marjoram (Origanum majorana), and garlic chive (Allium tuberosum). Two high tunnels, one with the long axis oriented north-south (NS) and the other east-west (EW), were used to test the effects of high tunnel orientation on several crops over a 5-year period: cut sunflower (2012 and 2016); marjoram, oregano, and garlic chive (2013 and 2014); and garlic chive (2015). The tunnels are 12 × 16 ft, smaller than those used in commercial production. The size would be appropriate for hobby and seasonal production of horticultural crops for local markets. Cut sunflower stems were similar lengths both years in both high tunnels. Sunflower times to harvest were different between cultivars but not between high tunnels. Oregano fresh weight yields were highest in the NS tunnel in 2013 but similar between tunnels in 2014. Marjoram fresh weights were highest in 2013 in the EW tunnel but highest in 2014 in the NS tunnel. Garlic chive fresh weights were similar between tunnels all 3 years. We show that differences are more a function of innate cultivar characteristics than which way small high tunnels are oriented.

Characteristics of Farmer Adopters of High Value Horticultural Crops in Indonesia

Improving the participation of smallholder farmers in horticultural value chains to benefit from the rapidly growing demand for high value agricultural products is one strategy for raising farm income. However, smallholder farmer adoption of high value horticultural crops in Indonesian is under-researched. To address this knowledge gap, this study aims to examines the characteristics of farmers who adopted and those who did not adopt a new horticultural crop with respect to the household (farmer), farm and institutional characteristics. The unique data from a 2013 survey of 960 Indonesian farmers on Java Island that produce a variety of agricultural products was analysed using independent-sample t-tests. Basic statistical analysis showed relatively low adoption rates (10%) of new horticultural crops amongst 960 selected Indonesian farmers with different characteristics. The result showed that current low rates of horticultural crop adoption are associated with a variety of factors, such as lower levels of education among farmers, resource constraints, lack of information on horticultural crop production and low participation in farmer groups.Keywords: horticultural crops, smallholder farmer adoption, household

Horticultural Crops Research and Development in Ethiopia: Review on Current Status

Ethiopia is a country with great variety of climate and soil types that can grow diverse horticultural crops for home consumption and foreign markets. Currently, the majority of the horticultural crops product comes from the smallholder farms. However, their areas of production and their contribution to the country's total agricultural output were not well known. The development and expansion of horticulture sector is constrained with various production and research related problems and does not support efforts to transform the smallholder subsistence irrigated horticultural sector to a more market-oriented to contribute to the new Growth and transformation plan set by the country. The crops are very diverse and it has different constraints in every step along the value chain. Among several constraints, lack of high yielding and high quality cultivars for local market and export, appropriate management techniques, appropriate disease and insect pest control measures, quality seed supply, availability of inputs, lack of proper post-harvest technology, trained manpower and research facilities, lack of marketing and production infrastructure; and lack of seed production and distribution scheme are the major once. Despite the existing potentials the sector did not contribute as it supposed to be. This is mainly because of the limited resource allocation to research and development including the extension services. Therefore, diagnosis of problems and opportunities of the horticultural crops production in Ethiopia necessitates identifying, prioritizing and well document them at national level for possible recommendations, action research and intervention works. In addition, the existence of many actors and stakeholders in the horticulture value chain desires strong and dedicated institutional set up for successful development of horticulture in the country. Moreover, little or no actions are implemented in creating and strengthening linkages with local and international actors along the value chain of horticultural research and development. This paper summarizes the current horticultural crops research and development status; its achievements and challenges and suggests possible future actions that sustain the development of the sector in the country with special emphasis on fruit, vegetable and root and tuber crops. Keywords: Horticulture, Root and Tuber, Vegetables, Fruits DOI : 10.7176/JBAH/9-13-01 Publication date :July 31 st 2019

System Dynamic Simulation of Salacca-Pondoh’s Business as Usual Condition in Sleman District, Yogyakarta Province, Indonesia

Production of horticultural crops in Sleman District is dominated by salacca-pondoh with total production in 2016 reaching 73 kton, cover up to 98% of total salacca-pondoh’s production in Yogyakarta Province. But salacca-pondoh’s farmers actually got very low-price during harvest season and they only act as a price taker that had low bargaining position, so that their welfare. This research formulated salacca-pondoh’s business as usual condition in Sleman District in form of system dynamic simulation. The factors influenced the low income of farmers during harvest season were identified. Result showed there are several seasonal “pitfalls” points in the farmer’s income which made it dropped far below the average value. It has potential to make the farmers not to replant salacca-pondoh then switch to other fruits that are more profitable. Product diversification either vertically or horizontally by allocating some of the fruit and waste to be convert into derivative products can be a step to increase the income of salacca-pondoh’s farmers and intensify the economic activity in Sleman District.

Value added products from certain fruit species of annona fruit

Nutritional security for the burgeoning Indian population cannot be met by focusing on the staple and major horticultural crops alone. Food security can be achieved locally not globally, considering that though there is enough food produced to supply the calorie needs of a growing global population there are 830 million people worldwide who are undernourished. There is a vast production of underutilized and underexploited minor horticultural crops which could be used as the “future crops” to supplement our nutritional needs. There is a scattered but significant production of these minor fruits which are rich in nutrient and medicinal value. But a major percent of the production is lost due to poor harvesting and postharvest handling, lack of storage and processing facilities. Hence, there is an urgent need to explore the potential for postharvest management and processing of these fruits. This piece of work delivers health obvious benefits to the society, economic potential for farmers, entrepreneurs and consumers to meet the growing global demand, retain market share and stay ahead of the rapidly emerging competition in the world market. It is quite unfortunate that the country is wasting such excellent fruits, causing economic loss to the farmers and the country. Hence a package of practices should have been started off to curtail these postharvest losses through value addition. Hence an attempt was made to produce certain value enhanced products from bullock's heart, dragon fruit and Singapore cherry employing certain processing technologies paving way for the availability of the product round the year, reducing postharvest loss and better remunerative returns to the farmers.

Disassembly of the fruit cell wall by the ripening-associated polygalacturonase and expansin influences tomato cracking

Fruit cracking is an important problem in horticultural crop production. Polygalacturonase (SlPG) and expansin (SlEXP1) proteins cooperatively disassemble the polysaccharide network of tomato fruit cell walls during ripening and thereby, enable softening. A Golden 2-like (GLK2) transcription factor, SlGLK2 regulates unripe fruit chloroplast development and results in elevated soluble solids and carotenoids in ripe fruit. To determine whether SlPG, SlEXP1, or SlGLK2 influence the rate of tomato fruit cracking, the incidence of fruit epidermal cracking was compared between wild-type, Ailsa Craig (WT) and fruit with suppressed SlPG and SlEXP1 expression (pg/exp) or expressing a truncated nonfunctional Slglk2 (glk2). Treating plants with exogenous ABA increases xylemic flow into fruit. Our results showed that ABA treatment of tomato plants greatly increased cracking of fruit from WT and glk2 mutant, but not from pg/exp genotypes. The pg/exp fruit were firmer, had higher total soluble solids, denser cell walls and thicker cuticles than fruit of the other genotypes. Fruit from the ABA treated pg/exp fruit had cell walls with less water-soluble and more ionically and covalently-bound pectins than fruit from the other lines, demonstrating that ripening-related disassembly of the fruit cell wall, but not elimination of SlGLK2, influences cracking. Cracking incidence was significantly correlated with cell wall and wax thickness, and the content of cell wall protopectin and cellulose, but not with Ca2+ content.