Low Fruit Research Articles

Seasonal coordination of aboveground vegetative and reproductive growth and storage in apple trees subjected to defoliation, flower and fruit thinning

Key messageThe growth rates of current-year shoots, fruits and trunks in apple trees peak sequentially during the growing season. The period of most intense growth coincided with the lowest NSC reserves.Vegetative and reproductive growth and storage are major carbon sinks in fruit trees; however, little is known about their mutual seasonal coordination. In this study, we monitored growth dynamics of trunks, fruits and current-year shoots together with the concentration of non-structural carbohydrates (NSC) in trees subjected to defoliation, early season flower thinning, mid-season fruit thinning and their respective combinations across the season. We found that defoliation had a negative effect on both trunk radial growth and annual fruit yield. Flower and fruit thinning caused lower fruit number per tree, but the individual fruits were larger resulting in a similar annual fruit yield among the treatments. Shoot extension growth was not significantly affected by the defoliation and flower and fruit thinning treatments. The concentration of non-structural carbohydrates was also similar across treatments. Modelled daily growth rates of shoots, fruits and trunks peaked sequentially one after another throughout the growing season with a delay of 15 and 18 days, respectively. The period of most intense growth of tree’s organs corresponded well with the lowest NSC reserves and a temporary depletion of starch in 1-year-old branches. Taken together, our study illustrates a tight temporal coordination of major carbon sinks and improves our understanding of sink/source relations of commercially important apple trees.

Impact of recurrent intermittent flooding on the yield and growth of Elaeis guineensis

AbstractIncreased frequency and severity of flooding are linked to global warming. Flooding stress can severely affect crop yields and plant survival, and therefore the livelihoods of farmers. An oil palm breeding trial plot consisting of six progenies in Terengganu, Malaysia, happened to be inundated with flooding within a year after planting and annually for 2 years thereafter. Flooding recurred at the 8th year of planting and several times after that within the 14‐year period of monitoring. Due to the uneven terrain in this trial, palms were exposed to various flood levels and were categorized into two flooding groups. Yields and survivability of the palms were not affected by low‐flood levels, in contrast to the palms in lower areas that experienced higher flood levels. Compared to neighbouring non‐flooded trials, palms exposed to high floodwaters generally experienced lower fruit yields, and reduced vertical growth with poorer canopy cover. However, one of the progenies that exhibited a moderate survival rate in high‐flooded areas outperformed the other progenies in terms of yield in these areas. Generally, young oil palms exposed to low floods were able to survive and produce yields that were comparable to palms in non‐flooded areas, though 10%–20% of the low‐flooded palms produced poor yields in the first 3–5 years. In high‐flooded areas however, oil palm survivability ranged from 45% to 73% during the early 3 years and 46%–89% thereafter. Hence, young palms exposed to recurrent flooding of approximately more than 1 m during their early years are likely to become poor yielders with poor survival rates. Observations from this study may assist oil palm farmers in the management of this crop in the event of unexpected flooding.

Impact of biodynamic and organic vineyard management on the microorganism community and aroma characteristics of cabernet sauvignon wine

Researchers and winemakers have recently paid more attention to biodynamic (BDN) and organic (ORG) vineyard management to produce more healthy and regional wines. However, little attention has been paid to the correlation between agricultural systems, microbiota, and wine quality in biodynamic and organic wines in Ningxia, China. In this study, volatiles of wine and microorganism diversities during the wine fermentation using Cabernet Sauvignon grapes from vineyards of biodynamic, non-dynamics (BNDc, i.e., conventional one which was close to BND, considered to be a control of BND), organic, and non-organic (ORGc, i.e., conventional one which was close to BND, considered to be a control of ORG) in Ningxia, China were investigated. Hanseniaspora uvarum, Cladosporium sp., and Alternaria alternata were the main three fungal species, and Lactobacillus kunkeei, Citrus maxima, and Tatumella ptyseos were the main three bacterial species. Surprisingly, BDNc and ORG showed a significantly higher diversity of fungal communities than BDN and ORGc. The network in BDNc was the most complex, with the highest average degree and density and a higher clustering coefficient. Managing biodynamic and organic vineyards could result in floral, herb, spice, and medium floral aromas with low temperate fruit, tropical fruit, and berry flavors to wines. The correlation between agricultural systems, microbiota, and wine sensory systems showed that lactic acid bacteria (Lactobacillus) played critical roles in ORG and BDN by offering pleasant sensory and nutritional benefits. Moreover, Nowamyces globulus, Hanseniaspora uvarum, Lactobacillus johnsonii, Fusarium sp., Microterricola viridarii, Citrus maxima, Sphingomonas faeni, Cladosporium sp., Cladosporium ramotenellum, Cladosporium cladosporioides, Kodamaea ohmeri and Lactobacillus plantarum were positively correlated with aroma compounds. This study improves our understanding of the influence of vineyard management on microorganism succession and wine characteristics, providing a reference and scientific basis for the development of BDN and ORG wines.

Preserving functional properties and inhibiting postharvest peel browning in guava during cold storage via 24-epibrassinolide application

Postharvest peel browning is one of the primary issues accountable for the subdued consumer acceptability and market value of guava fruit. However, postharvest treatment with brassinosteroid can reduce the peel browning to some extent through various modes of action. In current study, the influence of exogenous 24-epibrassinolide (EBL) application on antioxidant system and chilling injury (CI) characteristics of guavas during cold storage at 10 ± 1 ℃ were assessed. The mature green fruit exposed to various concentrations (15, 30, 45, 60 and 75 µg kg−1) of EBL displayed a notably lower fruit weight loss, respiration rate, electrolyte leakage and CI index, while higher consumer acceptability. Further, treatment with EBL has recorded lower amassing of hydrogen peroxide and malondialdehyde by suppressing lipoxygenase activity. Postharvest EBL application also heightened the content of total phenolics, ascorbic acid, total flavonoids and total antioxidant capacity. The enhanced activities of ascorbate peroxidase, catalase, superoxide dismutase and peroxidase due to EBL application impede the burst of reactive oxygen species. Moreover, correlation and regression analysis of tested biochemical parameters including enzymatic and non-enzymatic antioxidants exhibited a strong association and contributed 98.24–99.88 % variability in fruit weight loss, respiration rate, electrolyte leakage, CI index and consumer acceptability. Among different concentrations tested, 60 µg kg−1 EBL-treated guavas exhibited the desirable qualities and least CI index. From the study, it is concluded that the novelty of EBL can be gainfully harnessed in a postharvest handling system to induce cold tolerance and widen the storage life of cold-stored guava fruit.

The epidemiology of behavioral risk factors for noncommunicable disease and hypertension: A cross-sectional study from Eastern Uganda.

In light of the suboptimal noncommunicable disease (NCD) risk factor surveillance efforts, the study's main objectives were to: (i) characterize the epidemiological profile of NCD risk factors; (ii) estimate the prevalence of hypertension; and (iii) identify factors associated with hypertension in a peri-urban and rural Ugandan population. A population-based cross-sectional survey of adults was conducted at the Iganga-Mayuge Health and Demographic Surveillance System site in eastern Uganda. After describing sociodemographic characteristics, the prevalence of NCD risk factors and hypertension was reported. Prevalence ratios for NCD risk factors were calculated using weighted Poisson regression to identify factors associated with hypertension. Among 3220 surveyed respondents (mean age: 35.3 years (standard error: 0.1), 49.4% males), 4.4% were current tobacco users, 7.7% were current drinkers, 98.5% had low fruit and vegetable consumption, 26.9% were overweight, and 9.3% were obese. There was a high prevalence of hypertension and prehypertension, at 17.1% and 48.8%, respectively. Among hypertensive people, most had uncontrolled hypertension, at 97.4%. When we examined associated factors, older age (adjusted prevalence ratio (APR): 3.1, 95% CI: 2.2-4.4, APR: 5.2, 95% CI: 3.7-7.3, APR: 8.9, 95% CI: 6.4-12.5 among 30-44, 45-59, and 60+-year-old people than 18-29-year-olds), alcohol drinking (APR: 1.6, 95% CI: 1.3-2.0, ref: no), always adding salt during eating (APR: 1.6, 95% CI: 1.1-2.2, ref: no), poor physical activity (APR: 1.3, 95% CI: 1.1-1.6, ref: no), overweight (APR: 1.3, 95% CI: 1.1-1.5, ref: normal weight), and obesity (APR: 2.0, 95% CI: 1.6-2.4, ref: normal weight) had higher prevalence of hypertension than their counterparts. The high prevalence of NCD risk factors highlights the immediate need to implement and scale-up population-level strategies to increase awareness about leading NCD risk factors in Uganda. These strategies should be accompanied by concomitant investment in building health systems capacity to manage and control NCDs.

Environmental determinants of the diets in François’ langurs (Trachypithecus francoisi)

Exploring environmental determinants of the diet provides effective information to develop conservation for endangered species. Here, we collected dietary data of François’ langurs (Trachypithecus francoisi) to identify the environmental determinants of these langurs’ diets. Our results showed that the diets of François’ langurs were mainly dominated by leaves (69.9% ± 12.9%), followed by fruits (15.3% ± 6.6%), seeds (5.6% ± 4.7%), flowers (4.1% ± 2.8%), stems (1.2% ± 1.3%) and others (3.4% ± 3.2%). The model averaging results suggested that human interference and habitat fragmentation do not significantly affect the langurs’ dietary composition across geographical populations, which could be associated with the extreme habitat fragmentation and the intense anthropogenic disturbance within habitats. In addition, the results showed a significant negative effect of rainfall on the fruit consumption by langurs (β = - 0.45, Wip = 0.48), which may be related to the low fruit production in fragmented limestone forests. In addition, there was no significant geographical difference in the dietary composition of the langurs. Our results reveal the significant effects of habitat fragmentation on the diets of langurs and, as a response, the high flexibility in dietary composition in these langurs, providing insights into their adaptation to the fragmented limestone forest.

Nutritional and bioactive compound analysis of mangosteen fruit in hill and flat land plantations, during both the season and off-season, in provinces along the Gulf of Thailand and the Andaman Sea

This study examined the nutritional, physicochemical, and bioactive compounds in mangosteen grown in southern Thailand from 2022 to 2024, encompassing hilly areas (Nakhon Si Thammarat range, Tenasserim range) and flat lands during both the fruit season and off-season. The influence of coastal regions (Gulf of Thailand and Andaman coast) on mangosteen nutrition was explored. The impact of high-level plantation and harvesting (during the fruit season) on mangosteen size and levels of bioactive compounds with high antioxidant capacity in mangosteen flesh was found to be greater than that of flat plantations (during the off-season). Mangosteens grown in flatlands during the fruit season exhibited brighter flesh color and faster ripening compared to those grown in hilly areas. Mangosteens from these results contained carbohydrates ranging from 10.3% to 16.9%. Mangosteens cultivated along the Andaman coast exhibited elevated levels of minerals (K 349 mg/100 g, Na 7.76 mg/100 g, and Mn 1.63 mg/100 g) and vitamins, especially B2 (0.10 mg/kg), B6 (0.20 mg/kg), B12 (0.03 mg/kg), and vitamin C (9.25 mg/kg). Conversely, the highest total phenolic content, flavonoids, and antioxidant activity were observed in hilly areas during the fruit season along the Gulf of Thailand (55 mg GAE/100 g, 32 mg QE/100 g, and ABTS values of 88%, respectively). However, mangosteens from hilly areas ripened faster than those from flatlands due to higher total soluble solids and lower fruit firmness. These findings provide valuable insights into the effects of the environment and location, enhancing understanding for year-round mangosteen plantation preparation.

High ratio of blue:red light reduces fruit set in sweet pepper, which is associated with low starch content and hormonal changes

In sweet pepper (Capsicum annuum L.), the fruit yield is often negatively affected by fruit abortion. Here we investigated whether fruit abortion is affected by the blue:red light ratio (B:R) and the possible underlying physiological mechanisms related to carbohydrates and hormones. Sweet pepper plants were grown at B:R of 1:10, 1:3, 1:1 or 9:1 with a total photosynthetic photon flux density of 200 µmol m−2 s−1, resulting in a phytochrome photostationary state (PSS) of 0.88, 0.88, 0.86 and 0.72, respectively. For fruit set observations, each plant was allowed to retain 12 flowers on 4 main stems. Sweet pepper plants grown at the highest B:R (9:1) showed a low fruit set (around 3 fruits per plant), whereas the other three treatments resulted in higher fruit set (6–7 fruits per plant). This response matched with the changes in PSS, suggesting the B:R effect on fruit set might be controlled by phytochrome signaling, which requires further investigation. Plant shoot biomass and leaf area were reduced at B:R of 1:1 and 9:1. The reduced fruit set was associated with a drop in starch content and sucrose synthases activity; and a low auxin, high salicylic acid and high cis-Zeatin type levels in flowers. Flowers in the low fruit set treatment also failed to reduce the abscisic acid and ethylene levels after anthesis. We concluded that both the reduced starch content and the hormonal changes in flowers play a role in triggering fruit abortion at the high B:R of 9:1.

Analysis of the Role of Vitamin C Hypovitaminosis in Scurvy on Bone Health: A Single Center Observational Study at Dr. Moewardi General Hospital, Surakarta, Indonesia

Background: Scurvy, vitamin C deficiency, is a rare condition but remains relevant in Indonesia. This study aims to analyze the role of vitamin C hypovitaminosis in the development of scurvy and its impact on bone health through an observational study at Dr. Moewardi General Hospital. Surakarta. Methods: A cross-sectional observational study was conducted on 30 patients diagnosed with scurvy at Dr. Moewardi General Hospital Surakarta during the 2020-2023 period. Demographic data, medical history, nutritional status, and severity of scurvy were collected. A radiological examination of the bone is performed to assess scurvy-related changes. Descriptive, comparative, and Spearman correlation statistical analyzes were used. Results: The majority of patients were men (66.7%) with a mean age of 45 years. A history of an unbalanced diet with low fruit and vegetable intake was found in the majority of patients (86.7%). Common symptoms include fatigue (86.7%), joint pain (73.3%), bleeding gums (60%), and skin bleeding (53.3%). The severity of scurvy varied, with 10 patients (33.3%) experiencing severe scurvy. Radiological examination shows significant changes in long bones, especially osteoporosis and thinning of the cortex, which is more obvious in patients with severe scurvy. Spearman correlation analysis showed a positive correlation between the severity of scurvy and the incidence of osteoporosis (rho = 0.495, p = 0.005) and cortical thinning (rho = 0.394, p = 0.031). Conclusion: Vitamin C hypovitaminosis plays a significant role in the development of scurvy and has a negative impact on bone health. Early screening and diagnosis of scurvy are important to prevent musculoskeletal complications. Nutritional education and dietary interventions to increase vitamin C intake need to be intensified, especially in high-risk groups.

Influence of plant growth substances on reproductive growth, yield and fruit quality of pear (<i>Pyrus communis</i> L.) cv. Punjab Beauty

Under sub-tropical region, poor fruit set is a major constraint in semi-soft pears resulting in lower fruit yield. To study the effect of plant growth substances on fruit production and quality, the plants of pear cv. Punjab Beauty were sprayed with the plant growth substances viz., boric acid (200, 300 ppm), CPPU (5, 10 ppm), NAA (10, 20 ppm) and P-Ca (150, 300 ppm) at full bloom stage. Among all the applied treatments, boric acid @ 200 ppm proved to be most effective with maximum fruit set (6.91 %), fruit retention (59.9 %) and yield (57.8 kg/plant), while, maximum fruit weight (162.3 g) was observed with NAA (20 ppm). The highest internal fruit quality in terms of maximum TSS (12.4o Brix), TSS/acid ratio (53.4) and ascorbic acid (12.8 mg kg-1) was observed in 200 ppm boric acid. However, the total phenol (30.9 mg GAE/100 pulp) and flavonoid (36.1 mg CE/100 pulp) content was significantly higher with NAA (20 ppm). The plant growth substances reduced the polyphenol oxidase activity in fruits. Overall, the application of boric acid (200 ppm) resulted in improved fruit set, yield and quality in pear cv. Punjab Beauty.

Influence of plant growth substances on reproductive growth, yield and fruit quality of pear (<i>Pyrus communis</i> L.) cv. Punjab Beauty

Under sub-tropical region, poor fruit set is a major constraint in semi-soft pears resulting in lower fruit yield. To study the effect of plant growth substances on fruit production and quality, the plants of pear cv. Punjab Beauty were sprayed with the plant growth substances viz., boric acid (200, 300 ppm), CPPU (5, 10 ppm), NAA (10, 20 ppm) and P-Ca (150, 300 ppm) at full bloom stage. Among all the applied treatments, boric acid @ 200 ppm proved to be most effective with maximum fruit set (6.91 %), fruit retention (59.9 %) and yield (57.8 kg/plant), while, maximum fruit weight (162.3 g) was observed with NAA (20 ppm). The highest internal fruit quality in terms of maximum TSS (12.4o Brix), TSS/acid ratio (53.4) and ascorbic acid (12.8 mg kg-1) was observed in 200 ppm boric acid. However, the total phenol (30.9 mg GAE/100 pulp) and flavonoid (36.1 mg CE/100 pulp) content was significantly higher with NAA (20 ppm). The plant growth substances reduced the polyphenol oxidase activity in fruits. Overall, the application of boric acid (200 ppm) resulted in improved fruit set, yield and quality in pear cv. Punjab Beauty.

Research on Application of Japanese Quince (Chaenomeles L.) and Pork Collagen in Dark Chocolate-Benefits in Prevention of Inflammation In Vitro Model.

In the present study, the effect of the addition of quince and collagen type I and III to dessert chocolate on its functional properties was determined. The study evaluated the antioxidant potential of the tested formulations using the FRAP method and the linoleic acid oxidation test and beta-carotene bleaching test. The tested samples were also evaluated for inhibitory activity against enzymes important in preventive health (inflammation and neurodegenerative disorders) namely: AChE, BChE, GR, GPx, COX, and SOD. The addition of quince and collagen to the chocolate samples resulted in higher activity compared to the control sample, as indicated by the FRAP test. The experiment highlighted the impact of including quince fruit on the antioxidant activity of the chocolate samples. Interestingly, merely increasing the quince fruit amount did not consistently enhance antioxidant potential. Specifically, chocolate samples with a lower proportion of quince fruit (2 g/100 g) exhibited greater antioxidant activity when supplemented with collagen I. Conversely, in samples with higher quince percentages (3 g and 4 g), those enriched with collagen III showed higher antioxidant activity. Similar correlations were observed in the linoleic acid oxidation test. Notably, samples containing 3 g and 4 g of quince and type III collagen demonstrated statistically similar highest antioxidant properties. Regardless of the collagen type used, there was no observed increase in activity towards the tested enzymes for samples with the lowest percentage of quince fruit. Both collagen types exhibited the highest activity in the inhibition assay against acetylcholinesterase and butyrylcholinesterase when combined with 3 g and 4 g of quince. Overall, the experimental incorporation of both fruit and collagen enhanced the chocolates' activity. Similarly to the antioxidant activity findings, chocolates with lower quince fruit quantities showed increased activity when supplemented with collagen III, while those with higher quince content (3 g and 4 g) displayed higher activity with collagen I. Bitter chocolate by itself is an attractive food product, rich in many bioactive compounds. However, enriching it with other attractive raw materials can make its properties and taste even more attractive.

High-quality off-season mulberry fruit (Morus laevigata Wall.) induced by summer pruning

The growing recognition of mulberries as a potent source of bioactive and nutritional compounds, coupled with their increasing global consumption, underscores the need for efficient off-season cultivation. This study explores the influence of both in-season and off-season cultivation on the yield, bioactive components, and antioxidant activity of ‘Taiwan Changguosang’ (Morus laevigata Wall.) in a greenhouse setting. Despite the lower fruit yield during the off-season, the off-season fruit exhibits higher levels of bioactive compounds, including total anthocyanins, polyphenols, and flavonoids compared to its in-season counterpart. Additionally, the off-season fruit demonstrates enhanced DPPH (1,1-diphenyl-2-picrylhydrazyl) radical scavenging and FRAP (ferric-reducing antioxidant power), attributed to climatic conditions during fruit development, particularly air temperature and solar radiation. Moreover, the off-season fruit proves to be more palatable, showcasing a favorable balance between sugar and acid. Principal Component Analysis (PCA) and correlation analysis revealed a close association between antioxidant activity and the chemical contents of total polyphenols and flavonoids. This study underscores the feasibility and benefits of off-season cultivation for enhancing the nutritional profile and antioxidant potential of mulberries, providing valuable insights for optimizing cultivation practices.

Exploring reasons for high levels of food insecurity and low fruit and vegetable consumption among university students post-COVID-19

High rates of food insecurity and low consumption of fruit and vegetables among university students have been observed prior to the COVID-19 pandemic and intensified during the pandemic. This study aimed to investigate food insecurity among university students and its associations with sociodemographic factors, fruit and vegetable consumption behaviours, and preferred campus programs to address these issues. A convenience sample of 237 Australian university students completed a cross-sectional online survey from October to December 2022. Food insecurity was assessed using the 10-item US Adult Food Security Module, applying the Canadian classification scheme. Sociodemographic variables, fruit and vegetable consumption behaviours, and perceptions of fruit and vegetable access and their affordability were included in the survey. Students were also asked to select the most suitable program(s) and provide reasons for their choice using open-ended questions. Approximately half of respondents (46.4%) were identified as food insecure. The proportion of students meeting the recommended intake of vegetables as specified in the Australian Dietary Guidelines was very low (5.1%) compared with fruit (46.2%). Low fruit consumption was significantly associated with food insecurity (OR = 1.81; 95%CI 1.03, 3.18, p = 0.038). Factors such as the perceived lower accessibility and higher price of fruit and vegetables were significantly associated with higher odds of food insecurity. In terms of potential programs, a free fruit and vegetable campaign was the most popular program, with affordability and physical access being the most frequently cited reasons. These findings suggest that food insecurity is associated with low fruit and vegetable consumption in university students. Therefore, transforming campus food environments and developing food policies at the university level must be considered to address food and nutrition security in university students.

Low energy intake and nutritional maladaptation in terminal stage IV periodontitis.

Impairment of masticatory function in elderly patients with terminal dentition due to stage IV periodontitis (TDS4P) may lead to lower nutritional intake. The study aimed to report the dietary intake and nutrition status of elderly patients with TDS4P and compare them with those of the elderly Chinese population and the Chinese Dietary Reference Intakes (DRIs). Fifty-one consecutive subjects (≥55 years old) with TDS4P were enrolled. Average dietary intake was evaluated based on a 3-day 24-h dietary recall (24HR) and food frequency questionnaire (FFQ). The daily intake of fresh vegetables and fruits, dietary energy as well as macro and micronutrients were calculated and compared with matched national data and the Chinese DRIs. Nutritional status was assessed by Short-Form Mini-Nutritional assessment. Of the subjects, 19.6% (95% CI: 7.2%-28.1%) were at risk of malnutrition. The mean daily energy intake was 1517.4 kcal (95% CI: 1400.5-1634.3) for males and 1110.7 kcal (95% CI: 1001.5-1219.9) for females, which were very low compared with both the national data and the DRIs. Females derived a higher percentage of energy from fat. The mean daily intake of vegetables was 151.4 g (95% CI: 128.1-174.8) by FFQ and 130.9 g (95% CI: 104.6-157.3) by 24HR. Both results were significantly lower than the national reports (95% CI: 310.3-340.1) and the DRIs (300-450 g). Insufficient micronutrient intake, especially vitamins A, C and E, was also found. Elderly subjects with TDS4P had a lower daily energy intake, vegetable and fruit consumption and essential macro and micronutrient intake. More studies are needed to clarify the impact of periodontitis and tooth loss/replacement on nutrition and healthy ageing.

Seeds of change: fostering nutritional education through school kitchen gardens

Dear Sir / Madam Eighty-two percent of adolescents are at risk of developing Non-Communicable Diseases (NCDs) due to physical inactivity and low fruit and vegetable intake Research has consistently shown that vegetable consumption in children is well below recommended amounts. According to a recent study in Karachi, consumption of discretionary food items such as food that is not necessary to fulfil the nutrient requirement and is consumed for enjoyment such as sugar-sweetened beverages was more than vegetable intake in school children. A key aspect of addressing the issue lies in promoting dietary diversification, which is to increase the type of foods consumed to ensure that children receive a wide range of nutrients essential for their growth and development. One effective strategy to promote dietary diversification and increase vegetable intake among school children is the establishment of a school kitchen garden. The concept of school kitchen gardens holds tremendous potential to improve health and well-being in school-going children. Interventions in this area have predominantly been used to influence school-aged children’s knowledge, attitudes, and/or behaviours toward diet and nutrition, particularly in connection to increasing vegetable consumption. School gardens serve as interactive and educational platform for children to learn about different types of vegetables, how they grow, and their nutritional benefits. Children actively engage in planting, tending, and harvesting the produce, which creates a sense of ownership and excitement about consuming what they have cultivated. A recent systematic review has shown promising effects in improving children’s knowledge of food, nutrition, gardening, and science. Acquisition of knowledge is the basis for behavioural. This is a holistic approach that not only educates but also serves to familiarize students with a variety of vegetables, making it more likely for them to include these vegetables in their dietary choices. In conclusion, school kitchen gardens offer an excellent, practical solution that integrates nutrition education into the extra curriculum while ensuring that students are actively consuming nutrient-rich vegetables. As a result, we can potentially witness healthier, more well-informed generations who understand the significance of dietary diversification. By increased exposure to a variety of vegetables through school kitchen gardens, children are not only learning about healthy eating but are also actively engaged in the cultivation and consumption of nutrient-rich produce. ---Continue

A Narrative Review of the Association Between Healthy Dietary Patterns and Depression.

The purpose of the present review is the investigation of healthy dietary patterns and diet quality in relation to depression risk. Nutritional psychiatry is to develop scientifically based research that defines the role of nutrition and nutrients in various aspects of mental health. Growing evidence from the field suggests that diet may play an important role in the prevention and/or treatment of depression. In contrast, there is evidence that unhealthy diets may increase the risk of depression. This emerging research suggests that dietary interventions could help prevent depression or be an alternative or adjunctive therapy for depression. The Mediterranean diet (MedDiet), the Dietary Approaches to Stop Hypertension (DASH) diet, and the vegetarian diet are examined in this review.The electronic databases PubMed, Scopus, and Google Scholar were searched for relevant studies published during the last five years. We found many results that support that healthy eating patterns (high in vegetables, fruits, whole grains, nuts, seeds, and fish, low in processed foods) are related to a reduction in the risk of depression. The most robust findings are related to MedDiet, where we also found several positive results for the DASH diet. Regarding the vegetarian diet, there are inconsistent reports. Furthermore, a consistent finding refers to a lower Dietary Inflammatory Index (DII) as associated with a lower depression risk. It has been observed that people suffering from depression have poorer nutritional quality, with lower fruit and vegetable intake. This observation may strengthen the argument that nutritional interventions should be incorporated as an important "pillar" in the multifactorial treatment of patients. However, more well-designed studies are needed to establish the relationship between dietary patterns and mental health. In particular, interventional, longitudinal studies could be more enlightening.

Effect of chitosan-tripolyphosphate to suppress anthracnose (Colletotrichum spp.) in post-harvest chili

Anthracnose disease (Colletotrichum spp.) in chili can lead to low fruit quantity and quality from planting to the postharvest stage. The environmentally friendly management using chitosan (CS) is expected to suppress anthracnose disease and increase the shelf-life of chili. This study aimed to determine the effect of the chitosan-tripolyphosphate (CS-TPP) to suppress anthracnose on chili during postharvest storage through in-vitro and in-vivo assays. In the in-vitro assay, CS-TPP solution with a ratio of [5:2] and [3:1] was applied into a warm Potato Dextrose Agar (PDA) medium. It was grown by Colletotrichum pathogen, while on in vivo assay, CS-TPP was applied to chili fruit before being inoculated by the pathogen. A control treatment was prepared without CS-TPP application. Results revealed that the CS-TPP ratios affected the growth of Colletotrichum spp. at the in-vitro assay. The CS-TPP [5:2] ratio was more effective than CS-TPP [3:1] in reducing the growth of Colletotrichum spp. with the fungal inhibition of 62,65% and 55,56%, respectively, compared to the control treatment. Moreover, it also showed anthracnose disease suppression on chili fruit of 51%, and 29%, respectively, compared to control treatment at in-vivo assay. This study showed the potential use of CS-TPP as a coating application for anthracnose disease management on storage chili, however further study such as viability and longevity of formula need to be done.

Phytoparasitic Nematodes of Musa spp. with Emphasis on Sources of Genetic Resistance: A Systematic Review.

Bananas are a staple food that considerably contributes to both food security and income generation, especially in countries of Africa, Asia, and Central and South America. The banana plant (Musa spp.) is affected by various pathogens, of main concern being the plant-parasitic nematodes associated with the rhizosphere, the most important of which are Radopholus similis (burrowing nematode), Helicotylenchus sp. (spiral nematode), Pratylenchus sp. (root lesion nematode), and Meloidogyne sp. (gall nematode). Infected plants reduce their ability to absorb water and nutrients, which can lead to delayed flowering, fewer bunches, and lower fruit mass. Obtaining nematode-resistant banana cultivars through genetic improvement is an effective and sustainable option compared with chemical control with nematicides. Here, we provide the first systematic review of existing banana sources of resistance to nematodes to aid the management and control of nematodes in banana and plantain crops. Articles selected from different databases were evaluated, and searches were conducted using pre-established inclusion and exclusion criteria. We found 69 studies dealing with genetic improvement for nematode resistance in banana cultivation. Our findings revealed that sources of resistance are currently under investigation to combat the diseases caused by different nematode species in banana plants.

Dieldrin accumulation, distribution in plant parts and phytoextraction potential for several plant species and Cucurbita pepo varieties

Dieldrin, an organochlorine pesticide (OCP) widely used for crop protection in the second half of the 20th century till the 70's, is worldwide still present in arable soils. It can be transferred to crops, notably cucurbits, depending on plant species and cultivars. Finding strategies to decrease OCP bioavailability in soil is therefore a main concern. Phytomanagement strategies could provide (i) ready-to-use short term solution for maintaining the production of edible plant parts with dieldrin concentrations below the Maximum Residue Limits (MRL) and (ii) long-term solution for dieldrin phytoextraction reducing progressively its bioavailability in the soil. This field study aimed at determining dieldrin accumulation capacities and allocation pattern in 17 non-Cucurbitaceae species and 10 Cucurbita pepo varieties, and assessing the dieldrin phytoextraction potential of these plant species when grown to maturity in a historically dieldrin-contaminated soil. Out of the non-Cucurbitaceae species, vetiver was the only one able to accumulate significant amounts of dieldrin, which mainly remained in its roots. All C. pepo varieties were able to uptake and translocate high dieldrin amounts into the shoots, leading to the highest phytoextraction potential. Despite the intraspecific variability in dieldrin concentration in zucchini plant parts, mainly in the reproductive organs, the phytoextraction capacity for shoots and fruits was high for all tested varieties (147 to 275 μg dieldrin plant−1, corresponding to 5.6 % of the n-heptane extractable soil dieldrin), even for the one with low fruit dieldrin concentration. Both food safety and phytoextraction could be achieved by selecting productive zucchini varieties displaying low dieldrin concentration in fruits and high one in shoots.