Low Vigor Research Articles

VERIFICATION OF THE ROOTSTOCK ON THE INFLUENCE ON THE GROWTH AND FRUITING PROCESS TO SOME VARIETIES OF APRICOTS

In order to achieve a balance between growth and fruiting, we need to know the peculiarities of growing and fruiting apricot varieties in different areas of the country, in different climatic conditions and under the influence of different rootstocks. From the analysis of the root system we conclude that varieties with a more developed root system, such as NJA 42 have a higher vigor, and varieties with a more superficial root system, give the trees a lower vigor. Varieties with thicker roots in greater numbers, help the absorption of nutrients from the soil, helping the normal development of trees. The study of the peculiarities of tree growth, can specify the way of cutting the respective species, the optimal choice of the crown shape as well as the way of forming the crown. According to the obtained data, we specify that the first order branches represent 30.6% of the total length of the skeleton, and the second order branches represent 69.2%. In the southern part of the country, the researched apricot varieties have demonstrated their favorability for this area, through superior quantity and quality.

Plant spacing effects on seed yield and quality of carrot cultivar T-29

Carrot is a direct seeded vegetable crop and plant population is primarily dependent on seed quality, besides several other factors. But, unfortunately vegetable seed production in Pakistan remained neglected and regarding standardization of numerous features for production of carrot seed crop, limited work has been done. This experiment was conducted to optimize the plant spacing for carrot seed crop. Stecklings of carrot cultivar (cv.) T-29 were planted at 15, 22.5, or 30 cm plant-to-plant spacing keeping row spacing of 75 cm. Results revealed that number of secondary and tertiary umbels per plant, yield of seed per umbel and per plant, 1000-seed weight per umbel, vigour index, germination index and seedling length of all umbel order seeds were higher for the plant spacing at 30 cm, while time taken to 50% germination (T50) was significantly reduced compared to other treatments. However, appreciable (28.3% and 16.55%) increase in seed yield per plot was noted for narrow intra-row spacing (15 cm) compared to 30 and 22.5 cm spacing, respectively. Moreover, 15 cm intra-row spacing resulted in comparable seed germination (77.53%) compared with 22.5 cm (80%) and 30 cm (82%) spacing. But, seeds from closest spacing cannot be stored for long duration because of relatively low vigour (568.13) compared to 22.5 cm (630.33) and 30 cm (684.1) spacing. Therefore, for acquiring high return of good quality seed and long storage, growers can grow carrot seed crop at 22 or 30 cm spacing. Keywords: Daucus carota; Planting geometry; Stecklings; Seed vigour; Umbel order http://dx.doi.org/10.19045/bspab.2020.90272

Mediating role of corporate volunteering between entrepreneurial attitude and work engagement

BackgroundWork engagement and corporate volunteering attract significant interest among researchers. The entrepreneur-ial attitude is missing in research among diverse characteristics of employees predicting work engagement. The aim of the study is to fill this gap by verifying the model of the mediating role of corporate volunteering (work characteristics) between the entrepreneurial attitude (employee characteristics) and work engagement.Participants and procedureUtrecht Work Engagement Scale (UWES-17), an abridged version of the Entrepreneurial Attitude Orientation questionnaire (EAO), the Scale of Corporate Volunteering, and the Scale of Satisfaction with Financial Situation were applied in the study. The sample consisted of 111 employees of the public (27%) and business sectors (73%). The sample consisted of 42% (n = 47) women and 58% (n = 64) men aged from 23 to 61 years.ResultsThe model of work engagement was successfully verified. The entrepreneurial attitude proved to be a strong predictor of work engagement and corporate volunteering. Corporate volunteering plays a mediating role be-tween the entrepreneurial attitude and work engagement. Seniority and age, unlike in global studies, correlated negatively with corporate volunteering. Public sector employees were less engaged in work (lower Vigor and Absorption). However, their dedication to work was at the same level as employees in the business sector.ConclusionsWork enhanced with corporate volunteering leads to stronger work engagement, and thus to a psychologically healthier workplace. Measurement of the entrepreneurial attitude can be applied in the employee selection process as a predictor of work engagement.

Scion and Rootstock Differently Influence Growth, Yield and Quality Characteristics of Cherry Tomato.

Grafting is a valuable tool for managing problems of tomato soil-borne pathogens and pests, but often generates unpredictable effects on crop yield and product quality. To observe these rootstocks-induced changes, experimental designs including many rootstock-scion combinations are required. To this end, a greenhouse experiment was conducted on 63 graft combinations, involving seven cherry tomato scions grouped in large, medium and small-fruited, and eight rootstocks with different genetic backgrounds (crosses between Solanum lycopersicum and S. habrochaites or S. peruvianum or S. pimpinellifolium, plus an intraspecific hybrid), using ungrafted controls. The response of the graft partners was firstly analyzed individually using the environmental variance (σ2E), then by grouping them by classes. When analyzed individually, the scion genotype influenced fruit L*, b*, shape index, total soluble solids (TSS) and its ratio with tritatable acidity (TSS/TA), whereas plant growth and yield were unpredictable. After clustering the graft partners, some of these responses were attributable to the imposed classes. The S. habrochaites-derived hybrids maximized plant biomass, unlike the S. pimpinellifolium ones. Both classes reduced fruit biomass in small- and medium-fruited scions (by 11 and 14%, respectively). The S. habrochaites and S. peruvianum hybrids reduced a* and TSS, whereas promoted TA. L-ascorbic acid was reduced by grafting (from −23 to −45%), in the S. pimpinellifolium group too, indicating, even in low vigor rootstocks, a dilution effect worsening this nutraceutical trait of tomatoes.

QTL mapping and candidate gene analysis of seed vigor-related traits during artificial aging in wheat (Triticum aestivum)

High vigor seeds have greater yield potential than those with low vigor; however, long-term storage leads to a decline in this trait. The objective of this study was to identify quantitative trait loci (QTLs) for seed vigor-related traits under artificial aging conditions using a high-density genetic linkage map of wheat (Triticum aestivum) and mine the related candidate genes. A doubled haploid population, derived from a cross between Hanxuan 10 × Lumai 14, was used as the experimental material. Six controlled-environment treatments were set up, i.e. the seeds were aged for 0, 24, 36, 48, 60, and 72 h at a high temperature (48 °C) and under high humidity (relative humidity 100%). Eight traits including seed germination percentage, germination energy, germination index, seedling length, root length, seedling weight, vigor index, and simple vigor index were measured. With the prolongation of artificial aging treatment, these traits showed a continuous downward trend and significant correlations were observed between most of them. A total of 49 additive QTLs for seed vigor-related traits were mapped onto 12 chromosomes (1B, 2D, 3A, 3B, 3D, 4A, 4D, 5A, 5B, 5D, 6D, and 7A); and each one accounted for 6.01–17.18% of the phenotypic variations. Twenty-five pairs of epistatic QTLs were detected on all chromosomes, except for 5D, 6A, and 7D, and each epistasis accounted for 7.35–26.06% of the phenotypic variations. Three additive QTL hot spots were found on chromosomes 5A, 5B, and 5D, respectively. 13 QTLs, QGEe5B, QGIe5B, QSLc5B, QSLd5B, QSLf5B, QRLd5B, QRLe5B, QRLf5B, QVId5B, QVIe5B, QVIf5B, QSVId5B, and QSVIe5B, were located in the marker interval AX-94643729 ~ AX-110529646 on 5B and the physical interval 707,412,449–710,959,479 bp. Genes including TRAESCS5B01G564900, TRAESCS5B01G564200, TRAESCS5B01G562600, TraesCS5B02G562700, TRAESCS5B01G561300, TRAESCS5B01G561400, and TRAESCS5B01G562100, located in this marker interval, were found to be involved in regulating the processes of carbohydrate and lipid metabolism, transcription, and cell division during the germination of aging seeds, thus they were viewed as candidate genes for seed viability-related traits. These findings provide the basis for the seed-based cloning and functional identification of related candidate genes for seed vigor.

Seed Viability and RNA Extraction Methods of Erythrina velutina Under Drought Stress

Abiotic stress caused by rigorous environmental conditions, such as drought, has negative effects on seeds. The species from arid and semiarid areas have mechanisms to maintain seed viability. In this study, the analyses of physical and physiological quality of the seeds of Erythrina velutina and their response to drought stress and RNA extraction methods were carried out. The seeds were collected from mother trees in two different provenances of natural occurrences of the species. The physical quality, viability, and vigor of the seeds were evaluated by morphometric parameters, germination, and electrical conductivity tests. The seeds were submitted to drought stress conditions for 0, 24, 48, and 72 hours on -0.8 MPa polyethylene glycol solution. To evaluate the viable RNA extraction method, the seed embryos were used for the extraction of this molecule and with an assessment of quantity and quality. The seeds from Pernambuco that were harvested in 2008 were bigger and presented lower vigor when in comparison to seeds that were harvested from Sergipe in 2012. The seeds under drought stress conditions presented null germination for all the treatments. After the drought stress, they were germinated on a paper substrate moistened with water, with better responses from the Lot Sergipe, 2012. The imbibition of seeds in the solution for 24 hours provides an increase in germination for less vigorous seeds, being indicated as a pre-germinative treatment. The RNA quality obtained by using a commercial extraction kit has better results, providing materials without contaminants when compared to the TRIzol method.

Biological characteristics of plum (Prunus domestica, P. × rossica) and cherry plum (P. cerasifera) cultivars of the northern foothills of the Northwestern Caucasus

Introduction. Intensive and high quality care of a garden and efficient harvesting require the use high‑yielding fruit trees with low growth vigor. The selection of trees with such qualities that facilitate harvesting and help to reduce losses, increase the number of trees per unit area and fruit yield, is important for the Republic of Adygea. No studies of this kind have ever been conducted here before. Material and research methods. The study involved 31 samples of common plum (Prunus domestica L.), 12 samples of cherry plum (P. cerasifera Ehrh.) and one sample of Russian plum (P. × rossica Eremin) from the collection of the N. I. Vavilov All‑Russian Institute of Plant Genetic Resources (VIR) maintained in the Republic of Adygea in the collection garden of the Maykop Experiment Station, a branch of VIR. These samples differ by their origin, ripening period, and demonstrate high taste qualities. Quantitative characters of the crown of ten‑year old trees were analyzed in a morphometric study. Results. Cultivar differences were established for the tree height, stem diameter, crown diameter, area of the crown projection, crown volume, fruit productivity, and ripening time. The identified common plum cultivars with different maturity periods, the smallest crown volume and high productivity are the early ‘Renklod Altana̕ (11.7 m³), the mid‑ripening ‘Vascova’ (8.9 m³) and the late ripening cultivars ‘Vengerka italianskaya’ (6.3 m³) and ‘Anna Shpet’ (K) (6.4 m³). The selected cultivars of common plum are also characterized by the smallest values of tree height, and of the crown diameter and projection area. Among the cherry plums characterized by moderate tree vigor, different ripening dates, the smallest crown volume and high yield, the selected cultivars were ‘Samaya rannaya’ (7.4 m³), ‘Shuntukskaya 11’ (11.0 m³), mid‑ripening ‘Klyukovka’ (7.4 m³) and the late ripening ‘Nalchikskaya krupnaya’ (9.6 m³). The identified plum and cherry plum cultivars can be used in agricultural production and in breeding programs.

Seed vigor level in association to fertilizer distribution

This work aimed at evaluating yielding responses of soybean seeds production fields in response to the association between seed vigor level and fertilizer distribution systems at the sowing line.Experimental design was randomized blocks design, with two growing environments (Passo Fundo - RS and Ernestina - RS) x three vigor levels (high = 90%, medium = 70% and low = 60%) x three fertilizer distribution systems (absence, conventional and by transhipment), arranged in four replicates, grain yield (GY). For grain yield (GY), it was applied the method genotype main effects and genotype environment interaction (GGE). Seed vigor levels and fertilizer distribution systems influence on seed yield, first pod insertion height, plant height, number of pods in the main stem and ramifications, magnitude and length of ramifications in soybean.The high vigor level in the conventional and by transshipment fertilization systems provided an absolute increase of 10.9 and 5.6% in seed yield, respectively, in Ernestina-RS. The conventional fertilizer distribution system, in Passo Fundo-RS, increased seed yield in 12.5% in plants originated from low vigor seeds.

SEED RESERVE MOBILIZATION EVALUATION FOR SELECTION OF HIGH-VIGOR COMMON BEAN CULTIVARS

ABSTRACT The efficiency of seed reserve mobilization (SRM) can be affected by genotype characteristics and seed initial physiological quality, which are determinant for the choice of cultivars that present plants with high physiological performances. The objective of this study was to evaluate the SRM in different common bean cultivars with different vigor and determine the differences in this process between seed lots and cultivars. Six common bean cultivars were grown in the 2017-2018 and 2018-2019 crop seasons in Lages, Santa Catarina, Brazil. The physiological quality of the cultivars was defined by germination test, accelerated aging test, seedling length, and vigor index, establishing two vigor groups (high vigor and low vigor). SRM was evaluated based on seed and seedling dry weights, use of seed reserves, use rate of seed reserves, SRM rate to the seedling, and use efficiency of seed reserves. The high-vigor cultivars presented higher use rates of seed reserves, SRM rate to the seedling, and use efficiency of seed reserves, favoring the development of vigorous seedlings. The evaluation of SRM is an alternative to improve control of internal seed quality and selection of high-vigor common bean cultivars.

Comparison of burnout, vigor and education satisfaction of music and art majors in department of fine arts education

The success of an educational institution is largely based on student motivation and educational satisfaction and their happiness at their place of education. It is therefore very important to maintain high quality in education to determine the case of students' well-being in order to improve the standards of study. In this regard, the aim of this study was to identify the status of students in terms of their level of burnout, vigor and educational satisfaction at the Department of Fine Arts Education. There were 250 students participated in the study. To determine the level of burnout and vigor, Shirom Melamed Burnout and Vigor Measures were employed, and to measure the educational satisfaction levels, educational satisfaction questionnaire was used. The results show that music majors have lower vigor than art majors. Gender does not have significant effect on any of the scores. Burnout, vigor and educational satisfaction differ according to the year of education for music major, but only vigor differs for art majors. Mother’s education level has significant effect on burnout and vigor for music majors and on education satisfaction for art majors. GPA is not correlated with none of burnout, vigor or educational satisfaction.

Application of isoenzymes in selection of low vigour cherry genotypes

Application of isoenzymes in selection of low vigour cherry genotypes

Development of Tetrazolium Test as Vigor Analysis Method of True Seed of Shallot

Uji tetrazolium (TZ) merupakan salah satu metode untuk mengestimasi viabilitas dan vigor benih. Penelitian ini bertujuan untuk memperbaiki metode analisis vigor pada benih botani bawang merah. Pada penelitian ini digunakan dua varietas benih bawang merah, yaitu Trisula dan Tuk-tuk. Pre-treatment dalam uji tetrazolium benih bawang merah dilakukan dengan perendaman benih dalam air selama 18 jam. Sebelum pewarnaan benih disiapkan dengan menggores sisi lurus secara longitudinal sebagai satu-satunya irisan tipis, dan sisi cembung benih ditusuk dengan scalpel. Benih diwarnai selama 18 jam dalam larutan tetrazolium pada suhu 1% suhu 30 oC dalam kondisi gelap. Pola pewarnaan benih diklasifikasikan dalam empat kategori yaitu empat pola normal kuat sebagai kriteria benih vigor, lima pola normal lemah, tujuh pola abnormal, dan empat pola benih mati. Parameter fisiologis viabilitas dan vigor berkorelasi erat dengan hasil pola vigor/ normal kuat. Pola normal kuat memiliki koefisien korelasi (r) yang tinggi dengan parameter uji fisiologis di laboratorium termasuk indeks vigor (r= 0.882), bobot kering kecambah normal (r= 0.899), dan kecepatan tumbuh (r= 0.875). Hal ini mengindikasikan pola pewarnaan vigor dapat memprediksi vigor benih.

Vegetative development of vine rootstock cultivars in brazilian cerrado conditions

In the State of Goiás, studies related to the vine's responses to the region's edaphoclimaticconditions are scarce. Therefore, the objective of this work was to evaluate the growth of three vine rootstock cultivars, IAC 572 'Jales', IAC313 'Tropical' and IAC766 'Campinas', in the region of Goiânia, GO, after drastic pruning for uniformity. To evaluate the growth of rootstocks, the experiment was carried out in random blocks, in a double factorial scheme (3x7), with five replications, each repetition formed by a plant. The first factor consisted of three rootstocks: IAC313 ‘Tropical’, IAC572 ‘Jales’ and IAC766 ‘Campinas’. The plants were evaluated after 45 days after a drastic uniformization pruning, totaling seven evaluations (45, 60, 75, 90, 105, 120, 135 days after pruning), this being the second factor. The diameter of the main branch at the height of grafting (80 cm) and length of the main branch were evaluated. With the data on the diameter and length of the main branch, the absolute growth rate in diameter and length was calculated.The IAC572 'Jales' rootstock cultivar has greater vigor for branch growth, being 69% and 47.3% longer in length, and 49.8% and 18.8% longer in diameter than the IACrootstock. IAC 313 'Tropical' 'and' IAC766 'Campinas', respectively. The IAC766 ‘Campinas’ rootstock cultivar, although it has low vigor in branch growth, presents satisfactory development.

Phenotyping a Diverse Collection of Forage Sorghum Genotypes for Chilling Tolerance

Forage sorghum (FS) (Sorghum bicolor (L.) Moench) is a warm-season biomass crop used as forage for hay or silage with the potential to become a bioenergy feedstock or for dual-purpose (forage and energy). The objective of this study was to screen potential forage sorghum genotypes for increased chilling tolerance and biomass productivity. Seventy-one genotypes of FS were first ranked for high to low vigor index under controlled conditions at 24, 12, and 10 °C. Field experiments were also conducted on a subset of 12 genotypes in Fargo and Hickson, ND, USA, in 2017 and 2018, using two different seeding dates: early (10 May) and late (27 May). Field emergence index values were greater for the late-seeding compared with the early seeding date. Under field conditions, seed mortality and biomass yield were affected by the seeding date and biomass yield correlated with emergence index and normalized vegetative index. Chemical composition of forage sorghum biomass was not affected by the seeding dates. The results of this study suggest that some forage sorghum genotypes carry genetic traits for increased chilling tolerance and produce greater biomass yield when seeded earlier than normal, which could allow for breeding chilling tolerance into forage sorghum.

SEEDLING EMERGENCE OF PRIMED AND UNPRIMED TOMATO SEEDS AT DIFFERENT TEMPERATURE LEVELS

The aim of this research is; to find out the response of the seed immersion treatment to the germination of tomato seeds at high and low-temperature levels. High-quality Joaquin and Roma seeds are judged by high genotype, low vigour and the appearance of sprouts determined every day until the sprouts have one pair of leaves that open perfectly. Sprouts have a pair of germination of leaves takes 12-19 days after the germination period. The results showed that the effect of the immersion treatment on the dry weight of the sprouts was most prominent in the immersion treatment at temperatures of 15 ° C and 30 ° C. The best sprouts grew significantly faster than the sprouts on the immersion treatment at 25 ° C as indicated by both genotypes.

Transpiration difference under high evaporative demand in chickpea (Cicer arietinum L.) may be explained by differences in the water transport pathway in the root cylinder.

Terminal drought substantially reduces chickpea yield. Reducing water use at vegetative stage by reducing transpiration under high vapor pressure deficit (VPD), i.e. under dry/hot conditions, contributes to drought adaptation. We hypothesized that this trait could relate to differences in a genotype's dependence on root water transport pathways and hydraulics. Transpiration rate responses in conservative and profligate chickpea genotypes were evaluated under increasing VPD in the presence/absence of apoplastic and cell-to-cell transport inhibitors. Conservative genotypes ICC 4958 and ICC 8058 restricted transpiration under high VPD compared to the profligate genotypes ICC 14799 and ICC 867. Profligate genotypes were more affected by aquaporin inhibition of the cell-to-cell pathway than conservative genotypes, as measured by the root hydraulic conductance and transpiration under high VPD. Aquaporin inhibitor treatment also led to a larger reduction in root hydraulic conductivity in profligate than in conservative genotypes. In contrast, blockage of the apoplastic pathway in roots decreased transpiration more in conservative than in profligate genotypes. Interestingly, conservative genotypes had high early vigour, whereas profligate genotypes had low early vigour. In conclusion, profligate genotypes depend more on the cell-to-cell pathway, which might explain their higher root hydraulic conductivity, whereas water-saving by restricting transpiration led to higher dependence on the apoplastic pathway. This opens the possibility to screen for conservative or profligate chickpea phenotypes using inhibitors, itself opening to the search of the genetic basis of these differences.

Running-related demands and vigor in long-distance runners: The moderating role of resources and recovery

Long-distance running is a demanding sport and runners use a variety of coping strategies to deal with these demands. In this study, we investigated running-related demands, resources, and recovery and, as an indicator of well-being, vigor. Specifically, following the Demand-Induced Strain Compensation Recovery Model, we tested to what degree the relation between running-related demands and vigor was moderated by two coping strategies available in running: running-related resources (e.g., training control, running mate/coach support) and running-related recovery (i.e., detachment from running). Demands, resources, recovery, and vigor were all surveyed across three separate dimensions (i.e., physical, cognitive, emotional) in a cross-sectional sample of 623 recreational long-distance runners. Hierarchical regression analyses were used to determine to what degree the demands-vigor relation was moderated by resources and recovery. Evidence for moderations was found for the cognitive and emotional dimensions of vigor, revealing four significant moderating effects of resources or recovery on the demands-vigor relation. Three of these effects involved emotional resources or recovery. Contrary to expectations, results also showed that in two cases higher recovery was associated with lower vigor, rather than higher, when runners experienced high demands. In all, we found modest support for the role of resources and recovery in altering the nature of the demands-vigor relation in recreational long-distance runners. This study highlights the importance of the emotional dimension of demands, resources, and recovery, as those facets were most important in predicting vigor in runners. Practical implications are addressed with regard to emotional resources and recovery for long-distance runners.

Maior carga de gemas da videira resulta em melhora dos índices produtivos e vegetativos da videira ‘Cabernet Franc’ cultivada em região de elevada altitude

Buscando alcançar um adequado balanço vegeto-produtivo, este trabalho teve como objetivo avaliar o efeito do aumento da carga de gemas planta-1, no momento da poda, nas características produtivas e equilíbrio vegetativo da videira Cabernet Franc cultivada em região de elevada altitude de Santa Catarina. O presente trabalho foi conduzido durante a safra 2016/2017, em um vinhedo comercial, localizado no munícipio de São Joaquim. Utilizaram-se videiras da cultivar Cabernet Franc enxertadas sobre o porta-enxerto ‘Paulsen 1103’. Os tratamentos consistiram em quatro diferentes níveis de cargas de gemas: 15, 30, 50 e 75 gemas planta-1. Avaliou-se no momento da colheita variáveis produtivas e vegetativas, e ao longo do ciclo da videira, avaliou-se o crescimento de ramos e feminelas. O delineamento experimental utilizado foi o de blocos ao acaso, com quatro blocos e cinco plantas por parcela. O aumento da carga de gemas planta-1 resultou em aumento do número de ramos e de cachos planta-1, resultando em aumento da produção por planta e da produtividade. As variáveis vegetativas foram influenciadas pelo aumento da gemas planta-1, observando-se redução do crescimento de ramos e de feminelas. O aumento da carga de gemas possibilitou melhor equilíbrio vegeto-produtivo, com redução do peso de poda, e obtenção do Índice de Ravaz mais adequado para a elaboração de vinhos de qualidade. Em vinhedos que apresentam baixa produtividade e excesso de vigor vegetativo, recomenda-se aumentar a carga de gemas planta-1 durante o manejo da poda invernal.

Are Medicare wellness visits improving outcomes?

As the largest and unhealthiest population in American history enrolls as Medicare beneficiaries, it is vital for primary care providers to understand how to maximize Medicare wellness provisions. The Baby Boomer population has been documented to have the highest chronic disease prevalence related to preventable lifestyle behaviors. Perpetual unhealthy lifestyle behaviors associated with chronic disease prevalence are detrimental to life quality and the American Medicare resource structure. Since 2011, the Affordable Care Act provisions have included free wellness visits designed to prevent disease for Medicare beneficiaries, who continue to grossly underuse these services. This systematic review was conducted to evaluate the quality, level, and strength of evidence regarding Medicare wellness service efficacy on related health outcomes. The methodology adhered to the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses (PRISMA) guidelines for selection of 21 research-based articles included in the analysis. Results from the 21 eligible studies revealed low research quality and vigor; therefore, lacking causality and generalizability of medicare wellness visit (MWV) efficacy on health promotion outcomes. The evidence is focused on how MWVs are affecting preventive care utilization instead of patient health outcomes. In the interest of reducing chronic disease prevalence and the economic burden on our health care system, it is important to understand how these services affect health promotion outcomes. The results of this systematic literature review substantiate the need for primary care providers to study MWV efficacy on health promotion outcomes for the Medicare population.

Monitoring the vegetation vigor in heterogeneous citrus and olive orchards. A multiscale object-based approach to extract trees’ crowns from UAV multispectral imagery

Precision agriculture (PA) constitutes one of the most critical sectors of remote sensing applications that allow obtaining spatial segmentation and within-field variability information from field crops. In the last decade, an increasing source of information is provided by unmanned aerial vehicle (UAVs) platforms, mainly equipped with optical multispectral cameras, to map, monitor, and analyze, temporal and spatial variations of vegetation using ad hoc spectral vegetation indices (VIs). Considering the centimeter or sub-centimeter spatial resolution of UAV imagery, the geographic object-based image analysis (GEOBIA) approach, is becoming prevalent in UAV remote sensing applications. In the present paper, we propose a quick and reliable semi-automatic workflow implemented to process multispectral UAV imagery and aimed at the detection and extraction of olive and citrus trees’ crowns to obtain vigor maps in the framework of PA. We focused our attention on the choice of GEOBIA data input and parameters, taking into consideration its replicability and reliability in the case of heterogeneous tree orchards. The heterogeneity concerns the different tree plantation distances and composition, different crop management (irrigation, pruning, weeding), and different tree age, height, and crown diameters. The proposed GEOBIA workflow was implemented in the eCognition Developer 9.5, coupling the use of multispectral and topographic information surveyed using the Tetracam µ-MCA06 snap multispectral camera at 4 cm of ground sample distance (GSD). Three different study sites in heterogeneous citrus (Bergamot and Clementine) and olive orchards located in the Calabria region (Italy) were provided. Multiresolution segmentation was implemented using spectral and topographic band layers and optimized by applying a trial-and-error approach. The classification step was implemented as process-tree and based on a rule set algorithm, therefore easily adaptable and replicable to other datasets. Decision variables for image classification were spectral vegetation indices (NDVI, SAVI, CVI) and topographic layers (DSM and CHM). Vigor maps were based on NDVI and NDRE and allowed to highlight those areas with low vegetative vigor. The accuracy assessment was based on a per-pixel approach and computed through the F-score (F). The obtained results are promising, considering that the resulting accuracy was high, with F-score ranging from 0.85 to 0.91 for olive and bergamot, respectively. Our proposed workflow, which has proved effective in datasets of different complexity, finds its strong point is the speed of execution and on its repeatability to other different crops with few adjustments. It appears worth of interest to highlights that it requests a working day of two good skilled operators in geomatics and computer image processing, from the on-field data collection to the obtaining of vigor maps.