Month Of Harvest Research Articles

Influence of some plant growth regulators on fruit set, yield and quality of sugar apple (Annona squamosa L.) var. Arka Neelachal Vikram

Aim: To evaluate the efficacy of foliar application of homobrassinolide (HBL), gibberellic acid (GA3), and naphthalene acetic acid (NAA) for improving fruit set, yield, and quality in sugar apple. Methodology: The experiment was laid out in a randomized block design with 10 treatments, comprised of NAA (50, 100, and 150 ppm), HBL (0.1, 0.3, and 0.5 ppm), GA3 (100, 150, and 200 ppm), and water as a control. Treatments were foliar sprayed thrice during major flowering period at monthly interval, i.e., April, May, and June. Observations were recorded on fruiting, yield, and fruit quality parameters. Results: Foliar application of GA3 at 150-200 ppm was found effective for enhancing the fruit set, fruit retention, and yield in sugar apple, when applied during May and June. Application of GA3 @ 200 ppm not only recorded the maximum fruit set and retention in May (5.03 and 69.18 %) and June flowering (9.38 and 75.35 %), but also scored the maximum values for number of fruits, fruit weight, and yield in their corresponding month of harvesting, i.e., October (50.60 fruits per tree, 235.70 g per fruit, and 11.88 kg per tree) and November (36.79 fruits per tree, 231.88 g per fruit, and 8.40 kg per tree). With respect to fruit quality, GA3 (100-200 ppm) and NAA (100-150 ppm) registered a significant improvement in various fruit quality parameters, however, GA3 treatments excelled in the performance. Fruits harvested from 200 ppm GA3 had the best quality (pulp: 72.07 %, TSS: 23.90 ºB, TSS/acid ratio: 59.81, total sugar: 30.37 %, reducing sugar: 19.57 %, non-reducing sugar: 10.80 %, vitamin C: 52.34 mg 100 g−1 pulp, total flavonoid: 44.21 mg QE 100 g−1 FW, ferric reducing antioxidant power: 40.73 mM Fe(II) 100 g−1 FW and scavenging activity: 74.65 %), followed by 150 ppm GA3. Interpretation: In sugar apple, foliar application of GA3 (150-200 ppm) twice during May and June flowering is effective for improving fruit set and enhancing yield and quality of the produce. Key words: Fruit set, Fruit quality, Gibberellic acid, Plant growth regulators, Sugar apple

The change in phytochemical content affected by harvesting stages and storage duration of “Gajah” Ginger (Zingiber officinale var officinarum)

Abstract “Gajah” ginger (Zingiber officinale) is a biopharmaceutical plant one of Horticultural Plant group, which is the largest producer, exporter, and harvest area in Indonesia. Chemical constituent in ginger was affected by harvesting ages and sensitive due to storage duration. Therefore, the objective of this research was to investigate Fresh ‘Gajah’ ginger rhizomes were harvested at 5, 7 and 9 months and were stored at 0, 1 and 2 months (room temperature). The treatments were examined to found the effects of harvesting stages and storage durations on postharvest chemical qualities of ginger rhizomes. The experiment showed significant interaction effects between harvesting stages and storage durations for Protein, 9 months harvest age is 50% higher protein content from 5 and 7 months but for carbohydrate were at 5 months of harvest, 41% higher than the 9 months harvest time of 38% and at 7 months harvest of 19%. and vitamin C the highest content was found at 5month harvest age, for storage duration the highest content of protein and vitamic C were found at 1 month followed by the highest content of carbohydrate was found in control (0) month of storage durations.

An analysis of observed and predicted extreme heat and precipitation trends across four pulse producing regions in North America: North Dakota, Montana, Saskatchewan, and Northeastern United States

Abstract The consumption of plant-based proteins in leu of animal proteins is the most important dietary shift that would be needed to keep the world under 2 C of warming, and this shift would require a dramatic increase in the percentage of cropland devoted to nuts and pulses (Peters et al. 2016). As the demand for plant-based proteins, like pulse crops, continues to grow, it is critical to understand the impact of climate change on crop production. In this paper, we study two climate-related stressors for pulse production in North America: extreme heat and excess moisture during harvest. Pulses must be dried on the plant before harvest, requiring a 7-day dry spell before harvest or the use of Roundup (glyphosate) to kill the plants quickly. However, little is known about the changes in frequency of hot extremes or dry spells during harvest in pulse-growing regions. We analyze climate trends using the Unprecedented Simulated Extreme Ensemble (UNSEEN) method and an analysis of the Coupled Model Intercomparison Project (CMIP6) in four pulse growing regions across North America: Montana, North Dakota, Saskatchewan, and the Northeast USA. We find that temperature extremes have increased in all regions, with extreme events 3-4 times more likely today than in 1981, increasing the risk of crop loss. August and September rainfall during the harvest months has been decreasing in the Midwestern regions and it is projected to continue to decrease in the future; however, the likelihood of a wet August in the Northeast has nearly doubled. Even with this drying trend, farmers cannot assume that they will have a 7-day consecutive dry spell that would enable natural drying of pulses without synthetic drying agents like glyphosate. Future expansion of pulse production should incorporate adaptation measures to manage extreme heat and the potential for rain events during harvest.

Isolation, Extraction of Oil and Production of Biodiesel from Microalgae

This work is aimed at producing biodiesel from microalgae using Bold Basal Medium. After a month of cultivation, isolation, and harvesting, the microalgae were processed (oil was extracted using a chemical extraction procedure including alcohol with a 96% alcohol content and n-hexane). Transesterification was employed to produce the biodiesel from the extracted algal oil, and the resulting fuel was characterized. The results show that Chlorella sp, Desmid sp and Ankistrodesmus sp were isolated, density, viscosity, acid value, saponification, free fatty acid, peroxide value, iodine value, impurity level, and moisture content of Chlorella sp, Desmid sp and Ankistrodesmus sp oil were (0.805, 0.702, 0.716), (4.92, 4.45, 4.22), (1.51, 1.61, 1.62), (179.8, 178.61, 186.60), (0.86, 0.87, 0.88), (28.6, 28.9, 28.8), (0.31, 0.35, 0.33), (0.90, 0.80, 0.88) and (0.30, 0.36, 0.24) respectively, biodiesel had cetane number (126,125,127), density (0.79, 0.88, 0.87), flash point (126, 127, 125), calorific value (38.39, 38.68, 38.72), and viscosity (2.43, 2.66, 2.33) respectively, the quantity of biodiesel produced varied across all the replicates as the mean difference were less than the standard mean of 2.074. The production of biodiesel is practically possible in Nigeria, and the government should set up companies so as to diversify the oil sector and reduce pollution. The major limitation in this research work was using the traditional method for the isolation and identification of dominant microalgae instead of the molecular method.

Wound Healing Potential of a Novel Sedum Species: S. album Murales.

Natural wound healing products are in increased demand. The potential for unexplored Sedum species in wound healing was discovered based on benefits of the genus reported in traditional medicine. The objectives were to screen ten Sedum species for wound healing, to ascertain the optimal harvest period using the five best, and finally to investigate effects of extraction protocols on wound healing using the most promising species. Different protocols were used to extract leaf polyphenol and mucilage content. Wound healing was assessed from L929 fibroblast migration. April was the optimal harvest month for wound healing efficacy, whereas the highest polyphenol content and antioxidant activity were evident in September and November. S. album Murales (ALBU), the best candidate, was then compared with S. telephium (TELE), which is well recognized in skin care. The mucilage-containing aqueous extract of ALBU was shown for the first time to induce the highest fibroblast migration after 24 h, not evident in TELE. Moreover, functional constituents contained within the absolute acetone- and isopropanol-containing polyphenol pools from ALBU induced significantly higher migration compared to TELE. A prototype cream, containing the water- and solvent-extracted bioactive compounds was effective at inducing fibroblast migration at 24 h in ALBU. The potential of ALBU in wound healing was evidenced and warrants further investigation.

Study on optimal harvesting period and rational medicinal parts of Zanthoxylum nitidum based on statistics of main effective components

To determine the optimal harvesting period and rational medicinal parts of Zanthoxylum nitidum, the main effective components of cultivated Z. nitidum samples, which originate from various growth years, harvesting months, and different parts were analyzed and compared with the wild samples. HPLC was performed on a Kinetex C18 column(4. 6 mm×100 mm, 2. 6 μm) with the gradient elution of 0. 3% phosphoric acid solution-acetonitrile(80 ∶ 20) containing 0. 2% triethylamine. The flow rate was 1. 0 m L·min-1, and the detection wavelength was 273 nm. The column temperature was 30 ℃. Nitidine chloride and chelerythrine, the main effective components, were determined as the markers. The results showed there was no significant difference in the contents of the main effective components among the roots of wild and cultivated Z. nitidum, as well as the roots and roots + stems of cultivated Z. nitidum. The statistical results of HCA and PCA indicated that the roots and stems could be clearly distinguished, but no distinction could be made between wild and cultivated products, which was consistent with the results of the significance analysis. The total contents of nitidine chloride and chelerythrine in roots and stems of Z. nitidum of 1-6 years old were 0. 114%-0. 256% and 0. 030%-0. 133%, respectively. These results suggested a positive correlation between the content of the main effective components and the growth years. No significant difference was observed between the contents of samples harvested in different seasons, indicating that the harvest season had no effect on the content of the main effective components of the Z. nitidum samples. The total contents of nitidine chloride and chelerythrine of the dried Z. nitidum samples(excluding branches) from three plantation bases were 0. 308%±0. 123% in Yunfu, 0. 192%±0. 025% in Maoming, and 0. 197%±0. 052% in Nanning, respectively, and they were all not less than 0. 15%, or in other words, the roots(including fibrous roots, taproots, and underground stems) and stems(aboveground stems) of Z. nitidum transplanted for more than 2. 5 years can meet the medical requirements. This study demonstrates that the cultivated Z. nitidum could be used as a valid substitute for the wild Z. nitidum, which provides a guarantee for the sustainable development and the application of Z. nitidum resources. The stems and roots could be considered medicinal parts of Z. nitidum. It is recommended to revise the medicinal parts of Z. nitidum to dried roots and stems in the next edition of Chinese Pharmacopoeia, and the medicinal parts can be harvested all year round. In order to ensure the content of effective components and clinical effectiveness, the root and stem should be harvested for medical use after the seedlings of Z. nitidum have been transplanted for more than three years.

The Impact of Varying Stages of Maturity on the Chemical Composition and Antioxidant Activity of Yacon (Smallanthus sonchifolius) Leafy Vegetable

Yacon tubers are of global interest due to their prebiotic potential while yacon leaves contain phenolic compounds with potential health benefits. In Kenya, yacon is a newly introduced root crop that is of interest to consumers; however, their main challenge to consumption is determining the appropriate time to harvest the leaves. The chemical makeup of yacon leaves varies depending on the planting site, growing season, harvest time, and growth stages. The current research determined the impact of varying stages of maturity on the chemical composition and antioxidant potential of yacon leaves grown in a farm at Naromoru, Kenya. The leaves were harvested at 2, 3, 4, and 5 months of growth, then subjected to oven drying and stored at 4 °C awaiting analysis. The DPPH assay was used to measure radical scavenging activity, and the Folin–Ciocalteu method was followed in the determination of total phenolic content. Chemical composition was done by Kjedahl method (Crude protein), Soxhlet method (crude fat), and oven drying (moisture content). From the results, the level of maturity significantly (p < 0.05) influenced the levels of crude protein, fat and carbohydrates, TPC, and antioxidant activity in the harvested yacon leaves. The crude protein level was highest (28.45%) for the 2nd month of harvest and was lowest in the 5th month (16.75%), while crude fat increased from 3.51% in the 2nd month to 4.20% in the 5th month. Carbohydrates increased from 46.01% to 56.65% in 2nd month to the 5th month, respectively. Both the TPC and antioxidant activity decreased significantly (p < 0.05) as the leaves matured. TPC was highest in the 2nd month of harvest and lowest in the 5th month of harvest, 439.33 and 81.00 mgGAE/100 g, respectively. Thus, harvesting yacon leaves at the early stages of growth is crucial to fully benefit from the phytochemical and nutritional composition of the leaves.

The impact of harvesting method and harvesting month on the quality of Helichrysum italicum (Roth) G. Don. essential oils and oxidative stress

ABSTRACT The chemical properties of Helichrysum italicum (Roth) G.Don. (common name ‘immortelle’), depend largely on the cultivation type, climatic conditions, and cultivation methods. The time and the harvesting method are crucial for enhancing the quality of essential oils. This investigation aimed to evaluate how harvesting month affects the amount and quality of essential oils (EOs). The results showed that the qualitative properties of the essential oil were influenced by the method of harvest (by hand or by machine) and, harvesting time. Harvesting by machine gave better γ-curcumene content, and harvesting by hand gave better a-pinene and neryl acetate quality. It is also observed that Reactive Oxygen Species (ROS) production under machine harvesting raised lipid peroxidation of membranes. In general, better qualitative properties of immortelle essential oil were obtained from manual harvesting.

NMR Analysis of Extra Virgin Olive Oil of the Epirus Region of Greece with Emphasis on Selected Phenolic Compounds.

Extra virgin olive oil (EVOO) is recognized for its numerous health benefits, attributed to its rich phenolic components. NMR has emerged as a prevalent technique for precisely identifying these compounds. Among Mediterranean countries, Greece stands as the third-largest producer of olives, with the Epirus region notably advancing in olive cultivation, contributing significantly to the dynamic growth of the region. In this study, an NMR method was employed based on the acquisition of a 1H NMR spectrum along with multiple resonant suppression in order to increase the sensitivity. Using the above method, 198 samples of extra virgin olive oil, primarily sourced from the Epirus region, were analyzed, and both the qualitative and quantitative aspects of the phenolic compounds were obtained. In addition, we examined the effects of various factors such as variety, harvest month, and region origin on the phenolic compounds' concentration. The results revealed an average total phenolic content of 246 mg/kg, closely approaching the EU health claim limit of 250 mg/kg. Approximately 15% of the samples were confidently characterized as high-phenolic olive oil. The highest concentrations were observed in the Thesprotia samples, with several Lianolia varieties exceeding the total phenolic content of 400 mg/kg. Statistical tests demonstrated a significant influence of the olive variety and the month of fruit harvest on phenolic component concentration, followed by the region of origin. A very strong correlation was noted between the total phenolics content and the levels of oleocanthal and oleacein, with a correlation coefficient (r) of 0.924. Upon optimization of all factors affecting olive oil quality, the majority of the EVOOs from the Epirus region have the potential to be characterized as high in phenolic content.

Estimating the Seasonality of Bent-Nose Clam (Macoma nasuta) Harvesting at a 3,000-Year-Old Ancestral Ohlone Site (CA-ALA-11) on the San Francisco Bay

ABSTRACT This article investigates the harvest month for bent-nose clams (Macoma nasuta) at CA-ALA-11, an estuarine site in the modern-day city of Alameda along the San Francisco Bay. The archaeological deposit in which the clam shells were recovered dates primarily to the Early Period (3,350–2,550 cal BP) and Early-Middle Transition (2,550–2,150 cal BP), although some activity continues through 2,650 BP. Season of harvest estimates for clams offers insight into Indigenous use of estuarine resources and the degree of sedentism or length of habitation at this locality. Water salinity varies predictably in San Francisco Bay, from annual lows in winter to highs in summer. We used oxygen isotopes (δ18O) to estimate season of harvest by sampling at the intact terminal growth edge of the shell, which records salinity at the time of harvest. Three additional samples represent earlier periods of shell growth. Results show that while clams comprise a minority of the shellfish harvested, clamming took place between January and August, with a marked peak in mid-winter (February). There is no evidence for fall harvesting, which suggests that people were either not living at CA-ALA-11 during this time or focused on acquiring other seasonally available foods. We compare these results to previously published data on seasonality of clam harvesting from five other San Francisco Bay area sites.

Innovative polygon trend analyses to detect trends for domestic and export onion prices

ABSTRACT Analyzing trends can provide insights into price behavior to predict future change. The primary objective was to examine prospective changes in monthly price over the entire period, between 2008 and 2021 using parametric and non-parametric techniques. Four domestic markets were chosen based on the maximum arrival of onions (Allium cepa L.) in Maharashtra and the Indian export market. Some markets fit the linear regression model; the errors do not conform to parametric assumptions, requiring application of distribution-free techniques. Using the mean of prices, Innovative Polygon Trend Analyses (IPTA) was applied. The IPTA plots for all domestic markets indicated upward trends in almost all months with regular polygons, with the exception of the export market. Plots indicated peak arrival months in markets exhibiting a narrower polygon structure, while lean arrival months showed a broader polygon. When results of trend analysis based on other tests were compared to the IPTA technique, there was good agreement across all approaches. The export market exhibited the least variability in prices, and the average monthly price ranges from 127.90 to 334.56 USD∙Mt−1. Post-monsoon and harvest months exhibited the highest average prices. Based on comparisons of trend analysis techniques, the IPTA methodology places a strong emphasis on identifying trends and offers insight through a visual examination of trend patterns.

Study of grape microorganisms in Moldovan vineyards: influence of human and natural factors

The objective of this study was to investigate the microbial diversity on the grape berries under different climate conditions. Sixteen samples from ten vineyards were taken from three PGI regions in Republic of Moldova Moldova during years 2018–2020. The year of harvest had a significant effect on the amount of yeasts, but the geographical location did not significantly influence this criterion. As natural factors, the influence of temperature and precipitation during both the growing season and the month of grape harvest was studied. The selected methods for vineyard plant protection were as follows: fungicides to control powdery mildew, fungicides to control mange and insecticides. The total yeast population per grape ranged from 3.8E+04 to 2.3E+07 CFU/berry and the culturable yeast population ranged from 1.7E+03 to 8.0E+06. The harvest month temperature affects the yeast population the most, fungicide use in mealybug control reduces the culturable yeast population but increases the total yeast population; insecticide treatment only increases the total yeast population but has no impact on culturable yeasts.In addition, six species yeast have been identified: A.pullulans, M.pulcherrima, H. uvarum, R. Glutinmis, R. graminis and S.cerevisiae. The Saccharomyces cerevisiae strain isolated from the 2020 crop is totally different from the 2018 and 2019 crops. The bacteria population is at a low level, except for a few samples, P. damnosus, L. brevis, L.fermentum, G. oxydants were isolated.

IMPORTANCE OF PINEAPPLE (Ananas comosus L.) WASTE AS A POSSIBLE SOURCE OF INDUSTRIAL PROTEASES

Pineapple (Ananas comosus L.) is a tropical fruit highly valued for its flavor, sweetness, aroma, and nutraceutical properties. The ‘Cayena Lisa’ cultivar is the most widely used for both fresh consumption and industrial purposes in Mexico. The municipalities of Tuxtepec and Loma Bonita, in the state of Oaxaca, produce around 582 thousand Mg of solid waste per year from fruit processing, to which the waste from plantations attacked by pests and diseases must be added. Consequently, these wastes must be processed in order to generate added value. Isolation of cysteine proteases from industrial residues is one possibility. In the present study, the parameters of the Mexican Official Standard for measuring pH (NOM-F-317-S-1978), total soluble solids (SST) (NMX-F-103-1982), and cysteine-protease activity in pineapple fruit processing residues at two stages of ripening over four months of harvest were used to determine whether there is a factor of quality attributes that correlates with the activity of this protein. In both ripening stages, cysteine-protease activity is higher in August. Regardless of the degree of ripening, peel and core are the best sources of cysteine-proteases. SST and pH values have no correlation with cysteine-protease activity, so they cannot be used as indicators of such activity. The findings show that ‘Cayena Lisa’ pineapple residues grown in Loma Bonita, Oaxaca, could be a good source of cysteine-proteases.

Analisis Pendapatan Usahatani Cabai Merah Di Desa Kamanga Dua Kecamatan Tompaso Kabupaten Minahasa

The study aimed to determine the income of red chili farming in Kamanga Dua Village, Tompaso District, Minahasa Regency. The research was conducted in August 2023. This research uses 2 types of data, namely primary and secondary data. Primary data were obtained from direct interviews using a list of questions as a tool in data collection. Secondary data were obtained from literature related to the research. Sampling in this study used purposive sampling technique. The number of research samples was 5 farmers as respondents. The results of the study were analyzed using farm analysis, namely cost analysis, revenue, income and continued with the Revenue Cost Ratio. The results of this study indicate that the average income obtained in red chili farming in Kamanga Dua Village, Tompaso District, Minahasa Regency is IDR 44,039,222 per one growing season obtained from the average receipt of IDR 65,798,000 and the average total cost of IDR 21,758,778. The income obtained from red chili farming in one month amounted to Rp14,679,741 which was obtained from the income divided by three months of harvest. The R/C Ratio analysis shows that red chili farming in Kamanga Dua Village, Tompaso District, Minahasa Regency is feasible. This is seen from the ratio of total income to total costs which is> 1, namely 3.02.

Market Arrivals and Price Behavior of Wheat in Major Markets of India

Behaviour of prices of agricultural commodities results from the basic characteristics of agricultural sector and farm products. This study is based on the secondary data of 15 years from 2007-08 to 2021-22 which was collected from www.agmarknet.gov.in. For the analytical framework, the linear trend equation was used to study the trend in arrivals and prices. During the study period, the pattern of trend in arrivals and prices was differed across the selected markets. All the selected market for wheat showed increasing trend in arrivals and prices over the years. The per annum increase in the arrivals of wheat in Lakhimpur market was the highest at 1884.86 quintals followed by Vidisha, Baran, Dewas, Kota and Agra markets at 1394.74, 942.65, 782.61, 389.19 and 56.53 quintals respectively. The quantum of increase in the arrivals of wheat might be due to the increased production in these regions. Increased productivity and arrivals was attributable to introduction of high yielding varieties, technological advancement, increased demand for wheat in the international market, prices lead to better productivity realization by farmers in the surrounding hinterlands of Lakhimpur, Vidisha, Baran and Dewas area and supplied to these markets. Market arrivals registered lowest quantum of increase in Agra and Kota markets. The lowest quantum of increase in arrivals of wheat might be due to increasing heat stress, other problems experienced by producers in production level and shift in cropping pattern of the farmers towards other commercial crops in those regions. Seasonal indices of arrivals and prices of wheat in selected markets revealed that when the arrivals of wheat to the market were high, the prices were found to be low i.e., March to June. Seasonal price indices of wheat indicate that the price realized by farmers was low during the post- harvest month. Hence, infrastructural facilities like warehouses and market extension services have to be strengthened for encouraging and bringing awareness among the farming community about the availability of warehouses and marketing credit to reap the better benefits.

The Field Belonging to Boaz: Creating Kinship through Land, Labor, Food, and Feeding

Abstract Ruth’s decision to glean in a field where she might find favor (Ruth 2:2) sets in motion a transformation of Ruth from Moabite outsider to Judean insider. When Ruth happens upon the “field belonging to Boaz,” a servant identifies her as a nameless foreigner: “a Moabite woman . . . from the fields of Moab” (2:6). By the end of the book, the village elders compare her to “Rachel and Leah who together built up the house of Israel” (4:11). Crucial to Ruth’s incremental transformation are three directives that Boaz gives Ruth when he meets her in his field and greets her as “my daughter” (2:8): stay in my field; drink water from my vessels; and sit with my reapers and eat bread. Anthropological and archaeological studies of agriculture, foodways, and the materiality of food-related objects shed light on the kinship dimensions of each of these three directives. The back-and-forth interactions between Ruth, Boaz, the land, and its produce over two months of harvesting gradually lace Ruth into the “clan of Elimelech,” the father of her dead husband, and place her under the protective “cloak” of the Israelite god.

Ethiopian Bamboo Fiber Aging Process and Reinforcement: Advancing Mechanical Properties of Bamboo Fiber-Epoxy Composites for Automobile Applications

The purpose of this paper is to evaluate the properties of Ethiopian bamboo fibre polymer composites as headliners in the automobile industry. Bamboo fibres are developed using the roll milling technique, and bamboo fibre epoxy composites (BFEPCS) are developed using a compression mould and a hot press machine. The mechanical properties are measured based on the recommended procedure of the ASTM. In total, 40% of the volume fraction of fibres is used to produce polymer composites. An accurate evaluation of its mechanical properties is thus critical for predicting its behaviour during a vehicle’s interior impact assessment. Conventional headliner materials are heavier, non-biodegradable, expensive, and non-sustainable during processing compared to the currently researched materials. Three representatives of bamboo plants are harvested in three regions of bamboo species, three groups of ages, and two harvesting months. Two-year-old bamboo fibres have the highest mechanical properties of all ages, and November has a higher mechanical properties compared to February. Inji-bara and Kom-bolcha have the highest and lowest mechanical properties, respectively. BFEPCs have high mechanical properties compared to BFPPCs. The mechanical properties of the current research findings have higher measured values compared to Jute felt PU, CFPU, GFMPU, BFPP, BFEP, PP foam, and TPU. The flexural strength of BFPCs has higher properties compared to their tensile strength. Ethiopian bamboo fibres and their polymer composites have the best mechanical properties for the composite industry, which is used for headliner materials in the automobile industry, compared to conventional headliner materials.

The Effect of Month of Harvesting and Temperature-Humidity Index on the Number and Quality of Oocytes and In Vitro Embryo Production in Holstein Cows and Heifers.

The aim of this study was to evaluate the effect of the month of oocyte harvesting and the temperature-humidity index on oocyte number and quality harvested from Holstein cows and heifers, oocyte developmental competence, and total embryos produced in an area of intense ambient temperature for most of the year. A total of 5064 multiparous lactating cows and 2988 nulliparous heifers were used as oocyte donors and distributed across the months of the year. Overall, total oocytes per collection did not differ (p > 0.05) between cows (16.6 ± 2.7) and heifers (15.1 ± 1.8), but oocyte developmental competence was lower (p < 0.05) in cows (21.3 ± 5.4) than heifers (25.5 ± 4.0). For cows, the total number of oocytes harvested was two-fold higher (p < 0.05) in November than in May. For heifers, the total number of oocytes harvested was highest in April (17.19 ± 0.53) and lowest in May (10.94 ± 0.32; p < 0.05). For cows, total embryos were highest in November (2.58 ± 0.42) and lowest in August (1.28 ± 0.10; p < 0.05). Thus, taken together, these results indicate that severe heat stress impaired the number and quality of oocytes harvested from donor Holstein multiparous cows and heifers, oocyte developmental competence, and total embryos produced in this area of intense ambient temperature for most of the year.

Characterization of Bamboo Culm as Potential Fibre for Composite Development.

This study aims to evaluate how age, harvesting seasons, and culm height affect the properties of various bamboo species. The properties of bamboo fibres for composite development in Ethiopia have not been investigated so far. In this study, the properties of Y. alpina and B. oldhamii were scientifically investigated for bamboo culm structural applications and bamboo fibre composite development based on age and the harvesting season. Y. alpina was collected at Injibara and Mekaneselam which are located in east Gojjam and south wollo, whereas B. oldhamii was collected at Kombolcha which is located in south Wollo, Ethiopia. Three representatives of bamboo plants were collected in the three regions, namely from three age groups, across two harvesting months. The highest and lowest moisture content and shrinkage were measured at the ages of one year and three years, respectively, whereas basic densities were measured at the ages of three years and one year. The harvest month of November yields higher moisture content and shrinkage but lower basic densities compared to February. Yushania alpina has a higher moisture content and shrinkage but lower basic densities compared to Bamusa oldhamii. The current research demonstrates that the three-year-old groups and the harvesting month of February produce yields more suited for construction and structural purposes due to the ensuing good dimensional stability after drying. From the highest to the lowest percentage of the degree of crystallinity of the yield, it is that derived from Inj., followed by Meka., and then Kombolcha, respectively. Bamboo fibres have high powder crystals and degradation temperatures which make them suitable for composite development at two year old. Yushania alpina has a higher degree of crystallinity and degradation temperature of cellulose compared to Bambusa oldhamii.

Evaluating the Antioxidant Properties of Unifloral Honey (Apis mellifera L.) from Ethiopia.

The antioxidant properties of natural honey primarily rely on the floral origin from which nectar is collected by bees. Thus, the current activity evaluated the antioxidant properties of honey based on its floral type. The honey floral origin was verified by the melissopalynological technique. Antioxidant properties were determined by using standard procedures and analyzed by SAS. Six unifloral honey types with their harvesting month were identified. Accordingly, Guizotia (74% of pollen frequency), Coffea arabica (68%), Vernonia (90%), Croton macrostachyus (64%), Schefflera abyssinica (100%), and Eucalyptus (100%) were cropped in November, February, February, May, April, and June separately. Statistically, a variation (p < 0.05) in antioxidant parameters was displayed between unifloral honeys. Vernonia honey exhibited the maximum total phenol (77.2 ± 0.7), total flavonoid (65.0 ± 3.8), and total antioxidant content (65.4 ± 0.3). On the other hand, S. abyssinica honey recorded the least total phenol content (24.1 ± 0.4), total flavonoid content (18.6 ± 2.7), and total antioxidant content (5.6 ± 0.5). Statistical analysis showed a positive correlation between all the tested antioxidant parameters. Thus, the current study indicated that all the tested Ethiopian unifloral honey had good sources of antioxidants with the most Vernonia honey followed by C. macrostachyus whereas S. abyssinica honey had the least followed by Eucalyptus.