Optimal Harvest Time Research Articles

Optimum Seed Harvest Time of Trifolium lupinaster L. in Relation to Flowering, Pods and Seed Characteristics

Background: Pod splitting is the main cause of the low seed yield of legume forage grasses. In the present study, the flowering pattern, seed maturity characteristics and the optimum seed harvesting time of Trifolium lupinaster L. were investigated to improve seed yield and quality. Methods: All the required observations for this study were completed in the new line nursery from July to October 2022. Flowering habits of populations, individual plants, inflorescences and florets were observed for two consecutive months from July 1 to September 1 and daily temperatures and humidity were recorded.Observations on the state of seed and pod development were made by sampling and measuring in three batches every three days from July 25 to August 23 starting from the 12th day after the first flower and continuing until the first day of the season. Starting from July 15, seed yield and constitutive factors were measured every 10 d until September 5th. Result: The results showed that the flowering period of T. lupinaster L. population lasted for 60 days and the peak opening period was on the 11th-20th day after heading began, the florets opened most vigorously at 11:00-13:00 every day and inflorescences were opened more vigorously at 15:00 every day. The opening pattern of florets and inflorescences was greatly affected by temperature and humidity. The fresh weight of pod skin and seeds reached the maximum on the 15th day after flowering; the length and width of pods and seeds reached the maximum on the 18th day; the water content of pod skin and seeds began to decrease sharply on the 21st day, while the pods began to crack and the surface of the seeds dried and hardened; the water content of seeds decreased to below the safe storage moisture at 27 days. Our resuts showed that mid-August was the optimum seed harvesting period for T. lupinaster L.

Establishment and elicitation of liquid adventitious root cultures of Inula crithmoides L. for increased caffeoylquinic acids production and hepatoprotective properties

This study established a liquid adventitious root culture for Inula crithmoides L. focusing on producing extracts rich in hepatoprotective caffeoylquinic acids through elicitation. Adventitious roots were induced from in vitro-grown plant leaves cultured on MS medium supplemented with 1 mg/L IBA. Growth and secondary metabolites accumulation (phenolics, flavonoids, hydroxycinnamic acids) were monitored weekly to determine the optimal harvesting time. Then, the adventitious roots were elicited for 4 weeks with varying concentrations of yeast extract–YE (50, 100 and 200 mg/L) and extracted with ethanol. The extracts were evaluated for their hepatoprotective effects against ethanol-induced hepatotoxicity and analyzed through high-performance liquid chromatography coupled with electrospray ionization mass spectrometry (HPLC–ESI–MS/MS). Roots of greenhouse-cultivated plants were used to compare the results obtained from in vitro -grown adventitious roots. IBA supplementation induced 100% adventitious root formation, with maximum biomass and phenolic accumulation after 4 weeks. Hydroxycinnamic acid levels increased significantly with YE treatment at all the concentrations, particularly in case of chlorogenic acid and di-O-caffeoylquinic acid isomers. The root extracts displayed significant in vitro hepatoprotective effects, particularly at 50 mg/L YE elicitation. Overall, the elicitation of I. crithmoides liquid root cultures with yeast extract offers a promising, efficient, and cost-effective approach for optimizing the production of valuable caffeoylquinic acids having potential pharmaceutical use.

Comprehensive analysis of quality and bioactive compounds in umbu-cajá fruit during different ripening stages

Umbu-cajá (Spondias tuberosa x S. mombin) is a tropical fruit with potential health benefits due to its bioactive compounds. The objective of this study was to identify the optimal harvest point for enhanced nutritional value and consumer appeal of umbu-cajá. Umbu-cajá fruit was collected at five ripening stages (S1 to S5). Immature fruit (S1) had a higher pulp yield but a lower seed yield, suggesting an inverse relationship between these fruit components. Stage 3 (S3) was identified as the optimal harvest time, as it maintained stable pulp and seed mass, corresponding to the ideal physiological maturity point for human consumption. The respiration rate increased significantly at stages S4 and S5, indicating that Spondias sp. could be classified as a climacteric fruit. Color analysis revealed increased yellowness during ripening, which is indicative of the development of desirable attributes such as sweetness and soft texture in hipened fruits. Compositional analysis demonstrated that moisture content decreased while ash and solids content increased during ripening, reflecting appropriate maturity for human consumption. The ratio of soluble solids to acidity increased, suggesting enhanced sweetness as the fruits ripened. The levels of antioxidants, except for anthocyanins, decreased during ripening, with the latter increasing up to stage S3, thereby providing the fruit with its vibrant colors. The compositional changes underscore the importance of considering both nutritional and sensory attributes in determining the optimal harvest time. Moreover, the increased antioxidant content at early ripening stages signifies the fruit's potential as a valuable source of health-promoting compounds. This study contributes to optimizing the quality of umbu-cajá and offers valuable information for sustainable production and improved consumption of these fruits. By identifying the ideal harvest time and evaluating the changes in bioactive compounds and quality attributes during ripening, this research aids in promoting healthier dietary choices and supporting the fruit industry. The findings have implications for producers, retailers, and consumers, providing a scientific basis for enhancing the nutritional value and flavor profile of umbu-cajá at the optimal stage of ripening.

Optimization of Feed Ration Size in Aquatic System According to the Optimal Control Approach: Implications of Using the von Bertalanffy Growth Model

Rationing aquaculture farming feed is challenging for producers due to high feed costs, representing 30%–60% of the total operating costs. Therefore, optimal timing of feeding could lead to improved economic returns from an aquatic system. An optimal dynamic feeding model has been determined considering the von Bertalanffy growth model. A bioeconomic model of tilapia production in Mexico for specific markets was used for numerical illustration. The von Bertalanffy growth model was parameterized with experimental data from tilapia (Oreochromis niloticus) fed four ration sizes (50%, 80%, 100%, and satiety), in order to determine different optimal rationing for different fish sizes (200, 300, and 400 g), market prices (Monterrey, Cancún, Mexico City, and On site), and optimal harvesting times (OHT), considering the time value of money. The results of the modeled optimal feeding trajectories show a continuous decrease from stocking to reach a minimum value and then slightly approaching the harvest size. This result contrasts with the recommendations of the feed suppliers and with those found when a potential growth model was used. The results in the case study showed that the Monterrey market presented the highest present value of the benefits in the OHT and the different market sizes. The implications of the Bertalanffy model for optimal rationing trajectories are presented in the discussion.

Determining the Optimal Harvesting Time of Fresh Fruit Bunches Based on the Yield of Oil and Carotene

The timing of harvesting oil palm fruit might affect the quality of the oil palm product. Mostly, The approximate number of palm oil fruits that have broken off from their bunches (loose-fruit) is usually used to measure the ripeness of fruit. The goal of this study was to establish the ideal harvesting period with variations in the amount of palm oil fruits that were loose from their bunches using two indicators: oil yield and carotene content. The variance was dependent on one factor: the number of days after the fruit was discovered unfastened from its bunch. The results showed that the percentage of palm oil fruits that were separated from their bunch and the planting age were both related to the quality of the fresh fruit bunches (FFB). The ideal harvest period can be carried out from day two until day four after the first time of unmounted fruits, which have a high oil yield of 46.6%–48.1% and a yield of carotene of 400–600 ppm.

YIELD AND CHEMICAL QUALITY OF CHEPIL (Crotalaria longirostrata Hook. & Arn) FORAGE AT DIFFERENT SEEDING DENSITIES AND CUTTING FREQUENCY

Ruminant grazing in the tropics requires supplementation given the nutritional characteristics of pastures to cover protein needs. The objective of this research was to evaluate the yield and chemical quality of chepil (Crotalaria longirostrata Hook. & Arn) forage at different seeding densities and cutting frequencies to obtain the optimum harvest time. The experiment was set up in a completely randomized design with three replications. The treatments were planting densities T1: 200 000; T2: 100 000; and T3: 50 000 plants ha-1. The variables evaluated were: dry matter yield, morphological composition, growth rate, leaf:stem ratio, intercepted radiation, plant height, crude protein, neutral detergent fiber, acid detergent fiber, dry matter, and ash. For the 64-day cutting frequency, the three densities presented the highest yield with 3406, 3500, and 4200 kg MS ha-1, for 200 000, 100 000 and 50 000 plants ha-1, respectively (p < 0.05). PC decreased (p < 0.05) in T2 and T3 (23 %) in comparison to T1 (24 %). The planting density with the highest percentage of crude protein was 200 000 plants ha-1 with 24 %. The densities of 100 000 and 50 000 plants ha-1 presented a lower crude protein percentage, with 23 % (p < 0.05). It is concluded that the optimum cutting time is at 36 days of regrowth, when the chepil is planted at a density of 100 000 plants ha-1, and harvested at the frequency of 36 days of regrowth, since 95 % of intercepted radiation and better quality between yield and chemical characteristics, mainly crude protein, are obtained.

A selection approach using high‑oxygen and pond-mimicking culture conditions increases biomass productivity in the industrially relevant diatom Nitzschia inconspicua str. hildebrandi

To meet the energy and food challenges of the 21st century, renewable and sustainable sources of fuel and nutrients are required. Microalgae offer promise in meeting these challenges but must achieve higher rates of areal productivity to compete with fully scaled, existing industries. In this study, we used selective O2 pressure to attain a ∼90 % increase in areal biomass productivity relative to the parental strain in the diatom Nitzschia inconspicua str. hildebrandi under pond-mimicking conditions with high O2 stress. The resulting culture line (GAI-337) was tested further for dilution time, culture density, CO2 supplementation, pH, temperature, and dissolved O2 concentration under outdoor pond-mimicking conditions to improve areal productivities. These experiments yielded an optimum harvest and dilution time just after sunset, ∼0.45 g AFDW L−1 initial culture density for maximal productivities, no requirement for CO2 gas supplementation or pH control, maximal performance under a diel temperature curve going from 24 °C at night to 36 °C during the day, and benefits from some O2 removal from the culture by bubbling with air. Using pond-mimicking laboratory bioreactors, N. inconspicua GAI-337 achieved ∼42 g AFDW m−2 d−1, placing it among the most productive microalgal strains tested to date. Nutrient limitation experiments resulted in a biomass composition with 36 % of AFDW comprised of lipids (measured as FAMEs) that equated to ∼160 Gallons of Gasoline Equivalent energy per ton AFDW, highlighting the potential of GAI337 as a promising renewable fuel feedstock strain.

A comprehensive review on the antioxidant activities and health benefits of microgreens: current insights and future perspectives

SummaryMicrogreens contain an abundance of antioxidants (glucosinolates, carotenoids, and phenolic compounds), vitamins (C, E, and K), minerals (iron and magnesium), and other nutrients (fibre and omega‐3 fatty acids). They have been shown to promote cardiovascular health, reduce inflammation, combat cancer, manage diabetes, protect the nervous system, and improve digestion. This review investigates the antioxidant content and health implications of microgreens, providing current insights and prospective outlooks. The types of antioxidants found in microgreens, as well as the factors that influence their content, such as species, growing conditions, and harvesting time, are discussed. The review highlights antioxidants' role in cardiovascular health, inflammation reduction, cancer defence, diabetes management, and nervous system protection. The antioxidant properties of microgreen varieties are discussed. The bioavailability of antioxidants from microgreens, culinary applications, and incorporation into the diet are elaborated. The section of future perspectives covers the commercial potential of microgreens, optimal harvest timing, research directions, and potential functional food and nutraceutical uses. The aim and scope of this review are to provide a comprehensive understanding of the antioxidant content in microgreens and their associated health benefits. It also seeks to identify gaps in current research and suggest avenues for future studies, especially concerning their relevance in human health and nutrition.

Effect of Copper Sulfate Induction on Phyllanthus tenellus Roxb. Total Phenolic and Flavonoid Content

Aims: Plants need an appropriate amount of nutrients such as copper for growth and development. However, excess of copper may interrupt plant development and cause stress that led to biochemical compounds being synthesized. The influence of a high copper sulfate concentration on phenolic and flavonoid content in Phyllanthus tenellus plants was investigated.
 Place and Duration of Study: The experiment was conducted in a government compound at MARDI Serdang, Selangor, Malaysia (2° 59' 31.7292'' N 101° 41' 56.706'' E), from April 2021 to Jun 2021.
 Methodology: The experiment was conducted using a vertical column planting system under a side-netted rain shelter. The plants were subjected to 0.5 M copper sulfate sprayed after 60 days of planting and harvested 0.5, 1.5, 3, 6, 12 and 24 h after sprayed for further analysis. Total phenolic content was calculated as mg gallic acid equivalent and total flavonoid content was measured as quercetin equivalent.
 Results: Highest total phenolic and flavonoid content was detected after 0.5 hours of copper sulfate application and started to decrease towards 24 hours after sprayed. Treated samples showed a 1.18-fold increase in total phenolic content and 1.4-fold increase in total flavonoid content compared to control untreated samples after 0.5 hours of sprayed. Control samples showed stability in both total phenolic and flavonoid content throughout the harvesting periods. Phenolic is the major secondary metabolites in Phyllanthus tenellus plants.
 Conclusion: Data revealed that the application of 0.5 M copper sulfate is able to enhance total phenolic and flavonoid content in Phyllanthus tenellus plants. The study suggested that the optimum harvesting time is 0.5 hours after copper sulfate application.

The potential of hay for graminoid introduction in the restoration of subtropical grasslands: Results from a greenhouse experiment

IntroductionSubtropical grasslands have been severely impacted. Due to their low resilience after degradation, active restoration is necessary; however, knowledge still is incipient. Hay transfer is a successfully employed technique to restore other grassland ecosystems and its use is promising in subtropical grasslands. We evaluated the potential of hay transfer for the restoration of the subtropical grasslands in Southern Brazil by assessing the effects of (1) the date of hay harvest and (2) the amount of dry hay used. MethodsIn two protected areas in South Brazilian grasslands, we harvested hay on three dates (mid-Spring, early-Summer, and mid-Summer) and placed it into a greenhouse for seeds in the hay to germinate. Two different amounts of dry hay (375 g/m² and 750 g/m²) were used for each date. We assessed the number of emerging seedlings, species richness, and seedling species composition in each treatment, separately for each site. Emerging forbs were identified as soil seed bank contamination, and only data for graminoids (grasses and sedges) are presented. ResultsThe number of seedlings varied among harvest dates, with mid-Spring and early-Summer resulting in more emergencies in both sites. No common pattern to both sites regarding the effect of the amount of dry hay on seedling emergence was found for the two sites, but interaction with the harvest date is important. Species composition and richness also varied across harvest dates, and, independent of the donor site, more hay resulted in more species. Nevertheless, few species were transferred overall. ConclusionsHay transfer has the potential to introduce seeds of graminoids and appears to be a promising tool for the restoration of South Brazilian grasslands. There is not a single optimal time for hay harvest nor a pattern regarding hay amount. Few species are established from hay and more than one harvest should be done to increase species richness.

On-Site Evaluation of Constituent Content and Functionality of Perilla frutescens var. crispa Using Fluorescence Spectra.

Perilla frutescens leaves are hypothesized to possess antioxidant and amyloid-β (Aβ) aggregation inhibitory properties primarily due to their polyphenol-type compounds. While these bioactivities fluctuate daily, the traditional methods for quantifying constituent contents and functional properties are both laborious and impractical for immediate field assessments. To address this limitation, the present study introduces an expedient approach for on-site analysis, employing fluorescence spectra obtained through excitation light irradiation of perilla leaves. Standard analytical techniques were employed to evaluate various constituent contents (chlorophyl (Chl), total polyphenol content (TPC), total flavonoid content (TFC), and rosmarinic acid (RA)) and functional attributes (DPPH radical scavenging activity, ferric reducing antioxidant power (FRAP), oxygen radical absorbance capacity (ORAC), and Aβ aggregation inhibitory activity). Correlations between the fluorescence spectra and these parameters were examined using normalized difference spectral index (NDSI), ratio spectral index (RSI), and difference spectral index (DSI) analyses. The resulting predictive model exhibited a high coefficient of determination, with R2 values equal to or greater than 0.57 for constituent contents and 0.49 for functional properties. This approach facilitates the convenient, simultaneous, and nondestructive monitoring of both the chemical constituents and the functional capabilities of perilla leaves, thereby simplifying the determination of optimal harvest times. The model derived from this method holds promise for real-time assessments, indicating its potential for the simultaneous evaluation of both constituents and functionalities in perilla leaves.

Применение комбинации физических полей для повышения посевных качеств семян сои

One of the main conditions for obtaining a high soybean yield is maintaining optimal sowing and harvesting times, as well as pre-sowing seed treatment aimed at increasing the sowing qualities of the seed material. In the Amur region, the optimal sowing time is considered to be the period when the average daily air temperature reaches 10–14º degrees Celsius. In this connection, as studies have shown, mid-ripening and late-ripening soybean varieties are sown at the end of May, usually on the 20th-25th, and early-ripening varieties are sown a week later. Maintaining these sowing dates contributes to better development of soybean plants, which allows the necessary work to care for the crops to be carried out in favorable conditions. The studies carried out show that all sowing work in the region must be carried out in the shortest possible time and no later than June 5. In addition to the conditions listed above, to increase soybean yields, it is necessary to pay due attention to other indicators, such as the quality of sowing work, selection of sowing method, compliance with seeding standards, sowing density and depth of seed placement in the soil, etc. Also, one of the promising ways to improve the sowing qualities of soybean seeds is to improve the mechanization used during pre-sowing treatment. The presented article presents the results of research on improving the pre-sowing qualities of seed material through the use of thermal and electromagnetic physical fields in combined processing of soybean seeds. Keywords: SEEDS, SOYBEANS, SOWING QUALITIES, SEED MATERIAL, THERMAL AND ELECTROMAGNETIC TREATMENT, SOWING, EFFICIENCY

Study on the Fragrant Pear-Picking Sequences Based on the Multiple Weighting Method

The production of the Korla fragrant pear is significant, but the optimal harvesting time is short; therefore, the reasonable use of mechanical arms for harvesting is conducive to promoting the sustainable development of the fragrant pear industry. The efficiency of a robot arm when picking fragrant pears is not only determined by the successful extraction of fragrant pears in a complex environment, but the picking sequence of fragrant pears also directly affects the efficiency of the robot arm. In order to simulate an orchard-picking scenario, this paper built three fragrant pear tree models indoors. The number of fragrant pears on the fragrant pear trees was 5, 10, and 20. Three sets of experiments were designed for comparison with real-world conditions. The main steps were as follows: calibrate the three-dimensional coordinates of each fragrant pear on the fragrant pear trees; determine the end position of the robotic arm at each picking point; find the inverse solution for each group; transform the solutions into matrix form using the rated power of each joint as the weight, and identify the minimum value, which is the angle of each joint in the robotic arm when picking the fragrant pear; use the intelligent socket to find the average energy consumption and average time consumed for picking each group of fragrant pears; and determine the loss ratio of the robotic arm based on the amount of rotation in each joint during picking. The experimental results show that the multiple weighting method reduced the energy consumption by 10.627%, 16.072%, and 24.417%, and the time consumption by 11.988%, 14.428%, and 22.561%, respectively, relative to the hybrid ant colony–particle swarm optimization algorithm, which proves the rationality of the fragrant pear picking order delineated using the multiple weighting method.

On the Performance of End-to-End Cooperative NOMA-Based IoT Networks With Wireless Energy Harvesting

This paper studies the end-to-end uplink (UL) and downlink (DL)-outage probability (OP) of an Internet of Things (IoT) network with radio frequency (RF) energy harvesting (EH) over Nakagami-m fading channels. Power-domain nonorthogonal multiple access (NOMA) is adopted to support both the UL and DL transmissions to increase the network spectral efficiency. The system end-to-end UL and DL outage probabilities are analyzed where exact closed-form expressions are derived. The system performance is explored for various system parameters such as time allocation for EH, transmission power, fading conditions, number of IoT devices (IoDs), and data rate. The obtained analytical results are corroborated using Monte Carlo simulation for various operating scenarios. The obtained results show that the optimum harvesting time may broadly vary based on the adopted system parameters. Moreover, the results show that the system OP is highly sensitive to the harvesting time where OP may vary drastically if the harvesting time deviates from the optimum. The impact of the perfect successive interference cancellation (SIC) (PSIC) is also evaluated and compared with imperfect SIC (ISIC), and the obtained results show that the OP of the system can be significantly underestimated with the PSIC assumption. Therefore, the commonly used PSIC assumption may cause substantial deviation from the practical case where the detection process experiences ISIC.

Monitoring defoliation rate and boll-opening rate of machine-harvested cotton based on UAV RGB images

Defoliation and artificial ripening are critical steps before mechanical harvesting of cotton. The defoliation effect is a key factor in determining the optimal harvesting time of cotton, as an improper machine-harvesting time can reduce the yield and quality of cotton. Therefore, rapid and accurate estimation of the defoliation rate and boll-opening rate is critical for evaluating the effect of defoliation on machine-harvested cotton. This study aimed to test whether high-resolution RGB images using UAVs, different characteristics screening methods, and modelling techniques can effectively monitor the defoliation rate and boll-opening rate for machine-harvested cotton. The hypothesis was that the combination of vegetation index, colour space component, and textural features, along with different methods, could improve the defoliation rate and boll-opening rate of machine-harvested cotton. Cotton defoliant treatment field experiments were conducted in Shihezi, Xinjiang, China, during 2019–2020, after defoliant treatment to acquire the defoliation rate and boll-opening rate. Correlation coefficient (Cor), maximum information coefficient (MIC), and random forest (RF) was used to screen the visible light vegetation indices, colour space parameters, and texture features. Multivariate stepwise regression (MSR), kernel ridge regression (KRR), extreme learning machine (ELM), and particle swarm optimized extreme learning machine (PSO–ELM) algorithms were used to construct monitoring models for the defoliation rate and boll-opening rate of machine-harvested cotton. Using the principal components analysis algorithm, comprehensive evaluation indices of defoliation effects were constructed to provide theoretical and methodological support for determining the time of machine-harvested cotton. The results showed that (1) a model based on RF_PSO-ELM achieved optimal assessment of the defoliation rate (R²=0.59, RMSE=19.37%, rRMSE=34.54%) and boll-opening rate (R²=0.73, RMSE=19.11%, rRMSE=46.40%), (2) a comprehensive evaluation index of the machine-harvested cotton defoliation effect was constructed based on the defoliation rate, boll-opening rate, and yield, which was named PCA1. (3) PCA1 was used as the standard to determine the harvesting time, when a PCA1 value of > 1.3225 indicated the optimal harvesting time. This index can accurately judge the best harvest time of machine-harvested cotton in large-scale production.

Quality attributes of Pitanga (Eugenia uniflora L.) during postharvest storage as affected by ripening stage and storage temperature

BACKGROUND: Pitanga (Eugenia uniflora L.) is a South American berry with a sweet flavor and is rich in bioactive compounds and antioxidants. However, its high water and sugar content, susceptibility to spoilage, and bruising limit its shelf life. OBJECTIVE: This study aimed to investigate the physical and chemical changes of pitanga during storage and to identify the optimal harvest time and storage conditions. METHODS: Pitangas were harvested at mid or full-ripeness stages, stored at 2°C, 10°C, or 20°C, and analyzed for physical and chemical quality attributes using a kinetic approach. RESULTS: The storage temperature of pitanga significantly affected the kinetics of various quality attributes, including weight loss, percentage of damaged and decayed fruit, fruit hardness, total soluble solid content, and color change. However, the ripening stage during harvest only influenced the initial values of a few quality attributes. The bioactive compound content and antioxidant capacity of pitanga were not significantly affected by either storage temperature or ripening stage, except for vitamin C. CONCLUSIONS: Pitanga can be preserved at 2°C for 20 days, resulting in a four-fold increase in shelf life compared to current postharvest practices. This finding offers valuable insights into optimizing the postharvest technology of pitanga, thereby increasing its utilization and promoting sustainable production practices.

Insight into the effects of different ripeness levels on the quality and flavor chemistry of Noni fruit (Morinda citrifolia L.)

Different ripeness plays a key role in the final quality and flavor of Noni products, but the variations of quality and flavor during Noni ripening are still unclear. In this study, physicochemical analysis combined with electronic nose, electronic tongue and gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (GC–MS) were used to investigate the effect of different ripeness levels on Noni fruit quality and flavor chemistry. The results showed that the optimum stage of nutrient accumulation is 7–8 ripe (7M−8M), in which especially the higher contents were 144Mg/100 g vitamin C, 11.08 g/kg polyphenols, 15.32 g/kg flavonoids and 2420Mg/kg potassium. Octanoic acid and hexanoic acid with an unfriendly odor began to decrease significantly after 8 ripe (8M), the lowest contents were 256.76 and 231.26 ng/g at 9 ripe (9M). Sour, astringent and fresh tastes are the dominant tastes of Noni fruit. Therefore, the optimum harvesting time of Noni fruit is 8M.

The chemical profile and seasonal variation of the composition of the phenolic acids in different plant parts of Centaurea sp.

This study investigated the seasonal variation (over seven months) of phenolic acid (PHA) components in different parts of Centaurea sp. The primary objective was to determine the pattern of variation, while the secondary objective was to identify which month or growth stage provides a greater total PHA content or percentage of bioactive components. Different patterns of seasonal variations were highlighted for the different PHA components and their classes (hydroxybenzoic and -cinnamic acids) in different parts of the plant. The leaves exclusively provided the highest PHA contents, with maximum values reached in April (1368.06 μg/g). The major hydroxybenzoic acid derivatives (HBAs) identified in the leaves were vanillic acid (VaA) “154.18–374.06 μg/g” and protocatechuic acid (PA) “9.37–595.61 μg/g”, while the major hydroxycinnamic acid derivatives (HCAs) were p-coumaric acid (p-CoA) “109.35–261.77 μg/g”, m-coumaric acid (m-CoA) “10.22–70.57 μg/g”, and ferulic acid (FeA) “35.54–109.13 μg/g”. The maximum percentage of PA was obtained in April “595.61 μg/g”, while the maximum p-CoA content was obtained in January “261.77 μg/g”. Therefore, the leaves can be recommended as the optimal source of PHAs. If there is a specific interest in certain PHA components, we recommend collection in either January or April. Multivariate statistical analysis (PCA & AHC) showed the existence of two main clusters. The first cluster comprised the leaves, distinguished by the highest VaA, PA, and p-CoA contents. The second cluster comprised roots and the root bark samples. This study provides information on the development of PHAs in different parts of Centaurea sp. and explores potential applications. It will be of considerable interest for determining the optimal harvesting time of shrub species used for their medicinal properties and bio-active phenolic contents.

Appropriate harvest age of mango (Mangifera indica cv. Arumanis) for quality assurance in long distance transportation planning in Indonesia

Transportation of mango (Mangifera indica) is a significant challenge in a large archipelago country like Indonesia. This study addresses the quality assurance problem of long-distance transportation of mangoes from Java Island, Indonesia, and recommends the optimal harvest age for different transportation schemes in the Indonesian mango supply chain. The study investigated harvested mangoes at three different maturity levels and evaluated their quality characteristics, including climacteric peak and respiration rate, total soluble solids, acidity, firmness, dry matter concentration, and weight loss. Samples were kept in their respective packaging during storage to imitate transportation conditions, and an Internet of Things (IoT)-based system was used for real-time monitoring and remote access to the storage conditions information. Long-distance transportation cases of six destinations with different distances, modes of transportation, travel durations, and environmental conditions were studied. Mango harvested at 105 and 108 days after flowering is suitable for consumption, while the harvest age of 90–95 days after flowering is recommended for longer transportation durations involving non-refrigerated and refrigerated vehicles. The harvest age of 105 days after flowering is appropriate for long-distance transportation with non-refrigerated vehicles, while 108 days after flowering is only recommended for inter-province transportation with non-refrigerated vehicles with a short duration of transportation. The existing practice where one harvest age applies for all destinations cannot be recommended as quality deterioration and/or inappropriate maturity level at destination may occur. The results emphasize the importance of determining the optimal harvest time based on the climacteric peak and quality changes during storage to ensure that mangoes meet consumer demands and maximize their quality and shelf life.

Evidence of sustainable intensification in the production of palm oil from crops planted with Elaeis oleifera x Elaeis guineensis in Colombia

Cultivars from crossings between Elaeis oleífera x Elaeis guineensis (OxG hybrids) have proven to have partial resistance to Bud Rot (BR), the most challenging disease for the Colombian palm oil agroindustry. Therefore, OxG hybrids were planted in areas that have experienced BR outbreaks since 2007. Soon, it was discovered that OxG hybrid female inflorescences required to be pollinated with pollen from E. guineensis to improve bunch formation. Researchers from Cenipalma noted that OxG hybrid bunches have a greater proportion of partenocarpic fruits. The latter generated a line of research that yielded artificial pollination in 2018. Artificial pollination consists of applying naphtaleneacetic acid (NAA) to female inflorescences in order to promote the formation of partenocarpic fruits. If artificial pollination was to be scaled up, many questions needed an answer such as, what was labor productivity, the stage at which bunches should be harvested and even, if it was profitable. This paper synthesizes the results of studies carried out by Cenipalma together with managers from oil palm plantations. These research studies were undertaken by means of time and motion studies, optimal harvesting time studies and cost–benefit analysis. Results come from plantations located at all the zones that have planted OxG cultivars that have planted the most common OxG hybrids. Our results indicate that an artificial pollination worker may be asked between 188 and 249 inflorescences per workday depending upon inflorescences density (inflorescences per hectare). We also found that by implementing criteria on optimal harvest time one may increase the oil extraction rate from 6 to 29.7%. Finally, it was found that artificial pollination is more costly than using only E. guineensis pollen, but the increase in yields at the field and the increase in the amount of oil extracted offset this extra cost and provide greater profitability to oil palm growers. This is a sample of how, by using the same natural resources, implementing artificial pollination, and harvesting at the proper stage; one can have greater yields and have a more resilient business. In other words, this is an example of sustainable intensification.