Post Harvest Research Articles

Weedy rice (Oryza sativa L.) seed dormancy features and potential usage for management

Weedy rice infestation has been expanding with the increasing proportion of direct-seeded rice (DSR) systems in China. Limited herbicides are effective against weedy rice due to its high similarity with cultivated rice. Hence, it is important to figure out some non-chemical management strategies for weedy rice. One of the methods is to reduce the size of seed bank by inducing weedy rice germination. Petri dish germination experiment found that weedy rice with different seed morphologies showed an absence of primary dormancy. The field phenology study showed that weedy rice differed from cultivated rice in many features including plant height, number of tillers, fresh weight, and days required for earing when sown from 1 June to 1 October, and in the case of late sowings (between 1 August and 1 October), the plants produced no heads despite a high germination rate. Simulated field experiment to induce germination found that when soil moisture content was 22.2% and day/night temperatures were 20/15 °C, respectively, germination was more than 60% up to 10 days after sowing; at higher levels of soil moisture and temperature, germination was faster and germination percentage was higher. These results indicated that weedy rice seed bank size could be reduced by inducing the seed germination with post harvest irrigation as the seedlings would be killed overwinter in lower-middle reaches of the Yangtze River in China.

Effect of Some Tillage Systems on Surface Runoff and Soil Erosion in Northern Gedarif Area, Sudan

A study was carried out for three consecutive seasons (2005/06, 2006/07 and 2007/08) under rain- fed condition, to investigate the effectof some tillage systems on surface runoff and soil erosion in northernGedarif. The study was conducted at the pilot farm of the Faculty ofAgricultural Sciences and Environment, University of Gedarif ,in thenorthern area of Gedarif State ( Latitude 12° 45′ N, Longitude 35° 15′ Eand 540 m above sea level ). The experimental design was randomizedcomplete block with three replications. Treatment were three tillagesystems: No tillage or zero tillage (ZT), offset disc as post harvest tillage(PHT) and wide level disc, farmers practices as control ( WLD ). Raingauge was used to measure the rainfall, whilst the surface runoff and soillosses were measured using runoff plot technique. Total recorded annualrainfall was 368.1mm (2005), 463.6 mm (2006) and 495.2 mm (2007)which was spread over 32, 30 and 32 rainy days during the first , secondand third growing seasons, respectively. The results showed that thesecond season had the best distribution and satisfaction pattern. Itrecorded 15 %, 36 %, 26 % and 5 % for July, August, September andOctober, respectively, compared to 24 % ,53 % 13 % and 2 % ; and 29% ,41 % , 21 % and 1 % for first and third seasons in the same months.Zero tillage treatment showed more runoff and soil loss than PHT andWLD. In terms of accumulation, ZT produced more runoff by 28 % and 9% and soil loss by 53 % and 28 % over PHT and WLD respectively forfirst season ,30 % and 13 % runoff and 28 % and 13 % soil loss for thesecond season and 55 % and 23 % runoff and 105 % and 24 % soil lossfor third season . The post harvest tillage reduced average annual runoffand soil loss to the lowest values compared to the Wide level disk andZ T.

Hygienic Milk Production, Milk Marketing And Milk Quality Evaluation in Urban and Peri-Urban of Sululta District, Ethiopia.

The study was conducted in Sululta district, Oromia special Zone Surrounding Finfinnee, with the objective of assessing hygienic milk production, marketing system and milk quality evaluation. Raw milk marketing channels producers to Collectors (80%), producers to processors (19%) and producers to consumers (1%), with  the average milk price (25) Ethiopia Birr/L during the study was conducted. The overall mean of fat 2.968±0.27%, protein 2.71±0.149%, specific gravity 1.0161±0.0007, Sold-non-fat 5.91±.396, temperature 23.8±.97℃, added water 23.11± 5.049%, freezing points -0.4027±0.0364℃, titratable acidity 0.151±0.009 and pH 6.293±0.077 and there was significant (P≤0.05) difference while milk temperature was not significant (P≤0.05) difference between the two study areas. The overall mean of total bacterial count 7.80±0.25log10cfu/ml, Coliforms 5.71±0.24 log10cfu/ml, Somatic cell 1.10±0.414 log10cfu/ml and yeast and mold 4.13±0.168 log10cfu/ml, there was significant (P≤0.05) difference milk microbial quality between the two study areas. High bacterial load of milk due to contamination from fecal or other contaminating agents from poor pre-harvesting and post harvesting of milk handling, insufficient udder preparation, use of poor quality and un-boiled water for cleaning utensil. The chemical composition and microbial quality of milk not fulfilling milk quality standards, except titratable acidity and somatic cell count, might be due to milk adulteration, cream separation and neglected hygienic milk production practices etc. Appropriate intervention of concerned technical supportive stakeholders would be essential to overcome prevailing poor hygienic milk production, milk marketing and milk quality problem in general.

A status update on fusarium head blight on Western Canadian wheat

Fusarium head blight (FHB) is a devastating disease of wheat in Canada and disease surveillance is a critical component of integrated disease management, disease forecasting, prioritizing research and breeding efforts, grain handling, and cleaning post harvest. We report on the recent trends of FHB in Canadian wheat including incidence and severity from 1995 to 2021 based on data from 208,247 samples. Our results show a steady increase in FHB incidence from 1995, with an epidemic year in 2016, followed by several years of low incidence. Results also indicated that FHB severity has been stable over time, but not always correlated with incidence. Data from the analysis of 26,538 samples from 2018 to 2021 demonstrate a strong positive correlation between the number of Fusarium damaged kernels (severity) and concentrations of the mycotoxin deoxynivalenol. Together, our results provide the most robust survey of FHB in Canada to date, which complement national and international disease monitoring and management efforts.

Effect of blended fermented beverages from blood fruit and aonla with two types of organic sweetener.

Fermented beverages from blood fruit (Haematocarpus validus Bakh.f.exForman) and aonla (Emblica officinalis Gaertn.) were prepared to find out the interactive effect between blending of different proportion of blood fruit and aonla along with two types of organic sugar (palm and cane sugar) to add the diversity to the drinks, preserve the nutrition, antioxidative and functional properties of the fruits and reduced the post harvest losses. The beverages have the following proximate compositions viz. a significantly highest TSS (8.36 °Brix), total sugar (2.29%), reducing sugar (1.92%), alcohol (9.02%) were recorded treatment combinations T3S1 (Blood fruit 90% + aonla 10% +palm sugar 20%). T2 (100% aonla) recorded highest β-carotene (172.95 IU), titratable acidity (0.61%) and ascorbic acid (61.95mg/100ml) while highest anthocyanin (12.98mg/100 ml) were recorded in T1 (100% blood fruit). Similarly, the sensory evaluation shows that most of treatments (T1S1, T3S1, T3S2, and T4S2) were accepted by the panellists. Considering the findings of investigation and highest net monitory returns (5.84 B: C ratio) obtained, it can be conclude that blending of blood fruit and aonla at different proportion with different types of sugar has a good prospect for commercialization.

Assessment of Environmental Parameters and Occupational Health Hazards of Rural Women in Post Harvest Activities of Assam

Agriculture is the oldest and most dangerous occupation as compared to other occupations. Agriculture is the major national economic contributor for under-developed nations such as India, Brazil, and South Korea. It was estimated that nearly half of the world labor force involved in agricultural activities. An attempt was undertaken to assess the environmental parameters and occupational health hazards in the view point of environmental conditions in post harvest activities. Three blocks were selected randomly from Jorhat sub-division. Two villages from each block were selected randomly and there by all together six villages and 300 farm women were selected proportionately. Both interview and experimental method was considered for collection of data. Personal and demographic characteristics of the respondents showed that 82 per cent belonged to marginal farmers having 1 acre of land. As regards to age of the respondents, 88 per cent falls in the age group of 30-40 years. The mean temperature was found to be 22°C and mean relative humidity (RH) was observed to be 49 per cent. The lighting condition revealed that the illuminance level were ranges from 21 lux to 95 lux. It was found that mean noise level was 110 db which was more than the permissible limit. Hazards faced by farm women in post harvest activities due to the environmental factors are pain or cramps, indigestion, eye strain, watering of eyes, blurred vision or vision problem, loss of hearing capacity, temporary deafness, headaches and faintness due to working under cold, humid, noisy and inadequate lighting conditions. It was apparent that 63 per cent respondents were belonged to ‘high’ incidence of environmental hazards during the performance of post harvest activities. The angles of average flexion was highest in upper arm (90.62) and extension was in thoracic and it was observed 115.30°indicating deviation of body parts.

The Use of Different Modes of Transportation Affects the Chemical Qualities of Watermelon Fruits (Citrullus lanatus [Thunb]) Transported from the Farm Gates in the Hinterlands to the Urban Markets in the Tamale Metropolis in the Northern Region of Ghana

The perishable nature of fruits and vegetables are a major concern to post harvest scientist. Postharvest handling practices particularly, mode of transportation is contributing to loss of essential chemical qualities of watermelon fruits. This study sought to identify the means of transport responsible for chemical damage in watermelons and also to assess watermelon varieties affected by these modes of transport in the Tamale Metropolis in Ghana. It revealed that watermelon conveyed by Kia Mini Truck (0.80 t) mode of transportation experienced the highest chemical damages (13.82 %) while watermelon conveyed by Mini Pick-up Truck recorded the least chemical damage (13.3%). It also showed that Sugar baby variety encountered the highest chemical damages (13.82%) while Crimson sweet variety recorded the lowest value (13.2 %) Keywords : Chemical qualities, Total tartritable acidity, Total soluble solids, and moisture DOI: 10.7176/JBAH/13-4-05 Publication date: March 31 st 2023

Effect of Different Rate and Time of Application of Slag based Gypsum on Nutrient Use Efficiency, Quality and Yield of Groundnut

Background: Slag based gypsum (SBG) is a value-added product of iron and steel industry. Application of gypsum as source of calcium and sulphur for groundnut cultivation is common practice and mainly applied during peg initiation stage of groundnut. However, its effect is mainly influenced by the type of soil and dissolution of gypsum, which facilitates the yield and quality of groundnut. Hence, field experiments were conducted to know the effect of application of different rates of SBG as basal and split application on soil properties, yield, quality, nutrient use and uptake efficiency of groundnut in acidic soil. Methods: This study contains of seven treatments which includes recommended dose of fertilizer (RDF) with three levels of SBG (375, 500 and 625 kg ha-1) was applied as basal and split and 500 kg natural gypsum (NG) ha-1 was applied as basal dose according to package of practice (POP) of University of Agricultural Sciences, Bangalore by using randomly complete block design (RCBD) at Agricultural Research Station, Balajigapade during kharif 2018 and 2019. Result: The pooled data of two field experiments on groundnut revealed that application of RDF + 625 kg SBG ha-1 as 50% at sowing + 50% at peg initiation stage recorded higher pod (28.01 q ha-1), haulm (54.46 q ha-1), kernel (20.59 q ha-1), protein (89.70 q ha-1) and oil (7.06 q ha-1) yield when compared to other treatments. There was an increase in pod, haulm and oil yield of groundnut by 11.62, 20.59 and 17.99%, respectively with the split application of 625 kg SBG ha-1 (50% at sowing + 50% at 30 DAS) over NG applied treatments. Split application of SBG significantly increased the availability of nutrients in post harvest soils than basal application. Significantly higher S and Ca nutrient use efficiency (33.98 and 28.93 kg produce/kg S and Ca utilized, respectively) and uptake efficiency (0.39 and 1.29 kg kg-1, respectively) was recorded with the split application of SBG @ 375 kg ha-1.

Role performance of extension agents in post harvest activities of rice in southwestern Nigeria

Role performance of extension agents in post harvest activities of rice in southwestern Nigeria

Constraints Percieved by Tribal Farmers in Production and Post-harvest Practices of Small Millets

Millet farmers are not getting remunerative prices to their produce due to various constraints like lack of assured markets, lack of mechanization and less awareness on improved production techniques. Despite these challenges, millet farming has the potential to play a significant role in ensuring food security and nutrition in the future. State and Central governments, research institutions, and the private sector are working to address the constraints involved in production and post harvesting of millet. To understand and overcome these challenges, millet federations or millet FPOs is need of the hour. The present study was conducted in 3 FPOs (Balanagar, Manyam Devarkadra and Mahbubnagar) promoted by ICAR-IIMR in Tribal area of Mahbubnagar district of Telangana. A total of 120 samples were used for collecting the data with the help of well tested interview schedule. The study was conducted during the year 2022-23. Descriptive statistics like frequency, percentage, averages and standard deviations were used for analyzing the data. The study highlighted the constraints involved in production and post-harvest practices of small millets. Strengthening extension services, promoting new varieties and quality seeds, and improving awareness about technology and modern farming practices can contribute to increased productivity and economic well-being for millet growers. Additionally, addressing labor and market-related challenges, can further help millet growers to achieve economies of scale.

An improved solar air heater for post harvest applications

An improved solar air heater for post harvest applications

Knowledge Status of Onion Growers Regarding Pre and Post-Harvest Management Practices

India’s large population is vegetarian and their routine diet and healthy diet include vegetables which play very signifi cant role by supplying diff erent minerals and vitamins essential for healthy body. Therefore, vegetables have great importance for food and nutritional security. Onion is one of the major crops among cultivated vegetables in our country. It is popularly known as “Queen of kitchen” plays an important role in cookery, as it is used in both forms i.e. green as well as in mature form by the people in diff erent dishes and soups. The fi ndings reported that overall knowledge of farmers pertaining to pre and post-harvest management practices for onion production was moderate to high since about 85 per cent of the onion farmers belonged to these categories mainly due to correct knowledge of pre harvest management practices viz. number as well critical stages of irrigation, time of sowing in nursery, time of transplanting, weed control measures and proper seed rate while maturity index and proper harvesting, precooling, proper packaging material as post harvest management practices. But it was found low in case of curative measures and certain value addition practices which included diseases and their control measures followed by storage, curing, stoppage of irrigation before harvesting, grading, insect pests and their control measures, and waiting period for spray of chemicals before harvesting of produce.

Identification Of Different Indigenous Technical Knowledge Application In Agriculture And Allied Sector In Some Selected Areas Of West Bengal

Traditional knowledge or Indigenous Technical Knowledge (ITK) is the knowledge that people in a given community have developed over time, and continue to develop. It is based on experience. Often tested over long period of use, adopted to local use and environment, dynamic and changing, and lays emphasis on minimizing risks rather than maximizing profits. The studies conducted on three blocks (Mahammad Bazar, Sainthia, Bolpur Sriniketan block) of Birbhum district for documentation of traditional knowledge in different sector. Ninety respondents from nine villages are randomly selected and simple random sampling techniques followed for this study. The data were collected through direct observation, group interview, tapping the knowledge of elderly women and young boys. The traditional knowledge is documented in agriculture, animal husbandry and allied sector. In agricultural sector traditional knowledge are practiced from seed germination to post harvest management. In animal husbandry traditional knowledge is used from milk production to disease control and traditional implements were also catalogued with their use and status and medicinal plans which are used in formulation of different ethno medicinal preparation for curing various types of diseases and ailments. This indigenous knowledge regarded as environment friendly, ecological sound, location specific and cost effective. Farmers are using these different technologies through generation-to-generation and few of them have learned to use these technologies from the neighbours. Studies on ITK shows the way for incorporating ITK and scientific knowledge for development of eco-friendly technologies for sustainable agriculture and for development of technologies that would be more need based, better problem solving, locally applicable, easily acceptable and more convincing to the farmers.

Desempenho de cultivares de pimenta, baseado em caracteres de frutos, para consumo in natura

ABSTRACT Different studies report that pepper fruit cuticle and pericarp thickness vary among marked cultivars and these variations likely influence many fruit quality traits, especially water loss rates. Thus, the objectives of this work was to evaluate the fresh market performance of pepper cultivars based on fruit traits, and indicate the cultivars of Capsicum spp. with less probability of post harvest water loss. Pepper fruits, belonging to C. chinense, C. frutescens and C. baccatum species, were collected in an experimental area at Bonfim’s settlement, Alagoinha, Paraíba, Brazil. After harvest, fruits were taken to the laboratory of biotechnology at Centro de Ciências Agrárias of the Universidade Federal da Paraíba. Fruits were characterized according to pericarp thickness, fruit weight, and fruit length, larger and smaller fruit diameter. The experimental design was completely randomized with eight treatments and four repetitions. Analysis of variance, mean test, heritability, and ratio of coefficient of genetic variation by coefficient of environmental variation, genotypic and environmental correlation, and Tocher’s grouping method were performed. The cultivar habanero vermelha had better performance for fruit weight and larger and smaller fruit diameter. On the other hand ‘dedo de moça’ presented the longest fruits and major pericarp thickness. These two cultivars also belonged to different groups based on Tocher’s method. The genetic correlation between pericarp thickness and fruit weight was high (0.70) and highly significant. Fruit wall thickness also presented highly significant genotypic correlation with larger fruit diameter (0.93) and small fruit diameter. (0.93). Those finds indicate that indirect selection for pericarp thickness could be done based on larger fruit diameter. These correlations are trustworthy and important due to the high heritability values presented for these traits. Some authors suggest selecting fruits with higher cuticle thickness and fruit width values due to lower water loss. Thus, we suggest that small farmers cultivate ‘habanero vermelha’ and ‘dedo de moça’ in order to produce fruits with extended shelf life.

Effect of herbal extracts on post harvest longevity and quality of gladiolus cut spikes

Effect of herbal extracts on post harvest longevity and quality of gladiolus cut spikes

Unravelling physiological and biochemical attributes influencing post harvest quality of gladiolus spikes after packaging and low temperature storage

The perishable nature of flowers urge for their appropriate post harvest management especially storage and packaging that keep the quality and potential vase life for better value. Gladiolus, commonly called as Sword lily, is a commercially important cut flower crop with elegant spikes, bright florets and good keeping quality. In the present study, we investigated the physiological and biochemical attributes affecting post harvest life of gladiolus spikes after packaging and storage. The spikes of four gladiolus cvs. Punjab Glance, Punjab Glad-1, Punjab Glad-2 and Punjab Pink Elegance were harvested at tight bud stage and packed in PP sleeves (25 μm) and stored vertically at 4-5°C for 6, 9 and 12 days. After storage, the post harvest quality of both packed and unpacked spikes declined with more adverse effect on unpacked spikes. Among different storage durations, the spikes stored for 9 days showed good keeping quality parameters viz., vase life, per cent flower opened, floret size, days to opening of basal floret, maximum number of florets open at one time and water absorbed per spike which were at par with spikes stored for 6 days. The spikes stored for 12 days were found to be unacceptable in comparison to freshly harvested spikes and spikes stored for 6 and 9 days. The improved quality of spikes stored in sleeves could be accounted due to higher membrane stability index, relative water content, catalase and peroxidase activity as compared to unpacked spikes. Thus, loss in quality of spikes as compared to fresh during storage up to 9 days in PP sleeves is better than the complete loss of produce during transportation and gluts. Hence, the spikes of gladiolus could be stored dry at 4±0.5°C in PP sleeves for 9 days without much influence on its post harvest quality.

Review on agronomic investigations on cardamom and cardamom-based cropping systems in Karnataka

Small cardamom (Elettaria cardamomum Maton), an eco-friendly high value spice and foreign exchange earner, is a native of Western Ghats of South India. India enjoyed near monopoly in its production till the seventies, but with the emergence of Guatemala as the main competitor, it has been relegated to second position both in production and export. The low production of cardamom up to eighties was due to lack of sound location specific agronomic package of recommendations. Hence, after a detailed survey of entire small cardamom growing areas in India and interaction with cardamom growers and other stake holders, a comprehensive location specific research programme was finalised and carried out for over 25 years. As a consequence of detailed agronomic investigations on cardamom and cardamom-based cropping systems, various agro techniques such as selection of elite lines of cardamom, rapid clonal multiplication technique, nursery techniques, systems and season of planting, irrigation, shade and weed management, apiculture, harvest and post harvest techniques, multistoried cropping system involving cardamom, coffee, arecanut, coconut etc. evolved. These high production technologies were effectively transferred to the cardamom growers based on local specificity which resulted in higher yields (average of 750 kg dry capsules ha-1 and a potential yield of 1945 kg dry capsules in demonstrations in farmers fields in Kodagu, Karnataka) from an initial benchmark average yield of 120-140 kg dry capsules ha-1.

The effects of Ortho Silicon (Optysil) and Ascophyllum nodosum Based Sea-weed Extract (KelpGreen) Applications on the Quality of Table Grape cvs. Gök Üzüm and Müşküle

Table grapes are one of the most consumed non-climacteric fruits globally, and practices for their quality are socioeconomically important. In this study, the effects of the combined and separate applications of two plant activators Ortho Silicon (Si, Optysil, 0.5 mL L-1) and Ascophyllum nodosum-based seaweed extract (ANE, KelpGreen 2.5 ml L-1) were tested by two applications after fruit set 15 days intervals to table grapes cvs. Gök Üzüm and Müşküle in a producer vineyard at Hadim town of Konya province in middle Anatolia37°2'15"N 32°34'53" E, 1060 m above sea level. The effects of the applications on ripening, cluster and berry characteristics and post harvest shelf life during 10 days of storage at room conditions were analyzed. Both plant activators provided an increase in cluster size and an improvement in ripening. Si+ANE was more effective on the maturation and quality retention during the post-harvest shelf-life period. All applications provided reduction in weight loss (WL), decay rate and berry dullness, and it reduced berry separation force due to the drying of the peduncle and decreased the maturity index (MI) increase in the post harvest period. Thus, it contributed to the formation and retention of fruit quality. According to the data obtained from this study, improvements in the sustainable preservation of table grape quality can be achieved by applying Ortho Silicon and A. nodosum based seaweed extract separately and together between after fruit set and before veraison.

Challenges faced by mango exporters

The mango is one of the most ancient and important Asian fruit. India is the world’s largest mango producer, accounting for 45 per cent of global mango production. Despite being the world’s largest producer of mangoes, India only exports a very small amount of its produce owing to several constraints. The study revealed major challenges faced by mango exporters in Gujarat state. Major challenges were found to be high international freight charges, difficulties in custom clearance, sanitary and phytosanitary (SPS) measures, unavailability of quality mangoes in sufficient quantity, difficulties in certification, high local transportation charges, lack of standardization on post harvest handling, poor infrastructure facilities like cold storage, pack house, etc., competition from other exporting countries, lack of institutional support with respect to credit, problem finding reliable foreign distributor, Unavailability of market information, Price fluctuation of the commodity supply at home country, Problems in quoting price with fluctuating exchange rates, Labelling and packaging requirement, Confusing foreign import regulations and Unavailability or untimely export incentive.

Effectiveness of Collaborative Strategy to Reduce Aflatoxin Contamination in Corn

The number of birds that die from diseases caused by aflatoxins in corn is the motivation for this study. The purpose of this research is to a) measure the success of aflatoxin treatment in the preharvest, post-harvest, and Innovative Reduction of Aflatoxin (IRA) processes, b) measure the effect of pre-harvest (PRE) and post-harvest (POST) handling on standard control maize (SQC) with IRA mediation. The test method used
 Structural Equation Modeling (SEM) with the Partial Least Square (PLS) approach. Findings show that Innovative Reduction of Aflatoxin (IRA) is able to play a role as a mediation of activities in pre-harvest and post-harvest after continuous improvement is carried out in each of its activities. The originality of the research can be seen from the process of forming a corn aflatoxin control strategy as a practical recommendation for farmers in Indonesia.