Horticultural Products Research Articles

Seed soaking treatments differently effect seed germination and seedling phenology for different populations of Vitex doniana Sweet

Vitex doniana is one of the highly demanded traditional vegetables in West Africa, yet supply is still too low to meet demand. Among the reasons for the low supply is the constraint related to the propagation of the species. Sexual propagation of this species is limited by seed dormancy which hinders cultivation. To achieve homogeneous germination and produce seedlings for horticultural production, two soaking techniques were applied on freshly harvested and three-month-stored seeds collected from eight populations in three climatic zones in Benin. Seed viability differed significantly between seed populations. Seeds stored for three months at ambient room conditions (25°C) followed by wet-dry cycling twice daily for 14 days achieved 96.7% germination within 12 days after sowing. This finding represents a remarkable improvement in seedling production for V. doniana over the past 10 years. This study is one step further toward the domestication of V. doniana.

Preliminary Study on the Use of Chemical Pesticides in Beir Bullerjam's Farms, Suluq, Libya

Pesticides in Libya have increased recently in the agriculture sector to control pests, consequently improving field and horticultural crop productivity. The present study was undertaken to assess the current pesticide utilization among farmers in different farms across Beir Bullerjam's area. Data were collected from farmers using a structured questionnaire containing the following (socio-demographic details, awareness and knowledge, and farmer practices). Our results show that all farmers were male (100%), their farming experience was 13 years, and their average age was 46 years old. Not surprisingly, farmers did not know the modes or the compositions of pesticides being used and relied mainly on pesticide commercial retailers' knowledge. The most commonly used pesticides were: insecticides, herbicides, acaricides, and fungicides (47%), (34%), (18%), and (2%) respectively. Moreover, their trade names were: Oscar wp® 50, Roundup, Gramoxyone (herbicides), AQ Dorsban*4, Permethrin, Cyberkill 25, Mospy-one 20% sp, Fl-oil, Voliam Targo (insecticides), Vertimec (acaricide), and Strike (fungicide), and they were regularly utilized by farmers in this survey. We found that farmers reuse the same pesticides over years which may result in pesticide resistance of the targeted pest. Additionally, heavy use of insecticides by farmers could harm bee populations negatively in the region or decrease the natural enemies of pests. Farmer's awareness and attitudes towards pesticide use must be improved through agriculture extension agents or workshops for better food, healthy people, and ecosystems.

Optimalisasi Pertumbuhan dan Hasil Bawang Merah (Peran Komposisi Media Tanam dan Konsentrasi Pupuk Organik)

Shallots (Allium ascalonicum L.) are horticultural products that are highly sought after because they are often used for various purposes. However, the high demand for this product is not matched by its production levels. The excessive use of chemical products can reduce the nutrient content in the soil, making it difficult to achieve maximum production yields. The solution that can be implemented to solve the problem is to add organic materials to the cultivation process. This research investigated the combined effect of media composition and liquid organic fertilizer (LOF) on the growth and yield of shallots. This research is located at the Integrated Agricultural System Area in Curug District, Serang City, Banten, from May to August 2024. This experimental research uses a Randomized Block Design with two factors and three replications, resulting in 36 experimental units where each experimental unit contains two plants, totaling 72 plants. The first factor is the composition of the planting media soil: husk charcoal: cow manure fertilizer, which consists of 4 ratios: (1:1:1), (2:1:1), (1:2:1), and (1:1:2). The second factor is the concentration of GDM LOF, which consists of 3 levels: 6 mL/L, 8 mL/L, and 10 mL/L. The research results show that the treatment of planting media composition significantly affects plant height and number of leaves, with the best treatment being the planting media composition of soil: husk charcoal: cow manure fertilizer (1:2:1). Meanwhile, the treatment of GDM LOF concentration significantly effects on plant height, number of leaves, and tuber diameter, with the best treatment being the GDM LOF concentration of 8 mL/L. Interaction was found in plant height at 2 weeks after planting.

THE INFLUENCE OF VARIOUS PLANTING MEDIA COMPOSITIONS AND CONCENTRATIONS OF GROWTH REGULATORY SUBSTANCES ON THE YIELD OF GREAT RED CHILLI

Large red chilies (Capsicum annuum L.) have high economic value in the Indonesian market. The large market demand for horticultural products provides high opportunities for farmers to increase their production, including red chilies. Efforts to get high red chili yields by using good planting media and the application of organic ZPT. This research aims to examine the composition of growing media and PGR on the generative phase of red chilies. This research was carried out from 15 May 2023 to 21 August 2023. The design used in the research was a Completely Randomized Design (CRD) which consisted of 2 treatment factors which were repeated 3 times and then 12 treatment combinations were obtained. The first factor is the composition of the growing media (M), which consists of 3 levels, namely; composition 1 : 1 : 1 (M1), composition 2 : 1 : 2 (M2), and composition 1 : 2 : 1 (M3). The second factor is the concentration of organic PGR (Z), which consists of 4 levels, namely; concentration of 0 ml/l (M0), concentration of 5 ml/l (M1), concentration of 10 ml/l (M2), and concentration of 20 ml/l (M3). The parameters observed were the appearance of the first flower, number of fruit, fruit length, fruit diameter, and fruit weight on large red chilies. Analysis of variance was carried out to analyze the data and then subjected to the Least Significant Difference (LSD) test with a level of 5%. The research results showed that the two treatment factors had no influence or were not significantly different on all observed parameters. There was no interaction between the composition of the growth media and the concentration of organic PGRs for all observation parameters.

A Review on Natural Farming in Horticultural Crop Production

Producing enough food to feed a growing population has been the world's top priority since independence. While the combination of high-yielding farming methods has contributed to the world's food abundance, it has also raised concerns about environmental contamination and soil health. Natural farming is a chemical-free farming method with Indian roots that has been enhanced by contemporary ecological knowledge, resource recycling, and on-farm resource optimization. It is regarded as a varied agricultural system based on agroecology that incorporates animals, trees, and crops with functional biodiversity. With a focus on biomass mulching, using on-farm cow dung-urine formulations, keeping soil aerated, and avoiding synthetic chemical inputs, it is primarily centered on on-farm biomass recycling. It's anticipated that natural farming would lessen reliance on commercial inputs. It is regarded as an economical agricultural method with potential to boost rural development and jobs. India's horticulture industry is dealing with a variety of issues. One solution to these issues is a mixed farming system, which increases production and offers farm owners larger revenue returns. The crop-livestock, crop-forestry, crop-horticulture, fish-pig, fish-duck, and paddy-fish are some examples of mixed farming. Increased revenue and productivity, lower production costs per unit area, and lower farmer risk are all benefits of mixed farming systems.

Isolation and characterization of a novel bacteriophage as a biological control agent against multidrug resistant Escherichia coli in compost and agricultural irrigation water

Background Escherichia coli is a critical priority pathogen due to its significant morbidity, mortality, and growing antimicrobial resistance, underscoring the urgent need for novel control strategies. This bacterium is frequently implicated in outbreaks associated with horticultural products, particularly those cultivated in organic farming systems. The aim of this study was to isolate and evaluate the potential of a bacteriophage as a biocontrol agent against E. coli in compost and agricultural irrigation water. Methods E. coli presence in compost samples (n=17) was determined through microbiological assays, and the bacterial identity was confirmed by PCR amplification of the phoA gene. Antimicrobial resistance profiles of the isolates were assessed using the disk diffusion method. Bacteriophage isolation was conducted from livestock fecal samples using a double-layer agar technique. The stability of the bacteriophage under varying pH levels and temperatures was evaluated, along with its replication dynamics. Additionally, the phage’s efficacy in reducing E. coli populations in compost and irrigation water was assessed. Genomic sequencing and bioinformatic analyses of the bacteriophage were conducted to characterize its genetic profile. Results E. coli strains isolated exhibiting multidrug resistance were isolated from compost samples. The isolated bacteriophage, named Alux-21, exhibited stability at neutral pH and retained viability at both 4°C and 40°C over a six-month period. Importantly, the phage achieved a significant reduction of E. coli counts, exceeding 3.8 logs in compost and 3 logs in irrigation water, demonstrating its superior efficacy compared to previously reported phages in similar substrates. Genomic analysis confirmed the absence of virulence-associated, lysogeny, and antibiotic resistance genes. Conclusion The findings highlight Alux-21 as a sustainable biocontrol agent for E. coli in compost and irrigation water. Field validation will be crucial to establish its scalability and efficacy under real-world agricultural conditions.

Simulation of Bruising in Persimmon Under the Dynamic Impact by the Finite Element Method

ABSTRACTPersimmon is a soft fruit, which is why it is one of the horticultural products most prone to mechanical damage throughout the cold chain. Understanding the impact of this damage on the post‐harvest quality of these fruits is extremely important to reduce losses that occur throughout the supply chain. This study used the finite element method (FEM) to predict the damage to persimmon during impact loading. The tensile and puncture tests were used to find mechanical properties, and the pendulum tests for three levels of impact. During simulation, persimmon was modeled as an elastic–plastic, and the problem was considered a non‐linear explicit procedure. Two different force‐time and initial velocity methods were used for simulation in Abaqus software. Results of the maximum von Mises stress, maximum contact force, deformation, bruise volume, and internal energy indicated that increasing the impact level in both methods resulted in a rise of stress, deformation, bruise volume, and absorbed energy. The average error in contact force in the force‐time and initial velocity methods was 12% and 21%, respectively. Also, the average deformation error in the force‐time and initial velocity methods was 10% and 52%, respectively. According to these results, the force‐time method is more accurate, and the elastic–plastic model can properly represent the behavior of persimmon.

The Assessment of Different Growth Mediums for Plug Cultivation in a Controlled Environment

Abstract Vegetable, fruiting, and ornamental crops that utilize plugs for horticultural production have demonstrated better plant health, transplant establishment rate, and total yield. The APS Laboratory for Sustainable Agriculture investigated the quality of plugs prepared based on different commonly used growth mediums in comparison to soil plugs. We evaluated the growth of ‘Rex Butterhead’ lettuce (Latuca sativa L.) plugs with six different treatments: 1) rockwool, 2) Oasis® Horticube, 3) perlite 4) coco coir, 5) phenolic foam, and 6) peat pellets. The plants were then cultivated for 15 days in a controlled environment until two leaves after the cotyledon had developed. After 15 days, we collected data which included wet weight, dry weight, leaf area, nitrogen content, and chlorophyll concentration. In addition, we derived data including the Leaf Area Index (LAI) and Specific Leaf Area (SLA). A permutation MANOVA revealed a significant treatment effect on plug preparation (p < 0.01). Of all the treatments, we concluded that plugs grown in peat pellets produced the most viable plugs with the largest wet weight, dry weight, and total leaf area. Results from this study may inform growers about appropriate growth mediums for efficient plug production. Species used in this study: ‘Rex Butterhead’ Lettuce Latuca sativa L.

Nutrient efficiency unlocked: Water-soluble fertilizers in horticultural crop production

Horticultural crops are invaluable to the lands of small and marginal farmers across the nation, making a substantial contribution to the national economy. The significant productivity gap in horticulture is mostly attributable to the inefficient utilization of water and fertilizer resources. Soil fertility has been declining, driven by nutrient depletion and excessive fertilizer application with low nutrient-use efficiency, which hampers productivity despite the steady increase in cultivated area. Numerous research has investigated the application of water-soluble fertilizers to enhance the yield of horticulture crops, achieving greater profitability while minimizing environmental effects. Water-soluble fertilizers are closely linked to improvements in growth, yield attributes, and soil fertility in various horticultural crops. These fertilizers offer numerous advantages, such as controlling weed growth, reducing the need for herbicides, and enhancing the quality of vegetables and fruits, leading to widespread adoption. Additionally, drip irrigation systems in horticulture have conserved nearly half of the fertilizers and water resources used. Achieving self-sufficiency and sustainability in food production further supports precision farming through water-soluble fertilizers. Consequently, higher nutrient use efficiency (NUE) can be attained, making water-soluble fertilizers an essential component of precision agriculture and site-specific nutrient management.

Rancangan kemasan pelindung apel selama tranportasi berbahan dasar eceng gondok dan sabut kelapa

Packaging during the transportation process greatly influences the damage to horticultural products. Harvest apples are usually packed in wooden boxes or bamboo baskets and stacked until they reach maximum capacity. This makes the fruit easily damaged by bruising due to high piles. Based on these conditions, it is necessary to handle horticultural products in the form of apples to reduce damage to the fruit during transportation to maintain the quality of the apples until they reach consumers and extend the shelf life of the fruit. This research aims to design protective packaging for apples from a combination of water hyacinth and coconut fiber. The experimental method was carried out in this research with 2 factors consisting of 3 levels; factor one the combination of packaging materials, and factor two was the pressure of the packaging printer. Nine experimental units were obtained from the combination of the two treatments, namely K1T1 (E 90% + S 10%) with a pressing pressure of 400 psi, K1T1 (E 90% + S 10%) with a pressing pressure of 700 psi, K1T1 (E 90% + S 10% ) with a pressing pressure of 1000 psi, K2T1 (E 60% + S 40%) with a pressing pressure of 400 psi, K2T2 (E 60% + S 40%) with a pressing pressure of 700 psi, K2T3 (E 60% + S 40%) with pressing pressure 1000 psi, K3T1 (E 30% + S 70%) with pressing pressure 400 psi, K3T2 (E 30% + S 70%) with pressing pressure 700 psi, K3T3 (E 30% + S 70%) with pressing pressure 1000 psi. The results showed that the combination treatment of K2T2 with a pressing pressure of 700 psi provided the best protective quality for apples with the lowest percentage of mechanical damage and reduction in apple mass, at 5.556%, 2.55%, respectively. The springiness and texture values for apples were the highest with values respectively 3.17 mm, 16.7335N. Meanwhile, the highest packaging compressive strength value was obtained in the K3T3 treatment with a value of 26.164N.

Expression of the polyphenol oxidase gene MdPPO7 is modulated by MdWRKY3 to regulate browning in sliced apple fruit.

Browning is a pervasive problem in horticultural products, substantially diminishing the appearance, flavor, and nutritional value of fruit, including important fruits like apple (Malus × domestica Borkh.). In this study, we compared the physiological characteristics of the browning-resistant line 'Rb-18' with the susceptible variety 'Fuji' and found that the polyphenol oxidase (PPO) enzyme activity and phenolic content of 'Rb-18' were significantly lower than those in 'Fuji'. In addition, the PPO enzyme in 'Fuji' showed a stronger affinity for its substrate, catechol, compared to 'Rb-18'. Through transcriptome and RT-qPCR analyses, MdPPO7 expression was identified as contributing to flesh browning after cutting. Subsequent fruit injection and stable genetic transformation of the MdPPO7 gene into apple fruit and calli determined that syringic acid, procyanidin, phloridzin, chlorogenic acid, gallic acid, catechin, and caffeic act as its catalytic substrates in the process involved in browning. Furthermore, luciferase reporter, yeast 1-hybrid, β-glucuronidase reporter assays and ChIP-qPCR analysis demonstrated that a WRKY transcription factor (MdWRKY3) binds to the promoter region of polyphenol oxidase gene (MdPPO7) and positively regulates its expression to promote apple flesh browning. This study provides insights into the molecular regulatory mechanisms of fruit browning in fresh-cut apples and provides a theoretical basis for the generation of high-quality apple germplasm resources.

Bacterial community in fresh fruits and vegetables sold in streets and open-air markets of Dakar, Senegal

In the context of food transition, the agrifood sector has experienced increasingly strong demand for horticultural products. Fresh fruits and vegetables are mainly vehicles of microorganisms, including pathogens that cause human infections. Food safety and compliance with health standards in the fruits and vegetable value chain are significant concerns and multiple challenges, given the prevalence of foodborne pathologies in Southern countries, particularly in Senegal. This study aimed to describe the bacterial community and assess the microbiological quality of a range of fruits and vegetables sold on street stalls and open-air markets in Dakar, the capital city of Senegal. Samples purchased in seven sites were analyzed to isolate Escherichia coli (E. coli), Salmonella spp. and Vibrio spp. Some primary samples with a positive microbiological culture were subjected to DNA extraction and subsequent metagenomic analysis. A total of 240 fresh fruit and vegetable samples were collected, including lettuce (n = 40), tomatoes (n = 40), mango slices (n = 40), onion slices (n = 40), mint leaves (n = 40), strawberries and grapes (each n = 20). Of these samples, 50.83% (122/240) and 60.41% (145/240) were contaminated with E. coli and Vibrio spp., respectively, while Salmonella was not isolated in any product. E. coli and Vibrio spp. contamination levels, 1.3 103 to 6 106 Colonies Forming Units per gram of sample (CFU/g) and 4.55 102 to 8.73 106 CFU/g, respectively, were significantly above the thresholds acceptable for human consumption. The most contaminated samples were lettuce, with a prevalence of 98% (39/40) for E. coli and Vibrio spp. followed by mint leaves with 100% (40/40) and 93% (37/40) of the samples containing E. coli and Vibrio spp. respectively. Out of 46 samples sequenced, the metagenomic analysis revealed high contamination rates for E. coli, Vibrio spp. and Salmonella spp., with 100%, 67.39% and 93.47% of prevalence, respectively. On the other hand, the alpha diversity analysis shows high bacterial diversity in lettuce and mint leaf samples, while the beta diversity analysis highlighted the presence of two major clusters. Our results stress the need for a surveillance system that extends this investigation to a national scale while increasing the number of sampling sites and products analyzed.

Color Stability and Antioxidant Capacity of Crataegus monogyna Jacq. Berry Extract Influenced by Different Conditions

Hawthorn (Crataegus monogyna) berry is a horticultural product containing antioxidants and pigments. Its extract can be used as a food dye and antioxidant in food engineering. The aim of present study is to research the effects of different possible conditions (temperature, pH, interacting ions, and storage conditions) on the color and antioxidant capacity of hawthorn berry extract. Color was assessed by monitoring the CIELab parameters, while antioxidant capacity was measured using the reaction with ABTS and DPPH radicals. The total phenolic content in berry powder was 1146 mg GAE/100 g and the main polyphenols identified by HPLC were epicatechin, ferulic acid methyl ester, catechin, procyanidins B1 and B2, and various phenolic acids. The main carotenoids, also quantified by HPLC, were mutatoxanthin, lutein, α-cryptoxanthin, β-cryptoxanthin, cis-β-carotene, all-trans-β-carotene, and lycopene. The values of the overall color difference suggest that storage affected the color of the hawthorn extract more than any of the thermal treatments. Alkaline pH values affected color by changing the blue/yellow component, but also luminosity and the green/red parameter. The antioxidant capacity decreased in acidic and neutral media and increased in mildly alkaline media at pH 8.1. The possible presence of interacting salts as potassium nitrate and sodium chloride did not produce any significant changes in antioxidant capacity, while calcium chloride lowered it, but only at 0.001 M. The interaction with the studied salts had little effect on the extract’s color. The obtained results demonstrated that hawthorn berry extracts can be used in the food industry as natural dyes, as it was proven to have very good antioxidant capacity and color stability after different thermal, pH, interacting salt, or storing conditions.

Influence of Different Nitrogen Concentrations on Growth, Yield, and Yield Attributes of Hydroponically Grown Cherry Tomato

This scientific study aimed to determine the optimal nitrogen concentration within a hydroponic solution for the Rosa variety of cherry tomato plants cultivated in a controlled greenhouse environment. The study was conducted over a period of October 2019 to April 2021. Various treatments were administered, each with distinct nitrogen concentrations, to evaluate their effects on plant growth, yield, and yield-attributing characteristics. The results unequivocally demonstrated that the application of 8 mmol/L of nitrogen (T3) emerged as the most efficacious treatment for optimizing the growth, yield, and yield-attributing characteristics of the cherry tomato plants. These findings hold significant implications for refining nitrogen management practices in horticultural crop production, particularly for the Rosa variety of cherry tomatoes, within controlled greenhouse settings.

A Comparative Growth Trend Study of Tomato in Jaipur and Sirohi District of Rajasthan, India

Tomato (Licopersicon esculentum) is an important crop that contributes economically and significantly to horticulture production. T The study was conducted for the period of 12 year in Jaipur and Sirohi districts of Rajasthan to analyze the growth rate in area, production, and productivity from 2010-11 to 2021-22. (Department of Horticulture, Government of Rajasthan-2022-23). For analyzing the trend in area production and productivity of tomatoes in Jaipur and Sirohi district, and Rajasthan state the following linear, semi-log, and exponential functions were tested. The tested model were selected based on high R2 (Coefficient of determination) and the best-fit function was used for the result discussion. Semi-log function was best function for the area, production and productivity of Rajasthan. The compound annual growth rate (CAGR) for area of Rajasthan was found 1.76 percent, with 0.46 R2. The production and productivity show 9.91 and 8.15 percent growth rate. The semi-log function was also best fit the area and production of Tomato in Jaipur district with 4.58 and 15.94 percent annual growth respectively. The linear function was fitted for the productivity that shows 17.20 percent CAGR with 0.39 percent R2. The area of tomato in Sirohi district shows highest fluctuation due to this an exponential function was shows poor fits for calculate the growth rate this function shows 0.01 percent compound annual growth rate. The exponential function was best fit for the production and productivity with 0.41 and 0.31 R2 respectively. The exponential function show 11.24 percent growth rate, which was significant at 5 percent level. The productivity show 12.25 percent compound annual growth rate with 10 percent level of significance. Thus the productivity shows highest compound annual growth rate followed by Production and area in Jaipur and Sirohi district of Rajasthan, while in Rajasthan, production shows highest growth rate followed by productivity and area. According to the findings, the result suggest for the introduction of high yield varieties of tomato may increase the productivity in Rajasthan.

Climate change perception and adaptation among farmers in the mountains of Western Karakoram, Pakistan

ABSTRACT This paper examines climate change perception and adaptation among high-mountain farmers in Western Karakorum Pakistan. Employing a mixed-method approach, this study found that farmers in the study area have observed significant variations in the climatic conditions. Results further indicate that to cope with the climatic variations, farmers are employing diverse adaptation strategies, i.e. crop diversification, production of horticultural products, and change of planting dates. Moreover, the results show that gender, education, and occupation have significant associations with the perception of climate change. Likewise, the multivariate results show that gender and education significantly influence the capacity for climate change adaptation. Men household heads are 2.71 times more likely to implement adaptation strategies than women household heads, and respondents with formal education are 2.93 times more likely to adopt such strategies than those who are illiterate. The study highlights the need for context-specific strategies to enhance the resilience of high-mountain farmers in the face of climate change.

Evaluation of the Suitability of Horticultural Crops under Prevailing Environmental Conditions - A Case Study of Punjab

Alternate land use options such as horticultural crops help in ensuring efficient land resource utilization. Thus, it is essential to evaluate the agri-environmental conditions for economically viable and sustainable horticultural production. A study was carried out for land use planning of Rajpura block in Patiala district of Punjab. Under this study, soil-site suitability of horticultural crops were evaluated by considering key soil parameters such as texture, depth, slope, EC, pH, organic carbon content, erosion, drainage, and climate factors viz., rainfall and temperature, etc. The soils of the block were interpreted to assess their suitability for various horticultural crops viz., mango, grapes, banana, sapota, guava, pomegranate and citrus fruits. The mango cultivation was found suitable for almost 50% area and moderately suitable for 34% area. Soil-site suitability characteristics evaluation for grape cultivation revealed that around 34% area of the block is suitable while 50% area is moderately suitable. The banana and sapota crop cultivation was found to be highly suitable for approximately 45% area, whereas moderately suitable for 40% area. In context of guava and pomegranate, nearly 34% area was covered under suitable class and 50% area was covered under moderately suitable class, respectively. The citrus crops are highly suitable for this block which covers the maximum area of the block about 61% and moderately suitable for almost 23% area, respectively. The small fraction of the block, only 1.68% (476 ha) exhibits marginal suitability for the cultivation all fruit crops. The horticultural crop suitability maps were generated by using remote sensing and GIS tools. Hence, it can be concluded, the Rajpura block has vast dimensions for the horticultural farming which will lead to land resource management, sustainable land use planning and livelihood security of farmers of the block. This study will also help policy makers and stake holders for the horticultural developmental planning of this block.

Accuracy and robustness of a plant-level cabbage yield prediction system generated by assimilating UAV-based remote sensing data into a crop simulation model

In-season crop growth and yield prediction at high spatial resolution are essential for informing decision-making for precise crop management, logistics and market planning in horticultural crop production. This research aimed to establish a plant-level cabbage yield prediction system by assimilating the leaf area index (LAI) estimated from UAV imagery and a segmentation model into a crop simulation model, the WOrld FOod STudies (WOFOST). The data assimilation approach was applied for one cultivar in five fields and for another cultivar in three fields to assess the yield prediction accuracy and robustness. The results showed that the root mean square error (RMSE) in the prediction of cabbage yield ranged from 1,314 to 2,532 kg ha–1 (15.8–30.9% of the relative RMSE). Parameter optimisation via data assimilation revealed that the reduction factor in the gross assimilation rate was consistently attributed to a primary yield-limiting factor. This research further explored the effect of reducing the number of LAI observations on the data assimilation performance. The RMSE of yield was only 107 kg ha–1 higher in the four LAI observations obtained from the early to mid-growing season than for the nine LAI observations over the entire growing season for cultivar ‘TCA 422’. These results highlighted the great possibility of assimilating UAV-derived LAI data into crop simulation models for plant-level cabbage yield prediction even with LAI observations only in the early and mid-growing seasons.

Effects of Protected Cultivation on Agronomic, Yield, and Quality Traits of Yard-Long Bean (Vigna unguiculata ssp. unguiculata cv.-gr. sesquipedalis)

Protected cultivation is the sustainable approach to horticultural crop production under adverse climates. In this study, the performance of yard-long beans under three protected cultivations, including single-span polyhouse (SSP), five-span polyhouse (FSP), and insect-proof net house (IPN), is examined and compared to open field cultivation. The above protected cultivation can extend the harvest period of pods by 6–10 days, improve their quality, and increase yield by 15.6% to 25.1%, reducing the incidence and severity of thrips and Cercospora leaf spot, rust, and powdery mildew. Among them, yard-long beans grown in SSP are longer and straighter in shape and have the lowest incidence and severity of pests and diseases and the highest levels of total polyphenols, total sugar, soluble protein, starch, and fiber. This indicates that protected cultivation has broad application in the production of yard-long beans. Through full subset regression analysis (FSRA), we report here that the yield and of yard-long bean occurrences of pests and diseases were highly impacted by climatic factors, especially UV radiation intensity and air temperature. These results have considerable implications for improving pod yield and quality and green prevention and control of pests and diseases through optimizing facility structure and fertilizer management.

Design of web based pre-production managerial information system for horticultural product farmers

Abstract When carrying out farming, it is necessary to take into account the need for seeds, fertilizers or pesticides that will be used before carrying out production in order to achieve optimal productivity. However, there are still many farmers who pay little attention to this managerial issue. Therefore, this research aims to build an information system that provides a web-based pre-production managerial calculation calculator. The method used is literature study. This research uses WordPress as a CMS that helps in building the desired website. Based on the results of this research, a web-based information system for calculating seed, fertilizer and specific needs has been successfully established and can run well. In building the counting system using the Counted Field Form feature version 1.2.10. Then on this website there is a Home Menu with submenus Calculate Seed Needs, Calculate Fertilizer Needs, and Calculate Pesticide Needs, Food Crops Menu with submenus Rice, Corn, Sorghum, Soybeans, Green Beans, Peanuts, Potatoes, Sago and Sweet Potatoes, Menu Fertilizer Info, and Pesticide Menu Info.