Quality Of Various Crops Research Articles

Effects of MARDI Nano-Fertilizer Application Frequency on the Growth of Rock Melon

For many years, fertilizers have been utilized in agriculture to increase the fruit yield and quality of various crops, which in turn will increase the nutritive content of products. Recently, MARDI has developed a nano-fertilizer based on nanoemulsions to increase the productivity of rock melon. The development of nanoemulsion-based fertilizer was carried out using the high-energy emulsification method which has significant advantages, such as enhancing the solubilization of active constituents while preserving biological activity. In this work, the effects of the vegetative growth of rock melon on different application frequencies (T1=0, T2=2, T3=4, T4=6, and T5=8 times) of MARDI nano-fertilizer through foliar treatment were studied. The results showed that the vegetative growth of the rock melon including plant height, stem diameter, relative chlorophyll content, and leaf area of rock melon were significantly (p≤0.05) increased by 15.07%, 7.8%, 41.5% and 41.5%, respectively at T3, photosynthetic pigments of Chlorophyll a by 21.1% at T5, Chlorophyll b and carotenoid by 24.99% at T4 treatment. The dry weight biomass did not vary significantly in all treatments but showed an increase in dry biomass over the nano-fertilizers treatment compared to the control. These findings indicate that adding the foliar application of MARDI nano-fertilizer produces optimal growth in rock melon plants.

Biostimulation Effects of Seaweed Extract (Ascophyllum nodosum) on Phytomorpho-Physiological, Yield, and Quality Traits of Tomato (Solanum lycopersicum L.)

Biostimulants are innovative organic tools, which promote the growth, plant development, production, and quality of various crops without harming the environment; however, the effects of biostimulants on the production of tomato needed to be explored further under open field conditions. Based on this view, this study’s objective was to assess the impact of Kendal Root, a biostimulant-containing seaweed, Ascophyllum nodosum, and plant extracts on the phytomorpho-physiological, yield, and quality of tomato. Three doses of Kendal Root (2.5, 5.0, and 10 L ha−1) were given as soil drenching, and the results were compared with control. Generally, the Kendal Root treatments positively improved the growth, physiological, yield, and quality attributes of tomato. However, among the three different concentrations, Kendal Root 5.0 L ha−1 significantly improved the plant growth and physiological aspects of tomato, such as plant height, leaf area, shoot and root dry weight, SPAD value, and gas exchange parameters. Considering the yield traits, the Kendal Root 5.0 L ha−1 application significantly improved the tomato fruit number, yield per plant, and yield per hectare. Conversely, flower number per plant and average fruit weight was not remarkably improved by Kendal Root 5.0 L ha−1. Moreover, Kendal Root 5.0 L ha−1 positively improved the quality traits of tomato, including total soluble solids, ascorbic acid content, lycopene, and total sugars than the titratable acidity content of tomato fruits. Hence, the integration of Kendal Root biostimulant in tomato production could be an effective way to boost plant growth, production, and quality of tomato.

Impact of High Night Temperature on Yield and Pasting Properties of Flour in Early and Late-Maturing Wheat Genotypes.

The inexorable process of climate change in terms of the rise in minimum (nighttime) temperature delineates its huge impact on crop plants. It can affect the yield and quality of various crops. We investigated the effect of high night temperature (HNT) (+2.3 °C over ambient) from booting to physiological maturity on the yield parameters, grain growth rate (GGR), starch content, composition, and flour rheological properties in early (HI 1544, HI 1563) and late-maturing (HD 2932) wheat genotypes. The change in yield under HNT was highly correlated with grain number per plant (r = 0.740 ***) and hundred-grain weight (r = 0.628 **), although the reduction in grain weight was not significantly different. This was also reflected as an insignificant change in starch content (except in HI 1544). Under HNT, late-sown genotypes (HI 1563 and HD 2932) maintained high GGR compared to the timely sown (HI 1544) genotype during the early period of grain growth (5 to 10 days after anthesis), which declined during the later phase of grain development. The increased rheological properties under HNT can be attributed to a significant reduction in the amylose to amylopectin (AMY/AMP) ratio in early-maturity genotypes (HI 1544 and HI 1563). The AMY/AMP ratio was positively correlated to flour rheological parameters (except setback from peak) under HNT. Our study reports the HNT-induced change in the amylose/amylopectin ratio in early maturing wheat genotypes, which determines the stability of flour starches for specific end-use products.

Brassinosteroid Applications Enhance the Tolerance to Abiotic Stresses, Production and Quality of Strawberry Fruits

Brassinosteriods (BRs) have increasingly been used to improve the yields and quality of various crops. In this work we studied the effect of two brassinosteroids, BB16 and EP24, on the growth promotion of Fragaria ananassa plants under normal conditions or exposed to water or saline stress. The influence of both BRs on the plant development and fruit quality was evaluated when cultivated in semi-hydroponic conditions. A marked growth-promoting effect was observed with both compounds when plants were cultivated under normal irrigation conditions and under saline and water stresses. BB16 and EP24 yielded plants with a higher dry weight, root length and surface, a higher number and area of leaves, a higher total weight of fruits per plant, and a higher percentage of fruits of commercial quality. Additionally, a higher content of chlorophyll, number of leaves, and increased dry weight was detected in plants treated with both BRs and exposed to water and saline stresses. Finally, when evaluating the production and quality of fruits obtained under semi-hydroponic conditions, we observed that the pre-harvest treatment with both compounds induced a higher fruit production and better quality of fruits. These results suggest the potential of these compounds to achieve a more sustainable management of strawberry cultivation.

Development and validation of an analytical method to ensure quality requirements of hydrolysed proteins intended for agricultural use as biostimulants

Plant biostimulants, as defined by EU Reg.1009/2019, represent a promising solution to increase agricultural production, improving the efficiency of fertilizers and thus reducing their environmental impact. At present, protein hydrolysates are considered the main class of biostimulants as they increase yield and product quality of various crops. Several sources of proteins are used to produce protein hydrolysates, but in this context of environmental protection and green economy, the development of biostimulants from industry by-products is of great interest. Industry by-products of animal origin (ABPs) are classified into three categories based on the degree of risk for animal, human and environmental health, according to EU Reg. 1069/2009. In particular, tanneries are known to produce large quantities of Category 3 ABPs, which are associated with no health risk. According to EU Reg. 142/2011, ruminant proteins derived from ABPs Category 3 must be hydrolysed to a molecular weight below 10.000 Daltons (Da). This research aims to set up and validate an analytical method for a reliable determination of the high limit molecular weight of hydrolysed proteins derived from Category 3 ABPs. A gel filtration chromatography method was developed and validated by evaluation of linearity, repeatability, reproducibility (intermediate precision) and measurement uncertainty. The validation process was carried out according to Eurachem and ISO guidelines and performance characteristics were further verified by testing the method in a second and independent laboratory. Acceptance criteria of linearity R2>0.990, repeatability RSD%≤5, intermediate repeatability RSD%≤10 and uncertainty measurement U ≤ 20% were met. Therefore, the method was considered suitable to assess the compliance of the hydrolysed proteins to 10.000 Da limit in biostimulants from animal by-products.

Review on Macronutrient in Agronomy Crops

Macronutrients play a very important role in plant growth and development. Three main elements are nitrogen, phosphorus, and potassium (N, P, K) and are required in abundance. They must be readily available through soil medium or fertilizer. The secondary elements are sulfur, calcium, and magnesium (S, Ca, Mg). The problem of low soil fertility and poor plant nutrition does not only affect crop yields but also crop quality. Various nutrient elements influence biochemical processes and eventually affect the overall quality of various crops and their products. Depending on the amount that is available for plant uptake, these nutrients influence crop yields and quality and plants treated with absence of nutrients in the nutrient solution showed that N and Ca were the most limiting nutrients to biomass production The crop quality characteristics mostly reported to be affected by plant nutrition include: proteins, carbohydrate, sucrose and fructose content in grains, root crops, tuber crops and fruits; vitamins like beta-carotene content in fruits and tubers; moisture content at storage in cereal grains, potato tuber density; and frying colours, and fruit weight. It has been noted that essential and beneficial nutrient elements contribute to crop quality through functioning as raw materials for the synthesis of various plant components that have food value to humans and animals.

Impacts of Elevated Carbon Dioxide and Temperature on Physicochemical and Nutrient Properties in Strawberries

Strawberry (Fragaria x ananassa Duch.) is one of the most popular edible fruit worldwide. Strawberries are generally cultivated in open fields or under protected cropping, and are available all year round. Consumers prefer fruit with a bright red color, sweet taste, and distinct aroma. Over the past two decades, strawberry has shown one of the highest growth rates in terms of fresh fruit consumption. Such increment in consumer demand for strawberry could be attributed to its high nutrient content and perceived health benefits. Phenolic compounds and vitamins are the main antioxidants in the strawberry phytochemical profile. However, the predicted climate changes in the near future are expected to cause major challenges in modern agriculture due to its significant potential negative impacts on both quantity and quality of various crops, including strawberry. Increasing atmospheric CO2 levels and ambient temperature are the key factors in a changing climate scenario. The effects of either high CO2 or high temperature on growth, development, yield, and quality of strawberry plant has been relatively well-investigated. However, information on the effects of combined high CO2 and temperature on strawberry is lacking. This review will examine the literature available about the relationship between climate changes and strawberry production and quality, and address the information needed in the future research in this area.

A review of effects of nutrient elements on crop quality.

The problem of low soil fertility and poor plant nutrition does not only affect crop yields but also crop quality. A review of many refereed published journal articles and books sourced from internet and libraries was conducted with the aim of highlighting the effects of plant nutrition on crop quality. Emphasis was put on elucidating the functions through which various nutrient elements influence biochemical processes and eventually affect the overall quality of various crops and their products. Nutrients reviewed in this paper included elements such as nitrogen (N), phosphorus (P), potassium (K), sulphur (S), magnesium (Mg), calcium (Ca), zinc (Zn), iron (Fe), and cobalt (Co). The crop quality characteristics mostly reported t o be affected by plant nutrition include: proteins, carbohydrate, sucrose and fructose content in grains, root crops, tuber crops and fruits; vitamins like beta-carotene content in fruits and tubers; moisture content at storage in cereal grains, potato tuber density; and frying colours, and fruit weight. It has been noted that essential and beneficial nutrient elements contribute to crop quality through functioning as raw materials for the synthesis of various plant components that have food value to humans and animals. Nitrogen and S are raw materials for protein synthesis. Others like Ca, P, Zn and Fe are involved in enzyme synthesis, activation or as electron carriers while Mg, and K are mostly involved in enzyme activation and transportation of materials such as fructose and sucrose from points of synthesis to sites of loading and hence affect quality of fruits, and root and tuber crops greatly. It has been noted that crop quality is also greatly influenced by the synergistic and antagonistic interactions in various nutrients uptake and utilization. Therefore, balanced nutrition is noted to be o f paramount importance. From this review it can be concluded that crop quality is a very important area to consider advancing and putting up resources for research since it has a huge bearing on human health and socioeconomic effect on farmers through its in fluence on marketability of crops and crop products.

Mutated Barley: A Climate Change Adaptation Strategy for Food Security and Biodiversity Management

Increased agricultural production under the harsh environmental conditions with limited water resources and scarce natural resources is a major challenge in arid regions like Kuwait. The implementation of sustainable agricultural practices holds paramount importance in delivering better agricultural environment for increased production. Barley (Hordeum vulgare) is one among the most dependable cereal crops under saline and drought conditions. Mutant barley genotypes that have evolved under stress conditions using the improved genetic resources have the desired morphological, physiological and agronomic traits. As Kuwait lack local barley genotypes, it is important to find suitable barley genotypes adaptable to drought and salinity, with high crop water productivity. In this study, several mutant barley varieties were screened for better performance under drought and salinity, with high feed quality. The growth performance and the nutritive value of twelve different barley cultivars were evaluated under both fresh and brackish water irrigation in Kuwait. The seeds of the superior lines were multiplied for fodder production trials and their nutritive value was evaluated in animal production systems. It was found that two parental lines Gustoe and California Marriot and two mutant barley genotypes ari-e.228 and Golden Promise produced high grain yield of 3 - 4 ton/ha. The mutant genotype Golden Promise was the most tolerant, while ari-e.156 was the most susceptible genotype to saline stress. Both proximate analysis and animal feeding trial showed that the dry matter content of the air dry straws varied from 91.26% to 93.35%. The crude fat contents were within the acceptable range (1.13% to 1.93%), and high concentrations of ash and crude protein were found in straw in all genotypes. Thus, the evolution of farming systems that are economically viable, competitive, sustainable and environmental friendly improves the production efficiency, productivity and product quality of various crops.

Growth stimulation effects of smoke-water and vermicompost leachate on greenhouse grown-tissue-cultured ‘Williams’ bananas

A common problem often experienced by both small and large scale banana farmers is the reduction in quality and yield of bananas due to soil moisture deficits and declining soil fertility. To overcome this, mechanisms of improving yield without compromising environmental integrity or public health are being embraced. Globally, researchers have continued to evaluate the competence of environmental-friendly organic fertilizers and smoke solutions to improve the growth, yield and quality of various crops. In the present study, the effect of smoke-water (1:1,000; 1:500 and 1:250 dilutions) and vermicompost leachate (1:20; 1:10 and 1:5 dilutions) treatments on the growth of greenhouse grown bananas was evaluated. Soil drenching (smoke-water and vermicompost leachate) and foliar application (smoke-water) were tested on 1-month-old tissue-cultured banana seedlings under greenhouse conditions. After 3 months, growth parameters such as number and length of roots and shoots; number of leaves and leaf area as well as their fresh and dry weights were analyzed. Soil drenching with smoke-water significantly increased the root length (1:1,000 and 1:500 dilutions) as well as fresh and dry weight (1:1,000; 1:500 and 1:250 dilutions) when compared to foliar application. Vermicompost leachate (1:10 and 1:5 dilutions) significantly enhanced the shoot length, root length, leaf area and dry weights. Vermicompost leachate (1:20; 1:10 and 1:5 dilutions) also significantly increased the number of off-shoots. The positive effect on rooting is beneficial for acclimatization and establishment of tissue-cultured banana plantlets in nurseries and subsequent transfer to the field. Moreover, the high cost of inorganic fertilizers as well as environmental safety concerns makes the use of smoke-water and vermicompost leachate potential alternatives to improving the growth and cultivation of bananas.

당귀로부터 분리한 decursinol angelate의 밀 붉은녹병에 대한 항균활성

녹병은 다양한 작물의 품질과 수확량에 큰 영향을 끼친다. 따라서 이들을 방제하기 위하여 효과적이고 환경친화적인 살균제의 개발이 절실하다. 본 연구에서는 한약재로부터 항균 물질을 탐색하는 과정에서, 당귀 메탄올 추출물이 Puccinia recondita에 의해 발생하는 밀 붉은녹병에 대하여 우수한 방제효과를 나타내는 것을 확인하였다. 밀 붉은녹병에 대하여 활성을 보이는 한 개의 항균물질을 silica gel chromatography, alumina column chromatography와 <TEX>$C_{18}$</TEX> preparative HPLC를 통해 분리, 정제하였다. 분리한 항균물질은 EI-MS와 <TEX>$^1H$</TEX>-NMR의 기기 분석 결과 decursinol angelate로 동정되었다. 이 물질은 시험한 6개의 식물병 중에서 밀 붉은녹병과 고추 탄저병에 대하여 우수한 항균활성을 보였다. 또한, 당귀의 에틸아세테이트 추출물의 수화제도 밀 붉은녹병에 대해 우수한 항균활성이 보였다. 따라서 decursinol angelate와 이를 포함한 당귀 추출물을 이용할 경우 밀 붉은녹병을 방제할 수 있는 새로운 살균제의 개발이 가능하리라 생각된다. 본 논문에서 decursinol angelate에 의한 밀 붉은녹병 방제 효과를 처음 보고하는 바이다. Rust causes significant losses in the yield and quality of various crops. The development of new effective and environmentally benign agents against the pathogen is of great interest. In the course of searching a natural antifungal compound from medicinal plants, we found that the methanol extract of Angelica gigas roots had a potent control efficacy against wheat leaf rust (WLR) caused by Puccinia recondita. The antifungal substance was isolated from the methanol extract by silica gel column chromatography, alumina column chromatography and <TEX>$C_{18}$</TEX> preparative HPLC. It was identified as decursinol angelate by EI-MS and <TEX>$^1H$</TEX>-NMR data. In in vivo test, decursinol angelate effectively suppressed the development of WLR and red pepper anthracnose (RPA) among the 6 plant diseases tested. In addition, the wettable powder-type formulation of ethyl acetate extract of A. gigas roots significantly suppressed the development of WLR. The crude extract containing decursinol angelate and the chemical appear to be a potential candidate for control of WLR. In addition, this is the first report on the in vivo antifungal activity of decursinol angelate against WLR as well as RPA.

Measurement of the nitrogen content of plant breeding material using a Carlo Erba Nitrogen Analyser

The measurement of the nitrogen (N) content of plant material, used as an assessment of protein concentration, is important in determining the quality of various crops for feeding and processing. The generally accepted reference procedure for the direct measurement of N is the Kjeldahl method (Horwitz, 1980), first introduced 100 years ago (Kjeldahl, 1883). Recently a number of alternative direct (Williams et al. 1978) and indirect (Starr, Morgan &amp; Smith, 1981) methods have become available.