Harvest Season Research Articles

Optimal Harvest Maturity Changes Depending on the Season Throughout the Year in Papaya Grown in Mediterranean Climate-Improved Greenhouses

Papaya is a tropical fruit that is highly appreciated worldwide for its organoleptic properties and its nutritional and medicinal value. The optimal fruit quality for market requirements is determined by genotype, environmental conditions, and crop management, as well as fruit handling at harvest and adequate postharvest conservation. The aim of this work was to determine the optimal maturity stage, based on skin color, at which to harvest papayas grown in Mediterranean greenhouses with active climate control in south-east Spain, depending on the harvest season. We confirm that it is possible to produce high-quality papayas in our conditions, but the optimal harvest maturity stage in each season, along with the postharvest storage capacity, vary throughout the year, even with active climate control. Thus, 10% yellow skin color (S0) is the optimal for harvesting in autumn, mainly due to its better conservation capacity and firmness, having a high TSS content (>11 °Brix). In summer and spring, the lower TSS content discourages harvesting at S0, with S1 (30–40% yellow skin color) or S2 (50–60% yellow skin color) being the optimal stages for harvest to ensure the minimum TSS content required for papaya commercialization (10 °Brix). In any case, papayas produced under our conditions are generally well rated by consumers.

Generational Wanderers

After the start World War, the United States found that manpower for agricultural work was limited, and thus began to outsource its seasonal labor to migrant farm workers. Despite the hardship of moving from place to place, and American citizen's prickly acceptance of migrant families, these laborers all over the country during harvest seasons, often leaving their homes for months at a time. Drawing from the oral history of Natividad “Nati” Castillo, his families migration around the United States during the spring and summer months became a generational pilgrimage. Ultimately three generations of Castillos would follow the same migration pattern with little variation. While Nati’s personal migratory experience ends just before the Agricultural Workers Movement lead by Cesar Chavez, Nati's oral history conceptualizes the migrants necessity of agricultural labor. Nati’s family, like many others, traveled on a seasonal, migrational track that moved out of the dry southern states, to northern states with plentiful crops waiting to be harvested.

Occupational Health Challenges Faced by Farm Women during Brinjal Harvesting in Telangana, India

Aim: The study aimed to assess the drudgery experienced by women farmers during brinjal harvesting, focusing on musculoskeletal challenges, postural risks, and occupational health hazards. It sought to evaluate the ergonomic risks involved and suggest interventions to reduce physical strain. Study Design: The study employed an explanatory research design to analyze the ergonomic challenges and health hazards faced by women during brinjal harvesting. Place and Duration of Study: The study was conducted in Kaveliguda village, Shamshabad Mandal, Rangareddy District, Telangana, during the brinjal harvesting season in 2023. Methodology: Thirty farm women engaged in brinjal harvesting were purposively selected as respondents. Data were collected using structured schedules, including self-reported health symptoms, and evaluated using the Rapid Upper Limb Assessment (RULA) for postural analysis. Quantitative data were analyzed through frequency distributions and percentages. Results: The study revealed significant musculoskeletal issues, including pain, stiffness, and cramps in the back, neck, legs, and arms. RULA scores indicated high ergonomic risks, necessitating immediate corrective actions. Minimal use of personal protective equipment (PPE) exposed workers to various occupational hazards. Conclusion: The study concluded that ergonomic interventions, such as improved tools and increased PPE usage, were essential to reducing drudgery, enhancing productivity, and improving the well-being of women farmers.

Experimental Study on Seasonal Ground-Coupled Heat Storage and Harvesting in Cold Regions

In recent years, global efforts toward sustainable energy have intensified, aiming to reduce carbon emissions and boost energy efficiency. Heating in winter and hot water for hygiene are essential, especially in cold climates where heating demands significantly impact household energy consumption. This study examines a city in western Inner Mongolia, characterized by a severe cold climate and unique geology. A test system with dual U-shaped buried pipes for ground source heat storage and extraction was constructed, utilizing two layout schemes. Drilling tests measured formation parameters, highlighting how pipe layout and soil characteristics influence heat storage. Short-term 5-day cycles and cross-seasonal 60-day cycles were tested. Results showed upper soil suited for frequent short-term storage, while lower soil favored long-term energy retention. Increasing buried pipes raised soil temperature and storage capacity, enhancing thermal stability in short-term cycles. However, while the long-term storage capacity improved, heat loss also rose. Effective ground source heat pump design in cold regions should consider environmental temperatures, pipe optimization, soil characteristics, and heat storage duration to achieve stable, efficient operation.

Yield and Quality of Snap Bean (Phaseolus vulgaris L.) Cultivars from Successive Harvests in Spring and Fall Production Seasons in Oklahoma

Numerous studies have evaluated snap bean pod yield and quality at different pod maturities, but only a few have evaluated yield and pod quality across different seasons within the same year or for pods harvested at the same relative maturity successively from the same plants. Hence, the aim of this study was to determine if snap bean yield or pod sugar accumulation differed for pods at the same relative stage of maturity from plants harvested multiple times in spring and fall planting seasons in north central Oklahoma. Nine snap bean cultivars (seven green-podded and two yellow-podded) were field-grown in Spring and Fall 2022 and 2023. Pods were harvested weekly for 3 weeks from the same plants and at the same relative pod development stage. Pod yield and sugar concentration were measured. The total pod yield pooled across seasons and years of ‘Sybaris’ was lower (approximately 4100 kg⋅ha−1) than that of six of the other cultivars, which yielded between 7000 to 8600 kg⋅ha−1. In spring, pod yield increased from 900 to 1300 kg⋅ha−1 in the first harvest to 3500 to 3700 kg⋅ha−1 by the last harvest. In Fall 2022, the yield decreased from 1900 kg⋅ha−1 in the first harvest to 690 kg⋅ha−1 by the last harvest, whereas in Fall 2023 the pod yield remained steady at 2600 to 3000 kg⋅ha−1 at each weekly harvest. The Fall 2022 decrease in yield was likely caused by low temperatures during pod development and a freeze that shortened the harvest season. From the first to the last harvest, the total pod sugar concentration decreased from 145.5 to 107.2 mg⋅g−1, glucose decreased from 48.4 to 33.0 mg⋅g−1, and fructose decreased from 90.7 to 52.0 mg⋅g−1. However, the sucrose concentration increased from 9.2 to 21.9 mg⋅g−1. This decrease in the total and monomeric sugar concentrations, coupled with a disproportionally smaller increase in sucrose, is typical for overly mature snap bean pods, which are considered less desirable because of lower sweetness. Snap bean pods harvested later in the growing season in a successive harvest system at the same relative stage of maturity as earlier harvested pods had sugar concentrations resembling those of overly mature pods, indicating that snap bean plant age may influence the pod sugar concentration.

Participatory evaluation and demonstration of Moringa tree for leaf yield production in Kachebirra district, Southern Ethiopia

Moringa is a multipurpose tree distributed in the lowland areas of the southern Ethiopia. The aim of this study was to demonstrate Moringa tree for leaf yield production in smallholder farms under farmer management condition. The present study was conducted in Kachabira district, Southern Ethiopia. Two Moringa species are planted in the homestead of five farmers and one FTC (farmer training center) to enhance land productivity. Raised seedlings were planted with recommended spacing of 2m*2m between plants and rows. The growth performance data were collected for survival rate, root-collar diameter, height and fresh leaf yield. The result obtained showed that both species performed well in the studied area where it has been grown. The survival rate of both species in the studied area was 100% and 98% for Moringa stenopetala and Moringa oliefera, respectively. The plant height, root collar diameter, branch number, and fresh leaf yield parameters were recorded as an indicator for growth performance of planted Moringa species. The result of plant height, root collar diameter, leaf area and leaf yield for Moringa stenopetala and oliefera were 1.75m and 1.48m, 11.97mm and 7.84mm, 276.41mm2 and 49.93mm2, and 581.58gm and 90.47gm per plant, respectively. The growth performance information in the introduced area showed that it is suitable to grow Moringa stenopetala and oliefera. Therefore, farmers should practice and promote plantation of Moringa tree to improve production and enhance livelihood of farming community. Further research is desired on nutritional quality with respect of harvesting season, and organic amendments to improve leaf yield.

Ichthyofaunal Diversity and Seasonal Harvest Patterns in Dudhawa Reservoir, Chhattisgarh, India

This study seeks to examine the status and biodiversity of fishes in medium reservoir known as Dudhawa of Chhattisgarh. The major objectives were to collect the primary data on fisheries of Dudhawa reservoir, collection, preservation and identification of fish species, to enlist the fish fauna and to study the seasonal variations in fish harvest of Dudhawa reservoir. For this study, fish specimens were collected during August 2022 to February 2024 from the reservoir and primary data pertaining to species abundance, yield and production of the reservoir were collected from the Matsya Mahasangh Raipur. The results of empirical study revealed that the list of 43 species were classified under 5 orders, 13 families and 28 genera. Analysis of different species reveals that 69.76% of them belong to a single order, Cypriniformes. The analysis of the fishes listed show that 6.97 % species belong to order Mastacembeliformes, 11.62% belong to order Perciformes, 4.65% belong to order Channiformes and 2.32% species belong to order Cluipeiformes. Statistical analysis of data reveals no correlation between stocking and yield of the reservoir. Fish species in the Dudhawa reservoir were broadly categorized into four group i.e. major carps, catfishes, minor fish and minnow’s fish. Critical observation of data shows that major carp’s fishery dominated the catch during August, 2022 to February, 2024. A high yield of major carp’s fishery (26728 kg) was obtained in November. However, catfish fishery fluctuated between 2400.5 kg in August to 9063 kg in March. Bulk of minnows fishes (23.33%-56.6%) were recorded in drag netting may be due to reduced water level during summer (February to May, 2023). This data will definitely help the fishermen and as well as fisheries officials for better stock and harvest management of this type of small reservoir of Chhattisgarh.

Harvest time influences in the quality attributes and physicochemical and phytochemical composition of bacuri pulp (Platonia insignis Mart.)

Analysis of the seasonal influence on the physicochemical characteristics and bioactive compounds of bacuri provides support for optimizing production, promoting sustainability and boosting local economic development. This study analyzed bacuri pulp over consecutive years of production (2020–2023), observing variations in dry matter, lipids, soluble solids, pH, proteins, and minerals across harvest seasons. Notable amino acids include glutamic acid, arginine, and alanine, essential for bodily functions, in addition to antioxidant compounds such as flavonoids, stilbenes, and flavonols, which vary between harvests. The distinctive flavor is attributed to seven volatile compounds, with cis-linalool oxide being the primary contributor. These levels of rainfall had influenced the composition of the pulp, such as the content of sugars, minerals and amino acids. The temperature variations, together with a relative humidity of between 67% and 85%, influenced the development of the fruit, affecting ripening time, the profile of organic acids and other biochemical components relevant to the aroma and flavor of the pulp. The best climatic conditions for bacuri pulp, rich in phenolic compounds, sugars, amino acids, and minerals were observed in 2021. That year experienced high rainfall, high relative humidity, and mild temperatures, which favored nutrient uptake and the synthesis of bioactive compounds. These results, reflecting the seasonal dynamics influenced by the climate, expand the understanding of bacuri and its potential. They contribute not only innovative data but also valuable information to optimize production and better utilize this fruit, creating prospects for local economic sustainability and efficient exploitation of natural resources.

Contribution of Beekeeping for Job Creation and Poverty Alleviation in Ethiopia

The production of foodstuffs, the care of animals, agricultural products, and the preservation of natural resources may all be combined with beekeeping, an environmentally friendly activity. It's easy to integrate with other everyday tasks because it isn't a labor-intensive activity. Given the current state of the economy, it is improbable that farmers did not set aside land for the cultivation of bee flora and/or beekeeping. Following technological intervention in the watershed, the main crops planted there were maize (24.6%), teff (21%), wheat (15.1%), potatoes (20%), and beekeeping (19.8%). These contributed significantly to the watershed's overall economic output. The survey results also showed some of the benefits that the beekeeping industry has to offer, including increased income, better access to nutritional values (honey consumption by family members directly leads to improved feeding habits), improved access to livestock development (buying cows and oxen), ability to pay off debt and save money, purchase of household goods, construction of houses in towns, and similar benefits. All of these show that beekeeping is helping farmers support their way of life. Therefore, the government should support policies that encourage self-employment opportunities in off-farm activities like beekeeping, value chain development, agricultural service provision, and agribusiness activities in order to increase beekeeping productivity and reduce poverty and create jobs. However, it is believed that one million farm households utilize traditional, intermediate, and contemporary hive production methods in their beekeeping businesses. In Ethiopia there are two harvesting seasons for beeswax and honey from October to November and from April to June based on the presence of flowering crops and the potential flowering ability of Eucalyptus tree, respectively. A significant amount of honey is sold in Ethiopia to generate revenue in domestic and export markets.

Seasonal Harvesting Impact on Biomass Fuel Properties and Pyrolysis‐Derived Bio‐Oil Organic Phase Composition

ABSTRACTThermochemical conversion of giant reed biomass during periodic variations has been carried out in a semi‐batch tubular reactor at 550°C. This study was carried out after the incineration of giant reed along the river banks. Four periodic variations, late spring (HS‐4), late summer (HS‐1), late autumn (HS‐2), and late winter (HS‐3) were considered to investigate the effect of harvest time on biomass fuel properties, pyrolysis product distribution, non‐condensable gas characterization, and bio‐oil organic phase (BOP) fuel properties. The considered biomasses herein had average calorific values of 18.86 ± 0.05, 19.73 ± 0.05, 19.23 ± 0.04, and 18.44 ± 0.04 MJ/kg during HS‐1, HS‐2, HS‐3, and HS‐4, respectively. The biomass, bio‐oil organic phase, biochar, and pyrolysis gas were characterized using thermogravimetric analysis (TGA), gas chromatography–mass spectroscopy (GCMS), Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR), micro‐GC, and scanning electron microscopy (SEM/EDS). The organic phase of bio‐oil was isolated using a 125 mL separating funnel, allowing natural stratification of the immiscible phases. BOP yield increased from 5 to 11 wt% during HS‐4 and HS‐3, respectively. Higher heating values (HHV) of the BOP ranged from 19.4 ± 0.03 to 22.6 ± 0.02 MJ/kg in relation to the active growth stage and senescence‐dormant phase. Physical and chemical properties (TAN, density, viscosity, water content, and CHNS) and chemical compound groups of organic phase bio‐oil were analyzed. The produced BOP was rich in phenolics for all considered periods. The effect of harvest time showed that biomass and bio‐oil organic phase fuel properties are improved during the senescence‐dormant period. As a result, giant reed biomass should be harvested during autumn to avoid incineration that releases carbon dioxide into the atmosphere and will also reduce the occurrence of artificial flooding.

The Amazonian snakebite burden: Unveiling seasonal dynamics in a region with tenfold higher incidence compared to the Brazilian average.

Accidents caused by snakes constitute a serious public health problem in Latin America and worldwide. The situation in the Brazilian Amazon region is neglected, resulting in the highest incidence of cases per capita in the country. Furthermore, the distance from urban areas makes it difficult for the population to access timely and effective medical care, including antivenom treatment. The Brazilian Amazon is characterised by high ethnic and cultural diversity, yet it lacks robust epidemiological information that would allow for the development of surveillance and prevention policies. This study aimed to assess the epidemiological profile of individuals affected by snakebite accidents from 2007 to 2021 in a poorly studied region of the Brazilian Amazon. To assess the relationship between snakebite accidents, rainfall and river flood levels, cross-correlation functions were employed. Data from the public healthcare system database was used for this analysis. The results indicate that the study area experiences a snakebite rate 10 times greater than the Brazilian average and double that of other Amazonian regions. The most affected victims consist of adult males residing in rural areas, with snakebite accidents being more common during the rainy season. Viperid snakes were responsible for most bites, with the lower limbs being the most common location of injury. The data revealed a positive correlation between the number of snakebite accidents both rainfall and fluvial data. The accident peak coincides with the Brazil nut harvest season, a highly significant forest product for the economy of rural communities. Our data reinforces the need for public policies focused on environmental education and prevention, such as the use of boots and leg guards. These preventive measures have the potential to reduce the number of snakebites accidents by approximately 85%.

Organic materials return suppressed soil N2O emissions by changing the composition instead of abundance of denitrifying microbial community

Organic materials returned to the field have a significant effect on N2O emissions from agricultural fields, but the knowledge about the relationship between soil denitrifying microorganisms and N2O emissions is limited. Hence, we delved deeper into the significance of denitrifying microorganisms in N2O emissions by examining the soil N2O emissions, gene copy numbers, and community structures of denitrifying microorganisms during the wheat harvest season, three years after the partial substitution of chemical nitrogen fertilizers with various organic materials, including straw, pig manure, and biogas residues. The results showed that compared with chemical fertilizer, straw return did not change N2O emission, and pig manure and biogas residue, especially pig manure return, significantly reduced N2O emission (62 % and 45 %). Organic materials return did not change the gene copy number of denitrifying microorganisms, but had a significant effect on the community structure. The relative abundance of genera in the three organic materials treatments differed significantly from the chemical fertilizer treatment. The pig manure treatment had marker genera in the nosZ gene. Among the nirK, nirS, and nosZ genes, Sinorhizobium, norank_p_environment_samples, and unclassified_k_norank_d_bacteria, respectively, had the greatest effect on N2O emissions. The results of the RDA and the minimum depth method indicated that K, pH, and SOC were the key environmental factors influencing the structural changes of nirK, nirS and nosZ communities. Overall, organic materials, especially pig manure, effectively suppressed N2O emissions by changing the relative abundance and community structure of the dominant genera of denitrifying microorganisms.

Season-dependent variation in the contents of glucosinolates and S-methyl-l-cysteine sulfoxide and their hydrolysis in Brassica oleracea

Brassica vegetables contain glucosinolates and S-methyl-l-cysteine sulfoxide, which can be enzymatically hydrolyzed to form bioactive compounds. Glucosinolate hydrolysis can result in formation of health-promoting isothiocyanates, however, often less desirable nitriles and epithionitriles are formed due to presence of specifier proteins. Also, S-methyl-l-cysteine sulfoxide yields beneficial volatile organosulfur compounds (VOSC), such as S-methyl methanethiosulfinate. To optimize the nutritional value of Brassica oleracea vegetables, the outcome of these hydrolysis pathways was monitored over the harvest seasons of different cultivars in three consecutive years. Strong seasonal shifts in glucosinolate hydrolysis were observed only in red cabbages. They formed up to 40-fold more isothiocyanates in summer than in autumn, when nitriles and epithionitriles increased due to the induction of epithiospecifier proteins. Further, higher VOSC levels were found in autumn red cabbage. By elucidating the impact of abiotic growth factors on the regulation of the hydrolyses, the health value of Brassica vegetables can be improved.

Honey Bioactive Molecules: There Is a World Beyond the Sugars.

Honey's many bioactive compounds have been utilized historically to cure infectious diseases. Beneficial effects are its antiviral, antibacterial, anti-inflammatory, antioxidant, and immune-stimulating qualities. The bee species, geographic location, botanical origin, harvest season, processing, and storage conditions all affect honey's potential for therapeutic use. Honey contains a number of antioxidants and active compounds, such as polyphenols, which have been shown to have disease-preventive properties. Based on their origins, categories, and functions, the main polyphenols found in various honey varieties are examined in this review.

The Presence of Some Minor Aspergillus and Penicillium Unregulated Mycotoxins in Main Cereals Cultivated in Albania.

(1) Background: Food and feed safety legislation does not concern all the mycotoxins generated by Penicillium and Aspergillus spp. Certain mycotoxins, including mycophenolic acid (MPA), cyclopiazonic acid (CPA), penicillic acid (PA), roquefortine C (ROQ C), and gliotoxin (GLI), are regarded as having lower toxicity levels, and hence are not included in food and feed legislation. It is obvious that xenobiotics, including mycotoxins, exert synergistic harmful health effects on human and animal when exposed through food and feed. (2) Methods: The presence of these substances in maize and wheat grown in Albania across two consecutive harvesting seasons was investigated by liquid chromatography and mass spectrometry (LC-MS/MS). (3) Results: The findings indicated the presence of these mycotoxins in maize grain but not in wheat grain. In the 2014 season, they exhibited a higher contamination incidence than in the 2015 season. The most commonly detected mycotoxin was MPA, followed by CPA and ROQ C toxin, while PA and GLI were not detected. The MPA revealed a concentration range of 72.9-3447 μg/kg, with a mean value of 1064 μg/kg. Mycophenolic acid was detected in the maize samples collected during the 2015 season. (4) Conclusions: These findings suggest that focusing the investigation only on "controlled" mycotoxins will not produce a proper risk assessment and may not adequately address the possible harmful impacts of mycotoxins on human and animal health due to mycotoxins' co-occurrence.

Gray wolf breeders are more vulnerable to harvest during the breeding season

AbstractIn cooperatively breeding carnivores, breeders are vital to perpetuating the group; the death or removal of an individual breeder can greatly affect group composition, genetic content, and short‐term population growth. Understanding the number of breeders harvested and timing of harvest can increase our knowledge of how mortality affects groups of cooperative breeders. Gray wolves (Canis lupus) in Idaho, USA, are exposed to annual harvest and are an ideal species for studying the effects of harvest on breeder turnover. We combined genotypes from tissue samples of harvested wolves with parentage analyses and cementum annuli ages and estimated when and how many breeding wolves were harvested. We genotyped and aged 229 adults and 203 pups using tissue and tooth samples from wolves harvested between 2014 and 2016. We identified a minimum count of 33 breeders in the harvest and found that they were disproportionately harvested more during the breeding season. We estimated that a minimum of ~14.5% of adult wolves harvested annually, or approximately 1 in 7, were breeders. We posit their behavior during breeding season may increase their vulnerability to harvest. By linking animal life history with vulnerability to human‐caused mortality we show that managers could structure harvest seasons so there is less overlap with wolves’ breeding season if there is concern about the demographic consequences of harvesting breeders.

Optimization of Ferimzone and Tricyclazole Analysis in Rice Straw Using QuEChERS Method and Its Application in UAV-Sprayed Residue Study.

Rice straw is used as livestock feed and compost. Ferimzone and tricyclazole, common fungicides for rice blast control, can be found in high concentrations in rice straw after unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) spraying, potentially affecting livestock and human health through pesticide residues. In this study, an optimized method for the analysis of the two fungicides in rice straw was developed using the improved QuEChERS method. After the optimization of water and solvent volume, extraction conditions including ethyl acetate (EtOAc), acetonitrile (MeCN), a mixed solvent, and MeCN containing 1% acetic acid were compared. Different salts, including unbuffered sodium chloride, citrate, and acetate buffer salts, were compared for partitioning. Among the preparation methods, the MeCN/EtOAc mixture with unbuffered salts showed the highest recovery rates (88.1-97.9%, RSD ≤ 5.1%). To address the severe matrix effect (%ME) of rice straw, which is characterized by low moisture content and cellulose-based complex matrices, samples were purified using 25 mg each of primary-secondary amine (PSA) and octadecylsilane (C18), without pesticide loss. The developed method was validated with a limit of quantification (LOQ) of 0.005 mg/kg for target pesticides, and recovery rates at levels of 0.01, 0.1, and 2 mg/kg met the permissible range (82.3-98.9%, RSD ≤ 8.3%). The %ME ranged from -17.6% to -0.3%, indicating a negligible effect. This optimized method was subsequently applied to residue studies following multi-rotor spraying. Fungicides from all fields and treatment groups during harvest season did not exceed the maximum residue limits (MRLs) for livestock feed. This confirms that UAV spraying can be safely managed without causing excessive residues.

Seasonal and diurnal variations in leaf aroma volatiles of Cinnamomum tamala (Buch.-Ham.) T. Nees & Eberm as evidenced from metabolite profiling, histochemical and ultrastructural analyses.

Though the leaves of Cinnamomum tamala is extensively employed in culinary applications due to its rich aroma and therapeutic properties, the produce exhibits variability in composition and contents of leaf essential oil due to fluctuations in climatic conditions and harvesting time. This work evaluated the impact of seasonal and diurnal variations on the composition and contents of aroma volatiles in the mature leaves of C. tamala. In summer, the profile of aroma volatile was dominated by phenylpropanoids (112.96±24.11μg/g of freeze-dried leaf tissue) while in winter monoterpenes (58.45±8.194μg/g of freeze-dried leaf tissue) acquired the dominance. The variability in the contents of primary metabolites was shown to be influenced by the harvesting season and time. Organic acids and sugars showed highest accumulation in leaves harvested during summer evening and winter morning, respectively. Histochemical study showed the presence of lipids and terpenes in the secretory cells as revealed through sudan III and NaDi staining. The ontogeny of secretory oil cells that accumulate essential oil were elucidated through ultrastructural study.

Evaluation of Yield, Fruit Chemistry, and Firmness of Seven Strawberry (Fragaria ×ananassa) Cultivars in an Eastern North Carolina Greenhouse

The combination of increasing costs, climate change, and disease- and pest-related issues present large challenges for the strawberry (Fragaria ×ananassa) industry in the United States. This is especially true for the Southeast, where rain, frost, and a range of foliar, fruit, and soil-borne diseases are prevalent, leading to significant losses every year. Simultaneously, niche winter markets open the opportunity to extend the harvest season, leading to an industry push to use protected culture strawberry production. Tabletop soilless strawberry greenhouse production has the advantage of avoiding soilborne issues while at the same time mitigating weather-related impacts on strawberry yield and quality. The use of long-day cultivars, originally bred for the Central Coast region of California, is currently the industry standard because of desired winter yields. However, short-day cultivars bred for Florida production might also have the potential to produce in winter. In this study, we evaluated the growth, yield, fruit chemistry, and fruit firmness of seven strawberry cultivars that are commonly grown in protected culture in North Carolina: Albion, Brilliance, Camino Real, Fronteras, Monterey, Florida Sensation, and Sweet Charlie. Experiments were conducted in a randomized complete block design in a commercial tabletop greenhouse in eastern North Carolina over two growing seasons (2022–23 and 2023–24). Our results showed that Florida cultivars Brilliance and Florida Sensation produced more consistently yields in winter compared with long-day cultivars Albion and Monterey and produced similar yields over the entire season. ‘Brilliance’ especially showed high fruit firmness across both years, and high sweetness in one of the two years. Additionally, the short-day cultivar Fronteras showed high yields in early spring and could serve as a late-season crop for direct-to-consumer producers. Our study showed that ‘Brilliance’ and ‘Florida Sensation’ could be alternatives to ‘Albion’, and that ‘Monterey’ can be used to produce a winter crop in a soilless tabletop production system in the Southeast.

Laboratory analysis of soluble solids content in sugarcane juice from direct and shredded extraction methods using NIR spectrometer

Most stakeholders, including farmers and sugar millers, are interested in sugarcane quality to plan for harvesting season. However, the impact of different juice extraction methods on juice quality is not clearly understood. While individual factories measure soluble solids content (SSC) to gauge sugar content before harvest, the extraction method significantly affects the measurement. This study was performed to determine and compare the SSC in sugarcane juice extracted by the direct extraction method (DEM) and shredded extraction method (SEM), and to develop a calibration model to monitor SSC in juice using NIR measurement to support harvest planning. A total of 156 sugarcane samples were collected, and the juice was extracted using both DEM and SEM. Their spectra data were acquired using NIR spectrometer (400-2500nm) and uniformly divided into calibration and validation sets. The models were developed using PLS regression. Calibration models developed from short and long wavelengths showed significant prediction, with RMSEP values of 0.27oBrix and 0.11oBrix for independent samples, and biases of 0.05oBrix and 0.00oBrix for DEM and SEM, respectively. These results indicate that the choice of juice extraction methods can significantly influence predictions of sugarcane maturity based on SSC levels. Therefore, farmers and sugar millers should consider their extraction methods when monitoring and predicting sugarcane harvest maturity.