Valuable Crop Research Articles

Transcriptome wide analysis of MADS box genes in Crocus sativus and interplay of CstMADS19-CstMADS26 in orchestrating apocarotenoid biosynthesis

Flowers of Crocus sativus L. are immensely important not only for arrangement of floral whorls but more because each floral organ is dominated by a different class of specialized compounds. Dried stigmas of C. sativus flowers form commercial saffron, and are known to accumulate unique apocarotenoids like crocin, picrocrocin and safranal. Inspite of being a high value crop, the molecular mechanism regulating flower development in Crocus remains largely unknown. Moreover, it would be very interesting to explore any co-regulatory mechanism which controls floral architecture and secondary metabolic pathways which exist in specific floral organs. Here we report transcriptome wide identification of MADS box genes in Crocus. A total of 39 full length MADS box genes were identified among which three belonged to type I and 36 to type II class. Phylogeny classified them into 11 sub-clusters. Expression pattern revealed some stigma up-regulated genes among which CstMADS19 encoding an AGAMOUS gene showed high expression. Transient over-expression of CstMADS19 in stigmas of Crocus resulted in increased crocin by enhancing expression of pathway genes. Yeast one hybrid assay demonstrated that CstMADS19 binds to promoters of phytoene synthase and carotenoid cleavage dioxygenase 2 genes. Yeast two hybrid and BiFC assays confirmed interaction of CstMADS19 with CstMADS26 which codes for a SEPALATA gene. Co-overexpression of CstMADS19 and CstMADS26 in Crocus stigmas enhanced crocin content more than was observed when genes were expressed individually. Collectively, these findings indicate that CstMADS19 functions as a positive regulator of stigma based apocarotenoid biosynthesis in Crocus.

Evaluation of antifungal activities of some Indian dietary spices against pathogenic Rhizopus arrhizus and Rhizopus stolonifer

Rhizopus arrhizus and Rhizopus stolonifer are pathogenic fungi responsible for causing ‘soft rot’ disease in fruits and vegetables, as well as life-threatening ‘mucormycosis’ in animals and humans, especially immunocompromised hosts. The use of synthetic fungicides and chemical preservatives to inhibit microbes is being challenged due to their toxic effects on human health and the environment. This has prompted researchers to investigate novel antimicrobials that are natural and safe. Current study aimed to evaluate the antifungal activities of essential oils (EOs), powdered (PWD) forms, and water extracts (WEs) of ten Indian dietary spices (Allium sativum (Als), Brassica nigra (Brn), Cinnamomum zeylanicum (Ciz), Cuminum cyminum (Cuc), Curcuma longa (Cul), Mentha piperita (Mep), Ocimum sanctum (Ocs), Syzygium aromaticum (Sya), Trigonella foenum-graecum (Trf), and Zingiber officinale (Zio)) against R. arrhizus (NCIM877) and R. stolonifer (NCIM1139). Spice agar method was used for investigating antifungal potential of PWD spices. Impregnated paper disc method and broth dilution technique were followed for screening the antifungal activities of EOs and WEs. Results revealed that EOs of six spices (Als, Brn, Ciz, Cuc, Mep, Sya), and PWD forms of four spices (Brn, Ciz, Cuc, Sya) inhibited the growth of both fungi in culture media, effectively. WEs of all ten spices remained ineffective in arresting the growth of tested fungal strains. R. stolonifer was found more sensitive compared to R. arrhizus towards tested substances. Based on these findings, further in vivo studies on PWD forms of Ccb, Ccm, and Sya and EOs of Als, Brn, Ccb, Ccm, Mep, Ocs and Sya may establish spices as ‘botanical antimicrobials’ to prolong the shelf life of valuable horticultural crops by arresting the growth of R. arrhizus and R. stolonifer.

Smallholder Challenges of Social and Economic Upgrading in Agricultural Value Chains: A Cross-country, Cross-crop Comparison

This study is based on field research conducted by an international team of researchers investigating the opportunities for social upgrading of smallholder farm owners and tenants and their workers in the Global South. The main objective has been to assess the influence of crop characteristics, end markets, and value chain governance (including product and process standards), as well as national political, economic, and cultural contexts, on the conditions of farmers and farmworkers. Accordingly, the selected crops differ along the axes of domestic versus international end markets and short versus long shelf-life: coffee (cash crop), rice (staple crop), and mangoes (perishable crop). The selected countries are Bangladesh, Brazil, Colombia, Ghana, India, Pakistan, and Vietnam. Our main findings relate to the importance of collective action by key stakeholders, including smallholders and a supportive state, for economic and social upgrading.

Evaluating the utility of combining high resolution thermal, multispectral and 3D imagery from unmanned aerial vehicles to monitor water stress in vineyards

PurposeHigh resolution imagery from unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) has been established as an important source of information to perform precise irrigation practices, notably relevant for high value crops often present in semi-arid regions such as vineyards. Many studies have shown the utility of thermal infrared (TIR) sensors to estimate canopy temperature to inform on vine physiological status, while visible-near infrared (VNIR) imagery and 3D point clouds derived from red–green–blue (RGB) photogrammetry have also shown great promise to better monitor within-field canopy traits to support agronomic practices. Indeed, grapevines react to water stress through a series of physiological and growth responses, which may occur at different spatio-temporal scales. As such, this study aimed to evaluate the application of TIR, VNIR and RGB sensors onboard UAVs to track vine water stress over various phenological periods in an experimental vineyard imposed with three different irrigation regimes.MethodsA total of twelve UAV overpasses were performed in 2022 and 2023 where in situ physiological proxies, such as stomatal conductance (gs), leaf (Ψleaf) and stem (Ψstem) water potential, and canopy traits, such as LAI, were collected during each UAV overpass. Linear and non-linear models were trained and evaluated against in-situ measurements.ResultsResults revealed the importance of TIR variables to estimate physiological proxies (gs, Ψleaf, Ψstem) while VNIR and 3D variables were critical to estimate LAI. Both VNIR and 3D variables were largely uncorrelated to water stress proxies and demonstrated less importance in the trained empirical models. However, models using all three variable types (TIR, VNIR, 3D) were consistently the most effective to track water stress, highlighting the advantage of combining vine characteristics related to physiology, structure and growth to monitor vegetation water status throughout the vine growth period.ConclusionThis study highlights the utility of combining such UAV-based variables to establish empirical models that correlated well with field-level water stress proxies, demonstrating large potential to support agronomic practices or even to be ingested in physically-based models to estimate vine water demand and transpiration.

Yield and quality of spring barley grain depending on the influence of precursors and mineral fertilizers under the conditions of the Central Black Earth region

The barley crop (Hordeum sativum L.) for the Central Black Earth region of Russia is a promising area for producers of all types of ownership. Barley is a valuable universal crop rich in complete protein and starch. In Russia, up to 70 % of barley is used for feed purposes. The feed value of barley is higher than that of wheat and corn, since it has a more balanced amino acid composition of protein, especially lysine. The protein complex of barley contains more than 20 amino acids, 5 of which are essential. The purpose of the research was to investigate the yield and quality of spring barley grain depending on the eff ect of predecessors and mineral fertilizers under the conditions of the Central Black Earth region. The object of the study was the spring barley variety Knyazhich. The following predecessors were studied such as grain corn, sunfl ower, sugar beet and soybeans. The fertilizer application rates were such as N10P10K10, N30P30K30, N50P50K50 and N70P70K70. It was found that the highest yield of spring barley was obtained with sugar beet as a predecessor. Thus, with a low background of mineral nutrition N10P10K10 it was 3.84 t/ha, with an average N30P30K30 it was 4.87 t/ha, with a high N50P50K50 it was 5.48 t/ha and with an intensive N70P70K70 it was 5.33 t/ha. Thus, the analysis of the eff ectiveness of the studied predecessors and the application of mineral fertilizers under spring barley indicate that for the predecessors sugar beet and soybeans, mineral fertilizers in the dose of N50P50K50, the highest profi t of 30343.5 and 25747.1 rubles/ha and a high bioenergy coeffi cients of 4.84 and 4.51 were obtained.

Study on the Effect of Sooty Mould Disease in Tea Plants.

Sooty mould (SM) disease affects the growth, development and metabolism of plants and reduces the commodity and economic value of crops. SM disease is one of the important leaf diseases in tea plants. Nonetheless, studies on the effect of SM disease in tea plants are rare. Herein, we found that SM disease disrupted the cell morphology and structure and reduced the contents of caffeine, theanine, and catechins in the mature leaves of tea plants. Transcriptome analysis revealed that SM disease inhibited the biosynthesis of lignin, chlorophyll, catechin, caffeine, and theanine and affected the plant-pathogen interactions in the mature leaves of tea plants by downregulating gene expression. In addition, two fungal isolates, MTzyqA and MTzyqB, were obtained from the mature leaves of diseased tea plants. These strains were identified as Cladosporium pseudocladosporioides by mulitgene phylogenetic analysis, and they grew epiphytically on the leaves of tea plants. The biocontrol bacteria JT68, ZGT5, and BX1 had obvious inhibitory effect on MTzyqA and MTzyqB. These results provide a basis for understanding the effect of SM disease in tea plants.

Compensation of physiological traits under simulated drought and herbivory has functional consequences for fitness in soybean (Glycine max (L.) Merrill)

Soybean (Glycine max (L.) Merrill), one of the most valuable crops in the world, faces serious challenges due to drought and insect herbivory. Although well studied independently, we lack a comprehensive understanding of interactive effects of drought × herbivory on both soybean and herbivore traits. A holistic examination of soybean morpho-physiology (above and below-ground traits including root morphology) and herbivore performance can help us understand the potential consequences of these two major stressors on soybean yield and fitness. To this end, we imposed simulated-drought and herbivory by soybean looper (SBL) (Chrysodeixis includens Walker) and assessed both host and herbivore performance. Morpho-physiological traits of soybean including shoot height, chlorophyll content, root morphology, photosynthesis, stomatal conductance, and transpiration were measured. Additionally, growth and feeding behavior of SBL were also assessed to analyze the impacts of drought × herbivory on both host and herbivore. Our results show that certain physiological traits were significantly upregulated under drought × herbivory indicating compensation. We also observed that SBL frass weight, and scale of damage was lower on simulated-drought-experienced plants and, in choice assays, SBL preferred well-watered plants. In addition to lower yields observed under simulated-drought and herbivory interaction, soybeans that experienced both drought and herbivory had the highest number of aborted pods. Our study shows that simulated drought and herbivory have synergistic negative impacts on soybean morpho-physiology and support plant vigor hypothesis. Simulated drought negatively impacted SBL performance and made them less attracted to the soybeans that experienced water stress. Ultimately, the interactive effects of these stressors have negative consequences on soybean yield and fitness. This study demonstrates the need to integrate biotic and abiotic stressors for a better understanding of interactive effects on host and herbivores to make informed decisions for breeding and pest management strategies.

Intra-canopy LED lighting outperformed top LED lighting in improving tomato yield and expression of the genes responsible for lycopene, phytoene and vitamin C synthesis

Greenhouses located at high latitudes and in cloudy areas often experience a low quality and quantity of light, especially during autumn and winter. This low daily light integral (DLI) reduces production rate, quality, and nutritional value of many crops. This study was conducted on Sakhiya RZ F1 tomato plants to evaluate the impact of LED lights on the growth and nutritional value of tomatoes in a greenhouse with low daily light due to cloudy weather. The treatments included LED growth lights in three modes: top lighting, intra-canopy lighting, and combined top and intra-canopy lighting. The results showed that although the combined top and intra-canopy lighting reached the maximum increase in tomato yield, exposure to intra-canopy LED lighting alone outperformed in tomato fruit yield increase (28.46%) than exposure to top LED lighting alone (12.12%) when compared to no supplemental lighting during the entire production year. Intra-canopy exposure demonstrated the highest increase in tomato lycopene (31.3%), while top and intra-canopy lighting exhibited the highest increase in vitamin C content (123.4%) compared to the control. The LED light treatment also had a very positive effect on the expression of genes responsible for metabolic cycles, including Psy1, LCY-β, and VTC2 genes, which had collinearity with the increase in tomato fruit production.

Agrochemical inputs to managed oil palm plantations are a probable risk to ecosystems: Results from a screening level risk assessment

Palm oil is a high value crop widely grown in the tropics. The management of palm oil is characterised by widespread agrochemical use. Here we report the results of a screening level risk assessment conducted from the available literature on the environmental concentration of agrochemicals in surface waters and soils in palm oil growing areas. To date, only a small number of published studies have measured pollutant concentrations in and around palm oil plantations. To identify potential high-risk contaminants, a standard SSD based risk assessment, establishing risk quotients for detected contaminants, was conducted in relation to available species sensitivity distributions. A probabilistic SSD based risk assessment, calculating potential risk distributions, was also conducted for contaminants with the required number of data points available. Metals were the most commonly detected (and measured) substances and also presented the greatest risk, especially copper and zinc, but also nickel, lead and cadmium. For these metals, environmental concentrations overlapped levels found to cause effects in toxicity studies, indicating the potential for adverse outcomes from exposure. To fully understand the extent of this risk, more detailed studies are needed that assess metal speciation states and bioavailability under the prevailing soil and water chemistry conditions in palm oil plots. Limited studies have measured pesticide concentrations in palm oil systems. In these few cases, only a few active substances have been measured. From the limited information available, potential risks are indicated due to the presence of some insecticides. However, fungicides are also widely used for palm oil disease management, but little data studies are available to assess both exposure and potential effects. To further assess the potential chemical footprint of different palm oil management practices, studies are needed that systematically assess pollutant levels across a range of chemical groups to consider effects within a mixture context.

Identification of QTLs and candidate genes for water-soluble protein content in soybean seeds

Soybean represents a vital source of premium plant-based proteins for human nutrition. Importantly, the level of water-soluble protein (WSP) is crucial for determining the overall quality and nutritional value of such crops. Enhancing WSP levels in soybean plants is a high-priority goal in crop improvement. This study aimed to elucidate the genetic basis of WSP content in soybean seeds by identifying quantitative trait loci (QTLs) and set the foundation for subsequent gene cloning and functional analysis. Using 180 F10 recombinant inbred lines generated by crossing the high-protein soybean cultivar JiDou 12 with the wild variety Ye 9, our researcher team mapped the QTLs influencing protein levels, integrating Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes (KEGG) pathway analysis and gene expression profiling to identify candidate genes. During the 2020 and 2022 growing seasons, a standard bell-shaped distribution of protein content trait data was observed in these soybean lines. Eight QTLs affecting protein content were found across eight chromosomes, with LOD scores ranging from 2.59 to 7.30, explaining 4.15–11.74% of the phenotypic variance. Notably, two QTLs were newly discovered, one with a elite allele at qWSPC-15 from Ye 9. The major QTL, qWSPC-19, on chromosome 19 was stable across conditions and contained genes involved in nitrogen metabolism, amino acid biosynthesis, and signaling. Two genes from this QTL, Glyma.19G185700 and Glyma.19G186000, exhibited distinct expression patterns at maturity, highlighting the influence of these genes on protein content. This research revealed eight QTLs for WSP content in soybean seeds and proposed a gene for the key QTL qWSPC-19, laying groundwork for gene isolation and enhanced soybean breeding through the use of molecular markers. These insights are instrumental for developing protein-rich soybean cultivars.

Genome-wide identification of SHMT family genes in alfalfa (Medicago sativa) and its functional analyses under various abiotic stresses

BackgroundAlfalfa (Medicago sativa L.) is the most widely planted legume forage and one of the most economically valuable crops in the world. Serine hydroxymethyltransferase (SHMT), a pyridoxal phosphate-dependent enzyme, plays crucial roles in plant growth, development, and stress responses. To date, there has been no comprehensive bioinformatics investigation conducted on the SHMT genes in M. sativa.ResultsHere, we systematically analyzed the phylogenetic relationship, expansion pattern, gene structure, cis-acting elements, and expression profile of the MsSHMT family genes. The result showed that a total of 15 SHMT members were identified from the M. sativa genome database. Phylogenetic analysis demonstrated that the MsSHMTs can be divided into 4 subgroups and conserved with other plant homologues. Gene structure analysis found that the exons of MsSHMTs ranges from 3 to 15. Analysis of cis-acting elements found that each of the MsSHMT genes contained different kinds of hormones and stress-related cis-acting elements in their promoter regions. Expression and function analysis revealed that MsSHMTs expressed in all plant tissues. qRT-PCR analysis showed that MsSHMTs induced by ABA, Salt, and drought stresses.ConclusionsThese results provided definite evidence that MsSHMTs might involve in growth, development and adversity responses in M. sativa, which laid a foundation for future functional studies of MsSHMTs.

Identification, fermentation optimization, and biocontrol efficacy of actinomycete YG-5 for the prevention of Alternaria leaf spot disease in star anise

Star anise (Illicium verum), a valuable spice tree, faces significant threats from fungal diseases, particularly Alternaria leaf spot. This study investigates the potential of a soil-derived actinomycete strain, YG-5, as a biocontrol agent against Alternaria tenuissima, the causative pathogen on Alternaria leaf spot in star anise. Through comprehensive morphology, physiology, biochemistry, and genetic analyses, we identified the isolate as Streptomyces sp. YG-5. The strain exhibited broad-spectrum antimicrobial activity against several plant pathogens, with inhibition rates ranging between 36.47 to 80.34%. We systematically optimized the fermentation conditions for YG-5, including medium composition and cultivation parameters. The optimized process resulted in an 89.56% inhibition rate against A. tenuissima, a 14.72% improvement over non-optimized conditions. Notably, the antimicrobial compounds produced by YG-5 demonstrated stability across various temperatures, pH levels, and UV irradiation. In vivo efficacy trials showed promising results, with YG-5 fermentation broth reducing Alternaria leaf spot incidence on star anise leaves by 56.95%. These findings suggest that Streptomyces sp. YG-5 holds significant potential as a biocontrol agent against Alternaria leaf spot in star anise cultivation, offering a sustainable approach to disease management in this valuable crop.

The Evolution of Lipidomics during Oil Accumulation of Plukenetia volubilis Seeds.

Sacha inchi (Plukenetia volubilis) is a valuable oilseed crop with a high content of polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFAs). However, there is a lack of in-depth understanding of the lipidomics in Sacha inchi seeds (SIDs). Saturated fatty acids occupied more than half of the proportion (59.31%) in early development, while PUFAs accounted for 78.92% at maturation. The main triacylglycerols were TAG(18:3/18:3/18:3), TAG(18:2/18:2/18:3), and TAG(16:0/18:2/18:2). The corresponding species (18:3/18:3, 18:2/18:2, and 16:0/18:2) were also the main ingredients in diacylglycerol and phosphatidic acid, indicating high PUFA composition in the sn-1 and sn-2 positions of TAG. Only LPC(18:3), LPC(18:2), and LPC(16:0) were identified in SIDs, implying that those PUFAs on the sn-2 positions of the PC(18:3/-), PC(18:2/-), and PC(16:0/-) categories were released into the acyl-CoA pool for the Kennedy pathway. Conversely, the PC(18:1/-) and PC(18:0/-) categories might be responsible for the generation of PC-derived DAG and TAG. The lipidomics data will contribute to understanding the TAG assembly in developing SIDs, especially for PUFAs.

Assessment of the effect of climate change on the yields and water footprint of crops in arid area

ABSTRACT Investigating the actual amount of water used by agricultural crop yield is very important. This research evaluates the impact of climate change on water demand, yields, and green and blue water footprint of barberry and jujube plants under SSP1-2.6, SSP2-4.5, and SSP5-8.5 scenarios. The results show that the amount of precipitation in the future under three scenarios varies from −13.08 to 5.13 mm during the future period. It shows maximum temperature changes from 1.07 to 1.25 °C and minimum temperature changes from 1.15 to 1.54 °C. The maximum and minimum temperatures under all three scenarios have an increasing trend compared to the base period. The results show that the values of water requirement, blue water footprint, green water footprint, total water footprint, and finally the relative values of both crop yields increase in all three scenarios in the future period (2022–2038) compared to the base period (2021–2005). Furthermore, according to the three proposed scenarios, the water footprint of the barberry crop in the future is estimated to be 98.74% blue water and 1.24% green water. The jujube crop's water footprint consists of 98.81% blue water and 1.20% green water.

First Report of Colletotrichum aenigma Causing Anthracnose on Dragon Fruit in Korea.

Dragon fruit (Selenicereus undatus) is a valuable fruit crop in tropical and subtropical regions. It is renowned for its nutritional benefits, such as high sodium, potassium, and vitamin levels, and as a source of prebiotics and antioxidants (Balendres et al. 2019). In July 2023, anthracnose symptoms on stems were detected on dragon fruit plants in Jeju, South Korea. The typical anthracnose symptoms, such as sunken necrotic lesions (5-20 mm in diameter), were seen on the mature stems. The disease incidence ranged from 10% to 12% among the three surveyed greenhouses. To isolate the causative organism, infected stem samples were surface sterilized, cut into small pieces, and placed on potato dextrose agar (PDA). After two days of incubation at 24ºC, white hyphae appeared on the PDA around the plant tissues. Isolates CNU H23009 and CNU H23010 were purified from a single hypha under a stereoscope (e-Xtra Figure 1). Conidial morphology was examined from two-day-old fungal cultures grown on V8 juice agar. The conidia were transparent, aseptate, cylindrical to clavate, with a rounded apex and base, and measured 11.9 - 16.85 × 5.17 - 6.91 μm (mean = 15.28 × 5.93 μm, n = 30). No appressoria was observed. Morphological characteristics indicated the isolates were Colletotrichum sp. matching the description of the C. gloeosporioides species complex (Weir et al. 2012). To further identify the isolates, genomic DNA was extracted and the ribosomal internal transcribed spacer (ITS) region, glyceraldehyde-3-phosphate dehydrogenase (GAPDH), and actin (ACT) were amplified using ITS1/ITS4, GDF/GDR, and ACT-512F/ACT-783R, respectively (Weir et al. 2012). Based on phylogenetic analysis, the isolates clustered with C. aenigma (strains ICMP18608, ICMP18686, CSH2, and QSG1), with 71% bootstrap support, as determined using the maximum parsimony method in PAUP 4.0 (e-Xtra Figure 2). Based on morphological and molecular characteristics, isolates were identified as C. aenigma. Sequences of CNU H23009 and CNU H23010 were deposited in GenBank with accession numbers OR535144 and OR535145 for ITS, OR540725 and OR540726 for GAPDH, and OR540723 and OR540724 for ACT. The pathogenicity was tested on healthy dragon fruit stems using wound inoculation with mycelial plugs of the CNU H23009 isolate. Controls were inoculated with PDA plugs. The plants were covered with plastic bags to maintain humidity and incubated in a greenhouse at 25ºC. After two days, necrotic spots had developed on the inoculated tissues; after four days, black, irregular, and sunken necrotic lesions similar to those seen in the field were observed. No symptoms occurred in the controls. C. aenigma was re-isolated from the artificially inoculated plants and re-identified based on conidial morphology. The pathogenicity test was repeated three times with three replications for each treatment. Previous studies have reported that C. aenigma, C. gloeosoporioides, C. siamense, C. truncatum, and C. karsti cause anthracnose in dragon fruit. However, C. aenigma has been reported only in Thailand (Balendres et al. 2019; Meetum et al. 2015). To our knowledge, this is the first report of C. aenigma causing anthracnose in dragon fruit in Korea.

Standardization of Process Variables for the Development of Osmo-dehydrated Coconut Haustorium

Background: Coconut (Cocos nucifera L.) is considered a highly valuable and beneficial perennial crop in our country. The basal portion of the coconut embryo enlarges during germination and forms a spongy structure, haustorium, which is an excellent source of essential nutrients. Since consumer preference is shifting towards healthy food and processed coconut products have immense scope in this sector, the study was conducted to standardize the process variables for osmo-dehydration of coconut haustorium and to evaluate the nutritional qualities of the osmo-dehydrated product. Methods: The present study involved the development of osmo-dehydrated coconut haustorium by standardizing the process variables, viz., osmotic solution concentration and immersion time. Mass transfer, physical, biochemical and sensory parameters were analysed to evaluate the nutritional qualities and consumer acceptance. Result: The results on biochemical properties revealed that an increase in concentration and time of immersion increased TSS, total sugar, reducing sugar, ash and mineral content. The process variables were standardized for the development of osmo-dehydrated coconut haustorium with optimum mass transfer characters, better nutritional qualities and consumer acceptance, which has application in the food industry.

How Nano-ZnO Affect Tomato Fruits (Solanum lycopersicum L.)? Analysis of Selected Fruit Parameters.

Tomato (Solanum lycopersicum L.), as one of the most valuable horticulture crops, was chosen to investigate the effect of nanoparticles (NPs) in the form of nano-ZnO combined with conventional fertilizer on the quality of tomato fruits, including their antioxidant potential (total antioxidant activity, lycopene and β-carotene content), sugars content and allergenic potential (profilin and Bet v 1 content). Nano-ZnO was implemented during plant cultivation, applied by foliar spraying or directly via soil, at three different concentrations (50, 150 and 250 mg/L). The obtained results suggest that the usage of NPs during tomato plant cultivation had minor impacts on parameters such as total antioxidant activity or the content of selected allergens. Even though the total antioxidant activity was not affected by nano-ZnO, the malondialdehyde activity (MDA) content was notably decreased in fruits under nano-ZnO treatment. The content of lycopene and β-carotene was significantly affected by the use of nano-ZnO. Moreover, the usage of nano-ZnO significantly increased the total sugar content in fruits treated with nanoparticles via foliar spraying. Based on the obtained results, it can be stated that nano-ZnO, regardless of the method of application, significantly affected tomato fruits which can be beneficial for fruit production.

A GC-MS Metabolic Study on Lipophilic Compounds in the Leaves of Common Wheat Triticum aestivum L.

Common wheat (Triticum aestivum L.) is one of the most valuable cereal crops worldwide. This study examined leaf extracts of 30 accessions of T. aestivum and its subspecies using 48 h maceration with methanol by GC-MS and GCxGC-MS. The plants were grown from seeds of the wheat genetics collection of the Wheat Genetics Sector of the Institute of Cytology and Genetics, SB RAS. The analysis revealed 263 components of epicuticular waxes, including linear and branched alkanes, aliphatic alcohols, aldehydes, ketones, β-diketones, carboxylic acids and their derivatives, mono- and diterpenes, phytosterols, and tocopherols. Hierarchical cluster analysis and principal component analysis were used to identify and visualize the differences between the leaf extracts of different wheat cultivars. Three clusters were identified, with the leading components being (1) octacosan-1-ol, (2) esters of saturated and unsaturated alcohols, and (3) fatty acid alkylamides, which were found for the first time in plant extracts. The results highlight the importance of metabolic studies in understanding the adaptive mechanisms and increasing wheat resistance to stress factors. These are crucial for breeding new-generation cultivars with improved traits.

Soil moisture-based irrigation interval and irrigation performance evaluation: In the case of lower kulfo catchment, Ethiopia

The lack of soil moisture-based irrigation intervals, poor distribution of irrigation water among users, and the time-based and spatial variability of water supply have been challenges for the productivity of irrigation schemes in the Lower Kulfo catchment, Southern Ethiopia. This study was conducted to develop soil moisture-based irrigation intervals and to evaluate irrigation water delivery and field level irrigation efficiencies. Soil water content, and flow along the canal and in the field were measured directly, and irrigation duty was estimated by using CropWat 8 model. To minimize water stress or excess problems, irrigation needs to be applied when soil water content drops to 35.7 % for onion and pepper, 34.4 %% for watermelon, and 32.5 % for wheat and maize from field capacity. However, irrigation was applied at 36.2 % for onion, 35.4 % for watermelon, 36.4 % for pepper, 36.2 % for maize, and 35 % for wheat in the existing irrigation scheme that increased irrigation amount in the field. The average percentage of soil moisture depletion (p) at time of irrigation was 27.4 %, which was below the recommended value. The average adopted irrigation and design irrigation interval were 4 & 6 days for onion and pepper, 5 & 7 days for watermelon and wheat, and 6 & 7 days for maize, respectively. The mean irrigation adequacy and dependability of the irrigation scheme in the lower Kulfo catchment were 1 & 0 for Arba Minch irrigation scheme, 0.5 & 0.2 for Arba Minch University farmland, 0.4 & 0.25 for private farmland and 0.1 & 0.43 for Kollashara farmland, respectively. The value of irrigation equity was 0.7 in January, 0.6 in February, and 0.8 in March which indicates the highly temporary variation of irrigation adequacy. The mean value of canal conveyance was 82.7 % and the average on-farm irrigation efficiency also was 56.6 %. The average value crop yield in the present study were 0.5ton/ha for wheat, 4.9ton/ha for onion, 6.2ton/ha for pepper, 0.6ton/ha for watermelon, 4.2ton/ha for maize that was very low compared with other control irrigation in the study area. Inadequate soil moisture-based intervals, inequitable water distribution, and variable supply hinder irrigation in the Lower Kulfo catchment; adopting optimized practices and robust management can enhance efficiency, equity, and crop productivity.

Optimization of Ruscus hypophyllum L. Growth Using Manure and Nitrogen Applications in Subtropical Conditions of Punjab

Aims: This study aimed to evaluate the impact of farmyard manure (FYM) and nitrogen (N) on the growth and development of Ruscus hypophyllum L., a valuable cut foliage crop. Study Design: The research was conducted as a two-year field experiment using a randomized complete block design (R.C.B.D.). Place and Duration of Study: The experiment was conducted at the Department of Floriculture & Landscaping, Punjab Agricultural University, Ludhiana, Punjab, during 2020-2021. Methodology: The study utilized four treatments: control, 50 g N + 10 kg FYM, 100 g N + 20 kg FYM, and 150 g N + 30 kg FYM. Key growth parameters measured included plant height, spread, stem diameter, leaf dimensions, and number of harvestable stems. Data were collected and analyzed using standard agronomic methods to determine the effectiveness of each treatment. Results: The 100 g N + 20 kg FYM treatment consistently produced optimal results. Plants under this treatment reached a maximum height of 73.34 cm and had a stem diameter of 1.55 cm. Leaf breadth and length were significantly improved, with values reaching 4.03 cm and 8.05 cm, respectively. The number of harvestable stems increased from 16.66 in the control to 20.5. Higher nutrient levels (150 g N + 30 kg FYM) often reduced performance, indicating potential over-fertilization effects. Conclusion: The findings underscore the importance of balanced nutrient management in R. hypophyllum cultivation. The 100 g N + 20 kg FYM treatment is recommended for optimal growth and yield. These results provide evidence-based recommendations for commercial production, highlighting the need to avoid over-fertilization to prevent reduced plant performance.