Varietal Effects Research Articles

Evaluation of the Insecticidal Potential of Jatropha curcas Seed Extracts on Pests of Okra in the Field

Okra (Abelmoschus esculentus) is one of the main plants of high nutritional importance cultivated in Cameroon. However, its production is compromised by many constraints including the presence of insect pests, which are responsible for losses in the farms. The present study was carried out on the campus of the University of Yaoundé I. Its objective was to evaluate the insecticidal potential of Jatropha curcas seed extracts on the insect pests of okra. Two varieties of okra (Clemson and Hire) were used. Five treatments (T0: control, T +: Lamida gold 90EC insecticide, T-EAQ: treatment with the aqueous extract of J. curcas seeds, T-EAC: treatment with acetone extract of J. curcas seeds, T-E EAE: treatment with ethyl acetate extract of J. curcas seeds) were used in a completely randomized block design with three repetitions. Growth parameters, the number of insects, severity of phyllophages and fruit yield were evaluated. The results showed that a treatment and varietal effect was observed statistically significant on all growth parameters. The pests identified were: Aphis gossypii, Cheilomenes sp, Dydercus spp., Nisotra spp., Podagrica spp., Zonocerus variegatus. Aqueous and organic extracts of Jatropha curcas seeds were effective as Lamida gold insecticide against phyllophages in compared to the control. The best yield was obtained in T-EAQ treatment (9945.45), followed by T+ (8917.31), T-EAE (6712.9) and T-EAC (6149.9) compared to control T0 (4791.3). Variety V2, although having a susceptibility to insect attack, presented the highest yield (7158.9 kg/ha) compared to (6503.78kg/ha) for V1. Aqueous and organic extracts of J. curcas seeds appear to be a promising avenue in the integrated control of okra pests. Therefore, they can be valorized.

Exogenous calcium fertilizer supplementation regulates production period in djulis (Chenopodium formosanum Koidz.)

ABSTRACT In this study, red and yellow varieties of djulis (Chenopodium formosanum Koidz) were cultivated in spring and autumn, and the effects of calcium carbonate treatment on their growth traits, antioxidant capacity, and grain maturation were examined. This study showed that calcium carbonate treatment increased the plant height and stem thickness in the red variety of djulis. The treatment also significantly increases the yield components of the red variety of djulis, such as spike length and thousand-grain weight. Treating the red variety of djulis with calcium carbonate in spring significantly increased the antioxidant enzyme activity such as superoxide dismutase (SOD), catalase (CAT), ascorbate peroxidase (APX), and glutathione reductase (GR) activities. Interestingly, results indicated that calcium carbonate treatment could promote the early maturation of the mid-late-maturing red variety of djulis and delay the maturation of the early-maturing yellow variety. Hence this experiment concludes that the exogenous calcium treatment in djulis can regulate grain maturation and promote growth, yield, and antioxidant enzyme activity; however, the growing season and the varietal effects play a vital role in determining the overall productivity of the djulis crop.

Influence of Variety and Poultry Manure Rates on Growth, Yield, Incidence and Severity of Fusarium Wilt Disease on Three Pepper (Capsicum annum) Varieties

A field experiment was conducted to study the effect of different rates of poultry manure on growth, yield, incidence and severity of fusarium wilt on three varieties of pepper (Capsicum annuum). The research was carried out at the Crop Science and Horticulture research farm of the Faculty of Agriculture, Nnamdi Azikiwe University Awka, Anambra State-06⁰15ˈ2ˈˈN,7⁰6ˈ59ˈˈand 51m above sea level. The experiment lasted from June to August 2019 wet season planting. The pepper varieties used include: California wonder (green), Efia red and Nsukka yellow. The three pepper varieties received 0tons/ha, 8tons/ha and 16tons/ha of poultry manure. It was a 3 x 3 factorial experiment laid out in a Randomized Complete Block Design (RCBD) and replicated thrice. Variety influenced (P<0.05) plant height where the Nsukka yellow pepper gave the tallest plants (46.60cm) while the shortest was the green variety (27.0cm) at 8WAT. Highest number of leaves were obtained in red variety (167.9) which was significantly different (P<0.05) from the other varieties. No significant difference was observed in the leaf area of the three varieties (P>0.05) at the second and fourth WAT though Nsukka yellow had the largest leaf area at 4WAT and, Efia red was largest at 6WAT. Poultry manure application influenced leaf area (P<0.05) at 2nd, 4th and 6WAT. Poultry manure at 16 tons/ha gave the largest leaf area at 2nd, 4th, 6th and 8WAT. There was a significant (P<0.05) varietal effect on incidence and severity of diseases where the green variety had the highest incidence and severity of wilt. Poultry manure also influenced incidence and severity of Fusarium wilt disease where highest incidence and severity was obtained at 0tons/ha. There was a significant interaction (P<0.05) effect of variety and poultry manure rates which was observed on plant height at 2nd,4th ,6th and 8WAT. Yellow x 8tons/ha gave the tallest plants at 8WAT. Effect poultry manure rates on the number of fruits, weight gain, fruit length, fruit diameter, number of locus and fruit girth were not significantly different (P>0.05), though the highest (5.70) number of fruits was obtained at 8ton/ha poultry manure application This was followed by 4.93 at 16ton/ha, while the least number of fruits was produced when 0ton/ha was applied Poultry manure at 8tons/ha also produced the highest pepper fruit weight with a mean value of (5.700g) though not statistically different from the other two varieties. It is therefore that farmers should adopt the application of 8tons/ha poultry manure, as this was most suitable in terms of yield and increase beyond this level may not lead to appreciable marginal increase in yield as observed in this investigation.

A review on processes, mechanisms, and quality influencing parameters for puffing and popping of grains

Ready to eat expanded food grains are gaining popularity in modern days due to their ease to digest, lightness, crispiness and most importantly their ready to eat in nature. The demand for these products is increasing gradually, which tempts researchers to develop products with enhanced quality more diversifications in product and taste. An integrated study on food grain expansion helps to understand these processes. Puffing and popping process expands the grain by many folds. The expansion of grains depends upon heat and mass transfer rates, which take place in the counter direction. Therefore, optimal heat and mass transfer conditions affect the final quality and play an important role. Processing methods and grain characteristics influence these processes. Processing parameter levels and grain characteristics are interrelated. Optimum levels of processing parameters differ with changes in processing methods. This review article explains the effect of processing parameters on product quality and influencing mechanisms. Novelty impact statement This review covers the varietal effect of grains, their conditioning processes, heating methods for expansion, and the effect of these such parameters on the quality of the final product. Quality characteristics such as texture, nutrition, and other organoleptic properties play an essential role in selecting puffing or popping methods and preconditioning parameters for enhancing consumer acceptability. This review summarizes optimal processing conditions and the various quality parameters description to evaluate the quality of the final product.

Nutritional compositions and functional properties of New Ethiopian chickpea varieties: Effects of variety, grown environment and season

ABSTRACT Chickpeas are nutritious legumes, which are a rich source of proteins, fiber, carbohydrate, vitamins and minerals. Factors affect the nutritional composition of crops including chickpeas like variety, growing environments and seasons are the most common. Studies have not yet reported on the effects of variety, grown location, and grown season on specifically for Ethiopia chickpea nutritional and functional characteristics. To address this, eleven released chickpea varieties were grown at three locations in Ethiopia, during 2018 and 2019 main cropping season, representing three different agroecological environments. Then functional properties, proximate and minerals composition and in chickpea flour were determined. Variation in most nutritional composition and functional properties of eleven chickpea varieties were observed among grown within each location in each season. Statistical analysis of combined data showed significant differences among varieties, locations, and grown season for each measured parameter. High proportion of the total variation for almost studied parameters explained by the main effects of variety indicates a significant heritability for them. Growing location was found to have a significant effect on all functional properties except OAC, total ash, crude fat, crude protein, carbohydrate, energy, calcium, magnesium, iron and zinc. Grown Season was found to affect OAC, WAC, SC, FS, EA, total ash, calcium, magnesium, iron and zinc. Rainfall is the climate characteristic that may be responsible for these year-dependent differences. HC and SC (r = 0.902) and energy and fat (r = 0.800) showed positive correlation whereas, carbohydrate and protein (r = −0.896) and energy and fiber (r = −0.674) showed negative correlation. The current study established a better understanding of the varietal effects of genotype and environment on functional and nutritional composition properties of chickpea flours.

The Impact of Type of Brandy on the Volatile Aroma Compounds and Sensory Properties of Grape Brandy in Montenegro.

This paper presents the results of a study that examined the impact of grape variety on the volatile aroma compounds and sensory properties of standard and Muscat grape brandy produced in the Podgorica sub-region (Montenegro) in vintages 2011, 2012, and 2013. The brandies were prepared by the distillation of crushed grapes, from the autochthonous varieties of Vranac and Kratošija, and Muscat grapes, in a traditional copper alembic, under the same conditions. The gas chromatographic-mass spectrometric (GC/MS) method of 82 volatile aroma compounds that belong to the group (alcohols, volatile acids, volatile esters, terpenes, volatile aldehydes, acetals, ethers, ketones, and alkanes) and an evaluation of the sensory properties of brandies were carried out to determine the typical characteristics of the examined brandies. Alcohols, fatty acid esters, and terpene compound contents were significantly more abundant in all Muscat grape brandies compared to the brandies from the Vranac and Kratošija wine varieties (Standard brandy). Research results revealed that variety had a significant impact on the volatile aroma compound and sensory properties of brandy. The varietal effect was also confirmed, by multivariate analysis, based on the aroma volatile composition, which showed a grouping by type of grape brandy (varietal origin). Sensory analyses showed that all the brandies belonged to the category of high-quality brandies.

Comparative compositional and functional characterisation of rye varieties and novel industrial milling fractions

SummaryThis work aimed to collect and study all milling fractions generated during an industrial rye milling technology and to select nutritionally promising subfractions for further investigations (chemical composition and rheological behaviour) also considering their yield. To investigate the varietal effect, four rye samples were examined and applied in the milling experiments. The results showed great variability of technological properties (mainly in viscous behaviour) among rye samples. Generally, subfractions had higher protein, lipid, total and soluble dietary fibre content than white flours, and several subfractions provided higher values even than wholemeal flours. Significant differences were found between the fractions in the mixing and viscous behaviour, which could be explained principally by the variable dietary fibre content and composition, however, the effect of protein content was found also prominent. The results pointed out that alternative milling products with favourable composition and technological properties can be produced by collecting appropriate subfractions.

Phytic Acid Content of Faba Beans (Vicia faba)—Annual and Varietal Effects, and Influence of Organic Cultivation Practices

Legumes such as faba beans (Vicia faba) are once again gaining popularity, especially in Europe. This is due to the fact that they are an important source of plant-based proteins for human as well as animal nutrition. In addition to a high protein content, faba beans have a wide range of secondary plant metabolites (SPMs). Some of them, such as phytic acid (PA, inositol hexakisphosphate), are discussed controversially with regard to their role as dietary compounds. As ecophysiological conditions and agronomical practices are well known to alter SPMs in (food) plants, it is hypothesized that the farming system has an impact on the overall SPMs content in plants and there might be a correlation between organically grown bean samples and PA content. Consequently, this study aimed at characterizing the German-wide variation in the PA content of faba beans produced under real cultivation conditions. Influencing factors such as cultivar and use of organic or conventional cultivation have been evaluated in order to reveal dependencies of PA in legumes. All bean samples were obtained from different conventional and organic farms from eleven German federal states over three consecutive cultivation years (2016–2018). However, beans did not show annual effects in PA content. As expected, there were dependencies related to the cultivar. Furthermore, significant differences between conventionally and organically grown beans were found, independent of fungicide or insecticide use.

Differential Response of Wheat Rhizosphere Bacterial Community to Plant Variety and Fertilization.

The taxonomic assemblage and functions of the plant bacterial community are strongly influenced by soil and host plant genotype. Crop breeding, especially after the massive use of nitrogen fertilizers which led to varieties responding better to nitrogen fertilization, has implicitly modified the ability of the plant root to recruit an effective bacterial community. Among the priorities for harnessing the plant bacterial community, plant genotype-by-microbiome interactions are stirring attention. Here, we analyzed the effect of plant variety and fertilization on the rhizosphere bacterial community. In particular, we clarified the presence in the bacterial community of a varietal effect of N and P fertilization treatment. 16S rRNA gene amplicon sequence analysis of rhizospheric soil, collected from four wheat varieties grown under four N-P fertilization regimes, and quantification of functional bacterial genes involved in the nitrogen cycle (nifH; amoA; nirK and nosZ) were performed. Results showed that variety played the most important role and that treatments did not affect either bacterial community diversity or bacterial phyla abundance. Variety-specific response of rhizosphere bacterial community was detected, both in relation to taxa (Nitrospira) and metabolic functions. In particular, the changes related to amino acid and aerobic metabolism and abundance of genes involved in the nitrogen cycle (amoA and nosZ), suggested that plant variety may lead to functional changes in the cycling of the plant-assimilable nitrogen.

Effect of Planting Methods on Grain Yield and Crop Management in Finger Millet

A field experiment on two planting methods (direct seeding and transplanting) in finger millet was conducted using two cultivars; Samtenling Memja 1 (SM1) and IE4425 at the Agriculture Research and Development Centre (ARDC), Samtenling from July to December 2020. The study aimed to determine the best planting method that gave better yield and economic advantage in crop production. The results of the experiment showed that the transplanted finger millet recorded the highest yield (0.81 Mt ha-1) compared to directed seeded (0.65 Mt ha-1) but statistically not significant. There was a percent yield difference of 19.7 % between the two methods. Similarly, there was no significant effect between planting methods and yield components such as plant height, productive tillers, and finger numbers; but there were varietal significant effects on plant height and length of the fingers (P=0.00). However, a significantly shorter maturity duration was observed in direct-seeded millet (120 days) as compared to transplanted millet (126.5 days). Moreover, economic analysis indicates that net returns for direct seeding were considerably greater (>25%) than that of the transplanting method. Based on the study, direct-seeded finger millet could be promoted in farmers' fields considering the economic advantage and early maturity.

Ionomic Profiling of Rice Genotypes and Identification of Varieties with Elemental Covariation Effects

Ionomic profiles are primarily influenced by genetic and environmental factors. Identifying ionomic responses to varietal effects is necessary to understand the ionomic variations among species or subspecies and to potentially understand genetic effects on ionomic profiles. We cultivated 120 rice (Oryza sativa) varieties to seedling stage in identical hydroponic conditions and determined the concentrations of 26 elements (including 3 anions) in the shoots and roots of rice. Although the subspecies effects were limited by the genus Oryza pre-framework and its elemental chemical properties, we found significant differences in ionomic variations in most elements among the aus, indica and japonica subspecies. Principal component analysis of the correlations indicated that variations in the root-to-shoot ionomic transport mechanisms were the main causes of ionomic differences among the subspecies. Furthermore, the correlations were primarily associated with the screening of varieties for elemental covariation effects that can facilitate breeding biofortified rice varieties with safe concentrations of otherwise toxic elements. The japonica subspecies exhibited the strongest elemental correlations and elemental covariation effects, therefore, they showed greater advantages for biofortification than the indica and aus subspecies, whereas indica and aus subspecies were likely safer in metal(loid) polluted soils. We also found that geographical and historical distribution significantly defined the ionomic profiles. Overall, the results of this study provided a reference for further association studies to improve the nutritional status and minimize toxicity risks in rice production.

Varietal and environmental effects on the production of faba bean (Vicia faba L.) seeds for the food industry by confrontation of agricultural and nutritional traits with resistance against Bruchus spp. (Coleoptera: Chrysomelidae, Bruchinae)

Faba bean is a globally produced agricultural crop due to the high protein content in seeds. However, yields strongly vary depending on biotic and abiotic factors. Here, we evaluated the combined effect of faba bean varieties and climate on crop productivity, seed quality and Bruchus spp. infestation to identify most promising faba bean varieties for use in the food industry as local protein source. Varietal and year related factors were studied during two cropping years to explain variation of field yield, seed protein/ash/lipid content, protein production, and infestation rates. Fourteen varieties including nine winter varieties and five spring varieties were compared, from which one variety presented stable and promising yield, seed composition and low infestation rates. Annual effects significantly impacted field yield and protein production in contrast with the varietal effect that significantly impacted seeds protein content and infestation rates. Principal components analysis showed that infestation rate and yield were not correlated; thus, these two parameters could be optimized independently. The spring variety Fanfare exhibited the best and most stable results over the two study periods. Winter varieties had higher yields, whereas spring varieties had higher seed protein content. The main parameters impacting bruchid infestations were variety, indicating the need to select certain varieties that reduce the impact of pests on seed quality. During 2020, a drought during growing season significantly impacted faba bean production, demonstrating the importance of developing drought-resistant varieties. Thus, fourteen faba bean varieties were characterized considering together key parameters for food uses, and were ranked to identify most interesting ones. We also highlighted most impacting parameters that should be taken into account for the future improvement of varietal resilience in European countries.

Effect of foliar spray of micronutrients and hormones on cauliflower (Brassica oleracea var. botrytis L.)

In order to achieve optimal plant growth and production, essential nutrients must be readily available in adequate quantities and in a balanced proportion to give a good yield, especially cauliflower which has health benefits that may not be found in many other plants. For this purpose, this experiment was carried out during the seasons 2020-2021 in the on station of Bangladesh Agricultural Research Institute, Khulna under Smallholder Agricultural competitiveness project. Although the treatments showed a positive effect on yield, quality and economics but, T1 revealed most significant influence on all parameters under study as compared to T0 (control). For micronutrients and hormone, T1 treatment produced the highest curd yield (29.99 t ha-1) and the lowest (17.04 t ha-1) was control from the varietal effect the highest curd yield was (35.14 t ha-1) from V4 (It Amazuku 33) and the lowest was (16.21 t ha-1) from V5 (BARI Fulcopi-1). In case of combined effect, the highest curd yield (45.16 t ha-1) was obtained from T1V4 and the lowest curd yield (10.27 t ha-1) from T0V1. Therefore, it can be suggested that the highest curd yield and good shape cauliflower curd can be obtained application of Zn 8.83 kg/ha, B 3.5 kg/ha, Ma 8.43 kg/ha and Flora (Hormone) 2 ml/1 L of water. Therefore, foliar application of micronutrients and hormone is suitable way to feed the cauliflower crop to enhance the marketable yield and quality.

Physicochemical Properties of Virgin Coconut Oil Extracted from Different Coconut (Cocos nucifera L) Varieties

Virgin coconut oil (VCO) is a superior edible oil extracted from fresh coconut (Cocos nucifera L) kernel using mixed coconut varieties without considering the varietal effect. Therefore, this research focuses on the quality evaluation of VCO extracted from four types of coconut varieties, namely Sri lanka Tall×Tall (TT), a tall variety of Gon Thambili (GT), a tall variety of Ran Thambili (RT) and Philippines tall variety of San Ramon (SR). Mature coconuts from each variety were collected from the Bandirippuwa Estate of the Coconut Research Institute, Sri Lanka to extract VCO by cold press oil extraction method. The extractability of VCO from different varieties was investigated. Moisture, free fatty acid (FFA), fatty acid profile (gas chromatography), peroxide value (PV), color (Lovibond scale), total phenolic substances (Galic acid equivalent), antioxidant capacity (α,α-diphenyl-β-picrylhydrazyl, 0.1mM – DPPH method) and sun protection factor (SPF) of VCO extracted from each variety were analyzed. The experiment was conducted as a completely randomized design with three replicates. Data were analyzed using ANOVA using Tukey’s test by MINITAB 17. Oil extractability (58%-59%), FFA (0.04%-0.12%), color (0.43–0.93) and fatty acid profile of VCO did not show variation among varieties. A higher concentration of total phenolic substances was observed in GT (0.24±0.03mg GAE/100g) while antioxidant capacity (857.19±14.99mg/ml) and SPF (8.99±1.26) was rich in RT.

Effects of conservation tillage, phosphorus and variety on selected soil physical properties and cowpea productivity at Minna in Nigeria’s Southern Guinea Savanna

This study was conducted to evaluate the influence of conservation tillage, inorganic phosphorus fertilizer and variety on soil physical properties and cowpea productivity at Minna in the Southern Guinea Savanna of Nigeria. Three tillage practices (zero, reduced and ridged), three phosphorus rates (0, 30 and 60 kg P2O5 ha-1) and three cowpea varieties (IT93K-452-1, IT99K-573-1-1 and IT90K277-2) were factorially combined and laid out in randomized complete block design with three replications. Two crops of cowpea were cultivated sequentially. Soil and crop indices used for the evaluation were soil bulk density, soil organic carbon content, mean weight diameter, soil moisture content, haulm yield and grain yield. Conservation tillage significantly affected the four soil indices while phosphorus rates significantly affected soil organic carbon content, mean weight diameter and soil moisture content. There was varietal effect on soil organic carbon content and soil moisture content. Conservation tillage methods influenced haulm yield significantly but had no significant effect on grain yield. Phosphorus application and variety, on the other hand, significantly affected both haulm and grain yields. Notably, in the early harvest, application of 60 kg P2O5 ha-1 raised haulm yield from 2,489 kg ha-1 (untreated control) to 5,482 kg ha-1 , and grain yield from 614 kg ha-1 (untreated control) to 1,440 kg ha-1 , representing 120% and 135% increments for haulm and grain yields respectively. Farmers are advised to combine either zero or reduced tillage with 60 kg P2O5 ha-1 and IT99K573-1-1 for maximum haulm and grain yields.

Performance of Groundnut (Arachis Hypogaea L.) Varieties for Yield and Yield Components in Guji Zone, Southern Ethiopia

Production and productivity of ground nut is limited due to lack of improved varieties as its high price as compared to other cereal and pulse crops. Thus, an experiment was conducted at Adola Red, Odo Shakiso and Goro Dola districts in 2019 and 2020 cropping seasons to evaluate adaptability of improved groundnut varieties. Treatments consisted of ten groundnut varieties (Roba, Baha-gudo, Werer-961, Babile-1, Babile-2, Bahe-gidu, Sedi, Tole-1, Fayo, Nc-4x), carried out in randomized complete block design (RCBD) with three replications. The analyzed result showed that yield and yield related parameters were significantly affected by varietal effect. Accordingly, Werer- 961 was early matured and produced the highest pods plant-1, Sedi produces more number of seeds, Baha-gudo had y the highest seed weight (85.33g. However, Babile-1 produced the highest seed yield (2317 kg ha-1) as compared to the other varieties. Babile-1 variety well performed and can be recommended for the growers in the study area to improve groundnut productivity. Keywords: Ground Nut: Pea Nut: Performance: Oilseed: Yield Potential

Modelling the effect of partial resistance on epidemics of downy mildew of grapevine

The cultivation of grape varieties with partial resistance to disease may become an important component for disease management in the future. The impact of partial resistance on downy mildew epidemics according to its components have not been explored so far. This work aims to model, understand, and quantitatively analyse the effect of partial resistance against dual disease epidemics (foliage and clusters) caused by Plasmopara viticola, and rank the efficiency of different resistance components in disease suppression. We use an epidemiological simulation model to integrate the effect of four components of partial resistance, expressed as relative resistance parameters, i.e. infection efficiency (RRIE), latency period (RRLP), sporulation (RRSP), and infectious period (RRIP). Both the individual and combined effect of these components of resistance on downy mildew epidemics are evaluated through a sensitivity analysis. A comparison of simulation runs in different scenarios of disease conduciveness using experimental measurements of components of partial resistance for 16 different grapevine varieties is also performed. Increasing values of RR parameters led to a suppression of disease progress on foliage. The strongest reduction of epidemics on foliage is generated by increases in RRIE, followed by RRSP, RRIP, and last by RRLP. The effect of partial resistance on epidemics is more conspicuous in a scenario of limited disease conduciveness. The strongest suppressive effect of simulated epidemics on clusters is associated with RRIE, and the lowest effect with RRLP, with similar effects of increasing values of RRIP and RRSP. The use of experimentally measured relative resistance parameters to run simulated epidemics shows a reduction of the area under the disease progress curve from 4 × 105 (on a susceptible reference grapevine variety) to 4 × 102 (on cv. Bronner), i.e. a reduction of disease by 1000. The simulation of the varietal effect in intermediate and less favourable scenarios of disease conduciveness strongly suppresses the epidemic on foliage and limits disease on clusters to very low levels. Deploying partial host plant resistance in environments that are not strongly conducive to downy mildew epidemics could represent an effective use of partial resistance.

The assembly of wheat-associated fungal community differs across growth stages.

Plant-associated fungal communities play a vital role in plant adaptations, physiological functions, and productivity. Therefore, it is important to reveal the mechanisms driving the assembly of these communities. Yet it is still not fully understood how community assembly and structure differentiate in plant compartments, growth seasons, and varieties at large geographic distances. In this study, we analyzed bulk soil and plant-associated fungal communities of five wheat varieties across two growth stages in three biogeographic sites with distances of about 324, 534, or 800km apart between any two locations. Our results indicated that the fungal community varied primarily across the sample types (leaf endosphere, root endosphere, rhizosphere, and bulk soil), followed by growth stage. Compared with the regreening stage, lower α-diversity and more dominance by abundant species in the fungal community were observed in wheat-associated compartments (four sample types except for bulk soil) at the heading stage. Additionally, within each wheat-associated compartment across every growth stage, location had stronger effects on fungal community assembly than the wheat variety. The effects of variety on fungal community assembly were location specific as were the growth-stage patterns of varietal effects on leaf endosphere and rhizosphere fungal communities. We further detected a less diverse but abundant core fungal taxa that could be grouped into three clusters associated mainly with location. This study characterized the interplay effects between plant selection (compartment, growth stage, variety) and environment (location) on wheat-associated mycobiomes by determining drivers of fungal community assembly and core fungal taxa in field conditions. KEY POINTS: • Fungal community assembly was mainly shaped by sample type and growth stage • A lower diversity and more abundant core fungal taxa were shown at heading stage • Location had stronger effects on fungal community assembly than variety.

Physiological and Morphological Responses of Cassava Genotypes to Fertilization Regimes in Chromi-Haplic Acrisols Soils

The objective of this study was to evaluate the performances of three cassava genotypes on yield, physiology and morphological traits under different fertilization regimes. A field experiment was conducted in a split-plot design for two consecutive seasons in the Mansa district of the Luapula Province of Northern Zambia in the highly weathered Chromi-haplic Acrisol soils. Four fertilization regimes, control-M3, lime-M1, NPK fertilizer-M4 and NPK fertilizer + lime-M2 were the main plots, while three varieties (Mweru-V1, Bangweulu-V2 and Katobamputa (local)-V3) were subplots. Periodic measurements of leaf area index, light interception, yield and yield components from 75 days after planting (DAP) up to 410 DAP and daily weather measurements of data were recorded. Fertilization significantly increased the radiation use efficiency (RUE) and light extinction coefficient (K) in two seasons compared to the control. Significant fertilization regimes and varietal effects were observed for seasonal LAI, stem yield, root yield, biomass, harvest index (HI), tuber number, root diameter, plant height and SPAD (chlorophyll index). A significant year’s effects on root yield, yield components and physiological performances were observed while significant fertilization × variety interaction was observed on seasonal LAI, tuber number, root diameter, plant height and SPAD. Significant fertilization × year interaction effects were observed on root yield, yield components and physiological performances. Variety × year interaction was significant for seasonal LAI, stem yield, harvest index and plant height and no three-way interactions were observed on all the traits. NPK fertilizer + lime and NPK fertilizer treatments may be adopted to increase the response of cassava varietal yield, physiology and morphological traits in low soil nutrient conditions under high rain-fed conditions.

A general procedure for predicting the remaining shelf life of nectarines and peaches for virtualization of the value chain

Decision-making along the supply chain requires accurate estimates of the remaining shelf life (RSHL) depending upon not only the initial storage conditions and duration but also aspects such as the variety or condition of the fruit at harvest. Offering ready-to-eat fruit on at the retail level, is a frequent marketing strategy in which management of shelf life is mandatory. The most widespread models, so-called generic shelf life models for estimating the RSHL gather the actual temperature series and the optimal storage temperature while assuming standard values for other parameters such Q10 or the reference shelf life. In this work, a general mathematical procedure, and corresponding algorithm are proposed to adjust the parameters of the generic RSHL model referring to several varieties of peaches and nectarines. Postharvest protocols are simulated to obtain ready-to-eat fruit for recently bred varieties. To this aim, temperature was recorded continuously throughout the postharvest protocol, while instrumental and sensory evaluations were taken at the end of each stage of the protocol. Outputs of a principal component analysis based on instrumental data allowed to i) identify the instrumental variables most relevant to sensory evaluation and corresponding evolution under shelf life conditions and ii) define a multidimensional estimator of shelf life. The particular values of this multidimensional estimator together with the temperature series are the basis to solve the equation that lead to specific values of Q10 and reference shelf life for each variety in the study. The average reference shelf life of peaches is bounded to 24 d, 30 % shorter (10 d less) than the average shelf life of nectarines. The Q10 values are bounded between 1.5 and 2.8, highlighting the varietal effects. Generally, Q10 values for peaches are indicative of a higher susceptibility to the breakage of the cold chain compared to nectarines.