Vegetable Production Areas Research Articles

Adapting to climate change: Exploring tourism vulnerability and agricultural development in Gedangan Village

Background: Researchers agree on the necessity of a robust framework to adapt to and mitigate climate change, encompassing environmental education, financial support, green tourism, eco-tourism, and conservation projects. This paper investigates the vulnerability of tourism to climate change, tourism under various climate scenarios, and adaptation strategies within this sector. The tourism industry’s reliance on energy sources such as water, electricity, and fossil fuels underscores the need for a thorough evaluation of systems and frameworks to ensure sustainability and resilience. Gedangan Village, located 14 km west of Boyolali's town center, is a major vegetable-producing area in Cepogo District, Central Java, Indonesia, characterized by its productive highland agriculture. Method: This study uses a descriptive-analytical method with a qualitative approach, focusing on a case study in Gedangan Village to understand its potential, issues, and transformations. The location was purposively selected due to its relevance, and data was collected through purposive sampling of key informants. The paper employs a literature review to support its findings, leveraging various databases and sources. Conclusion: The conclusion highlights the need for enhancing technological use and human resources to maximize Gedangan's agricultural potential and address the challenges posed by climate change.

Unveiling the dynamic evolution of comparative advantage: assessing the competitiveness of China’s main winter and spring vegetable production regions

IntroductionChina is the world’s largest producer and consumer of vegetables, with all provinces, cities, and autonomous regions cultivating vegetables. The main production areas for winter and spring vegetables have higher accumulated temperatures, allowing for multiple planting seasons throughout the year. Therefore, this article examines the competitiveness of vegetable production in China’s main winter and spring vegetable producing areas from the perspective of the dynamic evolution of comparative advantages.MethodsDrawing on statistical data from 2000 to 2018 on the development of the vegetable industry in these key provinces, our analysis incorporates methods such as the Resource Endowment Coefficient, the Comprehensive Comparative Advantage Index, the entropy method, and systematic cluster analysis to explore the evolution of competitive advantages in vegetable production across various provinces and cities.Results and discussionThe findings reveal significant regional disparities in resource endowments and overall advantages in vegetable production during the winter and spring seasons. Notably, Chongqing, Hubei Province, and Shanghai exhibit a Resource Endowment Factor (EF) averaging above 1, indicating a relative abundance of production resources and a comparative advantage. Similarly, Hainan Province, the Guangxi Zhuang Autonomous Region, Guangdong Province, Fujian Province, Shanghai, and Zhejiang Province each demonstrate an average Comprehensive Advantage Index (AAI) exceeding 1, affirming their comprehensive comparative strengths. Overall, the competitiveness of vegetable production in these regions exhibits a fluctuating yet ascending trend, with notable disparities in competitive strengths across different areas. The ranking of annual average competitiveness scores in vegetable production is as follows: Shanghai > Zhejiang > Hubei > Hunan > Guangdong > Sichuan > Chongqing > Fujian > Guangxi > Jiangxi > Hainan > Yunnan. Based on these outcomes, the study proposes tailored strategic recommendations for provinces and cities according to their unique resource endowments and comparative advantages, aiming to enhance the sector’s productivity and competitive stance.

Accounting for Organizational and Economic Mechanisms in Greenhouse Activities

The article considers a specific area of greenhouse vegetable production, which is an important area of greenhouse farming that significantly affects the availability of plant products and canned vegetables yearly in the Republic of Uzbekistan. In adopting greenhouse vegetable cultivation, certain factors are considered, such as the location of the farm, natural and climatic conditions, and types of farming, that as open field or protected farming. Agriculture is the main pillar of the country’s economy. This work aims to study greenhouse vegetable farming adopted in the country. It also aims to study the technological innovation applied in its operation, its structural and functional organization, and the economic benefits derived from it. The study data were obtained from the statistical database of the World Bank. The data were analyzed based on the descriptive statistics of the factors characterizing the organizational and economic mechanisms of agriculture in the Republic of Uzbekistan. The study results show that the main technology adopted in the country for the proper running of greenhouse farming is greenhouse vegetable clusters, and there is a strong correlation between the organizational and economic indicators of the greenhouse vegetable clusters. It is found that the economic yield of the greenhouse vegetable clusters depends on the patterns in which the clusters are organized, such as the availability of labor, as well as transport routes for transporting products. Adopting the appropriate policies for organizing the clusters could lead to sustainable food security for the population of the country, including the development of agricultural infrastructures, such as road networks, crop storage facilities, access to electricity, foreign investments, domestic loans, etc. The work analyzes the production efficiency and current economic status of farms. It also gives recommendations for improving the production of vegetable crops in the greenhouse.

Hydroponics as an advanced vegetable production technique: an overview

In the recent past, population explosion across the globe has presented many challenges that include the availability of arable land diminishing per capita for traditional soil-based farming. Therefore, the development of advanced agricultural technologies and methods has become important in response to these persistent situations. Amongst these innovations, soilless crop cultivation has emerged as one of the promising solutions, leading from the forefront. This current review offers a comprehensive investigation of hydroponics as an advanced technology for vegetable production. It explains many aspects related to hydroponic systems, viz., methods used in hydroponics, its advantages, challenges as well as application in vegetable production. This paper also explores the hydroponics evolution historically, various hydroponic systems, their essential components, and nutrient solution role in plant growth facilitation. Furthermore, it highlights various advantages of farming under hydroponic culture, viz., increase in yields, efficient usage of water, optimum space utilization, and less environmental impact. Additionally, this review also sheds light on challenges related to hydroponics, like initial setup cost, technical complexity, and management of diseases. Moreover, it also enlightens about vegetables that are suitable to cultivate under hydroponic culture and provides insight into continuing research, and forthcoming projections in the area of vegetable production under hydroponic cultivation.

Rain splash-mediated dispersal of Escherichia coli from fecal deposits to field-grown lettuce in the mid- and south Atlantic U.S. regions is affected by mulch type.

Wildlife feces can contaminate vegetables when enteric bacteria are released by rain and splashed onto crops. Regulations require growers to identify and not harvest produce that is likely contaminated, but U.S. federal standards do not define dimensions for no-harvest zones. Moreover, mulching, used to retain soil moisture and maximize crop yield may impact rain-mediated bacterial dispersal from feces. To assess Escherichia coli dissemination from a fecal point source to lettuce grown on various mulches, lettuce cv. 'Magenta' was transplanted into raised beds with plastic, biodegradable plastic, straw, or left uncovered at field sites in Maryland and Georgia. Eleven days post-transplant, 10g of rabbit manure spiked with ~8 log CFU g-1 E. coli were deposited in each bed. One day following natural or simulated rain events, lettuce was sampled along 1.5m transects on either side of fecal deposits. Lettuce-associated E. coli was semi-quantified with an MPN assay and dependence on fecal age (stale or fresh), lettuce age (baby leaf or mature head), distance from point source, mulch and post-rain days were statistically evaluated. Distance (p<0.001), fecal age (p<0.001) and mulch (p<0.01) were factors for E. coli transfer from point source to lettuce. The highest and lowest E. coli estimates were measured from lettuce grown on biodegradable plastic and straw, respectively, with a 2-log MPN difference (p<0.001). Mulch and distance were also significant factors in E. coli recovery 3 days post-rain (both p<0.001), where plastic mulches differed from bare ground and straw (p<0.01). For all treatments, fewer E. coli were retrieved from lettuce at 0.3m, 3 days post-rain compared to 1 day (p<0.001). Fitting the data to a Weibull Model predicated that a 7-log reduction in E. coli from fecal levels would be achieved at 1.2-1.4m from the point source on plastic mulches, 0.75m on bare soil (p<0.05) and 0.43m on straw (p<0.01). Straw and bare ground limited rain-mediated E. coli dispersal from feces to lettuce compared to plastic mulches. Fecal age was negatively associated with E. coli dispersal. These findings can inform harvesting recommendations for measures related to animal intrusion in vegetable production areas.

Influence of nutrient, toxic metal and herbicide contents on the soil bacterial communities in tropical vegetable growing areas

The relationship between bacterial diversity and the bioavailability of nutrients, toxic metals and the herbicide oxyfluorfen in a tropical vegetable growing area was evaluated. The study was conducted in a vegetable growing area located in the mountainous region of Rio de Janeiro (Brazil), and samples were collected in areas of vegetable cultivation and areas of environmental reserve. Fertility analyses and determination of the pseudototal levels of toxic metals in the soil samples were performed. The profile of the soil bacterial community was determined by amplification of the 16S rRNA gene and separation by DGGE. The results showed that the levels of toxic metals and elements associated with soil fertility were higher in vegetable production areas. These differences in the physical and chemical characteristics of the soil favored the presence of a greater number of OTUs in the cultivation areas (17.3-27 OTUs) than in the areas of environmental reserve (13-22 OTUs). Therefore, this study demonstrates that the presence of toxic metals and the herbicide oxyfluorfen and the increase in fertility in soils in areas with intensive vegetable cultivation resulting from the intensive management adopted in these areas promotes a differentiation of the bacterial profiles in soils in tropical vegetable growing areas.

Current-use pesticides monitoring and ecological risk assessment in vegetable soils at the provincial scale

Pesticides represent one of the largest intentional inputs of potentially hazardous compounds into agricultural soils. However, as an important vegetable producing country, surveys on pesticide residues in soils of vegetable production areas are scarce in China. This study presented the occurrence, spatial distribution, correlation between vegetable types and pesticides, and ecological risk evaluation of 94 current-use pesticides in 184 soil samples from vegetable production areas of Zhejiang province (China). The ecological risks of pesticides to soil biota were evaluated with toxicity exposure ratios (TERs) and risk quotient (RQ). The pesticide concentrations varied largely from below the limit of quantification to 20703.06 μg/kg (chlorpyrifos). The situation of pesticide residues in Jiaxing is more serious than in other cities. Soils in the vegetable areas are highly diverse in pesticide combinations. Eisenia fetida suffered exposure risk from multiple pesticides. The risk posed by chlorpyrifos, which exhibited the highest RQs at all scenarios, was worrisome. Only a few pesticides accounted for the overall risk of a city, while the other pesticides make little or zero contribution. This work will guide the appropriate use of pesticides and manage soil ecological risks, achieving green agricultural production.

Hidden risk of terrestrial food chain contamination from organochlorine insecticides in a vegetable cultivation area of Northwest Bangladesh

Organochlorine insecticide (OCI) exposures in terrestrial food chains from historical or current applications were studied in a vegetable production area in northwest Bangladesh. A total of 57 subsoil, 57 topsoil, and 57 vegetable samples, as well as 30 cow's milk samples, were collected from 57 farms. Multiple OCI residues were detected using GC–MS/MS with modified QuEChERS in 20 % of subsoils, 21 % of topsoils, 23 % of vegetables, and 7 % of cow's milk samples. Diversified OCI residues were detected in subsoils (17 residues with a concentration of 179.15 ± 148.61 μg kg−1) rather than in topsoils (3 DDT residues with a concentration of 25.76 ± 20.19 μg kg−1). Isomeric ratios indicate intensive historical applications of OCIs. According to Dutch and Chinese standards, the lower concentrations of individual OCI residues in the soil indicate negligible to slight soil pollution, assuming local farmers follow local pesticide use regulations. However, a maximum of 78.24 μg kg−1 ΣAldrines and 35.57 μg kg−1 ΣHCHs were detected (1–4 residues) in 60 % of brinjal, 28 % of cucumber, 29 % of sponge gourd, and 20 % of lady's finger samples, which could be a result of either historical or current OCI applications, or both. A strong positive correlation between aldrines in subsoils and cucurbit vegetables indicates greater bioaccumulation. Cow milk samples contained up to 6.96 μg kg−1 ΣDDTs, which resulted either from rationing contaminated vegetables or grazing on contaminated land. Individual OCI in both vegetables and cow's milk was below the respective maximum residue limits of US and FAO/WHO CODEX and poses little or no risk to human health. However, combined exposure to multiple pesticides could increase human health risks. A cumulative health risk assessment of multiple pesticide residues is suggested to assess the suitability of those soils for cultivation and grazing, as well as the safety of vegetables and cow's milk for human consumption.

High soil nitrous oxide emissions from a greenhouse vegetable production system in Shouguang, Northern China

In China, the area of greenhouse vegetable production (GVP) has exceeded 4 million ha, accounting for >80% of global GVP systems. Excessive nitrogen (N) fertilization and frequent irrigation have created GVP hotspots of nitrous oxide (N2O) emissions. There are several studies on soil N2O emissions from GVP systems, but all with low-frequency manual sampling, which may have resulted in large uncertainties regarding quantifying N2O emissions. Herein, we utilized an automatic chamber system equipped with 16 channels to measure N2O emissions under common farm practice from a GVP system in Shouguang, Northern China. We measured emissions from both furrows and ridges for 1 year from July 2020 to July 2021. Our continuous monitoring showed that the annual soil N2O emission was 102 kg N ha−1, accounting for 7.6% of the applied N (1338 kg N ha−1). The annual N2O emission from furrows (176 kg N ha−1) was significantly higher than that from ridges (28 kg N ha−1). Large spatial variations in the N2O emissions were observed, ranging from 102 to 273 kg N ha−1 yr−1 for furrows (n = 8) and from 19 to 45 kg N ha−1 yr−1 for ridges (n = 7). In addition, we found that irrigation caused N2O flux pulses from furrows, increasing by 12–396% compared with the level before irrigation. High-frequency measurements using our automatic chamber system provided detailed information on the diurnal and seasonal dynamics of N2O emissions, which could be useful for building more accurate models and developing more effective policies to reduce N2O emissions from global GVP systems.

Accumulation of livestock manure–derived heavy metals in the Hexi Corridor oasis agricultural alkaline soil and bioavailability to Chinese cabbage (Brassica pekinensis L.) after 4-year continuous application

Hexi Corridor is one of the most important base of vegetable producing areas in China. Livestock manure (LM) applied to agricultural field could lead to soil heavy metal (HM) pollution. Previous studies have focused on HM pollution following LM application in acidic polluted soils; however, fewer studies have been conducted in alkaline unpolluted soils. A 4–year field vegetable production experiment was conducted using pig manure (PM) and chicken manure (CM) at five application rates (0, 15, 30, 45, and 60 t ha−1) to elucidate potential risks of HMs in an alkaline unpolluted soil in the Hexi Corridor oasis agricultural area and HM uptake by Chinese cabbage. The results showed that LM application caused a significant build–up of Cu, Zn, Pb, Cd, and Ni content in topsoil by 30.6–99.7%, 11.4–51.7%, 1.4–31.3%, 5.6–44.9%, 14%–40.8%, respectively. The Cd, Cu, Zn could potentially exceed the soil threshold in next 8–65 years after 15–60 t ha−1 LM application. Under LM treatment, the soil DTPA–extractable Cu, Zn, Fe, the acid–extractable fraction of Cu, Zn, Fe, Cd, Ni, and the Oxidable fraction of Cu, Zn, Fe, Mn, Cd, Ni significantly increased, but the DTPA–extractable Pb, Cd, the acid–extractable fraction of Pb, and the reducible fraction of Cd significantly decreased. Cu and Zn could migrate to the deeper soil and relatively increase in DTPA–extracted Cu, Zn were found in 20–40 cm soil depth after LM application. The pH and SOM could influence the bioavailability of HMs in soil. The bioaccumulation factor and transfer factor (TF) values were <1 except Mn (TF > 1). HMs in leaf did not approach the threshold for HM toxicity due to the “dilution effect”. Recommend the type of manure was the PM and the annual PM application rate was 30 t ha−1 to ensure a 20–year period of clean production in alkaline unpolluted Fluvo–aqiuc vegetable soils.

Rapid Detection and Quantification of Viable Cells of Pectobacterium brasiliense Using Propidium Monoazide Combined with Real-Time PCR.

Pectobacterium brasiliense (Pbr) has caused significant economic losses in major vegetable production areas in Northern China by causing bacterial soft rot in cash crops such as potatoes and cucumbers. This study aimed to establish a PMA-qPCR detection method for Pbr by screening specific and sensitive primers based on the glu gene and the conserved region of the 23S rRNA gene. Based on the optimized PMA pretreatment conditions, a standard curve was designed and constructed for PMA-qPCR detection (y = -3.391x + 36.28; R2 = 0.99). The amplification efficiency reached 97%, and the lowest detection limit of viable cells was approximately 2 × 102 CFU·mL-1. The feasibility of the PMA-qPCR method was confirmed through a manually simulated viable/dead cell assay under various concentrations. The analysis of potato tubers and cucumber seeds revealed that nine naturally collected seed samples contained a range from 102 to 104 CFU·g-1 viable Pbr bacteria. Furthermore, the system effectively identified changes in the number of pathogenic bacteria in cucumber and potato leaves affected by soft rot throughout the disease period. Overall, the detection and prevention of bacterial soft rot caused by Pbr is crucial.

Assessment of magnesium deficiency in greenhouse tomato crops grown on calcareous soil

AbstractMagnesium (Mg) deficiency in greenhouse vegetable plants affects crop yields and quality. Assessing the degree of Mg deficiency and influencing factors is necessary for evidence‐based Mg supplementation. In this study, an investigation was conducted at 71 tomato cultivation greenhouses with calcareous soil, located in the main greenhouse vegetable production area of China. Plant and soil Mg contents were analysed, as well as nitrogen (N), phosphorus (P), potassium (K) and other nutrients. The tomatoes showed Mg deficiency, with none of the farms supplementing this element. The critical leaf Mg concentration of the tomatoes was 3.40 mg kg−1. Using Ward's hierarchical cluster analysis, three clusters of Mg leaf content were obtained, which were 1.07–3.00 mg kg−1 (SD cluster), 2.56–5.64 mg kg−1 (MD cluster) and 5.12–6.88 mg kg−1 (ND cluster). Tomato yields in the SD and MD clusters were 31.4% and 16.5% lower than the ND cluster, respectively. Both soil exchangeable Mg content and soil pH in the SD cluster were the lowest, while total NPK, available NPK, K/Mg and the Ca/Mg ratio were the highest. A principal component analysis (PCA) showed that Mg leaf content was negatively correlated with the exchangeable K/Mg ratio, and positively correlated with soil exchangeable Mg content, soil pH and tomato yield. Mg deficiency in the tomatoes was attributed to the high accumulation of available K in the calcareous soil and the fact that the SD cluster with greatest Mg deficiency also had the lowest soil total Mg concentration. Considering the accumulation of NPK and the causes of Mg deficiency, foliar Mg spraying is suggested to mitigate Mg deficiency in calcareous greenhouse tomato soil.

Prospects of snap beans (Phaseolus vulgaris L.) production and commercialization in Benin.

Vegetables and fruits are highly recommended in diets because of their nutritional importance. Among those, leguminous vegetables are more important, for low-income countries, because of their protein, mineral contents and potential to increase food security and income. In Benin, snap beans (Phaseolus vulgaris L.) are the most consumed leguminous vegetables; however, their production is declining, driving the need to understand the current status of its industry to propose solutions for the revival of the sector. This paper assessed the production system, market value, marketing channels, seed systems, and the constraints associated with Benin's snap bean production from a gender lens. A semi-structured interview was conducted with 602 bean producers and traders, randomly selected from 12 major vegetable-producing areas across Benin. The study found a drastic decline in the production of snap beans, with more than 60% abandonment over the last decade. As a consequence, Benin gets supplied through importations, with the highest importation flow coming from Togo (51%), followed by Burkina Faso (25%), and Ghana (12%). Only 13% of the beans traded are locally produced. The leading causes of the decline were pests and diseases that affected the crops' yield and quality, causing the local produce to be less valued than the imported ones. Women are heavily involved in marketing but cannot expand their business due to low production and high importation. The study recommends that integrated pest management (IPM) and new varieties with tolerance to major pests and diseases be developed to address market demand and producers trained in agronomic practices.

Towards Sustainable Vegetable Farming: Exploring Agroecological Alternatives to Chemical Products in the Fez-Meknes Region of Morocco

The use of excessive chemicals in agriculture can cause harm to the environment and human health. Sustainable agriculture systems promote agroecological practices to reduce chemical use and promote environmental and human health. However, there is a lack of data on the status of chemical use and the adoption of agroecological practices in the Fez-Meknes region, which is a significant national vegetable production area. To address this gap, we conducted cross-sectional surveys with 603 farmers to analyze their practices, behaviors, and knowledge regarding chemical and bio-product use, as well as the risks to crops, health, and the environment. Additionally, we aimed to diagnose the diffusion of agroecological practices and identify the most relevant obstacles and motivations for adoption. Our results indicate that a majority of farmers (95%) use chemicals throughout the production process but lack a good understanding of their use and associated risks. However, farmers do have access to alternative practices such as crop rotation (99.67%), manure (96.35%), drip irrigation (74.46%), and intercropping (69%). The success of these practices among farmers was a significant motivation for their adoption (50%), whereas the difficulties of managing pests and diseases without pesticides (73.2%) and the lack of technical advice and support (70.8%) were the main barriers to adoption. In conclusion, our study highlights the need for training and financial encouragement from the state to promote healthy and eco-friendly farming practices. This research provides valuable insights into the current status of chemical use and the adoption of agroecological practices in the Fez-Meknes region, which can inform policy decisions and promote sustainable agriculture practices for the future.

Effects of urbanisation on urban residents’ perception of vegetable production in Yaoundé, Cameroon

In the context of rapid and unplanned urbanisation in many Sub-Saharan African cities, the social and political context of urban and peri-urban vegetable production is becoming unfriendly despite its multifunctionality in achieving human development. This paper aims at measuring the effects of urbanisation on urban residents’ perception of vegetable production in urban and peri-urban areas of Yaoundé, Cameroon. Data from a survey conducted by the World Vegetable Centre among urban residents living within and around vegetable production areas was employed for the study. The results show that urban residents agree with vegetable production in their vicinity, but depending on the extent of urbanisation, the magnitude of their positive perception varies significantly from one production area to another. More specifically, while proximity to the city centre increases the likelihood of urban residents’ ability to agree with local vegetable production, the density of the population decreases this positive perception instead.

Characteristics of Soil Salinity in Representative Plastic Shed Vegetable Production Areas in Shandong Province, China

Characteristics of Soil Salinity in Representative Plastic Shed Vegetable Production Areas in Shandong Province, China

Fruit and vegetable processing and consumption: Knowledge, attitude, and practices among rural women in East Africa

High post-harvest losses of fruits and vegetables (FVs) limit their supply and availability for year-round consumption. Hence, processing innovations at their production areas could help address this constraint, which requires the need to assess people's perceptions in these areas. Therefore, this study gauged the knowledge, attitude, and practices towards FV processing and consumption and its relationship with actual FV consumption. Surveys were conducted with women in six study sites – three fruit and three vegetable production areas – in Kenya, Tanzania, and Uganda. Quantitative 24-h dietary and 7-day FV recalls were collected across two seasons. Open and closed-ended questions were constructed to assess the women's knowledge, attitude, and practices towards FV processing and consumption. The fruit and vegetable sites included 584 and 732 women, respectively. Average fruit consumption was 4-135 g/day in the plenty season and 4-106 g/day in the lean season. Vegetable consumption was 112-146 g/day and 84-180 g/day in the plenty and lean season, respectively. There were significant consumption differences across seasons. Most women expressed high knowledge of FV processing and consumption benefits and showed a positive attitude towards FV processing and consumption. Yet, in practice, a small number of women process FVs largely due to limited processing know-how and equipment. The relationship between knowledge and attitude and FV consumption was negative or none. The high knowledge and positive attitude expressed, yet the limited processing know-how and equipment should be a basis for interventions to increase FV processing into nutritious products for better nutrition and to ensure their availability year-round.

Better recognition of limnic materials at the great group and subgroup levels of the Organic Order of the Canadian System of Soil Classification

In the Canadian System of Soil Classification (CSSC), soils of the Organic order are classified at the great group level primarily based on the dominant organic material in the middle tier. The system recognizes four types of organic horizons: fibric (Of), mesic (Om), humic (Oh), and coprogenous earth (Oco), of which only the latter is not recognized at the great group level of the Organic order. Furthermore, at the subgroup level, Limnic subgroups cannot have terric or hydric layers. This is problematic in soils where the middle tier is dominated by limnic materials, and those which have dominantly limnic materials and have a terric layer. We describe 29 soil profiles in Ontario and Quebec, which are either poorly captured in the CSSC or that cannot be classified into the Organic order based on their diagnostic criteria. Based on an analysis of soil survey information in five provinces across Canada, we estimate 32 057 ha of organic soils which potentially contain limnic deposits. In key vegetable-producing areas of Quebec, large organic deposits in agricultural production are subject to peat subsidence and erosion, resulting in shallower depths to underlying coprogenous earth, which is not a suitable medium for crop production. This can potentially have negative effects on crops when mixed with humic materials in the plow layer. Due to these taxonomic and agronomic considerations, we propose the addition of a new great group, Limnisol, and suggest further integration of limnic materials at the subgroup level for the Humisol, Mesisol, and Fibrisol great groups.

Pesticide usage practices and the exposure risk to pollinators: A case study in the North China Plain

Due to the frequent pesticide applications, bees are suffered from pesticide exposure risks via consumption and direct contact with sprayed drifts. However, if pesticides are misused and the potential exposure risk to bees based on realistic pesticide application data are still little reported. In this study, pesticide application patterns in wheat-maize rotation system, vegetable and apple producing areas, was studied by interviewing farmers in Quzhou County, the North China Plain. The pesticide use status was evaluated by the recommended and actual applied dose and risk quotient (RQ) based Bee-REX model was used to assess the exposure risks of pesticide to bees based on the collected pesticide application data. The results showed that over half (52 %) of farmers in selected sites misused pesticides and orchard owners were frequently misused pesticides. Positive correlations were found between pesticide usage performance and farmers’ specialized training experience. Pesticides applied in orchards have caused higher exposure risks to bees with the mean of RQs exceed 120 and 1880 via acute contact and dietary routes, respectively. Pesticide misuse significantly elevates the exposure risk to bees that the mean RQ under misuse scenarios was 5.8 times than that of correct use. Abamectin, fipronil and neonicotinoids contributed most to the pesticide exposure risk to bees. The main findings of this study imply that more sustainable pest and pollinator management strategies, including the moratorium high-risk insecticides and providing diverse flower resources and habitats, are highly needed. Additionally, measures such as implementing farmer educating and training programs should also be put on the agenda.

Combined Straw and Plastic Film Mulching Can Increase the Yield and Quality of Open Field Loose-Curd Cauliflower.

To evaluate the impact of straw mulching on the production of open field loose-curd cauliflower, this study analyzed the “Feicui No.9” cauliflower variety, grown in field trials in Northwest China, in 2019 and 2020. Plots in an open field were prepared without mulch (CK1) and with plastic film mulch (CK2), as experimental controls, along with three experimental mulching methods, including dual straw and plastic film mulch (T1), inter-row straw mulch (T2), and full straw mulch (T3). The effects of the different ground cover alternatives on loose-curd cauliflower's dry matter accumulation, yield, quality, and volatile compounds, were explored. The results showed that, compared with CK2 treatment, T1 treatment promoted the accumulation of dry matter, and increased the economic and biological yield, by 12.98 and 6.51%, respectively. The soluble sugar and vitamin C content in loose-curd cauliflower heads, subjected to T1 treatment, increased by 18.46 and 8.12%, respectively, and the nitrate content decreased by 25.57%. Moreover, the T1, T2, and T3 treatments significantly increased the levels of macro-, meso-, and microelements. Headspace solid-phase microextraction-gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (HS-SPME-GC-MS) was used to determine the volatile substances in loose-curd cauliflower heads from the 2020 harvesting period. Detected compounds included 17 aldehydes, 15 ketones, 10 alcohols, 15 esters, 29 hydrocarbons, 12 nitrogen-containing compounds, and 17 other substances. T1, T2, and T3 treatments increased the volatile substance content, whereas T1 treatment increased the quantity of volatile substances. In summary, dual mulching with straw and plastic film could promote dry matter accumulation, significantly increase the yield and quality, and effectively improve the flavor of loose-curd cauliflower. This mulching technique can be applied to open field vegetable and corn production areas, providing technical and theoretical support for the realization of high-yield, high-quality production models and a new straw recycling method.