Agronomy

13 pages, 238 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Effect of Different Fertilization Strategies on Infestation of Brown Wheat Mite and Wheat Productivity

by Fatma Sh. Kalmosh, M. M. A. Ibrahim, Jiale Lv, Ibrahim A. Saleh, Jehad S. Al-Hawadie and Wahidah H. Al-Qahtani

Agronomy 2024, 14(10), 2428; https://doi.org/10.3390/agronomy14102428 (registering DOI) - 19 Oct 2024

Abstract

The brown wheat mite, Petrobia tritici, poses a significant threat to wheat fields. While fertilizers can increase crop productivity, imbalanced application may exacerbate plant susceptibility to pests. This study aimed to evaluate the impact of various NPK fertilization programs on P. tritici [...] Read more.

The brown wheat mite, Petrobia tritici, poses a significant threat to wheat fields. While fertilizers can increase crop productivity, imbalanced application may exacerbate plant susceptibility to pests. This study aimed to evaluate the impact of various NPK fertilization programs on P. tritici infestations over two consecutive cropping seasons. The results revealed significant differences in mite infestation among the treatment groups (p < 0.001). The lowest populations (1.1 and 3.0 mites/leaf) were observed in the treatments sprayed with phosphoric acid (at 0.75 and 1.00 cm/L), where the infestation appeared approximately 120 days after sowing; in contrast, it appeared early at 75 days in the other treatments. Conversely, treatments lacking potassium fertilizer presented the greatest degree of mite injury levels (49.5–57.7 mites/leaf). Although these treatments provided moderate leaf nutrition and crop yield, the highest nutritional content and total yield (10.49 and 9.71 1 t/ha for the two years) were observed in the treatment that received 224:70:100 kg fad⁻¹ commercial fertilizers (=178:25:114 kg ha⁻¹ NPK units) as soil fertilization, which was followed by the treatment with a foliar application of phosphoric acid (1.00 cm/L) with a total yield of 9.34 and 8.53 1 t/ha for the two years. In this treatment, the P. tritici density was moderately high at 9.40 and 6.32 mites/leaf over the two years, respectively. The consistency of P. tritici density and total yield ranking across both years indicated reliable estimates of the impact of fertilization. This study suggests that potassium sulfate application is crucial for reducing P. tritici density and that foliar phosphoric acid application instead of soil application reduces the number of P. tritici and delays its occurrence. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Sustainable Agriculture: Plant Protection and Crop Production)

16 pages, 8100 KiB

Open AccessArticle

YOLOv8n-CSD: A Lightweight Detection Method for Nectarines in Complex Environments

by Guohai Zhang, Xiaohui Yang, Danyang Lv, Yuqian Zhao and Peng Liu

Agronomy 2024, 14(10), 2427; https://doi.org/10.3390/agronomy14102427 (registering DOI) - 19 Oct 2024

Abstract

At present, the picking of nectarines mainly relies on manual completion in China, and the process involves high labor intensity during picking and low picking efficiency. Therefore, it is necessary to introduce automated picking. To improve the accuracy of nectarine fruit recognition in [...] Read more.

At present, the picking of nectarines mainly relies on manual completion in China, and the process involves high labor intensity during picking and low picking efficiency. Therefore, it is necessary to introduce automated picking. To improve the accuracy of nectarine fruit recognition in complex environments and to increase the efficiency of automatic orchard-picking robots, a lightweight nectarine detection method, YOLOv8n-CSD, is proposed in this study. This model improves on YOLOv8n by first proposing a new structure, C2f-PC, to replace the C2f structure used in the original network, thus reducing the number of model parameters. Second, the SEAM is introduced to improve the model’s recognition of the occluded part. Finally, to realize real-time detection of nectarine fruits, the DySample Lightweight Dynamic Upsampling Module is introduced to save computational resources while effectively enhancing the model’s anti-interference ability. With a compact size of 4.7 MB, this model achieves 95.1% precision, 84.9% recall, and a [email protected] of 93.2%—the model’s volume has been reduced while the evaluation metrics have all been improved over the baseline model. The study shows that the YOLOv8n-CSD model outperforms the current mainstream target detection models, and can recognize nectarines in different environments faster and more accurately, which lays the foundation for the field application of automatic picking technology. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Intelligent Information System for Agriculture Based on Vision Technology)

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14 pages, 1209 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Characterization and Greenhouse Trial of Zn Bio-Chelates Derived from Spent Coffee Grounds

by Ana Cervera-Mata, Leslie Lara-Ramos, José Ángel Rufián-Henares, Alejandro Fernández-Arteaga, Jesús Fernández-Bayo and Gabriel Delgado

Agronomy 2024, 14(10), 2426; https://doi.org/10.3390/agronomy14102426 (registering DOI) - 19 Oct 2024

Abstract

The conversion of spent coffee grounds (SCG) into hydrochars has been the subject of extensive research in recent years, aimed at evaluating their potential for biofortifying foods and mitigating the plant toxicity linked to SCG. This study aimed to assess the physicochemical characterization [...] Read more.

The conversion of spent coffee grounds (SCG) into hydrochars has been the subject of extensive research in recent years, aimed at evaluating their potential for biofortifying foods and mitigating the plant toxicity linked to SCG. This study aimed to assess the physicochemical characterization and the impact of incorporating both activated (ASCG and AH160) and functionalized SCG (ASCG-Zn), as well as SCG-derived hydrochars (AH160-Zn), on cucumber yield and plant zinc content. The following physicochemical properties were analyzed: specific surface area, pH and electrical conductivity, polyphenols, and nuclear magnetic resonance. The by-products activated and functionalized with zinc were applied to cucumber crops grown in a greenhouse across multiple harvests. The activation of both SCG and H160 reduced the specific surface area of the particles. However, when these by-products were functionalized, their Zn content increased significantly, up to 7400 ppm. Concerning polyphenol content, the activated products showed levels ranging from 3.5 to 4.9 mg GAE/g. Regarding cumulative production, the treatments that showed the highest yields were the by-products activated and functionalized with Zn reaching 25 kg. Incorporating these by-products notably raised the Zn content in cucumbers, reaching 0.1 mg Zn per 100 g of fresh weight. The activated by-products demonstrated the highest Zn utilization efficiency. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Effects of Agrotechnical Factors and Farming Systems on Soil Properties and Plant Productivity)

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15 pages, 2336 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Warming Increases Ecological Niche of Leymus chinensis but Is Detrimental to Species Diversity in Inner Mongolia Temperate Grasslands

by Xingbo Zhang, Zhiqiang Wan, Rui Gu, Lingman Dong, Xuemeng Chen, Xi Chun, Haijun Zhou and Weiqing Zhang

Agronomy 2024, 14(10), 2425; https://doi.org/10.3390/agronomy14102425 (registering DOI) - 19 Oct 2024

Abstract

Dominant species are crucial in regulating the structure and productivity of plant communities. Adaptation strategies to climate change vary among the dominant species of different life types. However, the responses of the ecological niches of dominant species to warming and precipitation in semi-arid [...] Read more.

Dominant species are crucial in regulating the structure and productivity of plant communities. Adaptation strategies to climate change vary among the dominant species of different life types. However, the responses of the ecological niches of dominant species to warming and precipitation in semi-arid grasslands and their impacts on community structure and function are unknown. This study involved conducting a long-term experimental simulation of warming and increased precipitation on grasslands in Inner Mongolia and studying population dynamics, ecological niches, and their responses to the structure and function of the community species of two dominant plants, L. chinensis (perennial rhizome grass) and S. krylovii (perennial clumped grass). The results show that the niche width of L. chinensis increased and S. krylovii decreased under warming and increased precipitation conditions. The overlap of L. chinensis and S. krylovii decreased under the same conditions. The niche widths of L. chinensis and S. krylovii were 1.22 for the control (C), 1.19 and 1.04 under warming (W) conditions, 1.27 and 0.97 under warming plus precipitation (WP) conditions, and 1.27 and 1.24 under the conditions of precipitation addition (P). The niche overlap of L. chinensis and S. krylovii were 0.72 in C, 0.69 in W, 0.68 in WP, and 0.82 in P. The biomass share and importance value of L. chinensis increased, and those of S. krylovii decreased in response to warming and precipitation. The effects of warming on species diversity and community stability are primarily influenced by the effects on the niche breadth of S. krylovii. Combined with our previous study, L. chinensis will offer more resources in communities in warmer and wetter steppe climates in the future. However, this is not conducive to community diversity. Full article

(This article belongs to the Section Grassland and Pasture Science)

26 pages, 8706 KiB

Open AccessArticle

The Effect of Biobased N and P Fertilizers in a Winter Wheat–Ryegrass Crop Rotation

by Benedikt Müller, Michelle Natalie Herrmann, Iris Lewandowski, Torsten Müller, Jens Hartung and Andrea Bauerle

Agronomy 2024, 14(10), 2424; https://doi.org/10.3390/agronomy14102424 (registering DOI) - 19 Oct 2024

Abstract

Novel recycled fertilizers could help close environmental nutrient cycles in the circular economy. To better understand their performance and residual value, commercially available biobased nitrogen (N) and phosphorus (P) fertilizers (BBFs) were tested in a two-year crop cycle of winter wheat and ryegrass. [...] Read more.

Novel recycled fertilizers could help close environmental nutrient cycles in the circular economy. To better understand their performance and residual value, commercially available biobased nitrogen (N) and phosphorus (P) fertilizers (BBFs) were tested in a two-year crop cycle of winter wheat and ryegrass. The N fertilizer replacement value of N-BBFs ranged from 47 to 80% in the main crop. Not all BBFs led to a similarly high N concentration in the mineral reference wheat straw. However, full and early fertilization with incorporation could make the fertilizing effect of N-BBFs more reliable. The P fertilizer replacement value ranged between 105 and 161% for the crop cycle. We assume that the N contained in biobased phosphorus fertilizers can be seen as unproblematic for losses during winter and can serve as a starter fertilizer already present in the soil for the succeeding crop in spring. In general, biobased P fertilizers had a higher residual value than biobased N fertilizers. However, these residual values were comparable to those of mineral fertilizer references. While P-BBFs proved to be a sustainable and reliable nutrient source for a crop cycle, the N-BBFs used as the main crop fertilizer were found to be more prone to environmental influences. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Sustainable Cropping Systems and Biomasses for Energy and Biorefinery Applications)

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15 pages, 2200 KiB

Open AccessReview

Circular Regenerative Agricultural Practices in Africa: Techniques and Their Potential for Soil Restoration and Sustainable Food Production

by Hamisi J. Tindwa, Ernest W. Semu and Bal Ram Singh

Agronomy 2024, 14(10), 2423; https://doi.org/10.3390/agronomy14102423 (registering DOI) - 19 Oct 2024

Abstract

The conventional linear system of global food production and consumption is unsustainable as it is responsible for a substantial share of greenhouse gas emissions, biodiversity declines due land use change, agricultural water stress due resource-intensive water consumption patterns and land degradation. During the [...] Read more.

The conventional linear system of global food production and consumption is unsustainable as it is responsible for a substantial share of greenhouse gas emissions, biodiversity declines due land use change, agricultural water stress due resource-intensive water consumption patterns and land degradation. During the last decade (1994–2014), for example, the greenhouse emissions from agriculture in Africa were reported to increase at an average annual rate of between 2.9% and 3.1%, equivalent to 0.44 Gt and 0.54 Gt CO₂ per annum, respectively. Between 2000 and 2020, the greenhouse gas emissions from agrifood systems were shown to decrease in all major regions of the world, except in Africa and Asia, where they grew by 35 and 20 percent, respectively. With most of the circular agricultural practices still central to food production in the developing African countries, the continent can spearhead a global return to circular agriculture. Using a descriptive review approach, we explore the literature to examine the extent to which African agriculture is deploying these practices, the potential areas for improvement and lessons for the world in embracing sustainable food production. We underscore that the farming communities in sub-Saharan Africa have, for decades, been using some of the most effective circular agricultural principles and practices in agricultural production. We further show that practices and strategies akin to sustainable agricultural production include agronomic practices, smart irrigation options, renewable energy harvesting and waste-to-fertilizer technologies. All of these technologies, which are central to sustainable agricultural production, are not new to Africa, although they may require packaging and advocacy to reach a wider community in sub-Saharan Africa. Full article

(This article belongs to the Collection Innovative Organic and Regenerative Agricultural Production)

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12 pages, 1423 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Cotton Response to Foliar Potassium Application in South Texas Dryland

by Varshith Kommineni, Ammar B. Bhandari, Greta Schuster and Shad D. Nelson

Agronomy 2024, 14(10), 2422; https://doi.org/10.3390/agronomy14102422 (registering DOI) - 19 Oct 2024

Viewed by 78

Abstract

Potassium (K) deficiency is common in cotton (Gossypium hirsutum L.)-growing areas. This study aims to investigate the effects of different rates of foliar K fertilizer application on three cotton varieties: NG 5711 B3XF (V1), PHY 480 W3FE (V2), and FM 1953GLTP (V3). [...] Read more.

Potassium (K) deficiency is common in cotton (Gossypium hirsutum L.)-growing areas. This study aims to investigate the effects of different rates of foliar K fertilizer application on three cotton varieties: NG 5711 B3XF (V1), PHY 480 W3FE (V2), and FM 1953GLTP (V3). Potassium fertilizer was dissolved in water and was foliar-applied at 34, 50, and 67 kg ha⁻¹. Cotton plant height (CH) and canopy width (CW) were monitored throughout the growing season. The results showed that foliar K fertilizer application significantly impacted the CH and CW in dry years. Although insignificant, the cotton lint yield increased by 15% and 20% with 34 and 50 kg ha⁻¹ in 2020 and by 9% and 7% with 50 and 67 kg ha⁻¹ in 2021, indicating the potential for improved lint yield with foliar K application in rainfed production systems. Similarly, variety V3 had significantly greater lint and seed yields than V1 in 2020. The average lint yield among the varieties was 32%, and the seed yield was 27% greater in 2020 than in 2021. The cotton fiber color grade was significantly greater at 50 kg ha⁻¹ in 2020 and 67 kg ha⁻¹ in 2021. Cotton variety significantly affected color grade, uniformity, staple length, Col, RD, and Col-b contents in 2020 and 2021. The results suggest that foliar K application can enhance cotton production in rainfed production systems. However, more research is required to quantify varietal and foliar K application rates for improved lint yield and quality. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Advances in Soil Fertility, Plant Nutrition and Nutrient Management)

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34 pages, 2012 KiB

Open AccessReview

WRKY Transcription Factors (TFs) as Key Regulators of Plant Resilience to Environmental Stresses: Current Perspective

by Shenglin Li, Muneer Ahmed Khoso, He Xu, Chao Zhang, Ziyang Liu, Sindho Wagan, Khuzin Dinislam and Lijie Liu

Agronomy 2024, 14(10), 2421; https://doi.org/10.3390/agronomy14102421 (registering DOI) - 19 Oct 2024

Viewed by 179

Abstract

Plants encounter various stresses in their natural environments and can effectively respond to only one stress at a time. Through a complex gene network, transcription factors (TFs) such as WRKY TFs regulate a diverse array of stress responses. The clarification of the structural [...] Read more.

Plants encounter various stresses in their natural environments and can effectively respond to only one stress at a time. Through a complex gene network, transcription factors (TFs) such as WRKY TFs regulate a diverse array of stress responses. The clarification of the structural characteristics of WRKY proteins, along with recent advancements in molecular dynamics simulations, has shed light on the formation, stability, and interactions of DNA–protein complexes. This has provided a novel viewpoint regarding the control of WRKY TFs. The investigation of superfamilies, encompassing their historical development, diversity, and evolutionary patterns, has become feasible due to the transcriptome approach’s capacity to provide extensive and comprehensive transcripts. The significance of WRKY TFs lies in their pivotal role within several signaling cascades and regulatory networks that influence plant defense responses. The present review summarizes the functional aspects of the high-volume sequence data of WRKY TFs from different species studied to date. Moreover, a comparative analysis approach was utilized to determine the functions of the identified WRKY TFs in response to both abiotic and biotic stresses, as revealed through numerous studies on different plant species. The results of this review will be pivotal in understanding evolutionary events and the significance of WRKY TFs in the context of climate change, incorporating new scientific evidence to propose an innovative viewpoint. Full article

(This article belongs to the Section Horticultural and Floricultural Crops)

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16 pages, 1171 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Structural Derivatives of β-Asarone from Acorus calamus Linn. as Insecticide Candidates and the Insecticidal Mechanism Against Small Brown Planthopper

by Aiyu Wang, Yun Zhou, Xiaochen Fu, Xin Wang, Yinjie Cheng, Yifei Zhang, Xiuwen Jia, Yanwei Zhu, Yun Zhang, Chao Xue, Chenggang Shan, Ming Zhao, Yuanxue Yang and Jianhua Zhang

Agronomy 2024, 14(10), 2420; https://doi.org/10.3390/agronomy14102420 (registering DOI) - 18 Oct 2024

Viewed by 314

Abstract

The small brown planthopper (SBPH), Laodelphax striatellus (Fallén) (Hemiptera: Delphacidae), is an increasing threat to Gramineae crops, posing significant risks to both the environment and food safety. β-asarone, as a promising green alternative to chemical insecticides, possesses wide application prospects in the [...] Read more.

The small brown planthopper (SBPH), Laodelphax striatellus (Fallén) (Hemiptera: Delphacidae), is an increasing threat to Gramineae crops, posing significant risks to both the environment and food safety. β-asarone, as a promising green alternative to chemical insecticides, possesses wide application prospects in the crop protection field. To enhance the insecticidal activity of β-asarone, a series of derivatives were prepared through an active substructure splicing strategy, and their insecticidal activities against SBPH were evaluated. Among the 7 commercial compounds with chemical structures similar to β-asarone and 12 structural derivatives of β-asarone, compound 10, which incorporates the 2-chloropyridine functional group from flupyrimin, exhibited the most potent insecticidal activity against SBPH, with an 8.31-fold increase in insecticidal activity compared to β-asarone. Furthermore, transcriptome analysis showed that among the selected genes that may play important roles in insecticidal activity, an ABC transporter gene, MDR49, was most significantly down-regulated. MDR49 was highly expressed in the 4th-instar nymphs, with the highest expression level in the fat body, midgut, and abdomen. RNA interference (RNAi) against MDR49 significantly reduced susceptibility to compound 10 in SBPH, which revealed that MDR49 may be the candidate insecticidal target of compound 10. Additionally, the insecticidal spectrum revealed that compound 10 showed excellent efficacy against Bemisia tabaci (Gennadius) (Hemiptera: Aleyrodidae) and Tetranychus cinnabarinus (Boisduval) (Acarina: Tetranychidae). This study indicates that compound 10 could be further developed as a novel eco-friendly pesticide. Full article

(This article belongs to the Section Pest and Disease Management)

16 pages, 924 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Management Practices in Mountain Meadows: Consequences for Soil Nutrient Availability

by Adrián Jarne, Asunción Usón and Ramón Reiné

Agronomy 2024, 14(10), 2419; https://doi.org/10.3390/agronomy14102419 (registering DOI) - 18 Oct 2024

Viewed by 273

Abstract

Soil nutrient availability in meadows has been poorly studied from the management point of view, despite its great impact. In this study, three different types of meadows have been analysed, as follows: intensive meadows, with high livestock load and inorganic fertilization; semi-extensive meadows, [...] Read more.

Soil nutrient availability in meadows has been poorly studied from the management point of view, despite its great impact. In this study, three different types of meadows have been analysed, as follows: intensive meadows, with high livestock load and inorganic fertilization; semi-extensive meadows, with medium livestock load and organic fertilization; and extensive meadows, with low livestock load and low fertilization rates. We looked at the nitrogen, phosphorus, potassium and carbon balances of each meadow type during two different years. Nitrogen was more stable in semi-extensive and extensive meadows, due to its organic form. In contrast, intensive meadows showed higher nitrogen variability depending on climate. Phosphorus is seen as the limiting nutrient, and it accumulates less in the soil than what is estimated in the crop balance, being more balanced in extensive meadows. Potassium has a strong response to temperature, being more available in June than in February, but crop balance was always negative for extensive meadows, and its soil concentration decreases each year, which could cause long-term potassium deficiency. Carbon accumulation was more stable in extensive meadows, where there was accumulation regardless of the year, whereas intensive and semi-extensive meadows become carbon emitters during the drought year. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Multifunctionality of Grassland Soils: Opportunities and Challenges)

13 pages, 517 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Effectiveness of Diachasmimorpha longicaudata in Killing Ceratitis capitata Larvae Infesting Commercial Fruits in Dryland Agroecosystems of Western Argentina

by Lorena del Carmen Suárez, Segundo Ricardo Núñez-Campero, Fernando Murúa, Flávio Roberto Mello Garcia and Sergio Marcelo Ovruski

Agronomy 2024, 14(10), 2418; https://doi.org/10.3390/agronomy14102418 (registering DOI) - 18 Oct 2024

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Abstract

Ceratitis capitata (Wiedemann) (medfly) strongly affects Argentinean fruit production and export. Augmentative biological control using the exotic parasitoid Diachasmimorpha longicaudata (Ashmead) is currently applied to this problem. The ability to find and parasitize medfly larvae on a wide diversity of fruit host species [...] Read more.

Ceratitis capitata (Wiedemann) (medfly) strongly affects Argentinean fruit production and export. Augmentative biological control using the exotic parasitoid Diachasmimorpha longicaudata (Ashmead) is currently applied to this problem. The ability to find and parasitize medfly larvae on a wide diversity of fruit host species is a key issue that needs to be analyzed. This research assessed the effect of the physical features of fruit on the preference of foraging D. longicaudata females and the influence of varying release density on parasitoid performance as a pest mortality factor in three fruit species. Trials were performed inside field cages under semi-arid environmental conditions in Argentina’s central-western fruit-growing region. Sweet orange, peach, and fig were tested. The fruits were inoculated with third-instar larvae of the Vienna-8 temperature-sensitive lethal medfly strain. Naïve, 5 d-old mated D. longicaudata females were released in cages at 20, 40, 80, and 160 parasitoid densities. The highest levels of medfly mortality and parasitoid emergence were recorded in fig and peach, although D. longicaudata also induced mortality in orange, a fruit with few physical features favorable to parasitism. The medfly mortality in all fruit host species significantly increased with an increased number of parasitoid females released into the field cages. Diachsmimorpha longicaudata has high potential as a medfly biocontrol agent. Full article

(This article belongs to the Section Pest and Disease Management)

14 pages, 4002 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Exogenously Applied Gibberellic Acid Alters Cannabinoid Profile in Cannabis sativa L.

by Jackson M. J. Oultram, Joseph L. Pegler, Andrew L. Eamens, Rebecca Gordon, Darren J. Korbie and Christopher P. L. Grof

Agronomy 2024, 14(10), 2417; https://doi.org/10.3390/agronomy14102417 (registering DOI) - 18 Oct 2024

Viewed by 214

Abstract

Cannabis sativa (C. sativa L.) has garnered significant attention worldwide due to its widespread use as a pharmaceutical agent. With the increasing clinical application of C. sativa and cannabinoid therapeutics, there is strong interest in the development of superior plant varieties and [...] Read more.

Cannabis sativa (C. sativa L.) has garnered significant attention worldwide due to its widespread use as a pharmaceutical agent. With the increasing clinical application of C. sativa and cannabinoid therapeutics, there is strong interest in the development of superior plant varieties and optimisation of growth conditions to enhance secondary metabolite yield. Our RNA sequencing analysis revealed differential expression of hormone-related transcripts in developing C. sativa trichomes, suggesting the involvement of hormone signalling pathways in cannabinoid production. Leveraging the potency of exogenous hormones on plants, this study sought to determine if the application of cytokinin (CK), gibberellic acid (GA) and jasmonic acid (JA) modified trichome morphology and the cannabinoid profile over an 8-week period following the induction of flowering. Exogenous hormone application led to alterations in trichome morphology, with each treatment significantly reducing trichome head width by the final week of assessment. Interestingly, GA application also resulted in a significant reduction in the concentration of Δ-9-tetrahydrocannabinol (THC), Δ-9-tetrahydrocannabinolic acid (THCA), cannabidiol (CBD) and cannabidiolic acid (CBDA) by week 8 post floral induction, however, JA and CK treatment did not consistently modulate the accumulation of these cannabinoids. The minor cannabinoids, cannabidivaranic acid (CBDVA), cannabicyclolic acid (CBLA), cannabicyclol (CBL), cannabichromene (CBC), cannabigerolic acid (CBGA) and cannabigerol (CBG), were also affected by hormone treatments, with varying degrees of accumulation observed. These findings underscore the intricate interplay between phytohormones and secondary metabolite biosynthesis in C. sativa. Our study highlights the potential of hormone modulation as a strategy to enhance cannabinoid yield and offers some insights into the regulatory mechanisms governing cannabinoid biosynthesis in C. sativa trichomes. Full article

(This article belongs to the Topic New Trends and Innovations in Medicinal and Aromatic Plants, and Specialty Crops)

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20 pages, 3347 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Optimized Rhamnolipid Production by a Pseudomonas marginalis C9 Strain Isolated from a Biopurification System to Enhance Pesticide Solubilization

by Bárbara Caniucura, Heidi Schalchli, Gabriela Briceño, Marcela Levío-Raimán, Vanessa A. L. Rocha, Denise M. G. Freire and M. Cristina Diez

Agronomy 2024, 14(10), 2416; https://doi.org/10.3390/agronomy14102416 (registering DOI) - 18 Oct 2024

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Abstract

Biopurification systems designed for pesticide treatment are a source of diverse bacteria with environmental and biotechnological applications, including Pseudomonas marginalis C9, which has been reported as a biosurfactant-producing bacterium. The optimization of biosurfactant produced from P. marginalis C9 to enhance the solubility of [...] Read more.

Biopurification systems designed for pesticide treatment are a source of diverse bacteria with environmental and biotechnological applications, including Pseudomonas marginalis C9, which has been reported as a biosurfactant-producing bacterium. The optimization of biosurfactant produced from P. marginalis C9 to enhance the solubility of a hydrophobic pesticide of environmental interest was investigated. The response surface methodology (RSM) was used to optimize the combined effect of the initial pH (5–9), agitation (100–300 rpm), and temperature (24–32 °C) on biosurfactant production. A DASbox^® automated mini-bioreactor system was used to evaluate the critical factors in biosurfactant production using a full factorial design (FFD). The results showed that the optimal culture conditions using RSM were a pH of 8.5, a temperature of 25 °C, and agitation at 200 rpm. The extraction yield of the biosurfactant was 7.40 g L⁻¹, the surface tension was reduced to 27.45 mN m⁻¹, and the critical micelle concentration (CMC) was 48.9 mg L⁻¹. The FFD analysis indicated that a high agitation rate (300 rpm) strongly influenced the biosurfactant activity, regardless of the inlet oxygen supply (0.5–1.5 vvm). The rhamnolipid increased the water solubility of chlorpyrifos by 11.2- and 21.7-fold at the CMC and twice the CMC, respectively. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Pesticide Residues Abatement: A Central to Regenerative Agriculture)

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18 pages, 2381 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Analyses of Wheat Resistance to Fusarium Head Blight Using Different Inoculation Methods

by Shayan Syed, Andrius Aleliūnas, Morten Lillemo and Andrii Gorash

Agronomy 2024, 14(10), 2415; https://doi.org/10.3390/agronomy14102415 (registering DOI) - 18 Oct 2024

Viewed by 146

Abstract

Fusarium head blight is a devastating wheat disease that causes yield reduction and mycotoxins contamination, leading to multiple negative consequences for the economy, health, and food safety. Despite the tremendous efforts that have been undertaken over the last several decades to harness the [...] Read more.

Fusarium head blight is a devastating wheat disease that causes yield reduction and mycotoxins contamination, leading to multiple negative consequences for the economy, health, and food safety. Despite the tremendous efforts that have been undertaken over the last several decades to harness the disease, the problem remains a challenging issue. Due to global warming, its impact has become increasingly severe in Baltic and Nordic countries. The improvement of wheat resistance is hampered by complicated genetic inheritance, the scarcity of adapted resistant breeding materials, and difficulties in obtaining accurate and reproducible data due to the high interaction and dependency of the disease development on the environment. In this study, the resistance of 335 genotypes, 9 of which were of exotic origin and the remainder of which were adapted to the environments of Lithuania, Latvia, Estonia, or Norway, was studied in 8 trials using spray and point inoculation with spore suspensions and grain spawn inoculation under field and/or greenhouse conditions. The best linear unbiased estimates (BLUEs) of each genotype within the individual trials and the adjusted means across the trials were determined to reduce the environmental effects. Genotypes that exhibited excellent Type I or Type II resistance and overall resistance were identified. Full article

(This article belongs to the Section Crop Breeding and Genetics)

12 pages, 2224 KiB

Open AccessArticle

A Spatial Analysis of Coffee Plant Temperature and Its Relationship with Water Potential and Stomatal Conductance Using a Thermal Camera Embedded in a Remotely Piloted Aircraft

by Luana Mendes dos Santos, Gabriel Araújo e Silva Ferraz, Milene Alves de Figueiredo Carvalho, Alisson André Vicente Campos, Pedro Menicucci Neto, Letícia Aparecida Gonçalves Xavier, Alessio Mattia, Valentina Becciolini and Giuseppe Rossi

Agronomy 2024, 14(10), 2414; https://doi.org/10.3390/agronomy14102414 (registering DOI) - 18 Oct 2024

Viewed by 188

Abstract

Coffee is a key agricultural product in national and international markets. Physiological parameters, such as plant growth indicators, can signal interruptions in these processes. This study aimed to characterize the temperature obtained by a thermal camera embedded in a remotely piloted aircraft (RPA) [...] Read more.

Coffee is a key agricultural product in national and international markets. Physiological parameters, such as plant growth indicators, can signal interruptions in these processes. This study aimed to characterize the temperature obtained by a thermal camera embedded in a remotely piloted aircraft (RPA) and evaluate its relationship with the water potential (WP) and stomatal conductance (gs) of an experimental coffee plantation using geostatistical techniques. The experiment was conducted at the Federal University of Lavras, Minas Gerais, Brazil. A rotary-wing RPA with an embedded thermal camera flew autonomously at a height of 10 m and speed of 10 m/s. Images were collected on 26 November 2019 (rainy season), and 11 August 2020 (dry season), between 9:30 am and 11:30 am. Data on gs and WP were collected in the field. The thermal images were processed using FLIR Tools 5.13, and temperature analysis and spatialization were undertaken using geostatistical tools and isocolor maps by Kriging interpolation in R 4.3.2 software. Field data were superimposed on final crop temperature maps using QuantumGIS version 3.10 software. The study found that with decreasing WP, stomatal closure and reduction in gs occurred, increasing the temperature due to water deficit. The temperature distribution maps identified areas of climatic variations indicating water deficit. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Optimizing Crop Water Use: Advances and Applications in Deficit Irrigation Strategies)

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20 pages, 5980 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Classification and Evaluation of Marginal Land for Potential Cultivation in Northwest China Based on Contiguity and Restrictive Factors

by Ailin Zhang, Sheliang Wang, Zipei Zhang, Jiacheng Niu, Mengyu Guo, Huichun Ye, Xingtao Guo, Ruizhe Su and Huaizhi Tang

Agronomy 2024, 14(10), 2413; https://doi.org/10.3390/agronomy14102413 - 18 Oct 2024

Viewed by 210

Abstract

Water, land, and other environmental conditions restrict marginal land (ML) conversion into newly cultivated land. Accurately evaluating ML’s development and utilization potential (DUP) can provide critical support for increasing new cultivated land and ensuring food security. This study focuses on Northwest China, using [...] Read more.

Water, land, and other environmental conditions restrict marginal land (ML) conversion into newly cultivated land. Accurately evaluating ML’s development and utilization potential (DUP) can provide critical support for increasing new cultivated land and ensuring food security. This study focuses on Northwest China, using spatial identification of different types of ML based on remote sensing images, and constructs a county-level DUP evaluation model through contiguous characteristics and restrictive factors to determine new cultivated-land potential, water demand, and liftable grain production. The results show that the DUP of ML in Northwest China is 12.59 million ha, with low-efficiency cultivated land (LCL) and two types of restoration land (TTRL) accounting for 3.29% and 5.95%, and other marginal land (OML) making up 90.76%. The total water demand for ML development and utilization is 69.87 billion cubic meters, which can increase grain production by 62.31 million tons. The coordinated development of water, land, and food promotes an increase in grain production, with water resources being the main restrictive factor. This model effectively evaluates DUP and provides a scientific basis for promoting the rational use of water and land resources. Further research should set up more detailed water resource utilization strategies and scenarios as well as find more development and utilization techniques. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Sustainable Agriculture for Food and Nutrition Security)

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17 pages, 4447 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Sugarcane-YOLO: An Improved YOLOv8 Model for Accurate Identification of Sugarcane Seed Sprouts

by Fujie Zhang, Defeng Dong, Xiaoyi Jia, Jiawen Guo and Xiaoning Yu

Agronomy 2024, 14(10), 2412; https://doi.org/10.3390/agronomy14102412 - 18 Oct 2024

Viewed by 205

Abstract

Sugarcane is a crop that propagates through seed sprouts on nodes. Accurate identification of sugarcane seed sprouts is crucial for sugarcane planting and the development of intelligent sprout-cutting equipment. This paper proposes a sugarcane seed sprout recognition method based on the YOLOv8s model [...] Read more.

Sugarcane is a crop that propagates through seed sprouts on nodes. Accurate identification of sugarcane seed sprouts is crucial for sugarcane planting and the development of intelligent sprout-cutting equipment. This paper proposes a sugarcane seed sprout recognition method based on the YOLOv8s model by adding the simple attention mechanism (SimAM) module to the neck network of the YOLOv8s model and adding the spatial-depth convolution (SPD-Conv) to the tail convolution part. Meanwhile, the E-IoU loss function is chosen to increase the model’s regression speed. Additionally, a small-object detection layer, P2, is incorporated into the feature pyramid network (FPN), and the large-object detection layer, P5, is eliminated to further improve the model’s recognition accuracy and speed. Then, the improvement of each part is tested and analyzed, and the effectiveness of the improved modules is verified. Finally, the Sugarcane-YOLO model is obtained. On the sugarcane seed and sprout dataset, the Sugarcane-YOLO model performed better and was more balanced in accuracy and detection speed than other mainstream models, and it was the most suitable model for seed and sprout recognition by automatic sugarcane-cutting equipment. Experimental results showed that the Sugarcane-YOLO achieved a mAP50 value of 99.05%, a mAP72 value of 81.3%, a mAP50-95 value of 71.61%, a precision of 97.42%, and a recall rate of 98.63%. Full article

(This article belongs to the Section Precision and Digital Agriculture)

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18 pages, 5160 KiB

Open AccessArticle

A Soybean Pyrroline-5-Carboxylate Dehydrogenase GmP5CDH1 Modulates Plant Growth and Proline Sensitivity

by Shupeng Dong, Zhuozhuo Mao, Zhongyi Yang, Xiao Li, Dezhou Hu, Fei Wu, Deyue Yu and Fang Huang

Agronomy 2024, 14(10), 2411; https://doi.org/10.3390/agronomy14102411 - 18 Oct 2024

Viewed by 213

Abstract

Soybean [Glycine max (L.) Merr.], as a globally commercialized crop, is an important source of protein and oil for both humans and livestock. With more frequent extreme weather disasters, abiotic stress has become one of the critical factors restricting soybean production. Proline [...] Read more.

Soybean [Glycine max (L.) Merr.], as a globally commercialized crop, is an important source of protein and oil for both humans and livestock. With more frequent extreme weather disasters, abiotic stress has become one of the critical factors restricting soybean production. Proline (Pro) is a well-known substance in plants that responds to abiotic stress. To identify potential effector genes involved in soybean resistance to abiotic stress, we focused on the pyrroline-5-carboxylate dehydrogenase (P5CDH) which is a key enzyme in the degradation process of Pro. Through homologous sequence alignment, phylogenetic tree, and predicted expression, we chose GmP5CDH1 (Glyma.05G029200) for further research. Tissue-specific expression assay showed that GmP5CDH1 had higher expression levels in soybean seed and cotyledon development. Subcellular localization assay revealed that GmP5CDH1 was a nuclear-membrane-localized protein. As the result of the predicted cis-acting regulatory element indicates, the expression level of GmP5CDH1 was induced by low temperature, drought, salt stress, and ABA in soybean. Next, we constructed transgenic Arabidopsis overexpressing GmP5CDH1. The results showed that GmP5CDH1 also strongly responded to exogenous Pro, and overcame the toxicity of abiotic stress on plants by regulating the endogenous concentration of Pro. The interaction between GmP5CDH1 and GmSAM1 was validated through yeast two-hybrid, LUC fluorescence complementary, and BIFC. In conclusion, overexpression of a soybean pyrroline-5-carboxylate dehydrogenase GmP5CDH1 regulates the development of Arabidopsis thaliana by altering proline content dynamically under salt stress, especially improving the growth of plants under exogenous Pro. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Functional Genomics and Molecular Breeding of Soybeans)

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20 pages, 5412 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Soil Aggregates and Water Infiltration Performance of Different Water and Soil Conservation Measures on Phaeozems Sloping Farmland in Northeast China

by Tianqi Yang, Zhongxue Zhang, Peizhe Yu, Zhihao Yin, Ao Li, Xin Zhou, Zhijuan Qi and Bai Wang

Agronomy 2024, 14(10), 2410; https://doi.org/10.3390/agronomy14102410 - 17 Oct 2024

Viewed by 295

Abstract

The enhancement of soil erosion resistance via soil and water conservation practices is a necessary venture in the modern agricultural industry. Soil infiltration performance, as a necessary indicator of erosion resistance, is closely related to soil aggregates. However, the relationship between the C/N [...] Read more.

The enhancement of soil erosion resistance via soil and water conservation practices is a necessary venture in the modern agricultural industry. Soil infiltration performance, as a necessary indicator of erosion resistance, is closely related to soil aggregates. However, the relationship between the C/N ratio of soil aggregates and soil infiltration and the overall performance under conservation tillage practices is unclear. Experiments were conducted in 2022 and 2023 to observe the relationship between the soil carbon and nitrogen distribution patterns and soil infiltration of sloping cultivated land under different tillage practices. In this study, ridge tillage and pitting field + subsoiling tillage (RF-S) and contour tillage + subsoiling tillage (TP-S) have been used in a plot experiment, with down-slope cultivation (CK) as the control. The results showed that the stability of soil aggregates, the organic carbon and the total nitrogen contents of soil aggregates of different particle-sizes, and the overall soil infiltration performance were greatly increased under the RF-S and TP-S treatments (up-slope, mid-slope, and down-slope). Compared with CK, RF-S and TP-S significantly improved the stability of soil aggregates at different slope positions (on, in, and under the slope) and the C/N ratio and soil infiltration performance of aggregates with particle sizes of >2 mm and 2–0.25 mm. However, TP-S more effectively reduced the deposition of soil macroaggregates down the slope and can comprehensively improve the stability of soil aggregates and the infiltration performance. The mean weight diameter (MWD) and mean geometric mean diameter (GMD) of soil aggregates can reflect the distribution and stability of soil aggregates and also indicate the stability of soil structure. Compared with CK, the MWD of TP-S soil aggregates increased by 6% to 17.7%, the GMD increased by 9.7% to 27.2%, the average soil infiltration rate increased by 41.8% to 78.3%, the initial infiltration rate increased by 19.1% to 46.6%, and the stable infiltration rate increased by 109.2% to 165.9%. Soil infiltration performance is positively correlated with the C/N ratio of aggregates with particle sizes of >2 mm and 2–0.25 mm and negatively correlated with the C/N ratio of aggregates with particle sizes of <0.25 mm. The results of this study show that reasonable tillage measures are helpful in improving soil water and soil conservation and anti-erosion ability and illustrate the influence mechanism of soil aggregates on soil infiltration performance. Full article

(This article belongs to the Section Innovative Cropping Systems)

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16 pages, 26010 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Active Modified Atmosphere Packaging Helps Preserve Quality of Edible Flowers

by Nicole Mélanie Falla, Negin Seif Zadeh, Stefania Stelluti, Valentina Guarino, Manuela Giordano, Vladimiro Cardenia, Giuseppe Zeppa and Valentina Scariot

Agronomy 2024, 14(10), 2409; https://doi.org/10.3390/agronomy14102409 - 17 Oct 2024

Viewed by 245

Abstract

Edible flowers are becoming increasingly popular as food products, since they give aroma, color, and visual appeal and are also health-promoting compounds. However, they are a highly perishable product, thus post-harvest technologies are needed to extend their marketability. In this study, active (N [...] Read more.

Edible flowers are becoming increasingly popular as food products, since they give aroma, color, and visual appeal and are also health-promoting compounds. However, they are a highly perishable product, thus post-harvest technologies are needed to extend their marketability. In this study, active (N₂: 100%) and passive modified atmosphere packaging (MAP) technologies were applied to three edible flower species, namely Begonia grandiflora ‘Viking’, Tropaeolum majus, and Viola cornuta, stored at 4 °C. Even if the flowers’ quality decay occurred differently according to the species, active MAP better maintained petal colors and slowed down the edible flowers’ decay than passive MAP by decreasing flower respiration in all three species and sugars consumption in begonia; there was weight loss in nasturtium, and better preserved total phenolic content in begonia and viola. Coupling cold storage with active MAP can be an effective method to extend edible flowers’ post-harvest life. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Advances in Functional Quality of Horticultural, Ornamental, Medicinal and Aromatic Crops—2nd Edition)

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17 pages, 3768 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Distribution Characteristics and Pollution Assessment of Soil Aggregates of Cr, Ni, and Cu in a Region of Northern Hebei Province

by Sha Xie, Jie Zhang, Zhijun Liu, Xiaofei Guo, Yuebing Sun and Qingqing Huang

Agronomy 2024, 14(10), 2408; https://doi.org/10.3390/agronomy14102408 - 17 Oct 2024

Viewed by 260

Abstract

In order to understand the distribution, occurrence forms, and influencing factors of chromium (Cr), nickel (Ni), and copper (Cu) in soil aggregates, a five-step extraction method was used to determine their forms in soil aggregates of different sizes in a mountainous area of [...] Read more.

In order to understand the distribution, occurrence forms, and influencing factors of chromium (Cr), nickel (Ni), and copper (Cu) in soil aggregates, a five-step extraction method was used to determine their forms in soil aggregates of different sizes in a mountainous area of northern Hebei Province. The ecological risk was evaluated using the geo-accumulation index (I_geo) and primary and secondary comparison value method (RSP). Redundancy analysis (RDA) was used to identify the main factors affecting the distribution and morphology of Cr, Ni, and Cu in soil. The results showed that in vertical distribution, Cr, Ni, and Cu were concentrated in the surface soil, but there was no clear relationship between soil depth and heavy metal content. The distribution characteristics revealed that Cr, Ni, and Cu in soils mainly existed in relatively stable Fe-Mn oxides and residue states, and their morphology in aggregates did not vary considerably with particle size. Furthermore, the RSP results showed that the pollution risk of Cr, Ni, and Cu was higher, with Cr and Ni posing the highest risk in the 0.5–1 mm and 1–2 mm particle size ranges. The RDA results showed that available phosphorus and soil organic matter (SOM) were the main factors that caused the characteristic difference of 1–2 mm aggregate components. Additionally, hydrolyzed nitrogen, cation exchange capacity (CEC), and calcium exchange have positive effects on the residual state of Cr. For Ni, SOM, CEC and exchangeable calcium have positive effects on the binding state of Fe and Mn oxides and carbonate. For Cu, CEC and exchangeable calcium are the key factors that cause the morphological differences of aggregates. Based on the above results, a theoretical basis has been provided for the prevention and control of pollution in the subsequent research area. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Soil Evolution, Management, and Sustainable Utilization)

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18 pages, 2901 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Comparative Study of Back-Propagation Artificial Neural Network Models for Predicting Salinity Parameters Based on Spectroscopy Under Different Surface Conditions of Soda Saline–Alkali Soils

by Yating Jing, Xuelin You, Mingxuan Lu, Zhuopeng Zhang, Xiaozhen Liu and Jianhua Ren

Agronomy 2024, 14(10), 2407; https://doi.org/10.3390/agronomy14102407 - 17 Oct 2024

Viewed by 312

Abstract

Soil salinization typically exerts a highly negative influence on soil productivity, crop yields, and ecosystem balance. As a typical region afflicted by soil salinization, the soda saline–alkali soils in the Songnen Plain of China demonstrate a clear cracking phenomena. Nevertheless, the overall spectral [...] Read more.

Soil salinization typically exerts a highly negative influence on soil productivity, crop yields, and ecosystem balance. As a typical region afflicted by soil salinization, the soda saline–alkali soils in the Songnen Plain of China demonstrate a clear cracking phenomena. Nevertheless, the overall spectral response to the cracked soil surface has scarcely been studied. This study intends to study the impact of salt parameters on the soil cracking process and enhance the spectral measurement method used for cracked salt-affected soil. To accomplish this goal, a controlled desiccation cracking experiment was carried out on saline soil samples. A gray-level co-occurrence matrix (GLCM) was calculated for the contrast (CON) texture feature to measure the extent of cracking in the dried soil samples. Additionally, spectroscopy measurements were conducted under different surface conditions. Principal component analysis (PCA) was subsequently performed to downscale the spectral data for band integration. Subsequently, the prediction accuracy of back-propagation artificial neural network (BP-ANN) models developed from the principal components of spectral reflectance was compared for different salt parameters. The results reveal that salt content is the dominant factor determining the cracking process in salt-affected soils, and that cracked soil samples had the highest model prediction accuracy for different salt parameters rather than uncracked blocks and 2 mm comparison soil samples. Furthermore, BP-ANN prediction models combining spectral response and CON were further developed, which can significantly enhance the prediction accuracy of different salt parameters with R² values of 0.93, 0.91, and 0.74 and a ratio of prediction deviation (RPD) of 3.68, 3.26, and 1.72 for soil salinity, electrical conductivity (EC), and pH, respectively. These findings provide valuable insights into the cracking mechanism in salt-affected soils, thereby advancing the field of hyperspectral remote sensing for monitoring soil salinization. Furthermore, this study also aids in enhancing the design of spectral measurements for saline–alkali soils and is also helpful for local soil remediation with supporting data. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Crop Improvement and Cultivation in Saline-Alkali Soils)

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27 pages, 17001 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Experimental Study on the Application of “Dry Sowing and Wet Emergence” Drip Irrigation Technology with One Film, Three Tubes, and Three Rows

by Hongxin Wang and Chunxia Wang

Agronomy 2024, 14(10), 2406; https://doi.org/10.3390/agronomy14102406 - 17 Oct 2024

Viewed by 243

Abstract

In order to alleviate the shortage of water in Xinjiang cotton fields, to ensure the sustainable development of the cotton industry in southern Xinjiang, it is necessary to determine a suitable “dry sowing and wet emergence” water quantity plan for cotton fields in [...] Read more.

In order to alleviate the shortage of water in Xinjiang cotton fields, to ensure the sustainable development of the cotton industry in southern Xinjiang, it is necessary to determine a suitable “dry sowing and wet emergence” water quantity plan for cotton fields in southern Xinjiang to change the current situation. In this study, to explore the irrigation regime of “dry sowing and wet emergence” for cotton in Korla, Xinjiang, by combining field experiments and modeling simulations, the effects of different irrigation amounts on the water–heat–salt and seedling emergence characteristics of “dry sowing and wet emergence” cotton fields were investigated; the soil, water, and salt transport under different irrigation regimes was simulated by using HYDRUS-2D, and the seedling emergence rate of the cotton under different irrigation regimes was obtained through the establishment of a regression model. The results indicated that, in the field experiment, the soil water content of the 0−40 cm soil layer showed an overall trend of first increasing and then decreasing with time, while the soil salt content showed an overall trend of first decreasing and then increasing over time. The soil water content at the drip heads and cotton rows position, as well as on the 15th day, increased by an average of 5.58 cm³·cm⁻³ compared to before irrigation, and the soil salt content decreased by an average of 2.74 g/kg compared to before irrigation. In the irrigation water range of 675−825 m³/hm², reducing the irrigation water amount increased the cotton emergence rate by 3.86% and the cotton vigor index by 70.53%. After the model simulation, it is recommended to choose the cotton “dry sowing and wet emergence” irrigation regime with a low to medium water amount (300−450 m³/hm²) at 14-day intervals or a low to medium water amount (300−375 m³/hm²) at 7-day intervals, which can obtain a higher seedling emergence rate. Full article

(This article belongs to the Section Water Use and Irrigation)

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12 pages, 1290 KiB

Open AccessArticle

UV Fluorescent Powders as a Tool for Plant Epidemiological Studies

by Paul M. Severns, Clarence Codod and Ashley J. Lynch

Agronomy 2024, 14(10), 2405; https://doi.org/10.3390/agronomy14102405 - 17 Oct 2024

Viewed by 233

Abstract

Some basic aspects of plant disease epidemiology remain largely unknown due to a lack of empirical study methods to experimentally manipulate the position of infections within a single plant or within a plant canopy and the dispersal behaviors of small insects that vector [...] Read more.

Some basic aspects of plant disease epidemiology remain largely unknown due to a lack of empirical study methods to experimentally manipulate the position of infections within a single plant or within a plant canopy and the dispersal behaviors of small insects that vector important plant diseases, for example. We present two methods using UV fluorescent particles that, when mixed in a 10% ethanol solution, can be used to create surrogate fungal infections on plant leaves and to field mark whiteflies in situ. When we used a custom-made experimental chamber to measure the velocity of falling particles, we found that the UV fluorescent particles had settlement velocities that overlapped with known fungal plant pathogen spores. In a separate experiment, field applied marks to whiteflies, Bemisia tabaci, were used to estimate straight-line insect vector displacement from source plants as a simple dispersal gradient over a limited distance in a 48 h period. The UV fluorescent particles and airbrushes were relatively inexpensive (USD < 100 total), easily sourced, and usable in a field setting. We believe that the approaches and methods shared in this manuscript can be used to design specific experiments that will fill important plant epidemiological knowledge gaps in future studies. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Tools and Techniques for Monitoring Pests and Diseases in Agro-Ecosystem)

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17 pages, 2864 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Organic Mulching Versus Soil Conventional Practices in Vineyards: A Comprehensive Study on Plant Physiology, Agronomic, and Grape Quality Effects

by Andreu Mairata, David Labarga, Miguel Puelles, Luis Rivacoba, Javier Portu and Alicia Pou

Agronomy 2024, 14(10), 2404; https://doi.org/10.3390/agronomy14102404 - 17 Oct 2024

Viewed by 306

Abstract

Research into alternative vineyard practices is essential to maintain long-term viticulture sustainability. Organic mulching on the vine row improves vine cultivation properties, such as increasing soil water retention and nutrient availability. This study overviewed the effects of three organic mulches (spent mushroom compost [...] Read more.

Research into alternative vineyard practices is essential to maintain long-term viticulture sustainability. Organic mulching on the vine row improves vine cultivation properties, such as increasing soil water retention and nutrient availability. This study overviewed the effects of three organic mulches (spent mushroom compost (SMC), straw (STR), and grapevine pruning debris (GPD)) and two conventional soil practices (herbicide application (HERB) and tillage (TILL)) on grapevine physiology, agronomy, and grape quality parameters over three years. SMC mulch enhanced soil moisture and nutrient concentration. However, its mineral composition increased soil electrical conductivity (0.78 dS m⁻¹) and induced grapevine water stress due to osmotic effects without significantly affecting yield plant development. Only minor differences in leaf physiological parameters were observed during the growing season. However, straw (STR) mulch reduced water stress and increased photosynthetic capacity, resulting in higher pruning weights. Organic mulches, particularly SMC and STR, increased grape pH, potassium, malic acid, and tartaric acid levels, while reducing yeast assimilable nitrogen. The effect of organic mulching on grapevine development depends mainly on soil and mulch properties, soil water availability, and environmental conditions. This research highlights the importance of previous soil and organic mulch analysis to detect vineyard requirements and select the most appropriate soil management treatment. Full article

(This article belongs to the Section Horticultural and Floricultural Crops)

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19 pages, 6491 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Identification and Location Method of Bitter Gourd Picking Point Based on Improved YOLOv5-Seg

by Sheng Jiang, Yechen Wei, Shilei Lyu, Hualin Yang, Ziyi Liu, Fangnan Xie, Jiangbo Ao, Jingye Lu and Zhen Li

Agronomy 2024, 14(10), 2403; https://doi.org/10.3390/agronomy14102403 - 17 Oct 2024

Viewed by 223

Abstract

Aiming at the problems of small stems and irregular contours of bitter gourd, which lead to difficult and inaccurate location of picking points in the picking process of mechanical arms, this paper proposes an improved YOLOv5-seg instance segmentation algorithm with a coordinate attention [...] Read more.

Aiming at the problems of small stems and irregular contours of bitter gourd, which lead to difficult and inaccurate location of picking points in the picking process of mechanical arms, this paper proposes an improved YOLOv5-seg instance segmentation algorithm with a coordinate attention (CA) mechanism module, and combines it with a refinement algorithm to identify and locate the picking points of bitter gourd. Firstly, the improved algorithm model was used to identify and segment bitter gourd and melon stems. Secondly, the melon stem mask was extracted, and the thinning algorithm was used to refine the skeleton of the extracted melon stem mask image. Finally, a skeleton refinement graph of bitter gourd stem was traversed, and the midpoint of the largest connected region was selected as the picking point of bitter gourd. The experimental results show that the prediction precision (P), precision (R) and mean average precision (mAP) of the improved YOLOv5-seg model in object recognition were 98.04%, 97.79% and 98.15%, respectively. Compared with YOLOv5-seg, the P, R and mA values were increased by 2.91%, 4.30% and 1.39%, respectively. In terms of object segmentation, mask precision (P(M)) was 99.91%, mask recall (R(M)) 99.89%, and mask mean average precision (mAP(M)) 99.29%. Compared with YOLOv5-seg, the P(M), R(M), and mAP(M) values were increased by 6.22%, 7.81%, and 5.12%, respectively. After testing, the positioning error of the three-dimensional coordinate recognition of bitter gourd picking points was X-axis = 7.025 mm, Y-axis =5.6135 mm, and Z-axis = 11.535 mm, and the maximum allowable error of the cutting mechanism at the end of the picking manipulator was X-axis = 30 mm, Y-axis = 24.3 mm, and Z-axis = 50 mm. Therefore, this results of study meet the positioning accuracy requirements of the cutting mechanism at the end of the manipulator. The experimental data show that the research method in this paper has certain reference significance for the accurate identification and location of bitter gourd picking points. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Agricultural Environment and Intelligent Plant Protection Equipment—2nd Edition)

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24 pages, 5552 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Improving Simulations of Rice Growth and Nitrogen Dynamics by Assimilating Multivariable Observations into ORYZA2000 Model

by Jinmin Li, Liangsheng Shi, Jingye Han, Xiaolong Hu, Chenye Su and Shenji Li

Agronomy 2024, 14(10), 2402; https://doi.org/10.3390/agronomy14102402 - 17 Oct 2024

Viewed by 303

Abstract

The prediction of crop growth and nitrogen status is essential for agricultural development and food security under climate change scenarios. Crop models are powerful tools for simulating crop growth and their responses to environmental variables, but accurately capturing the dynamic changes in crop [...] Read more.

The prediction of crop growth and nitrogen status is essential for agricultural development and food security under climate change scenarios. Crop models are powerful tools for simulating crop growth and their responses to environmental variables, but accurately capturing the dynamic changes in crop nitrogen remains a considerable challenge. Data assimilation can reduce uncertainties in crop models by integrating observations with model simulations. However, current data assimilation research is primarily focused on a limited number of observational variables, and insufficiently utilizes nitrogen observations. To address these challenges, this study developed a new multivariable data assimilation system, ORYZA-EnKF, that is capable of simultaneously integrating multivariable observations (including development stage, DVS; leaf area index, LAI; total aboveground dry matter, WAGT; and leaf nitrogen concentration, LNC). Then, the system was tested through three consecutive years of field experiments from 2021 to 2023. The results revealed that the ORYZA-EnKF model significantly improved the simulations of crop growth compared to the ORYZA2000 model. The relative root mean squared error (RRMSE) for LAI simulations decreased from 23–101% to 16–47% in the three-year experiment. Moreover, the incorporation of LNC observations enabled more accurate predictions of rice nitrogen dynamics, with RRMSE for LNC simulations reduced from 16–31% to 14–26%. And, the RRMSE decreased from 32–50% to 30–41% in the simulations of LNC under low-nitrogen conditions. The multivariable data assimilation system demonstrated its effectiveness in improving crop growth simulations and nitrogen status predictions, providing valuable insights for precision agriculture. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Predictions and Estimations in Agricultural Production under a Changing Climate—Volume II)

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21 pages, 9069 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Optimal Methods for Estimating Shortwave and Longwave Radiation to Accurately Calculate Reference Crop Evapotranspiration in the High-Altitude of Central Tibet

by Jiandong Liu, Jun Du, Fei Wang, De Li Liu, Jiahui Tang, Dawei Lin, Yahui Tang, Lijie Shi and Qiang Yu

Agronomy 2024, 14(10), 2401; https://doi.org/10.3390/agronomy14102401 - 17 Oct 2024

Viewed by 248

Abstract

The FAO56 Penman–Monteith model (FAO56-PM) is widely used for estimating reference crop evapotranspiration (ET₀). However, key variables such as shortwave radiation (R_s) and net longwave radiation (R_ln) are often unavailable at most weather stations. [...] Read more.

The FAO56 Penman–Monteith model (FAO56-PM) is widely used for estimating reference crop evapotranspiration (ET₀). However, key variables such as shortwave radiation (R_s) and net longwave radiation (R_ln) are often unavailable at most weather stations. While previous studies have focused on calibrating R_s, the influence of large R_ln, particularly in high-altitude regions with thin air, remains unexplored. This study investigates this issue by using observed data from Bange in central Tibet to identify the optimal methods for estimating R_s and R_ln to accurately calculate ET₀. The findings reveal that the average daily R_ln was 8.172 MJ m⁻² d⁻¹ at Bange, much larger than that at the same latitude. The original FAO56-PM model may produce seemingly accurate ET₀ estimates due to compensating errors: underestimated R_ln offsetting underestimated net shortwave radiation (R_sn). Merely calibrating R_s does not improve ET₀ accuracy but may exacerbate errors. The Liu-S was the empirical model for R_s estimation calibrated by parameterization over the Tibetan Plateau and the Allen-LC was the empirical model for R_ln estimation calibrated by local measurements in central Tibet. The combination of the Liu-S and Allen-LC methods showed much-improved performance in ET₀ estimation, yielding a high Nash–Sutcliffe Efficiency (NSE) of 0.889 and a low relative error of −5.7%. This strategy is indicated as optimal for ET₀ estimation in central Tibet. Trend analysis based on this optimal strategy indicates significant increases in ET₀ in central Tibet from 2000 to 2020, with projections suggesting a continued rise through 2100 under climate change scenarios, though with increasing uncertainty over time. However, the rapidly increasing trends in precipitation will lead to decreasing trends in agricultural water use for highland parley production in central Tibet under climate change scenarios. The findings in this study provide critical information for irrigation planning to achieve sustainable agricultural production over the Tibetan Plateau. Full article

(This article belongs to the Section Agricultural Biosystem and Biological Engineering)

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17 pages, 3204 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Soil Organic Carbon and Humus Characteristics: Response and Evolution to Long-Term Direct/Carbonized Straw Return to Field

by Xiao Li, Jun Li, Zhihui Zhao, Keyao Zhou, Xiumei Zhan, Ying Wang, Ning Liu, Xiaori Han and Xue Li

Agronomy 2024, 14(10), 2400; https://doi.org/10.3390/agronomy14102400 - 17 Oct 2024

Viewed by 256

Abstract

While numerous studies have examined the effects of direct and carbonized straw return on soil fertility, most focus on short-term impacts. Long-term research is needed to understand how these practices affect soil fertility and organic carbon transformation, providing guidance for the use of [...] Read more.

While numerous studies have examined the effects of direct and carbonized straw return on soil fertility, most focus on short-term impacts. Long-term research is needed to understand how these practices affect soil fertility and organic carbon transformation, providing guidance for the use of straw and biochar in agriculture. This study examined the long-term effects of corn straw (CS), straw biochar (BIO), and biochar-based fertilizer (BF) applied over 5, 10, and 15 years on soil aggregates, organic carbon, and humus composition in a peanut field microplot experiment. Using pig manure compost (PMC) as a control, we assessed soil water-stable aggregate distribution, carbon content in soil and aggregates, and organic carbon’s infrared spectral characteristics. The goal was to understand how different straw utilization methods impact soil carbon retention and humus composition for sustainable agricultural practices. The results showed that the straw biochar (BIO) had a significantly better long-term effect on increasing the proportion and stability of large soil aggregates compared to direct straw return (CS) and biochar-based fertilizer (BF). After ten years of continuous fertilization, the organic carbon content in soils treated with BIO was higher than that in soils treated with CS. After fifteen years of continuous fertilization, the organic carbon content in soils treated with BF was similar to that of the CS treatment. Additionally, humus carbon primarily accumulated in the 2–0.25 mm aggregates (SMA), and the BIO treatment significantly improved the quality of soil humus. FTIR spectra indicated that the long-term application of BIO and BF increased the proportion of aromatic carbon in the soil, enhancing the stability of soil organic carbon. Long-term application of carbonized straw returns improved soil organic carbon, aggregate stability, and humus quality, contributing to carbon sequestration. Fertilization duration directly and indirectly regulated humus formation through its impact on organic carbon and aggregates, while organic materials influenced humus indirectly. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Advances in Soil Fertility, Plant Nutrition and Nutrient Management)

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11 pages, 8238 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Enhancing the Tolerance of a Green Foxtail Biotype to Mesotrione via a Cytochrome P450-Mediated Herbicide Metabolism

by Yuning Lan, Yi Cao, Ying Sun, Ruolin Wang and Zhaofeng Huang

Agronomy 2024, 14(10), 2399; https://doi.org/10.3390/agronomy14102399 - 17 Oct 2024

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Abstract

Green foxtail is a troublesome weed in crop fields across China. A nova target HPPD inhibitor is widely used to control weeds in agricultural production. Mesotrione, an HPPD inhibitor, cannot control green foxtail effectively under the recommended field dose, indicating that green foxtail [...] Read more.

Green foxtail is a troublesome weed in crop fields across China. A nova target HPPD inhibitor is widely used to control weeds in agricultural production. Mesotrione, an HPPD inhibitor, cannot control green foxtail effectively under the recommended field dose, indicating that green foxtail is tolerant to mesotrione. Interestingly, a green foxtail biotype that exhibits a greater tolerance to mesotrione (GR₅₀ value 463.2 g ai ha⁻¹) than that of the wild biotype (GR₅₀ value 271.9 g ai ha⁻¹) was found in Jilin Province, China. The HPPD genes isolated from the two biotypes genome were aligned, while no difference was found in the amino acid of the HPPD compared with that of the wild biotype. Through the qPCR experiment, the HPPD gene copy number variation and overexpression were also not found. Cytochrome P450 inhibitors (malathion and PBO), pretreatment, could effectively reverse the tolerance. Compared with the MT biotype, the in vivo activity of P450s was higher after the mesotrione treatment in the HT biotype. Therefore, P450s might be involved in the mechanism of tolerance. Full article

(This article belongs to the Section Pest and Disease Management)

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Agronomy, Volume 14, Issue 10 (October 2024) – 249 articles

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