IntroductionIn modern agriculture, tomatoes, as key economic crops, face challenges during harvesting due to complex growth environments; traditional object detection technologies are limited by performance and struggle to accurately identify and locate ripe and small-target tomatoes under leaf occlusion and uneven illumination.MethodsTo address these issues, this study sets YOLOv8n as the baseline model, focusing on improving it to enhance performance per tomato detection’s core needs. First, it analyzes YOLOv8n’s inherent bottlenecks in feature extraction and small-target recognition, then proposes targeted schemes: specifically, to boost feature extraction, a Space-to-Depth convolution module (SPD) is introduced by restructuring convolutional operations; to improve small-target detection, a dedicated small-target detection layer is added and integrated with the Parallelized Patch-Aware Attention mechanism (PPA); meanwhile, to balance performance and efficiency, a lightweight Slim-Neck structure and a self-developed Detect_CBAM detection head are adopted; finally, the Distance-Intersection over Union loss function (DIoU) optimizes gradient distribution during training. Experiments are conducted on the self-built “tomato_dataset” (7,160 images, divided into 5,008 for training, 720 for validation, 1,432 for testing) with evaluation metrics including bounding box precision, recall, mAP@0.5, mAP@0.5:0.95, Parameters, and FLOPS, and performance comparisons made with mainstream YOLO models (YOLOv5n, YOLOv6n, YOLOv8n), lightweight models (SSD-MobileNetv2, EfficientDet-D0), and two-stage algorithms (Faster R-CNN, Cascade R-CNN).ResultsResults show the improved model achieves 89.6% precision, 87.3% recall, 93.5% mAP@0.5, 58.6% mAP@0.5:0.95, significantly outperforming YOLOv8n and most comparative models, and the two-stage algorithms in both detection accuracy and efficiency.DiscussionIn conclusion, this study solves detection problems of ripe and small-target tomatoes in polymorphic environments, improves the model’s accuracy and robustness, provides reliable technical support for automated harvesting, and contributes to modern agricultural intelligent development.
Gabriele Campanelli, Margherita Amenta, Luana Bontempo
et al.
Different research works have been carried out over the years to investigate new and reliable systems to test the authenticity of products obtained using organic cultivation methods. Based on a previously proposed integrated approach for discriminating organic from conventional products through the acquisition of isotopic data and other chemical and biochemical parameters, we herein report the results of an open-field cultivation case study for cauliflower crop. Experiments were carried out on soil, leaves, and corymb samples of cauliflowers grown using six different nitrogen fertilization treatments (organic, conventional, and mixed at different % of mineral fertilizers). The results of this study have shown that a multivariate analysis of isotopic data (<sup>13</sup>C/<sup>12</sup>C; <sup>15</sup>N/<sup>14</sup>N, <sup>34</sup>S/<sup>32</sup>S, <sup>2</sup>H/<sup>1</sup>H, and <sup>18</sup>O/<sup>16</sup>O isotopic ratios) combined with other parameters (fresh weight, total soluble solids, total acidity, cut resistance, CIE L*, a*, b* color indices, head height, head diameter, ascorbic acid content, total polyphenols, and ORAC units) performed using the linear discriminant analysis method gives researchers the possibility to discriminate organic products from conventional ones. Our study highlighted that the different isotopic signatures impressed on the cauliflowers by the different nitrogenous sources combined with the qualitative pattern of the crop, significantly affected by the different treatments, could effectively be jointly used to trace the organic origin of the crop.
Javier Pérez-Durán, Aglaé Luna, Andrés Portilla
et al.
Breast cancer, due to its high incidence and mortality, is a public health problem worldwide. Current chemotherapy uses non-specific cytotoxic drugs, which inhibit tumor growth but cause significant adverse effects. (−)-Epicatechin (EC) is part of a large family of biomolecules called flavonoids. It is widely distributed in the plant kingdom; it can be found in green tea, grapes, and cocoa. Several studies in animals and humans have shown that EC induces beneficial effects in the skeletal muscle and the cardiovascular system, reducing risk factors such as arterial hypertension, endothelial dysfunction, damage to skeletal muscle structure, and mitochondrial malfunction by promoting mitochondrial biogenesis, with no adverse effects reported. Recently, we reported that EC had an antitumor effect in a murine triple-negative mammary gland tumor model, decreasing tumoral size and volume and increasing survival by 44%. This work aimed to characterize the effects of flavanol EC on proliferation, migration, and metastasis markers of triple-negative murine breast (4T1) cancer cells in culture. We found proliferation diminished and Bax/Bcl2 ratio increased. When the migration of culture cells was evaluated, we observed a significant reduction in migration. Also, the relative expression of the genes associated with metastasis, <i>Cdh1</i>, <i>Mtss1</i>, <i>Pten</i>, <i>Bmrs</i>, <i>Fat1</i>, and <i>Smad4</i>, was increased. In conclusion, these results contribute to understanding molecular mechanisms activated by EC that can inhibit metastatic-associated proliferation, migration, and invasion of murine breast cancer cells.
Tian Gong, Jeffrey K. Brecht, Samuel F. Hutton
et al.
Previous studies of tomato rootstock effects on fruit quality have yielded mixed results, and few attempts have been made to systematically examine the association between rootstock characteristics and tomato fruit quality. In this study, grape tomato (‘BHN 1022’) and beefsteak tomato (‘Skyway’) were grafted onto four rootstocks [‘Estamino’ (vigorous and “generative”), ‘DR0141TX’ (vigorous and “vegetative”), ‘RST-04-106-T’ (uncharacterized), and ‘SHIELD RZ F1 (61–802)’ (mid-vigor, uncharacterized)] and compared to non-grafted scion controls for two growing seasons (Spring and Fall in Florida) in organically managed high tunnels. In both seasons and for both scions, the two vigorous rootstocks, regardless of their designation as “vegetative” (‘DR0141TX’) or “generative” (‘Estamino’), exhibited negative impacts on dry matter content, soluble solids content (SSC), SSC/titratable acidity (TA), lycopene, and ascorbic acid contents. Similar effects on fruit dry matter content and SSC were also observed with the ‘RST-04-106-T’ rootstock, although little to no change was seen with grafting onto ‘SHIELD RZ F1 (61–802)’. Further studies are needed to elucidate the impact of rootstock vigor on tomato volatile profiles and consumer sensory acceptability in order to better determine whether any of the documented effects are of practical importance. On the other hand, the evident effects of scion cultivar and planting season on fruit quality were observed in most of the measurements. The scion by rootstock interaction affected fruit length, firmness, pH, and total phenolic content, while the planting season by rootstock interaction impacted fruit firmness, pH, total antioxidant capacity, and ascorbic acid and lycopene contents. The multivariate separation pattern of planting season, scion, and rootstock treatments as revealed by the canonical discriminant analysis further indicated that the influence of scion cultivar and planting season on tomato fruit quality could be much more pronounced than the rootstock effects. The fruit color (C* and H°), length and width, SSC, pH, total antioxidant capacity, ascorbic acid, and lycopene contents were the main attributes distinguishing different scion-planting season groups.
Ana Marjanović Jeromela, Sandra Cvejić, Velimir Mladenov
et al.
Camelina (Camelina sativa [L.] Crtz.) is an oilseed crop of the Brassicaceae family. It represents revived crops, which was reintroduced to contribute in diversification of the used crops. Field trials were set in a total of five different locations across four years in which in Serbia (2015/2016, 2016/2017, 2017/2018, 2018/2019) and in Austria (2016/2017). In all samples, 12 different environments were processed. Analysis of the distributions of environments for oil content, which mirrored protein content, using the PCA analysis, shows a statistical significance of the first two main components, which participated in the phenotypic variation with a larger amount to additive component and with both axes having a statistically significant effect on the interaction. The first two main components jointly explained more than 80% of the variation in two traits. The statistical significance of the remainder is a consequence of an agronomically explicable variation. The genotypes NS Zlatka and NS Slatka, used in this study, come from elite breeding material that is engineered to provide a consistent return to the producer regardless of the amount of money invested in primary agricultural production. Incorporating these varieties into the crop rotation would broaden the range of species available in Balkan agriculture.
Margit Olle, Ingrid Helvi Williams, Eduardo Rosa
et al.
The aim was to select the best field pea varieties for further breeding on the basis of higher productivity and the physiological and genetic basis of plant growth and performance under Northern European environmental conditions. The varieties used in present investigation were: Bruno, Capella, Clara, Eesti Kollane Söödahernes, Hele, Kiir, Kirke, Leili, Looming, Mehis, Rahel, Seko, Zaiga. Results: The highest and most stable average yield for 2015–2016 years was recorded in Hele, Kiir, Kirke, Leili and Zaiga. Considering the environmental constraints in the Northern regions, the best flowering period should be between 10 and 20 days. The best varieties were Capella, Clara, Kirke and Seko which fit into this period. Susceptibility to pod spot was not statistically different in either year. Susceptibility to downy mildew was highest in Leili. Varieties most resistant to lodging were Capella, Clara, Leili and Rahel. Regarding the average protein content for 2015–2016 years the best and more stable varieties were: Looming, Bruno, Eesti kollane söödahernes, Hele, Kiir and Mehis. Conclusion: Yield and phenotype characteristics results indicated that Leili was the most suitable variety for breeding in Northern European conditions.
Sawsan S. Sayed, A. M. M. Gabr, Mona A. Amin
et al.
Abstract Background Carob (Ceratonia siliqua L.) is one of the important crops in terms of nutritional and medicinal value in the countries of Western Asia and North Africa. Despite the fact that some countries have used Carob in traditional medicines, the modern food industry began to discover the great potential of this plant which differentiates with antioxidant capacity as well as other important medicinal activities. Some of very few studies that have been reported on this important plant were published. Methodology In the present study, micropropagation behavior and biochemical constituents of Ceratonia siliqua L. cultured on MS medium supplemented with different types and concentrations of cytokinins (0.0, 0.5, 1.0, or 1.5 mg/l BA, Kin, or TDZ and 0.2 mg/l NAA) under various light qualities ((white, green, blue, red, and yellow) were examined. Results MS culture medium supplemented with BA produced the highest shootlets number/explants. For light quality, the data showed that green light increased shootlet number/explants, fresh and dry weights. However, yellow light increased shootlet length and leaves number and also caused significant increase in total phenols, flavonoids, and antioxidant capacity (DPPH) as compared to other lights. HPLC analysis showed that yellow light caused the highest accumulation of total phenolic and catechin that were the highest accumulated compounds (509 μg/ml) followed by that were accumulated under green light (412.68 μg/ml). Shootlets grown under white light (control) gave the highest accumulation of p-coumaric acid, rosmarinic acid, and cinnamic acid. Shootlets grown under blue light gave the highest accumulation of gentisic acid and syringic acid. Red light caused the highest accumulation of vanillic acid. However, white light accumulated the highest amount of flavonoid compounds comparing with other light qualities. Conclusion This study had reached to optimize a suitable micropropagation protocol of Ceratonia siliqua L. and characterization of biochemical constituents that can be beneficial for increasing its medical value which will help in food industries for commercial purposes.
Jane Alexander Ruley, John Baptist Tumuhairwe, Alice Amoding
et al.
Hydrocarbon contaminants have become a global concern due to their long-term adverse effects on soil ecosystems and human health. Successful implementation of phytoremediation to clean up hydrocarbon contaminants requires the identification of the most effective remediation plant species. Twelve native plant species of the Sudd Wetland in South Sudan were evaluated for their potential application as phytoremediators. The treatments included six total petroleum hydrocarbon (TPH) concentrations of 0, 25, 50, 75, 100 and 125 g/kg soil. The twelve native plant species tested were: Sorghum arundinaceum Desv., Oryza longistaminata A. Chev. & Roehrich, Hyparrhenia rufa Nees, Abelmoschus ficulneus L., Gossypium barbadense L., Nicotiana tabacum L., Sorghum bicolour L. Moench, Eleusine coracana Gaertn., Capsicum frutescens L., Zea mays L., Tithonia diversifolia Hemsl. and Medicago sativa L. Significant differences in phytoremediation rates were observed amongst the treatments with exception of the 125 g/kg soil concentration of hydrocarbon that was lethal to all the plant species. Over 50% TPH reduction in the 75 g/kg soil concentration was observed in contaminated soil phytoremediation in H. rufa, G. barbadense, O. longistaminata, T. diversifolia and S. arundinaceum, making them potential phytoremediators of hydrocarbon-contaminated soil in the Sudd-Wetland of South-Sudan.
Emmanuel Byamukama, Shaukat Ali, Jonathan Kleinjan
et al.
Winter wheat is susceptible to several fungal pathogens throughout the growing season and foliar fungicide application is one of the strategies used in the management of fungal diseases in winter wheat. However, for fungicides to be profitable, weather conditions conducive to fungal disease development should be present. To determine if winter wheat yield response to fungicide application at the flowering growth stage (Feekes 10.5.1) was related to the growing season precipitation, grain yield from fungicide treated plots was compared to non-treated plots for 19 to 30 hard red winter wheat cultivars planted at 8 site years from 2011 through 2015. At all locations, Prothioconazole + Tebuconazole or Tebuconazole alone was applied at flowering timing for the fungicide treated plots. Grain yield response (difference between treated and non-treated) ranged from 66-696 kg/ha across years and locations. Grain yield response had a positive and significant linear relationship with cumulative rainfall in May through June for the mid and top grain yield ranked cultivars (R2=54%, 78%, respectively) indicating that a higher amount of accumulated rainfall in this period increased chances of getting a higher yield response from fungicide application. Cultivars treated with a fungicide had slightly higher protein content (up to 0.5%) compared to non-treated. These results indicate that application of fungicides when there is sufficient moisture in May and June may increase chances of profitability from fungicide application.
Contents: Introduction - Synonymy - Distribution - Description - Life Cycle - Economic Importance - Hosts - Management - Brown Marmorated Stink Bugs in Florida - Selected References
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Abstract:: The critical node (CN) is an important stage during seed aging, which is related to effective genebank conservation. Previous studies have demonstrated that proteins undergo carbonylated modification at the CN in rice, indicating oxidative damage. However, the levels of reactive carbonyl species (RCS) and the associated scavenging system at the CN are largely unknown. In this study, we optimized methods for the extraction and analysis of RCS from dry rice embryos. In order to acquire seeds at the CN, rice seeds were subjected to natural conditions for 7, 9, 11 and 13 months, and the seed germination rates were reduced to 90%, 82%, 71% and 57%, respectively. We chose the stage with seed germination rate of 82% as the CN according to the rice seed vigor loss curve. The levels of crotonaldehyde and 4-hydroxy-(E)-2-nonenal (HNE) were significantly increased at the CN. In addition, genes encoding carbonyl-scavenging enzyme, including OsALDHs and OsAKRs, were significantly down-regulated at the CN, and reductions in the expression of OsALDH2-2, OsALDH2-5, OsALDH3-4, OsALDH7, OsAKR1 and OsAKR2 in particular could be responsible for RCS accumulation. Thus, the accumulations of crotonaldehyde and HNE and down-regulation of genes encoding carbonyl-scavenging enzyme might be related to an accelerating loss of seed viability at the CN. Key words: carbonyl-scavenging system, reactive carbonyl species, seed aging, crotonaldehyde, critical node, rice storage
Keith R. Schneider, Renée M. Goodrich Schneider, Ploy Kurdmonkoltham
et al.
Clostridium botulinum is the bacterium that causes botulism. Clostridium botulinum is a Gram-positive, slightly curved, motile, anaerobic rod-shaped bacterium that produces heat-resistant endospores. These endospores, which are very resistant to a number of environmental stresses such as heat and high acid, can become activated in anaerobic environments, low acidity (pH > 4.6), high moisture content, and in temperatures ranging from 40ºF to 250ºF (4ºC to 121ºC) (Sobel et al. 2004). In hostile environmental conditions, the heat-resistant spores enable the bacteria to survive for extended periods of time in a dormant state until conditions become more favorable.
Katharina Goldner, Sofie Vio Michaelis, Michael Neumüller
et al.
Polyphenols in fruits are of increasing interest for consumers and for plant scientists because of their health beneficial potential and their role in plant physiology and disease resistance. Anthocyanins contribute significantly to the attractive pigmentation of red and blue plums. Mirabelles and several reineclaudes do usually not accumulate anthocyanins in the skin. Is this linked to a general low phenolic level? Both the health aspect and the pigmentation are interesting traits for the breeder. For this purpose, rapid analytical methods are necessary. One time consuming step is the extraction of polyphenols. However, fruit juices are easily produced and are anyhow used for estimation of quality traits such as sugars and acidity. Here we show that HPLC analysis of plum juices represent the phenolic profiles of the whole fruits. We analysed the phenolic patterns of juices from 43 plum varieties with yellow, blue and dark blue fruit skins. In most cases, a weak red pigmentation co-occurs with a low total phenol level. However, there are exceptions that may help the breeder to combine yellow fruit skin with a high level of health beneficial phenolic compounds by using the appropriate donor genotypes. The method described here offers a valuable tool for selection.
The effect of salicylic acid on reducing brown rot caused by Monilinia laxa infection in postharvest apricot fruit Prunus armeniaca L. Freshly harvest Jumpo Cot fruit were treated with water as control treatment and other group treated with salicylic acid 2 Mm as induced resistance treatment, Fruits were infected by M. laxa (1 × 10-3spores ml-1) and incubated at 25 oC for 2, 4 and 6 days. Treatment fruits with salicylic acid resulted in direct effect on mycelial growth as in the salicylic acid treatment the growth reached to 45% after 6 days of incubation while in the control treatment it reached to 100%.
طیبه نژادحسینی, علیرضا آستارایی, رضا خراسانی
et al.
تأثیر دو نوع کود آلی (کود گاوی و کمپوست زباله شهری) همراه با عناصر بر و روی بر خصوصیات رشدی، غلظت و جذب عناصر غذایی گیاه ارزن (Panicum miliaceum L.) به صورت فاکتوریل در قالب طرح بلوک های کامل تصادفی در شرایط مزرعه در منطقه قاین مورد بررسی قرار گرفت. تیمارهای اصلی شامل کود گاوی و کمپوست زباله شهری (هر کدام در دو سطح صفر و 25 تن در هکتار) و تیمارهای فرعی شامل عناصر روی (صفر و 50 کیلوگرم در هکتار) و بر (صفر و 10 کیلوگرم در هکتار) با سه تکرار بودند. نتایج آزمایش نشان داد که اثر برهمکنش تیمارهای آزمایشی بر وزن ماده خشک، تعداد پنجه و ارتفاع گیاه ارزن معنی دار بود. برهمکنش کود گاوی همراه با عناصر بر و روی بیشترین وزن کل ماده خشک را تولید کرد. غلظت عناصر نیتروژن، آهن، روی، بر و مس گیاه در اثر برهمکنش تیمارهای آزمایشی، نسبت به شاهد به طور معنی داری افزایش یافت. برهمکنش کودآلی همراه با عنصر بر بدون روی، موجب افزایش چشمگیر غلظت بر در شاخساره گیاه گردید، در حالی که برهمکنش کود آلی همراه با عنصر بر و در حضور روی توانست تا حدی غلظت بر گیاه را کاهش دهد. تیمار برهمکنش کود گاوی همراه با روی و بر بیشترین تأثیر را در افزایش جذب عناصر نیتروزن، فسفر، پتاسیم، روی و بر گیاه ارزن نشان داد.