The present study addresses the effects of Trichoderma-based biostimulants and nitrogen (N) fertilization levels on agronomic performance and functional quality of two important greenhouse leafy vegetables: lettuce and rocket. A factorial analysis of the relative effects of Trichoderma-based biostimulants (Trichoderma harzianum strain T22 and Trichoderma virens strain GV41) and N fertilization levels (sub-optimal, optimal, and supra-optimal) was carried out to evaluate crop productive behavior (marketable and unmarketable yields, leaf dry matter content, and biomass production), nitrogen nutrition (N uptake, apparent N recovery, and nitrogen use efficiency (NUE)) as well as phytochemical qualitative components (antioxidant activity and total polyphenols). The soil plant analysis development (SPAD) index in both leafy vegetables and leaf colorimetry only in rocket were mainly affected by N fertilization levels but not by Trichoderma-based biostimulants. The contribution of native mineral N was 60 and 100 kg N ha⁻¹ of the total uptake in lettuce and rocket, respectively, and N surpluses were observed in both crops, even under optimal fertilization conditions. Trichoderma virens GV41-based biostimulant increased lettuce marketable yield and biomass production, both under optimal and sub-optimal fertilization. In addition, the same treatment increased NUE up to 116% under recommended N fertilization, that was also associated to an increase in phenol content and antioxidant activity. Rocket showed a clear effect of the Trichoderma virens GV41 treatment, only in absence of fertilization, demonstrating an increase in marketable yield and N uptake. Thus, the inoculation of rocket with this Trichoderma biostimulant can be considered as a useful management tool in leafy vegetable cropping systems for the efficient use of residual fertilizers from previous crops, enhancing NUE within the crop rotations. Nevertheless, the application of microbial biostimulant treatments requires good monitoring of soil N fertility in order to avoid an overexploitation of soil N supplying potential. Full article

Water is the main factor limiting soybean yield and the timely supply of supplemental irrigation could increase the grain yield, but the effects of a supplemental water supply on soybean yields have not been well studied. Field and pot experiments were conducted to compare the grain yield, yield components, water use efficiency for grain yield (WUE_G), flower number, filled-pod number, soil water content, and root dry weight at different depths with and without supplemental irrigation at flowering. Field experiments showed that compared to rainfed conditions, 40 mm of water applied during flowering significantly increased grain yield by 26%, WUE_G by 12%, filled-pod number by 16%, grain number by 13.3%, and water uptake from soil by 11% in 2011, and increased grain yield by 22%, WUE_G by 7%, filled-pod number by 26%, grain number by 27%, and water uptake by 21% in 2012. The soil water content in the subsoil (1.2–2.0 m) layers under the irrigated treatment was lower, indicating greater water extraction, than in the rainfed treatment and water uptake was significantly and positively correlated with yield in both years. In a pot experiment, flower and filled-pod number, water use during flowering and podding were significantly higher in the well-watered (WW) treatment than cyclic water stress (WS) treatment. Flower number and filled-pod number were significantly and positively correlated with water use during flowering and podding, respectively, under both the WW and WS treatments. The root dry weight was higher in the 0.2–0.8 m soil layer in the WW treatment than the WS treatment. We conclude that supplementary water at flowering increased the water uptake from deeper soil layers by increasing the distribution of roots in the subsoil layers that resulted in the production of more flowers and filled pods and increased the WUE_G and grain yield. Full article

Due to the importance of identifying crop cultivars, the advancement of accurate assessment of cultivars is considered essential. The existing methods for identifying rice cultivars are mainly time-consuming, costly, and destructive. Therefore, the development of novel methods is highly beneficial. The aim of the present research is to classify common rice cultivars in Iran based on color, morphologic, and texture properties using artificial intelligence (AI) methods. In doing so, digital images of 13 rice cultivars in Iran in three forms of paddy, brown, and white are analyzed through pre-processing and segmentation of using MATLAB. Ninety-two specificities, including 60 color, 14 morphologic, and 18 texture properties, were identified for each rice cultivar. In the next step, the normal distribution of data was evaluated, and the possibility of observing a significant difference between all specificities of cultivars was studied using variance analysis. In addition, the least significant difference (LSD) test was performed to obtain a more accurate comparison between cultivars. To reduce data dimensions and focus on the most effective components, principal component analysis (PCA) was employed. Accordingly, the accuracy of rice cultivar separations was calculated for paddy, brown rice, and white rice using discriminant analysis (DA), which was 89.2%, 87.7%, and 83.1%, respectively. To identify and classify the desired cultivars, a multilayered perceptron neural network was implemented based on the most effective components. The results showed 100% accuracy of the network in identifying and classifying all mentioned rice cultivars. Hence, it is concluded that the integrated method of image processing and pattern recognition methods, such as statistical classification and artificial neural networks, can be used for identifying and classification of rice cultivars. Full article

Understanding the characteristics of the balanced nutrient requirements for peanut to achieve target yields is paramount when formulating fertilizer management strategies to increase yields and avoid fertilizer loss. Nutritional requirement estimation models can provide effective alternatives for the estimation of the optimum crop balanced nutrient requirements under varied agricultural conditions which are less time consuming and expensive. In the present study, the quantitative estimation of the optimum crop balanced nutrient requirements of peanut in China were obtained using quantitative evaluation of fertility of tropical soils (QUEFTS) model. The database covered the main agro-ecological region for peanut crops in China between 1993 and 2018. The predicted results of the QUEFTS model indicated that nutrient uptake requirements increased linearly with increasing pod yields until the yields had reached approximately 60% to 70% of the potential pod yields. It was found that with the increasing pod yields during the nutrient linear absorption stage, the plants had required 38.4 kg N, 4.3 kg P, and 14.0 kg K in total to produce 1000 kg of pods, and the corresponding internal efficiencies were 26.0 kg N/kg, 235.0 kg P/kg, and 71.6 kg K/kg, respectively. In addition, the balance rates of the removal nutrient in the pods were determined to be 29.4 kg N, 2.9 kg P, and 4.9 kg K per 1000 kg of pod yield, or approximately 76.5%, 67.4%, and 34.7% of N, P, and K in the total plants, respectively. This study’s field validation experiments verified the applicability and accuracy of the QUEFTS model. Therefore, it was considered to be an effective alternative for the estimation of the optimal balance N, P, and K uptake requirements for peanut crops. These findings will potentially be helpful when making future decisions regarding fertilizer recommendations for peanut crops in China. Full article

Both drought and salinity represent the greatest plant abiotic stresses in crops. Increasing plant tolerance against these environmental conditions must be a key strategy in the development of future agriculture. The genus of Trichoderma filament fungi includes several species widely used as biocontrol agents for plant diseases but also some with the ability to increase plant tolerance against abiotic stresses. In this sense, using the species T. parareesei and T. harzianum, we have verified the differences between the two after their application in rapeseed (Brassica napus) root inoculation, with T. parareesei being a more efficient alternative to increase rapeseed productivity under drought or salinity conditions. In addition, we have determined the role that T. parareesei chorismate mutase plays in its ability to promote tolerance to salinity and drought in plants by increasing the expression of genes related to the hormonal pathways of abscisic acid (ABA) under drought stress, and ethylene (ET) under salt stress. Full article

Global warming accelerates the development of high temperature (HT)- and high humidity (HH)-tolerant varieties. This is further facilitated by the identification of HTHH-tolerant genes and the development of molecular markers based on these genes. To identify genes involved in HTHH tolerance in cabbage (Brassica oleracea var. capitata), we performed RNA-seq analysis of two inbred lines, BN1 (HTHH-tolerant) and BN2 (HTHH-susceptible), and selected trehalose 6- phosphate phosphatase I-2 (BoTPPI-2) as one of the HTHH-tolerant-associated genes. We also developed a segregating F₂ population from a cross between BN1 and BN2. RNA-seq results showed that BoTPPI-2 transcript levels were high in the HTHH-tolerant inbred line BN1, but not detectable in the HTHH-susceptible inbred line BN2. The expression pattern of BoTPPI-2 was not related to the expression of heat shock-related genes. Soft rot resistance, used as an indicator of HTHH tolerance, was higher in BN1 than in BN2. F₂ individuals similar to BN1 with respect to phenotype appeared to be HTHH-tolerant, whereas BN2-types were susceptible to HTHH. Analysis of the genomic DNA revealed the presence of a long terminal repeat (LTR; ca. 4.6 kb) in the ninth intron of the BoTPPI-2_BN2 allele, thereby suppressing its transcription and exhibiting HTHH phenotype. Except for the LTR insertion, the sequence of BoTPPI-2_BN2 was almost identical to that of BoTPPI-2_BN1. On the basis of the LTR and BoTPPI-2 sequences, we developed a molecular marker to identify HTHH-tolerant genotypes and validated its efficiency using F₂ individuals, inbred lines, and cultivars from diverse sources. The marker explained the genetic basis of HTHH tolerance in at least 80%, but not 100%, of the cabbage genotypes. Thus, additional markers associated with HTHH tolerance are needed for perfect selection. Full article

Natural products have been used to improve citrus fruit quality and storability, which increase the fruit marketing period and exportation to distant markets. This study was conducted to evaluate the role of salicylic acid and putrescine on reducing post-harvest loss and maintaining the quality of stored Murcott mandarin. Fruit were harvested at 297–300 days from full bloom, and five 5-min dipping treatments were applied; salicylic acid (200 and 400 ppm), putrescine (50 and 100 ppm), and the control. One group of fruit was stored at 5 ± 1 °C and 90–95% relative humidity (RH), and the other group was stored at 23 ± 1 °C and 60–70% RH for 45 days. Quality attributes were recorded at harvest, 15, 30, and 45 days of storage. Weight loss and decay were significantly decreased with the application of salicylic acid and putrescine. Both materials were also effective maintaining fruit firmness, total soluble solids (TSS), acidity, TSS: acid ratio, and ascorbic acid during storage. Salicylic acid, especially at 400 ppm was more effective to reduce weight loss and decay, and to maintain fruit quality in comparison to putrescine treatments. It could be concluded that salicylic acid and putrescine are effectively delaying post-harvest deterioration rate and extending the storage period of Murcott mandarin fruit with acceptable quality. Full article

Specific length amplified fragment sequencing (SLAF-seq) is a recently developed high-resolution strategy for the discovery of large-scale de novo genotyping of single nucleotide polymorphism (SNP) markers. In the present research, in order to facilitate genome-guided breeding in potato, this strategy was used to develop a large number of SNP markers and construct a high-density genetic linkage map for tetraploid potato. The genomic DNA extracted from 106 F₁ individuals derived from a cross between two tetraploid potato varieties YSP-4 × MIN-021 and their parents was used for high-throughput sequencing and SLAF library construction. A total of 556.71 Gb data, which contained 2269.98 million pair-end reads, were obtained after preprocessing. According to bioinformatics analysis, a total of 838,604 SLAF labels were developed, with an average sequencing depth of 26.14-fold for parents and 15.36-fold for offspring of each SLAF, respectively. In total, 113,473 polymorphic SLAFs were obtained, from which 7638 SLAFs were successfully classified into four segregation patterns. After filtering, a total of 7329 SNP markers were detected for genetic map construction. The final integrated linkage map of tetraploid potato included 3001 SNP markers on 12 linkage groups, and covered 1415.88 cM, with an average distance of 0.47 cM between adjacent markers. To our knowledge, the integrated map described herein has the best coverage of the potato genome and the highest marker density for tetraploid potato. This work provides a foundation for further quantitative trait loci (QTL) location, map-based gene cloning of important traits and marker-assisted selection (MAS) of potato. Full article

Field weeds identification is challenging for precision spraying, i.e., the automation identification of the weeds from the crops. For rapidly obtaining weed distribution in field, this study developed a weed density detection method based on absolute feature corner point (AFCP) algorithm for the first time. For optimizing the AFCP algorithm, image preprocessing was firstly performed through a sub-module processing capable of segmenting and optimizing the field images. The AFCP algorithm improved Harris corner to extract corners of single crop and weed and then sub-absolute corner classifier as well as absolute corner classifier were proposed for absolute corners detection of crop rows. Then, the AFCP algorithm merged absolute corners to identify crop and weed position information. Meanwhile, the weed distribution was obtained based on two weed density parameters (weed pressure and cluster rate). At last, the AFCP algorithm was validated based on the images that were obtained using one typical digital camera mounted on the tractor in field. The results showed that the proposed weed detection method manifested well given its ability to process an image of 2748 × 576 pixels using 782 ms as well as its accuracy in identifying weeds reaching 90.3%. Such results indicated that the weed detection method based on AFCP algorithm met the requirements of practical weed management in field, including the real-time images computation processing and accuracy, which provided the theoretical base for the precision spraying operations. Full article

Potassium (K) fertilizer plays a crucial role in the formation of the biological and economic yield of cotton (Gossypium hirsutum L.). Here we investigated the effects of the amount of K on biomass accumulation and cotton fiber quality with lowered N amounts (210 kg ha⁻¹) under late sowing, high density and fertilization once at 2 weeks after squaring. A 2-year field experiment was performed with three K fertilizer amounts (168 kg ha⁻¹ (K₁), 210 kg ha⁻¹ (K₂), and 252 kg ha⁻¹ (K₃)) using a randomized complete block design in 2016 and 2017. The results showed correspondingly, K₃ accumulated cotton plant biomass of 7913.0 kg ha⁻¹, next to K₂ (7384.9 kg ha⁻¹) but followed by K₁ (6985.1 kg ha⁻¹) averaged across two growing seasons. Higher K amounts (K₂, K₃) increased biomass primarily due to a higher accumulation rate (32.68%–74.02% higher than K₁) during the fast accumulation period (FAP). Cotton fiber length, micronaire, and fiber strength in K₂ were as well as K₃ and significantly better than K₁. These results suggest that K fertilizer of 210 kg ha⁻¹ should be optimal to obtain a promising benefit both in cotton biomass and fiber quality and profit for the new cotton planting model in the Yangtze River Valley, China and similar climate regions. Full article

The domestication of novel or hitherto wild food crops is quickly becoming one of the most popular approaches in tackling the challenges associated with sustainable food crop production, especially in this era, where producing more food with fewer resources is the need of the hour. The crop breeding community is not yet completely unanimous regarding the importance of crop neo-domestication. However, exploring the unexplored, refining unrefined traits, cultivating the uncultivated, and popularizing the unpopular remain the most adequate steps proposed by most researchers to achieve the domestication of the undomesticated for food and nutrition security. Therefore, in the same line of thought, this paper explores the agro-morphological characteristics of some wild Vigna legumes from an inquisitive perspective to contribute to their domestication. One hundred and sixty accessions of wild Vigna legumes, obtained from gene banks, were planted, following the augmented block design layout of two agro-ecological zones of Tanzania, during the 2018 and 2019 main cropping seasons for agro-morphological investigations. The generalized linear model procedure (GLM PROC), two-way analysis of variance (two-way ANOVA), agglomerative hierarchical clustering (AHC) and principal component analysis (PCA) were used to analyze the accession, block and block vs. accession effects, as well as the accession × site and accession × season interaction grouping variations among accessions. The results showed that the wild species (Vigna racemosa; Vigna ambacensis; Vigna reticulata; and Vigna vexillata) present a considerable variety of qualitative traits that singularly exist in the three studied checks (cowpea, rice bean, and a landrace of Vigna vexillata). Of the 15 examined quantitative traits, only the days to flowering, pods per plant, hundred seed weight and yield were affected by the growing environment (accession × site effect), while only the number of flowers per raceme and the pods per plant were affected by the cropping season (accession × season effect). All the quantitative traits showed significant differences among accessions for each site and each season. The same result was observed among the checks, except for the seed size trait. The study finally revealed three groups, in a cluster analysis and 59.61% of the best variations among the traits and accessions in PCA. Indications as to the candidate accessions favorable for domestication were also revealed. Such key preliminary information could be of the utmost importance for the domestication, breeding, and improvement of these species, since it also determines their future existence—that is, so long as biodiversity conservation continues to be a challenging concern for humanity. Full article

Shading created by intercropping reduces the photosynthetic capacity of soybean plants but also directly affects the pod setting process of soybean. However, which of the changed aspects induce the yield differences in intercropped soybean cultivars is still unknown. Four soybean cultivars with similar yield and growth and development processes in monoculture were selected by a pre-experiment. Field experiments were carried out from 2015 to 2017 to investigate the leaf photosynthetic parameters, total biomass, reproductive characteristics, yield and yield components of soybean. The yield of soybean cultivars was significantly decreased in intercropping systems and the yield of cultivars (cvs.) ZH39 and QH34 were considerably higher than those of cvs. HD19 and HD20. Besides, the pod and seed number and harvest index were also reduced by intercropping and the yield components of cvs. ZH39 and QH34 in intercropping were significantly higher than those of cvs. HD19 and HD20, other than the seed size. Although the parameters of leaf photosynthetic capacity (leaf area index, net photosynthetic rate, and chlorophyll content) of soybean were changed by intercropping, there was no significant difference among cultivars. Additionally, the CGR_R1–R5 (crop growth rate between R1 and R5) of intercropped soybean was lower than that of monoculture, while no significant differences were observed in different cultivars. The reproductive biomass at R5 was significantly different among soybean cultivars, and the reproductive partitioning and seed set efficiency of different cultivars were varied by the reproductive biomass at R5. Therefore, high-yielding cultivars in intercropping can achieve higher yield due to more reproductive structures survived at R5. Full article

Biochar has been proposed as an amendment that can improve soil conditions, increase harvest yield, and reduce N losses through NO₃⁻ leaching and N₂O emissions. We conducted an experiment to test the hay biochar mitigation effect on N₂O emissions depending on its production temperature. The pot experiment consisted of the soil amendment with three different production temperature biochars (300 °C, 550 °C, 850 °C) alone and in combination with three different organic fertilizers (cattle slurry, slurry digestate, vinasse), in growth chamber conditions. The effects of biochar and fertilizer were both significant, but the interaction biochar:fertilizer was not. The amendment with the three fertilizer types and with the highest production temperature biochar resulted in significantly higher cumulative N₂O fluxes. Biochar did not show a mitigation effect on N₂O emissions when applied with organic fertilizer. Cumulative emissions were higher with biochar addition, with increasing emissions for increasing biochar production temperature. Our results support the idea that biochar cannot be considered as a universal tool for the reduction of N₂O emissions. Full article

Teff is a staple and well adapted crop in Ethiopia. Weed competition and control have major effects on yields and economic returns of the crop in the country. Among the weed management methods, development and use of weed competitive teff varieties remain the cheapest and most sustainable weed management option. Ten teff varieties were tested for their weed competitive ability in two locations. Treatments were applied using a split plot design with three blocks at each location for two consecutive seasons. Hand weeding and non-weeded treatments were applied to whole plot treatments with teff varieties assigned as split plots within the whole plot. The main objective was to determine relative competitive ability among teff varieties. Results showed that teff varieties showed significant variation in their weed competitive abilities. The varieties ‘Kora’ and ‘DZ-Cr-387’ significantly reduced weed density, dry weight, and cover more than the other teff varieties. They also had the lowest yield losses with a loss of 6% in biomass yield and 18% in grain yield recorded from ‘Kora’ and a loss of 17% in biomass yield and 21% in grain yield recorded from ‘DZ-Cr-387’. Therefore, they showed the highest weed competitive ability compared to the other varieties. Full article

Ammonia (NH₃) concentration has seldom been used for environmental control of weaner buildings despite its impact on environment, animal welfare, and workers’ health. This paper aims to determine the effects of setpoint temperature (ST) on the daily evolution of NH₃ concentration in the animal-occupied zone. An experimental test was conducted on a conventional farm, with ST between 23 °C and 26 °C. NH₃ concentrations in the animal-occupied zone were dependent on ST insofar as ST controlled the operation of the ventilation system, which effectively removed NH₃ from the building. The highest NH₃ concentrations occurred at night and the lowest concentrations occurred during the daytime. Data were fitted to a sinusoidal model using the least squares setting (LSS) and fast Fourier transform (FFT), which provided R² values between 0.71 and 0.93. FFT provided a better fit than LSS, with root mean square errors (RMSEs) between 0.09 ppm for an ST of 23 °C and 0.55 ppm for an ST of 25 °C. A decrease in ST caused a delay in the wave and a decrease in wave amplitude. The proposed equations can be used for modeling NH₃ concentrations and implemented in conventional controllers for real-time environmental control of livestock buildings to improve animal welfare and productivity. Full article