Search Results (307)

Fiji, with its many islands and mountainous terrain, has only about 11% of its total land area (2000 km²) suitable for cultivation. Therefore, it aims to meet both energy and food production simultaneously through agricultural photovoltaic (APV) systems. This study proposed an optimal agricultural management of APV system to increase farm income and solve the problem of low vegetable production. The practice is planned based on the data from farmer surveys, field study, simulation analysis, and agricultural market analysis. Firstly, a farmer survey was conducted to gather data on the agricultural activities and income of local farmers. Based on the survey results, field studies with various vegetables were conducted in an APV system. In simulation, yields of lettuce, taro, long bean, and cucumber were estimated in the APV system with different cropping management techniques (planting schedule and plant density). With the average yields of lettuce, taro, long bean, and cucumber at highest plant densities being (72.4, 71.1, 3.9, and 10.8) Mg/ha, respectively, according to economic analysis, the highest gross margin was achieved in taro in the APV system. This study shows that the APV system can increase farmers’ annual household income by 1.19 to 1.38%, which represents a meaningful absolute gain given the low average income levels identified in the farm survey. Full article

Saffron (Crocus sativus L.) is a high-value crop vulnerable to potyvirus infections threatening its yield and quality. In this study, we combined Oxford Nanopore long-read sequencing with exploratory transcriptomic profiling to characterize the saffron virome and to describe expression profiles associated with two distinct infection histories: (i) saffron plants experimentally inoculated with cucumber mosaic virus (CMV; Cucumovirus CMV) and turnip mosaic virus (TuMV; Potyvirus rapae) under controlled greenhouse conditions, and (ii) saffron plants naturally infected by diverse viruses. We identified six plant-infecting viral families in both conditions, including Potyviridae, Geminiviridae, Caulimoviridae, Tymoviridae, Aspiviridae, and Partitiviridae. Transcriptomic profiling revealed distinct expression profiles associated with each infection background. Given the limitations of the experimental design, gene expression differences are interpreted descriptively. We describe pathway enrichments associated with antiviral responses. Naturally infected plants exhibited a broad-spectrum, tolerance-based response characterized by the upregulation of photosynthesis-related genes, calcium-mediated signaling components, and stress-responsive transcription factors. In contrast, virus-inoculated plants activated a targeted antiviral program involving RNA silencing, autophagy, ubiquitin-mediated proteolysis, and hormonal regulation. Both GO and KEGG enrichment analyses supported these findings, highlighting photosynthesis and metabolic flexibility in naturally infected plants versus hypersensitive response, RNA surveillance, and lignin biosynthesis in virus-inoculated plants. This work provides a comprehensive view of the saffron virome and offers a hypothesis-generating overview of transcriptional responses associated with natural versus experimental virus infections. These findings advance the understanding of the saffron virome and provide a valuable resource for breeding virus-resistant cultivars. Full article

High energy consumption in winter greenhouses poses a challenge to agricultural sustainability in Northern China, where heating costs typically account for 40–60% of total operating expenses. This study integrated a non-linear cost–volume–profit (CVP) analysis and data envelopment analysis (DEA) to balance cucumber yields with escalating energy costs. A single-season, single-factor experiment was conducted using insulated greenhouse compartments to evaluate four night temperature gradients (10 °C, 13 °C, 16 °C, and 19 °C). Results showed that although the 19 °C treatment (T3) achieved the highest marketable yield, it was associated with lower economic return because heating costs increased disproportionately. Among the four tested nighttime temperatures, the 16 °C treatment (T2) showed the most favorable observed combination of yield, net profit, and DEA-based efficiency indicators under the present experimental conditions. However, because the experiment was conducted in a single season within a compartment-based greenhouse system and the CVP relationship was fitted using treatment-level means, this result should be interpreted as a preliminary and condition-specific finding rather than as definitive evidence of a universal optimum temperature. Accordingly, the integrated bio-economic framework presented here is best viewed as an analytical prototype that merits further validation across multiple seasons, cultivars, and greenhouse systems. Full article

Greenhouse cultivation enables year-round vegetable production and high yields through precise environmental regulation. Yet, the same stable microclimate that promotes crop growth also favors the proliferation of pests and diseases. This review synthesizes current knowledge on how greenhouse climate variables govern pest and disease epidemiology in tomato, cucumber, and sweet pepper. Only greenhouse-based studies were included to ensure direct relevance to protected horticulture. Microclimatic stability determines infection probability, vector behavior, and host susceptibility. Warm, humid conditions promote fungal and bacterial pathogens, whereas dry, high vapor pressure deficit (VPD) environments favor mites and thrips and enhance virus transmission. Species-specific traits further modulate vulnerability. Tomato is dominated by virus–bacterium complexes and foliar/stem fungal diseases, cucumber by phytopathogenic fungi favored by high relative humidity (RH) and soilborne pathogens, and sweet pepper by virus–vector systems and long-cycle fungal infections. Temperature exerts the strongest influence, while RH and VPD jointly regulate surface moisture and vector activity. Light intensity and spectral composition also affect pest orientation and fungal sporulation. Integrating environmental sensing, biological control, and adaptive climate regulation offers a pathway toward preventive, climate-smart Integrated Pest Management (IPM). The review highlights the emerging role of climate-informed decision-support systems (DSSs) and the need for greenhouse-specific datasets to improve pest and disease forecasting. Full article

Root-knot nematodes (Meloidogyne incognita) are among the most destructive pests affecting cucumber production, causing significant reductions in plant growth and yield. This study investigated the efficacy of chitosan-based soil amendments, alone and in combination with hot or cold jojoba (Simmondsia chinensis) leaf extracts and leaf powder, in suppressing nematode infestation and enhancing cucumber vegetative growth under greenhouse conditions. Treatments were evaluated for their impact on nematode reproduction, including egg masses, eggs per egg mass, second-stage juveniles (J2s), female numbers, and gall formation, as well as on plant growth parameters such as height, leaf number, and fresh and dry biomass. Chitosan alone reduced egg masses, eggs per egg mass, and J2s by 43.83%, 56.35%, and 50.63%, respectively, while hot water extract reduced them by 44.10%, 54.18%, and 50.48%. Cold extract was less effective, with reductions of 31.36%, 48.29%, and 40.31%, whereas leaf powder alone caused reductions of 44.20%, 54.60%, and 45.00%. Combined applications exhibited higher efficacy: hot extract + chitosan reduced egg masses, eggs per egg mass, and J2s by 61.64%, 59.45%, and 55.57%, leaf powder + chitosan by 64.38%, 60.70%, and 60.71%, and the triple treatment (leaf powder + chitosan + hot extract) achieved the highest suppression, reducing egg masses, eggs per egg mass, and J2s by 75.90%, 74.66%, and 69.22%, respectively. All treatments significantly enhanced cucumber growth compared with the naturally infested control. The triple treatment increased plant height by 38.5%, leaf number by 42.1%, fresh shoot biomass by 46.3%, and dry shoot biomass by 44.8%. Single treatments also improved growth, though to a lesser extent, reflecting a synergistic effect of chitosan and jojoba-derived amendments. These findings demonstrate that integrating biopolymer-based amendments with plant-derived bioactive compounds can simultaneously suppress root-knot nematode populations and promote cucumber growth. This study provides a solid basis for developing sustainable and eco-friendly integrated pest management strategies that reduce reliance on chemical nematicides. Full article

Precision greenhouse agriculture enhances plant health and crop yields by continuously monitoring key plant parameters. Stem diameter is such a parameter and is monitored to support decisions on plant care. However, traditional contact-based methods induce thigmomorphogenic effects that impact plant growth. Here, we introduce the Optical Caliper (OC), a novel contactless device for precise, non-invasive stem diameter measurement. The OC operates by projecting a collimated light beam to cast a shadow of the stem onto a high-resolution image sensor. The shadow size is a measure for the stem diameter. Controlled laboratory tests show the OC offers an accuracy comparable to that of a Digital Caliper (DC). Field trials on irregular tomato and cucumber stems demonstrate a repeatability of 0.1–0.2 mm. The OC’s non-invasive design and high repeatability exceed the performance of a DC, making it particularly suited for accurately monitoring soft, variable plant structures. Bringing the advantage of avoiding thigmomophogenic effects and thus optimizing crop yield, the OC is a promising tool for high-throughput plant phenotyping and precision agriculture applications. Full article

Integrated fertilization using reduced chemical fertilizers and bio-organic fertilizers can maintain soil fertility with lower chemical inputs, yet its systemic effects on disease control, soil microbes, yield, and quality are not fully clear. This study aimed to: (1) evaluate the effects of Bacillus amyloliquefaciens Z2 and Trichoderma harzianum T22, alone or combined, on suppressing Fusarium wilt (Fusarium oxysporum f. sp. cucumerinum) and promoting cucumber growth in pot experiments; and (2) assess the field efficacy of reduced chemical fertilizer (75% N) plus microbial bio-organic fertilizer (25% N) for disease control, growth enhancement, and yield and quality improvement. To achieve these objectives, pot experiments were first conducted, followed by field experiments. Pot results indicated that individual and combined inoculants notably decreased the disease index (DI) by 40.48–68.75%, and significantly increased cucumber fresh shoot biomass by 16.86–26.75%, with the combined inoculants exhibiting the greatest effect. Field experiments indicated that the synthetic microbial bio-fertilizer has a greater advantage in promoting cucumber growth and disease suppression compared to a single bacterial bio-organic fertilizer. Specifically, the application of combined bio-fertilizers exhibited the best performance in decreasing cucumber DI by 51.54%, improving cucumber fresh shoot biomass by 12.19%, and enhancing cucumber yield by 21.02%, along with significantly improving fruit vitamin C content by 21.17% and increasing fruit total amino acids by 26.23% compared with the control. Rhizosphere soil analysis revealed that the application of combined bio-fertilizers enriched beneficial bacterial families (JG30-KF-AS9 and Sphingomonadaceae) and fungal genera (Chaetomiaceae and Condenascus) with known biocontrol functions and suppressed the proliferation of Fusarium. Overall, the integrated use of reduced chemical fertilizer combined with synthetic bio-organic fertilizer effectively suppresses cucumber wilt, optimizes microbial community structure, and improves cucumber yield and quality, furnishing a valuable foundation for microbial-assisted sustainable crop production. Full article

This study investigates how cover crop management and soil tillage influence the development and yield of cucumber and cabbage crops. Three cover crop treatments—blue lupin, black oats, and their mixture—were evaluated during the autumn/winter season, while Stylosanthes capitata (Fabaceae), pearl millet (Pennisetum glaucum, Poaceae), and their mixture were assessed during the spring/summer season, under both conventional tillage and no-till (direct seeding) systems. Cover crops were established in spring/summer (October–November) and, after their management, cucumber (Cucumis sativus L.) was cultivated from December to February. Subsequently, winter cover crops were grown from May to July, followed by cabbage (Brassica oleracea var. capitata) cultivation from July to September. Drip irrigation was used, and organic practices were employed for weed, pest, and disease management. Germination, seedling survival rate, and plant growth (height, number of leaves, foliage cover, and fruit or cabbage size) were evaluated. Finally, crop yield is considered by comparing harvest weight and quality to determine which combination of soil cover and planting method maximizes crop productivity and quality. Obviously, management differences that influence yield will be associated with soil properties. To better understand the causes of these yield differences, the influence of soil chemical properties was explored using multivariate analysis techniques (discriminant analysis) and neural networks. Multivariate techniques allow for the exploration of complex relationships among multiple variables simultaneously, facilitating the identification of key patterns or factors that influence crop yield. On the other hand, neural networks, using machine learning models, allow for the prediction of outcomes based on the soil’s physicochemical properties, as well as the identification of optimal combinations of factors that maximize crop yield. Discriminant analysis and neural networks showed that soil variables such as pH, organic matter (OM), cation exchange capacity (CEC), phosphorus (P), and potassium (K) were key determinants in differentiating the yield groups. Cabbage yield was most strongly associated with pH and OM, while cucumber yield responded more strongly to potassium and CEC. Full article

Climate warming has facilitated the expansion of insect vectors and plant viral pathogens, leading to increased incidence of viral diseases in crops. Cucurbit crops, including cucumber (Cucumis sativus), melon (Cucumis melo), squash (Cucurbita pepo), and watermelon (Citrullus lanatus), are of major economic importance worldwide, but their production is severely threatened by viral infections. Among the most damaging viruses are zucchini yellow mosaic virus (ZYMV; genus Potyvirus), transmitted by aphids, and melon yellow spot virus (MYSV; genus Orthotospovirus), transmitted by thrips, both of which cause significant yield losses in Asia, including Taiwan. Previously, an attenuated ZYMV mutant, ZAC, was shown to confer effective cross-protection against ZYMV in several cucurbit species. In the present study, we engineered a recombinant virus, ZAC-MYnp, by inserting the nucleocapsid protein (NP) open reading frame of MYSV into the ZAC genome. ZAC-MYnp retained the attenuated phenotype of ZAC and remained effective in protecting against ZYMV infection, with protection rates of 70.4% and 87.0% in zucchini and muskmelon plants, respectively. In addition, under both mechanical and thrips-mediated challenge conditions, ZAC-MYnp significantly reduced MYSV symptom severity in muskmelon, with a protection rate of 66.7% and a protective efficacy of 79.0%, respectively. These results demonstrate that ZAC-derived recombinant viruses can function as a bivalent viral vaccine, offering dual protection against an aphid-borne potyvirus and a thrips-borne orthotospovirus. Our study highlights the feasibility of using a bivalent recombinant vaccine to manage two distinct insect-borne viruses in cucurbit crops. Full article

Sea cucumber viscera by-products are abundant but remain underutilized. Although the development of umami peptides from marine by-products has been well-reported, sea cucumber viscera have received less attention. In this study, an umami-rich hydrolysate was prepared from sea cucumber viscera through synergistic dual-enzyme hydrolysis. Under optimal conditions, the co-hydrolysis using Flavourzyme and aminopeptidase yielded extraction rates of 69.38% for solids, 67.29% for protein, and 66.96% for total sugar, and produced a 1.75-fold higher umami signal intensity (electronic tongue) than the single-enzyme (Flavourzyme) hydrolysate. The target umami fraction was enriched through sensory-guided separation combined with ultrafiltration and ion-exchange chromatography. Thirty-three umami peptides, predominantly derived from actin hydrolysis, were identified in this fraction via peptidomics and virtual screening. Based on docking simulations against the umami receptor T1R1/T1R3, two peptides (DFLDDGPG and SDTGNFGF) with the lowest docking scores were selected. The predictions revealed that two peptides bind to the T1R3 subunit via hydrogen bonds and π-related interactions. The umami-enhancing effect of peptide DFLDDGPG in salty systems was demonstrated by a trained panel (n = 10) across concentration ranges of 0.1–1.0 mg/mL peptide and 0.1–1.0% NaCl, with a positive correlation validated by RSM and ANOVA (p < 0.05). This study identified novel umami peptides from sea cucumber by-products as promising candidates for natural, low-sodium flavor enhancers. Full article

The rapid expansion of greenhouse agriculture demands sustainable strategies to maintain soil health and productivity from the outset. Priestia megaterium, a plant growth-promoting rhizobacterium (PGPR), has shown promise in improving plant growth and soil nutrient availability, but its efficacy in newly established greenhouse systems, where the soil microbiome is still developing, remains underexplored. This study evaluated the impact of P. megaterium inoculation on cucumber growth, soil nutrient bioavailability, and soil microbial communities in a greenhouse with only two years of operation. A two-year experiment was conducted with conventional fertilization as the control and P. megaterium inoculation (7.0 × 10⁸ cfu mL⁻¹) at different rates (37.5, 75, 150, and 300 L ha⁻¹) and timings. Soil and plant nutrient content were measured, and microbial communities were analyzed through 16S rRNA sequencing and co-occurrence network analysis. Results showed that applying P. megaterium at 75 L ha⁻¹ during seedling transplantation significantly increased soil available phosphorus (AP) by 11.64–26.48% and available potassium (AK) by 11.27–47.31% compared to the control, while enhancing cucumber yield by 6.71–9.28%. The inoculant also increased soil bacterial diversity, enriched beneficial genera such as Lysobacter, Pseudomonas, and Flavobacterium, and reduced the abundance of Xanthomonas. Furthermore, P. megaterium application promoted a more complex and stable bacterial network, with higher connectivity and modularity. These findings suggest that P. megaterium is a viable strategy for enhancing soil health and productivity in newly established greenhouse systems, offering an environmentally sustainable alternative to traditional fertilization methods. Full article

The optical properties of greenhouse cover materials play a critical role in controlling the internal light environment, directly affecting photosynthetic performance and crop productivity. This study evaluates the impact of a high photosynthetically active radiation (PAR) transmittance and high-light-diffusivity polyethylene film on the microclimate, photosynthetic activity, yield, and disease incidence of cucumber (Cucumis sativus L.) crops grown in a Mediterranean passive solar greenhouse. Trials were conducted over two consecutive autumn–winter seasons using a multi-span greenhouse divided into two sectors: one covered with an experimental high-transmittance film and the other with a standard commercial plastic. The experimental cover increased PAR transmission by 8.7% and 11.6% at canopy level in the first and second seasons, respectively, leading to improvements in leaf-level net photosynthesis of 9.3% and 17.9%. These effects contributed to yield increases of 5.0% and 17.3% in the respective seasons. The internal air temperature rose by up to 1.3 °C without exceeding critical thresholds, and no significant differences were observed in plant morphology or fruit quality between treatments. Additionally, the experimental film reduced the incidence of major fungal diseases, particularly under higher disease pressure conditions. The use of high-PAR-transmittance films enhances radiation use efficiency and crop performance in resource-limited environments without increasing energy inputs. This approach offers a sustainable, low-cost strategy to improve yield and disease resilience in protected cropping systems under passive climate control. Full article

Chilling has been recognized as a stress factor adversely impacting plant growth and productivity. Even a slight decrease in temperature may significantly reduce crop yield. Recently, biostimulants have emerged as a new tool for enhancing the chilling tolerance of cold-sensitive plants. The early stages of cucumber growth often occur under suboptimal temperatures, which motivated the aim of the current study to assess the effect of a protein hydrolysate (PH) on the physiological performance of young cucumber plants subjected to chilling stress. The results showed that low temperatures caused severe chilling stress by inducing changes in growth, photosynthesis, and nitrogen assimilation. These adverse effects were mitigated when the PH was supplied. The ameliorating effect could be due to a remedial influence on photosynthetic pigment content, facilitating light harvesting and energy utilization. The potential impact of the PH treatment on the redox balance was demonstrated by the activation of the G6PD gene. The possible effect of the biostimulant on nitrate assimilation was tested by measuring nitrate reductase activity, which improved after application of the biostimulant. Moreover, the activity of phenylalanine ammonia-lyase (PAL) in PH-supplied plants was also increased, further confirming the enhanced protective capacity of the plants. All obtained results indicate the beneficial effect of PH application on cucumber plants and their chilling resilience. Full article

With the industry development of sea cucumber Apostichopus japonicus aquaculture, the indoor high cost and low survival rate have become serious problems. Therefore, it is necessary to optimize substrate selection for seedling protection in outdoor pond net cages. This study explores the succession of periphyton on the different substrate surface types, including a curvimurate net (CU), nylon mesh (NM), and ground cages (including a ground cage net (CN) and ground cage plate (CP)), and their effects on the seedling protection of sea cucumbers. In addition, we monitored the substrates’ dry weight, chlorophyll-a, and the community composition of substrates, alongside seedling growth, yield, and survival rate. The results show that a total of 7 phyla, 23 genera, and 31 species were detected on the substrates, with diatoms dominating (19 species) and Chlorophyta (4 species) being the main species. The CU had the highest total number of alga species attached, significantly higher than the other substrates in week 13 (p < 0.05). In week 9, the diatom density dropped to its lowest point, and, after September, it rose with the decrease in water temperature. In terms of dry weight with and without ash, CP increased rapidly in the early stage, with NM, CU, and CP being significantly higher than CN in week 13 (p < 0.05). The chlorophyll-a content showed a decreasing–increasing–decreasing trend, with CU reaching 3.62 ± 0.48 μg/cm² in the 13th week, significantly higher than other substrates (p < 0.05). Finally, the A. japonicus survival rate and yield in the CU group at week 12 were significantly higher than those in the NM and ground cage groups (p < 0.05). At week 17, the average weight, yield, and survival rate in the CU group were still optimal, with the yield 5.76 times that in the initial dosage. These results suggest that the CU has a suitable mesh size, has good permeability, and may stably support sediment, which is conducive to the growth of benthic diatoms. In addition, it can provide sufficient natural feed and a good habitat environment and is the preferred substrate for A. japonicus seedling protection in outdoor pond net cages. Full article

The agricultural industry faces increasing environmental degradation due to the intensive use of conventional chemical fertilizers, leading to water pollution and alterations in soil composition. In addition, root-knot and cyst nematodes are major constraints to cucumber production, causing severe root damage and yield losses worldwide, underscoring the need for sustainable alternatives to conventional fertilization and pest management. Under greenhouse conditions, a four-month cultivation trial evaluated vegetable oil-, micronutrient-, and activated flavonoid-based biostimulants, applying Key Eco Oil^® (Miami, USA) via soil drench (every 15 days) combined with foliar sprays of CropBioLife^® (Victoria, Australia) and KeyPlex 120^® (Miami, USA) (every 7 days). Results showed reduced parasitic nematodes by 66% in soil and decreased gall formation by 41% in roots. Chlorophyll fluorescence and infrared gas analysis revealed higher oxygen-evolving complex efficiency (38%), increased PSII electron transport, improved the fluorescence decrease ratio, also known as the vitality index (Rfd), and higher CO₂ assimilation compared to conventional treatments. Processed cucumbers showed higher sugar and nearly double ascorbic acid content, with improved flesh consistency and color. Therefore, the application of these bioactive products significantly reduced nematode infestation while enhancing plant growth and physiological performance, underscoring their potential as sustainable tools for crop cultivation and protection. These results provide evidence that sustainable bioactive biostimulants improve plant resilience, productivity, and nutritional quality, offering also an environmentally sound approach to pest management. Full article