Search Results (36)

As an emerging vegetable cultivation technology, plug seedling cultivation significantly improves seedling production efficiency and reduces costs through standardization. Grading and transplanting, as the final step before the sale of plug seedlings, categorizes seedlings into different grades to ensure consistent quality. However, most current grading methods can only detect seedling emergence but cannot classify the emerged seedlings. Therefore, this study proposes an intelligent grading method for pepper plug seedlings based on RGB and point cloud images, enabling precise grading using both RGB and 3D point cloud data. The proposed method involves the following steps: First, RGB and point cloud images of the seedlings are acquired using 2D and 3D cameras. The point cloud data is then converted into a 2D representation and aligned with the RGB images. Next, a deep learning-based object detection algorithm identifies the positions of individual seedlings in the RGB images. Using these positions, the seedlings are segmented from both the RGB and 2D point cloud images. Subsequently, a deep learning-based leaf recognition algorithm processes the segmented RGB images to determine leaf count, while another deep learning-based algorithm segments the leaves in the 2D point cloud images to extract their spatial information. Their surface area is measured using 3D reconstruction method to calculate leaf area. Additionally, plant height is derived from the point cloud’s height data. Finally, a classification model is trained using these extracted features to establish a grading system. Experimental results demonstrate that this automated grading method achieves a success rate of 97%, and compared with manual methods, this method has higher production efficiency. Meanwhile, it can grade different tray seedlings by training different models and provide reliable technical support for the quality evaluation of seedlings in industrialized transplanting production. Full article

Beneficial interactions between plants and bacteria are crucial in agricultural practices, as bacteria can improve soil fertility, promote plant growth, and protect plants from pathogens. This study aimed to molecularly identify and characterize soil bacterial isolates and evaluate their effect on the growth of maize (Zea mays L.), tomato (Solanum lycopersici L.), cucumber (Cucumis sativus L.), and pepper (Capsicum annuum L.) under greenhouse conditions. Plant growth parameters, including plant height, root length, and fresh (FW) and dry (DW) weights, were measured. Additionally, pigment extraction and element content analysis using leaves were performed. Among the isolates, the most effective strain in the greenhouse experiment was Bacillus safensis SCF6, which significantly enhanced plant height and fresh weight across all tested plants, with the greatest influence observed in maize plant height (439.42 ± 6.42 mm), fresh weight (14.07 ± 0.87 g plant⁻¹ FW), and dry weight (1.43 ± 0.17 g plant⁻¹ DW) compared to the control (364.67 ± 10.33 mm, 9.20 ± 1.16 g plant⁻¹ FW, and 0.92 ± 0.15 g plant⁻¹ DW, respectively). Other strains also demonstrated notable results, with Microbacterium testaceum SCF4, Bacillus mojavensis SCF8, and Pseudomonas putida SCF9 showing the highest plant growth-promoting effects on pepper, tomato, and cucumber, respectively. Pseudomonas putida SCF9 demonstrated strong antifungal activity against Monilinia laxa, with a percentage of mycelial growth inhibition (PGI) of 72.62 ± 2.06%, while Bacillus subtilis SCF1 exhibited effects against Botrytis cinerea (PGI = 69.57 ± 4.35%) and Cercospora sp. (PGI = 63.11 ± 1.12%). The development and application of beneficial bacterial inoculants or their formulated products can contribute to environmentally friendly farming practices and global food security. Full article

Pepper production is a critical component of the global agricultural economy, with exports reaching a remarkable $6.9B in 2023. This underscores the crop’s importance as a major economic driver of export revenue for producing nations. Botrytis cinerea, the causative agent of gray mold, significantly impacts crops like fruits and vegetables, including peppers. Early detection of this pathogen is crucial for a reduction in fungicide reliance and economic loss prevention. Traditionally, visual inspection has been a primary method for detection. However, symptoms often appear after the pathogen has begun to spread. This study employs the Deep Learning algorithm YOLO for single-class segmentation on plant images to extract spatial details of pepper leaves. The dataset included hyperspectral images at discrete wavelengths (460 nm, 540 nm, 640 nm, 775 nm, and 875 nm) from derived vegetation indices (CVI, GNDVI, NDVI, NPCI, and PSRI) and from RGB. At an Intersection over Union with a 0.5 threshold, the Mean Average Precision (mAP50) achieved by the leaf-segmentation solution YOLOv11-Small was 86.4%. The extracted leaf segments were processed by multiple Transformer models, each yielding a descriptor. These descriptors were combined in ensemble and classified into three distinct classes using a K-nearest neighbor, a Long Short-Term Memory (LSTM), and a ResNet solution. The Transformer models that comprised the best ensemble classifier were as follows: the Swin-L (P:4 × 4–W:12 × 12), the ViT-L (P:16 × 16), the VOLO (D:5), and the XCIT-L (L:24–P:16 × 16), with the LSTM-based classification solution on the RGB, CVI, GNDVI, NDVI, and PSRI image sets. The classifier achieved an overall accuracy of 87.42% with an F1-Score of 81.13%. The per-class F1-Scores for the three classes were 85.25%, 66.67%, and 78.26%, respectively. Moreover, for B. cinerea detection during the initial as well as quiescent stages of infection prior to symptom development, qPCR-based methods (RT-qPCR) were used for quantification of in planta fungal biomass and integrated with the findings from the AI approach to offer a comprehensive strategy. The study demonstrates early and accurate detection of B. cinerea on pepper plants by combining segmentation techniques with Transformer model descriptors, ensembled for classification. This approach marks a significant step forward in the detection and management of crop diseases, highlighting the potential to integrate such methods into in situ systems like mobile apps or robots. Full article

Habanero pepper (Capsicum chinense) is known for its heat and culinary uses, especially in Mexico’s Yucatán Peninsula. Its leaves, rich in bioactive compounds like polyphenols with antioxidants and anti-inflammatory properties, have been traditionally used in medicinal practices and are gaining interest for health benefits. Efficient green extraction methods, such as natural deep eutectic solvents (NADES), combined with microencapsulation, can improve the stability and application of these compounds in functional foods and nutraceuticals. This study aimed to determine the optimal microencapsulation parameters using response surface methodology, implementing a 2² central composite design with 4 central points of habanero leaf extracts obtained by sonic probe with NADES. The factors evaluated were the percentage of guar gum (5%, 7.5%, and 10%) and the drying temperature (80 °C, 90 °C, and 100 °C). The extracts were spray-dried with maltodextrin (DE17-20), guar gum, and modified starch as encapsulating agents. The total polyphenol content (TPC), polyphenol profile, and antioxidant capacity methods like 2,2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH) and 2,2′-azino-bis(3-ethylbenzothiazoline-6-sulfonic acid) or ABTS were analyzed. The best results for TPC and ABTS antioxidant capacity were achieved using 7.5% guar gum (GG) at 90 °C. At 104 °C, with the same GG concentration, the microcapsules maintained a high antioxidant capacity. Optimal conditions for TPC, DPPH, and neohesperidin were identified as 7.8% GG/89.4 °C, 8.06% GG/104.1 °C, and 4% GG/75.85 °C, respectively. The resulting powder exhibited high polyphenol content and antioxidant capacity, highlighting successful microencapsulation. Full article

The proliferation of invasive plant species poses a significant ecological threat, necessitating effective mapping strategies for control and conservation efforts. Existing studies employing unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) and multispectral (MS) sensors in complex natural environments have predominantly relied on classical machine learning (ML) models for mapping plant species in natural environments. However, a critical gap exists in the literature regarding the use of deep learning (DL) techniques that integrate MS data and vegetation indices (VIs) with different feature extraction techniques to map invasive species in complex natural environments. This research addresses this gap by focusing on mapping the distribution of the Broad-leaved pepper (BLP) along the coastal strip in the Sunshine Coast region of Southern Queensland in Australia. The methodology employs a dual approach, utilising classical ML models including Random Forest (RF), eXtreme Gradient Boosting (XGBoost), and Support Vector Machine (SVM) in conjunction with the U-Net DL model. This comparative analysis allows for an in-depth evaluation of the performance and effectiveness of both classical ML and advanced DL techniques in mapping the distribution of BLP along the coastal strip. Results indicate that the DL U-Net model outperforms classical ML models, achieving a precision of 83%, recall of 81%, and F1–score of 82% for BLP classification during training and validation. The DL U-Net model attains a precision of 86%, recall of 76%, and F1–score of 81% for BLP classification, along with an Intersection over Union (IoU) of 68% on the separate test dataset not used for training. These findings contribute valuable insights to environmental conservation efforts, emphasising the significance of integrating MS data with DL techniques for the accurate mapping of invasive plant species. Full article

Plant extracts are a valuable alternative for the control of phytopathogenic fungi in horticultural crops. In the present work, the in vitro antifungal effect of ethanol and aqueous extracts from different vegetative parts of 40 native plants of the Yucatan Peninsula on Curvularia lunata ITC26, a pathogen of habanero pepper (Capsicum chinense), and effects of the most active extracts on postharvest fruits were investigated. Among these, the ethanol extracts of Mosannona depressa (bark from stems and roots) and Piper neesianum (leaves) inhibited 100% of the mycelial growth of C. lunata. The three extracts were partitioned between acetonitrile and n-hexane. The acetonitrile fraction from M. depressa stem bark showed the lowest mean inhibitory concentration (IC₅₀) of 188 µg/mL against C. lunata. The application of this extract and its active principle α-asarone in the postharvest fruits of C. chinense (500 µg/mL) was shown to inhibit 100% of the severity of the infection caused by C. lunata after 11 days of contact. Both samples caused the distortion and collapse of the conidia of the phytopathogen when observed using electron microscopy at 96 h. The spectrum of M. depressa enriched antifungal action is a potential candidate to be a botanical fungicide in the control of C. lunata in cultivating habanero pepper. Full article

Sweet pepper is an important vegetable in the world. Bacterial leaf spot, caused by the pathogen Xanthomonas perforans, is a limiting factor that significantly reduces the quality and yield of sweet peppers. The use of chemical fungicides is currently the main disease-control method for bacterial leaf spot disease. It is important to develop an eco-friendly biocontrol method by using antagonistic microorganisms. Bacillus amyloliquefaciens PMB04 has strong antagonistic effects against pathogens and can inhibit the occurrence of diseases. B. amyloliquefaciens PMB04 has the potential for the development of a disease-control product. Primarily, PMB04 contained a strong inhibitory effect against all isolated X. perforans strains. In the inoculation assay, the severity of bacterial leaf spot disease on sweet peppers was reduced by PMB04 bacterial suspensions. To increase the convenience of field applications in future prospects, the development of the PMB04 fermentation liquid was carried out using different ratios of brown sugar and yeast extract in a 30 L fermentation tank. The results exhibited that the fermentation liquid of the 3-1 and 2-1 formulas obtained the highest bacterial population in a 30 L fermentation tank. The fermentation liquid of the 0.5-0.5 formula was the most stable formula for two different conditions in terms of a consistent bacterial population and sporulation. In addition, the 200-fold dilution of the 3-1 and 0.5-0.5 fermentation liquids revealed the best control efficacy on bacterial leaf spot disease of sweet peppers. Additionally, the results of the 0.5-0.5 fermentation liquid (PMB4FL) with different dilution concentrations also demonstrated that the 200- and 500-fold dilutions had the best control efficacy. To understand the effect of commonly used copper-containing fungicides on sweet peppers on the application of microbial agent PMB4FL, the effects of copper hydroxide and tribasic copper sulfate on the growth of X. perforans strains and B. amyloliquefaciens PMB04 were assayed. The results exhibited that the above two fungicides did not have any inhibitory effect on the growth of PMB04 but had a strong inhibitory effect on the X. perforans strain. In the follow-up control experiment, the treatment of copper hydroxide had no synergistic effect with PMB4FL to control bacterial leaf spot disease. We concluded that the use of the PMB4FL fermentation liquid alone on the leaves could effectively control the occurrence of bacterial leaf spots in sweet pepper crops. Full article

Biotransformation plays a significant role in sustainable agriculture. This process involves utilizing microorganisms, such as bacteria and fungi, to transform organic compounds and metabolites into bioactive compounds which have beneficial effects on plant growth, yield, and soil characters. Accordingly, the present study aims to explore the role of biotransformation of Acacia nilotica metabolites by Aspergillus subolivaceus in boosting L. termis yield, as an important strategy in agricultural sustainability. A pilot experiment was performed on five fungal strains (Fusarium oxysporium A. aculeatus, Aspergillus. subolivaceus, Rhizopus oryzae and Trichoderma viride) which were grown on different parts of plants (A. nilotica leaves; green tea leaves, green pepper fruits and pomegranate fruits), and the results indicated that the most active metabolite for the growth of L. termis seeds was the fungal metabolite of A. subolivaceus growing on A. nilotica. More specifically, we assess how metabolites produced by Aspergillus subolivaceus using A. nilotica leaves affect the biochemical properties and chemical composition of L. termis seeds. A. subolivaceus was grown on leaves from A. nilotica to obtain metabolites and fractionated into four extracts. Two concentrations of each extract were examined by pretreating the seeds of L. termis. The study found that all four extracts contributed to an increase in yield and some biochemical properties of the yielded seeds. The best results were obtained by treating the L. termis seeds with an extract obtained from diethyl ether, which led to a significant increase in total nitrogen, amino nitrogen, glucose and protein contents of the seeds. According to ¹H NMR guided GC/MS analysis, our results showed an increase in phytochemicals such as terpenes, fatty materials, and flavonoids including 3′,4′,7-trimethoxyquercetin and 4-methyl-p-menth-8-en-3-one, which have not been stated before from A. nilotica suggesting that biotransformation may have occurred due to the presence of A. subolivaceus. Full article

Capsicum chinense Jacq., from the Yucatan peninsula, is recognized worldwide for its pungency, flavor, and secondary metabolites content. This has resulted in an increase in its production, which has led to an increase in the number of byproducts considered waste, mainly its leaves. Capsicum chinense leaves have been demonstrated to contain polyphenols with bioactive properties (antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, antiobesogenic capacity, etc.); hence, the extraction of polyphenols through the use of natural deep eutectic solvents (NADES) with a green technology, such as an ultrasonic probe, could help to revalue these leaves by maximizing the extraction efficiency and preserving their bioactive properties. The objective of this study was to optimize the composition of a eutectic solvent for obtaining an extract rich in polyphenols from the Capsicum chinense leaf using a sonic probe. The optimum conditions of the composition of NADES for obtaining the highest Antioxidant capacity (Ax, 79.71% inhibition) were a 0.8 mol glucose to 1 mol of choline chloride ratio, and 12% water. In addition, with this composition, the Total Polyphenol Content (TPC) obtained was 165.39 mg GAE/100 g dry leaf, and the individual polyphenols, such as vanillin (19.15 mg/100 g dry leaf) and ferulic acid (1.35 mg/100 g dry leaf), were optimized. The habanero pepper leaf extract obtained using a eutectic solvent and a sonic probe demonstrated a high potential for use as an ingredient in the development of nutraceuticals (i.e., functional foods). Full article

Olive oil, a fundamental component of the Mediterranean diet, is recognized as a functional food due to its health-promoting composition. The concentration of phenolic compounds in olive oil is influenced by various factors such as genetics, agro-climatic conditions, and technological processes. Therefore, to ensure an ideal intake of phenolics through the diet, it is recommended to produce functional enriched olive oil that contains a high concentration of bioactive compounds. The co-extraction technique is used to create innovative and differentiated products that promote the sensory and health-related composition of oils. To enrich olive oil, various natural sources of bioactive compounds can be used, including raw materials derived from the same olive tree such as olive leaves, as well as other compounds from plants and vegetables, such as herbs and spices (garlic, lemon, hot pepper, rosemary, thyme, and oregano). The development of functional enriched olive oils can contribute to the prevention of chronic diseases and improve consumers’ quality of life. This mini-review compiles and discusses relevant scientific information related to the development of enriched olive oil using the co-extraction technique and its positive effects on the health-related composition of oils. Full article

Green products such as plant pigments are gaining fame globally due to their excellent ayurvedic and biological characteristics. In this study, microwave (M.W.) has been employed to isolate colourant from black pepper (Piper nigrum L.), and bio-mordants have been included to obtain colourfast shades. Central Composite design (CCD) was formulated under response surface methodology (RSM) to optimize dyeing variables statistically. The results obtained after a series of experiments show that using 35 mL of irradiated acidic extract (RE = 6 min) of (pH4) in the presence of 1 g/100 mL of table salt as an exhausting agent at 65 °C for 55 min has demonstrated excellent colour depth (K/S) onto microwave-treated silk fabric (RS = 6 min). By applying bio-mordants, it has been found that walnut extract (1.5%), pinenut hull extract (1%), and orange peel extract (1.5%) are there before dyeing. In contrast, walnut extract (1.5%), pinenut hull extract (1.5%), and orange peel extracts (1.5%) after dyeing have shown colourfast shades of high strength. Comparatively, salts of Al⁺³ (1.5%), salts of Fe⁺² (1.5%), and T.A. (tannic acid = 1.5%) before dyeing, while salts of Al⁺³ (0.5%) and salts of Fe⁺² (2%) and T.A. (Tannic acid = 1%) after dyeing, have given good results. It has been observed that the use of M.W. radiation has not only improved the yield of dyes extracted from leaves when applied to silk fabric but also the inclusion of the optimum amount of bio and chemical mordants have resulted in moderate to good and excellent colour fastness ratings. Full article

To study the host range of Rose rosette virus (RRV), we employed crude sap inoculum extracted from RRV-infected roses and the RRV infectious clone. We inoculated plants from the families Solanaceae, Cucurbitaceae, Leguminosae, Malvaceae, Amaranthaceae, and Brassicaceae. Reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) was used to detect RRV in the inoculated plants throughout their growth stages. Interestingly, RRV was detected in the newly developed leaves of tomato, pepper, tobacco, cucumber, squash, zucchini, pumpkin, pea, peanut, soybean, spinach, okra, and Chenopodium spp. The speed of upward advancement of RRV within infected plants was variable between plants as it took two to three weeks for some plant species and up to five weeks in other plant species to emerge in the newest leaves. No severe symptoms were detected on most of the inoculated plants. Chenopodium spp., spinach, cucumber and Nicotiana rustica exhibited either chlorotic or necrotic lesions with variable shapes and patterns on the systemically infected leaves. Double membrane-bound particles of 80–120 nm in diameter were detected by transmission electron microscopy in the infected tissues of cucumber, pepper, and N. benthamiana plants. This finding infers the validity of mechanical inoculation for RRV on a wide range of plants that would serve as potential natural reservoirs. Full article

India is the largest producer in the world of black pepper and it is the center of origin for Piper. The present study gives a comparative account of the chemical composition of the Piper nigrum and its wild putative parent the P. trichostachyon. Microextractions were performed and the quantification of six phenolic compounds (namely epicatechin, gallic acid, catechol, chlorogenic acid, caffeic acid, and catechin), piperine from leaves, petioles, and the fruits of both the species, were accomplished using the RP-UFLC system. The polyphenols (phenolic, flavonoid) and their antioxidant activities were also estimated. Among the six phenolic compounds studied, only three were detected and quantified. The polyphenol content correlating to the antioxidant activities was higher in the P. trichostachyon, whereas the piperine content was 108 times greater in the P. nigrum fruits. The Piper trichostachyon comparatively showed a higher content of polyphenols. The microextractions reduced the solvent consumption, the quantity of the plant material, and the amount of time used for the extraction. The first report on the TPC, TF, and the antioxidant activity of the P. trichostachyon has been described, and it also forms a scientific basis for its use in traditional medicine. The petioles of both species are good sources of phenolic compounds. A quantitative chemical analysis is a useful index in the identification and comparison of the species. Full article

Habanero pepper leaves and stems (by-products) have been traditionally considered waste; however, bioactive compounds such as polyphenols, vitamin C and carotenoids have been identified that can be used for formulation of nutraceuticals or functional foods. Furthermore, the extraction of these bioactive compounds by using environmentally friendly methods and solvents is desirable. Thus, the aim of this study was to assess the antioxidant capacity, total polyphenol content (TPC), the phenolic profile and vitamin C content in extracts obtained from by-products (stems and leaves) of two varieties (Mayapan and Jaguar) of habanero pepper by ultrasound-assisted extraction (UAE) using natural deep eutectic solvents (NADES). The results showed that NADES leads to extracts with significantly higher TPC, higher concentrations of individual polyphenols (gallic acid, protocatechuic acid, chlorogenic acid, cinnamic acid, coumaric acid), vitamin C and, finally, higher antioxidant capacity (9.55 ± 0.02 eq mg Trolox/g DM) than UAE extraction performed with methanol as the solvent. The association of individual polyphenols with NADES was confirmed by principal component analysis (PCA). Overall, NADES is an innovative and promising “green” extraction technique that can be applied successfully for the extraction of phenolic compounds from habanero pepper by-products. Full article

Modified whey proteins with quercetin (WPI-QU) and onion extract (WPI-OE), as a control approach, could be applicable because it is available, safe and cheap. The modified whey protein isolate (WPI) with quercetin dihydrate and onion extract powder rich with quercetin were evaluated for induction of systemic resistance against Pepper mild mottle virus (PMMoV) in pepper plants. Data of mass spectrometry illustrated that one or more of Qu isomers covalently attached to WPI. Unmodified whey protein (UWPI), WPI-QU and WPI-OE significantly decreased PMMoV concentration and severity at two weeks after inoculation. Plant height, number of leaves, and shoot fresh and dry weights were substantially increased in WPI-QU- and WPI-OE-treated pepper plants compared to the control. Total antioxidant status (TAS) and vitamin C contents were highly increased in WPI-OE-treated plants compared with other treatments. The expression levels of defense related genes (PR4, PR9, TIN1 and PIN2) were enormously elevated in WPI-OE and WPI-QU treatments using qRT-PCR. In conclusion, the results give novel insights to possible applications of the WPI–quercetin bioconjugates in designing a wide range of functional products. Moreover, this study is the first to establish the effective control of PMMoV by modified whey proteins. Full article