Search Results (32)

Improving the energy efficiency of traditional production methods while preserving their cultural and economic value is a challenge aligned with the Sustainable Development Goals of the 2030 agenda. Refrigeration during cheese maturation is particularly energy-intensive, contributing significantly to greenhouse gas emissions and operating costs. An approach to make traditional cheese production more sustainable, through the development of a prototype ripening chamber with a natural refrigerant-based refrigeration system powered by renewable energy was studied. A dedicated system based on an Internet of Things architecture was developed using low-cost sensors, microcontroller units, and single-board computers to enable real-time measurement and monitoring of environmental variables and energy consumption throughout the ripening process. A comparative analysis was conducted using ewe’s milk cheese, produced and ripened with Protected Designation of Origin conditions, in both the prototype and the conventional chambers over four weeks, quantifying energy consumption and evaluating product quality. Results demonstrate the technical feasibility of energy efficient and sustainable refrigeration systems, as well as the possibility of retrofitting installed cheese ripening chambers with affordable IoT monitoring systems, while maintaining traditional cheese quality standards. Full article

With the aim of developing an efficient propagation method for the exploitation of Thymelaea hirsuta and T. artonraira ssp. tartonraira in the xeriscaping and pharmaceutical industry, the effects of the following were examined on the in vitro germination of their seeds: (i) pretreatment (mechanical and chemical scarification or immersion in hot water; (ii) incubation temperature (5–30 °C); (iii) incubation light conditions (16 h photoperiod or continuous darkness); (iv) storage period at room temperature and darkness (up to 24 months). Seeds collected for two years from the same wild plants in Greece were surface-sterilized with a 15% commercial bleach solution for 15 min after the abovementioned treatments and placed for germination in Petri dishes containing a half-strength MS medium in growth chambers. The rate and final percentage of germination were recorded. For both species, scarification after immersion in concentrated H₂SO₄, preferably for 20 min, was necessary for seed germination, which indicates coat dormancy. Higher germination percentages were observed at temperatures of 10–20 °C, under continuous darkness for T. hirsuta (79–100%) and regardless of photoperiod for T. tartonraira (73–90%). Long storage reduced germination of only T. tartonraira (54–68% at optimum temperatures, 23 months after harvest), while T. hirsuta seeds stored for 5 months germinated at significantly lower percentages (40% maximum) compared to seeds stored for 9–24 months, revealing a dry after-ripening process. Seeds of both species harvested at different years showed stable behavior in terms of germination. For both species, an effective seed propagation protocol suitable for their exploitation as ornamental and landscape plants was developed. Full article

This study explored the thermal response of Drosophila suzukii, an injurious insect pest present in many countries worldwide, at different controlled conditions. This species is responsible for several economic losses in soft fruit cultivations, develops on ripening fruits, and has the capability to quickly adapt to new territories and climates, closing multiple generations per year. Given its high invasive potential and the increasing need for low-impact control strategies, an in-depth exploration of the biology of this species and of the stage thermal response is fundamental. Specimens of an Italian strain from Apulia were reared in growth chambers at different constant temperatures (6, 9, 13, 18, 20, 24, 25, 26, 27, 28, 29, 31, 32 and 33 °C). The life cycle of each specimen was individually tracked from the egg to the death of the adults, considering the larval stages distinction as well. Besides development and mortality, egg production over temperature has been recorded. The dataset was first analysed according to life tables studies; then, we also estimated the biological parameters of the most common equations describing development, mortality, and fertility involved in physiologically-based model applications. The results confirmed and extended the information on the thermal response already present in the literature, but with reference to a population adapted to warmer climates. The species successfully developed from egg to adult at 13–29 °C, while between 6–9 and 29–33 °C the development was limited to L2/L3 stages. Optimal temperatures are around 26–28 °C, depending on the life stage. This study provides one of the complete overviews of the thermal response of D. suzukii, which is available in the current literature, and opens the door to more accurate modelling frameworks. Full article

This paper presents a banana ripening chamber system for Romania. The system comprises two main parts: the refrigerating unit, with a cooling capacity of 47.5 kW, and a fresh air supply system for ethylene exhaust during the ripening process (1000 m³/h). The proposed solution replaces the classical one-stage vapor compression with R134a. The new solution presented in this study has a proven fruit ripening solution that includes the 3Es; it is eco-friendly (low GWP refrigerant R1234ze(E)), economical, and energy efficient (AHU with heat recovery). The advantage of the new system results from an increasing coefficient of performance, with 7.34% owing to decreasing the power consumption of the compressors. Regarding heat recovery, the annual energy consumption for ventilation is lower, using (annual average) 41% less energy than without heat recovery. Full article

Cultivating wheat (Triticum aestivum) in a closed environment offers applications in both indoor farming and in outer-space farming. Tailoring the photoperiod holds potential to shorten the growth cycle, thereby increasing the annual number of cycles. As wheat is a long-day plant, a night shorter than a critical length is required to induce flowering. In growth chambers, experiments were conducted to examine the impact of a 6 h light–dark cycle on the timing of wheat ear emergence, grain yield, and flour quality. Under equal daily light-integral conditions, the 6 h light–dark cycle promoted growth and development, resulting in accelerated ear emergence when compared to a 12 h cycle, additionally indicating that 12 h of darkness was excessive. To further stimulate heading and increase yield, the 6 h cycle was changed at the onset of stem elongation to a 14 h–10 h, mimicking spring conditions, and maintained until maturity. This successful transition was then combined with two levels of light intensity and nutrient solution, which did not significantly impact yield, while tillering and grain ripening did increase under higher light intensities. Moreover, it enabled manipulation of the baking quality, although lower-end falling numbers were observed. In conclusion, combining a 6 h light–dark cycle until stem elongation with a 14 h–10 h cycle presents a promising strategy for increasing future wheat production in closed environments. The observation of low falling numbers underscores the importance of factoring in flour quality when designing the wheat-growing systems of the future. Full article

Consumer acceptance of Keitt mangoes (Mangifera indica L.) is significantly affected by their slow postharvest ripening. This work used gaseous chlorine dioxide (ClO₂(g)) to prepare the ready-to-eat Keitt mango and explored the potential mechanisms for the mango ripening. Harvested mangoes were treated with 20 mg·L⁻¹ of ClO₂(g) or ethephon for 3 h (25 °C) and left in a climatic chamber with a temperature of 25 ± 1 °C and a relative humidity of 85 ± 5% for 4 d. The results showed that ClO₂(g) treatment significantly promoted the orange coloration of mango flesh compared to the untreated control group. Moreover, ClO₂(g) treatment significantly elevated the total soluble solids, total soluble sugar, and total carotenoids content of mangoes, whereas the firmness and titratable acidity were reduced. ClO₂(g)-treated mangoes reached the edible window on day 2, as did mangoes treated with ethephon at the same concentration, except that the sweetness was prominent. The residual ClO₂ level of the mangoes was <0.3 mg/kg during the whole storage time, which is a safe level for fruit. In addition, ClO₂(g) significantly advanced the onset of ethylene peaks by 0.5 days and increased its production between days 0.5 and 2 compared to the control group. Consistently, the genes involved in ethylene biosynthesis including miACS6, miACO1, and miACO were upregulated. In sum, ClO₂(g) can be a potential technique to reduce the time for harvested mango to reach the edible window, and it functions in modulating postharvest ripening by inducing ethylene biosynthesis. Full article

This study presents a method for inhibiting ethylene production during the room-temperature storage of plum fruits, using gaseous ozone (O₃). The proposed storage strategy involves the cyclic ozone treatment of fruits every 24 h with specified O₃ doses. Throughout the storage period, cyclic analyses of the atmosphere composition in storage chambers were conducted, measuring ethylene and carbon dioxide levels. Several parameters describing changes in fruit quality and biochemical transformations were systematically monitored until the end of the storage process. The results clearly indicate that fruits subjected to cyclic ozone treatment with the highest O₃ doses during storage exhibit the slowest ripening rate. This reduced ripening rate is primarily attributed to the downregulation of S-adenosylmethionine synthetase expression, leading to a lower ethylene concentration in the storage chambers. Other obtained results concerning soluble solid content, titratable acidity, total polyphenols, anthocyanins, and vitamin C content confirm the observations regarding the impact of ozone treatment in slowing down the fruit ripening process. The best outcomes were achieved by applying a cyclic ozone process with a 100 ppm dose for 30 min. Full article

Soil CO₂ efflux is a pivotal component of agro-ecosystem C budgets. It is considered a proxy indicator of biological activity and a descriptor of soil quality that is strongly linked to agricultural soil management. We investigated the effects of soil fertilization practices (organo-mineral (OMN) versus chemical (C)) on soil under-vine CO₂ efflux (TSR) in an Italian rainfed vineyard (cv Chardonnay). The TSR was measured using the chamber technique as follows: a close multi-chamber system (prototype) was placed under a vine. Data (CO₂, temperature, and moisture) were acquired hourly during two consecutive years (2021 and 2022) from flowering to berry ripening. Physical–hydrological soil parameters were determined, and the seasonal trends of the TSR, soil temperature, and soil moisture were assessed. The TSR measurements fluctuated for the 2021 season, ranging from 1.03 to 1.97 µmol CO₂∙m⁻²∙s⁻¹ for the C treatment, while for the OMN treatment, the TSR measurements ranged from 1.24 to 1.71 µmol CO₂∙m⁻²∙s⁻¹. Extreme weather conditions (2022) highlighted the differences between the two agronomical practices, and a decoupling was found between the TSR and the soil water content, with the TSR being controlled primarily by the soil temperature. At the daily scale, the findings showed that the TSR reached its minimum in the early morning hours (5:00–8:00). The results promote organic–mineral nutrition as an improved practice for soil carbon storage (restoration of the organic fraction) by reducing the TSR, permitting the preservation of soil quality and stabilizing the hydrological traits by preserving the biotic activities. Full article

This study aimed to investigate the combined effects of temperature and light conditions on tomato maturation. Tomato fruits that had completed volumetric growth at the mature green stage were harvested and matured in growth chambers composed of two temperature conditions (daytime–nighttime: 30–20 °C or 20–15 °C) and two light conditions (0 µmol·m⁻²·s⁻¹ or 400 µmol·m⁻²·s⁻¹), which were set for 12 h each day and night. Our findings indicate that tomato ripening was significantly influenced by both light and temperature. Tomatoes that matured under low-temperature conditions in the absence of light took more than three times longer to transition from the green stage to the breaker stage compared to those matured under high-temperature conditions with light exposure. Notably, tomato fruit maturation occurred at a faster rate under low-temperature and light conditions than under high-temperature and dark conditions. Changes in chlorophyll a fluorescence parameters were observed throughout the ripening process of tomato fruits. Tomato fruits ripened under low-temperature and dark conditions exhibited significantly lower NPQ (non-photochemical quenching) and R_FD (relative fluorescence decrease) values compared to other treatments, while their F_O (initial fluorescence) and F_M (maximum fluorescence) values were higher. The accumulation of sugar in tomato fruits was observed to be more influenced by light than temperature. On the other hand, the highest levels of phenolic content and lycopene were observed in tomato fruits matured under high-temperature and light conditions. Antioxidant activities, as measured by ABTS and DPPH assays, were highest in mature tomato fruits under high-temperature and light conditions, while they were lowest in fruits under low-temperature and dark conditions. In conclusion, this study highlights the critical role of temperature and light as crucial environmental factors influencing tomato maturation. Understanding these factors can contribute to optimizing postharvest conditions and enhancing fruit quality in the tomato industry. Full article

The buffalo dairy sector is extending its boundaries to include new buffalo cheese productions beyond mozzarella, overcoming some barriers that make cheeses expensive and unsustainable. This study aimed to evaluate the effects of both the inclusion of green feed in the diet of Italian Mediterranean buffaloes and an innovative ripening system on buffalo cheese quality, providing solutions capable of guaranteeing the production of nutritionally competitive and sustainable products. For this purpose, chemical, rheological, and microbiological analyses were carried out on cheeses. Buffaloes were fed with or without the inclusion of green forage. Their milk was used to produce dry ricotta and semi-hard cheeses, ripened according to both respective traditional (MT) and innovative methods (MI); these are based on automatic adjustments of climatic recipe guided by the continuous control of pH. Green feed enhances the nutritional profile of the final products (high content of MUFAs and PUFAs). As far as the ripening method is concerned, to our knowledge, this is the first study that tests aging chambers, commonly used for meat, for the maturing of buffalo cheeses. Results pointed out the MI validity also in this field of application, as it shortens the ripening period without negatively compromising any of desirable physicochemical properties and the safety and hygiene of the final products. Conclusively, this research highlights the benefits of diets rich in green forage on productions and provides support for the ripening optimization of buffalo semi-hard cheeses. Full article

Few studies have explored greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions from arable land in sub-Saharan Africa (SSA), and particularly from rice paddy fields, which can be a major source of methane (CH₄) and nitrous oxide (N₂O) emissions. This study examined the effect of drainage on CH₄ and N₂O emissions from rice fields in Rwanda under shallow drainage to 0.6 m, with the drain weir open four times per week, and deep drainage to 1.2 m with the weir open four times or two times per week. CH₄ and N₂O fluxes from the soil surface were measured on nine occasions during rice flowering and ripening, using a closed chamber method. Measured fluxes made only a minor contribution to total GHG emissions from rice fields. However, drainage depth had significant effects on CH₄ emissions, with shallow drainage treatment giving significantly higher emissions (~0.8 kg ha⁻¹ or ~26 kg CO₂-equivalents ha⁻¹) than deep drainage (0.0 kg) over the 44-day measurement period. No treatment effect was observed for N₂O fluxes, which ranged from low uptake to low release, and were generally not significantly different from zero, probably due to low nitrogen (N) availability in soil resulting from low N fertilization rate (in the region). Overall, the results suggest that deep drainage can mitigate CH₄ emissions compared with traditional shallow drainage, while not simultaneously increasing N₂O emissions. Full article

Reducing greenhouse gas emissions from rice fields is essential to respond to the national “dual-carbon” strategy, achieve green agricultural development, and ensure food security. The substitution of organic fertilizers for chemical fertilizers is an important means to achieve zero growth and has a positive impact on crop yield and soil nutrients; however, the impact on the greenhouse effect is inconsistent. The effects of organic fertilizers on soil greenhouse gas emissions vary depending on factors such as soil, geography, ecological environment, and human management. However, previous research has shown that the combined application of organic fertilizer can increase soil carbon storage and increase crop yield, and may be an effective fertilization measure to reduce greenhouse gas emissions from yellow paddy fields. To clarify the effects of different ratios of organic fertilizer on the greenhouse gas emission characteristics of Guizhou yellow paddy soil, CH₄, CO₂, and N₂O emissions from rice fields were monitored by static opaque chamber-gas chromatography, and the effects of different fertilization treatments on the cumulative greenhouse gas emissions and global warming potential (GWP) were investigated. Results showed that organic fertilizer application increased CH₄ emissions from rice fields, and the effect increased with increasing organic fertilizer application. The peak period was from the heading stage to the filling and ripening stage, and there was almost no emission during the fallow period. Compared with the balanced application of chemical fertilizer (NPK), the treatment with organic fertilizer alone (M) significantly increased CO₂ emissions, but the replacement of 1/2 chemical fertilizer nitrogen with 1/2 organic fertilizer (1/2 M + 1/2 N-PK) and the replacement of 1/4 chemical fertilizer nitrogen with 1/4 organic fertilizer (1/4 M + 3/4 N-PK) did not significantly increase CO₂ emissions; emissions were 5% lower in the 1/2 M + 1/2 N-PK treatment than in the NPK treatment. Compared with the NPK treatment, the application of organic fertilizer alone significantly reduced N₂O emissions by 32.16%, while the 1/2 M + 1/2 N-PK and 1/4 M + 3/4 N-PK treatments increased N₂O emissions by 6.31% and 16.02%, respectively. However, there were no significant differences between the organic–inorganic combined treatments and NPK. During the flooding period, N₂O emissions were relatively low, but the emissions increased rapidly after field drying. The application of organic fertilizer increased the GWP of rice fields. Compared with the NPK treatment, the M treatment increased GWP by 47.07%, 1/2 M + 1/2 N-PK increased GWP by 10.16%, and the 1/4 M + 3/4 N-PK treatment increased GWP by 2.93%. Except for the M treatment, the differences between treatments were not significant. Our results concluded that replacement of chemical fertilizers with organic fertilizers at a ratio of 1/4 to 1/2 did not significantly increase greenhouse gas emissions in rice fields, besides, it mitigate the greenhouse effect and increase soil carbon sequestration and yield in rice fields. Full article

Following an agronomic approach for the Ca enrichment of Rocha pears, this study aimed to assess the interactions between mineral nutrients in fruit tissues at harvest and after storage for 5 months and to characterize the implications on the profile of sugars and fatty acids (FA). A total of seven foliar sprays (with concentrations of 0.1–0.6 kg·ha⁻¹ Ca(NO₃)₂ and 0.8–8 kg·ha⁻¹ CaCl₂) were applied to pear trees. After harvest, the fruits were stored for 5 months, in environmentally controlled chambers, and the mineral contents in five regions (on the equatorial section) of the fruits were assessed, while the sugar and FA content were quantified. For both dates, all foliar sprayed treatments, at different extends, increased Ca content in the center and near the epidermis of Rocha pear fruits and the levels of K, Mn, Fe, Zn and Cu also varied. At harvest, the Ca treatments did not affect the levels of sucrose, glucose, fructose and sorbitol and, after storage, their concentrations remained higher in Ca-treated fruits. Additionally, the tendency of the relative proportions of FA was C18:2 > C18:1 > C16:0 > C18:3 > C18:0 > chains inferior to 16 C (<16:0), but after storage it was C18:2 > C16:0 > C18:3 > C18:0 > C18:1 > chains inferior to 16 C (<16:0). It is concluded that the heterogeneous distribution of Ca in the tissues of Rocha pear fruits results from its absorption in the peel after Ca(NO₃)₂ and CaCl₂ sprays and from the xylemic flux in the core prior to maturity. Additionally, the hydrolysis of complex polysaccharides affects the contents of simpler sugars during maturation, ripening and senescence, while storage decreases the amount of total fatty acids (TFA), but the double bond index (DBI) indicate that cell membrane fluidity remains unaffected. Full article

Extremely high air temperature at the heading stage of paddy rice causes a yield reduction due to the increasing spikelet sterility. Quantifying the damage to crops caused by high temperatures can lead to more accurate estimates of crop yields. The remote sensing technique evaluates crop conditions indirectly but provides information related to crop physiology, growth, and yield. In this study, we aim to assess the crop damage caused by heat stress in paddy rice examined under elevated air temperatures in a temperature gradient field chamber from 2016 to 2019, using remote-sensed vegetation indices. A leaf-spectrometer, field-spectrometers, and a multi-spectral camera were used to monitor the conditions of paddy rice. Although, in the leaf- and canopy-scales, the values of normalized difference vegetation index (NDVI) and photochemical reflectance index (PRI) decreased after the heading of rice under normal conditions, the decreasing sensitivity of NDVI and PRI was different depending on the degree of physiological heat stress by high temperature conditions. The NDVI after the heading under extremely high air temperature was not dropped and remained the value before heading. The PRI decreased at all air temperature conditions after the heading; the PRI of the plot exposed to the elevated air temperature was higher than that under ambient air temperature. Further, the relative change in NDVI and PRI after the heading exhibited a strong relationship with the ripening ratio of paddy rice, which is the variable related to crop yield. These remote-sensing results aid in evaluating the crop damage caused by heat stress using vegetation indices. Full article

The aim of this study was to evaluate the combination of two ethylene removal methods and temperature on the post-harvest quality of peaches. For this purpose, filters with potassium permanganate (KMnO₄) and lamps emitting ultraviolet light (UV) were mounted on machines which enabled air movement in the conservation chambers, facilitating the removal of ethylene by KMnO₄ and photocatalysis simultaneously. This system was used at two temperatures, 1 °C and 25 °C, simulating an ideal storage temperature in industry and extreme temperature to observe faster ripening, respectively. The results obtained showed that this combination of ethylene scavengers favoured the efficient elimination of this gas. Consequently, the use of this innovative technique made possible a better preservation of fruit firmness, colour, soluble solids content, pH, total acidity, and maturity index. Moreover, using this method in peaches subjected to 25 °C increased their survival by seven days more than those without this system, indicating the effectiveness of ethylene scavengers even under these extreme temperatures. Full article