Search Results (146)

An in-depth analysis of the drivers of agricultural emissions at the farm-gate level is crucial for achieving net-zero emissions by 2050. This study examines the short- and long-run effects of crop production on farm-gate emissions in the regional trading bloc (RTB) member states in Africa. Crop production was proxied by cereals, roots and tubers, vegetables, and fruits production, and emissions were split into methane (CH₄) and nitrous oxide (N₂O) emissions. Data on these variables were collected from 30 RTB member states from 1990 to 2022 and were analyzed using the cross-sectionally augmented autoregressive distributive lag approach. The pooled mean group was used as a robustness check, and a sensitivity analysis was conducted to ensure the reliability of the study findings. The results revealed that cereal production increases farm-gate CH₄ and N₂O emissions in the short and long run. The average increase ranges from 1.0021 to 1.0033 kilotons CO₂–eq yr⁻¹ for CH₄, and from 1.0024 to 1.0035 kilotons CO₂–eq yr⁻¹ for N₂O. In addition, fruit production increases farm-gate CH₄ emissions by an average of 1.0023 kiloton CO₂–eq yr⁻¹ in the long run. Thus, cereal production has a more adverse effect on N₂O than CH₄ emissions, while the opposite is true for fruit production in the RTB member states’ Nationally Determined Contributions. With respect to mediation, cropland expansion (proxied by area harvested) plays a partial intermediary role in the impact of crop production on farm-gate CH₄ and N₂O emissions in the short run and CH₄ emissions in the long run. However, it assumes a full mediation role in the long run and has an effect on crop production in farm-gate N₂O emissions. Therefore, targeted use of nitrogen fertilizer and crop rotations to reduce cereal-related N₂O and CH₄ emissions, respectively, would be viable strategies. The use of a drip irrigation system in fruit production to reduce CH₄ emissions and the scaling up of secured subsidies should also be explored. Finally, these recommendations should be incorporated into the Africa’s RTB member states’ Nationally Determined Contributions and the African Union’s Agenda 2063. Full article

Intensive vegetable production in China is seriously affected by continuous cropping obstacles (CCOs), yet the effectiveness of amendment strategies for mitigating CCOs varies widely across environments and crop types. To address this heterogeneity, we conducted a nationwide meta-analysis of 200 peer-reviewed studies (published in 2000–2025) comprising 921 effect sizes. A random-effects model was used to quantify the overall efficacy of four amendment categories on vegetable yield and quality, and spatial analysis (using Global Moran’s I and Getis–Ord Gi*) was integrated to identify geographical hotspots and coldspots of amendment efficacy, with meta-regression further employed to assess the moderating roles of soil and climatic factors. Overall, amendments significantly increased vegetable yield by 26.9% and vitamin C content by 23.4%. Efficacy was highly dependent on specific crop–amendment combinations; Autotoxin Mitigation (AM) was most effective for leafy vegetables, while Soil Physicochemical Property Improvement (SPPI) optimally enhanced soluble sugar in root and tuber crops. Soil pH emerged as the primary environmental driver, with greater yield responses observed in acidic soils, and spatial analysis revealed significant hotspots of high efficacy clustered in the North China Plain and Yangtze River Basin, contrasting with coldspots in areas with specific soil constraints like salinity. Consequently, this study establishes a quantitative “crop–amendment–environment” matching framework, highlighting the necessity of transitioning from generic applications to regionally tailored precision strategies to sustainably manage CCOs and improve vegetable productivity in China. Full article

Potato nitrogen (N) demand varies with developmental stage rather than remaining uniformly high throughout the season. This review re-examines the “nitrate-first, ammonium-later” strategy by separating total N amount, N-supply timing, N form, and soil N transformation. Current evidence suggests that nitrate is better aligned with pre-tuber initiation because it supports stolon development and tuber set under non-excessive N supply, whereas ammonium-containing nutrition may benefit tuber bulking only when NH₄⁺ persists in the root zone and soil chemical constraints are controlled. Field responses attributed to N form are often shaped by crop N status, genotype × environment × management interactions, nitrification–denitrification dynamics, water regime, soil texture, fertilizer placement, and cultivar. We therefore interpret the strategy as a conditional, stage-oriented framework rather than a universal fertilizer prescription. Integrating NNI-/CNDC-based diagnosis, root-zone monitoring, enhanced-efficiency fertilizers, and soil-process evidence can improve synchronization between N supply and potato demand, supporting yield formation, N-use efficiency, and reduced environmental risk. Full article

Ulluco (Ullucus tuberosus Caldas) is an Andean tuber crop of high nutritional and genetic importance. However, its vegetative propagation promotes the accumulation of pathogens and limits the availability of uniform, high-quality planting material. In this study, an efficient and reproducible in vitro micropropagation protocol was established for an ulluco genotype from the Amazonas region of Peru. Nodal segments were cultured on MS (Murashige and Skoog) medium supplemented with 6-benzylaminopurine (BAP) or kinetin (KIN) at increasing concentrations (0.0–2.0 mg L⁻¹). For rooting, in vitro-derived shoots were transferred to MS medium supplemented with indole-3-butyric acid (IBA) or 1-naphthaleneacetic acid (NAA) at the same concentration range (0.0–2.0 mg L⁻¹). The explants exhibited a high basal morphogenetic capacity; however, the addition of cytokinins significantly enhanced the response. KIN at 2.0 mg L⁻¹ achieved 100% regeneration, whereas BAP at 0.2 mg L⁻¹ maximized shoot proliferation, producing 2.07 shoots per explant. Shoot elongation was greater with KIN at 1.0 mg L⁻¹, reaching 39.15 mm. In the rooting phase, the response varied depending on the type and concentration of auxin. NAA at 0.1 mg L⁻¹ resulted in 100% rooting and produced the greatest root length (41.93 mm), whereas IBA at 0.1 mg L⁻¹ maximized the number of roots (4.67), although roots were shorter. Rooted plantlets exhibited 100% survival after eight weeks of acclimatization. This protocol provides an effective system for the rapid production of vigorous and uniform clonal plants and represents a useful tool for the propagation, conservation, and future biotechnological improvement of ulluco. Full article

Aux/IAA proteins function as central transcriptional repressors in auxin signaling and have been implicated in coordinating developmental responses to environmental stress, particularly through modulation of root system architecture. However, the contribution of auxin signaling components to drought-associated root plasticity in improving drought resilience in potato (Solanum tuberosum L.) remains unclear. In this study, we profiled Aux/IAA responses to water deficit across underground tissues by RNA sequencing of root tips, stolon tips, and tubers from two cultivars (Qingshu 9 and Atlantic) with contrasting drought tolerance. Drought treatment induced broad transcriptional changes in the Aux/IAA family, with the majority of members showing increased expression in at least one tissue. qRT-PCR across tissues and developmental stages validated distinct spatiotemporal patterns for selected candidates. Among these, the StIAA3, StIAA6, StIAA22, and StIAA25 genes displayed drought-inducible expression, whereas StIAA24 showed an opposite trend. To probe functional relevance, we generated overexpression and knockdown lines for StIAA3, StIAA6, StIAA22, and StIAA24. Altered expression of these genes was consistently associated with measurable changes in root architecture traits, including root length, diameter, and volume, under water-deficit conditions. These findings reveal insights into the contribution of auxin signaling components to drought-associated root plasticity in potato. The identified drought-responsive Aux/IAA candidates that link root architectural remodeling provide a foundation for mechanistic dissection and underground tissue remodeling of architecture enhancement in root crops. Full article

Potato is a vital crop in the United States, and increasing its production is essential. Due to their differences in rooting characteristics and nitrogen (N) needs, each potato cultivar generally receives specific research-based N recommendations. However, limited research exists on how other fertilizer nutrients, including micronutrients and plant growth-promoting rhizobacteria (PGPR), affect potato yield and quality. This study evaluated the response of Mesa Russet potatoes to various pre-plant and foliar fertilizer treatments on sandy, alkaline soil in Colorado, USA for two growing seasons. Six fertilizer treatments were tested in a randomized complete block design with four replications: (1) 4-13-17-1S (control), also known as the Farmer’s Standard, (2) 3-10-13, (3) 3-10-13 + PGPR, (4) 3-10-13-1S-1Zn, (5) 9-15-3-1S-0.25Zn + K-acetate foliar, and (6) 9-15-3-1S-0.25Zn + 0-0-15-5S foliar. The results showed that treatment PGPR maximized tuber bulking rate by 1.5 g plant⁻¹ day⁻¹, and 3.3 g plant⁻¹ day⁻¹ in 2016 and 2017, respectively, compared to the control treatment. Also, treatment 3-10-13 + PGPR had the highest total and larger tuber (>114 g, >170 g and >284 g) yields in both years. In contrast, the control (4-13-17-1S) had the lowest yield in both years. Treatment 9-15-3-1S-0.25Zn + K-Ac foliar resulted in total yields in both years that were statistically similar to the PGPR treatment; this treatment had the highest N, P, and Zn applications compared to all other treatments. Treatment 9-15-3-1S-0.25Zn + 0-0-15-5S foliar exhibited marketable yields (tubers > 114 g) comparable to the PGPR treatment in both years; this treatment had the highest S application as compared to the others. Further testing of PGPRs, S, and Zn individually and in combination is needed to evaluate their impact on other Russet potato cultivars grown in sandy soils prior to broadening these recommendations. Full article

Oxalis tuberosa (oca) is a tuber crop native to the Andes, valued for its nutrition but understudied genetically. Its strict short-day (SD) tuberization suggests a photoperiodic control mechanism similar to that of potato, where an FT-like protein acts as a mobile “tuberigen” signal. To identify this key regulator, we generated a de novo genome assembly for oca using long- and short-read sequencing. Integrated transcriptomic analysis of leaves under long-day (LD) and SD conditions, along with stems, roots, and tubers, enabled gene annotation and expression analysis. Our study focused on the Phosphatidylethanolamine-Binding Protein (PEBP) gene family, the source of florigen and tuberigen signals. We identified 23 OtPEBP genes and characterized their expression patterns. Among these, we discovered three FT-like homologs that are specifically and strongly upregulated in leaves under SD conditions. We therefore propose these genes as the prime candidates for the mobile tuberigen signal in oca. This work provides the foundational genomic resource for O. tuberosa and advances our understanding of the conserved photoperiodic network controlling storage organ formation beyond the Solanaceae family. Full article

Arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi (AMF) form symbiotic interactions with most terrestrial plants, enhancing nutrient uptake and stress resilience. Organic amendments like biochar, compost, and manure are advocated to improve soil health and promote AMF symbiosis. However, empirical evidence of their effects on root AMF colonization is inconsistent, and a systematic understanding of the governing factors is lacking. Here, we synthesized the responses of root AMF colonization in agricultural systems to biochar, compost, and manure input from 85 studies (663 pairs of observations) globally based on a meta-analysis. Overall, biochar and compost/manure significantly increased root AMF colonization. However, these effects were highly context-dependent. Biochar most strongly promoted colonization in coarse-textured soils with low total potassium (TK ≤ 25 g kg⁻¹) and high total carbon (TC ≥ 11 g kg⁻¹), particularly for fruit and tuber crops. In contrast, compost/manure were most effective in fine-textured soils with high TK (≥25 g kg⁻¹) and low bulk density (BD ≤ 1.3 g cm⁻³). Notably, compost/manure suppressed colonization in neutral pH (6.5 < pH < 7.5) and high BD soils (>1.3 g cm⁻³). Key amendment properties drove these responses: biochar with low electrical conductivity (EC < 5 dS m⁻¹), high sodium and low macronutrient content was most beneficial, whereas compost/manure with high total nitrogen (TN > 9 g kg⁻¹) and low organic carbon (OC ≤ 500 g kg⁻¹) performed best. The efficacy of organic amendments in enhancing AMF symbiosis is not universal but dictated by a complex interplay of soil properties and amendment characteristics. Our findings provide a robust, quantitative framework for tailoring amendment strategies to specific agro-ecological contexts, enabling farmers and land managers to selectively use biochar or compost/manure to harness AMF benefits for sustainable crop production. Full article

This study aimed to determine the nutrient use efficiency of the yacon potato under NPK fertilization at different rates. The experiment followed a randomized block design with four replications and a split-plot arrangement. The main plots consisted of three fertilization levels (60%, 100%, and 140% of the reference dose—50:80:60 kg ha⁻¹ of NPK), with subplots to data collection intervals, performed every 30 days, for a total of 7 collections, generating 21 treatments. The dry biomass of whole plants and tuberous roots was determined. Samples were taken to determine the content of N, P, K, Ca, Mg, Cu, Fe, Mn, and Zn. The biological utilization coefficient (BUC) was calculated by dividing the mean values of dry biomass in kilograms of plant parts by the kilogram of nutrient found in that biomass. The application of 100% of the reference dose led to the highest use efficiency of P, K, Ca, and Mg, and intermediate efficiency for N in yacon tuberous roots and total biomass production throughout the cycle, provides a significant contribution to fertilization planning for this crop. The amount applied which was 100% of the reference dose was 17, 80, and 20 kg ha⁻¹ of N, P₂O₅, and K₂O, respectively, at planting, supplemented with 33 and 40 kg ha⁻¹ of N and K₂O as topdressing. Full article

Potato (Solanum tuberosum L.) is a key staple crop in the Peruvian Andes, but its productivity is threatened by fungal pathogens such as Rhizoctonia solani and Alternaria alternata. In this study, 71 native bacterial strains (39 from phyllosphere and 32 from rhizosphere) were isolated from potato plants across five agroecological zones of Peru and characterized for their plant growth-promoting (PGPR) and antagonistic traits. Actinomycetes demonstrated broader enzymatic profiles, with 2ACPP4 and 2ACPP8 showing high proteolytic (68.4%, 63.4%), lipolytic (59.5%, 60.6%), chitinolytic (32.7%, 35.5%) and amylolytic activity (76.3%, 71.5%). Strain 5ACPP5 (Streptomyces decoyicus) produced 42.8% chitinase and solubilized both dicalcium (120.6%) and tricalcium phosphate (122.3%). The highest IAA production was recorded in Bacillus strain 2BPP8 (95.4 µg/mL), while 5ACPP6 was the highest among Actinomycetes (83.4 µg/mL). Siderophore production was highest in 5ACPP5 (412.4%) and 2ACPP4 (406.8%). In vitro antagonism assays showed that 5ACPP5 inhibited R. solani and A. alternata by 86.4% and 68.9%, respectively, while Bacillus strain BPP4 reached 51.0% inhibition against A. alternata. In greenhouse trials, strain 4BPP8 significantly increased fresh tuber weight (11.91 g), while 5ACPP5 enhanced root biomass and reduced stem canker severity. Molecular identification confirmed BPP4 as Bacillus halotolerans and 5ACPP5 as Streptomyces decoyicus. These strains represent promising candidates for the development of bioinoculants for sustainable potato cultivation in Andean systems. Full article

Limited annotated data often constrain accurate yield prediction in underrepresented crops. To address this challenge, we developed a cross-crop deep transfer learning (TL) framework that leverages potato (Solanum tuberosum L.) as the source domain to predict sweet potato (Ipomoea batatas L.) yield using multi-temporal uncrewed aerial vehicle (UAV)-based multispectral imagery. A hybrid convolutional–recurrent neural network (CNN–RNN–Attention) architecture was implemented with a robust parameter-based transfer strategy to ensure temporal alignment and feature-space consistency across crops. Cross-crop feature migration analysis showed that predictors capturing canopy vigor, structure, and soil–vegetation contrast exhibited the highest distributional similarity between potato and sweet potato. In comparison, pigment-sensitive and agronomic predictors were less transferable. These robustness patterns were reflected in model performance, as all architectures showed substantial improvement when moving from the minimal 3 predictor subset to the 5–7 predictor subsets, where the most transferable indices were introduced. The hybrid CNN–RNN–Attention model achieved peak accuracy ($R^2\approx 0.64$ and RMSE ≈ 18%) using time-series data up to the tuberization stage with only 7 predictors. In contrast, convolutional neural network (CNN), bidirectional gated recurrent unit (BiGRU), and bidirectional long short-term memory (BiLSTM) baseline models required 11–13 predictors to achieve comparable performance and often showed reduced or unstable accuracy at higher dimensionality due to redundancy and domain-shift amplification. Two-way ANOVA further revealed that cover crop type significantly influenced yield, whereas nitrogen rate and the interaction term were not significant. Overall, this study demonstrates that combining robustness-aware feature design with hybrid deep TL model enables accurate, data-efficient, and physiologically interpretable yield prediction in sweet potato, offering a scalable pathway for applying TL in other underrepresented root and tuber crops. Full article

For successful potato production, maintaining a proper balance of mineral nutrients is crucial, as high yields cannot be achieved in fields lacking essential elements. The exact amount of fertilizer should be determined based on the expected yield, crop nutrient requirements, soil analysis, cultivation technology, and specific growing conditions. N (N) plays a crucial role in potato tuber growth. It is involved in the synthesis of proteins that are stored in the tubers and helps prolong the lifespan of the leaf canopy. On average, potato crops require a N supply of 80–120 kg/ha. Based on several studies, N fertilization significantly increased potato tuber yield, while dry matter content showed a slight decline. This indicates that higher N rates can enhance yield but potentially decrease tuber quality. To achieve high tuber yields while preserving desirable dry matter and starch content, the optimal N rate is approximately 100–120 kg N/ha. Although higher N inputs (>150 kg N/ha) may temporarily boost vegetative growth, they ultimately delay tuber maturation, reduce dry matter and starch accumulation, and increase production costs due to inefficient fertilizer use. Excessive N fertilization accelerates soil degradation and contributes to environmental pollution (soil acidification, NO₃⁻ leaching, NH₃ emissions, NO, N₂O, and NO₂, leading to additional long-term ecological burdens. Therefore, minimizing N losses through sustainable soil management is essential for maintaining both farm profitability and environmental protection. Integrating N fertilization with biofertilizers—such as beneficial bacteria that colonize roots, enhance nutrient uptake, and stimulate root development—can improve yields while reducing reliance on costly synthetic fertilizers. This supports both soil fertility and crop productivity. Full article

Weeds pose a significant threat to the production of the medicinal crop Ophiopogon japonicus. Due to the scarcity of registered herbicides for this crop, farmers heavily rely on manual weeding. This study evaluated a novel acetochlor nanocapsule formulation for weed control in Sichuan O. japonicus fields, comparing it to a conventional acetochlor emulsifiable concentrate (EC). Treatments included manual weeding (weed-free control), conventional EC (900 g a.i. ha⁻¹), and three nanocapsule doses (450, 900, and 1800 g a.i. ha⁻¹). Weed control efficacy was assessed at 15, 30, 45, and 60 days after application, followed by the measurement of agronomic traits, yield, and the content of bioactive compounds (saponins, flavonoids, and polysaccharides) post-harvest. The high-dose nanocapsules (1800 g a.i. ha⁻¹) provided excellent weed control (96.54% at 45 days), which was better than the EC and lower nanocapsule doses, and extended the control duration. It did not negatively affect key agronomic traits, root tuber morphology, final yield, nor the content of key bioactive compounds compared to the weed-free control. In conclusion, acetochlor nanocapsules, especially at 1800 g a.i. ha⁻¹, offer an effective and safe weed management strategy for O. japonicus. They provide superior, prolonged weed control without harming crop yield or quality. Full article

Potatoes are the most extensively cultivated vegetable crop in Canada and rank as the fifth largest primary agricultural commodity. Given their diverse end uses and significant market value, particularly in processed forms, ensuring consistent quality from harvest to consumption is of critical importance. Total glycoalkaloids (TGA) are nitrogen-containing secondary metabolites that are known to accumulate in the tuber as an effect of greening in-field or elsewhere in the supply chain. In this study, 210 Yukon Gold (YG) potatoes were exposed to a constant light source to green over a period of 14 days and sampled in 7-day intervals. The samples were scanned using a short-wave infrared (SWIR) hyperspectral imaging camera in the 900–2500 nm wavelength range. Once individually scanned, pixel-wise spectral data was extracted and averaged for each tuber and matched with its respective ground truth TGA values which were obtained using a High-Performance Liquid Chromatography (HPLC) system. Prediction models using the partial least squares regression technique were developed from the extracted hyperspectral data and reference TGA values. Wavelength selection techniques such as competitive adaptive re-weighted sampling (CARS) and backward elimination (BE) were deployed to reduce the number of contributing wavelengths for practical applications. The best model resulted in a correlation coefficient of cross-validation (R²_cv) of 0.72 with a root mean square error of cross-validation (RMSE_cv) of 51.50 ppm. Full article

The joint adoption of agronomic practices has often been employed to maximize the efficiency of production inputs, especially water and nutrients. Potato (Solanum tuberosum) is a highly demanding crop in both water and nutrients. This study aimed to determine the most appropriate strategy for irrigation frequency and planting fertilization depth in potato cultivated in amended soil, in order to maximize plant growth, tuber yield, and tuber quality. Field experiments were conducted over two growing seasons, with irrigation frequencies of daily irrigation and irrigation every 4, 7, and 10 days, and planting fertilization depths of 10 and 20 cm. Irrigation frequency significantly affected agronomic traits, water consumption, potato growth, and tuber quality. Treatments did not influence root development across different soil layers. Irrigation intervals of 1 and 4 days promoted greater plant growth. A 7-day irrigation interval enhanced specific gravity and soluble solids in tubers, while a 10-day interval increased tuber dry matter content by up to 18% compared to daily irrigation (IF1). Decreasing irrigation frequency reduced the irrigation depth without affecting yield and average tuber mass, and improved water productivity. Water productivity increased by up to 32% under the 10 day irrigation interval (IF10) compared to IF1. Therefore, reducing irrigation frequency is a promising strategy to improve water use efficiency in potato cultivation. Full article