Search Results (265)

Early and late leaf spot (ELS and LLS), caused by Passalora arachidicola and Nothopassalora personata, are major constraints to peanut (Arachis hypogaea L.) production. Durable resistance in cultivated germplasm remains limited due to the crop’s narrow genetic base. Wild Arachis species represent an important but underutilized source of resistance. This study aimed to identify and prioritize wild introgressions associated with foliar disease resistance in advanced peanut backcross lines derived from the induced allotetraploid BatSten1 (Arachis batizocoi × A. stenosperma)^4x. A population of advanced backcross lines carrying reduced wild genome content (~5% to ~1% across advancement) was evaluated through four years of field trials for LLS severity and yield, complemented by detached-leaf bioassays to dissect resistance components for both ELS and LLS. Genome-wide SNP genotyping, combined with mixed-model analysis and association mapping, identified introgressed regions influencing disease response. Genome-wide association studies (GWAS) detected loci on chromosomes A06 and A09 associated with LLS resistance, explaining approximately 25% and 11% of phenotypic variation, respectively, with evidence of additive effects between loci. Component-level analyses further revealed both resistance- and susceptibility-associated introgressions. Although tomato spotted wilt virus (TSWV) incidence was evaluated in field trials, exploratory GWAS did not detect significant marker–trait associations, indicating that genetic components associated with this trait were not resolved under the conditions tested. Overall, these results expand the understanding of the genetic architecture of leaf spot resistance beyond traditional donor sources and provide a framework for prioritizing beneficial wild introgressions while minimizing linkage drag in peanut pre-breeding programs. Full article

Babassu (Attalea speciosa) is one of the most abundant palm species in the Brazilian Amazon and an important unconventional crop, playing a key socioeconomic role due to the commercial exploitation of its oil-rich almonds. However, approximately 90–93% of the fruit biomass—mainly mesocarp, epicarp, and endocarp—is generated as underutilized residue. This systematic review aims to analyze extraction methods, phytochemical composition, and antioxidant capacity of bioactive compounds derived from different babassu fractions. Following PRISMA guidelines, searches of five databases (Embase, ScienceDirect, Scopus, PubMed, and Web of Science) retrieved 410 records, of which 23 met the inclusion criteria. The results show that, although research has predominantly focused on the almond fraction, non-edible parts contain significant levels of phenolic compounds, flavonoids, phytosterols, and other bioactive metabolites with antioxidant properties. Green and non-thermal extraction technologies, such as ultrasound-assisted extraction (UAE), supercritical CO₂ extraction (SC-CO₂), and pressurized liquid extraction (PLE), demonstrated advantages in improving extraction efficiency while reducing solvent consumption and thermal degradation. Overall, the available evidence indicates that babassu residues represent a promising and still underexplored source of bioactive compounds. Their valorization may contribute to sustainable extraction strategies, waste reduction, and the development of value-added products within agricultural and bioeconomic systems. Full article

The use of underutilized biomass improves resource-use efficiency and reduces agricultural waste, particularly in temperate systems cultivating tropical crops. Papaya (Carica papaya L.), grown as an annual crop in these systems, produces substantial trunk biomass that is typically discarded after harvest. This study evaluated the potential of papaya trunk xylem rays as an edible resource through compositional, sensory, and functional analyses. Trunks were harvested at the end of the fruiting period (December) and after exposure to a cold wave (January) and were classified by organ types and maturity level. Xylem rays showed moisture and carbohydrate contents comparable to those of green papaya fruit, and were judged as edible by all panelists (100%) in December-harvested samples. However, exposure to a cold wave reduced sweetness and increased bitterness, resulting in decreased overall acceptability. Nevertheless, boiling effectively reduced bitterness and improved palatability even in cold-exposed samples. In addition, xylem rays exhibited higher total polyphenol content than green papaya fruit, while showing comparable DPPH radical scavenging activity. These results suggest that xylem rays have potential as an edible plant resource with antioxidant-related properties, contributing to resource-use efficiency and potentially providing opportunities for biomass valorization in temperate production systems. Full article

In controlled-environment agriculture (CEA), light serves both as an energy source for photosynthesis and as a regulatory factor. However, the light responses of underutilized leafy greens are still not fully characterized compared with model crops such as lettuce. This study evaluated the effects of lighting parameters on the growth, metabolism, antioxidant properties, and mineral composition of Chrysanthemum coronarium (shungiku) greens cultivated hydroponically in CEA. Three parallel experiments were conducted, aiming to explore the effects of (I) light spectrum using red (R, 660 nm), blue (B, 447 nm), and combined RB light; (II) photoperiod, using 12, 16, and 24 h photoperiods at equal daily light integral; and 150, 200, 250, and 300 µmol m⁻² s⁻¹ photosynthetic photon flux density (PPFD) at 16 h photoperiod. RB light promoted the highest biomass accumulation and light use efficiency (LUE), while monochromatic red and blue light limited growth and reduced Fe and Zn contents. A 12 h photoperiod yielded the best results for leaf area, fresh weight, and LUE compared with 16 and 24 h photoperiods. Higher PPFD increased biomass, soluble sugars, antioxidant capacity, organic acids, and micronutrients, with peak LUE at 200 µmol m⁻² s⁻¹ instead of the maximum yield at 300 µmol m⁻² s⁻¹. These findings emphasize the importance of crop-specific and trait-oriented light optimization for underutilized leafy vegetables. Full article

Cañihua (Chenopodium pallidicaule) is an underutilized Andean pseudocereal of strategic interest for sustainable agriculture in high-altitude, climate-constrained environments, where its tolerance to frost, drought, and saline soils positions it as a potential climate-resilient crop. Despite its high nutritional value and potential for functional food applications, its research landscape remains fragmented and unevenly developed across agronomic, nutritional, and technological dimensions. This study aimed to systematically and bibliometrically analyze the scientific literature on cañihua published between 1995 and 2025. A total of 104 documents indexed in the Scopus database were evaluated following the PRISMA 2020 approach, including analyses of publication trends, geographic distribution, collaboration networks, and thematic structures, together with a qualitative critical appraisal of the included evidence. Results indicate a marked increase in scientific output since 2006, with research predominantly concentrated in food science and technology and limited development in agronomy, clinical nutrition, and socio-economic domains. Thematic analysis reveals a strong focus on bioactive compounds, nutritional composition, and processing technologies, while clinical, socio-economic, and large-scale agricultural studies remain limited. Processing strategies such as germination, malting, and fermentation enhance nutrient bioavailability, reduce antinutritional factors, and improve sensory properties, supporting the incorporation of cañihua into functional and gluten-free foods at levels of up to 25%. Significant gaps persist in clinical validation, agronomic standardization, production scalability, genetic improvement, and integration across research domains. Overall, cañihua shows strong potential to contribute to sustainable Andean agriculture, food security, and functional food innovation, although further interdisciplinary and translational research linking agricultural production with nutritional and technological outcomes is required to realize its full applied potential. Full article

Agricultural waste streams represent an underutilized source of bioactive compounds with potential to enhance crop resilience under climate stress. We previously showed that volatile compounds (VCs) emitted from waste shiitake fungi beds (WSFBs) promote early rice seedling growth under controlled conditions. Here, we evaluated whether these early-stage effects persist after transplanting and translate into agronomic benefits under field conditions, including the record high temperatures (HTs) of the 2023 growing season in Niigata, Japan. Seedlings of two japonica cultivars, Nipponbare and Koshihikari, were exposed to WSFBs-derived VCs using a non-contact system and subsequently grown in paddy fields across two seasons (2023–2024). WSFBs-VCs-treated (+VCs) plants exhibited enhanced seedling vigor, increased tiller and panicle numbers, higher grain yield per plant, greater 1000-grain weight, and reduced grain chalkiness. Gas exchange measurements at the reproductive stage during the 2023 record HT showed that +VCs plants maintained higher net photosynthetic rate, stomatal conductance, intercellular CO₂ concentration, and transpiration rate, while intrinsic water-use efficiency showed a modest decline consistent with transpirational cooling. Controlled-environment assays revealed enhanced physiological stability supported by upregulation of cytokinin and stress-responsive genes under acute heat stress. Together, these results demonstrate that short-term exposure to WSFBs-derived VCs enhances rice performance under field conditions, including during extreme heat, and highlight their potential as low-cost, waste-derived biostimulants that support sustainable, circular, and climate-resilient rice production. Full article

The growing demand for clean-label foods has stimulated interest in minimally processed ingredients capable of improving the nutritional and technological quality of gluten-free bakery products. Carob (Ceratonia siliqua L.) is an underutilized Mediterranean crop whose seeds are mainly used for locust bean gum production, while other fractions of the fruit remain insufficiently valorized. This study investigated the potential of carob seed flour (CSF) and the whole carob fruit flour (pods and seeds; CSPF) as natural structuring ingredients in gluten-free flatbread (GFFB), combined with sourdough fermentation. The initial technological properties (pasting profile, baking loss, specific volume, color, and texture profile) and nutritional composition were evaluated, alongside storage stability, through textural and sensory changes during 72 h. The incorporation of carob ingredients improved the nutritional profile of GFFB, nearly doubling total dietary fiber and iron content without compromising sensory acceptance. CSF use resulted in an improved pasting profile and a 50% softer crumb structure. Sourdough fermentation successfully mitigated the increased hardness and lower sensory freshness perception in CSPF formulations. Carob seed flour, as well as whole carob fruit flour combined with sourdough, represent effective natural strategies for improving the technological properties, nutritional quality, texture profile, and freshness perception of gluten-free flatbread without compromising sensory acceptability. Full article

Platonia insignis Mart. (Clusiaceae) is a native fruit tree of great ecological and socioeconomic importance in the Brazilian Amazon and Cerrado. However, habitat loss is threatening its genetic variability. We investigated whether habitat fragmentation across the Amazon, Cerrado, and transition zones shapes the genetic diversity and population structure of five natural populations of P. insignis, using ISSR markers. Leaf samples from 13–15 individuals per population were collected, and DNA was extracted using the CTAB protocol. Twelve ISSR primers amplified 149 loci, used to estimate genetic parameters. AMOVA showed that 73.58% of genetic variation occurred within populations and 26.41% among populations (F_ST = 0.261). Amazonian populations exhibited the highest genetic diversity, while transition zone populations had the lowest values. The Cerrado population was genetically distinct and maintained moderate intrapopulation diversity. Bayesian clustering, PCoA, and UPGMA revealed three genetic groups corresponding to the sampled regions. Transitional populations showed high genetic admixture, indicating their role as potential corridors for gene flow. Our results highlight the need to preserve genetically diverse Amazonian populations, safeguard the Cerrado population as an evolutionarily significant unit, and maintain transitional populations to promote landscape connectivity. The study provides a genetic baseline to support conservation and management of P. insignis germplasm resources. Full article

Livestock feed shortage is a serious global problem, worsened by climate-change-induced droughts that continue to disrupt its production, consequently threatening food and nutrition security. Drought poses a significant threat to conventionally farmed feed crops, such as maize and soybeans, reducing their availability and negatively impacting the livestock industry. These crops cannot withstand intense drought, creating a need for alternative feed sources with good nutritional value, positive health benefits and livestock performance, as well as cost-reduction potential for farmers. Research continues to explore drought-tolerant crops such as sorghum (Sorghum bicolor), millet (Pennisetum glaucum and Eleusine coracana), cassava (Manihot esculenta), false banana (Ensete ventricosum), and cactus pear (Opuntia ficus-indica) for use as traditional feed substitutes or in hybrid feedstock production to enhance food security, support farmers, and conserve the environment. Unlike the conventional feed crops, these underutilized crops are tolerant under arid conditions, use less water, and possess higher nutritional value, making them important for climate change adaptation and sustainable agricultural systems. Despite the growing recognition of drought-tolerant crops in livestock feed systems, a comprehensive review discussing the advancements and potential of these types of crops as livestock feed is lacking in the literature. Therefore, this review discusses the critical role of selected key drought-tolerant crops as alternative livestock feed, covering the drivers for their use, utilization and processing studies, quality determinants, associated challenges, and sustainable innovation strategies to inform policy making. Full article

The current rise in global population and the subsequent demand for food supply to meet the current population has directed the attention of researchers towards sustainable, plant-based sources, particularly underutilized crops. Bactris gasipaes is one such underutilized crop with significant functional food value. During processing, 84% of the total weight of the palm is discarded in the form of waste, or so-called by-products, which are a rich source of bioactive compounds. These compounds can be effectively recovered through modern extraction and valorization techniques. This review critically examines the extraction methods, nutritional profiles, and valorization opportunities of peach palm, highlighting both traditional uses and innovative processing strategies. Recent advances enable the targeted recovery of multiple peach palm fractions, e.g., proteins are commonly extracted using alkaline methods, lipids and carotenoids via green solvents or supercritical CO₂, and starch and dietary fiber through hydrothermal or downstream separation processes. Key nutritional findings demonstrate that peach palm fractions offer significant protein content (with isolates reaching 40 to 60%), a favorable starch profile (up to 79%), and abundant unsaturated lipids and carotenoids, making them suitable for gluten-free, protein-enriched, and functional ingredient applications. Previous studies have focused mainly on the edible pulp of peach palm for protein, lipid, and carotenoid extraction, whereas other fractions such as peel, seed, and processing residues remain comparatively underexplored due to technological and safety constraints. This review provides a consolidated and critical overview of recent advances in fractionation and green extraction strategies for multiple value-added streams (proteins, lipids, carotenoids, starch, and dietary fiber), highlighting knowledge gaps and opportunities for sustainable food ingredient development. Full article

Seed priming studies commonly emphasize growth and physiological responses, yet ionomic regulation and tissue-specific nutrient allocation under salinity stress remain poorly explored, particularly in underutilized crops such as Bambara groundnut (Vigna subterranea L.). This study investigated whether Mg(NO₃)₂ seed priming, previously shown to enhance salt tolerance, is associated with consistent ionomic patterns in contrasting Bambara groundnut genotypes (BGN-14 and BGN-25). Seeds were primed with 0.03% Mg(NO₃)₂ and grown under control or saline conditions (200 mM NaCl) for five weeks. Shoot and root tissues were analyzed for macro- and micronutrient composition using ICP-OES. In BGN-14, salinity caused a marked reduction in shoot fresh weight (−49.5%, p < 0.05), whereas Mg(NO₃)₂ priming largely mitigated this effect under salinity (−0.4%, p > 0.05). Root fresh weight declined numerically under salt stress (−70.1%) and primed + salt conditions (−45.5%), but these changes were not statistically significant. Shoot dry weight increased significantly in primed plants (+83.5%, p < 0.05), while salinity reduced SDW (−58.4%); primed + salt plants maintained SDW near control levels (+2.6%). In BGN-25, root biomass was unaffected by treatments, whereas salinity significantly reduced shoot biomass relative to primed plants, with a consistent trend of primed > control > primed + salt > salt. Salinity increased the Na⁺/K⁺ ratio, particularly in roots. In BGN-14, the root Na⁺/K⁺ ratio increased significantly from 1.07 to 4.49 (p < 0.05), indicating enhanced Na⁺ accumulation, while shoot ratios increased non-significantly. BGN-25 showed a more moderate increase in shoot ratios and a pronounced rise in root ratios. Principal component analysis revealed distinct nutrient clustering, with Na, Fe, and Al loading strongly under salinity, while Ca, K, Mg, and Cu aligned with improved physiological performance. Although differences between salt and primed + salt treatments were often not statistically significant, several ion ratios and nutrient relationships were numerically enhanced under Mg(NO₃)₂ priming. This study builds upon earlier physiological findings (where BGN-14 consistently exhibited a stronger positive response to Mg(NO₃)₂ priming, outperforming BGN-25 under salt stress) and provides exploratory, hypothesis-generating evidence that Mg(NO₃)₂ priming may contribute to salinity tolerance through coordinated ionomic adjustments, including altered Na⁺ allocation and improved nutrient balance, rather than complete Na⁺ exclusion. These findings highlight the relevance of ionomic responses in understanding stress adaptation in underutilized legume crops. Full article

Buckwheat (Fagopyrum esculentum) is an important source of nutrition for humans, providing essential nutrients such as protein, fiber, vitamins, and minerals. Its cultivation is highly attractive to flower-visiting insects, which find abundant nectar and a moderate amount of pollen grains. This study aimed to characterize the taxonomic diversity and composition of flower-visiting insect communities in buckwheat crops across two sites in Chitwan district, Nepal and to assess whether temperature and relative humidity influence community structure. We further quantified the contribution of insect pollination to buckwheat yield by comparing pollinator-excluded plots (net-covered) with open-pollinated plots. In addition, we estimated the economic value of insect-mediated pollination and the nutritional contribution of buckwheat production on a per capita basis. Data were analyzed using non-metric multidimensional scaling, permutational multivariate analysis of variance, similarity percentage analysis, and (generalized) linear mixed-effects models. We found significant differences in flower-visiting insect community composition between the two study sites, independent of temperature and relative humidity, with twelve taxa contributing most to this dissimilarity. Open-pollinated plots exhibited higher buckwheat yields than pollinator-excluded plots, highlighting the importance of insect visitation for crop production. Despite the presence of managed Apis species, we recorded frequent visitation by flies and solitary bees, indicating that these taxa are likely important contributors to buckwheat pollination at local scales. Similarly, insect-mediated pollination significantly increased buckwheat production, and its absence would result in substantial economic losses of USD 2.6 million and reduced nutritional contributions, highlighting the vulnerability of buckwheat-based food security for the Nepalese communities due to pollinator decline. Full article

Accurate crop type mapping remains challenging in regions where persistent cloud cover limits the availability of optical imagery. Multi-temporal dual-polarization Sentinel-1 SAR data offer an all-weather alternative, yet existing approaches often underutilize polarization information and rely on single-scale temporal aggregation. This study proposes PTU-Net, a polarization–temporal U-Net designed specifically for pixel-wise crop segmentation from SAR time series. The model introduces a Polarization Channel Attention module to construct physically meaningful VV/VH combinations and adaptively enhance their contributions. It also incorporates a Multi-Scale Temporal Self-Attention mechanism to model pixel-level backscatter trajectories across multiple spatial resolutions. Using a 12-date Sentinel-1 stack over Kings County, California, and high-quality crop-type reference labels, the model was trained and evaluated under a spatially independent split. Results show that PTU-Net outperforms GRU, ConvLSTM, 3D U-Net, and U-Net–ConvLSTM baselines, achieving the highest overall accuracy and mean IoU among all tested models. Ablation studies confirm that both polarization enhancement and multi-scale temporal modeling contribute substantially to performance gains. These findings demonstrate that integrating polarization-aware feature construction with scale-adaptive temporal reasoning can substantially improve the effectiveness of SAR-based crop mapping, offering a promising direction for operational agricultural monitoring. Full article

The transition to a circular bioeconomy enhances the valorization of agricultural by-products. Hawthorn leaves (Crataegus spp.), generated in large quantities from orchard maintenance, represent a promising yet underutilized biomass. This comprehensive narrative review synthesizes recent advances regarding their bioactive compounds, extraction methods, and applications. A systematic literature search was conducted to identify relevant studies. The analysis reveals that hawthorn leaves are rich in polyphenols (e.g., flavonoids, procyanidins), with their content often exceeding that found in fruits. Modern “green” extraction techniques (e.g., ultrasound- and microwave-assisted) demonstrate superior efficiency in recovering these thermolabile compounds compared to conventional methods. The broad spectrum of associated biological activities—including antioxidant, cardioprotective, neuroprotective, antimicrobial, and insecticidal effects—underpins their potential in nutraceuticals, cosmetics, and functional foods. Crucially, this review highlights the significant promise of hawthorn leaf extracts as a source for developing natural, plant-based biopesticides, aligning with sustainable agriculture and integrated pest management principles. To fully realize this “waste-to-wealth” potential, future research should prioritize the scaling of eco-friendly extraction, field trials for crop protection efficacy, and the standardization of extracts. Full article