Search Results (64)

Climate change can severely impact plant-pollinator interactions and have serious effects on ecosystem services such as pollination. This study was carried out in 2023 and 2024, and it examined the effects of drought on flowering and nectar production in one cultivar of white mustard (Brassica alba cv. Palma), an important entomophilous crop of the temperate zone with several attributes that make it promising for sustainable agricultural practices. Drought-stressed plants delayed the flowering time, shortened the flowering duration, and developed significantly fewer flowers. Nectar production in white mustard depends on soil moisture levels and short-term changes in meteorological conditions (e.g., air humidity, air temperature). At reduced soil moisture, the total sugar yield per plant decreased by 60%, compared to control plants, resulting in lower availability of caloric food resources, which should be considered when developing strategies supporting pollinators. Changes in floral traits resulted in differences in the frequency of insect visits, which may exert a negative impact on white mustard pollination under drought stress and may have indirect consequences for seed yield resulting from increased drought intensity associated with climate change. The results provide important data for the management of the white mustard crop and indicate the need for broader evaluation of cultivars to promote drought-resistant B. alba cultivars. Full article

Chinese kale sprouts are widely cultivated and consumed due to their elevated nutritional worth and ease of cultivation in controlled environments. This study focused on the effects of several light types (white, red, and blue) both by themselves and in conjunction with calcium chloride (CaCl₂) on the physiological development and nutritional value of Chinese kale sprouts. Analysis proved that under differing light treatments, white light resulted in the highest pigment content, and red light markedly increased plant height, fresh mass, and soluble sugar accumulation. Additionally, blue light significantly enhanced the antioxidant capacity. When light quality and calcium chloride were applied together, fresh mass increased by 9.50%, 9.85%, and 12.47% (compared with single light treatments), and significantly elevated the indolic glucosinolate content. Besides, red light combined with calcium chloride also enhanced the antioxidant capacity (ferric reducing antioxidant power (FRAP) content) compared with red light alone, increasing by 14.31%. This research determined that red light in conjunction with calcium chloride obtained the highest yield of sprouts, and it can also offer new strategies for increasing the antioxidant capacity, while the blue light in conjunction with calcium chloride can provide more ways for accumulating glucosinolates. In conclusion, incorporating light quality and calcium chloride treatments in Chinese kale sprout cultivation is an effective approach for increasing yield and quality. Full article

Farming is an important development direction of agriculture in the future, which is affected by various environmental factors, among which light plays an important role, and it is essential for the growth of organisms in nature. LED technology can regulate the growth and development of vegetables by adjusting the spectral composition of light. In order to explore light quality formulation with the aim of improving the quality and yield of celery, we set up six experimental treatments: W (white light), R (red light), B (blue light), 3R1B (red light/blue light = 3:1), 4R1B (red light/blue light = 4:1), and 5R1B (red light/blue light = 5:1). The results indicated that the 3R1B and 4R1B illumination treatments were conducive to promoting the growth of celery, enhancing plant height and root length. Specifically, the 3R1B treatment optimized the nutritional quality of celery by increasing the levels of soluble protein, soluble sugar, and total flavonoids while reducing nitrate and cellulose contents and elevating the anthocyanin content in petioles. Additionally, both treatments enhanced the contents of Ca and Mg in celery leaves and petioles. Furthermore, the 3R1B treatment promoted the accumulation of photosynthetic pigments, upregulated the activities of ANS and FNS enzymes, and induced the upregulation of gene expression levels of FNS and ANS, thereby enhancing the nutritional value of celery. Full article

Background/Objective: Over an eight-week period, this study assessed the influence of dietary carbohydrate levels on growth, metabolism, and immunity in Pacific white shrimp (Litopenaeus vannamei) raised within a biofloc technology (BFT) system. Methods: Five isonitrogenous and isolipidic diets, spanning carbohydrate levels from 11% to 47%, were evaluated. Results: The results showed that dietary carbohydrate significantly impacted both growth performance and feed utilization. The diet containing 38% carbohydrate yielded the best outcomes, resulting in the highest weight gain, specific growth rate, and an optimal feed conversion ratio in the shrimp. Hepatopancreatic metabolic analysis revealed that the shrimp adapted to diets high in carbohydrates through the upregulation of glycolytic enzymes (PK, PFK) and downregulation of gluconeogenic enzymes (PEPCK, G6Pase). By optimizing the water quality and supplementing microbial nutrition, L. vannamei in the BFT system exhibited enhanced dietary carbohydrate utilization and strengthened innate immunity. Specifically, SOD and CAT activities remained largely unaffected by varying carbohydrate levels. However, excessive carbohydrate intake still induced oxidative stress. The high-sugar group (47%) exhibited a significant increase in hemolymph MDA content (p < 0.05), with corresponding metabolic alterations observed in glucose, triglyceride, and total protein levels. On the basis of the results of this study, the BFT system may mitigate the adverse effects of a high-carbohydrate diet by enhancing lysosomal enzyme activity (e.g., ACP) and increasing total protein levels. Conclusions: These findings suggest that the BFT system enhances shrimp immunity and mitigates the potential adverse effects of imbalanced dietary components. Piecewise regression analysis determined the optimal dietary carbohydrate level for shrimp within the BFT system to be 31.44–31.77%. Full article

This study investigates the effects of four enzymatic treatments on the yield, physicochemical properties, and bioactive compounds of grape juices from two red (Golubok, Regent) and two white (Muscaris, Aurora) hybrid grape varieties. A total of 20 samples were prepared using four commercial enzyme formulations (Pectinex Ultra, Safizym Clear Plus, Safizym Press, and Rapidase color) applied at a concentration of 0.02% (w/w). The juices were evaluated for yield, total phenolic content, antioxidant capacities (ABTS, DPPH, FRAP), titratable acidity, turbidity, total soluble solids, and phenolic profile. The addition of enzymes significantly improved juice yield by 10% to 20%, with the effect varying depending on the type of enzyme and the variety of grapes. Pectinex Ultra was the most effective enzyme in reducing turbidity, while enzyme treatments had minimal impact on Brix levels and sugar concentration, which were primarily determined by the characteristics of each grape variety. The enzyme addition showed a minor influence on the titratable acidity of the juices, with slight increases observed in Muscaris, but the grape variety played a major role in determining the titratable acidity levels. Color parameters revealed that white grape juices (Muscaris and Aurora) were brighter than red varieties (Golubok and Regent). Additionally, enzyme treatments influenced the color, enhancing the red hues in red grape juices. Enzyme treatments also improved the antioxidant capacity of grape juices, especially in Aurora and Muscaris, although the effect on polyphenol content was more dependent on the variety of grapes, with red varieties showing higher levels of polyphenols than white varieties. These findings highlight the significant role of both enzyme treatments and grape variety in determining the quality and health-promoting properties of grape juice. Full article

The increase in food production is accompanied by an increase in waste, particularly agricultural by-products from cultivation and processing. These residues are referred to as agricultural by-products. To address this issue, biotechnological processes can be used to create new applications for these by-products. This study explored the use of LAB strains (Lactiplantibacillus plantarum, Streptococcus thermophilus, Lactobacillus delbrueckii subsp. bulgaricus, and Limosilactobacillus fermentum) on by-products such as white grape pomace, cocoa bean shells, apple pomace, and defatted roasted hazelnut to develop yoghurt-style fruit beverages. Microbial load and pH changes were monitored during a 24 h fermentation and 14-day shelf life at 5 °C. Concentrations of sugars, organic acids, and volatile organic compounds were also analyzed using HPLC and GC-qMS. The results showed that optimizing the matrix led to significant bacterial growth, with viable microbes remaining under refrigeration. In particular, the strain of L. plantarum tested on the cocoa bean shell yielded the most promising results. After 24 h of fermentation, the strain reached a charge of 9.3 Log CFU/mL, acidifying the substrate to 3.9 and producing 19.00 g/100 g of lactic acid. Aromatic compounds were produced in all trials, without off-flavours, and characteristic fermented food flavours developed. Additionally, secondary metabolites produced by lactic acid bacteria may enhance the health benefits of these beverages. Full article

An open-field study evaluated the effects of four biostimulants (Asahi, Optysil, Optycal, and Tytanit) on the yield and chemical composition of two white cabbage cultivars (‘Caraflex’ and ‘Alfredo’). Although the biostimulants did not significantly impact the marketable yield, all treatments led to a significant increase in ascorbic acid content. The influence on dry matter, sugars, phenols, and antioxidant activity varied by cultivar but generally did not result in inferior outcomes compared to the control. The effect on nitrate levels also varied, with Optysil and Asahi showing some adverse effects depending on the cultivar. Full article

The study investigates the efficacy of an enzymatic preparation primarily with α-galactosidase activity for improving the quality of white sugar from poor-quality sugar beets. Focused on overcoming raffinose accumulation challenges in sugar beets, especially those harvested prematurely or stored for extended periods, an innovative exploration of enzymatic application in an industrial setting for the first time was conducted. By integrating theoretical calculations and experimental data, the findings reveal that α-galactosidase preparation notably diminishes raffinose content in beet juice, thus enhancing the sucrose yield and overall sugar quality. A reliable method to process lower-quality beets, promising enhanced efficiency in sugar production, was presented. The study also highlights the economic benefits of incorporating enzyme preparation into the production process, demonstrating a notable return on investment and underscoring the potential of enzymatic treatments to address industry challenges. Full article

Dendrobium hybrids have a significant role in the present floral sector. The aim of this research was to evaluate how various light qualities affect the physiological and biochemical traits of Dendrobium ‘Shuijing’. In order to determine the optimal light quality for in vitro cultivation of Dendrobium plantlets, we examined the correlations between growth, antioxidant capacity, and nutrient and chlorophyll levels, as well as chlorophyll fluorescence. The growth rate was compared by using different light qualities emitted by the LED light source. These included red light (R), blue light (B), and three ratios: 8R:2B, 7R:3B, and equal proportions of both colors, known as white, fluorescent light (CK). The combination of 7R:3B resulted in noticeable enhancements in leaf count, root length, root activity, fresh and dry weight measurements, antioxidant capability, as well as chlorophyll content and fluorescence. Specifically, the mixture of red and blue LED lights at a ratio of 7R:3B led to increased leaf number, root length, root activity, fresh and dry weight measurements, antioxidant ability, and chlorophyll content with improved fluorescence. In order to explore the effect of light quality on the growth and development of Dendrobium, the chlorophyll content and chlorophyll fluorescence parameters of plants under all light quality conditions were analyzed by using a linear regression model with other physiological and biochemical indexes. A significant correlation between non-photochemical quenching (NPQ) and leaf length was also observed. The content of chlorophyll b showed significant correlations with both root number and leaf number. Furthermore, chlorophyll a, along with its ratio to chlorophyll b, significantly correlated with root length. Chlorophyll b and the relative electron transport rate of PSII (ETRII) significantly correlated with root activity and the free proline content (FPC) and catalase (CAT) activity. The photochemical quenching coefficient (qP) significantly correlated with total soluble sugars content (SSC) and peroxidase (POD) activity. The correlation between the quantum yield of PSII (Fv/Fm ratio) and superoxide dismutase (SOD) activity was found to be significant. Similarly, the effective quantum yield of PSII photochemistry (ΦPSII) showed significant correlations with fresh weight, dry weight, soluble protein content (SPC), and ascorbate peroxidase (APX) activity. Through a principal component analysis (PCA), it was observed that plants cultivated under the 7R:3B light treatment achieved significantly better comprehensive scores compared to those grown under different light treatments. In conclusion, growth achieved under an LED emitting a ratio of 7R:3B light yielded the most robust Dendrobium hybrid plantlets within a controlled environment. Full article

This study aims to obtain an alternative aging method using toasted white oak chips and ultrasound technology that yields a final product of similar quality to the one obtained by a traditional aging system in reduced time. Different conditions of ultrasound treatment and ethanol concentration during the maturation stage were studied. A sugar cane honey spirit was produced. The ultrasound treatments were applied to the distilled product to extract the color, aroma, and flavor compounds from the white oak chips used. Trials of spectrophotometry-evaluated color and e-sensing technology were applied to assess flavor and aroma. Very distinct color changes were obtained, indicating that ultrasound treatment facilitates the extraction of color compounds from the oak chips. The flavor profile obtained was similar to the one obtained for the unaged reference, indicating that the accelerated aging treatment may not influence flavor in a significant manner. The aroma profile achieved most descriptors found in the commercial rum aroma profile, indicating that the aging method studied influences the aroma profile. In general, the methods used allowed us to produce an aged spirit, offering a reduction in maturation time over the traditional system and a similar sensory profile for the final product. Full article

The growing demand for higher-quality food production in smaller soil areas points to optimized land use. Intercropping has the potential to increase yield, reduce pests and diseases, and boost biodiversity. This study, conducted at the Institute of Horticulture, Lithuanian Research Centre for Agriculture and Forestry, from 2017 to 2019, aimed to determine the effect of white cabbage intercropping with aromatic plants, calendula, French marigold, thyme, and sage on yield, mineral and biochemical composition. Aromatic plants are known to reduce the occurrence of pests and diseases, so this study aimed to determine whether aromatic plants affect the yield, mineral, and biochemical composition of white cabbage. The two-year observations demonstrated that aromatic plants did not affect or slightly affect the mineral composition of cabbage’s primary macronutrients (N, P, K, Mg, and Ca). Cabbage’s dry matter, sugars, and ascorbic acid content vary when grown intercropped with aromatic plants compared to monoculture. Although the results were comparable, sugar concentration was lower in all cabbage combinations than in monoculture. Lower nitrate levels were detected in cabbage monoculture, probably due to agro-meteorological circumstances. The highest cabbage yield was achieved by intercropping with thyme (7.25 t/ha) compared to monoculture (6.81 t/ha) in 2018. It was found that intercropping with aromatic plants had little effect on the biochemical composition of white cabbage. The study results suggest that French marigold and thyme can be grown together with white cabbage to improve the phytosanitary of vegetables without compromising the biochemical quality of the cabbages. However, the influence on biochemical composition, especially on the nitrate and glucosinolate levels, should be examined further, providing valuable insights for future research in this field. Full article

Yacon, known for its fructooligosaccharides, fructans, and inulin content, has shown potential for novel beverage production. This study explores the feasibility of creating a distilled yacon-based beverage. Hydrolysis was utilized to release simple sugars from agave and yacon roots; these were then processed into three distinct batches of distilled beverage. The different methods led to tests varying the sugar content, yeast strains for fermentation, distillation efficiency, aging processes, and sensory evaluations. The distilled beverages demonstrated varying fermentation yields and distillation efficiencies, with one batch aged in Colombian white oak and the others in glass, highlighting differences in flavor profiles. The study concluded that yacon could serve as a versatile base for alcoholic beverage production. The second batch of the distilled beverage, optimized for fermentation and distillation efficiencies, represented promising advancements in yacon-based alcohol production. Future research should focus on process optimization and commercial viability to expand yacon’s presence in the alcoholic beverage industry. Full article

In the period of 2016–2018, two series of field studies on organic sugar beet growing (Beta vulgaris L.) were carried out in northern Poland on Luvisol loamy soil (medium–heavy) soil in Bałcyny and Płonne. The aim of this study was to decrease the yield gap between organic and conventional beets. Factors to increase the yield of organic beet were differentiated fertilization (cattle farmyard manure (FYM), compost, and Bioilsa) and choice of varieties (Eliska, Jampol, and Sobieski). The reference point was the conventional cultivation of the same sugar beet varieties, fertilized with manure and NPK mineral fertilizers, the prevailing standard of sugar beet cultivation in Poland. High sugar beet root yields exceeding the average yield in Poland by 25–30% were obtained in both studies, both in conventional and organic cultivation. Higher root and white sugar yields were obtained in the study conducted at Płonne (with similar soil conditions to those at Bałcyny), but they were characterized by higher temperatures during the growing season. The lowest root yields in both experiments were obtained by fertilizing the organic beet with compost (66.1 t per ha in Bałcyny and 78.13 t per ha in Płonne), which were 10.8% and 8.5% lower than the conventional crop, respectively. Higher root yields in organic cultivation were obtained by fertilizing the sugar beet with FYM, which reduced the differences from conventional beet to 7.7% in the study in Bałcyny and 2.1% in the study in Płonne. Thus, the results showed no need to convert cattle FYM to compost. The highest root yields in organic cultivation were obtained by fertilizing the sugar beet with Bioilsa N 12.5 supplemented with mineral fertilization of K, Mg, and S (Patentkali). This fertilization provided a yield of 78.1 t of roots per ha in Bałcyny, which is a reduction in the yield gap to 1.4%, a statistically insignificant value. Moreover, in the study at Płonne, organic sugar beet fertilized with Bioilsa and Patentkali yielded 86.7 t of roots per ha, compared to 85.6 t per ha of conventional beet, so a yield gap was not seen here. The choice of varieties was also of great importance for root and pure sugar yields in both farming systems. The lowest yields were obtained from the Eliska variety, and at Bałcyny, a change of beet cultivar to Jampol increased the organic root yield from 68.8 t per ha to 76.0 t per ha, while reducing the yield gap from 10.1% to 2.2%. At Płonne, replacing the Eliska variety with Jampol reduced the yield gap between organic and conventional roots from 6.6% to 0.3%. Full article

Sugarcane white leaf (SCWL) disease, caused by Candidatus Phytoplasma sacchari, results in the most damage to sugarcane plantations. Some SCWL canes can grow unnoticed through the maturation phase, subsequently resulting in an overall low sugar yield, or they can be used accidentally as seed canes. In this work, 12-month-old SCWL and asymptomatic canes growing in the same field were investigated. An abundance of phytoplasma in SCWL canes affected growth and sugar content as well as alterations of transcriptomic profiles corresponding to several pathways that responded to the infection. Suppression of photosynthesis, porphyrin and chlorophyll metabolism, coupled with an increase in the expression of chlorophyllase, contributed to the reduction in chlorophyll levels and photosynthesis. Blockage of sucrose transport plausibly occurred due to the expression of sugar transporters in leaves but suppression in stalks, resulting in low sugar content in canes. Increased expression of genes associated with MAPK cascades, plant hormone signaling transduction, callose plug formation, the phenylpropanoid pathway, and calcium cascades positively promoted defense mechanisms against phytoplasma colonization by an accumulation of lignin and calcium in response to plant immunity. Significant downregulation of CPK plausibly results in a reduction in antioxidant enzymes and likely facilitates pathogen invasion, while expression of sesquiterpene biosynthesis possibly attracts the insect vectors for transmission, thereby enabling the spread of phytoplasma. Moreover, downregulation of flavonoid biosynthesis potentially intensifies the symptoms of SCWL upon challenge by phytoplasma. These SCWL sugarcane transcriptomic profiles describe the first comprehensive sugarcane–phytoplasma interaction during the harvesting stage. Understanding molecular mechanisms will allow for sustainable management and the prevention of SCWL disease—a crucial benefit to the sugar industry. Full article

There has always been a specific focus on nitrogen fertilization in sugar beet production due to its important effect on sugar beet root yield and quality. For stable sugar beet growth and satisfactory root yield and quality, balanced N fertilization is crucial. Thus, this study aimed to investigate spring N fertilization in two seasons as the following treatments: N₀—control, N₁—only pre-sowing fertilization, and N₂—pre-sowing with topdressing. Four different genotypes were included in the study (Serenada, Colonia, Fred, and Danton). The experiment was set up in a plain area, belonging to the temperate climate zone in Eastern Croatia (Županja and Vrbanja), with the long-term mean (LTM) (March–October) air temperature around 16 °C and the total precipitation of 515 mm. Pre-sowing N fertilization had a smaller impact on root yield in the year with higher precipitation (31% higher than LTM). Therefore, the average yields with pre-sowing fertilization (N₁) and pre-sowing fertilization with top dressing (N₂) were very similar and were only 7% higher than those of the control. In a season with less rainfall (29% less than LTM), pre-sowing fertilization with top dressing (N₂) had a more pronounced effect on the increase in sugar beet root yield, which was 17% higher compared to that of the control treatment. The sugar beet sucrose content and quality parameters (brei impurities, loss of sugar in molasses, extractable sugar) differed when N fertilization was applied among locations in both seasons. The white sugar yield was the highest at N₂ treatment with pre-sowing and topdressing N fertilization. In general, according to the average of all locations and years of research, the Serenada hybrid achieved the highest average root yield (81.1 t ha⁻¹), while Colonia exhibited the highest root sugar content (14.5%) and white sugar yield (9.7 t ha⁻¹). Full article