Topic Editors

College of Agriculture, Nanjing Agricultural University, Nanjing 210095, China
Prof. Dr. Zhiguo Zhou
Key Laboratory of Crop Ecophysiology and Management, Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs, College of Agriculture, Nanjing Agricultural University, Nanjing 210095, China
Dr. Wenqing Zhao
Key Laboratory of Crop Ecophysiology and Management, Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs, College of Agriculture, Nanjing Agricultural University, Nanjing 210095, China

Advances in Industrial Crops Physioecology and Sustainable Cultivation

Abstract submission deadline
30 April 2025
Manuscript submission deadline
30 June 2025
Viewed by
26774

Topic Information

Dear Colleagues,

Industrial crops, including fiber, forest, energy crops, rubber and resins, cultivated medicinal and aromatic plants, etc., play important roles in human life. However, under the background of global climate change, frequent meteorological disasters will significantly reduce these crops’ production and quality, which will seriously restrict the sustainable production of these crops. Studying the physiological and ecological response mechanism to the changes of different environmental factors is an important approach to developing supporting cultivation techniques and an important basis for realizing the sustainable development of these crops. Therefore, manuscripts related to the physiological, ecological, and molecular mechanisms of industrial crops (non-food) in response to different environmental factors during its yield and quality formation process or related to the exploration of sustainable production approaches of industrial crop production are accepted.

Dr. Wei Hu
Prof. Dr. Zhiguo Zhou
Dr. Wenqing Zhao
Topic Editors

Keywords

  • agronomy
  • abiotic stress
  • yield
  • quality
  • climate change

Participating Journals

Journal Name Impact Factor CiteScore Launched Year First Decision (median) APC
Agronomy
agronomy
3.3 6.2 2011 15.5 Days CHF 2600 Submit
Agriculture
agriculture
3.3 4.9 2011 20.2 Days CHF 2600 Submit
Crops
crops
- - 2021 24.2 Days CHF 1000 Submit
Seeds
seeds
- - 2022 26.5 Days CHF 1000 Submit

Preprints.org is a multidiscipline platform providing preprint service that is dedicated to sharing your research from the start and empowering your research journey.

MDPI Topics is cooperating with Preprints.org and has built a direct connection between MDPI journals and Preprints.org. Authors are encouraged to enjoy the benefits by posting a preprint at Preprints.org prior to publication:

  1. Immediately share your ideas ahead of publication and establish your research priority;
  2. Protect your idea from being stolen with this time-stamped preprint article;
  3. Enhance the exposure and impact of your research;
  4. Receive feedback from your peers in advance;
  5. Have it indexed in Web of Science (Preprint Citation Index), Google Scholar, Crossref, SHARE, PrePubMed, Scilit and Europe PMC.

Published Papers (20 papers)

Order results
Result details
Journals
Select all
Export citation of selected articles as:
18 pages, 8162 KiB  
Article
The Effect of Short-Term Waterlogging Stress on the Response Mechanism of Photosynthetic Characteristics, Chlorophyll Fluorescence, and Yield Components during the Podding Stage in Peanuts
by Yujie Wu, Qingrong Ma, Zhigao Zhen, Ronghao Chu and Chengda Hu
Agronomy 2024, 14(10), 2232; https://doi.org/10.3390/agronomy14102232 - 27 Sep 2024
Viewed by 254
Abstract
In the context of global climate change, the frequency of waterlogging is increasing. Therefore, to elucidate the effects of waterlogging under real precipitation conditions on the physiological characteristics of peanuts and the underlying mechanics and to provide a theoretical basis for timely protective [...] Read more.
In the context of global climate change, the frequency of waterlogging is increasing. Therefore, to elucidate the effects of waterlogging under real precipitation conditions on the physiological characteristics of peanuts and the underlying mechanics and to provide a theoretical basis for timely protective measures, this study involved a waterlogging disaster simulation experiment in the field environment and a waterlogging stress control experiment in the potting environment. It was found that sufficient water had a positive effect on the growth and development of peanuts (Arachis hypogaea L.) during the 3–5 days period at the beginning of waterlogging. However, as the duration of waterlogging increased, excess water inhibited the growth of peanuts, with a stronger inhibitory effect on the development of pods. A comparison of the two different experimental models found that in the potting environment, water circulation was not smooth, and the intensity of waterlogging was higher than in the field environment experiment, resulting in the effect of waterlogging being advanced by one observation stage (2 days) in the potting environment. Furthermore, using a novel fluorescence imaging system, an analysis of variations in the physiological characteristics of leaf sections demonstrated that the chlorophyll fluorescence in the leaves of the peanut plant exhibited a specific pattern in response to waterlogging stress. Full article
Show Figures

Figure 1

14 pages, 922 KiB  
Article
Deficit Irrigation and High Planting Density Improve Nitrogen Uptake and Use Efficiency of Cotton in Drip Irrigation
by Fengquan Wu, Qiuxiang Tang, Jianping Cui, Liwen Tian, Rensong Guo, Liang Wang and Tao Lin
Agronomy 2024, 14(9), 1876; https://doi.org/10.3390/agronomy14091876 - 23 Aug 2024
Viewed by 402
Abstract
The optimization of plant density plays a crucial role in cotton production, and deficit irrigation, as a water-saving measure, has been widely adopted in arid regions. However, regulatory mechanisms governing nitrogen absorption, transportation, and nitrogen use efficiency (NUE) in cotton under deficit irrigation [...] Read more.
The optimization of plant density plays a crucial role in cotton production, and deficit irrigation, as a water-saving measure, has been widely adopted in arid regions. However, regulatory mechanisms governing nitrogen absorption, transportation, and nitrogen use efficiency (NUE) in cotton under deficit irrigation and high plant density remain unclear. To clarify the mechanisms of N uptake and NUE of cotton, the main plots were subjected to three irrigation amounts based on field capacity (Fc): (315 [W1, 0.5 Fc], 405 [W2, 0.75 Fc, farmers’ irrigation practice], and 495 mm [W3, 1.0 Fc]). Subplots were planted and applied at three densities: (13.5 [M1], 18.0 [M2, farmers’ planting practice], and 22.5 [M3] plants m−2). The results revealed that under low-irrigation conditions, the cotton yield was 5.1% lower than that under the farmer’s irrigation practice. In all plant densities and years, the nitrogen uptake of cotton increased significantly with the increase in irrigation. However, excessive irrigation resulted in nitrogen accumulation and migration, mainly concentrated in the vegetative organs of cotton, which reduced the NUE by 9.2% compared with that under farmers’ irrigation practice. Concerning the interaction between irrigation and plant density, under low irrigation, the nitrogen uptake of high-density planting was higher, and the yield of seed cotton was only 2.9% lower than that of the control (the interaction effect of farmers’ irrigation × plant density), but the NUE was increased by 10.9%. Notably, with the increase in irrigation amount, the soil nitrate nitrogen at the 0–40 cm soil layer decreased, and high irrigation amounts would lead to the transfer of soil nitrate nitrogen to deep soil. With the increase in plant density, the rate of nitrogen uptake and the amount of nitrogen uptake increased, which significantly reduced the soil nitrate nitrogen content. In conclusion, deficit irrigation and high plant density can improve cotton yield and NUE. We anticipate that these findings will facilitate optimized agricultural management in areas with limited water. Full article
Show Figures

Figure 1

19 pages, 2536 KiB  
Article
Effects of Harvest Date and Ensiling Additives on the Optimized Ensiling of Silphium Perfoliatum to Prevent Faulty Fermentation
by Marian Baumgart, Benedikt Hülsemann, Gregor Sailer, Hans Oechsner and Joachim Müller
Agriculture 2024, 14(8), 1363; https://doi.org/10.3390/agriculture14081363 - 14 Aug 2024
Viewed by 703
Abstract
Silphium perfoliatum, an energy crop with a high fiber content but low concentrations of fermentable carbohydrates, presents challenges for complete fermentation in biogas production. To overcome this, a bioeconomic approach proposes the use of the fibers for paper and board production, which [...] Read more.
Silphium perfoliatum, an energy crop with a high fiber content but low concentrations of fermentable carbohydrates, presents challenges for complete fermentation in biogas production. To overcome this, a bioeconomic approach proposes the use of the fibers for paper and board production, which requires high-quality silage with minimal butyric acid, which affects the marketability of the fibers. This study aims to optimize the silaging process of Silphium perfoliatum by investigating the effects of harvest date, bacterial cultures and additives on fermentation results. Laboratory experiments were conducted to evaluate the effect of three harvest dates on fermentation acid composition, with a focus on increasing lactic acid production to inhibit butyric acid formation. Results indicate that an early harvest date (early September) is critical for achieving stable fermentation and minimizing ensiling losses. The addition of sugar-rich additives, such as syrup, was found to be essential, especially for later harvest dates. Despite these interventions, a late harvest (early November) consistently resulted in suboptimal fermentation. The results suggest that optimizing harvest timing and incorporating appropriate additives are key strategies for producing high quality silage and ensuring the suitability of Silphium perfoliatum fibers for industrial applications. Full article
Show Figures

Figure 1

14 pages, 4035 KiB  
Article
Transcriptomic Analysis of Alfalfa Flowering and the Dual Roles of MsAP1 in Floral Organ Identity and Flowering Time
by Xu Jiang, Huiting Cui, Zhen Wang, Ruicai Long, Qingchuan Yang and Junmei Kang
Agronomy 2024, 14(8), 1741; https://doi.org/10.3390/agronomy14081741 - 8 Aug 2024
Viewed by 616
Abstract
Flowering, the transition from the vegetative to the reproductive stage, is vital for reproductive success, affecting forage quality, the yield of aboveground biomass, and seed production in alfalfa. To explore the transcriptomic profile of alfalfa flowering transition, we compared gene expression between shoot [...] Read more.
Flowering, the transition from the vegetative to the reproductive stage, is vital for reproductive success, affecting forage quality, the yield of aboveground biomass, and seed production in alfalfa. To explore the transcriptomic profile of alfalfa flowering transition, we compared gene expression between shoot apices (SAs) at the vegetative stage and flower buds (FBs) at the reproductive stage by mRNA sequencing. A total of 3,409 DEGs were identified, and based on gene ontology (GO), 42.53% of the most enriched 15 processes were associated with plant reproduction, including growth phase transition and floral organ development. For the former category, 79.1% of DEGs showed higher expression levels in SA than FB, suggesting they were sequentially turned on and off at the two test stages. For the DEGs encoding the components of circadian rhythm, sugar metabolism, phytohormone signaling, and floral organ identity genes, 60.71% showed higher abundance in FB than SA. Among them, MsAP1, an APETALA1 (AP1) homolog of Arabidopsis thaliana, showed high expression in flower buds and co-expressed with genes related to flower organ development. Moreover, ectopic expression of MsAP1 in Arabidopsis resulted in dwarfism and early flowering under long-day conditions. The MsAP1-overexpression plant displayed morphological abnormalities including fused whorls, enlarged pistils, determinate inflorescence, and small pods. In addition, MsAP1 is localized in the nucleus and exhibits significant transcriptional activity. These findings revealed a transcriptional regulation network of alfalfa transition from juvenile phase to flowering and provided genetic evidence of the dual role of MsAP1 in flowering and floral organ development. Full article
Show Figures

Figure 1

16 pages, 3534 KiB  
Article
Above- and Below-Ground Interactions and Interspecific Relationships in Wheat/Maize Systems
by Yifan Wang, Qiang Chai, Cai Zhao, Wen Yin, Falong Hu, Aizhong Yu and Zhilong Fan
Agronomy 2024, 14(8), 1683; https://doi.org/10.3390/agronomy14081683 - 31 Jul 2024
Viewed by 509
Abstract
Above- and below-ground interactions play a crucial role in achieving higher yields in intercropping systems. Nonetheless, it remains unclear how these interactions impact intercropping crop growth and regulate interspecific relationships. This study aimed to quantify the impact of above- and below-ground interactions on [...] Read more.
Above- and below-ground interactions play a crucial role in achieving higher yields in intercropping systems. Nonetheless, it remains unclear how these interactions impact intercropping crop growth and regulate interspecific relationships. This study aimed to quantify the impact of above- and below-ground interactions on crop yield by determining the dynamics of dry matter accumulation, photosynthetically active radiation (PAR) transmittance, and leaf area index (LAI) in intercropped wheat and maize. Three below-ground intensities were set for an intercropping system: no root separation (CI: complete interaction below ground), 48 μm nylon mesh separation (PI: partial interaction below ground), and 0.12 mm plastic sheet separation (NI: no interaction below ground). Two densities were set for maize: low (45,000 plants hm−2) and high (52,500 plants hm−2). At the same time, corresponding monoculture treatments were established. The grain yields in the CI and PI treatments were, on average, 23.7% and 13.7% higher than those in the NI treatment at high and low maize densities, respectively. Additionally, the grain yield for high density was 12.3% higher than that of low density in the CI treatment. The dry matter accumulation of intercropped wheat under the CI and PI treatments was, on average, 9.1%, 14.5%, and 9.0% higher than that in the NI treatment at the flowering, filling, and maturity stages, respectively. The dry matter accumulation of intercropped maize at the blister, milk, and physiological maturity stages increased by 41.4%, 32.1%, and 27.8%, respectively, under the CI treatment compared to the NI treatment. The PAR transmittance and LAI of maize at the V6 stage were significantly increased by increasing the intensity of below-ground interactions. This study showed that complete below-ground interaction contributed to a significant increase in the competitiveness of intercropped wheat with respect to maize (Awm) under the high-density maize treatment, especially at the filling stage of wheat. Moreover, the CI treatment enhanced the recovery effects of maize (Rm) after wheat harvesting. Increasing the intensity of below-ground interactions can significantly enhance the Awm and Rm in intercropping systems, favoring the accumulation of crop dry matter mass and light energy utilization to increase system yields. Full article
Show Figures

Figure 1

18 pages, 7977 KiB  
Article
Integration of Unmanned Aerial Vehicle Spectral and Textural Features for Accurate Above-Ground Biomass Estimation in Cotton
by Maoguang Chen, Caixia Yin, Tao Lin, Haijun Liu, Zhenyang Wang, Pingan Jiang, Saif Ali, Qiuxiang Tang and Xiuliang Jin
Agronomy 2024, 14(6), 1313; https://doi.org/10.3390/agronomy14061313 - 18 Jun 2024
Viewed by 774
Abstract
Timely and accurate estimation of Above-Ground-Biomass (AGB) in cotton is essential for precise production monitoring. The study was conducted in Shaya County, Aksu Region, Xinjiang, China. It employed an unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) as a low-altitude monitoring platform to capture multispectral images of [...] Read more.
Timely and accurate estimation of Above-Ground-Biomass (AGB) in cotton is essential for precise production monitoring. The study was conducted in Shaya County, Aksu Region, Xinjiang, China. It employed an unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) as a low-altitude monitoring platform to capture multispectral images of the cotton canopy. Subsequently, spectral features and textural features were extracted, and feature selection was conducted using Pearson’s correlation (P), Principal Component Analysis (PCA), Multivariate Stepwise Regression (MSR), and the ReliefF algorithm (RfF), combined with the machine learning algorithm to construct an estimation model of cotton AGB. The results indicate a high consistency between the mean (MEA) and the corresponding spectral bands in textural features with the AGB correlation. Moreover, spectral and textural feature fusion proved to be more stable than models utilizing single spectral features or textural features alone. Both the RfF algorithm and ANN model demonstrated optimization effects on features, and their combination effectively reduced the data redundancy while improving the model performance. The RfF-ANN-AGB model constructed based on the spectral and textural features fusion worked better, and using the features SIPI2, RESR, G_COR, and RE_DIS, exhibited the best performance, achieving a test sets R2 of 0.86, RMSE of 0.23 kg·m−2, MAE of 0.16 kg·m−2, and nRMSE of 0.39. The findings offer a comprehensive modeling strategy for the precise and rapid estimation of cotton AGB. Full article
Show Figures

Figure 1

19 pages, 16212 KiB  
Article
Delineating the Area for Sustainable Cultivation of Morinda officinalis Based on the MaxEnt Model
by Jianming Liang, Guangda Tang and Xinsheng Qin
Agronomy 2024, 14(6), 1134; https://doi.org/10.3390/agronomy14061134 - 26 May 2024
Viewed by 909
Abstract
Morinda officinalis, a traditional medicinal plant in southern China, has a well-established cultivation history in Zhaoqing and Yunfu City of the Guangdong Province, China, contributing significantly to the local economy. Inadequate cultivation practices of Morinda officinalis may heighten the risk of landslide [...] Read more.
Morinda officinalis, a traditional medicinal plant in southern China, has a well-established cultivation history in Zhaoqing and Yunfu City of the Guangdong Province, China, contributing significantly to the local economy. Inadequate cultivation practices of Morinda officinalis may heighten the risk of landslide occurrences due to its specific growth and harvesting characteristics. This issue presents a challenge to the sustainable advancement of agriculture and forestry in the area, underscoring the necessity for scholarly intervention to address and devise effective remedies. This research utilized the MaxEnt model to assess landslide susceptibility and habitat suitability for Morinda officinalis, aiming to delineate appropriate cultivation zones amidst changing climatic conditions. The findings indicate that the model demonstrated a high level of accuracy, achieving combined AUC values of 0.802 for landslide susceptibility and 0.861 for habitat suitability evaluations, meeting the criteria for classification as “highly accurate”. Regions such as the Yun’an District, Luoding City, and the Xinxing District in Yunfu City were identified as having a low landslide risk and being highly conducive to Morinda officinalis cultivation under current climate conditions. Future projections indicate an anticipated expansion of the species’ distribution area between 2021 and 2040 under different climate scenarios, with subsequent variations. Spatial analysis unveiled a notable trend in the research area, indicating greater suitability for cultivation in the southern region compared to the northern region. This suggests that Yunfu City holds promise for facilitating the cultivation of Morinda officinalis more effectively than Zhaoqing City. This research offers a practical approach for promoting the sustainable growth of the regional Morinda officinalis industry, while also serving as a valuable resource for other economic crops encountering comparable developmental obstacles. Full article
Show Figures

Figure 1

18 pages, 3695 KiB  
Article
Studies on the Germination and Emergence of Castor Seedlings
by Liv S. Severino
Seeds 2024, 3(2), 251-268; https://doi.org/10.3390/seeds3020019 - 25 May 2024
Viewed by 738
Abstract
Castor (Ricinus communis) is an oilseed usually cultivated in tropical and semi-arid conditions. The slow and uneven germination of castor seed is causing poor crop establishment and reduced seed yield. This series of studies investigated several factors influencing the time for [...] Read more.
Castor (Ricinus communis) is an oilseed usually cultivated in tropical and semi-arid conditions. The slow and uneven germination of castor seed is causing poor crop establishment and reduced seed yield. This series of studies investigated several factors influencing the time for castor seed germination and seedling emergence. Studies were made on the effect of seed coat permeability to water and the influences of temperature, morphology, and the hormone gibberellin. The best temperature for castor seed germination was near 31 °C, and the seed coat was permeable to water. The mechanical resistance of the seed coat was a mechanism controlling the germination of the castor seed. The time for germination was strongly associated with the seed coat relative weight, but it had little influence from other morphological characteristics. After the castor plants were subjected to three cycles of selection for fast germination, the seed weight was reduced, the caruncle became larger, and the seed coat became thinner. Gibberellin applied to the seed promoted a faster and higher germination rate. Pre-germination of the castor seed was not effective for promoting faster seedling emergence. Attempts to improve castor seed germination should integrate the many factors that influence this physiological process. Full article
Show Figures

Figure 1

11 pages, 3340 KiB  
Article
Effect of Biochar on Apple Yield and Quality in Aged Apple Orchards on the Loess Plateau (China)
by Wenzheng Li, Jianen Gao, Shuang Zhou and Fanfan Zhou
Agronomy 2024, 14(6), 1125; https://doi.org/10.3390/agronomy14061125 - 24 May 2024
Viewed by 856
Abstract
Apples are not only a foodstuff, but also a raw material for many industrial production fields, and the market demand is constantly increasing. The Loess Plateau is one of the world’s largest apple-producing areas, with about 85% are aged orchards (more than 20 [...] Read more.
Apples are not only a foodstuff, but also a raw material for many industrial production fields, and the market demand is constantly increasing. The Loess Plateau is one of the world’s largest apple-producing areas, with about 85% are aged orchards (more than 20 years old), facing problems such as poor soil water retention, degradation of tree strength, and declining yield and quality, etc., so do aged orchards in other regions of the world, and study on improving quality and increasing yield of aged orchards is of great significance to the sustainable development of the apple industry. Here, 6 treatments (2, 4, 6, 8, 10 and 12 kg/plant) were designed in the experiment to study the effects of biochar on yield and quality in aged apple orchards. The study showed that: biochar could improve soil water retention, but caused the soil alkalization; biochar could improve apple quality and increase yield, T3 and T4 were of better quality, and T3 had the highest yield. Comprehensive analysis, T3 is the optimal scheme. The results not only provide a reference for aged orchards worldwide, but also have great significance for the sustainable development of the apple industry. Full article
Show Figures

Figure 1

18 pages, 4750 KiB  
Article
Optimum Plant Density Improved Cotton (Gossypium hirsutum L.) Root Production Capacity and Photosynthesis for High Cotton Yield under Plastic Film Mulching
by Nan Cao, Jinmei Hou, Wei Hu, Huqiang Li, Jiao Lin, Guodong Chen, Sumei Wan and Shoulin Hu
Agronomy 2024, 14(5), 1040; https://doi.org/10.3390/agronomy14051040 - 14 May 2024
Viewed by 855
Abstract
Cotton photosynthetic efficiency and the root–shoot relationship are two important physiological indexes affecting the final yield, but the interactive effects of plastic film mulching and planting density on the cotton photosynthetic efficiency and root–shoot relationship have rarely been reported. We aimed to investigate [...] Read more.
Cotton photosynthetic efficiency and the root–shoot relationship are two important physiological indexes affecting the final yield, but the interactive effects of plastic film mulching and planting density on the cotton photosynthetic efficiency and root–shoot relationship have rarely been reported. We aimed to investigate the optimal plant density with or without plastic film mulching for improved seed cotton yield in southern Xinjiang. Therefore, a two-year field experiment was conducted to investigate the effects of plastic film mulching (with or without plastic film mulching) and planting density (D1: 9 × 104 plants ha−1; D2: 18 × 104 plants ha−1; D3, 22 × 104 plants ha−1, local conventional planting density; D4, 27 × 104 plants ha−1) on the cotton root–shoot relationship, photosynthetic parameters, and seed cotton yield. Our results showed that the seed cotton yield was improved under plastic film mulching at all planting densities, but economic income was significantly lower in comparison to without plastic film mulching in 2023. Compared with D3, seed cotton yield and economic income at D2 increased by 6.9% and 12.2%, either with or without plastic film mulching, respectively. The highest increase in the seed cotton yield in D2 under plastic film mulching was due to the greatest improvements in the root production capacity and photosynthesis. The boll capacity of the root system (BCR) and boll loading of the root system (BLR) in D2 were the highest among all treatments with film mulching, being 9.0% and 16.9% higher than that in D3 in 2022 and 2023. However, the root–shoot ratio (R/S) was 7.1% and 6.9% lower in D2 than D3, under film mulching, in 2022 and 2023. Moreover, moderate plant density (D2) improved the SPAD value, chlorophyll fluorescence (Fv/Fm and PIabs), and photosynthetic parameter (Pn, Tr, and Gs) and decreased Ci compared with other planting density treatments in both years. Further analyses with correlation analysis showed that the seed cotton yield was highly positive correlated with BLR, BCR, and the photosynthetic parameter. In summary, suitable planting density (18 × 104 plants ha−1) combined with plastic film mulching has the potential to obtain high yields by enhancing the efficiency of photosynthetic assimilates, improving the capacity of cotton root production, providing a reference for suitable planting density under plastic film mulching. Full article
Show Figures

Figure 1

21 pages, 11087 KiB  
Article
Modeling Positions and Orientations of Cantaloupe Flowers for Automatic Pollination
by Nguyen Duc Tai, Nguyen Minh Trieu and Nguyen Truong Thinh
Agriculture 2024, 14(5), 746; https://doi.org/10.3390/agriculture14050746 - 10 May 2024
Cited by 1 | Viewed by 1070
Abstract
An automatic system for cantaloupe flower pollination in greenhouses is proposed to meet the requirements of automatic pollination. The system consists of a mobile platform, robotic manipulator, and camera that reaches the flowers to detect and recognise their external features. The main task [...] Read more.
An automatic system for cantaloupe flower pollination in greenhouses is proposed to meet the requirements of automatic pollination. The system consists of a mobile platform, robotic manipulator, and camera that reaches the flowers to detect and recognise their external features. The main task of the vision system is to detect the position and orientation of the flower in Cartesian coordinates, allowing the manipulator to reach the pose and perform pollination. A comprehensive method to ensure the accuracy of the pollination process is proposed that accurately determines the position and orientation of cantaloupe flowers in real environments. The vision system is used to capture images, detect the flower, and recognise its state according to its external features, such as size, colour, and shape, thereby providing appropriate nozzle access during pollination. The proposed approach begins with a segmentation method designed to precisely locate and segment the target cantaloupe flowers. Subsequently, a mathematical model is used to determine the key points that are important for establishing the growth orientation of each flower. Finally, an inverse-projection method is employed to convert the position of the flower from a two-dimensional (2D) image into a three-dimensional (3D) space, providing the necessary position for the pollination robot. The experimental process is conducted in a laboratory and proves the efficacy of the cantaloupe flower segmentation method, yielding precision, recall, and F1 scores of 87.91%, 90.76%, and 89.31%, respectively. Furthermore, the accuracy of the growth-orientation prediction method reaches approximately 86.7%. Notably, positional errors in 3D space predominantly fall within the allowable range, resulting in a successful pollination rate of up to 83.1%. Full article
Show Figures

Figure 1

14 pages, 2349 KiB  
Article
Evaluation of Agronomic and Oil Characteristics of Selected Turkish Poppy Genotypes under Ankara’s Climate Conditions
by Yağmur Kahraman-Yanardağ, Sibel Day, Nilgün Bayraktar and Yasin Özgen
Agronomy 2024, 14(5), 957; https://doi.org/10.3390/agronomy14050957 - 2 May 2024
Viewed by 1078
Abstract
Poppy is a minor agronomic field crop that is cultivated under a UN license. It is known for its alkaloids and seeds, and, rarely, for the latter’s use in ethnomedicine. Changing climate conditions could lead to the need for alternate areas for poppy [...] Read more.
Poppy is a minor agronomic field crop that is cultivated under a UN license. It is known for its alkaloids and seeds, and, rarely, for the latter’s use in ethnomedicine. Changing climate conditions could lead to the need for alternate areas for poppy cultivation in Türkiye. This experiment was conducted in Ankara, which is not a poppy production area. The morphological characteristics and oil characteristics of 19 Turkish poppy genotypes were determined over two years. According to the results, the emergence time was between 10 and 22 days, the flowering time ranged from 197 to 214 days, while the harvest maturation time was between 250 and 269 days. The plant height varied from 75.8 to 97.5 cm, the weight of 1000 seeds ranged from 305.0 to 428.0 mg, and the weight of the seeds per plant was between 2.95 and 5.78 g. Furthermore, the yield ranged from 100.7 to 202.3 kg da−1, the fat content was between 38.8 and 44.1%, and the protein content ranged from 15.9 to 18.4%. The linoleic acid content ranged from 66.77% to 75.60%, the oleic acid content ranged from 10.78% to 19.46%, and the palmitic acid content ranged from 8.38% to 9.90%. The highest yield in Ankara was obtained from the Çelikoğlu cultivar. Full article
Show Figures

Figure 1

18 pages, 4681 KiB  
Article
Development of a Mango-Grading and -Sorting System Based on External Features, Using Machine Learning Algorithms
by Nguyen Duc Tai, Wei Chih Lin, Nguyen Minh Trieu and Nguyen Truong Thinh
Agronomy 2024, 14(4), 831; https://doi.org/10.3390/agronomy14040831 - 17 Apr 2024
Cited by 1 | Viewed by 1386
Abstract
Nowadays, many image processing and machine learning (ML) methods are used in mango-quality classification systems. Existing algorithms perform independently to capture the relationships between features in the dataset. Nevertheless, each method has its advantages and disadvantages. As a result, this study presents an [...] Read more.
Nowadays, many image processing and machine learning (ML) methods are used in mango-quality classification systems. Existing algorithms perform independently to capture the relationships between features in the dataset. Nevertheless, each method has its advantages and disadvantages. As a result, this study presents an ensemble-learning framework that combines the strengths of multiple ML algorithms to make predictions. Initially, different image processing algorithms are used to extract external mango features. Next, the dataset is constructed by combining those features with weight values from sensor signals. Following that, different ML algorithms are evaluated on the dataset to determine which ones are robust. Subsequently, various ensemble-learning approaches are deployed, such as bagging, boosting, and stacking. Finally, those models are evaluated and compared, to decide which model is suited for this study’s dataset. In the experimental part, the assessment of errors demonstrates the usefulness of image processing algorithms. Furthermore, evaluation of the training models revealed that the stacking model, which integrates several methods in both the base learner and meta-learner, produced the highest results in precision, recall, F1-score, and accuracy, with values of 0.9855, 0.9901, 0.9876, and 0.9863, respectively. These experimental results confirm the robustness of the proposed methodologies for classifying mango quality. Full article
Show Figures

Figure 1

12 pages, 20399 KiB  
Article
Design and Testing of the Double-Symmetric Eccentric Exciter for Fruit Tree Vibration Harvest
by Haobo Jiao, Juming Luo, Aifei Tang, Lihong Wang, Chen Ma, Yaping Li and Chengsong Li
Agriculture 2024, 14(4), 570; https://doi.org/10.3390/agriculture14040570 - 2 Apr 2024
Viewed by 1036
Abstract
The amplitude of excitation force from exciters used in fruit tree vibration harvesting remains constant at a given frequency, leading to poor fruit detachment ratio and tree damage. A solution has been proposed through the development of a Double-Symmetric Eccentric Exciter (DSEE). This [...] Read more.
The amplitude of excitation force from exciters used in fruit tree vibration harvesting remains constant at a given frequency, leading to poor fruit detachment ratio and tree damage. A solution has been proposed through the development of a Double-Symmetric Eccentric Exciter (DSEE). This new exciter allows for the adjustment of excitation force amplitude while maintaining a constant frequency by varying the phase angle of the DSEE. To validate the effectiveness of the DSEE, vibration tests were conducted on fruit trees using different parameter exciting forces. Acceleration sensors were employed to measure the vibration accelerations of the tree branches. The experimental results revealed that when a fixed frequency excitation force with a constant phase angle was applied to the trunk, the vibration acceleration of branches exhibited inconsistent variations due to differences in the vibration differential equation parameters of each branch. Furthermore, it was observed that increasing the phase angle of the DSEE at a fixed frequency led to larger vibration accelerations in every branch. This signifies that adjusting the phase angle of the DSEE can effectively increase the amplitude of the exciting force. Consequently, the ability to control both the amplitude and frequency of the excitation force independently can mitigate issues such as low fruit harvest rates and minimize damage to fruit trees. Full article
Show Figures

Figure 1

18 pages, 2012 KiB  
Article
Long-Term Maize Intercropping with Peanut and Phosphorus Application Maintains Sustainable Farmland Productivity by Improving Soil Aggregate Stability and P Availability
by Zhiman Zan, Nianyuan Jiao, Rentian Ma, Jiangtao Wang, Yun Wang, Tangyuan Ning, Bin Zheng, Ling Liu, Xupeng Zhao and Wenfeng Cong
Agronomy 2023, 13(11), 2846; https://doi.org/10.3390/agronomy13112846 - 20 Nov 2023
Cited by 2 | Viewed by 1679
Abstract
The intercropping of maize (Zea mays L.) and peanuts (Arachis hypogaea L.) (M||P) significantly enhances crop yield. In a long-term M||P field experiment with two P fertilizer levels, we examined how long-term M||P affects topsoil aggregate fractions and stability, organic carbon [...] Read more.
The intercropping of maize (Zea mays L.) and peanuts (Arachis hypogaea L.) (M||P) significantly enhances crop yield. In a long-term M||P field experiment with two P fertilizer levels, we examined how long-term M||P affects topsoil aggregate fractions and stability, organic carbon (SOC), available phosphorus (AP), and total phosphorus (TP) in each aggregate fraction, along with crop yields. Compared to their respective monocultures, long-term M||P substantially increased the proportion of topsoil mechanical macroaggregates (7.6–16.3%) and water-stable macroaggregates (>1 mm) (13.8–36.1%), while reducing the unstable aggregate index (ELT) and the percentage of aggregation destruction (PAD). M||P significantly boosted the concentration (12.9–39.9%) and contribution rate (4.1–47.9%) of SOC in macroaggregates compared to single crops. Moreover, the concentration of TP in macroaggregates (>1 mm) and AP in each aggregate fraction of M||P exceeded that of the respective single crops (p < 0.05). Furthermore, M||P significantly increased the Ca2-P, Ca8-P, Al-P, and Fe-P concentrations of intercropped maize (IM) and the Ca8-P, O-P, and Ca10-P concentrations of intercropped peanuts (IP). The land equivalent ratio (LER) of M||P was higher than one, and M||P stubble improved the yield of subsequent winter wheat (Triticum aestivum L.) compared with sole-crop maize stubble. P application augmented the concentration of SOC, TP, and AP in macroaggregates, resulting in improved crop yields. In conclusion, our findings suggest that long-term M||P combined with P application sustains farmland productivity in the North China Plain by increasing SOC and macroaggregate fractions, improving aggregate stability, and enhancing soil P availability. Full article
Show Figures

Figure 1

19 pages, 3892 KiB  
Article
The Soils of Natural (In Situ) Coenopopulations of Taraxacum kok-saghyz L.E. Rodin in Kazakhstan
by Kairat Uteulin, Beibut Suleimenov and Konstantin Pachikin
Agronomy 2023, 13(11), 2737; https://doi.org/10.3390/agronomy13112737 - 30 Oct 2023
Viewed by 1086
Abstract
This article studies the morphological and physicochemical properties of soils in the natural habitat of dandelion kok-saghyz (Taraxacum kok-saghyz L.E. Rodin) (TKS)—a source of high-quality rubber. The purpose of the work is to study the natural soil habitat of dandelion TKS in [...] Read more.
This article studies the morphological and physicochemical properties of soils in the natural habitat of dandelion kok-saghyz (Taraxacum kok-saghyz L.E. Rodin) (TKS)—a source of high-quality rubber. The purpose of the work is to study the natural soil habitat of dandelion TKS in comparison with the nearby area where TKS is absent. The methods of soil research are comparative, geographical, morphological, and analytical. Soil sections were laid down and georeferenced, and relief, vegetation, and morphological structures of soil profiles by genetic horizons were described. A database of the physical and chemical properties of soils by horizon was created. Landscapes and soil conditions of in situ populations have been studied in the Kegen District of the Almaty region in the territory of the Kegen River floodplain, in the areas of the Jalauly and Kegen villages, and in the zone of groundwater inclination north of Saryzhas village. The natural soil habitat of TKS was studied. It was found that TKS grows in conditions of moisture floodplains of intermountain valleys on saline floodplain meadowy soils of a sulfate–sodium composition with a high content of total humus and nutrient elements in an alkaline environment. Full article
Show Figures

Figure 1

15 pages, 4396 KiB  
Article
Drought Stress and High Temperature Affect the Antioxidant Metabolism of Cotton (Gossypium hirsutum L.) Anthers and Reduce Pollen Fertility
by Jipeng Zhang, Mengdie Cheng, Nan Cao, Yongjun Li, Shanshan Wang, Zhiguo Zhou and Wei Hu
Agronomy 2023, 13(10), 2550; https://doi.org/10.3390/agronomy13102550 - 3 Oct 2023
Cited by 3 | Viewed by 1291
Abstract
Both drought and high temperature can influence the antioxidant metabolism of crop reproductive organs in different ways, affecting the fertility of reproductive organs and yield formation. However, the combined effects of drought stress and high temperature on the crop reproductive physiology have not [...] Read more.
Both drought and high temperature can influence the antioxidant metabolism of crop reproductive organs in different ways, affecting the fertility of reproductive organs and yield formation. However, the combined effects of drought stress and high temperature on the crop reproductive physiology have not yet been widely considered. In order to broaden our understanding of this mechanism of influence, a pond experiment was conducted using a cotton variety Yuzaomian 9110 divided into four treatment groups: control (CK), drought stress (DS), high temperature (HT), and drought stress coupled with high temperature (DS+HT). Results showed a significant negative correlation between pollen viability and superoxide anion (O2) content, as well as hydrogen peroxide (H2O2). Compared with CK, DS did not alter O2 content in anthers, but HT treatment resulted in higher anther O2. Compared with single-stress groups, DS+HT further promoted the formation of O2 in anthers, leading to more malondialdehyde in anthers. Moreover, a higher H2O2 content in anthers was found in DS and HT than in CK. DS+HT did not show altered H2O2 content relative to HT treatment, although its H2O2 was higher than in DS. Further analyses of the antioxidant enzyme system showed that DS had no significant effect on superoxide dismutase gene (GhCu/ZnSOD) expression, but HT and DS+HT significantly downregulated its expression. The expression of GhCu/ZnSOD was lower under DS+HT than HT, which might be why O2 content was not altered under DS treatment compared with CK and was higher in DS+HT than HT. DS and HT significantly downregulated the expression of the peroxidase gene (GhPOD) and catalase gene (GhCAT), which should be the main reason for the larger accumulation of H2O2 under drought stress and high-temperature conditions. Compared with single-stress groups, DS+HT had lower expression of GhCAT, resulting in a larger H2O2 content. Regarding the ascorbic acid–glutathione (AsA–GSH) cycle, DS and HT significantly downregulated the expression of monodehydroascorbate reductase gene (GhMDHAR) to hinder the production of AsA and upregulated the expression of ascorbate oxidase gene (GhAAO) to promote the oxidation of AsA, which was theoretically detrimental to AsA accumulation. However, HT downregulated the expression of the ascorbate peroxidase gene (GhAPX), hindering the reduction of H2O2 by AsA, which was the reason for AsA and H2O2 accumulation. Moreover, DS also significantly upregulated the expression of the dehydroascorbate reductase gene (GhDHAR2) to enhance the reduction of dehydroascorbate to form AsA, leading to a higher content of AsA under DS than HT. The combined stress significantly downregulated the expression of GhAAO to inhibit the oxidation of AsA but significantly upregulated the expression of GhMDHAR and GhDHAR2, promoting the AsA production, and downregulated the expression of GhAPX, hindering the reduction of H2O2 by AsA. All these resulted in increased AsA content under combined stresses. In addition, HT significantly downregulated the glutathione reductase gene (GhGR) expression, hindering the reduction of oxidized glutathione (GSSG), which led to the reduction of GSH. However, DS and DS+HT significantly downregulated the glutathione peroxidase gene (GhGPX) expression, resulting in the accumulation of GSH. Overall, compared with single-stress treatments, the effects of DS+HT on cotton pollen fertility and peroxide accumulation were more significant. The effects of DS+HT on the antioxidant enzyme system were mainly caused by high temperature, while the mechanism of abnormal accumulation of AsA and GSH caused by DS+HT was different from those of single-stress groups. Full article
Show Figures

Figure 1

15 pages, 1064 KiB  
Review
Mitigating Salinity Stress and Improving Cotton Productivity with Agronomic Practices
by Dongmei Zhang, Yanjun Zhang, Lin Sun, Jianlong Dai and Hezhong Dong
Agronomy 2023, 13(10), 2486; https://doi.org/10.3390/agronomy13102486 - 27 Sep 2023
Cited by 7 | Viewed by 1978
Abstract
In saline and salinity-affected soils, the global productivity and sustainability of cotton are severely affected by soil salinity. High salt concentrations hinder plant growth and yield formation mainly through the occurrence of osmotic stress, specific ion toxicity, and nutritional imbalance in cotton. A [...] Read more.
In saline and salinity-affected soils, the global productivity and sustainability of cotton are severely affected by soil salinity. High salt concentrations hinder plant growth and yield formation mainly through the occurrence of osmotic stress, specific ion toxicity, and nutritional imbalance in cotton. A number of agronomic practices have been identified as potential solutions to alleviate the adverse effects induced by salinity. While genetic breeding holds promise in enhancing the salinity tolerance of cotton, agronomic practices that improve the root zone environment, ameliorate soil conditions, and enhance salinity tolerance are currently considered to be more practical. This compressive review highlights the effectiveness of agronomic practices, such as furrow seeding, plastic mulching, their combination, densely planting, and the appropriate application of fertilizer and plant growth regulators, in mitigating the negative impact of salinity on cotton. By implementing these agronomic practices, cotton growers can improve the overall performance and resilience of cotton crops in saline and salinity-affected soils. This review provides valuable insights into practical agronomic measures that can be adopted to counteract the adverse consequences of soil salinity on cotton cultivation. Full article
Show Figures

Figure 1

20 pages, 2694 KiB  
Review
Opportunities and Challenges of Castor Bean (Ricinus communis L.) Genetic Improvement
by Michela Landoni, Greta Bertagnon, Martina Ghidoli, Elena Cassani, Fabrizio Adani and Roberto Pilu
Agronomy 2023, 13(8), 2076; https://doi.org/10.3390/agronomy13082076 - 7 Aug 2023
Cited by 5 | Viewed by 5780
Abstract
Castor bean (Ricinus communis L.) originated in East Africa and then diffused to warm-temperate, subtropical, and tropical regions of the world. The high lipid content in the castor beans is extracted for use in pharmaceutical and industrial applications. The castor oil lipid [...] Read more.
Castor bean (Ricinus communis L.) originated in East Africa and then diffused to warm-temperate, subtropical, and tropical regions of the world. The high lipid content in the castor beans is extracted for use in pharmaceutical and industrial applications. The castor oil lipid profile is naturally composed of 90% ricinoleic acid and the remaining 10% is mainly composed of linoleic, oleic, stearic, and linolenic fatty acids. The highly toxic compound ricin within the seeds is insoluble in oil, making castor oil free from this toxin and safe to use for industrial and cosmetic applications. Among the main uses of castor oil are reported industrial uses such as component for lubricants, paints, coatings, polymers, emulsifiers, cosmetics, and medicinal uses as a laxative. There is also significant commercial potential for utilization of the whole castor bean plant such as animal feed, fertilizer, biofuel, and also for phytoremediation. Several breeding programs have been planned to improve the castor’s characteristics needed for its current or potential uses. In this review, after summarizing data on castor bean agronomy and uses, we focus on the main advances in Castor bean classical and biotechnological breeding programs, underlining the high potential of this oil crop. In particular, the main challenges of castor breeding programs are to increase yield, mainly through the selection of growth habits allowing mechanized harvest, and beneficial compound content, mainly the oil, and to decrease the toxic compounds content, mainly ricin. Full article
Show Figures

Figure 1

17 pages, 3237 KiB  
Article
Bacillus methylotrophicus Could Improve the Tolerance and Recovery Ability of the Tomato to Low-Temperature Stress and Improve Fruit Quality
by Guobin Li, Tieli Peng, Feng Qu, Junzheng Wang, Yanghao Long and Xiaohui Hu
Agronomy 2023, 13(7), 1902; https://doi.org/10.3390/agronomy13071902 - 19 Jul 2023
Cited by 3 | Viewed by 1539
Abstract
Low-temperature stress seriously affects the growth, development, yield, and quality of tomato production. Bacillus methylotrophicus is an important plant growth promoting rhizobacteria (PGPR). However, the role of B. methylotrophicus under low-temperature stress is poorly understood. Accordingly, the effects of B. methylotrophicus (‘VL-10′) on [...] Read more.
Low-temperature stress seriously affects the growth, development, yield, and quality of tomato production. Bacillus methylotrophicus is an important plant growth promoting rhizobacteria (PGPR). However, the role of B. methylotrophicus under low-temperature stress is poorly understood. Accordingly, the effects of B. methylotrophicus (‘VL-10′) on tomato cold stress (15 °C/8 °C, 12 h/12 h, and day/night) were studied. B. methyltrophicus ‘VL-10′ was added into the substrate at the time of sowing, and the plants were treated at a low temperature for 2 weeks after 40 days of growth. We found that the low temperature reduced the spatial distribution of the aboveground and underground sections of tomatoes and the leaf SPAD and photochemical efficiency of PS II (Fv/Fm). After low-temperature stress, the tomato flowering was delayed, the vitamin C and lycopene content in fruit decreased, and the nitrate content increased. However, inoculated with B. methyltrophicus ‘VL-10′ during sowing promoted the growth of tomato seedlings, enhanced the native defense ability of the tomatoes, and effectively reduced the cold shock response of the roots to cold damage and the adverse effects of low temperature on leaf SPAD and Fv/Fm. After the cultivation at normal temperature, the inoculat B. methyltrophicus ‘VL-10′ could rapidly regain plant growth levers, and eliminate the delay of low temperature on flowering. TOPSIS analysis showed that the nutritional quality of tomatoes could be effectively improved by inoculation with B. methyltrophicus ‘VL-10′ regardless of normal cultivation or low-temperature stress. Full article
Show Figures

Figure 1

Back to TopTop