Genome editing technology, which enables researchers to modify specific genomic loci, may be useful for accelerating the breeding of many fruit crops. The aim of this study was to evaluate the ...CRISPR/Cas9-mediated editing of the blueberry (Vaccinium spp.) genome. We first optimised the plant regeneration system to increase the genetic transformation efficiency for 'Blue Muffin' and 'O'Neal'. We also tested the utility of the axillary bud transformation technique for modifying blueberry genes. We revealed that the axillary bud transformation method accelerated the blueberry transformation process and increased the transformation rate. Of the 47 transgenic lines obtained for two cultivars, six lines contained a mutated CENTRORADIALIS (CEN) region. A sequence analysis revealed 1- to 2-bp insertions/deletions in CEN alleles, with an average mutated allele ratio of 19% and 22% for gRNA1 and gRNA2, respectively. Two of four gRNAs (gRNA 3, 4) did not produce mutations, suggesting that selecting appropriate gRNA sequences is critical for genome editing. The growth phenotypes of the CEN-mutated lines imply a non-functional CEN allele in the blueberry genome may restrict vegetative growth. The results described herein confirm the utility of the CRISPR/Cas9 genome editing protocol for functionally characterising blueberry genes.
DNA-based RAPD (Random Amplification of Polymorphic DNA) markers have been used extensively to study genetic relationships in a number of fruit crops. A wide genetic diversity exists in the mango ...fruit in India. Present day commercial cultivars originated mainly from this subcontinent. In this study, 18 commercial mango cultivars, traditionally grown in western, southern, northern and eastern parts of India, were selected to assess genetic relatedness. Total genomic DNA was extracted and subjected to RAPD analysis using 30 arbitrary 10-mer primers. Of these, 27 primers amplified mango genomic DNA. None of these primers produced unique band pattern for each cultivar. RAPD data were used to calculate a squared Euclidean distance matrix, and based on this cluster analysis was done using a minimum variance algorithm. Cluster analysis clearly showed two groups-the first consisting of western, northern and eastern mango cultivars and the second group consisting of southern cultivars. From the analysis of results, it appears the majority of mango cultivars originated from a local mango genepool and were domesticated later.
Storage of the 'Nijisseiki' cultivar of Japanese pears was studied over three seasons for periods up to 36 weeks at 0°C. Storage in 50 μm thick low-density polyethylene (LDPE) bags at 0°C ...considerably delayed yellowing in all experiments, even after fruit was removed to 20°C for 1 week at the end of storage. The addition of an ethylene absorbent made from potassium permanganate on aluminium oxide (Purafil II) further delayed yellowing. Carbon dioxide levels in both treatments varied, but were generally in the range 2-3%. Oxygen levels remained high, generally 16-19%. In bags without Purafil, ethylene levels rose slightly during storage and were generally about 0.15 μl l
-1
. When Purafil was included in the bags, the ethylene level was reduced 10-fold or more. A sensory test indicated that the use of LDPE bags and ethylene absorbent resulted in fruit with better eating quality than fruit stored in air. Disorders over the 3-year investigation were low even after long-term storage. The use of polyethylene bags reduced the severity of flesh browning, and flesh spot decay was virtually absent. The use of bags increased the severity of core browning. Inclusion of an ethylene absorbent in bags reduced the severity of disorders, particularly core browning. Treatment of the fruit with 1-methylcyclopropene (1-MCP), before or during storage, resulted in higher ethylene levels in the polyethylene bags. At the concentrations used, 1-MCP did not improve the storage of 'Nijisseiki' compared to the use of polyethylene bags with Purafil II.
SUMMARY
A soilless culture system (SCS) can improve the quality of raw material at harvest and enhance post-harvest shelf-life in many fresh-cut vegetables. Fresh-cut produce has been targeted to ...satisfy the increasing demand for convenience products for modern society. Recently, there has been growing interest to introduce garden cress into the fresh-cut supply chain. A standardised growing system is required to obtain suitable fresh-cut raw material in terms of marketable stage, low nitrate content, and long shelf-life. Four experiments were carried out to investigate a floating SCS and post-harvest management to produce marketable garden cress and to preserve its freshness during shelf-life. Various total N levels (6, 8, 12, or 16 mM), NO
3
-
-N:NH
4
+
-N ratios (25:75, 50:50, 75:25, or 40:60) in the growing nutrient solution, storage temperatures (4°C, 8°C, or 16°C), and five polypropylene (PP) films used during shelf-life, were tested. The research showed that garden cress is suitable for production in a SCS and that this technique leads to greater commercial production than soil culture, reaching > 600 g m
-2
in 14 d, and > 4,700 g m
-2
in 34 d. Total N at 12 mM was too high to obtain leaves with an acceptable nitrate content (< 2,500 mg kg
-1
FW). Polypropylene film and storage temperature significantly influenced the loss of FW during shelf-life; however, this loss was always below 2%. The optimal storage temperature to maintain freshness was 4°C, while the five PP films tested showed inconsistent results.
Pressure on agricultural land from a rising global population is necessitating the maximisation of food production per unit area of cultivation. Attention is increasingly turning to Vertical Farming ...(VF) approaches in an attempt to provide a greater crop yield per square meter of land. However, this term has been used to cover a broad range of approaches, from personal- or community-scale vegetable and herb growing to vast skyscrapers for commercial production of a wide range of crops. This article summarises the main categories of VF in order to help clarify this emerging but sometimes confusing area of agriculture and discusses how scientific investigation of the potential of VF is currently lacking and will be required to help determine its feasibility as a method to assist meaningfully in global food production.
Keeping quality is frequently terminated by adverse water relations or oxidative stress. This study was designed to evaluate whether postharvest application of single, multi-walled carbon nanotubes ...and nanographene oxide (SWCNTs, MWCNTs, and NGO respectively) can improve keeping quality in rose, along with the processes involved. Dose-response curves were realised by applying five concentrations of SWCNTs, MWCNTs, and NGO (0-80, 0-80, and 0-2 mg L
−1
respectively) either once as a foliar spray or continuously in the holding solution of different rose cultivars. At optimal concentration, CNTs and NGO through either application method extended keeping quality. CNTs improved water balance by promoting water uptake more than water loss, whereas NGO did not. Each nanomaterial at optimal concentration was also employed to assess various parameters underlying keeping quality. CNTs generally enhanced leaf stomatal conductance and transpiration. CNTs and NGO attenuated chlorophyll degradation, electrolyte leakage and lipid peroxidation due to the amplified triggering of both enzymatic and non-enzymatic antioxidants. In conclusion, the extension of keeping quality by postharvest application of CNTs and NGO was characterised by different modes of action. Both upgraded the antioxidant status, while CNTs additionally promoted water relations.Abbreviations: APX, ascorbate peroxidase; CAT, catalase; CNTs, carbon nanotubes; DW, dry weight; FW, fresh weight; GAE, gallic acid equivalent; NGO, nanographene oxide; MDA, malondialdehyde; MWCNTs, multi-walled CNTs; NBT, nitro-blue tetrazolium chloride; POD, peroxidase; RH, relative air humidity; ROS, reactive oxygen species; RUE, rutin equivalent; RWC, relative water content; SOD, superoxide dismutase; SWCNTs, single-walled CNTs.
Influence of foliar application of maize grains extract (aqueous and alcoholic) on the nutrient acquisition, osmoprotectants accumulation, ROS-scavenging system, and endogenous phytohormones profile ...in salt-stressed plants has received no attention. Therefore, the current study, as a first report, was aimed to test the hypothesis that the maize grains extract (MGE) application may give an advantage to overcome salinity problems by altering these mechanisms. Phaseolus vulgaris L., cv. Paulista plants were grown in salty soils (EC = 7.43-7.51 dS m
‒1
) with and without MGE applications as follows: both seeds and plants were treated by distilled water (MGE0), seeds soaked in MGE and plants sprayed with distilled water (MGEseeds), seeds soaked in distilled water and plants sprayed with MGE (MGEplants), as well as both seeds and plants were treated by MGE (MGEboth). MGE treatments protected plants against the deleterious effects of saline condition by improving growth and yield components, relative water content, membrane stability index, photosynthetic pigments content, soluble sugars, proline, N, P, K
+
, Ca
2+
, indole-3-acetic acid, gibberellic acid, cytokinins concentrations, K
+
/Na
+
and Ca
2+
/Na
+
ratios, superoxide dismutase, catalase, peroxidase activities, and glutathione, ascorbate contents. Therefore, MGE as environmental-friendly, sustainable and efficient strategy can reprogramme plant responses to mitigate the adverse effects of salinity stress.
The role of folic acid (FA) or its derivatives (folates) in plant responsiveness to drought stress is still unclear. Here we investigated the effect of foliar application of FA (50, 100 and, ...150 µM/l) on snap beans (Phaseolus vulgaris L.) grown under two levels of surface drip irrigation (100% and 70% of water requirements) in two successive seasons of 2018 and 2019. The results showed that deficit irrigation led to a significant decrease in plant growth, leaf relative water content (RWC) and cell membrane stability index (CMSI). These responses negatively affected green pod yield and quality indicators in terms of total soluble solids (TSS) and protein. Conversely, malondialdehyde (MDA), proline, free amino acids (FAA), total soluble sugars, antioxidant enzymes (SOD, CAT and POX) and the fibres of green pods were significantly increased. The regression analysis revealed that all investigated osmolytes and antioxidant enzymes were negatively and significantly correlated with RWC in both seasons. Under deficit irrigation, plants treated with 150 µM FA had higher water use efficiency (WUE) by 29.2% and 16.6% over the FA-
untreated
plants in both seasons, respectively. The foliar application of 150 µM FA significantly improved most studied traits and could be recommended as a protective agent against deficit irrigation.
Global food security has been significantly threatened by the Covid-19 pandemic and several prolonged challenges such as climate change, population increases, shortage of natural resources, energy ...crisis, and rapid urbanisation worldwide. Although numerous attempts have been made to secure resilience in the food system, many countries are suffering from hunger and malnutrition, particularly in African and some Asian countries. This review paper presents one of the sustainable farming practices - vertical farming that could play a key role in mitigating global food security in the current uncertain world. It addresses the recent development of vertical farming with advanced precision monitoring and controlling system by the Internet of Things (IoT) applications. It also provides information about the opportunities and challenges of vertical-urban agriculture and how urban agriculture meets economic, social and educational needs.
A comprehensive review of automation of irrigation based on volumetric soil water content (VSWC) in the framework of IoT (Internet of Things) is presented. The fundamentals of electromagnetic sensors ...based on soil dielectric permittivity and the techniques used for measuring the VSWC are briefly described. Factors affecting sensor performance that have to be considered for selecting the appropriate sensor along with a SWOT (Strengths, Weaknesses, Opportunities and Threats) analysis are outlined. Special attention must be paid to the small soil volume explored by these sensors, installation accuracy, calibration, power supply and consumption and the effects of salinity on the soil water content. Since it is connected to a telemetry system, a wireless sensor network should include robust transmission units, energy-efficient processor, flexible configuration of the I/O ports, long-life battery, and a friendly software platform. A bidirectional wireless network layout allows sensor activity to be monitored, acts on solenoid valves to trigger irrigation (based either on direct VSWC values or algorithms) and provides real-time feed-back information of the soil-plant-atmosphere continuum. As revealed by the field research studies, significantly higher water, energy and labour savings were possible using automated irrigation based on VSWC sensors than with conventional irrigation scheduling based on computed evapotranspiration.
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