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Automatic detection of pomegranate fruit affected by blackheart disease using X-ray imaging
Full text linkBlackheart is one of the primary diseases affecting pomegranate fruit globally, caused by the fungus Alternaria.
The damages are not visually detectable, as it is an internal disease that requires non-invasive technologies to
provide information from inside the fruit to be detected. This study explored the ability of X-ray imaging to
detect this infection in ‘Wonderful’ pomegranate fruit. X-ray images of healthy and infected fruit at different
levels were acquired and analysed. Texture features based on first-order statistics, the grey-level co-occurrence
matrix (GLCM), and grey-level histograms with several resolutions were extracted from X-ray images and used to
classify the fruit as healthy or infected through the random forest algorithm. The presence of the infection in
three levels of severity was later assessed by destructive visual analysis by opening the samples in half. The
highest accuracy models were obtained using all texture features and histograms with 256 bins. Compared to
manual inspection, X-rays showed a clear advantage in detecting incipient infections (infected fruit at level 1),
correctly identifying 93.3 % of infected fruits. In contrast, the manual inspection identified only 66.7 % of fruit,
highlighting the limitations of early-stage detection
Global strategies to manage huanglongbing (HLB) and its vectors: insights and implications for the Mediterranean region
Full text linkHuanglongbing (HLB), also known as citrus greening disease, poses a severe threat to the global citrus industry.
This disease is caused by three species of bacteria, ‘Candidatus Liberibacter asiaticus’, ‘C. L. africanus’, and ‘C. L. americanus’.
The primary pathogen vectors are the Asian citrus psyllid (Diaphorina citri Kuwayama, Hemiptera: Psyllidae) and
the African citrus psyllid (Trioza erytreae Del Guercio, Hemiptera: Triozidae). The disease is incurable, and its management
relies on reducing vector densities and the adverse effects of bacterial infections on host trees. Managing psyllid vectors,
especially D. citri, has proven exceptionally challenging due to its rapid spread and subsequent difficulty in containing
and suppressing newly detected populations. This article reviews strategies developed to manage HLB and its vectors in
different regions of the world with a focus on the challenges likely to be faced by the Mediterranean region. Diaphorina
citri has recently invaded the Mediterranean region and T. erytreae has been encroaching via the northern Iberian Peninsula
for several years. Currently, HLB has not been detected in this important citrus production area. Therefore, this area must
implement preventive measures and proactively prepare for potential invasions by D. citri, T. erytreae, and HLB-causing
pathogens by developing and adopting comprehensive management strategies in advance of anticipated invasion events
Antifungal edible coatings for postharvest control of plum brown rot caused by Monilinia fructicola
Full text linkPostharvest brown rot, caused by Monilinia fructicola (G. Winter) Honey leads to significant economic losses for the Japanese plum (Prunus salicina Lindl.) industry worldwide. As part of non-polluting integrated disease management (NPIDM) strategies to replace the use of synthetic chemical fungicides, the development of antifungal edible coatings (AECs) has gained increasing importance in recent years. Several food additives or generally recognized as safe (GRAS) salts, essential oils, and natural extracts were selected in in vitro tests as potential effective antifungal ingredients of novel composite AECs formulated with hydroxypropyl methylcellulose (HPMC) and beeswax (BW). The curative activity against brown rot of compatible and stable AECs was evaluated in in vivo trials with 'Friar,' 'Larry Ann,' and 'Black Gold' plums inoculated with M. fructicola 24 h before and incubated at 20 °C for 8–10 days. AECs formulated with the GRAS salts potassium sorbate (PS), sodium methylparaben (SMP), or sodium ethylparaben (SEP), as well as the natural compounds geraniol (GE), lemongrass (LG), and myrrh (MY) were the most effective, with 50–70% reductions in brown rot incidence and severity. In subsequent cold storage trials, the effectiveness and impact on fruit quality of selected AECs were assessed on coated 'Friar' and 'Angeleno' plums stored at 1 °C and 90% RH for 3–6 weeks, followed by a shelf-life period of 4–5 days at 20 °C. In conclusion, HPMC-BW AECs formulated with 0.1% SMP, 0.1% SEP, or 0.5% MY showed the greatest potential for plum postharvest preservation as significantly controlled brown rot and reduced fruit weight and firmness loss without negatively affecting other physicochemical and sensory quality attributes. These findings can contribute to the development of new NPIDM strategies to control brown rot while preserving plum postharvest quality, thus facilitating the access to zero-residue and/or organic plum production markets
Relación entre los atributos de calidad de la fruta de la granada (Punica granatum L.) ‘Mollar de Elche’ y el pardeamiento del arilo
No full textEl granado es una especie frutal de las regiones agrícolas de clima árido y semi-árido mediterráneo muy apreciada por la composición del fruto y características organolépticas. Sin embargo, recientemente en los principales países productores la calidad de la fruta está siendo afectada por una alteración fisiológica denominada pardeamiento del arilo (AB) en el que una parte o la totalidad de los arilos muestran pérdida del color rojizo o pardeamiento. Esta alteración se ha convertido en una seria preocupación para los productores, teniendo un impacto negativo en los consumidores, ya que dichos frutos no son comercialmente aptos. Las causas que se consideran asociadas al AB son el estrés producido por el aumento de la temperatura, la sequía y/o la radiación luminosa que afecta a los procesos metabólicos durante el desarrollo del fruto. La granada es un fruto rico en compuestos polifenólicos con propiedades antioxidantes. El estrés abiótico producido en las plantas provoca un aumento en el contenido de especies reactivas de oxígeno (ROS) que aumenta las reacciones de oxidación de los polifenoles y la degradación de membranas. Este trabajo estudia la relación entre la posición de la fruta en el árbol (orientación y parte del árbol) y las características fisicoquímicas (tamaño del fruto, grosor de corteza, color exterior, color del arilo, acidez titulable, pH, solidos solubles totales) de la granada asociados con la afección por AB. Se evaluaron los atributos de calidad fisicoquímica y el índice visual de incidencia AB (1= no daños a 5=daños severos) en el interior de la fruta de granada en 80 accesiones de granada (30 frutos por genotipo) en el momento de la recolección. Alrededor del 36,2 % de los genotipos estudiados mostraron resistencia al trastorno AB, mientras que el resto (63,8 %) mostró una susceptibilidad a la incidencia de moderada a severa tras 4 semanas de almacenamiento a 5ºC. La intensidad de los síntomas aumentó en la fruta con orientación sur y oeste y se redujo en la parte interna del árbol. De los genotipos de granada y los atributos fisicoquímicos de la fruta se encontró una correlación negativa entre la intensidad del trastorno AB y la acidez titulable (TA) y el contenido de sólidos solubles totales (SST) del zumo, resaltando la importancia del genotipo y del estrés abiótico en este desorden
Developing epidemiological preparedness for a plant disease invasion: Modelling citrus huánglóngbìng in the European Union
Full text linkSocietal Impact Statement
Huánglóngbìng (HLB) is a bacterial disease of citrus that has significantly impacted
Brazil and the United States, although citrus production in the Mediterranean Basin
remains unaffected. By developing a mathematical model of spread in Spain, we
tested surveillance and control strategies before any future HLB entry in the EU. We
found while some citrus production might be maintained by roguing, this requires
extensive surveillance and significant chemical control, perhaps also including testing
of psyllids (which spread the pathogen) for bacterial DNA. Our work highlights the
key importance of early detection (including asymptomatic infection) and vector control
for HLB management.
Summary
• Huánglóngbìng (HLB; citrus greening) is the most damaging disease of citrus
worldwide. While citrus production in the United States and Brazil have been
affected for decades, HLB has not been reported in the European Union (EU).
However, a HLB vector, the African citrus psyllid, is already in Portugal and
Spain. In 2023, the major vector, the Asian citrus psyllid, was first reported in
Cyprus.
• We develop a landscape-scale, epidemiological model, accounting for heterogeneous
citrus cultivation and vector dispersal, as well as climate and disease management.
We use our model to predict HLB dynamics for an epidemic vectored by
the African citrus psyllid in high-density citrus areas in Spain, assessing detection
and control strategies.
• Without disease management, we predict large areas infected within 10–20 years.
Even with significant visual surveillance, any epidemic will be widespread on first
detection, making eradication unlikely. Nevertheless, increased inspection and
roguing following first detection, particularly if coupled with intensive insecticide
use, could sustain some citriculture for a decade or more, albeit with reduced production. However, effective control may require chemical application rates
and/or active substances no longer authorised in the EU. Strategies targeting
asymptomatic infection will be more successful. Detection of bacteriliferous
vectors—sometimes possible long before plants show symptoms—could reduce
lags before disease management commences. If detection of HLB-positive vectors
were followed by intensive insecticide sprays, this may greatly improve outcomes.
• Our work highlights modelling as a key component of developing epidemiological
preparedness for a pathogen invasion that is, at least somewhat, predictable in
advance
Exploring nutritional quality and bioactive compounds in Mediterranean bean landraces
Full text linkThis study aimed to characterize the nutritional and nutraceutical properties of ten Mediterranean bean landraces
compared to a commercial variety (Big Borlotto, Batlle Seeds). Significant genetic diversity was found
among the landraces, affecting their nutritional composition, mineral content, and bioactive compounds.
Essential minerals such as calcium, iron, and zinc exhibited considerable variability, with landraces 103, 15, 40,
and 102 showing higher mineral levels than the control variety. The fatty acid profiles varied, with linolenic acid
being predominant, accounting for 39.1–47.3 % of total fat, depending on the genotype. Positive correlations
between fatty acids and mineral content suggest complex interdependencies influencing grain quality, with the
strongest correlations observed between Mg and linolenic (r = 0.66) or palmitic (r = 0.63) acids. Beans with
colored seed coats exhibited higher antioxidant capacity attributed to phenolic acids, flavonoids, carotenoids,
and ascorbic acid, emphasizing seed coat color as an indicator of nutritional quality. Principal Component
Analysis (PCA) identified five clusters based on physical and nutritional traits, revealing correlations between
seed size, color, and quality. These findings highlight the potential of bean landraces to promote local economies
and biodiversity
Moisture-dependent pupation of the invasive thrips Chaetanaphothrips orchidii: implications for its management
No full textThis file includes the datasets used in the paper “Moisture-dependent pupation of the invasive thrips Chaetanaphothrips orchidii: implications for its management”. We This study aims to describe the pupation of C. orchidii in citrus and evaluate the effect of moisture (relative humidity and soil water content) on its emergence to improve the management of this invasive thrips. To accomplish the first aim, we sampled citrus canopies and soil in three commercial citrus orchards for two consecutive years. For the second aim, we evaluated the effect of the RH on its emergence. With these results, we tested whether its emergence was higher in areas near the drip irrigation emitters during the summer. We evaluated this assumption in two field experiments. Our results provide key information to improve the sustainable management of C. orchidii in the soil, especially in summer.
The file includes five tabs, which contain the data used for obtaining the conclusions presented in this paper.This dataset is associated with the published paper “Moisture-dependent pupation of the invasive thrips Chaetanaphothrips orchidii: implications for its management”. We conducted trials in three drip-irrigated orange orchards (2018 and 2019) using dispersal/emergence traps (D/E), and laboratory assays using desiccators, to confirm the pupation of C. orchidii in the soil and demonstrate the relationship between soil water content/humidity and its emergence. The file includes five tabs, which contain the data used for obtaining the conclusions presented in this paper
A proposal of a fecal scoring system based on physicochemical analyses of suckling pig feces
Full text linkBackground Digestive disorders are one of the main health problems in suckling piglets. The correct visual identification
of feces in suckling piglets is an important tool for the diagnosis of enteric diseases. The aim of the present observational
study was to analyze different physicochemical parameters of the feces of suckling piglets aged 0 to 21 days: visual appearance
(color and consistency), fecal dry matter (FDM) content and pH. A total of 482 fecal samples were collected and visually
classified into six categories: meconium, colostrum stage feces and 4 further scores according to the degree of consistency:
0 = form; 1 = pasty; 2 = liquid; and 3 = watery feces. The percentage of FDM was estimated by two drying methods, oven
and microwave, doing duplicates in each one to evaluate methods, and both were compare
Orchard systems offer low-hanging fruit for low-carbon, biodiversity-friendly farming
Full text linkAs core constituents of healthy diets, fruits are often cultivated in temporally stable and structurally complex ecosystems that harbor high levels of biodiversity. However, high-intensity orchard management can lessen the human and environmental health benefits of fruticulture. In the present article, we argue that increased emphasis on biological control could contribute to preventative manage- ment of fruit pests, weeds, and diseases, resulting in pesticide phasedown. Carefully calibrated orchard management can increase the provision of ecosystem services by above- and belowground biota, improve soil health, and store atmospheric carbon. When tactically integrated with agroecological measures, behavior-modifying chemicals, or digital tools, biological control helps to conserve pollinator or soil fauna, protect vertebrate communities, and improve vegetation restoration outcomes. Its implementation can, however, give rise to scientific and social challenges that will need to be explored. By resolving the adoption hurdles for biological control at scale, human society could enjoy the myriad benefits of nature-friendly fruit productio
Salt Tolerance Diversity in Citrus Rootstocks Agrees with Genotypic Diversity at the LCl-6 Quantitative Trait Locus
Full text linkBackground/Objective: Salinity is a growing problem affecting a large portion
of global agricultural land, particularly in areas where water resources are scarce. The
objective of this study was to provide physiological and molecular information on salttolerant
citrus rootstocks to mitigate the detrimental effects of salinity on citriculture.
Methods: Ten accessions belonging to eight Citrus species and four to Poncirus trifoliata
Raf. were tested for salinity tolerance (0 and 15 mM NaCl for 1 year) in terms of vegetative
and Cl− tissue distribution traits. In addition, most accessions were evaluated for leaf
Na+ and other cations. Results: All salt tolerant accessions tended to restrict the leaf Cl−
content, although in a lower degree than the Cleopatra mandarin. However, differences in
their ability to restrict leaf [Na+] were evident, contributing to a classification of trifoliate
and sour orange accessions that matched their genotypic grouping based on allele sharing
at a marker targeting candidate gene coding for the NPF5.9 transporter within LCL-6
quantitative trait locus. Conclusions: Our markers targeting LCl-6 candidate genes coding
for NPF5.9, PIP2.1, and CHX20 (citrus GmSALT3 ortholog) could be efficient tools for
managing the detected salt tolerance diversity in terms of both Cl− and Na+ homeostasis
in rootstock breeding programs derived from these species, in addition to Citrus reshni