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Inteligencia Artificial en la Agricultura: Retos, Oportunidades y Estrategias para su adopción.
No full textLa adopción de inteligencia artificial (IA) en la agricultura se encuentra aún en etapas iniciales ya que se trata de un sector tradicional donde la resistencia al cambio y la falta de infraestructura tecnológica representan barreras importantes. Sin embargo, esta tecnología tiene potencial para revolucionar el sector facilitando la integración y análisis de datos y conocimientos que posibiliten estrategias de agricultura de precisión e incorporación de tecnologías como la robótica. Entre las aplicaciones prácticas que podrían integrar esta tecnología se encuentran la predicción temprana de cosechas, el diagnóstico nutricional e hídrico que optimicen el uso eficiente de recursos como fertilizantes y agua, la reducción de fitosanitarios mediante detección y diagnóstico temprano de plagas y mapas de riesgo, todo ello integrando datos provenientes de otras fuentes como archivos históricos, climáticos o de mercado. La IA se presenta, además, como una herramienta esencial para facilitar el cumplimiento de normativas cada vez más exigentes, la adaptación al cambio climático y la mejora de la competitividad. Para superar los obstáculos actuales en su implantación, es clave desarrollar soluciones accesibles, mejorar la capacitación de los agricultores en tecnologías digitales y fomentar políticas públicas que impulsen la digitalización del secto
Effects of environmental conditions and ripeness of the fruit at harvest on the physicochemical quality and internal skin browning of cold-stored ‘Mollar de Elche’ pomegranate
No full textPomegranate is a cold-sensitive fruit, prone to develop chilling injury (CI) which manifests as external pitting and internal browning. In the case of ‘Mollar de Elche’ pomegranates, storage at 5 °C and >90% relative humidity (RH) is recommended to minimize CI, weight loss, and fungal diseases. However, in recent seasons, increased internal skin browning has been observed, in the absence of typical external CI symptoms. Furthermore, this disorder becomes apparent after a few weeks of storage under optimal conditions. The objective of this work was to study the effects of environmental conditions at harvest (early in the morning (E) with mild temperatures and late in the morning (L) with maximum solar radiation) and harvest date (at the beginning (H1) and the end (H2) of the growing season 2022) on the physicochemical quality and internal tissue browning of ‘Mollar de Elche’ pomegranates stored for 8 and 12 weeks at 6 ºC and 90-95% RH, followed by 7 days at 20 ºC and 85% RH. Differences in solar radiation, ambient temperature and RH at harvest time resulted in fruit temperatures of 15.7±1.8 and 28.1±0.4 ºC for E and L, respectively. No significant differences in internal browning were observed between E and L harvest time, whereas H2 fruit were less susceptible than H1 fruit. Furthermore, fruit with higher internal browning incidence showed higher respiration, weight loss, and electrolyte leakage, indicating damage of the cell membrane. Fruit firmness was greater in H1 than H2 at harvest and after 8 weeks of cold storage plus shelf life, but no differences were observed between treatments at the end of storage. Overall, late-harvest fruit was less susceptible to internal browning. Future work should explore the origin of this physiological disorder and feasible postharvest management to minimize it
Nesidiocoris tenuis, Macrolophus pygmaeus (Hemiptera: Miridae) and (Z)‑3‑hexenyl propanoate induce systemic resistance against the root‑knot nematode Meloidogyne spp. in tomatoes
Full text linkThe management of Meloidogyne spp. in
tomato crops presents significant challenges for sustainable
agriculture. This study evaluates the potential
of Nesidiocoris tenuis, Macrolophus pygmaeus,
and (Z)-3-hexenyl propanoate—two zoophytophagous
mirid species and one of the herbivore-induced
plant volatiles (HIPVs) they trigger—to induce systemic
resistance against Meloidogyne incognita and
M. javanica in tomato plants (cv. Bodar). To this
end, we assess the expression of the PIN2 and PR1
genes, related to the jasmonic acid (JA) and salicylic
acid (SA) pathways, respectively. Exposure of
tomato plants to 15 nymphs of either N. tenuis or M.
pygmaeus for 24 or 48 h, and to (Z)-3-hexenyl propanoate
for 24 h, before inoculation with 200 secondstage
juveniles of the nematodes significantly reduced
nematode infectivity and reproduction. Notably, PIN2
gene expression in leaves was upregulated nine- and
14-fold by N. tenuis and M. pygmaeus, respectively,
zero days after nematode inoculation (DANI) and was
repressed by the nematode seven DANI with a ninefold
decrease, but not when the plants were exposed
to M. pygmaeus or N. tenuis, indicating a strong early
defense response. However, PR1 expression levels
showed no significant changes, suggesting a predominant
role of the JA pathway over the SA pathway in
the induced resistance. We conclude that induction of
systemic resistance in tomato plants by N. tenuis, M.
pygmaeus, and (Z)-3-hexenyl propanoate before nematode
exposure is a promising strategy for nematode
management, at least to suppress nematode infection
by the primary inoculum and later reproduction
Estimated costs of plum pox virus and management of sharka, the disease it causes
Full text linkThe disease “sharka”, caused by Potyvirus plumpoxi (plum pox virus), is
the most harmful viral disease affecting stone fruits. The virus spreads over long distances
through illegal and insufficiently controlled exchange of infected propagative
plant material. Once established in an area, the virus spreads locally through vegetative
propagation of infected plant material, and naturally through aphid-vectors. Previously
considered a European problem, sharka has now been reported in 54 Prunus-growing
countries in all continents except Oceania, although the disease has been eradicated
from the United States of America. The economic cost of the disease in the 28 years
from 1995 to 2023 is estimated to be €2.4 × 109, equivalent to approx. 0.17% of the
stone fruit industry’s value. This includes more than over €2 × 109 in direct fruit losses,
€1.4 million from international rejection of symptomatic fruit, and over €100 million
in eradication and disease limitation costs. Indirect costs include €137 million, mainly
associated with ELISA analyses, and approx. €130 million in costs related to research
and science networks. Cumulative global losses from the sharka pandemic since the
decade 1910/20 probably surpass €13 × 109. These outlays exclude indirect trade costs,
economic losses, genetic erosion of traditional cultivars, and the costs of developing
new cultivars tolerant or resistant to plum pox virus. The decline in these costs compared
to the previously evaluated €10 billion from the 1970s to 2006 is analyzed. Four
case studies (for Spain, Turkey, Chile, and Greece) illustrate different sharka scenarios
and management strategies
Plant growth-promoting microorganisms as natural stimulators of nitrogen uptake in citrus
Full text linkImproving nitrogen uptake efficiency by citrus in Mediterranean areas, where this crop predominates,
is crucial for reducing ground-water pollution and enhancing environmental sustainability.
This aligns with the Farm to Fork Strategy (European Green Deal) objectives,
which aim to reduce the use of mineral fertilizers by up to 20% and to eliminate soil contamination
from nitrogen entirely. In this context, exploring the potential of plant growth-promoting
bacteria application to reduce nutrient inputs is a promising opportunity. The objective of
the present study was to evaluate the effect of two Bacillus subtilis strains either individually
inoculated or in combination with Saccharomyces cerevisiae on 15N-labeled fertilizer uptake
efficiency and physiological parameters. Individual inoculations positively affected tree
water potential, leaf chlorophyll concentrations (SPAD-values) and photosynthetic performance,
enhancing tree growth. Fertilizer-15N use efficiency increased, as did phosphorus
and potassium uptakes. Conversely, no response was observed in the trees co-inoculated
with S cerevisiae. Therefore, PGPB can be considered an interesting means to reduce reliance
on synthetic fertilizers in citrus orchards, minimizing the environmental impact and promoting
sustainable production practices
Recubrimiento comestible incorporando extracto de aclareo de manzana y aceite esencial de hinojo frente a la podredumbre marrón en ciruelas
Full text linkLas ciruelas (Prunus salicina) son altamente susceptibles durante la etapa poscosecha a la podredumbre marrón, causada por Monilinia fructicola, lo que puede generar importantes pérdidas económicas. Su control con fungicidas químicos de síntesis implica riesgos para la salud y el medio ambiente, por lo que es necesario buscar alternativas seguras y no contaminantes. En este sentido, extractos de frutos descartados en el campo durante el aclareo de manzana, ricos en compuestos bioactivos, pueden ofrecer una alternativa como ingredientes antifúngicos naturales que incorporados a recubrimientos comestibles (RCs) permitan controlar las enfermedades de poscosecha y mantener la calidad de la fruta, alineándose con la bioeconomía circular y el Pacto Verde de la UE. Este estudio evaluó el efecto de RCs a base de carboximetilcelulosa (CMC) con extractos de manzana de aclareo, combinado con aceite esencial de hinojo (AEH). Para ello, se obtuvieron extractos de las variedades ‘Gala’, ‘Golden Delicious’ (GD) y ‘Opal’ mediante extracción asistida por ultrasonidos y se evaluó el contenido total de fenoles (TPC), la capacidad antioxidante total (TAC) y la actividad antifúngica in vitro de los extractos. El extracto de ‘Gala’ presentó el mayor TPC con 39,90 mg GAE/g de peso seco, mientras que el extracto de GD mostró la mayor TAC, con 2,31 g AA/L. En pruebas con microplacas, los extractos de GD, ‘Opal’ y ‘Gala’ inhibieron el hongo M. fructicola en un 99%, 95% y 78%, respectivamente. Así, se formularon RCs con extracto de GD, con AEH y combinando los dos ingredientes antifúngicos. Ciruelas ‘Pazza’ inoculadas con el patógeno y recubiertas 24 h después se almacenaron 25 días a 1 ºC, seguidos de 2 días a 10 ºC más 5 días de vida útil a 20 °C, tras los cuales se observó una reducción significativa de la podredumbre marrón en toda la fruta recubierta, siendo el RC con AEH el más efectivo, con reducciones de la incidencia y la severidad de la enfermedad del 73 y 88%; mientras que las del RC con extracto de GD fueron del 56 y 79%, respectivamente. No se observó un efecto sinérgico al combinar el extracto de GD y el AEH respecto al RC que contenía solo el extracto, mostrando la importancia de la interacción entre ingredientes en la efectividad final de los RCs. Este estudio demuestra el potencial de AEH y de extractos de aclareo de manzana como alternativas sostenibles para el control de la podredumbre marrón en fruta de hueso
Artificial Neural Networks in Agriculture, the core of artificial intelligence: What, When, and Why
Full text linkArtificial Neural Networks (ANNs) based models have emerged as a powerful tool for solving complex nonlinear
problems in agriculture. These models simulate the human nervous system’s structure, allowing them to learn
hierarchical features from the data and solve nonlinear problems efficiently. Despite requiring a large amount of
training data, ANNs with shallow architectures demonstrate superior performance in extracting relevant features
and establishing accurate models, instilling confidence in their effectiveness compared to conventional machine
learning methods. The versatility of ANNs enables their application in various agricultural domains, including
precision agriculture, species classification, phenotyping, and food quality and safety assessment. ANNs combined
with image analysis have proven valuable in disease detection, plant phenotyping, and fruit quality
evaluation. The use of deep learning in agriculture has experienced exponential growth, as evident from the
increasing number of publications in recent years. This article overviews recent advancements in applying ANNs
in agriculture. It delves into the fundamental principles behind various types of agricultural data and ANN
models, discussing their benefits and challenges. The article offers valuable insights into the proper use and
functioning of each neural network, data processing for improved model outcomes, and the diverse applications
of ANNs in the agricultural sector. It aims to equip readers with practical information on data utilisation, model
selection based on data type, functionality, and current research application
Abscission zone metabolism impacts pre- and postharvest fruit quality: a very attaching story
Full text linkThe function of abscission zones (AZs) determines the timing of fleshy fruit
abscission, with important consequences not only for the optimal fruit harvest,
but also on the overall final fruit quality. In this context, chemical treatments are
commonly used at different stages of fruit development to control fruit
abscission, which can also have positive or negative effects on fruit quality. In
the current review, we examine commonly used chemicals that affect the
metabolic activity in the AZs of fleshy fruit, in addition to their effects on fruit
quality characteristics. The main hormone metabolism and signaling in the AZ
include that of ethylene, auxin, abscisic acid and jasmonates, and the molecular
components that are involved are covered and discussed, in addition to how
these hormones work together to regulate AZ activity and hence, affect fruit
quality. We focus on studies that have provided new insight into possible protein
complexes that function in the AZ, including multiple MADS-box transcription
f
Evaluation of Non-Contact Device to Measure Body Temperature in Sheep
Full text linkNon-contact devices have been used in the measurement of body temperature in livestock production as a tool for testing disease in different species. However, there are few studies about the variation and correlations in body temperature between rectal temperature (RT) and non-contact devices such as non-contact infrared thermometers (NCIT) and thermal imaging/infrared thermography (IRT). The objective of this work was to evaluate the accuracy of non-contact devices to measure the body temperature in sheep, considering six body regions and the possibility of implementing these systems in herd management. The experiment was carried out at the experimental farm of the Catholic University of Valencia, located in the municipality of Massanassa in July of 2021, with 72 dry manchega ewes, and we compared the rectal temperature with two types of non-contact infrared devices for the assessment of body temperature in healthy sheep. Except for the temperature taken by NCIT at the muzzle, the correlation between RT vs. NCIT or IRT showed a low significance or was difficult to use for practical flock management purposes. In addition, the variability between devices was high, which implies that measurements should be interpreted with caution in warm climates and open pens, such as most sheep farms in the Spanish Mediterranean area. The use of infrared cameras devices to assess body temperature may have a promising future, but in order to be widely applied as a routine management method on farms, the system needs to become cheaper, simpler in terms of measurements and quicker in terms of analyzing results