Spanish Journal of Agricultural Research
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Determination of soluble solids content in Prunus avium by Vis/NIR equipment using linear and non-linear regression methods
No full textAim of study: Developing models to determine soluble solids content (SSC) in cherry trees by means of Vis/NIR spectroscopy.Area of study: The Spanish Autonomous Community of Aragón (Spain).Material and methods: Vis/NIR spectroscopy was applied to Prunus avium fruit ‘Chelan’ (n=360) to predict total SSC using a range 400-2420 nm. Linear (PLS) and nonlinear (LSSVM) regression methods were applied to establish prediction models.Main results: The two regression methods applied obtained similar results (Rcv2=0.97 and Rcv2=0.98 respectively). The range 700-1060 nm attained better results to predict SSC in different seasons. Forty variables selected according to the variable selection method achieved Rcv2 value, 0.97 similar than full range.Research highlights: The development of this methodology is of great interest to the fruit sector in the area, facilitating the harvest for future seasons. Further work is needed on the development of the NIRS methodology and on new calibration equations for other varieties of cherry and other species
Foliar application of nitrogenous compounds and elicitors to Tempranillo grapevines: Microbiological implications
No full textThis study was aimed to analyze the effects of the nitrogen foliar application, and elicitation used on microbial populations of musts. The nitrogenous compounds were raw and treated wastewater from mushroom industry and a commercial yeast derivate; the elicitors were methyl jasmonate, chitosan and one commercial elicitor from a yeast source. Those six products were sprayed as pre-harvest treatment over the leaves of Tempranillo grapevines for improving quality and maturity of grapes. The applications of raw and treated wastewaters from mushroom industry, chitosan and methyl jasmonate elicitation did not cause changes in microbial diversity of must samples. In contrast, spraying commercial yeast derivate products made the must microbiota reach a high richness of species that would be positive in ecological terms. This research succeeded in establishing the impacts of foliar applications in the grapevines on the microbial community, and in any case, negative impacts were observed so that, presumably, these foliar applications can be perfectly implemented as agronomic practice
Identification and pathogenicity of Rhizoctonia solani AG-4 causing root rot on chickpea in Turkey
No full textIn the 2016-17 growing seasons, surveys were conducted in the Isparta, Uşak, Kütahya and Denizli provinces of Turkey to identify the Rhizoctonia solani AG-4 associated with root and crown rot of chickpea. A total of 75 isolates of Rhizoctonia were obtained from surveyed areas. Visual diagnostic, isolation and microscopic observation identified the causal organism as R. solani. Sequence data of the ITS rDNA region confirmed the species identity and revealed that the anastomosis group of the 23 isolates were AG-4 HGII. The isolates were variable in their morphological characters. The sequences generated during this study were clustered in the same branch with the reference isolates of R. solani AG-4 HGII based on their ITS sequencing on chickpea and the isolate grouping was not related to their geographic origins or virulence pattern. Pathogenicity tests revealed that all AG-4 isolates were pathogenic on chickpea and the disease severity values of 23 isolates varied between 42.8% and 100%. Based on the virulence, the isolates were grouped into two categories: 5 of them exhibited moderately virulence and 18 of them exhibited highly virulence reaction on chickpea. The high virulent isolate level (>50% disease severity) was determined as 78.2% of all 23 isolates. This is the first report of R. solani AG-4 as a pathogen of chickpea in Turkey
Hybridizing consumer behavioural approaches on agrifood markets: Attitudes, judgements and choices
No full textThe attitudinal approach, represented by the Theory of Reasoned Action and, subsequent, Theory of Planned Behaviour, and the judgements and choices – also called decision – approach, rendered by the Classical Utility Economic Theory, are the two mainstream frameworks to explain consumer behaviour. The former explains consumer behaviour based on beliefs and behavioural intentions, and the latter on products’ attributes and prices. Both are criticized by having drawbacks, which may limit their explicative and predictive power, such as the attitude-behaviour or intention-behaviour gap in the former, and both the divergence between monetary assessment and predicted utility as well as the failures to maximize the utility of the choices in the latter. Our aim was to assess the potentiality of a hybrid approach which integrates instruments from both theories in order to unravel consumer behaviour in agri-food markets. The empirical research was performed using a daily agri-food product under volitional control, olive oil, and variance-based structural equation modelling by means of the Partial Least Squares (PLS) technique, collecting data from consumers in Southern Spain. The results show there are key factors from both approaches such as attitude, expected outcomes, and socioeconomic features, which makes us conclude that it is necessary to move forward on the convergence and integration of different theories. Indeed, testable knowledge must be produced which has meaningful implications for predicting behaviours in consumption
Dynamic of Brassicogethes aeneus (F.) (Coleoptera, Nitidulidae) populations in Serbia’s downriver Danube section and their susceptibility to insecticides
No full textThis paper presents data on the dynamic of B. aeneus populations in winter oilseed rape in the downriver section of the Danube in Serbia, which were acquired by yellow water traps and a beating method. Their susceptibility to several insecticides of different classes (organophosphates, pyrethroids and neonicotinoids) (adult vial test and dipping test) was tested over two seasons (2009 and 2010). B. aeneus populations developing under the agroecological conditions that exist in Serbia were monitored to detect the moment of OSR infestation during its sensitive growth stages. Adults were counted, and the data revealed that they infest winter OSR crops during the stem elongation growth stage (BBCH 30-31), reaching a population peak at the green-yellow bud stage (BBCH 57-59), and exceeding the economic threshold, while the populations decreased substantially during the subsequent stage (BBCH 61-69). Laboratory test results did not confirm any changes in B. aeneus susceptibility/resistance to pyrethroid, organophosphate and neonicotinoid insecticides. Migration of B. aeneus populations was monitored as a way of developing predictive models for estimation of infestation severity and the timing of pest outbreaks under agroecological conditions existing in Serbia. As resistance to pyrethroids has been confirmed in B. aeneus populations in many European countries, their susceptibility will be further monitored
Parameter optimization of winnowing equipment for machine-harvested Lycium barbarum L.
No full textTo accurately and efficiently remove unripe fruit, flowers, leaves, and other impurities in machine-harvested Lycium barbarum L., winnowing equipment for machine-harvested L. barbarum based on the principle that different materials have different flight coefficients was designed. To optimize the structure and working parameters of winnowing equipment, this study adopted the free flow resistance model to establish a horizontal airflow model based on C++ in Microsoft Visual Studio. A discrete element method (DEM) simulation of ripe fruit in the horizontal airflow was performed using EDEM software. Results showed that the optimal parameters included an airflow speed of 5-6 m/s, input conveyor speed of 0.4-0.6 m/s, and input-output conveyor distance of 260-270 mm. We used three factors and three levels in a quadratic orthogonal rotation design to establish mathematical models regarding the rate of impurity change and the clearance rate of ripe fruit based on the airflow speed, input conveyor speed, and input-output conveyor distance. We also analyzed the effects of all factors on the rate of impurity change and the clearance rate of ripe fruit. The optimal parameter combination was an airflow speed of 5.52 m/s, input conveyor speed of 0.5 m/s, and input-output conveyor distance of 265.04 mm. The field experiment showed that the rate of impurity change and the clearance rate of ripe fruit were 89.74% and 8.71%, respectively. Findings provide a design basis for future research on winnowing equipment for machine-harvested L. barbarum
Optimal amounts of water and nitrogen applied to sugar beet when crop price depends on its sugar content
No full textAim of study: To derive mathematical formulas to determine the optimum amounts of applied water and N at variable crop prices and rainfall conditions for sugar beet.Area of study: Karaj Research Center, Alborz Province, IranMaterial and methods: At first, mathematical formulas were derived to determine optimum applied water and nitrogen for sugar beet under rainfall occurrence, land limited (in cases that arable land area is limited and the farmer can not put more land area under irrigation) and water limited conditions when crop price depends on sugar content. Second, this theory was applied to analyze the relevant experimental data. The experiment was a split-plot design with irrigation treatments as the main plots (40%, 80%, 120% and 160% of evaporation from the surface of class A evaporation pan) and N fertilizer rates (0, 90, 180 and 270 kg N/ha) as subplots.Main results: Under land and water limiting conditions, deficit irrigation of 27% and 48% led to 6.4% and 25.4% decrease in yield and 21.4% and 96.2% increase in total net income, respectively, compared with full irrigation. Under water limiting conditions, cultivated land area increased by 93.7, 108 and 128% for 0, 60 and 120 mm rainfall, respectively. Under land limiting conditions, amounts of optimum irrigation water were 12381.2, 11781.2 and 11181.2 m3/ha, for 0, 60 and 120 mm rainfalls, respectively. The corresponding values for N were 262.5 kg/ha in all three rainfall quantities. Besides, under water limiting conditions, optimum amounts of irrigation water were 8708.1, 7828.8 and 6882.1 m3/ha for 0, 60 and 120 mm rainfalls, respectively. The corresponding values for N were 301.1, 299.5 and 295.5 kg/ha, respectively. Optimum amounts of irrigation water and N decreased by increase in rainfall amount.Research highlights: Under limited irrigation water conditions, if the rainfall, residual N, water cost and base crop price increases, the value of optimum applied water should be decreased
The forgotten, ancient olive trees of the Spanish northwest: A first molecular and botanical analysis
No full textNo country has a larger area under olive (Olea europaea subs. europaea var. europaea) cultivation than Spain. In the Spanish northwest, however, this crop has largely been forgotten, even though olive oil was once an important product of the area. Sadly, apart from a few scraps of information handed down orally, little information exists regarding the genotypes grown, or from where they may have originally come. Many centuries-old olive trees, however, can still be found in the area, some even forming groves now part of open woodland but which may harbour an important genetic reservoir. The present work describes a botanical and molecular analysis of these ancient trees, following a survey of allegedly native genotypes surviving in different locations in Galicia. Comparison of their molecular profiles with those in the World Olive Germplasm Bank of Cordoba, and those in the database compiled by the Agronomy Department of the University of Cordoba, revealed two known Galician genotypes, ´Brava Gallega´ and ´Mansa Gallega´, and the Portuguese genotype ´Cobrancoça´. Six genotypes present in neither database were also detected. In addition, some misidentifications of the ´Mansa´ genotype in recent studies were clarified. Botanical analysis confirmed the molecular results in all cases. The findings suggest a larger survey should be performed so that the full olive genetic diversity of this region can be recorded and preserved
The influence of the emotions produced by the wine offer, winery visits, and wine news on wine purchase intent in tourists
No full textWineries are using wine tourism to sell directly to consumers and develop brand equity. Studies show that emotions directly affect the purchase of products. However, they do not know the degree to which the emotions produced by the winery visit, the wine offer, or news about wine influence wine sales. The aim of this study was to compare the influence of emotions produced by the wine, the emotions produced by the winery visit and the emotions produced by the wine news on wine purchase intent. This paper applied structural equation modeling to a sample of 600 wine tourists in order to explain the influence of the emotions generated by the wine, the winery visit, and wine news on wine purchase intent. The results show that the different types of emotions affect tourists’ wine purchase intent differently. The percentage of variance explained was 34.6% for the model of the emotions produced by the wine vs. 10.3% for the model of the emotions produced by the winery visit and 6.3% for the model of the emotions produced by the wine news. The emotions produced by the wine offer have the greatest influence. The emotions produced by the winery visit were much less influential. Wine news had only a minor influence on purchase intent. Key findings for management are discussed
Soil and foliar applied boron in olive: tree crop growth and yield, and boron remobilization within plant tissues
No full textBoron (B) has great importance in the fertilizer recommendation programs of olive, since B deficiency is a frequent nutritional disorder. This paper reports results of the olive response to applied B from two 3-year field trials (ExpF1, ExpF2) and two pot experiments (ExpP1, ExpP2). The ExpF1 was installed in a 3-year-old orchard and the ExpF2 consisted of planting young trees with the aboveground biomass yield being recorded. In ExpP1, B was applied to the soil or as a foliar spray to the whole of the canopy. The ExpP2 consisted of the application of B to selected parts of the canopy. The concentration of B in the existing tissues receiving the spray directly and in the new shoots developing after the B application was determined. The performance of the crop, including olive yield, did not increase in ExpF1 with soil-applied B. However, dry matter yield of young plants in ExpF2 significantly increased with B application. The application of B, both as a soil fertilizer and as a foliar spray, significantly increased the B concentration in all tissues and in all experiments. From ExpP1, soil applied B proved to be a more powerful tool of delivering high amounts of B to the plant than foliar spray. From ExpP2, B was shown to be mobile in the tree to some extent, although the mobility appears to be cultivar-dependent. In 'Arbequina' the older leaves that received the foliar spray showed higher B levels than the young leaves that developed thereafter, whereas in 'Cobrançosa' this difference was not observed