Reduced Irrigation during Orchard Establishment Conserves Water and Maintains Yield for Three Cider Apple Cultivars

Irrigation water productivity is a priority for sustainable orchard management as water resources become more limiting. This study evaluated reduced irrigation (RI) as a management strategy for cider apple (Malus domestica Borkh.) production in 2019 and 2020 in northwestern Washington, which has a Mediterranean climate and averages 14.1 cm of precipitation from June to September. RI was evaluated on three cider apple cultivars, Dabinett, Porter’s Perfection, and Golden Russet, in their third and fourth leaf. Stem water potential (stem ψ) was measured weekly throughout the growing season to monitor water stress and implement the RI treatment: irrigation would be applied when stem ψ values dropped below −1.5 MPa, a threshold indicative of moderate water stress in apples. Soil water potential was monitored throughout the season, vegetative growth was assessed by measuring shoot length and non-destructive imaging of the plant canopy using lateral photography, and yield, fruit quality, and juice quality were measured at harvest. Moderate water stress as indicated by stem ψ did not occur either year, thus irrigation was never applied to the RI treatment plots. There was a negative relationship between average stem ψ and both yield and air temperature (P < 0.0001 for each); as yield increased by 5.9 kg per tree or temperature increased by 3.3 °C, stem ψ decreased by 0.1 MPa. The juice quality attributes of the three cultivars in this study were similar to their historic measures at this site and there were no differences due to irrigation treatment, likely because trees did not reach the threshold to induce physiological stress. Both years, trees in the RI treatment did not differ from the control treatment in vegetative growth, fruit yield, juice yield, or any juice quality attribute, but weight per fruit decreased by 7 g, and fruit firmness (measured only in 2020) increased by 2 N. Results from this study indicate that fruit yield and quality in an establishing orchard can be maintained when irrigation is reduced relative to crop water requirements that are estimated from a calculated water balance or relative to conventional grower practices for this region. This finding highlights the benefits of using plant water status to schedule irrigation.

Ultrasound and Ozone Processing of Cashew Apple Juice: Effects of Single and Combined Processing on the Juice Quality and Microbial Stability

Standalone and sequential ultrasound (US) and ozone (OZ) processes were applied to cashew apple juice. An unsupervised method, by principal component analysis (PCA), was used to understand the effect of the non-thermal treatments on the cashew apple composition. The US processing (373 W/cm2; 10 min; 40 °C) promoted the highest peroxidase inactivation and increased the flavonoid content and antioxidant activity (DPPH ABTS and FRAP methods). The ozone processing (0.24 mg O3/mL) increased total phenolic compounds (TPC). Sequential processing was carried out by applying both of the processes, using the best processing conditions for US and OZ. Sequential processing resulted in the higher retention of yellow flavonoids than in the control and single processing. However, the effect of sequential US and OZ processing can be deleterious to vitamin C and TPC after 30 days of cold storage while maintaining the flavonoids of the cashew apple juice. Furthermore, the synergy between US and OZ reduced native microbiota counts, suggesting a microbiologically safe juice. Further studies on the mechanism of bioactive compound degradation might be helpful for product quality modulation.

Assessing the Agronomical and Environmental Impacts of the Application of Green Waste-derived Compost on Sugar Beet Under Deficit Irrigation Conditions

In the light of global warming and climate changes, as well as the rapid expansion in sugar beet production in the arid and semi-arid regions, improving sugar beet productivity under deficit irrigation is of great importance. Green waste-derived compost (GWC) is a valuable soil amendment for improving soil organic matter, decreasing waste products and potential pollutants. The application of 14 ton ha-1 of GWC resulted in the highest root and recoverable sugar yields especially under the well-irrigated conditions under drip irrigation. Although, the impurities% in the beet root juice was increased under deficit irrigation conditions, sugar beet root biofortification and juice quality were significantly improved under drip irrigation in response to the application of 14 ton ha-1 of GWC by increasing sucrose content, QZ% and RS%. The application of GWC under drip irrigation enhanced water use efficiency for root yield (WUERY) and recoverable sugar yield (WUERSY), in particular under drip irrigation. The soil chemical and physical properties were significantly improved in response to the application of GWC. The results indicate that the application of GWC is essential for the sustainable sugar beet production and efficient irrigation water use in sandy soils.

Effect of Foliar Application of NPK and Micronutrient (Zn and Fe) on the Yield and Quality of Sugarcane Crop

The foliar application of nutrients help the plant leaves to readily absorb the applied nutrients through the nutrient solution and increases the nutrient use efficiency and thus improves the crop yield. The field experiment was conducted for two consecutive years to find out the affect of foliar spray of NPK and micronutrient on cane yield, yield parameters and juice quality of sugarcane during 2019-20 and 2020-21.The present study was carried out on clay loam soils of Research farm of Regional Research Station, CCS Haryana Agricultural University, Karnal, Haryana. The research revealed that cane yield and yield parameters i.e., cane length, and cane weight was significantly affected with the foliar spray of NPK and micronutrient but non-significant effect was observed for cane girth and number of internodes. With respect to juice quality parameters viz., commercial cane sugar (CCS) %, pol % and sugar yield, significantly affected with foliar spray of NPK and micronutrient. The highest cane yield, cane weight and cane length was recorded with the foliar application of 2% NPK (19:19:19) + 0.5% ZnSO4 +1% FeSO4 (78.16 t/ha, 1.21 kg and 207.3 cm) followed by foliar spray of 0.5% ZnSO4 + 1% FeSO4+ 2.5% urea recorded 76.75 t/ha, 1.20 kg and 207.1 cm, respectively. The lowest cane yield (70.68 t/ha) was recorded with the application of recommended dose of fertilizer (RDF) alone. The highest CCS % (12.16), pol % (17.36) and sugar yield (9.51 t/ha) was observed in the treatment 2% NPK + 0.5% ZnSO4 +1% FeSO4. Thus, foliar application with NPK and micronutrient could significantly improve the cane yield, yield parameters and juice quality of sugarcane crop.

Silicon Changes C:N:P Stoichiometry and Favors Pre-Sprouted Seedling Growth, Yield and the Technological Quality of Sugarcane.

The importance of silicon (Si) in sugarcane is well known, but its effects on changing C:N:P stoichiometry enough to increase pre-sprouted seedling (PSS) and sugarcane development in the field remains unknown. To that end, the present study aimed to assess whether Si fertigation favors its absorption enough to change elemental stoichiometry (C:N:P), physiological attributes and PSS growth, as well as the growth, stem yield and juice quality of sugarcane. Two field experiments were conducted in the PSS formation stage and another in the sugarcane plant development phase. Experiment 1 was carried out in a greenhouse with PSSs under two treatments: in the absence and presence of Si (2 mmol L−1) fertigation. Experiment 2 was performed in the field in red-yellow argisol with the sugarcane plant undergoing the following treatments: absence of Si (No Si); Si supplied by fertigation during the PSS formation and sugarcane plant development phases (Si–C); and Si supplied during the PSS formation and sugarcane plant development phases (Si–M+C). The following were assessed in experiment I: growth, leaf green color index (GCI), chlorophyll fluorescence, C, N, P, and Si content, and C:Si, C:N and C:P stoichiometric ratios. In experiment II, the same stoichiometric ratios were assessed, as well as sugarcane growth, stem yield and juice quality. Si reduced the C:Si, C:N and C:P stoichiometric ratios in PSS. The C:Si ratio in the leaves and stems declined with the supply of Si, while the C:N and C:P ratio in the leaves and stem was higher in plants that received Si in the Si-M+C treatment. Applying Si fertigation in PSS formation to promote changes in C:N:P stoichiometry favored photosynthetic efficiency and growth. The Si–M+C treatment stood out, since it also caused enough C:N:P stoichiometric changes to increase sugarcane growth, yield and juice quality.

Nitrogen, Calcium, and Magnesium Inconsistently Affect Tree Growth, Fruit Yield, and Juice Quality of Huanglongbing-affected Orange Trees

The bacterial disease Huanglongbing (HLB) has drastically reduced citrus production in Florida. Nutrients play an important role in plant defense mechanisms and new approaches to manage the disease with balanced nutrition are emerging. Nutrients like nitrogen (N), calcium (Ca), and magnesium (Mg) could extend the productive life of affected trees, although interactions among these nutrients in HLB-affected citrus trees are still unclear. A 2-year study was established in Florida to determine the response of HLB-affected trees to applications of N, Ca, and Mg. The study was conducted with ‘Valencia’ trees (Citrus sinensis L. Osbeck) on Swingle citrumelo (Citrus paradisi Macf. × Poncirus trifoliata L. Raf.) rootstock on a Candler sand. Applications of N at 168, 224 (recommended rate), and 280 kg⋅ha−1 N were used as the main plots. Split-plots consisted of a grower standard treatment receiving only basal Ca (51 kg⋅ha−1) and Mg (56 kg⋅ha−1); supplemental Ca (total Ca inputs: 96 kg⋅ha−1) only; supplemental Mg (total Mg inputs: 101 kg⋅ha−1) only; and supplemental Ca (total Ca inputs: 73.5 kg⋅ha−1) and Mg (total Mg inputs: 78.5 kg⋅ha−1). The following variables were measured: tree size, fruit yield, and juice quality. Although some differences in tree growth among treatments were statistically significant (e.g., greater canopy volume with Mg fertilization at 168 kg⋅ha−1 N), there was no clear and consistent effect of plant nutrition on these variables. Fruit yield was higher with Ca and Mg relative to the grower standard at the lowest N rate in 2020, and there were no other statistically significant differences among treatments. Juice acidity was significantly higher with Mg fertilization relative to other treatments in 2019. As N rates had no significant effect in this study, unlike secondary macronutrients, N rates could potentially be reduced to 168 kg N⋅ha−1 in HLB-affected citrus without affecting vegetative growth, fruit yield, and juice quality. However, this will require optimizing the supply of secondary macronutrients and all other nutrients to develop a balanced nutritional program. Ultimately, the effects of N, Ca, and Mg obtained in this 2-year study should be confirmed with longer-term studies conducted at multiple sites.

Juice chemical properties of 24 sorghum cultivars under varying levels of sugarcane aphid (Melanaphis sacchari) infestation

Sugarcane aphids [Melanaphis sacchari (Zehntner)] have become a significant pest of grain, forage, and sweet sorghum [Sorghum bicolor (L.) Moench] in the USA in recent years. However, the effects of sugarcane aphid damage on sweet sorghum juice quality have not been well studied. A three-year (2015–2017) field study was conducted at Tifton, GA to assess planting date effects (April, May, or June planting) and cultivar responses (24 cultivars) to sugarcane aphids in sorghum. Aphid damage ratings were measured in all three years and cumulative aphid days were measured in 2016 and 2017. Cumulative aphid days (ln scale) and damage ratings (relative marginal effect) were correlated in five of the six plantings. Stem juice was collected at maturity from seven plantings for chemical analyses, which included HPLC, fluorescence excitation-emission spectrophotometry with parallel factor analysis (EEM/PARAFAC), and cyclic voltammetry (CV). Aphid damage ratings and cumulative aphid days were negatively correlated with sugar-related traits, particularly brix and total sugars. In four plantings, significant negative correlations (r ≤ −0.493) between trans-aconitic acid concentration and aphid damage were observed. Fluorescence and electrochemical properties related to the presence of polyphenols also showed correlations with aphid damage, particularly in the resistant landrace No. 5 Gambela. These secondary metabolites may play a role in sugarcane aphid resistance or tolerance. Stability analysis revealed that the more tolerant cultivars were able to maintain high concentrations of total sugars and trans-aconitic acid across environments.

Genetic Variation and Heritability for Juice Quality and Yield Traits in Selection of Sugarcane Genotypes under Irrigation at Early Stage in Ferké 2 Sugar Estate of Northern Ivory Coast

Genetic relationships between important attributes in studying sugarcane populations through breeding and direct selection, are crucialto understand how changes made by selecting one character may cause changes in others. The study aimed to determine the best yielding sugarcane genotypes tested at early selection stage under sprinkler irrigation, in comparison with a check variety (R579). The experiment was designed following a randomized complete block (RCB), with 30 cane genotypes in three replications. Each plot consisted of five dual rows of ten meters, with 0.5 and 1.90 m of inter-row spacing, i.e. 95 m² per plot and nearly 6,000 m² for the whole experiment. It was carried out on a commercial sugarcane plantation of Ferké 2, in northern Ivory Coast, over two seasons (plant cane and first ratoon) as an early-season crop from, November 29, 2018 to October 26, 2020. In each micro-plot, different agro-morphological traits were collected at harvest from three central dual rows.

Agro-morphological characteristics and genetic diversity of newly registered sugarcane variety Jitpur-5, Jitpur-6 & Jitpur-7 in Nepal.

The only crop providing raw materials for sugar and jaggery production in Nepal is sugarcane, and its introduction and adaptation is the only route for its development commercially. Therefore, this research was carried out to check its adaptability and yield potential in National sugarcane research Station, Jitpur, Bara, and in different parts of the country, which were tested as Initial evaluation Trial just after the introduction, and then experimented as Advanced Varietal Trial, Coordinated Varietal Trial, and Coordinated Farmers Field trial simultaneously from the year 2012/13 to 2017/18. The method used was RCBD with three replication in every of the trial. Analyzing all the cane yield attributing characters, and ratooning potential and ratoon yield, Co 0232, CoLk 94184 and CoSe 03234 were found superior to all other tested genotypes. Similarly, sugarcane juice quality (sugar recovery, CCS (t/ha) & Sucrose %) were found significantly higher in these three genotypes, so these genotypes Co 0232, CoLk 94184 and CoSe 03234 were registered in gadgets of Nepal Government as variety Jitpur-5, Jitpur-6 and Jitpur-7 respectively.