Ethnicity, age, and education influence perceptions of vegetable healthiness and macronutrient content

Objective: To assess perceptions of nutritional content and health value of popular vegetables. Design: Cross-sectional online survey. Participants: A total of 760 adults participated in the study. Main Outcome Measures: Likert scale ratings of healthy, calories, carbohydrates, protein, and fiber, for (i) avocado, (ii) romaine lettuce, (iii) white potato, (iv) white onion, and (v) red tomato. Analysis: ANOVAs for continuous variables and Chi-square for categorical variables. Outcomes for nutritional content were compared using separate one-way ANOVAs with ethnicity (Hispanic/Latino vs. non-Hispanic); education (college degree/no college degree); age (18–34, 35–50, 51–70, 70 + ); and diabetes status (with or without diabetes) as the grouping variables. Results: Significant ethnicity effects were found for avocado, lettuce, potato, onion, and tomato. Education level effects were found for avocado, lettuce, potato, and tomato. Age level effects were found for avocado, lettuce, potato, and tomato. Conclusions and Implications: Participant perceptions of the macronutrient content of common vegetables and fruits largely coincided with the US Department of Agriculture values. However, stratifying by ethnicity, age, and education revealed significant differences in both macronutrient perceptions and perceived healthiness. There were no consistent, significant results for interactions of ethnicity by education, nor ethnicity by age. These results suggest that dietary interventions may need to be adjusted based on participant sociodemographic characteristics linked to the perceptions of nutritional value and healthiness.

Intensity of pest attack and yield of potato plant during offseason in Sajang Village, Sembalun District, West Lombok

Pests and diseases attacks are major limitation for white potato (Solanum tuberosum L.) production, and therefore intensive treatments are employed during the cultivation. There is an increasing constraint of the intensive pest control to sustainable potato production and environmental impacts; therefore it is crucial to select suitable cultivar, particularly for the rainy, off-season cultivation, at which production is scared. This research evaluated the intensity of pest attack and yield of two variety of white potato, designated as cv. Chitra and Atlantic, during rainy season. Experiment was conducted in Sajang Village, of Sembalun District, West Nusa Tenggara from March to June 2021. In the field, the plants were maintained according to common maintenance employed farmer in Sembalun, and data collected at two weekly basis. The results showed that symptom of pest attached was visible since the plants was 4 weeks old with no real different intensity between the two variety. A higher rate of pest intensity was recorded in Chitra variety compared to the Atlantic. However, the yield of the two varietie was not differing significantly. The results indicated that the two varieties could be cultivated during off-season and insects are not a major problem during offseason that limits potato plant growth and production in Sajang Village. Further study is needed to evaluate the potential cultivation of the two varieties whole year.

TREND, GROWTH RATE AND INSTABILITY ANALYSIS OF PRODUCTION, PRODUCTIVITY, AREA AND SUPPLY OF POTATO IN KAVREPALANCHOK DISTRICT, NEPAL

A study was carried out to assess the trend of area, production, productivity and supply of potato in Kavre district, Nepal. The time-series data (1999/00 to 2017/18) were collected from the “Statistical Information on Nepalese Agriculture” published yearly by the Ministry of Agriculture and Livestock Development, Nepal and the data of potato (red and white) supply from Kavre to Kalimati wholesale market from 2000/01 to 2019/20 was collected from the official website of Kalimati market. The data were entered and analyzed using Microsoft Excel and XLSTAT. Mann-Kendall test (M-K) and Sen’s slope method were used for trend analysis. The results showed that the potato cultivation area increased by 341.786 ha/year, production increased by 8323.933 Mt/year and productivity increased by 0.231 Mt/ha/year from 1999/00 to 2017/18. Similarly, the red potato supply from Kavre to the Kalimati market increased by 13.412 Mt/year and the white potato supply decreased by 234.174 Mt/year during the period from 2000/01 to 2019/20. The instability analysis showed 34.41%, 41.36% and 11.16%. coefficient of variation for area, production and productivity while red potato and white potato supply showed 11.64% and 107.86% variation. The average annual growth rates for area, production and productivity of potato were 6.02%, 8.83% and 2.43%, respectively. Similarly, growth rate of red potato supply was 3.91% per annum while white potato supply decreased at the compound annual growth rate of 19.61%. Thus, an increasing trend of area, production and productivity and supply of potato along with a positive growth rate for the potato can be seen in the Kavre district. Findings from this study could be used to suggest necessary policy guidelines for future production and marketing strategies of potato in Kavre.

Globodera pallida (white potato cyst nematode).

G. pallida originates from the Andes and is known to be present in 55 countries. It is found predominantly in temperate regions as is the related species, Globodera rostochiensis. It is possibly more difficult to manage than G. rostochiensis because there is currently less resistance available in commercially-grown potato cultivars. Egg-laden cysts are the most environmentally resistant and easily transportable stage in the parasites life cycle, and are found in soil particles, on host roots, stolons or tubers. The microscopic size of the cyst makes it difficult to detect, and it can successfully establish new infestations when an appropriate climate and host plant are available. Machinery used on infested land followed by use in otherwise uninfested areas is a common method of spread, for example, fumigation equipment that has not been cleaned before use in another area. Disinfection of farming tools, transport and clothing helps to keep uninfested land free from G. pallida. Wind, rain and flood water are also capable of redistributing viable cysts to create new infestations.

Land Policy and Food Prices: Evidence from a Land Consolidation Program in Rwanda

Rwanda’s “Crop Intensification Program (CIP)” is primarily a land consolidation program aimed at improving agricultural productivity and food security. The program, which began in 2007, focuses on monocropping and commercialization of six priority crops: maize, wheat, rice, white potato, beans, and cassava. CIP has facilitated easy access to improved seed stocks, fertilizer, extension services, and postharvest handling and storage services. Although studies have documented the impact of CIP on changes in farm yield, incomes, and productivity, less is known about its impact on food prices. In this study, we examine the crop-food price differences in intensive monocropped CIP and non-intensive monocropped CIP zones in Rwanda. Specifically, the study evaluates price variations of beans and maize along with complementary food crops in intensive and non-intensive monocropped zones before and after the introduction of the CIP policy. We find that the CIP policy is not associated with differences in CIP crop prices between the intensive and non-intensive monocropped zones. Over time, prices increased for CIP crops but generally, the crop prices in the two zones were cointegrated. Prices for non-CIP crops in the two different zones did show price differentials prior to the implementation of CIP, with the prices in intensive monocropped zones being greater than in the non-intensive monocropped zones. Moreover, the prices in intensive areas are cointegrated with prices in non-intensive areas for maize and beans and these prices are converging. This indicates that farmers who intensively produced one CIP crop were able to go to the market and purchase other food crops and that price differences between zones have decreased over time, potentially making the CIP intensive farmers better off.

Monosaccharide constituents of potato root exudate influence hatching of the white potato cyst nematode

Plants secrete a large array of compounds into the rhizosphere to facilitate interactions with their biotic environment. Some of these exuded-compounds stimulate the hatching of obligate plant-parasitic nematodes, ultimately leading to a detrimental effect on the host plant. Determining these cues can help to provide new mechanisms for control and aid nematode management schemes. Here we show that glucose, fructose and arabinose, which are all present in potato root exudate (PRE), induce hatching of white potato cyst nematode (Globodera pallida) eggs whereas five other PRE-sugars had no effect. Although these monosaccharides resulted in significant hatching none induced the same level as PRE, suggesting that other components, possibly in combination, contribute to stimulation of nematode hatching. Glucose, but not arabinose or fructose, was also observed to attract juvenile G. pallida, indicating that these hatch-inducing components can have different roles in different stages of the life cycle. Applying a solution of these monosaccharides to G. pallida-infested soil pre-potato planting initiated hatching in the absence of a host. Host absence resulted in nematode mortality and a reduction in the G. pallida population. Therefore, subsequent invasion of the crop post-planting was also reduced, compared to untreated soil. Our data suggest that monosaccharide components of PRE play an important role in the hatching and attraction of G. pallida. As a result the hatch-inducing monosaccharides can be applied as a pre-planting treatment to induce hatching and reduce subsequent infection rates.

The need for new approaches for management of potato cyst nematodes: the view from the Rhineland-Palatinate.

Potato is an important crop throughout Europe and especially in Germany where potatoes are grown on over 250,000 hectares. The production of potato worldwide is negatively affected by the presence of the golden and the white potato cyst nematodes (PCN) Globodera rostochiensis and G. pallida. The two species originated in South America. PCN is present with restricted distribution in all counties in Germany where potato is produced and these infestations are strictly regulated. Both species are present and often in mixed populations. Potato yield and overall production is negatively impacted by both species of PCN from planting to harvest, but there are differences in importance within the country and on crop type. This chapter discusses the economic importance, host range, distribution, symptoms of damage, biology and life cycle, integrated nematode management (including the use of nematicides, resistant cultivars and rotation), and interactions with other nematodes and pathogens, of PCN. Results are also summarized of field trials conducted between 2010 and 2017 to compare the efficacy of resistant cultivars and nematicide Nemathorin 10G with the alternative control techniques biofumigation and sowing of Solanum sisymbriifolium that has PCN suppressive activity.