Evaluation of rice genotypes on seed attributes and agronomic performance for developing direct-seeded cultivar

<abstract> <p>Direct seeding of rice (DSR) may give benefit in using water and labor more efficient and reduce production costs. This study purposes to investigate the character of the seeds, their early vigor traits, the growth and development of rice plants for developing DSR cultivar. The research was conducted in four stages: the measurement of the size of the seed, endosperm, and embryo; the germination test in the laboratory; seedling test using experimental pots; and testing the agronomic performance on transplanting and direct seeding methods in a plastic house. Seed material used eight breeding lines of IPB University and two released varieties. The results of study showed that each genotype had different characteristics of seed, endosperm, and embryo in both weight and area. Seed weight becomes the most dominant in the emergence of superior EV traits, whereas the more seed weight indicates faster radicle emergence and more weight of seedling. DSR method compared to transplanting showed performance such as taller plant, higher leaf area and photosynthesis rate at early growth stage, earlier heading time, and higher plant dry weight since early growth until 65 days old. The seed characters have positively correlation to dry weight of seedlings, number of leaves, leaf area, and canopy dry weight. We also found that higher area of endosperm and embryo significantly correlated to have faster plumule emergence, higher leaf area and plant height. Candidate genotypes for DSR would be further investigated in the field trial agronomically.</p> </abstract>

Influence of drought stress on growth, biochemical changes and leaf gas exchange of strawberry (Fragaria × ananassa Duch.) in Indonesia

<abstract> <p>Drought stress is one of the challenges that can affect the growth and the quality of strawberry. The study aims to determine the growth, biochemical changes and leaf gas exchange of three strawberry cultivars under drought stress. This study was conducted in a glasshouse at Indonesian Citrus and Subtropical Fruits Research Institute, Indonesia, from July-November 2018. The experiment was arranged in a factorial randomized completely block design (RCBD) with three replications and four water deficit (WD) levels [100% field capacity (FC)/well-watered), 75% of FC (mild WD), 50% of FC (moderate WD), and 25% of FC (severe WD)] for three strawberry cultivars (Earlibrite, California and Sweet Charlie). The results showed that total chlorophyll and anthocyanin contents (p ≤ 0.05) were influenced by the interaction effects of cultivars and water deficit. Whereas other parameters such as plant growth, transpiration rate (<italic>E</italic>), net photosynthesis (<italic>A</italic>), stomatal conductance (<italic>gs</italic>), leaf relative water content (LRWC), flowers and fruits numbers, proline content, length, diameter, weight and total soluble solid (TSS) of fruit were affected by water deficit. <italic>A</italic> had positive significant correlation with plant height (r = 0.808), leaf area (r = 0.777), fruit length (r = 0.906), fruit diameter (r = 0.889) and fruit weight (r = 0.891). Based on the results, cultivars affected LRWC, and also number of flowers and fruits of the strawberry. This study showed that water deficit decreased plant growth, chlorophyll content, leaf gas exchange, leaf relative water content, length, diameter and weight of fruit but enhanced TSS, anthocyanin, MDA, and proline contents. Increased anthocyanin and proline contents are mechanisms for protecting plants against the effects of water stress. California strawberry had the highest numbers of flowers and fruits, and also anthocyanin content. Hence, this cultivar is recommended to be planted under drought stress conditions. Among all water stress treatments, 75% of FC had the best results to optimize water utilization on the strawberry plants.</p> </abstract>

Water-efficient rice performances under drought stress conditions

<abstract> <p>The use of varieties that are able to adapt well to extreme environments is one strategy to overcome the challenges of decreasing production in sub-optimal land. Indonesian tropical rice varieties (Jatiluhur, IPB 9G, IPB 3S, Hipa 19, Mentik Wangi, Ciherang, Inpari 17, and Mekongga) have been tested and established as water-used-efficient varieties in an optimal environment. However, to date, these varieties have not been examined in the suboptimal area, in particular, drought stress conditions. Therefore, this study aimed to evaluate the adaptation response of production, morphological, and physiological character of several water-efficient rice varieties under drought stress in the field. The study was designed in a split-plot with two factors and 4 replications, where the first factor (main plot) was drought stress stages i.e. vegetative (Dv), reproductive (Dr), generative (Dg), and control (Dc). The second factor was rice varieties, consisting of eight varieties, i.e., Jatiluhur, IPB 3S, IPB 9G, Hipa 19, Mentik Wangi, Ciherang, Inpari 17, and Mekongga. The experiment was conducted from May to December 2018 in Muneng Kidul Village, Probolinggo Regency, East Java Province. The experimental variables were morphology, production, leaf scrolling score during drought stress, drought sensitivity index, water use efficiency, physiology and root anatomy. The result showed that upland rice varieties were more tolerant to drought stress and had a higher water use efficiency than lowland rice varieties. This shows that Jatiluhur and IPB 9G which are indicated to be adaptive to drought stress, and have the ability to regulate water use more efficiently when drought stress occurs. Therefore, water use efficiency could be used as selection characters under drought conditions in rice particularly tropical upland rice. Moreover, morphological characters, i.e., grain yiled per plot, weight of pithy grain, weight of shoot biomass and weight of roots could be the selection characters to predict drought tolerant tropical rice. According to physiological characters, photosynthesis rate, transpiration rate, proline content, malondialdehyde content, leaf water potential and leaf greenness could be used as a selection tool to predict water use efficient genotypes in rice. However, further studies are needed to understand the complex mechanisms of water use efficiency by combining various approaches.</p> </abstract>

Study on antioxidant activity of crude peanut oils and refined cottonseed oils from Burkina Faso

<abstract> <p>Vegetable oils are among the foodstuffs produced and consumed in abundance by the population in Burkina Faso. These edible oils are nutrient sources for health. However, the oxidation of edible oils is a phenomenon that leads to their degradation. Hence, the objectives of this study were to determine the antioxidants compounds, to evaluate the antioxidant activity of vegetable oils produced in Burkina Faso and to propose good manufacturing practices. Thus, 32 samples of crude peanut oils and refined cottonseed oils were analyzed. α-Tocopherol was determined by High performance liquid chromatography (HPLC), total phenolic compounds and DPPH by spectrophotometry. The α-tocopherol averages are 10.89 and 56.44 mg/100 g for peanut oils and cottonseed oils, respectively (<italic>p</italic> &lt; 0.05). For total phenolic compounds, the averages are 2.91 and 0.64 mg/100 g of gallic acid equivalent for peanut oils and cottonseed oils, respectively (<italic>p</italic> &lt; 0.05). The inhibition percentages are respectively 17.97% and 5.58% (<italic>p</italic> &lt; 0.05) for peanut oils and cottonseed oils. For antioxidant activity, the averages are 0.81 and 0.27 mg trolox/100 g for peanut oils and cottonseed oils, respectively (<italic>p</italic> &lt; 0.05). Cottonseed oils have the highest levels of α-tocopherol while peanut oils have high levels of total phenolic compounds and antioxidant activity. Vegetable oils contain acceptable levels of α-tocopherol and total phenolic compounds for their oxidative stability and health benefits for the consumer. However, the levels of biomolecules will be higher if production and preservation conditions are improved and controlled. The results could be used for future recommendations about human feeding programs in Burkina Faso.</p> </abstract>

Competitiveness of South Africa's agri-food commodities

<abstract> <p>This research aims to determine the competitiveness of South African agri-food products and the factors that influence them. The study applied a comparative advantage (RCA) index, Lafay Index (LFI), Export Diversification Index (EDI), Major export category (MEC), Hirschman index (HI), and regression analysis. The study revealed a mixed result of RCA and LFI of agri-food commodities during 2000–2018. Some commodities such as tobacco and rawhides have a comparative advantage. On the other hand, vegetables, fruit, and coffee showed a comparative disadvantage. At the same time, the LFI revealed a significant comparative advantage from 2000 to 2003 for agri-food commodities of fish and sugar, sugar preparations, and honey. EDI was near zero for all commodities, indicating that the trading structure was less concentrated. Hirschman index (HI) demonstrated that all commodities showed a reduced concentration throughout the study period. The results of regression analysis on factors that influence the competitiveness of agri-food commodities were varied. Agriculture productivity and GDP per capita had a favorable impact on comparative advantage. Macroeconomic stability had a mixed result, with agri-food commodities having positive and negative effects. South Africa had a less concentrated trade structure and did not depend on international trade from the agri-food industry. These evaluations provide policymakers with information on agri-food competitiveness and the factors that influence the industry's competitiveness.</p> </abstract>

Improve pineapples growth by nano-membranes accessory and under stress condition in far north of Taiwan

<abstract> <p>The dual layers of Nano-membranes barrier, could succeeded in regulation nutrient element and control water-borne disease by improving aerations through added dual layers of nano-membranes, this plantation model provide concept of providing hydrophilic properties and 500 nm pore size believed to be much precision tools for agricultural utilization. This rebuilding of pineapple cultivation was optimized in green-house with natural ventilation, Optimized humidity and free watering were properly practiced by implement of diffusion cage for a novel revealed boundary effect by 500 nm mold inject product. Effect indicated as indicated: Cellulose, PBT, CTA in sequence have better boundary effects over limiting the diffusion of nitrate, phosphate, and a small part of potassium in the root boundary regime through proper moisture with 0.5–0.8 L/pot button irrigation, The intensity of boundary effect were revealed in kinetic analysis follow in sequence: EC (1500 mg L⁻¹) &gt; &gt; nitrate (300 mg L⁻¹) &gt; TPO (2.5 mg L⁻¹), while highly fluctuate for TPO. Then indication of hydrophilic PBT was better than PP was verified in barrier model. In the growth stage, separate initial I–III for direct releasing from the fertilizer and III–VI for hydrolysis &amp; secretion of nutrient, especially for TPO anion form, indicate highly ion charged or polar attraction exerted. While phosphate was delivered slowly, the organic practice was found promising in deliver and uptake to the final two or three stage for flowering and fruiting. The verification of deliver of nutrient by double caged box in the rhigime zone, indicated effective in lowered the damping off/nematode syndrome, which opened the extension cropping in suboptimal area for pineapples. The success of growth character improved by control disease and pest, reach complete maturation. Under 80 % of final fruiting, the balance analysis show consistence in expectation for Pya (wild) &gt; Pyc (hybrid) &gt; Pyb (interbreed).</p> </abstract>

Measuring consumer' willingness to pay for food safety certification labels of packaged rice

<abstract> <p>Food safety is vital for public health, influencing a country's economic development and international reputation. In recent years, Taiwan has encountered several food quality problems, with consequent public questioning and mistrust of food safety. If consumers are unaware of the quality of a product, their perception and demands can be influenced by the credibility of the food safety certification labels. This study uses the contingent valuation method (CVM) to analyze the factors influencing consumer willingness to pay (WTP) for food safety certification labels of packaged rice. Questionnaires are randomly adopted and assigned to 434 participants. The results indicate that product factors should be presented clearly on their packaging and advertisements. Consumers focus on certification labels for food safety perception. Gender, education level, place of purchase, certification cognition, and health cognition are all found to affect willingness to pay. These significant results indicate that women were more willing to pay than men; people were willing to pay a higher amount for purchases of packaged rice at supermarkets or hypermarkets; health cognition was estimated to be negative and significant, showing that health cognition negatively affected WTP, perhaps because participants did not sufficiently trust the foundation's assurance that the rice was safe. In the valuation of WTP for food safety certification, each person was willing to pay on average NT31.07 annually to reduce the risk of food safety problems.</p> </abstract>