Application of methyl jasmonate postharvest maintains the quality of Nanguo pears by regulating mitochondrial energy metabolism

The present study was conducted to investigate the effects of methyl jasmonate (MeJA) dipping treatment on mitochondrial energy metabolism and quality parameters of Nanguo pears during room temperature storage. The results showed that MeJA treatment suppressed the respiration rate and weight loss, and maintained the flesh firmness of Nanguo pears. MeJA also effectively maintained the content of ascorbic acid and titratable acidity in the fruit. Furthermore, the activities of H⁺-ATPase, Ca²⁺-ATPase, succinate dehydrogenase (SDH) and cytochrome C oxidase (CCO) of the MeJA-treated fruit were significantly higher than those of the untreated fruit. The contents of adenosine triphosphate (ATP) and adenosine diphosphate (ADP) and the energy charge were also enhanced by MeJA treatment. These results suggest that postharvest MeJA treatment could maintain the quality of Nanguo pears, in part by modulating mitochondrial energy metabolism during room temperature storage.     

A feasibility study of the classification of Alpaca (Lama pacos) wool samples from different ages,sex and color by means of visible and near infrared reflectance spectroscopy

The usefulness of classifying the Alpaca wool samples according to their color, sex and location is associated with their economic value in the market, hence adequate methods for rapid classification are needed to assess the of wool value. This study evaluated the potential of the visible and near infrared (vis–NIR) spectroscopy combined with multivariate statistical analysis to classify Alpaca (Lama Pacos) fiber samples according to age (1 and 2–3-year-old), sex (Male and Female) and color (Black, Brown, LF and White). Samples (n = 291) were scanned in reflectance mode in the wavelength range of 400–2500 nm using a monochromator instrument (FOSS NIRSystems6500, Inc., Silver Spring, MD, USA). Principal component analysis (PCA) and partial least squares discriminant analysis (PLS-DA) were used to classify fiber samples. Cross-validation was used for validation of classification models developed. Results showed that PLS-DA correctly classified 100% of fiber samples into ages, intermediate classification rates were obtained for color, while lower classification rates were obtained for the discrimination of wool samples according to sex. The results from this study suggested that vis–NIR spectroscopy in combination with multivariate data analysis can be used as a rapid method to classify Alpaca fiber samples according to age, sex and color.     

Near-infrared spectroscopic sensing system for on-line milk quality assessment in a milking robot

A near-infrared (NIR) spectroscopic sensing system was constructed on an experimental basis. This system enabled NIR spectra of raw milk to be obtained in an automatic milking system (milking robot system) over a wavelength range of 600–1050 nm. Calibration models for determining three major milk constituents (fat, protein and lactose), somatic cell count (SCC) and milk urea nitrogen (MUN) of unhomogenized milk were developed, and the precision and accuracy of the models were validated. The coefficient of determination (r²) and standard error of prediction (SEP) of the validation set for fat were 0.95 and 0.25%, respectively. The values of r² and SEP for lactose were 0.83 and 0.26%, those for protein were 0.72 and 0.15%, those for SCC were 0.68 and 0.28 log SCC/mL, and those for MUN were 0.53 and 1.50 mg/dL, respectively. These results indicate that the NIR spectroscopic system can be used to assess milk quality in real-time in an automatic milking system. The system can provide dairy farmers with information on milk quality and physiological condition of an individual cow and, therefore, give them feedback control for optimizing dairy farm management. By using the system, dairy farmers will be able to produce high-quality milk and precision dairy farming will be realized.     

Design of a hyperspectral nitrogen sensing system for orange leaves

The orange (Citrus sinensis) is one of the most important agricultural crops in Florida. Heavy reliance on agricultural chemicals and low fertilizer use efficiencies in citrus production have raised environmental and economic concerns. In this study, a nitrogen sensor was developed to predict nitrogen concentrations in orange leaves. Four design criteria were chosen to maximize the sensing efficiency and reliability. They were: (1) coverage of the spectral N sensing range, (2) no moving parts, (3) single leaf detection, and (4) diffuse reflectance measurement. Based on chlorophyll and protein spectral absorption bands, the sensor's wavelength ranges were chosen to be 620–950 nm and 1400–2500 nm. A reflectance housing was designed to block environmental noise and to ensure single leaf measurement. A halogen light source, two detector arrays, two linear variable filters, and data acquisition cards with 16-bit analog-to-digital converters were used to collect data. The designed N sensor had a spectral resolution less than 30 nm. Test results showed that the nitrogen sensor had good linearity (r > 0.99) and stability. With averaged signal-to-noise ratio (SNR) of 299, the system was able to predict N content with a root mean square difference (RMSD) of l.69 g kg⁻¹ for the validation data set. Using the N sensor, unknown leaf samples could be classified into low, medium and high N levels with 70% accuracy.     

Analysis of laser light propagation in kiwifruit using backscattering imaging and Monte Carlo simulation

The propagation of laser light in kiwifruit (Actinidia deliciosa) tissue was measured by backscattering imaging and modelled with the Monte Carlo (MC) method. The parameters of the vision system (8 bit/channel camera, 27.42 μm/pixel resolution) and the laser module (785 nm, 45 mW, Ø1 mm) were utilized in simulation. The required number of the photons was optimized with time-resolved MC model. The injected photon pulse travelled further than the beam radius and the calculated intensity fell below the noise level of the camera within 1 ns time. This short pulse contains 2.49 × 10⁸ photons and its application reduced computation load compared to the amount emitted within the integration time of 0.5–8.3 ms. The statistical effects of the optical properties of the tissue, scattering coefficient (μ_s) absorption coefficient (μ_a) and anisotropy factor (g), on photon flux was evaluated within ±20% range relative to expected mean values of μ_a = 0.9 cm⁻¹ and μ_s = 40 cm⁻¹. The anisotropy factor was taken into account using the Heyney–Greenstein phase function and was adjusted to g = 0.8 ± 20%. Because individual significance of each optical property was also analysed, scattering (μ_s) and transport corrected reduced scattering coefficients (μ^′_s=[1−g]μ_s) must be distinguished. The multi-factor ANOVA test pointed out the highest importance (p < 0.001) of the anisotropy factor amongst scattering and absorption coefficients.In the kiwi backscattering images, rotation of the intensity profiles was observed as a result of changing anisotropy. The measured and calculated profiles were compared to estimate the anisotropy factor of kiwifruits. Significant difference (p < 0.01) was found between anisotropy of premium quality and overripe pieces with respect to the fruit texture properties.     

Effects of Chlorine Dioxide Gas on Postharvest Physiology and Storage Quality of Green Bell Pepper （Capsicum frutescens L. var. Longrum）

The effects of treatment of chlorine dioxide (ClO2) gas on postharvest physiology and preservation quality of green bell peppers were studied. Green bell peppers were collected in bags and treated with 0, 5, 10, 20, and 50 mg L-1 ClO2 gas at 10 ± 0.5℃ for over 40 d, and the changes in postharvest physiology and preservation quality of the peppers were evaluated during the storage. The inhibition of rot of the peppers was observed for all the tested ClO2 gas treatments. The rot rates of the treated samples were 50% lesser than those of the control after day 40 of storage. The highest inhibitory effect was obtained after 50 mg L-1 ClO2 gas treatment, where the peppers did not decay until day 30 and showed only one-fourth of the rot rate of the control at day 40 of storage. The respiratory activity of the peppers was significantly (P ＜ 0.05) inhibited by 20 and 50 mg L-1 ClO2 treatments, whereas no significant effects on respiratory activity were observed with 5 and 10 mg L-1ClO2 treatments (P＞ 0.05). Except for 50 mg L-1 ClO2, malondialdenyde (MDA) contents in the peppers treated with 5,10, or 20 mg L-1 ClO2 were not significantly (P＞0.05) different from those in the control. Degradation of chlorophyll in the peppers was delayed by 5 mg L-1 ClO2, but promoted by 10, 20, or 50 mg L-1 ClO2. The vitamin C content, titratable acidity,and total soluble solids of the peppers treated by all the tested ClO2 gas did not significantly change during the storage.The results suggested that ClO2 gas treatment effectively delayed the postharvest physiological transformation of green peppers, inhibited decay and respiration, maintained some nutritional and sensory quality, and retarded MDA accumulation.     

Effects of harvesting time on fruit quality and internal browning of ��Wonhuwang�� pear during cold storage

Average fruit weight, seed browning, flesh firmness, total soluble solids, internal browning, and skin blackening were used to determine the optimum harvesting time of ‘Wonhuwang’ pear. Pears for storage were picked three times at 5-day intervals before, during, and after estimated optimum harvesting date. Average fruit weight and seed browning degree were calculated at each picking time. Quality changes, internal browning, and skin blackening were employed to estimate the optimum harvest date. It was found that fruit quality parameters both at harvest and after storage depended on the stage of ripeness at which the pears were picked. Pears harvested earliest (H1) had the highest firmness both before and after storage and lost less percentage of their firmness during storage. The latest picked pears (H3) showed higher total soluble solids value and serious internal browning and skin blackening due to their over ripeness. Pears picked on the 15th of August (H2) had higher firmness and total soluble solids, lower extent of internal browning, and no skin blackening. Based on the changes in fruit firmness and physiologic disorder during ripening and storage, the optimal harvesting time for ‘Wonhuwang’ pear in Shijiazhuang area is around the 15th of August.     

自发气调包装对库尔勒香梨采后生理及贮藏品质的影响

【目的】研究不同材料、不同厚度的保鲜袋自发气调包装对库尔勒香梨(Pyrus sinkiangensis Yü‘Korla Xiangli’)采后生理和贮藏品质的影响,为生产应用提供技术参考。【方法】分别将商业成熟的库尔勒香梨采用0.04 mm PE袋、0.05 mm PE袋和0.04 mm PVC袋扎口处理形成自发气调环境,于温度(0±0.3)℃、相对湿度90%—95%条件下贮藏,并以0.02 mm PE袋不扎口为对照。定期监测不同包装袋内O2、CO2和乙烯浓度,在库尔勒香梨商业销售高峰期(冷藏180 d和240 d)测定各处理果实L值、h值、叶绿素荧光参数、相对电导率、丙二醛、乙醇、乙醛、果实硬度、可溶性固形物、可滴定酸、抗坏血酸等理化指标,并计算贮藏不同时期各处理失重率、果柄保鲜指数、果心褐变指数和感官分值等。【结果】采用扎口处理的不同厚度保鲜袋内气体成分在第30天时达到平衡,气调能力水平由高到低依次为0.05 mm PE袋0.04 mm PE袋0.04 mm PVC袋0.02 mm PE袋。两年试验筛选出库尔勒香梨适合自发气调包装袋为0.04 mm PE袋和0.04 mm PVC袋,各项指标测定结果表明,采用上述包装进行自发气调处理能够降低失重率,减缓果皮L值、相对电导率、丙二醛、乙醇、乙醛和果心褐变指数的升高,抑制果皮h值、Fm、Fv和Fv/Fm的下降,提高果柄保鲜指数,对果实硬度、可溶性固形物、可滴定酸和抗坏血酸等品质具有一定的维持效果。冷藏180 d时,扎口处理的库尔勒香梨果皮L值、h值与对照之间差异显著(P0.05),对果柄保鲜指数、果心褐变指数和失重率的影响未达到显著水平(P0.05),但冷藏至240 d时,上述指标在不同包装处理与对照间差异均达显著水平(P0.05)。0.04 mm PE袋和0.04 mm PVC袋扎口处理均维持了库尔勒香梨感官分值,而0.05 mm PE袋扎口处理显著降低了果实感官分值,加重了果心褐变。【结论】库尔勒香梨采用0.04 mm PE袋或0.04 mm PVC袋扎口自发气调包装,袋内O2和CO2浓度起主要作用,维持在O2:14.5%—17.0%,CO2:2.5%—3.0%时,起到较好的保鲜效果,乙烯浓度对其保鲜效果影响较小。     

Within-field nitrogen response in corn related to aerial photograph color

Precise management of nitrogen (N) using canopy color in aerial imagery of corn (Zea mays L.) has been proposed as a strategy on which to base the rate of N fertilizer. The objective of this study was to evaluate the relationship between canopy color and yield response to N at the field scale. Six N response trials were conducted in 2000 and 2001 in fields with alluvial, claypan and deep loess soil types. Aerial images were taken with a 35-mm slide film from ≥1100 m at the mid- and late-vegetative corn growth stages and processed to extract green and red digital values. Color values of the control N (0 kg N ha⁻¹) and sufficient N (280 kg N ha⁻¹ applied at planting) treatments were used to calculate the relative ratio of unfertilized to fertilized and relative difference color values. Other N fertilizer treatments included side-dressed applications in increments of 56 kg N ha⁻¹. The economic optimal N rate was weakly related (R ² ≤ 0.34) or not related to the color indices at both growth stages. For many sites, delta yield (the increase in yield between control N and sufficient N treatments) was related to the color indices (R ² ≤ 0.67) at the late vegetative growth stage; the best relationship was with green relative difference. The results indicate the potential for color indices from aerial photographs to be used for predicting delta yield from which a site-specific N rate could be determined.     

Distinguishing nitrogen deficiency and fungal infection of winter wheat by laser-induced fluorescence

One of the most important tasks in precision farming is the site-specific application of fertilisers and pesticides in heterogeneous large-area fields. For such site-specific crop management, effective remote sensing methods for the detection of crop diseases and nutrient deficiencies are required. The aim of the present work was to compare laser-induced fluorescence (LIF) parameters from nitrogen-deficient and pathogen (rust and mildew)-infected winter wheat (Triticum aestivum L.) plants and to assess the potential of LIF to detect and discriminate between these types of stress. Both long term nitrogen deficiency and pathogen infection resulted in an increase of the ratio of fluorescence at 686 and 740 nm (F686/F740) accompanied by a reduction of leaf chlorophyll content to approximately 35 μg cm⁻². A linear negative correlation between chlorophyll content and F686/F740 ratio (r² = 0.78) was found for leaves with chlorophyll content ranging between 17 and 52 μg cm⁻². Since chlorophyll breakdown appeared an unspecific symptom to both nitrogen deficiency and pathogen infection, it was not possible to discriminate between these types of stress only by means of the F686/F740 ratio. Specific for the pathogen-infected leaves was a large heterogeneity in the records of their spectral parameters caused by inhomogeneous, discrete lesions of fungi infection. Nitrogen-deficient plants with homogeneous reduction in chlorophyll content showed, in contrast, more uniform readings of the spectral parameters. Thus, mildew- and rust-infected plants, grown under sufficient nitrogen fertilisation could be distinguished from those grown under reduced nitrogen supply by the higher variance of their spectral readings. The simultaneous scanning multipoint mode measurements of LIF and laser light reflection characteristics with parallel estimation of their heterogeneity is proposed for the discrimination between nitrogen deficiency and pathogen infection under field conditions.