Forest monitoring with TerraSAR-X: first results

Several TerraSAR-X satellite images acquired in high resolution spotlight mode with different polarisations for two study sites in southern Germany were used to distinguish forest from other land cover classes (agriculture, built-up, water bodies) using logistic regression models. In general, we observed that the mean and particularly the standard deviation of the backscatter were viable measures to discriminate land cover classes. Both measures were lowest for water bodies and highest for built-up areas, with agricultural areas and forest in intermediate positions. Trees outside forest were not differentiable from forest with the applied method. The HH-polarised image was better suited for a classification of built-up areas, whereas the VV-polarised image was more appropriate when classifying agricultural areas. Consequently, the combination of the two differently polarised images leads to a significantly better model. Since forests in one study area were generally found on steeper slopes in comparison to other land cover classes, the inclusion of terrain slope further improved the classification, which resulted in an overall accuracy of 92–95%. Systematic differences in the parameter values of the explanatory variables for one class between the study areas may be caused by differing class probabilities. Thus, transferring the model of one study area to the image of another resulted in a 7–9% loss of accuracy.     

Sugar changes in Clementine and orange fruit during ripening

Summary

Juice and rind sugar content, fruit volume and rind colour were determined in cvs Fina, Oroval and Hernandina Clementines and in cvs Navelina, Washington Navel and Navelate oranges, cultivars that are harvested at different periods during the season. An accumulation of sugars was observed in all cultivars during ripening, mainly due to an increase of sucrose in the juice and of reducing sugars in the rind. Cv Hernandina, a late Clementine, showed a slower rate of sugar increase in rind.     

Preharvest calcium sprays improve volatile emission at commercial harvest of 'Fuji Kiku-8' apples

Apple (Malus × domestica Borkh.) fruit intended for long-term storage are frequently harvested commercially before becoming fully ripe, often resulting in poor aroma development. Since postharvest calcium dips have proved effective for the enhancement of flavor-related volatile esters after cold storage of apples, this study was undertaken in order to assess whether preharvest calcium sprays (7 weekly applications at 1.6%, w/v, 81-123 days after full bloom) could also aid in improving this important attribute at harvest. This procedure significantly increased calcium content in treated fruit. The emission of aroma-related volatile esters by untreated and calcium-treated 'Fuji' apples was then monitored during maturation and ripening over two months prior to commercial harvest. Results indicate that most of the compounds contributing to overall flavor in ripe fruit were enhanced in response to preharvest calcium applications, suggesting that this procedure may be suitable for the improvement of fruit aroma at harvest. The emission of acetate esters was particularly favored, consistent with higher acetaldehyde contents in treated fruit. These effects arose apparently from increased pyruvate decarboxylase (PDC) and alcohol dehydrogenase (ADH) activities, possibly leading to a better supply of alcohols and acyl CoAs for ester biosynthesis.     

Changes in amino acid and organic acid composition in tomato and cucumber plants in relation to salinity and nitrogen nutrition

Under conditions of salt stress, plants show qualitative and quantitative alterations in various organic compounds, such as nitrogen (N) compounds and organic acids. In this work, the effect of different saline levels as well as various N levels, supplied as nitrate (NO₃) or as ammonium (NH₄)+NO₃ on the concentration of amino acids and organic acids in the leaves of tomato and cucumber plants has been studied. The effect of the source of N on individual amino acid contents varied with plant species. Most of the amino acids increased when the concentration of N in the nutrient solution was increased, except when N was added as NH₄+NO₃ for tomato. The effect of salt stress depended on which amino acid was considered. The data also indicate that the effect of salinity on each particular amino acid was greatly dependent on the plant species and N source. Organic acids were differently affected by salinity and by the N source, depending on the plant species. In tomato, the concentrations of short‐chain organic acids were 2–3 times higher in NO₃‐supplied plants than in those grown with NH₄+NO₃. Finally, in cucumber, malic acid concentration increased as a function of the saline level in the medium.     

Improving Potato Production in Kenya, Uganda and Ethiopia: A System Diagnosis

Increased productivity of potatoes can improve the livelihood of smallholder potato farmers in Kenya, Uganda and Ethiopia and is required to meet the growing demand. This paper investigates the opportunities for potato system improvement that could result in improved productivity. Through a diagnosis of the potato systems in the three countries on the basis of surveys and stakeholder workshops, seed potato quality management, bacterial wilt control, late blight control and soil fertility management were identified as key technical intervention topics. For effective problem solving in these areas, the functioning of the potato innovation system requires improvement to better deliver the functions of potato marketing as well as knowledge development and information exchange. With use of a ‘system failure framework’ the shortcomings of the potato innovation system are identified and discussed and options for improvement are suggested.     

Research and field monitoring on transgenic crops by the Centro Internacional de Mejoramiento de Maíz y Trigo (CIMMYT)

The International Maize and Wheat Improvement Center (CIMMYT) aims to genetically enhance both crops and generate public sector-provided products for the resource poor, e.g., drought tolerant wheat and insect resistant maize, and through international–national partnerships facilitate the acquisition of improved germplasm for non-mandate crops in the cropping systems where maize and wheat thrives; e.g., GM-papaya through a national food security undertaking in Bangladesh. The Center also engages in public awareness campaigns in projects such as Insect Resistance Maize for Africa (IRMA), which includes food, feed and environmental safety, monitoring of resistance and establishment of refugia, non-target effects and gene flow. Monitoring of genetic resources is a wide concern among the centers of the Consultative Group on International Agricultural Research (CGIAR), with an emphasis on the quality of gene banks. Decisions, policies and procedures about monitoring should be science-based, and this requires education, an area where CIMMYT and other CGIAR centers can play an important role. There will be a need to continue to evaluate the need for, and type of monitoring, as new (and unique) products are developed and released in the emergent economies of the world.     

Evaluation of the Lime-Cooking and Tortilla Making Properties of Quality Protein Maize Hybrids Grown in Mexico

Eleven experimental and three commercial white quality protein maize (QPM) hybrids and two regular endosperm controls were planted at Celaya, Guanajuato, Mexico with the aim of comparing grain physical characteristics, protein quality, lime-cooking and tortilla making properties. All genotypes were planted under irrigation using a density of 80,000 plants/ha and fertilized with 250 kg N-60 P-60 K per hectare. When compared with the controls these QPM genotypes had lower test (77.4 vs. 76.5 kg/hL) and 1,000 kernel weights (327 vs. 307 g), softer endosperm texture (2.5 vs. 1.8 where 1 = soft, 2 intermediate and 3 hard endosperm), lower protein (10.0 vs. 8.0%), higher nixtamal water uptake after 30 min lime-cooking (50.0 vs. 53.1% moisture) and lower pericarp removal scores. The lower thousand-kernel weight and softer endosperm texture observed in the QPM genotypes lowered the optimum lime-cooking time as estimated with regression equations. Most QPM genotypes had higher amounts of lysine, tryptophan and albumins/globulins when compared with the controls. QPMs HEC 424973, HEC 774986 and HEC 734286 had the best grain traits for nixtamalization and therefore the best potential for industrial utilization. The commercial use of these QPM hybrids should benefit Mexicans who depend on tortillas as the main staple.