Frontiers in Agronomy最新文献

{"title":"Molecular and machine learning approaches to study the impact of climatic factors on the evolution of cranberry fruit rot","authors":"Khadijeh Aghel, B. Cinget, Matteo Conti, C. Labbé, Richard R. Bélanger","doi":"10.3389/fagro.2023.1235218","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.3389/fagro.2023.1235218","url":null,"abstract":"Cranberry (Vaccinium macrocarpon) is an important crop grown in the United States and Canada, with the province of Québec being the world’s largest producer of organic cranberry. However, cranberry fruit rot (CFR), caused by 12 fungal species, has become a major issue affecting yield.A molecular detection tool was used to detect the presence of the 12 CFR fungi and evaluate CFR species across three farms with different fungicide strategies in Québec. The incidence and frequency of CFR fungi were evaluated for 2020 and compared with 2018 data from the same farms in Québec. Machine-learning models were used to determine the possibility of explaining CFR disease and species based on climate, and analyze the effects of weather variables on CFR presence andprimary fungal species.The most predominant CFR species remained the same in both years, with Godronia cassandrae and Coleophoma empetri being the two most common, but some species showed changes in relative abundance. Furthermore, this study examined the diversity variations in 2018 and 2020, with data showing an overall increase in diversity over the period. The results showed that fungicide applications impacted the species composition of CFR among the farms. Five weather variables (daily snow on the ground (cm), total daily precipitation (mm), daily atmospheric pressure (kPa), daily relative humidity (%) and daily temperature (°C)) were selected and found to contribute differently to the model with atmospheric pressure being the most important. Surprisingly, temperature and precipitations did not influence much the incidence of fungal pathogen species and each CFR species behaved differently in response to environmental factors.Overall, this study highlights the complexity of predicting CFR disease, as caused by 12 fungi, and of developing effective disease management strategies for CFR.","PeriodicalId":34038,"journal":{"name":"Frontiers in Agronomy","volume":"17 16","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2023-12-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"138625184","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Vigna unguiculata: a productive option in the face of climate change?","authors":"Hipólito Murga-Orrillo, Jhon K. Chuquimez Gonzales, Beto Pashanasi Amasifuén, Luis A. Arévalo López","doi":"10.3389/fagro.2023.1284173","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.3389/fagro.2023.1284173","url":null,"abstract":"Faced with the challenges of extreme climatic events and increasing food demand, cowpea farming offers a viable option for generating grains and foliage while aiding soil preservation. This research aimed to evaluate the impact of diverse organic fertilizers and plastic mulches on cowpea yields and soil macrofauna. A completely randomized block design was employed, with a factorial arrangement of 3 × 3 + 1, encompassing plastic mulch (3.5 mm) color (white, black, and blue), organic fertilizer (compost of chicken manure-agricultural soil-dolomite, island guano, and cattle manure compost), as well as a control (without synthetic mulch and organic fertilization). The study evaluated soil temperature, plant height, area biomass, foliar macronutrients, yield, and soil macrofauna. The findings demonstrate that soil temperature varies based on the color of the plastic mulch. It was observed that using organic fertilizers resulted in significantly taller plants than the control group, with fresh and dry biomass weight also being significantly greater (p<0.05) for cattle manure compost compared to the other treatments. Furthermore, the use of plastic mulches had an impact on soil macrofauna. Cowpea displayed resistance to low soil fertility and fluctuations in soil temperature ranging from <35°C to >40°C. However, high precipitation during the fruiting and harvesting seasons significantly impacted grain yields. Organic fertilizers produced noticeable variances (p<0.05) in the aerial biomass weight of cowpeas, particularly cattle manure compost. The data, indicates that soil macrofauna, like the earthworm Pontoscolex corethrurus, improved the availability of N, P, and K to the plant during the reproductive stage. Plastic mulches and organic fertilizers were linked to an increase in earthworm weights, specifically P. corethrurus. Additionally, plastic mulches served as a physical barrier against ants and bugs.","PeriodicalId":34038,"journal":{"name":"Frontiers in Agronomy","volume":"21 1","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2023-11-28","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"139218573","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"New antimicrobials and plant defense inducers for managing citrus canker disease","authors":"S. Kunwar, A. Redondo, D. Manker, Meagan Iott, T. Knobloch, S. Brunet, J. Dufour, O. Batuman","doi":"10.3389/fagro.2023.1292624","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.3389/fagro.2023.1292624","url":null,"abstract":"For over two decades, Florida citrus growers have been heavily using copper sprays to combat citrus canker (Xanthomonas citri subsp. citri; Xcc), but it raises the risk of developing resistant bacterial strains and excessive accumulation in the soil. Alternative methods are needed to reduce copper dependency and better manage Xcc. Therefore, we screened copper-alternative products against canker on young seedlings in the greenhouse and mature trees in a commercial grove in Florida, USA. In the greenhouse, we evaluated the efficacy of single foliar application of new plant defense inducers (PDI), ‘PDI5’, ‘PDI26’, and ‘PDI31’, and a commercially available systemic acquired resistance inducer, Actigard (drench; 2g/tree), applied two days before injection-infiltration with citrus canker bacterium Xcc (104 CFU/ml), on two-year-old Valencia trees. All three PDIs, sprayed at 500 ppm, as well as Actigard (drench), effectively reduced canker severity on the inoculated leaves in the greenhouse (P ≤0.02). In the grove, we tested new antimicrobials, Mastercop ‘MC’ (21.46% copper sulfate pentahydrate; metallic copper equivalent 5.4%) at concentrations of 1.12 kg/ha, 1.68 kg/ha and 2.24 kg/ha, ‘AM’ at 1.68 kg/ha and 2.24 kg/ha, and a nutrient solution (AGRO-MOS) at 1.12 kg/ha for canker suppression on 4–6-year-old Hamlin trees. Kocide 2000 (growers’ standard control; metallic copper equivalent 30%; 3.92 kg/ha) was used as a control check. Although 2021 was not as conducive for citrus canker due to the relatively dry spring months in the field, our results showed that the six sprays of AM (2.24 kg/ha) or MC (1.68 kg/ha, and 2.24 kg/ha), in 2022, provided excellent control of Xcc, with a significant reduction in disease incidence in leaves and fruits, and disease severity in fruits, similar to Kocide 2000. The results indicate that antimicrobials, AM and MC, and plant defense inducers PDI5, PDI26, and PDI31 can be part of an integrated pest management (IPM) program with copper for managing citrus canker. Reducing the frequency and amount of copper applications can help reduce pesticide and application expenses, lower risks of copper buildup in the soil and toxicity for citrus trees and reduce the risk of the emergence of copper-resistant Xcc strains. Further research on these products is needed to assess their long-term effectiveness and potential environmental risks.","PeriodicalId":34038,"journal":{"name":"Frontiers in Agronomy","volume":"668 ","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2023-11-24","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"139240745","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"A proximal sensing cart and custom cooling box for improved hyperspectral sensing in a desert environment","authors":"Alison L. Thompson, K. Thorp, M. Conley, D. Pauli","doi":"10.3389/fagro.2023.1195030","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.3389/fagro.2023.1195030","url":null,"abstract":"Advancements in field spectrometry have the potential to increase understanding of crop growth and development in response to hot and dry environments. However, as with any instrument used for scientific advancement, it is important to continue developing and optimizing data collection protocols to promote efficiency, safety, and data quality. The goal of this study was to develop a novel data collection method, involving a proximal sensing cart with onboard cooling equipment, to improve deployments of a field spectroradiometer in a hot and dry environment. Advantages and disadvantages of the new method were compared with the traditional backpack approach and other approaches reported in literature.The novel method prevented the spectroradiometer from overheating and nearly eliminated the need to halt data collection for battery changes. It also enabled data collection from a significantly larger field area and from more field plots as compared to the traditional backpack method. Use of a custom cooling box to stabilize operating temperatures for the field spectroradiometer also improved stability of white panel data both within and among collections despite outside air temperatures in excess of 30°C.As compared to traditional data collection approaches for measuring spectral reflectance of field crops in a hot and dry environment, use of a proximal sensing cart with a customized equipment cooling box improved spectroradiometer performance, increased practicality of equipment transport, and reduced operator safety concerns.","PeriodicalId":34038,"journal":{"name":"Frontiers in Agronomy","volume":"32 3","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2023-11-23","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"139243582","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Can predatory mites aid in the management of the citrus leprosis mite?","authors":"J. Vechia, Daniel J. Andrade, A. Tassi, Amy Roda, E. van Santen, Daniel Carrillo","doi":"10.3389/fagro.2023.1304656","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.3389/fagro.2023.1304656","url":null,"abstract":"The flat mite Brevipalpus yothersi is the main vector of citrus leprosis in South and Central America and Mexico, where vector suppression using conventional acaricides is usually the only disease control method, leading to problems with acaricide resistance. This mite is present in Florida, where several viruses known to cause citrus leprosis were recently detected. This research builds preparedness for managing emerging viral diseases and mitigating potential problems associated with acaricide resistance by addressing the compatibility of chemical and biological control strategies against B. yothersi. The predatory mite Amblyseius largoensis has shown promise as a biological control agent of B. yothersi. However, the effects of acaricides used in citrus on this predator are unknown.This study investigated the impact of different routes of acaricide exposure on A. largoensis, including direct contact, pesticide-contaminated prey, residual contact, and combined exposure routes in laboratory settings. Additionally, the efficacy of A. largoensis in controlling B. yothersi, alone and in combination with acaricide applications, was evaluated under greenhouse conditions.Commonly used acaricides like abamectin and spirodiclofen were highly effective in controlling B. yothersi and only slightly harmful to A. largoensis. Other acaricides were also effective against B. yothersi but were less compatible with the predatory mite. In the greenhouse trial, all acaricides, alone or in combination with the predators, and the predators alone, effectively suppressed B. yothersi one month after treatment application. However, B. yothersi populations significantly increased one month later in the abamectin-alone and predator-alone treatments. At the same time, the combination of abamectin and predators provided B. yothersi suppression throughout the experiment. The fenpyroximate-predator combination also provided better control than each treatment applied independently. All other acaricides provided prolonged B. yothersi control, hindering biological control probably due to the lack of prey for A. largoensis. Research findings highlight the potential for enhancing the selectivity of acaricides towards A. largoensis by manipulating their exposure route. Combining predatory mites with acaricides shows promise in improving B. yothersi management.","PeriodicalId":34038,"journal":{"name":"Frontiers in Agronomy","volume":"101 2","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2023-11-21","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"139252125","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Unexplored agronomic, socioeconomic and policy domains for sustainable cotton production on small landholdings: a systematic review","authors":"Jacob Shauri Tlatlaa, G. Tryphone, E. Nassary","doi":"10.3389/fagro.2023.1281043","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.3389/fagro.2023.1281043","url":null,"abstract":"Cotton productivity continues to be disputed, despite rapid advancements and widespread technologies. These uncertainties remain to be critically addressed in a broad spectrum focusing on domains at the global level. Therefore, this systematic review provides an overview of the existing advancements in knowledge, skills, and technologies for sustainable cotton production on small landholdings. Specifically, the areas of the cotton chain examined are threefold: - (1) Explore disguised agronomic practices to be endowed for sustainable cotton production on small landholdings; (2) Explore socioeconomic settings based on their disparities in contributing to sustainable cotton production on small landholdings; and (3) Explore existing and feasible institutional policies to be enforced for sustainable cotton production on small landholdings. This review shows that worldwide cotton production involves conventional and organic systems, at the expense of the traditional system. Heavy uses of nitrogenous fertilizers and pesticides are the common practices in conventional systems, with some adoptions of precision agriculture practices, and genetically modified varieties. Rotation and intercropping with early-maturing food crops are also identified viable options to improve farmers’ attitudes toward adopting cotton-producing technologies. In socioeconomics, farmers’ livelihoods are improved by income generation from sales of cotton and labour in the cotton industry. Gender equity in the cotton industry prioritizes females over males, as females display a group with a higher level of technology adoption. Generally, clear institutional policies governing the cotton industry are globally paucity. Furthermore, efforts to sensitize sustainable cotton production are still highly questionable and challenged by the superseding climate changes.","PeriodicalId":34038,"journal":{"name":"Frontiers in Agronomy","volume":"257 1-4","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2023-11-20","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"139257345","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Need for disease resistance breeding against Corynespora cassiicola in crops","authors":"Edgar Sierra-Orozco, German Sandoya, Seonghee Lee, Gary Vallad, Samuel Hutton","doi":"10.3389/fagro.2023.1275906","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.3389/fagro.2023.1275906","url":null,"abstract":"Corynespora cassiicola ( Cc ) is a genetically diverse ascomycete found worldwide in tropical and subtropical regions. Cc causes necrotrophic diseases in several plant species, including important crops such as rubber tree, tomato, cotton, and cucumber. Evidence suggests the involvement of one or more Cc host-specific toxins in disease progression. Management of Cc crop diseases is based mainly on pesticide sprays. However, the pathogen’s development of resistance to commonly used fungicides is documented. Resistance breeding is an attractive alternative or supplement to chemical control of Cc crop diseases, but research on this topic is very limited. This review describes the current plant resistance breeding efforts towards Cc resistance and discusses the potential influence of host-specific toxins (HSTs) on such efforts. Although some reports of host resistance exist in a few crops, resistant germplasm and knowledge about resistance mechanisms are limited. Some studies have suggested the involvement of HSTs in disease development, including the upregulation of resistance-related proteins in susceptible reactions and the recessive nature of resistance. In light of this, host resistance may not be achieved through commonly used dominant R-genes.","PeriodicalId":34038,"journal":{"name":"Frontiers in Agronomy","volume":"36 3","pages":"0"},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2023-11-13","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"136282254","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Linking soil adsorption-desorption characteristics with grain zinc concentrations and uptake by teff, wheat and maize in different landscape positions in Ethiopia","authors":"Mesfin K. Desta, Martin R. Broadley, Steve P. McGrath, Javier Hernandez-Allica, Kirsty L. Hassall, Samuel Gameda, Tilahun Amede, Stephan M. Haefele","doi":"10.3389/fagro.2023.1285880","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.3389/fagro.2023.1285880","url":null,"abstract":"Aim Zinc deficiencies are widespread in many soils, limiting crop growth and contributing to Zn deficiencies in human diets. This study aimed at understanding soil factors influencing grain Zn concentrations and uptake of crops grown in different landscape positions in West Amhara, Ethiopia. Methods On-farm experiments were conducted in three landscape positions, with five farmers’ fields as replicates in each landscape position, and at three sites. Available Zn from the soil (Mehlich 3, M3, Zn) and applied fertilizer (NET_FERT Zn, estimated based on adsorption/desorption characteristics and applied Zn) were related to the actual grain Zn concentration and uptake of teff, wheat, and maize. Zinc fertilizer treatments tested were Zn applied at planting (basal), basal plus side dressing and a control with no Zn applied. Results Zn treatments had a significant effect on grain Zn concentration (increase by up to 10%) but the effect on grain yield was variable. Differences in crop Zn concentrations along the landscape positions were observed but not at all sites and crops. Trial results showed that soils with higher soil pH and Soil Organic Carbon (SOC) (typical of footslope landscape positions) tended to adsorb more applied Zn (reduce NET_FERT Zn) than soils with lower soil pH and SOC (typical of upslope landscape positions). Zn availability indicators (M3, NET_FERT Zn, clay%) explained 14-52% of the observed variation in grain Zn concentrations, whereas macronutrient indicators (Total N, exchangeable K) together with M3 Zn were better in predicting grain Zn uptake (16 to 32% explained variability). Maize had the lowest grain Zn concentrations but the highest grain Zn uptake due to high yields. Conclusion We found that the sum of indigenous and fertilizer Zn significantly affects grain Zn loadings of cereals and that the associated soil parameters differ between and within landscape positions. Therefore, knowledge of soil properties and crop characteristics helps to understand where agronomic biofortification can be effective.","PeriodicalId":34038,"journal":{"name":"Frontiers in Agronomy","volume":"14 3","pages":"0"},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2023-11-13","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"136348522","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Editorial: Insights in weed management","authors":"Bhagirath Singh Chauhan","doi":"10.3389/fagro.2023.1328082","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.3389/fagro.2023.1328082","url":null,"abstract":"","PeriodicalId":34038,"journal":{"name":"Frontiers in Agronomy","volume":"214 1","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2023-11-08","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"139283000","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Side-effects of laser weeding: quantifying off-target risks to earthworms (Enchytraeids) and insects (Tenebrio molitor and Adalia bipunctata)","authors":"Christian Andreasen, Eleni Vlassi, Kenneth S. Johannsen, Signe M. Jensen","doi":"10.3389/fagro.2023.1198840","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.3389/fagro.2023.1198840","url":null,"abstract":"With challenges posed by chemical and mechanical weed control, there are now several research and commercial projects underway to develop autonomous vehicles equipped with lasers to control weeds in field crops. Recognition systems based on artificial intelligence have been developed to locate and identify small weed seedlings, and mirrors can direct a laser beam towards the target to kill the weed with heat. Unlike chemical and mechanical weed control, laser weeding only exposes a small area of the field for the treatment. Laser weeding leaves no chemicals in the field after the treatment or does not move the soil which may harm crop roots and non-target organisms. Yet, it is well-known that laser beams can harm living organisms; the effect on the environment and fauna should be studied before laser weeding becomes a common practice. This project aimed to study the effect of laser on some living non-target organisms. We investigated the effect of laser treatment on the mortality of two species of earthworms ( Enchytraeus albidus and Enchytraeus crypticus ), larvae, pupas, and beetles of yellow mealworm beetles ( Tenebrio molitor ) and the two-spotted lady beetle ( Adalia bipunctata ) for increasing dosages of laser energy. In all earthworms experiments except one, the mortality rates of the worms living in the uppermost soil layer of clay, sandy, and organic soil exposed to laser heating were not significantly different from the controls even with laser dosages up to 236 J mm -2 . Laser doses sufficient to kill plants were lethal to the insects, and lower doses that did not kill plants, killed or harmed the insects across all life stages tested. The larger beetles survived higher doses than smaller. Laser weeding is a relatively new technology and not yet widely practiced or commercialized. Therefore, we do not discuss and compare the costs of the different weeding methods at this early stage of the development of the technology.","PeriodicalId":34038,"journal":{"name":"Frontiers in Agronomy","volume":"25 1","pages":"0"},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2023-11-02","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"135974242","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}