¹RVS Agricultural College, Department of Social Sciences, Thanjavur, Tamil Nadu, India. ²Department of Vegetable Science, Tamil Nadu Agricultural University, Coimbatore, India. ³Department of Agricultural Statistics, Bidhan Chandra Krishi Viswavidyalaya, Mohanpur, Nadia, West Bengal, India. ⁴SRM College of Agricultural Sciences, Chengalpattu, Tamil Nadu, IndiaCorresponding e-mail: sarassathees96@gmail.com

DOI: https://doi.org/10.37855/jah.2023.v25i02.39

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Abstract: Vegetable production plays a pivotal role in the horticulture industry, yet the availability of vegetable crops remains unpredictable. Seasonal volatility contributes to unclear supply, resulting in price fluctuations. This study aimed to assess the seasonal indices and price instability of key vegetables in India using the Cuddy-Della Instability Index and the Ratio to Moving Average approach. Monthly price series spanning January 2010 to December 2021 were collected from the AGMARKNET website. Seasonality in the price series was examined using the Kruskal-Wallis test. The results indicated that potatoes exhibited moderate instability, while onions and tomatoes displayed high instability. The onion price series demonstrated the highest seasonal indices in October, November, and December. Wholesale and retail prices were lowest in April, May, and June. October and November marked the peak wholesale and retail prices for potatoes, with the lowest prices recorded in February and March. July and August were the months with the highest wholesale and retail tomato prices, while February and March saw the lowest prices. The ARIMA model, applied to de-seasonalized price series, estimated factors excluding the seasonal component. Recognizing these price patterns enables farmers, policymakers, and government sectors to take necessary precautions against sudden price changes.

¹Faculty of Agronomy, Vietnam National University of Agriculture, 10000 Trau Quy-Gia Lam-Hanoi. ²Institute of Ornamental Organism Science, Vietnam National University of Agriculture, 10000 Trau Quy-Gia Lam-Hanoi. ³Faculty of Economics and Rural Development, Vietnam National University of Agriculture, 10000 Trau Quy-Gia Lam – Hanoi. Corresponding e-mail: hoayamaguchi2010@gmail.com; vuquynhhoa@vnua.edu.vn

DOI: https://doi.org/10.37855/jah.2023.v25i01.02

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Abstract: Vietnam is one of the countries with high biodiversity, with extremely rich and diverse genetic resources of flowers and ornamental plants, which are precious and valuable in the domestic and international markets. Currently, in Vietnam, rain lilies have many different shapes and colors. This study focused on evaluating the growth characteristics of ten different varieties of rain lily and the ability to propagate these varieties by bulb chipping method in winter-spring in Hanoi, Vietnam. The results show that there was a great diversity in growth characteristics among lily varieties in terms of the number of leaves (4.4 to 12.7), leaf length (8.3-22 cm), leaf width (2.4-9.7 mm), leaf thickness (1.0 to 1.7 mm), leaf angle (23-50^o), and tillering ability in six months (0 to 5.8 branches/bulb). The flower colors were also diverse such as white, light pink, dark pink, orange, white. The number of petals was 6 or 12 petals, along with the diversity of flower structure. The ten varieties showed a different propagation capacity by bulb chipping ranging from 1 to 17 multiplication times. The bulbils derived from bulb chipping had the good quality, with the highest number of bulbils in the treatment of the four-piece-chipping. Therefore, the method can be applied to rain lily propagation in Vietnam.

Department of Processing and Food Engineering, College of Agricultural Engineering and Technology, Junagadh Agricultural University, Junagadh – 362001 (India). Corresponding e-mail: virajnaliapara18@gmail.com

DOI: https://doi.org/10.37855/jah.2023.v25i01.18

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Abstract: The main objective of this study was to develop a conceptual automated solution for the labour-intensive processes of coconut dehusking and deshelling. This was achieved by utilizing simulation-based design techniques. The study centred on the utilization of Computer-Aided Design (CAD) as a fundamental tool for the visualization and simulation of the proposed mechanisms. This study has developed a comprehensive framework for assessing the potential feasibility of the simulated dehusking and deshelling processes by conducting thorough evaluations that encompass stress, displacement, strain, and safety considerations. The cylindrical design with spiral spikes was designed to remove husks efficiently. CAD helped to comprehend the mechanism’s behavior, and subsequent analyses revealed that stress levels remained far below acceptable thresholds. The displacement and strain effects were negligible, providing the structural integrity of the simulated dehusking procedure. The design utilized strategically placed metal bars to improve contact points and effectiveness. The simulation-based assessments replicated the dehusking evaluations, confirming that stress, displacement, and strain remained within limits. This study shows that simulated automation in coconut processing has excellent potential and supports its real-world implementation. Computer-aided design (CAD) and thorough analyses ensured the safety and reliability of conceptual mechanisms and set a precedent for agricultural processing machinery. This study proposes a systematic approach to coconut processing that might change the industry by improving productivity and reducing manual labour.

¹Department of Vegetable Science, Horticultural College and Research Institute, Periyakulam. ²Department of Horticulture, Agricultural College and Research Institute, Killikulam. ³Department of Vegetable Science, Horticultural College and Research Institute, Periyakulam. ⁴Department of Postharvest Technology, Horticultural College and Research Institute, Periyakulam. ⁵Department of Soil Science, Agricultural College and Research Institute, Madurai. ⁶School of Post Graduate Studies, Tamil Nadu Agricultural University, Coimbatore. Corresponding e-mail: sandeepgunalan@outlook.com, sandeepguna1995@gmail.com

DOI: https://doi.org/10.37855/jah.2023.v25i01.03

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Abstract: The effect of different extraction methods using ethanol as a green solvent, such as soaking/maceration, Soxhlet, Ultrasound-Assisted Extraction (UAE), and Microwave-Assisted Extraction (MAE), on the percentage of extraction yield, total phenol content, total flavonoid content, antioxidant activity, and antibacterial effect, was investigated. Unknown phytochemicals present in moringa leaf extract from various extraction methods were identified using Gas chromatography-Mass spectrometry (GC-MS), and identified compounds ranged from twenty-eight compounds to thirty-four compounds from various extraction methods. On comparing the conventional and non-conventional methods of extraction, the quantity and quality of extracted moringa biomolecules were found to be high in terms of extraction yield (21.79 ± 0.10%), TPC (144.52 ± 3.44 QE mg/g)), TFC (22.93 ± 0.28 GA mg/g)) and antioxidant activity (84.15 ± 1.14%) in UAE followed by MAE in less time than conventional methods. Moringa leaf extract from UAE, showed a maximum zone of inhibition (56.25 ± 0.35 mm) against E. coli at higher concentrations. Based on the research results, UAE and MAE could be novel extraction methods for various industrial sectors with a wide range of nutrients and bioactivity. In future, these extracted compounds might be further purified, characterized and fortified with other food products to mitigate malnutrition.

Faculty of Agricultural Production, Maejo University, Chiang Mai, Thailand. E-mail: piyatida.chou@gmail.com

DOI: https://doi.org/10.37855/jah.2023.v25i01.04

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Abstract: This study aimed to investigate the effect of different sugar types on the vase life of cut hydrangea flowers. There were 19 treatments based on concentrations and sucrose, glucose, and mannitol combinations. The results showed that the vase solution with 5% glucose provided the most extended vase life, which was 12.4 d, while the control solution with distilled water presented 8.86 d. The results were correlated with the total solution uptake, the number of days for reaching maximum inflorescene diameter, maximum sepal hardness score, chlorophyll content, and sepal electrolyte leakage. It could be implied that glucose alone extends hydrangea vase life by inactivating the ethylene signaling pathway. Based on the sepal size and colour, 3% glucose treatment which generated the second-highest vase life, could be the appropriate concentration for improving flower quality and longevity. This study provides essential information to understand hydrangea flower senescence and develop better vase solutions for cut hydrangea flowers.

¹ICAR-Central Institute for Subtropical Horticulture, Lucknow-226101, India. ²Amity Institute of Biotechnology, Amity University Uttar Pradesh, Lucknow Campus. Corresponding e-mail: anju.bajpai@gmail.com; mtrivedi@lko.amity.edu

DOI: https://doi.org/10.37855/jah.2023.v25i01.01

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Abstract: Proteome-based vegetative and flower bud formation characterization was utilized to identify and differentiate protein species with significant variable abundance during floral transition in mango cv. Dashehari using 2DE and corroborated the identified protein spots using gene expression analysis. Total soluble proteins were phenol-extracted from mango cv's vegetative and floral flush. Dashehari and separated on 2D gels at pH 4-7. The protein spots with variable intensity were identified through SameSpots software. The protein sequences of differentially accumulated spots were identified based on PI and MW using Citrus sinensis proteome isoelectric focusing database. Furthermore, these protein sequences were used to conduct (tBLASTn) against Mangifera indica to predict the protein. Real time gene expression was done to corroborate identified proteins. Total 301 spots were detected, out of which 16 were identified as differentially expressed (P?0.05) and a 2-fold change. These 16 protein spots were identified on the basis of in silico comparative mapping protein against genome of mango and citrus, a close relative. They were classified into eight categories: transcriptional regulation, phenylpropanoid pathway and cell wall /cytoskeleton metabolism-related proteins, hormone signalling, flowering time, signal-transduction, transport and protein synthesis to flowering. Five genes coding for shortlisted proteins were used for validation of results using gene expression analysis. SAM (S adenosyl methonine synthase) was found up-regulated in floral flush, involved in the biosynthesis of polyamines has association with flowering, and stress responses. Furthermore, ARF (Auxin Response Factor), serine/threonine kinase gene members were also found to play critical role in determining floral development process in mango, consistent with results obtained through 2DE. Protein species that are putatively involved in phenylpropanoid pathway were also identified, showing the process of mango flowering from a new perspective beyond the conventional view. This flowering related proteomics study provides an overview of the biological pathways and regulatory mechanisms associated with flowering developmental physiology.

¹Department of Biology, College of Natural and Computational Sciences, University of Gondar, P.O. Box 196, Ethiopia. ²Department of Biology, College of Science, Bahir Dar University, P.O. Box 79, Ethiopia. ³Department of Chemistry, College of Science, Bahir Dar University, P.O. Box 79, Ethiopia. ⁴Department of Statistics, College of Science, Bahir Dar University, P.O. Box 79, Ethiopia. Corresponding e-mail: animutmekuriaw39@gmail.com

DOI: https://doi.org/10.37855/jah.2023.v25i01.05

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Abstract: Drought is the most predominant abiotic factor that affects plant growth and development. The present research examined at how drought stress affected the growth, physiological, and biochemical responses of Local and Markofana red pepper (Capsicum annum L.) cultivars. Five-week-old cultivars were exposed to well-watered, low, moderate, and severe drought conditions, kept at 100, 80, 60 and 40% of field capacity, respectively. Nine-week-old cultivars were sampled to analyze the effects of the stress on different parameters of both cultivars. Compared with the control group, drought stress caused a reduction in growth, physiological and biochemical parameters; nevertheless, adverse effects of the stress were more noticeable in the Local cultivar. Severe drought stress significantly reduced shoot length in Markofana (53.71 %) compared to the control group. Significant variation was observed in relative water content in the Local cultivar (20.26 %) exposed to drought. In the Local cultivar, the total chlorophyll content and chlorophyll fluorescence declined significantly by 77.28 and 3.33 %, respectively. Therefore, the cultivar Markofana was relatively less affected by drought stress. In general, these differences in cultivar responses to drought stress may aid in developing drought tolerance genotypes that can withstand drought stress conditions with minimal yield losses.

Department of Computer Education, Andong National University, Andong, South Korea. Corresponding e-mail: bsgim@anu.ac.kr

DOI: https://doi.org/10.37855/jah.2023.v25i01.06

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Abstract: Accurately monitoring leaf temperatures is becoming more and more critical as more studies use a crop's leaf temperature for irrigation, disease, and pest detection. In the present study, the accuracy of a module for camera warm-up times of 30 sec, 1 min, 2 min, 3 min, 3.5 min, and 4 min was compared when leaf temperature was periodically measured using a Lepton 3.5 module, a low-cost thermal imaging camera. The experiment was conducted for a plant in a laboratory, and a high-accuracy LT-1T thermistor sensor was used together to compare module accuracy. The power consumption of both sensors decreased by using the sleep mode of the module, and all measurements were conducted in intervals of five minutes. The accuracy was compared using the R-Squared, MAE, and RMSE of the two values measured by LT-1T and Lepton 3.5. As a result of the experiment, the accuracy was the highest when the warm-up time was 3.5 minutes showing the mean absolute error (MAE) and the root means squared error (RMSE) values of 0.56 ? and 0.59 ?, respectively. The accuracy was 2.5%, which was substantially higher than the 5% accuracy of the device specification.

¹ICAR-Indian Agricultural Research Institute, New Delhi, India. ²ICAR-Central Institute of Agricultural Engineering, Bhopal, India. Corresponding e-mail: bsnarwariya87@gmail.com

DOI: https://doi.org/10.37855/jah.2023.v25i01.07

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Abstract: The predominant method of cabbage harvesting in India is manual labor, which is both time-consuming and physically demanding. However, the introduction of mechanical harvesting could offer a viable solution to this problem. A plant physical properties database is needed before the developing mechanical harvesting system design. In view of this, a study was conducted to examine the effect of planting methods (flat, ridge-furrow and ridge-furrow with plastic mulch) on physical growth and harvesting age of crop and thereby find out the most suitable planting method for mechanical harvesting. For two cabbage cultivars (Syngenta BC-79 and S-996), the effect of planting methods on physical growth parameters (plant height, plant diameter, length of leaf stem, length of stem, stem diameter, head diameter, and head weight) and harvest maturity indices (compactness, specific gravity, total soluble solids, pH, and pattern of wrapper leaves) was studied. The planting methods had shown a significant effect on growth parameters such as plant height (270.56 mm), plant diameter (549.39 mm), stem length (58.61 mm), stem diameter (34.58 mm), head diameter (144.89 mm) and head weight (1.12 kg) at harvest. The maximum number of matured heads (83.66%) was recorded in ridge-furrow with mulch planting. The interaction effect of planting methods and cultivars was found to be non-significant for all physical growth indicators. The findings of this study provide a valuable planting method for cabbage growers from the perspective of mechanical harvesting.

¹Department of Botany, Punjab Agricultural University, Ludhiana-141004, India. ²Associate Director (Seeds), Punjab Agricultural University, Ludhiana-141004, India. Corresponding e-mail: tavisha-bot@pau.edu

DOI: https://doi.org/10.37855/jah.2023.v25i01.08

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Abstract: The present study was on brinjal (Solanum melongena L.) seeds var. Punjab Nagina. The quality of brinjal seeds in terms of vigour and viability severely declines due to natural ageing during storage between harvesting and the next sowing season. This study aimed to evaluate the effect of various priming treatments on the quality and storability of brinjal seeds. The freshly harvested seed was divided into two lots. One of these seed lots was subjected to accelerated ageing to obtain low vigour seed and the other lot was considered to be high vigour. The high and low vigour seeds were primed with KNO₃ (1%), GA₃ (100ppm), KH₂PO₄ (0.1M), PEG 6000 (30%) and H₂O, respectively for 12 hours at 25^oC. The seeds were stored in moisture-impervious bags for 12 months in a refrigerator (4^oC). The objective was to observe whether the priming treatments improve the seed vigour and retain the advantages obtained during storage. The seeds were drawn at three monthly intervals, viz., zero, three, six, nine and twelve months of storage to study germination percentage, speed of germination, mean days to germination, seedling length, root length, shoot length, seedling dry weight and seedling aand vigour index. With an increase in storage duration, a decline in the physiological aspect of seed quality was observed in both high and low vigour seeds. All the priming treatments improved the germination-related parameters in both high and low vigour seeds over control but the extent of improvement varied. Seed priming with GA₃ (100ppm) and KNO₃ (1%) were the best treatments for both high and low vigour seeds, even after storage for 12 months.

¹Horticulture Research Institute – ARC –Giza – Egypt. ²Faculty of African Postgraduate Studies– Cairo University – Giza – Egypt. ³Faculty of Agriculture-plant Botany department-plant physiology division –Cairo University – Giza – Egypt. Corresponding e-mail: deyaaislam@gmail.com

DOI: https://doi.org/10.37855/jah.2023.v25i01.09

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Abstract: A study was carried out for two seasons (2020/21 and 2021/22) to examine the effect of various natural extracts individually or in combination on the drought resistance of Iris tingitana cv. Wedgewood. A mixture of sand and clay (1:1 v/v) was prepared as a growth media. The treatments were (0, 25, and 50 % water drought) with liquid active biostimulants (garlic and seaweed) five times intervals after two weeks from bulb germination. The results revealed that plants at different soil moisture with various biostimulants succeeded in producing flowers of the best quality. Water drought at 25% also increased chlorophyll (a & b) and carotenoids in leaves, while drought at 0% recorded the highest increase in gibberellic acid. At 25% drought, vegetative growth and flower parameters were at their highest levels. Moreover, water drought at 50 % increased abscisic acid (ABA), proline, and catalase. Additionally, increases in vegetative growth, the number of leaves, flower parameters, chlorophyll (a & b), and carotenoids in leaves were noted as a result of applying seaweed extract at a concentration of 10 mL L^-1; however, the best results for gibberellic acid were obtained using the highest concentration of garlic extract (500 mL L^-1). The interactions between treatments indicated the superiority of growing bulbs at 25 % water drought with applying seaweed extracted at 10 mL L^-1 that improved vegetative growth and most of the flower parameters. Meanwhile, treating plants at 25 % water drought with either seaweed at 5 mL L^-1 or garlic extract at 500 mL L^-1 realized the higher chlorophyll (a & b), carotenoids, and gibberellic acid (GA₃) content.

¹Department of Biotechnology, Telangana University, Dichpally, Nizamabad, Telangana, 503322, India. ²Department of Botany, Telangana University, Dichpally, Nizamabad, Telangana, 503322, India.³Plant Biotechnology Research Unit, SLN Biologicals LLP, Nizamabad, Telangana, 503002, India. Corresponding e-mail: prasannadhondi@gmail.com

DOI: https://doi.org/10.37855/jah.2023.v25i01.10

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Abstract: Curcuma longa L. is a spice crop with enormous medicinal and cosmetic properties cultivated across the world. It was propagated vegetatively by means of rhizomes, as these were underneath soil prone to soil borne fungal diseases. Treatment of such diseases using chemical fungicides would hinder their nutritional and medicinal value. To overcome such challenges, there are a few alternatives, the major among them was the deployment of disease-free in vitro raised plantlets and the other was biopriming of these plantlets with Trichoderma viride. Besides fungicidal action, T. viride has a prominent role in alleviating several biotic/abiotic stresses and it was more often used during acclimatization. In this study, we studied the role of T. viride on successful acclimatization of in vitro C. longa plantlets by modulating plant antioxidant defense systems. We determined the stress levels (MDA and chlorophyll contents) and monitored the antioxidant enzyme activities (CAT, APX and GR) in both T. viride-treated and untreated micropropagated plantlets at four different time points (0, 15, 30, 45, 60 days) of acclimatization period. Our results depicted clear enhancement in the antioxidant enzyme activities in T.viride treated than untreated plantlets, which signify the role of T. viride in activating defense mechanisms to combat against oxidative stress. Thus this study would give clear understanding of the influence of T. viride on in vitro raised plantlets in sustaining adverse acclimatization conditions.

¹Jiexiu Modern Agricultural Industry Development Center, Jiexiu 032000, Shanxi, P.R. China. ²CSD Laboratory, Customer Solutions Development Co., Ltd., West 6F, Kanagawa Science Park 3-2-1, Sakado, Takatsu-ku, Kawasaki-shi, Kanagawa 213-0012, Japan. Corresponding e-mails: tsiaoybhua@163.com; ke_nagasaka@csd.comway.co.jp

DOI: https://doi.org/10.37855/jah.2023.v25i01.11

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Abstract: Robotic harvesting offers suitable solutions for optimizing scheduling, selection enabling, increasing operation efficiency and finally reduce the labor costs. These attributes allow the users of robot harvesters to maximize production efficiency and profits. This article reviews two automated fruit harvesting systems used for sweet pepper and apple as an example to demonstrate the effectiveness of recent patents on intelligent automatic harvesting robots in horticulture.

¹Division of Postharvest Technology and Agricultural Engineering, ICAR-Indian Institute of Horticultural Research, Bengaluru-560089, India. ² Department of Food Science and Nutrition, Agriculture College and Research Institute, Tamil Nadu Agriculture University, Madurai - 625104, India. ³Centre of Innovation, Department. of Biotechnology, Agriculture College and Research Institute, Tamil Nadu Agriculture University, Madurai-625104, India. Corresponding e-mail: Pushpa.Chethan@icar.gov.in

DOI: https://doi.org/10.37855/jah.2023.v25i01.12

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Abstract: The study aimed to develop a pomegranate beverage by substituting sucrose with an artificial sweetener sucralose and incorporating germinated flour from foxtail and little millet to enhance nutritional quality. The developed beverage was analyzed for physicochemical, bioactive, and sensory parameters. The result showed that substituting 100 % sucrose with sucralose had less total soluble solid content. Total and reducing sugar content was significantly high in control samples compared to sucralose-added treatments. However, total polyphenols and antioxidant activity were 20 and 18.50 % less in sucralose treatments, respectively, compared to the control. Incorporating germinated millet flour did not significantly increase the bioactive compounds of the pomegranate beverage. Further, substituting sucrose with sucralose was not accepted organoleptically, however, there was no change in the taste due to the incorporation of germinated millet flours. Hence, the substitution of sucrose with sucralose depends on the fruit type in the preparation of RTS (Ready-to-serve) beverage and the incorporation of germinated millet flours depends on the concentration to enhance the bioactive compounds of the beverage.

¹Department of Oil, Gas and Energy Management, Charmo University, Kurdistan Region, Iraq. ²Bakrajo Technical Institute, Polytechnic University of Sulaimani, Kurdistan Region, Iraq. ³ College of Agricultural Engineering Sciences, University of Sulaimani, Kurdistan Region, Iraq.Corresponding e-mail: hemin.neima@univsul.edu.iq

DOI: https://doi.org/10.37855/jah.2023.v25i01.13

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Abstract: Water productivity refers to the yield produced per cubic meter of fresh water for a given crop. It is not recorded for most crops in Iraq and the Kurdistan Region of Iraq (KRI), where water shortages have recently forced farmers to switch from conventional farming methods like surface irrigation on bare soil to modern farming methods like drip irrigation and mulching. This study is the first effort in Iraq and KRI to determine and report the water productivity for melons (Cucumis melo L>) grown on farms using drip irrigation and plastic mulch. Data on the production, the number of irrigations, the length of each irrigation, as well as the cost and benefit of production were collected from 24 farmers who produced melons in 2022 on an area of 56 ha. Then, the yield, the amount of water applied, and the water productivity were determined. The mean value was 37.4 tons ha^-1 for yield, 5,486 m³ ha^-1 for water applied, and 7.1 kg m^-3 for water productivity. Hence, 140 litres of water were applied to produce 1 kilogram of melon. A cost-benefit analysis showed that water applied accounted for 18% of the overall production benefits, production expenses for 37%, and net benefits for 45%. Therefore, melon production is a profitable rising business in the region. In light of the present water shortage in the area, it is concluded that the recent switch from bare soil surface irrigation to drip irrigation and mulching is a successful adaptation approach.