Advances in Industrial Crops Physioecology and Sustainable Cultivation

Nowadays, many image processing and machine learning (ML) methods are used in mango-quality classification systems. Existing algorithms perform independently to capture the relationships between features in the dataset. Nevertheless, each method has its advantages and disadvantages. As a result, this study presents an ensemble-learning framework that combines the strengths of multiple ML algorithms to make predictions. Initially, different image processing algorithms are used to extract external mango features. Next, the dataset is constructed by combining those features with weight values from sensor signals. Following that, different ML algorithms are evaluated on the dataset to determine which ones are robust. Subsequently, various ensemble-learning approaches are deployed, such as bagging, boosting, and stacking. Finally, those models are evaluated and compared, to decide which model is suited for this study’s dataset. In the experimental part, the assessment of errors demonstrates the usefulness of image processing algorithms. Furthermore, evaluation of the training models revealed that the stacking model, which integrates several methods in both the base learner and meta-learner, produced the highest results in precision, recall, F1-score, and accuracy, with values of 0.9855, 0.9901, 0.9876, and 0.9863, respectively. These experimental results confirm the robustness of the proposed methodologies for classifying mango quality. Full article

The amplitude of excitation force from exciters used in fruit tree vibration harvesting remains constant at a given frequency, leading to poor fruit detachment ratio and tree damage. A solution has been proposed through the development of a Double-Symmetric Eccentric Exciter (DSEE). This new exciter allows for the adjustment of excitation force amplitude while maintaining a constant frequency by varying the phase angle of the DSEE. To validate the effectiveness of the DSEE, vibration tests were conducted on fruit trees using different parameter exciting forces. Acceleration sensors were employed to measure the vibration accelerations of the tree branches. The experimental results revealed that when a fixed frequency excitation force with a constant phase angle was applied to the trunk, the vibration acceleration of branches exhibited inconsistent variations due to differences in the vibration differential equation parameters of each branch. Furthermore, it was observed that increasing the phase angle of the DSEE at a fixed frequency led to larger vibration accelerations in every branch. This signifies that adjusting the phase angle of the DSEE can effectively increase the amplitude of the exciting force. Consequently, the ability to control both the amplitude and frequency of the excitation force independently can mitigate issues such as low fruit harvest rates and minimize damage to fruit trees. Full article

The intercropping of maize (Zea mays L.) and peanuts (Arachis hypogaea L.) (M||P) significantly enhances crop yield. In a long-term M||P field experiment with two P fertilizer levels, we examined how long-term M||P affects topsoil aggregate fractions and stability, organic carbon (SOC), available phosphorus (AP), and total phosphorus (TP) in each aggregate fraction, along with crop yields. Compared to their respective monocultures, long-term M||P substantially increased the proportion of topsoil mechanical macroaggregates (7.6–16.3%) and water-stable macroaggregates (>1 mm) (13.8–36.1%), while reducing the unstable aggregate index (E_LT) and the percentage of aggregation destruction (PAD). M||P significantly boosted the concentration (12.9–39.9%) and contribution rate (4.1–47.9%) of SOC in macroaggregates compared to single crops. Moreover, the concentration of TP in macroaggregates (>1 mm) and AP in each aggregate fraction of M||P exceeded that of the respective single crops (p < 0.05). Furthermore, M||P significantly increased the Ca₂-P, Ca₈-P, Al-P, and Fe-P concentrations of intercropped maize (IM) and the Ca₈-P, O-P, and Ca₁₀-P concentrations of intercropped peanuts (IP). The land equivalent ratio (LER) of M||P was higher than one, and M||P stubble improved the yield of subsequent winter wheat (Triticum aestivum L.) compared with sole-crop maize stubble. P application augmented the concentration of SOC, TP, and AP in macroaggregates, resulting in improved crop yields. In conclusion, our findings suggest that long-term M||P combined with P application sustains farmland productivity in the North China Plain by increasing SOC and macroaggregate fractions, improving aggregate stability, and enhancing soil P availability. Full article

This article studies the morphological and physicochemical properties of soils in the natural habitat of dandelion kok-saghyz (Taraxacum kok-saghyz L.E. Rodin) (TKS)—a source of high-quality rubber. The purpose of the work is to study the natural soil habitat of dandelion TKS in comparison with the nearby area where TKS is absent. The methods of soil research are comparative, geographical, morphological, and analytical. Soil sections were laid down and georeferenced, and relief, vegetation, and morphological structures of soil profiles by genetic horizons were described. A database of the physical and chemical properties of soils by horizon was created. Landscapes and soil conditions of in situ populations have been studied in the Kegen District of the Almaty region in the territory of the Kegen River floodplain, in the areas of the Jalauly and Kegen villages, and in the zone of groundwater inclination north of Saryzhas village. The natural soil habitat of TKS was studied. It was found that TKS grows in conditions of moisture floodplains of intermountain valleys on saline floodplain meadowy soils of a sulfate–sodium composition with a high content of total humus and nutrient elements in an alkaline environment. Full article

Both drought and high temperature can influence the antioxidant metabolism of crop reproductive organs in different ways, affecting the fertility of reproductive organs and yield formation. However, the combined effects of drought stress and high temperature on the crop reproductive physiology have not yet been widely considered. In order to broaden our understanding of this mechanism of influence, a pond experiment was conducted using a cotton variety Yuzaomian 9110 divided into four treatment groups: control (CK), drought stress (DS), high temperature (HT), and drought stress coupled with high temperature (DS+HT). Results showed a significant negative correlation between pollen viability and superoxide anion (O₂⁻) content, as well as hydrogen peroxide (H₂O₂). Compared with CK, DS did not alter O₂⁻ content in anthers, but HT treatment resulted in higher anther O₂⁻. Compared with single-stress groups, DS+HT further promoted the formation of O₂⁻ in anthers, leading to more malondialdehyde in anthers. Moreover, a higher H₂O₂ content in anthers was found in DS and HT than in CK. DS+HT did not show altered H₂O₂ content relative to HT treatment, although its H₂O₂ was higher than in DS. Further analyses of the antioxidant enzyme system showed that DS had no significant effect on superoxide dismutase gene (GhCu/ZnSOD) expression, but HT and DS+HT significantly downregulated its expression. The expression of GhCu/ZnSOD was lower under DS+HT than HT, which might be why O₂⁻ content was not altered under DS treatment compared with CK and was higher in DS+HT than HT. DS and HT significantly downregulated the expression of the peroxidase gene (GhPOD) and catalase gene (GhCAT), which should be the main reason for the larger accumulation of H₂O₂ under drought stress and high-temperature conditions. Compared with single-stress groups, DS+HT had lower expression of GhCAT, resulting in a larger H₂O₂ content. Regarding the ascorbic acid–glutathione (AsA–GSH) cycle, DS and HT significantly downregulated the expression of monodehydroascorbate reductase gene (GhMDHAR) to hinder the production of AsA and upregulated the expression of ascorbate oxidase gene (GhAAO) to promote the oxidation of AsA, which was theoretically detrimental to AsA accumulation. However, HT downregulated the expression of the ascorbate peroxidase gene (GhAPX), hindering the reduction of H₂O₂ by AsA, which was the reason for AsA and H₂O₂ accumulation. Moreover, DS also significantly upregulated the expression of the dehydroascorbate reductase gene (GhDHAR2) to enhance the reduction of dehydroascorbate to form AsA, leading to a higher content of AsA under DS than HT. The combined stress significantly downregulated the expression of GhAAO to inhibit the oxidation of AsA but significantly upregulated the expression of GhMDHAR and GhDHAR2, promoting the AsA production, and downregulated the expression of GhAPX, hindering the reduction of H₂O₂ by AsA. All these resulted in increased AsA content under combined stresses. In addition, HT significantly downregulated the glutathione reductase gene (GhGR) expression, hindering the reduction of oxidized glutathione (GSSG), which led to the reduction of GSH. However, DS and DS+HT significantly downregulated the glutathione peroxidase gene (GhGPX) expression, resulting in the accumulation of GSH. Overall, compared with single-stress treatments, the effects of DS+HT on cotton pollen fertility and peroxide accumulation were more significant. The effects of DS+HT on the antioxidant enzyme system were mainly caused by high temperature, while the mechanism of abnormal accumulation of AsA and GSH caused by DS+HT was different from those of single-stress groups. Full article

In saline and salinity-affected soils, the global productivity and sustainability of cotton are severely affected by soil salinity. High salt concentrations hinder plant growth and yield formation mainly through the occurrence of osmotic stress, specific ion toxicity, and nutritional imbalance in cotton. A number of agronomic practices have been identified as potential solutions to alleviate the adverse effects induced by salinity. While genetic breeding holds promise in enhancing the salinity tolerance of cotton, agronomic practices that improve the root zone environment, ameliorate soil conditions, and enhance salinity tolerance are currently considered to be more practical. This compressive review highlights the effectiveness of agronomic practices, such as furrow seeding, plastic mulching, their combination, densely planting, and the appropriate application of fertilizer and plant growth regulators, in mitigating the negative impact of salinity on cotton. By implementing these agronomic practices, cotton growers can improve the overall performance and resilience of cotton crops in saline and salinity-affected soils. This review provides valuable insights into practical agronomic measures that can be adopted to counteract the adverse consequences of soil salinity on cotton cultivation. Full article

Castor bean (Ricinus communis L.) originated in East Africa and then diffused to warm-temperate, subtropical, and tropical regions of the world. The high lipid content in the castor beans is extracted for use in pharmaceutical and industrial applications. The castor oil lipid profile is naturally composed of 90% ricinoleic acid and the remaining 10% is mainly composed of linoleic, oleic, stearic, and linolenic fatty acids. The highly toxic compound ricin within the seeds is insoluble in oil, making castor oil free from this toxin and safe to use for industrial and cosmetic applications. Among the main uses of castor oil are reported industrial uses such as component for lubricants, paints, coatings, polymers, emulsifiers, cosmetics, and medicinal uses as a laxative. There is also significant commercial potential for utilization of the whole castor bean plant such as animal feed, fertilizer, biofuel, and also for phytoremediation. Several breeding programs have been planned to improve the castor’s characteristics needed for its current or potential uses. In this review, after summarizing data on castor bean agronomy and uses, we focus on the main advances in Castor bean classical and biotechnological breeding programs, underlining the high potential of this oil crop. In particular, the main challenges of castor breeding programs are to increase yield, mainly through the selection of growth habits allowing mechanized harvest, and beneficial compound content, mainly the oil, and to decrease the toxic compounds content, mainly ricin. Full article

Low-temperature stress seriously affects the growth, development, yield, and quality of tomato production. Bacillus methylotrophicus is an important plant growth promoting rhizobacteria (PGPR). However, the role of B. methylotrophicus under low-temperature stress is poorly understood. Accordingly, the effects of B. methylotrophicus (‘VL-10′) on tomato cold stress (15 °C/8 °C, 12 h/12 h, and day/night) were studied. B. methyltrophicus ‘VL-10′ was added into the substrate at the time of sowing, and the plants were treated at a low temperature for 2 weeks after 40 days of growth. We found that the low temperature reduced the spatial distribution of the aboveground and underground sections of tomatoes and the leaf SPAD and photochemical efficiency of PS II (Fv/Fm). After low-temperature stress, the tomato flowering was delayed, the vitamin C and lycopene content in fruit decreased, and the nitrate content increased. However, inoculated with B. methyltrophicus ‘VL-10′ during sowing promoted the growth of tomato seedlings, enhanced the native defense ability of the tomatoes, and effectively reduced the cold shock response of the roots to cold damage and the adverse effects of low temperature on leaf SPAD and Fv/Fm. After the cultivation at normal temperature, the inoculat B. methyltrophicus ‘VL-10′ could rapidly regain plant growth levers, and eliminate the delay of low temperature on flowering. TOPSIS analysis showed that the nutritional quality of tomatoes could be effectively improved by inoculation with B. methyltrophicus ‘VL-10′ regardless of normal cultivation or low-temperature stress. Full article