Horticultural Studies 1998

Horticulture connects with people in many ways including an enhanced awareness concerning the importance of fruits and vegetables in our diet. The health benefits of such a diet is gaining wide recognition throughout the public and will likely provide tremendous opportunities for research, education and business development. Significant faculty additions and programmatic efforts were made to the university’s fruit and vegetable programs in 1998

Towards Autonomous Selective Harvesting: A Review of Robot Perception, Robot Design, Motion Planning and Control

This paper provides an overview of the current state-of-the-art in selective harvesting robots (SHRs) and their potential for addressing the challenges of global food production. SHRs have the potential to increase productivity, reduce labour costs, and minimise food waste by selectively harvesting only ripe fruits and vegetables. The paper discusses the main components of SHRs, including perception, grasping, cutting, motion planning, and control. It also highlights the challenges in developing SHR technologies, particularly in the areas of robot design, motion planning and control. The paper also discusses the potential benefits of integrating AI and soft robots and data-driven methods to enhance the performance and robustness of SHR systems. Finally, the paper identifies several open research questions in the field and highlights the need for further research and development efforts to advance SHR technologies to meet the challenges of global food production. Overall, this paper provides a starting point for researchers and practitioners interested in developing SHRs and highlights the need for more research in this field.Comment: Preprint: to be appeared in Journal of Field Robotic

Haplotype analyses reveal novel insights into tomato history and domestication driven by long-distance migrations and latitudinal adaptations

[EN] A novel haplotype-based approach that uses Procrustes analysis and automatic classification was used to provide further insights into tomato history and domestication. Agrarian societies domesticated species of interest by introducing complex genetic modifications. For tomatoes, two species, one of which had two botanical varieties, are thought to be involved in its domestication: the fully wild Solanum pimpinellifolium (SP), the wild and semi-domesticated Solanum lycopersicum var. cerasiforme (SLC) and the cultivated S. l. var. lycopersicum (SLL). The Procrustes approach showed that SP evolved into SLC during a gradual migration from the Peruvian deserts to the Mexican rainforests and that Peruvian and Ecuadorian SLC populations were the result of more recent hybridizations. Our model was supported by independent evidence, including ecological data from the accession collection site and morphological data. Furthermore, we showed that photosynthesis-, and flowering time-related genes were selected during the latitudinal migrations.This research was supported by the National Natural Science Foundation of the USA Varitome Project (NSF IOS 1564366).Blanca Postigo, JM.; Sánchez-Matarredona, D.; Ziarsolo, P.; Montero-Pau, J.; Van Der Knaap, E.; Díez Niclós, MJTDJ.; Cañizares Sales, J. (2022). Haplotype analyses reveal novel insights into tomato history and domestication driven by long-distance migrations and latitudinal adaptations. Horticulture Research. 9:1-14. https://doi.org/10.1093/hr/uhac030114

Haplotype analyses reveal novel insights into tomato history and domestication driven by long-distance migrations and latitudinal adaptations

A novel haplotype-based approach that uses Procrustes analysis and automatic classification was used to provide further insights into tomato history and domestication. Agrarian societies domesticated species of interest by introducing complex genetic modifications. For tomatoes, two species, one of which had two botanical varieties, are thought to be involved in its domestication: the fully wild Solanum pimpinellifolium (SP), the wild and semi-domesticated Solanum lycopersicum var. cerasiforme (SLC) and the cultivated S. l. var. lycopersicum (SLL). The Procrustes approach showed that SP evolved into SLC during a gradual migration from the Peruvian deserts to the Mexican rainforests and that Peruvian and Ecuadorian SLC populations were the result of more recent hybridizations. Our model was supported by independent evidence, including ecological data from the accession collection site and morphological data. Furthermore, we showed that photosynthesis-, and f lowering time-related genes were selected during the latitudinal migrations

Introduction and development of a practical lesson for improving the competence of Master students in Plant Breeding: The usefulness of specific software in phenotyping tasks

[EN] An essential step in many plant breeding programmes is the morphoagronomic phenotyping of the materials that are being developed, using standardized descriptors or, when not available, as it is the case of new crops, consensus guidelines to characterize them. Although many of the traits must be evaluated in the field, those related to the shape and size of leaves and fruits can be easily measured with specific software using digital pictures. This tool provides several advantages, including: 1) more accurate and objective measurements; 2) the possibility of measuring other traits of interest such as area or perimeter, that in other case would not be easily evaluated; or even 3) the possibility of delaying the analysis of pictures in order to focus on field traits. Therefore, the knowledge and management of this tool can become of high usefulness. The Plant Breeding Master offered by our institute is aimed at training professionals able to improve crops and develop new ones according to market trends, in addition to improve adaptation and resistance to biotic and abiotic stresses. Due to the importance of phenotyping considering any of the above breeding goals, in this paper we propose the introduction of a practical session in the mandatory subject "Instrumental Techniques": the management and comparison of adequacy of two specific software tools considering the material to be analyzed. As material, we propose a collection of pepper varieties for analysis of fruits, and a collection of rocket (Eruca and Diplotaxis spp.) germplasm for analysis of leaves, due to the broad variability observed in those materials. The MorphoLeaf v1.0 software will be used for the analysis of leaves, and the Tomato Analyzer 3.0 software will be used for the analysis of fruits and also for leaves. According to the design of the practical lesson, only one session of three hours is required, in which students will learn to properly digitalize materials considering the restrictions of each software and material used, and to obtain all the information needed in each case. In addition, there will be one hour of autonomous work in which both tools and the results obtained will be compared by the students, and a report will be prepared. This practical lesson allows students to acquire the competence for the correct use of different computer tools in the phenotyping task. The comparison of analyses using different scan adjustments and software will allow students to understand the disadvantages of each option and problems that could occur, in order to minimize them. In summary, this practical lesson gives a tool for improving the future phenotyping works of students during their careers, teaching them to consider the best software prior to analysis in order to improve the digitalizing step according to software restrictions, and to obtain more accurate information with a reduction of working time, thus increasing efficiency.Carla Guijarro-Real is grateful to the Ministerio de Educación, Cultura y Deporte of Spain for a predoctoral FPU grant (FPU14-06798). Pietro Gramazio is grateful to Universitat Politècnica de València for a post-doctoral contract (PAID-10-18) within the Programa de Ayudas de Investigación y Desarrollo initiative. Mariola Plazas is grateful to Generalitat Valenciana and Fondo Social Europeo for a post-doctoral grant (APOSTD/2018/014). Ana M Adalid-Martínez is grateful to the Ministerio de Ciencia, Innovación y Universidad of Spain for its support with a post-doctoral contract (PTA2015- 11502-I) within the Subprograma Personal Técnico de Apoyo initiative.Guijarro-Real, C.; Gramazio, P.; Plazas Ávila, MDLO.; Adalid-Martinez, AM.; Rodríguez Burruezo, A.; Prohens Tomás, J.; Fita, A. (2019). Introduction and development of a practical lesson for improving the competence of Master students in Plant Breeding: The usefulness of specific software in phenotyping tasks. IATED. 5728-5733. https://doi.org/10.21125/inted.2019.1408S5728573

Nutritional characterization of a traditional cultivar of tomato grown under organic conditions¿ cv. ¿Malacara¿

[EN] The loss of genetic diversity due to the replacement of local tomato (Solanum lycopersicum L.) varieties by improved cultivars has been mitigated in many cases by the good work of organic farmers in maintaining local agricultural biodiversity. In parallel to these initiatives, in recent years, consumers have developed an increasing awareness of both food-related health, environmental issues, and food demand to recover the flavors of the past. In the case of tomatoes, these attributes (nutritional, organoleptic, social, and environmental) are closely related to organic production using local varieties. "Malacara" tomato is an example of a local variety. Coming from Sierra de Cadiz, it is a varietal type called "Cuelga" ("for hanging," because the tomato trusses are hung from beams in the farmhouses). Cultivated and harvested in the open air during the summer months, these tomatoes are commercialized and consumed in the winter. Historically, this variety has enabled the fresh consumption of tomatoes during the winter, without the need to force cultivation. It is highly appreciated in the local cuisine and is the basis for sauces figuring in typical dishes. Its characteristic traits are small, pallid fruits, and long shelf life. The main objective of this work has been to typify two Malacara tomato cultivars (red and yellow color) grown under organic farming conditions, through the characterization of morphological, nutritional, and volatile parameters. The main differences are due to morphological parameters (fruit weight and color of the exocarp and endocarp). Other characteristics such as the content of ash, fiber, moisture, the concentration of iron, magnesium, and calcium, and content of lycopene are different between both cultivars. This study provides information on the nutritional and aromatic composition of two Malacara tomato cultivars, differentiated by their color and grown under organic farming conditions. The results add value to the native horticultural heritage and can aid in the selection of tomato varieties suitable for a sustainable production system and to produce tomatoes with high nutritional value and rich in aroma.Raigón Jiménez, MD.; García-Martínez, MD.; Chiriac, OP. (2022). Nutritional characterization of a traditional cultivar of tomato grown under organic conditions¿ cv. ¿Malacara¿. Frontiers in Nutrition. 8:1-13. https://doi.org/10.3389/fnut.2021.810812113

Tracing Back the History of Pepper (Capsicum annuum) in the Iberian Peninsula from a Phenomics Point of View

[Abstract] The Iberian Peninsula was the place where pepper (Capsicum annuum) entered Europe and dispersed to other continents but was also an important secondary center for its diversification. The current work evaluated the phenotypic diversity existing in this region and investigated how that evolved from Capsicum native areas (Mexico and Andean Region). For that purpose, the high-throughput phenotyping tool Tomato Analyzer was employed. Descriptors related to size and shape were the most distinctive among fruit types, reflecting a broad diversity for Iberian peppers. These traits likely reflected those suffering from more intensive human selections, driving the worldwide expansion of C. annuum. Iberian peppers maintained close proximity to the American accessions in terms of fruit phenomics. The highest similarities were observed for those coming from the southeastern edge of the Peninsula, while northwestern accessions displayed more significant differences. Common fruit traits (small, conical) suggested that Portuguese and Spanish landraces may have arisen from an ancient American population that entered the south of Spain and promptly migrated to the central and northern territories, giving rise to larger, elongated, and blocky pods. Such lineages would be the result of adaptations to local soil–climate factors prevailing in different biogeographic provinces.This research was funded by the Spanish Institute for Agricultural and Food Research and Technology (INIA), co-financed by the European Regional Development Fund (FEDER) (Project RTA2015-00042-C02-02), and by the Xunta de Galicia (Project ED431C 2018/57)Xunta de Galicia; ED431C 2018/5

Symptoms Based Image Predictive Analysis for Citrus Orchards Using Machine Learning Techniques: A Review

In Agriculture, orchards are the deciding factor in the country’s economy. There are many orchards, and citrus and sugarcane will cover 60 percent of them. These citrus orchards satisfy the necessity of citrus fruits and citrus products, and these citrus fruits contain more vitamin C. The citrus orchards have had some problems generating good yields and quality products. Pathogenic diseases, pests, and water shortages are the three main problems that plants face. Farmers can find these problems early on with the support of machine learning and deep learning, which may also change how they feel about technology.  By doing this in agriculture, the farmers can cut off the major issues of yield and quality losses. This review gives enormous methods for identifying and classifying plant pathogens, pests, and water stresses using image-based work. In this review, the researchers present detailed information about citrus pathogens, pests, and water deficits. Methods and techniques that are currently available will be used to validate the problem. These will include pre-processing for intensification, segmentation, feature extraction, and selection processes, machine learning-based classifiers, and deep learning models. In this work, researchers thoroughly examine and outline the various research opportunities in the field. This review provides a comprehensive analysis of citrus plants and orchards; Researchers used a systematic review to ensure comprehensive coverage of this topic

Parthenocarpic fruit development in Capsicum annuum

Key words: Parthenocarpy, Capsicum, fruit set, hormones, cell division, cell expansion, auxin, gibberellin, temperature, carpel-like structures, genotype Parthenocarpy (fruit set without fertilization) is a much desired trait in sweet pepper (Capsicum annuum) production as it minimizes yield irregularity, enhances total yieldandmakes theproduction possible under suboptimal environmental conditions. Beside this, parthenocarpyimproves the commercial value of the fruitsince parthenocarpic fruits are convenient for consumption, much wanted for minimal-processed food, and possess long shelf-life.Parthenocarpy has been widely studied for tomato and Arabidopsis but not for C. annuum.Physiological and morphological characterization of parthenocarpy in C. annuum is the main focus of this thesis with emphasis on finding evidence thattomato and Arabidopsis can be used as model plants to study fruit development in C. annuum.The series of physiological and morphological changes (i.e. pollen tube growth, vascular connection between ovule and carpel, cell division and cell expansion in carpel) that occurs in a post-fertilized ovary ofC. annuumwas similar to that reported in tomato and Arabidopsis. Similar to these two species, C. annuum showed a hierarchy between auxin and gibberellinwhere auxin acts upstream of gibberellin in fruit set, most likely by inducing gibberellin biosynthesis.These findings indicate that fruit set mechanisms in C. annuum are similar to that reported in tomato and Arabidopsis.Parthenocarpy was evident in most of the studied genotypes of C. annuum(n=24) suggesting that somedegree of intrinsic parthenocarpy is already present in C. annuum. External application of auxin and gibberellin on the stigma of emasculated flowers enhanced parthenocarpic fruit production.GA3 did not significantly contribute to the final fruit size. GA3 seems to play an important role in preventing flower and fruit abscission while auxin seems to be important for both fruit set and fruit development. Almost all seedless fruits obtained either by only emasculation or emasculation followed by hormone application showed stronger growth of carpel like structures (CLS) compared to seeded fruits. Structural analogy of CLS with bel1 mutant of Arabidopsis suggests that CLS are transformed from abnormal ovules.Capsicum genotypes with high parthenocarpic potential showed a stronger CLS development suggesting a relation between female sterility and parthenocarpy. The parthenocarpic potential appeared to be controlled by a single recessive gene. The CLS phenotype and parthenocarpy could not be linked to a single locus, suggesting that absence of fertilization induces parthenocarpic fruit development and allows CLS growth, which substitutes developing seeds in promoting fruit development.This thesis provides insight in the physiology and morphology and genetic basis of parthenocarpy in C. annuum.</p