International Lighting in Controlled Environments Workshop

Lighting is a central and critical aspect of control in environmental research for plant research and is gaining recognition as a significant factor to control carefully for animal and human research. Thus this workshop was convened to reevaluate the technology that is available today and to work toward developing guidelines for the most effective use of lighting in controlled environments with emphasis on lighting for plants but also to initiate interest in the development of improved guidelines for human and animal research

Improving ecological forecasts using model and data constraints

Terrestrial ecosystems are essential to human well-being, but their future remains highly uncertain, as evidenced by the huge disparities in model projections of the land carbon sink. The existence of these disparities despite the recent explosion of novel data streams, including the TRY plant traits database, the Landsat archive, and global eddy covariance tower networks, suggests that these data streams are not being utilized to their full potential by the terrestrial ecosystem modeling community. Therefore, the overarching objective of my dissertation is to identify how these various data streams can be used to improve the precision of model predictions by constraining model parameters. In chapter 1, I use a hierarchical multivariate meta-analysis of the TRY database to assess the dependence of trait correlations on ecological scale and evaluate the utility of these correlations for constraining ecosystem model parameters. I find that global trait correlations are generally consistent within plant functional types, and leveraging the multivariate trait space is an effective way to constrain trait estimates for data-limited traits and plant functional types. My next two chapters assess the ability to measure traits using remote sensing by exploring the links between leaf traits and reflectance spectra. In chapter 2, I introduce a method for estimating traits from spectra via radiative transfer model inversion. I then use this approach to show that although the precise location, width, and quantity of spectral bands significantly affects trait retrieval accuracy, a wide range of sensor configurations are capable of providing trait information. In chapter 3, I apply this approach to a large database of leaf spectra to show that traits vary as much within as across species, and much more across species within a functional type than across functional types. Finally, in chapter 4, I synthesize the findings of the previous chapters to calibrate a vegetation model's representation of canopy radiative transfer against observed remotely-sensed surface reflectance. Although the calibration successfully constrained canopy structural parameters, I identify issues with model representations of wood and soil reflectance that inhibit its ability to accurately reproduce remote sensing observations

Quality Evaluation of Plant-Derived Foods

This new MDPI book compiles several manuscript highlighting the complexity of “Quality Evaluation of Plant-Derived Foods”. It should be of interest for students, researchers, and professors, as important data and methodologies are presented. Results available include not only fruit and plant characteristics, but also by-products valorization and pre-harvest application of coumpounds for fruit and plant quality

Abiotic stress hormesis : hormetic stresses to maintain quality and enhance glucosinolates and phenolic compounds in broccoli (Brassica oleracea var. italica) during storage

Le brocoli (Brassica oleracea var. italica) est un légume devenu populaire grâce à ses caractéristiques nutritionnelles et bioctives qui sont associées entre autres à la prévention de certaines maladies chroniques. L'utilisation de stress abiotiques tels que UV-C comme traitement de pré-entreposage a montré un grand potentiel pour l'induction de la résistance aux maladies et la préservation de la qualité des produits frais, et il est de plus en plus évident qu'il existe un potentiel pour améliorer les métabolites secondaires. L'objectif de ce travail a été, d'abord, d'établir si divers stress abiotiques, UV-B, UV-C, la chaleur, l'ozone, le peroxyde d'hydrogène, l'éthanol, et méthyl jasmonate (MeJA), induisent le phénomène d’hormèse. L'effect de ces traitements sur certains paramètres associés à la qualité des fleurons de brocoli tels que: la couleur, la perte de poids, la teneur en glucosinolates et en composés phénoliques. La chaleur et l'éthanol ont été les meilleurs traitements pour le retarder le jaunissement des fleurons, mais UV-C et UV-B étaient également efficaces pour maintenir la couleur verte de fleurons dans l’entreposage. D'autre part, la capacité antioxydant des fleurons a été principalement renforcée par les traitements d’UV-B et de chaleur. Le paramètre le plus important dans cette recherche était la teneur en glucosinolates de fleurons qui a été influencé positivement par le traitement à l’ozone et au peroxyde d'hydrogène, et dans une moindre mesure par le traitement d’UV-B. Il a été conclu que les stress abiotiques peuvent influencer favorablement soit la qualité ou l’augmentation de glucosinolates dans les fleurons pendant l’entreposage, mais pas le deux. Parmi les agents stressants utilisés, la lumière UV-B a été le plus efficace à maintenir la qualité et à induire une augmentation des composantes phytochimiques dans le broccoli.Broccoli (Brassica oleracea var. Italica) has become popular thanks to its health properties that are associated with the prevention of certain chronic diseases. The use of abiotic stresses such as UV-C as pre-storage treatment has shown great potential for induction of disease resistance in and preservation of quality of fresh produce, and it is becoming increasingly clear that there is potential for enhancing secondary metabolites. The objective of this work was, first, to establish whether various abiotic stresses, UV-B UV-C, heat, ozone, hydrogen peroxide, ethanol, and the plant signalling molecule, methyl jasmonate (MeJA), may induce hormesis in broccoli florets on color retention response; and second, to determine the effect of various abiotic stresses on quality, mainly color retention and weight loss; the contents of glucosinolates and phenolic compounds in florets during storage. Heat and ethanol were the best treatments for delaying yellowing florets, but UV-C and UV-B were also effective at a lower extent. On the other hand, the antioxidant capacity of the florets was mostly enhanced by UV-B and heat treatments. The most important enquiry in this research was the augmentation of glucosinolates titers, which was influenced by the treatment with ozone and hydrogen peroxide, and to a less extent by UV-B. It was concluded that abiotic stresses could influence favourably either the quality or the enhancement of glucosinolates in broccoli during storage and not both. Among the considered stressing factors, UV-B was the most effective for maintenance of quality as well as to elevate the levels of phytochemicals in broccoli

Environmental Effects of Stratospheric Ozone Depletion, UV Radiation, and interactions with Climate Change: 2022 Assessment Report

The Montreal Protocol on Substances that Deplete the Ozone Layer was established 35 years ago following the 1985 Vienna Convention for protection of the environment and human health against excessive amounts of harmful ultraviolet-B (UV-B, 280-315 nm) radiation reaching the Earth’s surface due to a reduced UV-B-absorbing ozone layer. The Montreal Protocol, ratified globally by all 198 Parties (countries), controls ca 100 ozone-depleting substances (ODS). These substances have been used in many applications, such as in refrigerants, air conditioners, aerosol propellants, fumigants against pests, fire extinguishers, and foam materials. The Montreal Protocol has phased out nearly 99% of ODS, including ODS with high global warming potentials such as chlorofluorocarbons (CFC), thus serving a dual purpose. However, some of the replacements for ODS also have high global warming potentials, for example, the hydrofluorocarbons (HFCs). Several of these replacements have been added to the substances controlled by the Montreal Protocol. The HFCs are now being phased down under the Kigali Amendment. As of December 2022, 145 countries have signed the Kigali Amendment, exemplifying key additional outcomes of the Montreal Protocol, namely, that of also curbing climate warming and stimulating innovations to increase energy efficiency of cooling equipment used industrially as well as domestically. As the concentrations of ODS decline in the upper atmosphere, the stratospheric ozone layer is projected to recover to pre-1980 levels by the middle of the 21st century, assuming full compliance with the control measures of the Montreal Protocol. However, in the coming decades, the ozone layer will be increasingly influenced by emissions of greenhouse gases and ensuing global warming. These trends are highly likely to modify the amount of UV radiation reaching the Earth\u27s surface with implications for the effects on ecosystems and human health. Against this background, four Panels of experts were established in 1988 to support and advise the Parties to the Montreal Protocol with up-to-date information to facilitate decisions for protecting the stratospheric ozone layer. In 1990 the four Panels were consolidated into three, the Scientific Assessment Panel, the Environmental Effects Assessment Panel, and the Technology and Economic Assessment Panel. Every four years, each of the Panels provides their Quadrennial Assessments as well as a Synthesis Report that summarises the key findings of all the Panels. In the in-between years leading up to the quadrennial, the Panels continue to inform the Parties to the Montreal Protocol of new scientific information

Sensor based pre-symptomatic detection of pests and pathogens for precision scheduling of crop protection products

Providing global food security requires a better understanding of how plants function and how their products, including important crops are influenced by environmental factors. Prominent biological factors influencing food security are pests and pathogens of plants and crops. Traditional pest control, however, has involved chemicals that are harmful to the environment and human health, leading to a focus on sustainability and prevention with regards to modern crop protection. A variety of physical and chemical analytical tools is available to study the structure and function of plants at the whole-plant, organ, tissue, cellular, and biochemical levels, while acting as sensors for decision making in the applied crop sciences. Vibrational spectroscopy, among them mid-infrared and Raman spectroscopy in biology, known as biospectroscopy are well-established label-free, nondestructive, and environmentally friendly analytical methods that generate a spectral “signature” of samples using mid-infrared radiation. The generated wavenumber spectrum containing hundreds of variables as unique as a biochemical “fingerprint”, and represents biomolecules (proteins, lipids, carbohydrates, nucleic acids) within biological samples. Spectral “biomarkers” generated by biospectroscopy is useful for the discrimination of distinct as well as closely related biomaterials, for various applications. Applications within the plant and crop sciences has been limited to date, especially for the investigation of dynamic biological processes in intact plant tissues. Even more scarce is the application of biospectroscopy to plant interactions with pests and pathogens. To adequately probe in vivo plant-environment interactions, surface structures of intact plant tissues such as leaves, and fruit need to be characterized. Infrared light energy can measure plant epidermal structures including the cuticle and cell wall for chemical profiling of different varieties and cultivars, as well as physiological applications such as plant health monitoring and disease detection. A review of the application of biospectroscopy to study plant and crop biology reveals the potential of biospectroscopy as a prominent technology for fundamental plant research and applied crop science. The application of biospectroscopy for in vivo plant analysis, to elucidate spectral alterations indicative of pest and pathogen effects, may therefore be highly beneficial to crop protection. Highlighting the in vivo analysis capability and portability of modern biospectroscopy, ATR-FTIR provided an invaluable tool for a thorough spectrochemical investigation of intact tomato fruit during development and ripening. This contributes novel spectral biomarkers, distinct for each development and ripening stage to indicate healthy development. Concurrently, this approach demonstrates the effectiveness of using spectral data for machine learning, indicated by classifier results, which may be applied to crop biology. Complementary to monitoring healthy growth and development of plants and crops, is the detection of threats to plant products that compromise yield or quality. This includes physical damage and accelerated decay caused by pests and pathogens. Biochemical changes detected by ATR-FTIR using principal component analysis and linear discriminant analysis (PCA–LDA), for damage-induced pathogen infection of cherry tomato (cv. Piccolo), showed subtle biochemical changes distinguishing healthy tomato from damaged, early or late sour rot-infected tomato. Sour rot fungus Geotrichum candidum was detected in vivo and characterized based on spectral features distinct from tomato fruit providing biochemical insight and detection potential for intact plant–pathogen systems. Pre-harvest detection of pests and pathogens in growing plants is paramount for crop protection and for effective use of crop protection products. Established previously as an exceptionally versatile bioanalytical sensor, for post-harvest applications, biospectroscopy was applied for the pre-harvest detection of microscopic pathogen Botrytis cinerea fungus infecting developing tomato plants. Compact MIR spectroscopy using ATR mode was adapted for the biochemical investigation of the plant-microbe interaction S. lycopersicum and B. cinerea, on the whole-plant level. Chemometric modeling including principal component analysis, and linear discriminant analysis were applied. Fingerprint spectra (1800-900 cm-1) were excellent discriminators of plant disease in pre-symptomatic as well as symptomatic plants. Spectral alterations in leaf tissue caused by infection are discussed. Potential for automatic decision-making is shown by high accuracy rates of 100% for detecting plant disease at various stages of progression. Similar accuracy rates using similar chemometric models are obtained for fruit development and ripening also. Overall, this research showcases the biospectroscopy potential for development monitoring and ripening of fruit crops, damage and infection induced decay of fruit in horticultural systems post-harvest, complemented by pre-harvest detection of microscopic pathogens. Based on the results from experiments performed under semi-controlled conditions, biospectroscopy is ready for field applications directed at pest and pathogen detection for improved crop production through the mitigation of crop loss