Influence of foliar spray and post-harvest treatments on head yield, shelf-life, and physicochemical qualities of broccoli

Rapid senescence is the key factor in the deterioration of post-harvest shelf-life in broccoli heads. This study evaluates the head yield and its related traits, and physicochemical attributes of broccoli under four foliar sprays of mineral nutrients (B, Zn, Mo, and B + Zn + Mo) with control. The interaction effects of shelf-life and physicochemical attributes of broccoli for these five pre-harvest and five post-harvest storage treatments (LDP bag, HDP vacuum pack, 2% eggshell powder solution, 2% ascorbic acid, and control) both at cold storage and room temperature were evaluated with three replications. The significantly higher marketable head yield of 28.02 t ha−1, maximum gross return [(Bangladesh Taka (BDT 420300 ha−1)], net return (BDT 30565 ha−1), and maximum benefit–cost ratio (BCR) of 3.67 were obtained from the pre-harvest foliar application of B + Zn + Mo in broccoli. Pre-harvest foliar spray of combined nutrient B + Zn + Mo and post-harvest treatment high-density polyethylene (HDP, 15 μm) vacuum packaging efficiently improve post-harvest physicochemical attributes, viz., compactness, green color, texture, carbohydrates, fats, energy, antioxidants, vitamin C, and total phenols in broccoli head compared to the rest of the treatment combinations. In addition, this treatment combination also confirmed a maximum shelf-life of 24.55 days at cold storage [relative humidity (RH) 90–95% and 4°C] and 7.05 days at room temperature (RH 60–65% and 14–22°C) compared to the rest of the treatment combinations. Therefore, we recommend a pre-harvest foliar spray of combined nutrient elements B + Zn + Mo and an HDP (15 μm) vacuum post-harvest packaging for the maximum benefits for both farmers and consumers to get the best head yield, anticipated physicochemical attributes, and maximum shelf-life of broccoli

Impact on environment, ecosystem, diversity and health from culturing and using GMOs as feed and food

Modern agriculture provides the potential for sustainable feeding of the world's increasing population. Up to the present moment, genetically modified (GM) products have enabled increased yields and reduced pesticide usage. Nevertheless, GM products are controversial amongst policy makers, scientists and the consumers, regarding their possible environmental, ecological, and health risks. Scientific-and-political debates can even influence legislation and prospective risk assessment procedure. Currently, the scientifically-assessed direct hazardous impacts of GM food and feed on fauna and flora are conflicting; indeed, a review of literature available data provides some evidence of GM environmental and health risks. Although the consequences of gene flow and risks to biodiversity are debatable. Risks to the environment and ecosystems can exist, such as the evolution of weed herbicide resistance during GM cultivation. A matter of high importance is to provide precise knowledge and adequate current information to regulatory agencies, governments, policy makers, researchers, and commercial GMO-releasing companies to enable them to thoroughly investigate the possible risks

Airborne Biogenic Particles in the Snow of the Cities of the Russian Far East as Potential Allergic Compounds

This paper presents an analysis of airborne biogenic particles (1 mkm–1 mm) found in the snow in several cities of the Russian Far East during 2010–2013. The most common was vegetational terraneous detritus (fragments of tree and grass leaves) followed by animal hair, small insects and their fragments, microorganisms of aeroplankton, and equivocal biological garbage. Specific components were found in samples from locations close to bodies of water such as fragments of algae and mollusc shells and, marine invertebrates (needles of sea urchins and shell debris of arthropods). In most locations across the Far East (Vladivostok, Khabarovsk, Blagoveshchensk, and Ussuriysk), the content of biogenic particles collected in the winter did not exceed 10% of the total particulate matter, with the exception of Birobidzhan and the nature reserve Bastak, where it made up to 20%. Most of all biogenic compounds should be allergic: hair, fragments of tree and grass leaves, insects, and microorganisms

Morphometric data of the particles in thawed snow samples collected from points 1–5 and 7–10 in Ussuriisk.

<p>Morphometric data of the particles in thawed snow samples collected from points 1–5 and 7–10 in Ussuriisk.</p

Galvanic Manufacturing in the Cities of Russia: Potential Source of Ambient Nanoparticles

<div><p>Galvanic manufacturing is widely employed and can be found in nearly every average city in Russia. The release and accumulation of different metals (Me), depending on the technology used can be found in the vicinities of galvanic plants. Under the environmental protection act in Russia, the regulations for galvanic manufacturing do not include the regulations and safety standards for ambient ultrafine and nanosized particulate matter (PM). To assess whether Me nanoparticles (NP) are among environmental pollutants caused by galvanic manufacturing, the level of Me NP were tested in urban snow samples collected around galvanic enterprises in two cities. Employing transmission electronic microscopy, energy-dispersive X-ray spectroscopy, and a laser diffraction particle size analyzer, we found that the size distribution of tested Me NP was within 10–120 nm range. This is the first study to report that Me NP of Fe, Cr, Pb, Al, Ni, Cu, and Zn were detected around galvanic shop settings.</p></div

Morphometric parameters of PM in collected snow samples (Blagoveshchensk) (points 2–8, 10).

<p>Morphometric parameters of PM in collected snow samples (Blagoveshchensk) (points 2–8, 10).</p

Elemental composition of three Fe microparticles tested in the snow samples collected from Blagoveshchensk (point 9) by EDAX method.

<p>Elemental composition of three Fe microparticles tested in the snow samples collected from Blagoveshchensk (point 9) by EDAX method.</p

Image of the survey micrograph of particles derived from a snow sample collected from the area of a ship-repair plant in Blagoveshchensk (point 9).

<p>White - metal particles. NPs are observed to be absorbed by organic detrite (identity by morphology and C-peak in EDAX). Magnification: 5000×. Images are in reflection mode.</p

Schematic map of the locations of the sampling of snow in the territory of Blagoveshchensk (the stations of sampling are described in Table 2).

<p>The black rectangle in the map designates the ship-repair plant. (Earth Science and Remote Sensing Unit, NASA-Johnson Space Center. “The Gateway to Astronaut Photography of Earth.” <<a href="http://eol.jsc.nasa.gov/Info/use.htm" target="_blank">http://eol.jsc.nasa.gov/Info/use.htm</a>>09/16/2014 14∶13∶21).</p

Results of the mass spectrometry of samples of the snow collected from 1–10 districts in Ussuriisk (the data presented in ppb).

<p>“-” below detection limit, *p<0.05, vs control (point 3).</p><p>Results of the mass spectrometry of samples of the snow collected from 1–10 districts in Ussuriisk (the data presented in ppb).</p