Apple (Malus domestica) and pear (Pyrus communis) yield prediction after tree image analysis

Yield forecasting depends on accurate tree fruit counts and mean size estimation. This information is generally obtained manually, requiring many hours of work. Artificial vision emerges as an interesting alternative to obtaining more information in less time. This study aimed to test and train YOLO pre-trained models based on neural networks for the detection and count of pears and apples on trees after image analysis; while also estimating fruit size. Images of trees were taken during the day and at night in apple and pear trees while fruits were manually counted. Trained models were evaluated according to recall, precision and F1score. The correlation between detected and counted fruits was calculated while fruit size estimation was made after drawing straight lines on each fruit and using reference elements. The precision, recall and F1score achieved by the models were up to 0.86, 0.83 and 0.84, respectively. Correlation coefficients between fruit sizes measured manually and by images were 0.73 for apples and 0.80 for pears. The proposed methodologies showed promising results, allowing forecasters to make less time consuming and accurate estimates compared to manual measurements. Highlights The number of fruits in apple and pear trees, could be estimated from images with promising results. The possibility of estimating the fruit numbers from images could reduce the time spent on this task, and above all, the costs. This allow growers to increase the number of trees sampled to make yield forecasts.Yield forecasting depends on accurate tree fruit counts and mean size estimation. This information is generally obtained manually, requiring many hours of work. Artificial vision emerges as an interesting alternative to obtaining more information in less time. This study aimed to test and train YOLO pre-trained models based on neural networks for the detection and count of pears and apples on trees after image analysis; while also estimating fruit size. Images of trees were taken during the day and at night in apple and pear trees while fruits were manually counted. Trained models were evaluated according to recall, precision and F1score. The correlation between detected and counted fruits was calculated while fruit size estimation was made after drawing straight lines on each fruit and using reference elements. The precision, recall and F1score achieved by the models were up to 0.86, 0.83 and 0.84, respectively. Correlation coefficients between fruit sizes measured manually and by images were 0.73 for apples and 0.80 for pears. The proposed methodologies showed promising results, allowing forecasters to make less time consuming and accurate estimates compared to manual measurements. Highlights The number of fruits in apple and pear trees, could be estimated from images with promising results. The possibility of estimating the fruit numbers from images could reduce the time spent on this task, and above all, the costs. This allow growers to increase the number of trees sampled to make yield forecasts

Cambios en el modelo del comercio internacional de piña en Costa Rica

Costa Rica is the world’s leading exporter of fresh pineapple (Ananas comosus). In recent years, demand factors for these products are changing; therefore it is necessary to know if the marketing companies are adapting to demand. The aim of this paper is to analyze the model of the pineapple of this country from three perspectives: business sector structure, dynamics of international trade and business strategies of exporters. The methodology is based on the Herfindahl-Hirschman index (HHI) and Competitiveness of Foreign Trade (ICCE). For consistency analysis, statistical Pearson correlation coefficient and RV coefficient were used. Verification of changes in trade policy was obtained from a Multiple Factor Dual (AFM) analysis. Main findings revealed that many export enterprises are characterized by a low structure of economic concentration, except for the sales to the United States (with moderate concentration). Moreover, international competitiveness has good performance, based on comparative cost advantages and some market dynamics. Additionally, by comparing 2011 and 2014 exports, some changes in trade policy of the companies analyzed were verified: even when such changes were not large at the macro level, it was observed a meaningful commercial dynamics at the micro level. In summary, based on these results, the organizational structure is characterized by low economic concentration and a commercial strategy very dynamic exporter companies.Le Costa Rica est le premier exportateur mondial d'ananas (Ananas comosus) frais. Depuis quelques années, on observe comme des facteurs associés de à la demande de ce produit ont changé. Il est donc nécessaire de savoir si les sociétés de marketing ont pu s'adapter à ces changements Le but de cet article est d'analyser le modèle de l'ananas de ce pays à partir de trois perspectives: la structure du secteur des entreprises, la dynamique des stratégies commerciales internationales ainsi que celles d'exportateurs. La méthodologie est basée sur l'Indice Herfindahl-Hirschman (HHI) et sur celui de la compétitivité du commerce extérieur (ICCE). Pour l'analyse de la cohérence on utilise le coefficient de corrélation statistique de Pearson et le coefficient RV, tandis que la vérification des changements dans la politique commerciale est obtenue à partir d'une analyse Multiple Factor Dual (AFM). D'après les résultats obtenus, on observe que les entreprises d'exportation se caractérisent par une faible structure de concentration économique, sauf pour les ventes vers les États-Unis qui sont à concentration modérée. La compétitivité internationale a montré bonnes performances, en fonction des avantages et particularités de coûts comparatifs par la dynamique du marché. On vérifie aussi les changements dans la politique commerciale des entreprises analysées, en comparant les exportations entre les années 2011 et 2014. Même si au niveau macro ne sont pas importantes, elles sont significatives au niveau micro. En conclusion, nous pouvons dire que la structure organisationnelle est caractérisée par une faible concentration économique et une stratégie commerciale des entreprises d'exportation très dynamique.Costa Rica é o principal exportador mundial de abacaxi (Ananas comosus) fresco. Desde há alguns anos se constata alterações nos fatores de demanda deste artigo. Nesse sentido, torna-se necessário saber como as empresas de marketing se adaptam à nova realidade. O objetivo deste artigo é analisar o modelo do abacaxi, neste país, a partir de três perspectivas: a estrutura do setor empresarial, a dinâmica de estratégias de comércio e desde o prisma dos negócios internacionais de exportadores. A metodologia é baseada no índice Herfindahl-Hirschman (IHH) e Competitividade de Comércio Exterior (ICCE). Para análise de consistência fez-se uso do coeficiente de correlação de Pearson estatística e RV, enquanto a verificação de mudanças na política comercial foi obtida a partir de uma análise fatorial múltipla dual (AFM). A partir dos resultados obtidos conclui-se como empresas de exportação são caracterizadas por uma baixa estrutura de concentração econômica, com exceção das vendas para os Estados Unidos (concentração-moderada). A competitividade internacional se baseia nas vantagens comparativas de custos e na dinâmica do mercado. Verifica-se, outrossim, mudanças na política comercial das empresas analisadas em nível micro,comparando 2011 e 2014, embora em nível macro não sejam de grande magnitude. Como conclusão, pode-se dizer que a estrutura organizacional é caracterizada por baixa concentração econômica e por uma estratégia comercial muito dinâmica por parte das empresas de exportação.Costa Rica es el principal exportador mundial de piña (Ananas comosus) en fresco. Desde hace unos años se aprecia cómo los factores de la demanda de estos productos están variando y por tanto es necesario conocer si las empresas comercializadoras se están adaptando a la demanda. El objetivo de este artículo es analizar el modelo de la piña de este país desde una triple perspectiva: estructura empresarial del sector, dinámica del comercio internacional y estrategias comerciales de los exportadores. La metodología empleada se basa en los índices de Herfindahl-Hirschman (IHH) y de Competitividad de Comercio Exterior (ICCE). Para el análisis de congruencia se utilizan los estadísticos de correlación de Pearson y el coeficiente RV, mientras que la verificación de cambios en la política comercial se obtiene a partir de un Análisis Factorial Múltiple Dual (AFM). De los resultados obtenidos se observa cómo las empresas de exportación se caracterizan por una estructura de baja concentración económica, excepto en las ventas a Estados Unidos (moderada concentración). La competitividad internacional se basa en las ventajas comparativas de costos y en la dinámica por mercados. Se verifican así mismo cambios en la política comercial de las empresas analizadas al comparar las exportaciones 2011 y 2014: aunque a nivel macro no son de gran magnitud, sí resultan significativas a nivel micro. Como conclusión se puede señalar que la estructura organizacional se caracteriza por una baja concentración económica y una estrategia comercial de las empresas de exportación muy dinámicas

Changes in the business model for Spanish fresh tomato trade

The business model applied to the fresh tomato trade from Almería is well known in Spain and abroad. The changes in demand are forcing export companies to change their trade strategies to become or remain competitive. The purpose of this paper is to know the business structure and its export dynamics in addition to the changes in trade strategies made by companies in Almería during the 2009-2013 period. The methodology is based on the Herfindahl-Hirshmanindex and the foreign trade competitiveness index, whereas the congruence analysis is based on Pearson’s correlation coefficients and the RV coefficient. We have also applied the dual multiple factor analysis to verify changes made to the trade policy in leading businesses between two periods or scenarios. The research shows that export-driven companies behave as a moderately concentrated structure and there is an increase in the number of exporters. The competitiveness map for Almería reveals the sector’s trend with regard to the most important markets. We have verified the changes made to their trade strategy to adjust to changes in foreign trade between the 2008/09 and 2012/13 campaigns. Finally, it can be pointed out that, in the analyzed period, changes in the business model for fresh tomato trade of Almería have not been significant, being its structure of moderate concentration. In addition, the great majority of variations in strategies of companies to adapt to the competitive environment have been made by leading companies

Selección de Cepas Patagónicas de Saccharomyces Cerevisiae con marcado carácter fructofilíco

El jugo de uva contiene entre un 15% y un 25% de glucosa (G) y fructosa en una relación cercana al 0,95. Debido a la preferencia fermentativa de S. cerevisiae por la glucosa sobre la fructosa (glucofilia), El jugo de uva contiene entre un 15% y un 25% de glucosa (G) y fructosa en una relación cercana al 0,95. Debido a la preferencia fermentativa de S. cerevisiae por la glucosa sobre la fructosa (glucofilia), durante las etapas inicial y tumultuosa de la fermentación alcohólica (FA) esta relación cae rápidamente hasta valores cercanos a 0,25, transformándose la fructosa en el azúcar mayoritario de los mostos en fermentación. Como consecuencia, las levaduras deben utilizar este azúcar no preferido durante las etapas finales del proceso, bajo condiciones estresantes (carencia de fuentes de nitrógeno y altas concentraciones de etanol) que comprometen su supervivencia y aumentan el riesgo de retraso o detenimiento de la FA y la producción de vinos defectuosos, afectando negativamente la rentabilidad del proceso. Con el objetivo de identificar levaduras capaces de consumir fructosa en forma concomitante o preferencial respecto de la glucosa, se caracterizó el consumo de azúcares de ocho cepas de Saccharomyces cerevisiae indígenas de la Patagonia. Los ensayos se realizaron a escala de laboratorio en caldos YNB (Yeast Nitrogen Base, con aminoácidos y sulfato de amonio 0,67%) suplementados con 20% (p/v) de fructosa, glucosa o 10% p/v de glucosa y 10% p/v de fructosa, y en mostos naturales Pinot noir.Fil: Simes, Adriana Beatriz. Universidad Nacional del Comahue. Facultad de Ciencias y Tecnologia de los Alimentos; ArgentinaFil: Maturano, Ramona del Carmen. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Centro Científico Tecnológico Conicet - Patagonia Norte. Instituto de Investigación y Desarrollo en Ingeniería de Procesos, Biotecnología y Energías Alternativas. Universidad Nacional del Comahue. Instituto de Investigación y Desarrollo en Ingeniería de Procesos, Biotecnología y Energías Alternativas; ArgentinaFil: Tassile, Valentin. Universidad Nacional del Comahue. Facultad de Ciencias y Tecnologia de los Alimentos; ArgentinaFil: Caballero, Adriana Catalina. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Centro Científico Tecnológico Conicet - Patagonia Norte. Instituto de Investigación y Desarrollo en Ingeniería de Procesos, Biotecnología y Energías Alternativas. Universidad Nacional del Comahue. Instituto de Investigación y Desarrollo en Ingeniería de Procesos, Biotecnología y Energías Alternativas; ArgentinaFil: del Monaco, Silvana Maria. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Centro Científico Tecnológico Conicet - Patagonia Norte. Instituto de Investigación y Desarrollo en Ingeniería de Procesos, Biotecnología y Energías Alternativas. Universidad Nacional del Comahue. Instituto de Investigación y Desarrollo en Ingeniería de Procesos, Biotecnología y Energías Alternativas; Argentin