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Integrated groundwater management : concepts, approaches and challenges
From the Forward: \"Contemporary groundwater management has moved well beyond a concern with how much water is stored underground or can be extracted from aquifers. Today we recognise that integrated, effective and efficient groundwater management relies on pulling together work in a variety of disciplines such as climate science, ecology, socioeconomics, public policy and law, as well as hydrogeology. However, whilst we realise the importance of multiple perspectives and a diversity of contexts and data, the challenge of integrating and organising all of this information into a decision making framework remains. It is also abundantly clear that sharing and access to water is a fundamentally political issue and that solutions depend on full engagement of stakeholders as well as mobilisation of knowledge and technologies.\"
Book
Transcriptome Analysis of the Preservation Effect of Three Essential Oil Microcapsules on Okra
Cinnamon (Cinnamomum sp.) essential oil microcapsules, oregano (Origanum sp.) essential oil microcapsules, and oregano–thyme (Thymus sp.) essential oil microcapsules are rarely used in the postharvest preservation treatment of okra (Abelmoschus esculentus L.). The mechanism of these three essential oil microcapsules on the postharvest preservation of okra is also not yet well understood. In this study, fresh okra was preserved by three kinds of essential oil microcapsules (cinnamon essential oil microcapsules, oregano essential oil microcapsules, and oregano–thyme essential oil microcapsules). The effect of essential oil microcapsules on the postharvest storage quality of okra was discussed. We also used RNA-Seq to preliminarily explore the mechanism of oregano–thyme essential oil microcapsules on the pre-harvest storage quality of okra. The results showed that the three kinds of essential oil microcapsules could maintain the high sensory evaluation quality and firmness of okra, slow down the increase in respiratory intensity, slow down the total number of colonies on the fruit surface, and slow down weight loss. Through analysis, it was found that the effect of oregano–thyme essential oil microcapsules was remarkably better than that of cinnamon essential oil microcapsules and oregano essential oil microcapsules. The preservation mechanism of oregano–thyme essential oil microcapsules on postharvest okra was preliminarily elucidated by RNA-Seq. This study provides a certain basis for a follow-up study of essential oil microcapsules in the preservation of okra.
Journal Article
Functionalized graphene materials for hydrogen storage
With growing demands of energy and enormous consumption of fossil fuels, the world is in dire need of a clean and renewable source of energy. Hydrogen (H2) is the best alternative, owing to its high calorific value (144 MJ/kg) and exceptional mass-energy density. Being an energy carrier rather than an energy source, it has an edge over other alternate sources of energy like solar energy, wind energy, and tidal energy, which require a constant energy source dependent upon weather conditions. However, its utilization as an energy carrier has not yet been commercialized due to its poor storage performance, which is attributed to low gravimetric and volumetric densities of adsorbed hydrogen at ambient temperature and technological limitations in meeting the stringent parameters set by Department of Energy, USA. With exceptionally large surface area (2630 m2/g), porous nature, lightweight, and high chemical and thermal stability (melting point ~ 4510 K) along with the possibility of economical and scalable production, graphene-based solid-state porous materials have shown promising applications in efficient hydrogen storage. In this context, the present review discusses the recent advances and progress on the utilization of functionalized graphene, graphene oxide, and its derivatives for effective storage of hydrogen, along with important theoretical advancements via DFT calculations, first-principle calculations, and Monte Carlo Simulations, etc. Pristine graphene has poor hydrogen storage characteristics, and addition of dopants like boron and nitrogen or decoration by transition metals significantly improves the performance. In addition, graphene allows the tuning of surface curvature which can help in achieving a reversible hydrogen storage system with fast kinetics. The impact of external stimuli like electric field and strain on electronic structure of graphene is discussed with the applicability in achieving a highly controllable adsorption–desorption system. Finally, the review concludes with life cycle assessment of graphene-engineered composites for effective hydrogen storage applications, along with their energy and environmental implications.
Journal Article
Water Loss: A Postharvest Quality Marker in Apple Storage
Apple fruit can be stored for long periods of time, especially with the use of controlled atmosphere storage, but like many fruits and vegetables are susceptible to water loss. Water loss can result in compromised appearance such as skin shriveling, as well as loss of firmness, and reduced saleable weight, which in turn affect the income of growers and other industry stakeholders. Preharvest factors that can influence water loss in apples during the postharvest period include climate, cultivar, fruit size, tree age, orchard practices, and harvest maturity. Postharvest factors such as the storage temperature, relative humidity, storage type, and duration can also affect water loss in apple fruit during storage. The mechanisms of cuticle biosynthesis in water permeance, the role of stomata and lenticels, microcracking, crosstalk with mechanical injuries, storage disorders, and decay incidence during the storage of apples are reviewed. Additionally, the review summarizes: preharvest and postharvest factors influencing water loss; recent management strategies including pre-cooling, cold storage, controlled atmospheres, packaging, and anti-senescence chemicals; the use of edible coatings, as well as other non-chemical approaches for modulating water loss and maintaining storage quality. The review also provides direction for the industry to manage this destructive problem in the postharvest supply chain of apple fruit.
Journal Article
An Overview of the Post-Harvest Grain Storage Practices of Smallholder Farmers in Developing Countries
Grain storage loss is a major contributor to post-harvest losses and is one of the main causes of food insecurity for smallholder farmers in developing countries. Thus, the objective of this review is to assess the conventional and emerging grain storage practices for smallholder farmers in developing countries and highlight their most promising features and drawbacks. Smallholder farmers in developing countries use conventional grain storage structures and handling systems such as woven bags or cribs to store grain. However, they are ineffective against mold and insects already present in the grain before storage. Different chemicals are also mixed with grain to improve grain storability. Hermetic storage systems are effective alternatives for grain storage as they have minimal storage losses without using any chemicals. However, hermetic bags are prone to damage and hermetic metal silos are cost-prohibitive to most smallholder farmers in developing countries. Thus, an ideal grain storage system for smallholder farmers should be hermetically sealable, mechanically durable, and cost-effective compared to the conventional storage options. Such a storage system will help reduce grain storage losses, maintain grain quality and contribute to reducing food insecurity for smallholder farmers in developing countries.
Journal Article
Changes in fruit quality properties and phytochemical substances of kiwifruit (Actinidia deliciosa) grown in different agro-ecological conditions during cold storage
Background
The changes in the physical structures of the products are the first things that consumers pay attention to. Therefore, it is essential and significant importance to take measures to improve the storage conditions of products and to minimize quality losses. The main objective of the study was to evaluate the effects of agro-ecological conditions on bioactive compounds and fruit quality of kiwifruit during cold storage. The ‘Hayward’ kiwifruit cultivar grown in Ordu, Giresun, Samsun, Rize, and Yalova provinces of Türkiye were kept at 0 ± 0.5 °C and relative humidity of 90 ± 5% for 150 d.
Results
The kiwifruit obtained from the provinces of Yalova, Ordu, and Giresun experienced the least weight loss during cold storage. Kiwifruit from Samsun and Yalova provinces had the lowest fruit firmness, while those from Giresun had the highest on 150th d. The changes were observed in the skin and flesh colors of the kiwifruit belonging to all cultivation areas. The amount of vitamin C increased throughout the study in all ecological conditions, but the Yalova province’s kiwifruit was found to have the highest levels. Additionally, in all ecologies, kiwifruit showed an increase in antioxidant activity, total phenolics, and total flavonoids, all known to have beneficial effects on human health. The total antioxidant activity and total phenolics were highest in the kiwifruit of Yalova province, but the total flavonoids were found in the kiwifruit of Rize and Ordu provinces.
Conclusion
The study’s results revealed that kiwifruit’s bioactive compounds and quality parameters may vary depending on the cultivation area. Additionally, it can be stated that Yalova province kiwifruit experiences the least amount of postharvest quality losses.
Journal Article
Reducing respiration rate and increasing chemical stability of mulberry fruits by using postharvest putrescine and melatonin
Background
Plant growth regulators have been widely used to extend the cold storage period of fruits and preserve quality. These phytohormones help mulberry fruit in maintaining its postharvest quality and soft texture, prevent from spoiling during cold. For this purpose, mulberry fruit were stored in cold for 5, 10 and 15 day (0.5 °C and 90% RH) and the impacts of melatonin (1.0 mM) and putrescine (1.0 mM) on quality parameters, phenolic compounds (gallic, protocatechuic, catechin, syringic,
p
-coumaric, chlorogenic, o-coumaric, ferulic, phloridzin, rutin and quercetin) and organic acids (malic, citric, succinic, oxalic, tartaric, fumaric and ascorbic) were investigated.
Results
The combined application of putrescine and melatonin maintained the weight loss (4.35%), decay rate (9.48%) and 29.89% lower respiration rate (6.07 mg CO
2
kg
− 1
h
− 1
) in mulberry fruits stored for 15 d as compared to the control. Phenolic compounds (especially rutin) and organic acids were found to be more affected by melatonin and putrescine applications compared to other findings in this study. However, melatonin treatment is more effective in maintaining the level of organic acids and phenolic compounds in mulberry fruit during storage than the putrescine. It was determined that soluble solids content, weight loss, decay rate and pH values had a positive relationship with each other. Also, it was also seen that phenolic compounds and organic acids had a linear relationship.
Conclusion
The combined application of melatonin and putrescine was found more effective in maintaining the quality parameters of mulberry fruits during cold storage.
Journal Article
Synergistic effects of boron and zinc foliar applications on growth and post-harvest storage attributes of potato (Solanum tuberosum L.) cultivar Argana
The current investigation considers the synergistic effects of boron (B) and zinc (Zn) on tuber development, tuber quality, and nutrient status prior to and after storage periods. The introduction of B (50 and 100 mg l⁻¹) and Zn (500 and 1000 mg l⁻¹) levels, applied separately and in combination, examined their effect on growth attributes, tuber yield, firmness, storage quality and nutrient levels. The combination of B (100 mg l⁻¹) and Zn (1000 mg l⁻¹) produced the greatest increase in plant height (33.5%), number of aboveground stems (112.6%), leaf area (60.3%), and tuber yield (128.7%), which was more than each treatment alone and a statistically significant number. In addition, this combination caused minimal weight loss, increased tuber firmness, and lower total soluble solids (TSS) accumulation by the storage period maintained tuber quality. Importantly, the double micronutrient combination increased dry matter by 18% and specific gravity (unless noted before storage 1.14; after storage 1.68), which suggests an opportunity to improve tuber density (quality). Additionally, total starch content also significantly increased by 57.7% after storage. The combined application of B and Zn had a marked positive effect on total tuber B content before and after storage. The results indicate that the application of B and Zn played a beneficial role in tuber nutritional and physiological quality, resulting in improvement in tuber storability, quality, overall health benefits from starch production to yield increase in potato production.
Journal Article
The significance of magnesium for crop quality
Background The quality of agricultural and horticultural products and its modulation by fertilization has increasingly received attention. However, whereas the importance of magnesium (Mg) as an essential plant nutrient is well established, the impact of Mg nutrition on quality parameters has only been rarely addressed. Scope This review aims at evaluating the available knowledge on the influence of Mg on produce quality. A short discussion on the term quality as used in this review is followed by an overview of the various functions of Mg in plant metabolism in relation to quality aspects. Finally, the available literature on Mg-associated effects on crop quality is critically surveyed. The question whether Mg application beyond yield optimum further improves crop quality is specifically addressed. Conclusion Increasing Mg supply on Mg-deficient sites tends to increase the quality of agricultural crops, particularly when the formation of quality traits is dependent on Mg-driven photosynthesis and assimilate translocation within the plant. In fruits and vegetables, ratios of Mg to other nutrients like Ca and K were shown to be a more reliable indicator of the quality response than the Mg status alone. Moreover, it is concluded that Mg doses beyond those required for maximum yield rarely induce a further improvement of produce quality.
Journal Article
Calcium‐dependent protein kinase PpCDPK29‐mediated Ca2+‐ROS signal and PpHSFA2a phosphorylation regulate postharvest chilling tolerance of peach fruit
Summary Green and chemical‐free hot water (HW) treatment can effectively reduce the chilling injury of peach fruit; however, the mechanism of inducing chilling resistance by heat treatment is still unclear. This study found that HW treatment could activate reactive oxygen species (ROS) signalling, forming ROS‐Ca2+ signalling. Furthermore, we identified a peach Ca2+ sensor, calcium‐dependent protein kinase 29 (PpCDPK29), as a positive regulator of postharvest chilling resistance. PpCDPK29 interacted with ROS‐generating proteins (PpRBOHC/D) and antioxidant enzymes (PpSOD and PpCAT1) to jointly maintain ROS homeostasis. Meanwhile, we found that PpHSFA2a was phosphorylated by PpCDPK29 and transferred to the nucleus, which enhanced the binding ability of PpHSFA2a to the target genes. Here, PpHSFA2a activated the transcription of target genes PpHSP18.5, PpHSP70, PpGSTU7, PpGSTU19, PpGolS1 and PpBAM1, acted as molecular chaperones, improved ROS scavenging and enhanced osmoregulation to alleviate postharvest chilling injury of peach fruit. In summary, HW treatment could alleviate postharvest chilling injury in peach fruit by activating the PpCDPK29‐mediated Ca2+‐ROS and HSF‐HSP signalling pathways, providing a novel signalling network for postharvest quality control of peach fruit.
Journal Article