<abstract>
<title style='display:none'>Abstract</title>
Fruits and vegetables are the horticultural crops playing a significant role in Ethiopia's food security, livelihood, and economy. However, the postharvest loss results are a severe challenge for the producers, and this review summarizes this problem. The total postharvest loss of horticultural crops, including fruits and vegetables, at various stages: harvesting, storage, transportation, and marketing ranges from 15 to 70%. Postharvest loss of vegetables alone is about 40%. Fruits like mango, banana, papaya, avocado, sweet orange, etc., take the largest share of the total postharvest loss. The postharvest causes of losses are diseases, insects, rodents, thefts, mechanical damage, premature harvesting, harvesting of overmature crops, improper harvesting and storage techniques, shortage of appropriate packaging and marketing system, seasonal fluctuation of the products, and gender inequality. Therefore, applying a possible and convenient loss reduction strategy is imperative to increase the supply of fruits and vegetables in the country.
</abstract>

Postharvest Loss, Causes, and Handling Practices of Fruits and Vegetables in Ethiopia: Scoping Review

<abstract>
<title style='display:none'>Abstract</title>
Due to the high degree of perishability and vulnerability to spoilage, tomatoes have limited marketability, which leads to extensive postharvest losses. The edible coatings are generally used to extend the shelf life of fruits and vegetables; therefore, this study investigated the use of chitosan and starfruit leaf extract (SFLE) in the composition of edible coatings for tomato fruit. Firmness, total titratable acidity, reducing sugar content and microbial load were measured every 5 days for 25 days. The results showed that the addition of SLFE to chitosan did not enhance the antimicrobial effect or firmness over the effects made by a separate use of chitosan and SFLE. Both components improved the shelf life of tomato fruits compared to untreated tomatoes.
</abstract>

The Improvement of Tomato Shelf Life using Chitosan and Starfruit Leaf Extract as Edible Coatings

<abstract><title style='display:none'>ABSTRACT</title> Pineapple is a delicious tropical fruit with a fine flavour and high nutritive value. It is one of the most important commercial fruit crops in the world. Despite its popularity, no proper data on the costs of its production in Nigeria are available. The study determines profitability and constraints of pineapple production in Osun State, Nigeria. Multistage sampling technique was used to obtain information from 50 respondents using purposive and random selection. Data collected were analysed using descriptive statistics and budgetary technique. Results indicated that majority of the farmers were males, aged 53.7 years on average and engaged full time in pineapple production. The modal level of farmer’s education was primary. The average period of experience in pineapple farming was 13.5 years. The gross margin and net profits in Naira (Nigerian currency) were N182 725 and N162 045, respectively. The questionnaire in the study contained the most serious problems confronting pineapple farmers: limited availability of high quality planting materials, high fruit perishability, low fruit prices, low access to credits and plant diseases. Availability of high yielding pineapple varieties, establishment of cold storages to reduce fruit perishability, agricultural price support programmes, easier access to credit from formal sources and farmers’ education were considered essential to improve productivity and profitability of pineapple production in Nigeria.</abstract>

Profitability and constraints of pineapple production in Osun State, Nigeria

<abstract>
<title style='display:none'>Abstract</title>
Bulb onion is an ancient vegetable crop that has been cultivated for at least 5,000 years. In Japan, this cultivation has only 150 years of history, but nowadays, it ranks fourth in total production, fourth in cropping acreage, and second in consumption among vegetables grown domestically. Until the 1970s, open-pollinated onion cultivars were predominantly cultivated throughout the country; they were selected mainly from old US cultivars. Over the past three decades, these open-pollinated cultivars have been replaced with F1 hybrid cultivars that offer higher yield, better disease resistance, uniformity at maturity, and high bulb quality. In this review, an attempt is made to characterize the commercial production and consumption of Japanese bulb onion as well as agronomic characteristics of representative cultivars.
</abstract>

Japanese Bulb Onion: Production, Consumption, and Cultivars

<abstract><title style='display:none'>Abstract</title>Canker and needle blight of <italic>Araucaria heterophylla</italic> (Norfolk Island pine) trees were observed during the surveys conducted in Addis Ababa and Adama cities (Ethiopia) from November to December 2016. The main objective of this study was to investigate fungal pathogens that cause diseases on <italic>Araucaria heterophylla</italic> trees. Six localities with <italic>Araucaria heterophylla</italic> plantings were purposively surveyed for disease symptoms. Samples from symptomatic parts of trees were collected, surface sterilized, cultured on PDA and morphologically identified for genus and species. A total of 36 isolates of fungi were identified. Based on macro- and microscopic morphological features of the colonies, the fungal isolates were found to be the genus <italic>Diplodia</italic> and species <italic>Lasiodiplodia theobromae</italic> (Pat.) Griffon &amp; Maubl (syn. <italic>Botryodiplodia theobromae</italic>), the anamorph of <italic>Botryosphaeria rhodina</italic> (Berk. &amp; M.A. Curtis) Arx. The pathogenicity test showed that the isolates of <italic>Lasiodiplodia theobromae</italic>, caused stem canker and needle blight on <italic>Araucaria heterophylla</italic>. This finding is important in the study of management options for future prevention and control of diseases in the country.</abstract>

First Report of <italic>Lasiodiplodia theobromae</italic> Causing Needle Blight and Stem Canker Diseases on <italic>Araucaria heterophylla</italic> in Ethiopia

<abstract><title style='display:none'>Abstract</title>The promotion and consumption of indigenous vegetables could help mitigate food insecurity and alleviate malnutrition in developing countries. In this respect, 17 accessions (candidate breeding lines that have not yet officially been released) of five African indigenous vegetables: amaranth (Amaranthus cruentus), nightshade (Solanum scabrum), African eggplant (Solanum aethiopicum), jute mallow (Corchorus olitorius) and okra (Abelmoschus callei), previously selected for their superior agronomic and horticultural traits, were evaluated in Cameroon for minerals (Ca, Mg, K, P, Zn and Fe), proteins, and carotenoids content. Nutrient content differed significantly (P&lt;0.001) between cultivars. Amaranth (especially line AM-NKgn) had the highest Ca, Mg, and Zn content in comparison to other genotypes studied. Nightshade had the highest K and Fe content. The highest K and Fe levels were found in nightshades BG24 and SS52, respectively. Nightshade had the highest level of protein, especially line BFS1. The highest amount of carotenoids was identified in the eggplant variety Oforiwa. The study revealed that these vegetables are important sources of some vital nutrients. Increased production and consumption of these nutrient-rich vegetables will help reduce the nutrition-related disorders in Africa.</abstract>

AVRDC – The World Vegetable Center, Liaison Office, c/o IITA-Cameroon, P.O. Box 2008 Messa Yaoundé, Cameroon

World Agroforestry Center (ICRAF), 01 BP 2024 San Pedro, Cote d'Ivoire

Department of Renewable Resources, 3-38 C Earth Sciences Building, University of Alberta, Edmonton, AB T6G 2E3, Canada; current address: Institut de Biologie Intégrative et des Systèmes (IBIS), local 2208 Pavillon C.-E. Marchand, Université Laval, 1030 Avenue de la Médecine, Québec QC G1V 0A6 Canada

International Institute of Tropical Agriculture (IITA), P.O. Box 2008 Messa Yaoundé, Cameroon

Nutritional Evaluation of Five African Indigenous Vegetables

<abstract>
<title style='display:none'>Abstract</title>
The study aimed to determine the magnitude of changes in air temperature in Skierniewice, Poland, over the last 100 years, with particular emphasis on multi-year variability. The source material for the analyses were air temperature measurements from 1923 to 2022 obtained from the meteorological station in the Experimental Field of the Warsaw University of Life Sciences and the station in the Experimental Orchard of the National Institute of Horticultural Research. The study presents average annual, minimum, and maximum air temperatures along with an assessment of the trend of their multi-year variability. The features of changes in the average air temperature in Skierniewice presented in the study based on a 100-year series of meteorological measurements are characterized by high temporal variability with a clear upward trend. The average warming rate over 100 years was 0.17 °C per 10 years, but in the last 60 years it has already reached 0.38 °C per 10 years. In the case of the average annual air temperature since 1981, there has been a sequence of years warmer than average throughout the measurement period. The number of summer days (&gt;25 °C) and hot days, when the maximum temperature exceeds 30 °C, is also increasing. In the analyzed period, the decade 2013–2022 was the warmest.
</abstract>

Variability of Air Temperature in Skierniewice, Poland, Over the Period 1923–2022

<abstract>
<title style='display:none'>Abstract</title>
The global threat that the diamondback moth (DBM) (<italic>Plutella xylostella</italic>) poses to <italic>Brassica juncea</italic> creates an urgent need to develop effective mitigation strategies. With promising findings, this study explores the potential of plant-derived antioxidants, particularly <italic>Millettia pachyloba</italic>, in mitigating DBM-induced oxidative stress. Greenhouse experiments conducted using <italic>M. pachyloba</italic> leaf ethanol extract (MPEE) at concentrations of 2, 4, 6, 8, and 10 % (w/v) showed the inhibitory effect of MPEE on DBM damage in <italic>B. juncea</italic>. The comprehensive assessment included the effectiveness of MPEE in reducing oxidative stress markers (malondialdehyde, hydrogen peroxide), augmenting metabolites (flavonoids, phenolics), enhancing anti-oxidant compounds (glutathione, ascorbic acid, total protein), and stimulating key enzymes (su-peroxide dismutase, catalase, and ascorbate peroxidase). The results were compared to controls, in which the plants were treated with water or fipronil. Fipronil and MPEE significantly reduced leaf puncturing and damage, and the impact force increased with MPEE concentration. Both types of protection reduced the content of malondialdehyde and hydrogen peroxide in leaves, stems, and roots. However, a significant increase in the content of flavonoids, phenolic and antioxidant compounds (glutathione, ascorbic acid, and proteins) and enzyme activity (superoxide dismutase, ascorbate peroxidase, and catalase) was observed. The enhancement of metabolites, enzymes, and antioxidants was comparable in plants treated with fipronil and MPEE 10%. This study, with its potential to replace synthetic fipronil with <italic>M. pachyloba</italic> extracts to reduce oxidative stress induced by <italic>Plutella xylostella</italic> on mustard plants, offers a promising solution for protection against this insect.
</abstract>

Evaluation of the Effectiveness of <italic>Millettia pachyloba</italic> drake Leaf Ethanol Extract in Alleviating Oxidative Stress Induced by Diamondback Moth Infestation in Mustard Greens [<italic>Brassica juncea</italic> (L.) czern. &amp; coss.]

<abstract>
<title style='display:none'>Abstract</title>
The present study aims to evaluate nutrient retention in mango, avocado, and tomato dried using freezing, refractance windows, and oven methods. The quality parameters of the dried products were assessed, such as color, water activity, and antioxidant content. Greater color retention was observed for freeze-dried products than for products dried using other methods. All products showed low water activity (&gt;0.4), which prevented microbial growth. Freeze-dried products had the highest content of lycopene and carotenoids. Instead, more flavonoids and phenolics were detected in the refractance window method and then in the oven-dried products. Although freeze-dried products are preferred, the refractance windows method could be a promising drying technology because of its energy savings, easy operations, and low cost.
</abstract>

Effect of Drying Method on the Nutritional and Antioxidant Properties of Mango, Avocado, and Tomato

<abstract>
<title style='display:none'>Abstract</title>
The postharvest rot fungus, <italic>Lasiodiplodia theobromae,</italic> poses a significant threat to the avocado trade in Ghana as it discounts both the quality and shelf life of freshly harvested avocado fruits. This study evaluated the biological effect of three bioagents, garlic, baking soda, and black pepper, on mitigating posthar-vest rots of avocado fruits caused by <italic>L. theobromae.</italic> Isolates of <italic>L. theobromae</italic> obtained from spoiled fruits were identified using morphological, molecular, and pathogenicity procedures. Eight isolates of <italic>L. theobromae</italic> were similar in morphology and pathogenicity and genetic markers (ITS). The three bioagents, garlic and pepper seed powder, and baking soda, were evaluated <italic>in vitro</italic> using the food poison technique at two concentrations, 10 g and 20 g per 100 ml of water. Garlic at 20 g/100 ml of water completely inhibited mycelium growth, followed with 10 g/l (7.8%), and baking soda at 20 g/l (32.6%). Further studies of these bioagents on fruit are recommended.
</abstract>

<italic>In Vitro</italic> Efficacy of Three Potential bioagents against <italic>Lasiodiplodia theobromae</italic>, Causal Agent of Postharvest Fruit Deterioration of Avocado

<abstract>
<title style='display:none'>Abstract</title>
Producing leek seeds without replanting one-year-old plants is cheaper and more practical, but can be risky in climates with cold winters. This research aimed to assess whether accelerating the planting of seedlings and using Fulvohumin fertilizer, containing, among others, humic acids can make such production less risky. Three dates were used for planting leek seedlings: April 10, April 25, and May 10. Fulvohumin was used presowing, foliarly, and both. Both factors significantly improved seed production. The best results were obtained at the earliest planting date, as the plants were strong and best prepared for the generative phase and the frost period. Fulvohumin significantly improved growth and development parameters, mainly when used before sowing and as foliar application. In the best combination, with two applications of fertilizers, the seed yield increased by 39%, compared to the control (without Fulvohumin fertilization), and the seed yield of plants planted on April 10 was 17% higher compared to plants planted on April 25 (considered as standard) and 39% higher than those planted on May 10. Seed yield varied in the three subsequent years of the study, but each year, the planting date and Fulvohumin had a similar effect on seed yield.
</abstract>

Morphophysiological Parameters and Leek Seed Production Depending on Fulvohumin Treatment and Date of Planting Seedlings

Retraction note

<abstract><title style='display:none'>Abstract</title> A field experiment was conducted in the forest-savanna transition zone of Nigeria from May to July 2014 and September to November 2015 to determine the impacts of poultry manure (PM) and NPK fertilizer on soil physical properties, and growth and yield of carrot (Daucus carota L.). The five treatments included no manure or fertilizer (control); 10, 20, and 30 megagrams (Mg)·ha-1 of PM; and 300 kg·ha-1 of 15 N-15 P-15 K fertilizer. All levels of PM reduced soil bulk density and temperature, and improved total porosity and moisture content compared to the NPK fertilizer and the control. Plant height, number of leaves, root diameter, root length, and fresh root yield in the PM and NPK fertilizer treatments were improved compared to the control. Growth and yield parameters of carrot plants treated with 20 and 30 Mg·ha-1 PM were higher than the other treatments. The 10 Mg·ha-1 PM and NPK fertilizer treatments produced similar growth and yield responses. There was an interaction for year (Y) × fertilizer (F) on plant height, number of leaves, and fresh root yield. Relative to the control 10, 20, or 30 Mg·ha-1 PM and NPK fertilizer increased fresh root yield of carrot by 39.9%, 62.0%, 64.9%, and 37.3%, respectively. The 20 Mg·ha-1 PM treatment best improved soil properties and carrot productivity as indicated by the benefit-to-cost ratio.</abstract>

Impact of Poultry Manure and NPK Fertilizer On Soil Physical Properties and Growth and Yield of Carrot

<abstract><title style='display:none'>Abstract</title>This investigation was conducted to evaluate the effects of post-harvest application of silver nanoparticles (N-Ag) and dark storage on plastid pigments, petal abscission, lipid peroxidation and activities of ascorbate peroxidase (APX) and guaiacol peroxidase (POD) in pelargonium cultivars ‘Blue Wonder’ and ‘Anthony’. N-Ag was applied as foliar spray in concentrations 0, 20, 40, 60 and 80 mg·cm-3 and then the plants were stored for 5 days in a growth chamber in darkness at temperature 20±2 °C and relative humidity 65%. The results revealed that after dark storage the petal abscission of cv. ‘Blue Wonder’ increased up to 40% but significantly decreased in plants treated with 60 mg·cm-3 of N-Ag. Cultivar ‘Anthony’ showed lesser petal abscission than ‘Blue Wonder’, namely 25% in control and 4% after treatment with 60 mg·cm-3 N-Ag. In both cultivars, treatment with N-Ag resulted in higher contents of leaf chlorophylls and carotenoids in comparison to untreated control. In response to treatments with 20-60 mg·cm-3 N-Ag, the activity of APX and POD was higher at the end of 5 days storage period than in the control plants, which coincided with improved post-harvest performance of both pelargonium cultivars. The enhancement of enzyme activities indicated possible beneficial effect of the applied treatment on alleviation of dark storage-induced oxidative stress. Also, in both cultivars, MDA content decreased significantly with the increase of N-Ag concentration up to 60 mg·cm-3 and then a rapid increase at 80 mg·cm-3 followed. It is concluded that treatment with silver nanoparticles is effective for preventing dark storage-induced petal abscission of pelargonium.</abstract>

Effect of Nanosilver on Physiological Performance of Pelargonium Plants Exposed to Dark Storage

<abstract><title style='display:none'>Abstract</title><italic>Trichoderma</italic> strains that are beneficial to both the growth and health of plants can be used as plant growth-promoting fungi (PGPF) or biological control agents (BCA) in agricultural and horticultural practices. In order to select PGPF or BCA strains, their biological properties and taxonomy must be carefully studied. In this study, 104 strains of <italic>Trichoderma</italic> collected at geographically different locations in Poland for selection as PGPF or BCA were identified by DNA barcoding, based on the sequences of internal transcribed spacers 1 and 2 (ITS1 and 2) of the ribosomal RNA gene cluster and on the sequences of translation elongation factor 1 alpha (<italic>tef</italic>1), chitinase 18-5 (<italic>chi</italic>18-5), and RNA polymerase II subunit (<italic>rpb</italic>2) gene fragments. Most of the strains were classified as: <italic>T. atroviride</italic> (38%), <italic>T. harzianum</italic> (21%), <italic>T. lentiforme</italic> (9%), <italic>T. virens</italic> (9%), and <italic>T. simmonsii</italic> (6%). Single strains belonging to <italic>T. atrobrunneum</italic>, <italic>T. citrinoviride</italic>, <italic>T. crassum</italic>, <italic>T. gamsii</italic>, <italic>T. hamatum</italic>, <italic>T. spirale</italic>, <italic>T. tomentosum</italic>, and <italic>T. viridescens</italic> were identified. Three strains that are potentially pathogenic to cultivated mushrooms belonging to <italic>T. pleuroticola</italic> and <italic>T. aggressivum</italic> f. <italic>europaeum</italic> were also identified. Four strains: TRS4, TRS29, TRS33, and TRS73 were classified to <italic>Trichoderma</italic> spp. and molecular identification was inconclusive at the species level. Phylogeny analysis showed that three of these strains TRS4, TRS29, and TRS33 belong to <italic>Trichoderma</italic> species that is not yet taxonomically established and strain TRS73 belongs to the <italic>T. harzianum</italic> complex, however, the species could not be identified with certainty.</abstract>

Department of Microbiology, Research Institute of Horticulture, 96-100 Skierniewice, Poland

Department of Plant Genetics Breeding and Biotechnology, Warsaw University of Life Sciences (SGGW), Nowoursynowska 159, 02-776 Warsaw, Poland

Molecular Identification Of <italic>Trichoderma</italic> Strains Collected To Develop Plant Growth-Promoting And Biocontrol Agents

<abstract><title style='display:none'>Abstract</title>The experiment was conducted in order to study effects of seeds priming with gibberellic acid (GA3) at 0, 3, 5 and 8 mM on germination, growth and antioxidant enzymes activity in alfalfa seedlings under salinity stress (200 mM NaCl). All control seeds germinated. The rate of germinated seeds was reduced to 48% in the presence of NaCl, and increased to 76% after seeds priming with 5 mM GA3. Priming with 5 mM GA3 was also correlated with an increase of dry weight of seedlings derived from both stressed and non-stressed seeds as well as with the reduction of electrolyte leakage (EL) and malondialdehyde (MDA) level in salt stressed seedlings. The activity of superoxide dismutase, catalase, guaiacol peroxidase and ascorbate peroxidase in primed and non-primed seeds increased in the presence of NaCl and after priming of seeds with 5 mM GA3, whereas only small effect on glutathione reductase activity in both primed and non-primed seeds was observed. The total ascorbate level was higher in both stressed and non-stressed seedlings from primed seeds. These results suggest that GA3 priming might increase the salt tolerance of alfalfa seedlings through enhancing the activities of antioxidant enzymes and reducing the membrane damage as estimated using biomarkers, EL index and MDA content.</abstract>

Effect Of Priming Of Seeds Of Medicago Sativa ‘Bami’ With Gibberellic Acid On Germination, Seedlings Growth And Antioxidant Enzymes Activity Under Salinity Stress

<abstract><title style='display:none'>Abstract</title>Chemical compounds containing the tropone structure (2,4,6-cycloheptatrien-1-one), in their molecule, called troponoids, characterized by a seven-membered ring, are distributed in some plants, bacteria and fungi, although they are relatively rare. ß-Thujaplicin (2-hydroxy-4-isopropyl-2,4,6-cycloheptatrien-1-one), also known as hinokitiol, is a natural compound found in several plants of the Cupressaceae family. Besides hinokitiol, related compounds were identified in Cupressaceae trees. It has been demonstrated that hinokitiol and its derivatives have various biological effects, such as antibacterial, antifungal, insecticidal, antimalarial, antitumor, anti-ischemic, iron chelating and the inhibitory activity against polyphenol oxidase activity. Activity similar to ß-thujaplicin has tropolone and its derivatives, which are not present nature. Due to the high scientific and practical interest, synthetic ß-thujaplicin and other troponoids have been produced for many years. In this review, the major biological effects of troponoids, mostly ß-thujaplicin and tropolone, on tyrosinase and polyphenol oxidase activity, ethylene production, antibacterial, antifungal and insecticidal activities, and biotransformation of ß-thujaplicin by cultured plant cells are presented. Accumulation of ß-thujaplicin and related troponoids has been shown in cell cultures of <italic>Cupressus lusitanica</italic> and other species of Cupressaceae. The biosynthetic pathway of the troponoids in plants, bacteria and fungi has been also briefly described.</abstract>

Research Institute of Horticulture, Konstytucji 3 Maja 1/3, 96-100 Skierniewice, Poland

Siedlce University of Natural Sciences and Humanities Faculty of Natural Sciences, Department of Plant Physiology and Genetics Prusa 12, 08-110 Siedlce, Poland

School of Bioresources and Technology, King Mongkut’s University of Technology Thonburi, Thungkru, Bangkok 10140, Thailand

The Biological Activities of Troponoids and Their Use in Agriculture A Review

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