Recent Advances to Enhance Nutritional Quality of Rice

The nutritional quality of rice is a major concern,along with the need to enhance productivity to feed the continuously growing population.Therefore,there is a requirement to breed high-yielding rice varieties with improved nutritional quality that can help combat malnutrition,a global health issue.Undoubtedly,breeding approaches have played a significant role in increasing rice yield while enhancing its nutritional content.In addition to traditional breeding techniques,other recent approaches,such as genetic engineering,gene editing,omics methods,and agronomic practices,must also be employed to meet the nutritional needs of the current population.In this review,we offered detailed information on the development of nutritionally improved rice varieties through the enhancement of protein content,microand macronutrients,vitamins,and oil quality using genetic engineering approaches.We also identified QTLs associated with amino acids,proteins,and micronutrients in rice.Furthermore,omics approaches provide a range of tools and techniques for effectively exploring resources and understanding the molecular mechanisms involved in trait development.Omics branches,including transcriptomics,proteomics,ionomics,and metabolomics,are efficiently utilized for improving rice nutrition.Therefore,by utilizing the information obtained from these techniques and incorporating all of these recent approaches,we can effectively modify the rice genome,directly enhancing the nutritional value of rice varieties.This will help address the challenges of malnutrition in the years to come.

Effects of Variable Lighting Intensity on Growth Characteristics and Nutritional Quality of Hydroponically Grown Arugula(Eruca sativa Mill.)

Arugula(Eruca sativa Mill.),as an edible medicinal vegetable of peculiar flavor,is served as uncooked dish.The influence of variable lighting intensity(LI)on the growth characteristics and nutritional quality of hydroponically grown arugula was investigated by using light-emitting diodes(LEDs)to light the hydroponically grown arugula for a reference for industrialized arugula production.The dynamic demands of arugula for LI in the seedling stage,initial growth stage and vigorous growth stage were tested under two light quality conditions including a red/blue light ratio of 7:1 and a light/dark photoperiod of 12 h/12 h.Then,the curves of variable LI-induced changes in the growth indices of arugula in different development periods were drawn.Next,the influence of variable LI on the growth characteristics and nutritional quality of arugula was investigated by measuring the dry/fresh weight ratio,chlorophyll content,vitamin C content and soluble protein content.Variable LI significantly increased the height,stem diameter,leaf width,dry/fresh weight ratio,chlorophyll content and soluble protein content of arugula plant.Plant height,stem diameter,dry/fresh weight ratio,chlorophyll content and soluble protein content were the highest in the group exposed to LI of 200,300 and 300μmol•m^(-2)•s^(-1)during the seedling stage,initial growth stage and vigorous growth stage,respectively.The greatest leaf width was achieved at LI of 100,250 and 350μmol•m^(-2)•s^(-1),respectively.High intensity LI markedly repressed the synthesis of vitamin C.

Effects of a Dehydrating Agent on Dry Matter Accumulation and Nutritional Quality of Different Maize Varieties

The high water content of corn grain at harvest is a challenge in Northeast China,where the growing season is short.Using a dehydrating agent before harvest can help corn seeds dehydrate quickly.The dry matter accumulation and nutrient quality of maize were systematically studied by field experiments and instrumental analysis using maize varieties of different maturities as test materials.The results showed that the accumulation of dry matter was enhanced by an increased dosage of a dehydrating agent.When the dehydrating agent dosage reached 1800 mL•hm-2,the dry matter accumulation of early-maturing varieties increased by 24.1 g,and the water content decreased by 8.08%.Different maize varieties were treated with the same dose;early-maturing varieties showed significant effects on grain dry matter accumulation,and kernel dry matter accumulation increased by 7%.The effects of different doses on grain dehydration were obvious,and the effects on different maize varieties varied.Medium-ripening maize varieties showed the most significant effect,with a 19.5%reduction in water content.The effects of dehydrating agent doses on maize yield,grain nutrient quality and seed germination rate were not significant.Therefore,a dehydrating agent promoted the accumulation of dry matter in grain and accelerated the rapid dehydration.

Analysis on Nutrient Compositions and Nutritional Quality of Lota lota( Linnaeus) Muscle

In order to evaluate the nutritional quality of Lota lota(Linnaeus) muscle,the common nutrient components,amino acid composition and fatty acid composition in muscle of wild Lota lota(captured in Hailang reaches of Mudan River) were determined by routine methods. The results showed that the contents of moisture,crude protein,crude fat and ash were 81. 82%,15. 93%,0. 44% and 1. 06% in fresh muscle of Lota lota,respectively. Totally 17 amino acids,including seven kinds of essential amino acids(EAA),were detected in dry muscle of Lota lota(Linnaeus),accounting for 72. 43% of total dry muscle. The content of EAA was 29. 82%,accounting for 41. 17% of TAA,meeting the amino acid composition of high-quality protein standard required by Food and Agriculture Organization /Word Health Organization(FAO /WHO). There were four delicious amino acids(DAA) in dry muscle,accounting for 28. 34% of total dry weight.The percentage of DAA to TAA was 39. 13% in dry muscle. The contents of C20:5n- 3(EPA) and C22:6n- 3(DHA) in dry muscle were 8. 65% and 20. 32%respectively,which were significantly higher than that of the artificially cultured fish species,such as Oxyeleotris marmorata(EPA:2. 24%,DHA:4. 74%),Spinibarbus sinensis(EPA:0. 87%,DHA:3. 08%) and Glossogobius giuris(EPA: 3. 94%,DHA: 8. 10%). Based on the amino acids score(AAS) and chemical score(CS),the first limited amino acid in Lota lota(Linnaeus) was sulfur-containing amino acid(methionine + cysteine). The essential amino acids index(EAAI) of Lota lota(Linnaeus) was 62.58. It is concluded that Lota lota(Linnaeus) is abundant in amino acids and high-unsaturated fatty acids,and rational in composition of amino acids. Thus,Lota lota(Linnaeus) is a high quality freshwater fish with high nutritional value and health value,possessing good exploitation and utilization prospects.

Effects of Compound Herbal Medicine on Serum Biochemical Indexes and Egg Nutritional Quality in Laying Hens

[ Objective] To investigate the effects of traditional Chinese medicine compound preparation on serum biochemical indexes and egg nutri- tional quality of laying hens. [Method] A total of 1 200 chickens at the age of 44 weeks were selected and randomly divided into five groups. After administration with different dosages of astragalus polysaccharides and berberine for 9 weeks, serum biochemical indexes were determined and nu- trient contents of egg were detected. [ ltesultl The contents of total protein, globulin, high-density lipoprotein cholesterol （HDL-C） and alkaline phosphatase （ALP） in all treatment groups were significantly （ P 〈 0.05 or 0.01 ） higher than those in the control group. The cholesterol contents of all treatment groups were significantly （ P 〈 0.05 or 0.01 ） lower than those of the control group. E Conclusion~ The optimal concentrations of as- tragalus polysacchaddes and berberine in basic diets are 200 and 30 mg/kg, respectively.

Elevated Carbon Dioxide Level Suppresses Nutritional Quality of Lettuce and Spinach

Rising global CO2 levels are a major factor that impacts not only the environment but also many plant functions including growth, productivity and nutritional quality. The study examined the impact of elevated [CO2] on nutritional quality and growth characteristics of lettuce (Lactuca sativa) and spinach (Spinacia oleracea). Elevated [CO2] decreased the concentration of many important nutrients including nitrogen (protein), potassium and phosphorus in the edible parts of both lettuce and spinach. The nitrogen concentration in lettuce shoots was reduced by more than 30% at elevated [CO2] compared to the plants grown at ambient level of CO2. Similarly the concentration of a number of micronutrients including sulfur, zinc, copper and magnesium, was depressed in lettuce shoots. Although the total phenolic content and antioxidant capacity were higher in lettuce at elevated CO2, they were not affected in spinach. The photosynthetic activity was variable among the plant species while there was no increase in the carbon accumulation in these plants at elevated [CO2]. However, there was significant reduction in the leaf stomatal conductance in both lettuce and spinach in response to higher [CO2], which is likely affect both water loss from the leaves and their photosynthetic activity. The results indicate a broad adverse impact of rising [CO2] on the nutritional quality of commonly consumed leafy vegetables namely, lettuce and spinach.

Effects of Different Selenium Application Methods on Wheat (Triticum aestivum L.) Biofortification and Nutritional Quality

Mineral nutrient malnutrition,especially deficiency in selenium(Se),affects the health of approximately 1 billion people worldwide.Wheat,a staple food crop,plays an important role in producing Se-enriched foodstuffs to increase the Se intake of humans.This study aimed to evaluate the effects of different Se application methods on grain yield and nutritional quality,grain Se absorption and accumulation,as well as 14 other trace elements concentrations in wheat grains.A sand culture experiment was conducted via a completely randomized 3×2×1 factorial scheme(three Se levels×two methods of Se application,foliar or soil×one Se sources,selenite),with two wheat cultivars(Guizi No.1,Chinese Spring).The results showed that both foliar Se and soil Se application methods had effects on wheat pollination.Foliar Se application resulted in early flowering of wheat,while soil Se application caused early flowering of wheat at low Se levels(5 mg kg^(−1))and delayed wheat flowering at high selenium levels(10 mg kg^(−1)),respectively.For trace elements,human essential trace elements(Fe,Zn,Mn,Cu,Cr,Mo,Co and Ni)concentrations in wheat grains were dependent of Se applica-tion methods and wheat cultivars.However,toxic trace elements(Cd,Pb,Hg,As,Li and Al)concentrations can be decreased by both methods,indicating a possible antagonistic effect.Moreover,both methods increased Se concentrations,and improved grain yield and nutritional quality,while the foliar application was better than soil.Accordingly,this study provided useful information concerning nutritional biofortification of wheat,indicating that it is feasible to apply Se to conduct Se biofortification,inhibit the heavy metal elements concentrations and improve yield and quality in crops,which caused human health benefits.

Can Improve Iron Biofortification Antioxidant Response,Yield and Nutritional Quality in Green Bean?

The aim of this study was to evaluate the effect of iron biofortification on antioxidant response, yield and nutritional qualityof green bean (Phaseolus vulgaris L.) under greenhouse conditions. Fe was applied using two forms (FeSO4 and Fe-EDDHA) at four doses of application (0, 25, 50 and 100 μm) added under a hydroponic system, and were tested over a period of 40 days. The Fe content was assessed in seeds, as well as the activity of antioxidant enzymes, production of H2O2, yield and nutritional quality. The results being obtained indicated that the accumulation of Fe in bean seeds enhanced with the application of Fe-EDDHA at the dose of 25 μm. This demonstrated that low Fe application dose was enough to increase Fe levels in seeds of common bean. In addition, Fe-EDDHA application form at 50 μmol was the best treatment to improve crop yield. Respect to antioxidant system, chelated form of Fe (Fe-EDDHA) was more effective in the activation of antioxidant enzymes (CAT, SOD and GSH-PX), and a lower content of H2O2 in green bean seeds. Finally, to raise the Fe concentration in bean under biofortification program was a promising strategy in cropping systems in order to increase the ingestion of iron and antioxidant capacity in the general population and provided the benefits that this element offered in human health.

Cultivation Systems Using Vegetation Cover Improves Sustainable Production and Nutritional Quality of New Rice for Africa in the Tropics

Little is known about the impact of direct sowing under vegetation cover on the production and quality of New Rice for Africa （NERICA） on poor oxisol. In this study, two NERICA varieties （NERICA 3 and NERICA 8） were grown under tropical oxisol soil with very low nutrient contents. Four cultivation systems were used in completely randomized block design, including plowing （control）, unplowed soil with dead vegetation cover （DVC）, unplowed soil with live vegetation cover （LVC） and unplowed soil with mixed vegetation cover （MVC）. DVC significantly improved the exponential growth of NERICAs. NERICA 3 was the more productive （2.16–3.05 t/hm2） compared with NERICA 8 （0.71–1.21 t/hm2）. Cultivation systems improved the nutritional quality of NERICAs. The total protein content of NERICA 3 under DVC and MVC was 84.8% and 75.0% higher than control, respectively. The total soluble carbohydrate contents of NERICA 8 under LVC and MVC was 73.2% and 57.3% higher than control, respectively. These results suggested that conservative approach like direct sowing on unplowed soil with vegetation cover systems can improve the nutritional quality of rainfed NERICAs and their sustainable production under poor oxisol soil in sub-Saharan Africa.

Effects of Altitude Change on Nutritional Quality and Elymus nutans Regularity in Qinghai-Tibet Plateau

In order to reveal the effects of different altitudes on the nutritional quality of wild forage in Qinghai-Tibet Plateau,this study used Elymus nutans as the tested plants to evaluate the changes of nutrient contents and the correlation between the nutrient contents and altitudes.Four sampling sites were set up at altitudes of 2562,2660,2775 and 2905 m with the vertical distance among each sampling point was about 100 m.The results showed that the crude protein,ash and phosphorus contents of Elymus nutans decreased significantly with an increase in altitudes.The crude protein contents decreased by 1.87%with each 100 m increase in altitudes.The variation rule of crude protein contents with altitudes in the simulated curve was"y=-0.0187x+63.244(R^(2)=0.9557)".The crude ash contents decreased by 1.77%with each 100 m increase in altitudes.The variation rule of crude ash contents with altitudes in the simulated curve was"y=-0.0177x+56.144(R^(2)=0.978)".Neutral detergent fiber(NDF)and acid detergent fiber(ADF)showed an overall increasing trend with the increase of altitudes,but the most obvious increase was at 2775 m.The contents of crude fat and Ca did not change regularly with altitudes.

Supplemental UV-A and UV-B Affect the Nutritional Quality of Lettuce and Tomato: Health-Promoting Phytochemicals and Essential Nutrients

UV radiation plays an important role not only in plant growth and development but also in the accumulation of essential nutrients and health-promoting phytochemicals in plants. The main objective of this study was to examine the effects of supplemental UV-A, UV-B, and UV-AB on the nutritional quality of lettuce (Lactuca sativa, cv. red leaf “New Red Fire” and green leaf “Two Star”) and tomato (Solanum lycopersicum L., cv. BHN-589) grown in a greenhouse. Supplemental UV radiation was provided by UV lamps 5 - 6 days prior to harvest. Supplemental UV-A produced higher accumulation of total phenolic compounds and higher antioxidant capacity in red leaf lettuce compared to other treatments. Overall, supplemental UV-A produced a stronger response than other UV treatments and control in the accumulation of many phenolic compounds including luteolin-7-glucoside, quecetin-3-glucoside, and apigenin-3-glucoside in red leaf lettuce. However, UV-B and UV-AB had a negative response in the accumulation of many phenolic compounds including chlorogenic acid, luteolin-7-glucoside, quercetin-3-glucoside, and apigenin-3-glucoside in both red and green leaf lettuce varieties. In tomato fruits, supplemental UV-A had no effect on their total phenolic concentration. However, supplemental UV-B radiation for 3 h or UV-AB radiation for 9 h exposure produced higher total phenolic concentration in the fruits compared to other supplemental UV treatments. Supplemental UV-AB (3 hexposure) was generally more effective than other UV treatments in increasing the accumulation of a number of phenolic compounds including chlorogenic acid, caffeic acid, chicoric acid, luteolin-7-glucoside, and other flavonoids in ripe tomato fruits. Supplemental UV-A produced higher accumulation of carotenoids including lutein and β-carotene than other supplemental UV treatments, while supplemental UV-AB increased the accumulation of lycopene in fully ripe tomatoes. With regard to the essential nutrients, green leaf lettuce was more responsive to the supplemental UV treatments than red leaf lettuce. All the supplemental UV treatments produced an increase in protein concentration in the leaves of green leaf lettuce. However, supplemental UV-AB produced a stronger response compared to the control and other UV treatments in increasing the accumulation of many nutrients including protein, phosphorus, potassium, sulfur, and zinc in green leaf lettuce “Two Star”. Supplemental UV-treatments did not affect the accumulation of any essential nutrients in fully ripe tomato fruits. The results show that supplemental UV enhances the nutritional quality of lettuce in relation to both health-promoting phytochemicals and essential nutrients. Similarly, supplemental UV enhances nutritional quality in tomato fruits with higher accumulation of both phenolic compounds and carotenoids than does the control treatment.

Effect of Soil Selenium on Nutritional Quality of Vegetables in the Selenium-enriched Areas of Qinghai Plateau

In order to improve the added value of the main vegetable products in Qinghai Province,we researched the effect of soil selenium content on vegetable quality in selenium-enriched area of Qinghai. Through the analysis of Qinghai selenium-enriched soil selenium content and5 kinds of main vegetables corresponds to the total selenium,part of the mineral elements and soluble sugar and VC content,the effects of soil selenium levels on selenium absorption and nourishment quality of vegetables were researched. The results showed that he Qinghai selenium-enriched soil selenium content in the range of 100. 00-563. 00 μg/kg,among them,the soil samples with sufficient selenium and rich selenium accounted for 76. 53% and 18. 88%,respectively. Soil selenium content of garlic sampling area was relatively high,and soil selenium content of sugar beet sampling area was relatively low. Vegetable selenium content was in the range of 11. 00-340. 94 μg/kg,the average content of total selenium content of garlic was up to 170. 40 μg/kg,and the average content of the total selenium content of radish is 73. 00 μg/kg.90. 63% of the vegetables in the region reached the level of sufficient selenium,and 70. 31% reached the level of selenium enrichment. The average content of Ca and Mg was higher than the national average. There was no significant correlation between selenium content of soil and vegetable and nutritional quality.

Nutritional Quality of Meat from Cattle Breed in Livestock Production Area of Cameroon

In Cameroon, foods of animal origin are an important part of the population’s diet. To improve meat consumption and assure its safety, the Government plan a project for the industrialization of cattle and pig industries by building a slaughter chain, cold stores and acquiring of vehicles and trucks for the transport of meat from livestock production areas to other parts of the country. Maroua city in the Far North Region has been selected to host a modern mixed slaughterhouse with a slaughter capacity of 150 cattle/day. To assess the impact of this project, it is important to define a baseline in term of beef quality prior to the implementation of such a project. Therefore, this study aimed to evaluate the nutritional quality of beef in Maroua (as a reference for livestock production area in Cameroon) in relation to demographics of cattle (production system, type of production, age, breed, body condition score [BCS], and sex). In 2014, data on demographics of 202 cattle, randomly selected in the traditional slaughterhouses of Maroua were collected. At the end of the slaughter chain, approximately 250 g of thigh were sampled from each animal selected. However, 76 randomly selected thigh meat samples were suggested for chemical composition analysis by using standard methods. Results revealed that dry matter (26.30% - 29.88% of fresh matter), ash (0.92% - 1.09% of fresh matter), total fat (10.12 - 19.58 of fresh matter) and protein (8.60% - 27.59% of fresh matter) content of beef were between the acceptable ranges for table meats. The total protein content found was affected by the BCS, the age at slaughter, the breed and the sex of the animal. In addition, as expected, the total fat content increased with the BCS and varied with the age at slaughter and the type of production. Since the fat content decreased with age and varied with the type of production, it would be interesting for further study, to determine the fatty acids profile of meat from fattening cattle of less than 8 years old.

Effects of Modulation Methods on the Drying Characteristics and Nutritional Quality of Medicago sativa Hay

Two-year-old Medicago sativa at budding initial stage was taken as research materials.Five methods were used to make green hay,including flatting stems ＋ spraying 2.5% K2CO3,flatting stems,sun curing,drying in shade and drying under 105 ℃ condition（CK）.Besides,effects of different green hay making methods on dry characteristics and nutritional quality of M.sativa green hay were studied,and a comprehensive evaluation of M.sativa green hays was conducted.Results showed that,except CK,the drying rates in other making methods were all fast at first,and then slow down.Both of drying under 105 ℃ condition and flatting stems ＋ spraying K2CO3 could speed up drying rate and reduce nutritional losses of green hay.Sun curing could also speed up drying rate,but it could not maintain the quality of green hay.The results of Grey Relational Analysis on five green hay making methods indicated that CK had the best comprehensive performance,followed by green hays made by flatting stems ＋ spraying K2CO3.Therefore,flatting stems ＋ spraying K2CO3 was a quick and easy method to make green hay,and it was worth to be recommended in practical production.

Effects of Nitrogen on Grain Yield,Nutritional and Processing Quality of Wheat for Different End Uses

The effects of nitrogen on grain yield, nutritional quality and processing quality of wheat for different end uses were studied in Yangzhou from 2000 to 2002. Increasing N application amount and/or the ratio of topdressing N after elongation stage could raise grain yield, protein content, wet gluten content, sedimentation, falling number, development time and stability time. To produce strong-gluten and medium-gluten wheat, the suitable ratio of basis : tillering : elongation : booting N fertilizer was 3:1:3:3or5:1:2:2 with 180 - 240 kg N ha-1. To produce weak-gluten wheat, the ratio of basis : tillering : elongation N fertilizer should be 7 : 1 : 2 with 180 kg N ha-1 and 240×104 ha-1 seedlings.

Prediction method for nutritional quality of Korla pear during storage

It is difficult to control the quality of Korla pear with different degrees of maturity during storage.Here,a method was proposed for predicting the effects of harvest maturity and cold storage time on the quality indices(soluble solid content(SSC)and Vitamin C(Vc)content)of Korla pear.The generalized regression neural network(GRNN)and adaptive neuro-fuzzy inference system(ANFIS)were employed to predict the quality changes of Korla fragrant pear fruit during storage.The results demonstrated that during cold storage the SSC in pears with 10%-70%harvest maturity showed continuous increases in the first 90 d of storage and then a slight decline thereafter,while that in pears with 80%and 90%harvest maturity exhibited slow decreases throughout the storage process.With the extension of storage time,the Vc content of pears with 10%-90%harvest maturity showed continuous decreases.The harvest maturity of Korla pear was extremely positively correlated with SSC and Vc content(p<0.01)in a given storage period.Storage time showed an extremely significant negative correlation with the Vc content(p<0.01)at the 40%-90%harvest maturity and an significant negative correlation with the Vc content(p<0.05)at the 10%-30%harvest maturity.At the 10%-70%harvest maturity,storage time showed a significant positive correlation with the SSC(p<0.05).The trained model could well predict the variation trend of quality indices of pear fruit during storage.The ANFIS with the input membership function of gbellmf had the best performance in predicting the SSC(RMSE=0.175;R2=0.98),and that with the input membership function of trimf exhibited the best performance in predicting Vc content(RMSE=0.075;R2=0.99).The research findings can provide reference for predicting the fruit nutritional quality at delivery and decision-making on the storage time of Korla fragrant pear.

Nutritional quality of different potassium efficiency types of vegetable soybean as affected by potassium nutrition

Pot experiments were conducted in 2017,2019,and 2020 to examine the effects of potassium nutrition on the nutritional components of vege-table soybeans with different K efficiency at immature and mature stages.Two vegetable soybean varieties with higher K efficiency and two varieties with lower K efficiency were studied in the low available K soil under the conditions of no K and normal K fertilization.The results indicated that almost all nutritional components in vegetable soybean were affected by K,genotypes,interannual differences,and their inter-actions.In general,no K fertilization increased protein and amino acid concentrations but decreased oil,soluble sugar,sucrose,K,Mg,and Fe concentrations in immature and mature vegetable soybean.The sensitivity of nutritional components to K nutrition differed among varieties.For instance,K high-efficiency varieties generally exhibited higher protein and amino acid concentrations without K application.K high-efficiency vegetable soybeans are low-K tolerance varieties to isoflavones.The results of this study provide insights for high yield and quality vegetable soybean breeding against soil K deficiency.

Microclimate control to increase productivity and nutritional quality of leafy vegetables in a cost-effective manner

Food security is one of the key global challenges in this century.In Singapore,our research team has been using novel aeroponic technology to produce fresh vegetables since 1997.Aeroponic systems allow for year-round production of not only tropical,but also sub-tropical and temperate fresh vegetables,by simply cooling the roots suspended in aeroponic systems while the aerial parts grow under tropical ambient environments.It has also been used to investigate the impacts of root-zone CO_(2)on vegetables by enriching root-zone CO_(2)while their aerial portions were subjected to constant atmospheric CO_(2).To compensate for the lack of available land,Singapore also needs to develop a farming system that can increase productivity per unit land area by many-fold.Over the past 10 years,my research team has established a commercially viable LED integrated vertical aeroponic farming system to grow different leafy vegetables under different LED spectra,intensities,and durations in the tropical greenhouse.The results demonstrate that it is possible to increase shoot production and rate of shoot production of leafy vegetables by increasing light intensity and extending the photoperiod under effective LED lighting.Furthermore,temperate vegetable crops such as lettuce were able to acclimate to high light intensity under supplementary LED lights to natural sunlight in the greenhouse.Supplementary LED lightings promote both leaf initiation and expansion with increased photosynthetic pigments,higher Cyt b6f and Rubisco protein contents on a per area basis and thus improve photosynthetic capacity and enhance productivity.Plants sense and respond to changes in their immediate environments(microclimate),manipulating the root zone temperature(RZT)and water supply will impact not only their growth and development but also their nutritional quality.Our on-going research aims to investigate if the nutritional quality of leafy vegetables could be improved under suboptimal RZT and mild water deficit through deficit irrigation.If substantial energy and water savings in urban farming can be achieved without substantial yield penalty but with higher nutritional quality,the amount of water and energy saved can bring substantial benefits to society.

Effect of Different Mulch Materials on Yield and Nutrition Profile of Common Capsicum (Capsicum annuum) Cultivars in Bangladesh

Capsicum is a nutritious vegetable and its cultivation in farms is getting popular in Bangladesh. Although many efforts have lain to explore better yielding and nutritionally rich cultivars with suitable modern cultivation techniques but still have to find the desired outcome. Thus, it’s necessary to conduct further research to identify the high-yielding and nutritious capsicum cultivars in Bangladesh. An experiment was conducted from July 2021 to June 2022 at the Bangladesh Institute of Research and Training on Applied Nutrition (BIRTAN) research field with three cultivars of capsicum: B0 = California Wonder, B1 = BARI Misti Morich-1 and B2 = BARI Misti Morich-2 and three mulching: T0 = No mulching, T1 = Water hyacinth, T2 = Poly Mulching in randomized complete block design with three replications to identify better quality capsicum cultivar and suitable mulching material. Among cultivars the BARI Misti Morich-2 (B2) showed increased agronomic parameters like number of branches and effective branches per plant, leaves length and width, consequently yield and yield contributing traits were also enhanced like fruits per plant, fruit length, fruit diameter and yield per plant (25.97%, 4.54%, 3.64% and 21.43%, respectively). Poly Mulching (T2) increased agronomic traits, yield traits and yield (0.61 kg) than BARI Misti Morich-1 (T1). The combined effect of B2T2 increased the number of branches per plant, effective branches per plant, leaves length and breadth by 40%, 90%, 15.57% and 26.22%, respectively, hence resulting in an increased yield of 20%. BARI Misti Morich-2 cultivar showed an increase in Fe, Zn and Vitamin-C content of 26.24% and 23.10%, 8.82% and 5.14%, and 6.03% and 5.74% than B0 and B1 cultivars, respectively. Therefore, BARI Misti Morich-2 exhibited the improved agronomic, yield and nutritional traits of capsicum under poly mulching among other cultivars in Bangladesh.

Effects of Chalkiness on Cooking,Eating and Nutritional Qualities of Rice in Two indica Varieties

An experiment was conducted to investigate the effects of chalkiness on cooking, eating and nutrition qualities of rice using Gangyou 527 （indica hybrid rice） and Zhaiyeqing 8 （conventional indica rice） as materials. Compared with the milled rice without chalkiness, amylose content, final viscosity, setback and consistence increased significantly, while gel consistence, peak viscosity and breakdown decreased remarkably and other RVA values did not have significant changes in the chalky rice of Gangyou 527. The differences in the above indices between the chalky and non-chalky rice was not remarkable in Zhaiyeqing 8. The crude protein content of chalky rice in Zhaiyeqing 8 was significantly lower than that of non-chalky rice, but there was no remarkable change between the chalky and non-chalky rice in Gangyou 527. Glutelin content fell significantly, and albumin, globulin, prolamine and lysine contents did not change significantly in chalky rice compared with non-chalky rice in the two varieties.