Farmers’ Practices for the Orchard’s Maintenance and Post-Harvest Treatment of Cocoa in Infiltrated Classified and Unclassified Zone of Méagui (South-West, Côte d’Ivoire)

An important part of Ivorian cocoa production comes from infiltrated classified forests. The objective of this study is to investigate orchard maintenance and post-harvest cocoa treatment practices used by cocoa farmers in infiltrated classified and unclassified areas of Méagui. To do this, 110 producers in two localities of the said zone were individually interviewed from February to April 2022, using a declarative questionnaire. It was found that cocoa orchards in the zone are aging. Nearly 68.55% of producers were heirs and 58.33% of those interviewed were under 46 years of age, with an average age of 43 years. Nearly 84.55% of the producers surveyed mainly use chemical insecticides to control the pests of greatest concern in these localities. Regarding the frequency of insecticide treatments, 11.82% of producers make 1 to 2 applications a year, 29.09% make 3 to 5 applications a year, and 43.64% make at least 6 applications a year. The active substances of the most used products belong to 99% of the Neonicotinoid and Pyrethroid families. Regarding cocoa harvesting and post-harvest operations, 93.64% of the producers carry out a single harvest/month;all do the shelling with mini machetes. Beans are fermented mainly in black plastic tarpaulins or in bags, for a period of 3 to 5 days (65.45%). Drying is done almost entirely (91.82%) on the black plastic tarp. This study shows that cocoa farmers in the areas surveyed do not respect the recommendations issued on phytosanitary practices and post-harvest treatment of cocoa. This non-compliance with the standards of good practices prescribed is particularly more accentuated in the locality located in infiltrated classified zone. It would, therefore, be judicious to revise or redefine the phytosanitary recommendations and carry out sensitization and training-follow-up programs for producers in this important cocoa production area of C?te d’Ivoire.

Influence of Harvest Periods on Cassava (Manihot esculenta Crantz) Agronomic Traits and Physiological Response to Post-Harvest Physiological Deterioration

Cassava (Manihot esculenta Crantz) is the third largest source of calories in tropical countries and the sixth most important food crop in the World. However, the short shelf life of its storage roots after harvest due to a rapid post-harvest physiological deterioration (PPD) makes the roots to be considered as a risky product to market. The objectives of this work were to investigate the influence of two harvest periods on cassava agronomic parameters and their physiological response to PPD. Three cassava cultivars 96/1414, I070593 and LMR were selected for the experiment and harvested at 10 and 12 months after planting (MAP). The response to PPD was assessed during storage at 0, 3, 8 and 15 days after harvest (DAH). Total proteins content, soluble sugars and starch, total polyphenols compounds, polyphenoloxidase and peroxidase activities were recorded during storage. Results showed large variation among the parameters at the two harvest periods across the cultivars. High number of tubers was recorded in all the cultivars at 12 MAP and a significant increase in storage roots length was observed in 96/1414 and LMR from 10 MAP to 12 MAP (25 ± 5.1 to 41.3 ± 5.9 and 22.6 ± 3.3 to 27.9 ± 4.8) respectively. A reduction of about 49% of tubers weight was observed in I070593 from 10 to 12 MAP while an increase of about 36% and 11% were recorded in LMR and 96/1414 respectively. Tubers from I070593 showed less susceptibility to PPD when harvested at 10 MAP compared to those from LMR and 96/1414 where less susceptibility to PPD were recorded at 12 MAP. An increase in soluble sugars content, total proteins content and peroxidase activity subsequently to a decrease in starch content were recorded during storage from 8 to 15 days after harvest especially at 10 MAP in I070593 and at 12 MAP in LMR and 96/1414. High content of total phenolic compounds and less activity of polyphenol oxidase were correlated to PPD susceptibility. This work opens a new insight issue of the consideration of the appropriate harvest time of the cultivars as a tool to better control the onset of postharvest physiological deterioration.

Farmers’ Practices for the Orchard’s Maintenance and Post-Harvest Treatment of Cocoa in Infiltrated Classified and Unclassified Zone of Méagui (South-West, Côte d’Ivoire)

An important part of Ivorian cocoa production comes from infiltrated classified forests. The objective of this study is to investigate orchard maintenance and post-harvest cocoa treatment practices used by cocoa farmers in infiltrated classified and unclassified areas of Méagui. To do this, 110 producers in two localities of the said zone were individually interviewed from February to April 2022, using a declarative questionnaire. It was found that cocoa orchards in the zone are aging. Nearly 68.55% of producers were heirs and 58.33% of those interviewed were under 46 years of age, with an average age of 43 years. Nearly 84.55% of the producers surveyed mainly use chemical insecticides to control the pests of greatest concern in these localities. Regarding the frequency of insecticide treatments, 11.82% of producers make 1 to 2 applications a year, 29.09% make 3 to 5 applications a year, and 43.64% make at least 6 applications a year. The active substances of the most used products belong to 99% of the Neonicotinoid and Pyrethroid families. Regarding cocoa harvesting and post-harvest operations, 93.64% of the producers carry out a single harvest/month;all do the shelling with mini machetes. Beans are fermented mainly in black plastic tarpaulins or in bags, for a period of 3 to 5 days (65.45%). Drying is done almost entirely (91.82%) on the black plastic tarp. This study shows that cocoa farmers in the areas surveyed do not respect the recommendations issued on phytosanitary practices and post-harvest treatment of cocoa. This non-compliance with the standards of good practices prescribed is particularly more accentuated in the locality located in infiltrated classified zone. It would, therefore, be judicious to revise or redefine the phytosanitary recommendations and carry out sensitization and training-follow-up programs for producers in this important cocoa production area of C?te d’Ivoire.

Rice Drying,Storage and Processing:Effects of Post-Harvest Operations on Grain Quality

Various post-harvest processes of rice are commonly employed,especially during the off-season,to ensure its consumption feasibility,which often affect the grain quality.Different forms of drying,storage and processing of rice are evaluated to identify their effects on grain quality.Microwave drying has emerged as an alternative to the widely-used intermittent-drying and fixed-bed-dryer methods of drying paddy rice.Control of drying-air temperatures(between 40℃ and 60℃)according to the rice variety can improve quality,especially for exotic varieties.Keeping stored grain in hygroscopic balance,with water content between 11%to 15%,at temperatures between 16℃ and 20℃ and with intergranular relative humidity near 60%,allows 12 months of storage in a controlled environment without significant deterioration.Other innovations,notably the application of artificial refrigeration to grain stored in bulk in vertical cylindrical silos and the use of impermeable packaging for storage,ensure the conservation of grain mass.The different stages and equipments used to obtain polished,brown and parboiled rice result in significant changes in the nutritional value of rice because of the removal of the outermost layers of the grains.Polishing reduces the nutritional value and physical homogeneity of rice.Brown rice retains more bioactive compounds and nutrients because it does not lose the outer layer of the grains in the polishing processes.Parboiled rice,although less nutritious than brown rice,has better grain integrity and milling yield and less loss of nutrients than white rice.

Difference in corn kernel moisture content between pre-and post-harvest

The harvest method of shelling corn(Zea mays L.)kernels in the field decreases labor costs associated with transporting,drying and threshing the crop.However,it was previously found that the kernel moisture content increased after field harvest,which decreased the value of corn kernels.To identify the reasons underlying the increase,we conducted a multiyear and-area trial in the Huang-Huai-Hai Plain,China and performed a staged-harvest test at several phases of kernel dry-down.The test investigated a range of parameters such as the kernel moisture content pre-and post-harvest,the kernel breakage rate,the amount of impurities,and the moisture content of various other plant tissues.An analysis of 411 pairs of pre-and post-harvest samples found that kernel moisture content after harvest was 2.2%higher than that before harvest.In the staged-harvest test,however,a significant increase was only observed when the kernel moisture content before harvest was higher than 23.9%.The increase in post-harvest kernel moisture content was positively associated with the pre-harvest kernel moisture content,breakage rate and impurity rate.Typically,at harvest time in this region,there is a significant fraction of immature crops with a high moisture content,resulting in kernels that are prone to breakage or impurities that ultimately lead to increases in water content after harvest.Therefore,we suggest using hybrids that quickly wither late in the growing stage.Additionally,farmers should delay harvest in order to minimize the pre-harvest kernel moisture content and thus reduce breakages and impurities,thereby improving the quality of kernels after harvest and the efficiency of corn kernel farming in China.

Cannabis Indoor Growing Conditions, Management Practices, and Post-Harvest Treatment: A Review

Cannabis has attracted a new wave of research attention as an herbal medicine. To deliver compliant, uniform, and safe cannabis medicine, growers should optimize growing environments on a site-specific basis. Considering that environmental factors are interconnected, changes in a factor prompts adjustment of other factors. This paper reviews existing work that considers indoor growing conditions (light, temperature, CO2 concentration, humidity, growing media, and nutrient supply), management practices (irrigation, fertilization, pruning & training, and harvest timing), and post-harvest treatment (drying and storage) for cannabis indoor production.

Effect of Post-Harvest Handling and Ripening Methods on Quality and Shelf-Life of Banana

Banana (Musa spp.) is a highly perishable fruit that requires special handling. In Eritrea, post-harvest handling practices are characterized to be poor and as a result, poor fruit quality and high post-harvest loss are common. Thus, the purpose of this study was to evaluate the effect of different post-harvest handling and ripening methods on quality and shelf-life of banana. A Complete Randomized Design (CRD) was used for evaluating a combination of two levels of post-harvest handling and four ripening methods in a factorial combination conducted in the laboratory of Horticulture at Hamelmalo Agricultural College. Peel colour change, physiological weight loss, pulp to peel ratio, total soluble solids (TSS), pulp pH, ripening period and shelf life were parameters studied. The results showed fruits treated with ripened tomato showed improved characteristics in all parameters compared to those treated with smoke from kerosene burning or mixed with moringa leaf. Similarly, fruits brought directly from the farm were better than those collected from the ripening room after passing the conventional post-harvest handling. Based on the results of this study, it can be concluded that ripening of banana with the help of tomato improves fruit quality and shelf life. Thus, it can be a safe and better alternative to smoking from kerosene burning. While moringa leaf has no potential as an alternative.

Identification of Post-Harvest Operations Related to the Contamination of <i>Arachis hypogaea</i>L. (Groundnut) by Mycotoxins in the Province of Mayo Kebbi Ouest in the Republic of Chad

Good practice in post-harvest operations depends on the contamination of groundnuts (Arachis hypogaea) by mycotoxins. The objective of this study is to identify farmers’ practices that pose a risk to the post-harvest preservation of the fruits of Arachis hypogaea in the province of Mayo Kebbi Ouest. Data collection was carried out using a farmer survey sheet based on a questionnaire on drying and storage techniques and losses related to groundnut harvesting. The study revealed that the fruits of Arachis hypogaea are dried on the fields and stored in shells or pods in polyethylene bags. The latter can be kept for up to 6 months in the shop (44%), in the attic (25.3%), in living quarters (18.7%) and both in the attic and in houses (12%). The level of post-harvest losses is due on the one hand to post-harvest diseases (60%) and the presence of insects on the crops (32%) and on the other hand to the germination of seeds (8%) after the harvest due to heavy rains. This loss on a scale of 2% to 10% is 74.7% and 10% to 50% is 25.3%. Drying and storage techniques in these localities represent a risk of mycotoxin contamination of groundnuts. Raising farmers’ awareness of harvest management techniques to preserve the sanitary quality of groundnuts would be important.

Influence of Post-Harvest Storage Technologies on Weight and Rate Losses and Sensory Profile of Cola Nuts (<i>Cola nitida</i>) Produced in Côte d’Ivoire

The conservation of cola nuts (Cola nitida) poses a real problem in C&ocirc;te d’Ivoire because of the post-harvest losses. The objective of this study was to evaluate the impact of post-harvest technologies on organoleptic and physical properties of cola nut during storage. A biopesticide, glucose syrup and biopesticide + glucose syrup were applied to fresh cola nuts before conditioning and kept at 28&deg;C for 6 weeks. Physicochemical and sensory analyses were performed to check the quality of the nuts during storage. The results showed that the biopesticide keep cola nuts better than the others methods with only 11.66% ± 3.04% and 13.66% ± 3.95% of loss rates for white and red cola nuts respectively. Cola nuts treated with bio-pesticide retain significantly their freshness with 62.00% ± 1.15% of moisture for white nuts and 64.00% ± 2.00% of moisture for red nuts compared to those treated with glucose syrup and bio-pesticide + glucose syrup (56.66% ± 1.15%). Cola nuts treated with biopesticide have a better acceptability compared to those subjected to others treatments. The use of biopesticide for the storage of cola nuts minimizes the losses and maintains the quality whatever the type of cola.

Microbial Biocontrol of Post-harvest Fungal Rot in Apples:Current State of the Science

Our study consists of a careful literature review carried out with the aim of better understanding the models developed in the field of biocontrol of postharvest fungal rot in apples(PHFRA)over the past two decades.It aims,more specifically,to shed light on the progress made by examining the products developed,their nature,their target pathogens,their effectiveness,theirs modes of action and the stage of their development.The post-harvest biocontrol of apples has made remarkable progress during the last twenty years of research.Several products(yeasts,bacteria,filamentous fungi and actinomycetes)have been selected.Some,are already marketed,others are at different stages of development.However,several points limit the optimal use of microbial antagonists in the bio-management of post-harvest apple rots as an alternative to chemicals.It is,in fact,still necessary to develop appropriate formulations of these microbial biocontrol agents,to better study their mechanisms of action,to test them under commercial conditions and against a broad spectrum of pathogens and hosts.However,although sometimes considered less effective than chemical treatments,biocontrol products based on microorganisms have major advantages for an application in an integrated post-harvest apple protection strategy.

Decentralized solar-powered cooling systems for fresh fruit and vegetables to reduce post-harvest losses in developing regions:a review

The availability of on-farm storage and processing is a critical challenge facing small farmers,which hinders agricultural productivity.Thirty per cent of the food produced globally is lost after harvest,with the proportion being exceptionally high in low-and middle-income countries due to a lack of on-farm handling and storage facilities.Conventional cold-storage solutions have not taken off at the smallholder level,mainly due to a lack of availability and access to reliable grid electricity.Therefore,off-grid decentralized solar-powered cold-storage units can play a vital role in preserving the produce at production sites and enhancing livelihood and rural development with a minimal carbon footprint.To maintain low temperatures at every step of the agricultural value chain,known as the‘cold chain’,several technology vendors aim to improve the shelf life and user benefit.Small-scale farmers,which account for two-thirds of all food losses,are another group they focus on.This study examines the existing situation,importance and potential opportunities of decentralized cold-storage systems for fresh fruit and vegetables.In addition to economic,social,technological and environmental limitations,this study examines the triumphs and challenges of incorporating solar-energy-powered cold storage into developing communities.Although the private sector,NGOs and some government agencies are working to promote decentralized cold-storage facilities,relatively little has been done so far to have a significant influence on post-harvest losses and food security.There are still knowledge gaps on decentralized cold-storage facilities.The primary operational constraint is the economic situation of end users and the lack of financing alternatives for smallholder farmers.

不同浓度柠檬酸溶液浸泡处理对带壳方竹鲜笋采后贮藏品质的影响

为探究柠檬酸溶液对带壳方竹鲜笋采后的保鲜效果,以带壳方竹鲜笋为试验材料,将采挖后的方竹鲜笋分组浸泡于蒸馏水、1%、4%、7%和10%的柠檬酸水溶液中3 min,取出后沥干表面水分,然后将其贮藏于(1.0±0.3)℃保鲜库内60 d,每15 d测定一次相关指标,以探索不同浓度的柠檬酸溶液对带壳方竹鲜笋的保鲜效果。结果表明,柠檬酸处理能有效降低方竹鲜笋的腐烂率、褐变率、失重率和呼吸强度,其中,LMS-7处理组在贮藏到60 d时,腐烂率、褐变率分别为25.32%和27.54%,而对照组的腐烂率(54.42%)为其2.15倍,褐变率(62.34%)为其2.26倍,此外,柠檬酸处理还能延缓方竹鲜笋中部和顶部硬度的上升,贮藏后期还能维持多酚、VC、游离氨基酸和可溶性蛋白的含量,贮藏60 d时,LMS-7处理组的VC含量(1.63 mg/100 g)是对照组(1.07 mg/100 g)的1.52倍。因此,采用柠檬酸处理带壳方竹鲜笋,能有效提升方竹鲜笋贮藏期间的品质,其中,以质量分数为7%的柠檬酸溶液处理综合效果最好。

粮食产后服务体系建设的国际经验与启示

减少粮食损耗是实现可持续发展和保障粮食安全的重要途径,粮食产后服务体系建设是减少粮食损耗的关键环节。本文在分析中国粮食产后服务发展现状与问题的基础上,梳理了美国、加拿大、日本三个典型国家在发展粮食产后服务方面的一些经验和做法,并结合中国实际情况,探讨了其对中国粮食产后服务体系建设启示和镜鉴。研究结果表明,粮食产业链全商业化运作是美国和加拿大建设完备粮食产后服务体系的基石,先进的全产业链节粮减损技术及政府、企业与农户的合作协调机制是其粮食产后服务体系运行的关键;日本则在引进先进技术的同时,构建了政府、农协、农户三方合力建设的层次分明、规范运作的粮食产后服务体系,有效保障了农民种粮收益。本文据此进一步提出了完善中国粮食产后服务体系建设的对策思路。

褪黑素在采后果品保鲜中的应用现状与研究进展

褪黑素是动植物体内广泛存在的一种小分子的神经内分泌激素,是天然的抗氧化剂,具有影响果品采后呼吸代谢及乙烯释放、影响成熟衰老、增强果品抗逆性等功效,目前已越来越多地应用于果品采后保鲜。该文就褪黑素对果品保鲜的作用机制、在采后果品保鲜中的应用及其影响因素进行分析研究,以期明确褪黑素在采后果品保鲜中的研究现状和发展趋势,为果品保鲜产业提供新的技术支撑。

Abiotic and Biotic Factors Controlling Grain Aroma along Value Chain of Fragrant Rice:A Review

The aroma of fragrant rice is one of the grain quality attributes that significantly influenceconsumer preferences and prices in world markets. The volatile compound 2-acetyl-1-pyrroline (2AP) isrecognized as a key component of the aroma in fragrant rice. The variation in grain 2AP content amongvarious fragrant rice varieties is associated with the expression of the badh2 gene, with 19 alleles havingbeen identified so far. The grain 2AP content is strongly influenced by environmental and managementfactors during cultivation as well as post-harvest conditions. This review pinpointed the major abiotic andbiotic factors that control grain 2AP content. Abiotic factors refer to water, temperature, light quality,fertilizer application (both macro- and micro-nutrients), and soil properties, including salinity, while bioticfactors include microorganisms that produce aromatic compounds, thus influencing the grain aroma infragrant rice. Post-harvest management, including storage and drying conditions, can significantly impactthe grain 2AP content, and proper post-harvest conditions can intensify the grain aroma. This reviewsuggests that there are rice varieties that can serve as potential sources of genetic material for breedingrice varieties with high grain aroma content. It offers an overview of recent research on the major factorsaffecting the aroma content in fragrant rice. This knowledge will facilitate further research on theproduction of high-quality rice to meet the demands of farmers and consumers.

木薯MeEIN3.1基因克隆及其在采后生理性变质中的信号转导

【目的】ethylene insensitive 3/ethylene insensitive-like 1(EIN3/EIL1)是乙烯信号通路的重要成员,克隆并分析其在木薯块根采后生理性变质(post-harvest physiological deterioration,PPD)过程中的表达情况,可以为深入研究乙烯信号在木薯块根PPD过程中的功能提供参考。【方法】通过RT-PCR技术从木薯栽培品种SC8中克隆得到了木薯MeEIN3.1基因,然后对MeEIN3.1基因的遗传进化关系、结构域、蛋白质结构、理化性质等进行分析。对MeEIN3.1蛋白进行亚细胞定位,并通过荧光定量PCR和酵母双杂交技术对MeEIN3.1基因在木薯块根PPD过程中的表达水平以及下游互作转录因子进行分析。【结果】MeEIN3.1基因的长度为1452 bp,编码483个氨基酸残基,等电点和分子质量分别为5.08和55.12 ku,氨基酸序列包含7个EIN3/EIL1结构域,和橡胶HbEIN3-like基因的亲缘关系最近,序列一致性为69.35%。MeEIN3.1蛋白的亚细胞定位结果显示该基因位于细胞核。荧光定量PCR结果显示,在木薯块根的PPD过程中MeEIN3.1基因的表达量和对照0 h相比,表现为显著上升趋势,即MeEIN3.1基因的表达受到PPD过程的诱导。另外,酵母双杂交结果显示MeEIN3.1能够与MeERF1.2和MeERF1.3产生互作。【结论】MeEIN3.1基因的表达在采后过程中受到诱导,推测其通过下游转录因子MeERF1.2和MeERF1.3进行乙烯信号转导来参与木薯块根的PPD过程。

Integration of Metabolomics and Subcellular Organelle Expression Microarray to Increase Understanding the Organic Acid Changes in Post-harvest Citrus Fruit

Citric acid plays an important role in fresh fruit flavor and its adaptability to post-harvest storage conditions. In order to explore organic acid regulatory mechanisms in post-harvest citrus fruit, systematic biological analyses were conducted on stored Hirado Buntan Pummelo （HBP; Citrus grandis） fruits. High- performance capillary electrophoresis, subcellular organelle expression microarray, real-time quantitative reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction, gas chromatography mass spectrometry （GC-MS）, and conventional physiological and biochemical analyses were undertaken. The results showed that the concentration of organic acids in HBP underwent a regular fluctuation. GC-MS-based metabolic profiling indicated that succinic acid, ~,-aminobutyric acid （GABA）, and glutamine contents increased, but 2- oxoglutaric acid content declined, which further confirmed that the GABA shunt may have some regulatory roles in organic acid catabolism processes. In addition, the concentration of organic acids was significantly correlated with senescence-related physiological processes, such as hydrogen peroxide content as well as superoxide dismutase and peroxidase activities, which showed that organic acids could be regarded as important parameters for measuring citrus fruit post-harvest senescence processes.

The Or Gene Enhances Carotenoid Accumulation and Stability During Post-Harvest Storage of Potato Tubers

Provitamin A carotenoids in staple crops are not very stable during storage and their loss compromises nutritional quality. To elucidate the fundamental mechanisms underlying carotenoid accumulation and stability, we investigated transgenic potato tubers that expressed the cauliflower Orange （Or） gene. We found that the Or transgene not only promoted retention of 13-carotene level, but also continuously stimulated its accumulation during 5 months of cold storage. In contrast, no increased levels of carotenoids were observed in the tubers of vector-only controls or a yellow- flesh variety during the same period of storage. The increased carotenoid accumulation was found to be associated with the formation of lipoprotein-carotenoid sequestering structures, as well as with the enhanced abundance of phytoene synthase, a key enzyme in the carotenoid biosynthetic pathway. Furthermore, the provitamin A carotenoids stored were shown to be stable during simulated digestion and accessible for uptake by human intestinal absorptive cells. Proteomic analysis identified three major functional groups of proteins （i.e. heat shock proteins, glutathione-S-transferases, and carbohydrate metabolic proteins） that are potentially important in the Or-regulated carotenoid accumulation. Our results show that regulation of carotenoid sequestration capacity is an important mechanism by which carotenoid stability is regulated. Our findings suggest that induction of a proper sink structure formation in staple crops may provide the crops with a unique ability to promote and/or stabilize provitamin A accumulation during plant growth and post-harvest storage.

蓝莓采后品质劣变与保鲜技术研究进展

蓝莓因水分含量高易受病虫侵害而腐败变质,严重影响了蓝莓果实的货架期。文章总结了蓝莓果实采后品质劣变的原因机制及国内外蓝莓保鲜技术的研究现状,主要包括物理、化学、生物3种保鲜方法,重点强调了生物方法在蓝莓采后保鲜中的应用。