Navigating Market Choices: Understanding Carrot Market Outlet Selection among Smallholder Farmers in Kenya

This research delves into the hurdles and strategies aimed at augmenting the market involvement of smallholder carrot farmers in Nakuru County, Kenya. Employing a Multinomial Logit (MNL) model, it scrutinizes the factors influencing the selection of marketing outlets among carrot farmers. The findings unveil that a significant majority (81%) of surveyed farmers actively participate in diverse market outlets, encompassing the farm gate, cleaning point, local market, external market, and export market. Notably, pivotal buyers include aggregators, brokers, wholesalers, retailers, and consumers, with transactions predominantly occurring at the farm level. Additionally, the analysis discerns substantial influences of socio-economic characteristics, experiential factors, and geographical proximity on farmers’ choices of market outlets. Specifically, gender, age, land size, farming experience, and distance to markets emerge as critical determinants. Moreover, the study delves into the examination of market margins along the carrot value chain, shedding light on the potential profitability of carrot farming in the region. Remarkably, higher average gross margins are identified in export and external markets, signaling lucrative prospects for farmers targeting these segments. However, disparities in profit distribution between farmers and traders underscore the necessity for interventions to ensure equitable value distribution throughout the value chain. These findings underscore the imperative for tailored interventions to tackle challenges and foster inclusive agricultural development. Strategies such as farmer organizations, contracting, and vertical integration are advocated to enhance market access and profitability for smallholder carrot farmers. Thus, this study enriches our comprehension of the dynamics within carrot value chains and provides valuable insights for policymakers and development practitioners aiming to uplift rural livelihoods and bolster food security.

Development of a RBFNN prediction model for carrot quality based on meteorological temperatures at vegetable stations

To evaluate and predict the quality of carrots during logistics process in North China under extreme temperature conditions,quality indicator changes of carrots were investigated,and temperature-coupled quality prediction models were developed.Seven temperatures were selected from meteorological temperature data by cluster analysis to simulate the changes in extreme temperatures during the short-term transportation of carrots.No carrots rotted during the 48h storage period.Under both isothermal and nonisothermal conditions,weight loss andΔE increased while the firmness and sensory evaluation(SE)decreased.The RBFNN performed better than the Arrhenius model in predicting weight loss andΔE,with R^(2)>0.97,MSE<0.009 and relative errors within±18%.The results of the predictive confidence level and standardized residual indicated the good performance of the RBFNN model.The temperature-coupled prediction models of RBFNN were promising candidates for predicting the quality of vegetable products and therefore reducing economic loss of vegetable industry.

Telomere-to-telomere carrot (Daucus carota) genome assembly reveals carotenoid characteristics

Carrot(Daucus carota)is an Apiaceae plant with multi-colored fleshy roots that provides a model system for carotenoid research.In this study,we assembled a 430.40 Mb high-quality gapless genome to the telomere-to-telomere(T2T)level of“Kurodagosun”carrot.In total,36268 genes were identified and 34961 of them were functionally annotated.The proportion of repeat sequences in the genome was 55.3%,mainly long terminal repeats.Depending on the coverage of the repeats,14 telomeres and 9 centromeric regions on the chromosomes were predicted.A phylogenetic analysis showed that carrots evolved early in the family Apiaceae.Based on the T2T genome,we reconstructed the carotenoid metabolic pathway and identified the structural genes that regulate carotenoid biosynthesis.Among the 65 genes that were screened,9 were newly identified.Additionally,some gene sequences overlapped with transposons,suggesting replication and functional differentiation of carotenoid-related genes during carrot evolution.Given that some gene copies were barely expressed during development,they might be functionally redundant.Comparison of 24 cytochrome P450 genes associated with carotenoid biosynthesis revealed the tandem or proximal duplication resulting in expansion of CYP gene family.These results provided molecular information for carrot carotenoid accumulation and contributed to a new genetic resource.

Physico-Chemical Study of the Adsorption of Carotenoids from Carrots on Raw and Modified Kaolinites

This study focuses on the adsorption at temperatures below 70℃, of carotenoids from carrots on clay materials such as kaolinite in the raw state, activated with a 0.5 M HCl solution or treated with a sodium solution of Al+. The kinetic study of carotenoid adsorption shows that equilibrium is reached after 30 minutes and the temperature has little influence on carotenoid adsorption. On the other hand, the quantities adsorbed at equilibrium increase with the initial concentration of carotenoids. The kinetic model that best describes the experimental data is that of the pseudo-second order, adsorption is made in two time. For the carotenoid adsorption isotherms, the best correlation is obtained with the Freundlich model. The low values of the Freundlich constants indicate that the adsorption is probably of a physical type. This conclusion is confirmed by the effective desorption of carotenoids observed during desorption experiments.

Assessment of effectiveness of oral supplementation of isolated fiber of carrot on metabolic parameters in mature rats

This present study was conducted to evaluate the metabolic effects of isolated fi ber of carrot supplementation in rats.Physicochemical properties of fi ber were determined.The groups were as follows:animals fed a standard diet,control group;high fi ber supplementation(70 mg);low fi ber supplementation(35 mg);for 12 weeks.Blood samples were collected at the time of sacrifi ce.The weights of heart,liver,kidneys and spleen of the experimental rats with respect to body weight were recorded.Commercial kits were used to determine serum glucose concentration,lipid profi le(cholesterol,HDL-cholesterol,triglycerides),and the two main aminotransferases glutamic-oxalacetic transaminase(GOT)/glutamate-pyruvate transaminase(GPT).A histopathological assay was performed on the heart,liver,and spleen tissues of animals.Supplementation with fi ber favors weight loss in female((242.03±23.73)-(197.81±10.45)g);and male rats((262.50±32.21)-(213.96±12.56)g and induces a decrease in glucose levels in the supplemented animals.With the exception of total high-density lipoprotein cholesterol,the other lipid fractions decrease signifi cantly in rats supplemented.Fiber supplementation did not induce changes in the dissected organs of the supplemented animals.In conclusion supplementation of fiber,improves glucose control,lower plasma lipid concentrations and reduced body weight in normal rats.

Exploring the nano-fungicidal efficacy of green synthesized magnesium oxide nanoparticles(MgO NPs)on the development,physiology,and infection of carrot(Daucus carota L.)with Alternaria leaf blight(ALB):Molecular docking

In this research,green synthesized magnesium oxide nanoparticles(MgO NPs)from lemon fruit extracts and their fungicidal potential was evaluated against Alternaria dauci infection on carrot(Daucus carota L.)under greenhouse conditions.The scanning and transmission electron microscopy(SEM and TEM)and ultra-violet(UV)visible spectroscopy were used to validate and characterize MgO NPs.The crystalline nature of MgONPs was determined using selected area electron diffraction(SAED).MgO NPs triggered substantial antifungal activity against A.dauci when exposed to 50 and 100 mg L^(–1)concentrations but the higher antifungal potential was noticed in 100 mg L^(–1)under invitro conditions.In fungal inoculated plants,a marked decrease in growth,photosynthetic pigments,and an increase in phenol,proline contents,and defense-related enzymes of carrot were seen over control(distilled water).However,foliar application of MgO NPs at 50 and 100 mg L^(–1)resulted in significant improvement of plant growth,photosynthetic pigments,phenol and proline contents,and defense enzymes activity of carrots with and without A.dauci infection.Spraying of MgO NPs at 100 mg L^(–1)had more plant length(17.11%),shoot dry weight(34.38%),plant fresh weight(20.46%),and root dry weight(49.09%)in carrots when challenged with A.dauci over inoculated control.The leaf blight indices and percent disease severity were also reduced in A.dauci inoculated plants when sprayed with MgO NPs.The non-bonding interactions of Alternaria genus protein with nanoparticles were studied using molecular docking.

Evaluation of Actual Evapotranspiration and Crop Coefficient in Carrot by Remote Sensing Methodology Using Drainage and River Water to Overcome Reduced Water Availability

Searching for alternative methods for traditional irrigation is World trend at days due to a reduction in water and increased of drought due to climate changes therefore farmers need use modern methods of scheduling water and minimizing water losses while also increasing yield. To meet the future increasing demands water and food there is a need to utilize alternative methods to reduce evaporation, transpiration and deep percolation of water. Any countries use recycled water (drain and sewage) and desalination water from the sea or drains to irrigate crops plus computing actual crop evapotranspiration (ETc) so as to calculate the amount of water to apply to a crop. The paper aims to assess the actual evaporation and evaporation coefficient of carrots, by planting carrots in a field and the crop was exposed to several sources of water (DW and RW) and comparing ETc, Kc and production among plots of three sites (A, B and C). The study used two types of irrigation water (drain water (DW) and river water (RW)). The results were to monthly rate and accumulated actual evapotranspiration to C (irrigation by RW only) more than A (67% RW and 33% DW) and B (17% RW and 83% DW) via 7% and 58%, respectively. The yield to C more than A and B by 17% and 75%, respectively. In conclusion the use of DW can cause a reduction in crop consumptive of carrot crops also causes a reduction in yield, crop length, root length, root size, canopy of crop, number of leaves and biomass of the plant therefore, the drainage water needs to treated before irrigating crops And making use of it to irrigate the fields and fill the shortfall in the amount of water from the river. The drain water helped on filling the water shortage due to climate changes and giving production of carrot crop but less than river water.

内蒙古春播胡萝卜新品种比较试验

胡萝卜是乌兰察布市冷凉蔬菜主栽品种之一,在促进当地农业经济稳定提升方面发挥着重要作用。为丰富乌兰察布地区胡萝卜的种植品种,以当地主栽品种‘早生’为对照,引进了2个胡萝卜新品种,开展品种比较试验。结果表明,胡萝卜品种‘育和一号’‘珍品’长势好,产量均高于3000 kg/667 m^(2),适合当地种植;植物学性状、商品性等综合分析表明,‘珍品’较‘育和一号’更具品质优势,其肉质根根形为钝圆锥形,根为橘红色,光滑,根眼明显,根整齐度均匀;根畸形率、裂根率低,单根质量大,含水量、可溶性糖含量、蛋白质含量、维生素C含量较高,故确定‘珍品’为当地下一步开展试验种植的品种。

基于微宏观分析结合的绿色混凝土性能实验教学设计

以绿色隧道建设科研课题为依托,结合建筑材料中混凝土性能实验教学,分析用绿色植物(胡萝卜)萃取液作为天然生物外加剂和粉煤灰作为矿物掺合料的混凝土的力学性能及机理,对实验中采用的X-射线衍射、扫描电镜分析等新方法和思路进行总结,引入新型绿色材料并提出将宏观实验现象与微观机理分析相结合的面向学生的新型实验教学模式。该模式作为传统教学的优化和补充,可为其他课程实验教学革新提供思路,有利于激发学生的实验兴趣,培养其不仅要知其然,更要知其所以然的综合科研探究能力。

复合蔬菜汁部分替代亚硝酸盐对鲜烧鸡保质期的影响

文章主要研究了复配的天然蔬菜汁部分替代亚硝酸盐对鲜烧鸡保质期的影响。以挥发性盐基氮(TVB-N)值、pH值和色差值等指标进行单因素试验,确定各因素的最佳范围;在单因素试验的基础上选择3个水平进行正交试验,得出复合蔬菜汁的最佳配比。结果表明,蔬菜汁添加量在10%~20%之间,胡萝卜汁、芹菜汁和亚硝酸盐的配比为10%胡萝卜汁+20%芹菜汁+0.005%亚硝酸盐时,防腐效果最佳。在常温贮存8 d后,鲜烧鸡的色泽、感官品质较对照组有明显差异。此时烧鸡的TVB-N值为13.085 1 mg/100 g,硫代巴比妥酸(TBA)值为0.377 6 mg/kg,亚硝酸盐残留量为8.542 mg/kg,均低于国家标准。结果表明,利用天然蔬菜汁部分替代亚硝酸盐在传统肉制品中应用,加工方式绿色健康,具有广阔的前景。

1-MCP协同活性炭处理抑制鲜切胡萝卜木质化形成研究

鲜切胡萝卜在贮藏过程易发生木质化,导致品质下降。为探究1-MCP协同活性炭处理对鲜切胡萝卜木质化抑制保鲜效果,文章分析了乙烯利、活性炭、1-MCP和1-MCP协同活性炭等4种处理方式对鲜切胡萝卜硬度、总酚、抗氧化性、PPO、POD、PAL和木质素含量的影响。结果表明:1-MCP协同活性炭处理显著延缓了胡萝卜硬度下降;在贮藏第10 d总酚含量达0.20 mg GAE·g^(−1),显著高于其他处理组(P<0.05);抗氧化性也保持最高水平;DPPH自由基清除活性为0.90μmol TE·g^(−1);PPO、POD活性分别为0.23 U·g^(−1)和61.08 U·g^(−1),显著低于对照组(P<0.05);PAL活性和木质素含量分别为81.67 U·g^(−1)和65.88 mg·g^(−1),也显著低于对照组(P<0.05)。可见,1-MCP协同活性炭处理可有效抑制鲜切胡萝卜木质化,提升其贮藏品质。

金针菇玉米胡萝卜复合香肠的配方及蒸煮损失率研究

以猪肉和鱼肉为主要研究原料,添加大豆分离蛋白、玉米淀粉、金针菇、玉米粒和胡萝卜等辅料,经腌制、混合、灌制、烘烤和蒸煮等工艺制作金针菇玉米胡萝卜复合香肠。以感官评分和蒸煮损失率为指标,利用单因素实验研究各因素对复合香肠品质的影响,再利用响应面实验进行优化,确定复合香肠的最优配方。实验结果表明:各因素的添加量分别为鱼肉泥50.24%、大豆分离蛋白3.17%、玉米淀粉8.38%、金针菇8%、胡萝卜泥5%和玉米粒8%,在此条件下制成的复合香肠形态完整,口感良好,具有金针菇、玉米和胡萝卜的独特风味,营养丰富,更能满足大众需求。

高原夏秋胡萝卜营养生长发育规律研究

为研究高原夏秋胡萝卜未先期抽薹植株营养器官的生长发育规律,以耐或易先期抽薹的3个胡萝卜品种为试材,采用连续2 a的高原夏秋露地试验方法,测定不同品种高原夏秋胡萝卜的茎叶与肉质根的鲜重、干重及库活性。结果表明,3个高原夏秋胡萝卜品种随生育进程茎叶和肉质根的鲜重、干重均呈逐渐升高的趋势;叶片迅速生长期,耐抽薹胡萝卜品种茎叶与肉质根的干重显著高于易抽薹品种;在高原夏季长日照条件下,耐抽薹胡萝卜品种的库活性显著高于易抽薹品种,较强的库活性可能是胡萝卜不易发生先期抽薹的内因之一。

沙拉酱对胡萝卜中活性物质体外消化的影响

以胡萝卜为原料,与沙拉酱复配成质量比为6∶1(T1)、4∶1(T2)、2∶1(T3)的胡萝卜沙拉样品,以不加沙拉酱的胡萝卜为对照(CK),采用体外静态INFOGEST消化模型,评估胡萝卜沙拉中主要活性物质(β-胡萝卜素、总酚和V-C)的生物可及性和消化特性。结果显示:除CK和T3的V-C外,活性物质含量经胃消化后均急剧下降,经肠道消化后又上升;添加沙拉酱明显提高了β-胡萝卜素、总酚和V-C的稳定性和生物可及性,T3组中3种生物活性物质在模拟消化过程中较稳定,生物可及性较高;各组的平均粒径D[3,2]和粒径分布强度均先增大,在模拟胃消化阶段消化60 min时最大,随后减至最小,T3组的D[3,2]在模拟消化过程中较小(0.13~5.03μm)。可见,沙拉酱可提高胡萝卜中β-胡萝卜素、总酚和V-C的生物可及性,并具有较好的消化特性,其中以T3组效果较佳。

沙棘胡萝卜复合饮料的研制

以沙棘和胡萝卜为原料,在单因素试验基础上设计正交试验,以感官评价得分为评价指标,确定了沙棘胡萝卜符合饮料的最佳配方.结果表明,沙棘胡萝卜复合饮料的最佳配方为:沙棘汁、胡萝卜汁、白砂糖、无水柠檬酸、黄原胶的添加量分别为30%、15%、9%、0.10%,0.15%.沙棘胡萝卜复合饮料的感官品质最佳.

穿刺协同乙醇预处理对胡萝卜片热风干燥特性的影响

干燥效率低导致的能耗高、品质劣变是果蔬热风干燥加工面临的严峻挑战。为改善胡萝卜热风干燥特性,该研究以横切和纵切方式获得的胡萝卜片为研究材料,对其进行穿刺(perforation pretreatment,PT)、乙醇浸渍(alcohol pretreatment,AT)和穿刺协同乙醇浸渍预处理(perforation synergistic alcohol pretreatment,PAT)。研究发现:同未预处理的胡萝卜片相比,PT、AT和PAT预处理技术的应用均显著提高了胡萝卜有效水分扩散系数及热风干燥速率,并将干燥时间缩短10.61%~50.00%,其中PAT样品干燥时间最短。相同预处理方式下,纵切的胡萝卜片相比于横切表现出较高的有效水分扩散系数、较快的干燥速率及较短的干燥时间。进一步,提出了PAT预处理具有较高干燥效率的“三重奏机制”:预脱水降低干燥负荷、毛细管流促进水分传质、细胞通透性的增强降低水分传质阻力。在品质方面,PAT预处理显著(P<0.05)改善了纵切胡萝卜片的体积收缩、复水性、色泽、总类胡萝卜素和抗坏血酸含量、抗氧化活性及风味等品质特性。因此,为高效获得品质相对较优的脱水胡萝卜,可在其纵向切片后进行PAT预处理。该研究为改善胡萝卜热风干燥提供了一种简单有效的预处理技术,同时也为其他果蔬提质、增效、节能干燥提供参考。

胡萝卜黑斑病人工接种鉴定体系建立及抗性种质资源筛选

黑斑病是胡萝卜最常见和最具破坏性的病害之一。通过对比不同菌液接种浓度、不同接种苗龄等条件对黑斑病病情指数的影响,筛选出胡萝卜黑斑病人工接种鉴定的最适宜条件,进而建立一套准确、稳定的人工接种鉴定体系。结果显示,菌液浓度为1×10^(4)个·ml^(-1),接种苗龄为8片真叶是最适宜的人工接种鉴定条件。利用此鉴定体系对94份胡萝卜材料进行黑斑病抗性鉴定,从中筛选出1份抗病材料(di=28.4),为胡萝卜抗黑斑病育种提供了重要抗源材料。

胡萝卜缨青贮替代全株玉米青贮对泌乳期文登奶山羊生产性能、乳品质、养分表观消化率、抗氧化能力及免疫功能的影响

本试验旨在探究胡萝卜缨青贮替代全株玉米青贮对文登奶山羊生产性能、乳品质、养分表观消化率、抗氧化能力及免疫功能的影响。选用体重(48.34±1.86)kg、产奶量(1.29±0.46)kg/d、产羔150 d左右的3胎文登奶山羊64只,随机分为4组,每组4个重复,每个重复4只羊。对照组饲喂基础饲粮,试验1、2、3组分别以胡萝卜缨青贮替代基础饲粮中20%、30%、40%的全株玉米青贮。试验周期为67 d,其中预试期7 d,正试期60 d。结果显示:1)与对照组相比,试验1、3组的平均日产奶量显著提高(P<0.05);试验1组的料奶比显著降低(P<0.05),4%标准乳产量显著提高(P<0.05);试验3组的平均日采食量显著提高(P<0.05)。2)与对照组相比,试验3组乳中β-胡萝卜素含量极显著提高(P<0.01),试验2组乳中β-胡萝卜素含量显著提高(P<0.05);试验2、3组乳中维生素A与叶绿素铜钠含量极显著提高(P<0.01)。各组乳中农药残留均未检出。3)与对照组相比,3个试验组的粗蛋白质表观消化率极显著提高(P<0.01),试验1、3组的干物质表观消化率、试验1组的粗脂肪表观消化率、试验3组的中性洗涤纤维表观消化率皆显著提高(P<0.05)。4)与对照组相比,3个试验组的血清免疫球蛋白G(IgG)含量显著提高(P<0.05),超氧化物歧化酶(SOD)与谷胱甘肽过氧化物酶(GSH-Px)活性极显著提高(P<0.01);试验1组的血清总蛋白(TP)和球蛋白(GLB)含量显著提高(P<0.05),尿素氮(UN)与丙二醛(MDA)含量显著降低(P<0.05),总抗氧化能力(T-AOC)极显著提高(P<0.01)。综上所述,在饲粮中以胡萝卜缨青贮替代20%全株玉米青贮可提高泌乳期文登奶山羊的产奶性能、乳品质、养分表观消化率、抗氧化能力和免疫功能。

精准控温对鲜切胡萝卜贮藏品质和抗氧化性的影响

目的针对传统冷库温度波动大,易导致冷害、冻害的难题,以新鲜胡萝卜为材料,研究在2个贮藏温度(4、15℃)下精准控温(±0.1)℃对鲜切胡萝卜贮藏品质和抗氧化性的影响。方法将鲜切胡萝卜分别置于4℃和15℃的普通冰箱和精准恒温箱中进行为期15 d和9 d的贮藏,测定贮藏过程中鲜切胡萝卜的外观品质、感官品质、风味物质(鲜切胡萝卜和熟胡萝卜片)、白化指数、硬度、脆性、呼吸强度、总酚含量、ABTS自由基清除能力及微生物生长情况。结果在2种温度条件下贮藏,与15℃相比,在4℃下贮藏具有更好的保鲜效果。与冰箱相比,采用恒温箱贮藏能显著(P<0.05)抑制鲜切胡萝卜的白化、呼吸强度及微生物生长,延缓其硬度和脆性的下降,并显著(P<0.05)提高了总酚含量和ABTS自由基清除能力,延缓了鲜切胡萝卜在贮藏过程中或经高温水煮后风味的劣变进程,保持了样品较高的感官品质。结论与15℃相比,在4℃下贮藏有利于保持鲜切胡萝卜的品质,采用精准控温贮藏对鲜切胡萝卜具有显著的保鲜效果。

基于离散元法的胡萝卜挖掘铲优化设计

针对胡萝卜联合收获机工作过程中松土挖掘阻力大、胡萝卜漏拔率高等问题,对收获状态下三角翼形挖掘铲进行受力分析和计算,确定了铲面宽度和铲刃角的取值范围。根据胡萝卜种植模式,建立了挖掘铲-胡萝卜-土壤离散元仿真模型,以挖掘铲面长度、宽度及铲刃倾角为试验因素,以挖掘阻力、土壤破碎率为试验指标开展了胡萝卜挖掘仿真试验,仿真时间历程显示了土壤与胡萝卜随挖掘铲运动的变化过程。利用仿真试验数据拟合建立不同试验因素影响下挖掘铲阻力与土壤破碎率的二次多元回归方程,通过Design-Expert 10.0.7对数学模型进行分析求解,得出了最优参数组合为:铲面长度260mm,铲面宽度370mm,铲刃倾角57°。通过与凿型铲进行对比试验,结果表明:工作阻力降低了9.4%,土壤破碎率提高了2.8%,优化设计的三角翼形挖掘铲在工作阻力和土壤破碎率方面具有良好的松土性能,满足胡萝卜收获要求。研究可为胡萝卜挖掘装置试验研究和设计提供理论参考。