Search Results (280)

Plant oils rich in oleic acid (OA) are attracting considerable attention for their high nutritional value and significant industrial potential. Stearoyl-acyl carrier protein desaturases (SADs) are a class of soluble desaturases that play a key role in OA accumulation in plants. In this study, the first genome-wide characterization of the SAD gene family was conducted in tigernut (Cyperus esculentus L. var. sativus Baeck., Cyperaceae), an oil-rich tuber plant typical for its high OA content. Six SAD genes identified from the tigernut genome are comparative to seven reported in two model plants Arabidopsis thaliana and Oryza sativa, but relatively more than four were found in most Cyperaceae species examined in this study. A comparison of 161 SAD genes from 29 representative plant species reveals the monogenic origin and lineage-specific family evolution in Poales. C. esculentus SAD genes (CeSADs) were shown to constitute two evolutionary groups (i.e., FAB2 and AAD) and four out of 12 orthogroups identified in this study, i.e., FAB2a, FAB2b, FAB2c, and AAD1. Whereas FAB2a and AAD1 are widely distributed, FAB2b and FAB2c are specific to Cyperaceae, which may arise from FAB2a via tandem and dispersed duplications, respectively. Though FAB2d and AAD2 are also broadly present in monocots, they are more likely to be lost in the Cyperaceae ancestor sometime after the split with its close family, Juncaceae. In tigernut, FAB2a appears to have undergone species-specific expansion via tandem duplication. Frequent structural variation and apparent expression divergence were also observed. Though FAB2a and AAD1 usually feature two and one intron, respectively, gain of certain introns was observed in CeSAD genes, all of which have three introns. Despite recent expansion of the FAB2 group, CeFAB2-1 has evolved into the dominant member that was highly and constitutively expressed in all tested organs. Moreover, CeFAB2-1, CeAAD1, as well as CeFAB2-5 have evolved to be predominantly expressed in tubers and thus contribute to high OA accumulation. These findings highlight lineage-specific evolution of the SAD family and putative roles of CeSAD genes in tuber oil accumulation, which facilitate further functional analysis and genetic improvement in tigernut and other species. Full article

Managing organic waste produced from agricultural greenhouse production is becoming an increasing concern for growers and communities that contain significant greenhouse production. Currently, in North America, the waste vines, leaves and stems, and fruit grade-outs that are produced during in-season greenhouse production and post-harvest processes are most commonly sent to local landfills. With landfills rapidly filling and increasing pressures to improve the sustainability and circularity of greenhouse production, alternative waste management solutions are needed. This review examines greenhouse organic waste characteristics and composition, focusing on Essex County, Ontario, Canada, which has the highest density of greenhouse production in North America. Current worldwide research on greenhouse waste disposal methods is reviewed, including landfilling, land application, incineration and waste-to-energy, anaerobic digestion, char production, organic fertilizer production and composting, and insect digestion. Seasonal timing, waste composition, cost, space, and the state of research influence the feasibility of implementing these solutions on an industrial scale. This review also contains a case study of greenhouse organic waste characteristics and quantity, and the most suitable management strategies for Essex County (containing the Leamington and Kingsville areas) in southern Ontario, Canada, where this issue is becoming an increasing concern to the local community. Gaps in policy and data are highlighted, including barriers that may limit the adoption of the innovative solutions proposed. Full article

This study explores the efficacy of advanced machine learning models, including various Long Short-Term Memory (LSTM) architectures and traditional time series approaches, for forecasting cotton futures prices. This analysis is motivated by the importance of accurate price forecasting to aid U.S. cotton producers in hedging and marketing decisions, particularly in the Texas Gulf region. The models evaluated included ARIMA, basic feedforward neural networks, basic LSTM, bidirectional LSTM, stacked LSTM, CNN LSTM, and 2D convolutional LSTM models. The forecasts were generated for five-, ten-, and fifteen-day periods using historical data spanning 2009 to 2023. The results demonstrated that advanced LSTM architectures outperformed other models across all forecast horizons, particularly during periods of significant price volatility, due to their enhanced ability to capture complex temporal and spatial dependencies. The findings suggest that incorporating advanced LSTM architectures can significantly improve forecasting accuracy, providing a robust tool for producers and market analysts to better navigate price risks. Future research could explore integrating additional contextual variables to enhance model performance further. Full article

Managing foliar corn diseases like northern leaf blight (NLB) and gray leaf spot (GLS), which can occur rapidly and impact yield, requires proactive measures including early scouting and fungicides to mitigate these effects. Decision support tools, which use data from in-field monitors and predicted leaf wetness duration (LWD) intervals based on meteorological conditions, can help growers to anticipate and manage crop diseases effectively. Effective crop disease management programs integrate crop rotation, tillage practices, hybrid selection, and fungicides. However, growers often struggle with correctly timing fungicide applications, achieving only a 30–55% positive return on investment (ROI). This paper describes the development of a disease-warning and fungicide timing system, equally effective at predicting NLB and GLS with ~70% accuracy, that utilizes historical and forecast hourly weather data. This scalable recommendation system represents a valuable tool for proactive, practicable crop disease management, leveraging in-season weather data and advanced modeling techniques to guide fungicide applications, thereby improving profitability and reducing environmental impact. Extensive on-farm trials (>150) conducted between 2020 and 2023 have shown that the predicted fungicide timing out-yielded conventional grower timing by 5 bushels per acre (336 kg/ha) and the untreated check by 9 bushels per acre (605 kg/ha), providing a significantly improved ROI. Full article

The use of resistant plants is recognized as an environmentally friendly measure for mite control. Oligonychus mangiferus, known as the mango red spider mite (MRSM), is a dangerous pest for mango production. To date, the resistance levels of the mango germplasms against the MRSM remain largely unknown. Furthermore, the environmental factors potentially influencing resistance performance have been seldom discussed. To fill those knowledge gaps, this study aimed to identify the resistance level of twelve mango cultivars against the MRSM. Based on three rounds of greenhouse and five seasons of field tests, cultivars with distinct resistant levels were identified. When exploring the climate impact, we found that for the susceptible cultivars, precipitation is the primary external environment factor altering the resistance performance, while temperature presents a secondary effect, and air humidity did not show a significant impact on MRSM resistance. By contrast, MRSM-resistant cultivars were not prone to be affected by changing climate conditions. Furthermore, yield tests indicated that the resistant cultivars can better reduce the yield losses compared with the susceptible ones. This study illustrated the climate element-driven effect on mango tree resistance performance against the MRSM, which can provide insight into insect pest management under changing climate conditions. Full article

Background: Anecdotal data indicate that the physical fitness of soccer players fluctuates across the season. This is often a concern for coaches, since players are expected to be at optimal fitness during matches on weekly basis across the season. Objectives: To analyze the physical fitness variation in South African Premier Soccer League players over an annual training macrocycle. Methods: Twenty-four Premier Soccer League players belonging to the same team participated in the study. Players went through fitness assessments at three stages of the season: at the beginning of pre-season (T1); mid-first round in-season (T2); and mid-second round in-season (T3). The assessments included body fat percentage; sit and reach; vertical jump; 10 and 30 m sprints; and YoYo Intermittent Recovery Level 2 (YoYo IR2). Results: There was a significant increase in body fat percentage from T1 to T2 (p < 0.001), and a slight decline was evident at T3 (p = 0.04). Flexibility was significantly greater at T2 (p < 0.001) compared to T1 and T3. Vertical jump significantly improved at T3 (p = 0.004) compared to T1 and T2. A similar trend was evident in the YoYo IR2, where players reached the highest levels at T3 (p < 0.001). However, there were no significant changes in the 10 and 30 m sprints across the season. Conclusions: These results indicate that, indeed, some parameters, such as body fat percentage and flexibility, are likely to fluctuate as the season progresses. However, it is also evident that a gradual improvement can be achieved, as seen in vertical jump and YoYo IR2. Full article

Innovative methods for estimating commercial-scale switchgrass yields and feedstock quality are essential to optimize harvest logistics and biorefinery efficiency for sustainable aviation fuel production. This study utilized vegetation indices (VIs) derived from multispectral images to predict biomass yield and lignocellulose concentrations of advanced bioenergy-type switchgrass cultivars (“Liberty” and “Independence”) under two N rates (28 and 56 kg N ha⁻¹). Field-scale plots were arranged in a randomized complete block design (RCBD) and replicated three times at Urbana, IL. Multispectral images captured during the 2021–2023 growing seasons were used to extract VIs. The results show that linear and exponential models outperformed partial least square and random forest models, with mid-August imagery providing the best predictions for biomass, cellulose, and hemicellulose. The green normalized difference vegetation index (GNDVI) was the best univariate predictor for biomass yield (R² = 0.86), while a multivariate combination of the GNDVI and normalized difference red-edge index (NDRE) enhanced prediction accuracy (R² = 0.88). Cellulose was best predicted using the NDRE (R² = 0.53), whereas hemicellulose prediction was most effective with a multivariate model combining the GNDVI, NDRE, NDVI, and green ratio vegetation index (GRVI) (R² = 0.44). These findings demonstrate the potential of UAV-based VIs for the in-season estimation of biomass yield and cellulose concentration. Full article

Tensiomyography (TMG) is a non-invasive tool used to assess contractile properties. This systematic review aimed to accomplish the following: (1) Analyze quadriceps TMG parameters in professional football players during the season and compare them with reference values. (2) Assess the differences in TMG parameters between quadriceps muscles. A PRISMA-guided search in PubMed, Web of Science, and Sport Discus (up to March 2024) identified 139 studies. Twelve in-season professional soccer players (20–29 years old) and quadriceps tensiomyography parameters were included (muscle displacement, delay time, and contraction time). All the studies were assessed using the Newcastle–Ottawa scale, scoring 7/9 to 8/9, indicating good quality. The findings of this study were that of the nine parameters analyzed, three variables were found to differ significantly. The weighted mean values were as follows: rectus femoris (contraction time 30.11 ms, muscle displacement 8.88 mL, delay time, 24.68 ms), vastus medialis (contraction time 25.29 ms, muscle displacement 7.45 mL, delay time, 21.27 ms), and vastus lateralis (contraction time 23.21 ms, muscle displacement 5.31 mL, delay time, 21.89 Â ms). Furthermore, significant differences were observed in muscle displacement between the rectus femoris and vastus medialis, and between the rectus femoris and vastus lateralis. The TMG can serve as a valuable device for assessing neuromuscular function in soccer players. Full article

Background: Low back pain is one of the most common musculoskeletal complaints in team sports. A screening test can help understand why injuries occur and predict who is at risk for non-contact low back pain. The objectives of the research were (1) to create models using logistic regression analysis of limited lower-extremity ranges of motion to prospectively identify potential factors for in-season non-contact non-contact low back pain and (2) to determine a training threshold (cut-off) for the identified factors in inline hockey players. Methods: A prospective cohort research was performed with 49 male inline hockey players aged 8 to 15 years. Data were collected regarding age, body composition, sports antecedents, competition level, and lower-limb ranges of motion (ROM-SPORT battery, n = 11 tests). A prospective measurement of non-contact low back pain was performed after 1 year (outcome) by asking the players supervised by the medical staff team (questionnaire). Results: Sixteen players (32.7%) experienced non-contact low back pain during the 1-year surveillance period. The model showed a significant relationship (χ²(39) = 43.939; p < 0.001) between the low back pain and the predictor variable hip flexion with the knee extended range of motion (OR = 3.850 [large]; 95% CI = 1.293 to 11.463; p = 0.015). The Bayesian Information Criteria and the Akaike Information Criteria for model fit were 56.885 and 37.967, respectively. The training threshold for hip flexion with the knee extended of ≤67° was set, which has an acceptable (area under the curve ≥ 94.1%) discriminatory ability for the development of non-contact low back pain for the screening test. Conclusions: Hamstring extensibility at 67° or less, as determined by hip flexion with knee extension, is a predictor of non-contact low back pain in youth inline hockey players. Full article

External (EL) and internal (IL) load are commonly used methods used to quantify training load in team sports. Playing time and playing position may influence the training loads for specific athletes throughout a season. The purpose of the current study was to evaluate the effect of athlete playing status and individual in-season practices on EL and IL across a collegiate women’s basketball season. Female basketball athletes were classified as high-minute (HMA; ≥15 min/game) or low-minute (LMA; <15 min/game) and wore microsensors during 53 practices for a total of 583 data points. EL was obtained via an inertial measurement unit (IMU) device that contained a triaxial accelerometer to obtain three-dimensional positioning data. IL and strength training (ST) load were determined via session rating of perceived exertion (sRPE) to create a daily summated value. Descriptive statistics indicate that athletes experienced individual differences in EL, ST, and IL throughout the season. A growth model showed that HMAs experienced higher EL than LMAs at the start of the season for practices (90.21 AU). Across all athletes, IL increased across the season (40.11 AU) and for each 1 unit of change in EL, IL increased by 1.04 AU. Repeated measures correlations identified a large relationship between IL and EL (r = 0.51, p < 0.001). A location-scale model indicated that the within-person variability of IL across all athletes was 3.29 AU but was not due to athlete playing status. It is recommended to base in-season training on individual loads and game demands to promote athlete readiness and improved sport performance. Full article

LEA_1 domain-containing proteins constitute a class of late-embryogenesis-abundant proteins that are highly hydrophilic and predominantly accumulate in mature seeds. Though LEA_1 proteins have been proven to be essential for seed desiccation tolerance and longevity, little information is available on their roles in non-seed storage organs. In this study, a first genome-wide characterization of the LEA_1 gene family was conducted in tigernut (Cyperus esculentus L., Cyperaceae), whose underground tubers are desiccation tolerant with a moisture content of less than 6%. Five family members identified in tigernut are comparative to four to six found in seven other Cyperaceae plants, but relatively more than three reported in Arabidopsis. Further comparison of 125 members from 29 plant species supports early divergence of the LEA_1 family into two phylogenetic groups before angiosperm radiation, and gene expansion in tigernut was contributed by whole-genome duplications occurring after the split with the eudicot clade. These two phylogenetic groups could be further divided into six orthogroups in the momocot clade, five of which are present in tigernut and the remaining one is Poaceae specific. Frequent structural variation and expression divergence of paralogs were also observed. Significantly, in contrast to seed-preferential expression of LEA_1 genes in Arabidopsis, rice, and maize, transcriptional profiling and qRT-PCR analysis revealed that CeLEA1 genes have evolved to predominantly express in tubers, exhibiting a seed desiccation-like accumulation during tuber development. Moreover, CeLEA1 transcripts in tubers were shown to be considerably more than that of their orthologs in purple nutsedge, another Cyperaceae plant producing desiccation-sensitive tubers. These results imply species-specific activation and key roles of CeLEA1 genes in the acquisition of desiccation tolerance of tigernut tubers as observed in orthodox seeds. Our findings not only improve the understanding of lineage-specific evolution of the LEA_1 family, but also provide valuable information for further functional analysis and genetic improvement in tigernut. Full article

Passiflora edulis, also known as passion fruit, is celebrated for its rich nutritional content, distinctive flavour, and significant medicinal benefits. At present, viral diseases pose a major challenge to the passion fruit industry, affecting both the production and quality of the fruit. These diseases impede the sustainable and healthy growth of the passion fruit sector. In recent years, with the expansion of P. edulis cultivation areas, virus mutations, and advances in virus detection technology, an increasing number of virus species infecting P. edulis have been discovered. To date, more than 40 different virus species have been identified; however, there are different strains within the same virus. This poses a challenge for the control and prevention of P. edulis virus disease. Therefore, this review discusses the different types of viruses and their characteristics, modes of transmission, and effects on the growth of the passion fruit plant, as well as the mechanisms of virus generation and preventive measures, with the hope that these discussions will provide a comprehensive understanding of and countermeasures for viruses in passion fruit. Full article

Background: With ever-increasing training, match-play and travel demands in professional soccer, recovery is vital for athletic performance, a statement amplified in tournament and in-season scenarios. However, alongside supporting the tasks associated with these increased demands, the recovery and wellbeing strategies recommended for playing staff are often unavailable to their support staff counterparts, who routinely experience extended working hours over and above scheduled player attendance. Methods: Focusing on the contributions of nutrition to this undoubtedly multifactorial issue, this narrative review aimed to (1) identify potential strategies to enhance recovery and wellbeing in multi-disciplinary soccer support staff and (2) highlight future research opportunities exploring the benefits of nutrition for those staff in soccer performance-related support roles. Results: The potential health and wellbeing consequences of chronic sub-optimal practices suggest that chrononutrition strategies may be an area of future interest. Notably, nutritional strategies that enhance sleep hygiene and immune function warrant consideration. Individualizing such strategies to maximize recovery and wellbeing in multi-disciplinary soccer support staff should offer an adjunct and complementary strategy to the holistic performance-focused support provided to professional soccer players. Conclusions: Policymakers responsible for organizational and club structures aligned with soccer performance could consider ‘Supporting the Support Staff’ when seeking to improve overall performance. Full article

Low total soluble solids and high titratable acidity limit MidSouth use as a varietal red wine grape. While canopy management practices were reported not to have enough of an effect on these primary metabolites, they could potentially improve MidSouth secondary metabolites, broadening its potential as a wine grape. Two studies assessed the effects of different canopy management treatments on monomeric anthocyanin pigments and total phenolic content in MidSouth juice and wine. The first study compared early pruning, early pruning with leaf removal, normal pruning with leaf removal, and normal pruning. Early pruning with leaf removal showed higher total phenolics in juice and wine in 2021 but lower levels in 2020. The second study evaluated leaf removal, shoot thinning, or neither leaf removal nor shoot thinning. Leaf removal resulted in higher anthocyanins and total phenolics in 2021 juice, while shoot thinning increased total phenolics in 2021 juice and both anthocyanins and phenolics in 2021 wine. Shoot thinning demonstrated the most consistent improvement in phenolic content. MidSouth grapes can produce a range of wine phenolic content, depending on canopy management and postharvest treatment. Further investigation is needed to understand yearly variations and optimize MidSouth for regional red wine production. Full article

The objectives of this study were to compare the effects of two in-season velocity loss training methods (VBT) on performance outcomes and to evaluate the effects of velocity-based training compared to traditional resistance training (TRT) on performance outcomes in young elite soccer players. VBT utilized the same relative load but varied in the extent of velocity loss during the set: 15% (VL15%) and 30% (VL30%). Thirty-four players were recruited and randomly distributed into three groups: the VL15% group (n = 12; age = 18.50 ± 0.67 years; stature = 183.41 ± 4.25 cm; body mass = 75.08 ± 5.57 kg), the VL30% group (n = 11; age = 17.91 ± 0.60 years; stature = 181.21 ± 6.56 cm, body mass = 73.58 ± 6.22 kg), and the traditional strength training group TRT (n = 11; age = 18.14 ± 0.74 years; stature = 182.17 ± 5.52 cm; body mass = 74.86 ± 6.68 kg). Alongside regular soccer sessions and matches, the groups underwent a four-week (2 sesions per week) resistance training intervention with back squats involved. Changes in leg strength (SQ1RM), 20 m sprint time (SPR 20 m), countermovement jump height (CMJ), reactive strength index (RSI), and change of direction (COD) from before and after were evaluated using a 3 × 2 ANOVA. While no significant interaction was found for SQ1RM and SPR20, all of the groups showed significant pre to post improvements. Significant interactions were observed for CMJ (F = 38.24, p = 0.000), RSI (F = 8.33; p = 0.001), and change of direction agility test (COD) (F = 3.64; p = 0.038), with a post hoc analysis showing differences between the VL15 (6.0%) and TRT (1.7%) groups (p = 0.034); VL15 (12.2%) and VL30 (3.2%) groups (p = 0.004); VL15 and TRT (0.4%) (p = 0.018); VL15 (2.4%) and VL30 (1.5%) (p = 0.049); and between the VL15 and TRT (0.4%) groups (p = 0.015). Four weeks of VL15% training during the season induced similar strength increases to VL30% and TRT, superior improvements in RSI and COD compared to VL30%, and superior improvements in CMJ, RSI, and COD tests compared to TRT. Thus, incorporating the VL15% training method may be recommended to improve power-related performance metrics in elite young soccer players. Full article