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To fill the research gap in the mechanical and physical properties of different varieties of sweet potatoes at different points in the harvest period and to provide a theoretical basis for the design of key components of the sweet potato harvester, the physical properties of Su-Shu 16, Su-Shu 36, and Ning-Zi 4 during the harvest period were studied at three time points: 15 October, 25 October, and 4 November 2023. The moisture content of sweet potatoes was determined using the DGF30/7-IA electric hot air-drying oven. The results showed that the moisture content of sweet potatoes decreased with increasing growth time at three different time points during the harvest period. The moisture content of Su-Shu 16 was, on average, 12.74% higher than that of Su-Shu 36, while the moisture content of Ning-Zi 4 was, on average, 8.07% higher than that of Su-Shu 36. The density of Su-Shu 36 measured by the drainage method is greater than that of Su-Shu 16 and Ning-Zi 4, but the difference is relatively small, and the density tends to decrease slowly with the increase of growth time. Using an electronic universal testing machine, compression tests were conducted on Su-Shu 16, Su-Shu 36, and Ning-Zi 4 at loading speeds of 5 mm/min and 10 mm/min, respectively. The results showed that the compressive strength limit range of Su-Shu 36 was slightly higher than that of Su-Shu 16 and significantly higher than that of Ning-Zi 4. The Poisson's ratio, elastic modulus, and shear modulus values of Su-Shu 16 and Su-Shu 36 were similar and much higher than those of Ning-Zi 4. Studying sweet potatoes' growth and physical characteristics for different purposes can provide data references for the design of digging depth, working width, and conveyor chain gap of sweet potato harvesters, as well as data references for sweet potato simulation experiments. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

To fill the research gap in the mechanical and physical properties of different varieties of sweet potatoes at different points in the harvest period and to provide a theoretical basis for the design of key components of the sweet potato harvester, the physical properties of Su-Shu 16, Su-Shu 36, and Ning-Zi 4 during the harvest period were studied at three time points: 15 October, 25 October, and 4 November 2023. The moisture content of sweet potatoes was determined using the DGF30/7-IA electric hot air-drying oven. The results showed that the moisture content of sweet potatoes decreased with increasing growth time at three different time points during the harvest period. The moisture content of Su-Shu 16 was, on average, 12.74% higher than that of Su-Shu 36, while the moisture content of Ning-Zi 4 was, on average, 8.07% higher than that of Su-Shu 36. The density of Su-Shu 36 measured by the drainage method is greater than that of Su-Shu 16 and Ning-Zi 4, but the difference is relatively small, and the density tends to decrease slowly with the increase of growth time. Using an electronic universal testing machine, compression tests were conducted on Su-Shu 16, Su-Shu 36, and Ning-Zi 4 at loading speeds of 5 mm/min and 10 mm/min, respectively. The results showed that the compressive strength limit range of Su-Shu 36 was slightly higher than that of Su-Shu 16 and significantly higher than that of Ning-Zi 4. The Poisson’s ratio, elastic modulus, and shear modulus values of Su-Shu 16 and Su-Shu 36 were similar and much higher than those of Ning-Zi 4. Studying sweet potatoes’ growth and physical characteristics for different purposes can provide data references for the design of digging depth, working width, and conveyor chain gap of sweet potato harvesters, as well as data references for sweet potato simulation experiments.

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Investigation to evaluate the effect of varying levels of manure fertilization on the productivity and feed quality of kenaf (Hibiscus cannabinus L.) during bi-weekly harvests was conducted in Gyeongbuk province, Republic of Korea, over a span of two years. The experimental design adopted a randomized complete block with four harvesting periods (100, 110, 120, and 130 days after planting - DAP) and four manure fertilization levels (0, 150, 200, and 250 kg N/ha), each replicated thrice. The findings revealed a positive correlation between manure fertilization application and kenaf growth, with the greatest plant height observed at the highest manure fertilization levels. The manure fertilization application level of 200 kg N/ha resulted in the highest dry matter (DM) yield, coupled with the highest crude protein (CP) content in kenaf leaves. Elevating manure fertilization level had a significant diminishing effect on acid detergent fiber (ADF) content, concurrently escalating neutral detergent fiber (NDF) content. Notably, the manure fertilization levels of 200 and 250 kg N/ha exhibited the highest total digestible nutrient (TDN) content. The temporal progression of kenaf growth was characterized by increasing height, while no statistically significant differences were detected in DM yield. In summation, optimal growth and development of the kenaf plant were attained through a manure fertilization application level of 200 kg N/ha, coupled with harvesting between 110 and 120 DAP. The adoption of these practices holds the potential to enhance both local and international kenaf markets, while concurrently addressing environmental concerns associated with conventional farming practices. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Copyright of Journal of Agricultural Science & Technology (1008-0864) is the property of Journal of Agricultural Science & Technology and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)

High-quality seed production is essential in organic production as well as in conventional production. Fruit maturity can be observed at different times due to the continuous flowering of pepper plant. Consequently, seeds with different maturity stages were obtained as the fruits were collected during once over-harvesting period. Immature seeds collected in once over-harvest may cause quality losses in the seed lot. Hence, this study was conducted to determine the effect of after-ripening on mature and immature pepper seeds produced in organic and conventional production systems. To see the effect of after-ripening treatment, seeds were harvested in two different periods (immature 45-50 days after anthesis(DAA) and mature 60-65 DAA). Afterripening (AR) was performed by keeping the seeds in fruits for 7 days after harvesting the fruits. Effect of production systems and after-ripening on immature and mature pepper seed lots were assessed for four cultivars harvested in 2015 and 2016. After-ripening increased germination (AR:76.3%, C:28% for organic and AR:88%, C:53.8% for conventional), seedling emergence (AR:70.8%, C:44.3% for organic and AR:82.5%, C:53.8% for conventional) percentages and mean weight of 1000 seeds (AR:6.5, C:6.0g for organic and AR:6.5, C:6.2g for conventional) in both production systems of immature seed lots compared to control (C)(P<0.05) but did not have a similar effect on mature ones. Moreover, organically-produced seed lots have the same quality as conventionally-produced seeds. Consequently, obtained results indicate that after-ripening can be used to enhance the quality of immature seeds of pepper cultivars and seeds can be produced organically without any loss of quality. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Majiayou pomelo (Citrus grandis L. Osbeck, MP) is a famous local red pulp pomelo from the Jiangxi province in China that is rich in natural active substances. In order to investigate the postharvest antioxidant capacities of MP pulp and determine the optimal harvesting time, fruits that were harvested at three different maturities (185, 200, and 215 days after full bloom) were observed for 180 days of preservation at ambient temperature. An abundance of ascorbic acid and lycopene in the MP pulp was found during storage, and in Harvest I, these substances were significantly higher than in Harvest II and Harvest III fruit (p < 0.05). The activity of ascorbate peroxidase (APX), peroxidase (POD), and catalases (CAT) in Harvest I and Harvest II were far higher after 90 days. The radical scavenging ability of 2,2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH) radical, superoxide anion radical (O2−•), and hydroxyl radical (•OH) in Harvest I and Harvest II were higher. There was a significantly positive correlation (p < 0.01) between the antioxidant components (ascorbic acid, lycopene, carotenoids, total phenols, and total flavonoids), enzyme activity, and radical scavenging ability. The comprehensive scores determined by principal component analysis (PCA) in Harvest I and II were higher than those in Harvest III. Therefore, the optimal harvesting period of MP for each year is determined to be early November. The study provides a theoretical basis for the maintenance of the postharvest fruit value and the regulation of fruit functional components.

Phenolics, volatiles, squalene, tocopherols, and fatty acids of virgin olive oils (VOO) from adult and young olive trees of the Oueslati variety, typically cultivated in the Center of Tunisia, were analyzed at three different harvesting periods. Significant differences in contents of saturated fatty acids ( p < 0.05), squalene ( p < 0.05), alpha-tocopherol and total tocopherol ( p < 0.02) and oxidized form of decarboxymethyl oleuropein aglycon ( p < 0.05) were seen between VOO from adult and young trees during maturation. Moreover, the volatile profiles of VOO from adult and young trees showed significant differences in the amounts of hexanal, 1-penten-3-ol ( p < 0.05), ( Z)-3-hexenal and ( Z)-2-penten-1-ol ( p < 0.01). Principal component analysis showed that olives from adult trees should be harvested at the cherry stage of maturation to obtain a satisfactory level of oil quality, while olives from young trees should be harvested at the black maturation stage. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Rhinacanthus nasutus has been traditionally used for skin infections, diabetes, inflammatory disorders and cancer therapies. Rhinacanthin-C, -D, and -N have been identified as its bioactive compounds. The content of active compounds in herbal raw materials and health products usually varies due to various factors, such as plant genetics, climate, and harvesting process. The present study aimed to determine the effect of harvesting factors, including part use and harvesting periods on rhinacanthin content of raw materials and health products of R. nasutus. Six parts of R. nasutus raw materials, i.e., leaves, flowers, roots, green twigs, brown twigs and aerial parts that separately harvested every two months together with two commercially available products of R. nasutus tea were extracted using a microwave-assisted extraction and subjected to quantitative HPLC analysis of rhinacanthin-C, -D, and -N. Among the plant parts, the roots contained the highest content of total rhinacanthins, followed by the leaves, in all every harvesting periods. While the other parts contained very low content of total rhinacanthins. In addition, the highest content of total rhinacanthins accumulated in roots (4.91 %, w/w) and leaves (4.42 %, w/w) were observed when they were harvested in September, while the lowest ones (3.73 % and 3.18 %, w/w, respectively) were found in March. In contrast, R. nasutus powders obtained from ten suppliers and two tea products contained very low content of total rhinacanthins and varied in the ranges of 0.14–0.55 %, w/w, which similar to those observed in the aerial part powders (0.27–0.53 %, w/w). [Display omitted] • Rhinacanthins were highly accumulated in only roots and leaves of R. nasutus. • Harvesting periods notably affected rhinacanthins content in both roots and leaves. • Aerial part of R. nasutus contained very low content of rhinacanthins. • Commercially available R. nasutus powders were made from the aerial parts. • Neither of the rhinacanthins were detected in R. nasutus tea infusions. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Trifoliate yam starches from white and yellow cultivars were isolated and characterized by SEM, granule size analysis, pasting properties and swelling characteristics at different harvesting periods were studied. The starch yield ranged from 5.09 to 12.07%. White trifoliate yam had the highest starch yield at 9 months and this was significantly different ( p<0.05) from others. The scanning electron micrograph revealed the presence of smooth surface granules with polygonal granule size ranging from 2.58 to 3.58 µm in diameter. Amylose and starch contents ranged from 14.65 to 17.44% and 40.73 to 63.34%, respectively. Peak viscosity ranged from 199.77 to 373.71 RVU, holding strength from 77.68 to 167.84 RVU, breakdown 96.79 to 217.14 RVU, final viscosity 149.84 to 267.58 RVU, setback 50.34 to 112.27 RVU. White trifoliate yam starch at 7 months had the highest peak viscosity and breakdown but it exhibits high value in holding strength at 8 months. White trifoliate yam starch harvested at 10 months had the highest swelling power at 60 and 80°C while at 90°C, the highest value was recorded for starch at 11 months. The yellow starch at 10 months had higher swelling power at 90°C. Harvesting of trifoliate yam at different periods produced starches that can be used for different purposes. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Majiayou pomelo (Citrus grandis L. Osbeck, MP) is a famous local red pulp pomelo from the Jiangxi province in China that is rich in natural active substances. In order to investigate the postharvest antioxidant capacities of MP pulp and determine the optimal harvesting time, fruits that were harvested at three different maturities (185, 200, and 215 days after full bloom) were observed for 180 days of preservation at ambient temperature. An abundance of ascorbic acid and lycopene in the MP pulp was found during storage, and in Harvest I, these substances were significantly higher than in Harvest II and Harvest III fruit (p < 0.05). The activity of ascorbate peroxidase (APX), peroxidase (POD), and catalases (CAT) in Harvest I and Harvest II were far higher after 90 days. The radical scavenging ability of 2,2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH) radical, superoxide anion radical (O2−•), and hydroxyl radical (•OH) in Harvest I and Harvest II were higher. There was a significantly positive correlation (p < 0.01) between the antioxidant components (ascorbic acid, lycopene, carotenoids, total phenols, and total flavonoids), enzyme activity, and radical scavenging ability. The comprehensive scores determined by principal component analysis (PCA) in Harvest I and II were higher than those in Harvest III. Therefore, the optimal harvesting period of MP for each year is determined to be early November. The study provides a theoretical basis for the maintenance of the postharvest fruit value and the regulation of fruit functional components. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]