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Use of maturity traits to identify optimal harvestable maturity of banana Musa AAB cv. “Embul” in dry zone of Sri Lanka

  • Kasthuri Kanchana , Anjali Senerath , Nagarathnam Thiruchchelvan and Aruna Kumara EMAIL logo
Published/Copyright: March 16, 2021
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Open Agriculture
From the journal Open Agriculture Volume 6 Issue 1

Abstract

Banana is a climacteric fruit and perishable in nature having relatively high postharvest losses. Harvesting banana at a perfect maturity stage can reduce the quantity of losses during post-harvest handling. There is no identified optimal harvestable maturity time line available for local banana cultivars in Sri Lanka. Therefore, this study focused on use of maturity traits to identify optimal harvestable maturity for harvesting banana in the dry zone of Sri Lanka. Changes of fruit weight, length of banana fruits, fruit pulp weight, luminosity (L*), red-green (a*), yellow (b*), hue angle and chroma for skin of banana, total soluble solid (TSS) content, pH value and starch content of banana fruit pulp, respiration rate, and ethylene production of banana fruits during the developmental continuum were measured from seven days after flowering (DAF) to senescence. Data were statistically analyzed using one way-ANOVA at 95% confidence level. Results revealed that physical parameters such as length and weight of banana fruits were steadily increased in time. Chemical parameters such as TSS, pH and starch content of banana fruit pulp were significantly differed with the maturation. Fruit physiological parameters including ethylene production and respiration rate were significantly different with DAF. In conclusions, optimum maturity for the distant markets was observed in range of 77–84 DAF. Maturity stage from 84 to 104 DAF is better for the local/immediate consumption, and afterwards it can be recommended for the fruit processing firms.

Keywords: physical maturity; chemical parameters; physiological maturity; postharvest handling

1 Introduction

Bananas and plantains (Musa spp.) have played an important role in the history of human civilization. It has been reported that bananas were among the first few plants to be domesticated from the beginning of the settled agriculture (Simmonds 1962). Southeast Asia and Western Pacific region have been identified as the native place of modern bananas and plantains, as inedible, seed bearing, diploid ancestors can still be found in the natural forest vegetations. Musa acuminata is a wild native species to Southeast Asia. It is the progenitor of modern edible bananas, along with Musa balbisiana (Wong et al. 2001). Bananas were first cultivated around 8,000 B.C. (Bora 2011).

Bananas have achieved a greater importance as a cash or subsistence crop in regions away from their primary centers of origin. The banana trade, which was developed in tropical America around middle of the nineteenth century, is remarkable to note. The fruit had been exported from West Indian islands and Central American countries to markets in North America. This trade developed rapidly with the introduction of refrigerated shipment (Robinson and Sauco 2010). A small number of triploid cultivars of M. acuminata have been used in this trade. When considering plantains, 73% of the world crop is grown and consumed in West and Central Africa. Triploid crosses between M. acuminata and M. balbisiana are the cultivars that are widely used in the banana trade (Robinson 1996).

Under Sri Lankan context, banana (Musa spp.) is the most widely cultivated and consumed fruit (Wasala et al. 2014). It is also an attractive perennial fruit crop for farmers due to high economic gains throughout the year. Therefore, rice fields have been converted to grow banana, as it gives more economic benefits, requires relatively less water and less input, and gives higher returns than rice. The net profit of banana growers has gone up about four times in comparison to rice cultivation. In addition, banana (Musa spp.) is grown in more than 120 countries worldwide and has been ranked second in world fruit production (Lassois et al. 2010). It is a vital source of income, employment, and export revenue for many developing countries in Latin America, the West Indies, Southeast Asia and Africa (Lassois et al. 2010). National annual production of banana is 730,000 metric tons, it was recorded from 44,578 ha banana cultivation throughout the country (Hirimburegama et al. 2004). There are said to be almost 1,000 varieties of banana in the world, which sub-divide into about 50 groups, Sri Lanka boasts 29 varieties, the greater number of which appear to be indigenous to the country (Hirimburegama et al. 2004).

Most of the cultivars of banana are hybrids and most of the edible cultivars are triploid (Hirimburegama et al. 2004). Mysore (‘Embul’ AAB group) is the most popular banana cultivar in Sri Lanka due to its high yielding and good keeping qualities during postharvest life. Additionally, this banana cultivar can be cultivated in most agro-ecological zones in Sri Lanka. The life span of banana crop mainly depends upon the level of crop management. Some growers in Sri Lanka harvest only the first bunch of the crop and no suckers are allowed to grow for subsequent crops (Sirisena and Senanayake 1997). The banana crop becomes ready for harvesting within 11–12 months from planting. First ratoon crop would be ready by 8–10 months from the harvesting of the main crop, and second ratoon by 8–9 months after the second crop (Hurlston 1991).

The first step in the postharvest life of the product is the moment of harvest. For most fresh produce, harvest is manual. Therefore, picker is responsible for deciding whether the produce has reached the correct maturity for harvest. The maturity of harvested commodities has an important influence on their storage life and quality, and may affect the way they are handled, transported, and marketed (Kitinoja and Kader 2015). An understanding of the meaning and measurement of maturity is therefore central to postharvest technology (Watada et al. 1984). Mature is best defined as having completed natural growth and development. Producers, handlers and quality control personnel make maturity measures. A maturity index should be measurable rather than subjective, consistently related to the quality and postharvest life of the commodity for all growers, districts, and years, non-destructive and based on common characteristics (Kitinoja and Kader 2015).

Therefore, banana is a climacteric fruit and perishable in nature having relatively high postharvest losses of about 20–30% (Ekanayake et al. 2001). Due to these circumstances, postharvest loss of banana can be seen as prominent characteristics in local markets of Sri Lanka. Currently, there are no maturity indices available for the Sri Lankan banana cultivars. Therefore, this study focused on assessing maturity traits for banana, Musa AAB cv. ‘Embul’ in dry zone of the Sri Lanka for distance and local market with special reference to physical parameters such as changes of fruit weight, length, pulp weight, luminosity (L*), red-green (a*), yellow (b*), hue angle and chroma for skin of banana and chemical parameters such as total soluble solid content, pH value and starch content of the banana and fruit physiological parameters including respiration and ethylene production behavior from primordial initiation to senescence.

2 Materials and methods

2.1 Study site description

The research was carried out at a well establish semi-commercial banana plantation situated at Keralogama, Eppawalla, Anuradhapura (8°11′24″ N, 80°22′26″ E, 120 m above sea level), North Central Province (NCP) (dry zone) of Sri Lanka, and Postharvest Technology Laboratory, University College of Anuradhapura, University of Vocational Technology, Sri Lanka. The dry zone covers predominantly the northern and eastern part of the country. The dry zone receives a mean annual rainfall of less than 1,750 mm with a distinct dry season from May to September.

2.2 Experimental design and sample collection

All pre-harvest practices of this banana plantation were carried out according to the instruction given by the Department of Agriculture, Sri Lanka. Based on the simple random sampling method, ten banana plants showing floral primordial initiation with synchronic maturity (same age) were labeled. Periodically, banana fingers were harvested from the second hand middle area with the help of sharp knife. Then, the cutting end at the second hand middle area was disinfected with 70% ethanol to minimize fungal infection. After collecting the sample, banana fingers were separately kept in poly propylene bag with label and quickly transported to the Postharvest Technology Laboratory.

To use maturity traits to identify optimum harvestable maturity for Musa AAB cv. ‘Embul’, chronological, physical, chemical and physiological features were employed at the laboratory with standard methods described by the Kader (1992).

Length of the fruit, peel color, fruit diameter, and weigh of the fruit, peel weight and pulp weight were measured. Total soluble solid content (TSS), pH, and iodine test were assessed on banana pulp. In addition to that, respiration rate and ethylene production were measured to identify harvestable maturity of banana, Musa AAB cv. ‘Embul.’

2.2.1 Measurement of fruit weight

Weight of the individual fruits at different maturity stages were determined by using digital scale, and mean value of ten fruits were calculated.

2.2.2 Measurement of fruit length and diameter

Length and diameter of the fruits was measured using venire caliper, and mean value of ten fruits were calculated.

2.2.3 Measurements of the fruit peel color

Color was measured by using a Konica Minolta portable colorimeter (CR-400, Japan). A standard white tile (Y = 93.9, X = 0.3125, Y = 0.3191) was used to calibrate the instrument and L*, a* and b* values were directly taken from the colorimeter. Overall color change ( Δ E = Δ L 2 + Δ a 2 + Δ b 2 ) was calculated based on measured L*, a* and b* values (Jayathunge et al. 2015).

2.2.4 Measurement of the total soluble solid content

Total soluble solid content was measured using a digital refractometer (ATAGO, PAL-01, Tokyo). Distilled water was used to calibrate the instrument and total soluble solid content of the pulp was directly taken from the refractometer (Ranganna 1986). TSS content was determined using the Brix scale and readings were recorded (AOAC 1990).

2.2.5 Measurement of the fruit pulp pH

pH of the fruit pulp was measured using a digital pH meter (Thermo Orine, 420A+, USA). Standard buffer solution was used to calibrate the instrument, and pH of the pulp was directly taken from the pH meter (Nielsen et al. 2010). Ten banana fingers were collected from second hand middle region of the ten banana bunches at a time with same age and same cultivar under similar treatments to extract fruit pulp for pH measurement based on the simple random sampling technique. This process was continued with a week interval from the fruit set.

2.2.6 Measurement of ethylene production during fruit development

Samples of fruit were immediately transported to the postharvest technology laboratory from the field. After that, weight of the sample was measured by using digital scale and transferred to seal airtight container at 20°C. After two hours, the concentration of ethylene in the container was measured using an ICA 56 ethylene meter (International Controlled Atmosphere Ltd. Instrument Division, UK) according to the manufacturer’s instructions with an accuracy up to 0.1 ppm, within a time of 15 s, at a flow of 0.8 L min−1 (Response sample flow, 0.8 L min−1). Finally, based on the result, ethylene production was measured in ppm (Kheiralipour et al. 2008); Ethylene production was measured until senescence.

2.2.7 Measurement of respiration rate during fruit development

Samples of fruit were immediately transported to the postharvest technology laboratory from the field. After that, weight of the sample was measured by using digital scale and transferred to seal container. After one hour, the concentration of CO2 in the container was measured by using a Dual Gas Analyzer (International Controlled Atmosphere Ltd. Instrument Division, UK) according to the manufacturer’s instructions (Saltveit 2015). Finally, based on the result, respiration rate was measured until senescence, as mg CO2 per kg per hour.

2.3 Statistical analysis

Data was statistically analyzed using one way-ANOVA at 95% confidence level, and mean separation was done according to the Fisher LSD method.

  1. Ethical approval: The conducted research is not related to either human or animal use.

3 Results

In general, weight of the banana fruit increased significantly (p < 0.05) during the developmental continuum showing sigmoid behavior (Figure 1). A week after flowering weight per fruit was 10 g/fruit. It reached above 50 g fruit weight at 84 DAF and maximum weight (82 g/fruit) was obtained at 110 DAF. Figure 2 reveals that length of the samples varied significantly (p < 0.05). At the initial stage (7 DAF), length and diameter of the fruit was recorded as 6.6 and 0.65 cm, respectively. Maximum length (13.25 cm) and diameter (3.82 cm) of the fruit was recorded at 110 DAF. However, at 84 DAF fruit, length was 11.29 cm (diameter 3.39 cm), showing a slight significant difference with maximum length and diameter, compared to the initial stages of development.

Figure 1 Changes of fruit weight during developmental continuum of banana fruits. *Bars (means values) that do not share the letter/s are significantly different according to the Fisher LSD.
Figure 1

Changes of fruit weight during developmental continuum of banana fruits. *Bars (means values) that do not share the letter/s are significantly different according to the Fisher LSD.

Figure 2 Changes of length during developmental continuum of banana fruit. *Bars (means values) that do not share the letter/s are significantly different according to the Fisher LSD.
Figure 2

Changes of length during developmental continuum of banana fruit. *Bars (means values) that do not share the letter/s are significantly different according to the Fisher LSD.

Total Soluble Solid (TSS) content of the samples varied significantly (p < 0.05) among the samples during developmental continuum. At the initial stages TSS of the samples was comparatively low (Brix 9.71). TSS content gradually increased with time and reached it maximum of 19.20 Brix at 110 DAF. However, Brix value of 15.04 TSS content was recorded at 84 DAF (Figure 3).

Figure 3 Changes of Total Soluble Solid content during developmental continuum of banana fruit. *Bars (means values) that do not share the letter/s are significantly different according to the Fisher LSD.
Figure 3

Changes of Total Soluble Solid content during developmental continuum of banana fruit. *Bars (means values) that do not share the letter/s are significantly different according to the Fisher LSD.

Pulp weight of the banana fruit samples varied significantly (p < 0.05) among the samples during developmental continuum. Pulp weight gradually increased with development, it ranged from 5.28 g (7 DAF) to 61.5 g (110 DAF) (Figure 4).

Figure 4 Changes of fruit pulp weight during the developmental continuum of banana fruits. *Bars (means values) that do not share the letter/s are significantly different according to the Fisher LSD.
Figure 4

Changes of fruit pulp weight during the developmental continuum of banana fruits. *Bars (means values) that do not share the letter/s are significantly different according to the Fisher LSD.

Luminosity (L*), red-green (a*), yellow (b*), hue angle and chroma for skin of banana fruits varied significantly (p < 0.05) among the samples during developmental continuum as mentioned in the Figure 5.

Figure 5 Changes of Luminosity (L*), red-green (a*), yellow (b*), hue angle and chroma for skin of banana (Musa AAB, cv. ‘Embul’) during developmental continuum of banana fruits.
Figure 5

Changes of Luminosity (L*), red-green (a*), yellow (b*), hue angle and chroma for skin of banana (Musa AAB, cv. ‘Embul’) during developmental continuum of banana fruits.

Figure 6, describes the pH values of the banana fruit pulp that varied significantly (p < 0.05) among the samples during developmental stages. pH values of the banana fruit pulp were slightly acidic (pH range from 6.0 to 5.8) up to 84 DAF, thereafter pH decreased to 5 at the 91 DAF, however up to 104 DAF pH ranged was recorded in-between 5 and 4. At the late phase (104 DAF) of development of banana fruit pH was strongly acidic (pH 3).

Figure 6 Changes of pH value of banana fruit pulp during developmental continuum.
Figure 6

Changes of pH value of banana fruit pulp during developmental continuum.

Respiration rate of banana fruits started with comparatively higher rate at the beginning (Figure 7). Minimum level of respiration was recorded at 84–99 DAF. After that, respiration rate drastically increased up to 104 DAF and then started to decline.

Figure 7 Changes of respiration rate of banana fruits during the developmental continuum.
Figure 7

Changes of respiration rate of banana fruits during the developmental continuum.

At the initial development stages of the banana fruits, ethylene concentration or ethylene production was at low level. However, ethylene production was started to increase at 84 DAF, and continued up to its maximum level at 104 DAF (Above 70 ppm). After that, ethylene concentration reduced (Figure 8).

Figure 8 Changes of ethylene production of banana fruits during the developmental continuum.
Figure 8

Changes of ethylene production of banana fruits during the developmental continuum.

4 Discussion

Sri Lanka is a country with an agricultural economy where banana is the most important fruit crop cultivated in terms of hectares (50,000 ha), production (450,000 tons) and consumption (Kudagamage et al. 2002; Wasala et al. 2012). The first step in the postharvest life of the product is the moment of harvest. For most fresh produce, harvest is manual. Therefore, picker is responsible for deciding whether the produce has reached the correct maturity for harvest. The maturity of harvested commodities has an important weight on their shelf life and quality, and may affect the way they are handled, transported, and marketed. Less mature fruits never ripen and long shelf life, in exchange for poor flavor, and also, higher mature fruits are more prone to decay and good flavor but poor shelf life (Cantwell 2015). Therefore, maturity index for a commodity is a measurement that can be used to determine whether a particular agricultural commodity is mature.

During the initial stage of development of a living organism, cell division and cell expansion occur (Watada et al. 1984). Therefore, weight, length and diameter of a fruit increased at increasing rate during the initial time of development. Similarly, also in this study at the initial stages weight, length and diameter of the samples increased with increasing rate. After that, these parameters increased with decreasing rate and reached the maximum by end of the development stages. In general, fruit weight and pulp weight of the samples increased during the developmental continuum showing sigmoid behavior (Figures 1 and 4) but length and TSS of the samples increased during the developmental continuum with decreasing rate (Figures 2 and 3).

The pH value of the banana fruit pulp showed that slightly acidic nature (pH 5.8) at the initial developmental stages, but gradually pH value was decreased up to 3.2, revealing a very acidic nature. The pH, TSS, carbohydrate and protein contents are possible physico-chemical and nutritional maturity indices. According to Zhang and McCarthy (2012), characterization of the intricate process of maturity and ripening poses a challenge to fruit farmers and processors as well as scholars. The pH, TSS, protein and carbohydrate contents vary as fruit mature (Carrari et al. 2006; Faurobert et al. 2007; Gautier et al. 2008; Matsuda et al. 2010), making these parameters indispensable maturity indices.

As mentioned in Figure 9, there is a correlation in between changes of internal and external maturity traits during the developmental continuum of banana fruits from floral primordial initiation to senescence. In general, farmers do harvesting; they do not have idea of the internal chemical changes of fruits. Therefore, maturity indices need to be developed based on the external changes in size, shape, length, diameter and peel color, but it should be correlated with internal quality changes. Figure 9 clearly indicates the level of starch disappearance along with the maturation process. Fifth stage in Figure 9 indicates that conversion of starch to sugar, showing physiological maturity. However, determination of respiration rate and ethylene production can make consistent determination of physiological maturity.

Figure 9 Developmental continuum of banana fruits from floral primordial initiation to senescence.
Figure 9

Developmental continuum of banana fruits from floral primordial initiation to senescence.

The measurement of respiration is very important because it provides a window through which we can determine the metabolic activity of plant tissues. During aerobic respiration, stored food (e.g., carbohydrates, fats, proteins) are combined with oxygen from the atmosphere to produce carbon dioxide, water and the energy needed to maintain plant cells and tissues, and quality of the commodity (Saltveit 1999). Respiration rate of banana fruits started with comparatively higher rate at the beginning (Figure 7). During the initial level of development of biological material cell division and elongation can take place. Therefore, these biological processes need more energy for these activities, which can be the main reason for higher respiration rate at initial days of fruit development. However, with time, respiration rate went reducing up to its minimum level, and it was recorded at 84 DAF. After that, respiration rate drastically increased with increasing rate up to 104 DAF.

Autocatalytic plant hormone “ethylene” governs the ripening process of almost all of the fruits. It is highlighted that, two hundred genes are activated during ripening process of a fruit. De-greening, dissociation of latex, conversion of starch into sugar, development of aroma and improved firmness are the some of functions carried out by ethylene hormone. (Klee and Giovannoni 2011). Historically, fruits have been categorized into two classes of behavior with respect to ethylene physiology and respiratory pattern. In the first type, as fruit progresses towards edibility, the respiratory rate increases followed by a decline as fruit senesces. This is known as the climacteric rise. In climacteric fruits like banana, they produce small concentration of ethylene hormone up to physiological maturity after fruit set and beyond sudden increase in the hormone, concentration can be observed to its maximum, and then declines before fruit rots intervene and lead to a renewed output.

In contrast, at the initial development stages ethylene concentration or ethylene production is at low level (Figure 8). Production of ethylene is an autocatalytic process. Therefore, at initial cell division and cell elongation period we were able to see, comparatively low ethylene production in banana fruits. However, with time, ethylene production increased up to its maximum level by 104 DAF, and started to decline onwards as mentioned by the Klee and Giovannoni (2011).

Color is the first feature of quality evaluated by a person (Markovic et al. 2018). Color is the natural pigment in fruits. Fruits color changes at different stage of maturity and ripeness. The color is the main important factor attracting the consumer to a production as premise to create a good market. Consumers need fresh and very good flavor fruits. They firstly select the fresh fruits using its appearance. Fruits external color is used as an indicator of ripeness of fresh fruits. The color meter can be used for determination of fruits and vegetable color (Barrett et al. 2010). Previous studies including that of Carvalho et al. (2005) demonstrated that L* value decreases as tomatoes ripen and turn red because carotenoid synthesis and loss of green color reduces fruit brightness. Caron et al. (2013) describe tomato as a climacteric fruit and assert that harvesting at the light red stage would give the productive and commercial sectors greater flexibility for its management. Similarly, to Caron et al. (2013), by 84 DAF we were also able to see the changes of banana peel light green color with changes in the surface gloss, or feel waxiness in banana peel and well grown fruits with fullness.

Similar to our experimentation, Abdullah et al. (1986) conducted a research with eighty banana plants, which were tagged and after fruits were harvested. Then these fruits were transported to the laboratory. This researcher sampled each fruits bunch, these bunches were divided in to three portions, such as upper, middle and lower and checked the physical, chemical, and sensory evaluation factors such as, weights of the sample, diameter, pulp weigh, pH value of pulp, TTA, starch content, total sugar content. Those result revealed that banana could be harvested 10–13 weeks after flower emergence. Results of our research revealed that banana possess all necessary maturity characteristics by 84 DAF.

In conclusion, maturity trait for harvesting banana Musa AAB cv. “Embul” in dry zone of Sri Lanka, days after flowering (DAF) can be used as a potential maturity trait. Banana cultivar Embul can be harvested 77–84 DAF (11–12 weeks) for distant markets to avoid ripening during transport. In contrast, maturity stage 84–104 DAF is better for the local/immediate consumption and afterwards it can be recommended for the fruit processing firms. However, environmental and agronomic factors such as temperature and manure/fertilizer application have key influence on flowering behavior of banana.

Acknowledgments

Authors wish to acknowledge Department of Postharvest Technology, University College of Anuradhapura, University of Vocational Technology and Department of Agricultural Technology, Faculty of Technology, University of Colombo, Sri Lanka for the tremendous encouragements, guidance and support extended throughout the study. Further, we extend our heart-felt gratitude to farmers who cultivate banana as a commercial plantation in rural Sri Lanka.

  1. Funding information: The University College of Anuradhapura, University of Vocational Technology, Sri Lanka, provided funds allocation for this research project.

  2. Author contribution: Authors equally contributed for the conceptualization, data curation, formal analysis, investigation, projects administrations supervision, validation, visualization and writing – original draft.

  3. Conflict of interest: The authors state no conflict of interest.

  4. Data availability statement: The datasets generated during and/or analyzed during the current study are available from the corresponding author on reasonable request.

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Received: 2019-12-14
Revised: 2020-08-28
Accepted: 2020-09-06
Published Online: 2021-03-16

© 2021 Kasthuri Kanchana et al., published by De Gruyter

This work is licensed under the Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License.

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  7. Assessment of deficit irrigation efficiency. Case study: Middle Sebou and Innaouene downstream
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https://doi.org/10.1515/opag-2021-0015
Keywords for this article
physical maturity; chemical parameters; physiological maturity; postharvest handling
Creative Commons
BY 4.0

Articles in the same Issue

  1. Regular Articles
  2. The nutmeg seedlings growth under pot culture with biofertilizers inoculation
  3. Recovery of heather (Calluna vulgaris) flowering in northern Finland
  4. Soil microbiome of different-aged stages of self-restoration of ecosystems on the mining heaps of limestone quarry (Elizavetino, Leningrad region)
  5. Conversion of land use and household livelihoods in Vietnam: A study in Nghe An
  6. Foliar selenium application for improving drought tolerance of sesame (Sesamum indicum L.)
  7. Assessment of deficit irrigation efficiency. Case study: Middle Sebou and Innaouene downstream
  8. Integrated weed management practices and sustainable food production among farmers in Kwara State, Nigeria
  9. Determination of morphological changes using gamma irradiation technology on capsicum specie varieties
  10. Use of maturity traits to identify optimal harvestable maturity of banana Musa AAB cv. “Embul” in dry zone of Sri Lanka
  11. Theory vs practice: Patterns of the ASEAN-10 agri-food trade
  12. Intake, nutrient digestibility, nitrogen, and mineral balance of water-restricted Xhosa goats supplemented with vitamin C
  13. Physicochemical properties of South African prickly pear fruit and peel: Extraction and characterisation of pectin from the peel
  14. An evaluation of permanent crops: Evidence from the “Plant the Future” project, Georgia
  15. Probing of the genetic components of seedling emergence traits as selection indices, and correlation with grain yield characteristics of some tropical maize varieties
  16. Increase in the antioxidant content in biscuits by infusions or Prosopis chilensis pod flour
  17. Altitude, shading, and management intensity effect on Arabica coffee yields in Aceh, Indonesia
  18. Climate change adaptation and cocoa farm rehabilitation behaviour in Ahafo Ano North District of Ashanti region, Ghana
  19. Effect of light spectrum on growth, development, and mineral contents of okra (Abelmoschus esculentus L.)
  20. An assessment of broiler value chain in Nigeria
  21. Storage root yield and sweetness level selection for new honey sweet potato (Ipomoea batatas [L.] Lam)
  22. Direct financial cost of weed control in smallholder rubber plantations
  23. Combined application of poultry litter biochar and NPK fertilizer improves cabbage yield and soil chemical properties
  24. How does willingness and ability to pay of palm oil smallholders affect their willingness to participate in Indonesian sustainable palm oil certification? Empirical evidence from North Sumatra
  25. Investigation of the adhesion performance of some fast-growing wood species based on their wettability
  26. The choice of information sources and marketing channel of Bali cattle farmers in Bali Province
  27. Preliminary phytochemical screening and in vitro antibacterial activity of Plumbago indica (Laal chitrak) root extracts against drug-resistant Escherichia coli and Klebsiella pneumoniae
  28. Agronomic and economic performance of maize (Zea mays L.) as influenced by seed bed configuration and weed control treatments
  29. Selection and characterization of siderophores of pathogenic Escherichia coli intestinal and extraintestinal isolates
  30. Effectiveness of cowpea (Vigna unguiculata L.) living mulch on weed suppression and yield of maize (Zea mays L.)
  31. Cow milk and its dairy products ameliorate bone toxicity in the Coragen-induced rat model
  32. The motives of South African farmers for offering agri-tourism
  33. Morphophysiological changes and reactive oxygen species metabolism in Corchorus olitorius L. under different abiotic stresses
  34. Nanocomposite coatings for hatching eggs and table eggs
  35. Climate change stressors affecting household food security among Kimandi-Wanyaga smallholder farmers in Murang’a County, Kenya
  36. Genetic diversity of Omani barley (Hordeum vulgare L.) germplasm
  37. Productivity and profitability of organic and conventional potato (Solanum tuberosum L.) production in West-Central Bhutan
  38. Response of watermelon growth, yield, and quality to plant density and variety in Northwest Ethiopia
  39. Sex allocation and field population sex ratio of Apanteles taragamae Viereck (Hymenoptera: Braconidae), a larval parasitoid of the cucumber moth Diaphania indica Saunders (Lepidoptera: Crambidae)
  40. Comparison of total nutrient recovery in aquaponics and conventional aquaculture systems
  41. Relationships between soil salinity and economic dynamics: Main highlights from literature
  42. Effects of soil amendments on selected soil chemical properties and productivity of tef (Eragrostis tef [Zucc.] Trotter) in the highlands of northwest Ethiopia
  43. Influence of integrated soil fertilization on the productivity and economic return of garlic (Allium sativum L.) and soil fertility in northwest Ethiopian highlands
  44. Physiological and biochemical responses of onion plants to deficit irrigation and humic acid application
  45. The incorporation of Moringa oleifera leaves powder in mutton patties: Influence on nutritional value, technological quality, and sensory acceptability
  46. Response of biomass, grain production, and sugar content of four sorghum plant varieties (Sorghum bicolor (L.) Moench) to different plant densities
  47. Assessment of potentials of Moringa oleifera seed oil in enhancing the frying quality of soybean oil
  48. Influences of spacing on yield and root size of carrot (Daucus carota L.) under ridge-furrow production
  49. Review Articles
  50. A review of upgradation of energy-efficient sustainable commercial greenhouses in Middle East climatic conditions
  51. Plantago lanceolata – An overview of its agronomically and healing valuable features
  52. Special Issue on CERNAS 2020
  53. The role of edible insects to mitigate challenges for sustainability
  54. Morphology and structure of acorn starches isolated by enzymatic and alkaline methods
  55. Evaluation of FT-Raman and FTIR-ATR spectroscopy for the quality evaluation of Lavandula spp. Honey
  56. Factors affecting eating habits and knowledge of edible flowers in different countries
  57. Ideal pH for the adsorption of metal ions Cr6+, Ni2+, Pb2+ in aqueous solution with different adsorbent materials
  58. Determination of drying kinetics, specific energy consumption, shrinkage, and colour properties of pomegranate arils submitted to microwave and convective drying
  59. Eating habits and food literacy: Study involving a sample of Portuguese adolescents
  60. Characterization of dairy sheep farms in the Serra da Estrela PDO region
  61. Development and characterization of healthy gummy jellies containing natural fruits
  62. Agro-ecological services delivered by legume cover crops grown in succession with grain corn crops in the Mediterranean region
  63. Special issue on CERNAS 2020: Message from the Editor
  64. Special Issue on ICESAT 2019
  65. Climate field schools to increase farmers’ adaptive capacity to climate change in the southern coastline of Java
  66. Special Issue on the International Conference on Agribusiness and Rural Development - IConARD 2020
  67. Supply chain efficiency of red chili based on the performance measurement system in Yogyakarta, Indonesia
  68. Sustainable value of rice farm based on economic efficiency in Yogyakarta, Indonesia
  69. Enhancing the performance of conventional coffee beans drying with low-temperature geothermal energy by applying HPHE: An experimental study
  70. Opportunities of using Spirulina platensis as homemade natural dyes for textiles
  71. Special Issue on the APA 2019 - 11th Triennial Conference
  72. Expanding industrial uses of sweetpotato for food security and poverty alleviation
  73. A survey on potato productivity, cultivation and management constraints in Mbala district of Northern Zambia
  74. Orange-fleshed sweetpotato: Strategies and lessons learned for achieving food security and health at scale in Sub-Saharan Africa
  75. Growth and yield of potato (Solanum tuberosum L.) as affected by storage conditions and storage duration in Jos, Plateau State, Nigeria
  76. Special Issue on the International Conference on Multidisciplinary Research - Agrarian Sciences
  77. Application of nanotechnologies along the food supply chain
  78. Special Issue on Agriculture, Climate Change, Information Technology, Food and Animal (ACIFAS 2020)
  79. The use of endophytic growth-promoting bacteria to alleviate salinity impact and enhance the chlorophyll, N uptake, and growth of rice seedling
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