Remote sensed data has already an important role in crop management. In fact, NDVI (normalized difference vegetation index) has been use for staple crop management and monitorization since 80’s, namely in rice, wheat and maize. Accordingly, this study aimed to monitor, through precision agriculture, the development of a highly produced and consumed rice genotype in Portugal (Ariete variety), submitted to a selenium biofortification workflow. Rice biofortification was promoted during the production cycle, and assessed after two foliar applications with selenium (sprayed with 50 and 100 g Se.ha^-1 of sodium selenite). In this context, NDVI showed a high and identical value between control and biofortified plants, which indicated that the culture displayed a higher vigor and was in a healthy state of development despite foliar applications. Analyzes were further carried out for monitor the mobilization of photoassimilates, showing that plants did not demonstrate any negative impact on net photosynthesis and there was even a slight rise in 50 g.ha^-1 Na₂SeO₃ treatment. Additionally, to characterize the soil of the paddy rice field, some parameters were also analyzed, namely, organic matter, humidity, pH and electrical conductivity, being found that the parameters ranged between from 1.085 - 1.575 %, 12.05 - 17.45 %, 5.70 – 6.20, respectively while the average conductivity was 223.4 S µcm^-1. Concerning to soil color, and considering the parameters L, a* and b* of the CieLab scale, significantly higher values in samples without humidity and without humidity and organic matter were found. In spite of the differences found, it is concluded that biofortification process did not affect any physiological parameters in rice plants.

The Brazilian government agents required the restructuring of the food supply chain to apply traceability into production process. However, the Alto Tietê family farmers were not prepared to meet the government's requirement. Thus, this paper aims to investigate the adequacy of the family farmer to the traceability process. To do this, we conduct a multiple case study with family farmers using the questionnaire that was approved by Ethics Committee (nº 4.118.650/2020). The questionnaire was structured in three parts: first related to social economics aspect, second related the productions process aspect, and the last part related to food supply chain traceability and the governments requirements. Nine family farmers participated the research, and the mainly results showed that the most farmers not finished the primary school, which this could affect the knowledge to apply traceability. Considering production process, 89% of farmers applying the conventional techniques and they not received any technical assistance from government. All producers have the knowledge about the requirement of the traceability, however they not know how to do due the Brazilian pesticides system is not structured and there are not all vegetable and fruits pesticides register to farmers using in production. In addition, the farmers do not have a good evaluation in terms of market gain. In conclusion, the traceability in Alto Tietê food supply chain will be possible when the government created a structure to adequate the pesticides system and the traceability law, and provide the training and support to rural family involves in food supply chain.

Morinda citrifolia L. (noni) has been used widely as traditional folk medicine. Previous studies have shown that the antioxidant capacity of noni juice varied significantly during traditional fermentation. Yet, precise studies are essential to identify the parameters which can affect the fermentation process and ultimately lead to such variations in the antioxidant capacity of noni juice. The aim of the present study was to determine the physical property variations during traditional fermentation of noni juice and then to identify their correlations to antioxidant capacity. Traditional fermentation of noni juice was allowed for two months and the temperature and pH of juice, temperature and humidity within fermenter and juice volume were monitored. Variation of antioxidant capacity was determined by DPPH (2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl) scavenging method. Both temperatures were within the range of 29.5-33 °C. pH of the juice decreased from 3.98 to 3.23. Humidity increased rapidly from 98.95% to 99.90%. Maximum juice volume was about 1.37 L. Maximum antioxidant capacity was around 84% of DPPH scavenging activity. Physical property variations cannot be correlated significantly to the antioxidant capacity of noni juice. Patterns of physical property changes were different from the variation of antioxidant capacity which was maximum in the second week of fermentation.

Peach (Prunus persica L.) represents a very important model plant given its small and publicly accessible genome, the availability of homozygous doubled haploids, and its taxonomic similarity to other popular stone fruits. Albeit it is considered an economically important crop with a great production potential, peach consumption is still considered low in comparison with other fresh fruits such as apple or banana. A way to increase its consumption could be to improve its quality and aroma, which tend to be affected during the often-prolonged storage periods.

Recently, substantial research efforts have been directed towards the characterisation of the regulatory mechanisms underlying the hormonal, transcriptomic, and metabolomic changes happening during peach fruit post-harvest ripening. The volatiles biosynthesis pathways related to changes in aroma have been investigated as well. Thanks to technological progress and to advances in next generation sequencing, new insights about molecular functions of peach genes have been gained. Recent studies have mapped out the molecular bases of peach fruit post-harvest ripening through a multi-omics approach, combining genomic, transcriptomic and metabolomic methods. This review aims to discuss the most relevant latest research results in this area, to provide a useful starting point for researchers in the field and future perspectives for improving peach quality.

Proper fertilizer management and applications could effectively reduce global warming potential (GWP) by reducing GHG emissions and improve soil fertility under cereal production. However, the effect of soil fertilizer management practices on GWP and soil fertility is less understood in the agricultural soils of Ethiopia. The present study evaluated the effects of fertilizer application strategy on GWP, and soil fertility in a Nitisol. Both field and laboratory incubation experiments were conducted with the same treatments in Ethiopia and at the University of Rostock, Germany, respectively. Seven treatments (Cont: no input; 100min: 100% mineral fertilizer, 80min: 80% mineral fertilizer + 1.4 t ha^–1 compost; 60min: 60% mineral fertilizer + 2.8 t ha^–1 compost; 50min: 50% mineral fertilizer + 3.5 t ha^–1 compost; 30min: 30% mineral fertilizer + 4.9 t ha^–1 compost, and 100comp: 100% compost) with four replications were applied on maize crop (Zea mays L. Bako hybrid 661) for two-consecutive growing seasons. The laboratory incubation experiment was also performed with two moisture levels (40% and 75% of water-filled pore space) to simulate the seasonal rainfall pattern. GWP was calculated by summing up the quantified gas emissions of nitrous oxide (N₂O), carbon dioxide (CO₂), and methane (CH₄). The laboratory result for GWP showed that soil fertilized with mineral fertilizer alone was significantly (p < 0.05) increased by 27.1%–34% of the average GWP value compared to combined fertilizer treatments in the soil at a moisture level of 75%. From the field experiment, most plant nutrients were significantly improved in combined fertilizer treatments compared to sole mineral fertilizer application. For example, carbon, calcium, magnesium, and potassium were increased by 26.21–39.81%, 73.2–168.8%, 146.6–251.5%, and 47–99% respectively in combined fertilizer in comparison to 100min treatment. The study revealed that combining 30 or 50 kg N ha^‒1 of mineral fertilizer with biowaste compost (4.9 or 3.5 t ha^–1) would be a suitable combination to mitigate the GWP and improve soil quality in smallholder farming systems, due to a slow release of N during decomposition into the soil compared to mineral fertilizer alone. However, to evaluate GWP under the field conditions, future investigations would be recommended.

Abiotic stresses, such as salinity, affect plant growth and reduce grain yield. The objective of this study was to identify the agronomic traits related to changes in grain yield of bread wheat under normal conditions and salinity stress. In this study, 111 pure bread wheat lines were examined as an Augmented experiment (When the number of lines is high or the grain density is low, it is not possible to perform duplicate tests, so the design is used without Augmented duplication.) in two research fields of Yazd province, Iran, in the 2020 crop year. After planting 20 genotypes, three wheat cultivars named Narin, Barzegar, and Sistan were planted as the control. During the growth period, yield traits and yield components were evaluated considering morphological traits and compared with the control cultivars. The experimental results showed great diversity in the studied genotypes in terms of most quantitative and qualitative traits. Also, correlation showed that in both normal and stress conditions, the grain number, 1000-kernel weight, and spike weight had a positive and significant correlation with grain yield. In stepwise regression, the grain number, 1000-kernel weight, days to heading, plant height, and spike length were included in the model, and even in path analysis, 1000-kernel weight and the grain number per spike had a direct effect on grain yield. Therefore, selection can be done based on 1000-kernel weight and the grain number per spike and reduction of days to heading, in order to achieve salinity-tolerant lines.

Long-term phosphorus (P) accumulation in agricultural soils presents a particular challenge for water quality improvement. P is commonly elevated in soils managed for intensive livestock production due to repeated over-application of slurry and fertilisers. High legacy nutrient accumulations can result in poor water quality via transport pathways such as surface runoff, subsurface drainage, and soil erosion. To achieve the EU Water Framework Directive aims, improved management strategies are required for diffuse and point P sources. Reseeding is known to improve grassland productivity and enhance overall soil health. However, soil disturbance associated with reseeding could have positive and negative impacts on several other soil functions (including improved microbial activity, but also increasing the potential for sediment and nutrient losses). This study investigated the role of reseeding in reducing nutrient surpluses in surface soils and identified potential trade-offs between production, environment, and soil health. At a study site in the Blackwater catchment in Northern Ireland, we collected high-resolution gridded soil samples for P analyses and combined this with GIS-based interpolation. We found that large decreases in sub-field scale nutrient content occurred following reseeding. This indicates that this strategy is effective in reducing soil surface P accumulations. However, it is unclear whether this P becomes available for grass uptake during re-growth or whether it increases the pool of mobile P which can be lost in surface runoff, subsurface drainage, and soil erosion. This paper discusses the results in the context of other conventional approaches used to reduce soil surface P accumulations and their associated shortcomings for practical implementation.

Soil is a limited resource, being vital for plant production during the agricultural phase, and consequently a fundamental component of the agro-industrial sector. In a near future where efficiency in food production will be crucial to feed a growing population, agronomic strategies to ensure food quality needs to be tested and optimized with field trials. Taking this into consideration, in 2018, as part of the execution of a fortification workflow of Rocha pears (Pyrus communis L.), a field characterization was carried out before the beginning of foliar spraying, to identify possible limitations to the increase of calcium in fruits. Thus, in March, soil samples were collected from an orchard (i.e., a parcel with 500 m²) located in the West region of Portugal, where this variety is largely produced. During sample analysis, humidity, organic matter, pH, electrical conductivity, colorimetric parameters by CIELab system (with and without organic matter) and mineral analysis by X-ray fluorescence (of soils and fruits at harvest) were assessed. Humidity values indicated an even irrigation on the orchard. Additionally, it was found that organic matter values influenced soil color. Electrical conductivity and pH values were within the recommended range for pomeids. Additionally, higher values of Ca and P prevailed in soils, while K and S contents remained higher in fruits. In conclusion, no major limitations were identified, and field characterization before Ca fortification workflow was useful to assess the orchard`s conditions and possible limitations to nutrient absorption by trees.

Soil is considered a highly complex ecosystem, providing food, and maintaining crop and animal productivities. Soil variability can affect plant production. Accordingly, this study aimed to compare soils chemical characteristics from two different locations in the same region of Western of Portugal (Lourinhã), intended for potato production. The soil was collected and analyzed for soil chemical properties (pH, electric conductivity, organic matter, and mineral element content). Through principal components analysis (PCA) was possible to identify that the interrelations among the mineral elements are explained in the projections of components 1 and 2 for both fields. Regarding field A, Ca, K, Fe, P, S, Mg, As, Pb, and Zn are more correlated with each other than the other mineral element (Cd). On the other hand, in field B, all the mineral elements correlate differently relatively to field A (except Cd) and showed that K, As, Mg, Ca, Zn, Fe, and Pb are the most correlated with each other. Also, Ca e K are more correlated in field A, however in field B, Fe and Zn are the ones that are more correlated with each other. Additionally, although both soils have the same pH (slightly basic soil - ideal for agriculture), they showed a significantly different content of organic matter and conductivity, where field B presented higher contents of both parameters. The obtained data are discussed, being concluded that the soils, despite being geographically close, have different relationships between elements and different content of organic matter and electrical conductivity, which may lead to differences in potato production.

Rice (Oryza sativa L.) is considered one of the most consumed cereals worldwide. In fact, for many countries, rice is considered a staple food crop. In this context, in Portugal, Ariete and Ceres are well known for rice varieties that produce grains with a high quality, yet little is known about their nutrient accumulation. In this context, this study aimed to characterize and compare both varieties produced in the central region of Portugal (Ribatejo). Whole and white rice grains, as well as the respective flours, were analyzed in order to quantify the mineral content of macro and microelements (Mo, Ca, K, P and S). Mo content varied significantly between 4.7 - 11.2 mg.kg^-1 in the whole flour of Ceres and Ariete, respectively, while P content was only detected in the flour of the Ariete variety. For both varieties, there were no significant differences in their content of other elements. Moreover, total ash content in the refined flour showed significant differences in both varieties. Quality parameters, such as density of the grains and colorimetric indexes (L, a* and b*), in whole and white grain, were also considered, with density values varying between 1301 – 1651 kg.m³ (in the Ariete variety) and 1492 - 1573 kg.m³ (in the Ceres variety). It was concluded that, in spite of the differences in both varieties, minerals contents combined with the quality parameters showed the common characteristics required for a high industrial and gastronomic potential.