Use of electronic fruits to evaluate fruit damage along the handling process.

Two electronic fruits (SEP-1, Simulated Electronic Product, developed in Scotland, and Techmark IS-100, Instrumented Sphere, developed in USA) have been compared in laboratory tests and then used to evaluate handling operations, in several cooperatives of two areas of Spain: Lérida (pome fruits) and Valencia (stone fruits). Advantages of each device were evaluated. Harvest, mechanical bin unloading, and grading line transfers and sizers were identified as operations causing fruit damage.

Neural bruise prediction models for fruit handling and machinery evaluation.

Some neural bruise prediction models have been implemented in the laboratory, for the most traded fruit species and varieties, allowing the prediction of the acceptability or rejectability for damages, with respect to the EC Standards. Different models have been built for both quasi-static (compression) and dynamic (impact) loads covering the whole commercial ripening period of fruits. A simulation process has been developed gathering the information on laboratory bruise models and load sensor calibrations for different electronic devices (IS-100 and DEA-1, for impact and compression loads respectively). Some evaluation methodology has been designed gathering the information on the mechanical properties of fruits and the loading records of electronic devices. The evaluation system allows to determine the current stage of fruit handling process and machinery.

Effects of precooling and degreening treatments on the susceptibility of peach and citrus to handling damage.

Mechanical damage to fruits results from a combination of fruit properties and of damage inflicting effects by the handling equipment. Treatments were applied to fruits which affect mechanical damage susceptibility: precooling for stone fruits and degreening to citrus fruits. Laboratory tests (compression, impact, tumbling, abrasion) and field tests (damage in the handling lines) were applied to (3) peach, (2) apricot, (2) orange and (1) lemon varieties. Hydroor-air-cooling influence positively peach and apricot firmness and cause a significant reduction in: number of bruised fruits, and size of visible bruise, when combined with a low level of loading during handling. Degreening also affects the resistance of citrus fruits to handling, when compared to green fruits.

Census, reproductive biology, and germination of Astragalus gines-lopezii (Fabaceae), a narrow and endangered endemic species of SW Spain

Astragalus gines-lopezii Talavera, Podlech, Devesa & F.M.Vázquez (Fabaceae) is a threatened endemic species with a distribution restricted to a very small area in Badajoz Province (Extremadura Region, SW Spain) and only 2 populations are known. This species was catalogued in the ?Endangered? category in the 2008 Red List and the 2010 Threatened Spanish Vascular Flora List. Despite its status as an endangered species, at present very little is known about the distribution, census, and reproductive biology of this species. In this study we have carried out an exhaustive census of A. gines-lopezii , and we have evaluated the production of flowers, fruits, and seeds and the existence or not of intra- and interpopulation variability in seed germination. Results have highlighted the high reproductive capacity of this species on the basis of a high production of flowers, fruits, and seeds. Mechanical scarification of seeds was effective for increasing germination. Thus, initial germination (22%?60%) was increased to 97%?99% when seeds were rubbed with sandpapers. A high intra- and interpopulation variability in seed germination was found in this species. A. gines-lopezii produces seeds with different degrees of physical dormancy, varying this grade among different individuals within a population.

1H HR MAS NMR metabolomic and non-destructive 2D NMR relaxometry to assess internal quality in apples.

NMR can be considered a multi-scale multidimensional technology in the sense that it provides both spatial insight at macroscopic (MRI) or microscopic level (relaxometry), together with chemical characterization (HR-MAS). In this study 296 apples (from 4 cultivars) were MRI screened (20 slices per fruit) among which 7 fruits were used for metabolomic study by 1H HR MAS in order to assess various chemical shifts: malic acid, sucrose, glucose, fructose and ethanol. On the first season, tissue samples were taken from the sound and affected apples (near the core, centre and outer part of the mesocarp) belonging to sound and affected locations, while on the second season, tissue samples were focused on the comparison between sound and affected tissue. Beside, MRI and 2D non-destructive relaxometry (on whole fruits, and localized tissue) where performed on 72 and 12 apples respectively in order to compare features at macroscopic (tissue) and microscopic (subcellular) level. HR MAS shows higher content of ?-glucose, ?-glucose, malic acid and aromatic compounds in watercore affected tissues from both seasons, while sound tissue reflects higher sucrose. Microscopic (subcellular) degradation of tissue varies according to disorder development and is in good accordance with macroscopic characterization with MRI.

Census, reproductive biology, and germination of Astragalus gines-lopezii (Fabaceae),a narrow and endangered endemic species of SW Spain.

Astragalus gines-lopezii Talavera, Podlech, Devesa & F.M.Vazquez (Fabaceae) is a threatened endemic species with a distribution restricted to a very small area in Badajoz Province (Extremadura Region, SW Spain) and only 2 populations are known.This species was catalogued in the "Endangered" category in the 2008 Red List and the 2010 Threatened Spanish Vascular Flora List. Despite its status as an endangered species, at present very little is known about the distribution, census, and reproductive biology of this species. In this study we have carried out anexhaustive census of A. gines-lopezii, and we have evaluated the production of flowers, fruits, and seeds and the existence or not of intra- and interpopulation variability in seed germination. Results have highlighted the high reproductive capacity of this species on the basis of a high production of flowers, fruits, and seeds. Mechanical scarification of seeds was effective for increasing germination. Thus, initial germination (22%-60%) was increased to 97%-99% when seeds were rubbed with sandpapers. A high intra- and interpopulation variability in seed germination was found in this species. A. gines-lopezii produces seeds with different degrees of physical dormancy, varying this grade among different individuals within a population.

Estudio de la diversidad genética de Botrytis sp en orquídeas y la resistencia al ataque del hongo

En la actualidad la mayoría de plantas sufren pérdidas debido a las enfermedades que les provocan los hongos. Uno de estos grupos amenazado por el ataque de los hongos son las especies de la familia Orchidaceae, especies que se encuentran amenazadas y con numerosas especies en peligro de extinción. Uno de los problemas sanitarios más destacados es Botrytis cinerea, hongo patógeno cosmopolita, causante de enfermedades importantes en muchas plantas tales como frutas, verduras, accesiones de viveros, plantas ornamentales y huertos cultivos (Jarvis 1977; Elad et al., 2007). Este género es uno de los grupos de hongos más ampliamente conocido y distribuido. Contiene 22 especies (Hennebert 1973; Yohalem et al., 2003) y un híbrido (B. allii) (Yohalem & Alabama, 2003) vinculado a las etapas sexuales y un amplio número de huéspedes específicos (Beever y Weds, 2000); infecta más de 200 especies vegetales distintas (Williamson et al., 2007). Dada la importancia de este patógeno se realiza un estudio de caracterización morfológica y molecular del hongo, aislado de plantas de orquídeas cultivadas en condiciones de invernadero, de hortalizas y plantas frutales, con síntomas de necrosis, atizonamientos y pudriciones. El análisis de las características morfológicas (presencia de esclerocios, tamaño de conidios, presencia de estructuras sexuales in vitro) y fenotípicas (crecimiento micelial a diferentes temperaturas, germinación de esporas), nos permitió determinar características importantes del comportamiento del hongo y establecer cuáles son las mejores condiciones para su patogenicidad. Se afianzo este trabajo con estudios moleculares a través del análisis de la región ribosomal ITS1-ITS4. Entre los aislados estudiados se identificaron dos especies diferentes, Botrytis cinerea y B. fabiopsis, esta última conocida como especifica de Vicia faba, se lo aisló de una planta de Pelargonium sp. Se hizo un análisis filogenético para comparar estas dos especies, encontrándose que B. fabiopsis está estrechamente relacionada con B. cinerea y B. elliptica, pero lejanamente relacionado con B. fabae. Además, se analizó las poblaciones de los aislados de Botrytis, para ello se seleccionaron tres parejas de cebadores microsatelites con altos porcentajes de polimorfismo. Al analizar la similaridad entre los aislados se determinaron tres grupos de poblaciones de B. cinerea entre los cuales Botrytis fabiopsis comparte un grupo grande con B. cinerea. La diferenciación genética no fue significativa entre la población de aislados de orquídeas y hortalizas, la diferencia génica que fue muy baja, lo que sugiere que la especificidad de Botrytis no está dada por los hospederos, aunque la posibilidad de la especificidad con algún cultivo no puede descartarse. ABSTRACT Most plants suffer diseases caused by fungi. Orchidaceae is one of the threatened groups with many endangered species. Included into the most important problems in plant health is Botrytis cinerea, a cosmopolitan pathogen which causes major diseases in many plants of agronomic interest such as fruits, vegetables, planthouses accessions and ornamental plants (Jarvis, 1977; Elad et al, 2007). The genus Botrytis is one of the most widely and disseminated fungi. The genus contains 22 species (Hennebert 1973; Yohalem et al, 2003) and a hybrid (B. allii) (Yohalem & Alabama, 2003) linked to the sexual stages of a large number of specific hosts (Beever & Weds, 2000); infects over 200 different plant species (Williamson et al., 2007). Due to the importance of this pathogen, a study of morphological and molecular characterization of the fungus was carried out. Fungi samples were isolated from orchid plants grown in greenhouse conditions, vegetables and fruits with signs of necrosis, blight and rottening. To establish the best conditions for pathogenicity, behavioral characteristics of the fungus were studied through the analysis of morphological characteristics (presence of sclerotia, conidia size, sexual structures in vitro) and mycelial growth at different temperatures. To complete the characterization of the fungi, a molecular study was performed via the analysis of ribosomal ITS1-ITS4 region. Two different species were identified: Botrytis cinerea and Botrytis fabiopsis (known by specificity to Vicia faba). B. fabiopsis was isolated from a plant of the genus Pelargonium. A phylogenetic analysis was carried out to compare these two species leading to the conclusion that B. fabiopsis is closely related to B. cinerea and B. elliptica, but distantly related to B. fabae. The populations of Botrytis isolates were also analyzed. Three pairs of microsatellite primers with high percentages of polymorphism were selected. A similarity analysis showed three groups of populations of B. cinerea, including Botrytis fabiopsis. The genetic differentiation was not significant among the populations of isolates from orchids and vegetables; genetic differences were very low, suggesting that the specificity of Botrytis species is not given by the hosts.

Use of tomato and cucumber horticulture by-products in goat diets: effects o nrumen fermentation and microbial communities in batch and continuous cultures

Two in vitro experiments were conducted to analyse the effects of replacing dietary barley grain with wastes of tomato and cucumber fruits and a 1 : 1 tomato : cucumber mixture on rumen fermentation characteristics and microbial abundance. The control (CON) substrate contained 250 g/kg of barley grain on a dry matter (DM) basis, and another 15 substrates were formulated by replacing 50, 100, 150, 200 or 250 g of barley grain/kg with the same amount (DM basis) of tomato or cucumber fruits or 1 : 1 tomato : cucumber mixture. In Expt 1, all substrates were incubated in batch cultures with rumen micro-organisms from goats for 24 h. Increasing amounts of tomato, cucumber and the mixture of both fruits in the substrate increased final pH and gas production, without changes in final ammonia-nitrogen (NH3-N) concentrations, substrate degradability and total volatile fatty acid (VFA) production, indicating that there were no detrimental effects of any waste fruits on rumen fermentation. Therefore, in Expt 2 the substrates including 250 g of waste fruits (T250, C250 and M250 for tomato, cucumber and the mixture of both fruits, respectively) and the CON substrate were incubated in single-flow continuous-culture fermenters for 8 days. Total VFA production did not differ among substrates, but there were differences in VFA profile. Molar proportions of propionate, isobutyrate and isovalerate were lower and acetate : propionate ratio was greater for T250 compared with CON substrate. Fermentation of substrates containing cucumber (C250 and M250) resulted in lower proportions of acetate, isobutyrate and isovalerate and acetate : propionate ratio, but greater butyrate proportions than the CON substrate. Carbohydrate degradability and microbial N synthesis tended to be lower for substrates containing cucumber than for the CON substrate, but there were no differences between CON and T250 substrates. Abundance of total bacteria, Fibrobacter succinogenes and Ruminococcus flavefaciens, fungi, methanogenic archaea and protozoa were similar in fermenters fed T250 and CON substrates, but fermenters fed C250 and M250 substrates had lower abundances of R. flavefaciens, fungi and protozoa than those fed the CON substrate. Results indicated that tomato fruits could replace dietary barley grain up to 250 g/kg of substrate DM without noticeable effects on rumen fermentation and microbial populations, but the inclusion of cucumber fruits at 250 g/kg of substrate DM negatively affected some microbial populations as it tended to reduce microbial N synthesis and changed the VFA profile. More studies are needed to identify the dietary inclusion level of cucumber which produces no detrimental effects on rumen fermentation and microbial growth.