Sugar Tech最新文献

In sugarcane, Fusarium spp. cause two distinct diseases: wilt, which affects the stalk, and pokkah boeng (PB), which affects the foliage. F. sacchari has been associated with wilt, while various Fusarium spp. have been linked to PB. Previous reports from India have indicated that the same F. sacchari isolate can cause both diseases. In this study, we assessed the diversity of Fusarium species associated with wilt and PB in sugarcane. A total of 85 Fusarium isolates associated with the two diseases were identified using Fusarium-specific primers Fs1 for the partial gene of translation elongation factor (Tef) 1-α. Among the 60 wilt isolates, 32 were identified as F. sacchari (Fs), 17 as F. andiyazi (Fa), seven as F. verticillioides (Fv), and one each as F. ficicrescens (Ff), F. nygamai (Fn), F. thapsinum (Ft), and F. proliferatum (Fp). Of 25 PB isolates, 17 were Fs; four were each of Fa and Fv. Additionally, a cane sample with mixed infections of wilt and PB was identified as F. thapsinum. Overall, 49 were identified as F. sacchari, 21 as Fa and 11 as Fv and four as Ff, Fp, Fn, and Ft. Phylogenetic analysis revealed eight broad clades along with six independent ones. Similarly, the Fusarium isolates associated with PB were distributed across seven clades. The 68 Tamil Nadu isolates were distributed across the clades and identified as Fs (40), Fa (14), Fv (10), and one each of Ff, Fn, Fp, and Ft. The study also revealed that the same isolate of the pathogen could cause both wilt and PB diseases at different locations on a single variety or across two varieties. This study provides new information on the diversity of wilt and pokkah boeng-associated Fusaria in sugarcane, and further studies will contribute to a better understanding on epidemiology of the diseases.

Sugarcane burning remains a significant environmental, economic, and social challenge in Thailand’s sugar industry. This study investigates how supply chain collaboration (SCC) can be applied to mitigate sugarcane burning by improving coordination among key stakeholders, including farmers, mills, laborers, local communities, and policymakers. Using a qualitative case study approach, data were collected through interviews, observations, and document analysis to explore the complexities of SCC in the Thai sugar industry. Findings reveal that economic constraints, labor shortages, and inconsistent regulatory enforcement are primary drivers of sugarcane burning. Farmers struggle with low profit margins, delayed payments, and high mechanization costs, while labor shortages and power imbalances further reinforce burning as an economically viable harvesting method. Additionally, policy inconsistencies and weak enforcement mechanisms undermine trust and compliance. The study proposes a collaborative framework emphasizing information sharing, trust, commitment, power dynamics, decision synchronization, and incentive alignment to encourage sustainable harvesting. Effective SCC can address these challenges through structured communication, transparent financial incentives, participatory policymaking, and synchronized decision-making. The research contributes to supply chain management literature by extending SCC applications to agricultural sustainability, while also offering practical policy recommendations for industry stakeholders.

Reducing nitrogen fertilizer use and applying urea hydrolysis (UIs) and nitrification inhibitors (NIs) can help mitigate soil N₂O emissions, though data on their effectiveness in non-Annex I countries is limited. This study assessed the effects of different N rates, UIs, NIs, and their combinations (UINIs) on soil N₂O emissions in sugarcane (Saccharum officinarum L.) and bare soil fields. Fertilizer rates followed farmer practices (F) and soil analysis (S). Synthetic inhibitors, including N-(n-butyl) thiophosphoric triamide and dimethylpyrazole phosphate, were tested, alongside plant-based inhibitors derived from garlic, neem seed, and praxelis. In the sugarcane fields, reducing N rates and adding NIs decreased soil N₂O emissions up to 19.1%, compared to F treatment. UINIs and UIs reduced emissions by 17.0 and 15.9%, respectively, with praxelis contributing an 18.9% reduction. Although inhibitors showed potential in suppressing microbial activity during dressing application, the cumulative N₂O mitigation effect varied and was not consistently significant across treatments. Inhibitor use led to reductions in soil N₂O emission factors (EF) by 1.1 to 1.6% in sugarcane plots, compared to 1.8% for the S treatment. Surprisingly, the F treatment showed the lowest soil N₂O EF (0.6%), possibly due to the higher N inputs. Inhibitor treatments markedly improved agronomic efficiency to 1.17 t cane kg⁻¹ N compared to the F treatment, demonstrating enhanced nitrogen use efficiency. The study indicates that reducing N rates and using UIs, NIs, and UINIs can significantly reduce greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions in agriculture, providing valuable insights for Thailand’s national GHG inventory and mitigation strategies.

This investigation evaluated the effectiveness of several machine learning models, such as LSTM, GRU, BiLSTM, SVM, and random forest, in forecasting sugarcane production in different regions of Africa and globally. The results show that geographical characteristics and production parameters greatly affect model efficacy. LSTM and GRU capture temporal dependencies better in Africa, Southern Africa, and sub-Saharan Africa with dynamic and changeable production trends, resulting in lower error metrics and accurate forecasts. The support vector machine (SVM) is the most effective model in steady producing zones, having less variability in production like Central Africa and West Africa and in global forecasting due to its scalability and simplicity. Random forest struggled with time series data, delivering disappointing results across all regions. The 2030 projections are useful in agricultural planning and resource management. African production is likely to rise steadily, and it is expected that Middle Africa will witness major expansion in sugarcane production after 2025. Sub-Saharan Africa is expected to stabilize, but global sugarcane output may drop, suggesting agricultural changes. The forecasted values from these models indicate that sugarcane production in Africa is expected to reach 110,845 Mg by 2030, demonstrating steady growth. The projections emphasis the need for improved machine learning algorithms in agriculture's long-term planning and decision-making. Despite these promising results, more research is needed to improve forecast accuracy and relevance.

Field studies were conducted in 2022 and 2023 to determine the critical period of weed control (CPWC) in sugar beet (Beta vulgaris L.) under conventional and narrow-row spacing conditions. The experiments were arranged as a split-plot design within a randomized complete block design with three replications. The main plot was the cultivation system, consisting of conventional row spacing (50 cm) and narrow-row spacing (30 cm). The subplot included weed control treatments: maintaining weed-free conditions for 30, 45, 60, and 75 days after crop emergence (DAE), and weed-infested conditions for the same durations. Additionally, two control treatments were included: season-long weedy and season-long weed-free from sowing to harvest. The beginning and end of the CPWC for each planting method based on a 5% acceptable root yield loss was determined by fitting four-parameter log-logistic model. Weed density and dry biomass were significantly reduced under narrow-row planting, with a 48.68% lower weed dry weight compared to the conventional system. The CPWC for a 5% yield loss ranged from 33 to 116 DAE in narrow rows and 34.9–140 DAE in conventional planting during the first year and 37–61 DAE for narrow rows and 29.5–84.2 DAE for conventional rows in the second year. Narrow-row planting also led to higher root yields under both weed-free and weed-infested conditions. Overall, this study showed that reducing row spacing enhances crop competitiveness, suppresses weed growth, and improves root yield in sugar beet production.

4-Coumarate: CoA ligase (4CL) serves as a pivotal enzyme in flavonoid and lignin biosynthesis, critically influencing plant stress adaptation. This study presents the first genome-wide identification and characterization of the 4CL gene family in red beet (Beta vulgaris), revealing 27 Bv4CL genes. Comprehensive phylogenetic analysis classified Bv4CLs into seven evolutionary clades, demonstrating lineage-specific expansion distinct from Arabidopsis and other species. Promoter analysis identified abundant cis-acting elements associated with abiotic stresses (drought and salinity) and hormonal responses (ABA, MeJA, and GA). Expression profiling under multiple stresses revealed functional diversification: Bv4CL10 was significantly upregulated under drought and salt stress, while Bv4CL6 was downregulated by auxin (IAA). Bv4CL18 showed consistent downregulation under both drought and salt conditions, suggesting a negative regulatory role. Critically, developmental transcriptomics uncovered stage-specific regulation—Bv4CL1 was upregulated during late growth phases for cell wall reinforcement, whereas Bv4CL15, Bv4CL19, Bv4CL20, and Bv4CL26 were progressively downregulated, reflecting shifting metabolic demands. Integration of promoter architecture, expression dynamics, and pathway enrichment establishes Bv4CL10, Bv4CL6, and Bv4CL26 as priority candidates for engineering stress-resilient germplasm, providing a molecular framework for enhancing red beet environmental adaptation.

Triterpenoids are versatile secondary metabolites found in plants. However, the information regarding their actual content in red beet, optimal extraction methods, and antioxidant activity is limited. This study aimed to investigate the effects of ultrasonic temperature, power, material-to-liquid ratio, and extraction time on the total triterpenoids content in red beet. The extraction process was optimized using a combination of single-factor experiments and response surface methodology. Various free radical scavenging methods were employed to evaluate the antioxidant activity of the extracts. High-performance liquid chromatography (UPLC) coupled with tandem mass spectrometry (MS/MS) was used to identify and quantify the primary triterpenoids. The optimized ultrasonic-assisted extraction conditions were as follows: ultrasonic power of 405 W, material-to-liquid ratio of 1:10 (g/mL), ultrasonic temperature of 52 °C, and extraction time of 33 min. The total triterpenoids yield from red beet was 0.978% under these conditions, which closely aligned with the model-predicted value of 0.987%. Compared with vitamin C and Ganoderma lucidum, red beet triterpenoids scavenged 1,1-diphenyl-2-trinitrophenylhydrazine, 2,2′-biazido-bis-3-ethylbenzothiazoline-6-sulfonate + , and carboxyl radicals and also exhibited strong total antioxidant capacity. The UPLC-MS/MS analysis identified the major triterpenoids as medicagenic acid-3-O-glucuronide-28-O-xylosyl(1,4)-rhamnosyl(1,2)-arabinoside, momordin Ic, camaldulenic acid, hederagenin, corosolic acid, and jujubogenin. These naturally derived compounds from plants demonstrated remarkable antioxidant activity and effectively inhibited the oxidative processes in food. Given current consumer preferences for natural and healthy food additives, red beet triterpenoids have the potential to replace certain synthetic antioxidants, thereby contributing to food preservation and quality enhancement. Furthermore, the elevated levels of triterpenoids in red beet, including camaldulenic acid, hederagenin, and corosolic acid, demonstrated enhanced anticancer, hypoglycemic, and antidepressant properties, suggesting significant potential for clinical applications.

To enable the artificial rearing of the main sugarcane stalk borers, Chilo sacchariphagus Bojer and Chilo infuscatellus Snellen indoors, this study presents a new suitable artificial diet and evaluates the rearing effects. We observed various indices of growth, development, and reproduction in C. sacchariphagus and C. infuscatellus, and performed statistical significance tests. The results indicated that the hatching rate, larval survival rate, pupation rate, and eclosion rate of C. sacchariphagus exceeded 80%. For C. infuscatellus, all indices except the pupation rate (72.22%) were above 80%. The total life cycle duration was 55.82 days for C. sacchariphagus and 47.67 days for C. infuscatellus. Female pupae of both species were heavier than their male counterparts. The oviposition rates of both species were higher than 85%, and female fecundity nearly 200 eggs/female. The net reproductive capacity (R₀), the intrinsic rate of increase (r_m), and the finite rate of increase (λ) of C. sacchariphagus were 151.8805, 0.0909, and 1.0952, respectively, while those for C. infuscatellus were 137.6163, 0.1176, and 1.1248. In conclusion, this artificial diet is well suited for the growth, development, and reproduction of the two sugarcane stalk borers and can serve as a standard diet for their indoor rearing.

Date palm (Phoenix dactylifera L.) being cultivated in arid and semi-arid regions of the world is an economically important crop in food, sugar, and other industries. To enhance the accuracy and efficiency of breeding and conservation programs in date palm and other related crops, molecular markers, such as microsatellites/simple sequence repeat (SSR), are very important. Molecular markers as genomic resources in date palm are not well explored. Hence, the present study aimed to develop and characterize genome-wide microsatellite markers for date palm and prove their applicability in genetic diversity analysis and cross-genera transferability within the Arecaceae. A total of 215,013 perfect microsatellite motifs were identified across the genome. The most abundant SSR motifs were di-nucleotide repeats (DNR) and mono-nucleotide repeats (MNR) with 37.94% and 37.84% abundance. The motifs were scanned to design primer pairs (169,200), and of them, 71 high polymorphism potential (HPP) markers were validated across three date palm genotypes with an 87.04% amplification success rate. Genetic diversity analysis using 22 polymorphic markers in 48 date palm genotypes revealed high allelic variation and three major genetic clusters. The population structure analysis showed two major clusters (K = 2), indicating two sources of origin for the allelic pools. The polymorphism information content (PIC) of markers ranged from 0.06 to 0.67 with ten markers with high PIC (> 0.5), emphasizing the high informativeness of these markers in genetic studies. Additionally, cross-genera transferability was evaluated in ten species of Arecaceae, with areca nut showing the highest transferability (80.33%) and areca palm the lowest (9.84%). A total of six species showed more than 50% transferability of markers, indicating their potential for comparative genomics in Arecaceae. The novel microsatellite markers developed in the present study will provide valuable tools for genetic diversity analysis, conservation, and marker-assisted breeding (MAB) in date palm and related species of Arecaceae.

Brazil is the world’s largest producer of sugarcane; however, the crop suffers significant losses due to red rot caused by Colletotrichum falcatum. Hence, biocontrol strategies, such as the use of the mycorrhizal fungus Waitea circinata, which has demonstrated efficacy against rice pathogens, has been evaluated for the integration into management approaches. This study assessed the secretion of lytic enzymes during conidial germination and appressoria formation in C. falcatum induced by W. circinata. All experiments were conducted using a completely randomized design. Nine different mycorrhizal suspensions were used to evaluate conidial germination and appressorium formation, alongside the quantification of the activities of β-1,3-glucanase, chitinase, and protease enzymes. W. circinata inhibited C. falcatum by 70.5% and reduced conidial germination and appressorium formation by 84.8% and 92.7%, respectively, at a concentration of 60 g L⁻¹, with a significant increase in the activity of the analyzed enzymes. In terms of antagonistic effects, β-1,3-glucanase, chitinase, and protease activities at all assessment times were higher when compared to the pathogen alone, supporting the results observed for conidial germination and appressorium formation. Thus, W. circinata acting through antibiosis and the secretion of lytic enzymes showed its potential as a bioagent in the sustainable management of red rot disease.