Indonesia is the world's largest producer of palm oil (59 % of global supply) and the second-largest producer of coconut. However, the spatial dynamics and land use transition between these two strategic oil crops from the Arecaceae family remain underexplored at the provincial level over an extended time period. This study aims to analyze the spatio-temporal dynamics of oil palm and coconut across 38 Indonesian provinces from 2003 to 2024, identify spatial clusters and production hotspots using LISA and SKATER algorithms, examine the correlation and productivity differences between the two commodities, and assess regional productivity variation across Indonesian islands. Data were obtained from BPS-Statistics Indonesia's annual publication “Indonesian Permanent Estate Crops Statistics” (2003–2024). Spatial analysis was conducted using GeoDa software (version 1.22.0.21) with Queen contiguity weights, LISA, the SKATER algorithm, bivariate Moran's I, and differential Moran's I. Statistical analysis was performed using jamovi (version 2.6), including Pearson correlation, a paired samples t-test with Cohen's d effect size, and a one-way Welch's ANOVA. Compound Annual Growth Rates (CAGR) were calculated with R2 from linear trend lines. The oil palm area expanded from 5.28 million ha in 2003 to 16.01 million ha in 2024 (CAGR = 5.42 %, R2 = 0.99), while the coconut area declined from 3.91 million ha to 3.29 million ha (CAGR = −0.82 %, R2 = 0.92). The area ratio increased from 1.35 to 4.87 (+260 %), and the production ratio increased from 3.21 to 16.32 (+408 %). LISA analysis identified three significant high-high clusters (hotspots) in Sumatra and Kalimantan, and no high-low outliers. The SKATER algorithm (k = 5) classified 32 provinces (84.2 %) as not clustered, indicating weak spatial autocorrelation. Pearson correlation between CPO and copra production was positive but weak (r = 0.327, p = 0.045). Paired samples t-test showed oil palm productivity (M = 2.87 ton/ha, SD = 0.883) was significantly higher than coconut productivity (M = 0.98 ton/ha, SD = 0.216), with a very large effect size (Cohen's d = 2.01, 95 % CI [1.33, 2.68], t(25) = 10.3, p < 0.001). The paired correlation between productivities was r = −0.130 (p = 0.526). One-way Welch's ANOVA (excluding Java due to n = 2, noting that West Java and Banten have small-scale production) revealed no significant productivity differences across islands (F(3, 3.84) = 1.51, p = 0.346, η2 = 0.24). The bivariate Moran's I showed no significant spatial relationship between CPO and surrounding copra production (I = 0.029, p = 0.314). Differential Moran's I for CPO changes was non-significant (I = 0.098, p = 0.101), while copra changes were significant (I = 0.394, p = 0.007), indicating spatial clustering of copra production changes. Indonesia has experienced a marked land use transition from coconut to oil palm over 21 years. The substantial productivity advantage of oil palm (Cohen's d = 2.01, 2.9:1 ratio) provides a strong economic incentive for this transition. The weak spatial clustering, though with detectable hotspots in Sumatra and Kalimantan, suggests that provincial-level factors remain highly influential. For coconut to remain competitive and for oil palm to develop sustainably, integrated policies supporting sustainable oil palm production while revitalizing the coconut sector are essential. Key interventions include developing high-yielding hybrid varieties (target > 3 tons/ha), replanting senile stands, intercropping systems, and value-added processing.
As a result of global warming, the steppe zone of Ukraine is gradually increasing day and night temperatures, and there are sharp fluctuations in the amount of precipitation during the vegetation period of plants, which leads to different durations of droughts. Studies indicate that in the future the negative impact of environmental factors will increase. It is possible to counteract this by creating and introducing into production highly adaptive varieties that are well adapted to zonal cultivation technologies and are able to tolerate abiotic stresses with minimal yield losses. Our research is aimed at developing soybean varieties of this type. At the first stage, through field research from the world gene pool (more than 5000 genotypes), the most important sources of economically valuable traits were identified, which formed the basis of the core collection. Most of these genotypes came from the Far East of Russia, China, the USA, and Canada. The second stage of the research consisted in grouping the selected genotypes using the cluster analysis method to select parental components for crossing. Parental pairs were selected based on maturity, combinative ability, productivity, and genetic divergence. The success rate of manual crossings was about 1%. The use of genetic male sterility allowed an increase in the amount of hybrid forms by six times, which helped improve the efficiency of the breeding process of soybean. As a result of many years of work, more than 40 soybean varieties were created and entered into the state register of Ukraine, the yield of which under optimal conditions is at the level of 4 t/ha. The results obtained indicate the possibility of combining increased yield and a complex of adaptive traits through selection.
Background: Plasmalogens are ether-phospholipids that play essential roles in cell physiology. They serve as reservoirs for polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFAs), which regulate retinal vascular development. Plasmalogen deficiency is associated with severe ocular defects in mice, including abnormal retinal vascularization. However, the impact of plasmalogen deficiency on retinal fatty acid composition remains to be determined. Objectives: This study evaluated the effects of plasmalogen deficiency on mouse retinal fatty acid composition and whether dietary supplementation of lactating mothers with a plasmalogen precursor, alkylglycerol, could prevent these alterations in offspring. Because the retina is an extension of the central nervous system, the brain cortex was also analyzed to compare tissue-specific responses to plasmalogen deficiency. Methods: Lactating mice were fed a diet enriched with 2% alkylglycerols. Retinal and brain fatty acid compositions were determined in pups at postnatal day 21 using gas chromatography with flame ionization detection (GC-FID). Results: Plasmalogen deficiency was associated with significant alterations in retinal fatty acid composition. Total PUFAs content was significantly reduced, while the n−6:n−3 ratio was strongly increased. These changes were accompanied by modest but significant increases in saturated and monounsaturated fatty acids. Alterations of PUFAs composition were also observed in the cortex. Maternal alkylglycerol supplementation showed only a slight trend toward improvement and was insufficient to restore retinal plasmalogen levels, PUFA content, or n−6:n−3 ratio. In the brain, alkylglycerol supplementation had no effect, suggesting potential tissue-specific differences in precursors uptake/metabolism.Conclusions: Plasmalogen deficiency significantly disrupts the fatty acid composition of the retina, primarily through PUFA depletion and an increased n−6:n−3 ratio. These alterations may contribute to the pathological retinal phenotype observed in plasmalogen-deficient mice. Maternal alkylglycerol supplementation during early postnatal life is insufficient to correct these defects. Further studies are needed to clarify the role of altered lipid composition in retinal vascular development.
Palm oil mills are pivotal to Malaysia’s palm oil industry, producing both crude palm oil (CPO) and palm kernels, and are increasingly influenced by environmental and regulatory frameworks such as the Roundtable on Sustainable Palm Oil (RSPO) and Malaysia Sustainable Palm Oil (MSPO). This study evaluates cleaning technologies in Malaysian palm oil mills by comparing conventional and dry ice cleaning methods, with a particular focus on three dimensions of sustainability: environmental impact, energy efficiency, and cost. The dry ice cleaning method demonstrated superior environmental performance, achieving lower mean values of biochemical oxygen demand (BOD) and total suspended solids (TSS) by 17.01% and 14.30%, respectively. However, conventional cleaning consumed significantly less energy (17.37 MJ m⁻2) than dry ice cleaning (58.37 MJ m⁻2), representing a 70.24% reduction in energy use. Cleaning costs were also reduced by 28.67%. Based on on-site observations, the dry ice cleaning method has the potential to improve workplace safety by effectively removing residues that could cause slip hazards or fire risks. These findings provide practical insights for stakeholders in optimizing and selecting appropriate mill cleaning technologies.
To diversify agricultural production and introduce new valuable oilseed crops in Ukraine, it is necessary to conserve, study, and develop oilseed collections as a basis for breeding. Oilseed collections and breeding programs have been conducted at the Institute of Oilseed Crops for many years. The research was carried out using classical field experiments over several growing seasons. The results demonstrate the diversity and size of the castor bean and safflower collections, reveal the yield potential of the most promising accessions, and compare the quantitative and qualitative characteristics of accessions of different origins and breeding backgrounds. Under the conditions of the Zaporizhia region, the best castor bean accessions achieved yields of up to 2.96 t/ha, oil content of up to 61%, and ricinoleic acid content of up to 92%. The best safflower accessions yielded up to 3.05 t/ha, with oil content up to 38%, thousand-seed weight up to 55 g, protein content up to 20%, and hull content up to 55%.
Closing yield gaps in oil palm production has become increasingly important as opportunities for land expansion diminish under sustainability and land-use policies. Whereas most previous studies have concentrated on established production methods, this study examines contemporary technologies adopted by estate companies and evaluates their applicability to smallholders. Evidence from publicly listed firms in Indonesia, Malaysia, and Singapore shows that more productive estates have implemented integrated plantation management systems that combine improved planting materials, “future-ready” plantation infrastructure, soil and water conservation, precision agriculture, and partial mechanization. These technology clusters increasingly embody features associated with a novel cluster of adaptation-to-climate-change. Expert reviews, however, emphasize that strengthening fundamental capacities remains the priority for smallholders. Replanting with improved varieties and adopting adaptive nutrient management—anchored in soil and water conservation—are viewed as practically essential. Yet, constrained by technological and structural factors, smallholders will have to follow a different pathway from estates in closing yield gaps. In this context, unlocking sustainable and resilient yield potential in the smallholder sector will depend on a balanced techno-socio-economic approach of innovations that extend beyond hardware and equipment to include institutional support, service delivery models, access to knowledge and financial systems, and diversification.
This study aims to identify the morphological and anatomical factors that influence the dehulling capacity of sunflower achenes, a critical issue for the oilseed industry. Four cultivars grown at two sites over two cultivation years were examined. The study is based on observations from transverse sections of achenes, enabling measurement of the area of the achenes, embryos, and pericarp, as well as the length of contact zones between the pericarp and the embryo. Calculations were used to evaluate pericarp thickness, filling rate, and contact rate. Dehulling capacity does not simply depend on achene size or oil content but rather results from a complex balance between pericarp rigidity (as determined by its thickness) and the presence of gaps or adhesion zones at the pericarp/embryo interface. Genetic factors influence pericarp thickness and the propensity for hull/kernel contact. Environmental conditions impact the supply of water at both the flowering and seed-filling stages. The flowering period is crucial for pericarp development, and water stress during this period results in thinner pericarps and smaller achenes that are more difficult to dehull. The filling rate increases when water needs during seed filling are met, whereas the contact zones depend on the interaction between water supplies during both stages. In summary, the findings validate the role of the hull/kernel interface in dehulling and provide fresh avenues for selecting varieties with superior technological quality in sunflower achenes.
Licuri (Syagrus coronata) is a palm species endemic to Brazil’s Caatinga biome whose biotechnological potential remains poorly explored. While the kernel is traditionally used for oil extraction, the mesocarp is discarded. In this study, oils from licuri kernel and mesocarp were extracted and compared. Kernel oil was rich in medium-chain saturated fatty acids, notably lauric acid (≈50 % w/w), whereas mesocarp oil contained long-chain unsaturated fatty acids (oleic and linoleic acids; 55.4 % w/w). The mesocarp oil also exhibited high levels of free fatty acids, resulting from endogenous lipase-mediated hydrolysis of triacylglycerols and galactolipids. Blanching the fruit before extraction inactivated lipase activity and improved mesocarp oil recovery, yielding up to 13 % w/w compared with 40 % w/w for the kernel. Significant lipase activity was retained in the delipidated mesocarp cake after cold hexane extraction, with activities up to 375 ± 12 and 475 ± 25 U/g on olive oil and tributyrin. Partial purification yielded a lipase active over a broad pH range and on various lipid substrates, including licuri kernel oil, egg phosphatidylcholine, and vinyl propionate. These results highlight Licuri fruit as a dual source of oil and lipase, supporting its potential use in an integrated biorefinery approach.
The main oilseed crops in Ukraine are sunflower, soybean, and rapeseed. The area under oilseeds exceeds 8 million hectares, or 39% of the total sown area. Sunflower crops—5 million hectares, soybeans—2 million hectares, rapeseed—1 million hectares. Ukraine ranks first in the world in terms of exports of sunflower, sunflower oil and meal, and rapeseed. The processing industry ranks first in Ukraine in terms of contributions to the state budget—16.7% of the total collection in 2024. In the 2023/24 season, record volumes of oilseeds were processed—17.4 million tons, 6.6 million tons of oil were produced, and 6.2 million tons were exported. For comparison, in the pre-war period of 2019/20 MY, these figures reached 6.9 million tons of production and 6.7 million tons of exports. Sunflower oil has been the export leader in Ukraine for the past 20 yr. The average annual production of sunflower oil is 5.4 million tons, with further exports of up to 5 million tons. Export revenue reaches $5 billion per year. The production and processing of soybeans is growing at the fastest pace. The processing industry of major oilseeds demonstrates the rapid adaptability of the processing industry during the period of transformations and sharp changes in operating conditions.
South Africa is a water-scarce country predominantly practicing dryland agriculture, relying on rainfall onset to determine planting date. Sunflower is commonly considered a substitute crop, planted when primary crops face delayed plantings. The interaction between crop development and environmental variability is critical in Southern Africa because projections indicate warming of up to twice the rate of the global average. We investigated sunflower planting dates and production across two austral summer seasons (2020/2021 and 2021/2022) and two provinces of South Africa. A widely grown cultivar was sown monthly through the summer (from November to March) in a split-plot design. Plant height and leaf number were recorded weekly. Plants were harvested at physiological maturity for morphological and yield assessments. The hotter, drier first season (2020/2021 austral summer) led to the plantings reaching physiological maturity approximately 25 days earlier than in the wetter, cooler season (2021/2022 austral summer). In the hot/dry season, seed yield and quality were lower but more stable across planting dates. In the wetter/cooler second season, there were sharp declines in yield (78.8 g/plant, equivalent to 3.2 tons/ha ) and greater variation in oleic acid (up to 59.9%) across planting dates. These results highlight sunflowers’ stability under hot, dry conditions, supporting their use as a substitute crop.
The global expansion of olive cultivation has led to the widespread adoption of highly mechanized production systems, with the Arbequina cultivar emerging as a dominant choice due to its high productivity and adaptability. Given that the physicochemical quality of its oil is highly sensitive to environmental conditions, understanding the impact of abiotic stress on olive oil quality during key fruit developmental stages is essential for adapting orchard management to climate variability. In this context, the aim of this study was to identify and characterize the critical periods of fruit development that determine the physicochemical quality, fatty acid composition, and phenolic profile of ‘Arbequina’ olive oil under conditions of reduced solar radiation. To this end, whole olive trees were subjected, to intense shading (80%) during 30-day periods, using chambers. The results revealed that oil composition, particularly oleic acid content, and extinction coefficients are significantly influenced by the timing of stress exposure. Besides, two key accumulation phases of the principal fatty acid, cis-oleic acid were identified: an early phase (30–60 days after full bloom, DAFB) marked by increased content, and a later phase (120 DAFB) showing a pronounced decline. These changes were inversely correlated with palmitic acid levels. Linoleic acid levels decreased significantly during the 30–60 DAFB, while linolenic acid levels declined between full bloom and 30 DAFB, followed by an increase after 90 DAFB. Regarding phenolic compounds, oleacein and oleocanthal levels decreased significantly under stress, whereas hydroxytyrosol and luteolin remained stable, indicating selective metabolic responses. Given the global expansion of olive cultivation in semi-arid regions, these findings provide a framework to mitigate climate-induced quality losses in a wide variety of emerging production areas. By identifying stress-sensitive developmental stages, this study offers actionable insights to preserve EVOO quality and optimize harvest and canopy management.
This study examined the composition of oil extracted from empty fruit bunches (EFB) and its effects on the refining, fractionation, and occurrence of process-developed contaminants in palm oil. The oil, referred to as empty fruit bunch oil (EFBO), was extracted from EFB liquor, which consisted of 85 % water, 10 % sludge, and 5 % oil. The EFBO was then blended with crude palm oil (CPO) at varying concentrations (0.1 %, 0.5 %, 1.0 %, 2.5 %, 5.0 %, and 10 %) and subjected to physical refining and dry fractionation. Quality analyses revealed that increasing EFBO concentrations led to higher free fatty acid (FFA) levels above 0.4 % and more intense colour above 2.4R in the refined oils. The EFBO also contributed to the formation of process-developed contaminants, particularly 3-monochloropropane-1,2-diol esters (3-MCPDE), from 1.14 mg kg−1 in control oil to 2.72 mg kg−1 in refined oil with 10 % EFBO added, while the formation of glycidyl esters (GE) was less influenced by the addition of EFBO. During dry fractionation, both 3-MCPDE and GE were found to be more concentrated in the liquid olein fraction than in the solid stearin fraction, governed by inherent physicochemical properties rather than the blended oil composition. The study concluded that blending EFBO with CPO could degrade the quality and safety of CPO, mainly due to the increased formation of undesirable contaminants such as 3-MCPDE.
C. rheedei J.F. Gmelin is an underutilized Asian shrub with no prior characterization of its seeds or oil. This study reports, for the first time, the nutritional and functional profile of C. rheedei seeds. The seeds yielded 32.6% oil, dominated by oleic acid (71.4%) with a balanced ω-3/ω-6 ratio (∼1:1). Tocopherols (31.5 mg/100 g) and phytosterols (1388 mg/kg; β-sitosterol, stigmasterol) were abundant, supporting antioxidant and anti-inflammatory potential. Twelve free amino acids were identified, with essential amino acids comprising 22.3% of the total; proline and hydroxyproline contribute to collagen stability, while serine and alanine may provide skin-calming effects, extending relevance to cosmeceutical applications. Functionally, the oil showed strong antioxidant activity (DPPH IC50 = 13.1 μg/mL; FRAP = 2855.5 μmol Fe2+/L; TEAC EC50 = 22.8 μg/mL) and potent α-glucosidase inhibition (IC50 = 102.4 μg/mL), surpassing acarbose. Preliminary toxicology indicates no acute toxicity, though a full safety evaluation is needed. With their favorable composition and high yield, C. rheedei seeds represent a promising new economic resource for nutraceutical, functional food, and cosmetic industries in Southeast Asia.
Background: This study aimed to optimize the synthesis conditions for solid lipid nanoparticles (SLNs) loaded with Calophyllum inophyllum L. (tamanu) oil, a natural extract known for its anti-inflammatory, antimicrobial, and wound-healing properties. Methods: SLNs were prepared using a hot homogenization-ultrasonication-cold homogenization method, and various formulation parameters were systematically evaluated, including the type and concentration of solid lipids, hydrophilic-lipophilic balance (HLB) of surfactants, sonication power, and homogenization speeds. Results: Among the tested lipids, Naterol (R) SE produced stable SLNs and was selected for further optimization. Response Surface Methodology (RSM) with a Central Composite Design (CCD) was applied to model the effects of four key factors-HLB value, sonication power, hot homogenization speed, and cold homogenization speed-on particle size and polydispersity index (PDI). The optimized formulation achieved a mean particle size of 148.7 +/- 1.39 nm and a PDI of 0.30, with spherical morphology confirmed by SEM and good physical stability under different storage conditions. Objectives: These findings demonstrate that the optimized tamanu oil-solid lipid nanoparticles (TO-SLNs) possess favorable physicochemical characteristics, offering strong potential as a topical nanocarrier system for skin repair and regeneration applications. Contexte: Cette & eacute;tude visait & agrave; optimiser les conditions de synth & egrave;se de nanoparticules lipidiques solides (NLS) charg & eacute;es en huile de Calophyllum inophyllum L. (tamanu), un extrait naturel reconnu pour ses propri & eacute;t & eacute;s anti-inflammatoires, antimicrobiennes et cicatrisantes. M & eacute;thodes : Les NLS ont & eacute;t & eacute; pr & eacute;par & eacute;es par une m & eacute;thode combinant homog & eacute;n & eacute;isation & agrave; chaud, ultrasonication et homog & eacute;n & eacute;isation & agrave; froid. Diff & eacute;rents param & egrave;tres de formulation ont & eacute;t & eacute; & eacute;valu & eacute;s de mani & egrave;re syst & eacute;matique, notamment le type et la concentration en lipides solides, l'& eacute;quilibre hydrophile-lipophile (HLB) des tensioactifs, la puissance de sonication ainsi que les vitesses d'homog & eacute;n & eacute;isation. R & eacute;sultats : Parmi les lipides test & eacute;s, le Naterol (R) SE a permis d'obtenir des NLS stables et a & eacute;t & eacute; retenu pour l'optimisation. Une m & eacute;thodologie RSM (Response Surface Methodology) bas & eacute;e sur un plan composite central (Central Composite Design, CCD) a & eacute;t & eacute; appliqu & eacute;e afin de mod & eacute;liser l'effet de quatre facteurs cl & eacute;s - la valeur du HLB, la puissance de sonication, la vitesse d'homog & eacute;n & eacute;isation & agrave; chaud et la vitesse d'homog & eacute;n & eacute;isation & agrave; froid - sur la taille des particules et l'indice de polydispersit & eacute; (PDI). La formulation optimis & eacute;e a permis d'obtenir une taille moyenne de particules de 148,7 +/- 1,39 nm et un PDI de 0,30. La morphologie sph & eacute;rique a & eacute;t & eacute; confirm & eacute;e par microscopie & eacute;lectronique & agrave; balayage (MEB), et une bonne stabilit & eacute; physique a & eacute;t & eacute; observ & eacute;e dans diff & eacute;rentes conditions de stockage. Objectifs : Ces r & eacute;sultats montrent que les nanoparticules lipidiques solides & agrave; base d'huile de tamanu (TO-NLS) optimis & eacute;es pr & eacute;sentent des caract & eacute;ristiques physico-chimiques favorables, offrant un fort potentiel en tant que syst & egrave;me nanovecteur topique pour des applications de r & eacute;paration et de r & eacute;g & eacute;n & eacute;ration cutan & eacute;es.
Canola, Brassica napus L., is the top-ranked vegetable oil crop in the world, and its production is significantly hindered by aphids (mustard-oil bombs), which compromise the host plant defense. The prominent aphid species which infest the canola include Brevicoryne brassicae, Lipaphis erysimi, and Myzus persicae. They feed on tender parts of the plant and suck the cell sap that ultimately reduces the plant's vigor. Floral buds are weakened, and flowers may fall to reduce the number of potential pods, causing a significant yield loss (60%–77%). They also transmit ∼20 different plant viruses in canola. Aphids sustain their populations through a consecutive biological cycle to produce multiple generations in a single cropping season. Continuous feeding by a multitude of aphids ultimately reduces plant growth and yield attributes, i.e., plant height, number of siliques, seeds per silique, thousand-seed weight, and plant yield, significantly. Hostplant nutrient profile comprising macro- and micronutrients, i.e., nitrogen, phosphorous, potassium, calcium, magnesium, iron, sulfur, copper, and zinc, also alters. These nutrients have a dual role in aphid–canola interaction, i.e., they accomplish biological needs of aphids on one side and enhance host plant defense and yield on the other side. In addition, phenolic compounds are also important, especially myricetin, quercetin, gallic, caffeic, syringic, vanillic, ferulic, chlorogenic, m-coumaric, p-coumaric, sinapic, and cinnamic acid. Their role in plant defense and aphid reduction has been discussed. Classification, biosynthetic pathways, and the role of plant phenolics in countering aphid defense have been elaborated. Conclusively, this review delivers an inclusive framework for understanding the chemical and nutritional drivers responsible for aphid resistance and yield improvement, offering significant insights for developing pest-resilient canola cultivars.
The identification of morphometric characteristics in seeds is an important tool in the characterization and differentiation of seed lots, used in quality monitoring and control, as well as in the design and selection of equipment in the processing line. Jojoba (Simmondsia chinensis) is an oilseed species considered promising for its high-quality oil, good thermal stability, and diverse industrial uses. The objective of this study was to characterize different lots of jojoba seeds using radiographic images and microscopy, identifying parameters that assist in seed classification and contribute to the development of rapid, accurate, and non-destructive methods for evaluating seed quality in this crop. Radiographic analyses allowed the observation of internal seed structures, which, when complemented with image analyses, revealed polymorphism in size, shape, and gray intensity, highlighting lot 5 with superior performance in structural integrity and physiological quality. These findings were consistent with groupings obtained by the UPGMA method, which also demonstrated clear separation between lots based on morphological characteristics. Scanning electron microscopy supplemented radiographic analysis, providing a morphological basis for the internal attributes visualized. Non-destructive seed analysis techniques, such as X-rays, can be used in the characterization and discrimination of seed lots based on morphological characteristics observed in radiographic images.
Semantic segmentation methods have become increasingly popular in the field of agronomy for their ability to accurately and efficiently analyse images of crops. These methods use machine learning algorithms to assign semantic labels to each pixel in an image and require extensive amount of labelled data. Currently, most of the available models focus on crop and weed identification and target a single growth stage. In this paper, we propose a robust semantic segmentation method for estimating the dynamics of multi-species cover in intercropping systems, using only 50 images for training the model. We applied transfer learning on the well-established convolutional neural network DeepLab to decrease the image annotation effort. Three models are trained using field images from a three-year field trial with canopy densities ranging from early development at 1.2% to well-developed canopy covers of 98.7%. Overall, we propose a two-class segmentation model to differentiate vegetation from soil, obtaining 96.8% mean accuracy. Two methods for three-class segmentation models to identify soil, oilseed rape and the other plants are proposed, reaching best mean accuracy of 96.2%. The proposed method is able to differentiate oilseed rape from service plant mixtures at all growing stages, allowing for accurate assessment of the dynamic competition for light between these species. Hence, semantic segmentation methods in agronomy have the potential to support study and management of crops, enabling more accurate and efficient data collection and analysis. Les m & eacute;thodes de segmentation s & eacute;mantique sont devenues de plus en plus populaires dans le domaine de l'agronomie, gr & acirc;ce & agrave; leur capacit & eacute; & agrave; analyser pr & eacute;cis & eacute;ment et efficacement les images des cultures. Ces m & eacute;thodes utilisent des algorithmes de machine learning pour classer chaque pixel de l'image, et n & eacute;cessitent un grand nombre de donn & eacute;es. Actuellement, la plupart des mod & egrave;les disponibles proposent l'identification d'une culture et des adventices et ne ciblent qu'un seul stade de d & eacute;veloppement. Dans cet article, nous proposons une m & eacute;thode de segmentation s & eacute;mantique robuste permettant d'estimer la dynamique de couverture d'associations complexes de cultures, en n'utilisant que 50 images pour entra & icirc;ner le mod & egrave;le. Nous avons utilis & eacute; une m & eacute;thode de transfer learning sur le mod & egrave;le de r & eacute;seaux de neurones DeepLab d & eacute;j & agrave; entra & icirc;n & eacute; pour r & eacute;duire l'effort d'annotation des images. Trois mod & egrave;les ont & eacute;t & eacute; entra & icirc;n & eacute;s & agrave; partir d'images obtenues dans un essai au champ reconduit trois ans, pendant la p & eacute;riode de d & eacute;veloppement de la culture allant d'une couverture du sol de 1,2 % jusqu'& agrave; 98,7 %. Nous proposons un mod & egrave;le de segmentation en deux classes, qui diff & eacute;rentie le sol de la v & eacute;g & eacute;tation, et obtient une pr & eacute;cision moyenne de 96,8 %. Deux m & eacute;thodes pour des mod & egrave;les de segmentation & agrave; 3 classes, identifiant le sol, le colza et les autres esp & egrave;ces v & eacute;g & eacute;tales sont propos & eacute;es, et ont une pr & eacute;cision moyenne de 96,2 %. Les m & eacute;thodes propos & eacute;es sont capables de diff & eacute;rentier le colza des m & eacute;langes de plantes de services & agrave; tous les stades du d & eacute;veloppement v & eacute;g & eacute;tatif, et permettent ainsi une & eacute;valuation pr & eacute;cise de la dynamique de comp & eacute;tition pour la lumi & egrave;re entre les esp & egrave;ces. Ainsi, les m & eacute;thodes de segmentation s & eacute;mantique peuvent contribuer & agrave; l'& eacute;tude des associations de cultures et & ecirc;tre utilis & eacute;es dans des outils d'aide & agrave; la d & eacute;cision, car elles simplifient et rendent plus pr & eacute;cise la collecte et l'analyse des donn & eacute;es.
Sustainable intensification of perennial oil palm production systems requires balancing energy efficiency, economic profitability, greenhouse gas emission, and labour requirements. This study evaluated three mechanization scenarios (manual, semi-mechanized with standard capacity equipment’s and semi-mechanized with high-capacity equipment’s) across five yield levels (15–35 t FFB ha−1 yr−1; FFB = Fresh Fruit Bunches), based on data from 26 plantations in the Colombian Orinoquia Natural Region. Methodologies included energy analysis, economic evaluation, life cycle assessment of Greenhouse Gas emissions (GHG), and labour demand quantification. Results demonstrate that yield intensification constitutes the primary driver of systemic efficiency, with energy ratios improving from 2.10 to 2.42 and emissions decreasing from 84.8 to 66.3 kg CO2 t⁻1 FFB. Semi - mechanized systems contribute directly to intensification by enabling precise input applications and timely execution of agronomic practices, particularly in fertilization and harvesting. Semi-mechanized systes with high capacity equipment’s reduces labour demand by 26–46% compared to manual systems and facilitates scalable operations. It also emerges as the most profitable scenario, with economic viability achieved from 15 t FFB ha⁻1 yr⁻1.
The African oil palm Elaeis guineensis Jacquin has a commercial life span between 20–30 years after which replanting is advised. Although a sound agronomic decision, planted seedlings are at risk of potential attack and damage by adult Oryctes. While it is known that adult population – in infested re‐planted palm plantation – increases with time, specific information on their population trend is limited. Hence the population of the adult Oryctes monoceros pest in 3 years of replanting (YOR) – 2018, 2020, and 2022 – in Ubima Oil Palm Plantation, Rivers State, Nigeria, was monitored, for at least twenty‐seven months, after the planting end month (PEM). Results showed progressive increase in adult population that peaked between 24 to 26 months, then began to decline. The small standard error of the mean (SEM) obtained, showed the sample mean as a precise estimate of the population mean. The one‐way analysis of variance (ANOVA) showed a highly statistical significance across the study months. Similarly, the nested ANOVA showed that variation in O. monoceros population was statistically significant across all tested variables between the three YOR. The study showed that the developmental continuity of O. monoceros is dependent on the trunk and its speed of decay. Furthermore, a second replanting phase will reach peak population faster and will surfer more damage than a first replanting phase. This study provides plantation owners and managers with information on how long the challenge of O. monoceros will likely last, as well as how best to plan replanting activities across multiple years.
Vegetable oils and fats play a key role in a healthy diet. As for any foods, during the journey from the raw material until their processing, several contaminants can be encountered. The present article looks at the evolution of the EU regulatory framework for contaminants in vegetable oils and fats and their raw materials and the different types of contaminants from “known” to “emerging”. It identifies several trends, from the wording used, to regulatory exemptions and the implementation of the EU Maximum Levels (MLs) at national level. It also assesses the impact this is having for the vegetable oil and fat sector. With the growing number of topics to address simultaneously across the years, the challenges for this sector have considerably increased, considering “known” and “emerging” contaminants and other EU policy objectives. The supply chain management and the vegetable oil and fat processing can reduce some contaminants levels and will remain key factors in the mitigation route to further explore in the future.
