Current Research in Agricultural Sciences

Evolution of sweet pepper (Capsicum annuum) harvesting: From traditional practices to mechanization and robotics

2025-12-24T03:18:36-06:00

This review aims to critically examine the technological evolution of sweet pepper (Capsicum annuum) harvesting, highlighting the transition from labor-intensive manual practices to mechanized and robotic systems. The study synthesizes historical records, experimental studies, and recent engineering developments to compare harvesting efficiency, labor requirements, costs, and fruit quality across manual, mechanical, and robotic approaches in both open-field and protected cultivation systems. Manual harvesting traditionally required approximately 950–1000 labor hours ha⁻¹, accounting for nearly 40–50% of total production costs, whereas mechanized harvesting introduced during the mid-20th century reduced labor inputs by 80–85%, achieving capacities of up to 9,000 kg h⁻¹ and decreasing operational costs from about $1,260 ha⁻¹ to $210 ha⁻¹. However, mechanical systems were associated with higher fruit damage rates (2.3–3.9%) compared to careful hand picking (<1%). Recent robotic platforms such as SWEEPER and Harvey demonstrate selective harvesting success rates of 61–76.5% with cycle times of 15–24 seconds per fruit, indicating substantial progress toward precision and autonomy. Despite these advances, challenges related to fruit damage, destemming efficiency, perception accuracy, and cultivar variability remain significant. The findings underscore the need for integrating advanced sensing technologies, machine learning algorithms, and adaptive end-effectors to improve harvesting performance. This review provides practical insights for researchers, technology developers, and growers seeking to enhance labor efficiency, economic viability, and sustainability in sweet pepper production systems.

Effect of land management practices on soil organic carbon in the mangrove ecosystem

2026-02-01T09:15:26-06:00

This study assessed the distribution of soil organic carbon among soil fractions in a mangrove ecosystem in the Ilaje Area of Ondo State, southwestern Nigeria. Soil samples were collected from cultivated, regenerated, and natural forest lands at depths of 0 to 20 cm, 20 to 40 cm, and 40 to 60 cm. Sampling was conducted at three points along the diagonal of 20 m × 20 m plots established on three transects spaced 100 m apart within each site, using a 3 cm diameter soil auger. Soil organic carbon and selected physicochemical properties were determined using standard laboratory procedures. Total organic carbon (TOC) ranged from 5.70 ± 0.52% in cultivated land at 20 to 40 cm depth to 12.37 ± 1.50% in natural forest at the same depth. TOC differed significantly (P < 0.05) among land management practices but showed no significant variation with soil depth. POC and mineral-associated organic carbon (MOC) were also strongly influenced by land use, with POC values ranging from 3.21 ± 0.37% in cultivated land to 6.42 ± 0.36% in natural forest at 20 to 40 cm depth. Soil pH was moderately acidic across all depths and land uses, varying from 4.24 ± 0.10 to 5.38 ± 0.06. Overall, the findings underscore the significant role of land management practices in regulating soil organic carbon dynamics and related soil properties in mangrove ecosystems.

Some natural plant extracts and their impact on fruit set, yield and fruit quality of Barhee date palms

2026-02-28T01:22:19-06:00

The purpose of this study was to evaluate the influence of natural plant extracts on fruit set, yield, and quality of Barhee date palms under desert orchard conditions. The research was conducted over two consecutive seasons on ten-year-old palms located 63 kilometers along the Cairo–Alexandria desert road. Palms were sprayed three times with 3% moringa extract, 3% licorice extract, or 2% algae extract, applied three hours before pollination and again one and two months later, while untreated palms served as the control. The findings revealed that all treatments significantly improved fruit set percentage, yield, and fruit attributes compared with the control, with algae extract consistently producing the most favorable results. Specifically, the 2% algae treatment recorded the highest values for fruit set, fruit retention, bunch weight, and yield per palm, while also enhancing chemical properties such as total soluble solids, total sugars, and non-reducing sugars, as well as morphological traits including fruit weight, flesh weight, length, diameter, and form index. The practical implications of these results suggest that foliar application of algae extract can serve as an effective, natural biostimulant to improve both productivity and fruit quality in Barhee date palm cultivation, offering a sustainable alternative to synthetic inputs.

Growth performance of broilers fed with coconut apple as primary feed ingredient

2026-03-08T05:28:57-05:00

The rising cost of commercial feed poses a persistent challenge to the economic sustainability and profitability of poultry production. This study addresses the general topic of sustainable broiler nutrition by specifically investigating the efficacy of coconut apple (Haustorium), an agricultural by-product, as a primary feed ingredient in broiler diets. While previous research has explored various coconut by-products in poultry diets, a critical gap remains regarding the scientific validation and optimal inclusion level of the soft, nutrient-dense coconut apple as a primary component. The rationale for this research is to fill this empirical gap, providing farmers with a strategy to reduce production costs and efficiently utilize agricultural waste. A Randomized Complete Block Design (RCBD) was used, involving eighteen-day-old broilers assigned to two dietary treatment groups: T1 (Commercial Feed) and T2 (Coconut Apple-based Feed I), replicated three times over a 35-day feeding trial. Data were collected on final live weight, average daily gain (ADG), average daily feed intake (ADFI), Feed Conversion Ratio (FCR), and feed cost per kilogram of gain. The main findings indicate that coconut apple is tolerable without detrimental effects on growth. Although the FCR was marginally higher in T2, the critical finding was the economic viability: the coconut apple-based diets resulted in a slightly higher cost (₱38.60/kg) compared to the commercial feed (₱38/kg). These results signify that coconut apple is a viable primary feed ingredient, offering a scientifically-backed pathway for enhanced profitability and promoting a circular economy within the poultry sector.

Evaluation of tomato crop water demand through three evapotranspiration estimation methods in the agro-climatic context of Dschang, Cameroon

2026-03-09T07:56:11-05:00

The management of irrigation for vegetables, specifically tomatoes, is essential, which involves defining the quantities and frequencies of supply aimed at increasing plant productivity and quality while maximizing water use efficiency. This study evaluated the agronomic performance, irrigation water productivity, and economic profitability of tomato (Solanum lycopersicum L.) cultivated under three evapotranspiration-based irrigation scheduling methods: Penman–Monteith, Blaney–Criddle, and Turc, combined with two irrigation frequencies (daily and every two days) in Dschang, West Cameroon. The experiment was conducted at the University of Dschang's experimental area from November 2021 to March 2022. A split-plot experimental design was used, with methods of ETP determination as the principal factor and frequency as the secondary factor. Tomato growth parameters, yield components, irrigation water use efficiency (IWUE), and economic profitability indicators were assessed throughout the production cycle. Results showed that irrigation dose and frequency had no significant effect on vegetative growth parameters but significantly influenced (p < 0.05) fruit yield, irrigation water productivity, and economic returns (value–cost ratio ≥ 2). The highest marketable yield (81.4 t ha⁻¹) was obtained with the Penman–Monteith method applied every two days, while the greatest irrigation water use efficiency (15.92 kg m⁻³) was achieved with the Blaney–Criddle method applied every two days. All irrigation–fertilization combinations were economically profitable (value–cost ratio ≥ 2), with the Penman–Monteith method applied every two days offering the best compromise between yield maximization and economic return.