Vegetable crop growth under photovoltaic (PV) modules of varying transparencies.

The present study summarizes two growing seasons (2020-2021) of microclimate characterization and vegetable crop growth in an agrivoltaics system in northern Colorado, USA. The replicated experiment evaluated three module transparency types (opaque silicon [0 % transparent], bifacial silicon [∼5 % transparent], and semi-transparent cadmium telluride [40 % transparent]) plus a full sun control, and four vegetable crop species (summer squash, peppers, tomatoes, and lettuce). Air temperature under the modules in July was approximately 0.

Impacts of black soldier fly, (Diptera: Stratiomyidae) larval frass on tomato production.

The "insects as food and feed" movement is gaining considerable momentum as a novel means to provide protein to people (i.e., food) and other animals (i.

Evaluation of ambient mass spectrometry tools for assessing inherent postharvest pepper quality.

Horticulturists are interested in evaluating how cultivar, environment, or production system inputs can affect postharvest quality. Ambient mass spectrometry approaches enable analysis of minimally processed samples under ambient conditions and offer an attractive high-throughput alternative for assessing quality characteristics in plant products. Here, we evaluate direct analysis in real time (DART-MS) mass spectrometry and rapid evaporative ionization-mass spectrometry (REIMS) to assess quality characteristics in various pepper (Capsicum annuum L.

Comprehensive Evaluation of Metabolites and Minerals in 6 Microgreen Species and the Influence of Maturity.

Background: Microgreens are the young leafy greens of many vegetables, herbs, grains, and flowers with potential to promote human health and sustainably diversify the global food system. For successful further integration into the global food system and evaluation of their health impacts, it is critical to elucidate and optimize their nutritional quality.

Objectives: We aimed to comprehensively evaluate the metabolite and mineral contents of 6 microgreen species, and the influence of maturity on their contents.

Microgreens: Consumer sensory perception and acceptance of an emerging functional food crop.

Microgreens are an emerging functional food crop with promise for sustainably diversifying global food systems, facilitating adaptations to urbanization and global climate change, and promoting human health. Previous work suggests microgreens have high nutritional quality, low environmental impacts, and broad consumer acceptance. For better reception into the global food system and increased per capita consumption, research is needed to elucidate consumer acceptance of various microgreens species, including factors contributing to their acceptance or lack thereof.