Determining the geographical origin of lettuce with data mining applied to micronutrients and soil properties

Lettuce (Lactuca sativa) is the main leafy vegetable produced in Brazil. Since its production is widespread all over the country, lettuce traceability and quality assurance is hampered. In this study, we propose a new method to identify the geographical origin of Brazilian lettuce. The method uses a powerful data mining technique called support vector machines (SVM) applied to elemental composition and soil properties of samples analyzed. We investigated lettuce produced in São Paulo and Pernambuco, two states in the southeastern and northeastern regions in Brazil, respectively. We investigated efficiency of the SVM model by comparing its results with those achieved by traditional linear discriminant analysis (LDA). The SVM models outperformed the LDA models in the two scenarios investigated, achieving an average of 98 % prediction accuracy to discriminate lettuce from both states. A feature evaluation formula, called F–score, was used to measure the discriminative power of the variables analyzed. The soil exchangeable cation capacity, soil contents of low crystalized Al and Zn content in lettuce samples were the most relevant components for differentiation. Our results reinforce the potential of data mining and machine learning techniques to support traceability strategies and authentication of leafy vegetables.

Determining the geographical origin of lettuce with data mining applied to micronutrients and soil properties

ABSTRACT Lettuce (Lactuca sativa) is the main leafy vegetable produced in Brazil. Since its production is widespread all over the country, lettuce traceability and quality assurance is hampered. In this study, we propose a new method to identify the geographical origin of Brazilian lettuce. The method uses a powerful data mining technique called support vector machines (SVM) applied to elemental composition and soil properties of samples analyzed. We investigated lettuce produced in São Paulo and Pernambuco, two states in the southeastern and northeastern regions in Brazil, respectively. We investigated efficiency of the SVM model by comparing its results with those achieved by traditional linear discriminant analysis (LDA). The SVM models outperformed the LDA models in the two scenarios investigated, achieving an average of 98 % prediction accuracy to discriminate lettuce from both states. A feature evaluation formula, called Fscore, was used to measure the discriminative power of the variables analyzed. The soil exchangeable cation capacity, soil contents of low crystalized Al and Zn content in lettuce samples were the most relevant components for differentiation. Our results reinforce the potential of data mining and machine learning techniques to support traceability strategies and authentication of leafy vegetables.

Determining the geographical origin of lettuce with data mining applied to micronutrients and soil properties

Lettuce (Lactuca sativa) is the main leafy vegetable produced in Brazil. Since its production is widespread all over the country, lettuce traceability and quality assurance is hampered. In this study, we propose a new method to identify the geographical origin of Brazilian lettuce. The method uses a powerful data mining technique called support vector machines (SVM) applied to elemental composition and soil properties of samples analyzed. We investigated lettuce produced in São Paulo and Pernambuco, two states in the southeastern and northeastern regions in Brazil, respectively. We investigated efficiency of the SVM model by comparing its results with those achieved by traditional linear discriminant analysis (LDA). The SVM models outperformed the LDA models in the two scenarios investigated, achieving an average of 98 % prediction accuracy to discriminate lettuce from both states. A feature evaluation formula, called F­score, was used to measure the discriminative power of the variables analyzed. The soil exchangeable cation capacity, soil contents of low crystalized Al and Zn content in lettuce samples were the most relevant components for differentiation. Our results reinforce the potential of data mining and machine learning techniques to support traceability strategies and authentication of leafy vegetables.(AU)

Quality of re-ensiled sorghum silages after prolonged periods of environmental exposure / Qualidade da silagem de sorgo reensilada após prolongados períodos de exposição ao ambiente

The aim of this study was to evaluate the effect of re-ensiling on the fermentability coefficient (FC), chemical composition and fermentation profile of untreated whole-crop sorghum silage after prolonged periods of environmental exposure. Treatments comprised eight times of exposure to the environment (0, 6, 12, 24, 48, 72, 96, and 120 h) and two procedures for conservation (conventional and re-ensiling) in a completely randomized design with two factors and three replicates. Experimental silos made of 12-L plastic buckets were used in trials. Silage nutritive value, fermentation profile, and dry mass (DM) losses were analyzed before and 90 days after re-ensiling. Regression analyses were performed, and ANOVA was used to compare means. The FC was higher than 45 even when the silage was exposed to air for 120 h before re-ensiling (59.2±2.54). Regression equations were fitted to the data with low accuracy (R2 < 0.47). Moreover, we observed that the main effect occurred between before and after re-ensiling, decreasing the contents of DM (42 to 37 %) and water-soluble carbohydrates (7.0 to 5.8 % DM), neutral detergent fiber (60.4 to 55.4 % DM), and acid detergent fiber (49.5 to 33.5 % DM), but increasing those of lactic acid (0.52 to 0.96 % DM) and ammoniacal nitrogen (1.58 to 2.51 % total N). The DM losses were linear with increasing times of air exposure; however, silage nutritive value and fermentation profile showed no disturbing changes for silage conservation and animal feeding.(AU)

O objetivo com este estudo foi avaliar o efeito da reensilagem sobre o coeficiente de fermentação (CF), bromatologia e fermentação de silagens de plantas inteiras de sorgo após períodos de exposição ao ambiente. Os tratamentos corresponderam a oito tempos de exposição ao ambiente (0, 6, 12, 24, 48, 72, 96 e 120 h) e dois procedimentos de conservação (silagem convencional e reensilada), no delineamento inteiramente casualizado com dois fatores e três repetições, utilizando-se silos experimentais de 12 L. Os silos foram abertos 90 dias após o fechamento e analisados o valor nutritivo, o perfil fermentativo e as perdas de massa seca (MS). Foram ajustadas regressões e a ANOVA foi utilizada para comparação entre médias. O CF foi maior do que 45, mesmo quando a silagem foi exposta ao ambiente por 120 h antes a reensilagem (59,2±2,54). As equações de regressão foram ajustadas com baixa precisão (R2 < 0,47) e foi observado que o principal efeito ocorreu entre os procedimento de conservação e não para os tempos de exposição, reduzindo o conteúdo de MS (42 para 37 %) e carboidratos solúveis em água (7,0 para 5,8 % da MS), fibras em detergente neutro (60,4 para 55,4 % da MS) e ácido (49,5 para 33,5 % da MS), e aumentando os teores de AL (0,52 para 0,96 % da MS) e N-NH3 (1,58 para 2,51 % do N total). As perdas de MS foram lineares com o tempo de exposição ao ambiente, no entanto, não foram observadas mudanças impactantes no valor nutritivo das silagens com o processo de reensilagem.(AU)

Quality of re-ensiled sorghum silages after prolonged periods of environmental exposure / Qualidade da silagem de sorgo reensilada após prolongados períodos de exposição ao ambiente

The aim of this study was to evaluate the effect of re-ensiling on the fermentability coefficient (FC), chemical composition and fermentation profile of untreated whole-crop sorghum silage after prolonged periods of environmental exposure. Treatments comprised eight times of exposure to the environment (0, 6, 12, 24, 48, 72, 96, and 120 h) and two procedures for conservation (conventional and re-ensiling) in a completely randomized design with two factors and three replicates. Experimental silos made of 12-L plastic buckets were used in trials. Silage nutritive value, fermentation profile, and dry mass (DM) losses were analyzed before and 90 days after re-ensiling. Regression analyses were performed, and ANOVA was used to compare means. The FC was higher than 45 even when the silage was exposed to air for 120 h before re-ensiling (59.2±2.54). Regression equations were fitted to the data with low accuracy (R2 < 0.47). Moreover, we observed that the main effect occurred between before and after re-ensiling, decreasing the contents of DM (42 to 37 %) and water-soluble carbohydrates (7.0 to 5.8 % DM), neutral detergent fiber (60.4 to 55.4 % DM), and acid detergent fiber (49.5 to 33.5 % DM), but increasing those of lactic acid (0.52 to 0.96 % DM) and ammoniacal nitrogen (1.58 to 2.51 % total N). The DM losses were linear with increasing times of air exposure; however, silage nutritive value and fermentation profile showed no disturbing changes for silage conservation and animal feeding.

O objetivo com este estudo foi avaliar o efeito da reensilagem sobre o coeficiente de fermentação (CF), bromatologia e fermentação de silagens de plantas inteiras de sorgo após períodos de exposição ao ambiente. Os tratamentos corresponderam a oito tempos de exposição ao ambiente (0, 6, 12, 24, 48, 72, 96 e 120 h) e dois procedimentos de conservação (silagem convencional e reensilada), no delineamento inteiramente casualizado com dois fatores e três repetições, utilizando-se silos experimentais de 12 L. Os silos foram abertos 90 dias após o fechamento e analisados o valor nutritivo, o perfil fermentativo e as perdas de massa seca (MS). Foram ajustadas regressões e a ANOVA foi utilizada para comparação entre médias. O CF foi maior do que 45, mesmo quando a silagem foi exposta ao ambiente por 120 h antes a reensilagem (59,2±2,54). As equações de regressão foram ajustadas com baixa precisão (R2 < 0,47) e foi observado que o principal efeito ocorreu entre os procedimento de conservação e não para os tempos de exposição, reduzindo o conteúdo de MS (42 para 37 %) e carboidratos solúveis em água (7,0 para 5,8 % da MS), fibras em detergente neutro (60,4 para 55,4 % da MS) e ácido (49,5 para 33,5 % da MS), e aumentando os teores de AL (0,52 para 0,96 % da MS) e N-NH3 (1,58 para 2,51 % do N total). As perdas de MS foram lineares com o tempo de exposição ao ambiente, no entanto, não foram observadas mudanças impactantes no valor nutritivo das silagens com o processo de reensilagem.

Decomposition of straw resulting from different strategies of recovery of degraded pastures using an integrated crop-livestock system / Decomposição de palhada resultante de diferentes estratégias de recuperação de pastagens degradadas com integração lavoura-pecuária

Several strategies have been used to improve soil fertility using integrated crop-livestock (ICL) systems, and the harvest of the accompanying crop used for silage may have several benefits to the soil depending on the quantity and quality of the remaining litter, providing dry matter (DM) for no-tillage systems and nutrient mineralization for the subsequent crop. The objective of this study is to evaluate the rate of decomposition of macro- and micronutrients of the DM of litter produced in ICL systems at different harvest heights in one year. The study was developed at the Experimental Farm of UNESP in Selvíria, Mato Grosso do Sul, Brazil, in the dry season. The study included five replications in plots of 200 m2 and was arranged in a completely randomized block design. The following treatments were analyzed: control sample-degraded pasture of signal grass; Marandu grass-pasture renewal from signal grass to Marandu grass; succession 45-planting of sorghum (forage sorghum cv. Volumax) and crop harvest at the height of 45 cm for silage followed by planting of Marandu grass; simultaneous seeding of Marandu grass and sorghum, and crop harvesting for silage at the height of 15 cm (Marandu + sorghum 15) and 45 cm (Marandu + sorghum 45) from the soil surface. After crop harvesting, proportional amounts of green mass remaining from each unit were collected, transferred to nylon bags, and placed in direct contact with the soil of the respective experimental unit. Each bag was opened every 30 days after closure for up to 270 days. In each bag, the DM, and macro- and micronutrients were analyzed, and the percentage of remaining material, daily decomposition rate, and half-life were calculated. The litter of the Marandu + sorghum 45 treatment contained the highest DM, decomposition rate, and nutrient content...(AU)

Tem sido frequente a adoção de estratégias que visem melhorias na fertilidade do solo em sistemas de integração lavoura-pecuária (ILP) e a altura de colheita para ensilagem da cultura acompanhante, pode direcionar diversos benefícios ao solo pela quantidade e qualidade da liteira remanescente, proporcionando massa seca (MS) para o plantio direto e mineralização de nutrientes para a cultura subsequente. Objetivou-se com esse trabalho estudar a dinâmica de decomposição, ao longo de um ano, da MS, macro e micronutrientes de liteiras oriundas de sistemas de ILP com diferentes alturas de colheita. O experimento foi desenvolvido em campo na Fazenda Experimental da UNESP em Selvíria, MS, na condição de sequeiro. O delineamento adotado foi em blocos completos casualizados, com cinco repetições em parcelas de 200 m2. Os tratamentos corresponderam a Testemunha - pastagem degradada de capim-decumbens; Marandu - renovação da pastagem de capim-decumbens para capim-marandu; Solteiro 45 - capim-marandu semeado em sucessão ao sorgo (Sorgo forrageiro cv. Volumax) solteiro que foi colhido a 45 cm de altura para silagem e; capim-marandu semeado simultaneamente com o sorgo que foi colhido para silagem a 15 (Simultâneo 15) e 45 cm (Simultâneo 45) de altura em relação à superfície do solo. Após a colheita da cultura foram amostradas quantidades proporcionais de massa verde remanescentes de cada unidade experimental que foram acondicionadas dentro de sacos de nylon depositados em contato direto com o solo da respectiva unidade experimental. A abertura de cada saco ocorreu a cada 30 dias até 270 dias após o fechamento. Para cada abertura foram analisados a MS, macro e micronutrientes e calculado o percentual de material remanescente, taxa de decomposição diária e o tempo de meia vida. O tratamento Sucessão 45 foi o que proporcionou a maior massa de liteira, taxa de decomposição e maiores teores de nutrientes na MS...(AU)

Decomposition of straw resulting from different strategies of recovery of degraded pastures using an integrated crop-livestock system / Decomposição de palhada resultante de diferentes estratégias de recuperação de pastagens degradadas com integração lavoura-pecuária

Several strategies have been used to improve soil fertility using integrated crop-livestock (ICL) systems, and the harvest of the accompanying crop used for silage may have several benefits to the soil depending on the quantity and quality of the remaining litter, providing dry matter (DM) for no-tillage systems and nutrient mineralization for the subsequent crop. The objective of this study is to evaluate the rate of decomposition of macro- and micronutrients of the DM of litter produced in ICL systems at different harvest heights in one year. The study was developed at the Experimental Farm of UNESP in Selvíria, Mato Grosso do Sul, Brazil, in the dry season. The study included five replications in plots of 200 m2 and was arranged in a completely randomized block design. The following treatments were analyzed: control sample-degraded pasture of signal grass; Marandu grass-pasture renewal from signal grass to Marandu grass; succession 45-planting of sorghum (forage sorghum cv. Volumax) and crop harvest at the height of 45 cm for silage followed by planting of Marandu grass; simultaneous seeding of Marandu grass and sorghum, and crop harvesting for silage at the height of 15 cm (Marandu + sorghum 15) and 45 cm (Marandu + sorghum 45) from the soil surface. After crop harvesting, proportional amounts of green mass remaining from each unit were collected, transferred to nylon bags, and placed in direct contact with the soil of the respective experimental unit. Each bag was opened every 30 days after closure for up to 270 days. In each bag, the DM, and macro- and micronutrients were analyzed, and the percentage of remaining material, daily decomposition rate, and half-life were calculated. The litter of the Marandu + sorghum 45 treatment contained the highest DM, decomposition rate, and nutrient content...

Tem sido frequente a adoção de estratégias que visem melhorias na fertilidade do solo em sistemas de integração lavoura-pecuária (ILP) e a altura de colheita para ensilagem da cultura acompanhante, pode direcionar diversos benefícios ao solo pela quantidade e qualidade da liteira remanescente, proporcionando massa seca (MS) para o plantio direto e mineralização de nutrientes para a cultura subsequente. Objetivou-se com esse trabalho estudar a dinâmica de decomposição, ao longo de um ano, da MS, macro e micronutrientes de liteiras oriundas de sistemas de ILP com diferentes alturas de colheita. O experimento foi desenvolvido em campo na Fazenda Experimental da UNESP em Selvíria, MS, na condição de sequeiro. O delineamento adotado foi em blocos completos casualizados, com cinco repetições em parcelas de 200 m2. Os tratamentos corresponderam a Testemunha - pastagem degradada de capim-decumbens; Marandu - renovação da pastagem de capim-decumbens para capim-marandu; Solteiro 45 - capim-marandu semeado em sucessão ao sorgo (Sorgo forrageiro cv. Volumax) solteiro que foi colhido a 45 cm de altura para silagem e; capim-marandu semeado simultaneamente com o sorgo que foi colhido para silagem a 15 (Simultâneo 15) e 45 cm (Simultâneo 45) de altura em relação à superfície do solo. Após a colheita da cultura foram amostradas quantidades proporcionais de massa verde remanescentes de cada unidade experimental que foram acondicionadas dentro de sacos de nylon depositados em contato direto com o solo da respectiva unidade experimental. A abertura de cada saco ocorreu a cada 30 dias até 270 dias após o fechamento. Para cada abertura foram analisados a MS, macro e micronutrientes e calculado o percentual de material remanescente, taxa de decomposição diária e o tempo de meia vida. O tratamento Sucessão 45 foi o que proporcionou a maior massa de liteira, taxa de decomposição e maiores teores de nutrientes na MS...