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The Kingdom of Tonga has one of the highest rates of diet-related non-communicable diseases (NCDs) in the world. Initiatives to promote pro-health dietary behaviour are possibly being compromised by poor or inconsistent consumer accessibility to affordable and safe fresh fruits and vegetables, referred to as the agriculture–nutrition–income nexus. While donors increasingly focus on nutrition-sensitive agriculture across the Pacific, there is little contemporary information concerning Tonga’s domestic horticultural distribution and market system, particularly in regards to food loss. This study surveyed 292 municipal and road-side vendors on Tongatapu and ‘Utu Vava’u Islands, with the aim of mapping and analyzing horticultural markets and farm supply, transport logistics, and quantifying postharvest practice and market loss. Tonga’s domestic horticultural market structure consists of a central municipal market and on Tongatapu Island, a supplementary network of urban and rural based road-side vendors. There is limited inter-island trade, with most farms located within 25 km of the central municipal market. Mean postharvest horticultural loss was very low, at 1.4% to 5.3%, with road-side vendors more vulnerable to loss. This level of loss was thought to reflect short intra-island transport distance, the type of crops being traded, and rapid market throughput, rather than a level of value chain efficiency. Vendors regulated market supply volume and price discounting and were the principal strategies to mitigate postharvest loss. While low levels of postharvest loss, short transport logistics, and fast market throughput are consistent with a relatively efficient horticulture market system, vendor practice may be impeding fresh fruit and vegetable accessibility.
Steven Underhill; Soane Patolo; Yuchan Zhou; Sarah Burkhart. The Agriculture–Nutrition–Income Nexus in Tonga: Is Postharvest Loss Undermining Horticulture Market Efficiency in Tonga? Horticulturae 2020, 6, 61 .
AMA StyleSteven Underhill, Soane Patolo, Yuchan Zhou, Sarah Burkhart. The Agriculture–Nutrition–Income Nexus in Tonga: Is Postharvest Loss Undermining Horticulture Market Efficiency in Tonga? Horticulturae. 2020; 6 (4):61.
Chicago/Turabian StyleSteven Underhill; Soane Patolo; Yuchan Zhou; Sarah Burkhart. 2020. "The Agriculture–Nutrition–Income Nexus in Tonga: Is Postharvest Loss Undermining Horticulture Market Efficiency in Tonga?" Horticulturae 6, no. 4: 61.
Breadfruit (Artocarpus altilis) is a traditional staple tree crop throughout the tropics. The species is an evergreen tree 15–20 m; there are currently no size-controlling rootstocks within the species. Through interspecific grafting, a dwarf phenotype was identified in breadfruit plants growing on Marang (Artocarpus odoratissimus) rootstocks, which displayed ~60% reduction in plant height with ~80% shorter internodes. To gain insight into the molecular mechanism underlying rootstock-induced dwarfing, we investigated the involvement of gibberellin (GA) in reduction of stem elongation. Expression of GA metabolism genes was analysed in the period from 18 to 24 months after grafting. In comparison to self-graft and non-graft, scion stems on marang rootstocks displayed decrease in expression of a GA biosynthetic gene, AaGA20ox3, and increase in expression of a GA catabolic genes, AaGA2ox1, in the tested 6-month period. Increased accumulation of DELLA proteins (GA-signalling repressors) was found in scion stems growing on marang rootstocks, together with an increased expression of a DELLA gene, AaDELLA1. Exogenous GA treatment was able to restore the stem elongation rate and the internode length of scions growing on marang rootstocks. The possibility that GA deficiency forms a component of the mechanism underlying rootstock-induced breadfruit dwarfing is discussed.
Yuchan Zhou; Steven J. R. Underhill. Expression of Gibberellin Metabolism Genes and Signalling Components in Dwarf Phenotype of Breadfruit (Artocarpus altilis) Plants Growing on Marang (Artocarpus odoratissimus) Rootstocks. Plants 2020, 9, 634 .
AMA StyleYuchan Zhou, Steven J. R. Underhill. Expression of Gibberellin Metabolism Genes and Signalling Components in Dwarf Phenotype of Breadfruit (Artocarpus altilis) Plants Growing on Marang (Artocarpus odoratissimus) Rootstocks. Plants. 2020; 9 (5):634.
Chicago/Turabian StyleYuchan Zhou; Steven J. R. Underhill. 2020. "Expression of Gibberellin Metabolism Genes and Signalling Components in Dwarf Phenotype of Breadfruit (Artocarpus altilis) Plants Growing on Marang (Artocarpus odoratissimus) Rootstocks." Plants 9, no. 5: 634.
Our study assessed food access and availability in Auki, Solomon Islands by investigating the number, type and characteristics of food venues and characteristics of items for sale (including type, brand, price, source and quality) at one timepoint to determine feasibility for the local population to meet current guidelines. We found residents had good access to, and availability of foods from the three Pacific guidelines for a healthy lifestyle food groups, but diversity was lacking. Many fresh foods are likely seasonal suggesting there may be periods when Auki residents have greater/less access to a variety of foods, potentially impacting food security.
Charis Bottcher; Steven J. R. Underhill; Judith Aliakbari; Sarah J. Burkhart. Food Access and Availability in Auki, Solomon Islands. Journal of Hunger & Environmental Nutrition 2020, 1 -19.
AMA StyleCharis Bottcher, Steven J. R. Underhill, Judith Aliakbari, Sarah J. Burkhart. Food Access and Availability in Auki, Solomon Islands. Journal of Hunger & Environmental Nutrition. 2020; ():1-19.
Chicago/Turabian StyleCharis Bottcher; Steven J. R. Underhill; Judith Aliakbari; Sarah J. Burkhart. 2020. "Food Access and Availability in Auki, Solomon Islands." Journal of Hunger & Environmental Nutrition , no. : 1-19.
The Fiji Islands, like many small Pacific island nations, are thought to incur high rates of postharvest loss. Little work has been undertaken to quantify the amount of loss within Pacific horticultural value chains, or identify the key determinants. This study sought to quantify postharvest loss within Fijian smallholder tomato value chains and to examine the relative importance of current on-farm practices as possible contributors to this loss. A semi-structured survey of 115 smallholder tomato farmers in Sigatoka Valley and eastern Viti Levu was undertaken, covering socio-economic and demographic parameters, production and postharvest handling practice, and postharvest loss based on farmer recall. On-farm postharvest loss for smallholder farmer tomato value chains was between 26.1% in Sigatoka Valley and 27.6% in eastern Viti Levu. This finding was consistent with quantification of postharvest loss in Fijian tomato chains by direct determination, but is relatively high when compared to smallholder tomato value chain loss in Sub-Saharan Africa. When Fijian tomato value chains were segregated according to specific postharvest handling practice, the contributors to postharvest loss were often associated with on-farm decision-making. Those value chains that only harvested once a week, or in the early morning (before 7 am) or mid-day onwards, stored harvest product in the field for more than three hours, did not sort or grade prior to on-farm ripening, or used packing sheds that had relatively open designs, all had consistently higher levels of postharvest loss. The prevalence of specific postharvest handling practice in both locations is further reported. While this study highlights the impact of current on-farm postharvest handling practices on tomato value chain loss, what remain unclear are the underlying drivers associated with current postharvest handling behaviour and the decision-making that shapes quality and logistic control activities.
Salesh Kumar; Steven Underhill. Smallholder Farmer Perceptions of Postharvest Loss and Its Determinants in Fijian Tomato Value Chains. Horticulturae 2019, 5, 74 .
AMA StyleSalesh Kumar, Steven Underhill. Smallholder Farmer Perceptions of Postharvest Loss and Its Determinants in Fijian Tomato Value Chains. Horticulturae. 2019; 5 (4):74.
Chicago/Turabian StyleSalesh Kumar; Steven Underhill. 2019. "Smallholder Farmer Perceptions of Postharvest Loss and Its Determinants in Fijian Tomato Value Chains." Horticulturae 5, no. 4: 74.
The aim of this study was to investigate the food purchasing behaviors of an adult Solomon Islander population within a transitioning food system in Auki, Malaita. Food purchasing behavior measures included; venue type and transportation for purchasing food, previous day expenditure on food purchases, number of weekly shopping experiences for store foods (generally long-life shelf and frozen items) and fresh foods (such as fruits and vegetables and fresh fish) and the importance of factors (i.e., price) on purchasing decisions. One hundred and thirty-three adults (aged 18 to 74 years; female: 63%, males: 37%) completed an interviewer administered questionnaire during December 2018. Food items were primarily sourced from Auki markets (n = 70) and stores (n = 40). Food purchasing differed between fresh and semi-perishable foods (store food). Participants reported similar shopping experiences for store food and fresh food (M = 3.87 and M = 3.25 times a week, respectively) and spending between $1 and $200 (M = $56.12) Solomon Island dollars on food in the previous day. The most reported purchased item was white rice (n = 117, 88%), with taste, freshness and family preference the most important factors reported as influencing food purchasing choices. While our findings are from a small sample in Auki, further research could build upon this work by investigating food purchasing behaviors at other times of the year, and more widely in the Solomon Islands and greater Pacific region.
Charis Bottcher; Steven J. R. Underhill; Judith Aliakbari; Sarah J. Burkhart. Food Purchasing Behaviors of a Remote and Rural Adult Solomon Islander Population. Foods 2019, 8, 464 .
AMA StyleCharis Bottcher, Steven J. R. Underhill, Judith Aliakbari, Sarah J. Burkhart. Food Purchasing Behaviors of a Remote and Rural Adult Solomon Islander Population. Foods. 2019; 8 (10):464.
Chicago/Turabian StyleCharis Bottcher; Steven J. R. Underhill; Judith Aliakbari; Sarah J. Burkhart. 2019. "Food Purchasing Behaviors of a Remote and Rural Adult Solomon Islander Population." Foods 8, no. 10: 464.
Ongoing dietary transitions in the Solomon Islands has resulted in an over-reliance on commercially sourced foods, leading to food insecurity, and a subsequent rise in multiple forms of malnutrition. The aim of this study was to investigate the individual dietary diversity and food preferences of the adult population living in Auki, Solomon Islands. A cross-sectional study involving 133 adults was undertaken in the Auki district via an interviewer-administered questionnaire. Individual dietary diversity scores (DDS) were determined based on the results of a 24-h recall method. Overall mean DDS was 7.27 (range 2–12). Females and participants who lived outside the Auki town center had significantly higher dietary diversity scores. Low consumption of a variety of nutritious foods within food groups and high consumption of energy dense processed foods, indicates that diet quality is likely limited in some of this population. Participants desire for a diverse diet including local foods suggests that current dietary diversity status in this population may be influenced by food security rather than food preference.
Bridget Horsey; Libby Swanepoel; Steven Underhill; Judith Aliakbari; Sarah Burkhart. Dietary Diversity of an Adult Solomon Islands Population. Nutrients 2019, 11, 1622 .
AMA StyleBridget Horsey, Libby Swanepoel, Steven Underhill, Judith Aliakbari, Sarah Burkhart. Dietary Diversity of an Adult Solomon Islands Population. Nutrients. 2019; 11 (7):1622.
Chicago/Turabian StyleBridget Horsey; Libby Swanepoel; Steven Underhill; Judith Aliakbari; Sarah Burkhart. 2019. "Dietary Diversity of an Adult Solomon Islands Population." Nutrients 11, no. 7: 1622.
Breadfruit (Artocarpus altilis) is a tropical fruit tree primarily grown as a staple crop for food security in Oceania. Significant wind damage has driven an interest in developing its dwarf phenotype. The presence of any dwarf breadfruit variety remains unknown. Little is known regarding the growth of the species on rootstocks. Here, we examined the phenotype of breadfruit plants growing on marang (Artocarpus odoratissimus) rootstocks within 18 months after grafting; we identified a rootstock-induced dwarf trait in the species. This dwarf phenotype was characterized by shorter stems, reduced stem thickness and fewer branches, with 73% shorter internode length, 51% fewer and 40% smaller leaves compared to standard size breadfruit plants. The height of breadfruit plants on marang rootstocks was reduced by 49% in 9 months, and 59% in 18 months after grafting. The results suggest marang rootstocks can be applied to breadfruit breeding program for tree vigor control. Further biochemical characterization showed plants on marang rootstocks displayed leaves without change of total chlorophyll content, but with lower total soluble sugars, and stems with reduced activity of plasma membrane H+-ATPase, a well-known primary proton pump essential for nutrient transport. The significance of the two parameters in rootstock dwarfing is discussed.
Yuchan Zhou; Steven Underhill. A Dwarf Phenotype Identified in Breadfruit (Artocarpus altilis) Plants Growing on Marang (A. odoratissimus) Rootstocks. Horticulturae 2019, 5, 40 .
AMA StyleYuchan Zhou, Steven Underhill. A Dwarf Phenotype Identified in Breadfruit (Artocarpus altilis) Plants Growing on Marang (A. odoratissimus) Rootstocks. Horticulturae. 2019; 5 (2):40.
Chicago/Turabian StyleYuchan Zhou; Steven Underhill. 2019. "A Dwarf Phenotype Identified in Breadfruit (Artocarpus altilis) Plants Growing on Marang (A. odoratissimus) Rootstocks." Horticulturae 5, no. 2: 40.
Honiara’s fresh horticultural markets are a critical component of the food distribution system in Guadalcanal, Solomon Islands. Most of the population that reside in Honiara are now dependent on the municipal horticultural market and a network of smaller road-side markets to source their fresh fruits and vegetables. Potentially poor postharvest supply chain practice could be leading to high levels of postharvest loss in Honiara markets, undermining domestic food security. This study reports on a preliminary assessment of postharvest horticultural market loss and associated supply chain logistics at the Honiara municipal market and five road-side markets on Guadalcanal Island. Using vendor recall to quantify loss, we surveyed a total of 198 vendors between November 2017 and March 2018. We found that postharvest loss in the Honiara municipal market was 7.9 to 9.5%, and that road-side markets incurred 2.6 to 7.0% loss. Based on mean postharvest market loss and the incidence of individual vendor loss, Honiara’s road-side market system appears to be more effective in managing postharvest loss, compared to the municipal market. Postharvest loss was poorly correlated to transport distance, possibly due to the inter-island and remote intra-island chains avoiding high-perishable crops. Spatial mapping of postharvest loss highlighted a cohort of villages in the western and southern parts of the main horticultural production region (i.e., eastern Guadalcanal) with atypically high levels of postharvest loss. The potential importance of market-operations, packaging type, and mode of transport on postharvest market loss, is further discussed.
Steven Underhill; Leeroy Joshua; Yuchan Zhou. A Preliminary Assessment of Horticultural Postharvest Market Loss in the Solomon Islands. Horticulturae 2019, 5, 5 .
AMA StyleSteven Underhill, Leeroy Joshua, Yuchan Zhou. A Preliminary Assessment of Horticultural Postharvest Market Loss in the Solomon Islands. Horticulturae. 2019; 5 (1):5.
Chicago/Turabian StyleSteven Underhill; Leeroy Joshua; Yuchan Zhou. 2019. "A Preliminary Assessment of Horticultural Postharvest Market Loss in the Solomon Islands." Horticulturae 5, no. 1: 5.
Breadfruit (Artocarpus altilis) is primarily grown as a staple tree crop for food security in Oceania. Significant wind damage has driven interest in developing its dwarfing rootstocks. Due to the predominantly vegetative propagation of the species, grafting onto interspecific seedlings is an approach to identifying dwarfing rootstocks. However, grafting of breadfruit onto unrelated Artocarpus species has not been investigated. Here we first report the success of breadfruit grafting onto interspecific rootstocks, marang (A. odoratissimus) and pedalai (A. sericicarpus). To address the low graft survival, we investigated the relationship of plasma membrane (PM) H+ -ATPase activity to graft success. We provide the first evidence for a positive correlation between PM H+ -ATPase activity and graft survival. The graft unions of successful grafts had higher PM H+ -ATPase activity compared to those of failed grafts. Rootstocks with low PM H+ -ATPase activity in leaf microsomes before grafting had lower graft survival than those with high enzyme activity, with graft success of 10% versus 60% and 0% versus 30% for marang and pedalai rootstocks, respectively. There was a positive correlation between graft success and the PM H+ -ATPase activity measured from the rootstock stem microsomes 2 months after grafting [marang, r(7) = 0.9203, P = 0.0004; pedalai (r(7) = 0. 8820, P = 0.0017]. Removal of scion's own roots decreased the leaf PM H+ -ATPase activity of grafted plants regardless of the final graft outcome. Recovery of the enzyme activity was only found in the successful grafts. The function of PM H+ -ATPase in graft union development and graft success improvement is discussed.
Yuchan Zhou; Steven J. R. Underhill. Plasma membrane H+ -ATPase activity and graft success of breadfruit (Artocarpus altilis) onto interspecific rootstocks of marang (A. odoratissimus) and pedalai (A. sericicarpus). Plant Biology 2018, 20, 978 -985.
AMA StyleYuchan Zhou, Steven J. R. Underhill. Plasma membrane H+ -ATPase activity and graft success of breadfruit (Artocarpus altilis) onto interspecific rootstocks of marang (A. odoratissimus) and pedalai (A. sericicarpus). Plant Biology. 2018; 20 (6):978-985.
Chicago/Turabian StyleYuchan Zhou; Steven J. R. Underhill. 2018. "Plasma membrane H+ -ATPase activity and graft success of breadfruit (Artocarpus altilis) onto interspecific rootstocks of marang (A. odoratissimus) and pedalai (A. sericicarpus)." Plant Biology 20, no. 6: 978-985.
Reducing horticultural postharvest loss is a priority in Samoa, due to declining agricultural productivity and wider dietary-based health concerns within the human population. Efforts to remediate loss is currently impeded by little information about the current levels of horticultural loss in Samoa or the factors contributing to this loss. In this study we quantified commercial postharvest loss of 23 horticultural crops at the Fugalei central municipal market on the Island of Upolu, Samoa, using direct weighing. Mean postharvest loss was further determined in all six municipal, community and private fruit and vegetable markets on the Samoan Islands of Upolu and Savai’i using vendor and farmer-trader surveys. Postharvest horticultural loss in the Fugalei municipal market was 6.2% (determined by weight) and 13.3% (based on vendor recall). There was no significant difference between mean postharvest loss in fruits compared to vegetables. The highest level of daily postharvest loss (5% to 22%) was observed for soursop, papaya, Tahitian lime, mustard cabbage and choko. Negligible loss (<1%) was observed in limes, vi (Spondias dulcis), eggplant, long bean, soa’a (plantains), lemon, cherry tomato, cucumber, pumpkin and ginger. The level of postharvest loss varied across the municipal, village and road-side markets surveyed, with higher losses in non-urban markets. There was no difference in the level of postharvest loss between any of the three urban markets in the Apia region. With most horticultural production located less than 20 km from the municipal market and little evidence of in-transit damage, transport logistics were unlikely to be an important contributor to loss. We believe low or sporadic consumer purchasing behaviour resulting in protracted market storage at high tropical ambient temperatures was the central contributor to observed losses. The potential importance of low consumer purchasing activity and the proportion of commercial vendor to transient farmer-trader in each of the markets is discussed in terms of being possible contributing factors to the resulting levels of postharvest loss and market variability.
Steven J. R. Underhill; Yuchan Zhou; Shukrullah Sherzad; Lila Singh-Peterson; Semua Militini Tagoai. Horticultural postharvest loss in municipal fruit and vegetable markets in Samoa. Food Security 2017, 9, 1373 -1383.
AMA StyleSteven J. R. Underhill, Yuchan Zhou, Shukrullah Sherzad, Lila Singh-Peterson, Semua Militini Tagoai. Horticultural postharvest loss in municipal fruit and vegetable markets in Samoa. Food Security. 2017; 9 (6):1373-1383.
Chicago/Turabian StyleSteven J. R. Underhill; Yuchan Zhou; Shukrullah Sherzad; Lila Singh-Peterson; Semua Militini Tagoai. 2017. "Horticultural postharvest loss in municipal fruit and vegetable markets in Samoa." Food Security 9, no. 6: 1373-1383.
Using a multi-disciplinary approach, this study quantifies horticultural postharvest losses of two medium-sized (annual pack volume 4500 t) commercial, domestic, tomato supply chains. Quantification of loss was based on weight or volume, consistent with direct measurement methods of the Food Loss and Waste Accounting and Reporting Standard 2016 and qualitative techniques were used to identify the drivers of the loss and contextualise the findings. Postharvest loss was found to be between 40.3% (55.34 t) and 55.9% (29.61 t) of the total harvestable product. It was determined that between 68.6% and 86.7% of undamaged, edible, harvested tomatoes were rejected as outgrades and consequently discarded due to product specifications. Between 71.2% and 84.1% of produced tomatoes were left in the field and not harvested. This study highlights significant factors contributing to high levels of food loss and waste. Edible products are being removed from the commercial food supply chain, rejected as outgrades deemed cosmetically defective due to market-based decisions. With only 44.1% and 59.7% of the harvestable crop reaching the consumers of the two supply chains, respectively, it is perhaps more appropriate to describe a food “waste” chain as opposed to a food “supply” chain.
Tara McKenzie; Lila Singh-Peterson; Steven J. R. Underhill. Quantifying Postharvest Loss and the Implication of Market-Based Decisions: A Case Study of Two Commercial Domestic Tomato Supply Chains in Queensland, Australia. Horticulturae 2017, 3, 44 .
AMA StyleTara McKenzie, Lila Singh-Peterson, Steven J. R. Underhill. Quantifying Postharvest Loss and the Implication of Market-Based Decisions: A Case Study of Two Commercial Domestic Tomato Supply Chains in Queensland, Australia. Horticulturae. 2017; 3 (3):44.
Chicago/Turabian StyleTara McKenzie; Lila Singh-Peterson; Steven J. R. Underhill. 2017. "Quantifying Postharvest Loss and the Implication of Market-Based Decisions: A Case Study of Two Commercial Domestic Tomato Supply Chains in Queensland, Australia." Horticulturae 3, no. 3: 44.
Breadfruit (Artocarpus altilis) is a traditional staple tree crop in the Oceania. Susceptibility to tropical windstorm damage has driven an interest in developing breadfruit with dwarf stature. Gibberellin (GA) is one of the most important determinants of plant height and DELLA proteins are repressors of GA signalling pathway. As a first step toward understanding the molecular mechanism of growth regulation in the species, we isolated two full-length DELLA cDNAs, AaDELLA1 and AaDELLA2 from breadfruit. Sequence analysis indicated the deduced proteins encoded by these AaDELLAs bear all the hallmarks of functional DELLA of other species. Transcripts of AaDELLA1 and AaDELLA2 were detected in all plant organs, but the expression was much lower in flowers and fruits. AaDELLA1 showed predominantly higher expression in roots, but AaDELLA2 displayed higher expression in stems and leaves. Expression of both AaDELLAs was not significantly changed by exogenous GA3 treatment. Under paclobutrazol treatment, the expression of AaDELLA2 was up-regulated, but the expression of AaDELLA1 was not changed significantly. Treatments of high salinity up-regulated the expression levels of both AaDELLA1 and AaDELLA2. Treatment of drought stress increased the expression of AaDELLA2, but not that of AaDELLA1. The function of AaDELLAs is discussed with particular reference to their role in stem elongation and the opportunities of breadfruit dwarfing.
Yuchan Zhou; Steven J. R. Underhill. Breadfruit (Artocarpus altilis) DELLA genes: gibberellin-regulated stem elongation and response to high salinity and drought. Plant Growth Regulation 2017, 83, 375 -383.
AMA StyleYuchan Zhou, Steven J. R. Underhill. Breadfruit (Artocarpus altilis) DELLA genes: gibberellin-regulated stem elongation and response to high salinity and drought. Plant Growth Regulation. 2017; 83 (3):375-383.
Chicago/Turabian StyleYuchan Zhou; Steven J. R. Underhill. 2017. "Breadfruit (Artocarpus altilis) DELLA genes: gibberellin-regulated stem elongation and response to high salinity and drought." Plant Growth Regulation 83, no. 3: 375-383.
Here we discuss the novel application of handheld infrared thermal imagery as a learning tool to help smallholder farmers improve postharvest temperature management. Farmers in the Fiji Islands were trained in using a handheld thermal camera to view a series of on-farm demonstrations highlighting the consequence of poor postharvest practice. We observed that smallholder farmers accurately interpreted thermal imagery and the implication of poor practices. Our results showed thermal imagery has the potential to better communicate fundamental concepts of postharvest management. The availability of a range of iPhone, iPad, and Android platforms also means this technology can be widely accessible.
Steven J. R. Underhill; Yuchan Zhou; Salesh Kumar. Infrared Thermal Imaging: A Practical Educational Tool to Improve Smallholder Farmer Postharvest Practice in the Fiji. Journal of Agricultural & Food Information 2017, 7, 1 -6.
AMA StyleSteven J. R. Underhill, Yuchan Zhou, Salesh Kumar. Infrared Thermal Imaging: A Practical Educational Tool to Improve Smallholder Farmer Postharvest Practice in the Fiji. Journal of Agricultural & Food Information. 2017; 7 (2):1-6.
Chicago/Turabian StyleSteven J. R. Underhill; Yuchan Zhou; Salesh Kumar. 2017. "Infrared Thermal Imaging: A Practical Educational Tool to Improve Smallholder Farmer Postharvest Practice in the Fiji." Journal of Agricultural & Food Information 7, no. 2: 1-6.
Resilience as a concept is often applied to address disaster risks and impacts. Metrics developed to measure the resilience of a community are often not applicable to other communities. In order for metrics to have utility and provide meaningful information to decision-makers, they need to be embedded within local contexts, be integrated across spatial scales, and address the community’s capacity for adaptation and transformation, in addition to coping. To this end, we present an innovative framework to assess subtle variations in levels of community resilience at the household, community, and regional scale. Using a case study approach, we demonstrate how local actors can apply the framework to derive an applicable suite of locally relevant indicators. The main limitation in applying this, and other participatory methods, relates to difficulties in obtaining a representative level of participatory engagement, restricting the credibility of results and success of subsequent strategies.
Lila Singh-Peterson; Steven Underhill. A multi-scalar, mixed methods framework for assessing rural communities’ capacity for resilience, adaptation, and transformation. Community Development 2016, 48, 124 -140.
AMA StyleLila Singh-Peterson, Steven Underhill. A multi-scalar, mixed methods framework for assessing rural communities’ capacity for resilience, adaptation, and transformation. Community Development. 2016; 48 (1):124-140.
Chicago/Turabian StyleLila Singh-Peterson; Steven Underhill. 2016. "A multi-scalar, mixed methods framework for assessing rural communities’ capacity for resilience, adaptation, and transformation." Community Development 48, no. 1: 124-140.
S.J.R. Underhill. Using infrared thermal imaging to improve ambient postharvest temperature management in smallholder farms in Fiji and the Solomon Islands. Acta Horticulturae 2016, 329 -336.
AMA StyleS.J.R. Underhill. Using infrared thermal imaging to improve ambient postharvest temperature management in smallholder farms in Fiji and the Solomon Islands. Acta Horticulturae. 2016; (1128):329-336.
Chicago/Turabian StyleS.J.R. Underhill. 2016. "Using infrared thermal imaging to improve ambient postharvest temperature management in smallholder farms in Fiji and the Solomon Islands." Acta Horticulturae , no. 1128: 329-336.
S. Kumar; S.J.R. Underhill. A preliminary assessment of tomato fruit susceptibility to in-transit damage in Fiji. Acta Horticulturae 2016, 423 -428.
AMA StyleS. Kumar, S.J.R. Underhill. A preliminary assessment of tomato fruit susceptibility to in-transit damage in Fiji. Acta Horticulturae. 2016; (1120):423-428.
Chicago/Turabian StyleS. Kumar; S.J.R. Underhill. 2016. "A preliminary assessment of tomato fruit susceptibility to in-transit damage in Fiji." Acta Horticulturae , no. 1120: 423-428.
Breadfruit (Artocarpus altilis) is a traditional staple tree crop in the Oceania. Susceptibility to windstorm damage is a primary constraint on breadfruit cultivation. Significant tree loss due to intense tropical windstorm in the past decades has driven a widespread interest in developing breadfruit with dwarf stature. Gibberellin (GA) is one of the most important determinants of plant height. GA 2-oxidase is a key enzyme regulating the flux of GA through deactivating biologically active GAs in plants. As a first step toward understanding the molecular mechanism of growth regulation in the species, we isolated a cohort of four full-length GA2-oxidase cDNAs, AaGA2ox1- AaGA2ox4 from breadfruit. Sequence analysis indicated the deduced proteins encoded by these AaGA2oxs clustered together under the C19 GA2ox group. Transcripts of AaGA2ox1, AaGA2ox2 and AaGA2ox3 were detected in all plant organs, but exhibited highest level in source leaves and stems. In contrast, transcript of AaGA2ox4 was predominantly expressed in roots and flowers, and displayed very low expression in leaves and stems. AaGA2ox1, AaGA2ox2 and AaGA2ox3, but not AaGA2ox4 were subjected to GA feedback regulation where application of exogenous GA3 or gibberellin biosynthesis inhibitor, paclobutrazol was shown to manipulate the first internode elongation of breadfruit. Treatments of drought or high salinity increased the expression of AaGA2ox1, AaGA2ox2 and AaGA2ox4. But AaGA2ox3 was down-regulated under salt stress. The function of AaGA2oxs is discussed with particular reference to their role in stem elongation and involvement in abiotic stress response in breadfruit
Yuchan Zhou; Steven J.R. Underhill. Breadfruit (Artocarpus altilis) gibberellin 2-oxidase genes in stem elongation and abiotic stress response. Plant Physiology and Biochemistry 2016, 98, 81 -88.
AMA StyleYuchan Zhou, Steven J.R. Underhill. Breadfruit (Artocarpus altilis) gibberellin 2-oxidase genes in stem elongation and abiotic stress response. Plant Physiology and Biochemistry. 2016; 98 ():81-88.
Chicago/Turabian StyleYuchan Zhou; Steven J.R. Underhill. 2016. "Breadfruit (Artocarpus altilis) gibberellin 2-oxidase genes in stem elongation and abiotic stress response." Plant Physiology and Biochemistry 98, no. : 81-88.
Research papers on horticulture crops, biotechnology, tomato, apple, fruits vegetables, irrigation, water stress, drought resistance, postharvest technology etc
Steven Underhill; Salesh Kumar. Quantifying postharvest losses along a commercial tomato supply chain in Fiji: A case study. Journal of Applied Horticulture 2015, 17, 199 -204.
AMA StyleSteven Underhill, Salesh Kumar. Quantifying postharvest losses along a commercial tomato supply chain in Fiji: A case study. Journal of Applied Horticulture. 2015; 17 (3):199-204.
Chicago/Turabian StyleSteven Underhill; Salesh Kumar. 2015. "Quantifying postharvest losses along a commercial tomato supply chain in Fiji: A case study." Journal of Applied Horticulture 17, no. 3: 199-204.
There is a clear association between food prices, affordability and issues of food security. Australian food supply chains have lengthened in recent years in response to consolidation policies of the dominant supermarkets, which have reduced the number of distribution centres in order to maximise economic efficiencies. This study presents a spatial analysis of a healthy food basket survey undertaken across Queensland, Australia in order to identify the primary determinants of food pricing. Ambiguity in the academic literature on this subject is largely due to limitations of the utilised methods. Our results indicate that food price variability is directly related to the type of store surveyed, and the distance of the surveyed store to the supermarket distribution centres in Brisbane, or urban centres on the east coast of Australia. Population size of towns and the level of social disadvantage observed in communities were indirect determinants of food prices. Therefore, in order to lessen the disadvantage already encountered by communities located in outer regional and remote areas who pay increasingly more for food than their urban counterparts, policy interventions need to move beyond subsiding food costs and consider the relationship between fuel prices and the lengthening of dominant food supply chains, in addition to the capacity of local supply chains
Lila Singh-Peterson; Scott Lieske; Steven Underhill; Noni Keys. Food security, remoteness and consolidation of supermarket distribution centres: Factors contributing to food pricing inequalities across Queensland, Australia. Australian Geographer 2015, 47, 89 -102.
AMA StyleLila Singh-Peterson, Scott Lieske, Steven Underhill, Noni Keys. Food security, remoteness and consolidation of supermarket distribution centres: Factors contributing to food pricing inequalities across Queensland, Australia. Australian Geographer. 2015; 47 (1):89-102.
Chicago/Turabian StyleLila Singh-Peterson; Scott Lieske; Steven Underhill; Noni Keys. 2015. "Food security, remoteness and consolidation of supermarket distribution centres: Factors contributing to food pricing inequalities across Queensland, Australia." Australian Geographer 47, no. 1: 89-102.
Breadfruit (Artocarpus altilis) is a traditional staple tree crop throughout the tropics. Susceptibility to windstorm damage is the primary constraint on breadfruit cultivation. Significant tree loss due to intense tropical windstorm in the past decades has driven an increasing interest in developing dwarf varieties of breadfruit. As a first step toward understanding the molecular mechanism of growth regulation in the species, we investigated the role of gibberellin and the regulation of GA20-oxidase genes in breadfruit. We provided first evidence that the stem elongation in breadfruit could be manipulated by exogenous gibberellin-related growth regulators. We then cloned six GA20-oxidase cDNAs, AaGA20ox1–AaGA20ox6, in full length from breadfruit. Sequence analysis showed that the predicted proteins of the AaGA20ox1–AaGA20ox3 bear all the hallmarks of functional GA20-oxidase of other species, but predicted AaGA20ox4–AaGA20ox6 as expressed, unprocessed pseudogenes closely related to AaGA20ox2. AaGA20ox1, AaGA20ox3 and AaGA20ox4 were predominantly expressed in green vegetative organs, but displayed different expression pattern in roots and reproductive organs. AaGA20ox2, AaGA20ox5 and AaGA20ox6 were expressed mainly in leaves at low level. AaGA20ox1, AaGA20ox3–AaGA20ox6 were subjected to GA feedback regulation following treatment of exogenous gibberellin and/or gibberellin biosynthesis inhibitors. AaGA20ox1 and AaGA20ox3 were down-regulated under drought and salinity stress, but AaGA20ox2 was up-regulated under salt stress. Pseudogenes AaGA20ox4 and AaGA20ox5 were up-regulated under drought or/and salt stress condition. The function of AaGA20oxs is discussed with particular reference to their role in stem elongation and involvement in abiotic stress response in breadfruit.
Yuchan Zhou; Steven J. R. Underhill. Breadfruit (Artocarpus altilis) gibberellin 20-oxidase genes: sequence variants, stem elongation and abiotic stress response. Tree Genetics & Genomes 2015, 11, 1 .
AMA StyleYuchan Zhou, Steven J. R. Underhill. Breadfruit (Artocarpus altilis) gibberellin 20-oxidase genes: sequence variants, stem elongation and abiotic stress response. Tree Genetics & Genomes. 2015; 11 (4):1.
Chicago/Turabian StyleYuchan Zhou; Steven J. R. Underhill. 2015. "Breadfruit (Artocarpus altilis) gibberellin 20-oxidase genes: sequence variants, stem elongation and abiotic stress response." Tree Genetics & Genomes 11, no. 4: 1.