Research@Lincoln

Recent Submissions

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    A machine learning pipeline for predicting Pinot Noir wine quality from viticulture data: Development and implementation
    (MDPI AG, 2024-10) Kulasiri, Don; Somin, Sarawoot; Kumara Pathirannahalage, Samantha
    The quality of wine depends upon the quality of the grapes, which, in turn, are affected by different viticulture aspects and the climate during the grape-growing season. Obtaining wine professionals’ judgments of the intrinsic qualities of selected wine products is a time-consuming task. It is also expensive. Instead of waiting for the wine to be produced, it is better to have an idea of the quality before harvesting, so that wine growers and wine manufacturers can use high-quality grapes. The main aim of the present study was to investigate the use of machine learning aspects in predicting Pinot Noir wine quality and to develop a pipeline which represents the major steps from vineyards to wine quality indices. This study is specifically related to Pinot Noir wines based on experiments conducted in vineyards and grapes produced from those vineyards. Climate factors and other wine production factors affect the wine quality, but our emphasis was to relate viticulture parameters to grape composition and then relate the chemical composition to quality as measured by the experts. This pipeline outputs the predicted yield, values for basic parameters of grape juice composition, values for basic parameters of the wine composition, and quality. We also found that the yield could be predicted because of input data related to the characteristics of the vineyards. Finally, through the creation of a web-based application, we investigated the balance of berry yield and wine quality. Using these tools further developed, vineyard owners should be able to predict the quality of the wine they intend to produce from their vineyards before the grapes are even harvested.
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    Understanding smallholder preferences for joint ventures in Ghana's rice sector: Improving market access through inclusive business models
    (Elsevier B.V., 2024-03) Creppy, P; Bicknell, Kathryn; Renwick, Alan
    Efforts to connect farmers with markets in an inclusive manner have gained prominence within organizations like the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO) and Inclusive Business Models (IBMs) have emerged as a promising avenue for achieving this objective. Currently, the adoption of IBM structures remains limited, particularly in developing countries, resulting in a paucity of information on motivating factors behind farmer engagement. This study employs a discrete choice experiment to discern these preferences, focusing on a joint venture model within the rice sector in Ghana. Data from face-to-face surveys with smallholder rice farmers analysed with a latent class model revealed heterogeneity in preferences towards IBM attributes, with a majority (55 per cent) choosing alternatives that were consistent with a joint venture business model. These related to level of investment and decision making, quality standards, price, payment schedules and control. The study also identified demographic and experiential characteristics of farmers willing to engage with IBMs. Such farmers tended to be more educated, younger, possess greater experience in rice farming, manage smaller farms, have experience with contracts, invest in processing equipment, and infrequently adopt new production practices. These findings underscore the potential to enhance the quality of domestically produced rice through IBMs and advocate for government intervention to overcome barriers, especially in the context of investment. Additionally, the results suggest that targeting younger farmers with prior contract-selling experience could encourage participation in IBMs.
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    Phosphorus fertiliser is associated with reduced grass grub (Costelytra giveni) fitness in Epichloë endophyte-infected meadow fescue and perennial ryegrass
    (John Wiley & Sons Inc., 2024) Hewitt, KG; Hofmann, RW; Ball, OJ; Luo, D; Finch, SC; Bryant, Racheal; Popay, AJ
    BACKGROUND: Fertiliser applications are well-established tools in pasture-based agricultural landscapes. This study focuses on the impact of phosphorus (P) fertiliser on grass grub (Costelytra giveni), a major pasture pest. This research investigates the interplay between P, plant growth, and grass grub fitness in Epichloë endophyte-infected perennial ryegrass (Epichloë sp. LpTG-3 strain AR37) and meadow fescue infected with E. uncinata (strain MaxR; AR1017), alongside their endophyte-free counterparts. In a glasshouse trial, plants were grown in P-enriched soil with varying Olsen P levels (9, 18, 28 or 78 mg L¯¹), and grass grubs were introduced. Their survival and weight gain, and plant performance were measured. In a bioassay, grass grubs were placed in specimen vials with P-enriched soils (Olsen P levels 9, 18, 28 and 78 mg L¯¹) and provided with identical plant material to assess their diet consumption and weight gain. RESULTS: In the glasshouse trial, results highlighted a notable decrease in the survival of grass grub on plants infected with MaxR endophyte, but not with AR37, as well as increasing soil Olsen P levels in both plant species. While grass grub decreased plant performance at the low Olsen P level (9 mg L¯¹), this effect diminished with increasing P. Likewise, results from the bioassay showed a decrease in diet consumption with increasing soil Olsen P levels. In both trials increasing Olsen P levels correlated with diminished grass grub performance, revealing a nuanced relationship between soil fertility and pest dynamics. CONCLUSION: The study underscores the pivotal role of selected Epichloë endophyte–grass associations in mitigating grass grub damage across varying phosphorus levels. This study highlights the potential to integrate P applications for sustainable pest control against grass grub. Further field trials are required to validate these findings.
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    Bridging aquatic invasive species threats across multiple sectors through One Biosecurity
    (Oxford University Press on behalf of American Institute of Biological Sciences, 2024-07) Bray, JP; Hewitt, Chad; Hulme, Philip
    Understanding the magnitude of biosecurity risks in aquatic environments is increasingly complex and urgent because increasing volumes of international shipping, rising demand for aquaculture products, and growth in the global aquarium trade, are accelerating invasive alien species spread worldwide. These threats are especially pressing amid climate and biodiversity crises. However, global and national biosecurity systems are poorly prepared to respond because of fragmented research and policy environments, that often fail to account for risks across sectors or across stakeholder needs and fail to recognize similarities in the processes underpinning biological invasions. In the present article, we illustrate the complex network of links between biosecurity threats across human, animal, plant, and environment sectors and propose a universal approach to risk assessment. One Biosecurity is a holistic, interdisciplinary approach that minimizes biosecurity risks across human, animal, plant, algal, and ecosystem health and is critical to reduce redundancy and increase cross-sectoral cohesion to improve policy, management, and research in aquatic biosecurity.
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    Preliminary survey of plant-parasitic nematodes associated with grapevines in Blenheim, New Zealand
    (New Zealand Plant Protection Society (Inc.), 2024-09-20) Moukarzel, Romy; Jones, Elizabeth; Ridgway, Hayley; Kularathna, Manjula
    Plant-parasitic nematodes threaten horticultural crops, causing damage by feeding on plant roots, reducing yields, and affecting global food security. We present preliminary results on nematode genera found in soil around two varieties of grapevine (Sauvignon blanc and Pinot noir) with different rootstocks (101-14, SO4, 5C, Riparia Gloire, 3309, Schwarzmann) in ten vineyards located in Blenheim, part of the largest grape-growing area in New Zealand. Soil samples were collected, and nematodes were extracted using a modified centrifugal-flotation technique. Nematode counting and morphological identification to genus level was conducted based on characteristics such as stylet size and overall body shape. Soil texture analysis was performed, and the influences of grape variety and rootstock as well as soil type on nematode diversity were assessed. Four genera of plant-parasitic nematodes, including Pratylenchus, Paratylenchus, Helicotylenchus, and Criconomella, were recovered from the vineyard soils and a snapshot of relative abundance was determined. Differences in the nematode genera and their relative abundance among varieties and rootstocks were found, which suggests potential interactions between nematode genera and grapevine rootstocks/scions. This preliminary survey provides updated information on nematodes since the last survey conducted 20 years ago in New Zealand. This work indicates the presence of various genera of plant-parasitic nematodes in soils around grapevines grown around Blenheim, New Zealand. These findings highlight the need for further research to understand the interactions between nematodes, grape varieties, and rootstocks. The importance of addressing this knowledge gap for biosecurity measures and potential implications on grapevine growth and vineyard productivity is discussed.