Fenugreek (Trigonella foenum-graecum) is a multifaceted and ancient herb widely utilized in culinary, medicinal, and industrial sectors. This research investigated Fenugreek cultivation on the Delmarva Peninsula, focusing on climatic requirements, planting methodologies, growth stages, and prevalent diseases. Results indicated that high-density planting was crucial for effective weed management. Conversely, crop failures were associated with rainfed cultivation and flood irrigation practices. The crop demonstrated the capacity for thrice-yearly harvesting and exhibited frost tolerance. Notably, during the initial years (2022-2023), no diseases were observed, and no herbicides, pesticides, or fungicides were applied, ensuring a healthy yield. A community survey among local Asian residents highlighted a strong interest in purchasing locally grown Fenugreek leaves. To promote cultivation, 'Fenugreek Days' were organized at the University of Maryland Eastern Shore, fostering community engagement. Additionally, community members contributed culinary recipes utilizing Fenugreek leaves, and educational YouTube videos were produced for broader dissemination. Fenugreek cultivation presented significant potential for agricultural diversification and sustainable crop production. Enhanced knowledge of its agronomic requirements and challenges could assist farmers in optimizing yields, thereby ensuring the consistent availability of this versatile herb for diverse applications.
Green roof and rooftop agrivoltaics systems have been gaining popularity in urban areas over the past decade for their ability to improve food security in populous cities. Saffron (Crocus sativus L.), a high value perennial herb historically cultivated in arid mountainous regions of the Middle East, thrives under similar abiotic stressors experienced on green roofs such as limited precipitation, nutrient poor, fast draining soils, and high solar radiation. Little research currently exists on saffron cultivation in green roof systems or under shade. This study tests the hypothesis that light availability limits C. sativus performance in rooftop agrivoltaics systems by quantifying the effects of shade on saffron yield (dried stigmas) and vegetative growth. Two-hundred saffron corms were studied across ten solar treatments in nine rooftop agrivoltaics plots and one at grade control plot- five at CSU Spur Campus in Denver, Colorado, and five at the CSU Foothills Campus in Fort Collins, Colorado. Corms were planted 15 cm deep with 10 cm spacing and received supplemental hand watering weekly. Environmental data collected included substrate volumetric water content, substrate surface and subsurface temperatures, and solar radiation. Bi-Weekly observations and harvest measured floral timing, abundance, along with fresh and dry stigma weights (g). Vegetative measurements on leaf length were taken after the flowering period. Overall, shade had a significant impact on the floral yield (p
Research into the health-promoting properties of dietary phenolics has highlighted phenolic-rich foods as a promising strategy for the preventive management of health and wellness. Building on this rationale, the present study focused on alliums, which have held a prominent place in traditional medicine for their therapeutic benefits since ancient times. Specifically, this research evaluated onion cultivars (Red Bull, Hamilton, Gunnison, and White Cap) for their total soluble phenolics and associated antioxidant and anti-hyperglycemic activity in-vitro. Two types of extracts were prepared: one from fresh samples to simulate raw consumption, and another from cooked samples. The total soluble phenolics (TSP) content was quantified using the Folin-Ciocalteu reducing assay. Antioxidant capacity was evaluated using DPPH (2,2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl) and ABTS (2,2'-azino-bis (3-ethylbenzothiazoline-6-sulfonic acid) radical scavenging assays. The anti-hyperglycemic potential was assessed by measuring the percentage inhibition of α-amylase and α-glucosidase enzyme. A significant difference (p
California yerba santa (Eriodictyon californicum) is a chaparral shrub of western California and SW Oregon. Its leaves contain flavonoids of potential medical importance including sterubin, hesperetin, homoeriodictyol, eriodictyol and others. Seed from natural populations of California yerba santa were collected in the wild from plants relatively rich in the flavonoid sterubin and alternatively relatively rich in eriolic acid C. Seedlings from these two sources were transplanted to the field in replicated trials. Plants were harvested after three months and the plants were divided vertically into four equal parts to determine their relative dry weight yield, essential oils, and flavonoids. Total leaf dry weight yield averaged 2.8 Mg/ha and total stem dry weight averaged 1.8 Mg/ha. Leaf dry weight was least and the stem dry weight was greatest in the lower quarter of the plants. The leaves in the top quarter of the plants had consistently higher concentration of most of the flavonoids than the lower leaves. Leaves in the top quarter of the higher sterubin plant line contained 50 mg of sterubin per g of dry weight and a total of 116 mg/g of total flavonoids while the other line had negligible sterubin. Conversely, eriolic acid C was substantial in the tops grown from seed from plants with considerable eriolic acid C in nature. Considering all the leaves, those from the higher sterubin plant line yielded a total of 101 kg/ha of sterubin, 22 kg/ha of hesperetin, 60 kg/ha of homoeriodictyol, 16 kg/ha of eriodictyol and a total of 237 kg/ha of flavonoids. Plants can be selected for the horticultural production of specific flavonoids or leaves with specific herbal properties.
