-&gt;Context. Optical Character Recognition (OCR), having a computer recognize text from an image, is not as intuitive as human recognition. Even small (to human eyes) degradations can thwart the OCR result. The problem is that random unknown degradations are unavoidable in a real-world setting. -&gt;Objectives. The noise tolerance of Tesseract, a state-of-the-art OCR engine, is evaluated in relation to how well it handles salt and pepper noise, a type of image degradation. Noise tolerance is measured as the percentage of aberrant pixels when comparing two images (one with noise and the other without noise). -&gt;Methods. A novel systematic approach for finding the noise tolerance of an OCR engine is presented. A simulated environment is developed, where the test parameters, called test cases (font, font size, text string), can be modified. The simulation program creates a text string image (white background, black text), degrades it iteratively using salt and pepper noise, and lets Tesseract perform OCR on it, in each iteration. The iteration process is stopped when the comparison between the image text string and the OCR result of Tesseract mismatches. -&gt;Results. Simulation results are given as changed pixels percentage (noise tolerance) between the clean text string image and the text string image the degradation iteration before Tesseract OCR failed to recognize all characters in the text string image. The results include 14400 test cases: 4 fonts (Arial, Calibri, Courier and Georgia), 100 font sizes (1-100) and 36 different strings (4*100*36=14400), resulting in about 1.8 million OCR attempts performed by Tesseract. -&gt;Conclusions. The noise tolerance depended on the test parameters. Font sizes smaller than 7 were not recognized at all, even without noise applied. The font size interval 13-22 was the peak performance interval, i.e. the font size interval that had the highest noise tolerance, except for the only monospaced font tested, Courier, which had lower noise tolerance in the peak performance interval. The noise tolerance trend for the font size interval 22-100 was that the noise tolerance decreased for larger font sizes. The noise tolerance of Tesseract as a whole, given the experiment results, was circa 6.21 %, i.e. if 6.21 % of the pixel in the image has changed Tesseract can still recognize all text in the image. / <p>42</p>

The effect of source-sink relationships on the performance of tomato and hot pepper was investigated in glasshouse experiments by pruning tomato trusses and hot pepper fruit from plants trained to a single stem. The objectives were to characterize the effect of time, method and intensity of pruning on the yield and quality of tomato and hot pepper. Pruning at anthesis as compared to pruning at fruit-set had little effect on yield and fruit quality of both crops. Yield per truss increased steadily with intensity of pruning in tomato, due to increase in fruit size and fruit number per truss. Thus, total yield was not affected by pruning. In hot pepper fruit size increased with intensity of pruning but total yield was significantly reduced and total plant dry mass depressed at higher source : sink ratios (two and three fruit pruned out of a total of six). Occurrence of fruit disorders such as blossom-end rot and fruit cracking increased with increasing source: sink ratio. Pruning of one truss in tomato and one fruit in hot pepper gave the best fruit quality in terms of fruit size, pericarp thickness and freedom from defects, without decreasing total and marketable yield. Removing a middle truss of tomato (third truss) gave the highest yield as compared to removing the youngest truss (sixth truss) or the oldest truss (first truss). The yield increase (relative to the control) in the remaining individual trusses tended to decrease with increasing distance of the trusses from the pruned truss. In hot pepper removal of the youngest fruit (sixth fruit) resulted in the highest yield in comparison to removal of the middle fruit (third fruit) and the oldest fruit (first fruit). The quantity of yield increase in the remaining individual fruits had no consistent trend regarding the relative distance of the fruits from the pruned fruit. Two pruning methods were tried on hot pepper and tomato to compare yield and fruit quality. The first method involved pruning of the first three consecutive trusses of tomato and the first three consecutive fruit of hot pepper out of a total of six. The second method involved pruning of three alternating tomato trusses or hot pepper fruit. Yield and yield components did not differ significantly for the two methods, but pruning alternate trusses of tomato and fruit of hot pepper reduced occurrence of fruit disorders. / Dissertation (MSc (Agric) Agronomy)--University of Pretoria, 2007. / Plant Production and Soil Science / unrestricted

Water shortage is the most important factor constraining agricultural production all over the world. New irrigation strategies must be established to use the limited water resources more efficiently. This study was carried out in a completely randomized design with three replications under the greenhouse condition at Shahrekord University, Shahrekord, Iran. In this study, the physiological responses of pepper plant affected by irrigation water were investigated. Irrigation treatments included control (full irrigation level, FI) and three deficit irrigation levels, 80, 60 and 40% of the plant’s water requirement called DI80, DI60, and DI40, respectively. A no plant cover treatment with three replications was also used to measure evaporation from the soil surface. Daily measurements of volumetric soil moisture (VSM) were made at each 10 cm intervals of the soil column, considered as a layer. The differences between the measured VSM and the VSM in the next day and evaporation rate at the soil surface at the same layer of the no plant cover treatment were calculated. Eventually, by considering the applied and collected water in each treatment, evapotranspiration (ETC) and root water uptake (RWU) in each layer per day were estimated. Furthermore, fruit number per plant, fresh fruit weight/day, root fresh/dry weight, shoot fresh/dry weight, root zone volume, root length and density, crop yield, and water use efficiency (WUE) were measured under different water treatments. The results showed that the maximum and minimum of all the studied parameters were found in the FI and DI40 treatments, respectively. ETC in the DI80, DI60, and DI40 treatments were reduced by 14.2, 37.4, and 52.2%, respectively. Furthermore, applying 80, 60, and 40% of the plant’s water requirement led to crop yield reduction by 29.4, 52.7, and 69.5%, respectively. The averages of root water uptakes (ARWUs) in the DI80, DI60, and DI40 treatments reduced by 17.08, 48.72, and 68.25%, respectively. WUE and crop yield also showed no significant difference in the FI and DI80 treatments. Moreover, in the DI80 treatment the reduced rate of water uptake was less than the reduced rate of plant's applied water. According to these results, it can be concluded that 20% deficit irrigation had no significant reduction on the yield of pepper, but above this threshold, there was an adverse effect on the growth and yield. Therefore, for water management in the regions with limited water resources, plant's applied water can be decreased around 20%.

A vida útil do filé de salmão fresco é em grande parte limitada pela deterioração microbiana, proteolítica e oxidativa. Esse trabalho visou estudar o efeito do filme de quitosana adicionado ou não do extrato de resíduo agroindustrial de pimenta rosa (Schinus terebinthifolius Raddi) sobre a vida útil e qualidade de salmão do Atlântico (Salmo salar) fresco, embalado em atmosfera modificada (AM, 100% CO2), durante 28 dias. Os filés de salmão (± 300 g) com 11 dias post mortem sem pele e sem ossos foram embalados em 100% de dióxido de carbono (CO2), submetidos aos tratamentos: sem filme (TC), com filme de quitosana (TFQ) e com filme de quitosana adicionado do extrato de resíduo agroindustrial de pimenta rosa (TFQPR), armazenados a 2 ± 1° C e sem exposição à luz por 0 (11 dias), 7, 14, 21 e 28 dias. Após cada período de armazenamento, nove bandejas de cada tratamento foram analisadas de acordo com parâmetros físico-químicos (pH, cor, capacidade de retenção de água (CRA), perfil de textura (PT), bases voláteis totais (BVT), trimetilamina (TMA), estabilidade oxidativa, perfil de ácidos graxos (PAG), degradação de ATP e seus catabólitos), microbiológicas (microrganismos aeróbios mesófilos e psicrotróficos, bactérias láticas, coliformes totais e termotolerantes) e sensoriais. O estudo foi conduzido por um delineamento inteiramente casualizado com arranjo fatorial (3 tratamentos x 5 tempos de armazenamento), considerado como parcela o filé de salmão embalado em atmosfera modificada, com 3 repetições. Os dados foram analisados no ambiente R, a fim de verificar o efeito de tempo, tratamento e tempo x tratamento. Durante o armazenamento, o pH oscilou para os três tratamentos. Observou-se a descoloração dos filés de salmão devido à oxidação dos carotenoides astaxantina e cantaxantina, presentes no músculo do pescado. Ao longo do armazenamento, CRA foi reduzida, influenciando no perfil de textura das amostras. Os filés de salmão tornaram-se mais macios devido à proteólise muscular e a ação de microrganismos deteriorantes presentes. Os dados de oxidação lipídica foram baixos e não influenciou no PAG do salmão - considerando que o salmão é uma boa fonte de ácidos graxos poli-insaturados da série ômega-3. Os microrganismos deteriorantes analisados aumentaram ao longo do armazenamento, porém não ultrapassaram os limites recomendados pela ICMSF, bem como a contagem dos microrganismos patógenos. A análise sensorial permitiu verificar as mudanças nos filés de salmão ao longo do armazenamento, porém não houve diferença significativa entre os tratamentos. Em conclusão, o filme ativo foi eficiente na manutenção da qualidade e vida útil dos filés de salmão embalados com AM durante 28 dias de armazenamento, em comparação com o grupo controle (TC). / Shelf-life of the fillet of fresh salmon is greatly limited by microbial, proteolytic and oxidative deterioration. This research aimed to study the effect of chitosan active films and the addition of agro-industrial residue of pink pepper (Schinus terebinthifolius Raddi) on this film on fresh Atlantic salmon (Salmo salar) shelf-life and quality packaged in modified atmosphere packaging (MAP, 100% CO2) during 28 days. Skinless and boneless salmon fillets (± 300 g) with 11 days post mortem were packaged in 100% carbon dioxide (CO2) MAP according to three treatments: without chitosan film (TC), with chitosan film (TFQ) and with chitosan film added with agro-industrial residue of pink pepper (TFQPR), stored at 2 ± 1° C and under dark condition for 0 (11 days),7, 14, 21, and 28 days. After each retail day, 9 trays of each treatment were analyzed according to physical-chemical (pH, color, water holding capacity (WHC), texture profile (TP), total volatile basic nitrogen (TVB-N), trimethylamine (TMA), oxidative stability, fatty acid profile (FAP), and ATP and ATP-catabolites quantification), microbiological (the content of mesophilic, psychrotrophic, lactic, thermotolerant bacteria and total coliform), and sensory parameters. This research used Completely Randomized Design (CRD) with a factorial arrangement (3 treatments x 5 five storage time), considering the packaged salmon fillet as a research unity, with 3 repetitions. Data was analyzed on R environment, in order to verify time, treatment and time x treatment effects. During storage, pH oscillated for the three treatments. The salmon fillets discolored due to the carotenoids astaxanthin and canthaxanthin oxidation, which are present in fish muscle. Along storage time, WHC reduced, influencing on sample texture profile. Salmon fillets softened, which is possibly resulting from muscle proteolysis and from spoilage bacteria action. Lipid oxidation data were low and did not influence on salmon FAP - considering that salmon is a good source of omega-3 poly-unsaturated fatty acid. Fish spoilage bacteria increased along storage, but it was not higher than the legal limit established by ICMSF, as well as pathogen bacteria. Sensory analysis revealed overall changing on salmon fillets during storage. In conclusion, active film was efficient in the maintenance of quality and shelf-life of MAP-packaged salmon fillets during 28 days of storage, compared to control group (TC).

High tunnels are used to modify the crop environment by trapping solar energy, providing protection from unfavorable weather events, and extending the growing season in temperate regions. This project assessed yield and quality in three independent cultivar trials of warm-season crops tomato (Solanum lycopersicum L.), bell pepper (Capsicum annuum L.) and cucumber (Cucumis sativus L.) grown under high tunnel production compared with an outdoor field in eastern and western North Dakota. Tomato yields in the high tunnel were increased by 1.4 times over the field trial yields. Yields from the pepper cultivar trials both inside the high tunnel and outside field were comparable to one another at 1.24 kg plant-1 and 1.06 kg plant-1, respectively. Cucumber yields in the high tunnel were increased by 1.7 times over the field trial yields. Results indicate that in North Dakota, high tunnels extended the growing season, and increased production relative to field conditions.

Weed management programs in "Superior" potato with PRE and POST rimsulfuron treatments were investigated during 1992, 1993, and 1994. Common ragweed control by PRE combinations of metolachlor with linuron or metribuzin was higher when treatments included PRE or POST rimsulfuron. Common lambsquarters control was 93 to 96% by treatments that included POST rimsulfuron. Applications of 35 g ai/ha rimsulfuron plus 280 g ai/ha metribuzin POST controlled weeds comparable to sequential applications. Potato recovered from occasional injury caused by rimsulfuron, rimsulfuron plus metribuzin, and organophosphate insecticides combined POST with rimsulfuron plus metribuzin. Several acetolactate synthase (ALS)-inhibiting herbicides were evaluated for yellow nutsedge control in the greenhouse. Herbicides were applied POST to yellow nutsedge at actual or anticipated commercial rates. Yellow nutsedge control was 92 and 71% from halosulfuron and chlorimuron, respectively. Control ranged from 48 to 69% from primisulfuron, pyrithiobac, and rimsulfuron. Control from nicosulfuron and imazethapyr was 45 and 68%, respectively, while thifensulfuron and CGA-152005 had almost no activity on yellow nutsedge. Chlorimuron, imazethapyr, and halosulfuron were the only herbicides which reduced yellow nutsedge regrowth. Rrimsulfuron was evaluated in tomato at 26 and 35 g ai/ha, sequentially at 26 g/ha, at 26 g/ha plus metribuzin at 280 g ai/ha, and metribuzin at 280 g/ha were evaluated POST for weed control in transplanted "Agriset" tomato. Common lambsquarters was controlled by rimsulfuron at 35 g/ha. Rimsulfuron plus metribuzin gave consistent control of common ragweed but jimsonweed and goosegrass control was generally low. Rimsulfuron treatments caused < 12% injury to tomato. Tomato yield was consistently high in the metribuzin, metribuzin plus rimsulfuron, and rimsulfuron sequential treatments. In greenhouse studies, giant foxtail and large crabgrass control by rimsulfuron was above 95 and 85% respectively, but goosegrass was not controlled. Height of four tomato cultivars was not reduced, but dry weight of "Floradade" and "Sunbeam" was reduced by rimsulfuron. In 1993, 1994 and 1995, PPI clomazone at 390 g ai/ha, POST rimsulfuron at 35 g ai/ha, and PPI trifluralin at 560 g ai/ha were evaluated for weed control in transplanted "Keystone RG3" bell pepper. Common lambsquarters and jimsonweed control was highest by clomazone treatments, while common ragweed control was low from all treatments. Keystone RG3 in the field and greenhouse and "Camelot," "Jupiter" and "Memphis" in the greenhouse were injured by POST rimsulfuron and had lower height and dry weight than untreated controls. In the greenhouse, black nightshade control was below 23% and jimsonweed control was below 49% by rimsulfuron POST. The absorption, translocation, and metabolism of rimsulfuron was investigated in three Solanaceous weed species. Rimsulfuron uptake did not differ between black nightshade and eastern black nightshade while less labeled herbicide was absorbed by hairy nightshade. Black and eastern black nightshade translocated up to 50% of the labeled herbicide out of the treated leaf with 40 to 50% of the herbicide being moved to the actively growing regions of the plant. In hairy nightshade, an average 40% of the labeled herbicide was moved out of the treated leaf and less than 30% of the translocated herbicide was moved basipetally. Most major metabolites were apparent at 24 and 48 hours however, there were no differences in metabolite composition. Rimsulfuron will be an effective herbicide for use in weed management programs in potato and tomato, however rimsulfuron causes too much injury in pepper to be used. / Ph. D.

Temperature affects reproductive potential, aesthetic and commercial value of ornamental peppers. In experiment one, temperature effects were assessed in 12 ornamental cultivars using in vitro pollen germination and tube length, and the physiological parameters, cell membrane thermostability, chlorophyll stability index and canopy temperature depression. In experiment two, seed germination rate and maximum seed germination response to temperature were assessed. Cumulative temperature response indices (CTRI) for pollen, seed, and physiological parameters were derived and used to classify cultivars for temperature tolerance. CTRI based on pollen parameters showed significant, but poor correlation with physiological parameters. CTRI based on seed parameters showed significant correlation with CTRI-physiological parameters. It is concluded that screening using pollen parameters will be ideal for reproductive temperature tolerance while seed and physiological parameters will be suitable for screening vegetative temperature tolerance. Identified tolerant cultivars are potential candidates for breeding programs to develop heat and cold tolerant ornamental pepper genotypes.

No description available.

Mangrove ecosystems are among the world's most endangered biomes; nearly one-half of the overall coverage is threatened by human activity, invasive species, and global climate change. Mangroves play an important ecosystem role through detrital production and by providing: fisheries and wildlife nursery habitat, shoreline protection, a sink for nutrients, carbon, and sediment. In addition to human activity, the Florida mangroves (Avicennia germinans, Laguncularia racemosa, and Rhizophora mangle) are being threatened by the invasive Brazilian pepper (Schinus terebinthifolius). This study was performed along a 261 km stretch of the east coast of Florida from Sebastian Inlet to the northern extent of mangroves, near St. Augustine. It entailed two parts. The first examined the phenology and leafing rates of the four species and attempted to find if there was a relationship between growth and latitude or temperature. Although a correlation between peaks in temperature and phenology was observed for all species, no leafing pattern could be discerned. In terms of mangrove growth for branch diameter, a logarithmic model (y=a + b·log [Initial diameter]) best fitted the data for R. mangle and L. racemosa but neither latitude nor temperature appeared to be important. However, S. terebinthifolius' and A. germinans's branch diameter growth were best represented by a logarithmic model (y=a + b·log [Initial diameter] + c·log x2) that incorporated temperature and latitudinal respectively. In the second part, a simulation model was developed to focus on understanding the relationships between establishment and competition among the three mangrove species and the invading S. terebinthifolius. This model was run under various invasion and/or climate change scenarios to determine possible outcomes under global climate change with or without the presence of S. terebinthifolius. Conclusions were drawn that under all scenarios of invasion, other than sea level rise as part of global climate change, S. terebinthifolius would dominate the landscape if allowed to invade and establish in areas in which it is not currently present although the amount of this response is dependent on the S. terebinthifolius response curves.

No description available.