The main objective of the study is the development of an automatic carrot root classification model, marked as CR-NET, with the use of a Convolutional Neural Network (CNN). CNN with a constant architecture was built, consisting of an alternating arrangement of five Conv2D, MaxPooling2D and Dropout classes, for which in the Python 3.9 programming language a calculation algorithm was developed. It was found that the classification process of the carrot root images was carried out with an accuracy of 89.06%, meaning that 50 images were misclassified. The highest number of 21 erroneously classifie ..read more

This research focuses on sustainable protein recovery methods from a new yellow pea variety by examining alternative pH-shifting processes. The study focuses on reducing water consumption during alkaline extraction by adjusting solid-liquid ratios, and evaluating the impact of various isoelectric precipitants, including lactic acid and lactic acid bacteria (Lactobacillus plantarum and Lactobacillus lactis), on the functional and antioxidant properties of products across a wide range of pH values. It was here found that the process alternative with three 1:10 (w/v) extraction cycles and lactic ..read more

We examined the views of Finnish non-farmers and farmers on the desirable future developments of agriculture and agricultural policy using principal component and cluster analysis by focusing on three key themes: the structure of agricultural production, agri-environmental issues, and the funding of agriculture. There is strong public support for maintaining the viability of domestic agriculture through government intervention, but views differ on allocation of agricultural support and how agricultural production should be developed. A significant number of respondents supported the idea that ..read more

This study assessed how strip cropping white cabbage (Brassica oleracea) and faba bean (Vicia faba) affects the activity density of pests – diamondback moth (Plutella xylostella) and flea beetles (Phyllotreta spp.) – and how this affects crop yields. The setup consisted of three 270m2 plots representing monocrops of faba bean and cabbage, and a plot of alternating strips of the two. The setup was established in 2018 and 2019. Activity density of P. xylostella was determined through yellow sticky trapping and Phyllotreta spp. activity density was determined by pitfall trapping. Crop yields were ..read more

Field application of gypsum (CaSO4 × 2H2O) is a tool to decrease phosphorus (P) load to watercourses. Effects of gypsum application (4 tons ha-1) on soil and crop composition were monitored up to four years after the treatment in the Savijoki catchment, southwestern Finland. Eleven amended fields and 17 control fields were analyzed for easily soluble P, Ca, Mg, K, S, pH(H2O), electrical conductivity (EC)  and loss-on-ignition. Plant samples were analyzed for most nutrients and Se. Downward S transport was monitored in two fields. In the first spring after gypsum application, but not later ..read more

Red clover is typically produced as a mixed stand with grasses, which may lead to suboptimal fertilization and harvest time practices, resulting in poor survival of red clover. Further, unknown proportions of red clover in mixed swards complicate ration formulation for livestock. Thus, producing red clover as pure stands could offer benefits, but it may be difficult to ensile. The objective of the current study was to evaluate major management possibilities such as wilting, inclusion of timothy grass and different types of additives in optimizing the ensilage of red clover. Low DM silages were ..read more

Amidst population growth, escalating food costs, limited arable land, and farmland degradation, the adoption of innovative technologies—like organic waste recycling and nutrient recovery—is crucial for enhancing the resilience of global agri-food systems. Nitrogen-Enriched Organic fertilizer (NEO) is produced using a new method, where dinitrogen (N2) is captured from the air through a plasma process and mixed with slurries or digestates as nitrate (NO3-) and nitrite (NO2-). This process leads to solid slurry acidification and a high NO2- content, potentially yielding toxic inorganic or organic ..read more

Drosophila suzukii, known as the spotted wing drosophila (SWD), is a major pest of berries and stone fruits. In 2014 it was recorded for the first time in the Nordic countries. In this study, we report the first observations of D. suzukii in Finland. The first trap catches of SWD were observed in 2019 in North Savo at a berry farm that handles imported berries. In 2020–2021, no adult flies were trapped at or near the farm, but in August 2022, adult SWDs were caught at the same farm. In 2023, one female of the same haplotype as the flies in previous year was found in mid July, but no further po ..read more

The aim of this study is to investigate how horticultural firms meet their need for innovation within the innovation system. A comparative process ethnography approach was applied to two cases of long-term collaboration between multiple actors in Swedish horticulture. The retrospective reconstruction of the cases through documentation and interviews allowed for triangulation of data in a grounded theory approach. The leverage points of the developing collaborative processes were found to be; having agency and a network approach, the forming of collective agency through social learning, enhanci ..read more

Brussels sprouts provide bioactive compounds with widely acknowledged health-promoting effects observed in various levels: single cells, organs and tissues, or the whole organism. However, the choice of the appropriate hydrothermal processing is critical to sustain the nutritional values and cytoprotective activities, as Brussels sprouts are rarely eaten raw. The aim of this study was to evaluate the impact of various culinary methods (boiling, steaming, and sous-vide in comparison to raw plant material) applied to Brussels sprouts on the chosen functions of liver and intestinal cell lines (He ..read more