Crops

Allium species have great potential in the production of functional food via selenium biofortification. This review is devoted to the specificity of Allium plant biofortification with Se, including the genetic peculiarities, effect of the chemical form of the microelement, methods of supply, sulfur and AMF effects, and hormonal regulation. The biosynthesis of methylated Se amino acids and the beneficial effect of Se treatment on secondary metabolite accumulation and plant yield are discussed. Special attention is paid to the production of functional foods based on Allium plants enriched in different ways: bread with leek leaf powder, Allium microgreens and seedlings, and ‘Black garlic’ biofortified with Se. Further focus is provided to the high variability of Allium crop yield and quality under Se supply governed by genetic factors and environmental stresses, and to the need for plant growth technology optimization to obtain the predicted nutritional characteristics of the derived functional product with high anti-carcinogenic activity. Full article

The management of variety collections can be supported by integrating molecular data into Distinctness, Uniformity, and Stability (DUS) testing. DurdusTools is a genetic distance (GD) calculation tool that supports planning field trials in durum wheat. A commercially available single-nucleotide polymorphism (SNP) wheat microarray is used to profile varieties and candidate varieties. Their molecular profiles are stored in a database. SNP markers selected based on quality parameters are used to calculate the pairwise genetic distance (GD) between the varieties. Combining molecular and variety information creates a downloadable, user-friendly Excel-based output. The file shows the pairwise GD of the varieties most similar to the candidate variety of interest and selected variety information. After the first year of field trials, the DUS experts use the phenotypic assessment data together with the GD information to select genotypes to be grown in the field for side-by-side comparisons. The principles of DurdusTools allow for an easy integration of molecular data into DUS testing. Using the tool requires neither specific infrastructure nor molecular expert knowledge and was developed by its users for DUS testing purposes. This makes DurdusTools an easily accessible and user-friendly tool that supports variety selection for DUS field trials through an improved data basis. Full article

Insight into phototactic responses by herbivorous crop pests may be used to manipulate their vertical distribution in crop canopies. Here, we tested the hypothesis that the deployment of specific light sources elicits positive or negative phototactic responses and can be used to enhance performance of miticide applications. We characterized movement responses by two-spotted spider mites (Tetranychus urticae) (spider mites) to seven light sources [ambient (control), UV-C, UV-B, blue, red, white, and near-infrared (NIR)] under experimental conditions. Separate experiments were conducted with/without the presence of a shelter. An analytical approach based on linear regression coefficients (intercept and slope) from observations in ascending order was used. Linear regression coefficients from UV-B indicated significantly negative phototactic bio-response. We examined settlement of spider mites when exposed to 11 light source configurations and with adaxial leaf sides facing either upwards or downwards. This experiment revealed strong positive and negative phototactic bio-responses to blue light and UV-B light, respectively. As a validation experiment, soybean plants were experimentally infested with spider mites and subjected to one of the following three treatments: (1) no treatment (control), (2) miticide [pyrethrins and Beauveria bassiana (BotaniGard Maxx)] only, and (3) a combination of blue and UV-B for 10 min immediately prior to miticide application. Integration of miticide application with prior deployment of blue and UV-B lights significantly increased the performance of miticide application. Results from this study supported the hypothesis. As a pest management approach, the integration of blue light (to elicit positive phototactic response) and UV-B (to elicit negative phototactic response) is believed to be of particular relevance to organic crop producers and/or to producers of crops for which limited numbers of miticides are registered. Full article

Nigella sativa L., which is commonly referred to as black cumin, is a globally recognized plant for the nutraceutical and pharmaceutical values of its seed oil. While numerous studies have investigated Nigella oil, there is a scarcity of information regarding the variation of key phytoconstituents in Nigella oil from diverse seed sources. It is also unclear whether the variation in phytoconstituents across different seed sources translates to variations in their respective oils, which is important for understanding their health benefits. Additionally, there is a gap in information on how specific phytochemicals transfer from seed to oil during the oil pressing. Therefore, this study investigated Nigella sourced from different genotypes and agricultural practices (planting densities and sowing times) to determine total phenolic content (TPC), antioxidant capacity (FRAP and CUPRAC), thymoquinone (TQ), and fatty acid composition. The results showed significant variation of TPC (87.4–144.1 mg gallic acid equivalents (GAE)/100 g), FRAP (454.1–560.9 mg Trolox equivalents (TE)/100 g), CUPRAC (356.3–482.5 mg TE/100 g), TQ (1493.5–2268.4 mg TQ/100 g), saturated fatty acid (SFA) (65.9–83.7 mg/g), monounsaturated fatty acid (MUFA) (42.5–67.8 mg/g), and polyunsaturated fatty acid (PUFA) (266.1–383.4 mg/g) in the oil derived from the seeds of different genotypes and agricultural practices. The total transfer of TPC, FRAP, and CUPRAC into the screw-pressed oil was relatively low, contributing only 2.3–3.7%, 7.1–11.7%, and 1.5–2.3%, respectively, of their total value in the respective seed. However, the transfer of TQ, SFA, MUFA, and PUFA was observed to be comparatively higher, contributing 32.8–48.5%, 60.8–84.2%, 45.6–74.4%, and 43.1–69.4%, respectively, of their total value in the respective seed. There was no strong correlation observed among TPC, FRAP, CUPRAC, and TQ, and none of the fatty acids showed a strong correlation with these variables. Full article

Barley (Hordeum vulgare) is a major cereal grain grown in temperate climates globally and provides various nutrients in a peeled form after milling. However, milling causes changes in nutritional composition, including metabolites. Thus, a metabolomics study was conducted to monitor the changes in nutritional composition before and after the milling of Hordeum vulgare seeds (Saechalssal, Hinchalssal, and Yeongbaekchal) focusing on the development and application of new analytical methods for organic acids (OA) and amino acids (AA). Profiling analyses of OAs and AAs were performed using GC-MS/MS. This analytical method showed good linearity (r ≥ 0.995) with limit of detection (0.1 ng, 21.2 ng) and limit of quantitation (0.3 ng, 63.6 ng), respectively. Repeatability varied from 0.1 to 12.4 (% RSD) and accuracy varied from –12.3 to 14.8 (% RE), respectively. Altered levels of 36 metabolites (16 OAs, 20 AAs) were monitored post-milling and compared with pre-milling in the three Hordeum vulgare cultivars. Radar plots of OAs and AAs to corresponding mean levels of each pre-milling group in the three Hordeum vulgare cultivars were easily distinguished from those in each post-milling group. The pre-and post-milling groups of the three Hordeum vulgare cultivars were completely separated by partial least square discriminant analysis, and the lysine, cysteine, glutamic acid, asparagine, 4-hydroxyphenylacetic acid, and citric acid were significantly different. Therefore, this study will be useful for monitoring altered metabolites following milling and discrimination of varieties. Full article

While alfalfa (Medicago sativa) is widely used as forage because of its many positive attributes, there are concerns regarding bloat in grazing ruminants, but tannin-containing legumes, such as sainfoin (Onobrychis viciifolia), are non-bloating. Based on interest elsewhere for growing alfalfa–sainfoin mixtures to address bloat concerns, the objectives of a study conducted at Tucumcari, NM, USA, were to compare an alfalfa–sainfoin mixture to the respective monocultures for stand persistence and dry matter yield over three production years in three randomized complete blocks. The onset of drought limited irrigation water availability shortly after the study’s initiation, which limited sainfoin persistence to the second year after seeding. The resulting percentage decline in forage mass in June from year 1 to year 2 was alfalfa > alfalfa–sainfoin > sainfoin. That said, the alfalfa mass was considerably greater than the sainfoin mass, and the June mass of both monocultures was consistent with that in previous studies in the region when fully irrigated (5.57 vs. 2.00 Mg ha⁻¹ for monoculture alfalfa and sainfoin, respectively; p < 0.0004). Alfalfa persistence was greater than that of sainfoin after 3 years. Alfalfa–sainfoin mixtures may have value in the Southern High Plains of the USA and similar semiarid environments when fully irrigated. Additional studies should evaluate mixture seeding ratios and stand performance under fully irrigated conditions with sainfoin reseeding. Full article

This study explores organic hydroponic cultivation as a sustainable alternative to chemical fertilizers amid global supply challenges. With rising costs and the depletion of conventional nitrogen sources, organic liquid fertilizers are gaining attention for their microbial enrichment processes (MEP) that convert organic matter into plant-accessible nutrients. This experiment focuses on lettuce cultivation using two organic liquid fertilizers, Power Fish and POF vol. 2, in controlled environments. The results show that there are significant differences in plant growth parameters such as leaf number, fresh weight, chlorophyll content, and root length across different fertilizer treatments. Key findings include that effective management practices, including pH control and regular nutrient application, are crucial for maintaining microbial activity and optimizing nutrient uptake efficiency. Additionally, Bacillus sp. and Xanthomonas sp. were isolated from these fertilizers and dual-cultured with rot fungi, Pythium sp. and Fusarium sp. This dual cultivation demonstrated inhibitory activity against these pathogens, showcasing the potential of these microorganisms in promoting biofilm-mediated disease resistance in organic hydroponic systems. The study also emphasizes the phosphate solubilization capabilities of isolated bacteria, essential for sustainable nutrient cycling. Overall, organic hydroponic systems present a promising strategy for sustainable agriculture, reducing dependency on chemical inputs while enhancing crop productivity and resilience to environmental stressors. Full article

The fall armyworm, Spodoptera frugiperda, an invasive, polyphagous pest, causes significant damage to corn. The majority of insects rely on a broad range of digestive enzymes and an intricate detoxifying mechanism to consume chemically diverse host plants. The genetic variation in S. frugiperda was analyzed using cytochrome oxidase subunit I (COI) and triose phosphate isomerase (Tpi). In addition, a new attempt was made to determine the variation with respect to two detoxifying genes, viz., carboxylesterase and glutathione S-transferase. The highest genetic variation (3.03%) was found between the S. frugiperda populations of Tirupati and Delhi with respect to the Tpi gene and between the populations of Punjab and Hosur regarding COI (3.30%). The results for various genes revealed that populations of the fall armyworm were homogeneous, showing low genetic distance using COI, ranging from 0.40 to 3.30%, and, using Tpi, ranging from 0.43 to 3.03%. The variation in carboxylesterase and glutathione S-transferase ranged from 0.04 to 0.15% and from 0.01 to 0.02, respectively. Amino acid sequences were also produced using DNA sequences from several fall armyworm populations. Populations in Tirupati, Solapur, and Hyderabad shared 98.7% of their sequence with that in Delhi. Fall armyworm amino acid sequences showed 79.7 to 82.0% identity with S. exigua and 69.6 to 73.0% identity with S. litura. Our study provides vital information for understanding the genetic variation in the fall armyworm following its invasion of India. Full article

African yam bean (Sphenostylis stenocarpa Hochst, Ex. A. Rich. Harms) is an important grain legume in Sub-Saharan Africa because of its nutritional value and adaptability to various agroecological zones. To foster the varietal development of improved African yam bean (AYB) genotypes with economic traits, it is necessary to validate parental polymorphism for key markers in selecting progenies from crosses between desired parents. This study aims to analyze the genetic fidelity between parents and F1 progenies in African yam bean through putative cowpea simple sequence repeat (SSR) markers. Hence, a total of seventy-seven progenies were derived from four sets of biparental crossings using drought-susceptible (TSs-96, TSs-363, and TSs-274) and drought-tolerant (TSs-417, TSs-111, and TSs-78) AYB accessions. These were validated using 120 cowpea primers targeting SSRs under optimal PCR conditions, and the size of the PCR-amplified DNA fragments was checked using gel electrophoresis. Twenty primers exhibited polymorphism in the parental lines, while ten displayed higher levels of the same polymorphism. The average polymorphism level for the surveyed SSR markers was 0.36. Given these findings, our study demonstrates that cowpea SSR markers are a reliable method for the regular testing and clear identification of AYB crosses, indicating potential AYB improvements. Full article

Soil salinity significantly impacts crop productivity. In response, plant growth-promoting rhizobacteria (PGPR) offer an innovative and eco-friendly solution to mitigate salinity stress. However, research on PGPR’s effects on crop physiology under varying salinity levels is still emerging. This study evaluates the impact of five bacterial strains, isolated from compost, on the growth of maize (Zea mays) and tomato (Solanum lycopersicum) plants under different levels of salt stress. This study involved treating maize and tomato seeds with five bacterial strains, and then planting them in a greenhouse under varying salt stress conditions (43 mM, 86 mM, 172 mM, 207 mM NaCl) using a Randomized Complete Block Design. Results showed that bacterial inoculation improved plant growth under saline conditions. S2015-1, S2026-2, and S2027-2 (Bacillus cereus, Acinetobacter calcoaceticus, Bacillus subtilis) were particularly effective in promoting plant growth under salt stress, especially at ionic concentrations of 43 mM and 86 mM, leading to a substantial increase in fresh and dry weight, with strain S2015-1 boosting chlorophyll by 29% at 86 mM in both crops. These results highlight the potential of PGPR to enhance crop resilience and productivity under salinity stress, promoting climate-smart agricultural practices. Full article

Farmers today are using biochemical treatments to improve their crop yields. Commercialized organic biostimulants exist in the form of pyroligneous acid generated by burning agricultural waste products. During the 2023 growing season, we demonstrated that soil treatment with a commercial pyroligneous acid product, Coriphol™, manufactured by Corigin Solutions, Inc., stimulated plant growth and significantly improved yield with an optimal treatment dose of 2 gal. acre⁻¹. In the present work, we examined the effect of this treatment on soybean nutritional content using seed harvested from the 2023 season. Total mean seed protein content for untreated control plants was 32.26 ± 0.49% of dry mass and increased 10.8% to 35.64 ± 0.64% with treatment. This increase resulted in a net reduction in total free amino acid content, although levels of the essential dietary amino acid, lysine, were boosted 6-fold. Total lipid content was unaffected by treatment with mean levels of 21.61 ± 0.70% of dry mass noted. Treatment, however, reduced saturated fatty acid content by roughly 40%, and reduced the polyunsaturated content of linoleic acid in favor of the monounsaturated fatty acid, oleic acid. Finally, Coriphol™ treatment did not impact seed content of eight essential micronutrients including Na, Mg, K, Ca, Fe, Ni, Cu, and Mo, but did significantly boost Zn and Mn levels. Altogether, these results demonstrate that soil treatment with the growth stimulant Coriphol™ has the potential to improve the dietary nutritional value of soybean. Full article

Identifying food plant germplasm with superior seed nutritional values is important in helping alleviate nutrient mineral deficiencies. Faba bean (Vicia faba), a highly nutritious, protein-rich legume, is an important crop plant grown in the U.S. and globally. Therefore, the goals of this study were to quantify the levels of K, P, Ca, Mg, S, Zn, Fe, Cu, B, and Mn in the seeds of 90 faba bean genotypes. Additionally, we evaluated percent daily values (%DV) based on U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) recommendations. Macro- and micronutrient concentrations varied among faba bean genotypes. Seed Zn was positively correlated with seed P and Cu contents. Moreover, the Mn level was greater in faba beans with the highest concentrations of P, S, and Ca. The results of the present study demonstrate that there is significant variation in seed mineral nutrients among faba beans. We identified a set of faba beans with superior nutrient composition that could be potentially useful in genetic improvement studies and in addressing global future food security challenges. These findings will help global food security by achieving the United Nations Sustainable Development Goal Two, which is to achieve food security, improve nutrition, and promote sustainable agriculture. Full article

To evaluate dryland wheat genotypes’ performance under different pre-crop and residue managements under dryland conditions, a split–split plot experiment based on the RCB design, with three replications, was conducted for two years (2017–2018 and 2018–2019). The site of the study has a long-term average precipitation, temperature, and relative humidity of 376 mm, 9 °C, and 50%, respectively. Wheat–wheat and vetch–wheat cropping systems were considered in the main plots, different wheat and vetch residue levels, including 0, 2, and 4 t ha⁻¹, were located in the subplots, and five dryland wheat genotypes, including Sadra, Hashtroud, Baran, Varan, and Ohadi, were allocated in the sub-sub plots. The results indicated that the leaf chlorophyll content index (CCI) and stomatal conductance (gs) were greater in the vetch–wheat cropping system compared to the wheat monoculture system for all genotypes. The normalized difference vegetation index (NDVI) of the genotypes improved by applying the crop residue. Over two years, the application of crop residues resulted in higher variable fluorescence at the J and I steps, as well as an increase in the photosynthesis performance index (PI). The Varan and Baran genotypes stood out as the superior genotype, exhibiting the highest values in physiological characteristics and grain yield under the application of 4 t ha⁻¹ of vetch residue. The grain-filling rate (GFR) was reduced, while the grain-filling duration (GFD) was increased with increasing the crop residue levels. The enhanced grain yield of the wheat genotypes grown under vetch residue was attributed to factors such as improvement in leave pigments and photosynthetic efficiency, which facilitate longer grain filling duration, with high grain weight. As a result, it is advisable to adopt a vetch–wheat cropping system with a high proportion of crop residue in dryland regions to achieve increased and sustainable wheat production. Full article

Phosphorus is a major essential element in plants, and the absorption and transport of P are related to crop growth and productivity. Phosphate (Pi) is absorbed in the roots and transported to the shoot. Plants store surplus Pi in the vacuoles. The characteristics of Pi storage and turnover in various parts of the nodulated soybeans might be related to plant growth and P-use efficiency. This research focused on the changes in the Pi concentrations and Pi contents in each part of young soybean plants grown in Pi-sufficient (50 μM Pi) or Pi-deficient (0 μM Pi) conditions. Also, the Pi flux rate in xylem sap from roots to shoot was determined. The growth of the plants was the same after 7 days of Pi-sufficient and Pi-deficient treatments. During the Pi-deficient period, the Pi concentrations in the roots, leaves, and stems decreased significantly but did not deplete. The decrease in Pi concentration in nodules was much slower than the other parts. After the re-supply of 50 μM Pi in the solution, the Pi concentration increased only a little in each part of the Pi-deficient plants. The Pi concentration and Pi flux in the xylem sap quickly responded to the changes in the Pi concentration in the culture solution. Full article

Ascochyta blight (AB) is a major threat to Kabuli-type chickpea production worldwide. This study aimed to identify AB-resistant Kabuli-type chickpea lines through combined phenotypic and genotypic screening. Twenty-six Kabuli-type chickpea lines were phenotyped at the seedling stage using spray inoculation with conidial suspension. Genotyping employed marker-aided selection (MAS) with markers linked to quantitative trait loci (QTL) for AB resistance. The allele-specific marker, CaETR, closely linked to QTLAR1, and the sequence-tagged microsatellite (STMS) markers GAA47, TAA146, and TA194 linked to QTLAR1, QTLAR2, and QTLAR3 were used to assess their utility in distinguishing between resistant and susceptible chickpea lines. The study revealed that none of the lines tested were completely resistant (R) phenotypically. However, some lines, such as AVTCPK#6 and AVTCPK#14, were found to be moderately resistant (MR). Of the two MR lines identified phenotypically, only AVTCPK#6 was found to have bands linked to QTLs for adult plant resistance. The other MR line for AB showed the presence of bands in only one or two of the four markers used. These MR lines can be further utilized in chickpea breeding programs for the development of AB-resistant chickpea cultivars. It is recommended that these results be verified through repeat experiments, using more diverse isolates, and including additional chickpea lines as reference checks for resistance and susceptibility. The allele-specific marker, CaETR, closely linked to QTL_AR1 and sequence-tagged microsatellite (STMS) markers GAA47, TAA146 and TA194 linked to QTL_AR1, QTL_AR2, and QTL_AR3 were used to explore these markers’ utility in discriminating between resistant and susceptible chickpea lines. The study showed that phenotypically, none of the lines tested are completely resistant (R). However, some lines, namely AVTCPK#6 and AVTCPK#14, were found to be moderately resistant (MR). Of the two MR lines identified phenotypically, only AVTCPK#6 was identified to have bands linked to QTLs for adult plant resistance. The other MR line for AB showed the presence of bands in only one or two markers among the four markers used. These MR lines can be exploited further in chickpea breeding programs for the development of AB-resistant chickpea cultivars. It is recommended that these results are verified by repeat experiments, using more as well as diverse isolates alongside additional chickpea lines for resistant and susceptible reference checks. Full article

Secondary growth in garlic depreciates its visual aspect and thereby renders the crop unviable for trade. Therefore, farmers commonly reduce fertilization and impose drought and oxidative stress caused by high-dose pesticides to reduce secondary growth in garlic plants. However, these procedures can be considered adverse, unhealthy, and environmentally inappropriate. To remedy this scenario, we investigated whether spraying growth inhibitors would prevent secondary growth in garlic plants. First, we evaluated the effects of abscisic acid, trinexapac-ethyl, chlormequat chloride, and paclobutrazol treatments on garlic plants grown in polyethylene tanks (250 m³). We then analyzed the effects of deficit irrigation combined with the application of trinexapac-ethyl (sprayed two or three times) and the application of trinexapac-ethyl, chlormequat chloride, or paclobutrazol alone (each sprayed two or three times) on garlic plants grown in the field, comparing them with the effects of deficit irrigation (control treatment) alone. The in-field experiment was replicated with the following treatments: control (deficit irrigation) and trinexapac-ethyl (sprayed two or three times) treatments. We analyzed the physiological, biometric, and production parameters affecting secondary growth in garlic plants. We observed that trinexapac-ethyl could efficiently regulate secondary growth without causing physiological disturbances in garlic plants. Our results provide valuable information that will contribute to the development of a sustainable technique to replace the current practices used by farmers to prevent secondary growth in garlic plants. Full article

The future of humanity depends on successfully adapting key cropping systems for food security, such as corn (Zea mays L.), to global climatic changes, including changing air temperatures. We monitored the effects of climate change on harvested yields using long-term research plots that were established in 2001 near Fort Collins, Colorado, and long-term average yields in the region (county). We found that the average temperature for the growing period of the irrigated corn (May to September) has increased at a rate of 0.023 °C yr⁻¹, going from 16.5 °C in 1900 to 19.2 °C in 2019 (p < 0.001), but precipitation did not change (p = 0.897). Average minimum (p < 0.001) temperatures were positive predictors of yields. This response to temperature depended on N fertilizer rates, with the greatest response at intermediate fertilizer rates. Maximum (p < 0.05) temperatures and growing degree days (GDD; p < 0.01) were also positive predictors of yields. We propose that the yield increases with higher temperatures observed here are likely only applicable to irrigated corn and that irrigation is a good climate change mitigation and adaptation practice. However, since pan evaporation significantly increased from 1949 to 2019 (p < 0.001), the region’s dryland corn yields are expected to decrease in the future from heat and water stress associated with increasing temperatures and no increases in precipitation. This study shows that increases in GDD and the minimum temperatures that are contributing to a changing climate in the area are important parameters that are contributing to higher yields in irrigated systems in this region. Full article

Acetolactate synthase (ALS) inhibitor herbicides are among widely marketed herbicide chemistries that act both against grass and broad-leaved weeds. Sorghum (Sorghum bicolor (L.) Moench) variants carrying resistance to ALS inhibitor herbicides were developed as a post-emergence weed control solution in sorghum. However, some ALS-resistant lines exhibit noticeable interveinal chlorosis at seedling stage, leading to reduced vigor. Although the plants eventually recover at an advanced growth stage, this may be a source of concern for growers and can undermine adoption of the technology. This study was initiated to identify mechanisms related to the manifestation of this phenotype. Two ALS-resistant genotypes, one displaying a yellow phenotype and the other a normal green phenotype, were cultivated, and tissue samples were collected at four time intervals, with the final sampling occurring after the genotypes had fully re-greened. RNA was extracted from the tissue samples and subjected to RNA-Seq analysis. Differential gene expression analysis was carried out using DESeq2, and a selected set of genes were confirmed via qRT-PCR. Gene Ontology enrichment and SorghumCyc pathway analysis uncovered notable regulatory changes in genes associated with chloroplasts, plant defense responses, and hormonal networks in the yellow genotypes. The pattern of gene expression strongly mimicked responses under abiotic stresses. In addition, the findings offer new insights into the potential for sorghum genotypes resistant to environmental stresses to also exhibit tolerance to a range of additional stresses. Full article

Sugarcane suffers from the increased frequency and severity of droughts and floods, negatively affecting growing conditions. Climate change has affected cultivation, and the growth dynamics have changed over the years. The identification of the development stages of sugarcane is necessary to reduce its vulnerability. Traditional methods are inefficient when detecting those changes, especially when estimating sugarcane maturity—a critical step in sugarcane production. Hence, the study aimed to develop a cost- and time-effective method to estimate sugarcane maturity using high spatial-resolution remote sensing data. Images were acquired using a drone. Field samples were collected and measured in the laboratory for brix and pol values. Normalized Difference Water Index, Green Normalized Difference Vegetation Index and green band were chosen (highest correlation with field samples) for further analysis. Random forest (RF), Support Vector Machine (SVM), and multi-linear regression models were used to predict sugarcane maturity using the brix and pol variables. The best performance was obtained from the RF model. Hence, the maturity index of the study area was calculated based on the RF model results. It was found that the field plot has not yet reached maturity for harvesting. The developed cost- and time-effective method allows temporal crop monitoring and optimizes the harvest time. Full article