International Journal of Aquaculture, 2025, Vol.15, No.1, 37-44 http://www.aquapublisher.com/index.php/ija 40 4.3.3 Packaging innovations and market expansion In order to prevent lotus root from breaking easily before being sold, some new packaging technologies have been developed. For example, adding anti-browning ingredients to the packaging materials can make the lotus root look fresher and more stable during transportation and storage. These methods not only extend the shelf life, but also help lotus roots better enter further markets and increase sales (Fan et al., 2015). 5 Economic and Environmental Impacts of Lotus Rhizome Cultivation 5.1 Contribution to local and global markets Nowadays, more and more people like to eat convenience and ready-to-eat foods. This makes the demand for lotus roots very high. Not only is it needed by the local market, many lotus roots are also exported abroad. This has driven the development of the global market. In order to make lotus roots sell better, people have developed new treatment methods, such as adding anti-browning solutions. In this way, lotus roots are not easily discolored during storage and transportation, can maintain good quality, and are more suitable for long-distance sales (Deng et al., 2021). 5.2 Socio-economic benefits for rural communities Planting lotus roots is a good source of income for rural areas. If scientific planting and harvesting methods are used, not only can the yield be increased, but the losses caused by diseases can also be reduced. For example, one of the diseases that lotus roots fear the most is rotten rhizomes, which are often caused by Fusarium. Now using LAMP rapid detection technology, the disease can be detected early, deal with it early, and reduce farmers' losses (Deng et al., 2021). In addition, by optimizing the tissue culture method of lotus root, the variety can be improved, making lotus roots easier to plant and yield higher. These new methods can help farmers make more money and are of great help to the rural economy (Zhang et al., 2022). 5.3 Environmental sustainability and ecosystem benefits Lotus roots are not only economical, but also beneficial to the environment. It is an aquatic plant that purifies water quality and provides a "home" for fish and other organisms in the water. If managed properly, lotus root cultivation can be more environmentally friendly. For example, using molecular detection technology to prevent diseases can reduce the use of pesticides and reduce the damage to the environment (Zhang et al., 2014). In addition, improving storage technology and reducing waste after harvest can also make resources more efficient and protect the environment. 6 Case Studies of Successful Cultivation and Post-Harvest Practices 6.1 High-yield farms and technological integration Now many high-yield farms have begun to use new technologies to improve lotus root yield and processing efficiency. For example, someone has developed a LAMP detection method that can quickly distinguish whether lotus roots are infected with Fusarium apicus or Fusarium. These two bacteria are the main cause of lotus root rot, and lotus root rot disease is also the most serious disease at present. The study found that 91% of the diseased lotus roots are caused by Fusarium and only 9% are caused by Fusarium nisarium. This new method finds three distinct locations by aligning the mitochondrial DNA of the two bacteria, and then designs specific primers. These primers can be used in conjunction with different detection methods, such as ordinary PCR, qPCR, and LAMP rapid detection (Figure 2) (Deng et al., 2021). With this technology, farmers can detect diseases as soon as possible and spray them in time to avoid the spread of the disease and ensure that more lotus roots can grow up healthily. In addition, transcriptome analysis has been used to study why lotus roots turn brown when stored. Through this method, researchers have found key factors that cause discoloration, which is very helpful in maintaining the quality and appearance of lotus roots (Gong et al., 2024). 6.2 Community-led cultivation initiatives and cooperative models Some places do not rely on one person or a company, but are promoted by the community to promote lotus root cultivation. This cooperation model is also very successful. Farmers and researchers work together, they share experience and try methods together, such as establishing a better callus induction system. This system can
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