Agriculture

22 pages, 919 KiB

Open AccessArticle

The Grain Protein Content of Polish Cereals Other than Wheat: Can It Be Increased by Combining a Crop Sequence System, Cultivar Selection, and Plant Protection?

by Marta K. Kostrzewska and Magdalena Jastrzębska

Agriculture 2025, 15(9), 1016; https://doi.org/10.3390/agriculture15091016 - 7 May 2025

Viewed by 212

Abstract

After legumes, cereals are the most important source of protein for humans and livestock worldwide. One way to meet growing nutritional demands is to increase the grain protein content (GPC) of cereals. Breeding advances in this regard should be supported by optimized agricultural [...] Read more.

After legumes, cereals are the most important source of protein for humans and livestock worldwide. One way to meet growing nutritional demands is to increase the grain protein content (GPC) of cereals. Breeding advances in this regard should be supported by optimized agricultural practices. The GPCs of winter rye, winter triticale, spring barley, and spring oats grown in 2018–2022 in northeast Poland were evaluated to determine the influence of the crop sequence system (continuous monocropping, crop rotation), cultivar (two for each species), plant protection level (control treatment, herbicide, herbicide, and fungicide), and interactions among these factors. The cultivar selection was a significant GPC determinant in all cereals. Growing triticale in crop rotation after a legume increased its GPC compared to continuous monocropping, but decreased the GPC of rye and had no effect on the GPCs of spring cereal that followed non-legume crops. Using herbicides and herbicides combined with fungicides promoted the GPC of rye and oats, but not of triticale and barley. The heterogeneity of the interaction effects of the studied agricultural practices on the GPCs of the individual cereals prevents the identification of a universal combination that would ensure the highest GPC levels. The inter-annual weather variability played a significant role in shaping the GPCs of cereals and in modifying the influence of the controlled factors. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Strategies to Improve the Security and Nutritional Quality of Crop Species—2nd Edition)

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22 pages, 8016 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Detection of Seed Potato Sprouts Based on Improved YOLOv8 Algorithm

by Yufei Li, Qinghe Zhao, Zifang Zhang, Jinlong Liu and Junlong Fang

Agriculture 2025, 15(9), 1015; https://doi.org/10.3390/agriculture15091015 - 7 May 2025

Viewed by 279

Abstract

Seed potatoes without sprouts usually need to be manually selected in mechanized production, which has been the bottleneck of efficiency. A fast and efficient object recognition algorithm is required for the additional removal process to identify unqualified seed potatoes. In this paper, a [...] Read more.

Seed potatoes without sprouts usually need to be manually selected in mechanized production, which has been the bottleneck of efficiency. A fast and efficient object recognition algorithm is required for the additional removal process to identify unqualified seed potatoes. In this paper, a lightweight deep learning algorithm, YOLOv8_EBG, is proposed to both improve the detection performance and reduce the model parameters. The ECA attention mechanism was introduced in the backbone and neck of the model to more accurately extract and fuse sprouting features. To further reduce the model parameters, Ghost convolution and C3ghost were introduced to replace the normal convolution and C2f blocks in vanilla YOLOv8n. In addition, a bi-directional feature pyramid network is integrated in the neck part for multi-scale feature fusion to enhance the detection accuracy. The experimental results from an isolated test dataset show that the proposed algorithm performs better in detecting sprouts under natural light conditions, achieving an mAP_0.5 of 95.7% and 91.9% AP for bud recognition. Compared to the YOLOv8n model, the improved model showed a 6.5% increase in mAP_0.5, a 12.9% increase in AP_0.5 for bud recognition, and a 5.6% decrease in the number of parameters. Additionally, the improved algorithm was applied and tested on mechanized sorting equipment, and the accuracy of seed potato detection was as high as 92.5%, which was sufficient to identify and select sprouted potatoes, an indispensable step since only sprouted potatoes can be used as seed potatoes. The results of the study can provide technical support for subsequent potato planting intelligence. Full article

(This article belongs to the Section Digital Agriculture)

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27 pages, 26212 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Precision Agriculture for Dragon Fruit: A Novel Approach Based on Nighttime Light Remote Sensing

by Tianhao Zhan, Xiaosheng Liu and Liang Zhong

Agriculture 2025, 15(9), 1014; https://doi.org/10.3390/agriculture15091014 - 7 May 2025

Viewed by 191

Abstract

The dragon fruit industry holds significant market potential and is crucial for rural economic development. However, a comprehensive understanding and precise technical approach for analyzing the spatiotemporal dynamics of dragon fruit agriculture remain lacking. This study utilizes Nighttime Light (NTL) remote sensing data [...] Read more.

The dragon fruit industry holds significant market potential and is crucial for rural economic development. However, a comprehensive understanding and precise technical approach for analyzing the spatiotemporal dynamics of dragon fruit agriculture remain lacking. This study utilizes Nighttime Light (NTL) remote sensing data and proposes the Vegetation and Impervious area Adjusted Nighttime light Dragon fruit Index (VIANDI) to extract artificial light sources associated with dragon fruit cultivation. Furthermore, a regression model is constructed to estimate production based on light intensity. By integrating geospatial analysis methods, this study reveals the spatiotemporal evolution of dragon fruit cultivation area and production in Guangxi, China, from 2017 to 2022. The results demonstrate that the proposed method effectively monitors the dynamics of dragon fruit agriculture, achieving a Kappa Coefficient of 0.72 for area extraction and a Mean Relative Error (MRE) of 8.90% for production estimation. The spatial pattern of dragon fruit production follows a northwest–southeast distribution, with its centroid located in Nanning. The spatial expansion of cultivation areas exhibited an initial growth phase followed by stabilization, whereas production distribution transitioned from expansion to aggregation, maintaining an overall upward trend. Notably, 2019 marks a key turning point in these trends. Additionally, the rapid increase in light pollution intensity within cultivation areas warrants further attention. The study results have advanced precise monitoring of dragon fruit agriculture and enhanced understanding of its spatiotemporal evolution patterns. Full article

(This article belongs to the Section Digital Agriculture)

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17 pages, 3357 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Factors Influencing the Spatial Distribution of Soil Total Phosphorus Based on Structural Equation Modeling

by Yameng Jiang, Jun Huang, Xi Guo, Yingcong Ye, Jia Liu and Yefeng Jiang

Agriculture 2025, 15(9), 1013; https://doi.org/10.3390/agriculture15091013 - 7 May 2025

Viewed by 118

Abstract

Soil total phosphorus plays an important role in soil fertility, plant growth, and bioge-ochemical cycles. This study aims to determine the spatial distribution characteristics of soil total phosphorus and identify its main influencing factors in the study area, thereby providing a basis for [...] Read more.

Soil total phosphorus plays an important role in soil fertility, plant growth, and bioge-ochemical cycles. This study aims to determine the spatial distribution characteristics of soil total phosphorus and identify its main influencing factors in the study area, thereby providing a basis for the scientific management of soil total phosphorus. Here, we conducted a comprehensive analysis by combining classical statistical analysis, ge-ostatistics methods, Pearson correlation analysis, one-way analysis of variance (ANOVA), and structural equation modeling (SEM) to explore the spatial distribution patterns of soil total phosphorus and its influencing factors. The results showed that soil total phosphorus in the study area ranged from 161.00 to 991.00 mg/kg, with an average of 495.71 mg/kg. Spatially, soil total phosphorus exhibited a patchy distribu-tion pattern, with high values primarily concentrated in cultivated areas along rivers and low values mainly located in forested areas in the southeastern and central re-gions. Additionally, the nugget effect of soil total phosphorus was 71.5%, indicating a moderate level of spatial variability. The Pearson correlation analysis revealed that soil total phosphorus content was significantly correlated with multiple factors, including land use types, soil parent material, distance from settlements, slope, and soil pH. Based on these findings, we employed ANOVA to analyze the impacts of various fac-tors. The results indicated that soil total phosphorus content showed significant differences under the influence of different factors. Subsequently, we further explored in depth the action paths through which these factors affect soil total phosphorus us-ing SEM. The SEM results showed that the absolute values of the total effects of the influencing factors on soil total phosphorus, ranked from highest to lowest, were as follows: land use types (0.499) > soil parent material (0.240) > distance from settle-ments (0.178) > slope (0.161) > elevation (0.127) > soil pH (0.114) > normalized differ-ence vegetation index (0.103). These findings provide a scientific foundation for the effective management of soil total phosphorus in similar study areas. Full article

(This article belongs to the Section Agricultural Soils)

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24 pages, 8015 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Optimizing Sulfur Fertilization for Enhanced Physiological Performance, Grain Filling Characteristics, and Grain Yield of High-Yielding Winter Wheat Under Drip Irrigation

by Hongxiao Duan, Wenlu Li, Yulei Jiang, Yihang Du, Ludi Zhao, Jing Jia, Shanzhang Liu and Changxing Zhao

Agriculture 2025, 15(9), 1012; https://doi.org/10.3390/agriculture15091012 - 7 May 2025

Viewed by 158

Abstract

The North China Plain is one of the major wheat cultivation regions. As a cornerstone of global food security, wheat makes the enhancement of its yield critically important. Sulfur critically regulates photosynthesis, antioxidant defense, and grain filling dynamics. To elucidate the physiological mechanisms [...] Read more.

The North China Plain is one of the major wheat cultivation regions. As a cornerstone of global food security, wheat makes the enhancement of its yield critically important. Sulfur critically regulates photosynthesis, antioxidant defense, and grain filling dynamics. To elucidate the physiological mechanisms of S in wheat grain filling and guide field practices, a two-year field experiment (2022–2023 and 2023–2024) was conducted in the North China Plain using two dominant cultivars, Jimai 20 (JM20) and Yannong 999 (YN999). Four sulfur (ammonium sulfate) gradients (S1: 15 kg ha⁻¹; S2: 30 kg ha⁻¹; S3: 45 kg ha⁻¹; S4: 60 kg ha⁻¹) and a control (S0) were applied at the jointing stage via a drip fertigation system. The key findings reveal that optimal S application (YN999: 45 kg ha⁻¹; JM20: 30–45 kg ha⁻¹) enhanced post-anthesis photosynthetic capacity by increasing flag leaf SPAD values and superoxide dismutase (SOD) activity while reducing malondialdehyde (MDA) accumulation, thereby delaying leaf senescence. These improvements translated into optimized grain filling parameters: YN999 and JM20 exhibited 2.27–5.62% and 13.20–13.86% increases in mean grain filling rate, 3.92–4.73% and 2.11–4.36% extensions in grain filling duration, and 7.62–7.83% and 9.55–10.23% boosts in thousand grain weight, respectively. Consequently, yield increased by 0.58–1.54 t ha⁻¹ for YN999 and 1.36–1.49 t ha⁻¹ for JM20. Under drip fertigation conditions in the North China Plain, sulfur application at 30–45 kg ha⁻¹ effectively enhances wheat yield. These findings provide fertilization guidance for the development of precision agriculture and can help alleviate the local soil sulfur deficiency trend. Full article

(This article belongs to the Section Crop Production)

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16 pages, 225 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Analysis of the Relationship Between Assimilate Production and Allocation and the Formation of Rice Quality

by Jianming Tu, Fengting Wen, Feitong Li, Tingting Chen, Baohua Feng, Jie Xiong, Guanfu Fu, Yebo Qin and Wenting Wang

Agriculture 2025, 15(9), 1011; https://doi.org/10.3390/agriculture15091011 - 7 May 2025

Viewed by 150

Abstract

Rice is one of China’s primary staple crops, serving as the main food source for over 60% of the population. With the resolution of basic food security issues in China in recent years, the demand for high-quality rice has been steadily increasing. The [...] Read more.

Rice is one of China’s primary staple crops, serving as the main food source for over 60% of the population. With the resolution of basic food security issues in China in recent years, the demand for high-quality rice has been steadily increasing. The taste quality of rice, a crucial indicator for evaluating rice quality, has attracted more attention from consumers. Although factors like variety, growing environment, and cultivation methods affect rice taste quality, the underlying mechanisms remain unknown, and no reliable control methods exist. This study selected 10 major rice cultivars, including 6 indica and 4 japonica varieties, and compared their differences in taste quality, focusing on yield and its components, taste quality, and dry matter accumulation. Among the tested varieties, Songxiangjing 1018 had the best taste quality, but not the highest yield. Zhongzheyou 8, Huazheyou 261, and Quanyousimiao showed both excellent taste quality and high yield. There was no significant correlation between taste quality and yield, suggesting the feasibility of breeding rice varieties with both superior taste and high productivity. Correlation analysis indicated that dry matter mass and net photosynthetic rate were significantly positively correlated with yield, but not with taste quality, highlighting the complexity of taste quality formation. Using a membership function comprehensive evaluation method (combines the outputs of multiple membership functions into a single composite value using specific rules (e.g., weighted average, extremum, logical operations) to produce a new membership degree.), a rice variety selection system balancing yield and quality was constructed, and three varieties (Zhongzheyou 8, Huazheyou 261, and Quanyousimiao) were identified as having both high yield and excellent quality. The results of this study can provide a theoretical basis for research on cultivation techniques and variety breeding aimed at synergistically improving rice yield and quality. Full article

(This article belongs to the Section Agricultural Product Quality and Safety)

16 pages, 778 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Inoculant Formulation for Bradyrhizobium spp.: Optimizing CMC/Starch Blends for Improved Performance

by Jaqueline Carvalho de Almeida, Vinício Oliosi Favero, Janaina Ribeiro Costa Rouws, Carla de Sant’Anna Freitas, Érica Barbosa de Sousa, Jéssica Feitoza da Rocha, Nainicelle Cibelle Sousa Chantre, Gustavo Ribeiro Xavier, Paulo Jansen de Oliveira and Norma Gouvêa Rumjanek

Agriculture 2025, 15(9), 1010; https://doi.org/10.3390/agriculture15091010 - 7 May 2025

Viewed by 152

Abstract

Inoculating legumes with nitrogen-fixing bacteria, such as Bradyrhizobium, can significantly reduce reliance on synthetic nitrogen fertilizers. To optimize this process, a suitable rhizobial strain must be carefully selected and formulated. This study aimed to develop a biopolymer blend formulation for Bradyrhizobium pachyrhizi [...] Read more.

Inoculating legumes with nitrogen-fixing bacteria, such as Bradyrhizobium, can significantly reduce reliance on synthetic nitrogen fertilizers. To optimize this process, a suitable rhizobial strain must be carefully selected and formulated. This study aimed to develop a biopolymer blend formulation for Bradyrhizobium pachyrhizi strain BR 3262. From four commercial starches and two carboxymethylcelluloses (CMC), we developed CMC/starch blends compatibilized or not with MgO at concentrations from 0.1% to 1.0% and subjected them to autoclaving for either 30 or 60 min. The resulting inoculants were stored for 168 days. Generally, blends compatibilized with 1.0% MgO exhibited a significant decrease in cell numbers, likely due to the observed pH values of approximately 10. The best performance was observed for CMC-I/starch B blends autoclaved for 60 min, and CMC-II/starch C blends autoclaved for 30 min, both compatibilized with 0.3% MgO. These blends maintained a cell viability of 10⁸ CFU mL⁻¹ for approximately 130 days at room temperature. Blend optimization depends on the selection of specific interactions and quantities of each component in order to achieve a given functionality; in the conditions of this study, the capacity to maintain Bradyrhizobium cell viability for at least four months. Full article

(This article belongs to the Section Agricultural Technology)

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3 pages, 128 KiB

Open AccessEditorial

Globalisation, Regionalisation, Market Integration and Price Analysis of Agricultural Products

by Encarnación Moral-Pajares and Leticia Gallego-Valero

Agriculture 2025, 15(9), 1009; https://doi.org/10.3390/agriculture15091009 - 7 May 2025

Viewed by 113

Abstract

Protectionist tensions prevalent in the world economy since the 2008 financial crisis have accompanied a period of slowing trade flows among countries, affecting the exchange of agri-food products [...] Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Globalisation, Regionalisation, Market Integration and Price Analysis of Agricultural Products)

29 pages, 13906 KiB

Open AccessArticle

The Effects of Multi-Scenario Land Use Change on the Water Conservation in the Agro-Pastoral Ecotone of Northern China: A Case Study of Bashang Region, Zhangjiakou City

by Ruiyang Zhao, Haiming Kan, Hengkang Xu, Chao Chen, Guofang Zhang, Zhuo Pang and Weiwei Zhang

Agriculture 2025, 15(9), 1008; https://doi.org/10.3390/agriculture15091008 - 6 May 2025

Viewed by 344

Abstract

Water resource management is crucial for sustainable agricultural and ecological development, particularly in regions with complex land-use patterns and sensitive eco-systems. The Bashang region of Zhangjiakou city, located in the agro-pastoral ecotone of northern China, is an ecologically fragile area that is currently [...] Read more.

Water resource management is crucial for sustainable agricultural and ecological development, particularly in regions with complex land-use patterns and sensitive eco-systems. The Bashang region of Zhangjiakou city, located in the agro-pastoral ecotone of northern China, is an ecologically fragile area that is currently undergoing significant land use and climate changes. Despite the importance of understanding the interplay between land use, climate change, and water conservation, few studies have comprehensively evaluated their combined effects on regional water resources. This study addresses this gap by investigating the spatiotemporal changes in the water yield (WY) and water conservation capacity (WCC) of the Bashang region under different land use and climate scenarios for the year 2035. This research employs the FLUS model to predict the future land use and the InVEST model to estimate the WY and WCC under a natural development scenario (NDS), an agricultural production scenario (APS), an ecological protection scenario (EPS), and a land planning scenario (LPS). The results reveal that the WCC is primarily influenced by precipitation, land use, and the topography. This study finds that scenarios which focus on ecological protection and land use optimization, such as the EPS and LPS, significantly enhance the water conservation capacity of the study region Notably, the LPS scenario, which limits urban expansion and increases the amount of ecological land, provides the best balance between the water yield and conservation. The findings highlight the need for integrated approaches to land use and water resource management, particularly in agro-pastoral transitional zones. The unique contribution of this research lies in its comprehensive modeling approach, which combines land use, climate data, and water resource analysis, and which provides valuable insights for sustainable land and water management strategies. Full article

(This article belongs to the Topic Remote Sensing and GIS for Monitoring Land Use Change and Its Ecological Effects)

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16 pages, 4477 KiB

Open AccessReview

Detection of Water Content of Watermelon Seeds Based on Hyperspectral Reflection Combined with Transmission Imaging

by Siyi Ouyang, Siwei Lv and Bin Li

Agriculture 2025, 15(9), 1007; https://doi.org/10.3390/agriculture15091007 - 6 May 2025

Viewed by 225

Abstract

Watermelon is a widely cultivated fruit and vegetable that is native to Africa and has become one of the world’s important summer fruits. Watermelon seed vigor has a critical impact on watermelon planting and yield, and seed water content is a key factor [...] Read more.

Watermelon is a widely cultivated fruit and vegetable that is native to Africa and has become one of the world’s important summer fruits. Watermelon seed vigor has a critical impact on watermelon planting and yield, and seed water content is a key factor in maintaining vigor during seed storage and germination. In this study, reflectance and transmittance spectral data from hyperspectral imaging were fused to improve the detection accuracy of moisture content in watermelon seeds. First, watermelon seed samples with different water content gradients were prepared by dividing all 456 selected watermelon seeds into 10 groups and drying them in a drying oven at 60 °C for 0, 3, 5, 10, 15, 20, 25, 30, 40, and 50 min. Reflectance and transmission spectra of 456 watermelon seeds were collected by a hyperspectral imaging system, and the single spectral data were subsequently used to build PLSR and LSSVR models for quantitative analysis of watermelon seed moisture content. Model performance is enhanced by Competitive Adaptive Reweighted Sampling (CARS), Unrelated Variable Elimination (UVE), and primary and intermediate data fusion methods. Primary data fusion improves model predictions compared to single models based on reflectance and transmission spectra. The intermediate data fusion of the feature spectral data of reflectance and transmittance selected by the CARS algorithm improves the prediction effect of the model more obviously, in which the model with the best prediction accuracy is Raw-CRAS-LSSVR, whose

R_{P}^{2}

and RMSEP are 0.9149 and 0.0144, respectively, which improves the prediction effect of the model built by a single full-spectrum datum by 5.72%. This study demonstrates that hyperspectral reflectance and transmission imaging techniques combined with data fusion can effectively detect watermelon seed moisture content quickly and with high accuracy. Full article

(This article belongs to the Section Digital Agriculture)

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18 pages, 2017 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Mitigating Catastrophic Forgetting in Pest Detection Through Adaptive Response Distillation

by Hongjun Zhang, Zhendong Yin, Dasen Li and Yanlong Zhao

Agriculture 2025, 15(9), 1006; https://doi.org/10.3390/agriculture15091006 - 6 May 2025

Viewed by 260

Abstract

Pest detection in agriculture faces the challenge of adapting to new pest species while preserving the ability to recognize previously learned ones. Traditional model fine-tuning approaches often result in catastrophic forgetting, where the acquisition of new classes significantly impairs the recognition performance of [...] Read more.

Pest detection in agriculture faces the challenge of adapting to new pest species while preserving the ability to recognize previously learned ones. Traditional model fine-tuning approaches often result in catastrophic forgetting, where the acquisition of new classes significantly impairs the recognition performance of existing ones. Although knowledge distillation has been shown to effectively mitigate catastrophic forgetting, current research predominantly focuses on feature imitation, neglecting the extraction of potentially valuable information from responses. To address this issue, we introduce a response-based distillation method, called adaptive response distillation (ARD). ARD incorporates an adaptive response filtering strategy that dynamically adjusts the weights of classification and regression responses based on the significance of the information. This approach selectively filters and transfers valuable response data, ensuring efficient propagation of category and localization information. Our method effectively reduces catastrophic forgetting during incremental learning, enabling the student detector to maintain memory of old classes while assimilating new pest categories. Experimental evaluations on the large-scale IP102 pest dataset demonstrate that the proposed ARD method consistently outperforms existing state-of-the-art algorithms across various class-incremental learning scenarios, significantly narrowing the performance gap compared to fully trained models. Full article

(This article belongs to the Section Crop Protection, Diseases, Pests and Weeds)

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31 pages, 1335 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Exploring Determinants of and Barriers to Climate-Smart Agricultural Technologies Adoption in Chinese Cooperatives: A Hybrid Study

by Xiaoxue Feng, Jun Chen, Zebing Mao, Yanhong Peng and Suhaiza Zailani

Agriculture 2025, 15(9), 1005; https://doi.org/10.3390/agriculture15091005 - 6 May 2025

Viewed by 233

Abstract

The loss of agricultural production due to climate change and natural disasters has attracted widespread attention. Climate-smart agricultural technologies (CSATs) are attracting attention as a solution to address climate change while achieving sustainable agricultural development. However, in the Chinese context, research on cooperatives’ [...] Read more.

The loss of agricultural production due to climate change and natural disasters has attracted widespread attention. Climate-smart agricultural technologies (CSATs) are attracting attention as a solution to address climate change while achieving sustainable agricultural development. However, in the Chinese context, research on cooperatives’ intention to adopt such technologies is relatively limited. This study investigated the factors influencing the behavioral intentions of Chinese farmers’ cooperatives to adopt CSATs using a behavioral reasoning theory (BRT) framework. A structured questionnaire was administered to 308 participants using purposive sampling techniques. For data analysis, an artificial neural network (ANN) and fuzzy set qualitative comparative analysis (fsQCA) complemented the disjointed two-stage partial least squares structural equation modeling (PLS-SEM) approach to ensure the robustness of the results and provide important practical insights. The results suggest that values (perceived value of government environmental concern, value of openness to change) shape the determinants of and barriers to CSAT adoption by cooperatives, but do not have a direct impact on behavioral intentions. The “determinants” all positively influenced adoption behavioral intentions, with “agricultural extension and advisory service” having the greatest impact on behavioral intentions, followed by “opinion leaders’ recommendation” and “policy support”. Among the “barriers”, only “perceived risk” and behavioral intention were negatively correlated. Behavioral intention to adopt CSATs by cooperatives has a positive effect on willingness to pay, which motivated cooperatives to pay more to acquire the technology. Based on the findings, this study provides theoretical insights for researchers and policy implications for governments, agricultural organizations, policymakers, and agri-technology companies. Full article

(This article belongs to the Section Agricultural Economics, Policies and Rural Management)

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21 pages, 32288 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Identification of Interannual Variation Frequency of Cropland Cropping Intensity Based on Remote Sensing Spatiotemporal Fusion and Crop Phenological Rhythm: A Case Study of Zhenjiang, Jiangsu

by Yaohui Zhu, Qingzhen Zhu, Yuanyuan Gao, Liyuan Zhang, Aichen Wang, Yongyun Zhu, Chunshan Wang, Bo Liu, Fa Zhao, Peiying Li, Xinhua Wei and Qi Song

Agriculture 2025, 15(9), 1004; https://doi.org/10.3390/agriculture15091004 - 6 May 2025

Viewed by 196

Abstract

The scientific evaluation of cropland resource utilization efficiency is crucial for ensuring food security and promoting sustainable agricultural development. At present, the research on the utilization of cropland resources primarily focuses on the multiple cropping index and cropping intensity, but these data are [...] Read more.

The scientific evaluation of cropland resource utilization efficiency is crucial for ensuring food security and promoting sustainable agricultural development. At present, the research on the utilization of cropland resources primarily focuses on the multiple cropping index and cropping intensity, but these data are insufficient to reveal long-term trends and potential future changes in crop production. To fill this knowledge gap, this study took Zhenjiang City, Jiangsu Province, as a case study and proposed a method to determine the distribution and spatiotemporal change frequency of single- and double-season cropping patterns using spatiotemporal fusion and crop phenological rhythm. By combining Sentinel-2 NDVI and MOD13Q1 satellite data, a dataset with 10 m resolution was developed to show the interannual distribution frequency of the three cropping patterns in the study area. The accuracy evaluation revealed that the interannual cropping intensity distribution frequency of the three cropping patterns exhibited good verification accuracy, with an average overall accuracy and Kappa coefficient of 81.53% and 0.68, respectively. This study provides essential support for government agencies to assess future food production potential and develop policies for improving cropland use efficiency. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Multi- and Hyper-Spectral Imaging Technologies for Crop Monitoring—2nd Edition)

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22 pages, 1168 KiB

Open AccessReview

Yeasts and Their Derivatives as Functional Feed Additives in Poultry Nutrition

by Wafaa A. Abd El-Ghany

Agriculture 2025, 15(9), 1003; https://doi.org/10.3390/agriculture15091003 - 6 May 2025

Viewed by 357

Abstract

Restrictions on antimicrobial use in food animal production have been imposed due to concerns over residue accumulation and the development of antibiotic resistance. Thus, there is a need to find potential and safe alternatives to antimicrobials. Some of these natural alternatives include yeasts [...] Read more.

Restrictions on antimicrobial use in food animal production have been imposed due to concerns over residue accumulation and the development of antibiotic resistance. Thus, there is a need to find potential and safe alternatives to antimicrobials. Some of these natural alternatives include yeasts and their derivatives. Yeasts are single-cell facultative anaerobic ascomycetous eukaryotic fungi that are comprehensively incorporated into poultry nutrition for their potential beneficial effects. They are available as probiotics (whole living yeast cells) or as prebiotics (bioactive derivative components, such as mannan-oligosaccharides, β-glucans, or chitin), along with nucleotides found in distillery yeast sludge or hydrolyzed yeast. The beneficial effects of yeasts and their derivatives stem from their ability to enhance production performance, stimulate immune responses, modulate gut microbiota, and reduce oxidative stress. This review explores the potential roles of yeasts and their derivatives in poultry nutrition. Their effects on productive performance (in broilers, layers, and breeders), carcass traits, immune response, gut health, and oxidative stress are investigated. Full article

(This article belongs to the Section Farm Animal Production)

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18 pages, 1140 KiB

Open AccessArticle

The Real Impact of Digital Agricultural Technology Extension on Pesticide Reduction Behavior Among Wheat Farmers in Henan, China

by Bingjie Xu and Weijun Liu

Agriculture 2025, 15(9), 1002; https://doi.org/10.3390/agriculture15091002 - 6 May 2025

Viewed by 197

Abstract

In the context of sustainable development, the behavior of reducing pesticide use in the agricultural sector is crucial for environmental protection and ecological balance. However, there are two divergent views on whether digital agricultural technology extension can promote farmers’ behavior in reducing pesticide [...] Read more.

In the context of sustainable development, the behavior of reducing pesticide use in the agricultural sector is crucial for environmental protection and ecological balance. However, there are two divergent views on whether digital agricultural technology extension can promote farmers’ behavior in reducing pesticide use: one is supportive, and the other is doubtful. Based on interviews with 20 typical wheat growers in Henan, this paper re-examines this issue. The results show that the extension of digital agricultural technology has no significant impact on the pesticide reduction behavior of wheat growers. This paper further employs fuzzy-set qualitative comparative analysis (fsQCA) to explore the mechanisms influencing pesticide reduction behavior among wheat growers. The findings indicate that digital agricultural technology extension can only enhance growers’ ecological value cognition, but the ecological value cognition of pesticide reduction does not significantly promote the pesticide reduction behavior of wheat growers. Instead, rational economic value cognition plays a dominant role in promoting this behavior, with resource endowment serving as a supplementary factor. Therefore, this paper suggests integrating the characteristics of farmers’ resource endowment, fully leveraging the productive functions of digital agricultural technology extension, and focusing on enhancing farmers’ rational economic value cognition of pesticide reduction to further promote the application of pesticide reduction among farmers and provide strong support for sustainable agricultural development. Full article

(This article belongs to the Section Agricultural Economics, Policies and Rural Management)

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14 pages, 3675 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Synergistic Purification of Flue Gas from Straw Combustion Using Ammonia Method and Electrostatic Charged Spray

by Bo Zhang, Xinkang Hu, Congyang Zhang, Xiaohong Xu and Chundu Wu

Agriculture 2025, 15(9), 1001; https://doi.org/10.3390/agriculture15091001 - 6 May 2025

Viewed by 180

Abstract

To enhance the efficiency of flue gas purification from straw combustion, a combined approach using the ammonia method and electrostatic charged spray was investigated. This study investigated the charging characteristics of atomized droplets and their impact on flue gas purification. The results show [...] Read more.

To enhance the efficiency of flue gas purification from straw combustion, a combined approach using the ammonia method and electrostatic charged spray was investigated. This study investigated the charging characteristics of atomized droplets and their impact on flue gas purification. The results show that the charge-to-mass ratio of droplets increases and then decreases as charging voltages increase. At a constant voltage, the ratio increases with higher ammonia concentrations and shows a gradual increase with higher spray pressures. For flue gases from three common straw combustion sources, the average dust removal rate at 8 kV was 2.5 to 3 times higher than at 0 kV. Under the 8 kV condition with a 10% ammonia solution, the NO removal rate was approximately 4.7 times, and the NO₂ removal rate was 2.8 times compared to water alone. Particulate matter, NO, and NO₂ removal rates were 61.2%, 88.6%, and 88.1%, respectively, at a spray pressure of 0.5 MPa, 8 kV charging voltage, and 10% ammonia concentration. This study provides an experimental foundation for developing high-efficiency flue gas purification systems for straw combustion. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Agricultural Biomass Generation and Utilization: Progress, Challenges and Prospects)

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15 pages, 2569 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Mineralization of Soil Organic Carbon and Its Control Mechanisms Under Different Tea Plantations in Southwest Yunnan, China

by Dongyu Xiao, Batande Sinovuyo Ndzelu, Xi Chen, Shuihong Yao and Yueling Zhang

Agriculture 2025, 15(9), 999; https://doi.org/10.3390/agriculture15090999 - 5 May 2025

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Abstract

China has approximately 3.43 million hectares of tea plantations, which offer significant potential for carbon sequestration and the reduction of CO₂ emissions. However, the mechanisms underlying the stability and mineralization of soil organic carbon (SOC) in different tea plantations remain unclear. This [...] Read more.

China has approximately 3.43 million hectares of tea plantations, which offer significant potential for carbon sequestration and the reduction of CO₂ emissions. However, the mechanisms underlying the stability and mineralization of soil organic carbon (SOC) in different tea plantations remain unclear. This study aimed to comprehensively evaluate the effects of chemical, physical, and microbial factors on SOC mineralization in tea plantations with different methods of forest conversion to tea plantations and different ages of tea plants. Our findings indicate that forest conversion to tea plantation methods and tea planting age significantly influence SOC mineralization. Specifically, the SOC mineralization in tea plantations reclaimed by clear-cutting and burning (FMT4) was lower than in those reclaimed by partial cutting (MT3, MT30, and MT150). This variation is attributed to differences in the chemical structure of SOC, which showed higher proportions of aromatic C (33.4%) and carbonyl/carboxyl C (7.8%), alongside lower proportions of O-alkyl C, in the FMT4 tea plantation compared to the others. Additionally, SOC mineralization was significantly higher in the MT150 tea plantation (15.23 g C kg⁻¹ SOC) than in the MT3 (10.11 g C kg⁻¹ SOC), MT30 (10.38 g C kg⁻¹ SOC), and MT200 plantations (9.13 g C kg⁻¹ SOC). Notably, although the MT200 tea plantation had a higher proportion of O-alkyl C (42.4%) than the MT3 and MT30 plantations (36.4%), and was similar to the MT150 plantation (43.1%), its SOC mineralization remained lower due to the higher clay content (278 g kg⁻¹). Correlation analysis and random forest analysis further revealed that physical properties, particularly clay content, are the most significant factors regulating SOC mineralization, followed by the chemical structure, such as O-alkyl C and aromatic C, as well as other physicochemical properties like the carbon-to-nitrogen (C/N) ratio, and microbial properties like Gram-positive bacteria. In conclusion, our study highlights the complex interplay of soil physical properties and SOM chemical structure and microbial properties in regulating SOC mineralization, providing valuable insights for improving carbon management in tea plantations. Full article

(This article belongs to the Section Agricultural Soils)

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39 pages, 3222 KiB

Open AccessReview

Sustainable Practices for Enhancing Soil Health and Crop Quality in Modern Agriculture: A Review

by Denis-Constantin Țopa, Sorin Căpșună, Anca-Elena Calistru and Costică Ailincăi

Agriculture 2025, 15(9), 998; https://doi.org/10.3390/agriculture15090998 - 5 May 2025

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Abstract

Soil health is the cornerstone of sustainable agriculture, serving as the foundation for crop productivity, environmental resilience, and long-term ecosystem stability. Contemporary agricultural methods, characterized by excessive pesticide and fertilizer application, monoculture, and intensive tillage, have resulted in extensive soil degradation, requiring novel [...] Read more.

Soil health is the cornerstone of sustainable agriculture, serving as the foundation for crop productivity, environmental resilience, and long-term ecosystem stability. Contemporary agricultural methods, characterized by excessive pesticide and fertilizer application, monoculture, and intensive tillage, have resulted in extensive soil degradation, requiring novel strategies to restore and sustain soil functionality. This review examined sustainable practices to enhance soil health and improve crop quality in modern agricultural systems. Preserving soil’s physical, chemical, and biological characteristics is essential for its health, achievable through various agronomic strategies. Practices such as crop rotation, cover cropping, no-till or carbon farming, conservation agriculture (CA), and the use of organic amendments were explored for their ability to restore the soil structure, increase organic matter, and promote biodiversity. These initiatives seek to preserve and enhance soil ecosystems by aligning agricultural practices with ecological principles, ensuring long-term productivity and environmental stability. Enhancing soil health will improve soil functions, supporting the concept that increasing the soil organic carbon (SOC) is necessary. This study determined that conservation tillage is more advantageous for soil health than conventional tillage, a topic that is still controversial among scientists and farmers, and that various tillage systems exhibit distinct interactions. These strategies, through the integrated management of the interaction of plant, soil, microbial, and human activities, would enhance soil health. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Multiple Soil Health Assessment Methods for Changing Agricultural Environment)

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21 pages, 508 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Feeding Sodium Hydroxide-Treated Almond Hulls to Assaf Sheep: Effects on Chemical Composition, Nutrient Digestibility, and Zootechnical Performance

by Halimeh Zoabi, Hajer Ammar, Soha Ghzayel, Bassem Abu Aziz, Ahmed E. Kholif, Alexey Díaz, Mario de Haro-Martí, Mireille Chahine and Secundino López

Agriculture 2025, 15(9), 1000; https://doi.org/10.3390/agriculture15091000 - 5 May 2025

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Abstract

Feeding accounts for approximately 70% of total costs in livestock production, underscoring the need for cost-effective and high-quality alternative feed sources. Almond hulls (AHs), a byproduct of the almond processing industry, represent a promising option due to their availability and potential nutritional value. [...] Read more.

Feeding accounts for approximately 70% of total costs in livestock production, underscoring the need for cost-effective and high-quality alternative feed sources. Almond hulls (AHs), a byproduct of the almond processing industry, represent a promising option due to their availability and potential nutritional value. Moreover, their inclusion in animal diets contributes to a reduction in environmental waste associated with their disposal. This study examined the effects of incorporating 4% sodium hydroxide (NaOH)-treated AHs into the diets of Assaf sheep (rams, ewes, and growing lambs) on feed utilization and animal performance. The experiment evaluated the chemical composition of AHs, nutrient digestibility, sexual behavior and semen quality in rams, milk composition in ewes, and the performance of growing lambs fed diets with increasing levels of inclusion of AHs. A total of 60 ewes and 21 rams were randomly assigned to one of three treatment groups, receiving diets containing 0%, 20%, or 40% AHs. NaOH treatment reduced the concentrations of organic matter and fiber fractions, while increasing the crude protein concentration of AHs (p < 0.01). Diets containing AHs did not affect nutrient digestibility (p > 0.05). Feeding a diet with 40% Na-OH-treated AHs significantly improved the daily weight gain (p = 0.002) of growing lambs up to 70 days after birth, and enhanced (p < 0.05) the libido, scrotal circumference, and semen quality of mature rams. In addition, ewes fed a diet containing 40% AHs showed (p < 0.05) improved fertility, prolificacy, and milk quality. NaOH-treated AHs are a cost-effective and sustainable feed ingredient that can improve reproductive performance and milk production, thereby increasing overall livestock productivity. The 40% inclusion level yielded the most favorable outcomes across all performance parameters evaluated in rams, ewes, and lambs. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Valorization of Agri-Food Waste Bioresources for Sustainable Livestock Feeding)

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17 pages, 8350 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Differential Molecular Interactions of Imidacloprid with Dissolved Organic Matter in Citrus Soils with Diverse Planting Ages

by Junquan Chen, Yawen Zhang, Yanqi Guo, Kai Jiang, Duo Li and Taihui Zheng

Agriculture 2025, 15(9), 997; https://doi.org/10.3390/agriculture15090997 - 4 May 2025

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Abstract

The interactions between dissolved organic matter (DOM) and agrochemicals (e.g., neonicotinoid insecticides, NIs) govern the distribution, migration, and potential environmental risks of agrochemicals. However, the long-term effects of agricultural management on the DOM components and structure, as well as their further influences on [...] Read more.

The interactions between dissolved organic matter (DOM) and agrochemicals (e.g., neonicotinoid insecticides, NIs) govern the distribution, migration, and potential environmental risks of agrochemicals. However, the long-term effects of agricultural management on the DOM components and structure, as well as their further influences on the interactions between DOM and agrochemicals, remain unclear. Here, spectroscopic techniques, including Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy, two-dimensional correlation spectroscopy, and three-dimensional excitation–emission matrix fluorescence spectroscopy were employed to delve into the interaction mechanism between the DOM from citrus orchards with distinct cultivation ages (10, 30, and 50 years) and imidacloprid, which is a type of pesticide widely used in agricultural production. The findings revealed that the composition and structure of soil DOM significantly change with increasing cultivation age, characterized by an increase in humic substances and the emergence of new organic components, indicating complex biodegradation and chemical transformation processes of soil organic matter. Imidacloprid primarily interacts with fulvic acid-like fractions of DOM, and its binding affinity decreases with increasing cultivation age. Additionally, the interactions of protein-like fractions with imidacloprid occur after humic-like fractions, suggesting differential binding behaviors among DOM fractions. These results demonstrate that cultivation age significantly influences the composition and structural characteristics of soil DOM in citrus orchards, subsequently affecting its sorption capacity to imidacloprid. This study enhances the understanding of imidacloprid’s environmental behavior and provides theoretical support for the environmental risk management of neonicotinoid pesticides. Full article

(This article belongs to the Section Agricultural Soils)

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14 pages, 3823 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Investigation and Analysis of the Residual Status and Distribution of Long-Lasting-Effect Herbicides in Field Soil: A Case Study of Henan Province, a Major Agricultural Producing Area in China

by Guangling Li, Yang Yang, Shoumeng Wang, Dongzhi Li, Runqiang Liu, Youduo Zhang and Yanbing Wu

Agriculture 2025, 15(9), 996; https://doi.org/10.3390/agriculture15090996 - 3 May 2025

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Abstract

The results demonstrated that among the total 365 investigated samples, the proportion of samples detecting three target herbicides simultaneously, two herbicides, one herbicide, and none were 0.3%, 6.4%, 65.2%, and 23.2%, respectively. For samples with only one detected herbicide, the detection rates in [...] Read more.

The results demonstrated that among the total 365 investigated samples, the proportion of samples detecting three target herbicides simultaneously, two herbicides, one herbicide, and none were 0.3%, 6.4%, 65.2%, and 23.2%, respectively. For samples with only one detected herbicide, the detection rates in Jiyuan, Luohe, Puyang, Luoyang, Xuchang, and Hebi were relatively high (ranging from 44% to 100%), whereas those in Sanmenxia, Nanyang, Xinxiang, and Kaifeng were relatively low (ranging from 6% to 20%). Regarding individual herbicides, the detection rates of mesosulfuron-methyl, quinclorac, halosulfuron-methyl, diflufenican, imazethapyr, pyroxasulfone, imazapic, fomesafen, and atrazine were 1.2%, 3.8%, 5.5%, 6.1%, 8.7%, 8.7%, 10.4%, 11.0%, and 33.9%, respectively. Based on these findings, the current reliance on long-acting effect herbicides for weed management in China’s agricultural management practices was systematically analyzed. Within the framework of agricultural sustainability, it is proposed that there is an urgent need to promote the concept of scientific herbicide use among farmers and that pesticide scientists must recognize the extreme importance of continuous innovation and the development of alternative herbicides with new mechanisms of action as a long-term strategic goal. Full article

(This article belongs to the Section Agricultural Soils)

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20 pages, 2336 KiB

Open AccessArticle

The Impact of Extreme Weather Events on Agricultural Insurance in Europe

by Alina Claudia Manescu, Flavia Mirela Barna, Horatiu Dan Regep, Camelia Maria Manescu and Cristina Cerba

Agriculture 2025, 15(9), 995; https://doi.org/10.3390/agriculture15090995 - 3 May 2025

Viewed by 382

Abstract

In Europe, climate change has a big impact on agriculture, due to an increase in the frequency and severity of extreme weather events. Many and prolonged droughts, heatwaves, floods, and hailstorms cause major economic losses that affect crop quality and generate instability in [...] Read more.

In Europe, climate change has a big impact on agriculture, due to an increase in the frequency and severity of extreme weather events. Many and prolonged droughts, heatwaves, floods, and hailstorms cause major economic losses that affect crop quality and generate instability in supply chains. In this study, we analyse the evolution of extreme weather events across Europe starting from the 1980s. The economic losses caused by extreme events were divided into three categories: heatwaves, frost, and fires; floods; and storms. In order to identify the trend and any shifts of the trend of the extreme weather events, we calculated moving averages over different periods: 5, 10, 20, and 30 years. The moving average analysis shows how climate change has altered from causing isolated and temporary economic losses to generate a consistent upward trend in losses, with an increasingly significant impact in the short, medium, and long term. In the second part of this study, we conducted a correlation analysis between the economic losses caused by extreme weather events and variations in property insurance premiums (fire and other property damage—which includes crop insurance premiums) and we calculated correlation coefficients directly, with a one-year lag, and with a two-year lag. Thus, we analysed whether insurance markets respond immediately to incurred losses or whether, depending on climate trends, there are delays in premium adjustments. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Agri-Environmental Risk Assessment and Management for Sustainable Rural Development)

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13 pages, 20365 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Hormone Metabolism and Substance Accumulation in Cucumber Plants: Downy Mildew Infection and Potassium Stress

by Yafei Wang, Qiang Shi, Jiale Lin, Xuanting Lu, Bin Ye, Huanxing Lv, Xiaoxue Du and Tianhua Chen

Agriculture 2025, 15(9), 994; https://doi.org/10.3390/agriculture15090994 - 3 May 2025

Viewed by 202

Abstract

In order to understand the effects of biotic stress and abiotic stress on hormone metabolism and substance accumulation in cucumber, two different infection levels of downy mildew were set, B0 (diseased) and B1 (disease-free), and T1 (K-50%: 50% of normal potassium application), T2 [...] Read more.

In order to understand the effects of biotic stress and abiotic stress on hormone metabolism and substance accumulation in cucumber, two different infection levels of downy mildew were set, B0 (diseased) and B1 (disease-free), and T1 (K-50%: 50% of normal potassium application), T2 (K-100%: normal potassium application), and T3 (K-150%: 150% of normal potassium application). The results show that the hormone metabolism in the cucumber plants was measured on the 15th day after transplanting. Compared with the B1T2 treatment, the cane sugar contents in the B0T1, B0T2, B0T3, B1T1, and B1T3 treatments decreased by 35.87%, 23.29%, 25.41%, 12.98%, and 6.05%; the soluble sugar contents in the B0T1, B0T2, B0T3, B1T1, and B1T3 treatments decreased by 36.16%, 27.13%, 31.97%, 9.89%, and 7.84%; the hydrogen peroxide (H₂O₂) contents in the B0T1, B0T2, B0T3, and B1T1 treatments increased by 30.59%, 21.08%, 14.74%, and 9.2%; the catalase (CAT) contents in the B0T1, B0T2, B0T3, B1T1, and B1T3 treatments decreased by 53.78%, 36.57%, 47.18%, 34.75%, and 16.39%; the superoxide dismutase (SOD) contents in the B0T1, B0T2, B0T3, and B1T1 treatments increased by 30.28%, 22.59%, 12.9%, and 13.17%; and the polyphenol oxidase (PPO) contents in the B0T1, B0T2, B0T3, and B1T1 treatments increased by 39.38%, 25.27%, 4.49%, and 23.05%, respectively. Compared with the B1T2 treatment, the malondialdehyde (MDA) contents in the B0T1, B0T2, B0T3, B1T1, and B1T3 treatments increased by 82.78%, 23.07%, 60.21%, 74.55%, and 25.12%. Compared with the B1T2 treatment, the hydrogen peroxide (H₂O₂), superoxide dismutase (SOD), and polyphenol oxidase (PPO) contents in the B1T3 treatment decreased by 16.11%, 4.36%, and 4.43%. On the 20th day after transplanting the cucumber plants, downy mildew infection and potassium stress had significant effects on the dry and fresh weights of the leaves, stems, and roots (p < 0.05). The B0T1 treatment had the greatest effect on the dry and fresh weights of the leaves, stems, and roots of the cucumber plants. The B1T3 treatment had the least effect on the dry and fresh weights of the leaves, stems, and roots of the cucumber plants. This research can provide a theoretical basis for the study and cultivation of cucumber stress resistance. Full article

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23 pages, 6115 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Root Response to K⁺-Deprivation in Wheat (Triticum aestivum L.): Coordinated Roles of HAK Transporters, AKT2 and SKOR K⁺-Channels, and Phytohormone Regulation

by Yuan Huang, Naiyue Hu, Xiwen Yang, Sumei Zhou, Miao Song, Jiemei Zhang, Xu Chen, Xihe Du and Dexian He

Agriculture 2025, 15(9), 993; https://doi.org/10.3390/agriculture15090993 - 3 May 2025

Viewed by 216

Abstract

Potassium cation (K⁺) is essential for wheat (Triticum aestivum L.) growth, but the regulatory mechanisms of root response to K⁺ deficiency are not well understood. This study examines how varying durations of K⁺-deprivation affect root K⁺ [...] Read more.

Potassium cation (K⁺) is essential for wheat (Triticum aestivum L.) growth, but the regulatory mechanisms of root response to K⁺ deficiency are not well understood. This study examines how varying durations of K⁺-deprivation affect root K⁺ transport and homeostasis in two wheat varieties, XN979 and YM68. Field pot experiments over three growing seasons showed that XN979 has significantly higher K uptake and productive efficiency than YM68 at a K fertilizer application rate of 60 kg hm⁻². Hydroponic experiments revealed that XN979 has a lower K_m (K⁺ concentrations at which 1/2 of V_max) and a higher V_max (maximum rate of K⁺ uptake) in K⁺ uptake kinetics, indicating better adaptation to K⁺-deficient environments. RNA-seq analysis after different durations of K⁺ deficiency (0, 6, 12, 24, 48 h) showed that genes encoding the Arabidopsis K⁺ Transporter 1 (AKT1) K⁺-channel in both varieties were not significantly upregulated. Instead, K⁺ transport in root primarily depended on high-affinity K⁺ (HAK) transporters. Genes encoding the Arabidopsis K⁺ Transporter 2 (AKT2) K⁺-channel in phloem cells were significantly upregulated under K⁺-deprivation. KOR1 and KOR2, encoding the Stelar K⁺ Outward Rectifier (SKOR) K⁺-channel in xylem cells, were significantly downregulated after 6 h and 12 h of K⁺-deprivation, respectively. Significant changes in the expression levels of the Calcineurin B-Like protein–CBL-Interacting Protein Kinase (CBL-CIPK) signaling system and phytohormones synthesis-related genes suggest their involvement in the root response to K⁺-deprivation. These findings clarify the regulation of wheat root responses to K deficiency. Full article

(This article belongs to the Topic Innovative Strategies for Enhancing Plant Tolerance to Abiotic and Biotic Stresses and Ensuring Food Safety in Changing Climates)

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19 pages, 6943 KiB

Open AccessArticle

A Comparative Transcriptomic Analysis of miRNAs and Their Target Genes During the Formation of Melanin in Apis mellifera

by Xiangjie Zhu, Yuanmingyue Tian, Mingjie Cao, Chenyu Zhu, Jiaqi Shang, Jiaqi Sun, Yiming Liu, Bingfeng Zhou, Shujing Zhou and Xinjian Xu

Agriculture 2025, 15(9), 992; https://doi.org/10.3390/agriculture15090992 - 3 May 2025

Viewed by 244

Abstract

Melanin is an important component of the body color of honeybees, and its formation changes with the age of a capped brood of bees. However, up to now, the regulatory mechanism of melanin formation in honeybees remains unclear. To analyze the differential expression [...] Read more.

Melanin is an important component of the body color of honeybees, and its formation changes with the age of a capped brood of bees. However, up to now, the regulatory mechanism of melanin formation in honeybees remains unclear. To analyze the differential expression profile of microRNAs (miRNAs) in worker bees of Apis mellifera and to reveal the regulatory roles of differentially expressed miRNAs (DEmiRNAs) and mRNAs in the formation process of melanin during the capped brood stage, we used sRNA-seq technology and related software to analyze samples from four key developmental stages during the capped brood stage, when body color develops in Apis mellifera, namely, mature larvae (L0), pre-pupae (PP3), early pupae (P6) and mid-pupae (P9). A total of 1291 miRNAs were identified by bioinformatics. Three comparison groups were analyzed: L0 vs. PP3, PP3 vs. P6, and P6 vs. P9. A total of 171, 94, and 19 DEmiRNAs were identified in these groups, respectively, which regulate 1481, 690, and 182 differentially expressed target mRNAs (target DEmRNAs). The functional analysis of target DEmRNAs indicated that DEmiRNAs might regulate the formation of capped brood melanin in honeybees by activating expression changes in key genes in signaling pathways, such as the Wnt signaling pathway, melanogenesis, and the Toll and Imd signaling pathway, through activating miR-315-x, miR-8, ple, yellow family genes, wnt1, etc. Our research provides a theoretical basis for future analysis of the regulatory role of miRNAs in the formation of melanin in honeybees. Full article

(This article belongs to the Section Farm Animal Production)

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21 pages, 1711 KiB

Open AccessReview

Proposal for a Green Business Model for Biofortified Foods in the Municipality of Chocontá, Cundinamarca

by Angie Tatiana Ortega-Ramírez, Luisa Fernanda Escobar Toro and Miriam Reyes Tovar

Agriculture 2025, 15(9), 991; https://doi.org/10.3390/agriculture15090991 - 2 May 2025

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Abstract

Historically, agriculture has been a key driver of rural development. Therefore, outlining strategies that enhance agricultural production for economic sustenance, quality of life, and the durability of natural resources puts us on the right path to ensure sustainability. This is the focus of [...] Read more.

Historically, agriculture has been a key driver of rural development. Therefore, outlining strategies that enhance agricultural production for economic sustenance, quality of life, and the durability of natural resources puts us on the right path to ensure sustainability. This is the focus of the green business model proposal, which aims to provide farmers with tools to strengthen their daily activities while preserving the ecosystem, ensuring that future generations can enjoy its benefits. Opening a marketing channel under green business guidelines for iceberg lettuce as a biofortified food crop in the municipality of Chocontá in Cundinamarca, Colombia, is an innovative approach to addressing food security issues. Currently, 24.8% of households in 23 cities consume two meals a day or fewer. This proposal also seeks to influence crop rotation in the municipality, helping to mitigate soil degradation in the area. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Sustainability and Energy Economics in Agriculture—2nd Edition)

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36 pages, 3532 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Assessing the Resilience of Farming Systems: Insights from the Common Agricultural Policy and Polish Fruit and Vegetable Farming Challenges

by Anna Agata Martikainen

Agriculture 2025, 15(9), 990; https://doi.org/10.3390/agriculture15090990 - 2 May 2025

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Abstract

Risk management and resilience of agriculture are among the most important issues in the ongoing discussion on the shape of the Common Agricultural Policy (CAP). Farming systems face various risks that increase their vulnerability, which necessitates the strengthening of their resilience. This raises [...] Read more.

Risk management and resilience of agriculture are among the most important issues in the ongoing discussion on the shape of the Common Agricultural Policy (CAP). Farming systems face various risks that increase their vulnerability, which necessitates the strengthening of their resilience. This raises critical questions whether CAP policies adequately support the resilience of farming systems in addressing these challenges. The study investigates the resilience of the Polish fruit and vegetable farming system within the context of the CAP. Employing a mixed-methods approach that includes interviews and stakeholder workshops, the research identifies critical risks such as market volatility, climate change, labor shortages, or international competition. The study reveals that while farmers adopt various coping strategies, existing CAP measures predominantly support robustness, often neglecting adaptability and transformability, which are essential for addressing long-term risks. Stakeholder feedback highlights bureaucratic inefficiencies, limited access to resources for innovation, and an overemphasis on short-term interventions. Recommendations emphasize the need for policy adjustments to foster long-term adaptability through enhanced vertical and horizontal integration, support for innovation, and knowledge transfer. Under future scenarios, policy priorities vary but consistently call for resilience-focused reforms. These findings underscore the benefits of integrating resilience-thinking frameworks into agricultural policy to enable sustainable development and competitiveness of farming systems. Full article

(This article belongs to the Section Agricultural Economics, Policies and Rural Management)

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15 pages, 1652 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Long-Term Effect of Tillage Practices on Soil Physical Properties and Winter Wheat Yield in North-East Romania

by Segla Serginho Cakpo, Tudor George Aostăcioaei, Gabriel-Dumitru Mihu, Cosmin-Costel Molocea, Cosmin Ghelbere, Ana Ursu and Denis Constantin Țopa

Agriculture 2025, 15(9), 989; https://doi.org/10.3390/agriculture15090989 - 2 May 2025

Viewed by 278

Abstract

Soil quality, characterized by its physical, chemical, and biological properties, is closely linked to soil management. Reducing soil disturbance can limit soil degradation; however, tillage is still considered essential, particularly on poorly drained soils. This study aimed to identify the optimal tillage practices [...] Read more.

Soil quality, characterized by its physical, chemical, and biological properties, is closely linked to soil management. Reducing soil disturbance can limit soil degradation; however, tillage is still considered essential, particularly on poorly drained soils. This study aimed to identify the optimal tillage practices for winter wheat crops following long-term no tillage practice and crop rotation (2020–2023). Additionally, it highlights the considerable advantages of particular tillage practices in emphasizing their role in enhancing soil health and sustainable agriculture. The experiment followed a randomized complete block design with three replications and two tillage practices: no tillage (NT) and conventional tillage (CT). The research was carried out on a cambic chernozem soil type. The results revealed that physical properties such as bulk density (BD) can increase or decrease under NT, while soil water content (SWC) increased under the same system. The status of water-stable aggregates (WSAs) also improved in NT (88.41%) due to the incorporation of cover crop or plant residues in the 0–10 cm depth. Notably, the highest SWC value at harvest was obtained in the 0–10 cm soil depth, under NT, reaching 24.47%. Grain yields over four years of research were also influenced by tillage systems, resulting in mean yields of 6070 kg/ha for CT and 4285.25 kg/ha for the NT system. The Pearson correlation coefficient was calculated for the soil physical properties considered in pairs. Between BD and water-stable aggregates (WSAs), there was a moderate positive correlation (r = 0.458**) and statistical significance, but no linear correlation between BD and SWC (r = 0.089), and between WSAs and SWC (r = 0.026). Generally, using NT, which reduces soil disturbance and maintains residues on the surface, could contribute to land sustainability and climate mitigation in north-east Romania. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Multiple Soil Health Assessment Methods for Changing Agricultural Environment)

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21 pages, 1186 KiB

Open AccessReview

The Role of Exogenously Applied Polyamines to Improve Heat Tolerance in Tomatoes: A Review

by Raheleh Najafi, Noémi Kappel and Maryam Mozafarian

Agriculture 2025, 15(9), 988; https://doi.org/10.3390/agriculture15090988 - 2 May 2025

Viewed by 416

Abstract

Tomato (Solanum lycopersicum L.) is one of the most widely consumed vegetables globally and plays a crucial role in food security. However, rising temperatures due to climate change pose a significant threat to tomato cultivation by reducing yield and fruit quality. Among [...] Read more.

Tomato (Solanum lycopersicum L.) is one of the most widely consumed vegetables globally and plays a crucial role in food security. However, rising temperatures due to climate change pose a significant threat to tomato cultivation by reducing yield and fruit quality. Among various abiotic stresses, heat stress (HS) can severely impair tomato growth, reproduction, and physiological functions. Polyamines (PAs), such as spermidine (Spd), putrescine (Put), and spermine (Spm), are natural compounds that play vital roles in plant stress tolerance by modulating growth and physiological responses. This review evaluates the effects of HS on tomatoes and examines the potential of exogenously applied PAs to mitigate HS. Through detailed analysis of agronomic, physiological, and biochemical responses, the review highlights how PAs can enhance heat tolerance by improving antioxidant activity, stabilizing cellular membranes, and maintaining photosynthetic efficiency. Understanding these mechanisms can aid in developing strategies to improve tomato resilience under climate stress and ensure sustainable production. Full article

(This article belongs to the Section Crop Production)

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15 pages, 3099 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Design and Experiment of a Laser Scoring Device for Camellia oleifera Fruits

by Xinhan Luo, Yujia Cui, Xiwen Yang, Guangfa Hu and Zhili Wu

Agriculture 2025, 15(9), 987; https://doi.org/10.3390/agriculture15090987 - 2 May 2025

Viewed by 275

Abstract

To address the low shelling rate and high seed breakage in existing oil tea fruit shelling devices, a novel laser scoring device was designed for fresh Camellia oleifera fruits. Experimental studies were conducted to optimize the key parameters of the custom-built laser scoring [...] Read more.

To address the low shelling rate and high seed breakage in existing oil tea fruit shelling devices, a novel laser scoring device was designed for fresh Camellia oleifera fruits. Experimental studies were conducted to optimize the key parameters of the custom-built laser scoring machine, aiming to improve scoring qualification rates. Through single-factor tests and response surface methodology, a regression model was developed to characterize the relationship between the scoring qualification rate and the following three variables: conveyor speed (12 mm/s), laser power (97 W), and defocusing distance (10 mm). The study revealed interactive effects among these parameters. After optimization and verification under ideal conditions, the device achieved a peak average qualification rate of 85.6%. Full article

(This article belongs to the Section Agricultural Technology)

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