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AgriEngineering
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Agricultural and Biosystems Engineering for Implementing the Circular Economy Concept...
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Agricultural and Biosystems Engineering for Implementing the Circular Economy Concept in Agriculture

A special issue of AgriEngineering (ISSN 2624-7402). This special issue belongs to the section "Sustainable Bioresource and Bioprocess Engineering".

Deadline for manuscript submissions: 1 September 2026 | Viewed by 6344

Special Issue Editors

Prof. Dr. Pietro Picuno

E-Mail Website
Guest Editor
Department of Agricultural, Forest, Food and Environmental Sciences (DAFE), University of Basilicata, 85100 Potenza, Italy
Interests: agricultural engineering; ecological engineering; rural buildings; agroforestry landscape; circular economy; bio-architecture; bioeconomy; agroplastics recycling
Special Issues, Collections and Topics in MDPI journals
Prof. Dr. Salvatore Margiotta

E-Mail Website
Guest Editor
Department of Agricultural, Forest, Food and Environmental Sciences (DAFE), University of Basilicata, 85100 Potenza, Italy
Interests: agricultural and biosystems engineering; environmental engineering; agroecology
Dr. Roberto Puglisi

E-Mail Website
Guest Editor
Department of Agricultural, Forest, Food and Environmental Sciences (DAFE), University of Basilicata, 85100 Potenza, Italy
Interests: agricultural and biosystems engineering; ecological engineering; greenhouse technology; plastic material; agricultural plastics recycling

Special Issue Information

Dear Colleagues,

Agricultural and Biosystems Engineering provides agricultural actors with the knowledge and skills required to use advanced technologies that can transform waste into new resources, thus contributing to the implementation of the Circular Economy concept in agriculture. Indeed, by managing organic (biomass) and non-organic (mostly, agro-plastics) waste, farmers can increase their economic returns while reducing the environmental footprint of agriculture. This Special Issue reports the results of scientific research and training activities carried out by Agricultural Engineers—mostly those implemented within the TANGO-Circular Project, in which farmers and agricultural stakeholders were trained on the appropriate use, post-consumer collection, and recycling of agricultural co-products, by-products, residuals, and waste. Their upskilling allowed them to play a proactive role in the valorization of agricultural waste, which was consolidated thanks to the participation of other interested actors involved in the Quadruple-Helix, including public institutions, private industries, universities/research centers, and civil society/non-profit organizations. During the Project Final Conference, held in Matera, Italy, on 25–27 June 2025, several European universities specializing in Agricultural and Biosystems Engineering presented data on the latest technologies and systems for valorizing agricultural waste, discussing on how to implement and harmonize them, thus shading light on cutting-edge technological solutions and creating innovative opportunities in agricultural waste valorization.

Prof. Dr. Pietro Picuno
Prof. Dr. Salvatore Margiotta
Dr. Roberto Puglisi
Guest Editors

Manuscript Submission Information

Manuscripts should be submitted online at www.mdpi.com by registering and logging in to this website. Once you are registered, click here to go to the submission form. Manuscripts can be submitted until the deadline. All submissions that pass pre-check are peer-reviewed. Accepted papers will be published continuously in the journal (as soon as accepted) and will be listed together on the special issue website. Research articles, review articles as well as short communications are invited. For planned papers, a title and short abstract (about 250 words) can be sent to the Editorial Office for assessment.

Submitted manuscripts should not have been published previously, nor be under consideration for publication elsewhere (except conference proceedings papers). All manuscripts are thoroughly refereed through a single-blind peer-review process. A guide for authors and other relevant information for submission of manuscripts is available on the Instructions for Authors page. AgriEngineering is an international peer-reviewed open access monthly journal published by MDPI.

Please visit the Instructions for Authors page before submitting a manuscript. The Article Processing Charge (APC) for publication in this open access journal is 1800 CHF (Swiss Francs). Submitted papers should be well formatted and use good English. Authors may use MDPI's English editing service prior to publication or during author revisions.

Keywords

  • sustainable agriculture
  • agroecology
  • bioeconomy
  • agricultural waste
  • biomass
  • agro-plastics recycling
  • bio-based material
  • biodegradable material

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Published Papers (5 papers)

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Research

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11 pages, 1663 KB  
Article
From Plastics to Micro- and Nano-Plastics: Mapping Agricultural Pollution Risk in a Mediterranean Region of Italy
by Ali Hachem, Evelia Schettini, Fabiana Convertino and Giuliano Vox
AgriEngineering 2026, 8(2), 63; https://doi.org/10.3390/agriengineering8020063 - 11 Feb 2026
Viewed by 689
Abstract
Agricultural plastic waste (APW) is an emerging source of soil pollution and potential micro- and nano-plastic (MNP) contamination in agroecosystems. This study focuses on the Apulia region in southern Italy, a key horticultural and viticultural area with intensive plastic use. Annual APW was [...] Read more.
Agricultural plastic waste (APW) is an emerging source of soil pollution and potential micro- and nano-plastic (MNP) contamination in agroecosystems. This study focuses on the Apulia region in southern Italy, a key horticultural and viticultural area with intensive plastic use. Annual APW was estimated for each agricultural feature using a detailed 1:5000 land use map, crop distribution data, and validated plastic waste indices for several plastic application types. The analysis was integrated within a Geographic Information System (GIS) and combined with relative risk indices (RRIs) to compute and map the agricultural plastic pollution risk index (APPRI), a semi-quantitative indicator designated to estimate the potential release of MNPs from agricultural plastics. The APPRI is obtained by multiplying the APW estimates by the RRIs. The results show a clear spatial heterogeneity in plastic waste generation, with the highest APPRI values in vineyards, orchards, olive groves, and greenhouse systems, particularly in the provinces of Foggia and Bari. Cereal-based cropping systems exhibited the lowest risk values. The study proposes an innovative approach, combining land use, APW, and related potential risk into a single mapping tool. This allows for effectively identifying regional hotspots where management and recycling strategies should be prioritized. This GIS-based tool for assessing and visualizing agricultural plastic pollution risk can support evidence-based decision-making and sustainable waste management in agricultural landscapes. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Agricultural and Biosystems Engineering for Implementing the Circular Economy Concept in Agriculture)
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15 pages, 1399 KB  
Article
Strategies for Wine, Orange Processing and Olive Oil By-Product Valorisation Based on GIS Spatial Analysis
by Grazia Cinardi, Provvidenza Rita D’Urso and Claudia Arcidiacono
AgriEngineering 2026, 8(1), 25; https://doi.org/10.3390/agriengineering8010025 - 9 Jan 2026
Viewed by 809
Abstract
Waste valorisation has become a key strategy for applying circular economy principles in the agro-industrial field. This study investigated the territorial implementation of the waste composting on a territorial scale. The wastes considered were the post-processing orange waste, spent olive oil pomace, and [...] Read more.
Waste valorisation has become a key strategy for applying circular economy principles in the agro-industrial field. This study investigated the territorial implementation of the waste composting on a territorial scale. The wastes considered were the post-processing orange waste, spent olive oil pomace, and spent wine grape pomace. Their potential use as soil amendments across the provinces of Sicily was assessed through a GIS-based analysis, taking into account nitrogen (N) application constraints. Moreover, a cascade valorisation scheme was also evaluated: post-processing orange waste was first used as animal feed, and the remaining fraction was directed to composting; olive pomace was first sent to pomace oil extraction mills, and the residual material was subsequently used for composting. Results indicate that N inputs derived from composted residues remain below legal thresholds in all provinces, with relative contributions ranging from 38% to 92% of the regulatory limits. Spatial variability in nitrogen availability reflects the territorial distribution of agro-industrial activities, highlighting the importance of localised management strategies. These findings demonstrate that composting, combined with cascade valorisation, is an effective pathway to close nutrient cycles, reduce waste generation, and support sustainable biomass management in regional agri-food systems. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Agricultural and Biosystems Engineering for Implementing the Circular Economy Concept in Agriculture)
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15 pages, 1608 KB  
Article
Humic Substance Recovery from Reverse Osmosis Concentrate of a Landfill Leachate Treatment via Nanofiltration
by Letícia Barbosa Alves, Carlos Eduardo Alves da Silva, Bianca Ramalho Quintaes and Juacyara Carbonelli Campos
AgriEngineering 2026, 8(1), 12; https://doi.org/10.3390/agriengineering8010012 - 1 Jan 2026
Viewed by 830
Abstract
Landfill leachate reverse osmosis (RO) treatment generates a highly concentrated stream rich in recalcitrant organic matter, particularly humic substances (HS), which present potential for recovery and reuse as a biofertilizer. This study evaluated HS recovery from the RO concentrate of the Seropédica Landfill [...] Read more.
Landfill leachate reverse osmosis (RO) treatment generates a highly concentrated stream rich in recalcitrant organic matter, particularly humic substances (HS), which present potential for recovery and reuse as a biofertilizer. This study evaluated HS recovery from the RO concentrate of the Seropédica Landfill (Rio de Janeiro, Brazil) using a nanofiltration (NF) process with a polyethersulfone membrane (MWCO = 1000 Da) operated at 9 bar. The NF system achieved a volume reduction factor of 2.5, rejecting 70–75% of the organic matter. At the same time, salts were predominantly transmitted to the permeate. The phytotoxicity of recovered HS solution was evaluated through maize (Zea mays L.) germination assays at concentrations ranging from 20 to 100 mg HS/L. All treatments showed germination indices above 100%, indicating the absence of phytotoxicity, and seedling growth significantly improved relative to the control, especially at 20 mg HS/L. Trace metal concentrations in the recovered HS complied with Brazilian standards for irrigation water. Overall, the results show that nanofiltration is highly effective in concentrating humic substances from leachate RO concentrate, minimizing the presence of salts, and contributing to strategies for landfill leachate management. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Agricultural and Biosystems Engineering for Implementing the Circular Economy Concept in Agriculture)
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17 pages, 2920 KB  
Article
The Spatial Patterns of Ammonia and Greenhouse Gases in a Semi-Open Dairy Barn Using a Fourier Transform Infrared Portable Monitoring Device: A Preliminary Assessment in a Hot Climate
by Marco Bonfanti, Salvatore Laudani, Provvidenza Rita D’Urso, Biagio Tuvè, Marco Gulino and Giuseppe Modica
AgriEngineering 2025, 7(12), 427; https://doi.org/10.3390/agriengineering7120427 - 10 Dec 2025
Viewed by 773
Abstract
Livestock farming represents one of the primary sources of ammonia (NH3) and greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions, including methane (CH4), nitrous oxide (N2O), and carbon dioxide (CO2), having a significant environmental impact. Reducing emissions and recovering [...] Read more.
Livestock farming represents one of the primary sources of ammonia (NH3) and greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions, including methane (CH4), nitrous oxide (N2O), and carbon dioxide (CO2), having a significant environmental impact. Reducing emissions and recovering gas systems from these livestock buildings necessitate measuring gas concentrations to mitigate environmental impacts using an accurate, high-cost portable device. This study aims to evaluate the concentration of NH3 and GHGs in a semi-open dairy farm located in southern Sicily, a region with a hot climate. The measurement campaign was carried out during the spring of 2025. The concentrations of NH3, CH4, CO2, and N2O were measured in different barn areas (i.e., manger, feeding alley, and service alley) using a portable gas detector (GASMET GT5000) based on Fourier Transform Infrared (FTIR) technology. Statistical analysis revealed that NH3 concentrations were highest in the feeding alley, while CH4 concentrations peaked at the manger. N2O levels stayed low because there was no straw. Future research should investigate gas concentrations across different seasons (e.g., winter, summer) to analyze gas patterns under different climatic conditions. Additionally, the use of an accurate portable device enables further investigations into other barn typologies within the Mediterranean area to assess how farm construction and management practices influence gas production. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Agricultural and Biosystems Engineering for Implementing the Circular Economy Concept in Agriculture)
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Review

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20 pages, 2313 KB  
Review
Citrus Waste Valorisation Processes from an Environmental Sustainability Perspective: A Scoping Literature Review of Life Cycle Assessment Studies
by Grazia Cinardi, Provvidenza Rita D’Urso, Giovanni Cascone and Claudia Arcidiacono
AgriEngineering 2025, 7(10), 335; https://doi.org/10.3390/agriengineering7100335 - 5 Oct 2025
Cited by 4 | Viewed by 2354
Abstract
Citrus fruits and related processed products represent a major agricultural sector worldwide, contributing to food supply chains and to regional economies, particularly in Mediterranean and subtropical areas. Citrus processing generates significant amounts of post-processing waste, and their sustainable management is a critical challenge, [...] Read more.
Citrus fruits and related processed products represent a major agricultural sector worldwide, contributing to food supply chains and to regional economies, particularly in Mediterranean and subtropical areas. Citrus processing generates significant amounts of post-processing waste, and their sustainable management is a critical challenge, driving growing scientific interest in exploring environmentally sustainable and profitable valorisation strategies. This study aimed at mapping the sustainability of post-processing citrus valorisation strategies documented in the scientific literature, through a scoping literature review based on the PRISMA-ScR model. Only peer-reviewed studies in English were selected from Scopus and Web of Science; in detail, 29 life cycle assessment studies (LCAs) focusing on the valorisation of citrus by-products have been analysed. Most of the studies were focused on essential oil extraction and energy production. Most of the biorefinery systems and valorisation aims proposed were found to be better than the business-as-usual solution. However, results are strongly influenced by the functional unit and allocation method. Economic allocation to the main product resulted in better environmental performances. The major environmental hotspot is the agrochemicals required for crop management. The analysis of LCAs facilitated the identification of valorisation strategies that deserve greater interest from the scientific community to propose sustainable bio-circular solutions in the agro-industrial and agricultural sectors. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Agricultural and Biosystems Engineering for Implementing the Circular Economy Concept in Agriculture)
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