Agrochemicals

Uniform application of fertilizers and pesticides continues to dominate global agriculture despite significant spatial variability in soil and crop conditions. This mismatch results in avoidable yield gaps, excessive chemical waste, and environmental pressures, including nutrient leaching and greenhouse gas emissions. The integration of Artificial Intelligence (AI) and Remote Sensing (RS) has emerged as a transformative framework for diagnosing this variability and enabling site-specific, climate-responsive management. This systematic synthesis reviews evidence from 2000–2025 to assess how AI–RS technologies optimize agrochemical efficiency. A comprehensive search across Scopus, Web of Science, IEEE Xplore, ScienceDirect, and Google Scholar were used. Following rigorous screening and quality assessment, 142 studies were selected for detailed analysis. Data extraction focused on sensor platforms (Landsat-8/9, Sentinel-1/2, UAVs), AI approaches (Random Forests, CNNs, Physics-Informed Neural Networks), and operational outcomes. The synthesized data demonstrate that AI–RS systems can predict critical soil attributes, specifically salinity, moisture, and nutrient levels, with 80–97% accuracy in some cases, depending on spectral resolution and algorithm choice. Operational implementations of Variable-Rate Application (VRA) guided by these predictive maps resulted in fertilizer reductions of 15–30%, pesticide use reductions of 20–40%, and improvements in water-use efficiency of 25–40%. In fields with high soil heterogeneity, these precision strategies delivered yield gains of 8–15%. AI–RS technologies have matured from experimental methods into robust tools capable of shifting agrochemical science from reactive, uniform practices to predictive, precise strategies. However, widespread adoption is currently limited by challenges in data standardization, model transferability, and regulatory alignment. Future progress requires the development of interoperable data infrastructures, digital soil twins, and multi-sensor fusion pipelines to position these technologies as central pillars of sustainable agricultural intensification.

This systematic review aimed to examine recent advances (2021–2025) in the conversion of agricultural biomass into biomaterials, biofertilizers, and bioproducts. Studies were included when addressing biomass types, pretreatment methods, conversion technologies, or resulting applications. Non-agricultural biomass, non-original research, and works outside the defined timeframe were excluded. Literature was identified in Scopus and Web of Science, complemented by Espacenet, Google Scholar, and institutional databases (USDA, FAO, IRRI, ABARES, UNICA, and CONAB, among others), totaling 108 documents referenced in this work. Risk of bias was minimized through predefined eligibility criteria and full-text assessment. Results were narratively synthesized, supported by figures and tables highlighting technological trends. Studies involving a wide range of agricultural biomasses (e.g., rice straw, corn stover, wheat straw, and sugarcane bagasse) were evaluated. Main outcomes included the development of bioplastics, biofoams, composites, hydrogels, bioceramics, biochar-based fertilizers, organic acids, enzymes, and green solvents. Evidence consistently indicated that pretreatment strongly influences conversion efficiency and that enzymatic and thermochemical routes show the highest potential for integrated biorefineries. Limitations included heterogeneity in biomass composition, variability in methodological quality, and scarcity of large-scale studies. Overall, findings underscore agricultural biomass as a strategic feedstock for circular bioeconomy models, with implications for sustainable materials, renewable energy, and low-carbon agriculture. Continued innovation, supportive policies, and improved logistics are essential for scaling biomass-based technologies.

Organophosphate (OP) insecticide poisoning remains a significant world health issue. Despite attempts to reduce OP insecticide use in some countries, they continue to be used extensively in many regions, putting agricultural workers at risk of excess exposure. Furthermore, the high toxicity and ready availability of OP insecticides in agricultural settings have created an additional public health issue due to their use in attempted suicides. Tens of thousands of people are admitted to hospitals every year after intentional ingestion of OP insecticides. The standard treatment regimen for OP poisoning can prevent mortality, even in some severe cases, but these treatments do not protect the central nervous system (CNS) from excitotoxic damage, and therefore, additional neuroprotective treatments are needed. One promising treatment is the use of halogenated ether anesthetics, including isoflurane, a common anesthetic available in hospitals throughout the world. Isoflurane can be administered by inhalation using vaporizer equipment, or it can be injected intravenously as a lipid–water emulsion. In both cases, excellent neuroprotection has been observed in preclinical models, even when administered up to 1 h after the onset of OP insecticide poisoning. Prolonged administration was not necessary for neuroprotective efficacy, with administration times of only 5 min being sufficient. Including inhalational anesthetics as an adjunct to the standard treatment for OP poisoning could significantly reduce chronic morbidities, especially long-term CNS damage. Research is ongoing to bring this promising treatment to human trials.