Announcements

We are pleased to announce that Agronomy (ISSN: 2073-4395) will be once again granting the Travel Award for junior scientists. The applications will be assessed by an Evaluation Committee consisting of senior scholars from the Agronomy Editorial Board. 

The annual Agronomy Travel Award was launched in 2017 to encourage junior scientists to present their latest research at academic conferences in the field of agronomy and agroecology, expanding their profile. The application process is open from April to October every year, and the winners are announced by the end of December. 

Prizes:

• CHF 500;
• A certificate. 

Number of winners: 2. 

Eligibility and requirements:

• Postdoctoral fellows or Ph.D. students;
• Plans to attend an international conference in 2026 (oral presentation or poster). 

List of the documents needed to apply:

• Information regarding the conference the applicant is planning to attend and the abstract that will be submitted;
• Curriculum Vitae and list of publications;
• Justification letter describing the focus of the research (max. 800 words);
• Letter of recommendation from the supervisor, research director, or department head, which also confirms the applicant’s status. 

For more information about the award, please visit the following link: https://www.mdpi.com/journal/agronomy/awards/3404. 

Agronomy Editorial Office

We are pleased to announce that Dr. Fernando França Cunha is one of the winners of the Agronomy 2024 Outstanding Reviewer Award. The Award is presented annually to recognize reviewers who contribute their time to reviewing papers and display thoroughness, professionalism, and timeliness while doing so.

We are honored to have had the opportunity to interview Dr. Fernando França Cunha, providing an opportunity to delve deeper into his research journey and his insights into being a reviewer.

1. Congratulations on being an Outstanding Reviewer for 2024! Could you briefly introduce yourself to our readers and share a bit about your research interests?
I hold a bachelor’s degree in agronomy (2003), a master's degree (2005), and a Ph.D. (2009) in agricultural engineering from the Federal University of Viçosa (UFV), Brazil. I am currently an Associate Professor in the Department of Agricultural Engineering (DEA) at UFV, where I teach undergraduate and graduate courses. I am an active member of the Graduate Program in agricultural engineering (PPGEA), advising both master's and doctoral students. My research focuses on irrigation management and engineering, with an emphasis on efficient water use in agriculture, fertigation, water and energy sustainability, and the application of technologies such as sensors, modeling, and alternative materials in irrigation systems.

2. What factors motivate you to be a reviewer for Agronomy, and what do you find most rewarding about the peer review process?
Serving as a reviewer for Agronomy is a way of contributing to the advancement of scientific knowledge by helping to ensure the quality of published research. Since many reviewers also contribute by evaluating my manuscripts, I feel I have to give back to the scientific community by actively participating in the review process. Moreover, I consider this activity an excellent learning opportunity. Reading submitted manuscripts carefully motivates me to conduct further research and reading, which broadens my knowledge. As a native speaker of Portuguese, I also see peer review as a valuable opportunity to improve my use of English, the predominant language in scientific communication. What I find most rewarding is realizing that through constructive and well-founded suggestions, it is possible to substantially improve the clarity, methodological robustness, and relevance of a manuscript, thereby contributing ethically and meaningfully to the advancement of science.

3. As a reviewer, how do you balance the encouragement for research innovation with the strict requirements for method reliability? Can you give an example?
I believe that innovation and methodological rigor must go hand in hand. An innovative idea only has real scientific value if it is supported by a robust, well-described, and replicable method. When reviewing a manuscript, I try to identify whether the study provides an original and relevant contribution to the field, while also carefully evaluating whether the experimental procedures are well-controlled, the variables appropriately monitored, and the data able to support the conclusions drawn. For instance, in a recent review of a study on the use of ozone in irrigation water, an innovative approach, I recognized the potential of the topic but highlighted the need for clearer methodological descriptions and stricter control of variables such as ozone concentration, exposure time, and the physicochemical characteristics of the water to ensure result reliability. Additionally, I consider it important how authors contextualize their innovation. Excessive self-citation, for example, may suggest a weak theoretical foundation or an attempt to overvalue their work, which can bias scientific analysis. I encourage authors to use diverse, updated, and high-quality references from different research groups to enhance the credibility of their work and demonstrate genuine integration into the scientific community.

4. Based on your rich reviewing experience, could you please share some common problems that authors face?
The most frequent issues I observe are related to the structure and scientific consistency of the manuscripts. It is common to find poorly developed introductions that lack a clear focus or compelling justification for the problem addressed, and that fail to formulate specific hypotheses. Another critical point is the insufficient methodological description, which compromises the reproducibility of the study. Limited discussions are also frequent, where authors merely compare their results to other studies without adequately interpreting their data. Furthermore, conclusions often do not respond to the objectives outlined at the beginning of the work or lack sufficient depth. Formal issues also stand out, such as poor graphic presentation of figures and tables, the use of outdated or low-quality references, and inadequate or redundant titles and keywords, which can impair the visibility and indexing of the article in scientific databases. Paying greater attention to these aspects can significantly improve the quality and impact of the publications.

5. What are the biggest challenges you face as a reviewer, and what are your tips for preparing a high-quality review report?
One of the greatest challenges I face as a reviewer is time constraints. As a university professor, I divide my time between teaching undergraduate and graduate courses, advising students, participating in extension activities, conducting research, and handling administrative duties. Producing a high-quality review requires dedication, careful reading, and critical analysis of the entire manuscript, all of which takes time. Only after a thorough reading is it possible to fully understand the study and accurately identify its strengths, methodological flaws, gaps in reasoning, or opportunities for improvement. Another challenge is maintaining a balance between rigorous criticism and a constructive tone. A good review should not only point out problems but also offer feasible suggestions for improvement. To achieve this, I usually organize my reviews by sections (such as title, abstract, introduction, methods, results, discussion, and conclusions), highlighting positive aspects and identifying the points that need improvement, always with technical justification. My advice is that reviewers should strive to be objective, consistent, and respectful. A good review contributes to the development of the manuscript and, consequently, to the advancement of science. It is also important to remember that the reviewer’s role is not merely to judge but to collaborate with authors in building a more robust and relevant scientific work.

6. We hope that the Outstanding Reviewer Award will open new opportunities for you. How does an award like this help to support the career of a researcher such as yourself?
Receiving the Outstanding Reviewer Award is a great source of joy and reinforces my sense of meaningfully contributing to science. This recognition boosts my self-esteem and motivates me to continue working with dedication and integrity in the evaluation of scientific manuscripts. It also confirms that I am on the right path and strengthens my commitment to research quality and academic integrity. Awards like this have a direct impact on an academic career, as they enhance the researcher’s visibility within the scientific community, reinforce their credibility, and open doors to new opportunities such as international collaborations, invitations to join editorial boards, and participation in broader research networks. Without a doubt, it is a valuable incentive to continue contributing actively to the advancement of scientific knowledge.

7. Do you have any suggestions on how our journal could further support researchers and the academic community?
Agronomy already plays an important role in promoting high-quality science and in recognizing the efforts of its reviewers, such as through the voucher system, which I consider an excellent initiative. However, as a professor in a developing country, one of the greatest challenges I face is the limited availability of resources, both for conducting research and for covering publication fees. In this context, expanding financial support policies for authors from developing countries, through progressive discounts or waivers based on scientific quality, would be a major contribution. Furthermore, I believe Agronomy could expand its initiative by promoting more special thematic issues with open calls, encouraging review articles by invited authors, and offering short, targeted training for new reviewers. Creating discussion forums or webinars focused on emerging topics could also strengthen interactions among authors, reviewers, and editors, thereby enhancing the journal's impact and fostering integration within the scientific community.

In order to further enhance the international influence of the journal Agronomy (ISSN: 2073-4395), promote the academic exchange of young scientists, and support the Editorial Board with additional expertise, Agronomy is inviting interested and eligible early career researchers to apply for Early Career Editorial Board (ECEB) membership.

A total of 25 Early Career Editorial Board Members are planned to be recruited. Early Career Editorial Board (ECEB) members will hold the position for two years with the possibility of renewal for a second term.

Application eligibility:

• Completed their doctorate/Ph.D. degree in the past 10 years (considering exceptions for career interruptions, including medical and family leave);
• Evidence of significant research achievements in the field of agronomy;
• Willingness to dedicate their time to the development of the journal with passion and enthusiasm;
• Researchers that are active and engaged in their community (e.g., experienced at presenting at academic conferences or involved in professional organizations).

Benefits of an Early Career Editorial Board Member:

• A certificate of appointment as an Early Career Editorial Board Member will be provided;
• The achievements of Early Career Editorial Board Members are publicized on journal media platforms to improve academic visibility;
• An opportunity to be promoted to Editorial Board Member based on contributions;
• The journal will regularly acknowledge those who participated in the peer-review process on the journal website;
• Opportunities to participate in or host annual meetings and online seminars organized by the Editor-in-Chief and the Editorial Board Members.

Responsibilities of an Early Career Editorial Board Member:

• Publicizing and promoting the journal at academic conferences and among peers;
• Selecting high-quality articles and preparing bilingual media content for promotion;
• Reviewing at least four manuscripts per year;
• Providing input on any new initiatives of journal development;
• Inviting submissions from local and overseas world-leading scientists in respective research fields.

Applications:
Please fill in the application form here.

Please send the application form and your academic resume to agronomy@mdpi.com with the subject of “Agronomy Early Career Editorial Board Application + Name + Institute + Research Expertise”.

Application deadline: 31 December 2025.

Selection process and announcement:

The selection process: initial screening of application materials → selection by the Editor-in-Chief and Editorial Board Members → email notification → issuing a certificate of appointment.

The selection will be made within two months of the application deadline, and the results will be announced on the journal website.

We are pleased to share that Agronomy (ISSN: 2073-4395) has received an increased CiteScore of 6.7 in June 2025. The CiteScore ranks the journal 66 out of 414 titles (Q1) in the “Agronomy and Crop Science” category, an impressive achievement for a journal running in Volume 15.

You can find more statistics on our website: https://www.mdpi.com/journal/agronomy/stats.

The current CiteScores measure the average number of citations within a journal over a four-year window (2021–2024). The Scopus database provides a comprehensive suite of metrics that support informed publishing strategies, research evaluation and enable benchmarking of journal performance.

This achievement reflects the collective efforts of our authors, reviewers, and editors. Together we will continue to track the progress of Agronomy and its growing impact in the “Agronomy and Crop Science” category.

1. “Effects of Salt Stress on Grain Quality and Starch Properties of High-Quality Rice Cultivars”
by Ruilong Cui, Tianyang Zhou, Chenchen Shu, Kuanyu Zhu, Miao Ye, Weiyang Zhang, Hao Zhang, Lijun Liu, Zhiqin Wang, Junfei Gu et al.
Agronomy 2024, 14(3), 444; https://doi.org/10.3390/agronomy14030444
Full text available online: https://www.mdpi.com/2073-4395/14/3/444

2. “Drought Tolerance Evaluation and Growth Response of Chinese Cabbage Seedlings to Water Deficit Treatment”
by Yoonah Jang, Jinhee Kim, Junho Lee, Sangdeok Lee, Hwahyen Jung and Gyu-Hyeon Park
Agronomy 2024, 14(2), 279; https://doi.org/10.3390/agronomy14020279
Full text available online: https://www.mdpi.com/2073-4395/14/2/279

3. “Plant Genetic Resources for Food and Agriculture: The Role and Contribution of CREA (Italy) within the National Program RGV-FAO”
by Patrizia Vaccino, Maurizio Antonetti, Carlotta Balconi, Andrea Brandolini, Silvia Cappellozza,
Angelo Raffaele Caputo, Andrea Carboni, Marco Caruso, Andrea Copetta, Giovanbattista de Dato et al.
Agronomy 2024, 14(6), 1263; https://doi.org/10.3390/agronomy14061263
Full text available online: https://www.mdpi.com/2073-4395/14/6/1263

4. “Genetic Diversity and Genome-Wide Association in Cowpeas (Vigna unguiculata L. Walp)”
by Xingbo Wu, Vincent N. Michael, Felipe López-Hernández, Andrés J. Cortés, John B. Morris,
Mingli Wang, Shyam Tallury, Max C. Miller II and Matthew W. Blair
Agronomy 2024, 14(5), 961; https://doi.org/10.3390/agronomy14050961
Full text available online: https://www.mdpi.com/2073-4395/14/5/961

5. “Variations and Trends in Rice Quality across Different Types of Approved Varieties in China, 1978–2022”
by Yuqing Lu, Ying Tang, Jiaen Zhang, Si Liu, Xiaoyue Liang, Meijuan Li and Ronghua Li
Agronomy 2024, 14(6), 1234; https://doi.org/10.3390/agronomy14061234
Full text available online: https://www.mdpi.com/2073-4395/14/6/1234

6. “Cross-Species Transferability of SSR Markers for Analyzing Genetic Diversity of Different Vicia species Collections”
by María Isabel López-Román, Lucía De la Rosa, Teresa Marcos-Prado and Elena Ramírez-Parra
Agronomy 2024, 14(2), 326; https://doi.org/10.3390/agronomy14020326
Full text available online: https://www.mdpi.com/2073-4395/14/2/326

7. “An Evaluation of Bacterial Wilt (Ralstonia solanacearum) Resistance in a Set of Tomato Germplasm from the United States Department of Agriculture”
by Theresa Makawa Phiri, Gehendra Bhattarai, Kenani Edward Chiwina, Qiurong Fan, Haizheng Xiong, Ibtisam Alatawi, Ryan Dickson, Neelendra K. Joshi, Alejandro Rojas, Kai-Shu Ling et al.
Agronomy 2024, 14(2), 350; https://doi.org/10.3390/agronomy14020350
Full text available online: https://www.mdpi.com/2073-4395/14/2/350

8. “Insights into the Interaction between the Biocontrol Agent Bacillus amyloliquefaciens QST 713, the Pathogen Monilinia fructicola and Peach Fruit”
by Polina C. Tsalgatidou, Anastasia Papageorgiou, Anastasia Boutsika, Michael Chatzidimopoulos, Costas Delis, Dimitrios I. Tsitsigiannis, Epaminondas Paplomatas and Antonios Zambounis
Agronomy 2024, 14(4), 771; https://doi.org/10.3390/agronomy14040771
Full text available online: https://www.mdpi.com/2073-4395/14/4/771

9. “YOLO-Based Phenotyping of Apple Blotch Disease (Diplocarpon coronariae) in Genetic Resources after Artificial Inoculation”
by Stefanie Reim, Sophie Richter, Oskar Leonhardt, Virginia Maß and Thomas Wolfgang Wöhner
Agronomy 2024, 14(5), 1042; https://doi.org/10.3390/agronomy14051042
Full text available online: https://www.mdpi.com/2073-4395/14/5/1042

10. “Physiological and Biochemical Background of Deacclimation in Plants, with Special Attention Being Paid to Crops: A Minireview”
by Julia Stachurska and Anna Janeczko
Agronomy 2024, 14(3), 419; https://doi.org/10.3390/agronomy14030419
Full text available online: https://www.mdpi.com/2073-4395/14/3/419

1. “Integration of Crops, Livestock, and Solar Panels: A Review of Agrivoltaic Systems”
by  Diego Soto-Gómez
Agronomy 2024, 14(8), 1824; https://doi.org/10.3390/agronomy14081824
Full text available online: https://www.mdpi.com/2073-4395/14/8/1824

2. “Effect of Irrigation and Nitrogen Management on Potato Growth, Yield, and Water and Nitrogen Use Efficiencies”
by Bhimsen Shrestha, Blair L. Stringam, Murali K. Darapuneni, Kevin A. Lombard, Soumaila Sanogo, Charles Higgins and Koffi Djaman
Agronomy 2024, 14(3), 560; https://doi.org/10.3390/agronomy14030560
Full text available online: https://www.mdpi.com/2073-4395/14/3/560

3. “Understanding the Potential to Increase Adoption of Orphan Crops: The Case of Lathyrus spp. Cultivation in Greece”
by Maria Goufa, Evaggelos Makeroufas, Maria Gerakari, Efi Sarri, Athanasios Ragkos, Penelope J. Bebeli, Alma Balestrazzi and Eleni Tani
Agronomy 2024, 14(1), 108; https://doi.org/10.3390/agronomy14010108
Full text available online: https://www.mdpi.com/2073-4395/14/1/108

4. “Environmental Impact of Various Rice Cultivation Methods in Northeast China through Life Cycle Assessment”
by Yu Wang, Wenqing He, Changrong Yan, Haihe Gao, Jixiao Cui and Qin Liu
Agronomy 2024, 14(2), 267; https://doi.org/10.3390/agronomy14020267
Full text available online: https://www.mdpi.com/2073-4395/14/2/267

5. “Enhancing Drought Resistance and Yield of Wheat through Inoculation with Streptomyces pactum Act12 in Drought Field Environments”
by Bin Yang, Hongwei Wen, Shanshan Wang, Jinhui Zhang, Yuzhi Wang, Ting Zhang, Kai Yuan,
Lahu Lu, Yutao Liu, Quanhong Xue et al.
Agronomy 2024, 14(4), 692; https://doi.org/10.3390/agronomy14040692
Full text available online: https://www.mdpi.com/2073-4395/14/4/692

6. “Exploring the Impact of Alternate Wetting and Drying and the System of Rice Intensification on Greenhouse Gas Emissions: A Review of Rice Cultivation Practices”
by James Dahlgreen and Adam Parr
Agronomy 2024, 14(2), 378; https://doi.org/10.3390/agronomy14020378
Full text available online: https://www.mdpi.com/2073-4395/14/2/378

7. “Evaluation of the Role of Legumes in Crop Rotation Schemes of Organic or Conventionally Cultivated Cabbage”
by Dionisios Yfantopoulos, Georgia Ntatsi, Anestis Karkanis and Dimitrios Savvas
Agronomy 2024, 14(2), 297; https://doi.org/10.3390/agronomy14020297
Full text available online: https://www.mdpi.com/2073-4395/14/2/297

8. “Effect of Fertigation with Struvite and Ammonium Nitrate on Substrate Microbiota and N₂O Emissions in a Tomato Crop on Soilless Culture System”
by Mar Carreras-Sempere, Miriam Guivernau, Rafaela Caceres, Carmen Biel, Joan Noguerol and Marc Viñas
Agronomy 2024, 14(1), 119; https://doi.org/10.3390/agronomy14010119
Full text available online: https://www.mdpi.com/2073-4395/14/1/119

9. “Assessing Agricultural Impact on Greenhouse Gases in the European Union: A Climate-Smart Agriculture Perspective”
by Anca Antoaneta Vărzaru
Agronomy 2024, 14(4), 821; https://doi.org/10.3390/agronomy14040821
Full text available online: https://www.mdpi.com/2073-4395/14/4/821

10. “Silvopastures: Benefits, Past Efforts, Challenges, and Future Prospects in the United States”
by Sanjok Poudel, Gabriel Pent and John Fike
Agronomy 2024, 14(7), 1369; https://doi.org/10.3390/agronomy14071369
Full text available online: https://www.mdpi.com/2073-4395/14/7/1369

1. “Vermicompost: Enhancing Plant Growth and Combating Abiotic and Biotic Stress”
by Sami ur Rehman, Federica De Castro, Alessio Aprile, Michele Benedetti and Francesco Paolo Fanizzi
Agronomy 2023, 13(4), 1134; https://doi.org/10.3390/agronomy13041134
Full text available online: https://www.mdpi.com/2073-4395/13/4/1134

2. “Interactions of Microplastics with Pesticides in Soils and Their Ecotoxicological Implications”
by Aránzazu Peña, José Antonio Rodríguez-Liébana and Laura Delgado-Moreno
Agronomy 2023, 13(3), 701; https://doi.org/10.3390/agronomy13030701
Full text available online: https://www.mdpi.com/2073-4395/13/3/701

3. “Long-Term Application of Organic Fertilizers in Relation to Soil Organic Matter Quality”
by Ondřej Sedlář, Jiří Balík, Jindřich Černý, Martin Kulhánek and Michaela Smatanová
Agronomy 2023, 13(1), 175; https://doi.org/10.3390/agronomy13010175
Full text available online: https://www.mdpi.com/2073-4395/13/1/175

4. “Dry Matter Losses in Silages Resulting from Epiphytic Microbiota Activity—A Comprehensive Study”
by Barbara Wróbel, Janusz Nowak, Agata Fabiszewska, Anna Paszkiewicz-Jasińska and Wojciech Przystupa
Agronomy 2023, 13(2), 450; https://doi.org/10.3390/agronomy13020450
Full text available online: https://www.mdpi.com/2073-4395/13/2/450

5. “Properties of Biochar Obtained from Tropical Crop Wastes Under Different Pyrolysis Temperatures and Its Application on Acidic Soil”
by Shuhui Song, Ping Cong, Chao Wang, Puwang Li, Siru Liu, Zuyu He, Chuang Zhou, Yunhao Liu and Ziming Yang
Agronomy 2023, 13(3), 921; https://doi.org/10.3390/agronomy13030921
Full text available online: https://www.mdpi.com/2073-4395/13/3/921

6. “Effect of Nitrogen Fertilization and Inoculation with Bradyrhizobium japonicum on Nodulation and Yielding of Soybean”
by Ewa Szpunar-Krok, Dorota Bobrecka-Jamro, Wojciech Pikuła and Marta Jańczak-Pieniążek
Agronomy 2023, 13(5), 1341; https://doi.org/10.3390/agronomy13051341
Full text available online: https://www.mdpi.com/2073-4395/13/5/1341

7. “Effects of Liquid Manure Application Techniques on Ammonia Emission and Winter Wheat Yield”
by Martin ten Huf, Thorsten Reinsch, Mareike Zutz, Christoph Essich, Reiner Ruser, Caroline Buchen-Tschiskale,Heinz Flessa and Hans-Werner Olfs
Agronomy 2023, 13(2), 472; https://doi.org/10.3390/agronomy13020472
Full text available online: https://www.mdpi.com/2073-4395/13/2/472

8. “Biochar-Based Phosphate Fertilizers: Synthesis, Properties, Kinetics of P Release and Recommendation for Crops Grown in Oxisols”
by Everton Geraldo de Morais, Keiji Jindo and Carlos Alberto Silva
Agronomy 2023, 13(2), 26; https://doi.org/10.3390/agronomy13020326
Full text available online: https://www.mdpi.com/2073-4395/13/2/326

9. “Mealworm Frass as a Potential Organic Fertilizer in Synergy with PGP-Based Biostimulant for Lettuce Plants”
by Teresa Fuertes-Mendizábal, Isabel Salcedo, Ximena Huérfano, Patrick Riga, José María Estavillo, David Ávila Blanco and Miren Karmele Duñabeitia
Agronomy 2023, 13(5), 1258; https://doi.org/10.3390/agronomy13051258
Full text available online: https://www.mdpi.com/2073-4395/13/5/1258

10. “Calcium- and Magnesium-Enriched Organic Fertilizer and Plant Growth-Promoting Rhizobacteria Affect Soil Nutrient Availability, Plant Nutrient Uptake, and Secondary Metabolite Production in Aloe vera (Aloe barbadensis Miller) Grown under Field Conditions”
by Christina N. Nikolaou, Artemios Chatziartemiou, Myrto Tsiknia, Asimina Georgia Karyda, Constantinos Ehaliotis and Dionisios Gasparatos
Agronomy 2023, 13(2), 482; https://doi.org/10.3390/agronomy13020482
Full text available online: https://www.mdpi.com/2073-4395/13/2/482

We are pleased to announce that Dr. Yongliang Qiao is the winner of the Agronomy 2024 Young Investigator Award. The Agronomy Young Investigator Award was established in 2019 to acknowledge the achievements of young investigators in the field of agronomy and agroecology. Nominations are accepted from May to December each year, with the winner notified by the end of March the following year.

As a winner, Dr. Qiao will receive CHF 2000 and a certificate of award. All winners were chosen by the award committee (Prof. Leslie Ann Weston, Prof. Dr. Christos G. Athanassiou, Prof. Dr. Junliang Fan, Prof. Ilias Travlos).

The following is an interview with Dr. Yongliang Qiao:

1. Could you briefly introduce yourself to our readers and tell us a little bit about your fields of interest?
My research centers on advancing agricultural resilience and sustainability through the deep integration of artificial intelligence, robotics, and big data analytics. I focus on enabling efficient automated perception, intelligent decision-making, and precision operations within smart agriculture, while addressing key real-world challenges such as foundation models for agriculture, agricultural machinery development, and sustainable farming practices.

2. Could you elaborate on how you initially learned about the Agronomy journal? Furthermore, what inspired you to apply for the 2024 Agronomy Young Investigator Award?
During my research journey, I have frequently read articles published in Agronomy, which has given me a deep appreciation for the journal’s professionalism and impact in the field. Later, I noticed that a scholar working in similar research areas had applied for the Young Investigator Award from the journal. I was inspired by his example and motivated to apply as well. I hope that through this application, I can not only bring greater visibility to my research achievements but also expand opportunities for academic exchange and further advance the progress of my work.

3. Do you have any advice for aspiring young researchers looking to make a meaningful impact in their respective fields?
Based on my experience, it is essential to read extensively and think deeply, with a particular focus on investigating causal relationships rather than merely identifying surface-level correlations. Only by thoroughly understanding the underlying mechanisms can we formulate meaningful and valuable research questions and produce truly impactful scientific outcomes.

4. What is the secret to a happy scientific life? Have you ever encountered any difficulties conducting research, and how did you overcome them?
I believe the key to a fulfilling life in scientific research lies in maintaining passion and curiosity. The sense of accomplishment that comes from solving a challenging problem can be incredibly rewarding. At the same time, being able to share research outcomes with the public—helping people understand science and address real-world issues—also brings a strong sense of responsibility and satisfaction.
Of course, the research journey is not without its difficulties. For example, in my work on crop and weed recognition, the specific growth cycles of plants imposed time constraints on data collection, which affected the progress of the project. To overcome this, I optimized the data acquisition plan and integrated multi-source data and augmentation techniques to ensure the study could continue smoothly. While the path of scientific research is often challenging, it is precisely these obstacles that make the process of exploration more meaningful.

5. What is your opinion of the open access model of publishing?
Open access (OA) plays a significant role in advancing scientific progress and promoting knowledge sharing. By removing paywalls, OA allows researchers and the public from diverse backgrounds around the world to access the latest scientific findings equally. From a researcher’s perspective, OA helps increase the visibility and citation of academic work. However, the high article processing charges (APCs) of some journals can impose a financial burden, particularly on early-career researchers. Therefore, it is important for the academic community and funding agencies to work together to establish a fair and sustainable support system for OA publishing.

6. Which research topics do you think are of particular interest to the research community in the coming years?
In the coming years, agricultural research will focus on sustainable technologies and intelligent agricultural machinery that can adapt to and mitigate the impacts of climate change. By integrating advanced technologies such as artificial intelligence, the Internet of Things (IoT), and remote sensing, the goal is to achieve digital crop management that enhances resource use efficiency and agricultural productivity while addressing climate challenges. Moreover, with growing global concerns over food security and environmental pressures, the importance of research into agricultural policies and governance will continue to rise.

7. Could you share your vision for the future of your research and the contributions you aspire to make in the field of agronomy?
I aim to deeply integrate cutting-edge technologies such as artificial intelligence, big data, and robotics into agriculture to develop a smart agricultural platform that combines adaptive perception, autonomous operation, and intelligent decision-making. This platform will foster interdisciplinary collaboration across information science, agronomy, and agricultural machinery, gradually achieving an intelligent agricultural system with a closed-loop control process of “sense–perceive–decide–act”.
The ultimate goal of my research is to enhance agricultural productivity, minimize resource waste, and improve resilience to climate change through technological innovation, thereby providing robust scientific and technological support for the sustainable development of global agriculture.

8. As the winner of this award, is there something you want to express or someone you wish to thank?
I sincerely thank the Agronomy journal for establishing this meaningful Young Researcher Award, and I am deeply grateful to the review committee for recognizing my work. At the same time, I am profoundly thankful to my family for their constant understanding and support. This honor is not only a great encouragement but also strengthens my confidence to continue pursuing my research.
I am also deeply grateful to two mentors who have shaped my academic growth: Prof. Javen Qinfeng Shi, an internationally renowned scholar in causal artificial intelligence and its applications, whose rigorous research and innovative insights have greatly inspired my integration of AI with AgTech; and Prof. Salah Sukkarieh, a prominent leader in field robotics, whose vision and expertise have broadened my perspective on the forefront of agricultural innovation.

1. “Common Ragweed—Ambrosia artemisiifolia L.: A Review with Special Regards to the Latest Results in Biology and Ecology”
by Bence Knolmajer, Ildikó Jócsák, János Taller, Sándor Keszthelyi and Gabriella Kazinczi
Agronomy 2024, 14(3), 497; https://doi.org/10.3390/agronomy14030497
Full text available online: https://www.mdpi.com/2073-4395/14/3/497

2. “The Content of Antioxidant Compounds and VOCs in Sorghum Grain Grown in Central and Eastern Europe”
by Anna Przybylska-Balcerek, Jakub Frankowski, Dominika Sieracka, Tereza Sázavská, Stanisław Wacławek, Barbara Klaudia Raczak, Lidia Szwajkowska-Michałek, Maciej Buśko, Małgorzata Graczyk, Grażyna Niedziela et al.
Agronomy 2024, 14(1), 217; https://doi.org/10.3390/agronomy14010217
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3. “Pesticides Risk Assessment Review: Status, Modeling Approaches, and Future Perspectives”
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Agronomy 2024, 14(10), 2299; https://doi.org/10.3390/agronomy14102299
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4. “A Method to Estimate Climate Drivers of Maize Yield Predictability Leveraging Genetic-by-Environment Interactions in the US and Canada”
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Agronomy 2024, 14(4), 733; https://doi.org/10.3390/agronomy14040733
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5. “Sustainable Agriculture Practices: Utilizing Composted Sludge Fertilizer for Improved Crop Yield and Soil Health”
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6. “Nitric Acid Rain Decreases Soil Bacterial Diversity and Alters Bacterial Community Structure in Farmland Soils”
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Agronomy 2024, 14(4), 802; https://doi.org/10.3390/agronomy14040802
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9. “Survey of Potato Growers’ Perception of Climate Change and Its Impacts on Potato Production in Germany, Switzerland, and Austria”
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10. “Apple Growth and Yield in Replant Soils Supplemented by Organic Soil Additives”
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