Search Results (601)

This paper investigates how agricultural practices impact mountain biodiversity. Within the PROMONT project this has been realized across six ADRION pilot areas. By combining species surveys, land-use mapping, and stakeholder input, PROMONT identifies how intensification, agrochemical use, and abandonment threaten ecological integrity. Findings show that traditional agro-pastoral systems support biodiversity, while modern intensification leads to habitat loss and species decline. Agroecological practices, such as organic farming and landscape heterogeneity, offer viable pathways for sustainable coexistence. The study proposes a replicable assessment methodology and recommends integrating biodiversity objectives into agricultural policy, promoting knowledge transfer, and supporting conservation-friendly farming to enhance ecological resilience in mountain environments. Full article

Efficient irrigation planning in data-scarce regions remains challenging due to limited access to localized meteorological data, reliance on complex computer-based models, and the technical knowledge required to deploy them at the field scale. Hence, the need for accessible, smartphone-based tools that simplify soil water balance calculations using public data to support practical decision-making in resource-limited contexts. This smartphone-based application estimates Net and Gross Irrigation Requirements using a Soil Water Balance (SWB) framework. The app combines region-specific empirical formulations for Effective Rainfall (Pe) calculation. The application utilizes user-supplied crop and irrigation parameters and meteorological data available in the public domain and operates at multiple temporal scales (daily, 10-day, weekly, and monthly), thereby supporting flexible irrigation schedules. The performance of app was evaluated through simulation-based benchmarking against FAO-CROPWAT 8.0 using harmonized inputs across five representatives agro-climatic region: Central India, Southern Vietnam, Northern Thailand, Western Bangladesh, and Central Sri Lanka. Quantitative comparison showed deviations within ±5% for Effective Rainfall, crop evapotranspiration, Net Irrigation, and Gross Irrigation, and low mean bias values (−2.8% to +3.3%) show the absence of systematic over- or under-estimation compared to CROPWAT model. The application also demonstrated responsiveness to climatic variability. Although the validation is limited to few representative locations and assumed minimal runoff conditions, the results suggest that the proposed method is technically consistent and feasible in practice. This study demonstrates smartphone-based application as a decision support for field-level irrigation planning and water resource management, particularly in data-limited agricultural contexts. Full article

Climate change poses a threat to global rice production by increasing the frequency and intensity of extreme weather events. The widespread cultivation of genetically uniform modern varieties has narrowed the genetic base of rice, increasing its vulnerability to these increased pressures. Rice landraces are traditional rice varieties that have been cultivated by farming communities for centuries and are considered crucial resources of genetic diversity. These landraces are adapted to a wide range of agro-ecological environments and exhibit valuable traits that provide tolerance to various biotic stresses, including drought, salinity, nutrient-deficient soils, and the increasing severity of climate-related temperature extremes. In addition, many landraces possess diverse alleles associated with resistance to biotic stresses, including pests and diseases. In addition, rice landraces exhibit great grain quality characters including high levels of essential amino acids, antioxidants, flavonoids, vitamins, and micronutrients. Hence, their preservation is vital for maintaining agricultural biodiversity and enhancing nutritional security, especially in vulnerable and resource-limited regions. However, rice landraces are increasingly threatened by genetic erosion due to widespread adoption of modern high-yielding varieties, habitat loss, and changing farming practices. This review discusses the roles of rice landraces in developing resilient and climate-smart rice cultivars. Moreover, the Pantiange Heigu landrace, cultivated at one of the highest altitudes globally in Yunnan Province, China, has been used as a case study for integrated conservation by demonstrating the successful combination of in situ and ex situ strategies, community engagement, policy support, and value-added development to sustainably preserve genetic diversity under challenging environmental and socio-economic challenges. Finally, this study explores the importance of employing advanced genomic technologies with supportive policies and economic encouragements to enhance conservation and sustainable development of rice landraces as a strategic imperative for global food security. By preserving and enhancing the utilization of rice landraces, the agricultural community can strengthen the genetic base of rice, improve crop resilience, and contribute substantially to global food security and sustainable agricultural development in the face of environmental and socio-economic challenges. Full article

This study demonstrates a sustainable, integrated pathway for valorizing carrot processing by-products through solvent-free lycopene recovery. The approach combines optimized infrared dehydration with ultrasound-assisted extraction using edible oils. Drying kinetics were modeled at multiple temperatures, with the Midilli model providing the best fit (R² > 0.99), enabling accurate prediction of moisture content removal while preserving bioactive compounds. Optimization via Box–Behnken design identified efficient extraction conditions (49.7–60 °C, 10 mL/g, 60 min), achieving lycopene equivalent (LE) yields of 3.07 to 5.00 mg/kg oil. Sunflower and blended oils showed comparable performance under maximum sonication power (240 W), with strong agreement between predicted and experimental yields. The process generated two valuable outputs: a functional lycopene-enriched oil and an exhausted carrot powder co-product, the latter retaining its crude fiber content despite other compositional changes. This research presents a scalable, green methodology that aligns with circular economy principles, transforming agro-industrial waste into functional food ingredients without organic solvents. Thus, the developed approach establishes a transferable model for the sustainable valorization of carotenoid-rich residues, contributing directly to greener food production systems. By providing a practical technological framework to convert waste into wealth, this work supports the fundamental transition toward a circular bioeconomy. Full article

Fungi have emerged as versatile biotechnological platforms for addressing environmental challenges with potential co-benefits for human health. Among them, Pleurotus ostreatus stands out for its ligninolytic enzyme systems (notably laccases), capacity to valorize lignocellulosic residues, and ability to form functional mycelial materials. We conducted an evidence-mapped review, based on a bibliometric analysis of the Scopus corpus (2001–2025; 2085 records), to characterize research fronts and practical opportunities in environmental remediation and sustainable bioprocesses involving P. ostreatus. The mapped literature shows sustained growth and global engagement, with prominent themes in: (a) oxidative transformation of phenolic compounds, dyes and polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons; (b) biodegradation/bioconversion of agro-industrial residues into value-added products; and (c) development of bio-based materials and processes aligned with the circular bioeconomy. We synthesize how these strands translate to real-world contexts, reducing contaminant loads, closing nutrient loops, and enabling low-cost processes that may indirectly reduce exposure-related risks. Key translational gaps persist: standardization of environmental endpoints, scale-up from laboratory to field, performance in complex matrices, life-cycle impacts and cost, ecotoxicological safety, and long-term monitoring. A practical agenda was proposed that prioritizes field-scale demonstrations with harmonized protocols, integration of life-cycle assessment and cost metrics, data sharing, and One Health frameworks linking environmental gains with plausible health co-benefits. In conclusion, P. ostreatus is a tractable platform organism for sustainable remediation and bio-manufacturing. This evidence map clarifies where the field is mature and where focused effort can accelerate the impact of future research. Full article

Protecting groundwater against pollution from agricultural sources is a key aspect of sustainable management of soil and water resources. Implementation of sustainable strategies for agricultural production can be supported by modeling tools, which allow us to quantify the effects of different agricultural practices in the context of groundwater vulnerability to contamination. In this study we present a method to assess groundwater vulnerability to nitrate pollution based on a combination of the SWAT agro-hydrological model and the DRASTIC index method. SWAT modeling was applied to assess different scenarios of agricultural practices and identify solutions for sustainable management of soil and groundwater and reduction of nitrate pollution. The developed method was implemented for groundwater resources in a study area (Puck Bay region, southern Baltic coast), which represented a complex multi-aquifer system formed in Quaternary fluvioglacial deposits (sand and gravel) separated by moraine tills. In order to investigate the effects of different agricultural practices, 12 scenarios have been defined, which were grouped into four classes: crop type, fertilizer management, tillage, and grazing. An overlay index structure was applied, and ratings and weights to several factors were assigned. All analyses were processed using GIS tools, and the results are presented in the form of maps, which categorize groundwater vulnerability to nitrate pollution into five classes, ranging from very low to very high. The results reveal significant variability in groundwater vulnerability to nitrate pollution in the study area. Agricultural practices have a very strong influence on groundwater vulnerability by controlling both recharge rates and nitrogen losses from the soil profile. The most pronounced increases in vulnerability were associated with scenarios involving excessive fertilization and intensive grazing. Among crop types, potato cultivation appears to pose the greatest risk to groundwater quality. Full article

Agrivoltaic systems (AVs) combine agricultural production with photovoltaic energy generation, enabling the dual use of land resources. This approach has gained increasing attention as a promising strategy to address pressing social, environmental, and energy challenges. Although the global expansion of AVs is accelerating, empirical research remains limited—particularly regarding farmers’ perspectives on adopting such systems. This study investigates Greek farmers’ perceptions and attitudes toward the adoption of photovoltaic technologies in agricultural practices. For this purpose, a questionnaire-based survey was conducted on a sample of 287 participants selected using purposive convenience sampling, based on predefined inclusion criteria relevant to the objectives of the study. The data were analyzed using a binary logistic regression model to identify factors positively associated with farmers’ willingness to adopt AVs. The findings reveal that 46.3% of farmers expressed willingness to adopt AVs, indicating a moderate level of acceptance. The logistic regression results indicated that higher education levels (OR = 3.53, p = 0.007), membership in farmers’ organizations (OR = 2.00, p = 0.001), and familiarity with agro-energy concepts (OR = 3.49, p = 0.016) significantly increased farmers’ motivation to engage as renewable energy producers. The model demonstrates a moderate level of explanatory power (Nagelkerke R² = 0.37). The study’s findings provide valuable insights into the key factors influencing farmers’ willingness to adopt AVs, contributing to a deeper understanding of the decision-making processes involved. Based on these findings, it is recommended that agricultural policies and community-based renewable energy initiatives focus on targeted education and extension services, the strengthening of farmers’ organizations to facilitate collective decision-making, and the implementation of focused agro-energy information campaigns. Full article

Our work develops the structural mathematical framework of the REGENerative Agriculture (REGENA) Production Function, contributing to the limited global literature of regenerative farming production functions with consistency to the 2nd Law of Thermodynamics and the underlying biophysical processes for ecosystem services’ generation. The accurate structural economic modeling of regenerative farming practices comprises a first vital step for the shift of global agriculture from conventional farming—utilizing petrochemical fertilizers, pesticides and intensive tillage—to regenerative farming—utilizing local agro-ecological capital forms, such as micro-organisms, organic biomasses, no-tillage and resistant varieties. In this context, we empirically test the REGENA structural change patterns with data from eight experimental plots in six Mediterranean countries in Southern Europe and Northern Africa for three crop compositions: (a) with exclusively conventional practices, (b) with exclusively regenerative practices and (c) with mixed conventional and regenerative practices. Finally, we discuss in detail the scientific, institutional, economic and financial engineering challenges for the market uptake of regenerative farming and the contribution of REGENA for the achievement of this goal. In addition, as regenerative farming is knowledge-intensive, we review the vital aspect of Open Innovation (OI) and protected Intellectual Property (IP) business models as essential parts of regenerative farming knowledge-sharing clusters and trading alliances. Full article

This study evaluated the effects of apple pomace (AP) incorporation on the physicochemical, structural, and functional properties of high-moisture meat analogs from a sustainability perspective. AP, an abundant agro-industrial by-product rich in dietary fiber and polyphenols, was upcycled at inclusion levels of 0–20%. By transforming this food waste into a value-added ingredient, the study aligns with circular bioeconomy principles to reduce environmental footprints. Increasing AP content led to reductions in textural attributes such as hardness, cohesiveness, springiness, and chewiness. Integrity index and cutting strength also declined, particularly beyond 15%, due to the disruption of the protein-starch matrix by dietary fibers. In contrast, antioxidant activities (DPPH and ABTS) improved significantly with higher AP levels, reflecting polyphenol release during extrusion. These findings highlight a trade-off between enhanced nutritional functionality and reduced structural integrity. Moderate inclusion below 10–15% may therefore offer a balance between antioxidant benefits and acceptable texture. Overall, this research demonstrates the potential of sustainable AP valorization in developing senior-friendly and plant-based meat analog products. The outcomes not only provide practical formulation guidance but also contribute to resource efficiency, waste reduction, responsible consumption, and sustainable food production systems, and the advancement of a circular bioeconomy. Full article

The Lower Danube region represents a long-standing zone of interaction between indigenous communities, mobile pastoral populations, and Mediterranean colonial networks. During the Late Iron Age, such contexts have frequently been interpreted through culture-historical frameworks that emphasise socio-economic differentiation among coexisting populations. This study examines whether communities traditionally described in culturally or economically differentiated terms can instead be understood as functionally diverse social entities responding to shared environmental conditions. Three Late Iron Age (4th–3rd centuries BC) settlements from Central Dobruja (Romania), Medgidia Hellenistic 1, 2, and 3, were investigated using an integrated bioarchaeological approach combining archaeozoological and phytolith analyses. The sites are situated along a major communication corridor linking the Danube with the western Black Sea coast, colonised by the Greeks at that time. Faunal assemblages are dominated by domestic mammals, particularly cattle, caprine, and horses, indicating a pastoral economy structured around livestock management, secondary product exploitation, and varying degrees of mobility. Phytolith assemblages reveal a strong cereal signal alongside evidence for grassland exploitation, woody resource use, and wetland vegetation, reflecting mixed agro-pastoral practices embedded within a heterogeneous landscape. Taken together, the results suggest that Getae and Scythian-associated populations did not represent temporally or hierarchically differentiated socio-economic stages, but rather coexisting communities characterised by complementary subsistence practices, shaped by mobility, seasonality, and regional connectivity. This study highlights the value of bioarchaeological evidence for refining interpretations of cultural interaction and adaptive strategies in Late Iron Age Europe. Full article

The world faces increasing food, environmental, and human security issues, primarily attributed to an overburdened agricultural sector struggling to keep pace with rising population and demand for food, energy, and fiber. Advances in food production and agriculture, especially with monoculture farming, have continued to meet these demands but at a high price regarding resource depletion and environmental devastation. This is especially severe in developing world areas with rural populations with thin resource margins. Regenerative agriculture has emerged as a solution to provide shielding for food production, ensure environmental protection, and promote social equity while addressing many of these issues. Regenerative agriculture food production aims to restore soils, forests, waterways, and the atmosphere and operate with lower offsite negative environmental and social impacts. This review discusses the fundamental principles and practices of sustainable plant protection for regenerative farming. It focuses on the role of biological and ecological processes, reduces non-renewable inputs, and aims to incorporate traditional ecological knowledge into pest control practices. It offers essential transition strategies, including critical changes from conventional integrated pest management (IPM) to agro-ecological crop protection, focusing on systemic approaches to design agroecosystems. It also reaffirms the importance of a vast diversity of pest control methods that are culturally, mechanistically, physically, and biologically appropriate for regenerative farming practices. Ultimately, the aim is to encourage ecological, economic, and social sustainability for the future of more resilient and controlled agricultural practices. Full article

The transition toward sustainable and circular agricultural systems is increasingly important, yet evidence linking circularity and farm profitability in transition economies remains limited. This study examines the determinants of farm profitability in Serbia by combining micro-level structural and productivity indicators with a macro-level agro-eco efficiency measure, used here as a sector-wide ecological pressure indicator rather than a direct proxy for circular practices. Using a balanced Farm Accountancy Data Network (FADN) panel of 443 farms (2015–2022) across dairy, mixed, field crop, and fruit & wine sectors, dynamic panel estimators (difference and system Generalized Method of Moments-GMM) reveal strong sectoral heterogeneity. Asset turnover is the primary driver of profitability in field crops and perennial systems, while dairy farms benefit from scale and land productivity. Energy intensity consistently reduces profitability across all sectors. Agro-eco efficiency shows a negative effect in livestock-based systems, indicating higher sensitivity to macro-ecological pressures. These findings suggest that environmental and economic vulnerabilities differ across production systems, highlighting the need for sector-specific strategies aimed at improving resilience rather than inferring the profitability of circular technologies. Full article

The need for more sustainable agriculture less dependent on mineral fertilizers has intensified the interest in the reuse of agro-industrial by-products as alternative nutrient sources. This study investigates the agronomic potential of citrus sewage sludge (CSS), derived from citrus wastewater treatment, as a nitrogen (N) source for wheat cultivation. An experiment was conducted using two Mediterranean soils with contrasting physicochemical properties, comparing a non-fertilized control (CTR), inorganic N fertilization (NH₄NO₃) (CTR + N), and CSS; fertilizers were applied once at 30 mg of N per plant. Differences in soil organic carbon availability and C/N ratio, together with carbonate-related properties, influenced N dynamics in the soil–plant system. In the soil with higher oxidizable organic C and a more favorable C/N ratio (S1), CSS increased soil ammonium concentrations by about 70% compared with the control and by nearly 50% compared with the soil characterized by lower organic C availability (S2). In S2, the lower concentrations of both NH₄⁺ and NO₃⁻ indicate reduced microbial mineralization and nitrification, consistent with its lower availability of readily degradable organic carbon. Moreover, wheat grown with CSS exhibited a total biomass about 40% higher than that of the CTR. The Mineral Fertilizer Replacement Value (MFRV) reached 73% in S1 and 46% in S2, confirming the potential of CSS as a sustainable N source, particularly in soils where organic C availability supports microbial activity and N transformations. Future strategies should focus on improving CSS use through specific soil management practices. Full article

This article examines how the recognition, measurement, and disclosure of biological assets (BAs) under IAS 41 affect value creation in Colombian agribusinesses following IFRS adoption. Using EMIS Benchmark data for Colombia, we construct a panel of 157 agro-industrial firms that are neither subsidiaries of multinationals nor listed on the stock exchange; the panel covers 2012–2022, spanning the period before and after IFRS adoption. The database combines accounting and financial indicators with categorical variables capturing the scope of activities, valuation methods (historical cost, realisable value, present value, fair value), and disclosure policies for BAs. Value creation is proxied by EBITDA, return on equity (ROE), and return on assets (ROA). We estimate fixed-effects panel models for three IFRS groups. Results show that, in Group 1, defining the accounting scope and using fair value and present value as measurement bases are associated with higher firm value, while Groups 2 and 3 display positive but statistically weaker effects. Explicit disclosure is also associated with higher profitability, particularly for SMEs. These findings are consistent with agency and firm theories: when entrepreneurial activities are recognised, measured, and disclosed consistently and transparently, information asymmetry and agency costs fall, and accounting policies become a driver of organisational performance in agribusinesses in emerging markets. The results also support the assumptions of institutional theory, as external regulatory pressures from IFRS and internal pressures arising from relationships among firms in the agro-industrial sector shape and reinforce information disclosure practices. Full article

Due to global increases in poultry meat and egg production, consumers request sustainable agricultural practices, requiring alternative solutions for future feeding. Global egg production increased by over 41% between 2000 and 2020, from 51 to 87 million tonnes, at an average increasing rate of 3%. Similarly, the production of poultry meat reached 145 million tonnes in 2023 and continues to increase, which amplifies the pressure on sustainable alternative feed solutions. Commercial poultry diets are typically based on a cereal (corn or wheat) as an energy source and a quality protein source, especially soybean meal (SBM), to provide essential amino acids. Soybean production is associated with deforesting and land use in several countries, sensitiveness to supply chains and price volatility. As a response to these challenges over the last decade, research and commercial innovation have intensively focused on alternative and novel feed resources that can be integrated into both broiler and layer diets. Some future candidate ingredients are insect meal, algae, agro-industrial by-products such as distiller’s dried grains with solubles (DDGS), brewery spent grains (BSG) and fermented feedstuffs (oilseed cakes/meals). Literature data showed that moderate inclusion of these alternative ingredients can be partly integrated in poultry diets, without compromising egg or meat quality. In some cases, studies showed improvements of productive performances and specific quality traits (yolk color, fatty acids and antioxidant compounds), offering potential to valorize waste streams, improve local circularity and provide functional ingredients for animals and humans. However, challenges still remain, especially in terms of nutrient variability, digestibility limitations, higher processing costs and still-evolving regulations which constrain mainstream adoption of some of these potential future alternatives. Full article