Search Results (213)

Rapid urbanization can shrink and fragment cultivated land while raising agricultural productivity, creating mismatches among spatial configuration, functional performance, and management modes. These dimensions are rarely assessed in a unified, value-neutral framework. We developed a Spatial–Functional–Modal (SFM) framework to evaluate multidimensional synchronicity in 46 county-level units of the Nanjing Metropolitan Area, China, using Period 6 data spanning 2000–2022. We combined 18 entropy-weighted indicators with coupling and coupling coordination degree (CCD) models at county and municipal scales. Regional SFM-CCD rose from 0.304 to 0.327 but remained in the model-defined near-misalignment category, while average coupling declined from 0.747 to 0.740. All pairwise CCDs increased, but coupling trajectories differed: spatial–functional coupling weakened, spatial–modal coupling diverged between Jiangsu and Anhui, and functional–modal coupling strengthened. Anhui’s SFM-CCD increased more consistently and surpassed Jiangsu in later years. Nanjing remained a relative synchronicity trough, reflecting weaker alignment among normalized dimensions rather than lower absolute agricultural capacity. Alternative weights and ±10% and ±20% perturbations largely preserved relative rankings and the overall temporal pattern, but absolute values and categories remained method-sensitive. The framework diagnoses asynchronous transitions and can inform differentiated governance in other rapidly urbanizing regions. Full article

The growing global demand for ethical, resource-efficient protein sources has renewed serious interest in cultured meat as a viable alternative to conventional livestock production. Two revolutionary biotechnological systems, induced pluripotent stem cell (iPSC) reprogramming and CRISPR-Cas9-mediated genome editing, when combined, offer unparalleled accuracy and scalability for the biofabrication of avian flesh. In this review, we present a comprehensive pipeline that involves the ectopic expression of Yamanaka factors (Oct4, Sox2, Klf4, and c-Myc) to reprogram primary somatic cells derived from Gallus gallus into induced pluripotent stem cells (iPSCs). This process is subsequently followed by targeted genome editing to enhance myogenic potential, growth efficiency, nutritional composition, and disease resistance. iPSCs are cultivated in a xeno-free bioreactor following genome editing, and subsequently directed to develop into myoblasts and mature myotubes. Three-dimensional tissue biofabrication is realized by combining biomaterial scaffolds and perfusion bioreactor systems, structuring an authentic muscle tissue matrix. These engineering platforms enable precise control over microenvironmental parameters, including oxygenation and nutrient perfusion. The resulting biofabricated poultry product is compositionally optimized, free of antibiotic residues, and exhibits a significantly reduced environmental footprint than poultry that is grown in the traditional way. This all-in-one solution solves important problems in food security, animal welfare, land use efficiency, and greenhouse gas emissions while also setting up a scalable biomanufacturing framework for making proteins for the next generation. Full article

Climate change, increasing disease pressures, and rising global protein demand challenge future food security and highlight the need for sustainable alternative protein sources. Microalgae have emerged as a promising complementary feedstock due to their rapid growth, high protein content, favorable amino acid profiles, functional properties, and low land requirements. However, despite extensive research progress, industrial scale-up and economic feasibility of microalgal protein production remain limited. This review critically assesses the current state of microalgal protein research across the production chain, including strain selection, cultivation, harvesting, protein extraction, processing, and food applications. While plant-derived protein isolates are already widely used to improve food nutritional and functional properties, microalgal protein isolates remain underexplored in real food matrices, with most applications relying on whole biomass incorporation. Downstream processing represents a major economic bottleneck, particularly for high-purity protein products. The review identifies key knowledge gaps, evaluates socio-economic potential, and highlights limitations in current sustainability assessments. Although microalgae are unlikely to serve as a stand-alone solution to global protein demand, they offer strong potential as a complementary, resource-efficient protein source. Realizing this potential will require interdisciplinary research, improved technoeconomic analyses, supportive regulatory frameworks, and targeted investment to enable industrial implementation and contribute to a more resilient and climate-friendly food system. Full article

Scientific studies of mine closure and ecosystem management have become very important since the rate of coal mine closures in China has increased rapidly over the last decade. This study first analyzed spatiotemporal changes in land use and ecosystem services value (ESV) during the period 2000–2020 around the Kailuan Mining Area in Tangshan City. The area has a history of over 100 years of continuous mining activities in the region. The analyses used the PLUS model, multi-scenario simulation, and ESV equivalent factor method and multi-source data on land use, mining activities, socioeconomic factors, and climatic conditions. The study then projected land-use changes and spatiotemporal ESV characteristics for the year 2030 for two alternatives: (1) the Current Development Scenario (CDS), representing the current pace of development without mine closure; and (2) the Ecological Restoration Scenario (ERS), representing mine closure and ecological restoration. Key results include: (1) during 2000–2020, cultivated land and construction land were the primary land uses, with the overall trends showing decrease in cultivated, forest, pasture, and unused lands, varying water use areas, and continuously increasing construction land; (2) the revised ESV results show that total ESV declined from 31.27 million USD in 2000 to 25.30 million USD in 2020, a net decrease of 6.19 million USD, mainly because of cropland loss and degradation of forest and grassland; and (3) for 2030, the CDS projected a continued decline in total ESV to 24.30 million USD, whereas the ERS increased total ESV to 26.50 million USD, which is 2.19 million USD higher than the CDS and 1.20 million USD higher than the 2020 baseline. Compared with the CDS, the ERS increased cropland by 13.20 km² and reduced construction land by 10.06 km², indicating that reclaiming subsided water bodies and idle construction land into cropland and restored ecological land can enhance ecosystem services while mitigating subsidence-related risks. The framework can support data-driven post-mining land-use planning and ecological management in resource-based regions. Full article

Global population growth and the demand for sustainable food systems have pushed microalgae into the spotlight as promising novel food resources. They are rich in protein, omega-3 fatty acids, and bioactive pigments including astaxanthin and phycocyanin. Unlike conventional farming, microalgae cultivation can be conducted on non-arable land and may reduce direct competition with conventional food crops for land resources, depending on the production system used. Regulatory progress in China, the European Union (EU), and the United States has resulted in the authorization or approval of several microalgal species and microalgae-derived ingredients for specific food and nutritional applications, including dietary supplements, infant nutrition products, and alternative protein ingredients. Despite these advances, broader commercial adoption remains constrained by several challenges, such as off-flavors and the dark green color, high production costs from closed photobioreactors and energy-intensive downstream purification, fragmented regulatory frameworks across jurisdictions and limited long-term data on bioavailability, allergenicity, safety, and dose–response relationships for some emerging strains. This review focuses on microalgae as novel food resources, covering regulatory approvals, strain selection, high-value utilization, and market translation, synthesizes evidence on nutritional evaluation, application scenarios, and global regulatory differences, analyzes key bottlenecks, and proposes pathways to bridge fundamental research with industrial practice. It also highlights unresolved knowledge gaps to guide future research and policy. Full article

Cocoa accounts for 5.20% of Peru’s cultivated land and is growing at a rate of 8.80% per year; however, yields remain low due to deficiencies in crop management. Therefore, this study used a multiple linear regression (MLR) model to evaluate effects of an organic agroforestry system (OAF) and conventional monocultures (CMs) on soil and production in high-yielding T. cacao plantations in the Upper Huallaga Valley, Peru. Four plantations were evaluated: organic agroforestry (Pa) and conventional monoculture (LE, Sa, and Sh). Soil physicochemical variables and cocoa production were assessed. The MLR analysis revealed that in OAF systems with mature trees, there will be slight losses of clay and silt fractions; the latter can be offset by high planting density. The OAF system showed a significant positive effect on pH. However, the CM system showed significant decreases in pH, CEC, Ca²⁺, and Mg²⁺. The interaction between OAF and CM optimized production, increasing the weight of dry beans. Planting density is associated with improvements in pH and bases, as well as fruit index and the weight of dry beans. MLR modeling suggests that integrating OAF systems with conventional management practices in high-density plantations offers valuable alternatives for the design of local agricultural policies and producer support programs, by identifying the factors that link management systems to soil quality and sustainable cocoa productivity in this valley. Full article

Global salinization affects approximately one billion hectares of land in more than 100 countries, posing a severe threat to food security and ecosystem sustainability. Microbial remediation using plant growth-promoting microorganisms offers an eco-friendly alternative to physicochemical methods. However, bridging the gap between laboratory cultivation of single strains and field-scale application of synthetic microbial communities (SynComs) remains difficult, owing to inconsistent efficacy and a lack of unified design frameworks. This review examines the evolution from single strains to rationally designed SynComs for saline soil remediation. A ‘structure–function–mechanism’ framework is proposed, integrating five core microbial modules, namely ion regulation and osmotic stabilization, ethylene and phytohormone modulation, antioxidant activation, nutrient cycle activation, and systemic resistance induction. The review elucidates key determinants of synthetic community success, including functional complementarity, strain compatibility, and host–environment matching, while revealing a marked quantitative gap between controlled experiments and field performance. Key bottlenecks are identified, including the lack of high-throughput compatibility screening, poorly quantified long-term ecological risks, and the absence of standardized application guidelines across agro-ecological zones. Finally, emerging avenues are discussed, such as microbial–microalgal symbiosis and AI-assisted design, outlining a roadmap for next-generation smart microbial products integrated into climate-resilient farming systems. Full article

Cultivated Land “Non-grain” Rectification is reshaping crop allocation across China, yet whether the policy promotes or impedes agricultural growth remains contested. This paper argues that the same uniform regulation generates spatially heterogeneous outcomes along a continuous topographic relief: strict enforcement on contiguous plain farmland raises compliance costs for horticultural production and displaces it toward higher-elevation counties, where land-use rules bind less tightly and micro-climates favor cash crops. Using a panel of 2077 Chinese counties from 2019 to 2023, we construct a municipal-level measure of rectification intensity from government work reports and examine how its effect varies with county-level terrain relief. The results show that the marginal effect of policy intensity on agricultural value added rises monotonically with terrain, turning from negative in flat plains to increasingly positive beyond 0.5–1.0 km of relief; at the sample mean a one-standard-deviation increase in policy intensity raises agricultural value added by about 0.36 percent, and at 2 km of relief by 1.16 percent. The mechanism is spatial reallocation, not land expansion. Rectification shrinks horticultural area in plains and expands it in mountains. A Moran’s I test confirms this: counties with very different terrain show opposite changes in orchard cover. Further heterogeneity tests indicate that rectification primarily promotes the relocation and expansion of fruit orchards toward higher-relief counties. The growth effect is stronger where transport networks are denser, whereas water endowment does not significantly moderate the effect. Results are robust to alternative keyword classifications, concurrent-policy controls, and two instrumental-variable strategies. Full article

The accelerating demand for nickel and rare earth elements (REEs) for batteries, renewable energy technologies, and advanced electronics is intensifying pressure on conventional mining, with profound implications for biodiversity, ecosystem integrity, and local communities. Phytomining—cultivating metal-hyperaccumulator plants to recover metals from soils—has emerged as a promising complementary approach that can simultaneously generate metal resources, remediate degraded lands, and deliver conservation co-benefits. Nickel phytomining is now approaching commercial deployment, supported by a diverse flora of more than 500 nickel-hyperaccumulator species and field trials demonstrating economically relevant yields of approximately 22.6–77 kg Ni ha⁻¹ yr⁻¹ on ultramafic and mine-affected soils. In parallel, recent discoveries of REE hyperaccumulator plants and advances in biomass processing, including rapid electrothermal calcination, have revitalized interest in REE phytomining as a sustainable alternative for critical mineral recovery. This review synthesizes current knowledge on the ecology, physiology, and agronomy of nickel and REE hyperaccumulators, with a focus on how their deployment in phytomining systems can contribute to biodiversity conservation, land restoration, and resource recycling. It identifies key research gaps in hyperaccumulator discovery, molecular mechanisms, soil–plant–microbe interactions, agronomic optimization, biomass processing, techno-economic assessment, and social science and governance. In addition, the paper presents a novel techno-economic assessment for Texas as a case study of U.S. deployment, and proposes a phased scouting protocol for discovering and domesticating new hyperaccumulator species. Together, these elements provide a framework for integrating phytomining into conservation planning and critical mineral strategies, particularly in the United States, where ARPA-E programs are beginning to target domestic phytomining supply chains. Full article

Lutein is a xanthophyll carotenoid widely recognized for its roles in eye health, antioxidant and neuroprotective effects, and the prevention of oxidative stress-related disorders. The growing demand for functional foods and nutraceuticals has heightened industry interest in sustainable lutein production. However, conventional sources such as green vegetables and marigold flowers face several limitations, including low bioavailability, seasonal variability, land-intensive cultivation, and sustainability concerns. Therefore, this review provides an updated, comprehensive, and integrated overview of sustainable lutein production, extraction technologies, and functional applications. This review discusses conventional dietary sources alongside emerging alternative platforms, including microalgae, agro-industrial byproducts, and bioengineered fermentation systems. Recent advances in green extraction technologies, particularly supercritical CO₂, ultrasound-assisted, and enzyme-assisted extraction, are also critically evaluated due to their potential to improve extraction efficiency while reducing environmental impact. In addition, the applications of lutein in functional foods, nutraceuticals, and pharmaceutical products are also highlighted. This review further examines key technical challenges, including low bioavailability, high production and downstream processing costs, compound instability, extraction inefficiencies, lack of standardization, and scalability limitations. Future progress will depend on integrating circular bioeconomy strategies, artificial intelligence (AI)-assisted process optimization, sustainable biorefinery concepts, and advanced stabilization technologies to support economically viable and environmentally sustainable lutein production systems. Full article

Agricultural crop residue burning is a major driver of seasonal PM2.5 pollution and greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions in Northern Thailand. This study quantified GHG emissions from the open burning of rice, maize, and sugarcane residues across six provinces (Chiang Mai, Mae Hong Son, Lampang, Uttaradit, Nakhon Sawan, and Kamphaeng Phet) from 2019 to 2024 using the 2006 IPCC emission methodology. Spatiotemporal patterns of fire hotspots were characterized using MODIS and VIIRS satellite data, combined with kernel density estimation (KDE) and land-use classification in ArcGIS Pro. Total non-CO₂ GHG emissions (CH₄ and N₂O, expressed as CO₂-eq using GWP100 from IPCC AR5) over the six years totaled 2,599,551 tCO₂-eq, with major rice contributing the largest share (35%), followed by sugarcane (24%), second rice (21%), and maize (20%). Nakhon Sawan was the leading emitter (41%), reflecting its extensive rice and sugarcane cultivation. Pearson correlation analysis revealed consistently positive relationships between daily fire hotspot counts and PM2.5 concentrations (r = 0.30–0.84), with the strongest correlations observed in Mae Hong Son, where basin topography traps pollutants. Time-series analysis confirmed pronounced seasonal PM2.5 peaks that exceeded Thailand’s 24-h NAAQS limit (37.5 μg/m³) by 7–9 times in severe years. Biochar production via pyrolysis was evaluated as a zero-burning alternative, with an estimated annual carbon sequestration potential of 2.3–3.5 million tCO₂-eq, substantially exceeding emissions from open burning. These findings indicate that crop-residue valorization options—including biochar production, composting, and biochar co-compost—could theoretically offset agricultural GHG emissions and reduce field-burning PM2.5 emissions in Northern Thailand. However, the realized mitigation will depend on (i) verification of biochar long-term stability in tropical Thai soils through dedicated in situ trials, (ii) economic incentives that offset biochar production costs of approximately 1500–3500 THB per tonne, and (iii) integration within a policy mix that combines burning bans, mechanization support, and farmer extension services. Without these enabling conditions, biochar should be regarded as a future-perspective option rather than an immediately deployable solution. Full article

The severe continuous cropping obstacles in Morchella cultivation, driven primarily by soil microecological imbalance, critically constrain the sustainable development of the industry. To address this challenge, this study evaluated the efficacy of rotary tillage, calcium cyanamide (CaCN₂), and organic fertilizer, applied individually and in combination, in mitigating these obstacles and explored the underlying microbial mechanisms. The soil was treated on 5 August 2024, and soil samples were collected on 5 October 2024. Four treatments were established: continuous cropping control (CK), rotary tillage (XGX), rotary tillage combined with calcium cyanamide (MPD), and rotary tillage combined with calcium cyanamide and organic fertilizer (MPX). Soil chemical properties were analyzed in conjunction with metagenomic sequencing to characterize the responses of soil properties and microbial communities, including both eukaryotic and bacterial taxa. The results indicated that the MPD treatment showed a relatively pronounced effect in enhancing key soil fertility indicators, including soil organic matter (OM), total nitrogen (TN), available nitrogen (AN), available potassium (AK), and total phosphorus (TP). All amendments significantly altered microbial community structures. Specifically, the integrated MPX treatment effectively reduced the relative abundance of the pathogenic fungus Olpidium while maintaining higher overall microbial diversity. It also significantly promoted the abundance of Morchella itself and beneficial bacterial phyla such as Actinomycetota and Pseudomonadota. Redundancy analysis identified AN and AK as the primary drivers of eukaryotic community variation, whereas Availa-ble phosphorus (AP) and potential of hydrogen (pH) were the key factors shaping the bacterial community. The results indicated that MPD was the showed relatively pronounced effectiveness in rapidly improving soil fertility and suppressing pathogenic fungi. In contrast, MPX showed relatively better performance in optimizing microbial community structure, enhancing microbial diversity, and strengthening overall ecological stability. These two treatments exhibited distinct advantages in soil chemical improvement and microbial community regulation, respectively, thereby providing alternative practical strategies and a theoretical basis for the ecological management of continuous-cropping obstacles in Morchella cultivation. It should be noted that this study did not include treatments with calcium cyanamide alone, organic fertilizer alone, or their combined application without rotary tillage. This is primarily because rotary tillage is a standard land preparation practice in Morchella cultivation, and the use of soil amendments without accompanying tillage is rarely adopted under practical production conditions. Full article

Dietary transition is reshaping cropland demand and intensifying the challenge of matching food demand with land supply in rapidly urbanizing regions. This study examines how different dietary structure scenarios generate differentiated cropland demand, how these demands match with land supply under alternative development pathways, and how the land system responds when diet-driven demand is incorporated into land-use simulation. Using Jiangsu Province, China, as a case study, we developed a coupled diet–land simulation framework. On the demand side, five dietary structure scenarios—current, balanced, U.S., Japanese, and Greek—were constructed based on seven food categories, and their cropland demand in 2035 and 2050 was estimated using the cropland footprint approach and LSTM forecasting. On the supply side, the GeoSOS-FLUS model was used to simulate future land-use patterns under four development scenarios: natural development, cultivated land protection, ecological protection, and economic development. The cropland demand associated with each dietary scenario was then introduced into the land-use simulation process as an external demand constraint to identify land-system feedbacks and scenario differences. The results show that cropland demand differs markedly across dietary scenarios, forming a clear gradient from moderate-demand to high-demand diets. These differences are driven primarily by changes in the composition of key food categories, especially grains, livestock and poultry meat, plant oils, and fruits, rather than by proportional increases across all foods. In terms of supply–demand matching, the cultivated land protection scenario provides the strongest support for high-demand diets, whereas the natural development, ecological protection, and economic development scenarios are more compatible with moderate-demand dietary pathways. Once diet-driven demand is incorporated into land-use simulation, the land system shows clear sensitivity and strong scenario dependence. High-demand dietary scenarios intensify cropland compensation pressure and trigger structural reallocation among cultivated land and flexible land types. Under natural development, the response is mainly reflected in cropland expansion and grassland compression; under cultivated land protection and ecological protection, it is expressed more through substitutions among grassland, water bodies, and unused land; under economic development, the most prominent feedback is the competitive reallocation among cultivated land, construction land, and water bodies, with high dietary demand even constraining construction land expansion. Overall, the robustness of cropland supply–demand matching depends not only on the scale of dietary demand but also on how different dietary pathways interact with development-oriented land-use structures. Full article

Kazakhstan, the largest landlocked country and the ninth-largest country by land area in the world, played a central role in the Soviet Virgin Lands campaign. However, decades of cultivation left the soil degraded and vulnerable to erosion. This legacy, along with worldwide water scarcity, drives the search for alternative farming methods such as hydroponics. This study investigates the feasibility of powering an indoor hydroponic system with photovoltaic (PV) technology in different regions of Kazakhstan. Three PV configurations, 16, 20, and 24 panels, were simulated in PVsyst (8.0.12) to meet the monthly energy demand of the system. The goal was to determine the minimum PV size and storage capacity for continuous year-round operation. Results showed that 16 panels were sufficient only from April to July, whereas 20- and 24-panel systems provided better reliability throughout the year. Optimal designs varied by region. For instance, those in the south, such as Turkistan, required smaller setups (6.8 kWp, 26 panels, 7 batteries), whereas those in the north, such as Akmola, needed larger ones (10.9 kWp, 42 panels, 10 batteries). Performance ratios ranged from 41% to 66% depending on the region. These results indicate that PV-powered hydroponic systems are feasible in Kazakhstan, although system configurations must be adapted to specific regional solar conditions. Full article

Climate change-induced variability in temperature and precipitation increasingly constrains crop production on sandy-textured soils with low water-holding capacity and limited nutrient retention. Such soils, classified as Brunic Arenosols, are widespread across the temperate climate zone of Central Europe, particularly in post-glacial landscapes, where they constitute a significant proportion of marginal agricultural lands. This study evaluated the relative influence of growing-season weather conditions and selected soil physicochemical properties on the yield of Camelina sativa and Brassica carinata cultivated under low-input management on Brunic Arenosols in northwestern Poland during the 2023 season. Yields varied markedly among sites. Camelina sativa produced yields from 300 to 930 kg ha⁻¹, with the highest yield recorded at the site characterized by higher BS and phosphorus availability. Brassica carinata produced yields from 0 to 370 kg ha⁻¹, including complete yield loss at one location due to severe pathogen infestation. Spearman’s correlation analysis revealed that temperature was a key determinant for both crops (r = 0.77 for C. sativa; r = 0.82 for B. carinata). For Camelina sativa, yield was strongly associated with BS (r = 0.80) and available P (r = 0.69), whereas Brassica carinata was more sensitive to climatic variability, showing a negative relationship with precipitation (r = −0.63). The results indicate species-specific responses to soil fertility and weather conditions under water- and nutrient-limited conditions typical of Central European sandy soils. While Camelina sativa performance was more closely linked to soil chemical status, Brassica carinata appeared predominantly climate-driven. These findings highlight the broader relevance of the study for temperate regions of Central Europe and support the integration of soil fertility management with climate-adaptive strategies when introducing alternative oilseed crops to marginal lands. Full article