Search Results (345)

In the Mediterranean basin, olive cultivation occupies the largest share of agricultural land, due to the region’s favorable soil and climatic conditions. However, the intensification of farming systems has had negative environmental impacts, for which diversified approaches such as agroforestry offer a potential solution. The objective of the present study was to determine the growth of barley, triticale, and pea as cover crops, as well as the respective intercrops in olive orchards and their productivity. The results showed that the intercropping of pea with barley and triticale had the highest yields in dry biomass compared to the other treatments, while barley monoculture recorded the highest yield in terms of grain. The findings demonstrated that intercropping enhances resource-use efficiency, particularly in terms of land productivity, Radiation-Use Efficiency, and Water-Use Efficiency. However, competitive dynamics varied significantly between species and across years, with pea often exhibiting dominance in biomass production, while cereals showed trade-offs in seed yield components due to shading and interspecific competition. These findings can be used for sustainable intensification strategies, ensuring higher productivity while minimizing external inputs in climate-vulnerable regions. Full article

The diversification of cover crops grown in soils with granulometric variability may potentially enhance microbial community and enzyme activities. Thus, the main goal was to evaluate the effect of autumn/winter cover crop sequences and cash crops in spring/summer on soil microbial biomass and enzyme activities. The experiment was conducted in open-field microplots (10 m × 1 m × 0.7 m), containing soils from B horizon of five Oxisols with granulometric variability and clay content ranging from 17 to 80 dag kg⁻¹. The treatments were three cover crops and a winter fallow with a completely randomized experimental design with three replicates. Soil samples from the 0–10 cm layer were collected to analyze soil microbial biomass of carbon and nitrogen, enzyme activities of the acid phosphatase, arylsulfatase, urease, and fluorescein diacetate hydrolysis. The number of nodules in soybean roots was average 63 ± 14.42 nodules per plant and dry mass of nodules was 169 ± 13.74 mg plant⁻¹. Soybean nodulation and N uptake ensured the supply of nitrogen to the soybean plants with 331 ± 82 mg plant⁻¹. Overall, diversified autumn/winter cover crop sequences provide plant residue, containing nutrients, and different carbon/nitrogen, which alters microbial biomass, the ratio of C_mic/N_mic, basal respiration, and soil enzyme activities within each Oxisol with different particle size distribution. Full article

Tens of thousands of ordinary traditional settlements remain clustered within specific geographic regions of China. Efficient and objective rapid identification of these settlements is crucial for preserving rural cultural heritage. This study takes the traditional settlement Linpan in the Chengdu Plain as a case study, focusing on Pidu District of Chengdu City in Sichuan Province, and proposes an innovative approach for rapid large scale surveys of common traditional settlements using object detection technology. Based on the technical requirements, the spatial characteristics of Linpan settlements in the Chengdu Plain were refined. High-resolution satellite images from 2016 and 2023 of Pidu were processed and cropped, and a diversified training dataset was constructed. After annotation, multiple rounds of training were conducted to develop a detection model based on YOLOv11. The model was then applied to identify thousands of rural settlements across the 438 km² area of Pidu, followed by an evaluation of various detection parameters. The results demonstrate that this method can complete the identification of Linpan settlements across the entire Pidu in just 6–7 min, achieving a precision of 96.59% and a recall rate of 94.39%. In terms of efficiency and accuracy, this approach significantly outperforms visual interpretation and remote sensing interpretation methods. Furthermore, based on the detection results, the spatiotemporal distribution characteristics of Linpan settlements during the study period were analyzed. This study aims to improve the surveying methods for traditional villages sand advance their conservation from “static observation” to “dynamic analysis”. Full article

As a major agricultural country, China is also one of the world’s most abundant sources of crop straw, with production expected to reach 900 million tons by 2025. As an agricultural by-product, straw has been widely regarded as a potential renewable resource. It is rich in organic matter and essential nutrients such as nitrogen (N), phosphorus (P), and potassium (K), playing a critical role in global carbon and nitrogen cycles, agricultural productivity, and green environmental development. The efficient and rational utilization of straw can not only meet the resource demands supporting economic growth but also contribute to environmental protection and sustainable social development in China. By closely integrating comprehensive straw utilization with the annual key tasks of agriculture, rural areas, and farmers, the focus remains on prioritizing agricultural applications while adopting diversified measures. The efforts aim to improve straw utilization methods, strengthen technological support, explore replicable and sustainable industrial development models, and establish efficient utilization mechanisms to enhance the quality of agricultural straw use. To fully leverage the agricultural potential of straw, numerous technologies and equipment for straw utilization in agriculture have been developed in recent years, including straw harvesting and collecting equipment, straw crushing and returning-to-field equipment, full-straw seeding anti-clogging technology, combined straw and green manure returning-to-field equipment, and specialized straw seedling-raising equipment. Nevertheless, many challenges remain to be addressed, including bridging the equipment gap in mechanized processing, overcoming technical bottlenecks in resource conversion, and filling the lack of agronomy-adapted technologies. Therefore, this paper aims to provide a comprehensive and critical analysis of present straw utilization technology and equipment in agriculture, discussing their potential benefits, limitations, and challenges, as well as future prospects and directions. This study provides insights from the perspective of key technologies and equipment to strengthen technological research, enhance straw’s agricultural potential, and explore green circular economy models in agriculture. By leveraging innovation in science and technology, it aims to ensure food security and improve grain production capacity. Full article

This study aimed to assess the effect of organic amendment-based integrated nitrogen (N) application on major soil macronutrients, carbon (C) accumulation, crop productivity and N use efficiency (NUE) of different rice-based cropping patterns. This experiment was composed of various organic amendments ((i): control (no organic amendment, application of 100% N from urea); (ii): 25% N from compost + 75% N from urea; (iii): 25% N from cowdung + 75% N from urea; iv: 25% N from vermicompost + 75% N from urea) and rice-based cropping patterns ((i) rice–rice–rice, (ii) rice–fallow–rice–mustard, and (iii) rice–vegetables–rice). Organic amendments and soils (0–20 cm) were collected from farmers’ fields and were analyzed for major nutrients: N and organic C (OC), phosphorus (P), potassium (K) and sulphur (S). Soil OC accumulation potential, system productivity and partial factor productivity of N were also calculated. The results indicate that organic amendment application significantly enhanced soil OC (0.957–1.604%) compared to control (0.916–1.292%), with vermicompost attaining the highest OC content and OC accumulation potential (up to 24.15%), especially in the rice–vegetables–rice pattern. Vermicompost also predominantly increased N (22–62%) and S (51–78%) level in soils, while cowdung significantly amended P levels (155–178%) and contributed steadily to improved K levels in soil. Overall, nutrient improvements and soil fertility were highest under the rice–vegetables–rice system, followed by rice–fallow–mustard–rice and rice–rice–rice. System productivity was maximum in the rice–vegetables–rice pattern (up to 85.7 t ha⁻¹), with remarkable enhancements in NUE when organic amendments were applied. Cowdung and vermicompost both matched or exceeded the performance of chemical fertilizer in these cases. These results demonstrate the advantages of integrated N management and diversified cropping to improve nutrient cycling, soil health and sustainable productivity in rice-based agroecosystems. Full article

Conservation agriculture (CA) is widely recognized as the cornerstone of sustainable agriculture. It prioritizes minimizing soil disturbance, maintaining permanent soil cover, and diversifying crop species to restore soil health and ecosystem resilience. This review synthesizes the effects of CA on the soil’s physical–chemical and biological properties. It demonstrates its effectiveness in improving soil structure, enhancing organic carbon sequestration, promoting microbial activity, increasing water-use efficiency, and reducing erosion and nutrient losses. The paper then highlights the broad environmental, economic, and social benefits of CA. These include biodiversity conservation, reduced greenhouse gas emissions, improved yields, and increased food system resilience. The review explores the synergistic role of technological innovations such as precision agriculture, remote sensing, and digital tools in scaling CA for higher productivity and sustainability. The review then examines how socioeconomic conditions, institutional frameworks, and policy interventions shape CA adoption and impact. Despite its growing adoption, CA’s successful implementation will require strategies adapted for local needs, capacity-building, and supportive, inclusive policies. Finally, the review identifies key CA research gaps and future directions. This provides a comprehensive foundation to advance CA as a climate-smart, resilient, and sustainable pathway to ensure global food security and environmental stewardship. Full article

Utilizing more bioresources exposes supply chains to agricultural risks. Therefore, sustainable agricultural practices are crucial for supporting a resilient transition. This requires tools for assessing the environmental performance of cropping systems. However, most existing tools are not adapted to the operational realities of, for example, cosmetics supply chains. The Field Cultivation Index (FCI) has been developed with a threefold aim: 1. assess cropping systems’ strengths and weaknesses and guide their improvement; 2. compare cropping systems to identify the most environmentally friendly; 3. promote initiatives and efforts made to improve sustainability. It also meets the requirements for tackling the specific operational challenges of global industries like cosmetics: it is (i) simple (data collection is easy and straightforward), (ii) deployable in all regions of the world (with a diversity of soils, climates, etc.), and (iii) adaptable to all cropping systems (industrial, family, etc.) and all plant species (perennials, annuals, etc.). Its methodology is based on scientifically recognized evaluation methods and economic operator initiatives. It is built around a theoretical framework embodying the concepts of regenerative agriculture, enabling the qualitative assessment of the impact of cropping systems on five main regenerative environmental outcomes: soil quality improvement water resource conservation biodiversity enhancement, pesticide reduction, and carbon emission mitigation. This article describes the FCI methodology and reveals initial results from the evaluation of about 40 diversified cropping systems. It demonstrates that the FCI is an operational, sensitive, and educational tool capable of determining the performance level of diversified cropping systems, while highlighting the need for a high level of regenerative practice deployment to achieve satisfactory scores. The tool supports farmers and supply chains in assessing and improving the environmental profile of agricultural production systems in line with sustainability goals. Finally, this paper discusses the benefits, limitations, and potential uses of this tool for monitoring the environmental impact of cropping systems within cosmetics supply chains. Full article

Food and nutrition production play a pivotal role in China’s transition toward a nutrition-sensitive food system. Alongside rapid urbanization and dietary shifts, substantial transformations have occurred in food production patterns. This study investigates inequality in China’s food and nutrition sectors from 1991 to 2021 by employing the Theil index and Gini coefficient, analyzing its drivers from both regional and categorical perspectives. The findings reveal significant disparities in food production concentration across different categories, with notable shifts over the study period. Land-intensive agricultural products—including cereals, oil crops, sugar crops, pulses, roots, tubers, and livestock—exhibited increasing inequality, as indicated by rising Gini coefficients and Theil indices, suggesting greater spatial concentration. In contrast, labor-intensive categories such as fruits and aquatic products showed declining inequality, reflecting broader distribution. Notably, inequality within specific food types (e.g., wheat, beet, and rapeseed production) exceeded disparities among broader food categories. Nutrition inequality, measured by both indices, also increased between 1991 and 2021. However, variations across different nutrients were relatively minor, as diversified nutrition sources mitigated inequality within food categories. Geospatial analysis further highlighted distinct patterns: cereals were the primary contributors to disparities in energy, protein, and mineral supply; oil crops and livestock products drove fat inequality; while vegetables and fruits predominantly influenced vitamin inequality. These findings offer critical insights for optimizing China’s food and nutrition distribution strategies, supporting more equitable and sustainable food system development. Full article

This paper examines the characteristics of agriculture in High Nature Value farmlands (HNVf) in Poland and assesses their capacity to implement key environmental measures under the Common Agricultural Policy (CAP) 2023–2027. Using spatial and statistical analyses at the municipal level, the study compares agricultural structures, production types, participation in eco-schemes, organic farming and agri-environment-climate measures under the CAP 2023–2027. The delimitation of HNVf areas was based on the EU methodology, focusing on the extent of agricultural production and the environmental value of the surrounding landscape. The results indicate that HNVf areas are predominantly located in regions with challenging natural conditions, a high share of permanent grasslands, and limited capacity to diversify crop structures. Farms in these areas show lower participation in eco-schemes compared to more intensive farming regions, suggesting that current instruments may not fully align with the specific needs of low-intensity systems. In contrast, higher levels of engagement were observed in organic farming and agri-environment-climate measures in HNVf. These findings highlight the need for better-adapted CAP instruments that reflect the environmental and economic realities of HNVf areas. Enhancing support mechanisms for these regions is essential to safeguard biodiversity, promote sustainable land use, and maintain the socio-environmental functions of rural landscapes. Full article

The tropical shrub legume Flemingia macrophylla is a specie that influences higher forage production, increases protein content, and reduces nitrogen fertiliser and animal protein supplement use. However, there is little scientific literature on the influence of the cutting age of Flemingia macrophylla on the nutritional-productive behaviour of the plant and soil microbiology. Therefore, this study addresses the interaction between high-value forages and coffee cropping systems under agroecological management. The study aims to evaluate the seed production of Flemingia macrophylla and its association with the crops of “Geisha Coffee” and “Sarchimor Coffee” at the Sacha Wiwa Experimental Centre (Cotopaxi-Ecuador) through the analysis of growth and bromatology of the seeds at cutting ages of 30, 45, 60, and 75 days for their potential use in the local agro-industry. The methodology was composed of three phases: (i) crop experimental design, (ii) crop sampling, and (iii) agroecological management strategies. The results suggest that Flemingia macrophylla can be integrated into agroforestry systems with coffee, reducing dependence on chemical fertilisers and improving seed productivity. Seed production peaked at 60 days, with the highest levels of protein (31.44%), nitrogen (5.03%), potassium (1.17%), and calcium (0.78%), making it an excellent forage source. Fibre content, however, was highest at 75 days (11.20%), making this cycle preferable when higher fibre is required. Notably, soil organic matter depletion in plots associated with Sarchimor coffee suggested higher nutrient demands. This study demonstrated the potential of Flemingia macrophylla to diversify agroecological systems with improved productivity and nutritional quality. Full article

Bananas are economically important crops valued for both their nutritional and dietary uses. However, the global banana industry suffers from a narrow base dominated by a single variety. Developing novel varieties enriched in health-promoting compounds such as betalains can help diversify banana germplasm and meet evolving consumer demands. In this study, the RUBY reporter system was employed to produce betalain-rich bananas via stable and transient genetic transformations. Transient transformation by injecting 3 mL of Agrobacterium suspension into immature fruits produced vivid red-purple pulp containing up to 1.78 mg/g of betalains. For stable transformation, embryonic cell suspensions expressing RUBY exhibited a red-purple coloration after the first screening, reducing the selection period from 45 to 15 days. These findings demonstrate that RUBY is a reliable visual reporter for efficient screening and can be used to develop nutritionally enhanced bananas. Full article

Cassava (Manihot esculenta Crantz) is essential for global food security, especially in tropical regions. As an important genetic resource, its genetics plays a key role in crop breeding, enabling the development of more productive and pest- and disease-resistant varieties. Scientometrics, which quantitatively analyzes the production and impact of scientific research, is crucial for understanding trends in cassava genetics. This study aimed to apply bibliometric methods to conduct a scientific mapping analysis based on yearly publication trends, paper classification, author productivity, journal impact factor, keywords occurrences, and omic approaches to investigate the application of genetics to the species from 1960 to 2022. From the quantitative data analyzed, 3246 articles were retrieved from the Web of Science platform, of which 654 met the inclusion criteria. A significant increase in scientific production was observed from 1993, peaking in 2018. The first article focused on genetics was published in 1969. Among the most relevant journals, Euphytica stood out with 36 articles, followed by Genetics and Molecular Research (n = 30) and Frontiers in Plant Science (n = 25). Brazil leads in the number of papers on cassava genetics (n = 143), followed by China (n = 110) and the United States (n = 75). The analysis of major methodologies (n = 185) reveals a diversified panorama during the study period. Morpho-agronomic descriptors persisted from 1978 to 2022; however, microsatellite markers were the most widely used, with 102 records. Genomics was addressed in 87 articles, and transcriptomics in 65. By clarifying the current landscape, this study supports cassava conservation and breeding, assists in public policy formulation, and guides future research in the field. Full article

Fruits and vegetables are crucial components of a healthy diet, which are susceptible to pests. Therefore, the application of pesticides is a basic manner of crop chemical protection. The aim of this study was a comprehensive analysis of pesticide occurrence in 1114 samples of fruits and vegetables. A unified multi-analytical protocol was used composed of primary–secondary amine/graphitized carbon black/magnesium sulfate to purify samples with diversified profile of interfering substances. Moreover, the obtained analytical data were used to evaluate the critical acute health risk in subpopulations of children and adults within European limits criteria. Out of 550 pesticides analyzed, 38 and 69 compounds were noted in 58.6% of fruits and 44.2% of vegetables, respectively. Acetamiprid (14.1% of all detections) and captan (11.3%) occurred the most frequently in fruits, while pendimethalin (10.6%) and azoxystrobin (8.6%) occurred the most frequently in vegetables. A total of 28% of vegetable and 43% of fruit samples were multiresidues with up to 13 pesticides in dill, reaching a final concentration of 0.562 mg kg⁻¹. Maximum residue level (MRL) was exceeded in 7.9% of fruits and 7.3% of vegetables, up to 7900% MRL for chlorpyrifos in dill (0.79 mg kg⁻¹). Notably, 8 out of 38 pesticides found in fruits (21%; 1.2% for carbendazim) and 24 out of 69 compounds in vegetables (35%, 7.4% for chlorpyrifos) were not approved in the EU. Concentrations of pesticides exceeding MRL were used to assess acute health risk for children and adults. Moreover, the incidence of acute health risk was proved for children consuming parsnip with linuron (156%). In other cases, it was below 100%, indicating that Polish food is safe. The work provides reliable and representative scientific data on the contamination of fruits and vegetables with pesticides. It highlights the importance of legislative changes to avoid the occurrence of not approved pesticides in the EU, increasing food and health safety. Full article

Rice is one of the most important staple foods worldwide. Asia, particularly South and Southeast Asia, is a major rice producer, and rice production is also gradually increasing in Africa. However, rice cultivation poses economic and environmental challenges, which are exacerbated by climate change. Hence, diversification of rice-based production systems is highly imperative to improve soil health and thus sustain productivity while also enhancing income opportunities. Vegetables and pulses are crucial components for diversifying rice-based production systems as they have the potential to increase income and improve soil health. The World Vegetable Center has introduced mungbeans and vegetable soybeans to diversify the cereal-based production systems in Asia. About 27–93% of the mungbean area in India, Pakistan, Bangladesh, and Myanmar is planted with varieties containing improved germplasm developed by WorldVeg in collaboration with national agricultural research systems. Additionally, the introduction of vegetables and legumes is highly remunerative and improves dietary diversity, leading to better nutrition. For instance, the productivity of vegetable crops increased by 200–350% when they were combined with improved production practices. Such diversification also holds great promise for improving income and nutrition in Africa. It also enhances the resilience of farming systems, particularly in a changing climate. Hence, governments should prioritize system diversification to enhance the income and livelihood opportunities for smallholders in Asia and Africa. Full article

Aquaporins in rice (Oryza sativa L.) represent a pivotal class of transmembrane channel proteins that mediate the bidirectional transport of water and small solutes, which have critical functions in cellular osmoregulation and ion homeostasis maintenance. Their evolutionary diversity and functional plasticity constitute fundamental mechanisms underlying the adaptive responses to diversified environmental challenges. This review systematically summarizes rice AQPs’ evolutionary origins, structural characteristics, and spatiotemporal expression patterns under both physiological and stress conditions, highlighting the high conservation of their key functional domains across evolution and their environment-driven functional diversification. The molecular mechanisms governing AQPs in water utilization, nutrient uptake, and stress responses are unraveled. Furthermore, the potential of precision gene editing and multi-omics integration is discussed to decipher the intricate relationships between AQP evolutionary history, environmental adaptability, and functional specialization, thereby providing a theoretical basis for advancing crop stress resistance and high-quality breeding. Full article