Search Results (228)

Government Purchasing Price (Harga Pembelian Pemerintah, HPP) is a policy established to maintain stable Harvested Dry Paddy (Gabah Kering Panen, GKP) prices at the farm-gate level and to protect farmers from declining incomes due to price drops during harvest periods. The effectiveness of the policy has yet to be evaluated; however, reports indicate that paddy prices in several regions are still below the HPP rate. This study explores variations in the trends and volatility of farm-gate-level GKP prices before and after the adoption of the new HPP policy and constructs a provincial-level forecasting model based on the Extreme Gradient Boosting (XGBoost) methodology using a daily provincial panel dataset covering the period from 1 January 2023 to 31 December 2025. An analysis of six sample provinces was performed: the Special Region of Yogyakarta (DIY), East Java, South Kalimantan, Bali, West Sumatra, and Jambi. The model was trained using pre-policy observations and recursively forecasted post-policy prices under a hypothetical no-HPP-policy scenario, which were then descriptively compared with observed prices after the policy was implemented. The results show that the model delivers very high prediction accuracy, with tested Mean Absolute Percentage Error (MAPE) values ranging from 0.61% to 1.60% and Root Mean Squared Error (RMSE) values ranging from IDR 50.31 to IDR 158.04. The comparison shows that observed post-policy GKP prices tend to remain higher and more stable over time than those forecasted under the no-HPP-policy scenario, although the magnitude of this difference varies among regions. These findings provide descriptive forecasting evidence regarding post-policy GKP price dynamics rather than definitive causal estimates of policy impact. Full article

Digital soil mapping (DSM), based on multimodal satellite data, is a crucial tool for the transition to precision agriculture. However, systematic studies using this method and machine and deep learning techniques are lacking for the arid and semi-arid regions of Central Asia, where multimodal satellite data can provide valuable insights into soil conditions. This work provides, for the first time, benchmark metrics for the predictive ability of six soil agrochemical properties (pH, Soil Organic Carbon, NO₃, P₂O₅, K₂O, and S) in the dry steppe zone of Central Asia, with a quantitative assessment of the difference between “standard” and “fair” validation strategies. This has methodological significance for the entire field of DSM research. A comprehensive comparison of 11 machine learning (ML) models and four deep learning (DL) architectures was conducted to predict soil agrochemical properties using a set of 530 features extracted from various satellite datasets. These features were extracted from Sentinel-2, Landsat-8, Sentinel-1 SAR, SRTM DEM, and ERA 5-Land using Google Earth Engine (GEE) automated pipeline. All models were evaluated using three spatial validation strategies with increasing stringency: Leave-One-Field-Out CV (LOFO-CV), Leave-One-Farm-Out CV (Farm-LOFO), and an optimized spatial split. We propose a three-level hierarchical validation scheme that allows for the quantitative separation of spatial leakage and feature selection leakage, a methodology that can be applied to any spatial ML problem. Local models have been shown to outperform the global SoilGrids v2.0 product in terms of accuracy, demonstrating the need for high-resolution regional models for precision agriculture. Local models outperformed SoilGrids v2.0 by 3.6× in Spearman ρ for pH (0.750 vs. 0.208), quantitatively confirming the necessity of regional calibration over global soil products. Multi-season ConvNeXt with SE-blocks on 54-channel composites improved R² for NO₃ by 36% (0.422 → 0.575), confirming the value of temporal dynamics for mobile elements; however, it underperformed RF on tabular features for most properties at the available sample size (n = 1085). Full article

The utilization of unconventional feed resources offers a sustainable strategy to mitigate feed shortages particularly in tropical and subtropical regions where access to conventional feeds is often limited. Among these, water hyacinth (Eichhornia crassipes) is one of the world’s most aggressive aquatic weeds, which has drawn attention due to its dual role as a problematic invasive species and a potential livestock feed. This plant reduces water quality, contributes to biodiversity loss and causes economic damage in farming systems. At the same time, its high capacity for nutrient absorption makes it a viable source of protein and energy for ruminants when properly harvested and processed into forms such as hay, dried leaves, and silage. However, its utilization requires caution, as the plant can accumulate toxins and heavy metals from polluted water, which may harm animal health if unprocessed. This review focuses on the potential of water hyacinth to improve ruminant growth performance, nutrient digestibility and rumen fermentation. Including water hyacinth in ruminant diet safely can possibly improve animal productivity, contribute to sustainable weed management and also provide a practical strategy to alleviate feed shortage in dry seasons, thereby encouraging resilience and sustainable ruminant production. Full article

Chicken (Gallus gallus domesticus) domestication, likely associated with dry-rice farming in central Thailand, has led to substantial loss of ancestral immune-related genetic diversity in commercial chicken lineages. This study addresses allelic loss by providing the first comprehensive analysis of the highly polymorphic BG1 gene, an MHC-linked marker across the wild–domestic interface in Thailand and Vietnam, using high-depth Illumina amplicon sequencing. Genomic DNA from 47 Thai and Vietnamese chicken populations was extracted using a salting-out protocol following ethical sampling. Allelic variation was examined by targeting the BG1 intron 15–exon 16 region using triplicate PCR and Salus Pro NGS sequencing. Evolutionary dynamics and selection pressures were analyzed using AmpliSAS, MrBayes, and Datamonkey, while AlphaFold 3 was used to predict and validate 3D protein structures. We identified 98 novel alleles and 172 polymorphic sites within the BG1 intron 15–exon 16 region encoding an Ig-like domain. Extensive allele sharing between indigenous chickens and red junglefowl indicated strong balancing selection and trans-species polymorphism. Selection analyses showed that purifying selection conserved structural integrity at codons 9, 13, and 18, while variation at other sites enhanced immune recognition. AlphaFold 3 modeling confirmed conservation of the β-sandwich fold across variants, maintaining stability of the Immunoreceptor Tyrosine-based Inhibition Motif (ITIM). Thus, despite the regional gene flow, geographic isolation has shaped distinct signatures, as evidenced by the presence of 38 unique Thai and 9 unique Vietnamese alleles in addition to breed-specific private markers in the Betong (BG1*TH88), Decoy (BG1*TH91), and Tre (BG1*VN54) populations. A notable adaptive outlier under positive selection (ω = 1.357) was detected in the Dong Tao population, suggesting a recent selective sweep. These findings support the mission of the Siam Chicken Bioresource Project (SCBP) to utilize indigenous breeds as genetic reservoirs and provide a molecular basis for restoring resilience traits in domestic poultry to enhance global food security. Full article

In modern intensive mutton sheep farming, the high cost and limited supply of conventional feed resources necessitate the exploration of sustainable alternatives. Cotton stalks and sugar beet pulp, abundant agricultural by-products in China, have potential as ruminant feed after proper fermentation treatment, yet their systematic application in sheep production remains underinvestigated. This study evaluated the effects of replacing whole-plant corn microsilage with mixed fermented feed (cotton stalks and sugar beet pulp, 1:1 dry matter ratio) on Suffolk rams (n = 84, 4 months old). Animals were randomly assigned to four groups: control (CK, 0% replacement), MS30 (30% replacement), MS60 (60% replacement), and MS90 (90% replacement). After a 15-day adaptation, the 120-day feeding trial assessed growth performance, slaughter characteristics, meat quality, muscle metabolomics (LC-MS), and jejunal microbiota (16S rRNA sequencing). The MS60 group significantly outperformed the CK group in final body weight, carcass weight, and net weight gain (p < 0.01), slaughter rate (p < 0.05), and meat tenderness (p < 0.05). Fatty acid composition was optimized, with lower SFAs (p < 0.01) and higher MUFAs (p < 0.01). Metabolomic analysis revealed 206 differentially abundant metabolites, with significant enrichment in linoleic acid metabolism, unsaturated fatty acid biosynthesis, and primary bile acid synthesis pathways. The MS60 group exhibited significantly altered jejunal microbiota structure (p < 0.05), including increased Patescibacteria abundance (p < 0.05) and decreased Bifidobacterium (p < 0.001). Replacing 60% of whole-plant corn microsilage with cotton stalk–beet pulp mixed microsilage effectively improved production performance, meat quality, and fatty acid profiles in Suffolk rams, while modulating muscle metabolism and intestinal microbiota structure. These findings provide a practical strategy for sustainable sheep farming utilizing regional agricultural by-products. Full article

Assessing the construction suitability and sediment reduction potential of dry-farming wide terraces is critical for improving soil and water conservation in semi-arid and semi-humid regions, yet these aspects are seldom evaluated within an integrated framework. Focusing on the Loess Plateau, this study delineates potential construction areas based on precipitation constraints, quantifies soil erosion using the Revised Universal Soil Loss Equation, and develops a multidimensional framework to jointly evaluate construction suitability and sediment reduction potential on sloping farmland. Results indicate that slope, transportation accessibility, and soil erosion intensity are the primary determinants of suitability. Highly suitable, suitable, and marginally suitable areas account for 7.5%, 7.2%, and 4.3% of the study area, respectively, with Shanxi, Shaanxi, and Gansu provinces—and particularly Yulin, Yan’an, and Qingyang—emerging as priority regions for implementation. Scenario analysis suggests that targeting (i) highly suitable and suitable areas or (ii) all suitable classes would reclaim approximately 59.89 × 10³ km² and 77.19 × 10³ km² of sloping farmland, respectively, leading to reductions in mean soil erosion modulus of 16.6% and 22%. These findings provide a quantitative basis for optimizing terrace deployment and advancing regionally targeted soil erosion mitigation strategies on the Loess Plateau. Full article

Erosion in intensively farmed landscapes threatens above- and below-ground biodiversity. While impacts on soil physical and chemical properties (which affect soil inhabiting biota) are well documented, effects on ground-associated fauna (distribution, diversity, abundance) remain less understood. A likely very strong factor is the direct transport of epigeon together with the eroded soil. We assessed how water-erosion processes shape communities of epigeic invertebrates along agricultural slopes in the Chernozem region of South Moravia (Czech Republic). Ground-dwelling invertebrates were sampled over five years (May–September) in conventionally managed maize fields using pitfall traps across 18 sloping fields. Three slope positions were compared per field (control, erosional, depositional; 54 positions in total). Community patterns were evaluated using Canonical Correspondence Analysis with covariates (month, year, slope position, site), and species responses to key drivers were analysed using Generalised Additive Models. Across the full dataset, Shannon diversity and species richness did not differ significantly among slope positions; however, total invertebrate abundance was significantly lower in erosional parts. Interannual variation was pronounced and linked to precipitation: wet conditions increased diversity and richness at depositional positions, whereas dry conditions reduced diversity downslope. Ordination and GAM results identified erosion intensity and relative precipitation/temperature anomalies as important predictors, with most dominant species showing higher abundances under low to moderate erosion. These findings indicate that epigeic invertebrate communities along slopes can serve as indicators of erosion force. Full article

Kernza^®, a perennial grain crop created from intermediate wheatgrass (Thinopyrum intermedium), has the potential to mitigate soil degradation in semiarid croplands of the Northern High Plains. From 2021 to 2023, Kernza was grown for the first time in Wyoming and compared at the field scale to winter wheat–fallow and Conservation Reserve Program (CRP) systems on a working farm. We measured grain and forage yields, root biomass, and soil health and microbiology in bulk and rhizosphere soils. The first growing season was dry, and Kernza produced substantial forage (2995 kg ha⁻¹) but insufficient grain for harvest. In the second year, Kernza produced 286 kg ha⁻¹ of grain, compared to 2172 kg ha⁻¹ for wheat. After two years, Kernza and wheat differed in rhizosphere—but not bulk—soil properties; Kernza rhizosphere organic matter, enzyme activities, and microbial communities were more similar to the rhizosphere of intermediate wheatgrass from CRP than to that of winter wheat. Kernza also produced nearly three times more root biomass and rhizosphere organic matter than winter wheat. Although Kernza remains a low-yielding crop in development, potential soil health benefits, a high market value, and the flexibility to harvest grain or forage may make it a viable option for this region. Full article

Interannual variability in climatic conditions represents a major source of uncertainty in cool-climate viticulture, highlighting the need for cultivar-specific assessments of climate–quality relationships. A multi-year on-farm experiment with six monitoring sites has been conducted in vineyards representative of the Tokaj wine region to monitor and assess vintage effect. This study, as the first part of a broader research project evaluating must components, quantifies relationships between climatic indices and key yield- and sugar-related traits (berry weight, total soluble solids, and total dry extract) in Vitis vinifera L. cv. Furmint grown in the Tokaj wine region over three contrasting vintages. Thermal, radiative, and water-availability variables were calculated for discrete phenological phases and statistically analyzed to identify climatic predictors of berry growth and must composition. Berry weight exhibited pronounced vintage sensitivity, showing consistent associations with precipitation-related variables during early developmental stages. In contrast, total soluble solids and total dry extract displayed weaker and less consistent responses to interannual climatic variability. Several widely used heat-accumulation indices showed limited explanatory power, indicating a moderate climatic sensitivity of sugar-related traits in this cultivar. Overall, the results suggest that early-season climatic conditions exert a stronger influence on berry growth than late-season thermal extremes, while compositional parameters related to sugar accumulation remain comparatively stable. These findings highlight the need to incorporate cultivar-specific response functions into statistical models that assess projected climate-change effects on grape quality. Full article

Agricultural irrigation is increasing due to climate stress and yield benefits on crops in the Mid-Atlantic region. To lessen groundwater demand, reclaimed water has grown as a popular freshwater alternative for irrigation. While reclaimed water (treated wastewater from wastewater treatment plants (WWTPs)) provides many benefits, additional costs deter farmers from its adoption. This study assesses the economic feasibility of reclaimed water for agricultural irrigation in two Mid-Atlantic watersheds: the Zekiah watershed in southern Maryland and the Greensboro watershed in eastern Maryland and southwestern Delaware. We identified areas most feasible for reclaimed water irrigation based on WWTP capacity, unit prices for water, and yield benefits of irrigation under diverse precipitation scenarios for both watersheds. Under dry precipitation conditions and a unit cost of $0.10 per cubic meter of reclaimed water (m³), 29.77% of cropland in the Zekiah watershed and 34.32% of cropland in the Greensboro watershed are feasible for reclaimed water irrigation, conserving a potential 1,505,154.72 m³ and 12,381,703.45 m³ of freshwater, respectively. However, when reclaimed water pricing and precipitation increase, significantly fewer farms experience sufficient yield benefits to cover reclaimed water costs. Further adoption of reclaimed water irrigation could be enhanced by a cost-share program that covers costs when yield benefits cannot. Full article

Nutrient surpluses in regions with intensive livestock farming challenge sustainable crop production and have driven interest in alternative fertilization strategies and microbial biostimulants. Although microbial inoculation (MO) has been extensively studied in plant production, its agronomic relevance under field conditions remains controversial due to inconsistent outcomes. To address these inconsistencies, we conducted three-year field trials on two well-fertilized sandy sites in northern Germany. A microbial consortium consisting of Rhizoglomus irregulare, Funneliformis mosseae, Funneliformis caledonium, and Bacillus atrophaeus Abi05 was applied to silage maize (cultivar Amaroc S230) under contrasting fertilization regimes. In two of three years, microbial inoculation increased dry mass yield in the absence of starter fertilization, whereas both a high nutrient input variant (100 kg ha⁻¹ diammonium phosphate, DAP) and a lower nutrient input organo-mineral microgranular fertilizer (25 kg ha⁻¹) suppressed inoculant effects. Notably, yields from plots amended solely with the microbial inoculant reached at least the same level as those obtained with starter fertilization. In the third year, under drought conditions, defined as soil water contents below 10% in the 0–30 cm depth, no positive yield responses to microbial inoculation were observed. Quantitative PCR-based analyses of pre-sowing soils revealed that the abundances of Firmicutes, β-Proteobacteria, and total fungi were associated with yield responses, with Firmicutes and β-Proteobacteria showing negative and fungi showing positive correlations; together, these microbial predictors explained 38% of the variance in inoculant-induced yield response. Our findings demonstrate that soil microbiome characteristics can predict inoculant performance and that microbial inoculation is most effective without starter fertilization and under adequate soil moisture. Full article

Filamentous opportunistic algae, which behave as opportunistic species, are frequently observed in Eriocheir sinensis aquaculture ponds. These algae can entangle Eriocheir sinensis and release harmful substances during decomposition, thereby negatively impacting farming performance. At present, their management largely depends on non-selective herbicides, while fundamental research on species composition and biomass dynamics remains limited. In this study, 19 aquaculture ponds across five E. sinensis farms in Shanghai were monitored over a two-year period. Filamentous algae species were identified using both morphological and molecular techniques, and their biomass and coverage were quantified. Concurrently, physicochemical parameters of the water were measured to analyze algal occurrence patterns and key environmental drivers. A total of 19 species belonging to four genera of the phyla Chlorophyta and Charophyta were identified. Rhizoclonium was the most common genus, followed by Cladophora and Spirogyra. These genera exhibited distinct seasonal succession, with Cladophora and Spirogyra dominating in spring, while Rhizoclonium predominanted in summer and autumn. Filamentous algal biomass reached its peak in May 2024, with a dry weight of 42.92 g/m². The two-way ANOVA results indicated significant main effects of month and region, as well as a significant month × region interaction. The Spearman correlation analysis revealed a strong positive association between algal biomass and pH. This pattern is consistent with the effect where the intense algal photosynthesis raises water pH through the uptake of dissolved carbon dioxide. The total biomass was significantly correlated with the nitrogen-to-phosphorus ratio, suggesting that nitrogen and phosphorus availability influenced algal growth. Moreover, filamentous algal coverage was positively associated with maximum algal biomass. The linear regression analysis further revealed that multiple environmental factors jointly contributed to algal proliferation, with total nitrogen, nitrate nitrogen, and fluorescent dissolved organic matter (fDOM) showing relatively strong associations with maximum biomass. These findings provide a scientific basis for the ecological control and targeted management of filamentous algae in aquaculture systems. Full article

Cassava is one of the most important crops in global food security. It is the second most important staple crop in Africa. Its significance is enhanced by the fact that it very well tolerates droughts, and therefore it may be a prospective response to climate change in hot and dry areas. The potentials of cassava are under-utilized in Eastern Africa, and there is a lack of research studies regarding climate impacts on cassava yields in this region. The present research focuses on cassava production in Eastern Africa, analyzing the relationship of cassava yields, harvested areas, temperature, and precipitation from 1961 to 2023. The statistical analysis applies panel regression for the 63 years of time series, for the 15 most important cassava producing countries of Eastern Africa. Findings show that while the impacts of rainfall are insignificant on yields, the effects of temperature are significantly positive, indicating yield and area increases with warming climate. An expansion of the cassava growing area and the expanding rural population contributed to decreasing yields, probably because of the expansion of smallholder subsistence farming, suffering from to limitations in other farming resources. Therefore, even if climate change may benefit cassava production, other factors create severe limitations on improving yields. However, the positive response of the crop to rising temperatures is a clear sign that it is a useful choice for food security under climate change and would deserve more support from agricultural policymakers in Eastern Africa. Full article

To reconcile the intensifying trade-off between chronic water scarcity and escalating forage demand in the Yellow River Basin, this study optimized integrated irrigation and fertilization regimes for silage maize. Leveraging the AquaCrop model, validated by 2023–2024 field experiments and a 35-year (1990–2024) meteorological dataset, we systematically quantified the impacts of multi-factorial water–fertilizer–heat stress under drip irrigation with mulch (DIM) and shallow-buried drip irrigation (SBDI). Model performance was robust, yielding high simulation accuracy for soil moisture (RMSE < 3.3%), canopy cover (RMSE < 3.95%), and aboveground biomass (RMSE < 4.5 t·ha⁻¹), with EF > 0.7 and R² ≥ 0.85. Results revealed distinct stress dynamics across hydrological scenarios: mild temperature stress predominated in wet years, whereas severe water and fertilizer stresses emerged as the primary constraints during dry years. To mitigate these stresses, a medium fertilizer rate (555 kg·ha⁻¹) was identified as the stable optimum, while dynamic irrigation requirements were determined as 90, 135, and 180 mm for wet, normal, and dry years, respectively. Comparative evaluation indicated that DIM achieved maximum productivity in wet years (aboveground biomass yield 70.4 t·ha⁻¹), whereas SBDI exhibited superior “stable yield–water saving” performance in normal and dry years. The established “hydrological year–irrigation method–threshold” framework provides a robust decision-making tool for precision management, offering critical scientific support for the sustainable, high-quality development of livestock farming in arid regions. Full article

In Kazakhstan’s Akmola Region, rural households face heightened vulnerability from climate change, driven by reliance on weather-dependent resources and amplified risks of extreme precipitation events, prolonged dry spells, and progressive soil degradation—further intensified by limited adaptive capacity and inequities affecting women-led or ethnic minority families. This study conducted stratified household surveys across four agricultural districts, developed a tailored Livelihood Vulnerability Index (LVI) incorporating shelterbelt presence, condition, and perceived effects, alongside readiness for hydrological surface recovery (contour–strip organisation, swales/valokany, and tree–shrub planting). Results revealed an average LVI of 0.45–0.55, which was higher (+10–15%) in marginalized groups; testing pathways showed correlations (r = 0.65, p < 0.05) with water security, soil condition, income stability, and hazard reduction, with potential LVI reductions of 15–25% through integrated measures. District-specific recommendations include implementing the Potapenko–Lukin method on slopes <5% with valokany (width 80 cm, depth 1.5 m, spacing 100–500 m), endemic plantings, and biomaterial, supported by subsidies (488,028 tenge/ha/year) and GIS monitoring, to enhance resilience and equity in steppe and forest–steppe farming. Full article