Search Results (314)

Potatoes have high nitrogen (N) and irrigation requirements. Increasing water scarcity and environmental concerns highlight the need for efficient resource management. This study evaluated the effects of deficit irrigation and reduced N on yield and growth parameters in four potato cultivars (Canela Russet, Mesa Russet, Russet Norkotah3, and Yukon Gold) at Colorado State University’s San Luis Valley Research Center over two growing seasons. Three irrigation levels (~70%, ~80%, and 100% ET replacement) and two N rates (165 and 131 kg/ha) were evaluated. Measurements included total and marketable yield, tuber size distribution, tuber bulking (TB), leaf area index (LAI), and stem and tuber numbers. Yield losses were absent with ≤18% irrigation reduction in Canela Russet, Mesa Russet, or Yukon Gold but occurred with larger deficits. Russet Norkotah3 experienced yield decline with 16–23% reductions in irrigation. A twenty percent reduction in N application had no effect on Mesa Russet or Russet Norkotah3 yields, while the other varieties experienced a yield decline in one out of two years. Early-season LAI and late-season TB were positively correlated with yield, particularly for Canela Russet and Russet Norkotah3. These findings suggest irrigation and N inputs can be reduced without compromising productivity, but reductions must be determined on a cultivar-by-cultivar basis. Full article

This article addresses the impact of deficit irrigation on the agronomic and physiological performance of “Rojo Brillante” persimmon trees in a Mediterranean climate. It compares the effect of a sustained deficit irrigation (SDI; imposing water deficit uniformly throughout the entire crop cycle) strategy and two regulated deficit irrigation (RDI; enforcing a water deficit during the phenological phases that are less sensitive to water stress) strategies. Field trials were conducted from 2022 to 2024 at the Cajamar Experimental Center in Paiporta, Valencia, Spain. The trees respond to mild water stress reducing transpiration through stomatal closure. RDI resulted in modest irrigation water savings (11–16%), minimizing fruit drop, leading to an increased number of fruits per tree and a higher marketable yield, although this came at the cost of a reduced unit fruit weight. SDI achieved a 30% reduction in irrigation water usage without impacting on the marketable yield, but it also caused a decrease in unit fruit weight. RDI increased water productivity (yield obtained per amount of water applied) primarily through higher yields, while SDI improved productivity mainly by lowering the amount of irrigation water applied. Both irrigation strategies are recommended for cultivating “Rojo Brillante” persimmons. RDI is especially advisable in years with lower fruit loads as more intensive thinning may be necessary in years with higher fruit loads. Conversely, SDI is recommended in situations where water availability is limited. Full article

Amid the global push for agricultural green transformation, sustainable agriculture requires not only technological innovation but also market mechanisms that effectively incentivize green practices. Agricultural e-commerce is increasingly viewed as a potential driver of green technology diffusion among farmers. However, the extent and mechanism of e-commerce’s influence on farmers’ green production remain underexplored. Using survey data from 346 rural households in Inner Mongolia, China, this study develops a conceptual framework of “e-commerce participation–green cognition–green adoption” and employs propensity score matching (PSM) combined with mediation analysis to evaluate the impact of e-commerce participation on green technology adoption. The empirical results yield four main findings: (1) E-commerce participation significantly promotes the adoption of green production technologies, with an estimated 29.52% increase in adoption. (2) Participation has a strong positive effect on water-saving irrigation and pest control technologies at the 5% significance level, a moderate effect on straw incorporation at the 10% level, and no statistically significant impact on plastic film recycling or organic fertilizer use. (3) Compared to third-party sales, the direct e-commerce model more effectively promotes green technology adoption, with an increase of 21.64% at the 5% significance level. (4) Green cognition serves as a mediator in the relationship between e-commerce and green adoption behavior. This study makes contributions by introducing e-commerce participation as a novel explanatory pathway for green technology adoption, going beyond traditional policy-driven and resource-based perspectives. It further highlights the role of cognitive mechanisms in shaping adoption behaviors. The study recommends that policymakers subsidize farmers’ participation in e-commerce, invest in green awareness programs, and support differentiated e-commerce models to enhance their positive impact on sustainable agricultural practices. Full article

Improper stakeholder practices are considered a primary driver of food loss. This study aims to investigate the consequences of pre- and post-harvest practices on extending the shelf life of agro-food products, identifying which practices yield the highest marginal returns for quality. Using Fractional Regression Models (FRM) and Ordinary Least Squares (OLS), the research analyzed data from 343 Egyptian grape farmers and intermediaries. Key findings at the farmer level include significant food loss reductions through drip irrigation (13.9%), avoiding maturity-accelerating chemicals (24%), increased farmer-cultivated area (6.1%), early morning harvesting (8.7%), and improved packing (13.7%), but delayed harvesting increased losses (21.6%). For intermediaries, longer distances to market increased losses by 0.15%, while using proper storage, marketing in the formal markets, and using an appropriate transportation mode reduced losses by 65.9%, 13.8%, and 7.9%, respectively. Furthermore, the interaction between these practices significantly reduced the share of losses. The study emphasizes the need for increased public–private partnerships in agro-food logistics and improved knowledge dissemination through agricultural extension services and agri-cooperatives to achieve sustainable food production and consumption. This framework ensures robust, policy-actionable insights into how stakeholders’ behaviors influence postharvest losses (PHL). The findings can inform policymakers and agribusiness managers in designing cost-efficient strategies for reducing PHL and promoting sustainable food systems. Full article

Traditional rainfed fig orchards intended for fresh consumption tend to have low yields and cultural practices difficulties due to wide plant spacing and large canopies. This study investigates whether the espalier training system, commonly employed in other fruit species, can be applied to fig cultivation to improve productivity and fruit quality under high-density irrigated plantations. For the first time, four fig varieties (‘San Antonio’, ‘Dalmatie’, ‘Albacor’, and ‘De Rey’) were evaluated in a high-density system (625 trees/ha) using espalier training over four consecutive years (2018–2021) in southwestern Spain. Among the varieties, ‘Dalmatie’ demonstrated the highest suitability to the system, combining low vegetative vigour with superior yield performance, reaching a cumulative yield of 103.15 kg/tree and yield efficiency of 1.94 kg/cm². ‘San Antonio’ was the earliest to ripen and exhibited the longest harvest duration (81 days), enabling early and extended market availability. In terms of fruit quality, ‘Albacor’ stood out for its high total soluble solids content (24.97 °Brix), while ‘De Rey’ exhibited the best sugar–acid balance, with a maturity index of 384.58. The present work demonstrates that intensive fig cultivation on espalier structures offers an innovative alternative to traditional systems, thereby enhancing orchard efficiency, management, and fruit quality. Full article

Widespread drought conditions have increasingly affected agricultural productivity, requiring the exploration of alternative approaches for improving crop tolerance, yield and quality, since plants adopt many physiological strategies to cope with challenging environments. This study evaluated the effects of a vegetal-derived protein hydrolysate (PH), applied via foliar spray or root drench at a concentration of 3 mL L⁻¹, on tomato plants (n = 96) under well-watered and drought-stressed conditions over a 136-day greenhouse experiment. Overall, sub-optimal irrigation significantly decreased plant dry biomass (−55.3%) and fruit production (−68.8% marketable yield), and enhanced fruit quality in terms of sugar concentration and antioxidant levels. PH treatments, regardless of the application method, did not notably influence above-ground dry biomass, yield, or fruit quality, suggesting that the intensity of drought might have limited PH effectiveness. Metabolomic analysis showed higher concentrations of stress- and quality-related metabolites in tomato fruits from plants under stress, with PH not exerting significant metabolic changes in the fruits. These findings revealed the diminished effectiveness of PHs under severe drought conditions, suggesting that drought stress level needs to be taken into consideration for optimizing biostimulant efficacy. Full article

Although economic profitability and food security often outweigh water conservation priorities in arid and semi-arid regions, this study investigates irrigation practices by evaluating water footprint and economic feasibility through a comparative analysis of water-intensive and water-efficient crops. In this context, an optimal irrigation disparity framework integrated with Internet of Things (IoT) and Machine Learning (ML) mechanisms is proposed to evaluate the effectiveness of water conservation, thereby assessing the potential for enhancing economic profitability. IoT-enabled components are employed to monitor real-time environmental—soil moisture, temperature, and weather—conditions between March and November 2023. This data is processed using a hybrid modeling approach that integrates KNN, GBT, and LSTM algorithms to predict both the duration of cultivation and the water requirements. Finally, the predicted parameters are incorporated into a multi-objective framework aimed at minimizing the disparity in water allocation per net benefit. The final results indicate that saffron required substantially less water—ranging from (19.87 to 28.65 ∗ 10⁶ m³)—compared to watermelon, which consumed (34.61 to 47.07 ∗ 10⁶ m³), while achieving a higher average net profit (33 ∗ 10⁹ IRR) relative to watermelon (31 ∗ 10⁹ IRR). Moreover, saffron consistently approached optimal values across disparity-based objective functions, averaging (0.404). These findings emphasize the dual advantages of saffron as a value-added, water-efficient crop in achieving substantial water conservation while enhancing profitability, offering actionable insights for authorities to incentivize water-efficient crop adoption through subsidies, market mechanisms, or regulatory frameworks. These strategies operationalize technical insights into actionable pathways for balancing food security, economic growth, and environmental resilience. Full article

The objective of this study was to evaluate the effects of different water levels on yield, morphological, and quality parameters, as well as the crop water stress index (CWSI), for pepper plants under a high tunnel greenhouse in a semi-arid region. For this purpose, the irrigation schedule used in this study includes 120%, 100%, 80%, and 60% (I120, I100, I80, and I60) of evaporation monitored gravimetrically. In this study, increasing irrigation levels (I100 and I120) resulted in increased stem diameter, plant height, fruit number, leaf number, and leaf area values. However, these values decreased as the water level dropped (I60 and I80). At the same time, increased irrigation resulted in improvements in fruit width, length, and weight, as well as a decrease in TSS values. While total yield and marketable yield values increased at the I120 water level, TWUE and MWUE were the highest at the I100 water level. I80 and I120 water levels were statistically in the same group. It was found that the application of I100 water level in the high tunnel greenhouse is the appropriate irrigation level in terms of morphology and quality parameters. However, in places with water scarcity, a moderate water deficit (I80) can be adopted instead of full (I100) or excessive irrigation (I120) in pepper cultivation in terms of water conservation. The experimental results reveal significant correlations between the parameters of green pepper yield and the CWSI. Therefore, a mean CWSI of 0.16 is recommended for irrigation level I100 for higher-quality yields. A mean CWSI of 0.22 is recommended for irrigation level I80 in areas where water is scarce. While increasing the CWSI values decreased the values of crop water consumption, leaf area index, total yield, marketable yield, total water use efficiency, and marketable water use efficiency, decreasing the CWSI increased these values. This study concluded that the CWSI can be effectively utilised in irrigation time planning under semi-arid climate conditions. With the advancement of technology, determining the CWSI using remote sensing-based methods and integrating it into greenhouse automation systems will become increasingly important in determining irrigation times. Full article

The Coffea canephora market has grown significantly, driven by its economic relevance and improvements in beverage quality. Developing varieties adapted to local edaphoclimatic conditions is essential for supporting smallholder farmers, increasing productivity, and ensuring quality in the face of environmental challenges. This study evaluated 27 genotypes under two irrigation regimes using a split-plot design in a completely randomized block arrangement, with four replicates and three plants per plot. Growth and yield parameters were assessed. Genotypes 102, 103, 105, 106, 202, 209, 301, 303, and 305 showed significantly higher yields under full irrigation—up to 60% greater than under minimal irrigation—demonstrating strong responsiveness to water availability. In contrast, genotypes 203 and 206 performed better under minimal irrigation, with 29% higher yields, suggesting lower water requirements or greater drought tolerance. These findings highlight the potential for selecting genotypes suited to transitional altitudes that can benefit from targeted irrigation strategies. The combined use of irrigation and altitude-specific cultivation represents a viable and necessary approach to maximizing genetic potential, optimizing water use, and enhancing the sustainability of C. canephora cultivation in regions facing climate variability. Full article

This study investigates the optimal water and nitrogen fertilization levels to enhance the productivity and quality of Mombasa grass (Panicum maximum cv. Mombasa) under drought-prone conditions. Four irrigation treatments were applied based on irrigation depth: high irrigation (I1 = 691.2 mm), control irrigation (I2 = 575.0 mm), moderate stress (I3 = 460.8 mm), and severe stress (I4 = 345.6 mm). Two nitrogen fertilization levels were tested: full fertilization (F1 = 300 kg N·ha⁻¹) and half fertilization (F2 = 150 kg N·ha⁻¹). Severe water stress (I4) significantly reduced growth parameters, with fresh weight (FW) decreasing by 21.9% and dry weight (DW) decreasing by 20.3% compared to the control. In contrast, higher irrigation levels (I1 and I2) notably improved FW and DW. Full nitrogen application (F1) enhanced FW, DW, and plant height, whereas the half dose (F2) resulted in lower growth performance. Water productivity (WP) was highest under moderate stress (I3) combined with F1, and under severe stress (I4) combined with F2, it was the worst. Protein percentage per irrigation water unit (PPW) increased with greater water deficits, while total protein production per irrigation water unit (TPW) peaked under higher irrigation levels. These findings indicate a trade-off between forage quality (PPW) and quantity (TPW), where PPW is more critical for marketing purposes and TPW is better suited for on-farm feeding. Economically, treatment I3F1 proved to be the most efficient option under moderate water availability. It combined reduced irrigation with a high fertilizer rate, resulting in a strong net return and the second-highest benefit-cost ratio among all treatments. This indicates its potential as a cost-effective and resource-efficient strategy in water-limited environments. Full article

The long-term arid climate in Xinjiang poses a major challenge to sustainable jujube production. In this study, we systematically evaluated the impacts of deficit irrigation (DI) by comparing a full irrigation control (CK) with six DI treatments—mild DI (75% CK) and severe DI (50% CK) water deficits applied during either flowering + fruit setting or fruit enlargement stages. The key findings demonstrate that flowering + fruit setting DI effectively balances water conservation with productivity. Mild DI (75% CK) during flowering + fruit setting reduced irrigation by 72 mm while maintaining near-optimal photosynthesis (95% recovery post-rewatering) and significantly improving fruit quality (5.49–10.28% higher sugar content, 3.40–5.06% larger fruit volume), despite a moderate 4.22–11.36% yield reduction. In contrast, severe DI caused irreversible physiological stress (only 75% photosynthetic recovery), and fruit-enlargement-stage DI uniformly compromised both yield and fruit size. An economic analysis confirmed flowering + fruit setting mild DI as optimal, generating 17,139–20,550 RMB·ha⁻¹ profit through enhanced water use efficiency (WUE) and premium-quality fruit production. PLS-PM validation revealed that targeted flowering + fruit setting water deficit suppresses vegetative overgrowth while optimizing source–sink relationships, achieving a 23–31% WUE improvement without sacrificing marketable yield. Thus, mild DI during flowering + fruit setting is a climate-smart irrigation strategy for Xinjiang’s jujube industry, resolving water scarcity challenges with economic viability. Full article

The intensification of agricultural practices, such as the extensive use of synthetic fertilizers, the expansion of irrigation systems, and land use conversion, has led to substantial biodiversity loss and the disruption of ecosystem functions. Traditional washing procedures for fresh produce involve substantial water usage and can generate wastewater, which requires proper management to prevent environmental contamination. By skipping the washing stage, these reduced water and energy inputs contribute to more sustainable agricultural practices. Although this approach may benefit sustainability and the environment, the market success of a product with a sustainable attribute ultimately depends on consumer acceptance and their willingness to pay (WTP) for it. This study investigates consumer preferences and WTP for a local potato variety called “Agria”, with a specific focus on the sustainability attribute concerning the sale of washed versus unwashed potatoes. We conducted an experimental study with consumers in northeastern Spain, where this potato variety is grown, and simulated market shares under varying price scenarios. The methodology involved a choice experiment that evaluated three characteristics: price, local origin, and presentation (washed versus unwashed). The methodology also incorporated attribute non-attendance (ANA) to capture all aspects of the decision-making process. The findings reveal that consumers preferred the locally grown variety over those from other origins and were willing to pay a premium. Although consumers preferred washed potatoes, they would purchase unwashed potatoes at a discount price of EUR 0.2/kg. The results provide marketing and pricing strategies for local producers and retailers and market share projections aligned with consumer preferences for local food. Empirically, the study contributes to the literature on consumer preferences and sustainable food systems by (i) integrating the “washed versus unwashed” attribute with local origin to inform more effective marketing strategies; and (ii) supporting local potato growers through the identification of viable lunch strategies for a differentiated, unwashed product that extends shelf life, reduces food waste, and promotes sustainability by lowering water and energy use in post-harvest processing. For methodologically, it applies ANA in the context of potato choice experiments—an approach rarely used in this domain—to enhance the understanding of consumer decision-making. Full article

Climate change will create significant challenges to agriculture. The effects on livestock productivity and crop production are highly dependent on weather conditions with consequences for food security. If agriculture is to remain a viable industry and to maintain future food security, the adaptations and the ideal timeframes for their implementation to mitigate against climate change impacts will be essential knowledge. This study aims to show how farms will be affected and will need to adapt to climate change, based on a holistic examination of the entire farming process. A modified Bayesian belief network (BBN) was used to investigate climate change impacts on livestock, crops, soil, water use, disease, and pesticide use through the use of 48 indicators (comprising climate, agricultural, and environmental). The seasonal impact of climate change on all aspects of farming was investigated for three different climate forcing scenarios (RCPs 2.6, 4.5, and 8.5) for four timeframes (2030, 2050, 2080, and 2099). The results suggest that heat stress and disease in both livestock and crops will require adaptations (e.g., shelter infrastructure being built, new crops, or cultivators grown). Pest intensity is expected to rise, leading to increased pesticide use and greater damage to crops and livestock. Higher temperatures will likely cause increased drought and irrigation needs, while increasing rain intensity might lead to winter flooding. Soil quality maintenance will rely increasingly on fertilisers, with significant decreases in quality if unsustainable. Crop yield will be dependent on new crops or cultivators that can cope with a changing climate being successful and market access; failure to do so could lead to substantial decrease, in food security. Impacts are more significant from 2080 onwards, with the severity of impacts dependent on season. Full article

Crop diversification is a vital strategy for achieving sustainable agriculture and food security, yet adoption rates remain low. This study examined the socioeconomic factors influencing crop diversification among smallholder farmers. A two-stage sampling procedure was employed to elicit data from 161 farmers solely specializing in crop production. A structured questionnaire was used to collect data, analyzed using descriptive statistics. The multiple linear regression and multivariate probit regression models were applied to assess the socioeconomic factors influencing diversification. The results revealed that smallholders primarily focused on vegetable cultivation (87%), followed by cereals (56%) and legumes (43%). Education level, household size, market access, and the perceived benefits of diversification significantly (p < 0.05) influenced diversification decisions. Also, sources of irrigation water, age, marital status, and farm size were key factors in vegetable diversification, while farming experience, farm size, and perceived benefits influenced legume diversification. Only marital status and farming experience were positively linked to cereal crop diversification. Furthermore, 48.4% of farmers practice intercropping, integrating maize with pumpkins or sugar beans, while 33.5% still rely on monoculture, predominantly maize, due to limited resources. These findings highlight the need for policies and extension support to address socioeconomic barriers and encourage a wider adoption of crop diversification strategies. Full article

Climate-smart agriculture (CSA) has emerged as a critical strategy to address the intertwined challenges of climate change, food insecurity, and environmental degradation, particularly among smallholder farmers in Southern Africa. This study reviews the existing literature on the adoption and scaling of CSA innovations among smallholder farmers in South Africa, focusing specifically on the roles played by institutional mechanisms, policy frameworks, and market dynamics. The findings reveal that while CSA interventions—such as conservation agriculture, drought-tolerant crop varieties, and precision irrigation—have demonstrated positive outcomes in enhancing productivity, food and nutritional security, and climate resilience, adoption remains uneven and limited. Key barriers include insecure land tenure, insufficient extension and climate information services, limited access to credit and inputs, and fragmented institutional support. The analysis highlights the importance of secure land rights, functional farmer cooperatives, effective NGO involvement, and inclusive governance structures in facilitating CSA adoption. Further, the review critiques the implementation gaps in South Africa’s climate and agricultural policy landscape, despite the existence of comprehensive strategies like the National Climate Change Response Policy and the Agricultural Policy Action Plan. This study concludes that scaling CSA among smallholder farmers requires a holistic, multi-level approach that strengthens institutional coordination, ensures policy coherence, improves market access, and empowers local actors. Targeted financial incentives, capacity-building programs, and value chain integration are essential to transform CSA from a conceptual framework into a practical, scalable solution for sustainable agricultural development in South Africa. Full article