Search Results (648)

The accidental contamination of olives by mineral hydrocarbons, such as diesel, motor lubricants, and hydraulic fluids from agricultural machinery, has become a growing concern in the olive oil industry. In response, European regulatory bodies are working on establishing new standards to address this issue. This study explores the feasibility of using Metal Oxide Semiconductor (MOS) gas sensors as a non-invasive method for detecting such contaminants on freshly harvested olives across different maturity stages. By assessing the sensitivity and selectivity of MOS sensors, this research aims to identify hydrocarbons that may adhere to the olive surface during harvesting and processing. The study involves controlled laboratory contamination scenarios, with samples exposed to various hydrocarbons to evaluate the relative response of individual MOS sensors under reproducible conditions. Findings from this research may provide valuable insights into rapid and cost-effective detection systems, supporting quality control and regulatory compliance in olive oil production, and contributing to the safety and traceability of olive-derived products. As a feasibility study, the results provide a basis for future developments involving multivariate analysis, field-contaminated samples, and industrial implementation. Full article

This study evaluates the feasibility of establishing a new strawberry cultivation zone in the Region of Florina, Northern Greece, as a strategy to support rural revitalization and agricultural diversification. Day-neutral strawberry genotypes were cultivated under net-house conditions at the University of Western Macedonia and assessed for physiological traits (SPAD index, chlorophyll fluorescence) and fruit quality (weight, color, firmness, °Brix, titratable acidity); while postharvest behavior was evaluated after seven days of cold storage. Statistical analysis identified genotypes with superior physiological performance and storability. Preliminary economic analysis suggests that their adoption could increase growers’ income by 20–30% compared to conventional varieties. The findings support the development of a strawberry production zone in Florina, with broader implications for sustainable agricultural intensification and rural development in underutilized European regions. Full article

The development of agricultural new productive forces (ANPFs) represents a vital pathway to overcoming the bottlenecks of agricultural modernization and reshaping agricultural competitiveness. As sustainable development and green transformation have become global priorities, the formation of ANPFs is increasingly viewed as a key engine for promoting resource-efficient agriculture, low-carbon production, ecological protection, and resilient food systems. Using panel data from 16 prefecture-level cities in Anhui Province, China, spanning the period 2010–2023, this study employs the entropy-weighted TOPSIS method to measure the levels of ANPFs and sustainable agricultural development (SAD). A panel data model is then applied to examine the impact of ANPFs on SAD, while a mediation-effect model is used to test the underlying transmission mechanisms. Finally, a spatial econometric model is employed to assess the spatial spillover effects between ANPFs and SAD. The results reveal that ANPFs exert a significant and robust positive impact on Anhui’s SAD, with the strength of this effect decreasing gradually from central to southern and northern regions. Further analysis indicates that the driving influence of ANPFs operates through three key mediating pathways: the improvement of new-type infrastructure, the enhancement of agricultural scientific and technological innovation, and the advancement of agricultural digital transformation. Moreover, ANPFs demonstrate a positive spatial spillover effect, suggesting that the development of new productive forces in one region promotes agricultural modernization in neighboring areas. These findings demonstrate that ANPFs not only enhance productivity but also contribute to sustainable agricultural development. Accordingly, strengthening ANPFs development can serve as an effective strategy for promoting long-term agricultural sustainability, indicating that central Anhui should be prioritized as a core hub for fostering ANPFs, enabling the gradient diffusion of infrastructure, innovation capacity, and digital services toward southern and northern Anhui. Strengthening regional coordination mechanisms will further amplify the spatial spillover of ANPFs, thereby advancing high-quality agricultural development across the province. This study provides new evidence for how ANPFs can support sustainable agricultural transformation, offering policy insights for green growth, food security, and rural revitalization. Full article

Salt stress is one of the most harmful abiotic stresses that strongly affects plant growth and crop yield, limiting agricultural production across the Mediterranean area. Consequently, there is a growing need to identify resilient crops capable of adapting to saline conditions and enhancing desirable qualitative traits through a wide spectrum of physiological, biochemical, and molecular mechanisms. Therefore, this study aimed to investigate the effects of four different NaCl concentrations (0, 12.5, 25, and 50 mM) on the growth rates, biometric and productive characteristics, leaf gas exchange, and biochemical traits of Stevia rebaudiana Bertoni plants grown hydroponically (in a floating raft system) in a glasshouse. The results showed that NaCl-treated plants exhibited reduced growth parameters and productivity and a lower content of photosynthetic pigment content compared to the control. On the other hand, an increase in antioxidant capacity was observed due to the significant accumulation of total phenols and flavonoids, especially when stevia plants were treated with 50 mM NaCl. Similarly, the leaf concentration of ascorbic acid and glutathione remarkably increased. This provides new insight into the antioxidant defense strategy of S. rebaudiana under salt stress, demonstrating that stevia plants rely mainly on non-enzymatic mechanisms to counter oxidative stress. Although the highest salinity level (50 mM NaCl) resulted in the lowest content of steviol glycosides (stevioside + rebaudioside A), plants treated with 25 mM NaCl showed both the highest rebaudioside A content and Reb A/Stev ratio, which are desirable properties for the production of high-quality natural sweeteners. Overall, these findings underline that stevia can be considered a moderately salt-tolerant species, and mild stress conditions are able to promote the biosynthesis of interesting secondary metabolites, such as polyphenols and rebaudioside A. Full article

For high-value-added products such as matcha, scientific confirmation of the origin is essential for quality assurance and fraud prevention. In this study, three nondestructive analytical techniques, specifically fluorescence (FF), near-infrared (NIR), and Fourier transform infrared (FT-IR) spectroscopy, were combined with machine learning algorithms to accurately identify the origin of Japanese matcha. FF data were analyzed using convolutional neural networks (CNNs), whereas NIR and FT-IR spectral data were analyzed using k-nearest neighbors (KNNs), random forest (RF), logistic regression (LR), and support vector machine (SVM) models. The FT-IR–RF model demonstrated the highest accuracy (99.0%), followed by the NIR–KNN (98.7%) and FF–CNN (95.7%) models. Functional group absorption in FT-IR, moisture and carbohydrates in NIR, and amino acid and polyphenol fluorescence in FF contributed to the identification. These findings indicate that the selection of an algorithm appropriate for the characteristics of the spectroscopic data is effective for improving accuracy. This method can quickly and nondestructively identify the origin of matcha and is expected to be applicable to other teas and agricultural products. This new approach contributes to the verification of the authenticity of food and improvement in its traceability. Full article

As an important factor affecting the yield and quality of grain crops and threatening grain security, traditional pest and disease monitoring can no longer meet the needs of accurate and efficient agricultural production. The development of remote sensing technology provides a new monitoring method, which is specific, accurate and efficient, and provides real-time, rapid and non-destructive spectral data information for the identification of the occurrence and severity of pests and diseases and can realize large-scale monitoring of grain crop pests and diseases. In this paper, through the statistics and analysis of the published literature on remote sensing monitoring of grain crop diseases and pests, the research hotspots and directions of remote sensing monitoring of grain crop diseases and pests are clarified. Based on this foundation, this paper systematically elaborates the mechanism underlying remote sensing-based monitoring and prediction of diseases and insect pests in grain crops. It reviews various remote sensing monitoring approaches for such diseases and pests by leveraging multi-source remote sensing data. Furthermore, it summarizes methodologies for constructing monitoring and prediction models for grain crop diseases and insect pests. Finally, the paper discusses current challenges and future development trends in this field. Full article

As the digital economy becomes increasingly integrated with the real economy, agricultural production is experiencing fundamental transformation. Digital–real integration has emerged as strategically important for cultivating agricultural new quality productive forces and safeguarding national food security. This study examines provincial panel data from 13 major grain-producing regions in China between 2012 and 2023. We develop an evaluation index system to assess both digital–real integration and agricultural new quality productive forces. Using the entropy weight method, we quantify the development levels of these two dimensions. Our empirical analysis employs fixed effects models, mediation effect models, and spatial econometric approaches to investigate how digital–real integration influences agricultural new quality productive forces in major grain-producing regions. The research findings indicate the following: (1) Digital–real integration demonstrates a robust positive correlation with agricultural new quality productive forces in major grain-producing regions. (2) Both agricultural industrial structure upgrading and agricultural green total factor productivity serve as significant mediating channels through which digital–real integration enhances agricultural new quality productive forces. (3) The impact exhibits notable heterogeneity across three dimensions: regional characteristics, industrial structure levels, and fiscal decentralization levels. (4) Digital–real integration generates substantial positive spatial spillover effects on agricultural new quality productive forces, facilitating coordinated improvements in neighboring regions. (5) A significant threshold effect exists in how digital–real integration promotes agricultural new quality productive forces. Specifically, the promotional effect intensifies once innovation level and human capital level exceed certain critical thresholds. These findings offer both theoretical insights and practical guidance for advancing high-quality development in agriculture within major grain-producing regions while strengthening the national food security strategy. Full article

Currently, factors such as geopolitical conflicts, frequent extreme weather events, and power struggles among major countries are threatening the stability of the global supply chain. Building a more resilient supply chain has received international consensus. Today, new quality productivity (NQP), spawned by disruptive innovation, is an important way for China to enhance its agricultural product supply chain resilience (SCR). However, studies often overlook the “time lag” problem of the panel data adopted, and their empowering paths require further investigation. Therefore, this study firstly constructs NQP and agricultural product SCR indicators. Based on the panel data produced by 31 Chinese provinces from 2011 to 2022, we solved the “time lag” problem by integrating a Backpropagation Neural Network (BPNN) with an Autoregressive Integrated Moving Average (ARIMA) model to predict the NQP level. Subsequently, the empowering paths through NQP-enhancing agricultural product SCR were explored via entropy weight TOPSIS and Fuzzy-Set Qualitative Comparative Analysis (fsQCA) method. Foundations: China’s agricultural product SCR exhibits a spatial differentiation characteristic of “prominent in the central region and weak in the western region”. A single factor is not a necessary condition for high resilience, and its improvement depends on the synergy of multiple factors. Three differentiated driving paths have been identified: “autonomous endogenous driving type”, “environment-enabled driving type”, and “system architecture driving type”. NQMP has become the bottleneck for improving agricultural product SCR, and the threshold of each factor has increased significantly as the resilience target is raised. High resilience stems from the synergy and functional compensation of core factors, while low resilience is mostly caused by the concurrent absence of key conditions or structural mismatch, showing distinct “multiple concurrencies” and “causal asymmetry” characteristics. Full article

Dietary fiber is an essential component of the human diet, and insoluble dietary fiber (IDF) accounts for a significant proportion. However, its poor solubility and rigid structure limit its high-value applications. In recent years, modification technologies have become key strategies for enhancing the functional properties of IDF and expanding its applications. This review systematically summarizes the latest advances in the field of IDF modification, emphasizing how different modification strategies precisely regulate the multilevel structure of IDF to selectively improve its physicochemical properties and physiological functions. The principles and mechanisms of physical, chemical, biological, and combined modification methods are explained, and the unique advantages and limitations of each method in terms of structural changes, functional enhancement, and application scenarios are compared. Using high-pressure hydrostatic pressure-assisted cellulase treatment on potato dietary fiber can effectively disrupt fiber rigidity, increase soluble dietary fiber (SDF), and markedly enhance cholesterol and glucose adsorption capacities, outperforming single-treatment approaches. Microwave-assisted enzymatic treatment of millet bran IDF raises its intestinal fermentation rate from 36% to 59% and doubles butyrate production, significantly boosting prebiotic activity and offering a new pathway for targeted modulation of gut microbiota; combined modification strategies further demonstrate synergistic benefits. Modified IDF can serve not only as a low-calorie fat replacer in foods but also, through specific structural alterations, be incorporated into plant-based meat products to improve their fiber attributes and nutritional density. Moreover, this review explores the emerging potential of modified IDF in pharmaceutical carriers and gut microecology regulation. The aim is to provide theoretical guidance for selecting and optimizing IDF modification strategies, thereby promoting the high-value utilization of agricultural processing by-products and the development of high-quality dietary fiber products. Full article

The development of New Quality Productive Forces (abbreviated as NQPFs) is crucial for agricultural modernization and agricultural sustainable growth in China. Leveraging panel data from 31 Chinese provinces (2012–2022), we employ a two-way fixed effects model to examine the influence of NQPFs on agricultural sustainable development and the underlying mechanisms. Robustness tests validate that NQPFs exert a significant positive effect on agricultural sustainable development. Agricultural technological innovation emerges as the primary channel through which NQPFs foster agricultural sustainable development. Further analysis indicates that rural economic growth positively moderates this relationship, amplifying NQPFs’ contribution to agricultural sustainability. In addition, the impact of NQPFs exhibits significant variation across regions and agricultural functional zones. Our findings suggest that to foster agricultural sustainable development, governments should prioritize cultivating NQPFs, tailor policies to regional contexts, and concurrently enhance agricultural technology and stimulate rural economic growth. Full article

High-efficiency farmland production is essential for ensuring national food security and promoting sustainable agriculture in China. This paper aims to systematically analyze the challenges in building a new-quality farmland production system driven by innovative productive forces that emphasizes large-scale operations, optimal integration of farming components, and the application of modern technologies and intangible inputs. To achieve this aim, we conducted a comprehensive review and synthesis of the current literature, national policy documents, and agricultural statistics. Our analysis identifies key challenges, including limited water and land resources, outdated machinery and practices, a shortage of skilled farmers, insufficient innovation, and underdeveloped policy and support systems. Based on this analysis, we propose a series of integrated strategies to enhance farmland productivity. These recommendations include improving soil fertility, developing new crop varieties, promoting modern management models, training farmers in advanced technologies, innovating agricultural policies and infrastructure, and establishing accessible farm credit and insurance systems. We conclude that by integrating the six key elements of quality farmland, superior varieties, skilled farmers, modern technologies, sound policies, and supportive credit systems, China can successfully transition from labor-intensive to technology- and information-intensive farming models, thereby boosting the productivity and resilience of its farmland production systems. Full article

The efficacy of phytoextracts is equally affected by the extraction solvent and the extraction method. Details of the solvent type, concentration, density, and other characteristics are associated with the quality of the resultant extract. Some solvents have been found to be effective only on specific parts of plants. Industry has shown a growing interest in eco-friendly plant extracts for the formulation of medication, food additives, cosmetics, and agricultural products. This interest is aligned with the proven necessity of sustainability, marketability, and regulation of manufactured products in value chains. In this review, the literature on antioxidant compounds and activity of extracts from African medicinal plants is reviewed. Findings indicate that the use of ethanol, methanol, water, and to a lesser extent, acetone as solvents for the extraction of antioxidant compounds is common. The use of these solvents is supported by decisive selection of procedure, ideal temperature, duration, solvent pH, and the extracted plant parts. Fermentation enhances the antioxidant activity of aqueous extracts but reduces that of alcohol extracts. This is particularly essential in continents such as Africa, where water is available but alcohol is scarce. “Green” extraction technologies are not as successful as solvent extractions for use with African medicinal plants. There is a financial hurdle that results in a mismatch between academic research innovations and societal transmission to new technologies, as most communities are dominated by small-to-medium enterprises. Further studies on the extraction of antioxidants from African medicinal plants are recommended to guide the research and link it to ordinary African societies. Full article

Accelerating the development of new-quality productive forces in agriculture represents an intrinsic requirement for achieving high-quality agricultural development and serves as a new driver and engine for advancing rural revitalization. This study utilized panel data from 30 Chinese provinces to construct and validate a mechanistic model examining the interactive relationship between rural entrepreneurship and new-quality productive forces in agriculture, exploring whether rural entrepreneurship can promote the development of new-quality productive forces in agriculture. The findings reveal the following: First, rural entrepreneurship can provide strong support for the development of new-quality productive forces in agriculture. Second, rural entrepreneurship facilitates the improvement of new-quality productive forces in agriculture by promoting agricultural technological innovation. However, this process requires surpassing a single threshold of agricultural technological innovation. Third, rural entrepreneurship contributes to the elevation of new-quality productive forces in agriculture by fostering rural industrial integration; nevertheless, this process encounters dual thresholds in rural industrial integration. Finally, rural entrepreneurial activities exhibit spatial spillover effects on the development of new-quality productive forces in agriculture in neighboring regions. This study explores novel approaches to fostering new-quality productive forces in agriculture and unlocks the “black box” linking rural entrepreneurship with these forces. Full article

Precision technologies are increasingly relevant in contemporary agriculture, offering tools to enhance efficiency, sustainability, and decision-making. Their adoption is becoming particularly critical among vine-growers in the wine industry, a sector facing market pressures, climate change, and generational shifts. This study combines a systematic literature review with an empirical analysis of the PDO (Protected Designation of Origin) Wines of Granada (Southern Spain) to examine perceptions of precision agriculture technologies at both global and regional scales. The review included 607 articles published between 2015 and 2025 in English (indexed in ISI Web of Knowledge), identifying key factors influencing technology adoption. Using “perception” and “precision agriculture” as search terms, only 97 articles simultaneously addressed both concepts. At the regional level, a case study involving 22 wineries (with 37 stakeholders) in Granada province was conducted, focusing on socioeconomic barriers and environmental conditions such as altitude, climate, and soil type. Results revealed cross-scale consistencies regarding the importance of costs and perceived usefulness of new technologies (e.g., proximal sensors, satellite imagery), but divergences concerning the difficulties in accessing them and their cost. The findings highlight the need for supportive policies, targeted training, and practical demonstrations to facilitate adoption, thereby fostering innovation and sustainability, especially in the wine sector of the province of Granada. Integrating international and local evidence provides a framework for designing regional strategies tailored to promote precision technologies that improve efficiency, quality, and sustainability in wine production. Full article

To address the pressing challenges facing global agriculture—including resource constraints, structural labour shortages, and climate change adaptation—exploring pathways for digital transformation is crucial for safeguarding regional food security and advancing sustainable agricultural development. Taking China’s Yangtze River Economic Belt as a case study, this research aims to dissect the interplay between the digital economy, new-quality agricultural productivity, and agricultural modernisation. Utilising panel data from 11 provinces and municipalities spanning 2013–2023, the study employs an entropy-weighted approach to construct a composite indicator system for these three core variables. Panel data analysis comprehensively employs random effects models, mediation effect tests, robustness checks, and heterogeneity analyses. Empirical results indicate that the digital economy exerts a significant positive driving effect on new-quality agricultural productivity. Mediation tests further reveal that agricultural modernisation plays a crucial mediating role in this relationship. Heterogeneity analysis finds that the promotional effect of the digital economy exhibits distinct regional gradient characteristics, being most pronounced in growth zones, followed by leading zones, and weakest in starting zones. These findings support the formulation of differentiated agricultural digitalization policies: Leading areas should focus on deep integration of AI and agricultural big data; growth zones require investments in scaling intelligent irrigation and UAV plant protection; and start-up areas should prioritize digital infrastructure and large-scale farmer digital literacy training to establish transformation foundations. Full article