Search Results (886)

The long-term sustainability of Australian agriculture is fundamentally constrained by the capacity, condition, availability, and governance of soil resources. Australian soils are among the oldest and most weathered globally, highly heterogeneous, and often slow or effectively irreversible to recover once degraded. Traditional approaches centred on soil health, while valuable at paddock scale, are insufficient to address national-scale challenges related to spatial variability, data continuity, economic valuation, and policy integration. This paper examines soil security as a policy-relevant framework for supporting more sustainable Australian agriculture. Building on the dimensions of soil security (capacity, condition, capital, connectivity, and codification), we synthesise recent Australian case studies to show how soil security extends beyond soil health to integrate biophysical properties, digital soil infrastructure, socio-economic value, and governance mechanisms. Drawing on recent Australian case studies, this review identifies advances in digital soil mapping, national soil assessments, economic valuation of soil capital, stakeholder connectivity, and emerging policy frameworks, while also identifying persistent gaps in regulation, data standardisation, and institutional coordination. The paper argues that soil security can help operationalise 3-N agriculture—Net-Zero, Nature-Positive, and Nutrient-Balanced systems—by translating sustainability goals into spatially explicit, place-based decisions grounded in soil realities. By explicitly accounting for soil capacity limits, condition trajectories, capital value, information flows, and codified rules, soil security can support more realistic climate mitigation strategies, targeted nature-positive interventions, and durable nutrient security outcomes. We conclude that embedding soil security more explicitly within Australian agricultural research, policy, and governance would strengthen efforts to deliver productive, resilient, and socially legitimate food and fibre systems. Without soil security, sustainability frameworks may remain difficult to operationalise consistently; with soil security, they can be translated more effectively into measurable, place-based, and durable decisions. Full article

Forest soil conservation is pivotal for controlling soil erosion and ensuring ecological security. Taking the Qilian Mountains Area in China as the research region, this study used ArcMap 10.8 software to process data for six prefecture-level cities in the area from 2008 to 2023. The Revised Universal Soil Loss Equation (RUSLE) model was applied to quantify the forest soil conservation amount and evaluate its ecosystem service value (ESV). Their spatiotemporal variations and dynamic evolution patterns were analyzed, alongside the influence of soil organic matter (OM) and nitrogen (N), phosphorus (P), and potassium (K) contents. The results showed that the average contents of OM, N, P and K in the forest soils of the Qilian Mountains Area were 24.22 g·kg⁻¹, 1.54 g·kg⁻¹, 0.70 g·kg⁻¹, and 19.96 g·kg⁻¹, respectively, with significant regional heterogeneity. Haibei Tibetan Autonomous Prefecture (HBTAP) had the highest while Jinchang City (JC) had the lowest. From 2008 to 2023, the average annual forest soil conservation amount and its ESV of the region were 1.749 × 10⁹ tons and 2.0444 × 10¹⁰ yuan, respectively, both showing a fluctuating trend of initial increase followed by a decrease. Spatially, HBTAP ranked first in average annual forest soil conservation amount per unit area and ESV. Jiuquan City (JQ) had the lowest forest soil conservation amount per unit area, and JC the lowest ESV. Forest soil conservation and its ESV in the region were affected by the contents of soil nutrients (OM and N, P, K elements), vegetation types and quality, topography, climate, and human activities (including ecological governance), which collectively intensified the spatiotemporal heterogeneity. These findings provide a theoretical basis for precise regional ecological protection and differentiated restoration strategies in arid regions. Full article

Health-promoting foods are attracting growing interest as complements to pharmacological interventions, particularly when incorporated into bioactive-enriched functional foods. The date palm (Phoenix dactylifera L.) plays a key socio-economic role in arid and semi-arid regions, and is widely recognized for its high nutritional value, functional attributes, and therapeutic potential. Date fruits and their processing by-products, particularly the seeds, are a rich source of essential nutrients, dietary fiber, and diverse phytochemicals with documented antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, antidiabetic, and antimicrobial properties. This narrative review summarizes the latest evidence from experimental, preclinical, and emerging clinical studies on the nutritional composition, phytochemical profile, and biofunctional properties of dates and their derivatives, with particular emphasis on seeds as a significant processing by-product. Recent advances in their valorization for food applications, including bakery products, dairy products, beverages, meat products, confectionery, and active packaging, are critically discussed, as are their emerging uses in the pharmaceutical and related industries. Particular attention is given to their potential to improve the nutritional quality, functional performance, sensory attributes, and shelf life of food products. Overall, date fruits and their by-products are cost-effective, natural, and sustainable ingredients for developing value-added functional foods. Their efficient valorization offers promising strategies for reducing waste, implementing circular economy principles, and meeting the increasing consumer demand for healthier products. This review highlights the need for multidisciplinary research and innovation to advance sustainable by-product utilization, improve agro-industrial waste management, and expand the range of high-value applications for date fruits and seeds, thereby contributing to global food security, economic development, and improved public health. Full article

The demand for food has increased due to the world’s expanding population, which has also put pressure on vital resources like water, land, and nutrients. Therefore, in order to guarantee food security, it is imperative to establish alternative, sustainable, and dependable strategies. In recent decades, researchers have developed novel food production methods that collectively enhance the efficiency and sustainability of food systems. Among these, aquaponics stands out as an advanced and eco-friendly agricultural technology that integrates aquaculture and hydroponics. In this system, fish waste from the aquaculture unit is utilized as a nutrient medium in the hydroponic subsystem to grow edible plants. This review aims to assess the potential of aquaponics to produce high-quality fruits, vegetables, and fish while minimizing environmental impacts without relying on chemical fertilizers. The study focuses on system design, nutrient cycling, and productivity parameters to assess its feasibility under Potohar conditions. The expected outcome is to demonstrate that aquaponics can enhance food quality, conserve resources, and uplift the socio-economic status of farming communities by alleviating poverty. Full article

Increasing agricultural productivity is vital for global food security, but it poses significant risks to aquatic ecosystems through diffuse pollution. As Türkiye aims to harmonise its agricultural policies with the European Green Deal, quantifying agricultural non-point-source pollution (ANPSP) is essential for sustainable water management. This study evaluates ANPSP loads, including Total Nitrogen (TN), Total Phosphorus (TP), Chemical Oxygen Demand (COD), and Ammonia Nitrogen (NH₃-N), originating from cereal production, fertiliser application, and livestock farming across Türkiye from 2015 to 2024. By employing activity data and pollution load coefficients, the spatiotemporal dynamics of ANPSP were analysed at both national and regional levels. The results demonstrate that cereal production is the predominant source of nutrient loading (60.5% TN, 64.9% TP), whereas livestock activities account for 52.2% of the COD load. Fertiliser use contributed 23.0% and 20.6% to TN and TP loads, respectively. The Marmara, Aegean, and Central Anatolia regions were identified as high-intensity pollution hotspots. These findings provide a robust baseline for developing region-specific mitigation strategies, such as precision fertilisation and circular waste-to-energy systems, to support Türkiye’s transition toward a Zero-Pollution and sustainable agricultural future. Full article

Simultaneous achievement of high yield and excellent quality in rice is essential for food security and human health. The coordinated application of nitrogen (N) and sulfur (S) can effectively increase the grain yield (GY) and grain protein concentration (GPC) of rice. A two-season field experiment was conducted to investigate the synergistic effects of combined N and S application on the GY and GPC of rice. This study employed four N rates (0, 120, 180, and 240 kg ha⁻¹, designated as N0, N1, N2, and N3, respectively) and four S rates (0, 30, 45, and 60 kg ha⁻¹, designated as S0, S1, S2, and S3, respectively) using two rice cultivars: Jiujiuxiang (JJX) and Jiuxiangyou (JXY). The experimental results demonstrate that N and S exert significant effects on the GY and GPC of rice, with notable interactive effects between these two nutrient elements. The synergistic fertilization of N and S enhanced the GY by improving rice plant photosynthesis and dry matter accumulation while increasing GPC through elevated cysteine concentration in grains. Compared to the unfertilized treatment, the GY of the JJX cultivar showed increases of 68.3–143.2% (Season I) and 59.4–133.4% (Season II) under combined N and S applications, while the GY of the JXY cultivar increased by 53.2–144.1% (Season I) and 66.0–192.9% (Season II). Similarly, the GPC of the JJX cultivar showed increases of 7.5–43.4% (Season I) and 5.7–43.9% (Season II) under combined N and S applications, while the GPC of the JXY cultivar increased by 13.1–66.7% (Season I) and 13.3–61.0% (Season II). Overall, whether on the JJX or JXY cultivars, the application of 180 kg ha⁻¹ of N combined with 45 kg ha⁻¹ of S (i.e., the N2S2 treatment) synergistically enhances GY and GPC in rice. The synergistic fertilization of N and S synergistically enhances both rice yield and nutritional quality by regulating plant growth dynamics, which meet the requirements for healthy and sustainable development in rice production systems. Full article

Durum wheat (Triticum turgidum L. var. durum) plays a central role in global food and nutritional security, yet its grain mineral and protein quality remain highly variable across varieties and environments. This study aimed to evaluate the combined effects of varieties, nitrogen (N) fertilization, foliar zinc (Zn) and sulfur (S) application, and seasonal variation on grain macro- and micronutrients (Ca, Mg, K, Zn) and protein content, adopting a system-level approach that integrates varieties, nutrient management, and seasonal variability. We hypothesized that aligning variety selection with precision nutrient management would improve grain nutritional quality while enhancing resilience to environmental variation. Significant differences among varieties (p < 0.05) were observed, with the spring-sown variety Durablank exhibiting the highest grain Zn concentration (34.70 mg kg⁻¹) compared with MV Pelsodur (23.0 mg kg⁻¹) and GK Julidur (23.8 mg kg⁻¹), representing a 50.87% varietal difference. Grain Ca, Mg, and K varied widely across varieties and seasons, with drought in 2022 increasing grain Zn, while the wetter 2023 season enhanced Mg and K accumulation. A clear yield–protein trade-off was found, where high-yielding MV Pelsodur maintained 14.3% protein while moderate-yielding Durablank reached 16.8%. Foliar Zn and S applications significantly increased grain Zn, particularly in Zn-efficient varieties. Nitrogen fertilization at 100 kg ha⁻¹ improved macronutrient accumulation by 12–20% compared with 60 kg N ha⁻¹. Significant varieties × N × season interactions (p < 0.01) highlight the need for adjusted varieties -specific nutrient management strategies. Overall, the findings demonstrate that integrating genetic selection with optimized fertilization and season-responsive management practices may contribute to improving grain nutritional quality of durum wheat. Full article

Despite recent advances in artificial intelligence for agriculture, reliable crop recommendation remains constrained by limited access to soil diagnostics, insufficient integration of environmental context, and the absence of transparent, quantitative evaluation frameworks. This study addresses the research question: How can we integrate multiple indicators to generate accurate, explainable, and context-sensitive crop recommendations? To this end, we propose a multimodal decision-support framework that combines image-based soil texture classification with geospatial, and climatic information. A convolutional neural network was trained on a curated dataset of 3250 soil images aggregated from four publicly available sources, covering four primary soil texture classes, alongside tabular soil and nutrient data. The model was evaluated using 5-fold stratified cross-validation, achieving an average classification accuracy of 99.30% (standard deviation ≈ 0.66), and was further validated on an independent hold-out test set to assess generalization performance. To enhance practical applicability, the framework incorporates elevation, rainfall, temperature, and major soil nutrients, and employs a large language model to generate user-oriented, interpretable justifications for each recommendation. Crop recommendations were quantitatively evaluated using a novel Agronomic Suitability Score (ASS), which measures alignment across soil compatibility, climatic suitability, seasonal alignment, and elevation tolerance. Across six geographically diverse case studies, the framework achieved mean ASS values ranging from 3.76 to 4.96, with five regions exceeding 4.45, demonstrating strong agronomic validity, robustness, and scalability. A Streamlit-based application further illustrates the system’s ability to deliver accessible, location-aware, and explainable agronomic guidance. The results indicate that the proposed approach constitutes a scalable decision-support tool with significant potential for sustainable agriculture and food security initiatives. Full article

Lettuce (Lactuca sativa L.) is a leafy herb that contains many useful nutrients, allowing it to easily overcome the threats to food security in countries of the Global South by adding fiber/bulk, folate and other available nutrients. In 2020, almost 220 metric tons of lettuce was produced in Pakistan. This high production needs attention to meet the demand. Southern Pakistan is facing water crises and the hydroponic system is one revolutionary technique which can allow the region to meet its food demand. In this experiment, different treatment combinations were used to study their effects and evaluate the best combination of nutrients to get the maximum production of lettuce. Results are concluded on the basis of last-week (5th week) production of shoot and root mass. Treatment one (T1) performed outstanding overall out of all four treatments across all parameters. Maximum average root and shoot length (RL, SL) was observed in treatment one (T1) at 5.94 cm and 15.50 cm respectively. Shoot length is directly proportional to production of the head of the plant. For root and shoot weight (RW, SW) treatment 1 (T1) is more effective than treatment 2 (T2). For treatment 1, root weight (RW) was recorded at 0.09 g and shoot weight (SW) was 0.22 g. The hydroponic system demands huge capital investment, which can be compensated by high production of crops. To increase the efficiency of the system, there is a dire need to calculate optimum nutrient combinations for application to the crop for a sound food security plan. Full article

Amid growing concerns about climate change and its potential impacts on food security and malnutrition, there is a need for climate-smart crops to help mitigate these challenges. African yam bean (Sphenostylis stenocarpa) and Bambara groundnut (Vigna subterranea) are considered climate-smart neglected or underutilised species (NUS) in sub-Saharan Africa (SSA). These legumes are rich in nutrients, comprising fats, carbohydrates, and protein, as well as essential micronutrients. However, their use is constrained by the presence of antinutritive factors (ANFs) such as oxalates, tannins, and phytates, which reduces mineral bioaccessibility and protein digestibility. Fermentation provides a cost-effective means of effectively reducing these antinutrients, thereby making these crops more mainstream due to their enhanced bioavailability and bioactivity. This review summarises the impact of diverse microbes and fermentation techniques on the bioavailability of essential nutrients in Bambara groundnut and African yam bean. The importance of pre-treatment steps such as soaking, germination, dehulling, and thermal treatment will also be discussed. By synthesising recent studies, the review explores the mechanisms by which fermentation degrades the ANFs, enhances nutrient bioavailability and improves protein digestibility from these crops. This review explores the pivotal roles of fermenting microbes, such as species of Lactobacillus and Bacillus, during the process of biotransformation. Full article

Managing tillage intensity and diversifying crop rotation are important sustainability levers for conservation agriculture (CA) with the potential to enhance crop resilience, resource efficiency, and yield stability. Accordingly, this study aimed to determine the effect of reduced tillage intensities and cereal–legume rotation systems on the agronomic and physiological performance of rainfed durum wheat grown under Mediterranean semi-arid conditions. To this end, a two cropping seasons field experiment was conducted in northeast Tunisia where the combined effects of two reduced tillage intensities (minimum and no-tillage; MT and NT) and two legume-based crop rotation systems (biennial and triennial; B and T) were compared to the more traditional conventionally tilled monocropping system (CT and M). Crop rotation, particularly when integrated with no-tillage (NT), significantly improved wheat development and grain yield, along with key yield attributes such as thousand-kernel weight and spike density. The interaction between tillage and crop sequence was highly influential; for instance, the NT × T (no-tillage × triennial rotation) combination achieved the highest grain yields (240 and 236 g m⁻² in 2020–2021 and 2021–2022, respectively), while the CT × M (conventional tillage × monoculture) interaction resulted in the lowest productivity (143 and 135 g m⁻²). Physiologically, the integration of reduced tillage and legume–cereal rotations optimized the photosynthetic apparatus, as evidenced by significantly improved chlorophyll fluorescence parameters. However, a prominent trade-off was identified: while NT × T maximized productivity, conventional tillage (CT) maintained superior grain protein (18.6%) and gluten concentrations, indicating a nitrogen dilution effect in high-yielding conservation systems. These results demonstrate that while no-tillage and triennial rotations (faba bean–wheat–barley) are robust strategies for climate-resilient yields in semi-arid environments, they must be coupled with optimized nitrogen management to offset quality declines. Consequently, this study establishes the NT × T interaction as a superior model for sustainable rainfed farming, provided that nutrient synchronization is addressed to ensure nutritional security under increasingly unpredictable Mediterranean climates. Full article

Intercropping is a pivotal strategy for achieving Sustainable Development Goal (SDG) number 2—End hunger, achieve food security and improved nutrition and promote sustainable agriculture (SDG 2)—by enhancing food security agroecosystem resilience and sustainability. By integrating diverse species within the same plot, this sustainable approach takes advantage of the beneficial interactions between them. The simultaneous cultivation of multiple crop species within the same field increases agricultural diversification and contributes to a more resilient production system, breaking the uniformity of modern intensive agriculture. The objective of this review is to evaluate intercropping practices throughout the Mediterranean, specifically in Southern Europe (Portugal, Spain, Italy, and Greece), North Africa (Morocco, Algeria, and Tunisia), and the Middle East (Turkey, Israel, and Jordan). This review intends to show advantages and disadvantages of intercropping and crops used and also highlight how intercropping systems affect crop production and quality, soil quality and microbiome, and proliferation of weeds, pests and diseases. The literature suggests that diversification in agriculture supports biodiversity and ecosystem services by the cultivation of diverse crop species together and, hence, may reduce independence in external outputs such as nutrient supply, pesticides and soil amendment. Despite the potential benefits of intercropping, the major caveats of this practice are the competition between different crops on resources, potential risks of plant protection, technical challenges of integrating the different requirements of each crop used in the system, and culture-related restrictions or regulations. Full article

Phosphorus is a non-renewable resource critical for global food security, yet its natural reserves are rapidly depleting. Meanwhile, the poultry industry generates vast amounts of nutrient-rich waste that pose serious environmental risks if not managed properly. While valorizing these wastes offers a sustainable raw material alternative, investigating the environmental impacts of recovering them as a phosphorus source is crucial. This study evaluates phosphorus recovery from poultry litter via acid leaching following Hydrothermal Carbonization (HTC) and pyrolysis processes holistically. By conducting a Life Cycle Assessment (LCA) using this specific substrate and method combination, this work aims to provide comprehensive environmental insights. The impact assessment reveals that the total Global Warming Potential (GWP) is 6.00 kg CO₂ eq for the pyrolysis scenario and 4.18 kg CO₂ eq for the HTC scenario. Methodologically, a ‘system expansion’ approach was applied to integrate the avoided burdens from poultry manure management into the system boundaries. Furthermore, the inventory analysis revealed that chemical consumption (specifically NaOH and H₂SO₄) in the production process is the dominant factor not only for Global Warming Potential (GWP) but also across other environmental impact categories evaluated. The findings clearly indicate that chemical intensity predominantly determines the environmental performance across carbon footprint, acidification and other environmental impact categories. Full article

Background: Aquaculture, a vital component of global food security, faces sustainability challenges due to intensive farming practices, including water pollution, disease outbreaks, and antibiotic overuse. Probiotics, prebiotics, and synbiotics have emerged as eco-friendly alternatives to antibiotics. However, research results remain heterogeneous across aquatic species and intervention strategies. Methods: Following PRISMA 2020, we searched two databases (up to January 2026) for in vivo trials. Two reviewers screened and extracted data, and 177 eligible studies were ultimately included, covering single-/multi-strain probiotics (SSP/MSP), live/inactivated microbial preparations, and diverse synbiotic formulations. Results: Among 177 studies, Bacillus spp. were the most widely reported and effective probiotic strains. MSP and synbiotics exhibited superior efficacy in boosting aquatic animal growth performance and disease resistance over SSP in 68% of the included trials. Probiotics act through the competitive exclusion of pathogens, immune modulation, and enhanced digestive enzyme activity; prebiotics selectively stimulate beneficial gut microbiota, improving nutrient absorption and immune function through metabolites such as short-chain fatty acids; synbiotics combine the advantages of both, exerting synergistic effects. Furthermore, as water additives or fermented feed ingredients, probiotics reduce nitrogenous waste and organic pollutants, contributing to bioremediation. Conclusions: All three additives are effective. Standardized application protocols and long-term trials are needed for sustainable aquaculture. This review provides a unified evidence-based foundation for the rational use of these additives in aquaculture. Full article

Tripartite interaction among arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi (AMF), small grain cereals—including wheat, barley, oats, and rye—and pathogenic organisms constitute a highly complex ecological system with major implications for plant health, productivity and resilience. AMF colonization increases nutrient acquisition, particularly phosphorus and nitrogen, while concurrently priming host defense mechanisms that increase resistance to a broad spectrum of pathogens. These benefits, however, are strongly context-dependent and modulated by AMF species composition, host genotype, soil characteristics, and environmental conditions. AMF activate resistance pathways and modulate the rhizosphere microbiome, underscoring their central role in shaping plant–pathogen dynamics. Importantly, the relevance of these interactions extend beyond crop protection and yield stability to encompass food security and sustainability goals aligned with the One Health framework, which recognizes the interconnectedness of plant, environmental, and human health. Field implementation of AMF-based strategies has the potential to reduce reliance on chemical fertilizers and pesticides, thereby promoting sustainable cereal production, restoring soil biodiversity, and enhancing ecosystem services, with downstream benefits for human nutrition and environmental safety. This review integrates current knowledge on AMF–cereal–pathogen interactions, synthesizing mechanistic advances and applied perspectives while identifying critical knowledge gaps that must be addressed to effectively deploy AMF in resilient and sustainable agroecosystems within a One Health context. Full article