Search Results (114)

Utilizing environmentally friendly techniques for pathogen control in agriculture is a sustainable and eco-friendly approach to managing crop diseases. These techniques leverage the natural environment and ecosystem dynamics to reduce pathogen pressure, minimize the use of chemical inputs, and promote long-term agricultural productivity. Key strategies include crop rotation, intercropping, and maintaining biodiversity, all of which disrupt pathogen life cycles and enhance soil health. Biological control, such as introducing natural antagonists like beneficial fungi or bacteria, suppresses pathogen populations while promoting plant resilience. Additionally, practices such as mulching, soil solarization, and water management optimize environmental conditions to limit the development and spread of pathogens. These techniques also contribute to integrated pest management by providing sustainable, cost-effective solutions that reduce chemical dependency and mitigate climate change and other environmental impacts. This review discusses the importance of utilizing environmentally friendly techniques, highlighting their advantages, practical challenges, and limitations in different agro-ecological settings, and their role in advancing sustainable agriculture. Full article

Agricultural water resource management is increasingly challenged by climate variability, land degradation, and socio-economic pressures, particularly in the Mediterranean region. This study, conducted in 2023–2024 within the REACT4MED project (PRIMA initiative), addresses sustainable water use through a comparative analysis of organic and conventional farms in the Stornara and Tara area (Puglia, Italy). The research aimed to identify critical indicators for sustainable water management and develop ecosystem restoration strategies that can be replicated across similar Mediterranean agro-ecosystems. An interdisciplinary, participatory approach was adopted, combining technical analyses and stakeholder engagement through three workshops involving 30 participants from diverse sectors. Fieldwork and laboratory assessments included soil sampling and analysis of parameters such as pH, electrical conductivity, soil organic carbon, nutrients, and salinity. Cartographic studies of vegetation, land use, and pedological characterization supplemented the dataset. The key challenges identified were water loss in distribution systems, seawater intrusion, water pumping from unauthorized wells, and inadequate public policies. Soil quality was significantly influenced by salt stress, hence affecting crop productivity, while socio-economic factors affected farm income. Restoration strategies emphasized the need for water-efficient irrigation, less water-intensive crops, and green vegetation in infrastructure channels while incorporating also the native flora. Enhancing plant biodiversity through weed management in drainage channels proved beneficial for pathogen control. Proposed socio-economic measures include increased inclusion of women and youth in agricultural management activities. Integrated technical and participatory approaches are essential for effective water resource governance in Mediterranean agriculture. This study offers scalable, context-specific indicators and solutions for sustainable land and water management in the face of ongoing desertification and climate stress. Full article

Local food plants contribute to dietary diversity, and hence, to food and nutrition security in rural households of low- and middle-income countries. However, their consumption and use are declining, in favour of simplified diets or industrial foods. This paper presents data from the Sowing Diversity = Harvesting Security programme, which aimed at improving nutrition through better use of local, underused agrobiodiversity in six low- or mid-income countries. Through a Farmer Field School approach, rural communities’ perceptions on nutrition, local food plant use, and food scarcity coping strategies were gathered. Overall, the results showed that farmers recognise the relationship which exists between increasingly impoverished diets and the (declining) use of local food plants. They attributed such a decline to multiple, intertwined factors, being both socioeconomic and cultural, as well as agronomic or environmental. Despite a declining trend, communities still heavily rely on local food plants during food scarcity periods: indeed, turning to local and wild plants emerged as one of the most frequent coping strategies in all countries, and this trend was stronger as the length and severity of the scarcity period increased. In this paper, we discuss the opportunity to further leverage the role of local food plants through integrated (“field to plate”) actions as a way to conserve valuable agricultural biodiversity while enhancing local food and nutrition security. Full article

The projected growth of the global population to over 10 billion by 2080 necessitates groundbreaking sustainable agricultural solutions that enhance productivity while mitigating environmental impacts. Tenebrio molitor frass (TMF), derived from larval excrement and exuviae, has emerged as a promising organic fertilizer. Enriched with macro- and micronutrients, TMF enhances soil functions through microbial communities that promote nutrient cycling, decompose organic matter, and suppress soilborne pathogens. Additionally, functional compounds like chitin, cellulose, xylans, and lignin improve the soil structure, foster beneficial microbes, and activate natural plant defence responses. The synergy of microbial activity and bioactive compounds positions TMF as a valuable resource for enhancing plant growth and soil health. Its role as a nutrient source, biostimulant, and soil amendment aligns with circular economy principles by recycling agro-industrial by-products and reducing reliance on synthetic fertilizers. TMF also contributes to sustainable agriculture by improving soil fertility, microbial biodiversity, and plant stress resilience, while mitigating greenhouse gas emissions and nutrient runoff. Additionally, TMF-derived biochar offers the potential for environmental remediation as an effective adsorbent. Despite its advantages, TMF faces challenges in scalability, cost, and regulations, requiring advancements in processing, enrichment, and supportive policies to maximize its potential in sustainable farming. Full article

Neglected and Underutilized Species (NUS)—locally available, climate-resilient species—possess significant nutritional, social, and environmental benefits, yet their use, research focus, and market presence have diminished over time. Incorporating NUS into school meal programs can potentially boost childhood nutrition, promote healthy eating, encourage sustainable food production, preserve food culture and heritage, and support biodiversity conservation. School meals offered in Kenya are often monotonous and nutritionally inadequate. We conducted a case study on a school in an informal urban settlement in Nairobi, targeting students between ages 6–12, to demonstrate how incorporating locally grown, nutrient-dense foods into school meals can result in better nutrition for school-age children, while making significant savings for schools. Using the World Food Programme’s School Meal Planner (SMP) PLUS software, the school meals offered were analyzed for nutrient adequacy and optimized including five NUS: African nightshade (Solanum spp.), spider plant (Cleome gynandra), Bambara groundnut (Vigna subterranea), bonavist or hyacinth bean (Lablab purpureus), and slender leaf (Crotalaria spp.). The optimization process was based on the commodity price fluctuations and nutrient composition of the local agrobiodiversity used. The study results show how NUS are a viable and healthy alternative to meet the recommended daily nutrient needs for school-aged children at affordable prices. The tool results showcased the effectiveness of linear programming in enabling national decision making for efficient school feeding program planning, by designing comprehensive, affordable food baskets using local agrobiodiversity. Future research should explore implementing optimized school menus while examining broader aspects, such as school lunch environmental impacts and direct procurement approach opportunities that source local ingredients from smallholder farmers. Full article

Agroforestry systems (AFSs) exhibit varied composition and dynamics as intrinsic characteristics of their specificities. In this context, a review of the adoption, composition, and dynamics of AFSs in the Amazon biome was conducted to identify the origin, institutions, and researchers of published studies with results on this scientific topic, focused on trends and characteristics of AFSs diversity in the Amazon. The methodology adopted was a scoping review, based on searches in the Scopus and Web of Science databases, using specific keywords to ensure that the articles addressed topics related to the adoption, composition, and dynamics of AFSs in the Amazon. Following the selection of subtopics, 66 articles were selected and analyzed. The analysis revealed that research on AFSs in the Amazon highlights interactions among traditional knowledge, innovations, and sustainability. The analysis of research published between 1996 and 2023 indicated growth in studies with an interdisciplinary focus, primarily from Brazil. However, internationalization, collaborative networks, and funding factors contribute to the prominence of foreign institutions. Research studies often address topics such as species diversity, agrobiodiversity, and tree growth in agroforestry intercrops. In this context, homegarden agroforestry (HAF) emerges as one of the main subjects of study, encompassing multifunctional environments, richness diversity, and ongoing experimentation with plant species. The choice of species for AFSs is influenced by factors such as labor, personal preferences, and market demands, although loggers and commercial forestry systems tend to have lower diversity, contrasting with HAF. AFSs implementation methods vary according to financing, management, and the farmer’s education and gender. Environmental conservation, food security, ecosystem services, and production flexibility are highlighted as benefits of AFSs, while challenges include technical and economic limitations. This research highlights the strengthening and consolidation of AFSs by addressing scientific gaps and demonstrating the need for studies on the adoption, consolidation, and management of these systems, as well as the relationship between diversity and yield. Future research should be concentrated on deepening studies on the relationship between diversity and yield in AFSs, as well as on management strategies that support the consolidation of these systems in the Amazon biome, integrating innovation, public policy support, and traditional knowledge of farmers. Full article

Common fig, or simply fig (Ficus carica L.), is one of the most ancient species originated and domesticated in the Mediterranean basin. The Italian fig germplasm consists of a large number of cultivars, more than 300. This number is approximate; there are many genotypes that are still poorly known and studied that may possess interesting agronomic traits, especially in terms of response to climate change. Therefore, it is extremely important to study and preserve agrobiodiversity, but more importantly to identify simple and rapid characterization methods to catalog “hidden” cultivated plants. In this study, geometric leaf morphometry was used to explore differences among fifteen Tuscan fig cultivars. In addition, the effectiveness of a machine learning (ML) algorithm to characterize cultivars was evaluated. The study analyzed two classes of cultivars, one of plants with predominantly three-lobed leaf shape, and one five-lobed. Thirty-three descriptors for the five-lobed and twenty-three for the three-lobed. Anova analysis showed statistically significant differences for all characters analyzed and allowed an initial characterization of the material. Then, Random Forest algorithm analysis was used to reduce the number of parameters to those most significant for classification. The results showed that machine learning-based techniques are a valid system for analyzing leaves of F. carica cultivars and interpreting significant differences in leaf parameters. Classification based on the Random Forest model allowed us to filter out the main descriptors that best differentiate cultivars from each other. Full article

This study investigates the medicinal potential of cultivated plants and weeds in Aymara communities around Lake Titicaca. It highlights the intricate connection between horticultural diversity and traditional healing practices. Through ethnobotanical research involving 228 informants across multiple locations in Bolivia, we documented 239 medicinal plant species, focusing on the diversity within cultivated landscapes. Among these, 56 species are cultivated crops, 17 are agricultural weeds, and 19 species have dual status, serving as both wild and cultivated plants depending on environmental conditions. Women are repositories of knowledge for 81% (193) of total medicinal plant species, while men know 47% (113) of species. Women display dominant knowledge of cultivated species (89%, or 50 species) and purchase medicinal plants from local markets; women know 92% (24 species) vs. men’s 15% (4 species). Our results suggest men may use a smaller set of species more frequently, while women know and use a broader range of species. The analysis of plant life forms revealed the significant medicinal roles of perennials, annuals, subshrubs, and shrubs, which together account for over 67% of the documented species and 73% of the use reports. Arboreal species are present but have a comparatively smaller role in traditional medicine. In total, we recorded 1477 use reports addressing 260 pathologies across 28 major health categories. Notably, cultivated plants and weeds represent 38.8% of the medicinal species, highlighting their essential role in local healthcare practices. By assessing the contributions of native and introduced species, this study sheds light on the complex botanical resources integrated into Aymara agricultural systems. These findings deepen our understanding of medicinal plant diversity and underscore the importance of agrobiodiversity as a cornerstone of community health and cultural resilience in the Andean region. This research also emphasizes the often-overlooked medicinal value of cultivated landscapes and agricultural margins. Full article

Type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) and cancer are significant contributors to morbidity and mortality worldwide. Recent studies have increasingly highlighted the potential of phytochemicals found in plants and plant-based foods for preventing and treating these chronic diseases. Mexico’s agrobiodiversity provides a valuable resource for phytochemistry. This review presents an examination of essential phytochemicals found in plants and foods within Mexican agrobiodiversity that have shown promising anti-cancer and anti-diabetic properties, including their roles as antioxidants, insulin sensitizers, and enzyme inhibitors. Notable compounds identified include flavonoids (such as quercetin and catechins), phenolic acids (chlorogenic, gallic, and caffeic acids), methylxanthines (like theobromine), xanthones (such as mangiferin), capsaicinoids (capsaicin), organosulfur compounds (like alliin), and various lipids (avocatins). Although these phytochemicals have shown promise in laboratory and animal studies, there is a significant scarcity of clinical trial data involving humans, underscoring an important area for future research. Full article

Wild edible trees (WETs) play an important role in the diet of many rural communities. Therefore, research on their use and management is important to support both food sovereignty and local conservation of biocultural resources. We evaluated the different uses of WETs by the community of Zacualpan, Colima, in western Mexico, through 32 semi-structured interviews registering the species richness, plant parts consumed, and non-food uses. Additional information was collected on their management, availability, and forms of preparation. We used a cultural salience index to determine the food importance of the WETs mentioned. We registered 33 edible tree species (26 wild, 3 native crops, and 4 exotic crops) that were most commonly consumed as fruits or seeds. WETs were also used for fuel, live fences, timber, handicrafts, medicine, shade, fodder, poles, utensils, construction, tanning, soap, and paper. Pithecellobium dulce had the highest food salience, followed by Spondias purpurea, Leucaena esculenta, Leucaena leucocephala, Enterolobium cyclocarpum, and Jacaratia mexicana. Salient wild trees were collected in the wild and promoted in agroforestry systems. These trees provided food during the dry season and also had the highest number of additional uses. Promoting the biocultural value of WETs and their sustainable use can favor ecosystem conservation and local food sovereignty. Full article

The global dependence on a narrow range of crops poses significant risks to food security, and exploring alternative crops that enhance agrobiodiversity is crucial. Lupinus pilosus L., a wild lupin species native to Israel, represents a promising candidate for domestication due to its large seeds and high protein content. This study is the first to evaluate the agronomic potential of L. pilosus, focusing on populations from basalt and limestone soils. We hypothesized that L. pilosus has significant potential as a novel high-protein crop and that its agronomic characteristics vary among geographically distinct populations. We performed a net-house experiment to test these hypotheses, exploring dozens of agronomic traits for each of the 10 accessions originating in wild populations. We found that basalt-origin accessions exhibited 34.2% higher seed weight, while limestone accessions doubled their seed yield when exposed to honeybee pollination. Notably, high-density cultivation did not reduce seed yield, suggesting that L. pilosus could be successfully cultivated under crop-like conditions. Our findings highlight the species’ adaptability to different soil types and its responsiveness to pollination, traits that align with the need for climate-resilient crops. This study presents a significant step forward in the domestication of wild lupins, particularly in regions prone to environmental stressors. Compared to other studies on wild lupin domestication, this research provides new insights into the role of ecology in shaping agronomic traits, emphasizing the unique combination of seed yield and plant traits under diverse growing conditions. Full article

Chestnut orchards are a multifunctional resource, providing not only fruit or wood but also playing a role in the conservation of mountain and hillside landscapes. In the Piemonte Region, Italy, a rich genetic heritage of chestnut genotypes has contributed to considerable biodiversity and environmental value. The study aimed to valorize an important example of the chestnut agrobiodiversity in the Piemonte Region by focusing on the ‘Marrone di Chiusa Pesio’ (MCP) cultivar (cv). A multidisciplinary approach was applied, involving genetic and morphological analyses, Visual Tree Assessment (VTA), and phytochemical and nutritional profiling. The plant census provided identification and geolocation of 187 MCP specimens; the 20 most representative trees were genetically analyzed, and then, through the VTA, their morpho-functional status was evaluated. The nutraceutical properties and phytochemical composition were assessed by measuring the total polyphenol content (TPC), antioxidant capacity (AOC), and other phytochemical classes through spectrophotometric and chromatographic methods. The results showed significantly higher TPC values (ranged from 36.51 ± 1.60 mgGAE/100 g of dried weight—DW to 103.14 ± 1.24 mgGAE/100 g DW) compared to other ‘Marrone-type’ cultivars, along with high levels of key phenolic markers, bioactive compounds, and nutritional substances. These included tannins (about 22–28 mg/100 g DW) and cinnamic acids (about 23–25 mg/100 g DW), followed by flavonols, benzoic acids, organic acids, monoterpenes, vitamin C, and catechins, listed in order of predominance. A Principal Component Analysis (PCA) was performed to observe the distribution of the samples and their correlations based on the chemical composition. The results confirmed the interesting phytochemical properties of the ‘Marrone di Chiusa Pesio’ nuts, together with their good morphological and functional properties. Given the ongoing genetic erosion of Castanea sativa cultivars, due to cultivation abandonment and climate change, the main factors contributing to the progressive loss of biodiversity worldwide, the presented approach aimed to provide an overview of the conservation status of the local agrobiodiversity. This study highlighted the value of a local chestnut cultivar, presenting the low conservation status of the few remaining specimens. The goal was to define the significant phenotypic variation regarding MCP in the considered area due to environmental variations, which may be of interest in its genetic adaptation to climate change. The study may potentially encourage the development of strategies for actively conserving the forest agrobiodiversity and hillside ecosystem services in the highly diverse landscapes of the Alpine valleys. Full article

Ever-growing cities constantly increase the distance between suburban regions and semi-urban areas on the perimeter of the cities, where traditional crop production can take place with relatively fewer restrictions. The implementation of ultra-short supply chains implies moving the means of crop production as close to inhabitants as possible. Two main directions can be identified as effective for increasing the food resilience of densely populated suburban areas; these are soil-based traditional urban agriculture and high-tech plant factories. Both approaches to crop production offer a certain level of integration with the built environment; however, these alternatives differ in terms of their contributions to environment modulation, agrobiodiversity, social well-being, and food resilience. Vertical farms can produce a high amount of nutritionally rich crops for direct use, although the involvement of inhabitants is minimal; therefore, they can be considered a service function without social advantages. Open-field plant production can contribute to the well-being of locals, but the yields are considered rather supplementary. The combination of both production approaches to strengthen common advantages is less likely; automated production technologies require a low number of highly qualified personnel; therefore, community plant factories cannot be considered possible contributors to urban social well-being in the future. Full article

Indonesia is a biodiversity hotspot with high levels of endemism of globally important food crops and their crop wild relatives, as well as locally adapted cultivars. This rich diversity is essential to Indonesia’s food and nutrition security, while underpinning the livelihood strategies of small-scale farmers (both men and women) and traditional communities, who act as guardians of this genetic heritage. However, many of Indonesia’s plant genetic resources for food and agriculture are experiencing genetic erosion due to increased crop uniformity and the reduced use and demand for local varieties. Changes in food preferences and consumption patterns have driven the species into agricultural neglect with only some smallholder farmers cultivating the species for cultural reasons. These problems are exacerbated by land-use changes and climate variability. Recognizing the imperative to conserve agrobiodiversity in the region to ensure future food security and sustain livelihoods, the status of conservation and sustainable use of taro, yams, cloves and nutmeg in three target provinces in Indonesia was assessed. Mixed-method analyses were used to document existing conservation efforts and what is currently known of these target crops’ conservation status, both in ex situ collections and in the field, to identify unique biodiversity, as well as the barriers and knowledge gaps on how to better conserve and use this unique genetic diversity for future generations. Full article

The genetic wealth of range-restricted species is threatened by human activities such as habitat fragmentation or alteration. This research focused on the genotype effect in sexual propagation with freshly collected seeds of vulnerable local endemic plants in Crete, namely, Campanula pelviformis and Petromarula pinnata (Campanulaceae), which can be sustainably utilized for agro-alimentary, medicinal, and ornamental purposes. The morphological characteristics of seed length, width, and weight of freshly collected seeds from five wild-growing populations of C. pelviformis and seven wild-growing populations of P. pinnata from lowlands (<500 m) and semi-mountainous (>500 m) altitudes were measured and subjected to germination experiments at four incubation temperature treatments (10, 15, 20, and 25 °C). The effects of temperature, genotype, and their interactions were statistically significant for seed germination, with the results similar to those of previous studies on stored seeds of the same populations. Freshly collected seeds of both species germinated best at incubation temperatures of 10 °C and 15 °C (>68.13% for all population of C. pelviformis and >80.63% for six out of seven populations of P. pinnata), while significant differences were detected among genotypes for both species at each incubation temperature and among genotypes, even from similar altitudes. A statistically significant effect of altitude on germination percentages was observed at an incubation temperature of 20 °C between lowland and semi-mountainous genotypes for both species. The data produced in this study may enhance conservation efforts and lead to species-specific information that can be exploited in the future for their introduction as novel multi-purpose crops. Full article