Search Results (194)

Silicon has a striking similarity to carbon and is found in plant cells. However, there is no specific role that has been assigned to silicon in the life cycle of plants. The amount of silicon in plant cells is species specific and can reach levels comparable to macronutrients. Silicon is used extensively in artificial intelligence, nanotechnology, and the digital revolution, and thus can serve as an informational molecule such as nucleic acids. The diverse potential of silicon to bond with different chemical species is analogous to carbon; thus, it can serve as a structural candidate similar to proteins. The discovery of large amounts of silicon on Mars and the moon, along with the recent development of enzyme that can incorporate silicon into organic molecules, has propelled the theory of creating silicon-based life. The bacterial cytochrome has been modified through directed evolution such that it could cleave silicon–carbon bonds in organo-silicon compounds. This consolidates the idea of utilizing silicon in biomolecules. In this article, the potential of silicon-based life forms has been hypothesized, along with the reasoning that autotrophic virus-like particles could be used to investigate such potential. Such investigations in the field of synthetic biology and astrobiology will have corollary benefits for Earth in the areas of medicine, sustainable agriculture, and environmental sustainability. Full article

The rise of smart precision weeding driven by Fifth Industrial Revolution (5IR) technologies symbolizes a quantum leap in sustainable agriculture. The modern weeding systems are becoming promisingly efficient, intelligently autonomous, and environmentally responsible by introducing artificial intelligence (AI), robotics, Internet of Things (IoT), 5G connectivity, and edge computing technologies. This review discusses a comprehensive analysis of the traditional and contemporary weeding techniques, thereby focusing on the technological innovations paving way for the smart systems. Primarily, this work investigates the application of 5IR technologies in weed detection and decision-making with particular emphasis on the role of the aspects such as AI-driven models, drone-robot integration, GPS-guided practices, and intelligent sensor networks. Additionally, the work outlines key commercial solutions, sustainability metrics, data-driven decision support systems, and blockchain traceable practices. The prominent challenges in the context of global agricultural equity pertaining to cost, scalability, policy alignment, and adoption barriers in accordance to the low-resource environments are discussed in this study. The paper concludes with strategic recommendations and future research directions, highlighting the potential of 5IR technologies on the smart precision weeding. Full article

There is currently a worldwide trend towards deregulating the use of genome-edited plants. Virus-induced genome editing (VIGE) is a novel technique that utilizes viral vectors to transiently deliver clustered regularly interspaced short palindromic repeat (CRISPR) components into plant cells. It potentially allows us to obtain transgene-free events in any plant species in a single generation without in vitro tissue culture. This technology has great potential for agriculture and is already being applied to more than 14 plant species using more than 20 viruses. The main limitations of VIGE include insufficient vector capacity, unstable expression of CRISPR-associated (Cas) protein, plant immune reaction, host specificity, and reduced viral activity in meristem. Various solutions to these problems have been proposed, such as fusion of mobile elements, RNAi suppressors, novel miniature Cas proteins, and seed-borne viruses, but the final goal has not yet been achieved. In this review, the mechanism underlying the ability of different classes of plant viruses to transiently edit genomes is explained. It not only focuses on the latest achievements in virus-induced editing of crops but also provides suggestions for improving the technology. This review may serve as a source of new ideas for those planning to develop new approaches in VIGE. Full article

Amid the Fourth Industrial Revolution and the 2030 Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), China’s digital village initiative has emerged as a localized implementation for achieving multidimensional sustainability. However, the progress of digital villages in China remains uneven, posing challenges to achieving sustainable rural transformation. This study develops a multidimensional index system at four levels: rural digital infrastructure, the digital development environment in rural areas, the digital industry in rural areas, and agricultural production digitalization. Entropy weighting was used to evaluate digital village progress across 30 Chinese provinces (2013–2022). Kernel density estimation, the Dagum Gini coefficient, and the obstacle degree model were used to study China’s spatiotemporal dynamics, regional disparities, and digital village development barriers. The results show that between 2013 and 2022, digital villages in China advanced (the average annual growth rate: 9.43%), with a spatial distribution pattern of “east superior, west inferior, south prosperous, and north declining”. National and regional digital villages have advanced yearly, with absolute and relative disparities increasing, extensibility increasing, and multi-polarizing rising. Digital village development is becoming increasingly imbalanced, with inter-regional differences driving “east, central, and west” disparity and intra-regional disparities driving North–South disparity. Ranking the average hurdle levels: the digital industry in rural areas (45.94%) > the digital development environment in rural areas (24.83%) > rural digital infrastructure (21.85%) > agricultural production digitalization (7.38%). Taobao villages are a major restraint on China’s digital village development. Full article

Greenhouse farming has brought a revolution in agriculture as it provides a climate favorable to crops all year round. Besides securing the production of foods of higher quality, it also extends the growing seasons and protects crops from pests and harsh weather. The greenhouse is centrally controlled by the user due to the technological advancements of devices such as cell phones and a control system of temperature, which is important for the plant. To realize remote real-time automated monitoring of the greenhouse based on the user settings, an Android app was developed in this study. Full article

Genome editing technologies have revolutionized the production of microorganisms, plants, and animals with phenotypes of interest to agriculture. Editing previously sequenced genomes allows for the punctual, discreet, precise, and accurate alteration of DNA for genetic analysis, genotyping, and phenotyping, as well as the production of edited organisms for academic and industrial purposes, among many other objectives. In this context, genome editing technologies have been causing a revolution in Brazilian agriculture. Thanks to the publication of Normative Resolution No. 16 (in Portuguese Resolução Normativa No. 16-RN16) in 2018, Brazilian regulatory authorities have adapted to the new genetic manipulation technologies available to the scientific community. This review aims to describe the effects of updates to the regulatory framework for edited organisms in Brazil and to point out their impacts on research and development of emerging technologies in the Brazilian agricultural sector. The implementation of RN16 rationalized the regulatory aspects regarding the production, manipulation, exploration and commercial release of edited organisms and led to the faster, cheaper and safer obtaining of edited technologies, which are more productive and better adapted to different environmental conditions in Brazil. Full article

Currently, the entire agricultural sector is under significant pressure. The causes that may explain this are different, such as climate change, market instability, and the decline in the population of agricultural workers. As a result, the agricultural tractor and machinery field is at the center of an intense technological revolution. One of the possible solutions to the aforementioned problems can be represented by agricultural vehicles equipped with autonomous driving systems. The key pillar of an autonomous driven vehicle is its autonomous driving algorithm which represents the link between the information coming from the vehicle’s sensor systems and the success of the vehicle’s operative mission. In this paper, an experimental assessment of the motion strategy for a four-wheel differential drive agricultural rover was conducted. This work is structured in three parts. First, the description of the working principles of the autonomous driving algorithm is proposed. Then, the case study and the scaled prototype designed for this purpose are described. In the end, the result obtained by the virtual model, which acts as reference case, is compared with the results that came out of the field test campaign. The outcomes show the overlap between the virtual and real results. Full article

The revolution in biotechnology at the end of the 20th century has improved agricultural productivity, reduced environmental impact, and enhanced food nutrition. However, genetically modified food (GMF) consumption remains low, particularly in the European Union, including Spain. This study develops a GMF acceptance model based on the Theory of Planned Behavior, incorporating five key variables alongside gender and age as control factors. Attitude-related variables include perceived benefit (PB) and perceived risk (PR). Perceived control factors involve food neophobia (PHOB) and knowledge (KNOWL) about GMFs. Additionally, subjective norm (SN) is considered. Using a sample of 728 Spanish consumers, the model was validated, explaining 70% of the variance and demonstrating strong predictive capability. The results so PB, KNOWL, and SN positively influence GMF acceptance, whereas PR and PHOB have negative effects. PB and SN emerged as the most influential variables, which are also highlighted as priorities in the importance–performance map analysis (IPMA). Based on these findings, strategies have been proposed to enhance perceived benefits and influence subjective norms, potentially increasing GMF acceptance. This study provides valuable insights into consumer behavior and offers guidance for policymakers and industry stakeholders to promote the adoption of GMFs. Full article

Plants are constantly exposed to abiotic and biotic stresses that seriously affect crop yield and quality. A coordinated regulation of plant responses to combined abiotic/biotic stresses requires crosstalk between signaling pathways initiated by each stressor. Interconnected signaling pathways further finetune plant stress responses and allow the plant to respond to such stresses effectively. The plant nutritional status might influence disease resistance by strengthening or weakening plant immune responses, as well as through modulation of the pathogenicity program in the pathogen. Here, we discuss advances in our understanding of interactions between nutrient stress, deficiency or excess, and immune signaling pathways in the context of current agricultural practices. The introduction of chemical fertilizers and pesticides was a major component of the Green Revolution initiated in the 1960s that greatly boosted crop production. However, the massive application of agrochemicals also has adverse consequences on the environment and animal/human health. Therefore, an in-depth understanding of the connections between stress caused by overfertilization (or low bioavailability of nutrients) and immune responses is a timely and novel field of research with important implications for disease control in crop species. Optimizing nutrient management practices tailored to specific environmental conditions will be crucial in maximizing crop production using environmentally friendly systems. Full article

This study discusses key issues relating to the agri-development perspective, which is based on the “numbered” agriculture model. Selected economic and technological dilemmas related to agribusiness development in the Wielkopolska region of Poland were reviewed. Based not only on a literature review, but also on our own research, we identified the current challenges for farmers in terms of innovation, green energy, and environmental ideas. Using the diagnostic survey method, with agricultural practitioners as experts, the potential directions of regional agricultural development were assessed from the perspective of programming the next stages of the “agricultural revolution”. Individual in-depth interviews were conducted with purposely invited farmers from Wielkopolska, one of the most agriculturally developed regions of Poland. By verifying the ex post assessment of the key pillars of the Agriculture “3.0” and “4.0” concepts’ adaptation model, as carried out on the respondents’ farms, the optimal model for farm operation was sought. The study assumed the implementation of the next stages of agribusiness development had taken place and that implementation of the “Agriculture 5.0” model, under the conditions evaluated, was possible. The so-defined hypothesis was only partially confirmed (conditionally). The identified potential provides a development path for the optimal idea of “Agriculture N.0”, with the value of “N” not yet known. Finally, key conclusions and recommendations relating to Wielkopolska’s agribusiness were formulated. Full article

Bioinputs are natural products applied to crops that contribute to more sustainable agriculture by boosting yields and reducing environmental impacts. In Brazil, the use of bioinputs such as Bradyrhizobium in soybean has been consolidated, but the expansion of on-farm bioinput production is currently initiating a new revolution. Furthermore, applications of bioinputs to cash crops in Brazil have shed light on the great potential of such growth-promoting microorganisms (GMPs) to improve nutrient uptake and increase productivity. This study explores the effect of the complementary inoculation with growth-promoting bacteria of post-emergence soybean, previously inoculated with Bradyrhizobium spp. Five treatments with growth-promoting bacteria were evaluated: T1—Control (no inoculation); T2—Azospirillum brasilense; T3—Pseudomonas fluorescens and Azospirillum brasilense; T4—Priestia aryabhattai, Bacillus haynesii, and Bacillus circulans; and T5—Priestia megaterium and Bacillus subtilis. In comparison with the control, all treatments with growth-promoting bacteria of the genera Azospirillum, Pseudomonas, Priestia, and Bacillus, applied after soybean emergence, induced 4–7% higher grain yields. Co-inoculation with Priestia megaterium and Bacillus subtilis (treatment T5) resulted in a higher 1000-grain weight, while Priestia aryabhattai, Bacillus haynesii, and Bacillus circulans (treatment T4) increased the number of pods and shoot dry weight. Our conclusion is that bioinputs increase soybean productivity and make agriculture more sustainable and efficient. Full article

This study introduces the concept of the plant developmental unit (PDU) and validates its application using Wolffia Horkel ex Schleid (Araceae) as a model system for exploring fundamental processes in plant morphogenesis. Revisiting long-standing contradictions in plant biology, the author proposes viewing plants as coral-like colonies composed of multiple developmental units rather than as unitary-animal-like organisms. Utilizing the “Plant-on-Chip” culture platform, the research demonstrates Wolffia’s minimalist structure as a powerful model for investigating core regulatory mechanisms of plant development. The study emphasizes the pivotal role of “induction” in morphogenetic processes and highlights Wolffia’s potential to facilitate a paradigm shift in plant developmental biology while unlocking its applications in a second agricultural revolution. This work underscores Wolffia’s value in bridging fundamental research and innovative agricultural solutions. Full article

Digital innovation in agriculture has become a powerful force in the modern world as it revolutionizes the agricultural sector and improves the sustainability and efficacy of farming practices. In this context, the study examines the effects of digital technology, as reflected by the digital economy and society index (DESI), on key agricultural performance metrics, including agricultural output and real labor productivity per person. The paper develops a strong analytical method for quantifying these associations using predictive models, such as exponential smoothing, ARIMA, and artificial neural networks. The method fully illustrates how economic and technological components interact, including labor productivity, agricultural output, and GDP per capita. The results demonstrate that digital technologies significantly impact agricultural output and labor productivity. These findings illustrate the importance of digital transformation in modernizing and improving agriculture’s overall efficacy. The study’s conclusion highlights the necessity of integrating digital technology into agricultural policy to address productivity problems and nurture sustainable growth in the sector. Full article

The fourth agricultural revolution (or Agriculture 4.0) promises to lead the way to an agricultural sector that is smarter, more efficient, and more environmentally and socially responsible. Digital and data generating tools are seen as critical enablers for this transformation and are expected to make farming more planned, predictive, productive, and efficient. To make this vision a reality, agricultural producers will first adopt and use the technologies, but this is easier said than done. Barriers such as limited digital infrastructure, low (digital) literacy, low incomes, and socio-cultural norms are major factors causing sub-optimal access to and use of digital technologies among smallholder farmers. Beyond these use challenges of access and usage, limited evidence exists to support the notion that extant digital technologies add enough value to provide substantial benefits for targeted farmers. In this paper, we unravel insights from a six-year digital agriculture innovation project which was implemented to develop and deploy multi-modal digital tools for the control of a major banana disease. By reaching over 272,200 smallholder farmers in Rwanda through a smartphone app, unstructured supplementary service data, a chatbot, and other ancillary channels, we assessed various assumptions regarding intrinsic motivation, incentives, and skills retention among the target digital tool users. These insights suggest that embedding digital innovation requires intentional user-engagement, proper incentivization of next-users, and targeted communication to foster adoption. We present ten (10) salient, but non-exhaustive, lessons to showcase the realities of developing and delivering digital tools to farmers over an extended period, spanning from ideation, development, and testing to scaling stages. The lessons are relevant for a broad audience, including stakeholders across the digital innovation space who can utilize our experiential notes to guide the development and deployment of similar digital innovations for improved outcomes in smallholder farming systems. Full article

E-commerce platform-based supply chains have emerged as efficient and widely used channels for the distribution of agricultural products, with low-carbon supply chains capable of reducing the carbon footprint of these products from the initial to the terminal stage, which has led to their increasing adoption by consumers. Based on major e-commerce platforms in China, combined with an extended technology acceptance model, this study examines the factors affecting low-carbon supply chain adoption by agricultural product consumers on e-commerce platforms. The results showed that consumers’ perceived risk, perceived usefulness, and adoption attitude all influence their adoption behavior, with the effect of adoption attitude being the greatest. Furthermore, the effect of perceived usefulness on adoption attitude is stronger than that of perceived risk. Moreover, perceived usefulness is affected mainly by the perceived price, technical utility, green behavior tendency, and subjective norms, whereas the perceived risk is affected mainly by technical utility, information display and dissemination, and green behavior tendency. This study provides valuable insights for e-commerce platforms to better understand the needs of agricultural product consumers, improve market competitiveness, and enhance consumers’ awareness and willingness of adopting low-carbon approaches, which can promote the low-carbon sustainable development of agricultural product supply chains. Full article