Agroecological Practices for Organic Agriculture: Biodiversity and Industry Clusters

A special issue of Agriculture (ISSN 2077-0472). This special issue belongs to the section "Agricultural Systems and Management".

Deadline for manuscript submissions: closed (30 January 2026) | Viewed by 1152

Special Issue Editors


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Guest Editor
Beijing Key Laboratory of Biodiversity and Organic Agriculture, College of Resources and Environmental Sciences, China Agricultural University, Beijing 100193, China
Interests: agroecology; soil fertility; organic agriculture; soil ecology; soil ecosystem; healthy ecological agriculture; agricultural productivity

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Guest Editor
Department of Ecology, College of Resources and Environmental Sciences, China Agricultural University, Beijing 100193, China
Interests: agroecology; organic agriculture; soil nutrient management; earthworm ecology

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Guest Editor
Department of Environmental Science and Engineering, China Agricultural University, Beijing 100193, China
Interests: environmental monitoring; organic standard; fertilizer management; heavy metal control; environmental risk assessment
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Guest Editor
College of Plant Protection, China Agricultural University, Beijing 100193, China
Interests: compost; bacterial manure; biological control; phytopathology; microbiomics; plant growth promoting rhinoacteria; microecology
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Special Issue Information

Dear Colleagues,

The Industrial Revolution catalyzed significant advancements in conventional modern agriculture, resulting in marked increases in agricultural productivity. Nonetheless, this progress has also precipitated serious challenges across agriculture, resources, the environment, and the economy, characterized by a persistent decline in biodiversity and escalating concerns over food safety. In light of these issues, nations worldwide seek viable alternative models for sustainable agricultural development. Modern organic agriculture has emerged as a dynamic sector characterized by steady development. However, it simultaneously confronts considerable challenges alongside emerging opportunities for advancement.

This Special Issue presents pioneering research at the forefront of global agricultural ecosystem studies, particularly on soil ecological health, biodiversity, and the evolution of organic agricultural industry clusters. This Special Issue delves into cutting-edge global agroecological research, emphasizing critical themes such as soil ecological health, biodiversity, and the evolutionary trajectories of organic agriculture industry clusters. Positioned at the core of this initiative is the cultivation of healthy soils, which serves as a fundamental basis for the ongoing refinement of organic farming methodologies. This endeavor prioritizes selecting and utilizing livestock breeds alongside enhancing organic inputs and infrastructure. It aims to comprehensively examine the latest developments and emerging global organic agriculture research, practices, and societal engagement trends. This multifaceted analysis encompasses diverse dimensions of the industry chain and various geographical contexts, including theoretical frameworks, systematic approaches, technical support mechanisms, industry positioning strategies, organizational innovations, updates to standards, certification processes, policy frameworks, market regulations, consumer engagement practices, logistics management, impact assessments, profit-sharing arrangements, community involvement, digital marketing strategies, and brand development initiatives. It underscores the integration of agricultural machinery with agronomic practices to foster soil biological cultivation and ecological health systems, the construction of ecological pest and weed management systems through the synergistic use of biopesticides and systematic approaches, as well as the establishment of ecological circular systems that intertwine crop and livestock production. Furthermore, it addresses deploying artificial intelligence and digital technologies within organic agricultural contexts. Ultimately, by illuminating innovative models and expansive development opportunities for the industrialization, scaling, and park-based evolution of organic agriculture—particularly led by organic processing sectors—this initiative aspires to serve as a blueprint for transforming conventional agriculture and establishing a holistic food system grounded in human health and safety.

Prof. Dr. Wenliang Wu
Prof. Dr. Yuhui Qiao
Prof. Dr. Huafen Li
Prof. Dr. Qi Wang
Guest Editors

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Keywords

  • soil health
  • biological farming
  • integration of agricultural machinery and agronomy
  • plant protection
  • organic inputs
  • biological pest control
  • biodiversity
  • biological agents
  • organic industry clusters
  • entire industrial chain
  • agricultural ecosystems
  • standards for organic products
  • organic certification and oversight
  • integration of farming and breeding
  • ecological cycles
  • artificial intelligence
  • digital agriculture
  • smart organic agriculture
  • drones
  • autonomous farming systems

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Published Papers (1 paper)

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Research

21 pages, 2238 KB  
Article
Sustainable Approach to Vine Fertilisation: Impact of the Use of Wine Industry Waste, Compost and Vermicompost, on the Analytical and Volatile Composition of Wines
by Fernando Sánchez-Suárez, Maria del Valle Palenzuela, Victor Manuel Ramos-Muñoz, Antonio Rosal and Rafael A. Peinado
Agriculture 2026, 16(2), 200; https://doi.org/10.3390/agriculture16020200 - 13 Jan 2026
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Abstract
This study examined how different fertilisation strategies (mineral, compost, vermicompost and non-fertilised control) influence vine nutrient status, must composition and wine chemical characteristics over two consecutive seasons (2024–2025) in two semi-arid Mediterranean vineyards, one deficit-irrigated and other rainfed. Compost and vermicompost were produced [...] Read more.
This study examined how different fertilisation strategies (mineral, compost, vermicompost and non-fertilised control) influence vine nutrient status, must composition and wine chemical characteristics over two consecutive seasons (2024–2025) in two semi-arid Mediterranean vineyards, one deficit-irrigated and other rainfed. Compost and vermicompost were produced from winery residues, in line with a circular management approach. Organic fertilisation improved vine nitrogen and potassium levels, particularly at veraison, with cumulative effects observed over time. Musts from fertilised vines (mineral, compost and vermicompost) exhibited higher levels of yeast-assimilable nitrogen (YAN) and pH, as well as lower titratable acidity, compared to the control group (without fertilization). Wines obtained from these treatments exhibited higher ethanol content and modified acidity parameters, with compositional changes being more evident in the rainfed vineyard. Analysis of volatile compounds revealed that organic fertilisers, particularly vermicompost, promoted the formation of esters, higher alcohols, and terpenes linked to grape metabolism and fermentation. These results demonstrate that organic amendments derived from winery waste can serve as efficient nutrient sources, thereby enhancing the nutritional balance of vines and the composition of wines, while also promoting sustainable and circular practices in viticulture. Full article
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