Greenhouse Gas Emission Reductions and Carbon Sequestration in Agriculture

Topic Information

Dear Colleagues,

Currently, there is a specific scientific focus on sustainable agricultural practices that reduce greenhouse gas emissions and enhance carbon sequestration, emphasizing agriculture's role in mitigating climate change. Key aspects include the adoption of soil carbon management, agroforestry, sustainable farming techniques, etc. The scope of the Topic "Greenhouse Gas Emission Reductions and Carbon Sequestration in Agriculture" is to explore innovative strategies, technological advancements and policy frameworks that optimize carbon management in order to mitigate climate change through agricultural practices. The Topic addresses the dual approach of mitigation and adaptation, offering insights into how agriculture can contribute to global sustainability goals and environmental resilience. The Topic will be essential reading for scientists, policymakers, and practitioners committed to advancing climate-smart agriculture and achieving long-term environmental resilience.

Prof. Dr. Dimitrios Aidonis
Prof. Dr. Dionysis Bochtis
Dr. Charisios Achillas
Topic Editors

Keywords

Participating Journals

Journal Name	Impact Factor	CiteScore	Launched Year	First Decision (median)	APC
Agriculture agriculture	3.3	4.9	2011	19.2 Days	CHF 2600	Submit
Atmosphere atmosphere	2.5	4.6	2010	16.1 Days	CHF 2400	Submit
Sustainability sustainability	3.3	6.8	2009	19.7 Days	CHF 2400	Submit
Land land	3.2	4.9	2012	16.9 Days	CHF 2600	Submit
Environments environments	3.5	5.7	2014	22.8 Days	CHF 1800	Submit
Agronomy agronomy	3.3	6.2	2011	17.6 Days	CHF 2600	Submit
Energies energies	3.0	6.2	2008	16.8 Days	CHF 2600	Submit

Preprints.org is a multidisciplinary platform offering a preprint service designed to facilitate the early sharing of your research. It supports and empowers your research journey from the very beginning.

MDPI Topics is collaborating with Preprints.org and has established a direct connection between MDPI journals and the platform. Authors are encouraged to take advantage of this opportunity by posting their preprints at Preprints.org prior to publication:

1. Share your research immediately: disseminate your ideas prior to publication and establish priority for your work.
2. Safeguard your intellectual contribution: Protect your ideas with a time-stamped preprint that serves as proof of your research timeline.
3. Boost visibility and impact: Increase the reach and influence of your research by making it accessible to a global audience.
4. Gain early feedback: Receive valuable input and insights from peers before submitting to a journal.
5. Ensure broad indexing: Web of Science (Preprint Citation Index), Google Scholar, Crossref, SHARE, PrePubMed, Scilit and Europe PMC.

Published Papers (7 papers)

Order results

Content type Publication Date

Result details

Normal Extended Compact

Journals

All Agriculture Atmosphere Sustainability Land Environments Agronomy Energies

Show export options expand_more Show export options expand_less

Select all

Export citation of selected articles as:

Plain Text BibTeX BibTeX (without abstracts) Endnote Endnote (without abstracts) Tab-delimited RIS

Error

Oops... you haven't selected anything for export.

Ok

clear

22 pages, 3706 KiB  

Open AccessArticle

Modeling Whole-Plant Carbon Stock in Olea europaea L. Plantations Using Logarithmic Nonlinear Seemingly Unrelated Regression

by Yungang He, Weili Kou, Ning Lu, Yi Yang, Chunqin Duan, Ziyi Yang, Yongjun Song, Jiayue Gao and Weiyu Zhuang

Agronomy 2025, 15(4), 917; https://doi.org/10.3390/agronomy15040917 - 8 Apr 2025

Viewed by 147

Abstract

Carbon stock (CS) is an important indicator of the structure and function of forest ecosystems, and plays an important role in mitigating climate change, maintaining ecological system balance, promoting carbon trading, and other socioeconomic and ecological values. Olea europaea L. is a species [...] Read more.

Carbon stock (CS) is an important indicator of the structure and function of forest ecosystems, and plays an important role in mitigating climate change, maintaining ecological system balance, promoting carbon trading, and other socioeconomic and ecological values. Olea europaea L. is a species of high economic and ecological value, and its excellent nutritional composition, strong drought tolerance, sustainable production characteristics, and promotion of agrodiversity make it important in guaranteeing food security. Accurately estimating the CS of Olea europaea L. offers a reliable reference for its artificial breeding and yield prediction. Firstly, an independent estimation model of Olea europaea L. CS was constructed, while a compatibility model of Olea europaea L. unitary and binary CS was constructed using nonlinear metric error. Secondly, in the CS compatibility model system, the total CS model of Olea europaea L. was constructed by the Logarithmic Nonlinear Seemingly Unrelated Regression (LNSUR) method with D and D²H as independent variables. The results show: (1) The independent model of Aboveground CS (AGCS) was C = 0.0014D^1.92876H^0.67174 (R² = 0.909), and the independent model of Belowground CS (BGCS) was C = 0.00723D^1.23578H^0.48553 (R² = 0.686). The AGCS compatibility model effectively addresses the issue of component sums not equaling the total, while maintaining a low RMSE (1.918); (2) The LNSUR model improved the accuracy of the BGCS model more significantly (R² = 0.787), and the estimated total CS also had a smaller RMSE (0.241~0.418); (3) Whole-plant CS of Olea europaea L. in 15 sample plots was estimated using the CS independent model and the LNSUR model with an R² of 0.964. This study is the first attempt to construct a CS estimation model for Olea europaea L., which provides a scientific and technological basis for the monitoring of its economic and ecological value indicators, such as yield and carbon sink capacity. Full article

(This article belongs to the Topic Greenhouse Gas Emission Reductions and Carbon Sequestration in Agriculture)

►▼ Show Figures

Figure 1

22 pages, 3219 KiB  

Open AccessArticle

The Potential of Green Hydrogen and Power-to-X to Decarbonize the Fertilizer Industry in Jordan

by Hani Muhsen, Farah Hamida and Rashed Tarawneh

Agriculture 2025, 15(6), 608; https://doi.org/10.3390/agriculture15060608 - 12 Mar 2025

Viewed by 516

Abstract

Considering economic and environmental aspects, this study explored the potential of replacing urea imports in Jordan with local production utilizing green hydrogen, considering agricultural land distribution, fertilizer need, and hydrogen demand. The analysis estimated the 2023 urea imports at approximately 13,991.37 tons and [...] Read more.

Considering economic and environmental aspects, this study explored the potential of replacing urea imports in Jordan with local production utilizing green hydrogen, considering agricultural land distribution, fertilizer need, and hydrogen demand. The analysis estimated the 2023 urea imports at approximately 13,991.37 tons and evaluated the corresponding costs under various market scenarios. The cost of urea imports was projected to range between USD 6.30 million and USD 8.39 million; domestic production using green hydrogen would cost significantly more, ranging from USD 30.37 million to USD 70.85 million. Despite the economic challenges, transitioning to green hydrogen would achieve a 100% reduction in CO₂ emissions, eliminating 48,739.87 tons of CO₂ annually. Considering the Jordanian case, an SWOT analysis was conducted to highlight the potential transition strengths, such as environmental benefits and energy independence, alongside weaknesses, such as high initial costs and infrastructure gaps. A competitive analysis was conducted to determine the competition of green hydrogen-based ammonia compared to conventional methods. Further, the analysis identified opportunities, advancements in green hydrogen technology, and potential policy support. Threats were assessed considering global competition and market dynamics. Full article

(This article belongs to the Topic Greenhouse Gas Emission Reductions and Carbon Sequestration in Agriculture)

►▼ Show Figures

Figure 1

21 pages, 13706 KiB  

Open AccessArticle

Temporal Dynamics of Soil Carbon Stocks and Mineralization Rates in Coffea arabica Agroforestry Systems

by Phonlawat Soilueang, Yupa Chromkaew, Nipon Mawan, Suwimon Wicharuck, Sasiprapa Kullachonphuri, Sureerat Buachun, Yu-Ting Wu, Yaoliang Chen, Kesinee Iamsaard and Nuttapon Khongdee

Agriculture 2025, 15(1), 14; https://doi.org/10.3390/agriculture15010014 - 25 Dec 2024

Viewed by 1145

Abstract

The increasing demand for agricultural land is driving deforestation, which contributes to rising greenhouse gas emissions—a primary driver of climate change. Agroforestry systems present a valuable alternative approach for mitigating these emissions. This study investigates the influence of various agroforestry systems on key [...] Read more.

The increasing demand for agricultural land is driving deforestation, which contributes to rising greenhouse gas emissions—a primary driver of climate change. Agroforestry systems present a valuable alternative approach for mitigating these emissions. This study investigates the influence of various agroforestry systems on key parameters for assessing soil carbon dynamics, including soil carbon stock, microbial biomass carbon (MBC), and microbial respiration (MR) in northern Thailand. The study compared different agroforestry systems, such as coffee monoculture (CA), coffee intercropped with forest trees (CF), coffee intercropped with persimmon trees (CP), and natural forest (NF), as reference areas. Soil samples were collected from three depths (0–20, 20–40, and 40–60 cm) across three seasons (rainy, cold, and summer). Results showed that soil carbon from land use changes from NF to coffee agroforestry systems led to a 12.10% increase in CF and an 11.89% decrease in CP. The CA system showed a non-significant 9.06% decrease compared to the natural forest. MBC levels were higher in the agroforestry coffee areas (CF and CP), comparable to those in NF. However, CA exhibited significantly lower MBC (p < 0.05) compared to other treatments. While MBC and MR showed a positive correlation, higher MBC did not necessarily indicate increased microbial activity or significant dissolved organic carbon (DOC) accumulation. Environmental factors, particularly seasonal variations, significantly influenced the results across all three investigations. This study demonstrates that both agroforestry coffee systems (CF and CP) more effectively mitigate deforestation impacts and enhance soil fertility compared to coffee monoculture. For carbon stock enhancement specifically, CF emerged as the optimal choice. Full article

(This article belongs to the Topic Greenhouse Gas Emission Reductions and Carbon Sequestration in Agriculture)

►▼ Show Figures

Figure 1

16 pages, 2109 KiB  

Open AccessArticle

Shortening the Payback Period of Greenhouse Gas Reduction Benefits from Photovoltaic Rooftop Systems

by Nattachote Rugthaicharoencheep, Natchapol Ruangsap and Supawud Nedphokaew

Energies 2024, 17(23), 6159; https://doi.org/10.3390/en17236159 - 6 Dec 2024

Cited by 1 | Viewed by 772

Abstract

This paper presents an analysis of shortening the payback period of greenhouse gas reduction benefits from photovoltaic rooftop systems. The objective was to evaluate the amount of carbon credits generated and their returns. The study includes an economic analysis and a comparison of [...] Read more.

This paper presents an analysis of shortening the payback period of greenhouse gas reduction benefits from photovoltaic rooftop systems. The objective was to evaluate the amount of carbon credits generated and their returns. The study includes an economic analysis and a comparison of the economic outcomes with and without the consideration of carbon credits from 149.80 kWp and 25.68 kWp photovoltaic rooftop systems. The study evaluated the amount of electrical energy produced by the photovoltaic rooftop systems, estimated using the PVsyst program version 7.3.1, at a factory in Pathum Thani Province, Thailand. The economic indices analyzed in this study include the payback period, net present value (NPV), benefit–cost ratio (B/C ratio), and internal rate of return (IRR). The analysis is divided into four case studies: Case 1 is the base case, and Cases 2, 3, and 4 consider carbon credits for 7, 14, and 25 years, respectively. The economic indices analyzed in Case 1 include the financial internal rate of return (FIRR), payback period, financial net present value (FNPV), and B/C ratio. In Cases 2, 3, and 4, the economic indices analyzed are the economic internal rate of return (EIRR), the economic net present value (ENPV), the B/C ratio, and the payback period. This paper outlines a new economic calculation approach that incorporates carbon credits produced by photovoltaic rooftop systems, which helps achieve break-even points more quickly. It also discusses the application of carbon credits in conjunction with renewable energy. Full article

(This article belongs to the Topic Greenhouse Gas Emission Reductions and Carbon Sequestration in Agriculture)

►▼ Show Figures

Figure 1

attachment

Supplementary material:
Supplementary File 1 (ZIP, 246 KiB)

15 pages, 3445 KiB  

Open AccessArticle

Potential of Calcium-Modified Biochar for Soil Nutrient and Carbon Sequestration in Citrus Orchards

by Yinnan Bai, Rui Huang, Shu Li, Xianliang Li, Qijun Fan, Shengqiu Liu and Lening Hu

Agriculture 2024, 14(12), 2222; https://doi.org/10.3390/agriculture14122222 - 5 Dec 2024

Cited by 1 | Viewed by 964

Abstract

To examine the mechanisms of organic carbon transformation and sequestration by biochar in citrus orchard soil, a 100-day organic carbon mineralization test was conducted using citrus orchard soil from a 5-year-old forest. Calcium-modified citrus peel biochar (OBC-Ca) was applied at rates of 0%, [...] Read more.

To examine the mechanisms of organic carbon transformation and sequestration by biochar in citrus orchard soil, a 100-day organic carbon mineralization test was conducted using citrus orchard soil from a 5-year-old forest. Calcium-modified citrus peel biochar (OBC-Ca) was applied at rates of 0%, 1%, 2%, and 4%. The results indicated that different percentages of OBC-Ca significantly influenced the mineralization processes in citrus orchards. Specifically, the cumulative mineralization of soil organic carbon was notably reduced by 8.68% and 17.00% with the application of 2% and 4% OBC-Ca, respectively, compared to the control group. Random forest analysis revealed that microbial biomass carbon (MBC), readily oxidizable carbon (ROC), and dissolved organic carbon (DOC) were critical indicators for predicting the cumulative mineralization of soil organic carbon. MBC and ROC were found to inhibit the cumulative mineralization, while DOC promoted it. As the proportion of OBC-Ca applications increased, MBC rose by 2.63% to 10.46%, ROC increased by 16.41% to 108.59%, and DOC increased by 0.48% to 11.67%. Correlation analysis demonstrated a significant negative correlation between the cumulative mineralization rate of soil organic carbon and soil enzyme activity, with soil sucrase content increasing significantly by 216.42% to 393.44% compared to the control. The application of calcium-modified biochar effectively reduces carbon dioxide emissions from citrus orchard soils, with a 4% application yielding the most favorable outcomes for enhancing soil carbon sinks, thereby positively impacting the carbon sequestration potential of citrus orchard soil. Full article

(This article belongs to the Topic Greenhouse Gas Emission Reductions and Carbon Sequestration in Agriculture)

►▼ Show Figures

Figure 1

attachment

Supplementary material:
Supplementary File 1 (ZIP, 564 KiB)

16 pages, 3257 KiB  

Open AccessArticle

Synergistic Promotion of Particulate and Mineral-Associated Organic Carbon Within Soil Aggregates After 10 Years of Organic Fertilization in Wheat-Maize Systems

by Jing Li, Huijun Wu, Xiaojun Song, Shengping Li, Xueping Wu, Ya Han, Zhiping Liu, Na Yang, Ke Wang, Zhiguo Yang and Jiancheng Zhang

Land 2024, 13(10), 1722; https://doi.org/10.3390/land13101722 - 20 Oct 2024

Viewed by 1335

Abstract

How different fertilization practices modify soil organic carbon (SOC) sequestration is still unclear. Our study aimed to evaluate the changes in SOC stocks and their physical fractions after 10 years of organic and inorganic fertilization. Five treatments were established under a wheat-maize system [...] Read more.

How different fertilization practices modify soil organic carbon (SOC) sequestration is still unclear. Our study aimed to evaluate the changes in SOC stocks and their physical fractions after 10 years of organic and inorganic fertilization. Five treatments were established under a wheat-maize system in Northern China: control (CK), chemical fertilizer (F), straw plus chemical fertilizer (SF), manure plus chemical fertilizer (MF), and straw and manure plus chemical fertilizer (SMF). The results showed that the SOC sequestration rate at 0–20 cm depth decreased in the following order: SMF (1.36 Mg C/ha/yr) > MF (1.13 Mg C/ha/yr) > SF (0.72 C/ha/yr) > F (0.15 Mg C/ha/yr) > CK (−0.25 Mg C/ha/yr). The values indicated that straw returning and manure application were important measures to achieve the “4 per 1000” target, and the application of manure was a more effective strategy. The high input of chemical fertilizer only maintained the initial SOC level and was not a powerful C-farming practice. A minimum input of 4.93 Mg C/ha/yr was required to keep the initial SOC storage. The SOC associated with small macroaggregate (0.25–2 mm) was the most sensitive indicator for the changes of bulk SOC. In addition, the accumulation of SOC under SMF, MF, and SF treatments mainly occurred in the occluded particulate organic C (oPOC) in small macroaggregates, indicating that the physical protection of macroaggregates played a predominant role in SOC sequestration. The SMF, MF, and SF treatments also displayed higher mineral organic C (mSOC) in soil aggregates than the CK and F treatments. A transformation of oPOC towards the mSOC fraction indicated that exogenous C further shifted into stable C pools under the physical protection of soil aggregates. In conclusion, these findings confirmed the important role of straw returning and manure application in SOC accumulation and stabilization, highlighting that a combination strategy of straw + manure + chemical fertilizer had the best effect. Full article

(This article belongs to the Topic Greenhouse Gas Emission Reductions and Carbon Sequestration in Agriculture)

►▼ Show Figures

Figure 1

13 pages, 2939 KiB  

Open AccessArticle

Comparison of Nitrous Oxide Consumption of Paddy Soils Developed from Three Parent Materials in Subtropical China

by Ling Wang, Man Yang, Jun Li, Zhaohua Li, Alan Wright and Kun Li

Land 2024, 13(10), 1710; https://doi.org/10.3390/land13101710 - 18 Oct 2024

Cited by 1 | Viewed by 781

Abstract

Paddy soils developed from various parent materials are widely distributed in the subtropical region in China and have a non-negligible but unclear potential to consume nitrous oxide (N₂O) due to long-term flooding. This study selected three of the most common paddy [...] Read more.

Paddy soils developed from various parent materials are widely distributed in the subtropical region in China and have a non-negligible but unclear potential to consume nitrous oxide (N₂O) due to long-term flooding. This study selected three of the most common paddy soils in subtropical China, developing from quaternary red soil (R), lake sediment sand (S), and alluvial soil (C), to study their total N₂O consumption and total nitrogen (N₂) production using N₂-free microcosm experiments. These paddy soils were treated with N₂O addition (N₂O treatment) or helium (He) addition (CK treatment) and incubated under flooding and anoxic conditions. The results showed that three alluvial soils (C1, C2, and C3) consumed over 99.93% of the N₂O accumulated in the soil profile, significantly higher than R and S soils (p < 0.05). And the N₂ production in three C soils was also significantly higher than other soils, accounting for 81.61% of the total N₂O consumption. The main soil factors affecting N₂O consumption in C, S, and R soils were soil clay content (p < 0.05), soil sand content (R² = 0.95, p < 0.001), and soil available potassium (AK) (p < 0.01), respectively. These results indicate flooding paddy soils, no matter the parent materials developed, could consume extremely large amount of N₂O produced in soil profiles. Full article

(This article belongs to the Topic Greenhouse Gas Emission Reductions and Carbon Sequestration in Agriculture)

►▼ Show Figures

Figure 1

Show export options expand_more Show export options expand_less

Select all

Export citation of selected articles as:

Plain Text BibTeX BibTeX (without abstracts) Endnote Endnote (without abstracts) Tab-delimited RIS

 

Error

Oops... you haven't selected anything for export.

Ok

clear

Displaying articles 1-7