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First paragraph: Our spring-summer 2024 issue is devoted largely to a set of commentaries prepared by more than two dozen participants in the U.S. Agroecology Summit 2023 in Kansas City, Missouri, USA. Their indivi­dual and collective voices challenge the hegemony of the dominant global industrial food system. However, they acknowledge that there are significant philosophical and pragmatic divisions between progressives in the agroecology “movement” that need to be openly addressed before significant progress can be made in build­ing a cohesive movement. . . .

Livestock dung, discarded crop straws, and residual plastic film are the primary agricultural non-point sources of pollution. For livestock dung and discarded crop straw, the general treatment focuses on compost, animal fodder, industrial raw material, and new energy. The development of degradable mulch film is the main way to solve pollution from residual plastic film. However, an effective way to solve the above three types of pollution simultaneously and use them for ecological circular agriculture has been less studied. In this study, using cow dung and flax straw wastes as raw materials, we prepared natural, fibre-based paper mulch using the rapid-Kothen method and analysed the film-forming mechanism. Based on the Van Soest method, the cow dung and flax straw waste contain abundant cellulose fibres: 36.75% and 54.69%, respectively. The tensile strength and tear strength of fibre paper mulch are 1.87 kN/m and 19.91 N/mm, respectively. To enhance the adaptability of the fibre paper mulch in humid environments, the surface of the mulch was treated with alkyl ketene dimer (AKD). The AKD-coated fibre paper mulch displays hydrophobic properties, indicated by a contact angle of 128° ± 2°. It has a wet tensile strength of 0.64 kN/m and a wet tear strength of 8.23 N/mm. Additionally, it exhibits a dry tensile strength and a tear strength of 2.13 kN/m and 16.43 N/mm, respectively. Notably, the dry tensile strength is increased by 16.31%. In this way, the livestock dung and discarded crop straw can be reused, reducing dung pollution and straw burning in livestock farms, and the final products can alleviate the residual film pollution simultaneously.

European paper mills are currently facing the question of whether recovered paper, their main raw material, will be available in sufficient quantities and an acceptable quality in the future. An alternative to recovered paper or wood fiber is the use of agricultural residues such as wheat straw. Sodium carbonate-based straw pulping processes have the advantage of not requiring recausticizing for chemical recovery, which reduces investment and operating costs. With the addition of oxygen, delignification can be significantly improved to provide pulps suitable for bleaching. This study compares the pulping of wheat straw using sodium carbonate, sodium carbonate + oxygen, and sodium carbonate + sodium hydroxide + oxygen. Pulping parameters such as temperature, retention time, and chemical charge were varied, and their influence on pulp properties was studied. The use of sodium carbonate alone produced pulps with high yields of up to 72% and comparably high burst and compressive strength. The addition of oxygen and small amounts of sodium hydroxide produced pulps with a high initial brightness of 42 %ISO and a low kappa number (18), still at high pulp yields of 62%. These pulps were two-stage bleached to achieve brightness levels of up to 73 %ISO.

Landscapes can be seen as important socio-ecological systems [...]

The study attempted to evaluate the agricultural soil quality using the Soil Quality Index (SQI) model in two Community Development Blocks, Ausgram-II and Memari-II of Purba Bardhaman District. Total 104 soil samples were collected (0-20 cm depth) from each Block to analyse 13 parameters (bulk density, soil porosity, soil aggregate stability, water holding capacity, infiltration rate, available nitrogen, available phosphorous, available potassium, soil pH, soil organic carbon, electrical conductivity, soil respiration and microbial biomass carbon) in this study. The Integrated Quality Index (IQI) was applied using the weighted additive approach and non-linear scoring technique to retain the Minimum Data Set (MDS). Principal Component Analysis (PCA) identified that SAS, BD, available K, pH, available N, and available P were the key contributing parameters to SQI in Ausgram-II. In contrast, WHC, SR, available N, pH, and SAS contributed the most to SQI in Memari-II. Results revealed that Ausgram-II (0.97) is notably higher SQI than Memari-II (0.69). In Ausgram-II, 99.72% of agricultural lands showed very high SQI (Grade I), whereas, in Memari-II, 49.95% of lands exhibited a moderate SQI (Grade III) and 49.90% showed a high SQI (Grade II). Sustainable Yield Index (SYI), Sensitivity Index (SI) and Efficiency Ratio (ER) were used to validate the SQIs. A positive correlation was observed between SQI and paddy ( R 2  = 0.82 & 0.72) and potato yield (R 2  = 0.71 & 0.78) in Ausgram-II and Memari-II Block, respectively. This study could evaluate the agricultural soil quality and provide insights for decision-making in fertiliser management practices to promote agricultural sustainability., (© 2024. The Author(s), under exclusive licence to Springer Nature Switzerland AG.)

As the Earth warms, alternatives to traditional farming are crucial. Exploring fungi, especially poly extremophilic and extremotolerant species, to be used as plant probiotics, represents a promising option. Extremophilic fungi offer avenues for developing and producing innovative biofertilizers, effective biocontrol agents against plant pathogens, and resilient enzymes active under extreme conditions, all of which are crucial to enhance agricultural efficiency and sustainability through improved soil fertility and decreased reliance on agrochemicals. Yet, extremophilic fungi's potential remains underexplored and, therefore, comprehensive research is needed to understand their roles as tools to foster sustainable agriculture practices amid climate change. Efforts should concentrate on unraveling the complex dynamics of plant-fungi interactions and harnessing extremophilic fungi's ecological functions to influence plant growth and development. Aspects such as plant's epigenome remodeling, fungal extracellular vesicle production, secondary metabolism regulation, and impact on native soil microbiota are among many deserving to be explored in depth. Caution is advised, however, as extremophilic and extremotolerant fungi can act as both mitigators of crop diseases and as opportunistic pathogens, underscoring the necessity for balanced research to optimize benefits while mitigating risks in agricultural settings., (© 2024. The Author(s).)

Actinomycetes are a suitable microbial group for the synthesis of lignocellulose-degrading enzymes. Enzymes that may degrade organic material, including cellulose, hemicellulose, and lignin, are released by actinomycetes. The aim of this research was to isolate actinomycetes from Rajkot, Gujarat, India’s soil and evaluate the activity of their cellulase and Xylanase enzymes. Starch Casein Agar (SCA) was used to identify a total of 30 isolates of actinomycetes. A qualitative plate assay (CMC-Na, Congo red) revealed that the highest zone of catalysis for MMD1 was 36 mm. Five strains were discovered to be effective for quantitative quantification of endoglucanase utilising filter paper and CMC as substrates: MMD1, MMD2, MMD3, MMD4, and MMD8. Following MMD 1 (endoglucanase 5.4 IU; FPase 4.4 IU), MMD 2 (endoglucanase 4.5 IU; FPase 3.4 IU) has demonstrated considerable endoglucanase and FPase activity. Beechwood xylan was used to treat sugarcane bagasse in order to test Xylanase, and 45% of the xylan (hemicellulose) fraction was obtained. MMD1 and MMD2 measured the xylanase enzyme activity (4.8IU and 4.2IU) in quantitative and qualitative assays (34 mm and 22 mm for BWX and 32 mm and 14 mm for agro-waste xylan). The strain MMD1 was identified as Streptomyces chartreusis through morphological, biochemical, and finally molecular characterization by 16S rRNA sequencing. It was then submitted to NCBI GenBank with the accession number MT254830. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Analysis of land use and land cover (LULC) change and its drivers and impacts in the biodiversity hotspot of Bale Mountain's socio-ecological system is crucial for formulating plausible policies and strategies that can enhance sustainable development. The study aimed to analyze spatio-temporal LULC changes and their trends, extents, drives, and impacts over the last 48 years in the Bale Mountain social-ecological system. Landsat imagery data from the years 1973, 1986, 1996, 2014, and 2021 together with qualitative data were used. LULC classification scheme employed a supervised classification method with the application of the maximum likelihood algorithm technique. In the period between 1973 and 2021, agriculture, bare land, and settlement showed areal increment by 153.13%, 295.57%, and 49.03% with the corresponding increased annual rate of 1.93%, 2.86%, and 0.83%, respectively. On the contrary, forest, wood land, bushland, grass land, and water body decreased by 29.97%, 1.36%, 28.16%, 8.63%, and 84.36% during the study period, respectively. During the period, major LULC change dynamics were also observed; the majority of woodland was converted to agriculture (757.8 km 2 ) and grassland (531.3 km 2 ); and forests were converted to other LULC classes, namely woodland (766.5 km 2 ), agriculture (706.1 km 2 ), grassland (34.6 km 2 ), bushland (31.9 km 2 ), settlement (20.5 km 2 ), and bare land (14.3 km 2 ). LULC changes were caused by the expansion of agriculture, settlement, overgrazing, infrastructure development, and fire that were driven by population growth and climate change, and supplemented by inadequate policy and institutional factors. Social and environmental importance and values of land uses and land covers in the study area necessitate further assessment of potential natural resources' user groups and valuation of ecosystem services in the study area. Hence, we suggest the identification of potential natural resource-based user groups, and assessment of the influence of LULC changes on ecosystem services in Bale Mountains Eco Region (BMER) for the sustainable use and managements of land resources., (© 2024. The Author(s), under exclusive licence to Springer Nature Switzerland AG.)

Evaluating the impacts of farming systems on biodiversity is increasingly important given the need to stem biodiversity loss, decrease fossil fuel dependency, and maintain ecosystem services benefiting farmers. We recorded woody and herbaceous plant species diversity, composition, and abundance in 43 wetland-adjacent prairie remnants beside crop fields managed using conventional, minimum tillage, organic, or perennial cover (wildlife-friendly) land management in the Prairie Pothole Region. We used a hierarchical framework to estimate diversity at regional and local scales (gamma, alpha), and how these are related through species turnover (beta diversity). We tested the expectation that gamma richness/evenness and beta diversity of all plants would be higher in remnants adjacent to perennial cover and organic fields than in conventional and minimum tillage fields. We expected the same findings for plants providing ecosystem services (bee-pollinated species) and disservices (introduced species). We predicted similar relative effects of land management on alpha diversity, but with the expectation that the benefits of organic farming would decrease with increasing grassland in surrounding landscapes. Gamma richness and evenness of all plants were highest for perennial cover, followed by minimum tillage, organic, and conventional sites. Bee-pollinated species followed a similar pattern for richness, but for evenness organic farming came second, after perennial cover sites, followed by minimum tillage and conventional. For introduced species, organic sites had the highest gamma richness and evenness. Grassland amount moderated the effect of land management type on all plants and bee-pollinated plant richness, but not as expected. The richness of organic sites increased with the amount of grassland in the surrounding landscape. Conversely, for conventional sites, richness increased as the amount of grassland in the landscape declined. Our results are consistent with the expectation that adopting wildlife-friendly land management practices can benefit biodiversity at regional and local scales, in particular the use of perennial cover to benefit plant diversity at regional scales. At more local extents, organic farming increased plant richness, but only when sufficient grassland was available in the surrounding landscape; organic farms also had the highest beta diversity for all plants and bee-pollinated plants. Maintaining native cover in agroecosystems, in addition to low-intensity farming practices, could sustain plant biodiversity and facilitate important ecosystem services., (© 2024 His Majesty the King in Right of Canada and The Authors. Ecological Applications published by Wiley Periodicals LLC on behalf of The Ecological Society of America. Reproduced with the permission of the Minister of Environment and Climate Change Canada.)

Agricultural field experiments are costly and time-consuming, and often struggling to capture spatial and temporal variability. Mechanistic crop growth models offer a solution to understand intricate crop-soil-weather system, aiding farm-level management decisions throughout the growing season. The objective of this study was to calibrate and the Crop Environment Resource Synthesis CERES-Maize (DSSAT v 4.8) model to simulate crop growth, yield, and nitrogen dynamics in a long-term conservation agriculture (CA) based maize system. The model was also used to investigate the relationship between, temperature, nitrate and ammoniacal concentration in soil, and nitrogen uptake by the crop. Additionally, the study explored the impact of contrasting tillage practices and fertilizer nitrogen management options on maize yields. Using field data from 2019 and 2020, the DSSAT-CERES-Maize model was calibrated for plant growth stages, leaf area index-LAI, biomass, and yield. Data from 2021 were used to evaluate the model's performance. The treatments consisted of four nitrogen management options, viz., N0 (without nitrogen), N150 (150 kg N/ha through urea), GS (Green seeker-based urea application) and USG (urea super granules @150kg N/ha) in two contrasting tillage systems, i.e., CA-based zero tillage-ZT and conventional tillage-CT. The model accurately simulated maize cultivar's anthesis and physiological maturity, with observed value falling within 5% of the model's predictions range. LAI predictions by the model aligned well with measured values (RMSE 0.57 and nRMSE 10.33%), with a 14.6% prediction error at 60 days. The simulated grain yields generally matched with measured values (with prediction error ranging from 0 to 3%), except for plots without nitrogen application, where the model overestimated yields by 9-16%. The study also demonstrated the model's ability to accurately capture soil nitrate-N levels (RMSE 12.63 kg/ha and nRMSE 12.84%). The study concludes that the DSSAT-CERES-Maize model accurately assessed the impacts of tillage and nitrogen management practices on maize crop's growth, yield, and soil nitrogen dynamics. By providing reliable simulations during the growing season, this modelling approach can facilitate better planning and more efficient resource management. Future research should focus on expanding the model's capabilities and improving its predictions further., (© 2024. The Author(s).)

The utilization of agricultural waste to create value-added goods has benefited waste management while resolving cost-effectiveness and food shortage problems. Returning biochar produced from agricultural waste to the agricultural field is a sustainable method of enhancing crop production while lowering the environmental effect of typical fertilizers. It also enhances soil condition by modulating pH, soil organic carbon, water retention capacity, and soil ion exchange potential. The current work concentrated on the production of iron oxide-loaded biochar from banana peels. Pyrolysis was carried out at temperatures ranging from 400 to 500 °C. The co-precipitation technique was utilized to impregnate Fe 3 O 4 nanoparticles on biochar, and it showed to be an effective and trustworthy method. Loading was done in situ. Characterization techniques such as XRD, FTIR, CHNS, and TGA were employed to characterize synthesized materials. Swelling ratio, water retention, absorbance, and equilibrium water content percentage were used to study the adsorption capabilities of Fe 3 O 4 -loaded biochar, soil, and raw biochar. As a consequence, Fe 3 O 4 -enriched biochar was shown to have better adsorption capability than raw biochar, which in turn showed better adsorption properties than soil. Iron-loaded biochar was employed as a fertilizer in Abelmoschus esculentus (Okra), and the results showed that it is a cost-effective, environmentally friendly fertilizer., (© 2024. The Author(s), under exclusive licence to Springer Nature Switzerland AG.)

Flash floods in mountainous regions like the Himalayas are considered to be common natural calamities. Their consequences often are more dangerous than any flood event in the plains. These hazards not only put human lives at threat but also cause economic deflation due to the loss of lands, properties, and agricultural production. Hence, assessing the impact of such hazards in the existing agricultural system is of utmost importance to understand the probable crop loss. In this paper, we studied the efficiency of the remotely sensed microwave data to map the croplands affected by the flash flood that occurred in July 2023 in Himachal Pradesh, a mountainous state in the Indian Himalayan Region. The Una, Hamirpur, Kangra, and Sirmaur districts were identified as the most affected areas, with about 9%, 6%, 5.74%, and 3.61% of the respective districts' total geographical area under flood. Further, four machine learning algorithms (random forest, support vector regressor, k-nearest neighbor, and extreme gradient boosting) were evaluated to forecast maize and rice crop production and potential loss during the Kharif season in 2023. A regression algorithm with ten predictor variables consisting of the cropland area, two vegetation indices, and seven climatic parameters was applied to forecast the maize and rice production in the state. Amongst the four algorithms, random forest showed outstanding performance compared to others. The random forest regressor estimated the production of maize and rice with R 2 more than 0.8 in most districts. The mean absolute error and the root mean squared error obtained from the random forest regressor were also minimal compared to the others. The maximum production loss of maize is estimated for Solan (54.13%), followed by Una (11.06%), and of rice in Kangra (19.1%), Una (18.8%) and Kinnaur (18.5%) districts. This indicated the utility of the proposed approach for a quick in-season forecast on crop production loss due to climatic hazards., (© 2024. The Author(s), under exclusive licence to Springer Nature Switzerland AG.)

Due to the anthropogenic pressures of expansion areas for livestock and agricultural production in the Brazilian Cerrado, it is of paramount importance to understand the dynamics of land use/land cover (LULC) changes in this region. Thus, we investigated LULC changes in two sub-basins of the Tocantins-Araguaia River basin from 1997 to 2015 and consequently projected future changes for the timespan between 2030 and 2050. The Formoso sub-basin experienced significant expansion of agricultural and pasture areas, whereas the Sono sub-basin limited farmland expansion (more stable native vegetation) due to substantial protected areas, trends that were also observed for future projections (2030 and 2050). Pastureland in the Formoso sub-basin increased by 5.8%, while the Sono sub-basin saw significant gains in cultivated land, according to change detection analyses during the 1997-2015 period. High stability probabilities of no change (> 70%) for grassland areas in the Sono River sub-basin and pasturelands in the Formoso River sub-basin were computed. The CA-Markov model demonstrated a high consistency level with actual LULC classes for both sub-basins, as indicated by an overall Kappa coefficient above 0.8. Future projections for 2030 and 2050 show a substantial expansion of agriculture and pasture in both sub-basins, driven by specific factors such as soil organic carbon stocks, distance from rural settlements, and proximity to rivers. Short- and mid-term simulations indicate substantial expansion of agriculture and pasture in both basins, with potential adverse impacts on water erosion. Consequently, developing policies for soil management and sustainable land use planning is essential for agroecosystem sustainability, promoting a balanced approach to economic development while addressing climate change and anthropogenic challenges., (© 2024. The Author(s), under exclusive licence to Springer Nature Switzerland AG.)

The record of past human adaptations provides crucial lessons for guiding responses to crises in the future 1-3 . To date, there have been no systematic global comparisons of humans' ability to absorb and recover from disturbances through time 4,5 . Here we synthesized resilience across a broad sample of prehistoric population time-frequency data, spanning 30,000 years of human history. Cross-sectional and longitudinal analyses of population decline show that frequent disturbances enhance a population's capacity to resist and recover from later downturns. Land-use patterns are important mediators of the strength of this positive association: farming and herding societies are more vulnerable but also more resilient overall. The results show that important trade-offs exist when adopting new or alternative land-use strategies., (© 2024. The Author(s).)

The use of biodegradable paper pulp pots has been gaining traction, especially among environmentally conscious consumers and horticultural practitioners who prioritize sustainability. The choice between paper pulp and polyethylene nursery pots in horticultural practices is a complex decision, involving considerations such as environmental impact, cost-effectiveness, durability, and overall sustainability. This study aims to provide practical insights into the comparative performance of paper pulp and polyethylene pots, specifically in terms of plant health, degradation, and techno-economic considerations. The study involved the growth performance assessment of four plant species, Cannonball Tomato, Celebrity Tomato, Parris Island Lettuce, and French Marigold, in a greenhouse experiment setup. Additionally, a degradation analysis was conducted to determine the average degradation rate and pattern. Finally, a techno-economic analysis compared the value of plant health and degradation with the market price. By evaluating the quality performance aspects of paper pulp pots, this study not only provides valuable insights but also identifies potential areas of improvement for other biodegradable pots, thereby contributing to the ongoing efforts to promote sustainable horticultural practices. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Beras rendang is a traditional food from Payakumbuh, West Sumatra. Beras rendang is made from white glutinous rice flour, which is roasted until dried and then mixed with liquid sugar and coconut milk, then cooked in a big pan. Since it is rich in fat from coconut milk, it can easily turn rancid during storage. Beras rendang is usually packed with oil-paper, but the nature of its glutinous rice ingredient makes it sticky enough to the paper and hard to peel off later. Therefore, this study is performed to use tapioca edible film as an alternative packing to the paper. The shelf life of beras rendang, which is packed with the paper compared to tapioca edible film, was estimated in this research. Then, the acceleration method was conducted by storing beras rendang for 30 days at three different temperatures, i.e., 30, 35, and 40°C, to estimate the shelf life of beras rendang. The parameters observed were sensory assessments of rancidity and thiobarbituric acid (TBA) values of beras rendang during storage. Data were analyzed using linear regression, then the equations obtained were used to calculate the shelf life of beras rendang at normal temperature (27°C). Based on rancidity sensory, the beras rendang shelf life packed with edible tapioca film was 59.26 days on the zero-order reaction with the regression equation of y = -4542.9x + 11.545, activation energy of 9,022.19 cal.mol-1, and quality degradation rate of 0.027 quality unit per day. Meanwhile, based on the TBA value, the beras rendang shelf life packed with the paper was 45.15 days on the zero-order reaction with the regression equation of y = -1991.7x – 2.3267, with an activation energy of 3,955.51 kal.mol-1, and quality degradation rate of 0.013 quality unit per day. It is found that beras rendang stored using edible tapioca film had a longer shelf life than paper packing. Therefore, the edible tapioca film as a packing alternative shows more advantages than paper packing in terms of its ability to prolong the shelf life, and its convenience to consume the beras rendang without needing to peel it off, because the film is edible.

The assessment of land's agricultural potential, through a land capability evaluation, delves into its innate limitations, crop suitability, and responses to soil management. In regions where agriculture reigns supreme, socio-economic development is inexorably linked to the agricultural sector, making the optimal utilization of land resources an imperative pursuit. The pursuit of this objective is underpinned by the selection of new agricultural areas and the determination of which crops thrive in specific locations, for which the multi-criteria decision-making (MCDM) method emerges as an ideal choice. This comprehensive research endeavour revolves around the intricate interplay of climatic, edaphic, fertility, topographical, and socioeconomic determinants. Within this intricate web, a total of 15 determinants play a pivotal role, including precipitation, potential evapotranspiration (PET), soil texture, drainage, soil organic-carbon, nitrogen content, pH, clay content, river proximity, land use/land cover (LULC), slope, temperature, social suitability, irrigation density, and elevation. To weigh these determinants, the Analytical Hierarchy Process (AHP) comes into play, ultimately revealing that the dominant influences on land capability stem from the realms of climate and soil. The watershed's terrain analysis revealed a distinct suitability contrast: 168 km 2 highly suitable, 181.3 km 2 moderate, and 429 km2 low. The eastern and northeastern sectors were notably promising. Rigorous validation, using the ROC curve, confirmed the reliability and precision. The process yielded an impressive 83.2% AUC, unequivocally confirming the assessment's remarkable accuracy and dependability., (© 2024. The Author(s), under exclusive licence to Springer Nature Switzerland AG.)

The development trends and research layout of agricultural resources and the environment (ARE) are the focus of global attention. In this study, we compiled a data set of SCI papers published in the ARE field since the 13th Five-Year Plan. Thereafter, the topic extraction model of Latent Dirichlet Allocation (LDA) was used to mine the text content so as to explore the research layout of global ARE. The results show that, between 2016 and the time of this study, 31,559 articles were published in the ARE field, exhibiting an overall upward trend. During this time, China and the United States were the main forces in paper publishing. The Chinese Academy of Sciences (CAS), Northwest Agriculture and Forestry University, and the US Department of Agriculture were the top three publishing institutions. Research institutes in China, the United States, Russia, Sweden, the Netherlands, Brazil, and Australia cooperated closely, and the CAS was at the center of the cooperation network. The clustering results of text topics based on the LDA model show that three topics—namely, the interaction mechanisms of plants, the rhizosphere, and microorganisms; the mechanisms and predictive evaluation of soil landslides or erosion; and the decomposition and interaction response of organic matter in agroforestry ecosystems—have been the hot research areas in this field since 2016. The management and efficient utilization of farmland nutrients, and the technology and mechanisms of agricultural waste resource utilization have become key research directions since 2019. The research layouts of China and the United States in this field were analyzed, and the similarities and differences were compared. In addition, suggestions for the future development of ARE are proposed. This study is of great significance for the overall development trend of ARE, the timely tracking of scientific research hotspots, outlining key research and development directions, and promoting scientific and technological innovation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The Journal of Agriculture, Food Systems & Community Development's spring-summer 2024 issue features commentaries from the 2023 Agroecology Summit in the U.S. These commentaries challenge the dominant global industrial food system and emphasize the need for unity among progressives in the agroecology movement. The issue also includes open-call papers on various topics, such as college student food security, emergency food assistance, and agrihood development. The journal aims to promote a more equitable and resilient global food system by encouraging collaboration and finding common ground. [Extracted from the article]

This article explores the applications of fast breeding technologies in crop improvement and functional genomics studies. These technologies, including molecular selection, gene mapping, haploid induction, and genome editing, have greatly expedited the process of modifying crop traits and mapping genes. Examples of these technologies being used include the use of CRISPR/Cas9 to modify crop traits and the development of new haploid inducer lines in various plants. The article also highlights specific research papers on genetic improvement in melon, potato, wheat, rice, and tomato crops using these technologies. Additionally, the document discusses various research papers in the field of plant science, covering topics such as stress tolerance in tomatoes, doubled haploid plants in maize and wheat, and gene exploration in different crops. These papers provide valuable insights into breeding materials, marker development, and the cloning of new genes, contributing to the development of new germplasms and varieties in crops. [Extracted from the article]

Agriculture, alongside construction and mining, is one of the three most hazardous industries, and is characterized by numerous risk factors for occupational accidents. Unlike other industries, agriculture faces significant safety concerns related to the natural environment. Determining the causes of accidents is therefore imperative for accident prevention. However, the difficulty in investigating accidents owing to inadequate reporting and management systems among self-employed farmers hampers the determination of their causes. This study aims to determine the factors influencing agricultural accidents through a literature review. A systematic literature search was conducted according to the PRISMA guidelines. The initial search yielded 165 articles of which 34 papers were selected after removing those by applying the selection criteria. The selected papers were categorized into three domains: work accidents, machinery accidents, and farmer safety promotion. Accident causes were classified using the 4M technique: machine, media, man, and management. The results were visualized with a heat map. The main causes of accidents thus identified were insufficient operation/management, inappropriate work situation, and insufficient education/training. The findings of this study can serve as foundational data for developing measures to improve working environments not only in agriculture but also in other high-hazard industries. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Reducing food loss and waste on each level of agrifood chain is a responsible action, thus each stakeholder on the agrifood chain must create actions that are related to food waste prevention. In this matter, this paper presents an analysis of a statistical study run on a sample of respondents related to food loss and waste on a consumer level of agrifood chain. The study takes into account both quantity and quality parameters and serves as a provider of training data for a model which will be developed based on prediction. Another important aspect of the paper is related to the determination of food loss and waste economical Another crucial aspect discussed in the paper concerns identifying economic behavioural patterns associated with food loss and waste throughout various levels of the agrifood chain. This data will be instrumental in training models for those respective levels. The study emphasizes the significance of raising awareness and taking action to minimize food waste across all phases of the agricultural and food distribution process. It also emphasizes the necessity of developing models and strategies to effectively approach this challenge. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: One common renewable energy source for substituting fossil sources is photovoltaic (PV) systems. However, installing PV systems in agricultural areas can lead to competition with other land uses. These projects, therefore, often encounter problems with social acceptance in affected communities. Especially from the perspective of nature conservation targets, conflicts can arise. These potential differences are still under-researched but represent important knowledge for the societally broadly accepted design of such facilities and their contribution to energy transformation. In this paper, we investigate the perspectives of nature conservationists on PV in the region of Brandenburg, Germany. We comparatively analyse attitudes towards ground-mounted photovoltaics (GM-PV) and agrophotovoltaics (APV). APV combines energy supply and agricultural production on the same land and could thus be a possible solution for mitigating land-use conflicts. Results: We investigated the degree of local acceptability and positive and negative influencing factors through a qualitative text analysis of ten interviews with local representatives and position papers by Nature Conservation Associations. Our findings show a growing consensus around basic assumptions of the need for renewable energies, the prioritised support for PV systems on rooftops over the installation on agricultural land (GM-PV and APV), and the necessity for PV systems to be compatible with nature conservation objectives. Regarding specific site decisions on agricultural land, we find diverging attitudes when comparing the content of position papers and the responses of interviewees. The interviewees advocate taking into account local interests and specific regional conditions, the effects of PV systems on the local environment, and the need for distributional justice. Large-scale plants are locally less accepted than smaller ones and there is a more open attitude towards the expansion of APV than of GM-PV on agricultural land. However, a range of concerns regarding consequences for landscape and biodiversity persists, and further research and clarification is required to address these issues. Conclusions: We conclude that basic ecological standards and the demands of local stakeholders and interest groups should be taken into account when planning, implementing and reviewing PV projects in the future. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The purpose of this paper is to test the aggregates chosen for an efficient application of granulated chemical fertilisers of different types during the optimal period, as well as to reduce the time and costs required for the agricultural work performed. The experiments were carried out within the IF Raicsics Mihailo Dragan Farm in the Commune of Sânpetru Mare, Timiș County, Romania. Depending on the capacity of the fertiliser hoppers of these machines, we chose the tractor with which to work in the aggregate. Obtaining high-quality crops at the lowest possible costs can only be achieved through the application of specific, perfected technologies, which allow a superior utilisation of both natural resources and inputs. Therefore, comparing the fertiliser machines studied, we notice a difference in terms of direct costs due to the technological characteristics of each one. That is why it is very important to calculate the economic efficiency of the types of aggregates chosen for different agricultural works. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The concept of sustainable water use serves as an indicator of environmental, economic, and social pressure on freshwater resources globally; however, the social element of sustainability is not well researched within water-consumption studies. The objective of this paper is to consider the current state of the literature on social sustainability indicators for water use in agriculture, as well as to describe the social (people) element of sustainability and establish water use as an element of society. By combining viewpoints, systematic literature reviews address research topics with a strength that no single work can have. From 314 papers published between 2013 and 2023, 42 papers were eligible for the review. This work employed a mixed-methods approach that included a systematic review following the (PRISMA) framework, scientific mapping through VOSviewer software (version 1.6.19), thematic reviews, and a review of the grey literature retrieved from artificial intelligence and deep learning technologies. The findings indicate that social sustainability indicators are based on environmental indicators. There are no set standards for what to consider as a social indicator of water use or for how these indictors can be measured. Life-cycle assessment and water-footprint assessment frameworks have shown progress with indicators that capture the social value of water such as productivity-reducing externalities, equity, and jobs per cubic metre of water. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In Romania, the numerous, dispersed family farms with small areas continued their activity in many cases considering a certain tradition as closed or partially open systems. After the accession of our country to the European Union in 2007, there has been a tendency to reduce small holdings through mergers, a phenomenon which is otherwise naturally manifested in all the states of the EU, but not to the extent that would be necessary for Romania. Following the analysis of agricultural holdings in Romania by size class in 2020, it was found that out of the 2,887.00 thousand of agricultural holdings, 2,606.98 are under 5 ha in size (54% are under 1 ha, and 36.30% are between 1 and 5 ha). The average size of farms increased in the period 2010-2020 from 3.45 ha to 4.42 ha. The chronic under capitalization of subsistence and semi-subsistence agricultural holdings also contributes to the modest performance of the Romanian agricultural and agri-food sector, compared to its natural potential and the population's expectations that agriculture and the food industry quickly adapt to the EU's common agricultural policy. Since these categories of farms mostly ensure self-consumption for the rural population in most Romanian villages, their association is required to achieve a level of economic development and efficiency. The purpose of this paper is to present a functional and performing agricultural cooperative from Nădlac, Arad County, Romania, that can be a model of good practices for the association of small farmers and Romanian agriculture. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This paper assesses four relevant climate actions in Indian agricultural sector through the lens of United Nation's Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) to understand how climate actions (SDG 13) are linked with other SDGs and their targets and what measures can be taken to scale up these actions. Four board categories of climate actions are considered for this exercise: shift to less-flooded paddy water management practices; minimizing overuse of nitrogen-based fertilizer, system of rice intensification and climate smart agricultural practices. A mixed method has been followed: first, scoping review of literature between 2010 and 2022 is undertaken to capture the growing body of literature and then a normalized weighted score is used to understand the net strength of the linkages. Scoping review helped in identifying 100 studies spanned across Indo-Gangetic Plain (IGP) and the eastern part of Peninsular India. Findings from the scoring method suggest that these practices have linkages with 15 SDGs and as many as 43 SDG targets. Almost all linkages are positive (synergy) but there are a few negative linkages (trade-offs) as well. Trade-offs include exacerbating inequalities including gender, high upfront cost, requirement of skilled labor, lack of access to information and finance. This paper provides a detailed description of these trade-offs and suggests measures to tackle and minimize them. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In 2007/2008, a triple crisis of food, fuel and finance sparked a global rush for agricultural land; tens of millions of hectares were acquired, primarily by foreign investors, within countries in the Global South. Amidst those transactions, intergovernmental organizations, national governments, investors, and community members envisioned what "success" of such investments entails. Although not explicitly defined, each stakeholder had different conceptualizations and measures of it, based upon the descriptions used and desired outcomes sought. Despite a large amount of literature analyzing the global rush for land, as far as we are aware no one has analyzed the diverse viewpoints about what success entails. This paper compares conceptualizations among four key stakeholder groups, based on ideal types from dominant narratives, and develops a typology of ideal stakeholder framing of success to allow comparisons of uses and thereby provide a foundation for researchers who are assessing the global land rush. This paper provides clarity about widely used, but inconsistently defined, framing providing an important foundation for clarity of meaning and comparative differences between stakeholders. The typology advances the discourse on the land rush by providing nuance to this widely used framing and makes explicit its diverse meanings. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Energy justice remains relatively under-researched outside of the Western context, especially in Asia. This paper addresses that gap by investigating the process of energy transition in Taiwan through the socio-spatial lens and institutional points of view. The paper underscores the urgency of recognizing and addressing the overlooked social injustices across different territories, advocating an integrated planning approach that incorporates a just energy transition perspective to reduce the uneven negative impacts of deploying renewable energies across communities and regional territories. Drawing on a case study of the Changhua region, the paper identifies conflicts arising from the rapid deployment of renewable energy, such as land use changes that displace farming activities and negatively affect rural stakeholders. The findings suggest the need to urgently address the gap between top–down goals in energy transition and bottom–up considerations to raise awareness and prevent injustices that risk deepening the existing socio-economic inequities. This paper also proposes a new framework for both new research and policy for (just) energy transition, incorporating distributional, procedural, and recognitional concerns together with a critical view on the cross-scale and cross-sectoral integration as part of the spatial planning process. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Sustainable agricultural economic development is the core task for achieving the objective of rural revitalization strategy in China, which cannot be separated from the support and guidance of fiscal policy, and agricultural industry integration is a key path for the fiscal promotion of sustainable agricultural economic development. This paper systematically examines the interaction mechanism between fiscal agricultural expenditures and sustainable agricultural economic development by using 31 provincial panel data in China from 2008 to 2020 and adopting a two-way fixed effect model, a panel quantile model, and a mediating effect model, respectively. The results show that the impact of fiscal agricultural expenditures on sustainable agricultural economic development is significantly positive, and appears a dynamic increasing trend with the agricultural development stage upgrading. Moreover, heterogeneity analysis shows that the effect of fiscal agricultural expenditures is more obvious for the samples in the central region and with a high share of primary industry. Further, a mediating effect test finds that agricultural industry integration plays a mediating mechanism between fiscal agricultural expenditures and sustainable agricultural economic development. Therefore, this paper proposes constructing a long-term investment mechanism for fiscal agricultural expenditures, formulating differentiated fiscal support policies for agriculture, and prioritizing support for agricultural industry integration, which provides theoretical support and policy inspiration for promoting sustainable agricultural economic development. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Biodiversity is in rapid decline globally with agriculture being one of the leading causes. Within agricultural landscapes, some features provide a benefit to biodiversity that is disproportionate to their spatial area. An interesting example is artificial ponds–or farm dams–which can support a large variety of taxa. Here, we present a global review of farm dam research related to biodiversity conservation objectives to provide an overview of the topics, key research insights, and the characteristics of current research. We used a three-stage process to screen literature and identified 104 relevant papers across 27 countries encompassing studies of 13 different taxa. Most of the studies were short-term (less than 5 years) with small sample sizes (less than 20 sites). Of the 104 papers, 88 were focussed primarily on ecological outcomes, such as species richness or abundance, and 15 on primary production outcomes, such as crop and livestock yield, despite addressing or measuring ecological metrics. Only one study measured both ecological and primary production outcomes. Studies frequently examined how the features of dams (79 studies) and attributes of the surrounding landscape (47 studies) impact particular species and communities. Terrestrial mammals (1 study) were under-represented in the literature with macrophytes (28 studies), macroinvertebrates (26 studies), and amphibians (19 studies) receiving the most attention. Our results reveal a growing trend towards recognizing farm dams as habitats for various taxa, including amphibians, beetles, dragonflies, and other macroinvertebrates within agricultural environments. Significant knowledge gaps exist in understanding how dam age, invasive species, and effective management practices impact the biodiversity conservation values of farm dams. Future research should emphasize enhancing biodiversity by collaborating with landholders to increase habitat through strategic vegetation planning, minimizing runoff and nutrient inflow, and restricting stock access. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

"European Green Architecture" refers to the implementation of sustainable agriculture that provides sufficient food and ecosystem services for both present and future generations. The conditions contained in eco-scheme PD-04 "Environmentally friendly practices for arable land" refer to the introduction of agricultural practices that have a positive impact on the environment and are aimed at farms with an area of more than 10.01 ha. The data was provided by the Agency for Payments and Interventions in Agriculture in Romania. The method of analysis was the comparative method, as well as the analysis of the structure of the cultivated and non-cultivated areas, the average for each county of Romania, the situation of the structure of the crops and the presence of nitrogen-fixing crops and protein crops, relevant indicators for the farms that applied for the PD-0 eco-scheme. The results of the analysis show that in 2023, the number of farms in Romania that have applied for the PD-04 eco-scheme is 46,608, with a total area of 5,789,746.35 ha, of which 2,934 were declared as uncultivated land, corresponding to 26,829.82 ha. According to the general agronomic rules, the crop rotation for field crops aims at an optimal crop structure as follows: 25% cereal straw, 25% maize, 25% legumes (soybeans, peas, beans, etc.) and sunflowers, 25% forage crops (alfalfa, clover, peas, etc.) necessary to increase soil fertilization. The paper presents the culture preferences of Romanian farmers in the year 2023, regarding the implementation of the eco-scheme PD-04 "Environmentally beneficial practices applicable to arable land". [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The paper introduces the analysis results over a selected number of small-scale farms in the Western Romanian agriculture, more precisely in the counties of Arad and Timis. The purpose of the investigation is linked to the assessment of need for advisory services input in solving the problems of the farmers, particularly for the ones operating in small farms. Analysing the returned answers in connection with the fields of interest or needed expertise, accounting for the forms of mutual or directional help, compiling any forms of advice inputs, including the specialised structures other than public in absence of a function Farm Advisory Service allow the development of a structured image in terms of current problems, the way of solving and the interactions among the farmers inside or outside their communities. The quantified findings can serve as base for a public policy recommendation in the field of farm advisory as part of the Agriculture Knowledge and Innovation System. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The present paper aimed to investigate the main characteristics of contract farming versus non-contract farming from Dornelor Basin, Suceava county. The research was based on a large-scale survey conducted in the study area, the data being collected from 52 farms who raise dairy cows. The results reveal that contract farmers are, generally, younger, have a slightly higher education level, with more years of agricultural experience and have larger farms, both in terms of size and number of animals, but they express a lower degree of willingness to uptake sustainable practices in comparison with non-contract farmers. Still, it looks like contract farming could represent a viable support instrument to farmers for converting to more sustainable practices. One possible way of achieving this is by creating a connection between contracting and the adoption of ecological farming methods and by supporting farmers with inputs and training in sustainable agricultural practices. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The organic farming system emerged in the context of sustainable agricultural development, contributing to the promotion of an agricultural system that protects the environment. The specific practices of ecological agriculture contribute to the protection of biodiversity, to the maintenance of soil fertility, to the reduction of soil erosion, to the reduction of pollution of water resources, and to the reduction of greenhouse gas emissions. Also, in organic farming, energy consumption is reduced because this farming system is based on practices that require a lot of manual labour compared to conventional agriculture that consumes more energy. The European Commission demands, through the European Green Pact - Farm to Fork, that, by 2030, 25% of European agriculture should be organic. Based on these considerations, the authors of this paper carried out a study on the evolution of organic agriculture in Europe with an emphasis on Romania to analyse whether this objective proposed by the EU is achievable or not. The result of the analysis highlights that it is unlikely that this particularly ambitious goal will be achieved by 2030, noting that, in 2021, only 4.3% of the agricultural area cultivated in the ecological system. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Agriculture was and remains the support of human existence, representing the backbone of the Romanian rural economy. The gross domestic product represents a macroeconomic indicator of results, being the consequence of the efficient use of resources. In this context, the authors analyze the place that agriculture holds in achieving the gross domestic product in Romania compared to the European Union, as well as its dynamics. In this sense, the share of resources in the formation of the gross domestic product in the period 2000-2022 is presented. The main research methods used for this work are: analysis, synthesis, comparison and mathematical analysis. From the analysis carried out, conclusive ideas emerge, and the article becomes even more suggestive, in that it is accompanied by tables synthesized by the authors and relevant graphics that highlight and support the assessments that the authors make in the content of this article. At the end of the paper, the authors emphasize the fact that the GDP is the most complex indicator that reflects the transformations that the Romanian economy has gone through in recent years. From the point of view of the use of resources, it can be seen that the share of the agricultural sector has registered a downward evolution, which can be largely explained by the increase in the importance of industry and the service sector in the overall national economy. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This paper seeks to draw a research agenda for unveiling the underlying bottlenecks and possibilities for improving the agricultural total factor productivity in the European Union (EU). To this aim, the paper first surveys the key challenges for the modern agricultural economy. Then, the case of the EU is discussed by looking at the convergence in the partial productivity indicators (including the GHG emission) and growth efficiency that relate to the gap in the total factor productivity growth. The results suggest that the EU member states exhibited growth inefficiency (i.e., a gap in the total factor productivity growth) of 5–9% on average during 2004–2021. The paper also discusses the possibilities to utilize the production theory for assessing the pathways towards improvements in the productivity and sustainability of the EU agriculture. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In the EU, policies towards territorial development and the sustainability of agrofood systems are exemplified above all in Pillar II of the Common Agricultural Policy (CAP). However, policies for the promotion of sustainable food systems and networks are mainly driven by municipalities and large cities. In order to understand multi-level configurations of policies to promote Sustainable Food Systems (SFS), this paper strives to identify the challenges that municipal policymakers face in implementing sustainable agro-food policies, from a multilevel governance perspective. To this end, and through in-depth interviews and secondary documentation analysis, the policies implemented in 10 different municipalities of the Madrid Region (Spain) are studied and the challenges these municipalities are facing are analysed from a multi-scale and territorialised perspective. The following research objectives are addressed: (1) description of the type of policies implemented for the promotion of SFS and the narrative frameworks in which they are shaped; (2) identification of challenges of local policies to support SFS especially governance challenges; and (3) proposals for the promotion of sustainable food systems through a multi-level, territorialised governance perspective. The paper identifies three main axes of tension and discoordination--municipal Vs regional powers; agricultural vs. food policies; and rural vs. urban territories--that constrains the sustainability potential of multi-level agro food policies. Finally, we provide a comprehensive, sustainable scheme to assess local agro-food governance throughout a multi-level and multi-actor approach, setting interrelations between the different levels, actors and agencies involved to overcome the lock-ins identified. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Introduction: The global turkey market represents a sector of increasing growth in the previous decade, and projections for the next decade reflect the probable continuation of this growth. Industry trends also indicate the globalization of turkey meat production, as the loci of production has continually shifted from one dominated by the United States to one with an increasing number of production units globally. In contrast with other popular meat products, comparatively fewer resources have been devoted to academic research concerning the growth, production, distribution, and sale of turkey and turkey products. This lack of research is particularly notable in the area of supply chain management and environmental sustainability. Given the increasing volume of turkey production and lower volume of academic interest, it stands to reason that there remain many opportunities for improvement across the value chain in this industry. Methods: In this paper, we take a "green logistics" approach and use data provided by one of the largest turkey producers in the United States to formulate a mixed-integer program aimed at minimizing the environmental impact of turkey products in a segment of the product supply chain. Results: Implementation of the resulting brooder-finisher farm assignments developed by the model would yield an average 50% decrease (184 metric ton) in greenhouse gas emissions at the operation under investigation while also addressing other areas of significant vulnerability for the industry (production costs, biosecurity risk, and animal wellbeing). Discussion: As consolidated turkey meat production systems continue to expand globally, we argue that a similar approach could readily be deployed by these growing and emerging production systems. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This review examines the essential components of a circular economy (CE) in relation to the agricultural sector. The bioeconomy and circular economy are crucial for sustainable global industrial growth, focusing on closed-loop systems. The sustainability debate centers on intergenerational equity and natural capital. The CE requires new environmental technologies and global coordination in order to combat climate change and biodiversity loss. In addition, efficient food production and waste reduction are essential due to population growth. However, biomass is vital for a bio-based economy, impacting food waste and climate change. Grasslands support sustainable dairy production and carbon sequestration. Thus, effective waste and wastewater management are critical, with biomass energy providing renewable alternatives. Nonetheless, biofuels remain key for sustainability, focusing on pollution control and Green Chemistry. It is well known that sustainable transportation relies on bioenergy, with ongoing research improving processes and discovering new fuels. One notable challenge is managing heavy metals in biofuel production, and this underscores the need for eco-friendly energy solutions. The main purpose for this review paper is to create a connection between circular economy aspects and the agricultural system, with focus on the following: bioeconomy research, biomass utilities, and biofuel production. Extensive research was performed on the specialized literature by putting in common the main problems. Key subjects in this paper include the use of biomass in agriculture, the problems of plastic recycling, and the function of the CE in mitigating climate change and biodiversity loss. Efficient food production and waste minimization are highlighted due to their relevance in a growing population. The study's detailed research and discussion aim to give important insights into how these practices might promote economic development and sustainability. Furthermore, the study covers important waste management issues such as food waste, plant composting, and chemical waste neutralization. These topics are critical to understanding the circular economy's broader implications for minimizing environmental damage and implementing sustainable waste management strategies. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]