Search

Concern has been raised about the potential greenwashing/co-optation of regenerative agriculture (RA) due to a lack of consensus on its definition. While the academic literature has cataloged various approaches to defining RA, each definitional approach carries with it a relative concern for its likelihood for co-optation and the potential transformative power it can have within the sector. As the industrial agrifoods sector is taking interest in the field, lessons from the organic movement are worth highlighting. The corporate system has easily integrated the foundational pillar of growing food without chemicals, but left behind the pillars of alternative food distribution, and a focus on whole foods and unprocessed ingredients. Corporate interest in RA could be a major driver for scaled adaptation, yet it may lose its focus on the regeneration of agriculture resources, ecosystems functions, and the social systems required to reproduce the next generation of farmers. The greatest challenge is that the fundamental concern is a philosophical one, which entails a shift in how humans perceive the natural world and their role in it. As RA scales, will it hold to its values and remain obscure, or could its values merge with the predominant industrial system to have significance and affect real change in agriculture? [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Agriculture is facing a severe threat to its sustainability due to the growing demands for food, feed, and other renewable nonfood raw materials in the face of global warming. Regenerative agriculture is increasingly recognized as a vital solution to a range of ecological and social issues. It actively revitalizes ecosystems, focusing on soil health, biodiversity, and mitigating climate change, going beyond sustainable practices. Governments and other organizations at all levels, from global to regional, are exploring how regenerative agriculture can be integrated into climate change initiatives to sustain ecosystem. This powerful benefit can be achieved without reducing yields or farmer profits. Soil, as a living and dynamic environment, is home to a diverse range of micro- and macro biota that contribute to its characteristics. Healthy soil is characterized by favorable physical properties (texture, water-holding capacity), chemical properties (pH, soil organic matter; SOM), and biological properties (microbial diversity, and soil respiration), which are essential for nurturing nutritious and profitable crops and improve human health. Regenerative farming is attracting interest from the public, private, and nonprofit sectors to improve soil health and sustain ecology. Several academics and non-governmental organizations have attempted to explain the scope and significance of regenerative agriculture. This review outlines how regenerative agriculture practices can mitigate global warming, improve soil health, boost biodiversity, and its socioecological impacts. For future prospects, further scientific research required to examine the effects of regenerative agriculture on both livestock and human health, in order to promote a healthier community. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The opportunity of agricultural management practices to sequester soil organic carbon (SOC) is recognized as an important strategy for mitigating climate change. However, there is low confidence when it comes to understanding the magnitude of the climate benefit we can expect from SOC sequestration or how best to achieve it. Several issues are often confounded when it comes to the mitigation potential of SOC sequestration and greenhouse gas (GHG) reductions from agriculture, creating confusion and making it difficult to clearly identify the knowns, unknowns and risks to implementing policy and practice recommendations. Here, we identify and explain four major areas of uncertainty: (1) the expected changes in soil carbon or GHG emissions resulting from agricultural management practice changes; (2) the extent to which social, environmental and economic factors constrain mitigation potential; (3) the ability to execute reliable measurement, monitoring, reporting and verification (MMRV) frameworks; and (4) the perception of risk associated with different ways of promoting practice adoption (e.g., voluntary carbon markets fueled by the private sector, pay-for-practice programs funded by public investment). We aim to pinpoint knowledge gaps and areas of disagreement to help right-size expectations and guide effective investment in GHG removals and reductions from agriculture. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The study was conducted in Juan Guerra district, province and region of San Martin, Peru; it assessed two treatment sets: (1) nitrogen fertilizer dose (FN75, FN100); (2) green manure Crotalaria juncea (CroJ), Canavalia ensiformis (CanE), and without green manure. It was arranged in a split-plot design with four replications. During the experiment, we observed an important fluctuation in soil parameters. Notably, there was a decrease in soil carbon and nitrogen levels, likely attributed to microorganism metabolism. On the other hand, we observed that CanE significantly reduced the diseased tillers through "White Leaf Virus" (RHBV) by 2.82% compared to the control, and significant panicle fertility was achieved by CroJ (91.88%). No significant differences were obtained in yields during this first campaign; however, the highest reported yield was 8.36 t ha-1 with the CanE - FN100 treatment. Additionally, the nutritional quality of the rice was not affected by either green manuring or the application of chemical nitrogen fertilization. These findings allow deeper studies to consider strategic alternatives to reducing dependency on inorganic fertilizers among the poorest communities. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The agriculture industry is facing a difficult situation as an outcome of mounting food demand, food security, climatical situations, legislative laws, etc. Moreover, the practice of chemical fertilizer in agriculture adds to greenhouse gas emissions and large water consumption. As a result, agricultural systems must be rethought to become more robust and sustainable. Regenerative agriculture, a collection of agricultural methods and techniques that prioritize long-term organic farming, environmental responsibility, and sustainability, is a potential solution to these issues. This review intends to discuss the interplay between regenerative agriculture (RA) and digital agri-technologies to attain sustainability. The significance of RA over conventional agri-technologies, the role of nanobiotechnology, smart sensors, and other fourth Agri-tech 4.0 innovations to augment food production are emphasized. Growing evidence shows that digital technologies (particularly the Internet of Things (IOTs), big data, artificial intelligence, and blockchain) would have a greater impact on RA. These practices can have an array of environmental benefits. Precision agri-technologies like internet-of-things (IoTs), cloud computing, blockchain, satellites, drones, use of nanosensors, and remote sensing of fresh produce during the supply chain can augment food production at a commendable rate. Implementation of automated harvesting processes to attain minimum contact harvesting and post-harvest operations are quite useful in increasing food production. Thus, current strategies toward agricultural transformation and novel government policies, toward sustainable regenerative agriculture could be a game-changer in sustainable agriculture. These implications are derived through carefully analysing the published literature we have amassed using various search engines. However, more research is still needed to entirely harness the benefit of progressive technologies, to realize a healthier and further sustainable agriculture future. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The use of conventional farming methods, excessive reliance on fertilizers and inputs, and abrupt shifts in climate have raised significant concerns regarding global agricultural production, particularly in developing countries like Nepal. Agriculture products such as rice hold significant importance in Nepal's agriculture and economy, serving as a staple food and a crucial source of livelihood for its population. Sustainable cultivation and enhancing productivity are imperative for ensuring food security and economic stability in the country. Adoption of climate-smart agriculture (CSA) practices can minimize detrimental effects, promote sustainability, and enhance resilience towards climate change. We surveyed 200 farmers across four municipalities in the Chitwan District of Nepal to explore the prevalence and socio-economic drivers of the adoption of CSA practices, which include stress-tolerant varieties, efficient water management, and diversified cropping, among others. The results revealed that the adoption of pest-resistant plant varieties was a common CSA practice in the study area. Logistic regression results revealed that the adoption of CSA practices increases with an increase in the education of farmers and membership of climate-related organizations. Similarly, the adoption of CSA practices is negatively associated with an increase in farm size, farmers' farming experience, and their access to credit facilities. Short-term courses and training could be initiated as a complement to formal education to maximize the adoption of CSA practices. Similarly, climate and farmer-related organizations should be further strengthened to maximize their capacity to facilitate more farmers and provide need-based, timely information flow. This study highlights the potential of CSA to promote sustainability and enhance resilience to climate change, but also identifies barriers such as credit access and the need for tailored policy interventions. Our findings contribute to understanding the dynamics of CSA adoption in vulnerable agricultural settings and can guide future strategies to promote sustainability and climate resilience in smallholder farming communities in developing countries. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Spent mushroom compost (SMC) is a waste byproduct generated by the mushroom industry, with the current disposal methods involving landfills or incineration, causing environmental problems. This study introduces a cascading valorization based on circular economy. A water-washing pretreatment is suggested to reduce the ash content and improve the calorific value. Furthermore, an oxidative torrefaction is proposed to enhance the physicochemical properties and evaluate the residence time, temperature, and initial weight effects. The investigation revealed that the calorific value increased by 49.46% in the best water washing scenario and the SMC contains laccase. During SMC torrefaction, mass and energy yields exceeded 80%, and the calorific value was improved. Finally, torrefaction in situ CO2 capture was achieved by forming CaCO3, with a mass fraction increase of up to 7.4%. The study describes the cascading innovation use of this residue on a TRL4 higher than previously reported studies, thereby contributing to gaining an understanding of sustainable industrial mushroom production. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Arthropods may make a significant fraction of the total number of soil organisms. They function as plant litter transformers or ecosystem engineers, and thus contribute positively to soil health. The present study was conducted during the 2020--2022 at International Rice Research Institute, South Asia Regional Centre, Varanasi. Study investigates the impact of different farming methods- conventional (Scenario 1; Sc1), LINF- Low-input natural farming (Sc 2); BBEF- Biochar-based ecological farming (Sc 3); CROF- Climate-resilient organic farming (Sc 4); RF- Regenerative farming (Sc 5) practices on soil arthropod populations in rice-wheat systems. Study utilized pitfall traps across various experimental setups. The findings revealed a significant increase in arthropod diversity and abundance, particularly in organic farming scenarios, where the Formicidae family (ants) and the Araneae family (spiders) were most prevalent. In an organically rich soil system, the five most diverse groups (Isopoda, Myriapoda, Insecta, Acari, and Collembola) were reported. This increase can be attributed to the nutrient-rich amendments that positively influence soil organisms. This study highlights a gradual increase in specific taxa, such as cockroaches, spiders, ants, and grasshoppers, following the transition to organic farming. Principal component analysis (PCA) further revealed distinct arthropod distribution patterns in the different farming systems, indicating the unique ecological impact of each method. Interestingly, predator populations in zero-till wheat fields under regenerative agriculture were greater than those in conventionally tilled fields. These results underscore the substantial role of organic and regenerative farming practices in promoting sustainable agricultural ecosystems. This study reveals the complex interplay between farming practices and arthropod dynamics and highlights the ecological benefits of sustainable agricultural methods, emphasizing their potential to enhance biodiversity and ecosystem health. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The agricultural and social landscape of rural Australia is changing, with many farmers interested in, and some actively moving towards, regenerative agriculture--but what do we understand of the farmers undertaking these transitions? Regenerative agriculture is a holistic way of managing landscapes that aims to move beyond sustainability to regenerate natural systems, while supporting farming system viability. While several authors have discussed the higher-level philosophical underpinnings of regenerative agriculture, there are few empirical studies exploring the motivators for farmers to implement a suite of practices within the regenerative agriculture tool-kit. By undertaking an online survey targeting regenerative farmers, this study identifies common attributes of regenerative farmers, as well as key motivators for, and barriers to change, including perceived benefits arising from the approach. An online survey was promoted through the social media pages of three farming groups, resulting in 96 self-identifying Australian regenerative farmers included in this analysis. Results demonstrate that a clear and recent shift has taken place for this group, who may feel ostracized within their local community, hence often rely on information from online and international sources of agricultural information. This article builds a core understanding of the goals, attributes, aspirations and challenges of regenerative farmers and offers a definition of regenerative agriculture that is derived from farmer responses. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract Agriculture is facing a severe threat to its sustainability due to the growing demands for food, feed, and other renewable nonfood raw materials in the face of global warming. Regenerative agriculture is increasingly recognized as a vital solution to a range of ecological and social issues. It actively revitalizes ecosystems, focusing on soil health, biodiversity, and mitigating climate change, going beyond sustainable practices. Governments and other organizations at all levels, from global to regional, are exploring how regenerative agriculture can be integrated into climate change initiatives to sustain ecosystem. This powerful benefit can be achieved without reducing yields or farmer profits. Soil, as a living and dynamic environment, is home to a diverse range of micro- and macro biota that contribute to its characteristics. Healthy soil is characterized by favorable physical properties (texture, water-holding capacity), chemical properties (pH, soil organic matter; SOM), and biological properties (microbial diversity, and soil respiration), which are essential for nurturing nutritious and profitable crops and improve human health. Regenerative farming is attracting interest from the public, private, and nonprofit sectors to improve soil health and sustain ecology. Several academics and non-governmental organizations have attempted to explain the scope and significance of regenerative agriculture. This review outlines how regenerative agriculture practices can mitigate global warming, improve soil health, boost biodiversity, and its socioecological impacts. For future prospects, further scientific research required to examine the effects of regenerative agriculture on both livestock and human health, in order to promote a healthier community.

The study aimed to validate the necessity of formulating and executing plans for incorporating the concepts of the circular economy into Ukraine's agriculture sector, while considering the impacts of globalisation and problems arising from the war. This study examined the fundamental principles and intellectual underpinnings that differentiate the circular economy from the conventional economic model. The undamental concept of the circular economy in the agricultural sector was justified, and the primary benefits of implementing this economic model in the field of agriculture were established. The European Commission has approved the strategy for the Common Agricultural Policy for the period 2023-2027. This strategy emphasises the primary responsibilities that EU member states must undertake to implement the principles of the circular economy in agriculture. The primary patterns in the operation of agriculture in Ukraine are recognised, and the significance of the agricultural sector in the framework of gross domestic product (GDP) formation and foreign exchange profits is established. The destruction of infrastructure, mining activities, and occupation of regions resulted in a decline in the cultivated land and animals, leading to a loss in physical productivity. Due to the war, there has been a decline in production and logistics capabilities, resulting in a large fall in the export of agricultural products. Consequently, the profitability of firms in this sector of the Ukrainian economy has also decreased. Ukrainian agricultural firms lack the financial resources to independently support creative development, which includes the implementation of new technology solutions that form the foundation of the circular economy. Considering the effects of globalisation and military conflict, it is justified that prioritising innovation and investment support, particularly by the State, should be a strategic direction for implementing the principles of the circular economy of agriculture in Ukraine. This approach will enhance economic efficiency and create new opportunities

Despite all the complications that arise with root research, such as slow, laborious, and unclear genetics, roots are a promising object of interest for breeders because many root traits are compatible with high yield potential. It is a great challenge for further research that there is a wide demand for information on the "hidden half of plant metabolism" from many research fields. We have summarized the main obstacles in root system research and sketched a solution for breeding in field conditions so that the result was more meaningful to the farmer. (i) The most important challenge in root research is linking the functional identification of root system properties with the aboveground parts. (ii) Field breeding is irreplaceable, and methods allowing the evaluation of roots under field conditions are indispensable. (iii) Low heritability of root system trait discourages breeders. However, root properties show broad genotypic variability, allowing the efficient use of these traits as selection criteria. (iv) The root traits are variable, and many fluctuate under the influence of environmental factors, which complicates efforts to define ideotypes and explains the different conclusions obtained by researchers from different environments. The breeding programs targeting the root system are sporadic even in a global context. This is a great reserve for breeding progress in the era of climate change, water scarcity, a possible shift to extensive farming systems, and in the era of environmental programs.

In the last few decades, various types of farming systems based on ecological principles have been proposed and developed. There is often interest in knowing about the differences between these systems, but such information must be obtained from several sources describing each of these systems. Therefore, this paper is an effort to consolidate the information on these systems in a concise manner without making comparative ratings between them. We found three components contained in the overarching theme of these systems: the reduction in external inputs, environmental protection, and sustainability. However, several variations exist between them, each with its own focus and guiding principles. Also, these farming systems contain their own specific terms to identify themselves and contain their own set of philosophies based on their founder. In this review, we provided a short description of some of the major ecologically based farming systems such as "agroecology", "regenerative agriculture", "holistic management", "carbon farming", "organic farming", "permaculture", "biodynamic farming", "conservation agriculture", and "regenerative organic farming". We summarized these farming systems as "variants of farming systems based on ecological principles" and outlined the similarities and differences between them. We also discussed how the themes of these systems relate to the United Nations' thirteen principles of agroecology. Although these systems share several similarities, their philosophy is rooted in their founders and the communities that choose to adopt these philosophies. Last, we discussed some of the challenges in implementing these ecological agriculture systems. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The study aimed to validate the necessity of formulating and executing plans for incorporating the concepts of the circular economy into Ukraine's agriculture sector, while considering the impacts of globalisation and problems arising from the war. This study examined the fundamental principles and intellectual underpinnings that differentiate the circular economy from the conventional economic model. The fundamental concept of the circular economy in the agricultural sector was justified, and the primary benefits of implementing this economic model in the field of agriculture were established. The European Commission has approved the strategy for the Common Agricultural Policy for the period 2023-2027. This strategy emphasises the primary responsibilities that EU member states must undertake to implement the principles of the circular economy in agriculture. The primary patterns in the operation of agriculture in Ukraine are recognised, and the significance of the agricultural sector in the framework of gross domestic product (GDP) formation and foreign exchange profits is established. The destruction of infrastructure, mining activities, and occupation of regions resulted in a decline in the cultivated land and animals, leading to a loss in physical productivity. Due to the war, there has been a decline in production and logistics capabilities, resulting in a large fall in the export of agricultural products. Consequently, the profitability of firms in this sector of the Ukrainian economy has also decreased. Ukrainian agricultural firms lack the financial resources to independently support creative development, which includes the implementation of new technology solutions that form the foundation of the circular economy. Considering the effects of globalisation and military conflict, it is justified that prioritising innovation and investment support, particularly by the State, should be a strategic direction for implementing the principles of the circular economy of agriculture in Ukraine. This approach will enhance economic efficiency and create new opportunities. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Perennial groundcover (PGC) has promise as a scalable approach to generating natural resource benefits and sustainable biofuel feedstock while preserving the high yields of annual row crop production. Partnering row crops with temporally and spatially complementary low-growing, shallow-rooted perennials, such as Kentucky bluegrass (KBG) (Poa pratensis L.), is one example of an emerging PGC system. PGC's ecosystem benefits can only be fully realized if commercial-scale adoption occurs, which hinges on its economic feasibility. This paper utilizes an enterprise budget framework to detail and compare the expected cost and revenue of establishing and maintaining PGC in row crop systems with standard continuous corn (SCC) (Zea mays L.) production, including stover harvest, but excluding economic incentives for ecosystem services. Optimistic and pessimistic assumptions were used, along with Monte Carlo simulation, to characterize the uncertainty in results. In the optimistic stover market scenario, Year 1 net returns for PGC averaged USD 84/ac less than for SCC; Year 2+ net returns averaged USD 83/ac more, meaning that cost parity with SCC occurs by the second PGC system year. Without stover revenue, parity is achieved after five years. These results affirm that PGC's economic viability is critically impacted by a groundcover's lifespan, the yield parity with SCC, and the availability of a stover market. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Static life cycle assessment (LCA) methodologies fail to consider the temporal profiles of system inputs and outputs (including emission timing), such that they underestimate the benefits of temporarily stored biogenic carbon in bioproducts, such as cotton. This research focuses on greenhouse gas emission timing and applies dynamic emission accounting to the life cycle of cotton woven pants. The significance of temporary biogenic carbon storage and emission timing is illustrated by converting the 2017 Cotton Incorporated static LCA to a dynamic model using the Dynamic Carbon Footprinter (baseline scenario). A reduction in cumulative radiative forcing for dynamic relative to static modeling of 22%, 5%, and 2% are observed at 10-years, 30-years, and 100-years, respectively. Alternative scenarios analyzed include converting cotton woven pants at end of life to bioenergy, to compost, or to building insulation, an alternative cotton production scenario using regenerative agricultural practices, and two pants extended lifetime scenarios. The regenerative agricultural practice scenario provides reductions in cumulative impacts compared to the baseline scenario of 96%, 69%, and 105% after 10, 30, and 100-years, respectively. A 3x extension in the lifetime of pants provides a benefit in reduced cumulative impacts of 31%, 40%, and 41%, after 10, 30, and 100-years, respectively. This case study with cotton demonstrates that dynamic LCA is a useful tool for assessing the benefits of biobased products, and it allows for more nuanced analysis of reductions in climate impacts in both the short- and long-term time horizons. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Conventional agricultural practices severely deplete the soil of essential organic matter and nutrients, increasing its vulnerability to disease, drought, and flooding. Permaculture is a form of agroecology adopting a whole ecosystem approach to create a set of principles and design frameworks for enriching soil fertility, but there is little scientific evidence of its efficiency. This study compares two permaculture managed sites with a conventional arable site to investigate the effect of permaculture management on soil fertility. We used phospholipid fatty acid analysis to estimate microbial abundance and diversity and related these to measured soil nutrients and carbon stocks. The potential of permaculture management to mitigate soil greenhouse gas emissions was assessed during a laboratory soil incubation and measurement of greenhouse gases via gas chromatography. Overall, the permaculture managed allotments had three times higher microbial biomass, one and a half times higher nitrogen, and four times higher carbon content than the arable site. Permaculture soils had larger carbon dioxide and nitrous oxide fluxes compared to arable soil, but all sites had a mean negative flux in methane. Permaculture management by use of organic amendments and no-dig practices provides a constant slow release of nutrients and build-up of organic matter and carbon and consequently promotes greater bacterial and fungal biomass within the soil. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Advances in soil microbial communities are driving agricultural practices towards ecological sustainability and productivity, with engineering microbial communities significantly contributing to sustainable agriculture. This study explored the combined effects of two white-rot fungi (Trametes sp. and Pleurotus sp.) and six rhizobacterial strains belonging to four genera (Acinetobacter sp., Enterobacter sp., Flavobacterium sp., and Pseudomonas sp.) on maize growth and soil enzymatic activity over a 14-day period. At the plant level, germination, fresh and dry mass of the aerial and root parts, length, and stage of development of the stem, as well as the chlorophyll content, were evaluated. Furthermore, soil dehydrogenase, acid and alkaline phosphatases, pH, and electrical conductivity were evaluated. Rot fungi induced distinct effects on maize germination, with Pleurotus sp. strongly suppressing maize germination by 40% relative to that of the control. The isolated bacterial strains, except Enterobacter sp. O8, and 8 of the 12 fungus + bacterial strain combinations induced germination rates higher than those of the control (≥40%). Combinations of Flavobacterium sp. I57 and Pseudomonas sp. O81 with the rot fungus Pleurotus sp. significantly improved plant shoot length (from 28.0 to 37.0 cm) and developmental stage (fourth leaf length increase from 10.0 to 16.8 cm), respectively, compared with the same bacteria alone or in combination with the rot fungus Trametes sp. In the soil, the presence of both fungi appeared to stabilize phosphatase activity compared to their activity when only bacteria were present, while also promoting overall dehydrogenase enzymatic activity in the soil. Integrating all parameters, Trametes sp. rot fungus + Enterobacter sp. O8 may be a potential combination to be explored in the context of agricultural production, and future studies should focus on the consistency of this combination's performance over time and its effectiveness in the field. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The urgent need to address both human and environmental health crises has brought attention to the role of food systems in driving climate change, biodiversity loss, and diet-related diseases. This paper explores the intersection of Food is Medicine (FIM) and regenerative agriculture (RA) as an emerging approach with the potential to help address the interconnected challenges of human and ecological health within healthcare and food systems. FIM programs, such as produce prescriptions and medically tailored meals, aim to improve health outcomes by increasing access to nutritious foods and promoting nutrition equity. RA, focusing on soil health, biodiversity, and reduced reliance on synthetic inputs, offers more sustainable agricultural practices that can align with FIM goals. This paper highlights key opportunities, recent policy developments, and evidence gaps, calling for concerted efforts to clearly define RA practices and foster collaboration between community, healthcare, agriculture, and policy stakeholders. Strengthening these interconnections could lead to more resilient food systems and improved health outcomes at both individual and population levels.

Increasing pressure on arable land related to climate change mitigation and adaptation within recent policy frameworks has generated widespread interest in the effect of sustainable agricultural management practices on soil organic carbon (SOC) storage. Current frameworks point to soil microorganisms and their functioning as the key drivers of SOC accrual. This study provides a comprehensive on-farm assessment of changes in SOC formation pathways (physico-chemical and microbial) and the underlying drivers comparing three soil use systems: conservation and conventional farming systems as well as permanently vegetated adjacent reference soils (i.e., field margins) without agricultural land-use.Overall, our results indicated substantial increases in extractable organic carbon (+22 %), microbial biomass carbon (+29 %) and necromass carbon stocks (+11 %) in soils of conservation farming systems as compared to conventional farming systems. Differences between all three soil use systems were strongly pronounced in the surface soil (0–5 cm) and declined in deeper soil layers. Structural equation modelling revealed a varying influence of SOC storage pathways among soil use systems, with microbial-mediated (‘in-vivo’) turnover and direct sorption being the most dominant pathways. Moreover, diversity of crop rotation and tillage intensity were identified as the most important factors influencing extractable organic carbon and carbon-liberating enzyme activity within conservation farming management. Our on-farm approach demonstrates that enhanced bioavailable carbon inputs and reduced soil disturbance are the key drivers for microbially-controlled SOC accrual in arable soils and that conservation farming systems with extended plant coverage and increased crop diversity can substantially advance the restoration of soil health.

The study was conducted in Juan Guerra district, province and region of San Martin, Peru; it assessed two treatment sets: (1) nitrogen fertilizer dose (FN75, FN100); (2) green manure Crotalaria juncea (CroJ), Canavalia ensiformis (CanE), and without green manure. It was arranged in a split-plot design with four replications. During the experiment, we observed an important fluctuation in soil parameters. Notably, there was a decrease in soil carbon and nitrogen levels, likely attributed to microorganism metabolism. On the other hand, we observed that CanE significantly reduced the diseased tillers through “White Leaf Virus” (RHBV) by 2.82% compared to the control, and significant panicle fertility was achieved by CroJ (91.88%). No significant differences were obtained in yields during this first campaign; however, the highest reported yield was 8.36 t ha-1 with the CanE - FN100 treatment. Additionally, the nutritional quality of the rice was not affected by either green manuring or the application of chemical nitrogen fertilization. These findings allow deeper studies to consider strategic alternatives to reducing dependency on inorganic fertilizers among the poorest communities. Highlights: • A reduced incidence of White Leaf Virus (RHBV) was observed with the use of green manures. • Rice variety INIA 507 "La Conquista'' reached 8.36 t ha-1 under tropical climate conditions. • Canavalia ensiformis accompanied by nitrogen fertilization produced the highest yield. • Replacing 25% of chemical nitrogen fertilization with Canavalia or Crotalaria green manures did not significantly affect rice yield. • Replacing chemical nitrogen fertilization with green manure did not affect the nutritional quality of rice.

Concern has been raised about the potential greenwashing/co-optation of regenerative agriculture (RA) due to a lack of consensus on its definition. While the academic literature has cataloged various approaches to defining RA, each definitional approach carries with it a relative concern for its likelihood for co-optation and the potential transformative power it can have within the sector. As the industrial agrifoods sector is taking interest in the field, lessons from the organic movement are worth highlighting. The corporate system has easily integrated the foundational pillar of growing food without chemicals, but left behind the pillars of alternative food distribution, and a focus on whole foods and unprocessed ingredients. Corporate interest in RA could be a major driver for scaled adaptation, yet it may lose its focus on the regeneration of agriculture resources, ecosystems functions, and the social systems required to reproduce the next generation of farmers. The greatest challenge is that the fundamental concern is a philosophical one, which entails a shift in how humans perceive the natural world and their role in it. As RA scales, will it hold to its values and remain obscure, or could its values merge with the predominant industrial system to have significance and affect real change in agriculture?

Fencing is essential for rotational grazing, a pivotal practice to support conservation and natural resource management. Virtual fencing offers a technological alternative to traditional fencing and represents potential for increased resource optimization in rotational grazing. While the virtual fencing industry is emerging in the US, adoption is still limited and research on its benefits and broader implications is still minimal. This exploratory study examined the potential and limitations of virtual fencing products and assessed the conditions that enable ranchers in the Midwest to reap the most benefits from their use in grazing livestock. We conducted qualitative interviews with company representatives bringing virtual fencing to the US market and ranchers piloting them on their livestock operations. Environmental benefits included facilitation of strategically-planned rotational grazing that improves pasture management. Economic benefits included significant savings in time, money, and labor for ranchers. Animal welfare was perceived as positively impacted, with the technology allowing detailed tracking of animal behavior and movement. Challenges included current market capacity to meet demand for virtual fencing products, the costs, and concerns about collar functionalities like GPS accuracy and battery life. The interaction of virtual fencing with existing fencing laws is also uncertain, representing uncharted territory. Overall, while virtual fencing shows promise in revolutionizing livestock management, its adoption is contingent on addressing these multifaceted challenges. The findings provide a roadmap for further investigations pertaining to the use of virtual fencing to facilitate natural resource management and conservation practices, specifically adaptive rotational grazing of livestock.

The opportunity of agricultural management practices to sequester soil organic carbon (SOC) is recognized as an important strategy for mitigating climate change. However, there is low confidence when it comes to understanding the magnitude of the climate benefit we can expect from SOC sequestration or how best to achieve it. Several issues are often confounded when it comes to the mitigation potential of SOC sequestration and greenhouse gas (GHG) reductions from agriculture, creating confusion and making it difficult to clearly identify the knowns, unknowns and risks to implementing policy and practice recommendations. Here, we identify and explain four major areas of uncertainty: (1) the expected changes in soil carbon or GHG emissions resulting from agricultural management practice changes; (2) the extent to which social, environmental and economic factors constrain mitigation potential; (3) the ability to execute reliable measurement, monitoring, reporting and verification (MMRV) frameworks; and (4) the perception of risk associated with different ways of promoting practice adoption (e.g., voluntary carbon markets fueled by the private sector, pay-for-practice programs funded by public investment). We aim to pinpoint knowledge gaps and areas of disagreement to help right-size expectations and guide effective investment in GHG removals and reductions from agriculture.

The concept of Globally Important Agricultural Heritage Systems (GIAHS) evolved as a global collaborative endeavour to identify and protect a mosaic of traditional agro-ecosystems and landscapes that are rich in biodiversity and have both cultural and livelihood importance for farmers. In this study, we document prominent features of selected agricultural practices and GIAHS values using empirical data from two GIAHS sites in Japan. The designation of GIAHS in traditional farming landscapes encouraged farmers to maintain age-old practices, protect local crop varieties, revitalize discontinued agriculture (e.g. swidden agriculture), and add nature-based technologies such as micro hydroelectric projects. Farmers’ cooperative efforts have been reinforced, community bonding has been strengthened, local festivity has been expanded, and relationships with numerous government and non-government organizations have been formed. Their farm productivity remained modest, but household income increased owing to branding, certification, internet marketing, and farm stays supported by partnerships. The above attributes of GIAHS are closely linked to the principles of sustainable and regenerative agriculture. The primary issues for the viability of GIAHS are aging farmers and the depopulation of younger people. Lessons from this study could be valuable for developing GIAHS in countries where local agricultural practices and farmer livelihoods are under threat.

ABSTRACTRegenerative agriculture has emerged as a potentially outcome-based paradigm centring on soil health, biodiversity and other environmental and social parameters. Early days of organic agriculture also focused on philosophy first and evolved into a process-based regulatory paradigm whose adoption remains small relative to conventional production. Five case studies of professional growers, representing a total of 100,000 acres of production, were collected to identify reasons for choosing to grow or stop growing organic, challenges faced and attitudes around regenerative agriculture. Growers identified issues of complex and unpredictable regulation, labour, inability to predict market trends and secure needed premiums, cost and effectiveness of natural fertilizers and lack of effectiveness in pest control. These growers adopted similar practices (e.g., integrated pest management) for environmental benefits across conventional and organic acres, and viewed consumer demand and potential profitability rather than environmental benefits as the main drivers for practising organic. Growers expressed interest in outcome-based regenerative agriculture. To be viable, a programme requires criteria on measurement and certification, regionally tailored flexibility and clear financial incentives. Growers doubt such a programme would replace organic but see opportunities for new marketing programmes, particularly in carbon sequestration and water management. Challenges identified by growers warrant further study.

Arthropods may make a significant fraction of the total number of soil organisms. They function as plant litter transformers or ecosystem engineers, and thus contribute positively to soil health. The present study was conducted during the 2020–2022 at International Rice Research Institute, South Asia Regional Centre, Varanasi. Study investigates the impact of different farming methods-conventional (Scenario 1; Sc1), LINF- Low-input natural farming (Sc 2); BBEF- Biochar-based ecological farming (Sc 3); CROF- Climate-resilient organic farming (Sc 4); RF- Regenerative farming (Sc 5) practices on soil arthropod populations in rice-wheat systems. Study utilized pitfall traps across various experimental setups. The findings revealed a significant increase in arthropod diversity and abundance, particularly in organic farming scenarios, where the Formicidae family (ants) and the Araneae family (spiders) were most prevalent. In an organically rich soil system, the five most diverse groups (Isopoda, Myriapoda, Insecta, Acari, and Collembola) were reported. This increase can be attributed to the nutrient-rich amendments that positively influence soil organisms. This study highlights a gradual increase in specific taxa, such as cockroaches, spiders, ants, and grasshoppers, following the transition to organic farming. Principal component analysis (PCA) further revealed distinct arthropod distribution patterns in the different farming systems, indicating the unique ecological impact of each method. Interestingly, predator populations in zero-till wheat fields under regenerative agriculture were greater than those in conventionally tilled fields. These results underscore the substantial role of organic and regenerative farming practices in promoting sustainable agricultural ecosystems. This study reveals the complex interplay between farming practices and arthropod dynamics and highlights the ecological benefits of sustainable agricultural methods, emphasizing their potential to enhance biodiversity and ecosystem health.

The agricultural and social landscape of rural Australia is changing, with many farmers interested in, and some actively moving towards, regenerative agriculture—but what do we understand of the farmers undertaking these transitions? Regenerative agriculture is a holistic way of managing landscapes that aims to move beyond sustainability to regenerate natural systems, while supporting farming system viability. While several authors have discussed the higher-level philosophical underpinnings of regenerative agriculture, there are few empirical studies exploring the motivators for farmers to implement a suite of practices within the regenerative agriculture tool-kit. By undertaking an online survey targeting regenerative farmers, this study identifies common attributes of regenerative farmers, as well as key motivators for, and barriers to change, including perceived benefits arising from the approach. An online survey was promoted through the social media pages of three farming groups, resulting in 96 self-identifying Australian regenerative farmers included in this analysis. Results demonstrate that a clear and recent shift has taken place for this group, who may feel ostracized within their local community, hence often rely on information from online and international sources of agricultural information. This article builds a core understanding of the goals, attributes, aspirations and challenges of regenerative farmers and offers a definition of regenerative agriculture that is derived from farmer responses.

Static life cycle assessment (LCA) methodologies fail to consider the temporal profiles of system inputs and outputs (including emission timing), such that they underestimate the benefits of temporarily stored biogenic carbon in bioproducts, such as cotton. This research focuses on greenhouse gas emission timing and applies dynamic emission accounting to the life cycle of cotton woven pants. The significance of temporary biogenic carbon storage and emission timing is illustrated by converting the 2017 Cotton Incorporated static LCA to a dynamic model using the Dynamic Carbon Footprinter (baseline scenario). A reduction in cumulative radiative forcing for dynamic relative to static modeling of 22%, 5%, and 2% are observed at 10-years, 30-years, and 100-years, respectively. Alternative scenarios analyzed include converting cotton woven pants at end of life to bioenergy, to compost, or to building insulation, an alternative cotton production scenario using regenerative agricultural practices, and two pants extended lifetime scenarios. The regenerative agricultural practice scenario provides reductions in cumulative impacts compared to the baseline scenario of 96%, 69%, and 105% after 10, 30, and 100-years, respectively. A 3x extension in the lifetime of pants provides a benefit in reduced cumulative impacts of 31%, 40%, and 41%, after 10, 30, and 100-years, respectively. This case study with cotton demonstrates that dynamic LCA is a useful tool for assessing the benefits of biobased products, and it allows for more nuanced analysis of reductions in climate impacts in both the short- and long-term time horizons.

Introduction: There is a need to rebuild soil health by implementing regenerative agricultural practices across cropping systems dependent on agrochemicals, such as in United States corn production. One increasingly utilized regenerative practice is the application of biostimulants, or microbial inoculants that can rebuild soil health and productivity. In this study, we describe results from a multi-year corn trial conducted to quantify the impact of Re-Gen, a biostimulant invented to recycle plant biomass and increase nutrient bioavailability in the soil. Methods: Re-Gen was applied across four fields (VA01, BH01, VA04, and LA05) at a dairy cattle farm in Ferrisburgh, VT. Results: Over the two consecutive years (2022-2023) of the trial, Re-Gen application on corn stover and cover crop residues increased ear corn yield by 24% and corn silage yield by 12.5-30%, depending on the field. Analysis of soil nutrients and plant tissues showed increased nutrients, particularly in field LA-05. Multi-year Re-Gen application increased yield and generated additional economic value, indicating that the effects of Re-Gen do not diminish with multiple applications. The increased corn silage yield correlated to increased potential milk yield from cows fed silage grown in Re-Gen-treated fields. Further investigation into the mechanism suggests that increased phosphatase production Re-Gen could contribute to increased phosphorus bioavailability in the soil and uptake in the tissue, potentially increasing yields. Discussion: These results highlight the potential for Re-Gen to foster regenerative agriculture processes on cropland and livestock farms while also increasing corn and milk yield and, therefore, revenue for corn farmers in the United States and for similar cropping systems worldwide. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Planting cover crops can improve soil health and help to sustain agricultural crop yields. In northern climates where corn (Zea mays L.) and soybean (Glycine max L.) are grown, cover crop biomass production can be low. This has led to people investigating the potential of interseeding cover crops into the growing main crop. This paper sought to determine biomass production and the benefit to grain yields, weed control and soil properties from interseeding cover crops into corn and soybean. This review included 70 studies published prior to 15 March 2024. Interseeded cover crops that were winter-hardy such as cereal rye (Secale cereale L.) produced more biomass in the spring (1.04 Mg ha−1 average biomass production) than any of the interseeded cover crops did in fall (0.35 Mg ha−1 average biomass production), primarily at crop row spacings of 76 cm. Factors that affected cover crop biomass production were crop stage, planting method, tillage practice, irrigation and row spacing. There was not a consistent widely planted cover crop species that produced the most biomass. Interseeded cover crops reduced weed biomass by 46% compared to weed control and generally did not affect crop grain yields when planted after V4 crop stage. Interseeded cover crops reduced soil nitrate concentration but generally did not affect other soil properties including soil water content. However, most of these studies planted cover crops at the same site for less than three years. Early interseeded cover crops generally did not perform better than interseeded winter-hardy cover crops planted around crop physiological maturity. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Soil management in orchards can have several economic and environmental implications. In this study, three different soil management systems were compared in a dry-farmed olive grove: conventional tillage (tillage), glyphosate-based herbicide (herbicide) and sheep grazing. The experiment lasted eleven years (2011–2022) and was carried out after a previous trial conducted on the same plot with the same treatments and duration (2001–2011). However, in the earlier trial, the herbicide and sheep grazing treatments switched positions in the plot, while the tillage treatment remained in its original place. The average total accumulated olive yields between 2011 and 2022 were 225.1, 230.9, and 245.0 kg tree−1 for the sheep grazing, tillage, and herbicide treatments, respectively. However, no significant differences were observed between the treatments. The levels of total organic carbon in the soil, measured in samples collected in the last year of the study, were 41.3, 33.7, and 37.3 g kg−1, respectively, for the same treatments. These findings indicated that the tillage treatment exhibited lower soil organic matter content and reduced bioavailability of some nutrients, which raises concerns about its sustainability. On the contrary, employing sheep grazing with an appropriate stocking rate, effectively controlling vegetation in the spring, ensured favourable soil properties and olive yields comparable to the other treatments. Moreover, the sheep grazing approach provides supplementary advantages to the farmer, including revenue from the sale of animal products and the opportunity to transition to organic farming systems, which better align with the preferences of contemporary societies. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Copyright of Agronomía Colombiana is the property of Universidad Nacional de Colombia and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)

Integrated crop–livestock systems (ICLS) are among the main viable strategies for sustainable agricultural production. Mapping these systems is crucial for monitoring land use changes in Brazil, playing a significant role in promoting sustainable agricultural production. Due to the highly dynamic nature of ICLS management, mapping them is a challenging task. The main objective of this research was to develop a method for mapping ICLS using deep learning algorithms applied on Satellite Image Time Series (SITS) data cubes, which consist of Sentinel-2 (S2) and PlanetScope (PS) satellite images, as well as data fused (DF) from both sensors. This study focused on two Brazilian states with varying landscapes and field sizes. Targeting ICLS, field data were combined with S2 and PS data to build land use and land cover classification models for three sequential agricultural years (2018/2019, 2019/2020, and 2020/2021). We tested three experimental settings to assess the classification performance using S2, PS, and DF data cubes. The test classification algorithms included Random Forest (RF), Temporal Convolutional Neural Network (TempCNN), Residual Network (ResNet), and a Lightweight Temporal Attention Encoder (L-TAE), with the latter incorporating an attention-based model, fusing S2 and PS within the temporal encoders. Experimental results did not show statistically significant differences between the three data sources for both study areas. Nevertheless, the TempCNN outperformed the other classifiers with an overall accuracy above 90% and an F1-Score of 86.6% for the ICLS class. By selecting the best models, we generated annual ICLS maps, including their surrounding landscapes. This study demonstrated the potential of deep learning algorithms and SITS to successfully map dynamic agricultural systems. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

There is an urgent need for global food systems transformation to realize a future where planetary health reaches its full potential. Paramount to this vision is the ability of stakeholders across sectors to understand how foods and dietary patterns impact food systems inclusive of all domains of sustainability--environmental, nutrition/health, economic and social. This article is a synopsis of presentations by 3 food systems experts to share the latest science in a session entitled "How do you measure sustainability? Opportunities for consistent and holistic metrics to support food systems transformation" at the American Society for Nutrition's 2023 annual conference. As summarized here, global population data showing widespread malnutrition underscore the important role of dietary diversity through a balance of plant- and animal-source foods to achieve nutritionally adequate diets and reduce risk of noncommunicable diseases. Yet, recent international audits of countries, companies, and organizations and their sustainability targets largely demonstrate an underrepresentation of robust nutrition/health metrics to support public nutrition and health progress. Addressing limitations in diet-sustainability modeling systems provides a viable opportunity to accurately reflect the important contributions and trade-offs of diets across all domains of sustainability to ultimately support evidence-based decision making in advancing healthy food systems. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Climate variabilities continue to hinder sustainable food production with an increasing need to use resources such as water and soil efficiently. The quest for these efficiencies in agriculture systems drives innovations among farmers. However, limited data on farm practices, such as irrigating with fishpond water and their effects on soil health, hinder their adoption as climate-smart innovations. In a nearly twenty-year-old vineyard with two distinct irrigation practices (irrigation with recycled fishpond water and irrigation with ditch water), this study was carried out as an exploratory study to investigate the influence of recycling fishpond water on soil health parameters and yield. Soil samples were taken from two different irrigation fields in summer and winter for lab analysis on soil health parameters (organic matter and carbon, nitrogen, phosphorus, microbial biomass, and microbial respiration). Averages over the two seasons of field measurements indicate that long-term irrigation using recycling fishpond water increased the measured soil health parameters (organic matter (13%), organic carbon (30%), nitrogen (17%), phosphorus (46%), microbial biomass (18%), and microbial respiration (56%)) in both summer and winter months when compared to fields receiving just ditchwater irrigation. Using water in a way that can improve soil health increases biodiversity and improves the efficiency of our limited water resources in semi-arid agricultural lands, and this strategy is a climate-smart tool that can help reduce water risks in dry agricultural regions such as Arizona. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective: The objective of this study was to construct econometric models to identify and analyze the variables that define and explain the deforestation cycle in the Amazon. Theoretical framework: The forest is one of the main sources of carbon sequestration and storage on Earth. Thus, deforestation and forest burning contribute to increasing the impact of the greenhouse effect on climate change, due to CO2 emissions. The protection of the Amazon forest is prioritized for its contribution to mitigating the effects of climate change. Results and conclusion: The annual increase in deforested forest area in the Amazon follows a polynomial behavior explained by the exchange relationships between the prices of deforested and occupied areas with crops and pastures and the prices of lands with native forest. It is this exchange relationship that deserves the attention of policymakers for forest preservation through deforestation control. Research implications: This exchange relationship can cause a turnaround in the deforestation cycle based on the knowledge of the value of standing forests, a fact that would reverse the exchange relationship and require the adoption of sustainable practices in agricultural, livestock, mineral, and forestry production systems. Originality/value: This research shows that there is an increase in deforested area in the Amazon forest, with only the rate of this deforestation varying, which can be increasing or decreasing. Objetivo: Construir modelos econométricos para identificar e analisar as variáveis que definem e explicam o ciclo do desmatamento na Amazônia. Referencial teórico: A floresta é uma das principais fontes de sequestro e armazenamento de carbono da Terra. Logo o desmatamento e queima de florestas contribuem para aumentar o impacto do efeito estufa nas mudanças climáticas, em função das emissões de CO2. Resultados e conclusão: O incremento anual da área de floresta desmatada na Amazônia segue um comportamento polinomial explicado pelas relações de troca entre os preços das áreas desmatadas e ocupadas com lavouras e com pastagens e os preços das terras com floresta nativa. É essa relação de troca que merece a atenção dos formuladores de política para a preservação da floresta via controle do desmatamento. Implicações da pesquisa: Essa relação de troca pode causar uma reviravolta no ciclo do desmatamento a partir do conhecimento do valor da floresta em pé, fato que reverteria a relação de troca e exigiria a adoção de boas práticas sustentáveis nos sistemas de produção agrícola, pecuário, mineral e florestal. Originalidade/valor: A causa de maior impacto sobre o desmatamento é o desconhecimento do valor dos ativos naturais e do fluxo de serviços que ofertam à economia e aos seres humanos. Sem este conhecimento, o custo de oportunidade do estoque de terras com florestas na Amazônia, que supera o preço sombra das terras com lavouras, pastagens e manejo florestal, fixado por agentes econômicos em nível próximo a zero, equivalente a um fator de produção público em abundância. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Copyright of Environmental & Social Management Journal / Revista de Gestão Social e Ambiental is the property of Environmental & Social Management Journal and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)

This article provides an overview of the pivotal role played by manure in animal agriculture and the circular economy. We delve into technological advancements and policy frameworks that harness manure as a valuable resource for generating both fertilizer and energy. Additionally, we explore future considerations for integrating manure into ecosystem marketplace, emphasizing its potential for environmental sustainability. The discussion emphasizes the critical need for robust interdisciplinary collaboration involving researchers, policymakers, outreach specialists, and stakeholders throughout the value chain. Such collaborative efforts are indispensable for integrating manure into the circular economy context, ultimately seeking to enhance the overall sustainability of agriculture.

Among the various technologies that can be used to modify the environmental conditions in protected cultivation, the use of agricultural waste and the use of cultivation benches of different colors can be beneficial to plants, providing adequate plant development and giving greater sustainability to the production system. The study aimed to identify the potential for using substrate based on agro-industrial waste and colored benches as alternatives for the production of Zinnia elegans. The experiment was conducted in the experimental area of the Mato Grosso do Sul State University (UEMS), in the Unit of Cassilândia, using a completely randomized design arranged in a 3 x 5 factorial scheme (three bench colors x five substrate doses), with three replications of four plants for each treatment. The treatments consisted of three colored benches (white, red, and control - metal bench) and five substrate mixtures with different concentrations of agro-industrial waste (SBRA) and Ecosolo® (0, 25%, 50%, 75%, and 100%) in which Zinnia elegans was grown. The variables analyzed were plant height, length of internodes, the number of leaves, relative chlorophyll content (SPAD), stem diameter, flower diameter, number of petals, time required for flowering and shoot dry mass. It was found that the composition of the substrate affected most of the characteristics evaluated, except for internode length and stem diameter. The benches resulted in significant differences in relative chlorophyll content and number of petals. Adding increasing proportions of SBRA, provides greater vegetative growth and flower development in Zinnia elegans plants.

Abstract The focus of the article is the integration of global perspectives, social work, and ecological approaches in animal-assisted interventions in a farm setting, presenting a model that addresses animal, human, and environmental welfare. The authors use a literature review and case scenario illustrating this model that suggests that welfare can be achieved through the simultaneous consideration of the following realms: Global initiatives of One Health and United Nations Sustainable Development Goals, the Five Domains of Animal Welfare, social work theory and practice, and regenerative agriculture. Future research should include the practice of this model in a fashion that allows collecting and studying the outcomes for animals, humans, and the environment involved.

● The urgent need to address increasing worldwide food and climate insecurity.● Potential conflicts between these aims.● Environmental challenges require a revolution in global farming practices.● Growing concerns over diet-related health problems.● New plant science to reduce global food insecurity.In many countries, political and environmental pressures are currently combining to generate a perfect storm of circumstances that is reducing food availability, increasing food costs and thereby reducing the availability of food to many. The UK is currently considering new national food and land management policies, and attention is also being given to legislation to address diet-related health issues. Many now argue for a revolution in UK farming practices to reduce their impact on the natural environment. The UK is not alone in facing these and other challenges. Both the contribution of agriculture to greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions and the effects of climate change on food production are issues receiving worldwide attention. Regenerative agricultural practices can result in greater C capture, reduced GHG emissions, enhanced soil quality and enhanced biodiversity. However, it is questioned if such farming systems will be productive enough to feed a growing population with the food required for social and health benefits. To fully exploit the impact of new plant science in farmer fields, it is imperative to effectively link science to farming practices and conduct a broader conversation around the food revolution with social scientists and with the general public.

Spent mushroom compost (SMC) is a waste byproduct generated by the mushroom industry, with the current disposal methods involving landfills or incineration, causing environmental problems. This study introduces a cascading valorization based on circular economy. A water-washing pretreatment is suggested to reduce the ash content and improve the calorific value. Furthermore, an oxidative torrefaction is proposed to enhance the physicochemical properties and evaluate the residence time, temperature, and initial weight effects. The investigation revealed that the calorific value increased by 49.46% in the best water washing scenario and the SMC contains laccase. During SMC torrefaction, mass and energy yields exceeded 80%, and the calorific value was improved. Finally, torrefaction in situ CO2 capture was achieved by forming CaCO3, with a mass fraction increase of up to 7.4%. The study describes the cascading innovation use of this residue on a TRL4 higher than previously reported studies, thereby contributing to gaining an understanding of sustainable industrial mushroom production.

Regenerative agriculture offers important solutions to the enormous challenges that the climate crisis poses on food production. However, there are doubts about the possibility of implementing many of these solutions in a particularly important sector: the large scale. This paper addresses the issue, presenting examples of large-scale vineyard soil microbiome manipulation in Chile. The South American country has strongly faced the effects of climate change during the last decade and the organic viticulture sector is actively seeking strategies to adapt to the new climatic reality. Here the results of 4 experiments under real production conditions are shown. The experiments were designed to assess the effects of adding various microbial consortia to the soil on key agronomic parameters. Successful as well as unsuccessful cases are presented, allowing discussion of some conditions under which the microbiome manipulation can be expected to have positive effects. It was found that under good management conditions, incorporating effective microorganisms has positive effects on important production parameters (yield, root and vegetative growth). However, when fields yields are trending downward for prolonged periods, the incorporation of effective microbial consortia (e.g., antagonistic fungi, nutrientfixing and nutrient-solubilizing bacteria) does not have a positive effect on the vineyard trend immediately. Similarly, even in favorable conditions the positive effects cannot be expected to be expressed in the short term (i.e., in just a few months). Therefore, its use should be conceived as a long-term strategy, not as an immediate solution to urgent management problems. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Agriculture is faced with the need to reduce mineral fertilizers in order to reduce costs but also to meet political goals. Resilience-enhancing climate change, especially in the face of increasingly frequent and prolonged droughts, has become another issue. The dynamically increasing production of insects for feed and food purposes has become one of the answers to this challenge. This study assesses the fertilizing efficacy effect of frass derived from Black Soldier Fly (Hermetia illucens) production on lettuce (Lactuca L.) growth, including aspects such as yield, photosynthesis activity, photosystem II performance (chlorophyll fluorescence), mineral profile, and antioxidant properties. Additionally, the properties of the soil were assessed by measuring the gas exchange between the soil and the atmosphere. The lettuce plants grew under two water regimes—optimal irrigation and induced drought. The efficiency of frass fertilization was compared with the control and traditional cattle manure. The results indicate that H. illucens frass (HI frass) used as a fertilizer increased the content of essential nutrients in plants—such as potassium and iron. As the dosage of frass increased, the content of vitamin B2 (riboflavin) doubled. The plants that were subjected to drought and properly fertilized showed greater resistance; therefore, a reduction in the synthesis of polyphenolic compounds was observed. Fertilizer had a positive effect on the efficiency of photosynthesis. This study underscores the promising impact of unconventional organic fertilizers, such as H. illucens frass, on enhancing plant performance, especially in challenging environmental conditions. Fertilizers obtained from insect production can be green chemicals in a sustainable food production model. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This is a report on an inaugural medical student elective, Microbiomes Matter: The Path to Regenerative Systems of Farm, Food, and Health, from the perspective of the student participants. Recognizing food as medicine is gaining support across many settings. However, little is known about how medical schools engage in this holistic approach. Integrating food systems and the connections to soil and human health through microbiomes into medical education represents a transformative shift towards more holistic healthcare practices. We describe the course content and impact of a medical school elective in food systems. This elective employed a systems lens and planetary health perspective to explore the impact of climatic factors and environmental degradation on farms, nutrition, and non-communicable lifestyle diseases. Through the two-week course, medical students gained insights into sustainable food systems, supply chains, and the importance of regenerative agriculture. The course also provided a comprehensive overview of the gut microbiome, nutrition, technologies, and the economics of food systems, including their impact on lifestyle diseases. By fostering a systems-oriented mindset, this elective better equips medical students to address the complex challenges of human and planetary health and promote regenerative, sustainable, culturally sensitive, and robust systems of farm, food, and health. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]