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Multiple Soil Health Assessment Methods for Evaluating Effects of Organic Fertilization in Farmland Soil of Agro-Pastoral Ecotone
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The Nutritional Year-Cycle of Italian Honey Bees (Apis mellifera ligustica) in a Southern Temperate Climate
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Adaptation Mechanisms of Olive Tree under Drought Stress: The Potential of Modern Omics Approaches
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Precision Livestock Farming Technology: Applications and Challenges of Animal Welfare and Climate Change
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Challenges in Sustainable Agriculture—The Role of Organic Amendments
Journal Description
Agriculture
Agriculture
is an international, scientific peer-reviewed open access journal published monthly online by MDPI.
- Open Access— free for readers, with article processing charges (APC) paid by authors or their institutions.
- High Visibility: indexed within Scopus, SCIE (Web of Science), PubAg, AGRIS, RePEc, and other databases.
- Journal Rank: JCR - Q1 (Agronomy) / CiteScore - Q1 (Plant Science)
- Rapid Publication: manuscripts are peer-reviewed and a first decision is provided to authors approximately 17.7 days after submission; acceptance to publication is undertaken in 2.4 days (median values for papers published in this journal in the second half of 2023).
- Recognition of Reviewers: reviewers who provide timely, thorough peer-review reports receive vouchers entitling them to a discount on the APC of their next publication in any MDPI journal, in appreciation of the work done.
- Companion journals for Agriculture include: Poultry, Grasses and Crops.
Impact Factor:
3.3 (2023);
5-Year Impact Factor:
3.5 (2023)
Latest Articles
Design and Experiment of a Soil-Covering and -Pressing Device for Planters
Agriculture 2024, 14(7), 1040; https://doi.org/10.3390/agriculture14071040 (registering DOI) - 28 Jun 2024
Abstract
In response to the practical production challenges posed by the unreliable operation of the V-shaped squeezing soil-covering and -pressing device (VCP) for planters under clay soil conditions in Northeast China, incomplete seed furrow closure, and severe soil adhesion on pressing wheels, this study
[...] Read more.
In response to the practical production challenges posed by the unreliable operation of the V-shaped squeezing soil-covering and -pressing device (VCP) for planters under clay soil conditions in Northeast China, incomplete seed furrow closure, and severe soil adhesion on pressing wheels, this study proposes a device with star-toothed concave discs for soil-covering and -pressing (STCP) with the aim of enhancing the soil-covering quality of planters. The main working principles of STCP were expounded, and its main structural and installation parameters were determined and designed. Based on bionics, with the dung beetle’s protruding head structure as the research object and UHMWPE as the material, an optimized protuberance-type bionic pressing wheel was designed. A Box–Behnken experiment was conducted by taking the width of the compression wheel, the spring deformation, and the installation angle as experimental factors, as well as the weight of the soil adhered to the surface of the pressing wheel (SW) and the soil compactness (SC) as the evaluation indicators. The optimal structural parameters of the pressing device were determined as follows: the width of the pressing wheel was 60.57 mm, the spring deformation was 55.19 mm, and the installation angle was 10.70°. The field comparison tests of soil covering performance showed that the star-tooth concave disc soil-covering device can effectively solve the problem of seed “hanging” and “drying”. The average covered soil weight of the star-tooth concave disc soil-covering device was 241.46 g, and the average covered soil weight of VCP was 223.56 g. Compared with VCP, the average covered soil weight of STCP increased by 8.01%. The variation coefficient of covered soil weight after the operation of the star-tooth concave disc soil-covering device was 3.71%, which was more uniform than VCP. The field comparison tests of soil-covering thickness showed that the uniformity of soil-covering thickness can be significantly improved by adding a star-tooth concave disc soil-covering device to VCP. The comparative tests of soil anti-adhesive showed that the convex hull type pressing wheels optimized by bionics had better soil anti-adhesive performance, and the soil adhesion weight was reduced by 43.68% compared with VCP. The field comparative tests of seedling emergence showed that the seedling emergence rate after STCP operation was 3.9% higher than that of VCP.
Full article
(This article belongs to the Section Agricultural Technology)
Open AccessArticle
Physiological, Biochemical, and Ultrastructural Changes in Naturally Aged Sweet Corn Seeds
by
Gaohong Yue, Ruichun Yang, Dan Lei, Yanchao Du, Yuliang Li and Faqiang Feng
Agriculture 2024, 14(7), 1039; https://doi.org/10.3390/agriculture14071039 (registering DOI) - 28 Jun 2024
Abstract
Due to low starch content and poor seed vigor, sweet corn seeds exhibit poor storage stability. Therefore, understanding the physiological and biochemical changes in seeds after natural aging is crucial for assessing seed status and extending the storage period. This study aims to
[...] Read more.
Due to low starch content and poor seed vigor, sweet corn seeds exhibit poor storage stability. Therefore, understanding the physiological and biochemical changes in seeds after natural aging is crucial for assessing seed status and extending the storage period. This study aims to investigate the physiological, biochemical, and ultrastructural changes in aged seeds of different genotypes. An eight-month natural aging experiment was conducted on 10 sweet corn inbred lines. The results showed an obvious decrease in germination potential, germination ratio, germination index, and vigor index after natural aging, and two inbred lines with stronger tolerance to natural aging were identified from the 10 inbred lines studied. In aged seeds, levels of gibberellin, abscisic acid, total protein, total starch, as well as activities of antioxidant enzymes, lipoxygenase, and amylase, and malondialdehyde (MDA) content, exhibited significant differences among inbred lines. Correlation analysis revealed a positive correlation among four seed vigor indices and a highly negative correlation between seed vigor indices and MDA content. Germination ratio, germination index, and vigor index displayed a highly negative correlation with lipoxygenase activity. Furthermore, starch granule decomposition was observed in the endosperm of low-vigor inbred lines, contrary to amylase activity. Thus, this study indicates variations in seed vigor, biochemical indicators, and the ultrastructure of aged sweet corn seeds among different genotypes. Both lower lipoxygenase activity and reduced MDA accumulation contribute to seed resistance to aging.
Full article
(This article belongs to the Section Seed Science and Technology)
Open AccessReview
Rubber-Based Agroforestry Systems Associated with Food Crops: A Solution for Sustainable Rubber and Food Production?
by
Andi Nur Cahyo, Ying Dong, Taryono, Yudhistira Nugraha, Junaidi, Sahuri, Eric Penot, Aris Hairmansis, Yekti Asih Purwestri, Andrea Akbar, Hajar Asywadi, Risal Ardika, Nur Eko Prasetyo, Dwi Shinta Agustina, Taufan Alam, Fetrina Oktavia, Siti Subandiyah and Pascal Montoro
Agriculture 2024, 14(7), 1038; https://doi.org/10.3390/agriculture14071038 (registering DOI) - 28 Jun 2024
Abstract
Agroforestry is often seen as a sustainable land-use system for agricultural production providing ecosystem services. Intercropping with food crops leads to equal or higher productivity than monoculture and results in food production for industry and subsistence. Low rubber price and low labor productivity
[...] Read more.
Agroforestry is often seen as a sustainable land-use system for agricultural production providing ecosystem services. Intercropping with food crops leads to equal or higher productivity than monoculture and results in food production for industry and subsistence. Low rubber price and low labor productivity in smallholdings have led to a dramatic conversion of rubber plantations to more profitable crops. The literature analysis performed in this paper aimed at better understanding the ins and outs that could make rubber-based agroforestry more attractive for farmers. A comprehensive search of references was conducted in March 2023 using several international databases and search engines. A Zotero library was set up consisting of 415 scientific references. Each reference was carefully read and tagged in several categories: cropping system, country, main tree species, intercrop type, intercrop product, level of product use, discipline of the study, research topic, and intercrop species. Of the 232 journal articles, 141 studies were carried out on rubber agroforestry. Since 2011, the number of studies per year has increased. Studies on rubber-based agroforestry systems are performed in most rubber-producing countries, in particular in Indonesia, Thailand, China, and Brazil. These studies focus more or less equally on perennials (forest species and fruit trees), annual intercrops, and mixed plantations. Of the 47 annual crops associated with rubber in the literature, 20 studies dealt with rice, maize, banana, and cassava. Agronomy is the main discipline in the literature followed by socio-economy and then ecology. Only four papers are devoted to plant physiology and breeding. The Discussion Section has attempted to analyze the evolution of rubber agroforestry research, progress in the selection of food crop varieties adapted to agroforestry systems, and to draw some recommendations for rubber-based agroforestry systems associated with food crops.
Full article
(This article belongs to the Section Agricultural Systems and Management)
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Open AccessArticle
Research on the Detection Method of the Threshing Rate of Corn Ears Based on Machine Vision
by
Xinping Li, Shendi Xu, Wantong Zhang, Junyi Wang, Yanan Li, Bin Peng and Ruizhe Sun
Agriculture 2024, 14(7), 1037; https://doi.org/10.3390/agriculture14071037 (registering DOI) - 28 Jun 2024
Abstract
The threshing rate is one of the important indexes to evaluate the effect of corn threshing. The weighing method is often used to calculate the depuration rate of maize at present. This method is time-consuming and laborious and can only calculate the overall
[...] Read more.
The threshing rate is one of the important indexes to evaluate the effect of corn threshing. The weighing method is often used to calculate the depuration rate of maize at present. This method is time-consuming and laborious and can only calculate the overall threshing rate but does not give the threshing rate of individual corn ears. Different parameters of corn ears have complex effects on the threshing rate. By analyzing the threshing rate of each corn ear, we can choose the appropriate ear treatment method, optimize the processing equipment and process flow, and improve the threshing performance. This paper presents a method based on machine vision to detect the threshing rate of corn ears. In this method, machine vision was used to measure the parameters of the corncob and the area of the top of residual kernels. The area of the top of all kernels was restored based on the parameters of the corncob. The threshing rate of corn ears was calculated by the ratio of the area of the top of the missing kernel to the area of the top of all kernels after threshing. A bivariate linear regression area model was established to restore the area of the top of all corn kernels based on corncob parameters. The R2 was more significant than 0.98, and the goodness of fit was good. The machine vision inspection results showed that the maximum relative error of length and midsection radius was 7.46% and 5.55%, and the mean relative error was 2.58% and 2.23%. The maximum relative error of the corn ear threshing rate was 7.08%, and the mean relative error was 2.04%. When the residual kernels were concentrated in the midsection, the inspection result of the corn ear threshing rate was better. The maximum relative error was 3.98%, and the mean relative error was 1.07%. This paper provides a new idea and reference for measuring the threshing rate of corn ears.
Full article
(This article belongs to the Section Agricultural Technology)
Open AccessArticle
Biodiversity and Vegetation Succession in Vineyards, Moravia (Czech Republic)
by
Erika Hurajová, Petra Martínez Barroso, Igor Děkanovský, Yentriani Rumeta Lumbantobing, Martin Jiroušek, Amir Mugutdinov, Ladislav Havel and Jan Winkler
Agriculture 2024, 14(7), 1036; https://doi.org/10.3390/agriculture14071036 (registering DOI) - 28 Jun 2024
Abstract
Maintaining biodiversity in agricultural landscapes is a major challenge for environmental protection in Europe. Vineyards rely heavily on agrotechnical interventions such as herbicide use and tillage for weed control, which affect biodiversity and can lead to soil erosion and resistant weed populations. The
[...] Read more.
Maintaining biodiversity in agricultural landscapes is a major challenge for environmental protection in Europe. Vineyards rely heavily on agrotechnical interventions such as herbicide use and tillage for weed control, which affect biodiversity and can lead to soil erosion and resistant weed populations. The fragmentation of agricultural landscapes affects biodiversity by altering community composition and often reducing plant population sizes and genetic diversity. However, it can also increase the abundance of certain species and enhance population resilience to environmental change. Vineyards can support high levels of biodiversity and provide ecosystem services due to their semi-natural habitat structure. This research evaluates vegetation biodiversity using phytosociological relevés in different vineyards. Our results show that species richness and biodiversity are significantly influenced by vineyard age and management type. This study highlights differences in the representation of plant functional groups, with perennial taxa in grassy inter-row contributing to anti-erosion functions and serving as food sources for pollinators. The root zone around vine trunks shows an increase in invasive species with vineyard age, posing a risk to the agroecosystem. Vineyards predominantly follow a ruderal ecological strategy, using nutrients and light efficiently, while tolerating management disturbances. Understanding these dynamics is critical for developing sustainable vineyard management practices that support biodiversity and ecological resilience, counteract the homogenization of agricultural landscapes, and promote the coexistence of viticulture and species-rich ecosystems.
Full article
(This article belongs to the Section Agricultural Systems and Management)
Open AccessEditorial
Perennial Grains and Oilseeds: Current Status and Future Prospects
by
Douglas J. Cattani
Agriculture 2024, 14(7), 1035; https://doi.org/10.3390/agriculture14071035 (registering DOI) - 28 Jun 2024
Abstract
The release of cultivars of two perennial grains is a milestone in perennial grain and oilseed development. Agronomic studies can progress by having stable genetics upon which to conduct research. Agriculture has generally committed to enhancing soil health, with perennial grains and oilseeds
[...] Read more.
The release of cultivars of two perennial grains is a milestone in perennial grain and oilseed development. Agronomic studies can progress by having stable genetics upon which to conduct research. Agriculture has generally committed to enhancing soil health, with perennial grains and oilseeds offering potentially non-animal-related alternatives to our current choices. Utilizing perennial grains and oilseeds offers potential to small-grain producers to improve, or at least maintain, their soil quality as perennial grains generally have little soil disturbance post-seeding. Understanding perennial grain and oilseed development and how they interact with their growth environment will provide us with baselines upon which to gauge agronomic interventions as we attempt to increase productivity without negative environmental impacts.
Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Perennial Grains and Oilseeds: Current Status and Future Prospects)
Open AccessArticle
Lime and Gypsum Rates Effects in New Soybean Areas in the Cerrado of Matopiba, Brazil
by
Doze Batista de Oliveira, Julian Junio de Jesus Lacerda, Adenilson Pereira Cavalcante, Karmem Guimarães Bezerra, Allana Pereira Moura da Silva, Ana Caroline Guimarães Miranda, Tiago Pieta Rambo, Rafael Maschio, Hosana Aguiar Freitas de Andrade, Paula Muniz Costa, Carlos Antonio Ferreira de Sousa, José Oscar Lustosa de Júnior, Edvaldo Sagrilo and Henrique Antunes de Souza
Agriculture 2024, 14(7), 1034; https://doi.org/10.3390/agriculture14071034 (registering DOI) - 28 Jun 2024
Abstract
High rates of limestone have been increasingly utilized in newly converted areas for grain production in agricultural frontier regions to expedite the short-term correction of soil fertility, leading to compensatory yields. However, there is a lack of information about different doses of lime
[...] Read more.
High rates of limestone have been increasingly utilized in newly converted areas for grain production in agricultural frontier regions to expedite the short-term correction of soil fertility, leading to compensatory yields. However, there is a lack of information about different doses of lime and gypsum for soils in the Cerrado of Matopiba, especially in the state of Piauí, Brazil. The aim of this study was to evaluate the effects of doses of lime and gypsum in newly converted areas for soybean production in the Cerrado of Southwest Piauí. The study was carried out in the 2019/2020 and 2020/2021 crop years, on yellow Oxisol soil, in a randomized block design and treatments following a 5 × 4 factorial: five lime rates (0, 5, 10, 15, and 20 t ha−1) and four gypsum rates (0, 1, 2 and 4 t ha−1), with four replicates. The standard lime and gypsum rates were 5 t ha−1 and 1 t ha−1, respectively. Soil fertility attributes (0.0–0.2, 0.2–0.4, and 0.4–0.6 m), nutritional status of plants, and soybean yield were measured. The increases in grain yield using a lime rate of 10 t ha−1 were 18% and 12% in the 2019/2020 and 2020/2021 crop years, respectively. High lime rates provide a reduction in the concentrations of P, K, and cationic micronutrients in soil, thereby reducing leaf contents of macro- and micronutrients in soybean plants. Concentrations of Ca, Mg, and S in subsurface layers were raised to proper levels, similar to those recommended for topsoil (0.0–0.2 m). The use of gypsum and lime in newly converted areas for soybean cultivation provides quick improvement in soil chemical conditions and reduction in acidity components. The application of 10 t ha−1 of lime improved the soil chemical environment in the Matopiba region the short time available for chemical reactions to occur, allowing soybean cultivation in newly converted areas of Cerrado into agriculture.
Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Effects of Fertilizer Application on Soil Physico-Chemical and Biological Properties)
Open AccessArticle
Towards Sustainable Development: The Impact of Agricultural Productive Services on China’s Low-Carbon Agricultural Transformation
by
Ning Geng, Xiaoqing Zheng, Xibing Han and Xiaonan Li
Agriculture 2024, 14(7), 1033; https://doi.org/10.3390/agriculture14071033 (registering DOI) - 28 Jun 2024
Abstract
In the context of carbon neutrality, the low-carbon transition in agriculture is crucial to achieving carbon mitigation through clean production. The provision of agricultural productive services (APS) is pivotal for modernizing farming practices in China. However, the impact of this on the low-carbon
[...] Read more.
In the context of carbon neutrality, the low-carbon transition in agriculture is crucial to achieving carbon mitigation through clean production. The provision of agricultural productive services (APS) is pivotal for modernizing farming practices in China. However, the impact of this on the low-carbon transformation has received limited attention. This research examined the non-linear relationship between agricultural productive services and low-carbon development, including verifying a threshold effect with APS as the threshold variable, employing panel data for 31 provinces in China from 2010 to 2021. The results of the study suggested that the effect of services associated with agricultural productivity on the transition of the agricultural sector to low-carbon practices varied across threshold ranges. Specifically, when the APS exceeded the threshold of 2.4396, a significant suppressive effect was observed on carbon emission intensity. Further analysis revealed that APS indirectly influenced the farmland scale and agricultural technological advancements, thereby promoting the low-carbon transition of China’s agriculture. Based on these results, it is recommended to intensify the development of APS in key cereal-producing regions, while emphasizing the harmonious progress of these services in conjunction with large-scale farmland management.
Full article
(This article belongs to the Topic Low Carbon Economy and Sustainable Development)
Open AccessArticle
Data Envelopment Analysis (DEA) to Estimate Technical and Scale Efficiencies of Smallholder Pineapple Farmers in Ghana
by
Kwaku Boakye, Yu-Feng Lee, Festus F. Annor, Samuel K. N. Dadzie and Iddrisu Salifu
Agriculture 2024, 14(7), 1032; https://doi.org/10.3390/agriculture14071032 (registering DOI) - 28 Jun 2024
Abstract
This study focuses on evaluating the technical and scale efficiencies of smallholder pineapple farmers in Ghana’s Central Region. We surveyed 320 participants selected using random sampling and applied an input-oriented Data Envelopment Analysis (DEA) method to gauge their technical, pure, and scale efficiencies.
[...] Read more.
This study focuses on evaluating the technical and scale efficiencies of smallholder pineapple farmers in Ghana’s Central Region. We surveyed 320 participants selected using random sampling and applied an input-oriented Data Envelopment Analysis (DEA) method to gauge their technical, pure, and scale efficiencies. Our findings indicate that the mean technical efficiency among these farmers is 0.505, with individual scores ranging from 0.079 to 1.000. Notably, 90.82% of the farmers are operating below maximum efficiency levels, suggesting a potential input reduction of up to 49.5% while maintaining current production levels. Relaxing the assumption of constant returns under Variable Returns to Scale (VRS) conditions reveals a notable improvement in technical efficiency, with 10.82% more farmers achieving optimal efficiency levels. Furthermore, our analysis highlights scale inefficiencies, with 67.26% of farmers operating below optimal scale levels. By increasing production by 22.8%, these scale-inefficient farmers could enhance their efficiency and productivity within existing technological frameworks. These findings underscore the importance of collaborative efforts among policymakers, practitioners, and stakeholders within the agricultural value chain to implement interventions such as improving access to technology and innovation for smallholder farmers and making necessary investments in farmer education and training programs to enhance both technical and scale efficiencies in Ghana’s pineapple sector. Such initiatives can drive sustainable growth, improve farmers’ livelihoods, and bolster the sector’s overall competitiveness.
Full article
(This article belongs to the Section Agricultural Economics, Policies and Rural Management)
Open AccessReview
Current Status of Haploidization in Cool-Season Grain Legume Crop Species
by
Wiktor Skrzypkowski and Agnieszka Kiełkowska
Agriculture 2024, 14(7), 1031; https://doi.org/10.3390/agriculture14071031 (registering DOI) - 28 Jun 2024
Abstract
Doubled haploid technology is, so far, the fastest route to induce a true homozygous state in plants. True homozygous plants are particularly important for breeders, as they can facilitate hybrid breeding and are useful in fixing traits in a breeding line. Fabaceae species
[...] Read more.
Doubled haploid technology is, so far, the fastest route to induce a true homozygous state in plants. True homozygous plants are particularly important for breeders, as they can facilitate hybrid breeding and are useful in fixing traits in a breeding line. Fabaceae species are of great importance in food and feed production; however, they are far behind other families with respect to the development of effective haploidization protocols. Here, we present the most recent status of research on haploidization protocols in cool-season grain legume crops, including dry peas, chickpeas, faba beans, lentils, lupines, and grass peas. The first four species are primarily for human consumption; the latter are utilized as forage. All the mentioned species have been subject to haploidization trials; however, repeatable protocols, including the regeneration of confirmed haploid or doubled haploid plants, have not been elaborated. Research in field pea, chickpea, grass pea, and lupine is promising, with the reported regeneration of microspore-derived embryos in all four species. Repeatable plant regeneration has been reported only in field peas and chickpeas. The most recent achievements on haploidization through male and female gametophytes in faba bean are also presented. The key factors for the effective stimulation of haploid cell development in cool-season legumes are reviewed, providing a useful basis for future efforts toward haploidization in this group.
Full article
(This article belongs to the Section Crop Genetics, Genomics and Breeding)
Open AccessArticle
Identification and Functional Characterization of an Odorant Receptor Expressed in the Genitalia of Helicoverpa armigera
by
Weihao Liu, Dongdong Sun, Xiaoqing Wang, Zhiqiang Wang and Yang Liu
Agriculture 2024, 14(7), 1030; https://doi.org/10.3390/agriculture14071030 (registering DOI) - 28 Jun 2024
Abstract
Olfaction is critical for guiding the physiological activities of insects, with antennae being the primary olfactory organs. However, recent evidence suggests that other tissues may also participate in olfactory recognition. Among these, the genitalia of moths have received attention due to their roles
[...] Read more.
Olfaction is critical for guiding the physiological activities of insects, with antennae being the primary olfactory organs. However, recent evidence suggests that other tissues may also participate in olfactory recognition. Among these, the genitalia of moths have received attention due to their roles in mating and oviposition. Sensilla and odorant receptors (ORs) in moth genitalia highlight the potential olfactory function of these structures. In this study, we examined the olfactory sensing capacity of the genitalia in Helicoverpa armigera by analyzing their structure in males and females and characterizing the expressed ORs. Scanning electron microscopy uncovered many sensilla distributed throughout the male and female genitalia. Transcriptome sequencing identified 20 ORs in the genitalia, with HarmOR68 exhibiting significant responses to methyl esters: methyl benzoate and salicylate. Our findings provide theoretical evidence that H. armigera genitalia may have significant olfactory perception functions.
Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Comprehensive Application and Prospects of New Technologies for Plant Protection)
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Open AccessFeature PaperArticle
A Comparative Water Footprint Analysis of Conventional versus Organic Citrus Production: A Case Study in Spain
by
Alberto Imbernón-Mulero, Victoriano Martínez-Alvarez, Saker Ben Abdallah, Belén Gallego-Elvira and José F. Maestre-Valero
Agriculture 2024, 14(7), 1029; https://doi.org/10.3390/agriculture14071029 - 28 Jun 2024
Abstract
Spain is the leading citrus producer in the European Union, with the Segura River Basin in southeastern Spain playing a crucial role in this industry. However, the impact of local agricultural production on water appropriation has been overlooked. This study assesses the water
[...] Read more.
Spain is the leading citrus producer in the European Union, with the Segura River Basin in southeastern Spain playing a crucial role in this industry. However, the impact of local agricultural production on water appropriation has been overlooked. This study assesses the water footprint (WF) of both conventional and organic citrus production using the Water Footprint Network approach, addressing beneficial practices aiming to reduce the water appropriation impact. Focusing on four citrus fields, the evaluation covers green, blue, and grey components of the WF, and secondary impacts from electricity and fossil fuel consumption, which are usually omitted from the WF assessments. The results indicate that the total WF for organic orange and lemon production is over 19% lower than for the conventional system. Notable differences are observed in the blue component, attributed to the use of vegetative mulches, and in the grey component due to the reduced impact of fertilizers in organic practices. The individual and total WF values are lower than those reported in other citrus studies, and are linked to efficient resource management in semi-arid regions that helps overcome water scarcity. Nevertheless, the sustainability analysis reveals major challenges for the citrus sector in the basin, highlighting the strain on resources given the limited water availability. The available water remaining (AWARE) indicator demonstrates extremely high potential water deprivation in the area. Overall, the study underscores the necessity of integrating WF analyses in agricultural planning to manage resource scarcity effectively. Future research should focus on developing precise methodologies and incorporating unconventional farming practices to enhance sustainability. This research provides valuable insights for stakeholders aiming to optimize water use in agriculture under scarce resource conditions.
Full article
(This article belongs to the Section Agricultural Water Management)
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Open AccessArticle
The Differentiation of the Infestation of Wheat Grain with Fusarium poae from Three Other Fusarium Species by GC–MS and Electronic Nose Measurements
by
Piotr Borowik, Marcin Stocki, Miłosz Tkaczyk, Przemysław Pluta, Tomasz Oszako, Rafał Tarakowski and Adam Okorski
Agriculture 2024, 14(7), 1028; https://doi.org/10.3390/agriculture14071028 - 28 Jun 2024
Abstract
The massive import of uncontrolled technical grain from the East into the European Community poses a risk to public health when it ends up in the mills to be used as flour for food purposes instead of being burnt (biofuel). In fungal infections
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The massive import of uncontrolled technical grain from the East into the European Community poses a risk to public health when it ends up in the mills to be used as flour for food purposes instead of being burnt (biofuel). In fungal infections of wheat, the most dangerous species belong to the genus Fusarium. F. poae is a pathogen that is most commonly isolated from cereals worldwide and causes various types of diseases in animals and humans due to the numerous toxins it produces. The manuscript reports an attempt to distinguish between four species of Fusarium, F. avanceum, F. langsethiae, F. poae, and F. sporotrichioides, in wheat grains by measuring the volatiles emitted. The patterns obtained from the signals captured by the electronic nose PEN3 were used to build the Random Forests classification model. The recall and precision of the classification performance for F. poae reached 91 and 87%, respectively. The overall classification accuracy reached 70%. Gas chromatography coupled with mass spectrometry (GC–MS) was used to analyze the chemical composition of the emitted volatiles. The patterns found in the GC–MS results allowed an explanation of the main patterns observed when analyzing the electronic nose data. The mycotoxins produced by the Fusarium species analyzed were detected. The results of the reported experiment confirm the potential of the electronic nose as a technology that can be useful for screening the condition of the grain and distinguishing between different pathogenic infestations.
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(This article belongs to the Section Agricultural Product Quality and Safety)
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Open AccessArticle
A Comparative Study of the Influence of Communication on the Adoption of Digital Agriculture in the United States and Brazil
by
Joana Colussi, Steve Sonka, Gary D. Schnitkey, Eric L. Morgan and Antônio D. Padula
Agriculture 2024, 14(7), 1027; https://doi.org/10.3390/agriculture14071027 - 28 Jun 2024
Abstract
Digital agriculture has been developing rapidly over the past decade. However, studies have shown that the need for more ability to use these tools and the shortage of knowledge contribute to current farmer unease about digital technology. In response, this study investigated the
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Digital agriculture has been developing rapidly over the past decade. However, studies have shown that the need for more ability to use these tools and the shortage of knowledge contribute to current farmer unease about digital technology. In response, this study investigated the influence of communication channels—mass media, social media, and interpersonal meetings—on farmers’ adoption, decision-making, and benefits obtained using technologies. The research uses data from 461 farmers in Brazil and 340 farmers in the United States, leaders in soybean production worldwide. The results show differences and similarities between these countries. LinkedIn has the highest positive association in Brazil between the communication channels and the digital agriculture technologies analyzed. In the United States, YouTube has the highest positive correlation. The overall influence of social media among Brazilian farmers is higher than among American farmers. The perceived benefits of using digital tools are more strongly associated with mass media communication in the United States than in Brazil. Regarding farm management decision-making, the study showed a higher relevance of interpersonal meetings in Brazil than in the United States. Findings can aid farmers, managers, academics and government decision makers to use communication channels more effectively in evaluating and adopting digital technologies.
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(This article belongs to the Section Digital Agriculture)
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Open AccessArticle
Dependency of Long-Term Soil Quality Controls on Summer Fallow Tillage and Soil Layers for Dryland Winter Wheat in Loess Plateau
by
Hui Li, Xinjun Dai and Zhiqiang Gao
Agriculture 2024, 14(7), 1026; https://doi.org/10.3390/agriculture14071026 - 27 Jun 2024
Abstract
The capacity for winter wheat to produce sufficient yield may be influenced by soil tillage practices and soil quality. However, determining how to quantify the impact of long-term tillage on soil quality is crucial. Here, we address this issue by comparing soil properties
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The capacity for winter wheat to produce sufficient yield may be influenced by soil tillage practices and soil quality. However, determining how to quantify the impact of long-term tillage on soil quality is crucial. Here, we address this issue by comparing soil properties and wheat yield under four tillage systems during summer fallow in the Loess Plateau. Twenty-two soil properties were explored to estimate soil quality. Results showed that a rotational tillage (PT/ST) during summer fallow decreased soil bulk density (ρb) and improved soil gravimetric water content (θg), soil organic carbon (SOC), soil capillary porosity (Pc), and total porosity (Pt) in 0–50 cm soil layers. A minimum dataset (MDS) of thirteen indicators was selected to calculate soil quality index (SQI). Treatment of PT/ST had higher SQI value in soil layers of 0–10 cm and 20–50 cm, and PT/ST showed a significant increase in yield since the third year. No tillage (NT) during summer fallow decreased soil physical and chemical indicators, thus decreasing soil quality. These findings suggest that a rotation tillage of PT/ST during summer fallow could enhance soil chemical and biological properties concurrently, and PT/ST may provide a promising management strategy to sustain soil quality and grain yield for dryland winter wheat in the Loess Plateau.
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(This article belongs to the Section Agricultural Soils)
Open AccessArticle
Soybean Response to Seed Inoculation with Bradyrhizobium japonicum and/or Nitrogen Fertilization
by
Wacław Jarecki, Ioana Maria Borza, Cristina Adriana Rosan, Simona Ioana Vicas and Cristian Gabriel Domuța
Agriculture 2024, 14(7), 1025; https://doi.org/10.3390/agriculture14071025 - 27 Jun 2024
Abstract
Seed inoculation with symbiotic bacteria is a commonly employed practice in soybean cultivation. As a result, nodulation proceeds properly and plants self-supply atmospheric nitrogen, requiring either minimal or no additional nitrogen fertilization. The aim of the study was to investigate the response of
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Seed inoculation with symbiotic bacteria is a commonly employed practice in soybean cultivation. As a result, nodulation proceeds properly and plants self-supply atmospheric nitrogen, requiring either minimal or no additional nitrogen fertilization. The aim of the study was to investigate the response of soybeans to the application of the recommended or double dose of commercial inoculants (HiStick® Soy or TURBOSOY®) and/or mineral nitrogen fertilization compared to the untreated control. It was demonstrated that a double dose of the tested preparations had the most favorable effect on nodulation. However, the impact of weather conditions modified their effectiveness during the study years, which was especially visible in 2022. Sowing seeds without inoculation (control) resulted in the formation of sparse root nodules and consequently the lowest leaf area index (LAI) and soil plant analysis development (SPAD) measurements. In addition, the values of SPAD and LAI indices varied across the years of the study, indicating that weather conditions modified nitrogen uptake by plants. Overall, seed inoculation and/or nitrogen fertilization positively influenced the chemical composition of seeds compared to the control. The only decrease observed was in the oil content, while the double dose of HiStick® Soy preparation reduced the polyphenol content. The double dose of the tested inoculants had the most favorable impact on yield components and seed yield. However, applying inoculation at the recommended dose or in combination with nitrogen fertilization yielded similar or slightly worse results, depending on the year. Therefore, soybean seed inoculation should be recommended, although the effectiveness of the procedure will depend on various factors, including the type of inoculant, dosage, nitrogen fertilization, and weather conditions.
Full article
(This article belongs to the Section Crop Production)
Open AccessArticle
Study on the Impact of Rural Tourism Construction Projects on Farmers’ Livelihood Capital and Livelihood Options
by
Zexian Li, Yuejian Wang, Lei Wang, Liping Xu, Huanhuan Chen and Chenglong Yao
Agriculture 2024, 14(7), 1024; https://doi.org/10.3390/agriculture14071024 - 27 Jun 2024
Abstract
Rural tourism is a new driving force for achieving rural revitalization and development, promoting rural economic prosperity, and serving as a new industrial approach to achieving the transformation and upgrading of farmers’ livelihoods. This paper focuses on Manas County as the research subject
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Rural tourism is a new driving force for achieving rural revitalization and development, promoting rural economic prosperity, and serving as a new industrial approach to achieving the transformation and upgrading of farmers’ livelihoods. This paper focuses on Manas County as the research subject and employs farmer questionnaire interviews and participatory rural appraisal methods to categorize villages into four types: “scenic area-dependent” villages, “industry-dependent” villages, “folklore-dependent” villages, and “suburban-dependent” villages. Based on the sustainable livelihood analysis framework proposed by the Department for International Development, we developed a sustainable livelihood framework for farm households in Manas County and analyzed the effects of rural tourism on farm households’ livelihood capital and livelihood strategies as the watershed of the rural tourism takes shape, taking livelihood capital and livelihood strategies as the entry point. The factors influencing the livelihood capital and livelihood options of farm households in the context of rural tourism are analyzed. The results show that: (1) The overall livelihood capital of farmers engaging in rural tourism is significantly greater than that of farmers not participating in rural tourism. Additionally, variations exist in the livelihood capital of different types of rural tourism within villages. (2) Participation in rural tourism significantly influences farmers’ choices of livelihood strategies. Compared with individuals who do not engage in rural tourism, those involved in rural tourism are more likely to opt for self-management livelihood strategies. The proportion of self-managed farmers in villages based around scenic areas is the highest. (3) The effect of rural tourism on farm households in Manas County is generally positive, and various types of villages yield different impact effects. (4) Participation in rural tourism significantly increases the possibility of farmers choosing self-management livelihood strategies, while it reduces the possibility of farmers choosing agriculture-oriented livelihood strategies. In all villages, except those dependent on industry, the decision to engage in rural tourism significantly impacts farmers’ selection of self-management livelihood strategies.
Full article
(This article belongs to the Section Agricultural Economics, Policies and Rural Management)
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