Farming System最新文献

{"title":"Metabolite-driven fungal recruitment in rhizosphere explains superiority of organic fertilizer in enhancing the soil fertility of wheat","authors":"Shancong Wang ,&nbsp;Xinru Hu ,&nbsp;Reda M.M. Ahmed ,&nbsp;Guihong Yin ,&nbsp;Xiao Jun A. Liu ,&nbsp;Haotian Wang ,&nbsp;Jiameng Guo ,&nbsp;Peng Zhao ,&nbsp;Chang Li ,&nbsp;Qinghua Yang ,&nbsp;Lei Gao ,&nbsp;Ruixin Shao","doi":"10.1016/j.farsys.2025.100181","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.farsys.2025.100181","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>Long-term application of conventional synthetic fertilizers (CF) significantly impairs soil fertility, particularly in the intensive wheat/maize rotation systems. The problem is even worse in medium-low yield farmlands such as lime concretion black soil, resulting in an inevitable threat to world's food security. Therefore, adopting innovative alternatives becomes an urgent need to improve soil fertility and fulfill agricultural high yield demands and sustainable development. Thus, we conducted a two-year field experiment in lime concretion black soil to compare the divergent effects of controlled-release (CRF), organic (OF) and microbial (MF) fertilizers on soil fertility improvement under wheat cultivation. Combined analysis using Linear discriminant analysis effect size, Orthogonal Partial Least Squares Discriminant Analysis, and Structural Equation Modeling revealed that CRF improved soil nitrogen retention via homocarnosine-mediated recruitment of the fungi <em>Solicoccozyma aeria</em> and <em>Lecythophora</em>. Specifically, CRF increased total nitrogen and alkali-hydrolyzable nitrogen by 17.3 % and 11.8 % compared to CF, respectively. Interestingly, OF demonstrated the most comprehensive improvement in soil fertility. OF enhanced multiple soil fertility by enriching Melatonin and Trioxilin A3, which facilitated the recruitment of <em>Lophotrichus</em> sp. and <em>Lecythophora</em> sp. This led to significant increases relative to CF in soil organic matter (18.3 %), total nitrogen (13.8 %), alkali-hydrolyzable nitrogen (10.0 %), available phosphorus (17.2 %), and available potassium (29.0 %). In contrast, MF promoted carbon accumulation by enriching melatonin and 3-hydroxycinnamic acid, recruiting <em>Neocosmospora rubicola</em>, which resulted in a 5.15 % increase in soil organic matter and an 11.4 % rise in microbial biomass carbon compared to CF. These findings demonstrate that novel fertilizers enhance soil fertility through metabolite-mediated recruitment of functional fungi rather than bacteria, with OF exhibiting the greatest synergistic effect between the rhizosphere metabolome and fungal assemblage. This study lays a theoretical foundation for tailored strategies that simultaneously enhance agricultural productivity and sustainability in lime concretion black soil regions under wheat/maize rotation systems.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":100522,"journal":{"name":"Farming System","volume":"4 1","pages":"Article 100181"},"PeriodicalIF":8.4,"publicationDate":"2025-09-26","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"145227695","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Livelihood and energy-carbon dynamics of livestock-based integrated farming system: Assessment and implications for sustainable farming","authors":"Gaurendra Gupta ,&nbsp;D.R. Palsaniya ,&nbsp;Manjanagouda S. Sannagoudar ,&nbsp;Bishwa Bhaskar Choudhary ,&nbsp;Samir Barman ,&nbsp;Mukesh Choudhary ,&nbsp;Deepak Upadhyay ,&nbsp;R.K. Patel ,&nbsp;S.K. Singh ,&nbsp;Khem Chand ,&nbsp;Sadhna Pandey ,&nbsp;Manju Suman","doi":"10.1016/j.farsys.2025.100183","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.farsys.2025.100183","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>Challenges of climate-resilient agricultural production, along with environmental sustainability, guided the study on livestock-based integrated farming systems (LIFS) to explore their merits and implications for sustainable farming. Consequently, a 3-year life cycle assessment of a 3-ha LIFS with 30 adult cattle units and diversified components (45 % food crops, 33.8 % fodder, 17.5 % vegetables, 2.5 % flowers, 1.3 % fruits, and allied activities) was conducted to evaluate among its components and against the traditional groundnut-wheat cropping system (GWCS). The study assessed ecosystem services, including resource recycling, productivity, profitability, employment, and energy-carbon dynamics involving the life cycle assessment approach. Findings reveal that LIFS yielded 80,178 kg wheat equivalent ha⁻¹ yr⁻¹, US$8952 net returns, 4,55,368 MJ energy output, and 33,974 kg carbon output from inputs of 90,791 MJ energy and GHG emissions equivalent to 14,942 kg carbon. Compared to GWCS, LIFS achieved 8.4× higher productions, 6.4× greater returns, 6.6× more employment, 3.0× higher energy productivity, and 4.6× greater net carbon gain due to crop–livestock synergy with improved management. Among components, livestock dominated inputs (86 % cost, 66 % energy, 92 % carbon) and outputs (77 % production, 66 % returns, 59 % employment), thus playing a crucial role in production and environmental sustainability. However, horticultural crops showed higher unit productivity and returns. The carbon footprint of LIFS (0.69 kg CO₂ eq.) was higher than GWCS but better than similar livestock + crop systems. Conclusively, LIFS enhances climate resilience and ecosystem services; however, optimizing livestock's energy-carbon use can further impart greater environmental sustainability, offering valuable insights for researchers and policymakers to focus on immediate adoption of LIFS for stable livelihood, along with setting the long-term goal for sustaining the energy-carbon use to evolve a ‘total sustainability’ of production systems in study region as well as similar agroecology worldwide.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":100522,"journal":{"name":"Farming System","volume":"4 1","pages":"Article 100183"},"PeriodicalIF":8.4,"publicationDate":"2025-09-26","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"145190141","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Strategies for constructing biodiversity of paddy fields in intensive agricultural areas in China","authors":"Yinan Xu ,&nbsp;Jing Sheng ,&nbsp;Zhi Guo ,&nbsp;Qian Yue ,&nbsp;Sichu Wang ,&nbsp;Jianwei Zhang","doi":"10.1016/j.farsys.2025.100172","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.farsys.2025.100172","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>Nature-based biodiversity agriculture is currently recognized as the best path for green agriculture. Agricultural systems with biodiversity can provide ecological functions such as pest and greenhouse gas emission control, water and nutrient regulation, pollination, etc. How to construct a healthy agricultural biodiversity system and make it play a beneficial role for green agriculture is an urgent issue that needs attention. Thus, this study summarizes traditional biodiversity utilization and cultivation techniques and their comprehensive effects. Results showed that paddy rotation modes improved rice yield and enhanced soil fertility indicators such as soil organic matter (SOC), total nitrogen (TN), available phosphorus (AP), and available potassium (AK). Paddy co-culture modes effectively suppressed major pests and diseases, including rice planthopper, rice leaf roller, rice blast, and weeds, with reductions ranging from 15.5 % to 73.9 %. Organic fertilization and straw returning practices increased microbial diversity, as evidenced by the rise in bacterial (1.9 %–7.5 %) and fungal (6.5 %–24.1 %) Shannon index. Based on these findings, this study identifies three key challenges in promoting agricultural biodiversity in modern intensive farming: efficiency in human resource utilization, integration of functions, and adaptation to environmental heterogeneity. And then proposed the “four zones” strategies including production functional zone, production and ecological service combined functional zone, production service and ecological service combined functional zone, and ecological service functional zone. As a conclusion, the study highlights that the rational spatial configuration and species combination of these zones under diverse climatic and land-use conditions is essential for achieving the dual goals of ecological sustainability and economic viability, and should be a key focus for future research and practice.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":100522,"journal":{"name":"Farming System","volume":"3 4","pages":"Article 100172"},"PeriodicalIF":8.4,"publicationDate":"2025-09-02","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"145026583","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Rhizosphere effect decreases soil pH in arid but not humid areas across global agricultural ecosystems","authors":"Shengnan Tang ,&nbsp;Tianfu Han ,&nbsp;Bin Wang ,&nbsp;Junda Zhang ,&nbsp;Jie Zhu ,&nbsp;Waseem Hassan ,&nbsp;Tianjing Ren ,&nbsp;Andong Cai","doi":"10.1016/j.farsys.2025.100171","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.farsys.2025.100171","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>The pH of the rhizosphere strongly regulates nutrient transformations, microbial activity, and plant hormone metabolism in agroecosystems, thereby shaping crop growth, stress tolerance, and yield. Yet a global synthesis quantifying the magnitude, direction, and drivers of rhizosphere effects on soil pH has been lacking. To address this gap, we conducted a meta-analysis incorporating 906 individual cases of the rhizosphere effect on soil pH extracted from 102 peer-reviewed studies, along with associated biotic and abiotic variables across global agricultural ecosystems. Overall, the rhizosphere effect significantly decreased in soil pH by 1.04 % ± 0.20 %, but the effect varied with climate, management, crop identity, and soil properties. Specifically, the rhizosphere effect reduced soil pH by 1.34 % ± 0.10 % in arid areas (aridity index &lt;0.65), while showing no significant change (ranging from −0.26 % to 0.08 %) in humid areas (aridity index &gt;0.65). This arid humid contrast likely reflects differences in initial alkalinity/buffering and the balance of plant–microbial processes. Beyond climatic, the pH lowering effect of the rhizosphere was more pronounced in soils with an initial pH of 6.5–7.5 and soil organic carbon content of 10–20 g kg⁻¹. Among crops, soybean showed the largest decreases (arid: 3.00 % ± 0.43 %; humid: 1.73 % ± 0.34 %). Moreover, in humid areas, soil nutrient availability and microbial communities/functions were more sensitive to rhizosphere-induced pH shifts than in arid regions. Collectively, these findings highlight the potential for agricultural practices, particularly soybean cultivation in arid regions, to contribute substantially to global scale acidification, especially in soils with near neutral pH.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":100522,"journal":{"name":"Farming System","volume":"3 4","pages":"Article 100171"},"PeriodicalIF":8.4,"publicationDate":"2025-08-28","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"144925049","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Optimizing crop configuration with genetic algorithm to improve water-energy-food-economy nexus in Southern Xinjiang","authors":"Bowei Duan ,&nbsp;Yanyan Shen ,&nbsp;Zijin Liu ,&nbsp;Zhengwu Zhao ,&nbsp;Jiacheng Li ,&nbsp;Yunlong Zhai ,&nbsp;Guodong Chen ,&nbsp;Sijia Chang ,&nbsp;Jixiao Cui ,&nbsp;Matthew Tom Harrison ,&nbsp;Ke Liu ,&nbsp;Mayire Aizezi ,&nbsp;Juzhen Xu ,&nbsp;Wangsheng Gao ,&nbsp;Xiaogang Yin ,&nbsp;Yuanquan Chen","doi":"10.1016/j.farsys.2025.100170","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.farsys.2025.100170","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>The arid regions of Northwest China are facing significant challenges in agriculture. Optimizing crop configuration contributes to improved environmental stewardship under the Water-Energy-Food Nexus framework, but economic viability of such systems remains to be quantified. Here, we proposed and implemented an extended Water-Energy-Food-Economy (WEFE) Nexus model to optimize the trade-offs between productivity, ecological sustainability and economic viability in Northwest China. We evaluated the WEFE Nexus of crop production in Wensu County, Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region from 2004 to 2023, and optimized crop configuration under four scenario considering wheat planting policy relaxation and technological advancements. During the study years, the agricultural energy consumption, grain production, production value, and production efficiency have increased by 87 %, 146 %, 384 %, and 69 % respectively, reflecting complex crop-policy-market-technology interplay. Under the scenario combining improved irrigation technology with relaxed wheat planting policy, the WEFE Nexus indicators showed potential improvements of 10–40 %. With an equilibrium solution, the grain production increased by 33 %, production value by 5 %, production efficiency by 13 %, and irrigation water requirement and energy consumption reduced by 2 % and 0.2 %. We suggest that the model effectively optimizes management across multiple indicators. Economic benefits and the extent of technology adoption have led farmers to favor cotton and maize, while the government has mandated wheat planting areas through policy. Our results identified equilibrium strategies for agricultural sustainability in Northwest China. These include improving wheat irrigation efficiency, maintaining cotton areas, and replacing wheat with maize and rice.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":100522,"journal":{"name":"Farming System","volume":"3 4","pages":"Article 100170"},"PeriodicalIF":8.4,"publicationDate":"2025-08-21","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"144916283","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Development and productivity of ‘Terra Maranhão’ plantains influenced by soil fertilization with nitrogen, phosphorus and potassium","authors":"Gustavo Soares de Souza ,&nbsp;Marciano Kaulz ,&nbsp;Gabriel Fornaciari ,&nbsp;Luís Otávio Suldine dos Santos ,&nbsp;Rafael Jaske Caetano de Almeida ,&nbsp;Vitor Emanuel Barros Bionde ,&nbsp;Otávio Cezar Dalmaso ,&nbsp;Otacílio José Passos Rangel ,&nbsp;André Guarçoni Martins ,&nbsp;Sávio da Silva Berilli ,&nbsp;Anderson Martins Pilon","doi":"10.1016/j.farsys.2025.100169","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.farsys.2025.100169","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>Plantains are plants of the genus <em>Musa</em> that require substantial amounts of nutrients applied to the soil, highlighting nitrogen (N), phosphorus (P₂O₅) and potassium (K₂O) as being the most critical. This nutrient demand is often unmet in the acidic soil, highly weathered and presenting low natural fertility. Mineral fertilizers are used to correct deficiencies in soil nutrients and enhance crop productivity. Establishing optimal application rates is essential for the success and sustainability of agricultural systems. This research aimed to evaluate the effects of different fertilization rates of N, P₂O₅ and K₂O on the parameters of growth, development, and productivity of ‘Terra Maranhão’ plantain in Brazil. Seventeen combinations of N (0–700 kg ha⁻¹), P₂O₅ (0–450 kg ha⁻¹) and K₂O (0–1370 kg ha⁻¹) were assessed. The design used was randomized blocks with three replications, each plot consisting of 10 plants. Data were subjected to regression analysis, which tested polynomial and linear univariate models. Fertilization with N, P₂O₅ and K₂O significantly influenced the growth, development and productivity parameters, fitting quadratic or linear univariate models. The quadratic models showed maximum physical efficiency rates for the productivity parameters ranging from 430 to 513 kg ha⁻¹ of N (p &lt; 0.001), 281–285 kg ha⁻¹ of P₂O₅ (p &lt; 0.001), and 723–868 kg ha⁻¹ of K₂O (p = 0.001 to p &lt; 0.001), resulting in a bunch mass of 45.9–46.2 kg, average hand mass of 4.12–4.13 kg, and productivity of 61–62 t ha⁻¹. Plants with a pseudostem circumference of 95 cm, pseudostem height of 4.5 m and 16 leaves per plant presented productivity greater than 65 t ha⁻¹. These findings contribute to the optimization of the ‘Terra Maranhão’ plantain production system, providing recommendations for fertilization rates of N, P₂O₅ and K₂O that maximize productivity in a shorter production cycle.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":100522,"journal":{"name":"Farming System","volume":"3 4","pages":"Article 100169"},"PeriodicalIF":8.4,"publicationDate":"2025-08-13","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"144865994","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Digital land suitability assessment in Southwest Nigeria for maize production using most-limiting soil native fertility factors and geographical information system","authors":"Taiwo S. Olutoberu ,&nbsp;Mutiu A. Busari ,&nbsp;Olusegun Folorunso ,&nbsp;Muftau Adebayo ,&nbsp;Sodeeq O. Azeez ,&nbsp;Sarafadeen G. Hammed ,&nbsp;John A. Oyedepo ,&nbsp;Oluwafolake Ojo ,&nbsp;Godwin A. Ajiboye","doi":"10.1016/j.farsys.2025.100168","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.farsys.2025.100168","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>Maize production per hectare in Southwest Nigeria ranks among the lowest compared to other regions worldwide. Digital methodologies focusing on soil fertility determinants and geographic data were used to evaluate land suitability. We explored a methodology that combined ordinal logistic regression with continuous soil characteristic modeling in a two-step mapping approach to assess land suitability. A stepwise forward regression analysis was performed on environmental variables to identify those that significantly influenced the outcomes at a 95 % confidence level (<em>p</em> &lt; 0.05). Most areas in the region, from the north to the south, had organic carbon concentrations below 1 %. In the northern part, a significant portion showed total nitrogen levels below 0.1 g kg⁻¹. The majority of the area had exchangeable phosphorus levels ranging from 23 to 28 mg kg⁻¹, while some eastern locations had extractable potassium levels above 0.40 g kg⁻¹. Only a few sites in the southern region showed pH values of 5.50 or lower; others exceeded that level. According to the FAO land suitability classification, 29.87 % was rated as unsuitable, 69.08 % as moderately suitable, and just 1.06 % as suitable for maize cultivation. We recommend developing and enforcing policies to oversee infrastructure development and protect agricultural land. It is crucial to discourage non-regenerative farming practices, and both the government and private sectors should support farmers by providing access to modern soil resources.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":100522,"journal":{"name":"Farming System","volume":"3 4","pages":"Article 100168"},"PeriodicalIF":8.4,"publicationDate":"2025-08-07","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"144865993","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Biochar for sustainable soil management: Enhancing soil fertility, plant growth and climate resilience","authors":"Godspower Oke Omokaro,&nbsp;Konstantin Pavlovich Kornev,&nbsp;Zipporah Simiyu Nafula,&nbsp;Abdulmajeed Allan Chikukula,&nbsp;Osazemen Godswill Osayogie,&nbsp;Ogheneochuko Shadrack Efeni","doi":"10.1016/j.farsys.2025.100167","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.farsys.2025.100167","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>Biochar is increasingly regarded as a multifunctional amendment with the potential to enhance soil fertility, improve crop productivity, and contribute to climate change mitigation. This review examines 168 peer-reviewed studies published between 2005 and 2025 to assess the effects of biochar on soil physicochemical properties, microbial processes, nutrient dynamics, and environmental remediation. The findings indicate that biochar performance is highly dependent on feedstock type, pyrolysis conditions, soil characteristics, and climatic factors. Biochar improves soil structure, pH buffering capacity, cation exchange capacity, microbial resilience, yield improvement and greenhouse gas mitigation, but also presents risks such as nutrient immobilization and contaminant accumulation. Long-term application may alter soil biogeochemistry and microbial community structure. The review also evaluates barriers to field-scale adoption, including production cost, lack of technical knowledge, and limited policy support. Furthermore, it outlines future directions involving quality control, integration into circular bioeconomy systems, and carbon credit frameworks. This study provides a comprehensive assessment of biochar’s potential and limitations within sustainable soil management strategies under varying environmental and socioeconomic conditions.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":100522,"journal":{"name":"Farming System","volume":"3 4","pages":"Article 100167"},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2025-07-16","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"144665949","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"A review of impacts of hydrogels on soil water conservation in dryland agriculture","authors":"Noor Muhammad ,&nbsp;Mohammad Abdul Kader ,&nbsp;Samir G. Al-Solaimani ,&nbsp;Mohamed Hassan Abd El-Wahed ,&nbsp;Refaat A. Abohassan ,&nbsp;Martha Ezinne Charles","doi":"10.1016/j.farsys.2025.100166","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.farsys.2025.100166","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>Soil water conservation is a crucial aspect of dryland crop cultivation for mitigating the excessive heat and water stress induced by climate change. The application of acrylamide-based hydrogels is an effective soil management practice for enhancing water retention, controlling soil erosion, and improving soil health in water-limited regions. Hydrogels promote water conservation in soils, which increases water availability to plants and reduces the total irrigation demands. However, the systemic knowledge gaps of the effectiveness and application method of hydrogel materials and their quantified effects on degradability, drought resistance, irrigation system, and soil water conservation in arid and semi-arid environments have not been investigated extensively. Therefore, this review examines the impacts of hydrogels on soil water conservation, with a focus on their mechanisms, applications, and potential benefits in arid and semi-arid regions. The effects of hydrogels are compared with those of other soil water conservation techniques, such as mulching, biochar and compost, and their respective strengths and applicability in dryland regions are highlighted. The result of study indicates that hydrogels enhance water infiltration in soil, reduce surface runoff, and increase soil physio-chemical properties by improving the soil structure and aggregate stability. Hydrogels also reduce evaporation losses by 20–30 % by maintaining high soil moisture contents, which are crucial for healthy crop growth in water-limited areas. Furthermore, hydrogels minimize soil erosion, particularly in furrow and sprinkler irrigation systems. Despite their several benefits, the use of hydrogels in dryland agriculture poses challenges, such as environmental persistence, toxicity of acrylamide residues, and cost-effectiveness for small-scale farmers. Future research should address the potential environmental concerns associated with hydrogel use, including considerations of risk of degradation and toxicity to plant in different regions. Finally, the use of hydrogels based on a promising method for improving soil water retention in dryland agriculture is recommended.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":100522,"journal":{"name":"Farming System","volume":"3 4","pages":"Article 100166"},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2025-07-08","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"144633572","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Transforming smart farming for sustainability through agri-tech Innovations: Insights from the Australian agricultural landscape","authors":"Mallika Roy ,&nbsp;Anita Medhekar","doi":"10.1016/j.farsys.2025.100165","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.farsys.2025.100165","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>The rapid advancement of precision agriculture technologies and Agri-tech startups is transforming the global agricultural landscape, enhancing productivity, sustainability, and climate resilience. This study systematically reviewed 131 articles published between 2000 and 2024, selected using the PRISMA flow diagram from Scopus, ScienceDirect, Web of Science, Google Scholar, and grey literature sources. This study explores the role of precision agriculture technologies, including the Internet of Things (IoT), drones, and artificial intelligence (AI), in its adoption and effective use by farmers, for optimizing resource use, improving farm efficiency, and reducing environmental impacts in large size Australian farms. Despite their potential, widespread adoption faces challenges such as high implementation costs, technical constraints, and regulatory barriers. Additionally, Agri-tech startups play a crucial role in addressing climate change challenges by developing innovative solutions such as drought-resistant crops and climate-resilient farming methods. These advancements, when integrated with principles of agronomy and supported by strategic technology adoption, enhance the efficient use of resources. While the adoption of such technologies often involves an initial investment, their effective implementation can lead to more sustainable and resilient farming systems, ultimately promoting long-term productivity and environmental stewardship. However, inclusivity remains a critical issue, particularly in ensuring equitable access for small-scale farmers, women, and underrepresented groups in Agri-tech entrepreneurship. This study highlights the importance of supportive policies, financial investments, and training programs to facilitate broader adoption of emerging agricultural technologies. Based on the literature review and keyword co-occurrence analysis, this study developed nine hypotheses and subsequently proposed a conceptual model to examine the relationships among key variables in sustainable agriculture. Future research should focus on integrated approaches that assess agronomic, economic, and social aspects of precision agriculture and Agri-tech startups, fostering sustainable and inclusive agricultural development.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":100522,"journal":{"name":"Farming System","volume":"3 4","pages":"Article 100165"},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2025-07-08","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"144657309","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}