Journal of Agriculture and Food Research最新文献

{"title":"Strategies for price risk management in agriproduct trade: An illustration from Australian wheat export","authors":"Richard J. Culas","doi":"10.1016/j.jafr.2026.103190","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.jafr.2026.103190","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>The Australian Wheat Board (AWB) was the sole monopoly body responsible for trading wheat as a single-desk marketing body. However, following the deregulation of AWB in 2008, wheat growers are trading on the world market without the protection that had previously been offered by the AWB. Many agribusiness firms also entered the market for trading wheat, which resulted in greater price risk. Currently, marketing decisions are made alongside production decisions, unlike under the regime of AWB. This study therefore offers strategies for price risk management in wheat exports, in relation to conditions (scenarios) that combine the risk (uncertainty) in wheat production with the level of risk associated with the components of wheat price. Hence, this study develops a market outlook for Australian wheat exports by analysing the trends in wheat production and exports, as well as the components of wheat price, and tracking their variations over time. Data sourced from ABARES, IndexMundi and XE were analysed by descriptive statistics and regression models. According to the data for price components and production indicators, a mildly bearish trend was forecasted. Further, based on the market outlook presented, wheat's higher yield variability would necessitate more advanced risk management strategies, or lead to higher <em>option</em> or <em>futures price</em> premiums. The market outlook and the strategies together provide a scenario-based framework for price risk management in wheat export that should be reviewed before implementing any pricing measure. Unlike previous studies that focused on a single tool, this study integrates production and price uncertainties.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":34393,"journal":{"name":"Journal of Agriculture and Food Research","volume":"30 ","pages":"Article 103190"},"PeriodicalIF":7.2,"publicationDate":"2026-08-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"148739301","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Metabolite dynamics and objective sensory responses during ripening determine flavor preference of ‘Shenqiuhong’ sea buckthorn juice: Implications for optimal harvest","authors":"Xianteng Li,&nbsp;Jixin Li,&nbsp;Rong Zhang,&nbsp;Xiaoying Li,&nbsp;Fang Wen,&nbsp;Shengbin Ma,&nbsp;Zubarev Yury,&nbsp;Yang Bi,&nbsp;Yumei Jiang","doi":"10.1016/j.jafr.2026.103156","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.jafr.2026.103156","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>Sea buckthorn (<em>Hippophae rhamnoides</em> L. cv. Shenqiuhong) is a characteristic economic fruit widely cultivated in Northwest China, with Xinjiang as the core production region. However, its intense sourness and astringency severely limit consumer acceptance and market expansion. Determining the optimal harvest stage is critical to balance flavor quality and industrial utilization, yet systematic studies linking ripening-dependent metabolism to sensory preference for the dominant cultivar ‘Shenqiuhong’ remain insufficient. In this study, we integrated targeted HPLC profiling of soluble sugars, organic acids, and free amino acids with electronic tongue analysis, FaceReader-based facial emotion quantification, and fuzzy comprehensive evaluation to characterize flavor drivers across five harvest stages (August–December). During ripening, glucose and fructose increased by 3.70- and 1.50-fold, respectively, while malic and quinic acids decreased by 0.75- and 2.35-fold, resulting in a 69% elevation in sugar/acid ratio. PLS-DA identified ten key discriminatory metabolites, with sugars and sweet-tasting amino acids positively correlated with sweetness perception, positive emotional responses, and overall liking, whereas organic acids were closely associated with sourness, astringency, and negative sensory/emotional reactions. Juice harvested in November exhibited balanced sweet–sour taste, the highest intensity of positive emotions, and optimal overall consumer preference. This integrated chemical–sensory framework clarifies the metabolic basis of flavor preference and provides practical harvest guidance for ‘Shenqiuhong’ sea buckthorn in Xinjiang, supporting quality control and product development for high-acid fruit juice systems.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":34393,"journal":{"name":"Journal of Agriculture and Food Research","volume":"30 ","pages":"Article 103156"},"PeriodicalIF":7.2,"publicationDate":"2026-08-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"148739355","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Industry 4.0 in olive farming and oil production: A comprehensive review of technologies and trends","authors":"Najla Trabelsi,&nbsp;Abderahman Rejeb,&nbsp;Stelios Couris,&nbsp;Zuhaib F. Bhat,&nbsp;David Mhlanga,&nbsp;Abdo Hassoun","doi":"10.1016/j.jafr.2026.103209","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.jafr.2026.103209","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>Olive farming and olive oil production is undergoing a significant transformation with the advent of Fourth Industrial Revolution (Industry 4.0) technologies, which are reshaping the agricultural and food processing industries by integrating automation and digitalization across the whole supply chain, from farm to fork. This manuscript explores the transformative impact of Industry 4.0 on the olive supply chain, focusing on its role in enhancing efficiency, quality, traceability, and sustainability in olive farming and oil production. A comprehensive review of current research and technological developments is conducted, examining key technologies such as artificial intelligence (AI), big data analytics, smart sensors, the Internet of Things (IoT), blockchain, digital twins, and robotics. Their applications in farming, manufacturing, processing, and supply chain management are analyzed, revealing how Industry 4.0 optimizes every stage of the olive supply chain through improved automation, quality control, and environmental performance. The reviewed literature demonstrates that IoT-enabled monitoring systems, remote sensing technologies, AI-driven decision-support tools, and robotics significantly improve resource-use efficiency, crop monitoring, harvesting operations, and production management. Furthermore, blockchain and digital traceability platforms enhance transparency, product authentication, and consumer trust, while advanced data analytics support predictive maintenance, quality assurance, and process optimization. Collectively, these technologies contribute to reducing water, energy, and agrochemical inputs, thereby improving the environmental sustainability and resilience of olive production systems. Despite these benefits, challenges such as high implementation costs, technological complexity, and the need for specialized skills continue to limit widespread adoption. This study also discusses strategies to overcome these barriers, including policy support, financial incentives, and capacity-building programs. By addressing these issues and highlighting the potential of digital transformation, this work contributes to paving the way for a more innovative, sustainable, and resilient olive sector.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":34393,"journal":{"name":"Journal of Agriculture and Food Research","volume":"30 ","pages":"Article 103209"},"PeriodicalIF":7.2,"publicationDate":"2026-08-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"148740940","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Agricultural development and food production in East Africa: The role of water availability, environmental degradation, and institutional quality","authors":"Abdikafi Hassan Abdi,&nbsp;Abdisalan Aden Mohamed,&nbsp;Amina Omar Mohamud,&nbsp;Omar Mohamed Omar","doi":"10.1016/j.jafr.2026.103132","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.jafr.2026.103132","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>Food production remains a fundamental concern across East African economies where agriculture sustains livelihoods, supports rural employment, and supplies the majority of domestically consumed food. Despite its vital significance, agricultural production in the region continues to face constraints associated with limited investment, water scarcity, environmental pressures, and institutional conditions. Accordingly, this study examines the determinants of food production across 15 East African countries over the period 2002–2022. As major factors influencing food production, the analysis focuses on agricultural development, water availability, environmental degradation, and institutional quality. A heterogeneous panel framework is employed to examine long- and short-run dynamics. Diagnostic tests indicate cross-sectional dependence and slope heterogeneity. The analysis applies the panel autoregressive distributed lag (ARDL) model using the pooled mean group (PMG) and mean group (MG) estimators, with FMOLS and DOLS used for robustness checks. The findings indicate that agricultural development and water availability exhibit strong positive associations with food production across the region. Agricultural employment and cultivated land also contribute positively to food production within East African agricultural systems. Environmental degradation does not display a statistically significant effect on food production in the estimated models. Nevertheless, institutional quality reveals a negative long-run relationship but a positive short-run association with food production. The robustness checks confirm the stability of the estimated relationships across alternative estimation techniques. Consequently, the findings indicate the need to strengthen agricultural investment, expand irrigation and water management, integrate environmental considerations into agricultural planning, and enhance institutional coordination in agricultural governance across East Africa.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":34393,"journal":{"name":"Journal of Agriculture and Food Research","volume":"30 ","pages":"Article 103132"},"PeriodicalIF":7.2,"publicationDate":"2026-08-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"148644959","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Integrating hemp cake in organic layer diets: a comprehensive assessment of egg quality, hen behavior, production costs, and life cycle impact","authors":"Felicia Masucci,&nbsp;Grazia Scalera,&nbsp;Francesco Serrapica,&nbsp;Ada Braghieri,&nbsp;Emilio Sabia,&nbsp;Amelia Maria Riviezzi,&nbsp;Lucia De Luca,&nbsp;Raffaele Romano,&nbsp;Giuseppe De Rosa,&nbsp;Claudia Lambiase,&nbsp;Massimo Fagnano,&nbsp;Nunzio Fiorentino,&nbsp;Gianni Cicia,&nbsp;Orlando Cimino,&nbsp;Carla Cavallo,&nbsp;Tonia Impegno,&nbsp;Antonio Di Francia","doi":"10.1016/j.jafr.2026.103150","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.jafr.2026.103150","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>This study evaluated the effects of incorporating 30% locally produced hemp cake into the diet of organically reared laying hens. A total of 280 Hy-Line Brown hens (18 weeks of age) were randomly allocated to two dietary treatments: a commercial control diet based on sunflower cake and soybean seeds as the main protein sources (Control_D), and an experimental diet in which these ingredients were partially replaced with 30% locally produced hemp cake (Hemp_D). Each treatment consisted of two replicate pens of 70 hens, and data were collected over a 16-week experimental period following dietary adaptation. Egg production was recorded daily, whereas egg quality was evaluated at the end of the experimental period. Behavioral time budgets were analyzed using instantaneous scan sampling, while production costs per egg and environmental impact were estimated through feed-cost analysis and life cycle assessment, respectively. The Hemp_D did not affect laying performance, egg weight, or egg mass. Yolk fatty acid composition was significantly modified by hemp cake inclusion, with higher polyunsaturated fatty acids, increased omega-3 content, and a lower n-6/n-3 ratio, whereas egg physical traits and sensory acceptability were largely unaffected. Hen behavior and spatial distribution were not influenced by diet. The inclusion of hemp cake increased feed-related production costs and the CO₂-equivalent environmental impact compared with Control_D. Overall, hemp cake can be included at high levels in organic laying hen diets without impairing performance, behavior, or egg sensory quality, while improving egg nutritional value. However, the environmental and economic outcomes underscore the need for targeted policy measures and continued research aimed at optimizing hemp cultivation practices and reinforcing sustainable, locally based feed supply chains.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":34393,"journal":{"name":"Journal of Agriculture and Food Research","volume":"30 ","pages":"Article 103150"},"PeriodicalIF":7.2,"publicationDate":"2026-08-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"148645290","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Foliar uptake, systemic translocation and pest control efficacy of acetamiprid in combination with biostimulants and adjuvants on grapevines","authors":"Giacomo Ortis,&nbsp;Giacomo Santoiemma,&nbsp;Paolo Beccari,&nbsp;Massimiliano Pasini,&nbsp;Silvia Pettenuzzo,&nbsp;Marco Roverso,&nbsp;Andrea Tapparo,&nbsp;Nicola Mori","doi":"10.1016/j.jafr.2026.103219","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.jafr.2026.103219","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>In major European viticultural areas, insecticide treatments are applied to control <em>Scaphoideus titanus</em>, the main vector of Grapevine flavescence dorée phytoplasma. The recent ban from the European market of some effective active ingredients highlighted the need to optimize the performance of the remaining commercial formulations. While adjuvants are often added as auxiliary substances to enhance the performance of pesticide spray mixtures, the beneficial effect of biostimulants have received less attention. In this study, we evaluated spray applications of acetamiprid, a systemic neonicotinoid insecticide, in combination with tank-mix biostimulants and adjuvants, assessing insecticide foliar uptake and systemic translocation over time, as well as pest control efficacy against <em>S</em>. <em>titanus</em> under semi- and open-field conditions. Acetamiprid concentrations in leaves increased progressively after 1, 24, and 72 h for all treatments, although only the biostimulant containing <em>Ascophyllum nodosum</em> extracts and an organosilicone-based adjuvant showed significantly higher concentrations within the first 24 h. Treatments combined with humic acids and plant-derived amino acids significantly enhanced insecticide systemic translocation after five days from application, although higher concentrations were observed in leaves at the 4th-5th nodes compared to the shoot apex for all treatments. Under field conditions, acetamiprid provided substantial control efficacy when combined with brown seaweed extracts, humic acids, and an anti-drift adjuvant, maintaining insecticidal activity for up to ten days after treatment. These findings highlight the potential of integrating plant biostimulants with insecticide treatments due to their ability to influence insecticide dynamics and preserve efficacy, while also providing beneficial effects on plant nutritional processes.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":34393,"journal":{"name":"Journal of Agriculture and Food Research","volume":"30 ","pages":"Article 103219"},"PeriodicalIF":7.2,"publicationDate":"2026-08-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"148771629","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Clinical-physiological metabolic responses and microbiota modulation of inulin-based hydrogel-enriched burgers in healthy adults: improving nutritional profiles of meat consumption","authors":"Mohamad Khalil,&nbsp;Mirco Vacca,&nbsp;Vita Giordano,&nbsp;Carmen Aurora Apa,&nbsp;Gianni Pietragalla,&nbsp;Francesco Maria Calabrese,&nbsp;Domenico Rubino,&nbsp;Giuseppe Celano,&nbsp;Nunzia Casamassima,&nbsp;Margherita Chiarini,&nbsp;Virginia Nocente,&nbsp;Maria Calasso,&nbsp;Elisa Lanza,&nbsp;Piero Portincasa,&nbsp;Maria De Angelis","doi":"10.1016/j.jafr.2026.103224","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.jafr.2026.103224","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>The progressive shift toward Western dietary patterns, characterized by high consumption of red and processed meats and insufficient intake of dietary fibre, has been associated with increased cardiometabolic and inflammatory risk. The incorporation of fibres may represent a strategy to reconcile consumer preferences with public health objectives. In this pilot, randomized, parallel-arm clinical study, we evaluated the safety, metabolic effects, and gut microbiota modulation associated with the medium-term consumption of a low-fat burger enriched with inulin (EB). In this formulation, inulin was used both as a pro-technological hydrogel to replace a significant amount of lipids and as a prebiotic substrate. Outcomes were compared with those of a conventional burger (CB). Fifty healthy adults have been enrolled and consumed, over 8 weeks, 100 g of the assigned burger, three times per week within an individualized isocaloric dietary plan. Anthropometric measures, glyco-lipidic and hepatic parameters, metabolic hormones, inflammatory cytokines, gut microbiota composition, and faecal volatile metabolites were assessed at baseline and post-intervention. No clinically relevant adverse changes were observed in anthropometric, metabolic, hepatic, or inflammatory markers in either group. A modest increase in triglycerides was detected in the CB group, whereas a significant reduction was observed in the EB group, with both values remaining within physiological ranges. Microbiota analysis revealed taxonomic shifts in both arms. The EB consumption was associated with a stable prevalence of <em>Bifidobacterium</em> prevalence, enrichment of <em>Akkermansia</em>, and short chain fatty acids suggesting a trend in enhancing the saccharolytic fermentation. These findings indicate that medium-term intake of an inulin-enriched burger is safe in healthy individuals and appears to subtly promote microbiota composition and activity. suggesting a tendency to improve saccharolytic fermentative metabolism.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":34393,"journal":{"name":"Journal of Agriculture and Food Research","volume":"30 ","pages":"Article 103224"},"PeriodicalIF":7.2,"publicationDate":"2026-08-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"148771635","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Camel urine as a natural biostimulant for seed priming enhances growth, physiology, and yield of clusterbean under hot arid conditions","authors":"Priyanka Gautam,&nbsp;B. Lal,&nbsp;R.K. Sawal,&nbsp;S. Priyadarsini,&nbsp;S. Rakshit,&nbsp;V.K. Yadav,&nbsp;Ved Prakash,&nbsp;B. Jyotsana,&nbsp;S.S. Choudhary,&nbsp;Rakesh Ranjan,&nbsp;V.S. Rathore,&nbsp;B.P. Meena,&nbsp;Anita Meena,&nbsp;A.K. Puniya","doi":"10.1016/j.jafr.2026.103215","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.jafr.2026.103215","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>Arid ecosystems are constrained by erratic rainfall and high temperatures, resulting in poor crop establishment and low productivity. Seed priming with natural biostimulants may enhance early establishment and stress resilience. This study explores the repurposing of camel urine as a novel, cost-effective natural seed priming agent for growth regulation, transforming a potential useful waste into a sustainable resource for improving crop performance under hot arid conditions. Initial experiments standardized the seed priming protocol using different concentrations (0–100%) and soaking durations (1–4 h). Seed priming with undiluted camel urine for 2 h significantly improved germination, root-shoot growth, and seedling vigour of clusterbean. Based on these findings, a field experiment was conducted in clusterbean (cv. RGC-936) to compare camel urine with commonly used seed-priming agents, including thiourea, salicylic acid, KNO₃, and K₂SO₄. Camel urine priming significantly improved plant growth, water status, yield attributes, seed yield (∼10% higher than non-primed), water-use efficiency, and fodder quality (10-14% over control) compared with untreated and water-primed seeds. These findings indicate that camel urine showed considerable potential as a novel, eco-efficient, and locally available biostimulants/growth regulator with considerable potential for improving clusterbean productivity under arid environments. This approach also provides a sustainable means of utilizing an underexploited livestock by-product in climate-resilient agriculture.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":34393,"journal":{"name":"Journal of Agriculture and Food Research","volume":"30 ","pages":"Article 103215"},"PeriodicalIF":7.2,"publicationDate":"2026-08-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"148771630","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Variation trends of phenolic compounds in wine grapes from four sub-regions of Ningxia using rapid UV-Vis spectrometry","authors":"Zijian Shen,&nbsp;Yanpeng Yang,&nbsp;Ang Zhang,&nbsp;Songlei Wang,&nbsp;Wen Ma,&nbsp;Gang Jin","doi":"10.1016/j.jafr.2026.103171","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.jafr.2026.103171","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>Understanding the temporal variation in phenolic compounds during grape ripening is critical for ensuring high-quality wine production. This two-year study examined changes in physicochemical parameters and phenolic profiles in the grape, including skins and seeds, of three late-ripening wine grape cultivars (<em>Cabernet Sauvignon</em>, <em>Marselan</em>, and <em>Malbec</em>) across four sub-regions of the Ningxia wine region, China, from veraison to full maturity. The results demonstrated cultivar-specific trajectories of phenolic accumulation during the ripening process. Notably, the total phenolic index showed no clear temporal trend, whereas both the total acid content and seed maturity index exhibited downward trends. In contrast, most of the other measured indicators displayed a consistent upward trend. Interannual variability appeared to have a limited effect on these variation trends, whereas cultivar and geographical origin emerged as the primary determinants shaping phenolic dynamics during ripening.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":34393,"journal":{"name":"Journal of Agriculture and Food Research","volume":"30 ","pages":"Article 103171"},"PeriodicalIF":7.2,"publicationDate":"2026-08-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"148738526","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Drying-history-dependent water retention and rehydration in biochar-hydrogel composites: Structural preservation, plant growth validation, and AI-assisted hyperspectral prediction","authors":"Ruogu Tang,&nbsp;Yanpei Li,&nbsp;Ashish Reddy Mulaka,&nbsp;Yin Bao,&nbsp;Xu Yuan,&nbsp;Juzhong Tan","doi":"10.1016/j.jafr.2026.103195","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.jafr.2026.103195","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>Biochar-hydrogel composites have attracted increasing interest as sustainable water-retention materials for agricultural and environmental applications; however, the effects of drying history on their structural stability and post-drying functionality remain poorly understood. This study investigated how drying pathway influences dehydration behavior, rehydration recovery, pore structure, plant performance, and hyperspectral responses of biochar-hydrogel systems. Pure phytagel exhibited severe dehydration-induced collapse and negligible rehydration recovery (&lt;4%) regardless of drying pathway. In contrast, biochar-containing composites retained substantial water uptake capacity after drying. Freeze-dried composites achieved rehydration recoveries of up to 86.12%, compared with 64.22-73.22% for oven-dried systems, and consistently exhibited faster rehydration kinetics. Structural analyses revealed that freeze-drying better preserved pore accessibility and interconnected porous structures, which corresponded directly with enhanced rehydration performance. The functional significance of this structural preservation was confirmed through lettuce microgreen cultivation. Despite undergoing complete dehydration-rehydration treatment, rehydrated composites supported plant growth comparable to freshly prepared materials, demonstrating retention of agricultural functionality after drying. Hyperspectral imaging combined with partial least squares regression and a convolutional neural network enabled non-destructive prediction of multiple material properties, with Pearson correlation coefficients reaching 0.986. Overall, the results demonstrate that biochar incorporation mitigates dehydration-induced structural collapse and helps maintain hydration-accessible pore networks that remain functional upon rewetting. These findings provide new insight into drying-history-dependent structure-function relationships and support the development of drying-resilient water-retention materials for agricultural and environmental applications.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":34393,"journal":{"name":"Journal of Agriculture and Food Research","volume":"30 ","pages":"Article 103195"},"PeriodicalIF":7.2,"publicationDate":"2026-08-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"148739305","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}