Agricultural Systems最新文献

{"title":"Optimizing cropland management to mitigate climate-induced nitrogen leakage risk in Chinese ecosystems","authors":"Di Zhao ,&nbsp;Weijie Lin ,&nbsp;Ke Yu ,&nbsp;Zelin Huang ,&nbsp;Chaopu Ti ,&nbsp;Xiaoyuan Yan ,&nbsp;Yongqiu Xia","doi":"10.1016/j.agsy.2025.104424","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.agsy.2025.104424","url":null,"abstract":"<div><h3>CONTEXT</h3><div>The balance between nitrate (NO₃⁻) and ammonium (NH₄⁺) in soils is pivotal for determining nitrogen (N) leakage risks and plant N availability. However, our understanding of how management practices and future climate change affect this balance across ecosystems remains limited.</div></div><div><h3>OBJECTIVE</h3><div>This study (1) quantifies the spatial variability and drivers of N leakage risk and inorganic N availability, (2) projects the impacts of future climate change, and (3) proposes management practices to mitigate these risks while sustaining adequate inorganic N supply.</div></div><div><h3>METHODS</h3><div>We developed Random Forest and linear mixed-effects models to analyze the spatial distribution and key drivers of the NO₃⁻ to NH₄⁺ ratio and the dissolved inorganic N to total N ratio, based on a dataset of 6592 observations from diverse ecosystems in China.</div></div><div><h3>RESULTS AND CONCLUSIONS</h3><div>Ecosystem-specific variations in N leakage risks ranged from conservative N cycling in wetlands (NO₃⁻/NH₄⁺ = 0.43) to leakier cycles in paddy (3.50) and upland (9.10) soils. Management practices, including mineral N input, manure application, and irrigation, exerted stronger influences on the NO₃⁻/NH₄⁺ ratio than climate, soil, and terrain factors. Projections for the 2030s–2090s under Shared Socioeconomic Pathways 5–8.5 suggest a 1.4 % to 14.7 % increase in the NO₃⁻/NH₄⁺ ratio, with the most pronounced changes in croplands of Southeast China. A combined approach of reducing mineral N fertilizers, increasing organic substitution, and optimizing irrigation could mitigate up to 62.3 % of climate-induced N leakage while maintaining sufficient inorganic N for plant growth.</div></div><div><h3>SIGNIFICANCE</h3><div>These findings provide valuable insights for improving N management strategies in croplands, contributing to sustainable intensification and climate adaptation efforts.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":7730,"journal":{"name":"Agricultural Systems","volume":"229 ","pages":"Article 104424"},"PeriodicalIF":6.1,"publicationDate":"2025-06-14","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"144280214","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":1,"RegionCategory":"农林科学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Location matters: A geospatial analysis of fungus-resistant grapes in Switzerland","authors":"Lucca Zachmann ,&nbsp;Lionel Christen ,&nbsp;Robert Finger","doi":"10.1016/j.agsy.2025.104422","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.agsy.2025.104422","url":null,"abstract":"<div><h3>Context</h3><div>Viticulture is one of the most economically relevant but also pesticide-intensive agricultural sectors, with negative impacts on human health and the environment. Fungus-resistant grape varieties can reduce fungicide use in viticulture by about 80 %.</div></div><div><h3>Objective</h3><div>Achieving effective and efficient pesticide risk reductions requires not only that these varieties are increasingly planted but also that they are planted at the right place. This study provides the first assessment of the geospatial distribution of fungus-resistant varieties.</div></div><div><h3>Methods</h3><div>Using detailed plot-level data (<em>N</em> <em>=</em> <em>19,385</em>) from the canton of Vaud, Switzerland, we investigate whether these varieties are more likely planted on plots of concern for pesticide exposure to human health (e.g. densely populated areas) and/or the environment (e.g. in or close to specific ecosystems).</div></div><div><h3>Results and conclusions</h3><div>Our results suggest that fungus-resistant grape varieties are more likely planted near densely populated residential areas and lakes, thus reducing pesticide exposure to humans and lower pesticide run-off into water bodies. However, we do not find that fungus-resistant varieties are more likely planted in other areas of concern such as protected water zones, near rivers or near public hiking paths. We provide policy recommendations on how to promote improved spatial allocation, i.e. that the planting of fungus-resistant varieties is promoted, especially in critical areas.</div></div><div><h3>Significance</h3><div>This study highlights the relevance of the spatial distribution of fungus-resistant grape varieties to reduce pesticide risk exposure in viticulture, which accounts for a significant share of pesticide use in agriculture overall. Reducing pesticide exposure risks to human health and the environment is an explicit policy goal. This study underscores the need to promote the broader planting of fungus-resistant varieties and implement targeted policies for their strategic placement in critical areas, thereby minimizing pesticide exposure risks for human health and the environment.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":7730,"journal":{"name":"Agricultural Systems","volume":"229 ","pages":"Article 104422"},"PeriodicalIF":6.1,"publicationDate":"2025-06-14","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"144288752","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":1,"RegionCategory":"农林科学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Delivering nutrient management impact through farmer-centric research: a systematic review of innovation systems in African smallholder systems","authors":"Ivan S. Adolwa ,&nbsp;Shamie Zingore ,&nbsp;James Mutegi ,&nbsp;Matthew McNee ,&nbsp;Bolaji A. Akorede ,&nbsp;Denver Masidza ,&nbsp;T. Scott Murrell ,&nbsp;Samuel Mathu Ndungu ,&nbsp;Eileen Nchanji ,&nbsp;Simon Cook ,&nbsp;Thomas Oberthür","doi":"10.1016/j.agsy.2025.104416","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.agsy.2025.104416","url":null,"abstract":"<div><h3>CONTEXT</h3><div>The performance of the agricultural sector in Africa still lags behind other regions. The current average maize productivity of 2 t ha^-1 is below the global average of about 6 t ha^-1. This low productivity threatens the livelihoods of a majority of the population. Despite decades of research and development investments, current agricultural innovation systems remain ineffective in supporting sustainable agricultural transformation.</div></div><div><h3>OBJECTIVE</h3><div>This study traces the evolution of innovation systems in Africa as a backdrop to the adaptation of on-farm experimentation (OFE), which is a novel framework for accelerating research and development (R&amp;D) impact.</div></div><div><h3>METHODS</h3><div>A systematic review approach is augmented with social network analysis methods and primary and secondary data.</div></div><div><h3>RESULTS AND CONCLUSIONS</h3><div>We find that although current innovation systems have contributed to enhancing co-learning processes and have enabled the partial adoption of improved agronomic practices, resulting in increased nutrient uptake efficiency and crop productivity, several shortcomings have limited their impact. Despite their core focus on participatory and systemic R&amp;D processes, our review points to their inability to effectively engage farmers. Hence, failing to generate scalable learning, and demonstrate sufficient value to farmers and other stakeholders. The OFE initiatives demonstrate how farmer-relevant insights integrated with field-based and digital evidence help spur a farmer-driven innovation development and decision support framework.</div></div><div><h3>SIGNIFICANCE</h3><div>OFE is potentially a powerful enabler of current innovation systems performance as it provides the platform for a transformative farmer-led innovation process.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":7730,"journal":{"name":"Agricultural Systems","volume":"229 ","pages":"Article 104416"},"PeriodicalIF":6.1,"publicationDate":"2025-06-13","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"144280215","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":1,"RegionCategory":"农林科学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"The CIRKULÆR model – A national and regional static flow model of agricultural production, environmental and climatic impacts","authors":"Henrik Thers,&nbsp;Lars Uldall-Jessen,&nbsp;Asbjørn Mølmer Sahlholdt ,&nbsp;Mette Vestergaard Odgaard,&nbsp;August Kau Lægsgaard Madsen,&nbsp;Tommy Dalgaard,&nbsp;Troels Kristensen,&nbsp;Jorge Federico Miranda-Vélez","doi":"10.1016/j.agsy.2025.104415","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.agsy.2025.104415","url":null,"abstract":"<div><h3>CONTEXT</h3><div>Intensive agriculture is a complex, partially industrial and partially circular system that stretches outside the boundaries of fields, herds, and farms. Increasing circularity in agriculture for both environmental and economic reasons requires ex-ante assessment tools designed to operate at the same scale and level of complexity.</div></div><div><h3>OBJECTIVE</h3><div>To address this, we developed the CIRKULÆR model, which evaluates system-wide climate and environmental effects of changing agricultural practices at a highly interconnected regional scale.</div></div><div><h3>METHODS</h3><div>The model estimates inputs, outputs, emissions and the flow of biomass, C, N, P, K and energy from crop cultivation and animal production to storage and processing of biomass. We demonstrate the capabilities of CIRKULÆR in a case study based in Denmark, which explored the substitution of cereals with protein crops followed by different storage and utilization steps. We considered twelve scenarios, each involving one of four protein crops (grass-clover, organic grass-clover, alfalfa and faba beans) in one of three soil types (coarse sand, irrigated sand and clay).</div></div><div><h3>RESULTS AND CONCLUSIONS</h3><div>The greatest differences from business-as-usual baseline were seen in grass-clover, organic grass clover and alfalfa scenarios. Here, biomass processing led to reduced soya imports and increased biogas production, an increase in direct and indirect farm-related GHG emissions and a considerable increase in soil carbon sequestration which, combined, resulted in a decrease in net farm-related GHG emissions. Finally, out-of-farm GHG emissions increased for grass-clover, while a reduction in alfalfa and faba bean was driven by lower N fertilizer imports.</div></div><div><h3>SIGNIFICANCE</h3><div>These findings represent valuable insights for planning future incentives and policies in agriculture. In addition, the wide range of scenarios that can be evaluated by the CIRKULÆR model underpin the potential of the model to support decision makers.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":7730,"journal":{"name":"Agricultural Systems","volume":"229 ","pages":"Article 104415"},"PeriodicalIF":6.1,"publicationDate":"2025-06-12","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"144270923","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":1,"RegionCategory":"农林科学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Household seed security: A case of maize and wheat seed systems in the mountains of Nepal","authors":"Kishor Atreya ,&nbsp;Hom Nath Gartaula ,&nbsp;Kanchan Kattel","doi":"10.1016/j.agsy.2025.104419","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.agsy.2025.104419","url":null,"abstract":"<div><h3>Context</h3><div>Household seed security enhances agricultural productivity and strengthens climate resilience, yet persistent seed insecurity remains a critical challenge in Nepal despite intervention efforts. Notably, women play a significant role in seed systems across developing countries, yet their contributions are frequently marginalised because of entrenched gender norms and socio-cultural barriers.</div></div><div><h3>Objective</h3><div>This study examines seed security among maize and wheat-growing households in Nepal, analysing different social, economic, cultural, and spatial variables. It specifically investigates: (1) the current state of seed security for maize and wheat farmers, (2) the role of gender, ethnicity, geographic location, and other socioeconomic factors in shaping seed security, and (3) variations in these relationships across different seed security levels.</div></div><div><h3>Methodology</h3><div>Data were collected from 250 households across two municipalities during October–November 2021. Seed security was evaluated using the FAO's four-dimensional framework (availability, accessibility, varietal suitability, and quality). Gender-based household typologies (male-headed, female-headed, or jointly managed) were determined through Likert-scale assessments. Quantile regression analysis was employed to examine the effects of various contextual factors, including gender and ethnicity, on varying levels of seed security.</div></div><div><h3>Results and conclusion</h3><div>This study reveals distinct seed-sourcing patterns in Nepal's mountains: maize depends on formal markets (agrovets), while wheat relies on informal systems (saved seeds/local exchanges). Seed insecurity persists for both crops, shaped by divergent factors. Education and larger landholdings improve wheat seed security, whereas year-round food sufficiency enhances maize seed security. Paradoxically, access to formal market reduces wheat seed security, suggesting trade-offs. Experiences of historical seed insecurity have lasting negative effects, while informal seed saving practices build resilience, particularly at higher seed security levels. Gender analysis highlights women's central role in enhancing seed security, with Dalit households showing disproportionate vulnerability. In conclusion, findings highlight the need for crop-specific, context-sensitive interventions addressing systemic vulnerabilities in Nepal's mountain agri-food systems.</div></div><div><h3>Significance</h3><div>This research advances integrated seed sector development by demonstrating the need to recognise pluralistic seed systems and formulate crop-specific seed policies. The findings highlight how gender-inclusive approaches and formal-informal sector synergies can enhance seed security.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":7730,"journal":{"name":"Agricultural Systems","volume":"229 ","pages":"Article 104419"},"PeriodicalIF":6.1,"publicationDate":"2025-06-11","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"144262061","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":1,"RegionCategory":"农林科学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Co-location of sheep grazing and solar energy production yields agrotechnological synergies","authors":"Nikola Kochendoerfer ,&nbsp;A. Sophie Westbrook ,&nbsp;Christina E. McMillan ,&nbsp;P. Andrew Lapierre ,&nbsp;Muhammad A. Zaman ,&nbsp;Scott H. Morris ,&nbsp;Antonio DiTommaso ,&nbsp;Steven M. Grodsky","doi":"10.1016/j.agsy.2025.104403","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.agsy.2025.104403","url":null,"abstract":"<div><h3>Context</h3><div>Agrivoltaics—the co-location of solar energy and agricultural production—may reduce land-use competition and boost revenues for landowners. Sheep grazing in solar facilities (i.e., solar grazing/agrivoltaic grazing systems) is increasingly common in agricultural areas. Solar grazing can provide land access to flock owners and support agricultural viability via payments for vegetation management. However, there is a need for more data on how co-location of sheep grazing and solar energy production affects flock health, stocking rates, and feedback loops for maintenance of vegetation in solar facilities across regions.</div></div><div><h3>Objective</h3><div>Our objective was to better understand synergies and trade-offs associated with agrivoltaic grazing systems by investigating applied grazing management questions and concepts regarding agrotechnological co-benefits related to simultaneous flock health and vegetation management in solar facilities.</div></div><div><h3>Methods</h3><div>We tested effects of sheep stocking rates (0 to 10 sheep per ha⁻¹), site preparation (fallow vs. legume seed-mix planting), and microclimate (panel-shaded areas vs. panel interspaces) on herbage yield and nutritional quality, flock health and condition, and a vegetation management success index. We collected these data across two grazing seasons in an operational, 21.85-ha photovoltaic solar facility (18 MW) established on a previous old field in New York State, USA.</div></div><div><h3>Results and conclusions</h3><div>Shade from solar panels negatively affected herbage yield. We detected no significant differences in herbage yield or vegetation management outcomes between fallow and planted legume plots, suggesting that regrowth from native seed banks in solar facilities on previous old fields may be an economical alternative to seeding for sheep forage. Sheep stocking rates affected flock health and condition; we identified an optimal stocking rate of 8 sheep per ha⁻¹ for achieving sufficient herbage yield and quality, maintaining flock health, and preventing vegetation overgrowth from shading solar panels at our study site. Solar grazing can yield an agrotechnological synergy supporting healthy forage, healthy sheep, and vegetation management in community-scale (i.e., &lt;25 MW) solar facilities without mowing. In a well-managed solar grazing system, high herbage yield and quality promote high flock health and condition, and the healthy flock suppresses vegetation enough to prevent panel shading without mowing.</div></div><div><h3>Significance</h3><div>Our study highlights the potential for sheep grazing in solar facilities to simultaneously benefit sheep and solar energy production systems. Solar grazing can present a “win-win\" scenario for solar developers and sheep producers in the northeastern U.S.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":7730,"journal":{"name":"Agricultural Systems","volume":"229 ","pages":"Article 104403"},"PeriodicalIF":6.1,"publicationDate":"2025-06-11","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"144262060","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":1,"RegionCategory":"农林科学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Introducing institutional design principles for transforming on-ground biosecurity","authors":"Yiheyis T. Maru ,&nbsp;Heleen Kruger ,&nbsp;Barton Loechel ,&nbsp;Marta Hernandez-Jover ,&nbsp;Jennifer Kelly ,&nbsp;Jennifer Manyweathers ,&nbsp;Marwan El Hassan","doi":"10.1016/j.agsy.2025.104402","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.agsy.2025.104402","url":null,"abstract":"&lt;div&gt;&lt;h3&gt;Context&lt;/h3&gt;&lt;div&gt;There are calls for a transformation in biosecurity, including disease surveillance, at all levels to prevent and respond effectively to rising risks of animal, human, and zoonotic epidemics and pandemics. Many nations are adopting new technologies to transform biosecurity systems. However, limited attention is given to the role of institutions (regulations, rules, and organisations) essential for enabling these transformations. Aspects of biosecurity, such as on-ground general surveillance and biosecurity, generate social dilemmas that require unique institutional and governance arrangements to discourage free riding, prevent coordination failures, and support collective action across scales.&lt;/div&gt;&lt;/div&gt;&lt;div&gt;&lt;h3&gt;Objective&lt;/h3&gt;&lt;div&gt;To assess the fitness of current institutions governing on-ground biosecurity and general animal health surveillance (BGAHS) in supporting coordinated collective action against growing biosecurity threats and to generate analytical insights for policy, practice, and research.&lt;/div&gt;&lt;/div&gt;&lt;div&gt;&lt;h3&gt;Methods&lt;/h3&gt;&lt;div&gt;We use Australia as a case study, a nation with strong biosecurity and recognised shared responsibility among stakeholders. We apply theories on public goods, common-pool resources, and social dilemmas to characterise on-ground BGAHS. We briefly describe Australia's general surveillance and broader biosecurity systems through an institutional lens based on research involving literature reviews, interviews, and focus groups with government, industry stakeholders, and leaders of successful animal health partnerships. We explore how existing rules and governance of BGAHS align with Elinor Ostrom's institutional design principles and recent additions to enable effective collective action. Finally, we synthesise insights on institutional design principles for BGAHS policy, practice, and research in Australia and similar contexts.&lt;/div&gt;&lt;/div&gt;&lt;div&gt;&lt;h3&gt;Results and Conclusions&lt;/h3&gt;&lt;div&gt;We found that aspects of on-ground biosecurity generate public good social dilemmas. However, despite Australia's strong reputation, current governance arrangements, including general surveillance, give limited attention to institutional design principles.&lt;/div&gt;&lt;/div&gt;&lt;div&gt;&lt;h3&gt;Significance&lt;/h3&gt;&lt;div&gt;This article offers insights for transforming biosecurity governance. A key policy implication is that shared responsibility needs to shift from individualised risk and responsibility to coordinated collective action. While devolving responsibility is important, it must be matched with rights and resources to support decision-making and implementation across scales.&lt;/div&gt;&lt;div&gt;For practice, a crucial insight is the need to design nested institutions that foster collective action locally, where on-ground BGAHS is embedded in the everyday activities of farmers and stakeholders. This requires locally driven institutions aligned with state and national systems.&lt;/div&gt;&lt;div&gt;A research insight is that while existing institutiona","PeriodicalId":7730,"journal":{"name":"Agricultural Systems","volume":"229 ","pages":"Article 104402"},"PeriodicalIF":6.1,"publicationDate":"2025-06-10","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"144239848","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":1,"RegionCategory":"农林科学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Eco-efficiency evaluation of piglet production: An economic value added approach to GWP","authors":"Carolina Obregão da Rosa ,&nbsp;Rita Therezinha Rolim Pietramale ,&nbsp;Juliana Dias de Oliveira ,&nbsp;Clandio Favarini Ruviaro","doi":"10.1016/j.agsy.2025.104404","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.agsy.2025.104404","url":null,"abstract":"<div><h3>CONTEXT</h3><div>Swine farming is a key contributor to rural and regional development in several Brazilian states. However, the sector faces significant sustainability challenges. Integrated assessments of environmental and economic performance are therefore essential to support more sustainable production practices.</div></div><div><h3>OBJECTIVE</h3><div>This study evaluates the eco-efficiency of weaned piglet production systems in response to the growing emphasis on sustainability and resource-use efficiency in livestock value chains.</div></div><div><h3>METHODS</h3><div>Environmental performance was assessed using Life Cycle Assessment (LCA), focusing on climate change potential and identifying environmental hotspots. Economic performance was evaluated through the Value Added (VA) metric. The integrated LCA–VA approach was applied over a one-year production cycle on a wean-to-growing farm comprising seven production batches.</div></div><div><h3>RESULTS AND CONCLUSIONS</h3><div>The system evaluated exhibited eco-inefficiency. Attaining a positive Value Added is a key long-term strategic goal, as it enables reinvestment in technologies and management practices that reduce environmental impacts and improve overall eco-efficiency.</div></div><div><h3>SIGNIFICANCE</h3><div>Performance indicators such as weight gain and duration of production phases (days in phase) showed strong potential for improving eco-efficiency. Balancing these indicators should be a priority in optimizing weaned piglet production. This study contributes novel insights by applying a combined LCA–VA framework to a production phase underrepresented in the literature.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":7730,"journal":{"name":"Agricultural Systems","volume":"229 ","pages":"Article 104404"},"PeriodicalIF":6.1,"publicationDate":"2025-06-10","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"144253594","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":1,"RegionCategory":"农林科学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Evaluating the sustainability of tillage and cover crop management practices in regenerative organic agriculture using life cycle assessment-based emergy analysis","authors":"Qiliang Huang ,&nbsp;Yingting Gong ,&nbsp;Ratih Kemala Dewi ,&nbsp;Peiran Li ,&nbsp;Xiaolong Wang ,&nbsp;Rahmatullah Hashimi ,&nbsp;Masakazu Komatsuzaki","doi":"10.1016/j.agsy.2025.104414","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.agsy.2025.104414","url":null,"abstract":"<div><h3>Context</h3><div>Organic farming is widely regarded as a key strategy for achieving sustainable development in agriculture, with its sustainability closely linked to the management practices employed. Assessing the sustainability of organic cropping systems under varying management practices is essential to identify and promote the most sustainable options.</div></div><div><h3>Objective</h3><div>This study investigated the effects of tillage and cover crop management on the efficiency and sustainability of a regenerative organic cropping system. It aimed to determine the most suitable combination of tillage and cover crop management for achieving high sustainability.</div></div><div><h3>Methods</h3><div>Three tillage methods—moldboard plowing (MP), no-tillage (NT), and rotary tillage (RT)—and two cover crop strategies—fallow (FA) and rye (RY)—were evaluated in an organic soybean system. Sustainability was assessed using emergy evaluation based on life cycle assessment (LCA) methodology. Soil organic matter and inorganic nutrients were included in the emergy accounting.</div></div><div><h3>Results and conclusions</h3><div>The NT system significantly reduced nonrenewable inputs by 44.0 % and 8.2 % compared to MP and RT, respectively, though it resulted in a yield reduction of 26.9 % and 26.7 %. However, RY management mitigated this reduction, with NT-RY achieving 38.6 % higher yields compared to NT-FA. NT-RY also increased soil organic matter and potassium by 53.5 %, leading to higher total system output. NT-RY demonstrated the highest production efficiency, with the lowest unit emergy value (UEV = 3.32E + 05 sej J⁻¹). The emergy sustainability index of NT was 4.5 % and 1.3 % higher than MP and RT, respectively, while RY further enhanced ESI across the system.</div></div><div><h3>Significance</h3><div>LCA-based emergy evaluation is a powerful tool for comparing the sustainability of agricultural management practices. These findings identify NT-RY as a promising approach for advancing sustainable development in organic farming, offering valuable insights for organic growers striving to enhance agricultural sustainability.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":7730,"journal":{"name":"Agricultural Systems","volume":"229 ","pages":"Article 104414"},"PeriodicalIF":6.1,"publicationDate":"2025-06-09","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"144239847","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":1,"RegionCategory":"农林科学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"What does the dairy farming bring to the desertified soil? A case study","authors":"Zixi Han ,&nbsp;Jianfei Zeng ,&nbsp;Xu Zhao ,&nbsp;Yanyan Dong ,&nbsp;Yongsong Mu ,&nbsp;Sha Wei ,&nbsp;Yong Hou ,&nbsp;Ziyu Han","doi":"10.1016/j.agsy.2025.104405","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.agsy.2025.104405","url":null,"abstract":"<div><h3>CONTEXT</h3><div>The improvement and utilization of desertified soil are essential for global food security. Advances in modern agricultural technology have made it possible to conduct dairy farming on desertified soils.</div></div><div><h3>OBJECTIVE</h3><div>To clarify the process of desertified soil improvement through a crop and livestock integration agricultural model, and further elucidate the carbon foot print (CF) during this process by a case study.</div></div><div><h3>METHOD</h3><div>A 15-year study (2008–2023) was conducted on a crop and livestock integration dairy farm to assess soil improvement. Life cycle assessment methodology was employed to analyze the changes in the CF with the increased production capacity of the farm.</div></div><div><h3>RESULT AND CONCLUSIONS</h3><div>The results revealed the following from 2008 to 2023: (1) soil production increased dramatically, (2) soil organic matter, total nitrogen, available phosphorus, and available potassium improved by 174.7 %, 55.8 %, 241.2 %, and 180.1 %, respectively, (3) unaggregated soil decreased from 77.06 % to 32.03 %, while bulk density decreased from 1.73 to 1.36, and (4) the CF of fat- and protein-corrected milk (FPCM) decreased from 39.72 kg CO₂-eq kg⁻¹ in 2012 to 2.59 kg CO₂-eq kg⁻¹ in 2020, followed by 35 % increase from 2020 to 2023.</div></div><div><h3>SIGNIFICANCE</h3><div>This study has significant implications for developing sustainable dairy farming systems in desertified areas, focusing on soil productivity improvement and CF reduction.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":7730,"journal":{"name":"Agricultural Systems","volume":"229 ","pages":"Article 104405"},"PeriodicalIF":6.1,"publicationDate":"2025-06-06","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"144223368","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":1,"RegionCategory":"农林科学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}