Agricultural Systems最新文献

{"title":"Greenhouse gas emission characteristics of farmland in the Guanzhong region under varied water-nitrogen management measures based on the DNDC model","authors":"Siya Wang ,&nbsp;Jiaxin Lu ,&nbsp;Shikun Sun ,&nbsp;Ruoqing Hu ,&nbsp;Jiabei Li ,&nbsp;Jie Pang ,&nbsp;Yuxin Yang","doi":"10.1016/j.agsy.2025.104628","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.agsy.2025.104628","url":null,"abstract":"<div><h3>Context</h3><div>Irrigation and nitrogen application are essential agronomic practices for enhancing crop yields, yet they also represent potential levers for mitigating agricultural greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions in cropping systems.</div></div><div><h3>Objective</h3><div>This study aimed to identify optimal water‑nitrogen management strategies that maximize grain yield while minimizing GHG emissions in winter wheat-summer maize rotations within the Guanzhong Plain.</div></div><div><h3>Methods</h3><div>The Denitrification-Decomposition (DNDC) model was rigorously calibrated and validated using empirical field datasets. Individual and synergistic effects of irrigation levels (spanning 0–120 % field capacity, FC) and nitrogen application rates (0–300 kg N ha⁻¹) on GHG emissions were evaluated through systematic simulations of 88 distinct water‑nitrogen management scenarios.</div></div><div><h3>Results and Conclusions</h3><div>Maximum yields were achieved at 85 % FC irrigation coupled with 225 kg N ha⁻¹ for winter wheat (8431 kg ha⁻¹) and 85 % FC irrigation with 250 kg N ha⁻¹ for summer maize (9806 kg ha⁻¹), beyond which yields plateaued. Cumulative N₂O emissions ranged from 0.07 to 0.75 kg N ha⁻¹ (wheat) and 0.10–1.37 kg N ha⁻¹ (maize). CO₂ emissions initially increased with inputs before stabilizing at 3050 kg C ha⁻¹ (wheat) and 2464 kg C ha⁻¹ (maize) under optimal regimes. Precision management (85 % FC + crop-specific N) synchronizes yield optimization with GHG mitigation, achieving 18–22 % emission reduction relative to conventional practices while maintaining 95–97 % of maximum yield potential.</div></div><div><h3>Significance</h3><div>This work establishes a scientifically validated framework for climate-smart cereal production in semi-arid regions. The identified water‑nitrogen regimes (85 % FC + 225 kg N ha⁻¹ wheat; 85 % FC + 250 kg N ha⁻¹ maize) enable sustainable intensification by concurrently addressing food security and decarbonization goals in global cropping systems.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":7730,"journal":{"name":"Agricultural Systems","volume":"233 ","pages":"Article 104628"},"PeriodicalIF":6.1,"publicationDate":"2026-03-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"145880385","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":"Export-attributed carbon footprint of cotton production in arid China: A life cycle and driver analysis","authors":"Jian Liu ,&nbsp;Yu Zhang ,&nbsp;Cun Chang ,&nbsp;Shuai Wu ,&nbsp;Wei Yan ,&nbsp;Yonglong Han ,&nbsp;Yonghui Wang ,&nbsp;Xiaofei Ma","doi":"10.1016/j.agsy.2025.104632","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.agsy.2025.104632","url":null,"abstract":"&lt;div&gt;&lt;h3&gt;Context&lt;/h3&gt;&lt;div&gt;Cotton is a globally traded commodity with disproportionately large environmental costs. Although its land share is modest, input use and energy demand are high in arid irrigated systems. The Tarim River Basin (TRB) in Xinjiang, China—one of the country's principal cotton-producing regions—remains underrepresented in long-term, spatially explicit carbon accounting, particularly with respect to responsibilities embedded in international trade. An assessment that connects farm-level processes, export attribution, and driver diagnosis is needed to guide equitable and efficient decarbonization.&lt;/div&gt;&lt;/div&gt;&lt;div&gt;&lt;h3&gt;Objective&lt;/h3&gt;&lt;div&gt;Quantify the carbon footprint of cotton production in the TRB on 1 km grids for 2000–2020; develop and apply a transparent export-attribution framework that assigns to the region an equitable share of emissions embedded in cotton trade from China; and isolate principal biophysical and socioeconomic drivers using ridge regression and structural equation modeling (SEM) to identify policy-sensitive levers for mitigation.&lt;/div&gt;&lt;/div&gt;&lt;div&gt;&lt;h3&gt;Methods&lt;/h3&gt;&lt;div&gt;We conducted a cradle-to-farm-gate life-cycle assessment (LCA) at a 1 km spatial resolution from 2000 to 2020. We compiled activity data and emission factors to derive product-, area-, and value-based indicators, including &lt;span&gt;&lt;math&gt;&lt;mi&gt;CF&lt;/mi&gt;&lt;mo&gt;_&lt;/mo&gt;&lt;mi&gt;Y&lt;/mi&gt;&lt;/math&gt;&lt;/span&gt; (kg CO₂-eq·kg&lt;sup&gt;−1&lt;/sup&gt;), &lt;span&gt;&lt;math&gt;&lt;mi&gt;CF&lt;/mi&gt;&lt;mo&gt;_&lt;/mo&gt;&lt;mi&gt;A&lt;/mi&gt;&lt;/math&gt;&lt;/span&gt; (kg CO₂-eq·hm&lt;sup&gt;−2&lt;/sup&gt;), and carbon economic efficiency (&lt;span&gt;&lt;math&gt;&lt;mi&gt;CEE&lt;/mi&gt;&lt;/math&gt;&lt;/span&gt;; kg CO₂-eq·CNY&lt;sup&gt;−1&lt;/sup&gt;; CNY denotes the Chinese yuan). A national-proportional export-attribution scheme was applied to allocate export-embedded carbon emissions to the TRB. Based on this allocation, trade-intensity metrics were calculated, including &lt;span&gt;&lt;math&gt;&lt;mi&gt;CF&lt;/mi&gt;&lt;mo&gt;_&lt;/mo&gt;&lt;msub&gt;&lt;mi&gt;Y&lt;/mi&gt;&lt;mi&gt;export&lt;/mi&gt;&lt;/msub&gt;&lt;/math&gt;&lt;/span&gt; and &lt;span&gt;&lt;math&gt;&lt;msub&gt;&lt;mi&gt;CEE&lt;/mi&gt;&lt;mi&gt;export&lt;/mi&gt;&lt;/msub&gt;&lt;/math&gt;&lt;/span&gt;. Drivers were quantified through ridge regression and a confirmatory SEM spanning land use, vegetation condition, topography, climate, and socioeconomic context; direct and indirect effects were decomposed. Uncertainty was examined via sensitivity tests on key activity data and emission factors.&lt;/div&gt;&lt;/div&gt;&lt;div&gt;&lt;h3&gt;Results and Conclusions&lt;/h3&gt;&lt;div&gt;Total emissions more than doubled from 2000 to 2020. In contrast, the intensity indicators changed differently: &lt;span&gt;&lt;math&gt;&lt;mi&gt;CF&lt;/mi&gt;&lt;mo&gt;_&lt;/mo&gt;&lt;mi&gt;Y&lt;/mi&gt;&lt;/math&gt;&lt;/span&gt; remained near 2.83 kg CO₂-eq·kg&lt;sup&gt;−1&lt;/sup&gt;, &lt;span&gt;&lt;math&gt;&lt;mi&gt;CEE&lt;/mi&gt;&lt;/math&gt;&lt;/span&gt; decreased from 0.25 to 0.14 kg CO₂-eq·CNY&lt;sup&gt;−1&lt;/sup&gt;, and &lt;span&gt;&lt;math&gt;&lt;mi&gt;CF&lt;/mi&gt;&lt;mo&gt;_&lt;/mo&gt;&lt;mi&gt;A&lt;/mi&gt;&lt;/math&gt;&lt;/span&gt; increased from about 3900 to 5200 kg CO₂-eq·hm&lt;sup&gt;−2&lt;/sup&gt;, indicating increasing land-based emission intensity. Dominant sources were labor (34.4 %), electricity (23.8 %), and diesel (14.8 %), highlighting priorities to modernize labor structure and decarbonize irrigation","PeriodicalId":7730,"journal":{"name":"Agricultural Systems","volume":"233 ","pages":"Article 104632"},"PeriodicalIF":6.1,"publicationDate":"2026-03-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"145880386","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":"Algorithm aversion in agricultural decision-making: Trust dynamics, barriers, and fertiliser-related decision support","authors":"Jack H. Grant ,&nbsp;Dorothee Scharpenberg ,&nbsp;Louise Manning","doi":"10.1016/j.agsy.2025.104630","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.agsy.2025.104630","url":null,"abstract":"<div><h3>CONTEXT</h3><div>Algorithm-based fertiliser recommendations offer substantial potential to improve Nitrogen Use Efficiency (NUE) and support economic and environmental sustainability. However, adoption among farmers in the United Kingdom (UK) remains limited, partly due to algorithm aversion, i.e., the tendency to distrust or avoid algorithmic-generated recommendations, even when they provide benefits.</div></div><div><h3>OBJECTIVE</h3><div>This study examines algorithm aversion in fertiliser-related decision-making among UK farmers and agronomists. Aiming to identify key barriers to adopting decision-support tools (DSTs), improving understanding of stakeholder trust dynamics, and exploring strategies to improve uptake.</div></div><div><h3>METHODS</h3><div>An online survey of 50 farmers and 26 agronomists assessed confidence in algorithmic recommendations versus human advice, understanding of NUE, perceived adoption barriers, and openness to non-traditional fertiliser recommendations. A follow-up workshop with 10 participants in DSTs trials provided qualitative insights into trust and usability.</div></div><div><h3>RESULTS AND CONCLUSIONS</h3><div>Farmers reported significantly greater trust in human advice compared to algorithmic recommendations (median 8 vs. 6, <em>p</em> &lt; .001), whereas agronomists showed the reverse pattern (median 8 vs. 7.0, <em>p</em> &lt; .001). Perceived barriers included cost concerns, poor system integration, complexity, and confusion over metrics. Whilst some farmers showed low levels of NUE literacy, agronomists demonstrated higher NUE literacy. Farmers relied on advice grounded in social trust and shared beliefs, while agronomists viewed algorithmic outputs as complements to technical expertise. Workshop participants found DST dashboards informative but often overwhelming.</div></div><div><h3>SIGNIFICANCE</h3><div>Addressing algorithm aversion through improved interface design, transparency, and tailored education, particularly via trusted advisors, may bridge the trust gap and facilitate digital tool adoption.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":7730,"journal":{"name":"Agricultural Systems","volume":"233 ","pages":"Article 104630"},"PeriodicalIF":6.1,"publicationDate":"2026-03-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"145837421","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":"How misinformation and information asymmetry distort climate adaptation among smallholder farmers","authors":"Ayat Ullah","doi":"10.1016/j.agsy.2026.104660","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.agsy.2026.104660","url":null,"abstract":"&lt;div&gt;&lt;h3&gt;Context&lt;/h3&gt;&lt;div&gt;Climate change poses escalating risks to smallholder agriculture, yet the effectiveness of adaptation depends not only on the availability of strategies but also on how farmers access, interpret, and trust information. In many rural contexts, misinformation and information asymmetry, particularly from market actors, shape decisions in ways that can undermine climate resilience and sustainability.&lt;/div&gt;&lt;/div&gt;&lt;div&gt;&lt;h3&gt;Objective&lt;/h3&gt;&lt;div&gt;This study investigates how misinformation and asymmetric information influence the adoption of climate change adaptation practices among smallholder farmers, using a Protection Motivation Theory (PMT) framework to link perceived risks, information credibility, and behavioral intent. It also situates these dynamics within broader debates on digital agriculture, Agriculture 4.0, and AI-based advisory systems, highlighting their dual role as both opportunities for innovation and channels of misinformation.&lt;/div&gt;&lt;/div&gt;&lt;div&gt;&lt;h3&gt;Methods&lt;/h3&gt;&lt;div&gt;The study was conducted in Upper Dir District, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, Pakistan, using a mixed-methods approach that combined a structured survey of 218 smallholder farmers with 22 in-depth qualitative interviews. Quantitative data were analyzed using a multivariate probit model, while qualitative data were thematically coded to contextualize statistical findings.&lt;/div&gt;&lt;/div&gt;&lt;div&gt;&lt;h3&gt;Results and conclusions&lt;/h3&gt;&lt;div&gt;The results indicated that borrowing inputs significantly reduced adoption of improved seeds, reflecting in-kind credit arrangements that lock farmers into market-controlled input choices. Exposure to asymmetric information in input markets increased adoption of gabion walls and agroforestry but reduced traditional stone bund use, indicating selective uptake driven by incomplete or biased advice. Weak public extension coverage forced farmers to rely on market vendors, who often provided commercially motivated guidance aimed at selling inputs rather than enhancing adaptive capacity. Access to credible online platforms significantly increased adoption of improved seeds, and traditional stone bunds, highlighting the potential of digital channels when reliable. Social media–based misinformation further reinforced existing information asymmetries and shaped farmers' decision-making environments.&lt;/div&gt;&lt;/div&gt;&lt;div&gt;&lt;h3&gt;Significance&lt;/h3&gt;&lt;div&gt;By foregrounding the role of information ecosystems in shaping adaptation behaviour, this study challenges linear, technocratic models of climate resilience. It underscores the need for governance approaches that regulate private information flows, strengthen public extension systems, and build trust-based, multi-stakeholder platforms for credible adaptation advice. In the era of digital agriculture, Agriculture 4.0, and AI-driven advisory tools, sustainable adaptation among smallholders will require not only technical solutions but also structural reforms to address the politics of information, power, and trust in rur","PeriodicalId":7730,"journal":{"name":"Agricultural Systems","volume":"233 ","pages":"Article 104660"},"PeriodicalIF":6.1,"publicationDate":"2026-03-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"146110561","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 economic irrationality of closing the yield gap in rainfed maize production – An extensification v intensification assessment in Dodoma, Tanzania","authors":"Gerardo E. van Halsema,&nbsp;Maria Christoforidou","doi":"10.1016/j.agsy.2026.104656","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.agsy.2026.104656","url":null,"abstract":"<div><h3>Context</h3><div>Current trends in SSA show a rapid expansion of the area in rainfed cereal production with persistent low yields. This, despite the long-established efforts to close the yield gap in SSA and promote high(er) yielding agricultural intensification (re. Alliance for a Green Revolution in Africa).</div></div><div><h3>Objective</h3><div>In this paper, we show why the extensification of low yielding rainfed agriculture in SSA, as reported, persists and forms a sensible strategy to pursue for small holders – both from an agronomic and economic point of view.</div></div><div><h3>Methods</h3><div>We do this by presenting the comparative modelling analysis for the low yield extensification and high yield intensification strategy for rainfed maize cultivation in Dodoma, Tanzania. The contrasting strategies were modelled and assessed using crop growth modelling (AquaCrop), 9 years of climatic data and economic data for costs and revenues. Data were obtained from online sources and past studies.</div></div><div><h3>Results &amp; conclusions</h3><div>Results show that low yield extensification under rainfed conditions is sensible, due to: (i) the staggering of planting dates that provide a better climate resilience for production; and (ii) a higher economic profitability, especially in the long term. Our results show that the economic risks (due to crop failure) of the high yielding intensification strategy become insurmountable for low-income households when both climate volatility and prices of chemical fertilisers increase.</div></div><div><h3>Significance</h3><div>Expanding agricultural rainfed area under low input, low cost, and low yield (as reported by FAO) is, as supported by our modelling results, a sensible risk management strategy to pursue for low-income households, that helps to explain its continuing practice. Finally, we will argue that in an era of increasing climatic and financial volatility affecting agricultural production, we will need to reorient our agricultural production systems from yield maximisation to risk optimisation. To halt the continuing expansion of rainfed agriculture, at the expense of nature, the focus will have to shift towards increasing and stabilising income for poor household under volatile climatic conditions. Our methods can be applied to assess the climatic risks of rainfed agriculture regions by determining the cut-off ratio at which extensification outperforms intensification.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":7730,"journal":{"name":"Agricultural Systems","volume":"233 ","pages":"Article 104656"},"PeriodicalIF":6.1,"publicationDate":"2026-03-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"146073689","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":"Cropland use intensity, stability, and crop transition dynamics in the Songhua River Basin (2000–2024): Implications for sustainable land use and food security","authors":"Lai Gan ,&nbsp;Xiao Xiao ,&nbsp;Yishan Li ,&nbsp;Qiyuan Hu ,&nbsp;Yang Lan ,&nbsp;Yang Xie ,&nbsp;Fei Lun","doi":"10.1016/j.agsy.2026.104652","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.agsy.2026.104652","url":null,"abstract":"<div><h3>CONTEXT</h3><div>The Songhua River Basin (SRB), a vital grain base within the global black soil belt, faces unquantified instability from agricultural intensification and urbanization. However, existing assessments fail to integrate long-term spatial cropland use intensity, stability, and fine-scale crop management transitions, limiting our understanding of agricultural resilience.</div></div><div><h3>OBJECTIVE</h3><div>This study aims to quantify spatiotemporal dynamics and reveal the coupling mechanism between management practices and stability in the SRB. Specifically, we sought to: (1) characterize the spatiotemporal cropland dynamics; (2) unpack the nexus of cropland use intensity, stability and crop-type transitions; and (3) identify the driving forces and inform policy.</div></div><div><h3>METHODS</h3><div>To achieve these objectives, we developed an integrated framework to jointly assess cropland use intensity (CUI), cropland stability (CS), and crop-type transition pathways. We defined CUI as cumulative cultivated years and CS as a new index quantifying the persistence of cultivation within a pixel's dynamic land-use window (ratio of actual to potential years). Leveraging 25 years (2000–2024) of time-series Landsat imagery, we employed a Random Forest classifier to generate annual 30-m maps of cropland and major crops (maize, rice, soybean), achieving an overall accuracy &gt;90% and Kappa &gt;0.85.</div></div><div><h3>RESULTS AND CONCLUSIONS</h3><div>Our analysis revealed a landscape of high commitment but fragile trade-offs. Over 55% of croplands exhibited very high use intensity (&gt;20 years), with 60% classified as Highly Stable (HS) or Fully Stable (FS), concentrated in the fertile midstream and downstream plains. However, a severe quality-quantity trade-off was identified: while 100.4 × 10³ km² of new land was reclaimed, 40% of this expansion remained Unstable (US), largely confined to ecologically marginal zones. Concurrently, 9.8 × 10³ km² of high-quality, stable cropland was irreversibly lost to urban expansion. Crucially, we established a strong non-linear coupling between stability and management: high-frequency crop-type transitions (i.e., rotation) were strictly associated with resilient, high-stability zones, whereas low-frequency patterns characterized the extremes of either monoculture or instability.</div></div><div><h3>SIGNIFICANCE</h3><div>This study provides a novel, integrated assessment moving beyond conventional area-based metrics. The findings offer a clear policy mandate for the SRB and similar grain bases: sustainable food security requires a paradigm shift from maintaining “cropland area balance” to managing “cropland stability,” prioritizing strict zoning to protect stable cropland and incentivizing sustainable rotation systems.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":7730,"journal":{"name":"Agricultural Systems","volume":"233 ","pages":"Article 104652"},"PeriodicalIF":6.1,"publicationDate":"2026-03-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"146073691","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":"Exploring entry points to circularity in food production from a farming system perspective","authors":"Jana Firse ,&nbsp;Veera Naukkarinen ,&nbsp;Marjaana Toivonen ,&nbsp;Carl Timler ,&nbsp;Jeroen Groot ,&nbsp;Rogier Schulte ,&nbsp;Kari Koppelmäki","doi":"10.1016/j.agsy.2025.104625","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.agsy.2025.104625","url":null,"abstract":"<div><h3>Background</h3><div>Redesigning food systems for circularity has been proposed as a strategy to reduce environmental impacts, reliance on external inputs, and to support a shift towards healthy diets. Finland's specialised and input-reliant food production systems combined with efforts to curb agricultural emissions and transition to more plant-based diets motivate exploration of future food system scenarios.</div></div><div><h3>Aims</h3><div>We explored two entry points to circular food production, localised food systems and the production of plant-based foods, and analysed their potential to enhance the environmental performance of Finnish farms. We further aimed to complement larger scale studies on circularity with a farm level perspective that accounts for heterogeneity and the farmers' perspective.</div></div><div><h3>Methods</h3><div>We generated alternative farm configurations for eight specialised arable farms in Finland. This explorative modelling study was based on three scenarios: (i) farm development based on the farmers' preferences, (ii) a localised farming system increasing nutrient and biomass cycling, (iii) maximising the production of plant-based foods.</div></div><div><h3>Results</h3><div>Localised and plant-based scenarios resulted in distinctly different production systems. While scenario (ii) reduced food production but lowered environmental impacts and input reliance, scenario (iii) led to highest reductions of greenhouse gas emissions and increases in overall food production. Farmer-led redesigns (i) showed large variability in perceived options for change reflecting farm-specific lock-ins and opportunities.</div></div><div><h3>Conclusions</h3><div>Our results underline the role of supporting objectives, such as self-sufficiency or dietary change in designing circular food systems. The heterogeneity across farms calls for a context-specific approach in supporting farmers to deliver on environmental goals.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":7730,"journal":{"name":"Agricultural Systems","volume":"233 ","pages":"Article 104625"},"PeriodicalIF":6.1,"publicationDate":"2026-03-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"145920753","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":"Incorporating multifunctional value chain actors' varietal trait preferences in sweetpotato breeding programs: A pathway towards inclusive innovation","authors":"Julius Juma Okello ,&nbsp;Sylvester Okoth Ojwang ,&nbsp;David Jakinda Otieno ,&nbsp;Robert O.M. Mwanga ,&nbsp;Benard Yada ,&nbsp;Hugo Campos ,&nbsp;Simon Heck","doi":"10.1016/j.agsy.2025.104610","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.agsy.2025.104610","url":null,"abstract":"&lt;div&gt;&lt;h3&gt;CONTEXT&lt;/h3&gt;&lt;div&gt;Conventional breeding programs have hitherto been farmer-centric, prioritizing improvement of agronomic traits while neglecting trait preferences of other value chain actors. The supply-side focus may lead to low adoption of new varieties and food insecurity. Inclusive breeding is vital for meeting diverse customer needs.&lt;/div&gt;&lt;/div&gt;&lt;div&gt;&lt;h3&gt;OBJECTIVE&lt;/h3&gt;&lt;div&gt;This study characterizes the multifunctional roles of sweetpotato actors and systematically assesses differences in varietal trait preferences among actors across the entire sweetpotato value chain in Uganda. It is premised on the CGIAR Excellence in Breeding platform's guide to inclusive demand-driven breeding that espouses the need to involve a broad range of stakeholders in breeding program design, hence innovation development. It provides useful insights on varietal trait preferences and needs of actors that are essential to produce future fit-for-purpose market preferred innovations.&lt;/div&gt;&lt;/div&gt;&lt;div&gt;&lt;h3&gt;METHODS&lt;/h3&gt;&lt;div&gt;The study used a sequential mixed methods approach involving, first, systematic value chain-wide multidisciplinary consultations to elicit preferred sweetpotato traits. Second, collection of quantitative survey data from 1333 stakeholders identified primarily as producers (992), seed multipliers (68), processors (18), traders (97), and consumers (158). Third, a rigorous quantitative analysis to examine drivers of and trade-offs in varietal trait preferences by actor category.&lt;/div&gt;&lt;/div&gt;&lt;div&gt;&lt;h3&gt;RESULTS AND CONCLUSIONS&lt;/h3&gt;&lt;div&gt;The findings demonstrate the multifunctional roles of the actors and their varying trait preferences across the value chain. Actors with singular roles prioritize traits based on their immediate needs and commercial interests while those with joint roles exhibit a broader range of trait preferences. However, actors in both production and trading/consumption roles seek a balance between agronomic and quality traits, blending commercial and personal preferences. Regression analysis finds a higher preference for quality traits than agronomic traits as one moves downstream from producers to consumers. Mealiness is consistently preferred over agronomic and other quality traits. Also, overall, women have a balanced preference for both categories of traits.&lt;/div&gt;&lt;/div&gt;&lt;div&gt;&lt;h3&gt;SIGNIFICANCE&lt;/h3&gt;&lt;div&gt;The study demonstrates a rigorous participatory research process for eliciting strategic information for decision-making in breeding. It supports the need for systematic market intelligence in crop breeding systems to make them more pluralistic and responsive to evolving trait preferences across the value chain. Embracing multi-actor preferences with fit-for-purpose crop breeding innovations/products can foster uptake of the new varieties and benefit all value chain actors once the mix of trait preferences is fully accounted for in breeding programs and necessary efforts are put in place to ensure the new varieties are successful.&lt;/d","PeriodicalId":7730,"journal":{"name":"Agricultural Systems","volume":"233 ","pages":"Article 104610"},"PeriodicalIF":6.1,"publicationDate":"2026-03-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"145787441","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":"Integrated assessment of carbon footprint and net ecosystem economic benefits of black rice under coupled water‑nitrogen conditions","authors":"Zhaoqiang Jin ,&nbsp;Qianqian Chen ,&nbsp;Meilin Chen ,&nbsp;Matthew Tom Harrison ,&nbsp;Shijie Shi ,&nbsp;Ke Liu ,&nbsp;Liying Huang ,&nbsp;Xiaohai Tian ,&nbsp;Yunbo Zhang ,&nbsp;Lixiao Nie","doi":"10.1016/j.agsy.2025.104620","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.agsy.2025.104620","url":null,"abstract":"<div><h3>Context</h3><div>In contemporary Chinese agriculture, rice production relies heavily on intensive water and nitrogen inputs. However, the scientific literature lacks comprehensive assessments of the carbon footprint and net ecosystem economic benefits of rice under varying water‑nitrogen management scenarios.</div></div><div><h3>Objective</h3><div>This study aims to systematically evaluate the effects of water‑nitrogen coupling on the carbon footprint and net ecosystem economic benefits of rice cultivation.</div></div><div><h3>Methods</h3><div>A field experiment with three water management practices (rainfed, alternating wet and dry irrigation, and flooded irrigation) and four nitrogen fertilizer application levels (0, 50, 100, and 150 kg N ha⁻¹) was conducted in 2021 and 2022. This study comprehensively assessed the effects of different water and nitrogen management practices on greenhouse gas emissions, carbon footprint, and net ecosystem economic benefits of black rice production.</div></div><div><h3>Results and conclusions</h3><div>Results showed that rainfed conditions reduced the global warming potential, greenhouse gas intensity, and carbon footprint of rice by 37.57 %, 27.85 %, and 20.82 % relative to alternating wet and dry irrigation, and by 49.64 %, 41.58 %, and 35.96 % compared to flooded irrigation. Concurrently, net ecosystem economic benefits decreased by 22.76 % and 15.53 % under rainfed conditions relative to alternating wet and dry irrigation and flooded irrigation, respectively. Nitrogen fertilization also exhibited differential effects; for ≤100 kg ha⁻¹, incremental nitrogen inputs enhanced net ecosystem economic benefits without commensurate increases in greenhouse gas intensity and carbon footprint. Applications exceeding 100 kg ha⁻¹ significantly increased carbon footprint and greenhouse gas intensity, diminishing net ecosystem economic benefits. Diesel fuel, nitrogen fertilizers, and agricultural machinery were primary contributors to greenhouse gas emissions in rice production, underscoring the necessity of reducing irrigation water and nitrogen application rates for effective greenhouse gas mitigation. We conclude that the alternating wet and dry irrigation with a nitrogen application rate of 100 kg ha⁻¹ treatment optimized environmental and economic outcomes, achieving lower carbon footprint and higher net ecosystem economic benefits.</div></div><div><h3>Significance</h3><div>The findings provide valuable insights for achieving the balance between environmental sustainability and economic benefits of rice production, which is of great significance for the establishment of a green and efficient rice production technology system and the formulation of related agricultural production policies in China.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":7730,"journal":{"name":"Agricultural Systems","volume":"233 ","pages":"Article 104620"},"PeriodicalIF":6.1,"publicationDate":"2026-03-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"145787442","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":"Participatory modelling for agroecological transitions: Engaging stakeholders in transformative pathways","authors":"A. Bourceret ,&nbsp;A. Barbe ,&nbsp;C. Robert","doi":"10.1016/j.agsy.2026.104634","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.agsy.2026.104634","url":null,"abstract":"<div><h3>CONTEXT</h3><div>The worldwide use of synthetic pesticides has been rising for decades. Agroecology offers a promising alternative, but its adoption requires support from public policy and multi-scale institutional and social levers. Recent policy approaches integrate levers promoting collective and territorial collaboration, recognizing the local scale as crucial for agroecological transitions. These levers involve mobilizing territorial stakeholders and implementing context-specific levers.</div></div><div><h3>OBJECTIVE</h3><div>Our objective is to better understand territorial levers that support agroecological transformation and associated practice change dynamics. We engaged with stakeholders using a generic territorial socio-ecological model to identify local levers and potential agroecological transition pathways.</div></div><div><h3>METHODS</h3><div>In the Barrois region (Eastern France), a participatory modelling initiative involved stakeholders from a farming territory aiming to reduce pesticide use. Three participatory workshops were organized to: (1) identify context-relevant levers; (2) calibrate the model based on the territory's current state; and (3) explore agricultural trajectories and supporting levers.</div></div><div><h3>RESULTS AND CONCLUSIONS</h3><div>The use of the model highlights the dynamic and multi-factor nature of transitions. The workshops fostered rich dialogue and proposals, playing a central role in co-construction. Participants collectively identified levers such as awareness-raising, training initiatives, new stakeholder networks, and evolving advisory services. However, these levers vary depending on farmers' sensitivities and production types. Discussions emphasized the importance of involving not only farmers but also consumers and supply chains to drive change.</div></div><div><h3>SIGNIFICANCE</h3><div>This participatory approach produced a more realistic model and created learning opportunities for all participants (researchers and agricultural stakeholders), despite challenges like communicating complex theoretical concepts and vocabulary.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":7730,"journal":{"name":"Agricultural Systems","volume":"233 ","pages":"Article 104634"},"PeriodicalIF":6.1,"publicationDate":"2026-03-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"145962527","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}